#when he defended her after she bumped into the plates….

[gloomygumi]

quirks - satoru gojo x gn!reader

summary: part two︱you like to think you’re aware of all of satoru’s quirks, but shoko thinks you may have missed a few.

contents: fluff, newly realised feelings, highschool!gojo, he's honestly not even actually there for a lot of it, shoko and geto are tho, honestly a little bit of whipped gojo, probably ooc but definitely self indulgent

word count: 1.2k

a/n: how are we coping since 236 guys ????? wrote this feeling like i’d been widowed so i guess this counts as my coping mechanism 😭 hope you enjoy anyway, constructive criticism and any ideas or opinions you have are always welcome !!

in your past year of knowing satoru gojo, you’d made a note of his multiple quirks.

you noticed how when the group of second years went out to eat together at the weekends, he would whine about how good everyone else’s food looks until everyone at the table took pity (or annoyance, in suguru’s case) and spooned some of their meal onto his plate.

you noticed how when he was in class, listening to yaga drone on about the different types of curses, he would never let all of the legs of his chair rest on the ground. he was constantly swinging back and forth. it’s a miracle that he’s never fallen back, you think.

you even noticed how he somehow kept a momento from every single hangout and mission, each of them stored in a little wooden box he kept on his bedside table back in the dorms. in the past, you’d seen him slide seemingly worthless ticket stubs and receipts into his pockets, and when the curiosity finally got the better of you and you asked what he did with them, you only received a cheeky grin and a wink from your friend.

so, when shoko finally told you some of her own observations of his behaviours and habits during your lunch break one day, it’s safe to say it shocked you.

“i think it’s pretty obvious that he likes you.” she speaks casually, as if her words hadn’t caused you to choke on your own food. she passes you her bottle of water and pats your back. “you couldn’t tell?”

after gulping down half of her water, and spluttering a few times, you finally found your voice, letting out a strangled “he’s my friend - he does not like me like that!”

the look shoko gives you is one of ridicule, but before she can say anything else, you quickly continue.

“how’d you even come to that conclusion anyway, you’re not usually much of a gossip. that’s suguru’s job." you attempt to joke, but you feel the strained smile drop from your face as the boy you mentioned approaches the table and plops down beside your friend.

speak of the devil...

you see shoko's eyes light up, but before you can even attempt to cut her off again, she turns to suguru. "geto! back me up here, isn't it so obvious that gojo likes (y/n)?"

"mhm." he hums, barely even acknowledging the fact that his confirmation has sent you spiraling for the second time. "he's not exactly subtle about it."

"you guys are being ridiculous."

now it's suguru's turn to look at you like you've suddenly grown two heads. "you really didn't know?"

shoko lets out a laugh at his genuine confusion, and reaches into her bag to pull out a cigarette. you quickly hand her a lighter you keep on hand just for moments like this and she quietly thanks you before continuing. "have you never noticed how he's always touching you in some way?"

"that's just how he is!" you defend. "he's always hanging off of suguru too!"

the pair in front of you share a look, before geto continues. "what about how he never lets you walk closest to the road?"

you stop for a second, trying to pinpoint an occasion - just one - where he had only to come up empty handed. in fact, the more you think about it, the more sense it makes. you replay your moments walking back to the dorms after class with satoru, with his arm always casually wrapped around your shoulder. you remember how he always looked comfortable and at peace. you even remember how he would gently bump you closer into the sidewalk if you were walking with someone else, sticking his tongue out at you and ruffling your hair if you voiced a complaint at his behaviour.

your mouth dries up as you try to come up with another excuse to brush off your friends' observations, but you start to question yourself.

maybe they're right...?

you shake you head, as if trying to clear your head of these thought. "he does that for everyone, you guys are just reading too much into it."

between drags of her cigarette, shoko chuckles. "he's never done it for me." geto leans forward from his seat across from you and gently flicks in between your eyebrows. your hand immediately clamps down on the spot, and you groan at him. "what was that for!?"

he ignores your dramatics. "why are you so sure that we're lying?"

his genuine question makes you stop to think. it wasn't that you didn't like gojo, in fact, you hadn't dedicated much time to thinking about him in that way at all. your friends being so insistent on the fact that he liked you made you slowly start to realise that maybe you did share some affections for the ill mannered boy.

you continue to mull over as many interactions and memories that you have shared with satoru, slowly connecting the dots in your head. he always was more gentle with you, never polite but always kind. he regularly brought you souvenirs back from missions that you weren't assigned to and he always insisted on sitting next to you on the train home, offering you the window seat every single time.

almost as if they can hear your inner monologue being to spiral, shoko pipes up once more. "he gave you a different ring tone so he'd know every time you call."

you feel your heart stop for a second, unsure as to why this in particular made you finally believe their words, but before you even have the opportunity to dismiss them again (now in an attempt to convince yourself more than them) you feel the seat beside you sink with additional weight and a familiar arm flung around your shoulder. you barely even register the smug smile shoko is flashing you from across the table as you focus on attempting to cool your face.

"i can't believe you guys started eating without me!" satoru whines, leaning even more heavily into your side. he makes quick work of plucking a large chunk of meat out of your bento, sending you a sly grin as you look up at him in dismay. "what were you guys talkin' about?"

suguru meets your eyes, raising his eyebrows as he meets your glare, urging him to shut his mouth. "oh nothing." he hums, before completely changing the subject.

the conversation from moments prior is still fresh in your mind, and you're now very aware of the soft glances gojo keeps sending your way. you suddenly feel a lot more awkward in his presence, and you barely notice how you're fidgeting with your hands under the table and not participating in the conversation anymore.

that is until you feel warm hands grip your own, effectively halting their movement. "you okay?" you can barely hear satoru over the blood pumping in your ears, and you're unaware of the laughs shoko and geto are trying desperately to hold back whilst watching the scene as you try to speak.

you start to wish your friends had kept their observations to themselves.

[flynnriderishot]

maybe matt and reader with one older daughter and a newborn boy and just a chill day in their life?

family time - m.s

warning: short and sweet, little to no detail (i didn’t have much to work with i’m so sorry 😭)

when matt woke this morning, his first instinct was to look over at the bassinet that was on his side of the bed.

he had insisted he kept it on his side due to your constant need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night after having your son.

you didn’t mind, of course, having been used to matt using the same excuse when you had your eldest daughter, lila. matt made the excuse of not wanting the baby bed to get in your way on your journey to the bathroom but you knew he was so adamant because he didn’t want you to be the one to care for the crying baby at such late hours.

he wanted to ensure you got enough rest.

you thought it was sweet, even though he constantly denied these things.

matt stretched his limbs, his bones popping dramatically as he yawned.

he tuned in on the sound of lila’s laughter downstairs, followed by chris’ voice. he made the mental note to thank his brother for distracting the five year old while you and him got much needed rest.

nick and chris didn’t seem too bothered by your small family living with them.

in fact, chris encouraged matt to not buy an apartment close by, hinting that he couldn’t handle the separation from his triplet.

meanwhile, nick simply enjoyed the distraction little lila provided for him whenever he got too stressed. while it took a while for him to get used to her sticky fingers and unnecessary complaints, he actually ended up liking his niece more than most of his friends.

as matt sat up, his movements seemed to have alerted you, resulting in you jumping up from your sleep.

wiping your eyes, you could hear matt snort at your action.

“relax. they’re fine.”

“where’s lila?” you asked, not used to the girl not running into your room to wake you up for breakfast.

“she’s with chris.” he reassured you, standing to pick up the newest member of your family, greeting the whining baby with a smile.

“you wanna feed him and we’ll go meet everyone downstairs?” matt gently sat down next to you on the bed, his fingers wiping baby ezra’s (couldn’t think of anything else 💀) from his forehead.

you nod along, smiling softly at your boyfriend’s gentle ways with the smaller boy.

“let’s hurry before chris pisses lila off.”

as if on cue, your daughter’s voice could be heard from the living room,

“stop it!”

•••

walking into the kitchen, you weren’t surprised to see a plate of burnt pancakes sitting on the counter.

“this looks appetizing.”

“don’t lie, mom.” lila crossed her arms over her chest, not picking up on your sarcastic tone, “it’s disgusting.”

“i tried my best.” chris defended myself, “it’s kind of hard to cook with this one complaining about everything.”

though he was speaking about lila, his eyes darted over to his brother, matt lifting his shoulders to lightly shrug at chris’ words. he knew everyone blamed lila’s attitude on him, but she didn’t sass you or him so why would he complain?

“nick and i are going to meet laura, we’ll be gone until later.” he informed you, fist bumping lila and lifting ezra’s hand to get the baby to go the same, “she didn’t eat.”

“because you can’t cook.”

just before he left to go get nick, chris stuck his hand in some left over flour and chucked it in the girls direction, laughing as it smacked her in the face, “you can’t cook!”

“hey—”

“no yelling!”

•••

with nick and chris gone, that left you to have alone time with matt, lila and ezra.

your favorite time.

you watched with a smile as matt laid on the floor, ezra asleep on his chest and lila above him doing his makeup.

yep, family time was definitely your favorite time.

a/n: who let me write that corny ass ending 🔥🔥🔥

[justthatwwegirl]

"She's My Wife, You Idiot!"

(Grayson Waller x Female Reader.)

(This has been on my mind for a while now, AND I CANT GET ENOUGH OF THIS MAN!)

Summary: You and Grayson have been married for over a year now and have kept it a secret. But after taking a terrible bump in the ring, Grayson can't help but come out to check if you're okay, and after Grayson said something to the ref, people find out your relationship.

(Warnings: Some cursing, fluff, a tiny bit of angst, secret relationship, injury, shitty summary and ending, cringe writing.)

Y/N had came to the arena with Grayson but eventually separated from him to go to one of her friends, Naomi, while Grayson went off to Theory.

"Hey boo!" Naomi said with her positive attitude, giving Y/N a hug in which Y/N returned.

Y/N gave Naomi a smile, talking about her upcoming match against Tiffany while the two walked to catering.

They grabbed their plates and sat down, talking even more.

"Yeah, I got to talk to Tiffany soon about the match, hopefully nothing goes wrong. She's a pretty good wrestler though, so I'm sure it will go as planned." Y/N said and Naomi nodded her head but it seemed like she was more focused on something else.

"Don't freak out, but it looks like Grayson is staring at you again with those stupid heart eyes." Naomi whispered and then Y/N turned around to her one and only husband staring at her.

"What a creep." Naomi said and rolled her eyes before pulling Y/N's gaze away from Grayson.

"He's probably staring at something else that happens to be in our direction." Y/N says, excusing it off.

Naomi looked at her and shook her head, taking another bite out of her food.

While the two went back to talking, Grayson had told Austin that he had to go back to his lockerroom and grab something, leaving catering.

Grayson had given Y/N a look that she immediately recognized.

After a Grayson was gone for a little bit, Y/N had made her excuse.

"Um, I'm going to go use the restroom, get my makeup and hair done, then chat with Tiffany about our match. I'll see you later Trin." Y/N said with a smile and Naomi nodded her head before hugging her goodbye.

"See you after the show boo!" Naomi said in her cheerful tone.

Y/N waved her bye before walking toward a secluded place.

She looked around and just before she turned around, someone had picked her up.

Y/N elbowed the person in their stomach but then heard a familiar groan.

"Grayson! I am so so sorry!" Y/N immediately apologized but Grayson waved it off.

"It's fine." He said clutching his stomach. "But damn can you elbow somebody." He said and Y/N cracked a smile which made Grayson smile.

Grayson gave Y/N a kiss, which then eventually turned into a makeout session.

"Grayson- Gray. I have to... go to hair and makeup, and your... lips are gonna be full of my lipgloss." Y/N had said in-between kisses.

"One more..." Grayson whined when she pulled away from the kiss.

Y/N sighed. "Your lucky I love you." She said before giving Grayson one last, long, and passionate kiss before she had to go.

"I'm very lucky, especially since your my wife." Grayson said in his Australian accent that always made Y/N weak.

They gave each other a hug, Grayson kissing Y/N on her head before she had to leave.

"I'll see you after your match." Grayson said as his match was later on than hers.

"Alright, I look forward to seeing my amazing husband." Y/N said which gave Grayson the biggest smile on his face.

"I love you." He said as she was leaving. "I love you more!" Y/N had to shout a bit but blew a kiss to Grayson, in which he caught it and put his hand over his lips.

She rolled her eyes before going to hair and makeup.

Grayson had returned to Austin and Austin just looked at Grayson weird.

"What mate?" Grayson asked Austin.

"What did you have to grab that you had to to take so long, and where is it?" Austin asked, looking Grayson up and down.

"It wasn't in my lockerroom and I had to use the restroom!" Grayson defended himself.

Austin sighed and turned away. While he did that, Grayson quickly wiped Y/N's lipgloss off of his lips.

-

"Alright, our match is next." Tiffany said as the two walked to gorilla.

"We got this Tiff." Y/N said, giving Tiffany a hug before their match in which Tiffany returned.

"I know girly, confidence is key." The barbie had said as my music had hit.

Y/N walked out to the ramp, the crowd cheering her on while the ring announcer introduced her.

She was a baby face, and the crowd loved her. Y/N was a like sunshine.

Grayson was a heel. The crowd always booed him and Austin.

They weren't that different, but even if people found out about their relationship, they would wonder how the hell the two even ended up together.

-

"And Y/N is on the ground! No! Please don't end like this!" Wade Barret screamed into his headset.

"Oh please! It's Tiffy Time!" Corey Graves said as they watched the match between the ladies.

Tiffany was positioned at the top rope, ready to give Y/N her finisher.

But just has she did, Tiffany landed a little awkwardly. But this didn't hurt Tiffany much, instead it hurt Y/N a whole lot.

Y/N had already hurt her leg during the match but it wasn't like this.

Her ribcage was throbbing in pain while Tiffany stood up and had her hand raised up high.

The ref had went over to check up on Y/N and after he realized what had happened, he called over the medics.

Grayson was backstage with Austin right by him. Austin was talking about something while Grayson was watching the match.

"Really focused on that match huh?" Austin said out of no where as he realized that Grayson was paying him 0 attention.

"Dude, it's so obvious you like her." Austin said, snapping Grayson into reality.

"Shit. It's that obvious?" Grayson asked, playing along.

"Yes!" Austin said, looking at Grayson with a shocked look.

"You always stare at her when she's in catering, you shamelessly and badly flirt with her so much that it makes my ears hurt and to the point where her friends think you're a creep." Austin says in a sorta rant.

"Her friends think I'm a creep?" Grayson asks Austin and Austin nods his head.

"Yes, Naomi always catches you staring at her, Tiffany has to endure you shamelessly flirting with her and by the looks of it, it makes her wanna throw up, and then Bayley and all of damage control look at you weird when you do all of those things." Austin says and Grayson stares at him with shock.

"And then! You are always talking about her. All I hear every day is, Y/N this, Y/N that. You are OBSESSED! Even Kevin has to hear it before we have a match." Austin said while staring at Grayson, finally finished with his rant but then looked back at the TV then at Grayson.

"I don't care, after this match you gotta tell her. I'll buy you ice cream after." Austin says.

"What-" Grayson starts before looking back up at the TV.

There was his wife, the woman he loved so dearly, lying in the ring hurt and being taken care of by medics.

He didn't give a damn in the slightest if anyone tried stopping him in what he was about to do.

"Grayson!" Austin tried calling after him but he was already gone.

-

"Well, it seems like Y/N has been seriously hurt..." Corey starts off before being interrupted by the random crowd pop.

"What in the hell is Grayson Waller doing running out to the ring?!" Wade Barret shouts again into his headset.

Y/N clutched her ribs as she heard the crowd and looked up to see Grayson and the ref holding him back.

"Why won't you let me help her?!" Grayson shouted at the ref while the ref held him back.

"What is going on?!" Wade Barrett and Corey said at the same time.

"Are you serious?" Grayson said as the ref wouldn't let him help Y/N.

But the words that would leave Grayson's mouth made the crowd start gasping and then cheering.

"She's my wife, you idiot!" Grayson shouted as loud as possible and the ref looked stunned as nobody knew about their relationship.

Grayson help up his hand with his ring finger, the wedding ring shining bright. He held it up to the crowd to prove that he was indeed Y/N's husband and that she was his wife.

Wade and Corey looked at each other confused.

"Marriage?!" Corey shouted.

"Y/N is married to HIM?!" Wade said.

The ref had finally let Grayson help her and as soon as he did, Grayson was already at Y/N's side.

"I'm here baby, I'm here." Grayson said in his Australian accent.

Y/N immediately reached to him and pulled him into a hug. She winced when she tried to get up, almost falling down but Grayson had caught her.

Grayson had let out a nervous laugh which made Y/N smile as she heard it.

Grayson had kissed her head while they walked down the ramp with the medical staff still checking up on her.

The both of them were hearing random shit from the crowd.

"YOU TWO ARE MARRIED?!"

"I DID NOT EXPECT THIS!"

"HOW THE HELL DID YOU TWO EVEN GET TOGETHER?!"

And a lot of other things. But they didn't care.

Grayson noticed Y/N struggling and swept her off her feet, carrying her bridal style.

The crowd cheered once more, a few awes here and there.

-

"Well, there's nothing majorly wrong with her your leg but you have sprained your ribcage." The doctor informed the couple.

"How long will I be out?" Y/N had asked, gripping onto Grayson's hand tighter that she previously was.

Grayson noticed her anxiety and slowly rubbed her hand, trying to make her feel better. In which he did.

"A good 6 weeks." Y/N had looked at the doctor dumbfounded but ultimately accepted the news.

Once the doctor left to give Y/N some space, tears were forming in her eyes.

Grayson and noticed and pulled his wife into a hug.

"6 weeks?" Y/N said softly as she held onto Grayson.

Grayson looked at her face and he could have broke down right then and there from seeing his wife like this.

"It's going to be okay." Was all he said though.

"It's 6 weeks of me not being here!" Y/N shouted with a cry.

"I don't even... and it's just my fucking fault, and I hate it so much. If I had maybe agreed to Tiffany doing her other finisher instead of her moonsault, maybe I-" Y/N's rant was interrupted by Grayson kissing her.

After a little while, Grayson pulled away, leaving her to want more.

Y/N turned away but Grayson made her look at him.

