#7 am brain racks

[whvskeyhaze]

To be very honest, I feel like chasing normalcy these days is harder than luxury!

Cuz if we do look at it normalcy has no shape, while luxury is big and atleast looks like something.

A bank account with infinite numbers? Sure! Super cars? Wow! Cruises? Mmhmm love the sound of it! And the list continues..

But what exactly is normal?!

Normalcy changes with literally every person.

If I am picturing normalcy, the person on the other side of the road can have a totally different perspective and it will still be convincing!

[covenofagatha]

A dance with death (and her wife) (Part 1)

@lanfear-is-my-darkmistress

You are a profiler for the FBI when you get called to help catch a serial killer in Westview. (Killing Eve/Hannibal AU)

Word count: 4200

Warnings: descriptions of violence, fear

The phone rings at 7:30 in the morning on your day off and you want to throw it against the wall. 

You had been sleeping – having a very good dream, actually – when the harsh ringtone roughly jolts you out of your slumber. 

“Hello?” you answer groggily, rubbing your face with your hand. If it’s a spam call, you think you might lose your mind. 

“Is this Agent Y/L/N?” A gruff voice asks and you shoot up out of bed into the sitting position. 

You clear your throat and try to sound professional. “Um, yes, this is she. Who am I speaking with?”

“This is Director Hayward,” the man says, and your eyes widen. The head of the FBI is calling you. “Have you heard of the town of Westview?” 

Your forehead wrinkles while you rack your brain for anything that sounds familiar. “No, sir, I don’t think so.” 

There’s muffled sounds from the other side of the phone and then you can hear Director Hayward clearly. “It’s a small town in New Jersey. Nothing special, nothing too out of the ordinary.” He pauses like you’re supposed to recognize it, but after a moment of silence he sighs and continues. “About seven months ago, we believe a pair of serial killers moved into town. Bodies started piling up, seemingly no rhyme or reason to who was killed, only that the victims were all female.” 

“Okay,” you say slowly, trying to wrap your head around all this. If it’s been going on for this long, why haven’t you heard about it? “Are we sure they’re connected if there’s no pattern of victim? Usually men have a type when they do this kind of thing; the women usually look like an ex-lover who broke their heart, or their mom.” 

You can practically hear him roll his eyes through the phone. “They were all killed the same way: poison to sedate them and then their hearts were carved out. And there was a purple azalea left in every single one of the victims’ chest cavities. So we’re pretty sure they’re connected.” Sarcasm drips copiously from his tone and you wince. Way to make a good first impression on the director of the FBI. “And it’s not a man. It’s a woman.” 

This makes you perk up with interest. “Oh?” As a profiler for a branch of the FBI in Miami, you’ve handled your fair share of serial killers. It may make you sound insensitive, but you were only really interested in the female ones. Men were so boring and predictable. Women knew how to make it a challenge, and there was always some deep, underlying motive for why they did it. There was nothing you enjoyed more than piecing together that puzzle. 

“They’re calling her The Witch. The poison used on the victims is like nothing we’ve ever seen before, so we think she must be making it herself. But since female serial killers are kind of your thing–” 

You cut him off before you can think twice, thoughts whirling through your head. “How do you know it’s a woman? Cutting out a heart, that takes a lot of strength. Most female serial killers tend to use gentler methods, like poison, so it makes sense that there’s at least one woman involved. Are you sure she isn’t working with someone though? Lavinia Fisher would poison her victims and then her husband would finish the job.” 

“How quickly can you get to Westview?” He asks, completely ignoring your question. 

“Oh, you want me to go there?” 

He scoffs. “Yes, Agent, we want you to go there. I’ve already informed your boss and he’s given his approval. No one has been better at catching the female killers than you, so we really need you on this. You can take the Miami jet as soon as you’re ready, but they want you there as soon as possible.” 

“Will I be working with the Trenton branch?” 

“Just the Westview PD for now. They’ve assured us that they have their best detectives on the case. But if you need backup, let us know and we can send in some more profilers. Whatever it takes to bring this woman to justice.” He hangs up without another word and you grab your to-go suitcase that you keep packed for times like these. You throw in a few extra sets of clothes just in case it takes longer than expected, and then you’re out the door, driving to Headquarters. 

You walk into your boss’s office and knock on the door. The director of the Miami branch, Tony Stark, looks up at you. “Hope you packed some warm clothes,” he says and you chuckle. You definitely did not.

“Hayward said I could take the jet?”

Tony nods. “It’s out back and already fueled up. Good luck, kid. Be careful, okay?” 

You scoff. “Careful? I’m always careful.” He fixes you with a stern look and you acquiesce. “I promise.” 

“I don’t need to remind you what happened last time you worked on a case like this, do I?” 

It hits you like a punch to the gut and you shake your head. “No, sir, you do not.” But you know he’s going to tell you anyway. 

“That woman destroyed you,” he hisses. “You got so focused on finding her that you stopped eating and sleeping. The obsession completely consumed you.” 

“I caught her, didn’t I?” You mutter, knowing full well that isn’t his point. He slams his hands down on his desk and you jump. 

“She almost killed you,” he almost yells and your face twists at the memory. 

The Scarlet Killer terrorized Miami about three years ago before you finally brought her down. At first, she would sneak into houses of families with twins and slit the parents’ throats and kidnap the kids, but the twins would always resist so she would end up killing them too. 

After a while, she stopped caring about the twin aspect and started killing anyone with children. 

You had spent days in the office, pacing and pouring over the evidence board, trying to make sense of it. There was no DNA anywhere, but there was also no sign of forced entry, so you figured that she was invited into the house somehow. The hunt for children made you think she had lost her own, or had some sort of abusive childhood that made her want to protect kids. She was possibly a twin as well, and very amicable if people were having her over willingly. 

It took two months before you figured out the perimeter of her murders. She was making a hexagon shape with the houses of the victims. Hexagons can represent balance, so you figured she felt as if she was balancing out some score with the universe for something that had happened to her. 

And then one fateful night, you realized where her next target was. A family had just moved into a house perfectly on the border of the hex, as people around the office started calling it, and they had twins. 

You spent almost an entire week camped out in front of their house waiting for the Scarlet Killer to strike. You think during that time, you slept a total of ten hours. Hallucinations plagued you and you would doze off and then wake up babbling something about catching her. Agents would bring food by your car and beg you to take a break, but you kept your eyes strained on the house, determined that you wouldn’t let her get away with it again, determined to prove that you were right about where she’d be.

And you were. 

Except the knocking that should’ve been on the front door of the house, the knocking that would inevitably lead to more death, was on your car window. 

You had jolted awake to find a redheaded woman standing there, looking worried. You opened the door and got out to help her when she had pulled a knife out and stabbed you in the stomach. 

Thank god she didn’t go for her usual M.O. of slitting throats. 

You were able to weakly unholster your gun and take a shot at her as she was running away and by the yelp, you knew you had hit her. A consolation prize as your vision faded to black. 

Somehow, you woke up two days later in a hospital room, Director Tony Stark by your bedside. They had caught the killer a block away thanks to the appendix your bullet had ruptured that rendered her unconscious, a woman named Wanda Maximoff, who had lost her twins in a horrible house fire, and made it a mission to try and replace them.

And her knife had missed anything important, and all you had was a nasty scar and the weariness from everyone else whenever there was a new female serial killer to catch. 

“She didn’t kill me though,” you tell Tony, who rolls his eyes. “I’ll be careful. I won’t get too involved this time.”

He slides open a drawer and takes out a file and a business card that he holds out to you. You reach across the desk to grab the two and you scan the card. 

Rio Vidal, Therapist, Westview. With an email and phone number. 

You hold it up and raise an eyebrow. “You want me to see a shrink?” You already completed your mandated fifteen hours of therapy after the Maximoff incident and you weren’t eager to go back. 

“You don’t have to, it’s just so you have an option. In case you feel yourself becoming too ‘involved.’” 

You purse your lips but you slip it into your pocket and tighten your grip on the file. “Guess I’ll see you whenever we catch her.” 

He salutes you and you make your way to the jet out back. 

It’s a three hour flight and you spend your entire time pouring over the case file. You know there’s still some information that you’ll have to get from the Westview PD, like witness statements and exclusive photos that haven’t been released yet, but what you do have is brutal. 

Photos of shriveled up bodies with barely any skin still on their bones, their cheeks hollowed out, like something sucked the life out of them. Not to be sexist, but you can tell why Director Hayward thought it was a woman. 

Although there’s a gaping hole in their chests where a heart used to be, the cuts are neat, precise. And the blood has been completely cleaned up. What should be the bloodiest crime scene you’ve ever seen is void of any fluid, like the killer methodically mopped and bleached and cleansed the scene of everything. But this also means that the victims are dead before the heart is cut out, from the poison. 

The most chilling thing is the singular, perfect flower placed in the cavity of their chest.

You flip through the toxicology reports but can’t really make sense of anything. One report says one chemical was the cause of death, another report says another. The levels of chemicals in the bloodstream are also different from victim to victim. 

It reminds you of Jolly Jane Toppan, who would experiment with different medicines and chemicals to murder patients at hospitals. 

Is the killer a nurse? A chemist? You’re able to figure out why she’s called The Witch, because it’s like she’s brewing up potions of sorts, but you have no idea why she would bother cutting their hearts out if she’s killing them with poison. 

The precision of the blade also means that her hands are steady. Another reason she could be a nurse. 

You flip through the pictures of all the victims – eleven, so far – and the first victim’s cut is just as accurate as the last victim. This woman is either a natural, or this isn’t the first time she’s killed. 

Pulling out your computer, you search the database for any serial killer cases that match this same type of crime, male or female. You’re still not entirely convinced she’s working alone. 

But there’s nothing. No cold cases, no open cases. She has truly shown up out of nowhere. 

You tap your fingers to the tray table, your mind trying to make sense of the details for the rest of the flight. 

When the plane lands, you’re ushered into an uber and taken to the motel where you’ll be staying. Your rental car is already in the parking lot. Even though Westview is a small town, it means a lot that they’re giving you all these accommodations. 

Your room is complete with a kitchenette, a queen sized bed, and a good sized bathroom. You drop the files on the table, throw your suitcase in the bedroom, and grab your work bag before locking the door behind you. 

The rental car is a small sedan that has a strange smell, but it does the job and you drive through the quaint twisting roads to get to the police station. You park up front, take a deep breath, and walk in. 

No one stops you or asks what you’re doing here (no wonder this case hasn’t been solved yet) so you make your way to the back where you find the Chief’s office. 

He’s a skinny man with a mustache, spots of something that looks like mustard on his shirt, talking to a woman with her back to you. All you can tell is that she has long, dark hair that flows down your back.

“Hi, excuse me?” You say, knocking on the glass door. The Chief stops and the woman turns around to face you and you’re momentarily struck by how attractive she is. “I’m Agent Y/N? The, uh, criminal profiler from Miami? The FBI sent me to help with The Witch case.” 

“Oh, shoot, that’s right,” the man says, wiping his hands on his jacket before standing up. “Chief Phil Jones. This is Detective Agatha Harkness–” He motions to the woman standing there who smiles knowingly, raking her eyes up and down your body. “– our best. She’s been working this case day and night.” 

“Any leads so far?” You ask her. 

“Why don’t I show you what we have so far?” She offers and you nod, following her out of the office and trying not to look at her ass. She takes you into�� a different room with a bulletin board filled with pictures and string and post-it notes. You squint at it, trying to take everything in, while you hear more people enter the room behind you. 

“So, Miami, what do you think?” A man taunts and a few others snicker at him. You ignore him, you’ve been used to this your entire career. 

You’re still scanning the board when something catches your eye. The witness statements. They don’t corroborate with each other. From the six people that have seen something, they all agree that the killer had dark hair. But some say it was long, others say just past her shoulders. Some think she was taller and lean, others say shorter and just a little more filled out. There’s a detail from two witnesses that gives you pause though: they say the woman had a mask of sorts on the bottom of her face, almost like a skeleton. The other witnesses make no mention of not being able to see the killer’s entire face. 

You tap the papers. “Why don’t the statements line up?” 

“Surely you know how unreliable eyewitness testimony is,” Agatha drawls, and when you turn around, she’s watching you carefully. 

You frown. “I do know, but it seems like there’s two different people here. So either we have a copycat, which would be unlikely due to there being no change in the level of detailedness from murder to murder, or–” You trail off, chewing on your lip. You’re waiting for someone, Agatha maybe, to finish the sentence, or to tell you you’re being crazy. 

“Or?” She prompts like she’s daring you to go on. There’s a look in her eyes, a look you don’t quite recognize. 

You give the men in the room a glance. Will they laugh? “I really think we’re dealing with two killers here. Working together. One poisons the victims, the other cuts out the heart. I thought it was a man and a woman, but it seems like two women. They’re obviously very close to each other, and they’ve got it down to an easy routine.” 

“Why hasn’t anyone seen two women then?” Agatha asks, but you feel like she’s just guiding you to a realization, rather than criticizing your theory. 

You hum, tossing the question around in your head. “Maybe…maybe because they want us to think there’s only one killer? They’ve fooled everyone, even the FBI. Easy to chalk it up to faulty witness statements.” 

“Why wouldn’t they try to look alike then?” Agatha presses, and your brow furrows. It’s a good point. 

The pictures of the mutilated victims on the board stare back at you while you look for anything you could’ve missed. “Are they toying with us? Do they want us confused? The poison, the cut-out heart, the flower left behind, the different descriptions, it’s like this is a game to them. They’re cocky, they feel confident that they can’t get caught. Maybe both of them are narcissists, but definitely are on the Antisocial Personality Disorder spectrum.” 

“Why do you think they do it?” Agatha says in a hushed voice. You can’t help but notice that she seems excited. 

Is that because she finally might be getting a break in her case? 

“I don’t know,” you admit and she looks disappointed. You spin to face the board again. “There’s no obvious connection or pattern between the victims, so it doesn’t seem like there’s a personal vendetta against them. Nothing stands out about the locations either. It seems like they’re just killing for fun, right now.” 

“That’s pretty dangerous,” she says, and you can feel the front of her body brush against your back. You’ve been so entranced that you didn’t even hear her notice her coming over. “That means anyone could be next.” 

Goosebumps spread over your body at her hot breath on your neck, but her words sober you up. She’s right. You’re not able to rule out potential victims based on how many kids they have or don’t have, like with Wanda, or what they look like or don’t look like. 

“Okay,” you say, nodding your head. “We need to send out a BOLO for two women with dark hair now. Put these descriptions out, tell them to keep an eye out for a skeleton mask? Hopefully we can get some tips and put a stop to this before anyone else gets hurt.” 

“What should we call the other woman?” One of the male officers speaks up and you’re surprised that it’s an actual question. 

Agatha watches you with interest while you think about it. “How about…Lady Death?” You offer and she gives a nod of approval. “Put a BOLO out for Lady Death and The Witch.” 

You make copies of everything that’s on the board and paper clip them together to put in your bag. As you’re packing everything up to go back and leave to the motel (Tony would be proud of you for leaving the station at an acceptable time), Agatha comes over and leans on the table. 

“What do you think their relationship is? Lady Death and The Witch,” she says, amusement lacing her tone when she says their nicknames. 

You shrug. “Sisters, friends, wives? Maybe they’re just two crazy people who met each other and want to kill people.” She chuckles and studies you curiously. 

“You know, we’ve had some other profilers come in, but none of them have been like you. You know your stuff.” 

“Female serial killers are kind of my thing,” you say. “There’s just something about untangling the mystery that’s so much sweeter. Makes me feel…alive. Which I know sounds bad, because so many people have died, and I’m sorry.” 

Agatha looks like she knows exactly what you’re talking about. “No, don’t apologize. It’s exciting, isn’t it? The exhilaration, the moment when you finally get what you want, what you’ve been working toward.” Her voice is low and you nod, leaning in before you can realize what you’re doing. Your gaze drops down to her smirk and then back to her blown-out pupils. “Do you think you’ll be able to find them?” 

“Yeah, I do,” you breathe, and she looks positively delighted. Out of nowhere, the scar on your stomach stings and you grimace. Agatha looks at you, concerned but you brush it off. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” You ask, standing up and slinging your bag onto your shoulder. 

“See you then, superstar,” she says with a grin and watches you leave. 

When you get back to the motel, you spread all the pictures and notes out, trying to connect some dots. You scribble down Friends? Sisters? Lovers? on a sticky note and press it to the wall. 

Why do you think they do it? Agatha’s question still haunts you. You don’t want to believe that it’s just for fun, there has to be some meaning, some motive for poisoning and then physically removing hearts. There has to be some significance to the flower left behind. 

But what is it? 

Your stomach grumbles so you decide to take a step back and go pick up food from a restaurant in town. As you’re pulling out of the parking lot to come back to the motel with wings and french fries, you get a call from Tony Stark. You accept it, taking a sip from your cup quickly. 

“Hey, Director,” you say. 

“There she is! How’s it going?” 

You shrug even though he can’t see you. “Not too bad. Just went and got dinner. See, I’m taking care of myself.” 

He laughs like it’s the funniest joke he’s heard. “Glad to hear it. Any new leads in the case?” 

“There’s two women, not one. They’re working together.” There’s silence on his end of the line for a second and you wonder if he heard you. “Did you–?

“Yeah, I got that. Shit, so you think you’re looking for partners? I don’t like this,” he says. 

“I’m okay, I promise. What happened with Wanda won’t happen this time,” you reassure him as you turn back into the motel lot. “I’ll check in with you whenever you want. I’ll go see that shrink. I’ll be careful.” You’re worried that he’ll pull you off the case if he thinks you’re too obsessed. Your hyperfixation tendencies almost cost you your life, and you know Tony doesn’t want that to happen to you again. He’s become somewhat of a father figure to you since you started working there, and it’s touching how much he cares.

He hums in satisfaction. “I expect you to eat three meals a day and get at least five hours of sleep.” Before you can protest, he continues. “And I want you to make an appointment with that therapist. Just get ahead of your spiral, maybe talking about the case with someone removed will help you be more level-headed.” 

“I will,” you vow. “Okay, just got back to the motel, I’ll talk to you later.” He says goodbye and hangs up. When you get out of the car with your food, the hair on the back of your neck stands up and your scar tingles. 

Something feels off. 

You get to your door to find it slightly ajar and you frown. You remember locking it. Maybe room service cleans at night? 

“Hello?” You call, pushing it open. Taking a few cautious steps into the room, you scan from wall to wall looking for anything or anyone.

There’s no one there, nothing seems out of place except for your suitcase that is now on your bed. You tentatively walk over to it and unzip it, jumping back like you’re expecting something to pop out. Inside, you find all the clothes you packed gone, and entirely replaced by a new wardrobe. Pulling them out, you gasp when you find cashmere sweaters and silky blouses and comfortable but professional looking pants. There’s a bottle of perfume with the word “Thanatos” printed in perfect calligraphy and you take a whiff. It smells like flowers and wood at the same time and it makes you think of a forest. 

So someone broke into your motel room just to give you some new clothes and perfume? You rustle through the rest of the suitcase and a piece of paper flutters to the floor. 

Heart pounding, you lean down to pick it up. It’s the same sticky note that you put on your wall before you left to get food. 

Friends? Sisters? Lovers? 

Only now, the word ‘lovers’ is circled, with a small heart drawn. You drop the paper like you’ve been burned and run over to where all your case information is and you feel nauseous. 

