virtualobservationtyphoon

[omg-hellgirl]

The irony was, Mick was the “uncool” one. He himself had been wary of acid — dropping it for the first time at Tara Browne’s party because everyone was there and everyone was doing it. And he ended up making a big scene, escaping at night over the grounds of Luggala, thinking that he was a small brown crow.

Elizabeth Winder, Parachute Women: The Women Behind the Rolling Stones.

[acesandocs]

A fic i wrote that coincidentally got finished in time for @rudnitskaia's birthday so it technically counts as a birthday gift right? She's also known about it for a bit lol. Still I hope it brings you joy on your special day girl, happy birthday!

Theres only a small content warning for vomiting, otherwise this is pretty chill

The time was half past 8 and it was almost closing time. Mau swept along to the beat of the radio at the end of the hall. The restaurant had been quiet today, despite her hoping she might catch a glimpse of a certain blue clothed tabby. It seemed the day would end frustratingly dull. So because of the lack of customers she thought it couldn't hurt to close up early. She was done with the general cleaning, washing and counting the till, now all that was left was to sweep. She went through the restaurant broom in hand clearing up the last dust of the day. She was jolted out of her thoughts by a crash and cawing that sounded distinctly like a crow coming from outside.

‘’Oh great.’’ She sighed

Birds and other animals tended to slink around the building when the customers had left looking for scraps. She felt bad for them somewhat, they probably had little crow families to take care of and feed. But if there became to many of them it might become a caw-cophony. It was a good thing no one was around outside or they'd see the brown cat laughing only somewhat uncontrollably in in an empty restaurant.

Making her way to the front door holding her broom she hoped she wouldn't have to actually hurt the poor creatures. Looking outside sure enough there was a crow pecking at the trash waiting to be collected. She brandished her broom but just as she was about to approach the feathered scavenger it jumped down and jumped towards Mau having noticed a sizable piece of pizza crust stuck in the bristles of Mau’s broom. She jumped to the side startled but not because of the approaching avian.

As the crow had gotten closer a low squeak came from behind her to the left. She looked to where distinctly non-bird-like sound had come from, and saw a tortoiseshell cat practically trying to meld into the wall beside the door the way he was pushing his body back against the surface. His eyes boring into the crow watching its every move. As she was contemplating the tri-colored cat Mau hadn't noticed the crow getting closer. Before she had gotten the chance to shoo it away the mystery cat had thrown himself behind Mau crouching and holding on to his tail as to avoid any part of him being in direct view of the bird. She might have been frightened by his behavior but Mau had been around plenty of weird and quirky cats, she’d even say shes a bit odd herself. Turning back to the bird in hand she shook her broom but the crow wasn't giving up yet still focusing on the pizza crust that was being waved in his face. Mau shook the broom more fervently disloging the pizza crust and accidentally flinging it across the street the crow hopping close behind. Turning her attention to the cat crouched down beside her she offered him a hand. The tortie cat scrambled up acting like nothing had happened dusting himself off and readjusting his neckerchief.

‘’Ahem. Ehhh, thank you…’’ he said stiffly

The tortie had a noticeable accent tough Mau couldn't place it

‘’No problem at all, they come by all the time so I’m no stranger to wrangling up crows and sending them on their way.’’ Mau responded leaning her broom out one hand on her hip, just as relaxed as ever. It seemed to put the tortie cat at ease.

‘’Oh what is your name by the way’’

‘’Ås- ehm Ace. Like the card. Yes.’’

Ace anxiously looked around and stepped closer to Mau as he noticed the crow standing between him and his intended destination still munching on his well earned pizza crust.

‘’If you want you can come inside and wait until it leaves’’ said Mau gesturing towards the door of the restaurant.

She probably shouldn't let random strangers into the restaurant. Especially since she was technically closing but she felt a little bad for Ace, it probably wouldn't take long anyway.

‘’Ssssure but only because I need to rest my… legs anyway. you know, from all the uh wall inspecting.’’

‘’Wall inspecting?’’

Yes, that’s what I was doing before you came out. Looking at the walls checking for cracks and stuff.’’ He said nonchalantly. Trying to banish any indication that he was actually scared of the bird

Mau held back a snicker and responded ‘’Ah, I see. that is very important work, thank you for your service.’’ She punctuated the end of her sentence with a swift salute.

Ace blinked, a little caught off guard by her willingness to go along with his lie ‘’Ha well, yes I’m very good at my job. Just the other day I heard my boss speaking about making me the worker of the month’’ Ace said with confidently smirk, resting his hands on his hips

Mau thought he was pushing it now but couldn't help but be somewhat endeared. She opened the door and let Ace in.

‘’Sit down if you’d like or not, also do you want some water. All that wall inspecting must be exhausting work.’’

Ace took a seat by the bar and nodded. Leaning dramatically across the bar table resting a hand on his brow.

‘’Yes please, I’m wasting away…’’ adding on a few coughs to underline their performance

Mau gasped in mock distress as she hurried to the kitchen coming back out a few minutes later with a pitcher and two glasses. She poured equal amounts sliding one glass towards Ace which he happily accepted drinking half of it in one gulp.

In the light of the restaurant Mau could see Ace more clearly. She had assumed he was a man because of the way he dressed and seemingly short hair but she now noticed it looked more like a bob at least in the front. That along with is voice made him seem more androgynous.

The jovial atmosphere in the restaurant was interrupted as they saw A seagull had joined the crow outside fighting it for the pizza crust. Ace huffed, disappointed at the persistent presence of the crow. Mau attempted to lighten the mood

‘’We’re lucky there is only one or we might have had a murder on our hands’’ she said with a grin. Ace only looked at her, his expression hauntingly blank. Maybe she should have thought more about her audience before making that pun.

‘’Anyway’’ she said quickly trying to divert the conversation. ‘’I like your neckerchief where'd you get it.’’ Ace looked down still a bit unsettled by the pun but responded

‘’I made it’’

‘’What, really? it looks very professional’’

‘’Thank you’’ Ace moved his chin up so Mau could see it more clearly

‘’Where'd you learn to sew?’’ Mau asked

That made Ace pause ‘’Well…’’ it was difficult to open up about that particular subject, even if she wasn't talking to a total stranger. He looked at Mau and she gave him an encouraging nod. He didn't know why but he felt he could trust her. There was something about her that just made her easy to talk to. Despite the miscalculated pun.

‘’Me and my mom made most of our money that way when I was little’’ Ace didn't have the heart to elaborate further that that, Mau could tell and didn't push the subject further

‘’You know this is me and my father’s restaurant’’ Mau shared, hoping to find some common ground between them.

‘’That sounds nice, what do you make?’’

‘’Mostly Italian food, my father is usually the one working the kitchen. I do have a special pizza recipe I get to try out once in a while’’

‘’What is it?’’

Mau smirked proudly ‘’I call it sugary pizza’’ Putting her palms in front of her for emphasis

‘’That sounds… amazing’’

‘’Really?’’

‘’Yes! I mean pizza is fine but sweet pizza sounds super tasty, is it more like a pastry?’’

Mau thought for a moment. It was rare anyone wanted to hear about her experimental recipes and even rarer for someone to want to try them. She couldn't let this opportunity pass her by.

'' You know… I might have some leftovers somewhere I can heat up for you''

Ace leaned forward and spoke lowly, as if this was the most serious topic in existence.

‘’Heat me up a pizza.’’

She didn't need any more prompting. Retreating into the kitchen she got the oven ready to reheat the leftovers. A while later she placed a plate of sickeningly sweet pizza in front of Ace. He cut a piece and lifted it up in the air, inspecting it for a moment. It quickly disappeared into his mouth and the tortie cat chewed enthusiastically only to stop dead in his tracks. He slowly continued but his facial expression seemed to be changing rapidly from shock to fear to grief to acceptance, and swallowed it dutifully.

‘’So how is it?’’ Mau asked hesitantly

‘’Amazing…’’ he said with a strained voice

Mau only looked at him raising her eyebrow ‘’really?’’

‘’Never tasted anything better’’ he continued though Mau could hear him gagging. She reached for a paper bag she had brought just in case this scenario played out. She handed it to Ace just in time as he hunched over and wretched into it.

Mau cleaned up the reheated sugary cuisine, when she returned from the kitchen a third time Ace had finished and was leaning on the table

‘’Are you ok now?’’

‘’I guess. I’m sorry for throwing up your sugary pizza’’ he said dejectedly

Mau waved it of both figuratively and literally. ‘’ It’s nothing to say sorry for. You tried it at least.‘’

''I thought it tasted good; I promise. It was just the way it felt in my mouth that just… ugh’’ he said with a shudder.

Mau chuckled ‘’Maybe you can taste some of my father’s cooking, huh? It tends to go over better with people.’’

‘’I’d like that’’

Ace looked towards the window and noticed the road outside the restaurant was finally free of crows. Mau noticed the same.

‘’Aha, there we go. Now you can get home safely’’

‘’Trust me you’re never truly safe from… them’’ he said ominously. Ace had seemingly let go of trying to make it look like he wasn't scared of the black feathered corvids. ‘’But I think I'll manage’’

‘’If you say so, will you come back some time? I can probably get you a discount.’’

Ace grinned ear to ear ‘’Absolutely’’ he said as they shook hands. Mau saw him of at the door, and bid him farewell. There seemed there were no shortage of eccentric cats in st Louis, she thought to herself as she saw Ace disappear into the night of the city.

Theres not much historical stuff to mention here.

The only thing I did considerable research on was how trash would be disposed of in the 1920s. As far as I found it seems trash would be lined up by the road and trash cars/wagons would come and collect everything taking it to a secondary location to be disposed of.

Heldig also provided me with a map of Mau and her fathers restaurant Upon my request so I could plan things out.

[buffetlicious]

The Sky Amphitheatre is packed full house even before the 12.30pm show commence with many audiences left standing at the back. The Wings of the World featured popular birds showcasing their natural talents, breathtaking plumage and sharp-as-claws IQ. I particularly enjoyed the pair of parrots imitating rooster crowing, hand phone ringing and singing the happy birthday song.

Everyone is excited when the staffs release colourful macaws and pelican to fly around the amphitheatre. But the highlight of the show must be when they let out flocks of Pelican, Flamingo and multi-coloured Macaws onto the stage. At the end of the show, audiences can queue to have their photographs taken with the birds which attracted long queue.

The next show starts at 2.30pm so I have slightly more than an hour to explore but I was a little tired out from all the walking under the sun so I popped into one of the air conditioned area to chill out. The Predators on Wings presentation stars what else but these majestic big birds of prey at the top of the food chain. You get to check out the white-bellied sea eagle which I can sometime spots flying in our Singapore sky or hear their call. Also on show are owls, vultures and this dark brown and white American Bald Eagle.

The 20 minutes show ended quickly and it is time to make the way to the shuttle station to board the tram back to the entrance as our company’s bus is waiting to ferry us back home. The new bird park is not only bigger than the previous one plus they do away with many of the small cages and replaced them with these huge walk in aviaries grouped by geographical locations. The aviaries are styled and landscaped to look like the birds’ natural habitat. Overall, this trip had not only been enjoyable but informative where we learn to coexist with the animals rather than hunt them to extinction.

[littlekoifishes]

can you do meggy and desti agere headcanons for me, bestie? [i never seen a desti agere headcanon before and i think it would be really interesting if one was made] but you no have to do it, no pressure!! :3

Oh heck yah!!!

Little desti and flip! meggy headcanons!!!

Little desti:

5-7 little age, very much a big kid regressor and has a lot of fun running around and yelling happily out loud.

She does throw a mean tantrum when she doesn't get what she wants.

She is a great prankster in her own eyes, putting whoopsie cushions or scarying people just running around hiding before popping out saying boo!

