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ticktokrobotsnot · 1 year

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This is Part 2

You can read Part 1 here.

Pairing: Carmen Berzatto x fem!reader

Summary: An accountant helps Carmen organize his not-so-shit-restaurant and gets invited over for family dinner.

Word Count: 10k

The sky was blood orange and the reflection on the store window was mesmerizing. Y/n was supposed to be in the office getting ready for the full day ahead of her but she couldn’t resist slacking off for a bit, it was nice to finally enjoy the restaurant with no one inside. Y/n needed to be here early when a potential vendor came by to give some quotes. Carmen’s initial reaction was to stand his ground and act like some faux bodyguard because he couldn't fathom why some “sick fuck” would want to be alone with a woman in a restaurant at the ass crack of dawn without them having bad intentions—said it wasn't safe at all. Y/n had to inform him that the, “sick fuck” was a woman. And as soon as Carmen heard that, and realized they were going to be talking numbers for a while, he ran off to the farmer's market, wanting no part in that snooze fest.

Y/n grabbed her laptop and started reviewing the binders she organized. Just as y/n was about to check her phone for any messages, she heard a knock at the door. A pretty blond woman looks at y/n with a bit of confusion. This woman wasn’t expecting to see y/n and y/n wasn't expecting to see this woman. Y/n walked to the door and opened a crack.

“Who are you?” Y/n questioned.

“I could ask you the same thing.” The women laughed but y/n wasn’t finding this funny.

“Natalie…” Y/n shook her head like a bouncer sending a teeager away without his fake ID.

“Natalie Berzatto.” She clarified and y/n recalled the name as a co-signer for The Beef, now The Bear. Y/n opened the door a bit more to let her in.

Y/n gave her name but she didn’t know what else to say but Natalie was already filling the space.

“Hi! It’s so nice to finally meet you, Carmen won't stop talking about you. You really saved our asses. Especially with the file organizing stuff, I found the old payroll stuff in like a minute, you're a real savant with stuff like that. Carmy is a real sticker for cooking but he is a real shit-”. It didn’t take a genius to figure out Natalie was nervous.

Y/n knew that Natalie was a part of Carmen’s family but she didn’t know how they were connected. One plausible scenario was that she was Micheal’s widowed girlfriend or wife, which would explain why anyone would co-sign the disaster that Micheal had created and promptly left. Y/n wondered why Carmen would be getting so chummy with his widowed sister-in-law, but then again men have done worse.

Y/n bit the bullet, “How do you know Carmen?”

“I'm his sister… Sugar?” Y/n was starting to feel like a real idiot for not being able to piece these easy deductions together, she was losing her edge because it was to fucking early in the morning.

“Yes, Richie told me that “Sugar” was going to stop by this week. What can I do for you?” Y/n didn’t mention that she thought Sugar was going to be a stripper because of the name.

“Actually I came to pick some old tax stuff… Micheal’s tax returns.” Y/n guided her to the office. Even if she didn’t look back she knew that Natalie was spying on her binders and laptop laid out on the counter, trying to find out a bit about y/n.

“So, Carmy tells me that you two used to work together back in New York.”

“Yeah it was only for a few years.”

“Were you close?” Natalie probed.

“We were…strangers at best.” Y/n chose to leave out the messy parts of her and Carmen’s origins.

Natalie shook her head in disbelief. "That can't be true, he actually came to my place one day, pretty late. You know why?" Y/n, not knowing the answer, simply shrugged her shoulders.

"He said he needed to make an important phone call, someone from his old job. He said that he wanted to ask for a bit of help." Natalie continued, her voice tinged with wishfulness "I thought maybe he was finally going to therapy or something." Y/n felt a strange sensation, like she was staring directly into the sun, hope gave Natalie a beautiful glow.

Natalie's smile softened as she added, "And you know what? He made that phone call right on our porch." Her words carried a touch of warmth. "Well, at least he's reaching out for help. It's a good thing, right?"

“I recommended therapy to him too but I think we would need to put a gun to his head for him to actually go." Natalie let out a humored exhale.

There was a lull of silence after she handed the tax returns. Y/n could sense that Natalie wanted to talk some more so y/n directed her to the bar stools out front. She checked her phone and saw that her vendor had a family emergency and needed to reschedule. After shooting a quick ok, she directed herself to face Natalie.

"You can ask me anything. I've got plenty of time to kill." Y/n offered, feeling generous considering the recent kiss shared with Natalie's brother just a week ago.

“I was here a few times but I never had a chance to meet you?”

“I was probably apartment hunting.” Natalie looked like she was debating asking her next question.

“What did you think of Carmen when you guys were back in New York?”

“He was like every other chef.”

“Nothing else? No pulling force?”

“No pulling force.”

“You moved state lines for him and you're saying there was no pulling force?”

“He asked me for help and I gave him some.”

“You chose to stay. There had to be a pull.”

“The restaurant spoke to my soul, I had to stay.” Y/n was bluffing.

“Bullshit, there was a pull.” Natalie said with a self fulfilled smirk like she had won a point in their imaginary game.

Natalie continued, “You know, he won a Michelin star. A man who cooks…is not too bad.”

“I don’t eat gourmet food. It’s pretentious.” Y/n didn’t want to make too much out of the kiss and make Carmen panic.

“I'm sure he can make something you will like.”

“I have yet to eat something of his that would warrant him having a Michelin star.”

“You don’t like his cooking?”

“I don’t like anyone’s cooking.” Natalie couldn’t come up with something else. Point to y/n. A smile spread across y/n’s face and Natalie was relieved to realize that y/n wasn’t being serious.

“What do you like doing?” Natalie probed.

“I spend most of my time working here but I also read.”

“Why did you leave New York?” Natalie blurted out.

“I don’t like working with other people, my boss was all over me. I thought Chicago would be a nice change of pace.”

Y/n saw Natalie unlock her phone to respond to a text from someone named Pete, who had a pink heart near his name. Y/n knew that memorizing people’s passwords was an invasion of their privacy but it was fun to be a bit nosy.

Y/n was also tired of getting the third-degree, she was hoping for a few fun questions asking if she ever murdered anyone or if she ever was contacted to be a part of a bank heist. She would be lying if she wasn’t a bit afraid that whatever she said would be relayed to Carmen so she didn’t want to say anything too damning.

“You read romance?” Y/n saw the book peeking out of Natalie’s bag, it was one that she had read before.

“Yeah, they’re my guilty pleasure.”

“Mine too. I liked that one.” Y/n pointed at the book peaking out.

“I hate it, it's filled with miscommunication. I’m only finishing it to justify the 12 dollars I spent.” Natalie said with a fake pout.

“I love miscommunication because I suck at talking to people too. Much better than the one I just finished.”

“What killed your book?”

“Third-act break up.” Natalie nodded her head, it seems like they agreed.

Y/n couldn't help but feel relieved; while the nature of Y/n's relationship with Carmen remained uncertain, it was evident that Natalie would become a more integral part of the restaurant. Carmen's recent discovery of three hundred thousand dollars hidden in tomato cans had sparked ambitious plans for renovating the place. Even if she ended up being nothing serious with Carmen, she needed to secure a stable support who wouldn’t completely hate her if shit hit the fan.

They continued to talk about a few books that they had read, a few so trashy that they had to hide their faces in embarrassment from each other when reading the summary out loud.

The door chimed and both women looked over to Carmen who was holding a few bags of produce and baked goods. Y/n went over and plucked the receipts for the top of one of the bags, she didn’t bother helping Carmen because he wouldn’t have let her help anyways. Carmen was gracious enough to put all the receipts together so she wasn’t digging to find them, she kept a record of them to write them off as a business deduction.

“Nat, you’re here early?” Carmen spared a glance before opening a box of croissants to share and then disappearing to the kitchen to put everything away.

“Yeah I had to pick something up, y/n was so kind to help me so early in the morning. Isn’t she just the best?”

“Yeah…How did it go with the vendor?” Carmen mindlessly mumbled while busying himself with a notebook of recipe ideas.

“Rescheduled.” Y/n didn’t look up, engrossed in cataloging some expensive mushrooms for record keeping. $268.43 for some mushrooms was honestly so ridiculous y/n needed to squint to see if she was seeing this right.

“I need to return the favor.” Natalie started.

“It was just a few folders, you really don’t-”

“Why don’t you join us for dinner on friday?” Y/n felt like she was performing front and center.

“I couldn’t-.”

“Please, Pete never wants to talk to me about…” Natalie was raising her eyebrows in the most unsubtle way possible so she didn’t expose y/n's softer side and her penchant for reading romance novels. Y/n couldn’t help but hide her face in embarrassment, “Yeah…fine. Just tell me what time.”

Observing the exchange, Carmen couldn't help but wonder if this was how dogs felt when humans engaged in their own incomprehensible conversations.

Y/n was starting to feel like she was edging closer and closer to Carmen’s limit. Kissing in the back alley of a restaurant and on the car ride to and from work was very different from being invited to his sister’s house for dinner. It carried a weight of intimacy, commitment, and solidity that made Y/n slightly uneasy, wondering if this was too much for Carmen. She waited for the other shoe to drop, Carmen would subtly show his discontent by telling Natalie that she shouldn’t force y/n to go to that dinner, which was just an excuse to create some distance. Y/n was surprised when Carmen asked what type of desert he should bring instead.

Y/n kept her cool and excused herself to go to the office so she could get back to work.

Carmen and Natalie moved to the kitchen where Carmen would experiment for a bit. Natalie sat on a stool next to Carmen who started washing produce.

“She is very smart.” Natalie whispered. She took a glance at the closed office door.

“Yeah. Great with the books.” Carmen peeled and diced some garlic.

“Nice too.”

“She is very nice.” Carmen started cutting some nepitella. The additional “very” caused some alarm bells to ring in Natalie’s head. She hid her smirk.

“Everything about her is nice,” Natalie made sure to pay close attention to Carmen’s face, “Nice personality, nice face-” Carmen took a worried glance at the office door and then looked up at Natalie with wide eyes.

“Why, why, what are you-?” He was flustered.

“I’m just sharing my observations. You don’t think she has a nice face-?”

“This is a business, we try to keep professional.” Carmen hid his fumble with fake professionality, unfortunately Natalie saw right through it.

“Try?” Natalie teased. Carmen looked away to pretend to look for some dried porcini. He felt like an idiot. He understood why people used to see him as an easy target when he was younger, he basically showed everyone his buttons, and asked them to get pushed. Carmen continued to chop in silence.

“I'm sorry, I just got a bit excited. I won't push.” Natalie gave her brother the benefit of the doubt, she always thought he would never get into a serious relationship but he liked y/n and y/n seemed like the serious girlfriend type. Natalie couldn’t help but nudge Carmen in the right direction.

Carmen chopped in silence for a few minutes, debating if he should tell Natalie about the kiss. In his mind, he didn’t know if it was too soon for him to introduce his girlfriend to his family. Calling y/n his girlfriend felt unreal, past him wouldn’t believe it even if he saw it.

He handed his notebook to Natalie so she could read measurements to him, he wanted her here for just a bit longer till he gained the courage to tell her about y/n.

Tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms was the first test item of the morning, and he had to soak the dried porcini for 30 minutes, he was bummed that the market didn't have the fresh kind but he knew he would get the real shit when y/n got a hold of that vendor. He looked up at Natalie and tilted his head to indicate that they should leave. Carmen avoided the alley because he knew that y/n would look there first and he didn’t want her to overhear anything. They walked over to a nearby supermarket and started roaming the aisles. It was nearly empty because it was six in the morning.

“I did something…and I need you to not…just listen and don’t make it a big deal.”

“I got it, Carmy.”

“A while ago, I…” Carmen looked at all the different types of instant noodles they had on display. “So, we were in deep shit with these pre-orders and I was a mess and y/n and I were talking after…” Carmen moved over to the boxed pasta, he didn't intend to buy anything but he did read the nutritional facts.

“I umm, asked her to…” Jesus, Carmen wondered, why he didn’t make more friends so he didn’t have to talk to his older sister about something like this. Richie didn’t seem capable of giving any advice that wasn’t, “Just Do It”.

“We ki…” Natalie kept her face hard but the second that Carmen turned around to look at a box of elbow pasta, she couldn't help herself but let out a small, barely audible squeal of delight. Her eyes widened, and a grin threatened to break through her determined facade. Natalie quickly covered her mouth with her hand, trying to contain her elation, making sure not to let Carmen catch a glimpse. She stifled her excitement with every fiber of her being, preserving the illusion of calmness for when Carmen turned back around, none the wiser.

“It’s been a while, and we k…” Carmen didn’t know how he was supposed to maturely ask for advice when he couldn’t even say a kiss in front of his sister while cringing. Carmen couldn’t do this, it was too open, too vulnerable.

Nat cut him some slack and started asking questions instead, “Was it a one time thing?” Carmen subtly shook his head no. Her lips parted as she squeezed a jar of Pego to contain herself.

“Do you regret it?” Carmen didn’t respond but that didn’t mean no, that ment that she was getting closer to the root of the problem.

“Do you think she’s going to regret it?” Carmen’s shoulder’s raised slightly, bingo.

“Why don’t I gauge how she is feeling at dinner.” Nat knew he was about to run away from her for exposing too much and she had to give him an incentive to not follow his instincts.

She continued, “We talked earlier, she said she hates your cooking.” Carmen’s head snapped up, Nat knew that y/n was just joking but it was still a bit funny to mess with Carmen.

The look of shock transported her back to when she was eight sitting next to Carmy and watching Micheal convince him to finish a glass of milk or else he would lose all of his teeth to a calcium deficiency. This wasn’t the time to reminisce but it made her heart warm knowing that even after going through so much, there was still a part of young Carmy that persevered. She was feeling the burning in the back of her eyes, her hormones were making her sentimental.

“Yeah she said that your food fucking blows.” Carmen caught on and let out a small laugh.

They both roamed in the aisle moving on to juices. Sugar free, diet, pineapple, orange. Carmen’s eyebrows raised when he saw the price of orange juice before putting it down and deciding to just make his own.

Carmen started, “She isn’t the type of person who changes her mind easily,” but if she can make that shift to see him in a good light, maybe she'll stick around and eventually see the real Carmen—a pathetic, insecure loser. All he did was make a promise to her but he knew it meant nothing without actions, and he was unsure if he could control his anger or keep his obsessiveness in check when something especially difficult happened. If another shit storm made its rounds in the kitchen, would he really be able to be the bigger person? Carmen doubted it.

Carmen just ripped off the bandaid, “I don’t know how to…I want her to not hate me. I know I'm going to..” Carmen waited till a child next to them moved to the other end of teh aisle towards his dad, “..fuck it up, but I dont want that to happen.”

“What makes you think she is going to hate you?”

“When we were talking…she told me that I should have done better. And that I…needed to be “stable”, but I don’t know how to be that for myself, let alone someone else.”

“She isn’t asking you to do it for her, she wants you to do it for yourself.” Natalie offered.

“Its like having to solve a word search to answer a stupid fucking puzzle. I don’t…” Carmen sighed in defeat. Nat knew that he was strong and it was impossible for her to fix this for him but that still made her palms itch seeing him struggle like this. She racked her brain, desperately seeking any glimmer of a solution that could offer him even a shred of relief.

They both walked out the market towards the restaurant. “It's really hard…and it's not that I don’t want to, it just feels impossible.” Carmen muttered, he was close to giving up.

A burning sensation welled up in the back of Natalie's throat, and she instinctively placed her hand on Carmen's shoulder as a gesture of support and to her surprise Carmen looked at her, saw her glassy eyes and hugged her. The shock knocked a few tears from her eyes..

Carmy was not a selfish person but Nat noticed that he was becoming a bit more aware that he takes up much more space then he originally thought he did. He now knew that his presence was big enough to be able to tear people down but was also big enough to offer meaningful support. He had come to understand his own significance, and this realization struck Natalie like a tidal wave, causing her to burst into uncontrollable sobs.