He wiped away her tears and held her face in his hands.

"It isn't your fault." He said quietly.

"Everything will be okay. You will be back in action in no time." Grayson reassured Y/N.

"I can't stand to see my beautiful wife cry." Grayson said his damn Australian accent that Y/N had always loved.

Y/N looked down as she blushed but looked back at Grayson, leaning in for another kiss.

But before they could, they were very rudely interrupted by someone barging in the room.

Or should I say people.

"Wife?!" Austin shouted. Grayson smiled at Austin's shock and confusion.

Naomi and Bayley came in, standing next to him.

"You are MARRIED, to HIM?!" Naomi said loudly and looked at Grayson and Y/N.

Bayley shook her head and whispered something.

The rest of damage control came into the room and Asuka started laughing making everyone look at her.

"Sorry-" She said in Japanese.

"I did not expect you two to be together, despite the awful flirting." Dakota says, Bayley nodding her head.

Then that's when Tiffany and Kevin came in.

"I am so so sorry!" Tiffany said running up to Y/N and giving her a big hug. It genuinely sounded like Tiffany was about to cry.

"I just came in here to check up on you but out of everybody to be dating, this guy?" Kevin said, pointing to Grayson.

Grayson scoffed and rolled his eyes at Kevin.

"I brought you your favorite snacks too." Tiffany said, giving Y/N chips.

"Tiff, I'm fine, really. But thank you for all of this." Y/N said giving Tiffany another hug.

"And you to being announced as a couple, especially a MARRIED couple, was not on my bingo card." Tiffany said pulling away from the hug.

"I mean..." Grayson said, and the couple both showed their hands with their wedding rings.

"It's really hard to miss this." Grayson said.

"Yeah, especially when you've had it for over a year." Y/N said.

"Over a year?!" Everyone in the room said in unison.

Grayson and Y/N looked at each other before laughing. Y/N then lied down on Grayson's thigh while everyone became even more confused.

"Yes, we have been together since our nxt days." Grayson explained.

"Wait..." Bayley and Austin said together.

"How long have you guys been together, not married but together?" They both asked.

Grayson and Y/N looked at eachother again.

"4 years and a few month. Our anniversary was just in December." The couple said.

"4 years?!" Kevin yelled first and then the whole room started chattering.

Grayson laughed and looked down at his wife to see her staring back up at him.

"Secret's out." She whispered and Grayson nodded.

Y/N sat up and looked at Grayson again with a smile.

"What?" He asked.

"You're perfect." She whispered and now it was time for Grayson to blush.

"I still don't know how I'm this lucky to be with you." Y/N said while going in for another kiss that Grayson gladly accepted.

"I'm even more lucky for you to be my wife." Grayson said as he continued to kiss Y/N.

"Alright lovebirds, I'm getting sick." Dakota said and Austin gagged.

The couple rolled their eyes at their actions but shooed everyone out of the room.

Y/N was actually happy that their relationship was now out. She didn't mind everyone being shocked about them being a couple, in fact it made her laugh so many times.

She could finally hang out with Grayson and everyone would stop thinking Grayson was a creep.

Overall it was amazing.

-

"Babe, come back to bed." Grayson said in a drowsy voice due to him being tired.

"I have to take the medicine the doctor prescribed me." Y/N explained as she took it.

Grayson groaned but eventually Y/N came back to their shared bed.

Grayson held her, peppering her should and neck with kisses while Y/N tried to sleep.

"You I love you, right?" Grayson had asked and Y/N smiled.

"And you know I love you even more, right?" Y/N had asked.

Grayson shook his head. "Not possible." He said before continuing to hold his lovely wife.

"But it is." She whispered, making Grayson look at her with literal heart eyes.

Grayson hid his face in Y/N's neck so she couldn't see him blushing but slowly after a while, the couple drifted into a deep slumber.

The End. ♡

[bitchyycapricorn]

Pathetic

Remus Lupin x Pureblood! Reader

Masterlist

Wordcount: 2.7K

Synopsis: “Bite me Lupin.” You challenge, raising your head to look into his amber eyes.

Remus smirks, leaning down into your ear. “I’m going to fuck the pure-blood out of you.” He growls.

“Do it then.” You snap back, feeling Remus’s hand on your bare thigh.

“I’m going to ruin you.”

Warnings: Smut!, enemies to lovers trope, angst, cursing, P in V, fingering

AN: lightly edited

It was your glare that caught Remus’s attention. The way your eyes narrowed the moment the two of you made eye contact. You sat across the hall at the Slytherin table, chatting with your friends and poking your food with a fork that some idiot let you have. Remus didn’t trust that you wouldn’t stand up at any given moment and come stab him in the neck with it. He had every right to not trust you with sharp objects of course, since the moment your eyes locked with the brown haired boy you couldn’t help but think about dragging the fork down his throat and watching his filthy half-blood self beg for his life.

“You’re staring Lupin.” You taunt from across the room.

“Well clearly so are you L/N.” Remus counters proudly. He sat up a little more in his seat as a smirk fixes on his face.

“Yes well,” you smile, “I was just wondering how your whore of a muggle mother was doing. Still spreading her legs in hopes for something magical?” Your voice was dripping with venom as you mock Remus’s family life.

Remus clench’s his jaw, his hand bawling into a fist of rage . “You-“

“She’s not worth it mate,” James mutters, pulling his friends attention away from your proud face. Remus knew they were right, there was no point in arguing with you again. You always seem to win after all. No matter how many times they call you out for you skewed views on blood status, you always manage to shoot back with how at least your family loves you because you weren’t some blood-traitor or half-blood freak. At that point the boys would accept there was just no changing your views on these matters.

To make things even worse, you were a favorite in the Slytherin house. Many of the student’s believe you’ll be the next heir of Slytherin after all, between your family status and that fact you were a parselmouth. These factors made it nearly impossible for the boys to ever get back at you for your snarky remarks. The whole house would be up in arms defending you, and you’d just set a snake on poor defenseless Peter again. Remus backs down from the fight, looking back at his plate and resuming his eating. You sat proudly with your friends, laughing about how pathetic Remus was, not even standing up for his own mother. Laughter fills the Slytherin table until everyone is dismissed to go back to class.

+++

Remus was back in the library for the third time that day. It’s been a few days since the lunch table incident and Remus found the only way he could escape your taunting was by hiding deep in the bookcases of the library. He was enjoying hiding behind a bookcase and reading up on the new D.A.D material that was assigned when a figure turns the corner and bump into him.

“Ugh. Seriously?” You huff as you gather your books back into your arms. “Watch were you’re standing loony Lupin. God, you’re such a menace you know that?” You grumble.

Remus startles at your sudden presence, feeling the color drain from his face as his eyes met yours. “I was here first,” he squeaks out. A blush spreads across his face while his eyes search for an escape route.

“You think I care if you were here first? A filthy, disgusting, half-blood like you shouldn’t even be standing in my presence, let alone in my way while I’m trying to retrieve my books.” You spit. Your face was bright red as you push past Remus’s frozen body. He could feel every ounce of dignity he had left leave him in that moment.

“You don’t have to be such a bitch you know.” He mutters under his breath as he begins to leave.

Your head snaps in his direction as a scowl spreads across your face “Excuse me?”

Remus turns to face you, attempting to stand a little straighter in the process. “You heard me. I said, you don’t have to be such a bitch.”

Your body was shaking with rage, ‘how dare such an inferior half-blood speak to me in such a manner’ you thought as you clench your jaw. “Say that shit again, I dare you.” Your voice was sharp like a blade threatening to cut Remus open. He winces, backing up slightly.

“We both know its true. You are a bitch. A pure-bloo-“ Remus couldn’t finish his sentence before he was being thrown back into the bookshelf. Your body slamming against his roughly, books falling as you and Remus make impact with the shelf behind him.

“You think I’m a bitch? I’ll show you bitch.” You seethe, your first bawling around his now disheveled robes. “Fuck you Remus Lupin.”

“Fuck me?” Remus growls back. You pause for a moment at his words.

“You want me to what?” You tease, a small laugh escaping your lips.

“Shit. No that’s not what I-“ Remus groans, feeling you release him from your grip.

You back away from Remus, your eyes scanning his body up and down in the process. His back was still pressed up against the bookshelf, his hair is messed up and his robe was thrown open. Your eyes lock on his very obvious boner, causing your face to flush an even brighter red.

“You’re fucking disgusting Lupin.” You grumble, grabbing your books from the table and walking away.

+++

It had been a week since you saw Remus in the library, you were avoiding him at all cost. You’d never admit it, not even to yourself, that you were highly attracted to the scarred Gryffindor boy. Something about him made your knees weak and your body feel like it was on fire. You knew it would never matter how hot and bothered Remus made you, your family would kill him on sight if it weren’t a crime. So you held your head high and made his life a living hell.

The bell rang, dismissing everyone from their classes for the day. You gather your potions books and watch as students file out of the classroom. Professor Slughorn wishes you a good rest of your day as he exits the classroom as well, leaving you alone.

You continue to gather your books and put away your materials until you hear the door slam shut. You look up to see the Marauders on the other side casting a blood lock spell on the door. Your heart drops as you realize you’re trapped in the potions room until either Slughorn returns after supper, or until tomorrow morning. “Bloody hell,” you mutter, slamming your book on to the table.

“Really? You’re mad? They accident left me in here with you.” Remus grumbles as he appears from behind the far wall of the classroom holding some extra ingredients that were reserved only for the upper class potion students.

“Of course I’m stuck in here with the freak.” You groan, glaring at Remus as he approaches your table. “You know, nobody likes a scarred freak. Obnoxiously tall and built and…fuck” you mumble turning your head away from Remus realizing that if you keep talking you’ll only embarrass yourself.

“Tall and built? Didn’t know you had the capability of complimenting someone.” Remus teases, a sudden surge of confidence coursing though him as he continues to walk towards you.

“Fuck off Lupin, you’re the one who said you wanted to fuck me the other day.” A blush spreads across your face as the words leave your mouth. You can still vividly remember just how hot Remus looked pushed up against the bookshelf. The way his hair was a mess and his robes hanging off his perfect body.

“I did say that didn’t I? Also, I want you to know I’m not any happier about being stuck with you L/N. You’re an obnoxious stuck up brat.” Remus tosses his ingredients onto the table before turning to face you. “All you do is bitch. Complaining about others not being ‘good enough’ because they aren’t some snobby pure-bloods. You think you’re so much better than everyone else is that it?” Remus teases as he pins you between himself and the empty table behind you.

“Bite me Lupin.” You challenge, raising your head to look into his amber eyes.

Remus smirks, leaning down into your ear. “I’m going to fuck the pure-blood out of you.” He growls.

“Do it then.” You snap back, feeling Remus’s hand on your bare thigh.

“I’m going to ruin you.” Remus taunts, his hand sliding up your thigh now. “I’m going to fuck you until you’re nothing more than a pathetic mess underneath me. Begging me to keep going, to keep ruining your perfect little pure-blood self.”

You let out a groan, hands gripping the table behind you. His hand burns your skin as it travels further up your skirt, the heat traveling all the way up your body and leaving a pool in your underwear.

“You like the sound of that don’t you Y/N? You want a half-blood to fuck you, don’t you? What would daddy say if he saw you like this? Hot and flustered for me.” Remus presses a rough kiss to your neck, biting down on the tender skin.

“I-“ you let out a moan, pushing your body up against Remus’s.

“Use your words.” Remus’s hot breath hits your neck and sends a shiver down your spine.

“Yes Remus, I want you to fuck me. I want you to ruin me, please.” You moan as Remus hand slides your now soaking underwear to the side.

“Look at you, such a good girl using her words.” Remus teases as his middle and ring finger slide into your hot cunt. You throw your head back at the feeling. Your hips jerk forward, rocking ever so slightly on Remus’s fingers. Remus slowly pulled his fingers out of you before pushing them back in. You let out another series of moans as you rock your hips desperately.

“Remus please,” you beg as his fingers slide in and out of you.

“Please what?” Remus groans, his fingers getting faster.

Your voice is barley as whisper “Fuck me, please.” You moan.

“I can’t hear you clearly….” He says teasingly, pulling away from your body slightly. “Just say it louder, and more clearly so I can hear you love…” He whispers into your ear with a smirk on his face.

“Remus please,” you beg.

"Please... what my love? Please tell me what you want." His voice is dark and teasing now.

“I want you to fuck me” you whimper.

His smile widens, his eyes fill with lust as he takes you in. He pulls you closer, his fingers fucking you mercilessly, he whispers into your ear once again. “I can't hear you my love..."

“Fuck you Remus. Fuck me please,” you cry, moving your hands from the table to grab onto his Gryffindor robes.

Remus smiles, his eyes fixing on yours. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” He spoke as he kisses down your neck. “You want me to fuck you? Is that what you want.. My love?”

”Yes Remus, please. I need you please” tears brim the bottom of your eyes as Remus’s finger continue to slide in and out of you roughly.

"As you wish my love..." He pulls away from your neck and connects your lips passionately. His fingers curling inside your aching cunt, never slowing for a second. "I'm going to fuck you until you can’t stand anymore..." Remus pulls away from you, removing his fingers completely. Your eyes go wide in a confusion. You felt so empty without Remus’s fingers inside of your, or his body pressing against yours. You watch as Remus loosens the tie around his neck, pulling it over his head. He begins to shed his robes, his undershirt coming of next. You pause, admiring how toned his chest was, and the way light pink scars litter his chest and abdomen. “Quit staring and start stripping love,” Remus smirks as he pulls off his trousers.

“Shut it,” you grumble, loosening your tie as well before pulling it off completely. You follow his lead, stripping yourself completely naked. Your eyes meet his again before he pushes you up and onto the table. Your legs are quick to straddle Remus’s hips, pulling him closer as his lips attack yours hungrily.

“I’ve wanted you for so bloody long,” Remus groans, lining himself up at your entrance. His cock just barley enters you when a cry of pleasure escapes your throat. You bite down onto his shoulder harshly, trying to quiet yourself as Remus fully enters your aching cunt. His warm skin pressing against yours as his hips snap back and forth. His hands travel under your ass squeezing roughly as he lifts you off the table so he could thrust up into you.

Another cry escapes your lips as Remus helps guide you up and down his hard cock. You feel your whole body shaking as he pound up into you. His lips just barley ghosting kisses over the skin of your neck and shoulders, leaving a hot burning sensation spreading all throughout your body. Throwing your arms around his neck your fingers find their way to his hair, gently tugging on the fluffy brown strands.

A string of moans fall from your swollen lips at the feeling of Remus inside you. You could feel every inch of him as he fucks you senseless. Your mind is hazy as the world around you seems to disappear. The only thing your mind can register is the feeling of his cock thrusting in and out of you. Your walls contracting around him as he hits all the right spots deep within you.

“Fuck Y/N,” Remus moans, setting you back down on the table. Remus pulls out of you slowly before pulling you off the table and flipping you around.

“Oh my..uh,” you let out a whimper as your body presses against the cold table. Remus pushes into you from behind, placing one hand on your lower back and the other on your hips. His thrusts pick up again as he slams into you from behind. Small moans and whimpers escape your lips as your body is pushed up and down against the table. Remus’s thrusts are hard and forceful, pushing deeper and deeper into you each time. Groaning, Remus digs his fingers into your hip, leaving little red marks from the force.

“I’m close,” Remus groans, pounding into you with more force than before. “I’m going to fill you up, ruin you like you deserve to be ruined.” You let out another cry at his words, placing your cheek against the cool table, submitting to Remus completely. Within a few more thrusts you can feel Remus twitch cock twitching inside you. Letting out a grunt, he finishes in you, pushing himself as deep as he possibly can. “Fuck,” Remus heaves before picking his thrusts back up.

“Fuck-oh Remus!” You moan as his hand travels down your back and the inside of your leg. His fingers dance across your heat before dipping between your folds so he can rub your clit. The sensation sends waves of pleasure coursing through your body as your cunt squeezes around his still throbbing cock. “Remus please don’t stop,” you beg, feeling your orgasm approaching quickly. Remus keeps up his thrusts as his fingers toy with your clit, making you cry out with pleasure. “Remus I’m-I’m” you sputter felling the coil in your stomach snap as your orgasm washes over you.

Remus lets out another grunt, his thrusts becoming sloppy as he pushes deep into you before cumming in you for a second time.

“Fuck,” He sighs, pulling out of your limp body. You let out a small moan in response, too fucked out to respond properly. Remus ran his finger down your spine slowly, a grin spreading across his beautiful lips. “You’re so pretty when you’re not being a total bitch.” He laughs.

A dry laugh escapes your lips as you find your strength to sit up. “And I suppose you’re pretty hot for a half-blood freak.” A teasing smile settles on your lips as you stand to face him.

“Fucking pure-blood,” Remus mutters, placing his hand on your cheek and bringing you in for a kiss.

You pull away for a moment to smile at him, “your pure-blood now dumbass,” you smirk, connecting your lips with his once again.

Remus laughs against you lips before mumbling “what’s daddy going to think?”

You shake your head, still pressing kisses to his lips as he talks. “Just shut up and kiss me Lupin.”

+++

TAGLIST

[undertheorangetree]

Lessons

Summary- After a incident on the streets of King's Landing, Aemond must ensure that his wife knows how to defend herself.

Warnings- MDNI 18+ NSFW. Female Reader. Shoddy self defence advice. Choking. Dry humping. Wrestling as foreplay. Cunnilingus. Biting. Mildly feral sex.

Author's Note- I don’t really have anything to say for myself with this one other than that’s my favourite gif of him. As always, full story is on AO3 link beloow :)

divider created by firefly-graphics

She had never been the object of Aemond Targaryen's ire. The closest she has ever gotten is a cold glare after too sharp a word, a slow, calming sigh followed by a very measured warning. She had seen it before, of course. When a match in the training yard goes a hair too far, when a lord had made some unseemly comment about his sister, even when a servant had accidentally knocked a plate from the table on a particularly bad day and let it shatter on the floor. She knew her husband had a bad temper but still, she has never fallen victim to it. He was careful with that around her and she had been quite sure she never would. That is, until today.

