the stars make me miss you more

bryn - she/her | 20+ | mystic messenger writer | masterlist | ao3 | avatar by the lovely @kokorokai

[sunshinejihyun]

the library

thank you for visiting~ I hope you find something worthwhile to read <3

‣ about the author

‣ all released content for mystic messenger will be talked about here; beware of spoilers

‣ litg is still a very prominent thing in my life, and my blog will reflect this

‣ no longer writing for mlqc; blog may contain content but will be sparse 

‣ requests: closed ‣ writing navigation below the cut~!

mystic messenger 

‣ when you have a bad day (headcanons; all characters)

‣ mc being a book nerd (headcanons; all characters)

‣ reactions to mc walking around naked (headcanons; all characters)

‣ first time you have sex (headcanons; jihyun)

‣ first time you have sex (headcanons; saeyoung)

‣ first time you have sex (headcanons; jumin)

‣ how he is with a touchy mc (headcanons; jihyun) 

‣ why your couple annoys your friends (headcanons; jihyun)

‣ how you make up after a fight (headcanons; jihyun)

yoosung kim

‣ to the... rescue? ; superman yoosung hears a noise and wants to defeat the enemy

‣ sleepless nights and sleepless days ; yoosung can’t sleep so he reminisces about his past and future

‣ an enchanting evening ; a first date, and then some

‣ apricity ; meeting her felt like the world was falling into place

zen ryu

‣ the three times he realized he’s in love ; a story told through the eyes of zen about the highs and lows of his first love

‣ reuniting ; zen and his love reunite after being apart for two weeks

‣ (not so) lazy day ; zen has the day off from work, you both should make the most of it

‣ the night i’ve been waiting for ; a costumed halloween fundraiser throws Zen and MC into some emotional turmoil

‣ all his ; his birthday started off a little different this year, but it’s okay since she gets all his attention afterwards

‣ morning bliss ; as the sun rises overhead, the only sound could be of their laughter and quiet admiration for each other

‣ my vows to you ; he recounts the moments he spent with her up until the wedding day

‣ things he never said ; there’s such thing as regrets, and there’s also such thing as longing for something you never had

jumin han

‣ you’re freaking out ; a rich corporate heir can’t find the time to date so he hires a senior in college to be his fake girlfriend

‣ come back to me ; jumin and his love have been away from each other for far too long

‣ you’re home ; familiar eyes haunt you as they look so much different than you last remember

‣ promises ; jumin’s a man of many words and he plans to follow through with everything he told you

saeyoung choi

‣ open secrets ;  a story in which saeyoung finds a love that ends up being closer than he imagined

‣ need you now ; reminiscing over a lost love can sometimes be a good thing

‣ wedding bells ; a dating app brings two unexpected people together

‣ sticky soda ; a movie night and two goofballs

jihyun kim

‣ a stolen kiss ; two people so desperate for love find each other

‣ lay me down ; jihyun’s birthday is celebrated a bit different this year (nsfw)

‣ the shape of love ; a date night turns into discovering how deep their love runs for the first time

‣ where you’re meant to be ; childhood friends reconnect under the circumstances of mint eye

‣ happy forever after ;  a little girl brings everyone closer together

‣ the color of autumn is the color of your love ; the pumpkin patch wasn’t the only thing you fell in love with

‣ all i’ve ever known ; being alone for so long makes you realize you don’t know how lonely you are until it was too late

‣ lifetime ; it took a lifetime to be loved, and only a few minutes for it to disappear

‣ to be loved ; there are worse things than death - to not be loved would be one of them

saeran choi

‣ the birthday debacle ; saeyoung and saeran have always celebrated their birthday together since the events of mint eye, but there’s one person they didn’t know who also shared a birthday with them

‣ fire escape nights ; saeran isn’t a many of speaking many words, but he does write them down

love island the game masterpost

mr love queen’s choice masterpost

[sunshinejihyun]

coming back only to say im in mourning. fusebox better give me back my fictional boyfriend, stat.

[whatisreggieshortfor]

For @sunshinejihyun’s birthday

A Promise

Youcef x MC

Happy birthday babe!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[sunshinejihyun]

reggieeee i finally got a chance to reblog this on here - just wanted to thank you once again 💘 this is gorgeous

[sunshinejihyun]

I would never say no to a lingerie and wine night with talia - thank you @beesandfigsblog for hosting this wonderful event! happy valentines day

[whatisreggieshortfor]

Stranger

For @sunshinejihyun MERRY CHRISTMAS

Inspired by Stranger by Riley Roth, with lyrics from Absolutely Smitten by dodie

Bill x MC

Elladine had invited her, so Reese had assumed it was going to be a party at her boyfriend’s place. And then she got to the address she was given, and it was the flat of the brother of Elladine’s mate Camilo- was it Jim? Tim? Tom? Tom! That was his name. Reese had yet to meet him, though. She made her way to the kitchen, using the available sharpie to scrawl her name across one of the red plastic cups before filling it with the Jungle Juice that sat in iced pitchers on the counter. Some bloke bumped into her, Bill according to his cup, an apology shooting out as he poured Bacardi in his cup.

Elladine dragged her onto the makeshift dance floor not too long after, keeping her there for song after song before Reese collapsed onto the couch just as her favorite song started to play. Sipping her drink with a grin, she was prepared to let loose and sing along, until she heard the person beside her, “She wants a chance to see the moon…no space hat so her lips turn blue…”

He was singing every lyric wrong. Reese’s head whipped around face him, ignoring the pretty flush in his cheeks from the alcohol he was drinking, “Oi, ya daft prat!” She shouted over the music, repeating the name she’d read on his cup, “Bill! Those aren’t the words!”

“They aren’t?” His smirk told her he knew, and she glared from her seat.

“No.”

The song continued playing, and this boy seemed to be teasing Reese, “Did you just whisper in her ear? Words she only dreamed to hear? Pretty lady, look at how he's smiling, I think he likes you.”

Reese tried to push the burning in her cheeks away, “So you do know the song.”

“Who doesn’t know dodie?” He asked, feigned offense coloring his tone, until he grinned, “Plus, maybe it’s true. But hey, nice to meet you.”

Reese had known in the back of her mind that he was a stranger. But she couldn’t bring herself to leave, a few drinks and hours later, it was two in the morning when Elladine stumbled over to her and she realized it was time to say goodbye.

She’d have thought that would be it, until Bill stopped her. “This might be weird, but- oh bloody hell, what you got goin’ on later?”

“Probably nursing a hangover if I’m using up all my luck right now.” She hoped she was being just on the good side of obvious.

He smirked at her, “Oh yeah? Are you hoping for something?”

“Just that you’ll have the stones to ask for my number.” His answering grin was enough.

A month later, he’d become such an engrained part of her life, and as he told her he had fallen in love, she wondered how they were ever strangers.

Masterlist

[sunshinejihyun]

IM SO TRASH I READ THIS A WHILE BACK AND THEN LET MY REBLOG SIT IN MY DRAFTS

reggieeeee this is adorable UwU im obsessed.

bill WOULD be dumb and sing the words wrong just to get attention from the pretty lady. its sooo him and im dying asdfkasf

thank you so much this was so sweet and cute and i appreciate it and YOU so much <3

[repinery]

Lucas isn’t amused by his friends trying to help him.

For @mercedesdecorazon.

Thank you @sunshinejihyun and @justtuesdays for arranging this gift exchange.

Read on AO3 or under the cut.

Lucas doesn’t bother putting on a shirt... He can’t find it. He does manage to find and pick up his pants from the floor and put them back on. There’s barely any light coming through the window—the moon hides in the clouds. It’s enough to see outlines. He takes carefully measured steps, avoiding the other articles of clothing crumpled and thrown haphazard along the marble tiles.

No hangover, thankfully. Not that he drank anything last night—he can’t, having work the next day, but he feels drunk. Heady.

He takes a cursory look at her sleeping form. He doesn’t remember her wearing a bonnet before going to sleep, nor wearing any nightwear at all. She must have worn them after he fell asleep.

But the clothes she was wearing last night are still strewn about.

He ends up tidying the floor in search of his own shirt and leather jacket mostly in darkness—it’s not in the room. He places all her clothes on the edge of the bed, folded not as neatly as he would have liked.

He heads to the bathroom and splashes his face with water. He needs to remember where the rest of his clothes went, or he won’t make it back to his flat in time. And it’s a Monday. He has an early shift, and refuses to be late.

He just has to—

He roughly does an impersonation of Bobby at 4am in the morning by slapping his forehead. It hurts and it jolts him awake, and Rosalia doesn’t stir from the loud smack.

The kitchen. He left them in the kitchen.

As he carefully sneaks out the bedroom and makes his way to the kitchen, he wonders how he ended up with her in bed again—like how he has ended up for a few weeks now with increasing frequency.

It’s a bacchanal, is what it is.

✧✧✧

He removes his helmet and gets off his motorbike. Bacchanal. It’s a word that has consumed his morning thoughts endlessly. It’s slang, something he’s heard from her. Nothing new. And yet it has him off-kilter. Can’t pinpoint why, and he doesn’t have much time to dwell on it either. He almost forgot his helmet and almost missed a turn on his way to the hospital.

Crisis averted, but the fact that it happened... He’s parked neatly in his reserved slot, next to Bobby’s.

“I don’t know how you do it,” Bobby says as he exits his own vehicle.

“Do what?”

Bobby gestures to the entirety of Lucas’ body, then shakes his hand towards Lucas’ hair. “That.”

Lucas sends him a blank look.

“You look like you lost the lottery and won it at the same time.”

“What is that even supposed to mean?”

✧✧✧

He doesn’t think much of it; work occupies his mind for the rest of his shift. He ignores the pitying look Bobby gives him when he goes to the cafeteria to eat. He’s looking forward to having a quiet dinner with a close friend tonight. It should ease whatever he’s feeling right now. It’s just slang. He’s been spending more time with her lately—something he wouldn’t have considered possible months ago. And with spending time comes certain quirks, like picking up certain words.

“Lucas, Bobby says...” A voice starts with a mix of worry and pity.

He looks up at her and sees her mirror his surprise. The restaurant isn’t noisy, but he missed her approach anyway.

“It’s worse than I thought,” she notes.

He knows she mentioned something. He tries to recall as he watches her take her seat opposite of him. “What did Bobby say?”

“He’s concerned about your relationship.”

He’s confused. “I’m not in a relationship.”

And she puts a hand on his and goes, “Oh, hun.”

“I’m not. I’m not even dating anyone.”

“You don’t think we know you’re sleeping together?”

Ah. Rosalia, one of her other closest friends. “We’re friends. And you’re also friends with Jakub and you have the same arrangement with him.”

“So, you’re just friends with benefits.”

“Yes.”

“No attachment?”

Lucas smirks and shakes his head. No feelings. Only a tentative truce which turned into a begrudging friendship, given they move within the same social circles. Then eventually, an actual friendship with many, many fucks.

Hope looks at him. He can tell by the way her eyebrow arches up that she’s debating with herself whether to pursue her line of thinking or drop it. She simply sighs and pats his hand. “Well, if you need me.”

“I know. Don’t worry. And if you need me...”

She smiles. “I know.” She waves to the waiter and orders them food and wine.

They catch up on a great many things that night, not having had the time to talk with each other for months. They’re both busy with work and outside it. They do see each other when their friend group gathers from every now and then, but it’s different, spending time with those closest to him.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” Hope asks, and it’s then that Lucas notices he hasn’t touched his glass of wine nor most of his food.

“I am. Just tired from my shift, don’t worry.”

And the ease by which Hope accepts his explanation worries him instead. It doesn’t bode well.

✧✧✧

“Lucy!” Henrik’s voice is too chipper. “How are you doing?”

“Good. Great, actually.” Lucas greets. He had forgotten to put his phone on vibrate. He’s glad he was halfway through the front door when it rang, but the door closed a little too hard behind him.

“Oh, did you just get home? If you’re about to sleep—“

He laughs. “It’s 1 in the morning, Henke.”

“Oh, sorry! Did I wake you?”

“No. I’m just about to go home. How’s Canada?” He asks anyway as he rubs his gloved hand on the seat of his motorbike.

“It’s wonderful! I miss you and Hope. You had dinner together tonight, right?”

“We did. It was nice catching up.”

“I miss Rosalia too. How is she?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her tomorrow?” Lucas responds, going for nonchalance, but failing if Henrik’s laughter is anything to go by.

“You left after she slept then? That’s good!”

“Goodbye, Henke,” Lucas says before ending the call in the middle of Henrik’s laughter.

✧✧✧

His typical days go like this: wake-up, work out, go on his shift, go home.

Except on the nights when he receives a text from Rosalia. He’s not even sure when that started, when their mutual dislike had turned into a speed call for a quick fuck or two with a bit of talking afterwards. Or straight to going to sleep with him or her exiting their respective flats.

And he’s doing it again tonight, his own walk of, well, not shame. There’s nothing shameful about sleeping with a beautiful woman.

