#Bank of Big Sis

[rennemichaels]

I fix stuff, problem solve and know things for the whole family. Why, yes, I am the oldest daughter, and also the first born.

another shitty thing about being the eldest daughter who based her worth on academics and how useful she can be to others is that it physically hurts to ask for help even when we desperately need it. it's an internalized belief that we should we able to figure out everything on our own and it sucks

[lovingfacewerewolfsblog]

[gghostwriter]

Death of a Love Affair

Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

Summary: The three times you understood and the final time you couldn’t.

Warning: angst with no happy ending

A/n: this felt oddly personal to me this is my first time writing in the Y/N perspective and in a one shot format so please be kind. I kinda left a possibly for p2, not sure about that yet, but let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in!

Main masterlist || Part 2A (happy end) || Part 2B (sad end)

The first time it happened, you completely understood. 

You had an inkling as to what you were getting into when you started dating a 187 genius who graduated at a young age and who was scouted straight from college by the FBI. It wasn’t hard to comprehend these external circumstances mixed with his internal need to prove himself worthy of belonging with the big boys would result in missed personal events. It was a given, you expected it.

You just didn’t count on him missing your graduation. After all, he gave his word that he’ll be there to see you walk the stage and receive your diploma. He promised you and yet, as you scanned the crowd of loved ones hugging the attendees, there was no sign of his tie wearing, button up lithe form weaving through the crowd, no sign of his slicked hair, meticulously tucked behind his ears and no sign his doe eyed hazel eyes shining with pride as you joined the ranks of adulthood and unemployment.

You reach for your phone, now finally free from the nerves and adrenaline of going up the stage, with a single unread message from the one you wished to be here with you.

I’m sorry, angel. There’s a case and Gideon needs me. 

You sighed with a mild smile sprouting on your glossed lips as you sent back a reply.

No worries! We can celebrate when you get back. Be safe, I love you.

“Oh honey, I’m so proud of you!” Your mom exclaimed, reaching for a hug. “You graduated and with so many achievements—I mean look at all these cords hanging around your neck!”

You laughed as you stepped out from her warm embrace and watched joyful tears gather under her eyes. “Thanks, Mom! Hopefully all these cords help me get a job soon, huh, or else I’ll be moving back home with you.”

“Oh honey, stop joking! As if I wouldn’t welcome you back with open arms,” she quipped back. 

A hand holding a bouquet of flowers shot up to your face. It was a bundle of your favorite, carnations, in ranges of different colors. 

“Congratulations, lil sis,” your older brother, Trevor, breathed out. “Do I get a hug too or is that just for Mom?” 

You giggled as you stepped into his arms, happy to be sharing this moment with your ever loving protector of a brother, no matter how busy he might be as a head chef for his own highly rated restaurant.

“Hey big brother, thanks for being here,” you mumbled in his tight grasp. “Did you pass along my invite to Dad?” 

You felt him subtly shake his head causing your smile to slightly falter. You knew better than to expect the man who gifted you half of his genes to show up—a workaholic, absentee of a father whose love language was to deposit checks to your bank account from his fattened pockets as a lawyer for the rich. It was the cause of your parents’ separation when you were five years old. The matriarch tired from taking up the mantle as both the paternal and maternal figure for both you and your brother. Your mother exhausted from repeatedly believing broken promises uttered to herself and to her babies.

Having seen first hand how each lie wrapped as an oath chipped a piece of the loving and bright woman who gave birth to you and your brother, you vowed to never let that happen to you. It was a cautionary tale engrained in your mind. A fable—a curse really and in hindsight, you should have seen the markings of history repeating itself.

“Now, where is your nerdy pipe cleaner of a boyfriend?” He asked as he scanned around the vicinity for a sight of Spencer.

You shrugged, genuinely alright with your FBI agent of a boyfriend missing this milestone in your life. “Duty called. But that’s okay, we’ll celebrate when he gets back.” 

A pair of eyes, similar to yours, inquisitively studied you as if making sure there was no hidden hurt behind those words uttered. “If you say so,” he stated, turning to your mother who was smiling at the both of you—her greatest treasures. “Mom, let’s get out of here. I had John prep the kitchen for a feast.” 

You and your mom chattered excitedly at the passenger back seat as Trevor backed the four-door navy sedan out of the parking and drove off to his restaurant for the promised lunch graduation.

———

It was well into the night as you were settling in bed when the tell-tale signs of the main door being unlocked echoed through the dark green walls of his apartment. 

“Spence?” You called out, letting him know that you were there instead of in your own apartment, 30 minutes away. 

More shuffling was heard before the object of your love and affection rounded the bedroom door with a set of his own flowers on hand. He breathed out your name in reverence as he went for a kiss, pleased that he had still caught you awake.

“Congratulations, my love,” he smiled as he pulled away from your soft lips. “These are for you and I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.” 

You smiled back, gladly accepting his apologies and flowers. “It’s all good, Spence. I know how demanding your job is. I missed you.” 

“I missed you too. I told Gideon and Hotch that’ll I’ll be unavailable this weekend. It’s just you and me,” he said as he went in for another kiss, unable to resist any longer. Not long after, his outside clothes and your sleepwear were strewn all around the bedroom floor as both your bodies merged into one and reached a mutual crescendo with your gasps and his groans as the choir. 

***

The second time, you moderately understood.

You noted that the BAU was back in full swing with Gideon being brought back to the saddle after what happened in Boston. As his birthday treat, you both agreed to fly in for the weekend to Vegas to visit his mother at the facility. He never would have gone alone should it not have been for your enthusiasm to come with. You loved talking to Diana about Spencer’s childhood during her good days and you also loved being in her presence still even when she was lost in her teaching past—acting out as a student as you got to hear her lectures about literature. 

The bustling at the airport had you tip toeing up to catch a sight of Spencer, your flight departing in about an hour. It was a late Friday afternoon, travelers were piling in for a weekend trip, and he promised to head straight from the Bureau to the airport to meet you by the entrance. Your head swiveled from left to right, biting your lip as the minutes ticked by with no sign of your boyfriend running towards you.

The phone in your jean pocket rang and your heart slightly dropped at the sight of the caller ID.

“Hey pretty boy,” you greeted, naively wishing that this phone call wasn’t a bearer of bad news. “Are you almost at the airport?” 

There were muffled voices heard in the background. “Uhm—actually—”

You sighed, understanding what he wanted to say. “There’s a case,” you stated as a matter of fact. “It’s alright, Spence. I’ll tell your mom something popped up. No worries.” 

“You—you don’t have to go alone. We can always reschedule,” he suggested, the timber of his voice going up an octave as if he was in a panic at the idea of disappointing you.

“You and I both know Diana’s excited about this trip,” you chuckled as you recalled how her doctor had described his mother’s face lighting up every time she was reminded of the visit. “I’ll go and spend some time with her. Maybe even get her to tell me more embarrassing childhood stories about her perfect boy.”

He lightly laughed at your joke to ease the tension and remorse he was feeling. “I could have told you all of it if you just asked.”

“Well, does it include pictures of you too?” You teased as you were checking in at the counter.

There was a stern voice calling for his name in the background, it was Hotch, you silently guessed. 

“Listen, I have to go. The team is about to give the profile,” he rushed out to inform you. “I’ll see you when we both get back. I love you.” 

The call ended without so much of a chance for you to say it back.

As the plane got ready to take off, your mood continued to further dampen. He promised to go—to you and to his own mother via the phone. An ivy seed of doubt was planted in your mind. Did he try to excuse himself from the case to his boss as some sort of birthday gift? It really didn’t work that way, you knew, with how of a high demand his job is but still, you wondered if his team was informed about the plans for this weekend or were they purposely kept out of the loop. That notion wouldn’t surprise you at the slightest, thinking back. The profilers weren’t even aware of his mother’s state and condition. Hell, they didn’t even know that you existed, a girlfriend of two years, until well into his first year at the BAU. 

Deep down you grasped why he keeps Diana a secret. You were aware of the shame and embarrassment he felt for himself, having had to have her institutionalized by the time he reached the age of eighteen. You got that, didn’t mean you understood it but nonetheless, you respected his decision and was even proud of him for reaching out for professional help no matter how much he viewed that action of his cowardly. But what you weren’t really privy to was really why your relationship was kept in the dark. It could have saved him from Morgan’s incessant ribbing of his inability to pick up women.

During one night where your insecurities got the best of you, you asked in a small voice if he was ashamed of the relationship. He vehemently denied it, repeatedly saying that he just wanted to have a secret solace—a happy home to return to that was untouched by the worst human terrors that he encounters on the daily. That was what you were, he explained, a sunlit luscious reprieve filled with flowers and laughter where he could rest his weary bones from the ravaging, dark waves. His own piece of heaven here on earth. He then kissed your fears away that night, hugged you tight into his chest—the vibrations from his humming lulling you to slumber.

———

“I always knew it would take a special girl to understand my special boy,” Diana mused out loud as you plated a slice of cake for her. 

You blushed, sitting down beside her with your own. “He’s perfect. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else.” 

She affectionately combed through your hair, similar to how her son would. “Thank you. For visiting and being understanding of his erratic schedule.”

“It’s no problem at all, Diana. I love him, I knew what I was getting into when we started dating.” You stated as the ivy seed of doubt sprouted in your mind—did you really? Did you really understand what you were getting into?

***

The third time, you still tried to understand.

There you were surrounded by the purest celebration of love and matrimony, sans your long-haired, sweater vest wearing plus one. Your brother was getting married to the love of his life, vowing himself to be with her for better, for worse and your other half was in another state catching criminals. Fiddling with the diamond engagement ring adorning your finger, you recalled how you ended up alone, dateless, in this joyous occasion. 

You RSVP’ed with a date when the invitation arrived four months ago. Your brother even calling in to make sure that he, your well-celebrated FBI fiancée, will be able to attend a month before the wedding. You internally scoffed at his repeated checking but in retrospect, maybe he saw the end well before you did. You promised to him, as Spencer did to you, that he’ll be available to watch the union and to save all the slow dances with him. But the day before the wedding, the phone rang for a case in Dallas and you knew what it meant. Without so much of a fight, you kissed him goodbye by the door of his now shared apartment and let the dreary silence enveloped you as you think of how to inform your brother of the new change without hearing the pity and patronization in his voice. 

Nursing a glass of red wine, you watched your brother dance with his newly wedded wife and in your peripheral, you spotted your mother approaching you at the table. 

“Now why are you being such a sourpuss during this festive event?” She chimed out as she pulled a chair beside you. “You should be out there, dancing and getting to know our new extended family.” 

You shrugged, unsure on what to say. She was right, of course. All the guests were enjoying themselves and basking in the warm, infectious glow of the happy couple but you didn’t have the courage in you to mask the despondent emotions inside of you.

Your mother sighed and took your left hand in hers. “You know, when your dad and I were going through the proceedings of the divorce, I had moments when I wanted to back out from it. I loved your father, still holds a piece of my heart till this day, and I thought the small moments of happiness when he was around would be enough to tied me through the days when he wasn’t. I thought those times and our love for you kids were sufficient to keep our love from wilting. If I poured out affection and devotion to the home we once built, it wouldn’t crumble surely. But you know what I forgot—”

You turned to face her somber eyes, looking into yours as if searching for something that seemed to no longer be there. 

“—I forgot to take care of myself. I gave a pieces of me away so willing and so many times that when I reached the end of the marriage, I no longer knew who I was. Where the piece of me started and where it ended. You’re withering, my flower. The vibrant life that I once longed to protect in your eyes is slowly dying. I don’t want you to reach the finish line and not know how you got up there. How you ended up giving all yourself away with not a flower bud left to blossom just for you.” 

You felt your hackles rise to defend the relationship. In hindsight, this was you denying the truth that was staring you right in the face. “It’s not like that with Spencer, Mom. It’s just—the job is hectic and it’s been his forever dream. He had finally started to gain his footing when Gideon and Elle left and then the kidnapping happened and that pushed his progress back a bit. But he’s getting there now. We’re stabilizing and we had a discussion—there’s less broken promises. It’s just that this recent case in Dallas was urgent and they needed the team to solve crime. I don’t want to take him away from the country and the people who needs his help and from his dream of solving crimes. I love him, Mom, in all of his entirety and he deserves all the respect and understanding from me as his partner.” 

She squeezed the hand in hers—the left hand adorning the ring, the material manifestation of his vow to you that you had happily accepted. “I‘ve grown fond of Spencer. I see him as another son of mine but darling, sometimes the love you feel for each other is not enough. A relationship takes continuous work—a task that both individuals must pull in the effort and prioritize. Just think about it,” she stated as she stood up. “Now, no more of this depressing talk and this serious energy from you. Go around, dance with your brother, and enjoy.” 

You mustered up a smile as you proceeded to do just what you were told until your feet were sore from all the dancing. But no matter the joyous occasion, it didn’t stop the realization in the form of ivy from taking roots and slowly covering all corners of your mind. 

***

And the final time, you could no longer understand.

The grandfather clock stationed at the corner of the dimly lit apartment struck at two. Your figure was still dressed in your purple fitted dress as you waited for your soon-to-be other half to walk through the door. It was another night of getting your hopes up and broken promises and you were no longer sure how much you could take before the love you held in your heart festers and turns into resentment. 

You promised yourself you’d never be in a situation that you had seen your mother once be in. You became the careful daughter of a careless man who gave little to no effort to cherish the love a woman had freely given to him. You thought with all your cautiousness and logical thinking, the mistakes of the mother would never be repeated. That was naive thinking—you realized now. By actively being aware of the past, you’d forgotten to look ahead and fell deep into the pitfalls of doing the same as your mother did.

Spencer once mentioned that there was a high divorce rate in his line of duty. How he worried and vowed that you both will never join that rate. And that was a promise he’ll be able to keep, you scoffed to yourself, as you spun the ring on the table.

Another shared piece of information floated to the forefront of your mind. How Haley had recently served Hotch, his unit chief divorce papers. You’ve grown close with her over the years, being the only two constant partners to someone working in the BAU. You’ve seen first hand all the missed milestones in Haley’s and Jack’s life as her husband flew around the country with the cavalry, saving the innocent one case at a time. Never taking the time to realize that the once solid foundation of their marriage was crumbling down with every flight he took. Similar to what was happening in the doctor’s own home. 

A set of keys unlatched the mahogany door and a fresh batch of florals were the first that entered through, followed by Spencer looking sheepish as he noted your presence by the sofa. “Angel, I’m so sorry I missed your promotion dinner.” 

Silence greeted him as he stumbled to get to where you were. “Carnations for you.” 

Tears started to form under your eyes. You didn’t want to break but the reality of your decision was setting in. You wanted to falter, to change your mind, to give him another chance but you knew you couldn’t. You’ve given too much of your understanding away and you doubted you have any more to give to this beautiful man who once promised to make you his top priority. 

“I can’t accept them, Spencer.” 

His eyebrows furrowed and his body tensing as if sensing the finality behind your words. “Why not? They’re your favorite.” 

“They are but—” you took a deep breath, steeling your resolve. “—I think we should stop.” 

“W-what? No. No, please,” he stammered out as his own set of tears started flooding his eyes, blurring you from his vision. “I’m sorry I missed the dinner. I’ll make it up to you—I promise just—”

The dam of your emotions broke causing you to freely sob out all the sadness and anger that had collected in your heart. “I’m tired, Spencer. You can’t promise anything to me anymore. You’ve broken so many promises that you’ll only end up breaking them again.” 

He took your hands into his, letting the bouquet fall crushed on the hardwood floor, recognizing the ring missing in your finger. “This time, this time it’ll be different. Please, don’t leave me.” 

“The country needs you, the BAU needs you. But I need you too, Spencer. I love you, I really do but I can’t be your third priority anymore. I don’t deserve that—don’t I deserve to come first before the country and the job?” 

He tightened his hold on your hands as if afraid that you were slipping through his fingers, denying the reality that you already had. “I love you so much. I don’t want to live without you by my side. Tell me how to fix this. Do you want me to leave the BAU? I’ll—I’ll do it, just stay with me, please.” 

You shook your head. “I don’t want you to leave the FBI. Your ambition and integrity is one of the facets that I loved about you and you might end up resenting me down the line if you leave now. It’s not yet your time to leave the BAU, you and I both know that,” you pulled your hands away and slid the ring in front of him. “This belongs to you, I’m giving it back.” 

His shoulder caved in on itself, the weight of it all too much for him to carry. “I don’t want this to be our end. I just don’t.” 

