Fics you should support by liking, commenting and reblogging: Part 3
(part 1) (part 2) * stories with one asterisk beside the title mean it's only readable on AO3 ** stories with two asterisks beside the title mean that it has dark themes
The Stonewall Inn
Cosmic Funnies

bliss lane
No title available
YOU ARE THE REASON
$LAYYYTER
No title available
wallacepolsom
almost home
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open

#extradirty
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Love Begins
hello vonnie

@theartofmadeline
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
🪼
occasionally subtle
KIROKAZE
Keni
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from United States
seen from Philippines
seen from Italy
seen from Malaysia

seen from United States

seen from United Kingdom

seen from T1

seen from Malaysia
seen from Saudi Arabia

seen from United States

seen from United States

seen from Germany

seen from Italy

seen from Malaysia

seen from United States

seen from United States
seen from Guinea

seen from United States
seen from Canada
@inactivewhore
Fics you should support by liking, commenting and reblogging: Part 3
(part 1) (part 2) * stories with one asterisk beside the title mean it's only readable on AO3 ** stories with two asterisks beside the title mean that it has dark themes
garrett graham ❄︎ proper lunch.
pairing – garrett graham x nursing student!reader summary – between wound reviews, vaccination clinics, asthma education, and stolen lunch breaks, garrett makes sure his girlfriend gets fed and reminded how good she is. warnings – medical placement, primary care setting, vaccination clinic mention, wound care mention, asthma review, food/eating. notes from me – MY SWEET DOMESTIC BABIES HOW I LOVE THEM!! based on these requests combined! thank you babes! word count – 3.1k
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Monday
By twelve-thirty, the medical centre has already taught her three important things: the blood pressure machine in room four lies, children can sense fear more accurately than most diagnostic equipment, and nobody working in primary care gets to eat lunch at the time written on the roster.
She comes out through the side entrance at twelve forty-seven with her scrub top pulling strangely beneath her cardigan, one pocket weighted down by three pens, a folded observation sheet and a tiny glittery sticker she’d found stuck to her elbow after the morning vaccination clinic.
The air outside is cold enough to make the inside of her nose sting. Garrett’s already sitting on the little bench beside the staff car park, one ankle resting over his opposite knee, a paper takeaway bag tucked between his shoes and his phone loose in one hand.
He looks up before the door has finished closing behind her. The change happens quickly, his attention lifting away from the screen and landing fully on her like he hasn’t spent the last twenty minutes surrounded by traffic, bare winter trees and a medical centre sign advertising flu shots. “Hey, baby.”
Oh they're everything to me
‵、¸ 𝒐𝙣𝒆 𝒕𝙝𝒊𝙣𝒈 ⊹ garrett graham
⌗ pairing — garrett graham x coach's daughter fem!reader
⌗ synopsis — The hockey coach's daughter challenges team captain Garrett Graham's arrogant world after discovering his secrets. Amidst false appearances and a forbidden attraction, their initial hostility ignites into an uncontrollable fire that threatens to break every rule on campus.
⌗ author’s note — This story features high-tension seduction dynamics, psychological power plays, and a strict forbidden-romance subversion within a competitive university setting.
The Briar men’s locker room was a total mess of hormones, smelling like stale sweat, cheap deodorant, and whatever pop track Logan had blasting at full volume—the kind that vibrates right through your teeth. Just the usual after two hours of Coach Jensen screaming at us on the ice. But I wasn't listening to Logan, nor to Tucker complaining about his economics homework, nor to the rookies pulling stupid pranks back in the showers.
My eyes were locked onto my phone screen as I sat on the wooden bench, still in my hockey pants, shirtless, feeling the sweat turn cold against my back and giving me chills.
A text had just come in from Hannah.
Hannah: Kohl was in the library hallway when I walked past. He stared right at the wallpaper you set on my phone. I think it worked, Graham. Looked like he wanted to swallow his own teeth.
A smug smirk tugged at my mouth—the kind I get when I know I'm the one pulling the strings. The plan was moving perfectly. Hannah Wells got Justin Kohl’s attention, and in exchange, she was helping me pass my ethics class so I wouldn't lose the team captaincy. A clean, perfect deal. No feelings involved.
Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself until I looked up and saw her walk past the open locker room door.
Her. Coach Jensen’s daughter.
She was wearing tight jeans, her usual beat-up boots, and a massive Briar University hoodie that I was positive belonged to her dad, mostly because it drowned her, hiding her hands completely inside the sleeves. Her hair was pulled up in a high, messy ponytail—the kind done in a rush without even looking in a mirror—and she was clutching a leather binder tight against her chest. She didn't look inside. She never looked into the locker room. She walked with that insufferable confidence of someone who grew up around a hockey rink, knowing damn well that half the idiots changing in there would break their necks just to get her to look their way for two seconds.
I locked my phone with a sharp click, tossed it onto my gear bag, and stood up so fast the wooden bench groaned under my weight.
"Hey, Graham! Where the hell are you going? Jensen said to review the Michigan game tapes!" Logan shouted from across the room, throwing a clean towel at my head.
I caught it midair, draped it around my neck to wipe the sweat off my chest, and didn't even bother looking for a shirt.
"Got something to do, Logan. Go ahead without me, I’ll catch up with you guys in the strategy room," I tossed back over my shoulder, stepping out into the hallway before he could start asking questions.
The hallway of the Briar arena was freezing, all gray concrete, smelling like that damp humidity that lives near frozen ice. My rubber slides slapped loudly against the floor, echoing off the walls. I spotted her about twenty meters ahead, walking toward the side exit—the one leading out to the faculty parking lot.
"Hey!" I called out, my voice coming out louder and more demanding than I meant it to. "Wait up!"
She didn't stop dead in her tracks. She just slowed her pace, letting out a long sigh that turned into a tiny puff of vapor in the chilly hallway, and then turned around slowly. When her eyes locked onto mine, I felt that familiar kick to the stomach. A mix of annoyance and something heavier, thicker—something that burned inside me every time she looked at me like I was a grease smudge on the ice.
"Lose something, Graham?" she asked, crossing her arms over the binder. Her tone was sharp, the kind that cuts like a skate blade. "Because if you're looking for my dad, he’s in his office going over how disastrous your third-line check was today."
I took a couple more steps, closing the gap until I was standing less than a meter away from her. She was a good head shorter than me, forcing me to tilt my head down, but her posture didn't give an inch. She didn't back down. She never did.
"I’m not looking for your dad," I said, dropping my voice, letting the tension settle between us. "I was looking for you."
She let out a dry, humorless laugh. Her eyes flicked down to my bare chest for a split second before snapping right back to my face, one eyebrow raised.
"Oh, really? How strange. I figured you'd be too busy hiding in the hallways of the arts building, planning your next romantic scene with Hannah Wells."
The muscles in my jaw tightened. There it was again. The low blow.
Damn it. I was supposed to be the king of provocation on this campus, the guy who always gets the last word, and she disarmed me with a single sentence. I knew exactly what she was talking about. Three days ago, Hannah and I had been arguing about the details of our "fake dating" arrangement in a deserted hallway of the arts building, and right when I mentioned that the whole point was to make Justin Kohl die of jealousy, I heard footsteps. When I looked around the corner, all I caught was the back of her giant hoodie disappearing around the bend.
oh that was the serve
rafe cameron 𖦹 mama's sick.
pairing – husband!rafe cameron x wife!reader summary – a violent coughing fit, one terrified husband and a tiny late-night visitor carrying her most prized possession. warnings – illness, intense coughing fit, temporary difficulty catching breath, chest and rib pain, fever, sleep disruption, sickbed cuddling, family fluff notes from me – probably slightly out of character for rafe but IDC!! i've woken myself up coughing every night for the last week so i wrote this for me and me only word count – 1.2k
navigation – masterlist |
The cough drags her awake so violently she doesn’t understand where she is at first. One second she’s asleep beneath the heavy warmth of the duvet, face turned into Rafe’s pillow because hers has somehow ended up on the floor, and the next she’s folded forward with one hand braced against the mattress, coughing hard enough that her ribs seem to pull inward around it.
It comes from somewhere low and ugly in her chest, each breath catching halfway before another cough tears through, wet and barking and impossible to get ahead of.
Her eyes flood immediately. She tries to swallow, tries to breathe through her nose, but there’s nothing graceful available to her body anymore. Only coughing, gasping, coughing again, her hair falling into her face while the dark bedroom blurs around the water in her eyes.
Rafe wakes all at once. His hand lands between her shoulder blades before his eyes seem properly open, broad and warm through the thin cotton of her sleep shirt.
rafe cameron 𖦹 pinky swear.
pairing – husband!rafe cameron x wife!reader summary – rafe and his fiancée survive their bachelor and bachelorette parties by getting jealous over strippers neither of them actually hired. warnings – jealousy, fake stripper mentions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, alcohol, postpartum body insecurity, swearing, suggestive tension. notes from me – based on a convo @theycallherl0ve and i had!! whipped this up fast asf because ur girl doesn’t sleep! 🙂↕️🙂↕️ word count – 5.7k
navigation – masterlist |
