#But he knew I had a crush on him before all of them

[bitchface24-7]

Could you make a dark Yandere Viktor story?

YOU BELONG TO ME - VIKTOR X READER

synopsis: Viktor's your childhood friend, your best friend in all honesty. You've always harboured a crush on him, but you've never had the courage to confess; assuming he doesn't feel the same. Besides, he's always caught up in his work anyway. It's only when Councillor Salo makes a move on you does Viktor react, and he reacts in a way you never imagined before.

warnings: yandere/obsessive/possessive Viktor, childhood friends to lovers, jealously, angry confessions, marking, suggestiveness, dark ideas not voiced, Grammarly is my beta

genre: m/f or m/m

p.s. Oooh this hit a sweet spot I'm ngl. I'd be all too happy being Viktor's, idk if that's concerning of me. As I've said before, this man controls my libido LMAO (I think he'd be shocked and a little smug if he was real and he knew that 😭)

It’s a day like any other. You hang out with Viktor and Jayce in the lab, you watch them work, you help where you can, and you talk easily with the two of them.

Everything changes when out of the blue, Councillor Salo enters the lab.

He's never entered the lab before. He's never been interested. Why all of a sudden is he here now?

Obviously for his own gain. He requests Jayce to make him something as he overtly ignores Viktor. The two talk as Salo reminds Jayce of the councils meeting coming up in the next hour.

Jayce quickly flits around the room, trying to get everything necessary for the talk regarding Hextech. As Jayce rushes around the lab like a busy bee, Councillor Salo turns his attention onto you.

And this makes Viktor’s blood boil.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

You're causally leaning against Viktors desk when Councillor Salo walks up to you, a smug look on his face as he watches Jayce.

“You’re new. I've never seen you before. I'd remember a face like that.”

Your lips thin a bit as you attempt to smile, it feels more like a grimace honestly, “I’m here every day. I'm just not an official partner of Hextech.”

Salo’s eyebrow quirks as he looks you over, you're tempted to shield yourself with your arms, Viktor’s writing has stopped. His hand gripping the fountain pen tightly.

“Ah, that's why I've never seen you during the Hextech conferences we hold. I would've paid more attention if you were there.”

The pen Viktor is holding creaks as you nervously laugh, “You shouldn't say such things Councillor. Especially with the founders in the same room.”

Salo hums and brushes a piece of hair off of your forehead, you gasp lightly in shock and you hear a snap behind you. The pen in Viktor’s hand has shattered, and dark ink stains his pale skin.

“Its only the truth. If you ever want more— riveting company. You know where to find me.” and with that, Councillor Salo walks away, taking Jayce with him as they leave the lab. The door shuts behind them and the room is plunged into silence.

Your eyebrows are furrowed and you gasp at the state Viktor is in. His face is furious, his hand is dirty, and he’s glaring at you.

He's never glared at you before.

“What the hell was that?!” He asks, his tone dark and sharp. You look at him in shock, not knowing what to say.

You've never seen him this angry before, and its kind of making your stomach jolt with butterflies.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Viktor can feel his lips snarling as he looks at you. You're his. You've been his since you were kids and you asked him how he made his toy boat.

He's infuriated. You allowed Salo to get close to you. To touch you. You didn't tell him off, you didn't dismiss him. You allowed him to proposition you right in front of him.

(Viktor knows they need the council on their good side but he doesn't care right now)

You looks like a baby deer caught in the headlights. Your eyes are big and pleading, your face is a mask of shock, and your lips are parted lightly in disbelief.

“I don't— I don't know. That's the first time we've ever spoken to one another.”

The flame in Viktor's gut barely recedes at that. He wants you once and for all. He wants to kiss you, hold you whenever he pleases, he wants to defile you and ruin you for anyone else.

(He's also tempted to collar you and chain you to his bed in his apartment. You'll never be able to leave him. He won't let you.)

“You let him proposition you, right in front of me. In front of Jayce.”

You can't help but scoff at that, you didn't let Salo do anything. As if you expected him to talk to you like that.

“Don’t you dare blame me Viktor! I didn't expect or want him to talk to me like that! As if I were nothing more than a body to warm his bed, as if I didn't have anything else to offer.”

Viktor bites his lip and sighs heavily, “So you should’ve stopped him! Did something at least!”

“And what? Ruined our relationship with the council?! Making it impossible to get funds for Hextech! Besides why do you even care?!”

Viktor jolts up from his seat, coming damn near nose to nose with you, if you didn't know any better, you'd think he didn't even need his cane. His anger overtaking his chronic pain.

“Because I love you! Because you're mine! You've been mine since we were children and I won't let some slimy snake-like Salo get his disgusting hands on you before I can!”

A gasp of shock escapes you as you look into Viktor's dark eyes, his clenched jaw, and snarled lips. He— what?

You jerk forward and kiss him desperately. You can feel him jolt in surprise before he kisses you harshly back, his ink-stained hand coming up to cup a part of your throat and jaw. Your skin now stained with ink from Viktor's broken pen.

The two of you briefly break your kiss and Viktor places his forehead against yours, the two of you panting lightly, “I love you too, just in case you didn't know. I've loved you since we were kids.”

Viktor smiles, his teeth proudly on display. He kisses you gently before angling your head to the side; peppering kisses and hickies on the unstained side of your neck.

“I am yours and you are mine.” He casually states into your neck, biting the juncture harshly. You groan at the pain, his teeth marks are going to be imprinted into your flesh for quite some time.

“Until the end of time.”

Viktor groans lowly in his chest and crushes his lips back to yours. You must look like a mess right now, messy hair, stained neck and cheek, hickies, a brutal bite mark on your neck, your lips plump and red due to the harsh kissing.

God you look ruined and Viktor hasn't really done anything to you yet.

“I want everyone to know you're mine. I've been dreaming of this since we were teens. Let me, please let me. I'll do anything.”

You sigh and card a hand through Viktor’s hair, “I won’t stop you, as long as I let everyone know you're mine too.”

Viktor removes himself from you, lightly backstepping to look you deep in your eyes, “Deal. I wouldn't want it any other way. Your place or mine?”

You smirk lightly and drag a finger down his chest, “Whos to say we have to leave the lab? Jayce won't be back for another few hours, and our places are too far.”

The dark look you get in return as Viktor ushers you to the futon in the corner of the lab tells you all you need to know.

He's gonna rock your shit.

FIRST YANDERE!VIKTOR REQUEST DONE! This was so fun and omg Id die if he talked and acted like that with me he's so 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[g1rld1ary]

heart shaped doodles - james potter x reader

wc: 836

summary: you accidentally get given james' essay, covered in doodles with your intials together

me: wrote this in one sitting i love loverboy james!!!!!

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

you were in agonies waiting for your latest potions essay. usually, you had a pretty good grasp of how you were doing academically, but this last project just had you muddled and confused.

the confusion you felt about your essay, though, was completely overshadowed by the utter bewilderment you experienced as you looked down at the piece of paper slughorn had handed you.

all over the heading and through the margins laid doodled hearts, slightly smudged from carelessness. even stranger than the hearts was that your initials sat right in the middle of them, paired with the unmistakable ‘j.p.’.

you quickly paged through the rest of the essay, face draining of colour at the characteristic chicken scratch — and even more so at the clearly accidental inclusion of a page in the middle, filled with doodles and the repeated mantra of ‘mr james’ followed by your last name.

before you could process what you’d just read slughorn snatched the essay out of your hands, booming laugh echoing through the potions classroom.

“sorry about that,” he shook his head as if to reprimand himself, “i must have gotten confused with your initials being all over it.” that got the class’ attention, and several gryffindors craned their necks to catch a glance of the paper as the professor passed.

when slughorn finally made it to james’ desk, dropping the essay down silently, the class erupted into chaos. teasing and heckling ensued as both you and james sunk into your seats, and you were sure your face was the same shade of red as his.

slughorn failed spectacularly at controlling the class after the revelation that the james potter had a crush on you. and not just any crush, a doodle-your-names-together-in-the-margins, down-bad kind of crush. knowing that no more learning was going to happen slughorn dismissed you all, and you had plans to run straight to your dorm and hide there until everyone stopped caring about the whole incident.

remus lupin was immediately at your side, chatting to you about something you weren’t particularly interested in, but you were too polite to tell him of your hibernation plans. you nodded and agreed with him until you were the only ones left in the classroom. apart from james.

you froze, panic overtaking you as you stumbled to put the last of your things in your bag and run when a voice called your name. you knew instantly it was james and turned slowly to face him, forcing yourself to reluctantly make eye contact.

there was still a light dusting of blush above his cheekbones, and the way he was rubbing the back of his neck betrayed his own nervousness.

“hey,” he said, hand clutching the single strap of his bag.

“hi,” you replied, trying to stop your hands from shaking.

“so you, uh, saw my paper?”

“yeah,” you breathed, “um, congrats on the ‘o’ by the way. wish it really was my essay.” james laughed softly at your joke, messing up his hair for something to do.

“i could help you sometime! if you need it, of course.” james cringed at his own reply, the instant realisation that it maybe wasn’t the right thing to say at the moment.

“right,” you trailed off, “well, i’m gonna—”

“wait!” james reached out, a hand catching your bicep lightly. it sent goosebumps up and down the length of your arm. you looked at james expectantly, heart hammering in your chest.

“look, i — fuck. there’s no point pretending we both don’t know now. i really like you. like, an embarrassing amount, as everyone’s discovered today. and i wasn’t gonna do anything about it because i figured you’re so out of my league and aren’t interested, but i suppose i’ve already made a fool out of myself today, might as well full send it. so, what do you say? can i take you out to hogsmeade sometime?”

you pretended to mull it over to give your internal voice time to scream. james potter was without a doubt the hottest guy in school, not to mention smart and funny and good at everything he tried. and he wanted to go out with you! if he wasn’t watching you with anxious interest you thought you might’ve passed out. instead, you played it cool.

“yeah,” you said, smile creeping out despite your best efforts, “yeah, that sounds like fun.”

you almost had to shield your eyes when james beamed, practically its own light source.

“cool!” he said, too loud and fast, “next weekend?” you nodded with almost equal enthusiasm, the two of you sharing the same giggly grins.

behind james you caught a glance of slughorn through the crack in his office door, smiling fondly at the both of you. maybe his slip-up wasn’t so accidental.

“so,” james said, intertwining your fingers boldly as you both turned to leave, “you need me to be your tutor?”

[multific]

Undercover Sweethearts

Spencer Reid x Reader

Summary: You were never one for undercover work, but with a partner like the handsome Dr Reid, you had no problem playing your part.

The case was unlike any the BAU had seen.

A killer targeting couples.

Stalking them, studying them, and ultimately murdering them in their homes.

The unsub was careful, leaving no traces except for one chilling detail: each couple had recently attended a romantic retreat, a place meant to renew love but now tainted by death.

Hotch’s solution had you blinking in disbelief and gasping for air.

“Reid and Y/N will go undercover as a couple at the retreat.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“I agree with Hotch,” Morgan chimed in with a grin. “You and Reid are the least expected pair, and that’s exactly why it’ll work.”

Spencer’s eyes widened as he fumbled with his watch.

“Uh, w-wait. Why us? I mean, there are more... seasoned agents for this.”

Hotch’s tone was final. “You’ll blend in the best. And you know the profile. You two are the best for this.”

Your stomach flipped, not from fear but anticipation.

You’d had a crush on Spencer for months.

Working with him was both a privilege and a curse; his awkward charm and brilliant mind made him irresistible.

Pretending to be his lover, his wife?

It felt like a dream come true and a nightmare at the same time.

The retreat was a small lodge nestled in a forest, designed to encourage intimacy with its cosy fireplaces and heart-shaped bathtubs. A bit too much for your taste but hey, at least it was for free.

You and Spencer arrived late, you were greeted by a cheerful coordinator who handed you a single key.

“Mr. and Mrs. Reid,” she said warmly. “We hope this weekend brings you closer together.”

Why must you use his real name? Not even Hotch could answer with a serious face.

And his face is always serious.

The title of wife and husband sent a chill down your spine, but Spencer’s face turned crimson.

Just like that, the genius turned into a fool.

“Uh, thanks. We’re, uh—”

Slipping your hand into his, you played your part and rescued your husband. “Looking forward to it. Aren’t we, Honey?”

Spencer’s lips parted as if to protest, but he nodded quickly.

“Yes. Very... forward.”

You almost wanted to laugh at his nervousness. But you knew, you just hid yours better.

In your cabin, you threw your bag onto the bed, turning to find Spencer standing awkwardly near the door.

“Relax, Dr. Reid,” you teased, leaning against the bedpost. “You’re supposed to act like you love me, not like you’ve been trapped in a room with a bomb.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, offering you a shy smile. “Sorry. It’s just... this is new territory for me.”

“Good thing I’m here to help you,” you joked, crossing the room to straighten his tie.

You couldn’t resist brushing your fingers against his chest.

His eyes moved to yours, wide and uncertain, and for a moment, you forgot this was an act.

But you offered him a smile.

The retreat’s activities were tailored to strengthen bonds.

Consisting of trust exercises, tandem kayaking, and even a “love languages” workshop.

Whatever that was.

You leaned into the role with ease, finding every opportunity to hold Spencer’s hand or tease him with playful whispers.

During a group dinner, you fed him a bite of dessert, laughing when his ears turned red.

“You’re adorable when you’re flustered,” you said loud enough for others to hear.

Spencer stuttered, “I-I’m not flustered. Just... surprised.”

Later, in private, he sighed as he sank into the couch. “You’re really committed to this role.”

You sat beside him, close enough that your knees touched.

“Isn’t that the point? We have to be convincing.”

“You’re... very convincing.”

"Undercover is not my strongest suit. I might be overcompensating."

"No. You are doing... too good." you shrugged your shoulders at his words before heading to the shower.

Maybe you were having too much fun. If he began to notice, you might become obvious that this is not all an act.

On the third day, the tension thickened.

You felt eyes on you during a group hike, and Spencer confirmed your suspicion.

“We’re being watched,” he whispered, his grip tightening on your hand.

The unsub had a pattern, choosing couples who oozed happiness.

Your exaggerated affection had likely drawn their attention. Much like how you planned. Hoping your happiness might bring him out sooner than his previous kills.

That evening, you and Spencer staged a romantic moment by the lake, knowing it might bait the killer.

“You’ve been amazing,” Spencer said softly, his voice laced with sincerity. “I don’t know how you make this seem so effortless.”

You smirked, leaning in. “Maybe it’s not entirely an act.”

Before he could respond, movement in the shadows caught your attention. Your eyes spanned to the bushes.

The unsub emerged, a knife in his hand. Just as you predicted, a white male in his early thirties.

The attack was quick.

The unsub lunged, and Spencer shielded you, wrestling with the attacker.

You grabbed a heavy branch, swinging it to knock the knife from his hand.

Spencer subdued him, his strength surprising you, until backup arrived to take the unsub into custody.

As the chaos settled, and the police took the man away, you sat by the lake, adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Spencer was beside you, his shirt torn, and there was a small cut on his temple.

“You’re okay?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“I’m fine,” you said, though your hands were shaking. “Thanks to you.”

He smiled faintly. “You’re braver than I gave you credit for.”

You turned to him, your heart pounding but you couldn't handle it any longer. “Spence, I wasn’t lying earlier. About this not being an act.”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean...” You hesitated before forcing the words out. “I’ve had feelings for you, for a while. Pretending to love you wasn’t hard. Pretending it was fake was.”

Spencer’s gaze softened, and he reached for your hand.

“You should’ve told me. I...” He trailed off, then leaned in, his lips capturing yours in a kiss that was tender and perhaps a bit sloppy.

But it was also perfect.

Absolutely perfect. Like him.

When you pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours.

“Maybe we don’t have to pretend anymore and it can be real.”

You smiled at his words. It was a promise of something far greater than you could have ever imagined.

Now, you just have to run it by Hotch, but you were pretty certain he chose the two of you for this mission for a reason.

~Masterlist~

ˇAO3ˇ

Wattpad

/DO NOT TRANSLATE, STEAL OR REPOST ANY OF MY WORKS TO THIS OR OTHER PLATFORMS/

[gracieheartspedro]

Cherry Stems

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader

word count: 3.1k

description: eddie rejects your advances because his friends are around. so you use them to your advantage. piss eddie off and maybe you'll get what you want. maybe.

warnings: MDNI! 18+ only pls, age not specified but i imagine eddie/reader are 20+, porn without much plot, major teasing, reader is a brat, mentions of eating food, reader has no food aversions, nicknames, reader is flirting with eddie's bandmates, jealousy, possessiveness, name calling, face grabbing, eddie is lowkey a dom, unprotected p in v, fingering (vaginal), oral fixation, eddie puts his fingers in your mouth a lot, reader gets off on being bullied, orgasm denial, cum play, cum eating.... think that's it.

author’s note: hi i wrote this in one night. i am a whore for eddie, what else can i say. i'm also down to take requests, so if you see this, hey, send me an ask. maybe i'll cave and do some. as always, thanks bestie girl @amanitacowboy for helping me with this. let's never forget how much of a whore we are for this man. it keeps me (in)sane <3

Eddie had been teasing you all night and it was really starting to get to you. 

After a pretty electric performance at The Hideout, Eddie and his friends decided that they were hungry for some burgers from the empty Shiny Diner nearby. You had already had enough of Eddie’s shit at this point, so as soon as you sat next to him in the big half moon shaped booth, you knew it was game on. 

From eyeing you while he sang filthy lyrics from the stage, to the way he was working his hand up the hem of your dress when you sat at the bar, Eddie was truly being a menace. When the band got loud in the car on the way to the diner, you decided to make your move. You had rested your hand on Eddie’s crotch while sitting in the bucket seat next to him. While Eddie loved giving a good show, he was not keen on letting his friends see you in such a way. So he brushed your hand away and gave you the ‘not now’ eyes. 

You were for him and him only.

It aggravated you to no end, watching him rejoin the conversation with the guys, while you crossed your arms in disappointment.

But you were going to push some buttons tonight. You were going to get him back.

Gareth, Jeff, and Grant were all very sweet boys. Each of them have never been nothing but respectful of you. Gareth had known you longer than Eddie and he was actually the one who introduced you two. Jeff was usually a know-it-all, but he never dared question anything you said. And Grant… he was just quiet. Always following along with the antics and very well mannered. 

While you respected all the boys back, you also knew they found you attractive and that you could take advantage of that. After one specific smoke session together a couple months back, Eddie asked them all if they had a crush on you. He only ever said things like that to make them squirm. Teasing each other was the way they showed their love for one another. He also liked to remind people that they never stood a chance with you. And they all said that of course they found you pretty, but they would not dare go after you. 

Well, for one night only, you would give them believe they had a chance. Just to piss off Eddie. 

You had done this before. A year into your relationship, you had unintentionally made him jealous and it led to the most mind blowing sex of your life. The sex was so memorable that you do not even remember how you made him jealous. 

You needed that just about now. 

You were the only group there along with the waitress and line cook, so you were not worried about making a scene. You game plan how you were going to achieve such a feat as you scan the diner menu. You already knew what you wanted, but spotting the milkshakes on the list of drinks, a light bulb went off in your brain. 

The older waitress took down the boy’s order while you sat quietly staring at the menu. When it came down to you, you look up at the white haired woman and smiled. 

