#jolenewrites

[moonlitcozies]

slow down with me | wsh2

pairing: will smith x reader

genre: friends, situationship, open ending, late night

song: going to babble on—the strokes

word count: 1.39k

You're friends with Will Smith. Not best friends, but your friends knew Gabe Perreault from Geography 101, and you would all hang out together. Sometimes, when everyone else is on the dance floor or at the toilets and it's just the two of you, and you'd talk about things that didn't matter like homework or things that did matter like how lost you feel...sometimes it feels like he gets you more than anyone else in the entire world.

Sometimes, it feels like there's a string connecting the two of you together.

Evidently, there isn't, because now you're sitting at that bar in downtown Boston that doesn't check IDs, celebrating Will's last week here before he leaves for the NHL.

In San Jose.

2699 miles away.

8 hours by plane.

You searched it up the moment he was drafted. Then checked it eight more times that night just in case the Earth shrank and California got closer.

Your congratulatory text to him felt fake. It didn't matter anyways. He probably received hundreds of those texts. He didn't even open your message until two days later, when he replied a generic "thanku 🙏".

You know that as a good friend you should be happy. This is his dream. He doesn't talk about it all that much, probably because he thought it would be annoying, but everyone around him knew how much it mattered to him. He must be over the moon.

And you're drowning in a self pitying ditch.

The day that Will leaves, next Tuesday, is the same day that you'll take your American History exam. It was a class you picked after you opened the course catalogue and got intimidated by the number of options there were. You have no idea what you wanted to major in. Or what you wanted out of life.

Funnily enough, you thought that getting accepted to Boston College would be the start of your life. Then orientation day came, then classes and club recruitment, and all you feel is more confusion than ever and vividly aware that time is slipping away. Finals are approaching and summer will be here again.

And now Will is leaving.

It is all too much. Everybody is moving on. Soon you'll be dead and alone.

You took a sip of your drink, letting the bitter liquor run down your throat and numb your spiraling thoughts. Will is sitting next to you. Your gaze traces his golden curls that flopped on his forehead. He hasn't had a haircut for a while. His little button nose that he broke beginning of the year grew back exactly the same. His fingers tap against his glass, completely full because he doesn't drink, even in the off season.

You couldn't look at his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" He spoke first. You turn your head. His eyes are studying yours, doing exactly what you were too afraid to do. Fear has been a big part of your life lately. 

"Nothing." Then, on second thought, "just that life has been moving fast lately." You try to maintain eye contact, before failing and take another sip out of your glass. 

He laughs. "That, I'll drink to." 

You frown, finally looking at him. "I thought you didn't drink."

He shrugs. "It's the off season. Every other athlete does it. I guess I was a little paranoid before. But now that I'm drafted, it's like, I made it this far already, you know?" He takes the tiniest sip out of his glass, and winces. "Still not used to the taste of alcohol."

You aren't, either. You don't know how to reply. You and Will were friends, but you guys were the type that would only get together if your friends were hanging out. With the end of...whatever this is approaching, you are starting to doubt whether you ever really connected with him.

Or if it was all in your head. 

You stay silent for a beat too long. You can feel his gaze on you again. You stand up, clearing your throat. "I should go check on what's taking Gabe so long." You head towards the bar counter. 

"[Name]." You hear Will call out. You take a deep breath, and turn around with a hopefully normal expression on your face. "Yeah?"

He opens his mouth, hesitates. You hold your breath.

He shakes his head and smiles. "Nothing. You just look really pretty."

Your cheeks flush. "Oh. Okay. Thank you." You walk towards Gabe again, whom you now see is flirting with the bartender, before changing your mind and making a beeline to the bathroom. The line is long. You try to clear your mind, but the music is booming and people are just everywhere and the smell of beer and vomit and sweat makes you want to sweat and vomit. 

Everything is just too much. You rest your head against the cold wall, resisting the urge to bang against it. 

"I know what you're going to say, but are you really okay?" Out of nowhere, you hear his voice again and lift your head. You smell his cologne. It engulfs you. Your pulse slows the tiniest bit. You remind yourself again that you might never smell that cologne again, never hear that voice, never really know what could have been.

"I have a test next week and I don't know why I'm taking it and I don't know what I want to major in and I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life and I feel like time is running out and I don't really like anybody except you but that's so weird to say because we're not even friends friends." You blurt out before your mind could stop you. 

He stays silent. Then he giggles softly. "[Name], you are my friend friend." 

"...Really?"