“I don’t want this too, but I need to,” you whispered as your hand reached out to push shoulder length hair out of the way. “Maybe this isn’t the end. Maybe in the future we’d meet again and continue the pages of our love story but for now, I have to do this Spencer. I can’t keep giving a piece of me every time your top priority needs you, I’ll end up hating you if I stay.” 

You leaned in for one final kiss. A salty, tear filled kiss of death to a future you had once envisioned with the beautiful boy before you. A white picket fence with children laughing at the backyard—the American dream fading into nothing as you start to pull away.

“Goodbye for now, Spencer.”

He stared at all the curves and dips in your face one last time as if etching every detail into his already perfect memory.

“Goodbye for now, Y/N.”

[chilumi-shipper]

A prompt came into mind.. up to you if you're interested.

So, character and reader got married but character cheated because he said he doesn't love the reader anymore. They're technically done, but haven't finished doing the divorce files (because it's expensive and takes a long long time). But.. character got into an accident.. which made him forget everything that happened recently, and only remember the days he loved the reader. Reader's conflicted, the mistress that character has doesn't know what to do either. Character was confused on why he would marry anyone else when he has the reader fo begin with.

I think this fits your styles.

Btw, I LOVE ALL YOUR STORIES! I RE-READ THEM EVERYDAY-

Someone Better

Childe x Fem!Reader

Summary: Childe was a wild spirit, so when he got bored of your relationship, he sought the excitement of another woman. You were heartbroken, ultimately asking for a divorce. But just as your connection was almost severed, he got into an accident, losing every memory of his infidelity and returning to the man that made you fall in love him.

Tags: Cheating, Amnesia, Pining, Angst/No Comfort

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

You were staring at the tremendous amount of divorce paperwork sitting on the desk of your hotel room.

It was very complicated, five years of marriage with joined insurance, property, bank accounts, and now you have to meticulously separate all your joined assets, all while constantly on the verge of a breakdown.

Not to mention you had no family to stay with in Snezhnaya. There's absolutely no one you could talk to about everything, you've left your homeland thinking your future in the cold nation with the love of your life would be nothing less that fantasy.

As you rest your head on the desk and closed your eyes tightly to ease the headache, your ears perk up as loud knocks hit your door.

With a groan, you got up and opened it to reveal your two of Childe's older siblings.

"He's looking for you." The older sister said, Alevtina, her seriousness evident, looking at you somewhat panicked.

"I know, big si-" I paused for a moment, closing my eyes and rubbing my temples. "I'm working on the assets, I'll send it as soon as possible."

"No." The chilly tone of the older brother, Alexei, sent shivers down your spine. "You need to come with us."

...

"Big sister Y/N is here?" You hear Teucer's innocent voice as you enter their home. The younger children laid their eyes on you, seemingly eager to come closer, but perhaps they've been told that now would not be the time.

"Honey... Thank you for coming..." Their mother embraced you warmly, still accepting you with motherly affection. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry..."

"Mama, has he calmed down?" Alexei asked from behind you.

Your mother-in-law parts from you slightly, looking at you tenderly. "She will definitely help."

You put your confusion and questions aside, seeing the somewhat tense air within the house.

"Stop staring." You weren't looking at him, but you felt his eyes watching you set down a tray of soup and medicine on his bedside table.

Childe lets out a chuckle. "Sorry, love, I can't help it..." His eyes never faltered, containing a look of admiration that you've been unfamiliar with for so long.

"After the avalanche, I got a pretty bad head injury. When I woke up, you were the first thing on my mind. And when Mama said you weren't here with me, I freaked out."

You sat down on a chair next to his bed, your eyes observing the bandages wrapped around his head. "What did the doctor say about your injury?"

"I'm gonna get some very bad headaches, and I also got a bit of amnesia, I think." Childe looks as if he's in thought. "Do I seem like I forgot something?"

"Maybe some things..."

"But I love you just the same! So I bet what I forgot wasn't even that important!"

...How cruel.

Having to take care of the man that broke you apart, even worse, a version of him that you loved too much to despise.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

It was painful, staying with him.

Childe would keep you close, call you his different pet names, cuddle up to you, all while you were under the pitiful gaze of his family that knew of his infidelity.

On the other hand, he's been feeling the cold responses his advances have been receiving. But to him, he thinks he can solve it by smothering you in more of his love.

He is pretty observant, he's put it two in two together that he may be missing a memory in which he had done something wrong. He just didn't know how much it had hurt.

Though, not only from you, Childe had also felt that his younger siblings seem distant as well, no longer asking him to play snow games outside, or looking up to him as some sort of hero.

One early morning, when he walks up to the kitchen to see you cooking for the whole family, a smile formed on his face.

He steps closer, wrapping his muscular arms around your waist. "Hmmm... Morning, honey..." He basks in the feeling of you.

You remain quiet, letting him do as he pleases. The ginger frowns, however, feeling unsatisfied by your lack of reaction.

"Babyyyy... Loveee meee backkkk..." He whines, nuzzling his face on your neck.

"Ajax, come on..." You stifled a laugh, moving slightly away as his action tickled you. He hears the slight giggle of your words, smiling against your skin.

You compose yourself, pushing him away from you. "Stop." He lets you push him away, and you feel him freeze slightly at the harshness of your tone.

His blue eyes looked at you worried. "...Hey," He starts. "I'm sorry, darling, did you not like that?"

With a sigh, you looked down. "When the others wake up, tell them I already made breakfast. I have somewhere to be."

You walk pass him, but you did not miss the hurt tone of the faint call of your name.

...

You come back to his family's home after doing some more paperwork for the divorce that your husband doesn't even remember, feeling your head pounding as you ready yourself to face him again.

What you don't expect to see this late at night is Childe sitting on the porch with a lantern next to him, his head hung low as if he's thinking deeply.

"Childe?"

He looks up, but he frowns at you. "Ajax, darling..." He reminds you.

Standing up, he pulls you into his warm embrace. "I love you... I missed you..."

His words take you aback, as you reluctantly wrap your arms around him.

"I've been thinking about this morning, about you. You hate me."

"I know I must've done something... you can tell me." He kneels in front of you, staring at your eyes while his sparkle with the light of the lantern. "And even if I don't remember, I'll make it right..."

As you look down at him, you see the fiery passion of love that burned in his eyes as he knelt down to ask you to marry him so long ago.

It scares you...

You might not be able to control yourself...

"It's just hard to take care of you sometimes." You smile ever so slightly, yet his frown only deepens as tears start to escape your eyes.

He stands, his hand finds its way to your cheek. "Love..." His eyes held such conviction that you've not seen for years. "I'm so sorry..."

You close your eyes to hold in the tears, shaking your head and swaying his hand away. "...You're not."

Despite the tears, you tug at his arm. "Come on, let's head inside."

He's filled with questions, but seeing your sad face makes him set all those aside and focus on you for now.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"Teucer, hey, little man." Childe calls for his little brother.

The little boy looks at him wide eyed. "I don't want to talk to you." He crossed his little arms, turning around to leave with a displeased look.

"What...? Oh come on..." The harbinger pouted, getting down on his little brother's level. "What did I do wrong...? All our siblings are acting so mean to me..." He whined, frowning as he tries to persuade the little ginger.

"But you were also very very mean!" Teucer refused to look at his older brother, the one he used to look up to the most. "We don't like you anymore!"

Childe's playful facade faded as his expression contorted to a confused one. "Hey, what do you mean...?"

"You're so mean to Y/N, you hurt her! She doesn't deserve tha-"

"Teucer!" Just as his brother erupted to a crying mess, screaming at him with all his little heart, their mother walked into the room, grabbing the little boy.

"Don't talk like that to your elders!"

"But it's true, Mama!"

"That doesn't matter, say sorry to-"

"What does he mean, Mama? Why did I do?" Childe looked at his mother expectantly, his voice starting to shake as he saw the fit of rage Teucer had because of him. "W-What did I do to Y/N?"

HIs mother shook her head, trying to ease her expression with a smile. "Nothing..."

"It's not nothing, Mama!" He raises his voice by accident due to his frustration. "I see it, the way she looks at me, it's different. The way you all look at me, like you have a monster inside your house."

Teucer forced his way out of his mother's hold, running to his older siblings room all teary eyed. Childe felt bad, but he desperately needed answers from his mother.

"Mama, please, I need to know why Y/N doesn't... love me anymore..." It hurts him to say, but based on the way you're acting, he could only make the assumption that your feelings have wavered.

"Oh, Ajax... it's not like that..."

The ginger then felt a sharp pain in his head, making him fall down onto the couch. He groaned as he clutched his head.

"Hey... where are you heading off to so late at night?" He hears your soft voice in a static audio playing in his head.

"Out." He then hears himself replying coldly.

"Ohh, when will you-"

He's out the door before you could even finish your question.

"Ajax, honey!' His mother's voice was a hazy blur as he keeps his eyes closed to envision what he's hearing in his head.

He tries to shake the feeling away, but his mind is flooded by fragmented memories.

"You've been going out a lot more recently." Your concerned voice entered his ears.

"I've been busy."

"Busy where?"

He then hears shatters of glass and yells as you sob while trying to talk to him.

He pictures your face, your crying, begging face, asking for some sort of salvation from his cold and merciless actions.

"T-There's someone else?"

"Someone better."

"H-How could y-you do this?"

"When I look at you now... I feel... nothing."

Childe opened his eyes, not realizing that tears had started to flow to his cheeks. "Mama..."

"Y-Yes, dear?"

"I hurt her..." He was in a state of disbelief. "I-I... Why...?"

His tears fell faster, looking at his mother for answers. "W-Why, Mama? Why was I so stupid? Why did I choose to lose her?"

"I don't know, dear, but that's simply what happened, and you could never make her forget that, even if you forgot."

His breathing started to accelerate, feeling like he wanted to punch himself. As his head started spinning, his vision turns black.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

You took a deep breath as you walked into the house, feeling everyone's eyes on you as you entered.

"Honey..." Your ex mother-in-law embraces you once again, holding you tight. "I'm so sorry... I didn't want to make it difficult for you..."

"N-No, no..." You returned her hug, sniffling as you start to tear up. "I readied myself for this, I'm just here to drop off the final papers..."

"Could you talk to him?" Alevtina suddenly asked, looking at you hesitantly. "I know he's been a jerk... but he won't eat unless he talks to you."

You parted from their mother, feeling the pressure of their request.

"It's okay to curse him, or to scream, or rough him up, I'll even help you." Alexei placed his hand on your shoulder to comfort you.

You nodded, sighing as they guided you to his room. And as you entered with a heavy feeling in your chest, he immediately sat up, alerted by your presence. You stare at each other for a bit before you muttered a word.

"Hi." You greeted him shortly.

"Hey..." His voice was soft, and his eyes followed you attentively.

"I'm sorry to intrude, I'll make this quick." You breathe deeply, trying to relax yourself. "I finished the papers, split the assets, got the lawyers."

"I talked to her, y-your woman..." You looked down, fidgeting with your hands. Childe seemed unfazed by it, though his gaze seem to falter at the mention of 'his woman'.

"She... umm... wasn't really interested anymore after the accident..." You breathe heavily, feeling small under his gaze. "But... your family's here to take care of you..."

Clearing your throat, you continued. "I do have one request, if I could... I would like a safe boat ride back home." You stepped closer, intending to hand him the envelope that contained all the paperwork to finalize your divorce.

"Take it all." You stopped in your tracks as he spoke.

"The house, the mora, the boat. It's all yours..." He lays back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Would you also do me a favor?"

You looked at him, encouraging him to speak.

"Carve my heart out and take it with you."

"...Can we be serious for a second?" You sighed.

"I would like to stay with you. I think that would be a good way to do it without constantly wanting to punch myself." You noticed that his eyes started to flood with tears.

"Ajax... I'm sorry this happened to you..."

"No, Y/N, I'm sorry... I'm sorry for everything." He sat up again, tears falling from his eyes as he looks up at you with genuine eyes. "I don't know why I did that. And I... I regret it so much..." He reached for your hand, and you let him hold onto you for strength.

"Every tear I had in me I already cried when you left me for her." You smiled bitterly, though you remained soft, making him even more guilty as you try to stay strong. "But I appreciate the apology..."

You pull your hand away from him slowly, feeling that he was reluctant to let go.

"I-I still love you..."

You gave him a final smile. "You'll love someone better than me... Childe..." You back away, leaving him alone in his room still yearning for the days where his memory only consisted of loving you.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Hiiii again after quite a while! I think I've been noticing that my recent fics have been angst, I guess I just feel like hurting you guys this season of giving (I give pain :D)

Anywayy, anon, I think at some point I went my own direction and didn't fully stick to your request (I'm sorryyy TvT) but I hope you like it anyway!

[schrodingerscougar]

Part two for this one. I'm sorry for the cliffhanger in the first part. The illustration is from the amazing @ave661 .

--

Four months. That’s how much time it took Simon to get out of that hazy fugue state. He didn’t really remember what he had gone through during that time, his brain switched to autopilot after the breakup. He often wondered why it affected him this much when he didn’t even love you. You were just someone he spent time with, someone he tried to play house with for a short while to feel normal.

Still, now as he lay on his bed, watching the ceiling fan rotate to stir up the hot air in the room, he couldn’t stop thinking about you. He even found himself opening a social media app to search for your name from a fake account he had set up a long time ago, and he was shocked to see the most recent photo of you. It was impossible to miss the unmistakable shape of a baby bump under your shirt, and based on its size, you got pregnant long months ago.

When he was finally allowed to go home for a short while, Simon went to see you. He knew he had hurt you, he knew you were probably still mad at him, but he had to know if it was his child. It only happened one time. One night when he tried to fix things by giving you what you wanted, hoping sex could make him see you in another light. Maybe he would finally want you the way you always wanted him to want you. But it didn’t work, and it was after that night he made the final decision to end things with you.

“What do you want?” you asked him when you opened the door.

Simon nodded as he bit the inside of his cheek. This cold welcome was fair enough, he deserved this kind of treatment. Normally, he would have left you alone. But normally, you would have told him you were pregnant.

So he silently pointed at your belly and waited for you to realize what he wanted. He knew you weren't dumb, the pieces would fall into place in a second. And sure enough, you let out a sigh then opened the door wider to let him in.

“Why didn't you tell me?” he asked you as he stood in the kitchen next to you with his arms crossed.

You were busy making him a cup of tea, but you took the time to silently shrug. When he let out a heavy sigh, you looked over at him and said, “I didn't think you'd care, Si. Simple as that.”

You were right. He didn't care. Even now that he was looking at you, his eyes occasionally moving to the bump that hid his own blood, his mind was somewhere else. He was a soldier, he knew how to take responsibility for his actions. You getting pregnant was his fault too. He couldn't just ignore the problem.

“I’ll pay child support,” he assured you.

“No need.”

Simon reached out to put a hand on the base of your neck, but you quickly pushed his hand away before he could touch your skin. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

You inhaled through your nose and held your breath in for a few seconds before finally exhaling. “So what? You’re gonna be around and help us? Take her to a doctor’s appointment or for a stroll around the block?” When you saw him looking down at his shoes, you couldn’t help but snort. “Thought so,” you said.

“I’ll better get going. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

Months flew by, but Simon barely noticed. He was on a mission again far from home, risking his life as usual. You never called and he didn’t force it. He accepted that he would have to live with the guilt of making this happen. Since you didn’t want to accept child support, he opened a bank account where he stored that money, hoping that one day he could give it to you or his daughter when she became old enough.

One day he checked your social media accounts like he had done a few times before, just to see how you were. This is when he saw the post in which you announced the arrival of your baby girl. He didn’t make a big deal out of it at first. She was born and she would probably ask about her father one day. If he was still alive then, he would gladly give her a toned down explanation. If not… Well, he left everything to her in his will.

Eventually he began to save the photos of his daughter and he often found himself looking at them. She was adorable, some of her features resembling his own. Her big brown eyes were definitely his; the color and the shape were both so familiar to him.

No one from the team knew about this part of his life. He had never told anyone, because why would he? They were close, they were his brothers, but you and your daughter were carefully guarded secrets in his life. Simon knew the real reason why he never talked about you; he was afraid of the judgmental looks and words.

Two months later, when he entered his apartment again after another round of deployment, Simon didn't really know what to do with himself. He ended up looking at his daughter's photos more and more often and eventually he made up his mind to give her a visit. It had absolutely nothing to do with you. He was doing this for the little girl.

