REPOSTING TWICE BECAUSE I'M DYING

He's so babyyyyy,

So excited for this trailer drop yesssss plzzzz gimmeeeeee

It's felt like we've been waiting for YEARS...

...especially since we got told he's ONLY in his Calvin's through parts of the trailer 🤭

HOW COULD YOU NOT LEEEEAAAVE WITH HIM?!?!

DUde... this fic has me by the throat,

My nerves on edge,

My skin is tingling,

My breathing has HALTED.

I'm in full body shut down,

My organs-a-failing,

My fanny-A-FLUTTERING,

Brain-A-SLUTTERING.

All I wanna do is follow that man back to his apartment.

That's how I survive this unexplainable fever...

What Are Friends For? - Chapter 16

Word Count: 3.9k

Masterlist

I woke up to the smell of coffee.

For a second, I didn’t move—just blinked sleepily at the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, the quiet sounds of movement in the kitchen. The sheets were warm, twisted around my legs, my body still heavy with sleep.

And yeah. I felt it.

Not just the dull ache between my thighs, not just the lazy satisfaction curling low in my stomach. But the warmth lingering in my skin, the knowing that I wasn’t waking up alone.

Austin was already up.

I stretched slowly, pressing my face into the pillow, exhaling through my nose. I should get up. I should find my clothes, make myself look somewhat functional, maybe even pretend this wasn’t a big deal—because it wasn’t, right?

Except.

Last night.

Last night had been slow. Last night had been something else.

And I was lying to myself if I said I didn’t feel it.

The smell of coffee got stronger. A cupboard door clicked shut.

I sighed, finally pushing myself up, running a hand through my hair. My clothes were somewhere on the floor, but instead of searching, I reached for the first thing I saw—his t-shirt.

It hung loose over my frame, soft and warm, smelling faintly of him.

Yeah. Not a big deal at all.

I padded into the kitchen, the wooden floor cool under my feet.

Austin was standing at the counter, back to me, shirtless, hair a complete mess.

Not fair.

He turned when he heard me, eyes flickering over me once before his lips curled. “Mornin’.”

I made a vague noise in response, covering a yawn with my sleeve as I dropped onto one of the stools at the counter.

Austin huffed a quiet laugh, sliding a fresh mug toward me. “Tired?”

I reached for the coffee blindly. “Wonder why.”

His smirk deepened. “Need me to remind you?”

I kicked him lightly in the shin.

He laughed, leaning back against the counter, arms crossing over his chest. “You sleep okay?”

I nodded, sipping my coffee. “Yeah.”

And I had.

Which was a problem.

Because I shouldn’t feel this comfortable, this settled in his space. Shouldn’t already know exactly where the coffee mugs were kept, shouldn’t be able to pick up on the barely-there shift in his voice when he asked if I’d slept well.

Shouldn’t be thinking about how much I liked waking up here.

Austin drummed his fingers against the counter, watching me.

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He shook his head, smirking. “Nothin’.”

I huffed. “You’re literally staring.”

“Maybe.” He took a slow sip of his coffee, eyes still fixed on me. “Just looks good on you, that’s all.”

I frowned. “What does?”

Austin tilted his head, gaze flicking pointedly to the hem of his t-shirt, hanging loose around my thighs.

Heat bloomed in my stomach.

“Shut up,” I muttered, tugging the fabric lower.

Austin laughed, shaking his head, so damn pleased with himself. But before I could roll my eyes and turn away, he leaned in, catching me off guard. His hand curled around my waist, warm and easy, and then—

He kissed me.

Soft at first, like he was testing the waters, but when I didn’t pull away—when I tilted into it, just slightly—he deepened it, fingers flexing against my side. My breath caught, coffee forgotten, everything narrowing down to the feel of his lips on mine.

It was just a second. Maybe two. But when he pulled back, that damn smirk was still there, his thumb grazing the hem of the shirt.

“Looks real good on you,” he murmured, before stepping back like nothing had happened.

I rolled my eyes, gripping my mug like it might steady me instead.

For a while, we just existed in the same space.

Austin leaned against the counter, absently scrolling through his phone. I curled up on the stool, one knee tucked to my chest, slowly waking up.

It should have felt awkward.

But it didn’t.

It felt… easy.

Outside, the streets were still damp from last night’s rain, the fresh spring air slipping through a crack in the window. The flat smelled like coffee and something warm, something familiar.

I let my fingers curl loosely around the mug, staring at the steam curling from the surface.

Austin nudged my ankle with his foot.

I blinked up at him.

“Food?” he asked.

I sighed dramatically. “I guess.”

Austin smirked, grabbing eggs from the fridge. “Got a busy day?”

I shook my head. “Not really. Just writing. Walking Golo later.”

He nodded, cracking an egg into the pan. “You’re not leaving yet, though?”

I glanced at him, wrapping my hands around my mug.

Not yet.

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

Austin’s mouth twitched like that was the answer he wanted.

And me?

I tried not to think about it too much.

We ate at the counter, the conversation light and easy between bites of eggs and toast.

Austin cleared his plate first, stretching as he pushed up from the stool. “Gotta get ready,” he said, running a hand through his hair.

I hummed in response, gathering up our plates. “I’ll clean up.”

Austin shot me a look. “You don’t have to.”

I shrugged, already stacking the dishes in the sink. “I know.”

Something flickered in his expression—something I couldn’t quite place—but he just nodded, disappearing down the hall to get dressed.

The flat was quiet again.

I rinsed off the plates, listening to the faint sounds of Austin moving around, the rustle of fabric, the creak of a drawer opening.

By the time I’d finished, the knock at the door came.

Austin’s footsteps sounded behind me as he pulled his shirt over his head, tugging it into place. “It’s too early for this.”