He’s seen his fair share of hips and thighs, but hers are the ones his hands seek out in his waking hours and dreaming. Sometimes, he can smell the hint of shea butter on his sheets and it excites him. When her nails rake down his back, when he feels the coolness of her bangles against his skin...

And he gently closes her front door.

He shakes his head and he lets the night wind cool him down.

He doesn’t know why he’s getting sentimental.

✧✧✧

“Remember when you hated each other’s guts?” Bobby asks, and Lucas is not sure why he’s asking in the middle of the hospital parking lot at 5 in the morning. “Because I do.”

Lucas crosses his arms as he stops by the employees’ entrance. There’s a point to Bobby’s rambling, he’s sure.

“I don’t know if that was better or not,” Bobby continues, “but this awkwardness is getting to me.”

What awkwardness? “What are you on about?”

“You should make up your mind about her, quick.”

“About who?”

And Bobby pins him with a look, one he has seen from candid pictures of himself, when he’s questioning Bobby’s antics. He never thought he’d be on the receiving end of it.

“Look.” Lucas pinches the bridge of his nose. “I really don’t understand.” Although he does have a feeling of who Bobby is talking about. He just doesn’t understand why she’s been constantly brought up in every conversation for the past days.

Bobby just shakes his head at him while he makes his way to the door, leaving Lucas behind. “I’m calling Henrik.”

✧✧✧

Nothing comes of it until the early morning after, when ringing wakes him. He groans as he pats for his phone.

“Lucy,” the voice on the other line is unusually serious, and it fully wakes Lucas up.

“Henke, what is it? What happened? Do you need someone to pick you up from the airport?”

He’s only answered by laughter.

“It’s 3 in the morning.” Lucas frowns. It’s too early, even for him.

“Sorry, I’m still in Canada and I just read Bobby’s messages.”

“And?”

“And Hope’s messages.”

“Hope?”

“And Rosalia’s too, actually. I shouldn’t be telling you that, but best friends before—“

“Henke!”

Laughter rings again from the other side of the call.

“Why did you wake me up?”

“What are you afraid of?”

And the veiled interventions are pissing him off. “Henrik, I am tired, it’s my day off, and I want to sleep. What are you trying to say?”

“You should tell her how you feel.”

“I don’t feel anything!”

Silence.

“Henke?”

“Go back to sleep, Lucy. It’s okay. You’ll be okay.”

The call abruptly ends. How is he supposed to go back to sleep after that?

✧✧✧

A few days pass in relative peace: Bobby cracks jokes at the hospital, Henrik sends him pictures of nature he’s exploring in Canada, and Hope messages him with updates on her latest toy marketing venture.

They say nothing about Rosalia, or whatever feelings they think he’s developing.

And it’s in this silence where thoughts of her consume him: her smile when he brought doubles to her place, the careful consideration by which she makes her choices, from food to her outfits, her laughter echoing in his ears when he accidentally said jeez-an-ages after getting surprised by a loud thud.

It’s unnerving.

✧✧✧

A week later, Lucas caves. Maybe there’s a point to their interventions after all.

“Damn it, Henke,” he says as soon as the call connects.

Henrik just laughs. “Hello to you too! Did you finally figure it out?”

“Who needs enemies when I’m friends with all of you?”

“We love you too, Lucy. Hope’s waiting for you.”

So, Lucas ends the call right there and dials the number of one person who can help him now. A ring. Two. Three. It connects. “Hope...”

“Lucas! Finally. Are you going for a gift or for a grand gesture?”

Grand gesture? Somehow, he doesn’t think she would like that. “A gift.”

“Good answer. You pass. You may be one of my closest friends, Lucas, but she is too. Any ideas so far?”

“I was thinking of something she could wear. Not jewellery even if she likes those. Small, useful, in her favourite colours. A gift that I won’t be accused of mamaguying her with.”

“That’s not how that word works, but close enough.”

✧✧✧

After a few hours, he knocks on the door of Rosalia’s flat. He has a small gift bag in one hand: a pure cotton head wrap with a bold black, green, and red print. He has an apology ready at the tip of his tongue—he’s messed up their arrangement after all.

He’s developed feelings.

And there’s only one thing he can do about it.

“Take in front before in front take you.”

She swings the door open, and his breath hitches for a second. He’s truly gone for her, and he doesn’t know how he didn’t realise earlier.

But it doesn’t matter now. He drinks the sight of her in, knowing this could be the last time he’ll see her. Or maybe there’s a small possibility of her giving the idea of them a chance. He can’t know until he tells her how he feels.

She gives him a look of concern, then surprise at the gift bag he has in his hand. Confusion colours her features, but it’s outweighed by the worry for him. It makes him hope. 

She lets him in.

And he’s takes in front.

[sunshinejihyun]

this was such a lovely read! seeing lucas realize his feelings despite denying it for as long as he could was just so refreshing and i loved how you left it open at the end. the reader can interpret however they want it to end, and that was so fun to me. 

[redspacewriter]

love island the game season two: gift exchange

Thank you everyone for participating in this exchange. I had an absolute blast getting to know you all and it's been such a pleasure reading through everyone's gift thus far. Hopefully, we'll see you all again soon ;) -Bryn (@sunshinejihyun) | And the same goes for me (tuesdays), it was a pleasure to converse and get to meet all you guys. Big fan of all you guys. Don't be strangers, you hear!

A Project | Carl x MC (Co-Workers) - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @lasswithumor

Dewey Decimal System | Noah x MC - by @longbobmckenzie | for @0shewrites0

Didn't Talk About It | Bobby x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @mrsbsmooth

Domesticity | Bobby x MC, Lucas & Bobby & Chelsea & MC, Lucas x Chelsea - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @callmebeem

Every Color | Noah x MC (Soulmate AU) - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @queen-of-boops

First and Second Chances | Bobby x MC, OC (Margot) x Gary - by @lucolestead | for @sunshinejihyun

First Day of Autumn | Noah x MC - by @justtuesdays | for @bypine

Fixing the Heater | Henrik x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @justtuesdays

Girls' Night In | Bobby x MC, Bobby & Chelsea & Mc - by @sunshinejihyun | for @callmebeem

Just One More Kiss | Lucas x MC - by @justtuesdays | for @mrsbsmooth

Just One Question | Noah x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @doulyeah

Matching Costumes for Bra Sisters | Chelsea & MC - by @doulyeah | for @whatisreggieshortfor

My Best Friend | Hope x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @aislinnstanaka

Not Taken...Yet | Gary x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @0shewrites0

Not That Girl | Marisol x Lottie - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @aislinnstanaka

One More Chance | Lucas x MC - by @0shewrites0 | for @doulyeah

Overheard | Bobby x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @lucolestead

Pining and Post-its | Carl x OC (Naleah Coleman) - by @queen-of-boops | for @lasswithumor

Purple & Yellow | Lucas x MC (Soulmate AU) - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @aislinnstanaka

Renewed Fancy | Gary x MC, for Bobby x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @sunshinejihyun

Soulmates After All | Lucas x MC - by @aislinnstanaka | for @queen-of-boops

Stupid Cronuts | Rocco x MC - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @longbobmckenzie

Surprise? | Lucas x MC (Angst to Fluff) - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @rebelrayne

Take a Risk | Henrik x OC (Isabel Romero) - by @rebelrayne | for @justtuesdays

The Alps | Henrik x Lucas - by @mrsbsmooth | for @longbobmckenzie

The Doctor | Lucas x MC (Enemies to Lovers) - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @mercedesdecorazon

The Rogue and The Mage | Kassam x MC, Henrik x MC (Fantasy/Adventure AU) - by @whatisreggieshortfor | for @bypine

Typical | Bobby x MC - by @mercedesdecorazon | for @lucolestead

[sunshinejihyun]

what a ride! this was so fun, thank you so much for everyone who participated in this.

tuesdays, thank you for hosting this with me. you kept me sane through the negatives, and made me happier throught the positives. love ya. <3

to my non litg followers, might wanna block that tag. i’m gonna be reblogging all these amazing works soon ;)

[callmebeem]

Gift for @rebelrayne for the LITG S2 Gift Exchange!

Based on one of the Gary hc’s i saw!

I had fun drawing this, hope you enjoy!

Thank you @sunshinejihyun and @justtuesdays for hosting this 💖

[sunshinejihyun]

pls this is so cute T_T he looks so adorable. that grin is soooo charming in a childish way which is so fun

[dawnsbreaking]

hello! this was written for the LITG exchange for the lovely @sunshinejihyun. I hopefully incorporated two prompts here, so I'm really happy with how it turned out. especially having never written for Gary before. I think I might be a convert, though, writing Gary is super fun.

thank you so much to @justtuesdays and @sunshinejihyun for organizing the exchange, I had so much fun writing with ya'll and I'm so excited to see everything posted this weekend.

READ ON AO3

Bobby Mckenzie hadn’t set out to win Love Island. He hadn’t even really set out to be on Love Island. He never thought that he would meet someone like Margot. His first real love, his best friend, his favorite person, his best and worst breakup. He’d never imagined he could fall in love with someone over one summer, then be happy to see them with someone else the next.

Such was the way the cookie crumbled.

When he first saw Margot, he felt a sort of vertigo. Though Bobby wasn’t a serious person, he wasn’t the type to be a lovey-dovey hopeless romantic, either. He thought himself not quite a pragmatist, but something nearing it. Though he loved the idea of falling head over heels for someone, he’d never really felt any of those sweeping, tumultuous, unambiguous feelings.

Maybe it was the Mallorca sun in his eyes, maybe it was nerves from being on TV, perhaps the cameras pointed at him made him feel like the lead in a John Hughes movie. Maybe it was truly her. He’d never know, he’d given up trying to know.

Something made his heart leap when he first laid eyes on her. He remembered how his mind reeled to find a joke funny enough to catch her attention, remembered hoping she wanted someone funny. He needed her to love him too.

And she did, for a little while.

-

Gary Rennel set out to win Love Island.

“Go big or go home, right?” He’d told his Nan, folding and packing the same ripped jeans and button-down he’d worn to his local the weekend before. He was making a thing of signing up for the show, sound and fury for the sake of distraction. Nan was worried about him, he could tell. And the boys at work were relentless in their teasing.

“They’re doing a random draft for reality television, then?” Was the joke that his foreman made when he asked for leave from work. That joke became the joke, repeated almost daily by one or two of the boys. All of them asked the same: What was a normal, boring bloke like Gary gonna do on Love Island anyway?

Not win, it seemed. Come out the other end slightly more hopeless, slightly less lonely, a little less sane. Not even 25,000 pounds richer for his troubles.

When he realized he couldn’t be with the girl he really liked, he put one-hundred-and-ten percent into being in a couple with Lottie. He complimented her hair at the right times and backed her up even when he thought she was being catty. His efforts were not entirely wasted, they made it to the final together. When the show was over and real life crept in, they separated painlessly. He went back to work, and so did Lottie. No big fuss.

Gary hated when things were a fuss.

-

When Bobby broke up with her, he was surprised to find that Margot felt the same way. He was worried she’d be crushed, that he’d break her heart and feel terrible about it forever.

“I care about you so much,” she said, tears welling in her eyes already. He hated to see her cry. His sweet girl, not his anymore. “But you’re right, we’re so much better now just as friends.”

Bobby was used to being just a friend, so he expected that to sting. It didn’t, though, because she was right. They were better as friends. All he felt was relief.

“I care about you too,” he said. “Proper love you, like.”

“I know, Bobby.”

Those were the sweetest three words he’d ever heard her say.

-

It was Gary’s idea to get the group back together this time—and the impulse surprised him as much as the group text he sent surprised everyone else. It was the first anniversary of the final this week, they had to do something. He’d met up with the guys here and there and had dutifully attended the last silly, themed party Chelsea put together, but it had been at least six months since he’d spoken to any of his fellow former-islanders.

You would think that after a whole summer of sharing a bedroom they’d manage a few nights a year in the same postal code, but the likelihood of another reunion dropped by the minute.

At Chelsea’s party, Priya had joked that maybe the next time they would all get together would be for the winners’ wedding. The table toasted to the thought and to the happy couple.

Gary had spent many sleepless nights since then wondering if he’d imagined the pained look in Bobby’s eyes as they clinked their glasses.

It wasn’t that Gary wished he could switch places with Bobby in the villa. Love Island made him realize that he was a slow-and-steady type of bloke. He would have never been able to move at the lightning pace that the winning couple had.

No, he’d envied Bobby for the girl he was holding hands with, the way he helped Margot out of her coat at the door, the way she rested her hand on his thigh.

When Gary first met her in the villa, he hadn’t felt anything special at first. She was pretty enough that he stepped forward for her when prompted, but he wasn’t immediately shocked to his core with desire for her like Bobby had been. When she chose Bobby on the first day and stuck by his side, Gary couldn’t imagine trying to get between them, even when he started seeing her smile behind his eyes at night.

After the villa, Gary swore off social media. Partly because he wasn’t the type of guy to post #sponcon for vitamins and dating apps, and partly because he wanted exemption from all of the post-Love-Island-break-up-announcements. It wasn’t a secret that most reality TV relationships ended quickly, but the statistic was more heartbreaking when it applied to his and his friends’ relationships.