By six-thirty, their bedroom looks as though two separate vanity-related crimes have taken place inside it. Her dress is hanging from the wardrobe door in a garment bag Sarah has already called depressing because it’s black, which is apparently inappropriate for a bachelorette party despite the fact that it ends several inches above her knee and has a neckline Rafe has been staring at every time he walks past it.
Three pairs of heels sit abandoned beside the bed while she decides which version of foot pain best represents her final night of unmarried freedom. The bathroom counter is crowded with makeup, perfume, curling irons and a glass of wine she poured forty minutes ago and keeps forgetting exists.
Rafe’s pacing behind her with Banks against his chest, one hand spread over the baby’s back while the other supports the heavy little head slowly losing its fight against sleep.
Banks is wearing blue footed pyjamas printed with tiny sailboats, one fist caught in the collar of Rafe’s t-shirt, his damp mouth pressed near his father’s shoulder.
Top 10 songs of the week:
1. The Bridge by Kelela & Pinkpantheress
2. Sue Me by Audrey Hobert
3. Purple by Olivia Rodrigo
4. Wink Wink by Charli xcx
5. Cross That Line by Tinashe
6. Outta Time by Kelela & A.K. Paul
7. iloveitiloveitiloveit by Bella Kay
8. Back To Me by The McGregor Project
9. Expectations by Olivia Rodrigo
10. To Have And Not To Hold by Madonna
The bet (one shot)
summary: Dean decides he wants you to fall in love with him pairing: Dean Di Laurentis x reader content: romance, falling in love, a little angsty (I think), happy ending
inspiration: Unpredictable by 5 seconds of summer (preview of the song at the end of the story)
A/N: sooo I’ve been listening to 5sos on repeat and I’m so excited that I’m seeing them live next week so I decided to write something short about a song I really like, hope you like it <3
Dean Di Laurentis did not do feelings. He did hockey, he did tailored suits, and he did a revolving door of beautiful women who understood the rules: one night, no strings, and absolutely no breakfast.
Until you.
You were a friend of a friend’s cousin, staying at Briar University for a three-week summer intensive. You didn't know he was a campus legend. You didn’t care that he was filthy rich, and you most definitely weren't impressed by his "perfectly sculpted jawline," which you had affectionately referred to as "structurally adequate."
It was infuriating. It was intoxicating.
"You’re staring, Di Laurentis," you said, not looking up from your laptop. You two were sitting on the plush leather couch in his living room. You had commandeered his coffee table for your research papers.
"I’m observing," Dean corrected, flashing his trademark, panty-melting smirk. He leaned back, stretching his arms along the sofa. "I’m an academic at heart. And right now, my thesis is on why you’re ignoring me."
You finally looked up, your dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "Because your ego is a localized gravity well, Dean. If I get too close, I’ll be sucked into orbit. I have a paper due."
"Let's make a bet," Dean said, a dangerous spark in his eyes. "One week. I bet I can make you fall for me. Real feelings. If I win, you take me to that fancy gala your family is hosting next month as your official date. If I lose... I’ll do your laundry for the rest of the summer. And I won't hit on you again."
You arched an eyebrow, looking at him like he was a particularly amusing puzzle. "You? Do laundry? You don't even know where the machine is."
"I'll learn. Deal?"
You smiled, a slow, devastating curve of your lips. "Deal."
(...)
Dean threw himself into it with the intensity of a Stanley Cup playoff. He didn't just bring your coffee; he found out your exact, hyper-specific order from a bakery three miles off campus. He didn't just offer to study with you; he actually read your boring-ass syllabus so he could quiz you.
But the funny thing about playing a game is that sometimes, the rules change without you noticing.
By day four, Dean wasn't acting. When you laughed at his terrible jokes—the ones he usually used just to fill the silence—his chest felt tight. When you casually reached over and stole a fry from his plate, his heart did a weird, unathletic flip.
Then came the storm.
A massive summer thunderstorm knocked out the power to the entire grid, plunging his house into pitch blackness. Dean found you in the kitchen, illuminated only by lightning flashes, clutching your phone with white knuckles.
"Hey," he said softly, his playful demeanor dropping instantly. "You okay?"
You flinched as a crack of thunder rattled the windows. "I’m fine. Just... I hate storms. A tree hit my house when I was a kid. Silly, right?"
"Not silly at all," Dean said. He walked over, his large frame instantly blocking out the intimidating shadows of the room. He didn't crack a joke. He didn't try a pickup line. He just reached out, taking your trembling hands in his. "Come here."
He led you to his room, pulling his massive, ridiculously comfortable duvet off the bed and creating a fortress on the floor. He lit a few three-wick candles—scents he usually bought just to make his room smell expensive—and sat down next to you.
"Talk to me," he murmured.
For the next two hours, the walls came down. You didn't talk to Dean the Playboy; you talked to Dean the boy who felt the crushing weight of his father’s expectations, the boy who used charm as a shield so nobody would look close enough to see his flaws. And you opened up, too—sharing your fears of failing, your hidden insecurities, the ghost of an ex who had made you feel small.
Dean looked at you, truly looked at you, and realized with a wave of terrifying clarity: I'm losing the bet. Because I’m the one falling.
The air in the room shifted. The vulnerability in your eyes turned into something heavy, dark, and sweet. The thunder outside was a distant memory compared to the roaring pulse in Dean’s ears.
"Dean," you whispered, your gaze dropping to his lips.
"Yeah?" his voice was rough, devoid of its usual smooth cadence.
"Shut up."
He didn't need to be told twice. Dean leaned in, his hand cupping the back of your neck, his thumb tracing your jawline. When his lips met yours, it wasn't the practiced, smooth kiss of a guy who knew exactly what he was doing. It was hungry. Desperate. Fully alive.
You gasped into his mouth, your hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer until there was no space left between you. Dean groaned, shifting his weight to press you gently into the mattress of blankets.
Every touch was electric. He kissed his way down your jaw, tracing the sensitive line of your throat while his hands slid under your oversized t-shirt, his warm palms searing against your bare skin.
"You're undoing me," he muttered against your skin, his fingers fumbling with the button of your shorts—a hilarious contrast to his usual smooth execution. He was actually trembling.
"Good," you breathed, arching into his touch. "Less talking, Di Laurentis."
The rest of the night was a blur of tangled limbs, whispered praises, and a fierce, uninhibited passion that left Dean completely wrecked. For the first time in his life, he didn't want the night to end. He didn't want the sun to come up.
(...)
Dean woke up to the smell of rain-washed air and the empty side of the bed.
He bolted upright, panic spiking in his chest. He threw on a pair of sweatpants and ran downstairs, finding you in the kitchen, fully dressed, packing your laptop into your bag. The atmosphere was ice-cold.
"Hey," Dean said, taking a step toward you. "Where are you going?"
You didn't look at him. "I'm heading back to my dorm. The power's back on."
"What's wrong?" Dean's heart hammered against his ribs. The vulnerability from last night felt like a trap now. "Is this about last night? Because that wasn't—"
"Part of the bet?" you interrupted, your voice cracking slightly as you finally looked at him. There were tears shining in your eyes, and it cut Dean deeper than any hockey slash ever could. "You won, Dean. Congratulations. You proved you can get anyone you want. You can stop acting like you care now."
Dean froze. "Acting? You think that was an act?"
"You made a bet to make me fall for you!" you cried out, a tear escaping down your cheek. "And like an idiot, I forgot who you are. You're Dean Di Laurentis. You don't do real. You do conquests. I’m not going to be another trophy on your shelf."
Before he could speak, you grabbed your bag and walked out, slamming the front door behind you.
(...)
For two days, Dean was a ghost. His roommates avoided him because the usually cheerful, arrogant Dean was currently radiating pure, unadulterated misery. He didn't practice. He didn't sleep.
He realized he didn't care about winning a bet. He cared about you.
On the third day, he marched across campus to your dorm building. He didn't care who saw him. He carried a massive plastic laundry basket under one arm and a giant jug of detergent under the other.
He knocked on your door. When you opened it, your eyes widened. You looked tired, your nose slightly pink.
"What are you doing here?" you whispered.
Dean didn't say a word. He dropped the laundry basket, stepped into your room, and kicked the door shut behind him.
"I lost," Dean said, his voice raw.
"What?"
"I lost the bet," he repeated, stepping closer until you had to tilt your head up to look at him. "The rules said I had to make you fall for me. But I failed miserably, because I’m the one who fell. Completely. Terrifyingly. I don't give a damn about a gala, and I don't give a damn about my ego. I care about you."
You stared at him, your lips parting in shock. "Dean..."
"I'm an idiot," he pressed on, the words tumbling out of him in a desperate rush. "I used to think being a playboy was easy because nothing hurt. But this? Seeing you cry? Knowing I caused it? This hurts like hell. I don't want anyone else. I just want you. So... I'm here to do your laundry. For the rest of the summer. And the rest of my life, if you'll let me."
A tense silence filled the room. Then, a tiny smirk tugged at the corner of your lips.
"You don't even know how to separate whites from colors, Di Laurentis."
"I bought Shout ColorCatchers," Dean said solemnly, holding up the box like a peace offering. "I Googled it."
A wet laugh escaped you, and the tension broke. You stepped into his space, wrapping your arms around his waist and burying your face in his chest. Dean let out a massive breath he felt like he’d been holding for days, squeezing you tightly against him.
"You're a ridiculous man," you mumbled into his shirt.
"But I'm your ridiculous man," Dean grinned, kissing the top of your head. "Now, seriously... how do I use fabric softener?"
Never Second
Pairing: john logan x Fem/Reader