Very playful regressor and just wants to have fun. She uses sidewalk chalk a lot to draw hopscotch and to draw flowers, etc.

She has splatguns made for little kids, nothing compared to her main splatgun, but she adores it and often shoots meggy for fun during playdates.

She isn't a pacifier user, she uses sippy cups and blankies. She has a red velvet blanket she takes everywhere it's her calm down blanket.

She had a white and brown spotted dog as ur comfort stuffed animal and a crow plushie she has when she plays pirates.

She is very creative and often times plays pretend if she's not intrecating with her caregiver or friends.

Very much needs to take naps. She gets very fussy if not given naps at the hour. Oftentimes, she will just slump over when little and fall asleep whenever exhausted.

She is a big kid meal eater, mashed potatoes are her favorite, she loves egg salad sandwiches or pbnj, chips and salad she is a big salad fanatic.

She does stomping from time to time whenever upset, but stops when told to at least 3 times.

Queen of the playground loves the playground runs around the entire thing 4 times before going down slide, monkey bars, and digging for treasure in the sand box.

I do think her eyes get really big when regressed and are a big sign that she is small. Also, she'll very much get her voice more whiny before she even noticed.

She wears big kid clothing like t shirts and pants, mostly just shorts and tank tops. But for bedtime, she does regress to 5 and often wears onesie or matching pajama sets.

Switch meggy (caregiver)

Meggy is her 2nd caregiver.

She plays with desti shooting child sized guns paint guns at her or playing hide n seek with her.

She makes sure desti gets her naps in and has seen all with destis tantrums and finds them all adorable but very annoying at times when it drags on.

Not at all a stern caregiver, but she does get very bossy when desti gets grumpy with her.

She is pretty much like a big sister to desti and keeps her happy.

She buys new jammies and outfits for desti at random and buys her a good amount of toys.

She throws a sick birthday party for her little one just whole thing with a cake and all her friends.

She has a lot of fun doing desti hair, putting them in pigtails,buns,ponytails, brushing it down and out, etc. She adores her hair and loves being able to do it she thinks she looks so pretty.

Running around with her on her back giving piggyback rides.

Is the reason why desti eats her greens because she can not cook to save her life without help and will opt to make salad than to make other hard meals.

Neat freak at times but gets desti involved to learn to pick up her toys etc.

( Little meggy headcanons ):

5-8 year old little

Big kid and older sister to desti when 8 years old and little sister to desti when younger than her.

Very playful and giggly, playing tag and running in puddles and mud with desti.

Picking up rocks and seashells at the beach and playing in the sand, making sandcastles. (They can not play in the water.)

Often when older helps desti put on coats and jackets and does her hair to her best ability and desti always loves the charms and hair lips pins she puts in her hair.

Big sticker user her entire face would be covered in stickers if it wasn't for desti taking then off her face out of panic.

Very messy regressor often get hurt while little by accident and needing bandages.

She likes soft foods a lot and eats mashed potatoes and smoothie bowls a lot.

Candy eating loves showing her tongue that is green or blue from candy. Has a treat jar because of good behavior.

Angst headcanon//

Meggy would regressor more when desti did die in canon and would become very emotional when regressed.

Getting very emotional and upset when little hearing destis name or seeing her toys or blankie or stuffed animals.

Oftentimes, the day she died, she died, crying when little to desti, saying she missed her sister.

And when in caregiver space have very bad empty nest syndrome and feel overly upset that she doesn't have a little.

She would often take 4 when regressed to caregiver or mario to caregive for when she is ij caregiver space like this. They both don't mind at all but it did scare them a few time when she did this.

Alrighty that's it chat!! X3 hope you enjoy!!!

[skyteller143]

DRUG • C.S (pt1)

warnings: smoking, drinking, swearing

sky speaks:i have never written anything before so lmk if this is any good

——————————————————

drugs.

a drug is addictive. some drugs ruin life’s and relationships. some drugs make u happy, some make u sad.

for me they make me happy. why do u think im at this dumb party. free drugs and alcohol.

i stood on the porch of a random house where said party was being held, i didn’t even know the owner, pretty sure it was one of ivy’s friends. ivy is my best friend, we’ve been best friends since we were like 5 after i had chucked a cupcake at her cause she was being too loud (a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do yk, wish i js ate the cupcake tho it was really good.)

i was watching the sky as small stars began to appear while the sun slowly disappeared. a lit blunt in my left hand and a strong drink in my other, vodka i think? not sure. it was peaceful out here, the small hums of the music playing in the background just me myself and i. i thought. i was so mesmerised by the sky i hadn’t even noticed the new presence that had appeared next to me.

“hey” a raspy voice said from next to me, making me jump.

“fucking hell you scared me” i said stumbling back spilling some of my drink. “sorry, i’ve been out here for a while, i guess u didn’t notice me?” he said, his hooded eyes looking down at me. i starred back at him, i didn’t recognise him. he had brown fluffy hair that slightly covered his red eyes, faint freckles that were barely noticeable due to the dim lighting and plump lips. damn he was fine.

“do i know you?” he asked, snapping me out of my trance. “huh?” i asked, my drink and joint slowly catching up to me as we spoke. “taking that as a no” he chuckled. he looked back off into the distance as i kept looking at him, he was really fine.

“uhm” i began “don’t think so” i said finally looking away. “what are you doing out here?” i asked slightly confused where he came from.

“what are you doing here” he said sarcastically glancing over at me, before taking the joint out of my hand placing it between his lips and taking a hit.

“hey, that’s mine” i tried to reach for it as he pulled it away, i stumbled slightly.

“hmm” he hummed as he took another pull, slightly smiling.

“if u don’t know me why are u here? considering u don’t know me” he asked.

shit. this is his party.

“i.. uhm i js came with some, uh friends.” i mumbled looking away taking a large sip of my drink. “ahh i see” he laughed, taking a final puff before chucking it into the floor stamping on it slightly. i frowned. “you owe me another one”

“and you owe me a birthday present” he turned to me with a smug smile before turning and waking back into the house.

——

it was like half an hour after my encounter with mystery birthday guy and i couldn’t stop thinking about him. who was he?

drink.

where was he now?

drink.

i haven’t seen him around did he leave? of course he didn’t leave its his house dumbass.

drink.

everything was pinning at this point. i was now talking shots with a group of people who i barely knew, i had js tagged along with them after my like 5th maybe 6th drink.

i wanna smoke.

i stumbled through the crowed round that now smelled of a mix of sweat and beer. gross. i found a table with like three people sitting smoking so i walked over.

“heyyy” i slurred. “can i get some?” i pointed to the weed on the table.

“sure beautiful” one replied picking it up beginning to roll me one. my face scrunched, ‘beautiful’.

after a minute or two he handed me my roll “if ur free later i’ll be here beautiful” he winked. ick. “yeah yeah, thanks” i waved him off as i turned on my feet stumbling a little as i moved to quickly.

i was back on the porch looking up at the stars again. they were fully visible now.

i brought the blunt to my lip lighting it inhaling, i held it in for a second before breathing it back out. this was so peaceful.

just me, myself and i.

until my phone rang. the ringer was so loud jesus. i was really feeling this thing. i went to get my phone out my pocket but my hand felt weak. my eyes blinking slowly as i heard the door open and a hand grab my shoulder. i turned to look to see who it was and i could barely see.

“hey beautiful”

shit.

i tried to push him off but i was too weak as he began to walk me with him. my eyes were now foggy and my legs js went where they were guided.

“stop” i mumbled, barely above a whisper.

“hm whatd u say beautiful we’re js gonna have some fun”

at this point i couldn’t control my body and i was js going with him. my mind screamed at me but i couldn’t do anything.

all of a sudden i felt him get shoved and i stumbled backwards.

“fuck off her she said stop bro”

“what’s it to you pretty boy”

i could barely keep my eyes open. all i could see was the guy getting punched in the face before my eyes fully closed.

——————————————————

y’all want a part 2??

[inkyquince]

Happy Birthday, Q!

This is a late present for @angrelysimpping the ultimate beloved's birthday!

content warning. threesome, Wremussy, sex toys, exhibitionism, Wren being a little shit but hey we love him for it.

It felt quieter when you woke up than when you went to sleep. The party booked at the hotel was loud, rambunctious with the usual shenanigans. Creeping hands, being pulled into dark corners, panting and moaning mingling with the clinking glasses and giddy laughter as white powder was patted off noses and notes. 

Blinking a few times, stupidly, the first thing that you thought was that this was most definitely not Avery’s hotel room. Avery liked a particular room, with wide open windows and a nice creme pattern on the walls. Also, by now the shower would be running, there would be breakfast waiting on the nightstand, courtesy of room service, and the mess between your thighs long since cleaned up. 

No, this room seemed higher up, meaning that the sound of traffic was fainter. Darker walls, heavy curtains with just a faint stream of sunshine coming through. You slowly sat up, wincing, somewhat confused in the darkness of the room, cum sticking thickly to your thighs. A low groan startled you from your side, making you glance down at the lump in the bed that you had looked over in the dark, the deep purple bed sheets doing nothing to help. 

Freezing up a bit, you glanced around again, hands awkwardly hovering so as not to touch anything, or… Wake… Anyone. Who was obviously not Avery. Clothes scattered, in an not-Avery way, who preferred to fold his clothes before heading into the shower, and even then, he aimed to toss his clothes on a chair instead of the floor, or heaven’s forbid… The balcony? Someone’s boxers, also Not-Avery’s, were flung over the railing. Or maybe… Yes-Avery’s? There was a nice lacy trim. But Avery when not wearing Quinn-Special-Nights lingerie, then he wore something closer to boyshorts, cupping his… Assets spectacularly. 

Wait… Quinn-Special-Nights. He preferred darker rooms, messier results, everything. Maybe you and Avery met him at the party? Maybe… 

You leaned over just enough to slightly dip the bed, lightly catching the end of the silk sheet on your fingertips and tugged it down enough- Nope. Natural blonde hair, wavy against the pillow, not beautifully bleached. 

“Fuck.” You whispered, glancing around. Avery’s going to kill you. You ditched him at a party he took you too! He’s going to bruise your ass black and blue with his belt again, at least if Quinn isn’t there, who prefers overstimulation after edging. 

The soft, sleepy snort startled you out of your panicked reverie. Might as well bite the bullet- Oh… 

A broad, tattooed hand idly twitched against the dark sheets before slowly dragging their blunt fingernails up, up, up to tug the fabric down, to uncover his face. First, the wayward blond curls tumbled out from beneath the silk, the slitted dark eyebrows. Soft brown eyes blinked up at you, only for them to bright, crows feet forming as you could tell he was smiling, his true smile… The one that reached his eyes. 

“Sunshine.” Wren’s soft murmur was still audible underneath the fabric. “Really don’t get to see you in my bed in the morning a lot. Nice change.” 

You blinked before snorting, despite yourself. He kicked the sheet off, revealing his naked form, but this was Wren, who you know lacked several degrees of shame, and instead revelled in it. Strong arms circled your bare waist and he tucked his face against the small of your back, hot breath fanning against your skin. 

“... Do you remember last night?” You looked at his sleepy face over your shoulder, craning a bit to spot him nosing along your spine. 

“I will never forget it.” Despite his shut eyes, his grin remained fiendish with the quick flash of teeth. “Looked real pretty getting passed around.” 

You flushed and hid your face, small segments of the night coming back, dredged up slowly. Of course, the party was a special one, meaning it wasn’t just competitive ballroom dancing, it meant swapping partners, doing lines off backs, and very public fucking. Quinn, of course. 

“So, we-” 

“Yeaaaah.” Wren exhaled slowly on the word, smug. “A bunch of times. All over the room. On the balcony. That got us a few cheers.” 