Nothing has been touched. Nothing is out of place. 

Except for the single purple azalea resting on the middle of the table. 

They were here. 

[xxkissesforchanniexx]

𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐈

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐭: 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐈

Pairing: demon!chan x fem!reader x demon!hyunjin Genre: SMUT NOTHING BUT IT aside from the tiny bit of plot Word count: 6.2k Warnings: Insomnia, lucid dreaming, demon!skz, sleep paralysis, possessive chan, jealous channie, jealous hyunjinnie, sin of pride Chan, sin of lust hyunjin, mentions of angel felix, aphrodisiacs kinda, overstimulation, dacryphilia, p in v, oral fem receiving, fingering, unprotected sex USE PROTECTION. Minho is very "scary", Changbin and Jeongin mentioned at the end >.> hyunjin is kind of a dick, i think that's all??

A/N: >.> I kinda went a little crazy... I hope y'all like it

Virtues forgotten dance in the mind. They linger on sleepless nights, bathing the purest rooms in red light as if it were iron to rust. Of humility and purity, in the lord we trust.

You stared around your room, putting down your phone and looking at your bedside clock. 2:47 AM it read. You weren't getting sleep tonight. Again.

You sighed and rolled over, pulling the blankets up over your head, shut the world out and sleep. Sleep did claim you after about ten minutes but it was a restless slumber, one that wouldn't do much to help you in the morning. It was a miracle you hadn't been laid off from work yet, always sleeping, always late, your work always looking like you didn't try.

You opened your eyes and looked around, you were no longer in your room, but a dark hallway, you walked down it staring at the walls. Who in their right mind put wood flooring for walls? Bright light was on your left and you shielded your eyes. What kind of moron puts lights in the w-

You stumbled cutting off your train of thought. You'd bumped your toe on something, your winced and rubbed your toe, looking back for what you hit.. a doorknob.

You stood, looking down. The person who built this place wasn't crazy, you were walking on walls like a spider almost.

You started walking again and then you heard a crackling surge of electricity before the light beside you burst. You shrieked in fear and jumped looking back as all the lights behind you shattered.

And then you saw it.

You saw them.

A pair of bright green eyes stared at you in the darkness.

You held your breath and stayed still. Maybe it couldn't see you.

Whatever had those eyes lunged for you. Quickly slimming the distance between you and it. You took off running the other way, as it grew closer and closer, light after light shattering before you could make out what it was.

You stepped on a door that was ajar and fell into the room, screaming as it dove in after you, the lights exploding, plunging you into darkness the only light its green eyes locked on you, growing closer and closer.

Hands wrapped around your throat as it finally closed the distance between you and you clawed at it in defense of yourself. Your nails throbbed in pain as they snagged on something and you tried to cry out.

As your vision blurred you saw a burst of light and the thing fell off you, you scrambled away and stepped out an open window in the darkness. Waking up with a scream.

You looked at your clock. it read 4:01 AM.

"You look rough." Your friend, Jaehwa said in the breakroom at work that day. "How many cups of coffee have you had?"

You racked your brain for a moment. "7-"

"That's enough." Soojin, your other friend took the cup from you. "Y/n. How long are you going to keep living like this?"

"Like what?" You look at your friends.

Jaehwa sighed. "Like you're being haunted by something."

You made a face.

"Maybe you should take a break," Soojin suggested. "Go out for drinks? Catch a movie? Stay home and sleep?"

You nodded. "I'll ask for time off next week I guess."

"You really need it." Jaehwa said, shaking his head.

"I'm going off next week so you might not be able to." A woman said behind you, stirring her coffee, "Someone's gotta write the story."

You returned to your desk, practically green with envy, and got back to work on your current article for the paper. But your fingers flying swiftly across your keyboard came to a halt. Your thought fogged. You felt like something was staring at you.

You felt vulnerable... Your breath picked up the pace and your eyes darted around for a moment. Then you saw it in the corner of your vision... A man with short, dark hair and piercing green eyes looking at you.

You almost shrieked.

Almost.

Instead, you sighed and threw paper over the divider between your cubicle and your other friend, Jake's.

"What was that for?!" he grumbled.

"Nothing." You shrugged feeling a bit safer now that there was someone else looking at you.

"You know.." The woman to your right leaned over and whispered very loudly. "If you're so scared.."

She could tell...?

"Write an article about the paranormal.." She nodded, fixing her big framed glasses and moving back to her cubicle.

You didn't say anything for a long moment. "Yeah maybe."

You got immersed in reading some interview record about a singer's affair and possible divorce when a paper ball smacked the back of your head, and you were pulled from the website you were reading on.

"Working yourself tired isn't any more healthy than overdosing on caffeine." Soojin grabbed you. "We're going for drinks, come with us."

"Like that's any more healthy." You rolled your eyes but let her drag you out.

In Jaehwa's car, another coworker, Joohyeong was singing loudly to the radio with Soojin.

"AH!" Jaehwa finally snapped and turned off the radio.

"Hey!" Joohyeong huffed.

"Turn it back on." Soojin reached to the front to turn it on and Jaehwa smacked hr and Joohyeong's hands away, only semi-paying attention to the road.

"Jae-" You started, as he came to an intersection.

"Lemme listen to the damn radio!" Joohyeong snapped.

"I will not listen to your horrendous voice." Jaehwa said.

The light at the intersection turned red.

"You're no fun!" Soojin grumbled as she reached from the back over the console for the radio.

The blare of a horn and the glaring light to your left made you scream. "Jaehwa!"

He whipped his head around and just as you thought you were dead the other car screeched to a halt, bumping the car.

You stared in shock for a moment...

"It's a miracle." Soojin breathed as the other driver reversed.

Jaehwa sighed. "Food?"

You opened your mouth to speak.

"Enjoy life now, worry about insurance later." He continued again and you relaxed into your seat.

You got to a small pizza place and looked around as Jaehwa ordered then sat to call his insurance company about the small dent in his car door. You closed your eyes for a brief moment trying to catch up on your thoughts, the blank darkness didn't last long. You saw a hallway a man sat in a chair, surrounded by red yarn. Like a spiderweb.

You stared at him for a moment and he tilted his head before pointing behind you. You turned and gasped as a man with light brown hair and furious red eyes raised a power drill and stared at you.

You took off running to the man in the string chamber down the hall but the man behind you was faster pouncing on you as you screamed. You hissed in pain as you landed awkwardly on your wrist. He turned you over and aimed to drive the revving power drill through your eye.

"Minho.." A sleepy voice said.

The man on top of you looked over his shoulder and you shoved him and sprinted. You crashed through the string and someone grabbed you and slammed you against the wall with such force it broke and you fell into darkness.

You opened your eyes with a gasp and grabbed your wrist, there was a dull aching there, Jaehwa, Joohyeong, and Soojin stared at you. You got up before any of them could speak and ran out of the restaurant, sprinting down the street and bumping into a very shady-looking man.

"Woah there." He grabbed your shoulders. "Calm down."

You tried to pull away. "I'm sorry-"

"I'm serious calm down, what's wrong?" He squeezed you a bit tighter and you tensed.

"Please let go of me." You tried to pull away.

"Where are you headed? Maybe I can take you there?"

"Please just let go." You pulled free and shoved him, backing up.

His eyes narrowed. "This is what I get for trying to help a senseless bitch." He grabbed for you and you put your arms up in defense of yourself. He gripped your face roughly almost choking you. "Stop being such a crybaby."

"Don't touch me!" You thrashed and tried to get away but he dragged you.

"You think you're so special, eh?!" He raised a hand to hit you.

You braced yourself for a blow... that.. never came. You opened your eyes and saw a man with dark hair and piercing eyes. A glint of violet in them making your heart race. The dark-haired man held your assailant's wrist.

"What?" Your attack fired at the man. "This your whore?" He shook your shoulder roughly.

"Release her." The man said.

"If I don't? You'll hit me, pretty boy?!"

The man tilted his head slightly. "You're quite cocky... Good for me."

Your eyes widened as his grip on the other man's wrist visibly tightened until you heard cracking. Your assailant screamed and crumbled to his knees.

"You litt-" he started.

"You don't fear death... do you?" The dark-haired man leaned down.

Your attacker's eyes widened and then he screamed in terror.

You stumbled back, looking between your attacker and the man.

The man finally released the writhing criminal and looked up, eyes meeting yours.

You held your breath for a brief second before you took off running.

By the time you got to bed, you were exhausted. Every muscle in your body ached and your head pounded. The moment you were situated your eyes drifted shut quickly. You opened them to a long dark hallway, the few lights that illuminated it were red. Your eyes widened slightly as you realized you weren't walking on the walls.

As you walked you noticed how quiet the place was, you could hear your own feet padding softly on the wood floor. You peeked into a room, seeing nothing but pitch black, then a blaring white light came on, a chandelier of circular lights and with strange images on the walls, you walked in and looked around the room for a moment before the lights in the hallway burst. You froze, staring at the door like a deer in headlights. And there he stood. The man who'd saved you earlier, albeit a bit different.

His hair was straighter a soft gingery color, and he wore all white. You could've said it wasn't him but there was the unmistakable glint of violet in his eye.

He tilted his head, staring at you. "You shouldn't be here."

You held your breath for a moment.

"You did a lot of screaming earlier. It's a little too quiet now don't you think?" He stepped into the room, his muscles flexed as he dragged the chains in after him, and the door slammed shut. "Well, aren't you going to thank your savior?"

"Savior..." You stared up at him. "What even are you, where am I-"

He reached out and hesitated. "Seungmin and Minho said the angel lingers around you.." he leaned in close, breath against your ear. "Where is he?"

"I don't know who you're talking about." You backed up, tensing as you felt a wall behind you.

"Godforsaken cun-" He looked back at you, stopping himself. "You haven't seen him yet?"

"I don't even know who you're talking about." You started rambling. "I swear I've never seen any angel or anything. I don't even know how I'm here or why. I-" You shrieked as his hand slammed against the wall beside your head.

"Answer the question you're asked." he said, eyes narrowing.

"No... I haven't seen him." You swallowed.

"Good." He grabbed your face gently, thumb rubbing over something.

You made a face.

"That man left a bruise.." he muttered.

"Oh- I-"

He rubbed the mark gently and smiled. "All gone."

You pulled away and cupped the side of your face, rubbing your jaw slightly. "Thank you..."

He raised a brow, smiling gently at you.

"For saving me." You shrank slightly under his gaze. Fear. You should feel fear. You should cower at whatever this man was but no, as he leaned closer your heart raced not out of utter terror. But something else..

His lips met yours gently. You stiffened for a brief moment before relaxing as his hand moved to cup your face, before his fingers entangled in your hair and he forced your body impossibly closer, tongue prodding for entry to your mouth and you granted him it. His full being shrouding your mind in dark clouds as he fogged your senses. His lips broke away from yours and kissed your jaw gently before you felt something sharp rake across your neck.

Your eyes widened but he sank his fangs in. You gasped. Was he a blood sucker? A vampire? EW!

He pulled away slowly and you grabbed your neck the area throbbed.

"What did you-" You started.

"Before anything else." His voice was in your head and you stared in fear. "You are mine."

You woke with a gasp and grabbed your neck. The area throbbing. You turned on your lamp and looked at yourself in the mirror, eyes going wide at the sight of a cross seated on a bruise on your neck.

You tried hiding the mark on your neck the following day with makeup. After you were positive it was hidden you went to work, only to be greeted by a "Y/N GOT A TATTOO!?"

You cringed. "Yeah..." What the fuck... I covered it. I know I covered it.

"She must've gone to the liquor store without us." Joohyeong sighed. "Got drunk and made a mistake."

"Yeah." You lied through your teeth as you sat.

"You know..." The woman in the cubicle beside you said, "It's not a bad look..."

You looked at her. "Thanks." You smiled tightly and turned to your work.

After an hour of diligent work, you went to the break room. You got hot water in a mug, about to make yourself a cup of instant coffee when you remembered what Soojin said and you made grabs for the tea instead.

As you opened the cabinet, a bit roughly, you reached in for the tea bag and the cabinet door swung back to your hand you were about to pull back to try and rescue your hand from the impending blow but the door stopped.

You stared at it for a moment, poking it. The door swung back gently. Your brows furrowed and you got the tea and turned to the mug, you opened the tea bag and set it into the water. When you moved to grab the cup, your hand bumped the counter and you retracted it in pain just as the scalding hot tea splashed onto the counter.

You blinked slowly then the memory hit you like a freight train. "Seungmin and Minho said the angel lingers around you.."

"Talk about a guardian angel." You hummed and cleaned up, grabbing the now much cooler mug and going to your desk.

Hyunjin made a face. Here I am protecting you and you compare me to that angel bastard...

You went home and stared at the mirror. The mark on your neck was very noticeable even if you covered it in makeup it seemed to resurface on your skin. You got in bed and stared at the ceiling. What if you ended up there again... Your eyes drifted shut after a while and for the first time in a long time, you dreamed a good dream. You were lying in a flower field, butterflies fluttering around under the sun as birds sang.

You turned and smiled at a blonde haired man next to you, his innocent smile filling you with such warmth as his lips moved. But you couldn't hear him. You looked back at the sky and reached your hand up.

The man beside you grabbed you gently, brows furrowing as he stared at you... at your neck and his eyes flicked up and met yours. He reached and pressed his hand to it pulling away with a pained expression.

Then you fell through the ground and everything became loud. You fell through the darkness grabbing for something, anything. Why weren't you waking up, usually you woke up, what was wrong?! You did grab something, you stared at the man. The one who'd marked you.

"You-" You started but he pulled you up with such force you stumbled as you landed, falling into his chest.

"Didn't I tell you you're mine?" He looked down at you.

You pulled back and pointed a finger at him. "I don't even know you! I don't know what you did to me but undo it!"

He blinked and raised a brow. "Did the angel give you the mouth to speak to me like that?"

"What angel!?" You shouted.

He grabbed you and pulled a flower from your hair. "You saw him."

You opened your mouth then closed it. "Who? Who are you? What is this!?"

He sighed and sat at a big desk, staring at you from his leather chair. "Come here."

You stayed where you were.

"I said 'Come here.'" He said lowly.

You walked to him. "What the fuck-" You hadn't wanted to move.

He hummed softly and wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you into his lap. "I wouldn't get too angry, you might wake Minho." He rubbed your thigh and gave it a soft squeeze.

"That doesn't tell me who you are." You stared at him.

"My name is Chan. I am as kind as you will ever get here." He said, moving a finger and opening a book on the desk "You're a very proud woman. Easily scared but proud."

You stared at him. "What are you?"

"Now you're asking the right questions." He smiled at you, squeezing your side gently. "I am the oldest of 8 brothers, Chan, sin of pride. At your service."

You blinked slowly. "I'm dreaming."

"Are you?" A soft voice said in your ear.

You jumped and Chan held you tighter.

"Hyunjin." he turned to the long haired man. "Don't scare her."

Hyunjin stared at you. "I'll do more than that." He smirked and turned to Chan's shelf. "She looks cute scared."

"Excuse me?!" You huffed loudly.

"Chan you see she's bound to get killed." Hyunjin hummed. "Let me have her."

Chan had a blank expression. "Who's going to kill her?"

"Minho is going to find her with how often she's showing us her rage. Just imagine how he'd tear her to pieces or feed her to the dogs."

"Hyunjin!" Chan shouted.

You stiffened slightly in fear, a man stood at the door. The man who had the power drill, whose eyes were an enraged red color.

"Minho." Chan said, looking at him.

You held your breath for a moment. The moment didn't last long as a trident spiraled straight at Hyunjin who shrieked as you covered your eyes, telling yourself it was a dream.

It's all a dream.

You woke up with a start, eyes flicking around in fear.

Sleep didn't come to you much after that. It wasn't that you ever fell asleep, you were too scared. At a company dinner later that week you met Juwon, he was very nice and seemed to understand your sleep problems.

"I know it's really unconventional, but have you tried running around your house? It's very tiring."

You giggled. "No, I haven't, I'll think about it though."

Juwon invited you out for drinks and he was a bit cute, but somewhere between getting shit-faced and falling asleep, you ended up in his bed. Of course, you got knocked out right after but the feeling of being well rested despite the soreness between your legs the next morning put a pep in your step the next day. Friday. Finally...

"That wasn't very nice of you." A voice whispered into your ear as you sipped your coffee in the break room.

You jumped, turning to see none other than Hyunjin, poking at the coffee machine. "How are you-"

"Shh." he smiled, "They might think you're crazy."

You pursed your lips as he leaned in close.

"I didn't think Chan's little human was such a slut." He said lowly.

Your brows furrowed. "You aren't real-"

Hyunjin rested his hands on either side of the counter, caging you in. "I'm very real, pretty." He said, pink eyes seeming to glow.

"How-"

Hyunjin kissed you. Your eyes widened and he pulled away. "It's not fair that he claimed you first... You summoned me." Hyunjin muttered.

You stared at him. What did he mean you summoned him?

Hyunjin grabbed your waist and lifted you onto the counter. "What I'd do.. If I had you..." Hyunjin muttered. Your eyes met and he smiled gently, "I'd worship you.." His hand moved between your legs.

There was something about his eyes that wouldn't let you look away. Something about his beautiful rose-colored eyes. It had you in an anaconda's grip. Your hand flew to cover your mouth as you moaned, Hyunjin was rubbing gently at your clit. When had he gotten your pants off... How had you let him...

"I want to hear you, y/n.." he muttered, lifting his finger to examine it before slipping it back into you.

You moaned and almost hit your head on the cabinet, Hyunjin grabbed you and pulled you to him. You held onto his shoulders tightly, whimpering and gasping as his finger moved in and out of you quickly before he added a second and a third.

He pulled back and kissed you hard, tongue dancing with yours as his taste filled your mouth. He curled his fingers against your g-spot and you moaned into his mouth.

You felt the knot in your gut tightening, dangerously close to breaking. You moaned louder, tears pricking the corners of your eyes.

"Cum for me.." he breathed against your lips.

You came, hard, it was an earth shattering orgasm the made your head go blank for a moment. He pulled away with a satisfied smirk and you whimpered, legs weak, trying to hold yourself up against the counter. You looked up and Hyunjin was gone.

But as you collected yourself and left the break room a voice in your head told you, "You've already sold your soul."

You fell asleep the moment you hit your bed that night, this was exhausting, trying to stay up purely out of the fear that you might not see Chan or Hyunjin but one of the other monsters haunting your dreams was becoming unbearable. You looked at your phone, 10:46 PM. You set it down and tried to sleep, expecting to barely get any, as usual. Then you felt it. The room felt warmer somehow.

You opened your eyes to a room bathed in a soft yellow glow, you looked around for a moment. A small fireplace on one wall and a desk to the left. You turned around and saw a plush bed, you walked over to it, fingertips gently grazing the soft sheets.

"You had fun today.." Chan muttered in your ear.

You jumped in fear. "Don't do that!"

"Says the person in my room without my permission." he huffed. You noticed then, his chest was partially exposed, more than half the buttons undone.

"You act like I chose to appear here." You rolled your eyes.

"The same way you chose to sleep with that human," he said, expression blank.

You didn't speak for a moment. "I was drunk.." You wondered why he hadn't mentioned anything about what Hyunjin had done.

"You're worse than Changbin.." He muttered under his breath.

"How prideful are you really if it bothers you? You must feel threatened." You shot before you could stop yourself.

Chan turned slowly, staring at you. "Repeat that?"

You didn't.

