Partners In Crime

Maili (beautyandthebowtie)- I'm 23, I obviously love 1D and I love writing and reading. I love the color red, giving unique manicures to myself and others, and I published a novel at age 18. I have a very unhealthy obsession Zayn (who doesn't?) and my lips are often compared to his. ;) Ivy (inkstyles)- I'm 21 years old, and I'm a lover of writing and the printed word. I love nutella, cuddling, and sweaters. There is a special piece of my heart devoted to Louis William Tomlinson. xx

[inkstyles]

"Not Today" - Kay's Birthday Special 2k16

Broke down, thought that I would drown Hope that I’d be found, ‘fore I hit the ground Some days out the corner of my eye, hey – On the first day of summer, the lightning bugs were out in full force, the breeze was light and smelled like lilacs, and you were sitting in your room, listening to the world outside your window. With a year’s worth of school assignments behind you, you wished that meant the stress was lifted and you could be carefree like the kids in all the movies and pop songs. But tomorrow was another day, and there were applications to be filled out, errands to run, and a future to worry about. Your friends had even invited you out to a bonfire to celebrate everyone’s return to town from their far-spread universities, but reluctantly, you declined their invitation, telling yourself you had to be up bright and early in order to get to work. – Don’t come for me today I’m feeling good, let me savor it Don’t come for me today I’m feeling good and I remember when – No sooner had you turned off the light and slid into bed, there was a frantic tapping at your window. It terrified you at first, until you heard the muffled voice on the other side of the pane. “Y/N, let me in!”

You turned on your small bedside lamp and your suspicions were confirmed. Your neighbor Harry was on the roof outside your window, ready to climb in the way he used to when he was younger. It’d been years since he’d scaled his drainpipe and jumped over to your roof this way. You threw open the window before he fell to his death- Harry had only gotten clumsier with age.

“What in the world are you doing, you maniac!” You scolded him.

“Well I tried to call you, but you turned your phone off, you weirdo!” He replied, rolling in the window and onto your rug. “I’m here to take you to the bonfire.” – You came to take me away So close I was to heaven’s gates But, no, baby, no, baby, not today Oh, you tried to track me down You followed me like the darkest cloud But, no, baby, no, baby, not today (reaper) Oh, reaper (reaper) Oh, no, baby, no, baby, not today (reaper) Oh, reaper (reaper) Oh, no, baby, no, baby, not today – “Harry, I’ve got so much to do tomorrow. I’ve got to start my career planning or else I’ll never get an internship next year and then I’ll be living in a cardboard box-”

Harry stood up and put his hand on top of your head, ruffling your hair. “Love, you’re not going to live in a box. You’re so smart. People will be throwing jobs at you when you graduate. You can afford one night of fun.”

You looked at your feet, slightly embarrassed. “Yeah, but what if I’m nothing special? People don’t know me like you do. I’ve got to do something to stand out before I run out of time.”

“Now, you know you’re talented. You never cease to remind me yourself. What’s this really about?”

You sat down on the edge of your bed and Harry followed suit, looking at you with concern. You sighed, not typically being one to share your emotions. “We’re basically adults and it’s terrifying. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing so I figure the sooner I start, the longer I have to mess up and start over. I don’t know how to be everything I want to be yet and I’m scared it’ll be too late if I wait to figure it out.”

Harry set his hand on top of yours, which was a bit of a surprise. “I’ve got two pieces of news for you. One is that none of us know what we’re doing, adulthood is a lie, and you’ve got your whole life to figure it out. And two…” He hesitated, “…is that I’ve never wanted to kiss you more than I do right now you amazing, clever girl.”

He didn’t have to tell you twice. You thought after high school, the distance would help you get over the feelings you’d developed for Harry over the years. That sweet neighbor boy of yours had grown into a charming man, and it wasn’t like you could avoid noticing it. Maybe you were both just pretending to be grown up, and you certainly didn’t know what the future held for either of you, but in the span of five minutes, you knew for sure that you were going to lean in for that lingering first kiss, and you were going to let him take you to that bonfire. You’d improvise from there to forever. – So come back when I’m good and old I got drinks to drink, and men to hold I got good things to do with my life, yeah Oh, I wanna dance in the open breeze Feel the wind in my hair, hear the ocean sing I got good things to feel in my life, yeah •

Have the happiest birthday Kay, my shining star, my shiksa goddess, my clever girl.

-Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

Valentine Special 3.0- "Head vs. Heart"- Harry Styles

Mini Playlist:

Fallin’ For You-Colbie Callait

Beside You- Marianas Trench

Skinny Love- Birdy

Don’t Let Me Go- Harry Styles

           “That’s crazy!” Harry rolls over onto his stomach on your rug. You’re sitting on your bed above him, snacking on Reese’s Cups and putting together a new playlist. Your room was dim, lit only by the twinkly Christmas lights strung up on your walls and the lights from outside, just after sunset. You and your best friend Harry had elected for a night in on Valentine’s, as neither of you had a date and it was cold as the arctic outside.

           “Look, if it’s only going to end badly, and you know that from the start, why bother?” You say nonchalantly. You weren’t particularly passionate about your side of the argument, at least not outwardly, and besides, you didn’t like getting mad at Harry.

After an especially sarcastic remark from you about being forever alone, Harry insisted you could have gotten a date- the problem is, you hadn’t wanted one. “Yeah, right,” you mumbled, giggling. Harry looked at you with silly heart eyes and recited “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”

           “You don’t really believe that, do you?” you’d asked him, chuckling. He immediately fell serious.

           “Of course I do.”

           So your discussion had led the two of you here. You picking songs to play for the rest of the night, and he insisting love is real and worth it.

           You, on the other hand, are trying to end the discussion, even if it means agreeing to disagree. “Feelings are messy, people only get hurt. Unless you’re 100% it’s right, I wouldn’t even try it.” You wring your hands together, hoping he doesn’t catch on. Oh yes. You’re talking about him.

           There is nothing more important to you than Harry being your best friend. Which is why you were never planning to tell him you’d developed romantic feelings for him, and just wait until the feelings went away, or he found someone else so you could move on. As much as Harry was preaching love right now, he kept his heart pretty guarded. He hadn’t been in a long, serious relationship in years.

