#“we might not make it to the morning so go on and tell me now.”

[izzih22]

Don’t Marry Him

Note: thank you anon for asking for this and all the kinds words you said. It wouldn’t let me answer your thing directly but I hope you like this one. I think I got everything in there. It took me awhile but anyway I think it’s pretty good so enjoy y’all.

The white satin of Azzi’s wedding dress rustled as she paced the dressing room, palms sweating, heart pounding like it had something to say. She was minutes away five to be exact from walking down the aisle. Her makeup was perfect. Her hair was elegant. Her bouquet lay neatly on the vanity. Everything about her looked like a dream.

But it didn’t feel like one.

The door creaked.

She turned fast. Her breath caught in her throat.

“How did you get in here?” Her voice cracked before it sharpened. “You’re not supposed to be here. Leave.”

Paige stood in the doorway in a black suit, hair slicked back, face unreadable except for the storm in her eyes. She should’ve been in Dallas—hell, she was supposed to be in Dallas. WNBA season didn’t stop for weddings. Paige had a game tomorrow.

But she was here.

And Azzi’s heart? It didn’t know what to do with that.

“I had to see you,” Paige said quietly, stepping inside and shutting the door behind her like she wasn’t about to detonate Azzi’s entire life.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Azzi repeated, her voice weaker this time. “If someone sees you—”

“They won’t.”

“Paige.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I know I’m not supposed to be here. But screw ‘supposed to.’ We’ve done everything ‘right’ and it still feels wrong, doesn’t it?”

Azzi turned away, facing the mirror. She didn’t recognize herself. The dress, the earrings, the diamond engagement ring. This wasn’t her. Not the her that Paige had known. Loved. Still loved.

Paige’s voice grew louder, closer. “You think I wanted to come here today? You think I wanted to see you with him?” She shook her head, breath catching. “I didn’t. I fought not to come. But I woke up this morning and couldn’t breathe, Z. I couldn’t let you do this without saying it.”

Azzi closed her eyes. Her hands were trembling.

“I love you,” Paige said, finally. Fully. “God, I love you so much it makes me stupid. And I know—I know—you still love me too.”

Azzi’s jaw clenched. Her heart screamed yes, but her pride, her walls, her years of trying to move on—they all said no.

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

Paige laughed bitterly. “I know exactly what I’m saying. We’ve been in love since we were seventeen, Az. Since that first Team USA camp. Since you used to sneak into my room after lights out and we’d talk about the future like we’d never lose each other.” Her voice broke. “And we did, but not because we stopped loving each other. Just because we got scared.”

Azzi swallowed hard. Her knees felt like they might give out.

“You still wear the necklace I gave you,” Paige said, nodding toward the delicate chain hidden beneath the sweetheart neckline of the dress. “You never take it off. Don’t tell me you don’t feel it too.”

“Paige, everyone’s out there,” Azzi whispered, desperate, trying to hold herself together. “They’re waiting for me.”

“So let them wait,” Paige snapped. “Just for a second. Look at me.”

Azzi did.

And that’s when Paige said it.

Soft. Barely a whisper. But it was everything.

“Don’t marry him.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Azzi’s breath caught. Her heart thudded so loud she was sure Paige could hear it.

But her walls—the same ones that had held her up for years—rose like armor.

“I can’t,” she whispered. “I—I have to go.”

“No,” Paige stepped forward. “You don’t.”

Azzi shook her head. Her hands were clenched into fists now, her whole body taut with something between devastation and denial.

“I’m sorry,” she choked out, turning away before Paige could see the tears brimming in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this with you right now.”

And then she left.

⸻

The music swelled as Azzi walked down the aisle. Every step felt heavier than the last.

Her groom waited at the altar, beaming. Family and friends stood on either side, all of them smiling, none of them knowing her heart was breaking in real time.

She made it to the front. Somehow.

The officiant nodded. “Azzi, you may begin your vows.”

She took a shaky breath.

“I used to think love was supposed to be simple,” she began, eyes locked on her groom—but her mind miles away. “But then I met someone who made everything feel big. Complicated. Intense in a way that scared me, but also made me feel more alive than I ever thought possible.”

The groom’s smile faltered. He blinked. Subtle, but there.

“I’ve never felt more seen than when they looked at me,” Azzi continued, voice thick with emotion. “They knew me when I didn’t even know myself. Knew how to calm me down when I couldn’t breathe. Knew how to make me laugh when I swore I’d never smile again. They made the ordinary feel like magic.”

She paused. Her fingers clenched tighter around the bouquet.

“I used to think love was something you grew into,” she whispered. “But with them, it was instant. Like the universe had been waiting for us to collide.”

The groom looked… confused. Hurt. Because he knew.

None of those things were about him.

And then—

“Azzi,” the officiant said gently, sensing the tremble in her voice. “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Her breath hitched.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement.

Paige. Standing up in the back. Shoulders stiff, jaw clenched, turning toward the door.

Azzi didn’t think.

“No,” she said, loud. Clear. Final.

Gasps echoed through the crowd.

The groom stepped back, stunned. “Wait—what?”

But Azzi wasn’t looking at him anymore. She was already turning—running—down the aisle, the long train of her dress trailing behind her like a banner.

She caught up to Paige just as she was reaching the door.

Without a word, she grabbed her hand.

Paige froze.

And Azzi looked up at her, eyes full of everything she hadn’t said in years. “Don’t walk away.”

Paige blinked, stunned. “You sure?”

Azzi smiled—small, tearful, glowing.

“I’ve never been more sure.”

They didn’t say another word.

They just ran—out the doors, past the confused guests, through the chaos. Azzi’s heels came off somewhere near the steps. Paige didn’t let go of her hand once.

