The Week.

Summary:You and John spend the week together in Tokyo, Japan. A week that would change your lives for good.

Warnings:Bit of drinking and swearing but that’s about it, lots of fluff!

A/N:I know it’s been far too long!! Sorry about that! Just been so busy between life and writing that I haven’t had the chance to take the time to upload and edit my work! Plus the eye infection didn’t help Nevertheless, here is the next part- lookout for a little song reference Enjoy!

Gif source [X]

Day 2.

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A restless night was washed off in a quick shower. The sleep was still softly clutching onto your body however, but you had a busy day ahead and you couldn’t let that get to you. You tossed your old towels into the empty bath for the housekeeper to take away and changed into something comfortable before making your way downstairs for breakfast. It was seven thirty in the morning.

You stepped into the lift and pressed the floor where the restaurant was. When the lift stopped in the floor below yours, a flurry of excited and eager butterflies emerged in your stomach. You were disappointed when the doors opened and John wasn’t there- but he still might be sleeping. Instead a young family entered and pressed the button to the lobby. When you got out of the lift, you slowly walked to the restaurant and were led to a table. There was a spread of food along a wall and a menu on the table. You ordered a few things from it and the biggest cup of coffee they had. You got up and grabbed a bowl of funky sounding fruit to start with and grabbed one of the newspapers they had and put it on the table beside you, reading it while you ate your fruit.

Your coffee arrived…and so did someone else. “Morning!” They chirped and you looked up, a smile suddenly appearing on your face.

“Good morning, John,” you folded up the paper “How’d you sleep?” You asked.

“I didn’t.” He still managed to lowly chuckle despite being exhausted.

You smirked “Neither did I.” He was still standing- there was a spare chair across from you. “Do you want to join me for breakfast?”

“You sure?” He asked, already pulling out the chair.

“Course,” you smiled and he sat down, and placed his order with the server. “I like having company.” You smiled into your coffee cup “I always travel alone- it’s a nice change having breakfast with someone.”

“I hope I’m not keeping you from your work.” The worry was adamant in John’s voice but you waved away his concerns and told him that he wasn’t. “I’m assuming you’re a fellow Londoner from your accent?” He put that out there and then silently thanked the waiter for his tea that he had ordered.

“You assume correct. I live just west of Kensington.” John choked on his tea and you raised a brow. “What?”

“I live just west of Kensington!” He grinned. “Melrose Gardens!”

You went wide-eyed “No way! I stay on Dewhurst Road! You are like five minutes away from me!” You giggled and John rested his chin on his hand with a toothy grin. Your laughter died down and you looked at him with a soft, amazed smile. “Isn’t it funny that you can travel halfway around the world and then find someone who lives down the road from you?”

“Very funny,” he mused.

“It’s fascinating how small our little big world is.” You said just as your breakfasts arrived.

“So what are your plans for today?” He asked. “Do you focus on a particular point of interest or sights to write about?” John was genuinely interested in what you did and when he arrived back in the U.K., he was sure to get his hands on a paper to read your work.

“I try and focus on a bit on every aspect. I tend to spend a week wherever I go to try and do a bit of everything a place has to offer.” You began to explain, the pair of you still eating away at your breakfasts. “So today for example, today I’m going to the shops and I’m going to explore a little- jot down anything I find interesting or if I spot any quirky hotspots . I’ll take a lot of photos too. But during the week I’ll go on a excursion, see what modes of public transport are available, check out the nightlife, try the traditional restaurants…that sort of thing.”

“You’ve certainly got a jam-packed week. Sounds fun too!” He took a bite of toast. “I’ll probably be stuck in here all week- especially since my bandmates will be far too busy lazing about.” He added with an eye roll.

You chortled before you were hit with an idea. “If you’re not busy…you could always tag along with me if you want? I don’t mind.” You nonchalantly shrugged and sipped away on your coffee.

“R-really?! Sure! I’d love to!” John knew he sounded a little too enthusiastic.

“Great! Well I’ll get myself organised and I can meet you in the lobby in twenty minutes?” You suggested and both stood up at the same time.