I smirked, sipping from my mug. “You don’t even know who it is.”

Austin gave me a look.

I huffed a quiet laugh. “Right. Fair point.”

We both knew exactly who it was.

And—yeah. Callum. Standing on the doorstep with his hands in his pockets and a look so smug I almost wanted to shut the door on him myself.

“Morning, lovebirds.”

Austin exhaled through his nose, unimpressed.

I just raised an eyebrow. “You always this annoying before coffee, or is it just for us?”

Callum grinned, stepping inside. “Oh, I’m wide awake, Ange. Fully alert. And what a lovely surprise this is.” His gaze flicked between us, landing on the oversized t-shirt I was wearing—Austin’s t-shirt. His smirk deepened. “You know, I was only half-joking about you moving in here for the week, but this is… well, this is just adorable.”

Austin groaned. “Jesus.”

I took another sip of my coffee, calm, collected, not giving him the reaction he wanted.

Callum, unfortunately, was undeterred.

“Sleep well?” he asked, all mock innocence.

Austin didn’t dignify that with a response.

I set my mug down and tilted my head like I was actually considering it. “Yeah, actually.” I shot Callum a sweet smile. “Austin makes a great pillow.”

Austin choked on his coffee.

Callum burst out laughing.

Austin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, exhaling like he was already over this conversation. “You done?”

Callum grinned. “Not even close.” He stepped further into the flat, eyes flicking between me perched at the counter in Austin’s t-shirt and Austin, who looked like he was already regretting opening the door.

I rested my elbow on the counter, chin propped on my palm. “Go on, then. Get it out of your system.”

Callum tapped his chin, pretending to think. “Let’s see. I could talk about how disgustingly domestic this looks—”

Austin groaned. “Jesus.”

“—or how you, mate, are so far gone it’s almost painful.”

Austin rubbed a hand over his face. “I actually hate you.”

Callum ignored him completely, turning his attention back to me with a smirk. “And you, Ange, settling in nicely, yeah?”

I sipped my coffee, unfazed. “Just making myself comfortable.”

Austin muttered something under his breath, shaking his head, but there was no real bite to it.

Callum clapped his hands together like he’d seen all he needed. “Right, lover boy, you ready to go?”

Austin shot him a flat look. “I was, until you showed up.”

Callum grinned, completely unbothered. “And yet, here I am.”

Austin exhaled sharply, giving up. Instead, he looked at me. “You good?”

I nodded, stretching as I stood. “Yeah. Think I’ll head back to Callum’s in a bit, get some writing done before I walk Golo.”

Callum slung an arm around Austin’s shoulders. “Golo’s living his best life right now. That dog’s already in love with you Ange.”

I smirked. “He’s got good taste.”

Austin huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he grabbed his bag. He hesitated just for a second before looking at me again. “I’ll see you later?”

It wasn’t really a question.

But I still answered, just to let him hear it.

“Yeah,” I said, voice softer. “See you later.”

Austin held my gaze for a beat longer, something unspoken lingering between us. Then, as he turned, his fingers brushed against mine—light, fleeting, almost like he hadn’t meant to.

Then Callum clapped him on the back. “Come on, Romeo. Let’s get to work before you start reciting poetry.”

Austin rolled his eyes but didn’t argue, following him to the door.

Callum turned back once more with a smug grin. “Try not to miss him too much, Ange.”

I didn’t bother responding, just tossed a balled-up napkin at the door as it clicked shut behind them.

And then—

Silence.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair, staring at the now-empty space where Austin had been standing.

For the first time since waking up, the flat felt different.

Not bad.

Just… quiet.

Shaking the thought away, I rinsed out my mug and grabbed my bag. I had things to do, notes to go through. A scene that wasn’t working. Something to keep my hands busy, keep my thoughts from drifting.

Get ready, write, walk Golo, pretend I wasn’t counting down the hours until I saw Austin again.

One step at a time.

I was curled up on Callum’s sofa, Golo sprawled half on top of me, when I heard them.

The front door opened with a low creak, followed by the rustle of jackets, the scrape of boots against the floor, and the low murmur of conversation—Callum’s voice a little louder, Austin’s quieter, more relaxed.

Golo’s ears perked up first, then his tail thumped excitedly against my leg as he wriggled off me, trotting toward the doorway.

I stretched my arms above my head, glancing over just as Callum came into view, ruffling Golo’s ears as he kicked the door shut behind him. He looked exhausted but happy, his hair still slightly damp from whatever chaos the day had thrown at them.

Austin followed a second later, hoodie slung over one shoulder, his t-shirt slightly wrinkled, like he’d yanked it on in a hurry. His hair was damp too, the ends curling just slightly. He looked tired, but when his gaze landed on me, something eased in his expression.

“Hey,” he murmured.

Warmth curled low in my stomach. “Hey.”

Callum groaned dramatically as he collapsed onto the armchair. “Absolute slog today. You don’t even wanna know what they made us do.”

I smirked. “Oh, you mean your job? The job you love? The job you get paid to do?”

Callum scowled. “Betrayed in my own home.”

Austin huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he dropped onto the sofa beside me, his arm brushing lightly against mine. “She’s got a point.”

Callum muttered something under his breath, stretching his legs out with an exaggerated sigh. “Anyway. I’m too tired to cook. Food?”

I raised an eyebrow. “You do realise I don’t live here, right?”

Callum just gave me a look, like that was the stupidest thing I’d ever said.

Austin smirked, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll order.”

“Bless you,” Callum said, eyes already half-closed.

Austin barely acknowledged him, glancing at me instead. “What do you feel like?”

I shrugged. “I’m easy.”

Callum snorted. “That’s what he said.”

Austin sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I actually hate you.”

I shook my head, biting back a smile as Austin scrolled through his phone. He still looked tired, but there was something softer about it now—like whatever weight he’d been carrying had lifted slightly just by being here.

