#( is it an elaborate plan that might not even work? yes.

[misc-muses]

Gonna be hard to complete the Zodiac without this guy, ey, Sixer?

[thequeenofneverland1]

Being the Granddaughter of Oh Il-nam and the wife of the Front Man Would Include

Anonymous Request: hi can you do a headcannon of Being the Granddaughter of Oh Il-nam and the Wife of the Front Man Would Include please and thank you!!

You were deeply involved in the creation of the Squid Game, working alongside your grandpa.

Some of the iconic games, especially the more psychologically challenging ones, were your ideas. “What do you think about this, Grandpa? Imagine the fear when they realize the glass could break beneath them.” Your grandpa chuckled, patting your shoulder. “You’re as sharp as I hoped you’d be. This one will keep them on their toes.”

You first noticed the man when he participated in the games.

Although you only saw him through the screens, his determination and strategic mind stood out to you. “Player 132 is different,” you mused, watching him survive yet another round. “He’s not just playing to win. he’s observing, planning.” Your grandpa nodded beside you. “Those are the qualities of a survivor. Let’s see if he has what it takes.”

When he emerged as the winner, you were impressed and curious. Your grandpa invited him for a private meeting. “You didn’t just win the game; you conquered it,” your grandpa said, offering him a drink.” He glanced at the two of you cautiously. “I survived because I had no other choice. What do you want from me now?” Your grandpa smiled. “To give you a choice. Join us, and I’ll show you a world you could never imagine.”

Your grandpa made him his right-hand man for the following game, a decision that surprised you. Why him?” you asked your grandpa. “He’s new to all of this.” That’s exactly why,” your grandpa replied. “He sees things we don’t. Watch and learn, my dear.”

During the next game, you and he spent more time together as you helped him adjust to his new role. You’re surprisingly calm for someone thrown into all this,” you said one evening, handing him a report. He smirked. “And you’re surprisingly warm for someone who helps create these games.”

After working together for months, the bond between you grew stronger, and he finally decided to confess his feelings. “Can I ask you something?” he said one evening as you walked together near the game facility.” You glanced at him. “What’s on your mind?”He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I know this world we’re in isn’t exactly normal, but… I like you. A lot. Would you be my girlfriend?”You smiled, feeling warmth in a life otherwise filled with coldness. “I thought you’d never ask. Yes, I will.”

Your grandpa’s passing was sudden, leaving both of you to navigate the aftermath. He wanted you to lead this,” you told him, holding back tears. “He believed in you.”He looked at you, his expression conflicted. “I don’t know if I can live up to that.”

When He Became the Front Man “Are you ready to take the responsibility?” You asked he donned the mask for the first time. “Of course I am and having you by my side. We will be unstoppable.” 

Despite the darkness surrounding your lives, he proposed to you in one of the rare quiet moments He reached into his pocket, pulling out a ring. “I don’t have much to offer except this life we’ve built. Will you marry me?” Tears filled your eyes as you nodded. “Yes. I’ve already chosen this life with you. might as well make it official.”

Married life in your world was unlike anything normal couples experienced. You worked side by side, overseeing the games while trying to keep some semblance of normalcy.

As your marriage went on working together to create new games, each more elaborate and psychological than the last. “What about a game that tests loyalty?” you suggested one evening. “Make them choose between saving themselves or someone else.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Cruel, but effective. That’s why I need you. always one step ahead.”

The next game began, and together you implemented new challenges, ensuring they would be more psychological and intense than ever. “This one will push them to their limits,” you said, reviewing the game plan. He nodded, looking at your mask and his. “They’ll either survive or break. That’s the point.”

[incognit0slut]

Much Ado About Nothing (Act II, Scene II: The Crazy Idea)

After being cornered by your friends, you find yourself in an even more complicated position due to your impulsive decision.

Part warning: none, just my bad attempt at crack humor Words: 2.6k A/n: If you paid attention, I've been using his gifs from season 9 so the timeline is somewhere along there. And while writing half of this, I realized Emily wasn't even on that season, but for the sake of fanfiction and pure imagination, let's ignore the human error of this stupid author. Thank you. Let me know what you think!!

SERIES MASTERLIST | MAIN MASTERLIST

It took you exactly seven hours and fifteen minutes to finally gather the courage to head to Penelope's lair. The morning had been a blur of paperwork and reports, leaving you mentally drained and chained to your desk. But no matter how much work you plowed through, your mind kept drifting back to last night's disaster and how your friends had planned the whole thing.

Frustration wasn’t enough to describe how you felt. You found yourself gripping your pen so tightly it threatened to snap in your hand, and your fingers pounded the keyboard harder than necessary as you typed out reports.

Eventually, you found yourself daydreaming about ways to get back at them. You imagined a dozen different ways to plot your revenge, each more elaborate than the last, and although it provided a temporary sense of satisfaction, it wasn't enough. 

By the time you wrapped up your last report, your frustration had reached its peak. You decided you couldn't wait any longer. You headed to JJ's desk first, hoping to catch her and get some answers, but it was empty. With no sign of her anywhere and your patience wearing thin, there was only one other person who might have the answers you needed.

You made a beeline for Penelope’s office. The moment her door came into view, you knocked sharply and then entered without waiting for a response. You weren’t surprised when you found Penelope and JJ huddled over a monitor, their heads snapping up in sync at your abrupt entrance.

“There she is!” Penelope exclaimed, turning around in her chair. “We were just talking about you.”

“Oh, really?” you replied, crossing your arms. “I wonder what could possibly be so interesting about me.”

Penelope and JJ exchanged a quick look, barely suppressing their chuckles. 

“How did it go last night?”

You groaned at the memory. “I can’t believe you guys tricked me!”

JJ laughed and turned to you, her expression almost apologetic. “Look, we’re sorry, okay? We just thought it would be…” she looked over at Penelope, trying to come up for a word before settling with, “Fun.”

“Fun?” You exclaimed. “Manipulating your friends into awkward situations is your idea of fun?“

Penelope waved her hand dismissively. “It couldn't have been that bad. Did you guys talk it out?”

You stared at her pointedly as if the idea of you having that conversation with him was absurd.

“No.”

“Did he apologize for anything?”

“No.”

“Come on, there had to be some deep, meaningful conversation,” JJ chimed in, trying to hold back a grin.

You scoffed. “No.”

“Did he walk you home?”

“No—wait, yes, he did,” you admitted, recalling the memory. “But he complained the whole time about how inefficient my route was and how there were, and I quote, statistically shorter paths to my apartment.”

“How sweet of him,” Penelope observed, deciding to ignore the last part of your rant. Then she wiggled her eyebrows. “Did he lean in for a goodnight kiss?”

“What? No!” You sat on the only empty chair in the room, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. “Nothing happened.”

“Did he at least say something sweet when he walked you home?” Penelope prodded, trying to dig deeper.

You shook your head, a resigned sigh escaping you. “No, because it was nothing like that. We talked, we ate, he walked me home. That’s it.”

“Sounds like the start of something to me.”

“Totally the start of something,” Penelope nodded enthusiastically.

You rolled your eyes. “There’s nothing to start because we can’t even stand each other.”

“Well you know what they say,” Penelope sang. “There’s a thin line between love and hate.”

You narrowed your eyes at her, trying not to show how unnerving her assumptions were. "That's ridiculous."

“But he walked you home,” she pointed out.

“So?”

“So that’s got to be something,” JJ joined in. “Spencer’s not exactly known for going out of his way unless he wants to.”

“He was just being polite,” you insisted, feeling cornered. “He walked me home because my apartment was on the way to his place.”

Penelope tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Hmm, on his way, or making a way?”

You pinched the bridge of your nose, feeling a headache brewing. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Maybe he’s being subtle about it,” JJ suggested, trying to sound reasonable. “He’s not that forward when it comes to expressing his feelings.”

“No, guys, it wasn’t anything like that,” you insisted, your voice rising slightly in frustration as your eyes moved between the two of them. The room felt smaller with each passing second, the walls closing in as they stared at you expectantly. They were enjoying this way too much.

“Oh, but it could be,” Penelope persisted. “You’re both single, smart, attractive people who spend a lot of time together.”

“You two are unbelievable.”

“It’s okay, you can tell us,” she continued, her voice softer now as she reached out to pat your hand. “We’re your friends, and if there’s something more, we’d love to support you.”

“Or if you prefer to keep it a secret, we won’t tell anyone.”

“Exactly. You can trust us. We’re really good at keeping secrets.”

“So good.”

“So good.”

Your patience snapped, frustration and pressure boiling over. “Fine! Yes! We’re going on another date!” You blurted out, the lie spilling out in a moment of desperation before you could stop. “Happy now?”

Silence fell over the room as Penelope and JJ stared at you, stunned. Then slowly, realization dawned on their faces, and a chorus of excited squeals filled the air.

“Oh, I knew it!” Penelope exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.

JJ grinned at you. “Really?”

The weight of your words hit you like a cold splash of water.

What had you just done?

“This is so exciting!” Penelope gushed, her enthusiasm mounting. Then she turned to you. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

You suddenly felt a wave of panic. You scanned their faces, seeing only genuine excitement and curiosity, no hint of doubt and discomfort swelling inside you. How could you explain that there was nothing to tell because there was no second date? That it was just a knee-jerk reaction to their relentless teasing? You couldn't possibly confess now, not without making everything infinitely worse.

But how were supposed to tell him? The idea of deceiving not just your friends but also involving Spencer in this lie made you feel sick. The room seemed to spin as you tried to come up with some way to ease the damage.

“I... I wanted it to be a surprise?” You managed to say, although the words sounded more like a question. Your lie felt hollow even to your own ears, but Penelope and JJ seemed to buy it, nodding and exchanging excited glances.

“This is going to be amazing,” Penelope said, practically bouncing in her chair. “So when’s the next date?”

Your mind raced. For there to be a next date, even a pretend one, you needed to talk to him. The realization hit you hard, the full weight of the lie you'd just created sinking in. You'd have to involve him in this deception and the thought made you feel queasy. You imagined the awkward conversation, the look of confusion—and likely frustration—on his face. This was going to be a mess.

You opened your mouth, then closed it, scrambling for a response. “Uh, soon. I-I’ve got to go talk to him about it, actually.”

Penelope’s eyes lit up even more. “Oh, planning it together! That’s so sweet!”

You forced a smile, slowly rising from your seat. “Yeah, super sweet,” you mumbled, your voice barely steady. You could feel your cheeks burning as you stumbled over your lies. “I, uh, better go find him now.”

Without waiting for a response, you bolted out of the room, your heart pounding in your chest. You mentally kicked yourself with every step. You had let them get to you, allowing their teasing to push you into this mess. You couldn’t believe you had let yourself get caught up in this lie.

You paused in the hallway, briefly considering turning back and telling them the truth. The thought lingered for a moment, the idea of ending this charade before it spiraled further out of control. But you quickly shook your head, knowing that backtracking now would only make things worse. You could already imagine how unbearable the teasing and explanations would be.

No, you’ve gone too far to back out now.

Continuing down the hallway, your steps quickened as you searched for him. You finally spotted him by the pantry, absentmindedly pouring too much sugar into his coffee. You walked up to him and leaned against the counter, watching him stir his coffee with more force than necessary.

“I did something stupid,” you blurted out, catching his attention. He looked up before glancing back down at his cup.

“Why am I not surprised?”

“No, listen.” You leaned in closer, lowering your voice. “It’s about last night.”

He finally looked at you, eyebrows raised, clearly surprised as to why you would bring up anything from last night.

“What about last night?” He asked, bringing his cup to his lips.

The words tumbled out in a rush. “I was with JJ and Garcia, and they were teasing me about us, how we supposedly have this… thing going on now. I couldn’t take it anymore. So…” You watched him take a sip of his coffee. “…I told them we’re going on another date.”

He choked, the drink catching in his throat. Coughing, he set the cup down with a sharp clatter, his eyes watering slightly as he regained his composure.

“You told them what?”

“I didn’t know what else to do!” You rushed to explain. “They wouldn’t stop pushing and I just wanted them to shut up. I thought if I said something like that, they’d just leave me alone. But now they expect details, and I… I need your help.”

He took a deep breath, trying to process what you were asking of him. “Let me get this straight. You, of all people, told them we’re going on another date, knowing full well how we—” He paused, searching for the right words. “How we don’t get along. And now you want me to help you keep up this lie?”

You nodded, and he called out your name in frustration.

"Last night wasn't even a date!”

“I know! The words just… came out.” When you saw him shake his head disapprovingly, you let out a groan. “I’m not thrilled about it either, okay? But I’m kind of… desperate here.”

Spencer took another sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving yours. After a moment, he set the cup down, gripping it in his hand.

“No.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “No?”

“No,” he confirmed before turning around, walking back to his desk. “I’m not going to help you.”

You shuffled along, trying to match his pace. “Why not? This could actually get them to stop.”

“Do you even hear yourself? This is crazy. You can’t just spin lies and drag me into them because you want to avoid a little teasing,” he retorted, sitting down and starting to shuffle through some papers on his desk, clearly trying to end the conversation.

“It’s not a little teasing! They’re relentless,” You pressed, leaning against his desk. “Come on, don’t you ever get tired of them trying to set us up?”

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to pretend to date you. What’s next? A fake wedding?”

“Don’t be dramatic. We just need to show up together a couple of times, act mildly interested in each other, and then we can break up. We fake it, we tell them it didn’t work out, and we move on. It’s simple.”

“Of course, because nothing says ‘simple’ like faking an entire relationship.”

You crossed your arms and took a deep, calming breath. “Look, I know it’s not the greatest plan, but can you think of a better way to get them off our backs?”

Spencer stared at you, his eyes narrowing as he considered your words. “You realize you’re trying to deceive a team of profilers, right?”

He had a point, but you weren’t about to back down. “Wasn’t this your whole idea in the first place?”

“My idea was for us to act like we get along, not pretend that we’re in love.”

“It doesn’t even have to be convincing,” you argued, leaning in slightly. “Just enough to make them back off for a while. Besides, if you start laying it on too thick, they’ll never believe it. They know you don’t have much experience to begin with.”

Spencer looked offended, his brows knitting together. “I have experience,” he countered. “Just because I’m not flaunting it doesn’t mean I’m completely clueless.”

“Oh, yeah? When was the last time you were in a relationship?”

The words slipped out of your mouth before you could stop yourself, and when you noticed the sudden change in his demeanor, you realized what you had just implied. There was a tensed pause as you both stared at each other. You both knew the answer to that question, and you both knew you were treading dangerous territory.

But before either of you could break the silence, a voice cut through the tension. “What are you two lovebirds fighting about now?”

You turned to see Derek standing by his own desk, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. And then you saw it, an opportunity. If Spencer wasn’t going to agree to help willingly, you were going to take matters into your own hands.

You straightened your shoulders and faced Derek. “We need to tell you something.”

Spencer sensed what you were about to do and quickly stood up. “Wait—“

“Reid and I are dating.”

You heard Spencer take a sharp inhale. There was no turning back. The nerves in your stomach tightened, but you decided to ignore it and focus your attention on Derek instead. His eyes widened in surprise, looking between the two of you.

“You’re serious?”

“Yes,” you said firmly, crossing your arms and standing your ground, while Spencer remained silent beside you, his expression unreadable. “We decided to give it a shot.”

“At dating? As in romantically?”

“I don’t think there’s another way to describe it.”

Derek stared at you both for a moment longer, then his shock gave way to a broad grin. “Finally.” He let out an amused laugh “Took you two long enough.”

He approached with a playful swagger, clapping Spencer on the shoulder and ruffling your hair, which you quickly swatted away. “Can’t say that I’m surprised, but congratulations.”

Spencer looked at you, and you glanced back at him. Derek, oblivious to the tension between you two, grinned widely.

“I guess all that tension was just unresolved passion, huh?”

Your eyes snapped at him. “Morgan!”

“Alright, alright.” He raised his hands in mock surrender, still wearing a broad smile. “I’m just happy for you both. Seriously.”

You stared at him, bracing yourself for more teasing, perhaps a joke about what supposedly happened last night, or worse, something embarrassingly inappropriate. But to your surprise, Derek didn’t press further. Instead, he simply nodded with a genuine smile and returned to his desk, resuming his work.

You and Spencer stood there, dumbfounded, not quite sure how to process the sudden shift. You both were so used to his relentless teasing that his quick exit left you momentarily speechless.

You slightly leaned towards him as you continued to stare at Derek hunched over his desk.

“Do you hear that noise?” You whispered.

“What noise?”

“Exactly. This is the sound of peace,” you replied with a slight grin, turning back to Spencer. “See? This is already working. If we keep this up, we can finally get them off our backs.”

“I still think this is a bad idea,” he muttered, giving you a pointed look.

“Do you have a better plan?” you challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Because I’m all ears if you do.”

Spencer sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. He studied you for a moment, his eyes searching your face as if weighing the pros and cons. “I can’t believe I’m even considering this…” He trailed off, looking genuinely conflicted. “This is going to backfire, you know that, right?”

Sure, he could be right, but at the same time, you believed this plan was harmless. It seemed like a simple solution: a fake relationship played out convincingly enough to appease your friends. It was supposed to be straightforward—an act, a performance without real consequences. Nothing could go wrong if you controlled the narrative.

You finally looked up at him. “Don’t worry,” you said, trying to sound confident. “It won’t.”

But as the words left your mouth, you realized, you weren't entirely convinced.

[usedpidemo]

Too many nights ((G)I-dle Yuqi)

The way you see it, even if the signs were right in front of you all along—written in bright, colorful signposts with the largest text imaginable—you’d still be hurling yourself off that cliff. 

Yuqi knows this too—you think she does.

At the very least, she looks convincing enough that she feigns innocence on the matter, and she is. It's mainly a you problem. She doesn’t know you much other than being the sweet, quiet guy who was her roommate in college and nothing else.

And that’s probably the reason why she’s standing in front of your newly minted apartment on a random Monday.

—————

You’re waiting for her to pick her bags off the floor and leave. You told her to leave three times. Threaten to call security on her. She doesn’t budge. Instead, she stares. Stubborn, obstinate, unyielding.

“Please, give me one opportunity. Please let me explain myself.” Yuqi finally breaks her silence, eyes wide, glinting with tears, pleading.

“Shoot.”

She looks down, unable to see you eye to eye, her hands running through the pockets of her skirt. “You’re right. I’ve taken your kindness for granted, and I’m sorry. I really am.” 

Pausing, you’ve never heard her sound this quiet, this personal. “I never truly appreciated you till I was home with my parents. I should have focused more on studying than going out and having fun. Now look. They’re pissed that I’m being a bum at home instead of working, so they kicked me out.”

She proves your theory to be true. She has no reason to be here unless you bail her out of trouble again.

“But I can’t find one job that I like. Working a 9-5 or any regular cashier job seems so boring, you know what I mean? Doesn’t feel like my type of thing to do,” she continues, lightly kicking the suitcases with her feet. “My friends are all busy, so I had no one to lean on. Then I remembered you! So here I am.”

At least it was nice seeing Yuqi act mature for at least three minutes before reverting to her usual spry, childlike personality. 

“Okay? Well that’s on you for being lazy, and I can’t help with that. Sorry to hear you got kicked out, but I have nothing to offer you. It was great seeing you, though. Good luck with that job.” 

You try closing the door, but she stops it with her foot. Peeking through the narrow space, you find Yuqi persistent, unrelenting. “Wait. Hear me out for a second, I said I didn’t wanna be your roommate.”

“No, Yuqi. Just go—”

“I really need you right now. I’ve already applied to like five different companies on public wifi, it’s so fucking slow and I doubt they even got my email. I just need a place to stay for like a month. Trust me, I’ll get a job and when I get paid, I’ll spend it on finding my own apartment! Just give me this one time.”

You swear you’ve never heard Yuqi this desperate, this loud. Your neighbors are probably ringing up security right now, maybe the owner too.

“Okay, okay. Just calm down for a minute, will you? Our neighbors are listening.” You open the door lightly and Yuqi’s eyes light up. You didn’t even say yes, but it might as well be a confirmation to her.

“You promise? You’re actually working on a job application?” you ask, doubtful about her claim.

“Of course.” Yuqi shows her phone, presents pdf files of multiple application letters to the very places she doesn’t want to work. Some fastfood chains, at convenience stores, and mall outlets. “None of them have replied back, so—I’m still trying to apply to more places, but I’m almost out of data on my plan and I don’t wanna spend another night inside my car. Just give me this one thing? Okay?”

Seeing the evidence firsthand, you can’t help but be impressed. If you had any spine, you’d contemplate the proposal more, give it some time to mellow out, maybe let her elaborate some terms of agreement. But in a moment of weakness, you yield right away. What’s one month of Yuqi gonna do to you?

“All right, fine. I’ll let you stay—”

“I owe you one, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Yuqi doesn’t even let you finish your sentence when she brings her suitcases into your apartment at record speed. She gives you a peck on the cheek in appreciation twice, one for each pair of suitcases she shuffles in.

You can only sigh in response before closing the door.

—————

Before Yuqi gets comfortable in her new place, you sit her down on the living room couch to discuss house rules. This isn’t like college, where you share a dorm together, split the bill and have personal spaces. While you don’t own the apartment, you make one thing very clear: she’s bound to you and whatever rules you impose on her.

“Let’s make one thing and one thing clear: you break any of my rules, you’re outta here. I don’t care if you explain yourself, you’re gone. Understood?”

“Right.” Yuqi’s trembling with excitement and impatience, nodding erratically, kicking her legs up, goading you into rushing through everything so she can lay on an actual bed. 

You take a moment to analyze her suitcases in the middle of the room. Facing her, you ask cautiously, “Tell me you didn’t bring your—”

“Yep!” She responds almost immediately, thrilled to answer your question, as if it were muscle memory. “It’s exactly what you think it is.”

And there goes your supposed rule one. Of course she brought her entire dorm room decor along. Knowing her, they’re likely encompassing two of her suitcases.

“Yeah, no. My landlord is quite strict about decor, so you can’t put them up,” you tell her bluntly; there’s no getting around his rule, even if your roles were swapped.

She frowns, visibly devastated, probably more hurt than being kicked out by her family. It’s the end of the world, but she won’t give in. If there’s even a slight possibility she can have her way, she will force herself through. “Please? Even just my room—”

“Not a chance. It’s just a general rule here, sorry.” You make sure to shut her down immediately. “I didn’t make that rule, anyway. Blame the owner.”

Yuqi acquiesces. She groans with displeasure, crossing her arms, acting bratty. No act can convince you to change your mind.

“Right. Now actual ground rules. This isn’t a dorm so you can’t just freeload as much as you want. Now I understand you're still working on that job application, so all I’m asking is just for you not to be completely messy, got it? So don’t eat my leftovers without asking, don’t go out to clubs and ask me to drive you home when you’re drunk, none of that. If you’re drunk, sleep outside the room. I don’t want to clean up vomit on the carpets.”

Surprisingly, Yuqi agrees without complaint. You’re unsure whether she’s nodding so she can settle in, or if she actually understood every single word.

“I seriously hope you’re working on that job—”

“Don’t worry! Just give me the wifi password and I’ll be set.” Yuqi can’t help but interrupt you every single time, and to her credit, it’s effective. She does seem dead set on taking this opportunity to redeem herself, and it’s a convincing act. As insufferable as she can be at times, you want to see her succeed. You want to see her win.

You jot down the wifi password on an extremely thin sheet of paper and place it on the table before her. Before walking away, you ask her, “You need me to help with your belongings? I’ll get the guest room ready while you make yourself comfort—”

“Nah, it’s fine!” Yuqi’s typing on her phone, not even shooting you a look in your direction. “I’ll get it sorted out, don’t worry! Just pretend I’m not here.”

To her credit, she does get her belongings sorted out. By evening, she moves into a cleared out storage room that’s now her designated bedroom. Words are hardly exchanged other than simple pleasantries and greetings. You ask her if she had dinner, she says yes. She doesn’t take anything from the fridge other than some water. There’s a knock on the door; she answers and comes back with a package of chinese food. She offers to share some, but you modestly decline.

You never ate together when you shared a dorm in college. She would eat her inside her bedroom or after you already cleaned up. At times, she’d come back to the dorm late and you wouldn’t see her till the following day. You share the same space but you have vastly different lives. The feeling is familiar, but the setting is new: having dinner under the low light, uncertain about your futures. 

This feels like your first day together all over again.

—————

The first night with Yuqi is a quiet affair. There’s hardly any commotion. An unusual scene. She finishes her food ahead of you then retreats into her bedroom without uttering a single word. 

When you wake up the next morning, Yuqi is already at the dining table. Browsing her laptop, coffee in hand, seemingly focused on that next job application. She doesn’t even greet you or acknowledge your existence; she’s in her own world, but in a good way. 

“Morning,” you quietly say, trying to grab her attention, but it falls on deaf ears. 

“You off to work?” she asks, preceded by a mouse click while you pour onto your mug. Her attention remains glued to the screen, paying you no heed.

“Kind of?” You take a seat opposite Yuqi’s side on the table. “I work here. Or should I say: this is my workplace.” 

“Wow. I wish I could work from home. Would be nice,” she replies between mouse clicks and keyboard taps.

You take a light sip of your coffee. “What course did you take again?” 