You weren't welcoming but, once again, he couldn't blame you. “I just want to see my daughter,” he said softly, hoping the two of you could avoid fighting.

For long moments you were cautiously watching him, as if you were trying to decide if he could be trusted or not. But then your eyes fell on the big teddy bear he was holding with one hand and you let out a sigh of defeat.

On the way to the nursery, you didn't talk at all. The silence didn't bother him, but still he would have appreciated some words about the little girl he was about to meet. Was he allowed to pick her up? Did she like to be held? How was she? Did she have stomach ache often? Were she teething?

“Be quick,” you warned him when you stopped by her crib.

Simon let out a sigh. “Come on, don't be like that.”

You just rolled your eyes at him before taking a step back to lean your shoulder against the doorframe, arms folded over your chest, eyes watching his every move like a hawk. He found it a little too much, he hated that you didn't trust him. Sure, he hadn't given you many reasons to trust him, but for the sake of your daughter you should have tried.

With a sigh, he rested an elbow on the side of the crib and reached out to touch the baby as gently as he could with his other hand. His own flesh and blood. It was amazing, really. Without asking for permission, he picked her up and couldn't help but smile when the baby smiled at him.

Now that he was holding her close to his body, placing soft kisses on her head every so often, Simon couldn't deny that he already loved his daughter. There was an invisible string between them, something that brought her closer to him that anyone has ever been.

The baby giggled suddenly and it brought an even wider smile to Simon’s face. He could only hope you would let him see her as often as he could visit, but something told him it wouldn't be easy to convince you.

“She likes you,” you suddenly noted.

He put down the little girl then turned to you. “The feeling's mutual.” A faint smile appeared on your lips. “Can I see her some other time?” You nodded. “Thank you. If I can help with anything, just give me a call or send a message. I'll get back to you as soon as I can,” he offered.

You been to walk out of the room and he quietly followed you, waiting for you to say something. He didn't really know what he was expecting to hear, but he had a feeling you were holding back something. And sure enough, after a few minutes of silence you began to talk, scolding him for not even bothering to send at least a text to ask about her before suddenly showing up.

“I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd read them.”

“I'm mad at you, that's true,” you agreed.

Simon leaned against the doorframe as he watched you pace in the living room like a caged animal. He remembered those nights he had spent thinking about on deployment, the moment he saw that photo of you, and he realized that maybe he was missing you.

But how could he miss someone he didn't even love? Or had he developed feelings for you, feelings he tried to hide even from himself? It was way too confusing for him, and he didn't like to be confused. It was a weakness on the field and in his civilian life.

“I should go. If you need anything–”

You came to a halt, turned to him and nodded. “I know where to find you. But can I ask you something?” Simon motioned you to go on. “Why now? Why did you become interested in her all of a sudden?”

He let out a thoughtful hum as he put his hand on the back of his neck. “I saw the photos, how much she looks like me, and… I don't know.” You took a few steps closer to him, but you still kept a comfortable distance. “I've been saving money for her. I want to give you access to that bank account.”

“I don't need your money,” you were quick to say.

“It's for her. Please, accept it.”

You became mad at him, accusing him of assuming you couldn't take care of your daughter you'd been raising on your own from day one. He knew there was no point in defending himself, you were too lost in the hate you felt for him. So he just waited there in silence, letting you finish your speech.

Then, the moment you seemingly finished, he closed the gap between the two of you. He didn't know what he was doing, he just followed his instinct when he leaned down and kissed you. This was probably the first time he truly enjoyed kissing you, and it helped a lot that you were quick to return it.

Maybe this was why he wanted to come here today. To fix things. To try to get a family he'd been craving ever since he lost his own.

(part three)

[rememberwren]

Lord forgive me but I’m a little obsessed with the thought of bank robber!Simon. tw: dubcon, guns, reader wears a dress

I can see it as some blistering hot day in the 60’s, sweat dripping down the back of reader’s neck soaking into the collar of your dress on your way just from the car to the bank.

As you’re stuck standing in line the first gunshot rings out and everyone hits the floor, panicked cries echoing off the stone floors, arms over their heads (as if that’s going to save them).

And the robber himself is huge, a great hulking man with a mask. He takes out the shaking security guard—who’s probably never shot the gun at his hip in his life—with a strike on the temple. His voice is booming, no-nonsense as he tells everyone to lay on their bellies with their hands behind their heads and to not do anything stupid if they want to make it home for dinner. He’s on his way toward the back of the bank when he passes you…and you watch his big black boots double back and come to stop right in front of you.

“You,” he gestures with the gun. Your heart pounds with adrenaline. You’ve never felt so small and helpless. “Up.”

“Don’t hurt her,” the gentleman in front of you insists, brave and stupid.

“Not gonna,” the man in the mask says. He even helps you stand, awkward as it is to rise to your feet in your dress. “As long as she behaves herself.”

“Take me instead,” the man insists loudly.

He turns the gun on the man. “Keep talking and she’ll have to see me blow your brains out.”

He forces you along, gun nudging the small of your back. His gloved hand skims the curve of your waist making you shiver. He makes you act as a go-between between him and the bank tellers, makes you retrieve instructions on how to open the vault. He makes you help him fill a canvas bag with bills.

“I think he liked you,” he says slyly.

“Who?”

“Guy out front. Your knight in shining armor,” he mocks, eyes dark beneath his mask, glittering up at you from where he kneels, neatly stacking bands of cash in the bag.

You grimace. “I don’t even know him, I swear.”

“He’d like to know you.”

On the way out, it seems like the nightmare is about to end. But when he leads you back to your initial spot, he forces you down onto your knees and tells you to unbuckle his pants.

He fucks your mouth in front of the whole bank, one hand on the back of your head and the other on his gun, cooing filth to you while your gags and whines echo off the stone around you. You’re not sure if he takes his eyes of the man beside you once, his expression smug as he fucks into the softness of your throat.

He’s still hard when the first hint of sirens can be heard in the distance. His hand forces you down on his cock at a brutal pace, drool dripping from your split-open mouth down to the skirt of your dress. Before he cums, you get scared.

You always get scared.

“Come on, Si,” you say, voice wrecked as you nuzzle against his cock. “Cops are gonna be here soon.”

He sighs, slipping his cock away. “Always the sensible one.”

“Keep you outta jail, don’t I?”

“You—you—“ sputters the man next to you, watching as Simon pulls you to your feet and gently wipes the drool from your chin. “You’re working with him!”

“Hey!” you say with a frown. “He’s working with me!”

The sirens are closer than ever.

Simon gives a long suffering sigh and says: “Let’s argue about it in the car.”

[i-cant-sing]

What are your thoughts on the yandere haikyuu teams x their manager?

Boring. I need some spice in it. How about-

Yandere Daichi as a cop and his darling is a civilian and now he's so obsessed with her that he murders her husband, frames him as a criminal and will literally stop at nothing to get darling in his arms because again... who will suspect good old, everybody's best bud COP Daichi to be able to do heinous crimes???

Yandere Sugawara as a psychiatrist because come on- he gives major "master manipulator" vibes and now he's obsessed with his darling patient and will continue to do malpractice and gaslight her and prescribe her all the wrong meds until she loses it and he gets to admit it her under his "special care" and now he can play with her mind all day long🤍

Yandere Oikawa is now a pro volleyball athlete and he just saw Ushijima's little sis, the same one he used to bully and even rejected (and ofc, HUMILIATED) when she confessed to him back in highschool. But now Oikawa's obsessed with her and also still hates his nemesis Ushijima, so what's better than killing two birds with one stone??? And Oikawa still has a very devoted fanclub, only now it's larger and more powerful than ever so now he uses them and his socials to peer pressure you into dating him and eventually, marrying him because he ain't getting any younger honey and he needs some cute babies out of you ASAP.

Yandere Kuroo who is the smart IT tech guy at your office but in reality, he has his own cyber security company that he uses to spy on you, controls your entire life through your socials and don't even get me started on your online banking shit. If its any consolation, he's very rich so... yeah. He may not look like a million bucks, but he does have them. In several offshore accounts.

Yandere Kita who somehow ended up as a mafia leader, probably inherited it as family business and he has like severe OCD so he wants everything done to perfection or so help you, you will 1000% end up 6 feet under. Mafia Kita who has this vision of you being the perfect wife, solely based om the one time you offered him your handkerchiefs because he had a nosebleed from stressing too much and now Kita thinks you're an absolute angel and he wont let you destroy that fantasy of his. Seriously. He will pick out your outfits, tell you how to act and all, punish you if he must, but he does love you.

Yandere Ushijima who is a farmer and has decided that the reader whose car broke down and came to his door asking for help, will now be his wife and be a countryside mom to many kids (u can't say no, okay? He wants a big family) and animals! But hey, he's a very caring husband and will massage your feet, give you baths and feed you his homegrown veggies and meals daily once you are round with his babies🥺

Yandere Bokuto who is now a popular politician and he needs an obedient wife to keep up appearances and play the "family man" image up. So he decides to threaten reader who had a one night stand with him, and Bokuto somehow has very intimate images and videos of you and he uses them to get you to marry him. And now he controls every aspect of your life and tells you to do exactly as he says, and he abuses this privilege more as he gets more powerful and you could only imagine the horrors he would inflict on you if he does actually win elections, but you can't run away because again- he has eyes and contacts everywhere.

[normspellsman]

I Believe You

pairing: lo’ak x older sister!reader

genre: angstish, fluff, & comfort (from reader to lo’ak)

word count: 1.7k+

warning(s): sad!lo’ak, mentions of jake scolding + punishing lo’ak, lo’ak crying, reader being the best big sis fr, lo’ak is a total big sister boy, cursing, & sibling bonding

request details: here!

taglist: @aonungsmate @dearstell @goodiesinthecloset21 @optimisticblazetrash @thatonegirlwiththebeanie367 @minkyungseokie @liyahsocorro @universal-s1ut @amortencjja @arminsgfloll @blushhpeachh @sweetirilly @iwannahaveaprettyaesthetic @bambisposts-blogs (requested the plot! <3)

word bank: toruk makto — rider of last shadow, tawtute — human; sky person, & tulkun — whale like creature residing in awa’atlu

note: was originally titled “my baby bro” but then i came up with this plot & trashed my original idea bc i felt like i could write this better & actually have motivation to write this :).

Lo’ak is known for getting in trouble. Either his loud mouth or actions, mostly both, got him into scuffles with his parents. This time was no different.

He had bonded with Payakan, a tulkun who was outcasted for something that any other being would do when forced to see their Mother be killed in front of them. In Lo’ak’s eyes, Payakan’s actions were driven by his sadness and were justifiable to a point. He knew how much the creature regretted the lives lost that day. If the same thing were to happen to him, Lo’ak would react the same way.

He felt understood by Payakan. They both had a significant physical difference from the rest of their species, making them feel isolated and alone in the large planet of Pandora. Made them feel judged and ridiculed for being different from the rest.

Not even thirty minutes prior, Lo’ak got chewed out by his Father, scolding him for talking back to the Olo’eyktan and doing something he, yet again, shouldn’t be doing. His Father never failed to make him feel like the black sheep of the family even though they are more alike than he’d hoped. It sucked. It really did. He just wanted people to see him. See all of him, even the messed up and alien parts of him.

One person only came to mind when he thought about people seeing and accepting him for who he is. You.

You were the eldest daughter of the Sully family. The token child. The perfect image of what a Na’vi should look like. The one that carried the burden of being Tsahìk or Olo’eykte one day. The one who, despite all the push back, saw Lo’ak for who he is.

You absolutely adored Lo’ak when you were younger, only being around the age of four when he was born. You refused to let your parents pry him away from your tiny arms when you held him way longer than you should’ve. You loved holding him and talking to him in the baby voice your Father always did to you and your other siblings, gently running a small finger down the flat bridge of his nose. You loved singing him to sleep or rocking him whenever he began to fuss, dropping everything to come and comfort your baby brother. And even though he is all grown up and is ‘too cool’ for your affections, you still give it to him anyway.

Not like the teen boy would ever admit it, but he loves whenever you’d rub his back when he didn’t feel good, rebraid his hair when it outgrew the current braids, hug him a little too long after a scouting mission, and especially when you’d pat the empty side of your mat for him to lay down on, comforting him with your warm embrace as he dozed off into a peaceful slumber. When he was younger, he was much more greedy with your attention and affections, pouting to you whenever you gave Neteyam or Kiri an extra kiss goodnight or fussing when you didn’t say your usual goodbye before heading off to train for the day. Lo’ak was practically attached to your hip throughout his adolescence years, clinging to your leg wherever you went. There was always a different connection you and Lo’ak had compared to your other siblings. It was something special and was hard to explain. You just understood one another, no matter how either of you looked or what you went through.

“What’s wrong, baby bro?” Your voice asked, concern laced in your voice.

Of course you knew what was wrong. You practically heard the whole thing from the other side of the island. It didn’t take long for Tuk to inform you of what happened when you arrived home either, sadness written on her face as she told you the story and how they haven’t seen Lo’ak since then.

You found him minutes after your interaction with Tuktirey. He was sitting on the beach, staring off into the horizon as the waves lazily lapped at his feet, legs brought up to his chest as his chin rested on his scarred knees.

“Nothing,” Lo’ak mumbled, eyes stuck on the eclipsing sun. He refused to look weak in front of others, not wanting to ruin his image as Toruk Makto’s second son, especially if it was someone he looked up to.

You hummed in response, not believing his statement. Lo’ak was unbelievably stubborn, something he got from your Mother. It was a good trait to have at times, but it made it harder to break down the boys walls when they needed breaking. Too stubborn for his own good, you thought, settling yourself next to your brother.

“Sure, and the sky is green,” you replied, smirking at your stupid joke. But Lo’ak only rolled his eyes and huffed your way, bringing his knees closer to his chest.

You always tried to crack a joke or two to make him feel better. It worked at times, usually when he was younger. You hadn’t tried this method in a while, too caught up with running away from your home clan and trying to fit into the Metkayina’s way of life. You hadn’t been able to comfort Lo’ak the past times he got scolded by your Father. Something that you felt sorry for and regretted. You were the eldest Sully child. You felt the need to comfort all of your siblings whenever they needed it. You felt awful for not being there for your youngest brother when he desperately needed it.

“I think what you did back there was stupid,” you started, your words causing Lo’ak’s ears to pin themselves to the sides of his head, “Talking back to the Olo’eyktan was really stupid. Especially in front of the Tsahìk. I mean, she scares the absolute shit out of me.”.

Your words seemed to have an effect on Lo’ak as you heard a small sniffle come from him, signaling that he was going to cry or already was. Your heart dropped at that fact, urging yourself to finish your thoughts.

“But, I think it was also brave,” you add on, turning your head to face Lo’ak, watching his reactions, “I don’t think I could ever do what you did. I’d probably shit my pants before speaking to Tonowari like that. You truly have bigger balls than me, little brother. I also think that it was sick that you bonded with a tulkun. I mean, that’s gotta be like, a record or something! First Omatikaya to ever bond with a tulkun.”.

And before Lo’ak could even utter a word, you wrapped up your thoughts with a final, “Has a nice ring to it: Lo’ak, the Tulkun Rider.”.

Fat tears run down the expanse of Lo’ak’s cheeks, rolling down the skin and onto his neck and chest. He felt so frustrated with his parents and how no one was listening to him about Payakan. How no one cared about what he saw or what he felt when he bonded with the creature. He saw what he saw and felt what he felt. He knew out of any of them the truth about what happened and how much regret Payakan carried around. It wasn’t fair. None of it was.

You gently placed a hand onto your brothers shaking shoulder, bringing him in closer towards your body so he could lean into you. Your four-fingered hand came to grasp his five-fingered hand, thumb rubbing the back of his hand in comfort.

“I’m really sorry that I wasn’t there for you before to comfort you. I should’ve been there for you when you needed me,” you whisper, the hand on his shoulder moving to his head to play with his grown out braids. I’ll have to convince him to let me rebraid them, you thought to yourself, knowing that it won’t take much for him to agree to your request.

“I’m sorry that Dad yelled at you and made you feel the way that you feel. He’s always so harsh on you. It’s not fair,” you added, soothing down his hair as his cries quieted down and softened. “He treats us like soldiers instead of children. He seems to be stuck in his tawtute ways recently,” you continued, shaking your head at the realization.

