The Chain stops and takes a short while to care for themselves and their things.
Some of them need different kinds of care than others.
Rated G, Fluff. Time & age-regressed Red short fiction. For @triforce-of-mischief
Also on AO3
IIII
Link looked up from cleaning his mail skirt to find Red had been left behind by the others again when they want to spar. It didn't always happen: Four had been splitting a bit more often lately, Link supposed due to stress, and Red hardly looked like he missed it. He was toying with something on the ground, although he looked a little lost.
Everyone else had left to some kind of chore: Wild and Sky were doing laundry, Twilight was checking Epona's hooves, Hyrule and Legend had gone to hunt which left three of Four with Warriors and Wind on drills. It didn't take much to speculate why Red had wanted to opt out of that: he'd never been one for loud noises, Link had realized, and Warriors had trouble toning down his voice from battle calls when he worked.
Link set down the mail with a groan and lifted both arms to stretch. It was tedious work to clean mail. He didn't check it thoroughly often, but they'd been in enough fights and he'd taken enough hits it was past time to ensure the links were clean and in good shape, the tie points for his armour intact and secure.
When he looked down again, Red had picked up his own items and come over. He was looking curiously at Link, then down to his lap with a question in his eyes, and Link didn't bother speaking to answer. He opened his left arm for him, that same question on his own face and Red's whole face lit up. He smiled widely and turned to sit, back pressed against Link's chest as he held up what he'd been working on.
It was a little notebook. Link pressed the pages open carefully and smiled, seeing the figures sketched in charcoal.
"Your brothers?" Link asked, although remembering how to speak took him a minute.
Red nodded happily and pointed to the on-going sparring although the drawing had been clear enough to identify them already. Link just nodded and bent to kiss his hair on reflex as he might some of the kids that stopped by the farm, or the children--
He didn't need to think of the past. Link breathed out again and quickly moved on, because Red was folding up the book and pointed again, still silent, to the mail Link had been working on before.
Link patted his shoulder before reaching around him easily enough to start sorting through the links roughly where he'd left off. The work wasn't hard, after all. He just had to look, scrub dirt away as he found it and check for gaps or snags... and Red pulled part of the metal skirt into his own lap, running hands over the heavy metal and giggled.
A smile tugged at his mouth, and Link fought again not to laugh -- at least, not too obviously. Nothing that might startle the boy, who had relaxed enough to be a child for at least a little while. Red looked up and smiled at him, and Link let the smile on his own face grow.
By all the Gods in their worlds, too few of them had had the chance to just be children after all.
Tags - fluff, romance, SMG34, love confessions, missing pet, SMG4
Summary - After SMG3 reveals the disappearance of his pet EggDog, Both him and SMG4 look for the lost pet. But instead of finding him, they end up getting lost themselves.
—
As SMG4 headed out of the house, the rain suddenly got louder, thunder crashing from afar. SMG4 shivered from the cold as he grabbed his jacket from the coat rack. As he shrugged it on, he glanced at the other beside him.
SMG3 stood there, his eyes fixated on the ground. He seemed deep in thought, obviously worried sick for Eggdog. SMG4 had felt guilty. He approached his partner and put a hand on his arm.
“Hey, you ok?”
He asked, the concern in his mouth clear and dripping.
“I'm fine, scrub..”
SMG3 muttered, shrugging away from his partner. SMG4 sighed at him as he finished knotting his shoes, taking a while to do so. SMG3 scoffed at the stupidity of the blue meme guardian, pushing SMG4 a bit to the side to tie his shoe.
SMG4 blushed softly— Wait. Why was he blushing? This was his ex-rival for God’s sake. He stared at him for a moment, the blush way too visible on his face.
“What? Embarrassed that you can't tie your own shoelace, and got found out? No shame, asshole.”
SMG3 remarked at him, his pride brighter than the sun. SMG4 scoffed at him, the blush fading slightly. He stood up, brushing off the dust on his chest. He stretched his limbs, trying to get the boredom out of his system.
“So.. Where should we start?”
Asked SMG4.
“Well.. I guess we could start around the cafe…?”
——————
The two meme guardians entered the dreary cafe as SMG4 flipped on a light switch. The cafe lit up for a moment before the electricity decided to cut itself off, making SMG3 groan in annoyance.
“Out of all the times to cut the power, they choose now..??”
“Who's they??”
“The power company, duh. Get with the times, scrub.”
SMG4 looked at him, disproval across his face. He grabbed a flashlight he had brought before and switched it on, it's small light illuminating a part of the cafe. Both partners searched around, from flipping tables over, to even opening the coffee machine, with left SMG4 dumbfounded.
“Why the coffee machine??”
“He likes to nap in here…”
SMG3 smiled softly, which was a rare sight, which made SMG4’s heart flutter. He blushed softly, before shaking it off and staring down. He coughed, before speaking.
“Well.. He isn't here, let's look in your roo- secret lair. I meant lair..!”
He added abruptly. He knew how much his purple partner had specifically wanted it to be called ‘Secret Lair’, which he thought was dumb, obviously. He looked back at his friend, a shy expression on his face.
“...Yeah.. “
The two entered the back door as SMG3 walked to his secret elevator. (Well not really, but who are you to judge?) The two descended in silence, not giving each other a single glance. The only sound in the elevator was their soft breathing. The doors pried open to reveal SMG3’s, surprisingly, clean room.
“You've been uh.. cleaning the place?”
Said SMG4, looking to SMG3 with a friendly smile on his face. SMG3 looked at him with a bored expression before scoffing.
“What? You think I don't clean my room? I have average human hygiene, you know. Unlike someone next to me..”
He scoffed, as he walked before him. SMG4 stood there, mouth agape. He had basic human hygiene! What was SMG3 even talking about!?!? He groaned before catching up with the other's search.
After flipping the entire room over, with no avail or trail of where EggDog could be, SMG3 rubbed his temple.
“God Fucking dammit!! Where could he have gone!?”
He grumbled in annoyance, he was seething in rage and worry. SMG4 looked at him with guilt in his eyes, the man was devastated at losing his pet.
“... It'll- be okay! Don't- don't worry! Maybe he snuck out, you know!”
He exclaimed, hoping to get the other's hope's up. SMG3 sneered at him as he stomped out of the room. SMG4 rubbed the back of his head as he watched his friend walk out the door.