And when they reached the car—someone’s car, it didn’t matter—it just so happened to have a “JUST MARRIED” sign already tied to the bumper, leftover from a different wedding earlier that day.

Fate? Maybe.

They didn’t question it.

They just drove.

And as the city blurred behind them, Azzi turned to Paige and laughed through tears.

“God, you’re such a homewrecker.”

Paige smirked, eyes still on the road. “Please. That home was already falling apart.”

Azzi leaned over. “Well… I guess we’re rebuilding, huh?”

Paige reached over, laced their fingers together.

“From the ground up.”

And somewhere between the sunset and the second chances, they kissed.

This time for real.

This time forever.

[edensrose]

𐔌 𖹭 𝑱𝑱𝑲 𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒕 & 𝑺𝒆𝒙𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒚𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒔 ˖ ࣪✧

ᡴꪫ. what're they like in bed ? 𖹭 g. satoru, g. suguru, i. shoko, i. utahima, t. yuki, n. kento, k. shiu 𖹭 f. reader ˖ ࣪ꮽ˳

˖ ࣪✧ ꘓ Satoru Gojo ۪ ୧ top dom leaning switch. fucks hard, he's got a lot of frustration to get out + he loves seeing your pretty eyes go dumb. please piss him off, he loves the idea that someone actually can. however, has a soft spot for lazy morning and sweet, sensual night sex. he enjoys doing the work and making you feel good but ! will not be opposed to you taking lead . . . if you fight him for it. what, you expect him to just give it to you?

. ۫ ۶ৎ .

˖ ࣪✧ ꘓ Suguru Geto ۪ ୧ top dom. don't try to take control, you will fail, he will laugh at you. more into the hard dom and can be really damn mean. brat taming? watch yourself, he has a particular love for putting you in your place. he is such a damn tease it's insane. we only believe in pervert suguru on this blog, he will do some of the nastiest things like keeping your panties in his pocket or touching you under a table.

. ۫ ۶ৎ .

˖ ࣪✧ ꘓ Shoko Ieiri ۪ ୧ switch, pleasure seeker. will honestly change depending on your preference, she's pretty chill with it. while she does have a particular love for relieving whatever stress you may harbour, she's not opposed to you putting her on her back. gets very touchy, will leave you marked up in her lipstick after quickies. not very outwardly submissive but oh can she run with that top/dom title. will use the strap on you! prefers if you scissor her though.

. ۫ ۶ৎ .

˖ ࣪✧ ꘓ Utahime Iori ۪ ୧ bottom sub. please let her be a pillow princess she's tired and stressed. also a bit inexperienced as a general so might fumble a bit but she's definitely very into it! guide her a little and she'll do whatever you want. gets a tad bit jealous which will result in her getting a bit 'assertive' with you which turns laughable once you introduce some tongue and get her legs all trembling again.

. ۫ ۶ৎ .

˖ ࣪✧ ꘓ Yuki Tsukumo ۪ ୧ TOP. DOM. look at that woman and tell me she wouldn't pin you down by the thighs. she's sooo sweet with it too, giving you little winks and croons while her fingers are being so mean between your legs. you never know what to expect with her she's beyond unpredictable. one moment you're cuddling and she's being the sweetest — the next? over her face. literally so obsessed with your pleasure ( and making you teary )

. ۫ ۶ৎ .

˖ ࣪✧ ꘓ Kento Nanami ۪ ୧ top dom. now he woudn't be opposed to you taking control if you asked him, but he prefers to be the one calling the shots. it just relaxes him you know? with that being said, his dynamic is whiplash. he's so tender and gentle . . . with his words and foreplay. the second his dick's in? your legs will be weak and he'll show you just how mean he can be — while still keeping his tender words as if he isn't re-arranging your guts. also into brat taming but he actually makes you feel a bit bad about it with the way he scolds you while bullying your cunt.

. ۫ ۶ৎ .

˖ ࣪✧ ꘓ Shiu Kong ۪ ୧ top dom and prefers to keep it that way. he's too old and tired to deal with you trying to one-up him so don't try. it will end with you on his lap while he idly smokes his cigarette and makes you do the work. that's his brat taming. why should he give you what you want when you act up? teasing bastard who lovvess making you beg for it. lazy and effortless with it until he's either got his head between your legs or you're sprawled out on his dick. and even then.

͝ ⏝𝅄︶ ͝ ⏝ ⊹ ⏝ ͝ ︶𝅄⏝ ͝

[jelzorz]

211.

Mother's Day is always hard for Soren. It's not, like, a feast day or a public holiday or anything, so there's no requirement to observe or celebrate it, but everyone else does and that's kind of the problem. The flower merchants go all out and the taverns are full and the river is packed with families; the castle is merry, and Barius makes extra jelly tarts for the moms on the staff; Callum and Ez and usually Rayla head out to the Valley of the Graves to catch up with Queen Sarai.

It's sweet. The moms deserve it. He doesn't begrudge anyone for it.

There's just nowhere he can go to get away.

This year is the same. He's older now and the wound is not so sharp, but it's still lonely. In the old days, he and Claudia would sneak into the kitchens so they could miss their mother together over her favourite flavour of jelly tart (marmalade), but Claudia isn't here and she hasn't been for years. It's just him again, missing someone who clearly doesn't miss him, who might be dead or alive but he wouldn't know because she doesn't even write.

Soren pours himself a drink and takes a swig.

"Weird thing to be doing on Mother's Day but okay."

Soren blinks. Then he glances up and catches Rayla watching him from the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" he asks. "Shouldn't you be with Callum and Ez this morning?"

