[acourtofquestions]

“If you were to ask me what Throne of Glass is about…

I’d say it’s about the epic journey of a teenage assassin in a corrupt kingdom.

But if you were to ask me on a deeper level, I’d say…

It’s about how small acts of kindness can change the outcome of the world.

Money to a barmaid, waiting an extra minute to shoot, a warning in a competition, a cloak in a cold dungeon, a message on a wall, sharing your lavender soap.”

[user6161234-deactivated20250518]

— CALM AFTER THE STORM

pairing: remus lupin x reader

summary: the 4 times you hate each other, and the one time you don’t. alternatively, remus lupin is a pain in your arse and yours alone.

warnings: enemies to lovers, swearing, kissing, mention of blood and wounds, some bad writing as always which is unedited

author’s note: just a little e2l fic for my own indulgence as its my fave trope and its criminal how i barely have any e2l fics… also haven’t written anything in ages soooo enjoy!

when he just has to be controversial

The sun was beaming, colourful rays reflecting over your book through the stained-glass windows of the Gryffindor common room as you lounged on the sofa with your head in Lily’s lap. You were barely paying attention to the chatter of your friends around you, choosing to focus on your copy of ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ and Marlene’s soft guitar playing. The lazy afternoon is a welcome break from the increasingly stressful N.E.W.T lessons that have had you all so exhausted, you’re not sure if Peter is asleep or dead from his curled-up position on the rug.

You don’t even realise someone is saying your name until Marlene tickles the sole of your socked foot with her guitar pick, making you yelp and draw your legs in from where they were previously tucked in between Marlene and her guitar.

“What was that for?” you grumble, nudging her arm with your foot.

Marlene smirks, nodding over to James. “He told me to get your attention. Didn’t specify how.”

You roll your eyes and turn on your side to face the boy in question, his grin unfaltering as he multitasks polishing the handle of his broomstick and talking to you. “Not my fault you’re dead to the world when you’re reading,” he says, matter-of-fact, continuing when you raise your eyebrows in impatience. “I was just wondering how you could look so interested in that book. Remus said he’d do my homework for a month if I finished it the other day and I couldn’t get past five arse-numbingly dull pages.”

You scoff, adjusting your position again to face Remus as well. “And why was Remus betting you to read my book, exactly?”

“It was my copy,” Remus replies, scribbling away on his parchment, cross legged on his chair, to undoubtedly finish the Potions essay that Slughorn had set yesterday. You’re transfixed on the way his hand is moving across the page for a second, unable to fathom how someone can have such messy handwriting. You aren’t surprised in the slightest that the next words coming out of his mouth are ones you disagree with. “I wanted to see how long he lasted reading the slowest-paced book in the world.”

You abruptly sit up at this, shutting your book and forgetting plans of relaxation.

“Hey, watch it!” Lily exclaims, lifting the bottle of black polish she’s using to paint Sirius’ nails from its balanced position on her thigh to avoid you spilling it all over her white top. “If you’re about to argue, please refrain from throwing things until after I’ve done the second coat of nail polish.”

You pointedly ignore this and narrow your eyes at Remus who, infuriatingly, still hasn’t lifted his head from his essay. “I’m surprised you found it hard to read such a slow book. Thought that’d be perfect for you.”

“Look what you’ve started, Prongs,” Sirius sighs, examining his nails.

Seeing the corners of Remus’ lips pull up into a slight smile at your comment just spurs you on in defence of the book you were previously enjoying. “Besides, it’s about a real-life teenager with real-life struggles, not The Hobbit on his latest adventure.”

“Who’s Hobbit?” James mumbles, scratching his head in confusion as Marlene just shrugs, equally oblivious.

“It’s overrated,” Remus insists, finally setting down his quill to look at you. The amused expression still hasn’t left his face and you make a noise halfway between a scoff and a high-pitched squeal of indignance. “Even James agrees.”

“Oh, and James’ opinion on literature is the standard now?” You raise a brow, tutting when James starts to protest. “The only book James has finished in the last six years was Quidditch Through the Ages.”

The way James slowly slides the aforementioned book under one of the sofa cushions doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone. Sirius starts snickering, much to Lily’s annoyance as she tries to control his hand. “She got you there, in fairness, mate.”

Sirius’ chortling seems to stir Peter from his sleep and he opens one eye to peer at you. Seeming to catch sight of your irritated expression, he frowns. “Are these two arguing like an old married couple again?”

“Merlin help us if these two ever decide to get married,” Marlene utters under her breath, bent over her guitar and avoiding the weight of your glare.

“Yeah, he wishes,” you grumble, shuffling around on the sofa to get back into a comfortable position with your book. Remus’ smile has only widened in response and he seems to enjoy your discomfort as you overcompensate for showing your annoyance by wriggling about.

“I dream about it every night,” Remus replies, dryly and Peter giggles below you before turning over to sleep again.  

You overcompensate a little too much by moving around, because Lily huffs from beside you and starts scrambling around for a tissue. “What did I say about the second coat?”

“I didn’t throw anything this time!”

2. when he won’t let you give someone a black eye

Defence Against the Dark Arts is your favourite N.E.W.T subject for a lot of reasons. You enjoy the lesson content, it’ll be useful in future years, and it’s the one lesson you share with every single one of your friends.

You’ve gotten used to James and Sirius messing around while Professor Marigold recites fact after fact about spells and creatures and wizards of dark nature. Its like soothing background noise to you and your classmates who all concentrate in silence most of the time.

Which is why your quill stops on your page and leaves a growing ink blot when you hear snickering and whispers from the other side of the classroom rather than from in front of you where the marauders sit in a line.

The scoffs of disgust coming from Snape and Mulciber are loud enough to attract the attention of the rest of the students and even the teacher, who eventually sets down her piece of chalk in the middle of talking about Wolfsbane potion with an impatient sigh.

“Is there some sort of pressing issue that can’t wait until after class to discuss, boys?” Professor Marigold asks with a tone of ire that would impress Professor McGonagall. “Even Black and Potter have decided to give it a rest today.”

She’s not wrong, you think, noting how they’ve been less disruptive than usual for this lesson, probably tired out from setting each other’s robes on fire in Charms the hour before.

“The pressing issue is werewolves,” Snape mutters quietly, as though he doesn’t want to make a big issue but can’t stop himself from speaking up. “We should be learning more about how to kill them and less about the price of potion ingredients.”

Lily gasps from beside you and Sirius and James tense up at his words. Remus doesn’t lift his head, but you absently notice how his grip tightens around his quill when Peter nervously turns to him. Peter isn’t one for conflict and he’s always been nervous around this particular group of Slytherins, so you’re not surprised he’s anxious.

“Werewolves are still people, you can’t just go around killing them!” you find your mouth moving on its own, before your brain can catch up. When Snape turns to direct his scowl at you, its matched by your own as well as Lily’s disappointed frown. “They didn’t ask to be werewolves, they physically can’t help it! How would you feel if people wanted to kill you for not being able to control being such an arse.”

“Miss Y/L/N,” Professor Marigold warns, setting her stern eyes on you. You’re not one for disrupting lessons or getting into trouble, so when Remus turns around to look at you with a raised eyebrow, your cheeks start to warm and you stubbornly don’t look his way again.

Snape ignores her to continue glaring at you. “I don’t have the capacity to kill people in a feral rage now, do I?” His gaze flits from you to Lily and Marlene and then lingers on the boys. “Of course, you’re defending werewolves. It’s no surprise considering who you choose to associate yourself with.”

“Mr Snape.”

“You have no need to fly into a feral rage to kill people,” you reply, voice steadily rising in volume. Sirius and James turn their heads back and forth like they’re watching a tennis match and you know the only reason they haven’t piped up to agree with you is because they’re too entertained watching the way you’re about to jump out of your seat to pounce on Snape. “All you need to do is show someone your face for them to die of fright–”

“ENOUGH!” Professor Marigold’s booming voice cuts through the laughter of everyone on the Gryffindor side of the classroom and when you turn to look at her, you see even Remus’ shoulders are shaking with silent laughter. You’re not sure why this pleases you, but it doesn’t last long enough for you to figure it out before Marigold waves her wand in the direction of the door and sends it flying open. “Both of you will wait for me outside the classroom until the lesson has finished so I can discuss your appalling behaviour.”

You gape at her for a second, before relenting and grabbing your bag, not wanting to argue with her authority. Your friends have different ideas.

“That’s not fair!” Marlene exclaims, standing up in protest. “She didn’t even do anything wrong.”

“Yeah,” James agrees, also standing up. “Snape’s the one who was being an annoying pri–”

“Sit down, everyone,” Marigold cuts him off, pursing her lips. “Everyone except Mr Snape and Miss Y/L/N. Do not even think about speaking Mr Black, or I won’t hesitate to suspend your and Mr Potter’s Quidditch privileges until further notice.”

Sirius shuts his mouth after a nudge from James and you shoot your friends a grateful smile before making your way out of the classroom, followed closely by Snape.

The door shuts behind him and you don’t bother sparing him a glance before dumping your bag on the ground and leaning against a wall to focus your gaze on a suit of armour for the next five minutes. You’re about half a minute in when you notice that one of the hands are slightly wonky and the classroom door suddenly opens.

Remus, of all people, enters the hallway to join the two of you and quickly shuts the door.

“What are you doing here?” you ask, furrowing your brows and getting up from against the wall.

“Yeah, what are you doing here?” Snape sneers at him, and you give him a scathing look before turning to Remus for an answer.

Remus pointedly ignores him to stand next to you against the brick wall. “I just pointed out to Professor Marigold that you both have your wands and she may not have two students left out here by the end of the lesson.”

“I can defend myself,” you snort, folding your arms. You aren’t sure if you’re annoyed that Remus is insinuating otherwise, or if you’re touched that he doesn’t want you to be hexed into oblivion by Snape. “Especially from him.”

“Oh, I know,” Remus raises both hands in surrender as his tone becomes grave. “It’s not you I’m worried about, trouble.”

“Ha ha,” you deadpan, rolling your eyes at the nickname. He started it around a year ago when you got your first ever detention for helping Sirius and James Charm the Slytherin chairs to throw them off every time someone sat. Your friends had kept quiet about your involvement, but Peeves had spotted you, the nosy bastard. The nickname stemmed from the fact it was the first time you had ever gotten into trouble and it never failed to irritate you. “You better be careful I don’t hex you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of annoying you,” he says, but the serious tone of voice is ruined by the way his lips are twitching in an attempt not to laugh at you. “After what happened when I said I didn’t like that one Jane Austen book? Forget it.”

“Hey, you insulted one of my favourite characters,” you point out, resting a hand on your hip. “What did Emma ever do to you? You had that hex coming.”

“I had pink hair for a week,” Remus narrows his eyes at you, but you can tell he isn’t really angry. Although he refuses to admit it, you know for a fact he didn’t hate the pink hair considering how good he looked with it. An annoying indiscretion on your part. Remus looks behind you for a split second before leaning in a little to whisper. “I won’t get in the way if you want to turn Snape’s hair pink, though. Preferably a very bright shade of flaming, hot pink.”

At risk of your own cheeks flaming up from how close he is – really, what’s the need? – you shake your head let your hair fall into your face. Almost having forgotten Snape is also there, you start when he scoffs (for what you think is the millionth time this afternoon) and you sigh before facing him begrudgingly. “What now?”

“Couldn’t handle the content of today’s lesson?” he asks, tiling his head. You’re about to ask him what the hell he’s talking about before you realise, he isn’t actually talking to you, but to the boy behind you.

“Uh…” you trail off, not sure how to respond. All three of you currently standing in the corridor know that Remus is smart enough to tackle any type of content, especially something as memorable and interesting as werewolves.

Remus’ amused demeanour has been wiped away and you can’t determine his exact expression, but his voice is cold when he talks to you. “Just ignore him.”

“You and your group of friends can’t help themselves when it comes to defending strays and all sorts,” Snape continues, much to your confusion. “It’s not enough that you’re a group full of blood-traitors and mudbloods…”

Remus tenses up behind you and you find yourself frozen for a second.

The next thing you know, you’re lunging at the greasy-haired Slytherin with every intention of hurting his face with your fists, wand long forgotten. Your fingers barely brush his robes, however, when you feel yourself being hauled back by strong arms that wrap around your middle.

“Let go!” you snarl, enjoying the way Snape has backed away, eyes wide and worried. “Did you hear what he said? Remus, let me go.”

He doesn’t relent, still holding onto you when he leans down to speak in your ear. “You’ve already gotten into trouble. You’ll get into a whole lot more when everyone walks out to see Snape with a black eye and you with bruised knuckles.”

“Worth it,” you grit out, still pulling away from his grip and throwing daggers with your eyes at Snape. After a few more seconds of pointless struggling, you relax very slightly just to turn in his arms so you can direct your next words to him more pointedly. “Not only is he a slimy, blood-supremacist twat, but he also wants to kill a poor bunch of werewolves. We should be throwing him into the bloody Black Lake!”

“I know, I-” Remus is cut off when the door opens and students start flooding into the corridor to provide a barrier between you and Snape, indicating the end of the lesson. Remus finally lets you go when he realises you’re in direct view of Professor Marigold who stands behind her desk, waiting for you. “I had no idea you were such an advocate for werewolves.”

It’s the last thing you expected him to say and you immediately look up at him and frown. “Again, they’re people. They don’t deserve to be victims of prejudice just as no one does.” He doesn’t respond, staring at you with an unreadable expression and a hint of a smile. Your frown deepens in confusion. Was he… laughing at you? Especially after you had just gotten along. “I’m so glad you find me amusing,” you say, scowling and storming back into the classroom and away from Remus.

3. when he's too good for flower crowns.

“Tell it again,” James insists, grin wide as ever plastered onto his face despite the withering look you send his way. “Getting a glimpse at even the possibility of Snivellus getting pummelled by Y/N would have made my entire year.”

“The galleons I’d give up to have been there,” Sirius releases a wistful sigh, closing his eyes as he lies down, facing the sun.

You hand him the daisy chain crown you just finished and he dutifully dons it. “I’ll alert the Ministry of Magic to order in a time-turner for an issue of utmost urgency,” you say sarcastically as you start on the next daisy chain. Sirius merely winks at you.

“I think you should’ve let her have at him, Remus,” Marlene states, unapologetic. You nod vehemently in agreement, a little too enthusiastically as you end up splitting a daisy down the middle.

Lily tuts, adjusting her own flower crown as it slips against her silky red hair. “I’m glad you didn’t. Godric knows what Professor Marigold would have done,” she shudders at the thought, ever the diligent student.

“Forget Marigold,” Peter chimes in. “Imagine what Professor McGonagall would have done.”

You don’t miss how he looks over his shoulder in case your head of house is taking a stroll along the grassy grounds.

“She would have combusted when you called him an ugly arse,” Remus pipes in, unhelpfully might you add, from where he sits slightly away from the group under a tree, reading.

The comment sends Marlene, Sirius and Peter into a fit of laughter – James is too busy staring at the way the sun is making Lily look ethereal and she’s too busy pretending not to notice while being secretly pleased. Doing a quick survey of your friends, you see everyone now has a flower crown except Remus. You make your way to the tree he’s resting against while the others chat, and sit yourself down with purpose.

Remus lowers his book very slightly to peer at you and your too-sweet smile. He raises a sceptical brow. “Should I be scared right now?”

You drop the fake smile and hold up your flower crown expectantly. “Everyone has one, but you.”

“How observant,” he says, setting his book down to look at you in mock astonishment. “Have the Aurors at the Ministry caught wind of you yet?”