Summary: you knew what you signed up for. no labels, no promises, no future. but somewhere along the way, you fell in love with him anyway. when you realize his feelings are starting to drift toward someone else, you walk away before you can become his second choice. except losing you is the thing that finally makes john realize who he's loved all along.
Warning: angst, casual relationship, idiots in love
Note: just a little bit of angst and John Logan being a dumb boy
masterlist
One shot
rafe cameron 𖦹 don't get it twisted.
pairing – husband!rafe cameron x wife!reader summary – rafe is jealous, insufferable, and very convinced that being broken up is just another phase before marriage. warnings – post-breakup tension, jealousy, possessive rafe, alcohol, party setting, swearing, toxic-ish flirting. notes from me – as requested here!!! i decided to turn this into a husband!rafe fic cause... yum 😵💫 for context, this is set during college during their three month long break up! word count – 0.6k
navigation – masterlist |
The party is too hot, too loud. There’s beer drying sticky beneath her shoes, somebody shouting over the music about a missing phone, and Rafe Cameron leaning against the kitchen counter like the breakup has improved his posture.
It hasn’t improved anything else.
His hair has grown longer since she last let herself touch it, falling across his forehead in a loose middle part he keeps pushing back with the heel of his hand. He’s wearing a faded blue polo with the collar gone soft and two buttons undone, which feels deliberate in the personal, irritating way everything Rafe does near her feels deliberate now.
He’s been watching her talk to a boy from her economics tutorial for eleven minutes. She knows because she’s counted. Not consciously. That would be pathetic.
he's so confident
missed flight home | 1k cabo celebration, found family au ⋆⭒˚.⋆
⋆⭒˚.⋆ cabo 1k celebration masterlist!
⋆⭒˚.⋆ cabo 1k celebration info!
summary: in which an airline mistake leaves y/n stranded in cabo alone, sending everyone, particularly garrett in to a panic.
notes: hi! this is the second last request for my 1k cabo celebration!! i fear this story is in very typical fashion for y/n...oops! i hope you're all well and enjoy! <3 💌 🤍
ꪆৎ
the airport feels colder than it should after two weeks in cabo. everything is too bright, too polished.
the floors shine beneath the overhead lights, the air-conditioning catches against the sunburn still lingering over your shoulders, and every few seconds another suitcase wheel rattles harshly over the joins in the tiles.
the girls are quieter than they had been on the way here.
not sad exactly, just tired in that strange, heavy way that comes after a holiday has ended before anyone has properly accepted it.
allie is walking beside dean with one hand looped through the back of his shirt, letting him pull her through the crowd without having to pay any attention to where she is going.
grace is leaning against logan whenever the line stops moving, her head dropping briefly against his shoulder before she remembers they need to move again.
sabrina and tucker are sharing a packet of chips they bought for far too much money from one of the airport shops.
garrett is beside you, close enough that his arm brushes yours every few steps. he's been close since you left the resort that morning, not clingy necessarily, just always somewhere within reach.
his hand at the base of your back while you move through security, his fingers close around the handle of your suitcase before you have a chance to take it yourself, his knee pressed against yours in the uber on the way to the airport.
the two of you had barely been apart since he surprised you on the beach. after almost two weeks of missing each other through a screen, neither of you seemed particularly interested in starting now.
“you’re quiet” he says.
you look up at him. his cap is pulled low over his forehead, hair still damp from the shower he had rushed through this morning.
“i’m tired.”
“you feel okay?”
“mhm.”
he watches you for a second longer, clearly catching your lie.
your stomach had felt off since breakfast. not painful exactly, just an uncomfortable, persistent rolling that ebbed and returned every so often, never quite settling but never becoming anything more, either.
you had blamed it on the early start, then the heat, then the coffee you had drunk too quickly while trying to finish packing.
garrett reaches down, taking your hand. his thumb presses lightly over your knuckles. “you sure?”
you nod. “i think i’m just ready to be home.”
something in his expression softens. “yeah?”
“mhm.”
his tone turns slightly teasing as a small smirk graces his features. "i thought you loved cabo.”
“i do.”
“you’ve spent the last week trying to convince everyone to move here.”
“that was before i had to pack.”
his mouth pulls at one corner. “tragic.”
“you don’t understand what i’ve been through.”
“y/n. i carried both suitcases downstairs.”
“still.”
he laughs quietly, the sound settling something in you. for a moment, the nausea fades enough that you almost forget about it, almost.
by the time you reach the gate, it's returned. you lower yourself carefully into the seat beside garrett, setting your bag between your feet.
the boys are spread across the row opposite. dean now has allie’s passport tucked into the front pocket of his bag after the prank you all had decided to pull, logan is checking the departure board every few minutes despite the flight still being listed as on time, and tucker has his hood pulled up, eyes closed, while sabrina is beside him, scrolling through photos from the trip.
it feels strangely domestic.
all eight of you exhausted, sun-warmed and folded into one another beneath the harsh airport lights.
garrett drops his arm across the back of your chair and you lean into him instinctively. his hand settles over your shoulder, fingers brushing lazily against your skin.
“you want some water?”
you shake your head.
“food?”
another shake, he glances down at you. “y/n. you should really eat something, it's probably why you feel so nauseous.”
“i ate breakfast.”
“you pushed eggs around a plate.”
“still counts.”
“i'm not sure it does.”
you close your eyes, resting your temple against his shoulder. “i’ll eat on the plane.” he doesn't argue. not because he agrees with you, but because he knows when pushing will only make you more stubborn.
he presses his mouth briefly to the top of your head, laying on a soft kiss.
the first boarding announcement comes twenty minutes later. families with young children, passengers requiring additional assistance, then priority boarding.
the gate area shifts around you, people gathering their belongings, checking passports, moving closer even though their groups have yet to be called.
allie wakes fully at the sound of the announcement. “is it too late to stay?”
“yes” dean says.
“you didn’t even think about it.”
“because we have classes.”
“which are optional.”
“they're certainly not optional.”
“depends who you ask.”
dean looks towards garrett for back up. “g?”
“not getting involved.”
dean shakes his head in disbelief, “coward.”
you smile in response, before you can laugh, another wave of nausea rolls through you. your hand instinctively closes around the edge of the seat. garrett feels it immediately, his arm dropping from behind you.
“hey.”
you breathe slowly through your nose. “i’m okay.”
“you don’t look okay.”
“i just need the bathroom.”
he starts to stand with you. “i’ll come.”
“garrett.”
“outside.”
“i know.”
you rest a hand against his chest, stopping him before he can fully rise. “stay here. they’re boarding.”
“we have time.”
“i’m not making you stand outside the bathroom because my stomach feels weird.”
his jaw tightens slightly. “your stomach feels weird?”
“travel sickness.”
“you don’t usually get travel sickness.”
“maybe i’m developing it.”
“that’s not how-”
you lean down, pressing a quick kiss to his mouth. it stops him more effectively than anything else would have. “i’ll be five minutes.”
his hand catches lightly around your wrist before you move away. “take your phone.”
you pull it from your pocket, showing him. the battery symbol is red, five percent.
“and your boarding pass.”
you lift that too, he looks entirely unconvinced.
“five minutes.”
“promise.”
“do not board without me.”
his expression changes, only slightly. “of course not.”
you smile, “good.”
the bathrooms are further away than you remember. past two gift shops, a café crowded with passengers, and another gate that has somehow managed to form a line across the walkway.
you make it halfway before the nausea rises quickly, forcing you to stop. your palm presses against the nearest wall, you lower your head, forcing yourself to breathe in and out.
the airport keeps moving around you. people step past with rolling suitcases, someone laughs behind you, a child cries somewhere near the café.
“miss?”
you look up. an airline employee is standing a few feet away, a lanyard hanging against her uniform, concern clearly gracing her features.
“are you alright?”
“yeah.” the answer comes automatically.
she looks at your hand still braced against the wall, then back at you. “are you sure? you don’t look alright.”
you manage a small, embarrassed smile. “i think i’m just a little sick.”
“are you travelling alone?”
“no. my friends are at the gate.”
“which flight?”
you point vaguely behind you. “boston.”
her expression shifts into immediate recognition, “they’ve started boarding.”
“i know. i was just quickly going to the bathroom.”
another cramp moves through your stomach. your face must change because she steps closer immediately. “come sit down.”
“i’m okay.”
“you can be okay sitting down.”
there is something so calm about the way she says it that you don't argue. she guides you towards a small staff area tucked behind the customer service desk.
there's two plastic chairs, a small table and a water dispenser that makes a loud bubbling sound as she fills a paper cup. “here. drink some of this.”
“thank you.”
“when did you last eat?”
“this morning.”
“properly?”
you hesitate, she gives you a knowing look.
“some eggs.”
“some?”
“not many.”
“thought so.”
another employee appears a minute later with crackers, then another with a cold bottle of water. they ask whether you have a fever, whether you have been sick, whether you think it could be food poisoning.
you answer each question while repeatedly glancing at the time on the screen above the desk.
“i should go.”
“give it another minute.”
“they’re boarding.”
“you won’t miss it.”
you believe her because she works here, because she says it confidently, because garrett promised they wouldn't board without you.