Aemond had stormed into the Grand Maester's surgery like a bear prepared to savage a hunter, eye wild and fists clenched. He had forced the door open so aggressively that she and the maester both flinched, the sound like a crash of thunder over the previously quiet room. He did nothing but stand here for a moment after he entered, taking very heavy breaths as he glared at them both, before finally managing to grind out a question, the words grating together like steel on steel.

"What happened?"

Though it is a question it does not sound like one. It is more demand than request, leaving no room for refusal.

Maester Orwyle has more composure than she does. As she stares at Aemond in poorly contained shock, Orwyle answers. "Little more than a few bumps and bruises, my prince. Nothing you need worry about."

Aemond's eye immediately flicks back to her, his impatience growing as he waits for her to fill in the blanks. She sighs wearily.

"I am fine. We ventured a little too close to Flea Bottom and a few men decided to get too familiar. Nothing happened."

"Nothing happened? Where was your guard?"

"I held them back at first. I thought I could defuse the situation myself. It seemed only a little bit of tension and I did not see the use in troubling them. I had it in hand."

"You are the trouble they are meant to attend to. And you did not have it in hand, look at your arm."

Begrudgingly, she looks down at her arm. The maester had been right in his assessment of bumps and bruises, the black and blue ring around her wrist an indication of it, but she thinks her ego is the thing that has been hurt most of it. She had made it a habit to venture into the city to aid the poor. Usually with Helaena, but she had made an exception today as her good sister was too far along in her pregnancy to manage walking about on stones all day. The smallfolk were usually kind to her but of course she usually did not go into Flea Bottom. She spent her time in the more lucrative parts of the city, buying alms and spending time with orphans and widowed mothers and the like. Those who would be more receptive to her company and well wishes- and the handfuls of coin she had a tendency to give away.

However, it seemed as though that rumour had made its way into the streets of Flea Bottom, as when they arrived at the border between it and the Street of the Sisters, a small group of men had been waiting. They had approached civilly enough, more akin to beggars than thieves, and she had encouraged Ser Arryk to sheathe his sword when she had heard the sound of metal scraping the scabbard. They only wish to talk, she had assured him, and who am I to deny them that? At first, it had only been that. A simple conversation between herself and the men. But then the largest of them had grown impatient and lunged forward to grab her and it had all fallen apart from there. She had come away from it mostly unscathed- which is more than she could say for the man who had grabbed her. A bruised wrist from his hand, a sore arm from Ser Arryk's when he had dragged her away, a small cut on her brow, and a bruise on her hip from when she had fallen. She had considered herself rather lucky at the end of it, but it is clear Aemond did not share her opinion on the matter.

"It was only a small altercation and I am fine."

"A small altercation that should not have happened at all."

She sighs tiredly before turning to face the maester. He takes the pause in conversation as his cue to flee, once again assuring them that her injuries are minor before taking his leave. The door closes heavily behind him and then they are alone. That fact seems to do little to calm him, his face still looking like a storm, feet planted stubbornly in place next to the door.

She suppresses the urge to sigh again. "A handful of bruises and a tiny cut are not worth upsetting yourself over."

He scoffs. "You forget just how you received them then."

She stands then, making her way toward him. He remains petulant, though she thinks she can see him beginning to soften a hair when she grabs hold of his arms. He looks at her for only a moment before his eye travels upward, all but glaring at the gash now adorning her hairline. His hand comes up to her forehead, running his thumb along the wound.

"I don't like the idea of you going into the city if this is how they intend on treating you."

She tuts. "The actions of a few do not represent the many."

That manages to pull something that almost looks like a smile from him. "A philosopher now, are you?"

"You are not the only one with access to the Red Keep's library." Her grip on him tightens, shaking him lightly, but the half smile disappears when he looks down at her bruised wrist again. This time she does nothing to hide her sigh. "Nothing happened, my love."

"Nor will it again."

He presses a kiss to her forehead, careful to avoid the wound but a bit too rough to be considered sweet, before pulling the door behind them open and guiding her outside.

Read the rest here

[eldritch-thrumming]

i don’t need wings to help me fly, pt. 1

Steve still vividly remembers the day his grandmother had flown in to Indianapolis when he’d turned sixteen years old. He’d never met her before but his constantly-traveling parents weren’t around, so he’d been tasked with airport duty and delivering his grandmother to the best hotel in the city.

His grandmother had turned up her nose and sniffed the minute she’d walked off the plane in head-to-toe pink Chanel.

“Your parents let you live here?” She’d asked in a posh British accent, not a single hair out of place even after an 11 hour flight from Europe.

“Oh, we don’t live in the city,” Steve had told her, smiling and taking her bags from her diamond-encrusted hands. “We live an hour away from here.”

His grandmother had done a double-take at that. “You don’t even live in the city?” She’d sounded so appalled as Steve led her through the airport, her eyes widening as they’d passed the food court and she saw the McDonalds and the Dunkin Donuts. “Is this what you eat here?” She peered at someone’s tray as they’d passed with their Big Mac.

All Steve could do was laugh and accept his grandmother’s invitation to eat dinner with her in her penthouse suite at the hotel, where she’d hired a private chef for her week-long stay in the city. It was actually more of a command than an invitation, anyway.

That night, Steve had laughed as his grandmother had told him he was the Crown Prince of Genovia.

“Shut up,” Steve had laughed, dropping his fork with a clatter on the fancy porcelain of his plate.

“Shut up?” His grandmother had repeated, sounding aghast.

Steve shook his head. “No, I mean, like. Stop pulling my leg. That’s very funny, grandma.”

“I’m not joking, Steven. You are Steven Pierre Harrington Renaldi, Prince of Genovia.”

“Grandma,” Steve had said, still smiling. “I couldn’t even tell you where Genovia is on a map.”

And the rest had, as they say, been history. There had been a few bumps in the road and he’d almost abdicated his throne once or twice, but after spending every summer in Genovia for the past five years, he’d come to love his country and its people. Now, with his twenty-first birthday just one week away, he’s finally moving to Genovia’s Royal Palace full time.

When he’s brought into the palace from the private royal airport, he’s told that his grandmother is in a meeting with representatives from Genovia’s parliament. Since Steve hasn’t been crowned king yet, he’s technically not allowed to sit in on those types of meetings, but when he’d been exploring the palace when he was 17, he’d found a passage that ran directly behind his grandmother’s public state rooms where she met with foreign dignitaries and domestic politicians. After being delivered to his room by palace staff, Steve quickly changed from his airplane clothes and made his way to the passage. As he unlocked the tiny gate that would allow him to see and hear what was happening in the room, he hears his grandmother’s raised voice.

“You cannot possibly be serious!” She says loudly and it’s the first time Steve has ever heard his grandmother come close to yelling. “That piece of legislation is absolutely archaic!”

“Archaic though it may be, it still exists,” the man across from where his grandmother sits says smugly. Steve does not like the condescending way the man looks at his grandmother.

“We’ve never enforced the law before,” his grandmother insists.

“We’ve never needed to,” Prime Minister Motaz concedes reluctantly from Steve’s grandmother’s side. Steve watches as she turns to him in shock.

“And we don’t need to now!” Steve thinks his grandmother might be coming close to slamming her fist down on the table.

“Steven is young. He has no experience,” another voice comes from someplace in the room that Steve can’t see. “It’s not a bad idea to give him as much support as he can possibly have.”

Steve goes hot all over, flushing with indignation. His throat burns. He wants to defend himself, but he’s technically not even supposed to know who’s in this meeting right now.

“And forcing him to marry would be our way of giving him support?” His grandmother sounds incredulous. Steve’s mouth goes dry. Marry? Him? He’d only just graduated college

“No one’s forcing anything,” the smug man across the table from his grandmother says gleefully. “He’s allowed to pick whoever he wants. As it happens, I have the perfect candidate in mind.”

“If you’re talking about your deadbeat, drop out of a son, then this meeting is officially over,” Steve can practically hear the way his grandmother rolls her eyes at the man. He can’t help the smile that spreads across his face as he hears her.

“I’ll have you know that Eddie has returned to school and is currently at the top of his class in the comparative literature program,” the man says haughtily.

“Oh, perfect, his ability to analyze Chaucer will be the perfect addition in running the country to Steve’s expertise in international relations and political science from his accelerated dual masters program,” Steve’s grandmother replies sarcastically.

Steve practically fist pumps in his hiding spot. His grandma is so badass.

“Your Majesty,” the prime minister cuts in reluctantly. “Now that Viscount Mabrey has brought the marriage clause to our attention we have no choice but to bring this to a parliamentary vote. The entire body is meeting tomorrow morning; we’ll cover it then. You are, of course, welcome to attend, but you mustn’t interfere with the vote.” He glances across the table at the smug man who is apparently Viscount Mabrey. “Either of you.”

Steve can tell that the meeting is clearly wrapping up and it’s only a matter of time before his grandmother comes looking for him, so he quickly latches the little window and hurriedly leaves his hiding spot behind. As he’s glancing down at his clothes, brushing dirt and cobwebs from the fabric, he bumps into someone as he rounds the corner of the main hall. The stranger grasps Steve’s elbows, keeping him upright. Steve raises his gaze and meets a set of intense, deeply brown eyes. Pretty, Steve thinks.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” the stranger smiles and Steve registers the rest of his face. He takes in the dimples and the long curling dark hair falling around his shoulders. Pretty, Steve thinks again. “Wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“No, uh—no worries, my fault,” Steve stammers out, before clearing his throat. “I’m Steve.”

The stranger tilts his head. “Yeah, man, I know.” His smile widens. “I’ll see you around, Prince Steven.” And then, without another word, he continues his way down the hall, in the direction Steve had just come from.

~*~

“I don’t get it,” Steve says to his grandmother, running a shaking hand through his hair. “I spent all this time studying and reading and interning and now they’re telling me I can’t be king unless I’m married? What kind of old-fashioned, ancient law is this?”

“Honestly,” his grandmother replies, “the law, sadly, is not even that old. It was ratified only 75 years ago. I’m not sure why, as it’s never been enforced until now. We’ll have to keep a keen eye on Viscount Mabrey and his no good son, though. They’ve got to be up to something.”

“Who’s his son?” Steve asks.

“Oh, I don’t remember his name. He’s completing a degree at Oxford—though between you and me, he’s dropped out twice already, so who knows about all that,” his grandmother waves a dismissive hand through the air.

“Grandma,” Steve says reproachfully, but even he can’t help but laugh a little. These people are trying to steal his crown, after all.

“Oh, Steven, I wanted your birthday week to be perfect for you,” his grandmother turns to him and grasps both his hands in hers, her eyes glassy. “I know this isn’t what you expected to come home to, but there’s nothing we can do until Parliament casts its vote in the morning. So let’s just focus on your birthday ball tonight, shall we?” She squeezes his hands in hers and then let’s them drop. “I’ve flown Paulo in to help you dress for the night.”

Steve groans. The last time he’d seen Paulo, the stylist had leaked his identity as the long lost prince of Genovia to the press. But he’s so good at what he does, his grandmother had apparently found it in herself to forgive him. And honestly, the leak had been somewhat of a blessing in disguise, one that allowed Steve to embrace both sides of himself: the small-town Indiana boy-next-door and the European royal with the world at his fingertips.

“Time to get ready for your ball, Steven,” his grandmother tells him happily.

~*~

Steve always feels strange when he has to dress up for a big event. He doesn’t hate it, exactly—he actually kind of likes it—but he still feels a little like he’s wearing a costume and he knows occasions like this are going to be even more frequent after his coronation in a month and a half.

Steve makes his way into the ballroom and let’s himself be announced to his guests. The ball has already started and he crosses the dance floor to greet his grandmother.

“Ah, Steven,” she greets him, kissing him on each of his cheeks. “You look beautiful, my darling.”

“Thank you, grandma,” Steve responds, glancing down at his tux. “You look gorgeous as ever, of course.” And she does. Her dark hair is curled and piled on top of her head, artfully arranged around her shining diamond and pearl tiara. Her deep violet gown flares out at the waist and brings out the emerald green of her eyes. She’s stunning and regal, all the things a queen should be. Steve’s going to have a hard time filling her shoes when he’s crowned king.

“Happy birthday, my love,” his grandmother says, hugging him to her. “Go have fun. Dance. Eat cake.” She gently pushes him toward the dance floor and Steve can’t help but laugh.

He wanders over toward the buffet table full of cupcakes and cookies, his giant green and gold birthday cake in the center. His mouth waters slightly just looking at the flowers of spun sugar decorating the top. He knows it’s chocolate with vanilla frosting, his favorite. He’s so intent on getting himself a piece of his birthday cake that he misses the person crossing his path.

Steve bumps directly into a hard body for the second time in one day. He’s usually not this clumsy. A large, ringed hand flies out to grasp his bicep, keeping him upright.

“We have to stop meeting like this,” a familiar deep voice says, laughter lacing the words. Steve stares up into now-familiar deep brown eyes.

“Oh, you—sorry,” Steve replies, smoothing his palms down the front of his tuxedo jacket. The stranger from earlier stands in front of him, wearing black on black on black, polished and pressed and just as beautiful as before. His curly hair is tied in a neat low ponytail and his mouth is curved into a smile, once again showing off the dimples Steve hasn’t stopped thinking about since this afternoon. His eyes are sparkling.

“Not at all,” the stranger shakes his head. “My fault entirely, Prince Steven.”

Steve clears his throat. “You don’t have to keep calling me that. You can call me Steve.” He’s glad he doesn’t stutter this time, his voice coming out smooth and clear, regaining some of his Indiana charm.

“Steve, then,” the stranger’s smile widens.

“And you are?” Steve prompts.

“And I… was just about to ask you to dance,”the stranger says, holding out his hand.

Steve is… completely charmed. Sure, he doesn’t know this man’s name, but he’s beautiful and charismatic and Steve only has a few friends his age here in Genovia, so he takes the stranger’s hand and let’s himself be led out on to the dance floor. The stranger must be in the high ranks of Genovian society to have even scored an invite to tonight’s ball and Steve racks his brain to remember if there were any sons of Parliament members he hadn’t met yet. He doesn’t think so.

Once they’re on the dance floor, Steve’s breath catches as a strong hand circles his waist, another entwining their fingers together. Steve feels himself being twirled around the dance floor and it’s dizzying for more reasons than one. The stranger is captivating, his gaze magnetic.

“Okay,” Steve says after a few minutes of dancing. “You have to tell me your name, man.”

The stranger smiles again. “You can call me Eddie.” The song they’ve been dancing to comes to an end. Eddie raises Steve’s hand to his lips, brushing his mouth across Steve’s knuckles. “I hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, Steve.” And then he turns and disappears into the crowd, leaving Steve dizzy and blushing on the dance floor.

[lialacleaf]

Simon Riley x Reader: Baking Headcannons Pt. 4

The Finale

Thank you all for your support of the Baking Headcannons! Despite this being the finale, I will be posting one shots for this series to my Patreon account in the near future!

Little feet pitter-patter across the floor of your home, and you watch from the couch as a small head of blonde hair pops up, a little hand swiping a lemon shortbread cookie off the plate settled on the counter.

Your home is often full of sweets and baked goods, and you're certain your husband gains a pound or two when he comes home from deployment. It's not like he's not going to work it off later anyway.

"Momma, why do you like making shortbread cookies so much?" Your daughter has always loved your cookies just as much as your husband does, and you smile at the memory of your first attempt at making them.

Simon always knew when you'd pulled his mother's cookbook out, and you could only describe the way he slunk into the kitchen as a lost puppy following his nose home by the smell of his favorite treats.

"What is it with you and the shortbread?" you asked one evening, licking lemon batter off the spoon once you'd stuck the cookies in the oven.

The look he gives you is so close to a smile it hurts. "Mum used to make em' for my birthday," he'd say, and you'd swallow thickly, bumping his shoulder playfully with your own.

Six months later you'd perfected the recipe for his birthday, just like his Mum would have done for Simon if she were still there.

After that, shortbread cookies had become a tradition. They were the first thing you and Simon baked when you moved in together and were featured on the dessert table at your wedding.

You still felt your face grow red at the memory of your mother profusely thanking Simon for teaching you how to cook, as she no longer had to fear for the safety of her kitchen during the holidays.

Blueberry shortbread had announced the arrival of your firstborn son to the team, and Johnny had beamed as he proclaimed himself an uncle, crumbs collecting at the corner of his mouth.

It didn't escape your notice that Simon wished Tommy was there to share a beloved family treat to celebrate the news, and the absence of an uncle, aunt, and cousin would be forever mourned. He hung an old family photo in the nursery, a promise that while they were gone, they would never be forgotten in the Riley household.

The first thing you baked with your son was his father's favorite shortbread cookies, and Simon had caught the two of you licking the mixing bowl with pure adoration.

"It's a very special family recipe," you explain to your daughter, lifting her into your lap as Simon simply smiles at her from beside you, your son already curled up against his father's side as he doses off with a full stomac of sweets.

"Do I get Grandma's cookbook if I get married before Tomas?" your daughter asks, and Simon chuckles.

"If the lad can't cook I suppose you'll need it," Simon offers with a grin directed your way, and you swat his leg playfully.

"If you get Grandma's book first, you'll have to give it to Tommy's wife someday, welcome her into the family," you warn, and your daughter's features pinch in disbelief.

"No one wants to marry Tomas," she says in disgust, and you can't help but laugh at the way she whispers her brother's name, as if not to wake him so that he might defend his charm.

"Funny, they said the same thing about your father," you snickered, and Simon rolled his eyes.

"Mhm. And yet I was the one winning you over with my skills in the kitchen."

You smile as your daughter giggles, nestling between you and Simon contently.

You have everything you could ever need. Everything you could ever want. You've given Simon more than he ever thought he would have in his lifetime, and it all started with a cookbook.

I hope you guys liked the ending! This was originally supposed to be one part but then it just kept going...

tags: @i-feel-violated @oranoyaora @beautifulcollectivewolf @notsosweetcheeks @vinithechocolatevampire @prttylilkittn @babygirl-riley @animarix @emily-roberts @bibbyreads @originaldeerhottub

[schrijverr]

I Found Myself a Cheerleader 9

Chapter 9 out of 28

Bumped to the lowest step on the social ladder after his fight with Billy, Steve gets roped in with the cheer team. What starts as a favor to help them out when one member breaks her leg in turn for protection from the brunt of the bullying, sets the universe on a different path.