“For what it’s worth, Lo’ak. I believe you,” you said, causing him to pull away from your figure and to stare up at you in shock.

“You do?” He asked, ears perking back up in interest.

You merely nod, smiling down at your brother, “You’ll have to take me to meet Payakan one day, baby bro.”.

Lo’ak brightly grinned at your words, jumping up to hug you. “You’ll love him, sis! I’ve already told him all about you,” he commented, excitement evident in his voice.

“All good things I hope,” you laugh out, embracing Lo’ak.

Lo’ak only hummed and nodded in response, suddenly tired from all of the crying he did. He reached up a fist to rub his eye, ears flickering back as he did so. You knew he was tired. You could see it all over his face.

“Turn around,” you whispered, gesturing for your brother to turn his body around so his back would be facing you. He obeyed your order, sitting crossed legged as his tail wrapped around his waist and slightly curled at the end, anticipating your next move.

Once you put your fingers in his hair and began to slowly unbraid each braid one by one, a smile creeped onto Lo’ak’s face as he relaxed against your swift and gentle fingers. He missed the times where you would willingly rebraid his hair for him and put beads in his hair that matched the ones in yours. It was nice to have you do something that comforted him when he was child again. It was nice to have you comfort him. It was nice to have you as an older sister.

As time passed and the sky got darker, Neytiri had begun to look for her two missing children, stumbling upon them on the shoreline seated next to each other as they whispered and giggled amongst one another. The Mother of five smiled at the sight before her, heart swelling at the interaction. She knew of the kind of connection you shared, knowing that it ran deep and beyond her understanding as a Mother. She knew that no matter what, you’ll always have each other. Yeah, she thought, he’ll be just fine.

[elexaria]

TW — mentions of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt

simon is out on sick leave, his mental health has gotten worse since johnny died. “can’t have you in service if you’re not 100%, riley.” price gruffly remarks as he signs simon’s papers, eyes looking up through thick eyebrows at si, who is angrily glancing away.

sick leave is torture. simon feels lost, no anchor to tether him down to earth. without work, he is nothing. without johnny, he’s ….. nothing.

he spends all day rotting away in bed, his thumb rasping against a battered old photograph of him and johnny on holiday in mallorca. johnny with a gorgeous tan, and simon all pink. no, he doesn’t get an impeccable bronze. that man BURNS.

the corners of simon’s lips twitch as he glances at johnny in the photo, admiring how handsome he truly was. he would give anything to see him again.

and then it gets hard to get anything but dying out of his head. if he dies, then maybe he can see johnny again. they can finally be together again. right?

the capt drops off a small bundle of johnny’s stuff at simon’s apartment, and then a small package is delivered in the post from mrs mactavish, johnny’s mom. various bits and bobs, some of johnny’s tshirts, his favourite cap, some sketchbooks.

his dog tags.

simon’s surprised to find them; he thought that they would be put in johnny’s urn or something. but clearly his mom thought otherwise, she must’ve known how much johnny adored simon. he would have moved heaven and earth for that mancunian.

still, suicide ghosts every waking moment of simon’s life. he glances at johnny’s dog tags besides his bed, chewing his chapped lips as he entertains the idea more. and again when he’s walking around the shops, glancing at various means of killing himself. his thumb rasps against the cold metal of johnny’s tags from within his jacket pocket as his free hand extends to read the packet of rat poison. might be a bit too painful, and apparently it stinks to the high heavens.

simon puts the box of rat poison back, continuing to walk around the shop, thumb still stroking against the dog tags as he continues to glance around the store. he can’t take painkillers, there’s a limit to two boxes per person. so, he settles on visiting the hardware store, and buys a bundle of sturdy rope. even grabs some plywood and metal brackets. “makin’ a swing for the little’un.” he mumbles to the cashier, flashing an uneasy yet somewhat believable smile to her as he fishes out some loose bank notes from his jean pockets. he’s not big on wallets.

for almost a week, simon sits on the edge of his bed staring at the bundle of rope next to a chair from his kitchen. he knows its the only way out, so why is it so terrifying? just do it, riley. do it.

he scrawls out demented ramblings on some loose leaf paper, barely readable chicken scratch to captain price, gaz and to mrs mactavish. “i’ll always be grateful for you for bringing my johnny boy into the world.” is somewhat legible in the letter written to her.

he neatly leaves the letters at the foot of his bed, taking a deep breath as he reaches into his pocket for johnny’s dog tags. for a moment, simon admires them in the dim lighting of his bedroom, watching as the thin metal clinks together. sergeant john mactavish.

as the tags slowly slip over simon’s head, the ball chain momentarily getting caught on a wry piece of scruffy blonde hair, they finally join with simon’s own tags on his chest as he stands on the kitchen chair. for a moment, his hand reaches out against his wardrobe to steady his balance. he slips the noose around his neck, heart thumping against his rib cage ferociously. do it, simon. do it.

simon’s trying his best to still his breathing, taking deep breaths as he tries to dull the nagging thoughts, against his instincts to not do this.

“tae fuck d’yae ‘hink yer daein?!”

simon falls back against his wardrobe out of shock, eyes wide with horror as he glances in the direction of that all too familar voice, that voice that immediately drowns out every single thought that was screaming at simon to kill himself.

it’s johnny.

he’s effervescent, an angelic silhouette of his mortal self. a halo of warm light, blue, ghosts around his form.

simon’s mouth is agape, eyes still wide as his body freezes. immediately, he tears the noose off of his head, damn near stumbling off the chair to get a closer look of the spectacle in front of him.

“johnny? but… you’re…”

“dead? aye, sherlock. i am.” the silhouette retorts sarcastically, flashing ghostly pearly whites in a lopsided grin, one that’s terrifying just like johnny’s signature grin. simon backs against the wardrobe, his breathing uneven and scant as he begins to panic. this isn’t normal, this isn’t right.

the mass of energy and light shaped like johnny notices this panic in simon, and seems to frown. it slowly moves towards him, a hand reaching out to touch simon’s shoulder. it’s hauntingly cold, and it makes simon recoil with horror. the spectre frowns even more, retracting its hand.

this can’t be johnny.

because johnny’s dead.

[hikarimiyanaga]

The Queen's Bride (Part 4)

Warnings : Omegaverse. Stark!Reader. Omega!Reader x Alpha!Daenerys Targaryen. Modern!AU.

Taglist : @kelloggs4cereal

You pace around the mansion's living room.

Even though you had class today, you opted to skip in order to know Sansa's second gender first. Your sister is more important than anything else.

"Mom! I- Y/N! You're back?" You smile at her.

"Yeah, just for a bit. How did your test go?"

"Beta. I am a beta." You sigh in relief and hug her tight.

"Good for you, my baby sis!"

"What- I'm not a baby." She pushes you away.

"Sansa, you are to me. Tonight, we celebrate! I'm taking everyone to your favorite restaurant!"

"With dad's money?" You wink at her.

"My own."

The truth was, you and Tyrion have a lucrative business. You guys help high school students cheat. It wasn't an ethical business but it did fill your pocket and secret bank account.

It also helps that your father has given you free reign on your allowance that is refilled monthly.

-

As you promised, you did take everyone except your mother, father and Robb as they were all busy.

"So what is the occasion, big sis? Why take us here?" Rickon asks and you smile at him.

"This is for your big sis's freedom!" You grim then turn to Sansa. "At least you get to have decisions regarding your marriage and your course. Do not choose any of the Lannisters even if they offer. I will kill you in your sleep."

"How about the Targaryens?"

"No. I'm already marrying one of them."

"Theon?" Arya asks innocently and both you and Sansa gag.

"Ew. We grew up with him. Borderline incest."

"Then who?" Sansa asks and you grin.

"Grow old without anyone."

"Y/N!" She slaps your arm and you laugh.

"Just stop looking at Westeros' Nobility and we're good."

"Are you oppose to any second gender?" You shake your head at that.

"No. Choose anyone you like."

"Okay." She leans on your shoulder and you pat her head.

"Come on, Sansa, order up. I can pay for everything if you want."

"No. Just because we brought Arya doesn't mean we can eat everything." You chuckle then turn to the other three.

"Choose anything you guys like, okay?"

"Even dessert?" Rickon asks, clearly excited.

"Yes. But that's after a meal. Eat up first."

"Okay!" Rickon says as he scans the menu.

-

It was an eventful evening. You had fun with all of them before all of you went home to the Stark Mansion.

You came inside carrying an asleep Rickon, a very sleepy Arya, and a barely awake Bran. Thankfully, Sansa is still awake.

"Looks like you guys had fun." Robb greets you and you roll your eyes at him.

"Too bad, you weren't there. Jerk." He laughs at that.

"Hey, someone had to man the company."

"Sure, you did." You carry Rickon up to their room while dragging Bran. "Bran, just a few more steps, okay? I'll help you guys change into pajamas."

"Thanks, sis." You sigh in relief as you reach their room and deposit Rickon in his bed.

"Come on, dude. Toothbrush then change. I'll help you find your clothes." Bran nods at that then he goes in the bathroom. You get their change of clothes and place Bran's on his bed. Then you carefully changed Rickon's clothes. Bran finishes up in the bathroom and changes into pajamas. He yawns loudly and smiles at you.

"Thanks for the fun night, sis. Goodnight."

"You're welcome, Bran. Goodnight." You kiss his forehead and tuck him in. "Sweet dreams, little brother." Bran sleeps with a smile on his face. You go downstairs and see a now sleeping Arya on the couch.

"Hey. Who are you texting?" You ask Sansa as you carry Arya.

"Margaery. She's also a beta." You hum.

"The Tyrells, huh?"

"Yeah. She's asking about you too." You raise an eyebrow at her.

"Me????"

"Yeah. You're taking knightho-" you cover her mouth and frown.

"Stop. Father doesn't know. Your room. Now." Sansa nods and goes to her room while you carry Arya to hers. You tuck her in quickly and go to Sansa's room.

"Dad doesn't know?" You shake your head as you close the door.

"Mom doesn't either. They both think that I'm only taking management."

"Why are you hiding it from them?"

"Because they only want management for me." You sigh as you sit besides her.

"Why?"

"Because I'm a weak omega." Sansa tilts her head at that.

"Weak? You?" You nod at her. "Does mom and dad need glasses????" You chuckle at her comment and pat her head.

"Everyone keeps thinking that omegas are only good for well-"

"Breeding?" You glare at her. "What? Margaery told me."

"Do not ever say that word again. Got it?" Sansa nods. "But pretty much, yeah. Why do you think one of the Targaryens are willing to marry me?"

"Because you're awesome?" You shake your head at her. "Omega?" You nod and smile at her sadly. Sansa has never seen you so sad.

"An omega from one of the noble families is considered a rarity. After all, Alpha and Beta bloods are much stronger. So they fought for me."

"Is that why you didn't want me to be an omega?" You nod at her.

"It's much better to be married by love than by being a trophy." You couldn't help the tear as it fell from your eye. Sansa panics now. You're her big sister and she has never seen you cry, not even when you get scolded by Ned or Catelyn. "I'm okay." You assure her as you wipe your tear. "Father might choose someone for you but I'll fight him every step of the way, okay? You, Arya, Rickon and Bran deserve freedom."

"What if they become omegas too?"

"By then, I'll be a Targaryen so-" you sit beside her. "So I can protect them." Sansa hugs you and you hug her back.

"I'll choose someone good, sis." You smile then kiss her head.

"That's all I want, little sister."

-

You get back to your class the next day.

Oberyn raises an eye at you.

"Did you get fucked all day yesterday?" You glare at him as you sit.

"Do tell, how the hell did you get into that conclusion?"

"Well, you've been wearing that outfit since two days ago." You look down and realize that he was right.

"Yesterday was Sansa's result day."

"Oohh. Do the Starks have another omega?" Oberyn says loud enough and almost everyone in the class looks at the both of you. Everyone here wants to know if there is another omega from the Starks that'll be fought for by every noble house in Westeros.

"No, dear loud mouth." You pinch his arm, pretty annoyed by him. "She's a beta." Everyone else looks away when they hear the disappointing news. Oberyn slaps your hand away and you glare at him.

"You must be relieved then?" You nod.

"So much."

"Congrats on her freedom, then." You smile as you nod then you bring out your notebook for the class.

-

You were about to go home when Daenerys sees you and takes you away. You look confused as she just looks at her phone.

"Where are we going?"

"Gala."

"Huh?"

"It's one of the Baratheon's birthday or something. The daughter of the eldest?"

"You mean Shireen?"

"You know her?"

"I met her before. Why are you going? Aren't the Baratheons your enemies?" You recall the bad blood between them.

"Still, I have a responsibility. Or did you really think the "heir" will come?"

"Ah. Okay. But I have nothi-"

"We'll pick up a suit and dress on the mall."

"You thought of everything." You deadpan at her and Daenerys smiles at you.

"You can't escape."

-

You arrive at the Baratheon's villa and unbutton the collar of your suit. It was suffocating the air out of you.

"We're here." You help Daenerys out of the car and hum.

"Do we have an invitation? the Baratheons can be picky about their guests." You still remember the one time you attended a gala of theirs without Robb and they rudely kicked you out.

"I am a Targary-"

"Yeah, that won't work here." Daenerys was about to refute you when-

"Y/N!" Someone calls out and you were suddenly lifted off.

"Ah! Uncle Robert!?" You struggle against the big man and glare as you find your footing.

"It is you!" Robert slaps your back and you feel like your spine broke. Jeez, the strength of this man.

"Yes. I didn't know it was Shireen's birthday today."

"It is. One of the reasons why I came home."

"What? Are the brothels not treating you well?"

"Ah, this jerk!" He slaps the back of your head and you rub it in pain.

"Y/N. Who-"

"Ah, this must be Daenerys! Your fiancé, right?"

"She is." You admit and sigh. "Daenerys meet Robert Baratheon. Unmarried. Although he has countless kids. Commander of The Baratheon Forces. And my father's best friend." Robert laughs at your introduction.

"Nice addition of titles, young one. You learned well."

"Is Gendry okay? He should be in high school, right?" Gendry and Shireen were the cousins from the Baratheon that you didn't mind talking to.

"He is. He likes Sansa, did you know?" You pale at that. As much as Gendry was a good person, you still didn't like the thought of high school romance, specially when it involves one of your younger siblings. "Maybe we'll finally be family!" He laughs wholeheartedly while you politely nod.

"We should get inside." Daenerys can feel that you are uncomfortable with the current topic so she tugs your arm.

"Right. It was nice talking to you, Uncle."

"Go. Tell your father that I will see him soon." You nod at him and escort Daenerys to the door.

"Sorry about that." You open the door and Daenerys just nods.

-

"So you're pretty close with the Baratheons?"

"No. Only Uncle Robert. He's kind of seen as a separate entity."

"And why is that? He is the middle child, is he not?"

"True, but he doesn't like to be in the family mansion. Or be associated with his siblings that much."

"Why?" You shrug at her.

"I don't know the particular details but some say bad blood between the three."

"I see."

"Y/N!" Shireen runs through the crowd and hugs you.

"Hi, cousin. Happy Birthday."

"Yeah! Although you did celebrate with me two days ago."

"Yeah. But I also got dragged to this gala." Shireen giggles.

"Who dragged you?"

"Hi there. I'm Daenerys. Her fiancé." Shireen looks at you.

"Fiancé? But Y/N! You promised me." Shireen gets teary-eyed and you panic.

"Huh!? Wait, wait, don't cry? Shireen? What promise?"

"That I'd be the one you married!" You chuckle and ruffl her hair.

"Not happening, little cousin, and besides we had a condition, didn't we?"

"Yeah." She sulks and crosses her arms.

"And? What was it?"

"That you'll only do it when you're a beta."

"Good girl!" You ruffle her hair even more and she pouts at you.

"Do you like her?" Shireen points at Daenerys as if she wasn't there and you chuckle as you bring down her hand.

"Yes. Incredibly so." And you realize as you say it, that it was the half-truth. You fell in love with her at first sight but you also knew why she wanted to get married to you.

"Then, uh-, Daenerys!" You beckon her closer as Shireen holds out her hand.

"You win! But um- don't you dare break Y/N's heart!" Dany forces a smile on her face as she shakes Shireen's hand.

"I promise."

-

The gala ends around midnight and you take off your jacket as you board Dany's Limousine.

"Not close to the Baratheons?" She asks and you nod.

"Not really. Shireen is special. She's the only one in that mansion that doesn't have a malice bone in her body."