At least that meant you weren’t in trouble with Avery… Hopefully. He did like to share you around but he also liked to be the one to wake up next to you the next day after these sort of parties. You allowed Wren to pull you back down on the bed, pressing light, teasing kisses up the side of your neck, too lost in his whispers that you didn’t notice the sound of movement in the bathroom, the sound of a tub emptying of water. Didn’t notice until the door actually opened and Remy stepped out, dark hair soaked with water and a towel wrapped around his waist, held closed in his fist. 

“Babe, look who's up.” Wren yawned, not entirely making clear who was “babe” in this situation. 

Remy regarded you for a moment, water droplets still rolling down his sharp cheekbones, over his toned chest. His cool eyes dragged over your body, flicking to Wren’s, lingering on his soft cock before coming back to you, his gaze more appreciative than appraising. He finally turned away, glancing around for his own clothes as he made his way towards the bed, leaving damp footprints imprinted into the carpet. 

“Start getting ready to leave, Wren.” The farmer said flatly, dropping his towel to instead pick up his boxers. 

Wren gave a low whine, and his nuzzling turned into slow kisses up your back, hot tongue taking a moment to properly press against your pulse point. 

“C’mon, not yet, boss. The room is paid up until tonight, and we don’t get to fuck on satin sheets a lot.” 

“Silk.” 

“Tomato, Potato.” 

“That’s not how the saying goes, Wren.” Remy sighed through his nose, pulling his underwear on, hiding his ass from your and the smuggler’s interested gaze, admiring the finger marks and bites still littering it with gusto.  

“Who cares,” He leaned across you, mouth still pressed against your throat and loudly slapped the Farmer’s pert ass, making the man in question almost jump out of his skin. “Main point is that you should slide those bad boys off and get back on the bed.” 

Remy sighed through his nose and just fixed his partner with an unimpressed look. 

“We have got to get back-” 

“No, we don’t.” Wren gave your throat another nip before pressing his lips against yours, sighing into your mouth just before parting again. “The farm won’t catch fire while we’re not there, they know what to do.” 

You felt the smuggler’s lips curve into a secretive smile against yours, his cock stirring in interest against your leg as you finally gave him your own peck. 

“One fuck isn’t enough, y’know.” Wren murmured, eyes dark with his blond hair framing his face to make him look hungry. 

“Well, it wasn’t just one.” Remy snapped, only for his ears to blush darkly, the exclamation having escaped him by accident. 

“God no. Not just once.” The smuggler smirked, his hand drifting between your thighs, running over the cum still staining your sensitive skin. “Do you remember, sunshine? What fun we had when we got our hands on you?” 

You felt yourself flush as he probed at the memory. Facing away, embarrassed, you could only catch Remy’s eye instead, his gaze finally returned to you. His expression matched Wren’s. Hungry for you to recall all the dirty things they did to you last night, as you more than happily gave yourself to them. 

“The… Hallway.” You swallowed, still looking at Remy, even as Wren shifted and he crawled over your body, slowly kissing down your body, hands dragging over your sides. “You unlocked the door but Wren already… He pushed me against the wall and he…” 

He pressed into you too easily, cum and lube making his thick cock pressing into you far too easy. The farmer snorted as he glanced back, unsurprised that Wren was the first one to buckle when it came to you. The moment you were fully sunk down to the base of his cock, he gave a slow thrust, more fixated on you rather than the people passing behind him, cat calling and cheering as he hitched your legs over his shoulders instead. Evil bastard walked after Remy, letting your poor hole twitch around his cock as he made his way into the room, locking the door behind him. 

“You were so ready for me.” Wren kissed your pubic bone, soft snicker escaping his lips. 

“Where else?” Remy interrupted, trying to hide his slowly hardening cock, tenting against his boxers. 

“The balcony.” You said, breathlessly, as the smuggler’s tongue finally found your hole, lightly pressing it in. 

Wren had just cum in you, having bounced you until completion while sitting on the chair on the balcony, when Remy readied the others “toys” on the bed. You didn’t even hear the farmer make his way outside, trousers slung low on his hips, just to lift you off his partner’s lap, despite the cum dribbling out and splattering on the floor and his slacks. The cold railing bit into your naked flesh, making you gasp, only for the noise to pitch into a moan as Remy also pushed into you. More cum dribbled out, streaking down your thigh, the other leg slung over the farmer’s shoulder as to properly press into you the entire way. The dizzying height, the distance to the ground had you tensing up, making Remy groan lowly, gripping your hips harder. You could just about hear the cheers and whistles from the ground as he rutted into you, his immediate pace brutal and punishing. His hip bones dug into your sensitive skin, the wet sound of his thrusts just making you whine all the more. One glance at Wren showed him already stroking himself back to full hardness, hazy grin and gaze fixed on you. 

“Missing one last fuck location of the night, sunshine.” Wren breathed, withdrawing his tongue enough to speak before sinking it back into you, reaching one hand down to slowly jerk his cock. 

You glanced from him back to Remy, who was tucking his boxers underneath his balls to free his cock, spitting into his own hand. 

“The… The bed. With the toys.” You finally whispered. 

“Of course.” The farmer gives a low sigh, caressing his cock. 

“Which is due for a repeat, y’know.” Wren murmured, sitting up on his heels on the bed, slowly jerking his erection, eyes hungry. 

Tied to the bed, ball gagged. Two cocks pressing into you, throbbing and fit to burst as the two men groaned and gripped you tightly, using you over and over again. Dizzying, overwhelming pleasure. In between two heaving chests, Wren at your back with Remy’s gloved hand gripping your chin so he could attack your sensitive lips with his teeth, leaving them swollen as his cock was roughly bullied into you repeatedly. The smuggler switched between rutting his cock against his partner’s in your stretched hole and just using your slicked up thighs to slide his throbbing cock between. Whenever they had to take a break, they’d pick up the complimentary sex toys Quinn had been handing out in little bags as “party favours” and would plug you up with whatever they could find. Wren’s giggle of delight had you worried but he just loosened your gag and tucked something sweet on your tongue. Sweetheart sweets. 

“‘Cuz you’re sweet.” Wren grinned and kissed your forehead before ducking his head and dragging his tongue over your clavicle. 

Remy just sighed, yet it wasn’t his usual one of annoyance. It was one of slow pleasure, and you shivered at the sound, hearing the faint slick noise of skin against skin. 

“Like that, boss?” 

“Wren..” He struggled to even utter his name, and the bed shifted again. 

The plug was tugged out of you and you could tell Remy was moving back into position, this time resting most of his weight on you, settling in between your thighs. His teeth began their usual attack, now on your throat, littering it with love bites as his cock slowly pressed back into you. You felt Wren drop a kiss to your forehead before shifting back down, followed by a sharp inhale from Remy. 

“Missed my cock, baby?” 

“Shut… Up.” Remy muttered without any venom, his hands gripping your hips to pull you down on his cock more. 

“What about you, sunshine? Excited to be a good little cockwarmer?” 

“Wren…” You whined out softly and you felt Remy shiver above you. 

The smuggler, luckily, was one of those guys who was all talk, but also all action. He delivered on his promises. His rough thrusts had Remy’s cock also throb and push repeatedly into you, despite the smaller man not moving that much, just gripping onto you and panting. You came faster than the both of them as the smuggler groaned and the farmer twitched and moaned, and everything settled into an overstimulated haze. 

“C’mon boss. You had a great time.” Wren shot a grin at Remy, who just scowled at him. 

Despite his annoyance at the teasing, he let the blond creep closer, ducking down to tongue at his already leaking slit. Remy struggled to look back at you as his partner took more of his cock in his mouth, but you weren’t about to be left out. The bed shifted as you crawled closer, resting your head on Wren’s thigh to kitten lick at his swollen balls, answered happily by his pleased hum. The unfamiliar feeling of the farmer’s ungloved hand made you start, but you spread your thighs as he sunk two fingers into you immediately, aided by last night’s cum. 

“Let’s stay longer, Rems.” Wren murmured as he pulled off his spit slicked cock, and dropped a kiss to Remy’s bitten lips. 

The farmer frowned, mulling it over, and was going to say no before you wrapped your fingers around his wrist, pressing his long fingers deeper inside of you with a sigh. 

“Please?” You mumbled, still mouthing at Wren’s balls. “Stay?” 

Remy tensed up, his fingers twitching inside of you, dark eyes fixing to yours for a moment. 

“... Fine.” 

[bunnymermaidsblog]

Happy birthday to my friend @writerfae ! Sorry I'm late! All these are their characters from their story The knights of the Alder

Welcome to the Clown Aiden au

The overlapping sounds of guitar, violin, cymbals, drums and bells were jumping over each other like deer in the forest. They were, of course dampened by the chatter and cheer of humans enjoying the carnival that came to town.

Talon had no idea how Hela managed to convince him to come here. He has to wake up at dawn tomorrow for crying out loud! Yet here he was watching some poor man on a colorful stage pretend to swallow a flaming torch as the crowd egged him on.

"He's not even really swallowing it..." he whispered to Maya. "This is just ridiculous. Humans don't even have magic and yet everyone is going along with this idiotic..." he was promptly shushed by everyone around him, including his friends.

"Just try enjoying it, Talon" giggled Hela, her red locks falling into her face.

Talon just crossed his arms, preparing himself for a whole night of boredom.

The next preformer was a man who was the size of two. He had his muscles on full display. They looked like the mountains in the far distance. He was carrying a big gold box. The crowd gasped and clapped as the man raised it into the air. Hela was screaming directly into Talon's ear. And then the box opened.

At first nothing happened. Then a boy stuck his head out of the box. He was wearing a jester hat, his brown bangs sticking out from underneath. He looked around curiously. For a moment he accidentally locked eyes with Talon, then continued scanning his surroundings. The crowd cheered. The boy pulled his head back into the box.

The way everyone fell silent almost got a chuckle out of Talon.

The boy stuck his head out once more. The crowd cheered, he hid again. Again and again.

Only when you started hearing the disappointment, the first whisps of anger, the crying of children who wanted to see the man in the funny hat did Aiden whisper excidedly, while bracing agaist the inside of the box:

"Okay, it's show time!"

A small shadow flew out of the box heading for the sky, suprising even Talon. Following it the boy also jumped out, with the happiest grin on his face, red makeup on his button nose.

He moved like unfolding paper, with a destination in mind. He crossed the stage, flicking his wrist, pointig his shoes, making sudden, exaggerated motions. He jumped, and the bells of his hat jingeled. He made silly faces, to which the kids in the crowd fell over laughing.

Talon thought he moved so gracefully, as if the stars themselves were puppeteering him with invisible strings.

The shadow came back, and landed on the boy's shoulder as he bowed. A crow.

Aiden slightly lifted his chin with a knowing smirk. The cool metal of his bells brushed across his skin making it tingle like a kingdom of ants. His crow, Kara was watching him expectantly. They knew this routine well.

He sucked in a breath, filling his lungs fully, so the next move wouldn't hurt. When he started letting the air free, and the crow let go of his shoulder, suddenly (to the audience that is) the large man grabbed his upper body throwing him to the back of the stage where he landed, arms and legs flailing like a ship's flag, as the crowd gasped.

Amongst the people watching Talon felt his muscles tense and loosen over and over again. It was clearly a show, but a good one. The boy looked like a clown getting an undeserved beating. A clumsy duckling facing off against a hissing swan. But all his movements had a purpose. Chest rising and falling like tide of the water, so the hits, few as they may be wouldn't hurt. There were some close calls, he could tell. Both by the boy's few quicker moves to avoid a blow, and the growing frustration on the strong man's face. The clown was clearly improvising. And yet he was smiling like nothing could take away his joy.

Aiden didn't even have to look at Kara, to know that she was wearing the same face she always wore, when he was being reckless. How could a crow have so many different expressions, with so few facial muscles he had no clue. She didn't even have lips.

"Oof" he sucked in a breath, nearly getting hit in the chest, but avoiding it last second, as if he were a floating leaf.