Chan walked towards you, gaze fixated on yours as you stumbled, the backs of your knees hitting the bed lightly. You fell back onto the plush bedding and Chan stared at you, pupils dilating as he took you in.

"He made you feel good?" He raised a brow.

You blinked. "I-"

"Answer." He leaned down.

"Yes.." You breathed.

Chan bit his lip and sighed deeply. "What did I tell you..."

"I belong to you." Your heart was racing, curse this demon with his beautiful face.

"Are you proud of yourself?" He traced a line down your pajama clad body and stopped at your hip.

You didn't know how to answer that.

He tilted his head, "Cat got your tongue?"

You swallowed.

"Move up." He said.

You did as you were told and scurried up the bed, staring at Chan as he climbed onto the bed, it dipped with his weight as he grew closer to you. "Chan-" You started but he pounced on you, pinning you beneath his weight.

"Did I say you could talk?"

Your stomach flipped. "No.."

He groaned and kissed you, his tongue forcing its way into your mouth tasting you. You whimpered into the kiss and grabbed the wrist of the hand he had on your face. His tongue clashed with you and you relaxed, yielding to him.

He pulled away, eyes wide for a moment as if mesmerized before he moved down and dragged your pants and panties off your legs. "He touched you here?"

You stiffened as his finger brushed over your clit, he stared at your womanhood, eyes unmoving. You thought he had no reaction, nothing to say at all to you until your gaze drifted to his crotch and you saw the impressive tent in his pants. A dull ache thrummed between your thighs and you looked up, squeaking slightly at the sight of a smirk on his face.

"You like what you see?" He teased.

"You-"

His finger found your clit again and you moaned. "Who do you belong to?"

"You.." You whined.

"Good girl." He dragged his middle finger over your folds collecting your slick. He stared at it for a brief moment before slipping his finger into you.

You gasped, bucking up slightly.

He let out a breath before his thumb joined the slow drag of his finger.

"Chan!" You whined, trying to move your hips for a faster pace.

"No, no." He tutted, holding you down by the hip and plunging his finger into you only a bit faster.

You squirmed, shuffling your hips a bit to take more of his finger into you. "Please!"

"Please what?" Chan tilted his head, that smirk on his face getting to your head.

"Fuck me.." You relented softly.

"What was that?" Chan hummed, finger still dipping into you with languid thrusts.

"F-fuck me!" You said louder this time, eyes pleading.

"Oh... Poor girl..." Chan reached his other hand to caress your face, it was a gentle action as if that same hand hadn't left bruises on your hip from how tightly he held you.

"Please.." You begged.

Chan let his head fall back before rolling it back to look at you. "How could I refuse you.." He rasped before drawing out his finger and shoving in a second.

You wailed and bucked, he smirked as his thumb found its way to your nub, moving over it in quick swipes and figure 8 motions over and over as his fingers fucked into you faster.

Your cries bounced off the walls and you feared for a brief moment, you'd be heard. Thighs shaking, pussy walls fluttering, you could feel the coil tightening in your abdomen. Your moans and pleas grow in pitch at your impending orgasm.

And then he pulled away.

"WHY!?" You sobbed.

"Don't worry about the others," Chan muttered, staring at the slick on his fingers. "They'll get their turn." He licked his fingers, tasting you and moaning softly before pressing them to your lips.

Your cheeks went redder if that was possible.

"Open." He ordered.

You did and he pressed his fingers to your tongue. "Suck."

You got wetter as you followed his command, your disrupted orgasm building again when he wasn't even touching you.

He smiled and shrugged off his shirt before lifting your legs. You gasped as he dragged you partially onto his lap, your heat level with his plump lips. "Did that human bastard touch you like this?" He breathed against your cunt.

Your walls fluttered helplessly around nothing. "No-"

Chan raised a brow.

"N-No.." You stammered.

"Has anyone?" He questioned, gaze darkening.

"No." You panted.

"Good.." His tongue slipped out giving your pussy a tentative lick before releasing a shaky breath into your heat.

Your cunt throbbed and you whimpered. Chan licked a big stripe of your pussy, tongue pressing flat against your opening and thinning to flick at your clit. You moaned and squirmed but he held your hips tightly tongue pushing between your folds as his finger rubbed at your clit. You felt the knot in your belly tightening again, you moaned louder, begging him not to stop and as if on cue. He stopped.

"Please!" You sobbed.

He pulled back after a moment staring at your womanhood slick with your essence and his saliva before gathering saliva in his mouth and spitting on your hole.

You tensed slightly at the impact, he rubbed three fingers against your pussy before sinking them into you and curling them to find your g-spot.

Your body jerked and he smiled, whispering. "Found you."

You gasped as he pulled away letting your body fall back flat against the bed, he spread his fingers every now and then stretching you.

"You like that?" He asked as he leaned over you, fingering you roughly.

You gasped and moaned, "Please please!"

"You wanna cum?" He asked, fingers losing rhythm, every few moments slowing.

"Ye, I want to cum Chan please!" You sobbed.

"Ohh. My poor baby." Chan cooed as your pussy clenched tightly around his fingers. He pulled his fingers out and slapped your pussy, not hard enough to hurt, but just enough to send a jolt of pleasure up your spine.

"Please Chan." You sniffed, tears filling your eyes.

"Fuck..." Chan pushed his fingers into you, his thumb working at your clit. "Don't cry baby." He said, resisting the shit eating grin that wanted to come to his face.

You mewled as his pace became furious and uneven, and as the pressure built in your abdomen again you begged, "Channie please, please let me cum."

Chan's eyes met yours and he leaned down, "I'm going to make you cum... This is my pussy eh?"

"Yes, yours!" You moaned.

"Doesn't matter who's in it, you'll come back to me, because you belong to me!"

You nodded, brain fogging and pussy clenching.

"Say it." He grabbed your face. "Say it!"

"Yours I'm yours!" You screamed as the band in your belly finally broke and you came hard, eyes rolling back as you let out a broken sob, Chan kept fingering you, stretching your orgasm thin. "Too much, Chan oh god!"

"Too much yet your pussy is still taking my fingers so greedily." He taunted, fingers slowing to a deep drag between your walls.

You trembled, panting and trying to collect your mind.

"That human can't make you cum like that can he?" Chan asked, pulling his fingers out of you.

You shook your head, dazed.

"Glad you know, I might just ruin you for anyone else." Chan pulled off his pants and boxers, exposing his thick length.

Your eyes widened slightly. "I-" Of course, you'd stare, no wonder he'd spent so much time prepping you, he was big. Big enough to make your pussy clench on nothing while your stomach flipped. No wonder he was the sin of pride... he has something to be proud about alright.

Chan smirked and got between your legs, taking hold of his manhood and slapping it against your sensitive clit, huffing a small laugh at the whimper you let out. "Cute.." He breathed, rubbing his length against you. Then he lined himself up and sank into you, brows furrowing.

You gripped his muscular arms, nails digging into his perfect skin as he split you open, going in deeper and deeper, slowly. The stretch was a lot, you panted and bit your lip, Chan's eyes were fixated on the way your pussy gave way to his length, his tip met your cervix and you gasped. He held himself there for a moment, letting out a breathy moan before pulling out slowly, letting out a low almost growling moan. He lammed back into you, knocking the air from your lungs.

His body pinned yours to the bed, rutting into you over and over as your moans filled the room, the bed creaking under the force of his thrusts. His lips hovered over yours, breath mingling as your eyes met, your walls clenched at the intimacy of it. Chan smirked and kissed you, tongue roaming your mouth and tasting every part of you. A grunt or groan responding to your moans and whimpers.

He pulled back and grabbed your shirt, lifting it over your breasts, to watch the way they bounced with every thrust. Your hands reached down wandering helplessly, aimlessly as you tried to get your bearings. Chan clouded your senses, completely fogging your mind, all you could think about was how his dick stretched you, the way he bruised your cervix, fucking into you mercilessly.

"Feels good baby?" He asked, grabbing your arms and pulling you into his thrusts.

You couldn't make a sentence, brain was completely turned to mush by the man- demon above you.

"Look at you..." He grunted. "All dumb on my cock."

You couldn't keep your eyes open, it was too much, you felt the pressure building again and you clenched your fists in Chan's grip.

"Fuck-" Chan grunted and you opened your eyes looking down, you moaned as he pushed in completely, gaze glued to the way your tummy bulged slightly with every thrust. His free hand roamed over your tummy before pushing down gently.

You moaned loudly and your walls clamped down in an orgasm that knocked your brain off the rails. Your fluids coating his lower abdomen and cock. You let out a choked sob as Chan kept pounding into you.

"It's too much!" You moaned.

"Take it." He growled.

Your eyes widened as he pinned your hands above your head, not letting you recover from your orgasm as his cock hit you deep. "CHAN!"

"I'm going to put a baby in you," he drawled, almost drunk. "You want me to fuck my seed into you?"

You moaned and couldn't figure out how to respond.

"I'm going to fill you with my seed, make you a mommy." He grunted.

Your pussy clenched hard, and Chan came hard inside you, pelvis meeting yours as he released rope after rope of his seed into you, letting out a stifled whimper. His climax pushed you over the edge and you spasmed, tears clouding your vision.

Chan pulled out, releasing your wrists, and stared at you laying there, pussy clenching around nothing. He adored the sight of you ruined, by him... he wanted to do it again but he restrained himself. yet as your legs trembled he stared with wide eyes at your pussy leaking his seed.

You gasped as he flipped you onto your belly and lifted your ass, pushing your shoulders down, making you arch your back. He gave your butt a sharp slap then gripped the flesh. He took his cock in his hand and collected his cum on the tip. "Don't waste my seed.." he said lowly before shoving his cock into you, hips smacking against your ass.

You moaned into the pillow, gripping the sheets as he pushed his seed deep into you. Chan groaned at the way your backside jiggled from the impact of his pelvis, eyes watching intently as your pussy swallowed his cock. He leaned forward grabbing the headboard and grunting as he fucked into you harder. You came quickly, sobbing and babbling into the pillow from overstimulation. Chan kept rutting into you, you could feel every pulse and throb of his cock before he came inside you again. Groaning as your cunt squeezed the life out of him. He fell onto your teeth latching onto your shoulder to muffle the strangled whine that escaped his throat. You lay there panting and trembling as he pulled out.

You felt the bed dip as Chan moved, getting up to go somewhere. You hadn't been expecting much from a demon. The demon of pride no less, he didn't time for a human like y-

You felt the bed dip as Chan returned, cleaning you with a damp cloth. Your heart fluttered.

He left again for a moment before coming back and hugging you to his chest. "You're mine." He muttered against your hair.

You were quiet for a long moment before you whispered, "... before anything else."

When you woke up, your heart stopped. It was still dark out. But you couldn't move a muscle. And then you saw it in the corner of your vision... a pair of bright golden eyes staring at you. Closer to your door, the shadow of a shorter muscular looking man.

"Jeongin," a gravelly voice said, "I can't believe Chan kept this all for himself."

© 2024 xxkissesforchanniexx. DO NOT COPY OR TRANSLATE MY WORK

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[willowsnook]

rum with lime in a tall glass

lando norris x bsf!reader

"me and him? that's funny"

--------------------------------------

Sitting in a circle with your friends you laughed loudly as you watched Max be dared to post a video of him lipsyncing along to a Taylor Swift song. You felt like you were in high school again but enjoyed the nostalgia.

"Okay y/n, you're up," Max said after bowing to everyone following his performance. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare," you said confidently, not scared of whatever Max would make you do.

"I dare you to spend 7 minutes in heaven with Lando," he said and you laughed.

"Me and him? That's funny," you said waiting for the real dare. Lando shifted uncomfortably next to you and Max raised his eyebrows. "You're serious?"

You and Lando had been friends for almost five years but had grown really close the past two. You lived in the same building in Monaco and had started as friends of convenience but it grew into more as time went on. He was funny, easy to talk to, and someone you could always count on. Yeah, you admitted he was attractive but you never thought about him in a more than friends way. Why mess with what you had?

"I'm being serious," Max said. "Now go."

You let Lando pull you up and followed him to the coat closet in the front hallway of his apartment.

"After you," you mocked, opening the door. The closet was naturally dark and you could make out the outline of Lando as he shut the door behind you. "You know we can just stand here for 7 minutes, it's not that long."

"Why wouldn't I kiss you?" He asked and your head shot up.

"I mean do you want to?" You asked unsure. "It's just a little awkward."

You watched him tilt his head, eyeing you curiously.

"You think it's awkward?"

"Well yeah, you're my best friend," you said seriously. "I wouldn't want anything to change."

He didn't say anything for a minute and you grew nervous waiting for him to reply.

"You are so stupid," he said amused, like there was some big secret that you weren't in on. "Everything has already changed."

"What do you mea-," his lips cut you off as he wrapped an arm around your waist pulling you in. You were stunned but slowly moved yours back against his, resting your hands on his shoulders. He deepened the kiss and you stepped back until your back was against the wall. Moving from your mouth, he sucked on your neck causing you to gasp out.

A knock on the door slapped you back into reality, pushing him off of you. He grabbed the back of your head giving you one last short kiss before turning to open the door. Max gave him a knowing grin as you two came out and you were too flustered to even notice.

The game was over as everyone else had broken off to watch a movie or get another drink. Dazed, you walked out onto the balcony sinking down on the outdoor couch.

Everything has already changed.

What did that mean? You racked your brain, trying to think of times that Lando did something that might have meant he liked you more than a friend. He did sleep over after every movie night and you'd wake up the next morning with his arms wrapped tightly around you. He did make sure to introduce you to everyone in the McLaren garage the first time you came, telling them that you were very important to him. He did pay for you both to fly back to the US to go to a Packers game, just the two of you. But he was your best friend so that all made sense, right?

You were so fucking stupid. He was in love with you. But were you in love with him?

You did cook his favorite dinner for him to come home to after every race. And you did watch his old twitch streams every time he was gone for a race weekend because you missed him. And you did feel a wave of rage everytime you saw an influencer flirt with him at the club or the paddock.

Realization set in just as you heard the sliding door open and turned to see Lando sit down next to you. You both stared at each other not saying anything.

"I am in love with you," you said formally and he smiled, amused. "And you are in love with me."

"Just now figure that out?" He joked.

"You are such an asshole," you said pouting, crossing your arms over your chest. "You never said anything."

Lando shrugged, looking out at the sky.

"I kind of thought it was just like an unspoken thing," he admitted. "I thought you didn't want to put a label on it so I just never said anything. I do tell people you're my girlfriend though."

Your jaw dropped.

"You what?"

"Well yeah," he said blushing. "Guess I probably should have said something."

Rolling your eyes you moved closer to him, draping your legs over his lap and resting your head on his shoulder.

"So how long have we been dating then?" You asked.

"A few years," he said and you snorted. He leaned down to kiss your forehead and you sighed, finally content.

[thatacotargirl]

Shadows and Surprises (7)

Part 7 of Azriel x Reader fanfic! Sorry for the delay!

Summary: Azriel meets y/n at Rita's and spends a single night of passion with you before heading your separate ways. Only, the Mother had different ideas.

Warnings: none.

Tag list - @nickishadow139 @dee-writes-smut @minnieoo @st4r-girl-official

@courtofjurdan @mirandasidefics @lilah-asteria @nyxbranwenn @impossibelle

@mybestfriendmademe @hauntedstudentobservationus @julesofvolterra @acourtofbatboydreams @rogersbarnesxx

@skylarkalchemist @sidthedollface2 @aehllitas-blog @fullmoon-94 @acourtofbatboydreams

@aehllitas-blog @fullmoon-94 @5onedirection5 @mindofthescattered @rcarbo1

@dumblani

Y/N's POV

"And hook the right arm a little, no, I mean like thi-, no wait that's not, y/n, hold your, yes ok now we're getting somewhere".

Absolutely nothing that Cassian just said to you made sense. But, he said you're getting somewhere, and he's the expert after all.

You throw your arm around in a right hook, attempting to catch Cassian in the jaw, but he blocks you and brings his clenched fist up to your throat. He, naturally, stops short and doesn't actually touch you, only showing you where your weak spots are when you throw the first punch in a fight, but it was enough to feel Azriel's wrath seeping across the training ring.

"That's enough, Cassian", he calls out, standing to approach you both in the centre of the ring.

"What?! I'm fine Az, I'm not even tired" you protest, attempting to throw another hook at Cassian whilst he is distracted, which he again blocks - only without even looking at you. How does he do that?

"Az, brother, you need to relax. If y/n needs to stop, she will tell me - she did the other day and we stopped straight away. I promise", Cassian reassures Azriel, but you see his eyes darken.

"Why did you need to stop the other day? You didn't tell me that? Were you hurt?".

You let out a frustrated gruff and start to walk away towards the stairs that lead back down to the house. You are almost 7 months into your pregnancy now, and Azriel is only getting more protective and overbearing by the day. Just this morning he wouldn't even let you put your own socks on so you didn't bend down and 'squash the baby'. As you descend the stairs, you see a tuft of golden hair fly past and run into a nearby room, slamming a door. Peering in the direction the tuft of hair came from, you see Rhysand staring ahead blankly.

"Should I ask?".

Rhys just shakes his head to you and wanders off in the other direction. Looking at the door that had just slammed, you walk over and knock quietly.

"Fey?", you call out, resting your ear against the door. No answer.

"Feyre?", you try again. No answer.

"I'm coming in, Fey", you say as you push open the door to one of the many spare bedrooms. When you poke your head in, you see Feyre curled in a ball on the bed, sobs racking her body. You walk over and perch on the edge, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"What happened?", you ask quietly, rubbing soothing circles along her shoulder and back. She stayed quiet, sobbing into the pillow, so you stay silent too, keeping up the gentle circles until you feel her body still underneath you. Thinking she's asleep, you go to stand, but you hear a soft sniff and Feyre looks up at you.

"I kissed him".

"Kissed who? Rhys?"

Feyre just nods, hiding her face back in the pillow, but at least this time it isn't accompanied by tears.

"What's the problem with that, Fey?"

"I'm in love with Tamlin!"

Who the fuck is Tamlin?

"He's the High Lord of Spring", Feyre whispers.

Ah shit, I said that out loud.

"Yes, you did".

SHIT. It must be the pregnancy brain.

Silence follows.

Right ok, I didn't say that out loud then.

"No, you didn't".

Cauldron boil me now.

"I am with Tamlin, I am to marry Tamlin, look", Feyre holds up her hand showing a huge emerald rock on her finger. There is no mistaking that she is a soon-to-be bride.

"Was it a mistake?"

"Yes", she says quickly. Then pauses. "Maybe?"

"Maybe?"

"Well I wanted to kiss him in that moment. But maybe it's some kind of survivor's guilt thing, Rhys saved me under the mountain and so I owed him a thank you?"

"Maybe Fey, but you don't need to beat yourself up over it. If it was a mistake, it was a mistake. Rhysand will not hold that against you, he's a good male".

"I know", she whispers. After a short pause, she adds "but if it was a mistake, why do I want to do it again?".

You have no answer, so you simply go back to rubbing her back, hoping it is offering her at least some comfort. Your situation was a difficult one, but at least you and Azriel were on the same page. Although, thinking about that, were you? You hadn't discussed the future nor the circumstances of your relationship. Would Azriel see other people? Would you move out when the baby was born and co-parent? You hadn't admitted your feelings to Azriel, certain that he didn't return them, but you hadn't stopped to think about how difficult it would be to watch him start a life with another female one day. A knot forms in your chest as you realise how uncertain your own circumstances are, and you have absolutely no advice to offer Feyre because, if you did, perhaps you'd take that for your own.

