𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

it was moony, WORMTAIL, padfoot and prongs, and i'm sick of people pretending it wasn't.

They wouldn't have put peter's name second in the list if he wasn't as much a part of the group as the other three. peter wasn't an afterthought, the marauders weren't a trio. yes, he betrayed them, but not until years later. years after the map had been made and years after they'd shared a dorm. they were just four best friends against the world - moony, WORMTAIL, padfoot and prongs.

i love how wormtails the only one that got it mostly right

try guessing each other's boggarts

for james, maybe him losing a quidditch match. or diggory and lily dating. sirius, perhaps being locked inside somewhere. peter... maybe a cat- moony

james' would be sirius, lily, and his parent's corpses. sirius' would be becoming like the rest of his family. remus' would be the full moon- wormtail

james' is totally lily going off and snogging snivellus or whoever, remus' is probably failing his newts or something, pete's would be james telling him to bugger off- padfoot

I mean it'll sound totally arrogant, which I know lily says I am, but I just know myself and I know my mates. I think all of theirs would be losing me. I mean if I died, they'd never be caught up on the quidditch leagues! okay fine, maybe remus' might also be yknow. murdering someone. sirius' maybe becoming a death eater, and peter's probably a giant cat or something. But those are all stupid, it should be me being gone! much more likely, and much more terrifying- prongs

marauders as things my friends and i have said:

James: I'm a changed person!

Remus: No, same body, same organs, same brain-

James: Not same body! Body is tea now

Sirius [laughing]: Yeah, a teapot

James: throws his shoe at Sirius

marauders as things my friends and i have said:

James: And she said that she hated me, which I personally think is code for, 'I want you to try harder'

Remus: No, I think she just wants you to leave her alone

James: But she laughed at my joke!

Peter: I think she laughed at the way you hit your head against the pillar after you made the joke

James: But she had like this small smile on her face!

Sirius: If I may offer my opinion-

James [tensed]: Shut up you're French., go oui oui baguette somewhere else

𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

pairing: alexei vronsky x reader

tw: sadness, fluff, tears, mention of adultery, internal conflict, feelings of guilt, self-doubt, feeling of shame

message: to the ones who hate themselves for feeling a certain way. 

5.4K words

The chandeliers dripped with candlelight, their glow colouring the vast ballroom in a shade of gold. Music in the air, but it was distant, muffled, as though you were submerged beneath water. The perfume of waltzing couples amplified the air, along with the scent of the strawberry pastries and champagne. 

There, in the middle of it all, in the middle of the ballroom. Him.

Your husband, your Count, wearing his white button up shirt with golden buttons. His hair glowing in the golden light of the chandeliers. His posture being the epitome of his nobility. But his hands — his hands were around another's waist. Leading her in the sensual waltz.

The woman's face lay against his shoulder, a smile adorning her face. He leaned in, his lips ghosting her ear, whispering something meant for her, only her. Something he had once whispered to you. 

What was once a sentimental moment for you and your husband was now shared with your husband and some other woman. 

The woman's laugh rang through the room, delicate and sultry. Her laugh had seemed to drain out any other sound of the ballroom. 

You felt your throat close up. You tried to call out for him, but no sound escaped your lips. The room felt stuffy, as if the walls were closing in on you. The walls stretching, the heavy fabric of your dress suddenly feeling as if it was strangling you. 

Your hands clenched around the silk of your dress, you swallowed hard. 

His gaze met your eyes as he spun her around. A glint of amusement, recognition, and something else, something sinister. His gaze left you right just as it met yours, as if you were easily dismissible. You, his wife, the woman he swore to protect, the woman bearing his child. 

Suddenly the ballroom chandelier was too bright, the smell of strawberries and champagne being all too much, the sound of the music turned from a sentimental, beautiful ballad to a mocking tone, as if it were telling you that you lost.

You were not enough for him to stick to you. Not enough for him to love. Even the fact that you were growing his child inside of you did not make him stay; you meant nothing to him. 

You felt your knees buck as you felt nauseous, feeling as if you were mere seconds away from fainting. Your eyes shut for a second and you embraced yourself for the impact with the floor — you gasped, your eyes shooting open, your chest heaving up and down, panting. 

You looked around the room, you were in your chambers, in your nightgown, a strong arm around your very pregnant stomach, a face nuzzled into your neck, snoring softly. The scent of your husband filling your nose. 

You shifted your head to look at his face, fast asleep. You let out a breath, still coming down from the gut wrenching feeling of betrayal you felt in your dream. It felt so real; so genuine, as if he would wake up and betray you like he did in real life. 

It made your dinner from last night want to escape you. You sat up slowly, leaning against the fancy headboard of the bed. Alexei's arm dropping from your waist to your lap. He stirred in his sleep, feeling you shift, he didn't wake from his slumber as he still felt your warmth near him. 

You let out a shaky breath, feeling tears well up in your eyes. You felt foolish, ridiculous even, for crying over such a thing. For being angry at him for such an act, an act he did not even commit. An act he would never so much as imagine committing. 

Your husband — your hardworking, devoted, uxorious husband — was right next you, lightly snoring, his chest heaving up and down slowly in a peaceful, rhythmic pattern — contrasting yours immensely — in a blissful state of tranquility. Completely unaware of the storm that raged inside you. 

The feeling clung to you, as if the dream had left a scar. Not Alexei — no, he would never allow for that dream to become reality; Count Vronsky might be many things, but unfaithful? Disloyal? Coldhearted? No, those words would never belong to him 

You were not unaware of how loyal your husband was, no, he made his intentions with you very clear, since the beginning of your courtship. He is to love and care for you, in sickness, in health, in happiness, in sorrow, in peace, in anger. Whatever it was; he was to love and care for you. 

He vowed to it. And everyone knew when the Vronsky's vowed to something — they would rather die than have that vow broken. 

You knew all of this, you knew, and yet you were still crying. What sort of wife doubts her husband? Even in the captivity of her own mind? 

Your oh so loving husband. The husband that goes riding with you when you feel like it, the husband that smiles at you adoringly as you speak about your daily activities, the husband that whispers sweet nothings to your unborn child before vanishing into a peaceful slumber every night. 

Natheless, the image of another woman in his arms, a content smile on his face, the look of love in his eyes as he stared at her. The thought haunted you, like a phantom, unwilling to leave you alone. 

You sniffled and wiped your tears with your hands, taking in a shaky breath. Ridding the tears that had no right to exist. Merely for more unjust tears to flow out of your waterline. Your heart burned in your chest, your stomach churned. It felt as if there was a pit in your stomach. 

Your baby came into your mind, all this unnecessary stress would be bad for the baby. His baby. You calmed yourself for the health of your baby. Though the calmness did not guarantee that the sorrow would dissolve. 

The light shone through the space in the curtains, softly whispering to you, telling you that it was morning. You hear soft noises from outside your chambers — the maid were already working. 

You looked back at your husband, the light softly hitting his face, making him look oh so beautiful. You were truly a lucky woman to have such a handsome Count as your husband. It made you insecure; he was so beautiful, he was adored by all the young debutantes'. Eyes filled with thirst to grab at him any chance they get, but he was a married man. 

You criticised yourself, comparing yourself to those debutante's, even though you yourself were one just a year and a half ago. 

