#ugh meeting that guy in like an hour and I just want to curl up in bed in a dark room

[littlcdarlin]

Does anybody else experience crippling anxiety when it comes to dating? It’s like my body can’t tell the difference between someone taking an interest in me and a lion chasing me at full speed, I feel so anxious and afraid for no real reason 😭😭😭

[nadvs]

OMG power play is one of my fav series .. like im sad its over but i was wondering if you can do rafe and reader seeing each other again after being apart for a while yk , maybe he surprises her or she surprises him idk (smut?) but ugh i love them n you ty babes😛

aw thank you ily!! this is so cute and omg the smut potential!! it’s another filthy one, y’all 👀 blurb set in the power play au. 18+!

You were tempted the entire three-hour drive over to give in and call Rafe and just tell him that you’d be at his house tonight.

As you step into the Camerons’ backyard, the summer sky a deep black against the twinkling string lights draped across the foliage, you’re glad you managed to resist.

You can’t wait to see the look on your boyfriend’s face.

You originally had to decline the invitation to his sister’s 18th birthday party, but when your travel plans with your friends unexpectedly fell through, you decided to come and keep it a surprise.

You navigate through the massive crowd to greet Sarah, who you’d texted about your plan. You give her a big hug and a gift, then kindly day hello to all her friends.

When you ask her where Rafe is, she points towards the back of the expansive backyard, assuring you that she kept your secret.

You weave through groups of people, and when your eyes land on your boyfriend, you take a moment to just look at him. He’s standing among his friends, a beer in his hand, pulling you in without even having to try.

You love how when he wears t-shirts, his biceps jut out the sleeves, how the outline of his broad chest is clear beneath the fabric. His usually tousled hair is neatly pushed back, the planes of his face strong, the cut of his jaw sharp.

You still can’t believe all you’ve been through together in the eight months you’ve known him, that he started off as just a guy with a bad attitude that you had to meet at the library once a week.

You never would have expected to fall for him, and to fall so hard, and you’re so glad you did. He may be different than you in so many ways, but you think that’s what makes you two work so well.

Rafe pulls his phone out, glancing at it just to pocket it again, surely wondering why you haven’t texted back in the last hour. He asked you when you were leaving for your trip tonight, and you haven’t responded.

It’s a jarring feeling, seeing him as who he is without you, seeing that he does the same things you do when you’re apart. It’s been a month since you’ve been together in person.

As you approach, he turns away, taking long strides to the bar. You follow, the anticipation making your heart race.

You settle by the bar beside him, his attention turned the other way. You almost forgot how much he towers over you, how big he is.

“Hey, do you have a girlfriend?” you tease, placing a hand on his forearm.

“Yes,” Rafe answers sharply, pulling away before even looking at you. When his eyes land on you, his face quickly changes from frustration to awe.

“Too bad,” you beam up at him.

“What are…”

He doesn’t finish his sentence. In seconds, he transforms from the cold grump he was when you met him to the loving man you know he is as he pulls you into a bearhug.

“Ouch,” you giggle when his grip is a little too tight, the rich notes of his cologne dancing over your nose.

“Sorry,” he half-whispers, pulling back to search your face with wide, softened eyes. “I thought you were leaving for your trip tonight.”

“Plans fell through,” you reply. “I wanted to surprise you. And I have to say, I really like how rude you were when you thought I was some girl hitting on you.”

Rafe smirks, the sudden, unexpected dopamine hit of seeing still radiating through him. He can’t believe this is real.

“It’s so good to see you, baby,” he says. “Like this.”

“And not on a screen for once,” you agree with a big smile. “How’s your night going?”

“So much better now,” he replies. He leans down to kiss your temple. You curl into him, your cheek against his chest, cozying into his warm embrace.

All it takes is his hand dragging down your shoulder, over your waist, squeezing your hip, for his body to tighten with desire.

“You wanna go to my room?” he murmurs into your ear.

You chuckle, craning your neck to meet his eyes, your stomach numbing with excitement.

“What about the party?” you flirt.

“It’ll be here when we get back.”

He keeps his heavy arm around your shoulders, his smile refusing to fade, as you sneak away undetected from the other partygoers.

You’ve already been in his bedroom once, but before you can make a joke about needing a tour, he has you against his closed door, kissing you deeply, your face in his big hands.

His kisses quickly get hungrier, faster, his length already firm against you, nudging your stomach.

“Tell me you have something,” Rafe murmurs against your mouth, the room still plunged in darkness.

“I didn’t expect this to happen,” you whisper through a gentle laugh. “Do you not have any left?”

“We finished the box up last time.”

“Wow,” you say. To be fair, you do have to use up quite a lot of condoms on your rare nights together. “It’s okay. I have something else in mind.”

Your hand trails down his firm body, stopping at the bulge beneath his jeans, rubbing, earning a sharp inhale.

He’s gone down on you plenty of times, but you’ve never done it to him. You’re nervous; everything is still so new to you. But you’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.

You start to unbuckle his belt, and once he realizes what’s happening, he’s using all of his self-control to not take over and pull his pants off as quickly as he can.

“You might need to teach me a little,” you whisper.

“That’s fine,” he rasps. “We both know how good you listen.”

The praise makes your heart skip a beat, your hands trembling as you tug down his zipper. You pull his pants down, lowering to your knees as you do it, the swelling under his boxers eye-level to you now.

Rafe gazes down at you, in awe of quickly his night went from missing you, empty, wishing you were here, to his lips buzzing from your kiss, looking down at you in the dimness of his bedroom, watching you palm his cock.

You bite your lip as you pull down his boxers and his hard arousal springs out for you.

You hold him at his base, eyes locked on his as you press a gentle, open-mouthed kiss on the swollen head of his cock.

“Fuck,” he groans. Everything he does with you manages to be hot and filthy, but sweet and tender, too, and it wasn’t until he was with you that he realized what making love really meant.

Your mouth widens with your kisses, tasting his salty precome, covering him in wet warmth.

“You can spit on it,” he rasps, his fingers lacing at the roots of your hair.

You obey, dribbling spit onto his tip, swirling your tongue over him. His knees are already weak, his grip on your hair tighter.

“Just like that,” Rafe whispers. “Get it wet with your hand.”

You stroke him gently, his shaft getting slick with your saliva, gazing up at him.

“Should I put it all in my mouth?” you ask.

He groans, in heaven when you talk like that.

“As much as you can,” he tells you.

You nod, clenching your thighs together from how turned on you are. You sink all the way to the base, gently gagging when he hits the back of your throat, your nose pressed against his skin.

Rafe’s body is on fire from how hot and wet your mouth is around him. You slowly pull back, moving with the curve of his cock, your lips smacking off with a quiet pop, then take him in again.

You start to add more suction, bobbing a little faster, your lips locked around his shaft.

“Yeah,” he breathes. “Suck harder. You can do it.”

Your cheeks hollow as you listen to his instructions, softly gagging every time you reach his base, making his head fuzzy with euphoria.

“Stroke it, too,” he says.

Your grip on his base loosens just a bit as you gently twist your hand around him, following your mouth as it goes up and down.

“Good girl,” he whispers. “Go faster.”

Your bobs pick up in speed, his fist in your hair as he guides you to move the way he wants you to, your mouth and hand full of him, eyes squeezing shut from how hot this is.

Rafe gently bucks his hips forward as you suck and lick and moan, his cock getting even harder as he gets close to his orgasm.

“I need to get a towel or something,” he says through a strained whisper. You pull off, gazing up at him, putting your other hand on his bare thigh.

“I can swallow,” you promise.

It sends him over the edge. He puts his hand over yours, guiding his cock back into your mouth, and in only two more pumps, his gut tightens and he comes so hard that he sees stars.

He fills your mouth and you feel his hand go to your other hand, lacing his fingers in yours as he finishes with an intoxicating groan.

You pull off of him last time, sucking hard although your jaw is sore, taking everything he offered.

Rafe doesn’t waste a moment to collect you off the floor, cupping your jaw, breathlessly kissing your lips over and over, his chest heaving.

“Thank you,” he whispers, his words rushing out. “Not just for that. For being here. You made my night so much better, baby. I missed you so much.”

“Me, too,” you whisper. “You’re not mad I didn’t tell you?”

“Mad?” he echoes with a chuckle. “Slap me if I ever get mad at you for anything ever again.”

“I will never take you up on that offer,” you laugh.

Rafe smirks, his head swimming, his heart pounding, staring at you like you put the sun in the sky. Because to him, it feels like you did. You gave him light he always needed, showing him every day what it’s like to give his heart to someone who knows how to take care of it.

[seulgisqt]

𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 — mapi león

mapi león x reader

(a/n: ugh my first fic for my barça babe ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎ finally was able to finish this cause I actually enjoyed writing this so I hope you guys enjoy it too <3)

word count: 1329

genre: fluff

summary: maybe a little chaos wasn't the worst thing, especially when it came with a motorcycle and mapi's laughter in the wind

You sat at your desk, posture immaculate, eyes skimming over her laptop screen as you meticulously edited your latest feature on the highly anticipated Copa de la Reina. Every sentence was subjected to your rigorous examination, and every word was weighed. In the world of Journalism, reputation was paramount, and you had painstakingly crafted yours through unwavering accuracy, thoughtful balance, unyielding fairness, and a steadfast commitment to professionalism.

Across the small, cluttered living room of your shared apartment, your girlfriend, Mapi lounged on the well-worn sofa, her body sprawled in a way that disregarded any notion of good posture. She flipped through a stack of team meeting notes with an air of nonchalance, the crinkle of the paper punctuating the otherwise quiet space. Her mismatched socks, a vibrant pink on one foot and a dull grey on the other added a touch of whimsy to her otherwise casual appearance. A curious smudge, perhaps remnants of a late-night snack, lingered on her cheek, resembling chocolate, giving her a carefree and slightly messy charm. Meanwhile, you tapped away furiously at your laptop, the rhythmic clattering of keys contrasting sharply with her relaxed demeanour, creating a subtle tension in the air.

“You’re frowning again,” Mapi said without looking up, her voice tinged with amusement, “that means you’re overthinking.”

Not bothering to glance away from the screen, you sighed, “I’m not overthinking, I’m being thorough.”

“Mm-hmm.” Mapi hummed softly, her eyes fluttering as she tossed her notes to the side. She stretched her arms above her head, her muscles arching gracefully. “You’re so thorough that you’ve rewritten that sentence, what, five times now?” She smirked playfully, a hint of amusement dancing in her voice. 

“It’s four, actually.” Your fingers hovered over the keyboard as you shot Mapi a pointed look.

Your girlfriend’s lips curled into a playful grin, her bright eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned closer, completely unfazed by the chaos of deadlines surrounding you. “My bad,” she teased, her voice light and airy. “Still, you really should consider taking a break.” With an effortless grace that caught you off guard, she slid off the sofa and made her way to your cluttered desk, where she perched herself with a casual elegance, nudging your shoulder softly with her elbow. “Why not let me distract you for a bit?” 

You felt your lips twitch in a barely contained smile, the corners wanting to betray your feigned annoyance. “And what exactly do you suggest I do? My deadline is looming just a few hours away,” you replied, trying to sound serious despite the warmth spreading through you. 

Mapi gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart in mock horror. "Oh no, tomorrow morning? That gives you," she glanced at the clock as if it were a ticking time bomb, "exactly twelve hours to indulge in a proper panic!" Her playful exaggeration momentarily made the weight of your workload feel lighter, the tension in your chest easing just a little.

“Not everyone can coast through life like you do, Mapi.”

"Coast? Excuse me, I work very hard at being effortlessly cool." Mapi gasped again.

“That’s one way to put it,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper. Finally, you leaned back in your chair, the tension gathering in your temples prompting you to rub them softly with your fingertips, hoping to alleviate the pressure. Seizing the moment, Mapi leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Come on, just a tiny break. Five minutes. Ten, if you’re feeling rebellious.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, a teasing grin spreading across her face. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

You arched a perfectly shaped brow, “I’m not sure I trust you to define ‘what’s worth my while.’”

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Mapi shot forward, grabbing your hand with a playful tug that pulled you out of your chair. “Okay, okay, hear me out: ice cream and a motorcycle ride. Just imagine it—the perfect mix of productivity and relaxation,” she proclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

"A motorcycle ride?" Scepticism etched on your features. "Mapi, the last time I agreed to one of your 'brilliant ideas,' we ended up lost in the countryside with zero signal and a very confused goat."

Mapi laughed, squeezing your hand in reassurance. “Hey, that goat loved you. You have a way with animals.”

“I was bribing it with the granola bar you stole from my bag.” You deadpanned, but there was a hint of a smile playing at your lips.

"Details, details," your girlfriend waved a hand dismissively. "Come on, cariño. It's a gorgeous evening, and I promise this time there will be no unexpected livestock involved. Just us, the open road, and some ice cream."

You let out an exasperated groan, knowing all too well the charm she wielded. “You are impossible,” you said, but despite your words, you found yourself being led away, your reluctance melting under the warmth of her excitement.

“And yet, you love me,” Mapi declared with a hint of mischief in her voice, her eyes sparkling as she interlaced her fingers with yours, sealing the moment with a touch that felt both daring and intimate. A triumphant smile spread across her face, radiating confidence. “Now, let’s get you out of those stuffy, serious clothes and into something a little more...wind-resistant.” She waved her hand toward your impeccably pressed blouse and tailored blazer, her playful tone hinting at a teasing adventure that awaited.

A short while later, you stepped out in a casual leather jacket that Mapi had somehow convinced you to buy months ago. Whistling appreciatively, the footballer looked you once over. “Look at you, a total biker chick. We should get matching helmets.”

"Don't push it." You warned, slipping on the helmet Mapi handed you.

As you set out on the open road, the exhilarating rush of the wind swirled around you, tugging at your clothes and playfully tousling your hair. You found yourself gripping Mapi a little tighter than you had intended, your fingers entwining in a way that spoke volumes, though Mapi offered no protest. The deep, resonant hum of the engine vibrated through your bones, merging with the chaotic symphony of honking horns and distant laughter from the city streets, which slipped by in a vibrant blur of colors and movement.

Each glance outside revealed a fleeting kaleidoscope of urban life, the gleam of sunlit skyscrapers, the flicker of passing pedestrians, and the multicolour banners flapping against the backdrop of a rich blue sky. Meanwhile, the steady rhythm of Mapi's heartbeat pulsed beneath your palm, grounding you in the moment and filling you with comfort. It was an intimate connection, a rare indulgence that stirred feelings within you that you typically kept at bay. In this fleeting experience, amidst the rush and Thrill of the ride, you allowed yourself to embrace that feeling, relishing the sense of closeness that momentarily eclipsed your usual reservations.

As the traffic light glowed bright red, Mapi turned her head slightly, glancing back over her shoulder, a playful grin lighting up her face. “Admit it, you’re having fun,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

You let out a mock huff, striving to sound indifferent while your grip on the bike tightened protectively. “It’s tolerable,” you replied, trying to maintain an air of coolness.

Mapi’s laughter rang out, infectious and bright. “I’ll take it! Now, what about ice cream?” she asked, excitement dancing in her voice.

“Fine, but I’m choosing the flavour,” you declared, determined to have your say in the matter.

“Deal,” Mapi responded, the engine of the motorcycle purring to life as the light shifted to green. With a playful twist of the throttle, she surged forward, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. “Just remember, if you pick vanilla, I might have to reconsider this whole relationship.”

Behind the protective shell of your helmet, a smile threatened to break free. “Too late,” you said, warmth flooding your chest. “You’re stuck with me.”

[lomahdu]

Nothing more

☀︎—pairings:keum!seongje x oc!character

☀︎—warnings:swearing, no seongje (sadly)

☀︎—Lena's note:Soo this part isn't much but i wanted yall to meet Sooah and Sooah to meet Juntae (possibly besties?).What do yall guys think about Sooah?

☀︎—word count:661

☀︎—Chapter 2

I was sitting in my room, watching yet another TikTok tutorial on how to curl your hair using socks. Hopefully, this one would work—though, considering it was already 9 PM and I’d been trying for the past half hour, I wasn’t feeling too optimistic. My arms were going numb from holding them up for so long when suddenly, someone rang the doorbell.

“Ugh,” I groaned, getting up from my chair, only to trip over a pair of jeans that had been abandoned on my floor. I fell forward, just barely catching myself with my hands before my face hit the ground. Damn, I really needed to clean this room. Honestly, I was walking on top of my own clothes.

The doorbell rang three more times—insistently.

Who the hell is at the door at this hour?

I pushed myself off the floor and made my way to the front door. On the intercom screen, I saw a sweet-looking boy wearing glasses, staring directly into the camera.

“Um, hi… Is Sieun home?” he asked politely.

I opened the door, and he gave me a weird look—kind of confused, kind of surprised.

“Uh… you have socks on your head,” he said—not mockingly, just pointing it out.

I ignored the comment and answered, “He’s not home yet. Should be back soon, I guess. And you are…?”

I gave him a quick once-over. He didn’t look like someone who’d be friends with Sieun. Then again, since the whole Suho and Beomseok thing happened, my brother barely talked to anyone besides me.

“I’m in Sieun’s class. I came to return his phone,” the boy said, holding it out toward me.

“Newton’s third law,” he added, flashing a smile with perfect white teeth.

“…Right. The third law of Newton,” I replied, raising an eyebrow as I took the phone. What a weirdo.

“I’ll give it to him. And your name is?” I asked, still unsure what to make of him.

“Juntae. Seo Juntae,” he said with a nod.

“Mhm. Well, Seo Juntae, thanks… on his behalf,” I replied.

“Oh no, really, it’s the least I could do,” he said, lifting his hands a bit in a dismissive gesture.

I gave him a small smile and started closing the door. “Good night.”

“Wait!” he said quickly. “Are you his sister?”

I frowned slightly. What else would I be? His girlfriend? Now that’s a good joke. I don’t think my brother will ever get a girlfriend.

“Yes, I thought that was obvious,” I replied.

“Oh… okay. And what’s your name? Since you know min-" he started.

“Sooah,” I said, cutting him off before he could ask anything else. This boy yapped way too much.

“Right. Um, good night. I mean… evening, I guess,” he said and disappeared.

What a strange kid.

I shut the door behind me and placed Sieun’s phone on the dinner table. Grabbing a notebook, I tore out a page and scribbled a note:

“Here’s your phone, dumbass. I’m going to sleep. And next time, PLEASE don’t lose it. Lots of kisses—your sister.”

I slid the note under his phone and looked up at the clock. It was 9:15 PM. Normally I didn’t go to bed this early, but last night I stayed up until 3 AM reading, so I was surviving on three and a half hours of sleep. In my defense, the enemies had just become lovers.

I went back to my room, stepping over the chaos of clothes like I was shopping during a store-wide clearance sale. Reaching my bed, I turned on my red LED lights and collapsed onto the mattress, only to realize how ridiculously uncomfortable it was trying to sleep with socks tied to my head.

This hairstyle better turn out amazing or I swear, I’m suing this chick on tiktok.

After about 10 minutes of tossing and turning with sock-curlers yanking at my scalp, I finally fell asleep.

[gilbertscurls]

Meddle About ➵ Matt Sturniolo

warnings: cheating, badly written smut (?), english not being my first language

“Thank you so much for watching. See you next Friday!” Nick’s voice sounded from the walls of the triplet’s kitchen walls after they just finished recording a new video.

The moment his voice quietened; it was replaced by a small applause. The brothers looked up and saw you leaning against the entrance.

“Great video,” you commented, lightly biting your lip. Then you turned your gaze to your boyfriend and approached him to kiss his cheek. “Hey.”

“Hi, babe,” Chris replied, tilting his head at the last moment so that your lips met his instead of his cheek.

You continued their kiss for a moment, while the other two brothers exchanged knowing glances—they both liked you, though they didn’t think you were the perfect match for Chris.

Matt cleared his throat loudly, trying to interrupt your affection so they could get back to taking care of things related to the new video. You glanced at him, then winked and mouthed, “In an hour.” He responded with a slight smile and a nod.

You shrugged. “Well, I’ll let you guys finish the video.”

Before you left their house, you made eye contact with Matt again, suggestively licking your lower lip.

The only sound in the car was loud moaning. It was parked in an empty store parking lot that had been closed for hours. You tossed your hair over your other shoulder, kissing the neck of the boy who was moving his hips. Both of you were breathing heavily.

“Matt,” you gasped loudly, biting your lip as a loud moan escaped your throat.

His movements became increasingly sloppy until you felt him finish in the condom. You whimpered in disappointment, as you still hadn’t reached your high. The brunette took a few deep breaths and kissed her exposed collarbone before kneeling on the car floor.