“Perfect!” You both made your way to the lift, John got off at his floor. “See you soon!” You sent him a small wave and continued going up another floor. You grabbed your bag that had all your necessities in it and your camera along with a guidebook. Before you went anywhere you always read up about where you were going and took a guidebook on the journey with you. The maps inside were especially handy.

Twenty minutes later you met with John who was eagerly waiting for you and an adventure around Tokyo. “Ready to go?” You asked and he nodded and the pair of you stepped outside. The sun was out and there was a scattering of fluffy white clouds in the sky. You ended up down a busy little side street. You spotted a shop who’s window display consisted of bright yellow, plastic streamers and questionable looking mannequins in even more questionable positions. “We should head in,” you pointed to the door.

“In there?” John pointed too “It looks mad!”

You took his hand and you both felt a jolt of electricity bolt up your arms. “That’s exactly why we’re going in.” John was happy to be dragged by you into the weird wonderland of whimsical mishmash paraphernalia. It held everything from telephones to a literal kitchen sink, as well as odd pairs of shoes, cut out bras and glittery rubber ducks.

“This looks like the inside of Freddie’s head,” John murmured with a smirk while he took in the emporium of sheer madness.

You smiled and made a mental note to ask about his bandmates later. Walking up ahead, you laughed and picked up a cowboy hat “John,” you called him and he looked over, stifling a laugh. “What do you think?” You dramatically accentuated your poses.

“You actually really suit that! You should get it!” You took it off and admired it before taking his advice. John found himself in a little gap filled with rails of clothes and picked up a very jazzy, sequinned, feathery bra. “Think this is too much?” He joked and you giggled.

“Matches your sparkling eyes…” you said without even thinking. Your mouth just blabbed the truth. John had a shy smile on his face while yours went bright red. “Um…” you nervously picked up something and held it in front of him “I think you’d look good in this shirt. Brings out your eyes.” You mentally slapped yourself bringing up his beautiful eyes yet again within a matter of seconds.

“You got a thing for my eyes?” He teased but John was a giddy, nervous wreck now he knew that you liked his eyes. He’d use that to his advantage.

“I think we should pay and explore more of the city,” you managed to speak out and after grabbing a few more things which included a pair of sunglasses and funky light up earrings, you paid and headed to more shops.

You and John found yourselves in a clothes shop that was deeply embracing the trends of the 70’s along with a few traditional outfits. You snapped a few photos of the store and of the cheerful cashier who happily stuck his thumbs up when you snapped a picture. You thanked him and continued taking more photos, including one of John candidly looking through the rails. After picking up an armful of clothes each, you tried them on- some for a laugh and others because they were genuinely nice pieces. You emerged out of the changing booth, pulling back the orange velvet curtain and looked in the mirror in front of you. Then John emerged and you burst out laughing at what you were both wearing. “We look like Sonny and Cher!” You giggled and John stood next to you and scrutinised the immensely tacky outfits.

“I don’t have a moustache!” He chuckled.

You reached across and pulled a strand of his long hair in front of his face, above his lip. “Now you do!” You laughed even louder.

John grabbed a piece and placed it over your lip. “So do you.” He took it away and lightly gasped “It’s still there!” Your jaw dropped but your mouth was curving upwards at his playful remark.

You lightly jabbed his side “Very funny.” The cashier, who was laughing at the pair of you, pointed at your camera and then the two of you as if to ask ‘Would you like your photo taken?’ You nodded with a small smile and handed him the camera. He took two and handed it back. “Arigatō!” You bowed and he did the same. John looked at you with an amazed smile.

“You know Japanese?” He asked.

You shook your head and changed, still talking to him- the room was so small and the wall and curtains were thin enough for him to still hear you. “Only a little. 'Thanks’ is pretty easy- I couldn’t have a full blown conversation in the language.” You changed into a traditional dress and stepped out, John was still admiring his choice of outfit that made him look like Sonny. “What do you think?” You asked and he looked at you via the mirror. His heart skipped a beat and his breath caught.

“You look beautiful in that…” he was dumbfounded by your beauty in such a traditional look.