You sighed softly as you slipped your legs off the bed, gently pushing yourself off the bed, waddling to the door, leaving Alexei in bed, fast asleep. You opened your door and peeked your head out, looking for one of the maids to help you change into your day gown. 

"Vanya!" You whispered as you caught a glimpse of her right before she put her foot down on the first step of the staircase to make her way downstairs. She furrowed her brows and looked for the source of the voice that had just called out her name. 

"Vanya" You whispered again, she looked at you, her face relaxing and a soft smile displaying on her lips. 

"Countess, you are awake, much earlier than expected" She smiled as she made her way to the door of your chambers. You smiled softly, a smile that did not quite reach your eyes.

"Well, the little one does not allow me to rest in comfort." You joked as you put a hand on your stomach and rubbed your swollen belly. Vanya smiled at you, looking down at your bump and then back at you. 

"I would like to get ready for the day" You smiled at her, and opened the door slightly more. She glanced inside to see the Count still in bed, deep in slumber. She looked back at you and furrowed her brows, you never wake before the Count, it was either the both woke at the same time, or the Count stayed in bed with you until you woke. 

"Uh yes, Countess, right away" Vanya shook her thought away and looked down at the floor as you opened the door slightly more for her to enter, closing the door after she entered. You guided her to your boudoir that was connected to the bedchamber.

Vanya's gaze on the floor until she reached the familiar tiles of the boudoir, to respect the Count's privacy. She headed straight to the dresses and chemises and petticoats, skipping the corsets because you were nearing your due date, meaning you were too big for corsets. 

She helped you dress, wearing a blue dress with fur lining around the collar of the dress and the sleeves of the dress. You had asked her to not put any jewelry on you, you felt overwhelmed enough. After changing you guided Vanya out of the bedchamber and she helped you down the staircase to the commons. 

You sat yourself at the loveseat near the big window, overlooking your beautiful garden, a book on your lap and your eyes still tired from the lack of sleep and the feeling of insecurity. You watched how the cold, Russian, autumn breeze made the trees sway, your flowers swaying in the process as well. 

"Countess, I must suggest that you breakfast" Polina, another house maid, said walking into the commons. You looked away from the window and looked at her. 

"Is it ready?" You asked putting a hand on your stomach and pushed off the loveseat with as much energy you could muster up. 

"Yes, ma'am, would you like for one of the men to wake the Count?" She asked as she held the door open for you to head out the commons and walk to the dining. 

"No, that is not necessary, I would much rather have him well rested" You said simply and walked to the table, allowing Polina to pull out a chair for you and help you sit down. 

"Very well" She said simply and left you alone to eat all by your lonesome. Leaving you alone with your thoughts. Not the best idea with the storm raging within you since even before you woke up. 

-

Alexei grumbled something under his breath as he stirred awake. His arm naturally going to feel you, touch you in some way, but he was met with a cold spot in the bed, and not your swollen belly. His eyes shot open, and he sat up, looking around the room to find you. 

He sighed and rubbed his face in his hands to wash away any feeling of fatigue so he could go on with his day. He removed the soft quilt off of him and got off the bed to get ready for his day. Slightly concerned about your whereabouts.

Since he had married you, he had never woken up in an empty bed, you were always beside him, but he did not worry his mind too much about it; he knew you'd be at home. 

He made his way downstairs, stopping at the end of the stairway, thinking about where you would be, that is until he saw Polina. 

"Ah Polina," He called out for her, Polina stopped in her tracks and turned to the Count. 

"Good morning Count" She greeted him with a smile. He nodded back as a greeting.

 "Would you know where my wife is?" He asked as he looked around the first floor of the house, as if in search of her. 

"She is in the dining, breaking her fast" Polina explained and nodded slightly towards the doors of the dining, down the hall. Alexei nodded, as if thanking her and walked away, walking with a purpose to see you and his child in the dining. 

He softly opened the doors and turned to the table to see you, poking your fork into your egg. He smiled softly and made his way to you, slowly, so as to not startle you. 

"Good morning, my dove" He said softly and kneeled down beside you, his hand already on your belly. You turned and smiled at him, a smile that you gave to Vanya when you woke that morning. 

"Good morning" You smiled at him and greeted him back. He kissed your cheek and then bent down slightly more to place a kiss on your belly. 

"Good morning to you too, kroshka" He mumbled against your belly as he planted his kiss. You smiled, your heart feeling heavy. This was the man you were doubting. The man that came straight to you after waking, to kiss you on the cheek, and to kiss your belly, to greet you with a sweet tone on his lips. 

You picked up your fork again and poked it into the sausage on your plate. Alexei stood properly and sat on the chair next to you, nodding at the servant who was in the dining hall to get him his food. He turned back to you, a soft look in his eyes. 

"You did not wake me, serdtse moyo" He said, watching you carefully as you ate. Making sure you had enough nutrients to carry on your day and carry his child. 

"You looked so peaceful, I did not want to interrupt" You said simply, not even sparing him a glance. Alexei raised a brow at your tone and your action, confused. 

"Very thoughtful of you," He said softly, trying to understand you. Ever since the doctor had told you that you were with child, he had been extra careful with his actions and words around you. Knowing how his brother's wife acted when she was with child, he learned his lesson. 

A maid had come in with a plate of food and placed it in front of him. He picked his fork up and started to eat, right after taking a sip of water to quench the dryness of his throat. Eating in silence, which would usually be calming but at this moment it felt as if tension would not leave you. 

"How did you spend your morning my love?" Alexei asked, trying to make conversation to ease the tension. 

"Just some light reading" You said simply, which wasn't technically a lie, you had tried to read but your thoughts were too loud for you to properly comprehend what was going on in your story. Alexei nodded at your answer, expecting you to continue speaking about your book, explain the plot and your side commentary.

But you just stopped speaking, eating your eggs. 

He looked at you, watching you deliberately. You didn't spare him a glance, making his heart hurt and his head think about everything he's done since yesterday to make you act so cold towards him. 

"Are you alright?" He asked softly, his hand reaching for your hand that was on the table. Softly rubbing your knuckle with his thumb. You finally looked at him, your eyes held a sadness he couldn't bear to see. You tried to hide the sadness with faulty joy. 

"I am fine, why?" You asked, masking the pain you feel in your heart and the pit in your stomach. 

"Are you tired? Did the little one not let you rest?" He asked, his hand going back to your stomach to feel his child. You shook your head, heart warming at his concern. The eggs taste bittersweet on your tongue. 

Your heart was warming up and crumbling all at the same time. You wanted to tell him that you were fine, that you were happy and content, to tell him about your dream and have him tell you he'd never do something so cruel to you. 

But shame filled you. The thought of telling him that you doubted him, the look of hurt on his face if you were to tell him, you feared that you could not handle it. 

"I am fine, Alexei, please calm your mind" You chuckled as you looked at him with a smile on your face. The smile on your face told him to not worry, but the look in your eyes told him that something was wrong. But he let it go, not wanting to make you uncomfortable. 

"Very well" He mumbled and continued to break his fast, his hand still on yours. You finished up your food and stood up from your seat, Alexei's gaze moving from his plate to you. 

"If you need me, I will be in the commons" You said simply and waddled out of the dining room, leaving Alexei in the dining by himself. The act made Alexei's heart crumble in his chest. You had never left him to eat alone, you had either waited until he finished eating to leave the dining together, or he would finish before you and do the same for you. 