“Sorry,” he muttered, then immediately began rubbing your clit with two fingers, making you moan.

He continued this caress for a moment, simultaneously sliding and curling two fingers inside you, until you arched your back and loudly gasped his name. He smiled in satisfaction, licking his fingers while maintaining eye contact with you.

“That was…” You took a deep breath and ran your fingers through your hair. “Amazing.”

Matt smirked smugly, then handed your clothes to you, also putting on his boxers and removing the condom, which he tossed out the window. You rolled her eyes at this sight but chose not to comment.

“You know it’s our birthday today?” he commented in a restrained voice.

You nodded, still trying to catch her breath. Then you shrugged.

“A day like any other. I’ll sleep with him tonight as a gift.”

Matt only bit his lip, lowering his gaze. Oh, how he wished he wasn’t the other man.

“H-hello?” you said with a trembling voice.

“Y/N? Are you okay?” Chris asked worriedly.

“Um, yes. Shit, yes. YES. Um, I mean yes, why do you ask?”

Matt smirked maliciously, speeding up his movements and causing you to moan. This was yet another Sunday in a row you spent in the car in the parking lot. It had become a sort of tradition for you. However, Chris usually didn’t call you when you were having sex. And especially not so close to your climax.

“I just haven’t seen you in a while and thought we could meet up.”

“Ugh, no. I can’t.”

You could no longer suppress a moan that escaped your throat. You tried to cover it up with a cough, but it was in vain.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Y-yes, I’m just… I’m shopping, and these bags are heavy. I got a bit out of breath,” you lied quickly, pulling Matt’s hair hard.

His mouth was sucking the skin of your breast, and his hands were roaming your back. Suddenly, your back arched, and you came with a loud moan. You took a deep breath, focusing entirely on the conversation with her boyfriend.

“Sorry, I tripped. What were you saying?”

You heard a heavy sigh on the other end of the line, followed by Chris’s voice.

“Y/N, is there something you want to tell me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Y/N, please…”

“Chris, what are you talking about?���

“Look out the window.”

You did as instructed, immediately freezing. The phone slipped from your hand, landing somewhere on the seat. In the parking spot right next to them, stood Chris with a pained expression. You quickly threw on her dress and panties, then jumped out to him.

“C-Chris, I can explain…”

“I saw everything. I wondered why you both always disappeared at the same time on Sundays, but I never expected… This.”

“I-I…”

“How long has this been going on?”

Matt also got out of the car and stood next to his brother. His lips were swollen, and his hair was messy. Chris just shook his head in disappointment.

“Half a year,” Matt confessed when it became clear that you weren’t going to answer.

Chris muttered a curse under his breath, then turned to his (now probably ex) girlfriend.

“Half a year? We’ve been together for seven months, so… You’ve been cheating on me for almost our entire relationship? It’s over. I can’t forgive you. And you, Matt… I expected more from you.”

He shook his head again, starting to walk away. You wanted to run after him, but Matt grabbed your wrist.

“Y/N, leave him. He had to find out someday. Now we don’t have to hide and…”

You burst out laughing.

“We don’t have to hide? This…” You pointed to the space between them. “This isn’t a relationship or anything. And it never will be. You’re good in bed, but that’s it. And now, excuse me, I need to get my boyfriend back.”

After saying those words, you started running in the direction where Chris had disappeared around the corner. Matt could only stand there, heartbroken, watching the girl who owned his heart.

“Oh, I wish I had Chris’s girl,” he muttered sadly under his breath.

[5ueckers]

pretty girls

pairing : azzi fudd x reader

warnings : smut.

notes : azzi 😍💞💓🌸💗💗🪷💖🥰💝💘🌼🌺🌺❣️💞💞💞 thats all.

words : 1898

you and azzi collapse onto the couch in the dorm, exhausted. drunk. annoyed.

tonight was a dud, to say the least. you’ve barely had any time to go out and have fun, like you should as college students, because of basketball and junior year being the absolute worst when it comes to your workload. and then, on the one night you do have off, free of practice for the next couple days and all your homework turned in, both the guys you planned on spending it with turned out to be absolute dicks.

yours had seemed nice enough, in the beginning. he’d been the one ask you out after over a week of staring you down in your shared econ class, take you, azzi, and the football player she’s been talking to out to some club in hartford, and then back to his place after a couple hours of dancing and taking shots. but just as he’d gotten you back to his dorm and out of your clothes, he’d said something so boyishly disgusting, it’d taken real reserve for you to not to slap him before pushing him off of you, re–dressing, collecting your things, and getting the hell out of there.

it’d been pure coincidence that azzi texted asking if you could meet with her as you’d stumbled out of werth tower, phone in one hand and your heels in clutched in the other. you’re not sure what happened with her and her football player— it couldn’t have been good, judging by how her makeup was running. you’d felt bad, and held her hand the whole uber ride back to the dorm, the pad of your thumb caressing the back of her hand.

“want a water?” you ask the girl, tiredly. you’re still very much inebriated and standing could result in a pretty embarrassing fall.

she nods, though, and so you decide to risk it, stumbling into the kitchen and at one point using the wall for support. you grab two bottled waters and pad back into the living room, handing one to azzi and sighing as you sit back down next to her, close. you can feel the heat from her body radiating onto you.

“that fucking sucked,” you gripe, recalling the night, earning a weak, drunken laugh from azzi.

“dudes…” she says, rolling her eyes and taking a sip of her water, eliciting giggles from yourself. a single word is enough to get her point across; men fucking suck.

“ugh, and i’m still wet,” you murmur to yourself, the alcohol in your system removing any filter you’d have otherwise. you and azzi are close, so this is probably the least provocative thing you’ve said to her tonight; you both laugh at the statement. you shift uncomfortably and tug at the end of your dress. you need to get out of this chiffon and take a long, hot shower.

azzi turns to look at you, one of her curls falling out of place. she still looks so pretty, even though her makeup had gotten messy. her big brown eyes and perfect, clear skin and full lips. how could anyone fumble her and live with themselves?

“what?” she giggles at how long you’ve been looking at her.

“nothin’,” you smile back. “you’re just too pretty to be crying over some guy.”

then, azzi leans in and kisses you. she pulls back to assess your reaction, before kissing you again when you don’t look petrified or disgusted. you let her slip her tongue into your mouth this time, and surprise yourself with the little moan that comes with it, eyes fluttering closed. your back naturally arches to push up against her.

you lose track of how long you make out before azzi’s hand finds it way to your knee, resting there gingerly, “can i…?”

“like, finger me?” you ask dumbly, because fingering is definitely a step above kissing. plenty of girls that are straight and just friends kiss each other, even make out. but you and azzi are crossing into the territory of actually having sex.

seeing as you play basketball, the conversation of sexuality has obviously come up before, often. every other morning, actually, as paige feels the need to recount her sexcapades to you all. you hadn’t really thought about yours until you got to uconn, and then decided to quietly give yourself the title of unlabeled, while still just hooking up with guys because that’s all you knew. you didn’t think azzi…

“it doesn’t have to mean anything, if that’s what you’re worried about,” she assures you, her tone surprisingly casual, like she’s trying to convince you to try a new drink at the bar or attempt a shot you haven’t tried before at practice, not breach the basis of your close but purely platonic relationship. “we’re just having fun.”

you consider your position— on the couch, in the dorm, basically out in the open. the other girls had gone out, too, to ted’s, of course. but knowing them, with a schedule this clear, they won’t be home any time soon. and wet is an understatement; you’re practically aching down there, you need to be touched so bad. what could it possibly hurt?

“okay,” you say, finally, a smile slowly spreading over your features. azzi pecks your lips once more before sliding her hand further up your leg.

never having done this before, you’re nervous as you part your thighs, just slightly, still confined by the tight dress, but then her hand is there, warm palms caressing your skin and inching closer and closer towards your core. you gasp when her fingers finally graze the thong you’d put on, feeling a rush of wetness between your folds at the small contact.

“is this still okay?” your friend asks, voice barely above a whisper, and you nod, almost embarrassingly quickly. so she keeps going, experimentally rubbing you through your underwear and you keep gasping, bordering on whimpering with every touch.

“here,” azzi climbs off of the couch and positions herself between your knees, encourages you to push yourself forward by grabbing onto your hips and finally pushing up that dress. when she finally gets you out of your thong, carelessly tossing the garment aside, it’s less like she’s actually trying to get you off and more like curious touching, unknowingly sending you closer and closer to the edge as she spreads your lips open, drags her index finger up from your slit to your clit. “you are really wet,” she muses, pulling her hand away, bringing her thumb and index finger together just to pull them apart and watch as a thin string of your arousal connects them. you blush, suddenly embarrassed, thighs twitching. “it’s okay, just relax for me.”

she smiles up at you so sweetly, and you’re trying to, throwing your head back and closing your eyes and trying to even out your breathing, but then she’s bringing her face toward your cunt, flattening her tongue against you and licking upward, sending shockwaves up your spine, and you can’t help but squirm and whine. “open your legs a little wider, y/n… good girl,” she instructs, and your head practically feels like it’s swimming at the words, unbelievably sexy in her voice.

“a–az,” you want desperately to grasp at her hair, but know how long it took for her to style her curls, so you opt to just fist your hands into the sofa and cry out when she sucks your clit into her mouth.

the way azzi’s using her mouth so well and holding your legs open with a firm grip on your thighs makes you wonder if this is her first time with another girl, too. she doesn’t look grossed out by the taste or confused on how to make you feel good. if anything, when she drags her tongue down from your clit to your entrance, licking into you, she seems all too happy to responsible for the long, drawn out moan it elicits from you, and repeats the motion until you’re practically crying. when you feel your heart start to hammer against your chest, you know you’re not going to last much longer.

azzi removes her mouth from your pussy, but quickly replaces it with a pair of fingers, working over your clit at high speed while she presses wet kisses to your thighs. all it takes is a few more flicks of her wrist to make you cum, thighs trembling and toes curling into the carpet. she doesn’t stop playing with your clit until your moans turn into winces, signaling that you’re being overstimulated.

you feel almost delirious as azzi climbs into your lap, arms looping around your neck. it feels almost natural for you to place your hands on her waist, looking up at her like she hung the moon. “was i good?”

“i can’t feel my legs, i think,” you rasp in response, earning laughter from the girl, before she leans down to kiss you, the taste of your own cum potent on her lips and tongue.

as the kiss intensifies, you just go with the flow, letting your hands slip past the hem of the crop top azzi had worn. you push the fabric up until its bunched up at her chest, glad to find she went braless, and, tentatively, take her breasts into your hands, fondling them gently. azzi chuckles at your obvious nervousness and lack of experience, but her laughter quickly melts into soft moans as you take one into your mouth, sucking firmly— you don’t think you’ve ever heard a prettier sound. you don’t think you’re going to be able to just go without ever hearing that sound again.

releasing her nipple, you let your free hand travel down to the button on azzi’s shorts, popping it open, and pulling down the zipper with haste. despite the constricting denim, your hand still fits into the opening, past the hem of her panties. you figure it can’t be much different than getting yourself off with your own fingers, so you just go by what you’d do if you were on your own, rubbing slow circles into azzi’s clit to work her up before quickening the pace.

she buries her face into your neck, moans muffled as her hold on you tightens— you take that, and how wet she is, as a sign that you’re doing it right, and continue until you feel her physically shaking in your arms. “fuck, y/n, i’m gonna—” she cuts herself off with a high–pitched moan, and you continue to rub her clit through her orgasm until she stops grinding down against your hand. you rub her back, also, feeling that you’re actually kind of good at this. that you could get used to it.

the exhaustion from the night seems to hit you both like a brick, all of a sudden, and you both just sort of slump over in that position, limbs tangled and all.

[thebluestbluewords]

Dis-like-Dysentery

I have a lot of very specific headcanons about Auradon Prep, and one of them is the fact that Jay is both a Smart Guy, and also chronically incapable of turning in assignments on time. For. Reasons.

this might be about one of those reasons.

+

Carlos looks up from his plate as Jay wanders over. “Dude, where were you? We started eating without you.” 

“Talking to a teacher. I submitted an assignment wrong, or something.” 

Carlos nods. He’s got a fork dangling from one hand, and there’s a leaf stuck in his hair. Sunlit from behind, Jay’s pretty sure that he’s the prettiest boy on this side of the barrier. “Oh, man. Was it Demorra? She’s super strict about the rules, especially for the online stuff. I could’ve helped you figure it out bro, you don’t have to get through her bureaucratic shit on your own.” 

Jay sets his tray down on the opposite side of the table. “Nah. It was Williams.” 

Carlos frowns. “The international lit teacher? Really?” 

They’ve been reading through Jay’s lit assignments together. Auradon expects them to type up all of their homework, so he’s been getting by with the hacked dictation program on his laptop and locking himself in the bathroom to read his essays out loud into the program with the minimum of background noise. 

There’s a peer writing tutor who does proofreading two nights a week for free, but Jay’s not gonna take his shitty essays in to her when he’s pretty sure he’ll just get laughed right back out of the student study room for the giant default font Carlos set on his computer. 

It doesn’t exactly make reading his own assignments easier, but it doesn’t make it worse either, so they’re calling it functional for now. Auradon Prep is all about “helping students embrace their unique academic talents”, so Carlos and Evie are both being pulled for more advanced classes, which is great for them, and terrible for Jay’s essays because it’s seriously starting to cut into their free time. 

That, and the trouble they’ve been getting up to after hours. 

The assistant gym teacher still hasn’t figured out who to blame for French braiding all the climbing ropes together. 

“She couldn’t read my handwriting.” 

“Fuck.” 

That’s about the shape of it. Handwritten assignments are few and far between, but Jay can’t bullshit his way through all of them. “Haha, yeah.” 

Carlos thunks his head down onto the table. “Ugh. Fuck. I can make you a handwriting font on the computer, but that’ll make in-class assignments worse if you can’t keep it up.” 

“Yup.” 

He sits up. There’s a dent on his forehead from pressing it into the table. “Eat.” 

“Not hungry,” Jay says as cheerfully as he can manage. It’s not gonna fool Carlos, but he’s not gonna show weakness in front of the royal rabble. “Anyway, we’re not going to the honor board. She’s willing to settle it with some sorta evaluation. Have you heard of dyslexia before?” 

Carlos blinks. “Dyslexia? No. I mean. It’s gotta be dis from like, disinterested, disintegrating, some sort of anti? Or else it’s dys from like, dysentery. Some sort of illness, maybe. Lex has gotta be from lexicon, lexicography. Something to do with either anti-words or a words illness? Does she think you’re sick of words?” 

Jay shrugs. “She said it’s why I’m bad at reading. Wants me to do an assessment so she can know what’s going on.” 

Carlos already has his phone out. He’s typing with one hand, the other one curled around his plate in a defensive hunch that’s almost casual. “Huh. How’s that going for her so far?” 

Jay snorts. “Fab. Nah, she didn’t do it yet. It’s a whole special test that she’s gotta send me down to the psych for.” 

“Can you reject it?” 

“If I wanna meet with the honor board and explain why I apparently have great handwriting, but only when they can’t see me do the assignments.” 

“Fuck.” 

“Yeah. At least she was cool about it.” 

Carlos groans. “Your handwriting sucks, dude. You’re not sick of writing, you’re just— your handwriting sucks.” 

“Yeah, and my fucking reading comprehension. I—“ Jay cuts himself off abruptly as the shadow of more people falls across their lunch table. “Hey, guys.” 

Mal sets her lunch tray down on Jay’s left side, leaving Ben the spot on his right. Evie’s not eating with them today. They have other friends in theory, but between Doug’s science club buddies and Carlos’s general disinterest in socializing with other humans, they didn’t bother picking a table large enough for anyone else.  

“Sorry,” Ben apologizes, even as he’s nudging his shoulder against Jay’s. It’s nice not being the only tall one sometimes. “I couldn’t help overhearing.” 

Jay leans back into the contact. “We were talking out loud, dude. It happens. You got any hot tips for the stupid assessment I’ve gotta do later?” 

“Have you tried being better?” Mal suggests. “I find that cheating works great. I could find you a spell to let one of us borrow your hands for a few hours, and so long as you can tell us what you want to write, we can control the muscles and get better handwriting than your usual chicken scratch special.” 

“Hey.”

“Would that work if you can’t see the paper?” Ben asks curiously. 

Mal frowns. “No. Not unless I modify the spell to possess your eyes too.” 

Jay represses a shudder. “Thanks, but no thanks, M. I like my eyes in one piece.” 

Carlos is scrolling rapidly on his phone, hanging half-over the table in an attempt to get closer to the three of them. “Dude, dyslexia is a brain thing that affects how you process visual input of words— aw, shit.” 

Bad. That’s the bad-news tone. Jay’s heart drops traitorously into his stomach, which suddenly isn’t feeling the tater tots on his lunch tray. “What?” 

Carlos shakes his head. “Nothing too bad. Just, I think Williams is right. You’ve said you’re shit at reading fast cause the words all look the same, right? Like, you can’t scan to identify them, you’ve gotta sound each one out.” 

Jay smashes a tater tot with the side of his fork. The destruction doesn’t make his gut feel any better. It’s not that he’s mad, it’s just— he doesn’t want to do this. Analyzing his brain sucks. He did the whole week of required therapy that the student disciplinary council required after the stuff with Mal’s mom, and he’s so fucking done with Auradon grown-ups pretending to understand why his head’s fucked up. “Yeah, so?” 

Carlos waves the phone at him. “So that’s what this is. You’ve got a brain disorder.” 

“We can fix it, right?” 

He wiggles a hand back and forth. “Ehh. Kinda. There’s techniques to make it easier, but it’s sorta like— your brain is wired for AC power input, and words are DC. It’s a misalignment. We can make an adaptor, but we can’t rip out your brain wiring.” 

“I could,” Mal offers. “I love doing illegal magic.”

[multifamdomfan]

Fic idea/request: what if a Starmaker/Crowley who hasn't fallen yet shows up from a universe that's behind the main universe on the timeline by several thousand years? Crowley does NOT like this but Aziraphale says they have to help Starmaker and can't abandon or kill him. Crowley wants to kill or at least avoid this guy so bad but Aziraphale insists that they absolutely do not do either of those things. Crowley likely finds this younger version of himself embarrassing, obnoxiously naive, and a painful reminder of all he's lost. He's also probably worried Aziraphale will prefer this version and forget all about demon-Crowley.

Starmakers and Demons

A/N: This is such a creative and cute request

Crowley did not want to be here.

More than that, he wanted very much to not be here.

He had spent six thousand years doing his level best to avoid reminders of what he used to be. He did not reminisce about his past. He did not dwell. And he absolutely did not want to come face-to-face with it in the form of a fresh-out-of-Heaven, starry-eyed, hasn’t-fallen-yet version of himself.

And yet, here they were.

The Starmaker stood before him and Aziraphale, wide-eyed, radiant, and horrifyingly earnest. He was somehow both taller and softer than Crowley was now, his red curls framing a face that hadn’t yet learned how to sneer. His eyes still burned with celestial light, untarnished by millennia of disappointment.

Crowley wanted to throttle him. Or maybe throttle himself for ever having been like this.

Aziraphale, of course, was delighted.

“Oh, my dear,” the angel said, eyes full of wonder. “You’re—oh, you’re quite breathtaking, aren’t you? I always thought—well, before—” He faltered, glancing at Crowley, who was scowling daggers at both of them.

“Yes, yes, he’s very pretty, we get it,” Crowley snapped. “What’s he doing here?”

The Starmaker—ugh, even thinking the name made Crowley feel itchy—looked between them with open curiosity. “I was creating a nebula,” he said, “and then I wasn’t.” He frowned, puzzled. “This isn’t where I’m supposed to be.”

“No kidding,” Crowley muttered.

Aziraphale turned to him, all soft concern and stubborn determination. “We have to help him, Crowley. We can’t just leave him stranded.”

“We absolutely could.”

Aziraphale’s expression turned reproachful, and Crowley groaned.

“Angel,” he said, lowering his voice, “do you have any idea how dangerous this is? If Heaven finds out—”

“Well, they won’t, will they?” Aziraphale said primly. “Unless someone tells them.”

Crowley clenched his jaw. He didn’t need to look to know that the Starmaker was watching this exchange with growing fascination. He probably hadn’t even considered the idea of deception before.

It was nauseating.

Aziraphale turned to the Starmaker and smiled kindly. “We’ll figure out how to get you home, dear boy. In the meantime, you can stay with us.”

Crowley spluttered. “What?”