Callum, predictably, lasted about five minutes before falling asleep in the armchair. His head lolled to the side, one foot hanging off the edge, Golo curled up on the floor next to him.

Austin glanced at me, one eyebrow raised. “That was fast.”

I smirked, keeping my voice low. “Man’s got no stamina.”

Austin bit down a laugh, shaking his head as he leaned back against the sofa. His fingers tapped absently against his knee, his other hand resting against the cushion between us.

Silence settled.

Not awkward. Just… there.

I stole a glance at him. His jaw was softer like this, the tension from earlier gone, his lashes casting faint shadows against his cheekbones.

“Long day?” I asked quietly.

Austin exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Good, though.”

I nodded, watching him. “Callum wasn’t lying about them working you into the ground?”

Austin huffed a quiet laugh. “Nope. Had us in the cockpit setups most of the day. Feels like I’ve spent hours staring at dials.”

I grinned. “You’re telling me all those flying lessons haven’t made you a pro?”

Austin smirked, tilting his head slightly. “Oh, I’m a pro. Just don’t ask me to actually land the damn thing.”

I laughed softly, pulling my legs up beneath me. “Noted.”

The air between us shifted slightly.

I was suddenly very aware of how close we were. Of the way his hand rested so easily against the sofa, fingers inches from my knee. Of the way his gaze flickered, almost imperceptibly, toward my mouth before he looked away again.

I swallowed. “When’s the food getting here?”

Austin glanced at his phone. “Few minutes.”

I nodded, gripping the blanket draped over the back of the sofa, trying to ignore the warmth pooling in my stomach.

Austin stretched, his arm brushing against mine as he relaxed back against the cushions. Then, after a moment, he tilted his head slightly, studying me.

“You get much writing done?”

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. “Yeah. Got through some edits. Still not happy with one scene, though.”

Austin hummed, his fingers tapping lightly against the sofa. “The one you mentioned the other day?”

“Yeah. Feels like it’s missing something, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

His gaze lingered on me for a second before he nodded. “You’ll figure it out.”

The certainty in his voice made my stomach dip.

“Hope so.” I huffed out a breath. “If not, I’ll just throw my laptop out the window.”

Austin smirked. “Bit dramatic.”

“Not really.” I leaned my head back against the sofa, closing my eyes. “You’ve never seen me in a writing crisis.”

“Not yet,” he murmured.

My eyes flicked open. His expression was unreadable, but something about the way he was looking at me sent a slow warmth curling through my chest.

Then his phone buzzed.

Austin glanced at it, smirking slightly. “Food’s here.”

I exhaled, pushing up from the sofa. “Saved by the bell.”

Austin chuckled, standing too. “For now.”

Austin grabbed his hoodie from the back of the chair as he headed for the door, ruffling Golo’s ears on the way. The dog thumped his tail happily but didn’t move from his spot on the floor. Callum, still slumped in the armchair, made an incoherent noise but didn’t stir.

I stretched, rolling my shoulders as Austin disappeared into the hallway. The flat was quiet, save for the faint sounds of the city outside, the occasional hum of a passing car.

Something about it felt… settled.

That was dangerous.

I glanced over at Callum, still out cold, one foot hanging off the side of the chair. If I was being smart, I could just slip off to my room now—pretend like tonight wasn’t about to feel like another step deeper into whatever this thing with Austin was becoming.

But then the door swung open, and there he was again, hoodie tugged on, a plastic bag in one hand. He shot me a look as he kicked the door shut behind him.

“Don’t worry, got enough to keep Callum happy when he inevitably wakes up demanding food.”

I smirked. “Thoughtful.”

Austin set the bag down on the coffee table, glancing toward the armchair. “You think he’d notice if we just ate his share?”

I bit my lip, considering it. “Tempting.”

Austin huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he unpacked the food. I grabbed a couple of plates from the kitchen, and by the time I sat back down, he was already stretching out on the sofa again, one arm draped over the back, legs spread in that lazy way that made my stomach dip.

He handed me a container, his fingers brushing against mine as I took it.

“So,” he said, leaning back. “You gonna tell me what’s wrong with your scene, or am I supposed to guess?”

I paused, fork hovering over my food. “You actually want to hear about it?”

Austin smirked. “I’m asking, aren’t I?”

I sighed, shifting against the cushions. “It’s not wrong, exactly. It’s just not right yet.”

Austin smirked. “Yeah, that clears it up.”

I shot him a look. “I’m serious. Something about the pacing feels off. I want the moment to land, but it still feels… I don’t know. Too neat.”

Austin nodded slowly, watching me. “Which part?”

I hesitated, tapping my fingers against the side of my container. “The scene where he comes home.”

Austin’s brows pulled together slightly, like he was actually thinking it through. “After the war?”

I nodded. “Yeah. He’s been gone for years, his family’s changed, he’s changed, and the whole street comes out to see him because they all know—”

“They all know what he went through,” Austin finished quietly.

I swallowed. “Yeah.”

He was quiet for a second, like he was playing it out in his head. Then, finally—“What doesn’t feel right about it?”

I exhaled. “It feels too big. Too grand. It needs to matter, but it also has to feel personal, y’know? Like, it’s not about a crowd of people cheering. It’s about his mum standing on the doorstep. It’s about his family hesitating for a second before running to him because they can’t believe he’s actually there. I want it to feel real.”

Austin hummed, thoughtful. “And it doesn’t yet?”

I shook my head. “Not quite.”

His fingers tapped against his knee, absent but thoughtful. Then—“What was the first thing your great-uncle did when he came home?”

I blinked.

Austin just looked at me, waiting.

My stomach flipped slightly.

Because he’d remembered.