“One chocolate shake, extra whip cream and cherries, please.” You hand her the menu and glance over at a confused Eddie. You usually got a Dr. Pepper and a cheeseburger value meal, hold the lettuce. 

“Not hungry, baby?” He asks, reaching out for your black painted nails. You slide your hand away, acting like you are reaching for something in your purse. 

“Just wanna try something new.”

You pull your lipgloss out, still not looking over at Eddie. You twist off the top, placing the applicator on the middle of your bottom lip as your eyes flicker over to Grant’s. He is not paying much mind to anything, his eyes looking towards the window behind you. When he takes note of your gaze, he finally looks at you. 

You swipe the gloss across your lips, smirking devilishly. 

“What did you get, Grant?”

He thinks for a beat, realizing even he forgot what he ordered. “Uh… BLT with onion rings.”

You smack your lips together, rubbing your top lip on the bottom one painfully slow. 

“You gonna share your onion rings?”

He was not expecting the question, his lips curling upward before he chuckles. You can feel Eddie’s body stiffen as you ask the question. 

Grant nods, though, “Of course. You can have some-” “Baby, you’re not gonna eat his food.” You shoot a glare at Eddie, tossing your gloss back in your pocketbook. “Grant said I could, so… yeah I am.”

Eddie’s eyes search yours, trying to figure out what you are trying to do. You disguise your pleasure at his curiosity, rolling your eyes and pointing your attention at Jeff. He’s positioned right next to Grant, fiddling with his fingers. Before you can press him with a question, the waitress comes and puts down your drinks. She’s missing your milkshake. 

“That’ll be out in just a moment,” She says, grabbing her tray as she returns behind the counter, seemingly preparing your shake. You watch Jeff fiddle with his straw wrapper and you finally decide to bother him next. 

“Is that Dr. Pepper?” You ask, already knowing the answer. Jeff always got Dr. Pepper, just like you. It’s something you two bonded over often. He just nods, taking a sip of the bubbly beverage. You look over at the waitress quickly, seeing she’s still fiddling with the milkshake blender. 

You grab Jeff’s ice cold glass, your eyes glistening with innocence, “You mind if I have a sip? I’m parched.” And of course he’s too confused to say no. You pull the drink over and once it crosses to your side of the table, Eddie’s hand presses into your bare thigh. You do not react, taking Jeff’s straw into your mouth and sucking in a big sip, your eyes never leaving his. Once you pull the plastic away, you smirk. 

“Thanks, hun.” You push the drink back to him slowly. His cheeks heat up instantly when he notices your lipgloss on the tip of the straw. Eddie’s hand only squeezes more, trying to get you to look over at him. 

He wanted your attention so bad, his body curving closer to you. You can feel his gaze stuck onto the side of your face. 

Before anyone says anything else, the white haired lady returns with your chocolate shake. You giddedly grab the glass and stuff a straw into the frozen drink. 

You use your tongue to toy with the end of the straw, pulling it into your open mouth. Your eyes flicker away from Jeff and take aim at Gareth, who’s seated right across from you. Since he’s known you so long, you can already read on his face that he knows what you are up to. He may be a nice guy, but he too loves to fuck with Eddie. 

He was going to help you in whatever way possible. Instead of you initiating conversation, he speaks up. 

“Chocolate, huh? Thought you’d like vanilla.” Your eyebrow quirks up. You know Eddie’s face is bright red next to you. The heat radiating from him is pressing into your shoulder and thigh. 

“You got me pegged as a vanilla girl? That’s a bit offensive, Gare,” You smile, calculating your next move. You look down at the pile of whipped cream on the top of the shake. You drag your pointer finger across the top, gathering the cream all around it. 

You hear Eddie whispering beside you. “You better fuckin’ not.”

You smile, bringing your finger to your lips, not peeling your eyes from Gareth. You know the tension is palpable because Gareth’s smile is only widening when you lick the cream off your finger. 

The other guys are gawking at you at this point. You were putting on a show and they could not even fathom that it was happening before their very eyes. 

Gareth finally says something, nodding at the milkshake. “And extra cherries?”

“Gareth-,” Eddie’s voice fades over yours. 

“Oh yeah! You know I can tie the stems with my tongue?”

Eddie’s rings are going to be imprinted on your leg with how tightly he’s gripping onto you. You grab one of the cherries, getting your fingers covered in more whipped cream. You lean your head back a bit, your nose facing the old tile ceiling. You drop the cherry in your mouth, stem up. Tilting your head back, facing Gareth, you pull the cherry off the stem between your teeth. It’s unbelievably sensual the way you chew the red fruit. 

You show each of the boys the stem, even Eddie. When you glance over at him, you do not believe you have ever seen him so annoyed. He’s not hiding it well. You drop the stem on your tongue, returning your gaze over to Gareth. 

You roll the stem around, using your teeth slightly to do the stupid party trick you learned in 10th grade to impress a boy. It’s not impressive when every hot girl in school could do it, too. But nonetheless, it was something you could do to layer on the eroticism of the moment. 

When it’s tied, you contemplate taking it out of your mouth and showing it off. Maybe even drop it in Eddie’s hand. Instead, you decide to just extend your tongue out and show the stem on the very tip of your tongue. 

The color drains from Eddie’s face. It’s the end of the show for him. 

He grabs your forearm, ripping you out of the booth. You look back at Gareth, who’s still smiling, all the while Jeff and Grant look even more confused.  

When the fresh air hits you when he slams the glass door open, you flick your head to the side and spit out the stem in the gravel. His grip is so tight around your arm as he drags you to the van. It’s parked on the far side of the lot, occupying a spot that’s backed up to some woods. 

“What is wrong?”

Asking such a question only pisses him off further. Once you reach the van, his left hand flings the side door open. He practically tosses you onto the shag rug that lines the very back of the vehicle. 

“Are you fuckin’ with me right now?” His voice is intimidatingly deep.

Your legs hang out while Eddie stands over you, his hand resting on the top of the van. The back of your knees feel the sting of the frayed metal that hinges the door shut. You swallow, contemplating if you should continue messing with him. With the way he’s looking at you, you felt that this was not going to lead to the jealous sex you two had before. He’s actually angry. 

“You pushed my hand away when I wanted you earlier.”

Your voice is so small and unsure. His eyes narrow at you, his mouth slightly ajar in complete disbelief. The silence hanging in the air makes your heart rate increase. 

His mouth closes and you watch his jaw clench, “So you flirt with my friends right in front of me? Even when I explicitly said you better not.”

With his free hand, he swats your bare leg as you squeeze your thighs together. “Answer me.”

You watch the red mark appear on your flesh and decide to keep playing into the game. You had nothing to lose. If he’s actually angry, you could always have amazing make up sex instead. Eddie could not stay mad at you for too long. 

You shake your head, lifting your chin up in defiance. “All I did was tie a cherry stem.”

He does not accept that answer, slapping your thigh harder this time. 

You knew then that you had him where you wanted him. His eyes were giving him away. His pupils dilated as soon as he realized that you did not yelp at him slapping you around. 

Your eyes widen, watching him jump into the van beside you and dragging you back further. He slams the door, rattling the hunk of metal. The only light being let in is from the front windshield. A hazy warm lit streetlight only lights up Eddie’s face as he’s pining you to the ground. 

He positions himself between your legs, pushing the back of your thighs up with his knees. The skirt you chose for the occasion was pretty flowy, so it slid up your hips as soon as he props you up. “You want to act like a whore in front of my friends? All ‘cause I slapped your hand away earlier?”

His voice does not even sound like his. You hear the jiggling of his belt as he asks you the question. But the more twisted Eddie was, the more aroused you felt. You were drawn to him the first moment he teased you and bullied you a bit. You got off on him being callous. 

“Words. Now.”

You look down between your legs and see his cock springing free from his boxers as he shoves them down his thighs. You groan, the pulsating at your core coinciding with your heart rate. “Wanted to get your attention.”

He smacks your inner thigh, painfully close to your pantyline. You moan at the action, propping yourself up a bit more on your elbows. You watch as he carefully drags his pointer and middle finger under the hem of your lace. He smirks to himself, “That’s not what I fuckin’ asked.”

His fingers dip under your underwear, gathering the slick between your folds. You throw your head back, unable to hold back the sob as he spreads you open. You were putty in his hands, always bending to him. “Yes, Eddie.”

Your response leads to him sliding his fingers inside your cunt, a wet squelching noise filling both your ears. Your back thuds against the rug as your muscles give out under his touch. He fucks you with his fingers, the look on his face unreadable. He usually takes his time with foreplay, but this was different. He was testing how far he could take you in a limited amount of time. You were in a parking lot with his friends less than 500 feet inside, he could not take his time torturing you. 

His fingers retract from your pussy, gripping onto the lace of your panties and tearing them down your legs. When he sits back on his heels, you watch his long cock bounce with his movements. It sends a smile across your face. When he zeros in on you again, he tilts his head to the side. 

“I’m gonna fuck you until you can’t talk anymore.”

It makes you giggle at first, unsure if he’s really being serious. But when his face does not twist up into a smirk like it usually did, you realize you were in trouble. He takes ahold of his dick, leaning forward onto you. Your mouth falls open as you study Eddie dragging his tip between your slit, gathering as much of your wetness as he could. 

He sinks into you, raising your hips a bit to meet him straight on. The stretch is always overwhelming for you at first. You and Eddie fucked at least three times a week, but he always made you cum before shoving his cock deep inside you. Stretching you out for a couple minutes with two fingers is not enough for you. He hisses when he pulls back, his hands grasping onto you for dear life. 

He wastes no time setting a bruising pace. There’s no build up, he is simply taking his annoyance out on you. You are reaching out to anything around you, trying to find something to hold onto as he rams into you. You find a sweatshirt nearby, squeezing it as tight as you can as you breathe out to relax your pelvic muscles.

“Eddie, please-” You try to say, throwing your head forward. He shifts your hips a bit more, opening you up wider. As he does that, he rakes his hands upward, pushing your skirt up higher to your belly button. He shakes your head to your pleas. 

“Eddie, please.” He mocks, relocating his hand to squeeze your cheeks together. When your jaw unhinges, Eddie inspects your tongue as he drills into you. “Put my fingers in your mouth.”

“Ed-”

He sandwiches your face harder, cutting you off from being able to say anything. He fills your mouth with the two fingers that were plunging inside of you earlier. The taste of your own arousal is still present on his fingers as you swirl your tongue around the digits. You mewl as he grinds his pelvis into your clit. “Shut up,” he orders, his face centimeters from yours, “Now suck them while I fuck you.”

You have no way to talk back, so you do what he says. You hallow your cheeks out, lathering all your saliva around his fingers. The build up in the pit of your stomach only gets more intense when Eddie hoists your leg up over his shoulder. You clench around him, tears pricking your eyes as you vibrate his fingers with your moans. 

“Do not fuckin’ cum yet,” He warns, pulling his fingers in and out of your mouth. His hips are faltering as he chases his own climax. Your body feels like every nerve ending is about to implode under the pressure of you holding back your orgasm, and Eddie can sense that. He drags his fingers out from your lips, rubbing your own spit into your lips. He grabs your jaw with the same hand, pulling your face closer to his.

“Say you’re mine. You’re only gonna be mine.”

You nod, knocking his forehead slightly. “I’m only ever gonna be yours, Eddie.”

With your foreheads touching, you watch as he falls apart inside you. 

And with three vicious snaps of his hips, he spills his seed deep inside you. He does not let out a sound. His mouth is agape as deep heaves fan your face. 

When he finishes, he slides his cock out of you and sits back on his knees again. Him exiting your body is so frustrating, you want to scream.  

He uses one arm to hold your one leg back as spit covered fingers swipe up your cunt. His spend is leaking out of you and you know if he works his usual magic, you will cum in 30 seconds. 

“Please, Eddie. Please let me cum.”

He smirks villainously, “Why should I let you, hm?” He spreads your pussy lips, getting a good look as his cum dribbles down to your asshole.

You are getting desperate. You never had to beg Eddie to cum, ever. He was always so generous. 

“I promise I’ll be good. Please, please.” He chuckles dryly before sinking his fingers back into you. “Fine. Since you asked so pretty and promised to behave yourself.”

His fingers scissor into you, that familiar burn in the pit of your stomach returning. As his two fingers make work at your entrance, his thumb swipes your clit in meticulous circles. His bottom lip is tucked under his top teeth, watching you fall apart on his fingers. You are practically chanting his name as he brings you to your peak. 

When your chest heaves, finally relaxing from your orgasm, Eddie slides his digits out of you and brings them up to his plump pink lips. He licks them clean, just like you did with the whipped cream earlier. 

“Hm… Don’t see how Gareth thought you were a vanilla girl,” He states, smiling sinfully at you. “You, my dear, are a fuckin’ vixen.”

-

tags of friends who may like this idk (if you wanna be tagged in the future, just lemme know <3):

@hockeyhughes @pedgito @mediocredreams @the-unforgivenn

[fungateshortcakes]

Munch Munch

OMG I FORGOT I HAD THIS IN MY DRAFTS FORGIVE ME

Just a lil old man Logan drabble bc UGHHH he can crush my head with those juicy arms AHHH

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Logan never understood why you looked at him the way you did.

He was old. He was tired. His body was breaking down from the inside, poisoned by the very thing that once made him invincible. His hands shook more than they used to and no matter how hard he tried to hide it, you saw. You saw everything.

And yet there you were, leaning against the doorframe with your arms crossed, giving him that look again. Like he was something worth staring at. Logan wasn’t used to being wanted. Not like this.

He could feel your gaze tracing over his arms as he sat in his white wifebeater at the kitchen table. This was by far not the first time he caught you staring at him like that. He noticed it every time. The way you would watch the flex of his biceps beneath his shirt, the way his forearms tensed whenever he clenched his fists. He wasn’t blind. And if he had any doubts, well, the way you were looking at him right now? Like you wanted to sink your teeth into him? Yeah. That cleared things up really fast.

"You’re staring again" he muttered, though he didn’t cover up, just took another sip of his drink. "Mhm" you hummed completely unapologetic in how you were goggling his arms. You pushed yourself away from the doorframe and stepped in closer, fingers reaching out to lightly drag over his arm, just enough to make his skin prickle.

Logan exhaled sharply through his nose, setting the beer can in his hand down on the table "You got a problem?"

"Yeah, actually" you said, tilting your head. "These arms? They’re just sitting there. Not being held. Not being bitten. Wasted potential, really."

Logan choked on a laugh, a rare sound from him "Bitten? What do you-?" before he could finish his sentence, you leaned in and without hesitation you pressed your teeth lightly against his bicep. Not hard enough to hurt, just enough to make him feel it. A playful little bite that was gone as fast as it came.

Logan went completely still. The only sound was the sharp breath he sucked in through his teeth. You pulled back again and watched his reaction, your lips curling into a satisfied smirk. "Huh, that shut you up really quick."

Logan finally blinked, looking up at you like he wasn’t quite sure what the hell just happened. He opened his mouth but closed it before any words came out, rubbing a hand over his beard and sighing deeply.

"You just bit me" he said, like he was still trying to process it.

You grinned "Yeah. You act like you can just sit here with these babies out and expect me not to."

Logan huffed, shaking his head at your words, but the corner of his mouth twitched. He almost a smiled. Almost. But you counted it as a win nonetheless "You’re goddamn ridiculous" he muttered.

"Maybe" you mused with a pout, poking at his arm again. "Now flex for me, old man. Let me see the goods." you demanded, already munching on your bottom lip in anticipation. You just couldn't help it. You knew he was starting to feel his age, to look it, too. But damn, his arms were still plumb 'n thick. Just how you liked them.

Logan let out a low groan and for a second you thought he would just ignore you, but to your absolute delight, he sat up a little more straight, rolled his shoulders back and flexed- just a little, as if to tease. Just enough to make the veins in his forearms pop, to make the muscles in his biceps shift under his skin.

And goddamn, you swore you felt lightheaded...and how your panties were getting wet. You bit your lip at the sight "Shit" you breathed, your eyes fighting from rolling back because good god "You are so hot."

Logan narrowed his eyes at your praise, grumbling something under his breath, but you caught the way his ears burned just a little bit pink. He could act all gruff and broody, but you knew the truth now.

You were disappointed as he lowered his arm again. You stepped closer, placing your hands on his arms, fingers tracing the muscle slowly, deliberately. A shudder ran up his spine at your touch. He tried to play it down, but he couldn't hide the obvious goosebumps explodig over his scarred skin "Do it again, baby. " you murmured, smoothing over his shoulder and arms.

Logan arched a brow "Again?"

"Again" you stated firmly, it sounded like a command to him. And maybe he would follow it. He rolled his eyes, but you were able to catch the slightest smile on his lips that seemed a little proud, flattered even. It was balm for the soul, your words. You actually wanted to see him, worship something he thought no one cared for anymore. But here you were.

Acting as if he was annoyed by your persistance, he lifted his arm and flexed, this time for real. The muscle in his biceps tensed, thick and solid beneath your hands that wandered over the firm muscle. His forearms flexed, veins running up his skin like a goddamn work of art. The old scars, the roughness, the strength, it was all so perfect. Your forearm next to his biceps looked so small, it made your mouth water.

And you couldn’t help it. You made a sound. A tiny, helpless whimper that you couldn’t stop even if you tried.

Logan froze and his arm lowered slightly "Did you just-?"

"Shut up" you giggled, pressing your face against his shoulder to hide the absolute mess he was making of you "Nah, sweetheart" he said, his voice downright smug and a grin spreading across his face while he stood up, towering over you, wrapping his strong arms around your neck, making you groan as pure, firm muscle surrounded your flushed face "What was that sound?" he teased, his voice low and raspy against your ear

You whined annoyed against his broad chest, wanting him to drop it "Logan"

But he wasn't letting up "You whimpered" he stated matter of factly, clearly enjoying himself "Over my arms."

Your hands slid up his sides, squeezing him. You looked up through your eyelashes, a suggestive grin on your lips "Well, you could just shut me up with these big, strong arms of yours" you purred, leaning up to kiss him. And Logan could already picture the way your teeth would sink into his flesh as he held you in a headlock while pounding his cock into you from behind, leaving deep bite marks on his arms that wouldn’t start to fade until the next morning. He grinned back down at you, capturing your lips in a kiss.

"Let's give you a reason to bite, bub"

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Fuck me he is so hot the best he ever looked and I will DIE on that hill. One chance, ONE FUCKING CHANCE!!!! I am not rlly the girly to randomly bite my partner but istg I would munch and nibble and gnaw on his arms FOREVER they are so big and manly and mhmm and yummy and BARK BARK

I have two more old man Logan drafts I completely forgot about- should I post them too?

[shanefuckingscott]

Jealous!SheriffGrayson 🎀🎀🎀

Grayson is jealous, and you find ways to make it up to her. 👮🏽‍♀️

Warning: Angst with comfort, Smut, Marcus 🤢, Sad Grayson, Cunnilingus, Over stimulation, Strap use, Switch!Grayson, Switch!reader, Not proofread

🚫Men and Minors DNI🚫

You and Grayson finally established a relationship after only 3 months of dating. She's at the age where she doesn't need much courting, but she'll gladly court you for as long as you want. But you don't make her wait too long before you finally said yes, and with that, she's yours, and you're hers.