Come Away With Me - Anthony Bridgerton x Fem!Reader
Anthony Bridgerton x Fem!Reader
Content : fluff, kissing, slight "argument"
Summary : Anthony cannot sleep after realizing he is in love with you. He asks you on a midnight stroll through the garden, confessing his feelings for you.
Word Count : 1.5K
A/N: hi everyone! I had a lot of fun writing this fluff piece and I hope you enjoy it. if you like it, pls reblog and let me know if you would like to see more <3
Anthony Bridgerton usually had the quip of “Very well, I thank you for inquiring” with a slick smile when asked the question “How do you sleep at night?”. He was a rake, devilishly handsome, and if he saw a woman he might want, all he had to do was quirk the corner of his mouth to have her falling to pieces over him and his perfectly styled brown hair.
Tonight, however, was different. Anthony wasn’t sleeping well at all. No, Anthony Bridgerton had come to the realization that he was desperately in love with one of his dearest friends. You. And he had to tell you immediately. He pulled himself from his bed and threw on an overcoat. He did not much care how he looked, only that he had to see you immediately. He knew it was risky, court season was a breeding ground for scandal and theatrics. But he couldn’t take it any longer. You only lived next door, and he didn’t care who saw the two of you strolling through your family’s luscious and sprawling garden. What better place to confess his feelings than in the place where the two of you used to frolic as children?
Stealing around the back door, he throws a small stone at your window, hoping that you would wake, or a better circumstance, that you were still awake. He has never felt this way before. It is strange. And scary. He did not like how his heart felt as if it were beating out of his chest every time he thought of you. You, who were sunshine and light and the most beautiful thing he has ever laid eyes on. Anthony had never acted upon these feelings that he knew, deep down, had always been there. He couldn’t bear to face rejection from one of the loveliest people he has ever had the pleasure of knowing.
So there he stood, pacing slightly while waiting for the sight of your face to appear in the small window above him. Finally, you appeared, and he registered the look of shock upon your face.
You pushed the window open slightly, leaning your head out. Your hair was pushed behind your shoulders, the light blue nightgown you wore accentuating your figure nicely, and Anthony swallowed at the amount of your chest he could see from your leaning figure. “Anthony?” you half whisper, concern taking over your features. “Are you alright?”
“I cannot sleep. Come away with me, down to the garden for a stroll?” He replies, attempting to be as friendly and casual as possible. You raise an eyebrow, thinking this is an odd request, simultaneously thinking that he would not be at your window at this hour unless it was something urgent.
“I shall grab a coat and be at your side shortly.” You say, closing the window and disappearing from view. Anthony chastises himself for his heart’s refusal to settle.
You slowly come through the kitchen door that leads into the garden, closing it quietly so as to not wake your slumbering family. You make your way towards Anthony, smiling slightly at the disheveled, messy state he was in. Whenever you were out in public together, he was also so put together, so observant, so…well, so him. Anthony offers his arm to you, and you place your hand in the crook of his elbow, savoring the warmth your fingers find there. You had been infatuated with Anthony since you met him. He had always been confident, intelligent, and daring. But he was rakish, and could be condescending and a know-it-all as well. It was best to protect your heart from hurting by loving him silently from afar.
“What could be on your mind at this hour, Viscount?” You say, nudging into him slightly with your shoulder. In all the years the two of you had known each other, he had never come seeking you so late. You glance at him, trying to gain a read of what he would say next.
“I am having a terrible time falling asleep, I thought I would ask a beautiful lady for a stroll, is all.” He replies softly. He stills seems as if something is bothering him, but you knew that you wouldn’t know until he was ready to tell you. You blush at his compliment, rolling your eyes.
“Well, I suppose that you are lucky that I was up so late reading.”
Anthony nods softly, leading you towards a stone bench near the lovely fountain in the middle of the garden. You sit, watching as he hesitates between sitting next to you and remaining standing. He chooses to sit next to you.
“Y/n.” He says, a much more serious tone overtaking him.
“Anthony.” You say back, mimicking him.
He cracks a smile. “You make it utterly hard to have an important conversation, darling.”
Darling. He had never called you that before. You focus your eyes on him again, wondering what this could all be about. His dark eyes focused on yours, flicking to your lips before settling on the whole of your face. The cold of the stone bench was pressing in to you, and the intensity of Anthony’s gaze had you nervously awaiting whatever it is he wanted to speak to you about.
“Y/n…I cannot deny it anymore. I am in love with you. You are the light that shines on a dull day for me.” Anthony says, releasing a breath that finally stilled his aching heart. And to his dismay, you laughed.
You laughed, and laughed. But when you realize that Anthony’s gorgeously dark eyes had not left you, you stood up quickly. “This is not a funny jest, Anthony.”
He stands up as well, hurt marking his perfect face. “I do not jest you, y/n. I could not. I wish for your hand.”
“My hand?” You ask, voice rising an octave. You look around wildly, the muted colors from the garden swirling in your mind. Shaking your head, you exhale. “All of the women at court, and you wish me to believe that you wish to take my hand?”
“Yes.”
You laughed again, this time a humorless sound. “You have not even looked my way in such a manner since we first came to know each other.”
Anthony’s nostrils flared. This was not going at all how he had planned it to go, and he was offended that you thought he was telling you a lie. “This is not true. You shine brighter than the sun. It is not my fault you have never noticed my gaze following your every move.”
You flushed, looking down at your feet briefly. He had been watching you, and you had never even noticed.
“I find it hard to believe that a lady as beautiful and intelligent as yourself has trouble believing that I could love you.” Anthony says softly. He knew of his reputation. He knew he had gone around with many girls. But he also knew that none of them ever filled the shape of his arms like he knew you were meant to.
“Anthony. You are a rake.” You say bluntly, starting to become frustrated. “You certainly cannot blame me for not falling at your feet and thanking you for your affections, when we both know quite well that I may not hold your interest in a fortnight.” You paused. “Perhaps less than that.”
Anthony’s eyes widen slightly at this outburst and he looks at you, then looks down and away, focusing on a barely budding rosebush across the fountain. When he turns to look at you, his gaze has softened, and you have never seen such a vulnerable look on his face.
“I would go through the very circles of hell to change your opinion of me.”
