#enjoyyyyyyyyy

“Hi! Hi, hi, Ms. [Name].” You sigh. Your intern. “I hope I’m not waking you up, your hologram wasn’t picking up, but I was wondering what I’m supposed to do for breakfast? I already went to the gym and–”

“You’re okay, Benji,” you say softly. Sleep still tugs at your voice. You can’t bare to be mad at the boy, anyways. “Breakfast is on the fourth floor. Just go and give them your room number and you can have whatever you want.” 

“Okay! Okay, this is all so weird. In the gym they had droids there just to count the reps. Isn’t that insane? Um, okay… what time do we need to be ready by?” He’s been fascinated by the city-planet since arriving. Secretly, or no so secretly, you hope he doesn’t become so fascinated he leaves. 

Glancing over at the clock on the side of the bed, you close your eyes once more. Rex’s thumb rubs over the soft skin of your stomach. “Eleven thirty. I’ll meet you in the lobby.” 

“Okay! Okay, okay. Okay! Bye Ms. [Name]. See you at eleven thirty!” 

The line goes quiet. You set the ‘link back on the table, wrapping your arm back around Rex. Sunlight peeks through the blackout curtains that were never drawn fully shut the night before. 

“Who was that?” Rex mumbles into the warmth of your chest. His eyes are still closed. Your heartbeat is soothing and steady under his ear. A soft and gentle thump thump. 

“My intern,” you reply. 

Rex hums. He presses his face further against your chest, as if he could melt into your skin, then further to rest directly atop your heart. No barrier. “The bird watching one?” 

“You remembered.” 

Rex raises his head to make eye contact with you. Just barely raises it, though. His chin still touches. “I remember everything you tell me.” 

Your eyes soften. “Oh.” 

“It gets lonely on the battlefield.” He’s scarily serious. In a way where you can only blink at him. 

Your swallow is thick. One hand rises to rub up and down his bicep. “I bet it does.” 

Rex drops his head back to your chest. Closes his eyes again, just as your fingers begin to dance along his hair again. He’s supposed to be security detail today. He hopes he’ll see you later, in the halls of Coruscant. 

“Do you want breakfast?” You ask. 

Rex’s eyebrows raise. There’s a smile on his voice. You can feel it all against your skin. “What kind of breakfast?” 

Smiling, you let your head rest back. “Room service.” You’d perused the menu upon first arriving— there’s much to want, with food from all over the galaxy. So much to try. In the back of your head, you hope Benji’s tried some of it, has helped himself. 

Humming, Rex rolls over on you. The sheet slips as he moves, leaving both of you indecent. His body is quick to cover yours. He’s hot against you, which is well received. You always run cold. 

“I have to start getting ready soon,” you say, smile on your voice. 

“Me too,” Rex agrees, pressing a kiss to your sternum. “I’ll skip food.” 

Throwing a hand over your eyes, you can’t help but laugh. “Rex.” 

“Who knows when I’ll see you next?” His tongue laves over a nipple, bringing it pert under his touch. 

True. You haven’t been craving, or indulging in, your traditional hook up sex, either. No. This is all you’ve wanted. So you relent, let a happy sigh leave your lips, and let Rex descend upon your body. 

…

The Senate building is a strange one. Now that Rex walks the red-carpeted halls, his footfalls muffled by th e well cleaned fabric and years of training, he recognizes the differences. No wonder you must find Coruscant so off-putting. These halls are pristine, smooth and slim. No frills. The pillars that line the walls hold no structural basis, simply there for design. And they add little design. 

Between every few pillars is a statue, printed with bronze. Abstract chunks that contain little plaques beneath them. Rex glances at them as he walks, his helmet zeroing in on the text. All the names on these plaques have the markings of senator’s children, or the wealthiest of Coruscant’s wealthiest, or the overlap between those two designations. 

All of them are printed with hunking, metal machines. 

Rex hates being in the Senate building. The only person who views him as someone with a functioning brain stands beside him. General Skywalker, who futzes with his hair as he walks, stands beside his captain. The painting sourced on Mygeeto has an armed escort, which Rex thinks is overkill, though this armed guard is of the Senate building– men with fair skin and light eyes that are found nowhere amongst his brothers. 

“Sir,” Rex says, calling Anakin’s attention. The taller man turns to look at Rex. 

“How does my hair look?” Anakin asks. 

“Fine. I don’t mean to question your orders, but I don’t understand why we’re here. I saw the report from Wolffe, don’t you think the 104th could use some backup on D’Qar?” 

Anakin gives a look that veers on needling. “You know why we’re here.” 

Rex furrows his brow. “I know why you’re here.” 

“The Jedi have to keep in good faith with the senators. I just so happen to be the poster boy.” He gestures to himself with grandiose. “And you aren’t good at playing dumb.” 

To his credit, Rex believes that his eye roll is hidden by his helmet. However, years of being contained by the armor mean that his shoulders move in a certain way so everyone can see how he feels. 

“And, anyways, you cleaned your armor,” Anakin tacks on. This time he gestures at Rex. “Looks nice by the way. Sharp.”

“It was dusty from Ryloth. And it’s Republic regulation, section 42A–” 

His words fall on deaf ears. They’ve arrived at the Naboo delegation’s room. There’s no need to be force-sensitive to feel Anakin’s excitement. 

The doors slide open easily for the two, revealing a room filled with sunlight streaming in from large, floor to ceiling windows. Outside, speeders and ships pass in succession, cranes towering to continue never-ending construction. 

The Naboo and their thirst for the sunlight. It must be hard to be on Coruscant, when every waking moment on their home planet is dictated by greenery and water. 

The large windows are occupied by three figures– two women and a man. Even in the updo, Rex would recognize your curls from anywhere. An arrangement of gems scatter throughout your hair, native to Naboo, and the blue velvet you wear is not unlike the outfits Rex has seen the Senator in, though it seems more practical. Looks better on you than hanging up in your closet. The man beside you is tall and lanky, and looks out the window with wide, open eyes behind thick frames. 

You, and Senator Amidala, turn at the sound of the doors. The young man beside you does not. This must be your intern.

“I didn’t expect…” you trail off. What didn’t you expect? The Jedi? His lightsaber dangles off his waist, teasing in the sunlight. The armed guards? At least everyone has their blasters sheathed. You’ve heard a bit about the painting from the senator, but have never considered its missing state to be taken so seriously by the political party. 

“General Skywalker,” Senator Amidala says with a good natured smile. Anakin’s is barely contained by formalities. She turns to you, eyes gentle, as if able to sense your worries. “I was unsure about the value of the painting,” Senator Amidala says, to soothe your bubbling worries “If it’s real, I know it has much value to Naboo’s culture.” 

There’s an untrustworthy, uneasy expression on your face as your eyes skim over Skywalker. A sense bubbles inside Rex, one where he wants to assure you that he’s fine, he’s good, that there’s nothing to worry about. Instead, he just watches behind the safety of his helmet. 

The senator clears her throat. “General Skywalker, this is [Name], from the Theed Museum of Art, and her intern, Benji.” 

General Skywalker glances over at Rex, which he catches in the very peripherals of his vision. Rex clears his throat. There’s a smugness resting on the general’s shoulders. 