“Don’t be a pain,” you groan, dropping it onto his open book. “I want everyone to wear one for the picture!”

Remus sighs, looking at the large camera over by your bag. You had saved up all summer to buy a magical camera to be able to take pictures of you and your friends in your final year at Hogwarts. The time you used your own muggle camera was a disaster of sparks and broken bits of plastic that took hours to mend. “I already agreed to your incessant picture-taking,” he reminds you, acting like it’s the most painful thing in the world. “The flower crown is not happening.”

“Fine, you miserable git,” you flick a handful of grass at him, sending him sputtering. “Now come and sit for the photo.”

You return to the group with Remus behind you and get everyone in position before hunting down someone to take the photo. Glancing around, you spot a close bunch of first-years and send Lily to use her Head Girl credentials (and warm and inviting personality, of course) to rope one of them into coming over.

“Okay, smile everyone,” you order, plopping down on the grass next to James. You elbow him in the ribs, not even having to look at him to know what he’s doing. “Stop looking at Lily and look at the camera.”

With a couple of mutterings and some nudging, the nervous first-year Hufflepuff girl shakily takes the picture and hurriedly hands you the camera in the middle of the picture sliding out of it. James and Sirius go back to playing with a golden Snitch while Peter watches, while Remus returns to his book.

Lily looks at the picture and coos over how cute everyone looks at the same time as Marlene complaining about her hair. You impatiently take the picture back to slide it into your photo album and something catches your eye.

Sirius is making a peace sign behind Remus’ head. His head that wears a flower crown.

4. when he bleeds out on you.

You’re not sure what time it is – either very late at night, or very early in the morning. You do know, however, that you want to finish your Herbology essay so you can enjoy tomorrow (or today) and cheer your friends on in the Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw Quidditch game. You only have the conclusion left and you’re confident it’ll be done in the next ten minutes.

If you can find your damned quill, that is. You could have sworn you had it ten minutes ago, just before you snuck down to the kitchens to persuade the house-elves to give you the strongest cup of coffee they could make. You take a quick sip and grimace at the lukewarm temperature before setting it down and getting up to search. After turning every sofa cushion upside down, you go to crouch behind the sofa.

You hear the door to the common room being swung open and the hushed voices of the Marauders enter, but you don’t take too much notice as you squint for your quill. It isn’t unusual for the boys to be roaming around the castle at odd hours of the night, but a hiss of pain grabs your attention at the same time you spot the quill.

“Can you guys manage taking him up to the-” Sirius cuts himself off when your face pops up from behind the sofa. He freezes in his efforts to hold up Remus, who you notice is leaning on him and James and Merlin’s balls he’s covered in blood.

“What the fuck happened to him?” Your voice comes out weak as you walk over to the boys. Remus has deep, bleeding slashes over his chest and an assortment of little cuts on his face and hands. He seems barely able to keep his eyes open but when his gaze meets yours, he winces. He isn’t the only one hurt and you realise Sirius’ arm is damp with blood and trembling, the same going for James’ thigh. “What the fuck happened to all of you, oh my God…?”

“Peter, you were supposed to keep watch,” James hisses at the boy who looks like a deer in headlights. He looks a lot better than the others, with only a couple of small cuts scattered around his face and arms.

“She was behind the sofa!”

James’ leg buckles and you snap out of your state of shock to dart forward and keep him steady. “Right. Shit, okay,” you breathe out, holding off asking any questions to prevent anyone from bleeding out. “James, Sirius, set Remus down on the sofa and take off his shirt. Peter, help these two up the stairs and go find a first-aid kit or something.”

“We’ve got a couple in the dorm,” Sirius says, summoning one of them down with a quick Accio and handing it to you. He hesitates for a second, probably unsure if he should stay and explain things, before deciding to turn in the direction of the stairs with James as Peter rushes to help them up. “Look after him, please. We’ll be right back, Moony.”

“Take your time, I’ve got him,” you utter, already fiddling with the first-aid box and trying to open it with shaky hands. You’re no healer, but you know enough to panic when you see Remus has had his eyes closed for the last few seconds. “Remus, keep your eyes open!”

He groans, cracking one eye open to look at you. “I’m injured and bleeding out and you still manage to yell at me.”

“I wasn’t yelling,” you frown, unscrewing the bottle of dittany and scrambling for the cotton pads. You try to avoid Remus’ gaze because you feel extremely silly about being more panicked than him when he’s the one with claw marks down his chest. “Don’t move, or it’ll hurt.”

While dabbing the liquid onto the deep gashes in an attempt to close them up, you ponder on the fact that he probably knows it hurts from experience. You’re not completely clueless.

“What are you thinking?” Remus whispers in the stifling quiet of the common room, looking unsure.

You don’t cease in your movements, changing cotton pad after cotton pad. It takes you a minute to muster up the courage to meet Remus’ gaze again and this time he looks more nervous than you’ve ever seen him. “You’re a werewolf, aren’t you?”

Remus gives you an almost imperceptible nod, like he doesn’t want to admit to it. You take a deep breath.

“Who else knows?” you ask calmly, as if you’re asking him about the weather.

“The boys and Lily,” he admits, swallowing hard. “Oh, and Snape.”

“Snape?” you exclaim, halting your dabbing to gawp at Remus. “I’m not saying you had to tell me or anything, but Snape?”

 Remus winces and you don’t think it has anything to do with his injuries. “In my defence he found out on his own and hates me for it,” he rushes out. “And it’s not that I didn’t want to tell you… I-”

“It’s fine,” you cut him off, waving him off and wondering how good you’re hiding the fact you’re a little hurt. “You didn’t have to tell me.”

“No, I wanted to. I did,” Remus insists, looking earnest. There’s something in his voice that’s a little pained and desperate that has you meeting his eyes. “I just couldn’t have dealt with it if you started looking at me differently. The boys and Lily sometimes do, y’know? Like I’m made of glass or something. It’s refreshing whenever you scowl at me or call me an idiot or an arse or a stupid gi-”

“Okay,” you stop him, stifling a grin. “I get it!”

Remus’ eyes flash with relief for a second before you notice doubt start to creep in again. “You don’t need to hide it, by the way. I won’t hold it against you if… If you’re scared or disgusted, or-”

“What?” you cut him off again and scrunch your nose in confusion. “I’m not scared or disgusted. Why would you think that?”

“You’ve been a bit too calm,” he points out.

Rolling your eyes, you grab a bandage to start patching up the worst of the injuries before you move onto the minor cuts and bruises. “I didn’t want you to think I was freaking out, or looking at you differently,” you quote his own words to him with a pointed look, making him smile again. “I don’t, you know. Think of you any differently, I mean.”

His expression is unreadable as he just looks at you and you just look at him, bandage hovering over his chest before his fingers come up to brush the back of your hand. He lightly holds your hand, softly running his thumb over your knuckle as his voice drops to a whisper again. “Thank you.”

You offer him a gentle smile, holding his gaze for a second longer before focusing on bandaging him up again. His hand drops to the side and you oddly find yourself missing his warmth. The large bandage adheres to his skin and you run your fingers along the sides to stick them down, feeling him shudder under your touch.

You quickly busy yourself with looking for more supplies in the kit to hide the way your own breathing has increased slightly. “Hey, anyway, I almost walloped Snape right in the eye for you. If that wasn’t any indication of my standing on werewolves, I don’t know what is.”

“Ah, my knight in shining armour,” Remus chuckles before breaking into a wheeze as the muscles of his injured abdomen contract. “Fuck, don’t make me laugh.”

“Don’t laugh at me then!”

5. when you’re definitely not jealous… you’re not!

Three cups of coffee. You’re on three cups of coffee. It’s also the same number of hours you’ve slept and by Godric can you feel it in every inch of your body as the muted chatter of the Great Hall buzzes around you. Your head is in your hands as you contemplate stealing some Polyjuice potion and bribing a first-year to take a dose with your hair in it so you can go to bed and they can pretend to watch the Quidditch match.

You knock back the last sip of coffee when you sense a presence sliding onto the bench in front of you. Groggily setting the cup down, you see that its Remus. It takes a second to remember why this is concerning.

“Morning, h- Wait, what the hell are you doing out of bed?” you hiss, leaning forward to avoid anyone listening in. You scan your eyes over his chest, two seconds away from ripping his shirt off to check his bandages. “How are you even standing?”

“Relax, Florence Nightingale,” Remus says, rolling his eyes at your dramatics. He does his own quick sweep of the table and sees that most people are out in the Quidditch stands already, so he proceeds to pull the neckline of his shirt down slightly to reveal an already fading scar. No bleeding in sight. “I went to Madame Pomfrey with the boys this morning and she hurried up the process like she usually does. I feel achier than a 90-year-old woman with a metal hip, but the brunt of it is gone and Pads and Prongs are good as new.”

“Okay,” you say slowly, narrowing your eyes slightly. “If you’re sure you can sit out in the stands…”

“I can once I’ve consumed every cup of tea on the premises,” he says, reaching for the teapot. An annoyingly smug smirk starts to appear on his face while he pours. “What, are you worried about me, trouble?”

You scowl instantly. “No, I just don’t want you collapsing on me in the Quidditch stands while I’m cheering the boys on.”

“Right.” He hides his grin behind his cup of tea.

“Hey,” you mumble, nodding to Patricia Holloway who looks like she’s making a beeline to your table. More specifically, towards Remus. “Bright and cheery Hufflepuff incoming.”

“Merlin, it’s too early for this,” Remus whispers, taking another sip of tea before his face breaks out into a charming smile directed at the girl who slides into the empty seat next to him. “Morning, Patricia.”

“You look good today, Remus,” Patricia rests her elbow on the table and tilts her head to look at him with simpering eyes. It’s no secret Remus is good-looking and you’ve heard a million girls talk about him before. You’ve never seen any of them approach him yourself, though. You can’t say you enjoy it. “Are you… okay, Y/N?”

You didn’t realise you were scowling until she addresses you and you rapidly smooth out your expression, clearing your throat. Remus looks amused, which makes it harder to keep the scowl off your face. “Fine! I’m fine, just a bit confused since Remus looks half asleep,” you attempt a laugh through gritted teeth and are spurred on when Remus is actively trying to fight a grin. “And his hair currently makes him look like he’s been dragged through the Forbidden Forest.”

He can’t stop himself snorting at that, but Patricia just looks confused as though unsure how to react. She settles on a nervous little laugh, turning back to him. “I can fix that for you, here,” she says, scooting closer and starts to run her hands through Remus’ hair. You poke your cheek with your tongue, marvelling at how bold she’s being and how Remus is just sat there, still looking amused as ever. “There, what do you think?”

“A hairbrush couldn’t have done a better job,” you deadpan, softening your expression slightly when Patricia begins to look a little disconcerted. “You keep doing that, I’m going to head off to the Quidditch field.”

You all but storm out of the Great Hall, exhaustion having left you completely. It’s replaced by a newfound whirl of irritation that pools in your stomach and creeps up your throat, making you feel a little sick. It must be the coffee, you think, and you’re trying to remember if the beverage has ever made you experience this when all of a sudden there’s a hand circling your wrist.

“Stop, Y/N,” Remus says, a little breathless. You didn’t realise he’d run out after you and you feel bad about his injuries before your gaze snags on his newly tousled hair. “Godric, you walk fast.”

“I didn’t ask you to catch up to me,” you snap, purposely scowling this time. The cheeky bastard still looks amused and your irritation is growing faster than ever. “Besides, the match doesn’t start for another fifteen minutes. Plenty of time for Patricia to give you a whole new hairdo. Maybe she can give you plaits or– Why are you laughing.”

“You’re jealous,” he exhales with a smile, sounding positively delighted. Any feelings of concern have disappeared and are being rapidly replaced with wanting to thwack him upside the head. “Oh my God, you really are jealous.”

“Jealous, my arse,” you scoff, turning your back to him with every intention of speed walking out of the castle. His long legs keep up with you easily and he rushes in front of you to stop you going anywhere. You glare at him. “Leave me alone, Lupin.”

“Not until you admit that you’re jealous.” Remus is positively giddy with glee and you feel a flush of heat crawling up your neck. You set your jaw stubbornly and he’s incredulous as he shakes his head. “Merlin, you really have to argue with me on everything don’t you? I don’t care about Patricia Holloway and I’m glad you’re jealous. Means you’re less likely to break my nose when I kiss you.”

You barely get the chance to make an incoherent noise when Remus grabs you by the waist and presses his lips against yours, kissing you like he isn’t prepared to let you go anytime soon. His mouth slides hot and wet against your own and you gasp into the kiss when he nips lightly at your lip, your hands coming up to slide into his hair, making it unruly all over again.

Remus is the first to break apart, too soon, and you physically restrain yourself from chasing after his lips. He pulls back slightly, breathing fast to look into your eyes, searching for the answer you’re unable to speak yet.

“You… uh, I-I’m…” you trail off, dazed and breathless and head swirling with every emotion under the sun.

Remus laughs, pulling you impossibly close and leaving a soft kiss on your jaw, which doesn’t help your current speech issues. “If I knew that was all it took to shut you up, I’d have kissed you years ago.”

“Wha-!” You slap his arm, snapping out of the haze. You hide your current uncertainty behind a glare. It hit you like a ton of bricks, but you realised about five seconds into the kiss that you wanted Remus Lupin in every way, shape and form. You’re more than a little terrified, so what better defence mechanism than anger? “Why did you actually kiss me, you prick?”

“You are the densest, most clueless,” Remus begins, pausing to kiss you lightly a couple times when you start to scowl. “Most stubborn and most beautiful little witch I’ve ever known. And if you haven’t figured out after almost seven years that I love you, then I’m afraid we might have to admit you to St Mungo’s, because really-”

“Stop,” you whisper, lifting a finger to press against his lips, effectively silencing him. “You love me? You actually, seriously love me?”

He rolls his eyes and nods, like it’s obvious or something. You huff. “Then why have you been such an annoying pain in my bloody arse, Remus Lupin?!”

“Because,” he says, the word coming out muffled and you hastily remove your finger. “It was a good way to keep your attention. Plus, I like when you’re angry. It’s cute.”

You scowl without thinking and his smile impossibly widens.

“See?”

“Shut up and kiss me again,” you say dryly, pulling him in by the collar to give him a short, searing kiss. “Oh, and I guess I love you too.”

“So, no broken noses in my future?” Remus asks hopefully, softly sliding his nose against yours.

“No promises.”

© angelfic 2023.

[upsidedownwithemmy]

Is This A Thing?

Remus Lupin x fem!reader [1.5K] that inbetween stage of being friends and something more, soft, fluffy stuff that your friends start to notice.

“I’m starting to think you like her more than me, Moony.”

Remus snorted, an amused huff that stirred the baby hairs on your forehead. He ignored Sirius, leaning further into the squishy armchair, taking you with him. You squirmed, just a little, resettling into him, your legs curled up between the space he’d made for you between his knees, his chin resting on your head. 

You were both reading, or rather, you were trying to. Remus smelled too nice, clean and fresh like new linen, a touch of spearmint, lemongrass and sage. He had his own book propped against the armrest, held open with one hand whilst the other sat over your stomach. It was innocent enough, palms kept away from your bare skin by a Gryffindor sweater, a shirt underneath it. But you still felt the heavy weight of his touch and it was enough to make you read the same line about the side effects of gillyweed three times over. 

“You don’t let me sit with you like that,” Sirius continued, his tone sticky soft and teasing, lips pushed into a pout that made you laugh. “Is it ‘cause I beat you at chess the other day?”