He was almost tempted to check Instagram before sending a text to the group chat, but he resisted. Everyone should know that he wouldn’t see anything online.

-

The breakup post on social media was brutal. Bobby knew that the public felt a sort of ownership over the relationships that came from Love Island. He also knew that, no matter how much he meant his statement, ‘it was an amicable breakup and we are still great friends,’ would always sound insincere.

All things considered, his Instagram followers seemed more outwardly devasted about everything than he did. He was relieved that the news was out and excited for the next chapter in his life.

Moving on from the breakup and moving on from his time in the villa became one and the same. He stopped checking his socials and allowed himself to ignore requests for interviews and participation in brand deals, letting his time with Margot and his time on TV fade into the background of his daily life.

He’d used his half of the prize money to start a café and it was finally making enough to do more than just break even on his expenses. He had that to be proud of.

By the time he and Margot got over the awkward period and were able to proceed as friends, the café was a marked success. He was proud of himself whenever she dropped by, and could tell she was proud of him, too.

When Gary blew the proverbial collected dust off of the former islanders’ group chat and suggested a year anniversary reunion, Bobby’s impulse was to ignore the text. He’d loved the people he’d met in the villa but, as time passed, he found himself more and more protective over the parts of his life that the villa had never touched. His café, his new friends, his privacy. He worried that bridging the gap again would undo all of the progress he’d made and break down all the boundaries he’d set up.

“Why don’t you invite them to the café?” The way she said it—like it was a no-brainer—made him consider. Margot had dropped by with a few cartons of strawberries and was tidying behind the counter as an excuse to stay and gossip. She’d been helping here and there, since Bobby had yet to hire any staff.

Bobby began washing the strawberries immediately. The shop was closed but he was behind on prep for the next day. “You think?”

“It would be nice to show off.” She picked up a dish rag and gave his arm a playful smack with it. “You deserve it.”

Bobby smiled, pride swelling in his chest at the thought. “I’ll think about it.”

-

Gary checked the address three times over and, yes, this was the spot. The cute little shop he passed by almost every weekend on his way to visit his Nan. He would have never known it to be Bobby’s café from the pastel signage and classy striped awnings. Hell, there were well-tended flower boxes in the windows.

That’d be her, he thought, Margot had the aesthetic eye of the two of them.

“Gary!” A familiar voice met his ears and twisted him around. He grinned, despite himself, opening his arms wide to greet her with a hug.

Margot was as radiant as ever, smiling at him like no time had passed at all. She had a way of making the people around her feel at ease, Gary very much included.

Gary squeezed her quickly and let her go, missing her warmth as soon as it was gone. It was almost a shame that wasn’t the type to come onto someone else’s girl.

“How are you?” Margot took a half step away and smoothed her blouse. The two of them were blocking the café door, but it didn’t matter—Bobby had closed it for their private event.

“I’m doing well, same old work, y’know…” Gary ran a hand through his hair, certain that he looked scruffier since the last time she’d seen him. He’d started going longer between shaves. Nan said he looked more grown-up that way, whatever that meant. “How are things with you? The shop looks great!” He gestured at the flower boxes. “This looks like your doing.”

“Oh, yeah…” 

“Hey you lot!” Priya’s heels clicked against the pavement as she strutted toward the café. She raised her eyebrows somewhat suggestively at Gary but he ignored her—completely unsure what the woman was getting at. “Did Bobby lock you two out?”

“Nope.” Margot laughed. “Just catching up! How are you, love?”

-

Bobby thought that it might be hard to see Gary flirting with his ex, but—like everything else in this relationship—his reaction was a surprise. Bobby loved Margot and he loved seeing her happy. Even if she was laughing at another bloke’s funny story. Even if that bloke was Gary Rennel.

If he couldn’t be a good boyfriend, he was going to be a damn good wingman.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Bobby said, raising his mug of steaming cocoa to the ceiling like a glass of bubbly. He made eye contact with Margot, winked. “To new beginnings,” he said.

The islanders raised their mugs and drank.

-

“Shame Lottie couldn’t make it,” Margot said. She and Gary had ended up on a bench seat and were isolated together when the main group separated into smaller circles. From the way she’d been speaking to everyone else, though, it seemed to Gary that Margot was keeping in contact with almost everyone but him. He’d be offended if he weren’t guilty of closing himself off from her.

“She’s doing quite well in the states.” Gary shrugged, putting on a show of just how little he was worried for his ex-girlfriend. “I’m sure she hardly misses us.”

She gave him a puppy-eyed look. “You don’t mean that.”

“I mean, she’s doing well. I don’t know, we hardly speak.”

“So that’s done, done?”

Gary wished he could wipe the frown from Margot’s face, there was really nothing about his relationship with Lottie to be frowning about. “Ah, that was just a villa fling.”

“Hm.” Margot gave him a good once-over like she was administering a visual lie-detector test. He passed. “Glad to hear she’s doing well, then.”

“It’s odd seeing everyone together again, no?” Gary asked. He watched Chelsea across the room, prattling on to Bobby and Noah as she gestured excitedly. She was surely suggesting tasteless decór that she thought would improve the café’s atmosphere.

“It’s a bit odd,” Margot agreed. “But nice. I’m glad you suggested it.”

“Yeah?”

She bumped his shoulder with hers, leaving her hand on his thigh where it fell for just a moment. His whole body burned at her searing touch.

“I’ve missed you,” she said.

Gary turned, almost lurching away as he came to his senses. “I’m sorry to keep you from Bobby all night. I mean…” He felt awful for how close he’d been to her, how close he’d come to making a move on his friend’s girl. How she’d basically just come onto him. 

He expected her to come to her senses, too. To remember herself and apologize. Instead, she looked at him like he’d gone mad.

“Bobby?” She asked, incredulous as if she’d never heard of the man. “What about him?”

“Aren’t you two…” Gary felt like maybe he had gone mad. He’d been there when Bobby and Margot won Love Island. They were running a café together, for christs sakes. 

Margot’s eyes widened with surprise, then crinkled with mirth as she let out a laugh. “Oh, god. I’m so sorry-“ She set her cocoa down on the table for fear of spilling it as she giggled. “We broke up like months ago! Good terms, I mean…” She shook her head. “Great terms, even. I help with the café, like.”

“Oh.” Gary blushed. He knew he should have checked Instagram before catching up with everyone. “I’m sorry, I had no idea.”

“I forgot that you don’t check your phone.” She laughed. “God, Gary.”

He scooted close again, no longer guilty. “It’s my fault for living under a rock, I s’pose.”

“That it is.” She let her hand fall back to his thigh.

Emboldened by his relief, Gary laid a hand over hers. “There something here, then?” He squeezed her hand, clarifying his question. She hummed, affirmative.

The two of them fell silent, smiling as they listened to the idle chatter of reunited friends around them. Gary felt like he was pulling off a heist. There he was, holding Margot’s hand, and the other islanders were none-the-wiser.

There were no cameras, there was no drama, no one would be tweeting about this moment later. It was all he could have hoped for.

[sunshinejihyun]

lucie T_T I already gave you my incoherent half sleepy thoughts but I reread it and now I have even more thoughts alsdkjfhasdf

i LOVED how you took this concept and made it a reality

i literally read the first paragraph and my jaw dropped like i was not expecting that ANGST right off the bat but you did it so well omg and then the character development of bobby; not caring about social media and wanting to get away from the spotlight and focus on what really matters.... that made me really happy. i never pictured gary as someone who kept up with social media after the show and i love the way you handled that. he's just chillin with his lads, doting on his nan and living his best life

and the little REUNIONNNNNN it made me so happy that everyone showed up and you really wrapped up what they told us in the wedding/chelsea's murder mystery party.

gary was so absolutely precious and the way he approached margot was just so,,,, asfjashdf i cant T_T this was so freaking cute and I cant believe how well you executed everything. this was everything i could have asked for and more. thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you lucie.

[sunshinejihyun]

Girls’ Night In

Fandom: Love Island the Game Pairing(s): Bobby McKenzie x Leila (MC), Chelsea Rating: PG-13 Summary: Bobby and Leila have an unexpected visitor who makes their night a little more exciting.  Word Count: 2.06k

Author’s note: This was written for the Love Island the Game season 2 gift exchange hosted by myself and @justtuesdays. I was given the chance to write for @callmebeem​ and I enjoyed every moment of it. I hope I wrote Leila to your liking, and I must also thank you for participating in the exchange. I hope you enjoy this little slice of life between the two lovers and their best friend.

Whistling as he opened the door to their shared apartment, Bobby absentmindedly sang out his normal hello, only to be met with no response, which was an unusual occurrence. He usually stayed late after work to prep the batter and dough for the next day, so Leila was almost always home by the time he returned, a smile on her face and a kiss waiting for him at the door. They’d settle down onto the couch and talk about their days while scrolling through food delivery services to figure out what to order for dinner that night. Some nights if he was home early, they would make something together in the surprisingly big kitchen for the small apartment.

But it seemed like Leila wasn’t home, so Bobby pulled out his phone from his front pocket to check for any texts from his girlfriend and when he came up empty handed, he pulled up Doordash, looking over the menu of one of his favourite Indian food shops. Absent-mindedly, Bobby walked toward the darkened kitchen to get himself a glass of water.

Flipping on the light, he jumped back in surprise as he found Leila crouched on the counter, a colander on her head and armed with a spatula. “What in the world are you doing?”

Leila’s eyes didn’t move from the spot on the floor they were glued to, but she responded to him nonetheless. “I saw a spider,”

“And that means arming yourself with one of my good spatulas to attack it?” Bobby smirked, grabbing a few paper towels. “Where is it? I’ll get it.”

She shrugged, the colander tipping slightly on her head and he bit his lip to hold back a smile as she readjusted it, her red hair sticking out of some of the holes. “He disappeared under the counter. Quick, hop up here before he comes out and takes our first child.”

“Lass, we don’t have a child.” Nonetheless, Bobby clambered up on the counter with her and as he settled in next to her, a lot more cramped than she was, Leila plopped a plastic mixing bowl on his head and handed him his nice rolling pin. “Thank you, my queen, for giving me the most valiant of armour. Now I’ll be able to properly protect you.”

Bobby leaned in to kiss her nose in a real greeting and she giggled as their makeshift helmets clunk together. “My mighty hero,” she responded. “Thank you for finally coming to my rescue.”

“Of course, always gonna help if you need it.” Bobby replied sincerely, before backtracking. “What do you mean finally? How long have you been up here?”

Leila bit at her nail and Bobby watched her carefully. “A while.”

“And you didn't think to call me?”

“My phone is in the living room.”

“So… you’ve been sitting here and watching the floor? For a while?”

Leila shrugged once again. “I lost sight of him. When I put my feet on the floor he’s gonna bite my ankles.”

“I think the spider is more scared of you than you are of him, lass.” Bobby said, his hand falling to her back and rubbing softly.

“Not taking the risk.” She replied and while Bobby knew he could sit here and try to reason with her, yet it wouldn’t change the fact that she was not going to move from her spot until the spider had emerged and gotten taken care of. At his moment of defeat, Bobby sighed out, brandishing his weapon and jumping off the counter. “What are you doing?” 

“I'm gonna hunt down the spider. Wanna come with me?” He waggled his eyebrows in a taunt. “Unless you’re too scared.”

Without replying, Leila launched herself at Bobby, her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, causing him to stumble slightly. “I’m not scared but I’m also not letting my feet touch the floor.” Pointing forward with her spatula. “Onward, my steady knight!”

As Bobby’s hands wrapped around her legs to hold her up, he moved to bend down, looking at where she said the spider had run to and while he didn’t see anything, he still swiped the rolling pin under the crack to see if it’d scare the spider out. He felt Leila’s fingernails press into his skin as he stood back up.

A knock sounded on the door, and without even waiting for an answer, Bobby heard the doorknob jiggle with a key. “Hey guys! Put your clothes back on if they’re not already.” 

The familiar sound of Chelsea’s shrill yet sweet voice called into the apartment and while Bobby enjoyed her company, he wasn’t sure he wanted her in on the spider hunt.

“Chels!” Leila called, jumping off of Bobby’s back and running toward her best friend. “What a lovely surprise! What are you doing here?”

“Well babes, you weren’t answering my texts or calls so I decided to take a trip to see you and make sure all was well.” The blonde explained and Leila exhaled, looking towards Bobby. The both of them looked ridiculous; with kitchen utensils as weapons and armour, anyone would. “But it seems you were preoccupied. With… whatever you were doing.” She paused, eyeing the pair. “What were you two doing?” 

“Well, I saw a spider…” Leila tapered off and Chelsea held up her hand, her purse hitting her side as she did so.

“Say no more, bestie. I totally understand.” She nodded, the ringlets in her hair bouncing with the movement. Leila nodded with her, the colander bobbing along with the movement. 

“We haven’t been able to find it yet. It may have even walked out the front door on two legs.” Bobby said, taking the bowl off his head and placing it on the coffee table he was sitting at. 