“Does crying mean I'm fucked, Sugar?” Carmen asked, his voice tinged with humor and uncertainty, as he gently rubbed Natalie's back for comfort. Nat shook her head no.

“You'll be okay. You always are.” Nat wiped her face before continuing to walk back to the restaurant.

Carmen snuck a few glances to see what was making his sister a sobbing mess, she wasn’t the type to break down like that, “Are you good?” Natalie nodded her head.

“Everything good at home?” It felt strange to say the word home, even after visiting multiple countries and living in many different apartments, Carmen couldn’t really call any place home. Home was supposed to be a sanctuary of warmth, Carmen's closest experience to that feeling was back in his family house—a place where the warmth was scalding and suffocating. Where it was a constant waiting game, anticipating the intense heat to escalate and cause everything, and everyone, to boil over.

Carmen was acutely aware that he would never have a home quite like Sugar's. He couldn't help but wonder if he had what it took to be like Pete for someone else—always helpful, kind, and perhaps a little too accommodating. He questioned whether he had the capacity to fulfill that role and maintain his own sense of self. Granted, what about his “self” was worth preserving?

Natalie nodded her head but Carmen wasn’t convinced. “It's just a lot, you know. Seeing the place getting renovated. I used to hate that place, but..” She sighed, “...I picked up Micheal’s tax returns, I didn’t even need them for anything…I just wanted to see them to know what he was going through towards the…'' end. She didn’t need to finish for Carmen to know what she was talking about. They were in front of the restaurant and Carmen gave her a side hug and against his better judgment he tried his hand in verbal reassurance so he could be there for her, fully.

“I think he tried his best to make everything look fine, and it’s nice to know that he was at least able to pretend till the...end.” Sugar looked up at him and didn’t comment on his successful attempt to be her support, not wanting to scare him.

They wordlessly walked in the restaurant and Carmen finished up his dish. He made enough for one plate because he was expecting to have to remake it a few times. He grabbed a small plate and served a separate plate for y/n before knocking on her door. She looked up at him, not hearing him and gave him a “hmm” which echoed in his chest. She sat with them in the kitchen, taking her laptop with her. They all took the first bite together. Carmen watched both women’s reactions to gauge their uncensored reactions. Natalie’s eyebrows raised and she gave him a nod of approval.

Y/n took a bite and looked up from her plate so see Carmen staring at her. “Why are you staring?”

“Do you not like it?”

“It’s good.” Y/n put her fork down and propped up her head on her hand.

“But, you didn’t-”

“I’m not really a foodie, so food is never like…” Y/n made an explosion sound and flicked her hands open, “Good, is the best you going to get out of me.” Natalie wondered how a chef and an anti-gourmet foodie were going to work.

“Is all food just ”good”?” Y/n looked up and tried to think of food that was better than good.

“I like mom's cooking.”

“What is her food like?”

“Intense…subtly in food doesn’t mean anything to me because I don’t taste the difference.” Carmen was waiting for more for y/n.

“I ate a lot of spicy, sour and bitter food growing up. My mom didn’t think that kids should eat different things than everyone else, so I guess pasta and mushrooms will always be just “good”.” Y/n felt like she was just shitting all over his profession but he asked for her opinion so he couldn’t get offended now.

Carmen nodded his head before walking away. Y/n pierced her lips and looked over to Natalie wondering if she hurt Carmen’s feelings. Natalie looked just as bewildered. Just as y/n was about to find Carmen, he came out with a few more ingredients.

“What are you making?”

“Something you will like.”

“I liked what you made-”

“Good is not enough.”

“Come on, Carmen, it's something that everyone will like, it’s going to kill opening day.”

“But you have to like it.” Y/n sighed before indicating that he should continue.

“You won’t be able to serve the food I like to eat, it would be considered a biological weapon.” Y/n was warning him but Carmen thought she was teasing him. He would learn to listen to her warning in the future. He put the porcini mushrooms to the side before getting started on some penne all’arrabbiata.

Y/n laughed at him knowing that he wouldn’t have the courage to spice up a dish to her standard before grabbing her laptop so she could get some work done and also talk to Natalie about contractors.

While Carmen chopped and stirred, y/n subtly glanced up at his flexing back and strong arms. She thought she was hiding it well but when she went to check if Natalie noticed she saw that Natalie was already watching her. Natalie snickered as y/n hid her face behind her laptop to hide her embarrassment. Carmen turned around to see what was so funny but was just met with the view of both of them with their faces hiding behind their hands.

Y/n felt someone pass behind her and knew it was Sydney without having to look up. “Hey guys, what are we making?” She took a bite out of the pasta, which was slightly cooled but she still nodded her head.

“It’s fire, chef. It would be great if it was hot, I want to remake it to see what it was supposed to taste like.”

Y/n couldn’t say that she completely forgave Sydney but y/n did respect that she went to Richie to give some type of apology after a while. Y/n could accept that the two of them wouldn’t be best friends, they just needed to be able to work together.

Y/n went to Carmen’s locker before pulling out a few Tums for everyone, it looks like today was going to be pasta day because of her and she didn’t want to send everyone home with a stomach ache.

Carmen continued with his pasta, and served it in front of y/n. All the women took a bite,

“It’s got a kick to it.” Natalie said while reaching for a food container filled with water while wiping sweat from her brow. Sydney gave Carmen a, “This is fire, chef.” Y/n couldn't help but cringe inwardly at the comment because she knew she couldn't quite match their shared vernacular and the ease with which they expressed themselves with food. What private passion did y/n and Carmen share?

Carmen stared y/n down as she took a bite.

“It’s good.” Carmen waited for her to elaborate. “It’s too subtle.”

Carmen smirked, “Yeah, next time I'll just make you a ball of fire for you to enjoy.” Y/n gave him a shit eating grin, it was just too fun not to mess with him, and when she saw him smile back she felt a bit of imaginary nostalgia, this was what she longed for back in New York.

The restaurant was still closed for renovations and after a while a few other crew members came by to do some demo. Y/n was stuck on hold with the inspector's office when she was approached by Natalie, “I’ve got a doctor’s appointment so I've got to go, I’ll see you on Friday at eight.”

The rest of the week flew by because they were on a very strict time crunch to open in a few months. Y/n wasn’t very worried but she could feel the nerves from everyone else and she knew it would be in bad taste to tell them to toughen up, so she let them be grown ups and deal with their own anxieties.

On Friday, y/n left early to get ready for dinner, she opened an old moving box and pulled out a dress that she wore to an old work function. It was very tasteful because it was freezing outside. Y/n grabbed her gifts before running into Carmen’s car. Y/n took one look at Carmen and had to do a double take to make sure that she went into the right person’s car. Carmen’s hair was lighty slicked back, probably with pomade, and he was wearing a deep blue sweater with a white collar.

“I didn’t know you had clothes other than aprons and Dickies.”

“You look..” Carmen marveled at the way her eyes sparkled with an inner radiance, drawing him in like a moth to a flame. He knew he wasn’t able to get the full picture yet because they were in a dark car but he could only imagine what she would do to him when they went to the well lit house. “..great.” Carmen wanted to punch himself for being so unoriginal but he couldn’t focus on anything.

“Thank you, you look good too. Blue is definitely your color..” Carmen’s fingers loosened around the steering wheel, compliments had always made him uneasy; he spent the majority of his life trying to make himself as small as possible and now he was pushed into the spotlight and he wondered if he even liked it?

“Carmen, can you look at me for a second?” And when he swiveled his head towards y/n, she squished his face lighty before giving his puckered lips a soft kiss. Just as she was about to lean back into her seat, Carmen, unable to resist, slipped his hand beneath her hair, grasping the back of her neck and drawing her in for a deeper, more passionate second kiss.

Yeah, he liked it.

“We are going to be late.” Y/n whispered before giving him one last peck. Carmen, still in a daze, fiddled with the radio so he could get his head straight. The ride to his sister’s house was quiet barring the soft jazz. Y/n was very nervous, they never had that conversation that said that they were official and for all she knew she was just a friend that Carmen kissed from time to time. She resisted the urge to ask right now because she was scared to find out that they were nothing more. She would savor the few minutes before she was inevitably introduced as a friend, or worse a co-worker.

They pulled into Natalie’s driveway and got out of the car, y/n grabbed the bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine and they rang the doorbell.

"Why are you holding the tray like that?" Y/n asked, noticing how Carmen clung to it like a shield. Before she could receive a response, Natalie opened the door with a warm greeting, inviting them inside. Y/n handed over the gifts, but Carmen still clung onto his belongings. Just then, Peter descended the stairs, seemingly about to approach Carmen for a hug before his gaze landed on Carmen's protective tray. He hesitated and stepped back, realizing it was acting as a barrier. Y/n stifled a laugh, biting her cheek to prevent herself from laughing at Carmen’s immaturity.

Carmen greeted, “Pete.” Y/n could feel the dislike and she felt bad for Pete because he seemed nice.

“Carmen, it’s good to see you, man.”

“This is my girlfriend, y/n.” A sense of numbness overwhelmed her. It was like when people get run over by a semi and say that they don’t feel anything. Y/n extended her hand to shake Pete's, and she followed him into the living room.

Carmen went into the kitchen to help Natalie and y/n made pleasant conversation with Pete, he seemed a bit soft but she could understand why Natalie might want someone like him. Y/n pretended to be interested when he showed her his Cubs memorabilia, she initially thought the Cubs were a fictional sports team made by the New Girl writers.

Y/n and Pete walked over to the kitchen and asked if they needed any help. Pete looked like he wanted to actually be helpful but y/n had her fingers crossed hoping she didn’t have to do any cooking. It was weird to see Carmen let someone else take the lead while he watched. Even with Sydney, he still watched over everything like a hawk, not because he didn’t trust her, it's just because he wouldn’t let her fail.

Y/n watched as everyone spoke and she wondered where she fit in. Natalie and Carmen were obviously close and Pete was doing his best to get close to Carmen, trying to bridge the obvious gap between them. Y/n had to stop herself from telling Carmen to either be nicer or for Pete to drop it.

Other than being Carmen’s new “girlfriend” and sharing small talk, what else was there for her to talk about? Y/n didn’t know them well but she could tell there was a lot of subtext between the three of them that added weight to their interactions that she wasn’t privy to yet. She was a flame trying to suck in any bubble of oxygen so she could ignite, she needed more information before she could actually join them.

It felt like she was reading Dune for the first time, being dropped in the middle of an already moving plot and she was scrambling to play catch up. Carmen had a lot of triggers and she wondered if Natalie was the same. Even if they acted completely differently, y/n could tell that they were sidestepping something, like they were avoiding talking about a gaping bullet wound, and if siblings were acting like that it means that it's a problem with the parents. Despite the fact that they were in the kitchen, the three of them weren’t talking about the food. Y/n made a mental checklist of a few rules; 1. Don’t bring up parents 2. Don't mention food because it's a trigger 3. Pay attention to Natalie because she was not as good at hiding her feelings as Carmen.

Dinner was served and they all took a seat, y/n took slow sips of wine and saw that Natalie’s wine was slightly darker than hers. Y/n was sitting across Natalie so she recognized the smell too, apple. She was drinking sparkling apple cider. Y/n hid her smirk by talking another sip, she would be a spy or something because she was killing it in the recon department.

Dinner was starting to feel stiff, y/n took a deep breath and turned to Natalie, “Your cooking is to die for.” Natalie tucked in her lips but couldn’t help but hide her smile, y/n never told Carmen anything like that, barring the first day she got to Chicago, it was a petty way of getting back at him for blindsiding her by calling her his girlfriend.

“Thanks, It's a family recipe.” Y/n wanted to stab herself with the fork, she just broke rule one and two. Just as y/n was about to make some asinine comment to change topics, Carmen did it for her.

“Can you pass me the bread, Sugar?” Y/n found her opening.

“Sugar, that’s a nice nickname, what’s the story?”

Natalie paused and y/n had a feeling she fucked up, “We were having this Chrismas family thing and I added a cup of sugar into the gravy instead of salt. The name just stuck.” Y/n definitely fucked up, she was breaking rules left and right. Y/n scrabbled to put herself in the same level as Natalie.

“I’ve been there. My parents were having a few co-worker over for lunch and they brought a box of these expensive mangos and I was told to make some smoothies because it was boiling that day. I filled up the sugar container with salt without noticing and made them smoothies with a ton of salt.” Y/n saw that all eyes were on her and she didn’t allow herself to be nervous because she was trying to get a deeper point across.

Y/n continued, “I have never heard that many people gag all at once.” Their faces broke into a smile.

“What did your mom say?” Bingo, looks like the taboo parent could be narrowed down to their mother.

“She didn’t say anything bad, she and her co-workers just laughed. I mean I was a kid and we all make mistakes. I ended up making lemonade instead.”

Natalie’s eyes lit up,“It’s a shame that all those mangos went to waste.” Natalie joked.

“Waste?” Y/n had a fake offense, “I drank the rest to prove that it wasn’t that bad.”

“Was it that bad?” Pete asked.

“My blood pressure was through the roof. It was the first time I ever got a headache.”

The rest of dinner was a bit more relaxed, y/n was expecting Carmen to talk a bit more because these were his people but it looked like she would have to do the talking for the both of them. They finished up dinner and y/n got up to help them clean up. It was y/n and Carmen alone in the kitchen while Natalie went upstairs to check on something, aka she needed some rest and Pete went to check up on her.

As Carmen washed the dishes, Y/n stood by, towel in hand, drying them. The domestic scene felt comfortable, yet she couldn't determine if she truly enjoyed this newfound domesticity. She wondered if in Carmen’s eyes she was merely playing the role of the perfect partner – someone who could effortlessly navigate his family dynamics, fix his business, and be his own manic pixie dream girl.

A selfish thought crossed Y/n's mind. What was she truly gaining from this relationship? She had been too afraid to make a move with Carmen after the kiss, fearing that one misstep could lead her to being shut out completely. She hesitated to voice her preferences about his food, to ask about the nature of their relationship, or to discuss their future plans if this relationship fell through. Y/n wasn't one to dwell in discomfort, except for her previous job, and she felt frustrated that she had to jump through so many hoops just to ensure that Carmen wouldn't leave.

They finished the dishes and y/n could tell that Carmen wanted to check on Natalie but he didn’t want to leave y/n alone. Y/n being a supportive girlfriend, practically pushed him up the steps before walking out the front door and leaning on the porch. Y/n grabbed her jacket and walked out. She underestimated the frigid Chicago air which felt like a sharp slap to her face, serving as a wake-up call. It reminded her that the warm and fuzzy feeling she had been battling within herself was merely fleeting, and that the reality of the world could be much harsher and more painful.

Y/n couldn’t help but wonder why Carmen was even bothering with her, they had nothing in common but the restaurant. Work was everything for him and Sydney, their shared connection always pulled them together despite both of their volatile personalities. What pulled y/n and Carmen together? They both worked in the restaurant but Carmen didn’t have a passion for running said restaurant, it was a mere obligation that y/n took from him. If she stopped working there, what else did they have in common?

Y/n came to the daunting realization that Carmen picked Sydney because he saw potential in her, a chance to let both him and her grow. However, he didn’t pick y/n because he saw something deeper in her, it was an act of embarrassed desperation.

Was she just a means to help Carmen get his shit together? The restaurant meant a lot to Micheal and after he died Carmen stopped seeing the restaurant as something that was out of his reach but as something to connect him to his brother, a small thread connecting the estranged brothers. Y/n was there to hold up the connection in the vaguest of ways, she kept the restaurant afloat so Carmen could come to terms with Micheals’s legacy, good and bad.

She was lost in thought when she heard the door close, she turned her head to see Carmen was already lighting a cigarette. It was difficult for her to be objective when Carmen locked eyes with her with such intensity. Y/n ripped her eyes from him and faced forward looking at the neighbor's yard, they had nice shrubs.

“I thought you left.” Carmen started as he leaned on the railing with y/n. He looked forward to see what was so interesting that y/n couldn’t look him in the face, it was just some trees.