           Harry climbed up on your bed to sit beside you. He gently removed your laptop from your hands, looking at you very seriously. This argument meant a lot to him, more than you’d thought at the beginning. “If it’ll make you happy for any length of time, I think love is worth it.” He takes your hands in his, and you try to hide the blush filling your cheeks. As close as you were, you didn’t touch much other than hugs upon greetings and goodbyes. But he was holding your hands so tenderly, you thought your heart might collapse.

           He licked his lips before he spoke again. He said your name, the sound trailing off. You stared at him intently, and squeezed his hands so he’d look at you. It was scary seeing him go from silly to serious this fast. You’re afraid there’s something wrong.

           “I know you’re afraid to be hurt. Which is why I think you should be with someone who knows you too well to ever hurt you.” He paused. “…Me.”

           It was happening so fast and so slowly at once. The words you’d built a wall around spilled out all at once, and you couldn’t do a thing to stop them. “I trust you more than anyone, Harry, and I ‘ve already fallen for you. I just can’t afford to lose you.”

           He trailed his fingertips gently down the side of your face. “Forever is a promise no one can make you, but what I can promise you is that I love you more than anyone I’ve ever known.”

           Your mind was telling you to pull away. Your better judgment knew that this was too big a risk, too much at stake. Your conscience was wracked with fear of where this would lead you if it didn’t turn out. But in spite of it all, you leaned forward, taking his face in your own hands, and kissed him, sealing the deal. The fear simmered down as you deepend the kisses, one after another, his tongue slipping in your mouth and his hands squeezing your waist. The fear shrank with every motion, and by the time he was pushing you back against your pillows and lying down on top of you, you’d forgotten everything other than your feelings for him.

           Three years later, when he was down on one knee with a ring, after you said yes and he slid the ring onto your finger, the next thing you said was, “You were wrong.”

           “What do you mean?” he asked, his brows furrowing as he stood up.

           “You said you couldn’t promise me forever. But you just did. And I believe you.”

           His face softened, his love for you written in all his features. He kissed you and held you tight. “I suppose you’re right.”

This one is especially for the amazing Kay, but I hope you all liked it! Writing serious Harry was really fun for me, and I hope I did this one a lot of justice. I love you so much, Kay, Happy Valentines Day!

- Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

Valentine Special 3.0- "Exchange"- Luke Hemmings

Mini Playlist:

She Is Love- Parachute

Into Your Arms- TheMaine

Perfect- Hedley

All of the Stars- Ed Sheeran

You wanted your first Valentine’s Day with Luke to be memorable. That’s why you agonized for weeks about what to get him. It had to be perfect. Something sentimental, but also something he’d use and like.

The image of him sitting there with the book-sized box wrapped in brown and pink paper in his lap was something you’d remember for years to come. He looked down at it, so you could only see the top of that spiky head of hair, and his massive hands made the box look extra tiny and delicate, even though it wasn’t that small to begin with. He looked up at you, his smile basically taking up his whole face. “Should I open it now?” he asked.

“Of course,” you said, sitting down next to him on the couch, your hands on his shoulders and you chin tucked over the bend of his neck. You pressed kisses under his ear while as he started to tear the pretty paper. “Hey now, I can’t focus if you do that!” he teased, turning to catch your lips with his. You squeezed his shoulders and let him open his gift.

He pulled the box out of the paper and opened it up, and his mouth dropped open. That’s when you knew you’d done a good job. He held up the necklace you’d gotten him so he could see it better. It had a long, thin silver chain, so it would hang the length that he liked to wear them. The pendant was simple, a round, flat medallion, the same color as the chain, with his initials on one side and yours on the other.

“You can wear this when you’re onstage of when you’re away or just always if you want, but the point is, I’m always right there, right near your heart,” you explained. Luke put the necklace on immediately. He was beaming. He kissed you, many times in a row, holding you face to his.

“I love it. This is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever gotten,” he told you when he pulled back. “I just hope mine can live up to it. Would you like me to give it to you right now?” You nodded energetically.

“Ok, hold on. I have to get some things together first. Wait right here, but close your eyes,” he instructed, getting up and kissing you again while your eyes were shut. You heard him leave the room and return a few moments later, with a little more ruckus than when he left.

“Alright, open your eyes,” he finally said. He was sitting directly opposite you in a chair from the dining room with his acoustic guitar.

“I recorded this for you, but I want you to hear it in person, at least for your very first listen,” he said. He looked between you and his hands a few times, obviously nervous, but in an excited, jittery way. He bit his lip as he started strumming.

The chords were warm sounding, but happy. He went through the progression a few times before the lyrics started, his eyes closed for most of it. He opened his eyes when the lyrics began, his mouth wide to accommodate the high notes he started on, since he knew those were your favorite. The chorus, which had your name in it, started lower and got progressively higher. You could tell he’d worked really hard on the melody, sculpting it to fit only his voice, so that this was something special that could only be from him to you. He sang about the place you met and how he fell for you that same day. How he’d never change anything about you, and how you were the only person for him. His lyrics were so raw and real that by the time he stopped singing, your eyes were cloudy with tears.

He paused when he ended, looking at his hands, and then up at you. You were smiling, of course, crying tears of happiness, and he shared your sad smile. “I love you so much,” he said, standing up and laying his guitar down. He moved next to you so he could hold you, you burying your head in his chest. He kissed your forehead as you collected yourself.

“I love you too,” you replied, holding tight to his waist and pulling him into a well-deserved string of kisses destined to turn into a full night of passion.

I know we haven’t done much in the 5sos realm yet, but when I asked my love Hollie who she’d like for her valentine, I was stoked to write Luke for her. You all know he’d do this kind of thing. Don’t forget to listen to the playlist with this one! I think it fits really well. Happy valentine’s day, Holls! Love you!

- Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

Valentine Special 3.0- "Noted"- Zayn Malik

Mini Playlist:

Tenerife Sea- EdSheeran

First Day of My Life-Bright Eyes

Just the Way You Are- Bruno Mars

           Writing came easier to you than anything. You pen would glide across the page, your mind finding the words that your mouth couldn’t if it had tried. It was the outlet for your emotional expression, your safe place, because nobody had to see it but you. That’s why you failed to notice what a dangerous game you were playing.