It was true. As close as the boys were, Remus tended to linger on the outside of James and Sirius’ affectionate dog piles, pulling away first when they hugged, avoiding their childish play fights with rolling eyes and a fond grin. It was different with you though. Always had been. An ache to be close, to touch, to feel. Eventually it became inevitable and you didn’t question it anymore, not when Remus was so eager to pull you into his space and keep you there for as long as you were happy. 

James was shaking his head, cross legged on one of the many rugs that overlapped the common room with a smirk on his lips and several pages of crumpled parchment around him. “I don’t think that’s the reason, Pads.”

You were too warm all of a sudden, but doing nothing to stop their teasing as you pushed yourself closer to Remus, hoping you could hide your flushed face between your book and his chest.  

“M’not sure,” Sirius went on, drawling. He was hanging upside down off of the armchair closest to the fire, his head lolling back off the side, black hair dripping to the floor, the small hooped earring he’d pinched from your dress catching the firelight. “He’s an awfully sore loser, you know.”

Remus huffed but stayed silent, ignoring his friend to the best of his ability. His hand shifted, an attempt to keep you close, moving from your tummy to your side, fingers sneaking under the hem of your uniform to stroke a path of heat over bare skin. He bent his head closer to yours, as if your book was more interesting than his own. 

Sirius didn’t notice, suddenly too busy making eyes at a girl across the common room, a seventh year student that seemed just as interested in him. But James was letting his gaze linger on the touch, as innocent as it seemed, eyes flickering to his friend, wondering if Remus was brave enough to meet his stare, his raised brows, his knowing grin. 

He wasn’t. Remus slumped down into the chair further, avoiding any eye contact that would confirm what James was thinking. 

Is this new or have I just not noticed? Is this finally happening? Do we need to talk about this later?

“Anyway,” Sirius returned to the conversation, now upright and slipping a piece of parchment that he caught out of the air into his pocket, the ink still wet and holding the location of whatever meeting place the girl had sent him. “Like I was saying. Am I not your favourite, Remus?”

“You’ve never been my favourite,” Remus grumbled and you held back a grin, not wanting Sirius to start on you. 

“Rude.”

“You’re a pest.” Remus retorted lazily. 

Sirius gasped, all faux dramatic and scandalous, as if his friend had done the utmost to offend him. But it quietened him for a little bit, maybe a good three minutes or so, chewing on the end of his quill - no, your quill - before he spoke again. 

“Is this a thing now?” He gestured to the two of you, your thighs resting against Remus’ knees, his socked foot pushed to yours. The boy’s dark eyes glittered, interested, amused. “Should I look out my dress robes? Have the talk with you, Moony? I’m not ready to be an uncle, you know—”

“My god, Sirius, do you ever shut up?” Remus was scarlet cheeked and frowning, doing his best to hide the way he was flushed behind your head. He’d snatched his hand away from your side, like you’d burned him and the action was enough to leave you unsure. 

Is this a thing now? Is this a thing now? Is this a thing now? 

You swallowed hard, moving from the space between Remus’ legs and standing, doing your best to pretend to yawn and stretch, your foot kicking away James’ failed attempts at his potions essay. You didn’t see, but Remus was glaring at his friend. 

“Well. I’m off to bed,” you mumbled, book clasped tightly to your chest, page lost. It was barely past eight o’clock. “Night, boys.”

Sirius looked contrite as he watched you go, receiving a smack on the back of his head from James and his stack of papers, and as you made your way up the steps towards your dormitory, you heard the explosion of voices behind you. An argument ensued, Remus’ voice at the forefront despite how hushed it was, low and annoyed and aimed at Sirius. 

You wondered what he’d say, what explanation he’d give. Because you certainly weren’t anything, not that you’d spoken about, anyway. You were lingering in between friends and something more, sitting on the edge of a declaration, maybe not quite love, but definitely more than a crush. You’d spent too long looking at Remus Lupin differently from the other boys now, too many years hoping he’d sit closer, hug you longer. 

And he did. You noticed. You knew. You were sure he did too, ‘cause his gaze held something more now and as the months passed and you both got older - and more impatient - he got braver too. He pulled you over his lap, let his hands linger on bare skin in the warmer months, let you trace the scars he got each full moon and you were always an inch or two away from kissing them better. You wondered if he’d let you. You wondered if he’d be bold enough to ask for it first. 

Before you could close your door, your dorm room lit by candle light, a hand caught the wooden planks and you startled, opening it fully to find Remus standing there looking sheepish. His shirt was creased from where you’d been leaning on him, his cheeks still rosy from whatever sharp words he’d aimed at his friend downstairs. 

“Hi,” he breathed out, chest heaving a little like he’d run all the way up to catch you. 

He had. 

“Hi,” you whispered back, wondering where this was going, why he was here, too aware of your empty dorm and your empty bed behind you. 

“I’m sorry,” Remus began, gesturing vaguely behind him. “About him. Sirius. He’s a— well, he’s a prat.”

You snorted, an amused noise that was far from ladylike but it made the corners of Remus’ frown pick up and he was grinning, relieved that you didn’t seem to be too upset. “You say that as if I’m not already aware,” you replied. “I learned to ignore Sirius Black years ago, Remus. You don’t have to apologise for him.”

Remus shuffled awkwardly, one hand carding through his already messy hair as he worked up the courage to say what he wanted. You watched him swallow, Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat and suddenly, it felt momentous, like there was a spell lingering in the air, like it was only you and Remus in the castle despite the way you could still hear James telling Sirius off in the common room below. 

“He was right though. Pads,” Remus clarified and he was frowning a little, stumbling over each sentence like it was too hard to speak. “For once. I do like you more than him.”

Another beat of silence, shy, soft. You could feel the air shift, your heart thunder. 

Remus leaned against the wall, the cool bricks doing nothing to settle the flush across his face and neck. But still, he spoke, quiet and measured, eyes pinned on you like he wanted you to know how brave he was being, how much he meant the words he said. You could still feel his touch from before, four fingertips trailing over your side, the bare skin over the dip in your waist, the way his thumb joined in and pressed nicely against your ribs. 

You felt dizzy. 

“I think— I think I like you most,” Remus nodded, failing to look serious as a smile broke over his face, full lips lifting into a nervous sort of smile. “More than anyone else, really.”

“Anyone?” You think you whispered it, but Remus heard, smile growing. 

“Everyone,” he agreed.  

[since0202]

Taking Time—Fifty-Two

Not that easy

Word count: 11,599 (oops)

There have only been a handful of times where I’ve woken up with a true hangover. Most were spent with Becks and Keye in our high school days after staying out a tad too late at a local house party and drinking the latest concoction of Quileute kid punch. One was after a truly raucous night at Sam and Emily’s a few months after meeting the pack for the first time and Paul opted for us to just sleep at their place rather than drag me home. The only other time I can remember before that though, was the day after the imprint. I had felt groggy, lightheaded, and like I was going to pass out all day. There was never a point where I didn’t feel actively nauseous and at the time, it felt like a warning. Now I know exactly what it was: the universe shifting and locking into place. Destiny taking hold with her vice grip and squeezing me clean of my senses. 

Maya woke up with a splitting headache and nearly naked in her soft bed. She hadn’t bothered to change into proper pajamas, and had unceremoniously stripped off her dress and thrown on a Columbia university t-shirt as she listened to each voicemail from home like they were episodes of a riveting podcast. 

Becks was indeed pregnant again and had called Maya back at the end of April to let her know through a wet, wonderful, tearful voicemail:

“Listen, Maya. Something amazing has happened and I know you’re busy and all, but I just wanted to tell you that…that I’m pregnant again. God….” There was a long pause as Maya heard her sniffling and trying to get her tears under control, “I know it seems like a lot. I mean Ephy isn’t even one yet, but I’m so happy and I just….I just wish you were here. And I get it, I really do. You had to do what you needed to to be happy, just like I did what I did to be happy. But, My…I just…Nevermind… I just love you and I wish you were here, you know? Ugh, sorry it’s probably the hormones.” A deep, sounding voice called out to Becks from way off. Probably Jacob coming home. “I gotta go, but I love you and I hope you’re okay. And I hope…I hope I can see you soon.”

Maya had listened to that one a couple of times, tearing up herself. She had missed so much. Her phone was filled with messages and photos from her family: 

Ephriam’s first birthday. Seth and Sadie’s wedding. Kim’s baby shower and delivery announcement. A bonfire night at Sam and Emily’s. The first Christmas at Jacob and Becks’ with the whole pack crammed into the wide open living room surrounded by piles of gifts. Maya noticed Paul was nowhere in sight in any of the photos and wondered if he had been the one to take them instead or if he was absent altogether. 

Keye was also noticeably absent from most of the photos, save for Seth and Sadie’s wedding. There was a beautiful one of her clutching a champagne glass and smiling to somewhere far off. Maya had opened the last and only text she had received from her when she had first skipped town. If anyone could keep quiet about her reaching out, it would be Keye, Maya thought. So she typed out a message in the early morning as the sun was beginning to break over the New York City skyline that simply said: 

“I miss you.” 

Now, as Maya rubbed her face and glanced toward the long, floor to ceiling windows that spanned an entire wall of her room, looking out over the street below, she considered if last night had been some strange dream. 

Late morning light poured through the windows and she groaned trying to clear her head, but the ache and pounding wouldn’t subside. She felt terrible, wrecked, as hungover as her first time drinking Quileute kid punch at Tommy Sutherland’s 16th birthday party on the beach. 

Maya threw the covers over her head, trying to get a grip. She felt awful. A soft buzzing to her right let her know that her phone was nearby. Maya groaned and slung an arm over her eyes as she pawed for her phone with the other. She had forgotten to plug it in last night and it was currently sitting around 20% battery as a result. Great. Maya squinted at her phone beneath the covers 

5 new messages from Arden

“Fuck,” Maya sighed as a fresh wave of nausea rolled through her body. Her teaching assistant orientation was today anyway, so she knew she’d probably catch him on campus. Dealing with it now via text felt like too much. So, she quickly opened the text thread, glanced at the last two messages that read: I just want to know that you’re alright. He looked like that guy from the art gallery, do you know him?

She shot off a quick “Hey! I’m so, so sorry about last night. I’ll explain everything when I see you today. I’m okay” and closed her phone again with a groan. 

Last night had most assuredly not been a dream. Her muscles felt tight and sore from the sheer tension between the two of them. Her lips felt like they had done battle. But the pain…aside from this cracking headache and the rolling wave of nausea, Maya had no signature hollow ache that she had lived with for the past year. 

When Paul had dropped her off last night with a soft kiss and his gentle goodbye, Maya felt like she had been slammed into a brick wall. She was so sure he would claim her last night and there would be nothing really she would have done to stop it. She had wanted him and the imprint had thrown her into such a state of disorientation that he could have probably gotten her all the way to the airport and on a plane before she would have realized what was happening. 

But he didn’t. 

For all the rage and upset that she knew was boiling inside of him, he had brought her back to her home, kissed her goodnight, and left her on the doorstep. Maya rubbed her forehead and cast the covers off of her before sitting up slowly. She ran a hand across her stomach as if to test for the ache that had accompanied her and sometimes crippled her, but none came. 

Maya glanced at her phone again and then dragged herself out of bed and toward the shower. Despite Paul tentatively re-entering her life, he had not reached out and the space felt monumental between them. Maya couldn’t figure out if that was a good thing or not just yet considering everything. Was this just the calm before the inevitable storm that was Paul Lahote? Or was it something different? 

Whatever it was, Maya knew she’d have to be careful and avoid slipping into the familiar rhythm of the imprint that would lull her right back into her old problems. 

----------------------------------------------

Maya quickened her pace across campus as her navy blue floral mini dress fluttered out around her upper thighs. The thin material clung to her hips and she had thrown on a light wash jean jacket over the delicately tied shoulder straps to prepare for the likely chill of the over air conditioned lecture hall. She had pulled her hair half up and tied a ribbon matching the color of her dress through it and it fluttered gently in the breeze past her shoulder-cropped hair. With the last sweltering days of summer clinging to New York, the less clothes the better, she thought. 

Maya readjusted her leather tote on her shoulder ladened down with notebooks and her laptop. She planned on getting some pre-semester work done after the orientation if she could. Her junior year was vitally important to the networking stage of her degree. She’d be busier than ever attending events and gladhanding. Luckily, she had Arden and now Dr. Bronnard in her corner singing her praises, but still, the thought of securing a high-value internship this year sent a nervous thrill through her. 

“Maya!” a familiar voice shouted across the quad. Maya slowed and turned to see Arden in a light t-shirt and some slacks. The heat was really getting to everyone. She paused and smiled waiting for him to jog up to her. “I thought that was you,” he said a little breathless, “Are you alright?” he readjusted his bag on his shoulder and reached out to gently graze her arm with his other hand. 

“I’m fine,” Maya shook her head, slightly embarrassed and looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry I disappeared on you last night, I—” she looked up to see Arden shaking his head gently. 

“You don’t have to apologize, it’s alright,” he said almost knowingly. Maya heaved a sigh of relief. 

“Really?”

“Really,” his smile was warm and kind as he brought his hand up to cup her cheek. 

And again, Maya wondered how no one had fallen in love with it yet. But maybe that was it, maybe someone had.

“I told you, I see you. I get it,” he promised. Maya nodded and couldn’t help leaning into his hand. “Are you ready?” he nodded over her shoulder toward the lecture hall letting his hand drop. 

Maya looked up at the double doors and then eagerly back toward him with a wide smile, “Absolutely.” Arden nodded his assent and wound his hand down her back and gripped her hip as they walked toward the front doors. He grabbed the door and held it open for her as she slipped through. 

The TA’ship was completely informal. Only Maya and two other undergrads were selected by professors to shadow their grad courses and grade papers. They wouldn’t be teaching anything, but it was a special opportunity to get a head start on some upper level material, work closer with grad students who were starting their research and even have the opportunity to work with their professors on their research. 

Arden of course had selected Maya for the position and she was thrilled to be sandwiched between two studious looking grad students in the lecture hall as head of the TA program droned on about expectations. Being Arden’s unofficial TA meant that she would most likely be spending more time in his office again with him. The thought made her chew her lip in worry and excitement. Without the dull ache present in her belly, Maya was able to consider a life of possibilities without the imprint tugging her attention away. 

But still, she was worried. If the ache was gone, that had to mean that Paul was nearby. But so far, he was keeping his distance. 

After the orientation, Maya laughed as Arden led her down the staircase from the front doors, regaling her with yet another story about a mishap that happened in his lab prep last week that had resulted in several thousands of dollars worth of regent test strips getting ruined. 

Maya leaned into Arden’s side as she held her stomach in laughter, her jean jacket hanging loosely from her hand as the sun washed over the bare skin of her shoulders and neck. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Maya lifted her head and wiped a stray tear that had escaped her eye from laughing so hard and was halted to a stop. 

Arden looked down at her, his hand resting on her lower back confused at her sudden stop and lifted his eyes to where she was staring. 

Standing off to the side against the brick wall of the adjacent building was Paul. His massive arms were folded across his chest clad in a black t-shirt. His face was pulled into a grimace as he watched Maya sway uncertainly. He didn’t move though. 

Maya looked up at Arden, her eyes swimming with confusion and a plea of understanding. He glanced at Paul and then smiled comfortingly down at Maya. “You going to be okay? Or should I wait for you?” 

Maya let out a solid breath and let a small smile break over her face. “Thank you,” she said softly, “I’ll be fine. I’m just going to see what he wants,” Maya said, her voice only slightly wavering. Arden watched her for a moment, not sure about leaving her but ultimately, after another glance in Paul’s direction he conceded and gave a brief nod. He squeezed her arm gently and said “I’ll be in my office. Text me if you need me,” before heading off across the quad toward the science building. 