“I needed some air.”

“You could catch a cold.”

“I don’t get sick, sick is a mindset.” Y/n was obviously joking.

She lowered her head so that she could feel the cold metal on her forehead, maybe a different type of pain would make this conversation easier. Her forehead landed on something warm, the back of Carmen’s hand. She turned her head to its side but remained connected to Carmen’s hand. The warmth radiating on her cheek was making her stomach do backflips. Even if she knew she shouldn’t be indulging like this she couldn’t help it. He felt too good and y/n was getting more and more greedy.

“Hey, Carmen?” Carmen was still staring at y/n. “What do we have in common?” He looked taken aback.

“We like each other…” He was starting to feel the slow slitter of nausea because he knew the other shoe was about to drop.

“If we don’t have much in common, what do we talk about?”

“We can talk about whatever we like. It’s nice to…be with someone who isn't wrapped up in the same things as me.” Carmen expressed a genuine warmth in his voice. Carmen wanted to say that she made him feel like the roof wasn’t going to collapse on him and that the small things weren’t going to destroy him but it felt selfish to describe how much he cared for her based on how she made him feel and not on facts about her.

“I don’t care about fancy food.” Y/n blurted out.

Carmen chuckled, “You know about the vendors, where the supplies are sourced, how much they cost, and a bunch of other stuff. You do care, just in a different way than I do.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“It gives me perspective. It’s very realistic and grounded.” Y/n knew he was calling her realistic and grounded.

“I like hearing you talk about my food.” Carmen offered.

“Even if it’s just “good”?”

“Especially if it's just "good". That means you're telling me the truth.” Carmen recalled a ninth grade world history lesson about the Rosetta Stone, an artifact written in three different languages and made it possible to translate some ancient language. Though he hadn't fully paid attention during the lesson, Carmen now saw the parallel. If Y/n had the courage to express her opinions on his food, it meant she was being honest with him about everything else.

Y/n cracked a smile before covering her mouth and started laughing. It was a jarring sound, Carmen couldn’t pinpoint what the laugh was meant to convey but he knew it wasn’t good.

“What?” Carmen asked, Y/n rubbed her face with her cold hands.

“You said that you were scared of me a while back but now…” Y/n's laughter softened into a smaller chuckle, conveying a mix of amusement and irony.

“I’m scared of you.” The weight was lifted off her shoulders and slammed down on Carmen's. Y/n wondered if this is how the rest of their relationship was going to be; one person transferring their hurt to the other till the weight became too much to bear.

"It's... I want to bring so many things up to you but..." Y/n wondered if this counted as an accusation. "..you’re so flighty. I don't know what to say that won't make you..." Y/n struggled to find a word that didn't feel so definitive, but the only word that felt honest was, "...leave."

The porch fell into an uneasy silence, both of them grappling with the weight of Y/n's vulnerability.

"I...I didn't realize..." Carmen stammered, his voice betraying his inner turmoil. "I would never just... leave." They both stared in silence, they knew that wasn’t true. Y/n lifted her head leaving the warmth behind, she knew this wouldn’t work if he made false promises. And against everything telling her to just accept his promise as law and ignore any doubts, she couldn’t fool herself like that.

“That’s such bullshit.” Y/n lighty giggled. It felt as though a shark had promised to stop swimming—it was ingrained in their nature. In that lighthearted moment, a mischievous thought crossed Y/n's mind: What would happen if Carmen actually stopped running away? Would he cease to exist, like a fish in space?

Her playful musings, though immature, offered a brief respite from the weight of their conversation. It was a temporary escape, a way to diffuse the tension. Y/n noticed that she brought all this shit up to comfort herself but she was giggling to make him feel safe. Even when she knew she shouldn’t, she couldn't help but try to make him feel better.

As the laughter subsided, Y/n met Carmen's eyes, she forced herself to ignore the emotions he was conveying and instead tried to match his eyes with things she had seen in the past. If this ended poorly, she would miss his eyes the most and she wanted to know what else could match in intensity in case she never got to see him like this ever again, nothing came to mind.

Carmen felt like he was backed into a corner, he couldn’t promise her anything without her, justifiably, doubting him.

"I don't want to leave you," Carmen offered, his voice carrying a mixture of sincerity and vulnerability. It was the most honest response he could offer at that moment. He couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't feel the urge to run, to escape when things got tough, but he had a genuine desire to stay.

Y/n's eyes met Carmen's, her expression softened. She knew it wasn't a perfect answer, but it was a step forward. It was enough to know that he acknowledged his own complexities and still chose to be present with her.

They stood in the quiet watching neighbors turn off their living room lights and go upstairs. She wanted to test out whether, “They could talk about whatever they wanted too.”

“What do you think they’re doing?” Y/n asked, Carmen parted his lips and turned his face to look at y/n so see if she was serious, she was.

“I think they go to bed and she has this super long night time routine and he is already asleep by the time she gets to bed. You?” Y/n knew that if they ever slept over at each other’s place, that’s exactly what would happen between them.

“She probably got home from a shit day and she starts reading an easy romance book…Do you read any books?”

“They are mostly cooking stuff.” He took a drag from his cigarette.

“You read cookbooks for entertainment?”

“Sometimes, it's a part of the craft.” Carmen realized how fucking pretentious he sounded and was a bit ashamed but seeing y/n refrain from teasing him by bitting her lips made him not want to crawl into a hole and die of shame, her smile was addicting. “…but there is a lot of history and science too. '' Carmen knew he sucked at conversation but he would do anything to keep talking.

“What was your last book?”

Y/n and Carmen kept talking till they lost track of time and eventually when they had reached a comfortable lull, y/n could confidently say that they were in fact capable of holding a conversation about mundane shit.

Against every fiber of her being telling her to end their conversation like this, she couldn’t help but ask, “What happens…if this ends?” Y/n didn’t know if she was supposed to use “if” or “when”; one was cautious, the other was a prophecy.

Carmen didn’t look back at her, instead giving her, “You’ll still have a job…I’m not a dick…all the time.” Y/n lips curved upwards.

“Will you be able to work with someone you’ve been in a relationship with?”

“Yes.” Carmen wondered if the answer could ever be anything other than yes.

Y/n knew that if this ended badly she would be allowed to stick around so that Carmen would have an excuse to throw himself at his work. She would be the catalyst to merge him from an individual to a vague reflection of Micheal’s legacy.

Whether or not Carmen knew it, Micheal was a huge influence in his life and just like Micheal began to isolate himself towards the end, Carmen would do the same if they drifted apart. It was his inherent weakness and a relationship gone sour that would make it difficult for him to break the cycle that Micheal had started.

“I won’t stay if it hurts you, Carmen.”

“I would want you to stay, y/n.”

“There is no trophy that comes with going through unnecessary shit.”

“I know, I would still need you.” Carmen hesitated but eventually placed his hand top on y/n's.

“Because I can do the books?” Y/n rolled her eyes jokingly.

“No…you do more than that. You are…” Carmen read books with a shit ton of adjectives, they had to be descriptive to describe food through text. Despite that, he was at a loss for words to describe her.

"You are..." he began again, this time his voice was a little gentler than before. He took a deep breath, hoping that he could find those words that would express everything he felt.

"You are very important to me,". His voice was soft like he was realizing this for the first time.

The second time was meant for y/n, "You are very important to me." I love you, y/n.

Y/n locked eyes with Carmen for a moment.

"You are important to me too." I love you, Carmen.

Neither of them had the courage to say that to each other, wondering if they were the only one’s feeling like this.

They both had jackets on but y/n’s hands were freezing and she could feel Carmen’s hand was also ice cold. She knew that they had both reached their limits but y/n couldn’t help but relish in the cold for a bit longer.

For y/n, the biting cold was always a catalyst for clarity, stripping away the unnecessary and forcing y/n to distill her focus onto the few things that mattered. Amidst the frost, she found solace in the simplicity. It was within this chilling environment that she discovered a clear chance to confront her inner turmoil head-on and confront the world.

Carmen had always been drawn to the intense heat. It was as if the scorching temperatures matched the fire that burned within him, igniting his passion and driving him forward but leaving him with nothing to look back on. Extreme heat was his poison of choice, his way of confronting the world.

Carmen’s heat was turning her mind into a messy slurry of slush. Y/n had to force herself to focus despite the fact that Carmen’s hand was providing her with a sliver of intoxicating warmth.

“You didn’t ask me to be your girlfriend.” Carmen’s head shot up aback by y/n's words. He was excited to introduce her to his family, and he hadn't thought to ask her permission first. He tried to explain himself, his words coming out in a rush.

"I didn't mean to assume anything. I just thought that since we've been seeing each other for a while now, it was... " He took a moment to catch his breath, trying to gather his thoughts.

“I think you should try asking first.” Carmen stared at y/n not knowing if this was a trap to get rejected twice. He opted for silence.

“Carmen, ask me if I want to be your girlfriend?” Carmen didn't want to say the wrong thing, not when it was so important, for someone so important. Carmen trusted y/n so he stubbed his cigarette on the ashtray before taking a deep breath and asking, “Will you be my girlfriend, y/n.”

Y/n wrapped her freezing hands around his neck accidentally grazing her finger on his neck making him shiver. She leaned in against his lip and even though they had kissed before this, Carmen felt like he couldn’t think. Y/n lips barely touching Carmen’s before whispering a soft, “Yes, Carmy.”

Carmen closed the small gap between their lips. And y/n felt a gentle heat seep through the folds of her head making it difficult to focus on her freezing fingers, or her numb toes, or her goosebump riddled legs, or her shivering arms. Y/n felt Carmen pull her closer and even though they were as close as physically possible, it wasn’t enough. Carmen’s lips left y/n’s before trailing down the column of her neck, y/n could feel the blossoming of heat radiate from his lips. Y/n’s hands sank down to Carmen’s waist and slowly drifted up his shirt. The cold sent shivers down his spine as y/n’s hands moved at a glacial pace.

Just as Carmen reached the collar of her jacket he looked up at her and y/n had to resist every irrational and reckless part of her that told her to continue. The realization that they were on Carmen’s sister’s porch made y/n look around to ground herself. She landed on a black box right near the door before looking back to Carmen with her mouth agape and her eyes wide open.

“What?” Carmen questioned with furrowed eyebrows.

“We are on your sister's porch.” Y/n said with a thousand yard stare and a distant mutter.

“I’m not a fucking animal, obviously we aren’t going to do this here.” Y/n softly grasped Carmen’s face before turning towards the black box, a doorbell camera.

“Jesus…fuck.” They both looked at each other before y/n scrambled inside with Carmen right behind her. Either they were caught and they had to face Natalie despite the embarrassment or they got to the footage before Natalie saw it.

Y/n let Carmen lead her to Natalie’s room, who thankfully was still laying on her side, Pete had gone to the restroom.

Y/n leaned up to Carmen before whispering, “Distract her.” Carmen sat near Natalie and asked her if she wanted some ginger-ale or if he should stop by a pharmacy.

Natalie's phone was on the nightstand and y/n swiped it when Natalie wasn’t looking before unlocking her phone with the password she acquired from being noisy. She then deleted the footage of the last hour from her Ring app. Y/n wanted to scroll back a few months to watch Carmen call her for the first time but she didn’t have enough time.

Y/n set the phone exactly how she found it and gave Carmen a subtle thumbs up.

“I’m fine, I think I need to sleep this off.” Natalie sat up while glancing at y/n and y/n had to resist freezing like a criminal caught in the spotlight.

“I’m really sorry-” Natalie started.

“Please don’t be. I had a great time. Is there anything we can do for you before we leave?” Y/n felt bad for taking advantage of Natalie’s pregnancy induced sickness but this was a matter of prestige, she wouldn’t be able to set foot in this house if Natalie ever saw the footage.

Natalie shook her head no and they said their goodbye’s before Camren and y/n practically tripped over themselves running out of that house. They sprinted to the car and slammed the doors shut before bursting out laughing. Y/n felt like she was a teenager again, sneaking her boyfriend out the fire escape before her mom walked in. Carmen pushed his forehead into the steering wheel to laugh and the sound that echoed felt like it was melting itself into y/n’s brain, forever branded into her memory.

“How many times have you been here, Carmen? You never noticed the fucking camera, you dick?” Y/n struggled to shake off the heat that pulsed up her body, Camren hadn’t even started the car yet and she was burning up.

“I…I never looked, what kind of freak looks?”Carmen said in between laughs. Y/n gave him a fake look of disapproval.

“Turn the car on, Berzatto, you’re getting on my fucking nerves.”

Carmen turned on his car before pulling out of Natalie’s driveway, he was still snickering and in the streetlight y/n could see his neck turn bright red.

“Stop by a CVS or something.” Y/n said while fiddling with the radio.

“You think you caught something from Nat.” Y/n resisted telling him that pregnancy wasn’t contagious, men are so fucking stupid.

“You have condoms on you?” Carmen slammed on the break, lucky they were at a red light.

“N...no.” Scarlet crawled up his neck and up his face. Y/n didn’t know someone’s ears could ever get that red before. Carmen stayed still trying to collect his fractured thoughts.

“It's green, Carmen.”

He stepped on the gas and y/n was glad that the roads were practically empty because he was driving like he had all the insurance in the world. He pulled over to a Walgreens and ran out of the car. Y/n shook her head at his shit parking, he was in between two spots. Carmen came back in a minute with a plastic bag, y/n could decipher from the shapes that he had also bought some gatorades too.

Carmen pulled out of the parking lot.

Y/n didn’t recognize the streets on their ride back, “Your place?”

“Mine is closer.” Carmen replied, his voice tinged with a mix of anticipation.

Y/n could help but giggle, she always loved it when he was desperate. She knew it was wrong, but she always felt such a rush of excitement when her control over him was at its pinnacle and they both knew it.

When they reached a stop sign, y/n glanced over at Camren and saw that he was already looking back at her.

They couldn’t seem to care that they were wading in uncharted waters and they couldn’t convince themselves that this was going to end badly enough for them to not at least try. If they looked at each other like that, there was no way they were going to let each other go.

End Notes:

Fire + Ice = Vapor; It took me an embarrassing amount of time to think of that.

There is a lot of tension and maturity that needs to be written in smut for it to be good and I just can’t do that. I tried for this one and I had to close my laptop and take a lap because the second hand embarrassment was too much. So those drafts have been deleted and I’m glad I never have to see them again.

I didn't think people would like Turbulence, I was going to delete it after a few hours and just keep it to myself but i'm glad that people liked it so ig it's here to stay. I tried to keep this one more contained then Turbulence bc writing about multiple days is such a pain.

I really don’t know what else I might write about for these two, or in general, so if you have any suggestions feel free to send them to me. If your suggestion inspires me, you better believe that I'm going to get out of bed at 2 in the morning and start writing. Or we can bury these two in a shallow grave and forget they exist, which is also fine by me because I think fic aged me.

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jeridandridge · 6 months

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stelle splendenti (shining stars)

Not edited, it’s been a minute.

On Friday night after school Melissa and Jacob find themselves at a shared favorite restaurant sipping drinks and chatting like they do in their new found friendship.

“And then,” Jacob laughs, “then I did my walk of shame practically blind and almost tripped in the crosswalk on 5th.”

Jacob and Melissa howl with laughter in their booth, the redhead wiping her eyes. “Oh god, kid. I’m impressed.”

“Jacob what are you doing here?”

Looking up Melissa’s breath hitches when she sees the gorgeous woman next to their booth. “Stelle splendenti.” She whispers smiling at the stranger.

“Y/n!” Jacob stands up pulling the woman into a hug. “Melissa, this is my friend, I was just telling her about you recently.”

“You’re a friend of Jacob’s?” The redhead smiles gesturing for the stranger to sit.

“Yeah, this guy crashed on my couch for a few months and we’ve been friends ever since.” The woman smiles. “If I weren’t living in a shoe box it’d probably be the same set up now.” She chuckles.