           Your friends had invited a few people over to hang out, eat dinner, and play games. There were bodies strewn across several couches and chairs, some people lying on their stomachs on the floor, playing cards. Someone had turned on soft music for background noise. You were curled on one end of a couch, notebook in your lap, writing almost absentmindedly. You were lost in your thoughts, not in the page.

           You didn’t even have to glance up to describe Zayn. You spent so much time looking at him, you had his every feature memorized, down to the way he smelled when you hugged him and the way he sometimes caught his tongue between his teeth when he smiled. But what you knew best of all was the way your heart raced when he was around, the way you felt breathless when he spoke to you, her nervous you’d been when you slipped your number into his phone after the suggestion of the plans for this get-together.

           In the particular passage you were working on, you’d fallen into a daydream about kissing him. Those lips, so full and red, were too delicious to resist. They begged to be bitten. You imagined your breath syncing up with his, melting into his kisses, losing yourself in his lips.

           “What’s that?” You jumped what felt like five feet into the air when you heard his voice in your ear. Zayn, standing behind the couch, leaned over your shoulder, face right next to yours. You slammed your notebook shut, the sound attracting the attention of everyone in the room, who turned to see you blushing before returning to their games. You looked at Zayn, sputtering.

           He backed off. “I’m so sorry. I just walked by and happened to see my name on the page, so I stopped to look. I didn’t realize it was private.” He rubbed the side of his head, mussing his hair, and bit his lip. This was detrimental, as him looking THAT attractive was definitely NOT helping you collect yourself.

           “I’m… I just…” you searched for words, at a loss for the flow you’d been writing with only moments ago. You got up from the couch and brushed straight past him and into your bedroom, mortified. Him catching sight of his name coupled with the fact that you couldn’t even face him right now made it painfully obvious that you were in love with him, but there was nothing else you could do. You threw the notebook under your bed and curled up into a ball.

***

           There were three light knock on your bedroom door. Curling iron in hand, you didn’t turn around from your mirror before calling “Come in!” You were getting dressed up to go out to a movie with your roommates, to celebrate Valentine’s Day. You wore a sweet, sky blue dress and tights, and you’d played with your makeup to match. Since you were obviously dressed and decent, you’d been totally ready to let one of your roommates in.

           But it was Zayn who stepped tentatively into your room. He kept one hand on the doorknob and stepped only one foot inside until you noticed it was him. You put down the curling iron. “Oh, Zayn. Hi,” you stammered. You hadn’t spoken to him since the incident a few days ago, and had yet to figure out a plan to explain your behavior. You drew a blank.

           “Your roommate let me in. Is that alright?” he sounded more nervous than you’d ever heard him. That’s when you noticed the sketchbook in his hand. You nodded, lips pressed together. “I have something to show you,” he explained, sitting down on your bed. He was wearing black jeans and a short sleeve button up with cuffed sleeves. The contrast of the sweet shirt with the tattoos down his arms was irresistible, and you wondered if he’d thought of that when he put it on. It was just like him, the “bad boy” that was really a good boy with a great heart.

           You sat down next to him, and he sighed, opening the sketchbook. Your hands floated up to cover your mouth. On neighboring pages, there were sketches of your face from different angles. A profile next to a straight on pose. He turned the page, and there was a picture of you holding a kitten, and a picture of you walking in the park. These ones had colors, smatterings of watercolor paints only in certain parts of the pictures, the colors marbled together like a cake. He flipped through the book, and there were some drawings that weren’t of you, but the majority of them were.

           “How long have you been doing these?” you asked, touching his shoulder.

           “Since just after we met,” he admitted. “I love to sketch you. And I felt so bad that I invaded your space the other night, but I knew I had to show you these now.”

           A few moments of silence hung between you, but when he broke into a shy smile, you couldn’t help but mirror him. “I hope I did you justice.”

           “Zayn, these are gorgeous.”

           He bowed his head, trying to hide the satisfied smile on his face. He chuckled. Slowly, in calculated movements, he lifted his head slowly to yours and kissed you lightly on the lips. Your heart fluttered.

           When he pulled back, he took your hand. “I’ve asked if the ladies would let me take you out to dinner tonight instead of your movie plans. If you’d like that, I mean.”

           You stood up, still holding his hand, and Zayn followed. “I’d love to,” you said, and he pulled you into a tight hug, both of you giggling.

           Sometimes, life arranges itself so perfectly, you couldn’t have written it better yourself.

For my dear love, the wonderful lady you all know, Maili! I hope you loved it. (I secretly tried to make it transferrable from Zayn to a certain Wes you know…) Happy valentine’s day! I love you!

We tried something different this year, and instead of writing our own Valentine Specials, we traded and wrote them for each other. Look out for at least two more posted tonight, and possibly a lot more soon!

Also i’m including mini playlists with all my valentine specials this year. Listen while you read, if you’d like. I tried to pick songs that fit the mood and content of the stories as much as I could. :)

It’s lovely to be back, and hearing from you guys would be an extra treat. How have you been? What do you think of the new valentine specials? What would you like to see us write soon?

- Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

Hello!

Exciting news! Inkyblackbowtie will be back tonight with some annual Valentine Specials! Get excited! We've missed you!

[inkyblackbowtie]

Autumn Leaves- Niall Oneshot

Leaves crunched under Niall's feet as he turned to face you. You stopped in your tracks as he took your hands. "Niall?" you asked, giggling, but he was looking down at the ground. You heard him take a sharp inhale, and then he snapped his head up. All your worries were extinguished when you saw the huge smile on his face.

"I love you so much," he started. He'd said it so many times, but something about this time was different. "I love you too," you answered, happy but confused. His hands were shaking.

"I was going to do this later tonight, but I can't wait." You raised an eyebrow for a split second, but what he did next had your eyes filling with tears. He reached into the pocket of the puffy vest he was wearing over a dark orange. long sleeve t-shirt. His other hand stayed wrapped around yours. Not taking his eyes off yours, he knelt down on one knee, there in the middle of the park path that was covered in fallen leaves.

You stifled your happy sobs as he spoke, still smiling brilliantly. "I don't know if you know this, but we met on this very day, three years ago. The leaves had just changed color. I thought this was the right day to ask you to spend the rest of your life with me." You nodded, unable to speak under the weight of your joy.