Alexei watched you leave and once the door shut he turned to the servant who was in the corner of the room. The servant himself looked confused at your actions, it was very unlike you. 

"Do you reckon I did something that upset her?" Alexei asked the servant to see what anyone from an outside perspective had anything to say about it. The servant looked down to the floor before he spoke. 

"No Count, it is not in my recollection, perhaps it is the gloomy weather that has made the Countess act this way" The servant answered with proper thought. 

"Hmm perhaps" Alexei mumbled and looked down at his glass of water. He stood up abruptly and left the dining, leaving his food half finished. 

"Feed the remaining to Frou-Frou, will you please" He said to the servant as he made his way out the doors, wracking his mind as to what he could have done to make you act so cold towards him. He went to the commons, following you, and sitting on the seat opposite to the loveseat you were sat on. You were once again reading your book. 

Not really reading; you were stuck on the phrase ‘Was it a vision, or a waking dream? Fled is that music:—Do I wake or sleep?’ not fully able to comprehend or understand what the book was trying to say, for your mind was much too occupied from your dream.

It did however seem as if the world was telling you something, was it just a dream, or was it a vision? You had asked yourself, over analysing everything in your life. Was the world trying to tell you something by sending you signs? 

Don’t worry too much of it. It was just a visio- dream. Just a normal dream.

Alexei watched you closely as you were in reverie, hiding behind the newspaper, pretending to read and glancing ever so often at you to see the state that you were in. Trying to understand you and what was going on in your head. 

You had not turned your page for a while, and Alexei, knowing that you were quite a fast reader compared to the other ladies of the season, was worried. Were you not actually reading? 

“Milaya moya, what is that you think so deeply about?” He asked, breaking the silence and tension in the room. You jumped slightly, startled, putting a hand on your sternum as a reaction to the shock. 

“Ah, Alexei, you startled me, I did not notice you” You laughed slightly, looking at him. 

‘I did not noticed you’

But you always notice when he walks in the room. Your eyes always light up, your smile always deepens, and your shoulders relax knowing that he was there to take care of you. 

Your words upset him, he knew something was clogging your mind, he just did not know what exactly it was. He was determined to find out and rid you of those thoughts to make you happy, to see you happy. 

“I was rather silent, I suppose” Alexei said, pushing his thoughts of sadness away, trying to figure you out. 

“Now, my love, do tell, what is bothering you” He said, putting the newspaper down onto the seat and getting up, making his way to you, kneeling right in front of you so you would meet his eyes. 

“I have told you, I am f-” You started but Alexei cut you off, softly.

“And do not say that you are fine, because you seem very enervating” He said and softly placed one hand on your knee and the other on your stomach. 

“I do not wish for you to stress, my dove, it will only cause you and the child harm, so please do tell me what is causing you to be so burdened. Put it on me so I can carry that burden for you” He said softly, his eyes sincere and carrying a pain, and empathy, a mixture you never want to see in his eyes. 

You looked down, feeling your eyes start to water, your throat started to burn, your eyes stinging slightly. You did not want to meet his eye, you felt shameful. Felt disgusting for feeling the way you feel. 

You trusted him, you really did, but the dream, the vision, felt so real, so genuine, it was hard to not brood. 

He reached his hand up to your cheeks, cupping it right after pushing a stray strand fall from your beautifully plaited hair. 

“Darling,” He said softly, reminding you that he was still there. To listen, to hear, and understand you. You swallowed and licked your lips. You looked at him, through your eyelashes, his eyes boring into yours. His eyes, so blue and clear, every single feeling of concern and sadness engraved into them. 

You cleared your throat and shook your head. 

“I would like some time alone” You whispered and looked back down to your lap, watching his hand on your knee, his thumb rubbing the fabric of your dress. 

The hope in Alexei’s eyes left and he felt his shoulders slump. He licked his lips and stood up, lending out a hand to you to hold. You looked up at him when you saw him stretching his hand out for you to use to get back up on your feet. He had a soft smile on his face, calming your nerves. 

“Then time alone is what you shall get” He said and nodded to his stretched out hand for you to grab onto, to help you stand up. 

“That is with me at a safe distance” He quickly added as you closed your book, putting it to the side and putting your hand in his, allowing him to pull you up. He led you out of the commons and walked the hallway. 

“Where would you like to go for some time alone?” He asked, still holding onto your hand gently, taking smaller strides than normal to match your pace. 

“The garden” You whispered, looking around your home, as he nodded and led you to the doors to the garden. He held the door open for you and allowed you to head out first, you walked along the pathway, walking to the gazebo near the garden wall. He followed suit. 

- 

An hour passed, you had watched the leaves on the tree fall due to the weather; thinking to yourself that you’d have to ask one of the men to clean it up. You watched how your flowers were slowly decaying, some surviving due to the fact that winter was not that close. 

The Count had watched your every step, every content smile, everytime you put a hand on your stomach when you felt your baby kick. 

He watched as you threw two or three pebbles into the fountain, watched as you smelled your flowers, watched as you swung the leaves on your willow tree. He adored you, he yearned to be beside you, to help you; but he respected your wish to be alone for some time. 

But now that some time had gone by, he felt as if it was time to talk to you again. The once very pained look in your eyes had become less weary. You looked content, but something was still bothering you. He walked to the rose bushes, lined up beautifully near the fountain, picked up a red rose and walked towards you with a purpose. 

You sighed, feeling the feeling inside of you slowly dissipate, but somehow remnants of it remained. You were bathing in the cold-warm light of the sun when a rose appeared in front of you. You furrowed your brows and looked at the individual who had just offered you the rose. 

You tilted your head slightly to look past the rose to look at your husband who had a small, soft, smile on his face as he gazed at you lovingly. 

“A rose for your thoughts” He said and lowered the rose from right in front of your face, and handed it to you normally. You took the rose from him and inhaled the scent of the sweet rose. Your eyes closed peacefully. He admired you as you did so. 

You opened your eyes again and looked at him; the pain in your heart had lessened by now, your eyes now holding some form of happiness, a feeling of content. 

“Would you like to tell me what is bothering you?” He asked softly, his hands behind his back, enlocked with one another, waiting patiently for your answer. You sucked in your cheek and looked at the rose in your hands, feeling the texture of a petal between your thumb and index finger. 

You nodded softly and looked back up at him. He smiled and offered you his elbow to hold onto. You softly wrapped your arm around his elbow, the rose in your other hand as he led you to the gazebo. He pulled out a chair from a little tea table there. 

“Sit, you have been standing for long enough” He said and helped you sit down. Once you relaxed onto the chair, he kneeled down and put his hand on your knees, dirtying his nice dress pants. 

“Alexei, your trousers” You said watching him get on his knees in front of you to be on eye level with you. 

“Doesn’t matter, what matters is whatever that is bothering you” He said, cupping your face in his hands. You sighed softly and leaned into his hand. He looked at you attentively, ready for whatever it is you were about to say. 

“I had a dream” You started, looking straight into his eyes. It was time for you to be brave and swallow whatever bitter taste there was in your mouth. 

Alexei nodded, urging you to continue. You deep breath and continued,

“I had a dream where you were in another's arms” You said, your voice lowering as you spoke, the confidence dissipating as you admitted to him. Alexei’s brows furrowed and he tilted his head, utterly confused. He opened his mouth to say something but you cut him off.

