#Did we get divorced while I was out getting milk and no one told me?

[jarofstyles]

Let It Burn

Hey….. now this is unhinged and dark but I figured why not give you a bit of crazy H AND Crazy Y/N 🤭

Check out our Patreon for early access and 180+ exclusive writings

WC- 2.5k

Warnings: whew… dark Harry and dark y/n, toxic relationship and other elements, mention of murder, blood, mention of an abuser (not h), theft, they are not stable lol, breeding kink, rougher sex, tattoos, a hint of anal… it’s a ride :-)

Obviously this does not depict any real people or events!

Artwork is not mine, credit to owner

———

“Did you find him?” Fingers slid over the back of his wrist, alerting him to the woman’s presence behind him. “Look surprised to see me.”

Following instruction, he put on a believable show of raising his eyebrows, letting the smile take over his face before he brought her in for a hug. Playing a role was something the both of them felt increasingly comfortable in each and every time they did it. It should be habit by now, 3 years into it.

“I did. He’s down here, red tie in the second booth to the right.” A stealthy swipe of the button of her purse, he slipped the key inside of her bag. “It should be clear when you go up there. The combination for the safe is in your notes app.” Returning to full height, he leaned his hip against the bar. His voice spoke clearly now, letting the bartender overhear his words.

“It’s been so long since we caught up, hasn’t it? How have you been?” He flagged the man down, giving a charming smile. “Can we get the lady a vodka sprite, please? Thank you.”

“It’s been ages, hasn’t it?” She giggled, playfully swatting his chest. Like they hadn’t seen each other naked in the rumpled sheets of the bed just this morning before splitting up in order to achieve the goal they’d been working towards. “I’m so glad you reached out. I didn’t know you’d be in town.”

Creating an alibi wasn’t really difficult, all things considered.

In all fairness, so was this life of crime. The natural skills they possessed had led them to this moment, led them to one another and bonded them at the seams. A couple infamous and yet unknown, their stories told all around. The wealthy clutched their pearls at their names while sitting at the same tables as them, sharing appetizers. It gave them a sick sense of satisfaction each and every time.

“It was a bit of a surprise. I had hoped you’d still be here.” He moved a bit closer, letting the heat sizzle between the both of them. It was always like this before they completed their goal. ¾ths of the way there, their finish line was so close they could almost taste it. “We do have some history, hm?” Biting his lip, he stroked over her hip. It was always difficult for him to keep his hands off of her- his one true weakness.

“Oh, stop.” She let out another fake giggle and pushed his chest. It took everything in him not to laugh too, considering she was definitely milking it now. Realistically no one was probably listening in to their conversation, but if they were? They didn’t want to leave any room for questioning. “We do. And you know… it’s been a long time considering I’ve been divorced.”

“Oh?” A roleplay of sorts. Harry always leaned into these, smirking down at her. The sparkly eyeshadow glimmered in the low light of the bar, mascara coating her lashes with a slight smudge on her lowe lashline- giving him a glimpse of his future. He loved when she got all dressed up just for him to ruin her. Make a whole different idea of art on her face. “Well, I did hear that through the grapevine. I was hoping you’d be single again.”

Y/N shivered at his gaze. Just one look and he could eat her alive, they both knew it. They were each other's world. Their only weaknesses. A package deal since the day they’d met, there had never been a connection quite as strong as theirs and they both knew not to take it for granted.

In reality, if Y/N wasn’t single it wouldn’t matter to Harry. He’d claim her anyway. Take her again and again in the same bed her husband slept in if need be, because there was no universe that they wanted to exist in that they didn’t belong to one another. It was something a psychologist would probably deem unhealthy, but considering their professions and personalities, they didn’t plan on seeing any of them anytime soon.

“Well I am.” Running a manicured finger down his chest, she stepped into his space. Not uncommon for bar spaces, people getting closer and alluding to what would happen once they reached privacy. “Are you interested?” The coy look through her lashes went straight to his cock, a reminder of the night they’d met. It had been instantaneous, like a moth to a flame. No one else existed in the room once they’d caught eyes for each other, but they played cat and mouse in their banter. It had ended in her coming to Harry’s place and never leaving his side.

His playboy days ended the day they met. No other cunt would feel as good as hers, no one would moan as pretty, and certainly no one would be as filthy as she was. Letting the passion overrun them, letting her nails dig into his back and opening her mouth for his spit, he had met his match in the back of his car where round one of four that night had happened. Meeting each other, kissing, fucking, being partners in crime? It just made sense.

“More than.” The energy crackled between them, igniting his stomach as she brought the little red straw between her lips and sipped on the drink. “I’ve got a room, if you want to go talk up there. It would be a bit more….’comfortable.” And he did have a room-

One booked under a fake name, under a fake identity that wouldn’t be traced back to them. But they both knew Y/N wasn’t going to go straight to his room.

“I think I’d enjoy that. Will you pay the bill so we can go?” Dragging her French tipped claws down his pale skin and tiny thatch of chest hair, she sent the saucy smile up at him before letting her eyes fall down to his lips. “It’s a bit too cold down here for me. I think I’m going to warm up.”

“Go ahead, Angel.” He nodded. “Room 308, when you’re done.”

——

“You are so fucking sexy.” Harry panted, the bag of jewels and cash off to the side. His hands were too busy running over the arch of her back as she ground herself over his lap, fingers tugging his belt off.

“Yeah? How sexy am I?” She purred, head falling back as his lips ran over her sensitive throat. Teeth grazed it, making her inhale sharply before working harder to get him out of his damn trousers.

“The most beautiful… alluring… sexy…. Sensual… evil woman I’ve ever come across.” His words were kissed into the skin, both palms finding her ass and dragging her dress up to bunch over her waist. “And I own you. You belong t’me. You’re never getting away from me.”

The promise would probably turn most people off, make them scramble off his lap and ask what he meant- but for Y/N, it only made her more aroused. Being reminded that there was nothing and no one that would come between the both of them was reassuring, a welcome sensation as she managed to fish him out of his pants. “Fuck me then. Prove it.” Her taunts always worked. Y/N knew how to push his buttons, as he did hers, no surprise in when he flipped them over and pinned her down, giving little time to prepare before lining himself up with her cunt and pushing in.

The groan between the both of them was loud, but their frantic need was overcoming the need to be quiet. “Fuck you?” He cooed. “Every time I’m inside of you… I-own-you.” The last sentiment was emphasized by thrusts that jostled her body. Her toes curled as her legs fastened against his lips, the feral smile on her face growing as the hand not holding her wrists together ripped the top of her dress down to expose her tits.

“Yes, you do.” She hiccuped. “And I own you. You’re mine, and you’re so….” Her words stuttered as each deep thrust got into her stomach. “You’re so obsessed with me. You’ll never let me g-go.” Her last sentence was hissed out. “I won’t let you.”

“Never.” He snarled, rutting into her poor cunt like he was crazed. He sort of was, to be honest. Every time they did another little mission, he got increasingly turned on afterwards. Knowing they pulled it off, they they were richer, that unstoppable feeling only made his cock harder and his need more desperate each and every time. “Never going to let you go. I’d kill someone before letting you go…” he let out a crazed laugh, connecting their mouths for another kiss. “I have, haven’t I? Fucked you with their blood on my hands and you fucking loved it, you crazy bitch.” The word wasn’t an insult, but the highest praise.

Y/N moaned, nodding at the accusation. There was no way either of them were sane, not in the slightest, but they were smart. They were practiced and cunning and no one had a clue who they were. Equal obsession with one another had only resulted in a secret empire of wealth and blood that they would be craving forever.

“I did. I love when you’re mean.” Her cunt was slick and hot, clenching around him as he thrust into her with a fervor that was only matched after their missions. “I love when you hurt people for me, Sir. I love when you fuck me in their blood, I love when you-“ her neck fell back and she arched her body as he shifted and hit the spot she had been waiting for. “Oh- fuck. I love you.”

“Yeah, you do. You love me so much, don't you? Think it even compares to how much I love you…” the man panted. “Got your name tattooed right above my cock so you can see that you own it. Get it wet with your cream every fucking time….” He wrapped his fingers around her waist, pulling out momentarily to flip her over. “Let me see it- let me fucking see it.”

Y/N’s face buried in the mattress, she shakily put her hand back to ride up the dress and show the stamp above her ass marking his name. “That, Sir?” She cooed, knowing it was exactly what he wanted to see. The script that marked her ass as his as he fucked into her weeping hole, his intensity moving up as she felt his thumb trace the outline of it.

“Yeah- that’s what I want. Never going to forget who you belong to, hm? Who owns your heart, your body, your soul. M’nothing without you.” His tone darkened, spreading her ass open and spitting over her hole and pressing his thumb inside. “You’re never allowed t’leave me. I’ll follow you anywhere, I’ll kill anyone who tries to take you. There’s nothing I want without you.”

As toxic as the words were, it sent her over the edge. Hand slamming against the duvet, curling her fingers into it as she sobbed out his name, the white hot pleasure rushed over her body and shook her core. Slick dripping from her cunt and both holes clenching around the intrusions, she felt her eyes roll back as the bullying of her pussy continue.

“That’s my girl. Cum around my cock again.” He commanded. “Can’t fuckin’ wait until I can knock you up. Want you full of my babies, all the fuckin’ time.” Considering their lifestyle the babies had to be put on pause until they amassed enough wealth to feel comfortable stopping full time, but Harry had been dreaming about getting her connected to him in that way for ages. “Full of me. My cum is good, but it isn’t enough. Need to own you that way.” He was crazy, yes, but he loved her.

“Soon.” She gasped, feeling as his thrusts got harder. That talk always made him more aroused, and based off of the pulsing she felt inside of her it wouldn’t be long. “I’ll let you do anything you want to me. Gonna be the b-best. You’ll take care of us, won’t you?” She panted into the air, face turned to the side as he added another finger into her ass. Her eyes flashed with colors as he pounded into her, surely making her sore for tomorrow but neither of them cared.

“I’ll burn down the world for you.” He promised through his grunts. “For you and our little family. Watch the entire thing go down in flames like that one time…” the first time they’d realized they were as crazy as one another. When he had set the car on fire with her abuser inside of it, and she had kissed him for it. “I’ll do it again, and again, and again… fuck, I love you.” Harry’s voice strained as he felt her clench up around him. “Give it to me, baby. Give me your pleasure. I’m so fucking close.”

They needed to get the fuck out of there before their signal blockers ended and the security team caught on to the looping footage. Before the bastard they’d stolen from realized the riches he had brought with him were gone. But neither of them could stop themselves from making their own fucked up version of love before they finished and got into their getaway car.

Y/N could feel how wet she had gotten him, feel the knot in her belly expand as he bullied that one spot in her channel over and over again, each pound making her get closer and closer to the edge. “H-Harry…” she plead for him, putting a hand back for him to hold. Immediately he took it, squeezing her hand in his own.

“I know, baby. I know, you’re creaming all fucking over me. Let it go. Let me fill you up the way you deserve.” He pleaded, fucking his fingers into her as his cock followed the rhythm. “Give it to me, my perfect girl. My pretty little wife, cum on my cock.” The coaxing was low, the headboard smacking against the wall and the sound of their sex obnoxiously loud as she came.

“Oh- fuck!” The man growled as he felt the splash of her cumming on him- squirting on his cock as he fucked into her, his thrusts getting sloppy. “That’s what I wanted, you dirty slut. I am so in love with you and this perfect pussy… fuck me.” He wheezed, feeling the crest of his orgasm wash over him. “Take it, take it all.” The sloppy thrusts turned into short, rough ones. Fucking his load into her, little grunts leaving his chest as he pretended it could catch.

One day it would, and that would be the day their dangerous fun on the road would be over, and they’d begin their lives all over again.

[from-memphis-with-love]

Songbird - Chapter 11 - Blue Christmas

Summary: It's a Christmas miracle.

Word count: ~4,800

If you like, you can also read here at A03.

Graceland in December was a sight that stopped traffic. Literally. Cars lined up just to see the lights - thousands of blue bulbs transforming the mansion into something from a fairy tale. Even the famous gates sparkled, wreaths bigger than truck tires hanging from each side.

But inside, the magic felt hollow.

The garland felt heavy in my hands as I wound it around the banister, scratchy against my skin like all the questions I wasn't asking. Through the ceiling, I could hear him pacing. He'd been at it for hours, wearing a path in the carpet upstairs like he was trying to escape something. Or maybe someone. These days, it was getting harder to tell the difference.

"He won't come down," Vernon told me quietly as I helped him sort through boxes of ornaments. Elvis's mother's favorites were wrapped in tissue paper, delicate glass bells and angels she'd collected over the years. They felt fragile in my hands, like all the promises that had started to wear thin. "Been up there since yesterday. Won't eat. Won't talk to nobody."

Great. One of those moods. The kind that usually ended with broken furniture and the Memphis Mafia scrambling to replace whatever Elvis had decided needed redecorating via karate chop.

The Christmas special he was meant to record next week hung over everything like a storm cloud. I tried not to think about how many times we'd been here before, how many promises had faded into Memphis air. Six months in this town, and what did I have to show for it? A man who wouldn't file his divorce papers and a growing suspicion that I was the biggest fool this side of the Mississippi.

The kitchen sounded like a henhouse with stage fright - all clucking tongues and whispered judgments barely disguised as holiday cheer. Patsy Lacker was at the counter rolling out sugar cookie dough like she had a personal vendetta against flour, while Joan Esposito perched on a stool nearby, watching everything with those sharp little eyes that never missed a chance to draw blood.

It was funny, really, how differently the men and women of Elvis's world treated me. The Memphis Mafia had adopted me like a kid sister - teaching me their secret handshakes, including me in their pranks, making sure I always had someone watching my back. But their wives? That was another story entirely. They lived in a careful hierarchy, like church pews arranged by seniority, and my presence had disrupted their whole order. After all, being Elvis's girl put you right at the top, whether you wanted it or not. Only Patsy seemed immune to the politics of it all. The others maintained a careful distance, their loyalty to Priscilla like a wall I couldn't scale. Joan was the worst - her devotion to "poor Cilla" practically a religion. Even Pat West, Red's wife, kept things cordially arctic, like we were diplomats from opposing countries forced to share the same embassy.

"The decorations look lovely," Joan said, her voice dripping sweet as artificial honey. "Almost like a real family Christmas."

And there it was. The knife, sliding in smooth between my ribs. Because that's what I wasn't, wasn't it? Real family. I was just the Chicago girl who'd wandered into Elvis Presley's orbit and forgotten how gravity worked.

"Thanks," I managed, focusing on hanging a silver bell that probably cost more than my first car. "Vernon picked out most of it."

"Oh, I'm sure he did." Joan's smile could have curdled milk. "Though I hear we'll have help with the rest of the decorating soon enough."

I turned, something cold settling in my stomach. "What do you mean?"

"You haven't heard?" Her eyes went wide with practiced innocence. "Oh dear, I thought surely someone would have told you. Priscilla's flying in for Christmas. She called this morning to discuss the arrangements."

The bell slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a sound like breaking promises. I watched it roll under the cabinet, unable to move, unable to breathe. The room tilted sideways, gravity doing funny things again. Around me, the kitchen seemed to shrink, the air going thick as molasses. Even Patsy's steady rolling pin fell silent.

"Joan." Patsy's voice cut through the fog, sharp as a slap. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

But I was already moving, my feet carrying me away from Joan's satisfied smirk, away from Patsy's concerned eyes, away from the truth I should have seen coming. The storeroom door closed behind me with a soft click, and then I was sliding down the wall, my knees finally giving up the fight with reality.

You ever have one of those moments when your whole world rearranges itself, like someone just flipped the record over and now everything's playing backward? That's what this felt like. All those nights Elvis had spent talking about 'someday' and 'soon' and 'when things settle down' - they crumbled like winter frost in the Tennessee sun.

The first sob caught me by surprise, tearing out of my throat like it had been waiting there all along. The second brought friends. By the third, I was full-on ugly crying, the kind that would have my mascara looking like it had tried to escape down my face.

"Oh, honey." The voice belonged to Sophie, though I hadn't heard her come in. She knelt beside me, not touching, just being there. Sometimes that's all you need - someone to witness your world falling apart.

"I'm such an idiot," I managed between hiccups. "All those promises, and I actually believed..."

"You're not an idiot," Sophie said firmly. "Men got a way of making you believe in fairy tales. Trust me, we've all been there."

"Not like this." I wiped my eyes, probably making the mascara situation worse. "I actually thought... God, I don't even know what I thought. That he'd leave her? File for divorce? Pick me?"

Sophie didn't answer right away. Above us, Elvis' footsteps continued their restless dance, like he was trying to walk away from something he couldn't escape. I knew the feeling.

"You wanna know the truth?" Sophie's voice was gentle but firm. "He probably loves you. Lord knows I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. But Mr. Elvis... he's like one of those fancy antique music boxes. Beautiful to look at, makes the prettiest sounds, but something inside is broken. Has been for a long time."

I laughed, but it came out more like a sob. "Great. So I'm in love with a broken music box who's about to play happy family with his wife for Christmas. Think Woolworth's sells cards for that?"

Sophie helped me fix my face before heading back out - a lost cause if there ever was one, but at least now I looked less like a raccoon that had lost a fistfight with its mascara. The kitchen had cleared out, thank God and all His angels. Even Joan had found somewhere else to spread her particular brand of Christmas cheer.

But the calm didn't last long. Around six, the storm hit wearing Chanel No. 5 and a fur coat that probably cost more than my yearly salary back in Chicago.

"Oh!" Ann Beaulieu's voice carried from the foyer like a perfectly pitched arrow. "Vernon, the decorations are simply lovely. Almost like old times."

Almost like old times. There was that word again - almost. Story of my life lately. Almost good enough, almost family, almost the one he'd choose.

I tried to make myself scarce, I really did. But at Graceland, there's no such thing as invisible. Not when you're the other woman. Not when every step you take echoes with whispers about whose bed you warm at night. Not when Elvis Presley's mother-in-law can smell her daughter's side of the bed on your skin.

Ann's smile could have frozen hell over. "How... enterprising of you to help with the decorations." Her eyes swept over me like she was calculating exactly how many Hail Marys it would take to cleanse the house of my presence. "Though I'm sure my Cilla will want to make some changes when she arrives. She never did like so much tinsel."

The thing about being hit by a truck is that at least it's quick. This? This was like death by a thousand perfectly manicured paper cuts.

"Mrs. Beaulieu." I managed what I hoped passed for a smile. "I was just finishing up."

"Oh, don't leave on my account." Her voice dripped false sweetness. "It’s nice having… everyone here.”

Above us, the pacing stopped. In the sudden silence, you could almost hear the sound of my heart cracking. Or maybe that was just another Christmas ornament hitting the floor - I'd lost count of how many I'd dropped since Joan's little bombshell.

That's when Red appeared, looking like he'd rather face down an angry mob than be stuck in this particular moment. "Boss wants to see you," he told me quietly. "Says it's important."

Ann's stare burned into my back as I headed for the stairs, each step feeling like a walk of shame. The word "whore" might as well have been painted on my forehead in neon. These were the stairs I climbed every night to his bed - our secret mapped out in carpet fibers and creaking wood. Now, with Ann's eyes following my ascent, I could barely keep my lunch down. The taste of bile mixed with the lingering sweetness of the candy cane I'd been nervously sucking on earlier, making my stomach roll.

My hands trembled as I reached his door. When I wasn't around the wives, when it was just Elvis and me, everything felt right. Natural. Like breathing. But under Ann's gaze, every step felt dirty. Every touch we'd shared seemed tainted. And still, God help me, I wanted him. Even now, even with shame burning my cheeks and judgment following my footsteps, my body hummed with anticipation of seeing him.

"Get in here," he said when I knocked, his voice rough around the edges. Whatever he took was wearing off, then. Perfect timing, as always.

Elvis stood by the window, still wearing yesterday's clothes, tension rolling off him in waves. The room smelled like cologne and something sharper - whatever Dr. Nick had last prescribed to keep the demons at bay. Even disheveled, even strung out, he was beautiful enough to stop my heart. That was the real curse of loving Elvis Presley - he could look like heaven while leading you straight to hell.

"Your mother-in-law's here," I said, aiming for casual and probably missing by a mile. "Really spreading holiday cheer, that one."

He didn't laugh. Didn't even turn around. Just kept staring out at all those blue lights like they held answers to questions he wasn't ready to ask.

"When were you gonna tell me?" The words came out steadier than I felt. "About her coming home for Christmas. Or was I supposed to find out from Joan's helpful little announcement in front of God and everybody?"

His shoulders tensed, a muscle jumping in his jaw. "It ain't what you think."

"No?" I laughed, but it came out all wrong. "Then please, Elvis, tell me what it is. Because from where I'm standing, it looks an awful lot like you're playing both sides of the record."

"The Colonel thinks–"

"Oh, the Colonel thinks?" Now the laugh was real, but it had edges sharp enough to cut. "Well, that makes everything better. Tell me, does the Colonel think about how it feels to help decorate a Christmas tree for another woman's homecoming? Does he think about how it feels to be the fool who believed all those pretty lies about 'soon' and 'just a little longer'?"

He turned then, those blue eyes darker than usual. Even angry - especially angry - he was devastating. His silk shirt was half-unbuttoned, revealing that triangle of chest hair that never failed to make my mouth go dry. Six months, and still the sight of him could knock the air from my lungs.

"They weren't lies," he said, voice dropping to that dangerous register that always made heat pool low in my belly.

"Really? Because those divorce papers are still sitting in your drawer, gathering dust like all your other broken promises."

Something flickered across his face - guilt maybe, or just annoyance at being called out. He moved closer, and Lord help me, my body responded like it always did. That's the thing about desire - it doesn't care about broken hearts or wounded pride. It just wants what it wants.

"C'mere," he said, his voice pure velvet now. When I didn't move, he reached for my arm. "Valley, baby, let me explain–"

I jerked away. "Don't 'Valley baby' me. Not now. Not when your wife is flying in to act like I'm not even here while I've been doing everything around here, thinking–"

His hands caught me then, spinning me toward the bathroom. The door slammed behind us, and suddenly we were face to face in front of that damned mirror - the one that had witnessed too many of his mood swings, too many of Dr. Nick's "solutions," too many moments when Elvis Presley tried to recognize himself behind his own eyes.

"Look," he growled, his hands gripping my shoulders. His chest pressed against my back, solid and warm, and I could feel his heart hammering through both our clothes. "Look at us."

I did. God help me, I did. He loomed over me like some beautiful avenging angel, all wild eyes and barely contained energy. His height made me feel small, delicate - exactly the kind of woman I'd never wanted to be. But my body had other ideas. Every point of contact between us felt electric. His hands on my shoulders. His breath on my neck. The solid weight of him pressed against me, making promises I knew he wouldn't keep.

"You see that?" His voice was rough, desperate. One hand slid down my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. "You see how right this is? How right we are?"

My own reflection looked like a stranger - cheeks flushed, eyes too bright, lipstick smeared from where I'd been biting my lip. My chest rose and fell too quickly, betraying how much I wanted this, wanted him, even now. We looked like what we were: a disaster waiting to happen. A tragedy dressed up in silk and perfume.

"All I see," I said, my voice shaking, "is a man who won't choose. Who keeps one foot in the past while promising me a future that'll never happen."

His hands tightened on my shoulders. "You don't understand–"

"Then make me understand!" I tried to turn but he held me firm, keeping me facing our reflection. "Make me understand why you signed those papers but won't file them. Why you tell me you love me but won't let her go. Why you're letting your wife come home for Christmas while I skulk around like a–like some common whore!"

"God damn it, woman," he growled, his lips brushing my ear. His chest hair tickled my neck where my sweater had slipped, and I couldn't help the small sound that escaped me. One of his hands slid lower, spanning my waist, pulling me tighter against him. "Tell me this isn't worth fighting for."

We did look right together, that was the hell of it. His dark beauty a perfect contrast to my softer features. Even our clothes seemed to complement each other - his green silk shirt against my red sweater, like some Christmas card from hell. But it was more than that. It was the way we fit, like two pieces of a puzzle nobody else could solve. His height made me feel delicate without making me feel weak. My curves softened his sharp edges. Even our breathing had synchronized, like our bodies knew something our hearts were too scared to admit.