You look down and see that Feyre had, in fact, cried herself to sleep. Standing gentle, making sure not to rock the bed too much, you retreat from the room and pull the door closed, wandering off to the library in search of Azriel.

-

You find the trio in the library, sat spread out across the various sofas and chairs in the room. Cassian gives you a wave, sloshing his glass of whiskey and causing half of it to land on the carpet. Rhys only shakes his head and waves a hand, the mess disappearing instantly. Azriel sits himself up from lounging and pats the space next to him on the sofa, a glass of sparkling water appearing on the small table next to the seat. You smile and join him on the sofa, appreciating the water more than you probably should, but you hadn't had a chance to hydrate after your training session since you had found yourself in Feyre's room. Rhys looked at you, a question in his eyes, but you could only shrug a response. You had no update for him.

"How are you feeling", Azriel asks, sipping on his whiskey.

"I'm ok, starting to get a bit sore and achy now, but nothing I can't manage".

"Should we speak with Madja?", Rhys asks, but you shake your head.

"No need, it's all normal pregnancy stuff, nothing to be concerned about". It didn't make Azriel's face look any less concerned.

"I'll stay in tonight", he says, setting down his glass.

"Tonight?".

"Yeah, I'll stay in". You see Cassian glare at him from across the room and raise your eyebrows in question.

"I only went out of my way and wingmanned him a hot date, and he's going to bail only a few hours before. Way to make me look bad Az", he guilts, pulling a pout. But you stopped listening after you hear 'hot date'. Your ears start ringing and your eyes prick with tears which you quickly blink away. Not quickly enough to avoid Azriel's attention, though.

"Are you ok? Does something hurt?".

"I'm fine", you snap a bit harsher than you meant to. Standing from the sofa, you throw a look his way and add a soft "don't worry". You start to walk away, but he calls you back.

"I'm actually quite tired, Az. I'm going to head to bed and get an early night. Have fun on your date and I'll see you tomorrow, ok?'. You leave the room before giving him a chance to respond.

-

Azriel's POV

"You look great, Az!", Cassian says, straightening my bow tie. He doesn't seem to realise that Azriel will be tearing it off the moment before he takes the sky.

"Yeah, yeah, thanks Cass", he offers, looking at the wall.

"What?! I'd definitely do you", Cassian replies, still fiddling with the bow tie. Azriel only look at him with a glare, to which Cassian chuckles.

"Right, you're all ready, off you go", he says, patting Azriel's shoulder and steering him towards the balcony. "Go get her", he winks, before walking back into the House of Wind.

Azriel sighs, rips off the bow tie, and jumps from the ledge, heading into the centre of Velaris.

-

He arrives at the restaurant and finds his date standing outside waiting, even though Azriel himself is 10 minutes early. She is pretty, there is no denying that, but Azriel can't clear his mind of the beautiful female back at the House currently carrying his child.

"Hi!", his date calls, walking over to him.

"Hi Tori", he smiles, offering her a quick hug. The pair of them walk into the restaurant and are seated at a private table on the roof, as arranged by Cassian and Rhysand. The pair of them seem to think that a date will help Azriel's 'brooding', as they call it. But Azriel's mind is in one place and on one thing, and it isn't the female sat opposite him at this table.

The date is nice. The food is good, the drinks are flowing, and the live entertainment is a dream. But Azriel can't stop thinking about y/n.

"You seem distracted?", Tori asks, slurring her words slightly after they finished their 3rd bottle of wine and gestured the waiter for a 4th.

It's like she opened a floodgate. With the question lingering and the sheer volume of alcohol he had consumed to try and distract himself, Azriel suddenly word vomits everything that is in his brain, telling his date every single detail about you and his unborn child.

"A word of advice, Azriel, if I may?".

He nods.

"You clearly care for this female and your baby more than anything on the planet. So why, on the sun and the moon and the stars and the damned cauldron itself, are you on a date with me instead of telling this female that you very clearly love her?".

He sits in silence, stewing over Tori's words, before it feels like a bucket of cold water has been thrown over his entire body. He does. He loves you. He loves you more than he has loved anything or anyone in this world. And tonight, he let you sit at home, uncomfortable and sore, carrying his child, whilst he went on a date. He had fucked up.

Standing abruptly, Azriel reaches into his wallet and throws a heaping handful of notes on the table, covering the bill and then some.

"I'm so sorry", he says to Tori, who merely shakes her head and smiles.

"Go get your girl, Az".

-

Crash landing on the balcony and stumbling through the House, Azriel finds your door and knocks hard.

"Y/n?", he whisper shouts, knocking again.

You must be asleep. But this can't wait.

Azriel pushes the door open, but your bed is empty. He checks the bathroom. Empty.

Perhaps you had a midnight craving? He stumbles down to the kitchen. Empty.

Confused, disorientated, and slightly nauseous, Azriel makes his way to his own bedroom. He walks in and see a small piece of paper folded on his pillow. His eyes struggle to focus but he manages to successfully unfold the paper, only for his heart to fall to his stomach at its contents.

Azriel,

I am so sorry.

Y/n.

It was too late. You'd gone.

[archibaldtuttle]

Alien : Romulus - a 7/10 reason to stop making Alien films

This review will be spoiler-free

When I came out of the theater yesterday, after having gone through a viewing of Alien Romulus, I caught myself agreeing with my friends - this was pretty good!

And I am beyond poisoned about the Alien franchise since Ridley Scott got his grubby paws all over it with Prometheus. The only reason I made the effort to move my ass to the theater to see this one was because he wasn't directing (and also I didn't have to pay for it) (thanks sib).

I knew Alvarez from two of his previous films, the 2013 remake of Evil Dead and Don't Breathe. I am pretty mixed on both - they demonstrate solid filmmaking abilities and (in the case of Evil Dead), a deep respect for franchises he's adding to. However they are also a little heavy on the jumpscares for my taste, and in the case of Don't Breathe I just can't praise the film without having to mention that the third act twist is gross in an entirely unnecessary, shock-value way, that does nothing for the film thematically.

That did give me some hope for Romulus however, because that third act twist told me Alvarez likes talking about rape and impregnation. And contrary to Don't Breathe... that's right at home in Alien.

So what about the film then? It's good. Solid premise, I like that we're finally, finally, seven films in, seeing the planet-side society that births all those rundown spaceships. Good pair of main characters with on one side a demonstrably resourceful Rain and on the other a very nuanced look at the franchise's synthetics with Andy. The others are more forgettable but I can't blame that too much on the film - they're well characterized in a few short scenes and that's all I can expect really. The build-up is solid, the various ticking clocks and sources of tensions well established.

What I find particularly notable is the really good setpieces and the use of facehuggers in a way I've wanted to see for a long time. Very good physical effects supplemented by good to ok-ish CGI. The writing is very heavy-handed - I wish more people looked at what O'Bannon did with exposition before they write their own Alien scripts. I do give credit to Alvarez and his co-writer Sayagues for the cool concepts explored and the way they thread Andy's character exploration through them.

The editing is mostly blameless - I wouldn't call it great or even that good, especially with how hectic it gets during some more action-ey scenes, but you can tell Roberts isn't specialized or even used to horror films. I guess he took from his experience on Pressure which would explain a lot... The score is really good, one of the highlights of the film in my opinion - I've liked almost all I've heard from Wallfisch so I wasn't surprised to find out he did this one.

So why did I give this review a very baitey title. It became clear as I was watching the fourth, then the inevitable fifth act unfold, that we were, collectively, scraping the barrel on what can be done with Alien. Prometheus and Covenant, beyond the fact that they were garbage movies, were already trying desperately to find new things to do with the concept. Romulus succeeded, for the most part, in finding new ways to twist it into something interesting, something we hadn't seen before (or at least not entirely). And I'm pretty sure that's it.

I don't want more directors to spend months racking their brains to try and find three or more scene setups that haven't already been done in seven main films, two AVP films and countless video games, in order to string them together into a coherent 2 and a half hour flick. I don't think it's impossible, Alvarez clearly demonstrated that he could do it and I'm pretty sure other people could. But why waste so much time, talent and energy on a series that objectively does not need expanding upon?

I know why, it's because the current studio system is allergic to anything that doesn't have brand recognition. But I think it's sad. And I think it would be a lot more gracious to put an end to a franchise after a pretty good film that did all it could to honor its predecessors rather than try to keep squeezing more out of it until it turns into the horror version of Star Wars.

[tiredofthehumanlife]

Draco malfoy headcannons

flavor: fluffy and smutish but they're separated so you won't get jump scared

Also I'm returning to my roots with this stinky mf okay I have writers block

Sfw

Liked you in the hallway crush type of way yk like when there’s that one person in the halls that you're like “god damn, anyways where’s my next class”

Never even tried to speak to you was just like ” I'll gaze from afar”

The only problem is that he has major resting bitch face so you were sat there racking your brain over what you could’ve possibly done to this random daddy’s money kid (like this isn't set in a private school but LOOK OVER THERE)

Confessed by just standing in front of you and 👁👁 before handing you an outdated birthday card with a 100 dollar bill inside with a note inside that was basically just him like “PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLE-“

You did give him a shot and he did actually speak words to you

bitchest bitch ever yall bicker (lovingly of course) 24/7

“did you for real just copy off of me?” “Okay well at least I don’t have daddy issues” “You cannot be talking and you know it”

He gives stick bug vibes yk

does not comprehend normal human life you could be complaining about doing laundry and he is like “Just have one of the elves do it?” and you are like “😶right so-“

just assume you have the answer to everything bc like you’re his partner? tf?

“how far away is Saturn in kilometers?” “They don't measure distance with kilometers, Draco, you dumbass. It’s called lightyears.” ‘right so in lightyears then?” “How tf am I supposed to know?”

he’ll hear a crash and look to you like you know what’s going on and you’ll turn his head back

I'm not one to assume someone’s sexuality but it's very much bisexual for the both of you (he likes guys and you know it)

a hot guy will pass and you both turn to each other like {insert Bratz meme here}

has created mustard gas on accident

laughs at his own jokes unironically (he is the only one laughing)

will try to be relatable and it's just like “yk that moment when your Prada shoes get gourmet chocolate on them”

makes up new names for your stuffed animals bc he thinks all the ones you picked were “lame”

his beauty sleep comes above everything else

Once Theo woke him up (there was a fire they had to evacuate) and the next night you found him hovering a pillow over Theo’s face you tackled him to the ground

Only knows how to play dominoes no card games or anything only dominoes

Bought you guys matching sleep masks

And embroidered PJs

And bunny slippers

PDA hater

He’ll sit next to you at max when you're around lots of people when you're just around his friends he's down with hugs and hand-holding holding maybe a cheek kiss but that's it

Alone is a different story he's attached to you he's actively trying to crawl under your skin as we speak

Terrified of bugs he's standing on a chair and screaming the second he sees one

Pays you in kisses when you take the bug outside (after you wash your hands)

Prefers baths over showers

Hates dogs and growls at them more than they growl at him

Only likes cats in theory bc they leave hair on his clothes

He's a reptile man

has owned a bearded dragon and will own more

Cold mf you wanna look me in the eye and tell me he has good circulation

Presses his cold ass feet against you while you're on the brink of sleep so confused when you swing your hand back to smack him

“I'm just cuddling you?”

“Cuddle somebody else fucking ice cube bitch ass”

Every single night

He sleeps on his back with his hands on his stomach like he's going to get lowered into his casket it's embarrassing

Thinks he knows how to shake ass and then when he tries (and fails) he considers never speaking to anyone ever again

Has gotten flirted with while he was with you and he just stared at them blankly bc he couldn't tell if it was happening

And then he left the room entirely

Walks in on people butt ass naked bc he has not learned how to knock (only child syndrome)

Stares a lot

He has nothing better to do so he’ll just come join you in your dorm and 👁hi👁

You've learned to block him out so he’ll scare the shit out of you

Sure he doesn't know how to flirt but he has money so he makes up for it

If you look at anything longer than three seconds he's following behind you with his card and the other twelve bags you have

This does have you ending up with things you didn't want so your friends love your random gifts

One of them will walk into potions with a luxury purse and one of the other kids will be like “tf Did you get that?” and your friends are like “🫵” And you're like “I didn't want it” So some of the student body does hate your guts just a little

favorite food is plain white rice

Thinks that acrylic nails go under the skin yk like in those videos with the fake hands pushing the nails up the finger yeah he thinks that actually happens to people

Jaw on the floor when you explain to him that's not what happens

Nsfw kinda

Down to three-way and will NOT let you forget

“I met this cute girl at the-” “I'm down. 😐”

“Oh did you see Harry this morning he was-” “Do you think he'd hook up with us?😐” “Babe. We've talked about this” “just once please”

Has asked you to peg him

unless you have a dick then he's asking for one of those two-way things (you're on my blog you know what I'm talking about dude)

Sub SUCK MY DICK DUDE HES A SUB SHUT UP

Actively begging sobbing on his knees “Please baby Please being so good please”

Would be a swinger and he'd have a pineapple on his front porch

Sorry

Has dabbled in the lockerrooms

Will ask you if the boys can watch him hit and you said only if they see him at his lowest begging and pleading for you he is silent as of now (give him two weeks)

Type of bitch to be covered in hickeys and when someone is like “What happened? To your neck?” and he's like “Literally what are you talking about?” will gaslight them into thinking there's nothing on his neck

Prefers cuddling naked but hates not immediately being in the bath after sex so he has to battle himself in his head

Can't dirty talk he's like “You look so nice when you're not in clothes? Do you like my wee wee?” and you're sitting there “bitch your what?”

Have resulted in him not being allowed to talk

Quickies number one hater

Needs his time to get into pussybitchboy mode

Okay bye

[yunwangja]

undercurrents | signal no. 7

masterlist | next signal

you annoyingly sigh as you turn off your phone and put it in your pocket after re-reading your texts with samu an hour ago. you hated that he was right. as much as you hate to admit it, you needed that lecture.

unknowingly, you had a lot to think about this… friendship you have with kuroo. ever since you saw that match, you acted, well, a bit more ridiculous than usual. it doesn’t really help that he’s just across you eating fries, observing the hustle outside the food joint you were at.

because, it made sense. why are you getting so defensive when he asked you about how close you were getting these days? and why are you so worked up after seeing he treats other girls? if you think about it, you did like being around kuroo. why else would you always drag him to your stupid shenanigans?

your mind is conflicted as you secretly watch kuroo in front of you. is it really just because he teases you a lot? or… are you putting up your guard about how far this friendship would go?

but why would you feel that way? you try to rack your brain to find a reason.

wait. is it…?

nevermind.

you decide to brush it off. for now. you don’t want to think about it. you don’t have to go down on that rabbit hole.

you take a sip of your iced tea, trying to wash away any further thought. bottomline is, kuroo’s being a good friend to you. and you like that. and maybe, you wanted to look for signs that he did too, without actually asking it and embarrassing yourself.

maybe that’s why you’ve been acting this way. maybe. maybe.

you settle it down to that for now.

“yn, want some ice cream?” kuroo’s voice pulls you out of your thoughts, grounding you back in the moment. you glance up at him, momentarily caught off guard by the easygoing nature of his offer. there’s a brief hesitation as you process his words, but eventually, you nod.

“yeah, sure,” you respond, your tone casual. you reach into your bag, fingers brushing against the familiar texture of your wallet as you prepare to pay for your treat. but before you can pull out any money, kuroo swiftly waves his hand, stopping you in your tracks.

“no, i’ll treat you. don’t worry about it,” he says with a dismissive wave, already standing up from his seat. it’s a small gesture, but one that feels surprisingly natural. as he moves to head to the counter, he turns back to you with a questioning look. “what flavor do you want?”

“strawberry, please,” you reply. kuroo’s lips twitch into a smirk as he tilts his head slightly, raising an eyebrow.

“so you’re a strawberry girl, huh?” he teases, the playful tone in his voice bringing out a light chuckle from you.

you roll your eyes, a smirk of your own forming. “yeah, whatever you call it,” you reply, leaning into the familiar banter. he just grins, clearly amused, and turns to head to the counter to place your order.

a few minutes later, kuroo returns, holding two cups of ice cream. he hands you your strawberry cup with a casual smile, and you take it with a quiet “thanks,” digging in almost immediately. the sweet, familiar taste of strawberry fills your mouth, and you savor it as a comforting reminder of simpler times.

kuroo takes a bite of his own ice cream, leaning his elbow on the table and resting his chin in his hand as he looks at you, his expression curious. “yn. really. what’s gotten into you?”

“nothing,” you reply, shrugging as you take another spoonful of ice cream. “aren’t you thankful i’m being good now?” you add with a playful smirk, trying to steer the conversation away from anything too serious.

kuroo chuckles, shaking his head in mild disbelief. “i very much am, but… it’s unusual,” he says, his tone light but probing. “you even let me choose the design for my own banner after you rejected it a million times.”

“i’m telling you, it’s better than tooru’s,” he continues, his eyes gleaming with a bit of playful mischief. you roll your eyes at his persistence, but there’s a small smile playing on your lips.

“you… deserve it, i guess,” you murmur, swirling your spoon around in your cup as you feel the weight of the words sink in. “since you actually came along with me. so. consider it a thank you,” you add with a casual shrug, trying to keep the mood light. you take another bite of ice cream, hoping the action will keep you grounded in the moment.

when you look up, you notice a surprised expression on kuroo’s face. his reaction catches you off guard, and he takes a moment before responding, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. “did i hear that right?”

“why are you so surprised?” you ask, raising an eyebrow at his reaction. “you’re acting as if i said something groundbreaking. i just let you choose what design you liked, kuroo.” your tone is matter-of-fact, but there’s a hint of defensiveness.

“yeah. but…” he pauses, a small, knowing grin forming on his lips. “you realize you chose to flatter me instead of putting tooru first this time, right?” his tone is teasing, but there’s a hint of sincerity that you can’t quite ignore.

your brows knit together in confusion, and you shake your head. “what are you talking about? i did not!” you protest, a bit more forcefully than you intended.

“that has nothing to do with this. tooru’s different, of course. but you’re also a friend. i didn’t choose you over him or anything,” you explain, your voice firm as you try to clarify your intentions. kuroo’s eyes widen slightly, as if he’s caught something significant in your words.

“you think of me as a friend?” he echoes, his voice soft with a hint of surprise. he dramatically covers his mouth with his hands, his eyes widening in mock shock. “oh my god.”

you roll your eyes, a smirk playing on your lips as you give him a light kick under the table. “shut up! what do you call this then?” you retort, your tone playful, trying to bring the conversation back to a more comfortable place.

kuroo laughs heartily, the sound easing the tension that had built up. he leans over the table, resting his arms on it as he gives you a sincere smile.

“yeah,” he says, his voice softening as he looks at you. “i guess we are.”

notes

the wheels are TURNING !! thank you samu

man as the writer of this smau i felt so bad for making kuroo such a yn simp when she's so >:( at him alll the time kasdashda but it's all for the plot i swear

anyway it's still progress !!!

taglist: @lvtilzs @rarararararq @iamfontenlos @kurooswifeyy @secretsunsetsociety @kagsnumnine @yumiecheesecrackers @tojirin @jaynawayna @noxva08 @zahrawr-writes-fanfics @urslytherin @mawenskiblue @smellysluna @cccccccccccleo

[mcu-pokedex]

First Date with Peter Parker

Overview: y/n and Peter are nervous about telling each other that they have feelings, yet somehow they end up on a movie date.