“We were at a ball, perhaps it was Viscount Motka’s function — that is apart from the point —. You were dancing with another woman, it made me feel… feel rather strange” You said, taking a deep breath before continuing to tell him how your dream made you feel. Alexei looked pained. 

“Please do not be cross with me, I do not mean to doubt you, but it seems as if the dream has shaken me quite a bit” You said quickly, trying to comfort him. 

“I feel atrocious just feeling this way, I do not want to feel such a horrible emotion. I do not even know how to describe it —” You started, ranting slightly, he cut you off by placing his lips softly on yours. 

A kiss.

Your eyes fluttered close and you kissed him back. It was rather odd, you usually partake in such endeavours in the privacy of your bed chambers. His hands cupping your face had never left you. He pulled away and laid his forehead on yours, nose nudging one another. 

“My dove, now why on Earth would you be so perturbed over a dream?” He asked, slightly chuckling at your silly antiques. You pouted as he chuckled, and he stopped right away. 

“It felt real, Alexei. I was hurt” You pouted deeper and your eyes were sad. Alexei felt his heart crumble at the look on your face.

“My darling, I would never do something like that to you. They could torture me for days to do so, and I would not. My respect and love for you is ineffable” He said, a smile on his face, feeling a lot better about the whole situation. 

Not the issue of you being sad, but the fact that he can help you feel better. All this time he had thought he did something wrong, that he did something to hurt you — and if he did, he would never find a way to forgive himself. 

He could now do this favourite thing; to show you how much he loved you. 

You looked down at the rose on your lap, feeling abashed. Alexei moved one of his hands to your chin to tilt it up, making you look at him. 

“Do not doubt my love for you.” He said simply, his eyes so loving, so soft, so delicate. His touch on you is so intricate, as if he would touch you any harder, your skin would bruise, as if you would break into pieces. As if you would slip through his fingers like sand. 

He moved his hand to hold your cheek again, this time firmly as if it would prove anything. He started,

“From the moment I close my eyes to the second I open them again, you are there. You are in every single thought I have, in every single thing I look at. Your smell does not leave me, no matter how far I am from you. Your smile– engraved into my head and it brings me strength when you are absent from my side. 

So do not for a moment even consider that I do not love you because you are the better part of me. And if you ever so find yourself doubting the love I have for you, do tell me and I will spend every waking moment on this earth proving my love to you.” He said, looking so deeply into your eyes, his face mere millimetres away from yours, eyes holding so much love, so much adoration. 

You felt a tear escape your eye and he wiped it away. He removed his forehead from yours and tilted your head down slightly to set a kiss on your forehead. He stayed there, kissing your forehead for a bit and then moved to put his forehead on yours again.

Looking at you with the same look in his eyes. You smiled softly at home, you heart content, the pit in your stomach long gone, the pain in your heart and head, all gone. 

“I love you” You whispered, looking deeply into his eyes. His smiled deepened and he kissed the top of your nose, which was now cold from the chilly autumn breeze. 

“Apart from that, why would I want to dance with another, when I married the best dancer?” He asked, trying to make a joke to lighten the air. You let out a small laugh and shook your head, he laughed softly, his heart warming at the sound of your bubbly laugh. 

He let go of you and stood up, lending out a hand for you to hold. 

“It is getting colder outside, shall we go in, my Countess?” He asked sweetly. You smiled and put your hand in his, he pulled you up. You wrapped your arm around his bicep, your other hand gripping the rose he had given you.

“We shall, my Count” You said softly laying your head on his shoulder as he guided you back in the house. Leaving all your doubts and weariness outside. 

fin.

alexei vronsky masterlist: liked this? read more!

"If you use em dash in your works, it makes them look AI generated. No real human uses em dash."

Imaging thinking actual human writers are Not Real because they use... professional writing in their works.

Imagine thinking millions of people who have been using em dash way before AI becomes a thing are all robots.

REBLOG IF YOU'RE A HUMAN AND YOU USE EM DASH

marauders as things my friends and i have said

Sirius: I'm nonchalant as fuck

Remus: I'm going to push you down the stairs and you're going to let out the biggest scream

Sirius: No? I'm nonchalant, so I'm barely going to reac-

Remus: pushes him lightly

Sirius [letting a girly scream]: REMUS DON'T YOU DARE!

Remus [laughing]: Nonchalant my ass.

marauders as things my friends and i have said

James: What do you think I'd go to jail for?

Sirius: Harassing old people because you wanted to help them.

James: ...

Peter: Seems reasonable to me

Sirius: What would I go in for?

James: Assaulting an officer

Remus: I think I'd go to jail for something

Sirius: In for what? Following the rules too much?

James: Yea Remus, you would not go to jail, sorry.

Peter [confused]: Isn't that a good thing?

Remus: I don't know at this point.

𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐑𝐁𝐒

this is just me being a marauder fanatic tbh. i love myself some old gay wizards.

marauders as things my friends and i have said:

these are real genuine interactions between me and friend group that i think would fit very well with the marauders.

jail

tea

nonchalant

carats

baguette

therapy

peter's birthday

argument

teapot

honestly, there will be more over time, i'm just too lazy to add it right now.

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠

pairing: tangerine x reader

tw: nothing, fluff, cussing, slight angst if you squint

message: to the ones who would like to be comforted and understood when upset.

6.9K words (sorry)

Walking around an outlet with your arm around Tangerine's bicep was something you've been wishing for since the day he left for work. Which was 3 days ago, but he came back yesterday, had a day off and now you were strolling around the mall. A woman mumbled something, sprayed a tester fragnance on a piece of paper and handed it to you.

"Thank you" You smiled at her as you walked by them. You brought it up to your nose and smelled it, it smelled amazing. You brought it up to Tangerine's nose and he breathed it in and nodded.

"You want it?" He asked looking down at you, you glare at him and shook your head. You passed the paper over your shoulder.

"Oooh it smells great, I'm gonna save it for my girl" Lemon smiled and put it in his little fanny pack.

"Why didn't you bring her along?" You asked as you guys entered a store.

"She has a stupid work thing" Lemon grumbled.

"Oh I know how that feels" You sighed glacing at Tangerine and he rolled his eyes playfully. You looked into a glass case and looked at the rings then looked back at the ring on your left hand. Nothing could beat the huge piece of diamond on the thing. Tangerine followed your vision into the glass case and tried to find the ring you were looking at. You grabbed his bicep and dragged him to the escalator that led to the mens section.

"Time to get you a new suit" You smiled up at him, he looked down at you and furrowed his brows.

"What for?" He asked.

"You absolutely totaled your blue one on your last trip" You shook your head in disbelief.

"Is that really the reason why we're getting me a new suit?" He smirked slightly as you reached the top and hopped off the escalator. You pursed your lips and looked around the store.

"You looked hot in that suit" You shrugged and avoided his gaze.

"Is that so?" He teased as he tried to make you look at him, he grabbed your chin softly and lifted it to look you in the eye. You tried to hide your smile.

"We'll go to Victoria's Secret after this and you can customise me like a Build-a-Bear" You smiled sneakily, his smirked dropped for a second at the thought and came back into a much more mischievous one.

"Deal" He said as he placed his lips on yours, you smiled into the kiss.