"Yeah. Do you really need to pee right now because we can go somewhere else with better air." He says it like a statement. You let him hold your wrist and lead you through the crowd until he finds the door.

You breathe again. June in Boston is stuffy and humid, but the nights are refreshing. You sit on the curb next to him. You tap your fingers on your lap, feeling a wave of awkwardness that you were not feeling before. You watch the cars go by quietly. The lights are bright. You feel so small on the street.

"I'm scared to go."

"What?"

"To the NHL. To play for the Sharks. You know, the expectations. I'm scared I'll be a flop." You listen to his confession, thinking.

Maybe you're not as alone as you thought.

"I'm scared too," You whisper.

A yellow taxi drives past. You were about to hit his arm, but he beats you to it. "Yellow car," he says. You smile softly to yourself.

"I'll be watching you," you tell him. The streets are empty now. The red pedestrian light flickers slowly.

"Oh, creepy."

"No, I mean, I'll make sure to watch your games. And I'll cheer you on from afar. Maybe those big NHL people will never be satisfied and that'll feel like shit, but I'll be here, and I'll be proud of you. Maybe that's weird, or whatever. I just want you to know that." You look down at your hands, wringing them tightly. You feel vulnerable saying that, but you know he needs to hear it. And if there's any night to be vulnerable, it would be tonight.

"I'll miss you," he says. His hand reaches over, gently tangling his fingers between yours. He traces his thumb around the back of your hand. You still, and in the quiet night you can hear his breathing. "I'll make sure to text."

"I'll miss you, too."

A/N: this is my first fic aaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

[toastcrumb]

LOVE LANGUAGE; QUALITY TIME.

Diluc, Kaeya, Kazuha, Thoma

DILUC.

You ran a little fruit stand near the entrance of Mondstadt. You often closed your shop up an hour early so that way you could arrive an hour or two before Diluc would close the angel's share. It was already almost dusk.

You sat at one of the few stools that were in front of the bar counter, nursing a small cup of Ice water as you waited for your lover to finish up for the night. There were a couple of patrons left, no more than about 5 which was a blessing in the eyes of Diluc, you were sure.

He'd been making conversation with you, while wiping the rim of a short and round glass cup. “So, I was thinking of selling bulle fruit.” You murmured, tracing your finger around the rim of the half-empty glass of water. “I know a girl in Fontaine who'd ship me some, I'm not a fan personally.. but it could be good business.”

“Mhm.” Diluc replied. He'd been a little dry during the conversation, but you knew it wasn't his strong suit. He was more of a listener, and a good one, at that.

“Hey, you should turn it into a drink.” Your lips curled into something almost mischievous. You knew that Diluc wasn't a big fan of alcohol, so to suggest that he make a new drink as if he weren't already trying to get people to drink less.

You weren't surprised by the way his crimson eyes flickered up at you with something that wasn't either more irritation than it was slight amusement. “Funny,” He responded, clipped but without heat. His way of humoring you.

“Maybe I should put a sign that says ‘come all, get drunk until you can't tell between your left foot and your right.’” The man stated, wryly. a small, imperceptible twitch of his lips when he heard you laugh at his facetious response.

“Good idea, you're so smart.” You quip with an affectionate smile. That smile, the way you aim it at him so generously. It reminds him why he looks forward to your visits and a small part of him feels like the Angel's share has become just a bit more bearable. Just a bit.

KAEYA.

You were one of the knights of favonius, a wall guard that would switch with Swan every couple hours. You found standing at the entrance of Mondstadt to be a bit boring but it was your duty and duty calls.

The sigh you let out was what could be considered as long-suffering, not because of the fact that you'd been standing at the entry to the city of Mondstadt for what felt like 3 hours, which meant your legs were becoming a little bit tired.

That wasn't what was exhausting. It was that familiar sound.

The sound of boots against stone, gravel and dirt. The sound of boots you could recognize in a stampede of other boots. You were working, even if it was as mundane as standing in the same position. Then you heard it, the amused hum of your higher-up.

“working hard, or hardly working?” Kaeya taunted, harmlessly. He leaned against the inner part of the stone entry, just on the right side where you were positioned.

“Don't.” You warn. “working hard, which you should also be doing, captain.” You rebuke, without any real heat. It was almost banter. You re-adjust your sword, you refuse to look over at him. You're on the clock, you can't laugh at the moment. You'll cave if you glance.

“Unfortunately, I can't.” Kaeya sighed, mindlessly flipping a coin into the air. His single blue eye focused on it, with a lazy intent that only people like him have. “What's a cavalry captain, without his cavalry?” He complained.