Warnings: Some kissing, all fluff

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Y/N POV:

I can't believe it! Oh. My. God. Walking out of computer science Peter asked me what I was doing tonight. Even though it was a Friday the only thing on my to-do list was putting on a face mask and watching Netflix. Stumbling over my words I had agreed to go to the movies with him. Again, oh my god! I was so anxious. Questions racking in my brain. All I can think about is what on earth do I wear? I had to get home immediately.

Well walking back home Peter texted me saying that he would get me at 7:30. The image of Peter at my front door gave me tingles. An unstoppable smile spread on my face. Opening my bedroom door and throwing my backpack onto the floor I rush to my closet. Throwing clothes into my bed and googling cute movie theater outfits. I knew this should be easy, but lord knows how much I will overthink this.

Peter's POV:

No way I just did that. After having a crush on y/n since the moment we met. Today I finally had the balls to ask her out. Well, kind of. I mean we are going to the movies together but I don't know if they see it as a date. Either way, my heart is beating out of my chest. I have been sitting in my living room waiting to go to y/n's place. I've been ready since 4:30 and it's only 6. Ughh. I don't even know what we are gonna see. I wanna leave it totally up to them. I do not want to mess up this kind of date at all.

Y/N POV:

Peter is gonna be here 10 minutes and I can't sit still. I am wearing blue jeans and a maroon shirt. It's simple and allows for my body to not overheat. I'm so flushed I don't even need to put on blush. After realizing this I blush even more. I did put on a little mascara and concealer to give me more confidence. Slipping on my white Converse it hit me what was happening. My stomach was doing flips at the idea of Peter about to knock on my front door. I made sure to spray myself with perfume so there was no chance I smelled bad. I am so nervous my throat is dry and my hands are fidgeting. After years of knowing Peter and having a crush on him for just as many, I can't believe we are going on a date. Unless of course, this is just a hangout. I want to spiral on that idea again but I can't as I hear a knock on my door. Sending electricity shooting through my body.

Peter POV:

Walking up to her front door was one of the most nerve-racking things ever. I raised my hand to knock on their front door, taking a deep breath before letting my knuckles touch the door. Only a beat later the door swung open. They looked gorgeous. I mean they always do. Even when they are tired late at night in our mini-study group. But right now my eyes had no choice but to soak them in, and I was loving it. Their mouth was agape making my heart flutter. Ned always told me that he thought y/n had a crush on me but I never believed it. I mean me? Peter Parker, pfff. But I do wonder what's going on in that pretty head of theirs.

Y/N POV:

He looked handsome. hair fluffy, in jeans, and a Midtown jacket. He was captivatingly comfy. His eyes are soft and giving you all there attention. His mouth was a little open which I couldn't help but giggle at.

"Hello Peter" I stated, looking him in the eyes, causing my breath to falter.

"Oh, uh- hello y/n" he cutely stuttered back. Making me laugh under my breath at how silly he can be.

"Should we get going? I saw that were was a preview of Titanic at 7:45 at the movie theater just down the road. "

"Yeah!" he nodded.

I closed the door behind me and stepped aside Peter. As we began our walk I noticed how the street lights made his face glow. Giving me a warm feeling inside. There had been a comfortable silence between the two of us till I asked.

"How have you been since school?"

"Good, I mean I barely touched my homework, but it's Friday and I got a whole weekend ahead of me" he lets out a little laugh and looks down at his hands.

"Same, that paper due for English also has me in a chokehold. I have no idea what to write it on." I said.

The rest of the walk was just casual conversation. I mean me and Peter are best friends no matter what this hangout date situation is.

Peter's POV:

As we walked I couldn't help but try to think of ways to make y/n laugh. I would do anything to hear that laugh they have. It brings me such joy to know they are happy. Without realizing it we had walked the few blocks in a matter of minutes. I walked up to the booth of the ticket holder.

"Two tickets for Titanic please?" I said handing them 25 dollars.

"Movie theater 2 on your left, have fun watching!" They said as they gave me my tickets and some coins back.

However, this outing ate away at my small personal savings. I could not imagine spending it in any other way. Whatever it took to hang out or see you I would spend. We walked through the entrance and y/n stopped.

"Peter do you want popcorn or anything?" y/n asked.

"Maybe, do you want any y/n?" I asked smirking knowing that asking was y/n's way of saying they wanted something.

"Peter you know me too well," They said hitting my shoulder playfully.

We both laughed as we got into line asking for a large popcorn with extra butter.

Y/N POV:

After finding movie theater 2. You both sat in the middle-top area. It's a good spot. I was surprised because of how full the room was. I noticed there were only two other empty seats throughout the entire thing. It was packed! I mean it is a Friday so it makes sense, even if this movie is old. I had been thinking about the chances of our seats before I even noticed Peter trying to ask me something.

"Have you ever seen Titanic before?" he looked curious, his cute little eyebrow raised.

"Uhh, I guess not" I shrugged not thinking much of it.

"Y/n I really need to do a better job at getting you well-versed in movies" he let out a little chuckle.

"I guess so! We can call it a date"

I was astonished at the words that just left my mouth. NO WAY did I just confirm that I wanted to go on a date with Peter. My face was red. I don't even need a mirror to know that. Thank god the lights were dim.

I stuttered out "I- I mean only if- you want it too, noooo pressure" giving a fake laugh to cover my anxiety.

" Y/n can I ask you something?" he says looking right into my eyes. Which felt like he was examining my soul.

I swallowed my spit " Uhh- yeah, ask away!" I said with way too much excitement in my voice.

"Is this a date?"

My heart was in my throat and my eyes opened wide. Did he really just ask that. There's no way. An eruption of butterflies took over my body. I was about to answer before we were cut off by the people behind us choosing us. I looked dead forward at the screen not wanting to see Peter's face. I ate some of the popcorn in my lap and handed Peter the rest. The nerve recked my appetite. And before dealing it the movie had begun.

Peter POV:

I was just about to get an answer out of y/n before the rude guy behind us interrupted. I was enamored with their face as the bright screen showed their wonderful details. They were stunned and in shock. I was beginning to believe that Ned had been right. I could not believe it. But it's the only excuse for y/n's reaction. Unless of course, they hate me. Which I highly doubt. I slowly looked at the screen as they handed me the popcorn.

---30 minutes later---

I noticed y/n shivering. I mean it was a little cold in here but not enough for me to be considered cold. I wonder if they want my jacket.

Y/N POV:

I had been so engrossed with the plotline before realizing Peter was handing me his jacket. It made me realize how I was sitting on my hands and folder over to keep me warm.

"Thank you, Peter"

"Of course y/n, anytime" he smirked.

I put the jacket on feeling the heat from his body still keeping it warm. It smelled like him, which was also a plus.

---Another 30 minutes later---

I was trying to watch the movie but all I could think about was the cute boy sitting next to me. Including all the cute things he does. Whether he is talking about space, the Avengers, or even his science homework. It always made me happy, to see how happy Peter was. I was so happy to be here with him. And he had bought the tickets and given me his hoodie without me even telling him I was cold. I slowly reached my hand from my lap and onto the armrest. Leaving my palm facing up. My heart was about to leap out at this act of confidence. But I just had to remind myself of all those times I dreamed of holding Peter Parker's hand. So I kept it there, hoping for the best.

Peter POV:

Their hand was on the armrest palm up. I had seen them move their shy hands up and onto the armrest. I was glad to know that all this worrying about my crush was actually real and that they liked me back. As smoothly as I could I picked my hand up and ran my fingers over their palm. Before I landed my plan in there's and squeezed my hand tight around there's. Our fingers are entwined with one another.

Their face held a small smirk which gave me just enough confidence to pull their hand into my lap. Pulling them over the arm rest. So that their head was leaning on my shoulder. It felt right, and I heard y/n's breath pick up and come to a steady resting place.

---Another 30 minutes---

I had seen Titanic many times before this. So I tuned it out. Only focusing on the feelings I was experiencing. To have y/n's hand in mine, them wearing my jacket, and them just being with me. I was on cloud nine. There was only another half hour before the movie was over and I could tell the end was gonna make y/n cry. It even made me cry the first time I saw it. They were holding my hand tight and were gasping to all the twists and turns.

As the movie wrapped up I was hesitant to move. I knew y/n had shed a few tears as my shoulder was lightly wet. Which did not bother me one bit. Also, I did not want this moment to end. I wanted them to make the choice to move away from me.

Y/N POV:

I had been lying on Peter's shoulder for half the movie. I knew I would have neck pain later but I did not care because I did not wish to move. I did cry a little but I hope Peter did not notice. I was sad to see the credits begin to roll and the lights un-dim in the theater. I waited till the last second to move away from Peter. Basically, until everyone was standing up. As soon as I pulled away I missed his touch. I looked down at us still holding hands and realized that he was looking also. When we looked back up at each other.

" Do you want to take a walk around Central Park?" he asked.

" I would love to Peter" I grinned as he stood up with our hands still locked together

We exited the theater in a blissful state. I was over the moon Petere actually liked me back. So much so that the ending of the Titanic did not take hold of my emotions.

"So I have to ask how did you like the movie?" Peter asked as you walked outside.

"Good. I was not ready for Jack though. Sorry if I got your shoulder wet. I was just surprised they did that to his character"

Peter chuckled, "It's okay y/n, all good"

Both of you had been walking in silence for a few minutes. Enjoying each other's company. A few seconds later Peter stopped when you reached the front gates of the park.

"What?"

"You never answered that question back there," he said raising an eyebrow.

" Pfff, whaaa, okay maybe" I deflected.

" Hey I mean I want this to be a date but only if you want it-"

I cut him off, "YES, please, Peter I have liked you for too long, please say this is a date!" I basically begged

" Well then y/f/n y/l/n you are in luck because I Peter Parker and taking you out on an official date. Would you like to walk around Central Park with me?"

'"Of course!" I said gidddy with a smile across my face.

It was late but neither of you cared. Walking around the paths, going under bridges, and still holding hands. The air was brisk yet it was all worth it to step on the crunchy leaves scattered across the ground. It had been a few minutes of silence and some light conversation explaining how long we both had liked each other. We were both walking when he stopped on top of a bridge above a little river. The lights illuminated above me.

Turning to me he said, "Y/n I have had a wonderful night"

"Me as well," I said smiling.

"Well," he said placing his arm around my back and taking a small step forward. " Now that I know how long we have liked each other . . "

"Yeah Peter," I said looking at him with curiosity.

Nervously he stuttered out "Y/n I like you a lot! And I just want you to know that and-"

He cut himself off by leaning into my face and gently placing his lips on mine. My breath hitched as I realized that Peter was kissing me. I quickly retracted. Soaking in how soft and tender he kissed me. it was so gentle it was almost like an angel. When he pulled away both let out a loud exhale. Then we looked at each other and laughed. It was silly how long it took us to get to this point. I leaned into Peter letting him pull me flush to his body. I grabbed his face with both of my hands and placed my lips onto his with a little more force this time.

Well kissing Peter all I could think about was how much I love this boy, causing me to smile into the kiss.

[wifeofwandamaximoff]

Happy Birthday!

Pairings: Larissa Weems x witch!reader

Warning: Fluff

Summary: Its Larissa's birthday so you decide to surprise her

Author's not: Just a quick early birthday piece in honor of Gwen's birthday!

I woke up at 4 am. Seeing Larissa still sleeping, I got ready for my eventful day. I hastily grab my phone, keys, and wallet and left the room but not before kissing her on the cheek.

Once I got in my car I started driving to Jericho where I had ordered Larissa a bunch of small gifts to put everywhere in our shared room and office.

An hour later when I have gathered all my gifts I wanted for Larissa to have I started to make my way back to Nevermore. I look out the window into the sky seeing the sun start to rise meaning Larissa would be up soon since she has to work. I doubt that women even remembered her birthday is today.

After a quick 10 mins, I flicked my wrist causing all of the gifts to float and follow me. When I got to Larissa's office I saw on the clock I still had 30 mins before she woke up. So I quickly started to use my magic to hide the small gifts I got for her in her office and then would hide some others were we usually go to regularly or somewhere that means a lot to her.

Twenty minutes later I have finished hiding half of the gifts in her office and decided to write a little note, letting her know that there were more for her in some special places. Making it like a scavenger hunt for her. Which I thought was fun.

I looked at the time and saw that it was 6 am. Letting me know that it was time for Larissa too wake up so I quickly left her office and went to go and place the other gifts I bought in its places. And decided to hide the last ones in the bedroom during lunch so she wouldn't see me putting them in.

Larissa's pov:

My eyes slowly flutter open, my body instinctively trying to snuggle into Y/n. But she wasn't there. All I felt were cold sheets letting me know that they woke up a lot earlier then me which was strange because they always woke up late.

I then started to worry if something bad happened to them since they never wake up this early at all, but it also confused me deeply.

I then just sighed a got up out of bed and started to get ready for the day. I walked over to the closet and saw the cream color dress that Y/n loved to see me in. Since they said it makes my look beautiful. I decided to wear it since their compliments always made me feel so confident throughout the whole day.

Then I slipped into the dress, feeling very confident. I went over to my vanity and started doing my makeup and putting my hair in its signature updo.

Once I finished getting ready I saw it was 7:15 am. I then got up from up from my vanity chair and sighed. Still wondering where Y/n is since they never just disappear in the mornings. They aren't an early bird either.

I stood up and put on some cream color kitten heels and headed out of my office, knowing that I don't have a lot of work today so I can finish early and spend a lot of time with Y/n once I find them/

I stride out of my shared bedroom that is connected to my office. When I entered I immediately notice something different about my office. I then saw a letter that was written by Y/n. Instantly know thing that was their neat cursive hand writing.

I opened the letter and started to read what the contents said.

Dear Rissa,

I know you must be wondering where I am since I wasn't there when you woke up, but I had a few matters to take care of and just wanted to let you know. There is also something different about the office, and our special spots. Do not worry about working today since I have already done everything that you have needed to take care of today.

I hope you will have fun!

Your Darling

When I have finished reading the letter I felt myself starting to smile like an idiot. They have planned something for me and I don't know what. They also did all my work which is oddly suspicious since they always complain about working.

I tried to rack my brain of why they would do this but nothing came to me, so I just decided to play their little game so I started looking around my office. Immediately noticing on my chairs in-front of my desk.

It was a perfume I have always wanted but it just kept selling out and I now had five of them. I then pondered how Y/n was able to get this since they were always sold out but I decided to ask them later.

On the other chair I saw some books that I have always wanted because they were from my favorite author. It only has been published yesterday and yet again. I pondered how they were able to get this. I picked up one of the books and opened it, seeing that it was signed by the author herself. I then checked the other books seeing that they were also signed as well.

I started to smile once again at their gestures that they have showed me today and its only 8 am in the morning. I then started to look around my office more, looking for some more gifts from Y/n.

Our pov:

"Ok! So today is Principal Weems's birthday. As you all may know, so in honor of her birthday I have decided to throw her a surprise party. I know this is last minute but we have seven hours to decorate and I have told all the teachers and we all agreed to do this. So in order to finish the surprise party in time we decided to have no classes today!" I said to the students which made them cheer and start to chant my name. Putting a smile on my face. I then quickly shushed them, worried that Larissa would hear them.

They then quieted down, also expressing their concerns on getting caught. I then started telling everyone the plan.

Hours later and everyone already had lunch. Larissa had just went back into her office. I was sad that I couldn't eat dinner, breakfast, and lunch with her since I've been organizing stuff for her birthday. It is now currently 8 pm. So in two hours the students would have to go back to their dorms since they would be passing their curfews.

Once we made sure that everything was in place I went to go get Larissa. I knocked on her office doors. I opened the doors once I heard her yell a soft, "get in!"

"Rissa!" I squealed a bit. She looked up at me once she heard her nickname that I call her.

"Hey my darling, where have you been I've been worried sick about you since I haven't seen you for almost 14 hours. Which is too long being away from you!" She grumbled and outed slightly towards the end of her rambling.

"Im sorry Rissa, but did you like my little scavenger hunt for you?" I asked excitedly.

"Oh darling they were wonderful! And I love them all so much! But what is with all these gifts? Because I don't think its a special occasion since I usually remember these types of things." Said Larissa in a confused tone.

"Yes, but I do have one more surprise for you!" I said excitedly, before dragging her out to the quad where it was pitch dark.

"There is nothing here but darkness dear?" Larissa softly said to me.

All of a sudden lights were flipped on and there was a huge banner saying;

"Happy Birthday Principal Weems!"

Students and teachers were singing happy birthday to Rissa. I looked over at her and I can see her overcome her shock and started to smile widely.

"Happy Birthday," I whispered softly before kissing her.

[joe-spookyy]

saw traps in order and whether or not i would survive them

saw iii

classroom trap - jesus fuck. i think i might just die here. like. i probably Could. but i don’t know if i would even have the willpower? like i feel like i would rather just explode. survivability 2/10.

angel trap - yeah i’m getting out of here. i’m no bitch, and i would dunk my hand in that jar real quick and speedy like, and then get right to work on the lock. i could hype myself up real quick, and honestly, i feel confident that i could shake off the acid and not even cause that much damage to my hand. survivability 9/10.

shotgun collar - i am not a doctor. so this is a little iffy. but i honestly feel like i might actually be able to pull this off without getting shot by that thing. i will manually make his heart beat beat. i’ll give that nasty old man mouth to mouth for as long as i have to, and then i’ll brush my teeth for seventeen minutes straight to get the taste out. i also think i could do a good enough diy lobotomy that the pressure on his brain would let up at least a little. i think with that he would survive long enough for jeff to get through his traps, but if that’s looking iffy, i have a backup plan. i’m seducing amanda and i’m going to get her to let me out of the collar. we’re most certainly getting yuriful in there just for fun no matter what, so i might as well weaponize it. backup plan three i also think i could take the collar off without detonating it. cant be that hard. i have a small head. also, i’m not letting amanda shoot me at the end because again, she would be in love with me by now. all things considered, survivability 8/10.

jeff’s box - yeah i’m breaking out of here no problemo. does this even count as a trap? i don’t really care. survivability 10/10.

the freezer room - i’m wiggling out of those chains even if i have to dislocate my wrists. but also i think i would be able to convince jeff to let me out a lot quicker. i’m pretty tolerant to the cold, and also my beautiful nude body would be so attractive to jeff that he would forgive me for not stopping his son from dying and set me free. survivability 8/10. as jeff, there’s no real threat to me here. i’m saving her and getting out just fine. survivability 10/10.

the pig vat - WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT THE FUCK!!! OH MY GOD. this shit is fucking foul. i just heated up my grilled cheese and this is what you show me. i mean obviously jeff chose kindness and let him out eventually but jesus. i’d probably kill myself afterwards out of disgust. survivability 7/10 (considering the suicide probability) but i would never eat meat again. as jeff i’m letting him out way quicker, having a little bit of a hard time putting my hand in the goop, but ultimately escaping with both of our lives. survivability 10/10.

the rack - OW! OW! OW! jesus FUCK! they are not playing with these nasty ass traps! i would not survive this. what the fuck. my head and limbs are so getting ripped off. fuck my stupid life. 0/10 survivability. as jeff i’m fine. lickety spit i’m pulling the key off with my head far out of the way. 9/10 survivability (just in case i somehow fumble and get shot.)

eric matthews bathroom trap - yeah he seemed to have an easy enough time of it and i’m way smarter than him. it was clearly way easier than the initial bathroom trap. and i wouldn’t beat up amanda or be a cunt about all of it because i’m niceys, so therefore she wouldn’t kick my stump leg and leave me to die. 8/10 survivability.

jeff’s final test: i’m nice so i would not kill him and thus would not be trapped to die. i would leave and call the police so they would arrest him. i’m not stupid. survivability 10/10.

overall film survivability considering 9 traps (but 12 individual people’s chances when put through said traps) 7.5/10. nasty ass movie and nasty ass traps but i’m built different.