"GOD T-M-I GUYS!" Lemon groaned as he started walking -more stomping- the other way towards the luggage section.

"Why is he even with us" Tangerine complained as he watched his brother walk away, he snapped his head back to you when he felt a small slap to his chest.

"Don't say that" You glared at him and grabbed his hand and walked further into the fitting room where there was a tailor waiting for customers.

-

He fixed the cuff links and stared at himself in the mirror as the tailor was fixing the suit from his back. You swung your legs as you eyed him up and down.

"I feel very objectified" Tangerine said looking away from the mirror and at you once the tailor walked away and gave him the clear.

"I was going for that" You smiled at him and got up from your seat and walked towards him, he rolled his eyes and shook his head and his gaze went back to the mirror. You looked at the mirror and saw the both of you. You put a hand on his chest and smooth out his under shirt.

"You look good" You smiled and went on your toes and kissed his cheek. He wrapped his arm around your waist. He turned his head and looked at you, he placed his lips on yours. You pulled away, to which he frowned at.

"We should go find Lemon and get mac n' cheese" You smiled at him innocently. He chuckled.

"Anything for you" he smiled and kissed your forehead.

-

You were smiling at the baby at the table beside you, making a mess of herself as she ate. The thump of a plate hitting the table broke you out of your trance. You smiled at Tangerine as he took his seat beside you and opposite of Lemon who was taking a picture of his food, probably sending it to his girl.

"What were you looking at?" He asked as he wiped his utensiles with a napkin. The man was usually covered in sweat and blood, somehow feels the need to wipe down a utensil that was most definitely washed. You nodded to the baby you were looking at, a faint smile on your lips.

"Dirty little thing isn't it?" He asked as he watched the baby make a mess of herself.

"Messes will always go away" You tusked, still smiling at the baby. He glanced at you and then the baby and hummed and started eating. You turned back and started eating as well.

"What'd you get?" You asked Lemon glancing at the huge bag next to him.

"I got this briefcase for our next job" He explained as he wiped off something from the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

"Sorry, next job?" You asked, slightly raising your voice. Lemon looked up confused and looked at Tangerine who was glaring at him and shaking his head. Lemon made an 'o' shape with his mouth but nothing came out. He glanced at Tangerine, at you, back at Tangerine then back at you then suddenly threw his fork onto the floor.

"Oh look at that, it's dirty now, I better get another one" He laughed nervously and scurried off his seat and walked to the counter, making small talk with the waiter hopefully to buy some time.

"You just got back" You said and turned in your seat to face him.

"I- I know, it's just that they're offering a shit tonne of money, and we... could use it" Tangerine shrugged as if that excuse made sense.

"Oh fuck that, you've got enough money to get your great grandchildren through college" You groaned and glared at him.

"We, you know I hate it when you refer to our money as my money" He said softly.

"Ohh trust me, I know, that's why I said it" You hissed at him.

"Love I'm sorry, Lem just came up to me and told me abo-" He tried to explain

"Tan you just got back, you always do this! Maybe this time don't bother coming back" You whisper yelled at him and got up and picked your bag up.

"Love..." Tangerine sighed as he tried to grab your elbow, but you shoved his hand away.

"I'm going to Victoria's Secret and you're not coming" You said glaring at him and walking away. Tan let out a big sigh and rubbed his face in his hands.

"Tough crowd eh?" Lemon sighed as he sat back down. Tangerine removed his hands from his face and glared at him.

"How was I supposed to know you didn't tell her?" Lemon glared at him and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

-

You were looking at a lace robe when you felt a soft hand on your back. You were gonna turn around and smack the guy but a whiff of an all too familiar cologne flies by your nose and you relax. You purse your lips as you felt him hug you from the back and put his head on your shoulder, looking at your side profile. You didn't acknowledge him.

"You'd look hot in that" Tangerine stated and softly kissed your neck. You didn't answer and slowly walked to the perfume aisle, Tangerine following behind you with his arms around your waist. You grab a tester and spray it onto a piece of paper and bring it up to your nose to smell it. This time you go to throw it away instead of giving it to Tangerine to smell. He softly grabs your hand before you throw it and brings it up to his nose and sniffs it, then lets go of your hand to throw it away.

"You didn't eat" He said as you started walking to the bra section, looking at the new arrivals. Again, no answer. He nuzzled his face into your neck and sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry" He mumbled into your neck. Your lips curved up slightly into a small smirk, barely noticeable. He was always too proud to apologise.

"Hmm?" You hummed as you grabbed a display babydoll lingerie, black, just how he liked it. He sighed again and lifted his head only to see what you were holding. He paused slightly and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry" He said more clearly now, looking at the lingerie you were holding. You smiled as you felt him hug you closer. Feeling something in his pocket, and it was not his gun.

"What do you think of this?" You asked and turned your head to look at him, referring to the lingerie in your hand. He cleared his throat and subtly thrusts his hips into your back. 

"It's nice" He answered simply. You hide a smirk. 

"Hmm" You hummed and bent down to open the drawer to look for your size. You were bent so that your bum was in front of him. It would look like a cute innocent scene to others, but you both knew that cute and innocent went out the window when you walked into the store. You picked your size and stood up properly and he shoved his face into your neck. Trying to hide his flushed face. 

"Where's Lem?" You asked, completely ignoring his apology and walked around the store to torture him more. He kept his front stuck to your back to save himself the embarrassment. 

"His bird's meeting ended so he left to get her, she's coming here" He mumbled, trying not to groan as you stopped abruptly making his hard on push into your bum. 

"At least someone misses their girl" You mumbled to yourself, but he obviously heard because he was close to you. He sighed soflt.y

"Baby of course I miss you when I'm away" He groaned and lifted his head from your neck to look at the side of your face. You walk to the counter seeing that the line was empty and put everything you wanted to buy on the counter and smiled at the lady behind the counter. Tangerine stopped talking so it wouldn't interupt your interaction with the lady. 

"That's all for today?" She asked and smiled as she took the black lace set and looked for the price tag. 

"Yes please" You smiled at her and pulled out your wallet from you bag but Tangerine grabbed your hand before you could. He let go of your waist for the first time since he started and went for his back pocket. The lady behind the counter watched the whole interaction, trying not to smile. You slaped Tan's hand off your hand and grabbed your wallet to take your card out. 

"No stop it" Tangerine glared at you, hurrying to take his card out. 

"Take this one" You gave your card to the lady with a smile, she catched the huge diamond ring on your finger and understood that you guys were married. 

"No put that down, take this one" Tangerine said and snatched your card away from the lady and handed her his card. She let out an awkward chuckle and looked at you to see what you said. You groaned and snapped your head to  your husband.

"God Tan, I'm angry at you, let me be angry!" You hissed and glared at him. 

"Be angry at me by using my card!" He argued back, softly, he never raised his voice at you, which really contrasted with how he was at work. 

"I- I just need one card for this to get paid" The lady smiled awkwardly. You turned back to her and smiled.

"I'm sorry love, use my card" You smiled at her and slid your card closer to her. She nodded and to grab it but before she could Tangerine snatched it and put it in his wallet. 

"Now you've got to use mine the whole day" He turned to you and gave a look that screamed that he won. You rolled your eyes at him. The lady looked at you and you gave her a small nod telling her to use his card. 