"Stop it," I whispered, but my resolve was crumbling like sugar in rain. His hands were everywhere now, possessive, demanding, making promises his heart never seemed to keep. One slipped beneath my sweater, his rings cold against my overheated skin, and I arched into his touch despite myself.

The kiss, when it came, was violent. All teeth and tongues and months of complications. I bit his lip hard enough to hurt, tasting copper, and he growled - actually growled - spinning me around to press me against the sink. His hips pinned me in place, and Lord help me, I could feel exactly what I did to him. What he did to me.

His hands tangled in my hair, tugging my head back to expose my throat. "Look at you," he murmured, his voice rough as gravel. "Fighting this like you don't want it just as bad as I do."

For one heated moment, I let myself forget everything. Joan's smirk, Ann's contempt, the pile of unsigned divorce papers that represented every broken promise between us. I let myself get lost in the feeling of his mouth on my neck, his hands possessive on my hips, the solid weight of him pressing me into the counter. My fingers found the buttons of his shirt, needing to touch, to claim, to prove something I couldn't quite name.

But then I caught our reflection again - me, disheveled and wanting, him, beautiful and impossibly distant even in this intimate moment. Reality crashed back like a bucket of ice water.

"No." This time when I pushed him away, I meant it. "I’m not gonna be your dirty secret anymore."

I fled the bathroom on shaking legs, my lipstick smeared across my mouth like evidence of a crime. In the bedroom, I grabbed my purse, needing to be anywhere but here. My skin still tingled where he'd touched me, and I hated myself for wanting more. For always wanting more.

"Valerie, wait–"

"For what?" I whirled to face him. The sight of him nearly undid my resolve - shirt half-unbuttoned, hair mussed from my hands, that look in his eyes that always made me weak. "For her to come home? For you to finally make up your mind? For hell to freeze over?"

His face twisted with something that might have been pain, but I was done trying to read the emotions behind those beautiful eyes. Done trying to decode every expression, every gesture, every cotton candy promise.

"I'm going home," I said, my voice steady despite everything. "To Chicago. Where I belong."

My hands shook as I threw clothes into my suitcase, not caring what got wrinkled or crushed. A pair of boots tumbled from the top shelf of the closet - the ones Elvis had bought me last month, soft brown leather that probably cost more than three months' rent back home. They landed at my feet like an accusation, and the memory hit me like a physical blow: his face lighting up as I tried them on, the way he'd knelt to help me with the buckles, how he'd kissed his way up my leg afterward until I forgot about everything but him.

I kicked them aside, ignoring the sting of tears.

"Going somewhere?"

I spun around to find Jerry in the doorway, his face a mask of carefully controlled concern. Asking me that question would get him in trouble with the boss, I knew, but Jerry always did have a soft spot for me. Behind him, I could hear the sounds of Graceland settling into evening - distant Christmas carols, the clatter of dishes, Ann Beaulieu's voice carrying up from below like smoke.

"Chicago," I said, shoving another sweater into the already overstuffed bag. "Before I completely lose what's left of my dignity."

"Val..." He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. His eyes took in my smeared makeup, my trembling hands, the chaos I was making of my packing. "At least wait until morning. Weather's turning bad, and–"

"If I stay until morning, I'll never leave." I yanked the zipper closed with enough force to break it. "And we both know I gotta leave."

Jerry was quiet for a moment, watching me try to lift the suitcase with shaking hands. Finally, he sighed. "Let me drive you to the airport."

"I can manage."

"Wasn't asking." He took the suitcase from me with gentle firmness. "Plus, someone's gotta make sure you don't turn that Mustang into a Christmas wreck. You're shaking worse than Elvis after three cups of coffee."

He really was risking his hide. I had to let him.

The drive to the airport was silent except for the rhythmic swish of windshield wipers battling the freezing rain. Memphis looked different somehow - all those gaudy Christmas lights blurred by weather and tears I refused to let fall. Each mile put more distance between me and Graceland, but I could still feel Elvis's hands on my skin, still taste him on my lips. Still see his reflection behind mine in that damned mirror.

"He's gonna come after you, you know," Jerry said finally, as we pulled up to the departure terminal.

"No," I said, staring at the airport's glowing signs through the rain-streaked windshield. "He won't. He's got what he really wants coming home for Christmas."

Jerry helped me with my bags, then surprised me by pulling me into a bear hug. "You're good people, Val. Don't let this place make you forget that."

Two hours later, I was on a plane bound for Chicago, watching Memphis disappear beneath the clouds. Somewhere down there, in a mansion wrapped in blue lights, Elvis Presley was probably still staring out his window, waiting for his wife to come home.

*

Deena's Christmas party was in full swing by the time I arrived, her little apartment strung with multicolored lights that made it look like a carnival had thrown up all over her living room. Back home less than six hours, and already Memphis felt like some fever dream I'd finally woken up from. Like maybe I'd imagined it all - the mansion, the music, the way Elvis had looked at me in that bathroom mirror just hours ago.

"Val!" She squealed, pulling me into a hug that smelled like sugar cookies and cheap wine. "You made it! Though you look like hell warmed over."

"Thanks." I managed a weak smile. "Just what every girl wants to hear."

"Oh honey." She steered me toward the kitchen, where a punch bowl full of something violently red held court. "Here. This'll help. It's mostly rum, which seems like what you need right now."

The party spun around me in a blur of familiar faces and questions I wasn't ready to answer. Our old crowd from the jazz clubs, college friends, some neighbors, a few of Deena's cousins - all of them trying very hard not to stare at the woman who'd run away with Elvis Presley and lived to tell.

"So..." Deena's cousin Marie sidled up, eyes bright with curiosity. "Is it true? About you and... you know..."

"Marie!" Deena shot her a warning look, but the damage was done. The floodgates opened.

"What's he really like?"

"Is Graceland really as big as they say?"

"Does he actually eat those peanut butter and banana sandwiches?"

"Is his hair really that black?"

"How many Cadillacs are there really?"

"Did you meet Priscilla?"

That last one, from someone in the back, hit like a slap. The room got quiet fast, everyone suddenly very interested in their drinks.

"He's nice," I said finally, the words tasting like ash. "And he's just a man. Just a man who..." I couldn't finish. Couldn't find the words to explain how someone could be both everything you ever wanted and everything that could destroy you.

The party lurched on like a record with a skip in it - moments of almost-normal interrupted by sudden, jarring reminders. Every time someone mentioned Vegas or Memphis or music, the room would get quiet, everyone stealing glances my way like I might shatter.

"But what about–" Marie started again, but Tommy from the jazz circuit cut her off.

"Remember that time at the Blue Note?" Deena jumped in, grateful for the change of subject. She looked ot be about three glasses of punch in and determined to drag me out of my funk. "When that guy kept hitting on you and you told him you only dated men who could sing better than you?"

"And then he tried to sing 'My Way' and sounded like a cat in a blender," Tommy added, grinning.

Despite myself, I laughed. The punch was starting to help, or maybe it was just being home, surrounded by people who knew me before I became 'Elvis's girl.' People who remembered when I was just Val from the jazz clubs. Val the weekend music teacher to underprivileged kids.

Tommy had brought his guitar, and somehow we'd ended up having an impromptu sing-along. Christmas songs morphed into old standards, and for a while, I could almost pretend the last six months had been some elaborate dream. My voice felt rusty but real - no Vegas glitter required.

"Do 'Blue Christmas!" someone called out.

"No Elvis songs!" Deena shouted back, but I was already shaking my head.

"It's fine." I took another swig of punch. "I can handle a little Christmas music without falling apart."

"Atta girl," Tommy said, starting the opening chords.

It felt good, singing without all that weight. No Colonel watching from the wings, no pressure to be perfect, no eyes following my every move. Just friends and music and enough rum to make the edges soft. I was hamming it up, perching on Tommy's knee while he played, making everyone laugh with my exaggerated wiggle.

"See?" Deena nudged me after we finished. "You still got it. Chicago's been missing you something fierce. Those Memphis folks can sit on it and rotate…”

"Speaking of Memphis," Marie started, but this time it was my turn to cut her off.

"Yes, his hair really is that nice. Yes, he has more cars than God. Yes, the peanut butter and banana sandwiches are real. Yes, I’ve met Priscilla.” I winced at that one. “And yes–" I took another drink, feeling reckless, "he's exactly as pretty as everyone says he is. Probably prettier."

The room erupted in laughter and whistles. Someone called out, "Details! We need details!"

"Oh no," Deena waggled her finger. "No kiss and tell in my house. Besides--"

"Shhh!" Marie suddenly shouted from the couch. "Everyone shut up! Look who's on TV!"

The room went quiet as death. There he was - my Elvis, standing in front of Graceland's gates. He looked tired, the kind of bone-deep exhaustion that even TV makeup couldn't hide. Behind him, those damn Christmas lights made everything look underwater.

"Turn it up!" someone called.

The music cut out, replaced by a breaking news bulletin. The room went quiet as the announcer's voice filled the space:

"In entertainment news tonight, sources confirm that Elvis Presley has officially filed for divorce from wife Priscilla. The papers, filed earlier this week in Memphis, cite irreconcilable differences. This comes as a surprise to many, especially given reports that Mrs. Presley was expected to return to Graceland for the holidays..."

The punch cup slipped from my numb fingers, shattering on Deena's linoleum floor in a splash of red that looked like blood. Someone gasped. Someone else whispered "Holy shit."

"Val?" Deena's voice seemed to come from very far away. "Honey, you okay?"

But I couldn't answer. Couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. On the TV screen, photos of Elvis and Priscilla flashed by - their wedding, public appearances, that last photo from Vegas. And there, in the corner, a smaller headline scrolling: "Sources suggest new relationship with Chicago singer may have precipitated split."

"Oh my God," Marie whispered. "Val, did you know?"

No. No, I hadn't known. I'd run away thinking... but he'd already... and Priscilla was coming home to...

"I need some air," I managed, pushing through the crowd of stunned faces. Behind me, I could hear Deena trying to maintain order, but the room had erupted into chaos.

"Give her space!" "Did you see his face when-" "The papers said earlier this week-" "That's why he let her go today-"

On her tiny balcony, the Chicago winter bit at my face, but I barely felt it. All I could think about was Elvis, alone in that blood-warm Memphis night, watching me drive away. All I could hear was his voice: "You don't understand-"

And I hadn't understood. Not at all.

The worst part? He'd finally done the right thing, and I hadn't trusted him enough to wait and see. I'd run away just when he was finally ready to choose me.

Inside, I could hear the TV still going, dissecting the biggest entertainment story of the year. But all I could think about was a Christmas tree in Graceland, wrapped in blue lights that probably looked a lot like tears right about now.

Taglist: @whositmcwhatsit  @ellie-24  @arrolyn1114 @missmaywemeetagain  @be-my-ally  @vintageshanny  @prompted-wordsmith @peskybedtime @lookingforrainbows @austinbutlersgirl67@lala1267 @thatbanditqueen @dontcrydaddy @lovingdilfs @elvispresleygf @plasticfantasticl0ver @ab4eva @presleysweetheart @chasingwildflowers @elvispresleywife @uh-all-shook-up @xxquinnxx @edgeofrealitys-blog@velvetprvsley @woundmetender @avengen @richardslady121 @presleyhearted @kendralavon7 @18lkpeters@lookingforrainbows @elvisalltheway101 @sissylittlefeather  @atleastpleasetelephone @eliseinmemphis@tacozebra051 @thetaoofzoe @peskybedtime @shakerattlescroll @crash-and-cure @ccab @i-r-i-n-a-a @devilsflowerr@dirtyelvisfant4sy @elvislittleone @foreverdolly @therealslimshakespeare @getyourpresleyfix@gayforelvis @headfullofpresley @h0unds-of-h3ll @hipshakingkingcreole @p0lksaladannie @doll-elvis @tacozebra051 @richardslady121 @jaqueline19997 @myradiaz@livelaughelvis @deke-rivers-1957 @jhoneybees @atleastpleasetelephone @eapep @elvispresleywife @that-hotdog @landlockedmermaid77 @sissylittlefeather @kawaiiwitchy @eapep @iloveelvisss @argangelbornxoxo

[nattinatalia]

Jack Harlow & Urban : BIRTHDAY TWINS

Requested and ideas from the wonderful @harlowcomehome 🤗❤️‍🔥 she originally asked for only the gifts the kids made but y’all know me I like to make a mess and mix it all up. Hope I did it justice 🙈

“Niños aquí está todo lo que necesitan, use whatever you want. If you need to use the hot glue gun make sure you ask tia or me.” You tell Cassie, Mia and Ezequiel.

“Okay mama thank you.”

“We’ll be sitting over here if you need us.” Natalia says.

“Yes okay mom.” Ezequiel groans.

“Relax little dude.” Nat says jokingly.

You and your best friend Natalia go sit at the couches she has set up in the backyard, while you both keep an eye on the kids from your spot.

Today you were celebrating Jack and Urban’s birthday, so you and Nat had told the kids they were able to pick one thing they’d like to give their ninos, but they decided on making them something instead, to make it more special, as Mia liked to remind you.

“Who would’ve thought we’d be here, sipping on some margaritas watching our kids make arts and crafts for the boys?” Natalia asks.

You smile “It’s weird isn’t it? I mean for me it still is.”

“I mean it hasn’t even been a year Y/N, you have every right to have mixed feelings.”

You shrug “I’ll get over it. I just want it to be special for her, you know?”

She nods. “I get you on that part. No matter the fights I have with Jack, we put things aside when it comes to the kids.”

“That’s how it should always be.”

“NO EZ NOT THAT.”

You and Nat look at each other and smile “Back to reality.”

“JUST LET ME DO IT MIA.”

“My little monsters, what's going on?” Nat asks, walking towards them, you follow behind her.

“Mom EZ won’t let me decide on the color to put in my hand. It’s my hand so I pick.”

“Ezequiel let your sister choose the color for hers and you choose yours. No fighting, remember this is for Nino.”

“Tio Urban gonna be happy. He’s the best Tio ever.” Ezequiel says.

“No.” Cassie shakes her head “My nino Jack Jack is the bestest, he gonna love mine.”

“Cass, my Urby is the best. He always plays with me.”

“He’s not your Urby, he’s mine, and my Nino Jack Jack is the best anyways, he always sings with me.”

“Guys.” Mia says, shaking her head. “Nino Urb is your dad Cassie. Ezequiel, daddy is her Nino Jack Jack, so they’re both the best.” Mia tells them.

“My daddy is the best but my Tio Urby is the bestest.”

“No. Mine is.”

“Mama tell Cassie my Tio Urban is the best.” Ezequiel looks at Nat.

“They’re both the best, no competition.”

“Fine.”

“Whatever.”

“Are you guys almost done? Everyone will be here soon.” You ask.

“Almost Nina.” Mia answers.

“I’m going to make sure the enchiladas don’t burn.” 

Nat nods, “Can you check on the cake for me? Que no se esté escurriendo mucho la leche.” 

“Yeah, I got you.” 

You make your way inside to the kitchen and check inside the oven and take out the enchiladas. You then check on the cakes and make sure it isn’t spilling much milk. 

You’re closing the refrigerator door when Urban is walking into the kitchen.

“Hi.” 

“Hey.” You smile, “Happy birthday.” 

“Thank you.” There’s an awkward moment. “Is Cassie down for her nap?”

“No, she’s in the backyard with Nat and the kids.”

He nods, “Cool. cool.”

You both are silent and just looking at anything that isn’t at each other.

“This is weird right?” You say after a while.

“What is?”

You shrug, “I mean it’s been five months and it’s still pretty fresh, our divorce that is and me being here is probably weird for both of us?”

He’s looking at you as if you grew two heads. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s awkward, maybe I should just leave, have you spend your birthday with your family and friends.”

“You’re my family too Y/N, that will never change.” 

“You know what I meant.” You shrug and wrap your arms around yourself. “It’s your day and I- I don’t want it to be weird for you.” You feel the tears coming so you take a deep breath. “Excuse me.” You walk out the kitchen and head to the guest bedroom where you and Cassie would be staying for the weekend.

Once inside the bedroom you let the tears flow openly, you hear the door open. “Shit.”

“Hey, hey, it’s ok.” He comes to hug you. “It’s just me, it’s ok.”

You shake your head, “It’s not okay.” 

“Tell me what you need?”

"Can you just hold me for a bit?”

“Yeah, I got you.” 

He holds you tight and rubs your back.

After a while you pull back. “It’s your birthday and here I am making it about me. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, look at me.” He lifts your chin up so you’re looking straight into his eyes. “Everything is ok, we’re good.”

You nod. “I’m just emotional, I usually wake up next to you on your birthday and we spend the morning in bed just talking so it was weird when you weren’t next to me.”

“You think I don’t miss that?” He raises his eyebrows. “You think it didn’t break my heart when I woke up and you weren’t beside me with a smile on your face and singing happy birthday to me? It was weird not having you or Cassie with me this morning, but we agreed we’re better off as friends.”

“I know, I know, but I just can’t help but miss it.”

“You guys ok?” There’s a knock on the door.

You move away from Urban and try to wipe your tears away.

“Yeah come in.” Urban replies.

“Hi sorry, everyone is here and the kids want to give us our presents.” Jack says.

You smile at that. “Go ahead, let me retouch my makeup real quick.”

Urban and Jack look at you worriedly but nod and walk out the room. You didn’t have to touch up your makeup, you just wanted a few seconds on your own before facing everyone.

You take in a deep breath, nod, stand up straighter and exit the bedroom heading towards the backyard where everyone was at.

In the center of the yard you see Urban and Jack surrounded by the kids and your closest friends and family.

“Damn Urb, you and Y/N making Cassie a sibling ? or why is her hair and makeup looking messy.” Druski says out loud, everyone going quiet, glaring at him. “What? Why’s everyone looking at me like ya want to kill me?”

“They’re not together.” Neelam whispers, but you heard her.

“Wait for real? I thought that was all fake?.”

He looks between Urban and you. “I thought it was to get back at me for saying I wanted drama between you.”

“ANYWAY.” Natalia decides to step in. “The kids made the birthday boys a little something.”

Cassie, Mia and Ezequiel run to the kids table to grab their stuff, and head back to where everyone is at.

“We made this for yous.” Cassie says.

“Mia and me dids it for our best uncle.” Ez says and hands Urban a picture frame made out of popsicle sticks.

“I did mine for my best tio Jack Jack.” Cassie also hands Jack a picture frame of her and him.

Both frames are made out of popsicle sticks that the kids colored, it has a picture of them and their uncle. You and Natalia helped them write happy birthday and their names on it.

“Oh wow, this is amazing, thank you.”

“Yeah this is pretty cool, thanks guys.”

“WAIT THERE’S MORE.” Mia yells, hands EZ and Cassie a paper.

“Ohhh I forgot” Cassie says laughing.

“We made these too.” Mia tells them. “Nino Urby, if it’s ugly blame cheesy, he wouldn’t let me decide on one color.” She rolls her eyes.

Everyone laughs at that.

“Be nice Mia.” Jack warns.

“Sorry.”

Cassie smiles and gets closer to Jack. “I made mine with blue because it’s my favorite color, and you the bestest uncle ever.”

“HEY.” Copelan yells.

“What about me?” Sunni asks.

Cassie shrugs “He got me a music triangle, beat that.”

“Urby you’re the best uncle ever. Not Jack Jack.” Ez says.

“NOOO, tío Jack is the best.”

Mia rolls her eyes. “All day, all day they be saying this.” She looks at both kids. “Ez, who’s the best daddy?”

Ez furrows his eyebrows. “Uhh, well daddy.” He points at Jack.

“Cassie, who’s the best daddy?”

Cassie smiles and goes to hug Urban, “My daddy.”

Mia then taps her chin, “Who’s the best uncle?”

“TIO URB.”

“NOOO TÍO JACK.”

Mia groans and smacks her head. “SEE THEY DON’T KNOW.”

Everyone laughs. “It’s okay bug.”

“I think it’s you who doesn’t understand Mia.”

Mia glares at him. “DRUSKI QUIET.”

“I’m just saying.” He put his hands up in defense.

“Can we sing happy birthday now? I want cake.” Clay asks.

You nod.

“Before we sing, Urban, were you eating that cake or was she eating yours?” Druski asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

“YOO.”

“I just want to know.”

“I’m about to beat you up.” You tell him.

“I can help.” Mia says glaring at Druski.

“Fine, fine, let’s sing happy birthday.”

Neelam and Ace light up the custom made Pokémon cakes for Urban and Jack, and you all sing happy birthday to them both.

After a while you notice the kids are plotting something but you take no mind to it.

“Uncle Druski.” Cassie and Mia are holding hands, standing in front of him.

“What’s up? Y’all need money or something? I’m the wrong guy to ask.”

“No.” Mia says.

“Then what’s up?”

“THIS.” Ezequiel yells and comes out from behind him and smears cake all over his face.

Everyone is laughing.

“WHYYYY?” Dru yells, laughing as well.

Mia shrugs, while Cassie and Ez run off laughing.

“Mia, you’re the little devil in all these schemes, why did I get a cake to the face?”

Mia stands besides Urban, they smile at each other and do their little handshake. “Stop picking on my Nino and Nina.” She says, glaring at Druski.

Jack and Urban go to stand next to each other, looking around the yard and smiling.

“Happy birthday to us.” Jack says.

“Happy birthday indeed bro.”

• • •

TAG LIST

@heavyhitterheaux @harlowsbby @arination99 @cmalass @jackharloww @minkookie95 @deannaard @jacksmoviestar @harlowcomehome @fdl305 @httpkoylinnn @xoxokiaraaxoxo @hoodharlow @automaticpeachsong @amethyst09 @aliciacat20 @allyson15 @gabbylovesreading @stefansalvatoresgf @violetdreamsworld @carma-fanficaddict @jasminxts @itsaaliyah2 @itsyagirljaz @harrycanyonmoonn @neon-lights-and-glitter

[reigningqueenofwords]

Casa Stark

Part 2 of A Nanny for Morgan

The next morning you made sure you looked professional enough, while remaining comfortable. You took your extra set of clothes since babies loved messes and stopped to get you and Tony a coffee on the way. He said he was taking care of breakfast, so it was the least you could do.

Tony was spreading out the breakfast he ordered while Morgan was in her little bed on the table. His doorman had let you in. “Morning.” You greeted him. 

“Morning.” He beamed at you. “Don’t you look lovely.” He complimented. 

You handed him his coffee. “And Morgan looks very cute.” You looked to her. “She has your hair, I’m guessing?”

“Yeah, she does.” He smiled, a bit off. “Her mom’s a blonde, so.” 

“Will I be meeting her soon?” You asked, sipping your coffee as you slipped your purse off your arm.

“No. Probably not soon, at least. She’s off on a business trip. We don’t co parent. I just know that since she’s still part of the company.” He shrugged. “Other wise I’m sure I wouldn’t know. Nat didn’t mention?” 

You shook your head. “She didn’t give me any type of ‘personal’ details about you.” You told him. “Most of the time when we’re talking we’re catching up and cracking jokes about Clint.” 

He laughed. “Oh, Clint. We’ve had fun me and him.” He shook his head. “It shocked the hell out of me when they got together.”

You smiled. “They fit in their own weird way.” You said fondly, going to make faces at Morgan for a moment. She kicked happily as you did. “I think they balance each other really well.” 

“Yeah, I hope for the best for them. Divorces are messy.” He poured some juice. “No fun whatsoever.” He noted. “Thanks for the coffee, by the way.” He blinked. 

“My parents are still together, but my mom was married before my dad.” You told him. “From what I’ve heard, it can go one of two ways. You come out as friends and co parents on the other side, or you hate each other and avoid each other. Her and her ex-husband are in this weird middle ground. Only because my older brother refused to invite either to his wedding a few years back if they didn’t play nice.” 

“Smart brother.” He chuckled. “I’m on the not so great ground with mine. Morgan won’t be able to make us play nice for a while at least.” He reached over to play with Morgan’s toes.