In this chapter, on the dirty bathroom floor of Starcourt mall, Steve and Robin confess to each other that they’re as queer as they come, finding solidarity despite the world crumbling around them, before they have to go back into the fray. With everything that goes down, the Byers have enough on their plates and Steve is instead caught by the Buckleys.

On AO3.

Ships: eventual steddie & buckingham

Warnings: after affects of drugs, period typical homophobia mention, f-slur, fighting, minor character death, injury

~~~~~~~

Chapter 9: The Bathroom

Steve cannot tell you exactly how he ended up on the bathroom floor with Robin. The whole route there is blurry and embarrassing. Nothing says a good end, like throwing up. Though, the urge to vomit is gone now.

He sits back against the wall with a groan and blinks a few times, then comments: “The ceiling stopped spinning for me. Is it still spinning for you?”

It’s quiet from the other stall for a second, then he hears an awed: “Holy shit. No.”

“You think we puked it all up?” Steve asks, not sure if it works like that when they injected it into their bloodstream.

“Maybe? Ask me something,” Robin says, putting on a Russian accent as she adds: “Interrogate me.”

“Okay,” Steve huffs, because laughing at the Russian accent makes it less scary and he needs it to not be scary right now. “Interrogate you. Sure. Uhm…” He thinks for a little. “When was the last time you, uh, peed your pants?”

“Today,” comes the immediate answer.

“What?” he laughs, slightly disbelieving.

“When the Russian doctor took out the bone saw,” she explains as Steve giggles more. “It was just a little bit, though,” she defends.

They burst into laughter again. There is enough in their system to make them giggly and a tad too honest, but uncaring about it.

Excitedly, Robin demands: “All right, my turn.”

And Steve gives in easily: “Okay. Hit me.”

“Have you…” Robin starts, thinking for a second, before hitting Steve with a hard one, “ever been in love?”

“Yep,” bubbles out of his throat before he can stop it and he quickly modifies it to fit what he told other people. “Nancy Wheeler. First semester, senior year.”

“Oh my god,” Robin exclaims in that same tone she uses when Steve tells her some drama he heard while she was on break. “She is such a priss.”

“Turns out, not really,” Steve says, because even if he never loved her like he wanted to, he cares deeply about her and he’s seen to much of her to let her be Ice Princess Wheeler in the minds of people, when she’s so much more.

“Are you still in love with Nancy?” Robin asks quietly after a second.

“No,” Steve says, despite not wanting to. Telling Robin he loves Nancy would be easier, it might discourage her from making a move on him, but he doesn’t want that. He wants to be honest with Robin. After all they’ve seen, he doesn’t want to lie to her.

“Why not?”

Because I’m gay, is what Steve wants to say, but the words haven’t come easy. Never have. Even that time with Eddie, the other guessed and then he agreed. He has never really said them like that, never.

Eddie.

Beautiful, charismatic Eddie.

If there is one person, he wants to kiss, it is him. He wants to know if those rings will get caught in his hair, if Eddie’s tongue will be as wicked as it looked around that sample, if he’ll feel his scruff, how those narrow hips will feel under his hands. Without thinking about it, he starts to try and tell Robin that.

“I think it’s because I found someone who’s a little bit better for me.” He chuckles. “It’s crazy. Ever since Dustin got home, he’s been saying: ‘You know, you gotta find your Suzie. You gotta find your Suzie.’”

“Wait, who’s Suzie?” Robin interrupts him and Steve is glad she’s trying to understand him, trying to get what he’s saying, willing to listen to what he’s having a difficult time communicating.

“It's some girl from camp, I guess his girlfriend,” he explains. “To be honest with you, I'm not 100% sure she's even real. But that’s not- that’s not really the point. That doesn’t matter. The point is this b- person, you know, the one I like?”

God, he nearly fucked up there, nearly said boy. It is what he wants to say, but not like that. Robin needs to know more than that. Needs to know how he’s tired of fitting in, tired of playing this perfect person. She can’t leave before that, he can’t make her hate him yet.

So, he goes on a little more carefully: “It’s somebody that I didn’t even talk to in school. Not really. And I don’t even know why. I mean, at the end, I was already one of the freaks. What would it have mattered if Tommy H. would’ve made for of me or I wouldn’t be prom king? It’s stupid. I mean, Dustin’s right, it’s all just a bunch of bullshit anyways.”

He’s breathing a little more heavily now, chest heavy with regret of how he shut Eddie out after their talk. And how despite that Eddie stood up for him, Eddie was there for him with kind words and understanding when he was kicked out.

“I should’ve been hanging out with this person the whole time,” he says ruefully. “First of all, they’re a little weird, but that makes them so much better to be around. We’ve been through similar things, like we get each other, there’s a connection there. And they’re smart, way smarter than me, can put together things easily. Also a little clumsy, but I love how they move anyway. They’re honestly unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.”

Steve sighs after his little speech. He still hasn’t said what he wanted, instead getting stuck on wistful thinking about Eddie. It’s easier to go on about him as a concept than to say that he’s in love with another man.

He’s pretty sure Robin will be cool, even if he’s ruining any chance she thought she had. Robin, whom he now realizes, is very quiet. Too quiet. Immediately he pictures her having died from drug poisoning or some shit without him noticing and he asks: “Robin?”

Fear only grows when he gets no response, so he taps on the stall and asks: “Robin, did you just OD in there?” trying not to let the panic show as any thought about Eddie disappears under worry for Robin.

“No,” Robin sighs in a way that doesn’t sit right with Steve. Her whole voice doesn’t sit right with him and alarm bells are ringing as she says: “I am still alive.”

Needing to make sure she actually is alright, Steve slides under the stall, uncaring about how gross that is. Relief flooding his veins when she is okay, only looking a little downtrodden as she leans against the other side of the stall.

“The floor is disgusting,” she tells him.

“Yeah, well, I already got a bunch of blood and puke on my shirt, so…” Steve shrugs with a small smile. Robin doesn’t reply to that beyond a tired smile and Steve’s heart is beating in his chest, wondering if she has put it together yet. Softly he asks: “What do you think?”

“About?” Robin shoots back as if she hasn’t yet.

“This person,” Steve clarifies, hating how hard this is, how easy he wants it to be, because this is Robin and they’ve just been tortured in a secret Russian base together, so him being gay can’t really top that. Yet still, he can’t say it, needs her to put it together like Eddie had, so he can agree, instead of deny like he’ll usually do.

“She sounds awesome,” Robin tells him.

Steve wants to pull his hair out, because she isn’t getting him. So he shakes his head and tries to be more explicit about it: “The guy.”

“Look,” Robin starts, looking like she’s not at all having the same conversation he’s having, “he doesn’t even know this girl. And if he did know her, like- like really know her. I don’t think he’d even want to be her friend.”

Now Steve is sure that she isn’t having the same conversation and he realizes that she thinks he won’t want to be friends after today. That takes priority over his bullshit and he frowns: “No, that’s not true. No way that is true.”

“Listen to me, Steve,” Robin says, looking him in the eye like she’s trying to make something clear and she doesn’t know what he’ll say to it. “It’s shocked me to my core, but I like you. I really like you. But I’m not like your other friends. I’m not a cheerleader. And I’m not like Nancy Wheeler.”

It suddenly dawns on Steve that she thinks he is confessing his love to her. He runs through what he says and cringes when he realizes how easily that could be misconstrued. He says: “Robin, that’s not what I-”

“Stop,” Robin cuts him off. “Do you remember what I said about Click’s class? About me being jealous and, like, obsessed?”

“Yeah?” Steve says with a frown, wondering what she’s getting it and a little sure she’ll get mad if he tries to interrupt again. Though he’s mentally trying to figure out how to clear up the misunderstanding before she tries to kiss him or something, though that seems less likely now.

“It wasn’t because I had a crush on you. It’s because she wouldn’t stop staring at you,” Robin says, her tone wistful and it clicks for Steve what she is really saying, how they had the same misunderstanding, but in different directions.

“Who?” he asks, soft smile on his face, though Robin isn’t looking his way. His heart is swelling at the knowledge that she is like him, that she gets him, like he got her on that cold, Russian bunker floor earlier.

“Tammy Thompson,” she hesitantly answers after a second. “I wanted her to look at me, but she couldn’t pull her eyes away from you and your stupid hair. And I didn’t understand, because you would get bagel crumbs all over the floor. And you asked dumb questions. And you were a douchebag. And- and you didn’t even like her and I- I would go home and just scream into my pillow.”

The words hurt a little. Steve knows who he used to be and only the fact that he isn’t anymore eases the sting. His heart mostly aches for Robin. How that must have been. He remembers looking at Eddie, how he strutted over the tables, the only attention directed at Steve a sneer. How he longed to touch, but knew it was safer not to.

“I know how you feel,” he sighs, sounding more tired and longing than he’d meant to.

Robin’s head snaps up, brows furrowed in confusion. She’s probably wondering why he isn’t commenting on her lesbianism as she asks: “You do?”

“Yeah,” he gives her a crooked grin. Robin is queer. Robin is safe. He can just tell her. “You’re right, I didn’t like Tammy, hell, I didn’t even notice her looking. I’ve- I’ve never noticed. I was always too busy staring at Eddie. He shouldn’t even have been in that class either. Guess neither of us passed it. But he’d sit in the front row and make all these drawings and I’d just be stuck watching how he blew a strand of hair out of his face continuously and all I wanted to do, was tuck it behind his ear.”

He looks at Robin and her eyes are bulging out of her head and Steve gets it. He has worked very hard to be perceived as straight, especially since working with her. It has been a conscious effort.

“Surprise,” he says, a theme in his coming outs, it seems. “I lied when I said I joined the cheer squad to get in their pants, because I am actually a fag.”

Robin gapes a bit and Steve feels a little proud of rendering her speechless. When she finds her voice she screeches: “You’re- What the fuck, Harrington!”

“I’m sorry?” he says, not sure what to do with her reaction.

“Don’t say sorry, you dingus,” she tells him, grabbing his hand and shaking it excitedly. “Holy fuck, you’re also like me. We could’ve been gay gossiping for weeks now. Why didn’t you say! What was all the macho hetero bullshit for?”

“You know it’s not that easy,” Steve protests, not letting go of her hand. “You’re actually the first person I’ve told.”

“I am?” Robin sounds honored and surprised.

“Yeah,” Steve says. “I mean, someone else also knows, but promised not to tell. They guessed it though.” His voice turns a little bitter as he adds: “Not that it’s hard though.”

Robin squeezes his hand, looking a little tentative as she asks: “Is this related to the fight with your dad Chrissy mentioned?”

Steve honestly doesn’t know why she remembered that, but he finds himself nodding. It feels nice to tell someone now that it’s more settled, feels like less than on that first night with Eddie, yet bigger.

“Uhm, yeah, he- he got real mad. Kicked me out,” he says. “I’ve been living on the Byers couch the whole summer. Trying to save up for my own place.”

“He kicked you out?” Robin repeats with big eyes.

“It’s not that bad,” Steve lies, wanting to assure her that she’s going to be fine, that they both are going to be fine. “Nice to be rid of him. Don’t worry.”

“Alright,” Robin says, not looking like she believes him. They know each other too well for that now. Still, she is content to drop it now that he doesn’t want to talk about it and he’s grateful to her for that.

They sit in silence for a moment, before Robin grins and says: “So, Eddie Munson.”

Steve feels himself blush and he replies: “Shut up.”

“No, come on,” Robin whines. “I deserve to know about your big fat gay crush on Eddie Munson. It is, like, the best thing I’ve heard all summer. It’s Romeo and Juliet, two lovers on opposite sides of the school social sphere.”

“Shut up, no it isn’t,” Steve giggles. “We’re pretty close on the social ladder these days, Robs.”

“Just indulge me, Stevie,” Robin complains, shaking his hand in a demanding manner.

“He’s just pretty,” Steve tells her. “He has these brown eyes you can drown in and his fingers – fuck, musicians hands, you know?”

“Iew, don’t tell me about that,” Robin squeals with delight.

“Oh come on, you wanted to know,” Steve protests, also grinning.

“I wanted to know about how you managed to get a crush on an absolute weirdo, who walks on tables and holds dramatic speeches like he’s the main character in a book,” Robin exclaims. “Not you being lustful for his hands!”

“Lustful?” Steve repeats, nearly choking on a laugh.

“You heard me, lustful. I see right through you, dingus. You and your lewd thoughts,” Robin says, trying to look serious, but already starting to crack.

“Shut up,” Steve laughs. “It’s not my fault I have a crush on someone interesting and cute instead of a total dud.”

“Tammy isn’t a dud,” Robin protests.

“Yes, she is. She wants to be like a singer. She wants to move to like Nashville and shit,” Steve informs her with a teasing grin.

“She has dreams,” Robin pouts.

“She can’t even hold a tune,” Steve exclaims, Robin also starting to smile as he makes a total fool out of himself. “She’s practically tone deaf. Have you heard her? All the time.” He starts to sing Total Eclipse of the Heart in his best Tammy impression.

“Shut up!” Robin is obviously trying to stop from laughing. “She does not sound like that.”

“She sounds exactly like that. That’s a great impersonation of her.” Okay, so Steve can be a bit mean, let him. Tammy is a bad singer and they both know it.

Still, Robin takes it up for her, blinded by rose colored glasses. “She does not. You sound like a Muppet!”

Gleefully, Steve points out: “She sounds like a Muppet. She sounds like a Muppet giving birth,” the statement enough to get Robin to laugh too.

She starts to sing too, sounding like Kermit. Both of them giggling like idiots, not just at their own singing and stupid joke, but at the relief of having told someone and it being okay. Not only that, but having that other person be like them. To have a friend, who knows you wholly, who understands and still loves you.

Steve can practically feel that Robin is going to be his best friend for life.

They get interrupted by Dustin and Erica and their giggly mood is too big to not crack up at his offended: “What the hell!”

After that, the mood goes down pretty quickly. They’re still stuck in the mall with the Russians and not only that, but there has been more going on than just the base beneath Starcourt, which has the entire party coming together from all over town, each through different trail.

And something is wrong with El. She has been injured and Steve feels sick, watching her remove something from her leg with her powers. Fuck, she’s already been through too much for her age, she should be done with this shit and be a kid by now.

The only positive in the whole situation is that Hopper and Joyce also seem caught up in it, which is bad, because Joyce definitely deserves a break, but Steve is glad he isn’t the oldest. That he doesn’t have to be the adult. Happy to defer to them in this situation. Them and their weird friend. Honestly, Steve is over asking questions.

He just sits back and watches as the ping ponging of stories and arguments slowly morphs into a strategy against whatever they’re up against now. It probably can’t get worse than a demogorgon or a horde of Russians, Steve reasons, and he already survived that.

Steve is send with Dustin, Erica and Robin to the radio tower thingy Dustin built. Hopper puts him in charge handing him keys to a stolen car. As he does, he frowns at the state of Steve’s face and asks: “You good to drive, kid?”

“Yes, sir,” Steve says, sending Hopper a smile that hurts his bruised face. His vision is still a little blurry and he has never had a worse headache, not even after Billy, but there is a tentacle flesh monster out there. He’s not letting Dustin and Erica out of his sight after what happened, nor Robin after being separated in the base.

Hopper scrutinizes him a second longer, obviously not fully believing Steve. “Alright,” he does give in in the end. They can’t afford not to. “But after this, I’m dragging you to a hospital, kid. You look like you got run over.”

“Sounds good to me,” Steve agrees and it isn’t even a lie. A doctor would be smart after all the abuse he’s been through today. He can’t afford more brain damage.

So, Steve gets the keys to a car that is honestly a beauty and orders to keep three smart dumbasses alive through the night.

Steve can do that.

He lets Dustin direct him to Weathertop, which is probably another nerd reference he isn’t getting, but that’s okay. Directions are directions and Steve can follow those.

Todfather, the car, the sweet sweet car, can’t make it fully up the hill, so they walk the last bit. The tower looks complicated and Steve is impressed by the smarts of his little buddy. Fuck, that kid is going to make it far.

They listen as Dustin and Erica coach the weird friend through the Russian bunker, sounding incomprehensible as they discuss where he needs to go next. And it is not until the guy goes radio silent for a bit that they check with the others at the mall: “Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troops. Do you copy? Over.”

Silence.

“Griswold Family, I repeats, this is Scoops Troop. Do you-” Dustin’s frantic talking gets interrupted by a monstrous shriek from the radio. All of their hearts stopping. Again Dustin starts up: “Griswold Family, do you copy? Do you copy?”

Instead of an answer, there is more roaring and all of them start to fear the worst. Steve can already envision Joyce coming out of that base to find her children dead, Steve having been safely tucked away at the radio as monsters tore her little Will and brave Jonathan apart.

Dustin holds fast, continuing to radio. “Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troop. Please, confirm your safety. Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troop. Please confirm your safety. Are you en route to Bald Eagle's nest?”

Still no answer and Dustin’s voice is starting to waver as he begs: “Please confirm your safety. Someone, please just answer. Is anyone there? Anyone, please!”

Something in Steve snaps, he can’t listen to Dustin trying and failing to make contact with the others. Something is wrong. Very wrong. Nancy would've said something if they were okay. They are in trouble and Steve is going to help.

He gets up and starts walking to his car with determination. Dustin demands to know where he’s going and Steve snaps: “To get them the hell out of there!”

Robin jumps up and follows, grabbing his hands as they get into the car, radio with them just in case.

Steve has never broken this many speed limits in his life, now glad for his days as King Steve when he and Tommy would race each other over back roads when drunk. Utterly stupid thing to do, he knows that, but it gives him the ability to drift corners even with his vision half blurred and his head spinning.

When they get to the mall, the whole thing is chaos. The rest of the party is standing around a car, but it obviously isn’t starting. Not a moment later, Robin gasps and points at the car that is ready to slam into them, her eyes better equipped to see right now.

Without thinking, Steve revs the engine too as he speeds more. Robin’s hand is on his, clutching it like a lifeline while screaming bloody murder about car safety.

Together they barrel towards Billy’s car. Steve lets go of Robin’s hand to brace both hands on the wheel, while Robin clicks her seat belt on. Steve might not be the one translating the secret message, but he can see the trajectory of Billy’s car and figure out where to aim, so they’ll collide in a magnificent crash.

He nearly hits his head on the wheel and his neck strains on impact. His already spinning head only spins more and he blinks a few times, his brain not yet caught up with the fact that he just crashed the car.