"Do you like her?"

"As a cousin, yes. She's inquisitive and a reader like me."

"Are you in love with her?" You look at Daenerys with a dumfounded expression and she glares at you. "Answer me!"

"The fuck? No! Not at all! She's my little cousin, for the gods' sake!"

"We all know how famili-"

"Do not even say it. It's making me feel disgusted." You shudder as you even think about hearing the word.

"So, do you like someone?" You raise an eyebrow at her.

"What?"

"Like- you want to date them or something." You shake your head.

"None at all. Being an omega meant everything was going to be chosen for me. Even the people I hang out with. No more betas or Alphas. No more close friends. Just need to find me a suitable fiancé." You successfully hide the bitter tone in your voice but not the way you clenched your fist.

Daenerys, thankfully, stop questioning you and just drop you off at your apartment building.

'As if I ever had a choice.' You think as you board the elevator. 'I wonder how that'll be.'

-

A/N:

AS PROMISED!! YAY!!

Writer's block defeated once again... For how long, I don't know.

Also, I got a job! So that's cool!

[niiine]

𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒

Character(s). Misfit Class + Kalego Sensei, Balam Sensei, Opera, and Sullyvan

Synopsis. How I see the reader being treated in Babyls and in the netherworld in general as you’re Iruma’s younger sibling

Fluff

Younger! sister reader

-Finished s3 of Mairuma last night so I’ve reread the music festival arc. I just wish s4 will come faster becauseee I’ve been LSS-struck by Lilith’s Red Carpet and the music isn’t even out yet 🥺

Iruma is a BABY. Everyone around him wants to protect and cherish and love all of him. But you? Oh, hell you enter the room and they’re all either kneeling or cooing because how can you be such a cutie?

Sullyvan treats you and Iruma like toddlers. You want those dresses? Here buy ten each. Oh, you love that dessert? Opera, please bring more. You wanna go shopping? Take his wallet, his bank details, take his whole life if you must. Sully-sama just wants the best for you and your Nii-chan.

But unlike your brother, you’re not allowed to have a sleepover or stay outside way too late. Either Opera will come hunting you down once it’s past seven pm or your whole class will be the searching party.

Opera is much, much stricter to you than to your brother. They make sure that you are above prim and proper most of time. “You’re a lady in the household, (y/n)-sama”, or so. But they’re still as gentle as they could be and always prioritize what makes you comfortable.

No man. And I mean NO MAN, is allowed to come near you aside Asmodeous Alice (and somehow the other misfits as well). Pray that no one would dare to walk you home because,

“Apologies, (y/n)-sama. I thought you’re being kidnapped” “OPERA-SAN WE’RE LITERALLY GOING HOME” you’re freaking out at how bloody the nose of your friend is.

At class, you’re seated between Alice and Lead because Azzazz thinks that he should be in the middle of you and your brother so he can protect both of you in case somethings happens. And Lead insists that he must be beside you because you’re his “Baby sister.”

Ofc you’re part of the Iruma gang but you spend time with the other circle from time to time as well. One of your favorites is Nee-san and Krocell because you’ve never had a big sis and these two are doing good at the job. Sometimes they dress you up like a doll with Clarin just bringing out the most random (but cute) clothing from her pockets.

Jazzy and Garp spoils you rotten. You’re their princess and they call you as such. Jazzy loves to bring you shiny gems and jewelries that he bought because “You’re special” and then he’ll ruffle your hair. He will also let you play with his familiar.

Garp would cook for you. You’re tired of the foods from the cafeteria? Open up the kitchen of the royal one! You want sweets? He always keeps sweets. Garp also blows wind at you if you feel hot due to the weather.

When you’re tired, or if you just need it—like in the harvest festival, Agares is assigned to make you comfortable. Yes, the misfits have talked about it. They have no doubt about your strength and ability, you’re Iruma’s sister after all, but “What if the bugs and other insects bite her? We can’t have that!” Cue, Agares building a whole castle for you (As well as for him and Garp). When other students took shelter in the said place, he made sure you still have the Luxury of space and as comfortable as you can be. Even though you argue that no, you can fight, and a cramped space is fine for you.

Babe, you should have seen the way the other girls look at you with playful jealousy as Agares dotes on you.

Allocer and Sabnock helps with your study. It’s a great help when you feel a bit pressured at Azzazz’s teachings. Besides, you can’t add to his luggage anymore (a.k.a Iruma and Clarin). Sabnock mostly teaches you about the Demon king, but he’s also pretty good when it comes to other subjects. He’s gentle and caring, being the big brother that he is.

Aloocer, on the other hand, is a much stricter tutor. He gave you assignments and pointers. But his work certainly help you pass every exam, most of the time even sharing it to your brother when you two study at home.

Camui is also one of your favorite classmates. He’s not allowed of course to hog you, as the other twelve will go after his head, and he wouldn’t do that as well to the class’s baby! Because of him you can pet animals and beasts (With the help of Krocell) without getting hurt.

Sometimes you will hang out with Iruma and Lead and it’s so cute because it looks like two babies trying to protect a smaller baby. The two of them will spoil you as well and you’ll be the one to decide what to eat, what to play, or what to do for the day or for that specific time.

Purson Soi also gives you a special treatment. If he vanishes and the class can’t find him, one call from you and puff! He’s there. You don’t want to talk to that schoolmate who keeps asking you out? Big brother Soi will make sure your presence is gone in a moment.

It’s very subtle and he still treats just like the whole class, but Kalego-sensei just seems to “miss” if you’ve done something wrong. Or he would just let it slide “very unnoticeable” if it’s about you.

And Balam-sensei? You remembered how scared he was the first time Iruma told him that he’s a human? That’s he’s reaction to you up until now. The professor wouldn’t even touch without thinking that he’ll break your soft body. Tell him that it’s fine though because the man wouldn’t even breathe the same air as you in fear of intoxicating you.

BONUS

BigBro!Iruma in Evil Cycle is the cream of the crop. All hands off of you. All eyes off of you. “You want something now, Princess?” Say you want the whole netherworld and it’ll be at your feet. He wouldn’t barricade you or anything, but his eyes will be watching you and anyone around you. 

[skyguys-princess]

Way Down We Go

AJ x Private Security/Crime family reader

「 You 」

I sat up on the rooftop of the building next door of the club my brother was currently at. With his friends… If you could call them that. More like work acquaintances, without the work. His little thief friends, Takers. Is what they call themselves, the dorks.

Was I spying on my brother? Sure. But in all fairness, he isn’t always a good judge of character. Hence why I’m here now. Because the knuckle head and his stupid plans are going to be the death of me.

I pull up my laptop, that had been running background checks on my brothers new crew. Alderige, Alexander James. Cute… perhaps my brother doesn’t have bad taste after all-

Ping!

I jolt, picking up my phone hastily. To see a notification from my brother, speak of the devil.

Thorn in my side

Need help.

No hi how r u?

Usually u leave me on read. Anyway hurry up and get ur ass here. We r waiting.

And where would here be exactly? And whose ‘we?’

Christ how dumb do you think I am? Actually don’t answer that.

I snicker at his response, before typing mine.

Fine, I’ll be there. Tell ur boy band I’ll be there soon.

Thx sis x

eww don’t ever call me ‘sis’ again

ok… sis

I leave him on read, maybe he does have a point. Chucking all my equipment back into my duffle bag, slinging it over my shoulder. Making my way to the stairs as I head to the club my brother and the rest of the Takers were at.

「 Narrator 」

Meanwhile…

Aj was lounging on one of the various couches while Gordon and your brother, Alec were discussing the plan for the upcoming heist. Though he appeared to be in a world of his own, Aj was paying more attention than it seemed.

He visibly perked up after hearing your name, he knew Alec had a big family. He’d mentioned it before, from your two other sisters. Him, your parents and obviously your dog named Flash. But he never mentioned you, at least never around Aj. He couldn’t help the curiousness that crept up inside of him, Gordon was usually very picky about allowing outsiders into their plans.

So what was so special about you?

Aj jolts after taking an elbow to the ribs, grimacing at the feeling. “Have you been listening to anything I’ve said for the past hour?” John asks annoyed, though a small smile tugs at the blond mans lips. Not at all surprised by Aj’s brazen behaviour.

Aj picks up his fedora that had fallen to the floor, smoothing his hair back. Before placing it back on his head, “yeah man of course.” His gaze averts to John. His friend’s face held a look of disbelief, busted.

John chuckles at Aj’s obvious distraction. “You might wanna be a little less obvious when your eavesdropping man.” He grins, leaning back against the lounge. Crossing his arms over his muscular chest. The muscle of his biceps straining against the sleeves of his shirt.

Aj lets out a huff, “no clue what you’re on about man.” Trying to dismiss John’s eavesdropping accusation against him.

John raises a brow in amusement, clearly not believing a word that came out of Aj’s mouth. “Yeah, whatever you say.” He smirks, before standing up. Heading over to Gordon and Alec, giving Aj a teasing wink. Who just gave John a playful glare in response, before slumping back in his seat. Crossing his arms over his chest in annoyance. Looking like a toddler throwing a tantrum, making John chuckle.

While the Takers were distracted you managed to sneak in through the back entrance. Watching as they all bickered amongst themselves, oblivious to your presence. You decided to remain undetected for now, placing your duffle bag down on the countertop of the bar. Heading behind it to make yourself a drink.

Grabbing a cold martini glass, pouring in a shot of vodka. Filling the rest up with cranberry juice, before topping it off with three maraschino cherries. Hopping up, you sit on top of the bar. Cross legged, siping on your vodka cranberry. While looking through the blueprints of the bank someone had so callously left on the bar countertop.

Hearing the faint sound of heels clicking you turn your head. Lilli approached the bar, jumping slightly as she made eye contact with you. Sitting there sipping on your cocktail, the blueprints laid across your lap. Her jump scared expression making you giggle, she placed a hand over her heart. A smile tugging on her lips. “Hi,” you whisper.

“Hello,” she replies. Her voice soft, as her kind eyes bored into yours. She moved towards the counter, extending your hand for support. She takes it, propping herself up on the counter beside you. “I’m Lilli, and you are?”

You give her hand you were holding a shake. “Y/n, nice to meet you.” You see her eyes avert to the blueprints on your lap. “Wanna see?” She nods enthusiastically, making you chuckle softly in response to her enthusiasm. Picking up the blueprints, holding them out in front of both your faces.

“What are you doing here?” Lilli asks curiously, while scanning the blueprints.

“Alec asked me to come,” you shrug nonchalantly. Pointing at the best points of entry on the blueprints.

“How do you know Alec?” She asks, while you take another sip of your cocktail.

“He’s my brother,” you pick up a maraschino cherry. Popping it into your mouth.

Her eyes widen in obvious surprise, “Alec is your brother?”

“Unfortunately,” you grin playfully. “Speaking of which…” you pause, turning to face the group. That were still engrossed in conversation. “Earth to boy band can we get this show on the road? I have shit to do.” You raise your voice loud enough to grab their attention.

Watching in amusement as their heads snap in your direction, fast enough that they could’ve gotten whiplash. Making you and Lilli laugh, “so oblivious.” She chuckles.

Looking through the group, you see John’s familiar face. “Johnny boy, long time no see.” A soft blush adorns his cheeks in embarrassment.

“Huh?” The blonde man beside him, looks at him bewildered. Which you recognised to be Aj. John just looks back at you and chuckles.

“Y/n, good to see you again.” He waves, as Aj mutters something under his breath. Though your attention is pulled away by a soft tap on your shoulder. You turn to see Lilli with a sheepish smile on her face.

“Can you make me one of those?” She ask hesitantly pointing at the drink in your hand, making a smile tug at your lips.

“Of course,” you slide off the countertop. To behind the bar, hearing someone clear their throat. You look up, meeting the familiar hazel eyes of your brother. “Hey big bro.”

“I didn’t ask you to come over so you could drink.” He quips, with a sly smirk tugging at his lips. Causing you to narrow your eyes at him playfully.

“Well I was bored,” you retort. Ruffling his dark hair, making him let out an annoyed grunt.

Lilli leans a little closer to the both of you. “To be fair, she was sitting here for a while. Not that you guys noticed.” She added in your defence, as you mixed up the vodka cranberry.

“Do you want the cherries?” You ask, raising a brow. She nods in response, “yes ma’am.” You say with a salute. Making her let out a soft giggle.

Alec clicks his fingers in front of your face trying to get your attention, “uh hello? Back on topic please.” Making you roll your eyes at his behaviour.

“You’re so dramatic big bro, relax. Take a breather,” you tease. Hearing a chuckle from behind Alec, then a mop of blond hair peeking through. A big toothy grin on his face, as he steps to the side of Alec. In front of you, holding out his hand. Gently taking yours, bringing it to his soft lips.

Placing a gentle kiss on your knuckles, “it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Aj.”

A soft chuckle befalling your lips, amused by his irregular behaviour. “Let me guess, you have a thing for the Godfather?” You tease, looking up at his fedora. Alec’s hand immediately shoots to his mouth, muffling his snort. Aj bites his bottom lip gently, giving your hand a soft squeeze. Before you pull it out of his grip, popping the cherries into Lilli’s drink. Sliding it over to her, she whispers a ‘thank you.’

“I do actually, have you watched it?” He leans onto the bar, practically looming over you. The low lighting in the room reflecting off his blond hair. Making him look almost… angelic. Though his playful smirk suggested otherwise.

“No, though if you like that thing you should come to our family reunions. The resemblance is impeccable,” you quip. A wheezy laugh erupting from Alec. Aj seemed undeterred from his friends reaction, leaning even closer. His long lean fingers gently brushing a strand of hair out your face, tucking it behind your ear. With the utmost gentleness, as if you were made of porcelain. His eyes so transfixed on his movements, it was like he was in a trace. So were you, not that you’d admit it. Alec and Lilli observed quietly, aware of the tension. Eyeing the display of affection with curiousness. It was no secret that Aj was a flirt, but this was something that even your brother hadn’t witnessed from him. After a moment you pull back snapping yourself out of your trance like state, withdrawing from his gentle caress. Clearing your throat, “well… Let’s get on with it. We have a lot to do.”

[solarwynd]

https://www.allkpop.com/article/2024/11/hybe-chairman-bang-si-hyuk-collaboration-is-key-to-k-pops-global-success

I was wondering if you have seen this article. It didn't make that much noise over armytwt probably because many Armys are still fond of BSH. But I think if there's a time to truly see BSH for what he is, especially these days, then it is now, especially with that speech he gave. I mean, how can he say that collaboration is key to kpop's success? I mean, does he treat BTS' and Jimin's successes a fluke? How about the fandom support? He could have all the collabs he can dream of for his artists but if there are no loyal fans to buy/stream/request their music, I don't think they'll be a global success. And him mentioning Seven. I mean that must hurt JJKs because they were so loud and nasty about Seven's success because of JK. But BSH just basically said, "Uhm, not exactly."

Some armys are still up his ass, not all. But the main reason it probably isn’t making rounds on army twitter is because it tells the truth that they’ve all been trying to avoid. And that’s the fact that JK’s solo career is built on collabs.

Truthfully Bang’s way of of banking on collabs has never made sense to me because they’re not inherently even necessary. You can plant anyone of these idols in the western industry, solo, with money the same way western labels do. But ig he knows that it would look too fake if they didn’t ease these idols in without established big names like a Trojan Horse.

So It’s not showing kpop is getting bigger like he’s so convinced it is, it shows that these idols and groups need a crutch to do well and without it, they don’t. That’s not real success you can honestly claim. You see western artists get called out on the same thing. People have been riding Lady Gaga for it because she hasn’t seen a solo hit in years.

Bang is a professional bullshitter, but that’s why I love that Jimin exists as the direct antithesis to that man’s claim.

[pricegouge]

Fatted Rabbit Part Eleven on AO3

Contents

Bear!Price x reader | explicit

Admittedly, he doesn't get much done. But he's so sated and happy, he's fairly certain Simon could come in and quit right there on the spot and John would just let him go, happy to see the big man moving on with his life. Instead, when Simon barges into John's office, he does not bring such joyous news as 'I'm getting out of your hair'.