She grimaces. "I wasn't up for it this year," she says.

Soren twitches his lips. Her relationship with her mother was a bit awkward too. He knows she shares the feeling of being left behind. Of being the choice not made. He reaches for another glass. "Want a drink?"

"Ah, no." Rayla flushes a little. "I don't think I'm up for that either."

Soren raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Care to tell me what's going on?"

She doesn't answer. A pause stretches between them, one that borders on awkward until Rayla sucks in a breath and crosses the kitchen to take a mug from the far cupboard. "Where does Barius keep all the tea?"

Soren frowns at her. "Who are you?"

"I didn't want to ask Opeli because—gods, I don't think I can have that conversation with her right now—"

"What conversation? What's happening here?"

Rayla slams the mug down against the kitchen bench with a little more force than she means. Soren stares at her, confused, until finally—

"I'm pregnant."

Another pause. Soren blinks stupidly and closes his mouth. "Congratulations?"

She scowls at him. "Don't even," she snaps. "This is—This was never the plan. Callum and I haven't even been married a year and we all know we've got a stupid doomsday clock going right now, and we agreed that—" She snarls and starts opening cupboards at random in search of the tea.

Soren takes pity on her then and points his tankard at the drawer by the pantry. "Opeli keeps a bunch of different herbal blends in there. Try the lavender. Good for keeping calm."

Rayla rounds on him and scowls. "I'm completely calm," she snaps. "Perfectly, stupidly calm. Why would I not be calm? I'm only bringing a child into a world about to end. What's not calming about that?"

"Yeah, all right, time to sit down." Soren sets the tankard down and shoos her away from the drawer before she can make a mess of the perfectly sorted boxes of tea. Rayla doesn't argue, even when he draws her a chair and puts a pot of water onto boil. "Do you think, maybe, you're catastrophising a little?"

She glares at him by way of answer, and Soren snorts to himself and starts spooning tea leaves into a strainer.

"I don't think I can be a mum," she mutters. "I'm not cut out for it. And then there's all the Aaravos stuff and it's just..." She snarls and covers her face with her hands.

"I dunno," says Soren shrugging. "You could be worse."

"How could I possibly be worse?"

"You could leave," points out Soren matter-of-factly.

Rayla falls silent at that. She knows too. She shares that with him. And after what she did to Callum in their youth...

The pause is long and the water in the pot starts to bubble.

"I couldn't," she murmurs at last. "Not again. Especially not if..."

Soren snorts a little at that. "That's half the battle right there," he says. "The bare minimum is you choose to stay. Which you do. Look at that, maybe you are gonna be okay."

"You're horrible at this."

"And yet, here you are." Soren smirks and pours her tea.

"I came looking for tea, not you," snaps Rayla, although there's warmth in her voice now, especially when he slides her mug across the kitchen bench for her. "Sorry," she adds after a moment. "I didn't realise... Of course you'd be here today. I didn't mean to interrupt."

He chuckles at that. "Don't mention it. I could use the company."

"Hm." Rayla stares at her tea. "You deserved better," she says after a moment.

"So did you," says Soren, twitching his lips. "And you're going to be."

"You really think so?"

"Yeah. Cheers." He clinks his tankard against her mug and takes another sip. "Happy Mother's Day."

Rayla snorts into her mug but doesn't object.

[oopsiedaisydeer]

ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴄᴀʀᴇᴅ ʏᴇᴛ

…𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

friends to lovers, office romance, halloween, light angst, fluff, miscommunication, slow burn, humour, mutual pining

word count - 1k

The first thing Dotty hears on Halloween morning, aside from her coworker’s bluetooth speaker blasting Monster Mash in the hallway, is her boss saying the word “fire.”

She’s in his office with a notepad in hand, doing her best to write down the instructions he’s giving her about the costume contest (“put Dana in charge, she’s got glitter”) when he lowers his voice and mumbles into his phone:

“Yeah, I know. Someone’s gotta go. I just don’t understand why you’ve given me such a short deadline with this.”

Dotty blinks. The pen in her hand freezes. Her boss notices her silence, waves a hand, and mouths something like not you. But that doesn't settle the knot forming behind her ribs.

She’s still thinking about it twenty minutes later when she finds Matt sitting at his desk, peeling the wrapper off a mini twix bar and already wearing his costume, a wrinkled white shirt, a crooked tie, and a name tag that says Manager in Comic Sans.

“Are you… supposed to be the boss?” she asks, folding her arms.

Matt gives her a guilty smile. “Too much?”

Dotty shrugs, trying not to smile. “He’ll probably love it.”

He cocks his head. “You okay?”

And that’s when she blurts, “Someone’s getting fired.”

Matt’s face stills. “Wait, what?”

She sits down on the edge of his desk, notebook tucked against her chest. “I heard him on the phone. He said someone’s gotta go. I think it’s real.”

Matt leans back in his chair, wheels creaking. “It’s gotta be someone from accounting.”

Dotty winces. “Don’t say that.”

“Come on,” Matt argues, opening another piece of candy. “Should be Wyatt. He definitely has a secret YouTube channel for reviews of office chairs. And he knows what the difference between a number one and two pencil is.”

“He's… enthusiastic.”

“He's terrifying,” Matt corrects.“We should post his resume online. Just in case. Help him get a head start.”

Dotty stares. “That is wildly unethical.”

Matt grins. “So is using the work printer to print Taylor Swift trivia for your lunch breaks.”

“…Fine,” she says, laughing now. “But only because he definitely listed ‘karate’ as a soft skill.”

By noon, Operation Resume is in full swing.