“Oh, silly. Spiders have eight legs, not two.” Chelsea said, waving him off. Turning back to Leila, it was like Bobby no longer existed. “Well now that I’m here, I’m thinking girls night. Matching jammies, face masks, nail polish, and chick flicks. Waddya think?”

“I think I’ll make the cupcakes.” Bobby volunteered before his girlfriend could even respond, sending an over-the-top wink at Leila and grinning as her cheeks turned a gorgeous pink. Taking the kitchen utensils that Leila still had, Bobby retreated into the kitchen as he heard Chelsea squeal in excitement. As he got started on the cupcakes, Chelsea thrust silky pajamas in Leila’s arms and marched her to her bedroom, demanding she change while Chelsea did the same in the bathroom.

When the bedroom door slammed, Bobby heard Leila scream and without thinking about it, he dropped the batter scoop and ran into the room, where he found her cowering on the bed, half undressed, and pointing at a spider on the wall. In all fairness, it wasn’t a tiny spider, but it certainly wasn’t anything like he was picturing.

“Lass, it’s alright. Look, I’ll get it. Keep an eye on it whilst I get a napkin so it doesn’t disappear again.” Bobby backed out of the room, a twinge of guilt in his stomach for leaving her on her own to get a napkin while she looked so petrified. 

As he returned, he found Chelsea on the bed next to her, an arm wrapped around her shoulder. They were wearing matching silk pajamas: Chelsea in pink, Leila in green. “It’s okay hun. Look! Bobby’s here and he’s gonna take care of it. Nothing to worry about!”  And taking care of it is what Bobby did. He squashed the bug, dropped it into the trash can, and made his way over to the bed, snuggling up to Leila and kissing her forehead.

“The brave knight has defeated the evil arachnid,” Leila whispered, causing Bobby to laugh. “His queen is forever grateful and vows to bestow a kiss to his lips.”

Without giving a response, Bobby’s hand fell to Leila’s hip, pulling her gently to him as he pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. Her hands dropped onto his shoulders, looping around his neck and he felt her smile against his lips.

Then, Chelsea cleared her throat. “You guys are cute, but I am still here, you know?” Their friend interrupted the moment and Bobby pulled away, clearing his throat and rubbing at the back of his neck, a telltale sign he was embarrassed. 

“I’m gonna go put the cupcakes in the oven.” He said, getting up and moving back in the direction toward the kitchen.

“Make sure to meet us on the couch after for face masks!” Chelsea called after him and Bobby tutted in acknowledgement.

                                  ___________________________

“C’mon Bob,” Chelsea whined out. “Let me just put a little pink on your toes.”

Bobby raised his eyebrows as much as he could under the quickly hardening face mask and he wiggled his toes, causing both girls to look down at his feet. “I don’t see the harm. I never walk around with these babies out. Most people have to pay to see pictures of them.”

“I’m not gonna judge but…”

“Chelsea, he’s kidding.” Leila deadpanned, looking up from the clear polish she was painting onto his fingers. She had trimmed the cuticles, put some oil on them, and is now polishing them nice and shiny. “The only OnlyFans content he puts out is stuff we make together.”

“Oh yeah, lass. Did you end up asking Chelsea about maybe joining us for that one picture…?”

Chelsea had stopped her movement towards Bobby’s feet, instead keeping herself planted on the couch. “No I haven’t asked her but she’s already here so…”

Leila and Bobby both looked at Chelsea and before either one of them could ask anything, she shot up, nail polish spilling over the bottle. “I love you both but that isn’t something I am willing to do!” She exclaimed and before she could go on to say more, the couple burst out laughing.

“Oh man, Chelsea, you should have seen your face!” Bobby choked out between laughter.

“Sorry Chels, you were just too easy.” Leila said and while Chelsea huffed and sat back down. “For the record, we do not sell our sex tapes. Those are for our eyes only.” 

Before the blonde could even question if Leila was joking again or not, Bobby motioned to the credits rolling on screen. “Movie’s over. It’s getting pretty late. Should we all head to bed?” Going to the linen closet. Bobby grabbed a bundle of sheets and blankets and the girls stood up, the routine becoming almost second nature by this point. Chelsea decided on impromptu sleepovers quite often.

As Bobby spread the sheets over their couch, Leila leaned in to give her best friend a hug. “Goodnight sweetie, I’ll see you in the morning. Do you have work? You might need to get an early start.”

“I do, but if I’m a little late it’s okay. I couldn’t miss out on some of Bobby’s yummy pancakes.” Chelsea said, shooting a grin at the man who was holding open the bundle of blankets for her to slip into. 

“You got it, Chels,” Bobby promised as she climbed in. 

Patting her head like you would do to a child, Bobby bid her goodnight before wrapping his arms around Leila’s waist and carrying her to their bedroom, plopping her down onto the bed before laying directly on top of her.

“Uh hello, girlfriend suffocating under here.” Leila said, cheekily pinching Bobby’s bum. 

“Uh hello, comfy boyfriend here.” Bobby responded by pulling a blanket over them to prove his point.

“Rude,” 

“You can’t be talking about me, I’m a knight in shining armour.”

They were silent as Bobby rolled off of her, wrapping an arm around her as Leila snuggled in, her head resting on his chest. “You don’t think there are any more spiders, do you?” 

“Absolutely not. And when the next one shows up, I’ll be sure to squash it too.” Leila’s body relaxed and Bobby reached over to turn the light off. “We should set an alarm to wake up tomorrow.”

“I’m sure we’ll hear Chelsea before we see her.” She responded with a yawn and he had one follow shortly after. 

“Goodnight, Lass. I love you.” Bobby pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and he smiled as he felt her nails scratch lightly on his chest in acknowledgement. 

“Sleep well, handsome.” Leila replied sleepily, eyes already shut.

[whatisreggieshortfor]

Renewed Fancy

For @sunshinejihyun, MC left unnamed as requested

Gary x MC, former Bobby x MC

She shouldn’t be surprised by the number of people they met that were shocked at the fact that she and Bobby stayed friends after they fell out of love.

At the fact that they kept their place together in Rochester and took up separate bedrooms now.

At the fact they were able to coparent their son, who was starting first grade in a week, without questioning each other’s decisions.

It wasn’t that they didn’t love each other. They loved each other a lot, actually.

They had just fallen out of love.

It was two very different things, and a point she often made known.

Bobby had even gotten a new girlfriend just before their son turned one, and Tuesday had become her second best friend in the world. Only after Bobby himself.

And their son seemed to understand. They had decided to separate the relationship before he was born, before they even knew about him, so by the time he turned six he understood why his mum and dad weren’t together anymore.

But it had been nearly ten years now since the Villa, and they’d had no contact for the most part with more than half of their fellow former Islanders. Social media became a lost option, after a deletion years ago, for keeping up with their lives when the media and the public kept scouting and scouring their pages for any sign to tear them down. Texts came every now and then, but hang outs hadn’t happened in a few years- not since before Nero. She had lost a good bit of her friends from before the show after it ended, they claimed it changed her. But at least she still had a friend in Bobby. It was easy to figure what the others had been up to in their own heads. They knew Lottie was off in America working her make up artist dreams. They knew from the internet that Chelsea, Lucas, Henrik, and Rahim had kept up their old jobs but with more notoriety now. They’ve seen Priya’s name on a clothing brand. Bobby had seen Noah at work in his library, and just a quick search of Hope’s company showed her as the thriving VP. Gary was their biggest question mark. His Nan must not have come around to the idea of a talk show, but they wondered if he was still working with cranes every day.

She ended up getting her answer in a way she didn’t expect.

Driving out to her parents to pick up Nero from his weekend with them, her car died. She called Bobby, let him know that she wouldn’t make it and he was immediately ready to run to meet her after picking him up, but she assured him that she called a tow truck already and just needed to wait.

It was only a few minutes before the truck pulled up, and as the driver climbed out, she recognized a still very familiar head of blonde hair.

“Gary? That you?”

His head snapped up from where it was going over his clipboard of the job, and a brief look a surprise flickered across his face before it was overtaken with a beaming grin, “Mate! I thought I recognized the name, but bloody hell I didn’t think it’d actually be you.”

She giggled, unable to keep her own smile from stretching wider as she raced up to give him a hug, “Bloody hell, thank god it’s you. I get so anxious dealing with strangers in these situations.”

“I’ll take a look, see if it’s not something I can fix now and get ya back on the road, but I need you to keep me company and catch me up on your life. Fair?”

“Fair! But you gotta catch me up on yours, too. We thought you’d still be up in cranes!”

He shook his head with a smile, “You got a deal, mate.”

“Great! Well, as for my life let’s see…” She tapped a finger to her chin and he chuckled at it as he got under the hood and started checking for any issues, “Well, I finished my degree since I last saw you. Got a PhD, actually, which wasn’t even the original plan. Got a job offer with the British Space Programme, but I took a remote job working for NASA now.”

He let out a low whistle as he checked the fluid levels, “Damn, mate. That’s impressive. What about Bobs?”

She beamed, “Bobby’s Boops has been up and running for a few years now. I help out there when I can, he actually had to hire on extra bakers to keep up with demand.”

“You tellin’ me ya learned to bake?”

She gasped, smacking his arm as he chuckled to himself, “Excuse you, I make better pies than he does. But no. I actually help with the business side of things.”

“Good to hear you two are still making things work.”

Her brow furrowed before realization hit, “Oh! Oh, no. We broke up years ago. But we stayed best mates. He’s been seeing someone else for a couple years now.” He looked concerned but she waved him off, “Don’t you worry, Gaz. I actually adore her. And it’s not like exes can’t be friends. You and Lottie got along fine at Chelsea’s Murder Mystery party.” He nodded at that, conceding her point.

They kept talking as he fixed the minor issue, he told her about going back to trade school and getting his certification as a mechanic and how proud it made his nan.

Before she knew it, Gary had her on her way in no time. But she desperately wanted to keep in contact again. So she got his new number- he had to change it after productions kept calling him at work. And a day didn’t go by that one of them wasn’t reaching out to the other.

Gary was finally free for a day to make the short trip to hang out, and she was still busy getting ready when the knock came. Tuesday volunteered to get it for her, and she agreed without a second thought. She’d been living with them for close to four years now, it wasn’t something that often occurred to her.

“Oh, hey, are ya Bob’s sister or something?”

“What? Oh, no, I’m-“

“Gary!” She called, finally entering the living room, “This is Tuesday. Bobby’s fiancé.”

“Not yet!” The other girl squawked.

“Mummy! The monsters got daddy!” The interruption called, little feet padded quickly down the hall, and she spun with ease, scooping up the child.

“The monsters? Oh, no, poor daddy. Is it the one under the bed, or the one in the closet?”

“His closet!”

“The ones in his closet? Oh, no!” She glanced at Gary, who looked stunned. “Gary, you mind helping me take down this monster and then we’ll answer whatever questions are brewing in that big brain of yours.” Tuesday took hold of Nero, gesturing them down the hall as she carried him behind them.

They found Bobby ‘dead’, laying on the floor of his closet, half tucked under the clean clothes Tuesday had been telling him all day to fold and put away. She just shook her head, motioning for everyone to be quiet and she took a broom handle and passed it to Gary with a wink, “For our brave knight.”

He raised an eyebrow but then her son spoke up, “You gotta defeat the monsters, knight!”

Gary laughed at the child’s desperate enthusiasm, before ‘charging’ into the closet and attacking the monsters. Bobby sprung to his feet after, bowing deeply, “Sir Gareth, thank you for your pertinent assistance.” Following it up with a cheeky smile, “Good to see ya, mate.”

“Good to see you, too, Bobs.”

Bobby took hold of their son, claiming it was lunch time, and she took Gary back to the living room. She hadn’t planned much for the day, just a few drinks together while they hung out, but as she stood up to get them he stopped her, “I didn’t realize you and Bobby had a kid.”

“Oh.” She blinked, “Well, we didn’t even realize I was pregnant when we broke up. Around four months in I noticed, and we agreed not to be one of those couples that only stayed together for the child. We have this place together, bedrooms on opposite ends, his in the middle. And he absolutely loves Tuesday. She’s been there since he was one, so she’s just…ya know, his second mum.”

“That’s…incredible, honestly, mate.” Gary gave her a soft smile, and she was almost startled at the things it did to her heart. She knew when she saw him again that the feelings that had been long forgotten were brewing back to the surface, only encouraged by every text they had exchanged in between. Then his grin turned cheeky, “Did I see an Alabama jersey on him?”

She flushed, “Guilty pleasure, okay? I have cousins in the states that bleed Crimson Tide, so I always stream the games. He loves watching with me, so for Christmas last year Tuesday got us matching jerseys for his favorite player.”

He laughed, “That’s actually really sweet.”

It became a weekly hang out at some point. Gary was actually an Alabama fan, too, back from his own sports days when he took an interest in American football, so he took to hanging out with the two of them on Sundays to watch the game. She surprised him with how loud and into the game she would get, but then he watched her mini me imitate it and he found himself getting just as intense. Bobby had taken more pictures than Gary would admit he saved to his phone of the scenes, the three of them wearing jerseys with the same number- he’d never tell anyone that he made one his home screen on his phone.