"I just won't buy anything for the rest of the day" You shrugged and smiled at the lady as she handed you your victoria's secret bag. She glanced at Tangerine's defeated face and tried not to laugh. He grabbed his credit card from her and his head went back to your neck, arms around your waist.

"I apologise for whatever this was" You smiled at her.

"No it's completely fine" She smiled back at you and you started walked out with Tangerine right behind you, his arms still around you, trying to calm his boner down. 

"Where's Lem and his girl?" You asked as you took your phone out and checked the time. 

"I think he said they were meeting at the entrance near the big christmas tree" He murmered into you neck. You nodded and put your phone back into your bag, and started walking towards the entrance, Tangerine following right behind you.

"I've got to use the loo" You said and stopped right in front of the doors that said restroom. You gave him your bag and went in. Tangerine stood there with your bag, he put it on his shoulder and leaned against a wall, picking at his cuticles. You looked at yourself in the mirror of the bathroom. You didn't really have to use the loo, you just needed some space from him to see how you were going to handle the argument. 

You splashed some water on your face and sighed into your hands. You stared at yourself in the mirror again and leaned closer to get rid of the little pieces of mascara that had falled out. You were wearing waterproof mascara but it still managed to come out. You thought back at Tangerine. 

You had to be honest with yourself, you hated his job. You knew he was the good guy, but the fact that he was risking his life and one day he might not make it back home to you. That scared you. You couldn't imagine a life without him in it, you didn't even know how you functioned properly before you met him. He was your source of energy, you needed him to breathe. But you couldn't ask him to stop, he already did so much for you, and this job is all he's ever known, well and Lemon. 

You sighed again and grabbed a paper towel to wipe off your hands. You make your way out. 

"Ah you're back" Tangerine said, his ehad snapping up right away when he heard the door open, and eyes relaxing when he saw you. You smiled at him softly, it wasn't like you could be angry at him for too long. His eyes alone would make you forgive him even if he had just stabbed a knife into you, in fact you would turn the knife inside of you if that's what he wanted. He puts his elbow out for you and you wrapped your arm around his bicep. You walked around the store, to where Lemon said he would be. 

"Hi!" You smiled at Lemon's girlfriend, rather new girlfriend. They started dating 3 weeks ago but Lemon didn't want her to meet you and Tangerine, he was scared you would scare her away. She turned to look at you as you greeted her. Lemon turned too and gave you and Tangerine a nervous smile. 

"Ah, Veda, this is my brother, Tangerine, and this is my sister, Y/n" Lemon introduced, turning his nead to nod at Tangerine then at you. She looked at each of you and smiled. 

"Guys, this is Veda" He turned to you and his brother and gave the both of you a stern look, but with a smile on his face. 

"It's nice to meet you Veda" Tangerine smiled at her politely and nodded at her slightly. 

"Hi Veda! I've been meaning to meet you for so long now" You let go of Tangerine bicep and went to her to hug her, she hugged back and let out a little chuckle. 

"Let me guess, Lemon went against it?" She joked as you pulled away from the hug. 

"Oh yeah, but trust me, all this man talks about is you and Thomas the Tank Engine" You joked as you rubbed her arm trying to get her to not think too much about it. She glanced at Lemon and he gave her a sheepish smile. 

"So I've got competition now huh?" Veda joked as she looked back at you. 

"Oh yeah, big time" You played along with her and pulled completely away from her and went back to Tangerine. 

"You guys are brothers?" Veda asked and pointed between Tangerine and Lemon. Probably confused, she probably knew Lemon had a brother named Tangerine, but she probably didn't expect Tangerine. 

"It's a complicated history" Tangerine said and wrapped an arm around your waist to pull you closer. Your bag and the Victoria's Secret bag on his other arm. Veda made an understanding sound and nodded but then eyed Tangerine's arm around your waist. 

"Aren't you guys siblings?" She asked suspiciously. 

"No, God no!" You said, slightly laughing and shaking your head. 

"But he said sister, and if Lem and Tangerine are brothers then..." She said trying to piece things together.

"Oh! I meant sister-in-law, they're married" Lemon quickly corrected himself. 

"Ohhh" Veda said and noded. You showed her your left hand and the ring on your finger. her eyes widened and her lips turned upside down in amusement. She looked back up at you and nodded in amusement, aproving of the size of the diamond on the ring. 

"I'm sorry, I was so confused" She laughed, trying to make it less awkward. 

"Oh no it's fine, it's Lem's fault anyway" You shrugged it off. Tangerine smiled at her trying to assure her that he wasn't offended and Lemon scrunched his brows at you. 

"Okay enough blaming, are you guys done shopping?" He said rolling his eyes and turning his head to you and Tangerine. You looked up at him and he looked at you. 

"I'm done" Tangerine shrugged, you looked at Lemon and nodded. 

"Aren't you guys gunna shop?" You asked, your eyes going between Veda and Lemon. Lemon looked at Veda and she shook her head. 

"I'm tired after the suprise visit from a patient at work, I just want to take a nap" She shrugged. 

"Okay, let's go home then" You said and looked at Tangerine. He opened your bag and searched for the car keys. 

"Wait! I have to piss" Lemon said and left for the restroom. Tangerine rolled his eyes.

"Why does he always have to take a piss when we're all ready to go" Tangerine groaned softly. 

"I honestly have to go too, sorry" Veda said awkwardly and hustled into the restroom. 

"Match made in heaven I guess" You chuckled and watched her figure rush to the restroom. Tangerine chuckled and pulled you closer to him. You looked around the store while Tangerine pulled his phone out because he got a notification. You saw a store filled with baby clothes. 

"Aww" You hummed and walked towards the store and looked at the tiny clothes on display. You picked one up and it was so tiny it made your heart want to burst into pieces. Tangerine sighed as he read over the email he had gotten, it was about the job he was going to go on. Apparently it postponed. He put his phone back into your bag and looked at your back, seeing you by the baby clothes. He walked up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist and put his chin on your shoulder, looking at what you were looking through. 

"Are you trying to tell me something?" He jokingly asked and gave you a weird look. You rolled your eyes with a smile on your face. 

"I wish" You joked and picked a shirt up. Tangerine's gaze turned from joking to serious. 

"Look it's you" You said smiling, Tangerine turned his head to look at the onesie you were holding. It had a little orange on it. 

"That's an orange, love" He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. You tusked and rolled your eyes. 

"Tomato, tomato" You rolled your eyes and put the onesie down. You picked another one up and laughed. 

"Oh look this one actually has a tomato on it. Oh look at that, with a little face too" You laughed as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Tangerine shook his head with a smile on his face as he watched you laugh. The sound of your laugh was better than any other sound he's ever heard. Your laugh was contagious, made him want to laugh too. He chuckled softly and took the onesie away from you and folded it and put it back on the rack. You calmed down and leaned into Tangerine. 

"I want one" You whispered to him, slightly hoping he wouldn't hear you. He turned slightly to look at your face to see if you were joking or not, but your face was serious. You were staring at the little mannequin of the baby with a suit on. 

"You guys are matching" You said and pointed at the mannequin. He turned his head to the mannequin. He let out a genuine laugh to see the little tie and the suit. You smacked his bicep softly.

"It's cute" You laughed as well. 