They find a Word doc titled Wyatt_FINAL_REAL_ONE.docx in the shared drive and give it a little polish. Dotty adds buzzwords like synergistic and innovative mindset. Matt lists Wyatt’s hometown as “the cloud.”

Then Matt takes it one step further.

“Someone actually wants to do a phone interview,” he tells her, mid-afternoon, holding his desk phone like it might explode. “Should I… be him?”

“No,” Dotty says, trying to hide the smile in her voice. “Definitely not.”

He does it anyway.

She watches him lower his voice two octaves and say things like “I pride myself on punctuality and moral excellence.” He ends the call by solemnly stating, “I’ll speak to my superiors and get back to you.”

“You are going to hell,” she says, giggling into her sleeve.

It’s late when things go wrong.

Dotty’s helping clean up pumpkin guts in the breakroom, Matt leaning against the counter beside her with a soda can and his tie crooked.

He looks too handsome for his own good.

“Hey,” he says. “So… about that job offer.”

Dotty glances over.

“It was kinda real,” he says, trying to sound casual. “Like, it’s a startup. It pays better than here, but they said they want someone ‘creative’. I dunno.”

Dotty bites the inside of her cheek.

She doesn’t want him to leave. But she’s not allowed to say that. Not when she’s just the receptionist. Not when they’re just friends. Colleagues.

So she makes herself smile.

“You should take it.”

Matt goes quiet.

Dotty keeps talking, hoping it doesn’t sound nervous or like begging. “You’re… like, you’re smart. And funny. You get stuff done without being weird about it. You care about people, even if you act like you don’t. You don’t belong here forever.”

Matt nods. Too quickly. His mouth pulls into a flat line.

“Oh,” he says. “Right. Yeah. No, you’re right.”

He won’t look at her.

Dotty blinks. Something’s wrong.

“Just, you deserve it. Don’t undersell yourself.”

But Matt’s already brushing her off, his voice light and unreadable. “Right, well… I’ve gotta, um, go help with the cleanup. Wyatt’s skeleton lost a leg.”

And he walks away.

Dotty’s left standing in front of the fridge, hands sticky with pumpkin seeds, heart quietly breaking in her chest.

Just as it nears 4:30pm , Wyatt sends an all-office email:

Subject: WHO POSTED MY RESUME Hello. I received a job offer from a company I did not apply to. I have informed legal. I am no mutineer. Best, Wyatt Future CEO

Dotty reads the email twice before snorting into her coffee.

She finds Matt in the breakroom twenty minutes later, loading the dishwasher. He doesn’t say anything when she walks in. He just nods. She’s not used to that with Matt.

Dotty leans against the counter beside him.

“I didn’t mean I wanted you to go,” she says softly.

Matt stills.

“I meant it like… I believe in you. That’s all.”

He finally looks at her.

“I thought you meant you wouldn’t care if I left,” he says, voice quieter than she’s ever heard it.

Dotty swallows.

“Well, I would. I’d care a lot.”

A warm, slightly uncomfortable silence settles between them.

Then Matt smiles. Crooked and shy, a little lopsided.

“I’d miss you,” he says. “More than I’d miss the broken coffee machine and the boss’s 11 a.m. inspirational speeches in the conference room.”

Dotty bumps his arm with hers.

“I’d miss you too,” she says. “Even if you never refill the paper in the printer.”

They catch each other’s eyes for a moment, both genuinely happy.

“Guess I’m staying,” Matt says, grinning.

Dotty rolls her eyes. “For now.”

That night, as everyone leaves and the last pumpkin gets tossed in the bin, Matt walks her to her car.

She’s still wearing bits from her costume, and he’s got candy stuffed in his pockets from the communal bucket.

Before she unlocks the door, he says:

“If I ever do leave… I’ll, uh, make sure you know first.”

Dotty smiles, a little sad at the mention of him actually leaving.

“Good,” she says. “I’d want to say goodbye.”

He nods, soft and sincere, then turns to go. But not before he glances back with, “See you tomorrow, Dotty.”

“See you.”

dividers by @bernardsbendystraws ꨄ

a/n: sbsbfsdjbf trying to get more worldbuiding into this au, so i hope you enjoyed !! also ik it isn't halloween but this is the episode we're up to in the show and it's autumn where i live so :p

[ziyechs]

joe'marr bengals reunion — a (somewhat) comprehensive timeline

1 — “have you spoken to the cincinnati bengals and what would it mean to reunite with joe burrow there?” — “i have talked to the bengals. i don’t know how many times i’ve talked to them though. but, me and joe, you know, i wouldn’t mind going back with joe. if we go back together we’re trying to do nothing but get back our chemistry and have some more fun.”

2 — “i'm really excited for this draft. i don't really know what's coming but, you know, if me and joe could get back to it... i’d love to have some fun with him again.”

3 — “i assume you'd be okay with a potential reunion in cincinnati if that were to happen?" — "yeah, i wouldn’t mind.”

4 — “me and joe talked about [a reunion] maybe like three, four times actually. we talked about it a good bit of times. he texted me this morning, just letting me know: ‘get your bags packed’, so i guess that meant that was gonna be the pick. i don’t know if that was a hint or what. so, he sent me that little text this morning, i was like ‘okay… i'm ready, bro’.”

5 — “what was your reaction like when he was lowkey recruiting you?” — “i actually was believing him sometimes, sometimes i was like ‘stop playing with me’ and sometimes i was just like ‘okay bro, i gotcha, i'm ready now’ so. i believed him this morning when he told me, you know, pack my bags. so that's when i finally was like: ‘yeah he might really be calling this’ so that's when i took his word.”