It only took two months before Bobby cornered him in the kitchen during halftime though, “You fancy her again, dontcha mate?”

Gary choked on his tongue, “Fancy- I never said-“

Bobby snorted, “You don’t have to say anything. I can tell. Just like I know she fancies you, too.”

Gary shook his head, “Doesn’t matter much. She’s got enough on her plate. She’s got you, your lass, him, work, your shop. I don’t need to add to it.”

Bobby’s brow furrowed, but Gary bustled passed him before he could respond. So instead he planned. Planned for a day that didn’t take place for nearly another year.

“Gary!” He almost had to pull the phone away from the loud voice as soon as he answered, setting his tools back into his truck after getting a customer’s car to the shop.

“Bobs, what’s up, mate?”

“Dinner, this weekend. Huge news. Think you can make it?”

Gary glanced at his calendar, not that he needed to. He hadn’t made plans with anyone else but his nan since he’d reunited with them. “Should be able to.”

“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at five on Saturday. Pack a bag, please.”

Gary raised an eyebrow to himself, but didn’t protest as the call ended. It wouldn’t be the first time he crashed on their couch lately.

Bobby picked him up that weekend, practically bouncing in his seat, and wouldn’t give Gary any details about what was happening, but he did thrust a bag of clothes at him and told him to change into them.

Gary was confused, but accepted, changing into the dress trousers and button up he’d been handed- much different from his usual style and he wondered how Bobby knew his size before figuring he probably gave nan a call. He’d been talking to her a lot since they started hanging out again.

He was surprised again when Bobby pulled up to a fancy restaurant, telling him to give the hostess his name and saying he needed to park the car.

Again Gary didn’t argue. Offering Bobby’s name to the hostess and following her back to a table with one person sitting at it.

Her.

At a table for two.

Oh, he was gonna kill Bobby.

Just as he depending leaving, his phone pinged with a message from Bobby, telling him that he left him there. And before he could reply, she looked up at spotted him, an embarrassed smile taking over her face.

He approached slowly, much slower than he needed to as he took deep breaths, trying to get over how stunning she looked in her dress. “Hey,” she offered shyly, “I guess you’re the blind date Bobby has been talking up for days now. Everything he said fits.”

He snorted, and several of the other patrons shot short glares in his direction, but she flipped them off. “At least you were told it was date.” He offered as he sat down, but he immediately wished he could take it back when he saw the disappointment and insecurity flash across her face before she gave him a careful smile.

“You don’t have to stay.” She shrugged, “I was gonna bail out anyway if it had been someone else. Claim I wasn’t feeling well or something.”

“Not now?” He really didn’t want to be hopeful. But when she was looking at him with those shining eyes that reminded him of all the times he almost chose her in the Villa, only to end up being too late in the line up… “For the record, I’m not against it being a date.” He clarified, “So long as it’s you.”

“Oh yeah?” She grinned cheekily, the mirth in her eyes making them shine brighter, “So you’ve thought about taking me on a date, have you?”

“Only every day since I met ya.” She was clearly shocked at the statement, or maybe the seriousness in which he said it, he just shrugged, “I told ya back then. I fancy ya. A lot. But you had Bobby. So I didn’t push. And it’s not like I didn’t like Lottie. I did.”

“Just wasn’t the same.” She added, her cheeks slightly flushed, “I thought about picking you a time or two. But I was never sure how you felt. And Bobby was always there, never made me feel like I was a back burner. And after Rocco…” they both winced at the mention of what he’d put her through, “I just didn’t want to risk it being a one way thing between us, I guess. And I did fancy Bobby that way. The years I had with him- I don’t regret them. I just mean-“

“I get it.” Gary interjected, gently placing his hand on hers, “You can care for two people the same way, at the same time.” She nodded.

“I’ve never understood that saying, ‘if they fall in love with two people, tell them to choose the second. Because-‘“

“‘Because if they loved you, they wouldn’t have fallen for them.’” He finished, “Never made sense to me either. Just because I had feelings for more than one person, doesn’t mean my feelings for either were worth any less or meant any less.”

“Exactly.” She smiled, hopeful, “What about your feelings now?”

Gary hummed playfully, wrapping his larger fingers around her slender ones, “Now, I would really like to probably wine and dine you. No pressure, just figure out where we are after all these years. Show ya I still fancy you.”

“That sounds really nice.” She agreed.

Dinner sped by, and when she drove them to the flat that evening, he gave her a sweet kiss. Nothing spicy, or sexy, but it was still intense. All the feelings he’d been holding back since they reconnected.

She didn’t let him sleep on the couch either. While they agreed to take things slow, no big bits happening until they were sure, he had to admit it was nice to fall asleep pulling her into a cuddle.

And when they were together for six months, Nero ran up to him as soon as he walked through the front door, “Papa!” Gary couldn’t even react before the little boy, now eight, was throwing himself at him for a hug. All he could do was catch him. He caught her eye too, wide and obviously terrified for his reaction, but Gary just smirked.

“Hey, how’s my favorite little man? You been good for mummy and daddy?”

Nero nodded, “And mum, too! I promise!”

“You promise, huh? Bloody hell, you must’ve been good, then.” He hoisted the boy up with him as he stood up straight, pulling her into his side and pressing a kiss to her head.

“Mummy, when does Papa get to live with us like Mum does?”

Gary watched her eyes bulge, but he just laughed, teasing, “Yeah, mummy. What about Papa?”

To his surprise, she smirked at him, “Whenever he thinks he’s ready.”

God, he was ready. He wanted forever with her. She wasn’t the one that got away anymore. She was his. And the ring in his pocket meant one thing. He was hoping she stayed that way.

Masterlist

@justtuesdays

[sunshinejihyun]

stop it. i am grinning like an idiot.

i loved the dynamic between bobby and the mc, how they are still the best of pals - we. love. healthy. coparenting. 

i giggled like a fool when i saw @justtuesdays​ ended up being my other bestie and bobby’s partner; what a cute way to put our friendship in this. 

and gary. GARY. he was so fucking precious pls 😭 i love love love him. and the way he just immediately fit into the family, like a missing little puzzle piece 😭😭

thank you reggie, this was something so lovely that i will cherish forever <3

[sunshinejihyun]

✨💛 This is the Amazing Person Award! 🏆 Once you are given this award you are supposed to paste it in the ask of 8 different people, who in your opinion, deserve it. If you break the chain nothing will happen, but it is sweet to know someone thinks you're amazing inside and out. ✨

thank you nonnie~ this was so sweet and definitely a nice way to brighten my day <3

[sunshinejihyun]

✨💛 This is the Amazing Person Award! 🏆 Once you are given this award you are supposed to paste it in the ask of 8 different people, who in your opinion, deserve it. If you break the chain nothing will happen, but it is sweet to know someone thinks you're amazing inside and out. ✨

ah reggie! thank you so much!! I'm sending these good vibes right back to you - all the love <3

[whatisreggieshortfor]

Studying With my Girlfriend

When his roommate won’t leave him alone about it, Gary tells him he has a girlfriend. But when he claims it’s the quiet smart girl in his class, will he be able to keep from falling when he finds out she’s not what she seems?

Gary x MC

For @csmicletters

Regina had no idea who this boy was or why he had thrown his arm around her and called her his girlfriend, but the pitying part of her brain convinced her to play along for the time being.

Well that’s not entirely true.

She knew the Who. By name, if nothing else. Gary was in one of the engineering classes she took for her minor. His equations left a lot to be desired, but when it came to hands on work, he was top of the class, just ahead of her.

She knew he was on the football team, he played goalie because, again, he was better hands on than using his head.

That was the extent of what she knew about him. They had never spoken before, unless maybe he was one of the people that asked to borrow a pen and she passed it off without looking up from her own notebook.

But the Why of this situation was anyone’s fucking guess.

She was just trying to study for an exam in her astrophysics class the next day. The library was supposed to be good for that. She took a table away from the popular area, spread her stuff enough that no one would try to sit directly next to her, but could join her table if it got busy.

She should have been left relatively alone.

Until Gary, in all his blond and bulky muscled glory, dropped into the seat next to her, arm draped around her shoulders, and said, “Sorry mate, I’m studyin’ with my girlfriend here.”

Regina glanced between the two, meeting the eye of a curly haired brunette boy that looked like he belonged at Woodstock, before chiming in, “I must’ve forgot you were meeting me. Let me move some things.” She shifted the books in front of Gary out of the way, and could see his surprise that she’d played along before he laughed a little too forcefully.

“Naw, babe. I’m helping you study. How am I supposed to do that when you take your books away?” He picked the closest one up, brow furrowing heavily at the title- Astrophysics, Space Anomalies, and Their Mathematic Counterparts.

The brown haired boy cleared his throat, holding out his fist for her to bump, “Sorry about the intrusion, mate. Name’s Rocco, I’m Gary’s roommate- well, I was.”

She knocked her knuckles against his, pen clenched in her hand, “Cool, I guess. Is there a reason you’re joining us?”

She wasn’t usually this standoffish. But this exam was worth twenty five percent of her grade, and honestly she just wanted to study.

“Oh, uh, n-no, not particularly. Just catching up with him, but he was in a rush to meet you. His girlfriend.” Regina narrowed her eyes as she frowned, not liking the way his friend was clearly assuming he was lying. I mean, she knew he was, but his friend shouldn’t be assuming that.

“Well, you’ve met me now. I’m a real person. So, either pull up a chair and help quiz me, or pop out because this is a very important exam.” Gary’s eyes widened a bit at the bite in her tone. But before he could say anything, she turned to him, “Is this the one you told me about? Or was that a different arsehole you had to room with?”

Gary had never told her anything, but he didn’t miss a beat, “Babe, that was Jakub. I roomed with him at a team event and he kept me half the night re-ironing his socks.” She nodded, a fake look of remembrance on her face, as if recalling a memory. Damn, he didn’t know she could act like this.

Rocco awkwardly nodded his head, wishing her luck before scurrying away. Gary stayed in his seat, though he sagged in relief. She raised an eyebrow at him, “So. How long have we been dating?” Just like the tension was back. She snorted, “Relax. I didn’t sell you out then, I won’t sell you out now. But I’d like an explanation. Maybe the backstory here.”

Apparently, at the end of last semester, Gary’s girlfriend from back home had dumped him. Something about having a glow up and she realized he wasn’t the Prince Charming she had thought he was. Rocco had tried to help, set him on a blind date with a girl, but now she was looking to curse him, literally, because he’d never called her back. He’d told Rocco he met someone else when the new semester started, before said boy dropped out and started living out of a food truck he’d dumped the rest of his college money into and parked on campus, but since he wouldn’t take his word for it after a couple weeks, Gary approached the first girl he recognized. It just so happened to be the one he stared at in his engineering class, not that he told her that part. But he did tell her that he told Rocco instead of the girl directly because Rocco was a huge gossip and it would be more believable if the news didn’t come from the guy that was clearly avoiding her.

“Honestly, I thought you were gonna punch me as soon as I touched you.” Gary admitted when the story ended, “You’re rather scary in class.”

“Good.” She nodded once. “So how long have we been together? Since break or since the semester started?”

Gary blinked, confusion on his face, “You’d be willing to keep up the act?”

Regina shrugged, “My best friend says I need to stop spending all my time studying, and that other things than school matter, yada yada yada. I just want to get my degree and move as far from Chatham as I can, but I guess helping you wouldn’t hurt too much. But you’re not prepared for what you’ll hear about me.”

“You’re from Chatham?”

She raised her eyebrow, “Yes. Can’t you see I’m oozing hometown spirit over here?” She gestured to her attire, mostly black and grey, and Gary snorted with a grin.

“I’m from Chatham. Guess we could say we ran into each other over break and hit it off.”

“Bang on. So roughly three months together? Geez, take me on a date once in a while.” Gary rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the mirth in them. She was a lot funnier than he’d imagined. “What’s the level of PDA I should be expecting with his exactly? Cause I can deal with hand holding and touching, but I am not about to make out in front of people.”

“That’s fine! I don’t you to be uncomfortable. I still can’t believe you’re willing to do this.”

“Okay,” She started to reach for the book he was still holding, “I really do need to study now. This exam is huge.”

Gary hugged the book to his chest. “Hey now! I’m here to help you study, remember?” He held the book out, but in a tight grip so she couldn’t try to take it. “Get me to whatever chapters you need quizzed on.”

Regina had expected him to be a huge distraction- and he was. He kept making her laugh by mispronouncing words on purpose so that she had to correct him- proving she knew exactly what he was quizzing her on. But he also took it seriously enough that she felt confident in her knowledge by the end of it.

When it was over, he took her bag and the books that didn’t fit inside.

“I can carry my own things, you know?”

Gary shrugged, “Can and should are different things.”

Regina grimaced, “One of my housemates has that sewn on a throw pillow.” He chuckled. “So. Where exactly are you taking my things?”

He shrugged again, “Your car or your dorm or whatever. I’m walking you.”