Your relationship remains professional, and a secret during work to keep people from gossiping, and to keep her from losing her position. Only you, and some close friends know about your relationship, but your friends at work? You don't tell them. After a few of your colleagues gave you flirty comments, and shitty attempts to ask you out, because they thing you easy, she's suddenly thinking she isn't planning on keeping you secret for long, already planning a proposal to you, so you can get married, and people know you're hers.

She trusts you with all her heart. She's not even easily jealous, but the flirting has been getting too much for her. At first, she'd just scold them for being 'distracted' during work hours. Which was admittedly hypocritical of her, since she too was distracted because of you. Everytime she sees Marcus get a little too close to you, since he thinks you finally lose your crush on Grayson, he's been flirting with you tenfold now.

Grayson does not like this, one bit. The way Marcus' eyes linger on you for far too long. The way he winks at you, everytime you make eye contact with him, it makes her cringe, and pisses her off. "Marcus, in my office. Now." She demands. Often times she'd scold him of being distracted. Or make him take a walk outside. Or make him have his shifts when you finally get your break. But of course, she can't be too mad at him. He did have the right to ask you for lunch, but he doesn't have the right to outright flirt, and touch you.

You try your best to ignore him, he can't take no for an answer. You of course, reassure Grayson, when he does step out of line, and you can't do anything about it. He already tried breaking you once, and you don't want him to find out that you and Grayson are finally together, he might pull some shit.

You and Grayson both sigh in bed, to figure out what you're gonna do with it. Grayson can't just arrest him, or make him transfer somewhere else. She's quiet all night, looking at the ceiling. You pull her closer to you, as you sit up to look at her. "Are you alright, dear? You seem awfully quiet tonight." You saying, taking her hand, and giving it kisses from her knuckles, to her shoulders. She gives you a soft smile, for it to fall again, and she looks down. "My love... If you weren't with me, would you date Marcus?" She asked, her voice breaking. That question shook you. Grayson is an amazing woman, far greater than any man, or woman that courted you. You cup her cheek, your thumb rubbing the flesh under her eye, and make her look at you. She looked like she was about to cry.

"My love, what kind of question is that? That's ridiculous. There is no other person I'd want to be with. No one. Only you. You're far greater than any of them, you're speaking nonsense" You hush her, and wipe her tears away, as you comfort you wife from her thoughts that seemed to have consumed her. "You don't understand. Do you know how hard it is to see someone else look at you the way only I could? I'm sorry, dove, it's just, he's much younger than me. Don't you wanna be with someone your own age?" She asks with tears in her eyes.

The sight of her like this breaks you. Who knew the perfect woman in your eyes thought of herself like that. Like she was the one out of your league. You didn't know that all this time, that she had her own fears. She has her own insecurities. You look at her with tears in your eyes, and you pull her head onto your chest, and pull her in for a tight hug.

You're both crying messes now. She isn't supposed to feel this way, she isn't supposed to feel like there's someone else, other than her.

No. You're not going to make her feel like this for long. You're going to make this up to her. You sniffle and you pull away from Grayson a little bit. You give her a soft smile, as you look into her eyes. "No, Gray. You're perfect. And you wanna know the best part? You're mine. And I'm all yours. No one in this world makes me feel like you do. No one. You'll all I want, Grayson. And I'm going to prove it." You say. You wipe her tears, and kiss her face. You get off her lap, and you get into the blanket. This action surprised her, and confused her a little, until she finally got a grasp of what you were doing.

"I'm going to make you feel like the best woman in the world, my love." You say, as you go down on her. You take her boxers off, and you spread her legs. She lets out low and breathy moans, as you take a long stripe of her cunt. You can feel her shiver, and she let's out a whimper. "Oh, my love, I love you so much" She says to you, combing your hair with her hand, as she takes control of the pace.

you stick your tongue out, and let her fuck herself with your tongue, she throws her head back, and you smile while licking, and sucking on her clit, her moans getting louder and deeper, her breath getting faster and faster, "Right there love, I'm close" She says, pumping your head up and down, as she gets closer to her climax. Your tongue keeps working on your wife, and you can feel her tense up.

"F-fuck, I'm almost gonna—" Her grip on your hair got tighter, as her grinds on your tongue, getting slower, she let put a breathy moan, and it sounded like music to your ears, She had tears in her eyes, and you kept your tongue on her, going slow. At this point she was feeling a little over stimulated, as you keep licking her core, she's panting her breath, her face tuning a shade of red from the pressure, and thee silkiness of your tongue. She attempts to pull away, the feeling getting a bit too much, but you look at her, and grab her waist, and start licker her faster again.

Her face scrunched, mouth wide open, her eyes closing, she feels close again. Kept eating her out, as she attempts to pull back, you pull her back in, she's grinding and grinding, your face now soaked in her juices, her body rocked, as she came in your mouth, her body was shaking, her eyes shut, and she threw her head back.

You licked her clean, and she was still a little shakey. You were about to grab a towel, when she pulled you back, and pulled you into a deep kiss, Her hands on your waist, and yours on her shoulder, as you pull on her hair slightly. She puller your shirt off, and she took off hers, as she started sucking, and playing with your tits. You moaned, and pulled her closer to your chest, as she moves her hands on your ass, and flipped you over. "Hmm, Sheriff~" You moan, and she gets back up to suck and nibble on your ear. "Hmm, you're mine?" she asks. You could feel the vibrations of her voice, as she leans in, and sucks on your neck. You whimper by that action, she knows where your sweet spots are, and she isn't afraid to explore them all. "A-all yours, baby. All y-ours!! You say as you whine.

She stood up to put on her harness, and she stands there with a purple 8inch cock. She snickers, and makes her way to you. "God princess, you make me feel young again, you know that?" She teases in your ear, and you smile at her. Your smile immedietly turned into an 'O' face, as she fills you up with her dick, and she slowly thrusts inside you. She's looking at you with a satisfied look in her eye, as she bites her lip. She puts her mouth on yours, as her tongue makes her way into your mouth. You suck on her tongue, as you moan, and your eyes struggle to stay open. She smiles through the kiss, and sher thrusts are getting faster and harder.

You feel a knot in your stomach, that's when you know you feel close. Your wails getting louder as you moan her name. She's pounding you so deep, you're taking all of her in at once. Your body feeling tense, you whip your head back, your face full of bliss, as she pounds and pounds into you, her small moans, turning you on even more. You pull her into your chest, as you feel a surge of pleasure, and ecstacy run through you, your body convulsing, your body hunching over, as you wail through your orgasm.

Only she can make you feel this way. You lose your mind, she fuck you so good. You pull her into a passionate kiss, your body feels calmer now, your breath still hitching, you pull away to catch your breath. She thrusts a little more in you, before she pulls out, and collapses on top of you.

You both catch your breath. You held her closer to your chest with one hand, and played with her hair on the other. You kiss her hair, and you smile at her. "I love you, Grayson." you tell the older woman. She looked up at you, and smiled. "I love you too, my love."

You both talked things through on what to do with Marcus, and within a couple months, she proposed to you. You make your relationship public now, and Marcus backs off, since now, you are engaged to your one true love. Of course you still have to act professional at work, but you keep a picture frame of the both of you on your desk. Now when someone tries and flirt with you, you just show them your ring, and go to your fiancé.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This one's a roller coaster, huh? Fluff, angst, and smut, heh. Next fic about Grayson, I kinda wanna write some Domestic!Grayson a little more. Or some Jealous!Sevika with smut hehe. what do you think?

Also, here was the comment that requested this heh, hope it's to your liking! @fuzzyautumninmetal

[maxriss]

♡ 2 AM GARAGE SESSIONS — LH44

Lewis Hamilton x reader / est. relationship

Syn. After a tough race, Lewis finds himself in the garage in the middle of the night — and so do you. [F]

The garage was laden with a heavy silence, occasional clang of metals and rough sighs piercing the vibe. The mood bleakly failing to uplift Lewis who found himself hunched over his car, left tinkering; sleep refusing to lull him asleep. The Afro beats reverberating across the room from the speaker which sat lonesome in the corner, Lewis occasionally shook his head along.

It was Lewis Hamilton — a 7 time world champion — who found himself cooped up in his garage at an odd hour in the morning of the next day to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He scoffed airily. Pathetic.

I woke up stirring, acutely feeling the lack if warmth around me. Checking the bed I found myself alone, Lewis’ side left with crumpled sheets and an alarm — 2 am — it read. Perched on my elbows, I knew what was up.

A few light footsteps later I stood at the garage door. A shadow of the small light inside glimmered from underneath the door, confirming a presence beyond. Lewis’ sighs and the soft music created an atmosphere which spoke volumes compared to Lewis’ silence since the Grand Prix.

I knocked on the door before pushing it open. Lewis was sat on the floor, tinkering away with the tire thinking whatever that he was. He knew I was here, just too tired to explain himself or comfortable enough for me to read the room.

Covering the few steps to reach him, I perched myself next to him. Lips coming to kiss his bare shoulders. Tattoos breathing along his arm with every movement. I felt Lewis shudder under my touch.

“People are proud of you, Lew,” I said. “I am proud of you.”

Lewis continued his movement, digesting my words. A deep sigh was all he could muster up. “That’s one way to put it.”

It was known in the silence of the legacy he left behind with the end of this season. Mercedes, the fans, the championships, the car — all of it. He had become one with the team and he saw himself be the remnants of it with the last race. The past had held a security which the future showed blurringly.

“I mean it though.” I emphasised with conviction. Lightly tracing his arms. Lewis finally glances at me, the exhaustion in his eyes softened by something else — something that always lingers when it’s just the two of us. He sets the wrench down with a soft clink and shifts so he’s facing me fully, resting his hands on either side of my thighs. For the first few minutes, Lewis resorted to weave words from the emotions he felt. The fingers mindlessly tracing my thigh. His fingers left a trail of goosebumps over my skin.

“It’s funny,” he says after a moment. “You spend years proving yourself, thinking one day it’ll be enough. But it never really is, is it?” My fingers find his, tracing absent patterns over his knuckles. “This legacy people say I’ve left behind — with racing, with Mercedes — did I do it justice with the way I left things last night?” The weight of the results of the Grand Prix had crushed Lewis. He hated that his last goodbye to his team wasn’t memorable.

it’s not about proving anything anymore.” He tilts his head. “Then what is it about?” I squeeze his hand. “Love.”

He studies me further. Searching my eyes for a hint of doubt, a sliver of distrust; he found none. Lewis blinks, like the thought has never occurred to him before. Like all the podiums, the trophies, the records — none of them compare to the simple truth of what’s in front of him.

A slow smile tugs at his lips, small but real. “I like the sound of that.” He lets himself fall onto my shoulder, leaning on me. Breathes slower and relaxed, the tension in his shoulders melting away to a hint of determination from my words. I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his shoulder, the scent of motor oil and cologne familiar, and comforting. “Then maybe you should start believing it.”

Lewis hums, pulling me a little closer. “Only if you stay here and remind me.” I grin. “I’m not going anywhere.”

And in the quiet of the garage, between oil stains and starlight, Lewis finally lets himself believe it.

reblog and follow <3 all rights reserved ©maxriss please do not copy, save, or translate my stories. this is no place for hate and violence, kindly maintain love and peace.

[firelxdykatara]

The thing that always hits me about season 5 is like... Buffy is just so fucking tired.

It comes on gradually, and of course season 6 is widely known for Buffy's depression arc, but the seeds are well and truly planted in the season before it because I think season 5 is when it truly starts to hit her that... she was never supposed to live this long.

Because throughout history, Slayers have been incredibly short-lived. They make it to adulthood if they're very lucky, and at the age of 23 Buffy is officially the longest-lived Slayer in history. At 20, she had already well surpassed the average, and she's really starting to feel it. It's no coincidence that this is the season when she starts giving up on the life of the normal girl she'd been so doggedly clinging to, refusing to give up just because she's the Slayer, since season 1. She drops out of college, her mom dies, Riley leaves (and she didn't even love him but he was something normal and good and she couldn't help but cling to him even when she knew she shouldn't and no thanks to Xander's terrible fucking advice but ANYWAY), she has nothing but being the Slayer and taking care of her sister--who isn't truly her sister but finding that out doesn't matter because she is in all the ways that count.

And she's tired. Because she's just one girl, one woman, with the weight of the world on her shoulders--and every other Slayer in history was eventually crushed by it, killed by the very darkness they were destined to fight (and die fighting), most of them never even making it this far. So she's standing there, hearing Dawn tell her that she has to let her go, to let her sacrifice herself to save the world because it's what she was created for, it's the only way- and she remembers.

Death is your gift.

And on the face of it, yeah, her death is the gift she gives to her sister to ensure she lives, and to her friends and the world to ensure they are not consumed. But also? Death is her gift. And it's not just realization dawning on her face in the rising sun--it's relief.

Because finally, finally, she can just let go.

She doesn't have to fight anymore. She doesn't have to suffer, or lose anyone else, or lose more pieces of herself. She can just stop. She can just rest.

Because the universe calls for one single champion, one teenage girl in all the world to fight all the powers of darkness and evil. And at the end of it all, the world offers her nothing in return except this--true and final peace. Death is her gift, and she rushes to meet it and she thinks finally, finally, she can just stop fighting. Stop everything. The world will be ok without her, there's always someone else to take up the mantle. She doesn't have to be the one everyone else is counting on. And she's so exhausted and so ready.

And then she wakes up in her own coffin. And all that suffering she thought she'd finally been allowed to escape crashes down on her a hundred fold, and of course she would stagger under its weight. But I think deep down some part of her blamed herself even for that. Because she'd been so ready to give up, stop fighting, end her own torment and then... her friends needed her back so badly that they ripped her from the only sliver of true peace she'd known since her Calling, and how could she say they were wrong for it when she feels so very wrong to her core for being so ready to let go in the first place?

Idk where I'm going with this, just feeling a lot of emotions about Buffy Fucking Summers today I guess.

[heartlessvirgo]

No Saints Left

Summary: You hesitate too much, too naive for your own good. And Joel can’t stand it. He’ll make sure you learn.

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI. DARK!JOEL. Blood, Gore, Death, Murder, Unprotected sex (PxV), raiders, language, assault, weapons. Please read these warnings.

word count: 9.4K

a/n: This was dirty, filthy, and I hope you like it.

The nights in Jackson were quiet—so much so that it felt wrong. Joel wasn’t used to quiet. Quiet was dangerous. Quiet was the breath held before the crack of a gunshot. The lull before the wet thud of a body hitting the dirt.

But here, in this town where fools believed in redemption, the quiet wasn’t a warning. It was real. And it clawed at him, sharp and relentless, prying him open and leaving him alone with the wreckage of his mind. With every single goddamn thing he’d done.

He didn’t dream much anymore—not the way he used to. No hazy glimpses of Sarah’s face lit by sunlight, her laughter bouncing off the walls of a life that had long since crumbled to dust. Those dreams were gone, suffocated under years of blood and bone.

What came now were nightmares. Brutal, unrelenting things that clung to him like the reek of gunpowder and rot. They didn’t fade when he woke—they stayed thick and heavy in his chest, like a hand pressed over his mouth, forcing him to swallow it all down.

In his sleep, he saw flashes of violence, red and raw. The swing of his fist, the crunch of cartilage beneath his knuckles. The glint of a blade catching light before it plunged deep. The sound of a man choking on his own blood, gurgling as Joel turned away, cold and unflinching. Sometimes, he’d watch closely and savor the way they died in his hands. 

And then there were the eyes. Wide and wild, reflecting fear and something worse—recognition. That moment when they knew he wasn’t going to spare them. When they understood that mercy had no place in him. Not anymore.

Tonight, he dreamt of a girl. She couldn’t have been older than Ellie. Her hands trembled as she pointed a gun too big for her grip, the muzzle wavering as Joel stepped closer. He’d told her to drop it, his voice low and steady, a predator’s calm. But she didn’t listen. They never did.

The shot rang out, a deafening crack that lit up the night. It missed. They always missed.

And then he was on her. His hands around her throat, her small frame pinned beneath him. She fought, nails raking his arms, legs kicking in panic, but he didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. The sound she made—wet gasps, desperate and animal—rattled in his ears long after she went still. Deadweight, dead eyes, death that followed him everywhere he went. But sometimes, Joel wondered if he brought it with him on purpose, like an old friend.

He woke with a gasp, his chest heaving like he’d been drowning. The room was dark, shadows pooling in the corners, but the dream still lingered, vivid and consuming. His hands ached, curling into fists against the mattress, phantom blood slick on his palms.

Joel sat up, dragging in shallow breaths that barely scratched the surface of the hollow inside him. The air in the room felt too thin, pressing down on him as he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. The quiet of Jackson surrounded him, warm and safe, but it felt like a fucking lie.

Because in the dead of night, when everyone else in this godforsaken town was dreaming of brighter tomorrows, Joel Miller didn’t dream.

He remembered.

And it was worse.

You were one of those people. Consumed by the good, too naive for your own good. Joel hated that. He hated you. And he despised his younger brother for pairing you two together for patrols. He didn’t need to carry extra weight anymore; his bones had enough pain, fused together in a fucked up way that reminded him of all the times he’d snapped them back together. 

Joel didn’t know why he deemed you naive. Maybe it was because you were half his age or that you had a little sparkle in your eyes that he wanted to stomp out, crush it beneath his worn boots. He wanted to smother the goodness from your body with his battered hands, and what little humanity that was left in him was scared for you, of what he would do when you were alone with him. 

So he kept to himself on your first patrol together. 

You didn’t think much of Joel Miller, not at first. Just another broken man, old enough to remember the world before it fell apart. You couldn’t imagine what that did to someone—what it carved out of them, what it left behind.

So, you tried. Tried to be kind. Tried to bridge a gap that he didn’t seem to care about closing. Why? You didn’t know. Maybe it was habit, maybe hope. 

You didn’t mean to be so hopeful—it wasn’t something you chose. It was instinct, like breathing. You searched for the good in people, even when it was buried under layers of filth. You looked for light in the cracks, no matter how faint, and clung to the belief that dawn always came to shatter the dark.

You swallowed the looks he gave you, sharp and cutting like he wanted to dissect you with his eyes alone. You learned to read the grunts he gave when he wanted your attention, when he needed to show you something, or when he was about to warn you in that low, gravelly tone that left no room for hesitation.

Being near him felt like walking a tightrope over broken glass; every word and step was a risk you couldn’t afford to miscalculate. You never knew when the silence between you would break—whether it’d be his voice or his violence that shattered it. 

Out there, beyond Jackson’s walls, the infected were mindless. Predictable. Joel Miller wasn’t. And you couldn’t decide which one you were most scared of. 

Joel pounded on your door before dawn, his knock sharp and insistent, like he was trying to crack the wood. He always came early—always fresh from his nightmares, his face shadowed by whatever horrors had dragged him from sleep.

“You’re up,” he’d mutter when the door creaked open, his voice rough, scraped raw by whatever hell had played out behind his closed eyes. “Time to ride.”

He didn’t wait for a response. He never did. Out there, beyond the walls, the world didn’t wait, either—not for you, not for him.

By the time you stumbled out, the day had already started for him. Patrols to begin. Horses to saddle. Mistakes to point out before the sun even dared to rise.