“Umm—” Yuqi slumps back in her chair, “I think it was medicine? I wanted to become a guitarist and have my own band, but my parents wanted me to become a doctor. And I don’t wanna ruin my handwriting, so—” 

“Don’t you have a band with your friends? The one with—”

“Yeah that dream died two years ago.” Yuqi’s eyes squint, brows furrowing, running through every word slightly faster than normal. “And I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Not even a little—”

“No.” She faces you with a surprisingly cold glare, a sight you’ve never seen before. “They can just fuck off—those goddamn bitches.” 

You find yourself unable to move the conversation forward after her abrupt turn. It’s probably for the best; you hardly paid any attention to Yuqi’s life to be entitled to a substantial explanation. 

The rest of the hour goes by in deafening, awkward silence. Here’s Yuqi, this ball of energy whose life primarily revolves around partying and getting rowdy, calmly clicking on the touchpad and typing a few words every now and then in search of a way to fund her addiction. You can tell from her sullen expression just how deprived she is of that high—how incomplete she feels without the rush of adrenaline, ecstasy, and alcohol flowing through her veins. It’s impressive how it takes someone to hit rock bottom to turn their life around, how all this could have been avoided with a few decisions.

Still, it’s never too late for someone like her, and as long as she holds up her end of the deal, i.e. leave you for good after this, you’ll actively root for her success.

—————

“Fucking hell, dude,” sighs Yuqi, slamming the panel of her laptop hard, her fist narrowing missing the edge of the table. While you’ve made yourself comfortable at your usual workplace, a spacious office desk on the other side of the living room, you’re preoccupied scanning through numerous documents and emails your boss sent you. A look at the bottom right of the screen tells you it’s half past lunch. Then your stomach grumbles, as if the clock wasn’t enough of a reminder.

“Gonna make lunch,” you say to a vexed Yuqi, who’s stretching her legs against the table and her arms to the ceiling, body likely aching from her hunched position. “You good?”

“Yep.” Her tone perfectly toes the line between sincerity and sarcasm. “Got three rejections—no, four, actually. The last one was sent minutes ago.”

You’re not sure how to respond.

“Oof.” 

You couldn’t relate to her even if you tried. Of the two applications you sent, your current job is the one that gave you the freedom and flexibility to work from home, even if it paid less than the other. That was six months ago; finding job opportunities has become way harder, or so you’ve heard from your other unemployed peers from college.

“Finding a job sucks,” says Yuqi, stating the obvious. She finally gets up from her chair, brings her laptop back into her bedroom to charge before reemerging with a hairpin wrapped around her knuckles, tying it around her loose red hair. “So, what’s for lunch?”

“Meatloaf and eggs,” you reply, firing up the stove as you grab pans from beneath the sink. “Not sure if you’ll like it, though.”

She lifts her eyebrows, intrigued, but mostly unbothered. She’ll eat anything as long as it isn’t fast food or from the convenience store, and she doesn’t have the gall to complain, anyway, as your roommate. 

—————

“So, how’s the job hunting going?” you ask her right as the sun descends over your apartment windows. You have your schedule down to a science, finishing all intended projects and goals when neighboring buildings’ lights open. Weekdays can’t be anymore mundane and monotonous, but you get the job done, you’re paid handsomely, and you have time for your other hobbies.

Meanwhile, Yuqi looks like she doesn’t want to stare at a computer screen for a week, maybe a month. She looks worse off than she did in the morning. It’s evident in her clothes, her hair, her face: frazzled and messy. A perfect representation of her state.

“What do you think?” she replies, never sounding so heated, so frustrated. A look at her screen shows a new rejection letter, piled between several others, already read. Each one with different reasons, different ways to hurt, but with the same intent: we appreciate your interest, but we have chosen a different candidate from a very competitive pool—we don’t think you fulfill our qualifications—we’re looking for someone with more experience—we wish you the best in your future endeavors. You’ve noticed she tends to click back and forth between each letter, as if to torture herself further.

“I think you should put that laptop away. Try again tomorrow,” you tell her, closing the panel while she’s scrolling, stealing her attention. She readjusts her glasses, blinking rapidly, annoyed at your little intervention. “I’m going for a walk. You should join me.”

“And what if I don’t?” she asks, threatening to pull her laptop away from your fingers. 

“Good luck going out when I have the room key then.”

“I don’t have my running shoes,” she replies, and she’s telling the truth; she only brought one pair of slippers with her, the rest being colorful sets of boots and expensive high heels.

“Then grab some from my closet and wash up. You’ll look stupid if you go out in those silly boots.”

—————

At first, you believe she had declined the offer; you had already left the building when Yuqi caught up to you moments later, huffing and puffing from exhaustion. Hey, maybe she could have been a great track and field athlete if she put her mind to it.

You can’t help but make a little comment. “Thought you weren’t going to go out.”

That was for all the times she’d make similar remarks to you back in college. They never really bothered you; you were never a man of high morals and upstanding, but at least you had your priorities sorted out, unlike Yuqi. 

Yuqi playfully counters your rib, shooting you a disparaging stare. “Dude. I’m doing you a favor by doing this.”

“Elaborate.” You laugh.

“You never went out whenever I asked you. You always said no to parties.”

“And for good reason. Look at us now.” 

If you wanted to, you’d be harsher. You have years of dirty laundry and grievances to air out, but this is as concise and as restrained as you can express them without getting accused of attempted murder. Besides, you can’t keep a straight face the longer you look at her. She clearly stands out in a rather dreary and dull crowd, and it isn’t the red hair as bright as the sun, it's her look—or lack thereof. Your oversized hoodie, your running shoes mixed with her pajamas, the lack of bra—it’s obvious she only did the bare minimum to look decent in a public setting, and yet she fits in all of them like a glove.

“Where are we going, anyway? Can it be a bar? I hope it’s a bar.” 

The first thing she wants to look for once outside is a place to drink. Of course. It’s hardly a surprise to you or anyone at this point.

“Where’s your car anyway?” you question back. 

“I dunno. Could be in the carpark, could have been impounded. I don’t remember, and I don’t really care. It smells like dogshit, anyway, cause I’ve been living in it for the past three weeks.” 

Yuqi talks with a fine blend of fast and sardonic, evidently scarred from all her ordeals with that car. She’s never experienced living outside her glass castle until now, and it shows. She’s dragging her feet with every step following you close behind, trying to soak in the scenery around her. Street lights, joggers, buskers, friends, and partners of every sort, people that you actually know and recognize. It’s all foreign in her eyes. All she knows are strobe lights, loud music, drinks, and rowdy crowds. 

“So, like, do you just go on a walk every single day or you only do this because I’m your roommate?” she wonders, her gaze lingering at a passing woman jogger that catches her eye. Jumping to conclusions, she adds, “Are you telling me to touch grass? As if I hadn’t been doing that for weeks?”

You turn around and notice her distant stare, still fixated on that woman, ruminating the prospect of leaving you for her instead. “I don’t think getting blacked out drunk and vomiting in your car counts as touching grass.”

“How do you even know that?” Yuqi faces you, provoked by your comment, pouting. “You hardly attend parties, even when I invited you. You always turned them down.”

“Word gets around fast. I thought you already knew that.” 

If she could, she’d grab you by the throat and strangle you to death or rip you in half. It stings. She questions whether your blunt, matter-of-fact delivery makes the statement ten times more scathing. Then she wonders if she made a mistake, dressing up and going after you, when you’ll just be making her regret her life decisions like her parents did. You hardly cared back then, so why now?

“Can we just go to a bar? You’re being annoying.” Yuqi stares into the distance, intentionally averting her gaze away from you.

“If you have the money, then sure, let’s go for it.” You know she has no leverage or power; she can only afford fast food and a month’s worth of groceries and daily necessities. It pains her to make a willing decision to pass on alcohol and avoid bars and parties. She’s down horrendously, but she won’t directly confess her own fatal flaw. 

It takes everything within her not to slap you square in the face. 

And you can play this game all night long until she folds. You can stand there, argue, and debate with Yuqi till she runs out of excuses and complaints. Four years of pent up material to unload onto her, make a scene in public and turn her into an example about not wasting one’s life away. You can go further, you promise. 

Instead, you both settle down in a cafe on the other side of the park as a compromise.

The place is more suited to Yuqi’s style: lively crowd, comfortable ambience, all the caffeine and sugar as a proxy to her raging alcohol addiction. Most importantly, she won’t pay for shit. You don’t even end up drinking your own order; she does it on your behalf. You settle for a tiny cup of tap water instead. In a way, she’s acting like a needy dog, desperate for attention without concern for anything else that doesn’t involve her.

“Fucking hell, I never knew I needed this,” she echoes, sipping up the last quarter of your coffee, glancing at the menu over the counter, itching for another. She’s keen on paying from her pocket this time; she recognizes you won’t give her another freebie. “This shit tastes so good.”

You can only shake your head, not even remotely trying to hide your frustration toward her. Her obliviousness is kind of cute in a way, making her look a bit sympathetic. 

“Maybe I should just work here,” she says, her eyes moving in every direction, her attention taken by something shiny every five seconds. Plenty of action happens at night: groups entering and exiting, the pervasive scent of fresh coffee brewing in real time, and plenty of girls to ogle at. In particular, there’s a waitress with a cherry tattoo on her neck that’s captured her interest. She can’t help but point her out to you, grinning widely at her. “See that waitress? She’s kinda cute.”

“Uh-huh.” You’re not really paying attention; you’re there mainly for the free wifi and a snack, not to flirt. Luckily for you both, the waitress is preoccupied with meeting high customer demands to notice. “Good idea, maybe you should apply here.”

The longer you stay inside the cafe premises, the more Yuqi becomes less inclined to leave. You end up having dinner, a couple of ham and cheese sandwiches from the snack menu. On her end, four cups of coffee strewn on the table, all drank by her. If this was some ploy to make you pay for free drinks, it worked to a tee. Anything to avoid engaging you in a serious conversation.

The opportunity never presents itself. Soon, the cafe becomes dimmer and muted. Staff are closing off sections, clearing trays, and cleaning up empty tables. Since you entered the cafe, she has not made a move on the waitress at all, even when you’ve tried pushing her over the cliff numerous times. Her shift is close to done, ready to check out for the day. One more opening. Still, Yuqi watches her intently, but can’t find the strength to stand, let alone pull the trigger.

“Well? I thought you were gonna ask her out or something.” You take a look around and come to a grim realization: that you’re the only two customers left.

“I—I don’t think I wanna do it now.” Yuqi turns around, playfully grinning, but rushing through her words. “Maybe when I get the job here. Maybe.”

You can only react in quiet disbelief to how this was all just a huge waste of time—and money.

“Fucking—” you sputter before masking the rest of your response, groaning as you rise from your seat, leaving.

After two days, your main observation is that Yuqi hasn’t changed much. If at all.

—————

The rest of the week follows a similar structure. It’s comforting; it’s the kind of monotony you’ve acquainted yourself in ever since having your own apartment. Yuqi’s always up before you, an hour in advance, she’ll tell you. At her usual spot around the dining table, on her laptop, coffee in hand. You stop asking for updates after the third day; you’re certain she’ll figure things out. Your mindfulness and curiosity get the better of you, peeking through the screen on occasion, only to find the same thing. One rejection after another, mixed in with a new application letter in between. From the outside looking in, it’s as if some divine force doesn’t want her to get that job.

In the evenings, you go for your usual walks. Yuqi joins you out of the apartment building, but instead of following, she separates and heads the other way. She’s wearing her own earphones and your hoodie, something she’ll end up keeping. The few times you run across each other, she's holding some drink in her hand, usually the coffee from the cafe you spent time with her in, her hoodie pooling with sweat all over. No pleasantries, you mind your own business till you return home.

It isn’t until two weeks after she’s moved in that you extend an invitation: a visit to a newly opened lounge on the other side of town. You preface the invite saying you only knew about the place because it had opened a month ago, and had mostly forgotten about it until you remembered her. She’s doing well for herself, so you might as well reward her for her efforts, even if it hasn’t gone anywhere. And it isn’t Yuqi without asking for some kind of favor; in this case, taking a ride in your car because hers has been impounded by the police. You’re not even surprised that she’s too lazy to reclaim it herself.

Your friend says the lounge is newly opened, but once inside, you’re uncertain about her claim. Whether it's by design or her being a complete liar, grimy, poorly lit, in the vein of all those underground clubs you had seen in action movies where a shootout or police raid occurs. Simply put, there isn’t anywhere pretty to look at, and you feel icky just by being here.

To Yuqi, it’s a fantasyland: it’s where she’s meant to be all along. She’s so overjoyed to be there. 

“It’s you!” calls a familiar voice; you turn and find a friendly face over the counter waving to you. You quietly leave Yuqi to herself and approach the bartender, who just so happens to be the owner. “I never thought you’d come and visit! It’s great to see you.”

“Only doing this for a friend, Minnie,” you silently tell her, pointing your finger at your invited guest, the sole reason you’d ever be here. She recognizes her immediately and understands.

“Yuqi, huh?” She looks intrigued, her gaze lingering at the girl. A subtle grin is forming on her face. “Never thought the two of you would be an item like that, considering she’s a party animal and you’re—”

“No—no—don’t get it twisted,” you interrupt, frantically trying to clear up any presumption. There’s no chance in hell you will ever find yourself attached to Yuqi romantically, not even a little. “It’s—a long story.”

“Do tell.” Minnie smirks, teasing, alluring. She looks the part of a bar owner, all right; dark eyelashes and shadowy lipstick matching her pitch black hair. Not to mention her slim dress perfectly hugging her tight frame, showing enough cleavage to draw attention. As a friendly gesture, she gives you a wine glass and pours a drink on it. “We’ve got all the time in the world and all the drinks you need. All in house since you’re a friend.”

So you oblige yourself to a tiny sip. The place is surprisingly quiet and empty, even though it’s the weekend, with lo-fi music playing through the speakers as the only form of background noise. Minnie doesn’t have much on her plate. She can lean on the desk and listen to you all night long.

“So, two weeks ago, Yuqi moved into my place trying to look for a job,” you tell Minnie before taking another sip. Both of you take quick glances at Yuqi, seemingly having the time of her life, scaring off the sole patron by the billiards table. “And I was wondering if you can get her a job here. She’s been rejected from every company she applied for. I know she doesn’t want to work a nine-to-five, and I suddenly remembered this place.”

Minnie raises a curious eyebrow, brushing small strands of hair covering her ear. “I see.” Looking past you, she notices Yuqi, now at the karaoke, amused by her voice and energy. You follow along and watch too, wincing at her talent, caught completely by surprise. You can feel the passion and emotion from her rather honeyed, deep singing voice, as well as her natural charisma while performing. 

“Damn. She sounds really good. Borderline natural at it.” Minnie’s in awe of Yuqi’s abilities, the sort of reaction that pushes buttons, steals the show. “Wasn’t she in a band? I know she played guitar.”

“She said it doesn’t exist anymore, won’t tell me what happened.” 

Even in the midst of conversation, Yuqi’s voice manages to snatch away your focus. She’s an extremely powerful singer—a natural, as Minnie said. Her voice is overpowering the background music with little difficulty. There’s little need to watch when her vocals can easily capture your attention all the same. 

Facing you again, Minnie replies, clasping her hands together, “How about she perform by herself?” she suggests. 

You meet her eye to eye at the drop of the notion, curious.

“What do you mean?” You take another sip.

“We have an open mic night next weekend, and we could use talent to liven up the place. She sounds perfect for that kind of gig. Who knows? Maybe she can be a resident singer if the cards are right.” Minnie smiles through every word, recognizing Yuqi’s talent and the untapped potential she has. All she needs is a platform to showcase her skill properly. And taking another glance at her, you see that too. She has the passion and the vocals to croon a live audience.

“I’ll tell her,” you say, turning to Minnie again. Yuqi has finished performing and is on her way over to the bar. Your conversation breaks off as the two women greet each other with an exchange of kisses on the cheek. 

“Great place you got here girl,” Yuqi tells Minnie, beaming from ear to ear. “I’ll be popping by often if you don’t mind.”

“Thanks. I could use some company on the weekdays, if I’m being honest.” Minnie hands Yuqi her own wine-filled glass, as well as a complimentary bottle. She makes sure not to “Take it, it’s on the house.”

“God, this is why I love you so fucking much.” Yuqi drinks up the whole glass in one swig, and immediately pours some from the complimentary bottle. Minnie can’t help but shake her head with a little smile, knowing this is still the same Yuqi she’s acquainted with since college. A rose-tinted view of days gone by. 

The two women spend the rest of the time catching up. With how much they talk, it would be a safe assumption to think that these are two long lost friends who haven’t spoken in years. Then the conversation goes on and on, revealing more details than you should probably know: exchanged  private messages as recent as last night, Yuqi’s intentions to visit the lounge sooner before present circumstances got in the way, and how she ended up in your apartment. As a listener and side character in her story, it’s a part you quite frankly never wanted, let alone be involved in under any capacity. You make sure to add your point of view in the narrative and clear every question. Whenever you chime in, they laugh heartily. It’s a mess, and they’re unapologetically quirky, never failing to make fun of you at times.

Despite everything, the topic is never brought up: the upcoming open mic night, her performance, her natural talent. You were planning to shoehorn the idea, but one too many drinks later, the conversation and opportunity eventually slips away. Again. 

Yuqi can hardly stand on her own two feet when she finally decides it's time to leave. It’s two in the morning when you guide her back to your car, with her drunk out of her mind and slipping into unconsciousness. Minnie assists you, making it even more embarrassing. Even when she’s so inebriated that she can barely move a muscle, she says she wants another round, slipping back into her old ways.

You escort Yuqi back to your apartment, setting her down on her bed and promising yourself that you’ll tell her about Minnie’s offer when she’s sober in the morning. 

Except it’s the one fucking day in the month where your job calls you into an actual office for a meeting. Despite that, Yuqi is not at her usual spot in the living room the next morning (unsurprisingly), so you leave food on the table for when she eventually wakes up.

—————

Returning late in the afternoon, you find a note from Yuqi on the outside door of your apartment, stamped by strawberry lipstick, simply reading:

> Not gonna be around till tomorrow. Have something urgent to attend to - XOXO, song yuqi

Sure enough, one brief tour of the apartment and Yuqi is nowhere to be seen. Her room remains untouched: the same, colorful space it’s always been, with most of her clothes and belongings still strewn everywhere on the floor. You don’t even mind the stickers and posters plastered all over the walls; she was gonna break that rule regardless. Typical, but expected. At least you know she hasn’t completely left yet.

Deep down, it’s the first time in a while that your apartment feels a lot smaller—and lonelier. It’s not that you have any sentimental attachment to Yuqi—not in the slightest—but her presence clearly livens up the place. The difference without her around is night and day. Even when your interactions are limited to a minimum, the brief moments you interact make living by yourself a bit more tolerable. 

So you preoccupy your mind with your usual schedule: a walk in the park, then dinner by yourself. But these intrusive thoughts grow worse and worse. You’re not in your pajamas at the usual hour, her absence is keeping you up at night, and waiting for her to walk through that door is about as brutal as federal punishment.

You end up driving to Minnie’s bar, inquiring about Yuqi’s whereabouts. She says she hasn’t been around, and she hasn’t exchanged messages with her since last night. Then she asks about open mic night; you tell her about the inconvenience, about the note on your door, which is why you’re there. Good effort, but she ultimately gives you nothing.

“You should stay here a while, who knows? I can message Yuqi you’ve been looking for her,” says Minnie, her smile as welcoming as it’s ever been. “Why not have a drink in the meantime?”

“Hmm.” You entertain the thought, but she promised to return tomorrow, and perhaps you’re overthinking it; you just have to let it play out. “No thanks.” As a distraction you’re watching another girl at the karaoke machine. She has distinctively pink hair, has similar energy and passion for singing, except her voice is much higher, more nasally. All she does is remind you of Yuqi, but she’s nowhere close—in appearance and in ability. “She promised to be back tomorrow. Maybe I should take her word for it and go home.”

A pour of wine on the glass is followed by her siren-like whisper. With her hand caressing your shoulder, she mutters, “So—you like her. You like Song Yuqi.”

You raise an eyebrow, taken aback by her statement. Facing Minnie, you reply, “What? No way. I don’t like Yuqi at all. I’m just concerned she might have disappeared, that’s all.”

“Cap.” Minnie smirks, murmurs to your other ear. “You like her. Actually, you love her. You just won’t admit it.”

“And what makes you say that?” 

“The fact you look so distressed wondering where she is. I mean—just look at you.” Her voice is slow, delicate, each word delivered with profound emphasis. She flickers a lighter, then directs the cigarette in her mouth for a puff. “Would someone who doesn’t like her worry like this?”

“I mean—I’m just trying to help her get back on her feet,” you tell her, and Minnie can only chuckle in response. Puff more smoke. In her eyes, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Your words have no weight to them. It’s the same old same old most women like her hear dozens of times. I’m not into her, says the guy who’s showing an alarming level of concern towards said girl. Something she’s all too familiar with. “You know? Just looking out for a friend, that kinda thing.”

Minnie wishes she can hold up a mirror against you now to prove her point. In a place meant for everyone to relax and ease themselves, you look tumid, on the verge of a historical crash out. She smirks into her next smoke, shaking her head, scrolling through her phone. “Sure. I believe you,” she remarks, and there’s no effort made to hide the sarcasm in any capacity.

That piece of cigar looks quite appealing right now. She sells smoking like she sells the off shoulder dress draping her defined figure: exceptionally well, like she’s meant for it.

Later in the night—you’re unsure whether it’s still today or tomorrow—Minnie suddenly approaches you with a shift in enthusiasm, as seen through her grin: “You should probably head home. Unless you want to stay the night waiting for someone who won’t be here in the morning.”

“She’s back already?” You manage to decipher the hint right away.

She nods, can’t help herself from beaming continuously. No effort to lie or maintain the mystery further. “I guess you’re not as stupid as I thought you’d be.”

Running up the stairs in a hurry, you respond to her little jab with a shout, “And you owe me one for that. Actually—no, I owe you one!” 

Unknowingly, Yuqi’s little mannerisms are starting to reflect in you, too.

Sure enough, you’re home within a matter of minutes. Empty streets, dead nightlife on a weekday, the loudest thing heard for miles is the roar of your car’s engine and the elevator headed up to your apartment floor. Any other time you’d burst through that door like an officer with an arrest warrant, but it’s almost three in the morning, and the last thing you want to be is apprehended yourself after a noise complaint. 

The place remains as unchanged as you had left it: completely dark, save for one light over the kitchen. It’s quiet, eerily silent—until you hear airy, soft noises in the distance. Room by room, you carefully inspect where the sound is coming from, only to find nothing at all. 

There’s only one place left to check, and it happens to be the Yuqi’s bedroom. A room you remember being empty. As you approach the sole unopened door, you notice the faint sound growing in pitch. Hushed words from a familiar tone.

“Fuck—oh fuck—”

You press an ear against the door frame. She sounds clearer.  Way more explicit. Vivid.

“So—so—good—fuck yes—”

There’s a subtle creaking sound that accompanies her singsong tone almost perfectly. Nothing is left open for interpretation; Yuqi is feeling herself. Feeling a satisfaction that only comes from something slick, something rough, something good. 

As much as you want to respect her space, her moment in the dark, you can’t help yourself. She sounds so good, so gratifying to the ears, it’s making you a little hot and flustered, much to your own guilt and shame. You don’t care about the consequences; you’ll allow yourself one little look then pretend it never happened. At best, she’s too preoccupied with her own bliss to notice, and at worst, it’ll be one awkward conversation starter in the morning.

“Oh, oh God—you feel really good baby—just like that—”

It’s as if she’s reading your mind, understanding your intentions. The way she moans your name like an invitation—something you never thought you would hear or even consider—how it’s naturally delivered from her sweet, intoxicating voice. You’re doing yourself a disservice by listening through the door.

There’s no better opportunity than now.

With your heart racing against your chest, every nerve in your muscles tense up as it desperately opens the door, slowly and as quietly as humanly possible. Miraculously, you go completely unnoticed. Even as light from the living room slowly penetrates through Yuqi’s bedroom, it fails to cover what really matters: the bed and Yuqi herself. 

Nevertheless, the sight that welcomes you is one to behold, one worth looking at with complete awe.

Yuqi’s body is splayed out on the bed. Her legs are spread wide, a couple of her fingers aggressively rubbing against her exposed clit, and there’s a glossy sheen coating the sheets before her soaking wet core. Her clothes are, unsurprisingly, scattered all over the floor, along with a pair of consumed alcohol bottles. She’s completely bare for your eyes to see. Nothing is left to your imagination. More importantly, she looks so fucking hot. Your heart is racing like never before, and the scene has your pants in a twist.

Her other hand runs up and down her lithe frame, then squeezes her own breast. She lets out this sharp mewl, grinding her hips against air. Her jaw slacks wide. Her eyes shut tight. Her back arches. Waves of self-induced pleasure send shockwaves through every fiber of her being, her moans growing more and more erratic.

“Fucking give it to me—I love this cock so fucking much—”

It’s about as pornographic and explicit as it gets. It riles you up in an uncomfortable way; you end up unzipping your pants to free your growing erection, but nothing happens beyond that. It feels wrong. It is wrong, but you can’t muster up the strength to look away, let alone walk away. You want to see how it ends. How she cums.

