#'oh my god you fucking entitled brat shut the fuck up and sit down'

[ultranos]

Gender politics of East Asian cultures is not my lane but it's my understanding that a strong preference for boys over girls was A Thing, historically speaking. To what extent do you imagine this is true of the Fire Nation, and how would that impact the dynamic between Zuko (capable but not prodigious, yet oldest and a boy) and Azula (actual prodigy but younger and a girl)?

This is the cultural nuances being signposted by the aesthetics of the Fire Nation, by the bits of culture chosen to be borrowed. So let's bring that to Zuko, the firstborn son, and Azula, prodigy and girl. so incredibly difficult on some levels to see Zuko as sympathetic in that line as he's supposed to be once you realize this context.

s1 of AtLA aired when China still had the One Child policy in effect. This was a policy that lasted from 1979-2015 to control the population size. The modifications in the late 1980s allowed a second child if the first child was a daughter. After a son or two children were born, birth limits were enforced with use of contraception, abortion, and sterilization. This is now seen in the population statistics, where China has somewhere between 32-36 million more men than women due to the policy (despite the fact that sex-selective abortions are illegal in China, there is a very strong preference for a son over a daughter).

The utter tone-deafness of that line lies in the fact that based on actual, real world polices at the time, based on the cultures the show was drawing on? Azula would never have been born. Based on the actual reality of life at the time for a lot of people, she is the one who is lucky to be born at all.

And that's just China. In Japan, while there was no restrictions on birth, there was a major issue facing the Imperial family and Diet, because the Japanese Constitution states that only males in the direct line of succession can inherit. And at the time, neither of Emperor Akihito's sons had a son, meaning that there was a brewing crisis and fierce debate on if a woman could inherit. As it is now, Prince Hisahito was born in 2006, which means he'll inherit while his elder sisters (11 and 15 years his senior) will, by law, lose their titles when they marry.

Yes, that is not historical. That is the actual state of affairs. Today. In 2021.

But that's the real world. Thing is, the cultural preference for sons is not new and it is extremely deeply rooted. The entire theory of government in Dynastic China, which influenced the rest of East Asia, was based on the relationships between fathers and sons (Confucianism).

This is the cultural nuances being signposted by the aethetics of the Fire Nation, by the bits of culture chosen to be borrowed. So let's bring that to Zuko, the firstborn son, and Azula, prodigy and girl.

Do you know what Zuko's rant says to me, as a girl who grew up keeping her head down, letting her male cousin swagger around and talk down to her so as not to "cause problems", because the second it turned out that I performed better than him (that I had dared inadvertently challenge for "grandfather's pride"), my aunt and uncle literally forgot my name?

His rant says to me "I am the one people, that my father, should be looking at, because it's my right. I am the son. I am the firstborn son. How dare my younger sister be so much better that she takes any of his attention, because that attention is rightfully mine. How dare my younger sister make me work."

Zuko isn't supposed to be saying that. Zuko isn't supposed to be drowning in a sense of entitlement deeper than the Marianas Trench. We're supposed to hear that and understand that Zuko is scrappy and never gives up and was ignored because he couldn't meet an impossible standard.

But the fucking framework around it, the cultural clues that scream in the background, doesn't let that message happen. The framework makes Zuko sound like an entitled idiot at best and a complete hypocritical asshole at worst.

Because Zuko is the firstborn son. He's lucky to be born into a position of absolute privilege, the child that society favors and smooths the way for. Azula was born lucky, because she needed to be born a literal prodigy to compete with Zuko at all.

[matth1w]

I was wondering if you could write this please: Imagine being Lucifer Morningstar’s long term girlfriend but as a result of fearing the relationship isn’t going anywhere she leaves him. Then after some time she’s a witness in an investigation and Lucifer later will propose to her? Thank you!!

Witness

Pairing: Lucifer Morningstar x Reader

Summary: After the fear of your relationship going nowhere, you end things with Lucifer. End of the story, right? Well you just so happen to witness a drive-by and get wrapped up in the Devil again.

Warnings: Breakup, angst, language, some anxiety/panic

Rating: Everyone

Word Count: 4,715. Yes, you read that correctly, 4,715 words.

Note: This is mostly sad but does have a happy ending. I hope you enjoy this, Nonnie. It certainly took a life of its own!

Tags: @kittenlittle24

As a wedding photographer, you were definitely put off with the whole overpriced over the top wedding culture that infected LA. And you had to deal with a plenty couples and guests that were just straight jerks, entitled brats, and thought they could do your job on the freaking iPhone 4.

That said, sometimes it did get to you. You wanted it. Well some of it. None of the family arguments or drama but the ability to stand with your partner and dedicate yourselves to each other in front of your family and friends.

But alas, that didn’t seem to be in the cards for you. You and Lucifer had been together almost five years now and there was nothing that indicated he wanted to take the next step with you.

Sure marriage seemed trivial when you were with the literal Devil, but you couldn’t help but want something more. Of course you trusted him, you knew his flirting was harmless and he would never think of acting on his - or someone else’s - desires.

But… still

Sure you should talk to him like an adult and tell him how you were feeling but that doesn’t always happen.

You had come home after a Sunday wedding, a Catholic one nonetheless. With a full mass. And a reception across town from the ceremony. To say you were exhausted was an understatement.

The only consolation was that the couple was going on a technology-free honeymoon for a few weeks and wouldn’t be bothering you for photos tomorrow like some clients.

Sore feet, a slight headache, and just general annoyance were plaguing you. So it’s no wonder a fight broke out.

You were pouring yourself a glass of water when the elevator doors opened, revealing Lucifer. You paid him no mind but apparently he had other plans.

“Another wedding?”, he sighed as he gave you a once over.

You frowned at that, “Yep”, you bit back with a touch too much of bitterness.

“I don’t understand why you insist on doing those silly things.”

You slammed your glass down.

“Silly?” You spat. “Silly, Lucifer?”

He was looking at you, shocked but annoyed at your outburst.

“Yes, silly, darling. They’re just excuses to party and for women to pretend like they’re the most important princess in the world.”

You stepped forward and pointed your finger at him.

“Newsflash, Morningstar. Some people just want something more than being boyfriend and girlfriend for the rest of their lives.”

“Rest of their lives? Is this about us? It’s only been five years, Y/N.”

“Yeah, and some of these fucks get married after one. It’s been five years, Lucifer, and nothing has changed. You haven’t mentioned marriage once aside from criticizing my clients.”

“And what? You want to get married? Is that what this is about?”

“Yes, for God’s sake!”, you shouted.

“Well why didn’t you just say that?”

“Because, Lucifer, I know you don’t. And seemingly never will.”

His eyes narrowed at that. “And you’re so sure of that? Without having even spoken to me?”

You crossed your arms and looked at him accusingly.

“You want to get married?”

Lucifer paused at that, mouth open but saying nothing.

“That’s what I thought.” Tears started to build up in your eyes. “Well. I think that shows this isn’t meant to be. Wish you wouldn’t have wasted so much of my time.”

“Y/N….”

“It’s over, Lucifer. I’ll get my stuff and get out of your life by the end of the week.”

You didn’t look back as you stepped into the elevator and let the doors close.

— — —

15 months later...

‘Oh fuck’, was your first thought.

Not because there was a dead person in front of you, but because you witnessed it. And because you witnessed it, you’d need to go down to the station. And you just knew you would run into Lucifer.

You looked down at your phone to send a text to Dan. You hadn’t spoken since you and Lucifer broke up so you kept it brief. Hopefully he’d give you a break.

-Just witnessed a drive-by on 15th & Hill. Can I give my statement at a later time when you know who won’t be there?-

Your phone rang and you cursed. You thought about just shutting off your phone but you knew that would just cause more trouble.

You clicked accept and brought the phone to your ear.

“Hey D-“

“Are you alright, Y/N? Are you still on the scene? Stay where you are. We’re on our way.”

“Dan! I’m fine. I’m fine.” You pressed.

“And who do you mean by we? I’d prefer to not have to see anyone I don’t need to.”

“Sorry, Y/N, but Chloe and Lucifer are already on their way to the scene. I can be the one to take your statement but I won’t be able to get there before them.”

‘Great’, you thought.

You sighed, “That’s fine, Dan. See you soon.”

“See you soon.”

You hung up and looked around. A small crowd had begun to form.

‘Might as well try to blend in’.

You spent the next few minutes on your phone, trying to blend in with the crowd and keep your head down.

A throat pointedly cleared behind you and you knew who it was before you turned.

You met the eyes of Lucifer, unable to look away. He was trying to mask whatever emotions he was feeling and gave you a fake sugary sweet smile.

“A little douchie told me you witnessed the shooting. I have to say I’m glad you’re alright but I’m rather surprised you called Daniel. Actually, I guess I’m not since you blocked my number and all that.”

You looked down. You didn’t want to just go out and say ‘I was trying to avoid you because I was - and still am - broken hearted’, so instead you just looked away.

“Lucifer!”, Chloe yelled from her place above the body.

She looked at you and smiled with a visible amount of pity clear on her face.

“Well. If you’ll excuse me, Y/N.” He said with a huff, shrugging his suit jacket and straightening his cuff links.

Cuff links, you noted, that weren’t the ones you had gotten him for your third anniversary and had worn ever since.

You let out the breath you had been holding and slumped as he walked back to the scene.

Thankfully, Chloe was able to keep Lucifer preoccupied for the next few minutes until Dan arrived.

You felt mixed feelings seeing your old friend and ex-boyfriend’s coworker but relief overcame everything else.

At least you could get out of there.

Dan walked over to you with open arms. You accepted the hug and gave him a thankful smile.

“Well, wanna hop in and head over to the station? Shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

You shrugged, “Sounds good. Thanks again, Dan. Hope I’m not being too much of a bother.”

He waved his hand, “Nah, gives me a chance to get some fresh air. Plus I haven’t seen you in forever.”

You gave an awkward smile at that and didn’t comment. You didn’t know what all Lucifer had said about your breakup and realized how awkward the situation was.

Biting your tongue, you walked to the car and hopped in. Thankfully, Dan was pretty silent, turning on the radio to instead fill the air.

Once at the station, you walked in and were hit with a wave of memories. You would often come down to grab lunch with Lucifer, help celebrate birthdays, or bring treats to help when the team was dealing with a difficult case.

You tried to steel your face but Dan was already looking at you.

Thankfully he didn’t say anything. Opting instead to lead you to the interrogation room.

Once inside you sat down at the metal table. You took a moment to breathe, just trying to get through this then you could go back to how things were.

When you looked up at Dan, you saw him standing by the door, looking somewhat nervous.

“Hey, uh, can I ask you something?”, he asked while moving to sit down across from you.

You nodded. Fairly certain what he was going to ask about.

“What happened with you and Lucifer? I mean... you guys seemed lso happy.”

“Lu didn’t tell you?”

“Nah. None of the details anyway. Just that you had some big fight and he was an idiot about it.”

You chuckled dryly. “Yeah, that’s one way to put it. I mean, I was too. Probably more so than him.”

You cleared your throat, “Anyway, that’s behind me. I mean it’s been over a year, it’s time to move on.”

“You really think so?”, Dan asked.

“Yeah. Well I’m sure he already has. And then some. So I might as well...” you saw Dan looking at you like you sprouted another head. “What?”

He laughed, “Nothin’. I just...” he cocked his head and paused, trying to think of how best to phrase it.

“Between you and me, that’s not the case.”

You gave a half smile, knowing what he was trying to say.

“And who knows? It might be worth trying again.”

“I don’t think there’s any fixing things.” You sighed and lowered your head.

Dan gave you a gentle nudge on the shoulder across the table. Like he had so many times before.

“People reconcile all the time. I mean, look at me and Chloe.”

You looked up again at that.

“You two are officially back together?”

“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “Surprisingly it’s thanks to Luc-“

He coughed awkwardly. “Well. Anyway... want to get into your statement?”

You sighed. Relieved to be talking about the shooting rather than hear more about your ex.

— — —

You stood up after giving your statement to Dan. He went to open the door but paused.

“Hey, I know things... you know... Anyway, it was good seeing you, Y/N. Even under these circumstances. You don’t have to be a stranger.”

You smiled sadly at that.

“Yeah. It was good to see you too. I’m happy to hear about you and Chlo.”

Dan smiled and pressed the file in his hands.

“Well, ready to go?”

“Yep. No offense but I just want to go home.”

He laughed in response to that, “Yeah I get that. Lucifer always said you never liked the whole crime thing.”

You started to laugh but fell silent, realizing how easy it was to fall back into your friendship with Dan and just how much you missed your old life.

Dan opened the door for you and you walked through. Unhappy but not surprised at the sight before you. Lucifer stood on the bottom of the stairs.

“Hey, you good?” Dan muttered to you, placing a hand on your shoulder.

You kept your eyes on Lucifer, who prickled at the sight of Dan touching you.

You looked away and smiled at Dan.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

You walked up to Lucifer and smiled briefly before having to take your eyes away. It was hard just being near him. Looking into those beautiful brown eyes was simply too much.

Lucifer smiled softly at you, that cautious, nervous smile he wore when you two had first started dating.

“Let me drive you home?”

You wanted to agree but then remembered home wasn’t what it had been for so long. Now you were in a new home. And you were unsure about letting him inside it. It was a sanctuary from him. You tried desperately to focus on life without him and it helped having a place he had never been.

“I...” you were unsure of what to do until you saw the pleading look in his eyes. You relented.

“Sure”

You walked side by side with Lucifer, and it felt so strange not holding hands or being close. You stopped once you entered the parking garage. For some reason your didn’t realize you’d be taking the Corvette.

You had so many memories in the passenger seat of that car. Driving through the hills and the wind flowing through your hair, late night drives with music blasting and singing together at the top of your lungs, holding hands on the shift, peppering kisses on his cheek and lips at red lights...

It was too much.

All too much.

Tears started to come forward and you sniffled, trying to conceal your emotions but only achieving in alerting him. I mean, you had stopped in your tracks at the sight of the Corvette and were now trying not to cry. But still, it was embarrassing.

And how would you ride in his car next to him? Being so close to him, in the car you two shared so many memories in, taking him to your new home.

House, not home. He was home. And nowhere you were without would ever be home.

Too much.

You wrung your hands, starting to panic. “I, uh, thanks for the offer Luci, but I actually forgot something inside so go ahead without me.”

It was a shitty lie that you knew Lucifer saw right through, angelic abilities or not. He looked down and tossed the keys in his hand before putting them back in his pocket.

“Right. Well, have a good night, Y/N/N.”

He tried to smile at you but it was just a pitiful look. You met his eyes once more, trying to ignore their shiny mistiness that matched yours.

You smiled one last time, knowing the dam would break any moment. You couldn’t trust your voice so you simply nodded and turned around to walk back.

Once you exited the garage and out of sight, you let out a sob as your back hit the concrete wall. This was all too much. There was too much pain, guilt, regret, and still... love.

That’s what was hardest about seeing him again. The love that was still there and would never leave.

— — —

Once the Uber dropped you off and you went inside your house, you slumped against the wall.

That night, all you could bring yourself to do was cry yourself to sleep.

— — —

The next morning you woke up to a missed call and voicemail. It was from the number you had blocked, then unblocked, then deleted, but never forgot.

You pressed the phone to your ear and heard the soft voice your heard a thousand times before.

“Hello, love. I’m glad to see my call went through. Though I suppose you’re still ignoring my calls. Or sleeping. You always were a sound sleeper... Anyway, just wanted to make sure you got home alright. The Detective said there’s nothing to worry about with the drive-by. Just a silly turf war so we passed it on the gang unit. So... I suppose we won’t run into each other again. It was nice to see you though, darling. I... I miss you.”

There was an extended pause at the end of the message and you expected more but were only met with silence as the voicemail ended.

You looked down at your phone, finger hesitating above the return call button. You didn’t move, instead letting the screen darken.

— — —

You had been avoiding your phone like the plague all morning and afternoon. Doing everything you could to avoid it. You cleaned the house, did laundry, and took a long shower. But finally, you gave in and grabbed it once more.

You saw no messages or missed calls and decided to make that call before you could think twice.

As it rang, your nerves grew.

‘What would you say? Would he even answer? Of course he would answer. He called you. Said he missed you. But would he answ—‘

“Hello?” His voice broke through your cycle of thoughts. Unprepared, you couldn’t reply.

“Y/N, darling, are you there?”, he said with a edge of worry.

You swallowed before responding.

“Yeah, Luci. I’m here.” Your voice broke at the last word.

“Are you okay, love?” Lucifer sounded understandably even more worried now.

You sniffled and nodded. Not trusting your voice but you realized he couldn’t see you.

“Yeah. I’m- I’m fine. I just uh, got your message.”

Lucifer sighed slightly, relieved you were alright.

“Yes. My apologies if I was too forward.”

You gave a halfhearted laugh, “No, it wasn’t.”

You paused. “I- I miss you too.”

Lucifer was silent. For so long you thought the call had been disconnected.

“Luci?”

“Yes. I’m- I’m here darling. Can I... see you?”

You smiled and sniffled again. Your tears slightly turning to ones of happiness.

“Yes. Of course. I would... like that.”

“How about tonight then? I’ll close Lux and we can order that Indian food you love.”

You smiled, “You don’t have to close Lux for me, Luci.”

“I’d do anything for you, darling.”

He cleared his throat.

“Anyway, tonight? Seven?”

“Yeah. I’ll... see you then.”

“See you then, my dear.” Lucifer said quietly.

As you pulled the phone away from your ear and ended the call, you felt lighter. Lighter than you had since...

You checked the time on your phone and decided to try to focus on getting ready, rather than think more.

— — —

At 6:55, you were standing outside Lux’s front door. With a shaky breath, you stepped inside.

True to his word, Lux was empty sans Lucifer sitting at the piano, playing an unfamiliar tune slowly. Lost in the song, Lucifer didn’t notice you until you had descended the stairs and were leaning against the bar.

He closed the lid and turned on the bench to you.

“Did you like it?”

You nodded. “Yeah. It was beautiful. Though, I don’t recognize it.”

He smirked. “Well I would hope not. I wrote it myself.”

You couldn’t help but be surprised. In all the time you had known Lucifer he hadn’t written anything. Especially not a full song.

He sighed then gave you a smile that you knew was hiding his true feelings.