Your breath left your body. You studied his face, realizing that he was not jesting you. He meant every word he said. Anthony stepped closer to you, towering above you. Looking down into your eyes, he lifts a hand to cradle your cheek. Without even thinking, you lean in to his touch, as if you had been craving it. He leans in, hovering just above your lips.
“Forgive me for taking years to bring you to the garden at this hour.” He whispers.
You felt intoxicated by his proximity. You looked him in the eyes, your own eyes roaming his face. “I am quite sure if you place your lips on mine…”You pause. “That my opinion of you may change greatly."
Anthony smirks, an expression you knew all too well. He closes the gap between you, kissing you softly, deepening it lightly when he wraps an arm around your back. When he finally pulls away, he is smiling broadly.
“What is it, Anthony?” you whisper.
Anthony leans down again, pressing his forehead to yours. “I cannot wait for you to take the name Bridgerton, is all.”
“Oh, so you assume I say yes to your proposal then?” You ask, a joking tone covering your voice, as you gaze into his eyes. You both knew yes was the only answer.
Anthony laughs, shaking his head slightly as he captures your lips in another sweet kiss, the moonlight caressing the two of you as you relish each other’s presence.
Description: After years of friendship with the Copy Ninja, Kaede finds herself troubled. What will happen when the woman finally has enough, and how will her best friend, Kakashi Hatake, react? (I’m bad at descriptions, forgive me. This is also a scene from a series I was wanting to write but I don’t know if I’ll ever write the whole thing, I still think some of the scenes written for it though need to be shared.)
Characters: Kakashi Hatake, Kaede Inuzuka, Ami (Ninja Hound)
Kaede’s Character Sheet/Ami’s Character Sheet
Word Count: 1828
Warnings: none, fluffy, cute Kakashi, inuzuka!oc, be gentle with me I’m nervous,
The moon was oddly bright tonight, Kaede thought. She could see the shadows its full form cast down across the village as she wandered through the empty streets with Kakashi and her ninja hound, Ami. Ami stuck close to her for the most part, especially when there were still other people out and about but as it grew later the crowd thinned to zero and she started to explore, coming back to check in every few minutes before bounding off again. Kaede felt the hound’s golden gaze on her, Ami checking in on the kunoichi once again until her fingers ruffled through the brown fur. Content for now Ami brushed her head against Kakashi’s hand down at his side before trotting over to sniff at some trash cans nearby.
Kaede couldn’t help but have her heart warmed by her ninken’s actions, knowing that Ami was only checking in with her this frequently because she could sense the nervousness coming off the young woman. Really, she shouldn’t be surprised. Ami had been like that since the beginning. Though she was now a giant wolf hybrid capable of destroying enemies with little effort, day-to-day Ami’s shy and almost self-consciousness was unique, always sticking close to Kaede’s side and if not her only following Kiba and now Kakashi. Using them as a shield from unknown people was natural as it eased her nerves. Kaede knew this fact for sure because just like her partner, the woman leaned on Ami for support when she wasn’t feeling confident enough.
Thankfully, not many knew this, always just assuming Ami stuck to Kaede’s side 24-7 because of her own nervous demeanor when the truth was, Kaede leaned on the animal’s support just as much. In fact, the only ones who knew were limited to Kiba and, now, her closest friend. There wasn’t much that escaped the Copy Ninja’s eye but if he had noticed the real reason for Ami’s behavior, he said nothing.
Instead, the pair walked on in silence, Kakashi’s hands shoved into his pockets since for once his book wasn’t in either hand. He looked around the dark village, watching Ami and smiling every now and then when the canine did something he found amusing. With Kaede on his right he didn’t have to turn his head to see her, watching her from his peripherals and letting the comfortable silence spread.
Kaede on the other hand stared out ahead but saw nothing, hands also in her pockets but she wasn’t as relaxed as her friend, her left coming out every few seconds to pull at her braid and the right clutching the leather bracelet she kept with her with white knuckles, thumb brushing over the braided material back and forth. It was when the moonlight hit a small puddle in their path from the rain earlier that day, shining into her black eyes that she focused her gaze. The smallest shake of her head she looked at her surroundings quietly until her gaze lifted and landed on the bright moon. Kaede stared, face washed in the cool white light, her feet stopped moving.
It took a couple steps for Kakashi to realize this and stopped as well, turning partially towards the woman, mentally debating on exactly what to say.
“Something wrong Kaede?” He calls, his voice getting Ami to perk her head up their way before continuing sniffing every fence. Though she still had her gaze focused on the moon, Kakashi could tell he jolted her out of her head. He didn’t know she had made up her mind.
“You and I are good friends, right Kashi?” Though he knew she was going to speak her voice still startled him, something telling him this wasn’t just a lighthearted question.
“I’d hope so,” he tries to jest, maybe to make her cheer up a bit. “Otherwise I’ve been a fool all these years.” Closing the distance he tried to hide his concern, her face still illuminated by the moonlight, bright enough to reveal freckles under the red clan markings on her cheeks.
“So I can tell you anything,” she finally met his gaze but the look she wore didn’t ease the feeling in his gut. “No judgment?”
Though her dark eyes were wide he knew she was serious. Kaede wasn’t often serious when she didn’t need to be so instead of asking the millions of questions in his head Kakashi decided to simply answer hers. “You can tell me anything.”
Kaede took a deep breath, her eyes closing for less than a second but when they opened something was different. For the first time he saw something like fear in them, her whole body was still and her face clearly forced into a relaxed expression. The way she looked at him, Kakashi couldn’t pull his eyes away, only managing to keep the part of his face showing calm.
“Kashi,” the nickname only she called him by holding an emotion he’d seen only once or twice before. “I care about you more than I have cared about anyone before. You’re…” she broke eye contact for a moment as she seemed to search for words, “special to me.” He knew what she was searching for when her eyes met his again, but it took everything in him to will his face into a calm, lighthearted mask.
“Kaede,” even saying her name was difficult so he tried again. “I’m no one special, Kaede.”
The vulnerable expression disappeared faster than it had come, her brows furrowing in frustration and eyes narrowed. “Kakashi Hatake, I may be falling for you, but I’m not falling for that shit.”