“Ah it’s alright, Mel Mel and I are good friends now.”

Melissa nods trying not to stare at the woman, completely mesmerized by her eyes. She doesn’t know it, but Jacob catches on right away.

“Ya know, y/n, Melissa has a ticket guy for sports. I know you like the flyers, maybe we can all go to a match sometime.”

“Game,” Malissa and the woman correct him at the same time. “You like the flyers, hon?”

“I do,” she nods with a chuckle. “I’ve always loved hockey, football is a close second though.”

Now Melissa is very intrigued.

“Pretty and a sports fan? Jacob where have you been keeping this one?”

The conversation goes on, and it turns out this woman is a breath of fresh air.

“No it’s from the 40s originally, way before all of us.” She laughs, her eyes crinkling.

“What can I say, hon you’ve got good taste.”

She smiles at the redhead with a shrug. “I usually do.”

Hours later, Melissa is dead tired but cant force herself to move from the booth. Getting to know Jacob has been a delightful surprise and now she was surprised that she found herself liking one of his friends.

“I have to get going but it was so nice meeting you, Melissa. Jacob give her my number and I’ll send you the links to that band.” She smiles hugging Jacob before putting her jacket on and walking out. Jade eyes follow her slim frame all the way down the aisle of booths.

Melissa Schemmenti is screwed big time.

After a weekend of constantly thinking of the cute woman and giggling at her phone like a school girl, Melissa sits with Jacob in the teachers lounge staring at her phone screen.

“Just ask her to hang out,” Jacob shrugs with a smile. “She’s a really great person.”

“Kid,” she sighs leaning back in her chair. “Look, you’d make a great wingman but that’s just not in the cards for me okay?”

“How do you know that?” He asks in a way only Jacob can. “You don’t know how it’ll go if you don’t try, and If I were a betting man I’d say Barbara probably told you the same thing.”

He smiles just as Barbara walks in with the others.

For the rest of that morning Melissa thinks about what Jacob said and how he’s right although she’d never say it aloud. Her marriage ended badly and her last relationship ended in an embarrassing failed marriage proposal. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to try again. For the rest of the day her mind drifts off to the woman even during her lesson with the kids.

Up on the second floor after the kids have long gone Jacob holds the phone to his ear walking back and forth across the floor. “Quit being chicken and give it a try.” He huffs into the phone.

“Jacob! What if she says no? Does she even like women?” His friend asks on the other end.

Walking around his classroom Jacob can’t help roll his eyes.

“I know you two have been texting all weekend, if she wasn’t into you she wouldn’t be doing that. Trust me.”

“Fine, but if this backfires you’ll never hear the end of it.”

Later on in the evening Melissa sits on the edge of her bed looking at her phone screen. The phone number shines on the screen, like it’s taunting her. Taking a breath the redhead hits the number almost vibrating as it rings on speaker.

“Hi, gorgeous.” A bubbly voice comes from the other end.

“Hi,” Melissa laughs, “ya know I usually don’t do this but I dunno, I wanted to call ya.”

“I’m happy you did. Textings nice but I like actually talking. Plus it’ll get Jacob off my case.”

“He’s been on you too? I couldn’t get him to leave me alone. I guess that’s what I get for acting like a schoolgirl.” Melissa bites her lip hoping the admission isn’t too weird.

“If it makes you feel any better I was really giddy all weekend.” She chuckles.

Melissa smiles twirling one of her rings. “I guess it wouldn’t be so weird if I asked you out then?”

“I was hoping you would, especially since the first thing you said to me was a dreamy Italian compliment.”

“You heard that huh?” Melissa laughs practically face palming herself. “Your eyes are very pretty.”

“With a compliment like that I’d be very dumb to say no to a date.” She laughs on the other end.

“Finally!” Jacob bursts through the door tossing his hands up.

Melissa and the young woman on the other end both snap at their friend.

“Jacob!”

#abbott elementary #lisa ann walter #Melissa Schemmenti #Melissa Schemmenti x reader #melissa schemmenti x jacob hill #wlw fanfic #Melissa Schemmenti x you #Melissa Schemmenti x imagine

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soliarus · 8 months

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*sigh* Business Party

-fluff, suggestive, business partyyyy shenanigans, first kiss!?!? OH MY GAWD finally finished the series!! Thanks @miinatozakiii for the original request!!

: taking your niece’s teacher out to a business party is crazy

words 1.4k

teacher!sana x fem!reader

part 1 part 2

“You look very pretty, Sana,” you mumble with a blush as you stiffly hold up a bouquet of flowers when the apartment door opens. She was wearing a white dress with a faux feathered coat draped across her shoulders. Sana bashfully smiles as she steps out.

“And you also look very pretty, Y/N” Your blush increased tenfold as Sana looked at you from under her lashes.

“T-thank you!” You were wearing a really pretty black dress, and Sana couldn’t keep her eyes off your body. It just hugged your curves in all the right places, in a way that makes her itch—the good kind of itch.

“Thank you so much for being my plus one, Sana!” you say as you open the passenger door for her, “I really appreciate it; I didn’t know who else to bring. Last time I brought Eun, and let’s just say she was a bit too excited.”

“Of course, Y/N! Thank you so much for inviting me; I’ve never been to a party like this, and I’m excited!” Sana beams as she places her hand over yours, which rests on the door handle. You swallow as Sana’s fingers rub against yours.

“Y-yeah…” *gulp*

—

“Oh, Sana, before we go inside…” You start. Still in your car, the venue is only a couple steps away. It’s clear you were nervous.

“Yes, Y/N?” Sana looks at you expectantly, but with the most caring eyes.

“This is for you.” You pull out a bracelet, carefully crafted with fine silver and diamonds. “I had it specially made for you; it’s a thank you. For joining me tonight.”

—

The party was much fancier than Sana intended; the hall was adorned with gold and maroon decorations. And it just smelled rich. Like someone spilt a bottle of Chanel Cuir de Russie.

Sana was nervous, like really super nervous. She fiddled with her fingers, bringing them up to play with the bracelet you had given her a few moments ago. She cautiously eyed the magnificent room. You sensed her nervousness and slowly held her hand in yours.

“I was nervous at my first party too, but I promise you, I won’t let anything bad happen to you tonight.” You softly tell her, squeezing her hand reassuringly. This time Sana feels her breath hitch. You just look so good. You smile at her, lost in her eyes for a second, before coming to your senses.

“Hey, you’ve got to try the wine here; the rich snobs love it, seriously it tastes like trash.” You whisper the last bit into Sana’s ear, who just giggles as you walk her towards the huge bar in the corner.

“Oh, oh wow…” Sana covers her mouth with her hand, squeezing her eyes shut after taking a sip of some wine. You try to hold back your laugh.

“See, I told you, just because the bottles are more expensive doesn’t mean the taste gets better.” you giggle as Sana slumps over the counter.

“What’s with rich people and bitterness…” Sana mumbles but then her eyes widen as she looks at you, “I-I didn’t mean you- I just-”

You really couldn’t hold back your laugh this time as Sana stumbles over her words. She’s mesmerized by the way you tilt your head back and place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, your eyes forming crescents. God, she feels lucky enough to be in your presence.

“Ah, Ms. Magical Diamond has decided to finally attend a party,” a deep voice spoke from behind you. You turned to face a tall 6’6” man, his broad shoulders and buff muscles constricting within the suit he wore, his mustache proper yet holding so much power.

Sana felt astonished, frightened even, this man was scary, he’s got to be some bodyguard, mafia boss, assassin, or something. You– no scratch that everyone looked so small compared to him. Yet your smile didn’t show any fear at all, you beamed as you hugged him.

“Mr. Puff!” You exclaim. Okay, weird name. Sana thought. But her nervousness dissipated as she saw the man smile, it seemed so fatherly, co comforting.

“Sana! This is Mr. Puff! He’s the owner of Puff’s Bakery!” You introduce her. Oh, this big guy owns that one cute bakery in New York—the one with white walls, completely adorned with baby pink decor?

She’s astonished as she stares at the man. You giggle at her awed face, “He might seem all rough on the outside, but trust me he’s just a big old cream puff”. You reassure her, Sana just nods as you and Mr. Puff begin a light conversation.

While you’re distracted, she takes the chance to look around, not at the place, she’s already done that, but at the people. Her eyes catch celebrities and business entrepreneurs of all kinds. Some of them she didn’t know anything about, except for one thing, they could probably buy her life in a heartbeat.

Holy sh*t, is that Kim Kardashian!?

“Sana? Sana!” You were waving a hand over her face, trying to get her attention.

“Huh?” You giggle as she turns to you, looking like a confused puppy. You place a hand on her cheek.

“You’re so cute, you know that?” You murmur, staring into her eyes. Sana’s face flushes.

“W-what?”

“Uhh I mean that– like– you…let’s just leave”

—-

“It’s still early in the night...would you like to come over to my place?” You ask Sana after leaving the venue.

“If you don’t mind! I would love to see your place!” Sana beams, her eyes twinkling, ready to see your home.

You two stop in front of a huge building, handing in your keys before leading the way. Just as the two of you step into the elevator, a whole bunch of people step in. Why are there so many people out right now? You wouldn’t know. One thing you did know was that your front was literally pressed against Sana’s right now as the two of you were shoved into the corner of the elevator.

You were breathing against Sana’s neck, her hands wrapping around your waist to keep you from falling. Don’t look down. Don’t look down. You chanted in your mind. You shivered as one of her hands trailed up from your waist across your back, against your neck, before grasping your chin. You didn’t have any time to react because she tugged your face up only to place a soft peck on your lips. You were shocked, to say the least.

When you tried to make eye contact with her, you saw she was looking somewhere else, or at someone else. A man, you saw him scoff and stuff his phone in his pocket before turning to look at the door instead. Sana also let out a scoff under her breath before looking at you. Her serious eyes, now wide and full, you saw as her face slowly turned red. You also felt your face burn as everyone in the elevator stepped out, leaving the two of you alone in there.

You take a step back, once the doors close, your chest heaving. You notice how Sana’s hands linger a bit before she speaks up, “I’m so sorry, Y/N. I shouldn’t have done that without your permission, that guy was eyeing you weird and I think he was going to take a picture of you– I know that’s not an excuse but–”

You stopped her in her tracks, “I liked it…” you whispered.

“What…” She breathes out.

“I liked it”

—

As soon as the door closed, you pushed Sana against it, your lips fully on hers. Two breaths combined into one as you tugged each other closer. Your make out session didn’t last long though. You felt yourself freeze in your spot when you heard someone clear their throat behind you—a sound you’re way too familiar with.

“E-eun! What are you doing here!” You turned around, hair slapping Sana in the face. There was your niece in all her glory, wearing her Barbie pjs, a cup of milk in her hand, the other tapping against it as she leaned against the wall.

“Mom dropped me off five hours ago, had the place to myself…” She shrugs as if it’s the most normal thing ever, “I should be the one asking that question to her” She points to the woman behind you, “Ms. Minatoki…”

“I–uhmm…” Sana has nothing to say, not even the normal correction of her name, her mouth opening and closing like a fish, I mean what can you say after your student finds their aunt’s lipstick marks all over your face.

You hurriedly hand Sana a tissue and help her pull her dress straps onto her shoulder.

“Why didn’t your mom tell me she was dropping you off,” You groan.

“She texted you, and emailed you, and called you, even left a voicemail, I think?” Eun murmurs.

“You should be in bed.”

“So you could have my teacher in yours?”

#sana x reader #sana imagines #twice x reader #twice imagines #twice imagine #twice sana

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shipperssafehaven · 1 year

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Earth 42 Miles Morales x plus size black reader hcs

As well intentioned as they were, your family’s compliments always tended to be on the backhanded side

Like whenever your thin cousins were getting attention from boys you had interest in, you had some relative whispering in your ear, “Looks ain’t everything, you’ll find you a nice boy.”

Or when you wore crop tops or shorts, they’d eye you like CRAZY and question you relentlessly:

“You wearing that?” “Yep.” “You sure you don’t want a jacket with that or something?”

It never got to you per se, just made you feel like you should be insecure even though you weren’t. You didn’t really mind your looks or your body for that matter, but every time they pointed out that you had a beautiful personality or that your shape was “unique”, a small part of you thought maybe you weren’t… physically attractive.

Enter Miles Morales

You met him at a party of all places

Originally, you came with some friends who practically forced your attendance but they all ended up splitting up after some guys came up to you in an attempt to get to them.

And you played along despite your irritation because you knew damn well tagging along was a bad idea and you were already prepared to sneak out the door when they were distracted

So here’s how it played out: your head was hung as you had a foot out the door, fully ready to leave. Only you stopped because you were hit with a sudden prickle of awareness that someone was staring... and not regular staring either. It was like someone was burning a damn hole in your head

You did a complete 180 and turned back around to the party and through a bunch of dancing teenagers, you saw him

He was leaning against a wall, head tilted and all. He whispered something to his homeboy but still managed to keep his gaze locked solely on you

And you couldn’t lie... it had your stomach in knots

Like you were down bad from A LOOK

But in all fairness, no one had ever looked at you like that before and what made it crazier was that he WASN’T looking away ?? And now in return, you found yourself not being able to either ??

Eventually though, after five seconds or five minutes (you weren’t sure), your friend saw you near the door and called out to you causing you to finally advert your eyes else where

“You leaving already?” “Yeah.” “You sure?” “What do you mean--”

She was grinning, gesturing back to the boy’s direction and you were baffled to see him quite literally pushing people outta the way to get to you before you could leave

It would’ve taken a person at least 3 minutes to get through that crowd but he did it in a total of 10 seconds, and that’s when you knew everything was about to change

And the rest was history

From the moment he met you, Miles was mesmerized by you. Every curve. Every smile. Every laugh. Every word you spoke. It took one night for him to know you were it

You had this man listening to Jodeci on the walk home, LIKE HE FELL IN LOVE instantly

After talking to you for only an hour, he was asking to take you out

“Let me take you out on a real date, Ma. Without all the noise and people.” “Boy, I’ve known you for an hour. You don’t think it’s too soon?” “Einstein did say time was relative y’know.” “Miles... I don’t know.” “Look, mami, I’m askin’ you for one date. That’s it. You like me, we’ll see where it goes. You don’t, just tell me to kick rocks and I’ll fall back.”

And after one date, he knew you weren’t going anywhere so he introduced you to his mom

“Oh, Miles, she’s beautiful.” “Ain’t she.”

And after introducing you to Mama Morales (who loved you deep), he asked you to be his girl despite being nervous cause he’s never been serious about anyone before

“I’m not tryna scare you or rush you, mami. I just know what I want and that’s you.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.”

You folded immediately and kissed that boy let’s be honest. You stood no chance when he was talking like that c’mon now. In his mind, you were a sure thing, and it left you stunned to know that

Being with Miles was a lot different than you expected. Initially, you thought he appeared cold and closed off. He seemed like he held the weight of the world on his shoulders, and you figured maybe that’d follow into your relationship

But nah

Miles Morales in any universe was soft with his girl

Every time he saw you, he’d greet you by taking your face into his hands and gently kissing your forehead. And I mean EVERY TIME

His arm thrown over your shoulder on every walk home? Yep. Holding your hand under the table the first time he met your family? Of course. His fingers pulling you close by your belt loops just to place a delicate peck to your cheek? Absolutely. Him practically racing your ass to the door so he can hold it open for you? Yeah.

Like that boy would die for you without hesitation

He was surprisingly open too

He would lay his head in your lap and tell you stories about his dad for hours and it’d usually end with you wrapping your arms around him after wiping a stray tear or two

“Sometimes I get scared that he wouldn’t like who I turned out to be.” “Don’t let that live in your head, baby. If anything you told me about that man was true then there’s nothing in this world you could do to make him stop loving your crazy ass.” “I hope so, Ma. I really do.” “Just take my word for it.” “He would’ve loved you, you know.”