6 – “jimmy burrow, did joe tell you—he’s always been kind of coy about what he said to the bengals—did joe tell you that he wanted the bengals to select ja’marr?” — “yes, i think we figured that… and eventually… yes, he pretty much told us that he wanted ja’marr.”

7 — “it was like a week before the draft, ja'marr said: ‘dad, joe texted me.’ […] he didn't say what he said, you know. but he said: ‘joe just texted me’, [...] so he had talked to joe like... or texted with joe once or twice that week. and then he told me, he said: ‘dad, if i get with joe, we're gonna kill’ [...] so he was all excited about getting with joe.”

8 — “what was the first thing joe texted you when you got drafted by the bengals?” — “make sure your bag's packed and ready. yeah, that was what he told me.”

9 — “the cincinnati bengals are on the clock now. earlier that morning, i had got a text from joe. he said: hope your bags are packed. i know it's me, at the moment, that's what i'm saying to myself. i can't wait to be a part of it.”

10 — articles: 1, 2, 3, 4

[emotionlcss]

gavin knew that given the chance she wouldn't disappoint him at all, that she was going to make up for this and it was something he was interested in seeing. it was almost as if they had kept changing the power over from between them, easily bouncing back and forth and if that was any indication of how the rest of the night was going to go, he knew they were in for a long one. ❝ i know you will baby, you've just to show me that you can be. that you're sorry for what you've done, and we can get on with tonight. something tells me that we're already going to be late tomorrow. ❞ a late night that would bleed into the early hours of the morning, they might even have to call it and work from home tomorrow, but that would be a problem for the morning.

it wasn't until she dipped her head down and took him between her lips once more that he let out another low moan, his hand coming up to rest against her head, pulling the hair out of her face. ❝ look at you, so anxious to suck my cock again after its been deep inside of you. tell me princess, can you taste yourself on me? god you're sick, bet you'd suck my cum right out of your pussy too given the chance. ❞ gavin smirked, the thought only just coming to his mind but now it was at the forefront as his cock twitched against the back of her throat. he'd been close when she came, and now he was teetering on the edge, knowing that with the way she swallowed him down the back of her throat that he wouldn't last too long. 

Holly's eyes never left his, the weight of his words settling over her like a challenge she had every intention of meeting. The subtle rock of his hips against her touch made her shiver, her hand tightening ever so slightly around him as she stroked his cock slowly. His teasing only made her more determined, that flicker of doubt sparking something primal in her that she was ready to chase down. When Gavin shifted to the end of the bed, towering above her, Holly's gaze followed him, her lips parting slightly as her chest rose and fell with every breath. His words were low and commanding, and she swore they dripped with something wicked that made her body react instantly. Show me that you can still be a good girl for me. The corners of her lips curled into a soft smirk, her eyes darkening with intent. "I can be good for you, Gavin," she promised, voice low and sultry as she sat up slowly, hands running along his thighs before she settled herself on her knees at the edge of the mattress. Her gaze flickered up to his as her hands smoothed over his hips, nails scraping lightly just to watch his jaw tense. Her hand wrapped around his cock again, firmer this time, her strokes measured and slow, letting him feel every inch of her touch. She leaned in, lips just barely brushing against the tip. "I'll show you," she whispered, voice breathy and full of promise. "I'll be everything you want... Everything you need." Holly's eyes locked onto Gavin's as her mouth parted, her tongue flicking out to taste him, dragging the tip along the slit of his head. The look in her eyes was nothing short of daring, as if she knew just how good she could be for him. "You won't have any doubts left when I'm done with you," she murmured against him, her lips curling into a wicked little smile before she took him deeper, her hands bracing against his thighs as she set out to prove exactly why he'd never want anyone else.

[seldomscilence16]

Whumptober day 28:

"We might not make it to the morning, so go on and tell me now."

Bloody knife | sacrifice | "You'll have to go through me."

Fandom: Voltron (El dorado Au)

Prompts used: All

Alright so, I have so much I want to do with this au, so this is short and does end on a vague cliff hanger (heheh). If you've watched the movie you can assume the end, however when I get around to writing this fully, it may be different to how you'd expect. This was intended however, to end up as a Klank story (is that right?), and while it's not present in this it will be in the full one.

TW for blood

…

El Dorado. The city of gold, gifted to mortals by the Gods over a thousand years ago. It was a legend to many, a myth to many more, a hope to some.

Keith and Hunk had differing views, before this whole journey began. Hunk had wanted something solid and tangible- Spain, or any of the civilizations they knew and had seen before their eyes. Keith had adventure in his eyes, a yearning to go and find and discover and MOVE. The map had given them something, a trail to blaze rather than an ocean of peril.

Their semi-stolen, rescuer to rescued, horse hadn't been completely swayed, but was loyal enough to stay with them- which Hunk took as a win. Especially when they found the natives- well they found them- were led to El Dorado, and decided to pretend to be Gods. And honestly, everything had been surprisingly fine!

Until Keith got fed up with Haggar's bs- which yeah fair, but come on!- and now they were… well here.

Confined to their temple- to bask or rest or pray, Hunk couldn't even recall- because tomorrow they had to prove their Godness again. The anniversary of El Dorado's creation and the day before they were set to leave, a big event with the Gods themselves present.

"You just had to upset Haggar!" Hunk is pacing, heart pounding and breaths short and mind racing.

"I didn't know she'd do… this!" He gestures vaguely to encompass their situation.

"Oh gee, the chick that speaks for the Gods that's been on our butts since we got here gets pissed off and talks about a big deal event to get said butts caught!? Wow so surprising!"

"Hunk, I'm sorry, okay! We can figure this out, so stop panicking!"

"Oh yeah let me just turn it off! We might not make it to the morning, so go on and tell me now, what brilliant plan do you have to get us out of here!?" Hunks worked himself up to full on panic.