He nearly leapt back and away from the shinobi, “You. Are. Special. If no one else believe me when I say there is no other shinobi, man, or person that means more to me than you. And I’ll be damned if I can’t make you see it.”
Kakashi couldn't even get out her name before his back slammed into the nearby tree, its branches blocking out the only light. As he realized where he stood he realized the same spot both jonin had been standing was empty previously, and in that same moment a dark blur came forward and Kaede was there, inches from him.
Tilting his head down he met her eyes, the darkness of them searching for something, a reflection of hers in them. This time the shinobi had nothing to say, no words coming to mind but a clear question still there. No, this time all he could do was watch. Watch her as her hands reach up, taking his mask in them and pulling it down, under his jaw. Though her touch on his neck was light he felt her pull and met Kaede halfway, eyes fluttering shut.
If he expected for the kiss to be hesitant, which he hadn’t, Kakashi would have been wrong. This was Kaede. If there was one thing she wasn’t, it was hesitant. She dove in with all the passion he knew her to have, lips moving against his own, a force hard enough he could feel how chapped they were from her constant biting. What felt like both seconds and years later she pulled back, leaving him unable to open his eyes right away.
When he did he met the black of Kaede’s eyes, her face still close enough he could feel her breath on his skin. Taking a moment he saw that vulnerability was back, making her look so… human. Reminding him of the girl she was, the one he practically grew up with, the one he…
His brows pulled together, eyes curious as he searched her face. His gloved hands gently came to cup her cheek, the other feather light on her hip, all used to pull her to him once again. Eyes flickering from hers and her lips, Kakashi didn’t wait another second. Their lips met once more and it had a sense of urgency, moving together like they had been like this forever. As his hands secured themselves around her hips her fingers found his neck, tangling in the Copy Ninja’s wild hair.
Neither knew how much time had passed but reluctantly they parted for air, Kakashi refusing to let her go, his arms remaining around her waist. Both stood so close their foreheads pressed together, body heat shared.
“Why…”, he broke the silence, still gasping for air. “Why me?”
“Oh,” her smile was contagious as she laughed lightly. “For someone being able to see everything,” she tapped a finger to his left temple, “you sure are blind.”
It must’ve been the confusion on his face that caused her to laugh again. “Kashi, it was you the whole time.” Her dark eyes softened, hands holding his face, “It has always been you.”
A smile of his own twisted his lips up and he pulled the jonin in his arms closer once more, lips brushing.
Crash.
Kaede spun around so quickly Kakashi was surprised she was still in his arms. With all the energy surging through her Kaede was practically vibrating, leaving the man to hide his grin, and the revealed lower half of his face, in her hair. The shinobi was so ready to fight whoever had intruded on their moment that she only relaxed when her ninken trotted towards the pair, head down, ears and tail tucked looking as guilty as a dog could ever look.
“Ami,” she sighed. Kaede moved to crouch before the canine, letting her tuck her head into the woman’s chest so her hands could tangle in the thick brown fur of her shoulders. “What have I told you about messing with cats?”
The canine pushed deeper into Kaede, nearly knocking her over and just let out a deep ‘boof’.”
“My gods,” Kaede scoffed, “Ami you are not hungry enough to eat a cat.” With another indignant ‘boof’ Ami plopped to the ground. “Alright, we’ll get something to eat.”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Kaede got to her feet so she could face the ninja once again, her tired expression transformed into a smile. “So,” she sidled up to him until she was against his chest, lifting her chin to see his face. While she spoke she casually set the black fabric back over his nose, tapping lightly. “How about we go somewhere less public? Somewhere this could come off and stay off?”
Kakashi didn’t miss the playful look in her eye, only faltering at another of Ami’s groans, “And, get some food.” She shook her head.
He smiled, “Of course, I know just the place.” Leaning forward he pressed his covered lips to her hairline, his smile so wide she could feel it before they separated. Taking a few steps back towards the street he turned back, holding a hand out towards her, “C’mon, let's get out of here.” She said nothing, but her wide smile was enough of an answer as she took his hand and let him lead her home.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Walking Dead (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Daryl Dixon & Judith Grimes, Daryl Dixon & RJ Grimes
Characters: Daryl Dixon, Judith Grimes, RJ | Rick Junior (Walking Dead)
Additional Tags: Protective Daryl Dixon, Kid Judith Grimes, Daryl Dixon & Judith Grimes Bonding, daryl dixon is a good dad, Family Fluff, Picnics
Summary:
Daryl Dixon could honestly say if you'd asked him ten or twelve years ago, before the world went to shit, if he wanted kids, he absolutely would have said no. Today, holding the hand of little RJ Grimes and listening to Judith chatter about something she found important, he couldn't imagine anything else. They'd never been his plan but they'd become his world.
Flufftober Prompt Day 28 Picnic
I kind of failed at flufftober but at least it got me writing again!
When life throws you lemons Part 3 (Shawn Mendes Au)
When life throws you lemons, you’re forced to deal with Shawn Mendes. Before moving in with five guys, including Shawn Mendes, Kylie swore she would never ever in her life allow Shawn to get anywhere near her but things quickly change and soon she finds herself drunkenly kissing him in a bathroom. What starts as a drunken kiss turns into a passionate secret relationship.
As Friday rolled around, I had yet to find a solution to my living conditions. Time was running out and being able to find somewhere to live within the next three weeks seemed like an impossible thing to do.
I had tried to get more comfortable with the idea of moving in with Harry and my head currently consisted of a pro’s and con’s list. On the pro side there was the house itself. It was a large two story house with a large garden - which is quite rare in LA - and even more of a plus was the hot tub situated on the porch by the front door. The interior wasn’t that bad either. Sometimes the living standards in LA can be quite poor but this house was in a good condition with nice bathrooms, a large living room and a modern kitchen. The negative side was of course the five boys currently residing in the house, they’re messy and they’re loud. I’m not sure I would get any studying done during the weekends and I would most likely have to spend the majority of my time at the library. I know me and Harry are best friends and I’m totally comfortable around him but that doesn’t mean I would be totally comfortable living with other men.
”When does the game start?” My friend Bella asked as she sat on my floor with a mirror in front of her, putting mascara on her thick lashes.
”In thirty minutes.” I said as I looked over at the clock on my wall.