“The knot’s wrong,” he’d mutter, jerking the reins from your hands like you were a goddamn rookie. “Gate wasn’t shut right,” he’d add, his voice a low growl as he tested the latch with unnecessary force. “Bag’s too heavy,” he’d snap, shoving it back at you without so much as a glance, as if your failings were as predictable as the cold morning air.

“Mistakes like that’ll get us both killed,” he growls, his voice low and sharp, like the edge of a blade. He doesn’t even spare you a second glance—he doesn’t need to. His words cut deep enough without it.

What stings more is that he’s right, and he knows it. That’s the part that gnaws at you.

“You’re not steppin’ outside those gates again ‘til you fix this,” he snaps, the finality in his tone hitting harder than any shout ever could.

So, you obeyed without question, silently cursing your luck and wishing for a partner who didn’t wear indifference like armor. But deep down, you understood—this was necessary. One wrong move could be the slip that sent everything crumbling. So, you swallowed the fear that knotted your stomach and followed his lead, even though he unsettled you in ways you couldn’t fully explain.

Now, your horse moved ahead, its hooves landing softly on the mossy gravel, the rhythm muted against the damp earth. The air was thick with the sound of the river—a rushing torrent that swallowed your steps and left the world hushed. This path was deliberate. You chose it because stealth was your only true ally. You were always going to be smaller than your enemy. 

This was a test—your first patrol where the choices were yours to make. And Joel? He wanted you to fail.

The trail slithered through the forest like a vein under pale skin, narrow and treacherous. Each twist and turn pulled you deeper into its grip, leading toward the stretch you’d been assigned to patrol. You’d studied it obsessively, tracing every jagged curve on the map, committing each blind spot, every lurking shadow to memory.

Out here, familiarity wasn’t just an advantage—it was the only thing standing between you and a knife in the dark. Joel had made sure of that, drilling it into your skull until it felt less like a lesson and more like a scar carved into your mind.

“Rest here.” Joel’s voice cuts through the stillness, more command than suggestion. You glance back at him, perched on his horse, the weight of his gaze pressing down on you like a physical thing. You nod, trying to salvage some scrap of control. You’d wanted to stop here anyway, you tell yourself. Not that it mattered.

Swinging your leg over the saddle, you drop to the gravel with a jarring thud, the impact shooting up your legs. The sound feels too loud, too exposed, in the vast, empty quiet.

Your eyes flick around the clearing, scanning the treeline for any sign of movement. Shadows stretched long in the morning light, shifting with the breeze but revealing nothing. Still, you nod to Joel, your throat tightening as he dismounts with ease. His rifle hangs heavy on his back, a constant reminder of what he’s capable of. What he’s always prepared to do.

He doesn’t speak again; he doesn’t need to. The air between you is thick with unspoken expectations. It didn’t matter if he let you take the reins today. This was his call, his pace, his world—you were just moving through it. 

You eat in silence, chewing mechanically as the cool air presses against your skin. Spring in Jackson is deceptive—the thaw feels like a promise, but the nights still bite, and the mornings cling to the kind of cold that sinks into your bones. Behind you, Joel disappears into the treeline, his pack slung over one shoulder, rifle in hand.

He never ate with you. Never waited. Never said anything unless it was necessary. Lately, even the necessities have felt strained, like pulling teeth from a wolf.

Your horse snorts softly as you give him the scraps of your meal. You pat its mane and glance toward the direction Joel had gone. He wasn’t one to wander aimlessly. If he left, there was a reason. And yet, the silence around you feels off—too hollow, too still.

You grab your rifle and sling your pack over your shoulder, boots crunching against the damp ground as you follow the faint trail he left behind. Twigs snap underfoot, and the smell of wet earth fills the air. The woods are coming alive with the season—patches of green breaking through the gray, shoots of wildflowers curling toward the light.

Still, you don’t find him. The trail vanishes into the dense brush, and frustration creeps in. He wouldn’t have gone far.

Your fingers graze the bark of a nearby tree as you pause to catch your breath. That’s when you see them—small, scattered patches of wild strawberries, bright red against the muted earth. You crouch down, brushing away a stray leaf, plucking one, and rolling it between your fingers. The smell is faint but sweet, a strange comfort in the middle of all this quiet.

“What the hell do you think you’re doin’?”

The voice snaps through the stillness like a gunshot.

You barely have time to turn before Joel’s on you. His hand clamps around your arm, dragging you to your feet and shoving you back against the rough bark of a tree. The impact knocks the breath out of you, your back stinging where it scraped against the trunk. A ringing clouds your thoughts before Joel’s voice pierces through it.

“Out here pickin’ berries like it’s a fuckin’ picnic,” he growls, his face inches from yours. The bark digs into you through your jacket, his forearm pressing against your collarbone, pinning you there. His eyes are dark and furious. “You think this is a game? You think the world gives a shit if you stop to smell the goddamn flowers?”

Your chest heaves, but the words catch in your throat. He doesn’t let up, his grip firm, his presence overwhelming. The smell of leather and sweat clings to him, sharp and suffocating.

“I could’ve been anyone,” he snaps, his voice low and venomous. “You wander off like that again, and I won’t bother comin’ after you.” 

“I wasn’t—” you start, but his arm digs into your throat just enough to cut you off. You can taste the blood in your mouth from where you bit your tongue.

“First mistake,” he growls, leaning in close, his breath hot against your cheek. “Second mistake was not keeping your head on a swivel. Thought I taught you better than that.”

The air is thick with the taste of metal, your lungs screaming for a breath that doesn’t come. You can’t see much—everything is blurring, the world dimming at the edges. Your hands flail uselessly, but it’s useless. His arm is a vice, a wall you can’t scale, suffocating any defiance before it even starts.

“Joel, I—” The words catch in your throat, swallowed by the tightening of his arm, choking the air from your lungs.

“Gonna get us both killed,” his voice low, cold, like gravel scraping across exposed bone. “Maybe I should just end it for you now, one less mouth to feed. Do everyone a favor.”

The bite of his words cuts deeper than the grip on your throat. His eyes—those eyes—aren’t just cold anymore. They’re something else. Something dangerous. Like he’s weighing your life, watching the fear play across your face with a detached curiosity. A hunter deciding if he’ll kill his prey now or later. There’s something raw about the look. Something savage.

Just as the darkness starts to close in, when the world begins to slip away, he finally lets go. You gasp for breath, your chest heaving, but his eyes never leave you. They watch with a strange, detached satisfaction as the life slowly filters back into you.

It almost seemed like... he wanted it. Wanted to see you shatter. Wanted to know if you’d fight, claw, beg for your life.

He shoves himself off you, turning his back without a second glance like nothing happened. Like he didn’t just threaten to carve your life out with his own hands. You feel the burn of his grip still, the imprint of him on your neck, and the bruises linger long after he’s gone.

You rub the tender skin, the faint pulse of pain a reminder of how easily he could’ve ended it all. You don’t question him again. You don’t ask. You just do what you’re told, stay out of his path.

Of course, you begged Tommy to switch you out of Joel’s patrols and pair him with someone more capable of handling his... rage. Someone more his speed. But Tommy wouldn’t hear it. Said someone gentle was good for his brother. You never told him what happened in the woods. You didn’t speak of it ever again. 

There was something wrong with you recently—something in your head that didn’t quite fit anymore. Maybe it was the blow to the skull, that crack against the tree that left you gasping for breath. Whatever it was, it twisted you. Rewired you.

It was the dead of night, the kind of darkness that crept under your skin, suffocating in its silence. And there you were, hands searching places they shouldn’t. Fingers tracing a path down your body, touching with a desperation that was as violent as it was uncontrollable.

Your mind wandered to him—Joel. The way his body felt pressing into yours, the weight of him suffocating you, his heat seeping into your bones. His hands, rough and unforgiving, find your throat. He wasn’t gentle. Never was. It was slow, the pressure building, suffocating, until you couldn’t breathe—until you didn’t want to. Every breath, a struggle, every second a rush of power, his dominance a dark, intoxicating force.

It wasn’t love. God, no. It was death. The kind that burned, that crawled under your skin, settling deep in places you shouldn’t let it. The type of death that made you burn in ways you couldn’t explain. Maybe it was because you knew he could kill you and didn’t, and that made you feral. 

And then the release—the moment when everything shattered, your body betraying you, desperate and uncontrollable. Slick, burning heat on your fingers, streaking down your thighs, staining the sheets with every desperate, filthy inch of it.

But it didn’t matter. None of it did. Not the fantasy, not the sick thrill that came with it. All that mattered was the ache that lived inside you—an ache that would never be filled.

“You don’t sleep, you’re not in control, you’re not in control, then you’re dead,” Joel says, the words coming out like they’ve been chewed and spit out a hundred times. He doesn’t even look at you as he speaks, his gaze fixed ahead, scanning the horizon with that hard, unblinking stare. The shadows under your eyes are deep, and he noticed without even so much as looking twice at you. 

The smell of damp earth rises around you, clinging to the cool spring air. The soft squelch of your horse’s hooves in the mud seems deafening like a beacon giving away your position. The morning sun filters through the canopy of budding trees, its warmth streaking the ground in golden patches. But it doesn’t reach you. There’s a chill in the air, one that creeps up your spine and settles at the base of your neck, making the fine hairs there stand on end.

Joel sways with the rhythm of the horse’s stride, just enough to betray the tightness in his every move—like a coil wound so damn tight, it might snap at the slightest touch. The tension’s crawling in his shoulders, the muscles under his shirt flexing with its weight. His fingers are locked around the reins, his knuckles pale, and his grip is so savage it’s a wonder they don’t snap in his hands. The leather groans under the strain.

And you—you can feel the sickness stirring in your gut, that sick, twisted hunger. You wanted to be those reins, wanted that grip on you so hard it’d leave marks, bruises you couldn’t hide. Something about the way he holds everything in like he's just waiting for something—anything—to break makes you want to be the thing that breaks him.

You notice then, suddenly, when Joel’s horse halts abruptly. The birds, which had been chattering just moments ago, have fallen silent. Their absence feels unnatural like something has swallowed their songs whole, leaving behind a silence so dense it presses against your ears.

Joel senses it, too. You can tell by the way he stiffens in the saddle, his back straightening ever so slightly. His horse stops, and you stop yours beside him. His jaw tightens, the muscles flexing beneath the uneven scruff of his beard. His eyes flicker toward the treeline, scanning the shadows, searching for something unseen. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even look at you, but his fingers drift toward his rifle anyway.

"Silent," he mutters; his voice is quiet but seems so loud in the space. 

You nod, gripping the reins tighter, though your palms are already damp with sweat. The weight of the quiet grows heavier. Every creak of your saddle and snort from your horse feels amplified, each sound bouncing back at you from the tangled trees.

It feels like eyes. Like something is watching, hidden just beyond the edges of your vision. The kind of feeling that prickles along your skin, primitive and raw, whispering to you that you’re being hunted.

You glance toward Joel, hoping for reassurance, for him to tell you this was another test, and you just failed. But his face is hard and carved from stone. He doesn’t look at you. His focus is ahead, unwavering.

Your heart slams against your ribs, a frantic, erratic beat that drowns out everything else. Fear and adrenaline twist together in your chest, cold and electric. You try to tell yourself it’s nothing, just your mind playing tricks, but the feeling won’t leave. It’s real, as though the woods themselves are holding their breath, waiting for something to happen.

Nothing moves. Nothing happens. But its weight doesn’t lift.

So you press on, hooves sucking at the mud left behind by last night’s rain, each step dragging like the earth itself wants to swallow you whole.

The town comes into view in fragments—weathered rooftops tilting under the weight of age. It should be a relief, a sign that the unease crawling up your spine was just paranoia, but instead, the sight twists something in your gut. The houses are scattered and quiet, their windows hollowed out like staring eyes. Like every shadow has teeth.

A chill brushes the back of your neck, light as a whisper, and instinctively, you glance over your shoulder. Nothing. Only the trees swaying softly in the breeze, their leaves trembling against the stillness. But the feeling lingers—the prickle of being watched, the sense that something, or someone, is just out of sight.

Somewhere ahead, there’s a faint crack. Just a shift, subtle but sharp, like a twig snapping under a deliberate step. Then, a rustle. It’s soft, barely a sound, but it’s all wrong. 

And then you see them.

Four figures slip from the edge of a tattered home, their movements slow and deliberate, like predators testing the range of their prey. They melt out of the shadows one by one, their shapes cutting sharp and jagged against the soft spring light.

They don’t bother hiding. They don’t have to. The way they move—languid, assured—screams of dominance. Like they’ve been watching you for miles, circling just out of sight, waiting for this moment. One of them shifts slightly, armed with a glint of metal catching the sunlight. A dull machete. 

One man slinks forward, tall and skinny, a shotgun slung over one shoulder like an afterthought. Two of them circle around you like sharks that smell blood.

His face is filthy, streaked with layers of grime so thick it’s like the dirt has become part of his skin. The sun catches in the cracks of his skin, highlighting the deep, gnarled lines etched into his face like a map of pain and neglect. His eyes, though—they're the actual weapon.

They’re wide, bloodshot with a sheen of madness that makes the back of your throat tighten. There’s something feral about them—dark pits that seem to draw you in, colder than the death itself, slicing through you with a hunger that goes beyond survival. And the way he looks at you—like he’s already measured you up, already tasted your fear. Like he’s made his decision. You can almost feel its weight as if it were a decision carved in stone.

You’d heard of the people who resorted to cannibalism out here—sick, desperate souls that had been chewed raw by this world. But hearing about it and seeing it are two different things. You never imagined it would leave such a mark. His lips curl back, exposing broken teeth that make your stomach turn. You can’t help but notice the faint, sickening smell that follows them—something rancid, like the last remnants of human decency had rotted away years ago, leaving nothing but a shell.

They’re all scrawny, the bones in their faces jutting out sharply. But it’s the way they surround you. You can see the monster lurking beneath the skin, the beast that’s waited for too long to feed.

Joel’s hand drifts toward his revolver, the movement fluid, but he doesn’t draw it.

The man tilts his head, the hint of a smirk curling at the edges of his mouth to reveal broken teeth. “Told ya I heard somethin’,” he drawls, his voice thick with amusement. His eyes flick to you, lingering too long. “Didn’t think anyone’d be out this far. Lucky us.”

The others chuckle softly, a low, rumbling sound that ripples through the still air. 

“Got yourself a pretty little partner, huh?” the man continues, his gaze crawling over you. “What’s she good for? Bet she’s—”

Joel’s voice slices through the air, low and venomous, like a predator of his own. "Don’t."

"Don’t what? You gonna protect her, old man? You think you can still play hero?” The man bristles but doesn’t back down. Instead, he steps closer, his boots grinding against the dirt, dragging his posse with him. Your horses start to stir, their breaths heavy and sharp, restless under the growing pressure. They can sense it—everything about this feels wrong, off. You can feel it, too.

The world narrows until all you can hear is your pulse in your ears and the low, dangerous hum of Joel’s silence, the weight of his restraint. You could run. You could get away if you had to. But you don’t know if you can get through them without blood spilling. Without—

The man makes a cold, humorless sound. “Those are fine horses." He raises the barrel of the shotgun so it's pointed at you. Only you. 

“Off,” he spits, his voice low and rough as if he’s talking to a dog. He jerks his head toward the man next to Joel, who has his own rifle trained on him.

Your eyes flick to Joel, trying to read him, searching for any sign of what he might do. His gaze meets yours, but there’s nothing there. Just emptiness, like the void behind his eyes, swallowed everything that ever mattered. You swallow the knot in your throat, but it doesn’t help.

He dismounts slowly, his movements stiff, like the weight of the world is pressing down on him with each deliberate step. Below you, the men loom larger, their bony frames stretching unnaturally tall, like dead trees in the winter. Their faces are gaunt and hollow-eyed, stretching skin tight over bone. The shadows twist around them like something alive and hungry.

The man gestures with his gun, the barrel cutting through the air toward Joel. "Hands up," he orders, and you both do, watching as he takes Joel’s weapons.

Joel’s eyes flick up, but there’s no surprise. No fear. Just that cold, unwavering look that always sits behind his gaze. His mouth pulls into a thin, sardonic line.

“Big talker for a small guy like you,” Joel says, the words thick with disdain, a flicker of sarcasm that rings far too loud in the silence between them.

Your head snaps to Joel, disbelief flooding you. Why the hell would he say that? Did he want to die?

Before you can even react, the blow lands. It’s brutal—an unforgiving hit with the butt of the shotgun that sends Joel stumbling down, falling to his knees from the force. His cheekbone erupts in a burst of red, blood splattering like a twisted painting, dripping from his face in thick streaks. The sickening sound of metal meeting bone rings in your ears.

Joel grits his teeth, his breath ragged, a low groan of pain escaping his throat, but his eyes—they don’t waver. His gaze is locked onto the man with a quiet fury, like the blood running down his face doesn't matter. It’s just another fucking wound.

The man steps forward, his grin splitting his face, sharp and cruel. “You think you’re tough?” His voice is venomous, each word spat out like poison. “Not so tough now, are you?”

Joel spits on the man's feet, blood splattering against the cracked asphalt and his boots. 

“Take the horses,” he commands to the other two behind you, the two sneering and grabbing the horses by the reins. You watch them take them away, your heart sinking every step. 

”Please, we don’t want trouble.” you beg, trying to be the voice of reason here. Since Joel seemed incapable.

“Seems to me he’s already asked for it though,” 

“No—I swear, let us go; you can keep the horses,” you beg. 

"Shut the fuck up, or I’ll give you somethin’ to beg about." the man snaps, so close to your face you almost gag. 

Joel’s eyes flicker to you for a second, so quick it’s almost nothing. But it’s enough. There’s no word, no sign, just a flash of something desperate. He’s telling you to run. And you know it’s not a suggestion, it’s a fucking order.

When the other two men disappear into the distance, leaving you with the last two, Joel moves. He’s a blur of muscle and force, using their hesitation to slam one of the men into the other, the three of them falling to the ground with a sickening thud. The crack of bone, the wet sound of flesh hitting dirt— a sound you’ll never forget.

But you don’t think about that. You don’t think at all. The guilt claws at your insides like a poison, but the fear is worse. You run.

Tears burn down your cheeks, hot and shameful, but you don’t have time to care. You run, legs pumping, every muscle in your body screaming at you to stop, but your feet won’t obey. You charge through the mud, slipping and sliding, the cold air ripping at your lungs like shards of glass. Your chest burns with the effort, and you push yourself harder, faster, your body on fire.

But then you hear it. The sound of footsteps. Heavy, fast, closing in. Your heart thunders, adrenaline surging, and suddenly, you feel him—the wind knocked from your lungs as he tackles you down into the muck. You crash to the ground with a sickening thud, pain blooming through your body. Your head rattles against the dirt, your vision blurs, and for a second, all you can taste is blood.

Then his weight is on you.

“Be good— for me,” He says in the struggle. He’s grinning down at you, his breath hot, fetid, mixing with the smell of sweat and rot. His hands are everywhere, tearing at your clothes. The desperation in his grip, his hands slick with grime, slides over your skin like the feel of a predator’s teeth sinking into flesh. He doesn’t want to kill you first. No, he wants to break you.