At the sound of his name, Benji turns away from the window. He must be like you– never off the planet. To see this much machinery must be mind-altering. He’s nothing more than a teenager, fresh out of secondary school. And the children are so young on Naboo when they are pushed through their education. Almost like the Jedi. 

“Are you a Jedi general? Oh man, that is so cool.” There’s reverence in his tone. This is a hero. Cooler than the firefighters, than the naval guard on Naboo. Cooler than the Gunganese weapons behind thick glass in museums. He’s heard legends told about this kind of hero his entire life. Benji’s eyes are wide like saucers behind his glasses. 

The Jedi knight chuckles. Flips his hair a bit. His ego stokes from the admiration. “Yeah, I am.” 

Awe covers Benji’s face. He looks over at Rex. “Oh, man, your armor is so cool! Are you Mandalorian? You have the markings of some of the warriors on your helmet. The jai'galaar'la sur'haii'se” –his pronunciation is near perfect, all Naboo children take up a language as young as three. You chose Rodian when you entered the school system (late, at seven), since your best friend, the one who grew up on the farm next to you, came from Rodia. – “What did you do to get them?” 

Gently, you place your hand on his shoulder. “We have a job to do,” you remind him softly. 

“Right!” Benji nods quickly. “Sorry!” 

“We can entertain a few questions,” Anakin says with a smile. “I don’t mind, do you, Rex?” 

His eyes are quick to glance from Rex, as he directs the question to him, over to you. You bite the inside of your cheek to try and steel your facial expressions. You fiddle with the glasses around your neck. 

“I always wanted to be in the military, but my mom wouldn’t let me,” Benji says with excitement as he comes over to the two war heroes. “My dad died when the Trade Federation attacked. And she said I was too spindly for it.” 

Rex agrees. The kid is lean and lanky. Awkward. Finding armor to fit him would be a hard mission. And from what he’s heard about the intern, he’s best suited for a lifestyle that follows yours. 

No birds in the war. 

Anakin places his hand on Benji’s shoulder. “Your father must have been a good man, defending his nation like that.” 

Benji lights up. “Thank you, sir!” 

He dissolves into a million questions. He ends up getting to see the general’s lightsaber, hear it whomp in the air. Rex even takes his helmet off for the kid, letting him hold it. The kid’s hands are small against the plastoid, and he taps excitedly on it. 

As you watch, a funny feeling overcomes you. Rex is patient with your intern, who you’re trying to not get secondhand embarrassment from. You are here for work. There’s a job to be done. But you can hear Rex, can hear as he explains that lots of clones will customize their armor in the colors of their battalion. This is just the design he settled on. He did it himself. They all do it themselves. 

But at the same time, you can’t bear to pull him away from people he’s idolized. 

On the planets, it’s rare that civilians know the names of the Jedi or of their clones. Kids simply look up to these elusive heroes, hoping to be brave like them or thankful for what they give up to keep the galaxy safe. Their parents, however, watch the war with weary, tired eyes. Worried eyes. 

What happens when there are no more clones? Aren’t Jedi supposed to be peacekeepers? What are we even fighting for? How many people are lining their pockets from this endeavor? 

Senator Amidala pulls you from your thoughts. 

“An– General Skywalker will entertain him all afternoon,” she warns you. 

Benji has Rex’s helmet on now. He whips around the room, and when he turns to look at you, you can’t help but wave at him. He waves back, and you can imagine a big grin beneath the helmet that doesn’t fit his body at all. 

“I know,” you say softly. “It’s just… we forget how young kids are sometimes…” 

Padme hums. “Don’t I know it.” 

You don’t know the senator, despite what you’ve heard of her. Who hasn’t heard the stories of the once queen? However, her words feel personal. She agrees, but far more than the average person. Far more than the average Naboo child. 

Taking a sharp breath you turn to her. Lift up your glasses and put them on. “Let me go ahead and get started on the painting. I’ll let him have his fun for a little while longer.” 

Benji takes the helmet off and hands it back to Rex. “You guys are so cool. You never told me what you did to get the eyes.” 

Rex chuckles, tucking his helmet on his waist. “I’m sure whatever story you can come up with is a thousand times more interesting than what I actually did.” 

Looking over his shoulder, Benji’s eyebrows raise quickly in surprise when he sees that you and the senator are already standing by the painting. The blinds have been drawn, and on a floating table you are laying out the verification instruments: both the technology aided ones and the more traditional ones. 

“I gotta go! Ms. [Name] has her glasses on, that means it’s time to work. Um, thank you again! For everything!” Everything. More than just service. The time, the attention, the showcase. 

Benji waves to them, before scampering over your side. 

Anakin watches for a moment, before turning to Rex. The blonde’s expression is soft as he watches the kid come to your side, cleaning his glasses with the velvet of his own shirt. 

“You’ve never shared. How did you get the eyes?” Anakin asks. There’s genuine curiosity in his words. It’s strange, the two have banded together as close as brothers as men from different guilds can forge. Yet, there are still secrets they keep. 

Anakin more so than Rex. Though, the secrets he does share take a weight off his shoulders. Make him feel a thousand years younger. 

“I got them after the first siege of Geonosis from my teacher.” His eyes haven’t left you. The words leave his lips as a second thought. “I was on a ship, and a senator that was not supposed to be on Geonosis fell out after we got shot. I went after her.” 

Anakin furrows his brow. He moves to cut off Rex’s view to you, forcing him to look at him. 

“That was you?” 

“Like I said, whatever the kid can come up with is far more interesting than what happened.” 

Anakin chuckles in disbelief. He steps back to watch the scene. “We’ve been fighting alongside each other for a long time, Rex.” 

“The universe is weird in that way,” Rex says. The Force works in weird ways. Trusting it is key. 

Just as you trust your intern. Apprentice, more like. Upon watching the two of you together, Rex assumes the intern title is to provide as much distance as possible between you. Gently coaxing him into each answer about what he can first see with the painting, then with what tools he needs to verify the painting. Guides him where he should scrape a small piece of paint out, guides him to what chemicals he is looking for to date the piece. He seems so eager to work with you, preening when he gets an answer right. When you speak, he’s completely forgotten about the men he idolizes. 

He hangs onto your every word. Wants to show you that he’s learning. 

Hell, the kid kind of reminds Rex of himself. 

You glance up from your work, catching Rex’s gaze. A wide smile crosses your features. It would be uncouth for you to act like you know him, here. In such a room with such high profile people. 

Rex responds with a warm smile. 

“Wish you were with Wolffe on D’Qar?” Anakin asks, leaning over into his space. 

The Heartbreak Hotel’s proprietor stared at the name on the page of the check-in book. Each page had a different name. Shawn couldn’t explain it, but he liked to keep each guest who signed in separate. The history of his past affairs were his and his alone to know.

Soft fingers traced the letters of that name.

B-R-E-T H-A-R-T. 

Bret Hart.

He had been mysterious. Mistrusting, at first, and Shawn found him plenty annoying. But still, the two of them felt linked. Being with Bret was the first time Shawn felt alive. No one else before Bret made him feel that way.