”We should probably take an Uber, I’ll pay.” Bella offered, knowing that I needed to save my money in case I were to find an apartment that required a large deposit.
”Sounds good.” I said as I put my hair up in a high ponytail. I don’t think I’ve ever missed one of Harry’s soccer games at UCLA and I wish I could say that I find the games interesting and fun but I really don’t know anything about soccer or the rules. Whenever the crowd cheers I join in, that’s about it.
Since it was a home game the boys were planning on having a huge party after the game and I’d promised Harry that I would come. Bella seemed a little bit more excited about the party than I was but maybe that was because I had this grey cloud hovering over my head, a cloud full of anxiety over my living situation.
”We should just get really drunk tonight.” Bella suggested as we slid into the backseat of the Uber.
”Why?” I laughed as I closed the door behind us.
”I mean with everything going on, you could use some alcohol to cool down your nerves…” Bella suggested with a giggle.
”I mean, you’re not wrong.” I shrugged, agreeing with her. I wasn’t sure if it was the best decision I would ever make, considering I’m a bit of a messy drunk, but if there’s gonna be one night where I’m gonna get drunk to forget my own personal issue, it should be tonight. Finals are two weeks away and I need to study intensely for them next weekend and after that weekend I’ll either be homeless, moving back to Arizona or living with five loud and messy guys.
”So… Let’s do it!” Bella cheered as she looked over at me, hoping I would agree with her.
”Okay, but I can’t drink too much.” I laughed, knowing that my drunk self has no self control and will continue to keep drinking until she falls asleep in a corner somewhere. I spent my teenage years trying to figure out if I had a drinking limit and what I learnt during them was that I had a limit but I never saw it coming. I’d like to think that I’ve learnt my limits by now but sometimes I still end up falling asleep after having too many drinks. I try not to fall asleep in a corner or on the floor and instead on a bed or couch but there’s no guarantee.
”You say that every time.” Bella laughed.
”I know but I really don’t wanna deal with a hangover all weekend.” I giggled.
We two of us jumped out of the car and made our way over to the soccer field. The game had already started but neither one of us really cared since we knew nothing about it anyway. The two of us climbed the bleachers and sat down in the middle, cheering when everyone else around us did to make sure we fit in.
After the game was over we hurried down the bleachers to congratulate Harry and his team on winning.
”You were great!” I cheered Harry on as we met him by the bottom of the bleachers. I gave him a swift hug as he was both sweaty and exhausted. Bella gave Niall a hug that lasted slightly longer than mine and Harry’s, her eyes glistening as she leaned against his chest. I knew she had a crush on Niall and I’d tried to interrogate Harry on whether Niall was interested or not but he wasn’t giving me any clear answers.
”Where’s my hug?” Shawn said as he joined us, stretching his arms out hoping that I would give him a hug too. I rolled my eyes at him as I dodged his grasp.
”Thanks but no thanks.” I said, moving away from him.
”I’ll meet you up front?” Harry asked as his teammates began to make their way towards the locker room.
”Alright.” I replied with a smile. Me and Bella made our way around the soccer field towards the front.
”So, has Harry told you anything about Niall?” Bella asked me, a soft blush coming onto her cheeks as we waited for the boys outside their locker room.
”No, I haven’t really asked him though.” I giggled, amused by Bella’s obvious infatuation.
”Right…” Bella’s cheeks were flushed as she avoided my gaze.
”Maybe tonight will be the night, who knows…” I said as a grin crossed my lips.
”Yeah.” Bella sounded a bit skeptic. ”Maybe, if I get enough liquor in my body.”
After about ten minutes of waiting, the boys started coming out of the locker room all of them making their way down the campus towards Harry’s house where the party would be hosted. Harry and his roommates soon joined us and we all began to make our away towards their house.
The evening was young and the brightly lit moon could already be seen even though the sun was still up. The sky was clear and a few of the stars could already be visible.
”Help yourself to whatever you want.” Harry motioned towards the kitchen as me and Bella walked inside.
”Thanks.” I smiled and the two of us walked into the kitchen, each grabbing a red cup and pouring a Smirnoff mixer into it. The music was already blaring through the speakers inside the house and the party had been prepared before the guys even left for the game. A few of Harry’s teammates had arrived before us and the living room was already starting to fill up.
”Bottom’s up I guess!” Bella cheered as we raised our cups together and poured the sweet liquid down our throats.
I’ve never been a fan of hard liquor but I knew for a fact that I was gonna need something stronger than a Breeze to get rid of the luring anxiety inside my stomach. After refilling our cups with another Smirnoff drink, I grabbed a vodka bottle from the fridge to pour some extra hard liquor into the mix.
We carried our cups into the living room where a mix of people were swaying along to the music.
”Cheers to anxiety!” I laughed as I raised my cup at Bella and we both took another large gulp of our drinks. My nose crinkled and my eyes shut as I felt the drink sipper down my throat, maybe I’d poured a little too much vodka into the cup.
”Cheers to finals!” Bella laughed as she raised her cup again.
”Let’s just get really drunk tonight and forget about everything.” I moaned as I felt the strong liquor rush down my throat.
”Yeah!” Bella cheered loudly over the music.
The two of us danced together, refilling our drinks over and over again between the songs. I could feel all my worries wash off my body as I moved around the living room, lost in the music. The living room was full of sweaty bodies mashing together, dancing in some kind of union as we all swayed along to the music. Somewhere along my fourth refill, Bella got lost in the crowd and I was dancing by myself. I didn’t mind dancing by myself as long as I was experiencing the peaceful bliss that my drunken state had induced on me.
I could be anywhere right now as long as there was liquor and music around me and as long as my anxiety would never come back.
”Damn baby, I didn’t know you could move like that.” A familiar voice echoed inside my ear over the loud music. I groaned as I felt a pair of hands place themselves on my hips without a warning. I sighed as the large man behind me tried to pull me in closer but my drunk self had enough strength to resist.
”There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, Mendes.” I rolled my eyes as I tried to move forward, putting a few inches between us. Shawn kept his hands on my hips, his touch firm as he squeezed my exposed skin while continuing to sway along with my movements and the music.
”I bet.” His low groan filled my ear and for a second my drunk self forgot how annoying Harry’s cousin could be. My drunk alter-ego doesn’t really care about much, all she cares about is male attention and sex. She’s liberated, has no anxiety, no worries and not a care in the world and she’s dangerous because she would definitely let Shawn Mendes have sex with her against better judgement.