"If you panic I'm gonna panic! I need your brain! Or else I'm gonna end up jumping off the stairs and hoping I fly!"

"Geez. The horse was right, you two are a mess."

"Lance!" The two turn to find their native guide standing just inside their back entrance, Shiro- their horse- behind him.

"How have you two made it this far?" He mumbles, looking over his shoulder to ensure he wasn't followed.

"This isn't a normal con!" Keith hisses, nerves still high strung, "If they find out we're lying, we're dead!"

"Only because Haggar has her claws in everything. The Chief doesn't like her or her ways, so all you have to do tomorrow is get him on your side and the people will follow."

"You make it sound so easy!" Hunk whines, though both men have calmed down.

Lance is quiet, and the two finally take notice of his own nervous energy.

"Lance? Is there something else we should know?" Keith ventures carefully, the two step closer, each reaching for a hand.

He allows the motion, squeezing gently as he offers up a smile, it falls short to the sunny ones he'd shared the past few days.

"Tomorrow, just… focus on getting out of it alive. You just have to make it through tomorrow then you can take your boat of gold and leave."

"And then WE can take OUR boat of gold and leave." Hunk corrects quickly, nerves growing again.

"Yeah, we have a plan." Keith agrees, intense stare directed at his tan face.

Lance doesn't meet their eyes, instead smiling wide enough for them to squeeze closed, giving their hands one more strong grip.

"Right. I have to go, tomorrow will be fine." Lance pulls away, turning quickly towards where he came.

"We'll all make it out of here Lance." Keith says it firmly, no room for doubt.

"We're in this together." Hunk concurs.

"Get some sleep you two, you'll need your strength tomorrow."

.

.

.

"My Lieges, once again, my apologies for yesterdays… difference of opinions." Haggar offers a smile, long fingers steepled before her, hood hiding her eyes from view. The smile is not comforting, its disconcerting and down right creepy.

"Right well, bigones." Keith waves the lackluster apology away, neutral face hiding how fast his heart is beating.

Hunk and Keith had barely slept, pressed side by side on the plush bed nest, dreading the day to come, trying to think of some feat they could fake. Shiro had been just as nervous, the armadillo that'd been following them around since they arrived curled up on his back as the two almost seemed to converse. To top it all off, they hadn't seen Lance since he left last night. They'd need another miracle to pull all this off.

"I have a gift, one that will hopefully please the Gods this time."

Keith looks ready to protest, to angrily tell her off once again about needless sacrifices, only for the very Earth to shake as a huge stone beast descends from Haggar's temple. The people scream, Hunk frozen beside Keith as they stare upon the crazy woman dwarfed by the glowing eyed creature behind her.

"I have had my eyes opened, the Gods command they do not want Sacrifices, it is because those will not do! The new age is upon us, and a mass cleanse is needed to please the Gods!"

"Quiznak." Keith mutters darkly.

"Unless of course, they wish to speak for themselves?" Her voice is a tad mocking, and the two realize she knows, their jig is up, and these people may very well pay for it.

"The Gods do not deal with petty mortals in their own realm, Haggar!" The voice comes from higher ground, they whip around to find Lance atop Shiro on one of the higher ledges of the city. "You will be judged in their realm and dealt punishment that you are past due for. So say the Gods!"

"What is he doing?" Hunk whispers aghastly.

"Xibalba." Keith utters back, "The whirlpool." He turns to Hunk and sees the realization dawn on his face.

They nod at each other, and turn as one towards the giant beast,

"Yes! Our brothers and sisters upon the higher realm shall judge you accordingly! You, the false prophet, shall not haunt these people any longer!" Hunks voice deepens dramatically as he speaks, false bravado the only thing keeping his panic at bay.

"We shall end this here!" Keith agrees, the people have mostly scattered, but those that haven't quickly follow coarse.

The beast roars, Haggar grinning far too brightly, as the chase begins.

They run through the winding paths of El Dorado, destination clear in their mind, trying to keep steady as every pounce behind them shakes the ground. They suppose they should be grateful Haggar hated them so, or else this chase would be meaningless. Now they simply had to hope this plan worked, lest this be the end of it all.

As the ledge finally comes into view, the area desolate, they slide to a stop.

"False Gods. Now everyone will know the truth of your divinity, and it will be you to be judged! I know what you are, and I know what you are not! And you are not Gods!"

Haggar and the beast block their exit, and they realize they may not have thought this through-

"You're not a God? You… lied to me?" Lance comes, seemingly, out of nowhere, eyeing them both with betrayal.

His eyes motion behind him-

"What? No, he lied to both of us!" Hunk jumps in, pointing at Keith.

"I did not! It was your plan!" Keith fires back, poking Hunks chest.

"You're the one who wanted gold first!"

"Well you're the one falling for your own con!"

"Well at least I didn’t drool at first sight!"

"Oh don't even! Low blow! You gooey eyed him too!"

"You guys said you were gonna ascend! I can't believe you lied to my people!"

They've steadily moved, argument turning physical as they get between the beast and Haggar who watches them with sick glee.

"This is all you're-" Hunk and Keith have a fist in each other's shirts, arms pulled back to sock eachother in the jaws, but before they can do a finishing move, the beast roars once more.

Haggar launches herself at them, knife pulled from some hidden fold of her robes, manic smile bright, only for it to fall as knife plunges into someone else.

Lance stands between them now, knife buried just below his belly button, but face set in a glare.

"You'll have to go through me."