I let out a slow breath, my voice quieter now. “He whistled.”

Austin tilted his head. “Whistled.”

“Yeah.” I glanced down at my hands. “Every day, coming home from work, my nan said he’d whistle on his way up the street. Everyone knew it was him. And after the war, when he finally got back, they were all waiting, but they didn’t see him at first. Then they heard it—his whistle.”

Austin didn’t say anything.

But I saw it—the way his throat worked slightly, the way his fingers flexed against his knee.

And then, after a beat, he spoke.

“Then that’s your scene.”

I blinked.

Austin leaned in slightly. “Not the crowd, not the big reunion—that.” He tapped his fingers against the sofa. “The sound of him coming home. The thing they all recognised before they even saw him.”

My chest tightened.

Because he was right.

I swallowed. “Yeah.”

Austin smirked, but it was softer this time. “Told you you’d figure it out.”

We finished eating in comfortable silence, the weight of the earlier conversation lingering between us. Callum, predictably, stayed asleep, snoring softly from the armchair, Golo curled up next to him.

Austin stretched, exhaling as he leaned his head back against the couch. “Might crash soon.”

I hummed in agreement, but didn’t move.

Austin glanced at me, amusement flickering in his eyes. “What, too full to move?”

I smirked. “Maybe.”

He shook his head, then—without thinking—he reached out, fingertips skimming lightly over my wrist.

Not a big move.

Not a calculated one.

Just… there.

Like he was testing something.

I felt my breath catch, just slightly.

I could pull away.

Could say something sarcastic, roll my eyes, shake it off.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I turned my hand over, just enough to let his fingers graze my palm.

Austin’s jaw shifted, his gaze flickering down to where our hands hovered between us.

He didn’t push it further.

Didn’t lace our fingers together, didn’t make some teasing comment.

He just let it be.

A small thing.

A quiet, unspoken choice.

But maybe those were the ones that mattered the most.

Austin exhaled, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

“Guess I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

I nodded, pulse steady but a little too loud in my ears. “Yeah.”

But neither of us moved.

Austin’s fingers flexed slightly, his hand shifting like he was debating something. Then, instead of pulling away, his touch skimmed lower, his palm brushing lightly against mine before his fingers curled, just barely, around the side of my hand.

“I’ll walk you out,” I murmured.

His lips twitched like he wanted to make some smart remark, but he didn’t. He just gave my hand a small squeeze before letting go, following me down the hall.

At the door, he turned, his gaze flickering over me, something unreadable settling in his expression.

“Get some sleep,” he murmured.

I smirked, tilting my head. “You telling me or you?”

Austin huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Both.”

A breath, a shift of weight, something unspoken hanging between us.

Then—his hand found my waist, fingertips pressing lightly, deliberate, while his other hand skimmed up, tucking a stray curl behind my ear. My breath caught, my heart thudding against my ribs as his fingers lingered, his touch warm, steady.

This wasn’t a question.

He leaned in, closing the space between us, and kissed me.

Slow, certain, like he already knew exactly how I’d respond. Like he wasn’t in a hurry to let go.

I sighed into it, my fingers curling into the fabric of his hoodie, his body pressing just slightly into mine, like he wanted to pull me closer but knew he had to leave.

It wasn’t a goodbye.

Just a pause.

Austin pulled back slightly, his forehead barely an inch from mine, his thumb brushing over my hip. His voice was quieter now.

“See you in the morning.”

I exhaled, barely resisting the smile pulling at my lips. “See you in the morning.”

His lips twitched, like he really wanted to kiss me again but was forcing himself not to. Instead, he gave my waist a small squeeze, then finally stepped back, pulling open the door.

I watched as he disappeared down the path, his hands in his pockets, his head tilting slightly like he felt me watching.

He didn’t look back.

Didn’t need to.

I shut the door, exhaling slowly.

And yeah.

Sleep wasn’t happening any time soon.

Taglist:

@slowsweetlove @thefallofthedamned @saturnsdaughtr @bellesdreamyprofile @myradiaz @butlerrizz @chocolatetree222 @richardslady121

I've never been more jealous excited for a movie!

He's just a tall piece of lean beef - pushing Zoe's small frame against the wall... 🤤

What that man COULDN'T do in the bedroom, I mean... is beyond me-

Yeah I kinda just want him to rag me about at this point... TMI but bruises are a MUST Mr. Butler, I won't stand for anything less 😌

This is the sweetest Gale fic stooppppp

Gale deserves all the love in the world 🌎 🩷

Any Old Time pt. 3

Pairing: Gale Cleven x Y/N

Summary: You grew up down the street and just a few years younger than Gale. Now he's home from the war and still trying to put his life back together when you're placed right in his orbit.

Warnings: Talk of war, mental health, family death, divorce, difficult topics, angst, talk of sexuality, kissing, can I write 5000 words almost completely about kissing Gale, yep/

Words: 5200

Read part one: here

Part Two: here

 Intimacy with Gale moved about as fast as molasses down a hill over snow. Even when he finally kissed you for the first time there was nothing but that simple soft act. It took a few days out together that ended with a simple kiss at the door. Long slender fingers curled through your hair. Your own holding the fabric of his shirt or a handful of his thick blonde hair. The feeling of his knee tucked between your legs as he held you by the waist against your back door. Or maybe up against the font of his truck. He'd lift you by the waist, sitting you there so you could wrap your arms around his shoulders. Holding him close as he left trails of kisses down your neck and shoulder.

  But after a time things moved further as they inevitably do. His body covered lean muscles pressed against your curves. His impossibly tender lips moving over your neck leaving trails of goosebumps in their wake. Gale always tasted like he'd been ready to kiss you. Minty refreshing gum freshly discarded just as he arrived. Spearmint-wax coated toothpicks that he rolled around between his teeth with his rosy tongue. Grinning flirtatiously when he caught you watching.