"Y/N, would you marry me?" He asked, opening the box he pulled from his pocket, revealing the vintage ring he'd later tell you he scouted for months for. He had a tear in the corner of each eye, but his smile did not falter.

You took a big breath, collecting yourself, but not hesitating for a moment. "Yes! Yes of course-" As soon as the words left your lips, he jumped up and wrapped his arms around you. You hugged him tightly, laughing and crying at the same time. He pulled you into a kiss, ring box still tightly in hand. A few passersby applauded, to which you both turned to give wide smiles in thanks when you parted. 

He slid the ring onto your finger, and of course, it was a perfect fit. The detail in the band included tiny moldings of leaves, to forever remind you of this day and the season that so well encompassed your love. He put one arm around your shoulders as you walked on. You wiped your eyes delicately, and he nuzzled the side of your head with his nose. "How about we find somewhere that you can call your family and friends and tell them the good news, and then we'll go anywhere you want and celebrate?" You wrapped your arms around his waist. "Perfect," you replied.

I made it name neutral for all, but this oneshot is in honor of my love Hollie's birthday today! We love you so much, you are so special and amazing. Niall thinks so too. Wishing you all the best and an even better year! 

- Ivy and Maili <3

[inkyblackbowtie]

O Captain, My Captain -Niall Oneshot

When he told you to wear your swimsuit under your outfit for your date, you assumed Niall was taking you to the beach. You had your towel, sunscreen, and a good book ready to lay out on the sand with Niall next to you. You expected to go splash around in hip deep waves with him, and then dry off before heading back to the hotel. That's what you had in mind.

Instead, you were looking at Niall sitting at the wheel of a midsize speedboat as you skimmed across the tropical bay. His eyes were shielded by black Ray Bans, and he wore red swim shorts and a plain white t-shirt. He leaned back in his seat, a natural behind the wheel. How he got his boating liscence while he was on tour, you had no idea, but he had managed to get himself one so he could surprise you. And he had.

He tipped down his sunglasses, his eyes remarkably matching the exact color of the sea that day.  "Climb up front, we're stopping soon," he nudged you with a smile. You obliged, shrugging your dress off over your head to reveal your new aqua bikini. Holding onto a rail, you slid up to the front of the boat, where there was a built in sitting area for cruising and sunbathing. You laid down on your back on one side, trusting Niall completely.

In minutes, you heard the motor go silent, and the only movement was the slight horizontal rocking from the gentle waves. You sat up to see Niall had come to a stop in a beautiful rounded cove, where the shore was covered in sand and trees beyond the rocks. "This is gorgeous, NIall!" you said, touching his chest as he sat down beside you. He brought fruit smoothies and an assortment of snacks in a big basket. "I looked it up a while back, when I was trying to find the best place to bring you today. This is definitely it." You pulled him forward by the shirt for a kiss, which he eagerly accepted. 

You just floated for a while, soaking in the sun. That is, until Niall popped up on his knees next to you and asked, "Shall we jump in, then?" You laughed, charmed as ever by his childlike enthusiasm. 

"Sure, just let me take off my sungl- Niall, be careful!" In the midst of your response, Niall had scrambled to the edge of the boat, dropped his sunglasses on the cushion, and jumped straight over the side into the sparkling water. You followed, looking over the side where he'd jumped. He had already surfaced and was looking up at you, waving and laughing hysterically before swimming over to the ladder on the back of the boat.

He climbed up, dripping, his white t-shirt clinging tightly to every curve of his abs and arms. It was somehow almost better than seeing him shirtless, not that you didn't enjoy seeing his skin as well. For this moment, this was the Niall you loved, spontaneous and carefree and with a smile that said everything about how much he loved to see you happy. 

"It's not a vacation without a wet t-shirt, I think," he joked, pulling you into a soaking hug. You didn't mind, knowing you would have jumped in and gotten wet eventually anyway. Drops of water trailed off his nose and fell on your cheek. Then, he took your face in his hands and kissed you, his lips slick and salty. He tasted like the ocean.

He pulled his shirt off from the back of his neck, the wet fabric unsticking from his muscles with and faintly audible popping sound. More droplets of water slid down his shoulder blades, which you couldn't fight the urge to get your hands on. You pressed your fingers into his upper back and kissed him again, his hands falling to your bare hips.

When you finally broke apart again, he took you by the hand to the back right of the boat, near the ladder. "Coming with me this time?" he teased. "Well, I didn't really get a chance to the first time, did I?" you replied, earning a smirk. 

"Alright, on my count, jump straight down in," he said. You nodded, bracing yourself for the chill and the splash. "One, two, three!" he shouted, and you both hurdled over the side. His hand never let go of yours, not even when you hit the water.

So, here we are, late September, and I'm now 4/5 of the way done with Summer Series 2.0. I have no excuse except that college happens. Nonetheless, I hope this was a bit of a throwback to the summer vibe, and that you enjoyed it despite the oncoming Halloween season (Are you pumped? Because I am). There's only one left before SS 2.0 is complete. Of course, I left my Louis for last. Any guesses on what will happen?

Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

Patience- Zayn Oneshot

The sky was a blurred tapestry of pink and orange above the ocean, mixing into a dark midnight blue higher in the sky. Zayn was silhouetted against it, his dark, messy fringe framing his perfect profile. You took in a deep breath of salty air, watching him watching the marshmallows he was roasting for the two of you, his brow creased slightly.

You reached up to rub a small circle on his back. "Are they done yet?" you asked. A few of your friends had already eaten theirs, but Zayn hadn't been satisfied with his roasting job yet.

He laughed. "Babe, I know what I'm doing. They need some more time." He pecked your lips with his before looking back to your marshmallows. You rolled your eyes, but you wrapped both your arms around one of his and rested your cheek on the side of his shoulder. 

The blue was overtaking the sky when Zayn finally pulled them in, inspecting the brown glaze that had formed on their surface. "Alright, hungry?" he asked. You nodded wildly.

You got up and skipped through the sand over to the table where the s'mores materials were laid out. You grabbed a plate, lined up four graham crackers, and cracked a chocolate bar in half for the two of you to share. "Here we go," Zayn said, as he carefully slid one marshmallow off the stick using the graham crackers, then the other.