Bret was a lot of firsts. He was the first to stay more than a night. He was there for a week. That was one of the best weeks of Shawn’s life, but he didn’t even know how many weeks he’d been around. It was all fuzzy to him. He was just…here. It felt like he’d been running the Heartbreak Hotel for years, and at the same time just for a handful of days. Shawn wondered a lot of things. Was he here because he died? Was this Hell? Maybe it was somewhere in-between Heaven and Hell? He joked to himself that he should’ve listened to his mom when she told him to pray more, but he wasn’t even sure if he had a mother.

Bret had stories. About his mother. And his father. A whole big family made up of sisters and brothers. 

He remembered Bret rolling up in that slick, black muscle car. Dark tresses and pink tinted sunglasses. Stress showed itself on his face in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. He was a man of few words, but there was an accent there. Shawn remembered his voice clearly.

“You’re not from around here, are ya?” Shawn had asked, not really knowing where ‘here’ was.

“No.” Bret hadn’t seemed all that interested at first.

“Where you from, handsome?”

“...Alberta.”

“Canadian, huh? Don’t think I’ve gotten many of those…” Not that Shawn knew for sure.

That first conversation didn’t go far. Bret was standoffish, grumbling his answers. Shawn chalked it up to tiredness. After all, who wouldn’t want to talk to him? He charmed plenty of guests with his voice alone.

Somehow, Bret had managed to actually lock the door to his room. Shawn had been upset and confused about that. He spent minutes trying to open the damn thing, trying his own keys. Keys that worked in the past, to gain access to the honeymoon suite. Keys that didn’t do anything but open the door to the honeymoon suite.

Eventually, Shawn gave up. As he was throwing his hands up and walking away, Bret opened the door. He’d asked Shawn if he could help him.

“Ah…no, just came by to check on you, sir.” Shawn rolled his eyes, popping the gum he had been chewing.

Bret had pulled off his sunglasses. It was the first time Shawn would look into those dark eyes of Bret. There was a flash of something there that went away pretty quick. It sent a shudder down the blonde’s spine when he recalled it. The same way it had when he first saw it. It felt like his eyes pierced right through him.

He remembered feeling stunned.

“Well, I’m fine. So goodnight.” Bret spoke after a moment, closing the door and locking it with a click again.

Shawn remembers the frustration he felt. To this day he didn’t know how Bret locked the door, but he had also learned more about the Hotel in that time. Maybe the Hotel didn’t want Shawn in. It didn’t want Bret on that first night for some reason. Maybe because Bret would’ve skipped out as soon as he could if Shawn slept with him right away?

He sat there, at the hotel front desk, face in hand as he leaned on the desk. Marty’s departure had left him feeling a storm. Even now, the weather outside was gloomy. Shawn didn’t know why memories of Bret were hitting him so hard today, but it felt like the only thing calming him down.

Bret didn’t check out like Shawn thought he would. He extended his stay by another day. Maybe it was because he got some good sleep, but he was a lot more sociable that second day. He had alluded to being on the run, needing to hide out. It was all coyly said. Shawn found it thrilling.

“So it’s really just you out here?” Bret had asked, stopping by the lobby for the third time that day.

“Yep, just me.” Shawn nodded. The weather outside was late spring-like. Sunny, warm, just enough of a breeze. Shawn had popped the windows open, the smell of blooming flowers wafting through the lobby.

“I see. It’s a nice place. Quiet.” Bret remarked. Shawn had wondered why he’d been lingering around so much that day. It became pretty clear later that evening, when Bret invited him to visit him in the honeymoon suite.

“You’re pretty eye-catching, you know.” Bret had remarked, lounging on the heart shaped bed. Shawn had been sprawled out against the side of the bed, mostly on the floor. His arms had been folded up on the edge of it as he peeked up at Bret. It’s how Bret had wanted him, apparently. On the floor. His fingers idly played with the short velvet trim of the bedding. Hand selected by him.

He had stared at Bret, who had stared right back.

“Thanks.” The blonde responded after a beat. He didn’t know what to make of Bret at the time.

Maybe he still didn’t.

Their night ended like that, too. Shawn on the floor for Bret. It felt good. On his knees for this mysterious man.

The man who praised him and petted his hair all night.

—

Hunter was finished eating breakfast, and bored. Shawn was who knows where, and Hunter was hardly let out of his room without Shawn’s accompaniment.

He knew it’d make Shawn mad, but he couldn’t help it. His ankle was finally feeling better. He didn’t feel so…so damn out of it.

Determined, Hunter got dressed in some clothes Shawn loaned him. Jeans and a t-shirt, clothes he felt out of place in but it was all he had. It was this or the silk robes, and while he normally loved silk…it was uncomfortable.

There was something almost perverted about wearing Shawn’s clothes though. The scent of rose laundry soap hung on to the shirt, and Hunter huffed in the scent as he brought the collar of the shirt up to his face. It was a strange feeling. Worn cotton that felt out of place with the upbringing he had. It reminded him of when he was much, much younger, before he had to refine himself. Playing with his cousins, wearing hand-me-downs and running through mud.

Hunter gave a deep sigh, stifling his tears. He wouldn’t cry. He wouldn’t cry. He wouldn’t–

Enough of that.

Hunter pushed the door open.

He couldn’t help but be surprised at how…nice it was outside.

It wasn’t like any motel he’d stayed at. It was more like a hotel, funnily enough. A beautiful marble fountain stood in the center of the parking lot. It wasn’t with any fancy statues or anything, but white marble and some of the clearest water Hunter had ever seen. Taking a few more steps out, he saw there was a pool not too far off from the parking lot. It looked inviting, like he could strip himself bare and step in and it would be happy that he did.

Hunter clutched his head. These thoughts were so strange, he didn’t even know what to do with them. It was like if he acted on them he’d be rewarded, but they went against everything Shawn had asked of him.

He stepped onto the asphalt of the parking lot, down pristine birch wood stairs. Not a grain of wood was out of place thankfully, or else he’d probably have a few splinters in his feet. The asphalt itself was warm but not hot, and a refreshing breeze passed by Hunter. Partly cloudy skies overhead, and the temperature was moderate and comfortable. It was all perfect.

Further, he stepped towards the fountain. He reached its edge, looking down into the crystal clear blue water. His reflection waved in the ripples of the splashing water into the main basin. If it had been still, it could’ve been mistaken for a mirror. There was a tuft of black hair next to him and he stood up straight with a start. 

He stood up with a start, looking over at a woman who was now sitting at the edge of the fountain. She had a Virginia slim in-between her fingers. Her lips were painted perfectly red, her cupid’s bow accented by the matte color on her lips. A heart was painted on his face, outlined by rhinestones. She looked tired, beyond herself. Dramatic, dark but glamorous makeup around her eyes and penciled in thin eyebrows. A white evening gown that looked almost like a very chic wedding dress, with a slit up to her thigh bedazzled with crystals. It was unlike any dress Hunter had seen, and even his own mind failed to understand how something so simple could appear to be so beautiful. It was a contrast to the woman’s quaffed hair, full of hairspray to keep its shape and her complex expression that Hunter couldn’t fully read.

“Who–”

“It doesn’t matter who I am, sweetheart,” she started, inhaling from her cigarette. The orange-red burning tip flared as she did. The woman held her breath for a few moments, before letting out a smooth and steady stream of smoke. Even the scent of burning tobacco and tar was whisked away by the breeze. “But you can call me Sherri.”

