there is, without a doubt, something there. for now however, he is content with this, even if he doesn't know just how deep it run just yet. knows however, that he wants to be here. he wants to be with her. so any spare time, he sneak away and ends up here. even if it's just for a night sometimes. gaze slowly drift across her, from the tip of her toes to the top of her head, low hum coming from the back of throat. " and if i said i needed to see you ? " for no other reason than wanting to. needing to. there is a mix of both swirling slowly through his entire being, and he is here. always end up here. stepping closer until he stand infront of her, and fingertips brush across her cheek, along her jawline before gently grasping her chin. " will you send me away ? "

she can't quite explain what this is—or what it will be. only that them together feels right; something woven deep in her soul. something she hasn't quite uncovered yet. she wants to be with him. any time apart, no matter how little, is grates on her. her gaze flares with a lilt of excitement, “ then i'd say i'd be content with such an answer. ” more than that, she knows. needs him around—perhaps more than she'd so freely admit. her hand rises and rests on his chest, soaking in the warmth from his form. her breath hitches, ever so slightly, at his touch. one mere touch sending sparks along her skin. a rare softness touching the edges of her blue and gold flecked eyes. “ should i? ” saying softly, melting under his gaze.

she wasn't one to dress up. ever. hell, she prefered the worn jeans and simple tank top over anything else. some dirt under her nails, horse hair sticking to her clothes, hair in a simple ponytail. it felt like the most natural thing. letting quinn curl her hair so it lay in soft waves over her shoulders, and put her one of her white sundresses before the festival felt odd. kept her cowboy boots on tho. cleaned them up a bit before leaving the house. supposed to wait for her best friend, and going down to the stables of course felt like the right thing. she'll suffer quinn's wrath if she got dirt on her dress before even getting to the festival. standing by one of the boxes of her favorite horse at the barn, keeping a slight distance, not leaning against the door as she usually would. " hi, buddy, " a soft murmur while hand lay flat against the stallion's head, a rare soft smile tugging at the corner of lips as he nod his head against her hand. pushing in closer. head turn and dark gaze land on dean when he rounds the corner, shifting a little on her feet. if she didn't know better, she'd categorize it as nerves bunching up in the pit of her stomach. been biting his head off every time they had interacted lately. and she couldn't really say why. not like he'd really done her anything. maybe somewhat a olive branch she reach out as she turn more towards him, arms loosely cross over lower abdomen. " you're not going to the festival ? thought quinn made everyone go, "

like clockwork, this festival came around. one he avoided like the plague. quinn like to stress that everyone had to attend, but she never pushed it with him. she knew why he didn't—wouldn't go. made things easier. he could be as stubborn as a bull when he dug his heels in. the ranch was quiet with the staff gone. just the animals and insects made their noise. figured he'd do something useful while everyone else was in town. dotting 'i's and crossing 't's. found horses better company than most. that'd be a good place as any to start his lonesome night. hadn't expected to find prickly lindsay when he rounded the corner of the barn. more surprised to find her in a dress actually. can't help himself from staring for a moment. then quickly averting his gaze from her toned legs on display. she'd grown on him with that snarky mouth of hers, somehow gotten under his skin. though he tried like hell not to let her. could count the times he'd taken jerked off thinking about her in the privacy of the shower. he couldn't figure out what he'd done to deserve such a scolding for simply breathing. it drove him crazy—she drove him crazy. dean runs a hand down the scruff on his chin, as if it would lessen the intensity of her glare. he leans near one of the empty stalls and clears his throat, “ i'm not much of a festival person. ” not much of a crowd person either, not anymore. can't remember the last time he'd willingly been around so many people. definitely before his tours overseas. so, a long time ago—practically a lifetime ago.

okay, so she is nervous. like, deep down in the pit of her stomach, almost unwell kind of nervous. but there are these little butterflies forming too, slowly coming alive. watching as the bottle spin, first landing on him. and that green ugly monster on her shoulder rear it's head, gaze jumping from one hopeful girl to the next. until the bottle points at her. and then she is nervous for a whole other reason. because as much as she wants this ( despite knowing it's just a game, nothing more. ) she has never actually kissed someone before. and she doesn't want to be made fun of, even if she doesn't think cody would. no, he wouldn't do something like that. find herself in the closet a few moments later, and the noise outside is shut out as he close and lock the door. letting out a breath and a small smile form, gaze slowly takes him in in the dim light above them.     ❝   yeah.   ❞      likes that, she think. that it's private. likes even more, that her first kiss would be his. play with the hem of er t - shirt, nibbling on her bottom lip for a moment or two, nervous little habit she couldn't kick. no matter how much she got scrap for it, from her coach. always chapped lips at competitions. clear her throat. straighten up a little.