you reach for your phone, however the screen remains black. you press the button again, nothing.
“is it dead?” the woman asks.
“yes. i think so.”
“we’ll find you a charger.”
“it’s okay. i just need to get back to my friends.”
you stand carefully. your legs feel steadier, your stomach still hurts, but the worst of it seems to have passed.
“see?” you say softly. “i’m okay.”
the woman smiles warmly, shaking her head in disbelief. “has anyone ever told you you're quite stubborn?”
“maybe" you offer, sending her a small smile in response.
“come on, then.”
she walks with you towards the gate, speaking into the radio clipped near her shoulder. you can see the boarding desk from the end of the corridor.
the line is gone, the seats are almost empty, you quicken your pace, the woman beside you doing the same. “hold the gate” she says into the radio.
a crackled response comes back too quietly for you to hear. the gate agent is already reaching for your boarding pass when you arrive.
“sorry” you breathe. “i felt unwell.”
“no problem.”
she scans it, the machine flashes red. she tries again, another sharp beep, red.
her brows furrow in confusion. “one second ma'am.”
you glance towards the closed doors behind her. “is everything okay?”
“the pass isn’t validating.”
the woman who helped you steps closer. “she was with medical.”
“did they flag the booking?”
“they shouldn’t have.”
the gate agent types quickly.
your flight number disappears and reappears on the screen, then she stops, the silence around the desk changes, not dramatic, just enough that your chest tightens.
“what's wrong?”
she looks up. “the system has removed you from the passenger list.”
you stare at her, eyes blank with confusion. “removed me?”
“when medical assistance was logged, it appears your ticket was marked for review. it shouldn’t have cancelled boarding, but-”
“my boyfriend is on that plane, my friends too i-”
“i understand ma'am.”
“they said they wouldn’t leave without me.” the words come out smaller than you intend, the gate agent glances at the door.
“boarding is closed.”
“no please-"
"are you sure there's nothing that can be done?”
“the aircraft has pushed back.”
you turn automatically towards the window, watching the plane move away from the terminal. you stand there holding a useless boarding pass while the airport continues around you as though nothing has happened.
oh shit
you think to yourself.
"my phone is dead.”
“we'll help you call.”
you nod quickly. “i know their numbers.”
the woman slides the desk phone towards you. your fingers shake as you key in garrett's number from memory.
it rings, once, twice, before going to voicemail.
“again, please” you whisper.
she redials the same number, yet it goes straight to voicemail, again.
your stomach drops. “he's on the plane.”
“he may already have his phone on airplane mode” the gate agent says gently. “once they're seated, passengers are instructed to.”
you swallow hard. “is it okay if we try someone else?"
allie, voicemail.
dean, voicemail.
grace, voicemail
logan, voicemail.
sabrina, voicemail.
tucker, voicemail.
each call ends exactly the same.
the woman slowly lowers the receiver. “if they're all travelling together, their phones have probably all been switched over to airplane mode by now.”
your eyes drift towards the window, just in time to see the aircraft beginning to move. the woman reaches out, resting a gentle hand between your shoulders.
“we're going to fix this.”
you nod because there is nothing else you can do. “okay.”
back on the plane, garrett is still standing in the aisle. the flight attendant has asked him to sit twice, he has ignored her twice.
“sir, we need to close the doors.”
“she’s coming.”
“the gate has confirmed all boarded passengers.”
“she isn’t boarded yet.”
the flight attendant’s expression softens, but not enough. “then she's not cleared for this flight.”
garrett stares at her, his eyes completely blank. “what do you mean not cleared for the flight? she just went to the bathroom.”
dean is standing now too. “she has her boarding pass with her.”
“i’m sorry.”
allie is already calling you again, yet it goes straight to voicemail. “maybe her phone died.”
“she had five percent remaining on it though” garrett says, his voice now flat.
logan looks towards the front of the cabin. “can we get off?”
the flight attendant shakes her head. “the doors are closing.”
dean's eyebrows furrow. “then open them again.”
“dean” tucker says quietly, in warning. not because he disagrees, but because dean’s voice is starting to carry and passengers around them are turning to look.
garrett’s hand tightens around the top of the seat. “can you please page for her?"
“the gate has already made multiple announcements.”
“do it again.”
“garrett” allie whispers, her face losing all colour. “she would have heard them.”
nobody answers, that's the part that most frightens him. you would have heard, you would have come back, you had promised you would only be five minutes.
the flight attendant gestures towards his seat. “we need you to sit down now.”
garrett doesn't move. for one irrational second, he thinks about pushing past her, forcing the door open and getting off the plane whether they allow it or not.
then the aircraft shifts beneath his feet, slowly, definitively, moving away from the gate.
his stomach drops.
no
“garrett.” dean’s voice is quieter now, closer. “sit down.”
he finally does, but not because he wants to, only because there is nothing else he can do.
the seat beside him is empty. your bag is still beneath his chair, your cardigan folded over the armrest, water bottle in the seat pocket.
everything you own is here except you.
garrett picks up your cardigan, holding it across his lap. his hand stays closed around the fabric for most of the flight. by the time they land, everyone has exhausted every possibility they can think of.
dean has spoken to three flight attendants, logan has written down the numbers for the airline, airport security and the terminal’s customer service desk.
tucker has found the next available flight back to mexico, allie has left you enough voicemails that her voice has gone hoarse, grace keeps checking your location even though it hasn't updated since the airport, and sabrina's leg has been nonstop bouncing since takeoff, only slowing when the wheels had touched the runway.
garrett has barely spoken. the second they're allowed to use their phones he calls you again, it goes straight to voicemail.
his screen begins to fill with notifications. there's one missed call.
+52...
an unfamiliar mexican number. his heart lurches, eyes widening with anticipation. "dean."
dean looks over immediately. "what?"
"i think she may have called me."
everyone stops walking, garrett stares at his screen.
missed call - 2:14 pm
"that must've been her."
without hesitating, he presses call. it rings, once, twice, three times. to his dismay however, nobody answers.
he hangs up, immediately calling again, yet there's still nothing, still no response.
"come on, baby." he mutters.
voicemail.
his jaw tightens in frustration.
"she borrowed someone's phone then" dean says quietly.
garrett nods once. “we’re going back.”
dean glances at him. “i know.”
“next flight.”
“already looking.”
“i’m not waiting until tomorrow.”
“you won’t have to”
they move through the airport quickly, not talking, not stopping.
allie stays close enough to dean that their shoulders knock together with every few steps, logan has one hand around grace’s, while tucker keeps glancing back at sabrina, making sure she's keeping up. garrett walks ahead, your cardigan tied comfortably around his waist.
they reach arrivals before the airline finally answers dean’s call, stopping so suddenly allie nearly walks into him.
“yes” he says. “yes, we’re looking for a passenger who missed the flight from cabo.”
garrett turns, everyone does.
dean listens, his expression shifting slowly from tension, to disbelief, to something close to relief.
“she’s where?”
garrett takes the phone from him. “hello?”
the woman on the other end repeats herself.
your booking has been transferred, you're safe, you were just placed on the next available flight.
the airline apologises for the system error.
garrett closes his eyes, free hand bracing against his hip. “can i please speak to her?”
a pause, then an apologetic explanation. you're already boarding, your phone has not charged properly, they cannot bring you back to the desk.
“right.”
his voice is rough. “no. thank you. i really appreciate it."
he ends the call, nobody speaks for a moment.
allie steps closer. “she’s okay?”
garrett nods, exhaling a sigh of relief. “she’s okay.”
the words loosen something in all of them at once.
grace covers her face, sabrina exhales sharply, one hand pressing to her chest, logan closes his eyes. dean looks down at the floor, muttering something under his breath that sounds very much like thank god.
“when does she land?” tucker asks.
“five hours.”
garrett looks towards arrivals.
five hours.
it feels both unbearable and completely insignificant now that he knows you're coming back.
you spend most of the flight asleep. your new seat reclines further than the one you had before, the blanket is softer, and someone brings you ginger tea without you asking.
the airline worker at the gate had upgraded you after apologising so many times you eventually started apologising back. she had given you a small tote bag with snacks, a travel pillow and a packet of cookies she insisted were the best in the staff room.
by the time the plane lands, your phone has charged to twelve percent, using a cable borrowed from the man across the aisle.
you turn it on, the notifications arrive all at once.
missed calls, voicemails, messages. so many messages that your phone freezes, clearly overwhelmed.
baby 🤍 where are you?
baby 🤍 baby answer me
baby 🤍 we’re on the plane. they won’t let us off
baby 🤍 please tell me you’re okay
the last one was sent hours ago.
baby 🤍 i know you’re safe now, we’re waiting for you
i love you
you stare at the screen until the words blur.
the airport staff had told you they had contacted your friends. you had known they would be worried, however you hadn't quite anticipated how worried.
not until now.
you type with unsteady fingers.
you i just landed
the reply comes before you can lock your phone.
baby 🤍 where are you
you walking to arrivals
three dots appear, disappear, before appearing again.
baby 🤍 i’m here
you barely notice the line through immigration, or baggage claim, or the ache in your shoulder from carrying the airline tote. you follow the signs towards arrivals, heart beating harder with every automatic door.
the final set opens.
garrett is standing directly in front of them, not leaning against the barrier, not sitting, standing, waiting.