You sheepishly smiled. “Arigatō…” you winked and then changed back into your own clothes, picking out a few bits that you liked and a jumper that your mum would love as well as the traditional dress. You both paid and headed to the next shop, snapping yet more photos, then another, and then another, then stopped off for some street food- a platter of sushi and gyoza’s before heading to yet another shop and picking up a kimono each. “That was a very successful day shopping!” You entered the hotel with your arms full of bags.

“I think the term 'shop till you drop’ is the definition of what we’ve done today!” John tiredly laughed. “God, I need a shower now! That was so fun!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” you managed to press the lift button. “Thanks for coming along with me. I had a great time and got lots of great photos!”

“Thanks for the invite.” John sent you a warm smile. “Now it’s my turn to return an invite- meet you at the bar later? Around seven?” He asked with a glimmer of hope in his eyes and nervous, twiddling fingers.

“Yeah!” You quickly agreed- perhaps a little too fast but that didn’t bother John.

He got off at the floor below yours and headed to his room with a smile. He had never had so much fun in such few hours- especially shopping! It was like you had opened his eyes to a new and exciting world. Then it dawned on him that perhaps the company made a difference and was the influence of why he had such fun. Sure, he had been to the shops with past girlfriends but it was a chore to him. But shopping with you and your 'eyes wide open to everything and anything’ view changed his initial perspective on going shopping with someone.

You put all your bags down in the corner of your room for now, you’d pack everything away at some point. You took out the camera and photos from the bag it was in and smiled at one- of many photos- of John. He was standing facing a sign that was in Japanese, the light from it bounced perfectly off his face and he looked ethereal- he was glowing. The shadows created perfectly highlighted his exquisite features. You were in awe.

Seven o'clock rolled around fast. John was at the bar first waiting for you with a untouched glass of Suntory beside him. He looked up at the right moment and saw you walk in wearing a lovely black dress with little flowers on it. “Thought I’d make an effort for rock royalty…” you spun on the spot.

John decided to joke with you. “That’s an effort?” He widely grinned and you feigned offence with a smirk. “I’m only kidding! You know I’m joking!”

“You’re ballsy, John Deacon!” You pointed as you sat next to him, then you saw the drink. “And you got my usual.” You leaned forward and clinked your glass with his. “Am I that predictable after being in my company for just over a day?” You both looked over hearing an eruption of laughter. The group of Japanese businessmen who were there in the same spot as last night. “People drinking for days gone by, huh?” You smirked and motioned over to them. “They were here last night too. But then again, time don’t mean a thing- especially when you’re jet lagged.” John hummed and nodded in agreement. “I wish I could sleep.”

“Me too,” John sighed and took a drink. “Maybe one night I’m here I’ll be able to.” You casually rested a hand on your cheek, keeping your attention on John. “That night feels like years away….” he laughed “But then again, time don’t mean a thing.” He repeated your words and the corner of your lip tugged upwards for a split second.

The group of men laughed again and you and John smiled “Sounds like they are having fun.”

“I had fun today,” John said before taking a sip of his drink “Most fun since I’ve been here really- our management were really pushing us last week in Kyoto. Wasn’t very enjoyable, a lot of pressure.” He sighed and played with the napkin under his glass.

Your eyebrows softened and you reached across and instinctively placed your hand on his forearm and he stopped toying with the napkin. The contact sent John’s heart fluttering. “You know, maybe you should take a break from listening to what they tell you to do and start listening to yourself. You might actually live a little and feel better if you did.” You suggested before taking a drink. “You’re your own person John. No one can ever take that away from you.” You smiled at him. John placed his hand on the top of yours, his thumb brushed over the back of your hand.

“I might just do that, Y/N.”

You were looking at each other in silence for a few minutes and then the bartender- the same one from last night- disturbed you both. You had both learned his name, Harry, he asked if you’d like another round of drinks. “Last round for me,” you looked to John “I hope you don’t mind, I want to attempt to get some sleep tonight!”

John nodded with a grin “I’m on the same boat as you! I’ll make an attempt to get some shut eye but I doubt I’ll get much.”

“The jet lag is still kicking the shit out of me so I’ll be up most of the night too no doubt.” You tiredly smiled “It really sucks.” You thanked Harry with a silent smile and raised your glass at John who did the same. You both took your time on your last drink before parting ways for the night. “Thanks for a great day, John. I had an amazing time.”