‘Something about that song...’

Before either of you could continue, a man entered, carrying bags labeled with your favorite Indian place. Just as Lucifer had promised.

Luci climbed the stairs to greet him and grabbed the food. Slipping an extra hundred in the man’s hand as he held the door open for him.

You smiled at Lucifer as he came back downstairs. “You always were the best tipper.”

He laughed, “What, that? An old friend told me about the importance of tipping and I guess it’s been a habit ever since.”

You looked down and smiled. You remembered that. It was one of your first dates. Like Lucifer said, he was always extra generous after that.

“Anyway!”, he said lifting up the bags, “Ready to eat?”

You nodded, almost drooling. You hadn’t been to the restaurant since last year and you knew by the smell Lucifer had gotten your favorite.

Luci set the table, and by setting the table, you meant taking the containers out of the bag and opening the packets of plastic silverware.

You looked at the food on the table then back to Lucifer as he waited for you to sit. It wasn’t right though. You scrunched your nose without realizing and Luci laughed. That hearty laugh when you did something ridiculous.

“Oh, you haven’t changed one bit, dear. Come, let’s move to the couch.”

You smiled brightly at him, thankful he could remember your quirks.

You two sat down nearby each other, with some room in between, thanks to the large Lux couches compared to the ones he had upstairs.

You filled the air with happy noises of content and talking about what antics Maze and Amenadiel had gotten up to. It was light, fun, and exactly what you needed.

Once your bellies were full, you both sighed happily.

“That was wonderful, thanks Luci. I haven’t had them since...” you trailed off.

He nodded, “Me neither.”

You looked down at your hands, feeling the shift in the mood.

“About that, darling.”, Luci said, scooting slightly towards you.

You furrowed your brow, “Do we have to?”

Lucifer smiled at your whine. “Unfortunately, I think we do.”

At your silence Lucifer cleared his throat.

“I’ll start.” He looked at you and waited until you met his eyes.

“I’m so terribly sorry for everything I said and more so for the things I didn’t.”

You nodded, biting your lip and trying to hide the tears that were soon to come.

Lucifer scooted closer to you and placed his hand on your back, hesitantly and then more firmly after you hadn’t shaken it away.

“Darling, you have to understand the whole marriage thing was so foreign to me. And the whole swearing before Dad bit just seemed ridiculous.”

At your pointed look he stopped speaking for a moment.

“What I’m trying to say is that I didn’t realize it was so important to you. And I’m sorry. I should have asked. I assure you, if I had known I would have married you the day I met you, Y/N. I knew from the moment I met you you were the one for me.”

“Are you just saying that?”, you questioned. Somewhat insecure.

“No. Of course not, darling. You know I can’t lie.”

At your small smile he continued.

“After you left, I was broken, lost. And when I realized what a mistake I had made, I wanted nothing more than to make it right.”

“So why didn’t you?”, thankfully the tears hadn’t come and your voice was stronger.

“You looked happy,” he sighed. “You seemed to be doing things you always spoke about doing. I didn’t want to ruin that. I thought you were better off.”

“I wasn’t better, Luci. I was just as broken and lost as you were. The reason I was trying new things was because I had to distract myself. It was the only way for me to keep going.”

You leant your head against his shoulder with a sigh. “I’m sorry too, Luci. I should have spoken to you about it earlier. And I shouldn’t have blown up on you like I did.”

You pulled back to look up at him.

“I’m so sorry, Luci. I’m a terrible idiot.”

He smiled down at you and caressed your cheek softly.

“I forgive you, darling.”

The sincerity in his voice broke the dam and you let out a broken sob.

He pulled you in tight and let you cry into his chest, mumbling assurances that he forgave you every time you apologized.

You don’t know when you’d stopped crying. Maybe you ran out of tears.

All you knew was that you awoke some time later. Your throat was dry, eyes puffy, and neck hurt from how you had slept. But, you also felt relaxed. Lighter from the confessions and the tears.

You frowned as you were alone. You rubbed your eyes and picked up your phone on the nearby table. Underneath it was a folded piece of paper with your name written in Lucifer’s handwriting.

You opened and read the note.

My love,

My apologies for not being by your side as you wake up and instead having to leave this. I had to go to a scene. I tried not to but the Detective guilt tripped me. Awful thing to do, really.

Anyway, I assume you’re probably sore from sleeping on this couch. I assure you I tried to get you to come to bed or even on the more comfortable couches upstairs but, well, you know how stubborn and persuasive you can be. Especially when you’re half asleep...

I know you have things to do so I won’t expect you when I return. But I do hope to see you again soon, darling.

With love,

Lucifer

P. S. Maze insisted on watching you sleep. Not me.

You looked around and found Maze behind the bar. You jumped, she was always so quiet.

“Maze?”, you asked.

She frowned at you while she pushed away from the bar but when she approached she pulled you into a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re back. Lucifer’s been miserable without you.”

You laughed as you pulled away, “Sorry about that. But I’m not back.”

“But I thought...?”she said with confusion on her face.

“I mean... we just hung out last night. Nothing’s official.”

“Hmmph.” She smirked. “But from what Lucifer told me, you’ll be back.”

You shook your head in happy exasperation.

“Oh Maze. I could always count on you to say the things Lucifer was always too afraid to.”

Maze smiled proudly at that,

“Like how he wanted to marry you?”

You practically choked.

“I’m sorry, what??”

She shrugged, but had her signature smirk.

“Yeah...” she said with fake nonchalance, swirling her drink.

“He had a ring for over a month. But kept backing out because he was ‘unsure you would want to marry the Devil’.”

She added with air quotes at the end.

“And even though I’m dedicated to Lucifer for the rest of eternity, I totally take your side on this one. Dumbass said he didn’t need to talk to you about marriage and already knew how you felt. Saying you didn’t like weddings or something because you were always so sour after shooting them. And I told him, well maybe you were sour because you wanted to stop working them and have your own. But you know how Lucifer is.”

She rolled her eyes and took a quick swig of her drink.

“Once he gets a self-deprecating thought in his head, he can’t get it out. Ugh, daddy issues, am I right?”

You laughed, oh how you missed Maze.

— — —

“So are we doing this?”, you whispered into his chest as he held you tight that night.

He moved his head so he could smile softly down at you.

“Yes, I do believe so.”

You smiled back at up him.

“One condition.”

At his raised eyebrow you smirked.

“You have to ask me out again. You’re not getting off so easily, Luci.”

“Getting off, you say?” With a chuckle. But then he got more serious.

“But I’m afraid I can’t do that darling. Well, rather, I don’t particularly want to.”

Your heart dropped and face fell.

“What?”

“I don’t want to ask you out again.”

“But —“

Lucifer pulled away from you and reached into the pocket inside his suit jacket.

“Darling. I don’t want to simply be boyfriend and girlfriend again. I want you...”

He dropped to his knee, maintaining eye contact with you.

“I want you to be my wife, Y/N.”

You gasped, frozen in place.

“Darling, the moment I met you was the best of my life. And I’m so sorry for not asking sooner, but please. I’m asking now. Will you marry me?”

You stared at Lucifer on his knee before you, holding up a velvet box with an otherworldly beautiful ring inside. Your vision began to blur, and you hastily wiped the tears away.

Seeing him clear before you, nervous, in love, and vulnerable, you couldn’t help but laugh. You brought your hands to his face and gave him a searing kiss that spoke volumes, full of apologies, love, and dedication.

As you pulled back, lips lingering, and pressed your forehead against his, you opened your eyes to stare into his.

“Yes”, you whispered, nodding and smiling. Starting to tear up again.

Lucifer’s face lit up with joy.

“Yes?”

“Yes!” You exclaimed, your smile matching his.

You both looked down as Lucifer took the ring from the box and slipped it on your finger.

You admired its intricacy and perfection for a moment before looking up at your now fiancé.

“I...” you began, trying to quell the tears.

“I... thank you, Luci.”

He laughed at that, unable to stop smiling.

“Darling, I’m the one who should be thanking you. You’re the light of my life.”

You smirked, unable to help yourself. “That’s rich coming from you, Morningstar.”

He closed his eyes and groaned. Trying to hide his smile.

“Back to the puns are we?”

You laughed and automatically responded, “You love me!”

You paused. Partially at the old phrase and at his serious face. Lucifer stroked your cheek.

“I do, my dear. I never stopped and never will.”

[softbens]

Taste You → Ben Hardy

pairing: ben x f!reader

warnings: nsfw 18+. rough(ish). angry sex. choking. finger-sucking. orgasm denial/control. unprotected sex.

prompt: fuck me like you hate me, kiss me like you miss me.

author’s note: this is a part two of bite me, can be a stand-alone.

It’d been days since your altercation with Ben. Nothing much happened, a heated makeout session and then the boys flooded in. And you hadn’t seen him since. It was strange, you were looking forward to his teasing and baggering and the days without him left you disappointed. You’d never admit it, but you missed it.

“Dang Y/N, who’d you hook up with? A vamp?” Gwilym commented as he walked into the dressing room. You scowled at him, tugging your scarf back around your neck. “No, seriously I would like to know.”

“Know what?” your breath caught in your throat. There he was standing in all his glory. Benjamin fucking Jones with a shit-eating grin.

“Y/N’s got a gnarly bruise on her neck. Wanted to know if she hooked up with a vampire or an animal.” Gwilym shrugged his shoulders as he placed himself next to you. Ben’s smirk was priceless, and it was because of your reaction.

“Don’t think she hooked up. How could anyone sit through the sound of her voice?” Ben retorted, cocking his head to the side at you. You rolled your eyes. You knew he was trying to get a rise out of you.

“Got it from some fucker. Fortunately, I didn’t get to shag. Felt it would’ve been a bad lay.” you turned your head to Gwilym with an innocent smile. Your ears perked up at the sound of Ben’s low growl. Gwilym seemed to notice the tension rising. His eyes were slightly squinted, juggling back and forth between you and Ben. He did not want to be a part of... whatever this would turn into, so he ventured away without a glance back.

Before you knew it, Ben was over to you in seconds, pulling your scarf from your neck, his hand replacing the accessory. He roughly pushed you back until your back met the wall, pinning you there, his hand shamelessly wrapped around your throat.

“A bad lay, huh, princess?” he was seething. You were begging him to keep his hands and mouth on you that day. But your words spoke something else. You only giggled at his anger. His hand tightened, a moan leaving your lips. “You’ve got a mouth on you, you know that?”

“You didn’t fuck me. Why Benny boy? You’ve nothing to be embarrassed of.” you coo’d sweetly. You were egging him on, he knew that. Without thinking, he shoved two of his fingers in your mouth. You liked it. Your cheeks hallowed around his fingers, sucking lightly as your eyes pierced his green ones. Fuck, you were going to be the death of him. You let go of his fingers with a delicate ‘pop’ and Ben’s eyes drilled into yours. He wanted this as much as you did, if not more.

“Do you wanna be a good girl for me?” Ben asked lowly. The mischievous glint in your eye gave him your answer already. Within seconds, you were spun around, your stomach against the wall as Ben lowered himself to his knees. He lifted your green sundress with a low groan, smacking your ass at your lack of panties. He gave it another swat, a tiny yelp leaving your lips. Ben was quick to press his lips against the flesh, soothing the pain as he kneaded the other cheek. “Have you no words for me now? You surely had a lot to say earlier, didn’t you princess?”

“Still do,” you gnawed on your bottom lip as Ben lightly bit your ass. He hummed against it.

“Go on then.”

“I think you’re a prick who thinks he’s entitled to everything.” thwack. “You get under my skin because you know it bothers me, which makes you a grade A asshole.” spank. “You think you’re humble, but really you’re a fucking brat.” smack. Moan.

“God, you’re dripping baby.” Ben groaned, throwing his head back as he shut his eyes. He was in disbelief. He wanted you so bad, but he was holding himself back. He swiped his fingers in between your folds and you were so needy for his touch, you gasped at the feeling.

“Please,” you whimpered.

“Nuh uh, I asked you if you wanted to be a good girl, you had that option. Now, look what you’ve done to me.” another smack to the ass and you knew you’d feel that burn in the next coming days. He gently prodded his two fingers in between your folds, your walls clenched around them, praying he wouldn’t pull away from your warmth. He started with a slow pace, it was enough for you, but you were needy from the beginning. You needed more.

“If you’re gonna fuck me, do it or else I can get Joe to make me feel good.” this time, he slapped your ass with so much force, your body jolted forward into the wall, a desperate whimper emitting from your throat.

“You are a needy little thing, aren’t you?” Ben huffed as he curled his fingers, picking up speed like no other. Your jaw fell slack as pant escaped your mouth. You struggled with keeping your legs parted, you felt like you could collapse.

“Love your hands,” you sputtered, shocking him at the change of mood. You were good at moving your mouth after all, he just didn’t expect this. He grunted, becoming distracted with the words spewing from your lips and the sound of your wet pussy around his fingers. “Mmf!-“ a squeal left your throat as he shoved his fingers deeper, his free hand moving to your front. Soon, his fingers found your clit and you couldn’t help it. The more he made you feel good, the more you let him know. “I love it when your fingers play with me.”

“Oh yeah princess?” his voice was octaves lower. He huffed, feeling your walls squeeze him. He didn’t think it could get better than this. But then he imagined it as his cock. He was grateful you couldn’t hear just how filthy his thoughts were.

“Ben, I wanna come,” the whimper was so helpless coming from you. You, usually bold to say shit to him, were asking him. He never thought he’d see the say.

“I don’t think you deserve it just yet.” his fingers slowed down significantly, the movement on your ball of nerves coming to a halt. You puffed air from your cheeks, growing overwhelmed with how quickly your release was snatched away from you. Your body was all hot and shaking, tears welding up in your eyes as Ben pulled his fingers out of you. Your wetness dripped onto the floor, the sinful sound like music to his ears. Ben stood and spun you around. He pouted at the sight of your teary-eyed face.

“Aw, you wanted to come, didn’t you pretty girl?” you wanted to wipe the pout off his face. You wanted to scream at him like you always did, but that was the reason for the denial of your release in the first place. You sniffled, nodding your head as you let out a shaky breath. “Too bad you were a brat.”

“Ben,” you whined, stepping closer to him, gripping his wrist. You wanted to shove his hand back up your dress.

“Ask me nicely baby, and I’ll think about it.” his swollen lips ghosted over your cheekbone as you chewed on your bottom lip.

“I need to come. Ben, please fuck me, wanna make you feel good too.” you tugged at his sleeve, hoping to elicit a reaction out of him. His free hand brushed over your hip, pulling you flush against him as he peppered kisses over your face. “I want you to pound me until it hurts, please Ben, please.” your voice oozed with need. Testing the waters, Ben let you play with the button of his pants. He was already tugging your dress up as you shoved his pants down, along with his briefs.

No warning was given. Ben sheathed himself into you before you could even decipher he was moving. It was what you wanted, wasn’t it? God, the sight of your eyes rolling back was heavenly. You tilted your head back against the wall. You were so tight and warm around Ben, he cursed under his breath, hoping he’d last long.

Before you knew it, he was pulling out of you, taking your breath away as he did so. It was like every time you inhaled, the air would just so viciously leave you as he snapped his hips back against yours, a soft gasping leaving your lips before Ben’s lips enveloped yours. He set a brutal pace, his hand gripping your hip so tight, you were a little excited to see the marks. There. There it was again, the feeling. Your stomach began tightening as the flames in your belly licked your chest. Sure enough, your whole body was a fiery wreck.

“B-Ben,” the sound again. Your walls tried grabbing him tighter.

“Christ-“ Ben sputtered with a pant. He came to a complete halt. With one hand on your hip, he was able to place his hand on the wall by your head.

“Ben!” you were furious at this point. Again, he denied you of your release. Tears were full-on spilling past your tear ducts.

“Relax princess,” Ben breathed, caressing your cheek as his lips brush against your ear. “I’ll give you what you want. Just think, it’ll feel so good.” he murmured. You clenched around him again, a grunt emitting from him as he threw his head back, cursing under his breath. He gripped your thighs, hoisting you up against the wall as your legs wrapped around his waist. “Don’t think a bad lay could get you this needy,” Ben murmured as he rammed into you, emitting a rightful yelp from your throat. Tears were falling down your face, fuck, he felt so good. “I’m a prick who gets everything he wants, right? Well, princess, I want you to come. Come now, or not at all.” he demanded. You didn’t even know if you could. You hadn’t even realized you were that close but with the commanding voice that ruled your body, you were a shuddering mess, cries escaping your chest. You’d never felt euphoria like this.

“Gonna. Tear. You. Apart.” Ben gritted through his teeth, struggling to fuck you through your orgasm as your walls hugged him so tightly. With every firm thrust, you were left wailing. You were a sensitive little thing, a mess. It felt so good, it almost hurt.

“Please, please, please.” you chanted, your eyes stuck in the back of your head as you panted heavily.

“Please, what princess?” he sounded wrecked. You were going to be the absolute death of him. You looked so beautiful. You were completely undone and had fallen apart.

“Come,” you drawled, gnawing at your bottom lip as you looked at him with blown out eyes. You looked so fucked out, you looked like the girl of his dreams. “Fill me up. Make me walk around all day, knowing you’re still a part of me. Want your come buried in me.” Ben slowed his pace, cursing under his breath at your dirty words as he went for deeper thrusts. If that’s what you wanted, it’s what you’d get. You raked your fingers through his hair, tugging at it, sending him through a frenzy.

Ben felt his stomach tighten. He groaned as his spurts of come painted your inner walls, sloppy thrusts following, to ensure his come would stay nested in your body. You kissed along his neck as he slowly stopped moving, coming down from his eternal bliss.

“God, I hate you.” Ben murmured as you nipped harshly at his skin.

“I believe you. You sure fucked me like you did.”

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #300: Reactions of Someone Insulting their Love Ones Part 3 (Variety)

Moxxie and Millie

Random Guy: ('Tch') What kind of woman would ever wants to be married to a fucking pussy-boy like that guy-

Millie: (Immediately Push the guy towards a nearby wall and gives him a Death Glare) Who do you think you are?! Talking shit about my husband behind my back like that?!

Moxxie: Millie! Calm down. Please.

Millie: (Turns to Moxxie with a genuinely sad look) But, Moxxie....He was talking about you behind our backs....