  It had taken some time to get to the long afternoons with orange hued sunsets casting a glow through his windshield, illuminating his golden skin. All while you would be wrapped in each other's arms in the front seat of his pickup truck. His tee shirt pulled up so you could run your hands over his still greasy, sweat coated chest after a long afternoon in the hot sun working his roughneck shift. His black fingers leaving stains on your dresses that he would apologize for later. But you never cared. 

 Your favorite, though, were the evenings that he let himself come in for a cup of coffee. After a dinner at the diner, or perhaps he'd simply shown up to pick you up after work while he knew your car was in the shop. The two of you had never talked about Gale giving you rides, he simply started showing up for you because he didn't like the idea of you walking the twenty minutes home in the early evening alone. After a couple times he agreed at least to walk you past your threshold. You'd stared at each other over the lip of your white mugs, as you did your best to maintain small talk. The night started a familiar pattern between the two of you. He'd tell you how wonderful it had been talking to you, how the color of your dress brought out the pink in your cheeks; or some other disarmingly sweet and perfect compliment. You'd tell him that he was welcome anytime.

 "In fact," 

you'd say with a mischievous glint in your eye

"I reckon I'd be rather happy to have you around more."

 Gale would blush, round beautiful cheeks turning the most perfect shade of shy pink you had ever seen. Then he would make soft excuses. And while part of you wanted to push him just a little more, wanted to ask what you could do to make him more sure of you, he would look up at you. Brow soft, eyes glinting like a pound puppy in need of love, and you'd wilt. 

 Within an hour the two of you would have made your way to the couch. His arms around your waist as you take off your heels. You, waiting patiently on his lap until he got his boots off. Then he'd smile at you so sweet it broke your heart. And he'd lay you back on the couch; mouth pressed to yours, pillow lips and slick tongue seeking your own. His hands moving under your skirt over your lace bra. The thick calluses that padded his slender fingers brushing over the under-touched pink skin beneath. Glistening wet lips brushing over your collar bone, gentle teeth grazing the pulse points in your neck. The two of you breathing the same air for hours. But he never pushed it any further, and you never asked for more.

 You learned before it all really started that his holding himself back had little if anything to do with the way Gale felt about you. But it had come after a rough couple of weeks. For a moment you had doubted yourself. The pair of you had been spending time together for a couple months. Dinners twice a week, if not more if he called unexpectedly. Eating meals as he held your hand delicately under the table in his lap. Gale took you for drives through the mountains in his truck, the pick up was the light of his eyes most days and he always seemed proud when you said a night cruising sounded genuinely lovely. Cool nights would move by peacefully as you watched the beautiful Wyoming wilderness roll past, one of Gale's big arms over your shoulders holding you close as he drove. 

 You had promised that you could wait for him, and you would. But it had been impossible not to fall in love with Gale. So each night he walked you up the steps and told you he should be getting home, giving you a kiss on the cheek so gentle it would bring peace if you could bottle the feeling. Always you would return the kiss and tell him to get home safe. But each night it got a little harder not to hope for more.

 Towards the end of summer when you had already been spending several weeks together he took you to a zoo. Gale had picked you up and told you he'd found something in the paper that would be a real treat for you. It turned out a couple hours away in a bigger city there was a zoo where they were showing off a baby elephant born at a nearby sanctuary. When you arrived he handed you the notice, a chance to meet and pet the baby. He'd remembered you talking about wanting to see the elephants in Africa when you were a kid.

 "This is amazingly sweet of you Handsome, but.." 

Immediately he raised a hand, stopping you mid sentence. Before speaking he tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear. Brushing his fingertips timidly along the ridge of your brow.

 "What's the point of being out in those fields working all day if not to take a beautiful woman to do something that will make her smile?"

 You'd felt your heart pounding in your ears as he'd opened his door and got out, making his way around the car and opening your door with a charming grin. Leaning one shoulder down to offer you a hand out and lead you in. The whole day was sweet and wonderful. It touched you how every bit of him seemed just as happy and excited to be there as you were. It was two hours before they had been able to get you in line to meet the elephant calf, so the pair of you had wandered the other exhibits.

 He laced his fingers around your smaller ones. Leaning in to whisper softly in your ear from time to time. All of you thought you may explode when he had handed a couple of kids a $5.00 bill to get something from a cart of stuffed animals when their exhausted mother had told them there was no money left. But he acted like it was no big deal, walking on as he slowly took casual licks from the vanilla cone you were sharing. It had taken all your willpower not to simply stand and watch him eat the treat, and he knew it. Looking over his shoulder at you with his glinting blues. Winking in that awkward two eyed way that he always did.

 As the time approached to meet the calf the two of you had meandered your way over to the exclosure, his arm around your waist holding you close. Walking in you almost couldn't believe it was really happening. The keepers gave you some pellets and explained how to approach the giant baby without making her nervous. Slowly with one hand out you approached and Gale stood back slightly. His hand never left your hip as you leaned in just a bit to stroke the calf's ear.

 "Well, aren't you just too adorable to stand."

 Whispering next to her ear as she picked the food from your hands with her trunk and then tucked them in her mouth. Yours eyes watched hers, taken back by how much emotion and curiosity you could see looking back at you. Gale leaned in and stroked a hand over the top of her head.

 "She is certainly the second most beautiful thing I've seen all day." 

 It was your turn to blush, and you were grateful when the young elephant found Gale's keys interesting where they hung off his belt. Leading to a small tug of war for the jiggling bunch at his hips. His voice gently chided the playful baby until a keeper distracted her with more treats. He looked perfect as he ran his fingers through his blonde hair, slicking the grease back in place. When he looked up at you it was like time stopped, just you and his smile until one of the large elephants sounded off and you jumped in place startled slightly. 