John's daydreaming about sex in the first paragraph. It's not overly explicit but if that's not your thing just skip it :)

also, some cannon-typical violence in this chapter! It's gonna get worse from here lmao

By Wednesday, John's so blissed out on love hormones and rabbit cum he doesn't even mind doing payroll. He sits at his desk dutifully, never even once wandering off in search of some menial task to help him procrastinate from the mind numbing desk work, content to stare blankly at his screen and replay getting his rabbit bent over his counter for breakfast. She'd made him keep his hands to himself at first, but it was her mistake; the grip he had on the farside of the counter gaining him enough leverage to set her soft body bouncing, have her drooling onto the counter top. She'd been so pretty. A right bounty, just for him, and when he'd told her as much, she'd finally let him paw at her, get his arms under her soft belly to be sure he wasn't hurting her with how roughly be pressed her hips into the surface.

Admittedly, he doesn't get much done. But he's so sated and happy, he's fairly certain Simon could come in and quit right there on the spot and John would just let him go, happy to see the big man moving on with his life.

Instead, when Simon barges into John's office, he does not bring such joyous news as 'I'm getting out of your hair'.

"Got something you need to see, cap." He slaps a manila folder down onto Price's desk, stuffed with about a quarter ream of paper.

"Not reading a resume that long, Si. If you think they're worth it that's good 'nough for me."

"Man came in asking about your bird last night."

John's eyes dart to the folder in front of him. Some animal instinct compels him to eat the damn thing and be rid of it, but he manages to keep such urges at bay as he reaches his pen out, snags it under the folder's cover.

Inside is a right dossier: birthday, job description, hometown, summary of residencies and former employment. John barely glances at any of it, eyes locked instead on the photo Simon's attached of his bunny standing stiffly in the embrace of a fox-faced blond with a scar on his cheek. 'Phil Graves,' the report says across the top and John attempts a laugh, manages a growl. "You're having a laugh," he mutters, more at God than Simon. His voice is muddled with excess saliva, jowls heavy.

"'M'not that funny," Simon counters, completely deadpan. "Anyway, he came 'round yesterday and asked Soap if 'e'd seen 'er because they were 'supposed to meet up.' Johnny didn't think much of it and told him she'd probably be by sooner or later." John's lip curls in frustration and Simon's quick to go to the man's defense. "Not like 'e knew, cap. Anyway, guy stuck around for 'bout four hours, asking Johnny all sorts of questions about her -."

"And?"

Simon blinks at him balefully. "And, nothing. Johnny got wise quick and didn't tell 'im anything. Then our friend 'ere started asking about you."

"Me?" John asks, lip curling in distaste.

"Think 'e's been keeping tabs."

John slams the folder closed, unable to stand his bunny's sad eyes staring up at him anymore. "Tabs?"

"Gaz managed to get some of his banking info -." He pointedly ignores John's raised brow. "You'll see some transaction summaries in there. Man's been in the area for a bit, probably gathering info. Slow about it," Simon scoffs, and John would probably find that funny if most of his brain function wasn't currently dedicated to suppressing the spontaneous growth of seven centimeter canines.

"He's in Glacier?" John repeats, stupidly. He's trying to follow along, truly, but he feels like a dog chasing its tail; thought process cycling rapidly between general bloodlust, finding his rabbit immediately, and holding his bear at bay at least until he's away from Simon.

"Looks like."

"Since when?"

"At least a week."

"I haven't seen this fucker."

Simon squints at him. "Well, you wouldn't've, cap. Would you?"

"Christ," John hisses, burying his face in his hands. They still smell like the rabbit. Distracting. "What else did he say?"

Simon grunts. "Next bit's the weird part. 'E sad 'e figured we all - that's you, Johnny and me - all knew each other real well, and that we're bad people, so we should know why 'e didn't want ''is girl' 'round us."

"He said we're bad people?"

"So you do know 'im?"

John huffs, shakes his head. "Know of him. Know she just got out of a bad break up, that she sleeps in a car. Know she gets all flighty if I say or do anything that could even be perceived as angry -." I know she doesn't like me to touch her during penetrative sex. "It was pretty easy to figure out, but then I overheard her talking to an old friend on the phone." He motions at the folder in front of him illustratively. "She was asking if a blond guy with a southern accent and a scar on his cheek had reached out to ask about her. From the sounds of it, he had. She told him all about how Phil here controlled her finances, isolated her… got physical. She asked the friend not to mention to anyone that they'd heard from her, and that Phil here was probably keeping tabs on social media."

"He does have a lot of ghost accounts."

John peeks at the picture again, closes the folder just as quickly. "Think I'm gonna kill him, Si."

To his credit, the man doesn't even blink. "Why's he think we're bad people?"

"Fuck if I know, mate. Probably saying some shite to -."

"More specifically, cap, why does he think you're dangerous?"

"Pardon?"

"Well, I figure, this guy can't be spending too much time looking into either Johnny or me. 'E just assumed we all knew each other, before - were all friendly - because we all work together and happen to be European. Bit of an idiot like that, it seems. But see, Johnny has no sense of self preservation. 'E's got pretty much his entire life posted online and even a cursory search would've shown 'im 'e was wrong. So, 'e's not looked up either of us, which means 'is assumptions are based off what he dug up on you." Simon tilts his head curiously, doesn't bother voicing the question that lingers between them. John spends so much time avoiding Simon's silent, omniscient glower he forgets sometimes that the man's tongue is often worse.

John squints, for the first time actually considering Phil's words. He's an idiot, and a lying bastard, most like, but if he's been hanging around town, keeping tabs…

"Sure I don't know."

"Final answer?"

"I'm not in the habit of entertaining the allegations of women beaters, mate," John growls.

Simon doesn't even blink. "And you think you're gonna kill 'im?"

Fuck. He can't even bring himself to deny it.

Still unblinking, Simon nods once in acceptance. "Olright. I'm gonna go double check some browser history. Tell Gaz to do the same." He snags a sharpie out of John's pen holder, turns the folder to himself and marks it with his spidery scrawl as he keeps talking, "Your bird sleeps in 'er car, you said?" His eyes flick up just long enough to see John nod. Briefly, John thinks that if Simon weren't so… Simon, he'd have lovely big cow eyes. "It occurs to me that vandwellers gotta sleep off the beaten path. And if Phil's been following 'er, 'e's probably found 'imself in some… backcountry areas." Done writing now, Simon turns the full force of his upsettingly perceptive gaze on John. He looks like he's waiting for something - some spark of recognition - but John's got maybe two brain cells to rub together currently, and none of them are devoted to interpreting Simon Riley's vague, cryptic, often c-grade horror movie related references, so he just stares blankly back until the man continues. "That's bait."

"Huh?"

"If Graves were just 'ere for the girl, 'e never would've shown 'is hand. 'E wants to draw you out. So, 'e's got something on you, and 'e's trying to manipulate you." Simon ticks them off on his fingers, turns the folder so it faces John again, and stands with a scraping of his chair. "Don't be stupid."

John huffs, adjusts his seat as an excuse to feel his limbs flex. "So he just left? After showing up and being all ominous?"

"No." The conviction with which he denies it would be better suited to a murder trial. "Threw 'im out on 'is ass, didn't I?"

When he's gone, John stares balefully down at the folder for a moment, brain only recognizing the kind of carte blanche Simon has given him when he finally registers the note left there. 'Burn after reading'.

First, he has to secure the rabbit.

***

John doesn't even bother texting first, sniffing her out among the gaggles of tourists growing like mushrooms in the late spring rains. It's easy enough to find her, the distinct honey and strawberry scent that had first attracted him is beginning to change to reflect their bond. Soon it will be strong enough that even humans will be able to tell she's spoken for, if only subliminally. It only serves to make him antsier, upsets him to know she's even been allowed to wander so far when he'd known another man was after her.

Graves' unread file taunts him from the passenger seat. Clearly, Graves was adept enough to track the girl clear across the map. John should have taken the time to figure out what he was up against; but the notion that Graves already knew where his bunny was was disconcerting. If Graves was just biding his time, he could decide at any moment that he'd had enough of waiting.

And John didn't even know what his plan was.

He had to find her first, secure her. He wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything until that was done, anyway.

Her scent leads him to a coffee shop downtown, and she nearly jumps out of her skin when he slides into the chair across from her. "John -?" she starts. Doesn't make it much further.

"We have to leave."

"Pardon?"

"Come back to my place, please, honey. Now."

She squints at him, tetchy. "Why?"

John fidgets, frustration boiling under his skin. It's not her fault, of course, but if he doesn't get her locked in his den in the next thirty minutes, he's going to end up getting himself put down by animal control. He'd had a plan - when he left the office - a script to follow to get her to listen to him. He can't remember more than two words now.

"Graves's here," he blurts, knows he's fucked up when her brow knits ominously.

"Phil?"

John nods, tries to reach for her hand. She yanks it away from him. Distantly, he's proud to see her so suspicious. It's well-earned and a better alternative to the blind panic he'd half expected.

"How do you know about Phil?"

"Heard you talking about him to your friend that day, bunny. I'll explain everyth -."

"You were listening in on me?"

"Didn't mean to. Have good ears -."

"I never mentioned his last name."

John wishes he could follow along better, think clearly enough to find the words she needs to hear. Instead, all he manages is a dumb, "Huh?"

"I never mentioned Phil's last name on that phone call, John. How'd you know it?" His brain feels like it's being pulled in twenty directions, but he still manages to note how pretty she is when she's spittin' mad.

"Came into the bar looking for you. Soap ID'd him." He may as well be talking to the wall because there it is. Late to the party but reliable as the sun. The second he says Phil had been at the bar, the rabbit's eyes go big and round, darting around the cafe as if she expects to see him watching them from the next table over. "Sweetheart," he hedges, but the sound of his voice just makes her squirm.

"I have to go. Goodbye, John," she says, and something about her tone betrays the finality of it.

"Bunny," he pleads, lurching out of his seat to follow her. He can't keep his voice level enough not to scare her; tries placing a soothing palm on her arm instead.

It's as if he'd slapped her, the way she flinches away from him. John holds his hands up when she wheels on him, finds himself murmuring soothing words she doesn't listen to. There are people watching now, but he doesn't care, just needs his rabbit to listen.

She doesn't. "Goodbye, John," she hisses, and then hightails it out the door.

She's a quick little thing. John gets stopped by a well-meaning couple who think he means her harm and by the time he manages to barrel past them, she's already made it to her Jeep. He tries to call after her, but when he opens his mouth, all that comes out are coughs as his lungs attempt to shrivel up within his chest. He needs air. Get's pain instead. There's a hissing noise; it takes him a minute to realize he can't identify it because his eyes are closed. When he opens them he thinks maybe the jelly of his eyeballs have been boiled off; coagulated and cemented to his eyelids like overcooked jam. Still, he catches the barest hint of an aerosol can, stream pointed right at his face. He bats blindly, gets his hand knocked away violently. John grabs the offending hand and yanks, but it only serves to drag the person - and therefore the canister - closer. He gets a mouthful the next time he gasps for breath, and he nearly throws up, bile adding to the acidic taste he can't dislodge.

"Dude, enough!" someone shouts. Closer, muffled, a twangy accent tells them to mind their business. The snarl John emits scares even himself, voice broken and guttural as it is. He opens his eyes just enough to catch the conniving blue gaze hidden safe behind a pair of goggles, identifiable scar visible above the thick facemask he's using to protect himself. John can't keep his eyes open any longer than that, but he doesn't need to. He swings a heavy hand, catches him at the nape of his neck. He draws Graves closer, forgets what form he's in and tries to wrap his maw around the man's head. Human, he only manages to snag his ear between his teeth but that's a good start so he bites clean through it, shaking his head to tear the stringy bits of flesh loose when he pulls away. He can't even taste the blood for all the capsaicin coating his tongue. There's screaming - maybe Graves, probably onlookers. John hears the aerosol can run out and snarls in victory as the grip on Graves' neck turns crushing. Keeping the man close, John tries using his size to tip them both over but Graves is quicker, has the added advantage of being able to fucking see.

Graves turns, converts John's inertia to dump him across the pavement. A boot falls heavy on John's chest. He grabs it, tugs, only succeeds in pulling Graves' knee down onto himself. The weight shifts and then Graves' voice is close, maybe only an inch above him. "You're lucky there are witnesses," he hisses, dodges the mit John blindly swings at him. "I ever see you again, I'm putting you down like the rabid beast you are."

And then he empties another can of mace straight up John's nose and things go hazy for a while.

Next>>

[miseta]

Chapter 8 ➺ Confusion and directions 

Starting over In Madrid

Misa Rodriguez x Reader (Nicky/first person)

After moving to Madrid as the new Real Madrid photographer, Nicky's eyes can't look away from the pretty face of Misa Rodriguez. But how is she going to handle her growing desire for the Canarian goalkeeper when her working contract's strictly forbidding her to date players? Chapter 1 ➺ A harder job than I thought Chapter 2 ➺ Clearly on a bad slope Chapter 3 ➺ Calmly panicking Chapter 4 ➺ Hell Clasico Chapter 5 ➺ Valleys and peaks Chapter 6 ➺ Paris est magique! Chapter 7 ➺ In the haze

tw: suggestive content 7K words

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ 

A warm wind entered the window, sending ripples through the curtains and the bedsheets. I shivered but wasn’t cold, the light breeze welcomed on that hot evening in the Spanish capital. The goalkeeper’s tan hands rubbed me and her arms enfold me more. 

Misa buried her face in my hair, her nose graze my ear as she inhaled deeply. I shivered again, not from the wind this time “¿Tienes frío?“ she asked. I shook my head, I felt just warm out and inside.

We were laying naked in my bed, the window wide opened in hope to gain a bit of the fresher air from the outside but the curtain drawn to shied us from the neighbor view was blocking most of it. Even if our sweaty skins stuck, Misa was holding me tight against her as she couldn’t feel the heat from our body clumped together. 

Her mouth brushed my jawline as she continued to heavily breath. I turned around for our lips to meet, my palm fell on her cheek and my fingers gently closed into her hair to pull her mouth against mine. My arousal came back as we slowly kissed. “I better stop or we’ll go for another round“ I said. The goalkeeper smiled, and dragged her lips to my jaw again. 

“I wouldn’t mine“ she murmured but then was taken by a big yawn. “Oh, perdon.”

I planted a kiss on her cheekbone “You look so tired. We’ll have plenty of time another day. What’s on your schedule tomorrow?”

“I have to wake up early to go do some commercials and I’ve med and physio appointments on the afternoon, and training at 6’ ”, Misa yawned again. “You?”

“I’m working on photo direction for the end of the season. You know, retrospective, strong moments, stuff like that… I think I’ll go for something emotional but fun.” I paused and sighted. I had been very sad to learn Sofie Svava was leaving among others. I knew it was harder for Misa who had really connected with the Danish defender. The goalie blinked several times and I quickly changed subject “I’ll show up quickly at training as usual. I’m not complaining, I wanted a stimulating job but I could do with some holidays!”

“Oh si, vacaciones !” Misa shifted, unstucking our skins with a wince. I pulled away from her for us to cool down a bit and we laid on our sides, facing each other. “By the way, what did you do before joining the Real?” she asked me. 

“I was working for a communication agency that was working for… banks. I was so bored! You can’t imagine how many smiling men in their 30’s with thick glasses I have photographed. Or boxes, yes boxes, banks are fan of boxes: closed boxes, opened boxes, full boxes, empty boxes… I even did a box with people diving in it once.“

Misa chuckled “Did you do a box with a 30 years old man with glasses in it ?“

I burst of laugher “I did not ! Oh my god, what a nightmare it was ! Anyway, moving to Madrid is the best thing that could have happened to me !“ 

We both grinned. Misa’s smile had the nerve to be both adorable and gorgeous every time. I couldn’t help but think she was the best thing that had happened to me. She was wonderful just staring at me like that. 

Then her expression changed to uncertainty. “You said… it wasn’t only because of your job you wanted to leave, right ?” the brunette demanded, an implicit question lingering behind. 

The soft and curious look of her almond eyes broke down my last barrier. I bit my lips and swallowed, clinging to her brown gaze as I recalled what I had tried to leave behind. 

“Er… my ex had dumped me. She had found somebody else. We had been together for three years and a half…“ I rolled onto my back, unable to bear her look anymore and stared at the celling instead. 

“The worst part of it was it lasted, the break up. She let our relation rot but wouldn’t leave me, she probably had cheated on me with her new girl during the last months. At the end I was angry and sad to the point I cheated on her too. And I’m really not proud of that on so many levels… That was when she had known she had broke with me for good. She wasn’t mad or what, she just didn’t love me anymore for a long time but hadn’t had the wits to leave me. In a way, I think I provoked it myself. I just couldn’t go for more. It had to stop.“

My eyes stayed on the ceiling as I remembered the pain I was in. 