The thought makes your stomach twist, bile rising in your throat, but you can’t let him win. Not this. Not ever.

“Fuck you!” You fight back, not with hesitation but with pure instinct. You headbutt him hard—your skull connects with his nose with a sickening crack. Pain explodes in your forehead, white-hot, blinding, but the blood that splatters across your face, his blood, makes you want to spit. 

“You fucking bitch!” He roars, hands coming up to clutch his face, and that’s when you see your chance.

Your fingers rake through the air, finding purchase in his eyes. His scream is feral, a guttural, panicked thing, and you push harder, gouging into the soft, vulnerable parts of him. He’s stronger than you—bigger, more powerful—but he’s not faster. You’re smaller, quicker, and you use it to your advantage, sliding beneath his grasp, slipping out of his grip, making him chase you.

“Get back here, you little fucking cunt!” You’re on your feet again, lungs burning with the effort, but your legs don’t want to carry you. Still, you fight. You turn, every ounce of strength pulling into your fist as it crashes into his throat. The force behind the punch is brutal. His Adam’s apple caves in with a sickening crunch, and he stumbles back, gasping, choking, bloody eyes wide with shock. He claws at his neck, gurgling, but it’s too late. You strike again and again until the fight leaves him entirely, and all that’s left is a ragged body collapsing into the dirt.

Your hands are slick with his blood, the crimson staining your skin, thick and tacky. It clings to you like a sickening reminder, seeping into every crack, every groove. Your whole body shakes—nerves on fire, muscles trembling from the raw, jagged shock of it all.

“Fuck,” You whisper to yourself. Your blood, hot and wet, trickles down from your forehead, coating your face and dripping into your eyes and mouth. The taste is iron and salt, foul and sharp. You spit, your teeth gritting, but it doesn’t help. It’s everywhere. It burns as it slides down your throat, coating your lips with something worse than just blood—something... savored.

The ringing in your ears grows louder, a high-pitched whine that drowns out the rest of the world. You stand there, trembling, staring at the mess you’ve made. Your hands curl into fists, nails biting into your palms as your pulse hammers in your veins. Adrenaline’s a rush, a sick, sweet flood that courses through your body, making everything feel alive.

You felt the pain—raw and gnawing, a fire that burned through you. You felt the anger, deep and savage, boiling up from somewhere darker than you thought you knew. But underneath it all, in the twisted wreckage of your mind, there’s something else. Something ugly.

You felt... good.

Joel felt the pain radiate through his limbs, the ache setting in as the adrenaline wore off. His body throbbed, but that was nothing new. He'd earned every bruise, every wound. And the fight had been nothing but instinct. He'd killed the three raiders quickly, just like he always did. Their blood soaked into the earth, staining the ground beneath him with a crimson that could never be washed clean.

Gripping the machete by its handle, Joel shoved his boot against the skull of the nearest raider, pressing down hard. The sickening sound of bones cracking was almost comforting. He twisted the blade free from the man's head with a wet, sucking sound, his machete covered in blood and grey matter. The stench of it hit him like a punch to the gut, but Joel didn’t flinch. He wiped the blade off on the raider, the fabric catching a streak of viscera.

The horses whined quietly, tethered nearby. Their quiet snorts and twitching ears as they witnessed the carnage caused by Joel. 

Joel’s mind was already somewhere else, locked on the next threat. The raider who’d gone after you. His gut twisted with certainty—the bastard was still out there, lurking in the shadows, maybe covered in your blood. The thought didn’t churn up guilt, just a sour pit of dread. Dead or alive, you were his responsibility now. And if you didn’t make it back to Jackson, the blame would land squarely on him, just like everything else.

The machete felt heavy in his hand, slick and sticky from someone else’s blood. He followed the faint trail of footsteps stamped into the mud, his boots squelching with every step. Eyes scanning, ears straining for the faintest sound. A misplaced breath. The snap of a twig. He couldn’t afford to miss it.

Then he saw it. The churned-up earth where a fight had broken out, the mud streaked red. Blood, fresh and still shining in the sunlight. So much of it. Joel crouched, running his fingers through the dirt, smearing it between his fingers. You’d bled out fast or close to it. He shook his head, swallowing the bitter weight that came with the realization. Deadweight was heavier, and he could already feel it in his shoulders, the drag of carrying your lifeless body back to Jackson.

A pair of grooves marked where they’d hauled you away, your boots carving lines into the mud. Joel followed, his steps methodical, dropping the machete as he withdrew his pistol. The trail led to a house, and the door cracked open just enough to show the yawning black inside.

Joel stops short, his breath hitching, sharp as broken glass in his chest. The bastard was in there—waiting. He could feel it in his bones, a sixth sense honed. The tension pressed against him, thrumming like a live wire.

The rusted hinges scream as Joel nudges the door open, his pistol raised. Inside, the scent hits him like a punch—rotting wood, stagnant water, the sour tang of mildew baked into the walls. 

His boots scrape against the floor, the sound muffled by the filth beneath them, as his eyes follow the trail of blood. Dark and glistening, it streaks jagged lines further into the house, smearing the warped floorboards like a cruel breadcrumb trail.

And then he sees you.

His sharp inhale is reflexive—because, for a moment, you look like another corpse. There’s a wildness in your eyes that’s unrecognizable. You're crouched, your hands tangled in the dead raider's limp arms, dragging him inside. The body’s throat is mangled, caved in with such force that bone and cartilage poke jaggedly through torn flesh. 

Joel's grip loosens on his pistol, dropping his arm to his side. Your head snaps up at the sound, eyes blown wide like a cornered animal. Your chest heaves, breaths tearing out of you fast, and for a second, Joel can see the adrenaline surging through you—hot and primal. For a moment, all he can do is stare. Joel was confident you were dead. Hell, he’d been ready to write you off. But here you are, standing in front of him, smeared in gore like something dragged out of a nightmare.

Finally, he exhales through his nose, a short, humorless huff. “Well, I’ll be damned.” His voice is low, gravelly, but there’s a sliver of something in it—surprise, maybe, though it’s buried beneath the usual roughness.

“Didn’t think you had it in you.” Joel steps further into the room, holstering his pistol with a casualness that feels deliberate. Like he’s trying to downplay the moment. 

He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t show a hint of surprise as he steps closer to the body, nudging the lifeless arm with the toe of his boot. His eyes flicker across the mess, his jaw tightening as he surveys the ruined throat—just another death. Just another moment. The cold, detached look in his eyes makes your stomach twist like he’s seen this so many times it doesn’t even register.

“Messy work,” he mutters, his voice flat, void of anything resembling emotion. “But it got the job done.”

You swallow, your throat tight with the residue of rage and disbelief. You don’t know why you say it—maybe it’s the blood, perhaps it’s the tension gnawing at your insides—but you find your voice rough and raw. “Thought you died.”

The words are a bitter mix of relief and frustration, still edged with that wild energy from the fight. The animal instinct that drove you to act.

Joel turns his back, scanning the room, his eyes taking in the sight of this abandoned house. It’s a shitty place to stow a corpse, but you did what you could.

“Can handle my own,” he mutters, and you want to roll your eyes. Of course, he could.

“That’s not what I mean,” Instead of replying, he crouches beside the body, pulling a knife from his belt and inspecting it before taking it. 

“Guess I should be grateful I don’t have to drag your ass back to town,” he says, the words more of an observation than a concern.

“That’s all you got to say? He’s dead.” You swallow, avoiding the body in the room, your eyes still on Joel. The blood on his face—on his hands—isn’t so different from your own, but his expression remains stone cold. You know he’s seen worse, lived through worse. To him, this is just another day. Just another body, just another death. But for you, it’s different.

It’s your first.

"You think feelin’ bad’s gonna bring ‘em back? Grow up. They were gonna kill us. Doesn’t matter either way. What’s done is done.” His tone is flat then, low and cold, and he adds, “Get used to it.”

And somehow, despite the weight of the horror pressing down on you, despite the reality of what you've just done settling into your bones, you can’t look away from Joel. Not now, not when he's standing there—bloodied, indifferent—and yet still so... there. His presence, his stoic stance, even with all that carnage around you, makes that sickness stir. 

“I’m not like you,” You say, trying to fight it. For a moment, there’s a flicker in Joel's dark eyes—maybe it’s annoyance, maybe it’s hatred. It’s gone in an instant.

“No. You’re not like me,” he growls, voice jagged. “You wouldn’t last five minutes in my shoes. You’re a goddamn fool. Draggin’ that body in here like you wanna die. Anyone could’ve cornered you. You must be real fuckin’ stupid. If it weren’t for me following your trail, you’d be a corpse already.” His tone bites deep like he’s daring you to argue with him.

"I didn’t drag him in here for fun. I did what I had to do." You narrow your eyes at him, voice cold now. "Maybe you're too old for this shit, but I’m still breathing, so I guess I’m doing something right.”

“Ya think you’re doing somethin’ right?” Joel steps closer. “You’re still here because I’m letting you breathe. Ya ain’t smart; you’re just lucky. Don’t get that twisted.”

“What, you gonna kill me? Do it, then.” you wager; the anger in you bubbles up, thick and heavy, like blood sputtering. You cross the room, shoving at his shoulders, but it’s useless. He’s like a goddamn rock—sturdy, too damn big, too hard for you to move.

“Know what, maybe you are like me,” he says as he studies your eyes.

“You’re a fucking dick,” you spit, pushing again, harder now, but it only makes him take a step back. He doesn’t even flinch. His eyes flicker with something like amusement, but there’s a darkness in them that makes your skin crawl. The gash on his cheekbone is still bleeding, slow and steady, and it churns something sick inside you.

So you push again, and this time, his hand snaps out to grab your wrists, his grip like iron. You don’t even have a chance to fight it. “Ya done yet?” he growls. His face is close now, the sweet smell of his sweat thick around him. 

His eyes bore into yours. His grip on your wrists tightens, bones creaking under the pressure, and he shoves you back against the wall with a thud that rattles your teeth. You barely have time to gasp before his hand clamps around your jaw, forcing your face upward and locking you into his stare.

He presses into you hard—every inch of him a dead weight, his breath hot and heavy against your skin. His body is a cage, but it’s not just about dominance. This is a test. Another one of his twisted games.

There’s no escape, no help coming. Just him and the sick thrill in his eyes as he waits for you to snap. How far will you go before you claw, before you scream?

But you didn’t care anymore. Thoughts weren’t yours to hold—excessive blood, too much death. For once, the silence was the only thing that felt real. But even that was poisoned. You hated him. Joel. The way he made you feel small.

But the hate… it was thick, slow, like tar. It oozed between your legs, crawling until it reached places you never wanted it to. Making your pussy clench around nothing. Your body twisted in response, involuntary, as you arched your back, hips grinding into his in the chaos. You hoped that it would go unnoticed. But Joel noticed everything, down to the slightest shudder of breath.

And against your hip, you felt him heavy and hard through the worn denim, like a brand in your flesh. The weight of his cock is solid— and just a slight shift and you feel him stir behind the confines.

Your shock didn’t stand a chance against the gravity of the moment. But in this instance, there is no room for shame. No room for anything but the hunger, the violence, the inevitable collapse of everything you’d tried to be.

“Fucking filthy…look at you,” Joel growls, his tongue feels heavy in his mouth. His hand that cages you brushes away the tangled strands of matted hair clinging to your face—strands that once might’ve been soft, now hardened by the soft pulse of blood still trickling from your head. 

Your eyes—those eyes—narrow at him, blazing with hatred, slits of fury cutting through the haze of the room. There’s no fear in them. Just rage.

“You like that?” Joel’s hand drops to the column of your throat, pressing hard enough to choke the breath from you. He leans into it, staggered breaths, each one trembling with the same anger that’s boiled over in every kill he’s made, every life he’s ended. 

“Like when I can fuckin’ feel your pathetic life in my hands?” His words hit like a slap, but they only made the gnawing emptiness inside you worsen. “No one’d notice if you didn’t come back.”

That dull ache deep in your core twisted, something dark and instinctive rising in response to the violent tension between you. You felt it low in your stomach, a heavy pull as your arousal pooled. Joel's face, the roughness in his eyes, stubble on his jaw, now covered in filth. It should’ve disgusted you. Should’ve made you pull away, retreat to whatever small semblance of dignity you had left. But you didn’t.

The pressure was a fire. It burned, it scorched, but it also made you want to dive deeper into the wreckage. The ache was something you couldn’t shake. It pulsed deep in you, and you wanted—needed—a way to release it. The anger, the fear. You wanted him just to feel the friction of all the ugliness between you two collide in some twisted outlet.

The world outside was cruel, and the one inside you wasn’t much better. So, you nod, and Joel’s eyes burn before narrowing. By your throat, he pushes you around the room, shoving you until you’re up against a dilapidated couch. 

“Am I wrong?” Joel questions darkly. 

“No,” you answer, and that satisfies him. His rushed hands find the waistband of your tight jeans and drag them down with your underwear. You’re completely exposed to him. And he is brutal, grabbing your shoulders, turning, and pushing you onto your knees on the cushions. Forearms against the head of the couch, you arch, pushing your bare ass against the front of his jeans. 

“No, what?”

“No, no one would miss me.” You can’t help it; you rub against the rough material, and you're already so wound up. It would only take a few more seconds, and you’d be coming all over the front of him. You were like a feral cat in heat, and you preened knowing he was watching you. Exposed, arching into him, rubbing your pussy until you were raw. 

“Knew it,” he rasps, his words dripping with grim satisfaction. “Pussy this wet? You’re just as fucked up as I am.”

“I’m not—” The words falter, sticking in your throat as his hand presses against the curve of your back. Rough, calloused fingers, stained with a violence that never washes clean.

“Stop fuckin’ lyin’.” His voice is low, guttural, a growl pulled from the depths of something broken. “And I’ll let you have it.”

You flinch, squirming as his hand drags upward, slow and deliberate, the scrape of his palm a warning in itself. The grip tightens, tangling in your hair, pulling hard enough to sting. It forces your head back, exposing your throat.

“Fuck—I am, I’m fucked up… and I want it, please.” you plead, pulling against his grip on your hair to look at him with hooded eyes. Joel responds with the rustle of his jeans as he unzips and drags them down enough to pull his cock out. 

Joel can feel the blood rush to his head as he watches you beneath him. Begging for him, needing him— your wet lips parting with a sigh as you feel the fat head of his cock pushing against you. 

“Dirty little thing, turned on by fuckin’ death.” Joel breathes out, almost a gasp, as he runs the tips along your soaked folds. Joel hadn’t been fucked in ages, and your young tight cunt before him made his balls tighten. He didn’t know how long he’d last, but still, he slammed into you with one fell thrust. 

“I know ya can take it,” You cry out at the way he splits you with his cock, giving you no time to adjust to his length. You search for purchase with your hands, but the fabric of the couch disintegrates as you pull on it. So, you push back against him, feeling the head of his cock nudge against your cervix. A jolt of pleasure fuses with the pain as you feel his balls against your clit.  

“Joel—oh my god.” You whine, your skin overly sensitive. 

Joel fucks into you, the stain of blood on his hands as he clutches the flesh of your hips savagely. 

“Should fuck the innocence outta you for your own good.” Joel feels your pussy clench around his girthy cock—stretching you, filling you completely with each thrust. 

A pathetic cry slips from your lips as his hand tugs at your hair, fingers weaving through the strands, tightening their grip. He drags you closer, your back flush against his chest, the weight of him pressing against you as he thrusts into you. His fingers slip around your throat again, finding their hold with familiar, bruising ease.

“Said ya could take it, so shut the fuck up,” he threatens, squeezing at your throat. Your pussy swallows him, and every time he withdraws, she sucks him back in. 

"I can—I can take it," you murmur, a sigh slipping from your lips. Your head falls back slightly, lost in the haze of numbing pleasure, the world around you fading into the background. The sensation builds, all-consuming, and you find yourself craving more. "Faster," you breathe, the words slipping out before you even realize you’ve said them.

Joel wanted you to suffer, just as he did when he felt that knot in his stomach every time he looked at you. To endure the hurt, he squeezes your neck as he thinks about it. He wanted to give you pleasure, to completely control you, to ruin you. His cock spears you with wet squelches, your pussy gushing with how fucking wet you are. You completely drench him, the hair at the base of his cock now coated with your arousal. 

“Always makin’ too many mistakes, too fucking stupid—fuck.” Joel pounds into you now as if he were driving his point into you with every thrust. 

"I'll be better," you whisper, the words heavy with meaning, though you’re not sure if you believe them yourself.

"Not for you to decide." Joel huffs, a hot puff of air against your tender skin. His lips brush against the side of your neck, teeth grazing before sinking in. 

The pressure tightens in your stomach as his teeth sink deeper, his grip on your throat tightening with an almost suffocating certainty. The tip of his cock pushes and grazes the spongy spot inside you that intensifies your pleasure. Joel can feel it when you suffocate his cock as he rams into you sloppily.

You look down at the arm circled around you; the blood splatters like paint on his skin. You feel the sickness tangle inside you, but the feeling unravels more and more as he continues. Like Joel was the one who had planted this inside you, and he was the only one who could fuck it out. 

A throaty moan vibrates under Joel’s grip as the thoughts consume you. It eggs him on, your silent cries, your loss for words—and he chases his release selfishly. His fingers slide from your neck to your face, the pressure firm as he squeezes your cheeks, forcing your lips into a pout.  

Your lips part instinctively, soft and eager, but Joel is quick—he twists your body in his grip, tilting your head back so that your mouths collide in a rough, open kiss. It’s sloppy, fervent—slick, so desperate. The heat of his mouth burns against yours, his tongue sweeping in to taste you, hot and hungry. The scrape of stubble on his jaw drags across your cheek. As he thrusts against you, his lips slide messily, reaching for you—again and again, leaving a trail of wetness behind. His teeth graze your bottom lip, pulling at it hard enough to draw blood.

The smell of his sweat overwhelms you, the weight of his body pressing against yours, and without warning, the tension snaps. Your walls tighten, pulse racing, and you feel every inch of him as your body reacts instinctively, urging him deeper. Pulsing, as if your pussy wanted—no needed to milk him inside you. It’s almost as if your body itself is begging for him, claiming him. The thought spins you into a daze, making you cry out his name, imagining him taking you completely. Your eyes roll back as your body loses itself, pliant under him, molded to his will. With a rough shove, he presses you down again, your arms against the couch.

Joel fucks your swollen pussy relentlessly until he’s on the verge of coming. His balls tighten, a warning he fights to suppress. Joel holds off, biting down on the need to release, but it doesn’t last. With a growl, he pulls out, gripping his cock as his hand pumps in quick, tight strokes. The surge hits hard, and he comes—hot, creamy spurts splattering against your bare skin. He paints you with thick, molten heat, groaning low, biting back the sound that follows as he watches you, chest heaving.

You pant, throat dry, your breath shallow and quick as a shudder rolls through you. Slowly, you twist your sore neck, casting a glance back at Joel. He’s a mess—blissed out, eyes half-lidded, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. For a moment, he’s completely still. No biting remark about how you could’ve done better. No gruff comment, no criticism. Just silence. It's not the kind that hangs heavy with something else, but it's a quiet one you almost don’t know how to read.