[saturnsfallen]

VLD

Ok, I can’t be the only one who thinks this but in S:6 E:7 Defenders of all Universes, who else was confused when Coran said they had only 15 doboshes (meaning minute) to leave before the universe basically imploded. I just don’t understand how all of the paladins and the others were able to load a bunch of the castle’s supplies into the lions in only fifteen minutes??? Am I going crazy??? Cause ain’t no way they got all of that equipment in just 15 minutes, into the lions, gathered the animals, and got far enough away from the castle. This has been racking at my brain for soooo long. Am I missing something? Or were they just really fast with it?

I love Coran but what😭😭😭

[willowsnook]

Forbidden Territory (CS) Pt. 1

carlos sainz x reader

Sunlight spilled through the hotel windows, blanketing your face with warmth as your eyes fluttered open. Head slightly aching from last night's activities you sighed sitting up, noticing this was in fact not your hotel room. No clothes were thrown around the floor, just neatly stacked on the dresser.

Turning to your left, you could see a large man lying on his stomach, arms underneath his pillow. He had dark hair that was tousled from sleep and was breathing deeply. Sliding out of bed, you found the spandex you wore under last night's dress and looked around for a shirt to steal. The first one you saw was a large white tshirt with the Ferrari logo. Not unusual as you were here for the Mexican GP so spending the night with an F1 fan could be explained.

But this guy had a ridiculous amount of Ferrari gear. Shirts, hats, even logo'd pants. Quite the fan you thought and you snooped around. But then you found his paddock pass and froze after reading the name.

Carlos Sainz.

No no no no no no, you thought. Please let this be a joke. Peering back to the bed, he had turned more onto his side and you knew right then and there that you spent the night with the Ferrari driver. This was bad. Really bad. How drunk were you? You would have never gone home with him if you knew. Racking your brain you remember dancing at the club with a random guy, making out with him in a corner of the club, and then having the best sex of your life.

Scrambling you threw on one of the shirts, scooped up your dress and purse high-tailing it out of there. You immediately dialed your best friend's number who had joined you on the trip as he had nothing else going on.

"There had better be a good reason for you waking me up at 7 in the morning," he said sleepily.

"David I am having an emergency so wake the fuck up and let me into your hotel room," you whisper yelled into the phone already standing outside his door.

The door swung open, revealing your sleepy friend clad in only a pair of sweats.

"You look like shit," he said, stepping aside to let you in the room. Flopping on to the bed you let out a frustrated groan.

"I fucked up," you said and he flopped down next to you.

"Is this about last night and you dancing with Carlos Sainz?" He asked. "I don't think anyone saw."

Your head snapped up.

"You knew it was Carlos?" He looked at you confused.

"Well yeah, did you not?"

"I fucking slept with him David!" You yelled. "This is his shirt from his room that I woke up in!"

He stared at you for a second and then bust out laughing. Uncontrollable laughter. Tears streaming down his face.

"This isn't funny," you complained, burying your head into the pillows.

"it's hilarious," he said gasping for air. "The master of PR just committed the ultimate sin. Oh my god, have you told Pato? He's going to flip."

Later that day, not y/n's pov

Carlos and Charles were finishing up a tik tok for the Ferrari media team before heading out to grab a quick bite.

"So how was last night?" Charles asked. "Did you end up going home with that girl? She was hot."

"Yeah, but she snuck out this morning before I woke up which was humbling," he said. "And she stole one of my shirts."

"She snuck out?" Charles asked laughing. "Must have not been that great."

Carlos shoved him playfully shaking his head.

"Trust me that was not the case," he said, eyes glazing over as he replayed the night in his mind. "I'll be using those memories to get off for a long time."

As they got closer to the hospitality buffet, they saw Pato and David sitting at a table talking.

"What's up Pato?" Carlos called out. "Long time no see hermano."

Pato stood, reaching out to bring Carlos into a bro hug.

"Good to see you man," he said before looking down at David. "This is David Malukas, he drives AJ Foyt."

Carlos and Charles shook David's hand as introductions were made.

"Did you guys go out last night?" Pato asked and Charles smirked.

"We did, and Carlos met the love of his life," he said winking at Carlos.

"Yeah if I could spend every night with her I'd be good," Carlos said.

David was trying to keep his laughter in but failing miserably. The three guys looked at him confused. He thought about not saying anything but then decided against that.

Turning to Pato, "It was y/n. He slept with y/n."

Pato's eyes widened, jaw dropping in shock. His shock turned to anger.

"You slept with y/n?" He demanded and Carlos shot Charles a confused look.

"I mean I don't remember her name but maybe?" David smirked.

"I saw her this morning while she was freaking out wearing the cutest little Ferrari shirt," he said.

"So that's where my shirt went," Carlos muttered while 'Charles looked on amused. "Who is y/n, and why are you looking at me like you want to kill me?"

"She's my PR manager," Pato said and Carlos's eyes widened. "She is also everyone single on the IndyCar grid's biggest crush. But she has a rule against dating drivers let alone sleeping with them."

"Guess not anymore," Carlos joked and Pato threw his napkin at him.

Y/n's POV

Spotting Pato sitting at a picnic table eating lunch, you made your way over there to tell him about a late interview addition to his schedule.

"Hey Pato, I need you at 3 fo-," you stopped short noticing his eating companions. David, who was smirking at you, Charles, looking at you with interest, and the man you woke up next to.

"Hola hermosa, sad I didn't get to see you sporting my favorite Ferrari shirt this morning," he said grinning. You just stared at him before turning back to Pato who was frowning.

"3:00," you said clearing your throat. "I need you at 3:00."

Whirling around you stalked off, face burning with embarrassment. This was going to be a long weekend.

[nelissecrectplace]

𝕃𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕕

ao’nung x ¡fem! reader x atwow friend group (platonic)

requested by: @blueberrycoffee19

word count: 5k

language: Tsahík- spiritual leader, Tanhí- little star

description: Coming across each other by chance your relationship grew. Two lovers from completely difference species is bound to be widely known through a clan. Yet, it seems once family was kept in the dark.

Ever since you were little it seemed that your mother repeated two story’s. One was your people’s origin. How you mermaids came to reside in pandora water. It seemed as if you had just popped out of no where but that was simply not the case. The humans, as sick as they are, decided to try a horrid experiment. After tormenting and poaching your mothers ancestors they took her away from her home, and out of the sea. Hell, they took her away from her own planet. Throwing hundreds of confused mermen and woman into a foreign waters. Wondering if you could breath the air and oceans of pandora. Much to their suprise your people thrived in the new environment. Your once ,seemingly useless, human like lungs allowed you to leave the ocean, your people exploring pandora with the blessing of your now useful temporary legs.

The second story she told was of the na’vi. The clan closest to you being the Metkayinas. How they were weary but grew to respect the foreign sea creatures. Allowing your people to thrive outside the reef. Yet, there are always conditions to peaceful agreements. The Metkayina never wanting the likes of your people washing in on their shore, keeping a safe distance from the unknown. She drilled rules into your brain, to never swim into the reef. Warning you of the possible dangers. Your people, were also afraid of the unknown, not wanting to try and mingle with the na’vi. You thought it was stupid to be held back by such fear. Two cultures avoiding the other as if they were a disease when you could be helping each other. Hell, why did you learn their tongue if you were not meant to interact!

Of course in your rebellious years you acted on your ideals. Traveling into the reef in the dead of the night. You were not quite sure what you were doing there. Your mind too clouded with adrenaline -from breaking a rule- and curiosity. You wanted to see these na’vi your family had kept you from your whole life. Allowing the waves to carry your body too the shore you washed up as if you were seaweed. Eyes scanning the foreign village as the waves lapped around your tail. The glimmer of your scales in the moonlight catching a particular na’vis eyes as he polished the ilu saddles. A curiosity that overwhelmed all of his doubts and fear as he approached your form. His blues eyes racking over your body in awe and curiosity.

“What are you.” Flinching, you turned your head to the sound. A gasp falling past your lips as you eyes the man in front of you. His body wide and tall, arms bigger than you had see, a thick tail attached to his end, and freckles that lit up in the night. Exited and naïve you casted your tail into legs. Jumping to greet the male you guessed was this apart of the species you had heard of your whole life. “I am y/n, a mermaid.” Slightly stepping back he eyed you with a suspicious gaze. A slight disgust plastered on his face as he looked down at your smaller form. Standing at only 7 feet the male towered over you. Ironic because your mother always told you story’s about how she towered over the humans.

“What is your name?” Cocking your head to the side you tried to counter his obvious distaste with a bright smile. Suspicion still across his face the male did not answers. Instead a big hand was placed on your shoulder. His warm hand squeezing your shoulder, his eyes not leaving where he had touched you. Confusion warping your featured you did the same. Placing a much smaller hand on his shoulder and copying his squeezes. “Is this how Metkayinas greet people?” Blue eye taking in your form once more the male finally spoke agains. His words only making a laugh pass your lips as his pupils seemed to widen.

“Holy shit I have got to be high.”

Ever since that night you did not have a pleasure of seeing that na’vi. Your mother finding out about your antics and keeping a strict watch on you for weeks. Her suffocating control over you seeming to restrict your every movement. Thankfully, she now allowed you to travel on your own and you did not intend to journey back. Well, at least not anytime soon. The thoughts of the na’vi you conversed with that night never leaving your head. He was beautiful an attraction you had felt to none of your own kind pulling his every detail into your mind. You craved to see him, to just speak to him once more as you had done that night. Conversing about your cultures and life with the stranger you wished to know so much more about. The stranger who’s name you did not have the pleasure of knowing. Swimming among the coral of the deep you felt your heart pang with sadness, the knowledge that you might never see this na’vi again entering your mind.

Having enough of your sorrow filled mood you decide to breach the surface. Going to the place you called the ilu rock as there was always a good amount of ilus and their baby’s swimming around. A giggle breached your throat as a baby ilu swam up to you. The little thing was obviously curious as it nudged you with its head, beautiful sounds falling past its mouth. It’s mother not far behind with a call for it’s child. Swimming along side the baby you felt nothing but happiness as you pulled yourself onto the platform of the huge stone. The bottom of your tail still splashing in the water, playing with the young ilus. This time of year was always your favorite. There was always a ton of young ilu ear to play and explore in this season. The sun always perfectly warm on your skin as you sunbathed on the rock. The sounds of the animals putting you to sleep as if they were a lullaby. As your consciousness slipped from your fingers a familar blue flashed in your mind lulling you to sleep.

Although it seemed that as soon as you had shut your eyes they were being reopened again. A warm voice entering your years as you felt droplets of water cascade down your face. Groaning you brung your hand over your eyes. Your gaze hazy as it attempted to readjusted to the sunlights rays. “Hey sleepy head.” Mind identifying the voice your body shot up. Turning your torso to face the male as a bright smile lit up your face. “Beach boy!” Excitement running through your veins you launched yourself onto the male. You slim arms wrapping around his neck as a laugh fell past his lips. “Woah, didn’t know you would be so exited to see me.” Returning your hug the boys words left goosebumps on your neck. His breath tickling every area it touched. “I did not think I would ever see you again, um.” Voice coming to a stop you remembered you did not even know the males name. Pulling away from the embrace as your face was slightly scrunched up in thought. “Oh, my name is Ao’nung.”

“Ao’nu-nung.” Repeating his name you allowed the foreign word to travel past your lips. A smile reaching your face as you reappeared it. “Ao’nung!” Laughing at your struggle to say his name the male eyes never left your own. “You have never come back to the reef, why is that?” Now tapping into his own curiosity the male questioned you. A deep sigh leaving your lips your tail slapped the surface of the water in annoyance. “My mother, she has been watching me as if I am a criminal.” Ocean eyes following your tail he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away. Amazed at the thing he had only seen twice. “hmm, well I could come to you if you want. Until she stops hounding you.” Heart beating against your chest you looked to the na’vi. A slight hue making it’s way onto your cheeks. “I would love that Ao’nung.” Blue eyes tearing away from your tail a smirk seemed to rest apon the na’vis face as he took in your shy smile.

“I have to, but i’ll see you here tomorrow? An hour after eclipse?” Nodding enthusiastic you agreed to the males time. “Let’s swim together? I can take you half way.” Smiling at your request the male motioned for you to follow him. A bright smile lighting up your face as you submerged yourself in the water. The both of you quickly understanding that you couldn’t not understand each other underwater. Your language seeming to be nothing but high pitch noises to the confused na’vi. While your eyes watched his hands with your eyebrows scrunched. None the less you enjoyed swimming with the male. Eyes admiring how his body pulled himself through the waves. Ridding the currents almost as smoothly as you. Of course, you had to show off as you would circle around his body. Ao’nungs face lighting up in amusement as he watched your form.

Sadly the trip had to come to an end. Waving goodbye to the boy that seemed run through your mind constantly. Swimming home with a warm feeling incasing you, even in the coldest parts of the ocean. Waiting impatiently for the eclipse to come and go so you could once again stare into those ocean eyes. Not knowing that this little meet ups would control most yours days. That your feelings would only grow. The months passing and Ao’nung becoming your world. Someone you would sacrifice everything for.. Even the approval and safety of your people. In life all you wanted was him and if you needed to keep secrets and hide yourself away to have him, that’s exactly what you were going to do.

Over the next couple months your meetups with the na’vi did indeed get more frequent. Your realtionship blossoming into something intimate over that time. In your world he would be your boyfriend in his world he was courting you. It felt amazing. Late night walks on the beach, Swimming along side him, gift crafted by his hands, the lovely feeling of his lips against yours. You could not seem to get enough of Ao’nung. Feelings a coldness in your heart each time you had to separate from the na’vi. Your soul yearning for his presence as the gruesomely long hours of your day dragged by. One day you just couldn’t wait any longer, slipping past your mothers watchful gaze earlier than usual, you had arrived at the reef just before eclipse. Not too worried about the reef people seeing you as most of the clan knew of your existence. Ao’nung not being as skilled at slipping away exposed your secret far too soon. Although the reef clan knew of your obvious relationship, you just couldn’t find the courage to tell the truth to your people. Afraid of your mothers reaction, she was very very conservative.

Being a mermaid on a mission, with thoughts of your mother clouding your brain, you did not even notice a small na’vi child until your body collided with hers. Tail curling to bring the child closer to your chest out of reflex. Eyes opening just to take in an appearance you were not at all prepared for. A surprised gasp slipping past your lips as the strange little girl stared at you with big yellow eyes. Her skin far darker than any of the Metkayinas you had seen, her body slender and smaller in your arms. “What the hell.” Speaking in your native toungue a suprised squeak passed the girls lips as she began flailing her limbs around. Breaking out of your hold as she swam to the surface. Breaching the top with her you couldn’t help but laugh, amused by the whole situation. “You are a mermaid! Norm use to read me books about you!” Blue hands grasping your face the little girl cupped it almost in disbelief. Having to reassure herself that you were real. “I thought you guys were fake.”

“I can assure you I am very much real.” Lifting your tail too splash besides the dark girl a giggle breached her lips. Her smile reaching from ear to ear. “What is your name?” Almost as if on cue a loud voice filled the area. Calling out the girls name as they searched for her. “Tuk! Where are you!?” Head wipping around to the direction of the sound a soft sigh left the girls lips. “You must go, I will see you around Tuk.” Waving a goodby to the girl you detached yourself from her touch. A small smile adoring your lips as you watched the girl, an expression adoring her face as if she had seen something magical. Your glimmering tail disappearing under the water as another na’vi rounded the corner. “Tuk! There you are. Come out the water, why did you not respond to my calls.” Swimming to her older sister with a smile plastered on her face the little girl ignored her questioning. Pulling herself up onto the woven paths of the metkayina clan. “I made friends with a mermaid!” Looking at her with a deadpanned looked kiri couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “you have gone crazy.”

Little did Kiri know that her little sister was indeed telling the truth. Your form now on the other side of the beach greeting an all too exited Ao’nung. His big hands fixing a loincloth around your lower half to keep you decent in the eye of his people. “It’s crazy your people make woman cover their chest yet thinks it’s completely normal to not wear anything on the bottom when you shift.” Playful huffing at a comment he had made many times you rolled your eyes. Lovingly ruffling his hair as he finished the final knot in your side. Rising to his feet so that he towered over you once again. “What’s crazy is you didn’t tell me about these new na’vi on your shores.” Fingers tracing up his abs you looked into his blue eyes. Questioning him silently in attempt to get the latest news out of him. A heaft sigh left the makes lips as he took your hand in his. Guiding you to walk along side him on the beach. “those skxáwng are just some freaks. Nothing to talk about really.”

“Ao’nung!” Scolding him you lightly hit his arm. Knowing it did nothing to the male did not stop your from scolding him. Stoping im his tracks his blue eyes burned into yours. A slight frown etched into his face. “They are just some na’vi from the forest, they will be gone soon enough. Now let me have my time with you before Roxto and Tsireya steal you away.” Successfully changing the topic of conversation Ao’nung snatched you up by your thighs. Your legs latching around his body as your arms enter locked behind his neck. A joyful giggle falling past your lips as he dug his head into your neck. “Don’t want them freaks even knowing of your existence.” Mumbling into your neck Ao’nung did not give you anytime for protest. Placing light kisses all all the way down to your chest.

“Not to be a cock block but me and y/n have a herb picking date schedule.” The familiar voice of Tsireya filled your ears. Your hand lightly pushing away Ao’nungs head, a smile reaching your lips. Grip losing on you Ao’nung allowed you to hop down. A groan leaving his lips as he turned to his sibling. “We can finish what we started later big guy.” Sending him a playful wink you skipped to his sister. “I’m coming along tanhí.” Not letting you escape far Ao’nungs forearm rested apon your shoulders. A familiar smirk playing at his lips as he looked down at you. “Just don’t distract her the whole time like last time.” Pointing an acusing finger at her older brother you couldn’t help but laugh at her serious face. “It’s okay i’ll be sure to pay attention!”

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

“I swear I saw a mermaid!” Voice shrill and defensive Tuks entered into the mauri grabbing the attention of all her siblings. Kiri dragging Tuktirey by her hand through the entrance. Neteyams brow raising as he eyed his sisters with a questioning look. Lo’ak already turning his body towards the girls with a teasing smile crossing his face. “I think Norm read someone a little too much human fantasy books.”

“Lo’ak you are not helping!” Scolding her brother Kiri rolled her eyes. Tuks fury now finding a new target. “I know what I saw Lo’ak! There’s was a mermaid, why don’t any of you believe me?! I saw her, she’s in the water!” Deciding to interview Neteyam crouched down to his sisters height. Tucking a stray braid behind her ear he gave her a soft smile. “how about we all go searching with you tomorrow? Let us see the mermaid with our own eyes?” Face lighting up Tuk nodded her head immediately. Jumping into her big brothers arms. “Than i’ll show both you meanies!” Sticking her tongue out to her two older siblings the two just shrugged. Kiri and Lo’ak sharing a look.