The knife is yanked out- blood splattering across its surface and the stones below- an outraged yell combining with the creature's Earth rumbling bellow. As the beast lunges forward, Keith wraps an arm around Lance as he and Hunk jump to the sides, vine in hand. Haggar's scream echoes, as the ledge breaks off with the weight of the once stone statue, and disappears in the whirlpool below.

[phagodyke]

7hrs into my work day lets play a fun game of how much overtime will they make me do 🥰

[hikato-chan]

And continuation of Mu Qingfang's pov!

He helped him with the first robe, carefully tugging it down and sliding it down his arms before letting it drop onto the bed and continuing with the next. Shen Qingqiu was still sitting on them, but he could be moved once he was out of all his layers.

The two inner robes needed untying as well, but then all robes were off and he could finally see the entire damage. The blood of the bite had congealed, but wiping the excess away carefully revealed that the dark shadow over Shen Qingqiu's throat was actually a healing bruise. One of his wrists had one as well, both of them in the shape of a hand.

It was a relief to see that there were no other obvious bruises, like on his hips or waist. Mu Qingfang knew he would need to fully check anyway in a bit, though he hoped that Shen Qingqiu would be more aware and able to give consent for the examination.

He cleaned the bite methodically, slowly revealing the extent of which he already healed. Where the teeth marks had been pronounced, they were now a softer shape as the outer edges started healing.

He disinfected the bite after cleaning, then spread salve on it to help with healing. He didn't technically need to do either for a wound like this, but he didn't want to take risks with his Shixiong's health.

A loud noise came from downstairs, the sound of the entrance door being thrown open. Shen Qingqiu flinched at the sound, but relaxed again at the footsteps coming up the stairs. Liu Qingge had arrived.

Mu Qingfang lifted up the basin of bloody water and went to somehow get him to stop before he stormed into the room. He really didn't want to have two patients if Liu Qingge deviated on the spot.

"Liu-shixiong" he called, making him stop on top of the stairs to look at Mu Qingfang and his bloody basin, "could you hold the basin for a moment please?"

He held it out, knowing that his shixiong would take it, and then closed the door behind him. This wasn't a conversation to have close to this room.

He lead them downstairs instead, dodging the questions until he was outside to clean the basin.

Then, he explained. "I need you to investigate." He started with a weight that had Liu Qingge straighten. "Roughly an incense stick ago, I found Shen-shixiong with a bonding bite. As it currently stands, it is likely that it was forced on him, seeing as it is healing and there was bruising to suggest he was held down."

"I will do a thorough exam in a bit, however Shen-shixiong is in shock and shouldn't be bothered too much right now. I need you to investigate this incident so that we can share the details with Zhangmen-shixiong once he arrived tomorrow morning."

Liu Qingge nodded, of course, and then took charge of the conversation. "Anything you can tell me about how you found him?"

"He was standing around the corner from here. He held pressure on the wound but was in shock. From the way he was standing I assume he walked at least a bit before stopping again."

He nodded again, then continued, "He was supposed to be in his room, right? Did he say anything about leaving?"

Mu Qingfang shook his head. "I hadn't known he was gone until I found him."

"Then I need to check his room first, to track the scent."

Mu Qingfang shook his head, then tilted it. "You can't currently go in, the wound isn't bandaged yet. But you can come in once he's dressed, if he agrees to it."

Liu Qingge wasn't thrilled, that much was obvious, but he evidently also wasn't going to overstep Shen Qingqiu's boundaries. He was anxious to get started, to find a scent and track it until he found the one who thought this was a good idea. It might even make a satisfying fight, considering he bit a peak lord. Shen Qingqiu was a good opponent, when his health didn't mess with him.

As Mu Qingfang went back upstairs, he stayed outside to look for where Mu Qingfang had found Shen Qingqiu. There was still a faint smell of blood in the air from where he was led inside, so he followed it until it got a bit stronger. Another trail, fainter because of time passing, lead away from the house. He looked around, analyzing, for a reason his shixiong might have stopped here. There was nothing, until he heard noise from the window above him and realized that it led to the exact room Shen Qingqiu claimed as his own.

He filed that away, then turned to follow the trail. It trailed off after just a minute though, leaving him with nothing but a rough direction. This would have been easier if Shen Qingqiu didn't suppress his scent completely at all times. If he had a healing bite though, didn't that mean that he was an Omega, not a beta? There was no way to tell with him hiding like that.

He turned back, needing to look through the room for clues and then he could look around in the direction the trail led. Maybe he would go around the house to see if anyone had been sneaking around.

Continuation of this (Omegaverse where Omegas can reject a bond)

Shen Qingqiu stood there, frozen, as Luo Binghe ran after apologizing. He stared at the wall, mind not comprehending any of this. The bite was bleeding, soaking into the collar of his robes and then slowly staining it further but he didn't quite notice.

Finally, he got himself to move. He should put pressure on the wound so it doesn't ruin the robes. He glanced down and almost lost all motivation again. They were already stained. The blood had spread, not so much but enough that he didn't think it was worth worrying about anymore.

Not that he could feel a lot right now. Still, he told himself as he got out a handkerchief, the wound still needed to be tended to. He pressed it onto the bite, and then stood there again, listless and lost at what to do now.

Get somewhere safe, he supposed. Somewhere that wasn't here. Get out of the alley, get onto a street. Walk.

He turned back the way he came from. He had mostly run in a straight line, which was stupid now that he was walking back and thinking about it. He should have taken more corners. Not that it would have changed the end result though.

Getting back to the weapon shop he was faced with another problem to stare at. He had gone out of the window, and the room wasn't ground level. He could jump up with his cultivation, of course, but was that an ok thing to do with the wound? He probably shouldn't jostle it that much, right? Did that count for a cultivator?