“Okay Sherri…” Hunter started. “I didn’t know there was anyone else here.”

“I’m not exactly here.” Sherri turned her head to look at him, slumping forward to reaching her face down to her free hand and holding it there. Her smile was sad. There wasn’t a better word for it from Hunter’s perspective. Just sad.

“What do you mean?”

“What do you think I mean?”

Leaves rustled, green and lush around the property. 

“This place feels unreal,” Hunter said.

“It is,” Sherri said.

The man understood, but he didn’t. He knew it was too amazing to be real, but it was real the way a nightmare felt real. Blurred lines of reality in the space between just waking up and having your foot in the door of the realm of sleep.

“You should go now, Hunter,” Sherri continued.

“Why?”

“Shawn won’t be happy to see you out here.”

“I…don’t…”

Before Hunter could finish his thought, there was the bang of a screen door opening. Shawn stood outside the main office, eyes wild as he began approaching him.

He turned to look at Sherri, but she was gone. There was a single glass crystal in the fountain, turning and tossing under the falling water from the higher tier.

Shawn ran up to him. He was dressed down. For himself, at least. A red and white checkered shirt that looked like a picnic blanket. He was in jeans, perfectly tight, and cowboy boots. Brown leather with white stitching and tips.

“Hunter! What are YOU doing out here?”

“I–” he didn’t have a chance to explain himself before Shawn grabbed him roughly by the wrist and dragged him away from the fountain.

“You need to be resting. Didn’t I tell you to stay put?” Shawn chided, like he was scolding a child and not an adult man. “I don’t want to have to put locks up but I will.”

“Locks?”

“It’s for your own safety! I mean you shouldn’t try to get around too much on your ankle. We don’t even know how bad it is.”

“Then we can get it checked out at a hospital.”

Gray clouds began to roll in as the wind went from pleasant to chilling. Hunter shuddered, now cold in his shirt and jeans. He stood on the stairs, wrist still in Shawn’s hand, when the rain came pouring down.

Shawn was under the awning that covered the door to his room, protected from the rain. His eyes were piercingly cold.

“Let go of me Shawn.”

“No. You have to get inside, now.”

“I’m leaving.” Hunter tried to tug his wrist away, Shawn only doubling down by grabbing it with his other hand as well.

“No you’re NOT. You CAN’T leave, I WON’T LET YOU,” Shawn was practically yelling.

Hunter pulled harder, grabbing onto the railing for support. His bare feet were beginning to slip on the wooden stairs, as the rain poured down by bucketfuls. 

“I. Want. To. LEAVE.” He managed to tug his hand free, watching horror cross Shawn’s face. He didn’t realize he was falling until he felt the ground fully slide from under him, crashing down onto the parking lot’s asphalt. He felt his head bounce against the blacktop, his back thudding down after it.

“HUNTER!”

Neither one of you really have any plan of getting out of bed today. Ronan is with your parents until tomorrow evening, so you’re definitely going to soak up the few extra hours of sleep and the extra time alone with John. John has been slipping in and out of sleep for a few hours, you as well. He’s so warm and cuddly in the mornings that you always just fall back asleep in his arms while he gives you soft and lazy kisses. It’s so nice to be with someone like this; just relaxing and being lazy together. It’s so intimate.

Thunder crackles loudly outside, and you hear Bleu whimpering downstairs to be let into the basement. John starts to sit up, but you put your hand on his chest and lightly push him back down.

“I got it,” you whisper to him, then you kiss his cheek.

“Thank you, baby.”

You smile at him when he barely opens his eyes, “I’ll be back.”

“Thank god.” he says, and you start to laugh.

Quickly getting off the bed, you grab your robe and pull it around yourself, then you head downstairs to find Bleu already waiting by the door. He scratches at the bottom of it when the thunder rumbles again, and you pat his side before opening the door.

“Big ol’ Pit Bull. So vicious.” you whisper to him, then you wait for him to get to the bottom of the stairs.

Since Ronan isn’t here until tomorrow, you just leave the door open a crack so that Bleu can let himself up when the storm passes. Once it passes, he’ll most likely know he’ll be going for a walk, so he’ll come up.

You head back up to your room as the rain begins to pour down faster and harder, and you pull your robe off and crawl back in bed with John, who is already waiting with his arms open for you. John hums and pulls you closer into his warm embrace, then he presses a kiss to your forehead.

“Mm,” he hums, “This is a perfect morning.”

“I agree,” you whisper back to him, then you tilt your head back to kiss him, “You know, I must really love you.”

John laughs, shaking his head, “My breath is not that bad.”

“It can be.” you tease as he laughs, then you cup his face and pull him down to your lips for another kiss.

John’s lips on yours become persistent as he rolls to hover above you, and you pull him closer to you. His hand slides down your side to the edge of your nightgown, then he slides it under and up to your hip where he plays with the thin edge of your underwear before he tugs it down a little. You move so that he can pull them down as the two of you make out, and you both laugh into each other’s mouths when he gets a little tangled in the sheets.

“I’m not going anywhere,” you whisper, softly rubbing his cheek, “We can take our time today.”

“I like the sound of that,” John smiles, then he crawls on top of you to continue making out.

This moment is absolute perfection. You and John laying in bed, the sound of the rain and thunder outside, the cool breeze coming in the balcony door, and John’s warm body on top of you. It’s perfect. And nothing is going to spoil it.

Just at the thought of something possibly spoiling this moment, you stop kissing John and reach over to put your phone on silent. That earns a little laugh from John. He smirks when you look back at him, then he leans down and kisses you deeply.

“You look so beautiful this morning,” he whispers against your neck, and you smile. “You look beautiful every morning.”

Letting out a small laugh, you cup his face, “Thank you.”

John presses one firm kiss to your lips, then he sits up, pulling you along with him, then he takes your nightgown off and tosses it to the floor before he comes in fast to kiss you. He kisses down your neck to your breast, taking your pierced nipple into his mouth. He hums loudly, which makes you smile when he opens his eyes to look at you. You place your hand firmly on his chest, then you push him over to lay back down on the bed. With his help, you pull his boxers down, and you smile at him when his cock springs up. He gives you a small shrug and a wink, and you laugh as you lean down to take him into your mouth.

“Wider…” he whispers, and you open your mouth more to allow him in deeper. “Right there, yeah, right there.”

You suck on him for a few moments, then you sit up to catch your breath before going back down, listening as John begins to breath heavier. You lightly drag your lips down the length of his cock, then he groans and places his hand in your hair when you take him into your mouth.

“Shit, baby…” he moans quietly, then he nods his head when you look into his eyes, “Deeper.”

You deep throat John a few times until you need to catch your breath, and you sit up to wipe the spit off your chin. You get ready to go back down on him, but he touches your chin and pulls you to his lips instead. Reaching between the two of you, you stroke him slowly and listen to him as his breath gets caught in his throat.

“Fuck…” he pants softly, then he leans back to look into your eyes, “Lay down.”

You crawl onto the bed and lay down in front of John, then you lay on your left side and look over your shoulder as he gets himself adjusted. He lifts your right leg up a little so he can slide between them, and you grip the sheets and moan when you feel the tip of his cock slipping in.