"Don’t be expectin’ anything from this.” His voice is gruff, as if the words were meant to warn you and distance yourself from him. Like you didn’t already do so. Watching him, he tucks himself back into his jeans, fixing his belt before straightening up with a quiet sigh. 

"You’re too old for this kind of shit anyway." You lie with a smirk, a tired but almost amused glint in your eyes. You pull your jeans over your ass once you clean yourself off, pulling your shirt down.

"Don’t get cute.” He grunts, his jaw tightening, but there’s a hint of something beneath it—exhaustion. 

“Scared I’ll make you feel somethin’?” you quip, standing from your kneel on the couch cushion. 

He shoots you a glance, his eyes flicking up to yours with a quiet edge, but his lips twitch—just slightly, a nearly imperceptible shift that betrays the bite in his words. “I ain’t scared of you. Just tired of your shit.”

You laugh softly, not backing down. “Sure, Joel. Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

"Quit fuckin’ around, let’s go.” He replies, his movements stiff, like he’s already mentally moving on. You can hear his boots hitting the floor as he heads for the door, his back to you. 

He doesn’t need to say anything else. There’s no need to explain what just happened. No need for words. You know you’ll never speak of this—never speak of the violence and pleasure, of the heat between you, of the power his hands had when they were all over you. You’re too young, too naive, too goddamn full of life for someone like him. But he still finds you. Back in Jackson, he finds you when he wants, when he needs…

You know better than to expect anything more—this was what it was, nothing more. So, you mount the horse, the leather of the saddle creaking under your weight, and without another word, you both head back home. Bloody. Battered. And thoroughly fucked out.

Back to Jackson. Back to survival.

masterlist!

[muiitoloko]

To Tame a Tyrant

Summary: You never expected to love the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham, but under your influence, he is changing—for the better… mostly. The problem? He is still wildly, unapologetically unhinged when it comes to you.

Pairing: Sheriff of Nottingham × Fem! Reader

Warnings: Dirty Languages, Implicit sex.

Author's Notes: I thought this story deserved a second part, so I wrote one.

First and Second part here.

Also read on Ao3

Weeks had passed, and everything had changed.

Your marriage, once built on resentment and distance, had transformed into something unexpected—something tender, passionate, and, dare you say it, happy. Gone were the days of cold avoidance and forced duty. Now, George could barely keep his hands off you, and you, in turn, now the only woman who received his attention, had discovered just how insatiable your husband truly was.

Not just in bed—though you had quickly learned that your husband was an unstoppable force of nature in that regard—but in governing as well. His ambition had always been relentless, his hunger for power unquenchable, but now, under your quiet guidance, he was learning to temper it with reason.

He had lowered the absurd taxes that once crushed the people of Nottingham, allowing them to keep enough coin to thrive rather than merely survive. The streets were livelier, the markets busier, and while George still ruled with a firm hand, he was no longer the tyrant he had been before. You were still working on softening him completely, but for now, things were far better than they had been.

And as for your marriage? It flourished.

It always amused you when George came running through the castle, his long black hair flowing behind him like a man possessed, only to skid to a halt the moment he spotted you. He would grab your hand, shower it with kisses, whispering ridiculous praises before dashing off again to whatever urgent matter awaited him.

You could always tell when he had been in meetings all day and needed a distraction—he would find you in the halls and press you against the nearest stone pillar, murmuring filth in your ear until your knees nearly buckled beneath you.

"I nearly fell asleep listening to that insufferable Baron drone on about grain," he had growled against your throat just the other day. "I was half-tempted to excuse myself and drag you onto my lap right there in front of him. Gods, wife, do you have any idea what you do to me?"

Now, as you sat across the great hall from where your husband was hosting a gathering of lords, you found yourself chatting idly with a few noblewomen, your veil still in place. The room was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of goblets, the air thick with the scent of roasted meats and spiced wine.

Yet, despite the lively atmosphere, you felt it—the unmistakable weight of George’s gaze on you.

Lifting your eyes, you found him staring at you from across the table, his hazel eyes gleaming with mischief, his lips quirking into a smirk as he waggled his eyebrows in your direction.

You blushed, heat creeping up your neck. He looked utterly ridiculous, but you knew exactly what that look meant.

Now? you mouthed silently, raising a brow.

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering, then gave an exaggerated nod, his smirk widening.

You rolled your eyes, shaking your head. Patience, husband.

George pouted dramatically before taking a slow sip of wine, never breaking eye contact with you.

Are you really going to make me suffer, love? his gaze teased, dark with unspoken promises.

You had only just managed to silently tell him to behave when Sir Guy took a seat next to you, clearing his throat in what was clearly meant to be a diplomatic gesture.

The moment George noticed, however, his entire demeanor shifted. His lazy smirk vanished, replaced by a scowl so deep it could curdle milk. His hazel eyes darkened with suspicion, his fingers tightening around the silver spoon in his hand with dangerous intent.

You barely suppressed a sigh.

You had heard far too many of your husband's overdramatic exclamations about skinning someone with a spoon.

Sir Guy, oblivious to the impending doom that loomed over his existence, turned to you with an air of reluctant formality. "Lady [Your Name]," he began, his voice low and measured, "I have come to—"

His words were cut off by a loud clank as George banged his spoon against the edge of his goblet, the sound echoing through the table.

Sir Guy blinked. You closed your eyes briefly, bracing yourself.

The Sheriff swirled the spoon between his fingers, his smirk returning, but this time edged with something far more menacing. "Oh, Gisbourne," he drawled, tilting his head, "I do hope you're not here to test the durability of your skin, because I assure you, I am quite skilled at removing flesh with nothing but a spoon."

Sir Guy exhaled heavily through his nose, rubbing his temples as if to stave off a headache. "Sheriff, I am merely—"

"Merely what, cousin?" George interrupted, leaning forward with a wild glint in his eye. "Merely making an utter fool of yourself by daring to sit next to my wife? Merely testing the limits of my patience? Merely seeking your own execution in the most humiliating manner possible?"

Sir Guy pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly regretting every decision that had led him to this moment. "I came to apologize," he ground out.

George froze, as if he hadn't quite processed those words. He blinked once, then twice.

You seized the opportunity. Before your husband could launch into another one of his spoon-themed death threats, you turned to Sir Guy, offering a graceful nod. "I accept your apology," you said smoothly.

George's head snapped to you, his long black hair whipping dramatically over his shoulder. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. You could practically hear the gears in his mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened.

Sir Guy, sensing a rare opportunity to escape with his dignity intact, rose swiftly from his seat. "Good evening, my lady." He cast a wary glance at your husband before adding, "Sheriff."

George growled.

Sir Guy wisely fled.

The moment he was gone, George turned to you, placing a hand over his heart as if deeply wounded. "You accepted his apology?" he gasped, scandalized. "You accepted his apology without demanding bloodshed? Without forcing him to grovel? Without letting me threaten him with my spoon first?"

You folded your arms, arching a brow. "Would you prefer I let you carve his face like a roasted goose?"

"Yes, actually!" George huffed, dropping his spoon onto the table with a clank. "It’s what decent wives allow their husbands to do!"

You shook your head in amusement. "You do realize that not everything needs to end in violence, George?"

He scoffed. "Tell that to Sir Guy’s smug face! He deserved at least a light stabbing!"

"You are ridiculous," you sighed, taking a sip of your wine.

George exhaled heavily, rubbing his beard as he eyed you. His earlier petulance slowly melted away, replaced by something far more dangerous—a look you knew all too well.

His voice dropped into that wicked baritone, rich and dark as honey. "Oh, sweetheart," he purred, "I may not get to stab Sir Guy, but there is one thing I do intend to have my hands all over tonight."

Heat pooled in your stomach as you met his gaze. "George—"

His smirk widened as he leaned in. "You."

You flushed, warmth creeping up your neck. You could already feel the amusement radiating from him, his entire demeanor shifting from outrage to unrepentant desire in a matter of seconds.

"George, we are in public," you hissed under your breath.

"And?" He tilted his head, his hazel eyes flickering with mischief. "You think I care? You’ve been teasing me all night, looking too damn pretty in that veil, knowing full well that I want to rip it off you with my teeth."

Your breath hitched. "George—"

"Say the word," he murmured, voice like a slow-burning fire, "and I will drag you out of here, carry you upstairs, and make you forget that bastard’s name entirely."

You swallowed hard. "You are incorrigible."

"Flattering me won’t save you, love." He reached across the table, running his fingers over your gloved hand. "If I don’t have you under me within the hour, I might actually die. It’ll be your fault."

You shot him a look, torn between amusement and exasperation. "You are the Sheriff of Nottingham," you reminded him. "A man feared throughout England. And yet, here you are, pouting like a boy denied his favorite toy."

George’s lips twitched into a wicked grin. "My favorite toy is currently sitting across from me, wearing far too many clothes."

You nearly choked on your wine.

With a satisfied smirk, George rose from his seat, stalking around the table until he reached you. He leaned down, his lips hovering just above your ear.

"You have until the count of ten, wife," he whispered, his voice a velvet promise of ruin. "Then, I’m dragging you upstairs, whether you like it or not."

You shivered, pressing your thighs together. "George—"

"One," he murmured, his fingers ghosting over your arm.

Your breath hitched.

"Two."

Heat coiled in your belly.

"Three."

You barely managed to suppress a whimper.

"Four—"

"Fine!" You bolted to your feet, sending your goblet sloshing onto the table as you grabbed his hand. "But if you so much as try to rip my dress again, I swear I will—"

George grinned. "No promises, love."

With that, he scooped you up—right in the middle of the great hall—and carried you toward your chambers, completely unbothered by the scandalized gasps and amused whispers trailing in your wake.

You buried your face in his shoulder, mortified. "I hate you."

"You adore me," he corrected, kissing the top of your head.

And as he kicked open the door to your chambers—his eyes gleaming with dark intent—you had a sinking suspicion that he was absolutely right.

The echoes of drunken laughter and raucous revelry from the great hall drifted through the thick stone walls, muffled but ever-present. You lay tangled with George in the warm cocoon of your bed, your body draped lazily over his broad chest, your fingers idly tracing the contours of his toned stomach. His skin was still slick with the aftermath of your shared passion, and his breath was steady beneath you, though every so often, his fingers—long and dexterous—twisted idly into your hair as if he still couldn't quite believe he had you like this.

"You're quiet," he murmured, his deep baritone sending shivers down your spine. His hazel eyes, heavy-lidded with sated amusement, peered at you from beneath his unruly black hair. "Not regretting what just happened, are you?"

You scoffed, turning your face into his chest to hide your smirk. "Oh, yes. It was terrible," you teased, pressing a lingering kiss against his warm skin. "I might need you to try again—just to be sure."

George chuckled, a low, wicked sound that rumbled beneath your cheek. His hand slipped down your spine, fingers splaying possessively across your bare hip. "Careful what you wish for, love," he murmured, nipping at the top of your head. "You might not leave this bed for days."

You rolled your eyes but didn’t move away. Instead, you allowed yourself the comfort of his touch, the rare intimacy of these quiet moments between you. And yet, despite the warmth, despite the safety of his embrace, you hesitated. You knew what was coming.

"You know," George began, his tone deliberately casual, "you don’t need to wear the veil all the time anymore."

You stiffened slightly against him, but he tightened his hold, his fingers kneading at your scalp in slow, soothing strokes. "People will talk," you murmured, not quite able to meet his gaze.

George snorted. "Let them. And if anyone dares use it to speak ill of you, I promise, love, I’ll carve their heart out with a spoon."

That earned a reluctant laugh from you. "A spoon, George?"

"It’s poetic justice," he replied smugly. "They’ll feel it, every little scrape and tear—"

"Alright, alright!" You waved a hand, cutting off his grotesque imagery. "I get it. You're very terrifying."

"You wound me, wife," he drawled, mock-offended, though the way he was still playing with your hair betrayed his amusement.

A beat of silence passed between you, your fingers still absently stroking his chest. And then, out of nowhere, you changed the subject.

"You should cut your hair."

George, who had just been preoccupied with kissing the top of your head, pulled back, blinking at you in genuine shock. "What?"

"It's getting wild," you pointed out, propping yourself up on your elbows so you could look down at him properly. "You look positively feral."

George scoffed, clearly offended. "And what of it? I like my long hair."

You smirked, tilting your head. "Oh, I don’t mean that hair, George."

The Sheriff frowned in confusion, but then your eyes dropped down—slowly, deliberately. His hazel gaze followed yours, landing on the dark, tangled mess between his thighs.

Understanding dawned.

His mouth opened—then closed—then opened again. "You little—!"

You bit back a wicked grin, feigning innocence as you trailed your fingers teasingly down his abdomen, stopping just above the very thing you were referring to. "It's wild, George," you repeated, your voice dropping into a sultry whisper. "Untamed. Unruly. Beastly."

George exhaled sharply, his fingers twitching where they rested against your waist. "You’ve never had a problem with it before," he accused, his baritone roughening as your touch grew more insistent.

"I never said I had a problem with it," you countered, brushing your lips over his jaw. "But have you seen it? It’s a proper medieval forest down there."

George groaned, his head falling back against the pillows. "Gods, woman. Are you truly trying to discuss this while I’m still recovering from the last round?"

You hummed, nipping at his earlobe. "You say that, but I feel you stirring again, husband."

His hands grabbed you then, flipping you onto your back in one swift, effortless motion. Before you could react, he had pressed himself between your thighs, his weight deliciously heavy, his smirk downright filthy.

"You want it trimmed?" he murmured, his lips brushing the shell of your ear. "Then you’ll have to earn it, sweetheart."

His teeth grazed your throat.

And just like that, the conversation about his grooming habits was entirely forgotten.

The streets of Nottingham bustled with life as you made your way through the market, the familiar sights and sounds wrapping around you like an old friend. The air was thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and roasting meats, mingling with the tang of damp earth after last night's rain. Merchants called out their wares, bartering with customers who haggled with the same energy they used to survive in these harsh times.

You pulled your cloak tighter around you, the ever-present veil draped over your head as you walked with measured grace. The people of Nottingham had grown accustomed to you by now—no longer did they whisper behind their hands about the "Sheriff’s hidden wife." Instead, they bowed their heads respectfully as you passed, offering small smiles of gratitude. Some still hesitated when they looked upon you, but you were no longer an enigma—they knew what you did for them.

You were their Lady.

A castle guard trailed behind you, his posture stiff, eyes ever-watchful. He wasn’t there by your request, but by George’s demand.

"You will not go into town alone, wife. You belong to me, and I’ll not have some filthy rebel attempting to snatch you away while you hand out alms like some Sainted Madonna."

"The people love me, George."

"Yes, well, the people are also fickle. Love is a cheap currency, easily swayed by hunger or desperation. I trust my men more than I trust the whims of a starving peasant."

And so here you were, followed like a precious treasure that your husband refused to leave unguarded.

You sighed, glancing over your shoulder at the guard. "Do you really think I need protection? The only danger I seem to pose is to your feet, what with how much you have to follow me around."

The man—whose name you had learned was Marcus—had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed. "The Sheriff was quite… insistent, my lady."

"Of course he was," you muttered. Possessive bastard.

Despite George’s paranoia, the people welcomed you warmly. The butcher’s wife pressed a bundle of fresh meat into your hands with a knowing smile, refusing payment. The baker’s son—who had once been too afraid to look at you—now beamed as you ruffled his hair, his mother thanking you for the flour donation you had arranged the week before.

Even the beggars knew you by name, their gratitude shining in their eyes as you handed out small parcels of food. You saw a woman clutching a young child to her chest, her cheeks hollow with hunger, and immediately knelt before her, offering a loaf of bread wrapped in cloth.

"Eat, and let the boy eat first," you instructed softly.

The woman’s eyes filled with tears. "May God bless you, my lady."

You only smiled.

It was the least you could do.

The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across the Sheriff’s chambers, illuminating the tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud. George sat behind his grand oak desk, idly twirling a silver spoon between his fingers, his hazel eyes dark with thought. The sharp scent of parchment and ink filled the room, mingling with the lingering fragrance of the woman he had just kissed goodbye before she left for the marketplace. His marketplace.

Sir Guy of Gisbourne, lounging carelessly in a chair across from him, smirked as he polished his gauntlets. “She’s out again,” he remarked idly.

George didn’t bother looking up. “I know.”

“With only one guard.”

The spoon in George’s hand stopped twirling.

Sir Guy stretched his legs out, his smirk widening. “If someone were to… I don’t know… lay a hand on her—”

The crack of wood echoed through the chamber as George slammed his fist against the desk, his hooked nose flaring with rage. He leaned forward, his long black hair falling over his shoulders as he fixed his cousin with a murderous glare.

“If someone laid a hand on her,” George murmured, his voice a low, velvety growl, “I would skin the bastard alive.”

Sir Guy chuckled, unimpressed. “A bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

George’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. “Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, dear cousin. I wouldn’t use a knife.” He tapped the spoon against the desk with deliberate precision, his hazel eyes gleaming with something wicked. “I would use this.”

Sir Guy blinked. “A… a spoon?”

“Yes, Guy,” George drawled, his voice dripping with mock patience, “a spoon.”

There was a beat of silence before Sir Guy scoffed. “Why in the name of all things holy would you skin someone with a spoon?”

George exhaled sharply, running a hand down his beard as if physically restraining himself from launching across the desk and throttling his cousin. Then, he leaned in, lowering his voice into something dark and insidious.

“Because, you absolute imbecile, it would hurt more.”

Sir Guy stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.

George, enjoying his cousin’s slow-dawning horror, picked up the spoon and tapped it against his palm. “Can you imagine it, Guy?” he purred. “The dull edge scraping against flesh, peeling away inch by inch… the slow, agonizing realization that death isn’t coming quickly?” He sighed dreamily, as if discussing a fine vintage of wine. “Oh, the screams would be divine.”

Sir Guy paled. “That sounds like a lot of work.”

George scoffed. “Oh, and you’re one to talk about hard work, you lazy bastard.”

Sir Guy, still looking slightly disturbed, crossed his arms. “All this effort… for such an ugly woman?”

The room fell into a stunned silence.

The air grew thick, heavy with unspoken violence.

Sir Guy, realizing a second too late what he had just said, swallowed hard.

George’s expression darkened, his entire body going unnaturally still. His long fingers, which had been toying so playfully with the spoon, tightened around the handle until his knuckles turned white. His hazel eyes burned with something murderous, something ancient and bloodthirsty.

Sir Guy, survivor that he was, knew that look.

And he ran.

“SCRIBE!” George bellowed, launching himself from his chair so violently that it toppled over. He stormed toward the door, his boots slamming against the stone floor as he kicked it open with enough force to rattle the hinges. “SCRIBE, YOU USELESS FUCK, GRAB THAT TRAITOROUS SON OF A WHORE!”

Scribe, the unfortunate castle servant whose tongue George had removed long ago for “slanderous tendencies,” paled from where he stood just outside the door. His eyes darted between George and the rapidly retreating figure of Sir Guy.

Scribe hesitated.

George saw the hesitation and lost his mind.

“WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!” he roared, pointing wildly at the fleeing knight. “GRAB HIM, YOU SPINELESS WASTE OF SPACE—”

Scribe, wisely deciding that this was not his fight, turned and bolted in the opposite direction.

George stopped mid-rampage, looking personally offended.

“COWARD!” he shouted after him, before resuming his pursuit of his cousin.