Moxxie: (Gently Grab both of Millie's hands with a Soft Smile) I'm aware of that, dear. But trust me when I say that jackasses like him aren't even worth trouble.

Millie: ('Sigh') I guess you have a point there, 'hon. (Gives Moxxie a loving hug) I just don't want anyone to talk bad about my handsome husband like that~

Moxxie: (Chuckles Lightly as he hugs his wife back) I know you don't, Millie~

Random Guy: Yeah....Go ahead and calm down your tramp of a wife, jackass-

Moxxie: (Rushes over towards the guy and gave him a Death Glare of his own while having him on gunpoint) The fuck did you say about my beautiful wife, bastard?

Random Guy: (Starts Getting Scared Shitless) Uhhhhhhhhhhhh........

Millie: (Rooting for her husband from the distance) Get 'em, sweetie!~

Vantias & Namine

Seifer: That's the new girl? ('Heh') She's even more of a weirdo than I thought she would be. (Chuckling)

???: Hey, Seifer.

Seifer: Yeah? What do ya- (Starts Shutting his mouth quick once he's Sudden gets Surrounded by a group of dark-like creatures in his outter circle)

Vantias: (Standing by a nearby wall) Got yourself a death wish here today?

Seifer: (Starts Getting Scared Shitless) W-W-What the fuck is all of this?!

Vantias: Swarm of Darkness. Friends from the other side or whatever. Really don't take kindly too of you making fun of Namine like that.

Seifer: (Shivering in Fear) S-S-So What if you have some weird army to back you up?! I ain't scared of them!!!

Vantias: (Smirks while Shrugging) You should be. Cause I doubt they know how to hold back to any-

???: VANTIAS!!

Vantias: (Turns to See Namine making her way towards him with a Very Disappointed Glare) Ah shit.

Namine: Stop this madness. Right now!

Vantias: But-

Namine: (Glare Starts Piercing Harder) Vantias......

Vantias: ('Sigh in Defeat') Fiiiiine.....(Snap his fingers which instantly made the Army of Darkness disappear)

Namine: (Place Two hands on her hips) Why on Earth would you try using your darkness to scare Seifer like that? What were you thinking?

Vantias: Okay. In my defense....(Points at a Frighten Seifer) Jock boy over there called you a "Weirdo" behind your back. Couldn't let him get away from that so...I called in the squad to teach him a lesson.....

Namine: (Sigh as she Gently Grabs both of Vantias' hands) Oh, Vantias..... I know from the bottom from my heart that you mean well, but using the force of darkness to scare people is not the way to do it. You know better.

Vantias: ('Sigh') Yeah...I guess I went a bit overboard on the whole Army of Darkness thing. Sorry about that, Namine....

Namine: (Hugs Vantias with a Soft Smile) It's okay, Vantias. I'm really thankful for you always looking out for me.

Vantias: (Starts Blushing a little) Y-Yeah well... we're family, aren't we? I always got your back.

Namine: I know you do.

Seifer: Y-Yeah! That's right! Call off your goons and hang out with a Weirdo, you EMO FREAK!-

Before the bully knows it, Namine rushes over and punch Seifer so hard that he was sent flying towards a nearby wall.

Namine: ('Pants Pants') ('Whew') Well... I'm glad that's over with.

Vantias: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock) (Holy shit.....)

Namine: (Walks Towards Vantias and gently had his hand with a smile) Would you like to get something to eat together, Vantias?

Vantias: (Came back to Reality) Oh! Uhh...Yeah. Let's... do that. (Great...Now I know who else not to pissed off in the near future.....)

Byleth & Her Students

Random Guy #1: Ughhhhhh!!! Another Fire Emblem rep?! Are you serious right now?!

Random Guy #2: Yeah! And she's another swordfighter too! Like we even need more to begin with!!

Random Guy #3: Yeah, man!! She's already a waste of space as it is!!

Random Guy #1: Tell me about!!! Someone as garbage as her has NO rights to in this tournament-

Toon: Oh my God...(Throws down his bag in annoyance) SHUT UP ALREADY!!!!!!

Byleth: (Surprised by Toon's suddenly outburst) T-Toon?

Toon: You know what? No. I have had it up to here with these Self-Entitled Jerkfaces! (Cracking his knuckles) Enough is enough!

Ness: (Irritated) I agree, Toon. It's one thing to try and Insult us on a daily basis, but standing here and Insulting someone who has ever rights to participate in the tournament as much as the rest of us here is crossing the line. And I'm sick of it!

Byleth: Ness, I-

Ashley: (Hair Starts to turn White in anger and irritation) You know....I was hoping to hex some fools today.....

Lucas: (Grabs Ashley's hand) Ashley, wait!.......(Turn towards the three guys with a very rare piercing glare) Let me help you on this.

Ashley: (Squeezes Lucas' hand reassuringly) You're always welcome to help me anytime, Lucas.

Popo: (Step Forth with a hammer) Don't forget about us here too, you guys.

Nana: (Follows Pursuit) Yeah. Count us in.

Hat Kid: (Step Forth while patting her parasol on the palm of her hands with a very not pleased look on her face)..........

Byleth: Childern!

Random Guy #1: Oh shit.....

Random Guy #2: Why does this always happens to us?......

Random Guy #3: Knew we should've kept our mouths shut.....

Random Guy #1: (Turn Towards the angry group of kids slowly walking towards him and his friends) H-Hey, kiddo.....W-W-We don't want any trouble or anything.....

Random Guy #2: (Starts Sobbing in fear) Please have mercy!

Ness: (Unconvinced) Then answer us this.... What's our Professor's name?

Random Guy #1: Uhhhhhhhhhh............ Marth Junior?.......

Ness: (Fire Starts Flaring up from the tip is his fingers) Wrong answer.

Toon: Let's get em!!!

The kids were about to begin their attack when suddenly.....

Byleth: (Stomps her foot which caused the dust from the ground to clear off) ENOUGH!!!

Kids: (Turn their attention towards their Professor)

Byleth: (Took Deep Breath before speaking) Put down your weapons and calm yourselves....please. I understand that you all are doing whatever you can to look after me, but each and everyone of you should realize that violence is NEVER the answer for anything. Especially for something as trivial as this.

Ness: (Starts Looking back and forth at the Random Guys and himself before coming with the horrible realization) Oh my God....We really are becoming like them.....But even worse.....

Toon: (Starts Feeling bad) I guess we really let our anger get the best of us this time, huh?

Lucas: (Slowly Sits down while feeling terrible) Guys, I think I'm starting to feel horrible right now....

Ashley: (Kneels down and hugs Lucas reassuringly)

Ice Climbers/Hat Kid: (Put down their respective weapons while feeling guilty for what they've almost become)

Ness: (Turns towards Byleth with a very sad look) We're really sorry, professor....

Toon: Yeah....We didn't mean to embarrassed you or anything.....

Kids: We're sorry.....

Byleth: (Smiles Softly as Kneels down to her students) It's okay, my dear students. It really does means a lot to me that you would go as far as to defend my honor. The last thing I want for any of you is to let your anger and frustrations get the better of you in a situation like this.

Ness: Yeah.... (Slowly Starts to Smile) You're absolutely right, professor. We'll try to be careful next time.

Kids: Yeah.

Byleth: (Smiles Proudly at her students) Thank you for understanding, childern. I'm really proud all of you right now. (Starts Standing back up while brushing the dust off of her knees) Now then... Let's get back to the academy. Our lessons await us.

Kids: (Cheers Happily) Yeah!

Random Guy #1: (Watches as the Professor and her students starts walking away together) Man....that was even more intense than before....

Random Guy #2: No kidding...... They're even worse than their moms.....

Random Guys #3: Damn right.....

Random Guy #1: (Starts Getting up from the ground and Chuckling) Y-Yeah! You better keep walking you little brats!! Think twice before messing with us-

All of a Sudden, Byleth begins to reappear in from of the three guys in a not so please look.

Random Guy #1: (Squealed in fear)

Random Guy #2: (Scared Shitless) Oh God....not again....

Random Guy #3: Have mercy on us lady! Please!!

Byleth: (Took A Deep Breath before speaking in a Menacing tone) I'm only going to say this one.....Never talk to me or any of my students EVER. Again. Do I make myself clear?

Guys: Yes, ma'am.

Byleth: Good. (Smiles Professional before walking off) Good talk, gentlemen.

@keyenuta

@26shann

@cyber-wildcat

@chompycroc

@ink-correctsmashbrosbloo

@vizziepop-blog

@gengar-sans

@scribblehooves

[sunriserose1023]

Broken Promises (1)

PAIRING: Tony Stark x Reader SQUARE FILLED: Cheating WARNINGS: THIS IS AN AU, ANGST, infidelity, did I mention angst? WORD COUNT: 3932 AUTHOR’S NOTE: Here is the first installment in my latest Marvel Angst Bingo series and this one is a angst-filled doozy. And it’s my first time writing Tony x Reader!

“Daddy!”

Tony smiled as the little girl ran to him, dark, wavy hair loose and hanging halfway down her back. He knelt down, catching her as she threw herself into his arms. He closed his eyes as he embraced her, standing up and settling her on his hip.

“What’s up, Pheebs?”

She shrugged a shoulder, brushing some of her wild hair from her face.

“Mama thinks I broke the angel that sits by the TV.” “Did you?”

Her dark eyes widened.

“No!” “Phoebe Grace Stark, you get your little behind in here right now!”

Phoebe buried her head in Tony’s neck and he didn’t even try to hide his smile. He walked into the living room with her still in his arms, the smile widening when he saw his wife standing in the middle of the floor with her hands on her hips.

“Oh, no. Don’t even try to run to Daddy to play this off. You are in big trouble, little miss.” “I didn’t mean to!”

Phoebe’s voice was muffled from where she still had her face in Tony’s neck. He met his wife’s eyes and you shook your head.

“Do not.” “Is it really that important?” “If she would have listened to me and not thrown that damn ball in the house, it wouldn’t have happened.” “Does it really mean that much to you?” “That’s not the point, Tony.”

Tony turned his head slightly when Phoebe tugged on his ear. She leaned in close and whispered to him.

“Mama said a bad word.”

Tony fought to keep from laughing out loud. He coughed softly instead, whispering back.

“Not something we need to focus on right now. Let me negotiate for you.”

Phoebe nodded, laying her head back down. Tony met your eyes and you shook your head.

“She can’t keep running to you to fix it every time she messes up. She’s got to learn about the consequences of her actions.” “Isn’t that what dads are for? So she can run to me when she messes up?” “I don’t know, is that what Howard did for you?”

Tony winced at that.

“Good point.” “I refuse to raise an entitled brat, Stark. She’s not getting out of this one.”

Tony sighed, kneeling down again and moving his daughter from his shoulder to sit on his knee. She stared at him with her beautiful eyes and he tilted his head.

“Mama’s got a point.” “But I didn’t mean to!” “I know. But if you had listened to her and done what she said instead of what you wanted, we wouldn’t be here.”

Phoebe looked down and Tony moved a hand to push her little chin up, until she was looking at him.

“Kid, you’ve got to listen to your mom.”

Phoebe nodded, and Tony nodded in your direction.

“If you tell her you’re sorry, she might go easy on you.”

Phoebe sighed, and Tony leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She hopped off his knee and he sat back on his heel, covering his mouth with a hand and watching as Phoebe walked to you. He smiled, hiding it behind his hand when you knelt down, taking your daughter’s hands and talking softly. After a moment, Phoebe threw her arms around your neck and you hugged her tightly before she ran off. You shook your head, looking across the room.

“That was a good play.”

Tony shrugged.

“Happens every once in a while.”

You smiled, groaning as you stood to your feet. Tony did the same, walking across the room and taking both of your hands, pulling you close to him and kissing your lips. You shook your head as you looped your arms around his neck, then sighed.

“She’s so much like you.” “Lucky little thing.”

You snorted, laughing when Tony pinched your side. He leaned his head forward and you closed your eyes as his forehead came to rest on yours.

“That damn business trip is this weekend.” “Cancel it. Stay here with your girls.”

Tony smiled.

“I wish.”

He bent his head, lips finding yours in a drawn-out kiss. As he pulled you closer and started to nibble on your neck, you smiled, hand carding through his dark hair.

“Guess I’ll just have to make it one hell of a goodbye, huh?” “Ew, gross!”

Tony kept his arms around you as you turned around, to see both of your daughters with their hands covering their eyes. You smiled, shaking your head, and Tony spoke up.

“If you promise me you’ll always, always think kissing is gross, then I won’t kiss your mom again.” “Deal.”

You pressed your lips together to keep from laughing out loud, watching as the girls lowered their hands from their eyes. Tony nodded.

“I lied!”

He laughed, pulling you in for another kiss, and you laughed into it when you heard the high-pitched squeals of ‘no fair’ that echoed through the living room.

Tony groaned as he rolled to his back, smacking dry lips, trying to swallow on an even drier throat. He sat up and gingerly set his feet on the ground, putting his head in his hands. He whimpered at the pounding in his head, then stood up, eyes still closed as he slowly made his way to the bathroom.

“Ow, damn it. What the hell?”

He blinked open one eye, rubbing his head where he’d bumped it against the wall. He narrowed that eye as he studied the wall, wondering how in the hell someone had rearranged the room so quickly and misplaced the bathroom.

“If you’re looking for the bathroom, it’s over this way.”

Tony went still as a sleepy voice shattered the quiet.

A distinctly feminine voice.

He slowly turned around and looked at the bed just as a woman sat up, yawning widely before tugging the sheets to cover her naked body. Tony glanced down, realizing that he was just as naked. He shook his head, heart beginning to pound in his chest.

“Who—I’m sorry. Who are you?”

She made a face.

“Ouch. Guess I should expect it, though.”

She used one hand to keep the sheets covering her, holding the other out to Tony as she introduced herself. He shook her hand, shaking his head.

“What … I’m sorry. I don’t remem—remember what happened.” “Well, we did have a lot to drink. It’s not that surprising.”

Tony glanced around and found his boxers, grabbing them and pulling them on. He held a hand over his mouth, then met her eyes again.

“I don’t … I’m married.”

Her eyes widened.

“You’re not wearing a ring.”

Tony glanced at his left hand, at the pale strip of skin on his finger where his ring usually rested. He shook his head.

“I don’t know where it is. Christ. I need …” “Are you okay?”

Tony huffed out a laugh.

“Not in the least little bit.”

He gathered the rest of his clothes, pulling them on as the woman climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe. He shook his head, putting his face in his hands for a moment before standing up.

“Where are we?”

She told him, which—thankfully—was the same hotel where he had set up his reservation. He found his wallet in the pocket of his slacks and pulled it out, fishing the key card out of one of the slots, going still when he saw the picture, of his wife and his daughters. He closed his eyes, ignoring the woman’s calls as he left the room and found the elevator. In his room, he tore his clothes off, dropping them in one of the trash cans in the room. He stumbled to the bathroom, hitting his knees by the toilet and throwing up until there was nothing left.

Tony rubbed his hands over his head, then stared at the ground. He missed the entire day of the convention he’d agreed to come to for the company, but that was honestly the furthest thing from his mind. He swallowed, reaching for his phone and picking it up, closing his eyes as he dialed a number.

“Hello?” “Steve, it’s—”

Tony had to clear his throat.

“It’s me. Are you busy?” “Not too much right now. What’s up? How’s the convention?” “I don’t know.” “You don’t know? Aren’t you there? I talked with Y/N earlier and she said you were gone.” “Steve, I did something.”

The other end of the phone was quiet, and Tony went on.

“I … fuck.” “Tony, what did you do?”

He closed his eyes.

“I don’t remember last night.” “Shit.” “I don’t remember anything after getting to my room in this hotel. The next thing I remember is wake … waking up.” “Waking up where?”

Tony hung his head and Steve groaned.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Tony?” “I didn’t do it on purpose!”

Tony hissed out the words, then stood to his feet.

“I don’t know how I got there or who she was. I don’t even remember her name.” “Do you have any idea the repercussions this could have?” “Yeah, I’ve got some semblance of an idea.”

Steve sighed.

“What are you going to do?” “I’m still trying to come to grips with it.” “You know you’ve got to tell her.”

Tony nodded.

“I … fuck, Steve. I swore I’d never do this. How … how could I have done this?”

Tony’s voice broke on that, and he covered his mouth with a hand as he stared at the floor, tears filling in his eyes. Steve sighed.

“I don’t … I don’t know what to tell you. This is totally out of character for you. Do you think you were drugged or something?”

Tony shook his head.

“I don’t know.” “It’s probably out of your system by now anyway.”

Tony ran a hand over his eyes, swiping away the tears from his cheeks.

“Come home. Come home now and tell Y/N and … god. Pray she’ll forgive you.”

Tony nodded, tears welling up in his eyes again.

“I’m going to get started on making sure this stays under wraps.” “I’m sorry.”

Steve sighed.

“Me too. Have a safe flight.”

Tony hung up the phone and fell backwards onto the bed.

You narrowed your eyes when you heard the doorbell ring. You walked to the door, opening it and smiling when you saw your half-sister on the doorstep.

“Jane!”

She smiled widely as the two of you hugged, walking inside as you shut the door behind you. Jane pushed a hand through her hair and gave you a smile.

“Are they ready?” “Who?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“The girls.” “Where are they going?”

Jane’s smile widened.

“Oh, I see.” “Well, I don’t. Little help?”

Jane chuckled.

“Tony called, asked me if I’d watch the girls for tonight.” “Tony’s on a business trip.”

Jane shrugged.

“Hope I didn’t ruin a surprise.”

You rolled your eyes, but smiled.

“Give me five minutes and the little monsters will be ready for you.”

Jane followed you up the stairs, laughing at the chorus of high-pitched “Auntie Jane!” when the girls saw her. She knelt and accepted the hugs her nieces bestowed upon her, helping Phoebe pick out which stuffed animals to bring on the overnight trip while simultaneously answering Allie’s questions about Uncle Thor. No, he wasn’t on a business trip like Daddy. Yes, he would be home tonight. Yes, it was very possible that he would wrestle with them, if they promised not to gang up on him.