She wraps a hand around her own throat, while her knees are planted upright with her feet firmly gripped on the sheets. There's a noticeable tone change in her whines, as if simulating the act. Yet, the words flow from her lips seamlessly. “I’m so close—so, so close—”

The cackle she makes after is mortifying. Here’s this girl, who you had zero attraction prior to tonight, shamelessly declaring how she’s going to cum, how good your cock feels inside her—without either of the two even happening to begin with. The fact she likes you is the least shocking revelation in itself. A reminder: you only had three meaningful conversations with her since she moved in—two if you consider how blackout drunk she was the night before, and even if you go all the way back to your college days, you can count them with your fingers alone.

“Fucking—cumming—oh my God—”

Yuqi strains her knees and loosens her grip on the sheets as she lets the pleasure wash over. Clear liquid gushes past her throbbing, relentless fingers and spills onto the linen. A guttural, deep moan fills the bedroom as she slumps her body flat on the mattress, her energy completely depleted, her thoughts filled with nothing but orgasmic bliss. Her coated hands rest on her bare waist, her tummy, leaving viscous sheen on her creamy pale skin.

When she isn’t screaming your name or touching herself to the thought of you, Yuqi, at her barest, looks so gorgeous like this. Flaws and all.

Albeit brief, it’s quite the show to more than satisfy your thirst for her. You remember your uninvited presence in this room and where you stand in this relationship. That she’s only a tenant—an acquaintance at best—and nothing more. Any other person and situation would already send you damning to hell. 

So you quietly leave, gather your bearings, hoping her haze doesn’t clear before she is made aware of your presence, but you hear a faint whisper right as you close the door, clearer than any whine of pleasure:

“Hey.”

Part of you wants to ignore her, pretend this is all a huge misunderstanding and feign ignorance. Then you hear her soft, alluring voice calling your name and it’s what ultimately folds you:

“W-what time is it?”

Again, you consider the choice of entertaining her question or leaving her dry. She’ll probably fall asleep shortly after and forget these few moments. You tell her it’s three in the morning, hoping she dozes off.

She doesn’t.

“Shit. Can you come inside? I mean—come in.”

She’s still thinking about you, and it’s admittedly cute. You love how unabashedly blunt—and lewd—she is when she’s drunk. You give her the benefit of the doubt and reenter the room.

Yuqi realizes the messy state she and her bedroom are in when you turn on the lights. Cheeks puffed and red from embarrassment, she tries to hop off the mattress, only to stumble to the floor on her fours. 

“I’m so, so, sorry. I didn’t think you’d—” 

“Hey hey, it’s fine.” You grab her off the floor and sit her on the bed. “Don’t apologize. I’ll get some water; stay here and rest.”

Your eyes are meeting, hers twinkling. In those few, crucial moments, right when you’re about to leave, you feel an irresistible tug pulling you closer to each other.

Suddenly, Yuqi pulls you in by the shirt for a deep, passionate kiss. Her lips taste like actual whisky and vodka, indicating what she drank earlier that night. Yet they feel so lush, so sweet, filled with so much passion. You don’t bother trying; you fold to your lust, submit to her desire. You sink onto the bed together, never breaking apart, even for a second. Next thing you know, her hands are all over your body, roaming your chest, coiled around your neck, removing the shirt over your head to be tossed aside and completely forgotten.

Yet there’s still some resistance. Despite making the first move, she pulls back, and you do so in return. You’re hovering on top of her—an unexpected but welcome position to be in. 

“I didn’t know what got me there. I’m sorry. I just felt this sudden need to kiss you and—”

You shut her up by diving in and kissing her again, pinning Yuqi down to the mattress—the very thing that got you into this position to begin with. With you all over her, she’s able to shed the rest of your clothes: first the slacks, followed by your boxers. She mewls at the sensation of your hard cock pressed against her slit, and it’s beyond what her imagination can describe. It’s electrifying. And God, you know you’re no better than her, but you just want to fuck her right then and there, give her everything she wants without a second thought. 

Grabbing you by the scalp, she rips your lips off her chin as you’re making your way down her neck. “Not yet. Nuh uh.” She pulls you into yet another kiss, as if you’re oxygen—and in a way, it’s appropriate: you’re breathing new life into her. “Did I ever tell you that you were a good kisser?”

“Not at all,” you tell her, gently shaking your head. “You’re not half bad yourself.”

“Half bad?” Yuqi raises a sharp eyebrow, seemingly offended by your backhanded compliment. A dangerous smirk forms on her lips. “Says the one who was watching me the entire time—”

“You knew?” There’s a heightened sense of panic in your voice. “I thought  you were—”

“Shhh.” She kisses you, pulls you into a warm cuddle atop her. Slender legs wrapped around your hips, she follows: “Less talk, more lovemaking.”

And more lovemaking you do. You grow more easily acquainted with her lips than with her personality, and you barely know them: it’s only been a few minutes. Even though it’s a Thursday, the weekend feels like a lifetime away. You should be up five hours from now; you have the alarm preset and everything. But Yuqi’s getting in your way again, as she always has, and this won’t certainly be the last. She’s so hypnotic, so alluring, you find yourself unable to slip away, no matter how hard you try.

You find that it’s easier to give in than to struggle aimlessly. 

It’s effortless to get your fingers pressed inside her sopping core, brushing along sensitive, wet ridges of skin, where thoughts of you manifested into thin, delicate strokes. Her moans ring against your ears in varying pitches, each with a distinct, pulsing plea of satisfaction. Keep going, she tells you, and you follow without complaint. All this while you leave a soft path of bite marks down her neck and collarbones, until you reach her petite chest.

And fuck, you just go down on Yuqi. Sucking on her breasts like you’re in the middle of an oasis in the desert. She goes wild. Tossing, turning, trembling. You can feel her body close on you, wanting to take you in and suffocate you. The bed is creaking, growing strikingly more intense, turbulent. All this spurring you on, making you more reckless, more daring with her. 

“Mmmmm—fuck!” She lets out a hum of desperation, her hot, shaky breath fogging on your skin. You become an intertwined labyrinth of limbs that fit together, where you have no idea where it begins and where it ends. Your fingers vanish between her legs, still working tirelessly, perfectly snug around her pussy even when crushed between the weight of her thighs.

Eventually, you find yourself staring aimlessly at Yuqi. She’s so beautiful, and you’re punching yourself mentally, wondering why it took so long to come to this conclusion. Even when she’s not rocking the trendy hair color of the week and her face is a canvas for every conceivable makeup and filter, she’s naturally pretty. Especially now, completely bare—and with nothing but an exasperated, satisfied look of inebriated, lust filled bliss.

You find the light peeking from the living room, casting a shadow between your tangled legs. She’s dripping at her core, showering your fingers with a fresh flow of sheen, messing up the sheets even further if that’s even possible. They’re beyond saving at this point, and so are you. 

Rolling to her side, Yuqi wraps her arm around you, as if enticing you to stay. You shouldn’t have done this, but it’s too late: there’s no going back. You’re too lazy to close the door, and you have the girl you previously never gave a second look rubbing lazy circles on your stomach with her coated nails. Her hair draped all over your arm and shoulder, her eyes looking up at yours, acting all soft and innocent—

Until she starts talking again. “It wouldn’t be complete unless you cum inside me, wouldn’t it?”

The difference between her body language and her lips is night and day. Right then and there, you immediately recognize that there’s no other way this night will end. How your body moves at her will, how you immediately roll on top of her, as if it’s programmed to follow her every command. You have her legs pressed up and spread wide, her knees bent, lining your aching cock against the wet slit of her cunt. All while her features twist into a sickening, slimy grin in the slim shape of a lip bite. The fire, the desire—it’s still as bright as ever. 

And to make sure you aren’t second guessing the idea, her arms are coiled around your neck, her hands grabbing at your hair, pressing on your nape. Yuqi wants you—needs you—to fuck her silly; it’s the only way she can be satiated.

You watch Yuqi’s expression contort from anxious to messy, and the feeling is mutual. You slip in, slow and delicate, going against her instruction, and you almost lose it at the first stroke. The deep, guttural moan you make echoes throughout the entire apartment, while her firm walls pulse against your cock. It’s hot, it’s tense, it’s suffocating. 

“Shit, shit, shit—” you mutter, gently trying to pull back, but the fiery sensation burns, scratches away at your psyche, at your loins. “So—fucking—tight—Yuqi—fuck.”

“C’mon. Fuck me. Fuck me now.” She kisses your ear, her legs pounding against your hips, demanding you to move. There’s some serious intent behind her tone, a seamless blend of demand and impatience. “Use that big cock—mmm!”

You can only groan in response as you thrust back in deep, her grip on your body tighter than ever. And it’s more than just her cunt; she’s clinging onto you for dear life.

It hardly matters when you’re leaving sore, red marks on her skin or ripping through the blankets. It hardly matters when Yuqi can barely breathe. It hardly matters when you’re so loud that everyone can hear you. What’s important is you’re fucking her—and you’re fucking her hard. You both love the filthiness to it. There’s no rhythm, no pace, no flow; it’s one slow deep thrust, followed by a fast pump into her tight, inviting cunt. You become comfortable; you take her like she’s meant to be used.

And Yuqi takes your cock so fucking well. Bounces against every stroke with ease, as if the feeling is second nature to her. Knowing her, she’s probably been in this position more than you’d want to know or hear. You don’t really care about that for now. Even after what seems to be an endless cascade of orgasms, she’s still keening, still needy, still soaking wet that it’s alarming. Her back arches, melts deep into the cushion. She still wants more.

“So—fucking—good—more—need—fuck—”

The only noise you need is the mesh of your flesh slapping against hers, bouncing against her sharp cries of pain and pleasure. Reaching into the deepest, most sensitive parts of her pussy with your cock, this violent shudder rocks both you and Yuqi to your core. With each drag, more of her slick coats your shaft, and the easier you get access to her smothering heat. You can’t find the will to stop, not that you ever want to; she feels so warm, so inviting, so sloppy sounding to the ears that it’s driving you just as crazy as her.

It’s also driving you wild why it took you this long to fuck her—use her—like this. If you had known, you would have cared sooner. You’d have some leverage when it came to negotiations. A body like hers is too good not to have on speed dial.

Right now, it’s the least of your concerns. Not when you’re pounding a tight body like Yuqi’s so freely, hearing her demand to fuck her harder, like your life’s depending on it. Better late than never.

And it’s for the best that the moment happens later rather than sooner. She cums. Cums again. Eventually you’ve stopped counting, because there’s no point. The mere thought of you restarts the cycle, and your touch accelerates the process. The clutch of her cunt is too overwhelming to avoid at this point; it’s all but directly telling you to fill her, to unload all that pent up tension and need into her. The thought never bubbled up in your head even once; the idea of you and Yuqi with a child together. You never really questioned it. She goes out often, probably gets fucked multiple times in one night if she’s with willing company. She probably knew you’d walk in on her; hell, she’s probably got this whole thing planned out and Minnie is one of her accomplices. Maybe the entire time, she’s been yearning for you, because you’ve never heard her this passionate, this loud, this filthy in your life, even at her most inebriated.

“Inside me. Please cum inside me. I’m safe, don’t worry,” she whispers, as if she’s reading through your mind, reassuring you from your doubts. Her hand is palming your back, as if to line you straight so your cock directly hits her sweet spot. She sounds so pretty, it’s almost impossible to resist.

“Gonna cum,” you tell her, voice going hoarse, rasp, and she nods immediately in return, reinforcing the notion. She’s focused her effort on holding on, her legs tightly wrapped around your waist, her arms coiled around your neck, subtly pushing you against her hips. 

“This—pussy—so—fucking—God,” you mindlessly utter, averting her doe eyed gaze, desperate to cling to the last of your resolve as it quickly dissolves with each thrust. You’re on borrowed time and it’s quickly slipping away. Yuqi is tilting your face down to her, to her airy breaths, to her fluttering eyelids, to her passionate expression as you fuck her, pushing you over the edge. “Holy fuck, Yuqi—”

Yuqi’s lips part like a flower in bloom, and it’s a pretty sight. Yet it’s not enough of a distraction to keep everything from falling into place.

And God, it fucking burns. 

You swallow hard, but are unable to keep that groan suppressed. Your hips meet her halfway, your cock comfortably buried deep in her heat, and that’s where you come undone. Yuqi digs deep into your skin as it fills her—your cum—and she goes frozen at that moment. It’s a quiet, tense flash of silence. Afterward, she finally breaks. Cries out this deafening whine, her grip all over you loosening, time eventually catching up to her. 

She lays beneath you, completely limp, but her body remains trembling, shaking, seizing. You don’t find the strength to drag your cock from her heat; the feeling lingers. Endless ropes of cum gushing into her womb, emptying yourself, just as she wanted. Then you pull out, agonizingly slow, and more viscous slick gushes from her core. 

You feel guilty for that poor patch of soaked linen between her legs. It’s about as ruined as a collapsed power plant.

There’s little need for Yuqi to beg you to stay. The climax saps whatever energy you had left. You end up slumping flat on your belly beside her, both of you bathed in the afterglow of sex, exhausted from an already long day, too worn out to make another sound. And when you’re tired, any bed, no matter how messy it may be, is a comfortable bed.

—————

You already expected the scene at the breakfast table to be awkward.

And it was.

It isn’t until Yuqi calls you out standing at the doorway of her room that you realize you’ve been shooting a thousand yard stare the whole time. She waves at you, her cheeks red, flustered, chuckling. “Good morning to you, I guess. Put something on. I don’t wanna drink coffee while looking at someone’s dick. It’s gross.”

This time you’re the one unbecoming, completely in the nude while she got herself into some pajamas. Despite that, you hardly feel any guilt or shame, like this is a normal occurrence in the household. So you scramble to your room and get appropriately dressed. A look at the time and it’s already 15 past ten in the morning, an hour later than when you normally start work. Even more unusual is the absence of the laptop. It’s just Yuqi and her coffee.

Sitting opposite Yuqi, today seems a bit more tense than normal, and you can guess the reason why. She knows it, too. Neither of you are willing to break the ice, only shooting occasional glares at each other while sipping on coffee and scrolling through your phones.

“So, Yuqi.”

The words slip from your mouth, accidental, nearly silent. They follow the mild screech of the chair she sits on. When you meet eye to eye, she asks what’s up. What's on your mind? There’s a sudden barrier in your throat. You have a vague idea of what to say, but not the power to speak them. 

“About last night—”

Her lack of response is unnerving. The visible curiosity, the probable apathy. You and her possibly sharing the same sentiment: a feeling of regret. 

“I—I just wanted to say sorry. For last night. I should have just—”

“Sorry for what?”

You suddenly stop. This is not the expected reaction; it’s the complete opposite. A moment where you face the consequences of your actions.

Yuqi stands up and walks over to your side, beaming from ear to ear. “What we did last night was—fucking amazing. Don’t feel bad. If anything, I should feel bad because I didn’t tip you off sooner. We could have done so much more.”

You don’t pick up on the implication right away. It’s all strange, uncharted territory. Your previous flings were simple one-and-dones: a night of reckless, frivolous fun. Short, but fun nonetheless. They would disappear in the morning, never to be seen again.

“I didn’t think you’d walk through that door, especially since it was three in the morning,” says Yuqi, casual, running her fingers through your hair. “I got a bit too silly, as usual, but there’s a good reason for it.”

“And that is?”

“I got a job!” Yuqi’s gripping to your shoulder, the only thing keeping her from jumping for joy. “I got a job at the cafe with the pretty lady. I start on Monday.”

It’s certainly a cause for celebration. You can’t help but root and smile for her, caressing her hands. “Well, damn. Congratulations.”

“Yeah!” Yuqi’s wrapped you in a rather heartwarming embrace that you willingly fold into. “I had the interview yesterday, so I needed to lock in. Needed to be alone. Then I got accepted after, so I went and bought some drinks to celebrate.”

That doesn’t surprise you one bit. You’re just thrilled that she’s finally getting somewhere.

“So—does that mean I can kick you out once you get your first paycheck?” you ask her.

“I guess so. But—” Yuqi pauses, tilts your chin on an incline. She’s warm, radiant, pretty. She doesn’t care that you’ve worded yourself poorly and you’re taking it back; she’s still riding off the high from yesterday. You’re already counting the days before she leaves, and admittedly, you’ll miss that sight. “I’m gonna miss staying with you. Thanks for having my back when I needed it. I honestly don’t know how I will ever repay you.”

She tops it up with a quick peck on your lips. It’s all over your face, etched completely in red. The devilish grin. 

“I think I know exactly how.”

And that’s all that needed to be said.

Before you know it, you’re right back at square one: clothes scattered everywhere on the floor, her body pressed on the mattress, flat on her belly, your cock stretching her pussy out as you fuck her mindlessly from behind. This time in the comfort of your own bedroom.

All the more reason for you two to stay together.

—————

(A/N: fucksorryforgoingonanotherhiatusfuckfuckfuck—)

(Okay, but I really do wanna apologize for going on yet another unannounced hiatus. Final weeks of the semester were hell, then I was on vacation the week I promised this fic would be released (I'm basically the LeBron James of K-smut when it comes to lying at this point), not to mention a health scare courtesy of my mother. Some very hard times have hit me lately, so my mind wasn't 100%. Nevertheless, I am still standing (shoutout Elton John). Lots of free time throughout June and July, so hopefully nothing bad happens ISTG lemme have some peace for once and let me fucking write goddammit—)

(In non-personal news, Yuqi's solo was very fun and she's getting on that Yena level of bias where she's the perfect blend of cute and hot. Then she went pink recently and that made me :pphurt: Sort of a feel out fic before I *finally* finish these commissions over the coming weeks, thank you for reading!)

[kurokawaia]

❛ DADZAI?? ❜

DAD!Dazai Osamu X MUM!Reader

WC: 1k+ | WARNINGS: x fem reader, reader is a mother, dazai is a father, you both have a daughter, ooc dazai? + more

⋆·˚ ༘ * 𝑅𝐸𝒬𝒰𝐸𝒮𝒯 :: hihihi!!! this idea has been stuck in my head for the longest time, And I absolutely love ur writing style!!!!!!!! So I’m wondering if it’s possible for you to write a dadzai x fem!reader and he has a little daughter!! Thank u!!! - ANON

m.list | bsd m.list

Dazai would be the ultimate playful dad. He'd constantly come up with games to entertain his daughter, he'd let her win every time! he doesn't love to see his little princess sad, he wants her happy all the time. No tears around here!

Dazai’s teasing extends to both you and your daughter. He’d affectionately poke fun at the little things, like when his daughter mispronounces words or when you’re caught being overly serious.

Dazai is very protective of the both of you, your his only family, your his wife, and she's his daughter. He makes sure everything is secure, he doesn't want either of you in danger, he's always looking out for the threats, especially considering what his last job was.

Dazai would constantly shower his daughter with affection, but in the most chaotic way possible. Imagine him picking her up and spinning her around until she’s dizzy with laughter, or carrying her on his shoulders >.<

After your daughter goes to bed, Dazai loves having lovey-dovey moments with you, kissing you, hugging you, teasing you, having sex with you, he loves you all.

Dazai always be thinking of spontaneous adventures to take you and your daughter on (yes he will avoid work by doing this, he's hitting two birds with one stone) loves to watch his little girl play on the playground, making sandcastles but he glares at any boys who goes up to her.

Protective Dazai! GLARES AT THE LITTLE BOYS WHO WALK UP TO HIS LITTLE PRINCESS 😭🙏🏼

Dazai’s attempts at teaching his daughter important life lessons would often be... unorthodox. He’d tell her bizarre metaphors or use strange examples... when she's older, in her teen years, she starts talking about a double suicide as well...

When his daughter comes home with school projects or arts and crafts, Dazai gets surprisingly into it. He’d help her build the most elaborate school project.

As much as he wants to shelter his daughter, Dazai also believes in giving her independence to explore the world. He trusts that with both of your guidance, she’ll grow into someone independent.

BEDTIME STORIES!! DAZAI LOVES PULLING GUNNY VOICES WHILE READING HIS PRINCESS A STORY! He’d act out characters, make exaggerated voices, and then cuddle up with her until she falls asleep, her tiny hand clutching his 🥺

Dazai and your daughter would often conspire against you in the cutest of ways, like pretending to plan a prank or plotting a surprise just to make you laugh.

Now.... Beast!Dazai as a father...

Dazai would soften in front of his daughter, would absolutely never get mad, never yell, none of that. He is incredibly protective of the both of you, almost to the point where he is paranoid because he's scared something might happen to you and his little princess.

Though he’s a feared man in the underworld, when he’s home, he’s a completely different person with his daughter. He’ll play peek-a-boo, help her chase butterflies, and allow her to style his hair (which is why he often has bows or clips in his hair when you come home)

He’s big on teaching his daughter how to read people and situations. Even from a young age, he’ll subtly point out things like body language, tone of voice, and how to trust her instincts. He wants her to be sharp and never get hurt, he doesn't want her to suffer in a world like his

Dazai spoils you both, bringing back gifts with him after missions, flowers, toys, all of that. He loves to see his girls happy.

On nights where he can’t sleep (which is often), you’ll find him in his daughter’s room, quietly watching her sleep (NOT IN A CREEPY WAY LAMFOBSOJBVLS) Sometimes, he’ll hum lullabies from his childhood to soothe himself as much as his daughter.

You are the one person who keeps Dazai grounded. While his daughter melts his heart, you provide him with emotional stability. He’ll confide in you about his fears of failing as a father, or anything, because he knows you're there to help him, to help him do teh right things, reassure him, telling him that he's doing the best.

Dazai trains his daughter in self defense. He doesn't want her involved in the mafia, he just wants her to be able to protect herself. He only does it when his pretty wifey isn't home though... he doesn't want to get scolded for you catching him teaching her how to wield and shoot a gun

Family nights every night! Dazai never knows when his last night will be so he makes you eat together, watch a movie, reading a story to his daughter every night without a fail because he chesrishes these moments so much.

Dazai isn’t big on over-the-top displays of affection in public, but when it’s just you and him, he’ll wrap his arms around you, especially when he’s feeling vulnerable. He’ll kiss your forehead or play with your hair.

Dazai would raise his daughter to be independent. He’ll often praise her when she tries to solve problems on her own, even if it’s just something as small as putting her toys away. He wants her to grow up capable, strong enough so a man doesn't need to provide for her (even if shes an adult, dazai will never approve of a man with her)

Though Dazai is laid-back around you, once his daughter starts showing affection to other male figures, whether it's an innocent crush or just bonding with a friend, he’ll get hilariously overprotective. You’d have to reassure him that his little girl isn’t going anywhere 😭🙏🏼

He has a habit of giving his daughter cute nicknames, princess, my little girl, my little princess!

Dazai occasionally fears that he won’t be a good father because of his past and the world he’s still involved in. But you remind him that he’s doing his best, and the love he has for both you and his daughter is more than enough to prove he’s a great dad.

Dazai has a hidden soft spot for his family (obviously). You often catch him staring at both of you with a soft, almost melancholic smile, as if he can’t believe he’s found something so pure and worth protecting.

Do not copy, steal, modify, etc. Relogs and like are appreciated.

[wobster109]

Dissecting the post-Sunday conversation between Ratio and Aventurine

This conversation is not, as many are interpreting, proof of Dr. Ratio's loyalty.

It couldn't be: they are still in the dreamscape, where the Family's eyes and ears are everywhere. No, this is a post-mission debrief, heavily encoded and disguised as a quarrel.

Dr. Ratio: You look pale. Or, is that also part of your act? Aventurine: Didn't think you'd have the nerve to show yourself. Dr. Ratio: I thought this was exactly what you wanted. After all, I faithfully fulfilled my duties as you instructed. Dr. Ratio: Just tell me if you can't hold on any longer. Aventurine: So, the "genius" of the Council of Mundanites wants to be my undertaker now? My… what an honor.

First part of the convo. Aventurine is playing his part perfectly. He’s acting angry and hurt: Ratio you rotten betrayer.

Interestingly, Ratio is slipping. Are you ok? Tell me if you can’t hold on. It almost sounds like he's a bit unsure about what happened. "I thought this was what you wanted", like he's asking for reassurance in some form.

Aventurine has to work hard to drag Ratio back on-script. "Have you forgotten, Doctor? You betrayed me." It's a hint and a reminder: stick with the plan, Doctor!

Dr. Ratio: Yes, and I'm pretty sure the people at the Strategic Investment Department would love to be notified of your death in due time, but let's not forget you won't be seeing them, because I'm the manager of this task. Aventurine: Great, then tell your people that Aventurine is ready to go in seventeen system hours.

Ratio asks for instructions (disguised as a taunt), and Aventurine provides them. I'm not entirely sure what instructions were given. It seems to be What should I tell the IPC? / Here's what you tell them.

Aventurine: My conversation with Sunday convinced me that there's a traitor in The Family, and that they hold the secrets of Penacony… So, I took the opportunity to set everything in motion. Aventurine: I even managed to recover the gift money. Things haven't gone this smoothly since I walked through the doors of The Reverie… Now, I'm only one step away from victory. Let's just wait and see.

Confirms that everything is on track. I believe the line about the gift money is actually him confirming that he has the aventurine cornerstone.