She tilted her head, “Am I a dog? You need to take me for a walk?”

“Yes.” He deadpanned, “I am merely walking you because otherwise you’ll get bored and chew on the furniture.”

She laughed, almost too loudly for the library, and god, her laugh was hideous. But Gary wanted to hear it more. “Alrighty then, boss man. I guess you can walk me back. But it’ll shock you and you’ll hate it, completely ruining whatever image you have of me in your head, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

On the walk, they told each other information someone would learn when they’d been dating someone for a while. She learned his favorite color- blue. He was raised by his nan- who she’d actually met at the community center back home a few times. He was only in university because it was what his nan wanted- he’d have been happy doing construction like his uncles had. She told him about dreaming of space all her life- wanting to help the world by assisting in its exploration. Told him about being raised by a single mother with the help of her best friend, Regina’s best friend’s mom, and he’d actually met them both. They bonded briefly over having absentee dads. She even told him about her irrational fear of ants after a mishap of sitting on ant hill as a child, and he only judged her a little bit for it.

By the time they made it to Greek Row, she almost didn’t want the walk to end. Stopping in front of the Kappa Sigma house, she grimaced. He looked confused.

“You…are a sorority girl?”

“Not by choice.” She defended. “Legacy and all that. Shannon was forced into it, too, so at least I like my roommate.”

“How have I never seen you at the parties?” Ah, yes. The parties. Her president may be a business major, but she preferred to spend her time with a cocktail in hand and her tongue down her boyfriend’s throat.

“Simple. I don’t attend them. I stay in my room.” He nodded like that made the most sense in the world.

Opening his mouth, he was interrupted by an unmistakable bubbly voice behind them, “Oh em gee! Y/N, are you talking to a boy??”

Chelsea was loud as she always was, and suddenly Regina could see a whole mess of her ‘sisters’ peering out the first floor windows or around the front door she still held open. She sighed, “Chelsea. Good to see you. My boyfriend was just walking me back from the library.”

“Lolz, no seriously! How could you meet a boy when you live more at the library than you do the house?”

Gary could almost feel Regina’s eye twitch. “Nice to meet ya, Chelsea. I actually know Reg from home. Ya gotta love a smart girl, ya know?” He winked at her, she rolled her eyes.

As he said goodbye and handed her things over, she made the split second decision to kiss his cheek in farewell.

Just to make the lie believable.

The very next night the sorority house was throwing another one of its famous parties, and as Shannon stuffed her bag full of things to escape to her own boyfriend’s dorm for the night, the door of their room burst open. Without turning from her notebook, Regina called out, “Chelsea, we go through this every time. I am not coming down. I am only required to take part in one party a year, and I filled that at quota at the Rush party.”

Shannon glanced back and forth between her and the new individual that entered before she crossed her arms, “Listen knobhead, this room is off limits. You plan on hooking up with a sister, you do it in her own room. Not ours.

Regina were caught off guard by the voice she was familiarizing herself with answering, “Just thought I’d pop in and say hello to my girlfriend.”

She chuckled, still not turning around, “Gary, come in and shut the door.” As soon as she heard it click she continued, her highlighter still skimming over important phrases, “You can’t lie to Shannon.”

“This is the best friend? I guess you told her?” He didn’t sound annoyed or mad, just like he was looking for confirmation.

She shook her head, “She’ll keep the secret, but I mean you literally can’t lie to her. She’s like a human lie detector.”

“One of you prats better explain something.” She interjected impatiently, and so Gary told her the same story he told Regina. She nodded almost imperceptibly when he finished, “Sounds like you’re living a fan fiction. Good luck with that, losers.”

“Just get outta here.” Regina rolled her eyes, “Tell Rahim I said hi.” She could see the name spark recognition in Gary’s eyes, but he wisely didn’t comment.

“Will do, babes. Gary…” She narrowed her eyes at him, clearly sizing him up, “Even if it’s fake, you better treat her right. I’m not dealing with a repeat. I’ll kill you first.”

“Shannon!” Regina snapped. He didn’t need to know about her ex. She rolled her eyes at the glare, grabbing her bag without another word and disappearing out the door. “Ignore her. The important thing is she won’t rat you out.”

Gary nodded, but she realized he was focused more on looking around. She could guess her room was a surprise. The sorority painted all the rooms the same pale pink, but the two of them had practically covered every inch in photos and movie or band posters. He pointed to the large Arctic Monkeys poster that hung above her desk, “You listen to them?”

She was not about to listen to someone shit talk her favorite band. “Yes. And if you start talking smack, I will defenestrate you.”

He held his hands up with a chuckle, “No, I actually went to their show last year. Frontman really knows how to give a performance.”

Her jaw fell slack, staring up at him, “Please tell me it was as magical as I’ve always imagined.”

“Even more!” The giddy look overtook his face as he started ranting about all the different things the band did as they performed, like he was coming alive talking about it. She’d seen him like this when he talked about his constructions in class, but never when she’d seen him around campus.

Before she even realized it, the two of them had been talking music for nearly two and a half hours. Clearing her throat, she switched off the small speaker she’d been using to show him a new artist she’d found, “You could probably head to the party now, if you wanted.” For once she didn’t actually care about kicking out the uninvited guest to get back to studying, “I’m sure the whole…gotta visit the girlfriend first thing would be believable now, it’s been a while.”

Gary seemed to deflate a bit, “Yeah, uh, I guess I could.” He seemed to be chewing his lip, trying to figure out how to say something, “Would you mind coming with me? I get parties aren’t your thing, but just like twenty minutes.”

She tossed the idea around. She honestly had no idea what made her even agree to this whole thing, it’s not like he really needed her to, and it’s not like she was getting anything out of it. She couldn’t really blame the pitying part of your brain anymore. But still, she found herself nodding. “Fine. Step outside so I can change.”

He shrugged, “You look fine to me but you’re the boss here.”

When she joined the sorority, after being sought out because even as a legacy she had no intentions of doing it, Chelsea had made her and the other new sisters sit through a four hour presentation she’d made on proper make up application. But because of it, and the ensuing days of practice she forced on everyone, Regina was made up and dressed in under ten minutes. The soft white material cling to her body, and the smokey eye she was able to master made her eyes pop even in the dark and neon lighting that illuminated the party. Gary rubbed at his eyes three times, before literally looking in her room behind her. “Stop being weird.”

“Holy shit. I knew you were a bird, but I didn’t know you were so…” he trailed off as he gestured to the entirety of her as she leaned into her shoulder into the doorframe.

She snorted, “No, please, continue.”

He stuck his tongue out and she laughed, “Come on, gotta show you off and all that jazz.” Regina moved to step forward and immediately stumbled, but he caught he against his chest, “God, have you been pregaming and just pretending to study or something?”

She had to focus on something other than the way his firm chest felt under her hands, “N-no. I just…never wear heels.”

His arm anchored around her waist the next moment, “Just lean on me. People might assume things, seeing as we just left your room and now you can’t walk, but if we get a drink in your hand quick enough they’ll just think that you’ve had more than they would’ve guessed.”

Parties were not her thing. But Gary never left her side. He knew more of the people here than she did even though she lived here, and every time someone called his name, his hand would press into the small of her back to lead her to join him. He never let her be alone in the loud mess of chaos. He never let his friends talk over her, even if he was the only one that could understand what she was saying, and he somehow always understood.

Gary was going to lose his mind. He wasn’t sure why he chose her. He thought it was because she happened to be nearby in the library when Rocco cornered him, but now he’s seen her music tastes- his tastes. He’s heard her awful jokes that match his terrible sense of humor. She’s brilliant, and in the gaudy almost nightclub lights the sorority house has on, she looked nearly ethereal. He thought she was gorgeous in the laid back t shirts and jeans he’d seen her wear to class, even the sweats she’d been studying in a bit ago, but this was an entirely different level. He was going to fall, and he wondered if it wouldn’t be worth it even if he fell on his face.

The two of them were actually having a great time, even when people couldn’t hide their surprise that they were together. Though it filled her with the same annoyance she felt at Rocco, her party mood was even bordering on enthusiastic.

Until Shannon came crashing through the front door, scowl on her face but eyes still puffy.

What shocked her more was that Gary made the first move, gently pulling her through the crowd until Regina could reach her, and then immediately ushering the two of them out the sliding glass door off the kitchen. He slid it shut, facing the party with his arms crossed over his chest, as if daring anyone to try to interrupt.

Shannon didn’t even ask him to stand guard from the inside before she exploded, so Regina knew she was upset. She never let anyone see her be vulnerable but her. “He cheated on me!”

Regina’s entire body went rigid as Gary’s eyes blew wide. Voice was even when she spoke, not angry, not sad, just even, “With who?”

She threw her hands up, “Some girl on the school cycling team! Joanna or some shite. She was still there when I stormed out.”

Regina shouldered past Gary without a word, and Shannon was hot on her heels trying to talk her out of something- what it was, Gary wasn’t sure, but he was definitely interested enough to follow. She stomped up to the bubbly blonde he’d met the day before, an edge in her voice that made her eyes widen, “Chelsea. My bat. Where is it?”

Shannon was adamantly telling Chelsea not to answer, but as the blonde bounced between each of their faces, she whimpered, “I’m sorry, Shannon. She scares me more. It’s this way!” She scampered off down the hall, returning a few minutes later with a baseball bat, barbed wire wrapped around the end. Gary’s eyes widened as Regina took it, stomping up to her room. He stood in the hall as Shannon argued with her, becoming more and more sober as she stomped out again in what were definitely steel toed boots, jeans, with a leather jacket thrown over her tank top and the bat clenched in her grip.

Gary had one thought. She looked fucking banging hot.

The night air nipped at their skin as she stomped her way across campus, and Gary was aware he should’ve definitely stepped in, tried to talk her out of it, but Shannon seemed resigned to the fact that there was no stopping her.

Approaching the dorm confirmed what Gary had suspected, he knew Rahim from the gym.

The RA intercepted them. “Reggie, please. I can’t keep calling maintenance to replace doors.” This has happened more than once?? Gary’s mind was reeling.

Regina wasn’t phased, simply holding out her hand and waiting until he sighed, digging into his pocket and setting a key in her palm. She clapped him on the shoulder, “We never saw you, Lucas. You were too busy studying for that physiology exam you have on Tuesday.”

“How do you- no, nevermind. I don’t care how you knew. Just remember it’s late. Try not to get security called.” Gary watched the dark haired man disappear back into his own dorm.

“What. The. Bloody. Hell.”

Shannon shrugged, “Ya get used to it, mate. Reggie has skills and tenacity that scare the average person.”

By the time they turned back to her, she already had the door unlocked and unlatched, kicking it the rest of the way open so it smacked off the wall behind it, “Hellooooooooo!”

“Oh fu- Reggie, please!” The man of the hour was a good foot taller than the woman in front of him, but he scurried to the furthest corner of the room away, “I tried to tell Shannon, it wasn’t what it looked like!”

“Reggie is for my friends, Ibrahim.” The bat sat hefted onto her shoulder as she watched him, and Gary was fairly concerned he was going to pass out on his own without it being involved, “You think I’m gonna believe you over my best mate? She saw you kiss her.”

Ibrahim looked like he was going to throw up, eyes darting to the Irish girl that leaned against the open door, “You saw that?”

“Aha!” Regina snapped, “I lied. She never told me anything. But you just admitted it happened.” Shannon turned out the door, and Gary followed her. He was still entirely unsure what the fuck happened tonight, but he didn’t think she should be alone.

Nearly twenty minutes later, Regina joined them outside, bat still poised in her shoulder and a cardboard box full of things tucked under her other arm, “Babes! Is this all your stuff?”

Shannon peered into it, just to laugh, “Reggie, you know damn well none of that is mine. I never left things over there when I stayed.”

“It’s not?” She hummed, “What a shame.” Regina chucks the box over her shoulder, and Gary’s mouth drops open as he recognizes Ibrahim’s laptop skidding out of it across the ground.

“Holy shit, mate,” he says breathily, “You might the craziest bird I’ve ever met.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” Shannon smirked.

Gary was stunned. He’d always seen you throughout your years of shared engineering classes and assumed she was just a pretty nerd. Clearly that wasn’t right. “What was that? Why was he so afraid of you?”

She looks thoughtful, “You ever seen a show called Wayne?”

“The kid that would fuck people up when someone crossed him?” He was confused, but if she meant what he thought she did…

Regina nodded, “No one knew who he was unless he went after them or defended them. I’m like that. I don’t associate with most people because I really do just want to get good grades and get gone. When I approach someone, they make an ally for life, or an enemy. They have to be a pretty special case. Lucas is used to me, a lot of them happen to live in this dorm building.”

Gary grinned playfully, “So you’re saying I’m pretty special.”

“You approached me, knobhead. Not the other way around.” She smirked back.