You nodded. “He was military, too. I think with his dad he kinda pulled the ‘scary’ role out.” You told him. “And I dunno. Give her a few years and I have a feeling she’ll bat those eyelashes and that’ll work.” You chuckled. 

“You’re close with him, then?” He asked and then chuckled. “That’s probably true.” He agreed. 

“I’m the only one in the world allowed to call him ‘Jimmy’. Anyone else does and he is not happy.” It had always amused you. “Not even his husband is allowed.” 

He laughed. “That’s funny. Sounds nice, though.” He motioned for you to fill your plate. “I hope I got at least a few things you like.”

“Definitely not complaining.” You sat once you had your plate. “Thank you.” You took a bite happily. “I know she’s still really little, but any allergies that have come up?” You asked as the two of you ate.

“No, but she does better with a certain kind of powdered milk. Otherwise she gets a bit upset.” He smiled. “So might be something she grows out of, might not be.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Any allergies for you? Sometimes I cook or bake, if that’s allowed.” You added. “No need to send you to the ER by accident.” 

He shook his head. “Unless you count being serious much.”  

You chuckled. “That shouldn’t be an issue.” You teased. “I can’t bake ‘serious’.” 

He laughed. “Good. I’d have to decline.” He took a bite of his own breakfast. “I’m sure Nat told you about that, at least.” 

“Said you liked to have fun.” You nodded. “Which is great because so does she, but she made it sound like you put her to shame.” You laughed. 

“I did.” He smiled, agreeing. “I haven’t since she was born.” He tickled Morgan. “But I used to be a bit...wild.” He admitted. “Even if I had the time, I don’t think I’d want to.” 

You nodded. “That makes sense.” Since you weren’t a big partier, you couldn’t see that ever affecting you much.

“So, there a mister in your life?” He asked, curious, as the two of you ate. 

“Not at the moment. I’m still friends with my last boyfriend, but that’s because he’s also friends with my brother.” You shrugged. “And it wasn’t a super long relationship.” 

“That’s good. Friends are good.” He sipped his coffee. “Haven’t had it from this place. It’s good.” He glanced at the label again to remember the name. 

“One of my favorites.” You nodded. “So, if I get the job. Do I expect anyone to come in? Friends?” This way you weren’t taken by surprise. 

He thought for a minute. “Someone I see like my son may stop in now and then to see Morgan.”  

“Cool.” You nodded. You looked forward to helping him around the house with Morgan. She started to fuss, so you got up to scoop her up.

Tony sat back and finished his breakfast as he watched. To him, you were a natural. Then again, you said you’d been a nanny for the last family for years.  

The day went quickly as you learned about Morgan and spent time with her like you would if you would be there often. She seemed like a pretty easy going baby overall, but had her moments of what you could only describe as ‘pure sass’. 

Nearing lunch time, there was a buzz. “Tony. Lemme in.” Came Nat’s voice over the speaker.  

You blinked as Tony sighed. He went over to buzz her in, neither of you knowing what to expect. Morgan was asleep on your chest as she came in. “Hi, Stark.” She greeted him before heading right towards you. “Wanted to come make sure he was behaving.” She said playfully, sitting next to you. 

“I have the prettiest bodyguard.” You grinned at her. 

She snorted. “Don’t tell Bucky you said that. He’ll take offence.” She teased, poking your arm. “He sees himself as your bodyguard.” 

“Hm. Not many Bucky’s out there that I know of.” Tony mumbled. “His last name Barnes?” 

You looked at him. “Yeah, Jimmy’s my big brother.” You smiled. 

He chuckled. “I’m not his favorite person.” He told you. “Probably one of his least favorite people, actually.” 

“It’s true.” Nat provided. “And that’s saying something when he’s good friends with someone who’s slept with his baby sister.” She poked you. 

You warmed. “Hey.” It made Tony grin at you. “He was friends with him first…” You told him. “And I’m still friends with you, and you’ve slept with my brother.” You countered. 

She nudged you. “A long time ago! Before we each found husbands.” Tony’s eyebrows shot up, amused at the pair of you. “Anyways. We aren’t here about that.” She chuckled. “I came to check that Tony was behaving, remember?” 

“Oh, don’t stop on my account.” Tony shook his head. 

You shook your head, patting Morgan’s back as she stretched a bit. “He’s behaving. Does he normally not?” You asked, giving Tony an amused look. 

“I have a tendency to-“ He began.

Nat cut him off. “Flirt like crazy.” She told you. 

Tony nodded when he looked at you. “I wouldn’t say, like crazy…” He tried. “It’s fun! So sue me!” 

Nat gave him a look to behave and not do that with you. She didn’t want her friend getting hurt by him in some way. “He tends to enjoy it when he’s single.” 

“Whoa.” Tony shook his head. “Please don’t persuade her to not take this job.” He told her. “The ones I saw before her didn’t give me good feelings, and none of them seemed to care about Morgan.” 

Nat softened slightly. “Okay. It’s just a warning.” She looked at you. “Besides, you’re good at putting guys in their place anyway.” Her tone was full of pride. “I know I really don’t have to worry about you.” 

“True.” You smiled. “I’m gonna go put Morgan down in her crib.” You stood. “I’ll be right back.” 

Nat stared down Tony for a moment. “I don’t have to worry about this, right?” 

“I love how highly you think of me.” He smiled sarcastically. “I really appreciate it.” 

“Good.” She went to get a bite of food. She saw you almost like a sister. While she was friends with Tony, she’d protect you at all costs. 

You returned and began cleaning up. It was just a habit to clean things. 

“You don’t have to. I have cleaning staff.” Tony said quickly. “Only comes when I ask them to.” He added on after a moment. “As you can guess I’m not big on housework.” 

“Oh.” You stopped what you were doing. “Okay.” You blushed lightly. 

He smiled. “Well. Would you like the job?” He asked, hands in his pockets. 

You couldn’t help but smile back. “I’d love it.” You nodded. 

“Welcome aboard to Casa Stark.” He said happily. 

Nat rolled her eyes but was happy you got it. She felt you were the perfect fit. You were good with kids, and could hold your own against Stark. She hugged you happily. “Dinner soon to celebrate.” She kissed your cheek. “Call me?” She asked. “We’ll go get drinks, too. Make Clint order pizza.”

“Multiple pizzas.” You giggled. “I’ll call soon.” You promised. “Go give your other half a hard time for me.” 

“Deal.” She waved and patted Tony’s arm before leaving. 

Once the two of you were alone, he turned to you. “So, should we discuss details?”

You nodded and went to get your notebook and planner so you could plan things out. The two of you were set up on the dining room table. He went over his schedule with you for the next few weeks, gave you a key, and a list of emergency contacts. He felt this would be a good fit. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow morning?” You asked as you put your things back in your purse.

He nodded. “Yeah, thanks for this.” He smiled. 

You smiled back. “Thanks, too. See you Mr. Stark.” You left him be, excited for your new job. 

[blueguitar]

BUG

          Uncle John (my father's brother) got Alzheimer's Disease and since my Mom and Dad had the big house, the bigger income - he came to live with us.  He wasn't really bad off yet; not much trouble, then - that is, if you don't mind reminding him ten times a day which room is his room. Or showing him where the coffee is, the sugar is, the milk is, the spoons are again and again and again.  He'd forever be misplacing his glasses.  We'd find them in the refrigerator, the clothes hamper, and stranger places.

     Every once in a while, he'd get some idea in his head that was damn near intractable.  One month, it was Claire - Claire's coming to visit.  Claire was his second wife; they were married and divorced before I was even born.  I never met Aunt Claire and she'd been dead two or three years then, but Uncle John didn't remember that.

     He'd say. "Claire's coming to visit," and Dad would  say, "John, Claire's not coming to visit. Claire's dead, remember?"

     Uncle John would say, maybe, "Oh."  Sometimes, he'd ask, "When did she die?"  But then in an hour or two, he'd say again, "Paul, Claire's coming to visit.  What am I gonna do?"

     "Claire's dead, John,"

     "She'll wish she was!" he'd yell.  Or else, he'd dismiss the fact.  "No, she's not.  She's probably gonna beg me for more money, the bitch!" On and on, again and again... until one day, we realized he had stopped mentioning Claire at all.  Had he forgotten Claire even existed, we wondered?  But of course, we never asked.  Why would we remind him of that? It could mean he'd start that all over again.

     Then, there was that thing with the bug.

     One night, I woke up suddenly to find Uncle John standing over my bed - which wasn't too unusual because he couldn't remember where his room was - but he was standing there, in just his pajama bottoms, his head canted oddly, banging the side of his head with the palm of his hand.

     "What's wrong?" I asked him.

     "There's a bug in my ear," he said.

     "What?"

     "There's a bug in my ear.  I can hear him in there."

     So I woke Mom and Dad up; it was 2 AM.  They looked in his ear and saw nothing.  I turned on all the lights in my room and we all looked in his ear.  Well, maybe I didn't look too hard, though, because... well, it was gross.  He had hair growing out of his ear.

     Dad told him, "There's nothing in there, John. There's nothing in your ear."

     "I don't know... "

     "There's nothing in there, John," Mom echoed and somehow we managed to get him back to bed.

     At breakfast, it was the same thing.  Between spoonfuls of corn flakes, he'd bang his head and tell us, "There's a bug in my ear!"

     And we checked again, we really did.  "There's nothing in there, Uncle John," I said.

     "I can hear it!" he hissed.

     "No, John," Dad sighed.

     "I don't know..." and not more than five minutes later, John said, "You know, it feels like there's a bug stuck in my ear."

     We all groaned - we knew we were going to hear this a lot.

     Day after day, he'd whine to us about the bug in his ear and with increasing tedium, we'd tell him, "There's nothing in there John. There's no bug in your ear."

     Caring for Uncle John was a lot.  He came with numerous doctor appointments.  John didn't just have Alzheimer's. He also had diabetes and his kidneys were shot.  But the month with the bug thing was one of those in between times. A rare moment in time where no doctor appointments loomed. (That would become increasingly rare.)  Looking back, it really was a lot to drop on my Mom. She took care of Dad, took care of the house, took care of me. And now, she took care of Uncle John. I honestly don't know how she did it.  But you knew she was grateful for any break in the schedule.  Even if that break was punctuated with John's endless litany about the bug in his ear.

     At the end of that month, Uncle John had an appointment with his main doctor.  I remember I had just gotten home from school an hour before. I was watching TV, but not really watching.  I was thinking. And around that time, I was probably thinking about what Uncle John's  Alzheimer's meant for the rest of us. Did it mean my Dad would get it? More importantly, would I get it? I was 17 - of course, I related most things to myself.  To be fair though, suddenly dealing  that sort of thing will make you think. I know, Dad had to have thought about it. Separated by only a handful and a half of years, they really were a lot alike. A lot more alike than they were different.

     So anyway, Mom walked in first and the expression on her face made it clear, she was not happy about things.  So I just said, "Hey Mom..." and left it at that. Uncle John followed right behind her. And he was smiling, chuckling to himself and had a spring in his step that seemed so familiar - so much like he was before.

     "I guess things went well at the doctor's" I ventured and he suddenly scowled at me like I'd said something wrong. But then he started laughing - nearly a fit -  waving this small bottle in the air.

     "What do you got there, Uncle John?" I asked. Knowing me then, my first thought was probably, is this some interesting painkiller?

     He walked up to me, his laughter subsiding.  He steadied his hand and leveled the vial to my eyes.  In the bottle, floating lifelessly in alcohol, was a small cricket.

     "I can't wait to show this to that idiot brother of mine." he said with a surprising bit of venom and marched off to his bedroom and put the bottle on his nightstand among the myriad of medications already there. 

     For many months afterward, he'd pick up this little bottle and laugh and laugh.  He seemed OK then... but of course, much later, he'd encounter this cricket floating in slowly browning alcohol and shout, "What the hell is that?"  And of course, later still, it went into the trash with all his other meds and a box of surprisingly nasty love letters from Aunt Claire.

[loveforpreserumsteve]

Most Likely (high school reunion Stucky fic)

Nineteen:

Laughing so hard that he was just wheezing and tears building in his eyes, Steve grasped as his middle. Breathlessly accusing, "No way did that happen!"

"I promise it is! I wouldn't lie to you!"

Attempting to keep a straight face, Steve just watched at him for a while. But Bucky just barreled through. "Bianca was so devastated about that poor dead squirrel that we went and got it taxidermied, and she dragged it along on a little leash for months."

"Oh, god, I'm so going to hell for finding this funny," Steve broke out into more laughter.

Bucky raised his iced tea in a toast, "I'll be riding shotgun."

Shaking his head, Steve asked, "How did she even get so attached to a squirrel?"

"What, ya got wax build up in your ears?" Bucky teased, earning a balled up napkin being thrown at him. He didn't mind as he repeated, "Mr. Peebs was practically a part of our family. Always comin' up to our deck and eating the bird seed. It was a sad day for all of us."

Tossing his head back, Steve's laughter continued. Bucky wasn't sure how he had gone so long without hearing it. Sure, he was an idiot and a coward, but how could he ever not miss this man sitting across from him?

"What? Like your kids aren't weird?" Bucky joked, effectively getting the blond to calm and settle. With the sheepish look that took over his face, Bucky's interest was piqued, "Okay, spill. What's something weird that your kids have done?"

"Oh, god," Steve chuckled, taking a drink of his refilled lemonade. Thinking, "I don't even know where to start."

"Start wherever you'd like," Bucky assured, "I've got all day, doll."

Smiling – no, beaming at Bucky, Steve took a quiet moment to just look at the brunet while he thought. For that moment, Bucky felt serene. Felt more at peace than he had in the past two and a half decades. He felt as though he could finally breathe, deeply and fully.

"Okay," Steve started. Taking a quick drink, he set the glass down and said, "When Alice was six, she wanted a baby sister. Now, Pegs and I had already been divorced by that point, but Alice was adamant that she deserved a baby sister."

Bucky chuckled and Steve continued, "At first, she told people that I was going to have a baby. Assuming that – thanks to her older siblings – that all someone needed to do to have a baby was to really want to and to eat seeds."

"Seeds?" Bucky quirked a brow, "What kind of seeds?"

"Any kind. Didn't matter if it was pumpkin, watermelon, or sunflower. A seed was a, well, seed in her logic.

"So, she caught me eating pumpkin seeds and got so excited that she told her teacher, 'my daddy is having a baby.'"

"No," Bucky exaggerated while chuckling.

"Mhm," Steve confirmed. "And that's not even the weirdest part."

Bucky tapped Steve's leg with his foot, impatiently suggesting, "Well, out with it."

"Okay, okay." Playfully, he rolled his eyes, "So, after we sat her down and told her that no one was having a baby, she was crushed. But that was also around the time when Peggy started dating. And poor little Alice had overheard her siblings wondering about if their mom got married, if she'd have another guy's baby.

"So, there we were, back at square one. Only, different because she told her teacher, 'my mommy is dating so she can take someone's baby.'"

"Well, that wasn't where my mind went," Bucky chuckled, finishing off his tea.

"Oh, yeah. That was definitely an awkward conversation to have with my colleagues."

All Bucky could do was laugh. It reminded him of when they were kids and Steve would beg his parents for a sibling.

"What? Your kids didn't want any other siblings?" Steve good-naturedly teased.

"Enola wanted ten," Bucky claimed, remembering choking on his after bedtime cookies and milk, just like Steve was choking on his lemonade now. Bucky's brows furrowed in concern, but Steve immediately waved him off. Just like the punk always used to.

Deciding to keep talking so he had something to do, and Steve didn't feel like he was hovering, Bucky continued, "Bianca didn't want any. Vienna, though, wanted a brother, which she got a few years ago."

"Yeah?" Steve asked briefly before coughing again, still trying to recover.

Bucky nodded, "Yeah, Nat and Rick have Nadia, eight, and Nikolai, four."

"I haven't been around a toddler in years," Steve sighed, wistfully.

Growing up together, Bucky knew that Steve wanted to be a dad. Always claiming that he wanted to be just like his own father. And since Bucky grew up around Joe Rogers, he knew why Steve wanted to be like him. After all, Bucky wanted to be just like the man's best friend and his own dad, George Barnes.

"You miss it?" Bucky assumed, picturing Steve with his kids when they were toddlers. Imagining the kids on his broad shoulders and playing dress up.

"Sometimes."

Playfully, Bucky narrowed his eyes. He had always known a Steve Rogers bluff when he heard one. Thankfully, some things didn't change, and Steve caved.

"Alright," Steve shook his head, a smile on his face. "Of course, I miss it. All the cuddles and seeing the world through them as they learn new things? That stuff is the best. And now I've got two teenagers and two tweens, all of which would rather be with their friends."

Bucky could relate. He'd been there three times. "It's never easy. The happiest and saddest day is when you realize that you did your job as a parent. When Enola moved out, I was a wreck for about a week because I knew she could get by on her own. Sure, she'd always need me because I'm her dad, but it wasn't the same."

Reaching across the table, Steve gave his hand a comforting squeeze. Bucky could feel all those emotions building up in him. The feelings he felt when Enola moved out, like pride and fear. But also, the feelings he tried to bury at abandoning Steve, like guilt and longing. Because this, right here with Steve comforting him and empathizing with him, that was what he had needed and deprived himself of. No, deprived them of. He took that away from Steve too.

"God, Stevie, I'm so sorry."

Steve's brows furrowed, "For...?"

"Everything," Bucky said, caressing Steve's knuckles with his thumb. "I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself for not being there by your side."

"I hope you will," Steve squeezed his hand again. "I know it's not going to be easy – for either of us – but I want to be in your life, and I want you to be in mine."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

"Good," Bucky let out a breath of relief. He never thought that he'd hear that. Quickly, he confirmed, "I want that too."

"Well, I would hope so!" Teasing, "You're stuck with me now."

His grin grew, "Sounds like torture."

Gosh, so much has been happening in my life. I've started reading "A Twisted Tales" series which are books of Disney fairytales not going the way the movies did. Like, I read "Part of Your World" which was a what if Ursula wasn't defeated. I also read "Once Upon a Dream" which is what if Sleeping Beauty didn't wake up. Now I'm reading "A Whole New World" which is what if Aladdin had never found the lamp. They're pretty good. Just in case you enjoy fairytales with a twist. And since I've been reading those, I decided to rewatch "Once Upon a Time". Now, the last time I watched the show was back when it first came out and was week to week. And I never finished the series. So, there's a lot that I didn't remember, but it's fine because I got my nephew into the show. He is VERY passionate about NOT liking Prince Charming. Like, he went on a rant about how he's terrible and all of his decisions are stupid, and I wish that I had recorded it because it was the funniest thing. He also made some valid points about why he'd rather stay with The Evil Queen than with Prince Charming. So, yeah, it's fun rewatching it and seeing his reaction for the first time! In other news, my health is pretty poor. But water is wet, so what else is new? But I do have to see my gastroenterologist and might have to get an upper endoscopy. Which, I've had before. It was nine years ago though, and my innards feel inflamed. Oh! My brother and his wife also bought a house (can't remember if I've mentioned that yet), but I got to stay with them, so that was fun! Anyway, I hope you're all doing well wherever you are! Much love and appreciation Minnie ❤❤❤

[munson-blurbs]

When Man Plans, God Laughs (Eddie Munson x Single Mom!Reader)

Summary: You're a single mom of two who recently moved back to your hometown of Hawkins, Indiana, after a nasty divorce. When your friends take you out for the night, you run into your high school crush: Eddie Munson. But are either of you satisfied with just a one-night stand?

Warnings: single motherhood, divorce, fluff, mentions of drugs/dealing

WC: 1.9k

Part One | Part Two

You're grateful that you didn't drink too much at the concert last night, because the following morning is hectic. Matthew insists on having milk with his cereal, then cries because it's soggy. While you attend to his tantrum, Grace takes it upon herself to grab the orange juice carton from the fridge, promptly dropping it and spilling it all over the kitchen floor. And when the word "shit" accidentally slips out of your mouth when you see the sticky mess forming, both kids decide to march around chanting it.

You clean up the kitchen, wipe down your messy children, and get them dressed for the day. They've been begging you to take them to the children's museum, so that's your plan. You're just finishing tying Grace's sneakers when the phone rings.

"Hello?" you huff into the receiver, scrambling to get out to the car before Matthew manages to undress himself.

"Hey, Y/N?" a familiar voice comes over the line. "It's Eddie. Munson," he clarifies, as if a different Eddie would be calling.

You crinkle your nose. "How did you get my number?" you ask, and you cringe at the interrogative note in your tone. "I mean, hi. But also, how did you get my number?""

Eddie laughs, not taking offense to any of it. "I hounded Starsky and Hutch until they broke and gave it to me."

"How nice of them," you mutter. "So, what's up?"

"Look," he starts, "I had a lot of fun last night. And I was hoping we could actually get to talk, catch up. Like a date, maybe?" His voice breaks at the end, nerves getting the best of him.

You smile weakly. "Eddie, that's really sweet," you tell him gently, keeping an eye on your munchkins, "but I'm not really looking to date right now."

"Is it because you have kids?" he blurts out, and you're taken aback.

"H-how did you know that I have kids?" It's a dumb question; Robin and Steve told him, obviously. "Never mind. Yes, it's because I have kids. Kids who are currently waiting for me to entertain them."

"So you're just never gonna date again?" he asks, but it's a genuine question; he's not accusing you of lying.

You exhale. "Maybe one day I will," you answer honestly. "But I...I don't think it's a good idea to be with someone who carries around a box full of mysterious illicit substances. Not really kid-friendly, y'know?"

"They're, uh, not all for me," he stammers.

You can't help but chortle at his statement. "Is the fact that you sell drugs supposed to make this better?" You notice Grace eyeing you curiously, so you lower your voice. "Look, I know you have to do whatever you can to make ends meet. I'm not judging you. But I also can't bring my kids into that kind of environment, y'know?"

There's a long pause on the other end of the line. "Yeah, no, I get it. Could we still...hang out? Like with Harrington and Buckley. Just as friends." Eddie bites his tongue to keep from babbling.

"Of course," you reply, breathing a sigh of relief. "I've gotta get going, but we'll talk soon."

"Bye, Y/N," he says, and you detect a hint of sadness in his voice. Maybe more than a hint. But you don't have time to ponder it, because Matthew is trying to fit through the spindles on the staircase. Why are kids so fast?

~

A few months later, you're holding Matthew's chubby little hand as you make your way through the library parking lot. Grace is in kindergarten full-time, so it's just you and your little man during the weekdays.

"Are you ready for Storybook Sing-a-longs?" you ask him excitedly. It was a new program that the library was offering to kids where a musician sang songs based on popular children's books. The best part was it was free. You'd signed him up right away.

The hum of a guitar being tuned floats past your ears as you enter the children's section. You're placing a fuzzy mat on the floor for you and Matthew to sit on, when you hear it:

"Hi there, tiny humans! I'm Eddie!"

Your head snaps up at the sound of his voice. No way. No fucking way. But it's him: Eddie Munson is sitting before you in a folding chair, long curls pulled back into a low bun. He's still got his signature rings and his ripped black jeans, but he's wearing a purple shirt that reads "Storybook Sing-a-longs."

"Jesus Christ," you murmur under your breath.

The mom next to you overhears your utterance. "I know, right?" she scoffs. "Who let him around children? He was such a freak in high school."

You shake your head. "That's not what I meant--" you start to say, but Eddie cuts you off.

"I need a volunteer to help me sing a song about wheels on the bus," he announces, eyes twinkling at the kids' excited faces. "Who knows that one and wants to sing with me?"

Matthew looks up at you, waiting for your approval. "Go on, Bubba," you encourage him. "You love The Wheels on the Bus!"

He jumps up waving his stubby arms in the arm, desperate to get Eddie's attention. When Eddie spots him, he motions the two of you over.

It takes him a moment to place who you are--your oversized t-shirt, mom jeans, sneakers, and barely-there swipe of mascara is a far cry from your skimpy concert outfit. But when he realizes, his face lights up.

"Who do we have here?" he asks, both to your son and to himself.

"I'm Matthew," the boy replies proudly, and it comes out as Mahh-chew. "And this is my mommy!"