Dr. Ratio: Sounds like a very elaborate way of saying that you failed. Aventurine: That's all I can say. Have you forgotten, Doctor? You betrayed me.

This sounds like a bit of a warning from Aventurine. Remember we can't say too much here.

Dr. Ratio: You've got a lot of nerve — how exactly do you plan on completing your task while you're hands are tied by The Harmony? [...] Dr. Ratio: That's true, but what's your plan? Did you conceal an Orbital Support beacon in that gift money bag?

This is interesting. Ratio doesn't know the full plan! I imagine he's tremendously on edge. He's fishing for info, again disguised as taunts, specifically info about how Aventurine is going to get himself out—but of course, Aventurine can't say it out loud, not in the dreamscape.

Ratio is at the breaking point.

Dr. Ratio: Fine. Here, take this. Open it when you're on your last legs. You'll thank me.

YES this is what I was waiting for, the moment when his whole voice changes! His usual tone is very much like giving-a-speech. He pronounces each word and syllable with precision, and clearly enunciating all the ending consonants.

Not here though. It's all grumbles. I think this might be the first time we're seeing cracks, and the personal Dr. Ratio is showing through instead of the public-speaking one.

Aventurine: You catch on pretty fast, Doctor.

He caught on that he was supposed to play along and not say anything that outright gives the plan away. (In my opinion he was pushing it a bit.)

I wonder if that's why he pulls the sudden disappearing act. He's slipping up, and/or bad at saying good-bye. Can't trust himself to get another word out. 🥺

[solarmorrigan]

Hands Where I Can See Them, Part 6

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

The days pass like cold mud – slow, uncomfortable, and relentless.

But they do pass.

Eddie had said he could give Steve the time he needed, and he’d meant it; he would wait out the two weeks and be there on the other side to talk to him. To hope for a second chance.

They see each other here and there, mostly in passing: Steve comes to pick a few of the kids up from a gaming session; Eddie stops in at Family Video with Jeff, Gareth, and Oliver to grab a movie (where Jeff and Steve exchange a surprisingly friendly greeting); they occupy separate sides of the room at a group dinner.

Each time, Eddie is sure to at least acknowledge and wave at Steve, in spite of any protective hovering and scowling Robin might be doing if she happens to be present. Steve gives cautious nods in return at first, but as they near the deadline, he’s returning Eddie’s distant greetings with a hesitant smile and that ridiculous little finger-wiggle wave that Eddie had been reluctantly charmed by in the beginning.

And in the meantime, Eddie plots.

He is not, by nature, an optimist (strangely, between the two of them, that’s Steve’s area), but in this instance, he plans for the best: the idea that Steve will say yes and let Eddie take him on a proper date. And as improvisational as Eddie likes to be, he’s also a veteran dungeon master and plotter of all sorts of campaigns; if you want long-term plans to go off without a hitch, it pays to be prepared.

So, he plots.

He brainstorms and makes lists of all of Steve’s favorite things and schemes out elaborate romantic gestures and draws on all the knowledge he’s retained from the romcoms he’d whined about having to watch with Steve but had always given in over when Steve gave him that puppy-eyed look that Eddie has no defense against.

(And somehow, he’d continued to think they were just friends. His lack of awareness should be studied as a scientific anomaly.)

He thinks Steve would be proud of his accumulated work (and Eddie himself isn’t ashamed of it, but all the same, he makes sure to hide the notebook where none of the guys will ever, ever stumble across it, because they would never, ever let Eddie live it down).

In any case, the ticking down of two weeks finally comes to an end, and Eddie stands in front of the phone earlier than he’d normally care to be awake, hoping that his work will pay off.

Steve picks up before the fourth ring, just like he always does, and answers the phone like a dork, just like he always does.

“Harrington residence, Steve speaking.”

This is where Eddie normally makes a joke – says he’d been trying for the funeral home and asks if Steve happens to have a shovel and some time on his hands; says he thought he’d had the number for the Hawkins Gentleman’s Club and asks if Steve is much of a dancer; once, he’d even affected a terrible New York accent and spun some lines about how he’d been trying to call a speakeasy. He can always hear the laughter caught behind Steve’s dry responses to his nonsense, and he always loves it.

But now is not “normally,” and Eddie only just manages to sound like himself as he replies, “Steve. Just the Harrington I was hoping would speak.”

“Eddie,” is all Steve says for a moment; he sounds almost surprised, but not displeased. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Eddie says back. “So, I know punctuality has never been my strong suit, but it’s, uh. It’s been two weeks. Pretty much on the dot. And you said I should come talk to you again, so…”

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, no, did you – You can come over. If you want to talk, still,” Steve says – stammers, really, like he’s been caught off-guard, like he really hadn’t been expecting Eddie to call.

“Well, if I didn’t change my mind in two weeks, I’m not gonna change my mind in the fifteen minutes it takes to get to your house,” Eddie says.

“Sure,” Steve says, a little steadier now. “Yeah, I’ll see you in a bit, I guess.”

“You definitely will,” Eddie assures him. “See you in a bit, Steve.”

“Yeah. Yes. Bye, Eddie.”

It’s awkward, but – it’s something.

The only reason Eddie doesn’t break an egregious number of traffic laws on his way to Steve’s house is because he simply couldn’t bear the irony of getting arrested now, of all times. With his luck, he’d get sent up the river and Steve would be left waiting and waiting at his house before coming to the conclusion that Eddie had never really cared about him after all, only to be found surprised and jaded several years later when Eddie is finally released from prison and makes his first stop the Harrington house and – Christ, Eddie’s had romance on the brain too long. He’s going to have to binge reread Lord of the Rings or something to get his head back on straight.

He pulls his head out of the clouds and his van into the Harrington’s ridiculously massive driveway and heads up to the door with a vibrating surplus of energy sustained entirely by nerves and determination.

It seems like he’s not the only one running on anxiety power, though, based on how quickly the door opens after Eddie rings the bell.

It’s the first time Eddie’s really seen Steve up close since the trailer two weeks ago. He looks– better. He’s still tired, Eddie can tell; he’s got that slightly droopy look around his eyes and an almost painful set to his jaw that’s nearly impossible to spot if you don’t know what to look for – and most people don’t (but Eddie’s spent a lot of time learning Steve, even if he hadn’t picked up all the right tells). But he still looks better, and Eddie finds himself relieved.

“Hey, there,” he says, giving Steve a nod. “Just happened to be in the neighborhood, y’know. Thought I’d drop by.”

Steve shakes his head, a tiny smile quirking up at one corner of his mouth. “Come in, jackass.”

“Fine way to treat your guests,” Eddie drawls in return, gratified when Steve’s smile grows just a tiny bit more.

He takes off his shoes at the entryway (Steve hardly ever asks anyone to take off their shoes, because worrying about the state of your floors isn’t cool, but it bothers him all the same, and so Eddie takes them off) and follows Steve through to the living room, where they both perch awkwardly on the couch and sit in an equally awkward silence for about thirty seconds.

“So… you said I should come talk to you,” Eddie says finally.

“I did, yeah.” Steve nods.

“You said to tell you if this was still something I wanted,” Eddie goes on.

“I did, yeah,” Steve says again. “And… you’re here.”

“I told you I wouldn’t change my mind, Steve.” Eddie’s hand twitches, almost instinctively reaching out for a spot on Steve’s knee, or around his wrist, or threaded through his fingers, but he doesn’t think he can take Steve freezing up or pulling away again. “This – you, us – I still want it. I want to do it right. If you’ll give me the chance, I want to treat you how you should be treated.”

Steve nods. “Okay.”

Eddie blinks. “Okay? As in – just, yeah, okay?” He knows he’s not making much sense, but he’d been sort of prepared to have to make his case – to extol the virtues of the perfect dates he had planned, to sing the praises of all the things he knows now that he should appreciate about Steve, to lament the loss of trust and ease between them, but instead Steve is just sitting there, watching him with a funny sort of smile on his face.

“I was… I was never going to say no, Eddie.” Steve shrugs. “I just really needed you to think about it. To make sure this—a real relationship with… with me—is really what you wanted. Because if it’s not, if you took it back again, I don’t think I’d– I just really needed you to be sure.”

“Steve,” Eddie says, low and serious, “I have never been more sure of anything in my life. A real relationship with you is exactly what I want.”

Steve’s smile twitches, changes into something a little more familiar, a little warmer. “Okay.”

“You’re never gonna regret it, sweetheart,” Eddie says, can’t help bouncing a little in his seat as his nerves turn to excitement, to elation. “I have the corniest, most romantic dates planned, I swear, I’m going to knock your socks off. We’ll unlock your inner Molly Ringwald.”

Rolling his eyes, Steve shakes his head at Eddie. “You really don’t have to do all that. I’m not– putting you through a trial, or whatever, we can just go back to what we were doing, right? Just with… I dunno, more awareness.”

“Noooo, no.” Eddie shakes his head right back. “You said you didn’t want to pretend nothing ever happened, and you shouldn’t have to. I want to do this, Steve. Let me take you on a real date.”

Something unreadable flashes across Steve’s face, and suddenly his smile is wrong again. Sort of plastic – like he’s trying, but it’s not quite reaching his eyes. But before Eddie can ask what’s wrong, Steve is shrugging.

“If you insist…”

“I most certainly do,” Eddie says firmly. “I’m gonna romance the shit out of you.”

At that, Steve releases a helpless snort of laughter, and the plastic smile is gone, blown away by a real one.

“You’re making a super good argument for it,” Steve says, and Eddie grins.

“Aren’t I?” He bats his eyelashes. “So tell me: you free on Friday night?”

“I’m working, actually. Someone has to dole out dumb romances to other people out on dates,” Steve says drily, as if he himself hasn’t seen most of the films he’s maligning.

Eddie hums. “Saturday?”

“I could probably get someone to cover my shift,” Steve hedges, teasing and flirty and everything Eddie’s missed in the last few weeks.

“So you’ll be free?” Eddie asks.

“As a bird – as long as that bird isn’t a robin, considering who’s going to have to cover for me,” Steve says, and Eddie pulls a grimace.

“Yeah, maybe don’t tell her why you need the shift covered. I get the feeling she wouldn’t be as agreeable if she knew I was involved,” he says.

“I don’t think Robin’s ever been agreeable in her life, and she’d probably resent the accusation.” Steve smirks. “But as long as she doesn’t think I’m sneaking away to see you, and if I take the Monday morning shift she really hates, I don’t think it’ll be a problem. Let’s plan for Saturday?”

“Saturday it is!” Eddie pops up off the couch, both unwilling to sour the mood by overstaying his welcome, and suddenly overflowing with the need to set preparations in motion. “Six o’clock, sharp! I’ll pick you up.”

“Do I get to know where we’re going?” Steve asks, one eyebrow cocked.

“Absolutely not. The surprise is part of the experience,” Eddie says.

“Dress code, at least?” Steve wheedles, and Eddie supposes that’s fair.

“Casual. And bring a jacket,” Eddie says.

Both of Steve’s brows go up now, as he rises from the couch to follow Eddie back out towards the door. “Telling someone to bring outerwear to a date is usually a red flag, man,” he says, watching as Eddie shoves his shoes back on.

“But you love being outside,” Eddie counters, glancing up at Steve with a grin.

“I,” Steve pauses, blinking at him. “I guess.”

“And no more hints,” Eddie says, rising from the floor and reaching for the door handle. “I’ll see you on Saturday?”

“Yeah,” Steve says, his voice warming around a small, pleased smile, “I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“Can’t wait.” Eddie throws one last grin at him before stepping out into the brisk, late fall air.

He doesn’t stop smiling the whole way home.

Part 7

-

Tag List (Drop me a line if you'd like off the ride): @bushbees @y0urnewstepp4r3nt @gleek4twd @hellfireone @westifer-dead @anne-bennett-cosplayer @starman-jpg @mugloversonly @swimmingbirdrunningrock @alycatavatar @y4r3luv @rhapsodyinalto @vinteraltus @lilpomelito @tillystealeaves @noctxrn-e @pearynice @giverobinagfbrigade @novacorpsrecruit @hotluncheddie @strangersteddierthings @alongcomesaspider @theheadlessphilosopher @jettestar @rajumat @garden-of-gay @jamieweasley13 @dam28lh @oldwitcheshat @lololol-1234 @perfectlysensiblenonsense @salty-h0e @r0binscript @mavernanche @back2beesness @a-lovely-craziness @paintsplatteredandimperfect @redbullgivescaswings @emmabubbles @heartstarstar-blog @thesuninyaface @thatonebisexualman @fruitandbubbles @erinharvelle @m-owo-n @theystoodandplayedwithsilence @surroundedbyconfusion @luthienstormblessed @3ldr1tchang3l @pansexuality-activated

The tag list is full at this time, but I'll be posting this fic to Ao3 soon, so hopefully people can subscribe there if they want update alerts?

[blushweddinggowns]

 “So let me get this straight. You met a hot guy, conned him into a date with you, lied about who you were to get into his pants and still failed. Then kept going, bought a new phone and rented a fake apartment, fell in love him, continued this elaborate ruse for four months, and now you want me to figure out a way for you to get out of it?”

“...yes?”

“Oh my fucking god,” Chrissy nearly screeched into his ear, “That is what you have been doing? Have you lost your damn mind?!”

“Obviously, yes!” Eddie yelled right back, feeling fraught as hell. He was pacing back and forth, a cigarette in hand as he spoke, “I never planned on ending up here!”

“Really? Because this whole shit show seemed to need a lot of planning. Is this really what happens when I leave you unsupervised? I am never letting you out of the house again.”

Eddie was well aware he deserved the ribbing. He deserved much worse, but that didn’t change the fact that he was desperate, “Chris, I’m serious. I need help.”

“Eddie, I love you but come on. You need a plane ticket and an apology muffin basket and to move on. This guy doesn’t even know you.”

“It’s not like that,” Eddie said as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair, “It’s-okay. I’m still me with him. It’s like…I’m acting like who I would have been if I was never famous. I don’t know how else to describe it.”

“Have you tried delusional? Also, can I get a picture of this guy? How hot can one dude be to drive you-”

“I’m serious,” Eddie interupted, irritation coloring his voice, “I told him everything. The shit about my parents, Wayne, the drugs, you, everything.”

“You realize that everything would include your real name right? And again, a picture for the love of god would really help put this in perspective-”

“You know what I mean,” Eddie sighed. She still wasn’t getting it, “I’m in love with him. Like Chris, he was made for me. And if I had just stuck to tattooing instead of doing the music shit then I’m pretty sure he’d think the same of me.”

He could hear a small intake of breath on her end, her voice coming out a bit more concerned than before, “Eds, are you serious?”

“Dead. I… I think he’s the one,” No, that was another lie. Eddie took a deep breathe before admitting the truth, “He is the one. And… I don’t want to lose him. I can’t lose him.”

“Honey, it’s an infatuation. A really, really strong one, but still-”

“Chrissy. Listen to me. I want to marry him. Do you understand me now?”

If that didn’t get through to her nothing else would. Because Chrissy Cunningham had spent hours upon hours of listening to Eddie complain about the institution of marriage since fucking highschool. How it was all a farce, just some bullshit people pulled for tax reasons and patriarchal idealism. And now here he was, fucking day dreaming about the perfect happily ever after with the love of his life. 

“Oh Jesus,” Chrissy groaned, the sineritcy Eddie was looking for finally creeping into her voice, “Sweetie, I’m so sorry… but I think you might have fucked yourself too big on this one.”

“Isn’t there something I can do?” Eddie pleaded into the phone, like Chrissy actually had all the power in the world to fix this, “What if I just lead a double life? Couldn’t that work?” 

He had seen a movie about that once or twice. It was a thing. Or if it wasn’t then he could make it one.

But Chrissy didn’t seem too convinced, “Eddie, honey, you’re describing the plot of Hannah Montana like it can actually be a solution. Do you realize how insane that is? Do you not get how far you’ve fallen?”

from the next chapter of this fic

[chronicbeans]

Platonic Alastor x Maladaptive Daydreamer Reader

Hehe not me self-projecting again! Anyways, these are kinda based on my own experiences, but I'm trying to make them more generalized.

TW: Maladaptive daydreaming, escapism, dissociation, mentions of depression and anxiety, brief mentions of compulsive behavior/OCD, invasion of privacy, manipulation, peer pressure, yandere-ish behavior (I believe he defaults to those behaviors, no matter the type of relationship), mention of cannibalism (this is Alastor we're talking about...), Alastor is a shitty toxic friend in this

• He's absolutely fascinated by the way your mind works. Even before he knows what is going on, or begins to get close to you, he can tell you are an interesting person. The way you look so distant, like your mind is checked out and flying to far off places without you, is something he hasn't seen before. He wants to pick and prod at your brain to see what's going on.

• He doesn't want to do so the easy way, though. No. Instead, he wants to drag out this process for as long as possible, and make sure you twist and squirm all the while. He loves to make people uncomfortable, after all! That's his specialty, in his opinion, besides his radio show.

• He'll start off with introductions, of course, which is probably when he first got interested in you. That dreamy look isn't so easy to see from a distance, after all. The second he looked into your eyes while shaking your hand, though, it became obvious. How hadn't he seen it before? If he saw this look when he first entered, he would've talked to you first out of the crew at the Hazbin Hotel. Well, besides Charlie... But, that's just because she owns the place.

•The uncomfortable prodding starts in an instant. One of his first questions after getting your name is not "What made you want to come to the hotel?" or "What can you provide to help the hotel?" It's more like "How did you die?", "What are your major vices?", and "What sin have you committed to be brought to Hell?" He wants to test the waters. See what he can get away with without completely scaring you off. If you run away and avoid him, it'd be harder to learn what he wants, and make you uncomfortable while doing so.

• Regardless of whether or not you answer, you are probably a little put off from him. Not enough to completely avoid him, since you can see how some of those questions might help him help the hotel, but enough to be uncomfortable... Which, in his opinion, is perfect!

• He's great at hiding, so if you start noticing him mentioning things you thought were private, you really shouldn't be surprised. He can, quite literally, hide in the shadows at times. He quickly takes notes of your little habits, including ones you might be embarrassed about.

• He may watch you pacing around your room, mumbling to yourself as if you are playing pretend all alone. Or, maybe, he's hiding over your shoulder while you're writing down some elaborate storyline. Perhaps he's watching you in plain sight, seeing you make a bunch of odd facial expressions at seemingly nothing. He may not know why you do this, but he wants to. He would've suspected some sort of substance use, considering it's Hell. Lots of people do so. However, he's never seen you near anything that would cause such behavior. So, that's off his list, for now.

• So, step 2 of his plan begins! As his good ol' pals Husk and Niffty to try befriending you! Or, at the very least, get information from you that you aren't comfortable telling him. Then, have them report back to him with their findings. Of course, Husk seems agitated by the request, but obliges. Niffty seems more than happy to do as he asks, though. A happy worker is a good worker, so he has more hope in Niffty getting the big story than Husk.

• Surprisingly, though, he's proven wrong. The most Niffty got was your fashion sense, favorite types of stories, and that you are very "quiet". Yes, the fashion and types of stories were new to him... But what he seems important, the reason you act so oddly, isn't there. Husk, however, was able to get a lot more out of you, somehow.

• Husk mentions you talking to him, one night, after he saw you skipping oddly down the hall and pass the bar where he was cleaning the glasses before closing it for the night. You seemed extremely embarrassed to have been seen, mentioning that you thought he was asleep already. He then just, politely asked a few questions...? And got answers? How?

• Alastor immediately demands answers, only for Husk to reply "I don't know how to describe it like they did! Most I understood is that they daydream too much. Seems like it's a constant thing going on. They like to pace and prance while doing so, sometimes, but don't like getting caught."

• Now it begins to make more sense... the writing, the talks about stories with Niffty, the prancing and pacing... and most importantly, that dreamy, distant look you have. He can even see why you'd make odd expressions. You're reacting to your own thoughts... He doesn't understand it. He's never heard of anything like this before, especially during his time as a human, but he can tell one thing for certain: You must be his friend, now. Whether you like it or not.

• You are so different from everyone else he's met, you see, and he loves things that go against the norm. Now, while you may or may not be considered normal or not too different by others, you're different and abnormal to him. You somehow succeed in both being polite, smart, and funny to mess around with, while also barely being able to pay attention to the world around you. He's always thought that those two things were mutually exclusive. How can you learn when you can't stop being in your own head? How can someone be polite and not listen? The funny part, though... He can kind of see that. He finds surprising you be sneaking up behind you and tapping your shoulder funny every now and again. Nevertheless, you are going to be his friend.

• Soon enough, you notice his behavior changing, a bit. Less following you around, less vaguely threatening words, and more... quiet. It's eerie, coming from him. However, you also notice him trying to talk to you about stories and books he's heard and read. Even things he's heard during his human life, such as Creole folktales and other stories he's heard in New Orleans, Louisiana back in the 1920s-1930s. It's a bit like a completely different side to him you never expected to see, and never really wanted to, but you aren't really complaining. It's better than him deciding to terrorize you for fun and him asking invasive questions...

• A little more time passes and he decides to ask about small habits, disguising them as him just now noticing those habits, when he's probably noticed them while spying on you months prior. Nothing too extreme. Mostly just your expressions, how it seems like your attention is somewhere else... Nothing like your pacing, prancing, or acting. He wants to establish that he knows about these tiny little things, and now that you're more comfortable with him, you're much more likely to answer. That way, once he moves onto the bigger, more personal questions, you'll already have been eased into feeling comfortable with it.

• Eventually, you get to the point where you feel comfortable calling him a friend. He's already considered you one since that conversation with Husk, but it's a start. Now, he's gotten the lovely privilege of being able to know more about what's going on in that lovely little brain of yours... well, "little" brain is definitely an understatement. From how you describe your imagination, he'd be led to believe your mind must be as vast as the Library of Alexandria.

• Vast worlds, complicated plotlines, complex characters... you talk of odd tales you've created, all in your brain. Ones you've had in your mind for years, some you came up with on a whim, and others, still, that are still being developed. Stories that have been being created over the span of real life years, ones you started then dropped... All of which are being held in your head, with only a miniscule fraction of it being written onto paper. He's truly impressed, genuinely respecting your odd talent, as he sees it. You've perfected the craft of creativity, while he's perfected the art of talking to an audience. Even better, is that he got to learn whether or not his theory of you taking inspiration from stories you've heard was right. Which explains his sudden mentions of stories he's heard in life.

• Now... if only you'd let him tell some of your stories on his radio show! If you wouldn't like that, then he'd probably ask you to write something for his show. That way, it isn't as personal to you, and you wouldn't even need to be credited if you're embarrassed by it! He could just say a random listener sent it in, and he thought it'd be great to read, to show his appreciation for his adoring fans. The world simply must hear the greatness of your mind, dear, and he is not going to stop annoying politely asking you to write something until you do.

• Another thing he might try is to see if he can figure out why you partake in this little habit of yours. He's never heard of it, though he has asked some sinners and demons if they have. Be it Charlie, Angel Dust, some of the other overlords, or a friend of his we haven't seen or heard of, before. More modern sinners keep mentioning a thing called Maladaptive Daydreaming, describing it as a symptom of other mental health diagnoses... but that's the problem. That fits you, you've mentioned that you know of that and it fits you... but that's also just a symptom. Well, a few argue that it may be its own thing, but it is not an official diagnosis yet. So, for now, he wants to figure out why you do it.

• Is it depression? Anxiety? Do you really want to escape from something, and you're doing so by hopping into that little dream land of yours? Is it some sort of compulsion? You seem to not really be able to control it that well, after all, and others have mentioned links to OCD, as well as other disorders that can cause compulsions. Is it sheer, absolute, chronic boredom? Speak to him, dear! What is it? Do you even know? If not, he'll assume it's the boredom option... for now.

• He's obsessed with you, really. You're his friend, and he's very obsessive over them, in his own way. He is as far away from normal when it comes to showing real affection for others, which wouldn't be bad, if it weren't for the fact that a main part of it is him being absolutely suffocating when he's around. That, and he can be terrifying... He's the Radio Demon, after all! It's just worse for you than his other friends, though, because you are different. Being different is a really important thing for him, really, alongside being polite, smart, and funny. Not required, unlike the last three traits, but it makes you more likely to be his friend. You hit the lottery by achieving being all four, but it must be the worst lottery prize in the world.

• He holds the thought that you should just be friends with him. Now, you don't have to be... but, he'd prefer it. If you really want outside friends, sure! You just can't be friends with his other friends. He claims they'd "taint" you with how violent they can be. Plus, since he's friends with other cannibals, some of which do serve sinner and demon meat to others without telling them, he genuinely does worry about your safety and wellbeing if you met those specific friends of his. For your friends, he wants to meet them. He needs to in order to deem them worthy of being your friend, and to make sure it's not someone he knows and is friends with. You deserve perfection, and who knows perfection better than Alastor, yes? After all, he can see that you're perfect. That is more than enough evidence, dear.

• You're one of the few people who he doesn't mind having your attention not on him. Part of your charm, in his opinion, is your lack of attention. All he asks is that you tell him about a story of yours. What is going on in your head that's so important? Oh, a great war between this and that? A psychological horror? Cities beneath the sea? Tell him about it. He finds it fun! Especially if he can see any possible inspiration from events or other stories. He likes to hear your voice almost as much as he likes to hear his own, which you'll realize is more of a compliment than it might sound like, once you truly get to know him.