The feeling that overcomes you when he finally buries himself deep inside of you is one that cannot be described. There’s a fullness to it. It almost feels like something that was missing has finally been put into its place. A lock to a key. The final piece to a puzzle.

“Shit,” you put your head down and laugh a little, “God, you feel so good.”

John hooks his right arm under your leg to keep it up a little, then he looks at you and smiles as he start to slowly thrust his hips. Your eyes roll shut as you tilt your head back, and he kisses your neck, sucking and biting gently.

“You’re so wet,” he whispers, and you look at him, “And all mine.”

“Mhm,” you hum as you look into his eyes, and he bites his bottom lip before leaning up to kiss you.

The rain is still coming down fast as you and John kiss in bed, and he reaches up to grip your breast. He wraps his arms around you and leans closer to pant into your ear, and you grip the sheets tight in your hand.

“Harder.” you whisper to him, and John does as he’s told. He jerks his hips so hard that it knocks the breath out of you. “Again.”

John sits up, then he moves down between your legs, which causes you to arch your back and scream out his name in pleasure. Your legs begin to shake as you come, and you grip John’s hair in your hand, trying to pull him away even though it feels beyond amazing; it’s almost a sensory overload.

“Your legs are shaking…” John whispers against your thigh, and he smirks when you look up at him, gasping for air.

Your eyes roll shut as you lay back on the bed and come down from a high, and you feel John caressing your thighs as he sits up again. He moves you until you’re laying on your stomach, giving you a little spank, then he slides back between your legs and places his hands on your waist as he jerks them harder and without restraint. You bury your face in the pillow as you moan loudly, then you look back and watch John.

“Fuck…” he puts his head down and groans loudly before he leans down and kisses the top of your head, “God, I’m so fucking crazy about you. So god damn crazy.”

You reach up and touch his cheek, “The feeling is very mutual.”

“The way you feel when I slide in…” he leans closer to your ear, “So fucking wet for me.”

Goosebumps cover your arms as you squeeze your eyes shut, and John jerks his hips harder and faster, both of you starting to pant louder. John slides his arms under your chest and one hand lightly wraps around your throat as he pants and moans into your ear.

“I’m getting close again…” you choke out, and John sucks on your neck, “Fuck, I’m close!”

“Tell me how much you love this,” John whispers in your ear, “Tell me how much you love my cock.”

You try to respond but the words get caught in your throat, and only a loud whimper comes out. It’s enough for John since he laughs soft and low against your ear.

“Yeah?” he whispers, and you nod. “You love it that much?”

“So…fucking much!” you manage to yell out, and your teeth chatter, “Fuck, John, you feel so good!”

John begins to roll his hips and all you can hear is his hips slamming against you. You squeeze your eyes shut and lift yourself up, then you look back at John as he holds your hips tight. He groans and reaches up to rest his right hand on your shoulder, then he leans down to kiss your back.

“I’m gonna come…” he whispers, and you nod.

You lay back down and slide John’s middle finger into your mouth as you both begin to lose your rhythm, and John jerks his hips hard, knocking the breath out of you, then he goes still before he shudders and finishes deep inside of you as you shake and moan on the bed.

“Good girl,” John whispers, then he kisses your neck, “That’s my girl.”

“Fuck,” you let out a small laugh as you tilt your head back to look at him, “My thighs hurt.”

John kisses your cheek and waits for you to roll over, then he lays on top of you, slowing rubbing himself against you as the two of you kiss.

“That was just round one.” he whispers, then he kisses your nose, “I’m not going easy on you today. Not when I have you to myself all day and night.”

You wrap your arms around his neck and smile, “I will let you do whatever you want, wherever you want…as long as you make me some breakfast.”

“You got yourself a deal!”

__

After breakfast, you called to check on Ronan. She’s having fun with Grandma and Grandpa, and they’re spending the day at some outdoor recreation store--Dan wants to get some new golf clubs--and it has a huge aquarium and some other cool things with animals. There’s another aquarium near there too, so since it’s still raining, they’re going there as well. Ronan will love it. She loves the tank in the basement, so she’ll love the big aquariums.

“Bug is good?” John asks as you hang up, and you nod. “What’s she up to today?”

“She is going with Grandma and Grandpa to some rec store,” you say as John lifts your feet up and sits on the couch, “Apparently there’s some huge--”

“Oh, yeah, the aquariums.” John nods, “Yeah, she’ll love that. I went there with your dad and Jimmy a few months ago, it’s really cool. There’s also this really cool thing with taxidermy animals--pretty sure they’re not real. There’s an African safari one and an Arctic one.”

You nod your head, “She’ll love that.”

John places your feet in his lap, then he massages your foot, “What are we going to get up today?”

“Hmm,” you hum as you look out the window as the rain continues in a consistent downpour, “I don’t know. What should we do?”

“Each other.” John says, and you tilt your head back and laugh, “I’m cool with that.”

You shove his shoulder, “Of course you are.”

John leans over more to kiss you, “I just want to spend the day with you.”

“God, I’m so stupidly in love with you,” you pull him up more until he’s laying on the couch with you, “It’s nice to spend time with you. Remember back when we first had Ro, we’d feel so guilty about spending time alone?”

“Yeah,” he nods, his eyes flickering back and forth between yours, “Remember how you used to worry I wouldn’t love you after you had a baby?”

You nod, “What an idiot.”

“And you used to think I wouldn’t want you as much after I saw you give birth,” he says, then he shakes his head, “I still want you. And I’m just as stupidly in love with you too.”

You smile softly, “Funny to think about how we thought we’d never get time alone after having a baby. Then I remember how much my mom and dad love Ro and want to spend time with her, which is nice because it gives us time to be alone, especially if we want more babies.”

John smiles wide at the mention of more babies, “Very true.”

“Not yet though.” you say, cocking your brow up.

“Yeah, definitely not yet,” he says, then he kisses you, “But it is nice to practice.”

You laugh quietly as you lean in to kiss him, “It is very nice to practice, not that you need any practice. You are so good at what you do.”

“Really?” John moves his hand down your back to your ass, “I think you’re good too.”

“Round two?” you whisper, and John nods his head and smiles as he kisses you and pulls you on top of him.

__

So, round two didn’t actually happen. The storm outside got so bad that you and John decided to turn on the news instead, which was a good idea since there’s a severe thunderstorm headed towards Mill Neck. You called your mom and she said they weren’t going to go to the other aquarium, they were just going to go home and hunker down. If the storm gets too bad, John said he’d drive over and get Ronan or that the two of you would just go stay with them. It’s awfully tempting. You hate being away from her during this.

You stand at the window and watch the storm outside, but you feel John lightly grab your right arm and pull you back a little. John gestures to the window and nods, a silent understanding that you shouldn’t be too close to them just in case they crack.

“Thanks, dad.”

John smiles as he stands next to you, “You’re welcome.”

“What are you thinking?” you ask as you look up at him, his eyes flickering around at the rain and wind in the trees. “Should we go to my parents?”

“Uhhh,” John crosses his arms and looks out at the sky as lightning flashes.

The lights inside flicker a few times before they ultimately go out, and you and John both look over your shoulders before looking at one another. John reaches up and scratches the back of his neck, then he takes a deep breath.