For two months, Reggie- he’d earned the right to call her that- and Gary fell into an easy rhythm. When they were in class together, they were sharing a table. He was walking her to and from class, arm tossed around her shoulders, as they talked about any number of things. She helped him study the equations he had trouble with, and now she was fighting him the top spot in their joint class. Regina had even realized that the Jakub Gary had mentioned was already afraid of her, after he had tried to destroy her sorority president’s relationship and she’d targeted him out of principle. A girl approached Regina out of nowhere two weeks ago, she thinks her name was Dottie or something, and said that she was giving up on Gary and wanted her to know that- she didn’t want Regina coming after her for a stupid crush. When she mentioned the interaction to him, he recognized her as the one trying to curse him, but he’d almost forgotten entirely.

And then it struck him with whiplash, they were faking this relationship. They had only been doing it to get a witchy girl off his back. Would Regina go back to never acknowledging him?

As more days went on, he kept up the ‘relationship’ type behavior. Holding her, studying with her, walking her home to the sorority house, kissing her cheek or crown of her head. He was waiting for her to tell him to get lost- just soaking up as much of her attention as he could get. The relationship might’ve been fake, but the friendship was real. And so were the feelings he was cautiously releasing in every ‘boyfriend’ move he made.

Four months into their friendship, he was walking her home when a voice called his name.

Regina watched as the redhead screamed Gary’s name again and again, jumping on his back before he could even turn around and pressing a loud kiss to his cheek. Gary’s eyes blew wide as shocked recognition swept over his features, “Han? Hannah, what are you doing here?”

Her chest seized. This absolutely stunning girl- this was Hannah? The ‘one-that-got-away’ broke up with him through text ex girlfriend Hannah? Oh.

She didn’t even seem to notice Regina. “Nan called me! You haven’t rang her in days!”

“Oh,” Gary sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, “We’ve been busy studying.”

Hannah laughed, head thrown back as she put her hand on his arm, speaking in a sultry tone, “Since when do you study anything but anatomy.”

He coughed out an awkward laugh, “Hannah, this is Reggie. My girlfriend.”

Hannah’s bugged out, and Reggie’s almost did the same, but she recovered faster, “It’s so good to meet you, Hannah! I’ve heard a lot of things.”

Hannah smirked at her, “Probably all good, I’d hope.”

Regina made a considering face, “Mostly just about the way you dumped him. A text after three years?”

Hannah squeaked, and Gary let out a low whistle. He was almost tempted to defend Hannah, purely by instinct, but he wasn’t the same guy she dumped nearly a year ago. Back when he would broadcast the dumb jock affectation to get people to like him, when she would tell him to tone down the science talk because no one could follow. Regina and Shannon had beaten that out of him- sometimes even literally. Yeah, he played football. But he was a lot more than that, and they helped him remember it. So he settled for pressing a kiss to Reggie’s temple, “Play nice, love.”

Hannah smiled at them, though it was plenty more forced now, “We’ll have to double date sometime. The two of us could catch up and I could learn about Reggie.”

“It’s Regina.” Gary said without thinking about, “She’ll let you know when you’ve earned the right to call her Reggie. It’s a friend thing.”

“Did you have to earn it, too? I was unaware you needed permission to call your girlfriend something.” Hannah raised an eyebrow.

“It’s called respect, Hannah.” Gary sighed. He knew she wouldn’t get it, she gave everyone a nickname. All the different pet names he called her. Half of them didn’t even make sense. “Who are you seeing now? Do I know ‘im?” Reggie could see it for what it was, a way to change the subject. But from the brief look of triumph Hannah sent her way, she knew the other girl took it as a sign of interest in her romantic life- like he wanted to be a part of it again.

“He should be coming right about- There!” Hannah waved at a boy with tattoos walking over, and Reggie couldn’t tell if she wanted to die of laughter, or fear he’d run his mouth. “Guys, this is Graham.”

Graham raised his hand in greeting, looking at Gary friendlier than most men would when they have his ex on their arm.

But then his eyes skidded over to her, and they blew wide before recovering. “Pleasure to meet ya both. Hannah told me how close you two still are and I had to meet the man of legend.”

Gary’s brow furrowed, and Reggie knew why. He hadn’t spoken to Hannah in months. Sure, some could argue he talked to her secretly, but he spent all his free time outside of class and practice with Shannon and Reggie. And the latter didn’t want to bear this awkward situation any longer.

“Well, um, I have class in a couple minutes, so Gare, I’ll meet you later? Leave you to catch up?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said right away, “I’m walking you. I do it every day. We’ll have to catch you guys later.”

Graham nodded, “Of course. Can’t be missing lectures if she wants to see the stars, right?”

Reggie froze, and she knew Gary did too, knowing that Graham should’ve had no way of knowing what she wanted to achieve. Or maybe the condescension in his voice. But instead of questioning it, Gary tightened his arm around for a second before nodding once and steering her away.

They found themselves drifting toward the sorority house- seeing as neither of them actually had class right now. They had been released from a lecture just before Hannah found them. Shannon was sitting at her desk when they got there, half paying attention to the essay she was typing when they caught her eye and she raised a brow, prompting.

“Do ya know a Graham?” Gary asked, because honestly he was still just confused. But the pale girl’s face blanched before she was tossing her chair aside and rushing to Regina.

“Did he try something? Say anything? How’d he find you?”

“Whoa, whoa, Shan, he didn’t do anything.” Reggie laughed humorlessly, “It was actually Gary’s ex that found us.”

“The blonde? I thought we were done with her already.”

“No- Hannah.”

“Oh.” Shannon blinked, “But what- how-“

“Hannah is seeing this Graham now.” Gary filled in, “But who is he?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Reggie raised her hands uselessly.

And that’s when Gary remembered the first time he had been in your room. The way Shannon threatened him. “He’s your ex.” The words left him more like a puff of air, hanging there even as the girls nodded. “So, what’s the backstory?”

Shannon made a protesting noise at the question, but Reggie laughed, remembering how she’d asked him questions the first day they actually met. “Not much of a story, I’m afraid. Girl in high school. Girl meets boy who talks big about the world. Girl falls for boy. Turns out boy’s version of talking big about the world is actually just manning a fishing boat for months on end.”

“Boy tried to convince girl that refusing to give up her dreams to follow him meant that she didn’t know what love was.”

Reggie opened her mouth to protest, but resigned herself to Shannon’s words, “Yeah, pretty much. Then girl’s best friend reminds her that their mothers didn’t settle for toxicity and they didn’t have to either.”

Gary was irritated now. Not with her, but with this guy that thought she should have to choose, and then treated her like that because he thought she chose wrong. “Well fuck that guy.” Shannon snorted but Gary wasn’t done, “And fuck Hannah, too, to be honest. I saw the way she was trying to work you up out there. And I know damn well nan wouldnta called her after she dumped me. So we’re gonna do what we been doing, and acting like they ain’t phased us.”

Reggie blinked at him, before a question didn’t seem like it could hold itself back anymore, “What exactly have we been doing?”

Gary knew there were a lot of ways he could play that question. He could act like he meant friendship, act like he didn’t know all the casual touching and spending time together they did meant nothing. Or he could take a bigger risk. “We’ve been dating, haven’t we?”

“We’ve been-“

Gary waved her off, “Sure, lie to all three of us and say it’s been fake.”

Shannon snorted again, “Damn, the audacity. I’m here for it. Keep telling her like it is, Gary.”

Gary turned to face Reggie, look her in the eye, “I liked you long before that day in the library, and I like ya a bloody hell of a lot more now. I know you don’t plan to stick around in Chatham, but we’re almost graduated. Just a couple more months. Maybe I can prove to ya that…I can just follow you out of it. I’ll get a place wherever you wanna take that stand to help the world by searching the skies.”

Regina could’ve cried. The feelings she kept locked in her chest were growing every day, but he had always seemed like a routine guys. She had thought that he kept up the act because it was a routine of things he grew used to doing around her. But it was because he actually felt the same.

“Okay.” She agreed quietly, the shyest smile he’d ever seen on her face. “Let’s try it, if we can make it to graduation, you can tag along.”

Shannon wiped away a fake tear, “I’m so proud.”

But then Reggie smirked, “We’ve been together like seven months now? Take me on a date once in a while.”

Gary couldn’t help but laugh before he pulled her in and finally pressed a kiss where he’s wanted to this whole time, but resisted because it felt like too far.

Masterlist

[sunshinejihyun]

one of the best things ive read in a while and it’s definitely reignited my love for gary. 

he’s funny, he’s sweet, he’s a lovable dumbass, it’s all the best parts of him mixed into one beautifully written fic.

thank you for sharing this!

[sunshinejihyun]

A Day in the Life

Fandom(s): Genshin Impact, Mystic Messenger, Ikémen Revolution, Ikémen Vampire Pairing(s): Thoma x Unnamed MC, Jumin Han x Unnamed MC, Kyle Ash x Unnamed MC, Napoleon Bonaparte x Unnamed MC, Arataki Itto x Unnamed MC Rating: PG-13 Summary: Explore little snippets of a normal day spent with a different lover for each part of the day. Whether it be tender moments, something silly, or a bit of both, this day is full of love and laughter. Word count: 3.3k

Author’s note: This started out as a birthday present for @kokorokai​ back in June but I suck and didn’t finish it in time. Instead, I’ve evolved it into this, something cute and sweet with a few of her favorite boys instead of choosing only one - too many choices made it so difficult! Kokoro, this is now a present to just thank you for being an amazing person. I’m so happy and lucky to get to have you as someone in my life. Thank you for being you <3

Early mornings with Thoma were always full of bliss. He had to wake early; Ayato had a specific breakfast he liked and Thoma was all too keen to help fulfill his job. Before he pulled himself from his sleep though, he made sure to pull her close, kiss her on the forehead, and whisper his love  - and his life promises - to her, before sadly extracting himself from the shared body warmth.

“You’re so pretty,” Thoma whispered, his arms wrapping around her waist and bringing her forehead to his lips, gently pressing a kiss there. His sour apple colored eyes were barely open and his voice came out husky, signs that allude to him just recently waking up. “Good morning,”

Thoma’s gentle hands rubbing on her back gently helped rouse her from the deep slumber - not enough to fully wake, but enough for her to hear and process what he was crooning in her ear and bring a soft smile to her face. “Morning,” she replied, burying her head into his neck and relishing in the scent that was so… Thoma. Sweet from the treats Ayato ordered for him while he was out, with a bit of spice - probably from slaving away over the stove during meal times, and sweat; nothing that would be gross, but enough to prove that he did physical labor for a job. 

“Busy day today,” Thoma remarked, absentmindedly twisting her hair with one of his hands. “We have another clan from Fontaine coming to meet with Master Kamisato.” She hummed out to show she was listening; she was - but sleep was still present in her mind and sometimes it took a few moments for her to be ready to converse. “They’re looking to propose a marriage. Fontaine is low on resources that Inazuma is flush with. I’m unsure if Master Kamisato is seriously considering this, or if he’s meeting with them just to entertain the idea and keep in good faith with them.”

She thought for a moment, bringing her head away from the crook of Thoma’s neck and looking around the dark room. Although the moon was still out, the sky was starting to brighten - signaling that Thoma woke at the usual dusk that his body has gotten so accustomed to. “Surely it seems that he’d only be meeting with them to hear them out, not because he’d actually consider marriage. He doesn’t seem to be one who’d marry for convenience.”

“He doesn’t, you’re right. But if he thinks this is what could be best for milady, and give her a better life, he could very well consider it. Joining these two clans would be very beneficial for Fontaine’s side. I think Master Ayato realizes that there’s more benefit for the other side, yet is still able to hear their proposal because he’s so respectable to others.” Thoma breathed out a big sigh, and she felt it stir the hair on her forehead. “I’ll be busy cooking and cleaning all day. I don’t think I’ll be able to see you until dinner, I’m sorry my love. What are your plans?”

She placed her head back on his chest, Thoma’s steady heartbeat lulling her back into a comatose-like state. “I told Yae I’d meet her at the publishing house and help her with photos for new book covers. She said she’d treat me to lunch in return so we will probably go somewhere nicer, knowing her.” She paused, sleep overtaking her body for a moment before waking up enough to give him one last response. “Don’t worry about me, Thoma. You’re a hard worker and you’re dedicated to your job. Focus on that and we will spend time together when we can.” She cut off with a yawn. “Besides, we always have evenings and mornings like this together.”

“In a way,” Thoma remarked with a responding yawn. “I’m grateful for my social status. It allows me to choose who I want to spend the rest of my life with, without any complications. It brings me great joy to know we can be together without any complications if that’s what the both of us choose to do.”

Thoma chuckled as he felt her body leaden and her breathing even out, and he gently slipped out from under her, making sure she was fully covered with the blanket before leaving the room, being extra certain the sliding door doesn’t slam too loud as he left their shared bedroom.

                                       ___________________________

She awoke mid morning when Jumin stroked her cheek gently, his clean hands smelling of soap and aftershave. He was leaning on his knees, one hand by her head bracing himself up. She sleepily went to rub her eyes, but Jumin caught her hand in his own free one. He instead wiped each eye with his own thumb. A gentle smile played on his lips as he gazed down at her fondly. 