[igotanidea]

Home : bat!family x bat!sister

Summary: no one gets to offend my siblings and father. No one but me. I'll make sure of it.

***

Maybe it was a bad idea to apply for that Erasmus program and leave her brothers and adoptive father alone for whole three months. Sure, studying abroad, expanding knowledge, learning language and customs was an amazing experience, but it came with the cost. The price of being in fear that her family would get themselves in trouble, pain, fight they could not recover from.

The first two weeks of her adventure was the worst, since she was waking up at most random night hours, ready to jump into fight, those vigilantes instincts and habits kicking in.

Those were the nights when she was turning and tossing in her bed unable to close an eye and in result sneaking out her dorm room and walk around the campus like the ghost. The quietness and peacefulness of her surroundings at the academy were so different from those she knew in Gotham, it was almost disturbing.

There was no denying that Y/N was the smartest in the family, even Tim admitted it once (obviously not while talking to her, but she overheard his conversation with Bernard) but at times like this she was second-guessing her choices.

Due to her specific upbringing and family background she also never managed to form any deep connection with her fellow students, preferring to stay by herself, focus on the task and putting a lot of work into expanding her knowledge and skills in technology. She never complained, but from other people’s perspective she was an eremite. Kind, polite with perfect manners when someone asked her for something or while working in group, but still highly reserved. Just like her adoptive father, whose relation to she was trying to keep a secret. And it worked up to the day when one of the lecturers accidentally called her  “Miss  Wayne” in front of the whole class. The second he did it the air in the auditorium froze. She might have been in different country, but for God’s sake she was studying technology, of course everyone heard about the Wayne Enterprises and the  Bruce Wayne.

“You’re his daughter?” one of the boys in the lower row turned around and eyed her suspiciously

“Yes. Adoptive one.”

“Of course. He’s well known for taking kids in, right? Seems like some sort of complex or maybe even a disease” he smirked and it made the girl clench her fist. Her relationship with Bruce might have been rocky, but no one except her and her brothers were allowed to judge and offend him.”

“Care to elaborate on that?” she hissed, eyeing the guy with ice cold gaze

“Miss Y/L/N! Mister Olsen! Please calm down and sit down!” the teacher tried to make up for his mistake but it was far too late for that.

“You misspelled my name once, might as well keep calling me Wayne now.”  the tone of her voice matched the gaze. She was not going to let the guy easily, but getting in trouble with the dean was not a part of her plan. “Now, can we continue with the lecture? I don’t know about anyone else in her, but speaking for myself I would love to actually learn something useful.”

***

Y/N was the middle child. Younger than Dick and Jason, older than Tim and Damian which placed her literally halfway  in the family. Because of that she was a mix of responsibility and carelessness, doing her own thing, not always the right way, but still capable of getting away with a lot more than the others. Not as family oriented as Dick, feeling a bit overshadowed by Jason, highly competitive with Tim and more independent and individualistic than Damian. Still, even despite her “boss bitch” attitude, she was sandwiched between her brothers which made her the best negotiator and mediator in the family. Y/N also had a strong sense of fairness and morality and would always try her best to do the right things. Objectively, not subjectively. And making fun of her family was not one the things she could forget. However, before taking any action she had to gather intel, figure out what the guy knew and then come right at him.

***

Waiting till the end of the class was probably the greatest torture she ever had to endure, every minute stretching into infinity and when it was over the sense of relief almost made her drop the plan. Almost.

“I’m not done with you, Olsen.” she was faster to the door, stopping her potential victim from getting away.

“You want more, Wayne?”

“Please. Hit me with your best shot. What is your problem with my family, exactly?”

“Let me think” he tapped his chin. “There are so many. Like for instance, your oldest brother. What was his name again? Oh, right! Dick. Suits him quite well, doesn’t it. A prick, if you ask me. Definitely a show-off with no skills.” He scoffed “Shall I continue?”

“ Please. You got like three more people to gossip about.”

“The second in line, Jason, right? Oh, the unhinged  one. Violent, mocking, thinking he is better than anyone else around, when in reality he’s just a lost, scared child. Probably a dumbass too.”

“Pretty sure he would agree with that. Now what about Tim and Damian?”

At this point Olsen was getting a bit surprised that the girl in front of him was still unfazed. Her calmness, a sign of silent inside fury making him slightly uncomfortable.   Not enough to stop however.

“Drake…..” the name rolled of his tongue while the boy was wondering what words to choose “oh, he’s the gay one, right? Such a shame that the renowned Wayne family has someone like that as a member. Bet your father would never take him in, if he knew. A fairy becoming the next CEO of his renowned company. How ironic!”

“Hm.” Oh, Y/N was so much like Bruce at times and it showed in the least expected moments.

Damn that girl! How could it not make her angry?

“And …… Damian, the only biological child. Absolutely maladjusted and unaware of social norms and boundaries. Tell me, how was it like to have your youngest brother violate your boundaries and personal space?”

“It was. ….educatory. Just like it was with everything you just said. You presented yourself as someone with some serious psychological issues and possibly an unhealthy interest in my family’s life. So thank you, it truly was illuminating.”

***

“What the hell did you do Y/N?” a very alerted Dick appeared  on the other side of the screen

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” The girl sighted and fell onto the cushions bringing the computer onto her lap to see her brother better

“Don’t lie to me now, sis.”

“I wouldn’t even dream of it.”

“Bruce has been on the phone for the last fifteen minutes and from what I figured it’s about something that happened on the campus.”

“The only thing happening on the campus are students who skip classes.” She mumbled “maybe except that one time when one of the boys lost some stupid bet and blew up the fountain as some sort of punishment. That was funny.”

A little grunt was heard on Dick’s side and for a second he disappeared from the screen.

“Dick?”

“Sorry, I had a little interruption.” He rubbed his forehead “Now, back onto what you did…..”

“Did you say that someone blew the fountain?” third face appeared on the screen in the corner, taking over the conversation.

“Hello, Jason.”

“Hi sis. Maybe I should have joined you in your academic career. Seems like you have a lot of fun there. Besides, I never really finished school, since you know…. I died.”

“We know.” Y/N and Dick said in unison

“Always a good opportunity to remind you, right?” he grinned “Now, sis, tell me, how was it going full rogue on fellow student? I gotta admit I’m proud of you here.”

“So that’s what this is about?” Dick’s eyes grew wider than ever “I;m gonna ask you once again, Y/N. what did you do?”

“Nothing permanent.”

“What…..?”

“Cut her some slack, Grayson.”

“Look who decided to join us.” Y/N smirked “improved your computer skills much, Damian?”

“I got tired of being left out.”

“Since when do you care about the group?”

“Leverage, sis. Knowledge is power, I thought you knew that.”

“Ok, that is enough!” Dick finally lost his patience “I’m trying to have a conversation with my little sis here. Both of you, get out of the line!”

“Mhm, keep dreamin’ Dickhead.”

“For once I agree with Todd.”

“You have no right to…..”

“Guys…..” Y/N tried to mitigate them, but deep inside she enjoyed their bantering. It was a while since she experienced it and only now realized how familiar it was.

“I was here first!” Dick yelled “And I’m the oldest”

“No one cares Grayson! You are a Bludhaven resident now.  Just because you visit the manor does not mean you can keep Y/N busy using the wayne’s devices!”

“Don’t you have someone to kill in the crime alley, Jay?”

“Unlike you, I succeeded in all my latest missions.”

“Is that what you call coming back to your safe house bloodied and injured. You were on the verge of death!” Damian smirked “you were absolutely inept, that’s not a success.”

“You were what, now?!” Y/N shrieked. Her second oldest brother was sometimes too careless.

“It was not that bad, Y/N, I swear. And how the fuck do you know about it, demon?”

“I have my ways.”

“I would suspect Drake of spying on me, but you?”

“Speaking of the devil, I’m surprised Tim hasn’t already join us.” Dick muttered

“Oh, he did.” Y/N pointed out

“WHAT?” her brothers cried. Now there was another one fighting for her attention and it was not a secret that Tim was her favorite making the situation harder.

“I did.” Tim chuckled  “Well, to tell the truth Y/N let me in the channel. We have our ways with technology. Something none of you could ever fully understand. “

“Of course not….”

“Cheer up, Dami. You can’t monopolize all the areas.”

“I would beg to differ.”

“Ok, everyone hold up here. I think we lost the point of the conversation. The thing was that Bruce was on the phone, probably taking to the dean about….”

“Y/N played a little prank on her classmate, is that right?” of course Tim was the one who everything best.

 “He deserved it.”

“Y/n…..”

“Stop using the big brother voice on me! It’s not going to work!”

“How about we use Damian’s youngest one?” Dick teased

“I refuse to be used in this….”

“SHUT UP DAMIAN!” Dick and Jason shouted together and shared a murderous look between one another. Now they were both desperate to find out what happened since Tim would rather die than spill the bean. It was infuriating. They were the older brothers! This had to mean something.

“Ok, that’s it.” Damian stood up and the view of the empty chair in the place where his face should be was highly disturbing.

“That is not good.” Y/N said out loud something that all of them already knew. Her presumptions turned out to be right a second later when the shouting and yelling reverberated through the speakers and a blur of black and green rushed into Dick’s room.

“hey, I want to join the fight too!” Jason started up and with a speed, Wally West could be jealous of involved in the mix of limbs and screams.

“Wait! I though Dick was in Bludhaven! Tim?”

“Not today. We’re all in the manor.”

“And you idiots were talking to me through four different computers?”

“Are you actually surprised?”

“On second thought, not at all.” She sighed. It’s a good thing you are the reasonable one here…..”

“There you are, Timmy” now the situation has turned as it was Dick who appeared in the door of Tim’s bedroom “you are not  getting out of this. If you want Y/n to yourself you have to fight me.”

“And me!” Jason tackled Dick to the ground with a loud thump

“Losers!” Damian jumped over their bodies and came right at Tim

Because of their actions, Y/N was the only one who noticed two men stepping from the shadows and exchanging some words. Apparently Bruce wasn’t capable of putting the boys in their places and asked Alfred to try this instead. And a single grunt from the butler did a miracle as all of them stood up and started explaining and apologizing. Funny as it was, Y/N knew that with Bruce’s arrival she was heading straight towards preaching from her father.

“Y/N.”

“Hello Bruce.”

“Did you break his arm?”

“You broke his arm?” Dick was halfway out but turned back immediately

“No.” Y/n shook her head “I broke his arm and hurt his legs.”

“Don’t forget that you also demolished his dorm room.”

“That wasn’t me. That was….”

“Did you go at him as a vigilante? Wow! Way to go, sis. Now I truly am proud of you.”

“Ok, both of you, out!” Bruce lost the rest of his patience pushing Dick and Jay away. “Now that we are alone…….” he sighed deeply closing the door tight  

“I;m not sorry.”

“Oh, I know. And I’m not mad, because I’m sure you had a reason to do it. So tell me, why?”

“you…. you want to know ?”

“Of course. Look Y/n, I’m aware I won’t get  a father of the year cup from you, but I care all right? Did that boy hurt you and you took retaliation? Just tell me….”

“He was talking shit about our family.”

“And you felt the urge to protect the Wayne’s honor?” Bruce smirked “this is so not like you.”

“Honor, my ass. We’ve lost that ages ago, Bruce. The only thing I was protecting was my sole privilege of mocking you. No one else is allowed to do it.”

“I’ll be sure not to tell your brothers that you miss them. “

“That would be most welcome.”

“And you have to know that we don’t miss you either, y/n.” father and daughter’s gazes met and they both nodded in silent agreement, right corners of their mouths lifting almost unnoticeable. “You coming to visit next week?”

***

Something was wrong.

Something was terribly wrong and that tingling sensation became unbearable the second she climbed the manor’s stairs and reach for the doorknob with a heartrate so fast it would send anyone else straight into cardiac arrest. Y/N however kept her cold blood, focusing on what may happened inside and considering her options and strategies for a potential fight.

She could not expect  that the moment she opened the door four figures would jump out from the shadows making the noise that would bring the dead from behind the grave. It startled her and as a result she stumbled back, hitting the wardrobe and making it shake. She could not expect that on said wardrobe there would be packets and packets of paint and that those would fall down straight on her making her look like some abstractionism painting.

“I hate you all.” She muttered while her brothers run away in four different directions.

“Welcome home, miss Y/N” Alfred approached her with a tissue so she could at least wipe the paint from her eyes.

“Home.” She whispered “Yes, it definitely feels like it.”

It was good to be back.

But she was still going after them. .....

Later. When they would least expect it.

[elusive---ivory]

Could you possibly write a yandere villain x soft reader fic or headcanons?

Yandere!Villain x Soft!Reader

Omg!! my first request!!! Yes! I absolutely love soft reader so much!!

The Villain loses every time. He loses everything to the Hero of the story. Over and over again. He comes up with very elaborate schemes and evil plans that cannot fail, then the Hero foils his plans. He gets angry. 'How does the Hero do it?' he thinks to himself. The only thing keeping him from winning is the Hero in the end.

Obsessing over and over at what else would work. He goes into civilian life. That's when he finds you. A soft, quiet being who is handing out flyers from your workplace. The Villain doesn't notice you at first. He bumps into you, spilling your flyers everywhere. When the two of you lock eyes, it's like sparks go off in his evil little mind.

If the Hero always gets the girl, why can't the Villain get the girl too? The next time there's a high-stakes robbery, you are in his line of sight. He bolts towards you, shielding you from any damage. He's never sought to protect someone before. He's glad that person is you.

Whether you're oblivious or not, you notice things in Villain's behavior that might seem quite odd, but you grow to love those things about him. He complains a lot about the city, and he wants to improve himself. However, his set role as the Villain has him stuck in his ways.

But, he sees you as an exception. He's head over heels for your kind nature. It almost rubs off on him when you notice how kind he was being to a random stranger. His villainous ways were almost eradicated.

Until Hero got involved. The Hero didn't seem to approve of this sudden relationship. The Villain's tendencies started to creep through. He started plotting more ways to get rid of Hero for good. You became concerned for Villain's mental health. He had spent weeks planning a way to kill the Hero of the city. He had never gone that far in the past, but you were special to him. He needed to keep you safe, even if it meant getting rid of the savior of the story.

[air--so--sweet]

I've been wanting Buck sobbing on Maddie's shoulder about how much he misses Eddie (and based on some fics I read I am not alone in this) but I've had another thought I love more.

Buck is barely responding to his texts, always says he's busy when Eddie wants to facetime. Eddie knows something is wrong, but Buck insists he's fine. He knows Buck wouldn't want Eddie to worry when he's so far away so he checks in with the others to find out what is actually going on. Except everyone else says Buck is fine, good even and, after a slight adjustment, he's working well with his new partner at work too.

Which means the issue is Eddie. Now he's not in LA Buck seems to have realised he doesn't actually care all that much about him. Their friendship was about proximity more than anything else.

And in a last ditch effort, desparate for someone to tell him that actually Buck isn't okay, Eddie calls Maddie. She's surprised Eddie's calling, but she says she hasn't seen Buck as much as usual, that he keeps having vague plans he won't elaborate on. Eddie thinks she's going to say she's worried too, but instead she says she thinks he's seeing someone. That after what happened with Tommy he's a bit hesitant to let people know, but that he probably will in time, and that when she has managed to see Buck he's seemed fine.

That should reassure Eddie, Buck is okay, nothing bad has happened, he's just seeing someone so is available a little less. But Buck's dated during their friendship before and it hasn't caused any issues, so why would it now? Unless, like Eddie's been afraid, Buck doesn't care all that much about him. Eddie's been silent too long, and Maddie asks if he's still there. He opens his mouth to say yes and apologise for bothering her and instead he breaks. And suddenly Eddie is sobbing down the phone to Maddie about how much he misses Buck, but apparently Buck isn't interested in maintaining the friendship and being in El Paso has been so hard, and he just wants to talk to Buck about it but now he can't and 'Maddie I just don't know what to do without him. How am I meant to cope without him in my life?'

(Also in this scenario Buck is absolutely not fine, he's just masking as much as possible and making up fake plans when he's actually sat alone in his loft doing nothing but missing Eddie. Also hearing Buck might be seeing someone made Eddie's chest hurt but he's not ready to think about that right now so he just shoved it down and pretended it was just indigestion)

[ranticore]

So do tiercels just straight up get abducted to be in a harem? Can they say no? Was Cuinn abused by his king?

Kinda, Yes, and Depends On What You Mean By That

the degree of choice a tiercel has in the matter is culturally-dependent. in the eastern Ama plains region (where Cuinn is from) the 'abduction' itself is also slightly romanticised and has its own weird rituals and subconversations; someone who really wants to be a tiercel (very common thing to want tbh) can never just ask for it. they need to do a little "who, me??" coy act at times, and then wait and see how the king behaves - if he fulfils the ideal standards of kingship he should then """kidnap""" them and bring them to his bower which, if he is a good king, should be so impressive and full of treasures that nobody should ever WANT to leave. that's the fantasy of it - a tiercel is another piece of treasure for a king to decorate his nest with. if the king's offer sucks or isn't up to standard, the tiercel can just be like no thanks and fly away again and in this culture it is considered crass for a king to continue to pursue them. the tiercel point of view is "how are YOU going to serve ME". they're birds and their courtship rituals are very elaborate, and even though the tiercel is the one supposedly chosen for their beauty, the king is the equivalent of male birds of paradise doing a funky dance for a visibly bored dull-coloured potential mate.

tiercels in this scenario can leave at any time and they often do. greediness, ambition, and pride are valuable and romanticised traits in a harpy and they are quite accustomed to taking the 'if it sucks hit da bricks' method of combating the sunk cost fallacy. it's not uncommon for a very new or inexperienced king to not have a lot on offer, so a tiercel may choose to join him based on his future potential rather than his current standing, and if he doesn't live up to that potential he's as good as useless.

Cuinn was a fringe case. he was so unusual in appearance that he was basically earmarked to be chosen by a king from the moment of his hatching (should he survive infancy - he almost didn't). it was also known that unpigmented feathers are trash and lose condition easily, and his eyesight was bad, so his future hunting ability was in question. ppl were like ah he's lucky he'll never have to work a day in his life, he's the ultimate tiercel, etc etc. With his story i never wanted his king, Thunder Strike On The Ama, to come across as malicious or mean - he thinks he's doing everything right. he never sexually assaulted Cuinn if that's what you're asking but I think the power dynamic of not just Thunder Strike but the entire flock vs Cuinn was an abusive scenario for him to be in. it didn't matter how well he was treated within that cage. one might even say Cuinn was coercively gendered tiercel from birth (catab if u will)

in truth tiercels and kings get trapped in bad dynamics all the time. the fantasy rarely works out exactly as planned; often enough for it to be a cultural touchstone but look underneath and you'll often find tiercels and kings threatened, held against their will, or indeed assaulted. in much the same way u can't be like "and marriage is a great experience for everyone because it's about love!"

[lonely-ey3s]

With All My Love : Chapter 6 | with all my love

Chapter 6: With All My Love

Pairing: joel miller x f!reader, no outbreak

Word count: 15.9k

Chapter Summary: After being medically discharged and promoted, you are finally going home and can’t wait to tell Joel. What you don’t know is Joel has an elaborate plan for your arrival and when it happens and you are finally with him, you fall even further in love with him as he does with you. 

Chapter warnings: anxiety, mentions of combat/war, mentions of injuries, language, SMUT (18+ only, MDNI), fluff fluff and more fluff, use of Y/N, mentions of deaths, if I missed anything, please let me know!

Dividers by: @saradika-graphics

A/N: this one is what we've all been waiting for, i'm so in love with these two, please enjoy and comment with your favorite part below ❣️

Main Masterlist

Joel’s POV

Tommy had told him that Maria was coming back home due to her injury and that he was taking a trip to NC to visit her. As much as he was happy for his brother and Maria to be back home safe, he wished deep down you were coming with her. He began to think how you might be dealing with the change and he didn’t even think that besides Reggie, you would be all alone. 

He was making dinner for himself and Sarah when she came downstairs and sat at the table, “You doin’ ok Dad?” she could see he was lost in thought. 

Joel looked up as he was stirring some red sauce in a saucepan and hummed, not hearing what she said. 

Sarah smiled softly, “What’s goin’ on in that head yours? Y/N is back, she’s safe, right?” 

Joel nodded and smiled softly to himself, “Yes, she’s back, and I’m very happy that she’s safe. I just…” 

“You wish she was coming home with Maria.” Sarah took the words right out of his mouth. 

He nodded and shrugged, “Is that bad of me to want? I feel selfish for it.” 

Sarah shook her head and stood up from the table, coming to sit by her dad on the counter to offer him more comfort, “I don’t think it’s wrong for you to want the person you can’t have in your life right now to be here. If I’m being honest, I think that’s the most selfish thing you’ve wanted for a while, Dad. You aren’t one to put yourself and your wants first.” 

Joel let out a soft chuckle, “That’s not true… I do stuff for myself.” he raised his eyebrow at her. 

Sarah deadpanned him, “Name three times this week…” 

Joel stuttered and racked his brain, then sighed, “Fine… but that doesn’t mean I don’t do stuff for myself. I… I watch football every Sunday, and I sometimes go out for a drink when you’re with friends.” he looked over at Sarah, trying to reason with her. 

“When’s the last time you’ve wanted somethin’ and got it?” she asked seriously. 

Joel bit the inside of his cheek and shrugged, “I’m not sure…” he looked back at the sauce, “But that doesn’t mean I’m not happy. You make me happy baby girl…” he looked at her, worried he said something wrong. 

Sarah smiled softly at him, “Dad, you never have to remind me of that. I know I do.” 

Joel smiled softly at her and then held the spoon up for her, “Here, taste test…”

She tasted it and thought for a second, “Needs more hot sauce and just a tad more salt.” she smiled at him. 

He did as she said. 

“When Y/N gets to come home, will she come live with us?” she asked. 

Joel stopped stirring and looked at her, “What do you mean?” he questioned. 

“Well… doesn’t she want to come be with you? I mean Maria is moving to live with Uncle Tommy after she settles in, doesn’t Y/N want that with you and me?” she said softly. 

Joel moved the sauce off the heat and turned his full attention to Sarah, “What would your thoughts be if I did ask her to live with us?” he looked at her in her eyes. 

“I want her to live here! I… I want her to be our family.” she admitted, “She makes you so happy and you’ve changed since you met her… you’ve taken care of yourself more. You work less… I see you more now that she’s with you, and I mean that in a way she’s brought you back out of your shell. You were in one for so long after mom left us.” She looked down at her hands, “You are brighter, you smile more, you just… she helps you feel more yourself I feel like.” she looked at her dad, “Plus, I want a mom… or stepmom… person… thing…” she giggled. 

Joel chuckled and then put his hand on her cheek and smiled at her, “I didn’t know you felt that way.” 

She shrugged, “I’m good at hiding my feelings… I wonder who I get that from?” she teased. 

He chuckled lightly and then kissed her head before going back to the sauce, “If I’m being honest I’ve not asked her to move in with us yet. Not because I don’t want her to, I just, it’s hard to look forward to something that you have no idea when it’ll happen… you know?” 

Sarah nodded, “Yeah, I think that’s the hardest thing is we don’t know when she’ll get to come back. Does she have any family like Maria she’d go back to?” she questioned.

Joel shook his head, “Her parents passed a while ago, and she was an only child.” he moved to prepare a salad he was making over on the island. 

“So, before the army, she was just all alone?” she followed and helped him put things in the salad to toss. 

Joel shook his head, “No, she uh… she was with another man for a while, but he was someone that hurt her… she left him… she joined to escape him.” he said sadly. 

Sarah looked at him, shocked, “She was abused?” pausing what she was doing.

Joel nodded, “I only know a little bit but I know he hurt her, and that she ran away from him because she wasn’t able to get help from the authorities, I guess her ex had friends in high places.” he scoffed. 

Sarah nodded, “That’s sad. I’m sorry she had that happen to her.” she put some croutons in the salad. 

“Me too baby girl.” he chopped some red onion to put in as well. 

“Dad?” she started to grate some cheese next to him. 

Joel hummed to acknowledge her. 

“When she does come home, can we have a barbeque for her? I want her to meet all my friends…” she smiled at him. 

He smiled and nodded, “Of course baby girl. We will throw a huge barbeque for her.” he nudged her playfully with his elbow softly, chuckling, she giggled and nudged him back. 

Reader’s POV

You walked out of that office in what you swore was slow motion. It hit you a little too hard. 

You’re going home. 

You looked down at the envelope in front of you and opened it in the middle of the hallway, reading through it. It said the same thing that was told to you inside and gave you a boarding pass and flying instructions for back to North Carolina. You looked up and smiled, “I’m going home.” 

You ran out of the office towards Maria, looking like a bat out of hell, “Maria! Maria!” you shouted, smiling ear to ear. 

She was standing, getting her daily steps in around the tent. She looked up and saw you running, “What? What happened?” she knitted her eyebrows together. 

You ran up to her and hugged her, picking her up, giggling. 

She laughed but winced, “Stitches, honey, stitches!” she giggled. 

“Oh shit, sorry…” you softly set her down and smiled. 