Your connection only got stronger by each passing day

Now... back to your family. They were SHOCKED when they met Miles. Those backhanded compliments went from you being able to brush them off to fully getting under your skin

And the reason it stung so damn bad was because they meant well

Your aunt nearly tripped on her own two feet when that boy came to the family cookout. She was immediately pulling you to the side to ask how you managed to pull it off

Then you had your mama coming to your defense with a: “My baby’s just got a great personality. That’s all that matters at the end of the day.”

And she was right but... damn. It felt like they didn’t think it was possible for someone like Miles (or anyone, really) to think you were cute. It hurt the little girl inside you that was buried with insecurities

Growing up as a bigger girl, people never showed interest in you like that because you didn’t fit the “norm”

Sure, there were a few boys who eyed you, but they never made it a point to step up to you and ask you out. They were always too embarrassed or cowardly

Then Miles came along and erased all that

Whenever you tried to deny food, he’d kiss his teeth and give it to you anyway

“One thing you not gonna do is starve my girl.”

Or when you’d be looking in the mirror, muttering something under your breath about your figure, he’d come up behind you and wrap his arms around your waist letting his head rest on your shoulder

“Watch how you talk ‘bout my woman, mami.”

Or when you subconsciously laid your arms over your stomach so they were covering it, he’d grab your hand without saying a word

With Miles, you had to unlearn all the habits you picked up and it was a challenge at first but you were better for it. He loved you so much that it made you wonder why you didn’t always love yourself

So when your family was in your damn ear, acting all surprised you cuffed him, you were folding back into your old self a lil bit

You managed to ignore them

... until you were sitting at the dinner table with Miles by your side

Your aunt was firing question after question at him, and he patiently answered each one

Then she pulled out the one that had the room falling silent and your heart aching

“Well, how’d she get your attention? I always pictured [name] with a bigger boy- you know, someone like her... who could... keep up with her and... hold her.”

The hand that was holding yours under that table got tight real quick lmao

You could tell he was biting the fuck out of his tongue and his jaw was clenched for a split second. You were half scared he was about to pick your ass up outta your chair to prove her wrong

“The only person I picture her with is me so nah, I don’t know. As for how she got my attention? She had it from the moment I saw her. What you should be askin’ is how I got hers. God knows I ain’t deserving of it.”

You had the biggest lump in your throat and your eyes were watering, and all you could do was send him a wavering smile

Your feelings for him ran deep but it was in that moment that you knew you loved him

At that point in the relationship, you were happier than ever. But those comments made by the people you love most created a doubt that wouldn’t let up

There was this lingering thought in the back of your head that Miles wasn’t attracted to you

You were sitting on his bed one day while he was sitting at his desk drawing something in that book of his

When you finally couldn’t handle the loudness of your thoughts anymore, you straight up asked him to talk you down

Immediately, he was sitting in front of you taking your hands into his. When he asked you what was wrong, you simply frowned

“Do you find me attractive?”

You might as well have slapped that boy. He was stunned. He tilted his head to the side and looked at you like you lost your damn mind

“You being serious, Ma?” “Extremely.” “Why you even askin’ me that?” “Why aren’t you answering?” “Cause it’s a stupid question. You know you the most beautiful woman to me.”

You looked down at that and shook your head, feeling bad that outside opinions were starting to make you pick arguments

Then you had him picking up your chin, forcing you to look at him

One thing about Miles was he wasn’t going to let you just argue- you were going to properly communicate your feelings one way or the other

“What would make you think otherwise, huh?” “Look, it took me a long time to like myself. I ain’t nearly as insecure as I was, but sometimes with my family- they just- they just make me feel like I should be, you know?” “I see.” “And that’s got nothing to do with you, baby. I swear up and down that I feel secure with you. I just know them, and I know they think you’re with me solely cause of my heart.”

Miles brought both your hands to his lips and pressed a kiss to each

“You’ve got the most beautiful soul I know, but I ain’t know all that until I talked to you.”

He got up abruptly and grabbed that book he was drawing in off his desk and then turned back to you. Without a word, he handed it to you.

You were hesitant to look inside and waited for his nod of approval and once you got it, all you were greeted with when you opened the book was yourself

Flipping through the pages you saw pages dedicated to your curves alone. You saw every twinkle in your eyes, every smile, every mark on your body, and it amazed you that he viewed you like this.

Choked up, you barely got out, "You drew these?" "I drew you so damn much that I had to get you your own book. Cause like I said, mami, you the most beautiful woman to me."

He crouched down in front of you, returning the smile you so effortlessly wore now. You leaned forward until your forehead was resting on his and let him go on

"Don't get me wrong,” Miles started, placing his hand over your heart, “this is what I love best- it’s my favorite thing. But you wanna know what made me push all them people outta the way to get to you that night? That was pure attraction.”

All in all, with Miles, you felt more beautiful than ever. And those days when you would question it, he was always there to put to bed all your doubts and insecurities. That boy loved you more than life itself

#earth 42 miles x reader #earth 42 miles morales x black!reader #earth 42 miles morales x reader #earth 42 miles morales x plus size reader #earth 42 miles morales #miles morales #miles morales x reader #across the spider verse #into the spider verse #spiderman #miles g morales #e!42 miles morales

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kuwdora · 3 months

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Saturday Morning Vid Recs - Women!

Back in January I told @poetikat that I wanted to share just a fraction of vids I’ve seen since I started vidding in 2007 that I love. Taken me forever to format the links into a post to share. I have several more posts half-finished and may show up on your dashboard in following weeks or months.

I'm reccing vids that are at least 1 year old, but most of these vids are 4 and 8 and 12 years old and sometimes older. These vids feature a variety of sources, characters, genres of music, genres of shows. Each of these vidders have their own style and the way they approach a song or a source. I love these vids, they're fun to watch, they're hot, mesmerizing, engaging, thoughtful, full of love and horniness and BAMFs and joy and struggle. I love. I love.

I give to you 23 vids for this weekend's theme:

Women!!

Learning to Fly by rhoboat. Beautiful Boxer (2004). A movie vid based on trans Thai boxer Nong Toom’s life. This song is so good showing her journey to learning to find herself and fly! Ako Te Reo by bironic. Rūrangi (2020). Ana learning Te Reo Māori. This vid is so wonderful! It's never too late to learn. Come on Feet by JinkyO. Pumzi (2009). The song choice and pacing is incredible for this Kenyan sci-fi film. Something has to keep us moving forward. Black Nails by fightingarrival. A League of their Own (2022). A Max vid that is a great look at her journey on the show. This vid makes me want to rewatch all her scenes all over again. Here, take this L. Damned if She Do by chaila. Borgen. This source is the Danish political drama Borgen. Birgette is so kick-ass and this song is perfect for her. She come alive when she dying. "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Strict Machine by such_heights. Doctor Who. River Song. I’m in love with River Song so of course I have to rec this. I get high on a buzz then a rush when I'm plugged in you. Counting Stars by beccatoria. DC Animated Wonder Woman. Beccatoria has always done such a great job of vidding animated source and WOMEN!!!! Superstar by @heresluck. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A Faith vid. This (one of many) epic Faith vids to come out of vidding fandom over the years. This vid lives rent free in my head. But I would pay this vid to live in my head because I love it so much. Never gonna be the same again.

Down & Dirty by @sweeter-than. Killjoys. A Dutch fanvid! A++ song choice for a character study showing her relationship with the Jacobi brothers and her general awesomeness. Make way. Cut Like a Buffalo by kiki_miserychic. Empire. Cookie Lyon fanvid! Cookie has all the skin in the game and she is so good at music, but damn there’s so much bullshit she has to deal with along the way. Yeah, you know I look like a woman but I / Cut like a buffalo / Stand up like a tower, tall / Then I fall just like a domino. Control: A Monstress Fanvid by garrideb. Based on the comic Monstress. You know this Halsey song + any woman who has been Going Through It is going to be a fucking ride. Great editing, amazing art. Fortunate One by @moocowmoocow The Expanse. CAMINA!!! DRUMMER!!!! A Sleater-Kinney cover of Fortunate Son is 10 million kinds of brilliance here for Camina and this source. I ain't no fortunate one. Celebrity Skin by @some-stars. Black Sails. This is an Eleanor and Max character vid. I repeat: Elenor and Max vid to Courtney Love’s music. Heed the warnings. This vid is so goddamn good. It better be worth it. Double Woman by starlady. Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame. So much awesomeness packed into this vid. Through the camera lens re-editing history gives imagination to the people. Wu Zetian and Shangguang Jing'er are awesome. Hooray for awesome ladies of the Tang Dynasty! Titanium by giandujakiss. Wonder Woman (the original tv show). She is titanium! Suffering Sappho.

Mirrors by @kuwdora. Snow White and the Huntsman. Queen/Snow. Lots of fantasy imagery and bdsm like themes since the Queen wants to suck the youth from Snow. Sex. Love. Control. Vanity. Lightning Field by bradcpu, a Legend of the Seeker fanvid of Cara/Kahlan. The imagery in this vid is outstanding, the tone the atmosphere. I have rewatched this more times than I can count. Strike me down, Give it everything you've got. Hands Away by chaila and beccatoria. Sarah Connor Chronicles/Fringe. Sarah/Olivia constructed reality fanvid that is constructed really really fucking well that you might forget that these are two different shows. I can't reach you. (Or, two messiahs walk into an alternate reality) Hurricane by @laurashapiro. Farscape and Battlestar Galactica, Starbuck/Aeryn.This vid is so epic and hot and incredible...Hot and sexy and can’t take your eyes off them. Two pilots walk into a bar. I Wanna Go by millylicious, a multi-source action vid Angelia Jolie tribute. This is fun and delightful. Space Girl by charmax. Multi-source space women and girls! My momma told me I should never watch Sci-fi but I did, I did, I did. Celebration by sweetestrain. Pop divas. Madonna, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, etc. Another one of my favorites of favorites. The connected imagery between all of these music videos still blows my mind, but goes to show you how pop music continues to build and evolve from each other. Plus sexy dancing. If it makes you feel good. Your Song by anoel. Multi-fandom. One of the most epic sapphic/wlw vids out there. I don’t wanna hear sad songs anymore, I only wanna hear love songs.

Hope you like these recs! Follow the tags to keep up #saturday morning vid recs and/or #kuwdora recs

EDITING TO ADD: How to Leave Feedback on Fanvids

#if anyone spots a vidder with a tumblr feel free to tag them #i couldn't remember or find everyone's tumblr handles #kuwdora recs #saturday morning vid recs #kuwdora vid recs #vid recs for poetikat #at least it's morning in this half of the world. didn't really know what time to schedule these b/c i gotta schedule otherwise i'll forget #vid rec #vidding #fanvid #fanvideo #fanvids #fan video #fan videos #fan edit #video edit

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aticklishpercivalwriter · 7 months

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A Sleepy, Ticklish Aether

Links to Art (credits go to original artist(s) as always!): Xiao | Lyney | Aether

—

Summary: A sleepy Aether is a very needy, ticklish Aether and Xiao and Lyney take notice.

A/N: This takes place post-cooking for Lyney in the 4.4 cooking event. The animations for Aether and Lumine cooking are so cute! Xiao has softened up in this one and is quite a tease. Wonder where he learned it from 🤔. Anyway, hope you enjoy this one; happy reading!

Word Count: 1615 Also on AO3!

—

Aether yawned as the fatigue of nonstop cooking at Wangshu Inn started to catch up to him. Paimon had it worse as she was sleep talking, so Aether sent her to their room. Wanting to close his eyes and feel the cool breeze on his cheeks, he made his way up the stairs to the top balcony.

“Yawn. I'm so tired. I wish Xiao was up here. I wonder where Lyney- oof!”

Aether collided with someone making him rub his eyes and start to apologize before his eyes widened when he realized who he bumped into.

“L-Lyney?”

“Oh! It's you, my golden ball of sunshine. Though…” Lyney took a double take at Aether’s facial expression. “You look exhausted.”

“Yeah. Yawn. I am. Yawn. Long day…”

Aether suddenly stumbled forward as his eyes drooped. Lyney caught him with a concerned expression on his face.

“Hey. Let’s get you to bed now, okay?”

Lyney squished Aether’s cheek with his hand before he carried him bridal style.

“Heyyy,” Aether pouted, weakly batting at Lyney’s arms.

Lyney smiled fondly at him and gave him a peck on the forehead.

“You are so cute, you know that?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Ahem.”

Both Lyney and Aether jolted at the sound of another voice as they tightened their grip around each other and looked towards the source of said voice.

“Oh. Sorry for scaring you both.”

Xiao stood before them with a red hue on his ears.

“Xiao! You are here!”

Aether sent Xiao a sleepy grin that made his heart melt and face heat up, the red tinge on his ears intensifying.

“Oh? Is the Yaksha blushing,” Lyney teased.

“Shut up. You can’t tell me that you aren’t affected by that. Even Wanderer isn’t immune to that.”

“What are you guys talking about? I’m just being me,” Aether said, confused.

Xiao and Lyney looked at each other before looking back at him with soft looks in their eyes.

“And that’s why we love you,” they said at the same time.

“You are just so cute for all of us,” Lyney added. “Especially for him.”

Lyney wiggled his eyebrows at Xiao who just rolled his eyes and started lightly tickling Lyney’s sides.

“I believe you were the one that was down bad for Aether when you first laid eyes on him.”

“Xiahohoho!” Lyney giggled, wiggling side to side as Aether tightened his grip around him. “Nohohohot truhuhuhue! Wait! Wahahahait! I’m gohohoing to drop Aehehehether!” He squeaked when Xiao tickled a particularly sensitive spot.

A proud smile crossed Xiao’s face. “That was for your teasing. Now come over here.”

Lyney hesitantly walked over to Xiao, giggling all the way as the tickle sensations lingered. Xiao wiggled his fingers teasingly as a small smirk appeared on his face.

“Hehehey! Whehehen dihihid yohuhu becohohome a tehehehease?!”

“I learn from the best,” Xiao said, looking towards Aether then him.

As the two continued to talk, Aether stared at Xiao's hands, mesmerized by his fingers. Their voices faded away and he imagined being teased into oblivion by both his boyfriends. Fingertips that gently graze against his side as they keep him on edge and giggling as they pepper him with kisses.

“I wanna be tickled so bad now. Please wreck meheheheeeee.”

Aether whined, burying his face into Lyney's chest before he realized that his chest feels more defined than before. He let go of who he was hugging and looked up to find a surprised looking Xiao whose expression was slowly morphing into a smirk.

“X-Xiao!?”

“What got you so whiney, sunshine?~” a deep, teasy voice sounded right against his ear as arms wrapped around him, trapping him.

He let out surprised giggles as the vibrations and breath of who he knows to be Lyney sent ticklish sensations throughout his body.

Being squished in between his boyfriends, in which he knows to be Xiao's room and bed, Aether can't help but feel more ticklish.

Xiao whispered in his other ear. “What were you thinking to not notice me teleport to my room, hmm? Was it this?” he raised his hands again and wiggled them right in front of Aether’s eyes making him shiver and hold back his giggles as he shook his head defiantly and scoot backwards only to bump into Lyney's chest.

“Are you surrree?” Lyney teased, his smirk audible. He tightened his grip around Aether as he made him look on at Xiao's wiggling digits as they slowly descended.

“I-ihihihi hahahave no idehehea whahahat you arehehe tahahalking abohohout,” Aether giggled.

He raised his hands up to prevent Xiao from touching him, but Lyney with surprising ease raised both his arms and hugged his middle tightly.

“Nu uh uh~ Come on. Tell us what you were thinking.”

“Ihihihi hahahave nothihihihng to- hehehehe sahahahay!”

Aether felt vulnerable as his body was stretched taut, his nerves on edge.

“Youhuhuhu wohohohn’t geheheht ihihihit out of mehehe! Eep!”

“Oh? So, you did have something on your mind.”

Xiao's fingers landed on Aether's belly, but never moved, much to his dismay.

“We have all night, baby,” Xiao teased.