Sir Guy, armor clanking, hurtled down the hallways of Nottingham Castle like a man fleeing the Devil himself. “George, listen—” he panted, dodging a servant who shrieked and flattened against the wall. “It was a joke! A harmless jest—!”

“I WILL FLAY YOU WITH A SPOON AND STUFF YOUR ENTRAILS INTO YOUR OWN GODDAMN BOOTS!” George thundered, gaining ground with terrifying speed.

Sir Guy, having known George since childhood, realized two things in rapid succession:

1 - George was fast when he was angry.

2 - George was always angry.

“GEORGE, I’M SORRY!” Sir Guy tried again, veering sharply around a corner and nearly colliding with a maid carrying a basket of linens.

George vaulted over the basket like a man possessed.

“YOU DARE INSULT MY WIFE?!” George bellowed. “MY WIFE, WHOSE PUSSY YOU COULDN’T LICK EVEN IF I ALLOWED YOU THE PRIVILEGE?!”

Sir Guy tripped.

George pounced.

The two men crashed to the ground in a tangled mess of limbs and furious curses.

George, straddling his cousin with murder in his eyes, yanked the spoon from his belt and pressed the rounded edge to Sir Guy’s throat.

“Take it back,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Sir Guy, winded, stared up at his enraged cousin and wisely chose self-preservation over dignity.

“I take it back!” he wheezed. “She’s—she’s stunning, George! Ravishing! A true goddess!”

George narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying.”

Sir Guy, staring down the blunt edge of the spoon, gritted his teeth. “I adore her, George. She is the light of Nottingham. A—A radiant jewel among—among swine.”

George considered this.

Then, with a sniff, he stood.

Sir Guy groaned, rolling onto his stomach, pressing his forehead against the cold stone floor. “You’re an absolute lunatic.”

George, smoothing his coat like a civilized man, twirled the spoon between his fingers and smirked.

“I do try.”

[grapejuice32]

Your Lesson

Rafe x reader x JJ more here

Word Count: 1.2k

JJ had been out all day with the pogues, something that you never minded they were his best friends, practically his family after all. He hadn’t made any effort to contact you or Rafe either, again, something that didn’t bother you all that much, you knew, considering this wasn’t out of character for him, that he most likely had gotten absorbed in whatever they were doing and had completely lost track of time. It did however bother Rafe to no end, with JJ’s history with Kiara, you couldn’t blame him, and not receiving even a text from JJ had Rafe fuming, his jealousy consuming him. You could only do so much to calm him down, so when word came out that there was a kegger at the boneyard, one the pogues would no doubt attend, you couldn’t help but feel relieved. Rafe had practically beamed when you’d told him, not that he’d ever admit it, and rushed you to the car after waiting, what was for him a tedious few minutes, while you changed touched up your make-up. 

Rafe’s driving was reckless, but then again it always was, the music was loud, but it wasn’t his music of choice, oh no, you had a collection of cds in the passenger seat of his car, insisting that your music taste was better than his and he could never say no to you, not even when he was riled up like he was currently. His car was covered in little touches from you, a small spray bottle, your cds, a ribbon tied into a bow on his steering wheel etc, JJ left his own touches too, but they were more accidental, things like a half-smoked joint, a cap (and probably condoms lets be real).

When you got to the boneyard, a rather quick journey thanks to Rafe’s driving, he walked around to your side of the car, opening the door for you and closing it behind you when he’d helped you out. He locked the car and pocketed the keys while taking your hand in his, your fingers intertwined as he walked at a quickened pace to the main area of the kegger. He didn’t immediately spot JJ and so walked the two of you over to grab a couple of solo cups, filling them with beer and giving you one before taking your empty hand back in his. The two of you didn’t make an effort to interact with anyone else, not when the only reason you two were there was to spot JJ and bring Rafe some sort of a peace of mind. You were rambling to him about a book series you were reading, telling him what had happened up until the point you were at so that your theory you were telling him about made sense, and while it was clear to you that he was listening intently to whatever you were saying in the way that he’d squeeze your hand or nod, to anyone else it would look as though he couldn’t have been less interested, his eyes constantly searching through the bodies of everyone in the crowd. 

It was pretty obvious when he spotted JJ, his body straightening, keeping his eyes on JJ’s form while drinking his beer, the both of you waited a couple of minutes to see if he would take notice of your presence. We watched as he threw an arm over Kiara’s shoulder, and when he didn’t take notice of us, Rafe’s frustration resurfaced, he downed the rest of his beer, crushing the empty cup in his hand and dropping it on the sand. He began to walk over to where JJ and his friends stood, his steps fast and purposeful, sort of dragging you along with him, your hand still held tightly in his as you struggled to keep up. It was John B who first took notice of the two of you, slapping JJ on the back and gesturing towards where the two of you made your way over to them with the nod of his head. His first instinct was to move his arm from where it was wrapped around Kiara, dropping it to his side. 

It was only when the two of you were stood in front of JJ that he spoke, “Oh hey, um you both had a good day?”

To which Rafe only gave him a tight-lipped, sarcastic smile, “Oh now y’care, hm?” JJ opened his mouth to speak but Rafe only tutted, shaking his head, “Nah, I don’t wanna hear it.” He grabbed JJ by the bicep and walked the three of you to a less crowded area a few feet away from where the pogues stood, sharing looks with each other as they tried not to stare at the three of you, still not quite able to comprehend your relationship. 

“What’s wrong, is everythin’ okay?” JJ asked, clearly clueless as to why Rafe was acting the way he was. 

“Hm, shit lemme think,” Rafe rolled his eyes, “you’ve been out with your friends, which includes y’ex an’ y’didn’t think t’text once, yeah? Have I got that all, baby?” Rafe asked, directing his last question at you to which you nodded.

“I just don’t think it’s that big of a deal, Rafe…” JJ trailed off when he saw the look on Rafe’s face. 

“Not a big deal, huh?” He squeezed JJ’s bicep, taking a step closer to him, “Y’don’t think ‘s a big deal that we heard nothing from you all day an’ then we come here an’ you’ve got y’arms all around her an’ shit?” 

JJ huffed and rolled his eyes, “Think you’re overreacting, Rafe I-“ But he was cut off as Rafe dropped your hand, his now free one moving to grab JJ’s face, his other hand remaining on JJ’s bicep, his grip tight. 

“I don’t wanna catch y’talkin’ t’me like that, y’understand?” JJ opened his mouth to protest only for Rafe to tut and tap JJ’s cheek harshly as he continued to cup his face, “D’you understand?” JJ nodded and Rafe leant down slightly to mumble at a volume only you and JJ could hear, “Good, cause ‘m in two minds ‘bout getting’ y’down on y’knees right here so they know who y’belong to, an’ y’don’t want that, do you?”

While JJ shook his head, it was quite obvious that he was enthralled by the idea and would most likely enjoy Rafe doing that rather than get embarrassed. Rafe pulled back from JJ and swung an arm over your shoulder, pressing a kiss to your temple, “Y’gonna say hi to our girl now, J?” Causing him to instantly move to you and press a kiss to your lips, a hum leaving your mouth at the feeling. JJ pulled back from the kiss and looked up at Rafe guiltily, a sad look in his eye as he watched Rafe lean down to kiss you but not to kiss him. When Rafe noticed, he chuckled and rolled his eyes before pressing a soft kiss, that was over far too quick for anyone’s liking, to JJ’s chapped lips. “ “s all y’gettin’ f’now, gotta learn your lesson, hm?”

Please lmk what you guys think, I'd love to hear from you! I'll also be happy to try and write any requests you may have <3

[liahaslosthermind]

𝑬𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏

Summary: The 4 times the Night Court’s Shadowsinger mentioned… someone, and the first time his family got the promise of an answer. 

Content: Angst, with the promise of future fluff

Warnings: Angst, I like making Azriel sad sorry, I also take the ‘mate talk’ in the Azriel/Nesta/Bryce bonus chapter and rewrite it to fit this story. I also haven’t read CC yet so apologies if Bryce is OOC Azriel x OC [not introduced in this part]

*Slight spoilers for the Azriel/Nesta/Bryce bonus chapter

Bryce turned to the fae female next to her, “You have a mate, don’t you?” Nesta simply nodded in response, a slight smile forming on her face, followed by a deep blush. “Do you?” The red head directed at Azriel.

Nesta’s stomach dropped. She knew it was a sore subject for the Shadowsinger. What with everyone else in his family being mated except for him-

“I do.” He said, a trace of apprehension in his voice. Nesta’s head snapped to face him so quickly that her vision spun for a moment, causing her to stumble.

Regaining her footing, she barked out, “Azriel? What the fuck do you mean?”

The trio stopped walking for a moment, tension settling over the once calm night air. She gave him a demanding, and slightly betrayed, look. Even though his eyes met hers, Azriel kept quiet. Bryce simply looked between the two, face wrinkling in the awkwardness of the moment.

“Ah. A sore subject, I guess?” Bryce laughed, or tried to, it only came out forced and uncomfortable. 

“Who, Az? How come I had no idea? Does anyone know?” There wasn’t anger in her voice, just hurt. 

He had to bite back his usual replies, the ones he gave to his family when they tried to ask questions or bring up the topic without him bringing it up first. Not that he ever did. 

“She’s-” he swallowed. Cauldron, when would he finally be able to talk about her without wishing the world would swallow him whole? “It’s not something I want to discuss right now, especially with present company.” He sent a pointed look at Bryce. He couldn’t hide the misery in his tone this time though as he took a deep breath and continued, “I will tell you about her, Nes. One day. I’d just rather do it on my own terms. On my own time.” Nesta opened her mouth, seconds away from arguing, when he put a hand on her shoulder, “Please.” he begged, softly. 

The glimmer of silver in his eyes caught her off guard, gave her such a knee jerk reaction of protectiveness that she gave him a crushing hug. It was strange, this feeling. Azriel, the broody, closed off, terrifying, annoyingly perceptive, kind, and unbelievably loving friend she never knew she needed had just revealed a part of himself she could tell he kept locked away for good reason. The thought that even the mention of his mate could bring him to tears made her heart break in a way she thought impossible after all she had been through. 

She took a deep breath as she pulled away, “When you’re ready,” she agreed.

He smiled back at her, while it was genuine, one of the few he reserved for his family, there was still insurmountable pain in his eyes. 

Nesta turned back to Bryce, “Can you play more of your music? Just none of that screaming one.” She asked, shaking her head at the memory of the Death Metal genre she hadn’t liked when the redhead had played it for them. 

She smiled softly as she felt Azriel squeeze her hand in a silent Thank you before he let go. 

The High Lord sat, feet propped up on his desk. “When do you head out for Rosehall?” He asked.

Azriel, standing by the window to the right of his brother, answered, “The morning after Solstice.” Rhysand grimaced when he heard the mask of indifference his Spy Master had in his voice. “I still need to pick up a gift before I go.”

Rhys took it for the invitation it was. “Would you buy her something from me? On my account this time.” He tried to put on his commanding-High-Lord voice as he said it, but he knew very well that Azriel wouldn’t listen to the last part of his request even as his brother smiled in agreement as he walked out of the room, sending an inclination of goodbye to his High Lady in the chair across from her mate. 

“Rosehall? What female is he visiting the day after Solstice?” Feyre spoke into her mate’s mind. 

Despite Rhys’ usual inability to keep anything from his mate, he couldn't bring himself to explain, couldn’t bring himself to cross the very clear lines his brother had set all those years ago. 

“It's not my story to tell. And don’t ask someone else, if any of them know, they also won’t talk.” 

Certainly not the answer she had expected, as was evident by the look on Feyre’s face.

“And if I ask Azriel?” she inquired.

“It will just bring up things he isn't ready to share. He will come to you- come to us- some day.” ‘One day’ Azriel had promised his family long ago, long before their family had been as big as it was now. “I just pray it's under better circumstances.” 

Feyre froze, feeling the weight of mixed negative emotions flowing down from her mate’s side of the bond. For once, she was even more confused after asking Rhysand for more information. 

“Well, I believe we’ve reached the threshold of faked amiability before one of us attacks the other. We should quit while we’re ahead.” Eris said as he stood up from his chair, starting to grab his papers without so much as a glance to his reluctant hosts. Even years after their alliance was set in stone with the agreement from the Night Court to back Eris’ claim to his father’s throne, even after fighting beside them in war, these faked niceties could only go on for so long before the claws came out. 

No one in the Night Court’s Inner circle could say there was anything but relief to see the Autumn Court’s High Lord walk away. But before they could let out a breath of relief, Eris stopped and turned to the Shadowsinger. 

“I have received word that your… gift has been finished. I will send someone to get it to you within the week.” 

Azriel’s head quickly snapped to Eris, “And they were able to meet all my requests?” He asked, not caring that everyone else in the room watched the interaction with fierce intrigue. 

The eldest living Vanserra boy scoffed, “I assured you they’d be able to.” Azriel let out a relieved breath at that. While he’d known Eris’ court capable of such a thing, it wasn’t much more difficult than lesser magics, but hearing it confirmed ignited hope he didn’t know he still carried.

“Thank you. She’ll love it.” The Spy Master replied earnestly, much to Eris’, as well as the rest of the Inner Circle’s, shock. 

The red haired fae simply schooled his features and nodded in response before winnowing away. 

Despite the heaviness all the secrets and questions caused, everyone remained silent as they watched Azriel slip out of the room. 

The dining room had been filled with loud chatter for the weekly family dinner. Love filled teasing and relentless jokes put everyone in a good mood. Nothing felt better to the Night Court’s Inner Circle than being all together. Unfortunately, it had to come to an end. 

“I’ll be leaving for a few days.” Azriel told Rhysand, who was sitting to his left at the head of the table. “I’ll be back for Solstice.” He quickly added. 

“I thought you were leaving the day after?” 

“I was, but the package I had been waiting on came, and I’d like to deliver it as soon as possible. I’ll drop your gift off too.” With that, Azriel got up, nodding a quick goodbye to his family, before disappearing into his shadows.

It wasn’t a request to have a few days off. He hadn’t asked if his High Lord could spare not having his Spymaster for a little. He didn’t even wait for any sort of goodbye from the rest of his family. He just left, the house sending his place setting away to be cleaned, as if he had never been there in the first place. 

Once again, everyone had questions, concerns, for their friend. But no one spoke up, as per usual. 

Until the one fae in the room with truly no information in the matter grew concerned enough with everyone’s immediate change in attitudes. 

“Where is he going?” Elain asked, looking between her friends and family. 

She saw on everyone's faces, in their eyes that refused to meet hers, that no one would tell her. Till she sent a look, full of concerned innocence, to Cassian. 

“Rosehall” He blurted out. “Or at least, I assume that's where he is going.” The last part was directed towards his older brother. 

“Where is this Rosehall?” Feyre asked, feeling he invitation Elain’s question had opened into the untouchable subject. 

The High Lady, like her second oldest sister, sent a look to Rhys, knowing he'd break for her under an embarrassingly small amount of pressure. 

“None of us know,” he gave in, “He goes at seemingly random intervals. Sometimes he’s there, often, for months. Then he will go quite a while without any visits.”

“Is it his mate? Is that who he is seeing?” Nesta inquires. 

The word seems to suck all the air out of the room. His mate. Azriel’s mate. Their brother’s mate.

Nesta’s stomach drops at the looks she receives from Cassian and Rhysand. 

They didn’t know. 

As she opens her mouth to speak, she’s cut off by a palm smacking the table.

“Enough! You all know damn well this isn’t what he would want. The only reason you all seem so comfortable talking about it is because he's gone, too preoccupied to leave a shadow behind.” Mor argues. “He has asked one thing of us in the 500 years he has been by our side, to let him- let them- be.”

With that, she winnowed out of the room, leaving a suffocating mix of guilt, confusion, and concern behind. 

Everyone could feel his presence the second he got back to the house. The light and happy Solstice air seemed to vanish in an instant. The shadows suddenly alive and wreathing. 

Rhys and Cassian had gotten up to check on their brother. While he had said he’d be gone till Solstice, they had assumed he would be there the full day to celebrate with everyone. But he had missed celebrations, for both Solstice and Feyre’s birthday, had missed dinner, and had sent no indication that he was even alive. His mental walls had been as fortified as ever, not letting Rhysand nor Feyre in the numerous times they had tried to check in. 

Their walk over to their brother’s room became a run, followed by the rest of the family, as they heard a loud crash. 

The room was dark, but they could make out the faint outline of the broken mirror and Shadowsinger standing in front of it, holding his hand as blood seemed to drip from a wound. In the dark, the sight was unsettling, but in the light, it was far worse. 

Cassian moved quickly, leaving Rhysand and the rest of the Inner Circle by the door in stunned silence. 

“Woah-” Cassian said as he lifted Azriel’s hand, causing his brother to pull back in startled shock. He hadn’t known they were coming. Hadn’t sensed their presence even then they were right in front of him.

“It’s okay, Az. But we need to clean out the wound. Make sure there aren't any shards in-” The general stopped as he looked at the Spymaster, seeing the tears streaming down his usually stone cold face. 

All he could do was help him sit down as Mor, seemingly better equipped to handle the situation, came over to kneel in front of her long time friend. 

“Az?” She took his uninjured hand in hers, her other hand going to his face to wipe away the tears. “Come on, maybe you shoul-”

“She’s gotten worse.” He admitted, his voice noticeably wobbling, “So much worse, Mor.” 

Mor quickly looked at everyone else, seeing the shock, the empathy, and worse of all, the pity. She knew more than the others, not the full story, not even close, but enough to know that their reactions were part of why he kept all of it a secret. He couldn’t handle their emotions on top of his.

By the time she looked back, she saw that Azriel had noticed it too. She could see him shrinking back into himself, trying to hide everything. 

She couldn’t let it happen again. 

“Let me in, Azriel. Don’t pretend, don’t go through 200 more years of this.” She pleaded. Luckily, this seemed to pull him back out. “Let us all in, please?”

“I can’t- I don’t want pity.” He admitted.

Rhysand spoke up this time. “Is that what you think this is? Just pity? Az, come on. We all love you, we want you to be happy. But we don’t want fake happiness. Seeing you like this makes us all upset, because we love you. Please, let us prove it. Let us in.” Rhysand begged. 

Azriel gave them all a onceover, emotion showing so clearly in his face, in his eyes, that no one seemed to be able to breathe. 

He took a deep breath before speaking up, “Tomorrow. I’ll explain- show you all, tomorrow. For now, I’d just like to celebrate Solstice, and your birthday, Feyre, with my family.” 

The air lightened up a little bit at the promise. Tomorrow, they’d all face what Azriel had been dealing with alone for 200 years. But tonight, they would all celebrate Solstice, the return of light and promise of a brighter future, as a family. 

[imtryingbuck]

Sunset

~ gif not mine credit to owner ~

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader

Summary: one final sunset for his love.

Word count: 1,221

Warnings: angst. cancer. death of main character!

A/N: please don’t read this if you’re uncomfortable with the warnings!

Masterlist

“Come on love” Bucky chuckled as he walks into the bedroom.

“I’m coming hold on”

“Well don’t you look beautiful on this fine morning”

He’s always thought she was beautiful right from the moment he bumped into her at the coffee shop, spluttering out apologies already making his way to the counter to get her a fresh drink.