You smiled as you packed their bags, accepting the hugs and kisses from your excited little girls, laughing at Phoebe dancing around the room. Allie carried her bag outside and you carried Phoebe’s, loading them into Jane’s car. You transferred Phoebe’s carseat from your car to Jane’s, kissing your sister on the cheek before she drove away.

You were waiting in the kitchen when you heard the door open. You smiled as you walked towards the living room, leaning against the wall.

“Hey, stranger.”

Tony turned to look at you, and the smile slid from your face at the look in his eyes. You straightened, stepping towards him, stopping when he held up a hand.

“Tony, what … what’s the matter?”

He bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut as he gave a shaky breath, lifting a hand to rub at his chest. After a moment, he lifted his head, his eyes meeting yours.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Please say something.”

You sat on the edge of the couch, staring at your hands. Tony was across from you in a chair, breathing so loudly you could hear it across the room. You shook your head, and he sighed.

“Honey—” “Don’t.”

He nodded, looking back down at the floor. You shook your head again, lifting it and giving a shaky breath.

“How could you do this?” “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I didn’t—” “What, you didn’t mean to? Is that what you’re trying to say?”

Tony huffed out a breath, getting to his feet.

“I don’t remember it. Anything about that night.” “Last night, you mean.”

He closed his eyes and nodded.

“I … never would have—” “Yeah, I used to think that, too.”

You got to your feet, pushing your hands through your hair and walking to the window. You crossed your arms over your chest and took in a breath, letting it out slowly.

“Do you think you were drugged?”

Tony didn’t answer, so you turned to look at him. He gave a minute lift of his shoulders, shaking his head. You swallowed, tightening your arms.

“Well, if you were, it’s gone out of your system by now.”

Tony nodded, and you closed your eyes.

“What do you think happened?”

Tony sighed, running a hand down his face.

“I don’t know. I went to the restaurant in the hotel for dinner. Met a colleague there. We had a couple of drinks and … the next thing I remember is waking up in a room that wasn’t mine.” “How many is a ‘couple of drinks?’”

Tony lifted his head and met your eyes.

“You know I don’t do that anymore.”

You let out a hard laugh.

“I used to know everything about you. Now I … I don’t even know who you are.”

He winced, looking back down at his hands. You moved one of your hands to cover your mouth.

“I’m sorry.” “Don’t. Don’t apologize. God.”

You shook your head, giving another rough laugh.

“I feel like I’m going to be sick.” “I was.” “I really don’t want to hear anything from you right now.” “Y/N—” “I literally do not want to hear the sound of your voice at this moment. So please, Tony, for once in your life, shut the fuck up.”

His dark eyes went wide, but he nodded, lowering his head. You looked up to the ceiling, blinking as your mind joined your stomach and began to churn.

“Oh, god. What …”

You shook your head.

“What happens when she shows up pregnant? Because God knows she will. Because that’s my luck, and because that’s what people do these days. And what … what are we supposed to tell the girls?”

You blindly waved a hand, until you touched one of the chairs. You moved to stand behind it, gripping it tightly.

“What are we supposed to tell them when this inevitably gets leaked to the press and people start talking? This could bring down the company, Tony.” “What, and ruin the nice little privileged life you have here?”

Your eyes flashed as you whirled to face him. He gave a laugh as he stood up, walking towards you.

“You scared this will ‘ruin’ us? That we’ll run out of money?” “You asshole. I could give less than a shit about the money. I was talking about your daughters and the legacy they’ll have to live with, that their bastard father couldn’t keep it in his pants!”

Tony’s face fell as you gave his chest a hard push. He closed his eyes as you shook your head, tears filling your eyes as you looked back to the window, walking to grip the back of the chair again.

“How could you do this? The one …”

You closed your eyes, shaking your head. Tony stood across the room from you, tears threatening his eyes. He shook his head.

“I never …”

You swallowed, lifting your head to look out the window.

“Everyone tried to warn me. Everyone. Even your own father.”

Tony shut his eyes at that, and you shook your head.

“And I knew it. I knew exactly what they meant. But I … I told them …”

You shook your head again, turning to face him. He tilted his head when he saw your face, the tears streaking down your cheeks.

“I told them you had changed. That you weren’t the man they all knew anymore. That you—”

You swallowed again.

“That you’d never hurt me.” “Please.”

He rushed forward and you stepped back, shaking your head and moving out of his reach.

“Please, don’t throw all of this away.”

You turned back to him, shock on your face.

“I’m not! You’re the one who did!” “I know I can’t take it back, but—” “What can you do to make it up to me?”

Tony just stared at you and you laughed, not an ounce of mirth in the sound.

“This isn’t some toy of mine that you’ve broken, Tony. This was our family. What we’ve spent ten years building. The children that we tried so hard to have. Do you remember that?”

He slowly nodded, and you choked back a sob.

“And you threw it all away in one night.” “I didn’t throw it away!” “Yes, you did!”

You shook your head, holding your hand up as he started to step towards you.

“I can’t even look at you right now.” “Look, we don’t even know what happened for sure.”

You looked at him.

“If you’re telling me about it, then we know what happened. It doesn’t matter that you can’t remember. If you feel guilty, there’s a reason for it.” “I never set out looking for this.” “Well, that makes me feel better.”

You rolled your eyes, turning back to the window. Tony walked to you and laid his hand on your shoulder, which you violently shrugged off. He took a step back and you shook your head, pushing your hands through your hair again.

“All I can imagine is you touching her, and I can’t—”

You held a hand over your mouth.

“Don’t touch me.” “I’m sorry.”

Tony gave a shaky breath.

“I’m just really so sorry.”

You closed your eyes, crossing your arms over your chest again, in a failing attempt to protect your battered heart.

“Who was she?”

Tony closed his eyes and you turned to face him.

“Tony, who was she?”

He turned his head, opening his eyes to meet yours. You lifted an eyebrow, waiting for his answer and he sighed before shaking his head.

“I don’t … I don’t know.” “What’s her name?”

Tony closed his eyes again and you blinked, mouth dropping open.

“You don’t even know her name?” “I told you I don’t remember anything from last night!”

Tony shoved a hand through his hair, covering his mouth with that hand. He shook his head, then turned back to you, both of your voices growing louder.

“I would take it all back if I could, but I can’t.” “You don’t even know what it is you’re apologizing for!”

Tony shook his head again.

“What do you want from me?” “I want you to leave.”

He blinked, eyes wide.

“What?” “You cheated on me, Tony.” “We don’t know that—” “Yes, we do!”

You shook your head, looking towards the door.

“Just … looking at you makes me feel sick. I—I can’t deal with this right now.” “No, we have to deal with it.”

You closed your eyes, leaning your head back. Tony stepped closer to you, and you took a step back.

“Don’t give up on us.”

Your eyes flashed open.

“What ‘us?’ You ended ‘us’ last night.” “Don’t say that. Don’t you say that.” “You have no right to tell me not to do anything!”

He reached out for you and you smacked his hands away. He was quicker the next time, grabbing hold of your arms and forcing you to look at him.

“Please. I am begging you, don’t give up on me.” “Tony—” “I can’t do this without you. You and my girls … you’re everything to me.” “Tony—” “Y/N, please.” “You’re hurting me.”

At the sound of your soft sentence, the two of you looked to where his hands were gripping your arms tightly. Tony let go of you and you gave a shuddering exhale. His eyes were wide and horrified as he looked at the red marks his hands had left on your arms. He shook his head, crouching down and covering his mouth with a hand. You gave another shaky sigh, tears filling your eyes and a sob escaping your lips when Tony crawled to you, wrapping his arms around your legs. You closed your eyes, letting your hand rest on his raven hair, feeling his tears fall on your bare feet.

After a long, quiet time of the two of you just being still and crying, you spoke.

“I just … I can’t think right now. I’m mad and I’m hurt and I can’t …”

You shook your head.

“I need you to give me some space.” “Y/N—” “Please, Tony. Please don’t make me ruin this.”

He let go of you and sank back on his heels. After a moment, he stood to his feet, turning and walking out of the room. You closed your eyes, stumbling to a chair and sinking into it, burying your face in your hands.

Tony walked back into the room half an hour later. You walked in from the kitchen, heart stuttering in your chest when you saw the bags in his hand.

“I, uh … I’ll stay at the office, or … one of the hotels.”

You nodded, crossing your arms over your chest again, staring at the floor. Tony cleared his throat.

“If you … if you need anything, I—” “Steve or Bucky will come.”

Tony went still, then slowly nodded. He cleared his throat again and you moved a hand to your eyes, tears threatening again. Tony gave a shaky sigh, and you listened to his footsteps walk towards the door.

“Wait.”

He stopped, dropping the bag, catching you as you rushed to him and wrapping his arms around you. You sobbed into his shoulder as he held you, his tears wetting your shirt. You pushed him away and he took hold of your face, both of you crying as you stared at each other.

“I love you, Y/N. Do you hear me? You. I love you.” “Go.”

His hand fell from your face and you shook your head, tears streaming from your eyes.

“Just go.”

Tony swallowed, picking the bag back up. He leaned in and pressed his lips to your forehead, and you closed your eyes, not opening them when you heard the door shut. Instead, you collapsed, slamming your hands onto the hardwood floor, screaming as you cried.

TAGS: @marvelangstbingo, @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan, @captain-rogers-beard, @nuvoleincielo, @fanfictionfindings, @rhapsody-in-flannel

[andy-loves-corgis]

Enough for you (Drake x MC)

Book: The Royal Romance (Future)

Pairing: Drake X MC, 

Rating: M  (a little NSFW-ish)

A/N: @drakewalkerrosenberg asked me about the biggest fight Riley and Drake had, so here it is. It’s also my first take on married Riley and Drake. I hope you enjoy it.

She gripped the sides of the book she was reading, she could hear the faint music coming from the grand ballroom of her estate, they were holding yet another fundraising ball, this time for flood relief in Portavira, she had promised Penelope and Zeke that she would help them a few weeks ago. Of course, it was before her diagnosis.

Preeclampsia.

The word was engraved in the back of her head and all around her 37-weeks belly, she inhaled deeply again, she felt like her whole existence rested on that word, what once was a happy time for her and Drake was now a nightmare.

The doctor asked her not to step aside from politics during that time.

Even though I’m a fucking duchess in the middle of a conflict of interests with other nobles.

He also suggested bedrest, not all the time, but her ever-so-caring husband wouldn’t let her leave the bed for more than 2 hours, and it wasn’t like he was staying there with her, no. As Duke of Valtoria, Drake had to take on her responsibilities, she had even to hire and assistant to him, since he refused to let her into the turmoil of the negotiations with Cormery Isle.

She was so done with being shut down of everything. When her feet touched the ground, she relished on the feeling of the rug on her bare feet, her hand placed upon her swollen belly, they wanted to be surprised on the sex of their baby, maybe only a couple of weeks and the future Duke or Duchess would grace their household.

She walked to her wardrobe her fingers resting on a rosé dress Ana De Lucca has made specially to this night, it would be a shame if it went to waste, she grinned mischievously, Drake could be mad, but she was sure once he saw her it would all be alright.

Slowly she slipped some rhinestones flats on her feet, being careful to avoid her reflection, she hated how she looked like a hot air balloon in anything she wore. She had to remind herself that it wasn’t the reason why Drake has been turning her down for over a month.

He’s just worried, we all are. You need to get out of mommy, little person, so I can have my hot body back.

Riley snuck her head outside their master suite, feeling excited as she was when she met Drake in the shadows, over 4 years ago. Following the waltzing melodies, she made her way through their halls, taking in the beauty of the paintings hanging there, she missed painting too.

Half hi in the shadows, she scanned the crowd looking for him. If she still knew her husband, he would be… yes, there he was, by the bar. She shook her head, making a mental note to scold him to sneak from his own ball to drink.

Her internal smile died when a tall blonde handed him a tumbler of whiskey, her curves accentuated in a silky silver dress, her blonde hair falling in loose curls around her young face, she laughed heartedly brushing her finger in his upper arm patting his hair and laughing again, throwing her locks over her shoulder. Riley’s gaze turned to Drake that seemed unfazed by her little show, though he seemed to be having fun.

It was his assistant. Amelia D’Angelo, 25 years old, had an impressive resumé at such a young age and appeared very serious on her job. Appeared. For a second Riley closed her eyes, breathing in, she couldn’t let her anger take the best of her, it was a health matter.

“Oh my god, Riley!” she heard the fuzzy sound of Hana’s voice near the door. “I’m so happy to see you”.

“Oh Hana, thank you for coming!” she tried to smile. “I’ll come right back, just need find Drake.”

With a brief hug she marched towards the bar but was stopped by another of her best friends.

“Riley, you came. You are so big!” Maxwell’s eyes glinting, his soft hands touching the sides of her belly.

“Thanks Max” she said gritting her teeth, he could be so dense sometimes, she was about to dodge him when another voice caught her attention.

“What are you doing here.” Drake’s voice was one step from showing how mad he was, his lips on a thin line.

Riley felt her rage coming back, as soon as Amelia walked right behind him looking puzzled.

“Could you excuse us?” Riley used the diplomatic tone she took years to perfect and saw as the girl looked at Drake to confirm, making Riley’s nostrils flare.

“What are you doing here, York?” his use of her maiden name, made her think he wasn’t that mad at her.

“I didn’t want the dress go to waste, besides, I miss dancing with my husband.” She missed too many things, to be honest.

“There’s no way in hell I’ll let you hit this dancefloor, you need rest” he said taking her hand, like a parent with a brat child, leading her to her throne, so she could sit.

“I thought you would be happier to see me, but you seemed like you were having so much fun without me.” She used her most sarcastic tone, the one she knew Drake hated.

“I’m always happy to see you, mostly when you’re happily tucked on our bed, taking care of your health.” His whispers hushed.

“Oh sure, so you can fool around with your new assistant?” the words escaped her mouth before she could think about them.

Never before she had seen Drake so outraged.

“Are you insane?” his voice rising.

She tried to even her breath, but the hot anger boiling inside her was making her dizzy.

“See, that’s what I was talking about.” Now he had gone full mad at her.

Drake took her hand as she forcefully shut her eyes to see if the dizziness lessened, he guided her back to their room in a sepulchral silence. He took her out of her dress, not like all the other times he undressed her after balls, this time was if he wanted to get it over with, seating her on the bed and taking her flats, pressing on her skin to check for swelling.

“I texted Amelia, she will take care of the ball, since I will stay here making sure you don’t leave this bed.” Drake got up taking his jacket off and loosening his tie

Riley chewed on the inside of her cheeks.

“Good to know you are text pals now.” Her voice like venom spilling on her chin.

“What is your problem, Riley?” now she was in danger, using her first name was reserved to either when he was calling her name during sex or when he was angry.

“MY problem? You wanna know my problem?” she was about to get up, but his look made her stay sitting, she knotted her robe around her before continuing. “My fucking problem is that you put me on a golden cage, where I’m not allowed to paint, to talk about my damn job, I can’t barely leave this bed!”

“The doctor said you…”

“So I go there to surprise you, fill myself with a little joy before our world becomes our child and find you getting very close to a staff member?” her sight was blurred, and she felt the tears threatening to fall.

“How can you think that?” she had hurt him. “Not only thinking I would be sleeping around with our staff, but that I would be sleeping around in the first place.”

“You don’t even TOUCH me Drake.” Hot and wet strings crossing her face. “You barely look at me twice, so… so I should understand I’m not funny, or hot anymore because I’m sick and could hurt our child.”

She gave in to the sobs, after a few seconds she felt his arms wrap around her. She tried to fight him at first, but he wouldn’t let her go.

“I love you, York. 7 years ago, you came into my life like a distant dream, I would never do anything that could risk what we have.” He whispered in her hair, making her cry even harder. “I’m sorry.”

He laid her on the bed and stroke her hair until her sobs died down and she drifted to sleep.

Two hours later she woke up to a buzzing sound, Drake sound asleep beside her, still wearing his suit. She reached to her nightstand, but wasn’t on her side of the bed, drowsily grabbing Drake’s phone instead.

Amelia Assistant 45 minutes ago: Hello Mr. Walker, just so you know, the party went well, though you were fairly missed.

Amelia Assistant 10 minutes ago: I enjoyed our conversation today and think that our work together is really paying, if you want to relax after everything that happened with your wife, you can meet me.

Amelia Assistant Now: I’m waiting for you at your office.

A breath caught on her throat, she knew that there was something to suspect and it wasn’t her husband, now, it wasn’t the hot-blooded anger she used to feel, it was an icy determination. She carefully moved Drake’s arm from around her and put on her slippers, marching across the halls into her office, which Drake had been using.

“I knew you wanted this too, Mr. Walker…” Amelia turned around, wearing a silky black nightdress and a terrified look on her face once she met the Duchess. “Your Grace, is everything alright?”

“Good evening, Miss D’Angelo” Riley smiled at her, watching her pull the neckline of her skimpy nightdress up. “Please, sit.”

“Do you want me ask someone from the staff for a more comfortable chair for you, Your Grace?” Amelia kept pulling her hair behind her ear.

“Oh that’s very kind from someone wanting to fuck my husband.” Riley’s voice dripped sweetness, but her face was devilish. “Don’t worry, I’ll stand. It won’t take long.”

“Your Grace I wasn’t… I…” she started to speak, but Riley cut her.

“You know that my main flag for this duchy is Women’s Rights and Feminism, so the first thing I did was suspect my husband, someone who took a bullet from me, but I was wrong, I see…”

“I fell in love, he didn’t even bother to bring your name up in conversations.” Amelia’s tone was sharp, disgusted, making Riley rise one brow.

“You see, Amelia. I know girls like you.” She took two steps towards the table. “You think you’re entitled to everything, that you are better than the wives of the men you seduce, you trust your face and your body so much, but if we take all of that, what’s left? Nothing.”

The girl gulped.

“Eight years ago, I was serving tables and Drake was taking care of the stables, and if I had not be given this duchy, I would’ve happily moved back to the U.S with him, to serve tables happily and live in a hole-in-wall apartment, just to sleep by his side every night. He didn’t even bring my name in conversations because you’re not even worthy to hear my name.” Riley stood royally above Amelia, who trembled in fear and anger.

“Are you going to fire me?”  Amelia asked, without meeting Riley’s gaze.