She looked at you, then saw your patch on your arm, gasping “You’re kidding me!?” she squealed and grabbed your arms and then did mini jumps in the air but then stopped “Shit sorry…” She then stood to attention and saluted you. 

You chuckled, “No, no none of that, you’re at ease- forever.” you waved your hands at her. 

She looked at you and smiled brightly, “I’m so happy for you, that’s great!” 

You smiled and held up the envelope slowly in front of your face, giggling. 

She grabbed it and started reading it. She then looked up at you and teared up, “You’re coming home…” 

You nodded, smiling softly, tearing up, “I’m going home.” you let out a small laugh. 

“What… wait, have you told Joel?” she questioned. 

You shook your head, “No, I just got out of the meeting. I… I kind of don’t know what to say.” you chuckled, looking back down at the letter. 

“You tell him you’re coming home, duh!” she smiled and nudged you. 

You smiled at the letter and then looked up at her, “We’re going home…” You then moved the letter to lay on her bed and pulled her into a gentle hug. 

After helping Maria pack up her things since she needed some help lifting things and had an early morning, you messaged Joel around 7 am his time: 

‘Hey cowboy, can you talk? ❣️’

It was a work morning so you weren’t sure if you caught him before he went to work. 

You left your laptop open while you started to gather your things, eager to pack. When you heard the call ring from Skype. 

You rushed over to your laptop and grabbed it, taking it over to your bed, pushing answer. 

“Hey darlin’, how’s your day goin’?’ Joel asked as he smiled brightly, he was running around the kitchen, and he looked like perhaps was late for work. 

You chuckled, “You running late baby?” 

He chuckled and took a sip of his coffee, starting to put on his belt, pulling his shirt up to see, “Just a little… what’s up? Everything ok?” 

You smiled and started giggling, “I’m coming home, Joel.” 

He had his shirt tucked under his chin while he was doing up his belt, he looked up at you and stopped everything he was doing, in shock. 

You chuckled at his reaction, smiling uncontrollably, nodding at him, letting him absorb and process the news. 

He dropped his shirt from his chin and immediately tears filled his eyes, he smiled, “Tell me you’re bein’ serious. Like, ‘pinch me I’m not dreamin’ serious’?” he came closer to the camera, his brown eyes brightly looking at you. 

You smiled brightly and teared up, holding out your arm and pinching yourself, “Pinch me I’m not dreamin’ serious cowboy!” you giggled. 

He chuckled which then turned into a belly laugh then he started jumping up in the air, “You’re comin’ home!” 

You giggled before putting the laptop down on the bed and began jumping in the air with him, “I’m coming home!” 

You both stopped jumping and laughed together for a few more seconds before you came back to sit on the bed. 

“So when is this happening? Are you coming back home with Maria?” Joel started to get anxious, that was less than 48 hours, and he would have so much to do. 

You shook your head, “No, she’s coming back with the Specialists and trainees.” 

Joel raised his eyebrow, “Isn’t that your rank too baby?” he was confused.

You grinned and shook your head slowly. 

“You got promoted?!” Joel almost shouted. 

You chuckled and leaned back, hitting your head on a bar above you, “Ow fuck!” you laughed holding your head, and Joel did as well. 

You leaned back forward and smiled, “I am officially Sergeant Y/N of the United States Army.” you blushed. 

“Darlin’ that’s amazing, I’m so proud of you. So, wait, when do you come back?” he sat down at the table, taking the laptop with him. 

“I leave here in 3 days, so I’ll be in North Carolina on the…” you looked at your boarding pass, “17th at 3:50 pm.” you smiled. “I uh… I was thinkin’, could I grab my car and then come to Austin?” 

He was just about to protest and tell you he would meet you at the airport when he held his tongue. He would surprise you, especially now that he has your arrival information.

“Yeah, that’d be perfect baby.” he smiled and his mind started racing, thinking of everything he needed to do, things he needed to book, everything that he wanted to get ready for you. 

You smiled softly, “I’m so excited to be with you.” you chuckled happily. 

“You have no idea how excited I am to be with you darlin’...” he looked at you lovingly. 

You took a breath, “Ok you’re late for work, we will have plenty of time together soon.” you wiped some tears that came down your cheeks, smiling.

“I love you...” Joel said, still looking at you lovingly, his world was finally going to have you right where you belonged, with him and Sarah. 

“I love you, cowboy…” you smiled and bit your lip. 

He smiled and then went back to doing his belt, “I’ll try to give you a call later tonight, we can iron out the details, ok?” he looked up at you. 

You nodded, “Hey honey?” 

“Yeah sweetheart?” he came closer to the camera, big brown eyes looking at you like a puppy dog. 

You giggled, “Um… your shirt, it’s on backward and inside out my love…” You pointed and hid your smile behind your hand. 

He looked down and took it off, “Is it? Damn it…” 

His body was beautiful, shoulders broad, his skin blessed by a sun-kissed tan, and his biceps flexed when he pulled it up to look at it closer. 

You grinned, “Maybe I was wrong, sorry baby.” you bit your lip. 

Joel looked at you and his eyes went dark with lust, “Oh darlin’, you’re a naughty girl.” he chuckled lowly and put his shirt back on. 

“What can I say? I wanted a sneak peek and I’m usin’ all my get outta jail free cards while I still have ‘em!” you giggled. 

He grinned, “I’ll remember that one… and we’ll call it payback…” 

You bit your lip and looked down shyly, “Get to work handsome… I’ll talk to you later.” you looked up at him smiling softly. 

He kissed his fingers and touched the camera, “I love you, I’ll talk to you later darlin’...” 

You did the same, “I love you, have a good day!” 

He smiled and then the call ended. 

You sat there, and thought, ‘How the hell am I going to wait 3 days!?’ 

Joel planned everything out to the T. He booked a flight to Columbia Metropolitan Airport for himself to arrive 2 hours before you would get there and then booked a flight back to Austin for you and him. 

He also went out and went shopping with Sarah for some clothes for you, he knew you wouldn’t have anything but your army gear when you got to his place, so Sarah helped him pick out some jeans, shirts, pajamas, and relaxing clothes for you. He also found a few sun dresses for you and then called Tommy when Maria landed and asked her what skin and hair care products you used and went out and got them for you so you would have everything he could think of when you got to his place. He put your clothes in a drawer or his closet and then lined up everything for you in the bathroom. He even got you a new toothbrush and had it next to his. 

Additionally, he sent out an invite to have a barbeque at his place that following Saturday and had Sarah make a list of everything he would need to get from the market when he got back with you from the airport the next day. 

Sarah helped him shop for a few new outfits for himself as she said all he had was work clothes and he needed something new for the airport and date nights. For the airport, she found him a nice jean jacket and T-shirt he liked, along with some nice new jeans, and said to wear his nice boots with it all. He felt he would be overdressed for the airport, but he felt good about himself in the mirror at the department store. On top of that, he wanted to look his best for you.  

She also convinced him to go get his hair trimmed and styled. She knew he wanted to look his best, he just needed some help knowing what to do as it had been forever since he felt like this. 

On the day of your flight, he heard from you when you left the base. You told him you would call him from a payphone when you got to the States, which would be a layover in Newark around 7 am his time. 

That morning, when he heard his phone ring on his nightstand, he rolled over, seeing an unfamiliar number, he instantly woke up knowing it was you, that was his alarm clock. 

“Hello? Darlin’?” he said with sleep in his voice. 

You giggled, “Morning sleepy head!” 

He chuckled, “Hey baby, you in the States?” 

“I am, I just landed and went through customs.” you smiled hearing his voice. 

“How was your first two flights?” he asked starting to get out of bed. 

You chuckled, “I’ll take anything over the flight I came over on.” 

He chuckled lightly, “Oh, I bet. I forgot you didn’t go over commercially…” 

“Yeah, worst flight ever. This one, the one from Dubai, I got a pillow and a single breath mint… I’ve never felt so special!” you joked. 

“Wow, aren’t you just so spoiled!” he smiled through the phone. 

“I got some sleep though, which was nice. But then when I woke up, I was sat by this older lady who kept thankin’ me for my service, which got a little overwhelming. You can only say you’re welcome so many times…” you chuckled.

He chuckled and nodded, “I agree.” 

He heard someone behind you say ‘Thank you for your service’ and he let out a laugh. You said, ‘My pleasure’ to them and then chuckled, “Joel I can’t wait til I am out of an airport, they all keep staring at me.” you giggled. 

He chuckled softly, “They mean well baby… if I didn’t know you, I’d be doin’ the same thing.” 

“Yeah but you’re cute, there’s a difference…” you teased. 

He bit his lip, “So if I asked you out, you’d be ok with that?” 

You blushed, “Cowboy if you just so much as looked my way, I’d die a happy woman.” you giggled shyly. 

He grinned, “I feel the same way when you look at me sweetheart, I’m a lucky man.” 

You sighed and then heard an announcement over the intercom, “Shoot that’s me. I gotta make it to my gate. I’ll call you when I land in South Carolina ok?” 

He smiled and nodded happily, thinking of his plan, “Ok baby. I love you. I’ll talk to you soon.” 

“I love you too. Have a good rest of your morning cowboy.” 

Joel got up and got in the shower and then started getting ready. He needed to be at the airport in a few hours. After his shower, his nerves were everywhere. He scrambled around the house making sure everything looked good and even went to the car wash to vacuum and clean his truck before heading to the airport. He was stressed, but he couldn’t wait, he was so excited to see you. 

He flew from Austin to South Carolina and then ran around the airport to find a local flower shop before you landed.

Around 3:30 pm he started to feel it sink in. He watched the arrivals and departures board like a hawk and saw that your flight was going to land a few minutes late. He saw which gate you were coming from and ran there to wait where family and friends could pick up their loved ones. He looked around and found he was in a swarm of people, all with signs and banners for their soldiers returning home like you. He knew would need to do something to make himself stand out so he could see you to get your attention. 

He felt overwhelmed and his heart started to pound, his breathing became fast and he felt lightheaded. He took a second and took a deep breath through his nose, and then out through his mouth, like Maria taught him on that Skype call they had. 

He felt his anxiety start to melt when he heard, “Flight 235 from Washington DC, now landing” over the intercom. He smiled and then shook out his hands and then stood in an area where he could see the escalator you’d come down perfectly. 

He felt like it was an eternity he waited before he felt his phone buzz, he looked down at it and put it back in his pocket. He wanted the first time he heard your voice to be when you were in his arms. 

He also knew if you knew his plan, you’d probably feel the same way and forgive him for ignoring your call. 

A moment later he had a voicemail, he pushed to listen to it, holding it up to his ear, “Hey cowboy it's me, I arrived in South Carolina safely. You must be away from your phone or busy, I know you have that big project goin’ on at work…” he smiled and teared up, you remembered the smallest parts about his day, he loved how you loved and saw him. “...Anyway, I’ll try calling you again later, I’m going to grab something to eat, I’m starving, they didn’t have any snacks on the plane…” Someone in the background said ‘Thank you for your service’, you covered the phone a little and said ‘You're welcome’. “Where was I? Oh snacks, what plane doesn’t have snacks? A crime, right?” he heard you giggle and he chuckled and kept his eyes on the escalator, “Anyways, I’ll call you when I grab a hotel or am by another pay phone. I love you. Bye!” 

He saw 3 army personnel come down the escalator so he quickly put his phone in his pocket and then straightened himself up, huffing his breath into his palm to check his breath didn’t stink, and then he bounced anxiously on his toes, his excitement at an all-time high. 

He was holding a bouquet he made himself at a little flower shop downstairs. A mix of white flowers, some sprigs of lavender, and lots of greenery. All were things he remembered you mentioning, here and there, white flowers were your favorite, didn’t matter the type, your favorite color was green, and loved the smell of lavender. These were small things, but he knew they meant so much to you when he remembered them. 

Family and friends started cheering and crying around him when their loved ones came to greet them, and more and more military personnel kept coming down. He kept his eyes fixed on the escalator and then there you were, his heart slammed against his ribs, his hands became clammy and he had never felt the amount of butterflies that just erupted in his stomach until now. 

You had your sleeves rolled up a little, your hair up in the traditional bun, and were wearing the army traditional hat with your army attire, you had your bag in one hand, a backpack on your back, and then were also holding onto a bright pink suitcase by your left side.

His heart started pounding excitedly, and he smiled widely, waiting for you to look his way. As you rode down you were talking to a little kid while his mom held him behind you, you were making faces at him, making him giggle loudly. Joel smiled and watched lovingly, he knew he wanted to have a family with you one day. You’d be a great mom and he loved thinking of you carrying his child, it made his heart soar thinking about that in his future now that you were home. 

As you got to the bottom you hopped off dramatically to make the kid laugh again and your smile was so bright, his heart almost burst at the sight. You then helped the mother with her suitcase that you were holding by you as you rode down before she thanked you for your help and service and walked the other way. You grabbed your bag from the floor and started walking towards the exit, trying to get out of this crowded area. You were walking on the other side of the waiting area that Joel was on. 

Joel watched you, “Shoot, there’s too many people” so he shouted, “Y/N!” realizing you weren’t going to see him. 

You stopped and looked around, frantically looking around, “Joel?” you said to yourself then you saw him and he saw you. 

You both smiled at each other at the same time and you let out a chuckle, breathing excitedly as you started to walk towards him then started to walk faster wanting to get to him quickly. 

He did the same and started walking towards you, maneuvering through crowds of people, keeping eye contact with you, you both had tears in your eyes and were smiling brightly. 

As soon as he was close enough, you dropped your bag and took off your backpack, and then walked a few more steps towards him. He chuckled as he grabbed you by the waist with his free hand, pulled you close to him, picking you up, spinning you around in his arms. 

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders loosely giggling then as he set you down slowly and softly, you both kept eye contact. “I… what are you doing here?” you looked at him lovingly and touched his cheek gently, making sure this was real, tears spilling down your face, chuckling happily. 

He leaned against your hand softly, eyes full of so much emotion, and smiled, “I came to surprise you but also, you ain’t drivin’ 15 hours my love… not on my watch.” he chuckled lightly and then looked into eyes and then at your lips, and his breathing became quick and excited, he lightly licked his lips and swallowed, “But also… I couldn’t wait a whole other day to do this…” he gently put his hand on your cheek and stroked it with his thumb softly before he leaned in slowly. He brushed his nose against yours, smiling lovingly before you both leaned into each other and closed your eyes, connecting your lips in a soft but passionate kiss. You kept your hand on his cheek for a moment and then moved it slowly to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer and to keep kissing you. He slowly moved his hand from your cheek and your waist and pulled you closer to him continuing to kiss you deeply and with every ounce of love he could pour into them, smiling when he changed the angle of his head to get better access to you. 

You smiled and slowed down your kisses and pulled back inches away from his lips and whispered, “I couldn’t wait for that either…” you looked up into his eyes and then looked back down at his lips “Joel?” you looked back up into his eyes. 

“Yeah baby?” he held you close to him, rubbing his thumb gently on your waist, softly dancing his nose across yours, smiling as you giggled “You have the most beautiful eyes…” you reached back and touched his cheek, “You’re so handsome…” you licked your lips, “I… I lo-” he cut you off by catching his lips in his and then whispering against your lips, “I love you.” he kissed you again, this time with a deep and slowly, gripping onto your waist to pull you as close as you could to him before gently pulling back after a couple of kisses and looking down at you, breathless, “I’m sorry but you got to say it first over there, I get to say it first over here.” he grinned as you giggled and nodded, reconnecting your lips to his, softly saying against his lips, “Ok cowboy, deal.” he picked you up again, you giggled against his lips as he spun around, kissing you slowly and lovingly before setting you back down and pulling back slowly, his lips swollen, cheeks flushed. 

You smiled and chuckled, “I love you so much.” you felt his heart pounding against your chest, he was just as excited as you were. 

He kissed your nose and then forehead, “I love you more than you’ll ever understand darlin’...” he gently pulled you to lay against his chest and hugged you, wrapping you in his arms. You’ve never felt so safe and loved. 

He smelled of mint and sandalwood with a slight hint of eucalyptus, ‘Sarah was right’, you thought smiling to yourself. The scent was intoxicating and instantly made you feel warm inside. It was now your comfort, your security, your home scent. You wrapped one arm around his waist and kept one hand on his chest. For a moment you felt like it was just you and him, nothing else. His heart began to slow down and you could hear him hum contently.  

You pulled back slowly and smiled at him then tilted your head, took a small step back, and looked at him up and down, grinning, “Cowboy, did you go shoppin’ and get a haircut for me?” you bit your lip, as he looked delicious. 

He blushed and nodded, “I wanted to look my best baby, just for you.” he smiled, loving that you noticed, and by your reaction, he knew you enjoyed it. 

You looked up at him grinning and touched his hair gently then gently traced your hands down his jacket and gently tugged his collar towards you, “God damn, you’re so fuckin’ handsome for me.” you bit your lip and then brought your hands to his cheeks and pulled him to your lips once more, giving him a deep and slow kiss, gently pulling on his lip when you let go. 

His cock instantly started to become hard and he narrowed his eyes at you, biting his lip, tasting you, “Mmm, you can’t do that to me right now baby…” he closed his eyes and swallowed, leaning his head against yours, “I want you so bad, but I don’t want it to be in an airport…” he pleaded, gripping your waist with his hand, letting out a shaky chuckle. 

You giggled and moved your nose against his, “I don’t want that either handsome, I just wanna keep you on your toes…” you looked into his eyes and batted your eyelashes. 

He smirked, “Honey, I’m a fuckin’ ballerina pointe shoe dancer right now, I’m on my toes, believe me…” he chuckled down at you and brought his hand up to your cheek, gently stroking it and then tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. 

You giggled and then gave him a quick kiss before pulling back from him “Wanna give me a twirl then?” you teased. 

He chuckled and then gasped, “Oh, these are for you!” he smiled as he pulled out the bouquet from behind you as he had held onto them the whole time. 

You looked down at them and tears clouded your vision, “Joel… they’re beautiful.” you gently took the bouquet and looked through the arrangement, “Did you make this?” you looked up at him and he nodded proudly, a tear fell down your cheek, your heart so full.

He immediately touched your cheek and smiled sadly, “Oh sweetheart, please don’t cry…” he wiped the tear from your cheek. 

“No, it's happy tears, I promise!” you said chuckling as a few more tears streamed down your cheeks, “I… I don’t know what to say, you…I…” you were lost for words, you looked down at the bouquet, suddenly feeling shy, smiling like an idiot.

He moved his hand down from your cheek and gently grabbed your chin between his thumb and finger, pulling you up to look at him. He leaned down and kissed your forehead, then nose, then cheek, and stopped inches away from your lips and whispered, “What did I say about hidin’ that beautiful smile from me?” you looked into his brown eyes, filled with so much love, adoration, devotion and loyalty, you melted. 

“Never to do it…” you whispered back, bouncing your eyes back and forth between his eyes and lips, you were putty in his grasp, you’d never be the same now that you’ve felt this type of love. 

He ran his thumb over your lips slowly, looking at your lips hungrily, “Never to do it…” he whispered breathlessly back before he leaned in again and kissed you gently before pulling back for an instant to smile before returning to your lips and devouring you. 

Your hand that you held the flowers with dropped to your side and the other pulled him closer by his jacket before it slid up his chest and cradled his cheek and jaw. You lightly let out a moan as his tongue parted your lips, he chuckled lightly and slowed down, gently pulling away, keeping his eyes closed, smiling as he pressed his forehead against yours, “Sorry, I… god you’re addicting…” he was out of breath, starting to get wound up. 

You kept your eyes closed as well for a few moments, leaning your forehead against his, giggling. 

He had both his hands on our waist and absentmindedly rubbed his thumbs against you, soothing you. “I think before we get a ticket for public indecency and kicked out of the airport we should get outta here.” he said softly as he opened his eyes chuckling. 

You opened yours as well and nodded, adding a small giggle as you nodded, “I think that would be best cowboy…” you gently kissed his nose and then slowly parted yourself from him, turning around to grab your bags. 

He cleared his throat, “Baby, what do you think you’re doin’...” 

You grabbed your backpack and swung it over your shoulder, confused, “Gettin’ my bags?” you smiled innocently. 

He shook his head and came over and softly took your backpack from you and kissed your cheek, “My girl doesn’t carry anythin’ she doesn’t need to…” he smiled and swung it onto his back and then grabbed your duffle with his other hand before holding out his right hand for you to take, “Where do ya wanna go get a bite to eat? We have an hour before our flight…” he smiled down at you. 

You blushed and bit your lip, never having someone treat you like this in the smallest fraction, you felt so special and cared for. You gently grabbed his hand and intertwined your fingers with his, smiling softly, “I um… I’ve been eating rice and beans for the longest time and there’s too many choices for me to pick from, so you choose!” you looked at him, he pulled your hand to his lips and kissed it gently before leaning down and pecking your lips, “How does a burger and fries sound?” he said after pulling away from your lips. 

You let out a moan and rolled your eyes, “Oh god, yes please that sounds delicious!” 

He turned red and chuckled at your reaction, “Darlin, you can’t say and do things like that, you’re gonna drive me mad.” he said as he started walking with you towards the exit. 

You giggled to yourself, “Sorry cowboy, I’ll tone it down.” you gently squeezed his hand and leaned against his arm as you walked. 

Joel took you to a burger joint in the food court that smelled divine. You ordered the ‘Guac-O-Clock’ burger which had guacamole, pepper jack cheese, and crunchy jalapenos. Joel ordered the same, curious about the flavor as well, and an order of large fries for you both to share. He looked at you and asked what you wanted to drink and you said that water was fine, but he knew you wanted something else, you just weren’t sayin’ it. He looked at you and kissed the side of your head as he looked up at the menu as you were still ordering at the counter, “I want somethin’ to drink but don’t know what, what do you recommend baby?” 

You looked up at the menu, “Can never go wrong with a Coke and if you’re feelin’ real frisky, a vanilla shake to dip your fries in!” you smiled and looked at him, he was already looking at you, smirking. He turned to the cashier, “Two of what she just said please.” 

You can’t believe you fell for that, you huffed and gasped, “That was some bullshit reverse psychology there Miller!” you waved your finger in a circle towards him and giggled. 

He gently grabbed your finger and leaned in close, “You don’t ever need to hold back with me darlin’, tell me what you want and you’ll have it, yeah?” he pecked your lips and then smiled, “Wanna go find us a seat while I grab our food?” he asked softly, then turning to pay the cashier. 

You nodded and reached for your bag in his hand, he pulled it back, and you chuckled, “Honey, you’ll need both hands, let me just take it back to the table, then you can be my noble steed for the rest of the day.” you kissed his cheek, “I promise, I won’t fuss.” you winked.

He smiled and pecked your lips back, moving his hand back and handing you the bag, “Ok, you’re right. Thank you.” 

You took the bag and went to find a table. You found one in the back that was not so noisy. You set your bag down and then went over to get straws, napkins, and a few little cups of ketchup in case. 

Joel watched you and smiled happily, he felt so full of life right now and it felt so right having you here, being yours. He felt his heart swell with so much love and now you were here, he’d never let you go, he wanted forever with you. 

After his order was called he made it over to your table and you met him there with what you had gathered. 

“Thanks for grabbing all that darlin’...” he smiled at you as he took your backpack off him and set it next to your bag before pulling out your chair for you. 

You kissed his cheek as you sat down, “Thank you, sweetheart.”

He came around sat across from you, and smiled at you, “Dig in!” he chuckled as you separated the food out and then started slowly eating some fries, you closed your eyes and hummed, “It’s been so long since I’ve eaten actual like food ‘food’.” you giggled and took a sip of your Coke. 

He smiled lovingly as he watched you eat, he took a bite from his burger and paused, looking down at it, shocked. 

You looked at him and smiled, “Is it good?” you chuckled. 

He nodded and rolled his eyes back in his head, letting out a groan and chewing, “That’s the best damn burger I’ve ever had holy shit…” he said with his mouth full, “Mmm…” he covered his mouth, “I’m so sorry darlin’, where are my manners?” he chuckled. 

You smiled and shook your head, “Nah, good manners go out the window when it comes to food that good handsome.” giggling and then you took a bite paused as well, and looked at him, he nodded and chuckled. 

“Right? It’s so good…” he took a sip of his Coke. 

You nodded and chewed, then swallowed, “Mmm nice fun fact about me… I love guac, like I make it homemade all the time, so this burger, it's gonna make me cry, it’s perfect.” you took another bite and smiled to yourself, doing a little dance happily in your seat. 

Joel smiled at you and chuckled, “Happy dance baby?” he took another bite as well. 

You nodded and giggled, chewing and swallowing before taking another bite. 

You two ate like this for a few more minutes before your burgers were gone and you held each other's hands across the table and shared the fries and had your shakes making small talk, catching up on the last two days you two haven’t been able to talk much due to traveling. 

You grabbed a fry and went to dip it into your shake when two people approached your table, “Excuse me…” an older man said, he had crutches and was in army attire as well, except he was wearing the decorated ceremony wear. 

You turned your head to look at the person and immediately dropped your fry in your shake and stood up, standing to attention, saluting the man in front of you, “Sir…” 

He looked at you and teared up, “Are you… are you Specialist Y/N of Delta 30?” he then saw your patch, “I’m sorry, Sergeant Y/N?” 

You knew exactly who he was. “Yes sir.”