After returning to your spots around the fire, you sat close together and finally dug in. You took the first bite, inevitably crushing marshmallow out the back of your s'more and onto your fingers. You tried licking it off, but all that did was get marshmallow goo stuck to your lips. Zayn watched you as he took a bite, chuckling. "Having some trouble there, love?"

You rubbed the heel of your hand on your cheek and lips. "Let's see you eat that without getting any on your face," you teased. 

He raised his eyebrows, and took one bite, then another. Not a trace of marshmallow on his hands or face. Your mouth must have been hanging open, because he giggled and explained, "You're trying to eat it too fast, babe." You put the last bite of your s'more into your mouth and fake pouted.

"How are you so perfect?" 

"I'm not," he replied simply. He stared at you for a moment until his calm face again broke into a smile. He was ready to change the subject. "You've got a bit of chocolate," he whispered, leaning forwards to kiss it off your lip. You pulled him in, holding him there for a few more stolen kisses.

He pulled back, admiring you again. "What? Is there anything else on my face?" you asked. 

"No, I just like to look at you," he said. He chuckled and shook his head, perhaps thinking his own line cheesy when you thought it was adorable. Then, Zayn stood up quickly. "You want to walk down to the water?" The sky was dark now, and the was just enough light to see where the waves were meeting the shore. All the stars were out. 

"Sure," you agreed, standing and taking his outstretched hand, your fingers lacing with his.

You walked slowly, him kicking the sand with his bare feet and you tiptoeing beside him. He reached the water before you, and he turned to kick a light splash against your ankles. You splashed him back, but he just pulled you closer. 

"Hey, I wanted to tell you something, but I wanted to be alone to do it," he said, nodding towards your friends up by the fire. 

"Ok," you said, stepping even closer. His hands were twisting around yours, nervously playing with your fingers. He spreading his hands wide and then closed them, swung his arms and your and brought them up near his face. It was like he was contemplating his words, but the suspense was killing you.

"I want to say that... I love you. A lot. And I thought it was time you knew for sure." His eyes darted away for only a second before you removed your hands from his to touch his face. His eyes locked on yours.

"I've been waiting a long time to hear you say that," you said softly. You pulled him in for a kiss, his hands now tightening on your waist. "And I love you too."

He smiled the biggest smile you'd ever seen on his face. The light from the moon reflected off his face, and you'd never known him to be happier. "Thank you for waiting for me," he whispered.

Confession: I have a huge thing for shy, romantic Zayn. And here he is in his full glory. We're now officially past halfway through Summer Series 2.0. What do you think so far? Who do you think is next? Love ya.

Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

Big Screen Romance- Liam Oneshot

It was 8pm, and you had just sat down in front of the tv with a bowl of cereal, when the doorbell rang. Carrying your snack with you, you went to answer it, confused. Brows furrowed, you stood on your tiptoes to get a good look through the peephole. When you saw it was Liam, standing outside your door in jeans and an unbuttoned flannel over a white tee, you were excited, but no less confused.

Cereal bowl still in hand, you flung the door open, a huge smile on your face. "Liam! You weren't supposed to be back until tomorrow!" He was laughing, joyful to see you too, and perhaps endeared by the way you spilled some milk from your bowl onto the floor. You shrugged, set the bowl down on the hardwood, and jumped into his arms for a hug and a long overdue kiss. 

"I changed my flight so I could be in tonight. Surprise, love!" He said, rubbing your back. Before you could say anything else, he continued, "And I'm taking you on a date, right now."

You punched his shoulder playfully. "Um, you may not have noticed, but I'm not exactly dressed." You motioned to your ensemble- pajamas, with your hair pulled up out of your face for the night.

"That's alright. I've got everything set up right outside." He picked up some blankets and a picnic basket you hadn't noticed before. He offered you his arm, ready to escort you on this impromptu date. You took it and hugged his arm close. "And besides, you look gorgeous," he said, sending you into a fit of giggles.

Resisting your immediate questioning, he led you to the surprise instead of telling you about it. He walked you around to your own backyard, where he spread one blanket next to a table with a projector on it. "How did you do all this without me noticing? I was right inside." You couldn't stop laughing. You'd missed him so much, and just being with him made you burst with joy.

"I'm very sneaky," he joked, handing you the other blanket as he pressed a button on the projector. There was no screen, but he'd chosen the plainest wall of your house to point the projector at. After a few moments, 10 Things I Hate About You started to play clearly on the wall. 

You curled yourself under the blanket, and lifted it for Liam to join you. He kissed you again as you cuddled up, safe from the cool evening air. His fingers trailed the outlines of your arms and shoulders until they came to rest on your knee. "I've brought snacks too. So at least I'm justified in taking away your quiet evening with your cereal." His eyes squinted when he laughed at his statement, and you kissed him again before opening the basket. Inside, you found popcorn, pretzels, and ferrero rocher candies. You popped one candy into your mouth, thanking its chocolatey goodness for outdoing your cereal by miles. You leaned in for another kiss, and Liam obliged, letting a soft "mmm" echo in his throat when he tasted the chocolate and hazelnut on your tongue. You kissed him over and over, savoring the feeling of his lips, one of the things you'd missed the most since he'd been away. You really did want to watch the movie, but you'd seen it before. You could spare the first ten or fifteen minutes for this.

Round two of Summer Series two, and Liam wins this one because he's damn sexy. I am honestly in a better mood now than I was before I wrote this. That's how you know you needed some quality fluff and romance. Thanks to Maili and Kay for helping me decide what Liam's oneshot would be! I hope you liked it. Let me know what you think, and who you think the next boy in the series will be!

Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

How to Dare- Harry Oneshot

He'd been one of the last to arrive to the backyard barbecue, and Harry's eyes immediately searched the garden for you. The party was small, to celebrate a friend's birthday, but it was you he was most eager to see. 

He smiled and hugged the birthday girl as she walked up to greet him, genuinely happy to see her. Over her shoulder, however, he spotted you, and froze.

He saw you walk out the back door, carrying the birthday cake, candles lit and ready. Right behind you, following just too closely, was the birthday girl's brother. When you leaned forward to set it on the patio table, Harry stared as the brother laid his hand on your back. You stood up, admiring your baking, but the brother's hand slip up to your shoulder. He whispered something in your ear, leaning his body against you. Harry flinched, waiting for you to return the flirtation, but you backed away, nodding politely.