his hair is messier than it had been that morning, his eyes look tired, his jaw is tight enough that you can see the muscle shifting from halfway across the room.
you stop, so does he. for one second, neither of you move.
until garrett crosses the space between you. your tote slips down your shoulder as his arms close around you, the force of it knocking a breath from your lungs.
his hand presses flat against the back of your head, while the other wraps around your waist, pulling you so tightly against him that there is no space left between you.
you drop your bag as your arms go around his neck. “i’m so sorry.”
he shakes his head immediately, face pressing into your hair. “don’t be, y/n.”
“garrett-”
“don’t apologise.” his voice breaks slightly on the last word, so quietly you almost miss it.
your chest aches, as you turn your face into his shoulder. “i didn’t know they couldn’t reach me.”
“i know.”
“they took me to medical and then my boarding pass didn’t work and my phone died and-”
“i know.”
his arms tighten, not enough to hurt, just enough that you understand.
he had not known where you were, he had been taken thousands of kilometres away from you without being able to stop it, he had spent the entire flight with your empty seat beside him.
you close your eyes. “i’m sorry you were scared.”
garrett goes still, then his mouth presses against your temple, once, twice.
“i thought you were alone.”
“i wasn’t.”
“i know that now.”
you pull back enough to see him. his hands remain at your waist, clearly afraid to let you go. your own settle against his chest, resting comfortably. “they looked after me.”
“yeah?”
you nod. “really well.”
his eyes move over your face carefully, as though he is checking for himself.
“you feel okay?”
“better.”
“still sick?”
“just a little tired.”
his hand comes up, brushing gently over your cheek. “you sure?”
“mhm.”
he studies you for another second, before leaning down, resting his forehead against yours.
the noise of the airport softens around you. you can feel the exhaustion in the way he holds himself, the relief too.
he closes his eyes. “you cannot do that again.”
a small laugh escapes you. “i didn’t exactly plan it.”
“i don’t care.”
“garrett.”
“next airport, you’re coming to the bathroom with me.”
you smile despite yourself. “that seems very impractical.”
“i don't care”
behind him, allie makes a noise that is somewhere between a sob and an accusation. you lift your head, she is already moving towards you. dean follows more slowly, but the tension in his face eases the second your eyes meet.
allie wraps herself around you from the side. “you’re horrible!”
“i know.”
“we thought you were stranded.”
“i sort of was.”
“do not say that.”
grace reaches you next, then sabrina.
for a moment you're surrounded by arms, voices and questions, garrett’s hand remains fixed at the small of your back throughout it all.
logan exhales when he sees you properly, tucker squeezes your shoulder, dean stops in front of you. he looks tired, annoyed, but mostly relieved.
“you made friends, didn’t you?”
you blink. “what?”
his eyes drop towards the tote bag on the floor. everyone follows his gaze, you look down too.
“oh.”
allie pulls back. “what is that?”
you pick it up, shrugging. “they gave it to me.”
silence.
garrett closes his eyes, dean stares at you. “you missed an international flight.”
“technically, the system took me off it.”
“and they gave you a present?”
“they felt bad.”
you reach into the bag. “there are cookies!”
logan lets out a short, disbelieving laugh, while grace looks between you and the bag. “you had snacks?”
“and ginger tea.”
sabrina presses her lips together, tucker shakes his head, allie turns slowly towards garrett, arms crossing over her chest. “and to think i stress cried over your girlfriend!”
garrett simply laughs, completely speechless. he shakes his head in disbelief at the entire situation.
“they upgraded me too” you admit quietly.
dean walks away, only a few steps, just far enough to put both hands on his hips and stare at the ceiling. logan laughs properly this time, and even tucker gives up trying to hide his smile.
garrett looks down at you, as you send him a small, apologetic smile. “it was actually quite a nice flight.”
he stares for another second, before laughing once more. his hand slides around the back of your neck, pulling you into his chest again. “of course it was.”
you wrap your arms around his waist. “they were lovely.”
“i’m sure they were.”
“one of them said i could apply to work there.”
“you’re not moving to mexico.”
“i didn’t say i was.”
“you were considering it.”
“for maybe ten seconds.”
garrett’s mouth presses against your hair, his hold tightening. “you’re coming home with me, with us.”
you smile into his shirt. “if you insist.”
“and i’m charging your phone.”
“okay.”
his eyes stay on your face. the humour remains, but the fear has not entirely left him yet.
you can still see it beneath everything else.
you lift one hand, brushing your thumb beneath his eye. “i’m here.”
his expression softens. “yeah.”
“i’m okay.”
“i know.”
this time, when he says it, he sounds like he believes it.
the others begin gathering their bags, still talking over one another, still asking questions, still complaining about the emotional damage you had caused from several thousand kilometres away.
garrett takes the tote from your shoulder, then your backpack, then your hand. he keeps hold of it all the way through the airport, all the way to the car and all the way home.
✩.* taglist; @05gwyn | @alwaysclassyeagle | @casiiopea2 | @nexisphere | @imstressed17 | @legendarychrattgirl | @ethanthequeefqueen | @wiishies | @legendarychrattgirl | @tabisswag | @corvusmorte | @mariiibash| @stevesxwhore | @choppedpartymuffinwinner| @flannelshirts-and-fingerguns | @leilareads58 | @nikfigueiredo | @archxve | @s0ftdr1nks | @persasseajackson | @avengersheart | @brxght-world | @plants-w0rld | @hamilronweasley | @dyslexicepicfan | @livformadrid | @cosmosnkaz | @behindthescreenobsessed | @mothericraveviolence57 | @purplerainx1 | @dancerbailey3 | @kingshitonly | @melodypvnk | @mothericraveviolence57 | @danis-angels | @chronically-jess | @brekkershadowsinger | @run-for-the-hills | @rrosiitas | @nishiisdownbad | @angelnameddani | @simp4f1 | @ilocuras24 | @mattssweetheart | @scorpiodiosa
Engineering
John Logan x Reader (y/n)
Summary: Logan gets jealous when he sees his girlfriend spending more time with her engineering group partners.
Word Count: 1,137
garrett graham ❄︎ noise complaint.
pairing – garrett graham x nursing student!reader summary – the morning after becoming official, garrett tries to make coffee while the boys chirp him, protect their favourite person, and accidentally start planning an away-game hotel situation. warnings – suggestive content, morning-after intimacy, implied smut, lost voice jokes, hickeys/noise teasing. notes from me – hi loves!! as requested here!! my sweet babies :') & currently working on the ‘weekend away’ fic and it’s looong and so so cute!! word count – 4.2k
navigation – masterlist |
Pipes groan somewhere inside the walls of the hockey house. The refrigerator hums with the strained determination of an appliance that has survived too many protein shakes.
From upstairs comes one heavy footstep, a pause, then nothing, as though whoever made it reconsidered the concept of being awake and returned to bed.
She sits on the kitchen counter in Garrett’s jersey and a pair of little cotton shorts, one bare foot swinging loosely above the cabinet door while the other has found its way around the back of Garrett’s thigh.
The jersey hangs nearly to the hem of the shorts and smells like his laundry detergent now rather than the rink, softened from enough washes that the fabric sits warm and loose over skin still carrying a faint, pleasant sensitivity everywhere it touches.
Her hair is tangled down her back, the ends catching against the stitched numbers whenever she moves. There’s a small ache low in her body that makes climbing onto the counter feel like an accomplishment she deserves academic credit for, a softer soreness through her thighs, and the distinct awareness that her voice may not survive any sentence requiring volume before noon.
Garrett’s shirtless in grey sweatpants, standing between her knees with his back to her while the coffee machine makes a series of wet, threatening noises on the counter.
I am beyond gagged. ugggh you just write the so well and the chemistry between everyone like I'm feeling FOMO DOWN
Maybe Stay
Pairing: Dean Di Laurentis × Fem!Reader
Summary: he asks you to trust him. you almost do. one misunderstanding is enough to bring every fear you've been carrying back to the surface.
note: part 3!! sorry for not posting sooner, I had college finals and was stressedddd but thank you for all the love shown to this <B
Link to Other Parts || masterlist
PART lll
Maybe Stay
Pairing: Dean Di Laurentis × Fem!Reader
Summary: Dean finally finds you again, only to realize his reputation has already decided the ending for him.
note: part 2!! I apologize in advance for how annoyingly insecure this reader is but that's me lol and I needed representation for my annoying insecurities
Link to Other Parts || masterlist
PART ll
Maybe Stay
Pairing: Dean Di Laurentis × Fem!Reader
Summary: One party. One unexpected connection. One morning where you leave before he wakes up, convinced you're saving yourself the heartbreak.
Except dean was hoping you'd stay.
note: super angsty dean short fic <B. I love a man who has to suffer lol, finished fic releasing one part each night!
Link to Other Parts || masterlist
PART l
WAIT I LOVE
surprise! | 1k cabo celebration, found family au ⋆⭒˚.⋆
⋆⭒˚.⋆ cabo 1k celebration masterlist!
⋆⭒˚.⋆ cabo 1k celebration info!
summary: in which the boys surprise the girls in cabo, spending the day with them.
notes: they're all reunited!! dare i say this is one of my favourite pieces i've written from this celly 🤭 this fic is inspired by these two requests, i hope you enjoy! sending you all so much love <3 💌 🤍
ꪆৎ
logan adjusts the cap pulled low over his eyes, gaze drifting through the open-air lobby towards the stretch of beach below.
the ocean glitters between the palm trees, bright and impossibly blue beneath the late-morning sun. gentle waves uncurl across the shoreline, washing over the stretch of beach where the girls remain blissfully unaware that four very familiar faces are only minutes away.
“what’s the plan?”
dean shifts his backpack higher on his shoulder. “we find them.”
it is almost embarrassingly easy.
according to the receptionist, you girls have apparently become regulars on the same stretch of beach. dean has barely started describing who they're looking for when the receptionist smiles knowingly.