The yelling gets him moving as the others finally get the other car working and they drive away, the Mind Flayer hot on their tail.

Then Steve goes through what might be the strangest minutes of his life as Suzie is confirmed to be real in the weirdest way possible. Part of him thinks it’s the concussion, until he sees Robin’s bemused expression.

However, the hilarity of Dustin and his girlfriend singing cannot erase the horror of the Mind Flayer. How it chases them. How they have to fight it. How El has to fight it. How Billy dies because of it. How Max screams when it happens.

Steve doesn’t think he’ll ever be able to forget those screams. He stands there uselessly, watching, feet frozen.

Robin’s hand finds his again and he takes great comfort in her smaller, yet warm palm in his own as they stand in the ruined hall of Starcourt mall, the place that has held them hostage for so many hours this summer.

The warmth helps him stay grounded. He squeezes her hand once, then starts to walk, letting his grip stay loose in case she wants to let go, but she doesn’t. She follows his lead like she had back in the bunker when she stayed by his side, even though she could have left. It’s nice to be wanted in such a way.

Nancy is checking over Mike, Jonathan has caught Will. Lucas has informed Dustin and Erica about how it went, before going to hold Max together with El.

It still hasn’t fully landed that Billy just died, even as he makes his way to the body. El has gotten Max away from the corpse, but it’s still there, Billy’s unseeing eyes staring up to the sky. His chest is ripped open, white cloth stained red.

Steve has never liked Billy. Ever since the man came into town, he has made Steve’s life as miserable as he could. Steve isn’t going to miss the fear hanging over him with Billy and his harsh words and dangerous fists. How he terrorized Max and Lucas. All the slurs he slung around.

But even if Steve hates Billy’s guts, he won’t forget watching him die and he can be thankful to him for shielding El, even if it was an egomaniac move only done to stick it to the Mind Flayer, not out of any care for El or Max at all.

With mixed feelings, Steve kneels down next to Billy and closes his eyes. He doesn’t have anything to cover the gruesome wound, but he looks less dead like that.

Steve nods to himself, then gets up, walking to Max, Robin hot on his trail. Max doesn’t look to be in a state to move or talk, so Steve asks Lucas: “You guys okay?” wanting to help, but unsure how he can be useful.

“We got her,” Lucas assures him with a tight smile that looks closer to a grimace.

Seems like Steve isn’t really useful. And without purpose, he starts to feel his injuries, starts to shut down. He isn’t sure how he’s still standing right now.

Right as he’s about to start swaying, the mall gets flooded with soldiers in full combat gear. They’re shouting, barking orders, in a way that is too close to the Russians for comfort right now. Steve’s muscles automatically tense and he feels how Robin starts to tremble besides him.

He pulls her a little closer. She’s his person now and the others are all cared for, but Robin is new to this and she is scared now. Steve can be there for her.

So, he holds her as closely as he can, letting her cling to him. His lip wants to wobble, but he bites on it to stop it. He’s been through this before, he knows how to deal with the aftermath and right now Robin needs him to be strong.

There is no Hopper, no Joyce that can take over and be the adult. Steve is the oldest and he has to make it seem like it’s all going to be okay. Like this is normal. Like you can get used to this and move on someday. That they all lived. That they’re fine now. They just need to wait until the government lets them go. He just needs to hold on until Joyce and Hopper get back up from the bunker and then they can be the adults.

His knees start to get unsteady, but he locks them up tight, bites his lip again and lets the zing of pain it sends through him make him aware.

Pain is his hold on.

Instead of letting it drag him down, he clings to it. Focuses on the way his beat in face throbs and his bruised ribs ache, how his ears ring and his vision blurs a bit on the left. It’s easier to focus on that, than the yelling that scares him and the need to be held that overtakes him.

He needs to keep his head in the game. It’s just like in basketball or cheer. Just focus on getting through it, block out the jeering and cheering and just focus on catching and throwing, how his body feels as he moves and where he needs to go.

Steve has Robin, the others are also taken care of. Joyce and Hopper must be on their way back up with their friend. That just leaves Dustin and Erica. They need to be safe too.

With that in mind, he gets the attention of one of the soldiers that looks to be giving orders. He puts on his best Harrington, an attitude that always gets what it wants and informs the man of the two kids out there on a hill alone. Demands they’d be brought to safety too.

The man doesn’t look happy with the news, but Steve doesn’t back down until there are people en route to get the two nerds to safety.

All throughout, Robin stays glued to him and he’s sure it’s the only reason he manages to keep his perfect posture until his demands are met. After the man agrees, Steve stumbles a bit. He tries to stay upright, because Hopper and Joyce aren’t back yet and Steve has to be the eldest.

But Robin doesn’t let him. She loudly starts worrying about all that might be wrong with him, convinced he’s going to kneel over. She is loud enough that a medic that came with the soldiers comes to check Steve over.

Steve protests at first, but Robin doesn’t let him. She tells the man what happened to him – in as much detail as she knows – and the medic’s eyes widen in concern. The medic grills Steve, poking and prodding at him.

It feels a bit too much like an interrogation for Steve’s liking and he gladly clings to the first distraction he sees.

Joyce returns from the bunker and with her is the weird guy, the two of them flanked by American soldiers, their stolen Russian uniforms standing out. Without thinking about it, Steve starts to scan for Hopper, expecting him to see him and frowning when he doesn’t.

He isn’t the only one thinking about that, it seems, because El leaves Max in Lucas’ capable hands and wanders over to Joyce. At this point Steve is flat out ignoring the medic with a frown on his face as he follows the interaction happening a few feet away. El innocently and slightly confused asks: “Where is Hopper?”

And he watches as Joyce starts to cry at the question, the sudden realization that Hopper isn’t coming back, hitting Steve.

“Joyce?” El asks, sounding a little scared as she watches Joyce cry, the meaning of the situation hasn’t reached her yet.

“Oh god, I- I’m so sorry, honey,” Joyce says and Steve can hear her voice crack across the distance as she takes El into her arms. “He- He didn’t make it.”

Steve watches as it hits El that she has lost her first parental figure. The only dad that ever cared for her in a way that mattered. The man, who has been her whole world for nearly two years now. Who took her in and let her be a person.

If Steve thought he would never forget Max’s scream, that doesn’t hold a candle to how El wails at the news, clutching Joyce as she collapses.

The two hold each other, mourning the loss of a man they both loved.

It hits Steve at that moment.

Hopper is gone.

The chief is gone.

The man, who drove him home and made sure he didn’t drown in vomit after Billy kicked his ass, is gone. The man, who searched all night for him after his father kicked him out, is gone. The man, who stopped in the middle of a crisis to check in if Steve was alright enough to be part of the plan and made him promise to get checked out, is gone.

Hopper has always been El’s dad. His gruffness melting for this kid, who wormed her way inside his heart. However, he’s always had a soft spot for Steve too and he now starts to feel the emptiness where that cushion used to be.

This is a situation where he would defer to Hopper for. Look at him to see what has to be done now. How to make it better. But Hopper isn’t here. Hopper is dead.

Steve is the one, who has to step up now. Take charge of clean up and make sure everyone gets home alright. His body aches, both with grief and injury at the thought, but he pushes it away. He has big shoes to fill.

Mentally he goes over everyone. Mrs. Henderson will be in a worry when she hears, come for Dustin and coddle him until he’s exhausted. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair also have been through this before, so Erica and Lucas are in good hands. Nancy has Mike and knows how to steer her parents in these situations. They’re good too. That leaves the Byers, El, Max and Robin.

The Byers have been through this before. They’re going to be fine, but Joyce lost Hopper and Joyce is the one El clings to. They might turn out to be fine, but they have a lot on their plate. Steve decides he’ll find a place of his own to stay tonight. Lighten Joyce’s load. El can go with them, get the understanding and love of someone who knows.

With that mentally settled, he moves on to Max. God, Max. Max just lost her brother. She’s going to have to go home to her step father, who just lost his son. Fuck, what does Steve do about that? Will the Sinclairs take her for the night? Will her parents come? When will they know that Billy hasn’t made it?

He focuses back on the medic, who’s been giving him a moment and asks: “What will the cover up be?”

“I don’t know, kid,” the medic tells him. “Not my department.”

“Will you let Billy be found?” Steve asks. “Give the family some closure. It’s the least you can do after Max had to see him die. Make that she can talk about it to someone.”

There must be something in his eyes, because the man gives him a sympathetic nod and says: “I’ll mention it to the higher ups,” which is all Steve can hope for. He can’t offer Max a home for the night, safety, a shoulder to lean on. But he can give her that.

“Is Steve going to be okay?” Robin asks from next to him, changing the subject. She’s still there, fierce and loyal. In another life, Steve could have been in love with her.

“I’m fine,” Steve tells her. He doesn’t feel fine, but Hopper would have been fine, if he were here, no matter what. Steve can be fine too. Move on. Be a rock.

“No you’re not, kid,” the medic says, foiling that plan. “You need to be under supervision tonight. You have a concussion and cracked ribs. You need to take it easy. Stay still. Do not strain yourself, do you understand? But you did get incredibly lucky, these injuries could have been a lot worse.”

Steve sends him a scowl, but Robin jumps in: “My mom is a nurse. He can stay with me tonight and she’ll make sure he won’t die.”

The offer sends warmth down Steve’s spine. Robin wants him by her side as much as he wants her at his. She is looking after him, even if he doesn’t need it. And she just solved one of the biggest problems of the night.

“That sounds like a good idea,” the medic smiles. “I’ll let you be for now. I’m sure someone will come by with a story and then you’ll be able to call your parents.”

Then the medic leaves and Robin heaves a deep sigh. She rests her cheek on Steve’s shoulder and he leans his head against hers. Quietly she asks: “Are we going to be okay, Stevie?”

“I don’t know, Robs, probably,” Steve answers honestly. He has always returned from these, but he hasn’t been the same since he knocked on the Byers door, now already so long ago. He thinks it’s been for the better, but he doesn’t know.

They sit there together as around them the government starts with the clean up, going through everyone and getting their story. Steve wants to go comfort them or help, but Robin keeps him chained to the bench and he’s too tired to fight her. Nor does he want to. Getting up and taking over means accepting Hopper isn’t here to do it. That he’ll never be again.

After what seems like hours – and probably is, if Steve thinks about it – they get fed a story about a fire, before Robin can call her parents as Steve tells Joyce where he’ll be, her face grateful as she cards a hand through a distressed El’s hair.

They nod along and sign what needs to be sign, just happy that they can get out of here.

Robin’s parents are two hippie looking people that Steve’s father would have a lot of unsavory opinions about. But all Steve can see if love and affection as they fuss over Robin as he keeps in the background.

Though Robin quickly drags him into the spotlight, dramatically recounting a made up story about how Steve made sure she wouldn’t get stuck under the falling rubble. How he got injured because of it and needs to be watched tonight. How he can’t go home. How he has to stay, pretty please, he’s my friend, he saved my life and he’s injured because of it.

Steve waits for the inevitable further questions, the arguing about her request. Instead, they surprise him by saying: “Of course he can come home with us. Thank you so much for saving our girl. Here come to the car, you look like you need to sit down, sweetie.”

“Oh, I’m alright, Mrs. Buckley,” Steve stammers.

“None of that nonsense. I’ll take care of you, okay?” Robin’s mom says. “And call me Daisy. None of that Mrs. Buckley stuff.”

And with that Steve is taken home. His brain isn’t fully caught up. He barely remembers the drive to a small house and he falls asleep easily, only remembering the gentle hands of Robin’s mom as he is tucked in on the couch.

~~

A/N:

Nothing will ever be more iconic than the bathroom scene, okay, it is permanently part of me, it shaped me, I will never shut up about it and it will always be the best Stranger Things scene. Period. But I did make both of them more stupid, bc they loose braincells when put together and I love that for them xp

[mytemporarycomfort]

His Lady

A/N: I might be coming back to edit this one since I needed to dump this. It was a hard day at work and I needed this.

Revali x reader

Summary: Revali defends you from your asshole boss.

warnings: Asshole boss

The banquet after the defeat of Calamity was grand to put it simply. Everyone from all corners of Hyrule was attending. No one was excluded. The Champions put on their best face forward as the people of Hyrule all cheered as they passed. By dinner, Daruk and Link had already scarfed down half the pantry and some. Urbosa and Mipha talked in the corner, occasionally greeting attendants who wanted to give them gifts of appreciation. Revali was on the beams of the ceiling refusing to "take part in all this nonsense." It was too crowded down there, and he was still on guard so soon after the defeat. He darted his eyes around occasionally trying to look for some more familiar faces that weren't crowded around. Then he spotted one of his favorite person of course. You were actually in his medical head quarters quite often after the calamity was defeated. You cared for him quite a bit despite not being a healer. None-the-less, you were always pleasant to be around. You had quite the soft side and you were truly a genuine person through and through.

Revali looked over at you doing your own business as usual. You worked really hard for what you were doing and it irked him the way your boss would pick at your work. Your boss should be grateful that you were working the way you were under the circumstances you were in. It was all "Your placement is off!". It wasn't, or "You're being too slow." You weren't.

He was probably just scared, Revali thought to himself, that you would take his place as head servant or something stupid like that. If anything, and if he had any say in it, Revali would merely demote him and humiliate him for what has putting you through.

Your face was calm and blank though all of your bosses scrutiny but on the inside, it was taring you apart that you weren't doing as well as you wanted too. He was close to considering shooting him in the big toe if he kept continuing until he heard a loud crash. He looked over to see you panicked, over some plates you dropped. Your boss came fuming over to you.

"(Y/N)! Look at what you've done! Explain yourself!"

You looked down at your feet. You tried to speak but it was hard. It felt like everyone was looking at you and the mistake that you made. You were embarrassed beyond repair.

"Is this how I trained you, hmm?" He continued, "Is that how you show your appreciation to me, by dropping everything that the king owns? Are you trying to get me into trouble!"

Your jaw opened and closed. You were on the edge of telling your boss off or crying. You didn't know which one you wanted to come out first. As your boss was about to grab your arm, a gust of wind floated down.

"And what's this?" Revali landed next to you. "I sure hope you weren't hurt. That was quite a bump to your back wasn't it (Y/N)?" He said as he glared daggers at the man. He stood just next to you, close enough that if you relaxed, your shoulders would touch. "I wonder, how long have you been working today, (Y/N)?" Revali asked.

"Wha-what?" You stammered. It was the first words you have spoken all night.

"You look quite tired, not that you wouldn't be with this thing screaming in your ear. So how long have you been working?"

"Look, Champion Revali, I'm sorry about what she's done. Please forgive her." Your boss said.

"Pfft, forgive her for what? I saw what you did." Revali scowled at him. "You think you're so clever don't you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Pathetic. Now pray tell, why did you push my poor little (Y/N) when she was carrying all those plates? I saw you from up there you know." He gestured to the top of the beams. A flush came up the back of your neck. Your boss stuttered and as hard as he tried to deny it, he knew he was caught.

"You know what, this is ridiculous! I trained you girl, and all you do now is go around and sneak off with a Champion! This is ridiculous!" Your boss yelled. He took off his apron, threw it on the ground and started to stomp off. Before he even got 2 feet away from the mess, Urbosa stepped in front of him.

"Now now, where do you think youre going?" She said as she loomed over the man you once respected.

"Champion Urbosa, I...."

"Don't you think you should also help clean up the mess as well? I do believe you owe our dear Revali's lady an apology." She stated a matter of factly. Your bosses face became so red it was amazing that he hasn't exploded yet.

He turned to you, seething, embarrassed as well, and said, "My apologies." As he stormed off, He yelled "Where is my stupid mop?"

Your shoulders finally relaxed as he left your sight. You looked around and slowly, everyone seemed to return to their previous conversations. Your face finally relaxed and breathing became so much easier now.

"Thank you Revali." You smiled. "You didn't have to do that, but I am grateful for it."

"Who hired that fool?" Revali joked trying to lighten up the mood. You chuckled. "But, please (Y/N), no more work for you tonight. Champions orders or something. come with me."

"But I still need to clean-"

"That loud moblin of a man you call your boss can do it.'" Revali stated. "Now, if you'd like, I would love some company to the balcony. If you want to get changed, I can wait for you there."

[lavenderclearwater]

Haircut

Chiron gave up on the assigned tables after the Romans came along. Most of the campers were overjoyed about the change, especially the ones who didn't have many if any, siblings. The Seven took it exceptionally well and set up their own table, plus a few friends. Nico and Will joined them this morning for breakfast. It has been a while since they caught up. He piled on his plate with bacon and eggs, with his darkling boyfriend got a bowl of oatmeal and a single pomegranate. They chatted a little while eating, but they focused mainly on stuffing their faces.

The life of a demigod took a lot of energy and even more food. Even then, seeing Percy eat a comical stack of pancakes was off putting. He watched in amusement as Nico struggled with his hair, constantly tucking his hair behind his ears to prevent it from getting in his food.

"Dude, you should get a haircut," Jason said through his breakfast sandwich.

"My hair is not that long," Nico tried to defend himself, failing miserably.

"You can't even eat anymore without having to incessantly mess with it," he pointed out.

"Well, what am I supposed to do about it? It's not like anyone here knows how to cut hair."

"I do," Annabeth told him.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Some of the Aphrodite kids taught me years ago. I could do your hair if you want. I've done it loads of times."

"It's not even that bad right now! You should see it in the morning.

"Okay," he replied without thinking.

Absolute chaos erupted. Leo laughed. Percy choked on his drink. Annabeth rolled her eyes. Frank was appalled. Hazel was very proud of himself for being so smooth. Jason tried to climb over the table to get to him while Piper held him back. Nico was confused, and it was later explained to him what he was implying. Of course, being the innocent that he was in the matter, he turned into a blushing mess. However, he did decide to take Annabeth on her offer.