”I need a refill.” I sighed as I broke free from Shawn’s tight grasp. He followed me into the kitchen and leaned back against the counter as he watched me pour myself another drink.
”Vodka?” Shawn raised his eyebrows at me in surprise, a little smug smile of amusement covering his lips as he watched me fill my cup with one fourth vodka and three fourths soda.
”Cheers.” I called out as I started at him, my gaze challenging as I held the glass bottle in my hand and put the opening against my lip. I whipped the flask back, taking a large sip of the clean vodka before making a sour face. The hard liquor burned as it rushed down my throat and I swallowed hard, three times in a row, hoping to get rid of the taste before putting the glass bottle into the fridge.
”You’re not gonna share?” Shawn asked, raising an eyebrow at me as he watched me close the fridge.
”You’re free to help yourself.” I said as I stood back, taking a sip of my vodka soda in order to wash away the sour taste of the hard liquor.
”Fine.” Shawn said as he walked over towards me, his tall figure towering over me as he stood inches away from me. His hand reached towards the fridge, pulling the bottle back out from its shelf.
I watched as Shawn’s large hand wrapped around the bottle neck, his soft pink lips pursed into a pout as he parted them slightly, pressing the glass bottle against them. He eyes focused on me, his gaze challenging me like I’d challenged him before. A soft grin spread across his lips as he tipped his head back, downing a large gulp of the hard liquor. He didn’t flinch like I had and my drunk self was slightly impressed by his straight face.
”Your turn.” Shawn said as he handed me the bottle. The few inches between us closing up as he snuck closer to me.
I raised my eyebrows at him, accepting the challenge as I wrapped my lips around the bottle and threw my head back, this time I tried my best to not make an ugly face after the liquor burned my throat. I handed the bottle back to Shawn, challenging him to take another sip and the two of us continued to down the hard liquor while having some kind of staring contest in the middle of the kitchen.
The bottle was running out of liquid and my drunk self was starting to completely zone out, captivated by the way Shawn’s lips wrapped around the glass bottle. My eyes stayed focus on his pursed lips as he swallowed the last few drops of hard liquor.
”Are you drunk enough to fuck me yet or do we need to keep going?” Shawn asked as he placed the empty glass bottle on the kitchen counter and I released a snort through my nose as I reached for my red vodka soda cup.
”Hate to break it to you, but I’m not gonna fuck you Shawn.” I smiled as I took a sip of the liquid inside my red cup. My body was having a hard time keeping up with the large amount of liquid entering my stomach and maybe this vodka staring contest wasn’t the best idea but I guess I would find out in about twenty minutes. The most dangerous part about my drunk self was that if I wasn’t careful, she definitely would have sex with Shawn or any other man, just for the sake of having sex. I’ve had a few one night stands during my drunken adventures but none of them has ever included anyone I've known and thankfully none of them has ever included Shawn.
”So, you’re saying keep going?” Shawn asked as he reached towards the fridge to retrieve another bottle of vodka.
”There’s no amount of alcohol that’ll make me consider fucking you.” I rolled my eyes at Shawn as he pulled the metal lid of the vodka bottle off with ease.
”Well damn, I like a challenge.” Shawn winked at me as he took another gulp of the hard liquor. He held the bottle out for me and I shook my head no.
”I’m good.” I said as I declined his offer, knowing that the previous sips of vodka were gonna hit me like a brick in a few seconds.
Shawn put the bottle back into the fridge and I took the opportunity to escape his presence. I couldn’t find Bella anywhere as I walked back into the living room with my red cup.
Whatever, I’ll just dance on my own. I shrugged as I stumbled into the large crowd of moving bodies. The music consumed me and I consumed the alcohol, moving me feet ever so slightly along with the crowd of people. I could feel myself sway out of rhythm and I knew my body was starting to catch up with all the liquor I’d consumed.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Bella dancing with Niall. The two of them snuggled up together in the corner of the room and a faint smile crossed my lips as I watched her lean her head against his shoulder. She’d wanted this for so long and was finally brave enough to make a move. I silently cheered her on as I watched them sway along to the slow song that was blaring through the speakers.
After moving around the dance floor for a few songs, I could feel my legs give in beneath me as I stumbled towards the bathroom. I needed to pee, badly. I sat down on the toilet and sighed to myself, feeling my eyes move from left to right in a dizzy motion. For a second I thought I was going blind. I closed my eyes in an attempt to steady my gaze.
I kept my eyes closed as I blindly reached over towards the toilet paper. I wiped and stood up still blind and on wobbly feet.
Suddenly the door opened roughly and my eyes shot open, taken back by the tall figure in the door frame.
”Get out!” I yelled before my eyes could even register who was in here.
”You get out! I need to fucking pee!” Shawn cooed as he tried to move past me.
”Can I wash my hands first?” I glared at Shawn as he walked past me, already unbuckling his belt. ”Apparently not.” I groaned as I felt my feet wobble across the tiled floor. ”What the fuck-” My drunk self stared in shock as Shawn pulled down his pants. He couldn’t care less about me being trapped in the small bathroom with him and if my eyes weren’t completely dizzy I would’ve gotten a good look at his crotch.
”Oh my god!” I sighed as I reached my hands under the running water, quickly washing my hands as a distraction from everything else that was going on. I closed my eyes for a few seconds, hoping that the blurry filter inside my head would go away.
”Are you sure you don’t wanna fuck me?” Shawn flashed me a smug grin as he pulled his pants back up and buckled his belt.
”God, will you ever shut the fuck up?” I groaned, knowing my drunk self had just seen Shawn’s entire package. Hopefully sober me wouldn’t remember this in the morning.
”Make me.” Shawn said with a cheeky grin was he inched closer to me, his hands joining mine beneath the water tap.
”I will, but you won’t like it.” I threatened, knowing that I could come up with at least ten non-sexual ways to make him both shut up and leave me alone.
”Oh, I will.” Shawn replied as he pressed himself even closer to me and before my drunk self could comprehend what was happening, his lips were pressing against mine. My wobbly feet slid against the tiled floor as my back leaned against the bathroom sink.