“Bro I have plans with Tsireya tomorrow!”

“Okay than let’s make it a group search during lessons. Solves everyone’s problem.” Countering Lo’aks excuse to get out of the small adventure Lo’ak groaned. “You all will see! I did see a mermaid!”

“What are we doing out here” tone obviously un please Ao’nung eyed the sullys with an annoyed look. “Don’t do a mood killer already bro, we don’t even know why they wanted us here.” Trying to lighten up his friends mood Rotxo slightly pushed his friends arm. A smile on the bundle of joys lips. “Yeah fish lips.” Taunting the Metkayina Lo’ak joined in, despite the fact he did not want to be here either. Finally joining the group Tuks small frame ran over. A smile from ear to ear. “Who’s ready for mermaid searching!” Stomach dropping Ao’nung shot Rotxo a look out the side of his eyes. The male doing the same, shocked that the small girl knew of your existence. “Yeah… Tuk thinks there some kind of half fish human in these water.”

“She has a wild imagination.” Speaking first Ao’nung made sure his voice was loud. Silently telling Rotxo and Tsireya to not say a word about you. His eyes lingering on them as he scanned the group. “Let’s get this over with.” Sighing deeply Kiri dove into the water. The others following her lead as Tuk was practically leaping with joy. Exited to find her mermaid friend. Breaking the group into buddies , Tuktirey stayed with her eldest brother. While you were on your way to the reefs, as oblivious as ever, not even thinking of the possibility of the small blue girl leading a search party for you. Your form joyfully swimming through the reef, looking for your lover. Overrun by joy that you could slip away early for two days in a row.

Your glimmering tail seeming to be only a bolt of colors as you swam through the sea. The glint of the sun finding your scales sending a glare into Tuks eyes. Her small hand tugging at her brother as she pointed at your speeding form. But, by the time Neteyam had turned his head you were long gone. Sending his younger sister a confused look a worry started to set in his features. A worry for his sister sanity. Her insistently saying she has seen the mermaid swimming towards where she had caught a glance of your tail. “That’s is near the edge of the reef you could have seen anything Tuk.” Trying to reason with his sister Neteyam held her back. Eventually forcing the girl to turn around and head closer to the shore. While your form only strayed fathers from their locations. Locating the na’vi you were in such a rush for.

“Ao’nung!” Sending a high pitch screech through the water you immediately caught the na’vis attentions. His body whipping around just in time to embrace your form crashing into him. His hair undone as his curls flowed freely in the water. Moving with the motion of the waves above you. A smirk settling on his face as he squeezed you into him. A shudder running through Ao’nungs spine as your tail collided with his legs. He would never get use to the feelings of your scales. Pointing to the surface he motioned for the two of you to go to the top. Knowing you were not yet fluent in their sign language. Breaching the top you comfortable treaded water, the smile that always seemed to decorate your face present as always. “Missed me?”

“Always” Pressing his lips against your you could feel the smile on his face. Your stomach doing flips as he hands slid down to your waist caressing the start of your scales. “Oh, hey y/n! We were fake looking for you just now.” Floating belly up Rotxo interrupted the intimate moment his floating form bumping into your back. Rolling your eyes at your friends antics you splashed him from behind, causing the friendly na’vi to choke on ocean water. His peaceful floating interrupted while a bubbly laugh left your lips. “What the heck man!” Waving his offense off you questions the Rotxo earlier words. “What do you mean fake looking for me?” Looking between the two males Ao’nung wore a deep frown as he looked at his friend. Roxto shrugging unapologetically for a quick moment before his hands resumed their treading. “Nothing just the stupid Sullys always prying too much”

“Ah, so the little Tuk girl.” Your boyfriend letting out an unhappy groan answered your question without words. A playful smile making it’s way onto your lips. Your hand teasingly pinching his cheeks. “You afraid her interest in me will take my time away from you.” Rolling his eyes the sassy male didn’t answer your question. Engulfing his seemingly giant hand over your frailer one. “Whatever let’s go to the hot springs.” Giggling at his childishness you only nodded. Bidding goodbye to Roxto who had already began floating again. Making sure to splash water into the males mouth once more before hurrying alongside Ao’nung. The large male wasting not time to pull you into the forest on his island. His signature mischievous smirk plastered on his lips. Ao’nung once sour mood slipping away with the breeze passing over your body’s.

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

“What is all this fuss about?!” Entering his mauri Jake sullys voice filled the once rambunctious space with a deadly silence. A teary eyed Tuk surrounded by her sibling who seemed to be attempting to reason with the young girl. As always Neteyam was the first to speak a deep sigh leaving his body before he spoke. “Tuk is insisting she saw a….mermaid. We are only trying to help her stop these meaningless searches. It could lead her to outside the reef.” Taking in his sons words Jakes mood seemed to calm. His face now morphed into confusion as he looked at his youngest daughter. Neytiri sharing a similar look as she rested a hand on the back of her husband back. “Is everything ok Tuktuk?” Voice soft Neytiri spoke with her comforting mom voice. Walking past her older children to scoop her youngest up in her arms.

“I saw a mermaid! You guys don’t believe me either I can tell by your face!” Frowning Neytiri stroked one of her daughter stray hand behind her ear. “It is normal to have imaginary friends as a child. But it is important to not get it mixed up with reality.” Huffing the small girl wiggled out of her mothers arms. Obviously filled with frustration as she crossed her arms and glared accusingly at her family. Catching them all slightly off guard, as Tuk was always a gentle and happy girl never once sending someone the expression they wore now. Frowning deeply Neytiri looked to her mate. Almost as if communicating with his eyes he only nodded at the mother. “Would you like to talk with the Tsahik about this she might know more about this,,,, mermaid.” Face lighting up Tuk squealed and excitement, happy someone believed her words. Wasting no time to rush out the mauri her small feet taking her towards ronals tent as Neytiri followed behind her, shooting her family a relieved smile that they all shared. All of them hoping the Tsahik could cure whatever was happening with their youngest sibling.

Soon enough Neytiri opened the flap, Ronals back being the first view that met her sun colored eyes. The fierce ocean orbs soon greeting her as she looked between the female and her child with worry. The two woman forming a small friendship in the month the sullys had been on their shores. “My child has been saying she has sighted a mermaid, even talked to her.” Sighing with worry Neytiri usher her child towards the Tsahik. Ronals brows scrunched together in confusion as she glanced between the two. Her face quickly turning into a grin as she attempted to suppress a laugh. Confused, Neytiris eyes narrowed not likening the way Ronal seemingly laughed at her daughter. “I am sorry, I should not find this so humorous.” Cover her smile with theee fingers ronal sat on the floor. Continuing to arrange herbs. “Your daughter is perfectly fine.”

“What do you mean she’s seeing a mermaid. They are fake.” Stomping her feet Tuk looked up to her mother. “They are real!” Warning her daughter with her eyes Neytiri sat herself across from Ronal. Forcing Tuk to sit next to her. “I am afraid your daughter is right. My son is in fact the reason this mermaid visits our shores. The two of them being infatuated with eachother.” Eyes widened in shock Neytiri scanned the woman. Sensing the caution in her friends eyes ronal looked up from her medicine. “How about I show your whole family tomorrow before eclipse she is always on the south of the island. I can prove my crazy words.”

“Of course Tsahik. I am sorry to say I can to believe your words until I see it.” Nodding in understanding Ronal sent the two a rare soft smile. “Now would you two want to help me with these herbs.” Knowing they could not refuse Neytiri excepted. Successfully killings tuk victorious mood as she looked at her mother with a deadpan look. Not wanting to have anything to do with the medications in front of her.

The two of you had no ideas so many eyes were on your as you breached the water. Your tail morphing into flesh as the peeping eyes cringes at the sight. It was not a pretty transformation to watch but Ao’nung never minded. His warm hands fulfilling their routine as he tied your loincloth around your lower half. Deciding to not be a creep Lo’ak was the first to step out. The parents all gone once they saw you, their curiosity satisfied. “She’s literally a human with a cool tail and can breath underwater. What’s so special about her.” Making his presence known Lo’ak trotted over. His siblings not far from his as Neteyam groaned in dissatisfaction. Tuks small form rushing past her brother as she crashed into your lower body. Her slim arms wrapping around your waist as Ao’nung suppressed an annoyed growl.

“Hello Tuk.” Patting her head you looked to the other na’vi approaching. All much taller than you. “How rude of me, I am y/n Ao’nungs girl.” Catching all of their attention their yellow eyes zeroed in on you. Yet it did not seem to stop the aggressive tone leaving one of their lips. “Oh so you shit on us but claim this four fingered freak.” Motioning to your hands you felt your stomach drop. Your warm eyes looking to Ao’nung in hurt and confusion. “Watch your mouth forest boy.” Bearing his fangs Ao’nung threatened the darker na’vi. His thick tail whipping in an aggression your eyes had never seen. Gently prying the child’s hand off your waist you wrapped your hands around Ao’nungs arm. Pressing his arm on your chest grabbing the towering males attension. “Calm down it’s okay.”

“Listen to her words Lo’ak!” Pulling his brother behind his form you assumed this was the older brother. His presence oozing superiority. “I am sorry about my brothers behavior. I am Neteyam, that was Lo’ak, and my sister Kiri is back near the mauri pods.” Face lighting up as his kindness you looked to Ao’nung. The male still not wearing a pleased smile. “It is wonderful to meet you! Your little sister is just adorable.” Smiling at the compliment the littler girl stood proudly next to you. “Yes she’s actually why we learned of your existence. We did not believe something like your could exist.”

“We’ll she does. Glad you forest freaks could satisfy your curiosity and admire my girlfriend like she’s an animal.” Hitting his shoulder you glared your at your boyfriend. “Ao’nung! I am sorry, he is just worked up because of your brother. He is a big softie.”

“She’s delusional.” Looking down to your form Ao’nung shut down your words. A slight smile ghosting over his lips as he looked down at your scolding face. “Anyways, I will definitely see you Sullys around! Swim with us sometime!” Dragging your hotheaded boyfriend away you waved at the oldest Sully. Making sure to give Tuk an extra long wave as the girl bounced up and down. “You are horrible.” Ocean eyes widening he looked down into your warm ones. “What do you mean! Lo’ak is the dickhead.” Rolling your eyes at your boyfriends blindness you let go of his arms. Walking slightly faster than him.

“Come on baby don’t be like that.”

“Your such a bully.”

Grabbing your waisted Ao’nung pulled your flush agaisnt him. Leaning down so his head was by your ear, breath leaving goosebumps along your skin. “I’m your bully.” grazing his fangs over the sensitive part on your neck you couldn’t help but lean into his touch. “Just don’t be gatekeeping me.” Looking up the top of your head hit the lower part of his chest. Rising to his full height the male looked down to you. “Cant promise anything tanhí.” Bringing his lips to your you could only smile into the kiss. Loving the way his big hands secured themselves around you. The na’vi never wanting you to leave his grasp. Wanting to keep his little mermaid all to himself.

a/n: This was a little out of my element and my first request so i hope it turned out okay! Hopefully my requester is satisfied so sorry if it’s not what you hoped!

[theguytoendallguys]

Fuck it: here's my opinions on all the NPMD ships (in no particular order) and how much I ship them on a scale of 1-10 since I literally cannot just pick one and run with it like I can with most other fandoms I'm in

(Sorry idfk some of the names) (Also no poly relationships cause that's a whole nother rabbit hole that I MIGHT get into another day no promises)

Lautski: The cute canon straight fluff, I like it, probably won't write anything about it cause even though it's cute it doesn't rack my brain as much as the others, 7/10

Lautity: Fucking delicious, I eat it up every time, I love their dynamic, love them as a ship, literally only losing to Holyweeb by a thread 9/10

Holyweeb: the ship that I think about constantly, that I write about constantly, the ship that takes over my brain so much, they're so silly, I love their dynamic I love everything about them even though it's a straight ship in my brain because I choose to be a transmasc Richie headcannoner instead of a transfemme Richie headcannoner because I'm biased I still adore them just as much as I would with any gay ship they're so cool I wish straight couples were real (/j) 10/10

Spankoffschitz: I love them, they're silly and adorable and they pull all nighters together, they study to anime soundtracks, love em, and these opinions were totally not caused by a certain pal of mine, 8/10

Flipschitz: adorable fluff that I love, imo they always gave off best friends vibes, but the ship's pretty cute, 7/10

Ruthanie(?) (Is that what they're called? Idk): Cute, good for Ruth, I fuck with this, very yummy, 7/10

Halogear: again, very yummy, good for Ruth, love it, their dynamic is fun and it's cute, sorry I don't have much to say on most of the Ruth ships because it's just like I'm glad she's happy, but that's about it sadly, anyway, good ship, love it, 7/10

Ruth x Pete: (sorry I have no idea what the ship name for this is) again, good for Ruth, I like it, not as much as the other Ruth ships cause like they're barely shipped together on their own, and it's just kinda the same dynamic as Flipshitz but like with Pete instead and idk I just don't fuck with it as much as the other Ruth ships for some reason, still good though, 6.5/10

Pete X Grace: I have never seen these two shipped on their own and it's not bad but like I just don't see this happening like at all, 6/10

Michie: the only Max ship I am even going to entertain because of its popularity, (and just cause this is long enough already so) I can very much see it happening, if Max actually had the chance to get his redemption arc, it could be cute, and interesting, and enemies to lovers is a good trope, but I don't ship it all that much personally, 6/10

If there's any I missed, tell me and I'll rank it in a reblog!

[hopefulromances]

Long Time Coming I Chapter 13 I The Man

Summary: Being hired as the first female assistant coach in the league was a challenge of it itself. Being a football prodigy and University Football Legend was easy enough. Coaching Jamie Tartt was a challenge all on its own.

Chapter Summary: Reader is given an award. Jamie is supportive

Word Count: 5.2K

Warning: Some sexism hehehe

A/N: Plot plot plot! But there's some of my favorite jamie x reader moments in this one. Next is Amsterdam!!!!

Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve

I woke up alone. Now this was something I was used to at this point. Ever since Jamie had started doing his early morning runs with Roy, we hadn’t been spending as many nights together. Not that I liked it, but it was something I was getting used to.

My alarm went off at 6:00, as per usual. I did some yoga, showered, then was brushing my teeth when I got an unexpected text from Rebecca. It read:

            Please come to my office when you get in today.

Hm. That was an unusual text to get from your boss at 7:30 in the morning. I racked my brain trying to think of something I’d done to get a talking to. Yeah, it hadn’t been a great month for us, but it wasn’t anything I’d particularly done.

I finished up with my skin care and decided to head into work early to get whatever this was over with. I arrived at the club not much later, waving at the caretaker as I walked in. The walk up the stairs to Rebecca’s office felt excruciating.

But when I arrived there, it wasn’t just her. I opened the door and there was Higgins, Keeley, and Ted sitting in front of her desk.

            “Good morning, guys,” I entered approaching the group. “I didn’t know it was a party.”

            “(Y/N)!” They all greeted in unison.

            “Ah, that wasn’t creepy at all!” I laughed, trying not to show my nerves.

Rebecca motioned to a third seat. “Please, take a seat.”

I took off my backpack as I sat, holding it in front of me. “I’m not getting fired, am I? Oh my god, you’re firing me?”

            “What? Oh heavens, no!” Rebecca dismissed, shaking her hands. “Why on earth would you think that.”

            “Well, its all of you here, and I just walked in and thought it, I don’t know!” I shook my head. “If you’re not firing me, what are you doing?”

They all exchanged looks excitement filling their eyes.

            “Oooo go on! Tell her!” Keeley insisted, clapping her hands.

            “Tell me what?”

            “The anticipation is killing me!” Higgins chimed in.

            “What anticipation?”

            “She doesn’t even know what’s about to hit her!” Ted added.

            “Please just tell me what’s going on before I kill someone!” I was practically shaking at his point.

            “Oh, alright,” Rebecca addressed me finally. “(Y/N), the league is honoring you with Coach of the Month!” 

The group all cheered as I took in the information.

            “We have a press conference this afternoon,” Keeley told me. “We’ll brief you on everything you’ll need to do but we are just so excited for you!”

            “Couldn’t be happier for you,” Ted smiled. “You’re part of what makes this team great!”

            “Of course, she is! I hired her!” Rebecca hummed proudly. “I always knew you’d be great.”

I frowned. This wasn’t right. None of this was right.  They kept talking at me about what was going to happen. An interview, a photoshoot, a magazine cover but all it sounded like I was underwater. I had to get out of this room.

I stood up, grabbing my bag and leaving without so much as a word. I hurried down the stairs and outside into the car park. Why was I so upset? Why couldn’t part of me just be happy about this? I heard the door open behind me and I knew one of them had followed me.

            “Look, now I know emotions are a subjective thing, but I don’t know usually there’s at least a smile when you get a cool award.” Ah Ted. Just the person I didn’t want to see right now.

I shook my head. “Please, Ted. I don’t want to do this right now.”

            “Now, I’m confused. What exactly aren’t we doing?” Ted asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

            “This!” I shouted, pointing between him and me. “You giving me some anecdote about how I’m good enough and how I earned this because you and I both know that isn’t true.”

Ted furrowed his eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”

            “I know why Rebecca hired you.” The statement hung in the air. The truth behind the whole operation at Richmond. The secret I’d overheard in the coach’s office at the end of Ted’s first season with us. “And it’s the same reason she hired me.” Ted paused, nodding his head. I couldn’t help but let out an ironic laugh at the situation. “We both know that I was hired because she thought it would make us lose.”

Rebecca, so overcome with her hatred of Rupert, hired Ted and Beard and I because she thought it would make the worst coaching team. We would drive the team into the ground ruining Rupert’s favorite team. This was something I tried to ignore but since finding out it seem to legitimize some of people shouted at me on the internet and what Max had said to me before I left. I wasn’t meant to be here. I wasn’t saving the league. I was just a girl pretending to know what I was doing.

            “Now, (Y/N), I don’t know what you think you heard but-“

            “Please cut the bullshit, Ted,” I snapped, cutting him off. “I’ve worked really hard to get past it, but I don’t deserve an award when I’ve done nothing to earn it.”

Ted’s mustache twitched. “You’re right. Rebecca hired both of us to make some point to Rupert. That is true. But something else that’s true is that you’ve consistently proved her wrong at every turn.” I opened my mouth to say something, but Ted held up his hand. “Now, you might not see it, but Beard and I and even Roy, we all depend on you to keep this whole thing afloat.”

I let out a breath and wipe at my lips as I stare at him. I certainly hadn’t been feeling like that recently. Since the West Ham match, we’d been on a losing streak, and I’d been so in my head about all of it that I couldn’t do my job.  

            “I just…” I swallowed hard. “I don’t know what I’m doing here anymore Ted. And this Coach of the Month is just another bullshit excuse for me to know that I’m not meant to be here.”

All I could hear in my head was the sound of my failed dreams and Max’s taunts and the paper missing the bin over and over and over again.

            “Hey (Y/N),” Ted’s voice appeared much closer than I thought he would be. “Do you remember that puzzle metaphor I told you about?” I scrunched my face up, nodding my head. “Well, that metaphor has a lot of different meanings. Maybe you should try to put it together again.”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Can’t you just tell me what you mean for once, Ted?”