Eddie's smile is so genuine that it hurts your heart. "Hi, Matthew and his mommy!" he says. "Matthew, do you know what the wheels on the bus do?"

"They go round and round!" Wound an' wound, he shrieks excitedly.

"That's right!" Eddie cheers, launching into the song. Matthew is singing and clapping along, doing all of the hand motions like you taught him. You sneak glances at Eddie, his fingers strumming gently, his voice energetic but soothing. It's a side of him you've never seen before.

You and Matthew scurry back to your mat at the end of the song, and it's time for another kid to have a turn. The next half hour is filled with lyrics about Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, and The Three Little Pigs. Matthew's eyes are wide the whole time, soaking in the music in wonderment.

You're putting away the mat, a half-asleep tot in your arms, when you feel a light tap on your shoulder.

"Hey," Eddie says softly. "I was hoping you'd be here."

You feel yourself blushing, and you hoist Matthew up a bit higher to cover your reddening cheeks. "Well, Matty and I never turn down a chance to sing Wheels on the Bus!" You tickle the boy's belly and he gives the sweetest giggle you've ever heard.

"You guys are pros. Gonna put me out of business!" Eddie teases. He glances at Matthew, then looks directly into your eyes. "Y/N, he's such a cute kid."

"Thanks," you grin, "but he's not gonna be cute if he doesn't get his nap soon."

"Can I walk you to your car?" Eddie asks sheepishly. "Is that okay?"

"Sure. Thank you." You can't bring yourself to meet his gaze, shyness suddenly overtaking you as well.

He grabs your bag from your hand. Your pace is slower than it would be if you weren't holding Matthew, but Eddie walks alongside you.

"I should, um...I should be thanking you, actually," he says suddenly.

"Me?"

"Yeah," he nods. "When we spoke on the phone? And you said that you couldn't be with me because of my...my job? You were right. I'd been meaning to stop doing that stuff, but I figured I could never amount to much more. The Munson name comes with a reputation, and it ain't pretty. I thought no one would ever give me a chance.

"And then I came by here to return a book and saw they were looking for a kids' entertainer, and I thought, I can do that. I think the librarians were shocked that I was serious about it, but once I started doing the animal impressions for 'Old MacDonald,' they realized it was the real deal."

You laugh. "You really nailed those. We were both impressed with the cow especially."

Eddie snorts. "What can I say? I had plenty of experience listening to an old cow in O'Donnell's class."

"Eddie!" you swat at his stomach playfully. "Don't teach my innocent son how to insult people."

"Sorry, sorry," he puts his hands up in defeat. "But, yeah. I just thought you should know."

You raise your eyebrows at him. "One night after a concert made you rethink your whole life?" you ask unbelievingly.

"Yes? I mean, Buckley kept telling me about her friend that was incredibly smart, funny, caring...the list went on and on. And then I met you, and you were, like, holy sh--sugar hot," he amends quickly.

"That's sweet," you say, biting your lower lip. "But most days, I look like this. Miniskirts are few and far between."

Eddie places a big hand on your cheek. "The sentiment still stands, sweetheart." He kisses your forehead, sending shivers down your spine. When you arrive at your car, he opens the back door so you can put a sleeping Matthew in his car seat.

"Thanks, Eddie," you whisper. You want to kiss him so badly, it hurts. "Hey, um, do you do children's birthday parties, by any chance?" You glance down at your son. "He turns three in a few weeks, and I need something to keep the kids entertained."

"I do now," he beams. "Any special requests?"

"You've gotta bust out that rendition of Old MacDonald, obviously," you tease. "How much do you charge?"

"Hmm," he pretends to think. "One...slice of birthday cake."

"I'm serious!" You put your hands on your hips. "Besides, you would get birthday cake anyway."

"Okay," he says nervously. "How about that date?" When you raise your eyebrows, he gives an exasperated sigh. "C'mon! I stopped dealing, I got a regular gig, Matthew already adores me. Just one date. And if it sucks, I'll leave you alone forever."

You consider it. One date couldn't hurt, right? It wasn't like you were marrying the guy. Clearly, you didn't fare well in the marriage department, anyway.

"One date," you agree, and Eddie pumps his fist in the air triumphantly. "After the party. If you bomb, the deal's off."

"Oof, no pressure or anything," he stumbles back dramatically. "But it's a deal." He sticks his hand out and you shake it, but he takes the opportunity to pull you in and kiss your lips. "Couldn't help myself," he mumbles into your mouth. You bring your hand to the back of his head and kiss him back harder, feeling body melt into his. You're snapped out of your trance by the sound of Matthew stirring.

"We've gotta get home," you apologize. "Call me later, around 4? I'll give you the party info."

Eddie nods. "Sounds great." He kisses your cheek before opening your door for you. "I'll talk to you then."

You wave goodbye as you back out of the spot, a smile plastered to your face.

So much for a one-night stand.

--

[sunshine-on-my-mind]

Fresh Start

Andy Barber x Plus Size!single mother reader

warning: Fluff, mentions of divorce, mention of accident (DJ spoilers), Age gap, single mom reader, love for chocolate milk.

words: 1,066

a/n: this idea just popped into my mind and i just love meet cutes!! so here it goes. hope y’all like it. Andy is so cute omg.

DO NOT REPOST OR STEAL MY WORK

reblogs and comments are appreciated <3

PART 2 here

(made the moodboard)

next part

Andy Barber was no longer the same man after everything that happened, neither did he have the same life. After the accident, it took quite some time for Jacob to recover and till that time he was there with him and Laurie like a pillar. When he recovered, all of them decided that it’s better to take a fresh start but Andy had realised he could no longer stay in Newton, he couldn’t stay with Laurie and pretend everything is fine. It’s true he loved Jacob more than everything and it will hurt him to stay away from him but it’s probably better that way. Jacob understood that, in fact he too thinks it’s better if his parents separated, it will be less toxic. Laurie understood her mistake and apologised a lot and she too agrees with them. They separated their ways, got divorced.

Andy moved to a different town but he will always stay very much in contact with Jacob. His son will visit him at least once a month. He is in talking terms with Laurie, they both want Jacob’s well being. This town is Andy’s fresh start. He is trying to build his career again. But to be honest he isn’t sure what he is looking for. Neither in life nor in the supermarket he is at the moment.

Maybe some juice? he ponders the question he asked himself when he hears his name from an unknown voice. “Andy!! Andy wait.” he turns to see a woman, probably in her mid twenties, calling his name. what he notices later, is a little girl running towards him looking for something, and almost bumps into him. The woman reach them soon and stops beside the girl. “how many times have i told you to wait for me and not run in the store?” the girl has her attention somewhere else, her eyes at the chocolate milk displayed in the freezer. Andy looks at them. The woman now meets his gaze. “Sorry, my daughter started rushing here as soon as we entered the store. I’m sorry she almost bumped into you.” Andy chuckles, “it’s no problem”.

Before she could say anything her 4 year old daughter speaks “Ma, ma i want chocolate milk i want chocolate milk please. please.” She gives the little girl a look. “please ma.” she pouts. “hey no pouting missy, fine you can get chocolate milk, on one condition.” the girl looks with hopeful eyes. “If you promise to share it with me.” (y/n) winks. the little girl giggles and tries to reach for the milk when Andy, who was admiring their interaction with a smile on his face, reaches for the chocolate milk on the top shelf to give it to her. “Here you go, Andi i presume?” she takes it from his hand and nods with a smile. “you know my name?” she asks, he bends down a little to reduce the height difference. “yes, i do miss.” Andi looks amused. “and can i tell you a secret? it’s my name too” little Andi gasps and puts her little hands on her mouth. “wow” she says.

(y/n) chuckles and looks at Andy. “Oh my god, sorry it must have been weird to see a random woman calling out your name like that. “ Andy looks at her, really looks at her, she is beautiful, radiant, gorgeous.“well it was kinda surprising at first but now it seems like a pleasant surprise.” he says with a charming smile. (y/n) smiles back. “I am (y/n) and this is Andrea, well Andi” she introduces themselves. Andy moves his big hand in front of little Andi for her to shake it. she shakes it with her little hand. “I am Andy, Andrew Barber, nice to meet you both.”

“Are you new here?” (y/n) asks while they move towards the billing counter. “Yes, just shifted two weeks ago, you stay nearby?” Andy kicks himself mentally for sounding eager “sorry, didn’t mean to pry.” (y/n) informs it’s not a problem and that they lived nearby. They make small talk, (Y/n) shares little stories about how life is in their town. the town is pleasant and beautiful, has many children’s parks which her daughter loves. Overall this place has been kind to Andi and her. The school is nice too. Andy listens to her with a constant smile on his face. Andi too listens, holding her mother’s hand and swinging it gently, happy she got her chocolate milk.

But Andy wants to talk more, to know her. wait is she married? with someone? he can’t assume anything just because she hasn’t mentioned anything about a significant other. Maybe it’s too soon to say anything but Andy has a feeling that these two can a part of his fresh start, he is not in a rush though, which is a good thing. Little Andi is a charming kid and Andy wants to know her more too.

“Listen i am new here so, if not a problem, would you and Andi maybe show me around a little?” he says, trying to hide the nervousness. “Sure, we stay a little busy during the week though, maybe on Saturday, if you are free?” Andy nods. “Done.” They exchange numbers. Andi pulls her mother’s hand to say something. (y/n) bends down and Andi whispers in her ear, loud enough for Andy to hear, “I like him Ma, he is nice” Andy smiles and so does (y/n).

Andy offers to drop them home in his car, but (y/n) informs it’s really close so they usually just walk home. “Are you sure? it’s won’t be a problem.” she smiles, “yeah Andy, we can walk, thanks for the offer.” Andi looks a little upset at that, as if she wanted to go together with Andy. “Alright miss Andi, i’ll see you on Saturday then.” she smiles but motions him to bend down. he does and she whispers, again a little loudly, “ma is single.” Andy can’t help the chuckle that leaves his mouth. He didn’t expect to feel relieved with the new information but he does.

“Andi come on sweetheart we gotta go now.” she quickly holds her mother’s hand again and waves “Bye Andy!” he wishes back the same. Andy and (y/n) share another look as they smile before going their ways.

Andy seems hopeful about the future. This will be his fresh start.

[barry-j-blupjeans]

@taznovembercelebration - Plant / Metal

Out of all of the perks he got from being one of the seven saviors of the world (though, in Merle's opinion, it wasn't like they did all the fightin' down on planetside), Merle thought he liked being given free stuff the best. Don't get him wrong, he definitely paid when no one was looking and always, always tipped, but at the very least, it was less stressful having to keep track of all his coins. Today, he sat at a café he hadn't visited in years and years, nursing a cup of coffee milk tea. There were a few other dwarves milling about, taking some not-so-sneaky glances at him every once and a while.

It's not like it was any different than the other times he went back to the Coralheart Clan for something. He was the same ol' Merle, just… famous. Really, really famous. He supposed that was the price he had to pay for being so great. At the very least, the whispers were now about Story and Song instead of how shitty of a husband and father he had been. Maybe Hekuba had finally told them off like Merle had tried to get her to do. Maybe they figured insulting him was a bad idea nowadays. Personally, Merle wouldn't go about raising hell for a little rumor, but at least he knew the crew would have his back if something did need to go down.

The door to the café opened, the bell above it ringing. Hekuba stepped inside, lifting her sunglasses up to the top of her head. She glanced around the room and spotted him, coming closer. She pulled the chair across from him out and sat down, setting her large purse on the table.

She seemed… uncomfortable. Frankly, Merle could not blame her. Their relationship hadn't really ended on a high note. Come to think of it, their relationship had never really had a high note. Obviously, there had a time when it had been decent, or else Merle wouldn't have even let the suggestion of marriage bother him, but still. He was gonna try to fix this. For the kids, if not just for him. And he figured that it was probably better to get it out of the way now rather than waiting for Hekuba to reach out to him. It was gonna be weird, either way.

"Wanna get a cuppa first or are you good?" Merle asked, raising his own tea cup. Hekuba's gaze flickered down to it, and then to his arm, and then back up to him. She shook her head.

"I'm good, Merle," she said. "You know, when Mookie said you were part tree, I thought he was just, uhhh, exaggerating. But, uhm."

"Oh, this ol' thing?" Merle said, flexing his right hand. A flower blood at his wrist, as if showing off. "Nah, Mags thought it would be a great idea to chop my freakin' arm off in the middle of a mission. 'Cus I coulda died or whatever. But Pan's got my back, so now I've got this cool new arm." Merle paused, squinting. "That Magnus isn't allowed to be near."

"Ah," Hekuba said, in her "this is a normal conversation we're having" voice. "I was going to say that most people seem to prefer some kind of metal for a prosthetic, but it… suits you. You were always pretty close to Pan."

"That's about the one thing I got right," Merle said. Hekuba didn't disagree, but she didn't meet his eyes either. "Listen, Heks, I know a lot has happened in the past few weeks with, uh, the Hunger and the Story and all of that. But I've been spending a lot of time thinking about… well, thinking about our family. And realizing that I was a real shitty husband to you and a real bad dad to our kids. And I've been tryin' with them- I'll keep trying, at least, 'cus they're worth it to me. I'm not gonna pretend like we're on the greatest of terms or whatever, but if- if you'd like, maybe we can figure somethin' out."

Hekuba stared at him, very clearly weighing her options in her mind. Merle cleared his throat.

"And- and if you don't want somethin' like that," he said. "That'll be fine, too. Whatever's best for you and the kids. But I wanna be in their lives, at least."

"I want a divorce," Hekuba said. She blinked, as if she hadn't expected herself to say that. "A legal one, I mean. We never really got any of that finalized because you just sort of… left."

"Right," Merle said. "Yeah, alright. A divorce would be a good place to start. D'you know anyone wh-"

"I know several people who can get us started," Hekuba said. She pulled out a pen from her purse and looked around for something to write on. Merle passed her one of the napkins and she scribbled down a stone frequency. She slid it over to him. "This is a law office up in Stonekeep that just got set up, one of my cousins work there. She can get us started with the divorce petition. I'll give her a call and she'll call you in a few days to get your side of things set up."

"You've been thinkin' about this for a while, huh?" Merle said, pocketing the napkin. Hopefully, he'd remember it was there before he washed these pants.

"I have been ready for this for a very long time," Hekuba said. "And it's about time we got all of our shit sorted out. I'm not gonna give you grace because you saved the world."

"I wasn't expectin' you to," Merle said honestly.

This Hekuba was more like the one he had married. She had been one of his first friends when he came into the Coralheart Clan and it had all kind of snowballed from there. Their marriage had been rocky at the best of times and awful at the worst and while neither of them were truly at blame- thank Pan the clan had become more relaxed about arranged marriages- their dynamic had shifted into one fueled by resentment and exhaustion rather than fun. Maybe he was just old, but Merle never really got the point of marriage in the first place. Or dating. But his dad had always said it was just one of the things Everyone Did and Merle had believed him.

Having the memories of those long, long talks with Taako and Lup really sorted some stuff out in his head.

"Good," Hekuba said. She seemed less tense now that she had gotten that out of the way. Her shoulders slumped some and she appeared a little more relaxed. "You said you wanted to see the kids more?"

"If it's alright with you," Merle said. Hekuba dug through her purse again, pulling out a notebook from within. She flipped to a page with a full calendar on it.

"If you're going to step up more, you have to know all the activities they are involved in and what time they're expected to be at school when it starts up again," Hekuba said. "Let's start with Mavis."

There were definitely some drawbacks to being famous. But Merle really couldn't complain about the free shit at all. He was going to need a lot more coffee milk tea to keep up with what Hekuba was about to show him.

[gumballavocadoharry]

You found me:

The cold brisk of London only made me move quicker to my house. I was looking forward to the warm aroma where I could sit in my favorite chair, a cup of tea and a good book to relax my mind after a hard day at work. I was a stock clerk at a grocery store and today was just perfect to have 2 spilled milks, shattered bottle of wine and an egg crack catastrophe in the dairy aisle.

October weather did that to you. The orange and reddish leaves falling from the branches while walking down the brick covered road was picture book worthy. My hair that was neatly tucked into a bun, had a few free strands swaying to the best of the wind. My somber mood was non existent this morning, until a few nasty customers, an overly demanding boss because of his recent divorce and all the messes I mentioned contributed to the pushed down aggression that rose inside me the more I pondered on it.

The gray clouds mixed with the fall wind made me sleepy. My eyes started to close a little, but I jerked myself awake once I realized the walk home was still 5 minutes away. I walked past this brick building that I assumed to be a school, but there was this brown cardboard box that was soggy and splotchy. I heard some narrow cries from it.

I took a step back thinking it was maybe a mother cat and her kittens up for sale that nobody noticed. I hesitantly made my way over to the box and peeped inside. That's when I noticed a tiny baby that couldn't have weighed more than 4 pounds crying weakly. He had a blue blanket wrapped around him and he was dirty liked he hadn't had a bath in days. His cry wasn't that loud but I could tell it was a hungry cry from the suckiling sounds he was making with his mouth.

"Poor thing" I mumbled trying to situate the little baby in my arms. He looked like a newborn baby which made his situation worse to me because he was probably just born and no one wanted him. Or maybe his mother just couldn't take care of him. It dawned on me that no one heard his cry because it was so light, who knows how long he's been out here.

Poor baby didn't have a hat or really anything to protect him from the cold other than the blanket. I held him halfway inside my coat and tried to find an adoption agency. It was too cold and we were both tired and hungry so I called it quits and decided to continue this in the morning before work. Me and baby stumbled home to my apartment, where the lobby was empty despite how this morning it was raging with people from a party in one of the apartments from the 9th floor.

That's the fancy apartments at the top where they get more terrace space. I walked through to the elevators where my heart was beating out of my chest. I didn't like the neighbors knowing my business and vice versa. I mostly kept to myself and tried to keep it the same way with everyone else unless I absolutely had to talk to them or if they said "hi" or such.

I fiddled with my keys before going inside and locking the door immediately behind me. it's a useful habit but today it was very obligatory. I didn't want anyone following me or staring because they suspected I stole something or something like that. I was indeed hiding something....more precious than any other secret I've stored within me. It was for baby's protection.

I set him on my couch and carefully took a soft paper towel that I wet with warm water and gently cleaned him up. I knew he was starving so that meant running to the store and buying baby formula along with some toys, clothes and possibly a portable crib or bassinet. I didn't wanna leave baby here alone, yet it would be irresponsible of me to leave him here so I had to take him with me.

I already decided once I got back I would call the police and see if they could locate his mother or any other relatives of his. My gut told me his mother wouldn't want him back and or she's dead or out of the country doing whatever. I thought about what to do about the small little turquoise eyed baby boy laying on my couch with pillows around him to keep him from falling.

It just dawned on me that you're not supposed to keep a newborn on their backs, so I shifted him to his tummy. Tufts of auburn hair were protruding from his little round head. I couldn't help but bring myself to run my fingers over it. He was still making suckling noises, that snapped me out of my daze and made rush to grab a hat for baby. It was a soft blue hat with little duckies on it, one I had kept when I was a baby. I took baby's blanket and made it into a shaw like coat for him, then I took an old scarf and covered him up so he wouldn't get cold.

I scanned the room for anything I could use besides a dirty old box that was baby's home for the first few days of his life. Just thinking about it was gut-wrenching. I looked over to baby who was still laying on the couch, toying with the pillows set on either side for his safety. His eyes looked so tired and full of innocence. Of course he's innocent he's a baby. He was so vulnerable and helpless that the grisly thought of him not surviving one more day if I hadn't found him nearly killed me.

My eyes finally landed on a dresser drawer in my bedroom. I emptied out the books that were inside on to my bed and tucked inside three soft blankets before putting baby in there. I didn't really want the neighbors seeing me take a dresser drawer out in the hallway as it would draw unnecessary attention, Not that it was any of their business anyway. I meant it when I said I kept to myself. Me and baby flew down the hallway, after I finished locking up my apartment.

My car was parked in the apartment parking lot, next to a grey lexus. I clicked the button on my well used car remote that was swinged in with my car keys, and my apartment key as well along with a little green packers logo. I opened the car door and carefully placed the drawer in the backseat rear facing.

I just prayed it was safe seeing how I didn't have a carseat or anything for baby yet. I made sure his scarf and hat weren't too warm so he wouldn't overheat. Once I was satisfied that he was okay, I climbed into the driver's seat and we drive to the store. Target was the closet place. I parked the car and I gently grabbed baby and we went inside. A sense of happiness and relief washed over me. I would be leaving the store with a baby car seat, a bassinet, high chair and food for baby. And possibly more knowledge too.

Baby was too tiny to fit in the seating area of the shopping cart so that meant I had to carry him, but my arms started getting tired. I grabbed a shopping cart anyway and tried my hardest to balance it with one hand. I found the nearest employee working in the baby section and asked her if I could buy a baby carrier right now. "Of course. I can ring you up and you can continue shopping."

"Thank you so much." I grabbed a sturdy carrier and she scanned the price tag and then my card. "There you go you're all set" I smiled. "Thank you very much." I set baby in the carrier and pulled the veil built into the carrier down to keep any germs off him.

"You're son's adorable." The employee said. I didn't bother to correct her so I just accepted the compliment for what it was and thanked her with a smile. But that stuck with me. Son. The thought ricocheted in my head as a sudden pleasure grew on that title. I looked down at baby who was playing with his fingers. Maybe?

I continued on shopping, grabbing bottles, diapers, clothes, toys and a portable bassinet. I found some baby formula asking different clerks if it was safe for newborns. They all showed me different brands, but like with everyone, the most recommended was the one I chose.

I paid for the items and left the store quickly as possible. The medium colored clouds set in and small sprinkles of rain slowly drizzled down. The smush of the wet fall leaves that stood in between my boots and the rain. Me and baby rushed to the car, now feeling satisfied of the new things he has to help him. Somehow I could sense a feeling of relief and solace wash over the both of us. I looked down to be met with greenish-blue eyes and sweet deep dimples that I just discovered he had.

Ongoers noticed the tender sweet baby talk that was spilling from my lips by the minute. Bunches of "Yes you are's" were being spoken to baby which made him react with joy. I'm sure this was the most love that he's had in the little time of his life so far. Surely I was not his mother, just a 27 year old man who happened, completely by chance noticed a small infant in the dirty box that he laid in. Maybe this was fate? I shook it off not wanting to think to deeply about it.

I was just his temporary caregiver until he would be adopted by someone who could give him a stable home. Maybe even a pet? I imagined little baby playing on the swing set with his doggie running up to him desperately wanting his owner's attention that only the love of a child could provide for them. He would have playdates with the best friend he met at school, sleepovers with the boys on his soccer team, meet his first love and dream of marrying her as if she was the one....

I snapped out that daydream. I couldn't get attached. We both weren't ready for that. Adoption for baby would surely be a dream right? We arrived to the car where I unloaded everything in the trunk before picking baby up and returning the shopping cart to the store.

Man it felt nice to hold him again. Whoops...I mean my arms aren't tired anymore. I set baby aside as I was taking the drawer and moved it to the floor of the car and set up baby's carrier. I gently placed him inside and even gave him one of his little toys to keep him occupied. I couldn't feed him until we got home so there was no time to waste.

As I got in the driver's seat and put the key in, turning it...My mind wandered to what exactly would happen to baby. What if he didn't get a nice family? What if instead he would be raised only for the sole purpose of being a slave in a mean family's home? Or he was restricted from living his life normally due to the strictness and harshness of a mother and father who weren't to tightly wrapped themselves?

What if he was left to fend for himself with no one to love him and care for him? The harsh reality of the world set in the more I thought about baby's fate. But everyone always says two is better than one and baby needs two parents. But if those parents aren't gonna parent him in the right way....then would he really be better off?

Surely I could-

"We're here!" I said to myself trying to override the thought I was going to think that would distract me from my sensible thinking. I carried baby inside, and grabbed the things from the trunk and made my way upstairs to my apartment as fast as I could. A few elderly neighbors saw me and cooed about cute the little baby in my was. I smiled and thanked them before getting in the elevator hoping the doors would close as fast as possible.