The Starmaker beamed. “Oh! That’s wonderful! I’d love to learn more about this world.” He turned his shining eyes on Crowley. “And you. You’re… familiar.”

Crowley gritted his teeth. “Don’t.”

The Starmaker tilted his head, considering. “You remind me of—”

“Don’t say it.”

A slow smile spread across the younger angel’s face. “You remind me of me.”

Crowley groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I hate this.”

Aziraphale patted his arm consolingly, but he was clearly holding back a smile. “It will be fine, dear.”

Crowley highly doubted that.

The Starmaker was still watching him, bright and unburdened, full of unearned trust. Crowley refused to meet his gaze.

He wasn’t sure he could bear it.

---

Starmaker settled into the bookshop with all the ease of a celestial who had never had to question whether or not he belonged anywhere. Crowley, meanwhile, spent the first hour pacing in the back, resisting the urge to scream into a cushion. Aziraphale bustled about, offering tea and biscuits to their unwelcome guest, who accepted both with the delighted enthusiasm of someone who had never needed sustenance but was fascinated by the novelty of it.

“This is marvelous!” Starmaker declared, dunking a biscuit into his tea. “I had no idea humans had such quaint customs.”

Crowley, from his perch on the armrest of the sofa, rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, stick around a few thousand years and see how ‘quaint’ it all seems then.”

Starmaker turned his luminous gaze on him again, eyes filled with innocent curiosity. “You must have been here for quite some time, then,” he mused. “Tell me, what have you seen? What wonders?”

Crowley’s fingers twitched against his knee. He could list a thousand wonders, each one tinged with loss. He thought of stars collapsing, cities crumbling, of people rising and falling, of countless moments slipping through his fingers like sand. He thought of the Fall. Of screaming through the atmosphere, his wings burning as the sky cast him down. He thought of how alone he had been. How much he had learned about love, and how little Heaven had cared about it.

But Starmaker didn’t know any of that yet. And Crowley—despite every instinct telling him to shut this whole thing down—couldn’t bring himself to be the one to teach him.

So he just shrugged, slouching further into the seat. “Oh, you know. Bit of this, bit of that. Humans are messy. You’ll see.”

Starmaker brightened. “I’d love to! I should like to meet some.”

Crowley barely restrained a groan. “Oh, for—Angel, you cannot seriously be considering letting him roam about London.”

Aziraphale folded his arms. “Well, I certainly can’t keep him hidden away, Crowley. That would be terribly unkind.”

Crowley threw up his hands. “He’s not a stray cat, Aziraphale!”

Starmaker, undeterred, smiled gently. “I’d like to see what’s become of the world. The last time I checked in, the land was still shifting. Have the creatures flourished?”

Crowley squinted at him. “When exactly did you get plucked out of the timeline?”

“Oh, I’d say… just before the Third Day.”

Crowley inhaled sharply, staring at him in horror. “You—bloody—” He shot to his feet. “You’re telling me you don’t even know about humans yet?”

Starmaker’s expression remained guileless. “Are they wonderful?”

Crowley turned to Aziraphale in mute agony. “This is unbearable.”

Aziraphale patted his arm again, which Crowley suspected he was enjoying far too much. “We’ll take things one step at a time,” he said soothingly.

Crowley dragged his hands down his face. He had a terrible feeling this was only the beginning of a very long, very exhausting ordeal.

[skzdust]

Room 514

Part 3

Sorry this part took so long! I finally had a ton of time to write this morning and I'm getting a lot done! I hope you guys all enjoy it!

Summary: You’re moving into a new suite halfway through your sophomore year at Stay University, populated by three guys: Jisung, Changbin, and Bang Chan. You meet their friends and quickly become a part of their group, but you find yourself wanting more with Jisung…

Pairing: Han Jisung x Reader

Includes: sleepy reader, sleepy Jisung, shirtless Jisung, shopping, Jisung being a gentleman

Word count: 1.5k

Taglist (Comment on a post/send an ask if you'd like to be added): @weirdowithaphone, @caught-in-the-afterglow, @palindrome969, @skzstan12345

Reblogs, likes, comments all appreciated!!!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4 | Part 5

Masterlist

-----

You blinked your eyes open as a beam of sunlight fell over your face.

Apparently, you’d fallen asleep in the living room. You didn’t remember putting a pillow next to Jisung and curling up with your head against it, nor did you remember Jisung going to get another blanket, but he must have at some point. You were still under the fluffy throw he’d brought out when you’d first started The Immortal and the Restless, and you could see a blue quilt out of the corner of your eye.

You carefully sat up, trying not to disturb Jisung. He was in the same fetal position you’d woken up in, with his head on top of the pillow instead of against it. His quilt was draped over him, and you could see the corner of the fabric scrunched in one of his hands. The morning light made his hair seem to glitter as the air from the ceiling vent gently played with it, and his face was serene and unguarded.

He rubbed one of his eyes as you stood up from the couch. You held your breath as he stretched. The blanket slid off his side as he unfolded his legs, and your eyes widened as his back arched.

He opened his eyes with a sleepy smile, and you made your expression as normal as possible.

He scrunched up his nose. “What’s wrong? You’re making a weird face.”

“Nothing’s wrong, I’m making a normal face.”

“Mhm.” He smiled again, closing his eyes and letting his head fall sideways onto the pillow. “Normal face.” He ran one of his hands through his hair.

You fought the urge to also run a hand through his hair. “How many episodes in did we get last night?”

He shrugged, eyes still shut. “Dunno. I think I turned it off after three, but they’re each an hour long and I was mostly asleep by the third one.”

“Yeah.” You yawned. “I only really remember the first half of the second one.”

“It’s okay. We can rewatch. No rush.”

“I liked what I remember.”

His smile grew a little bigger. “Good, glad to hear that. It’s one of my favorites.”

You looked at him for a moment longer. His eyes were still closed, and he looked so relaxed, more relaxed than you’d ever seen him.

He opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows, and your cheeks reddened.

“Staring? I know, I know, I’m gorgeous, you just can’t take your eyes off me.”

“That’s not it, I… you’re… ugh.”

He laughed softly. “Just kidding.” He stretched again and sat up. “I am gonna take a shower, though. Maybe we could do something after, if you don’t have calculus to do?”

You did your best not to imagine Jisung in the shower and waved a hand, dismissing both your thoughts and Jisung’s concern. “Calculus isn’t due until Tuesday. It’s Sunday. Plenty of time.”

“Okay, well, I’ll meet you out here in a few minutes and we’ll figure out somewhere to go.”

You nodded. “Sounds good.”

You went back to your room and sat on your bed, staring forward.

Did that really just happen?

You got changed and did your morning hygiene, changing your outfit a couple of times before deeming it good enough. You went back out to the living room and sat down on the couch, scrolling on your phone for a minute.

A staticky noise stopped, and you realized Jisung was still in the bathroom. He must’ve just turned off the shower.

A minute later, the bathroom door opened.

Jisung’s hair was wet, wearing a towel draped around his remarkably hot waist and… nothing else.

You looked down, hoping he wouldn’t notice you.

“I’ll be ready in a minute.” Jisung smiled at you as you looked at him.

You focused on keeping your eyes on his face and not his body, smiling back. “Cool.”

As Jisung disappeared into his room, you took a deep breath.

His body is perfect, too. That’s really not fair.

He walked out a minute later in a jeans and a green hoodie layered under a leather jacket. “Anything you’d like to do?”

You shrugged. “Nothing’s coming to mind except shopping, but I’m kinda broke right now, so I dunno about that.”

“We can try stuff on, though!” Jisung tossed his car keys from one hand to the other. “Come on, I’ll drive us to the mall.”

“Okay, I can try stuff on.”

Jisung beamed. “Perfect.”

The mall wasn’t particularly close, but it was a pleasant drive. You chatted the whole way, and Jisung was a good driver, unlike many of your friends—your old friends, you reminded yourself. Strangely, thinking of them didn’t hurt when you were with Jisung.

You parked and got out of the car, Jisung running around the front and opening your door for you.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” His smile was like sunshine as he shut the door behind you and locked the car.

You walked into the mall, and he took your hand, guiding you towards a store with a few cute tops in the window. “Ooh, these are cool!”

You walked in and found one of the tops in your size, a light green bustier with ruching across the front and cap sleeves. “Isn’t this one cute?”

“Very cute.” Jisung agreed. “You should try it on!” “I think I will.” You nodded and walked off in search of a dressing room.

You put on the top, struggling with it a bit before realizing there was a side zipper. It looked great on you, fitting like a glove.

You pulled back the curtain and walked out. “Jisung?”

“Here!”

You walked out to the sitting area outside the dressing rooms, doing a little twirl for him.

He smiled, watching you. “Beautiful, you look… amazing.”

“Aw, thank you.” You did a little curtsey, immediately realizing it made no sense since you weren’t wearing a skirt and the top wasn’t that fancy. “I don’t know why I did that.”

Jisung laughed. “It was cute. How much is the top?”

You tried not to think too hard about Jisung calling you cute and looked at the price tag, doing a double take. “Wow, 85 dollars.”

“Damn.” Jisung’s lips twisted. “It looks good, though. Do you want me to get it for you?”

“No, I couldn’t let you do that.” You waved off his offer. “I’d feel bad.”

“I want to, though!”

“I’d feel guilty, though!” You mirrored his language.

Jisung sighed. “Go change back, and we can keep looking, there was this sweater vest with an apple on the front that I really liked.”

“Why don’t you try it on? You’d probably eat it up.”

“I would.” Jisung preened. “Maybe I will.”

You walked back into the dressing room and put your T-shirt back on, carefully adjusting the top on its hanger and walking back out to Jisung. You hung it up on the return rack. “Where’s the sweater vest?”

“Over here.” He stood up, and you followed him to the sweater vests.

“It’s cropped! Cute.” You took it off the rack, feeling the material between your fingers. “Oh, it’s soft, too.”

“Perfect.” Jisung pulled out the vest in his size, and you went back to the dressing rooms. He pranced out a moment later with the sweater vest on.

The crop exposed the bottom part of his abs, and his arms were muscular. The combination of the light green of the trim, the red of the apple, and the cream background looked great on him.

You were reminded of earlier in the morning, when you’d seen him shirtless, and you could feel yourself go red.

“It looks great!”

“Everything okay? You look a little flushed.” Jisung looked concerned.

“Yeah.” You laughed. “All good, just a bit hot.”

“Yeah, it is warm in here.” Jisung nodded, and you exhaled, a little bit relieved. “But you like it?”

“I love it.” You said sincerely.

“Maybe I’ll get it.” He pulled at the hem. “It’s a little tight, but I want it a little tight. I like to wear either oversized stuff or tight stuff. No in between.”

“It’s a good style on you.” Both of those options are really hot.

“Okay, I’m gonna change out of this, if you want to look around a little more, I’ll find you.”

You stood up. “Okay, perfect.”

You walked over to one of the racks, looking at a pink satin top with a large bow across the front. It was cute, not quite your style, but very cute. You walked through the store, but nothing else caught your eye the way the green top had.

Someone tapped you on the shoulder, and you whirled you around, startled.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Jisung smiled, holding out a bag.

“Hm?”

“Look inside.”

You did so. Inside was your green top, a receipt stuffed on top of it.

You looked back up at him. “You did not.”

He gave you a mischievous smile. “I did.”

“Jisung! I told you it’d make me feel guilty!”

“Don’t feel guilty! I did it because I wanted to! It looks like it was made for you.”

You couldn’t stop yourself from smiling, taking the bag. “Thank you. I’ll wear it, I promise.”

“You definitely need to. I also got that sweater vest, which has green trim, so we can kinda match!”

“Perfect!”

“Perfect.” Jisung beamed.

[decaydancedeaddove]

creepy warped tour pete MY SHAYLAAA he would so drug u and like drag into his tour bus (pls expand on this ur writing is so perfect ily)

-🦈 (if that’s not taken can i have the shark :3)

hi shark anon welcome!!! i’m sorry i’m getting to these asks so slow, i have bronchitis and it has me knocked on my ass 💔💔

anyway PHEW ACKKKKKKKKKKK YES holy shit. ugh my shayla warped tour pete. eek this was sm fun to write

The hot, muggy air was beginning to get to you. It was a little too hot and humid, a little too crowded, and frankly, you were becoming steadily overwhelmed. There were tents and stands at the tour selling drinks — ridiculously priced drinks, that was. In search for a reasonably priced drink, you'd gotten separated from your friend group.

You rubbed at your wristband, the paper a little sweaty on top of your skin. You were supposed to meet your friends when My Chem came on, but that wouldn't be for another hour. Your cell phone had died early on in the day, so you couldn't call them, either.

With a pout, you sat on an empty bench. The area was mostly empty, and you had figured most of the crowd had dispersed for whoever was currently playing.

"You okay?" A voice asked you.

You looked up, doing a double take as you were making eye contact with Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. Also known as the guy you'd just seen on stage for the first time earlier, and told your friends that you wanted to marry.

You placed a palm over your rapidly beating heart, willing it to be still. "You're—! You’re Pete from Fall Out Boy," You said dumbly.

Pete flashed you a charming grin, the same one you'd saw aimed at you from your spot at the barricade just earlier. "Guilty as charged,"

“I’m— I wasn’t stalking you or anything, I just got lost and I dunno where my friends are, and—“

He chuckled. “Hey. Relax.”

You swallowed. “I just… I was looking for a drink,” you admit, cheeks burning.

“Oh? Dude, I’ve got plenty of drinks backstage. C’mon,”

You did a double take. “Wait, what?” Backstage, as in, where the band dudes hung out?

Pete offered you his hand, and without a second thought, you took it.

As Pete led you through the maze of tents and behind the main stage, you could feel the sweat sticking to your skin, the heat of the day lingering even as the sun started to dip lower. Your heart pounded in your chest—partially from the excitement, partially from the surrealness of the situation. You had been watching him from the crowd just hours ago, and now here you were, fingers curled around his as he guided you somewhere only band guys and VIPs had access to.

The backstage area wasn’t as glamorous as you had imagined. It was cluttered with equipment cases, half-empty water bottles, and a few scattered crew members moving with purpose. Pete navigated through it all with ease, nodding at the few people who were around as he pulled you toward a dimly lit tent at the far end. The fabric billowed slightly in the breeze, the inside illuminated with a warm glow.

“Here we are,” he said, pushing the flap aside and stepping in.

Inside, it was cooler, a small fan lazily pushing the humid air around. A mini-fridge sat in the corner next to a beat-up couch, a low table covered in discarded setlists, beer bottles, and a couple of red plastic cups. It smelled faintly of sweat and something else—cologne, maybe, or the lingering scent of weed.

Pete flopped onto the couch, stretching his arms along the back of it, all nonchalant confidence. “What do you want? Water, beer, something stronger?” He raised an eyebrow at you, his grin a little too knowing.

You hesitated, suddenly hyperaware of how alone you were back here, of how quickly this had all happened. He was still smiling at you, waiting for an answer, fingers idly drumming against the couch.

Your throat was dry. You weren’t sure if it was from the heat or the way he was looking at you. “Water’s fine, thanks.”

He got up and tossed you a water from the mini fridge, and you barely caught it in your shaking hands. He huffed out a laugh at that, and you pretended not to notice.

Pete leaned back against the couch, stretching his arms along the back of it like he had all the time in the world. He didn’t seem to be in any hurry, which only made you more anxious—like he was giving you the space to hang yourself with your own nerves.

“You were at the barricade, right?” he asked casually, as if he didn’t already know.

You swallowed hard, nodding. “Yeah. You, um—” You hesitated, then cringed at yourself. “You saw me?”

Pete hummed, like he was thinking about it. “Hard to miss you,” he said, his lips twitching. “You were right up front. Thought I caught you looking at me.”

Your face went hot. “I—I mean, yeah, probably. I was watching the show.”

His grin widened, like he was amused by your attempt to play it off. “Right, right. Just watching the show.” His fingers tapped lazily against the couch. “So, you got a favorite song?”

It was an innocent enough question, but you could feel the way he was watching you, like he was waiting for something.

“Um. ‘Saturday,’ probably.”

Pete’s eyes lit up. “Good choice.” He turned slightly, like he was getting comfortable. “You know, we almost didn’t put that one on the album.”

“No way,” you said, too eager, too desperate to keep the conversation going.

He laughed. “Yeah. But we figured people might like it. And, well—guess we were right.”

He let the words hang there, watching you, and you felt stupidly flustered under the weight of his gaze.

“So,” he went on, tilting his head, “you come to a lot of shows?”

“Not really,” you admitted. “This is my first big one.”

Pete’s eyebrows raised, like that genuinely surprised him. “First festival and you already made it backstage?” He whistled low. “Must be your lucky day.”

You let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, guess so.”

Pete smirked. “Guess I should make sure you have a good time, then.”

You knew he was just being nice. That’s what guys like him did—flirted with fans, made them feel special. It was part of the whole rockstar thing. And yet, the way he said it, the way his voice dropped just slightly, made your stomach twist up in knots.

You forced yourself to take another sip of water, mostly just to give yourself something to do. Pete was still watching you, and it was making you dizzy.

Pete patted the empty space beside him. “C’mon, sit.” His voice was easy, casual, like this was something he did all the time—inviting starry-eyed fans backstage, watching them squirm under his attention.

You hesitated only a second before lowering yourself onto the couch, sitting closer to the edge than to him. He clocked that immediately, a smirk flickering over his lips.

“Relax,” he said, stretching his arm across the back of the couch. Not quite touching you, but close enough that you felt the heat of him.

“I am relaxed,” you said, gripping your water bottle a little too tight.

Pete chuckled, tilting his head to look at you. “Yeah? ‘Cause you seem kinda nervous.”

“I’m not,” you said quickly. Too quickly.

His grin widened, but he didn’t call you on it. Instead, he let the silence settle, watching you, like he was waiting for you to say something else.

“I—” You started to say something, but Pete reached over, his fingers brushing against your wrist where your festival wristband sat, slightly damp from the heat.

He turned it gently between his fingers, examining it like he had all the time in the world. “Hope you’re not in a rush to find your friends.”

Your breath caught. “I—uh—no. Not really.”

His smirk flickered again. “Good.”

It was subtle. Everything he was doing was subtle. Just enough to keep you off balance, just enough to make you feel like he was interested, like you weren’t just another fan with a crush.

And maybe—maybe—that’s what made it worse. Because he wasn’t being obvious, wasn’t being pushy. He was just letting you sit in this moment, letting you want him, letting you believe, even for a little while, that this wasn’t just another passing moment for him.

You swallowed thickly, trying to shake the strange heaviness settling over you. The room felt warmer than it had a moment ago, your skin sticky with sweat. Your vision blurred slightly at the edges, and your stomach twisted—not the kind of nervous, excited twist that Pete had been pulling out of you, but something deeper, something wrong.

You shifted on the couch, suddenly hyperaware of how close Pete was, of the way his fingers still toyed idly with your wristband. The touch, which had sent nervous little sparks up your arm moments ago, now felt strangely distant, like you were just slightly disconnected from your own body.

Pete was still watching you, his smirk softer now, almost lazy. “You okay?”

You opened your mouth, but your throat was dry, and the words stuck. You had to swallow before trying again. “Yeah,” you said, though it didn’t sound convincing even to you.

Pete’s gaze flickered over your face. “You sure?”

You nodded, even as another wave of dizziness crashed over you. You swayed slightly, your grip tightening on the water bottle in your hands, the plastic crinkling under your fingers.

Pete’s expression didn’t change much, but he tilted his head. “Y’know,” he said lightly, “I already told you. You don’t have to be nervous.”

You let out a shaky breath. “I’m not—I just…” You trailed off, pressing your fingers to your temple as a dull throb started to build behind your eyes.

Pete shifted slightly, like he was getting a better look at you. “You don’t look so good.”

“Thanks,” you mumbled, forcing a weak smile.

He chuckled, but there was something else there now, something considering. His fingers finally left your wristband, drumming against his knee instead.

“You eat today?” he asked.

The question caught you off guard. You blinked at him, trying to think past the slow, creeping fog in your head.

“I—yeah. I think so,” you muttered. But now that you were really thinking about it… had you? You’d been running on adrenaline all day, buzzing from excitement, the heat, the music.

Pete hummed. “Probably just the heat then. That, or you’re dehydrated.”

You nodded vaguely, trying to focus on his words, but it felt like they were coming from far away. Your stomach churned, and you sucked in a slow breath, willing the nausea to pass.

Pete watched you for a moment before nudging the water bottle in your hands. “Drink more,” he said.

You obeyed without thinking, taking another sip, but the water felt thick in your throat, heavy in your stomach.