  But then evening was coming fast and the zoo was closing. Hand in hand you made your way to the exit, watching as small children with painted faces and vibrant balloons walked past. Almost all of them were crying because they didn't want the day to end. And you thought if you had been a little younger you may feel the same urge. Like he tended to when the day was done Gale had started growing distant.

 Fingers still laced around yours in the truck, but he didn't say much. His smile grew tight when you mentioned him coming in for a coffee. Yet when you arrived home he got out and walked around the truck like he always did. Opening your door to walk you to your door. Caressing a strand of your hair between two fingers his eyes locked on yours before he told you that you'd looked pretty as a flower in your violet sundress that day. His lips were painfully close to yours again. The taste of him was like a ghost that somehow felt familiar.

 You thanked him. Eyes falling to the top of his shoulder to avoid his persistent gaze. Closing tight for a second as he tucked the strand of hair behind your ear. Running the pad of his thumb down the crest of it as he spoke soft and low.

  "Hey, Sweetheart..."

  He tucked one knuckle under your chin, delicately tugging at its point until you turned your face back up to meet his. The pain in his eyes seemed so guilty, it was clear he knew exactly what struggle you were facing. But the worry in them that maybe he was pushing you too far was so sincere that you didn't know how to stay upset with him. 

 You didn't know how to tell him that it was actually starting to hurt you. The worry that maybe he liked you, just not as much as he had Marge, or maybe some other reason you just weren't quite enough. You didn't mind waiting for him but you couldn't keep waiting right on the line between friends and more. Holding his hand, feeling his breath on your cheeks, his constant protective eyes watching you as you lingered in his orbit. 

 "Hey Handsome."

 There was an almost broken gratitude in his eyes when you didn't push. A deep sigh heaving from his nostrils as his eyes creased with tension. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against yours, taking a deep breath. Both of his long arms moved slowly. Wrapping around your waist as he pulled you impossibly close. Inhaling the scent of your hair, his nose buried in your loose updo. 

 "I'll see you really soon Sweetheart."

 You nodded against his shoulder. Red hot tears that you didn't quite understand burning in the corners of your eyes already. You knew that Gale was a good man. Kind, generous. The kind of man who had given the best of himself over to a country that had nearly forgotten him as soon as he'd gotten home. But never understanding exactly where you stood in his eyes was starting to weigh on you. You had told yourself you would be stronger than this, but you hadn't considered how easy it would be to fall for him.

  Slowly a smile spread over your face. It was forced and you new it, but it was the best you had for him. The look in his eyes almost killed you when he noticed your red eyes and swollen cheeks. Immediately you could tell he was trying to figure out the right thing to say, how to fix whatever was causing your distraught state. But nothing in you wanted him to feel pressured to say or do something he wasn't truly ready for.

So before he could speak or make any move, you did, Leaning up on your tip-toes to give him a delicate kiss on the cheek. You pressed the side of your temple against his cheek moment. Letting him wrap his arms around you tight. Keeping your body close to his, as you felt him breathing deeply. 

 After you couldn't handle it anymore you moved. Releasing him with one more comment about getting home safe and not staying up so late reading that he was tired driving to the fields in the morning.  Turning on the dim yellow light in your kitchen, shutting the door behind you.Taking a deep breath, doing your best to keep in the droplets still clinging to the edges of your eyes. Threatening to stain your cheeks tomato red, and wet. But an embarrassingly mournful sound came from you as you failed. It took a moment before you heard him go and walk down the stairs of your porch.

  The next day you'd been hanging laundry up in the backyard. Exhausted from a long night with nearly no sleep and a million worst case scenarios running through your head. Wiping the sticky sweat from your brow you had been watching the wind blow through the leaves at the tops of the trees along the forrests edge in your backyard. The thick smell of the summer lilac bushes you'd brought in special from out of state, filling the air with a sort of nostalgic feeling. 

 The radio was playing a low pleasant melody, someone remembering a childhood romance. A woman's sultry tone filled the dusk air. Relating back to you every bit of nervous unsureness that was keeping you up at night. Gale's face was right there when you closed your eyes for sleep now. Eyes always watching you with something intense and deep in them that you were too hesitant to name. Your own voice carried over the tune, blending in as well as you could with your church choir training.  

  You hadn't heard the truck pull up, or the gentle thud as he'd pushed it shut. Narrowing his gaze in your direction while making his way with a rigid pace across your lawn. Not until the smell of oil  from his long work day had mixed with the smell of lilac, catching you off guard and causing you to whip around in place looking for the source did you.

  Standing only a few feet away, hovering next to the back gate he'd wondered through himself. There was a cap in his hand that he was working back and forth with both fists. Handsome face set in hard lines, and clearly he'd been thinking hard and long about something. Plush taunt and drawn in a hard line, not angry, but certainly determined. 

 "Hello Gale?"

 It was impossible to keep the anxiety from your tone. Every part of you was so sure you'd gone too far the night before. That he was here to tell you he'd been honest when he said he needed to move slow and your slow just wasn't quite enough. While setting a warm sheet back in the basket in front of you, you looked up again. Meeting his stare with a shrug of your shoulders and a dim, friendly smile. Taking a small step closer you incline your face in his direction. Raising your eyebrows curiously.

 "Everything okay, Handsome?"

 But Gale didn't move any closer, just tucked the hat he had been rolling around in his hands in the back of his dirty jeans. He dropped the gloves that he had been wearing, dirty worn weather that he had apparently forgotten to take off between getting out of the fields and the drive to your house. It was hard for you to meet his eyes, so sure the end had come and not wanting to face it.

 When you did look up he'd made his way closer. Looking down at you with both apprehension and need. One of his hands lifted from its spot near his waist , fingers waving through empty air subtly before he dropped it to his side again. There was a hitch in his jaw for a moment, and he shifted from side to side on his boots.