he's so nervous. more nervous then he's ever been. pretty sure he can hear his heart pounding too loudly. could she hear it too? all he could think about was his lips on hers. he wanted to kiss her. wanted this moment to be theirs. each other's first kiss. this moment was of his own making. surely, he'd held his breath while praying the bottle to land on her. and now they were locked in the closet together [ . . . ] he didn't know what to say. all possible conversation has gone out the window. “ so, uh—should we just get on with it? ” he struggles to string a sentence together. cody knows that these few minutes wouldn't be a hardship of any kind. glad he doesn't have an audience for this. locked the door behind them to keep things private. also, didn't want his little sisters peeking through the door and snickering like the nuisances they were. shaking that thought from his mind—literally. just focusing on his best friend; the one he had real feelings for. raising his hands, placing them on her shoulders to anchor himself. squeezing her comfortingly. figures he'll make the first move. offering her a soft smile, “ do you need a second or? ”

CORRADO MARTINI via tiktok

prove me wrong.

it had happened over time. a friendship formed first & love so easily followed behind. too scared to say anything until it kinda forced itself forward, and she wouldn't have it any other way. daniel holloway, he was one of the best things that has happened to her. brought safety and stability into her life, and she wouldn't want to be without him. being here so much, it happened without much thought. started with bringing an overnight bag, toothbrush left in the bathroom & a drawer with some of her things inside ( even she stole most of his clothes when here anyways. ) and she spent most of her nights here. knows she has at least two different sketch books here, pencils and . . . yeah, so maybe she had sort of unoficially moved in. there's a snort of a laugh, forehead lightly thud against his shoulder, a smile upon features. " i think it can wait, " she honestly doesn't want to move away at all, too content in his lap. head turn a little, a kiss pressed to the side of his neck. " i love you, babe, "

if he only knew then, just how important she'd become to him. thought they'd simply part ways after their paired project; become strangers again, that'd offer smiles as they passed each other on campus. couldn't imagine not knowing her. now she would officially live here—sleep curled next to him every night. that was definitely something he was excited about. her, just being around him. a little more than usual. he can't tear his gaze from hers, a skittered laugh falling from his lips as their laughter melts together. gives the back of her neck a soft, comforting squeeze. “ i think so too. ” not going to mention it has a bow wrapped around it, definitely squashed from being tucked safely in his wallet. that surprise will be for later—when they untangle themselves from each other. the trail her lips leave is far too distracting for him. “ yeah? how much do you love me? ” he muses, as his hands slide down the curve of her sides and rest on the globe of her ass. nose nudging against her jawline, pressing kisses to her soft skin until he meets her lips.

knew she was welcome here, not just by daniel, but connor and lucas too. they made her feel like she belonged with them. like she didn't have to just stay in daniel's room when she was over, but she didn't just want to assume. not like she has a perfect image of how a relationship should be like. not how it usually progressed into . . . living together. he was her first serious boyfriend. the first person she really, truly saw a future with. " hey, i still have some stuff at my dorm, " it's a weak protest tho. the few things that's left there, it's all things she rarely, if ever use anymore. there's a soft inhale as she crawl closer and into his lap, arms wrap around the back of his neck, tip of nose affectionately brush against his. " i'd really like that too, "

he didn't exactly have much faith that he'd find someone, and not turn out like his parents. that was always the fear. but he knew in his soul that this wasn't like that. savannah was [ . . . ] beyond that; she was it for him. in it for the long haul, the both of them. so yeah, her moving in made sense. his roommates were all for it. not like they weren't already warmed up to the idea. so when he brought it up, connor and lucas both laughed saying she was living here already. easy decision then. “ sure, sweetheart. ” he muses, hands gliding up her hips towards her waist as she comes to straddle him. pressing a soft kiss to her cheeks, then her lips, before pulling her tight against him. burying his head in the crook of her neck. smiling against her soft skin. “ i'd hand you the key, buuut it's in my wallet on my dresser. ” nodding towards said dresser. didn't plan on moving, especially now that she was in his arms; but it's the thought that counts.