Misa came to lay her head on my shoulder, her eyes not crossing my gaze. “I’m sorry Cariño…”. She simply stay there, her warmth comforting this time. “We’re not talking about it again if you don’t want to, I was curious but I didn’t want you to feel bad.”

“No, I’m glad I told you.” I lift my arm for her to settled better and wrapped it around her. My mouth tipped her forehead. “It’s over now and I don’t regret anything”

“Mucho mejor” she said and we stayed silent a moment. Misa closed her eyes. She seemed to start drowsing. 

“What about you? I mean with… girls?” I inquired awkwardly and she let out a short chuckle but answered anyway, her eyelids still shut. 

“I’ve had a few relationships, mostly footballers. It’s simpler to understand each other but every type of relation brings its own problem. Football is a very competitive sport. Everything quickly become a conflict of interest and one day it affects you.” 

“Oh, I’m sorry too…” I waited a moment and went on, getting Misa didn’t want to say more, “so now you’re hooking up with a girl from your own club staff, but illegally !“ I laughed.

The brunette lift herself “Hey! You hadn’t warned me from the start!” 

“I tried to stop you but you were stubborn ! You don’t like when a girl resists you!“

Misa opened her mouth wide “Like you didn’t want too! You didn’t look at Hayley like that, I could tell there was something!”

I blushed, finding her hands and intertwining our fingers, but replied “I’ve never said I didn’t want you, I’m saying I didn’t made it easy and you took it as a challenge.” 

“Pfff Nicky… ” Misa lifted herself over me and pined my hands up my head and onto the pillow. I breathed hard and she added with a naughty look, “You have never resisted me”.

I snorted but felt turned on again by her dominative behavior. I tried to free myself in vain as I searched a way to thwart her and failed at both. The goalkeeper’s hold was far to strong for me. 

“You like that, eh ?” I provoked her “But I think I know what you'll like more!”

Misa just smirked with satisfaction “Ah si ? Show me what I'll like more than that?” and she let go of my hands. 

I fainted to be soft and started to kiss her tenderly, sensing her relaxing but a little perplex. Slowly, I lift myself and pressed against her to make her lay on her back. I was still very soft when I came over her, my hands finding hers and pushing them against the mattress. 

My grip on them suddenly harden and I felt her moan. I hold back my kisses as I placed my legs between hers, forcing them apart and spreading them wide. Misa’s lips fell opened as a new whine escaped them. She didn’t even tried to fight back as I kissed her fiery, turning the brunette’s breath into rasps.

I pulled back, embracing the vision of the hottest girl I ever had abandoning herself to me. “Yes, that’s what I thought.”

***

Late spring life at the ciudad was soft and lively like the light wings fluttering in my stomach. Real Madrid girls were preparing theirs last matches of the season and were still working hard in spite of their tiredness. Everyday, training sessions had a fresh and spicy taste, photographing all the players and trying not to focus on one particularly. But when nobody was watching, I was aiming at the tall and tan goalkeeper at once, capturing her body suspended in the air, the concentration drawing her features, the tension of her legs awaiting for the next jump. 

Several time a week, Misa and I took our respective car to go to one of our place, relieved to escape the ciudad where the two of us were really careful not to show anything more that friendship. We would meet in front of the building, already happy to be on our own, touching hands, smiling timidly. But as soon as we set foot in the apartment, we would kiss tenderly for long minutes. After an entire day having to keep my distance, I would feel I couldn’t get enough of us being close, her large hands pulling me against her and locking me there while we would make out more heatedly. 

We would head to the bedroom shortly, pulling off our cloths on the way. We would stay a moment stroking our bare skins, kissing more, chuckling lightly sometimes as our limbs intertwined and mess with the bedsheets. I had to say that Misa was unravelling a world of fantasy I hadn’t ever dreamt of. She could be soft but also rough, and, like I had guess, rather needy as well. Misa liked to be touched a lot and I couldn’t be happier with that, enjoying way too much to have her under my hands. We were still at the time of discovery, understanding and taming each other’s body. We would try this, and that, driven by the increasing need of each other. Maybe we were making up in bed the intimacy we couldn’t have in the outside. 

Our business done, we would lay in each other’s arms, and often talk for hours. Misa was a chatty person when it came to have fun and talk rubbish, however like she did at my place, she didn’t seem appealed to tell about more personal stuff yet. On the contrary, I was finding myself ready to open more with the goalkeeper. I was thrilled for us to share that kind of connexion but I respected Misa’s pace and didn’t try to push things. For now, our evening usually ended up doing silly stuffs like trying every filter on our phone, or improving a blind test for each other, laughing late in the night. 

And all this time, I was equally trying to find the answer of the question Angela had planted. Was Misa liking me like I did ? 

Back on the field, I noticed I wasn’t the only one to sometime loose my focus during work. I often took a glimpse of the goalie looking in my direction a fraction of second before pulling away. When she could feel I was shooting at her, she would smile very lightly and focus even more than usual, her grin turning bashful when she would fail at stopping the ball. 

But Misa was Misa, whole hearted at everything yet she could be very nonchalant. When training and working duty didn’t kept her, she was always willing to hang out together even if was mostly at home, still I could feel she was holding back like she was afraid of something.

Therefore, I couldn’t be sure. I couldn’t bring myself to believe it if was not true. 

***

Summer was there and with it the prospect of my best friend Angela’s imminent visit but the end of the season was still having me crawling under work, lengthening the days. On the top of the usual tasks, I had to create the portraits of the new players’ arrival. 

I met the new team members, many came from other Spanish clubs. Presentations and shooting was cool. I got along well with Alba Redondo from Levante and with a girl from France named Léa Koffi who would be the second goalkeeper. Accompanied by a designer team, I had planned a classy and funny decor: an arch way opening to a background of the city of Madrid, all in white with navy blue outlines to match the club identity. The players had play nicely with the set, taking various poses. My boss Ana had slipped to me that she was very happy with my work and she was thinking of discussing new perspectives with me soon. 

Logically, at the end of the day, I was feeling on a cloud and could’t wait to tell Misa everything. We were all invited to a goodbye party at Sofie’s home tonight. I insisted to pick Misa and Hayley up at their places as they were planning to drink when I wasn’t, for I had offered Sofie to play the professional photographer all night.

I did not wait long for the brunette as I parked as usual in front of her building. Misa opened the passenger’s door to slip inside the car, a forced smile stretching her tensed features. 

“Hey Misa, are you good ?” I asked her, intrigued.

“Hola Nicky, I’m ok.” She said but blinked several time. 

“You sure ? ” I dared to insisted, putting my hand on her shoulder, getting worried.

She looked at her lap, answering in a shaky voice “I thought I’ll be alright but I guess I’ll never get used to see a friend go.”

“Oh, come here Sweetie” I said opening my arms. Misa leant forward and let hear head fall on my neck. I decided not to dig on it, unsure if she wanted to share more and told her the good new instead in hope to lift her spirit.

“You know, today Ana said she’s very happy with me, I think I might get a promotion or something !” I told her eagerly, omitting the arrivals part on purpose in fear she’d think about Sofie again. 

Misa leant back. To my surprise, a look of dismay flickered on her pretty face. Her smiled was still forced when she congratulated me “Oh bravo Nicky !”. But suddenly, she seemed on the verge of tears and it broke me to see her so sad. 

I hugged her again and stroked her broad shoulders rising up and down with her deep breathing. What was going on with Misa? The good news seemed to have saddened her even more. She must feel really torn by the Danish girl leaving. 

“I’m gonna miss Sofie too at the ciudad” I whispered as my fingers gently brushed her hair, and I felt an urge to tell her about my feelings, to tell her that I was here for her. The words stayed in my throat. The brunette repressed a sniff and wrapped her arms tight around me when her shoulders started to shake. 

“I got you Misa” my words bored their meaning and more. I hugged her as tight as I could while she silently cried, her fingers grasping my shirt and her wet face pressing more against the side of my neck. 

Like after the Clasico, I realized Misa’s nerves were giving out. I started to doubt Sofie’s departure was the only reason for the break down of the strong goalie. I chose my words carefully, daring to venture into Misa’s insecurities. “It’s not only about Sofie, right ?” I asked, back at caressing her gently. 

She sniffed again, sobs escaped her body now and I searched the glove box for tissues. Misa pulled away from me as I handed her one. My heart broke again when I saw her face shining with tears. She blowed and breathed out slowly to calm herself down. 

“Lo siento” she said. I put my hand on hers, yet silently waiting to see if she wanted to tell more. Indeed, the goalie continued. “As you know, I had a rough season and I guess everything crashed on me tonight. I have the international break in a week. I know I’m probably going to be benched… Real Madrid’s not doing well enough. I’m not doing well enough… It’s been my best and worst year since I started football, and therapy is helping but I… I don’t really know where I’m at right now” she stopped, breathing hard again as a tear rolled on her cheek.

“I know Misa. And I’ve told you how I feel about that. You don’t have to be that hard on yourself. You have to gain your self confidence back. I don’t think you’ll succeed at it by flagellating yourself match after match.” 

I warped my arms around her shoulders. “And I know it doesn’t mean much sportily but you impressed me every day.” She broke a small true smile at last. “Though it’s true I have never dated a footballer before, so maybe that doesn’t count…” I added grinning and squeezing her shoulders possessively.

Misa’s gaze lingered on me before going back on her lap. “Nicky…” she mumbled. 

She stayed with her mouth opened but no sound came out. My heartbeat quickened. What was she going to say ? 

“Nicky…" she repeated, her red eyes went back to mine, unblinking. I froze, hanging on her lips, waiting for them to form the words. "Nicky… I…"

"Hum ?" a questioning sound escaped mine to encouraged her. Misa closed and opened her lips again. "I…" My heart was going to burst. If only she could just say it ! 

"...I’m not only a footballer, you are dating a goalkeeper, we are a special species." she finally said, her teasing tone back.

"What ?" I was so disappointed and taken aback by her change of behavior I didn’t registered what she meant. 

Misa started to laugh, frankly "You should see your face ! You look like I had confess to you my deepest secret !" I swallowed and pulled away, thinking hard I wished she had told me that instead of going back to joking again. 

I felt her hands taking my face back to hers to pull me into a kiss. “Perdon Nicky, y gracias para tu apoyo Cariño, I’m feeling better and I think we should get going.” she said before adding “I’m impressed by your ability to find the right words of comfort”.

I grinned, a bit lifted, and turned on the engine. 

Misa, Hayley, that we had picked up on the way, and I arrived at Sofie’s home among the last. Her flat was crowded with people chatting in small groups, loud music attendant the few dancers in the middle of her living. They were hugs and sweets words but the atmosphere was relaxed and festive. 

Sofie accompanied us to the kitchen and signaled where drinks were to the girls. She served me a grapefruit juice while Misa and Hayley improvised themselves barmaid and eagerly started to mixed various beverages together. I left the two friends to their business and followed Sofie back to the living where I would set a photocall.

I was peering at the guests while Sofie and I installed the background, lights and tripod in a corner of the room. Most of them were familiar faces from Real Madrid but I noticed a few people I didn’t know. A blond guy and a Latina women approached us raising their glasses to toast. 

"To our favorite Danish tourist !" the women said. 

"Thank you Carmen !" Sofie responded. "Carmen, this is Nicky, she’s Real Madrid photographer and a dear friend. Nicky, this is Carmen, she made me discover every corner of Madrid, basically. And this is her boyfriend Swen. I wouldn’t have settled here that well if it wasn’t to them", she sighted of emotion and went on. "But I hadn’t thought of it, Nicky’s been only here for six months, maybe you could take her around since you won’t have to look after me anymore". 

"Of course we can ! So, I can see you’ll be our photographer tonight as well ! Class !" Swen said. 

The three of us started to chat happily. Swen was attracted to arts and planned to show me new trendy places. Carmen really liked food and walks and had far too many addresses to recommend for almost anything I would want to eat, or any type of ride in and around the city. They were the first to strike a pose in the newly installed photocall. After that, we exchanged numbers and the couple went to joined other friends. 

I photographed a few people and time passed quickly. After a while, I went to the terrace to get some fresh air and leant against the guardrail, watching the city by night stretching in the horizon. I had fell in love with Madrid as well, I thought, peering at rooftop in the distance. I felt all good here and the idea of having new friends to discover more of the city warmed me.

Still, I was confused by Misa’s behavior in my car. Why hadn’t she said what she wanted ? She had seemed so troubled and became a tease the second after. Why had she changed her mind at last moment ? I felt annoyed, Misa really was hard to follow sometimes. 

"Hey…" I jumped at the voice of the goalkeeper. "You’re alright ?"

"Yeah, I’m taking a break" I responded as didn’t want to make a scene for nothing. 

"Venga" Misa pulled me to a part of the terrace sheltered from the inhabitant’s view. She took me in her arms and kissed me with passion. She tasted alcohol with a hint of coconut. I felt stiff, I couldn’t relax with so many Real Madrid members in the room next to us and Misa pulled back. 

"I feel I’ve been kind of a jerk earlier…" she began nervously. Her moves were more goofy than usual, she seemed on a good way to being drunk. She scratched her nose and put her hands on my neck. Her eyes darted across my face. "Nicky…" she muttered and kissed me one more time. My own hands rested against her torso. I was holding my breath, my eyes locked into hers. 

"Nicky…."

"Hey Misa ! Have you seen Ni…" Sofie’s voice rang from behind the goalkeeper. 

Misa froze and turned over, revealing to me the defender gagging at us. "Oh my god, I knew it !" she said smiling wide now. 

"Shhh Sofie ! Please keep your voice down", I panicked. 

"Why ? I don’t care, this is great ! But my gosh! I knew there was something between you two !"

Misa grabbed the danish girl into our more private place. “Sofie, this is serious, you have to keep it secret. Nicky could loose her job!“

Sofie looked perplexed. It was my turn to take Sofie’s arm “I can’t date Real Madrid players, it’s in my working contract. You can’t tell anybody, do you understand ?“

Sofie was gagging again and rolling her eyes “Ok ok I got it ! But what the fuck ?! Is that even legal ?“ I shrugged and she went to hug us “Oh my god, girls, I’m so happy for you! I’m gonna miss you even more“. 

“We’ll miss you too Sofie“ I said, “Where you looking for me?“ 

“Yes, a group of friend wanted a photo but I totally understand if you want to come later!” She stared at us again and chucked childishly. “ I’m glad I’m leaving you in good hands Misa”. 

But Misa was beyond being embarrassed and hided her face in her hands. 

Already frustrated by Sofie interruption, I was done with the brunette not being able to speak. “I’ll go photograph your friends. Come on Misa, let’s go back inside“.

So I retake my job at photographing the guests, with Misa, joined by Hayley, singing and dancing madly behind me. I did Sofie with a cowboy hat, Real Madrid staff with their faces cover with glitter, players dressed in neon color… Groups replaced groups for more than an hour, finishing by the two loud girls in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses, larges cocktails in hands perfecting their looks. 

As they took poses, I noticed Misa was even messier than before. She was barely standing up without tanging. Hayley looked drunk too but less. They kept laughing as they posed more ridiculously than ever.  

When they were out of ideas, Hayley went to me “Nicky go with Misa, you have to be on some photos !”

I wasn’t temped by the prospect of leaving my camera under the care of the drunk Australian winger, but she left me no choice, dragging me into the set and placing herself behind the tripod. 

Misa handed me her sunglasses and we mimicked surfing, diving and other beach activities. It actually was fun, but I was keeping an eyes on Misa still drinking her cocktail. To conclude, Hayley asked for a classic one, so we just faced the camera arm in arm.

“All good” she said once she took the shot and started to review the photos on the camera screen. 

That’s when I felt the goalkeeper loosing balance and weight on my shoulder. “Misa ?” I tried to steady her but she immidiatly pulled away. 

“No, Nicky, alguien could vernos!” she stammered in spanglish and hold herself to a spotlight, nearly making it fall. 

“Wow Misa !” Hayley darted to her side to hold her. 

“How much you two have been drinking ?” I asked supporting Misa on the other side.

The Aussie’s glance was guilty “A few glasses, I’m not sure I know about Misa“.

“No me siento good” the goalie mumbled, looking paler and more disoriented. 

I took the cocktail from her hand and put it away “Come to lay in Sofie’s bed, it’s gonna be alright. You just drank too much.” 