Baby and me scurried inside once again just in time for baby to start crying. He was hungry of course. After closing and locking the door, I set him down on the couch, propping the pillows around him again and grabbed the formula from the bag and ran into the kitchen to fix it.

I followed the directions carefully trying the drown out the hungry cries from baby. "I know baby I know." I fixed it as fast as I could and while his bottle was heating up, I was successfully able to distract him.

Beep!

I turned around and flew into the kitchen and grabbed baby's bottle from the microwave. I pressed the bottle to my wrist and sat down next to baby. I gently picked baby up and inserted the bottle into his mouth. "It's not too hot is it?" Aw come on as if baby can talk. His button eyes looked into mine sucking away at his milk. Probably the first food he's had in days. "You're a hungry little guy aren't you? I know, I know. You're a little special baby. You're special because you're the sweetest little thing I've seen." I cooed.

I couldn't help but cloy baby. He was so small and new, bright eyes studying the room because he was so new to the world. I just felt this exquisite connection with him whilst looking into his fresh eyes. His mom didn't know what she was missing....or what she gave up. I smiled a warm smile and somehow I think he sensed the connection too.

I removed the bottle once he was finished. He drank all his milk. "Good boy!" I cooed cheerfully. Burp! I expected that.

I ate a quick dinner that night after baby went to sleep. I couldn't sleep a wink partly because of baby crying and needing his diaper changed or wanting to be rocked or something like that and the other because I was worried about him too. I put him in a fresh onesie and threw that old blue blanket in the wash.

I tossed and turned because I knew I was gonna have to call child services soon....but it just....this gut feeling. I mean he was already used to me so why would I give him up? I guess I used that to reason with myself. Who am I kidding? I'm only in my twenties I can't be raising a child! I have so much I wanna do, like travel and get married and start a family of my own one day. But despite all of those...Baby still played in my mind.

I couldn't be attached already right? And besides who would watch baby too? I have to go to work and run errands and he has to be babysat. I couldn't trust just anyone. All these thoughts raced through my head trying to get everything sorted out. Child services, doctor appointment, babysitter. My brain could've exploded.

But my alarm clock went off. Baby was still sleeping surprisingly so I tiptoed out of my bedroom into the bathroom where I took a quick shower. I would constantly check to see if baby was still sleeping and if I needed to change or feed him. That's pretty much what all babies do at the beginning of their first few months of life, eat, sleep and poop,

I brushed my teeth coming out of the shower and changed into my uniform. I carefully took baby from his bassinet and was going to give him his first bath. By the looks of it I don't even think baby was born in a hospital. His umbilical stub hadn't fallen off yet so I was cautious to how I bathed him. I quickly googled how to do it and got started immediately. Baby was so small that I was able to bathe him in the bathroom sink.

I filled the sink with a little water and used some mild baby soap and cleaned up baby. He seemed so happy to finally be clean and to be...loved. To have someone care enough about him to take him under their wing and care for him....I really hoped he would see it that way when he's older.

Me and baby hadn't eaten breakfast yet and I already had to be at work in 30 minutes so I had no choice but to call Gemma and ask if she could watch him. She'd said that she would be over right away, so that gave me and baby time to eat a small breakfast. I had a bowl of cereal and baby had some milk of course.

Gemma knocked on the door a couple minutes after I had put my bowl in the sink. "Hey gem!" I greeted happily. I was relieved to have some help. "Hey Haz. So where is this little bugger that you've been talking about on the phone?" I pointed over to baby who was in his bassinet. "Oi he's adorable!" Gemma cooed. "What's his name?"

"I just call him baby for now. Yeah he's my friend's nephew but right now his nickname is baby." I thought quickly cause I didn't want to explain the whole situation to Gemma just yet. It's not that I couldn't trust her it's just that....it's not like baby was my son. He was still sorta a strange baby without a home or name. Besides...I had to go to work.

"Thank you again for watching him, if you need to reach me you have my number and I left a list of things you're supposed to do with baby on the fridge. Thanks." I grabbed my coat and car keys. "Bye Gemma and bye baby!" I blew a kiss to both of them before dashing out the front door.

Work wasn't any easier. I kept thinking about baby and Gemma and how they were getting along at my apartment. Plus Mr Feltmen was once again being punctilious with the way I stocked the cereals or the way I put price tags on the sealed chicken dinners with my price gun. All because his wife said a few nasty comments on her way along with a big fat stack of divorce papers sent to him a couple days later.

My lunch break seemed to be relieving as I was able to call Gemma and ask her if her and baby were fine. "Oh yeah we're fine. Baby had a little hard time after you left but everything's okay now. He's taking a nap."

"What little hard time?" I asked kinda panicky. "Oh, he started crying because he wanted you. So when I showed him a picture of you, he calmed down." Sentiment washed over me. Baby wanted me? He missed me. My heart swelled with adoration and pride more than it should've for a baby who I'd only known for a day and half. "Thank you so much Gemma. I'll call you when I'm on my way home."

After I hung up, I searched up a really good pediatric doctor at the children's hospital and scheduled an appointment for baby later on today. I wanted to make sure he had his shots and everything he needed by the time social services came and got him. The thought broke me. I grievance pain struck me so I refused to ponder the thought more than necessary.

Baby really tugged at my heartstrings. I didn't wanna dive in heart first taking into consideration the logicalness of the situation. Was I really baby's best person to care for his every need? You're caring for him now. I swallowed hard at that and continued eating my lunch, not wasting time to get back to work.

The mid day night sky fell between 3 and 4 which is when my shift ended. The breeze sang it's fall time song the coziness of being warm in the cold started to take its toll. I grabbed my coat from the breakroom and hustled out the grocery store. "Have a good night Harry." I turned to my right to see my boss with a small tight smile and giving me a small stiff wave. "Thanks you too." I replied befuddled and tired at the same time.

As soon as I got into my car, I didn't waste time calling Gemma to inform her of my upcoming arrival. "Hey Gemma, I just got off work and I'm coming home right now okay? How is everything?"

I heard the sound of baby rattles and muffled cries that partially answered my question. "Oh everything's fine, baby just woke up from his nap and he's just been a little fussy that's all." I could sense Gemma regretted saying that last part. She realized how attached and concerned I was for baby. Way more than if it was just 'my friend's nephew' the way I said before.

"Okay, well I'll be home very soon." We hung up and then I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot very carefully. The drive home consisted of me trying to beat the clock so I could be on time for baby's doctor appointment. I concluded that one more night wouldn't be so bad for baby seeing how it was possibly too late to call social services anyway.

Was I just reasoning with myself?

Streetlights filled the downtown sidewalk. Oh how I missed late night walks and night drives through my city. Summer's were fun for it too, but it was just something about September, October and November that just had that fall time glow. That coziness of aroma around you. It was fun. Just me walking to and back from the library.

I snapped out of my nostalgia once I pulled up to the parking lot of my apartment.

I put the key through my front door lock and opened the door. "Hey Gem I'm home" Gemma ran up to me and hugged me which I returned. "Hey! How was work?" "Oh it was fine." My eyes glanced to baby sleeping in his bassinet. "How was baby?" Gemma looked to the sleeping newborn and back to me. "He was just fine. He was a little cranky today but above all a good boy."

I thanked Gemma who's coat I handed to her on the way out. "See you later be safe bye." "Bye." Gemma's voice trailed going out the door. I took off my coat before focusing my attention to baby. "Hey baby boy! Did you miss me? Yes you did! I know you did cause you're da-" I stopped myself. "You're a special baby! You're a little sweetheart aren't ya?" Oh how I desperately wanted cover those little rosy dimpled cheeks in hello kissys.

I quickly changed baby and put him into a new outfit before leaving for the doctor's. On the way, I put on the radio to some 90's music. He seemed to enjoy it. His little head bobbed to the infamous Alanis Morissette 'Ironic'. I kept checking the rearview mirror, making sure baby was okay. I was still new to this so I didn't spring for the expensive attachment mirror for baby car seats.

London children's hospital.

I turned to the left and pulled into the parking deck. I always loved the murk lighting of the in between ramps and parking spaces. The blueish sometimes yellow aesthetic lights were the only ray of light inside the closed in building that was usually filled to the brim with cars. I got baby's carrier out of the car with him in it and we traveled down to the entrance along with two other couples who either had babies or toddlers.

On the way, Baby was entranced by the colorful cars while we walked to the doors. A green honda, a blue civic, a sliver chevy, all had the baby's attention. We went inside the elevator and took it up to the offices on level 8. Inside, I just kept taking deep breaths and looked down at baby who was sleeping soundly. I hated knowing I would have to wake him up for his appointment.

I just don't know what would move me to do all this? Buying him clothes, baby formula, toys, bottles, taking him to the doctors? I didn't just take him the adoption agency before and let them do all this for him. I guess because I care too much...I care so much about other people and I don't regret it of course, but this time it really took me out of the way. Financially, Physically and Emotionally.

I looked down at baby who was still sleeping. I guess what I'm trying to comprehend is that baby is special, he's more than just some lost, injured puppy dog on the street...he was more than helping out a homeless person with a couple dollars, he was more than giving a tired sad stranger a smile. It was a deeper pleasure having baby.. it was.....it....

Three little words threatened to spill from my gut but I shut them out. After all he won't be with me long.

The sad realization grappled me. Ding! The elevator doors opened and I was instantly met with distance cries of babies and toddlers. The hall was empty and as I stepped out, I could breathe in the sterile air. The carpeted floor held rigid against my shoes as I walked down the corridor trying to find the Doctor Evan's office.

My hand weighed heavy as I held the carrier that was carrying a baby who was now wide awake and hungry. His little fussy whines made me rush inside so I could feed him before those little whimpers turned into blood curdling screams. "Hello." I said waiting for the receptionist to notice me. "Hi." she smiled. It was a young girl that looked to be in 20's. The first thing I noticed was her red bob and bright pink lipstick. Her earrings were the exact same ones my own mother had.

"You have an appointment?" I nodded before responding with a yes. "For?" Her voice trailed once she saw the name I confirmed for baby. "Baby styles." It sounded like I was posting an announcement on my instagram to welcome my new child. But nonetheless was his actual name as of now. "It's a nickname we always go by." As if that would make it all normal. The state didn't even know he existed until now so what was I to do. The receptionist smiled and gave me a clipboard with the patient fill out attached to it.

I thanked her before taking it and moving over to one of the seats in the back. Before I filled it out, I took a bottle of the baby bag and fed baby quickly. He's a fast eater so it wasn't too laborious. But after burping him and putting him back in his carrier, I filled out the form and gave it back to the receptionist. I sat back down and monitored baby. I took little peeks at him in between to make sure he was okay.

Time passed slowly it seemed. 4:25 went to 5:21 then to 5:36. Time went on like that even though we were only there for 25 minutes. "Baby styles?" Everyone in the waiting room looked up at that name which made me more self aware. I quickly picked up the carrier and the baby bag before walking over to the nurse who was holding the door open for the patient to enter.

"Hello..Mr styles?" I nodded. "Come follow me please." We went to a room that was yellow and decorated in Curious George stickers. I set the carrier on the chair next to me before taking baby out and putting him on the exam table that was specifically for babies. The nurse took his height and weight before writing them down. I noticed her eyebrows furrowed. She wanted to comment and ask if he was a was a preemie but she left that part up for the doctor.

She took his blood pressure and typed some things down on the computer. "You said he's newborn correct?" "Yes." I held my breathe. "He was born when?" "I think 5 or 4 days ago?" She continued typing.

"Okay. He is due for his hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio shots today." "Okay." "The doctor will be in shortly." The nurse smiled and left the chart on the outside of the door. I went over to baby and tickled his tummy a little. He giggled and started smiling. "Oh you're just a special little guy aren't you?" I cooed.

The doctor came in and I took my seat again. "Hi I'm Dr. Evan" she said holding out a hand for me to shake which I did. "And hello to you too handsome!" She said cooing to baby and shaking his hand as well. "You're here with daddy today?" My eyes traveled down. I knew I was gonna have to tell her. "Uh, Baby here is...well...I found him yesterday abandoned by the back of a school and so I took him in and I just brought him here today to make sure he was fine. That's why his name's baby and why he's a little underweight for a newborn."

The doctor took it all in before giving me a smile. "That's very commendable of you Mr. Styles. You did more for him than anyone else could've." I was proud of that statement. "Thank you. I wish he was my son though." I just said that?

She giggled. "I know it's very easy to get attached." I agreed. "it is." She took out her stethoscope and listened to baby's heart. "Very good." Then she listened to his stomach. "Very good."

"Mr styles, considering your case with baby right now, would you like to take him home today or did you wanna leave him here? I have to ask because you know..." I nodded. "Take him home." Dr Evan nodded and wrote something down. "We'll have to report this to the police and call children services. It's mandatory. But if you were to be interested in fostering or adopting baby then you can provide a word to a agency worker or lawyer. I'll put in a good word if you need it." She winked. That made me hopeful.

She continued the exam and asked me all the questions I could answer like when he eats, and sleeps and if he was fussy or calm most of them time. "I'll be right back with the vaccinations. I have to say Mr styles, when I listened to baby's heart, lungs and stomach....I don't think he would've made it another day if it weren't for you." She smiled. "Thank you!" I graciously said. Tears welled up in my eyes thinking about the actions of mine that save baby's life.

I looked over to baby who was examining the room carefully. Almost with detail as he became fascinated with the curious George stickers. "Yeah, he's funny isn't he?" I cooed. The nurse came back in with 5 shots on a small light pink tray. "Okay Mr styles, could you hold baby's arms please?" I gently intertwined baby's hands with mine. "Okay here comes the first one." Said the nurse after wiping down his thighs with alcohol wipes.

In went one needle followed by a loud cry from baby. My heart broke but i knew that this was the best thing for the vulnerable newborn. "I know baby boy but we gotta do this so you can be healthy." I said sweetly. I couldn't resist pressing sweet big kisses to his chubby cheeks.

That soothed him for a while until the last injection was given. A shriek was released from baby's small toothless mouth and fought back tears. It was painful enough to hear a baby cry, but when that baby.... felt like your own, it hit differently.

After all was done, I scooped him in my arms and hugged him tight. "Shhhh it's all over now." I rubbed his back desperately trying to soothe the little guy's cries. "I'm here for you, it's okay daddy's got you."

What?

I bit my tongue. I didn't mean that, I'm not daddy. It's just Harry or Mr styles.

Maybe not daddy yet. Oh shut up you always think sporadic!

I cleared my throat before setting baby back down in the table. I grabbed the baby bag and my jacket before settling baby in his carrier and then leaving.

"Would you like to make an appointment?" The receptionist asked. "Uh, not right now but I'll call later on." She nodded but I could tell she thought it was strange, I was strange I should say.

We left the office, heading back to the same elevator we came before. We went down to the parking deck and sudden ding! Snapped me out of my thoughts. The elevator doors opened to a mother pushing her disabled son in a wheelchair. I gave a polite smile which she returned.

She didn't think of me as a stranger to the baby I was holding in the carrier. I don't know why but I didn't feel like a stranger either to baby. He didn't feel strange to me despite me only knowing him for two days. I went back to my car with a heavy heart.

"We'll have to notify the police and children services because it's mandatory."

Those words ate at me. I didn't want them coming into my apartment and taking baby away from me.

I loved him.

Yes. I did! From the moment I met him I just couldn't let him go like that. He needed me, I was brought to him and I truly saw him as a priceless gift. Not something you have to pay for to raise. It was here I made a very crucial decision with baby. I was to adopt him.

The next day, children services came by along with the police. I let them in and asked them to take a seat. I brought baby out and set him down in his playpen.

"Thank you very much for welcoming us to your home first off. It has been brought to our attention that you found baby abandoned behind a school and so you took him in and cared for him right?" I nodded. The social worker wrote something down. "You took him to the doctor yesterday for a checkup and you reported your case to Dr Evan?"

"Yes." She wrote something down again. "I'm gonna ask you a few questions is that okay?" I agreed and we started. "Are you interested in adopting baby?" "Of course." "Are you in any relation or do you know any relatives of baby?" I shook my head. "No."

"Anyone in you're house that has criminal activity?" "Nope, it's just me and I've never been to jail or prison."

The social worker wrote something down and smiled. "Well you seem like a good candidate Mr styles. We'll have to take baby now but you still have a chance to adopt him. If you want baby specifically, then you can contact Sunnyside adoption center where baby will be taken and you can call and they'll give you an application and once you complete it and send it back, they'll schedule a meeting with you. The rest of the information is online at Sunnyside adoption center.com."

"Thank you very much." My eyes went to baby who was in his playpen. "Can I say goodbye first?" The social worker nodded and I picked baby up and held him.

"Okay baby this is the end now. I never got to name you or have you for that long but....I still treasure this time I spent with you. I'll try my best to have you again but if I can't..... I'll always love you. You'll always be my baby." His turquoise eyes looked into mine, his soft head with mini bald spots rested against my hand. I kissed his face one last time before giving him away to the social worker.

She smiled along with the two police officers. "Baby is very fortunate. I don't think he would've made it without your love." "Thank you." I said sheepishly. The trio left my apartment and I closed the door after them. I sat on my couch, scanning the room as if you say what just happened?.

Baby's bottle, his crib and clothes lied around the bedroom. Almost like a tornado had came and scattered everything around. I picked up one of his bottles and just... just broke down.

I've never loved anyone as hard or as much as I did baby. All I could see was those sweet little eyes and soft little fine hair. He was a quiet baby who rarely cried unless he wanted something or something was bothering him. Tears dropped on the floor and then on my jeans leaving wet splotches.

Baby. That was all that played on my mind. But it wasn't too late. I was determined to get baby back and adopt him.....no matter how long it took.

[wonderlandleighleigh]

Lenny realizing he finally has the stable family he never had as a kid

Sundays are good.

Yes, he's tired from the gig the night before, but when he wakes up in the morning, Midge is using him as a pillow, and he can hear the TV playing softly in the living room, meaning at least one kid is awake.

He messily grabs for his watch on his bedside table and squints. Eight.

"Sweetheart," he mutters. "We have about ten minutes before the kids bust down the door."

She huffs and snuggles in closer. "That's not enough time for a quickie."

"We'll fit one in tonight after we put 'em to bed," he promises.

Midge giggles a little against his chest. "Fit one in."

He laughs. "Midge."

"Getting it out of my system before-"

"Mama!" Esther calls, swinging open the door. "Mama the milkman skipped us again. Did you call him a bad name?"

Midge lifts her head and thinks for a moment. "No. Yes. Maybe. I'll fix it."

"What did you say to the milkman?" Lenny asks, bewildered.

"Nothing a grown adult can't handle," Midge promises.

"I'm making toast!" Kitty calls from the kitchen. "Who wants toast?!"

"Me!" Lenny calls, and is joined by everyone else in the house. "I'll go help."

Midge holds him tighter. "Esther go away for a second."

"But-"

"Shoo, we'll be right out."

She does, and once she's gone, Midge leans in and kisses Lenny slowly.

It's easy to fall into it, wrap his arms around her and hold her close.

She smiles against his lips. "Mm. Morning."

"Good morning, Wife-shaped person in my bed," he teases.

She grins and they both get up and start getting ready for the day.

*****

Everyone eats toast. The kids drink juice and the adults drink coffee, and they watch a little TV together before the flurry of activity starts up again.

Ethan heads out to play baseball with some friends, and Kitty and Esther go to the park, taking snacks and jump ropes with them. Lily is too small to go without a grownup, but she does get handed off to Rose a little while later so Abe can give her a piano lesson.

They spend the afternoon doing some cleaning, and working on their acts, and Lenny winds up being the one to call the milkman, telling him Midge has a deep psychosis that causes her to say terrible things, but also, he's got to stop rubbing her long-ago divorce in her face.

It goes south from there.

"How'd it go?" Midge asks as she folds laundry in their bedroom.

Lenny flops down face first onto the bed. "I call him a twat waffle."

Midge bursts into surprised laughter. "Lenny!"

"I'm right!"

"We're never getting milk again," Midge keeps laughing. "Ethan will murder us all."

Lenny rolls over, grinning as he rubs his face. "Sorry."

"No, it's fine," Midge shakes her head. "We'll figure it out."

"Maybe we can let Ethan kill the milkman and then we'll have a new one who doesn't know you're on your second marriage."

Midge laughs again and sits down next to him, kissing him softly. "We'll figure it out."

*****

Ethan comes home and grabs a shower, and the girls get back from the park. Rose and Abe come over with Lily and stay for dinner as Midge cooks for everyone, and Lenny plays cards with the kids on the floor.

"Really, Lenny they can entertain themselves," Rose points out.

"They're the ones entertaining me," Lenny grins at her.

They all eat dinner together, and Lenny cuts up Lily's food for her, simultaneously making sure Esther doesn't pilfer anyone's wine.

It's nice.

It's really nice.

Abe and Rose don't stay too late, eager to get home and turn in so they can get up early in the morning, and eventually they manage to get the kitchen clean and the kids to bed.

"it's funny," he says quietly as they get ready for bed. "When I was a kid I always wanted this. Just...normal days spent with family. And then when I got older, I told myself I didn't want it anymore. That it was boring. That it wasn't for me."

"I hate to break it to you," Midge says, wrapping her arms around his middle. "But we're not that normal. You called the milkman a twat waffle."

"I'm still-"

She kisses him deeply before he can finish that sentence, and he drops the subject in favor of holding her close.

"So you wanted this as a kid," she says softly. "And then you told yourself you didn't want it. And now you have it. How does it feel?"

Lenny takes a breath, thinking that over. "Good. Milkman drama notwithstanding."

Midge laughs softly and tugs him towards the bed.

[whatifyoulivelikethat]

ice lolly, m | ksj

pairing(s): seokjin x reader

summary: You (accidentally?) deep throat a popsicle in front of Min Yoongi. It's not what it looks like! Well, it kinda is, but you have a good reason! You just want to give your boyfriend, Kim Seokjin, a mind-blowing blowjob and you read some stuff online and, uh... okay, that still doesn't sound like a good reason, but I swear it is.

warnings: rated M (18+) for language; established relationship; featuring seagull-BTS LOL; crack and fluff; smut (fem reader, m-receiving oral); ft Min Yoongi witnessing your, um, attempt XD; my tongue technology strikes again, maybe you'll learn something?

this is inspired by your hapless adventures, cat whiskers. you told me not to do it, but I'm a brat and I did it anyway LMAO get rekt

--

So.

You read this thing online.

What if you just...

"What are you doing?"

You started with a shriek, jamming the entire ice lolly right into the back of your throat, instantly choking and yanking it out of your mouth, only for it to be flung off the wooden stick and fly across the sidewalk, leaving a long, ice-blue streak of melting sugar syrup ending with a demolished hunk of discarded popsicle.

A seagull immediately appeared to peck at it.

You gawked, still clutching the wooden stick, Min Yoongi standing beside the bench you were sitting on.

"Why did you try to deep throat your popsicle?"

A second seagull arrived to peck at the icy hunk of sugar water.

Your mouth was still open, mechanically jerking to face him with fire-red cheeks, and it wasn’t because of the bright sunny weather. He looked very much like a disgruntled cat with his expression, black eyebrow raised, dark brown eyes narrowed, pink lips slightly pursed. Yoongi squinted disapprovingly from under his wide-brimmed straw hat. He wore a long-sleeved black shirt under a white t-shirt, breezy black trousers, and sandals.

Yoongi hated the sun.

A third seagull flapped down onto the boardwalk and joined the other two to poke at the rapidly melting mess on the ground.

"Um..."

He raised a hand dismissively, eyes flicking away from you. "On second thought, don't tell me. I don't want to know." Yoongi jammed his black clutch under his armpit and ripped open his own cold sweet treat, turning away from you to face the ocean.

A fourth seagull flocked over to peck one of them in the head and assist in devouring the ice pop.

"Hey, hyung, what flavor did you get?" a smooth baritone voice piped, appearing in an aqua-and-pink colorful shirt and brown shorts with snazzy sunglasses and tan skin.

You were staring at the four seagulls eating your ice lolly with glee, somewhat frozen yourself, feeling a mixture of jealous, mortified, and absolutely ready to chuck yourself into the ocean if Yoongi said anything to out you to Kim Taehyung right now.