The couch shifted as Pete leaned in just a little, his voice quieter now. “You wanna lie down for a bit?”

Your heart stuttered. “No—I mean, I’m fine. Just… need a second.”

If anything, he seemed amused by your stubbornness. His fingers tapped against his knee again, his gaze flickering over you like he was taking you apart, piece by piece.

Your head swam again, and you squeezed your eyes shut for a second, pressing your fingers harder against your temple.

“You really don’t look good,” Pete murmured.

You hated how his voice sounded. Still sweet, still teasing—but with something else laced underneath. Something knowing.

Like he wasn’t just watching you.

Like he was waiting.

The nausea was getting worse. It curled deep in your stomach, making your skin feel clammy, your pulse heavy in your ears. You tried to steady your breathing, but each inhale felt thick, like the air in the tent wasn’t going down right. Pete was still watching you, still leaned in just enough to make your skin prickle, but your body wasn’t reacting the way it had before. The excitement, the nervous fluttering in your chest—gone. Replaced by something sluggish, something uncomfortable.

You swallowed hard. “I—I think I just need some air.”

Pete tilted his head, considering you. “You sure?”

No, you weren’t. But sitting here, feeling like you were slowly sinking into the couch, wasn’t helping. You pushed yourself up on unsteady legs, and immediately regretted it. The dizziness slammed into you, and you stumbled, your vision tipping dangerously for a second.

Pete was on his feet before you could process it, his hands catching your arms, steadying you. His grip was firm, grounding, but the contact made your stomach twist again—too much, too close.

“Whoa,” he murmured, voice lower now. “Easy.”

You tried to shake him off, to blink the fog from your vision, but it was so hard to focus.

“I just—” You squeezed your eyes shut for a second, gripping his arms because you had to—otherwise, you weren’t sure you’d stay upright. “I just need to sit down.”

Pete exhaled through his nose, like he was mildly amused, but he guided you back down to the couch anyway, this time closer to him. His hand stayed on your arm a little too long before he finally pulled away.

“You sure you didn’t drink anything else?” he asked.

You shook your head weakly. “Just—just water.”

His gaze flickered to the bottle still in your hand, and something unreadable passed through his expression before he smirked again, easy and casual.

“Guess today was just too much for you, huh?” he said lightly.

You swallowed, trying to focus, but the dull ache behind your eyes was spreading.

Pete’s fingers traced absentminded circles against the couch beside you. Not touching you, but close.

“You can stay back here for a while,” he said, like he was doing you a favor. “Just relax. No rush to get back out there.”

You barely heard him. The tent felt smaller now, the air thick and heavy, the warmth of his body next to you overwhelming.

Pete leaned in slightly, voice softer, almost coaxing. “You trust me, right?”

Somewhere, deep down, something in you hesitated.

But you were too tired, too dizzy, too slow to hold onto it.

So you just nodded.

Your head lolled slightly, the weight of it too much to hold upright. Everything was starting to feel distant, like you weren’t entirely inside your own body. Your skin was clammy, your limbs felt heavy, and the nausea was rolling over you in waves. Even the sounds around you—the faint buzz of the festival outside, Pete’s voice—felt muffled, like you were hearing them through a thick layer of cotton.

“Hey,” Pete murmured, his hand landing on your knee. You barely registered the touch at first, your brain struggling to keep up. His fingers drummed lightly, like he was testing the contact before settling his palm there, warm and firm. “You still with me?”

You forced yourself to nod, though it was slow, unsteady. “Mhm.” Your voice sounded strange, slurred at the edges.

Pete’s fingers squeezed gently, his thumb brushing against your bare skin. “You’re all spaced out,” he pointed out, like he was amused.

You wanted to respond, to say something, but the words wouldn’t form. Your tongue felt thick in your mouth, and your head swam again, the nausea twisting deep in your gut. You barely noticed when Pete’s hand slid higher, his touch slow and deliberate.

“You’re really out of it, huh?” His voice was soft, coaxing, like he was talking to a skittish animal. His other hand found your wrist, thumb brushing over your pulse point, like he was testing how far he could go. “Maybe you should lie down for a bit.”

Lie down. The thought was tempting. You felt like dead weight, like gravity was pressing you further into the couch. But somewhere, deep in the fog, something was wrong

Your breath hitched as Pete’s fingers ghosted up your thigh, slow and casual, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

You blinked sluggishly, trying to focus. “Pete—”

He hummed, his touch still light, still teasing. “Relax. I’ve got you.”

A cold rush of panic shot through the haze, but your body wouldn’t respond the way you wanted it to. Your limbs felt uncooperative, like they weren’t entirely yours.

Pete leaned in, his breath warm against your cheek. “You’re so tense,” he murmured. “You don’t have to be.”

Your stomach churned violently. Whether it was from the nausea or something deeper—something more instinctual—you weren’t sure. But it was enough to force a weak noise from your throat, barely more than a whimper.

His knuckles dragged against the seam of your jeans, and if you had more motor control, you would’ve squirmed. Instead, your breath hitched.

“Y’know what the fun thing about this is? It makes you more responsive. Sure, it totally zones you out, but—“ to prove his point, he unzipped your jeans, sliding his hand down the front of your underwear.

You let out a choked whine, his touch electrifying. You opened your mouth to protest, but your tongue was too heavy, your brain too sluggish.

“Yeah, we’ll have fun, won’t we?” Pete asked, rhetorically.

Your head swam as he leaned in closer, and finally, your eyes slipped shut, too heavy to stay open.

[lunajay33]

The Only One

•🍂🖤•

Summary: Mike is struggling a lot and aria and her parents come to you for help, being his best friend maybe you be the trick to bring him out of his depression, will she get dragged into A’s plan?

This is a loooooooong one

Includes: Depression, harassment, pregnancy and more

Pairing: Mike Montgomery x f!reader

•Masterlist•

Seeing my best friend spiral was killing me, for a while now he’s just been getting worse and worse and locking everyone out, it’s been a week since I last saw him, he hasn’t come to school and won’t reply to any of my texts or calls

Sitting alone in the coffee shop where Mike and I would usually hangout, as I sip on my Frappuccino Aria and her parents sit around my table

“Oh hi, did you need the table I can leave” I say as I start to gather my things

“No please sit, we wanted to talk to you” Ella states, so I sit back down confused

“It’s about Mike, he won’t leave his room or talk to any of us” Aria adds and they all look worried

“I’ve tried calling and texting him but he won’t answer me, I’ve been really worried”

“We were wondering since he won’t open up to any of us maybe he’d talk to his best friend, would you come over and just try” mikes dad pleads

“Of course, I was just finishing up here anyways I can head over”

“Thank you so much we’ll give you guys the house for a while” Ella smiles grateful for my help, I nod and leave the caffe walking towards their house

I don’t know why but I was anxious, nervous of what I’d be walking into, worried that I’m losing my best friend and the guy I’ve had a crush on from the moment I met him when we were little

I pass on knocking and just enter the house, walking right up the stairs to his bedroom, but this time I did hesitate, after a moment of pulling myself together I opened the door to a dim room, only lit by the lamp in the corner

I walk in seeing Mike curled up on his bed covered in blankets, I round the bed and sit next to him which finally catches his attention, his gaze is far away like he didn’t even know someone was in his room

When our eyes meet he softens and I see my mike again for a moment, I run my hand through his hair and down to his arm

“I’ve missed you Mike” I say gently

“Didn’t feel well” he says looking back to the way

“I get it you know……do you want some company?” He doesn’t say anything but he scotches back on the bed and lift the covers for me to lay with him, I smile as I kick my shoes off and lay next to him

It’s warm and smells like him and it makes my heart pound

“You know I’m here for you Mike, always” he nods before moving closer and resting his head against my chest and I immediately wrap my arms around him and hold him close feeling him relax

We laid there for hours just the two of us until I know he’s asleep, soon his family comes home and Ella opens his door checking on us

“Can I stay the night?” I whisper and she nods smiling

“Thank you” she says before leaving

•

The morning sun beams through the window shinning right into my eyes making me groan

“Ugh” I feel mikes arm around my hip and stomach holding me close as my back is pressed against his chest

“Mike? Are you up?” He groans and holds me tighter

“Stay with me” he whispers

“We should get up, why don’t we go to the cafe like we use to, we can get pancakes and a hot chocolate” I say turning in his arms so we are face to face

“I don’t wanna leave my room” I trace my thumb over his cheek looking into his eyes

“Me either but maybe it’ll be good, get some fresh air, get out of the house, maybe you could stay at my place tonight if you want, my parents aren’t home”

“I guess” I smile and jump out of bed rummaging through his drawers picking out his favorite pair of jeans and hoodie and toss it to him

“Get dressed, can I borrow some close I’ve been in these for a while”

“Yeah go ahead” he says as he changes into his hoodie and I catch a glimpse of his toned chest feeling a blush creep over my cheeks

“Thanks” I take a brown zip up of his and a pair of his older sweatpants that are too small for him now

After I change I turn seeing Mike watching me, trying to look away like he wasn’t checking me out

“Come on Mike, we’ve got a whole day just me and you”

•

After the cafe we walked around town then headed to my house once the sun was starting to set

He sat on the couch as I got our favorite drinks and snacks joining him as he picked his go to movie, it was relaxing and I felt like I had my best friend back

“Did you have fun today?” I ask at a boring part of the movie

“Yeah it was…..good, I’m sorry I ignored you”

“It’s okay, next time just talk to me, I care about you too much to lose you” he looks at me with gentle eyes and I moved closer taking his hand in mine

“I care about you too, feels good to know I’ve got you on my side” my heart flutters at that

“Can I ask you something?” He nods giving me his full attention

“Have you ever…..have you ever thought about me as more than a best friend?” I ask nervously but he squeezes my hand and smiles

“Of course I have how could I not”

“Really?” I ask shocked

“Yeah really, I’ve liked you for a long time”

“I have too, would you wanna maybe be my boyfriend? We don’t really need to go on a date first seeing as we basically just had one”

“Definitely, now come on, I wanna start my boyfriend privileges” he takes my hand and we go up to my room and he sits up against my head board pulling me onto his lap tracing his hands down my waist

I can still see the dark purple under his eyes and I can’t help but take his face in my hands

“Never do that to me again Mike, if I loose you I think I’d go insane”

“I won’t” I pull him into a kiss and it was everything I’d dreamed of like fireworks were going off in my chest

We pull apart gasping for air

“Wow” I whisper

“Yeah wow” he smirks

“That was my first kiss”

“Me too”

“So where do we go from here?”

“We can take it slow or whatever you’re comfortable with, all I know is that I’ve been waiting for you for a long time”

“Okay cowboy, slow your role” I say and we both laugh as he roles us as he hovers over me

“I see I found a way to get you out of your funk” he smirks as he kisses me again

•

It’s been a week since me and Mike got together and it’s been great, kinda the same as before but now we could make out

We were on the front porch of his house on the swinging chair, pressed against his chest with his arms wrapped around me as we watched the sunset

“Well look at you two, aren’t you cute” Ella says as her and byran walk up the front steps

“Mooooom” Mike groans embarrassed making my laugh

“Actually sweetie can I talk to you in the kitchen for a second?” Ella asks

“Sure!” I squeeze mikes thigh as I got up and followed he inside, she lays the groceries on the counter and I lean there

“So what’s up?”

“I just wanted to say thank you, I know he’s still struggling but atleast he’s out of his room now and he’s working on it”

“I love him, I’d do anything to help him” she smiles sweetly

“We were all waiting to see how long it would take for you two to finally get together” I stand straight shocked

“Was it that obvious”

“To everyone except the both of you”

“Awesome”

“He’s probably waiting for you, I just wanted to thank you again” I hug her before I leave back to Mike

I sit where I was before and he kissed my temple

“What did she want”

“Just that she’s happy we’re together finally”

“I am too”

“Why didn’t you confess to me before?” I ask looking up at him from where I was laying against his chest

“I didn’t wanna lose you, scare you off if you didn’t feel the same”

“Awe my boyfriend is so cute” he scoffs playfully

“Cute? I’m not cute I’ll show you” he pulls me into a rough passionate kiss that took my breathe away making me whimper when he pulled away as we heard footsteps on the steps

“I did not need to see that” Aria says quickly going inside making us laugh

“I should probably get home it’s getting late”

“But I don’t want you to go” he sighs as he walks me down to the sidewalk

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow okay, I love you”

“Love you too” we hug before I leave walking home

•

I walk through the school to my locker dropping off my bag and getting my chemistry textbook, when I close my locker I jump seeing Noel Kahn leaning there smirking

“Ummm hi?” I ask confused, I barely had any conversations with Noel only in passing by or when he’d want info on Aria since he knows I’m close with the family

“Soooo I hear you and little Montgomery are going at it, why don’t you get with me and I’ll show you a real man” I gag and that’s quick to wipe the smirk off his face

“I love Mike and he’s more of a man than you could ever be” I felt an arm wrap around my hip and I know it’s Mike

“Leave her alone and I won’t ask again” Mike growled and it sent a sense of giddiness through me as we walk away

“He’s a perv”

“Definitely, but he’s not getting my girl”

“Never, now go to class before we’re both late” he kisses my cheek before running off

•

School finished and I was sat on the bleachers of the lacrosse field watching Mike practice, watching him run around sent a thrill through me that quickly got shut down when Aria and her friends come and sit around me

“Ummm hey guys, I’ve never seen you guys sitting here before”

“We came to talk to you actually” Emily states

“Why?”

“We saw Noel Kahn talking to you this morning, what was that about?” Spencer asks intrigued

“Oh he was just trying to hit on me that’s all, thankfully Mike came to my rescue”

“That’s all he didn’t say anything about…..anything?” They looked suspicious which only made me more confused

“Uh no why? Should he have?”

“Just forget about this conversation” Aria says as they hurry off as Mike heads towards me

“What was that about? Are they recruiting you?” He laughs as he pulls me into a hug and I lean my chin on his chest looking up at him

“No they were just asking me about Noel for some reason”

“Weird”

“Yeah, they took my precious time away of me watching you run around in all your glory”

“Oh you haven’t seen me in all my glory angel” he smirks kissing me

“Maybe you can show me when you come over tonight” his face lights up and I can’t help but laugh hiding my face in his chest

“I’ll be there, 7 right?” I nod as we walk to the parking lot where Aria is waiting for him

“You sure you’re okay to walk home I mean we can drive you”

“No it’s okay I like walking, just….being protection tonight” I whisper the last part before giving him a quick kiss and walking off before my confidence waivers

Once I got home I got in a shower blasting my favorite music hoping it’ll help pump me up, I put on my favorite vanilla lotion, redo my makeup, straighten my hair and put on a cute plum colored dress, and light a vanilla cupcake candle in my room and by the time all that is done there a knock on the front door

Thankfully my parents are gone for the weekend so it’ll just be the two of us, I start to feel my heart pound as I open the door and he’s wearing my favorite outfit, blue jeans, a plant tee shirt and a burgundy zip up

“Eyes are up here angel” he smirks as he walks in closing the door behind him

“Sorry you know I think you look handsome in this outfit”

“Well you look beautiful, I brought you these” he pulls an array of wild flowers from behind his back

“Wow I love them thank you!” I smile as we walk to the kitchen so I could put them in a vase

He walks behind me and leans his chin on my shoulder as he holds me

“Are you sure about tonight? I can feel your heart pounding” he whispers as he rests his hand on my chest

“Yeah I’m ready, if it’s with you I’m ready for anything” I know he’s still having a hard time but I can see he’s getting better everyday, and the way he’s looking at my right now is better than the way he looked when he was laying in bed that day

I take his hand and lead him upstairs to my candle lit room, I lay down on the bed watching as he discarded his sweater

He crawls over me pulling me into a gentle kiss as I run my hands through his hair

“Just relax, I’ve got you”

•

We lay in bed intertwined together as we catch our breathes

“So how was it?” He asks as he traces his fingers over my back lightly, I could hear the nerves in his voice

“It was perfect Mike, as far as first times go I’d say you were the perfect gentleman” I smile running my hand down his stomach

“I love you y/n”

“I love you too”

•

It’s been 3 weeks since me and Mike first slept together but I could see him slowly slipping away again and I was doing everything I could to hold onto him

I knock on the Montgomery house door excepting Mike to answer since we have a movie date tonight, but Ella answers instead

“Oh hi sweetie, come on in”

“Is Mike here? We’re suppose to watch movies tonight” I say walking in

“Oh he’s not home right now I actually don’t know where he is” I sigh looking down as I wring my hands

“He’s getting bad again isn’t he?” I ask feeling queazy

“I don’t know he’s getting more distant with us again but I can see him trying still honey” I run to the kitchen and throw up in the garbage can soon feeling her rubbing my back as she hands me a paper towel to wash my mouth

“Are you sick sweetie?”

“I don’t know just been feeling sick the past few days, mind if I wait for him in his room?”

“Of course sweetheart, go lay down” she hands me a bottle of water and I go up to mikes room laying on his bed that I’ve come to love

I turn on my favorite tv show and curl up in his bed waiting for him, by the time the clock struck 11 pm he finally came home, I sit up when he enters the room

“Mike……where have you been? We had a date planned” he drops a bag off in his closet and comes and sits next to me

“Sorry I got….side tracked” I move closer leaning my head on his shoulder

“You’re worrying me Mike I thought we were good….it feels like…like after we slept together you’ve been distant, is this not what you want anymore?” His eyes shoot open in shock

“What? No of course not you’re everything I could ever want I’ve just been, god I don’t know what I’ve been doing I just feel lost” he sighs moving to lay on my chest, I found this is a way he likes to be comforted when he’s upset

“It’s okay baby, just don’t pull away from me if you ever need to work things out you know I’ll always have your back”

“I know it’s just, I want to be the perfect boyfriend for you and I’m still navigating that”

“You told me everything when we were friends, that’s still us just…more advantages”

“I guess you’re right, I’ll do better for us” we change into more comfortable clothes and lay together as our show plays

“You better make up for missing our date”

“Oh I will”

•

I wake up in his arms and I don’t wanna leave the warmth of his hold but that wave of naseua over comes me again and I run into his washroom to throw up, what the hell is going on? I rinse my mouth and I’m back into bed with Mike waking him up

“Hey you okay?” He hums tiredly

“Just sick again”

“Again? Are you sure this isn’t something more serious?”

“It could just be a stomach bug”

“How about we go down and I can make you a tea and breakfast, call it my start at making up for yesterday”

“I’d love that”

•

Wearing one of his lacrosse hoodies and some pj shorts I sit at the kitchen table as Mike brings me over a cup of soothing tea, a bowl of grapes and some toast

“Thank you Mike” I smile still exhausted

I nibble of the toast as he munches down his breakfast, Ella and Aria walk in smiling as they work in their own meals coming to sit with us

“Still feeling under the weather?” Ella asks

“Yeah I don’t know what’s going on but I’m over it”

“Well if it keeps up you should head to the doctor” I nod finishing my plate and me and Mike go back to his room when I catch a glimpse of the bag he left last night in his closet

“What’s in the bag you brought home Mike?” He turns looking guilty

“Nothing just some junk I found”

“Are you lying to me? I know I know all your tells” I say wrapping my arms around him giving him a knowing look

“It’s just junk I promise, just a stupid split decision that you don’t need to worry about”

“Okay I trust you Mike”

“Good because you’re all I care about and I’d never break that trust”

“You’re getting all soft on me”

“Soft? Now you know that’s not true” he smirks making me push his arm as we laugh

•

I get home later that evening and turn on one tree hill, watching as Hailey finds out she’s pregnant and then it hits me..I’m late

I run to the store to get a pregnancy test, I get back home and test it, waiting for it felt like eternity until my timer goes off

“Oh god” I cry as I turn the test over and there it is

Positive……

•

I walk into the school the next day riddled with nerves, how was I suppose to tell him I’m pregnant I mean we’re still in school and this’ll just make him spiral again, should I keep it to myself? Should I talk to his mom first? God what am I gonna do

I sit at my desk as Mike sits next to me, placing a kiss to my cheek

“Hey you okay?” He asks gently as he tucks my hair behind my ear

“Yeah just…..just stressed about this test” I lie and I could tell he wasn’t convinced especially by my red puffy eyes

“You’ll do great, we should’ve done more studying than making out though” he says making me crack a smile

“Quiet class!! You have 45 minutes to finish the test, and your time starts now” I could barely concentrate on the test but thankfully it was easier material for me but the whole time my mind was racing about this baby

•

The school day was over and me and Mike were now walking back to his place because his mom had invited me over for a supper

When we walk in Ella and Byran are in the kitchen cooking

“Hey kids, suppers almost done you can wait upstairs if you want” Mike takes my hand and we walk upstairs, I sigh sitting down on his bed

“What’s going on with you today, I know it’s not from that test” he asks as he sits across from me

“I have to tell you something Mike” I couldn’t keep this to myself anymore I’ll go crazy

“Please tell me you’re not breaking up with me”

“Oh god of course not….never” then he took my hand reassuringly

“Then what is it?”