He smirked. This was not their practiced routine, but you don't understand! He was bored! He has done this a million times, in the exact same way.

His pointy shoes hit the wooden stage, as he stood up straight. He needed to spice it up a little.

A fist contacted his face. His bells jingled like never before. This is fine, Aiden thought. It wasn't even that hard of a blow. He staggered back a few steps. This is fine. He stepped backwards, tripping off the stage. This is fine. He looked at Kara's worried face. This is completely fine.

The people in the audience cried out in alarm.

Talon sprang forward to the front of the crowd. He knew that wasn't part of the routine. It couldn't have been. It was just too sudden. The movements were too jerky, not graceful as they once were.

He caught the boy, looking like a child trying to catch a falling star, and held him in his arms.

Aiden's eyes snapped open, smile returning like it was never gone in the first place.

He let his eyes roll around for a moment. That fall didn't hurt nearly as much as it should have. Only then did the clown realise that someone was holding him in their arms. Someone who could have been an angel if it wasn't for the lack of wings. Maybe he is, Aiden wondered. After all who was he to say that angels absolutely had to have wings! He didn't know!

Talon didn't even have time to get annoyed as his head was pulled toward the boy, who planted a big kiss on his cheek, as the audience began to laugh once more. Hela looked like she could pass out at any moment.

"My hero!" The clown sang "Kara, would you be a dear, and give my blonde knight in shining armor a simbol of our gratitude!" His fingers brushed through Talon's hair.

The guard couldn't even utter a word, his tongue like heavy lead, tring to decide between saying: "I need no gratitude, it was my duty to help" or "what kind of self-respecting man kisses a complete stranger?"

A black feather was stuck behind his ear. He looked up at the crow, whose wings moved like spilling ink on paper. He saw gratitude in her eyes, and nodded back.

The next minute the clown literally jumped out of his arms and hopped back on the stage. He held hands with the strong man and they both bowed. When the crow landed gracefully on his shoulder all three dissappeared in a cloud of golden smoke.

The crowd began to trickle away, like rain water through a drain while Talon stood there, unaware of the fact that a smile slowly spread across his face like honey on a warm day.

The end

I hope you enjoyed reading it. I also hope I did your characters justice, as much as I could.

[unknownstarrl]

Some info about my MC/Yuu, Student #23(Beta)

Made in: Picrew

OC inspired: Yuu and the power of magic

Name: Yuri Hill

Kanji: ユーリ•ヒル

Romaji: Yūri Hiru

Quote: "Never! Call me!!! 'A lady' !!!!!!!"

“I am a terrible liar. I start sweating, my vision blurs, my brain stops working.”

Years: 1st

Dorm: Ramshackle

Power level: unknown

Nicknames: Yuu, Prefect,Hechman(Grim), Headmaster's child, Shrimpy/Koebi-chan(Floyd), Puppy(Crewel),Monsieur Trickster(Rook), Sweet potato(Vil), Briar Rose/Child of man(Malleus), Siren(Azul), Herbivore (Leona), Human(Sebek)

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Panromantic Demisexual

Height: 164cm

Eyes color: Brown(right), Blue(left)

Hair: Crow black

Age: 16

Birthday: May 31st(Gemini♊)

Dominant hand: right

Homeland: Japan(born), England(now)

Relatives: Unnamed parent✝️

Wilfred Hill(uncle/adoptive father)

Judie Hill née Williams (maternal aunt/adoptive mother)

Morela Hill (twin)

Grim(partner)

Cupcake ( dog - pet )

Occupation: NRC student, Supervisor,Housewarden, sorcerer's apprentice, the Dragonlord, beast tamer, Seer, Monstro Lounge's worker

Club: none

Class: 1-A

Best subject: History of magic (he love history😌), Alchemy

Language:English(Old trade),Japanese, German, Dragon Language (inspired Lost in Translation, @twsty-lav Language Barrier Au)

Magical items: wand holster, amulet

Weapon: magic wand, dagger

Hobbies: Singing ( disney songs🙂 ), cooking, reading fiction novel, drawing, learn magic with uncle

Favourite foods: Pumpkin cupcakes, Mac&Cheese(mother recipe)

Least favourite food: bone marrow

Likes: Mac and cheese, fiction novel, horror movies, Melanie Martinez's songs, disney, salad, raven, crow, guitar

Dislikes: Crowley, bullies, annoying people, spicy food, being called "girl", being compared to others (especially his twin)

Talents: Fast leaner, Dragon language, Fairy language, Animal language, Enchanting, Making Illusion, Enhanced memory, Alchemy/Potion making, Puzzle solving, Singing, Dancing, Cooking, Prophesy, Weapon summoning, Playing guitar, violin; Self-defense

VA: Alexander Ryak <English>, TOKUMIX <Japanese>

Personality:

Yuri is an optimist and a kind person. Contrary to his twin sister, Yuri is quite friendly with everyone and he will help anyone if they are in trouble. However, he will get annoyed and angry when someone tells him that he is a girl or dares to do anything to his twin sister.

Backstory:

Yuri and his twin sister have had to depend on each other since childhood, their parent always fighting each other and they never gave any attention to the twin. Their father was barely at home and their mother was always drunk. Sometimes the mother beat up the twins for very small things, so they had a lot of bruises on their bodies. When Yuri and Morela were 10 years old, their father died because of car accident, their mother was very happy thinking she would be able to take all of her husband's money so she went to the bar and had fun with the celebratory party but she was got robbed and killed on the way back home. Yuri and Morela were forced to move to live with their uncle in England. In here, they had known that their uncle is a wizard, they were taught magic and also changed their last name to his uncle's surname-Hill

While walking around the house, the twin accidentally discovered a secret room that their uncle didn't tell them. It was a room with nothing but a strange mirror hanging on a wall covered with a cloth. Because of curiosity, the twin removed the cloth and……The twin' journey begin here.

Unique Magic: None

Trivia:

Name "Yuri" meaning "lily flower" in Japan

Yuri has Claustrophobia( fear of confined spaces)

Yuri represents "Intelligence" - the other half of Merlin's soul

Yuri has the ability to become a seer

Yuri can use magic but just a fixed level because the more he uses magic, the more he will lose control of it

Magic the twin has kinda different than magic in Twisted Wonderland so that the Dark Mirror can't sense anything ( that make everyone think that the twin don't have magic )

Yur won't use his magic unless there's an emergency

Because Crowley was too gracious, he refused to provide money for the twin, Yuri have to work at Octavinelle to buy personal items and tuna for Grim

Yuri have a tattoo on his back

Funfact:

Yuri was born 5 minutes after Morela, that why Morela always tease on Yuri by calling him "Her cute baby brother"

Yuri is actually very smart, he is always in the top 10 in his old school and also in the NRC

When Yuri and Morela were a child, they used to a fan of Disney, so when the twin look at the Great Seven, they always feel familiar.

Only few people in school know Yuri can use magic ( yeah, all playable character knows🙂🙂🙂 and Crowley, Crewel )

Yuri often talk to his twin by English (Old trade) when they are alone or whispering

Yuri hates being told he is a girl or being compared to his twin

He like to hang out with the First years and then become their babysitter :)))))

Yuri really really hate Crowley and tired of NRC bullsh*t >:3

Student in NRC didn't like the Yuri at first, then because of "beast tamed", they became more friendly with him

All dormitories want the twin become their member but they always refuses because they thinks they belong to Ramshackle

Crowley really want to adopted the twin but they refuse (of course) :v

P/s: My English is kinda suck so I used google translate, please forgive me if there are any mistakes

[kathrynalicemc]

Fantastic Beasts OC - Profile

Name: Julio Aquila

Nicknames: Jules

Pronouns: He/Him

Birthday: June 7th, 1900~?

Blood Status: Unknown (Wizard)

Nationality: British

Ethnicity: Latino

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Faceclaim: Lin Manuel Miranda

Hair: Black and short, combed to the side

Eyes: Brown

Height: 5’8”

Skin Tone: Tan brown

Distinguishing Marks: None

BACKGROUND

Residence:

1-11: Orphanage in London

11-18: Hogwarts

18+: The Empyrean

Father: Unknown

Mother: Unknown

Friendships: Desiree Lestrange, Crew of the Empyrean (tbd, anyone welcome)

Romance: Desiree Lestrange @carewyncromwell

HOGWARTS

House: Hufflepuff

Clubs: Astronomy club, Quidditch (Keeper)

Best Class: Astronomy, Charms

Worst Class: Potions

Boggart:

Child to Teen: Abandoned and locked up in his small orphanage room all alone for his whole life never experiencing anything else

Adult: Losing Desiree and his ship

Riddikulus: idk yet

Patronus: Golden Eagle

Patronus Memory: His first flight on The Empyrean as the sun rose

Mirror of Erised:

Child to Teen: A silhouette of himself and vague blobs of unknown people sitting beside him as they watch the sunset together, free to do whatever they wish

Adult: Its a regular mirror, he’s happy with his life and already has what he desires most

Amortentia: Pages of a book, salty ocean air, thick rainforest, dirt after the rain, wood on a hot day

CAREER

11-18: Student

18+: Freelance adventurer, navigator, cartographer and Captain of The Empyrean

ATTITUDE

Most at Ease When: In the crows nest of the ship watching the sun set and the stars come out, spending the nights driving his ship through the clouds using the constellations as guides

Stressed When: Confined to something/somewhere he doesn’t want to be or facing the harsh realities of the world and his lonely past

Priorities: His friends come first but other than that he wants to be free and to explore the world and see and experience as much as he possibly can in his life. He loves reading fantasy adventure fairytale books. Jules Verne being one of his favorites.

Strength: Fierce lover of his friends, kind, imaginative, skilled navigator

Weakness: Head in the clouds, messy, always on the go, escapes from reality to not face his troubles

Traits: Curious, wanderer, free spirit, kind hearted, dreamer

FAVORITES

Color: Sky blue, forest green, night sky navy, sunset orange

Food: Fresh fruits, berries, nuts, anything that keeps well in barrels on his ship

Drink: Anything really, loves to try new things from different cultures (applies to food too)

Weather: Clear starry nights

Book: So many. A childhood favorite was Jules Verne. He loves fairytales, books about long lost ruins or adventure that he loves to see if they are real and try to find them.

Hobbies: Reading books, cartographing new land, stargazing/astronomy, exploring ruins and caves

Fashion: 1920’s style suits while in London (Jack the Lamplighter, Mary Poppins Returns), and long leather jackets when exploring (Lee Scoresby, His Dark Materials)

STORY

Julio was born on June 7th and for some reason or another, eventually ended up on the doorstep of an orphanage in London. It is all he can remember and nobody knows where he came from. He never finds out if his parents abandoned him, if they were killed, or if they gave him up reluctantly due to being unable to provide for him. Julio spent most of his childhood reading any books he could get his hands on and dreaming about when he could leave his small room and explore the fantastical world he reads so much about but never sees. When he’s 11, he receives a letter from Hogwarts and suddenly his life changes. He’s a wizard.

Julio is sorted into Hufflepuff, the hat taking a few minutes to decide as he also fits Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. The library at Hogwarts is hundreds of times bigger than the small one he used to have and he spends his years reading all he can about the world and magic. Julio excels at Astronomy and Charms.

Suddenly, Julio is 18 and is thrust into the world he’s wanted to see his whole life, but has nowhere to go. He’s a poor street kid in London, picking up odd jobs here and there for some coin. He doesn’t stick with anything very long as he gets bored of routine and never leaves London. One day, Julio goes to a museum and marvels at a large pirate ship on display and suddenly is struck with an idea straight from a fairytale. The next morning Julio flies above England as the sun rises on his newly enchanted ship he names The Empyrean. The newspapers tell of a ship mysteriously disappearing without a trace.