He could go through a door he supposed. Though he wanted to immediately disregard the thought. Someone might notice him walking in. He wasn't even really thinking about why that would be bad beyond the strong impulse not to be seen like this.

But what else should he do? Maybe there was a back entrance? There had to be, this was a weapon shop. There was probably a forge around he hadn't noticed yet.

Still that answer didn't feel acceptable neither, and he wasn't sure how long he stood there waiting for a better solution to arrive before steps became noticable from the side and he froze.

Mu Qingfang had smelled the blood, even in a disease ridden city like this, and had gone out to see who wasn't coming in for his help. Instead of a patient though, he found his shixiong. He didn't notice him until the doctor started making much more noise while walking, and even then, his reaction was delayed.

Shen Qingqiu turned to him, and his eyes didn't automatically focus on him for a second. The wound he was pressing on didn't seem huge, but he knew they didn't have to be. It was close enough to the neck though that he got worried. Especially with Without-a-cure messing with his healing speed. The delayed reactions worried him much more though. He had seen him injured worse and pretend everything is fine.

Something was wrong. But he wouldn't know what it was until he treated him.

"Shen-shixiong." He called out as he walked towards him at a calm pace. Hurrying might startle him in that state.

Shen Qingqiu blinked, then replied "Ah, Mu-shidi" with a mumble that was unlike him. But his eyes were focused and watching him approach. He didn't step away though when his shidi got close.

"Come" the doctor said simply, hovering a hand over his back to get him to move towards the door with him. He moved, steady but oddly absent as he was led to the door, then to his room and sat on the bed. Mu Qingfang only left shortly to get a basin of water and a small table before returning to find him sitting exactly as he was left. His eyes were clouded and unfocused again.

"I need to see the wound, Shen-shixiong. I will move your hand and the handkerchief away." He would have usually asked him to give him room to work but in the state he was in, Mu Qingfang wasn't sure he was registering the words until seconds later.

He moved the hand clutching the handkerchief and understood why he was in the state he was. There, plain as day, was a healing bite mark on his bonding gland. One that was slowly healing by the looks of it.

He understood the implication. This would need to go to the Sect leader. And, the doctor understood, he would need to do a full exam to make sure that this was the only thing that happened to him. He needed Liu Qingge back too, to investigate while Mu Qingfang did his part. For now, he removed the bloody handkerchief and started washing his shixiong's hands.

"I need you to undress so that I can bandage the wound," he said to him, " move slowly, I will help with anything that needs this shoulder.

He waited, counting the seconds, until Shen Qingqiu agreed and started fiddling with the ties. Mu Qingfang, in the meantime, turned to the side to write a quick emergency message to Liu Qingge to get him to return.

He sent it off through the window, and then turned to see Shen Qingqiu waiting for him. His first few layers were untied so he likely needed help getting the robes off.

-

I'll write the next part later.

[lithium223]

[serickswrites]

Tell Me Now

Part 2

Warnings: threats of death, mayhem, destruction, blood, knife, stabbing, self sacrifice

Villain pressed at the shallow cut on their shoulder. Superhero had caught them off guard when Superhero had charged them, knife in hand. Still, the wound bled freely.

Villain was tired. More tired than they had been in a while. Superhero had destroyed the city trying to punish Hero. And Villain could not stand idly by while that happened.

They crouched in front of Hero, who pressed was holding pressure on a deeper stab wound in their own leg. "Sweetheart," Villain began.

"No, don't. Don't say it," Hero said, sounding as hopeless as Villain had ever heard. "If you say it, it will be real. Please, you can't tell me now. Please. It will be real. It isn't real."

Villain leaned over and planted a kiss on Hero's forehead. "I love you. I love you. I love you."

Before Hero could reply, Villain rose and turned to face Superhero. "You can't hurt them!"

Superhero smirked. "I can do whatever I want. I'm Superhero."

Villain glared coldly at Superhero. "I won't let you."

Superhero chuckled darkly. "That's cute. I'm going to rip Hero apart piece by piece. I'm going to stab them over and over until there's nowhere left to stab." They held up a bloody knife. "And I'm going to enjoy it. It's what they deserve for betraying me."

"You'll have to go through me." Villain dropped into a fighting stance as they spoke.

"No!" Hero cried behind them.

Superhero charged forward, "This is going to be fun. Two for one special!"

[sheppardsmckay]

Whumptober2023

No. 28: “We might not make it to the morning; so go on and tell me now.”

[oxideblack]

[maschals]

Oct 28 - We might not make it to the morning, so go on and tell me now

This isn't very serious but it fit too well for me so here we are. S1 Martin is just an unfulfilled romcom protagonist to me.

[ilkkawhat]

you've heard of anxiety attacks now get ready for guilt attacks

[cyhyr]

Whumptober Day 28. “We might not make it to morning, so go on and tell me now.”

Last dialogue-only drabble of the event!! Do they have a sleepover the night before they go to fight Shigaraki? No idea! They do in this Verse!! This is def inspired by the prompt but by no means does it follow it lol plz roll with me. Tagging for Whumptober: @atereal @oneinist

~

“Kacchan—”

“Nope.”

“But we—”

“Go to sleep, Izuku.”

“Would you just—”

“Damnit, Deku, no.”

“Why not?”

“Because I want you to save it for when we’ve won.”

“But what if we don’t?”

“We will.”

“Kacchan.”

“We will. And once you’ve beaten that shriveled bastard, once he’s no longer a threat… Once we can come home and relax and the world puts you on that damn pedestal you deserve. Then you can tell me everything.”

“What if… I don’t make it?”

“Shut up. You’ll make it. Stop it with the what if’s and the buts and go the fuck to sleep.”