Maya didn’t move for a moment, her eyes glued to Paul’s across the way. He looked furious, as he most often did now with each of their meetings, but Maya’s lips tingled with the remembrance of his mouth on hers last night. Resolved to not lose her way this time, she swallowed hard and walked purposefully toward Paul. His eyes watched her every movement: the soft sway of her hips, the soft fleshy tremble of her upper thighs that peaked out of from under the flimsy fabric of her dress as she walked, the subtle bounce of her breasts, the swing of her arms, and the curl of her fingers into gently fists. 

What he wouldn’t give to rip that dress off of her and remind her of who he was. 

Maya stopped a few paces away from him, her brain already fogging from his heady scent. She fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest, mirroring his position. 

“Hi,” she said gently, the wind blowing her hair across her shoulders. Paul’s intense gaze held her and he just gave her that wicked smile, one that promised he’d wreak havoc on her heart if she let him. When he didn’t say anything, she rolled her eyes and swore she heard a soft growl come from him in response, “What are you doing here?” she said with more impatience. 

Paul pushed off of the wall and walked a little closer to her. Maya stiffened. 

“I was going to take you to lunch,” he said, his voice a rumble of pure temptation, “If you were hungry.” Maya stayed stock still, worried that any movement would draw that lustful gaze and set her on fire. “Unless, you were busy with…something else,” he said the last part through gritted teeth as he glared pure malice over her shoulder where Arden had disappeared into the science building. 

She didn’t have plans…but, “Just lunch?” she asked tentatively. She desperately wanted her voice to come out stronger and not with that tinny undercurrent of need currently coating it. Paul’s eyes snapped back to her and he fought back a scowl at the distrust he found on her face. 

He gave her one solid nod and Maya relaxed, taking a deep breath. “Fine,” she said. “But I need to be back here by 2:30 for a meeting,” she lied. There was no meeting but at least it gave her a deadlined to adhere to. She worried if she didn’t set an end time for herself, she’d never leave his side with the imprint itching at her brain like this. 

He held out his hand to her in agreement and Maya hesitated only slightly before slipping her hand into his. His warm, reassuring palm sent an electric shock through her and she swallowed the gasp that fought up her throat. They started down the quad together and Paul reached around her to grab the bag off of her shoulder so he could carry it. Thankful for the lack of weight, she stepped closer to him, pressing her side against his arm as they walked toward one of the campus parking lots. 

Though they walked in silence, the tension buzzed through Maya’s body, tightening her nipples into hard peaks and swirled in agonizing lightning between her legs. When they reached the sleek black Mercedes, Maya hesitated again. He opened the passenger door for her and quickly walked around to the drivers side, depositing her bag into the backseat first. Maya bit her lip and hesitated at the open car door. 

“Paul,” she said quickly. He looked at her, that fire still brimming in his eyes. If looks could kill… “Just lunch, right?” she heard herself nearly beg. Paul openly scowled now and rolled his head back. 

“Maya, I’m not going to fucking kidnap you. Just get in the car,” he said harshly. Maya frowned. It was not outside of the realm of possibilities that he would placate her and then steal her away—he’d done it before. When she didn’t move, he placed both of his arms on the top of the car and leaned forward, “You already ran away once, what would be the point of me dragging you back to the rez if I know you’re just going to run from me again the first chance you get?” His voice dripped with anger but there was also regret. Maya pursed her lips and then nodded getting into the car without further protest and quickly snapped on her seatbelt. 

Paul sank into the driver’s seat and when he shut his door, Maya’s senses were once again flooded with the intoxicating scent of him. Immediately, she felt that ache thrum between her thighs and had to stifle a gasp. This was ridiculous—if she was going to have this reaction every time she was close to him, she didn’t stand a chance of maintaining control. When he turned on the car, she rolled down the window and ignored his look of curiosity as he navigated them toward their unknown lunch destination. 

They drove in comfortable silence. Maya leaned on her arm toward the window and tried not to react when she felt Paul’s hand rest gently on her upper thigh. His thumb stroked lazy circles on her skin and Maya ignored that heat that pooled between her legs quickly in response.

After about ten minutes of pure silence, Paul slid the car up to a valet who opened the door for Maya and helped her out. Paul was quick to come around and place his hand gently on her lower back, his fingertips just grazing her hip. The searing heat of his hand seemed to burn through the thin fabric of her dress as he led the way to the elevator. Maya shivered in the air conditioned hotel and slotted her body next to Paul’s to absorb some of his warmth. Paul’s hand slid to her hip and squeezed and Maya couldn’t help but look at their reflection in the mirrored elevator doors as they slid closed in front of them.

Paul was looking down at her as she stared straight ahead. When she leaned her head against his shoulder, he gently kissed the top of her head for a half second before straightening as the doors opened. A gleaming hostess stand stood just outside of the elevator. In a gruff tone, he checked them in for their reservation as if perturbed by their sudden lack of aloneness.

Maya smirked and let him lead her out onto the rooftop, following the hostess. He pulled out her chair and she sank down into it with a soft ‘thank you’. 

When he settled across from her, she trained her eyes on him and with humor said, “So, you were just so sure I would accept your invitation that you made a reservation, huh?” 

Paul raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head with a chuckle as he looked out over the glass partition that gave them a spectacular view of the upper east side. 

“I hoped,” he said before he looked back at her, “I didn’t know if you would accept, but I did hope.” 

“Mmm,” Maya hummed as she sipped some water. After a beat of silence where he just stared at her, she let out a huff and asked teasingly, “Sooo, how are things?”

The side of his mouth quirked up into a heartbreaking grin. His tight, trimmed beard covered that signature dimple she would so often press whenever she had made him laugh particularly hard. But she liked this look on Paul, albeit a bit darker, and more sinister. Before he could respond, the waitress came over and took their drink orders. Maya ordered a white wine to which Paul raised an eyebrow. 

“You sure you don’t want the lavender gin and tonic?” he asked curiously. Maya gave him a tight smile and shook her head, reaffirming to the halted waitress that she’d have the white wine. When she nodded and parted, Maya turned back to Paul and sank back into her chair. 

“You don’t know everything about me anymore,” she shot back quietly. Paul’s jaw ticked tightly and he looked off into the distance again. His knuckles were white as he gripped the arms of his chair and tried to calm himself. “So?” Maya prompted again. Paul let out a frustrated breath and looked back at her before shrugging. 

“Everything is fine. Business is good. I’ve expanded my client base out here and my work has gone over well.” He said everything so matter-of-factly, as if it didn’t please him to have been so successful. His body language was tight and his shoulders visibly tensed. Maya tilted her head to the side as she observed him. 

He was already irritated, maybe not with her, but just in general—she could see it coloring his face. The waitress dropped their drinks off and asked if they’d like to order lunch. Maya opened her mouth to order the seared scallops and risotto but Paul beat her to it. 

“She’ll have the scallops and risotto, side salad with arugula instead of spinach and the raspberry vinaigrette. I’ll take the steak salad,” he smiled at the waitress who glanced at Maya. Maya just nodded and she took off quickly. 

When she turned to level Paul with a look of incredulity, she was met with a teasing smile. One that begged her to say something. 

“Tell me again how I don’t know anything about you anymore?” he prompted after a short beat of silence. Maya brought the wine glass to her lips and took a soft sip, shaking her head and stifling a giggle. His eyes sparkled with amusement and she momentarily lost her breath. There was the Paul she knew, not this angry, sharp version he had been presenting thus far. She decided to take a chance with her next question seeing as she had successfully put him into better spirits. 

“So, how far along is Becks?” she said quickly, holding onto her wine glass. Paul’s face fell back into a grimace and he scoffed angrily. 

“You could just call and ask her, you know,” he said around his whiskey glass. 

“You don’t have to be a dick about it,” Maya shot back, her voice slightly rising. 

“And you don’t have to be this stubborn. For fuck’s sake, Maya. That’s your family, they just want to hear from you,” he kept his voice low but the rage coating his tongue was spitting fire in Maya’s direction.

“You know what,” Maya said abruptly as she set her wine glass down with a little too much force, sloshing wine over the edge, “I don’t have to listen to this,” she pushed away from the table, but Paul rose at the same time to meet her. 

“Wait,” he said, grabbing her arm harshly. Maya looked down at his hand squeezing her arm and frowned. 

“Let go of me,” she said as she tugged, but he wouldn’t. 

“I’m sorry,” he said between gritted teeth, “Please sit down.” Maya glared at him and shook him loose before sitting back down in her chair. 

Paul ran a hand through his black hair that had grown out long enough to curl a little at the ends by his ears. Before he sat back down, he clenched and unclenched his hands into fists a few times. 

“She’s about five months, give or take,” Paul finally said, his voice barely hiding the anger, “She’s doing well. No complications so far and Jacob has chilled out considerably since it’s their second and he feels more prepared.” 

Maya fought back the well of emotion gathering in her throat. She swallowed thickly and followed it with a strong gulp of wine before she said, “Hard to imagine Jacob being chill about anything, let alone his pregnant wife.” 

“How did you know they got married?” Paul asked innocently, genuine confusion on his face. Maya’s mouth suddenly dropped open and the sting of sadness poked at her belly. 

“Wha—” Maya began. 

“Seared scallops and risotto,” The waitress interrupted, “And a steak salad. Anything else I can get for you at the moment?” 

Maya was speechless, tears clearly pricking at the corner of her eyes now. Paul thanked the waitress and dismissed her politely as he leaned forward across the table to take Maya’s hand. Maya pulled in a sharp breath, fighting to steady the sob trying to claw its way out of her throat. 

“Hey, hey,” Paul said gently as he held onto her limp hand on the table. His thumb stroked the back of her hand softly as he said, “It’s okay. No one knew for a while and no one else was there. They just sort of…did it on a whim,” he soothed. Maya looked out over the skyline and nodded. 

“I shouldn’t be upset, I know,” she admitted, surprising herself. Paul shook his head. 

“That’s not…” Paul sighed and let Maya’s hand drop as he leaned back in his chair. “Maya, you can’t expect life on the rez to stop just because you left.” He didn’t mean it as an insult, but it shot Maya right through the heart to hear it. 

“I know that!” she snapped as she turned toward him, “Don’t you think I know that?” The tears were flowing freely now and she hated again how she had dissolved into a teary mess in front of him for the second time. She wiped at her cheeks angrily and took another drink of wine. 

“Let’s talk about something else,” he said firmly as he leaned forward to dig into his salad, “Tell me about your internship.” 

Maya sniffled and nodded, picking up her fork and taking a deep breath. She could talk about that. Anything to get her mind off of what she was missing, what she was sacrificing for a different kind of happiness she was chasing out here. 

For the next two hours, Maya and Paul talked about anything and everything as long as it didn’t touch on home. She forgot how easy it was to be around him, to hear the occasional chuckle (he refused to allow himself to laugh) and feel that warmth spread from her belly to every inch of her. She had missed him. Plain and simple. 

After lunch, he led her to the elevator and when the doors dinged shut, he turned toward her, pulling on her hip to set her flush against him as he leaned down, cradling the side of her neck with his other hand and bringing his lips down softly onto hers. Maya let out a soft whimper at the contact as a sizzling sensation burned pleasantly from her lips and down her spine. She opened her mouth to him and he greedily entered, letting his tongue swipe along her lower lip and into her mouth. 

Maya clutched at his bent shoulders, tugging him down more to bring him impossibly closer as the heat swirled and sank in her belly to her core. His hand moved from the bruising hold on her hip to knead the flesh of ass, slipping under her dress. He groaned into her mouth and when Maya took it as an invitation to bite gently down on his lip, she received a harsh slap to her ass cheek that made her yelp and dampen. 

She was hungry for more, but all too soon, he wrenched his hold off of her just as the elevator doors dinged open into the lobby of the hotel again. Maya was panting, her cheeks flush with heat as she allowed Paul to ferry her to the valet. He gave her ass one more pleasing squeeze before she sank into the passenger seat. 

Maya tucked some hair behind her ear and tried to quell her furiously thumping heart. She couldn’t concentrate on anything else on the car ride back and was thankful for Paul’s silence as she tried to get herself under control. 

When he dropped her off at the main entrance to campus, Maya hastily exited the Mercedes with a quick goodbye. But he rolled down the window and called out to her and she couldn’t bring it in herself to resist. 

She leaned down through the open passenger window, breathless and still flush with desire. 

“Yes?” she breathed. He gave her that teasing smile again before he said gently. 

“Can I see you again?” So innocently, as if she even had a choice. But she appreciated the request, nonetheless. 

“When?” Maya asked, trying to sound cool. Paul grinned and looked away and for a brief moment, she thought he might be onto her. 

“There’s this event I need to go to on Thursday at the Met. A bunch of artists will be there, but it’s mostly a chance to network. These things are usually pretty boring, but the Met is cool and it would probably be more fun if you were there.” He said it all so nonchalantly. Maya rolled her eyes affectionately and echoed:

“Probably,” before nodding and saying with genuine excitement, “I’d love to.” 

“Great, then I’ll see you Thursday,” his voice wavered slightly and Maya wasn’t sure what to make of it. 

“See you Thursday,” she said softly as she backed away from the car and turned on her heel to jog toward the science building. She could still hear the soft rumble of his Mercedes even though she was a bit of distance away, so she called out over her shoulder, “Stop staring at my ass!” 

She heard that achingly wonderful laughter bubble out of him from far off and it made her heart thump wildly in her chest. 

Whatever this was that they were doing at the moment, she had to admit, she really liked it. 

----------------------------------------

Maya checked her outfit in the golden arched filigree mirror that towered over her in her room. Rosalie was lounging on her bed, flipping through a mechanics magazine with a bored look on her face. 

“I don’t know why you don’t just wear the vintage Valentino. It’s classic Met,” Rosalie said for the umpteenth time. 

Maya smiled and readjusted the thin straps of her deep magenta halter. The material was well made and tailored exactly to her curves. The top acted almost as a bustier and pushed her cleavage up spectacularly. The matching magenta wide-legged, pleated pants billowed out around her legs, giving the look an airy, elegant feel. Maya leaned down to adjust the strap of her strappy black heels. 

“I’m going for a different look. There’s going to be some artist-types there and I don’t want to look too stuffy,” Maya said as she crossed the room to don her gold bangle bracelets from Jeremy. 

“At least wear my teardrop diamond earrings. They’ll class up the place a bit,” she set down her magazine and gracefully slid out of the room before Maya could even protest. 

She fluffed at her black tousled hair that ended just above her shoulders. Maya swallowed hard to help quell that giddy feeling tumbling in her stomach. It felt like a first date with Paul all over again. The uncertainty, the thrill, the hope for his touch. Still, Maya would need to be careful to not let herself get too caught up too quickly in him. With the pull of the imprint, it was easier to get lost in chasing down your feelings and letting it all consume you. This time, Maya would have more going into it and she would try her best to actively manage those feelings so that everything felt like a choice, rather than a reflex. 

About fifteen minutes later, as Maya put on the finishing touches to her look (dark ruby red lipstick, her ring and woven bracelet from Paul, and the diamond earrings Rosalie insisted on), Emmett appeared in her doorway with his hands in his pockets. 

“Someone’s here for you,” he said gently with a teasing smile. Maya felt a rush of butterflies and her heart fluttered unexpectedly. 