”We’re not doing this Shawn.” I tried to protest as his large body trapped me between the sink, his hand reached behind his back as he fumbled to lock the door behind me.
”But we are…” He smiled in amusement and I sighed, giving into his demand as he forced his lips against mine.
”I’m not gonna fuck you.” I breathed against his lips as he forced his mouth on mine, his tongue gracing my bottom lip as he pressed himself against me, forcing me to lean further back against the cold bathroom sink.
”I know.” He groaned softly as his tongue graced my bottom lip. My wobbly knees almost gave in as my drunken lips parted themselves, granting Shawn access. This was the what sober me had in mind earlier tonight, but drunk me couldn’t help herself.
Shawn’s mouth tasted sour just like the hard liquor we’d consumed earlier. I let his tongue explore my mouth before our tongues began to battle for dominance. I hadn’t been kissed like this in a while and it was definitely doing something to my body.
”I swear to God…” I gasped as I felt his teeth dig into my bottom lip, pulling it back slightly before his mouth detached himself from mine. ”If you tell anyone about this, I’ll kill you.” My words were meant to come out as a threat but my breathless state, made them sound more like a soft moan than a threat.
Summary: Bakugou Katsuki wakes up in the middle of the night to find you in a crummy state after having a nightmare.
Includes: Chronophobia (maybe. important warning though, so i thought id stay on the safer side), Bakugou/reader pairing, fluff
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Your eyes snapped open in the dead of night, breaths heavy.
It was pitch black outside, except for a street light that lit up the window near Katsuki’s bed. Fat droplets of rain could be seen pattering harshly against the window, and you took your time to soak in its noise. It wasn’t loud, but it sure was soothing. It thundered a little, but you weren’t afraid; it was quite far away. Here, as you lay in bed, it might as well have sounded just as calming as the rain.
Tangled in your covers, you could still feel the rapid thumping inside your chest, never slowing down despite already being awake. This was a panic the sound of the storm had failed to take away from you. Your face began to heat up as fragments of your nightmare reappeared in your head, and a sudden lump welled up inside your throat.
Bakugou Katsuki was a light sleeper; the small, strangled whimper in your throat was bound to have woken him up beside you.
When a blob of tears blurred your vision, you tried to turn around, to no avail. C’mon, you thought to yourself, it’s like 3 AM. Now is not the time to bother Katsuki. Too late, though.
“Ngh,” his voice was still cracked and quavering from fatigue. “C’mere.”
Without waiting for a response, you felt an arm wrap around your side and yank you (quite harshly) into a bare chest. Typically, you’d be happy to hold right back on to him, but today you were matted and sweaty - your clothing stubbornly clinging onto your torso. “‘Suki,” you muttered, pushing away from him.
“What - wait, you’re crying.” He looked confused, “S-sorry - why are you crying?”
“S’not you,” you laughed a little, “just a nightmare.”
You could see his figure nod in the dark. It fell into a comfortable silence as he rolled away from you, allowing a breeze of cool air to finally soothe you a bit.
“Want to talk about it?” Katsuki asked, after a few moments of quiet.
“Hm…” you hummed. Your thoughts were still jumbled; what was the best way to phrase everything?
“I have dreams often,” your voice was quiet, but you were sure he could hear you fine. “They’re not very memorable ones; they’re… I guess they’re typical dreams.”
The blond stayed quiet, waiting for you to continue.
“Most nightmares are normal, right?” It was a rhetorical question. “I’ve had a couple of real nightmares. They stick with me for days - weeks - at a time. I think this was one of them.
You’re a hero, ‘Suki. I don’ think you know what it feels like to run from something. I was running from something in that dream. ‘Kept chasing me. I was in a city.”
“This one?”
“No. Just… a city. It cornered me, in an ally and started to beat me up,” you couldn’t help but laugh. Now that you said it out loud, it sounded a little ridiculous.
“Impossible,” Bakugou played with your hair as you spun your tale, “that’s how you know it was just a dream. If it was real, you woulda handed their asses to them - or, I would have come and fucked shit up for you.”
You giggled a little, though it sounded a little more like a croak.
“S’not the worst part,” you murmured. “Something - someone came to me. He asked if I wanted to leave with him. He said I could stay here or leave it behind,” it was easy to remember what the scenery looked like now: it was dark and muddy, with musky air and dim lights. To leave was light - clear, unlike the city. It would be so pretty to leave, so easy to. “I stayed,” you smiled.
“...and?”
“Lost years of my life.”
“What?”
“I mean - like the scene changed, you know, when dreams do that… thing. Lost years. Time passed without my knowing and I got left behind.”
Silence.
“I don’t - I’m scared, Katsuki. What if I’m not using the time I have now correctly? What if it’s all just a waste? I don’t want my life to pass by in a flash, with regret after regret after regret. That sounds horrible.” It was quiet for a few more seconds, like Bakugou wanted to say something, but didn’t know how to properly word it.
“Then change it. Don’t live in a cage.”
“What?” You sniffed.
“Start doing whatever you want. Erase your regrets and never let them get a hold of you. S’your life, you get to run it however you want. So… do that.”
“Oh.”
Bakugou was perceptive. He caught on to the way you held on to him, how you clung to him no matter what position you were lying in, the way you restlessly rubbed his arms back and forth. Like you were afraid he was just going to fade away.
Like you were afraid he wasn’t real.
“Hey… y/n,” he sounded serious. “Where was I, in your dream?”
“Dunno,” By now, the matted, sticky, post-nightmare feelings had worn off, and you took the opportunity to slide a hand around Bakugou’s neck, bringing him a little closer to you. “I remember thinking of you. I suppose you left. Thought I lost you, or something.”
You didn’t say it aloud, but in your mind, that may have been the most horrifying part of the nightmare. Losing Bakugou Katsuki.
“That’s bullshit,” he grunted. As rough as his words sounded, his eyes gave away his true emotions. Disbelief. Fear, maybe. “M’not gonna leave you.”
“I know.”
“Good. Also, you’re wrong.”
“‘Bout what?”
“I do know what it feels like to run away from something. Running away doesn’t always mean you’ve given up. Don’t be fooled. Sometimes an escape is okay.”
“But that’s cowardly-”
“You think it’s cowardly to prioritize yourself once in a while?”
“... guess it isn’t when you put it like that.”