“I’m…..I’m pregnant Mike” his eyes widen and his skin drains of color

“I know it’s a lot but please don’t leave me, I need you Mike more than ever…..I don’t know what to do”

He gets up off the bed and paces his room mumbling to himself only making my nerves spike

“Mike I’m sorry” I choke out feeling the tears finally fall and that stops him

“It’s not your fault, we just got caught up in the moment and now well we have to figure it out” he sighs pulling me up to hold me, swaying back and forth easing my nerves

“Water we gonna do Mike? Your parents are gonna hate me now” he chuckles at that

“As if that’s possible, they’ll probably be more mad at me than you, should we tell them now?”

“There’s no point in keeping it to ourselves” he nods taking my hand as we go downstairs, as we get to the bottom steps we see Ella and Byran in the living room looking very angry, across from them stood Aria and Mr.Fitz?

“Kids you should go back upstairs” Ella says but we don’t we stay there watching it unravel

“Look mom I love him” Aria says and I can feel Mike tense

“This can’t be real, you wouldn’t stand here and dare you just wouldn’t” Ella yells at Mr fitz as Byran gets in his face

It was escalating fast and me and Mike could both see it, Mike was quick and got between them punching mr fitz in the mouth and the room falls quiet, I was shocked not usually seeing that side of mike but I loved how protective he was as he walked to the front door opening it

“Maybe you should go” Aria adds and he leaves

Mike comes back to my side and wraps his arm around my shoulder whispering in my ear

“Maybe now’s not the best time” I nod in agreement feeling incredibly awkward

“Should I go?” I ask Ella not wanting to intrude on this family situation

“No sweetie we made a whole meal for you guys just……wait upstairs while we figure stuff out” both Mike and I nod going back up to his room and we hear them down their arguing, hearing our relationship being brought up

“Really Aria? Your teacher? Why couldn’t you find a nice guy your own age? Look at your brother he found himself a lovely girl his own age” Byran says making feel a little guilty

“Hey I know that look, get those negative thoughts out of your head, this is just…..a bump in the road, we made a mistake plus it’s doesn’t seem as bad now that Aria is dating a literal teacher” Mike says rubbing my arms

“I guess but….when should we tell them?”

“Soon just not tonight” I nod and we settle to cuddle on his bed

We lay in silence just taking in the moment

“Do you wanna keep the baby? Are you ready for that?” He asks

“I don’t know Mike, I’m nervous…..if we keep it I don’t want you to resent me in the future, I don’t want this to ruin what we have”

“Nothing could change the way I feel about you, you know that”

“But are you ready to be a father? We both still have so much to do, I still wanna have highschool experiences with you”

“We still can…..I have an idea”

“Like?” He smiles and shakes his head

“I’ll tell you later, let’s go have supper” I nod confused but follow him anyways

When we get to the kitchen table Ella has all the food laid out but her and Byran still seem stressed, me and Mike sit down next to eachother I’m guessing Aria doesn’t wanna be around people right now

“This smells delicious Mrs. Montgomery” I smile as me and Mike dish some food up into our plates

“Thank you, I’m sorry you kids had to see that” she said

“It’s fine mom, we all knew about the rumour I just never thought it would be aria” Mike states

“I’m just glad one of my kids is in a normal relationship” Byran adds and I feel Mike squeeze my thigh under the table

We go on to have supper with casual conversations here and there

“So how’re you feeling? Did you find out why you were getting sick?” Ella asks as she bites into a piece of broccoli

“Must’ve just been a stomach bug” I hated lying to her she was like a second mother to me

“Good I’m glad you’re feeling better” I smile and when we finish supper I help clean up until everything is done

“Mom would it be okay if y/n stays over for the night we….have to finish up a project together”

“Sure that’s fine with me” she nods and Mike lifts me into a puffy back and runs upstairs making me laugh all the way until he drops me on the bed hovering over me

“Couldn’t let me go just yet?” I tease running my hands down his chest

“Never ready, now we should probably work on that project” he smirks as we continue to make out until we pass out for the night

•

It’s been a month since we found out I’m pregnant and we just never found the right time to tell his parents, mine were never really home so it’s not like they’d care anyways

But after going to the doctors with Mike we found it now two months along and I needed to start taking prenatals and you could see the subtle changes, I’ve been starving all the time which Mike loved he always got anything I was craving but it was becoming noticeable to others

Sitting at a table in the cafeteria Mike had brought me a milkshake, a plate of spaghetti and a bunch of snacks and we were both munching down, aria and her friends were sat at the table next to us and that’s when Noel and Mona came up to talk to them about some party

I took a drink of my milkshake when they turned to me and Mike

“Oh sweetie that’s no way to keep a guy interested, you might wanna put down the calories and pick up a gym membership” Mona says making Noel laugh

“Come on man you can do so much better” they walk away laughing and I can’t help the tears from running and my bottom lip trembling, Mike shot up from the table and went up to Noel starting a fight as Aria came and comforted me

Soon Ella came and split the fight up, Noel was sporting a bust lip and a black eye, Mike had a few cuts in his face too

“Mike! What is going on here k thought we were over this” Mike huffs angrily, I walk over to him laying my hand on his chest and he quickly relaxes even though I’m trying to hold myself back from breaking down again

“Mona and Noel were making fun of y/n basically calling her fat” Ella looks at the both of them

“You know bullying is not tolerated in this school” they left leaving her to turn to me and Mike

“I will talk to you both when I get home” she says before leaving back down the hallway, I let out a sigh and Mike holds me close as I rest my head on his chest

“It’ll be alright, and you know they’re not right, we both know why you’re hungry and it only makes me love you more okay?” I look up at him and nod as he wipes a tear away

“I should head to class the bells about to ring” I say picking up my bag

“But we haven’t finished lunch” he said looking at the table with our trays of food

“Umm I think I’m full” I say picking up my tray and dumping it in the trash quickly leaving the cafeteria

•

School finished but Mona’s words rang over and over in my head, we were in mikes room waiting for his mom to get home, he was down getting us some drinks and I was just walking around his room looking at all his trinkets when I pass the mirror

I stop and turn to the side lifting my shirt to show a tiny bump forming and it’s only gonna get bigger and bigger, I put my shirt back down when Aria walks in the room catching me off guard

“They’re not right you know”

“I’m just worried”

“About what?”

“What if Mike leaves me, what if he finds someone skinnier and prettier, I mean you’re brother is hot, god he’s so hot and he could get anyone” she winces at me calling her brother hot

“Don’t you see the way he looks at you? It’s like you hung the moon, my brother has been in love with you since you guys were kids, you’re just getting in your head about this” I sigh and nod trying to take in her advice right when Mike walks in with a glass of water and a blue Powerade for himself

“Am I interrupting this girl chat?” He smirks as he passes me the water and sits at his computer

“No we were just finishing” Aria says smiling before she leaves

“Are you still upset about earlier babe?”

“Just a little” before he can say anything else his mom yells out for us to come downstairs

“Here we go again” he groans as we walk down the stairs and sit on the couch

“What is going on with you two lately? It’s like over the last month you’ve be more protective of her, she’s basically over every night, which I have no problem with you know I love you here, but I know something is going on”

I look at Mike nervously and he nods and I can see he’s just as nervous, I know he’s had a lot of problems with his parents the last while and this is just another thing to add

“You know when I got sick? Well it wasn’t a stomach bug” I move closer to Mike holding his thigh as his arm comes around my waist

“What’re you saying?” She asks sitting in the chair across from us

“She’s pregnant” he finally said it, it was finally out there

“Pregnant? Are you positive?”

“Yeah we went to the doctors, I’m 2 months along, we wanted to tell you the day Aria was here with mr fitz but well….it didn’t seem like the right time” she runs her hand through her and I can see the wheels turning in her head

“I’m sorry Mrs. M, we didn’t mean it to happen but we need you, I need you in this, we don’t know what we’re doing” I plead

“Oh sweetheart you know I love you like my own I’m just…..I guess I thought you guys would wait, are you ready for this both of you?”

“We’re scared but we can’t bare to get rid of the baby we have, but we still wanna live our lives we’re still young” Mike adds

She sighs and nods

“I can’t lie and say I’m not excited to have a grandbaby just didn’t know it would be this soon, just give me some time to think” I nod and we leave to sit on the front porch

“This is gonna get out you know, more people are gonna judge us” I say already being able to hear everything people will say

“They’ll have to deal with me” he said rubbing my back reassuringly then Ella came out sitting across from us

“You guys made a mistake but it’s already done but I still want you both two to have a normal life….”

“You want me to get rid of the baby?”

“No…..I’ll take care of the baby, I’ll raise her along side you both until you’re ready to take her”

“Really? You’d do that?” Mike asks surprised

“Of course this is my grandchild now no more stressing it’s not good for the baby” she said to me and I feel a weight lift off my shoulders

“Thank you so much” I sigh as we hug

“What’s dad gonna think” Mike asks as we walk back inside

“I’ll deal with your father, just try to focus on school both of you”

•

It’s been 2 months and I’m 4 months along, we found out the baby is a girl and it was the best feeling seeing Mike excited about it

I’ve started wearing his hoodies to cover my bump, it wasn’t huge yet but if I were to wear my usual tight clothes it would be pretty obvious

I pull my hair up into a loose ponytail, put in a pair of hoop earrings and finish up my makeup, I pull on Mikes navy hoodie and a pair of black leggings and matching navy converse

Not usually my style but it’s comfy and the hoodie smells like Mike so I’d take it

I walk to school meeting Mike and Aria at the front seeing as they just got out of their car

“Hey baby” he smirks pulling me into his side and kissing my temple

“I missed you”

“You saw me just last night” he laughs

“I know but I don’t like sleeping in the house alone, she missed you too” I whisper the last part, Aria still didn’t know, Ella and Bryon wanted to keep it from her since she’s had a lot going on, we didn’t wanna tell anyone and just put it off for as long as possible, pass it off as me going away for a few months in the summer when I’d give birth and claim Ella had another baby

“Wanna come over tonight?” He asks as we walk into school

“Of course I’ll never pass that up” we walk into the main hallway and my heart stops

Plastered all over the wall was a picture of me with my shirt up showing my bump and Mike laying next to me with his hand resting on it, we were in his room, someone took a picture of us through his window

“What the hell?” He growls everyone is looking at us, written on the side in red spray paint

Little Miss Perfect isn’t so prefect -A

Aria and her friends are talking behind us like they knew who this A was

“Why would they bring y/n into this?” Spencer says, before I can ask Mona and Noel come to us again

“Well well Mike my man really getting some”

“Shut up Noel, don’t forget how I beat your ass last time” he puts his hands up in fake surrender laughing

“You might need bigger pants sweetie, you’re looking a little stuffed” Mona says and Hanna steps in

“Enough Mona, don’t forget how you felt when Alison treated you like that” Mona scoffs and leaves with a smirk

I turn to Mike feeling the panic rise and I could barely breathe

“Mike I can’t….breathe”

“Take her outside Mike” Aria says and he leads me out sitting at the tables as he kneels infront of me, the girls behind him

“This wasn’t suppose to happen like this Mike, we had a plan” I feel light headed and my heart is rapid

“I know I’m so sorry, but we’ll talk to my mom and figure something out, but you gotta breath”

I shake my head leaning down on his shoulder as he rubs my back

“Just breath” I try but then a huge pain coursed through me and I scream

“Hey what’s wrong?”

“Oh my god” Emily says and they all gasp, I look down and I see blood

“Mike….” At that I pass out

•

I wake up to beeping and a pounding headache, I look around seeing Ella and Mike sitting on either side on the hospital bed I’m in

“Oh thank god you’re awake” Ella says squeezing my hand

“What happened?” I groan feeling like I got hit by a truck

I look at Mike and he looks like that day I visited him when he was struggling, his eyes red and puffy and his expression blank

“You had a panic attack…..it was too much” I look at Mike

“What’re you saying?”

“We lost the baby” he says shaky

“No….no Ella tell me this isn’t true” she tries not to cry

“I’m sorry honey”

•

It’s been a week of laying in my bed, I couldn’t leave the house, completely exhausted mentally and physically, Ella gave the school a heads up of my absence, she’d come over everyday after school to check on me and drop off food but I couldn’t stomach much

I lost the baby, Mike and I were so excited too, after struggling with being teen parents we finally came to the realization that we were having a baby together and that it would be okay

But that prank it ruined everything, it ruined me, how do I move past the lose? And now the whole school knows

Saturday rolled around and I finally got up, changing into sweats and a hoodie, pulling my hair into a lazy ponytail and popping my pain killers, I walk through the town till I get to mikes house

Knocking I wait exhausted leaning against the frame of the house, when Ella opens it surprised she pulls me into a warm gentle hug

“Hey sweetie, come on in, it’s good to see you up” I nod looking around for Mike

“He’s upstairs, he was just about to head over to your place” I nod as I walk upstairs and go straight to mikes room

I walk in and he’s sat on the side of the bed looking down at something in his hands

I sit next to him resting my head on his shoulder and I see he’s holding a baby jumper, pink and it says daddy’s girl and it killed me seeing the look on his face

“Where did you get that?”

“I bought it the day we found out she was a girl, wanted it to be a surprise” I could here the tension in his voice

“I’m so sorry Mike” he pulls me to lay on the bed as we curl around eachother

“It’s not your fault, it just sucks, I wanted her so badly” he cries into my hair as he rests his head above mine

“Me too…..should we name her, a way for us to grieve her properly?” I ask rubbing his back as he rubbed mine

“That might be the best, I was thinking Tyler”

“Tyler….i like it” after crying ourselves to sleep we woke up and to Ella calling us for dinner

We went down holding hands even as we sat down, Byran moved out and got his own place so it was just the four of us, I know Mike was struggling with that and the baby ontop of it wasn’t helping but I’m not letting him go

“How’re you feeling?” Aria asks

“Better, the pain killers are helping” she smiled at that

“I know this is a lot to handle especially at your guys’ age but I was thinking it could help if we did something as a memorial” Ella said as she cut at her chicken

I look at Mike see a glimmer of his old self again and it healed a crack in my heart

“We’d like that….we have her a name too”

“Tyler” I add and Aria and Ella smile

“That’s lovely, she would’ve been beautiful just like you both” I nod as Mike sighs

We finish eating and Ella brings out a dessert

“Are you coming back to school on Monday?”

“Yeah u can’t miss anymore and I miss seeing Mike everyday” I say making Mike smile as he brushed my hair back

“Did they find out who did that prank?” Mike asks Aria

“Not yet but the school is pissed”

“Do they all know….about the baby?” I ask squeezing mikes hand

“Yeah….”

“Great”

•

I stayed with Mike for the rest of the weekend so we could go to school together on Monday, we got ready together and Ella drove us all to school

“I’m nervous” I spit out feeling the nerves build up inside me as we stood outside the school

“It’ll be okay, if anything happens come to me I’ll sort it out” Ella says in her calming tone, her and Aria go in and it’s just me and Mike as other students file into the school

“We’ve got this” he says as he holds me hand and we head to our first class, as we walk through the halls we hear whispers and get stared at

We sit in our social class at a table in the back together, the bell rings and the teacher walks in

It felt normal again like before all this mess, I still wonder who this A person was that caused me to lose my baby

Lunch time rolled around and we sat at our usual spot in the cafeteria next to Aria and her friends table, I wasn’t really hungry so I just had an apple and a protein shake drink

“How’re you feeling so far?” Mike asks gently and it makes my heart flutter

“Okay, having you with me helps, how about you?”

“I’ll get there, I’m looking forward to the memorial for her, I think it’ll help”

“Me too, I wanna go back to when we were having fun…..can I come watch you practice today?”

“Definitely, it’s my first day back for it and it’ll be good to know I got my angel watching” my face bursts red making him flash his signature smirk

“Hey y/n, Mike, we wanted to give our condolences” Spencer says next to us and the other three gave us the same sorrowful looks

“Thanks, wish the school would find this A person”

“Yeah so I can ring their neck” Mike growls and I nod along

•

Ella had set up a little area in the backyard for us, candles and angel decor just like what Mike called me

“This is beautiful Ella” I smile as Mike squeezes my hand

“I thought planting a memorial tree would be nice so you could come out here and look at it when you’re thinking of her” she said pointing to the potted apple tree

“Thanks mom” Mike says as she leaves giving us this time together

We dig a hole and plant the tree, it’s not huge but it’s enough until it grows, we sit infront of it, his arm wrapped around my back and my head on his shoulder

“Now she’s with us forever”

“I love you Mike”

“I love you too always”

•

This sucked I kinda went all over the place with no idea of where I was going

[stanriya]

your night guest. (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥

your the most sweet and nice best friend bennett that comes to your house at night turns out being... yandere?

tw. yandere bennett basically, but he's honestly too innocent

guys he's so sweet and so underrated I'm literally crying T_T

"you're my treasure"

bennett literally was rolling on his own bed thinking about what you have said today at yours weekly friend meeting. he's your treasure. gosh, has he lost his mind or you really have something toward him?! bennett would repeat your words in his head for hours, first scroll through his memory and all the details of this moment, starting from the sunny weather, light and soft wind that tickled his bare shoulders, your beautiful eyes that looked deep into his soul, your sweet pinkish lips (he won't dare to kiss them, no no, he just can't) and right after that flashback he immediately curl up, squeezing his eyes and blushing all over his face. and do this again. and again. and this cycle would go for the whole night, bennet has no doubt at it. but he can't stand it anymore. he just can't stand all those romantic made up scenarios about the two of you. he wants to express his eternal love to you, show you how much he adores you, because, ugh, man you're just perfect!! how else should he describe you?! all your character traits, he just found of them. he literally doesn't see any "negative" or "bad" traits in you (is it even possible for you?). all your smiles that you give to him whenever he failed or brought a new disaster to other people, you never reproach him for such things, in comparison with others.

his optimism reached its adequate limit ages ago, turning into some toxic constant mantra that he repeats every day if not every minute to himself, because he's not that impossible, right? people don't hate him because of all the problems that he causes that are not his fault and he's not left by them, right? bennett was boiling in this endless suffering cycle like, for years, or maybe even his whole life? until you came. yes, you made him happy for real. you actually made him laugh, all the innocent time you spend with him, with exactly zero toxicity in your friendship. is it even possible?

you're too perfec for him. to be even real.

how can he be even closer to you? no, you're friends. at least you think so. he doesn't even know how to overstep this "friendzone" boundary and don't lose you. because his life already pointless without you. he can't lose you, too. no no no.

but, he can't stand it anymore either...

and what there's left? only one solution.

"I have to see her." bennett pulled the blanket off him and started dressing up to meet you. his heart is beating hard. his cheeks are pinky. he is ready to tell what he really thinks about you. the question is now, are you ready to hear it? well, you have no choice. because bennett loves you more than anything. he can't escape his feelings toward you, so neither can you.

bennett left his house and headed to your place. though your home address is new to him at least it should be, it's actually not strange to him. he remembers it and goes like into his own place.

you were very surprised by your night guest. you didn't expect anyone, especially always polite and sweet bennett. but how could you ignore him?

"y/n, I wanna to tell you something... but promise not to laugh" you giggled, admitting bennett's shy smile and his hand behind his head, his attempt at something serious. "I... I-i... hey, could you please turn around?..." you adored his puppy eyes right now, so you turned around just like bennett asked you. "thank you" bennet is always like this. you feel how nervous he is and try to relax him. "yes, I'm fine, thank you though, I'm just... I just..." he saw you turning back to him wanting to see him, but the moment you saw his eyes he just confessed.

"I love you !!!"

bennett confessed with squeezed eyes, red face and hands clenched into fists. you can't imagine a cuter scene in your life.

"I love you too, bennett."

there is no end to his happiness. you literally made him the happiest person in the whole world, the way his eyes glared at you, he took you into his hands the second moment. he even cries because of how much he loves you. please, be his for the rest of your lifes. bennett swears to make you loved.

" you're the light of my whole life, love <3 "

[mademoisellewol]

By The Back Porch

The lady couldn't help but overhear the occasional soft giggling from her partner from the kitchen.

He was just lounging by the back porch sofa—a cozy space for coffee and bonding time closer to nature—or the backyard, so to speak.

"What is he up to this time?"