“You're the captain, use your improv skills.” You suggested, with a small twitch of your lips as you resist looking over to him. “I heard Klee has been getting better at her arts and crafts, maybe she can draw you one.” You can't resist mocking him, not even during work hours.

The captain cannot contain his huff of laughter at your snark, the way you crack whenever you see him. “I should thank Varka when he returns.” He murmured, finally pocketing the golden coin of mora.

“why's that?” You murmur, curiously.

“Because if he hadn't taken the horses, I'd be on some expedition instead of here with you.” that. that causes you to finally break your focus and look over at him. His lips curl, handsomely. “There you are.” He says, warmly.

KAZUHA.

You were one of the members of Beidou's crew. One of her closest friends, just as you were deeply bonded with the wandering samurai that she'd picked up like a stray. Well, he was your stray now.

You didn't make any sudden movements. The sun had vanished beyond the horizon about 3 hours ago, most of the crew were sound tucked in their quarters. You'd be as well if it wasn't for the fact that a certain boyfriend of yours won't stop harmonizing with his leaf, right outside your shared quarters.

“You're not very good at stealth.” Kazuha murmured, not glancing back. He didn't have to, not to know that it was you admiring him from a few feet away. But still, he decided to glance back. Eyes the color of fall leaves, soft and soothing.

“Did I wake you?” His voice was soft, like the plushness of a pillow or the slight breeze on a night too hot. Kazuha sat on the edge of the idle ship, blonde ponytail swaying with the sea breeze. “No,” You reassured, sleepy. “Never went to sleep.”

You approached the edge and leaned just next to him. His presence was soft, comforting. Almost nostalgic on a serene night like this one. Moments like these that you felt were the best. “Why are you still up?” You ask, glancing at him. Admiring the billow of his hair.

“I could ask you a similar question.” Kazuha replied, glancing over at you in return. He offers a soft smile and brushes a stray lock of hair with his finger. Comforting your tired soul in a way that only he could.

“I can't sleep.” You admitted, eyes fluttering close at the softness of his finger. “partly because of your leaf whistling, but I couldn't sleep beforehand either..” You reassured him.

his smile softened, perceptibly.. “Ah, trouble sleeping. I've had my fair share of lying awake.” He empathized. He remembers those days, up at night. His mind circled his friend and the incident with the shogun. He's learned to make peace with it, now.

“Think you could poem me to sleep?” You partly joke, although curious on if it would work. Your hand finds its way into his bandaged one, carefully. “please?”

“I have many to spare, especially for you.” His gaze leaves you, focusing on the roundness of the moon hauling the midnight skies. “Close your eyes, let me soothe you.”

You work as one of the kamisato clan's servants. You were, preferably one of Ayaka's own. She often gave you breaks if you were working too hard. During breaks, you'd seek out a certain dog-enthusiast.

“Is this where you spend all your time?” You call out to Thoma, as you arrive at the Komore Teahouse. The smile you give him is immediately returned when Thoma notices you.

“There you are, I knew m'lady wouldn't keep you.” Thoma smiled, one hand wielding a tri-color dango stick while the other held one of Taroumaru's fluffy paws. “Come over, let me get you a dango.” He offered.

“Sounds good, slacker.” You tease, harmlessly. You find yourself standing next to Thoma as he plays with Taroumaru. You found his adoration for the retired ninja pup to be cute, as if your own adoration for Thoma wasn't enough.

“Lady Kamisato gave me the rest of the day off, are you busy?” You added as he offered you a dango stick. an assortment of sticky pastel colors. You sink your teeth into the biggest one on the wooden stick. “I was thinking we could have a picnic..”

“A picnic sounds great, I'll check in with m'lady to see if she needs anything from me beforehand.” He agreed, trailed by a soft bark from the shiba next to him. “Although, I've already done the floors plenty of times.”

“I'm sure the floors are spotless, Mr. Housekeeper.” You teased, nudging him gently. However, if he did go off to check and see if Ayaka needed anything then you wouldn't stop him. Ayaka was a sweet thing, compared to her elder brother. “Go ahead, I'll prepare while you're gone.” You reassured him.

“Just meet me around Hanamizaka District and we'll continue from there!” You smiled. You did enjoy it when Ayaka was kind enough to let you spend time with Thoma.

All original works belong to @toastcrumb. Please do not plagiarize, rewrite, steal or copy my work. Do not post it on other sites or networks.

[toastcrumb]

Three knocks before the large, wooden door opened before you. You held a folder of papers close to your chest and you peeked your head into the grand space of a office. "Monsieur Neuvillette?" You called, quietly.