 "I think there's been a misunderstanding."

 You stood a little straighter, shoulders going stiff. Determined to handle whatever he would say next with grace so that the two of you could hopefully remain friends at the least.

 "You, you don't seem to understand that,"

immediately you stopped him

 "No, Gale I understand you need time. You need me to be," 

 Before you could finish speaking, he pressed his lips to yours, surprising you. Plush wet lips crashing into yours so suddenly he had to wrap his around you to keep you from falling back.  One arm slinking around your waist to pull your body flush to his. Other hand cupping the back of your head softly, holding you in place through your surprise. A sharp inhale of breath was the only thing you could do at first. After a moment however, you melted like butter into his arms. 

 Gale made a sound of approval low and reverent against your mouth. Instead of pulling away he kissed you again. The tip of his tongue grazing along your lower lip to request admission which you happily supplied. Slower, more gently he parted your mouth with his. The hand behind your head tangling his fingers in your hair.

 Before pulling back little by little. Like his skin couldn't stand the idea of separating from yours now that he knew what he had been holding back from, and resting his forehead against yours. He held one of your cheeks cupped in his slender fingers, thumb pressed against your chin. His breathing was ragged and slow, yours wasn't much better. So for a long moment you both simply stood there like that. Your own arms wrapped tight around his waist. 

  The corners of his bright eyes crinkled, the comfortable joy you had grown accustomed to returning to them again.  Meanwhile his lips turned up in a soft smile. Looking down at you with a gaze so piercing it made your stomach flutter. The tip of his nose brushing over the bridge of yours, he spoke softly.

 "One of these days you're gonna let me get a word in edgewise Sweetheart."

 Currently, the only thing you could concentrate on was making sure you were inhaling and exhaling in the right amounts.All the time you had spent imagining his lips on yours as you'd washed dishes or put the curlers in your hair had not really prepared you for what it would truly feel like. 

 How it would be like your first time all over again but more. So you just smile at him a little stupidly, one side of one side of your mouth going up at the corner. Gale pressed his palm to your cheek, eyes still watching yours full of admiration that made you weak in the knees. His thumb brushed over your bottom lip and you nodded against his hand.

 "Okay Gale."

  It was obvious that still there were plenty of things the two of you needed to discuss before things moved along further. So you took him by one of his big hands and guided him slowly through the grass in the dull blue light of twilight. Until you reached the soft cement walk-way that had been one of the last additions your father had made to the house before your mother died. The two of you reached your patio and the small set of wicker furniture that you had inherited from your grandmother when she passed. 

 Motioning to one of the couches wanting to put a bit of distance between the two of you so you could speak comfortably you sat down across from him folding your hands over one another your lap. It was obvious that both of you were trying to bounce back from the unexpected intimacy in the backyard.  You were fairly certain that even if he had come over planning on kissing you he hadn't meant for it to happen just like that.

 After several beats of silence he finally straightened in his seat and took a deep breath. Something in his face turned uncomfortable before nodding almost like he was talking himself up. Gale cleared his throat, making a deep and penetrating sort of eye contact with you before his voice came out deep but unsteady. 

 "There are some things that you should know about me.  some truths about myself that I've kept from almost everyone else,  but they might…"

  it hurt you to see the way that he was clearly panicked as he tried to fight through what he needed to say.  one of his thumbs drumming aggressively against his thigh where his legs were crossed over one another.  The arm that was reached out trying to pretend he was comfortable as it hung lazy over the back of the chair was white at his hand, knuckles discolored from where he was gripping the edge of the bench.

 "There's a chance it could change the way you see me. How you feel about me."

  Your mind raced a million miles an hour, trying to figure out what he could be talking about that might change him so completely. You knew that most every man did things in the war that he wasn't proud of. Acts of violence so atrocious that it would keep them up at night had been necessary just to make it day by day. But something in the way that he looked at you without really being able to look at you made you think that wasn't what he meant.

 Whatever he was talking about had to do with why he was so slow to be physically intimate with you, not why he had trouble opening up in general. He hadn't kept talking so you assumed he was waiting for you to give any affirmation that you were prepared for whatever he was going to explain. With your best attempt at a straight face and a gentle nod you encouraged him on.

 " I can't imagine there's anything you could tell me that would change how wonderful I think you are Gale."

 Rounded edges on his nostrils flared as he took a deep breath, his eyes closing.  you couldn't tell if he was ashamed of what he was going to tell you or if it was simply something that carried enough weight it had the ability to really change everything like he feared. It seemed like he was as anxious as you were to get the conversation over with however because instead of continuing on slowly he rambled out his explanation and all you could do was sit eyes wide mouth dropping a little lower with each line.

 "Well, there's no point in trying to get into it gently I guess. And I understand if you're upset once you know that I wasn't honest with you before we spent time together."

  You'd never seen him seem so unsure of what was going on and it made your heart ache as you watched his hands tremble on his lap.

 "When I was away,  when I was in Europe maybe a little before something happened.  I met a couple of gentlemen. And while initially I just thought it was the comradery of war and a deep sense of brotherhood I felt with them, it came to turn out that the feelings between us were different."

  You had seen plenty of soldiers come back from the war; volunteering for a paid hotel stay in a capital city not far away so that you could help with the overflow of simple checkups being done as the men tried to file through and get home. So you'd heard of plenty of men coming home with STDs or the like who had to then admit to doctors that they hadn't caught them from ladies of the night, but men they'd known overseas. It was simple to rationalize going through such a traumatic experience and developing such a deep bond with the person next to you. Man or woman.