“No.” Riley stated, and the girl looked puzzled at her. “I’d rather see you work every day under the whispers of the staff, who will certainly know about this little conversation, and seeing how a man who respects his woman treats someone who doesn’t. Have a good night, Miss D’Angelo.”

Riley turned to the door and met Drake on the other side.

“I saw the messages and I was about to come and fire her, but I think you handled that pretty well” he smirked, and she rolled her eyes.

“Let’s go back to sleep, this child is throwing a party in my womb” her hand held her stomach as their child moved.

Drake laid with his head on the side of her belly, caressing and whispering to it until they fell asleep.

Riley woke up late on the next day, with the sound of Drake in jeans and white Henley getting in the room with breakfast.

“Rise and shine, my love” he set the tray next to their bed and sat beside her.

“I woke up with a resignation letter on my table. Looks like I don’t have an assistant anymore.” He grinned.

“Oh what a pity.” Riley feigned sadness.

Drake lowered his head to kiss her.

“And I also wanted to say that…” he moved his lips to her ear “Hearing you last night was so hot.”

Riley hummed, biting her lip as one of his hands found her breast, rolling her nipple in his fingers.

“Maybe I can show you how much…” his hands were about to travel south when she held his wrist.

Drake looked puzzled at her.

“Drake, I think my water broke…”

.

Tagging people who might like it: @agent-bossypants; @silviasutton1989; @sleepwalkingelite; @ooo-barff-ooo; @likethetailofacomet

[tysonrunningfox]

Open Flames: Part 7

I did that thing where I existed in my own head about this too long and convinced myself it was awful but then I went and reread it and I’m like, this is fluff with a dash of angst and a splash of funny and Stoick, the thirteen year old brat, and no one else knows what a brat he is so this is fun fuck it.  I outlined and the next chapter is half “shenanigans”.  There are multiple places where I just have to make “shenanigans”.  Don’t let me take myself so seriously, it’s lame and it makes me act lame.  

Masterpost 

When I wake up, Fuse is gone.  I panic, all the emotional rush I was too tired to feel earlier coursing through my veins as I pat across the blankets and fall off of my bed onto the floor.  

“What was that?”  Fuse’s voice carries up the stairs and she’s here and ok and I relax with a groan, rubbing my shoulder where it hit the wooden floorboards first. 

“Eret fell out of bed,” Stoick shouts downstairs as he appears in the doorway and I blink at his silhouette.  Someone opened the door at some point. ��Probably the chief.  That’s probably what woke Fuse up.  

She needs her sleep and the injustice of the chief taking that away because of some stupid rule makes me instantly, hotly angrier than I have been in a while.  Because Gods, Fuse is pregnant. It’s my baby.  She said she needed sleep and someone got in the way of that and I sit up, glaring in the general direction of the stairs.  

“Is he ok?”  Fuse asks and Stoick shrugs.  

“Is he ever?”  

“Hilarious,” I stand up, stretching my neck and shouldering him out of the doorway when he doesn’t move in time.  

“Oh, you wanna go?”  His fists hit my arm in a couple of featherweight punches that I ignore and he runs down ahead of me with a laugh, skidding into the chair beside Fuse and leaning his elbow on her shoulder.  “Too slow.”  

“How long have you been up?”  I kiss the top of Fuse’s head, batting Stoick’s arm away from her shoulder and glaring at him.  It hits me that he’s going to be an uncle, an actually related uncle and I stack that onto the feelings I don’t have time to make sense of right now.  

His Stormcutter trills at me from its roost in front of the fireplace, cocking its owlish head like it’s daring me to touch him again.  And I spent years thinking Toothless was entitled.  

“Not long.”  She looks a little better, some of her usual color back in her cheeks.  I feel like I’ve spent the last four years worried about everyone and everything and it all pales in comparison to the strange protective guilt I feel now.  I did this to her.  She’s pregnant and it’s mine and her nausea is just the first thing I can’t protect them from.  

“Do you need more tea?”  Stoick asks, too chipper, like he always is around Fuse and what’s normally kind of funny is suddenly aggravating.  

“Sure,” she goes to hand her empty mug to him and I reach for it.  

“I’ll get it for you, really.”  

“She asked me,” Stoick snatches it, sticking his tongue out at me and darting over to the fire.  I take his seat, scooting closer to her and putting my arm over her shoulders.  

“I’ll get you tea,” I insist as she leans her head against my chest with a sigh.  

“I wanted him to give you the chair,” she whispers and I snort, fiddling with the end of a tangled braid.  

“I want him to go away.”  I pull her closer to me when Stoick sets the new cup of tea in front of her and lingers for a moment, like he’s expecting praise, or something.  

“Thanks,” Fuse picks up the mug, her elbow digging into my thigh as she leans on me harder.  

“Do you need something else?”  I ask Stoick, shifting so that Fuse’s pointy elbow is gouging into a new and not yet painful part of my leg.  

“Dad caught you with your door shut,” he raises an eyebrow, pointedly scratching his chin where he insisted he found a hair last month.  

“Ok.”  

“It’s kind of funny how that’s only a rule for you,” he looks at Fuse, “it’s only a rule for him, you know--”

“No one thinks you need that rule,” Fuse cuts him off, “thanks for the tea.”  

It’s the kind of blunt dismissal only Fuse can pull off without sounding mean and I stifle my laugh in her hair, only looking up when the front door opens and the chief walks inside as Stoick slips out with his dragon, thank the Gods.  The chief looks at me knowingly, like he also thinks I’m supposed to care that he caught Fuse and I sleeping behind a closed door.  I don’t worry about him reading my mind the way I do Mom, but the secret still rises to the front of my mind.  

Fuse is pregnant.  The chief is going to freak out.  I’m still waiting to freak out.  I almost want to tell him to watch him freak out.  I bet his eyes are going to bug out of his head.  

“Good...mid-afternoon,” the chief finally seems to get that I don’t care that he caught me and Fuse sleeping, even if he doesn’t get that I have bigger things to care about.  “How’s the rebuild going?”  

“More of a build at this point.”  I shrug and Fuse sits up, leaning her elbows over the table and sniffing at her tea.  I know it’s more polite but I miss her weight against me and I also don’t care about being polite to people who don’t let Fuse and I sleep without inviting Stoick’s assistance.  “It’s going fine, Ingrid gained the trust of a couple locals so I think I can trust it not to fall apart for a couple of weeks.”  

Gods, how could I leave?  

That thought smacks me like a war hammer at exactly at the wrong time, while I’m trying to look normal and talk to the chief.  Fuse already had to put this together while alone, she already had to figure out how to tell me.  It hits me that she had something half scripted because she was nervous, like talking to me had become such a phenomenon she had to plan for it, and I want to tell someone else, anyone else to take things over.  

“That’s good news,” he grins, “I could use your help shoring Berk up.  We had some spring flooding over on the East bay and dealing with it has been a pain.”

“It has,” Fuse agrees, sipping slowly from her mug, “I’ve been trying to help with a secondary dam but it’s slow.”  

“And while that’s taking both our time, everything else is stumbling along without much supervision.”  The chief smiles at Fuse.  They’ve made peace, I guess, and I’m glad, given the circumstances, especially because I’m remembering that I look like him when I smile and as much as I like to ignore it, he’s my actual father.  

And even though I’ve come to respect and even like him as a chief when he’s not trying to marry me off, I wouldn’t say I’ve largely benefitted from his attempts at parenting considering they involved trying to marry me off.  

There it is, the start of a freak out, at least now I know I’m not suddenly stable or anything like that.  

“Aurelia is doing her best,” Fuse says a little defensively, like she’s not as cheery with the chief as he seems to be with her, “but she’s been spending a lot of time trying to track down anything about those trappers by going through the last few months of communication.”  

“Yeah.”  My voice cracks and Fuse frowns at me.  

Oh Gods, it’s already happening, Fuse is the one pregnant and she’s looking at me like she’s worried about me and I’m going to have to leave in a couple of weeks and if she marries me, it’s all about heirs.  Or it would be if the chief ever actually handed over the title.  Fuse has to know that, she thinks of everything, but I’m just stumbling through the concept now.  I can’t breathe.  I rub my chest with my knuckles, pushing hard enough that my bruise throbs and my lungs remember what they’re supposed to be doing.  

“Ouch, what happened there?”  The chief asks, as if it matters, as if I’m not already making everything about me.  

“Smitelout,” Fuse frowns and I squeeze her shoulder.  

“No, it’s--I’m fine, chief.  I’ll check in with Aurelia and get up to speed.  And Fuse, don’t worry about helping him with the East Bay situation, I’m on it.”  

“I can help,” she insists and it makes her look more tired.  I kiss her on the forehead and stand up.  

“You shouldn’t have to.  I’m on it, ok?”

“Eret,” she huffs and eyebrows a straight, frustrated line as she stands up, “I said I’ve got it.”  

“Ok,” I back up, gesturing between her and the chief, “just let me know if you need help--”

“I will,” she looks at the bruise on my chest again and I wish I’d paused to put my shirt back on, it just feels like another way I’m drawing attention when I shouldn’t be.  

“We’ve got it,” the chief tries to comfort me with a grin I can see straight through.  He’s assessing me like he’s been doing a lot lately and I can’t tell if he’s seeing something he doesn’t like or missing something he wishes he were seeing.  I don’t know what else I could possibly do, but obviously, what I’m doing isn’t right or enough.  

“If you need anything--”

“I get that,” he cuts me off, “but I bet Fuse and I can handle it.”  

“I could handle it--”

“I know you could handle it, Eret,” the chief sighs, “and I know I messed up with the whole betrothal thing, but you can’t keep being everything to everyone all the time.  Trust me, you just end up missing out and not on the things you want to miss out on.”  

Fuse blanches at the mention of a betrothal and I’m worried she’s going to throw up.  I hate to say it, but the chief is right, I’m already missing out.  Fuse had to learn she was pregnant without me here, she had to talk to Rolf.  I haven’t even apologized for that yet.  I can’t imagine the dual nausea of talking to Rolf while pregnant.    

The chief is staring at me like he expects an answer and Fuse looks worried, because I’m still making her worry about me instead of the other way around.  

“Ok.”  

“Ok, you’ll relax a bit?”  

I barely bite back asking the chief why he hasn’t crowned me yet and if his reason really is that I’m doing too much and not relaxing enough.  

“I’ll go talk to Aurelia,” I get out instead, turning to focus on Fuse because the idea of walking away from her right now is physically painful.  “If--I mean, you’re good, right?”  

“She’s fine,” the chief rolls his eyes, “you’re going to worry yourself gray at this rate.”  

“Like father like son,” I mumble and the chief’s eyes light up, happy at the comparison.  We’ll see about that, chief, considering Fuse is already frustrated with me and it’s still day one.  

00000

“Can I have this wood?” Arvid asks me at the woodpile, one morning when I’ve been home about a week.  He has Wingspark loaded up with an unusually large stack of long, straight logs, their bark removed.

“Why?”  

“Because I need it for a project,” he shrugs, “Mom wants to build a house.”  

“Again, why?”  

He shrugs again, staring at me unblinking but bored and I look at the woodpile behind me, full despite how much he took.  I guess our loggers were a little overzealous in replacing what we took to rebuild Elva’s island with.  

“Fuck it, sure, just write it down, alright?”  

“No problem,” he clicks at Wingspark and she lumbers along after him, pausing to sniff at my hand for a treat.  I don’t have anything but I scratch behind her horn, looking thoughtfully after Arvid for a second.  

I expected lying to be harder.  I expected everyone to be asking after us all the time.  But in reality, aside from the quiet and increasing desperation I have to check on Fuse every morning, nothing outwardly looks much different.  

Yet.  

I want to ask when that’s going to change, because in a lot of ways that’s a deadline for figuring out how to tell people or what to tell people, but I don’t think it’s necessarily something Fuse wants to talk about.  She doesn’t seem to want to talk at all, actually, I think it would get in the way of her nap-on-me time, which has really seemed to take priority. Between that and my convince-Fuse-to-eat-something routine, we haven’t had time or privacy for anything else.

And I know I shouldn’t push her, because she’s the one dealing with more of this than I am, and I know she wants to keep it a secret just like I do, but not talking about it is killing me.  And if I were going to tell someone, which I’m not, because Fuse doesn’t want to, Arvid would be very close to the top of that theoretical list, if not at the very top of it. It’s a tie between him and Aurelia, honestly.  Maybe my dad is up there too, although I think he’s bound by some parental contract to tell Mom, and she’s the bottom of the list.  

Only because of the way she’d look at me though, all disappointed and reserved, like she’s waiting for me to finish acting before she decides how pissed she is.  I wish I had her advice right now. I wish I had anyone’s advice.  

“Why does Mom want to build a house?”  I call after Arvid, fighting every urge to run and catch up with him while my to do list for the day weighs me down where I stand.  

“Ask her,” he shrugs again, “I just said I’d help, I’ve been getting enough practice at it.”

I have a sneaking suspicion that he knows more than he’s letting on, which honestly became a given ever since he married Aurelia and spends all his time absorbing the information she radiates like a Nightmare  putting out warmth, but I don’t have time or energy to investigate it right now.  Especially now that he reminded me of all the houses being built on Elva’s island and the fact that I’m supposed to go back there in a week.  

It’s a thought I manage to shake until I’m home and surrounded by papers on my bed and Fuse appears in the doorway.  

“Hey!”  I stack all of letters riddled with Aurelia’s notes and shove them to the side, giving Fuse a place to sit.  “What’s up?  

“Stoick let me in,” she explains, pointing down the stairs with her thumb and lingering in the doorway, “are you busy?”  

“Not that busy,” I pat my bed, “how are you?”  

She deliberates for a second before shutting the door behind her and sitting down beside me, “fine.”  

“Fine?”  I laugh, my hand rubbing her lower back through the smooth leather of her vest, “not nauseous?  That’s great!”

“I was nauseous earlier,” she puts down the letter, “but it passed and now I feel alright.  How about you?”  

“I’m not nauseous--wait, that’s not what you’re asking.”  I wipe my forehead, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m--mmph.”  

She cuts me off with a kiss, lingering like she hasn’t been, her hand cupping my jaw and sliding down to my shoulder.  It’s the kind of kiss that makes the closed door compete with the idea of Stoick being downstairs and when Fuse’s tongue slips briefly into my mouth, the door starts winning.  Fuse knows me too well because she pulls back with a tired smile and glances at my stack of papers.  

“You sound preoccupied,” she gestures at my pillow, “I was just hoping to get a nap, I don’t mind if you’re working.”  

“Maybe I mind if I’m working.”  I raise an eyebrow at her and Stoick yells something downstairs, taking some hard earned ground back from the closed door in their eternal argument.  The chief’s muffled voice answers him and I hear Mom laugh and sigh.  Nevermind.  Plus, Fuse really does look tired, so I pick up the top letter in the stack.  “Go ahead and sleep, I’ll do my best to keep the door shut.”  

“It’s not your fault if you can’t.”  She lays down behind me, fidgeting to get comfortable, and I jump at her cold fingertips against my back, under my shirt.  She traces the edge of the scar on my hip and over the bumps of my lower spine and her breathing slows like she’s drifting off.  “I never answered your question the other day.”  

“Which question?”  I trace over a suspicious line of runes, an offer to deliver something to an island I’ve never heard of before but phrased in a way that makes it sound close.  

“You asked how I felt about the concept of us having a baby.”  

“Yeah?” I perk up, reminding myself that just because it took Fuse longer to get here than me doesn’t mean it’s going to be bad.  “I mean, you answered, you said you felt nauseous, which is fair--”

“I’m happy about it too.”  She yawns, cuddling closer, her knees curling around my hip.  “Also I’m nervous and really want to stop throwing up soon, but I’m kind of excited.”  

I grin, looking back over my shoulder at her.  Her eyes are shut and her hair is draped across most of my pillow, tangled and smudged in something blue and shiny.  It feels less selfish to be happy now that I know she is too and that excited voice in the back of my head reminds me of the prospect of having two of her around.  I can hope, at least, I can’t imagine that even Fuse would want another Eret.  There’s a surplus already.  

“I love you.”  

“Love you too,” she mumbles, snuggling closer and pressing her face into the pillow to block the light.  

Fuse’s quiet snores make it easier to focus on reading and I get through the short stack of letters that Aurelia thinks are important more quickly than I expect to.  It’s not great news.  It sounds like whatever trappers that are left on Elva’s island are looking for allies or markets to sell in, I’m not really sure which. That means I need to get back out there and see what might have turned up in a week without much management.  They’ve had a chance to get bold, maybe they’re willing to do or say something else stupid.  

A particularly loud snore puffs against my back and I look back at Fuse.  She looks pretty when she sleeps. Well, she always looks pretty, but it’s daintier when her face is relaxed and her usual aura of chaos and determination is turned down a notch.  

She got in the habit of sleeping by me when we were off Berk a lot, dealing with trappers.  She’s never said it directly, but I think it’s a carryover from the whole volcano incident, because in the months after that she couldn’t sleep unless I would be there when she woke up.  And she just told me she’s nervous about being pregnant and I’m about to leave to somewhere she can’t follow to deal with a dangerous situation that she doesn’t like.  

But I don’t know what else to do, I can’t just drop this situation on someone else, it has to be me.  It’s important. It’s my big piece of proof that I can solve things peacefully and maybe the chief will finally see that I’m ready and--

“Dad told me to open your door,” Stoick flings the door open and it smacks against the wall.  Fuse wakes up with a jolt, scrambling for my hand, and I don’t think before throwing the first thing in my reach at the grinning brat in the hallway.  

It happens to be my boot and it collides with his face with a satisfying thump.  

“Dad!  Eret threw his shoe at me!”  

“Get out.”  I stand up and grab the edge of my door with a white knuckled grip, “I mean it, move or this is going to slam into your face.”  

Stoick rolls his eyes and I flex my arm, making a show of just how fast I’m going to slam the door.  I’m not actually, because I know full well that the chief would do something dramatic and irritating like take it off its hinges entirely, but it’s still fun to see Stoick scramble backwards, eyes wide.  

“Fine, but…” He looks around for a way to retaliate, “I’m going to steal your shoe.  Finders keepers.”  He picks up my boot and waves it at me.  

“Whatever,” I shut the door and lean my forehead against it as he runs downstairs.  “Maybe I should come work at your house for a while.”  