"I don't know. I told them to pick one at random," the straw hat replied.

A fifth seagull appeared, slightly smaller than the rest, poking one in the neck and squawking before trying to prod at the puddle of blue syrup with a small chunk of ice in it.

"I got strawberry," Taehyung replied.

Two more seagulls swooped down, pushing the other five all around. All of them were now pecking at the ice-blue sugar syrup, honking and squawking. Like laughter. One of the seagulls had a weird cry, like a cloth rubbed onto wet glass.

Or a windshield wiper on a car window.

"Disgusting."

You narrowed your eyes at the seven seagulls.

We they... laughing at you?

"Strawberry-flavored things are the worst."

You jumped as someone sat down next to you, ripping open a paper package. He was wearing a short-sleeved pale pink dress shirt with a flashy tie and long blue shorts. A familiar someone dressed like this. He placed his backpack down next to you, smiling brilliantly. Full lips, sparkling brown eyes, milk chocolate-colored locks framing his handsome face.

Your boyfriend, Kim Seokjin.

"S-Seokjin!"

He grinned and leaned in, kissing you lightly. Then he became flustered and laughed awkwardly, a little squeaky, almost like a windshield wiper on a car window.

"Hah, sorry, you looked really cute just now."

You blinked rapidly.

Do you tell your boyfriend that you tried to deep throat your ice lolly in attempt to see if you could extend your tongue around the bottom because you read on a certain-website-not-to-be-named that it might be possible to suck dick and lick balls at the same time and you were determined to learn so you could perform said act?

And do you tell Seokjin that Min Yoongi caught you in the middle of it?

Er…

Seokjin cheerfully licked at his lemon ice pop, oblivious to your inner struggle.

"Where's yours? I thought you got one too?"

The seven seagulls cackled. You glared at them, ready to fight.

"Hyung."

Never mind, you paled to the color of rice paper as the deep voice with a little rasp to it appeared beside Seokjin, straw hat and all. You wished you could merge with your pastel floral summer dress and float off with the sea breeze, straight into the ocean after seeing the deadpan expression of Min Yoongi holding a mint green popsicle.

He looked bored, but his eyes were mocking you.

Asshole.

"She dropped it by accident."

"Ah, really?" Seokjin frowned, nudging you with his hand. "Here, have some of mine. I'll share with you." He wrapped his arm around you and patted your shoulder fondly, holding his ice lolly out to you. You felt your heart skip a little at his kindness and closeness.

Yoongi smirked behind Seokjin's head.

You narrowed your eyes at him.

The seven seagulls flapped off, flying above five guys standing near you three, eating icy sweet treats together on the boardwalk this sunny day, enjoying this nice retreat to the sea. A lone seagull popped out from behind a trashcan, trotting over, eyeing the wet spot of sugar syrup soaked into asphalt.

It slunk away in a back corner, dejected that there was nothing left.

"Come on, hurry before it melts."

You nibbled off a chunk. Mmm. Cold, lemony, and delicious. You smiled at Seokjin gratefully and he smiled back, warm and inviting, his cheeks puffing a little like the edges of raised bread. A little sheepish at the public display of affection, but unable to help it when he was with you.

"You might as well stick the whole thing in your mouth," Yoongi said off-handedly, walking away to the group of five guys, leaving you choking on the bench again as Seokjin rubbed your back soothingly, worriedly asking you what was wrong.

-

"YOU TRIED TO DEEP THROAT A POPSICLE?"

"Seokjinnie–"

"IN FRONT OF YOONGI?"

"Erm, it's not what it sounds like–"

"YOONGI???????"

“I swear it’s not what It sounds like!”

Seokjin yanked the towel off his head, half-dried brown hair sticking up every which way, gawping at you with a slack jaw and shocked brown eyes. He was wearing his emerald green silk pajamas, fresh after a nice shower from the hot day. You too, wore a set of pajamas, a matching outfit with Seokjin.

“It’s not what it sounds like?” he sputtered, flabbergasted, partly flabbered but mostly aghast.

You opened your mouth and closed it. Then you opened it again.

“Okay, it is what it sounds like, but–!”

Why did you bring this up now? Well, your boyfriend was asking you if you wanted to take some medicine and sleep early because you said you weren’t feeling well at dinner. He was a sweet bean and wanted the best for you, and the truth came out in mid-discussion. Seokjin and you had left earlier than everyone else, declining the scenic walk home, mostly because you could no longer stand Yoongi making snide remarks that meant nothing to anyone else except you.

“You might need a bit more force to suck up that thick milkshake. Or wait for it to melt.”

“That’s a pretty big piece of steak. Maybe you should cut it a bit smaller, so you don’t choke.”

“You sure you don’t want to stay for dessert? We could stop by the store and get you an ice lolly on our way home.”

You glared at him all evening.

Yoongi just smirked when Seokjin wasn’t looking.

Asshole.

“Why would you do that in public?” Seokjin was saying, yanking you back to reality and out of your daydreams of socking that smug little shit in the face. “Why would you do that at all?”

“G-Gah, it… it just… just occurred to me…”

“It occurred to you to suck an ice lolly like a dick?”

Seokjin looked as if he was going to pass out and divorce you at the same time and you weren’t even married yet.

“Why, because you’re going to suck frozen dick at some point in your life? Because my dick isn’t ever at subzero temperatures, so unless you’re sucking Mr. Freeze or Subzero’s dick–”

You waved your arms in a panicky manner, flapping your sleeves like a fucking seagull. “No, no, no, I read something online–”

“Oh, you read something online!” he exclaimed, wiggling in place, and now it sure as hell sounded like Kim Seokjin was mocking you while also being disappointed in you and if that wasn’t the most big dad energy you weren’t sure what was. “Yes, because that totally means you should perform fellatio on an ice pop in front of Yoongi of all fucking people! Are you trying to get bronchitis or something–”

“I admit it was a mistake!”

“A miss-take! It was a terrible take! Cut! Refilm! Actually, no, because maybe don’t try to give a blowjob to a fucking popsicle at the boardwalk in broad daylight!”

You smacked Seokjin in the chest and he looked highly offended, finally shutting up for one goddamn second so you could (poorly) explain your logic behind the incident.

“Look, Yoongi was not supposed to be there. At all. I got mine first and you all were deciding and arguing, so I decided to sit down and eat it, but then I noticed it was a specific length–”

Seokjin’s eyebrows rose so high they nearly left his face.

You prodded him in the pecs and he winced, pouting at you.

“So, I tried to put it in my mouth, but then Yoongi showed up and fucking spooked me and I jabbed myself in the throat because I was surprised and ended up rocket-launching my ice lolly across the sidewalk and then these fucking seagulls showed up, those bastards–”

“None of this explains why you tried to do it in the first place.”

“Uh…”

Your eyes shifted awkwardly.

Seokjin impatiently tapped his naked wrist that had no watch on it.

“I read it… in an online smut story I was reading…”

You perfectly handsome boyfriend might actually get a wrinkle if he continued to raise his eyebrows to the fucking moon. “You do what?”

You poked your index fingers together, biting your lip. “Because… I’m not very good at it… so I was thinking maybe I could learn some tips or something…”

“What?”

Now his voice was soft, immediately dropping the act and his anger. You saw him reach out and place his hand over yours, wrapping his fingers around tightly, tugging. You looked up and he tilted his head, brow knitted in worry.

“Hey,” Seokjin frowned, full lower lip sticking out. “What do you mean, you’re not good at it? You are. I like everything you do.”

You chewed on your lip anxiously. “But… but…” It was a stupid thought and, honestly, not that big of a deal, but it had been eating away at you for a while, so you just winced and let it out.

“You never finish with my mouth.”

Rapid blinking was his response. His eyebrows disappeared under his brown hair again.

“And it bothers me. You always finish with your hand into my mouth, but I can’t seem to do it by myself.”

Seokjin’s lips parted, looking apologetic. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

You wrung your hands, loosening his grip on you. “I don’t know, it seems weird to say in the moment and it’s embarrassing… I thought maybe I wasn’t good enough…”

“No, no,” he said gently, holding your shoulders and shaking his head. “I...” His ears turned bright red and he swallowed. “I just like… seeing it shoot out into your mouth.” He coughed awkwardly, squeezing your shoulders. “It’s, er, nice, watching my cum drip onto your tongue and lips…” Seokjin cleared his throat and smiled, cheeks puffing out, looking a bit like the sides of freshly baked bread. “I didn’t realize my selfishness was making you feel inadequate. That’s not it at all. I only wanted to make it easier on you, and, cough, it’s kind of hot…”

“O… oh.”

He patted your shoulder fondly. “It’s only a misunderstanding. We can do whatever you want next time, okay? I’m sorry I made you feel that way. I will do better.”

You nodded and smiled, feeling much more relieved about the whole thing. Seokjin always had the ability to help you let things go, and it always made you feel a little lighter. It was part of the past now and you wouldn’t be bothered if Yoongi teased you any longer, because you had the best boyfriend in the whole world. There was no need to feel embarrassed.

You wrapped your arms around Seokjin and gave him a big, fierce hug.

Only to be impaled in the lower stomach.

“Ow!”

“Ack!”

You jerked back, whipping your head down.

“No, no, no, stop! Stop looking!”

“Why are you hard?!”

Seokjin waved his arms and abruptly flapped his hands down on his massive tent. “We were talking about blowjobs! And you! What do you think is going to happen?” he spluttered, the red creeping from his ears to his cheeks now, matching the exact shades used on merchandise during Christmas time with emerald green pajamas and a red face.

You gawked at him and he gawked back.

Wait.

“This is a perfect chance!”

“No, no, no, it is not, cease and desist, woman! Everyone is coming back soo–Gah!”

There was flurry of movement and Seokjin’s pajama pants were flung off, along with his shirt, and you were pushing him down onto the bed, him panicking the entire time, but he couldn’t have been that mad about it, because he was helping you by backing up, yelping as you hooked your fingers over the waistband of his underwear and yanked down, freeing his erection that nearly slapped you in the face.

“You trying to take out my eyeball?” you teased, grinning.

“You assaulting me and you’re upset that I’m fighting back?” Seokjin retorted, trying to hide his smile and be serious, but he was terrible at that and so were you, both of you grinning like a pair of idiots.

Well, you were certainly a little bit of an idiot for trying to deep throat a – you’re right, we’ll let it go (for now).

“I learned some things,” you said excitedly, forcing his legs open abruptly and making him squeak.

“Things? Ack!”

You leaned down and lifted his hard length up delicately, licking a fat stripe from base to tip, sighing softly as you came into contact with the velvety skin and his clean scent, Seokjin gasping above you, but suddenly this was not about him, this was about the cock in front of you and all the information you had complied to this point, ready to apply your learning. You wrapped your lips around the head, swiping your tongue on the underside, and Seokjin groaned, hips twitching but you grabbed them and pressed them firmly to the bed, shooting him a glare.

“Don’t interrupt me,” you growled around his dick.

He gave you a helpless frown. “Hello, I’m still attached to this di–”

You stared at him and slid your tongue out from your lips, swirling it around his girth, pressing the sensitive tip around the contours of your mouth, his eyes widening as he witnessed spit dripping from the wet muscle.

“O… oh…”

You let your eyes drift over his form, slowly, slowly, savoring the lines of his body, broad shoulders, shapely collarbones, the curve downwards to his trim waist, all the while taking him your mouth, tongue and lips soft and mouth tight, breathing deeply, eyes flickering up to his face and his expanding pupils, watching you with awe.

“Holy shit… and you’re not even naked… o-oh, fuck…”

You cocked an eyebrow, probably looking much more confident than you actually felt, but that didn’t matter. Fake it till you make it, right? And besides, every protagonist in every story has a moment of letting go and having courage and this was your moment, inorganic or not, flexing your tongue against Seokjin’s ever stiffening length, his breathing turning into wispy moans, watching you poised over him with his dick in your mouth, still wearing the silk pajamas and yet.

He watched you with amazement, love and lust in his brown orbs.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Your ears burned hot and you tried not to choke on his dick in embarrassment.

Don’t ruin the moment!

Somehow you managed not to freak out and pressed your lips to the base of his cock, hitting his crotch, the uncomfortable feeling of too full expanding your throat, the head practically plugging your airway, but one glance at Seokjin and the suffocation was worth it, seeing him tip his head back, messy brown hair sliding past his forehead, groaning your name with his eyes closed.

You pulled back a little, took a breath, and went back down for the kill.

“What the fuck…?”

Lower lip opening, tongue stretching out, only able to move the tip a bit at the top of his balls. Hm. This wasn’t working. You adjusted and cupped a hand under them, lifting the two soft mounds and pressing them to your chin, your tongue swiping out over them, his dick bending a little in your mouth (more flexible and a lot warmer than an ice lolly, by the way), and Seokjin was losing it above you, shuddering and whining, a mix of curses and your name as you turned your head to get a different angle, the tip of his cock pushed to one side of your throat, determined to see what was most comfortable and got you the best reaction, saliva coating his balls and causing them to become more slippery. You furrowed your brows and gripped his balls tighter, smearing the slick liquid over the soft skin and Seokjin moaned obscenely loudly, falling onto the bed, back arching.

“Oooh, fuck, fuck, fuck…”

Abruptly, your throat spasmed, reminding you that needed to breathe, and you pulled back, coughing and panting slightly.

“Does that feel good?” you wheezed. Not the sexiest. You grimaced and cleared your throat, asking again. “Did that feel good for you?”

Seokjin tipped his head up, brown eyes glazed over, breathing hard. “Ah… It feels nice, but I don’t think I could finish with that…” Your frown deepened, but he shook his head, sending his brown hair floating everywhere. “It’s not tight enough. But it’s an insane turn on, so I think I could cum faster after…” He coughed, cheeks flushing. “After feeling and seeing it, you know?”

Your frown erased and you nodded, gently rubbing his soaked balls, seeing him shiver and his breathing shallow. “I think I understand, yeah.”

“Can… ah, can you finish me, p-please, ack, you k-keep – fuuuuuuuck…”

You went down again, but this time your focus was on the tightness of your mouth, tongue sliding from side to side, bobbing your head in a smooth, swift motion, keeping your lips soft, eyes closing as you felt his cock twitch inside your mouth, completely focused on the sensation of Seokjin in between your lips, breathing him in, the soft scent of fresh soap and his sweetness, trying to remember if there was anything you had forgotten.

Ah, yes!

You tipped your head back slightly and Seokjin cried out, heady and erotic, as the head of his cock dragged along the roof of your mouth before burying into your throat, over and over, hot saliva and a squirming tongue amplifying the sensation, realizing you needed to relax your throat but clench your mouth muscles while relaxing your lips and doing all this while keeping track of where his cock was going in your mouth so you didn’t accidentally choke on his dick.

A whole new level of multitasking.

Was the writer of that erotica you were reading some kind of sex god, because what the fuck–

But it didn’t matter, because even if it was sloppy and you couldn’t focus on all these things simultaneously, Seokjin was feeling only pleasure, fingers curling in the sheets, barely able to choke out his words through his moans.

“F-Faster, please…”

Faster? You could barely keep up as it was!

“Please…” he whined and you obeyed immediately, faster it was, because you were weak for him, weak for Kim Seokjin and his pleading face, pupils so blown out he seemed intoxicated, drunk on pleasure, and that made you aroused too, seeing your effect of him, tightening ever more and increasing the pace, the wet smacking sounds quickening, echoing in the bedroom with his lustful groans of your name, so sweet and loving that if you weren’t going to pass out from how fast you were going, you were surely going to pass out from the overwhelming adoration in his eyes. It made you push for a little bit more, push your limits a little harder, made you feel like you could do this.

For him.

“Oh, fuck, I’m gonna cum, fuck!”

Seokjin gripped the sheets tight and threw his head back, chest expanding with a low moan, thrusting his hips up and cock jolting, shooting thick streams into your throat, and your eyes widened, forced to stop, feeling his cum pool, creamy and viscous, tasting the delicious saltiness at the base of your tongue, your eyelids fluttering a little at the feeling of the tip rutting against the roof of your mouth and more dribbling out, coating the inside of your mouth.

Oh.

Oooh, fuck, it felt good.

You swallowed, feeling victorious and insanely horny, tongue circling round and round his flinching stiffness, able to sense the pulse and his shudders, descending again because you couldn’t get enough, so good, the feeling of him still in your mouth, him shivering at your persistent licks and light sucks, stroking his hips and moaning at the skin to skin.

The front door banged open downstairs and there was a lot of laughing and shouting.

Your eyes snapped open and Seokjin looked back at you in sheer panic.

The footsteps up the stairs proved they were being taken two at a time.

“Shit.”

Never had Seokjin yanked his cock so fast out of your lips (sad) and snatched his underwear and pajamas, bolting to the bathroom and throwing himself in there in record time the literal second the bedroom door was yanked open by rambunctious strength and a grin whose front teeth were ever-so-slightly too large for his face.

“Hyung, noona!”

You were laying with your head in your hand and your elbow on the bed, which was probably too sexual and weird for Jeon Jungkook, but that was all you got that this moment. He gave you a slightly disturbed and confused look under his big black bucket hat.

“Where’s hyung?”

You coughed and lowered your hand, trying to get in a less awkward position. “B-bathroom…” you rasped. Oh no. Did you go too hard? You sounded a bit like the crypt keeper. Fortunately, you didn’t look like one, so there was that. You rubbed your throat, wincing at the soreness. You definitely went a bit rough. You weren’t no young spring chicken anymore. You were going to feel that in the morning.

Sacrifices had to be made.

Jungkook pouted, bounding up to you and tilting his head. He was a moving black fabric mountain with his long-sleeved shirt and billowy shorts. “Are you really sick, noona? Do you want hot tea or some milk?”

Oh my God, Jungkook, I just sucked some dick and that’s why I sound dead.

Don’t say that.

“I… I’ll be fine, Jungkook. Did you have a nice walk?”

“Oh, yeah! There were fireworks! I think the city was celebrating something, and it was so colorful and pretty…”

You sat there and nodded, trying to listen intently while trying not to think about how Seokjin was in the bathroom rinsing off his saliva and cum-covered dick literal meters from you and oblivious Jungkook.

You saw movement behind Jungkook’s excitedly bouncing head. No straw hat, just black hair flattened against his forehead, covering his cat-like, dark brown eyes.

Yoongi.

He smirked, holding up a box.

Frozen ice lollys, the fizzy soda flavor that was light blue.

A muscle in your eye twitched.

Asshole.

--

masterpost

[midnightswithdearkatytspb]

VelvetCardiganBucky’s Recommendations 2021: Week 12 & 13 | March 14th – March 27th

Welcome to weeks 12 & 13 of my recommendations, if you would like to be featured on a future list, I follow the hashtag #VelvetCardiganBucky, message me, tag me in your future works, or reblog this post and link to your story, one-shot, Masterlist, writing challenge, etc.

Be aware some if not most stories and writers on this list are meant to be consumed by an audience of those 18+. My blog is also an 18+ blog.

✨Page breaks are made @firefly-graphics✨

«Last Week

Week 14»

My Masterlist

My Fic Rec List of Mafia/Mob Bucky/Sebastian & Steve/Chris/Andy

Stuff I Posted This Week:

Steve + Bey = 4Ever » Steve Rogers and Bey carved places in each other’s hearts, that no one else could ever replace.

I Hear A Symphony » Bucky Barnes x Mutant!Reader — Reader plays an important song to her for Bucky.

—Formerly The Winter Soldier » “I’m no longer the winter soldier, my name is James Bucky Barnes & you're part of my effort to make amends.”

Lee Bodecker

(Mini) Series:

*Give In by @not-a-great-writer » soft!dark!Lee Bodecker x shy!Reader — She didn’t think she was anything special. So when the intimidating Sheriff takes an interest in her, she can’t help but feel a little unsettled. Her boring life is about to get a little interesting. | This story has to be one of my all time series I’ve ever read, and I know I will weep when it’s over. The chapters are decently sized, you have angst, fluff and smut. I couldn’t ask for more, it’s simply a masterpiece.

Deadbeat Pt. 9 by @the-witty-pen-name » Lee Bodecker x F!Reader — You work at the bar at the edge of town, the Sheriff is going through a divorce and needs to rent a room. | Cole thank you for feeding my current Lee Bodecker obsession after I watched The Devil All The Time, for the time. This story is good and I love soft!Lee, and one where no one dies. At least I hope no one dies...

SamBucky

One-Shots:

Loving You Is Cherry Pie by @river-soul » Sam Wilson x Reader x Bucky Barnes — When Sam Wilson, one of your regulars at the cafe finally asks you out, you’re ecstatic until he tells you he wants his friend to join. When you meet Bucky, you decide it might be worth your while after all. [Allusions to stalking, exhibitionism and explicit sex, 18+] | There is just not enough SamBuck stories out there and we have @river-soul to thank for feeding our love for the boys and giving us some good smut, especially to tide us over till Friday.

Nothing Good Happens After 2 AM by @callmeluna » Sam Wilson x Reader x Bucky Barnes — You are admittedly a handful when you’ve had a few drinks in you. Luckily, your partners Sam and Bucky are more than up for the challenge… maybe. | If you are looking for something to make you laugh, might I suggest reading this? The whole time as I read this I couldn’t get the huge smile off my face, it was that good.

Bucky Barnes

Drabbles:

Matching by @heli0s-writes » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Reader and Bucky are “matchy matchy,” with their belly button rings. | This is adorable as well as very funny.

One-Shots:

Smooth Criminal by @bestofbucky » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Based on a dream @velvetcardiganbucky had. You’re parents told you to never give rides to strangers, but when you notice Bucky Barnes trying to break into your car, you know some strangers aren’t so bad. | Jenny did my dream justice! I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Don’t Over Do It by @whisperlullaby » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your boyfriend is an asshole. Bucky reminds you that you are perfect the way you are. | I can’t describe this anyway other than perfect, that I wish I had a Bucky like this there for me. Trust me you’ll love the ending.

Coming Home to You by @angrythingstarlight » Biker!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your Biker boyfriend is finally home and he’s going to show you how much he missed you. With every inch he has. And you’re going to remember how much he loves you. | It’s not very often you read something that has an alternate ending and when you do you find yourself loving both endings. Both endings are hot, the smut is great, again who couldn’t love Biker!Bucky?

Won’t Let You Go by @kind-of-crazy-butthatsokay » Mob!Bucky Barnes x OFC!Kori — Kori met Bucky in one of his clubs, out to get shit-faced with a couple of friends to forget about her worries and maybe take home a guy to further rid herself of her numerous frustrations. Little did she know that the one-night stand with Bucky would turn into so much more than that. | Thank you so much for entering my writing challenge, it means so much. This one-shot is so good, it hit me right the feels and left me falling in love with Kori and Bucky.

Show Me How To Ride by @angrythingstarlight » Beefy Biker!Bucky Barnes x Reader — You’ve been keeping a secret from your biker boyfriend. He is going to get the information out of you one way or the other. | It’s hot and it makes you realize just how much you realize just how much you love Biker!Bucky.

Bubble Baths by @floatingpetals » Bucky Barnes x Reader (Modern AU) — Even your boyfriend Bucky, needs to wind down at the end of a stressful with a bubble bath, but he doesn’t want to do it alone. | Okay, so my summary of this sucks but let me just say this is fluffy and smutty all at once. I wish I had Bucky to take a bubbly bath with.

Bad Boy!Bucky Barnes x Shy!Reader by @gagmebucky — in which there’s nowhere to sit and bucky offers his lap—then, subsequently, his cock. (bad boy!bucky x shy!reader, dirty talk, exhibitionism and voyeurism, cockwarming, unprotected sex.) | *chugs water* yeah is it a little hot in here? I probably would have failed class if Bucky had been in my class along with Steve, I wouldn’t have known who to stare at, forget learning the material.

**Greater Good by @fuel-joy » Bucky Barnes x Reader — There is a cure for the zombie outbreak but is it worth the cost. | Grab your tissues, because you are going to need them. Thanks darling for entering my writing challenge and making me feel so many feels with this one.