When the birthday girl moved on, Harry walked straight to you. You laughed at something the brother said, but when you caught sight of Harry, you jumped away to wrap your arms around him. The brother shot him a glare, but choosing not to cause a fight, Harry replied with only an aloof shrug. For the rest of the party, Harry stayed near your side, and the brother kept his distance.

---

The question came out of nowhere. “(Y/N), truth or dare?”

"What?" you asked, turning to raise an eyebrow at Harry and his question. You’d been sitting on the porch swing, watching the sun go down and the fireflies come out on that late summer night. Many of the guests had gone home, but the two of you decided to slip away from the rest. The air had cooled significantly since the party, and Harry had given you his sweatshirt to put on. He was your best friend, he knew how easily you got cold.

"Pick one, truth or dare?" he repeated, urging you to take him up on his game.

You wouldn’t quite call it panic, but you were caught off-guard enough to make you hesitate to answer. Truth or dare was a game for strangers, playing with friends could be dangerous. Harry knew everything about you and your life, which meant only your deepest, darkest secrets were left to reveal. But he knew how to push your buttons, how to make you squirm. That made dares out of the question. How could he know what to ask?

"Truth," you chose confidently, after a few moments.

Harry leaned back and smiled. He took his sweet time, and you watched him savor the question on his lips. You couldn’t be sure if he’d been hoping you’d pick truth, but he seemed to have his next question planned.

"Do you…" he began, and then shied away. He froze and chuckled in embarrassment, like he couldn’t believe what he was trying to say. He shook his head quickly, and dove back in. "Do you like me? As more than a friend?"

Your voice hitched in your throat. He’d done it. He’d gone right for the only thing he didn’t know about you, that your feelings for him had changed from friendly to romantic in the past few months. Feelings you swore you’d never bring up, because he meant too much to lose. Now there was no way to avoid it. You started to stutter. “I…well, I…” His eyes were light and eager, begging for your answer, regardless of what it was. You couldn’t lie to him. You inhaled deeply, trying to banish the blush from your cheeks. 

You exhaled your entire answer in one breath. “I do like you but I don’t want to ruin our friendship if you don’t feel the same so I wasn’t going to bring it up, but yes.”

You braced yourself for his response. But all Harry did was smile, lean back in the swing, and say “Ok.” 

You smacked him in the ribs. “Ok? That’s all you have to say?” you asked, laughing. He seemed so comfortable with your answer, that you couldn’t help but be comfortable too. Once you’d said it, it felt great to get it off your chest.

"Yeah," Harry chuckled, closing his eyes. But you weren’t about to let him get off that easy. You might have just admitted your crush on him, but he was still the same Harry who’d been your friend for so long.

"So," you offered, "your turn. Truth or dare."

He stroked him chin in jest, but he decided faster than you had. “Dare.”

It was so obvious, and you didn’t care about holding back anymore. “Kiss me.”

And he did. Without even taking a second to blink, he took your face in his hands and kissed you, softly but firmly, like he’d been waiting for ages. His lips were still hovering over yours, his breath hot in the cool air, when he broke away to say “I was hoping you’d say that.”

I decided that since my summer series did so well last year, I’d come up with something to ease the pain as summer starts to come to a close. This is just another instance of what my imagination comes up with when I’m bored at work. Let me know what you thought, and if you want the rest of the boys for a summer series 2014!

-Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

I cant get target luke out of my head now. Holy shit. That one shot was grade A. Perfect. I need more D;

We are completely in love with target Luke, too. Thank you so much. We’re really, really glad that you like what we put out there. 

What do you guys think? Do you want more target Luke too? More 5sos in general? More AU stuff?

She’s referring to this oneshot, if you’re wondering. :)

[inkyblackbowtie]

WHY OH WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO ME OH GOLLY THAT WAS TOO BEAUTIFUL! 1. Now I never want summer to end 2. Where is my Target Luke 3. Well done ladies. As always, you smashed it. :)

Well since you don’t want it to end… you should probably just read it again. :) X <- click here to read it.

[beautyandthebowtie]

Who do I have to sell my soul to for this to be real life??

right? this whole oneshot was actually from a series of text messages that passed between ivy and i. we do this more than you know. this is just the first one we’ve actually transcribed. target luke has had his way with us and we’re not letting go any time soon.

[inkyblackbowtie]

Luke Special

It all started with a routine shopping trip. You walked in the front doors of your local Target, ready to pick up a birthday card, a bag of chips, and some light bulbs, when the blonde boy in the store uniform caught your eye. He was standing just past the shopping carts, six feet tall, fingertips in the pockets of his fitted khaki pants, collar of his red polo a little lopsided, and blue eyes scanning the entrance before locking on you. He’s just doing his job, you thought, but his face changed, breaking from a polite, professional smile into a genuine one. “Can I help you find anything?” he asked, revealing a deeper voice than you expected. You froze for a moment, noticing the thin black hoop in the corner of his lower lip now that he was up close. You laughed, flustered, and unable to resist, asked “Light bulbs?” He smiled back. “Right back that way,” he said, pointing and stepping out of your way. You walked around him, scanning his name tag for the first time. “Thanks, Luke,” you said with a smirking glance.

And that was just the first time.

What could have sparked a more unlikely summer fling? Every time you returned to the store over the next three weeks, Luke was standing near the door, ready to be of assistance. He’d call you by name, ask if you needed help, and occasionally walk you to the right department, always with a sparkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. He once put a hand on your shoulder in the stationary aisle and you thought you might melt under his touch. That’s why, after four meetings like this, you decided to make the next step more direct.

There he stood, ready to greet you on a Friday evening, just after the sun had set. “What can I help you with today?” he asked, jokingly formal. You were quick, right to the point, and full on flirting. “I need you to walk outside with me, get in my car, and make out with me,” you said. Knowing that he was on duty, knowing that he probably wasn’t supposed to leave that spot, and knowing that there was no way his lip ring was allowed by his uniform rules but so glad he wore it anyway, you made the offer with every ounce of your confidence. And Luke immediately responded, “Ok.”

This became the new routine, though for the next month, he’d greet you, casually wait while you did your shopping, then follow you out to the car where you two would make out in the back seat for at least fifteen minutes. He began saving his work breaks until later so you could have a full thirty minutes. Hot summer air mixing with steamy kisses and playful touching was your game, being as much a part of your summer as sunscreen and starry nights.