"there's a brunette, she talks to absolutely anyone and everyone-"
dean huffs out a laugh. "she's made a name for herself already, huh?"
"just a little."
"yeah" dean grins. "that's allie."
her smile widens when she notices the bags gathered around the four boys. “you’re surprising them?”
“trying to” tucker says.
“he nearly sent her a photo from the airport" logan adds, jerking his thumb towards dean.
dean turns. “i caught myself.”
“actually garrett caught you" logan corrects.
garrett doesn't answer.
not because he isn't listening, but because his attention is already somewhere else entirely, his eyes fixed on the stone path leading down towards the beach.
“are we all good to go?”
dean follows garrett's line of sight for a moment, watching his gaze settle somewhere beyond the palm trees.
he smiles knowingly to himself.
he hadn't missed the way garrett had gone quiet every time a facetime with you ended, the way he'd linger over your photos for a second longer than anyone else, the way he'd checked the time difference before texting, or fallen absentmindedly into conversations about what you'd all be doing if you were home, at briar instead.
none of them had said much about it, they hadn't needed to.
dean reaches over, giving the middle of garrett's back a light pat. "yeah" he says quietly. "come on, g."
the beach is already warm beneath their feet by the time they reach it.
music drifts from the resort bar behind them, the ocean stretches out ahead, bright blue beneath the late-morning sun, sunlight skimming across the surface in long, silver streaks as the waves roll steadily towards the shore.
logan spots grace first.
she's sitting near the edge of a towel with her book open across her lap, one finger tucked between the pages to hold her place while sabrina talks beside her. every now and then she nods or laughs quietly, making no real attempt to keep reading.
tucker's attention settles on sabrina almost immediately, while dean spots allie a little further down the beach, her back to them as she snaps a towel through the air, trying to shake the sand free without sending it over everyone else's belongings.
garrett sees you.
you're sitting on the sand near the shoreline, knees drawn loosely towards your chest as you talk to grace.
your sunglasses are pushed into your hair, skin warm from the sun, one hand moving absently through the sand while you laugh at something she says.
garrett stops walking.
for a moment, everything else fades into the background. the flight, the heat, the voices behind him. all he can see is you.
dean follows his gaze.
"go on" he says, the corner of his mouth lifting. "you've been miserable for two weeks, i don't wanna deal with it for a second longer."
garrett doesn't even respond, just simply starts making his way down the beach towards you.
you're still deep in conversation when he eventually reaches you. “and then allie tried to tell the bartender-”
garrett bends behind you, wrapping both arms around your waist.
you go completely still.
his chest presses against your back as his face buries itself into the curve of your neck. he doesn't say anything, just holds you, arms wrapped tightly around your waist, exhaling slowly against your skin.
every part of his body immediately softens.
your hands settle over his forearms, knowing who it is before you turn around. “garrett?”
“hi, baby.”
you twist around so quickly that he has to loosen his grip. the second you see him, your whole face lights up, eyes widening as disbelief gives way to excitement, warmth rushing into your cheeks.
“what are you doing here?!”
you throw your arms around his neck before he can answer.
garrett catches you immediately, lifting you into him as though he'd been expecting it. your legs curl around his waist, hands settling instinctively beneath your thighs, and for a long moment neither of you let go.
"you're supposed to be in boston" you say, your voice somewhere between a laugh and complete disbelief.
“changed my mind.”
you pull back just enough to look at him. his hair is still tousled from the flight, exhaustion evident in the faint shadows beneath his eyes, yet the quiet relief on his features makes him look more at peace than he has in weeks.
“you flew to cabo?”
“yeah.”
“why?”
garrett gives you a look as though the answer is obvious. "i wanted to see you" he says softly.
you laugh through the sudden sting behind your eyes. "that's your reason?"
"that's the one i'm admitting to."
your smile only grows as you lean down, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. garrett's hand moves higher along your back, holding you close. both of you smile too much for the kiss to last.
somewhere behind you, allie screams.
you turn in time to see her drop the towel, running directly towards dean. he braces just before she reaches him, catching her around the waist.
“you liar!”
“nice to see you too, allie cat.”
“i hate you.”
dean's eyebrows raise. “you’re hugging me.”
“both things can be true.”
grace reaches logan next, throwing her arms around his neck while he holds her tightly against him.
sabrina remains still for a second, both hands covering her mouth, until tucker smiles, opening his arms in clear invitation.
then she is moving too.
within seconds, the quiet beach dissolves into laughter, overlapping questions and four separate reunions.
garrett still has you lifted against him. “you can put me down.”
“could.”
“everyone is looking.”
he glances towards the others. “they’ll live.”
you laugh, hiding your face against his shoulder.
eventually, he sets you back down on the sand, though he never really lets you go. one hand settles at your waist while the other finds yours, fingers slipping together as naturally as breathing.
the boys settle into your beach setup a few minutes later. bags are dropped beside towels, chairs are shifted around, allie sits across dean’s lap while demanding every detail about the flight.
“so this was your idea?”
dean leans back against the chair. “mostly.”
logan looks over. “garrett packed before we booked anything.”
you turn, a small smile tugging at your mouth in amusement. “you did?”
garrett closes his eyes. “why are we telling her this?”
tucker shrugs. “it’s funny.”
“his bag was by the door, ready to go” dean adds.
you look up at garrett. “you packed before everyone agreed?”
“they were going to agree.”
“were we?” logan asks.
garrett gives him a look. you laugh, leaning back against his chest. his arm finds your waist without a second thought, drawing you a little closer before he presses a lingering kiss to the top of your head.
“that’s a little dramatic, even for you.”
“i flew here, didn’t i?”
“exactly, graham.”
garrett presses both hands into your sides, his fingers digging in just enough to make you squeal as he tickles you.
"garrett!" you laugh, instinctively twisting away from him.
"that's what i thought" he grins, finally releasing his grip as you swat at his arm, still laughing.
the boys head upstairs to change shortly after. garrett hangs back until everyone else has disappeared inside, reluctant to leave your side even for a moment.
“i’ll be back.”
“i know.”
he takes two steps, then turns around. “don’t go anywhere.”
you stare at him. “where would i go?”
garrett’s mouth curves before he follows the others towards the hotel.
allie waits until the boys disappear inside before looking at the rest of you. "i genuinely cannot believe they flew to cabo."
"for two nights" sabrina adds.
grace shakes her head. "that's actually insane."
"insanely sweet" you murmur.
allie smiles, agreeing. "yeah."
"i still can't believe they managed to keep it a secret though."
you all nod in agreement.
grace picks her book back up. “he looks better.”
you glance back towards the path garrett had disappeared down. “yeah he does, doesn't he.”
sabrina nudges your shoulder. “so do you, y/n.”
you can't help but smile.
the boys return in swim shorts less than fifteen minutes later. garrett walks towards you carrying a bottle of sunscreen.
you're sitting on the edge of a lounger when he stops in front of you.
“turn around, y/n.”
you look up. “hello to you too.”
“when did you last put sunscreen on?”
“this morning.”
his expression turns immediately unimpressed. “turn around.”
you narrow your eyes, yet oblige anyway.
garrett sits behind you, one leg on either side of the lounger. he squeezes sunscreen into his palm before setting the bottle down.
his hands settle on your shoulders.
the touch begins practically, his palms smoothing sunscreen carefully over your skin before moving down your arms and across your shoulder blades. you lift your hair over one shoulder when he quietly asks, exposing the back of your neck.
his fingers eventually reach the thin bikini strap resting across your back. garrett hooks a finger beneath it, easing it gently aside before smoothing sunscreen into the strip of skin hidden underneath. the backs of his fingers graze your skin as he lets the strap settle back into place.
your breath catches almost imperceptibly. behind you, you feel his smile before you see it.
"sensitive?" he murmurs, amusement warming his voice.
“garrett.”
“what?”
“you’re meant to be helping.”
“i am.”
he presses a kiss to your shoulder, then another slightly closer to your neck.
“you’re not very good at concentrating.”
“you’re just distracting, baby.”
“i’m sitting still.”
“that’s the problem.”
you turn your head enough to look at him. “you’ve been here for an hour.”
“mhm.”
“behave.”
his hands slide around your waist, drawing you back against his chest.
“can’t keep my hands off you.”
the words are quiet, spoken against your skin rather than for anyone else. you try not to smile, “clearly.”
dean walks past carrying two drinks, immediately looking away. “i see nothing.”
garrett doesn't move. “good.”
“there are families here though.”
you grab the sunscreen bottle, throwing it at him. dean catches it against his chest. “right. noted."
allie takes it from him, handing it back to you. “leave them alone.”
-
the volleyball game begins after lunch.
you're sharing a drink with garrett when a voice calls out from across the beach.
“rematch?”
ethan stands near the net, volleyball tucked beneath one arm. liam, noah and tom are gathered behind him.
you groan, garrett follows your gaze.
“who is that?”
“ethan”
you look at garrett, noticing his eyebrows furrow. “don’t.”
“i didn’t say anything.”
“your face did.”
ethan and the others jog across the sand, greeting the girls first before slowing when they notice the four unfamiliar faces standing amongst them.
ethan looks from dean to logan, then tucker and finally garrett.
“hang on.”
liam looks between the boys before breaking into a grin. “these are the boyfriends.”
dean lifts his brows in confusion. “the boyfriends?”