“Hope we can do it again…I’d really like it if we did.” He bit on his lip and you shyly smiled while nodding your head. You were hoping he’d say that. “Hope you get some sleep.”

“I hope you get some sleep too, John.” You got off first. “Night. Sweet dreams.” You waved and caught one final glimpse of him. Or so you thought.

John pressed his hand against the door to hold it open and popped his head out “And Y/N!” He called.

You turned around “Yes?”

He smiled, admiring the sight he knew was fortunate enough to be looking at. “You really didn’t need to make the effort. You already look absolutely beautiful.”

You bashfully smiled “Thank you.” John forced himself back into the lift. The doors shut and he endured another floor in the lift listening to yet more piano music. You quickly changed into your pyjamas, turned off the room lights and tossed yourself onto the bed- not bothering to find what remote closed the curtains. You fell asleep with the glowing Tokyo lights in the background while thinking of John.

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•All parts•

Tags- (Tag list is open! Just let me know if you want to be tagged or not or if I’ve forgotten to tag you!)

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50 (kind of) random writing prompts!

1. “No double dipping”

2. “That mouth of yours, does it ever stop making noise”

3. “I guess my legs just won’t take me up the stairs. Looks like you’re gonna have to”

4. “I personally think you’re the biggest idiot I’ve ever met, but that’s just me.”

5. “Why won’t you let me kiss you already”

6. “I think skirts were made to cover up your bum not the opposite”

7. “No! Keep the lights on”

8. “Stop snoring you sound like an cow”

9. “Jesus, put a shirt on”

10. “Seven minutes in heaven is for teenagers”

11. “You’re acting like a toddler”

12. “Face it you’re mad at me for being cuter than you”

13. “I swear if I cry you have to buy me dinner”

14. “You’re a pig”

15. “If you take one more fry I will kill you”

16. “Keeps your elbows off the table”

17. “It’s your turn to cook”

18. “This cake tastes like crap”

19. “You know one day I’m just going to stop buying new TVs”

20. “Are you sure you can count to 10”

21. “Your driving is absolute garbage”

22. “Where did you hide my keys this time”

23. “Pass the salt before I have a break down”

24. “Slam that door one more time and I’ll shove my foot straight up your *insert profanity*”

25. “Why do you have to be so annoying yet so perfect all the time”

26. “Why are my bed sheets wet”

27. “Jesus Christ! Knock next time would you”

28. “It’s not that bad”

29. “I’m over here trying to sleep and your over there trying to get into my pants”

30. “Your shirt looks like it was drug through the mud”

31. “Oh my lord fix your hair, it looks like a birds nest”

32. “Stop! You’re making my ears bleed”

33. “You were the ugliest child that I have ever seen”

34. “Your mom thinks I’m an idiot”

35. “Oh quit your whining”

36. “Do you have a mute button”

37. “Is annoying people a hobby of yours, because if so maybe you should try knitting”

38. “How many photos can one have of a person”

39. “You have money go and get yourself a blanket that’s not mine”

40. “Sometimes I think you’re very cute other times i want to bash your head in”

41. “It must be impossible living with you”

42. “Roses are so cliché, so get me roses”

43. “You’re awfully cute when you’re not talking”

45. “I don’t feel like doing it therefore you have to”

46. “You’re breath smells like a sewer”

47. “It’s called reading maybe you should try it sometime”

48. “There is a thing called chairs, love”

49. “Well it’s kind of hard to move when you’re sitting on my lap”

50. “Come on just one more kiss”

The Things We Carry, Chapter I

A/N: i apologize for this being posted way later than i originally intended, i was trying to work up the nerve to show my writing on tumblr again. many thanks to @a-night-at-the-0pera for being my beta, you’re the best !! without further ado, i hope you enjoy the first chapter in my new joe fic, the things we carry<3

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Joe was tired.

He was fucking exhausted.

He was worn out to the point that he would lie down in the middle of a crosswalk if it meant he’d get a full eight hours of sleep; the kind of weary that only grainy bodega coffee could momentarily alleviate, each minute blending into the one before it.