Joel sat there confused by the interaction, but proud you were being recognized. 

The man’s wife behind him was in tears, Joel smiled softly at her. 

He slowly saluted you back and then spoke, “At ease.” 

You stood with your hands to your side respectfully and smiled gently at him, “Captain Williams, it’s good to see you, sir.” 

Joel immediately remembered the name, this is who you and Maria had saved.

He chuckled as tears fell down his cheeks, and lunged forward and hugged you, “Thank you. Thank you for what you did, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you and your partner.” 

You hugged him back and smiled as you pulled back, “It was an honor sir.” you smiled at him. 

His wife came forward, now sniffling, chuckling, “I’m sorry, may I hug you as well?” 

You chuckled softly, “Of course ma’am…” you brought her into a hug and held her tightly. 

Joel stood and watched the interaction with so much pride and love for you. 

Williams turned towards Joel and smiled, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, you must be her husband.” he offered Joel to shake his hand. 

Joel smiled, and took his hand, “I’m her boyfriend, Joel, but I’ll be gladly and proudly taking that title one day, sir.” 

His wife held onto you and cried, “I can’t thank you enough, you will always be a part of our lives, you brought him home.” 

You rubbed her back gently and nodded, “Thank you, ma’am, I am honored.” 

Williams looked at you, “I tried to look for you on the plane, they said we were going to be flying back together.” he chuckled, “I had to say somethin’... I mean… the last thing I remember was your face, and then I think you carried me?” he asked and chuckled, “My fat ass… you carried?” 

His wife pulled back from the hug and wiped her eyes with a tissue. You put your hands in front of you, respectfully, and chuckled at his remark, “I did carry you out of the combat zone into the building we exited on top of sir, but then my partner was shot while she and our combat escort were attempting to make it to safety as well behind me. I handed you off to Private Jack Coleman, he carried you the rest of the way to the plane while I went back out and got my partner sir.” you smiled gently as you explained. 

His wife looked at you, “You went back out there… willingly?” she looked shocked. 

You looked at her and nodded, smiling proudly, “It’s my job ma’am to protect and aid those wounded in battle. It was my job to get your husband out safe - but also my team, I didn’t think twice about it…” you smiled and looked down briefly, “Plus she’s family…” you looked up, “There was no way between high heaven and hell I was going to leave her there.” you chuckled softly. 

She shook her head and chuckled, “You’re crazy! We were told missiles were being dropped and gunfire was everywhere, I don’t know how you got back alive…” 

Joel piped in, “I like to think she had some type of protection watchin’ over her… she has avoided death more times than my heart could count…” he winked at you. 

You smiled at him and pulled out your necklace placing it out of your attire then looked at Mrs. Williams, “I’m also annoyingly stubborn… so that helped too.” you winked at his wife and she laughed softly, along with Joel and Cpt. Williams. “But yes, a lot was going on… there were missile sirens while we ran your husband up to be rescued… and I did end up getting clipped while getting my partner into the plane but nothin’ too bad.” you cleared your throat. 

“I was told you and Coleman went back to Delta 30 afterward to rescue some of your people, I was sorry to hear about your loss.” he gently said, touching your arm. 

You looked down and took a breath before looking back at him, your eyes changed slightly, and you started to fiddle with your bracelet, “Thank you, sir.” you nodded and offered a small smile. 

Williams chuckled and then hugged you again, “Thank you again, I don’t know how I will ever be able to express my gratitude fully…”

His wife came over and hugged Joel, then pulled back and looked at him and nodded towards you with her head, “Just nod… are you gonna?” she raised her eyebrow.

Joel knew exactly what she was asking, he leaned in a little closer and whispered, “I have the ring and everythin’ planned, just waiting for that perfect time.” he smiled and winked. 

She leaned in closer, “When you do, I expect an invitation, you hear?” she patted his arm softly. 

Joel chuckled and nodded, “Yes ma’am, of course.” he smiled and looked lovingly back at you, you were laughing at something the Captain said. 

His wife came over and gently touched her husband's arm to get his attention, “We should let them get back to their meal honey...” 

He nodded and then pulled something out of his pocket, handing you an envelope, “Just a little somethin’, for my gratitude. And… I know how hard it is after you get back. My contact info is in there if you need someone to talk to…” he gently put his hand on yours, “It was so good to finally meet you. Welcome home.” he nodded and then turned to walk away, his wife touched your arm and smiled before walking away with her husband. 

You stood there and watched them walk away, it was good to see he had made it. After seeing his condition and how weak his pulse was, you weren’t sure he’d make it, but it was good he did, he seemed like such a kind man. 

However, it brought up flashbacks of Z and you were all of a sudden overwhelmed by the noise and stimulation around you to stop those memories from flashing in your mind. Your breathing became quick and shaky, starting to panic.  

Joel could tell you were somewhere other than here and then saw how you were breathing. He quickly rounded the table and gently pulled you into his chest and hugged you, kissing the top of your head, “I got you, sweetheart. I’m right here.” he held you tightly. You let tears fall and began to softly cry, grabbing onto his chest. 

He started whispering that he had you, to let what you needed out, he continually kissed your head and gently rubbed your back.  

You took what time you needed to let out the emotion you had held back for so long before you pulled back a little and wiped your eyes, “God, I didn’t expect to have an emotional breakdown in the middle of an airport food court.” you lightly chuckled. 

Joel watched you and rubbed your arms softly, as you regained yourself. 

You let out a breath and then shook your hands out, letting go of all the anxiety, he pulled up your chin to look at him softly, “Hey, lemme look at ‘cha…” 

You smiled up at him sweetly and he smiled back at you, “I know that was a lot, and I’m sure brought up some stuff, just know I’m here for you to reach out to now, m’kay?” he searched your eyes and rubbed his thumb against your chin softly. 

You nodded and he pulled you up to his lips and gently kissed you then pulled back “Mmm vanilla shake…” he kissed you again faster, then pulled back, “My my aren’t ya a sweet treat…” 

You burst into a fit of giggles against his lips and he smiled and he continued to kiss you but slowed down and the last kiss was deep and slow, savoring you the moment just a little while longer moving his hand to your cheek to hold you close. 

He gently pulled back, leaving you breathless. 

“Flight 753 for Austin, now boarding.” 

He chuckled and kissed your nose, “We gotta go, baby, we got a plane to catch.” he backed away, grabbing your bags, leaving you there, stunned and speechless. 

You giggled to yourself and then shook your head, “I’m never gonna get used to the way you make me feel…” you admitted as you went to the table and grabbed your flowers then took his hand as you both ran to the gate. 

When you boarded the plane and it took off, the flight attendant asked if you and Joel wanted any refreshments, Joel asked for a coffee and you about jumped out of your seat with excitement, “Oh, yes one for me too… please…” you beamed. 

When she walked away, he chuckled, “Didn’t have coffee on the other flights?” he took your hand and kissed it. 

“We did, it was just awful, I just tasted like that instant stuff, you know?” you messed with his fingers as you talked, and then looked up at him when after he kissed your temple. 

“How do you like your coffee, are you a sweet or bitter drinker?” he looked down at your hands together. 

“You gonna make me coffee tomorrow morning cowboy?” you smiled, blushing. 

“That and breakfast my love.” he looked over at you, lovingly. 

You looked at him and then leaned up and kissed him, softly and gently a couple of times before pulling back. 

“I like my coffee with just a splash of milk and a tiny bit of caramel sauce, and during Christmas time I like peppermint creamer.” you giggled. “You like yours black right?” you looked at your hands again and leaned your head on his shoulder. 

“Yeah, black… like my soul!” he joked, chuckling. 

You chuckled with him and then the flight attendant came back with your coffee’s. 

You perked up and gently took yours from her, she gave you a few sleeves of sugar and creamer- you put one creamer and two sugars and then took a sip, you did a little dance like you did at the burger joint. Joel smiled and started chuckling, “You do that when you like your food or drink, don’t ya?” 

You looked at him, “Do what?” 

“That cute little happy dance, I’ve noticed you do it when you eat something really good or eat something you really like… it’s adorable.” he smiled down at you and then wrapped his arm around your shoulder, pulling you into his side.  

You shrugged, “I didn’t know I did it that often, but as long as you think it’s cute, it’ll keep happening.” you chuckled as you nuzzled into his side. 

Joel hummed and rubbed absent-minded circles against your shoulder, keeping you close to him.

When you saw it was about a 4-hour flight on the TV in front of you, you immediately got sleepy, your eyes started to close and before you knew it you were out. 

“I forgot to tell ya but Sarah went to a friend's house for the night so we will have the house to ourselves, you wanna rent a movie and order in for dinner?” he kissed the top of your head. 

He didn’t hear you answer back so he moved a little in his seat and saw you asleep, he smiled at the sight, happy to know that he made you feel safe enough to fall asleep on him. He kissed your head again and turned on the TV in front of him, put some earbuds in, and turned on a movie while you slept.

A few hours later you heard the dings of the plane asking everyone to please be seated as the plane was about to descend. You sat your head up and looked around, slightly confused, you felt Joel squeeze your hand, “Hey sleepy head, good nap?” he leaned over and kissed your cheek. 

You chuckled and nodded then took your hand from Joel and put your arms above your head to stretch, “How long was I out?” you asked and then put your arms down and rolled your shoulders back and forth. 

Joel smiled and began putting his tray up, “About 4 hours, maybe less… but I’m glad you got some sleep, I know it’s been a long day of traveling.” 

He gave yours and his trash to the flight attendant as she walked past and you looked out the window of the plane, “We’re already here? Damn… that was a fat nap.” you giggled and then took Joel's hand and leaned back in your seat. “When we land, how long of a drive is it to your house?” 

Joel looked down at you, “If traffic is ok, about 30 minutes, but no more than 45.” he kissed your forehead then brought your hand to his lips and gently kissed it. 

“I didn’t know you were asleep when I asked this earlier but I forgot to mention that Sarah is at a friend’s for the night, so we have the house to ourselves…” he tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear, “Would you like to rent a movie and order in something for dinner?” he smiled at you. 

You nodded and smiled, “Yeah, that sounds good to me. You uhm… you mind if I take a shower when I get there? I’ve been flying for about 40 hours, I feel and probably smell gross…” you chuckled. 

Joel smiled and shook his head chuckling, “Of course. I’ll order us some food then while we wait for it to get there, you can take a shower, how does that sound?” he leaned down and kissed your cheek gently. 

You nodded and blushed. 

The plane landed and you and Joel grabbed your baggage then got in his truck and drove back to his place. 

Traffic wasn’t bad so it was a little less than a half-hour drive.

He kept his hand on yours the whole drive and when he would stop at a light he’d lean over and ask for a kiss or he’d kiss your hand. He was intoxicated by you and couldn’t believe you were here. He felt so at peace in your presence and finally felt like he found someone who cared for him as much if not more than he cared for them. It was refreshing, thrilling and he had never felt so happy to be next to someone.  

He had the radio on low and as you drove he’d show you small things here and there that he thought you’d like to know about on the road - whether it was a historical or famous landmark or had a fun memory with Sarah attached to it. 

It felt so easy between the two of you, there were never awkward silences or moments where either of you felt weird filling the space with conversation, you both felt so relieved to have someone that you connected with on the level you two shared. 

When he pulled into his driveway you perked up and smiled, “So this is where my letters have been comin’... the famous 402 Rancher Street.” you giggled and when he parked you went to get out of the truck, and he gently grabbed your hand to stop you. 

“Nuh-uh, you sit here, I’ll come ‘round and get your door baby.” he leaned over and kissed you quickly then got out and ran behind the truck to get your door, and you chuckled. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, chivalry lives! It’s alive!” you did in a funny voice as you hopped out of the truck. He chuckled as he shut the door then he was immediately on you, hands on your waist, gently pushing you up against the door “Come ‘ere you goof…” 

You giggled and found his lips, kissing him gently and slowly, moving your hands up his chest to tangle in his hair and pull him in closer as he deepened the kiss, pushing himself against you, whispering between kisses, “You’re gonna be treated like the goddess you are…” he began trailing his hands down to your ass and grabbing a handful, you let out a soft moan and he grinned against your lips, “Mmm I like that sound…” he then moved his head and trailed his lips against your jawline then began kissing your neck. You leaned your head back and closed your eyes, “Joel…” you said breathlessly. He chuckled against your skin then he pulled back and came back to look at you, “Yeah baby?” 

You were about to say something when you both heard, in a lighter southern accent “Joel Miller is that you?” as his older neighbor came down the sidewalk, and around his truck, catching you both in the action, “Oh, oh dear I’m so sorry.” she said and turned away, “Joel there are children around, behave!” she waved her hand at him. 

You giggled and leaned your head back, letting out a louder laugh, Joel turned bright red and then looked at you laughing and then Mrs. Rose his neighbor, who was this older lady who was for the love of all things holy, so damn nosey. He sighed and put his head against your shoulder, “Mrs. Rose… I…” he said trying to find what to say. 

“Ma’am I’m so sorry you just walked in on… well that…” giggled and then you gently slid out from under Joel and came up to the woman, “I’m Y/N, it’s lovely to meet you.” you smiled and stuck out your hand.

She turned to look at you and she exclaimed, “Oh my god! You’re home!” she shook your hand gently. 

You looked at her confused and chuckled, “I’m home, yeah! Did Joel say somethin’ or was it just in the community newsletter?” you joked. 

She gasped, “Oh you're right! It needs to go in there!” she didn’t catch onto your joke and was serious about adding it. 

You giggled. Joel came up from behind you and wrapped his arm around you and kissed your cheek, “It’s not goin’ in that damn newsletter Rose…” he said grumpily, clearly blue-balled.

Rose looked at Joel “Oh pfft you big grump!” she swatted at him. 

You smiled at him, “Yeah you big grump!” you chuckled and looked back at her, “Is everything ok ma’am? Did you need Joel for something?” you smiled gently at her, putting your hand on Joel’s around your waist. 

“I was wondering if he could come put batteries in my smoke detector quick, the damn thing won’t quit beepin’...” she smiled at you kindly. 

You pulled yourself away and looked up at him, grinning, “Oh Rose, he’d be happy to help! Plus, I’ve got to take a shower anyway, he can come to do it while I’m doin’ that.” you kissed his cheek, Joel was biting his tongue, and from the bulge you felt behind you, clearly frustrated. “You mind if he helps me inside real quick then he’ll be over?” you smiled at her. 

“Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much dear!” she started to walk away, “Joel you know where the key is honey, just let yourself in!” she said as she walked. 

You grinned and then started to walk to the front door, giggling, “You comin’ cowboy?” 

Joel grinned and bit his lip and then looked at you, “Get inside, you’re in trouble…” he tossed you the keys. You caught them and giggled as you used them to get inside. 

He hurried and grabbed your bags in the bed of his truck and then ran inside after you. 

He closed the door quickly, set your bags down, and then picked you up so your legs were around his waist and pinned you up against a wall, knocking down a photo frame, and immediately devouring your lips with his. You giggled when he grabbed you and let out a moan as you started to kiss you. Your hands immediately made their way into his hair, tangling your fingers through his locks, pulling him closer to you. 

Both of you were clearly out of breath, you began trying to take off his jacket, and he set you down on your feet softly and aggressively took it off then threw it behind him, he untucked your button-up and began to impatiently unbutton it, he got it undone and began taking it off your shoulders, you helped him and then threw it behind him as well, he pulled back a fraction, “Arms up.” he said desperately, you did as he asked and he lifted your tank up and off your body, before putting his hand on your cheek and kissing you slow and passionately. 

You kissed him like that for a few moments before you pulled back gently and put your hand on his chest, out of breath, “Mmm wait…” he moved down to your neck and you chuckled, letting out a small moan as he began to suck on the soft spot between your jaw and ear, hands on your jaw and waist, addicted to you, you swallowed down another moan, “Joel… what are the chances she’ll come back over and knock on your door?” you let out another moan as he began to suck softly on your earlobe, breathing fast and excited. 

He whispered, “Right now, I’m more concerned with makin’ those sweet noises continue to come outta you, not what noises are comin’ out of her damn smoke detector.” he kissed up your jawline and then drug his hand that was on your cheek slowly down your body, lightly over your breasts and stomach, to land on your belt, and start undoing it. 

You swallowed, you didn’t want to stop this but you needed to shower first, you knew you smelled like the airplane and you didn’t want your first time with him to be rushed. You smiled and then put your hand on his cheek and made him look at you, you kissed him gently and then pulled away, “As much as I want you to take me into that bedroom and keep makin’ those sounds come out of me… I smell like an airplane, I need to take a shower…” you kissed him again, he was completely drunk on you, “I also know you like to take your time, and baby… I want you to take your time…” you kissed him slower this time, “I want you to pull every ounce of pleasure out of me tonight…” you kissed him again and let out a moan against him as he slid his tongue against your lip, “Mmm baby, this can’t be rushed…” you gently kissed him again, and then pulled back and looked into this eyes. 

He smiled out of breath and touched your cheek then leaned in and kissed you slowly, taking his time before pulling back “You’re right, I’m not gonna rush this. I wanna take my time with you now that I’ve got you.” he gently kissed your nose and then pulled away and stood up straight, biting his lip as he looked over your body and nodded, “Shower is upstairs, last door on your right darlin’...” you blushed and took a step and reached up and fixed his hair, “If you hurry back… you can join me if you want…” 

His eyes widened, and then he sprinted out of the house towards Mrs. Rose’s. 

You giggled and ran upstairs. You started the shower, to warm it up, and then you took your hair out of the bun and let it loose, you sat on the end of the bed to untie your boots, you were looking around as you were unlacing and noticed products in the bathroom that looked familiar and then saw two toothbrushes. You slid off your boots and then walked slowly into the bathroom and picked up a few things, they were all brand new. 

You didn’t even hear the front door close and Joel running up the stairs and then immediately throwing off his boots in the hallway. He then started taking his shirt off when he got into the bedroom, tossing it in the hamper like a pro. He walked up to the bathroom panting softly and saw you by the counter, he paused unbuckling his belt, “Darlin’?” 

You turned around slowly, “Did you… how did you…” tears in your eyes as you chuckled looking at him.

He saw what you were looking at and smiled softly, then stepped towards you and took the face cream, and set it down on the counter behind you, then gently touched your cheek, “I told you I was gonna take care of you.” he found your eyes and gently rubbed his nose against yours before saying, “I called Maria when she got home, got a list of everything you used, down to the toothpaste brand.” he moved his hand down and gently started to unbuckle your belt, keeping eye contact with you, “I got you all that stuff you see on the counter…” he kissed your nose, “I got you all the shower stuff you use…” he kissed your left cheek, starting to unbutton your pants and slide them down your legs, “I went shoppin’ with Sarah and got you new clothes cuz I knew you left everything when you left Charlie’s… they are in the closet or in your drawer in the dresser…” he kissed your other cheek, as you stepped out of your pants, tears falling but you smiled at him lovingly the whole time, you put a hand on his cheek gently, “I got you a new phone, it’s downstairs, we just need to set it up…” he started to move his hands back up your body and unclasped our bra, letting it fall down, your breath hitched and you looked down at his lips then back up to his eyes. He kissed your forehead gently, starting to unbuckle his belt, then pulled back and looked into your eyes. He let his pants fall to his ankles and then he grabbed your waist and picked you up to wrap your legs around his waist, he kicked both of your clothes out of the way and put you to sit on the bathroom counter. You gasped at the coldness against your skin. 

He grinned and then looked up at you, putting your cheeks in his hands and wiping the tears off your cheeks before moving them to the back of your leg and waist to pull you closer to him, you could feel his hardness against your core, “I’m gonna take care of you… every day, for the rest of our days… I’m gonna love you unconditionally and with every piece of me…” he looked at your lips and then back up into your eyes, “One way I’m gonna show you how much I love you is by worshiping you and this perfect body you have, every chance I can get…” he then leaned in and captured your lips in his in a deep and passionate kiss. 

You moved your hands to loosely wrap around his neck then when he moved his hands to your waist, you tangled your fingers in his hair as you kissed him for a few moments. You moaned quietly feeling him pick you up again and set you down on your feet. He tucked his fingers under the band of your panties and gently pulled them down. You moved your hands down his body slowly, and made your way to the band of his boxers, tugging it gently, you whispered against his lips, “May I?” you fell against his lips again. 

He nodded and grinned, “Never need to ask my love…” he touched your cheek and then he moved down to mark your neck with love bites. 

You panted and let out a soft moan then dipped your hand into his boxers and felt his cock, hard and thick, the size alone was slightly intimidating, but you wanted nothing more than him inside you. “Fuck baby, you’re so big…” you began to stroke him in your hand gently, and he groaned against your neck “You’re gonna feel so good around my cock darlin’, gon’ fill you up.” he used his hands on your waist to walk you up against the bathroom wall, pinning you up against it softly, moving his lips down to kiss your breasts and gently suck on your nipples as he removed his boxers and knelt on the cold bathroom tile before you, kissing down your stomach and lifting one of your legs to lay on his shoulder, kissing your inner thigh gently, whispering “You’re so soft, so beautiful...” 

You looked down at him, “W-What are you doin’...” you moaned feeling his lips getting closer to your cunt. 

He grinned and looked up at you, “Takin’ care of you…” he then kissed your clit gently and kept eye contact with you before using his tongue to press against your bundle of nerves, you let out a gasp followed by a breathy moan, “Fuck Joel…” your body flooded with goosebumps and your back arched, your head fell back against the wall as he continued to devour you, using his tongue to drink up your sweet pussy. 

Your breathing became fast and you quickly felt yourself on the edge of a climax, you reached your hand down and took a handful of his hair, then looked down at him as he continued to flick his tongue against your clit relentlessly, watching every reaction you gave him to study what you liked best. 

“Right there, fuck… Joel… I…” you gasped and you felt yourself cum harder than you ever have been able to before, moaning and arching your back again off the wall, legs beginning to lightly shake. 

Joel grinned and slowed his actions down, careful not to overstimulate you, he moved his lips to suck love bites into your inner thigh, then looked up at you, “You’re so beautiful when you cum on my tongue baby…” 

You looked down at him, chest heaving, you chuckled, “C’mere cowboy…” You bit your lip, wanting to taste yourself on his lips. 

He stood up slowly to help you keep your balance and then let your leg go slowly and softly, towering over you, touching your foreheads together, you looked up at him and batted your eyelashes, “You weren’t kidding about making sure I was satisfied first…” 

He chuckled “No… I wasn’t” he bit his lip and pulled his head away a little to look down at your necklace, “You never took this off, did you?” he put his finger through the chain and gently pulled it towards him, effectively pulling you towards him, he looked up at your lips as you whispered, “It never came off, not once…” you breathing became slow and controlled, you placed our hands on his chest and looked at him focusing on your lips. “Kiss me…” his eyes met yours, “Take care of me, Joel…” you looked down at his lips hungrily. 

He then looked back at your lips for less than a moment before pulling you by your necklace to his lips, humming against them as you slid our hands up his chest and put one in his hair to bring him closer to you. The other stayed on his jaw, holding him to your lips, kissing him lovingly and slowly, walking him towards the shower, turning you both around, and then parting from his lips slowly and stepping into the water and giggling as you let the water run down your body, he stood there for a moment, watching you lovingly, being in the moment. 

You turned around and put your head back to wet your hair. 

Joel stepped into the shower behind you and closed the door behind him, gently putting his hands on your hips, leaning down to kiss your bare shoulder and then another in the crook of your neck, “May I wash you?” he said softly and lovingly. 

You turned your head towards him and then turned around slowly, him keeping his hands on your hips, “Only if I can wash you too…” You found his eyes and smiled softly. 

He smiled back at you and nodded, then stepped closer to you, drops of water falling off the tip of his nose onto yours. “May I wash your hair first?” his eyes danced across your features. 

You nodded, “Would you like me to turn around or fa-?” he cut you off.  

“Face me. I was access to your lips.” he whispered softly and then leaned down and kissed you deeply a couple of times, then slowly pulling away. Looking over at the shelf and grabbing the bottle of shampoo, he squirted some in his palm and then brought it up to his nose, taking a small sniff, he smiled, “Vanilla coconut?” 

You smiled and nodded, “Good nose baby…” 

He smiled and then lifted his arms and rubbed the shampoo into your hair, massaging your scalp gently. 

You close your eyes and lean into his touch, humming softly at how good it feels. 

He leans in and presses a kiss to your nose then cheek then slowly moves towards your lips, teasing you with how close he is, you open your eyes and peek at him grinning above you, he bites his lip, “Can I help you?” he asks you innocently.

“Just wonderin’ what mischief you’re up to…” you chuckle softly and then close your eyes again. He rinses your hair and his hands in the water softly and careful not to get water in your eyes and then runs his thumb against your bottom lip, “Tell me, where do you like being kissed the most, my love…” 

You smiled against his thumb, “Why don’t you use those lips and I’ll tell ya when you’re close…” Your eyes danced between his and his lips. 

He grinned and then kissed your cheek, you giggled and nodded. He then moved to your jaw, you hummed in approval. He moved down to your neck and you put your hands on his shoulders, “I like it there…”, he moved to the spot between your neck and ear, and you softly moaned, “I really like it there…” 

He chuckled, “Noted.” he continued down to your collarbone, you bit your lip and looked down at him, breathing slow and heavy. He gently kissed your breast and then your nipple, you sucked in some air and blushed deeply at your reaction. 