(Mini) Series:

A Tender Heart ♥️ Pt. 2 by @river-soul » Alpha!Bucky Barnes x Omega!Reader — You’ve been sweet on Bucky since you started working at the compound six months ago. Normally quiet and mild mannered, an unexpired fight with a coworker brings Bucky into your orbit. [A/B/O dynamics, brief mention of bullying and fluff] | If anyone can pull at your heartstrings it’s @river-soul making the beginning of this series look so promising and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Run To You 🪙 Pt. 10 🪙 Pt. 11 🪙 Pt. 12 by @bestofbucky » Mob!Bucky Barnes x Bodyguard!Reader — Mob boss Bucky Barnes hires you to be his bodyguard. | Jenny left me at the edge of my seat, making this such an amazing story, I always look forward to her updates, and so sad that there is only 1 chapter left.

Better than Working sequel to This by @angrythingstarlight » Beefy Biker!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Beefy Biker Bucky shows you all the benefits of working from home. In fact what he has for you is so much better than work. | Sometimes you just need to read something hot to lift your spirits, let this do that.

Stucky

One-Shots:

*Tell Me What You Want by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Steve Rogers x Reader; Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your mob boyfriend, is none other than Steve Rogers and he is willing to get you whatever you wanted, all you have to do is ask. And be careful what you ask for because he’s going to give it to you over and over again. | This is so hot that I highly recommend not reading this anywhere out in public. The smut in this is just *chefs kiss*

(Mini) Series:

Miracle Pt. 2 🥀 Pt. 1 by @heavenhatesme » Soft!Dark!Bucky Barnes x Reader; Soft!Dark!Steve Rogers x Reader — When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and there hasn’t been a baby for almost 18 years, what happens when two certain super soldiers fall for the same woman and accidentally impregnate her? | It’s not tagged as dark, sorry to the writer I tagged it that please forgive me? But I just want to tell everyone heed the tags. I do look forward to reading what happens next. The smut in this is great!

Invisible Ink by @navybrat817 » Bucky Barnes x Reader, Steve Rogers x Reader; Bucky Barnes x Reader x Steve Rogers — The owners of the Howling Commandos Tattoo Parlor want to make you their best girl. | I love the idea of tattoo’d Bucky and Steve, but that's because I have a weakness for tattoo’s. So this series is just right up my alley, and the start of it is so good that I know it’s good to be a great one!

Steve Rogers

Drabbles:

Chocolate Milk & Dino Nuggets by @nony-bear » Steve Rogers x Reader — Daddy Steve helps make his little girl feel better after a long week. DDLG THEMES | Had me wishing I had a Steve to make me Dino nuggets after a long day at work. It’s precious folks.

Prompt 4K Drabble Challenge by @sweeterthanthis » Steve Rogers x Reader — “Show me how deep you can take it.” | You’re going to need an ice cold bath after this one.

One-Shots:

A Cruel Tide by @writerwrites » Nomad!Steve Rogers x Reader — A lost hero thinks she needs saving, but this divorcée’s needs were different, fleeting, and then full of attachment. Can they overcome the burdens on their shoulders and keep their word? | Sometimes you want to wrap the reader and Steve in a blanket and protect them while enjoying the smut. This gave me that and more.

Untitled Request by @navybrat817 » Steve Rogers x Reader — Sending Steve a naughty photo while he’s in a meeting leads to punishment that will remind you to never do it again, right? | Hi, I’m just going to drench myself in ice cold water. ✌🏻

(Mini) Series:

*Control Pt. 3 🔐 Pt. 1 🔐 Pt. 2 by @river-soul » dark!Steve Rogers x Reader — When a probationary agent asks you out on a date you learn Steve’s intentions for you have evolved. He doesn’t take kindly to someone touching what’s his. [Noncon, physical violence (biting), grooming behavior and explicit sex, 18+] | Definitely one of my favorite series to read on Tumblr so far, you know it’s dark, and the smut is great. I always look forward to the updates on this one.

*Lipstick and Crayons 🖍 Ch. 4 by @oneoftheprettynerds » Dark Mob!Steve Rogers x Reader — Steve can’t ever repay you for what you did. After meeting you, Steve believes his broken family is the missing piece in the puzzle of your own wrecked one. Indebting the crime lord to you has been the biggest mistake of your life, cause now you can’t get rid of him, no matter what. Loyalty and favours go a long way in the mob. | This story always gets my heart a racing and leaves you with questions as to what is going to happen next. I truly love it and Soft!Dad while being Angry!Mob boss Steve all at the same time, this story just has it all for me.

This Is My Unbecoming by @river-soul » Werewolf!Steve Rogers x Witch!Reader — When the Hydra pack graduates from turning humans to swell their ranks to kidnapping and murdering witches to consolidate power, Steve knows he needs to strike. He makes a deal with a powerful coven leader for a witch of his own in exchange for destroying the rogue pack. [Magical realism, biting, blood, slightly dubious consent and explicit sex, 18+] | Okay this is so good and I would like to thank the teenage mind of @river-soul for creating this! Like seriously thank you. I look forward to reading more!

It’s been a long, long time ☕️ Ch.1 by @mostly-marvel-musings » Steve Rogers x Reader — Steve Rogers – a man who has lost too much finds himself blending into the crowd in attempts to forget his past but revisits familiar places and spends days sketching his heart out. A rainy evening leads him to find shelter in your coffee shop. Is having meaningful conversations over endless cups of coffee with a stranger the key to unlocking a heart that’s lost the will to love? | The prologue tore my heart out, it truly did but the first chapter just puts the pieces back together. I really love this and I’m honestly looking forward to reading what happens next. I can’t thank you enough for entering my writing challenge!

*Not A Team Part: 1 by @shedobewritingalittle » Steve Rogers x Reader — The Reader tries to live a normal life, but her memories won’t leave her alone. Rhodey comes to visit the reader with a proposition. | There aren't a lot of stories out there that have walk on parts with Rhodey in it and I didn’t know how much I missed out on having him in stories till I read this. This was just so well written and the characterization of Rhodey was perfect, how Peyton got the emotions written across, it’s perfect. Read this and have some tissues on hand. I will always love it.

Andy Barber

One-Shots:

Closing Arguments by @river-soul » Andy Barber x Reader — Andy and you are going out for the first time since your daughter’s birth. Anxious about leaving her behind Andy does his best to make you feel better. [Fluff with explicit sex (f recieving), 18+] | So fluffy and sweet!

Keep the Heat by @ozarkthedog » Andy Barber x Reader — Andy fucks you in the coat. | Semi-Short and the smut is oh so good.

(Mini) Series:

Homebound 🏡 Ch. 1 by @fuel-joy » Dark!Andy Barber x Reader — You witness your neighbor kill his wife. You try to gather evidence all from the comfort of your home. | Prepare to be at the edge of your seat with this one, it’s just that good.

One Night by @darkficsyouneveraskedfor » Dark!Andy Barber x Reader — One night changes your entire life. | This is dark and exciting, with tons of angst in it. I love a real good dark!Andy fic and this is it.

Chris Evans

One-Shots:

Mirrors by @cherrychris » Chris Evans x Reader — “wanna know what i see? me owning you and this sweet little pussy” | Sometimes you read things that just blow your mind and this was one of those things.

*Work Party by @harrylovex » Chris Evans x Reader — you get drunk at a work party and chris looks after you… | This is really adorable and probably one of my favorite fluffy Chris Evans one-shots I’ve ever read.

Misc.

One-Shots:

An Act of Kindness by @stargazingfangirl18 » Jake Jensen x Female!Reader — A simple act of kindness seals your fate. | I would like to simply start of by saying that this was my first Jake Jensen fanfiction in years, or maybe my first one, and all I could was where have I been hiding from him? So good and glad I read this and so will you!

*Come Back Safe by @celestialbarnes » Sam Wilson x Reader — based on tfatws, you find out sam’s leaving for a mission, afraid to lose the man you love, you confront him, and he promises you to come back. | So fluffy you’ll want to cuddle it under a blanket fort and wish under a thousand starry night skies for it to come true.

(Mini) Series:

Fiery Friends Pt. 3 🔥 Pt. 4 by @wanderinglunarnights » Johnny Storm x OFC!Sophia Jones — Johnny invites his best friend Sophia to stay with him in his penthouse during quarantine. | I really like this story, because I find myself mentally rooting for Sophia and Johnny, also going you go girl. Looking forward to what is next for this duo.

Ensnared Pt. 2 🔗 Pt. 1 by @stargazingfangirl18 » Ransom Drysdale x Female!Reader; minor Robert Pronge (Mr. Freezy) x Reader — Robert preps you for the handoff to the smooth talking stranger who bought you, but before he lets you go, he wants to have a little fun first. | So good and hot. Honestly I look forward to hopefully finding out what happens between the reader and Ransom.

Made With Love by @ayybtch » Wanda Maximoff x f!Reader + Friends to Lovers — Wanda is an excellent cook but a terrible baker. A rough day leads her to the bakery in the Avengers compound where she meets you, the lead baker. After a dismal attempt at making chocolate chip cookies, you volunteer to help Wanda learn how to bake. Your friendship grows stronger with each successful recipe until the two of you stumble into something even sweeter than baked goods. | This story will constantly have you smiling, sure it’s only 3 chapters so far, but I started off reading it in a bad mood but by the 3rd chapter I was just so sappy and happy. I can’t wait for more!

Without Me by CuttingMyFingersOff » Legolas x OFC!Braigeth — Braigeth was an elf who has nothing but memories of Legolas to help her survive being imprisoned in the walls of Orthanc. That is, until she is able to escape and reunite with him. | I’ve been invested in this since my friend came forward to me with the idea for this story and now that it’s being written, I couldn’t be more excited to read it. I need more Lord of the Rings in my life if I’m being honest.

Forever and Ever More by @syntheticavenger » Dark Alpha!Ransom Drysdale x Omega!Reader — Ransom Drysdale may be Boston’s most eligible Alpha but he has his eyes set on you. With his inheritance hanging in the balance, he won’t take no for an answer, whether you like him or not. | Prepared to go on a Hawaiian EMOTIONAL roller coaster with this story, there are so many times in this story you find yourself picking your jaw up off the floor. I’ve linked you to chapter 9, which has all the previous chapters, listed.

Is A Shout Out To My...

@bluemusickid in celebration of 700 followers is hosting a Holi Celebration Writing Challenge, that is due April 30th, but extension can be given. Any Marvel or MCU characters can be used in addition to Chris Evans and his characters. The theme is Holi and its colors, for better explanation visit the link provided.

@whisperlullaby in celebration of 700 followers is hosting a 700 Followers Challenge, your entries will be due May 5th. The theme is kinks, no RPF, DDLG/MMLG, bathroom related , incest, or under age kinks. This is MCU characters, Sebastian Stan, and Chris Evans characters x OFC or Reader. For more information visit the link provided. Congrats Becca on the 700 followers you deserve it hun!

@stargazingfangirl18 in celebration of 5K followers is hosting a Soft Dark Writing Challenge, which is due May 31st. Don’t let the name fool you, your writing can be soft, dark, or soft!dark, or headcanons about any Chris character. 500 word minimum with no max, but new or be read as a stand alone piece. For more information visit the link provided and be sure to congratulate Siri on her 5K milestone!

@cloudystevie in celebration of 4K followers is hosting a Mob!AU Writing Challenge, that is due on May 30th. You can use Chris Evans and any of his characters he’s played before, as well as make it NSFW or SFW. To learn more about it please visit the link below. Also congratulations Jasmeen on the 4K followers! 💗

[latte-fairytaekwoon]

𝐷𝑖𝑙𝑓!𝐴𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑧: 𝐷𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑦 (𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑)

Warnings: NSFW content including marking, lactation kink, pregnancy sex. Older Ateez but age differences is still within legal boundaries. Allusions to infidelity (which I do not condone nor encourage)

❥𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝓗𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓳𝓸𝓸𝓷𝓰

"Y/N. Come on. You gotta focus."

In a futile attempt to try to get his favorite student to get divert her attention back to the screen in front of her, instead he was met by her arms which suddenly wrapped around him.

"Baby, this assignment is due in two days and you haven't even gotten one paragraph down."

Frowning and in need of affection, Y/N didn't budge and instead attempted to pull Hongjoong on top of her.

"I want you to cuddle me!" She demanded.

Hongjoong quickly caught himself before he toppled over her and accidentally put all his weight on the bump that was growing in her.

"And I'll cuddle you all you want.... but can you at least finish part of this?"

Realizing she wasn't going to give up anytime soon, Hongjoong reluctantly gave in and finally settled her on his lap, one arm wrapped around her shoulders while the other caressed the top of her swollen belly.

Not thinking too much about the tiny kisses she was placing along the side of his neck, Hongjoong tilted his head back to rest on the couch and closed his eyes, his body succumbing to the exhaustion of having to teach back at the school in the morning and coming back to help out his pregnant girlfriend. Taking advantage of his unguarded state, Y/N smirked before she latched her mouth onto a certain spot on his neck, sinking her teeth down and sucking on it harshly. Once Hongjoong realized what was happening, his eyes shot up and he carefully tried to pry Y/N off him, proving it to be more difficult since he couldn't use force in fear of hurting her.

"What the fuck Y/N?!" Hongjoong exclaimed when he came back from the bathroom, hand touching the very obvious mark left on his neck.

"I'm sorry. Couldn't help myself." She feigned an innocent smile.

"How am I supposed to go back to the school tomorrow with this on display for everyone to see? How will I even explain it?" He could already imagine the other teachers and students staring at it, the first group no doubt would be nosey and ask about it.

With a cocky grin, Y/N opened her laptop up again.

"Maybe now some of those hags will back off after they realize you're taken."

❥𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓢𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝔀𝓪

Coming back after a long day at the courthouse dealing with all the divorce shit, Seonghwa felt like he needed to release some stress or he'd go insane. Coming into the kitchen, he found you quietly standing over the stove, no doubt making food for both of you to eat. You giggled when you felt his hands embrace your large belly, you weren't that far along, but holy hell, carrying twins was something else.

"Have I ever told you you're so beautiful?" He whispered in your ear, teeth grazing against the shell of it. Of course your body was more reactive and sensitive to any touch because your hormones were all over the place. Seonghwa knew that as well and he loved playing with that fact.

Pulling you away from the kitchen, he guided you over to the couch and sat you down. You didn't even question him as he pushed your dress up and slid your panties down, you knew what he was aiming for. You simply inhaled deeply when his mouth began kissing along your inner thighs.

"I hope you don't mind babygirl, but I just really wanted to eat you out."

You nodded at him, resting your elbows on top of some of the cushions so it'd be more comfortable for you. Prying your legs apart as much as they could, Seonghwa carefully placed his mouth on your clit. Starting off with gentle suckles, they soon progressed to more sloppy and intense tongue movements, his lewd slurping sounds mixed in with your soft panting and moaning, setting the mood across the room. Another thing you loved about Seonghwa, he was an expert at oral sex, none of your younger past lovers compared to him in the slightest bit.

Seonghwa let out an accomplished groan when your juices stained all over his face and chin. Pulling away, he himself was panting by how breathless he was left, and he felt proud to see you in an equally similar state as him. Chuckling, he came up and kissed you hungrily, wanting you to taste yourself on his lips. He only pulled away momentarily to tease you.

"I didn't mean to eat my dessert before the meal, but I'm not sorry in the slightest bit."

❥𝓙𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓾𝓷𝓱𝓸

Yunho didn't even know how to react. Coming home and finding it quiet as usual, he guessed you probably took a nap as you normally did around this time, the pregnancy causing you to become more tired than usual. That's why when he came into the room he was shocked to see you moving underneath the blankets. Your frustrated moans give a big hint as to what was happening.

"Y/N?"

Your eyes shot wide open and your head peeped out from under the covers. You suddenly felt so embarrased, your face turning bright red. You tossed over to the other side, hiding your face away from Yunho. Being the sweetheart he was, he went over to your side and caressed your figure.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you." He apologized although he wasn't in the wrong.

Whining loudly, you punched the mattress underneath you.

"Stupid hormones driving me crazy. And my stupid fingers can't get around this huge belly." You complained as you looked down at the mound that stuck out through the blanket.

Not able to keep himself from smiling, Yunho's hand rested itself on your covered belly.

"It's cute though." He assured you.

Looking up at him, you bit your lip before asking him.

"Yunho.....could you please just......you know..?" You don't know why but you felt shy asking him about it especially given that you were pregnant by him nonetheless.

Yunho looked hesitant. He had fears about being intimate with you in your state, but he also felt bad that you had to go through this. Sighing softly, he scratched the back of your head.

"On our next visit, let's ask the doctor about if it's safe or not? Ok?"

Expecting your pouty face, Yunho pulled the covers off you, swallowing hard when he saw your beautiful, round pregnant body on display for him.

"But for now, are you ok with me using my fingers?"

❥𝓚𝓪𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓮𝓸𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓰

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Looking down at the pot filled with who knows what that Yeosang stirred which was bubbling rather oddly, your best bet was that he definitely didn't. The reddened cheeks that formed on his face was another telltale sign.

"Trust me honey. I got this."

Right as he said that, some of the contents spilled out, nearly burning the both of you. Luckily Yeosang draped an arm protectively around your barely noticeable bump and moved you back so neither of you were harmed. Instead, the floor became the victim. Having enough shenanigans from your caring lover, you reached over and quickly shut off the stove before anymore accidents happened.

"There goes my chances of wooing you over with my cooking skills." He snorted softly, but he felt bad that he couldn't even make a simple meal for you.

Wanting to cheer him up, you hugged his waist, nuzzling your face into the crook of his neck.

"You've already won my heart over Mr. Kang, there's nothing left for you to claim."

Although he felt comforted by your words, there was something else he needed to hear.

"You know how I feel. Now go on... say my name." He commanded you.

Pecking his lips, you gave in. "Yeosang."

You let out a squeak when he pressed you against the counter, pulling you into a deeper kiss that was getting more and more heated. Your moment was interrupted when someone suddenly came into the scene, startling you both.

"Oh God Damian! You scared me man." Yeosang let out a relieved sigh when he saw it was only his trusted butler.

"Rest assured sir, I saw nothing and heard nothing." He smirked at them.

❥𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓢𝓪𝓷

You grunted as you stripped yourself out of your shirt, the material feeling too confining and making your breasts feel more sore than they already felt. Standing in front of the mirror, you noticed how your breasts were practically popping out of the top of your bra.

"Sannie! Could you come help me out?" You called out to him.

"Yes my lovely baby mama?" He poked his head into the room, always ready to help you out if you needed it.

"Could you please unhook my bra, I can't reach."

Happy to help you, he came up behind you, eyes focused as he began undoing all of the hooks.

"Are they hurting you baby?" Looking up at the mirror, he saw your pouty face nodding at him.

"Would you like me to massage them for you?" He offered.

"Please." You begged, loving how gentle his hands were whenever he touched them.

Releasing your breasts out of their tight confinement, both you and San were in shock when tiny droplets of liquid gushed out of your nipples.

"Holy shit Y/N, are you already lactating?"

San stared at your breasts in amazement. Keeping his eyes focused on the mirror in front of you guys, his hands came up to gently squeeze your breasts, that tiny action making more milky substance to come out of you. You saw how San licked his lips and it gave you an idea. Tilting your head, you gave him a kiss on his jaw before telling him:

"Wanna suck on them?"

San looked shocked at your suggestion, but then he returned you around and pressed his face against your chest.

"Fuck yeah."

Not even thinking twice, San took one of your tits into his mouth, humming in pleasure as he sucked some of your milk into his mouth.

"We should make this a regular occurrence."

❥𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓲

Mingi released soft and blissful sighs as he felt your body move on top of him. His hands held onto your hips, helping you set a slow and sensual pace as you grinded against his dick.

"You feeling good baby?" He asked, making sure you weren't uncomfortable or in pain.

Your only response was your head being thrown back as you spewed out moans from your throat. It seemed the pregnancy heightened your sensitivity, so every move against Mingi's pelvis felt absolutely amazing, especially when he reached a hand over to rub at your clit. He always made sure you felt as much pleasure as possible.

"That's it, there you go babygirl." Mingi himself was enjoying the change in your sex life. Ever since you both found out you were pregnant, you had to halt your rather kinky and intense fucking sessions and replaced them with more soft and romantic love making. Which neither of you minded, it felt much more intimate and helped you both bond even closer to each other.

"Are you close my little lady? I can feel you squeeze tighter around my cock."

Although you were indeed close, you didn't want to cum just yet, not without asking you something first.

"Mingi......please....spank my ass." You turned your head so you could partially see his face from behind you.

Mingi blinked slowly at your request, unsure of what to do. Wanting to please you, he took one hand off your hip and used it to lightly spank the top of your ass. Although it was a rather tame slap, it was enough for you to start cumming on top of him. Mingi of course held you up, continuing to bury his cock inside you, sliding in and out so he could help make your high last longer til eventually he himself was cumming up into you. Making sure both of you were satisfied, he pulled you off him so he could clean you up.

"So I see you still become a mess when someone spanks you." He teased you, moving some hair out of your face so he could properly kiss you.

"Hey, I'm still your little brat even if I'm carrying our soon to be brat."

❥𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓰 𝓦𝓸𝓸𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓰

Wooyoung slid the tip of his cock against your folds. Although he was anxious to be inside you once again, he had to make sure you were all right and not uncomfortable in any shape or form.

"You sure about this baby? We could try something else if you'd like." He assured you, one hand coming down to gently press against your pregnant belly.

"I'm fine Wooyoung. I just wanna feel your cock inside me again. It's been too long and I need it." You whined out, desperate to get some sort of release through something that wasn't from Wooyoung's tongue or fingers, although they always left you satisfied.

Wooyoung was extremely careful and slow as he plunged himself into you from behind, both of you moaning out loud when were connected once again after a long time. Pulling out once more, Wooyoung made sure to go easy on you, his fingers kneading the soft flesh of your hips and ass as he moved to and fro with leisurely yet deep strokes into you.

"Fuck! You feel so good!" You couldn't help but exclaim as you felt every vein and ridge of his dick hitting deep inside your tight walls.

"You missed this didn't you babygirl? Missed being my little toy?" He couldn't hide the smirk on his face as he went slightly harder against her but not so much. Reaching one hand over, his fingers rubbed at her clit, knowing it would drive her crazy.

"Y-yes! I missed this." You gasped out, unable to think about anything except Wooyoung's dick inside you.

"You dirty girl, even after I get you all knocked up, you still want to get fucked by me."

Rubbing his fingers faster against your clit, his other hand held onto your hip so he could angle himself to hit against your g-spot, brushing his tip over and over again on it so he could send you cumming all over him.

"But that's ok, I'll make sure to fuck another baby into you if that's what you want."

❥𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝓸

Opening your eyes, you smiled shyly as you woke up to your husband's face sleeping soundly next to you, one of his buff and strong arms was thrown over your body, laying protectively on your bump. Gently prying his hand off you without disturbing him, you quietly got out of the bed and walked out into the balcony of your hotel room, not bothering to cover up your naked body with a robe or anything.

You felt free, truly free as you gazed out at the beautiful scenery of the beach in front of you, a quick getaway place you and Jongho chose as your honeymoon destination after you both literally eloped not even 2 days ago. You wondered what were your parents and former fiancee thinking now, no doubt they were probably looking all over for you or were barely finding out the secret you two had kept for so long.

But you couldn't bring yourself to care. You didn't regret anything, if anything you would have regretted everything if you hadn't escaped with Jongho, whom you hadn't noticed had woken up until you felt his hands on your hips.

"Look at you little vixen coming out here wearing absolutely nothing. What? Did you want anyone passing by to see you standing here all nude?" His tone let you know he wasn't mad, he was simply poking fun at you.

"Hmmm maybe? Would it make you jealous to know someone who isn't you saw me like this?" You joked back at him, pushing your ass back onto him, a grin on your face when you felt his dick poke at your hip, letting you know that he too came out with no clothes on.

"On the contrary my little vixen, you wanted to give them a show?" You bit your lip when he began kissing your shoulder and neck, aligning himself at your entrance.

"I'll make sure we both give them a show."

Gifs not mine. Credit goes to their respective owners.