“I think it might be a good idea.” he says, and you nod your head. “I’m sure you’re worried about Bug like I am.”

“Yeah, I am.” you nod, then you grab your phone off the table, “No service.”

John rubs your back to calm your nerves a little, “Go pack a small bag for us. I’m gonna walk around and make sure everything is good.”

You quickly head upstairs and get a change of clothes for you and John, plus your pajamas, then you grab your toothbrushes. You toss everything into a small bag before heading to Ronan’s room. She has everything she needs at your mom’s house, but you grab a few extra clothes just in case.

Just as you get to the bottom of the stairs, John comes out of the kitchen with the phone to his ear, “Yeah, we’re on our way right now.”

“You have service?”

“We’ll be there soon. Okay, bye.” John hangs up and looks at the phone, “Landline.”

You laugh, “Our household is probably the only house on the street that still has a landline.”

Thunder rumbles loudly and shakes the house, followed by the brightest lightning you’ve ever seen. John touches your shoulder and smiles softly, then he moves past and walks to the basement door.

“Bleu!” he calls out, then he laughs, “Come on, boy.”

You walk past John to get your shoes on, then you walk back over to him, “He’s scared, babe.”

John sighs a little, then he heads downstairs, “I’ll be back.”

Even though you’re a little anxious from the storm, you bite your lip and try not to laugh when you hear John trying to wrangle up Bleu. He’s just so scared from the storm, so you understand.

John comes upstairs carrying Bleu in his arms, “Fuck, he’s heavy.”

“What a big baby.” you laugh as you walk over to pet Bleu, who is shaking in John’s arms. “It’s okay, baby.”

“We should get going,” John says, so you nod and walk through the kitchen to head to the garage.

Everything was already locked up since you haven’t stepped foot out of the house since you got home last night, so you just open the back door so John can put Bleu in the car. He’s still whimpering and shaking, but he’ll be okay once you’re at your mom’s. He can sleep in the basement.

“Think Jimmy and Tess are okay?”

John nods, “Storm isn’t that far west yet. Not sure it’ll even make it there.”

You chew on your bottom lip as you look down and nod, “If it does get that far, they’ll be okay?”

“Baby,” John rests his hands on your shoulders and leans down a little, “She’s okay. Jimmy is there. He’s not stupid. He’ll protect her and Finn.”

“I know, and I trust him. It’s not that…” you say as John turns you around and guides you to the passenger’s side, “I just worry about them.”

John kisses the top of your head, “I know, but just like I’m doing everything to keep you safe, Jimmy is doing that for your sister and nephew. He’s a smart guy. I know we tease him, but he’s smart.”

“I know. I feel bad. People probably think I hate him.” you say, then you widen your eyes and look at John, “Oh my god, does he think I hate him?”

John laughs when you look at him in horror, “No. No, he knows you like him. Would you please get in the car?”

“He knows that I trust him with my sister?”

“Yes,” John slouches a little when you don’t move, “My peach, please get in the car.”

You smile as you lean up to kiss him, “Only because you asked so nicely.”

__

John had to carry Bleu into the house while you ran ahead with the bag, but he got him inside and settled in the basement with some food and water for the night. It’s only early evening, but the storm is supposed to last quite a while.

By some miracle, your parents still have power, so you’re very happy that you decided to come here. Ronan was super excited to see you and John, and she ran as fast as she could to greet the both of you. Now you’re all sitting in the living room with the news on to keep an eye on things, and Ronan is playing with some toys.

“Just got off the phone with her,” your mom says, and you look up at her as she talks to John. “They’re fine. It’s raining but nothing too bad.”

John pats your leg and smiles at you, “She’s okay.”

“Well, I just know how crazy storms get at the lake house, you know, with it being on the water and all.” you say, and John pats your leg again.

Your mom nods, “He’s going to keep them safe, sweetheart.”

“Why does everyone think I hate Jimmy?” you throw your hands up and sigh as you get off the couch and walk to the kitchen for a drink, “I don’t hate him. I just worry about Tess.”

“We know,” John turns a little to look over the couch at you, “No one thinks you hate Jimmy.”

You slouch a little and walk back to the couch with your water, “I trust him. It’s not that I don’t trust him or anything like that. I just always worry about Tess.”

John laughs, “You know how many times Tess texts me when we go places? She texted me during our first few days in Paris, like, 15 times, and it wasn’t because they were coming there too. She worries too and wants to check up. It’s normal.”

“Okay,” you lean your head against his shoulder and sigh.

There’s another storm headed this way now, so you all focus on the TV. Ronan walks over to you and reaches up, so you tuck her between you and John on the couch when the thunder rattles the house. She turns her face and tucks it into John, and he laughs as he picks her up to hold her in his arms. She’s scared but she’s probably hungry too.

You get up and walk over to get something for her to eat, then you psst her and smile when she looks at you. You motion her over with your finger, and John lets her off his lap and looks over as she toddles to you.

“Are you hungry?” you ask, and she nods her head. “What do you want?”

Ronan points at the fridge and babbles something to you, then she waves and smiles, showing off her few teeth, “Hi.”

“Hi, bug.” you laugh as you walk over to the fridge and get out an egg. She’s obsessed with scrambled eggs, so she’ll be more than fine to have that. You look up as John walks into the kitchen and picks her up, “Can you maybe just get her some yogurt and corn flakes? If she doesn’t eat it, I will.”

“Are you hungry?” your mom asks, and you look over at her and widen your eyes since you are absolutely hungry. “Help yourself. Unless you want me to cook something, I can--”

You put your hand out as she starts to get up, “No, mom, it’s fine. I can just make something.”

John pats your side and moves around the kitchen to make some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches since you two didn’t eat dinner, and you smile gratefully at him. He leans over to kiss your cheek as you scramble the eggs up. You put them on a plate to allow them to cool down, then you grab Ronan and put her in her highchair.

“I don’t think this storm can get much worse.” Dan says as he looks out the window, and John walks over to join him, which makes you laugh since he’s standing just like him and is giving off major dad vibes.

He’s such a DILF, and thankfully he is a dad you get to fuck.

Your mom smiles and gives you a small wink when you look over at her, then she comes to join you, “Is Bleu okay downstairs?”

“Yeah,” you add a little salt and pepper to Ronan’s eggs, but not too much, “He has some food and some water, and I think John put down a blanket for him. He’ll be fine. I’m sure John will go check on him before bed.”

“Okay,” your mom wrings her hands and nods, then she smiles when Ronan squeals loudly, “She doesn’t have a clue about the storm.”

You laugh as you bring Ronan her eggs first, “It’s because you and dad are here. If we were at home, she’d be curled up in John’s arms, stealing him away from me like always, you little stinker!”

“Nah, there’s plenty of me to go around,” John smiles as he walks back over and sits next to Ronan.

You hold his gaze for a moment and have a silent conversation--your weekend alone has been cut short. He gestures to the peanut butter and jelly he made for you, so you walk over to join him. He smiles at Ronan as she eats and offers some eggs to him, which he takes, then he reaches for your hand under the table.