“I wish.”  Fuse is adorable when she’s grumpy and half awake, frowning with her arms crossed.  “I’ve got some stuff to get done, I’m almost out of mining charges.”  She leans into my chest when I turn to face her, requesting a hug and pressing her sleep warm face into my shirt.  “I just couldn’t focus earlier, I should be good now.”  

“Are you sure?”  

“Yeah,” she backs away and reluctantly turns the doorknob, “I’ve got to get this done if you’re going to get any iron out of that other island anytime soon.”  

“You don’t have to help with that.”  

“I know I don’t,” she scowls and I can tell she’s frustrated mostly with the situation but probably at least partially with me, “but if I do, you’ll be done sooner and we’ll have one less thing to worry about.”  

“True.”  Maybe I’ll even be chief by then and I can just...decree something.  I don’t even know what.  

“Ok,” she steels herself, leaning up to kiss me briefly before opening the door the rest of the way.  “I’ll see you later.”  

“I’ll walk you out.”  I follow her down the stairs and to the front door, glaring at Stoick on the way as he feeds his dragon a fish out of my boot.  

As soon as Fuse is gone, the chief clears his throat, looking up from fixing his saddle and raising one graying eyebrow at me.  

“You know, if you didn’t live here anymore…”  

“Right, because that’s easier than telling Stoick to stop being obnoxious.”  

“I hadn’t thought to compare the two,” the chief nods, thinking to himself, “but I think you’re right.  Getting you married and out of the house is slightly easier than telling Stoick to be less obnoxious.”

I laugh at that and the chief looks equally tired and pleased with himself, glancing in Stoick’s direction like he’s surveying a threat.  I wasn’t that bad at thirteen, there’s no way, I don’t think Mom would have let me live.  

“I am the stubborn sibling,” Stoick shrugs, “do you want your boot back?”  He holds it out towards me, fish scales visible on the fur lining, and I wrinkle my nose.  

“I think I’m good.”  

[joonieflower]

Playboy!Namjoon Pt. 9 (last part)

Pt. 1 / Pt. 2 / Pt. 3 / Pt. 4/ Pt. 5/ Pt. 6/ Pt. 7/ Pt. 8/ 

Warning:Smut and bad attempts at humour ahead!!

*********************************************** “How long has she been like this?”

Jin is standing next to Somi, looking at you slumped against a table at the resting area at KCon. Even from afar they could see exactly the moment you cringed at your own memories.

"Dunno, maybe two weeks? She's been listening to old Avril Lavigne songs nonstop, I'm worried."

"The Under my Skin album?"

"Yeah."

Seokjin hums, patting the younger girl on the top of her head. "You did well in calling me, little one. Namjoon is being stupid as well, said something about she avoiding him when she went to Yoongi's studio?"

"Oh," Somi nods, "that does sound like her, she does tend to avoid her problems."

He turns around, beginning to type a text on his phone. "Well, we'll fix this today. You should call Jackson, this is what you'll have to do..."

✧ 

"How would I know I was on speaker?"

You turn your head to the other side, staring at the window, blatantly ignoring Jackson as Somi snickered beside you, making you turn to you glare at her. "You shut your fetus mouth or I won't talk to you too."

She rolls her eyes at you, pretending to lock her lips. You sigh. You were all in the restaurant of the hotel you were staying for KCon, and you still were dying of embarrassment even after almost two weeks since The Incident.

"I mean," Jackson continues, ignoring the murderous look you throw his way. "If I didn't tell him would you?"

"I wouldn't, you know why?" your voice is low as you glare at him, and he flinches in his seat. "Because I didn't want to be rejected!"

Somi unzips her mouth. "People think you're so chill, Unnie. But you're actually the least chill person alive."

You gasp. Now even your own child is attacking you.

But well, she does have a point. You know you're not making things easier by literally hiding behind something every time Namjoon comes in the same room as you but what else could you do? If he caught you he would probably ask to talk, so he could reject you gently because that's the type of person Namjoon is. And if you could choose, you would choose not to be rejected at all.

You sigh loudly, dropping your head on the table. The hotel restaurant had been booked for all the idols that were staying at this hotel, so there wasn't anybody in here at practically midnight before a full day of rehearsals for the upcoming concert. Somi was the only one stupid enough to think it was a good idea to come down here and eat. And sure, you are hungry, but room service is a very real thing that you would rather be indulging yourself with.

An also very real thing is that you know for a fact that BTS will also be staying at this hotel. Which is, quite frankly hilariously tragic. Now you had to be aware of your surroundings here too so as not to bump into a certain tall man.

You grab your phone, focusing on it instead of the two idiots you are sitting with. You faintly hear the sound of three people sitting down at your table, but you're not bothered enough to look, just think it must be the rest of the Got7 boys.

"How’s your boyfriend?"

You blink up at Yoongi, sitting across from you. You relax a little, already accustomed to him after spending so much time together while you two worked on your song. “Which one?”

“Which one is it this time? I don’t know their names, I just know you stopped recording two times to chat with them”

“Oh, I’m trying to get V this time. It’s been going well, he’s got a lotta baggage though.” Taehyung chokes on his drink loudly and you realize how that must have sounded to him. “What? Jesus, not you, I’m playing Mystic Messenger.”

“Oh, good, geez," he laughs awkwardly, "Of course not."

A familiar hand reaches for a fry on your plate. Sehun smiles at you, winking. "Long time no see."

You scoff. "Jackson-ah, go get me another milkshake."

"Jackson-ah? I thought you called him oppa." Yoongi looks at the two of you, confused.

"Oh, yeah, I used to." you smile sweetly at the blond men that's already standing up to go get you another drink," That was when I respected him"

Sehun whistles. "Someone's feisty. Did you not get enough sleep? You get like this when you're tired."

"Do I look like I'm tired?" you shoot back, scrunching your nose having none of his friendly manners. You didn't hate him anymore, but you two were still far from being friends.

"Nah, you look pretty." he smiles, looking behind you at something.

Jackson hands a milkshake from behind you, talking to somebody in English. You ignore him. “I don’t need you to tell me I look pretty, I know I do,” you say, slurping your milkshake angrily, then, after a second, considerably more subsided, “Thanks anyway.”

Somi eyes you two suspiciously. "Since when are you two on good terms? Are you my dad again?"

Jacksons conversation halts, but you pay him no mind. You stretch yourself across Sehun's lap, his hands coming to your waist so you won't fall face first as you shove a handful of fries in the maknae's mouth, "Mind your own business, you little brat. "

“I mean, I feel like I'm entitled to know, am I not your child?”

“How many times do I have to tell you that-”

“Oh,” Yoongi interrupts your bickering, “hi Namjoon.”

With a yelp, you lose your balance and roll under the table.

You lie there for a couple of seconds with your eyes closed, praying to any God for even the smallest possibility that Namjoon didn't see you there.

“Hey,” he says, now kneeling so he's able to get his head under the table too. You let out a dying whale noise. “Are you okay, angel?”

“Can you Google for me if it's possible to die of embarrassment?”

He chuckles, extending his hand to you so he can pull you out. “It wasn't that bad.”

His hand is soft on yours, the size of it familiar as it lingers for a couple extra seconds before he let you go, walking over to the other side of the table, sitting beside Yoongi and across from you.

“How can you still be so clumsy?” Sehun questions, stealing more of your fries.

“Oh, shut up.” You mumble, refusing to look at anywhere else beyond the plate in front of you. “What are you even doing here, anyway? You're not staying in this hotel.”

He gives you a large grin. “I came to see you, of course.”

You steal a glance at Namjoon, who's looking at the both of you with his arms crossed, brow frowning. His other two group mates are looking at you with equally confused expressions. “He's joking.” You explain quickly. “Right?”

He laughs. “I missed you, you know that. But yeah, I came for Jackson, we're going out later.”

Namjoon stare is still heavy on you, and this is too much. You're not mentally prepared to deal with him, not yet. Not when you were supposed to go on stage to introduce some other idol group together tomorrow. When you already would have to pretend not to love him in front of thousands of people. And the addition of Sehun isn't better either, you might have started to forgive him but you weren’t completely ready to be friends yet. Especially not with Namjoon watching you so intently, a silent question in his eyes.

You get up abruptly. “I’m going to bed. Don't stay up too late, Somi.”

Ignoring Somi calls behind you, you make your way to your shared room, resting your head on the elevator mirrored wall. God, what a mess of things you had made by falling for Namjoon.

✧ “She left before he could even get jealous,” Jackson complains, slumping in the little chair in Jin's room.

“He did get a little jealous,” Sehun says, leaning against the beige colored walls. “He looked like he wanted to punch me.”

“She also looked like she wanted to punch you.” Yoongi makes a clicking noise from the back of his throat from across the room. “They both are so stupid. I bet the only way for them to finally talk and get the fuck together is if we lock them in the same room.”

Seokjin's head shot up, his eyes shining with a dangerous glint. “Yoongi, you’re a genius! Okay, so this is what we need to do now…”

-

You slump against the black couch at Yoongi’s studio. “Please tell me we’re done. I don’t think I can do ad-libs anymore, my throat will fall off if I try.”

Yoongi snorts, clicking on something in the big monitor in front of him, checking again what you had just recorded with the rest of the song. “I hardly think that's possible. And I still think you should let me add the rap after the bridge, I'm sure Namjoon would be willing to do it.”

“I don't think he would.” You answer him, voice weaker than before.

“I don't think there's a single thing he wouldn't do for you.” He spins around in his chair, now staring directly at you “ You two should talk, don't think I haven't seen how you're doing your best at avoiding him after Jackson fucked up.”

“Oh my God" you hide your face behind your hands with a grunt. “You know? Namjoon told you?”

He at least has the decency to look a little apologetic. “In his defense, it's not like it was hard to tell even before. You both have been acting like you're dating for a long time.”

“What?” You sputter, looking up again. “No, we- no?”

“Come on, he keeps clothes at your place. He sleeps there. He never did that to any of his hookups before, you've got to at least know that. And he talks about you all the time, it's actually disgusting, to be honest.”

You decide not to answer, instead, you begin turning this new information in your head. This was Yoongi, after all. He wouldn't be saying these things if he didn't think they were true. You sigh, looking at the screen of his computer, checking the time.

You opt to change the subject, “We should finish for today, it's getting late and I know it's your day off.”

He curses when he checks the clock. “Shit, finding a taxi is going to be a bitch.”

You jiggle your car keys at him. “I can give you a ride. You deserve after all the hard work you've put in helping me’

He points at two boxes next to the couch. “Great, so I also deserve help carrying those boxes right?”

You shrug, going to lift one of the boxes, your arms protesting the added weight. “Let's go.”

He somehow managed to make you help him bring it all the way up to his dorm, but only after saying after he saw you hesitating. “The coast is clear, he's not here. Go in already, I don't work out and my arms are hurting.”

He leads you through the living room, pointing down in the general direction of the floor indicating that you could just drop the thing down. “You can open the fridge and get a drink, you must be thirsty. I'm going to drop those in my room and I'll be right back."

He does not come right back, instead, he takes a long time. You drink the banana milk slowly, looking around. The place was surprisingly neat despite seven boys living together.

You hear footsteps coming your way again, so you set the little plastic bottle down, getting ready to live.

You hear Namjoon before you even see him. “Hyung, is that you? Do you know where everyone went?”

You duck the second he enters the kitchen. But not before seeing his eyes growing wide when he spots you.

You peek from behind the kitchen counter, smiling sheepishly as Namjoon gaped at you, confused in his Ryan pajama set. You look around, thinking of the easier escape route.

“Uh,” he says finally, “I’m awake, right?”

You nod, biting your bottom lip nervously. “Yoongi asked me for help with some boxes… I think he went to his room? So yeah, I’ll get going now.”

You circle around him to get to the living room, where the door is. You can hear him following you faintly beneath the sound of your heart beating like crazy.

Just as you reach the door, you both see it at the same time. A white paper, glued to the door with a pink tape.

“TALK, U SUCKERS. WE’LL BE BACK TO UNLOCK YOU TWO IN THE MORNING.”

“Did they…” Namjoon begins to say incredulously as you reach and try to open the door maniacally, pushing and pulling it as you turn the handle. “Oh, they did. They really did.”

You turn around, staring at him. “Don’t just stand there, don’t you have a spare key?”

He goes back to the room he came from, and you can hear him shuffling things around before he says, softly but full of emotion. “Fuck,”

Fuck indeed. You take a deep breath, looking around. For a second you think about jumping out of the window, but you realize how ridiculous you’re being. Sure, avoiding him is one thing, but were an adult, right? You could talk to him like a civilized human being.

You fish your phone from your back pocket, dialing Yoongi’s number. Not that it does much, it only goes straight to voicemail.

“This is kidnapping, Min yoongi,” you say, through gritted teeth. “I don’t know what kind of parent trap bullshit you’re all trying to pull in here but I suggest you just come and open the door for me before I call the firefighters to tear it down.”

When you press the red símbolos on the screen to end the call, Namjoon is by your side again. The two of you stare at each other for a second before looking away.

This was it, wasn't it? He would finally reject you now. And then you two would have to awkwardly share the house until they finally decided to let you out to die quietly in your own house.

Namjoon is the one who breaks the silence, “I was watching cartoons, maybe you want to watch it too? To pass the time, I mean.”

After hesitating for a second, you nod. “Okay.”

He points at the couch, clearly inviting you to sit down. Which you do, gladly, watching him as he moves through his own house this time. You were so used to seeing him just at your apartment that sometimes you forgot he existed beyond it.

He finally sits down again, quickly starting Netflix and selecting We Bare Bears. You snort at the choice.

“What? It's a nice show.” He says, sounding defensive.

“I know it is, is just… you're Panda.”

He turns his nose up in the air, “I like to think I'm Polar.”

“Oh, Joonie.” You say pityingly, patting his thigh in a very condescending way. “You're definitely Panda.”

He tries not to smile at you, bit fails after a second. “Yeah, you're right, angel.”

You take your hand off of his thigh with the nickname, pretending to focus on the cartoon on the TV. You chest feel tight again, heart beating fast against your sternum making you wonder for a second if you're having a heart attack.

The tension is palpable, curling around you, trying to coax you into turning at Namjoon to watch him. You don't. You keep staring ahead, fingers digging in between the couch cushions to stop your hands from.wandering elsewhere.

You are, in fact, so focused on not looking at Namjoon that you jump a little when he pauses the episode.

“We really should talk.” he finally says.

You still won't look at him. “Don't feel like it.”

“Babe-”

“Don't.” You say quickly, finally looking up at his eyes, finally seeing the intensity of his gaze over you. “I know what you'll say, and believe me, I really am not in the mood to be locked in here with you after this.”

you can see him beginning to open his mouth to say something back, so you quickly continue. “I didn't want to hear it back in the car, and I don't want to hear it now. I just want things to be like they used to between us again.”

“You don't.” He says firmly, face darkening with a tint of irritation. “You don't know what I was going to say because you told me to pretend nothing happened before I could say anything, and then proceeded to avoid me every time we're in the same room. If you want things to be like they used to be you have to start acting like my friend again. You literally walked out of a room the other day because I was in there too. How do you think that makes me feel?”

“I was embarrassed, can you blame me?”

“Why?” He asks, raking a hand through his hair. “I get that maybe it wasn't the best way to tell me, but if Jackson hadn't said that would you have?” Again, the same question. God, why couldn't he just forget it? It was exactly because of this that you knew you two shouldn't have this talk. He was paving the way to reject you in the gentlest way possible.

“No.” You get up. “Because is stupid, I wasn't supposed to fall for you! We were already stretching things too far by being friends and fucking at the same time, Namjoon. I don't even know why I thought I could just sleep with you, actually, not knowing that you don't do relationships.”

“There you go again. Where the hell did you hear that? You said the same thing before.”

You falter a little. “I mean, you said that. When we started.”

He shakes his head, getting up too and standing in front of you. “I've never said that to you. To Jin maybe, when he started to notice my feelings for you. But that was just me in denial.”

You search through your memories of all your conversations, all of the texts you exchanged. You fall back on the couch. Yeah, he was right. He never actually said that.

“Wasn't it implied? This wasn't supposed to be more than a friend with benefits deal. You just talked to me because you got horny after seeing me perform. Wasn't that what happened?”

He kneels in front of you, eyes level with you once again as he basically cages you with one arm on each side of your hips, not allowing you to run anymore. “No.”

“What?”

“I asked Jackson for your number a year ago.” He begins, one of his hands caressing the rip at your knee, picking gently at the fishnets you're wearing underneath the distressed jeans. “ He didn't give it to me, he told me you were dating. It was Sehun, right? I can't believe Allkpop really got one thing right. Anyway, I asked again a month before I sent you a text. He said he had to see if he could give it to me first. He cares about you, you know, you should forgive him.”

“I already did.” You say, gulping hard around nothing. “But… what?”

He laughs a little, his chest vibrating against your knees. “I've had a crush on you for, fuck babe, I don't know. 2 years? I saw your debut stage since then I've thought you were the most beautiful person I've ever seen.”

“Don't fuck with me, Namjoon.” You whisper, heart beating faster yet.

He takes your hands on him, kissing your knuckles.

“I'm not. You can ask Yoongi. I've watched every one of your lives on V-app. I never said anything to you because I thought you knew. You had to know, baby. Didn't you notice how I look at you?”

“Why? I mean, you can have anyone, I saw how easily you can find someone new at Jackson's party. Why me?”

He sighs, closing his eyes for a second. “And so can you. Have you looked at yourself? You're funny, you care so much about those around you, you're so, so talented angel. And you chose me. Why is it so hard to believe I would choose you too?”

You look around, trying to find something else to focus besides his face, staring at you so openly now. “What can even happen between us, Joon? We both have our groups to think about. It's not like we can-,”

He stands up, running a hand through his hair. “We both also have great people to look after us and amazing fans. Why are you so set on finding a way away from me? I'm here, baby,  and I'm yours. I've been yours for a while now. I'm not saying we should, I don't know, announce it to the world. What I'm saying is that just being with you is enough for me. Knowing you're mine as much as I'm yours, I don't care about who else knows, as long as you let me love you.”

Your vision blurs and you can make Namjoon coming back to you, his long fingers softly wiping the stubborn tears that had managed to scape. “I'm scared.” You whisper, closing your eyes against his soft touch. “This could go so wrong, Namjoon.”