He hires a crew, a band of misfits who thirst for adventure and want to escape their debt or unsatisfying jobs. Together they explore ruins and caves, chase myths and stories, and find artifacts from long ago in cursed and trapped tombs. Julio would eventually come face to face with a cursebreaker called Desiree Lestrange who is set on getting to the artifacts first. They form a rivalry which slowly turns into a friendship and then into something more as they discover what they both really want is provided by the other. Their lonely pieces fit together like a puzzle.

[loousir]

Soulmates {Oikawa Tooru}

Oikawa Tooru x Male Reader Part One

Anime: Haikyuu!!

Warnings: I dont think there is any?

Masterlist | Part Two

AU: Soulmates can have a different way of finding their partner. Yours is after both partners are at least 18, on the youngers birthday, they will swap bodies. They have to share their first of something together in order to return to their respective body. (Ex. Sharing their first kiss, first drink etc.)(If one has already kissed or shared a drink, for example, it wont count as sharing a first) Oikawa's is knowing what their first words to you are.

Originally Posted on February 2, 2021

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

Today was finally your birthday. That meant that you would get to find out who your soulmate was. You were nervous but knew about it so you were prepared. A little.

You were getting dressed to go to school today and thankfully it was the end of the week so you'd have all weekend to find your soulmate. What nice and convenient timing. You did your morning routine before getting changed into your uniform. After pulling up you striped brown pants and adjusting your white jacket, you slipped the red tie around your neck before grabbing your things and heading downstairs.

You said a quick goodbye to your mom after stealing a toaster waffle and your lunch. You slipped on your shoes and headed out to school.

On the way there, you ran into Iwaizumi and Oikawa. You were very good acquaintances but not close enough to consider friends, like hanging at each others houses kind of friends. You and Iwaizumi shared class together but the three of you almost always walked to school together.

"Happy birthday (Y/n)-kun! You're finally 18 right?" Oikawa asked, slinging his arm around your shoulder and leaning on your slightly smaller frame. He poked your cheek gently as you ate, trying to get a reply out of you. "Shittykawa, cant you see he's eating something? Let him chew first." Oikawa pouted slightly at his "nickname" and sighed.

You finished chewing and nodded. "Yeah, I'm 18 today. I'll find out who my soulmate is tomorrow and I really hope it isn't you." You said in a serious tone as the three of you continued walking to Aoba Johsai. Oikawa whined on the way there with Iwaizumi butting in to shut him up.

The trio finally made it to school and went their separate ways, aka you and Iwaizumi in one and Oikawa right next door.

---

The day started and went on normally til lunch.

Iwaizumi and Oikawa usually go to their practice but today they invited you to eat with them. You accepted not exactly knowing why.

"So (Y/n)-kun~ Who do you think is your soulmate?" You shrugged as you ate your bento, glancing up at Oikawa. "You really wanna know?" You asked taking another bite. Oikawa nodded as he ate his own bento. Iwaizumi smirked over to you as he ate his lunch as well. "You should tell him (L/n)-san."

"I hope it turns out to be Kageyama."

Oikawa practically snorted out his drink and stared at you in shock. "You cant be serious?! Him?!" You laughed at the water running down his face and shook your head. You grabbed a napkin you had and wiped the pretty setters face. "Of course not."

Oikawa let out a sigh of relief. "I'd want Daichi to be my soulmate." You said in a dreamy tone as Oikawa choked on his rice. Iwaizumi had nothing today besides laughing at the scene in front of him. Oikawa leaned on his good knee over to you and gripped your shoulders. He shook you gently as he cried, saying something about 'anyone but the wingless crows.'

Iwaizumi pulled him off you after a minute and scolded him. You finished up your bento and checked your phone. There was 40 minutes of lunch left when you looked to the best friends. "So, what did you guys invite me to hang for?" Iwaizumi looked over to you and tilted his head slightly. "Are we not allowed to invite a friend to hang out?"

You leaned back on your hands and closed your eyes, letting your head fall backwards. "You are, it's just, weird. The Cap and vice Cap of the volleyball team invite a lowly art club member to hang out at lunch together. Sounds a bit odd doesnt it?"

Iwaizumi nodded and Oikawa didnt respond. You lifted your head up to see Oikawa a bit of a distance away, surrounded by a flock of girls. "Its your turn to pull him away. I'm gonna go check something." You sighed and stood up.

"Hey, shittykawa." Oikawa instantly turned around at the nickname and his fan girls became upset with you calling him that. "(Y/n)-kun~ You're taking after Iwaizumiii~" He said walking over to you. "And we were supposed to be hanging out." You said acting all coy. "You promised me we would this morning..." You whispered just loud enough for everyone to hear.

The girls were jealous and talking amongst themselves as Oikawa just looking at you, shocked. He had a deep blush covering his cheeks as you folded your hands together in front of you and looked to the ground with a pout. "(Y/n)-kun..." You looked up to him with puppy dog eyes. He suddenly wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into a tight hug.

"(Y/N)-KUN! IM SO SORRY!" He said as if he actually forgot he promised you to hang out. You smiled and giggled, gently prying him off of you. You grabbed his hand and started to walk with him. "C'mon. Let's go back to our spot." You said as you watched the lady flock disperse. Oikawa followed along, apologizing for forgetting a promise he never made.

Once the two of you were alone you sighed and let go of his hand. "Oikawa." He shut up and looked up to you with teary eyes. "You didnt promise me we'd hang out. Its ok." You may be mean to Oikawa but theres something about him that you love. You just cant be mean to him all the time... Ok yes you can but sometimes you want to be nice to him.

Oikawa smiled and pulled you into a hug again. You cautiously hugged back and patted his back. The bell signaling lunch was over rang and the two of you pulled away. "I'll stop by the gym after school to say a quick goodbye." You said grabbing yours and Iwaizumis stuff. Oikawa nodded and grabbed his stuff as well. He had a big smile on his face for some reason but you just brushed it off.

The rest of the day passed by pretty quickly. You had told Iwaizumi about stopping for a quick bye and he said, "Just be prepared for Oikawa." You didnt exactly know what the meant because you always were but before you could ask he had left for practice.

Once you were ready, you head down to the gym and pulled open the door. The lights were off and you furrowed your brows. "I thought there was practice today..." You mumbled to yourself.

Suddenly the lights turned on to show they gym and the volleyball team to be all dressed in nice birthday attire. You only stared shocked at the scene in front of you as the all shouted, "Surprise!" Oikawa appeared in front of your vision with a wide grin on his face and a small gift in his hand.

You blinked a few times and looked up to his eyes before looking to Iwaizumi who was approaching the two of you. "Y-you guys... Did this for me?" You asked, still surprised by what happened. Iwaizumi shrugged and tilted his head to the side saying 'kinda.' "It was Oikawa's idea."

Oikawa smiled and grabbed one of your hands, putting the gift in it. Iwaizumi put a party hat on your head before walking over to a table full of sweets and a cake. "Can I talk to you outside for a second?" You asked Oikawa. He smiled and lead the two of you outside the gym and away from prying ears.

"What did you wanna talk to me about?" You held the gift in your hand and pulled him into a tight hug. He stood tense for a moment before hugging back. "What's this for?" Oikawa asked with a small laugh. You buried your head in his chest and started to tremble slightly. He demeanor changed when he felt his shirt get slightly wet. "H-hey, (Y/n)? Are you ok?"

You nodded and kept hugging him. He hugged back and gently stroked the back of your head. "No ones ever done something like this before. So it's kinda a lot." You said clearly, having calmed down from your previous state. Oikawa laughed and pulled the two of you away to look you in the eyes.

"Really? Well then I'll have to step it up next time!" You smiled up to him softly before sadly looking down to your shoes. "I'm nervous Kawa..." His smile fades away to a sigh. "Me too." You look up to him in confusion. "I... Really hope tomorrow, I'll wake up in your body, Tooru..." He looks to your eyes and he has tears in this.

Dont ruin this moment shittykawa

"Me too."

You look up to him and smile a little. "C'mon, let's go back inside and par-tay a little before it's too late!" Oikawa said with a smile as he dragged you back inside. You saw Iwaizumi standing by a punch bowl with a knowing smirk but you didnt think much of it.

---

Everyone had hung around and "par-tay"-ed till about 7pm. They decided to call it there and start cleaning up. You tried to help but both Oikawa and Iwaizumi stopped you. "Why dont you and Oikawa head back first? The least we can do is clean up."

"But you guys did all this for me, I have to try to help even a little." Iwaizumi put your things over your shoulder and pushed you to an already raring to go Oikawa. "Just head home. Its ok." Oikawa gently grabbed your hand but you stopped and addressed the whole team.

They had paused to look at you and listen. You bowed and thanked them, your bow hiding the tears in your eyes. You stood up straight and smiled to them before going with an impatient Oikawa.

---

The walk to your home was filled with comfortable conversation about the party. "Hey, (Y/n)-kun? Could we have a sleepover at your house?" You looked up to him and tilted your head slightly. "Like the whole team? That's a lot of people and I dont know if my parents would even let me since there away right now-"

"No, not the whole team. Just us." You blushed at what he said and looked away, slightly embarrassed for rambling. "Oh... J-just the two of us?" He nodded and you just shrugged. "I-I guess thats... Ok. I dont think they'll mind." You said rubbing the back of your neck. "Let's goo then!" Oikawa said, dragging you to your house.

Once you two arrived, you unlocked the door and let him in. "Your house is so much bigger on the inside." He said looking around. "Wow thanks." He laughed, "I didnt mean it in a bad way!" You rolled your eyes and walked upstairs to your room thinking, "How the fuck does this dude make me flustered so easily..."

You didnt even realize Oikawa had followed you, thinking he would just stay downstairs for the time being. When you turned around to close the door you jumped at his presence. "I-Im gonna change so you can just hang out downstairs till I'm done." He smiled and gently rubbed the back of his head before asking, "Do you think I could use your shower actually?"

"Oh, yeah, go for it. It's the door behind you." You said pointing over his shoulder. He thanked you as you got him a towel he could use. You closed the door to your room and got changed into some comfy pjs. The shower could be heard through your door but you didnt mind and decided to make yourself comfortable on your bed and watch some tv.

After a few minutes, the shower turned off and after another couple minutes, the door opening to reveal a shirtless Oikawa wearing sweatpants. You looked over only to look away just as fast. Oikawa smirked and jumped into the bed with you. You squeaked a very manly squeak as he hovered over you.

Your eyes looked up to his but couldn't be stopped when they looked at his chest. 'A tattoo?' You looked back up to him and asked, "You have a tattoo? Since when?" He just smiled and shook his head. "Since I was like twelve. Look what it says." He said sitting the two of you up. Oikawa was basically sitting on your lap but you didnt mind.

'You're in the way, stupid trashcan.'

It was written in beautiful cursive. You smiled and tried not to laugh but couldn't help it. Oikawa watched as the love of his life laughed at the first words he ever said to him.

"I said that when we first met! Did you really get it tattooed on your chest?" Oikawa rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Its illegal to get a tattoo when your twelve." You tilted your head slightly. "Then how did you get it?" He looked at you unamused before becoming nervous. This made you nervous too as he laid the both of you down in your bed.

"(Y/n)... Did you study soulmates?" You nodded and asked why. "Theres a chapter about two soulmates having different ways of finding eachother." You nodded again and tried to process the information but he spoke again. "Mine was the first words they say to you are tattooed somewhere on your body."

You looked at him and fully processed everything. It clicked. "Is that why you... Did all this stuff for me over the last year? W-why didn't you say something sooner?" He glanced out the window and seemed nervous again. "Theres a chance that you can actually have a different soulmate than me..." You furrowed your brows and sat up to look at him.