Soon, however, he took to walking around with you as you did your shopping, making flirty conversation and generally joking around. You got to know each other in bits and pieces, things about families and hobbies, and of course favorite snacks. You kissed him as your summer crush, but you also started getting to know him like a best friend.

There came one day, after miraculously always being there to greet you at the door, that Luke was nowhere to be seen. You were thrown for a moment, your routine seeming awkward without him. You were there to buy a dress, and after picking a few off the rack, you headed towards a fitting room. You shouldn’t have doubted him. Just outside the door, Luke snuck up behind you and whispered in your ear, “Can I offer you any assistance?” You slid one hand over the back of his neck, pulled him closer, and replied, “Yes, I’d like your opinion on these clothes, will you accompany me to the fitting room?”

Without another word, Luke had turned you around, massive hands on your shoulders, and was walking you backwards into the fitting room. He closed the door behind him with his foot and locked it without looking. He kept moving you until your back was pressed against the wall, his body inches from yours. He looked down at you, since he was so much taller, and moved his hands to the sides of your face. He was smiling, giddy with excitement for this act of teenage rebellion. He licked his lips, his tongue lingering over his piercing, and sighed before pressing his lips firmly against yours. You slid your hands around his waist as he pressed his body harder against you, his khakis against your thighs. Eventually, mid-kiss, he bent down to grab you at the knees, hoisting you up so your legs were wrapped around him, your back still on the wall. Somehow, it made the taste of his metal ring in your mouth and the texture of his hair in your hands even better. You made out in the fitting room until you were both out of breath and struggling to keep quiet…

You’d become so close over these couple months that pretty soon you had memorized each others schedules. It was nearly an obsession.  One night you knew he was working late and it had begun to pour. You knew Luke walked to work, but you didn’t want him to walk home in this rain. So, you raced to meet him at the end of his shift. Luke saw you trudge in, dripping wet, trying to not think about how clingy your shirt is, and walked to meet you.

"What’re you doing here?" he asks as he removes his hoodie to place it upon your shoulders. "I came to pick you up and drive you home. The weather is mad right now." A confused smile took place on his face as you took his hand to race out to your car. He’s confused and impressed by you because he thinks he should be the one to save you from the rain. His hand in yours tingles because at this moment he’s feeling something so much more powerful than lust when you squeeze it so affectionately.

You fumbled when trying to unlock your car door, mentally cursing yourself in for locking it in the first place. Finally inside, you start the engine and blast the heat through your vents. You turn and Luke’s smiling the biggest grin you’ve seen in a while and you lean over to kiss his cheek. And this kiss, of all the kisses you’ve exchanged, has made Luke feel more than all the others combined.

You pull away and Luke sees your hair stuck to your face and your mascara smudged from the rain and knows just how beautiful you are. He takes your hands in his and you giggle and say, “What? I just thought you might like a lift.” His eyes turn up and search yours when he says, sweet and serious, “I think I’m in love with you.”

You blush, turn away, and try to laugh it off because he couldn’t possibly be in love with you. It’s so dark in your car and he wishes so desperately that he could see that lovely color flush your skin. He squeezes your hands once more and pleads his sincerity. Your smile drops from your face and your eyes widen because you know the truth. You know that you love him too.

No one saw this coming. This was supposed to be a fling.

You lean in and whisper that you love him too. Things weren’t supposed to be this serious, but the fate of your futures hung in the distance between your mouths, only a breath apart.

The intensity between your stares grew. Now realizing that you both felt the same, breathing became more labored and loud. It came from a combination of running to the car, anticipation, and surprise. The both of you were just soaking in this feeling until suddenly, you grabbed collar of his polo and pressed your lips to his.

It’s not every day that an AU so special that you cannot get it out of your head comes along. Target Luke was a beautiful gift bestowed to us lately, and we felt the need to provide you with his story. We hope you are as in love with him as we are. Much like coffeeshop and high school AU’s, Target Luke is sure to become a classic. I’d also like to note that this is our first officially posted 5sos one shot. Please let us know if you liked it and if you want to see more 5sos on our blog.

-Ivy & Maili xxoo 

[inkyblackbowtie]

We have something very special up our sleeves to go up in an hour... We really hope you enjoy it. Can't wait to hear your feedback! -Maili xxoo

[inkyblackbowtie]

5SOS

Liam: Wherever You Are

He leaned his forehead against the window as the airplane made its way down the runway, the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up so no one could see his face. He hated leaving you, especially when he knew it'd be weeks before he might see you again, and even that wasn't for sure. He'd held you tightly in the terminal just before his flight boarded. For a few more moments, he pretended he didn't have to go. You cried softly into his chest, and he'd fought to keep his composure until now. The best consolation he'd had to offer you ran through his head as the plane lifted off;"I love you, I'll always be thinking of you," he'd said, knowing he'd find comfort in picturing what you might be doing during the days he was gone. "I promise. Wherever you are."

Louis: She Looks So Perfect

Even when he heard from all around how things could go wrong, he could never figure out how he could be so lucky as to have found you. They told him the stretches of long-distance would be too hard on both of you, and magazines even made up stories about it tearing the two of you apart. He'd never felt so secure about a relationship before. When you were reunited, it was as if he'd never left, but better. People said it couldn't last, that you led lives that were too different, that it wouldn't amount to anything. They couldn't have been more wrong. He fell hard for you, and nothing could change that. And now, sitting together in the home you shared, a shiny diamond ring on your finger, he knew you'd made it. You were the epitome of true, young, irrepressible love. You were his everything. And you were so perfect. And he was so down.

Niall: Don't Stop

When the two of you met, you immediately hit it off. You remained great friends for years, but things were constantly changing. Niall surprised even himself when he realized he wanted more than freindship, but the two of you constantly teetered over the line of 'just friends' only to step back again, and he almost hated to admit that he liked it. It was nice to be able to joke and flirt and cuddle without the pressure of romance for a while. One cool summer night at a backyard birthday party, the setting was just right for a change. You went inside for a drink of water, and Niall decided to follow. Everyone else was still outside, and while innocently goofing around, he took you by the waist. You froze, feeling a spark you'd never felt before when you stared into his eyes. You'd been this close to him before, but you'd never felt a kiss suspended in the air between you. "We always end up here..." you finally said. "But maybe, we shouldn't go back this time." His arms tightened. "Then don't stop," he whispered. All at once, your hands were on the back of his neck, pulling his mouth against yours, and nothing was ever the same.