She mumbled to herself, knowing that there was always something unexpected whenever her beloved started chuckling, wheezing like crazy.

Giving a brief thought to go out and check on him, she heard a giggle-hiccup, which left her amused. The curiosity to go see what he found "so-worthy-to-be-laughing-at" deeply grew.

Taking a step outside, stopping from her washing, she checked on him.

"Babe?"

Once she stepped out, she saw him sitting down on the sofa with their Great Pyrenees, resting its head on their midriff. Tongue slightly out.

Looks like the man and his fur best friend were having a cuddle session together.

"D'awh...! Hey.~ What's going on, you two?"

Her beloved looked up to meet her gaze, both of them chuckling in unison.

"Huck'l! Gah…! Big B…it tickles!—HUP!"

He tried to catch his breath to talk, only to be interrupted by silent doubles. Big B, their dog, felt its head bop twice. Still seemingly unbothered by the fact his buddy had a case and was obliviously tickling his belly. Specifically, with its fluffy, white, fleece-like coat.

"His tongue...gkgkk!...Augh! It's stuck! Haha!–Hauck!...Oh my gosh...ohh..." [Chuckling a bit]

[Arms crossed with a smirk on their face] "Awh. You two are so cute together."

"Mmm…hah…Humk!" He holds up a weary finger at her before speaking in a gruff tone.

"Big B...suddenly decides to join me here. Mmp!–And then, I saw him falling asleep on my belly–HUCK'Lp! His tongue was out and I was geti–HGK! getting a little ticklish. Heh–hee...Oof, Big B, you big o'l Hmp!–giant. You're crushing your old m—MUCK! man here..."

The couple watched Big B being calm as a cloud resting its head on the spasming midriff of her beloved. She found it quite endearing and also fought to hold back a chuckle when she saw her love fighting back to let out a guffaw again. It would be rude of them to disturb Big B's afternoon nap.

She joins in with them, giving a long, genuine kiss on her partner's lips and one on their fur baby's head.

"Tsk—Dang. I should've caught this on camera! I want to join in now. Let me in, boys!"

[He chuckled softly and gravelly] "Alright, alright. Humk!-ugh, come over here."

He pats a free spot for her to settle on. She snuggled in the hug, curling herself up like a ball. The warm sensation slowly creeps up to her toes, all the way to her shoulders as she felt his arm wrapped around her.

"Mmm…" She hummed in satisfaction. "This is nice, you guys."

"Hnk! Mmrrr…" He took a deep whiff of her scent, his nose nuzzling on her hair, leaving her to giggle softly before speaking.

"Hm. Hiccups. You got them."

"...Really? Hngk!—I didn't notice."

"Nah, you knew. You're just unfazed by them, hm?" [Travels her hand to finger-comb his hair, her cheeks flushing at every hiccup her husband lets out]

"...Mmm. It's f-Hngk! Fine. Nothing new to me anyway. I'll let them assault me. HMK!"

"Hey! I wouldn't say it like "that." Haha." [Pause] "Hmm. Just "course." Let them course."

"Assault."

"No! Shut up. Why—The way you said it...jeez." [She chuckled softly, shaking her head]

He ends the small banter with a silent jolt which rocked his chest back with a heavy thump. A lazy smile on his face. She felt the need to provide him with some rubs. So she did just that and he gratefully accepted her touch. Occasionally trembling, jostling in his place, he was mostly distracted in basking in the comfort of his spouse's chest and belly rubs alongside his big o'l canine. Big B's nose twitched and eyes droopy with subtle and endearing weariness—relishing a peaceful nap for hours on end.

[betweenthings2]

could you do 18 & 21 from the cuddle prompts <3

Thank you for the ask!! All the prompt lists on my blog are tagged as 'prompts' and my inbox is always open!

18. Holding and cradling their face to study it, perhaps noticing something new. Something else to love and 21. “Do you want me to hold you closer?” “No that’s not it, ugh—I just want to curl up inside you. Is that weird?”

18. Holding and cradling their face to study it, perhaps noticing something new. Something else to love.

Matty wakes from his nap in their hotel room to George running fingers through his hair. It's nice and Matty is half tempted to let it lull him back to sleep. He's not tired anymore, though, and he'd mostly rather be awake to experience this quiet little bit of happiness and closeness.

"Good morning," George murmurs, half teasing, when he realizes that Matty is awake.

"How long was I asleep?" Matty asks, pressing himself a little closer to George.

"Hour and half? We're supposed to meet everyone for dinner soon."

Matty groans. "Why'd we agree to that?"

"'cause it'll be nice?" George offers.

"This is nice," Matty counters. "Room service and a spliff would be nice. Getting up is not nice."

"Should I say you don't feel up to it?" George offers, concern lacing his voice.

Matty shakes his head. "'m just bein' dramatic."

George chuckles. "At least you're self aware."

Matty hums and grumbles, "Turns out therapy is good for something."

"Matty," George sighs.

Matty presses a kiss to George's bare chest, and says, "I'm not wrong."

George combs his fingers through Matty's hair again and says, "You're not wrong, but I kind of don't think that's the point."

"The point is whatever I decide the point is," is Matty's counterpoint. He pauses, then says, "Actually, the point is to hate myself a little less, but self awareness is good enough, I guess."

"Matty," George repeats, a little bit sadder this time.

"Don't say my name like that," Matty protests, "like I'm some kind of tragic mess. I'm not. I'm ok."

"I don't think that," George murmurs.

"I know," Matty responds. "Kinda sounded like it though."

"Sorry, love," George offers. "You're not a tragic mess. Tragic is the last word I'd use to describe you. I'm proud of you and I love you."

"Oh, so you think I'm a mess?" Matty asks, voice a little brighter.

George can't help but laugh. "You're kind of a mess sometimes, let's be honest."

"Thank you, George, that's exactly what I wanted to hear."

George combs his fingers through Matty's curls again and says, "I love your mess. You wouldn't be you if you weren't a mess sometimes."

Matty presses another kiss to George's chest, this one a little bit closer to his collarbone, and quietly says, "I love you, too."

Quiet falls over the room for a few minutes after that, quiet breathing the only sound in the room until George's phone buzzes. They both try to ignore it, but then Matty's phone buzzes.

"We really should get up," George murmurs.

Matty makes a discontented sound, but he sits up, pushing curls out of his face, then clamors out of bed. George gets up, too, sitting on the edge of the bed, but Matty crowds into his space before he can stand up, kneeling on the edge of the bed so he can straddle George's lap and crossing his wrists behind George's neck.

"We're not going to make it to dinner if you don't move," George warns, wrapping and arm around Matty's waist. "We're gonna have to tell the guys that we missed dinner 'cause I was busy fucking you."

"You promise?" Matty pushes, leaning down for a kiss.

George chuckles. "We’ll never live it down," he warns.

"The funny thing," Matty murmurs, "is that I don't really care."

"You are incorrigible," George counters. "Absolutely incorrigible."

Matty takes one hand and cups George's jaw carefully, studying him intently, all big brown eyes and adoration. For a moment Matty thinks up an image of the George he met all those years ago, then of the teenage George he fell in love with and compares them to the George in front of him now. They've both gotten older, Matty knows, hell, he's begun to find grey hairs in his own dark hair, but he can't think of George as having gotten older, not in the way that he thinks of himself as having gotten older, or his parents as having gotten older. George is a constant, Matty thinks, even though there's stubble under his palm now and there wasn't the first time he touched George like this.

"You're staring," George says after a few moments.

Matty nods. "I've got a good view."

George ducks his head, like he's suddenly shy, and says, "Flatterer."

Matty urges his chin up and goes in for another kiss, this one a little longer and deeper. When they separate, he rests his forehead against George's and murmurs, "I love you. I adore you. And I keep thinkin' 'bout, uh, time, I guess, and how you're this, like, constant in my life, and I know I've gotten older, right, sometimes I look fucking old, but every time I look at you, 's like we're 24 again." Matty pauses, then, "I dunno, time is weird. I don't think any of that made sense, but I love you."

"It sorta made sense," George responds. "And I love you, too."

----

21. “Do you want me to hold you closer?” “No that’s not it, ugh—I just want to curl up inside you. Is that weird?”

Matty has slowly been getting closer to George all evening. He'd pushed his chair just a little closer to George when they sat down for dinner and stood a little closer when they did the dishes. They'd put on a film after dinner and Matty had made himself comfortable on one end of the couch, so George took the other. At first, they were next to each other on the couch, then they were very close to each other on the couch, then George got up to go search for weed, and when he'd come back, Matty had closed the space between them, pressing their thighs together. Then Matty leaned against him, solid and warm, so George draped his arm around Matty's shoulders. Matty took that as an invitation to hook his thigh over George's and lean a little heavier.

Finally, George pulls Matty half into his lap half-annoyed and saying, "You can have things you want, you know."

Matty smiles and rests his head against George's chest. "'s hot when you get frustrated and physical with me."

"Yeah, alright," George agrees.

"'s true," Matty protests.

"Watch the film, Matthew," George says, doing his best to sound firm.

"See, 's hot when you try to tell me what to do, too," Matty murmurs. "'s also hot when you call me Matthew."

"What are you trying to do, love?" George asks, voice low.

"Nothin', really," Matty admits. "Just wanna be close."

"Close I can do," George agrees, urging Matty to be more firmly in his lap.

Matty settles after that, done with his search for closeness and contact, resting his head on George's shoulder. He doesn't watch the film, just closes his eyes and relaxes, feeling the gentle rise and fall of George's chest and the steady beating of his heart. By the time the climax of the film rolls around, though, Matty has lost his ability to sit still, shifting like he's trying to get even closer to George.

Frustrated, George lights a joint and passes it to Matty like he can will him to relax. Matty accepts it, stilling long enough to take a drag and exhale smoke, before he's trying to burrow closer and passing it back.

"D'ya want me to hold you closer?" George asks, ignoring the fact that they're about as close as two people can be.

Matty shakes his head. "No, that's not it," he pauses, then, "ugh, I just want to curl up inside you. Is that weird?"

"A little bit," George admits, "but it's in, like, the bottom half of weird things you've said to me."

Matty pouts and takes the joint from between George's fingers, saying, "Give me that. You can't be a dick and have the joint."

"I think that was honest, Matty," George responds, but he makes no move to take the joint back, just watches Matty take a drag.

"One and the same," Matty counters. "'s one and the fucking same."

George huffs a laugh and takes the joint back, saying, "Whatever you say."

"See, that's how you were supposed to react in the beginning. You're not supposed to tell me 's weird that I wanna be close to you."

"You said you wanted to curl up inside me," George corrects.

Matty huffs and takes the joint back, but he doesn't continue arguing, just says, "Doesn't mean you're not being a dick," and takes a drag.

George presses a kiss to Matty's temple and says, "Please accept my deepest apologies, then."

"That is an inauthentic apology, George," Matty says, faux serious.

George wraps his arm around Matty a little tighter and murmurs, “I love you so much."

"Love you more," Matty responds.

George takes the joint back and murmurs, "You're impossible."

"I love you. More than anything. I, like, if we could be one," Matty laces his fingers together, "thing, I'd do it. Sometimes, when we're not together, it's, like, physically painful," he admits. "Sounds co-dependent, I know, but, I just, I want to be closer."

"I love you, too," George murmurs, "and I get it. I do." He moves his hand it's under Matty's shirt, skin to skin, and repeats, "I get it. I get, uh, closer."

[caffinedragon]

The Meeting of Two Ghosts.

Durge x Kar'niss

Takes place several years before the events of the game.

R'yleh(Durge), sends a prayer to his mother and patron to find a way to have something or someone for himself that isn't tied directly to his father's ambitions. (Sorry Gortash) His mother gives him an answer in the form of a Drider.

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

R'yleh sighed as he walked the mountain pass towards the shadow curse.

"All right Ma. What was so important your making me miss Envy's strategy meeting?"

He looked down at the Eldritch compass that had been pointing towards the curse for the last few hours.

"Ugh. Please don't let it be in there. It's dark. It's creepy. I don't wanna go in."

Thankfully, after he got about a half mile from the border, the compass arrow suddenly and with force turned to the left.

"Oh thank fuck."

He turned in the direction and began walking off the path for a few minutes before the compass's arrow sucked into the middle, flashed, then lit up the bottom jewel of the two that rested in the lower right "corner".

He looked down at his feet, and found tracks.

"Tracks? Why tracks?" He kneeled down to look, mindful of his familiars scorpion like tail as the pseudo-dragon dozed on his back.

One of the set of tracks were intimately familiar too him. The round holes pushed into the ground could only be one of two things. A giant spider or a drider.

The rest were boot prints of at least 4-5 humanoids of various sizes.

The tracks led off into the woods, and even from here he could hear the shouts of the men further in.

"Koto." The black pseudo dragon on his back perked up.

"Go scout ahead towards the shouting. Show me what you see."

He nodded before turning invisible and taking off.

Not five seconds later Koto telepathically communicated the scene.

There were five men, monster hunters by the looks, and they were laughing and insulting the Drider they currently had surrounded.

Was it a...ghost spider?

Holy shit!

He now knew what his mother was doing.

She was answering a prayer.

"I asked. You delivered. Didn't think you would go this hard though..."

With the expertise expected of Bhaal's greatest assassin, he slipped up behind the group of men, unsheathed his glaive, popped a potion of speed, and got to work.

Sneak attack, Misty step, hide.

Sneak attack, Misty step, hide.

Sneak attack, Hunger of Hadar, shield.

Switch to non lethal, uncanny dodge, knock out.

The last man dropped right as the potion wore off, slapping him with fatigue.

"Fuck..." he groaned. "I forgot how draining those were." He shook his head like a dog. "But, got the job done. Now for..." He turned toward the Drider. "You..."

And froze.

"Well...fuck me." He took in the injured driders appearance with awe and hunger. Despite the scars and extra eyes, the man was gorgeous.

Pale almost snow white skin, long white hair...He probably had scores of men and women wanting to occupy his bed when he still had just two legs. Why the fuck did they turn him? What the fuck did he do?

Eh. Didn't matter. Their loss could easily be his gain.

First, was to try and get him calmed down enough so he could start fixing him up.

Thankfully, Most of his wounds looked superficial except for a nasty cut to his side.

It wasn't deep enough to hit anything vital luckily, but is still probably hurt like a bitch.

Poor guy. He looked exhausted. Must have been running from those fuckheads for a while.

Well, first things first.

"Hey there, gorgeous." He spoke in under common. "It's all right now. There all dead. Well, except for that one. But I saved him for ya. Figured you might be hungry."

He shied back away from him, the hand not covering his wound wrapped around him in fear, while the pedipalps, he believed that was what they were called, had curled up against his lower abdomen.

His eyes kept darting to the sword that was on the ground next to him, a battered and dented old thing that clearly hadn't seen a sharpening stone in a good long while.

He put his hands up. "Whoah. Okay. I get it. You just got attacked. Ain't exactly gonna trust the first person who comes to the rescue. But i ain't gonna hurt ya. How about I disarm myself will that help? No surprises, huh?"

He nodded as he reached down to pick up the old sword, wincing as he did.

"All right. Gonna take a bit so get comfy. Or as comfy as you can get considerin'."

Keeping within line of sight, He began disarming himself. He started by sticking his glaive into the ground. He then removed his long coat and spread it out on its back so all the little hidden pockets could be seen. He then went through the process of removing all the hidden daggers in his boots, wrists, belt and myriad other places he kept them and piled them onto the coat. He then, with a flourish tapped his boot against the ground so the knife built into his trusty boots popped out and then proceeded to remove the boots and added them to the pile.

He stood there in a simple black shirt and form fitting but not skin tight black pants with his hands on his hips once he finished.

The drider looked on with a mix of fear, awe and morbid curiosity as he tipped his head to the side.

"There, that should be everything. Oh wait. One more thing. Koto! Come out bud. You don't have to be up in his face, just close enough for him to see you."

He felt the fearful acknowledgement of his familiar before he glided down out of a nearby tree to perch himself on a rock.

"Now I think thats- oh wait. One more, one last thing."

He closed his eyes and focused on his spine. With a roll of the shoulders, eight black tendrils slipped out between as many diamond shaped holes that lined both sides of his spine on the back of his shirt.

Once fully stretched out, the new eldritch appendages began braiding together down his back, gently swaying back and forth like a long tail.

This time the Drider picked up his busted up blade and pointed it at him.

"You serve that spider bitch?" He asked aggressively as the blade pointed at his throat, shaking quite a bit.

Keeping his hands up but showing not an ounce of fear or deception he responded, "Ya mean that-" he pointed toward the ground, "bitch queen?"

He nodded, "You have eight limbs. Do you serve her?"

"Oh fuck no. I got these from my mama. She is a Great Old One and my patron. That bitch can take a long walk into a lava lake for all i care."

The drider stared at him, his eyes blinking in a sequence like the flow of a wave. He knew the guy was reading his face for any lies but...

The way the eyes blinked in a flow like pattern was very...hypnotizing.

"We believe you."

The man's voice snapped him out of his stare.

"Hmm? What was that?"

He hissed annoyed, "We said we believe you. Are you ill?"

"Oh no. The way your eyes blink in like a wave is kinda hypnotizing. Got distracted. Been happening a lot these days."

Did he just blush? Aww. That's cute.

"Your strange."

He shrugged, "Not the worst thing i have been called."

He dropped the blade and hissed. "Why do you want to help us?"

He shrugged again, "I asked my ma to help me find something that isn't tied to my dads bullshit. something that is just mine, ya know?"

He nodded as he lowered himself to the ground, a real sign he had made headway.

"And have you found it?"

"I'm here aint I?"

"We Would be a slave to you instead?" He snarled.

"Fuck No. Too much responsibility." He sat down cross legged in front of him. "A friend however is more what I am aiming for."

"Friend?"

"Yeah. Someone who gives a shit about me as much as i give a shit about them. Someone to ramble on about everything and nothing with. Someone...who has my back instead of stabbing it."

"Hmm." The Drider stared down at the ground as he contemplated. His pedipalps twitching occasionally like someone tapping a table in thought. "This friend thing sounds nice..."

"I know right?"

"How does one become a friend?"

"I can show ya by patching up that gash in your side. I know enough about medicine to fix it."

"What do you want in return?"

"Your name for a start? If you remember it. I know the transformation can scramble the brain sometimes."

"Hmm." His pedipalps started tapping the ground. "We are...Kar'niss. You?"

He took that as a yes and scooted forward enough to reach the wound. When Kar'niss didn't pull away he used his tendrils to pull a first aid kit from one of his many enchanted pockets and started to clean the wound.

"I'm R'yleh. Though most will call me either The Dark Urge, Durge or D."

"The Dark Urge?"

"It was my dads doin." He sighed as he slathered a little bit of balsam ointment over the cut, causing Kar'niss to hiss. "Sorry."

"That seems to be a strange name to give to someone."

"If you knew who he was it wouldn't be all that strange. Besides, it's less a name and more a title anyway."

"Then, is R'yleh a name you chose?"

"No. My mom gave it to me when i was born. Named after her island home before she came here."

"The Great Old One?"

"Yep." Once the wound was sufficiently cleaned he put the ointment away and then held his hands up to the wound. "Te Cure."

His hands lit up with a strange blue black light that spread across the wound and seemingly sowed it shut. Once the light faded, the cut was all but gone.

"There we are. All patched up..."

"Thank you. R'yleh."

"Your welcome, Kar'niss. Now ya hungry? I kept one of them alive for ya. How's Gur Monster Hunter sound?"

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

Probably a bit OOC but this is before he got infected with the tadpole so...make of it what you will...

[planetkiimchi-rbs]

i wish i didn't have to go to school today so i could curl up in my room and read all your fics like a christmas fic binge :(( but !! i'm so glad that it's FINALLY HERE (i've been waiting for this since june you don't even know)

full fic analysis under cut bc i rambled again :( but i finished reading this and i just. i love it so much??? the idea was so good and it was so well executed i can't imagine a better writer to write minghao this specific way. <33

For a moment, Minghao is simply taken aback by the quiet grace of your entrance, the way the afternoon light seems to favour you.

hell-O what happened to good morning ?? y/n really came into this fic like an ethereal being

"Each flower has its own needs, but with patience, they show their beauty. Much like people, I suppose."

this sentence set the stage for such a beautiful analogy of people being like flowers... also minghao's SO insightful ugh 😩😩

You respond with that cute grin of yours𑁋it seems more relaxed now.

aww that's so cute!! love how y/n slowly gets more comfortable w hao ☹️☹️

the tip of your tongue just barely peeking out in concentration.

people who stick their tongue out the side of their mouth when they concentrate >>> it's such a lovable trait

And flowers𑁋like people𑁋don't rush.

no why is this the PERFECT fic for hao and his patient, transcending calm???? 