"Alright I think that's enough, you're hungry and delirious" Tangerine laughed slightly and pulled you away from the store. 

"Oh please, I'll be fine" You rolled your eyes but let him guide you away from the store, lowkey glad that he did because if you were there any longer you could've sworn your ovaries would have exploded. 

"You're going home and you're eating" Tangerine said as he started making his way to the doors when he saw both Veda and Lemon make their way out of the restroom. You gasped all of the sudden. 

"Where's my mac n' cheese?!" You said gasping, now very concerned about your lunch. 

"It's in the car my love" Tangerine said bluntly and took his car keys out of your bag as you made your way closer to the car. You sighed and turned to Tangerine as you came to a stop. 

"I love you" You said and looked at him in all seriousness. 

"Weren't you angry at me a few minutes back?" He asked, teasing you and raised an eyebrow at you as he clicked on the button on his car keys to unlock the car. He opened the car door for you and helped you get in.

"Yeah you still haven't apologised" You rolled your eyes as you let him fasten your seatbelt for you. He gave you a side eye as he put the seatbelt into the buckle, he leaned back slightly to look at your face and gave you a look. You looked away to the drivers seat to avoid his gaze. He smiled softly and grabbed your chin to make you turn to him. 

"I'm sorry" He said sincerely and looked deeply into your eyes. His eyes told you everything you needed to know. So blue and clear, every single emotion he felt, it never showed on his face but his eyes would always give it away. You pursed your lips and squinted ur eyes at him. 

"What exactly are you sorry for?" You tilted your head slightly. He rolled his eyes but the small smile on his lips stayed. 

"I'm sorry for not telling you about the next job" He said, his hand now on your cheek and his eyes boring onto yours. 

"I guess I forgive you" You shrugged. He chuckled slightly and shook his head ever so lightly. 

"I love you" He said softly and put his lips onto yours. You didn't kiss him back, trying to fight the smile off your face. 

"You know we're gunna stay like this until you kiss me ba-" He started but you cut him off by kissing him back. The smile on your face now very evident and unabashed. He smiled into the kiss. You pulled away when you heard the doors on the car open. His forehead was on yours and you look at him, his eyes were slightly closed. 

"You better hurry up and drop them off" You whispered slightly, with a small smirk on yourself. 

"Unless you don't want to see that lingerie on me" You shrugged, talking in a very low voice, making sure the couple in the back didn't hear you. They couldn't because they were talking about something as Lemon opened the door for Veda. His eyes snapped open and he traced his tongue along his cheek. He stood back up and shut the door and quickly got into the drivers seat. 

"Will you two lovebirds hurry up" He said as he buckled his seat belt and turned the engine on. You leaned back into your seat and smiled to yourself. 

"Calm your tits" Lemon hissed at him and closed the door for Veda and got to other side of the car and got in. 

"Who's place first?" Tangerine asked and rotated in his seat slightly and put a hand behind your seat to look behind. You watched his movements and put your right leg on top of your left and squeezed them together slightly. Veda and Lemon looked at each other as if they were talking to each other telapathically. 

"My place" Lemon anwered Tangerine. 

"So our place?" Tangerine asked as he put the car in driving mode again and started driving out of the parking lot. We lived in the same building and your apartment was right above Lemon's. 

"You guys live together?" Veda raised an eyebrow, looking between Tangerine and Lemon only because they were in her view and she was sat right behind you. 

"No no, same apartment building" Lemon replied. Tangerine let out a small laugh and put a hand on your thigh as he drove with one hand. 

"Wait you've been dating 3 weeks and he hasn't had you over yet?" You asked and you turned your head slightly to make conversation. 

"We're taking it slow, unlike you guys, fucking on the first date" Lemon rolled his eyes. Veda's eyes widened and looked at you and Tangerine with an expression. 

"We did not do that on the first date" You rolled your eyes back at him. 

"Ehhh..." Tangerine made a sound that disagreed with you, you smacked his forearm that was holding onto your thigh. 

"We did not." You hissed at him and then turned back to Veda and shook your head.

"We didn't, we just made out and this one went running to his only best friend to brag about it" You said and nodded towards Tangerine and rolled your eyes. Veda let out a laugh. 

"I have other friends!" Tangerine glanced at you then quickly back to the road. This was all friendly fire, and you knew he didn't take any offence since his hand was still on your thigh, in fact it was sliding up to where it shouldn't be in public. You slapped his hand hard, but soft enough so that it doesn't make a sound. He slowly pulled away but kept his hand on your thigh. 

"Yeah? Name one friend, who is not Lemon" You challenged him. He stopped the car at a red light and turned to look at you. 

"You" He smiled cheekily. You smirk dropped and you gave him a blunt look. 

"He's got a point" Lemon laughed, making Veda fall into a fit of giggles. 

"I set you up for success" You glare at him and he just smiled at you. 

"The light's green" Lemon said calming down from his laughter slightly, Tangerine turned back to the front and started driving again. Once the soft laughter died down, Veda spoke up. 

"Tangerine, what do you do for a living?" She asked. You scrunched your brows and glanced at him, trying not to turn your head and make it obvious. He glanced at you too and looked at the rearview mirror to see Lemon's face. Lemon shook his head slightly, almost not noticeable. 

"Um I'm in business" He answered simply, nodding his head slightly. You nodded your head as well to his answer. 

"Oh so you and Lem are like partners?" She asked looking at Lemon and then back at Tangerine. 

"Uh yea summat" Tangerine shrugged. 

"That's cool, what about you Y/n?" She asked and turned her head. 

"Oh I'm a software architect" You answered and leaned back into your seat. 

"Oooh" Veda nodded and looked out the window. 

"What do you do Veda?" You asked, wanting to continue the conversation as Tangerine pulled down the window to tap his card on the gate so he could get into the building. 

"I'm a dentist" Veda said. You nodded your head but then put things together in your head.

"Wait Lem, so the stupid work thing you said she had, she was attending to a patient?" You asked turning in your seat. 

"What?! I didn't say stupid work thing, I just said work thing" Lemon defended himself as Tangerine parked in the usual spot. Veda eyed him, and Lemon smiled sheepishly at her. Tangerine turned car off, got out of the car and walked over to the other side to open your door. 

"Sorry, I mean to be fair, you spend your time looking at teeth" Lemon shrugged, Veda shook her head with a smile. 

"It's interesting" She shrugged. You let out a laugh as Tangerine unbuckled your seatbelt for you and helped you of the car. Veda tried to open her door but Tangerine softly shut it back before she could open it fully, Lemon walked over and opened Veda's door for her and she gave the twins a weird look. Tangerine grabbed your bag for you and gave it to you. 

"You guys go into the building, we'll bring the things in" Lemon said and went to the boot of the car and helped Tangerine get the things that was brought today. You walked up to Veda and wrapped your arm around her arm and guided her to the door that was linking the building to the parking lot.

"You look shocked, what's up?" You asked as you dug into your bag for your card to tap on the door to enter. 

"They're so... they're such gentlemen" She said, as if she's never seen a man act the way they did before. You laughed at her expression and pushed the door open. 

"Funny to be honest, their childhood was rough" You said smiling to yourself. 

"We won the jackpot if you ask me" You shrugged and waited by the elevators for them, not clicking on the button so that you could click when they were here. 