Zayn: The Only Reason

You'd slammed the door in his face, but he couldn't find the strength to leave. His thoughts were so noisy, so chaotic that he could barely make sense of them. You'd both said some awful things in a flurry of anger over something that meant nowhere near as much to him as your relationship. His anger was gone now, replaced with fear. How could he fix this? In his extraordinary life full of in-betweens, you were his anchor, his reason to stay grounded. He couldn't lose you. And just like that, you opened the door. "I looked out the window and saw that you stayed. I'm sorry. I love you." He took your hand as you led him back inside. "I love you too," he answered, reassured that it would never be too late to make things right.

Harry: Heartbreak Girl

I was 1:00am when Harry dropped his phone on his chest and covered his face with his arms. It was as if you'd known that he was lying awake in bed thinking about you when you called an hour before. He'd always been there for you, always the one to listen, but now that your boyfriend did not make you happy, it was harder for him to hide the feelings he'd developed for you. He'd supported you in beginning, but now your relationship was toxic. That's why he wanted so badly to be with you- because he knew you deserved better, and he could take care of you. He'd come so close to confession that night, almost blurting out that he loved you when you started crying. But instead, he told you everything would be all right, that your boyfriend didn't mean what he'd said and done, and to follow your heart. But now, just before he fell asleep, he made a decision. You'd promised to call him tomorrow at 10, and when you did, he'd tell you why you didn't have to be heartbroken anymore.

It's the combination that was just waiting to happen. Let us know what you think of these song prefs.

Ivy xx

[inkyblackbowtie]

Maroon 5

Liam: "Your lipstick got me so out of breath" - One More Night 

Normally, you didn't mess around with your makeup too much and just kept to your basics. That's one thing Liam loved about you. That you weren't too fussy and just went with the flow. Now you hadn't seen him in a while, but he was just back in town for about a week and suggested that you and all of your friends should get together that night. So, naturally, you seized the opportunity to surprise him and get all glammed up. Nothing too crazy, but something definitely different. You chose out a little black dress and a candy apple red lipstick. Your lips were full, but this color really made them pop. Liam walked into the room and did a major double take. His jaw dropped and he had to take a seat. He shook his head and his eyes were wide as you sauntered over near your front door. "We're not going out any more tonight... I'm having a hard time breathing." He smirked and locked the door behind him.

Louis: "Perfection of your face, slows me down"- Never Gonna Leave This Bed

Hardly anything made him lose his cool on stage anymore. Not a sign, not someone yelling something at him... He didn't even really get the jitters before he went on anymore. They were more just like excited butterflies now. But tonight, as he made his way out onto the B stage... all the way down that runway, he saw a girl. This girl made his heart skip a beat, and time almost stopped completely. He had found you. He thought you were the most gorgeous creature he had ever seen, and he hadn't even seen your eyes yet. That's what caught him. The way you had lost yourself in the music. You let it take you away. You were so far gone you hadn't even noticed that he had stopped singing because he had become so fixated on you. Louis picked back up his part and made his way to you. "Have you quite finished?" he said into his mic. Opening your eyes, Louis was kneeling on stage in front of you all you could do was stop and breathe. "Finished what?" you could barely stammer. "Slowing me down. You were quite distracting before, but now that I've seen your eyes, I know I can no longer continue without knowing your name."

Niall: "You feel so good, you make me stutter" - Stutter

Niall had taken you out on a couple dates now, but something was off. He had no problem asking you out, but now he was afraid to make the next move. Basically from the end of the first date, you'd been dying for him to kiss you, but he hadn't. He hadn't even tried to hold your hand. Tonight, if he didn't, you were going to. -- During the movie, your hand casually slipped into his and he responded happily. His hands enveloped yours and drew little patterns on your skin with his fingers... but then nothing. At the end of the date, he walked you to your door, said good night and turned away. "Niall, wait!" you called and marched over to him. Your left hand laced your fingers through his hair and your right cupped his cheek and brought his face closer. "I just wanted you to kiss me, damn it." you whispered and brought his lips down to meet yours. His fingers curled and magnetized themselves to your waist. "W-wow." he stuttered. "You feel s-so good. Can we try that again?" 

Zayn: "You're everything, the air that I breathe"- The Air That I Breathe

Sitting on the plane, Zayn was as anxious as ever. He'd been away from you for quite some time now. The more he missed you, the longer he was gone, the quiter and more withdrawn he was. He wasn't always in the mood to do something crazy. Most of the time he was just trying to imagine what you were doing at that very moment. He imagined you reading in bed in the morning with your hair tied back. He imagined seeing you in the reflection of your bathroom mirror, just brushing your hair. He imagined you out with your friends, taking those silly pictures together. He imagined you sleeping, alone and without him. That one hurt the most. The plane touched down and that awoke him, not from sleep, but from his stupor. (He hasn't slept much anyway.) He got off the plane as fast as he could and basically ran to the baggage claim where he knew you'd be waiting. He saw you, he was almost to the surface. He held you, you were in his arms, and he could finally breathe again.

Harry: "Steal some covers, share some skin"- Sunday Morning

The pitter-patter of rain came steadily down on the window next to the bed you shared with Harry. It was still quite early, but you snuck out of bed to close the window, to keep the water out. Harry shifted and reached for you in his sleep. When he couldn't find the warmth of your body, his hands settled for the blanket and stole the whole thing from your side. You frowned, but smiled when you saw his curls draped across his eyes, lips slightly puckered, mouth open. Finding a hole in the covers, you ducked underneath his arms and pressed your now cold hands to his chest, twisting slightly to intertwine your legs with his. Harry jolted at your cold fingers, but did nothing more than secure you to his chest, arms wrapping tighter around you. His eyes never opened, but his smile shown now, as he nuzzled into your neck, hot breath a little heavier skimming along your shoulder. With enough whispered kisses, you could be convinced to stay there all day.

Ivy got you in the mood for summer, I'll help get you in the mood for.... Maroon 5's new single on Monday? -Maili xxoo