The shift from the warm tones of summer to the cool shades of autumn had arrived, bringing a new, fresh palette for him to play with.

THIS LINE !!

"Not just you, no," Minghao replies amusedly. "But I think you could be. A flower, I mean. You're just someone who's figuring out what kind you want to be."

i love how he doesn't deny comparing people to flowers in general cuz somehow that is exactly what minghao is? like a guy who sometimes is a little on the sidelines simply because he enjoys perceiving other people a bit too much

The question rests upon Minghao's shoulders

NOO THIS SENTENCE 😭😭 absolute poetry how do people even come up with these ??

I've been liking the liánhuā lately𑁋the lotus. It grows in muddy water and blooms above the surface, even despite those circumstances. It also represents purity, resilience, and growth."

this is an amazing choice honestly the lotus is soo beautiful & strong (also i like the way lotus roots taste) and it's so minghao!!!

Then he just simply shrugs. "I guess I didn't mind it," he replies lowly, and meets your eyes warily. "Does it bother you?"

if someone said this to me i'd be folding on the spot bro like just confess already??

"I don't mind either," I like being in this place... with you. "Not at all."

rania and her lovely writing style of putting unsaid words in italics in between 🤩🤩 i love how distinctive it makes your writing 

Minghao has picked flowers for funerals before. He's also seen people hold onto flowers that are long past their bloom, clinging to them as if their presence alone could bring someone back. He's been there too.

oh GOSH the sorrow? so beautifully portrayed

The question feels a bit silly to ask, and it makes Minghao's features soften as he looks at you, a warmth in his chest that spreads like the first rays of sunlight breaking through a cold morning. "I've already been waiting for you," he says, almost cheekily, and it seems to lighten the moment a little. "I haven't planned on stopping anytime soon."

this fic is my other roman empire (this and moni's "finger trapped (ripped to its seams)")

His arms catch you instinctively, gentle yet steady, embracing around you like flowers petals folding inward for protection. His warmth seeps into you as if he were the sun reaching a flower in the early hours of dawn, and his hand comes up to cradle the back of your head, encouraging you to press closer into his warmth.

this whole paragraph healed me.

Minghao wonders if flowers ever feel the same bittersweet pull when their petals fall𑁋the ache of letting go, but the quiet hope of something new taking root.

holy shit. this line touched a part of me so raw that i didn't even know existed

caught in bloom, caught on you | xu minghao

SYNOPSIS. in which you find yourself becoming a regular𑁋or perhaps more than that𑁋at minghao's flower shop. PAIRING. florist!xu minghao x gn!reader GENRE. fluff, a pinch of angst, hurt/comfort, strangers to friends to lovers WARNINGS. hao basically falls in love at first sight HAHA, mild cursing, implied that yn lost someone close to them, a lot of yearning n pining, kissing WORD COUNT. 8.3k

notes: wheeboo is NOT in their short-ish fic era anymore and is in their long-ish fic era rn 😭 anyway,, i didnt have a title for the fic until hao posted his song on his birthday so... I hope u all enjoy?? this might be one of my faves haha

Minghao likes these kinds of days.

Thin, irregular shapes of cotton drift lazily across the endless blue embrace of the skies. The afternoon sun carries warmth in its hands that he could feel right through the glass windows of his flower shop. It's almost as if the season of summer itself is breathing through his shop, softly encouraging his little garden to reach for the light.

Minghao runs his slender fingers through the cool edges of a hydrangea, its soft petals a deep shade of prismarine.

Ever since he was younger, his mother had told him that flowers weren't just things to be cared for. They were companions, your friends if you'd let them be, each blooming with all different kinds of personalities.

He likes how the flowers didn't ask for much; they simply needed patience and care, and in return, they gave him a sense of peace that he couldn't find anywhere else.

The sudden chime of the bell pulls him from his thoughts. He straightens up, wiping his hands on the apron tied loosely around his waist, and glances toward the door.

The figure the walks through the door is unfamiliar, yet it's easy to catch the way the sunlight highlights the edges of your silhouette, almost like a halo as you step inside the shop. For a moment, Minghao is simply taken aback by the quiet grace of your entrance, the way the afternoon light seems to favour you.

Your gaze circles around the shop, taking in the rows of flowers with a soft curiosity. There's some sort of quiet hesitation in your movements when you take a few more tentative steps inside, as if you're trying to find the right place to be in this space, just as much as you're trying to find the right flower.

Minghao finds himself clearing his throat, drawing a polite smile across his lips and catching your attention right away.

"Good afternoon," he greets calmly. "Can I help you with something today?"

You glance up at him, a slight surprise in your eyes before they soften.

"Hi, um... Yeah, I was actually looking to see if I could buy some flowers. The shop I went to before closed down, so I've been searching for a new place. It was a bit of a drive." Then you hesitate briefly, before continuing, "I'm not sure what to look for exactly, but something for a first date would be nice."

Minghao's heart stirs a bit disappointingly at that, though he quickly suppresses the feeling away. After all, it's just flowers, and you're simply here to buy them for someone else.

He nods thoughtfully, giving a soft, understanding look.

"Ah, well. Congratulations first of all on the date," he says calmly, though the nerves itches his fingers. "A first date is always special, isn't it?"

"They are," You reply sheepishly, and the hint of a blush to your cheeks nearly resembles the colour of the roses displayed near the window.

"Is there a specific kind of vibe you're going for?" Minghao asks. "I can help you pick something that feels right."

You pause for a moment, eyes lingering on a beautifully-painted vase. "Hmm, I think... something romantic, but not too traditional, if that makes sense? Not something too cliché, you know, but I also want it to feel special."

Minghao simply hums in response, his mind sifting through the variety of options he could think of. There's this odd sense of responsibility within him to make your choice is beyond perfect.

"Roses are always a classic," he begins. "but they're quite conventional, so..."

He can sense you following closely to him as he walks toward another part of the shop.

"These are tulips," Minghao explains, gesturing to a row of soft, voluminous blooms in shades of pale pink and coral. "They're not commonly picked like roses, but there's a nice charm about it. They're meant to represent long-lasting love."

You take a good look of the flowers, and you're amazed by how bright they appear.

"Wow, they're so beautiful." Then you take a small glance up at Minghao, before back down at the flowers. "You must really take care of these flowers to make them look this vibrant."

"I try my best," he mutters quietly, watching as you continue to take in their beauty. "Each flower has its own needs, but with patience, they show their beauty. Much like people, I suppose."

Your eyes flicker back up at him, and for a moment, there's a quiet stillness between you, as if the space between you two is holding its breath. Then you let out a warm, somewhat nervous chuckle.

"I think I understand," You say, taking a step closer towards the tulips  and carefully running a finger over its petals. "It's about giving them space to grow, right? Not forcing them to be something they're not."

There's something about the way you speak, something thoughtful, almost as if you also understand the language of patience he's grown so accustomed to.

"Exactly." He smiles faintly. "That's what I like about flowers𑁋they don't rush. They just exist, and somehow, they slowly become what they're meant to be."

You lift your gaze to meet his, and in your eyes, Minghao sees something more than just curiosity. There's a softness there, a sincerity that draws him in. At his sides, he feels his fingers twitch slightly, but he quickly smooths his hands down his apron.

It's strange how a simple conversation about flowers can make him feel so... connected to someone.

"I think these are perfect," You tell him, eyes brightening with confidence.

A wave of satisfaction washes over Minghao, who nods in agreement.

"Would you like me to wrap them up for you?" he asks.

"That would be great, thank you," You respond with that cute grin of yours𑁋it seems more relaxed now. The thought makes his heart flutter.

Minghao begins to wrap the delicate stems with some brown wrapping paper, carefully arranging them so they're secure. As he ties a ribbon around the bouquet, he can't help but sneak up a glance at you. You're wandering around the shop with your hands clasped in front of you, looking at the other arrangements on display, and he smiles to himself.

He finishes the bouquet and smooths out any remaining creases with his fingertips. When you make your way back over to him, he offers it to you.

"Do you want to write your name on a gift tag?" Minghao asks, holding up a small card and a pen. He doesn’t know why his heart's beating faster𑁋perhaps it's the subtle hopefulness in his voice that will make your name linger longer, even after you leave.

You glance at the pen in his hand, considering it for a moment before nodding.

"Sure, I'd love to," You tell him with a faint smile, snatching the pen from his grasp, giving it a quick click before writing something down, the tip of your tongue just barely peeking out in concentration.

When you finish, you hand the card back to him. He takes it from you carefully, inspecting your neat, intricate handwriting. It's simple, yet there's a certain elegance to it it. Minghao reads it under his breath: For someone special, who I hope feels the same - Y/N.

Y/N, he repeats in his mind.

"I'll finish it up for you now," he says, placing the card with the bouquet. He arranges the flowers once more, making sure everything is perfect before handing it to you.

You find yourself fishing into your bag for your wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

Minghao hesitates for a moment, his fingers hovering over the register, but there's something about the way your features soften and how your eyes meet his that makes him pause.

"It's on the house."

You stop your hands, peering back up at him with a surprised look. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Of course," he assures calmly. "It's the least I can do."

You just blink at him a few times, a soft chuckle escaping your lips.

"Thank you," You let out sheepishly as you take the bouquet in your hands, the ribbon slipping through your fingers as you carefully adjust it. There's a split second that passes where you sneak a glance at the nametag on his chest. "I really appreciate it. I'm sure they'll love them."

Something in his chest tightens at that𑁋they'll love them. Minghao tries not to overthink it, tries to ignore the brief twinge of something unsettling in his chest.

But you're smiling, so he smiles back.

"I hope so," he replies gently, and with a polite bow of his head, he adds, "I'm sure they'll appreciate the thought behind it."

As you walk towards the exit, you take a final look around the shop, eyes lingering on the shelves of flowers, before turning back to Minghao.

"I'll be sure to come back," You say brightly, and the way the afternoon sunlight pours down all around you in the doorway makes you appear almost angelic. "Thank you for everything."

"I'll be here," Minghao responds, offering a small, timid wave of his hand. "Take care."

The chime of the bell above the door announces your departure, and a sigh leaves him.

It's just flowers, he tells himself again. Just flowers.

And flowers𑁋like people𑁋don't rush.

Minghao finds himself wiping away some spilled soil on the counter, the soft hum of piano music drifting throughout the quiet flower shop. He had just gotten done cleaning up after a busy morning of rearranging a few displays around the shop to tie into the slow seasonal changes that were beginning to take shape outside.

The shift from the warm tones of summer to the cool shades of autumn had arrived, bringing a new, fresh palette for him to play with. Chrysanthemums, petunias, dahlias, and marigolds were beginning to make their way into the shop, taking their place next to the peonies and roses that had been so meticulously cared for.

When the last bits of soil are wiped away, Minghao steps back to admire the beauty of the shop around him, he takes in a deep inhale, letting in the earthy scent of the fresh blooms fill his lungs.

After storing away a few extra vases in the backroom, the chime of the door hits his ears, and Minghao finds himself straightening back up to greet whoever had come inside.

When looks up, however, he freezes for a moment. He catches you standing in the doorway, and Minghao has to blink a few times to make sure his mind wasn't playing any tricks on him.

"Hi, again," You're the first to greet this time, and then that grin spreads across your face once again, one that seems all-too familiar.

Minghao leans against the counter. "Back so soon?"

"I was just in the area, couldn't help myself, you know..." You drawl with a playful shrug. "I actually just officially moved into the city just last week, hopefully to be closer for this new job and well... The drive here isn't as long as before."

Minghao smiles softly. It's an unexpected but pleasant surprise for you to admit all that to him, and for some reason, it makes him feel a little lighter.

"That's great," he responds, pushing himself off the counter as he straightens up. "I imagine that must be a relief. How do you like it so far?"

You step further into the shop, your eyes eagerly scanning the new arrangements he's set up.

"It's been great, actually," You say with a relieved look. "Life has been... good, honestly. I think the city suits me. It's different, but in a positive way, and I'm already surrounded by a lot of nice people."

This warm and genuine feeling tugs at Minghao's lips as he listens to you, adjusting the stems of a vase full of a plethora of zinnias.

"I'm assuming that date from before went well then?"

His words makes the smile on your face flicker, and the change is subtle but noticeable enough for Minghao to catch it, even when he's not directly looking at you. You shift your weight between your two feet, and the way you glance around the shop seems almost like you're trying to distract yourself from something.

"The date didn't go well at all, actually."

Minghao's fingertips pause on the cold surface of the vase, brows furrowing in a bit of surprise.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he apologises gently, regretting for the sudden change in mood. "I didn't mean to bring up anything uncomfortable."

You let out a small, rueful chuckle, shaking your head. "No, no, it's okay. Really."

The air seems to thicken a little. You could only stand and watch for a few long moments as Minghao moves gracefully around, tending to all the flowers with his usual care.

After a long pause, you finally break the silence.

"It was good at first, I think, then it just became... awkward. Like really awkward. I thought I had everything planned out𑁋good place, nice flowers, all that jazz... but I guess it just didn't click. I think we both kind of felt it." You feel your shoulders deflate in a pit of defeat, a soft sigh escaping your lips as you run a hand through your hair. "I don't know why I just rambled all that. Sorry about that."

Minghao doesn't say anything at first, simply giving you some space, but he feels his heart tighten in his chest. He casts his eyes on you, also unsure why you're telling him this or why it feels important to him, but he knows it's a moment of vulnerability𑁋a rare one𑁋and he wants to handle it with care.

"No need to say sorry," he reaffirms, tone soothing. "Sometimes things don't go as expected, and that's okay. It doesn't mean it wasn't meaningful."

You glance towards him, catching the sincerity dripping down from his words. It catches you by surprise at how almost... comfortable it feels to be open right now, with him. The atmosphere here doesn't demand anything of you.

"As people, we try so hard to make things go right that we forget to just... let them unfold naturally," he says softly, as if thinking aloud. "I think sometimes things don't work out because we're not ready for them yet, or maybe they're not the right kind of flower at the right time. You can spend so much time trying to arrange them, placing them in the perfect spot, hoping they'll just fit… but sometimes they don't. And that's okay."

You can't help but quirk a playful lip at that, but you can't resist the way his words appear to tug right at your heartstrings. "Are you comparing me to a flower?"

"Not just you, no," Minghao replies amusedly. "But I think you could be. A flower, I mean. You're just someone who's figuring out what kind you want to be."

The thought about being a flower𑁋in another life, perhaps𑁋is a bit silly. But you also wonder about other things too𑁋if you're being treated with the same care and attention that Minghao gives to his flowers, or if you're wilting like one that hasn't found the right light yet. And as you gaze around the shop, taking in the beauty of the blooms around you, you find yourself smiling.

"I think I'd like to try and take care of a flower," You announce, determination weaving around your voice and words. "I'm not sure if I'd be good at it, but I'd like to try."

Minghao crosses his arms together, letting out a thoughtful hum while studying you for a few seconds. "I think you'd do well."

For some reason, those few words were enough to send heat crawling up your body and into your face.

"Thank you," You breathe out sheepishly, the corners of your mouth tugging upwards. "Can you give me a few recommendations?"

Minghao just nods. "Sure."

From there, he leads you toward a small display near the front of the shop where a few different pots and seedlings are carefully arranged. He describes a few of them to you. You're immediately drawn to the passion dripping from his tone, and the way he appears to light up when he speaks.

"These might be a good start," he suggests, gesturing to a small seedling. "Marigolds are pretty low maintenance. They need light, of course, but they're easy to grow and care for."

You take a moment to study over the baby plant with sweet curiosity.

"I think I'll start with these, then," You say, glancing back at Minghao. "Something easy."

Minghao's eyes don't stray away from how you admire the tiny plant, how you cradle the pot in your hands to take a closer look at it as if you're already imagining yourself taking care of it.

"Taking care of them can be a good reminder to take care of yourself too," he points out. "They need patience, consistency… and a little bit of trust, just like people do."

You look up at him, a smile tugging at your lips once more, feeling something warm bloom in your chest. His words settle into you in a way that's hard to describe, but they feel right𑁋like they're exactly what you need to hear.

"That's true," You reply, the weight of the sentiment settling comfortably within you. "I guess I could use a reminder like that."

"Shall I wrap it up for you?" he offers.

"Yes, please. Thank you."

After mulling over some options, he chooses the perfect wrapping paper and adds a small note about caring for marigolds. You watch him, mesmerised by the ease in his movements, the care he pours into something so simple. For a moment, you forget about all the bustling noise outside the shop, and all that exists is Minghao and the flowers, his flowers.

As Minghao ties the final knot around the marigold pot, he hands it to you, and his fingertips briefly brush against yours.

"Thank you," You tell him softly. "For everything, really. It's very calming in here."

Minghao's smile widens, almost like he's heard those same words before, and perhaps he has; maybe many people find themselves drawn to his calm presence and the haven he's created in this little shop.

There's a strange warmth that spreads throughout your chest as you cradle the small plant in your hands. "I'll be sure to take good care of it."

A few moments of comfortable silence pass as you both stand there, your eyes drifting around the shop to take in the palette of autumn that colours the space. Yet it's almost instinctive in the way your gaze finds Minghao.

"I hope you won't mind me coming back, you know... to make sure I'm doing a good job with this little one." You gesture to the plant in your hands, a playful tone to your words.

Minghao chuckles, a sound as gentle as the petals surrounding him. "Of course. I'll be here."

"Do you mind if I take another look around with the place? It looks great, by the way."

"Take all the time you need."

And for the first time in a long while, Minghao felt like he wasn't just waiting for the next flower to bloom.

He was blooming, too.

"Do you have a favourite flower?"

The question rests upon Minghao's shoulders while he waters a cluster of orchids in the back corner of the shop. You're hovering near him, aimlessly trudging your fingertips over, but instead lets the question settle in between the quiet moments.

"I imagine it's hard to pick as a florist, right?" You let out a meek laugh. "It's kind of like asking a painter to pick their favourite colour."

The corners of Minghao's lips curl up slightly, his eyes fixed on the glistening leaves under the faint droplets of water. You can tell he's contemplating the question from the quiet hums leaving his mouth, and for some reason, you find comfort in his patience.

"Not exactly," he says after a pause, his voice steady, thoughtful. "A painter might have a favourite colour, but they don't use it all the time. It's about balance. Knowing when to bring it forward and when to hold it back."

"Ah, so you do have a favourite flower," You tease lightly, nudging him playfully with your shoulder. "You just don't want to admit it."

The brief touch seems to linger in the air, a soft warmth that you both let pass without acknowledging. Minghao gently sets the watering can down and looks at you for a moment, his gaze a little deeper than before.

"In China, we have a lot of flowers that hold meaning," Minghao continues. "It's hard to pick one specifically, but... I've been liking the liánhuā lately𑁋the lotus. It grows in muddy water and blooms above the surface, even despite those circumstances. It also represents purity, resilience, and growth."

You tilt your head as you take in his words. You already knew yourself that you didn't know much about flowers, but there's a certain curiosity that washes over you from how Minghao speaks so fondly about them. Even something as simple as a flower has layers of meaning for him.

"That's really beautiful, I..." You trail off, trying to find the right words. "I've always looked at things really surface-level, you know, like I've always found daisies beautiful because they're so simple and bright, but I never really thought much about their deeper meanings. It's kind of like... I never thought about why I liked them. It's just easy to see them and appreciate them, I guess."

Minghao blinks at you, before lowering his gaze down to the floor. "Daisies suit you."

You turn to him, dazed. "Really?"

Minghao takes a contemplative pause. "Well, they're not only... beautiful to look at, but they brighten up any space they're in."

You feel your feet seep into the floor, sinking deeper as your cheeks warm, suddenly hyper-aware of how close you were standing next to him. And it's the way he acts like he didn't fucking say anything out of the ordinary almost makes you lose it.

"Are you flirting with me right now?"

However, Minghao doesn't seem fazed by the question. Instead, his lips twitch into a small, almost imperceptible smile, and then a few seconds later, your phone rings.

Minghao just offers you a little wave of his soil-painted hand. "Have fun at work, Y/N."

"Minghao! Can you teach me how to wrap these flowers?"

Minghao casts his attention up from displaying a new set of hyacinths, catching you behind the counter with a bouquet in your hands, along with a small old lady on the other side with a cheerful grin.

There's a subtle tug at the corners of his mouth when he hears you holler for him again, and he brushes his hands against his apron, before marching his way toward you. He steps up to you, taking the flowers from your hand while you beam happily towards the old lady.