* * *

He hasn't seen Nico since yesterday afternoon. Annabeth had cut his hair by now, and he couldn't wait to see his little makeover. Will eventually bumped into him during training. He and Percy were in the middle of a fascinating sword match, each of them keeping the other on their toes. He was floored when he saw him pause to slick back his hair. It still had some length to it and still looked messy but in a professionally done way. She did a great job and could consider going into cosmetology instead of architecture if she wished.

His boyfriend looked very…hot, and it had nothing to do with the high summer temperatures.

"You're drooling just a bit there, Solace," Leo teased.

"Shut up," he snapped, trying to hide his embarrassment from being caught staring.

"Better not let Jason catch you looking at his baby cuz like that. Boyfriend or not."

"I'm not worried," he lied.

Jason could definitely kick his ass if he wanted to, hands down. Although, that would likely result in Nico kicking his ass in retaliation. He still wasn't going to risk it.

"What do you think?" Nico asked, pulling him back to reality.

"You look terrific."

"Thanks."

"Wanna head to your cabin to clean up and hang out?"

"Sure."

* * *

Jason watched them leave the arena.

"Where are they going?"

"Nico's cabin," Leo answered.

"What are they going to do there?"

"I don't even want to think about that, but you could say they are definitely not playing Mythomagic."

Jason looked at them fade from view in horror.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/36372412

[sunstone-smiles]

HELLO! just got into ace attorney and there’s a lot of stuff BUT i would love to see my man phoenix be a lee hehe

now that’s quite literally all i’m asking here, you can do whoever you want with any context, just anything with lee phoenix if you don’t mind :D

Hello Anon! Yay! That’s great that you’re getting into the series! It’s one of my favorites! I’m currently replaying the Trilogy, so I chose Maya and Pearl for this! I hope you enjoy!

A Spirit Medium's Curse

Series: Ace Attorney

Characters: Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Pearl Fey

Words: 1,344

Summary: When Phoenix tries to remove a poster Maya hung in the office, Maya uses any tactic she can to stop him, even if she has to make up a playful curse to do so. Enjoy!

—

The edge of a poster droops downward like a wilting flower, revealing its plain white backing as the glass panel that was once flattening it is removed from the wall. With the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up, Phoenix lifts the see-through plate from the picture frame and carefully leans it against the side of his desk. The ringing sound of glass vibrating and bumping into other solid material makes a bit of a ruckus in the office, which catches Maya’s attention while she watches TV on the couch. She turns herself around and sits on her knees, leaning over the back of the cushions to see Phoenix.

“Nick? What are you doing?” Maya asks after hearing the small commotion of noise.

Phoenix dusts his hands off and stares at the picture on the wall. “I’m taking down the Steel Samurai poster you hung here.”

“What?!” In a flash, Maya launches herself off the couch and dashes over to the lawyer. “Why?!”

“Because it’s not very professional to have it hanging in the office.”

“What’s so unprofessional about the Steel Samurai: Warrior of Neo Olde Tokyo! Pearly and I like it. Isn’t that right, Pearly?”

Maya’s little cousin peeks her head over the couch. “Yes! Mystic Maya is showing me these things called reruns of the Steel Samurai! He’s a defender, so he kind of reminds me of you, Mr. Nick!”

“See! Pearly gets it!” Maya gestures towards her.

“Thank you Pearls,” Phoenix says sweetly to the little girl, then narrows his eyes at the older spirit medium, “But I’m still taking the poster down.” Soon after, the lawyer turns his back on her to continue what he was doing.

“Wait, Nick don’t! Or you’ll…um…” Maya tries to think of an explanation, “Or…You’ll be cursed!”

Phoenix glares at her again. “Cursed? Really?” he has to keep himself from rolling his eyes at her attempt at an excuse.

“Uh…Yes!” she proceeds with her lie. “A legend from Kurain Village says that if you go against not one, but two medium’s wishes, a spirit will come to haunt you with its ghostly hands!” Maya waves her arms up and down for a spooky effect.

“Uh huh…Right,” Phoenix responds sarcastically. He completely ignores her reasoning and turns around once more with his arms raised to take down the poster.

“Wait Nick!” Maya yells again in a desperate attempt to stop him. She has to think of something quick, or the poster is history! In a last-ditch effort, she goes with the first idea that pops into her head and shoots her hands forward to tickle his exposed sides. Phoenix immediately yelps and clamps his arms down as giggles start to pour from his mouth. Success! He stopped going for the poster! 

Mayahahaha!” Phoenix wraps his arms around himself and twists his body to try and escape the corner he’s trapped in. “Cuhuhut that ohohout!”

“But I’m not doing this Nick!” Maya feigns innocence with a smile, “I told you, the spirit would come down to curse you! They’re being channeled through me and are using my hands to tickle you for all eternity!”

“I knohohow thahahat’s nohohot true Mayahaha! Quihihit it!” He attempts to shake her away, but Maya shifts next to him and starts wiggling her fingers into the front of his side, causing Phoenix to completely spin around and stumble backwards towards the couch. He grabs the arm of the sofa with one hand to catch himself while he uses his other to try and push her away, but a quick scribble into his ribs sends him toppling over the arm of the seat. Pearl leaps off the piece of furniture right before Phoenix plops into the cushions, and she watches as her older cousin runs to the front of the couch to continue her playful attack on the lawyer.

Maya quickly scribbles back into Phoenix’s sides before he can escape, not giving him a single moment to rest while he returns into a giggling mess. Phoenix kicks his legs and tries to scoot away as far as he can, but his route is ultimately cut off when his head reaches the other, dead end of the couch.

Pearl giggles at them while she watches them play. “That’s why you should always listen to Mystic Maya, Mr. Nick!”

“Exactly!” Maya responds to her cousin and wiggles her hands up towards Phoenix's ribs, making him jump with increased giggles from this new spot. “Come help me, Pearly! Go for Nick’s ribs, he’s really ticklish here!”

“Nohoho! Pehehearls! Dohohon’t listen to heheher!” Phoenix thrashes about as he tries to push Maya away from his weak point.

Pearl pulls up her little sleeve. “Sorry Mr. Nick, but if it makes Mystic Maya happy, then it has to be done!” She trots over to the couch where the flailing Phoenix is and Maya steps out of the way, moving her hands down to his sides, to make room for Pearl.

“Nohoho! Wahahait—AH! Hahaha! Pehehearls!” Phoenix’s laughter rises even higher when her little hands scribble into his ribs, their small size easily gaining access to the ticklish gaps between each of the curved bones. He gently tries to grab the girl’s wrists away to stop her, but a few quick squeezes to his sides by Maya makes him jolt in place and lose his grip on Pearl.

“So Nick, will you leave the poster up?” Maya gives him a smug grin while she claws into his sides.

Phoenix attempts to roll himself into a protective ball. “Buhuhut I dohohon’t wahahant to!” he responds through his giggles like a schoolchild.

“Are you suuure?” Maya smirks and moves one of her hands to tickle his belly, while her other creeps up his side to the lower half of his ribs, only adding on to the tickles that Pearl is already delivering there. Phoenix lets out a little squeal of laughter and quickly curls up his middle to try and shove Maya’s teasing hand away, but he flops back into the cushions and dissolves into giggles when he can’t hold himself up any longer.

“Fihihihine! Fine! Yohohou twohoho win!” Phoenix leans his head back, “Yohohou cahahan keep the pohohoster! Now plehehease stohohop! Hahaha!”

“Deal!” Maya moves her hands away, with Pearl following close behind. Phoenix sinks back into the couch as his chest rises and falls, placing a hand on his stomach to relax his previously attacked center. The assistant puts her hands behind her back and tips her weight forward to lean over him with a smile. “See? That wasn’t so hard now was it?”

Phoenix slowly turns his head towards her while he catches his breath. “You can…be a real pain sometimes…you know that?” 

“I know,” she grins, “But you still care about me.”

“Mr. Nick! Don’t be mean to Mystic Maya! Or we’ll have to punish you again!” Pearl chimes in with a determined look.

Phoenix’s eyes go wide and he immediately sits up. “No! No! I’ve had enough for one day!”

Maya chuckles. “We’ll let him off the hook this time, Pearly. But only if he finishes straightening the poster in its rightful spot.”

The lawyer sighs and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I’m on it…” 

He gets up off the cushions and heads towards his desk while the two girls take over the couch again to continue watching TV. With extra caution, he smooths out the curved edges of the poster so that it’s completely flat, then lifts up the plate of glass to place it into the frame. Once the fragile piece is secured, he takes a step back to look at his finished handiwork. 

As the Steel Samurai in its iconic pose stares back at him, Phoenix suddenly understands the significance of why it belongs in the office. He glances over at the girls on the couch, smiling as they cheer on the heroic warrior on the television screen. The Steel Samurai poster may not be completely professional, but it does remind him of the good times he’s able to have with friends like them.

[trash-monkey]

The Nara Genes Are Hella Strong

Chapter 3

Not too long after learning to crawl I started relearning to walk and not having much luck without holding onto something before Dad snook up on me one day while practicing instead of taking my usual nap causing me to freeze with a wide eyed look on my face, a proud expression appears on his face before he walked over to take ahold of my small hands with his larger calluses ones to carefully lead me out of my bedroom and to where Mom is hanging up clothes to dry, once she see us walking out she started cooing as she says something before gesturing me to come to her after squatting down but I just grab ahold of Dad's pant leg when he let of my hands go. He urge me forward to Mom so I carefully take a step then another and slowly I make my way over to her before running with confidence, when I'm finally near her she quickly takes ahold of me before I could fall. With a proud expression on her face she speaks to Dad about something which he nods and with that Mom takes us into the house while Dad hangs up the rest of the wet clothes as Mom gets me dress for my first outing to the rest of the village outside the compound, Mom forces Dad to carry the baby bag.

I take in everything I can of our surroundings as we make our way through the village to another compound which I immediately recognize the guard as an Akimichi clan member and realize that we're going to meet Dad's team member Choji, the guard immediately let us in and the walk is short to the clans main house. We're immediately greeted by Choji and his wife which she start cooing at the sight of me on my Mom's hip, I hold out my arms to Dad hoping he'll get me away from these two which he did causing Mom to pout at him before he urge her into the living room to gossip while the boys talk in the kitchen. I watch as Choji skillfully make some type of food which I started drooling at the wonderful smell filling the kitchen and Choji gives a laugh at the expression on my face which caused Dad to look only to laugh along with Choji, after fixing a plate the two sit at the small table in the kitchen though Choji did offer some but Dad denied.

I'm completely surprised when Choji holds the spoon out to me once the food on it cooled down which I look at him with sparkling eyes before eating, flavor explodes in my mouth which I immediately grabbed the spoon from Chojis hand to get more food and with determination on my face I try leaning to the plate as much as Dad will allow all though it's useless as it's too far but caused the two to give a gut hurting laugh. I give a wail when Dad take the spoon from me to give back to Choji but I quickly stopped when it's returned to me with cool down food on it, the two women walks in to see what the fuss is about only to laugh when Dad tell them what happened. By the time I'm full I'm already in a food coma in Dad's arms with the spoon in a tight grip unknowing that Mom had taken a picture.

The next time I'm out with only Mom I get to meet Ino as we bumped into her at the store, by the time I can walk completely prefect I already started taking civilian sign language lessons with my parents from a clan member that's a teacher along with reading and writing which I quickly found out I have been named after my grandfather, Shikaku. Soon my parents sit me down in the formal meeting room that we have in the more formal part of Clan Head house to talk about something they had decided which must be serious since their faces are blank.

'We thought and talked about what your future would become, we wish for you to be able to defend yourself and others if you're ever force to while hoping that in training you'll find a way to over come your disadvantage.' Dad give Mom a glance and something in his eyes speak to her so she nods.

'This isn't the only reason for the training it's to prepare you if you ever have to lead this clan if something ever happens to me.' I frown at the possibility before I turn serious and give them at nod.

'I understand' I signed back.

'Even though I don't want or wish to become a ninja but I don't really have any choice if I want to protect my family and friends.'

Runs the my mind.

'Would I be enrolled into the Academy if I do over come my disadvantage?' I asked my question which Mom shook her head before signing.

'Only if you wish to.' I nod before telling them my thoughts on training.

'I want to train to be able to protect everyone I love even though I do not wish to be a ninja but I want to become strong so I can fight when they need me by their side.' They can see the despair and determination fighting in my eyes at my confession on the matter and understand I won't be like any other Nara of the clan.

'I'll see what I can do but you must start training and give your all, tomorrow is your first lesson.' Dad ends the discussion there.

'I'll hope I can live up to my name sake I've been given in this life and make everyone proud.' With that thought I asked Mom if I could go borrow some books from the village library to study after my lesson tomorrow.

'We have books here in the compound, why would you want some from the public library?' She signed back curious of what I'm thinking.

'I might get more knowledge there then just clan stuff here and I just want to start some of my own studies before all my free time is taken up by the Clan Head lessons in the future.' I replied which she sighed at with a smile.

'Ok, your father will take but you two have to be back for dinner' She answered before turning to Dad with an evil smile which he just returns with a shakey one and I read his lips saying of course, so with a smile I quickly run from the formal meeting room to the front door to slips on my shoes and once done I clap my hands loudly as a sign to tell Dad to hurry up. He comes around the corner with amusement on his face at my impatience and I watch him put on his own shoes.

'can I have some materials for notes?' I signed to Dad on our way outside the compound and into the rest of the village.

'Of course, you look for what you want while I look in the store across the street' he signed back which I nod and stroll into the public library, I see in the corner of my eye that Dad speck a few words to the librarian before leaving but I don't pay it any mind as I look through the book sections I'm allowed to. Fingers trail over the books spines as I look for specific books and decided on two books for now, Chakra Theory and Why Meditation must be important which I can cross reference with the clan books. I walk up to the librarian which I lay the two books in the counter and they checked them out after making me a public library card, once they hand both items to me I give a smile in thanks and walked out. Dad is standing outside the library with a bag

'You found what you wanted?' He signed to me after seeing coming out of the public library which I showed him my public library card with a happy smile and he returns it.

'Why you got them?' He asked after seeing the titles of the books I checked out as we make our way back home.

'Although I don't want to go to the Academy I still want to learn what their teaching and I say I would rather have it then not have it when I need it in the future.' I replied to his question as we pass through the Nara compound gates which he nods in agreement at my statement of always be prepared for the unexpected and stroll through until we step into the house after pulling our shoes off at the front door.

'Go put everything in your room as your Mother should be done with dinner soon.' He hands me the bag he's been carrying so I give him a nod before immediately running to my room to place everything on my desk and the two toys my uncles on my mother's side had given to me catches my eye as they also sit in the desk, my heart aches at missing the two. Immediately an idea pops into mind which I quickly sit at my desk and pull a scroll from the bag with a extremely happy smile as I began to write as neat as I can while also deciding to beat around the bush to asking the usual questions a person would ask as a small prank which they would either found it funny or slightly mad as wasting his time that I hope it won't be the reaction to my letter, I doodle around on the sides as I make my way through the letter only to be jumped scared by Dad appears above me.

'Dad!' I signed and said at the same time in relief as I look up at him.

'Sorry, just looking at what you're writing.' He signed as he look at the letter.

'I miss uncle Red and Puppet so I decided to write to them.' He rised an eyebrow.

'You remember them?' He ask wondering if I really remember Gaara and Kankuro as I was just basically born then, I nod at his question before getting back to writing but Dad stops me again.

'You can continue that later, dinner is ready.' I nod sitting my pen down before I run into the dining room with Dad taking his time.

_______________________________________________

[diana-bookfairchild]

@flufftober Day 2: “You’ve told your parents?”

William wasn’t sure he had ever been this wildly, this incredibly, this exuberantly happy.

He was fairly certain Gigi had nearly fainted when he’d told her he was taking a month with only remote work, and he couldn’t really blame her. Ever since their parents had died, he’d become a workaholic, studying and proving his worth as a CEO to the board and to the world. He didn’t realize how accustomed he was to just… working and scheduling family and friends around it or for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas until the whole mess with Gigi and Wickham.

He genuinely couldn’t believe he’d been absent enough to miss his sister falling in love with the bastard. It was why he’d come to Netherfield with Bing, why he’d adviced him to stay away from Jane when he thought his best friend might get hurt.

Of course, the second had backfired spectacularly, and he’d thought the first had too. . . Until now.

Which brought him back to the point. Lizzie. Lizzie was… She was amazing. He’d always scoffed at people who did ridiculously exaggerated things in the name of romantic love. But now. . . Now he got it. For Lizzie, for the way she let her breath out in a small gasp when she was kissed before kissing back, the way she threw her head back and laughed openly without fear of being judged, the way she could admit to her faults on the internet in front of her thousands of subscribers, the way she defended those she loved, the way she wrinkled her nose when she thought someone was wrong but was trying to have tact, the way she stuck to her principles. . . . He would do anything.

He'd thought he loved her during his disastrous confession in Collins and Collins—he could see now that that was nothing. The feelings he’d actively fought against until they had to be let out in a horrifyingly insulting manner were nothing compared to what he was feeling now, when Lizzie laughed at his jokes, actively debated points with him, held his hand and was in front of him trying to get the cream off her nose with her tongue.