"Rough childhood you say?" She asked raising an eyebrow. You pursed your lips and tilted your head, contemplating if you should tell her. If she was going to be here for a while, she might as well know, but it was not your story to tell. 

"Lem will tell you when he's ready, might be today, might be a few months from now, but I have no right to say anything" You answered, shrugging slightly. She nodded, understanding where you were coming from. 

"How long did it take Tangerine to tell you?" She asked and you saw both men walking to the door, they were talking about something as they made their way to the door. 

"About a year, he is stoic as fuck" You laughed, she laughed as well. 

"You got the more emotional twin, I got the cold one" You joked as you watched them enter the door, Veda turned her head and watched both of them. 

"I love him to death" You smiled slightly, she turned her head slightly to look at you, only to see your eyes full of love as you watched your man walk towards you. You looked back to the elevator doors and pushed the button. Right before they walked into your earshot you pulled her closer to you. 

"Hurt him and I will ruin you" You threatened her softly, but pulled away from her slowly and smiled at her sweetly. She looked at you kind of scared. 

"He's my brother, and he's been hurt before" You said, justifying your need to threaten her. She nodded. 

"Trust me, that's the last thing I would do" She reassured you and nodded slightly. You nodded and you eyed her. The elevator door opened and you walked in with her, Tangerine and Lemon rushed in as well. Tangerine had his new suit in a garment bag in his hands, the victorias secret bag and your mac n' cheese. Lemon had the suitcase he brought and a little packet that had something special in it. You pressed on the buttons with the numbers 7 and 8 on them. 

"What were you guys talking about?" Lemon asked. 

"Periods" Veda panicked and answered. Lemon gave her a weird look, Tangerine turned to look at you. 

"What? She said what she said" You shrugged, Tangerine put his hands up in defense. 

"We didn't say anything" He said defensively. You eyed him, you were so ready to jump him, he looked so delicious with his suit and his gelled back hair which had some curls sticking out. The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened on the 7th floor. Lemon grabbed Veda's hand and guided her out of the elevator. 

"Bye guys" Veda turned around and smiled at you and Tangerine, mostly at you. Tangerine gave her a soft smile and nodded his head. You smiled back at her. 

"Bye love" You said and Lemon pulled her away to his apartment. The doors closed and you let out a sigh. 

"What were you guys actually talking about?" Tangerine asked you as he looked at you up and down. He too couldn't wait to touch you. All he wanted to do was push you against the wall and make you feel good. 

"Nothing you should worry about" You smiled up at him, you pulled him closer to you and went on your tip toes to kiss his lips. He kissed you back but pulled away. 

"You're gunna make me drop everything" He rasped, his breath fanning your lips. You grabbed the Victoria's Secret packet and moved away from him and walked out the elevator, you times it perfectly with the elevator door opening and walked to your door and took your key out to unlock it as Tangerine made his way to you. You unlocked the door and opened it and made your way in. Tangerine followed suit and closed it shut quickly, he went up to the sofa to drop everything and placed the mac n' cheese on the coffee table. You bet down to unbuckle the straps on your boot heels, taking your time to tease him. He came up behind you, his front right on your butt, trying to release some type of tension. 

"Love, please" He groaned slightly as he bucked his hips onto yours softly. You hummed and still took your time. 

"For fucks sake" He sighed and held your hips and sat you down on the little stool beside the shoe rack, went down on his knees and unbuckled your shoes as quickly as he could for you, once he finally slid both boots off, he grabbed the Victoria's Secret packet and picked you up, throwing you over his shoulder and made his way to the bedroom. You laughed at his neediness. He threw you softly onto the bed and got on top of you, putting his lips onto yours. 

"Mmm Tan" You mumbled, trying keep up with the peace of his lips. Your hands went to his hair, making his slicked back hair messy. You legs slowly wrapped around his hips, he bucked his hips slightly and you moaned into his mouth. 

"Baby" You mumbled against his lips, you pulled away slightly, he tried to put his lips back on yours but you pulled back even more. He groaned softly. 

"Whaaat" He panted, whining almost. You let out a small laugh. 

"The lingerie?" You asked raising an eyebrow. He groaned, and thought about it, biting his lip. It looked like he was thinking hard as if his life depended on it. You rolled your eyes and rolled so now you were on top of him. 

"I'll be quick" You smiled cheekily as him and got off, grabbed the bag and made your way to the restroom. He groaned and tried to grab onto you before you left but you were too quick. You quickly stripped and put on the lingerie. It was a simple black lace babydoll and a black thong. You quickly grabbed your perfume and sprayed yourself and some lotion to rub on your legs and arms. You opened the door again and saw Tangerine on the bed, deep in thought again. 

"What? Are you regretting buying me this lingerie?" You teased as you walked to him, he snapped out of his thoughts and stared at you in awe. The buldge in his pants grew, he visibly swallowed. 

"You're going to kill me one day" He groaned and softly palmed himself through his pants. You laughed at the state of him, his once slicked back and neat hair all over the place, his face flushed red, the top 4 buttons on his shirt already unbuttoned, and his suit already scattered somewhere. You slowly walked your way to the bed and straddled his lap, leaning forward and putting your lips onto his. He held onto your hips and kissed you back, much softly than before. He shifted slightly and rolled you so he was on top now. You wrapped your legs around his hips and you arms went around his neck, one hand in his hair and the other on his back, rubbing his tense muscles. You furrow your brows and pulled away from the kiss. He let out a loud frustrated sigh and put his forehead onto yours. 

"Love if you keep edging me on I feel like I'm gunna die" He groaned and exaggerated. You rolled your eyes and the hand that was on his back slid down to his chest. 

"What's wrong?" You asked him genuinely. He furrowed his brows and eyed you. 

"What'd'you mea-?" He asked but you cut him off. 

"Don't play it off like it's nothing. What's bothering you?" You asked and used your elbows to sit up slightly. Tangerine sighed and sat up slightly, still on top of you. 

"I don't know" He said trying to do exactly what you told him not to do. You raised an eyebrow.

"It's just... were you serious about the whole baby thin' from before?" He asked you genuinely. It caught you off guard. You stammered. 

"I- um, I mean yeah, we're married, we're very much stable financially, I like where we are relationship wise, unless you don't, do you think we're unstable?" You asked, suddenly overthinking. His eyes widened and he shook his head vicariously.

"No no, God no, I think we're great" He said quickly, trying to reassure you. You nodded slightly. 

"Well then why not?" You shrugged, looking up at him with big eyes. He let out a breath neither you or he knew he was holding. 

"Thank fuck" He sighed in relief. 

"But if you're going to be away half the time, I don't want to" You said, suddenly remembering what he does for a living. 

"I promise, it'll go down by a half" He reassured you again, you pursed your lips and glared at him but a small smile crept up onto your lips. You put yours lips back onto his and smiled, his lips turned upwards as well. 

"I love you" You mumbled into the kiss. He pulled away from the kiss softly. 

"I love you more, but we better get started" He said and started kissing your neck, making his way down your body to where you needed him most. You hands went back to his hair and you lifted your head to look at him. 

"This is not how you make a baby" You laughed slightly, watching him trace over the lace on your thong. He grabbed the elastic part of it and snapped it against your skin making your jump slightly at the sharp contact. 

"No, but it's a great way to start" He smirked and bit down on the elastic pulling it down with his teeth. 

fin. 

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