"What's the occasion for the flowers, ma'am?" You ask curiously. Th elderly woman lets out a soft laugh, resting her wrinkled hands on the counter.

"It's for my grandson! He's graduating from high school today. Time flies by, doesn't it?"

"Wow, that's such a milestone! Congratulations to him," You exclaim enthusiastically, softly clapping your hands together as Minghao deftly arranges the flowers within the wrapping paper, before sliding it over to you.

He leans in a bit more, almost too close you feel the way his arm brushes against yours and the way his breath fans against your skin.

"Fold the edges like this," Minghao instructs softly, his hands hovering right over yours. "Make sure the paper covers the stems. Too much pressure could break them; too loose could make them fall apart."

You watch as his hands follow yours while you nervously, yet carefully trace the frail edge of the paper, showing you how to make each fold with a care that's almost tender. His close proximity sends strange flutters to your stomach, but you do your best to ignore it.

"Okay, like this?" You question, pulling the paper slightly tighter around the bouquet.

Minghao hums approvingly, letting you hold the flowers while he circles a ribbon around it with ease. His hands brush against yours as he neatly ties it, and the two of you pull back to watch how it delicately falls over the bouquet.

The old lady glances between the two of you with a knowing smile.

"The two of you make such a cute couple! Do you run the shop together?"

You feel your face fire up at that, cheeks burning with embarrassment. Then you instinctively glance over at Minghao, who surprisingly doesn't seem as flustered as you are.

"Oh, um, we're not𑁋"

"They like to help out here once in a while," Minghao adds in smoothly, though you aren't sure if that entirely helps or not. However you know what he's saying is true, because whenever your break for work comes or on your free time, you find yourself naturally walking towards the flower shop to help out at times.

The lady just beams up even more, scooping up the bouquet in her grasp. "Well, it's nice to see young faces working together! You two sure do have a lot of chemistry."

You offer a wave of your hand. "I hope your grandson enjoys the flowers. Congratulations to him once again!"

With that, the old woman offers a small wink before turning to head out of the shop. "Thank you, dear! Take care, both of you." Her delighted steps echo off the walls as she exits the shop.

The shop grows quiet again. You let out a sigh, cracking your knuckles as you turn to Minghao, who was already wiping over the surface of the counter, making quick work of putting things back in order, and for some reason, it still doesn't wipe away the pit of awkwardness you're feeling. You wonder if he feels the same too.

"So," Minghao starts, still continuing to clean without batting a glance at you. "You're taking over my shop, it seems."

You let out a haughty scoff. "I just wanted to try wrapping some flowers for someone. Don't let it get to your head."

Minghao only chuckles lightly, though he keeps his focus on the counter, yet you could only focus on him. You can't help but admire the way his hair falls effortlessly over his forehead, the slight endearing tilt of his head as he works, and how his movements are so meticulously unique to only him. There's a certain aura he exudes that makes you feel strangely at peace, a magic that only seems to reside within the walls of the shop.

"Why didn't you say no?" You suddenly ask, the question slipping out before you could shut your mouth.

Minghao pauses mid-swipe, looking back up at you. "Say no to what?"

"To, uh... the lady back there," You stammer, feeling the heat creep back at your neck. "About us, you know... being a couple."

Minghao remains silent as he tosses the dirty wipe away. For a moment, he seems to be contemplating something𑁋whether the question, the idea, or something more.

Then he just simply shrugs. "I guess I didn't mind it," he replies lowly, and meets your eyes warily. "Does it bother you?"

Your mind goes completely blank at his question. Does it bother you? The simple truth is that you didn't expect him to answer so casually. You were expecting him to probably correct her humbly, in all honesty. After all, it was just a passing comment from a lady who didn't mean any harm behind it.

But... does it bother you?

"No, it... it doesn't bother me. Really," You respond after a pause, voice coming out a bit forced. Your heart is beating super fast right now. "I guess I just didn't expect you to go along with it since we're not𑁋"

"𑁋not a couple," Minghao finishes for you. "I know."

You feel like you're melting into a pile of goo, your thoughts scattering like ants running out of their pile.

"I'm sorry, I'm overthinking," You mumble out, trying to brush everything off with an airy laugh.

Minghao shakes his head. "I should be sorry. I made you uncomfortable."

"You-You didn't, trust me!" You wave your hands dismissively, albeit a bit dramatic. "I was just caught off-guard and didn't know how to respond."

This seems to relax Minghao's shoulders a bit, but not entirely.

"Okay," he says, and his voice is as light as a  wisp getting caught in the wind. "But you'd tell me if you were uncomfortable, right?"

You give him an easy nod, maybe even confident. "I would. I promise. And you'd... tell me too?"

Minghao meets your eyes with a steady gaze, his expression soft but thoughtful. For a moment, there's a subtle shift in the air, and you can feel the weight of his words before he speaks again.

"Yeah," he answers firmly, sincerely. "I would."

When you open your mouth to speak again, your phone dings in your pocket. You squint your eyes to read over the message in your notifications, before closing up your phone.

"My meeting got cancelled." Then you blink up towards Minghao, as if trying to convey an unspoken question to him.

As if the answer wasn't already obvious, Minghao gives you a small, almost teasing smile.

"I don't mind the company," he tells you, then quirks up a brow. "Unless you do."

"I don't mind either," I like being in this place... with you. "Not at all."

Flowers bloom when the time is right. And you don't mind waiting for it.

When a flower dies, there's a certain routine that comes after it. Trim away the wilted petals, dispose of the stems, recycle them as compost, and plant the next set of blooms.

Minghao hates seeing flowers die.

The sound of crumbling petals tie a knot in his chest, the stillness that follows afterwards is almost deafening. But he knows it's an inevitable part of life. Every flower has its chance to bloom and thrive, and eventually, it will fade.

The flowers don't belong to him, after all𑁋they are simply passing through his care briefly before going to someone else or withering away, like everything else in life. Minghao knows it's unnecessary to hold onto these flowers so tightly, but after being surrounded by them his entire life, it's merely impossible to let go.

The bell chimes as he's composting a few camellias that had sadly wilted, and he gazes up to find a gust of snow following your footsteps as you step inside. A large, black fluffy coat hugs your body and a scarf is wrapped snugly around your neck. However this time, Minghao doesn't notice any ounce of a smile to your face.

He sets the compost bin down and wipes his hands on his apron.

"Y/N?"

There's a very subtle twitch to your expression when he calls out your name.

"Hey," You croak out, voice a bit strained. "Um... is it fine if I buy some flowers?"

Minghao feels something in his chest clench at your tone, but he pushes the feeling away with his usual calm composure, masking away any concern simmering on the surface.

"Sure," he replies, focusing on the shadows that plague over your features. "Is there anything specific you're looking for?"

Your eyes drift away from to look around the flower shop, taking note of the bright, usual blooms that surround you, yet none of them appear are what you're looking for.

"Do you have, um..." You feel like you're already going to regret this. "...anything for a funeral?"

The words float in the air between you both. Minghao's expression falters for just a moment, the calmness that he usually carries slipping as his eyes soften toward you.

"Of course," he says softly. "I have a few options."

With that, he leads you to a particular spot in the shop, where it houses all sorts of flowers with muted colours𑁋white roses and lilies, pale chrysanthemums, and pink and purple orchids all arranged neatly. Minghao watches as you gaze over each flower, but he doesn't speak yet, simply allowing you the moment to breathe.

"These are the traditional flowers for a funeral," he explains finally. "White roses for remembrance, lilies for peace, chrysanthemums for mourning, and orchids for everlasting love."

Minghao has picked flowers for funerals before. He's also seen people hold onto flowers that are long past their bloom, clinging to them as if their presence alone could bring someone back. He's been there too.

It's bit a different when it's you though, and he doesn't exactly know how to explain it.

You plod slowly throughout the display, picking up a stem here and there, but each time, you set it back down as if it didn't feel right. But when you come across the orchids, you linger a little longer on them, tenderly caressing the petals as if you were scared to break them.

"I think I'll choose these ones. The orchids," You murmur, picking up a few stems and showing it to him.

Minghao just nods, taking the ones from your hands and grabbing a few more to finish the rest of the bouquet, moving with careful precision.

"I'll handle the rest, don't worry," he assures you as he gracefully works to arrange the orchids.

None of you choose to say anything more, only letting the diffident silence stretch. For some reason, the shop feels a little more cooler, the air heavier than usual. The only sound is the rustling of Minghao's hands moving carefully over the flowers, the quiet snap of a stem as he trims it with his shears. Outside, the snow continues to fall.

Minghao doesn't press for any details, yet even in the quiet, you have a feeling that he knows. Maybe that's why he's just letting his hands speak for him.

"Here you go." He offers you a neat bouquet of pale lavender orchids.

You step up to him to retrieve it from his grasp, bringing it close to your chest. "Thank you."

Minghao knows he shouldn't let his feelings get in the way, but as he takes note of the slight glassiness to your eyes and small tremble of your hands holding the bouquet, he isn't sure how much longer he can hold it in. He feels guilty when he lets his eyes drift down to your lips for a second, before averting it back up quickly.

The smile you give him is nothing short of fragile, faint, but it's there. And then, with a sudden leap, you find yourself leaning into Minghao's embrace without thinking, wrapping your arms around his body as if he was the only thing in the world that was preventing you from falling down. And in a way, he is.

His arms catch you instinctively, gentle yet steady, embracing around you like flowers petals folding inward for protection. His warmth seeps into you as if he were the sun reaching a flower in the early hours of dawn, and his hand comes up to cradle the back of your head, encouraging you to press closer into his warmth.

You don't cry𑁋not entirely. A single tear slips past your lashes, landing silently against his shoulder. He feels it, but he doesn't move, doesn't say anything, and just lets you... be.

"I'm sorry," You mumble into his shoulder. "I didn't mean to𑁋"

"Don't be," Minghao interrupts softly. "It's okay."

You pull away for a moment to look up at him. He's still holding you. His hands have fallen down to your sides, resting there as if he's held you like this before. The way you're looking at him has Minghao nearly forgetting how to breathe; it nearly urges to him to lean down and close the distance between the two of you.

His gaze lingers on your lips, and for a split second, Minghao almost allows himself to follow the instinct to lean in.

But then he stops himself.

He's not sure what this is, what the right thing to do is. His thoughts are tangled mess of roots𑁋he's always been careful with holding himself back, with promising to wait, yet something about the way you look at him makes it feel like the only right thing to do is to give in.

But he can't. Not yet. Not when you're so fragile and baring yourself raw to him.

Yet he sees the way your eyes flutter at him, the way a crease of question forms in between your brows as if you're also unsure of what this moment is, but there's a longing there too. It's almost pleading. And you lean in a little more towards him.

"Y/N," he breathes out your name, and it's the first time you ever heard his voice shake like that. "We... We shouldn't."

You don't say anything at first, your eyes searching his face like you're trying to read something. You open your mouth, close it, and then, with a slight exhale, you step back, only a little, but enough to let the cool air seep in between you.

"I'm sorry, I..." You squeeze your eyes shut for a moment, letting out a sniffle. "Fuck, I'm sorry..."

Minghao feels his chest tighten. "It's okay𑁋"

"I-I just wanted to feel something for a moment, you know? Everything is such a mess right now and the first person I thought of was you, because I like... the way you make me feel. I like it way more than I should. And that... that it's okay if you don't feel that way too."

Minghao's heart stutters at that, and perhaps the world even pauses too. All words that want to leave him become stuck in his throat, because he knows deep down𑁋from as far back as the moment you walked into the flower shop𑁋that he's felt the same way for far too long.

So, he settles with taking one hand from your side and slowly reaching up to trace your warm cheek with his thumb, his touch delicate as if he's afraid he might cause your petals to fall down. He brushes away a lingering tear that had been drying up on your skin and lets his hand stay there.

"You... deserve way more than just comfort in a moment like this," Minghao starts quietly. "But you're grieving right now, and I don't want to take advantage of that. I don't want to just be someone who's here for a moment, because... you mean so much to me more than that."

Your lips form into a tight, thin line, and you flicker your gaze towards the floor, the heaviness in the air still weighing down on your shoulders.

"Minghao..."

"And if I act on what I feel, it wouldn't be fair to you," Minghao continues, voice trembling slightly as he speaks. "I want it to be because you know what you want. And if you ever give me that chance, I promise I'll be here for you. Not just now, not just in this moment, but... for everything. When you're ready; when you're healed; when it feels right, I'll be here𑁋I always have been."

There's a lump in your throat that you swallow down. For a while, you could only simply stand there, feeling as if you're teetering on the edge of something you can't quite reach. But even as you stand in this stillness, there's something in his words that echoes off the walls of your mind𑁋it's understanding, and it's care, and it feels like a promise.

"I... I know. I just... I'm sorry for putting all this on you. I think I need space to... heal and think." Then you look back up at him, wonder tainting your features. "Will you wait for me?"

The question feels a bit silly to ask, and it makes Minghao's features soften as he looks at you, a warmth in his chest that spreads like the first rays of sunlight breaking through a cold morning.

"I've already been waiting for you," he says, almost cheekily, and it seems to lighten the moment a little. "I haven't planned on stopping anytime soon."

The chuckle that leaves you isn't forced; in fact, it's quite relieving. It feels like the start of something, and Minghao feels a flicker of hope at the sound.

You reluctantly separate yourself away from him, cradling the bouquet of orchids to your chest, and let out an exhale you hardly realise you were holding in.

"I'll be okay, you know," You tell him, even if it's a bit of lie, or half the truth. You can't tell which.

Minghao glances down to your hands, as if you're holding a piece of your heart wrapped up within the petals, before back up to your eyes.

"I know," is all he says.

The world doesn't stop for grief, but it's okay to pause for a little while.

Minghao wonders if flowers ever feel the same bittersweet pull when their petals fall𑁋the ache of letting go, but the quiet hope of something new taking root.

You haven't stepped foot in the flower shop in a while. At least, not as often as you used to come.

The absence is especially daunting, and Minghao can't help but feel it every time the bell chimes and it isn't you that walks through the door. On rare occasion you'd swing by to say hello during your breaks at work and sometimes, a pretty, shy smile from you before you disappear back into the world outside.

It's strange how easily your presence had come to be a part of the rhythm of his days. He used to wonder how someone like you would be drawn to the boring stillness of a flower shop. But now the place feels more emptier than before you came into his life, the petals around him somehow less vibrant, the air colder, even when the sun streams through the windows.

He tries not to dwell on it, but he can't help the nagging feeling that maybe you've drifted away, maybe things have changed. Maybe he was just a moment for you. And now, that moment has passed.

So he simply spends his days in the shop, moving between shelves of blossoms and arranging bouquets, but his thoughts always return to you. To the quiet moments when your voice would fill the space between the flowers, to the way you cared and tended the blooms even when you had no reason to.

It makes him think that if flowers could speak for us, then what might they say about you? Would they say you were someone who saw beauty in the smallest things? Minghao often found himself wishing that flowers could speak just so he can hear what they would say about you.

But flowers don't speak, of course. They just bloom and stretch toward the light, growing in places where they are tended to, and even in those that have been forgotten.

Maybe that's what Minghao was𑁋a forgotten flower of his own waiting to be seen, to be noticed.

Luckily, he was able to distract himself a bit today with a few deliveries for a couple of upcoming weddings and a new arrangement for the store he was preparing to do in the next few days, along with piles of orders for days. But it still wasn't enough.

As he flips the sign on the window to display Closed, he fumbles for his keys to lock the door. However, the sound of the bell rings through the shop, stopping him mid-motion. Minghao lifts a brow up, not expecting for anyone to show up right as he's about to close up.

And when he looks up, he freezes.

"I'm not late, aren't I?"

It's you.

The way your voice comes out all shaky like you're out of breath, yet soft has Minghao feeling as if he's sinking into quicksand. The sight of you standing at the doorway is a dream he never dares to wake up from.

"You're not," Minghao manages to say, somehow. "You're just in time."

Your lips tug into a small, relieved smile, and it's enough to make the air feel lighter in the shop. You take a few hesitant steps so that you're fully inside, letting the door shut behind you with a faint click.

Your lips tug into a small, relieved smile, and it's enough to make the air feel lighter in the shop. You take a few hesitant steps so that you're fully inside, letting the door shut behind you with a faint click. You take in the familiar, fresh scent of all the blooms and greenery around you, and it hits you in the heart just how much you've missed this place.

"I had, uh… a late shift at work," You explain unsurely. "so I thought about stopping by, but I wasn't sure if you'd still be here."

Minghao just shakes his head, watching as you brush your fingertips over some lilies and baby's breaths that were displayed on a small table near the window. Gosh, he'd do anything to flat out say how much he missed you, how much he'd been thinking about you, but he doesn't.

"Have you been busy?" You ask him.

"A little," he responds. "but manageable, I would say."

"Ah… that's good," You mumble, voice trailing off as you start to make your way in his direction, catching eye on a particular bouquet sitting on the counter behind him. "No-show again?"

Minghao lets out a sigh, and he feels you following behind as he walks towards the counter. He picks up the bouquet in his hand, letting his gaze fall over it.

"Mhm," he hums. "But it's alright, really. Happens more often than you think."

You quirk a brow as your eyes roam over the bouquet, and a particular, almost knowing look stretches across your lips.

"That's funny," You huff, taking the bouquet from his grasp. It held a colourful variety of hydrangeas. "It looks a lot like an order I placed a few days ago."

Minghao's heart skips a beat as he watches you carefully examine the bouquet, his breath caught in his throat.

"This… was yours?" he questions in surprise.

"Yeah, I…" You bite your lips sheepishly. "It was sort of an impulsive thing, I guess."

Minghao only continues to watch as you admire the bouquet, caressing over the delicate wrapping paper and the all-too familiar bow that he would tie all of his other arrangements.

"Impulsive, huh?" Minghao teases lightly, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "Well, you certainly picked a good one."

You look up at him, a small, tentative smile forming on your face. "I guess I just wanted to get something special. For someone."

Minghao feels his heart sink at that, a flutter of hope and uncertainty colliding in his chest. Someone.

He opens his mouth to say something, but the words get caught in his throat, unsure if it's his place to ask, or if he even wants to hear the answer.

"I see," he says instead, trying to keep his tone relaxed, though there's a hint of sadness to his voice that he silently hopes you don't notice.

You take note of his unreadable expression, over the way his eyes appear downcast and a subtle tension to his posture.

However, this doesn't make you stop from gripping the bouquet tighter in your grasp, and then in the next moment, you're stepping closer and offering it over to him.

"I hope you like them," You state, holding out the bouquet thing as if was the most natural thing in the world.

Minghao glances at the bouquet quizzically, the same one he had just been holding, then back at you. His face shifts between a million different expressions𑁋confusion, surprise, hope, and everything in between𑁋before the tension in his chest eases just slightly as he finally registers what you're doing.

He's a florist, for crying out loud. He's usually the one to be giving flowers to people. Never in his years of practically living in the shop has anyone offered flowers to him. The gesture is practically foreign, yet in this moment, it feels so right.

His fingers graze against yours as he hesitantly takes it from your hands, but you fully let go. Instead, you cover his hand with yours, warmth spreading between you as you gently press your palm against his. His heart is beating in his throat, in his ears, everywhere in his body, and he wonders if you can feel it too.

"I missed you," You declare softly, yet a pinch of urgency behind your words. "I missed you so fucking much."

His chest tightens, and it's as if the weight of everything crushes him in the best possible way. All the time he had spent wondering if you had forgotten about him, if maybe you had moved on, it all melts away in an instant. Because you're here. And you're saying everything he's been craving to hear.

And gosh, does he want to kiss you right now.

This time, Minghao doesn't waste a second. He brings a hand up to cradle the side of your neck as he presses his lips to yours. It's perhaps a bit desperate first, making him swallow down a faint sigh you let out but it quickly settles into something softer, deeper, like two people who've been waiting for this moment for far too long.

He can feel the slight tremble in your breath as your lips move against his, and he pulls back slightly, just to make sure you were still with him.

Minghao lets his thumb lightly caress over your cheek as if trying to memorise the feeling of your skin under his touch, as if he'd been starved for this closeness.

"I missed you too," he whispers, a breath away from your lips. "The flowers did too."

A light, airy chuckle escapes from you. "Oh, did they?"

"Of course," Minghao murmurs, his lips curling upwards against your skin. "They've been waiting for you to come back."

"Well, I better not keep them waiting anymore then, right?" You jest playfully, leaning in back once again.

Minghao doesn't hesitate to meet you halfway. "Nope," he says firmly against your mouth. "I think they've waited long enough."

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