He didnt look at you and just glanced out the window. "What do you mean by that?" He looked over to you and directly in your eyes. "When we both have different ways of meeting our soulmate, theres a chance that you could have a different soulmate even though you're mine."

"That means when we wake up tomorrow... I wouldn't be hugging you, but your soulmate... And... I dont want that."

Oikawa looked away and you just looked at him shocked. "You're so weird out of character." You said leaning down and pulling him into a hug, laying on top of him in the process. "I'm being serious y'know..." You nod and nuzzle your face into his neck.

"I know. I dont want something like that to happen either." He shifted so that he could look at you properly and cupped your face. His eyes held clear care and adoration.

"Let's sleep now, and if I dont wake up to you tomorrow... I'll find you ok?"

--- 2552 Not proof read too well

[peakywitch]

Little Hands - Michael Gray

PART TWO

MASTERLIST

word count: 2k

warnings: none (i think this one has angst?)

gif: @oberelias

It had been a year since Henry had told Y/N that he loved her.

It had been a year since they had kissed for the first time.

But a week had passed since his disappearance.

"He left." said Rosemary, her mother “And I don't know if he will come back, Y/N. I'm sorry, but I only know he's in Birmingham…” she sobbed “In a town called Small Heath.”

Y/N knew Henry would be back.

So every night during the rainy month of November she waited for him. In the afternoons she was with Rosemary, trying to calm the sadness of his mother and his little brother. At night she would stay up late, looking out the window of her room with cup of tea in her hand, waiting to see her boyfriend return from another town. To which, he had left without giving explanations. He disappeared in the middle of the night, leaving a simple note:

“I went to Small Heath. -Henry"

No goodbye, no explanation.

In the morning, Y/N woke up before the rooster from the neighboring farm. And by the time the rooster crowed, the tea was already poured into two cups. One for her, one for him.

 Meanwhile, Y/N did not lose hope. Henry wasn't like that, he was coming back. She was sure.

When the thirty days of her departure were marked on the calendar, Y/N had her birthday. She turned 17 on a beautiful sunny afternoon, it was the only day in November without rain or clouds. Her family, the Johnsons, and some of her friends filled her with happiness when they gave her a new dress. They had all collaborated. Y/N was the soul of the town, always giving smiles and taking care of flowers. So her relatives wanted to give her back a bit of that happiness.

The day was beautiful, laughter, cake, some flowers and the dress.

But when the day was done and her parents fell asleep, Y/N waited by the fire, with a slice of the cake for Henry. She had saved the center, the sweetest piece. Wrapped in a blanket, the fire burned in her eyes, as tears fell and she realized the truth: Henry would not return again. He was not there for her birthday, he would not return again.

When she opened her eyes, she saw that the fire was dying; giving her to understand that she had to go to bed. With rage in her soul, she threw the slice of cake into the fire.

“Burn in fucking hell, Henry Johnson. Burn for breaking my heart.”

When the calendar marked ‪January 16‬, Y/N opened her eyes, feeling worse than ever.

After a sleepless night from throwing up, her body was taking its toll.

"Honey?" her dad asked, knocking on her door "It's late, are you okay?" He was still behind the door.

"No." His daughter whispered, it hurted her to breathe.

"Eve!" the alarmed cry of her father was heard, calling for her mother "You have to come, Y/N is feeling bad!"

There was agitated little chatter, and then her mom peeked through the slot left by the open door.

"Sun? Are you okay, love?" Her mom asked curious and concerned.

"No..." Y/N cried.

Her parents entered the room, after asking permission. Her mother sat next to her, touching her forehead, and her father stood in the doorway, nervous.

“You don't have a fever, darling. What do you feel? What’s hurting? "

Y/N recounted the horrible night she had just had, her pains and asked if she was dying, worried.

"Will, would you leave us alone, please?" asked her mother.

He left the room, leaving his daughter and his wife together.

"Y/N, did you sleep with Henry?" her mother asked, concerned.

"No!" she blurted out nervously.

Yes. But she was afraid of punishment.

“Y/N, you don't have to be afraid. It is something natural and normal, as long as you wanted and he did not forced you, your father and I will be fine. "

Y/N sighed.

"Yes."

"When was the first time?" her mother was a teacher, but sometimes, if she tried hard, she could guess things just by looking at a person. She was trying now.

"I don't know..." she thought "A year or so ago."

"And when was the last time?" she asked.

“A few months ago, Mom. Before…” she couldn't finish the sentence. First it was out of sadness, but she realized it was out of fear.

His mother closed her eyes and exhaled.

Shit.

It was ‪January the 18‬, and it was ten in the morning.

Y/N was standing in front of the Small Heath Police Station.

She was showing off her new dress, as she hadn't had a chance to leave her small town.

She took a deep breath and coughed a little as she exhaled. The smoke was disgustingly heavy. She entered the station and found only one man, asleep. Well, apparently it was a quiet city if a policeman was sleeping.

What I do? Do I wake him up? Do I let him sleep?

Among so many doubts, a robust man with a gray mustache appeared.

"Are you lost, miss?" the lord spoke, presenting a strong Irish accent.

"Oh, excuse me, I..." Y/N whispered, doubtful and nervous.

"Let me introduce myself, I'm Inspector Campbell…and you are?" smiled the man.

"My name is Y/N, Inspector." She smiled.

"Well, Miss Y/N, what is a young lady like you doing at the police station in such a dark area?"

"Do you know Henry Johnson?" she blurted out, no introduction.

"Henry Johnson..."

"Yeah… um… He has dark blue eyes, a freckled nose, brown hair…" she tried to describe Henry.

"Does he have a mole on his forehead?" asked the inspector.

"Yes!" Y/N smiled excitedly. Then sadness washed over her: she had slowly forgotten how to describe Henry.

The inspector laughed.

"Don't you mean Michael Gray?" he asked.

"Pardon?" she asked, oblivious to the name.

"Watery Lane, house number 65." He said, while he wrote the address on a small piece of paper.

After a thank you and a goodbye, she heard the man scream:

"Stay away from the Shelbys, princess!"

 Y/N walked aimlessly for a few minutes, passing houses, horses, and drunken men in the street. Watery Lane seemed never to appear. And she was getting tired.

It was official, after wandering for ten minutes, she was lost. Her feet ached and she felt like she would never find Henry. Y/N looked around, she was in the middle of the street trying to get help. At the end of the street, there was a bar: "The Garrison" read the sign. Being eleven in the morning, how many people would be inside? Sure was closed. But she would loose nothing if she tried. Determined, she walked over to that dark bar and knocked on the door. She waited a few moments, since she did not want to annoy by entering as if it were her home. A tall man opened the door for her.

“Did you knock on the bar door, love?" asked the man, with curiosity and amusement in his voice. Y/N looked him quickly up and down, it was the bartender.

"Yes, I didn't mean to disturb, sir..." Y/N smiled, making the bartender laugh.

"Do not worry, love. Need help? I'm sure you're lost "

"Am I so obvious?" she asked embarrassed, the bartender laughed “Actually, I do need help. Where is...” she looked at the paper the Inspector gave her "Watery Lane? "

“You're on Watery Lane, miss. What number do you have written there? "

"Sixty..." she looked at the paper to corroborate "sixty five"

"Oh." The man became uncomfortable, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. His voice cleared "It's at the end of the block, on the right side, has the number on the door."

"Thank you, Sir." She smiled.

“Harry, miss. Harry." Smiled.

They said goodbye, and Y/N went to Henry's house. In a minute, she reached the black door, which featured two clean numbers. The knot in Y/N's stomach intensified, she was afraid. Because she knew the two results of this visit: either Henry stayed with her, or he left her alone. Again.

Determined but scared, she knocked on the door. Stepped back and waited a few seconds.

“Well, well, well..." smiled a boy "Did all my wishes come true?" the stranger's flirtation made her uncomfortable.

"Excuse me, is Henry Johnson here?" she asked, exasperated and almost hopeless.

"Oi, Michael, a damsel in distress is waiting for you." the boy yelled, without taking his eyes off the girl.

There was that name again. Michael. Y/N had too many questions.

"John, fuck off. I don't have any..."Henry appeared, pulling “John” out of his place at the door "Y/N...”

Henry paled, and Y/N looked closely at what he was wearing.

He had a perfectly pressed white shirt, a blue tie and a vest that matched his pants.

Henry closed the door behind him, leaving the house.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Was it disdain and disgust, what Y/N perceived in that question? No, impossible. It was Henry.

"Why did you left?" she answered with a question.

"I asked you first."

"Has your question been in your head for months?" Y/N asked angrily.

"No but..."

“You left us. All of us." Y/N spat with pain "Your mother cried every day, your brother...Henry, your brother...!"

"My name is not Henry, Y/N!" he yelled out of the blue.

“My name is not Henry, she is not my mother and he is not my brother. My name is Michael Gray, my mother's name is Polly and I have a sister who died in Australia. I...”he tried to continue to expand angrily, but Y/N cut him off.

“You, fucking idiot, you had a girlfriend. A girlfriend who waited for you every night with your favorite tea, waited for you every morning with fresh toasts and all afternoon hugging your crying mother. I waited for you until my birthday. I had saved you cake, your favorite part. I went to bed at three in the morning and got up at five everyday, so I could be attentive in case you arrived. But you never came, Henry."

"I am Michael!" he screamed, his voice raised with every letter he said.

"I'm talking to who my boyfriend was!" Y/N yelled in response “I don't know who the fuck is Michael Gray. But I know that Henry Johnson left me alone, and that he got pregnant. So I'm talking to Henry Johnson, not Michael Gray."

Michael clenched his jaw, and Y/N wiped away his tears with his shaking hand.

"What?" Michael asked.

"Four months. I thought you should know, Henry...Michael...whoever the fuck you are."

Adrenaline rushed through Michael's body, everything was shaking. Y/N saw in her boyfriend's eyes how he didn't know what to say or what to do.

"Get rid of him." he said.

"What?" Y/N asked, flustered.

“I won't be with you, get rid of him. It would be easier."

Nausea invaded the girl's body, making her dizzy.

“Everything is so easy for you. If you don't want something, you run away, right?" she laughed sourly, through tears of hatred.

They were both silent.

"Why did you left without saying goodbye? Or a letter...Michael.” the name escaped the girl's lips nervously.

"I didn't want to hurt you..."

Y/N laughed. While Michael was being honest, she couldn't help but get even angrier.

“So you decided to disappear. Disappear from the life of a seven-year-old who sleeps in one of your sweaters so he can stop crying to you. Disappear from the lives of your adoptive parents, regardless of all the effort they put into raising you. Disappear from my life, the person who loves you. Like nothing in the world."

"Y/N..." Michael began.

"No, you don't get to say anything. Because there is nothing to say anymore. Except I'm sorry, but you're not sorry. Everything is perfect now for you. Look at you." She smiled wistfully “You have the perfect outfit that you always wanted, so I imagine you have a job. And a good one, as you always dreamed of. "

"But you..." he began.

“But I” Y/N interrupted again “But I'm going to have a child of yours. As we always dream." Y/N laughed “I dreamed, actually. Because you had other dreams."

And just like that, she began to walk away.

"No, Y/N, wait..." Michael yelled, starting to run towards her.

“I already waited too long for you. I won’t wait for you anymore, never again.” she sentenced, without looking at him as she continued walking.

Michael's chest sagged as he watched her walk away. He entered his house again, with a heavy heart.

"Michael" said Tommy, Michael looked at him heavily "A word?"

Both men locked themselves in the major's office, Tommy stood still and Michael sat in one of the chairs.

“Arthur had a girlfriend, before he went to war. The day before...” said Tommy, lighting a cigarette" The day before our departure, they fought. Shit, it was hell for him. They were so, so angry about something that I can no longer remember, that he went to France without saying goodbye. You know how much of an arsehole he can be." Tommy was going through a drawer, took out a sepia photo.