 But you'd seen the way that it had upset some of the men. How once they had been home and away from all of it having to reconcile that part of their life and the emotions, however much they may have wished they hadn't been real, that those relationships with other men had caused. And as Gale looked over at you now with a desperate almost sick look in his eyes you realize that this must have been a big portion of what caused the rift between Marge and himself. 

 It must have been plain in your face that you understood him because he didn't explain anymore. He only looked down at the tip of his shoe where he was digging it into your plush carpet. You could see his white teeth gnawing at the corner of his lip and thought maybe if he looked right up at you, you would see tears in his eyes. Gradually and in a muted tone you began speaking.

 "I understand what you're trying to say Gale, and while I can't  say I ever expected to find this kind of thing out from you. I can also say it's not, I don't feel differently about you Gale."

 Immediately his shoulders slouched and you could hear him let out a long explosive breath like he'd only been able to take in partial ones the entire time he had been waiting to find out what your response would be.  Not rushing yourself you moved from one couch to the other delicately placing one of your hands over his bouncing fingers on his thigh. 

 "Gale, you're… you're brave. And smart, and handsome. Good with people and animals, hell even people that don't like anyone are still glad to see you. You remember things I went on about when I was seven just cuz you're that kinda guy."

 Reaching up with your free hand you brushed the back of your fingers over his cheek and down the edge of his jaw. Holding his gaze with your eyes making sure that he could see that you meant what you said as you spoke with a steady and determined tone.

 "I can't imagine how every person you come across doesn't fall helplessly in love with you. And as far as anything else. You don't have to share anything you don't want to. I don't care who you had, or um who had you. As long as you felt happy Gale."

 Without much build up he wrapped his arms around your waist again pulling you onto his lap and surrounding you with him as he dug his face into the crook of your neck inhaling you. There was a shuttering feeling to his body as you wrapped your arms around it and you realized that he was keeping himself from crying. Doing what seemed right in the moment you didn't push him any further. Only simply ran your fingers through the hair on the back of his head. 

 Taking several long deep breaths in and holding them before blowing them out gently against the side of his neck.  Eventually he started following along with you, taking a deep breath when you did and letting it out when you released. When he pulled back he lifted one hand up taking a handful of hair at the base of your neck. Not grabbing it just holding you there by it, looking up at you as if you had defied all his expectations.

 "I would have understood you know. If you couldn't make yourself comfortable with being with a man like me."

 It seemed like continuing to rub in your high opinion of him wasn't exactly what he needed at the moment . So, you just cupped each side of his face in your hands. Gently brushing your fingertips along his eyebrows down the bridge of his nose and over his cheekbones. Before resting your palms against the wide flat surface of his face. 

 "It's scary to fight against everything you've been raised to think is true I suppose."

 Holding your breath in for a brief second, you brushed one thumb over his bottom lip waiting to see if he would pull away.  When he didn't you leaned down and pressed your lips against his again. It was gentle and calm, not full of passion and need but more a sign that you were sure of yourself. 

 "But some people are worth branching out for."

 Another sound of approval rumbled from his chest and he tucked one arm under your legs, the other, staying around your waist as he stood up from the couch and carried you to your back door. Setting you down gently on a small brick step. Gale took a long moment to just look down at you, and everything he didn't say still played out in his eyes. 

 In leisurely, almost playful movements he placed kisses on each of your temples. Then your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, the tip, the corners of your lips on each side, and finally he pressed one more slow deep kiss against your mouth. Inhaling deeply as he did so, his thumb constantly brushing over the pulse point of your neck.

 "I'll see you really soon Sweetheart."

 It wasn't a question anymore, just a fact. And you bit your bottom lip as you smiled up at him nodding gently. One hand resting on his hip while the other held a bunch of fabric at the front of his chest. 

 "You better Handsome."

 After that you knew that things were coming at the right time. There was no lack of wanting or care from Gale, but he had been through things you could never wrap your head all the way around. It was easy not to feel like anything was missing now. When you would spend hours lost in his arms. Even if it didn't go further than urgent touches and careful grinds of his hips over yours. You had each other and things could only grow from here on out. 

____

We're back! Thanks to everyone for waiting on this. There will definitely be more but it will stay a bit slow burn most likely. Also I love history but if I spent to long looking in to everything I would be too much of a perfectionist so please give me a pass on things like styles that are a few years early or late or things of the like. Also I am the only one who checks these for grammar and it's only a couple times so I don't pick it apart so excuse errors.

@butlerrizz, @f3ytal, @jjubilee-fluff, @movingmusically, @wiseyouthinfluencer,

I'd fr be like

"bITCH-!! Stop following me AustinnnnUHH... damn, this man has no quit"

Like... HE WANTS ME lmaoooo jkjk

Guess who I found in the mall today 🤭

This is completely necessary 👍 thankyooo

The distinguished butt of Austin Buttler - a photo set I have been meaning to make for quite a while

They would just perfectly fit in my hands. So round and juicy...

Feyd Rautha / Austin Gif sets/photo sets - up to date overview

Gale is the Man we Deserve

They way he looked at her when she grabbed his face has me DROOLING

This man is so pure but the thoughts I've had about him are so not...

He's a Tall Drink of Water and I'm in the Scorching Desert 🥵

Actually me rn:

I mean...

What's more comforting than sitting on Daddy's lap 🥰

The way I would wiggle on it.. just to be a brat 🥴 Get that punishment later 🥵

No bc Callum cracked me up bringing up Arthur, and ofc every Arthur watcher instantly starts singing the theme tune as soon as someone mentions it 😆

An absolute TRAVESTY that Austin has NEVER seen Arthur like--

Never been more disappointed :') it's literally a 90s US show... we can't be having that now, someone educate this maannnn

Considering I have a 10 Yr age gap with these men, it's just nice to find out we have similarities, even if it's just childhood TV Shows 🥰

Just keep smiling😊