You didn't want to disrupt his silence if he was looking over court orders and files revolving them. Being his secretary meant coming to his office every time something popped up, expected or not.

"Come in." The judge reassured, glasses perched on the bridge of his perfectly shaped nose. He tucked a couple of papers into a small folder and sat it on the farther side of his desk.

"am I interrupting, Monsieur?" You politely ask, standing before the grand judge's desk.

"Not at all." He assured. Neuvillette is a kind soul. Even if you were by chance interrupting him, He'd never admit it so bluntly. It doesn't help that the judge has displayed a particular affection for you. "What do you need?" He asked, kindly.

"Well, I.." You hesitate. The chief of justice has always been booked to the neck up. If it wasn't a meeting with the hydro archon, then it was one with a troubled denizen, a trial and 2 more after that. He was the linchpin of Fontaine.

Which made the complaint lodged in your throat all that much more tight against your heart. But Neuvillette encouraged honesty, he was a judge after all.

"Go on." Neuvillette encouraged. The soft curiosity in his eyes was accompanied by a small expectation. He wanted to hear you, valued your opinion, even more so. "I'm listening."

Your heart softens at his gentle compliance to listen to you. He always did. If anyone could help you, it was him. "I've been.. getting targeted by some.. less than friendly denizens." You stutter out, avoiding eye contact with the judge.

"Targeted?" He repeated.

"Yes." You confirm, shifting on your feet.

"Could you describe said targeting?" He rose from his chair, the leather creaking as it was released of the man's weight. That didn't help your anxiety.

You took a step back, hugging the papers to your chest tighter like it would make this moment any less intense for you, as if avoiding eye contact wasn't enough. "A-Actually.. forget I said anything." You tried to recoil your words.

"It's dumb." You dismissed. "I don't want to burden you with it." you sigh.

Neuvillette doesn't seem to like that answer. If something is bothering you, he expects and even wants to hear what it is. Especially if it involves targeting.

The heels of his boots dig into the rug as he appraoched you. You don't look up until the papers in your grip are carefully pulled from your grasp and thrown onto the desk with all the others. "Tell me what's troubling you." He repeats, no less kinder than before. He's too patient with you.

it forms a lump in your throat, your chest aches and the heart hidden within it is making no attempt to beat any less fast. "I.. Monsieur.." You stuttered. He waits still.

"It's.. a lot." You decide to open, a hard but necessary choice. "Mean stares, denial to service me at stores, muttered insults.. I don't get it, what am I doing wrong?" You break before him.

You feel his gloved hand cup the back of your head and it hurts, how kind he is. you didn't ask for this position, he offered it. not everyone was trusted enough to service the chief himself and now you were suffering from the jealousy that it circulated.

Neuvillette doesn't respond, not yet. Nothing he'll say will make you feel better. You just need to know that he's genuine with you and he knows that. He pulls you into a warm embrace, his arms find their way around your smaller body and he rests his head atop yours.

He lets you grieve into him, and the way you melt against him only assures this was the right thing to do. He listens to the soft sniffles, and feels the way you attempt to hug back.

"I'm doing my best, Neuvi." You murmured into his robes, eyes fluttering close when you feel his hand petting your hair. "I know." He sighs. "You are doing your best, and it is a more than adequate job."

You pull your head back to look up at him, the devastated glaze in your eye serves as a squeeze to his heart and all of a sudden, the skies aren't so clear outside. His hands find your cheeks, cupping them with a reverence of fragility.

"Thank you for coming to me with this." Neuvillette expresses his deepest gratitude. Not just because you spoke up, but because you trust him enough to tell him when you're being hurt. His thumb smoothes over your cheek. "I'll handle the rest."

That makes you feel a little better.

All original works belong to @toastcrumb. Please do not plagiarize, rewrite, steal or copy my work. Do not post it on other sites or networks.

[toastcrumb]

I'm running low on ideas, someone rattle my brain..

[toastcrumb]

Fields of Mistria ࣪˖ ִֶָ

— Nothing yet !

[toastcrumb]

GENSHIN IMPACT ࣪˖ ִֶָ

— you come back from traveling with a slime.

(Cyno, Al haitham, Tighnari, Kaveh)

— You spend quality time with them.

(Diluc, Kaeya, Kazuha, Thoma)

[toastcrumb]

Stardew Valley ࣪˖ ִֶָ

— Nothing yet !

[toastcrumb]

TWISTED WONDERLAND ࣪˖ ִֶָ

— Nothing yet !