Every other day they would bump into each other, as the months passed with them making small talk he gained the courage to ask her on a date, he honestly had never been more happier in his life when she said yes.

Bucky’s heart nearly exploded when she opened her front door the night of their first date. The dress she wore fit her perfectly, emphasised her curves. For the first time in what felt like centuries he had laughed and wore a genuine smile, he truly felt like the luckiest man in the world just because he had her by his side.

The team had terrorised him when he came back with the largest smile they had ever seen on his face. Did he care? Nope.

After six dates he asked her to be his girlfriend, she said yes. Three years into the relationship he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him, she said yes. The day of the wedding he promised her that he would be by her side through the good and the bad, through sickness and in health. Promised her that he would always love her until he took his last breath.

“Stop flirting with Mr Barnes”

“I can’t help it Mrs Barnes”

“C-can you help me with my head wrap? My fingers won’t work with me today” She asks him.

“Of course my love”

Y/n had become ill a few weeks before their one year anniversary and at first she thought she was pregnant, excitingly she brought a pregnancy test just for it to say negative. It crushed her heart as they were trying to have a baby.

The night of their anniversary Bucky and Y/n were in a restaurant when she ran off to the bathroom to be sick, she had been gone for over ten minutes before Bucky flagged down a waitress and asked her to check on his wife. The waitress nodded politely and went off in the direction of the bathrooms less than two minutes later she came rushing back out, her face was pale and he grew scared.

Rushing into the bathroom he found his wife on the floor with blood on her face and in the toilet. His heart stopped. When the ambulance arrived they rushed her off to the hospital. Their family arrive shortly after Bucky had rang them. They had never heard him sound so broken or scared.

Four days after their anniversary the doctor told her that she had a brain tumour, that sadly it wasn’t removable, that they could slow it down with treatment. Y/n just nodded and smiled whilst Bucky was frozen.

They dealt with her diagnosis differently. Bucky became distant from not only her but from every one. Y/n tried to make the most of a terrible situation, she had even asked Bucky if he wanted to divorce so that he wouldn’t be held down by the burden of her illness, that had snapped him out of his mind. He swore over and over that she wasn’t a burden, that he was trying to get her help, that he was trying to fix this.

He hated that she had just accepted her fate, when she told him that she hadn’t and that she was scared to die but it wasn’t going to change the outcome.

When her hair started to fall out he kept reminding her that she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. Then the day came where she had enough of her hair falling out so she asked Bucky if he would shave it all off, and he did. The teams jaws dropped when they walked into the common room, Wanda had to run out after a few minutes of them being there, she knew her friend was dying but seeing her hair no longer there she just couldn’t stop the heavy flow of tears.

“It’s not too tight is it?” He asked as soon as he was done wrapping the head wrap.

“Nope, thank you Buck”

“You’re welcome my love, are you sure you’re up to this? It’s okay if you’re not everyone will understand.”

“I want to, it’d be nice to get the wind going through my long luxurious hair” she chuckles.

“So luxurious” he winks.

Some days were good but others were really bad. When she told Bucky that she wanted to stop her treatment he tried to get her to change her mind but when she cried that the treatment wasn’t working and was hurting her, he said okay. He didn’t want her in anymore pain and if that meant that the time he had left with her shortened then so be it.

On the days that were good she wouldn’t stop smiling or laughing, dancing along to whatever song Sam or Peter was playing. She took long walks around the compound, her and Bucky would have passionate love making. She was happy.

On the bad days she wouldn’t be able to get out of bed, being sick constantly and having accidents in bed. It took it out of her just walking from their bed to the bathroom. Tony had gotten her a wheelchair so she didn’t have to stay cooped up in their suite, she didn’t want it at first but soon felt guilty that Bucky had to carry her around. There was no more smiling or laughing coming from her, there was no more long walks unless Bucky asked if she wanted to go out in her wheelchair - sometimes she felt a little strong to do it other times she didn’t. No love making happened. She was miserable.

Today was the first day in over three weeks that she felt strong enough to go out. Y/n begged Bucky to let her go to the beach, once the team found out they wanted to go too. More the merrier she said.

“Promise me you’ll tell me you want to come back won’t you?”

“I promise handsome. Come on everyone’s probably waiting”

Laughter echoed the secluded beach, the lunch Wanda and Pepper had made was ate, they all built sandcastles with Vision being the judge.

Bucky and Y/n watched as their family splashed each other in the water, laughing at Sam when Steve snuck up behind him and dunked him under the water.

As the time wore on Sam and Nat built a small fire pit for them sit around sharing memories from their lives, drinks were shared.

“I love you James, always” she whispered.

“I love you Y/n, always” he whispered back, placing a lingering kiss on the side of her head.

Y/n was in between Bucky’s warm embrace as the sun started to set.

Steve was the first one to notice. Tears already falling from his eyes.

One by one they sat crying silently as Bucky clung on to his love tighter than ever.

He looked up to the sky, smiling softly.

“Goodnight my love, I’ll see you soon”

Tags: @imcinnamoons | @pigeonmama | @capsbestgirl77

[echo-circuit]

Gladiator Orion AU

Megatron Prime and High Lord Protector Orion short drabble.

The Senate floor was in chaos.

Megatron Prime knew that the Senate floor was a battlefield- but one where words were used, not weapons to do battle. Until now.

He barely had time to react when the mech lunged at him, a hidden blade flashing under the cold Senate lights.

He caught a glimpse of the would-be assassin's optics- wild, desperate- before the weight of another body crashed between them. The impact sent megatron stumbling back against the wall. A sharp vent escaped him, but his focus wasn't on himself. It was on Orion.

Megatron had seen Orion fight before. Had watched him break Mechs in the pits with his bare servos, had seen him silence a entire hall with a single speech. But this- this was different.

Orion Pax had moved with terrifying speed, intercepting the attack before it could land. His servo wrapped around the assassin's wrist crushing the limb until the metal groaned and the blade clattered uselessly to the floor.

The would be assassin's snarled, struggling. "Cybertron will never- "

Orion silenced him with a devastating grab, his servos wrapping around the mechs throat, squeezing tight, a metallic crunch echoed the room and energon began to leak into the pristine floor. The Senate erupted into shocked gasps, but Orion wasn't finished.

"You dare?" Orion whispered as he leaned into the assassin's audials, his voice low and dangerous. "YOU DARE to raise your servo against him, to hurt him in my presence?"

The air cracked as he wrenched the mech off the ground, his servos gripping the mechs midsection. For a moment, there was a horrible pause- realization dawning in the assassin's optics.

The mech- some nameless, self-important senator- managed a weak, static-laced plea before Orion tore him in two.

With a wet, sickening metallic screech, the sound of metal giving way under sheer strength, tore through the chamber, as energon and internal fluids splattered across Orion's frame. The sound of the wet splatter of energon against the polished floor echoing loudly as it dripped off Orion's frame. The two halves of the traitor hit the floor with a heavy, final thud.

Silence.

The Senate was frozen in stunned silence. Even the most outspoken politicians, those who had spent cycles rally against Megatron's leadership, stared in wide-opticed horror.

Megatron himself was venting heavily, pressed against the wall behind Orion. Not from fear. Not at all.

Holy Primus.

His spark thrummed at the sight of Orion, energon-slicked and still seething with protective rage. His optics glow a deep intense blue and his stance was one of absolute certainty. Orion turned to him streaked in fresh energon, his frame heaving with exertion. Megatron was stunned by the raw violence and sheer devotion in his act, and it sent something molten right through his Spark.

"I will not tolerate anyone who thinks they can harm you." Orion declared, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

Megatron almost fragging collapsed.

From his seat, Senator Ratchet groaned, palming his faceplate. "For frag's sake."

Soundwave, who was sitting next to his adopted sire, had allowed his visor to slide into place at some point during the altercation, simply inclined his helm, in something that could have either been approval- or deep disappointment. It was hard to tell.

Megatron swallowed and vented sharply, staring at his High Lord Protector, his Orion. Attempting to compose himself with a voice thick with something far from regal he managed, "My Orion..."

Link to it on AO3

[captain-bubble-wrap]

HELP ME PLEASE

Your quinn is literally my favorite!!!!!!!!!!! Can you write him and reader!girlfriend on the phone after the stars game? Your sweet/sad quinn is the best!!!!!!!!!

Oh, you're WAY TO KIND TO ME...! 🥹🥹 Let's see what I can do!

All you had texted was, "I love you."

Incoming Call: Quinny

Quinn's broken voice in that post-game interview had killed you. The way he had looked down before answering about how he was feeling, his thoughts on Millsy's trade, and how he was handling the noise of the dressing room as the team's captain -- it was obvious how much it all was affecting him. Unfortunately, you were twenty-two-hundred miles away, and you felt powerless to help him in any form.

"Hey, baby," you said upon answering the call.

Quinn's voice was low, and it was obvious he was beyond exhausted, body and mind, "Do you have a minute?"

"Of course." Your stomach tightened like you were about to receive some bad news. You hadn't heard him sound this way before and given how the day had gone, you knew it wasn't going to be a butterfly-inducing conversation.

"Let me get somewhere a little quieter. I need to hear your voice."

To you, he sounded desperate -- like he was at his breaking point. While you waited for him to walk to wherever he needed to be, you couldn't help but worry about him -- about what had caused him pain during the game, how losing JT and the others was weighing on him, and the stress of the upcoming tournament that was just four games away. You couldn't get the sad look of his face out of your mind. When was the last time he had actually had a good day, that he was happy without nagging stresses?

"Hey Mike, I'm gonna step out for a few minutes," Quinn said, obviously not talking to you. You couldn't hear the other man's reply but it must have been favourable as Quinn would finally start his conversation with you just a few seconds afterwards.

He sighed heavily, "I wish you were here. I-- I feel like everything is out of control and I don't know what to do."

The sound of wind was intertwined with his words. You wondered if he had stepped outside the arena to talk to you, somewhere to speak without listening ears.

"I wish I was there, too," you confessed, a pain growing in your heart. "You're trying to carry too much, baby."

"I have no choice, though."

You knew where he was coming from. The title of Captain meant you wore several hats, and sometimes more than one at a time. You knew he had all of them on at once. This season hadn't been easy, and something had you believing it wasn't going to get any better.

"I know," you mumbled. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," he breathed out, feeling guilty for calling you when he was feeling like he was. "I'm sorry to put this on you. I just don't know what to do. Everyone is looking to me for answers and insight, but I don't have any. I don't know how to fix the team, I'm carrying as much as I can every night. I'm asked about what's going on behind closed doors and the temperature of the room and I'm over it. It's like the media just wants to keep stirring the pot instead of letting us just work it out. Now I'm being asked about if the team rebuilds what that means for my future in Vancouver. I-- I just-- I can't-- handle everything right now." Your heart was breaking hearing him on the brink of tears. His voice was cracking and shaky. "I need you."

"I wish I was there, sweetheart. I'd do anything I could to help you."

"I love you," his voice at a whisper.

"I love you, too, Quinn."

The first whimper made you cover your mouth to keep yourself from doing the same. Quinn rarely cried, at least not when you were around. To hear him finally drop that ultra-reserved demeanour of his was crushing.

"Oh honey, you'll be okay," you tried to reassure him, but they were words without certainty, you knew that. "You're doing the best you can, and you need to realise that you need to put yourself first sometimes. You're pushing yourself too much. It's not on you to solely fix the team, Quinn, though I know you're trying. I've never seen you this way before, and I'm scared it's going to break you."

He was silent on the other end, aside from his muffled cries. You didn't need him to say anything, though hearing his voice would have made you feel better, which made you remember what he had said to you earlier: "I need to hear your voice."

Maybe he just needed you to talk to him.

"One day at a time, baby, please. Be happy where you are, and what you have. You're doing all you can, and I need you to know that it's okay to struggle, but it's also okay to be content with how things are. You know there are things out of your control, and you just have to let them work themselves out sometimes. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to put bandaids on everything. I don't want to lose you down that rabbit hole." You'd pause before adding one more thing, "I just want you to be okay."

Quietly you'd sit there and wait for a sign from him, or whatever it might be. A long moment of silence would follow your words, making you pull the phone away from your ear to make sure the call hadn't dropped.

"I miss you," he choked out, breaking the painful silence between the two of you.

"I miss you more, Quinn. I wish you were here."

"Me, too," he said, sharply inhaling, like he was trying to push those emotions back down and get over it. "Thank you for picking up everything -- the call, the pieces...me. I'd be so lost without you."

You'd shake your head, "You never have to thank me, baby. I just want to help you."

"I appreciate that," he sniffled. "I just wish I knew where to start."

"With yourself, Quinn," you said bluntly. "How are you feeling? I saw you take the stick to the head early."

It took him a few seconds to respond but you didn't mind, "I don't know, honestly. Between my hand and whatever is wrong with my leg, everything hurts. I'm tired. I'm drained. I wish I was home with you."

Everything he said carried so much weight and his emotions were so painfully honestly.

That was just Quinn.

He always spoke from his heart; wearing his heart on his sleeve every waking moment of his life. However this had a different air about it -- a nakedness. He was free to share his deepest fears with you, those raw feelings were bleeding from him with no hindrance. You appreciated that he felt so comfortable to open up like he was, and the fact that he was away from you, as well. Quinn didn't give the hint that he shared stuff like this with the guys on the team -- not like he did with you. You were different. He loved you -- you occupied a special piece of his heart like no on else did. That meant something special to him.

"You'll be home soon, baby. Just a little longer, okay?"

Through Quinn's end of line, someone was calling out to him, "C'mon Quinn-- the boy's are packing up, let's go."

You frowned hearing the empty orders, but you knew Quinn would have to end the call with you and head to the airport. There was always a sense of urgency after their games, especially the away ones.

"Yeah-- I'll be right there," he muttered, his voice dropping off at the end while he pretended to have himself together. "I'll call you when we get back to Vancouver."

"Be careful."

"I will," he paused. "Thanks, babe. For all that you do for me."

"Happy to help, Quinny. I love you."

For the first time, you heard his little giggle, "I love you, too."

[littlelamy]

hey queen was wondering if you could do an angsty rafe fic don’t care what the topic is just need my soul to be crushed tbh…

anyway love your work😛😛

lamy's note: thank you bby!! i hope i did it justice! 💗

the evening clung to the air, heavy and suffocating like a storm waiting to break. you stepped into the mansion, your heels clicking against the marble floors, echoing in the quiet stillness of tan lines and rosegold hues. everything about tonight felt off. rafe’s texts had been sporadic, distracted. but you’d convinced yourself it was just his usual mood swings—the volatility that came with his name, his family, his demons.

“just come over,” he’d said earlier, voice low like he was speaking through gritted teeth. you’d asked if everything was okay, but the curt reply and abrupt end to the call told you everything you needed to know. he was pissed about something. probably ward. maybe topper. or… maybe you.

anxiety gnawed at the edge of your thoughts, a sharp-toothed beast sinking into your resolve. still, you went. because it’s rafe. and you’ve never been able to stop yourself when it comes to him. his pull was magnetic, a gravity you couldn’t escape no matter how much it burned.

but as you approached the living room, your heart sank. voices. hers.

sofía.

your pulse quickened, thundering in your ears. you knew sofía had been hanging around more. her smile always too sweet, her touch lingering a second too long when she’d brush rafe’s arm at parties. you’d pretended not to notice. pretended to trust him. because rafe promised you, over and over again, that he was yours.

but now, as you turned the corner, you saw it.

rafe’s back was to you, broad shoulders taut under the strain of whatever this was. sofía stood inches from him, her hand on his chest, and before you could even process what was happening, she leaned in, pressing her lips to his.

for a moment, it felt like time stopped. your lungs seized, your vision blurred. the room tilted like you’d just stepped off a spinning carnival ride, nausea and disbelief crashing into you all at once.

“rafe,” you choked out, voice cracking under the weight of betrayal.

his head snapped up, his blue eyes wide with shock. “baby, it’s not—”

“this isn’t what it looks like!” sofía interrupted, a perfect picture of feigned innocence, but you saw the glint in her eye, the slight curl of her lips. she wanted this. she wanted you to see.

“what the fuck is wrong with you?” you spat, glaring at her. your hands were trembling now, the fight-or-flight adrenaline coursing through you making every nerve hum with raw energy. “are you seriously trying to act like i didn’t just see you?”

sofía shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest. her expression was maddeningly calm, like she was toying with a piece of prey. “he didn’t kiss me back,” she said smoothly, like that somehow made it better.

“get the fuck out,” rafe growled, his voice low and dangerous. the venom in his tone made even sofía hesitate for a split second before she gave a mocking smile and sauntered out of the room, hips swaying like she’d won.

silence hung between you like a blade, sharp and ready to sever whatever fragile thread was left.

“you’re unbelievable,” you finally said, your voice trembling, barely containing the torrent of emotions surging within. “she’s been throwing herself at you for weeks and you just… what? let her?”

“no!” rafe took a step toward you, his face a mess of desperation and guilt, but you recoiled, and it hit him like a slap. “baby, i swear to god, i didn’t—i wouldn’t. she kissed me, i didn’t even—”

“but you didn’t stop her.”

he froze, his jaw tightening as your words landed. “what?”

“you didn’t fucking stop her, rafe.” your voice cracked, the dam breaking as tears spilled over despite your best effort to keep them at bay. “how am i supposed to believe you when you just stood there?”

“baby, please.” his voice broke, raw and pleading. he reached for you again, his hands trembling now, but you stepped back, shaking your head. the distance between you felt insurmountable.

“i trusted you,” you whispered, the words bitter on your tongue. “i fucking trusted you.”

“and you still can,” he insisted, his voice rising with desperation, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “you’re it for me. you’re the only one, i swear. she’s nothing, okay? she’s fucking nothing.”

“but i’m supposed to just ignore what i saw?” your voice rose too, the pain clawing its way out of your chest, demanding to be heard. “how many times do i have to wonder if i’m enough for you, rafe? if you even fucking want me?”

“you are,” he said fiercely, the raw intensity of his words cutting through the tension. he stepped closer, slow and deliberate, until you were backed against the wall. his hand cupped your face, forcing you to meet his gaze. “you’re everything. i need you to believe me.”

you shook your head, fresh tears spilling over, your chest heaving as you tried to catch your breath. “i don’t know if i can.”

his hand dropped, his expression crumpling as the weight of your words crushed him. “don’t say that,” he begged, his voice barely above a whisper. “don’t fucking say that.”

“then prove it,” you said, your voice trembling but firm, the storm inside you raging. “prove to me that i’m not wasting my time loving you.”

his eyes searched yours, frantic, his chest rising and falling as he tried to find the words. and for the first time, you saw it. fear. raw, unfiltered fear. because he knew. he knew he was on the verge of losing you, and for once in his life, rafe cameron didn’t have a plan to fix it.

and the worst part? you weren’t sure you wanted him to.

taglist: @namelesslosers @maybanksangel @averyoceanblvd @iknowdatsrightbih @rafesheaven @anamiad00msday @ivysprophecy @wearemadeofstardust0 @rafesangelita @sstargirln @rafedaddy01 @soldesole @bakugouswaif @skywalker0809 @vanessa-rafesgirl @evermorx89 @outerhills @ditzyzombiesblog @slavicangelmuah @alivinggirl @rafesgreasycurtainbangs @rafesbabygirlx