Just half a year ago, he’d have been repulsed, taking this as even more proof that she was low class, not good enough for him. Now he was entranced, even as they talked about Dr Gardiner’s latest paper. He’d always liked the woman and her work, and more so now that he knew she was Lizzie’s mentor.

“And Lydia always says. . . .” Lizzie trailed off with a wince. William held back a grimace. He knew the pain of recalling what someone had been like before they were hurt when you blamed yourself for that hurt despite everyone around you telling you otherwise.

William had never been a man of action. He’d always liked how words could be calculated and carefully spoken. Lizzie Bennet had changed that, as she had a lot of things. He extended his hand until it covered hers. At that she smiled and stroked his hand with her thumb.

“How is she?” He asked softly.

“Doing better,” She sighed, and set aside her plate with a sense of finality. He indicated for the cheque with his other hand. “But well. . . How can you be doing after all that?”

“She has you and the rest of her family,” William said reassuringly. “She may not be able to bounce back immediately, or feel safe anytime soon, but she knows you love her and she knows she can come to you. That’s enough, I think, for now.”

Lizzie’s smile was loving, awed. William’s heart swelled. “Well, if I’m half the older sibling you are to Gigi, we’ll all be just fine.”

Their kiss was just as perfect as their first one. Their noses bumped slightly, and Lizzie tasted like strawberry and chocolate and the way she pulled on his tie drove him wild, and he wouldn’t change a single thing.

They parted, and William leaned back to catch his breath, heart beating wildly. “And the dinner will help cheer her up too, I suppose,” Lizzie mused.

William’s mind halted. “Dinner? What dinner?”

Lizzie looked up at him through her eyelashes, lips twisted in the way they always were when she felt sheepish. “I haven’t told you about that?” He shook his head. “My parents want to have this huge dinner for all of us – Lydia, cousin Mary, Bing and Jane, Gigi, Charlotte, you and me. . .”

“You’ve told your parents?” William asked, alarmed. “About us?”

“I couldn’t keep it from them,” Lizzie protested, giggling. “Even if I had tried, Lydia would’ve spilled the beans. William, you don’t need to look like you’ve received an execution order!”

“I think I do,” William said. When he’d asked after the dinner at the Bennets’ house, Bing had just laughed nervously and said that Jane had a really colourful family and Caroline had just shuddered and asked him not to make her relive the experience. Thinking of which. . . “Is Caroline coming?”

Lizzie bit her lip. “Well. . . Hopefully she’ll refuse. . .”

“Oh my God,” William wasn’t prone to dramatics but he thought this situation called for it. He hadn’t given much thought to meeting Lizzie’s parents – well, ‘much’ in his standards – probably because his own were dead, but he certainly hadn’t thought it would be in company – particularly of those mentioned.

“Come on, it won’t be so bad,” She said cajolingly.

“Or it’ll be a complete disaster,” He muttered, worst case scenarios running through his head.

“Either way, it’ll be fun,” Lizzie grinned, and then became solemn. “William, if you really don’t want to, we don’t have to do this. We can take Gigi and Lydia and Charlotte and go for dinner ourselves and another time with Jane and Bing, and you can meet my parents later.”

Of course she’d found out the crux of the matter. “You shouldn’t have to skip a family dinner for me,” He said, changing the subject.

She allowed it. “Are you kidding? Like you said, it’ll be good to escape the disaster.” She paused. “Besides, it’s for you. If you’re not comfortable with it, we don’t have to do it.”

William’s heart stuttered. “No, I. . .” He cleared his throat. “The notion was just discomforting at first. I would love to attend dinner.”

“You don’t have to exaggerate,” Lizzie said.

He shook his head. “I’m not.” He hesitated for a moment. “If it’s possible. . . I can meet your parents before?”

“Of course,” Lizzie said immediately. “Maybe the day before or just before everyone gets there.” She eyed him knowingly, but didn’t bring up William’s feelings regarding his parents.

“Besides, Gigi would be upset if we ruined her chance of seeing this spectacle,” He said, not bringing it up either. A genuine smile spread across his face at the thought.

“True enough,” Lizzie laughed. “Then that’s settled.” She paused. “Maybe we can invite your Aunt Catherine and see her expression when you talk about how you liked ‘my fine eyes’.”

“Please stop bringing that up,” William said, the tips of his ears reddening. Then the full sentence registered and he laughed, wholeheartedly, imagining his aunt sitting in the Bennets’ dining room, in the full loving chaos that was their home. “She’d go crazy.”

Lizzie snickered. “Yeah, poor Annie.” Her voice dipped in an uncanny imitation of his aunt when she talked about her dog. “You see, Annie, these heathens. They’ve brainwashed poor Darcy and his lovely so capable sister. You’re so lucky to be with someone like me, oh yes you are.”

William couldn’t stop his laughter. He hated being undignified in public, but like a lot of things – Lizzie made him not care. Lizzie made him want to live.

“You’re amazing, Lizzie Bennet.” He said, adoration and devotion dripping through every syllable.

Lizzie flushed, smiling widely. And they leaned in and kissed again. William could see a waiter looking awkward, holding the bill/cheque in his hand. But he didn’t care.

Lizzie was worth it. Lizzie was worth everything.

Even being in the same room as Gigi, Lydia, Charlotte, Caroline, and Lizzie’s parents at the same time.

[chibi-celesti]

Phase 02-Book 01: Dia Rosa Rudje (pt. 3)

Previously: From all the bizarre teachings that are far beyond the realm of what Lady Shurelia taught her; needless to say, Meryu Melenas seems to be shaping up to having a decent start to her new school life in Night Raven College.

~Twisted Tonelico~

“Aaahhh! Finally, lunch break is here!” Ace shouted with joy.

“The curriculum here is quite complicated. Makes sense considering that Night Raven College is an elite school.” Deuce added.

Meryu was lost in thought as she carried Grim in her arms. Poor guy claimed he was exhausted from all the lessons-even though he zoned out of most of them and nearly got both himself and the girl in trouble with Vargus with his running. Luckily, she hummed him a lullaby to ease his mind so he didn’t try to pull any more stunts while in her care.

Most of the teaching here is almost archaic to what I was taught, she thought to herself. Then again, this school focuses on teaching magic of a traditional means rather than Hymmnos… Does hymmnos exist here?

Her musings were broken by a hand waving in her face. “Hello~, Twisted Wonderland to  Ms. I-can-sing-songs-that-blow-up-monsters~ You there?”

She shook her a bit, and made a face of annoyance. “Yes. And no, my songs aren't just for blowing up monsters.” She stuck her tongue out. “I’m not a barbarian.”

“Never said you were,” he said back. “Anyway, what did you do to Grim? He looks beyond conked out.”

“I sang to him after P.E.”

“So that’s what we heard from the bathroom stalls,” Deuce couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous of Grim. “How come?”

“Knowing the trouble he caused yesterday and the night before, I didn’t want to take any chances of him making more of a mess and get us expelled. Plus, he was behaving himself with Coach Vargas, so I decided to spoil him a bit.” Lucky bastard. Yup, definitely jealous.

The group had finally made it to the mess hall, where nearly everyone in the school was there for lunch. It was quite large, with rows upon rows of bench tables lined and spaced evenly. It almost felt too crowded to Meryu, who was feeling self conscious of being at this school.

A snort sound from her arms and Grim was wide awake again. Rubbing away the sleep(and drool) from his face, he looked around and noticed where they were. He was hit with countless smells. “Mmmm~ Everything smells so delicious!” He jumps out of the girl’s arms and books it to the lunch line.

“Grim, wait!” she hurried after him with the Hearts duo in suit. They caught up to the line in time and stopped Grim, pulling him back from stealing someone’s plate. “Stay put. No need to be a gluttonous thief!” She grabbed a tray for the both of them and started grabbing plates for what they will both eat.

Grim, all giddy, kept pointing and, on occasion, nabbing plates just as someone was about to take it. In his high, Meryu and the others shook their heads at the feline. ‘He really does have a one track mind when it comes to food,’ they all thought.

~Night Raven: Mess Hall~

“Grim, you need to be mindful of your surroundings,” the Reyvateil chastised him. “I know you are hungry, but the last thing I, or anyone else, wants is to get in trouble with the Head Mage. Again.”

Said friend took offense. “What, I can’t help it! The Great Grim needs his sustenance.”

“But could you do it, without being too extra?” Ace added in Meryu’s defense. “We nearly got effed by those guys.”

Some other students in line were bumped by Grim, resulting in one of the boys’ carbonara breaking before he could do it. While rightfully annoyed, he tried to start a fight with the quartet for ‘ruining’ his meal, and make them pay for it.

Ace and Deuce were defending themselves and Meryu, and before things could get heated, said girl called forth a small ball of energy and warned them with this:

“Cease this bickering, now. You have no need to get pissy all because you didn’t enjoy your meal the way you prefer. Step away, or I will use force.”

Luckily, the bullies seemed to relent, one of them calling her ‘dumb bitch’ under his breath, but they still backed off.

“You know,” Deuce spoke, getting Meryu’s attention, “For someone from another world, it’s kinda interesting seeing you handle yourself.” He quickly corrected himself. “I-I mean, you started off looking helpless, but it’s obvious you can handle yourself against others. At least, from what Ace and I see.”

“Yeah, what’s the deal with you being all prim and proper? Are you sure you ain’t a princess?”

The girl mulled it over before answering them in the best way they’d understand. “Not a princess, but… an apprentice to an Administrator.”

An Administrator?! “So, you’re like a kid to a government official?!”

“Kinda sort of. I wouldn’t call her that, but it is a good comparison for now. A lot of what goes on in Sol Ciel is vastly different from here to some extent.”

…who IS this girl/ chick?!

Grim, swallowing down his food, couldn’t help but be shocked as the other boys. “Sol See L? What’s that?”

“Sol Ciel. My home. That’s where I live with Lady Shurelia, my Guardian.” I wonder if she knows I'm missing?

Their table was beginning to take on a somber tone. Before the Heart or Spade could change the subject-

“Hi again, lil freshies!”

-Someone else had arrived at their table. “Y-you again?!”

“Aww! And I thought we were friends~ No need to be mean to ol’ Cay-Cay.”

“In our defense, you duped us into helping you, and kicked us out without a proper warning,” the poor Reyvateil understood why Shurelia had trust issues. Humans can be so manipulative when they want to.

“I was just doin’ my job. No hard feelings” He clapped his hands in apology.

“Now, now, Cater. No need to tease them,” another voice spoke. “Besides, I had a feeling you knocked out the roses way faster than your normal speed.”

The newest person to their table was a taller boy with glasses framing golden eyes. His hair was green and on the shorter, messier side. And on his face was another suit shape like the others. Except, he had a green club on his left cheekbone. “Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Trey Clover. Nice to meet you.”

The younger Heartslabyul boys greeted him in turn. Meryu was about to do it as well. “My name is-”

“I know you,’ Trey interjected. “You two are the ones who live in that Ramshackled- I mean the new students who had quite the introduction at the Opening ceremony.”

“...Yes, we are. You didn’t need to change how you knew me and Grim, Mr. Clover,” she fixed him with a deadpan stare.

He quickly apologized. “Sorry about that, Melenas-san. Honest.” Doubtful… “Anyway, how is your official first day of classes coming along?”

“Boring,” Grim said bluntly. “I was hopin’ this school would teach me how to do magic, like ‘Boom! ‘Kablammy!’ Not endless talking and reading.”

“No need to stress out, Grim. You’ll get there, and be magic savvy. Give it time.” Cater told him. The diamond noticed how  the girl was being reserved again, and decided to slide up next to Ace so he could see her. “What about, girly? Whatcha think of ol’ NRC~?”

“Formal, but vastly different from how I was educated.” she added on. “Also, I noticed how everyone is wearing different color bands and vests. Why is that?”

“Ah you got a good eye. The bands represent each of the seven dorms here.” Trey, together with Cater explained the color orientation of all the students and how each one correlates back to one of the Great Seven:

Ruby red for Heartslabyul, Golden Yellow for Savannahclaw, Pale Lavender for Octavinelle, Wine Red for Sacrabia, Violet for Pomefiore, Bright Blue for Ignihyde, and Green for Diasomnia. They even went into detail about the details on the strengths of each dorm and how the students are divided into said dorms.

It all sounds confusing, but it's almost like- “how there are many types of Reyvateil back home…” she whispered to herself.

“You said something, Melenas-san?” Deuce asked worryingly.

“No. I’m fine.”

“Huhuhu~ no need to be shy, Ms.”

The whole table jumped in surprise at the newest addition. Someone had come to say hello- wait, he's hanging from the ceiling?!

“What the hell?! What’s with the jumpscare?!” the other boy laughed at Ace’s response.

“I just wanted to say hello to our first ever female student, that’s all.”

This boy was an odd one, his hair was short, but looked messy with both sides of his head having parts sticking out like animal ears. Streaks of bright pink, even in his hair’s underside shape around his cherubic face. And his eyes were bright red, almost pink as well. He greeted everyone with a toothy fanged smile. “I am Lilia. Lilia Vanrouge. A third year just like Trey and Cater. It is a pleasure to meet you, Melenas-chan.”

The girl in question peeked out from under the table with Grim. “N-nice to meet you, too!”

“Did I scare you? My apologies. I was hoping to meet you properly after the Opening Ceremony. You sang wonderfully that night, my dear.”

“Th- thank you, Mr. Vanrouge.” She hated to admit it, but the compliment felt nice.

He chuckled a little again. “Don’t be afraid to sit with us next time. We would love to welcome all of you to join us." The others look over to siad table where the other Diasomnia students reside. Their faces were so serious and stone faced, it felt like they were glaring daggers at them.

“We’ll think about it,” Deuce told Lilia. And with that, the mysterious boy disappeared back to his table.

“Aww!” Cater spoke back once his classmate had left. “Looks like you have a fan, Ryu-ryu!”

“Ryu-ryu?”

“Don’t mind Cater. He does have a point, though. You gave everyone quite the show that night.”

“I was just trying to find my home. Singing is all I can- could do!”she corrected herself.

“Too bad you can’t sing this collar away,” Ace mumbled. “Heck, if I had your singing, I’d poof this collar onto that Housewarden of ours!” He started going on a rant about Riddle. Oblivious to said boy approaching their table at the same. “He’s such a pain, getting mad over a tart, like a brat! It’s ridiculous! HE’S RIDICULOUS AND UNREASONABLE!!”

“Oh. I’M ridiculous  and unreasonable?”

“Yeah! And-” in an instant, Ace felt cold dread seep through his bones. He slowly turned towards the source of the voice behind him. And saw his Houswarden giving him a disapproving look.

“H-HOUSEWARDEN?!”

~Phase 02-Book 01: Dia Rosa Rudje: Tes Biron~

A/N: Ace really LOVES putting his foot in his mouth at the wrong time doesn't he? ^^'

[helloalycia]

first impressions [two] // lena luthor

summary: Bumping into your sister's boss yet again wasn't something you planned, but you weren't necessarily complaining either.

warning/s: none.

author's note: and here’s part two which has also been published on my wattpad. The last two parts will be posted tomorrow and two days after! ♥️

also 'Y/OS/N' = your other sister's name and 'Y/B/N' = your brother's name

one / three / four / masterlist / wattpad

"It's cute that she's taking you to the gala  with her, but why isn't she taking someone, y'know... special?" asked my mum over FaceTime.

I laughed and glanced at Y/S/N as she finished styling her hair in the mirror. "I'm wondering the same, mum."

"She's trying to tell you to get a boyfriend already!" my other sister, Y/OS/N, shouted loudly so Y/S/N would hear it.

"Piss off, will you!" Y/S/N shouted back, making everyone laugh.

The whole family was on a group FaceTime call as Y/S/N and I got ready for a gala she was invited to from work. I'd been in National City for about a month and still hadn't made many friends, save for some people in Y/S/N's building, so she was taking me as her plus one so I could do something. Of course I accepted, but it was funny taking the piss.

"Calm down, Y/S/N, we're just messing," our brother, Y/B/N, said as he stifled a chuckle.

"They aren't wrong though," I teased Y/S/N, standing up and approaching her with her phone. Switching the camera so it was on her, I continued, "Why don't you have a boyfriend? You've been here for long enough."

"Piss off!" she said, shoving me hard, making me laugh. She glared at me, complaining, "Mu-um!"

"Okay, that’s enough, Y/N," my mum said, scolding me as the others laughed on their ends.

"What about you, anyway? Why is nobody giving you shit?" Y/S/N asked, glancing at me in the mirror. "Where's your girlfriend, huh?"

"Hey, I just moved here, I have a reason," I defended. "I'm not the one bringing my sister to a work-do."

"You want me to disinvite you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You wouldn't dare," I joked, making her roll her eyes and continue to style her hair.

"When are you guys leaving anyway?" Y/B/N asked.

I checked my watch. "We should've left ten minutes ago, but you know Y/S/N."

"I'm done, I'm done," Y/S/N said, putting her straightener down. "You ready?"

"Been ready for the past twenty minutes," I quipped with a knowing look.

"Okay, baby, we'll leave you to it," my mum said before kissing the lens. "Have fun tonight!"

"See you guys, don't get pissed," Y/B/N joked.

"Y/B/N!" my mum told him off.

"I'm kidding, mum!" he said apologetically.

"Idiot," Y/OS/N said with an eye roll.

As much as I wanted to watch Y/B/N get told off, I knew Y/S/N and I had to go, so after bidding them a goodbye and telling my mum to say hi to my dad, I hung up.

"I love our family, but damn, they can be annoying," Y/S/N said when they were gone.

"I do miss the chaos of everyone together though," I admitted with a nostalgic smile. "We need to visit soon."

"We will," Y/S/N promised, before standing up. "Alright, let's go."

"Let's go!"

————————

"Fuck me, that's good," I mumbled with my mouth full of brownies.

I put two more on my plate before searching the area to find my sister. The gala was pretty fun and Y/S/N seemed to be having a great time, too. We'd found some of her colleagues and mingled with some other guests, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't her doing the mingling and me checking out the buffet table.

I'd lost her a few minutes ago when discovering these amazing brownies, but damn, I needed to find her quick because they were to die for.

My eyes scanned the many people in the room before spotting Y/S/N in the distance. I headed over to her, plate in hand and mouth still chewing.

"Mate, you have to eat this, it's fuckin' beautiful," I said after swallowing a mouthful.

She widened her eyes a little and cleared her throat before yanking me to her side. I realised she was in the middle of a conversation and I'd just intruded.

"Oh, Lena!" I blurted, before smiling when I noticed who it was. "Hey."

I could sense Y/S/N's confusion as to why I was acting so casual with her boss, since I'd never actually told her of our bump-in at Noonan's, but I was barely registering it as I admired how beautiful her boss looked in her purple dress.

Lena smiled when she (once again, to my surprise) recognised me. "Y/N. How lovely to see you again."

I suppressed a laugh. "Not gonna lie, I didn't think you'd remember my name."

She furrowed her eyebrows, matching her confused yet adorable smile. "But of course! And I also remember the deal we made the last time spoke. About me Googling you, remember?"

I raised my eyebrows, unable to stop my laugh from escaping. "Wow. Honestly, I kinda forgot about that."

"What... huh..."

I looked to my right to see Y/S/N looking between Lena and I with a slightly agape mouth and utter confusion present in her gaze. I smiled with amusement and forced her to take the plate of brownies in my hand.