“You’re finally up for real,” he remarked, watching as she raised her arms in a wide stretch. Her silky pajama top looked particularly inviting and Jumin had to stop himself from leaning down and pressing his head into her soft stomach. Elizabeth, on the other hand, had the same idea as the CEO, yet she followed through. Jumping up gracefully on the bed, she went to stand on the woman's stomach, turning around a few times and laying herself down on the warmth. “You fell back asleep so quickly after waking with me this morning.”

“Well, it’s not my fault. You kept me up late last night. I love waking up with you in the morning but if I have the option to sleep some more, I will.” She placed her hand on Elizabeth’s back, her warmth bringing a comforting feeling to the feline. 

Jumin smiled down at his two girls, watching as his wife brushed through his cat’s fur with the utmost care. “How gorgeous,” he murmured, this time reaching out to stroke the woman’s hair. The flush on her cheeks brought out an immense sense of pride and Jumin only hoped that even when they were both old and gray that he would still be able to see the embarrassed blush on her apple red cheeks when he complimented her.

“I was just coming to check on you,” Jumin’s fingers wrapped in her hair now, the scent of the soft conditioner he had ordered specially for her wafted through his nose. It was comforting and he enjoyed the fact that she used it religiously. “You were so beautiful sleeping, I just couldn’t help it.”

Another soft blush crossed her cheeks and she bit her lip, focussing her gaze on the cat in her lap. “You’re supposed to be at work,” she remarked.

Jumin sat down on the bed next to her. It was an odd sight; he, in his striped suit and his legs crossed over the comforter and she in her pajamas, the silky pink tank top and short set contrasting greatly. In a way, this sort of mismatch was like the pair of them: not something that seemingly goes together but when met, they look sort of… comfortable with each other. It was something that usually made Jumin smile.

“Yes, well you weren’t in any of the RFA chat rooms. I wanted to make sure everything was quite alright.” Jumin smiled, leaning over to kiss her nose affectionately. “Instead, I just found a sleeping beauty in my bed.” With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, his smile caused his eyes to crinkle into a genuine smile. “Such a shame she woke before I could wake her with a kiss.”

She giggled, leaning in to brush her nose against his own, and the butterflies in Jumin’s stomach started flying wild. “Well, you’re more than welcome to give me a good morning kiss instead, maybe it’ll wake me up.” She tried to move her head back, but Jumin set a steady hand on the back of her neck and her breath caught in her throat.

Before she could finish what she was going to say, Jumin easily captured her lips with his own, swallowing her gasp of air as her hands weaved into his hair. 

He would have deepened the kiss, if her movement hadn’t elicited an annoyed meow from Elizabeth the Third. Instead, the pair of them started laughing, their teeth almost crashing into each other as they both broke into a wide grin.

Once they pulled away, Elizabeth jumped in between them, curling in the space between their legs. “Such a spoiled little lady,” Jumin’s fiancée teased before pushing the comforter from her body and moving towards the bathroom off the bedroom. “If you’re free from work for a bit, we could go grab a coffee.”

Although Jumin had work to get back to, he knew he would be able to catch up on that at a later time. Moments like that with his lover was something he never wanted to give up. So he didn’t, and instead went to change into something a bit more casual to wear before calling for his driver.

                                     ___________________________

Kyle left the coffee shop with a cappuccino foam mustache. After taking an early lunch with his fiancée, Kyle was feeling all warm and fuzzy - and it wasn’t because of the alcohol he had consumed the night before. Their impromptu date was full of giggles, brief touches, and longing glances.

“When we get back to the barracks, what’s next on our list?” Her question was met with her scratching her head in a confused sort of way. 

“I need wrap bandages cut, antiseptic divided out into vials, and for you to give me a big kiss.” Kyle responded, smiling wryly as she looked at him, her eyes wide. 

“Sounds good, I’ll work on the bandages and antiseptic first.” She remarked, joining their hands together and swinging it between their bodies on their walk back. Although it would have been a shorter trip and less exerting on the both of them to take a carriage, yet he enjoyed the fresh air and spending extra time with his lover.

“Make sure to take extra care to do your third job well. We wouldn’t want anyone to end up disappointed.”

She stopped walking, dropping her grip on his hand, her mouth dropping open with it. “That was so not nice. To even insinuate you’d be disappointed with my kisses…” She trailed off before her face brightened up, almost signifying the lightbulb going off in her brain. “I guess I’ll be a slacker today and not complete my jobs.”

“Hey now,” Kyle complained, a frown starting to pull at his lips. “It’s not fair to let people suffer from repercussions based on your actions.” He mock-scolded, his gentle eyes assuring the woman that it was a joke.

She smirked back at him. “Well, my boss should have realized that before he decided to get way too handsy.”

Kyle’s hand shot up, his clumsy fingers catching her chin and causing her eyes to widen in surprise. Leaning down, he came in real close and whispered in her ear. “I don’t recall you complaining about that last night.”

Kyle watched as she bit her lip and he licked his own in response, but before he could lean in to kiss her, she smiled and broke his hold, running off in the direction of the Red Army headquarters.

He stumbled at her sudden movement and Kyle tried to rush behind her, his feet heavy with lead. “Wait for me! You know I’m slow!” Under his breath he started to grumble as he picked up his pace. “This is what I get for joining the army and not doing any training.”

It was all worth it though, because he got to hear her laughing all the way back to the barracks. That was enough to spur him on and try hard to finish his work and enjoy dinner with Blanc, Oliver, Loki, and his fiancée.

                                    ___________________________

Napoleon returned to the mansion right before dinnertime, the dining room was lively with almost all the mansion’s residents and Le Comte even left his office to join the group, a jolly smile spread across his face, causing his eyes to crinkle with laughter. 

The only ones missing were Napoleon and Isaac, who had gone into the city to spend time teaching the children by the water fountain, and Dazai - who, to be completely honest, didn’t have the best track record for staying in the mansion.

As the woman was loading trays of food onto her cart, Napoleon casually strolled into the kitchen, his heavy jacket thrown over his shoulder. He was glistening with sweat and had a joyous gleam in his eyes. He always looked so proud of himself when he came back from working with the children and it had made his lover’s heart fill with so much happiness she sometimes had to turn away from him to hide the happy tears in her eyes. 

“Welcome back my love,” she greeted as he leaned in to kiss her cheek, his hair damp with sweat brushing the side of her face.

“Today was amazing. One of the kids and I had a sparring match and he actually got some hits in on me. I feel proud.” Napoleon made his way over to the kitchen sink. She watched as he scrubbed his hands with soap, first the inside, then out, then under his fingernails to get all the grime away. It was their normal routine when Napoleon went out; he’d come back right after the sun had started to set, before dinner was served and meet her in the kitchen, he’d greet her with a soft kiss and then go to wash up before helping her bring out all the dinner plates filled with yummy food.

“That sounds lovely,” she replied. As he washed up, she studied him. His strong shoulders, the way his neck looked so delicate peeking out of his shirt. He was the perfect mixture of strong and soft; it was something she loved greatly about him.

Napoleon turned around, a bright grin on his face as his eyes met her own. “I’m hungry, let's get the food out to everyone?” She nodded and he gently bumped her away from the cart with his own hip. She followed behind him carrying a tray full of blanc and rouge hurrying in front to open the doors to the dining room before he could crash the cart into them instead, something that she could see almost playing out in her head as vividly as it would happen in real life.

Sebastian met them in the dining hall, refusing to start serving everyone until Napoleon took a seat, and then Sebastian set her with the same look and had her easing into the seat next to Napoleon in record time. She felt soft fingers wrap around her own and she smiled at her lover, his familiar touch comforting her after a long day. 

“So,” Le Comte had brought his hands together and called the attention of the residents at the table. “No one is leaving here until they share one thing about their day. Yes, including you Sebastian. Leonardo,” he fixed his gaze on his oldest companion. “Would you care to start?” Leonardo rolled his eyes, mumbled something about Comte really acting like a father this evening, but nonetheless went and talked about his day. 

It went like that for everyone in the mansion, they’d share and look to the person next to them with curiosity. But regardless, Napoleon’s eyes were locked on the woman the entire time and she had to bite down on her lip to suppress the smile threatening to widen her cheeks.

                                   ___________________________

They settled down in his bed after dinner, Itto’s strong arms wrapped around her, her head resting on his chest right above his heart. He was warm, almost too warm to the point where she was uncomfortable, yet refused to get up because that would mean leaving the solace that was his arms at the end of a long day. 

He was poorly humming a song, one that she’d heard Yun Jin perform as well back in Liyue and she couldn’t help but wonder if that’s when he heard it - when he was visiting Liyue with Shinobu, before everything with the chasm had happened. His eyes were shut and one hand was resting gently on her back, the other stroking gently through her hair. 

“You seem sleepy tonight,” he noted, a hint of a whine in his voice.

“I am,” she remarked, moving to rest her chin on his chest so she could get a better look at him.

Itto peeked one eye open lazily and a smile slowly worked its way across his face. “Too tired to give me a kiss like you promised?”

She raised one eyebrow skeptically. “If i remember correctly, you didn’t get a kiss earlier because you were being whiny.”

Itto pouted, his eyes opening fully to try and give her the best puppy dog eyes he could muster. “But-but! I didn’t whine at all during dinner. I was a good boy. Can I pretty please get my kiss now?” His bottom lip was jutting out obscenely and she bit her own to keep her laughter at bay. “Pleeeeeaaaaaassssseeeeee?”

“Hmm,” she sat up, tapping on her chin questioningly. “You think you earned it?”

“Of course I did,” a confident look crossed his face and she actually let her smile slip this time. “I told you I was a good boy. If you don’t believe me we can ask Shinobu.” Itto went to cup his hands around his mouth. “SHINO-”

“Itto enough!” The woman laughed out, grabbing at his hands to silence him. “I believe you!”

Itto’s laughter mixed in with hers until they were both leaning on each other, giggles wracking their whole bodies. His radiant heat against her shoulder was comforting and the moment they made eye contact, she saw his eyes soften. 

Reaching up, she brushed a few stray pieces of hair from his eyes and when she went to move away, Itto grabbed her wrist, keeping her hand gently placed on his neck as his hands found her waist. With ease, he picked the woman up, pulling her onto his lap so she was straddling him. Their chests were pressed tightly together and their giggles had stopped - both of them just looking at the other like they were the only thing that mattered in the world. 

Without saying anything, Itto leaned in and captured her lips with his own, his tongue licking at her lips impatiently. He wanted more, more of her touch, more of her scent, more of her taste. She was intoxicating and he just wanted to melt into her, until they were mismashed into one. 

She all too willingly let his tongue meddle with her own, the taste of him just as intoxicating to her as she was to him.

Itto’s hands slipped under her shirt, and despite him being tough and powerful, his movements were surprisingly graceful. She quivered under his touch as she felt his nails scratch lightly on her stomach - not even enough to leave a mark, but something to bring a seed of want to form at the pit of her stomach. While his hands were busy exploring her bare skin under her shirt, she was tugging gently on his hair, urging him to continue with each movement. Itto let out a particularly loud moan as her hand brushed against his horn and she smiled against his lips. “Very good boy,” she teased at the sound and he leaned down to bite on her neck playfully.

“Would a good boy do this?” Itto asked, using his nails to rip the flimsy shirt she was wearing and exposing her bare skin to the cool night air. 

“Absolutely not, “ she said, shrugging out of the trashed garment. “But that’s why I love you.”

He grinned, moving in to suck kisses and marks onto her unblemished skin, only stopping to whisper an, “I love you more,” into her warm and flushed skin. 

[redspacewriter]

psst.. all love island the game creators

so…after all this fuss— asking you all to answers a few polls (only two), this is is the big reveal! for those of you who skipped over the banner to read this, bryn (@sunshinejihyun) & i are hosting a gift exchange event, right here on tumblr.

this first exchange (shhh there might be more than one) will revolve around litg season 2. so if you all were craving more material, nothing says entertainment than a mass exchange of season 2 creations! yes, season 2, the beloved.

now to participate and help us pair you all off (all the bts stuff i won’t bore you with) bryn has kindly and amazingly put together a questionnaire. the deadline to submit the form is September 21st (yes there’s a deadline). if you’re interested in joining please make sure to have your answers completed before then. and not to be a party pooper, but we're gonna keep this to 18+ due to possibility of nsfw and etc.

once you’ve submitted the form, we will privately DM you with the link to the discord server. then, on September 28th, we will privately send everyone their assignment (giftee) via discord. think of this as a secret santa (for those who understand the concept, it’s meant to be a secret).

until then, here’s the link to the questionnaire (don’t worry it won’t collect your email address).

and, if you have any questions feel free to reach either one of us on discord Brenna~#4948 or justtuesdays#3795.

[marshmallowprotection]

what is jumin so tall for? to be pulled down by his tie for a kiss? wh*re

Jumin won’t know what to do with himself if you do that. Perhaps he’d stare at you with a slack jaw briefly, eyes studying you for answers that he might not be able to find behind your grin, but all the same, he doesn’t stop you. He likes that fire in your eyes. There’s only one person in this world that can tame the CEO of C&R.