She hurried past Emmett and down the darkened hallway to the front door. She grabbed her black leather clutch off the table and pulled open the door to echoes of laughter and “Have fun!” from down the hall. 

When she shut the door behind her, she was more readily able to focus her gaze on the man below. He leaned against the passenger door of the black Mercedes, one leg crossed in front of the other with his hands buried in his pockets. Maya let her eyes slowly take him in: he was dressed in an all black suit, with black leather shoes that shone in the overhead lamplight. His dark black jacket offset the cloth with black silk lapels that glinted subtly in the evening light. Maya finally let her gaze fall on his face. His dark, tight trimmed beard accentuated his sharp jaw and his hair was swept back effortlessly as if he had just run his hand through it. 

Maya hesitated at the top of the steps, stunned into actual silence as she felt the imprint pull at her to close the distance. Paul must have felt it too because he shifted his stance and stood taller, looking up at her and giving her a gentle smile. Maya returned it and slowly descended the stairs, reminding herself of her promise to herself. 

When she landed just in front of him, his warm citrus and spice scent washed over her and she fought to simply keep her balance. Even in her heels, she barely reached his chin, and she gazed up at him with a soft smile. 

“Hi,” she said gently. He let out a small chuckle as he replied, 

“Hi,” and brought his hand up softly to cup her cheek. His eyes were filled with warmth, but Maya could tell he was holding some emotion back, maybe also trying to temper the pull of the imprint to give him the space to just feel what he needed to. 

The hand that cupped her cheek fell away and he tugged lightly at the ends of her hair, “This is shorter,” he said in a gravelly tone. 

Maya shot him a teasing grimace, “I needed a change.”

“A lot of change, apparently,” he said in an even tone, his eyes still lovingly roving her face. 

“What? You don’t like it?” Maya shook her head playfully. 

“I didn’t say that,” he said gently, taking a step toward her. Maya shuffled back a bit and he took it as an opportunity to open the passenger door for her. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”

--------------------------- 

Maya had been to the Met a few times during her time at Columbia. Sometimes with friends and once for a civil engineering class where they got to tour some of the preservation rooms. But, she had never been here at night for an event of any kind, and the Met at night was something special. 

Maya took Paul’s hand as they ascended the staircase to the grand entrance. Once inside, the air was buzzing with the hushed and hurried voices of artists and socialites alike. Paul didn’t let go of her hand as he pulled her through the crowd, deeper into the museum as if he was in search of something. 

There were new, temporary exhibits erected throughout the main hall and Maya couldn’t help but gawk at the sheer beauty of some of the sculptures. Paul ferried her through them though, not pausing to let her look properly as he nodded to some people he knew. 

“Paul. Where are we going?” Maya said breathlessly as the crowd seemed to thicken. Paul was looking for someone and if Maya was being honest, she didn’t really care who it was as he continued tugging her mercilessly through the crowd. She just wanted to pause and take it all in for a second.

Just as Maya was about to tug her arm back, Paul halted and Maya nearly crashed into him. She steadied herself and glared up at him, but he hardly noticed as he said to the person in front of him. 

“I’m here, showing my face. Happy?” his tone was only somewhat annoyed with the fact that he needed to check in with someone at all. Maya let her gaze sweep down to the culprit and swallowed roughly, suddenly feeling like someone had dumped a bucket of sand down her throat. 

“Thank you, Paul. I never doubted you for a second,” Rachel Black raised her champagne glass in salute, surrounded by elaborately dressed people and then her gaze glanced next to him. Unexpectedly, her jaw went slack and her eyes lit up with shock and amusement, “Maya?!” she nearly screeched. 

“Uuuh,” Maya stuttered out, still clutching Paul’s hand. But a moment later, Rachel had flung her body toward hers in a bone crushing hug. 

“Oh my goodness, it’s so good to see you!” she said, truly elated. Maya let out a small laugh and hugged her back before letting Rachel pull her to arms length to get a good look at her. “My god, you look amazing! How is Columbia? How are things?” 

“Things are..things are…” she glanced up at Paul but he was a stone wall. Very helpful, “Things are good,” she breathed out and Rachel just kept smiling. 

“Good! Well you know this one, so tight lipped. I thought you had fallen off the face of the earth with how secret he was keeping you. We miss you around Seattle!” It didn’t seem like Rachel knew what had happened between them. Was that Paul’s doing? Maya played along, grabbing the champagne glass that Rachel plucked from a passing waiter and handed to her. “But, I mean of course, New York is just such a great transition for Paul’s work. Plus you’re here!” Rachel continued rambling and Maya sipped slowly. Paul had let go of her hand to shake someone else’s hand who had walked up to him. He was now in casual conversation, his hands shoved deep into his pockets and Maya tried her hardest to play it cool. 

Rachel talked Paul up for about ten minutes before he snaked his arm around Maya’s waist and tugged her away, stating that he needed to introduce some people to Maya. Rachel gave her a kiss on the cheek and promised to call her to get together for lunch soon. 

When Maya was whisked away, her head felt like it was spinning. She looked up at Paul, but he still maintained that determined, quiet demeanor that gave nothing away. Maya fought back an eye roll and he squeezed her hip in response as if answering some silent question she had posed to him. 

True to his word, Paul introduced her to some of his artist friends—sculptors, painters, and metalsmiths alike—all of whom were very much a part of the New York City art scene but still managed to be decently down to Earth. They were  polite and asked her thoughtful questions about her degree. One of the painters even wanted her insight on some common bi-products in industrial bioengineering that could be recycled into reusable materials for a piece she was working on. 

Maya was bubbling with excitement as she spoke about her life, her research, everything; but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Paul had moved away from her and was talking to another group of people in another corner of the room after awhile. 

Strange—the feeling of him not being glued to her side. It was all at once liberating and cold. She craved his warmth, but appreciated the space. Maya carried on talking, nodding, and smiling, trying to parse through the actions of this new Paul. 

Maya was so caught up in conversation as the evening carried on, that she startled when she felt his warm hand press to her lower back and slot back into her side. 

“Do you mind if I take her back? I want her to meet some people,” Paul announced. They all cheers’ed Maya before letting her be steered away by Paul toward another waiting group. 

Maya smiled up at Paul and wrapped her arm around his back as he led her into one of the smaller rooms of the museum, scattered with sculptures. They approached a group of important looking people and before she could even open her mouth to say hello, Paul introduced her: 

“This is Maya,” he paused and glanced down at her uncertainly before carrying on, “She’s my…uh, friend…studying bioengineering at Columbia.” 

Friend? 

Maya internally cringed and felt her arm slip from around his back and hang loosely at her side. They all greeted her happily, and Maya smiled back after a bit of a delay and tried to stay present in the conversation as Paul’s hand sat loosely on her waist as he carried on talking. 

She was introduced to a few more groups as Paul continued to make his rounds and each time, he seemed to hesitate in how to describe her. It bristled her, made her feel something deep in the pit of her belly that reminded her oddly of jealousy. But there was no one to be jealous of. Paul was standing at her side, hand wound around her as his thumb stroked lazily on her hip. 

Yet, here she was simmering with a subtle anger that pulsated with annoying precision in her belly at being called friend.

At a lull in the conversation, Maya excused herself to go to the bathroom to try and get a hold of herself. Her mind was still spinning at the fact that she was here with Paul, but now that he had seemingly distanced himself from her with the moniker of friend, her entire world felt a little upended. And the worst part was, she could hardly blame him. She had shamelessly flirted and kissed Arden while they were apart. Being called his friend was generous considering they’d had almost no contact for the past year. 

So why did Maya’s neck feel ungodly hot as she leaned over the sink and pressed a cold paper towel to her chest to cool down? 

After a few minutes of deep breathing in the bathroom and telling herself to get a grip in the mirror, Maya re-entered the main area. But instead of returning to Paul’s side, she wandered off up the grand staircase and leaned against the marble railing of one of the balconies that jutted out, overlooking the main area below. Maya leaned down and rested her forearms on the wide, cold stone railing and let her eyes sweep across the crowded floor. 

She didn’t know how long she stayed up there, watching and letting the voices rise up to echo around her, but it seemed no time had really passed at all before she felt familiar warmth next to her. Paul handed her a glass of champagne and leaned his back against the railing, looking in the opposite direction as he said, 

“Having any fun?” his tone was neutral, unreadable. She wasn’t sure if it was a genuine question or one that poked at her obvious distraction. Still, Maya couldn’t seem to burst that bubble of anger bouncing around inside of her. She shrugged and took a long sip from her champagne glass before standing upright. 

“Are you asking me as a friend or…?” She gave him an icy sidelong look. His eyebrows knit together in confusion for a moment before realization dawned on him. 

He chuckled looking down at his shoes as he nodded his head momentarily before saying, “So are we not friends?” 

“That’s not what I mean and you know it,” Maya said sharply back while begging herself to calm down. Why was she so upset? Paul stood straighter, squaring his shoulders and facing her with his hands in his pockets. If he was anyone else she might be a bit intimidated, but this was Paul. Nothing about him could scare her at this point. 

“Did that bother you? Me introducing you as just my friend?” Paul asked in a gentler tone. Maya took another sip from her champagne and kept her eyes glued to the throng of people below, unable to answer. Paul looked off to the side for a minute, his jaw ticking tightly as if he was considering something and then he said, “I’m just trying to give you some space. Without pressure. You’ve proven yourself a flight risk and I don’t want to push it.” 

Maya swallowed, still unable to meet his eyes as she said, “I know what I did hurt you. But I did it for me and I don’t regret it. I am sorry that I did hurt you, though. So if all you want to be is my friend from now on then that’s fine, but don’t kiss me in dark alleyways and make me think differently then. That’s not very just-friends-behavior of you.” 

She chanced a glance at him and saw the clear anger wash over his face before she looked away. Was she being silly? Maybe. But the fire erupting in her from the imprint felt oddly like rejection she had never known and it was making her dizzy and impulsive. There was a too long pause from Paul before she turned toward him and he shot back: 

“Last I checked, you had a couple of friends that you didn’t mind hanging on and fucking around with.” 

“Excuse me?” Maya shot back quickly, setting her champagne glass down with too much force. 

“Oh, or is that different? Tell me Maya, what is acceptable friend behavior to you? Because I’m lost,” he was leaning forward with clear aggression on his face and Maya grit her teeth in response. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said through her teeth. Paul popped his eyes open a little wider. 

“What about whatever the fuck his name is….Arden? Everytime I find you, his fucking hands are all over you. All over what’s mine. So excuse me if I was just treating you with the normal friend behavior I’ve seen other people use with you.” 

“Fuck you,” Maya said loud enough that it echoed quickly around them. She swung around to stomp off but he lunged and grabbed her upper arm, whirling her around and leaning down so his face was level with hers. The fire in her met the fire in him. 

“Try again,” he growled, his hand squeezing her upper arm lightly. Maya recovered quickly from being pulled around and narrowed her gaze to meet his before repeating with the full weight of her anger reddening her cheeks: 

“Fuck….you,” she seethed enunciating each word with venom. A sick smile pulled across Paul’s face for a moment before he yanked her forward and let his lips crash down upon hers, sweeping the breath from her lungs. Maya let out a startled moan, her hands clenched into tight fists as she tried to pull back away from him for a moment. 

But he snaked his arm around her waist and lifted her slightly, moving her across the floor until her back met with a cold marble pillar. Her mouth opened to his as if on instinct and she quickly dissolved into the mind numbing pleasure of his mouth moving across hers, his tongue pressing and tangling with hers. 

Paul’s hand dropped to her ass and squeezed harshly, causing another moan to escape Maya’s throat. He pressed her harder into the pillar, grinding his hips against hers as their kiss deepened and pulled Maya further under in the haze of her imprint’s dominating presence. He caged her in against the wall, but there was nowhere Maya wanted to run to. Her hands loosened from fists into soft open-faced palms that roved around his chest, his shoulders, his waist. She wanted to feel all of him around her. 

His steady, hot heat enveloped her senses, making her body hum with excitement. And her erratic heartbeat matched the excited shuddering of his body. There was nothing else but him in that moment and Maya let herself be momentarily swept away. 

When he tugged her body away from his and held the back of her neck tight in his grip, she almost whimpered at the absence of his mouth on hers. She was deranged, off the rails with desire and she knew there was only one way to wipe her mind clean of it. 

“Let’s get out of here,” he breathed, his voice husky and dark as his eyes held her gaze. Maya nodded without even realizing it and no sooner had she agreed than he was whisking her off down the stairs, tugging her along on the edge of the crowd and making as minimal eye contact as possible so they wouldn't be held up. 

The most excruciating wait was for the valet to bring Paul’s car around. Maya clenched her thighs together and silently willed him to look at her so she could capture his mouth again, but he kept his gaze hard and focused out on the road, his arm tightly gripped around her waist, his own pulse racing wildly. 

When the valet finally arrived with his Mercedes, Paul yanked the passenger door open and Maya climbed inside, suddenly realizing in the quiet of the car that she was still breathing hard. Once in, Paul quickly navigated them with unnerving precision onto the road and raced as reasonably as traffic allowed further down into Manhattan. 

The car ride back was silent, the air between them electrified with tension and the only sound that Maya could hear was her own heartbeat drumming in her ears. Paul kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the wheel dangerously tight. 

When Paul whipped the car into the drop off valet of a very fancy hotel, Maya’s eyes widened. She didn’t know exactly where he was taking her, but home was a pretty safe bet. Now she realized the error of her assumption. Before she could say anything, Paul had exited the car and handed the keys to the valet who nodded as if he recognized him. Shortly after, Maya’s door was opened and Paul was taking her hand and gently tugging her from the car. 

There was no conversation between them, and Maya was thankful for it. Conversation would have distracted her from the thrumming between her legs that she was keenly hoping he would take care of once they were locked away behind his hotel door. 

He steered her to the elevator and when the golden doors shut with a pleasing ping, Paul’s mouth found her neck. Maya instantly leaned her body into his, placing her hand on his chest as she leaned her head to the side to provide him more access. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as he worked at that familiar spot he knew so well in the crook of her neck and Maya gasped as she felt his fingers ghost beneath her breasts. 

The door pinged open a second later and Maya opened her eyes, clouded with lust. He didn’t meet her gaze before he pulled her along down the hall toward his room. He fished in his pocket for a half second before tapping the card against the reader and the soft beep was like music to Maya’s ears. 

The room within was dark and Maya followed closely behind Paul as he lightly gripped her hand now. The door clicked shut behind them and Maya’s heart raced. The soft intimacy of a darkened room was all at once overwhelming. Maya’s breath shuddered and the haze began to lift as she realized where she was. What she was about to do. Paul turned after a second as if steeling himself to stay in control. 

Maya’s pulse quickened as his gaze landed on her and she shifted in her heels. He took a solid step toward her and she fought back a tremble. His hands raised to rest on either side of her face and pressed his body softly against hers. Maya could feel his hardening excitement pressed against her stomach and she tried to quell the fluttering that responded in her belly. 

He leaned down gently and kissed her gently, once, before leaning back just far enough to make eye contact as he said, “The only thing I need is you.” 

Maya’s breath caught in her throat and in the next second, his mouth was on hers again, feverish and hurried, as his hands settled around the base of her throat and walked her back toward the bed. 

Paul’s hands slipped down again, working quickly to slip the straps off her shoulders and unhooking the magenta, boned, bodice from her body. He groaned as he pulled the top away to reveal her naked underneath and cupped the mounds of her breasts in his hands. 