[quirklessidiot]

title : cigarettes and parfaits [3] pairing : older!nanami kento x younger!reader [13 year age gap, ft toji fushiguro] Genre: romance, fluff, slice of life, josei, angst, comedy, strangers to lovers au

Summary: you’re pretty sure you’d remember marrying a man 13 years older than you, right?

Warnings: alcohol, smoking, mild smut, y/n making stupid decisions, everyones a human-au so yeh non-canon stuff and everyone’s happy (periODT) i keep forgeting to add that this isnt beta-rread..all of my stories arent so yeah shshs Notes: ah, i feel like this story will be lengthen more than 8-10 chapters shshshs i wanted to add a little spice anyways thanks for all the comments uwu ily all!

Masterlist || taglist || [prev ; next] [updates; every saturday!]

“Y/N-chan!!!”

You cringe in embarrassment as soon as you hear that awfully familiar and cheerful voice, you could barely remember this man and the events that transpired the night before but here he was, acting like your new best friend. You weren’t even sure if you wanted to go here but you needed clarity. Surely you didn’t just legally marry a man at an Izakaya out of all places last night?

“Oh, you actually did marry him.” Gojo Satoru proclaims as soon as you take a seat across him, he gestures around his face, “I could tell by your whole, ‘I hope this guy is messing with me’ face. You have it, signed and sealed. Even got the cute matchy rings that I had one of my assistants delivered.”

You pale at the thought of his assistant coming in with a silver ring. Wasn’t he sober? How could he not have stopped you two from doing something as reckless and stupid as this? Weren’t older men supposed to be more responsible than this?

“Why the hell didn’t you stop us?” You groaned, burying your face in your hands, embarrassment painted all over your features.

“I was just as drunk as you two.” He confessed, scratching his head, “probably even more drunk but anyways back to the topic in hand, I only remembered it when the same assistant came in and congratulated me about it. It’s good I had your number on my phone before you two bailed.”

“So you don’t really remember?”

“Bits and pieces.” Gojo grinned, this guy was a maniac, how did the serious man you met just this morning have friends like this? You probably wouldn’t even last long, “I did call Nanami-”

He’s cut off by the rough sound of someone pulling a chair out, you immediately jump on your seat when you realize it’s Nanami Kento, the guy from this morning. The man you had recklessly married!

“This better be some prank you’re pulling, Satoru.” His voice was anything but kind that you almost wanted to hide behind Gojo’s back.

“Hey, hey.” Gojo raises his hands, “Don’t look at me. I didn’t force you into anything and stop scaring your poor little partner.”

Nanami snaps his gaze towards you and you notice how his eyes soften just a bit when he sees your red ears and your eyes looking away from him, “You better call Geto and fucking fix this, I refuse to bother this young-”

“It’s fine.” You cut him off, still shy and red, “It’s...fine...I just…Please don’t think I’m burdened by it. It was technically my fault for even agreeing immediately.”

Nanami clenches his jaw and turns away, “Nevertheless. L/N-san’s young. I hope to not be such an uncouth man like you.” he retorts, voice sharp as he eyes the white-haired businessman up and down. Gojo, seemingly used to it, rolls his eyes behind his dark shades.

“Maybe you guys should try it out.”

The blonde man looks like he’s about to smite the white-haired man out of existence yet Satoru remains oblivious to his friend’s gaze, “Don’t ya think so? It will take a while for those divorce papers to settle in so why don’t you two go out and get to know each other? Who knows…” he sing-songs the last part and Nanami is so close to chunking his briefcase towards the tall businessman, not even caring 

“Ah, he’s not exactly wrong, Nanami-san.” you try to calm him down, placing a small hand on his broad shoulder.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually listening to this idiot’s idea.” Nanami replied, gaze narrowing.

“Not really but you have some problems I can help you out on and I have problems that you can help me out on...Of course, the last say is on you...”

“Told you I actually had a brain.” Satoru piped in.

“Shut up, Satoru.” he quips, then turns to you, “I’m thirteen years older than you, L/N-san. I have two high school kids that could pass off as your siblings, and-”

“Well, I technically did marry you.”

“You were drunk.”

“Doesn’t exactly really excuse it.” You laugh nervously, “The whole divorce process usually lasts up to a few months, some even takes a whole year. I could help you out with the boys and I can use you to ward my family off from moving back home.”

Nanami is quiet for a moment, actually thinking about it. Weighing the pros and the cons, not only would you be able to help him out but you’d also be able to get Gojo and blind-dating out of his back.

There really wasn’t anything he could loose, really.

“Or you two might fall in love.” Satoru teases, making Nanami throw him another side-eye, as if saying ‘I dare you to say another word.’

It’s a Thursday today and Sukuna absolutely loathed Thursdays     apparently because it reminded him of Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. They all were far from the weekend     Everyone seems to be happier than usual though. Maybe it was because you were there teaching some basic shit at the board or something.

“...and if we transfer this here and change the positive to a negative, you’ll end up having five as your answer.” You smile, placing your chalk down, “Does anyone have any questions?”

Echoes of no’s resonated throughout the room.

“Alright then, let’s end the lesson here so you guys can have an early lunch. I don’t think an assignment is in order since many of you were able to get a perfect score in the activity awhile ago.” You winked. A couple of whoops resonated throughout the whole class right after. 

As the kids shuffle out of the room of the class, Sukuna remains behind. The ojisan had cooked them something delicious this morning and he wanted to eat it in peace without that pesky Nobara grabbing a share from his bento and Yuuji’s annoying babbles about horror movies with his best friend Junpei (the only one who was really bearable was Megumi, really)

“Sukuna-kun?” you called out, snapping him out of his small trance,  “Are you alright?”

He notices a glint of worry in your eyes, he had to admit since his transfer here last Monday, you were the least annoying teacher in the academy     the blue-haired professor in Japanese literature was absolute shit since he loved to tease him a lot and that bald-headed teacher in science who looked a lot like Mike Wazowski was an annoying twerp who loved dawdling in him and Yuuji’s business     and you were kind of good at your job. Not only did his idiot of a brother stop coming to him and their ojisan for help in math but he could actually do the worksheets right and get an actual decent grade at it.

“Yeah.” he roughly replies.

“That’s good.” You smiled, he watched as you bind their worksheets together and clip them in utmost delicacy, “You should head to the cafeteria now, I heard they’re serving milk bread today.”

Without saying anything more, you left the room, leaving him there in the silence.

Well, the Christmas tree idiot was right.

You kind of had a motherly aura on you and it didn’t even look forced.

No wonder, everyone in this room was whipped for you despite your subject being a pain in the ass.

“You look like an idiot.” You mumbled as you slapped Mahito’s hand away in annoyance, your workmate wiggling his eyebrows like the little shit he is.

You completely forgot you did have someone like Gojo Satoru in your life and it was one of your co-workers, Mahito, a Japanese literature teacher who was too nosy for his own good.

“You’ve got a ring on your ring finger and a mailman comes in and gives you an invite for Zen’in Toji’s fortieth birthday.” he whistles, “Even Jogo-sensei gossiped by the water cooler awhile ago, saying that you had eloped with the man. Not that I’m judging you or anything...”

You choke on your saliva, clearly thrown off by the backhanded comment. That darn bald-headed fool that looked like the green eyed monster from the DreamWorks cartoon, he sure needed to lay off the gossip and actually focus on his job as the head of the science department, “You’re not denying it.” Mahito stated, narrowing his eyes in suspicion, “Why aren’t you denying it?”

“I’m not dating Megumi-kun’s father.” You grumbled, finishing up your paperwork, “That man is off limits.”

“Right,” he drawls on sarcastically, “...because you have a strict rule against dating hot older men with money.”

“I also teach his kids and his cousin…” You deadpan.

“We don’t even have a rule against that.” He retorts, rolling his eyes, “If we did, Hanami-sensei would’ve been fired a long time ago.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“And you’re so secretive. If it isn’t Toji Zen’in, who’d ask you out?”

“Hey, I do have a man.” You huffed, “and he’s very kind and considerate...”

The image of the tall and lean man sleeping next to you slowly wormed its way back from your memory and you feel your cheeks start to flush. Good god, what were you? twelve? How embarrassing.

You needed to get that image off of your head, it wasn’t right.

It was all temporary, anyways and he doesn’t even see you in that sort of way-

“Yes, I’m Sukuna and Yuuji Itadori’s guardian…” a very familiar stoic voice could be heard from the nearby table, cutting your thoughts short. Wait, were you so head over heels for the man that you started imagining him here? Yuuji and Sukuna’s guardian? Wait a minute.

All color drained from your face as you snap your head behind you to find the same man you were imagining.

Oh no.

Oh no, indeed.

There stood Nanami Kento in all his glory;  crisp suit, stoic face, and eyes laced with mild worry.

“...L/N-sensei is Sukuna-kun’s adviser, by the way. It would be best to discuss this with them.” Akari somberly informed the man, turning to your direction. You don’t miss the shift of expressions when he sees you standing there.

Your mouth parts and you know you look like gawking fish trapped in a small aquarium.

“Akari-sensei’s looking at you with the new hot daddy.” Mahito mumbles next to you, eyeing him up and down, “Definitely wonder where all these old men come from these days.”

You were only half-listening to your co-worker because your head was all over the place, just what were the odds that he was the guardian of the new transferee’s? Just how awkward would everything be? Why did it even have to be at this school out of all places?

Never ending questions pop out of your head as you approached them, “Good afternoon, Nanami-san.” Your smile comes out very stiff and awkward while you hold your hand out for him to shake, clearly there was no memo on how you were suppose to act around your sort-of-fake-husband-whos-kids-you-actually-taught.

Nanami reverts back to his stoic expression as he clears his throat, “Yes, good afternoon to you too, L/N-sensei.” he greets, maintaining a straight-laced tone.

“Akari-sensei says that Sukuna has been quite...rude...in class…” you try to rack your brains up to describe his kid.

“Your son literally pointed out that the history lesson I was teaching was fake and that I should study again so he could get his tuition’s worth.” Akari looks clearly perplexed and ready to throttle the boy if it was legal. You had to admit, Sukuna went overboard with that insult.

You knew how passionate Nitta was about her job and what Sukuna just said to her was like a big ‘fuck you, you suck.’ to her.

“I’ll be sure to talk to him about this,” he sighs, bowing down, “I’d like to ask for forgiveness for that, the boy is a good and smart student-”

“Nanami-san, the school not only cares about grades but character as well.” Akari Nitta sighed, cutting him off, “I’ll let this slide once, if he does that again, it goes on the record.”

You internally bit your cheek, still trying to process everything that was going on.

“I understand. Thank you for that.”

“I’ll walk him out, sensei.” You immediately say soon after, wanting to have some alone time with him, “Let’s go, Nanami-san.”

You walk right next to him silently, some students peerlessly glancing at the tall blonde next to you but you were too immersed in thought to notice the stares, “Nanami-san?” you ask softly as soon as you reach the exit.

Nanami Kento looks at you, his eyes still laced with a bit of worry, “It’s okay.” you silently comforted him, “Just talk to him calmly.”

“That’s not the problem.” he sighed, “I just didn’t expect that the person I married would be the boy’s teacher.”

You sweat drop, “Aren’t you worried about talking to Sukuna? I mean, he literally just disrespected a teacher and you said that he and you weren’t in good-”

“It’s easier to talk to him about that rather than…” he paused, showing his ring, “this.”

You blinked.

Seemed like Nanami knew what to say about the little attitude problem his son had, “So you must be used to this?” you asked, “Him disrespecting the teacher?”

You notice the shift of expressions on his face, you had only known this man for a few days so far but he was starting to get easier to read. His eyes shed more emotion than his face, no wonder he likes wearing those funny sunglasses a lot.

“It’s something I’ve scolded him over a couple of times,” he gruffed, trying to dance around the subject, it seemed like he had such a soft spot to the point where he had a problem with disciplining them, “At times I believe it’s just because he’s way too smart for his age. The boy has read history books for fun when he was a kid and solved quadratic equations to prove that he’s better than me when he was ten.”

“It still doesn’t give him the free pass to say things like that to a teacher”

“I know,” he acknowledged, “I’ll be sure to give him a better scolding-”

“No, you see. This is why he thinks he can get away with it. He isn’t afraid of you. You’ll only probably tell him that you can’t do that.” you frown, crossing your arms, “You do know that not all sensei’s are as nice as Akari-sensei and he could get in trouble for that even more in the future, right?”

Silence lingered between you two for a moment and suddenly you realize that you must’ve said something way off the rails.

“I..” you turn red, embarrassed by the sudden outburst, “That was too much, wasn’t it?”

You look at him directly in the eye, the worry-filled ones are now replaced with a softer gaze. God, he really needed to stop looking at you like a kid. It would only make this set-up more awkward!

“No,” he mumbles, “It...It wasn't too much…”

“Oh.” you cleared your throat, flustered and looking away from his face, “Well, okay then goodbye then Nanami-sa-”

You needed to get out of this conversation quick.

“Kento.”

Your gaze snaps directly towards him, clearly taken aback by the correction.

“What?”

“We’re technically married now, right?” he softly corrected, “Call me Kento.”

“Oh,” You uttered again, this time softly. You looked down on your shoes, it seemed like the floor looked really interesting now, “Then bye-bye, Kento.”

“Bye Y/N.”

He leaves you standing there, cursing yourself because of your erratic heartbeat at the way he says your name in that voice. First name basis? okay, totally normal for sort-of lovers, right?

taglist [if crossed out, i can’t tag u ; - ;]

; @coldbookworm  ; @frankenstein852  ;  @neavil  ; @shephard17895  @kristineyoshaii ; @airybnb ; @okachansenpai ; @amortentiaxo ; @rinvtaro ; @franko-pop ; @kozutenshi ; @kaldoesthings ; @moonlitdabi ; @chococroissant ; @bleepop ; @kaldoesthings ; @moonlitdabi ; @chococroissant ; @pettybroccoli ; @nixxona ; @kiyoo-omi ; @omibaby ; @bokkunto ; @peccobagnaia​ ; @sangwoahbigbussy​ ; 

@Kurok1717 ;  @hcn421 ;  @shinhiromi ;  @airybnb ; @katshuya ; ​@atsuhaya

[missymurphy1985]

The Extra (part 2)

Warning - smut (eventually....)

Taglist @queenshelby @margoo0 @being-worthy @peakyscillian @peakyciills @janelongxox @elenavampire21 @noctvrnalmoth @ysmmsy @cloudofdisney @lauren-raines-x @namelesslosers @misscarolineshelby @screemqueen @cilleveryone @peaky-cillian @misselsbells06 @datewithgianni @heidimoreton

You were finishing up your coffee, grateful that Cillian didn't hang around after grabbing his. Suddenly you heard Anto shouting in the yard outside. You told Liane you'd find her later, and headed out to him. He was pacing the grounds on his phone, the anger evident in his face. With an abrupt "Fuck you!" down the line, he hung up, kicking a rock across the courtyard in frustration.

"Anto? What's wrong?" You approached nervously.

"We start filming in three hours, and one of the cast had dropped out!!"

"What? Who?"

"Rachel Foster. She was supposed to play Tommy Shelby's girl."

"Oh shit.."

"Oh shit in-fucking-deed. What the fuck am I supposed to do now?! I can't call someone in at this short notice!"

"I don't know anyone who's even available.." he suddenly looked at you, you squirmed a little, you recognised that look.

"You know, it's not too late to reconsider my offer y/n."

"Anto we talked about this, I'm not an actress."

"But you used to be! And you were the best I knew!"

"When you offered me a role in this I was flattered beyond belief, I truly was, but my role is as a professor now, not an actress. I gave that all up nearly a decade ago!"

"Think about it - you're here anyway! She was only meant to film this week, it's a few scenes with Tommy, nothing major.. she's not even lasting the whole series it's just a few scenes I swear it. At least let me do a casting call with you? I'll pay you for your time, even if you don't want to do it? It's win-win! I'm desperate here y/n..."

You thought about it. You enjoyed the theatre shows you used to be involved in years ago so much, but then you were offered the job at Birmingham University and it was too good an opportunity to miss - a steady wage, guaranteed income.. the thought of going back to being a struggling actress made you very nervous.

"One casting call. If it doesn't work, I'm out and you'll have to find someone else Anto."

"Oh you fucking legend... You BEAUTIFUL legend!!!" He scooped you up and spun you round in a circle, before dragging you over to costume and makeup.

An hour later, you were in costume, hair done, makeup on, ready for the camera. You stood in the set for the Garrison, Anto giving you the once over for the short scene he'd got planned for the casting call.

"Anto you didn't say anything about kissing Tommy!" You groaned, reading the paper he handed you.

"It's one kiss - we need to make sure you have chemistry. You know these scenes are always filmed first y/n."

"You fucking owe me Byrne." He grinned his cheesiest grin yet, allowing you time to get to know your lines and the scene. You were lost in it, focussing on getting yourself into a character for the first time in years.

"Y/n?" An Irish brogue suddenly dragged you out of your prep, and you nearly dropped the whiskey glass you were holding as you were practising a scene.

"Holy fuck..."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you - " he held out his hand, chuckling at your outburst. "I'm Cillian. I'll be playing Thomas Shelby."

"I, uh, I know who you are, I'm Y/n..."

"I know, Anto tells me you're Rachel's replacement? Really appreciate you stepping in like this, I know it's all a bit weird. Just take your time, okay? There's no rush, and no pressure to get it perfect, just relax. I know how intense these things can be."

"Thank you. I'm sorry if I'm shit..." You laughed, your stomach in knots.

"You won't be! You wanna stop at any point, tell me. No pressure, remember that. I'm looking forward to it."

"To what? Me throwing a whiskey glass at you?"

"No, not that bit," he smiled, his blue eyes glittering in the stage lights behind you.

"Right then you two, are you ready?" Anto called, and you pulled yourself together. Taking a deep breath, the scene began.

"You promised me Thomas. You said you were going legit!! Now I find out you have guns hidden away from the fucking IRA??"

"Clara, you have to trust me! I AM going legit but I need money behind me to do it - this is our way out of here!"

"You're a fucking liar Shelby. Four years I waited for you. Four fucking years you wrote to me promising me a life of safety, no more having to watch our backs, no more Peaky fucking Blinders, and you lied through your fucking teeth!" You threw the glass, missing his face by a mere inch.

He ducked, and approached you carefully, hands out to catch your arms as they flailed around. A sudden flick of your wrist in the wrong direction caught him off guard and you hit him. Full force on the side of his cheek.

"Oh fuck!! Shit I'm so sorry!!"

"Quite the left hook you've got there!!" He laughed, regaining his composure, rubbing his face. A decent shade of red now blossoming across his cheek. Anto was in stitches the other side of the camera and you shot him a glare.

"I can't believe you've just smacked the star of the fucking show!" He laughed.

"You're certainly feisty enough for Clara's character, I'll give you that!" Cillian smirked. You were mortified.

"I really am sorry..."

"No harm done, I'm fine. I've had worse. Come on, let's finish this yeah?" You were convinced you'd screwed it up, but Anto calling Action brought you back into the scene.

Cillian cleared his throat and approached you again, you could see him trying not to laugh though and you couldn't help but giggle a little, which set him off too.

"I'm sorry, really I am!" You panicked.

"That was my fault, I was too busy watching her arms!" Cillian smiled.

"Guys I really like what I'm seeing here. There's definitely chemistry on screen. Why don't you two go rehearse a little more together and come back in 30 minutes?" Cillian nodded and turned to you.

"Fancy a coffee?" He asked. You nodded and he led you over to the trailers behind the set.

"Are we not going to the cafeteria?"

"Not unless you want to rehearse in front of your Uni class?" He smirked. You shook your head and followed him into a decent sized trailer at the back. He flicked the kettle on, telling you to take a seat while he made the coffee.

"So why did you give up the theatre? You're clearly very good, else Anto wouldn't have requested you?"

"It wasn't going anywhere. I was in the West End, Broadway, Galway.. just seemed to be bouncing around with no real direction. I wanted to get into film or TV work but the roles were in high demand. And it became very clear very quickly that I wasn't the right kind of actress the movie makers wanted as a leading lady."

"Really? Why?"

"I wasn't prepared to get my tits out at every audition like the others I guess?" You shrugged. "I auditioned for a horror movie once in Hollywood. Some big budget thing that never ended up happening anyway, but the director wanted me to audition in this skimpy little dress - barely covered my ass never mind my thighs. Wouldn't audition me unless I wore it, so I threw it at him and walked out. Kinda blacklisted from then on."

"That's horrendous? Which director?"

"Cant even remember his name now it was so long ago. It doesn't matter anyway, the movie was scrapped before production and I landed the job at the university. Secure, stable, good money - couldn't ask for more really. And the kids are so great, Cillian, full of passion and enthusiasm! They're so inspiring they really are!"

"I'm meeting some of them later, I'm looking forward to it. My youngest wants to get into the industry. Been trying to put him off for years but he's such a little showman. Exactly like I was at his age."

"Is that Jack?" You asked.

"Yeah. His mam is keen on him getting into it but she hated me going off for months on end filming. One of the reasons she divorced me last year."

"I heard about that. I'm sorry.."

"No don't be! We get on better now than we ever have. Only stayed together for the kids you know? Milk and sugar?" You nodded, and he handed you the cup.

"This scene is awkward, I've never done a scene like this before," you confessed, taking a sip.

"Like what?"

"A kiss? How do you kiss someone without actually kissing them?"

"You just do it, I guess. Once you're in character it just happens. I won't use tongues I promise - nothing personal, it's just one of my rules."

"That makes it less awkward I suppose!"

"Exactly. Although didn't stop Scarlett Johansson that one time... Nearly got me shot by the wife that one did!" You remembered that scene in Girl with a Pearl Earring and laughed.

"You know, I've learned over the years that if you do those scenes first it makes all the others much easier," he said, putting his coffee down and taking yours from you, placing it on the table next to his. He took your hands and stood you up in front of him.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to kiss you."

"What?"

"Not like that, I'm going to 'movie-kiss' you. Show you how it's done. Trust me - you won't feel awkward after this."

"I beg to differ..."

"Come on y/n, what have you got to lose?" My senses? You thought. My mind, maybe? You were hesitant, massively hesitant. You weren't even sure you were even going to go through with this. He glanced at his watch.

"We have five minutes, close your eyes and trust me." He nodded at you, and you took a deep breath, closing your eyes.

His fingers back on your cheek, this was just a reenactment of the scene but those fingers felt like lightening bolts. You could sense him moving closer, and his lips brushing yours. You were almost frozen to the spot until he whispered for you to relax.

"Okay, okay... I'm relaxed.. try again.." he leaned in again, your lips meeting properly. His hand in the back of your hair pulling you a little closer. You fell into it, your hands reaching round his back. As promised, he didn't use his tongue, which felt really strange at first but you quickly got used to it. Your mouths meshed together perfectly as you found your rhythm. A few minutes of this, before he pulled away, another gentle kiss against your lips as he did.

"Wow..." You gasped, opening your eyes. If someone had told you this morning you'd be kissing Cillian Murphy by lunchtime you'd have had them commited to the local loony bin, yet here you were. He didn't speak, and his hand was still on your cheek, brushing it lightly.

"Didn't plan on making you blush so much."

"Didn't plan on kissing Cillian Murphy when I woke up this morning," you laughed.

"Ready to do that again?"

"Again?"

"Just to make sure we got it right, of course."

"Yes.. of course.." he moved in quickly, but it felt different this time. His lips crashed against yours, and you definitely felt his tongue brush your lips a couple of times but you didn't reciprocate. You both moved backwards, your thighs hitting the table behind you, coffee nearly spilling over.

"Fuck, you okay? I'm sorry.." he pulled away to make sure none had spilled on you.

"I'm fine, it didn't fall, I'm fine... I uh, I think we've got the kiss nailed down though..." You brushed your hair out of your face and looked to the floor.

"Yeah, I think you're right.." your eyes met again and you both smiled. Before he could speak though, Anto was at the door knocking.

"Ready for round 2 guys?" He called. Cillian nodded at you, and you nodded back, both of you heading out to try the scene again.