John always keeps it PG in front of your parents. Sure, he’ll kiss you a few times, pull you into his lap now and then when there isn’t a chair around, but he always likes to keep it clean in front of them. Not that they care. Your mom thinks it’s cute since she knows that you like having someone show you affection. Obviously John wouldn’t ever make out with you on the couch or just bend you over and grope you--he is a gentleman.

“No, for you.” John says when Ronan offers him more eggs, “You eat them.”

You smile as you look at her scrunching her little nose up and smiling at John, and you laugh when she offers him some yogurt instead. She has one hand full of yogurt and cornflakes, and she’s using her right hand to wave.

“Notice how she’s using her left hand more when she eats.” you say, and John nods, “She’s a leftie.”

John smiles proudly, “Like us.”

“At least it’ll be easier to teach her to tie her shoes.” your mom says, and you look at her, “No one was left handed in our family. Claire had to teach you to tie your shoes and I had to teach Tess since she’s right handed. Claire joked that we might have switched babies at one point.”

You smile as you look at Ronan, “I swear she’s just a carbon copy of John. I absolutely love it.”

“Oh, no, she’s definitely your daughter.” John says, and you look at him and squint your eyes playfully. “I don’t mean it in a bad way, so don’t take it that way. She just has so much spunk and personality. And she always wants to share. She’s so generous. I can go on and on.”

You laugh, leaning over to kiss him, “You’re sweet. A kiss-ass, but sweet.”

John presses a kiss to the palm of your hand, then he looks over to see the wind is picking up, “I hope everything is okay at home.”

“I’m sure. We’ve had some pretty bad storms before and only a few branches fell.” you say, then you reach over and gently squeeze his bicep, “It’ll be okay.”

“And you two are here,” John says, looking at you and Ronan, “The most important things to me are here and safe--and Bleu, of course. The house could crumble, I don’t care.”

You smile and cup his face as you lean over to kiss him, “Kiss-ass.”

__

The storm got to be a little too scary for Ronan, so she’s sleeping in between you and John in the guest bedroom. Well, John isn’t in bed at this point. He’s looking out the window at the storm. What a dad.

You get up from the bed and walk over to wrap your arms around his waist from behind, “What’s up?”

“Just watching the storm,” he whispers, and you nod your head before moving to stand next to him. “Sorry that our weekend was cut short.”

You wave it off, “No big deal. It’s not like we won’t have more weekends in the future.”

“I’ll make it up to you, peach.” he says softly, and you look up at him, “You and me, we’ll go out to a nice dinner sometime this week. How does that sound?”

“Sounds really good.” you smile up at him, then you stand on your tiptoes to kiss him, “Come snuggle me and the bug.”

John nods and crawls back into bed with you, draping his arm over you and Ronan, “She’s so beautiful.”

“She is,” you look down at her plump cheeks and brown hair, “I never thought I could love someone so much before, then you came into my life and showed me, then we had this beautiful girl. My heart is so full of love because of you two. She has her days and fussy moments, but she’s been so perfect.”

“She is her mother’s daughter.”

You smile as you look at him, just barely able to see him in the dark room, “No, she’s father’s daughter.”

John lets out a small laugh, “Our next baby will be hell on wheels, guarantee.”

“Oh, absolutely.” you nod your head as John smiles, “People keep saying the second baby is a breeze, but they’ll be 50% Wick.”

“Ro is 50% Wick.”

You smile, “I feel like Ro is somehow 100% Wick. She really has our best qualities--and a few of our bad ones--but she’s perfect, just like her dad. We’ll probably think our second kid is just as great though. I know I will, because I made them with my best friend.”

“Oh, so you’re kissing ass now?” John laughs, and you shrug as he leans over to kiss you. He lightly rubs his thumb over your dimple, then he smiles, “I can’t believe we made her in the first place. She’s so perfect.”

You snuggle down in bed and feel John’s hand on your back pulling you and Ronan closer, “We’re pretty lucky.”

“I’m the luckiest. I got you and her.”

Closing your eyes, you make kissy sounds as John laughs. Kiss ass.

__

The moment you step out of the bathroom, Tess throws her arms around your neck and talks so fast that you have to take a step back and hold her by the shoulders. You look at her with genuine concern before you start to get worried.

“What happened?” she says, and you furrow you brow, “You’re okay? Ronan and John are okay?”

“Yeah, we’re fine. The storm knocked out our power, so we’re here.” you say, then you shake your head, “Mom said she talked to you.”

Tess nods, “But we saw your house.”

You shake your head again, “What? My house?”

“Oh,” she swallows, “The…the living room windows have a huge tree branch through them.”

You drop your hands from Tess’ shoulders and rush to the living room, but as you turn the corner, you bump into John’s hard chest with a thud that comes out of you.

“I was just coming to get you.” he says, and you look at him. “Let’s go see the damage. It can’t be that bad.”

Tess nods when you look at her, “I just saw the windows and got in my car. It can’t be that bad. Jimmy is still there.”

You bite your lip as you nod, “Yeah, let’s go look.”

John tells your mom that you’ll be back later to get Ronan if the house isn’t too bad, then he wraps his arm around your shoulder as you bite your lip nervously.

__

You’re holding your breath as John pulls into the driveway, and you let it out and feel your stomach fall when you see the large branch that has shattered the windows in the living room. John leans over a little to make sure you’re wearing some sensible shoes, then he gets out and reaches for your hand.

“You all have good shoes on, right?” Jimmy asks with a broom in his hand. You and John both nod, and he gestures for you two to come up, “I’ve just been trying to clean up this glass before you got home with Ro-ro. She’s at mom’s still?”

“Yeah, we didn’t know how bad it would be. She might have to stay there again tonight.” John says as he starts to walk around and inspect the area, “Just in case the glass is all over the floor. We’ll keep Bleu there too.”

You put your hand over your mouth as you step over some glass and walk into the living room. There’s glass all over the floor, some scooped into piles from Jimmy, and some on the couch. Leaves and twigs are on the floor, along with some puddles of water from it raining in last night. The picture on the side table is knocked onto the ground, and you frown as you reach down and pick up the broken frame, the glass shattered right over your face. That’s probably a bad omen or something.

“Hey,” John gently takes it from you and sets it aside, “It’s just a picture frame and some broken glass.”

You look down as you tear up, “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

“Because this is our home and it look like a fucking mess,” he says, and you laugh as you look up at him. “We just cleaned this place.”

“Don’t make me laugh.”

John leans down and wipes the tear off your cheek, “But it’s my favorite thing to do.”

“I, uh, I assume you have good insurance.” Jimmy chuckles, “I mean, after all the shit you’ve put this house through in the past.”

“Yeah, definitely,” John says, laughing a little, “Great insurance, actually.”

You frown, “How are we going to fix this?”

Jimmy comes up behind you and stands next to John, “I can run to my shop, grab some big pieces of wood to put over the windows for now. Probably get some glass by midweek. I’ll need to measure it and send in an order for it. They usually get it out to me fast.”

John smiles when you look at him, then he looks at Jimmy, “Sounds good. Thanks, man.”

You reach out and hug Jimmy, and he stumbles back a little and laughs.

“What’s this for?” Jimmy laughs, “John, why is she hugging me?”

“Just let it happen, man.”

You sniffle as you lean back and look at Jimmy, “You know I like you, right?”