"Go get some more brownies, love," I teased, nudging her away slightly.

She glanced at me, still adjusting to whatever was happening, before taking the plate and leaving us be.

"Way to be subtle," Lena joked with a smile.

"My sister is a literal doctor, but she needs people to be direct with her or it will go over her head," I admitted knowingly, before adding quickly, "but don't tell her I said that."

A lighthearted chuckle flew from Lena's lips as she nodded. "I won't say a word... I presume you're your sister's plus one. How are you enjoying the gala?"

I glanced around, nodding. "It's pretty awesome. Your team, or whoever it was, did an amazing job. Plus the food is–"

"'Fuckin' beautiful'," she cut in with amusement. "I heard."

I felt my cheeks growing warm as I avoided her startling gaze, an embarrassed smile on my lips. "Yeah, sorry about that. You really catch me at the wrong times, huh?"

She laughed again, and I was starting to wonder if I was still hungry or if those were butterflies in my stomach.

"I believe I made you a deal, and I always hold up on my end of the bargain," she said, before pulling her phone out of her purse and tapping on it.

"What are you–"

"I got it," she said, before turning the phone around to show me something.

I raised my eyebrows with surprise when I recognised a photo of myself from almost ten years ago.

"Oh my god, I remember that," I said, a nostalgic smile on my lips. "It was an arts competition I won in college. Where did you find this?"

"Very impressive," she teased, before looking back to her phone and checking something. "It seems to be from an online newspaper. The M.E.N.?"

"Manchester Evening News," I filled in, before smiling to myself. "Huh. So that's what you found when you Googled me?"

"That's what I found," she answered. "I did as you asked. Now I can only hope you did as I asked."

I quirked an eyebrow. "You mean not Google you? Don't you worry, Miss Luthor. I know nothing more than I did the last time we met. Well, except that you pull off the colour purple really well."

She laughed awkwardly, green eyes darting elsewhere as her cheeks dusted pink. Meanwhile, I smiled on the outside but cringed on the inside. Did I really just say that? Fuck's sake, why was I like this?

"How're you doing?" I blurted, changing the subject quickly. "With work an' everything."

"Work is good," she responded, thankfully going along with it. Her eyes flickered to mine and softened kindly. "How are you settling in to National City? And how is work going? It's graphic design, right? Is business picking up?"

"I– yeah," I said with a nod, surprised she remembered. I'd only mentioned it once and it wasn't exactly the most interesting thing about me. "It's... going."

She chuckled as I smiled awkwardly.

"I mean, it's taking time since it's quite difficult to establish myself in a place where I don't know many people," I continued. "I've had a few jobs here and there, so fingers crossed, I guess."

She smiled beautifully, saying, "Well, I–"

"Miss Luthor! There you are!" a voice rudely interrupted before she could respond, making both of us jump slightly.

A man suddenly appeared beside me and he barely glanced my way before forcing me to step back as he subtly shoved in front of me to face Lena.

"I would love to be able to discuss your potential investment," he continued as if he hadn't just interrupted.

I raised my eyebrows as I scoffed with disbelief. Lena kept a polite smile on her lips, but glanced my way apologetically.

Before anyone could say anything else, I said, "Well that was bloody rude."

The man quirked a brow with offence. "Excuse me?"

"What you just did, that was rude," I replied simply. "You stepped in front of me and interrupted our conversation. It was rude."

The man seemed surprised as he looked between Lena and I. Lena chewed on her lower lip as she suppressed an amused smile.

"Who are you exactly?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

I licked my lips, unsure what the relevance was. "My name is Y/N Y/L/N."

He seemed bored. "And what do you do?"

Still confused, I answered, "I'm a graphic designer."

"Never heard of you," he stated.

I tried not to smile. "I'm not surprised, mate. Besides, that doesn't change the fact that you were rude. You could have simply asked to pull Lena away and have a chat with her, but you didn't."

With an obnoxious eye roll, the man looked to Lena and asked, "Miss Luthor, may we have a word?"

I hummed, looking to my shoes, when I realised that this guy literally didn't care if he was being rude or not.

"I'll be free to chat later on," Lena answered, and I looked up as she added with a knowing look, "Y/N here was right. You were being rude."

I held in the urge to laugh as the man looked between Lena and I with a disgruntled expression. Despite the urge he clearly had to argue, he nodded and walked away.

I breathed out and met Lena's gaze, still trying not to laugh. "Thanks for backing me up. I, er... sorry for making it into a thing. I just really hate rude people."

She waved her hand dismissively. "No need to apologise. You were very much in the right. I'm glad you said something. I respect that."

The amusement faded as I mirrored her smile. "Thanks. You were gonna say something anyway. What was it?"

She tilted her head to the side as she studied me up and down before settling with a small smile. "I wanted to offer you a job."

I pursed my lips and pushed a strand of loose hair behind my ear, trying to figure out if I'd heard her right. Judging from the patient expression on her face, I realised she had.

"You're joking, right?"

She shook her head, a curious glint in her green-blue eyes. "Not in the slightest. I'm rebranding the L-Corp charity brand for my children's hospitals around the city. I thought you could do it."

I grew nervous as she spoke, sensing no humour in her voice. She was completely serious – she wanted to hire me for her project. A huge one at that.

"Lena, I–" I began, but my mouth went dry. "You don't even know what my work is like. If I'm any good."

A waiter stopped by and Lena grabbed a glass of champagne. I was offered one too but I politely declined, still anxious about what was happening.

"I have a knack for knowing these things," she finally responded with a shrug. "Plus, I may or may not have glanced at your website when I searched you up online. From what I have seen, it's excellent."

The thought of Lena Googling my work made me flustered all of a sudden. I mean, I was confident with my work, but she was the, well, the richest person to probably consider me as a designer for their project. The pressure was on.

I raised an eyebrow, disguising my nerves with a slight smile. "I'm– wow. Are you sure?"

She laughed a melodious laugh that made me dizzy for a moment. "I'm very sure. Now, would you like the job?"

I couldn't help but smile. "I guess, yeah. I mean, it's a huge project, but I'd love the challenge."

Her smile widened. "Great. I'm glad."

"On one condition," I quickly added.

She narrowed her eyes with curiosity. "A condition."

"Yeah. I'll send you over my work properly. Past projects I've done. Take a look at them and only if you're sure you're satisfied will I agree. It's only fair."

"Deal," she agreed, giving me a slight nod.

I grinned. "Awesome. In that case..." I reached into my purse and rooted around for a business card I was sure I had lying around. Thankfully, I pulled one out and held it out for Lena. "Feel free to call, text or email."

Lena accepted the card, glancing at it before putting it in her own purse. "Can't wait."

I wondered why she was so interested in hiring someone she'd barely met, but didn't question it as I thought about how amazing of an opportunity it could be. Plus, it didn't hurt that there was a pretty smile I could see more of every now and then.

[erodasfishtacos]

Is this seat empty? " Yes and this one will be too if you sit down" , "Don't be like that my love."

For MLB!Harry first stupid fight in a relationship 😂

Okay this turned into something entirely different then the prompt. Sorry anon 😂

—

Peace & Quiet (Please)

If you enjoy please like, reblog, comment, or come talk to me!

I write for free so if you enjoy my work please consider donating to my kofi page.

-

“Where d’you put m’protein mix?” Harry asks, padding into the kitchen and opening every single fucking cabinet.

“It’s in the same place it’s been for the past five years,” YN bites out with a slight irritation, mixing the pancake batter a little rougher.

She’s been up since three in the morning and Harry sauntered in around six-thirty after coming home late from a baseball game last night.

All the babies still asleep.

“Ah - fuck,” Her husband huffs when he spills the powder all over the countertop and floor she had just swiffered ten minutes ago.

When he goes to open the other cabinet and grab for a shaker bottle - they all come tumbling out onto the floor in a loud clash.

“Could you be any louder? You going to wake up the kids!” YN scolds harshly, pointing to the closet, “Go get the swiffer.”

He obliges - surprised by her attitude, grabbing it and slapping it (by accident) on the ground like a fucking baseball bat, the head of the mop snapping off and breaking.

“S’broken,” Harry states the obvious, shrugging and going about peeling a banana before leaving the peel near the sink.

YN turns to face him, voice irritated, “I’m about to break you, just like you broke the swiffer.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” He asks cheekily but her glare tells him there is no amusement to be had this morning.

“I just spent all morning cleaning and you’ve made this place a disaster already!” His wife bites before flipping one of the pancakes.

Harry dejectedly cleans up his protein mix mess, neatly places the shake bottles into the right place, throws away the peel, and closes all the cabinets.

“M’sorry,” He murmurs, coming up behind her and kisses the nape of her neck, “Y’seem a bit cranky this mornin’.”

And man. He should have not said that.

“Do you have a baby who needs to fucking feed from your body every hour even during the night? I don’t think so,” She mutters, shaking him off of her.

“Hey, mama. M’bein’ an ass, what can I do to help?” He changes gears, choosing to stand next to her since she didn’t seem to want to be touch.

“Breastfeed - let your nipples feel like their constantly on fire and about to fall off. Make all this post-partum bleeding stop. Let me sleep for a day straight. I don’t know,” YN begins to sniffles, plating a few mini pancakes.

He’s taken aback, eyebrows furrowing in concern, and he leans forward to flip off the stovetop, “Can I touch you?”

She nods, wiping her eyes, and allows him to haul her up into their marble countertop, “Mama, y’need to tell me when y’feeling overwhelmed? Please baby. I’ve asked you a million times to wake me up and I can bottle feed her.”

“No, she…I have to feed her. It helps bonding and it-“

Harry interrupts firmly, “She will be perfectly fine being fed by a bottle a few times a day. You’re putting too much stress on yourself.”

Her head falls on his shoulder and she mumbles, “I just feel so…gross, not attractive at all.”

He pulls her back, searching her face in confusion, “Baby, why would you ever say somethin’ like that?”

YN let’s out a quiet sob, “My nipples are chafed and sore, I’m constantly bleeding, my belly hasn’t deflated -“

Harry can’t help but lean in and connect their lips harshly, he’s pulling her loose shirt up and over her head.

“Harry, what-“

“Listen t’me,” Harry rasps seriously, his hands are tender and careful as they cup her swollen breasts - thumbing at her painful nubs.

“I’m literally obsessed w’your tits, baby. They’ll go back to normal after y’done feeding and even if they don’t - I love them just as fucking much. You fed our three healthy strong boys and now you’re makin’ sure our chunky little girl is eating good.”

Then he hands move to cup her belly, large hands splayed over the still softening, firm bump from where Briar had been housed for nine months.

“Y’gave me four, four fuckin’ babies from this belly. I’m fucking in love with your body. God, y’thighs, y’tummy, the stretchmarks - fuck, getting me hard just lookin’ at you.”

It was true, he was stiffening up in his shorts but neither of them acknowledged it - it was a love boner more than anything else.

He literally got hard from how much he loved her.

“I’m tired,” She sighs softly, letting Harry tug her shirt back on as the children would be waking up soon to eat breakfast.

“I know, mama,” Harry acknowledges softly, giving her another kiss before taking over the pancake station.

-

When all the boys are downstairs and chomping away on their food, Cash, who is just about four decides it’ll be funny to squirt the sticky syrup all over their expensive stool cushions and the floor.

When YN turns from the sink to see the mess, she admits she snaps a little bit, “Really Harry? You’re supposed to be watching them, not checking the sports news on your phone!”

Harry is about to defend himself but his wife is stomping over to where Cash has emptied the bottle and gives him a firm look, “Cash Edward Styles, get your bum upstairs, right now.”

Cash’s eyes widen, his mother rarely needed to use a harsh tone with them, “Mama, I’m so-“

“If you are not upstairs, by the bathtub this instant, you get no outside time today. Do you understand me?” YN tells him, giving Easton a warning look when he licks at the syrup on his finger.

“Yes mama,” Cash squeaks out sadly, abandoning his plate and walking up towards the bathroom upstairs to get clean.

Easton and Ezra are dead silent as they watch their brother leave - not wanting the same fate as him so they sit proper.

“Sweetheart-“ Harry begins, putting his phone back in his pocket.

“No, I have my hands full taking care of four kids. I don’t need you acting like a fifth. Go bathe your son,” YN tells him coldly, an angry stare directed his way.

Harry clenches his jaw, biting his tongue as he stands up and pushes his chair in with force - making a loud noise before following after his second son.

A few minutes after they’re out of sight, Easton thought it’d be funny to wipe syrup down Ezra’s cheek which made Ezra cry and throw a pancake at his older brother - now soaking him in syrup.

YN starts to leak milk at the sound of Ezra’s cries.

“Easton Robin - get you butt upstairs this instant too. You know better - no outside time today,” She informs him as she uses a wet wipe to clean Ezra’s cheek.

“Mama,” Easton whines, fat tears starting roll down his cheeks as he stands up, loitering by the kitchen stool.

“Do not make me repeat myself,” YN warns, swiping a paper towel over the wet spot on her shirt from the leak.

-

Harry had just started washing up Cash who was still melancholy when his blubbering older one comes in - still tearful.

He sighs, looking at his syrupy son, “Wha’ happened?”

Easton looks hesitant, “I put syrup on Ezzie and mama said no outside time today.”

His father is tight-lipped, he can already predict that Easton’s actions upset Ezra, “Alright, c’mon. Let’s clean y’up too. Y’know better, Easton.”

-

Harry had just finished helping both boys dress when YN appears in the doorway with Ezra who has a binkie popped in his mouth.

She steps over and hands their son to Harry before muttering, “I’m going to feed Briar, keep the boys out of the room. I need some peace.”

YN disappears from the room before he can even reply to her.

-

Harry can admit he gets distracted when one of his coaches calls him up for a game change, doesn’t notice when Cash sneaks from the playroom.

It’s less than five minutes later when YN leads Cash gently by the hand back into the playroom, with Briar still latched and feeding.

When she sees Harry on his phone, she’s fucking livid with him.

“Really Harry?” His wife scoffs, guiding Cash to join Easton in where he’s playing with legos.

“I’ll call you back,” Harry replies to his coach before hanging up, “Sorry, it was Donny-“

“Good to know your job is more important than watching your kids,” She spits out before storming back out of the room.

Harry is up and following behind her, jaw clenched and irritated, “Just ‘cause you’re in a pissy mood doesn’t mean that y’say shit like that.”

She turns on her heel, eyes fiery, “You have no god damn consideration. You’ve been swamped this week because of your nike promotion and games. I’ve had the babies all by myself for four nights while you get to gallivant around!”

Harry goes to speak but she puts her free hand up.

“I ask for you to keep our house clean and to let me have one moment of peace with our daughter but you don’t even let me have that! You do not understand how hard it is to push a baby out of you and then have them rely on you to feed them twenty times a day!”

His anger fades when his wife starts sobbing - chest shuddering sobs, “I just had her four weeks ago. I-I haven’t had a break yet. You act like it’s so easy!”

He starts to walk towards her, “Sweetheart-“

YN shakes her head, a desperate plea in her tone, “Please just give me time with Briar.”

Harry swallows harshly and nods - feeling like shit as his wife walks back towards the stairs - all the while still feeding their daughter.

-

“Hello?”

“Mum, I-can you take the boys for the night?” Harry asks quietly, standing in the kitchen while the two older boys are still playing quietly.

Ezra’s passed out, on Harry’s hip with his little face smushed against the cap of his shoulder with parted lips.

“Dear, is everything okay?” She replies cautiously.

“No, I-I don’t know. YN is overwhelmed and I don’t think I’ve been supportive enough,” Harry feels himself begin to sniffle.

Anne doesn’t pry for information which Harry loves about her, she agrees to take them, and states she’ll be over within the hour.

Harry goes about packing their pajamas and other necessities in their little backpacks as the squeal excitedly about going to Nana’s.

“Can we say bye to mama?” Easton asks anxiously as they clear out of their bedrooms.

“Let me go ask,” He murmurs, running a hand through his son’s curls.

When he cracks open the door, YN is sprawled out on her back, fast asleep with Briar also asleep in the bassinet next to the bed.

His heart aches because her shirt is off, and the remnants of her nipple cream which was a pinkish orange color wasn’t fully rubbed in on her bruised breasts.

Harry guides them downstairs, promising that their mama will call them later.

-

After the boys leave, Harry doesn’t know what to do so he cleans whatever he finds that is dirty or messy so she won’t have to.

He does all the laundry in the house, cleans up every single toy, and when Briar starts to whimper - he sneaks in to snatch her up so she doesn’t wake YN.

Then he takes her out to the shops with him to grab groceries, her favorite snacks, and maybe he does stop by a jewelry store and buy her something nice.

(casually a pair of 20k earrings)

YN fell asleep around eighty-thirty in the morning and doesn’t wake up until about nine at night, Harry had put Briar in her nursery about an hour ago.

When she does awake, Harry is sitting in the living room - watching a stupid action movie to pass time and dwell on everything.

She comes in quietly, stands in front of her husband who looks up at her with anxious eyes - she looks brighter now that she’s had adequate sleep.

“Will you hold me?” She rasps quietly, just in one of Harry’s shirts and soft pair of sleep shorts.

“Never haven t’ask, mama,” He murmurs, guiding her until she’s straddling his lap and burying her face into the crook of his neck.

His hands sneak beneath her shirt to massage the sleep-warm skin as he kisses her shoulder - over and over again.

“I’m so sorry,” YN whispers into his skin, voice croaky as she tries to not get upset.

He pulls her back to study her face, “Do not apologize, y’allowed to get mad at me and feel frustrated. You’re emotions are valid. There’s a lot going on and I could be doing more to help.”

YN wipes a tear that trickles down as she laughs in disbelief, “No, you can’t do anymore to help.”

“Wha-? I can, I promis-“

She interrupts his with a kiss before telling him sincerely, “You can’t do anymore help because you’re already doing the most amazing job. As a husband and dad. I was just tired and stressed - it’s not an excuse.”

It warms his heart, he fucking loves her so much it does make sense, has to button their lips together one more time.

“You have a really hard job too, on top of being a husband and dad. You give us all this, support us and take care of us.”

“Are y’kidding me? Y’the one who keeps this family together. Y’the fuckin’ love of my life, you know that? I love you so much, so so much,” He emphasizes, rubbing a thumb across her bottom lip.

The kiss one more time - the anger was subsided and they were okay once again.

Harry laughs and agree when YN murmurs, “S’time for bed again, m’tired.”

“Okay mama, anythin’ for you,” He responds before peppering her in kisses to make her giggle lightly.