A sharp gasp spilled from her mouth as he squeezed gently, moving his mouth down her neck, before kissing down her body and dropping to his knees. Maya rested her hands on top of his shoulders and looked down at him. He kissed between her breasts and unfastened her pants, pulling them down her hips and sighing in pure happiness. She couldn’t help but giggle softly as his kisses traced further down her stomach and he hooked his fingers beneath the flimsy white lace of her thong, before tugging them down her body. She stepped out and let him revel in her nakedness in the dark. 

Her breathing came fast and deep as the realization of being touched like this for the first time in a year dawned on her. He gripped her hip and grabbed underneath her left knee, placing it over his shoulder, exalting in the way she dripped for him. Steadying her between both his hands, Paul squeezed the soft curve of her hips before dipping down and licking one long strip along her seam. Maya threw her head back and let her jaw go slack as a moan burst forth from her throat. Paul groaned deeply as he descended upon her like a man starved, lapping at every inch between her thighs. Maya held on for dear life as she rocked her hips forward to meet his mouth and when he sucked her sensitive nub into his mouth, she held back a delighted scream. 

She was over the edge embarrassingly too soon, white pops of light bursting behind her closed eyes as she let herself go in a rush. Paul was eager to drink her down, dipping his tongue into her opening and feeling her pulse into his mouth. When her knees shook violently enough to lose her balance, Paul pushed gently against her hips and she fell back onto the bed with a soft thump. 

Maya focused on finding her breath again as she brought a hand up to her forehead. He’d made her come undone in mere minutes—and now she was terrified of how he’d make her feel once he got inside of her. Maya opened her eyes and leaned up slightly to watch as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged it off onto the chair. Maya squirmed impatiently on the bed and bit her lip when he smirked at her, taking his time. 

She was fit to explode again and here he was, unbuckling his belt slowly, the soft clink of the metal sending shockwaves through every nerve ending in her body. When he finally shed his pants and briefs, Maya could finally see just how hard he was for her. Her mouth watered and acting on instinct, she lifted herself up onto her knees and shuffled across the bed. Reaching her hands out, she grabbed him by the hips and tugged him closer before dipping her head without hesitation and taking his tip into her mouth, spreading the warm bead of precum across her tongue before hollowing her cheeks and urging him further into her mouth. 

Paul let out a warning growl above her and placed his hand on the back of her head as he pushed his hips forward with controlled care, fucking into her mouth. Maya was lost in the sensations flooding her body, feeling him heavy and warm on her tongue, gliding past her lips as she tried to reach his base. There was no way she could manage all of him, but she tried, swallowing him down enough that his hand tightened into a fist in her hair and his moans blessed her ears with increased frequency. 

The warm, velvety taste of him thrummed a terrifyingly pleasant response in her brain, throwing her into a plane of neediness that had her legs shaking. She squeaked out a small moan around his cock and Paul’s eyes widened as if hearing the answer to a question he’d been asking all his life. 

Paul pulled Maya off of his cock in one swift movement and she gasped, looking up at him in heady confusion. He held her in place for just a moment, staring down at her in awe before leaning down, circling his hand around her waist and tugging her body across the bed quickly. 

Maya yelped in surprise as her head hit the pillow and the controlled weight of Paul sunk onto her and pressed against her form for a moment. His skin sliding across hers felt like reigniting a brand of belonging between them and Paul lowered his face to kiss her with a need she echoed, arching her body between them. 

Paul slid his thick thigh between her legs, urging her apart before sliding his hand down and letting his thumb tease her clit. Maya’s head flew back deeper into the pillow as she let out a whine and Paul took the opportunity to press soft bites and kisses to her neck. 

She was still a wanting, gushing mess for him and heat flamed into her face once more as she rolled her hips against his thumb, grinding down, desperate for more. 

“Paul!” she gasped as he touched just the right tempo against her, causing her to crest again. Paul groaned and bit down against her shoulder. Maya, in the waves of another orgasm, pressed against his shoulders, in an attempt to release the tension in her body that the heat of his body were exacerbating. With his other hand, Paul grabbed both of Maya’s wrists and slammed them down on the bed above her head as she keened and cried out again, her orgasm rinsing through her. 

Just as her release was washing through her, Paul lined himself up to her opening and pushed in swiftly. Her eyes shot wide in surprise and a visceral pulse rocketed through her body, ending in a scream of relief. 

Paul let out a feral groan that sent chills down Maya’s spine and she watched as his face melted into pure bliss as he slid to the hilt. The scream now spent, Maya’s mouth hung open as her breath came out in sharp bursts. Paul’s gaze finally lowered to meet hers and she felt every nerve ending buzz as he grinned that wolfish, possessive smile down at her. 

“You okay?” he whispered breathlessly. Maya felt a quick tear rush down into her hair as she nodded, her mouth still open in shock and relief. Paul stayed buried in her and looked down at the space between them where they connected, letting out another moan that set Maya on edge. She’d never been this wound up before, as if she’d snap and dissolve right into the mattress at any moment. 

Paul still gripped her wrists tightly above her head, keeping her place and Maya was thankful for the anchor. He used his other hand to grab her thigh and pull it up to wrap around his back. Then, with one last dark grin, Paul slid out to the tip and in one long languid stroke, he rushed back into her. Maya arched up in response as he dipped his head low to take her taut nipple into his mouth. 

Every place his mouth touched was like an explosion of firework-like sensation, burning through her and causing her to spiral. He began to pump into her at a quick pace, blinding her with pleasure and squeezing her hip, her ass, her breast. Maya couldn’t move from his ironclad grip if she tried, but it didn’t matter. Every one of her senses was lost in him. Each guttural groan, the slap of his hips against hers, the huff of hard breath across her face as he worked in her sent Maya higher and higher. 

And then, he shifted his angle, brushing against that spot within her that made her arch and whine with a sound she’d never heard come from her lips before. She clamped her lips shut around the sound of relief that erupted out of her throat as she felt her walls clamp down around him and try to pull him in deeper. 

“That’s my girl,” Paul moaned, his eyes glued to where they met, watching as he disappeared into her again and again. “Give me another, baby.” His voice was warm, but commanding. Maya felt another scream come clawing out of her throat as his mouth bit gently around her breasts and he hammered into that sweet, sensitive spot in her again and again. 

She’d die like this, happily. But it was almost too much, the pain of him stretching her open after a year apart without pause and the sweet coaxing of his hand, mouth, and hips pulling sounds and feelings that Maya didn’t think she was capable of. 

His hand slid underneath her waist and lifted her hips up as he sank deeper into her. His thrusts were controlled, precise, and Maya was simply a mess. She rolled her head from side to side, her cheeks bright and flush with warmth as she teetered. Her nipples were hard and sore from Paul’s mouth tugging and nibbling at them, and a thin sheen of sweat covered her whole body making it easier for him to slide her body against him any way he pleased. 

There was nothing Maya could do except take what he was giving her and give what she could back to him. She was babbling at this point: his name, curse words, promises, pleadings. All of it brought her crashing down again, her walls fluttering around him. He groaned in appreciation, kissing up her neck and across her face to her lips as she shuddered with release, her thighs a slick, sticky example of her uncontrollable lust for this man. 

Paul's thrusts began to falter in their control as he slammed into her faster, deeper, angling her for his needs. Neither of them were in control and it didn’t matter anymore. 

Maya’s hands had gone numb as he held her wrists tightly to the bed, but the tingling in her fingertips was nothing compared to the overwhelming drag of him sliding in and out of her at a brutal, finishing pace. 

He leaned his head up to look into her eyes, letting out another moan of pure exaltation as he said in a low voice: “You’re still on birth control, right?” The slapping sounds of his hips almost drowned out the question. 

Maya, lost in her glow, let out a soft laugh that made Paul grunt as she squeezed him. “Like you care,” she got out around a breath. Paul shook his head, letting a laugh roll from him now too as he looked between them again. 

“You’re right. I don’t,” he admitted casually, before wrenching Maya’s body up and spinning her around so she laid on her stomach. He let go of her wrists and Maya felt the soft rush of blood return to her hands. Instead he pulled her hips up and slid into her fast from behind without bothering to spread her. Maya let out a low moan into the pillow and felt his hand land firmly on her shoulder, holding her in place against the mattress. 

His thrusts found every soft, sensitive spot within her and the white lights that burst behind Maya’s eyes as her brain buzzed pleasantly, wiping all thoughts from her head except the feeling of him between her legs, was all that was keeping her present. His hips stuttered again, getting sloppier as he lost control and Maya reveled in the thought that it was her that caused him to lose it like this.

Another few hard pumps and he let out a loud moan, her name on the tail end of it, as he splashed inside of her. Maya screamed into the pillow as she felt him cum, her senses heightened by the shuddering tension wracking his body. 

His grunts became more deliberate as he continued to pump into her after he was spent, slowing down only after his body sank over the top of hers. 

“Fuck,” he breathed out as he pressed a line of kisses across her shoulder blades. Maya couldn’t open her eyes, exhaustion set deep within her, and the relief of her release pulling her under. She was circling the drain of her own contentment. Paul’s searing hot body sandwiched her gently into the mattress and nothing could have felt better in that moment. 

She felt him slowly slide off of her to the side as he pulled out. Immediate warmth pooled between her legs as his load spilled out of her. Maya didn’t care—she couldn’t move, her entire body humming with electricity as if a switch in her had been turned on again after being out for far too long. Paul gently caressed her naked back, leaning to kiss the bite marks against her shoulder and neck he had left in his need to reclaim her. He swept her hair off of her shoulder and massaged the back of her neck tenderly. 

It was all Maya remembered before she was pulled under into blissful darkness. 

------------------------

Maya woke to sunlight filtering softly through the window. She blinked blearily, her brain not quite catching up with her body just yet as she tried to remember how it was she got home. If she was home, then last night must have been a tortuously delightful dream. Maya rubbed her eyes and leaned up onto her forearms, but a sharp pain pulsed through her, fading into a dull ache. Not a dream. 

A soft shuffling next to her alerted her to the fact that she wasn’t alone. Maya turned her head over on the pillow and found Paul, fully dressed with his oversized leather weekender bag on the bed by Maya’s feet. 

“Good morning,” he said softly, his low voice music to her ears. Maya hummed in acknowledgement as she took in her surroundings. She was still in his hotel room, and she was most definitely naked. Maya sat up no, wincing at the soreness in her lower body. She yawned and saw Paul chuckle. 

“Where are you going?” Maya finally managed, her voice hoarse. “Jesus,” she whispered, holding the soft white linen sheet against her breasts. Paul looked up at her as he packed his iPad and chargers into his bag. 

“I have to head back to La Push today,” he said it as if they did this song and dance all the time—as if she should know where he was headed. Maya blinked a few times, clearing the rest of the sleep from her brain. 

“O-oh,” she stuttered. 

“I arranged a late check out already, so feel free to hang out as long as you need,” he zipped up his bag and the sound of it seemed to ricochet loudly across the room. 

“Okay,” Maya tried to hide the disappointment in her voice. Paul slung his bag over his shoulder and leaned on the bed to kiss her softly. Maya tentatively placed her hand on his jaw, feeling the soft bristle of his beard against her fingertips. When he pulled away, Maya felt the imprint in her wilt with disappointment. 

“I’ll be back in the city in a few weeks,” he said softly, letting his eyes search hers for a moment. But Maya didn’t know what he was looking for in her. After another beat, he stood up abruptly and walked toward the door without another word. “Thanks again for coming with me last night,” he said mischievously as he turned around to look at her, “And for attending the event last night.” He winked at her before pulling open the door. 

Maya heard the soft click of the hotel door close as her mouth hung open in shock. 

“Bye?” she said aloud to no one. Maya placed a hand to her head to steady the dizzying effect of the emotional whiplash she just encountered. 

What the fuck was that? 

[cinnamon-roll-seth]

Me during season 1: Hey, Archie’s kinda cute

Me during season 2: Lol fuck Archie. I’ll take that tall serpent kid please.

[mxze-rxnner]

Good Consequences

*Requested: Y/N had to leave the Glade due to her pregnancy and Gally is upset because he’s in love with her. Later, Jorge asks Y/N for help with the Gladers.*

You remembered the Glade. A very short 4 months. The boys adored you, not just because you were the only girl, but because of who you are and the way they turned to you for help. You weren’t sure exactly whose baby it was, because you didn’t remember your past and the only boy you remember sleeping with was Gally. Ever since your first day in the Glade, you and Gally instantly felt attracted towards each other and were inseparable. You smiled at the memory of Gally telling guys off when they called you beautiful.

You turned to your son, now 2 years old. You thought back to the Glade and wondered if Gally ever made it out with the others, and if he did, what he’s doing and where he is. Wondering if he wonders about you too.

—-

You heard your crappy cell phone ring and felt your heart leap into your throat at the familiar number.

“Jorge.” you said as you picked it up.

“I need your help, Y/N.” he said simply and you scoffed and rolled your eyes. Your son was sleeping peacefully and remembered what had happened just a year ago; the last time you had helped Jorge and his men.

“All you have to do is be the lookout.” Jorge stated, distracted.

“I’m not doing that with a kid in my arms.” You protested and Jorge stood in front of you and bent down to look into your eyes. You shivered.

“You do as I say. You stand here and be the lookout. I didn’t save you from WICKED just so you can refuse to work for me.” He said and you sighed. Once this was over, you would never help Jorge again.

You stood and watched and saw a group of men approach. You took the walkie talkie to tell Jorge there was a group of men but one of them got to you first and pointed a gun to your head.

“Say anything into that and you’re dead. Your son too.” He said and you turned to see your son struggling in the arms of another man.

“You hurt my son and you will not live to see another day.” You threatened but all the men did was laugh.

“Hey!” you heard Jorge yell behind you and the men let you go.

“Jorge.” The man said and you stared in confusion.

“These are my men.” He said and they let go of your son, making you rush over and take him into your arms.

“She was my lookout.” Jorge explained and soon, all the men were huddled together, discussing something. You took that opportunity to pick up your son and run.

“I’m not helping you.” You said to Jorge over the phone and you heard him sigh.

“It’s just to fly to Denver.” He said but you rolled your eyes again, not wanting to discuss it any further.

“I don’t know what kind of stunt you’re trying to pull, Jorge, but I am not interested in the slightest.”

“What if I told you I have some WICKED subject boys with me?”

That changed everything.

—-

You stood with your little boy in your arms, wearing back clothing and a hat. You waited until you saw Jorge and the Berg.

“Hey!” you yelled and waved until Jorge caught sight of you and walked over.

“What exactly do you need me to do?” you asked and Jorge smiled a knowing smile.

“I need you to help me find and talk to someone who can help these boys.” He said and you nodded hesitantly.

—-

You sat in the Berg and explained everything to the new boy, Thomas. Of course Newt knew who you were and you had had a strangely happy reunion, considering the circumstances.

“What about Gally?” you asked and Newt and Thomas looked at each other.

“You know what?” you said before they could answer,

“I don’t want to know.” You finished and held onto your son tightly.

You walked off of the Berg and followed Jorge towards a building. There were a few people roaming around and you saw a few Cranks here and there.

“Now, Y/N, don’t freak out when you see this person. I don’t want you to pass out or anything. I just really need you to stay calm, talk to this person, and just help us out.” Jorge said and you stood in front of the door.

“It better not be a murderer. I don’t even know why I’m here to help you.” You said sourly and held onto your son’s hand.

“Maybe I’m helping you. Maybe I’m making up for what happened last time.” Jorge said simply and you let in a deep breath before knocking on the door.

The door opened and everything was slow motion after that. You looked up to see a familiar but strange face staring back at you. His freckles, his hair, his bright eyes, everything you had fallen in love with back in the Glade. You barely remember letting go of the little hand in yours and jumping into his arms. The way he said that he missed you, he loved you, that he always knew you would see each other again.