In a different situation, Aether would be proud of him for being such a tease but being on the receiving end made him arch into his touch and whine.

Xiao just raised his hands to avoid grazing his stomach, not giving him satisfaction.

“Plehehehease! Xiahohoho!” Aether begged.

Xiao and Lyney hadn’t seen their lover be this needy before, but they had no complaints as they continued, loving this side of him.

“Please what?”

To add to his predicament, Lyney began blowing puffs of air on his ears, making him squirm and scrunch up his shoulders.

“Youhuhuhu guhuhuhuys! Hehehehehe! Thihihis ihihihisn’t fahahahair! Ahahahahaha!”

“All's fair in love and… tickling,” they said in unison.

Aether giggled uncontrollably and whined as he tried to follow their touches, but they didn't bite.

“My lohohoves, plehehehease dohoho ihihihit! Hehehehehe!”

He was losing his mind and could only think about getting his lovers to tickle him.

“Please please please plehehehease!”

Xiao experimentally slid his fingers along his belly causing him to buck up and laugh.

“AHHAHAHA! Yehehehes! Finahahally- Wh-why did you stop?”

Xiao's fingers settled back on to his stomach, not moving.

“Did you think I would just give it to you like that? Tell us what you want,” he growled playfully, blowing a raspberry on Aether's neck.

Lyney did the same, overwhelming him with ticklish sparks.

“GAHAHAHA! WAHAHAHAIT! IT TIHIHICKLES TOO MUHUHUCH! AHAHAHA!

As quick as they started, they stopped.

“But you loved it didn't you?” Lyney whispered into his ear.

Aether nodded, giggles filling the air as Xiao lightly drummed his fingers against his belly.

“Just say the words.”

Aether hesitated on whether he can hold out, but with Xiao tortuously drumming his fingers and Lyney now nuzzling against his neck, he couldn't hold back anymore and needed to get wrecked.

“Plehehease tickle me! I nehehehed it so bahahad! Wreheheck mehehehe!”

Giggles slipped in as Xiao and Lyney exchanged a look.

Did we actually break him? That was more than I thought he would say. Is he really that tickle starved?

Not one to make their lover suffer any longer, they went in.

Lyney moved his hands down to Aether's hips, squeezing rapidly, while Xiao went to town on his tummy.

A look of relief and excitement passed through his eyes before a bright smile appeared and laughter started pouring out of him.

“GAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHA! OH MY ARCHOHONS! IT TICKLEHEHEHES SOHOHOHO MUHUHUHUCH! HAHAHAHA!” He thrashed in Lyney's embrace, as he reflexively tried to curl in on himself.

“Of course it does, silly,” Lyney grinned, planting ticklish kisses along his neck.

Xiao just smiled as he switched to wiggling his fingers against Aether's neck and Lyney started drilling into his ribs.

“AhhHAHAHhaha! Oh maHAHAhahan! Ihiht TIHIHICKLES! NAHAHAahahaHAHA!” Aether spasmed, the mix of light and intense tickling driving him crazy.

Xiao growled, knowing how much it affects Aether and started nibbling the shell of his ear making Aether shake his head.

“Xiahahahao! Dohohon’t- heheheahaha- AHAHAHAHA! LYNEHEHEHEY!”

Lyney slid down and kneaded his thighs catching him off guard and laughing hysterically.

Not to be outdone by the magician, Xiao blew raspberry after raspberry on Aether's navel, causing him to throw his head back in ticklish mirth and tears to run down his face.

“OHOHOHO GOHOHOD! LOHOHOVES! HAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHA! NEHEHEHAHAHA!”

They noticed his energy slowly slipping away and decided to drive him over the edge as a finale.

“Ready Lyney?” The adeptus called over Aether's laughter.

“Yup! Let's finish it.”

Taking their positions along the golden boy's death spots, Xiao at his armpits and Lyney at his hip bones, they went all in.

Massaging, swiping, rubbing, any technique they know, they used, and Aether dissolved into laughter.

“AHHHAHAHHAHA, AHAHAHA! OHOHOHO- NAHAHAHA! GAHAHAHA! EHEHEHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHA-”

His laughter went silent, making them back off and watch as he recovered. With whatever remaining strength, he brought Lyney in front of him with Xiao and hugged them both, giggles filtering in as he relaxed. A blissful look made its way on his face as he cuddled with them.

“Thank you, my babies,” he said softly, giving them each a deep and passionate kiss. “I needed that. I really love you both oh so much.”

“We love you too, sunshine,” they said, returning the kiss with equal fervor.

Aether closed his eyes and fell asleep peacefully, embraced by his lovers.

“Night, Aether.”

“Sweet dreams, sunshine.”

Xiao and Lyney waited to make sure his breathing evened out before going to sleep themselves.

“Love you, Lyney.”

“Love you too, Xiao.”

“Good night.”

“Night.”

They gave each other a night kiss before they snuggled up closer to Aether, his laughter playing in their dreams.

#lee!aether #ler!xiao #ler!lyney #brief lee!lyney and ler!xiao #tickling #tickle fic #genshin impact #genshin impact tickling #percival fics #xiao #lyney #aether

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lilacura · 9 months

Text

Realms apart | Jang Wonyoung

pairing: Sorcerer!Jang Wonyoung x Fae!Reader

>wc: 1.4k

sypnosis: two souls, Y/N and Wonyoung, discover an otherworldly connection through a magical portal. As their enchanting journey unfolds, unforeseen challenges lead to a heart-wrenching separation, leaving them yearning across realms.

In the midst of enchanted realms, Y/N, a delicate fae with wings that shimmered like the moon, stumbled upon an ancient portal during her ethereal wanderings.

"Hello there," Y/N said softly, her wings fluttering delicately. "I'm a fae from the realm of moonlit dreams. And you are?"

Out from the other side emerged Wonyoung, a sorceress with silver hair flowing like starlight.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N," Wonyoung said with a gentle smile. "I'm Wonyoung, a sorceress from realms unknown. Looks like we've stumbled upon quite the enchanting encounter, haven't we?"

Unaware of each other's origins, Y/N and Wonyoung found themselves drawn together by the intrigue of unexplored landscapes. "This place is something else," Y/N continued. "Feels like a whole new world."

Wonyoung grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Yeah, a world filled with surprises. Let's see what it's got."

Their days unfolded with a rhythm of unexpected moments. Amidst vibrant wildflowers, Y/N admired the colors. "Nature here sure knows how to throw a party, huh?"

Wonyoung chuckled, brushing off a stray petal. "Absolutely. It's like every day is a festival."

As they ventured deeper, they encountered mystical creatures. One day, mischievous sprites decided to test their wit with a riddle. Y/N smirked, turning to Wonyoung. "Ready for some brain exercise?"

Wonyoung raised an eyebrow. "Always. Let's show these sprites what we've got."

Their cleverness unraveled the puzzle, earning the sprites' playful laughter. The duo's laughter joined the woodland chorus.

In the heart of ancient ruins, Y/N traced her fingers along worn carvings. "These markings tell tales of the past. Feels like we're stepping into history."

Wonyoung, examining the carvings, nodded. "Who knows, maybe someone will find traces of our mischief someday."

However, their enchanting journey faced challenges. A day marked by ominous clouds brought forth a torrential storm. Y/N and Wonyoung sought refuge in a hidden cave, the echoes of thunder creating an intimate melody.

"Looks like nature decided to test our resilience," Y/N said, her wings slightly dampened. Unable to move her wings, she tried fluttering them but failed. Her whimpers of pain echoing through the cave.

Wonyoung frowned, conjuring a shimmering shield against the rain. "Are you okay? Do you want me to help with anything?."

Y/N smiled softly “Thank you Wony but there really isn’t much to do, all we gotta do is wait till it dries.”

As they faced challenges, the strain on the portal became apparent. Sitting by a moonlit pool, Y/N sighed. "We can't ignore the portal's instability. We need to find a way to fix this or risk being stuck here."

Wonyoung nodded, her expression determined. "Agreed. Let's not let some wonky portal ruin our time in this magical mess."

Nights beneath the starlit sky turned into moments of shared warmth. By the crackling fire, their eyes met. A soft smile tugged at Y/N's lips. "Guess we've found our own kind of magic in all this chaos."

Wonyoung, captivated by the flickering flames and Y/N's presence, reached out. "Maybe the real magic is us, together, navigating through the unknown."

Days turned into nights, and beneath the starlit sky, Y/N and Wonyoung embraced the unpredictability of their adventure. The magic of their days wasn't just in the realms they traversed but in the laughter, banter, and shared understanding that made each moment and every touch unforgettable.

Amidst the enchantment, more moments unfolded. They discovered a hidden grove where luminescent fireflies created a mesmerizing dance. Y/N grinned, her eyes reflecting the soft glow. "Looks like the stars came down to join our little party."

Wonyoung chuckled, the fireflies casting a gentle glow on her features. "Our own private light show."

Their journey led them to a tranquil meadow, where they lay side by side, watching clouds drift lazily across the sky. Y/N pointed to the sky, tracing imaginary shapes. "See that cloud? Looks like a dragon."

Wonyoung followed Y/N's gaze, a playful smile forming. "A dragon, huh? I see it now. Your imagination is something else."

The simple moments, like sharing laughter and creating imaginary tales, became the threads weaving the tapestry of their shared days. In a spontaneous gesture, Y/N reached for Wonyoung's hand, fingers intertwining effortlessly.

As they strolled through a field of blossoms, the air filled with their laughter. Wonyoung playfully plucked a flower, tucking it behind Y/N's ear. "For the most enchanting fae in all the realms."

Y/N grinned, a blush tinting her cheeks. "And for the sorceress who weaves magic into every moment."

In these quiet and unexpected moments, their connection deepened. Whether facing challenges or reveling in the simplicity of shared laughter, Y/N and Wonyoung embraced the unpredictable beauty of their intertwined destinies.

The final moments approached, and Y/N and Wonyoung faced the heart-wrenching truth—their enchanting journey was reaching its tragic conclusion. The once-stable portal now pulsated erratically, casting a cold, uncertain light upon their somber faces.

As they sat by the moonlit pool, the air became heavy with the impending farewell. Wonyoung's voice trembled as she spoke, "Y/N, the portal's instability... it's tearing us apart. I never imagined our story would end like this."

Y/N, with tearful eyes, whispered, "Sometimes, even the most beautiful stories are marred by cruel endings. It feels like the magic we found is slipping away."

They clung to each other's hands, fingers desperately entwined as if trying to defy the inevitable. The once-vibrant realms echoed with the haunting melody of separation, each note a painful reminder of what they were about to lose.

The moonlit pool, once a reflection of their shared laughter, now seemed to mock them with its cold, indifferent surface. Y/N's voice cracked as she uttered the words that shattered their hearts, "Wonyoung, we can't escape this. The portal is taking you away, and I can't follow."

Wonyoung, tears streaming down her face, replied, "I thought our love could defy the forces that govern these realms. But it seems we were just fleeting stars in a vast, indifferent cosmos."

They held onto their final moments, as if stretching time itself. In the cruel dance of fate, the portal surged, demanding its toll. Y/N and Wonyoung shared a tearful gaze, a silent farewell etched with unspoken love and agony.

"I'll carry the echoes of our laughter, the warmth of your touch, and the haunting memory of our shared journey," Wonyoung whispered, her voice breaking with sorrow.

Y/N, her voice choked with grief, replied, "And I'll hold onto the fragments of our magic, the stolen kisses beneath starlit skies, and the love that defied the boundaries of realms."

As the portal enveloped them, their final desperate words hung in the air, lingering like an unfulfilled promise. The realms that once witnessed their joy now bore witness to the brutal separation.

In the heart-wrenching silence that followed, Y/N and Wonyoung found themselves torn apart, stranded on opposite sides of an unforgiving magical chasm. The moonlit pool, a cold reflection of their yearning, stood as a silent testimony to a love that transcended dimensions but succumbed to the inevitable tragedy of a world where magic dictated merciless endings.

As the portal's shimmering glow subsided, leaving them in their respective realms, a strange sense of emptiness settled over Y/N and Wonyoung. Wonyoung, standing alone in her realm, felt the weight of separation press upon her. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over, as the reality of their parting sank in.

She gazed longingly at the place where the portal once connected them, aching for the presence of the delicate fae who had become her everything. The air in her realm seemed to echo with the distant laughter and shared moments, now haunting reminders of what was lost.

Meanwhile, in her own realm, Y/N crumpled to the floor, overwhelmed by the agony of their separation. Her cries reverberated through the magical landscapes that once felt so alive with the shared joy of their adventure. Tears streamed down her face as she called out, a desperate plea carried by the unseen forces that now kept them apart.

"Wonyoung! Please, come back! Don't leave me alone in this endless emptiness!" Y/N's voice wavered with sorrow, reaching across the realms in a futile attempt to bridge the insurmountable gap.

In her realm, Wonyoung clutched her chest, feeling the resonance of Y/N's pain. The unspoken connection that bound them seemed to stretch and strain, a testament to a love that refused to be severed by mere distance.

As Wonyoung stood, heavy with unshed tears, and Y/N cried out in the solitude of her own realm, the moonlit pool reflected the heartbreaking duality of their shared grief. The realms, once filled with enchantment, now bore witness to the somber aftermath of a love that faced the cruelest fate imaginable—forever existing in the echo of what once was.

a/n: this was super rushed but happy new years!!! (I'm so late ik)

#ive #ive x reader #wonyoung #wonyoung x reader #ive wonyoung x reader #izone #iz*one #izone x reader #gg x reader #girl group

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dr3amlab · 2 years

Text

2. wicked games, dm.

SUMMARY — Y/N Gorgon and Draco Malfoy have a long history of mutual hatred. You see, the two of them have been pulling pranks on each other since their 1st year at Hogwarts, to the dismay of their close friends and supervisors. However, after a prank left Y/N completely out of her mind, she decides that she'll pull her cruelest prank yet on Draco by pretending to be his secret admirer.

PAIRING — Draco Malfoy x reader

GENRE — series, enemies to lovers, rival, comedy (?)

WORD COUNT — 2045 words.

AUTHOR’S NOTE — I'm not too proud of this chapter not gonna lie :(( I hope that it’s good enough, and any criticism is welcome as long as its not harsh lmaooo

PARTS. 1 2 3 4 5 6 finale

TAGLIST — @hopefulfuturenovelauthor @charlenasaxen @johnmurphys-sass @alittlebitofinsanitea

couldn’t tag @louieblue2 and @born2222die

II. VILLAIN ORIGIN STORY

We all have memories we'll never forget. Those memories bear an impact on us, an impact so big that they are engraved in the back of our brains forever. For instance, you remember the first time you ate a chocolate frog, the first time you watched the snow fall from your bedroom’s window and you'll never forget your first encounter with Draco Malfoy. In opposition to the first memories, the latter was not a pleasant recollection.