— Virginia Woolf

"mom says trust your gut but i think mine's broken."

“ you're not broken, just different [ . . . ] that's why you keep me around. ”

she had her dorm room that she use less and less, and her roommate had slowly been using more and more of her side of the room. not that she was complaining, the only nights she had spent there the last couple of months, was when daniel was on away games. but she'd get it, if it became too much, too soon. never been this comfortable around people before, daniel, connor and lucas, this house, it just felt good. a place she wanted to spend time. tension leave shoulders as he grasp her hand and there's a small smile forming, gaze slowly flicker across him. " you do ? "

whatever was his was hers now, had been for a very long time. before he got her a bedside table for her side of his bed, even before he cleared a drawer or two for her stuff. he didn't think it was enough—given how much time she actually spent at his place. felt like a natural jump for her to officially have a key. “ yeah, sweetheart. most of your stuff if here. you barely spend any time at your dorm. so it makes sense. ” his smile grows in tandem with hers. his excitement growing at the prospect of her saying yes. “ and i want you to live with me @ayarn. ”

never spent this much money on clothes, on anything in her life. not this kind of money. seeing the prize tag after putting the dress on and she can feel the color drain from her face, debating for a moment, how to get out of this situation. sure, she said she would go with him to this event. she doesn't mind that at all : doesn't try worming her way out of being seen with him. that's not what this is. but she wouldn't mind if the tag had a few less zero's on it. clearing her throat before eyes lift, watching herself through the mirror for a few moments. the color suits her, and it looks flattering. connor who'd picked it out, but she doubt he'd seen the prize before hurry her into the changing room. tongue slowly trace across bottom lip before turning around, pulling the curtain to the side before stepping outside. " it's too expensive, " protest fall right away while hands awkwardly brush down her thighs, brows furrow ever so little.

yeah, so he definitely didn't look at the price tag—nor did he with the other dresses he suggested. a reid family habit, one he inherited from his mother without a doubt. it takes him a moment to tear his gaze from his phone. connor has to steady his breath when she reappears. swallowing any comment of praise for his choice. he's rendered speechless. he doesn't even blink at her statement. too expensive? one dress would hardly make a dent in his pay check, let alone his fortune. connor can't help but offer her a soft smile. knew he'd be bringing the dress home with them, despite her protests. “ trust me, it's not. you look beautiful. ” he stands, both hands settling on the dip of her hips. then somewhat sheepishly asking, “ is this your way of saying you have cold feet? ” he can't hide the way his voice dims; his borderline nervous chuckle, one that's so unlike his trademark cocky demeanour. his fingers tighten on her hips ever so slightly.

it was rare for fae to get pregnant, and she did not think it would happen this fast for them. and after the slaughter of so many, there is a part of her that is terrified of losing it. one way or another. amarantha might be gone and dead, but they're not at peace. not truly, not like she wants them to be, when welcoming their baby into the world. still something to come. feeling his hand against her abdomen, the flex of his fingers against her, there is something about it that ease her worries. that they would be fine. still early, no signs other than the slight shift of her scent, the slight something added there. a smile wash across features when he bring her hand up and kiss the back of it, leaning closer and forehead come to rest against his. just relish the moment. hidden away for a few moments, just the two of them.     ❝   i think you will make a great father,   ❞

the burning joy that radiates from his chest could melt the entirety of his court. tears brim in his eyes, he squeezes them shut and steadies himself with a deep breath. his own fears settle in the pit of his stomach. children were so rare. the winter court knew, more than most, just how precious those lives are; how easily they can be taken from the fae. but he won't sully this moment, this joyous moment between them, with those dreadful fears. “ i could only hope to be. ” he muses softly, grip tightening ever so slightly on hers. his other hand reaches for her abdomen, his fingers splaying on the swell of her stomach. their child's home. it was a great gift, perhaps even greater now that so many of winter's children were slaughtered. in this instant; he would die for his unborn child without question. he'd do absolutely anything to protect them both. “ and you will be a great mother—so fierce and compassionate. ”