"She died within two weeks of smallpox, he never forgave himself." Tommy handed him the photo as he sat down in his chair across from Michael.

“We kill men, bad men. Hell, we even torture some. But we never break women's hearts, Michael. Because it is dying in life. So bloody go, and fix all the shit you've done." Tommy said, with an angry tone in his voice, but still not yelling.

"She won't even want to think of me, she'll kill me with her little hands..." Michael smiled sadly, remembering how Y/N's hands looked like baby hands compared to his.

“If she kills you, she will bring you back. Or have you not heard how she waited for you? Go, bloody idiot. Go and don't come back until you come back with her smiling and on your arm.”

PART TWO

[snarky-bee]

name ➔ Renata Calabria - of House Calabria obviously

are you single ➔ Crows aren’t exactly encouraged to marry and have babies are you happy ➔ Sure

are you angry ➔ Do I have reason to be?  are your parents still married ➔ Well my mother died ages ago so no. 

NINE FACTS

birthplace ➔ Treviso hair color ➔ It’s... black. eye color ➔ Brown birthday ➔ Wintermarch 8 9:09

mood ➔ I’m fine, can we just move on.  gender ➔ Woman summer or winter ➔ Spring. Summer in Antiva is too hot. And winter is too dull. morning or afternoon ➔ Morning of course

EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE

are you in love ➔ That’s personal isn’t it?

do you believe in love at first sight ➔ Absolutely not. That’s what books are for. who ended your last relationship ➔ Next question (glares) have you ever broken someone’s heart ➔ Not that I’m aware. are you afraid of commitments ➔ I’m committed to my House.

have you hugged someone within the last week? ➔ Why would you want to know that? have you ever had a secret admirer ➔ If I knew then it wouldn’t be much of a secret would it? have you ever broken your own heart? ➔ What? I’m not answering that.

SIX CHOICES

love or lust ➔ Both are distractions. I prefer to think with my head.  lemonade or iced tea ➔ Lemonade. cats or dogs ➔ Plants. I’m not an animal person. 

a few best friends or many regular friends ➔ I keep my circle small. wild night out or romantic night in ➔ (makes a face) A night in is good for me thanks, whether it’s romantic (shrugs)

day or night ➔ Night. It’s quiet, less people around, good for my work if you catch my drift. 

FIVE HAVE YOU EVERS

been caught sneaking out ➔  Only when I was an untrained apprentice without any damn sense.  fallen down/up the stairs ➔ Nope wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? ➔ I have no shortage of things I want thank you very much. wanted to disappear ➔ Doesn’t everyone?

FOUR PREFERENCES

smile or eyes ➔ Smile, I suppose. Be careful of Antivan men. They think they can get anything they want with the right kind of smile.  shorter or taller ➔ I don’t care. intelligence or attraction ➔ Why not both?  hook-up or relationship ➔ It’s best to keep things short in my line of work, let’s just say that. 

FAMILY

do you and your family get along ➔ Oh perfectly. Very easy to keep the peace when you don’t speak and haven’t been home in 15 years. Don’t worry, I like it that way.

would you say you have a “messed up life” ➔ (wry smile) I like to think it’s colourful. I’ll let the rumours about Antivan Crows speak for itself.  have you ever ran away from home ➔ I wouldn’t have called it running away.  have you ever gotten kicked out ➔ Something like that...

FRIENDS

do you secretly hate one of your friends ➔ If I hated them then they wouldn’t be a friend, would they? do you consider all of your friends good friends ➔ I wouldn’t go that far. 

who is your best friend ➔ Some foolish mage I met on a mission once.  who knows everything about you ➔ Not a single person that’s alive. 

[jonah-aesthetic]

That One Pt.1 I Jonah Marais  

Jonah Marais X Reader / Ivette X Daniel Seavey 

Plot: Since high school Jonah had a thing for y/n but never thought it was time for them. Now in college after a failed dare Jonah can’t help but throw himself into her life.

Word count: 6.4K

Author’s Note: This is nowhere near to finish so I’ve decided put them into parts. It’s has a lot of best friend content. A few POC characters, links to photos, and not much Jonah as I wanted there to be. 

Rating: 16+ 

Part 2

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

The city was bursting with life and colour outside your favourite coffee shop. Vehicles slowly worked through the downtown traffic, many people weaved through the crowed sidewalks. The smell of coffee beans and baked goods was one of your calming scents, like honey or lavender. 

Turning your head. The tall barista clad in a black shirt and a green apron made hos way to you. Holding your iced coffee and cookie in his hands, it was almost like you had a six sense for the beverage. You could feel the happiness start to spread to from your veins as if you could already taste it. You easy got bored on tastes if consumes often enough, but you know you could never get bored of this beverage. 

“One Iced coffee, and a gingerbread cookie.” The barista’s soft brown eyes reached yours as he set both items on the table. “Thank you,” you said clutching both forms of happiness in my grasp. “Can I get you anything?” His question towards your Hispanic best friend sitting across from you. Ivette politely shook her head. “No, one coffee was enough for me. Thank you.” At her response I started at my third coffee. 

“No problem, just give me a shout if you want another one.” you didn’t dare look at him, but you knew his eyes were on you as he said those words. “Don’t worry, she will. This one is a coffee whore.” the words were a playful attack. 

“Ivette!” you warned, 

“Those ones are a good flavour, aren’t they?” The barista, Trey as you read from his black name tag. Says before walking away.you threw a glare at her, “You know I’m studying for the up coming finals. asshole!” 

“Oh come on! It was the perfect time to tease your tense ass. You’ve had that nose of yours in that text book all week end.” She shrugs her shoulders like she did you a favour. 

“I know you don’t understand with that hefty trust fund of yours. But I can’t fail this, my entire future depends on it.” your voice soft when you explained it to her. 

Her dark eyes shifted from yours to the table, her features softening. Silence washed over her bright laughable personality and you could felt the guilt rise. “I-I’m-you could always ask for financial help, we’ve been friends since Kinder.” Her voice softer now, she knew your dad always struggled with his work for years now. Yet sometimes she forgot, it was easy for her. 

“I don’t wan’t to feel like a burden and you to feel like I’m only friends with you because of your family name.” 

“why would I? especially when you’ve only asked for iced coffee and you always paid me back. Not to mention you still wear that apple watch I got you three years ago.” Glancing down at the smart watch circling your left wrist with a clean white band. She was right, Ivette just got you the newest version on your last birthday. 

“This one holds valuable memories, like a relic.” 

Ivette laughs “I’m sure it does, dork.” 

Before you could say something you caught her eyes flick to something behind you. With a small twinkle in her eyes and a twitched of her lips you knew it was rather a somebody. “predator coming this way.” was all she whispered. 

His Cologne wafted over you as you sense a masculine presence loom over you. almost Alpha male like, straight out of a fucking wattpad book you read last night. Finally looking up, your breath caught in your throat. You knew the male who was already staring down at you, a wolfish grin set to you like you were his next prey, his next target. 

“Jonah” You acknowledged him, 

“Y/N? Is it?” his voice deep as he slides in next to Ivette, letting out a yelp as he pushed her with his hip aside. Folded hands setting on the table top, fingers decorated with a couple rings. A leather jacket cover his squared shoulders, silk button down underneath. one or two buttons undone, caramel chest exposed. Bright determined green eyes locked on you, light brown curls framed his face perfectly. 

“We have classes together.” The comment monotone. 

“Right how could I forget.” The smile sly, 

“You asked Marais, now continue.” Not a change in your tone as you stared back at him. Ivette choked out a cough and Jonah sent her an un-pleased glance. 

“Anyways, my boys put a bet down.” His eyes switched behind you, following his gaze you say all four of them watching intensely. Sipping coffee as if this was their only entertainment. 

“Not surprised.” you murmured under your breath, taking a sipping out of your coffee. Most of the sugar and cream washed out the original bitter taste of it. It was definitely an addiction, one you weren’t getting rid of soon as it calmed your nerves in the presence of him. 

“For your number. a little immature if I do say so myself.” This one knew how to play his games, you’ll give me that. But you weren’t naive, never had been. 

“No, thanks for the offer.” You voice condescending towards him. His expression slightly less predatory, You were getting to him.

“Interesting.” His eyes searching for any faltered emotion, 

“The only thing that’s interesting is that you think you’re worth my time.” His wolfish smirk faltered, shock showed with surprised eyebrows. 

“You don’t think I am?” His voice didn’t change. 

“The only reason you interrupted us was because your little boys over there, dared you to get my number. But Knowing your reputation, that’s a waste of my time. Now will you excuse us we should be heading back.” Your voice sharp as you jabbed at him with each word. 

“Damn your bite is brutal.”  Jonah was amazed at the dish you served him. 

“Only to the ones who deserve it.” 

“I’ll see you around Y/N.” He winked , watching him get up you spoke again. “Oh and tell Jack I want his number.” You didn’t want it but you knew that would get under his skin. he only answered his a vicious glare and a growl. 

Your eyes flicked back to Ivette, a proud smile upon her red lips. “That’s my girl, but dang that one is hot as hell. I would’ve caved, even if it’s just a quick fuck.” You laughed, she wasn’t entirely wrong.

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

Your focus set on the lecture in front of you, taking in all the information your professor was giving you. Tapping in notes on your beloved laptop, another gift from Ivette. Another one you had tried giving back multiple times, yet she had avoid you like the damn plague. Only making you fall into current and take yet another generous gift  

Advanced English was one of your top classes, you’d let yourself lack every now and again. Not for too long but a big enough break to let yourself relax and light a candle. 

The creaking sound boomed through the room as someone pushed open the door. Mr. Delton was use to the average late comer, not giving his attention as he taught the lecture in depth details on the subject at hand. 

focus. focus.

Yet your eye caught a glimpse of milk chocolate curls, bouncing as he half jogged up the steps, light shift inside them making them lighter. He held his jet black mac book and an English text book in his arm. Wearing a white t-shirt rolled up at the sleeves a few inches. Revealing all the ink that scattered across his skin. Black jeans and browning converse at his feet. He was perfect save the acceptation of a purple bruise blossoming on his cheek right below his eye. And a red split through his bottom lip, Both going to get worse as the week continued. 

Bruises that hadn’t been before. 

Staring for a little too long he felt your prying eyes, his wolfish green eyes connected with yours. a flash of a smirk, you swore you saw him tear his cut before you forced your attention back on Mr. Delton. 

You heard his every step from behind you, coming closer and closer. Now right behind you, hearing him take a seat. Dread entered your blood stream and you wished your heart to stop thumbing so fucking loud. Feeling embarrassed as if the student next to you could hear it. 

a small hum from your phone arouse, you debated on it. The hovering presence of Jonah lurked stronger, yet you still fished it out. 

Trey:Hey! was wondering if you wanted to get coffee after class?

Trey the barista from the cafe, the image of him popped into your mind. Dark chestnut skin, a beautiful contrast against your own skin tone. Mahogany coils framed his face, chocolate brown eyes. And those god blessed features. 

You remembered how abruptly he stopped you as you and Ivette started for the exit. Giggling as he walked straight into a table and shattered a coffee mug in the process. He asked for your number, with a pink blush upon his cheeks. Genuinely surprised at the offer you gave it too him while you gave Jonah a glance. Green eyes threatening. 

“The barista boy?” his breath fanning against your neck, making goosebumps rises and a shiver run down your spine. You’ve forgotten about that one with the slight distraction of Trey. Your phone slipped from your finger tips as you let out a loud yelp. Mr. Delton halts his lecture and the thud of your phone echos through the entire lecture hall. 

Embarrassment flows through you again, sinking into your chair as every single person glares down at you. Swallowing hard as you felt your throat began to tighten. You knew you looked like a deer in headlight. 