“How could this be?” you asked as he leaned his forehead against yours. He leaned in slowly, gauging your reaction to his approaching lips. You smiled and kissed him slowly, knowing that coming to Denver with Jorge was the right choice.

—-

Jorge and the others left and you sat with your son and Gally in his small kitchen.

“I don’t even know where to start.” He said and you smiled, knowing that your eyes mirrored the love in his.

“How about I love you?” you said and he leaned in to kiss you again.

“Daddy.” Your son said and Gally lifted you and your son into his lap and sighed a sigh of relief.

“I’m not letting go ever again.”

[drlangdons]

does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes?

or Thomas Brodie Sangster visibily getting older between The Maze Runner and the Scorch Trials

[mxze-rxnner]

Fighting For I Love You

*Requested: Gally and Y/N are in a relationship and when they get into a huge fight, Gally threatens to break up with Y/N who ends up running towards the Maze in tears.*

“How do I know you actually care? You always have this tough guy act on and it’s so full of klunk!” you spat back at your boyfriend and you saw his eyes darken with anger.

“Do I not do enough for you? Do I not protect you when other shanks hit on you? Am I not enough?!” he shouted back and you clenched your jaw.

“If this is the way it’s going to be, we can’t be together!” he said in fury and you couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. They just started flowing quickly and mercilessly. You love Gally, you really do. You have for a while now and you just never knew when to say it because you weren’t sure if his feelings for you were even remotely similar or close to the extent of yours.

“Well I’m sorry for being such a shuck burden!” you said and felt the heat in your cheeks because you knew all the other boys were staring at you. You needed to be alone so you rushed away but knew that there was nowhere for you to hide. There were Gladers milling about everywhere. That was when your eyes landed on the Maze.

You started to jog towards the Maze, and you stopped right in front of the walls. There was still time before the walls closed shut and who cares about the rules anymore?

Suddenly you felt a massive boulder-like weight attack you and push you to the ground. You let out a short scream and felt kisses on your cheeks and neck.

“Gally.” you said and sniffled, and he hovered his body over yours. You saw the circle of boys that had formed around you.

“I love you.” you said and his eyes softened and his lips parted.

“God, Y/N, I’ve been waiting so long for you to say that. Y/N, I love you. I love you.” he said and lowered his face to yours, his lips finding their way to yours.

[drlangdons]

does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes?

or Thomas Brodie Sangster visibily getting older between The Maze Runner and the Scorch Trials

[mxze-rxnner]

Bedtime

*Requested: At Bonfire, Y/N gets drunk, funny and flirting with all the boys; Thomas, Minho, Newt, and Gally agree to get you to bed but you refuse. Chuck is the only one that can convince you and you end up “tucking” him in and falling asleep in Gally’s hammock.*

You finished off your jar of Gally’s special recipe drink and knew that soon you would be drunk out of your mind. You giggled to yourself and started your round. Your round consists of going around the fire, talking to different boys.

On the other side of the fire, you weren’t aware but Newt, Minho, Thomas, and Gally were convening about you.

“She’s starting her round.” Newt laughed as the four boys watched you approach a guy.

“She’s really good though.” Minho said and Thomas nodded in agreement.

“Too good.” Gally grumbled and the other three looked at him.

“Does Gally have a CRUSH on Y/N?” Thomas teased and Gally slapped him away.

“Isn’t it hard though, carrying all that wood?” you asked and smiled flirtatiously and drunkenly at a Builder.

“Not with these.” he said and flexed, making you giggle like a little girl.

“Oh klunk, he’s flexing.” Gally complained and the other three just looked at him again.

“Do you want us to stop her?” Newt said slyly and Gally kept his eyes on you.

“Not yet. Let’s see who’s next.” he said and sat down on a log, and the others followed suit.

You approached a Gardener next, after winking to the Builder.

“Hi.” you said with a smile and he turned and his eyes lit up.

“Y/N. Hi.” he said and you two began to talk about seeds.

“And then what happens?” you asked, leaning towards him as he explained how plants grow. You pretended to listen intently, biting your lip and fluttering your lashes.

“Is she biting her lip, Gally?” Minho pointed out and Gally became flustered.

“I don’t know why you shanks are buggin’ picking on me.” he snapped and Thomas smiled.

“Because you liiiiiiiike her.” he said and Gally glared at him.

“Oh, that slinthead’s going for Frypan!” Newt cried out and laughed loudly. Gally snapped his head towards you and sure enough, you were chatting Frypan up and had a hand on his shoulder.

“Okay, party’s over.” Gally said and stood up, sauntering towards you.

“We should probably go, in case Gally attacks Y/N.” Newt said amused and Minho and Thomas followed.

“Y/N, you’re drunk. Time for bed.” Gally stated strongly and you looked at the four boys standing in front of you and Frypan.

“The party’s just BEGUN, Gally.” you said and winked at him. He grew flustered and Minho stepped in.

“You’ve had too much to drink, come on.” he said and took your arm, leading you away.

“That’s Gally’s fault.” you said, pointing at Gally.

“Yes, the slinthead made the drink, so it’s all his fault.” Newt said and the two of you laughed. You could tell Newt had been drinking too.

“Wow, Minho. Look at your arms.” you awed and Minho rolled his eyes.

“Shut it.” he said and kept walking.

“Where are we going?” you slurred and Thomas was the one to answer.

“Bed, Y/N.” he said in a tone that you could tell he was enjoying this.

“No! No no no, I haven’t talked to Winston or Zart or Gally yet!” you said and felt a hand on your lower back.

“I’m right here.” Gally said softly into your ear and you turned, throwing an arm around his neck.

“Hello.” you said and grinned.

“Get to bed.” he said and you shook your head.

“Someone get Chuck.” Newt said and Thomas jogged off towards the fire.

Chuck was always the one that you had a soft spot for. If anybody gave him klunk, you beat the slinthead for it. You love him like a little baby brother.

“Y/N.” you heard and saw Chuck standing there, cheeks red from the warmth of the fire.

“Chuck!” you said and escaped Minho’s grasp to hug him.

“Let’s get you to bed.” you said in a super sober tone and the other four boys just stared in surprise as you walked totally normally over to the hammocks and helped Chuck into his hammock.

“You should go to bed too, Y/N.” he said and you smiled at his innocence. It almost broke your heart.

“I will.” you said and pushed some of his curls out of his face and walked away, back towards the fire.

“Woah woah woah. Hold on.” Gally said and grabbed your small waist, turning you around again. He was slightly bending down so he was eye level to you.

“You have to sleep too.” he said and you stared at his face and suddenly you felt your face burning from something other than the fact that you had a lot to drink.

“We’ll leave you to it, then.” Newt said and Thomas, Minho, and Newt slapped Gally’s back before walking away. As if they had an inside secret.

Gally’s hands were still on your waist and you felt the heat from them through your clothes.

“Okay.” you said and finally broke the silence between the two of you.

“Okay.” Gally said and stood taller, his body looming over your’s. You made your way back towards the hammocks and whether you were drunk or just flustered from Gally’s eyes on you, you just chose a random hammock and lied down.

“Goodnight.” you said up to Gally and you could see the blush in his cheeks.

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

—-

You woke up with a major headache and a fuzzy mind. You fell out of your hammock and onto something warm and bumpy. Not the ground.

“Umf.” you heard and opened your eyes to see that you were lying on top of Gally.

“Gally…?” you asked in confusion and he sat up, almost letting you fall but catching your waist.

“Sorry, Y/N. You just fell asleep in my hammock last night and I didn’t know which one was your’s so-” he began and you watched as he grew flustered and you smiled.

“So you slept on the ground?” you asked and he shrugged like it was no big deal.

“Yeah, it wasn’t too bad.” he said and lifted his arm and winced.

“Your shoulders hurt?” you asked and he nodded.

“I’ll be fine. I’m a Builder.” he said proudly and you stood up.

“Too bad, I was going to offer you a massage later tonight.” you said and smiled at him.

“I’m holding you to that.” he said and stood up, brushing himself off. You winked at him before walking away.

[mxze-rxnner]

Conflicted

*Request: (ONE SHOT) Y/N and Gally have never gotten along and always fight until one day Gally kisses Y/N to shut her up. A while later, they argue again and he blurts out his feelings for her.*

“No one asked you what you thought, Y/N.” Gally said and you crossed your arms.

“Gathering means we all get together and discuss problems. Ben is sick, we shouldn’t have to put everyone into danger because you’re friends with him. He’s a threat to everyone.” you argued and it seemed like all eyes were on you.

“Y/N, you’re so new here I still think of you as the Greenie. And Greenies are insignificant.” he said and you felt like the dagger he had already lunged into your stomach was being turned. You hated being humiliated in front of everyone; you wanted to keep the reputation of the best-all-around Glader.

You just stared at him, his face smug from knowing he had the last word. As if he had won.

After the Gathering, you followed Gally outside.

“What you did in there wasn’t right. What you said wasn’t right.” you said and he turned around.

“Listen, Y/N. You really don’t have any authority around here.” Gally said and you wished you could slap him for his confidence but kiss him at the same time. Not that you liked him. No no. Liking Gally was a big mistake.

“I just think that you don’t have the right to be making me look like a fool! I get it, you’re the Keeper of the Builders so that gives you authority and blah blah blah but I don’t want a shuckface like you telling a person like me that I’m insignificant! You clearly have a confidence overdose and-” you couldn’t continue ranting because without even realizing, you and Gally were just inches away and his mouth was on yours suddenly.

Your lips moved in sync but your hands remained by your side. You took in every minute of the passionate kiss before he pulled away.

“Shut up.” he said and walked away.

“Seriously?” you whispered and stood there watching his back.

—-

“Well can we talk about what happened two days ago?” you asked Gally, referring to the kiss.

“No, now tell me what you originally came here to ask me.” he said in a heated tone and you sighed.

“I want to help in the Map Room.” you said and you knew that you should probably be asking Minho, but he was in the Maze and no one else who had any bit of authority was around. So you resorted to Gally, who you needed to talk to about the kiss anyways.

“You’re not a Runner, you’re not allowed!” Gally shouted and you were slightly taken aback by his sudden raised voice.

“Why do you have to yell at me all the time?!” you yelled back and saw him panting.

“Because I have feelings for you! Shuck I like you so much, I don’t know what the klunk to do!” he shouted and you were surprised at his honesty.

“I don’t even know why I like you because you piss me off so shucking much but I do, Y/N! You know what it’s like falling for someone who pisses you off?!” he shouted and you nodded.

“Yeah, actually…” you said and he stopped yelling and just stared.

“Because I’m falling for you too, Gally.” you admitted quietly and he took two long strides and grabbed your body, pulling you in with so much force it knocked the words out of you and he kissed you. With even more passion than he had two days ago to shut you up.

“I hope I don’t have to keep kissing you to shut you up.” Gally grumbled and you really couldn’t stop yourself from smiling.

“I hope you don’t continue to kiss me just to shut me up.” you said and this time you were the one that grabbed his face and deeply kissed him.

[mxze-rxnner]

Second in Command

*Requested: Y/N and Newt meet, Y/N is in Group B and find that they have a lot in common. They start to fall for each other and plan to escape to Paradise with the others.*

You ran as fast as you could with a group of girls right behind you.

“This way!” you shouted over the echos of footsteps and made a bend in the maze. You soon reached the exit and ushered everyone in before jumping into the hole yourself.

—-

You sat in the cafeteria quietly as everyone buzzed around you. You had been here for a few days now, but not much was happening.

“Y/N, I heard a bunch of boys just got out of their maze and they’re taking showers now.” your best friend, who happened to be the leader, giggled and sat down. You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help but smile; maybe the rumors were true. There are a group of boys around your age just taking showers. You bit your lip and hoped it was true because although having a group of strong girls as best friends is great, it would be nice to meet a few boys.

You sat and ate your food while watching the guards cautiously. You were suspicious that you were still under some sort of watch like you were in the Trap. You had come to call the place you spent years in “The Trap” because that’s what it was. You knew that right from the beginning. That’s why you were second in command. You kept your cool and always made sure you had a plan.

“Look.” you heard your friend whisper and you looked up towards the door.

“Oh my.” you said and your eyes landed on a group of attractive boys walking in, clean and confused. Your eyes pinpointed a few of them. One was Asian, tall and muscular, with a sharp but hard look on his face. Then, a smaller boy with brown hair and soft features, clearly everyone seems to be following him. Then the last one standing right next to the “leader,” the blond boy. He was tall yet muscular, and his eyes met your’s. You quickly looked away and your friend nudged you.

“Don’t look now, but the blond one is totally checking you out right now.” she said and you smiled down at your food.

The boys sat down at a table next to your’s and you watched them out of the corner of your eye.

“Let’s go talk to them.” your friend said and stood up.

“Wait, relax. Give them time to settle in before you attack.” you said and she sat down.

After 10 or so minutes, you decided you would go talk to the boys; but you had spent so much time in the Trap you didn’t know what to say.

“Hi.” your friend said to the boys and they turned around. You looked at the blond one again. Your friend introduced herself and sat down.

“Y/N.” you said calmly and remained standing.

“Why don’t you sit with us?” the blond one asked and you were surprised at his accent. He gestured towards the seat across from him and you sat down and smiled at him.

“Newt.” he said and gently smiled before introducing you to Thomas and Minho.

“I don’t like these people.” Thomas said, looking at the guards outside the door.

“They took Teresa, of course you don’t like these shanks.” Minho said and you tried to keep up with what they were talking about.

“So let’s get out of here.” your friend said and you laughed.

“I don’t know how you became leader but I agree. We need a plan though.” you said and looked at the other boys, waiting for their response.

“I agree with Y/N. We need a plan.” Newt said and smiled at you.

“Then let’s plan.” Thomas said and the six of you began to prepare a jailbreak.

—-

You and Newt were in charge of packing things and making sure the exits were open. You swiped an ID card from one of the guards when you “slipped” on your way to your room. You waited until 8:37 exactly before exiting your room and making your way down to Newt’s room with your friend. You knocked once and the door opened, an arm quickly pulling you in. Newt kept a hold on your arm for a while and you felt intense heat in that one spot on your arm, even after he let go.

The six of you ran towards the exit, unnoticed. There were a few more girls from the Trap following you. That was when the alarms sounded. You ran faster, and heard guards coming from behind. You tripped and fell, landing on your knee.

“Shit.” you heard and felt strong arms lifting you and helping you run.

“Newt.” you said and he panted heavily from the running and carrying.

He just looked at you as you six made it to the exit.

“No time for romance, you two. Let’s go.” Minho said and pushed the two of you out of the exit and into the night.

—-

The Scorch was harder than running through the maze to get out. After losing multiple people and going through heart wrenching events, you had somehow made it back to WCKD.

“Stay by me the whole time.” Newt said in a raspy and quiet voice as you two ran with the others to get to the Glade, their version of the Trap. You nodded and squeezed his hand.

You ran as fast as your legs would carry you with Newt by your side.

You made it to the Flat Trans and hesitated.

“Are you alright?” Newt asked and you looked at him, he was completely calm.

“How are you so calm during this whole thing?” you asked and he smiled and licked his lips.

“I’m used to having to be calm; I was second in command after all.” he said with pride and you looked at the Flat Trans.

“I was second in command too but I can’t do this.” you said and he grabbed you and pulled you close.

“You can do this. Being second in command is harder than being the leader. You’re stronger than you think. You can do this.” he said and you examined his face. He was perfect. You nodded and took a deep breath.