If you asked him what was causing his 4 A.M. restlessness, he might blame it on his upstairs neighbors Noah and Meghan and the rambunctious sex they had in the middle of the night. He might say that he had gotten used to the quiet that his place in L.A. provided when he hid there for the last eight months, wanting to get out of Brooklyn to clear his mind. But honestly speaking, the reason he couldn’t sleep, the one thing clouding every thought, drowning every emotion, was his upcoming birthday. Thirty-six… more than a third of his life having passed and he felt as if he had barely anything to show for it. The movie posters hung in the hallway only filled so much of the void that his early mid-life crisis took up. They barely ate up enough space for him to notice them anymore, his eyes instead fixated outward as he studied everyone else’s life.

Both his brother and sister were married with kids. All of his friends seemed to be taking the next step in their lives, proposals and weddings and firstborns on the horizon. Hell, his lousy neighbors at least had each other to paw and shriek at all hours of the day. He was lonely. The kind of loneliness that made his heart ache at every couple he’d spot cuddled up on the L-train, that made him look away when he saw a parent walking their kid to the Montessori preschool a few blocks down. As pathetic as it felt in his head, he just wanted someone to give his love to and to be loved in return.

In his state of exhaustion, he’d been turning down plans left and right, faking commitments to avoid raising suspicion as to why he’d be spending the fifth night in a row in sweats and eating halal over his sink. However, his friends were too good. Their sixth senses buzzed after one too many unspecific texts about some “date” he went on the night before, claiming the girl was “too chatty” and that they decided to part ways after a few drinks. It was clear they weren’t going to let him bask in his isolation for another night. Rami had sent a text reading, “Cocktail party tonight, pick you up at eight. Not taking no for an answer.”

So that’s how he found himself gripping his bathroom sink with one hand, trimmer buzzing away in the other, squinting at the mirror as he attempted to make himself look at least somewhat human for the night. His lamb over rice and sweatpants would still be waiting for him whenever he was allowed to stumble back to Brooklyn… and he was most certainly counting down the hours until he could make that happen.

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Joe wasn’t even dressed when his intercom buzzed at five til’, having found himself pulled down a YouTube wormhole of “GREATEST YANKEE HIGHLIGHTS: 1990-2005.” He muttered a quiet “shit” as he rang them in. He was still wearing Thursday’s pajamas; no way he could hide that from them in the three minutes he had before they were at his door. He’d much rather take their light scolding and let Lucy pull something out of his closet than leave them waiting, knowing that they’d make him change out of his original choice anyway.

It wasn’t until three succinct knocks echoed through his entryway that he pulled himself off the couch, calling out a half-hearted “one second!” as he flipped off his television and made his way to the door.

“Joe!,” Lucy cried, her excitement faltering slightly as she took in his severe bedhead and stained T-shirt.

“You look terrible, man. Looks like you haven’t slept in a week,” Rami added, eyes tinged with concern.

“‘Cause I haven’t,” he chuckled dryly, stepping aside to let them in. “Figured you guys would make me change anyway. I trimmed my beard and decided to let you pick the rest. Least you could do since you’re forcing me to come tonight.”

“You know us too well,” Lucy smiled, leaning in to pinch his cheek before heading toward his room, heels clacking against the hardwood floor. “And we’re not forcing you to come with us. We simply invited you to come along and said that the only acceptable answer was ‘yes.’”

“You need to live a little! We haven’t seen you since you got back from L.A., and from the look of it, I don’t think you’ve left your apartment since then either,” Rami chuckled as he dragged him down the hall, shoving him to sit at the foot of his bed as they rifled through his things.

After pulling several pieces from his closet, they eventually laid something out for him. The couple gave Joe an excited look before motioning him into the bathroom, waiting expectantly for him to change as if he were their six-year-old trying on his school picture day outfit at The Gap. He emerged to the sarcastic cheer of “real pants!” and was dragged down the hall and into the street, where he was promptly sandwiched between Rami and Lucy in a West Village-bound cab. As he watched the red numbers on the meter increase in price, he felt his internal clock ticking. Three hours. He’d give them that long before he’d hop back on the L and hide out in Brooklyn for another week before he was inevitably dragged out again. Three hours wouldn’t kill him. And besides, nothing important can happen in that short amount of time.

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