“What? Of course!” he laughs, and you sniffle again.

John pulls you by your shoulders until you’re against his chest, “She was worried about Tess and I told her that she’s fine because you’re there. Y/N thought she was coming off like she didn’t like you.”

Jimmy laughs as he reaches out to nudge your chin with his knuckle, “Oh, come on, Tess texts John all the time when you two are gone. She likes him.”

“I know, I was just being stupid.” you whisper, then you look at him, “I trust you with her and Finn. I want you to know that.”

“I appreciate it.” Jimmy nods as he gets serious, “They’re my entire world. I’d do anything for them.”

“Another storm is heading this way, and from the looks of that lake back there, you might want to pack up your basement.” Tess says, and you look up at John. “Honestly it’s half way up your yard right now, it’s going to flood your house.”

All of John’s work is in the basement. All of his books that he’s worked on for so long. They’ll be completely ruined. The living room is already covered in glass, so you’ll have to get that cleaned up as quickly as you can before more rain moves in.

John lets out a heavy sigh, “Fuck.”

“What do we do, babe?” you say, looking at him for guidance, “Tell us what to do.”

“We get everything that we can off the ground and upstairs. We…pack away as much as we can. Desks, couches, chairs, those things don’t matter. We can buy new ones.” he says, turning to you, “Get everything that you think is important and put it upstairs.”

You inhale deeply and turn to walk away, but you stop when John touches your arm. He leans down and kisses your forehead, giving you a soft smile when you look at him. He turns and heads downstairs with Jimmy, and you walk into the office and start going through things in the desk to pack away.

“Is Finny okay?”

“Yeah, he’s with Jimmy’s mom. I came over to see you and I literally…” she starts to laugh, “I literally started screaming when I saw your window. It was the most dramatic moment of my life. I ran over to the window and started crying. I called Jimmy and he came running over. You should have seen us. Academy award winning.”

You roll your eyes at Tess since she tries to deflect from her feelings all the time, “You’re such a softie.”

“Yeah, well…” she laughs as she shrugs, “Maybe I’m just feeling a little more emotional lately.”

“And why is that?”

Tess stands up after packing up a box, “Because Jimmy and I are actively trying to get pregnant, and I have a really good feeling that it’ll happen soon.”

You smile at her from across the room, “Finny is getting a new sibling soon?”

“Jimmy and I practiced a lot this weekend,” she says, and you jokingly gag, “I mean, a lot.”

“Okay!” you put your hands over your ears and laugh, “I get it!”

Tess grins, “I just have a really good feeling that I’ll get pregnant soon. I wish you’d do it soon too so we could be pregnant at the same time.”

“John would probably love it if I was pregnant right now, to be honest, but I’m not ready.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

You shrug, “I just don’t think now is a good time for us.”

Tess nods, “I respect that.”

Sometimes people don’t know when to stop pushing on getting pregnant again. Of course you don’t mind when Tess asks--and she’s never pushed--but the other day, a customer at the shop made a comment about it and was asking over and over when you’re going to get pregnant again. When you said that you just weren’t ready for another baby, she said that you were just unsure because you weren’t pregnant and you’d change your mind once you were. Obviously you’re on birth control so that won’t be happening soon. John stepped in to try and help you in the situation and the woman made some gross comment about him hiding your birth control so you’d get pregnant.

John was very upset about that. He promised he’d never do that--not that you needed confirmation about that since you know he never would; he’s not ready for another baby either. The woman ended up leaving and you were in a shitty mood for the rest of the day. Thankfully John understood.

“You know I’d never push you, right?”

“Of course,” you look over at her as she packs up a box, “And you never have. It’s always people who don’t know me that say shit. It’s never been anyone in the family or even our friends.”

Tess smiles softly, “I just want our babies to be best friends.”

“Are you kidding? Finn and Ro are obsessed with each other. They’re going to be best friends.” you say, and she laughs, “And if they aren’t, I’ll force them to be.”

“Same,” she laughs loudly, “Finn asked about Ro all weekend. It was so sweet.”

You smile, “Ronan’s new favorite toy is the one that Finn got here.”

“Hey, for the record, I picked that out.” Tess teases, and you laugh. She rolls her eyes, “Fine, he can take the credit.”

“I hope you really do get pregnant soon, Tess. You’re a really great mom.”

She smiles, “Thanks.”

“A mom of two. A mom of two babies that are half Jimmy’s DNA,” you put your hand over your heart and look at her, “You are so brave.”

Tess nearly dies of laughter, “I know, right?”

“Hey, what are you two laughing about in here?” John says, and you look at him as he stands in the doorway.

You smile softly at him, “Nothing.”

John walks over to you as Tess leaves the room to bring a box upstairs, “I’m glad to see you smiling, you know?”

“I know,” you tilt your head back and kiss him, “Glad to see you smiling too.”

“This won’t break us,” he smiles, holding you by the waist, “It’ll suck, but we’ll get it all cleaned up and fixed. Insurance will cover it.”

You squint your eyes playfully, “I hate how you’re the level headed one.”

“Hey, someone has to be.”

“I’ve heard that before,” you joke since this is absolutely not the first time you’ve told him he’s the level headed one, which knowing his past makes it funny but also nice since he’s grown a lot. You reach up and move his hair away from his face, “Ro will need to stay with my parents until this is completely cleaned up. I don’t want her crawling or walking on the floors, same with Bleu.”

John starts to smirk, “Does that mean I get you to myself for another night?”

You roll your eyes playfully but can't help the smile that spreads across your face, "I guess so, but we should probably focus on getting this mess cleaned up first.”

John nods in agreement when you gesture to the scattered debris and broken glass, and together you start gathering trash bags and cleaning supplies. As you clean, you can't help but feel grateful for John's calm presence and steady hand in the chaos of the situation. He really is the level headed one.

Maybe being stuck in this mess isn't so bad after all–as long as you're with him.

__

taglist:

first, the pie crust. my mom makes her own but as i am deeply lazy, i use a store bought one 💀

put your pie crust in a dish, crimp the edges, and bake at 450 for ~10 mins (just brown it, basically)

once that's done, turn down the oven to 425!

cut off the top of your garlic bulb, place it on some tin foil, drizzle that bitch in olive oil (1 tbsp), seal the foil, and roast for 30 mins

then, let it cool a bit and squeeze the pulp/spread it on your pie crust (reset the oven to 350 when you take it out)

TOMATO TIME. slice em up and sprinkle with salt/pepper. let them sit on a paper towel for a few minutes so they're not too wet.

now, on the crust: layer cheese and tomatoes alternately, so you start and end with cheese. it bubbles at the top and looks pretty!

AND THAT'S IT!!! pop it in the oven at 350 for 30-45 mins, or until it's heated through

some other options: put some basil in there, or a sweet onion! some people put bacon or a creamy sauce, but i usually don't. makes it too heavy in my opinion. you could put some lemon juice in there as well 😍 also, they look SUPER PRETTY when you use red and yellow tomatoes!

now, as for serving: it's great as a side dish. make it for a bbq or with chicken/salmon/pork/whatever you want! OR!!! make it the main event! it's great with a salad or roasted veggies. one time i ate the leftovers of one with some grits the next morning and it changed my life.