“Let’s go.” he said and he held your hand tightly and knew in that moment that he was in fact nervous too. This encouraged you to take the first step, pulling him along with you.

You looked around at the grassy area and turned to Newt, who wasn’t looking at his surroundings; he was staring at you.

“It’s beautiful here.” you said and he pulled your hand hard, bringing your bodies close together.

“You’re beautiful.” he said and leaned in.

[mxze-rxnner]

Fiery Love

*Requested: Y/N and Newt have feelings for each other, Y/N more open about it than Newt. But when another female Greenie shows up and wants to share a hut with Newt, some drama and trouble ensues.*

“Y/N, I don’t think you quite understand. I start a relationship with you and then it’s downhill from there. You’re a Runner, what if you don’t come back one day? What if something happens to me? There are so many things that can go wrong. And I know that there are plenty of other Gladers who have their eyes on you.” Newt said the end with a hint of anger and you rolled your eyes.

“So if I wasn’t a Runner you would date me?” you asked with a tone of anger and he sighed.

“No, it’s just another factor that plays into it.” he said, his eyes looking around, aware that the other boys were watching you two.

“Well, I’m into you, Newt. REALLY into you. And I know you have some sort of feelings for me, you have to. I don’t go down without a fight, and if you can’t decide what’s important to you, then you know what, you’re right. There are other Gladers. Plenty of them.” you said and turned on your heel and walked away towards Minho.

“Newt in denial again?” Minho asked and you laughed.

“Yeah… I don’t want to seem desperate, because I just thought he had feelings for me too, I guess I’m not good enough to be seen with him officially.” you said, the sassy exterior gone and your soft, vulnerable interior peeking through. Minho was the only person you showed this side to, because you didn’t want anyone taking advantage of it. 

“I’m not supposed to tell you, Y/N, but Newt does have feelings for you. But you know how he is; he’s quiet about it and he doesn’t want something like your friendship to be ruined because he admits his hardcore feelings for you.” Minho said with a joking grin and you smiled, but still felt like somehow, you weren’t good enough for Newt and never would be.

—-

You walked towards your hut and saw Minho standing outside it with Gally.

“Everything okay?” you asked and Gally sighed in frustration.

“Someone klunked up your hut when they built it, the foundation is all messed up, those slintheads.” he said and you looked at Minho confused.

“It means they need a day or two to fix it.” Minho said and you were confused.

“Then where do I go?” you asked and Gally looked at you with his distinct eyebrows furrowed.

“You’ll share a hut with someone. Just choose wisely, it’s only for a night or two.”

Your heartbeat sped up. You got to choose… Newt. Newt was the first one that came to mind. He didn’t want to be public, so he would be okay with privacy, right? You made your way over to his hut and knocked before hearing a “Come in.” You walked in and smiled at him sitting on his bed, and he smiled back, clearly happy to see you.

“Hey there, Y/N.” he said.

“My hut, it’s being fixed and I was wondering if I could share your’s with you…” you said and looked at him through your lashes. He shifted on his bed and you knew you had some sort of effect on him.

“You can’t.” he said after a while of tension in the room and you released the breath you had been holding in and your hope disappeared.

“What…?” you whispered and he stood up.

“I can’t share my hut with you.” he said more firmly and cleared his throat right after.

You were tired, you were done with his games. You didn’t even try to sass him back, you just nodded and walked out. You spotted Minho and walked over and you didn’t even have to say anything before he opened the door to his hut for you and walked in after you. No words were exchanged as you walked over to your side of the hut for the night and laid down.

“Y/N?” Minho said, worry in his voice, but you didn’t even answer. You couldn’t; there were tears falling down sideways on your cheeks. No matter how vulnerable he had seen you, tears were never something you wanted to show him. You felt his eyes on you for a while before he shuffled away towards his bed.

—-

You ran out of the Maze and saw a small figure standing near Newt. You continued jogging before you realized what you were looking at. It was a girl.

“Hey, Greenbean.” you said and stopped jogging. You avoided eye contact with Newt and didn’t even acknowledge him.

“This is Y/N, the only other girl in the Glade. Probably the best Runner we have and the smartest out of all of us shanks.” he complimented, trying to get you to look at him and at least smile. You just ignored him and patted the girl on her shoulder.

“Don’t let all his klunk get to ya.” you said and you jogged towards the map room.

At the bonfire that night, you noticed the Greenie attached to Newt, as if by the hip. Your leg shook in anger as you stared.

“You look like you need this.” you heard and looked up to see Thomas holding a jar of Gally’s secret recipe towards you. You nodded and took the jar, chugging it and feeling the burning sensation in your throat.

—-

“I just don’t get it. He loooooves her.” you slurred at the group of boys sitting around you, which included Thomas, Minho, Winston, and Frypan. They loved watching you get drunk. You were still gushing about Newt and the new girl. She was pretty; that was the problem. You knew she was major competition.

“I don’t compare.” you said in a sober voice and got up and walked over to the two. You heard the group of boys ‘ooooh’-ing but you ignored them.

“Back off.” you said when you reached the Greenie.

“What?” she said and you stepped closer. 

“You heard me.” you said and the girl took a step back.

“So, Greenie, about sharing a hut, I think it’d be a good idea until we get Y/N’s fixed-” you heard a British accent said and you suddenly felt completely sober.

“Excuse me?” you said and looked at Newt, then back at the Greenie, then back at Newt.

“Y/N, are you drunk?” he asked and you felt so much anger for the cute blond boy.

“You’re going to share your hut with her? But when I asked if I could stay the night you refused.” you heard your voice rising and you didn’t care.

“Yeah. I said I wouldn’t share my hut with you.” he said and you focused in on his brown eyes.

“Why? Do you really not like me that much? I thought you liked me like I liked you.” you said and heard the hurt in your own voice.

“It’s because-” he started but you interrupted him.

“Because you’re scared, Newt! You’re scared of falling in love with someone and you’re scared of showing it and you’re ashamed of me, we all get it, Newt! Everyone knows I’m in love with you you dumb shank! You’re always-” you were screaming at him, the person you loved more than anyone, but this time it was Newt’s turn to interrupt you.

“It’s because if you stayed in my bloody hut, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself!” he said and you stared at him, the two of you breathing deeply. You heard several gasps coming from the crowd of boys but the next thing you knew, your back was against a tree and Newt’s lips were on your’s, moving so intensely and passionately, you could barely keep up. You broke apart and stared at him staring at you.

“Finally.” you heard Minho say.

[harrypotterimaginesandstuff-blog]

Present - George Weasley x Reader

No request, I just got this idea.

It is Christmas and, just like a year ago, Georges girlfriend, Y/N Lupin, was staying at the burrow. All the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione Remus, were sitting in the living room, eating the cookies that Molly made for them. Both George and Y/N sat outside, with lots of candy and a blanket on the grass.

‘I know it’s like a little early, since it’s Christmas evening, but I got a present for you and I want to give it now,’ said George. ‘Give it me later, look at the stars for a second, they’re beautiful, just like your brother, Ron,’ joked Y/N. Georges grinned, took her hand and looked at the stars. ‘I should’ve bought you glasses, so you could see that I am the only handsome guy in the whole wide world!’

Y/N ignored George’s comment, although she thought it was kind of funny, but she knew George good enough to know that he would keep talking about his present if she didn’t ignore him now. ‘It is the best present I could give you thought…’ George was quiet, because he thinks he sounds cuter. Y/N laid down on the blanket, and taking a chocoball. ‘I believe you, Georgie, but I’m pretty sure it can wait,’ Y/N took the back of Georges sweater, he was still sitting and Y/N wanted him next to her. ‘I’m not going to lay down, I want to give you the present!’ he said stubbornly. ‘Please?’ asked Y/N looking at George with puppy eyes.

A cold breeze passed their faces and George’s smile grew bigger at the sight of his girlfriend. ‘You know me too well,’ George was thinking of the first time she looked at him like that, it was on the train, both were in second year and Y/N didn’t have a place to sit, so she asked George and Fred if she could sit with them. That was the first time they talked to each other. And here they are 4 years later, and the facial expression still made him fall in love, over and over.

George laid down next to her, holding her in his arms. ‘I know for sure that the present doesn’t want to wait,’ George voice was getting deeper and Y/N wanted to know what the present was. ‘If it isn’t a living, or dying thing, it can wait,’ she mumbled into his chest. ‘Every human is dying a little every day, isn’t it? So, it can’t wait,’ George said.

‘Are you kidding? You are giving yourself as a Christmas present?’ she asked, trying to hold her laughter. ‘Not just me, you have me every day, I am giving you some body parts you do not have every day,’ he winked, soon realising she had closed her eye so winking is worthless. ‘Oh, I can have those every day if I want to,’ Y/N didn’t open her eyes, enjoying the sound of George’s heartbeat.

George smirked, knowing it is true. ‘But I don’t want that,’ she finished. ‘That is actually kind of rude…’ answered George.  ‘But what do you do when you get a present you do not like? You still use it, because otherwise you would hurt someone that loves you enough to give you a present, and that’s mean, so…’ Y/N wanted to resist, but she knows she couldn’t, because it is George Weasley.

She opened her eyes and kissed George, mumbling ‘happy now?’. George smiled while their lipped touched. ‘Happy is a small word,’ he answered before kissing her again.

His tongue asked entrance, which she gave him. While their tongues were fighting their battles George and Y/N were fighting the battle with gravity while standing up. Walking towards the door was too hard for George, so he let his girlfriend jump in his arms.

With one hand holding her and the other trying to take his wand out of his pocket to clean up the blanket and all the candy they slowly moved closer to the backdoor.

And right when they were inside George realised he should’ve thought about this whole thing, because when they stumbled inside the living room ten faces turned around to look at the couple making out. It took both of them some seconds to realise that they were being a live show for 3 confused, and a little bit mad parents, and 7 laughing redheads.

George put Y/N down as soon as he realises this, and pulled her closer to him, putting his sweater over Y/N’s head since he knows she would find this even more embarrassing as he did. ‘That’s my daughter!’ said Remus a little in shock. ‘George!’ screamed Molly.

A soft giggling of George’s girlfriend made him smile wide. He quietly passed the whole group of people and winked at Fred before walking up the stairs, which was hard since he was sharing his sweater with Y/N. ‘Good job, George!’ yelled Fred laughing hysterically. ‘Y/N!’ screamed Remus at his daughter. ‘Fred!’ Molly’s voice was way louder than Remus’ and it made all the laughing redheads, Harry and Hermione stop laughing.

‘They are old enough, Remus,’ was the last thing they heard before running into George’s bedroom.

[madzieloss]

the continuing saga of people throwing clothes at jace (+ him looking miffed)

[books-and-stories]

Alone (Reader x Twilight)

The Volturi didn’t take in newborns - even the ones they create. Alec didn’t mean to but he had nor did he really care.

You had woken up in a cold underground tunnel system. You were covered in some kind of charcoal smears. They eventually found out that you had been changed but nevertheless left you to your own devices.

You had ran off after a very strict warning from Felix that you had better not make yourself known to any human and the other laws. Felix was so aggressive that you couldn’t hold the animalistic snarl that erupted you which you quickly regretted. Felix advanced ready to rip your head clean off with a growl and you took off running. He didn’t chase you.

That was three months ago and you were still so very lost. You kept hidden, cleaned your mess but you didn’t understand your new life. You broke a lot of things with a strong grip that you hadn’t intended. You narrowly escaped a pack of wolves. What was worse was how totally and utterly alone you were. You only knew the Volturi existed…And maybe that’s all. What even were you? What made you tear into people’s throats? Why hadn’t you slept and still haven’t gotten tired?

You found it easier to be in the dark so it was often that you would crawl into a drain on the street when no one would see and remain down there. The only light was the moon and street lights above. When you were human, you’d often hide from your problems with your imagination, drifting into a daydream and into a blissful escape. You found that still helped you after your… change. You found yourself curled in a ball, hugging your knees and wanting Alec. You wished he would care, you wished he’d help you. “(Y/N).” You heard him whisper. Alec lowered to the ground as you slowly looked up. “Alec!” You whispered hurriedly as you rose up on your knees. Alec quickly took your arms helping you and you flung your arms around him. He pushed you away lightly. “You will be okay, (Y/N).” “I have so many questions. I don’t understand.” “I know. The answers will come.” “If they don’t soon, I’ll die.” “No, I won’t let that happen.” “Won’t? You’re not real, you’re something created from my head. The real you won’t help me…You don’t care.” Alec looked at you. “Then realise that my words come from you. I am apart of you. He is apart of you- as your creator. You won’t let you die and you will get answers. You will survive.” “So really I’m reassuring myself?” “In the form you want the reassurance most. You want your creators guidance… Something you don’t have. When you feel you have no one, you always have yourself-the one you can depend on the most.“ Alec leaned his head on your shoulder, you welcomed the comfort. You didn’t notice when he left.

You had bumped into Felix again. You were nervous while he didn’t seem to be upset about your previous encounter, he seemed to have brushed it off. “You’re young kid. You won’t find it easy.” “Are you enjoying this? You can see I’m suffering but you won’t help?” “Sweetheart, let me make something quite clear. I have been nothing but kind to you. If I didn’t believe you could cope, I’d have chased you back then and i’d have ripped your head from your shoulders like I would have any other- but I didn’t. I let you go, I moved on and you’re still here.“ You swallowed, lowering your head. “I just don’t understand.” Felix sighed. “Look, you’re in the outskirts of Italy, you’re going backwards. Turn around, head that way. There is more of our kind, some may be willing to help.“

You ended up in Alaska. You found a group- well, they found you more like. A man called Garrett found you. He instantly saw you needed help with your desperate look. Despite your newborn state, it was clear you weren’t a threat. Carmen was stunned at the door seeing Garrett’s arm around you as he walked you to the door. “They need help.” Eleazar was quick to help when you mentioned the Volturi. He knew your story as soon as he found out a Volturi changed you. “I am so sorry.” He said crouching down to you where you sat in front of him. He never liked the rare occasions that a Volturi changed a human, they never kept them or taught them their new life. You had been wandering aimlessly for a few months. They told you what you were, the laws, the Volturi, the covens and let you digest the information patiently. It was a lot to take in so quickly.

Kate squeezed Garrett’s hand across the room gaining his attention. “You did the right thing bringing them here.” “I couldn’t leave them.” “Only the cruel can, the Volturi and Romanians are the only ones that would. It’s sickening.” “Have you figured out that you are gifted, (Y/N)?” “What?” “I was once in the Volturi, my gift is to identify other people’s gifts. Yours is crystal clear. You have a very real imagination. Do you understand?” “No…” “The things you imagine, they are very real, only you can see them yet they can manipulate things within reality.”

You tested his theory, imagining that you wanted the door behind them open. You watched as Tanya, moved from beside you and opening the door. The real Tanya wasn’t beside you however, she was stood beside Kate and all had their eyes in the door that opened by itself. Eleazar smiled. “You have a very strong mind (Y/N), and a very strong gift. Embrace it, don’t hide it.” “… You said you were once in the Volturi.” You paused. “Will Alec ever acknowledge me?” Eleazar shifted in unease. “It isn’t likely but there is always a blue moon…Just please don’t wait around for him- he likely won’t show.” You inhaled, clearly upset with the answer. Eleazar was quick to take your hand in his. “Your creator isn’t the be all and end all of you. You don’t need him- or any of them. Felix was right, he has a very good eye for the ones who will survive and your right up there in probability. You’ll be alright and we will help you in anyway we can.”

[alexander-l1ghtwood-bane]