“Mmm, there’s another spot…” he then moved down and trailed his lips to the inner part of your groin where there was soft flesh, you softly moaned and then giggled, keeping your hand on his shoulder. 

He looked at your core then back up and grinned, “I think we’ve established that you like it when I kiss you there…” 

You giggled and nodded. 

He picked up your foot and then trailed his lips down slowly, you giggled when he went by your knee, “Ok I’m just ticklish there…” you admitted. 

He looked up at you and chuckled, “Noted…” he said in a low-toned voice. 

You giggled at his reaction. He continued down your calf and then kissed the inner part of your ankle, you hummed and smiled down at him. He looked at the outer part of your leg and saw where you were shot, he softly let your leg down and then gently kissed it, and you bit your lip. 

He looked up and smirked, “Turn around for me my love…” 

You blushed and slowly turned around. He kissed the globe of your ass, and hearing you let out a soft moan, he mentally noted that spot. He continued up and kissed your love handles, making you moan a little louder, he smirked. He then trailed up your spine with his lips, eliciting goosebumps as he did that. He stood behind you and moved your hair to your right shoulder, then kissed your left shoulder, you leaned your head to the right side and hummed, he then trailed his lips slowly up your shoulder and earned a moan as he touched closer to your neck. He smirked, “What about here?” he kissed your pulse point, and you let out a breathy moan, moving back against him, pressing your ass against his cock, “Joel…” 

He slid his hands to two locations, one to knead your breast, and the other between your legs, starting to rub your clit, “I showered this morning… I need you…” he whispered in your ear before sucking on your earlobe, groaning softly as you started moving your ass against his cock.

You started moaning softly as he rubbed lazy circles on your clit, “Fuck…” you turned around his arms and caught his lips in yours and kissed him slowly a few times, whispering against his lips, “I love you…” before picking up the pace and biting his bottom lip gently, moaning softly. 

He reached over and shut off the water, “Wait here…” he parted from your lips and got out to grab two towels. He handed one to you and you started to dry your hair quickly as he began to dry himself off. He was then on your lips as you dried off your body and the moment he saw you were dry he chuckled against your lips and grabbed you, picking you up to wrap around him, “C’mere you…” 

You giggled and held onto him as he carried you both to his bed, continuing to kiss him as he walked. He turned on a table side lamp and it gave the room a warm glow about it. 

You parted from his lips and were softly panting. You looked at him lovingly and brushed your hand across his cheek and into his hair, combing his hair back. “You’re so handsome… so strong… I’m so lucky…” you brushed your nose against his and then he set you down on your feet and looked down at you, adoringly, he swallowed and went to say something but then smiled and wrapped his arm around your waist and connected your lips to his once again, kissing you deep and with so much love, he then picked you up to lay you gently on the bed behind you, then hovered over you as he continued to kiss you. 

He lowered his hips into your core, his cock pressing against your clit, then he began slowly moving his hips, sliding himself through your folds. 

You moaned against his lips, subconsciously moving your hips along to the same rhythm, eager to gain more friction. 

Your hands were on his chest and one on his waist to pull him closer to you. His hand was planted above your head and the other started moving down your body to the back of your knee, pulling it up and around his waist, opening you up wider for him. He pulled away from your lips and began kissing your neck, groaning as he continued to grind against you. 

You moaned and panted, “Joel, please…” you begged, hand on the back of his head as he continued to kiss your neck. 

He made his way back to your lips and kissed you slowly, deeply, taking his time, then he leaned back a little and reached into this drawer, you put your hand on his chest, “You don’t need one, I… I have an IUD…” you said softly, lips swollen, chest heaving. 

He nodded and smiled brightly coming back to your lips and kissing you gently but slowly, “God I love you so much… you’re so perfect…” he reached down and grabbed his cock and slid it through your folds, whispering against your lips as he praised, “You’re so wet for me… such a good girl…” 

You moaned softly and held his cheek as you kissed him. He pulled back gently and looked down to help himself aim, then once he notched himself at your entrance he looked up and and kissed your forehead before he put his forehead against yours, “I’m going to take this slow, if you need me to stop, or it hurts, all you need to do is tell me and I’ll stop my love…” he rubbed his nose against yours, you nodded. 

“Joel, I need you… please…” you softly begged. 

He slowly pushed his way through your entrance, watching your reaction, making sure if he saw any hint of pain to pull back. You gasped and kept your eyes on him, “Oh fuck…” you moaned smiling at him, putting a hand on his cheek and shoulder, gripping his shoulder in pleasure.

He gently grabbed your hand from his cheek and kissed your palm and inner wrist before he intertwined your fingers to his and pushed it into the mattress, pushing himself further in, slowly, he groaned, “God, you feel so good darlin’... you’re takin’ me so well…” he moved down and began kissing your neck, inhaling how sweet you smelled which drove him to want more of you.

You moaned and held onto his hand, you felt so full of him, it felt so good, “More… please…” you said out of breath, “Oh god please more…” 

He bottomed out and groaned when he did so, “Look at you… you were made for me baby…” he kissed up your neck then your jaw, and hovered over your lips, “You feel so good around me…” he started to slowly move his hips, breathing heavy and quick, pulling soft and light moans from you, “God I’m so in love with you…” he crashed his lips onto yours and letting out a groan as you fluttered around him, slowly egging him on to picking up the pace. 

You moaned against his lips and you fell drunk to his cock, whimpering and whispering “Oh my god, you feel so good…” and “I love you so much… please… don’t stop…” against his lips. 

He wrapped his hand around your waist to keep you where he wanted you, keeping a steady pace, rolling his hips at a rhythm that made your pussy pulse around him, pulling him in, making love drunk on you. 

“I… I’m… fuck baby, don’t stop…” you moaned as you arched your back on the brink of climax. 

He parted from your lips and watched you come undone, “Let go baby… come for me…” he said before reaching down and rubbing lazy circles on your clit, while he whispered into your skin as he kissed your shoulder and up your neck, “Fuck… you feel so good…” 

Your breathing sped up and you leaned your head back into the pillow, gripping his hand and the sheets under you as you came, moaning his name like a prayer. 

He smirked and picked up the pace faster, groaning as he felt he was close as well, but he wanted to pull one more out of you. He kissed your lips once and then he pulled out and let go of your hand, starting to crawl down between your legs. 

You lifted your head and then before you could say anything he licked up your cunt, lapping up what you just gave him, your head fell back against the pillow and you gasped before moaning his name. 

He grinned and pulled his lips from you, dragging a finger through your wetness, “Can you be a good girl and cum again on my tongue for me?” 

You bit your lip, and nodded, “Oh god… yes sir…” feeling a heat rise up your spine from unbelievable pleasure. 

Something in Joel switched when you said that and it was like he was starved for you as he immediately latched back onto your clit, sucking and flicking his tongue against it before adding a finger into you. 

You couldn’t help but chuckle lightly and moan at how good it felt, “Oh baby you’re so fucking good to me…” 

He watched you to gauge what he could do make you beg for more, he wanted to tease you a little bit, make it more enjoyable. 

He pulled himself off your sweet cunt and kissed your inner thigh, softly biting into your flesh as he added a second finger, you gasped and let out a sweet whimper, chest heaving up and down, “Joel…” 

He smirked, “Yes darlin’?” he kissed your clit and then dragged his tongue up it adding some pressure, slowly pumping his fingers in and out. 

Your breath hitched and you looked down at him, eyebrows knitted as you moaned, “Oh god, I need more… I need you…” you moaned again as he continued to flick his tongue against your clit. 

He grinned and added a third finger, making you curse under your breath, he watched as your brows knitted together again and you swallowed, “Oh baby like that, keep doin’ that…” you breathlessly cried. 

He kept up what he was doing and then sucked your clit and let it go and lightly tapped it a couple of times with his other hand, beginning to pump his fingers faster into you. He watched as your breathing became faster and you grabbed your breast, pinching your nipple to throw you over the edge, he noted that detail for later, “Fuck, that’s hot…” he muttered under his breath. 

You moaned as you came hard, gushing around his fingers, “Oh fuck… fuck… b-baby…” he grinned and flicked your clit with his tongue a couple of times before kissing slowly, using his tongue to lap up what you gave him. 

You gasped as a second wave hit you, a broken moan leaving you as you fell back against the pillow, in sweet bliss. You lost your vision for a moment as you came so hard you felt yourself vibrating afterward. 

You were out of breath, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm yourself down, you chuckled and then sat up on your elbows and looked down at him, and bit your lip, “I want you to fuck me like how you described the night I got back from Delta 30…” you smirked at him, knowing it would push him over the edge, it was your turn to take care of him. 

He sat up and swallowed hard, “Baby… I ain’t gonna last long if we do that…” he came up to meet you back at your lips, kissing you softly, “I wanna make this last a little longer than that… I’m still wanting so much more of you…” he touched your cheek and pulled you up against him with his other hand on your waist as he settled between your legs again. 

You grinned against his lips and then pushed him off you and onto his back before rolling onto him and straddling his waist, grinding against his cock, “Then is this a good middle ground cowboy?” you put your hands on his chest and continued to coat his cock with your pussy. 

He was speechless at the quick motion so he nodded and for once was breathless, “Fuck yes, god that feels so good baby…” he put his hands on your hips to follow your movements. 

You leaned forward and sat up a little, reaching between you and softy grabbing his throbbing cock, guiding it towards your entrance then slowly sitting down, taking him slowly, closing your eyes, and throwing your head back as you did, moaning, “Oh fuck… you’re so fucking thick…” you began to grasp the girth of him at this angle. 

As soon as he felt you on his cock he grunted and watched your reaction, grinning, breath heavy and fast, his heart pounding from how good you felt around him, gripping onto your hips. 

“Mmm you feel so perfect on my cock baby, you look so fucking good…” he grinned as he started to pump his hips a little to give you some stimulation, you put your hand behind you onto his thigh and moved your hips back and forth, he was so deep that he was rubbing against your cervix and it felt oh so good coupled with the stimulation you were getting against your clit you were approaching another orgasm quick. 

He looked up at you and if he could, he’d take a photo of how fucking delicious you looked riding him. “Fuck baby… I’m close…” he whined and swallowed as he felt a pull and the tension started to build, “Where do you want me?” he clenched his jaw and shut his eyes, trying to hold on a little longer.

You bit your lip and moaned softly, feeling close as well, “In me… I want you to cum in me…” you let out a shaky breath, “Fuck I’m gonna cum…” You picked up the pace a little, making Joel let out a moan and grip your hips tighter, feeling his orgasm fast approaching. 

Just as he felt your pussy begin to tighten around him he sat up quickly and wrapped his arm around your waist and took your nipple in his mouth, sucking on it, throwing you off the edge, barreling towards an intense orgasm. 

You snapped your head forward and grabbed onto his hair, holding him onto you, knitting your brows together, moaning loudly as you came, rolling your hips on his cock whispering out of breath, “Oh fuck baby… you feel so fucking good, so fucking deep…” you moaned and he removed his lips from your nipple, moving to grab your lips in his and kiss you deeply as he held you down on his cock. 

His heart was pounding as he thrusts up into you a few times, spilling deep inside you, moaning and preaching how much he loves you, how he loves your body against his, how good you feel with him inside you, rambling his love for you against your lips and in between kisses, out of breath and but still unable to get enough of you, making your hips milk every ounce he has to give you. 

You couldn’t help but smile against his lips as he rambled, combing your fingers through his hair gently, absorbing every word he praised. 

He slowed down his breathing and slowly laid back down, pulling you with him, keeping his lips on yours, slowing down his kisses, gently tracing his hands down your back. You pulled back from his lips and looked into his eyes lovingly, “Easy there cowboy…” you put a hand on his chest to feel his heart racing.

He let out a deep chuckle and reached up to tuck your hair behind your ear, lightly licking his lips, tasting you still on them. He smiled up at you, “You’re so beautiful… I love you so much…” he touched your cheek and you whispered back, “I love you more…” he chuckled, “Impossible…” and leaned up to steal another kiss, letting it be slow and sensual. 

You hummed happily and pulled back slowly, then laid on his chest for a few minutes. He drew slow shapes and love letters onto your back with his fingertips, holding you close, slowing coming down from your highs. 

You slowly sat up after several minutes and looked at the time and kissed his chest softly, “I’ll be right back handsome…” and went to get up off him and off the bed when he grabbed your hand and looked at you, “Where do ya think you’re goin’...?” he kissed your hand and up your arm softly, keeping eye contact with you with those big brown eyes. 

You giggled and touched his cheek softly, “I’m just grabbin’ some medicine that I’m taking for my injuries baby… I’ll be right back.” you blushed at his eagerness to keep you close, “I promise…”

He sat up on his elbow, “Is it in your bag?” he kept your hand and kissed it gently. 

You nodded, “Yeah, I’m just running downstairs quick…” you leaned down and kissed him gently then went to pull away when he grabbed you by your waist, making you squeal and giggle. He pulled you back in bed onto your back and leaned over you, continuing to kiss you slowly and softly a few times then he pulled away, “Mmm you stay here, I’ll go get your stuff…” he smiled and sat up and got out of bed. 

You giggled and sat up on your elbows, “I’m never going to be allowed to lift a finger with you, am I?” 

You watched him put boxers on real quick as he chuckled, “Not when it’s something I can do baby, not when I can take care of you…” he winked at you and then came back and stole another soft kiss from you, “I’ll be right back my love.” 

He walked out of the room and went downstairs, grabbing both of your bags and then the phone he got for you from the kitchen. 

While he went downstairs you got up and used the bathroom, putting the shirt he had in the hamper from earlier on you, and then brushed your teeth quickly. You started to brush your hair while it was still somewhat damp, humming a song to yourself. 

He picked up the clothes you both had discarded downstairs and put the fallen picture back up in case Sarah got home early, he didn’t want her to see the warm-up mess to your… activities. 

He came upstairs, with a water bottle as well, hearing you hum. He set down your bags next to his dresser and the bottle of water on the nightstand, and then came and leaned against the doorway, listening to you, watching you lovingly. 

You saw him in the mirror and smiled, turning around slowly. He came up and put a hand on your waist and another on your cheek, “Can’t Take my Eyes off You, yeah?” he guessed what you were humming. 

You nodded and smiled, he started softly singing to you, looking down at you, starting to dance with you slowly, slowly rubbing his thumb across your cheek, smiling as he sang:

“You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off of you

You'd be like Heaven to touch

I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived

And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you

Pardon the way that I stare

There's nothing else to compare

The sight of you leaves me weak

There are no words left to speak

But if you feel like I feel

Please let me know that it's real

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you” 

He then spun you around and dipped you down, kissing you softly once while humming the horn section before grinning and belting the next part, making you giggle and smile, then start singing along with him:

“I love you, baby, and if it's quite alright

I need you, baby, to warm the lonely night

I love you, baby, trust in me when I say

Oh, pretty baby, don't bring me down, I pray

Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay

And let me love you, baby, let me love you…” 

You both danced and sang together in that bathroom to the rest of that song, completely, utterly and stupidly in love with each other. 

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taglist: @sarahhxx03 , @blahkateisdone , @sunnytuliptime , @herebriefly, @pedroscurls

[thechaoticghostscientist]

Alright, I'm fueling the fire, ya freaky weirdos

Henry Hotline SFW alphabet headcanons

Henry Hotline x reader

☎️Affection-

This man sezies every opportunity to show you that he loves you. Even if you're doing nothing. He'll compliment you, hug you, kiss you

Even if he is around Frankie or Deputy Duck, he doesn't care. Expect the best hugs you can get out of a cartoon character.

His go-to form of affection is definitely compliments and physical affection

☎️Best friend-

If he's just your best friend, he'll always have your back. Need someone to vent to? Oh wow, he just so magically appeared next to you! Or you just want a buddy to hang out with? Well, good thing his show is just so happens to be canceled. He'll do anything for his closest friend

☎️Cuddles-

This man LOVES to give cuddles. Even if he's busy with something like planning out his show or spending time with the contestants. He'll drop everything for you.

And let me tell you, when he hugs or cuddles you, he does not let go for hours. You could always ask him to let go whenever you want to, but we all know he doesn't want to lose you.

☎️Domestic-

The truth is, he'd only do stuff if HE wanted to do it. If you ask him to mop the blood off of the floor or something, he'll look at you like you just lost your mind. Maybe if you give him a kiss or two, his might do what you ask him

But we all know he's a sucker for making you happy. So he'll do some chores only when you're not looking.

☎️Ending-

Over the phone. Yes, that is a stupid way to break up with someone, but he doesn't know any other way that feels right! But don't worry, he'll never break up with you, he loves you too much! But he still has a plan, just in case

☎️Fiance(e)-

Y'all really wanna marry a cartoon character? Same

He's not too big on the whole "Settling down, getting married, and starting a family" trope. He's fine if you REALLY wanna marry him. As long as it won't hinder his work and he still gets to talk in his talk show, then by all mean, slap that ring on his finger pronto! He doesn't have all day! or if you ever want him to give you a ring, just let him know

☎️Gentle-

This phone guy wannabe loves you too much to hurt you. If there is ever a time when his headaches just get to him and he needs to let out some anger. He's leaving the room, and you won't see him until he's fully calmed down

But in normal situations where he's chill, he's so gentle around you. Kisses so light that you'll think you're touching a feather. Hugs so gentle it feels like you're hugging a teddy bear.

☎️Hugs-

Like mentioned earlier, he gives the best hugs. It'll literally leave you craving more like some sort of sweet candy.

If you ever need a hug, you know he'll always give you one

☎️I love you-

That's how he confessed, goofy! He was so nervous about asking you out that he just blurted out his feelings!

And don't you worry, he always reminds you anytime you need it. But when you don't, he still says he loves you! He loves you so much!

☎️Jealousy-

Due to his massive ego, he tends to get quite jealous. Mainly around Deputy Duck and Frankie. Especially Deputy Duck. He can't help it! He just wants everyone to know that he's the one who loves you the most

☎️Kisses-

Very very soft and passionate! Almost as if he's afraid to scare you. He knows how easily angered he gets due to his headaches, so he's just trying to make both of you happy.

He's angry? Give him one small smooch and he's floored

☎️Little one-

Surprisingly, he secretly hates kids. Especially if they try to call him. Over and over again he has been called. He can't even look at a child without getting a headache.

☎️Morning-

He does the most goofy lovey-dovey shit every morning. If you guys share a bed, he is kissing your face every morning. And if you don't share a bed, he always wakes you up with a kiss on the forehead and a soft "good morning, my dear"

I'm sorry but him saying "My dear" sends me

☎️Night-

He has the most elaborate bedtime routine ever. Skin care and all. And he'd obviously sleep in one of those fancy pink night robes, also with a face mask.

Also, he sleeps like a rock. Nothing can wake him up. Not even a train horn. Except maybe a kiss or two

☎️Open-

It'll take him a while to open up to you. Not because he's scared, it's because he's too flustered to say anything. But once he finally gets used to dating you, he starts talking to you about everything. His talk-show, his rivalry with Deputy Duck, his splitting headaches, and the list goes on and on

☎️Patience-

Due to his constant headaches, he gets angered quite easily. And it can lead to some arguments here and there. Nothing too bad, just some petty words thrown. All you have to do is let him calm down with some time by himself. Once he's back to normal, he'll mumble about how he's sorry for being so rude to you and how you didn't deserve it. He'll never hurt you :)

☎️Quizzes-

This guy remembers nearly everything about you. Your favorite restaurant, color, song, book. Anything! It'll honestly leave you speechless. Like, if you mention something you like a month ago, he still remembers it to this day. He really does love you.

☎️Security-

If someone is bothering you, his hand is immediately on your waist or back. This man has to let everyone know that you're both dating. Not a single soul can split you two apart.

But normally, he's chill when it comes to being protective. He's not too overbearing about it

☎️Try-

He goes all out when it comes to birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

On anniversaries, he lays flower petals all over, lights candles, and treats you to a well-deserved meal.

With holidays, he would help you set up anything. Need help putting lights up? He's tall. He's got it! Need help making food? Well, he'll give it a shot!

☎️Ugly-

His ego. Sometimes you two get into petty arguments and he can't see past himself. It's what HE wants. It's all about HIM. But like I said before, he'll apologize for any negative things he's said to you.

☎️-Vanity

This man spends HOURS in the morning just making sure he looks good. Even if you tell him he's perfect the way he is, he'll be flattered but he won't stop. Sometimes, he might even put on black lipstick or eyeshadow. He likes it when you kiss him and he has to redo his lipstick over and over again.

☎️-Whole

He gets so lonely when you're not around. Yeah, he'll still go on with his day, but he'll be a lot less talkative and sassy. But once you come back, it's like a child receiving a puppy for Christmas

"My love! Where have you been?!"

"I was in the bathroom. . ."

☎️Xtra-

Dance with him! He loves it! You could put on some swingy jazz or a soft romantic, he doesn't care! He just loves having you in his arms and spinning around with you!

☎️You-

He talks about you all the time. With Frankie, with Deputy Duck, and in his talk show. He loves babbling on and on about his beloved! Everyone knows he's one for showing off, especially things he likes!

"They're so cool, amazing, glorious, funny, outstanding, and-"

"GET OU-"

☎️Zzz-

OK this might sound weird but, he does snore but like not normally. Instead, his phone rings. Every time he breathes out his phone rings. And loudly too. If you share a bed, you'd probably have to either tolerate the noise or wear ear plugs

‐---‐‐---------------

Aaaaahh I'm sorry if this sucked. This was my first time ever writing something like this 🫠

Anyway, Henry is hot, you're cool, and goodbye

[inators]

From that one prompt that said 'Heinz Doofenshmirtz has died'

The main console nearly bowed to the power of Perry's fists as he slammed them down, chair behind him clattering to the ground from the force at which he stood. He glared up at the screen, murder in his eyes and a ferocious curl to his lip. That was not funny.

Major Monogram and Carl glanced at each other, then back down at Perry with some amount of trepidation. Everyone knew of Perry's less-than-professional connection to Heinz Doofenshmirtz; they just didn't know how deep that connection ever went. "We understand that this might come as a bit of a... shock. We just got the news ourselves."

Perry's fists clenched even harder, if such were possible; his nails dug into his palms as he ground his teeth. Heinz, dead? Impossible. He had just thwarted him yesterday. The resultant explosion from his self-destruct button shouldn't have been near enough to cause serious harm. Not to the most resilient man he knew. Could it be? Did someone finally manage to thwart his nemesis? But that was his job. Who else... What else...?

( If this was Peter's work, he thought savagely, then OWCA would have a rogue agent on its hands in no time flat. )

「Show him to me,」demanded the agent without preamble, his signage snapped out restlessly. He held up a finger when Carl opened his mouth to object.「Now.」

Carl pressed a button. A pneumatic tube appeared next to Perry, which he tried not to hurry into. His mind was still reeling from the news... If it was news. Some elaborate plan, perhaps — or a duplicate, a clone, a doppelgänger of some sort. He'd cloned Perry before. Why not himself? He felt sick. His stomach was tying itself in knots. It was as if his body knew, even if he refused to believe it himself. Don't be dead, Heinz, he prayed, his heart beginning to ache as its beat thundered in his ears. Don't. Don't. Don't.

The morgue was clean in a way that was disturbing even to Perry. Every inch of it gleamed with a sickening promise. I will take him, it whispered as Perry exited the tube. I will take him and tear him apart.

He was so small.

Perry swallowed hard and approached the gurney, his body beginning to shake. Monogram and Carl stood nearby the tube, but he didn't care about his audience just now. Heinz — wonderful, ridiculous, extraordinary Heinz — lay there cold and lifeless. His arms were missing; someone had put them to the side in preparation for the autopsy, he guessed, but it only served to make his nemesis look... Tiny. Frail. Helpless. His fingers danced over his narrow forehead, down his cheek and along his neck where he finally stopped to check for a pulse. He bent, listening for a cough, a breath, anything, but nothing came. His own breath caught in his throat. No. No-no-no.

Ever so slowly, ever so painfully, Perry realized that yes, he was looking at his esteemed beloved cherished nemesis. He could remember every burn, every scar, both pink and grey, old and new. They were all there. Every single mark, every single story, mapped out on the stiff body displayed before him.

Perry choked.

Was he sick, or was that a sob? There was a constriction in his throat that he didn't recognize, and a wetness in his eyes that he refused to name. He breathed hard through his mouth, tried to let the pressure out, but he couldn't. For once, Perry the Platypus couldn't control himself. His fingers clenched on the side of the gurney as he tried and failed to stem his tears, determinedly blinking them away. Heinz wouldn't want him to cry. He would never want Heinz to see him crying. He needed to be the personification of unstoppable, dynamic fury that Heinz knew. For Heinz, he needed to be Agent P.

I never got to tell you, he lamented, and let his fingers trace over Heinz's cheek again. I never got to tell you... but I will show you.

He took one last look at Heinz, not knowing what his expression looked like — not wanting to know what his expression looked like — and turned away, heading back for the tube.

"Agent P — " Monogram tried; but Perry shouldered past him and took the tube back to his lair, where he shouldered his jetpack and headed straight for Doofenshmirtz Evil, Inc. He would find out who did this if it took his last breath.

And they would pay.