Hayley and I brought her to the bedroom and made her lie down. Her cheeks were flushed red and sweaty. Hayley went out to find Sofie. 

“Nicky… disculpe, hago lo que sea.” The goalie said as I crouched at her bedside.

“Er… sorry Misa I don’t understand Spanish that good, I’m going to get you some water, ok?”

But the goalkeeper hold me near her. “Don’t go! I’m sorry…”

I grasped her moist face, speaking softer “I’m just bringing you water Sweetie.”

“Lo arruiné todo… me estoy mareando.” She let go of me but continued to mutter things in Spanish I did not understand.

I went out of the room and fell on Hayley looking completely sober now. “I told Sofie Misa is not feeling well. Hey Nicky, hum… You should know Misa’s blaming herself for having you two caught up by Sofie tonight, among other things…”

“Oh… she does? Among other things ? Did she tell you what ?”

Hayley shifted uncomfortably but her voice was reassuring “Just talk to her, but later when she’ll feel better.” 

She left me really confused. I knew Misa often blamed herself when it came to football but I couldn’t see what it had to do with me. Yes, she could have avoid kissing me next to a room full of people and drinking like a fish… maybe I did looked really annoyed.

I went back to the bedroom with the glass of water. Sofie was already there, speaking softy to the goalkeeper. I sat on the bed and handed the glass to Misa and the goalie sat up to drink. She still looked in a pretty bad shape. 

When she was done drinking, I invited her to lie her head on my lap. I wanted her to feel I didn’t hold her any grudge about Sofie knowing. The goalkeeper relaxed a little and closed her eyes. 

I crossed Sofie’s gaze clearly bubbling with excitement and tenderness, I felt my cheek blushed. “She really drank way too much” I said looking back down at the dizzy brunette. 

“I’ve never seen her drink like that. Not even after a big win. Misa’s rather serious on that usually.”

Misa’s brows furrowed and she stammered “I… serious…” 

I patted her, amused “I’m gonna take us back to my place soon, ok?”

“Hum, Nicky’s flat es muy bonito.” 

Sofie laughed “Valé Misa, you mean Nicky es bonita?“ 

“Sofie!” I protested. 

“Shh cállate Nicky…” the goalkeeper said and paused like she was gathering her thoughts. “Es verdad Nicky es bonita” she declared.

Sofie yelled in triumph and I gasped, flattered and embarrassed, feeling my face grow hot again.

Misa rolled to her side and nested herself against my stomach. “Nicky es mi secreto.” 

I bit my tongue, touched. My feelings for her choked me one more time.

“That is so cute !” Sofie was delighted but went serious, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret to the grave, girls”.

***

It was noon and I was cooking eggs and bacon when Misa exited the bedroom, disheveled and her eyes puffy. 

She approached with a groan, a hand on her forehead. “I’m never drinking again”.

“You were agitated in bed all night. How’re you feeling today?“ I turned off the hob leaving the dished to finish to cook slowly. 

“Like a zombie“ she moaned and went to hug me from behind. 

“You turned my athlete girlfr… into a zombie ?“ I felt hot for having almost called her my girlfriend, I hoped she hadn’t payed attention to it. 

The goalie lifted and waved her arms like the monster, her mouth found my neck where she laid slobbery kisses and I chucked and tried to pulled away when she whispered with a freaky voice between two kisses “Your girlfriend is a zombie!“ 

“Oh…” I stopped struggling, closing my eyes, letting my brain and heart comprehend it, realize it, Misa kissing me more and with more saliva. I had never though Misa would call herself my girlfriend while drooling on me in a very disgusting way. The absurdity of the situation made me burst of laugher. 

“Stop! Misa! Stop it’s weird!” I said as I continued to laugh.

But the goalkeeper kept on licking me and growled “Soy loca Nicky, you better accept it now!”

I faced her, she looked clearly ravaged by her hangover, wearing her night thank top and short, but harbored her usual smirk. Everything about her was perfectly not perfect. I like you Misa, I wanted to say as I kissed her, half laughing. I love you. 

Still the words wouldn’t come out and I simply announced, “I made a brunch since you were not waking up. There is a salad and fruits on the table. I hope it fits in your diet.” I touched her biceps to make the point. 

“It’s perfect, gracias! I’ll go run after, I need to evacuate whatever is still in my body.” she pressed a hand on her forehead again. “Madre mia, mi cabeza!”

“There’s painkillers in the bathroom if you want.” A thought just cross my mind. “Misa, do you remember my friend Angela’s coming today ?”

“Oh, I forgot. Do you want me to go after lunch ?”

“No, in fact, I wanted you to meet her if it’s ok for you to stay until she arrives. She told me she’ll be here around 3.” 

Misa’s smile was unreadable for once. I couldn’t tell if she was pleased or embarrassed. “I think I’ll be returning from footing around 3 too. If It doesn’t bother that I take a shower while she’s here I’ll be happy to join you.”

We kept smiling at each other. Say it now, Nicky ! But Misa embraced me again, and muttered “Thank you for looking after me yesterday… I… Te… Gracias Nicky”.

I stayed buried in her arms, enjoying the moment. “De nada Sweetie. By the way, I don’t care Sofie knows about us. She’s leaving and she would never say anything anyway.” Hayley’s confession came back in my mind. She’s blaming herself… among other things. 

I took my courage, “You seemed really upset last night… Is there…” But my phone rang at that precise instant, vibrating loudly against the bar. I really had back luck with phones… “Shit! That’s Ana, my boss, I gotta take it”. 

So, I picked up the phone while Misa began to dress the table.  

“Hello Ana”

“Hello Nicky, you have a minute ?”

“Yes, of course”

“Thank you, we have a rather urgent business, Football Federation wants to make a special event for goalkeepers. I need someone to work on Misa and Léa’s portrait and to cover the event. It’s in mid July but the portraits have to be sent by the end of next week. Yes I know Misa will be on international break, so can you arrange something in the days to come ?”

“Oh, well, yes. I’ll managed but I hope it’ll fit in Misa and Léa’s schedule…”

“I’ll make sure it will, we can’t spoil that Nicky. Real Madrid have to be well represented, it’s the Federation.“

“Ok, I’m on it.”

“Thank you. When you’re done with the shooting, come to my office, we’ll talk about your further work perspectives. Good afternoon, Nicky. ”

“Thank you Ana, good afternoon.”

I hang up, sighted heavily and came to sit down at the table with Misa who had gathered everything for the brunch. 

“What was it about? I heard my name.” she asked, putting food on my plate and hers. 

“More work for both of us… I have to organize an express shooting for you and Léa.  And the three of us are going to a goalkeeper meeting in July.” I cursed and started to eat. 

“Dios mío, that kind of event is boring as fuck…” Misa devoured her meal like she hadn’t eat in days. “Have you met this Léa ?” 

“I did, she’s cool. I’m sure you’ll get along well.”

“Cool, it will be less painful.” she said, her plate almost empty.

I took a mouthful of bacon and egg. “And I think Ana will really promote me! Maybe I’ll have a raise too!“. 

“Well done Nicky!” the goalie cheered but peered at her plate. 

What the fuck was troubling Misa when it came to my job opportunities ? Hayley’s words kept coming in my head. Just talk to her. I swallowed a few more bites. Why did the phone had to ring earlier? I was ready for it. Now, I didn’t know how to initiate the taking...

“Misa ?” 

“Hum?” The goalkeeper raised her almond-shaped eyes, her thick brows interrogative. 

“I was wondering… did you… are you ok now ?” 

Misa looked at me a moment, her expression again unreadable. 

“Yes, I think I am, for now” she finished to say, smiling but looking down again and fiddling with the rest of her egg. 

Oh strange, I thought but told her “I’m glad you are. You can tell me if you’re not again, ok?”

Her brown eyes went back on mine, she sighted and responded “I will.”

“Thank you. And you can finish the bacon. Yes, I’m seeing you eyeing it for 10 minutes.”

As expected, Angela arrived before the goalkeeper’s return. I jumped in her arm and we hugged for long minutes. We were excited like crazy to see each other after so long. Angela had had an early flight but wasn’t tired so we decide to open a beer to celebrate her arrival. 

We sat at the kitchen table, chatting without stopping. My best friend told me about what was going on in her life, she updated me with two or three gossips about our common friends. We laughed a lot, the kitchen’s window wide opened let the the sun soak the room as time passed. 

More that an hour later, the doorbell rang and I stood up, rushing to the intercom.

“It’s got to be Misa returning from her footing!“

Angela opened her mouth wide. “You haven’t told me she would be here! It’s great !“ 

She side eyed me naughtily and I rolled my eyes. “Angie! Please behave!“ 

“Of course. Did you forget I’m an angel, Nicky?“

“Sure! The only angelic thing about you is your name…“ I retorted as I waited to open the entrance door. 

Misa emerged from the stairs, panting and her cheeks sparkled with red. She entered the flat, her breathing already coming back to normal. I couldn’t help but find her super hot in the sweaty light grey sport kit contrasting nicely with her tan skin. The drawn muscles of her shoulders and arms gave me nasty thoughts. 

The goalkeeper took off her earphones and swiftly kissed me on the lips. She followed me into the kitchen corner where Angela was waiting. My friend waved to her, all smiling. “Hey Misa ! Nice to meet you ! I’m Angela, or Angie, as you like, but I’m sure Nicky’s already told you my name.“

“Yeah she did, hello Angela. Nice to meet you too.“ Misa seemed really shy.

“We’re having a beer but I guess you will not. Orange juice, lemonade or coffee?“ I asked the goalie. 

“Café por favor. Do you have milk? I’ll prepare my coffee, disfurta de tu amiga Nicky.“

“It’s in the fridge, thanks sweetie.“ I snatched another kiss as she went pass me and sat back with Angela, grinning at us.  

“So Misa, what do you want to know about Nicky? I know her like I made her.“ she said with insurance. 

“Angela don’t start !“ 

The goalkeeper released a soft chuckle, putting a filter in the coffee machine. “Hummm, oh I know! What was she like when she was a kid?“. She pressed the button and leant against the kitchen work plan, her smirk back.

“Excellent question!“ Angela was gloating, I was baffled. “She was completely crazy of course. I remember when she came to my house, she wanted us to play with pens. Not to draw with them, no, pens were people. Ok we were 6 or 7. Oh, and Nicky really was an animal protector, you couldn’t squash an ant in front of her! Otherwise, she was a rather calm child.“ 

“It’s cute” The goalkeeper responded pouring coffee into a mug. 

I was hiding behind my bottle of beer. “Can we stop taking about me please!“ 

“And teenager Nicky ?“ 

“Ah! Teenager Nicky was a real geek! Always a comic or a manga under the arm. She liked to watch girls too.“

“Angie!“ I couldn’t be more embarrassed.

“She still likes it.“ Misa said. “She even made a job out of it.“ 

Angela and Misa laughed together. I couldn’t believe what was happening. They were both making fun of me like they always had known each other. “Wow, you two are so heavy…“ 

“Oh come on Nicky, I just want to know more about you!“ the goalkeeper kissed my cheek and sat with us, the coffee with milk in her hand. “Your friend is good at giving the right informations“.

“I know, thank you Misa! Let’s give a rest to Nicky.“ Angela took pity of me. She went on, asking the brunette “ When did you know you wanted to be a footballer?“ 

“At five, it was not easy as a girl but my family has always been super supportive. I could tell you about my career but you can find it on google actually.“

“You’re boasting again, sweetie.“ I teased Misa, a bit for revenge. 

“Qué? No! I wasn’t saying it like that. It’s just it's long and maybe she’s not interested!“ She put her hand on her mouth, looking really embarrassed.

“I’m joking, Misa!“ I laughed. The goalkeeper was a humble person for real. Loud but humble. She hated feeling like she was bragging. I looked at her drinking her coffee, all shy again, and thought I liked that about her too. “Misa’s a world champion, she has so many medals. She’s the best goalkeeper!” I told my best friend and the brunette’s lips corners stretched upward. 

Angela was amused. “So you have the right to boast about your girl? Anyway, that’s impressive! How’s work going for you two at the Real?“

I was afraid Angela’s question would put Misa uneasy but the brunette replied with insurance. “I’m good, I’ve signed for two more years.“

“I’ve got a lot of work but it’s cool and my boss wants a talk with me about my future in the club, so I’m really glad about everything!” I told her happily. 

“That’s great girls…“ Angela began but was cut by Misa getting up. 

“I’m going to shower.” she said, a bit awkwardly. She put her mug in the sink and went off the room. 

Once I heard the sound of the water running, I kept my voice low and told Angela, “You see? Misa shut herself every time I mention my work opportunities! I don’t get it, why isn’t she happy for me?”

“Nicky girl, you’re really that blind?” 

“What?” I was amazed by Angela’s reaction. 

My friend explained, her tone full of compassion “Misa is wanting more and you can’t give it to her if you continue to work for the Real.”

I felt a heavy load crashed in my stomach with the realization that came with Angela’s words. Why hadn’t I thought about that? Everything made sense suddenly. Her break down in my car. Her excessive drinking last night. Her difficulties to talk openly. Hayley’s warning… Still one detail prevented me from truly believing it. 

“But, I mean… does it means she likes me?” I felt my cheeks burn. 

“I’ve seen Misa for fifteen minutes and she can’t keep her eyes of you. She’s glancing in your direction every now and then. She’s super sensitive about how you’re perceiving her. She’s thoughtful but likes to tease you when she can...” 

Angela paused, drank a sip of beer, and concluded. “Misa loves you, Nicky”.

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧

Chapter 9 ➺ A place for words

[estellemusings]

HSR-Scenarios

Dan Heng x f!reader

🌟 : your little brother and Dan Heng

Everybody looks at you in disbelief, who wouldn't when a boy is standing next to you.

It was your younger brother, you were in charge of looking after him for the mean time

He smiles at everyone as you introduce him.

March, Stelle, Himeko and Welt introduce themselves to him. March keeps saying how adorable he is.

He entertained them until he saw a familiar figure from afar. He broke free from the people surrounding him to run to that person

"Big brother" he shouted

Dan Heng was startled since he just arrived at the parlor car but instinctively caught the running child. He knew this was your brother but didn't expect him to call him "brother"

"Big Brother?" he asks

He nod with enthusiasm

"Big sis told me about you, you're big brother Dan Heng. The handsome brother"  as a wide grin plastered on his lips

Dan Heng looks up and meets your gaze as the corner of his mouth rises.

"Stop!! I-i didn't say that" you stuttered as a  reddish shade tint your cheeks while you approached them

"You did!, you even said he looks handsome when he's ser-" you place your hand on his mouth to stop him from talking.

Watching you bickering with your brother is such a rare sight.

In the midst of your bickering, Himeko called you out to ask for some help with an errand.

You entrust your brother to Dan Heng for the meantime.

"I'll be back as soon as possible. Sorry for passing him to you"

"Don't worry love, I'll take care of him" he reassured you

You press a kiss on his cheeks to say thank you. Before leaving you told your brother to be good.

Dan Heng brought him to his room, seeing all different kinds of books and some techs he never seen before.

He pointed out the Data Bank, asking Dan Heng if what's that for.

"That's for work" He answered

"Can we access it?" The boy looks at him with pleading eyes that makes it hard for him to say no.

Instead he look for a thing that can shift his attention away from the Data Bank. His gaze lands on books full of stories

"That book is rather more interesting" Dan Heng grab the book of stories and gave it to him

Seeing the title, he excitedly opened the book to read it.

They settle down on his bed. Leaning their back on the shelves beside the bed.Dan Heng picks up is own book and they engrossed themselves in reading

For some reason he was curious on what you've been telling your brother.

"What did she say about me" Dan Heng asks

He ponders for a moment on what to answer

" She met this amazing, intelligent and handsome man. That for some reason loves her so much. And she also told me i'll like you and guess sis was right" he answered smiling ear to ear

Warmth enveloped him, he really does love you but at the same time you do too as well.

They return their attention to the book they're read. Silence filled the room again

You just finished the tasks and walked back to his room. A gasp left your lips  the moment the door opens

They're sleeping, your brother leaning his head on his shoulders. Blanket wrapped around both of them.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, you grab your phone and snap the photo of them.

You approached them and placed a kiss on their foreheads as you said good night. Before leaving you look back one last time.

You're really lucky to have Dan Heng by your side.

You left the room with a smile etched on your lips.

© telle's musings

5-07-23