“we've heard a lot” noah says.
allie smiles innocently.
“have you?” dean asks.
ethan points towards logan first. “logan's the sunscreen one.”
logan simply nods, accepting defeat.
“tucker packed the electrolyte tablets” liam says next.
tucker glances towards sabrina, “and they came in handy! she used them.”
“once” sabrina replies.
“dean...” ethan pauses, trying not to laugh. “is the overprotective one.”
dean looks straight at allie, mouth agape in shock. “what the?!”
"they weren't my words" she responds, immediately turning to point towards you.
you throw both hands up in mock defence. “i was only kidding,”
“you're actually the worst” dean mutters. you only smile back, entirely unrepentant.
ethan's attention eventually settles on garrett. “and that must make you garrett.”
garrett steps forward, offering his hand in greeting. “apparently.”
ethan shakes it. “mate, we've heard about you all week.”
garrett looks across at you. “all good things i hope.”
ethan hesitates, you narrow your eyes, saying his name in warning. “ethan.”
“mostly.”
garrett laughs. “i'll take mostly.”
“she does talk about you like you're the greatest person alive though” liam adds.
heat immediately climbs onto your features. “okay!" you clap your hands once. “volleyball. now.”
garrett looks far too pleased with himself. “greatest person alive hey?”
you shove lightly at his chest. “don't start.”
he raises his hands in defence. “wasn't going to.”
“yes, you were.”
teams are made with very little fairness. somehow, garrett and ethan end up on the same side.
you point between them. “are you two teaming up against me?”
ethan and garrett glance at each other, before answering in unison, as though their response had been rehearsed. “yeah.”
“you’ve literally known each other for five minutes.”
the game becomes chaotic almost immediately.
dean takes every point personally, logan argues over whether the ball touched the line, while tucker says very little, but becomes one of the strongest players.
when it's your turn to serve, you step behind the line, bouncing the ball once. garrett watches from the opposite side of the net.
“you've got this, baby.”
“don't patronise me.”
“i'm being supportive.”
ethan shifts beside him. “just make sure you get it over the net, y/n!”
you look at him, eyes narrowing. “thanks, ethan! that's some insightful advice.”
you toss the ball into the air, unfortunately, your hand connects with it poorly. the ball travels approximately three feet before dropping straight into the sand in front of you.
a beat of silence follows, until ethan folds over laughing, clearly amused. garrett presses his lips together, trying, and failing, not to join him.
you point across the net at your boyfriend. “don't.”
garrett nods solemnly. “that's a good effort.”
“garrett.”
“very controlled.”
ethan straightens, still grinning. “kept it in your half, y/n. well done."
you point between them, biting your lip in an attempt to stop yourself from laughing. “i hate you."
garrett's smile only widens. “who?”
before you can answer, dean wanders over to retrieve the ball. he pauses beside you, tucking it beneath one arm. “ignore those two.”
you glance towards him, “easier said than done.”
dean looks over at garrett and ethan, still talking quietly between themselves with matching smug expressions.
he scoffs, waving a hand dismissively. "nah, fuck 'em.”
you laugh in response, “seriously.”
“serve the ball.”
“that's your advice?”
“yep.”
dean tosses the ball back to you. “and if you accidentally hit garrett in the face…”
he shrugs. "bonus point.”
you snort, shaking your head. “you're unbelievable.”
“i know.”
you bounce the ball once, take a breath and serve again.
this time it sails cleanly over the net.
garrett throws himself forward, managing to get a hand beneath it at the very last second. the ball floats high towards ethan, who dives after it, fingertips outstretched, but it lands in the sand a heartbeat before he can reach it.
dean throws you a grin as he jogs past. “there you go!" he holds his hand up, “nice serve.”
you slap his palm, giving him a high five in celebration.
“see y/n?” dean nods towards garrett. “sometimes you've just gotta tell him to get fucked.”
garrett hears him. “i'm literally right here.”
dean shrugs, a small smirk gracing his features. “and?”
garrett laughs, shaking his head. “fuck you.”
“that's not very captain-like.”
“i'm off duty.”
the game ends without anyone agreeing who won. dean claims you guys did, while ethan declares that dean invented several points.
logan calls it a draw solely to end the argument.
by the time you reach the pool, the late afternoon sun has softened slightly.
waiters move between loungers carrying cocktails and late lunches while groups linger in the water or stretch out beneath umbrellas, the easy rhythm of the afternoon settling over the resort.
the eight of you naturally spread out, towels dropped across the nearest loungers as everyone reaches for water after an hour spent in the heat of the sun.
you have barely sat down when a familiar voice cuts through the conversation.
“there she is!”
oliver is walking towards you, sunglasses pushed into his hair, two drinks balanced in one hand.
your face lights up. “oliver!”
you hug him quickly, careful not to knock either glass from his hand.
“how was the rest of your afternoon yesterday?” he asks.
“really good.”
“better than cocktails with me?”
you gasp, nudging his shoulder playfully. "don't make me answer that!"
oliver laughs before his attention catches elsewhere, gaze drifting over your shoulder. his expression changes almost instantly.
“oh my god.”
you turn, curious as to what he's looking at. garrett is making his way across the pool deck, brushing the last of the sand from his hands after the volleyball game.
oliver blinks once. “i know you said he was handsome, but y/n, he's like a goddamn greek god."
garrett reaches the pair of you just in time, caught slightly off guard by oliver's comment. it's not long however until a small smile graces his features. “well... that's a hell of a way to say hello.”
“i'm serious.”
oliver looks back to you, gesturing at your boyfriend. “the photos, although amazing, definitely don't do him justice."
you laugh quietly.
garrett shakes his head with an embarrassed smile before holding out his hand in greeting. “it's really nice to meet you properly, oliver.”
oliver ignores garrett's hand completely, pulling him into a hug instead. garrett laughs, hugging him back without hesitation.
oliver steps away, “so much better than facetime.”
before you can respond dean approaches with allie beside him. “woah. hold on, you're the vacation co-parent, are you not!?”
oliver turns, responding with enthusiasm. “yes i am!”
dean holds out his hand. “it's so good to meet you, man.”
allie closes her eyes, “please don’t become friends, oliver is for us girls only.”
“too late” dean says, a warm smile planted across his features.
oliver stays long enough to properly meet the boys, though it quickly becomes apparent he knows most of them well through the stories you girls have spent the last two weeks telling.
he leaves once theo texts to say he is waiting in the lobby. before going, he hugs you again, then garrett.
“tell theo we said hi!" you call after him.
“i’ll tell him the famous boyfriends finally arrived.”
dean turns towards allie. “famous?”
“don’t let it go to your head.”
“already has.”
-
by late afternoon, everyone reluctantly agrees they need to get ready for dinner. the girls gather towels, books and abandoned drinks while the boys help carry everything back towards the rooms.
garrett stops outside your door, passing you your bag. “dinner in an hour?”
“that’s what allie said.”
he nods but doesn't move. you tap the key card against the reader. a soft click echoes through the hallway as the light flashes green. “are you planning to stand there while i shower?”
“no.”
“good.”
“was considering coming in.”
you glance at him. “absolutely not. it's still a girls trip.”
garrett opens his mouth to argue before you point a finger at him. “i need my girls getting-ready time.”
the corner of his mouth lifts. “fair enough.”
you laugh, pushing the door open. before you can step inside, garrett catches your waist, gently pulling you back towards him.
his mouth finds yours.
the kiss is unhurried at first, soft enough to make you smile against it before it deepens. your hands slide into his hair as your back comes to rest against the door.
his hand lifts to your neck, thumb brushing lightly beneath your jaw. when you finally pull away, he follows for one more quick kiss.
“you need to go.”
“yeah.”
neither of you moves.
“garrett.”
“i know.”
“you're still here.”
“just making sure.”
he steals one last kiss before finally taking a step back. you laugh, shaking your head. “one hour, graham. you can do it."
“wear the blue dress.”
you blink. “why?”
“because i like it.”
“you've seen it once.”
“yeah.”
“three months ago.”
“still like it.”
your expression softens before you can stop it, warmth creeping into your cheeks. “go shower.”
he lifts both hands in surrender, already walking backwards down the hallway. “i'm going!"
“goodbye!”
“see you in an hour.”
you wait until he disappears around the corner before stepping inside, closing the door behind you.
an hour later, there's a knock at the door.
you are fastening one of your earrings when you open it. garrett is leaning against the wall opposite your room, hands in the pockets of his trousers.
he's wearing the white linen shirt you've always liked on him, the sleeves pushed up to his forearms. his hair is still slightly damp, curling just enough as it falls over his forehead.
you pause in the doorway, he looks up. his eyes move over the blue dress, then back to your face.
“hi.”
you smile. “hi.”
garrett straightens, crossing the narrow hallway. “you look fucking beautiful."
“thank you.”
his hand settles at your waist, fingertips pressing lightly into the fabric. you look past him, trying to look for any sign of the other boys. “how long have you been standing out here for?”
“not long.”
“how long?”
“five minutes.”
“why didn’t you knock?”
“you said an hour.”
“it has been an hour.”
“exactly.”
you stare at him. “that makes no sense.”
“the others are already downstairs but i didn't want to rush you."
you can't help but smile. shaking your head, you slip your hand into his. together, the two of you make your way downstairs to meet everyone else.
allie is standing between dean’s knees while he sits on the arm of a chair, grace is fixing logan’s collar, while sabrina is removing a portable charger from tucker’s pocket.
“we’re going to dinner,” she tells him.
“phones die at dinner.”
“then it dies.”
“what if we need one?”
“there are eight of us.”