            “I mean,” He chuckled at my frustration. “You’re stuck in a rut, yeah? So, instead of trying to put the puzzle back together the same way over and over again… maybe you were putting it together the wrong way. Maybe you need to… try something new. And maybe…” He nudged me, forcing me to look over at him. “Maybe you should let someone help you put that puzzle together.”

I still didn’t get it. Well not fully. But I think I understood the gist of it. The funny thing was as we were staring at each other, Roy and Jamie came running up. Jamie smiled at Ted and I coming to run in circles around us.

            “Mornin’ Coaches,” He smiled, starting to run in place.

            “Tartt! You’re not done yet! Get to the training room and start lifting.” Roy followed up; a bit slower.

Jamie groaned loudly. “I ain’t even stopped or nuthin’. I were just sayin’ hi.”

            “Go!” Roy barked, pointing towards the door.

Jamie rolled his eyes dramatically before shooting Ted and I a wink. Roy shook his head as Jamie made his way inside, seemingly off to the training room.

            “Mornin’ Roy, good training with Jamie?” Ted asked Roy.

            “As good as it can be,” Roy grunted. “What are you two doin’ out here?”

Ted looked over at me, motioning for me to tell him. I shook my head at him, grunting that I wouldn’t. Ted hummed back that I absolutely would and that we wouldn’t leave until I said it. I let out a huff.

            “The leagues giving me some bullshit title of Coach of the Month that doesn’t actually mean anything but they’re making a big deal out of it,” I informed Roy finally.

He grunted is a way that sounded vaguely positive. “Good for you.”

            “Fuck off.”

            “Alright.”

The day was filled with Keeley throwing me through the PR wringer. What to expect, what to say, what not to say. I wasn’t super excited about it, but Ted’s words were rolling around in my head. I hated puzzles. I’d never liked them. I thought I’d figured out Jamie’s puzzle but now there was another puzzle. When would it end.

            “Okay, the most important bit is the press brief we have this afternoon. They’ll bring in you and some of the lads to talk about you as a coach,” Keeley told me, writing down some notes.

            “What will they be asking?” I questioned, trying to look over her shoulder.

            “Oi don’t be looking over my shoulder,” she reprimanded, shouldering me away. I pouted, crossing my arms over my chest. “They’ll ask you probably your normal annoying questions about being a woman, but also about the team and such.”

I grumbled. “I didn’t hear them asking Pep what it was like being bald why do I have to talk about being a woman.”

            “That’s because no one cares what it’s like being bald,” Keeley pointed out, giggling. “Being a woman is actually interesting.”

            “Is it really?” I rolled my eyes. “So, uh… what guys will be coming to talk about me?”

Keeley hummed as she flipped her notebook shut. “I dunno, I was gonna ask to see who wanted to later. Do you have anyone in mind?”

Yeah. Yeah, I did. “No, I don’t want to force anyone to do it.”

            “Sure. And Ted is gonna introduce you, of course.”

            “And this is all happening tomorrow?” I pushed out of my chair. I’d already waisted the whole day, I at least wanted to get to the end of training.

            “Yup!” Keeley smiled at me. “Don’t stress, you’re gonna be great.”

I shot her a sarcastic smile. “Oh yeah, I’m gonna love it. It’s gonna be amazing.”

…

Later that night, I was resting in Jamie’s lap. I felt goosebumps spreading over my body as Jamie’s hand stroked my stomach lazily. On the TV, an episode of New Girl that I’d seen hundreds of times played but I wasn’t really paying attention.

            “Jamie…” He hummed, letting me know he was listening. “Did they tell you about this… Coach of the Month thing?”

His face broke out into a smile as he looked down at me. “Yeah, it’s great, innit? So, fucking proud of you.” He tightened his grip around my waist, shaking me proudly.

I found myself blushing at his praise. Even though I thought it was kind of stupid, Jamie being proud of me was affecting my happiness a little too much.

            “Yeah… I guess… I don’t know what I think about it,” I admitted, rolling so I was looking up at him. He cocked his head, motioning me to continue. “I guess, I just don’t know if it’s because I’m a good coach or if it’s because I’m a woman or whatever.”

Jamie scrunched up his face pursing his lips in confusion. “What… why would they do that?

            “I don’t know to make themselves look better?” I sighed, lifting myself off his lap and leaning forward. I ran a hand through my hair. “I just… I’m not sure I’m ready to go out in front of all those people and talk about myself.”

Jamie leaned forward so his shoulder was touching mine, stretching his neck so he could try and rest it on my shoulder.

            “What are you doing?” I asked, looking over at him.

            “’m trying to comfort you, you daft idiot,” he explained, rubbing his cheek on your shoulder.

            “You’re acting like a cat,” I crowed, trying to push him off of me. But he wrapped his arm around mine arm pulling me into him, rubbing his cheek all over my shoulder and neck. “Stop!”

He grabbed my legs and pulled them up into his lap, pulling me so I was sitting on him.

            “Look, whatever happens tomorrow, just know that me,” he pressed his cheek into mine. “And the rest of the lads know how amazing you are. Not just as a coach but as a person. But especially as a coach.”

I giggled, pressing back into him. “What about you Jamie? How are you feeling about playing Man City this week?’

He shrugged. “My stats level up against Man City. They’ve played well this year but we’ve got the ability to win.”

            “No, Jamie… I mean,” I turned around, so I was facing him, my legs now straddling his waist. “How do you feel, like you.”

He frowned, his nose scrunching up in a way that was far too cute for one man. “I feel… uh… I feel fine.”

I reached up and rubbed the space between his eyes. “I don’t think you do babes, you’re gonna give yourself wrinkles.”

He rolled his eyes, leaning his neck back. His neck was so exposed, it was so tempting to just… lean forward and kiss his Adam’s apple. I looked up and decided to play a little bit. I leaned forward and kissed him, right on the bottom of his neck where the skin sunk in a little bit. He hummed, the vibrations tickling my mouth.

            “Jamie, baby,” I murmured, kissing up his neck, finally finding his Adam’s apple. He groaned in response. “C’mon, I want you to talk to me.”

            “Can’t talk when you’re kissing me like that,” he croaked, his voice deep and gravely. So, I stopped, pulling away from him completely. “Hey! Wait!”

I started to slide off of him, but he wrapped his hands around my waist and yanked me closer to him. He buried his head in my neck kissing me furiously. I shrieked grabbing onto his hair to tug him back.

            “Jamie, if you talk to me I’ll give you the best blow job of your life,” you waggled your eyebrows at him.

He whined, cracking his neck back and forth before slouching back. “I feel… fine. I guess. Haven’t heard from me dad in a while. It’s not like… I’m afraid he’s gonna be there but not knowing is worse.” I nodded at him, rubbing his collarbones. “But fuckin’ Zava’s probably gonna take the attention anyways.”

I gave him a sympathetic smile. “Well, it’s okay to be worried about your dad but… we’re at home. We’re on your turf. He doesn’t even need to be allowed in if you don’t want.”

            “I’m not gonna ban me dad,” Jamie grumbled. “I just… want to know.”

I nodded again. I gave him a satisfied smile before pulling him down into me to make good on my promise.

He wanted to stay over that night, but I insisted that I wanted to maintain my regular routine for the next day. But laying in my bed that night, staring up at the fan, I wished he was there with me.

I arrived at the club early. Like 6:30am early. The groundskeeper had barely arrived by the time I got there. But I was nervous. I’d been able to avoid press conferences, manage photo events and stay in my lane for the most part but today it was all on me. And why was I wasting a day doing this when we had out Man City game this weekend, I’ll never know.

            “Oh, my god, how long have you been here?” Keeley asked, handing me a coffee as she walked into the press room.

            “Since 6:30, I couldn’t sleep,” I told her accepting the drink gratefully.

Keeley clicked her tongue at me soothingly. “It’s gonna be alright, you’ve got this. I just want you to be yourself up there, yeah? We’re starting with the photo shoot first today, the press conference will be this afternoon, when the boys are free.”

And that came faster than I expected. After a long day of cameras and poking and prodding I was left staring at the door of the press room. I could practically hear it, the flashing of the cameras, I could feel it, the stares of the journalists waiting for me to slip up, waiting for their next scoop. Ted was in there right now, talking me up. I picked at my thumbs, trying to steady my breath but I was struggling to find it. I felt like my head was buzzing, and that my heart was moving at a thousand beats per second. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to drown out the now blinding florescent lights.

Suddenly arms were wrapping around me, holding me so tight. “Hey, it’s okay, I got you.”

Jamie. I immediately latched onto him. I didn’t care if we were in public, I didn’t care if someone from the press room got a peak at this, all I cared about was Jamie’s steady heartbeat helping me regain my control.

            “There you go,” He murmured, lips brushing against my temple. “Just breath, love.” I did as he instructed, finally finding the control of my breathing. I let myself blink my eyes open and look up at Jamie. He smiled at me, brushing some of the hair out of my face. “There she is.”

            “Hi, Jamie,” I squeaked at him, resting my chin on his chest.

            “You know it’s kinda nice seeing you be the needy one for once,” he said to you.

I gaped at him, scoffing. “Don’t say that, I’m having a panic attack and you’re gloating?”

            “I gotta take it where I can find it,” He chuckled. Then he leaned down and kissed my temple, his lips lingering there. “You’re gonna be amazing in there.”

            “What if I’m not… what they want?” I croaked. “What if I mess up or do something stupid.”

            “It would be right funny if you did that!” You gasped and hit his chest. “Hey! That hurt. I’m just sayin that you could become a meme.”

            “Jamie!”

            “Alright, alright, jus’ there’s no way they won’t want you cause… I mean you’re everything there is to want,” Jamie noted, as if it was easy, as if it was simple.

I felt that breathless feeling again but this time it wasn’t because of panic, it was because of Jamie. I smiled with my lips tucked, looking between his eyes before reaching up and kissing him. He kissed me tenderly, softly. In a way that made me hum in contentment. I probably would have stayed like that if it weren’t for the next intrusion.

            “Oi!” Roy’s voice made us jump apart. “If the two of you want to keep this a secret, then you better stop kissing in the fucking hallway.” He growled as he marched towards us. “Tartt, go get changed you’re gotta be in there in 5 minutes.”

I looked over at Jamie surprised. “You’re coming to talk about me?”

            “Obviously?” He stated, rolling his eyes. “Even if we weren’t dating, you’d still be my best friend.” I just about melted at that one.

            “Uuuuuugggggghhhhhhhhh,” Roy groaned loudly, grabbing Jamie by the arm and starting to drag him down the hallway. “Good luck, (Y/N).”

I laughed, covering my face as I watched them go. Then the door to the press room opened and Keeley poke her head out.

            “You ready, babes?”

I watched Jamie disappear into the locker room and I felt that tell-tale flutter in my chest. I felt okay. I was going to be okay.

            “Yeah, let’s do it.”

She pulled me into the room as Ted was finishing up his speech.

            “(Y/N) (L/N) has overcome incredible odds. And she has done it with a smile. So, without further ado, it is my honor to present you with (Y/N) (L/N)!”

I walked up on the stage to scattered applause. I waved hesitantly sitting down in front of the microphone. As I did, they all flooded the stage putting up their own recording devices. My eyes darted around the room at the different reporters until they landed on the back of the room where Rebecca, Higgins, Trent, and Keeley stood. I nodded at them, glad to have some friendly faces in the room.  

            “Uh… hi! I’m (Y/N) (L/N)…” I started, looking around to focus on someone. How did Ted do this? “I’m happy to be chosen as the Premier League’s Coach of the Month. Uh… does anyone have any questions?’ Immediately the room exploded as all their hands raised up. “Um okay you, in the front row.”

            “Hi Ms. (Y/N)-“

            “It’s Coach (L/N).”

            “As a woman, what do you think the league can do to work on intersectionality across the teams?”

I furrowed my eyes brows. “That question doesn’t even make sense.”  

Again, the hands raised, everyone calling out my name. I pointed to someone in the back.

            “Coach, do you think being a woman has enhanced your ability to coach men or made it more difficult to understand the difficulties of being men in sports?”

            “That’s like two questions shoved into one and the answer is no.”

            “Coach (L/N), when you applied for the job here at Richmond did you do it to prove a point?”

            “What? That’s not-“

            “Where do you think the feature of the league is in terms of gender equality?”

This was going about as well as I thought it was going to be. I let out a frustrated sigh as they continued to shout questions at me. In the back of the room a door opened and in walked Colin, Sam, and Jamie. Colin waved at me, crossing his arms at his space in the back. I looked across the back of the room, at Ted and Keeley, Colin and Sam, and Jamie. The people in my life that made this possible. That made me possible.

            “Okay, okay, everyone listen up,” I announced, hitting my hand on the table. The room went quiet. I shot Keeley an apologetic glance before taking a deep breath. “Listen, I didn’t take this job because I wanted to make some big statement about feminism or gender inequality or intersectionality. I took the job because I wanted to play football for money, just like any of the lads on the team.”

“And if you really cared about gender equality, you’d be talking to the many female coaches that coach the women’s league. Or the many female players? Why don’t we talk about the wage inequality when the women win more games? That’s what you should be asking me about!”

I leaned back in my chair and looked around the room. The reporters were all silent until one, Marcus Adebayo, raised his hand.

            “Yeah, Marcus,” I called on him.

            “Coach (L/N), how do you feel about Richmond’s chances against Man City on this weekend?” He asked, pen at the ready.

I paused for a second, let out a huff. “Thank you, you know Man City has kept us down for a long time, but I think our chances look good.”

…

Our chances were not good. The game was bad play after bad play, the boys were just not at their best. You wanted to blame it on Zava, the bastard decided to retire without telling anyone and didn’t even show up to the game. It was depressing and everyone felt it.

            “Yeah… it was tough out there today,” I said to the reporter after the game.

            “You are Premiere League’s Coach of the Month; do you feel like there was something more you could have done to secure this win?” The reporter asked bluntly.

            “That’s somewhat of a redundant question. I’m an assistant coach. I do the best I can, but the boys are the ones who need to win, and they just didn’t have it today.” I replied, shrugging. “That’s all I have time for, sorry.”

I left the reporters with a small smile and started towards the locker room running a hand through my hair. This had been tough, and Keeley hadn’t been able to show up. Something about Shandy and a baby lamb and a lot of poop. I’m sure I’d hear about it more later.  But for now, I walked into the depressing atmosphere that was the locker room.

I looked around the room, the boys sat silently in their despair. Jamie sat on the floor in front of his cubby like he did when he was upset. I glanced over at Bead and Roy who gave me a pair of sad smiles back. I looked over at Zava’s empty cubbies and frowned. I hated Zava. To come here and bring these boys hope then abandon them without a word I’d never be able to forgive him for that.

            “Gentlemen, Hey,” Ted Emerged from the office. “That was a tought on tonight. Okay? Man City has still got our number. That… that’s all right.” The boys murmured a sad response. “We’re gonna get another crack at them later in the season. Uh-huh. Coach,” He addressed Beard. “No practice tomorrow yeah?”

            “That’s right”

            “Okay, well, I’ll see y’all on Monday,” Ted finished starting to turn around.

            “Hey, hey. Hey Coach!” Sam spoke up. “What about Zava? He quit the team.”

I looked back over at Ted, wondering the same question myself. Ted sputtered a moment before answering. “Technically he retired from the whole sport, which does make it feel a little less personal, yeah? You know, like if, uh, your girlfriend runs off with some dude and it turns out they were soul mates.”

Again the boys grumbled a response, something about Gina Gershon was in the mix but it was mostly positive. I thought Ted might end it there, but he didn’t.

            “Look. I hear you, okay? Zava is gone. And You what? I think it’s a good thing.” I perked up, interested to see where he was going with this. “Well, I do! Okay, look. Do I wanna win? Heck yeah? But I also wanna do it with folks that wanna be here.” I nodded, agreeing with his sentiment. “It’s not like we could handcuff him to his locker and make him love us.”

            “We could have tried,” Dani cried from his spot. I could help but let out a chuckle, knowing that he really meant it.

            “Hey, guys, look,” Ted regained their attention. “We got a good thing going here. Alright? We didn’t need Zava. Yeah?” Ted looked over at Jamie who nodded. I felt my heart warm knowing Ted was using Jamie’s words to encourage the team. “All we need to win are the fellas in this room right now. And all you fellas need to do is believe it.”

Just as he spoke the believe sign behind him fell, the torn pieces revealing themselves. The boys all starting clamoring shouting in fear.

            “It’s a sign!” Bumbercatch shouted.

            “That’s it. We’re doomed,” Colin agreed.

In the moment it was hard to disagree with them. Things hadn’t been great recently. And this just felt like the final nail in the coffin.

            “Hey, knock it off, okay? We’re not doomed. No one is doomed,” Ted putting his hands up to calm everyone. “But, Bumbercatch, yes, you’re right. It is a sign. I agree.” He took down the two pieces and ripped them in half. I felt myself reaching out to stop him, not even knowing I was doing it, but surprisingly, Jamie’s hand on my leg stopped me. I looked down at him and he nodded towards Ted. “Belief doesn’t just happen cause you hang something up on a wall. Alright? It comes from in here.” He pointed at his chest. “And up here,” at his head, “ and down here.” At his stomach.

“Only problem is, we all got so much junk floating through us, a lot of time we end up getting in our own way. You crap like envy, or fear, or shame.” I swallowed hard, biting my lip. I knew he was right, I’d been letting my fear and shame of who I was get in the way of my happiness. Of my abilities as a coach. “I don’t wanna mess around with that shit anymore. Do you?”

We all shook our heads, some of the lads responding with a ‘no’, or a ‘no, coach’

“No, me neither. Hell no.  Well, you know what I wanna mess around with? The belief that I matter, you know? Regardless of what I do or don’t achieve. Or the belief that we all deserbe to be loved. Whether we’ve been hurt or maybe we’ve hurt somebody else.”

“Or what about the belief of hope? Yeah? That’s what I wanna mess with. Believing that things can get better. That I can get better. That we will get better. Oh, man. To believe in yourself. To believe in one another. Man, that’s… that’s fundamental to being alive. And look. If you can do that, if each of you can truly do that…” He ripped the sign in half again. “Can’t nobody rip that apart.”

With that he walked over to the middle divider and slapped the ripped-up sign down on top of it.

“See y’all, Monday?”

The whole team responded with a ‘Yes, Coach’ before turning back to their cubbies to get ready to leave. But I stayed there. Staring at the broken sign. I wanted to believe. I needed to believe. And this team, these people, they helped me believe. Come what may, this whole room had my back.

…

I was still thinking about it as I arrived home that night. I didn’t expect Jamie to come over, it’d been a long day and he was waking up early still to do extra training. So, when he knocked on my door, I was surprised.

            “Jamie? What are you doing here.” I asked him, pulling him inside.

            “I wanna tell people about us,” He answered quickly. My eyes widened. “I know why you’ve been wanting to keep it a secret and I get that; I do. But… what Ted said today I just… I believe in us. I believe in you making me a better person and I don’t… I don’t want to hide that anymore.”

I stared at him, unsure of how to respond. I didn’t know if I was ready yet for the whole world to know. For ours to become theirs. I loved Jamie, I really did but what if it changed too much. Or worse, what if people tore us apart. Luckily Jamie continued speaking before I could answer.

            “You don’t have to decide right now. I just wanted to put it out there.” He nodded at me before leaning down and kissing my cheek. “Alright, I’m gonna go now.”

And he was out the door.

Fuck.

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