“See? I’m always right,” he joked, “you can trust me, y/n.”
Your name suited his voice so, so well.
“I know,” you smiled at him and he smiled back. It wasn’t teasing, or mischievous, or malicious. It was a true smile, one that you rarely saw on a person like Bakugou Katsuki.
It felt good to know that you were one of the few people who’d ever see it.
“Now go back to bed,” he yawned, “It’s still the middle of the night.”
“What if I dream it up again?”
“I will personally enter your brain and pulverize your nightmare.”
You chuckled. “I love you.”
The rain pattered softly against the window, and the last thing you heard before drifting off again was a soft ‘I love you too’.
a/n: unedited, lemme know if there are typos/grammatical errors :)
Summary: Getting a job at the roller skating rink was not something you would've expected- not when you've sworn to never skate again. But it's the 50's, you're alone and you need money. With an old injury causing you trouble, things are about to get even more complicated when your new boss enters into the picture.
Pairing: Hoseok x Reader (ex military Hoseok, ex pro skater reader)
AU: 50s, slice of life, roller skating
Genre: fluff, with a tiny bit of angst
Rating: pg
Word count: teaser 1k (whole fic approx 12k)
Warnings: probably a lot of misogyny (it's the 50s), talk of war, injuries, 50s slang (I am sorry!)
Welcome to the BTS in the 50s collab hosted by @homeofbangtan!
A/N: I want to thank @notyouroppar for reading over this and the amazing @ttaetae my lost twin, for making this amazing banner! I would also like to thank everyone in this collab for being such amazing people! (there will be more thank you's when the fic is posted!)
Copyrights @joyfulhopelox
As always please leave feedback and/or talk to me as i love to hear from you! Enjoy <3
FULL FIC HERE
You couldn’t believe you were doing this. Papers in hand and heart in your throat, you watched as people lined up for the ticket box. Excited couples and children reminded you of your own elation at the prospect of putting on your skates, and for a moment you allowed yourself to reminisce. Bright eyed and rosy cheeked, your younger self couldn’t have been happier at the new entertainment that opened in town.
“Miss, you’ll have to queue to get in.” A stern voice interrupted your daydream and by God could you have kissed this person. You never wanted to go back to those memories, but by being here, a trigger was inevitable. Turning to face your saviour you offered them a tight lipped smile.
“Ah, no. I’m sorry. I’m here for the job.” You waved the papers as if to prove a point. The man, quite tall and stern judging by the permanent creases on his forehead, gave you an unconvinced look. “I uh, was told there is an opening as a part time cleaner?” You gulped not daring to utter the other side of the agreement, hoping he wouldn’t prod. Resisting the urge to shift on your feet under his gaze, you glanced around hoping he wouldn’t kick you out. The amount of time and pep talk it took you to even urge yourself here made you almost beg him to let you in to apply. Almost.
“Tran, the queue is getting bigger, we should separate the slots again.” A cheery voice called out from behind. Tran, as you assumed the man was called, turned around to face whoever had spoken and without a word to you headed for the ticket box.
Dumbfounded and confused you stood there, mouth agape wondering what just happened. “Ma’am, is there anything I can help you with? If it’s for the school admissions–“ your head snapped in the direction of the voice. Recognition dawned on you at the sight of the blonde man. “School admissions are only on– oh, it’s you!” Too surprised to respond, you simply looked at him. Today he’d chosen a cream short sleeved shirt, and cropped dress pants. His short blonde hair was once again styled to be off his face and his cheery eyes were wide in surprise.
“Uh.” What a good start. Not knowing what to say you nodded in acknowledgment. The heat of the sun beating down your back made you feel uncomfortable, or maybe it was just the man’s stare that caused the sheen of sweat to drip down your back.
“What brings you here?” Getting over his surprise at seeing a very unlikely face, he broke out into a grin. Giving you a once over he scratched his chin in contemplation. “Is it the job?” He motioned towards the papers that were hanging loosely in your grip.
You didn’t know what possessed you. Maybe it was the suddenness of seeing him again or the fact that you’ve changed your mind, the prospect of working there no longer a viable one, in a split of a second your fingers tightened on the papers and you hid them behind your back. “What makes you think that?” You narrowed your eyes at him, “I could have very well gotten another job!”
The tone of your voice surprised him and he took a step back before he started chuckling to himself. “Of course, I apologise. What brings you here then?” He motioned behind him at the colourful building. “Is it for lessons?”
“Oh no, no. I came to–“ You paused not meeting his gaze. “Skate!” You exclaimed in his face, the insincere excitement almost making you wince. “I heard it’s the bee's knees nowadays, really!”
“Stop feeding me apple butter, Hoseok.” Resisting the urge to cross your arms, the action too unladylike even for your taste you shook your head at him. “Just come out with it already. Is there anything you don’t want me to see in there?”
Hoseok huffs at you, his over dramatic expression of innocence worsening your suspicions. “What could it be, Roller Cat? There is nothing; if you don’t trust me to do my own paperwork and want to check over them later, you can do so.” He lets you go ushering you into the rink. “For now, we got curtain climbers to entertain.”
You stared at him incredulously, your mouth agape as he winked at you, and with a final energetic wave he rushed back to his office, the door slamming shut after him. It took you a moment to recollect yourself, and before you could even step foot in the rink, the guard made his way over towards you from the other side.
“Y/N, are we ready to start the day?” He smiles at you, his cheery disposition always a surprise to you. You hadn’t spoken much to him. The few times you had, weren’t outside of working hours where his merry self would be replaced by a tight lipped smile and fierce eyes scouring the rink for any misdemeanour. You offered him your own greeting, a small nod of your head as you rushed to get your skates on. The sight of the white shiny wheels made you smile, the dance you shared with Hoseok still fresh in your mind.
Your curiosity at what he could have been hiding was at its peak, when an idea popped into your mind. “Hey, Tran.” You called over your shoulder at him, your hands busy with your laces. The shout of acknowledgement he offered you spurred you on, “do you know what has gotten Hoseok so giddy?” Finishing with your laces, you turned around just in time to catch the worried glance he threw you. “Tran.” You warned him, knowing that he was also going to feed you bull.
“It’s–“ Before he could continue you interrupted him. “Out with it, and I want the truth.”