It was on your first ever day at Hogwarts and you remember smiling from ear to ear as you entered the mesmerizing facility. The building was, and still is, magnificent beyond words could ever describe. You were taking it all in, staring at every object or construction you could as if they might disappear the moment you'd tear your eyes from them: the grand doors, the walls, the ceiling— oh, how the ceiling was beautiful; it was bewitched to seem as if it was a starry night. Even though you'd had the opportunity to stargaze thousands of times in your life, you were mesmerized because this was a sight you never had the chance to see. "It’s so pretty y/n!" your childhood friend, Athena, exclaimed equally as impressed as you. "I know right!" you beamed as you continued to watch the false stars twinkle, "it’s impre—" Before you were able to end your sentence, you had collided with another student, making you both fall on the ground. "Watch it you idiot." you stared up to meet a pair of grey eyes. "I’m sorry, I was just— " You were cut off."Staring at the ceiling? Is it the first time you ever saw a ceiling?"The boy spat with a condescending tone, making you scowl at his unnecessary spitefulness. He got up and readjusted his robes while bearing an angry expression on his face. Following his motions, you also stood up and started to dust off your clothes. "Merlin, I think you made me scratch my brand-new shoes." He scowled while staring at his shoes for a few seconds. Then he looked back at you, ready to reprimand you as if he was your teacher or your father. "Do you know how mu—"You cut him off, "Merlin, you are so shallow!" You frowned. "I didn’t do it on purpose, and I apologized," you emphasized on the last word. "So can we please put this behind us," you smiled, trying to suppress your anger. Noticing that he was about to open his mouth to fight back, Athena spoke quickly to stop the nonsense that was probably going to come out of his lips. "Come on y/n, let’s not get in trouble on our first day." She grabbed your arm making you turn around to face her "besides he’s overreacting," she said softly. "He’s an immature boy." You nodded at your best friend’s words: She’s right, you should not give a bad impression to the teachers before you even got sorted into your house. "Yeah you’re right, he’s just a little prick." You smiled smugly. "How dare you?!" the irritating person spoke again and to be honest, you almost forgot about his presence. You thought that he’d be gone by now to follow the rest of the first-year students to the dining hall but, to your dismay, he didn’t do you this favor. "Have you got no shame to say that I’m a prick right in front of my face?" He scoffed. "I can’t believe I have to deal with such peasants on my first day." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Peasants?" Just like that, a frown made back its way to your face. "Are you out of your mind for saying stuff like this?" He smirked, clearly satisfied that he got to you easily. "Why? Are you saying that you’re not a peasant?"you clenched your jaw."Because you sure do look like one!" You looked at him in disbelief before turning your head to the right to speak to Athena. "How can a twelve-year-old have this much arrogance in their body?" You then turned your head back to him and narrowed your eyes, "look," you spoke menacingly, "You should apologize for what you just said because you really don’t want to get on my bad side," you continued. "Get on your bad side?" He laughed, "please, do you even know who I am? Do you know who my father is?"He spoke as if you were supposed to shiver timbers at the mention of his father. "I don’t care who your father is." You crossed your arms, "as a matter of fact, you can tell your daddy," you took a step closer to him, "to shove whatever empty threat he thinks is going to scare me up his bum!"The blond boy became as red as a tomato and if steam could come out of his ears, you would have been able to see lots of it, like a chimney on a cold winter day."You fucking mud-blood,"he spoke through his teeth, "you just dug your own grave" you watched him intentively, waiting for his next words. "You’re not ready for what’s coming for you," he continued. "Mom, I’m scared!" You ducked your head and brought your crossed arms to your shoulders to pretend like you were shielding yourself from danger. You and athena laughed heartily at your actions while the blond boy was looking at the both of you with a discontent look on his face. After you had calmed down from laughing, you switched back to crossing your arms, but this time, you were staring at him challengingly. « Bring it on» you smirked. You were in for a hell of a ride. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ And so, you and Draco started to get back at each other to make each other’s life as bad as possible. There wasn’t a day during the school year when one of you wasn’t yelling profanities at the other. Hogwarts had not known a single peaceful day since the two of you first stepped foot in its castle. At first, the pranks were innocent, to say the least: They ranged from you stealing a school book to Draco hiding a tarantula in your bedsheets. Plus, the fact that you both were sorted in the same house made it easier to access each other’s dorms and thus made you even more creative with the pranks like replacing shampoo with green hair dye for example (Draco remembers this one all too well.) There was an unspoken rule between you and Draco: Each time a prank is pulled, the counterattack has to be crueler. There were clearly no limits to the extent to which you guys would go to make sure the other's day is ruined. Currently, you were hiding behind a wall that led to the hallway where Draco was located. You were prying on Draco and his clique who were currently having a boring conversation. You looked at the pink envelope you held in your hand knowing damn well that it was going to make their day a tad exciting. The thing is, you didn’t know how to give it to him without revealing your identity. You sighed out of frustration: You could’ve put it on his bed as you could access his dormitory easily or even put it on the table of the Slytherin common room but then, it’ll be too obvious that the letter was from you. Your mind was hurting from thinking of possible ways to give Draco the letter without potentially being framed as its writer. Suddenly, a boy that looked like he could be a first-year had the misfortune to cross your path. You smiled in victory as you waited for him to come closer to you so you could speak to him without being heard. "Hey, you!" you whispered as loud as you could to the first-year Hufflepuff that was coming your way. The young boy looked scared and pointed to himself, making sure that you actually wanted to catch his attention. "Yes, you!" He gulped not knowing what you could want from him. "Come quick, I’m not gonna bite you!" He walked towards you hurriedly. You handed him the pink envelope containing the love letter, "give this to Draco Malfoy" You pointed to the platinum-haired boy and his eyes widened at the sight of the boy, "to M-malfoy?" Of course, no first-year would ever want to be in a 100-meters radius of Draco unless they wanted to be humiliated in the worst way possible. "Just give it to him!" You said annoyed. You didn’t quite understand why the entire school was scared shitless of Malfoy, he’s just all bark and no bite. "Look, don’t worry," you reassured him, "if he says anything to you I’ll step in," you smiled. Though, you knew that he was not going to do anything because the letter will distract him. "Now go and don’t tell him who gave it to you," you warned "under any circumstances," you added, "and when you’re done come back to me," he gulped not looking too sure about running this errand for you but, then, he nodded before turning on his heels and walking towards Draco. "This is about to get interesting," you thought as you watched the boy’s figure walk towards Malfoy. Your breath itched when the first-year arrived next to Draco and you watched the scene unfold. "Well, well, well," Draco smirked, "what gave you the courage to come this close to me?' The boy looked stressed, fearing what will happen in the next few minutes. "S-someone asked me to give this to you," he presented to him the pink envelope with both of his hands while shutting his eyes closed scared of Draco’s next move "what’s this?" The blond boy said curiously while snatching the letter from the boy’s hands. He opened the letter hurriedly wanting to know what was in the envelope contained. Then, the moment you were waiting for the most came: He took out the piece of paper and started to read. You felt nervous, to say the least, and you hoped that your prank would work. You continued to watch Draco as his eyes were fixated on the words written before him. And then, to your pleasure, the ghost of a smile appeared on Malfoy's lips. "He smiled," you grinned. It was a small smile, almost unnoticeable, yes but he still smiled. Draco must’ve felt the grin that wanted to display on his lips badly and so, he bit his bottom lip to suppress it as much as he could. Malfoy cleared his throat, "You can go now," he said to the first year who nodded eagerly to be out of Draco’s sight as fast as he could. "Before, you go," Draco said making the Hufflepuff boy stop in his tracks, "who gave you this letter?" you could feel the first-year panic, "I-i’m afraid that I can’t tell you." Malfoy looked at him attentively before speaking up again, "Merlin, just go what are you still doing here!" This time, the younger boy ran away from Draco to meet you behind the wall you were hiding behind. You watched as the boy came back to meet you "Was I dreaming or did I see a smile on his lips?" You asked the boy, "I-I think I saw him smile too" you clasped your hands happily while looking at the ceiling, "thank you merlin," you said with a huge smile on your face. The boy looked at you curiously, "what was in the letter?" You tore your eyes from the ceiling to look back at him, "That is none of business," you said, "However, I have a feeling that you’ll be my partner in crime," you smiled. "So, what’s your name?" the boy spoke up, "My name is Sasha." You put a hand on his shoulder, « Sasha, I have a feeling that you and I will get along very well,» you said before turning around to leave the hallway. "Malfoy, you are so dumb," you chuckled as you skipped to your next class happily. Sasha looked very confused as he watched your strange demeanor. "What did I get myself into?" He said tiredly.

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thelargefrye · 2 years

Note

rocker! ateez or idol! ateez reacting to sexy or any edit of yn from tiktok pls !!

[ REACTION ] —— the boys are on tiktok when they come across an edit of you

pairing : poly!rocker!ateez x rocker!f!reader genre : reaction, rocker au warnings : language

tag list : @kangskims @watamotee33 @seungcheolswife

HONGJOONG … tiktok inspiration

hongjoong was just casually scrolling when that video popped up. of course he remember that little fansign and thought it was funny how the nine of you gave one fan each a special spotlight. but he honestly didn’t know that yours was so popular until more recently.

this was probably his favorite edit from that fansign due to how you move so well to the beat of the song. he always did like seeing edits of you and the others and sometimes when he liked them, he would find himself saving them to phone if he could.

SEONGHWA … tiktok inspiration ( slight flashing )

when the video appeared on his fyp, he was originally going to ignore it. however when he seen your name tagged, he decided to see it would go.

seonghwa was definitely not disappointed and found himself agreeing that yes god is a woman and that woman is you. he also found himself watching the tiktok three more times which would eventually catch your attention as you sat not to far away from him.

“what are you watching?” you asked getting up and sitting down next to him. your body pressed closely to his.

“a tiktok edit saying you’re god.”

“oh, okay, cool.”

YUNHO … tiktok inspiration

yunho was immediately in love with the edit. first off he thought the song fitted you so well especially with that outfit. second, that is one of his favorite outfits of yours from the group’s first tour.

maroon leather definitely suits you, he was sure of it. yunho, much like hongjoong, would watch the edit a few more times before finally just saving it and moving on. the next time you all performed, yunho made sure to request the stylist to give you a similar outfit. you know… just for throwback purposes.

YEOSANG … tiktok inspiration

yeosang was always mesmerized by you when you were in the zone of performing. if anything your eyes were what mesmerized him the most especially in this edit. he thought the sound matched it very well and he found himself watching it a few more times until san had come into room.

san immediately saw the tiktok and began teasing yeosang for watching edits of you. however yeosang was quick to defend himself, saying that it just popped up on his fyp. of course san didn’t believe it and continued to tease him before you had come into the room, dragging san away.

yeosang could only let out a sigh of relief before he found himself watching a few more of your edits.

SAN … tiktok inspiration ( slight flashing )

after having seen yeosang watching a few of your edits, san went down his own rabbit hole on tiktok. he found himself watching several different edits of you before this particular one came up.

he remembers this outfit very well, especially since him and the others had matching black leather outfits. all nine of you going for a rocker-cowboy aesthetic.

he also definitely agreed with the caption of the edit and was glad fans were starting to appreciate your stage presence more. especially since you’ve been growing more and more confident on stage in the past few years.

MINGI … tiktok inspiration

“yeah she’s definitely not,” he says to himself as he watches the edit before letting it replay as he admired you performing on stage. mingi definitely couldn’t get over the smirk you had at the beginning and wondered how often you did that on stage.

of course the next time you all performed, he let his eyes wonders to you and sure enough he saw you smirking as you sang. his mind wandered back to the edit which made himself smirk before he stuck his tongue out. his own action causing several fans nearby to scream in response.

WOOYOUNG … tiktok inspiration

wooyoung was immediately in love with the edit. he definitely thought the song fit you and would even show it to you. he would even go as far as to start quoting it whenever he seen you getting ready for a show or when you all were doing soundcheck.

“hey, y/n, what’s on your face?”

“hmmm… maybe beauty.”

“hell yeah it is, pretty!”

JONGHO … tiktok inspiration

when this edit popped up on his fyp he was given immediate flashbacks to this airport outfit. he thought you looked cute and knew the others did to.

it wasn’t very often when you did silly stuff in front of fans, much less at an airport. which is why he’s glad this edit came up. jongho immediately saved the tiktok and sent it to the group chat asking “who remembers this sexy outfit?”

the group chat then immediately blew up, mostly by wooyoung, with spams of hearts and memes. jongho felt like his job at causing some chaos was done.

#loserline.#poly ateez x reader #ateez x reader #ateez blurbs #ateez imagines #ateez rocker au #ateez rockstar au #poly ateez #ateez reactions #idol!reader #ateez ninth member

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vickyvicarious · 5 months

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Yeah Dracula is actually a thorough planner. Once I interpreted Dracula's careening final leg of the journey to England as a careless oversight on his part; one where he over-indulged by eating the entire crew and unskillfully brought the ship into Whitby by chance. BUT he's been planning Whitby from the start. I think how he ends up getting into Lucy's house at the end is also the result of careful research and planning. He even has a plan for turning the rest of those who tried to thwart him, not needing to do it all directly.

Strategizing and laying down the maps for his steps is another trait he shares with Mina, come to think of it. The latter doesn't underestimate her foes to "toy" with them, however.

I agree. I actually made a graph showing when Dracula picks off the various crew members, and when you look at it over time it looks much more intentional to me. I believe he always wanted to land on a dead ship, and picked them off gradually so that enough would be alive to get the ship close to shore where he could take over. (Also, to maximize the horror it would inflict on those still alive, because he loves that sort of thing.) Only the Captain's final stand on the wheel made steering it in to shore himself harder to do. Even then though, I wonder if he might have always intended to crash it ashore, so that he could get off the ship without crossing running water. Otherwise, his original plan would have been to hide in one of his boxes and get carried ashore when they unload the ship, but there could be a chance then of one heavier box getting noticed/opened.

I'm a little less certain about Lucy's house, simply because I'm not sure how he would have had access to Mrs. Westenra's will. But I suppose that brings up the question of law. Would the house count as Lucy's before the will is read out to her, even if she were the one to inherit? After all, Dracula doesn't exactly need Arthur's permission to enter once Mrs. Westenra dies. But maybe Lucy's sense of ownership as someone who resides there would be enough to fill that gap before she legally has confirmation that it's hers too. Arthur neither lives there nor even knew he was going to inherit it at the time. Regardless, the way he drugs the maids certainly suggests planning ahead of time: he'd need to know about the laudanum she was taking in order to use it on them. So either he was doing research when he wasn't there, or maybe he was able to find out some information by spying through windows at night, or maybe he got Lucy to tell him some things while she was mesmerized/asleep (probably the least likely, because we don't see that done elsewhere and also I think he was in bat form pretty much all the time he drank from her in London, until the day he came into the house). Regardless, he still lets his temper get to him enough that he gives up on subtlety when he goes for the "yeet the wolf" approach, but that doesn't mean there is no planning happening there.

Yeah, he's definitely strategic. He's been planning this for a while. And it's something he certainly shares in common with Mina. But, as you say, she gets right down to business. She analyzes the paths to achieve a goal and heads right for it without any of the same toying around. She also is good at estimating threats, at thinking cautiously in order to ensure success, at figuring out how people tick and how to oppose them. She definitely does not underestimate like Dracula does, and she doesn't get caught up in her own emotions (rage, pride, whatever) the same way either. The closest she comes is right after her assault but she's able to work through her grief and guilt and anger much more cool-headedly usually.

#dracula daily #dracula daily spoilers #count dracula #mina murray #anonymous #replies

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castielmydarling · 1 year

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Suptober 2023-Day 4: Nimbus

I Can See You-850 words on AO3 or below. Summary: Dean is hit with a spell to see what's in front of him

“Dean!” Cas shouts running to where Dean has collapsed.

Sam approaches the witch, gun drawn. “What did you do?” he yells.

“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” she pleads. “He’s fine. It’s just a simple spell so he can see what’s in front of him, so he can see that I’m good, I’m not a threat. Not all witches are evil. You know that better than anyone.” She cautiously gestures at Sam. “I can see the magic coming off you. I tried telling him it wasn’t me but he wouldn’t listen!” She says angry. “So, I did the only thing I could think of to show him I wasn’t evil. I’m not lying. I didn't kill those people!” She yells frustrated. Fucking hunters.

Cas helps Dean up. “Are you ok?” He asks, worried.

Dean rubs his head. “Yeah no thanks to this bitch.” He says. When he looks at her he sees it. A shimmering light surrounds her, almost like she’s walking through fairy dust. A quick glance at Sam reveals the same, not as much or as bright as her, but it's there.

“Well?” Sam lowers his weapon a degree but he’s ready to take the shot at Dean’s word.

“Yeah, yeah. Your auras match. She’s telling the truth.” He grunts.

The witch breathes a sigh of relief. “It’s not actually our auras you’re seeing…” she starts before Dean cuts her off.