dean sees you and whistles, garrett looks at him.
“what? i was being nice.”
allie looks towards you. “you look gorgeous, y/n!"
dean gestures at her. “see? same thing.”
“she used words.”
“the whistle was more efficient, g.”
-
dinner is held at a restaurant overlooking the ocean.
the eight of you sit around a long table near the open edge of the terrace, candles flickering between glasses while the last of the sunset fades beyond the railing.
the first round of welcome drinks arrive before anyone has properly opened the menus. allie orders something bright pink that nobody can identify from the description alone, dean and logan settle on beers, while grace orders a margarita, pointing a finger in warning at logan.
“don't say a word about the salt.”
“i wasn't going to.”
“i know you were thinking it.”
after spending far too long comparing descriptions, tucker and sabrina eventually order the same cocktail.
garrett glances across at you. “what are you getting?”
“the house cocktail.”
“what's in it?”
“couldn't tell you.”
“that's reassuring.”
“live a little, graham.”
he closes the menu. “i'll have the same.”
you look at him. “garrett."
“what?”
“you're going to hate it.”
he teasingly throws your words back at you. "live a litte, baby."
laughing you shake your head in disbelief. "you don't like cocktails, you've said so yourself."
“i might surprise us both then. i could like it."
“i really don't think you will.”
when the drinks arrive, garrett eyes the bright orange cocktail with immediate suspicion.
“looks promising" dean says, clearly enjoying himself.
“doesn't it?” garrett raises his cocktail towards him in a mock cheers before taking a sip. his expression changes almost instantly. you don't even wait, your hand appearing beside his glass.
“give it here.”
“it's fine.”
“garrett.”
without another word, he slides the cocktail to you, reaching for your water instead.
across from you, dean watches the exchange over the rim of his beer. the corners of his mouth twitch, however he takes another sip instead, deciding, for once, to keep whatever comment he had to himself.
allie raises her glass, eyes moving around everyone at the table. “to the boys finally giving in!”
logan frowns. “giving in to what?”
“being incapable of surviving without us.”
“we survived.”
grace looks at him. “you called me because i didn’t answer one text, logan.”
“you were doing dangerous things.”
“i was eating breakfast.”
“after doing dangerous things" he clarifies, as though his fifteen calls could be justified.
tucker lifts his glass. “to nobody getting injured for the rest of the trip.”
you laugh at tucker's words, sending him a small nod in acknowledgement.
dean raises his beer, “and to me for organising this.”
allie looks at him. “dean stop taking all of the credit.”
conversation moves quickly once the food arrives. everyone talks over one another, filling in stories the boys only heard pieces of through calls and videos.
dean picks up exactly where he'd left off, still insisting the volleyball score had been different. allie calls him a liar before he finishes the sentence.
beside you, garrett's commentary on your serve is repeated back to him with more dramatic additions every time someone tells it.
“it did not go backwards” you say.
garrett looks at you. “nobody said it went backwards.”
dean frowns. “did it go backwards?”
“no.”
“almost” garrett says.
you kick his leg beneath the table. he laughs, catching your hand when you try to do it again.
-
sometime later, the lights dim. the music shifts from something soft in the background to something louder, brighter. staff begin moving a handful of tables away from the centre of the restaurant.
allie looks up. “is that becoming a dance floor?”
dean follows her gaze. “looks like it.”
his eyes drift across the table until they settle on you. you're absentmindedly tracing the rim of your glass, shoulders already moving slightly with the beat of the music.
a slow smile spreads across his features. standing up, he pushes his chair back. allie laughs, clearly already aware of his intentions.
dean makes his way around the table to you.
you shake your head, watching as he beelines for you. he simply holds out a hand in front of you, “come on, y/n.”
“dean.”
“up.”
you stay firmly planted in your chair. “i'm very comfortable here.”
“not for long.”
he takes your hands before you can pull them away. dean laughs, with one gentle tug, you're on your feet. you immediately look to garrett sitting next to you, mouthing a quick
save me.
garrett meets your eyes. completely unhelpfully, he smiles, giving you an apologetic little shrug.
"you're on your own, y/n."
the table erupts immediately. logan whistles loudly enough that several nearby tables turn to look, allie claps her hands together excitedly
“yes!”
dean starts leading you towards the dance floor. “i'm being publicly humiliated.”
“you're being dramatic.”
“look!”
you gesture vaguely around the restaurant. “people are watching.”
“good.”
“dean.”
“they'll enjoy it.”
sure enough, a few people nearby smile as you pass. you attempt to hide your face behind your free hand. “this is all your fault.”
“correct.”
by the time you reach the centre of the dance floor, every one of your friends are clapping and cheering. “why are they all encouraging this?” you ask.
“because” dean says simply, “they know you secretly love it.”
turning to face you, he keeps hold of both your hands. he lifts one arm, and your eyes widen in anticipation.
“don’t you dare spin me.”
he spins you, and despite every intention not to, laughter escapes you. your heel catches briefly against the floor, but dean's hand is already at your waist, steadying you before you have the chance to stumble.
“see? you're fine.”
“you nearly dropped me.”
“but i didn’t.”
he keeps moving, far more committed than skilled, dragging you through unnecessary, dramatic turns while everyone at the table laughs.
allie claps in time with the music, logan whistles, sabrina raises her phone for a few seconds, dean attempts another spin.
“absolutely not, di laurentis."
“you’re ruining my choreography, y/n.”
“there is no choreography.”
you push at his shoulder, laughing. for a moment, the teasing softens. dean glances towards the table.
“having a good night?”
“yeah.”
“good.”
you follow his gaze. garrett is watching you, one arm resting along the back of your chair, quiet amusement gracing his features whenever dean does something particularly ridiculous.
his eyes meet yours, and he smiles.
dean notices. “he certainly looks less miserable.”
you glance at him. “he wasn’t miserable.”
dean gives you a look. "you didn't have to deal with him for two weeks straight. thanks for that, by the way."
you laugh in response. "you're most welcome."
dean squeezes your hand once before spinning you a final time. he guides you back towards the table, placing your hand in garrett’s.
“your turn.”
garrett stands. “she still standing?”
“barely” you say.
dean looks offended. “i was excellent.”
allie catches his wrist, a grin gracing her features. “come prove it then!”
“thought you weren’t dancing.”
“i've changed my mind.” she pulls him away before he can argue.
garrett leads you back towards the floor as the music changes into something slower. his hand settles at your waist, you rest yours against his shoulder.
“did you arrange that?”
“the song?”
“very convenient timing.”
“maybe cabo just likes me.”
“well...you did travel far.”
“exactly.”
you sway together, neither of you moving particularly well. garrett’s hand shifts slowly across your back as you glance briefly towards dean and allie. he's trying to dip her while she repeatedly tells him not to.
“he’s going to drop her.”
“probably.”
allie, whose laughing hysterically, shoves at dean’s chest, straightening herself.
the noise of the restaurant softens around you, not disappearing, only becoming less important.
you rest your head against garrett's shoulder. beneath your cheek, you feel him finally relax.
there's no need for another conversation about the flight or the time apart. everything he wants to say is already here.
in the way his hand never leaves your waist. in the familiar weight of his cheek resting briefly against your hair, like he's reassuring himself you're really here.
when the song ends, neither of you move immediately.
the others begin gathering near the table, allie still laughing while dean argues that he did not almost drop her.
garrett looks down at you. “ready to go back?”
you glance towards the others. dean has allie’s heels in one hand, logan is helping grace find her bag, tucker is making sure nobody has left a phone behind while sabrina waits beside him.
the core eight together again.
“yeah” you say, sending him a warm smile.
garrett threads his fingers through yours. when everyone heads out towards the beach, still laughing over dean’s dancing, he falls into step beside you.
his hand remains loosely linked with yours. familiar, easy, exactly where it should be.
✩.* taglist; @05gwyn | @alwaysclassyeagle | @casiiopea2 | @nexisphere | @imstressed17 | @legendarychrattgirl | @ethanthequeefqueen | @wiishies | @legendarychrattgirl | @tabisswag | @corvusmorte | @mariiibash| @stevesxwhore | @choppedpartymuffinwinner| @flannelshirts-and-fingerguns | @leilareads58 | @nikfigueiredo | @archxve | @s0ftdr1nks | @persasseajackson | @avengersheart | @brxght-world | @plants-w0rld | @hamilronweasley | @dyslexicepicfan | @livformadrid | @cosmosnkaz | @behindthescreenobsessed | @mothericraveviolence57 | @purplerainx1 | @dancerbailey3 | @kingshitonly | @melodypvnk | @mothericraveviolence57 | @danis-angels | @chronically-jess | @brekkershadowsinger | @run-for-the-hills | @rrosiitas | @nishiisdownbad | @angelnameddani | @simp4f1 | @ilocuras24 | @mattssweetheart | @scorpiodiosa
from bad to worse
word count: 2,766 ship: Garrett Graham x reader rating: PG-13 summary: You and Garrett rarely get into real arguments. Little disagreements every now and then, sure, you’re both human. But legit fights? Not really. So when you do? It’s fucking awful. notes: a masterlist? in this economy? shocked. notes2: gifs are from this gifpack :)
It’s not often you’re working during an event at Malone’s, but it does happen every so often. You know why you get put on the shifts, because Della trusts you. Because you’re someone that doesn’t just come in and do their job, but is thoughtful to what people might need, is conscious of cleaning up tables and getting refills and pitching in for whatever’s necessary, even if it’s not technically in your job description. Which is kinda what’s happening tonight—you’re moving all over the diner and bar, grabbing refills, taking orders, seeing what needs done and not waiting for someone to ask you for help, you’re just doing it.