“This could go right, too.anything could go wrong, the improbability of everything in life is what it makes it so thrilling. But, the same improbability leans it as much to a good outcome than to a bad. Don't you want to know what will happen?” He says, lips a whisper away from yours. “You’ve got me, angel. Are you also mine?”

You nod yes, finally looking at the man in front of you. Namjoon, who understands you better than anybody else. Namjoon, who listened to you as you whined about being a leader and offered advice. Namjoon, who made you playlists and took photos of random dogs just to make you happy.

The smile he gives you is so big that his eyes disappear, dimples on full display and you can't help yourself when you lean forward and closes the distance between the two of you.

You had been kissing Namjoon for almost half a year now, but this kiss was different. You didn't have to worry about him figuring out your feelings about him because he already knew. He knew, and he reciprocated it. You smile against his lips, pulling him closer, wrapping your arms around his neck.

Things, of course, don't stay so sweet for long. His hands hover over your hips. “Can I?”

You nod a little too fast. “Please.”

And then he's kissing you again, hands sliding under the Hem of your shirt, sliding it over your head. His mouth moves downwards, every kiss against the curve of your chest, your waist, your hips making you shudder, skin riding with goosebumps.

He nips at the skin over your hip bone, making you gasp, his fingers making quick work of your zipper. “Don't tease me.”

“You like it, though.” He smiles up at you, his cute dimples showing a Stark contrast with the lewdness of the situation you were both in.

You give him a half-hearted grunt, knowing well that you couldn't argue against that. He was right.

He finally looks down at your pants again, the open zipper exposing the stockings underneath. “Shit, who put you in those fishnets? Are you trying to give people a heart attack?”

You wiggle your hips a little, his eyes never leaving the sight of your skin peeking through the criss-cross lines as his fingers gently pull it up, testing out the elasticity. “Don't you like it? You can just take it off then, right?”

His eyes meet yours again, the predatory look he has is one you're familiar with. “Fuck, angel, maybe I'll just leave it on.”

When he finally gets rid of your pants, leaving you only in your fishnets (today was laundry day, so all your underwear was being washed. You're actually grateful for deciding going commando when you see the look on Namjoons face when he realized you're not wearing anything else) you realize where you're both at. “Joon, the boys sit on this couch! Are you really planning on doing this here?”

His head shoots up, a bewildered look on his face. “Shit, you're right. Here, wrap your legs around my waist.”

“What are you doing?”

He lifts you up, quickly making his way to the second room on the long corridor. You barely notice Taehyung part of the room before you're both going through the entryway to Namjoons side, blissfully secluded by a wall.

His bed is so comfortable it startles you for a second, but then your attention is aimed somewhere else. At Namjoon, to be more precise. He's getting rid of his clothes, with his shirt off and his pajama pants hanging low on his hips, you can see exactly how much time he's been spending at the gym lately. You're a little breathless by watching him alone when he hovers over you again.

“Can you say that again?” He asks, lips barely a whisper away from yours.

“W-what?” You stammer, so unlike yourself it actually makes you blush. The effect the tall man had on you was something to be studied.

“That you're mine.”

You pull him down on you, his bare skin hot against yours, and it's so perfect you wonder for a second if you're dreaming. “I'm yours, Joon.” You repeat, bringing his lips down to yours. “Now can you please get inside me? I've missed you like crazy.”

He chuckled, kicking off his pants.”So demanding, angel.”

“You like me like this.” you purr at him, smiling. “Now, you said something about leaving the tights on? How are you gonna fuck me then?”

He laughs a little, fingers trailing the line the piece of clothing makes over your sex. “You're so crass. But since you asked, love, I'm going to fuck you-” his other hand joins, pulling the fabric apart, leaving a rip exposing you to him “-like this.”

You shiver. “Oh.” is all you can say when he slips one finger inside of you, curling it as he starts moving it. “Joon, please don't tease me…”

He kisses your lips, and you can feel him smiling. “Let me get a condom, then.”

You hold his arm, stopping him from leaving. “You don't have to, I mean… we didn't use once, I'm still on the pill. We could…”

“You sure?” He asks, looking into your eyes to see if that was really what you wanted.”

You blush, and it's so ridiculous. You shouldn't be embarrassed by this. You two had done this same thing before.“I want to feel you.”

He kisses you again, settling himself between your legs. He makes a low grunting sound as he slides inside of you. Your nails scrape his back as you let out a moan, the stretch so good it makes breathless.

He starts moving slow, hips rhythmically moving him in and out of you, and it's so good, so perfect that it has you moaning his name through the kiss. Both his hands are holding your wrists above your head, to prevent you from trying to make his hips go faster.

It's perfect, his slow and careful motions. But it's not nearly enough. You whine, trying to move your hips faster from under him with no success.

“Why are you being so vanilla? You can still fuck me and love me at the same time.”

His movements stop while he says, huffing “I was trying to be romantic.”

You lift your head to give a quick peck on his lips. God, Namjoon has such gorgeous lips. “You can romantically fuck me harder then.”

He gives you another animalistic grunt, sliding off of you to twirl you around so you have your chest pressed against the mattress. He leans over you. “Like this, baby?” He asks, cock slamming into you so hard it makes all your breath come out in one go. “It's this how you want me to fuck you, pretty baby? You like it dirty, don't you?”

You gasp as he continues ramming into you, “Yes, Oppa. Don't stop.”

One of his hands tangles itself in your hair, curving your head back so he can kiss you. “I won't. I'm gonna make you cum all over my cock, angel.”

You moan again when his other hand comes to your clit, the circular motions with the way his fucking into you making you so close already.

It had been a while since you had slept with Namjoon, but God, he didn't forget how to make you crazy. His mouth is sucking at your neck in a way you know will leave a mark, but you can't bring yourself to care. All you care about now is Namjoon, Namjoon inside of you, his smell surrounding you, his voice, moaning profanities against your skin as you clench around him.

“Oppa,” you half choke, half moan, tears starting to collect in the corners of your eyes from all the intensity. “I'm close.”

His rhythm gets even more intense. His voice is rough as he says, “Fuck baby, come for me. Show me that you're mine. You feel so good, angel.”

You do, calling his name louder than you ever did before as e pleasure builds up until it explodes, making you a trembling mess in his hands as his hips never stop.

He comes on your ass, making you look behind you to see him staring down at you, at the white streaks on your butt. You laugh softly, a little high from your orgasm. “Peaches and cream.”

He snaps out of his trance, leaning down to kiss your cheeks. “Chocolate cheeks,” he sings, voice light as he smiles fondly at you, moving his lips so he can kiss the middle of your back, between your shoulder blades. “Chocolate wings.”

He lies down next to you on his bed, pulling you closer to him. “Now that’s all I’m going to think about when I sing my part of that song, are you happy?”

“I mean, wasn't this what you were thinking while you wrote it?”

“Nah, I just wrote it to for the aesthetic. I just thought it sounded good. Deep, y'know?” he nuzzles your hairline with the tip of his nose. “And now people think I'm a pervert because of it”m

“I mean, they're not wrong, are they?” He laughs, kissing your forehead before getting up, pulling you behind him so you two can shower.

After Namjoon cleans you (not without pressing you against the cold wall for a second round halfway through, not that you're complaining), you both lie in his bed. You're wearing one of his pajamas sets, the cuffs rolled up so it can fit you. You sigh happily with your nose pressed against his neck, feeling his scent again.

“So, how do you wanna go about this?” He finally says. You look up at him from your spot under his arms. “We tell our companies, right?”

You nod. “Of course we do. I don't think we should go public, not yet at least. But yeah, not telling our companies would be stupid, they can help protect us.”

He kisses the top of your head. “Okay, let's do it tomorrow. The boys already know, I guess, so you only have to tell your kids.”

You grin at him.”Somi is gonna call you dad just to get a kick out of it.”

He fake shudders. “Oh God.”

“Oh, yeah.” You lift yourself on your elbows, face lurking over his. “Can you rap on my song? Yoongi Oppa said your voice would fit.”

“Of course. But do you really have to call him Oppa? Are you two already this close?”

You kiss him. “Don't be jealous just because I'm friends with your friends too.”

He chuckles, so you settle again. Snuggling with him, you feel happier that you did in a very long time.

“Hey, are you scared?” his voice his quiet, but it's enough to bring you back from almost falling asleep.

You think about it for a second. “I'm not scared, I have you with me.”

His dimples are in their full glory as he smiles big at you, lips meeting yours again.

“Me too, angel. I'm not scared if we're together.”

*****************************************************************

(a/n: ITS FINALLY DONE!!! i FINALLY FINISHED IT!!

I really took my time it with bascially because this is my first fic ever, and i dind’t want it to end. Hopefully i’ll be able to finally edit all the errors i’ve made throughout this history so it’s actually readable tlol

Anyways, I love Namjoon, and I’m a sucker for happy endings!Hmu if you spot any grammar mistakes, or just if you want to punck me for taking so long. Than you so much for reading this until now, ily!!!)

[kanukaclancysghostrecon]

Story Excerpt: Cassillia and Rosalinde

After the conference, many of the delegates retired to their quarters at the Lodge, but a fair number went over to the local tavern to drink, decompress, and discuss business and politics. Cassillia had come to the tavern just to get away from Lysander, as his constant feedback and criticism was vexing her. She took stock of the venue, and noticed some familiar faces, but a lot of locals were also drinking and chatting quietly. Gossiping about the foreign leaders, no doubt. She noted the fair few glances she received as she walked in. Much like the delegates, it seemed that word of her father's death and recent assention to the throne had spread far and fast. She made eye contact with one of the gawking locals, a rugged, muscular woman sitting at the bar.

The woman was clad in tanned leather that appeared to be crafted by a highly skilled tanner. She had short brown hair and dark eyes, she was born in the North, no doubt. Her calloused hands gripped her mug of ale, this was a working woman. Cassillia also noted the large dagger at the woman's hip, definitely more than a utility tool.

Cassillia walked over to the bar and took the empty seat next to the woman, and ordered herself a drink.

"That's some fine leather you have there," she commented to the woman. She appeared to be only a few years older than herself, though it was clear she had to grow up quickly.

The woman did not break her gaze, and replied simply, "Thanks. My father is a tanner."

The barkeep placed Cassillia's drink in front of her. She nodded to him and turned back to the Northern woman.

"I'm sorry, that was rude of me. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Cassillia."

"Everyone knows who you are. The new royal from down south. There are rumors abound about you."

"Oh?" Cassillia smiled. "And what do they say?"

"Speculation, mostly. What kind of ruler will you be? Will you live up to your father's legacy? There was also much talk of your appearance."

"Well, the former two remain to be seen by the world. But how have I lived up to the latter?"

"They say 'she is a transfixing woman with an otherworldly beauty. Her strength and confidence are outwardly expressed and her presence is unmistakable.' They also say that you're a cocky brat who knows nothing of the world outside your castle."

This time Cassillia laughed. "Wow, it sounds like half the people spreading these rumors want to fuck me and the other half want to kick my ass. Which are you?"

The woman seemed taken aback by Cassillia's crass language. This is not how royals typically conducted themselves. But nevertheless, it relaxed her.

"Well, clearly rumors and impressions aren't everything. My name is Rosalinde, I live here."

Rosalinde finished her drink and turned to the bartender. But Cassillia raised her hand first.

"I got this. Another drink for my friend here. And a refill for me as well."

Rosalinde was shocked to look down and realize that Cassillia had finished her ale already. This woman was full of surprises.

"Now then," Cassillia said. "I think it is my turn to ask you some questions."

"Well, since you're buying the drinks now, I suppose you're entitled to that. What do you want to know?"

The bartender set down two fresh mugs of ale. After taking a swig, Cassillia turned back to Rosalinde.

"I want to know about you. You said your father is a tanner. A damn fine one, by the looks of it. What does your mother do? Is she a working woman like yourself?"

"My mother... passed when I was young. She got very sick and there was a particularly harsh winter. Her body was too weak."

"My condolences. I know the feeling. My father was very sick as well, and my mother died in childbirth. I never knew her."

"Sorry to hear that. I barely remember my mother. My father always spoke fondly of her, and said that he could never fall in love with another woman. He did eventually re-marry, however, a blacksmith from the east had settled here and my father and him grew very close."

Cassillia smiled as she thought of her own father and his relationship with Marcus. "It seems we have a lot in common."

The pair of women continued to talk and drink, and grew very friendly toward one another. They scarcely noticed the tavern was clearing out, and finally the time came to settle the tab. Cassillia paid for their drinks in gold, and the two stepped outside. Cassillia was quite tipsy, and Rosalinde, the more experienced drinker, offered her shoulder to steady her.

"Ugh, I'm gonna get an earful from Lysander when I get back. I'm surprised the fool hasn't sent a party to come look for me."

"He probably trusts you. From what you told me of your training, it doesn't sound like you need an escort."

"Oh, that's not it. He's just worried about my image, and the image of the family. Tradition, all that nonsense."

"Well don't worry about that. You are a queen, after all."

"Yeah, you're right! I can do as I please!"

The two ladies smiled at each other, and then Rosalinde looked down at her feet.

"Cass?"

"Yes?"

"If you...want to delay your inevitable scolding a while longer...you can stay with me tonight."

"Oh...OH! I see!" They locked eyes again.

"I would like that very much, Ros."

And with that the two ladies marched off towards Rosalinde's home.

***

Cassillia woke the next morning to sounds of shouting in the street. She turned her head to the side and saw Rosalinde, still asleep in the bed beside her. The two were still huddled close, and their warm bodies carried with them the fleeting memories of last night's intimacy. But her attention now was on the shouting. She rose from the bed, careful not to disturb Rosalinde, and peered through the curtains facing the square.

She saw a sizable crowd gathered round, and a flustered man running in circles and screaming frantically. She knew him. Cassillia stepped away from the window and started to put on her clothes. As she dressed, Rosalinde woke and looked ar her.

"Mmhmm, what's going on?" She asked, sleep still clutching her.

Cassillia pulled up her trousers and answered: "It appears Lysander is looking for me, and he's none too happy that I disappeared last night."

"Oh gods, I better get dressed too."

After a few moments, the ladies were dressed and ready to go. Cassillia tied her messy hair back with a ribbon Rosalinde gave her. Lysander's cries from outside were growing increasingly desparate. Pausing before the door, Cass took one slow, deep breath, and then crossed the threshold into the square.

"LYSANDER, SHUT UP!" she bellowed.

The flustered man's head spun around and he locked eyes with her like a rabbit who spied a hunter.

"My lady?" He croaked.

"Yeah? I'm right here."

He stumbled over himself rushing over to her, and collapsed in the mud at her feet.

"Oh, gods, I was so worried! I stayed up all night awaiting your return, and when dawn broke and you hadn't come back, I feared the worst!"

"Stop this, you're making a scene. But you should know better than to worry about me."

The snivelling man regained his feet, and attempted to wipe some of the mud from his clothes.

"Well, you still haven't told me where you've been-"

It was at this point Lysander noticed Rosalinde standing abreast of and slightly behind Cassillia. His eyes flickered back and forth between the two, taking in note of their deshevelled hair and wrinkled clothes. He had the look of a disappointed parent ready to scold a rebellious teenager. But after meeting Cassillia's cold stare, he lost his nerve. She was daring him to say something. But instead, she spoke first.

"This is Rosalinde. She lives here in town. Ros, this is Lysander."

The two stood still for a moment, looked each other over, and finally conducted an awkward handshake.

"Um, right. Pleased to meet you," Lysander said. "My Lady, you have obligations to meet. There are other delegates that wish to speak with you."

"Very well. I shall return to the Lodge to change and wash up." She turned to Rosalinde and put her hands on her shoulders. "Ros, I very much enjoyed meeting you. I'll still be in town for a few days, I'll come see you again." Then she gave her a kiss on the lips. "Farewell for now."

[diyunho]

The Joker x Reader - “Mommy”

It was a well known fact The Joker’s girlfriend left him with four young children and disappeared. It was also known that his ex stepped up and took care of them even if she didn’t have to. The King of Gotham might have lost his woman, but he never lost his Queen.

Part 2        Part 3       Part 4      Part 5

You had no idea why The Joker kept on getting her pregnant; she definitely didn’t like to take care of their children nor had any interest in them. But it was none of your business so you kept your mouth shut. J wanted you to continue to work for him and you had no objections: he trusted his ex and you loved what you were doing so it was fine.

They were always fighting and his girlfriend disappeared for days and sometimes even weeks without a phone call or text. The Joker would ask you to babysit Kase while he searched for Anya; the baby was adorable and you didn’t mind.

Even when she was home, you still had to keep an eye on the little one because that woman would simply neglect to change or feed him. J would snap and they would get in such heated arguments you were surprised they didn’t kill each other yet.  If The King of Gotham was the one realizing his kid was lacking the proper nurture, you clearly don’t have too much going on in the motherhood department.

It broke your heart when you would go over to the penthouse and find Kase crying in his crib, hungry and really needing his diaper changed. J was gone with business and she would wonder off God knows where as soon as you stepped inside.

“Oh great, you’re here!��� Anya would roll her eyes and sneaked out, leaving without any other explanation.

“Hey buddy, don’t cry. I’m here now,” you used to comfort him and the baby would stop crying as soon as he was changed and fed. Kase sure got a lot of kisses and snuggles since you felt sorry for the poor tiny soul. I mean, what fault did an innocent child had in any of it? None. Absolutely none.

One month after giving birth to the twin boys, Anya was nowhere to be found: three small beings left at their absent mother’s mercy. This time, J didn’t have to ask you to get involved: you offered and he didn’t object. It was exhausting to tend to a toddler and two newborns but you had all the supplies you needed plus help whenever required.

The Joker searched for his woman like crazy and finally found her in Los Angeles and brought her home again. At that point, you were basically staying at the penthouse, raising kids that weren’t yours yet you couldn’t help it. You were attached to them and had the feeling they would end up dead without somebody to care for them.

“Why is she here, hm?” you would hear Anya shout in the middle of the night, the argument escalating with alarming velocity. “Are you fucking her again?”

“I’m not fucking her !!!” he would yell back and it was true. “My ex-girlfriend is here taking care of our children because you don’t !!”