“I don’t give a fuck what it is!” he yells exasperated. “Sam, get her out of here. Find out what she knows.”

Sam puts his gun away. “So what is he seeing?” he asks as he walks her away. Dean might not care but he’s interested in what kind of energy he’s giving off.

Cas is still holding on to Dean worried. “Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just feel a little sore. Her so-called simple spell really knocked me out.” He looks at Cas for the first time since being hit, he takes a step back. “Woah.”

Beautiful white light shimmers and glows around Castiel. A halo of intensely bright light is concentrated above him. It almost hurts to look at him but Dean doesn't want to look away. Like a moth to a flame he reaches out to touch, afraid and excited at the same time.

“Dean?”

“Do you always look like this?” He says in awe.

Cas looks down at the same outfit he’s worn pretty much the entire time he’s known Dean. “Since I first took Jimmy Novak as a vessel, yes. There have been a few wardrobe changes, this coat is not the original nor is the tie. And I suppose this body shows typical signs of aging due to my inconsistent levels of grace.”

Dean laughs. “No. I mean the light that’s around you.” He says, mesmerized. “Your halo, it’s…it’s so beautiful.” He finally reaches up to touch it. He can see his hand go through it but he can’t feel anything.

Cas rolls his eyes. The spell. He remembers now what the witch said. Show him what’s right in front of him.

“Yes, Dean, I always look like this. And it’s not a halo. You must be seeing some residual side effects of my true form contained in a vessel on this plane. The spell must be bringing it to light, so to speak. It's temporary, I assure you.”

“But I like it.” Dean pouts. He waves his hand through the halo again. “Can you feel that?”

Cas laughs. “ No. I wasn’t even aware this was happening. It’s just particles, like fairy dust. It’s not a part of me.”

“I don’t know” Dean can’t stop touching the halo even though he can’t actually feel anything. “This halo seems pretty Angel-like to me. A ring around an angel's head? That’s a halo.” He takes a step back to look at Cas and the area around him.

“Now what?” Cas asks amused.

“I’m looking for your harp.” He steps closer to lift up the trench coat.

“Dean, for the last time I don’t have a harp.” He says laughing. “I do not know how to play any musical instrument.”

“I don’t know, you keep insisting your halo isn’t a halo so I thought you might be lying about the harp.” He teases.

He brings Cas in, kissing him deeply. His eyes are closed but he can see the light getting brighter. The kiss even feels different.

“How long do you think the spell will last?” He says breathless.

“I don’t know.” Cas replies. “While she said it was a simple spell it must be pretty powerful if you can see my essence. I would say at least a day. Why?”

“Good. Let’s get back to our room. I want to see what else you’re hiding underneath all these layers.” He says grabbing the coat and suit jacket. Not even getting to the dress shirt or undershirt Cas is wearing. He really does wear too many clothes for his own good. He pulls Cas along toward the Impala, forever grateful they now book two rooms when they hunt.

“Seriously, Dean. There is no harp.”

#suptober23 #destiel fic #destiel #castiel #dean winchester

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jerzwriter · 6 months

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Tobias took his friend Casey to see his hometown of Washington, DC, all decked out for the holidays; then, she showed him how her hometown of Philadelphia did it. Now, they make one pitstop on the way back home and decide what city does it best... and wrestle with what they mean to each other.

Book: Open Heart Characters: Tobias Carrick & Casey MacTavish (F!MC) Rating: Teen Words: 2,400 (sorry) A/N: This series is a rewrite of a fic I originally wrote in 2022. But, as I fill in the gaps in my Tobias/Casey headcanon, I needed to make some adjustments - and wanted to make some improvements. I haven't tagged my full list for the other parts, but I'm going to do so here because this is the part that had the most alternation - and will lead us back to the question: "So how did they actually end up together?"

Thank you to anyone who has read this - it really means so much to me! :)

Series Masterlist | Tobias x Casey Masterlist Masterlist

“Last stop!” Tobias jumped out of his Jaguar, eagerly tossing the keys to the valet. There was no denying he was as excited about the last minute addition to their itinerary as Casey, perhaps even more so.

As she gingerly stepped out the passenger side, her enthusiasm was diminished, and concern was written all over her face. “Are you sure this is a good idea? The traffic was worse than we anticipated, and you have to be at work early tomorrow.”

“No worries,” Tobias chuckled. “I can sleep when I’m dead.”

Unamused, she stood her ground. “Well, I’d like to keep you around for a while, and you need your rest! So we’re not staying too long, all right?”

“Whatever you say, ma’am,” he nodded, and she couldn’t help but crack a smile when he animatedly gestured toward the street that would lead them to their next adventure.

The cold air and aroma of roasted chestnuts mingled with jingling bells and car horns blaring at tourists who blocked intersections made it clear... it was Christmastime in New York City. Casey was mesmerized, stopping at every store window to peruse the holiday displays. She was so enchanted that she didn’t notice the minor miracle that had taken place; Tobias Carrick was... quiet.

While his mouth had stopped moving, his mind was in overdrive. Amid the joyful chaos, he could focus on only one thing: fighting the visceral urge to take Casey’s hand in his, and not out of fear of becoming separated. His internal debate was relentless... would it be so wrong? Friends do hold hands sometimes, especially in crowds like this. It would make sense. Perfect sense. It wasn’t like he was leaning to kiss her. Not that they hadn’t done that recently. They had! Less than a month ago, they declared they’d be friends with kissing benefits. Of course, it hadn’t happened again, and if it did, Casey would have to initiate it, not him; fortunately, his rambling thoughts came to a halt along with the rest of him when he walked directly into a light post.

Casey turned around, startled, but began to laugh once she realized he was OK. “You OK there?”

“Yeah, I’m good,” he recovered. “Just a little... disorientated.”

In desperate need of a distraction and wishing to prevent further injury, Tobias started a conversation to occupy his mind for the rest of their walk.

“So tell me, how did you manage to attend NYU for four years, yet you never saw this tree?”

“Well,” she shrugged. “I had intended to but never made it. Christmastime is also final exam time, and you know me, I had to get straight A’s, so my mind wasn’t fully on the holidays until I finished the last exam... then I was usually on a train home to Philly.”

He shook his head with a chortle. “Didn’t anyone tell you all work and no play is bad for you? Man... you really needed an influence like me in your life back then, kid.”

“Oh, that’s probably the last thing I needed,” she laughed. “And I managed to have a lot of fun in college. I saw the Bryant Park Tree. Of course the Washington Square Park tree and I were very well acquainted. I just never saw this tree.”

“Well, as much as I am surprised, I’m kind of glad you didn’t... this way, we get to see it for the first time together.”

Casey gave Tobias a side glance; it was now her turn to fight off visceral urges, but she merely gave him a tender smile. “I am, too.”

Then, with the turn of a corner, there it stood, towering above them in all its glory: the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

“Holy shit!” Tobias exclaimed as Casey gasped in awe. “That thing is huge! It’s twice as big as I thought it would be.”

Casey playfully nudged his side with a giggle. “That’s what she said.”

“Really, Casey?” He mocked. “Really? It’s Christmastime.”

“Well, I’m not going to stop being a smartass just because of that,” she winked. “That wouldn’t be fun at all.”

After a moment, it was Casey who made the final determination.

“Well, I hate to admit it, but that guy was right. I think this Christmas tree is the winner. It beats Philly, and it definitely beats DC!”

“I’m so glad you said it,” Tobias chuckled. “I’m done conceding loss on this trip! I just wish we could see it at night. Can you imagine how beautiful it must be then?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. But we can’t stay that late today. Maybe we can come see it again next year.”

Next year. Those words from her lips took his breath away. Mere months ago, they didn’t know if Casey would survive to see this Christmas, much less next. Yet here she was, full of vitality and right at his side... smiling. Next year. She was thinking ahead, and she was including him in her plans. He wasn’t one for Christmas lore; he sure felt like that red-suited, white-bearded old man had dropped a present right into his lap. But as he felt a swell of promise rising inside him, he also felt something else: fear.

He promised he wouldn’t let this happen. Yet here he was... the happily confirmed bachelor was smitten; he couldn’t even deny it anymore. So he made a new promise: to keep his feelings to himself. Casey had made it abundantly clear that she wasn’t ready for any romantic entanglements, and even if she were, he didn’t know if she’d want those entanglements to include him. He had bungled their first chance together badly. He knew how much it had hurt to lose her and didn’t want to face that again. He was lucky to be in her life at all. Friendship was plenty, he convinced himself. Still, as he watched the tree lights flickering on her beaming face, his heart filled with a warmth previously unknown, and he had to wonder... if the time came, would he be able to watch her fall in love with someone else, knowing how much he already loved her so?

“Well, we’ve declared a winner,” Casey said. “We should start heading back to Boston.”

But Tobias had an impish glint in his eyes. “We could.... unless…”

“Unless what?”

“I have always wanted to take a carriage ride through Central Park... and how often will we be in New York. What do you say?”

Casey turned to him, and he could just see the little angel and devil battling over her shoulders. In the end, he was delighted that the devil won.

“You!” she said with a gentle shove. “Leave it to you to find something impossible to say no to!”

“Well,” he smirked, “that is kind of my specialty.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard,” she laughed. “Now, let’s go!”

As much as Casey insisted they make haste, that didn’t prevent her from having a lengthy conversation with Joel, the carriage driver, and she refused to step foot inside until she was satisfied.

“No, Ma’am, I promise you, George here is very well cared for. It’s not like it used to be. He only rides through a special route in Central Park. It’s perfectly safe.”

Petting George’s beautiful mane, Casey continued her cross-examination. “And what about at the end of the day?” She demanded. “How do you get him back to his stables?”

“In a trailer attached to my truck that I drive very carefully. Would you like to run my license?”

“Please, don’t give her any ideas! She just might,” Tobias laughed.

“Ma’am, George, here is family to me. I assure you, he’s the most spoiled horse in the City. I wouldn’t let anything happen to him.”

“OK,” she nodded. “Then we can take the ride, but can I feed him a carrot first?”

“You sure can,” the driver smiled.

When she was done, Tobias helped Casey step into the carriage. “You’re incredible,” he smiled. “You know that, right?”

“Really? Incredible in a good way or a bad way?”

Tobias’s eyes crinkled as the driver gave them a blanket to help keep them warm.

“In the very best way.”

“Thank God for this blanket,” Casey said with a shiver. “I didn’t realize how cold it was until we sat down.”

“I did,” Tobias laughed. “In fact, I’m thinking about striking a deal with Joel so we can keep this thing for the walk back to the car.”

While they were seated closely together, Casey eyed the tiny gap between them with caution.

“Well, if you’re that cold, we could huddle together. You know... for warmth.”

“We could,” he replied nonchalantly. “Anything to stave off frostbite, right?”

“Right,” she smiled, sliding closer to him.

Tobias cautiously lifted his arm and wrapped it around her shoulder, pleading with the universe for the gesture not to upset her, and the universe delivered. Casey nuzzled her head into his shoulder. He didn’t think this trip could get better, and just like that, it did.

The clip-clopping of George’s hooves cut through the crisp air, providing the soundtrack as the carriage meandered gentle curves through the park. About halfway through, delicate snowflakes began to fall, and Tobias and Casey agreed this was better than anything they had ever seen on screen. They were approaching the end of the ride when Casey looked up and nervously giggled.

“Yes,” Tobias asked with a raised brow.

She pointed to a small sprig of mistletoe dangling between the red fringe that lined the carriage’s hood; it would have been easy to miss. Biting her lower lip, she turned away. The scene was too perfect, the moment was too ideal, but should she take the chance? Not allowing herself to give it further thought, she turned to Tobias with abandon.

“So... remember that day back in Cambridge? When I asked if we could kiss... you know... with no strings attached... and you said we could be friends with kissing benefits?”

“I do,” he smiled mischievously.

“Well, we are under the mistletoe, and this is such a special day. Don’t feel obligated... you don’t have to... but if you want, I thought maybe we could.... mmmhhhh.”

Just like last time, she didn’t get to complete her sentence. Tobias’s soft lips were upon hers, his hand gently cupping her cheek as her arms wrapped around his neck. The kiss was sweet, warm, filled with a tenderness that each longed for but was afraid to claim as their own. This time, when the kiss broke, Casey was unwilling to let it end, pulling him back for one more.

When they silently parted, a blushing Casey diverted her eyes, and perhaps because he wasn’t ready to face the moment either, Tobias pulled her close against his chest, placing a loving kiss atop her head. They remained like that for the rest of the ride, each with a million thoughts swirling in their heads, but not a single word could make its way to their lips.

“Well, this is it, kids!” Joel yelled as he hopped off the carriage. “Did you enjoy yourselves?”

“Yes,” Casey said almost too quickly. “It was... it was beautiful!”

Tobias shook Joel’s hand, slipping him a tip, before he and Casey began their trek back to the car. The usual easiness between them was replaced with an awkward silence punctuated by small talk about the frigid temperatures and how they could no longer feel their toes. But each attempt to quell the discomfort faded too quickly, and quiet was upon them again. Finally, Casey grabbed Tobias’s wrist.

“T, wait a second,” she insisted, tugging him to face her.

“Is everything OK?” he asked.

“Yes... It’s more than OK. This weekend was just magical. It was more than anything I could have imagined, and I will always treasure the memories I made with you.”

“I’m going to do the same,” he smiled.

“I just hope,” she nervously chewed at her lip. “I hope I didn’t ruin things.”

“Ruin things?” he asked, with a creased brow. “Casey, you couldn’t ruin things if you tried.”

Looking up from under her lashes, she gave a tantalizing little smirk. “Wanna bet? The kiss on the carriage... I... I just got overwhelmed; everything was so beautiful, it was so romantic, and then the mistletoe was there, and I...I....”

“Casey, Casey...” he said, taking her hands. “It’s all right. Everything’s fine.”

“It... it is.”

“Sure,” he comforted. “Look, it doesn’t have to mean anything.”

He watched as the relief that just settled on her features turned into something different, something that looked like hurt, and he was quick to recover.

“Let me correct that. Of course, it means something. Everything with you is very special... because it’s with you. That was a beautiful moment, and I’m glad we got to share it together, but it doesn’t have to mean any more than you want it to. I know where you are right now, and I respect that. We can just leave that tender moment alone.”

“You know... I am feeling better every day,” she insisted. “On this trip, for the first time since the attack, I felt like my old self again. In fact, I went two whole days without even thinking about it.”

“I could tell,” he smiled. “And it was beautiful to see.”

“But, I’m still not... I’m just... still not...”

“Casey,” he whispered. “It’s OK. I promise you...it’s OK.”

“Good,” she smiled. “Thank you.”

“But maybe,” he stalled, already kicking himself for what he was about to say. “Maybe we should hold of on that friends with kissing benefits stuff. You know? I don’t want it to confuse you, and I really don’t want it to hurt what we’ve built between us.”

“Well, I don’t see how they could hurt,” she faltered. “But... but... maybe you’re right, at least for now. But hug... hugs are still allowed, right?”

“Oh, hugs are always allowed,” he grinned, pulling her into one of the tightest ones he could offer.

“Good,” she sighed with relief. “Because I always need those.”

Then, the two friends stood in the middle of the busy street as the cold wind blew. The sounds that made up the City's symphony- laughter, arguments, honking horns, and sirens blaring in the distance surrounded them. But Casey and Tobias didn’t recall that they were on an island of nearly two million people, for there were only two who mattered, and right now, they were clinging to the moment for as long as time would allow.

“Come on,” Casey smiled, taking his hand. “We need to get you home to Boston.”

“You got it,” he nodded. “But I have a feeling we’ll be back to visit.”

“I think so, too. Oh, and Tobias?”

“Yes?”

“I know it’s early, but... Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Casey,” he smiled, tenderly bopping her nose. “Merry Christmas.”

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Will tag others in reblog.

#choices fanfic #open heart fanfic #open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #tobias carrick #tobias carrick x mc #tobias x casey #holiday fics #playchoices fanfic #playchocies

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