“Why don’t you take care of them? I didn’t get pregnant on my own now, did I?!”

You were sleeping upstairs in the same bedroom with the twins and had to close the door in order not to hear anything anymore. Thank goodness Zane and Aiden were actually pretty good babies, didn’t wake up very often and noise didn’t seem to bother them.

But it pissed you off she was such an ungrateful person! Anya had no idea how many dates you canceled in order to be a surrogate mother to her kids. Your boyfriend lost his patience and dumped you simply because you couldn’t abandon your self-imposed maternal duties.

You and Frost were in charge of J’s security, but you found yourself in charge of his offsprings also. And the bitch was getting on your nerves with her irresponsible and entitled behavior.

When she got pregnant the third time, you got mad. Another kid ??!! Because, you know, things were so great with the first 3!!

Mia was born on a Sunday and Anya vanished two weeks after having her. You were the one that find the note on the kitchen table: “Don’t try to find me, I’m not coming back. Keep the kids.”

The Joker had a terrible fit but didn’t pursuit the idea of going after her, which surprised you in a way. Who knows what was going on in his mind; you didn’t bring up the sensitive subject and J didn’t elaborate more than a few sentences about it.

The Clown Prince of Crime definitely wasn’t the epitome of fatherhood, but he made sure the babies had everything they needed. This desire was mostly coming only from his strong sense of possessiveness: he just knew that they belonged to him and that was it. Besides that, J was completely lost and unable to show anything but very basic emotions, if you could even call them that.

******************

When you are away, the little ones miss you. You just came back after a 5 days trip to New York so the kids follow you around the penthouse like ducklings, wanting attention: a four year old and two year old twins. You are holding the seven month old Mia in your arms and the boys clench to your long dress, stumbling into each other, but not wanting to let go.

“Moooommy,” Kase whines, jealous his sister is getting kisses.

“Mommy, kiss !” Zane pulls on your gown and you have to stop and get down on your knees.

“Who wants kisses?” you smile, letting Mia crawl on the carpet while the boys pucker their lips, impatiently waiting. You snatch all of them in your arms and randomly start kissing them in a frenzy while they giggle, ticklish.

The Joker mutters something on the couch, watching TV. You have an idea about what he might be: he probably made a comment again about the children calling you mommy. You told them to stop calling you that, but they continue to do it. After all, you are the only woman constantly around, taking care of them.

“J ?”

“What?” he bitterly answers.

“Did you even hold them while I was gone?!” you sigh, having a feeling he didn’t since they are so clingy.

“I was busy,” he grumbles, scratching his Batsy tattoo.

“You don’t seem busy now,” you get up, taking Kase’s hand and leading him to his father.”Here,” you help the young boy sit in J’s lap and wrap his arms around his son.

The King of Gotham is not very excited about your move; still he takes a deep breath and asks:

“What’s going on, kid?”

Kase’s eyes get big; he just couldn’t wait for his parent to show some interest in him. The boy starts talking up a storm, something about Legos and his toys. The Joker tries to understand every single word but some are mispronounced and he kind of gets the point, but not entirely.

“U-hum,” he nods his head and the boy rambles on, excited, playing with J’s gold chains.“A-ha, “ he agrees again, intrigued.

“OK daddy?” the question pops up and The Clown Prince of Crime takes the easy way out:

“Ummm….yes?…”

“Yaaayyy, daddy!” and J gets a kiss on the left cheek, then Kase jumps off his lap, running around the living room, screaming and making airplane noises.

“Y/N, what did I just agree to?” a very confused Joker needs to know.

“More toys, especially Legos,” you bring to his knowledge, urging the twins to follow you and you place them on J’s knees.

“Oh, great, because they don’t have enough!” This time he holds them while they bounce their legs, enthusiastic, bickering about who should get more of their father.

“Aiden, don’t slap your brother! How many times did I tell you not to hit each other? If you do that again, you’ll be in trouble!!! Don’t make me repeat myself! J ?? Are you just going to sit there and not react?!!” you scold, picking up Mia since she crawled back to your feet again.

“I think we’re in trouble,” The Joker whispers, rolling his eyes. “Stop fighting I guess,” he enunciates without any trace of enthusiasm. The kids chuckle, pushing one another and cuddling to J’s chest in the process.

“Com’ere, chubby,” the little girl gets a few kisses on her rosy cheeks and she babbles, yawning. “Are you sleepy? I guess it’s time for your nap, hm? Hey J, did the boys eat?”

“Yeah,” he answers, bored and you go to the kitchen, prepare some formula and bring the Princess back. You signal the twins to go play and you place Mia in The Joker’s arms, handing him the bottle.

“Here, feed your daughter.”

He scoffs, not thrilled but does it anyway.

“Aiden, don’t put that in your mouth!” you rush to take the shoe from him and he yells, running to his brothers, taking refuge with everyone under J’s purple coat. They all hide, whispering and thinking that if they can’t see you, you can’t see them either.

“Brats!” you mumble, letting them be for the moment and open the pantry in the hallway. “J ?” you get annoyed, “why do we still have a bunch of baby food with carrots and peas? You know Mia doesn’t like it, I told you to throw it away!”

“I forgot, woman! Give me a break !” he huffs, quite immersed into his current task. The little girl’s eyes wonder off, searching for you and stops sucking from the bottle until she sees you, then begins eating again.

“Moommyyyy,” whining is heard from under the purple coat,” Zane bit me!”

“Don’t bite your brother!” you raise your voice and there is fighting going on and more complaints.

“Mooommyyy, Aiden pinched me!”

Muffled laughter and more quarrel.

“Don’t pinch your brother!” you admonish, taking Mia away from The Joker since she’s fussing and refuses the bottle. “Come on, nap time for everybody!”

The boys emerge from under the jacket, tossing it on the floor and trampling on it, while their father gasps:

“That’s my favorite coat!!!!”

“Moommmyyyy, ice cream?” Zane follows you and you don’t have time to reply because J grouchily interrupts:

“Quit calling her mommy!! She’s not your mother!”

It feels like a slap in the face.

You abruptly stop and the boys bump into you. You turn towards The Joker, your blood boiling with indignation.

“I didn’t teach them to call me that and you know it ! I told them to stop and they won’t ! What do you want me to do, hm?! Glue their lips so they won’t talk?! I know I’m not their mother, you don’t have to remind me!”

J has some elaborated comeback but he doesn’t get the chance to continue because you literally burst out.

“Do you think it’s easy for me to take care of children you had with another woman?! Do you remember what you told me when we were together and I brought up the subject of having kids? You told me you don’t want any!!!! And then you met Anya and you had four !! Which means that you just didn’t want to have children WITH ME in particular ! Do you know how much that hurt?! But I stepped on my pride and raised them for the last four years because I realize they have absolutely no blame in this circus! You don’t like it they call me mommy??! Then bring back that trash-excuse-of-a-girlfriend and make her take care of them!!!!”

The boys shove themselves into you, startled and Mia whimpers, uneasy. You start walking again and J is speechless.

“What the hell was that, Y/N?!” he shouts and you can’t let it go so you extend your tirade. He’s really getting on your nerves.

“In all these years, did you ever thank me for everything I do?! Not even once!!!! And don’t think I’m not aware you sabotage my dates! I know you are saying things to the guys I like, don’t try to deny it!!!!” and you stump up the stairs, get everyone in the twins’ bedroom and slam the door shut.

J takes deep breaths, staring at the ceiling, talking to himself and nothing sounds nice. A few minutes pass and he decides to go after you and barges into the bedroom without knocking. Mia is almost asleep on top of you and the boys are gathered around your body, ready to doze off. They pout, frowning at their father: all they know is daddy said something that upset mommy. You truly look like Mother Hen with little chicks to shelter from the world.

“Building yourself an army with my kids, hm?” J sucks on his teeth and the boys give him mean glares. You reach to kiss the top of their heads, ignoring his remark. “I have a date tonight so I need you to babysit. I hate it when I have to bring others to watch them.”

“Fine, I don’t care. I missed them anyway,” you grumble, getting comfortable; might as well take a nap also.

“OK, done deal,” The Joker lingers in the doorway, debating on a simple idea that came to him while he was downstairs.

*****************

You enter the kitchen and notice the table full of boxes: Chinese food delivery from your favorite restaurant. J is already at the table, sitting on a chair and apparently waiting for you to show up.

“Don’t you look dashing,” you make an effort to start the conversation since you are still mad at him.

“I always look dashing,” he scoffs, pushing a chair towards you with his foot. “Sit!”

You hesitate and he insists:

“I said sit!”

Great, you will have to listen to him lecture you now. You do as asked, keeping your composure.

“It’s 8pm, aren’t you going?” you tap your fingers on the table, smelling the delicious food and it makes you hungry.

“As soon as the kids are tucked in and asleep,” he gives you a stupid reason, pretending to give a damn.

“They are asleep, just changed Mia and placed her in the crib.”

“Eat,” J leans over the table and gives you chopsticks. “I ordered your favorites,” and you seem a bit confused when he grabs a pair of chopsticks, opening a box and calmly begins to eat.

“Didn’t you say you have a date?” you bring it up, wanting him to disappear so you can relax and enjoy some quietness.

“I do,” he growls and your reaction is not a happy one when you realize what he means.

“Uggghhh,” you strain to contain your displeased attitude.

“Shut up and eat !” he kicks your chair and you drop the piece of sushi you took a bite from in your lap. “ You made me feel sorry for you since apparently you are not interesting enough to keep a man,” he smirks, pleased he can elaborate on his favorite subject.

“Yeah… right…” you stab your plate, poking a piece of fried calamari. “You’re the one chasing them away.”

“You have proof?”

“I know you are!”

“Ha! I don’t have to, Y/N. You’re just boring.”

You exhale, aggravated, changing the subject.

“Any news from The Queen?”  

Anya randomly calls him from time to time.

“She is no Queen !” J’s eyes suddenly lose their glow, his voice getting husky. “In order for a woman to be my Queen she has to earn my trust; you stopped being my girlfriend a long time ago, but you never stopped being The Queen of Gotham.”

The unexpected disclosure almost makes you choke. The Joker hears you sniffle and sees the tears rolling down your cheeks.

“You need a binky? We have plenty lying around.”

“N…no…” you barely chew on your food, not wanting to cry.

“Anya did call while you were in New York,” J admits and you lift your gaze, interested. ”She said she wants Mia. Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!” he sarcastically laughs,  “Like I’m going to engage into a custody battle of some sorts with her? Our children don’t even legally exist ! You know what else she said?”

He’s getting worked up and you assume the worst.

“She said she wants Mia because she’s not mine! Can you believe that?!” he slams his fist on the table and it makes you anxious.

“What?… No way! Of course she’s yours,” you wipe your watery eyes, the new revelation making you alert again. “The children are all yours !”

You surely don’t like the new twist on this night and leave your chair, going around the table and cup his face, wishing to calm down the demons before they break free.

“Look at me,” and the blue eyes meet yours. “All four are yours. Don’t listen to her; you know how she lies and manipulates things!”

“Mommmyyyyy,” you hear from upstairs. “Moommyyyyy!”

“I think Zane had a nightmare again. I’ll be back,” you caress his hair for a few seconds then leave, insecurity already creeping up in his mind.

****************

The next day you are going out with Alex, one of J’s smugglers. He is picking you up at the penthouse and hangs out with The Joker in the living room, waiting for you to get ready.

“Alex?” J casually scrolls through his phone, smacking his lips.

“Sir?” the guy’s body stiffens, not knowing what to expect.

“If I hear that you upset Y/N in any way, besides the fact that she will break your neck first, I will PERSONALLY make sure your body is never found again. Do we understand each other?”

This is what J always tells to all the guys you date: his way of being protective and he genuinely means it.

“Y-yes sir,” Alex nervously gulps, praying you’ll hurry up so he doesn’t have to be around The Joker’s menacing presence anymore.

An hour into your date and his cell rings. He picks up.

“Hey J, how are the kids?”

Alex’s voice is heard in the background, cracking up about something.

“The kids are fine!” J snaps and hangs up.

How rude, you think, returning to your drink at the bar and partner.

Another hour and a half pass, you call him again.

“J, it’s me. How are the kids?”

“They’re fine woman; go back to your date! The guy is gonna dump you tomorrow and then you’ll blame me again!” and he hangs up.

Jesus, what’s wrong with him? you crack your neck and go back to the table at the restaurant.

Two more hours and another call. This time you don’t even get to say a word before J screams:

“They’re fine!!!!!!” and he hangs up.

Wow, so ungrateful, and you wave Alex to come over on the dance floor since you really want to have fun.

***************

As soon as you get back to the penthouse in the early morning, you go upstairs to check on the children. They are sleeping and you wonder where J went since he is not in his room. You search around and don’t have to go too far: he’s on the balcony. It’s snowing and the pale dawn makes Gotham sparkle under the heavy snowflakes.

“I’m back,” you announce and bundle up inside your coat; it’s chilly and windy. “Insomnia?” you address him, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. He stares at the city he owns, the tall buildings still lit. “Are you ok?” you touch his hands resting on the railing and they are as cold as ice.

“She’s not mine…” J utters, frozen after being outside for hours.

“Huh?” you get closer to him to hear better because his lips barely moved.

“Mia is not mine,” he digs in his coat’s pocket, giving you a few papers and you turn the pages, stunned: they contain paternity test results. It is a match for the boys but no match for the little Princess.

“When did you do this?” you inquire, still in disbelief.

“While you were gone, after she told me. I wanted to make sure and I got the results yesterday after you went on your date,” J sighs, a sharp ache clawing at his heart. “She’s not mine…what am I supposed to do with her now?”

You don’t like the question.

“What do you mean?”

“Mia is not my daughter. I obviously have no use for her; I don’t want her here,” The Joker’s poisonous comment gives you goosebumps.

“How can you say that?! She’s just an innocent baby! It’s not her fault!” “I don’t want her here!” he barks, lifting the collar of his furry coat.

“Well, I do!” you take action, scared of this new idea of his. “If you don’t want her, I’ll take her! She’s my little girl,” you start crying, hoping to change the outcome of his plans.

“None of the kids are yours!” he pushes you away and storms inside, leaving you petrified on the terrace.

***************

You couldn’t sleep for a second so you spent the last three hours organizing documents and ammo in the basement. You go up to the penthouse again, checking to see if the children are awake. The boys are still dreaming, but when you step inside Mia’s bedroom, her crib is empty and your hearts stops.

“Oh my God!” you immediately wake up from your sluggish state, frightened. “Love bug? Where are you?” and you sweep the room – of course she’s not there.

Your legs are getting shaky as you go downstairs, desperate to find her.

“Jaaayyy? Jaayy?” you call his name and surprisingly he answers from his office.

“Yes?”

“Where’s Mia?” you run around, panicking.

“I dropped her at the orphanage downtown, told you I don’t want her!” he snarls from beyond the cracked door and you grab your car keys in a hurry, scared to death. The Joker hears the elevator going down and comes out of the office, holding Mia in his arms.

“Where the hell did that crazy woman go?! It’s a blizzard out there!” J lifts her higher on his hip and she baby talks, smiling so innocently he feels awkward and since there is nobody around, he kisses her forehead repeatedly, squeezing her more to his chest. “Oh, shit, you think she went downtown?!” he asks for the little girl’s opinion like she understands him. “That crazy woman!” The Joker huffs, “She completely lost her mind!”

Mia wiggles in his arms, cooing and making cute sounds.

“I’m glad you agree,” J take his cell out of his pocket and dials your number but the phone goes off on the coffee table: you left it there and he can’t reach you. “Great!” he hums, dialing Frost’s number and his henchman picks up.

“Frost, we have to drive downtown.”

 ***************

It was very hard to drive on the stormy weather, but you made it to the orphanage and your heart stopped when you heard no child was abandoned there this morning. Did he leave her outside in the cold snow and someone took her?!  You circle the huge building several times, bawling your eyes out because there is no trace of Mia. You even ask a few people brave enough to walk in the tempest but no one saw anything.

You don’t even know where to go; how could he do something like this? Discard such a sweet angel like an unwanted object when you made it clear you would take her. Where is she? Did she crawl somewhere and she is buried under the snow?!

All these thoughts race through your mind as you make your way around the building one more time, cold and tired but not giving up.

You hear heavy steps behind you and The Joker’s voice echoes in the white stillness:

“Are you looking for this?”

You turn around and there she is: he is holding Mia, the baby bundled up in her pink furry coat, wearing that adorable cat ears hat.

You almost trip and fall in the snow, but get to him and snatch her from his grip, distancing away as fast as you can.

“My little love bug,” you keep on kissing her, running towards your car, feverish and anxious while her tiny hands clutch to your jacket.

“What are you doing?” you hear The Joker approaching and you walk faster.

“I’m taking her away!” you shout, struggling to find your car keys and he pulls on your hood, slowing down your movement in order to catch up with you.

“Away? Where, to the penthouse?” J pants, not willing to chase after you again.

“No, away from you where she will be safe! “

“What about the boys?” the problem arises and you become more nervous.

“You left her here in the cold?” you punch his shoulder, trying to pass him but he walks in front of you.

“Are you insane?! Of course I didn’t abandon her in the cold; she was in the office with me!” The Joker growls, pissed.

“You’re a terrible person! I was so worried!” you begin to cry again and Mia winces, uncomfortable in your tight hold.

“We have to go back; the storm is only getting worse. I am fucking freezing since I had to leave the penthouse in a hurry wearing just my purple coat and a shirt, looking for a crazy woman downtown Gotham in this snow storm!! Come on, we’ll send for your car later. Frost is parked across the street,” he gestures, pointing at the black van.

You hesitate and J needs to bring out the mommy in you.

“The boys are probably up by now, wondering how come you’re not there to make them pancakes. You want them to starve to death?!” he over exaggerates, flaring his arms around.

“No, of course not,“ you mumble, following his steps, convinced nobody else on the planet makes better breakfast than you.

“Then hurry up, your kids are waiting!” he has an outburst of clarity while you lean on him for balance, careful not to slip.

You didn’t even realize he referred to his children as yours too, but this is probably why your heart is beating faster.  And all you can think right now is what else you can cook for breakfast.

That’s what mothers do.

Also read: MASTERLIST

http://diyunho.tumblr.com/post/153664676321/joker-x-reader-masterlist