“She’s not feeling good, I told you to stay in your dorm today, Babe.” His voice loud enough for others to pry in. Bound to talk about you and Jonah later on, torturous gossip. you could already here it. You’d bite back and decline his words if you weren’t for this unfortunate situation. 

Jumping over the chairs he helps you gather your things ushering you out. Everything in his arms both your belongings and his. You were beyond grateful that lecture was the reaching the end. As soon as the heavy door clicked your spun towards him, “What. The. Fuck!” Anger rippled from you in waves. 

“What no thank you Jonah for saving me from embarrassment?” His tone mocking towards you, God! you swore you could slap that dumb smirking of his fucking face. Adding to his bruising face, he deserved it. 

“You are so infuriating!” You yell, feeling it vibrate harshly against your throat. 

“What can I say. I like playing with my food.” Fuck those green eyes. Fuck that stupid smirk. 

“Fuck you!” was all you managed to say as if you could feel the stream burning off you. whirling away from him you continued down the wide hall of the university. If you stared at his taunting expression any longer you’d hit him. 

“Come on! I’m not that bad.” Fake pouting like a child. Remembering he had a hold on your notes. You sighed whirling back around, heading back for him. Glaring Jonah down as you dragged the fire behind you, not a flicker in his demeanour. You swore his smirk grew as if he found amusement in your anger. 

“You are, not to mention you put a target on my back. So thanks.” You say with a humorous smile on your lips. head slightly tilting as he furrowed his eyebrows, perplexed. You rolled your eyes at him, “You called me ‘babe’ as if we’re together..” you mimicking the motion of puking your breakfast out. He shook his head and chuckles. “..And if you haven’t notice you’re Jonah Marais, girls fall at your feet. Now they’re be slicing my head off.” You crossed your arms over your chest. 

“Yet you don’t” His eyes trailing from you head to toe trying to read your body language. The anger stopped abruptly as if his words were like a bucket of water. 

“You’re hot..” His green eyes darken at the confession, his teeth biting his bottom lip. “.. but you treat girls like conquests and you just a waste of my time, Jonah.”  Dark green becoming dull green, He watched as you reached from your laptop, supplies, and phone. Letting them slip from his grip as they fall into yours. 

“If that’s what you think,” Were wrong about him? Or was he trying to bait you? Honesty with the genuine expression you didn’t know what you believed now. 

“Bye, Jonah.” You say softly before leaving him there,

“I’ll see you around, babe.” Taunting again,

“Fuck you.”  You raise your left are and flip him off, 

“Only if you want too.” You roll your eyes at his response. 

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

With the pass few days your mind was drowning in piles of work. Still studying for those finals, they were coming faster then you had the time for. You were comfortable with the the amount of information cramped inside. Yet you still felt the need to be confident with the facts, as if you could teach the damn course yourself. There was no time for mistakes, not now.  

Jonah Marais 

There you were in the quad, sitting at a table far from everyone else. textbooks and random pages with notes on them splayed over the top. Not an inch on blue table insight. Phone on air plane mode as you listened to your trusted early 2000s playlist. vaguely bopping your head to the beat of the songs, mouthing the words, your foot tapping the cement. 

Jack nudged Jonah with a tatted elbow, head whipped down to him. a noticeable scowl written on his face, not too happy to have his thought wonder from you. “What do you think shes listening to?” Words catching in his throat as he coughed “Who are you talking about?” 

“The girl you’ve been staring at for the last ten minutes, I’m kinda shocked she hasn't felt you stalking her.” Jack’s brown eyes gleamed honey in the sunlight, a joking smirk upon his lips as he watched Jonah stutter, “I-I wasn’t.” He tried sounding convincing, but the taunting look on his best friend’s face told him otherwise. 

“I’ve never seen a girl get under his skin the way Y/L/N does,” Daniel pipes in taking a seat in the grass with his beloved guitar. 

“I’ve never seen him get humiliated like that. Was a treat watching you get rejected in a cafe.” Little Zach chimed in, cackling like a hyena. 

“Enough!” Jonah barked out, turning a few prying eyes.

“Awe is Jonah getting mad that we’re teasing him about the girl he’s been pining after of years? Poor thing.” Corbyn’s voice is very condescending towards him. Sending All the guys into a full blown laughing fit. Jonah only glared at his band mates, of course they knew about y/n. The only girl who has never fell at his feet.

They went to high school together, never colliding groups through the years. Back then Jonah had every girl he wanted. Until one day in junior year he saw her, Actually saw her. At the time he didn’t know your name, she wasn’t one who cheered at band gigs. Wasn’t one to catch him in the halls and ask if he had any plans for the night. Jonah would remember a face like that, trust me. 

He admired you through the art room’s door, open ajar. An old paint brush in your hand, chipping black paint on the handle of it, years of use wearing down on it. A palette of colours resting in your other as your focus was deeply upon the canvas. A lion roaring with immense detail laid upon it. Anyone looking at it could tell that lion wasn’t roaring out of fear or grief, but pride. The roar of the king, he was memorised by how in depth her detailing was. 

Sliding through the door like a mouse, his attention went to the board. Spirit animal was written for this weeks assignment. Jonah was intrigued by you and your spirit animal. You had to think of yourself as a lion for a reason and he wanted to find it.That lion. 

Glancing towards you he drank you in, from your soft hair to your wore in vans. Lost in the painting, you never felt his hovering presence. Taking a step towards you he halting, this wasn’t the time for her. he could feel himself saying deep down. She’s a lion, you’re not ready for her not yet. With that he slipped back out into the hallway. 

He started noticing her more as if she was a ghost before spotting the lion. Never talking to her but watching from afar. 

“Let’s rehearse, that’s what we came her for.” Jack says, Jonah felt relieved at that taking his seat in the grass. He was playing a dangerous game with his heart. Jonah knew that but he wanted her, but he didn't know how to make y/n his. A struggle he wasn’t familiar with, she was something else entirely. 

“Let’s start with Lotus In.” Daniel says, starting with one of their newer songs. Attention on the guitar in his lap he began, fingers dancing with strings like they belonged there. Jack took in a breath before letting the lyrics flow from his lips. 

Y/N

Jonah glanced over towards to you again, wondering when Ivette and her pack of Richies swarmed you. A ghost of a smile on your lips as you continued your conversation with her. 

“Tell me you’re coming to the party this weekend.” Ivette’s voice drowning in sugar, knowing  there was a high chance you were going to decline. “I just have a lot of things to do, like study and cram in some sleep.” You whined at her as if you were a injured puppy. 

“Come on girl! you’ve been studying your soul away.” Julie, one of Ivette’s friends spoke up. Her voice soft as silk when talking to you like you were some seven year old. you fought the urge to roll your eyes an sigh at her, all of Ivette’s more fortunate friend treated you in this manner. You never brought it up because you knew she loved the company of them. 

“There’s this dress in my closet I don’t wear anyone, it’s last season.” Julie offers, Irritating boils in your blood as you saw the pity ooze out of her like you were some charity case. 

“ I was thinking about going shopping for one instead.” The words spill out of your mouth before you could think. You didn’t have the money to splurge on a dress at the moment. But you felt the need to prove yourself to her, to prove you were one of them. One who could spent a grand or two in a day without trouble. But you Weren’t one of them. 

“I got you a gift, Actually.”  Ivette cuts through the conversation like a knife. Placing a chunky box atop the table over your textbooks and notes. You look at her seeing a knowing glint in her eyes, she knew. She knew that you struggled in her world with her parents and her friends. 

“You didn’t have to.” You say to her, 

“Stop being so modest, open it.” Julie urges you, it took everything in you to not reach over the table and smack her. Engaging in a conversation with her was like talking to a chihuahua. A Beverly Hills Chihuahua. 

A small reassurance from Ivette you began to remove the lid of the black box. Revealing crisp white tissue paper, spotting a vague green colour underneath. Picking various pieces out your eyes gazed upon a gorgeous forest green silk dress. Grasping it in your fingers you were mesmerised by it, lifting it up you saw it in all it’s glory.  

“Wow, I think I’m in love with it.” You spoke, 

“Me too, where did you get it?” Julie pipes in, gazing at the dress as if it was hers.  It was a split between casual and formal, short and body-con-like. an open back with the straps criss crossing over and tying in the front. 

“You wouldn’t of heard of it, it’s main stream.” Was all Ivette said watching you adore the dress in your hands, 

“Are you coming to the party now?” Julie’s voice still sickly sweet, 

“With a gift like this? yes absolutely.” A smirk etched onto your lips still in love with the dress. Ivette scanned Julie’s expression an noticeable sneer reaching towards you. She tried covering it with a grim smile, attempting to keep the jealousy at bay.  

“Jonah is going to love that dress.” Ivette squeals, you drop it at the mention of his name. You praised to the gods you kept your emotions in check. Wanting to play along with Ivette and her game with Julie, “I’m sure he will. It’ll match his eyes perfectly.” you chime in finally, glancing over at Julie who could no longer keep her expressions at bay. 

---------

Ivette began to slid the key into her door. Click. Turning the knob she opened the door revealing her generous apartment. Guiding you in, your hands holding the box that contained the dress she gifted you. A life saver against Julie and her lifestyle. 

She throw her keys on the counter and they landed on the floor with a clang. “I saw the way Julie got under your skin, you had this uncomfortable look settle in your face.” Ivette says, jumping onto her couch with an exaggerated sigh. Taking it in like she hasn’t been there in five whole days. 

“I’m-it’s just Julie talks to me like I’m some little kid, or your younger sister.” I say sitting on her wooden coffee to face her, connecting eyes she looks lost. Like you said your dog ran away. You don’t have a dog. 

“Where’s all this coming from?” Propping herself on her elbow, concern etching her features. You shrug looking away at your feet, “Forget it, um. Where did you actually get the dress?” You ask not ready to say what you wanted to, knowing Ivette she’d run to the ends of the earth for you. God knows what she’d do to Julie and Julie was her friend. 

“Okay, we’ll set it aside.Talk about it late.” Her voice soft and calming. you were grateful for her understanding, she never pushed and waited till you were ready. 

Looking at her with gratitude, reaching her hand for yours she squeezed. Comforting warm pressure against your skin. Growing up with no siblings and only having Ivette as your best friend almost felt like having a sister. 

“It’s thrifted fifteen dollars,” Ivette beams, 

“Okay I’ll take it.” You say in return, 

“I know how you hate my expensive gifts. Even though I’ve been giving them for years. I love gifting them to you because you appreciate everything I give you, you even try to give them back.” Ivette lets a giggle slip past her lips, 

You hug her, arms wrapping around her neck like your life depended on it. Instantly she did the same taking you into her embrace. “I Just don’t want to feel like a burden.” You whisper into her shoulder, 

“You’re not and you’ll never be, You’re my best friend.” She hugs you tighter to her body.

“I love you Ivette.” A warm smile spreads across your lips, 

“I love you too, now lets get you into that dress before you make me cry.” Her voice strained knowing she felt the same, “Okay.” You say before both of you started giggling. 

Letting go you hopped off the couch grasping the box in your hands. “I’m really grateful for the dress.” You say looking down at her, smiles reaching your ears. 

“Stop, just stop. Go put on the dress and I’ll pick out a pair of heels.” She shushes your constant, pushing you towards her bathroom. 

The dress was gorgeous by itself, but on you it was phenomenal. Silky green fabric pooling around your upper thighs, hugging your body in all the right places.The lacing in the back was complicated but you eventually got the hang of it. Tying it in the front, at least that’s how you thought it was suppose to go. If it wasn’t it still managed to look better this way. 

Walking out of the bathroom you heard an intake of breath. “God that dress is a girls dream.” Ivette beamed at you with the brightest smile. Feeling a blush creep up your neck you spotted a pair of heels in her hand. As well as a gold necklace dangle between her finger tips. 

“I’m in love with it.” You admit with a dreamy sigh.

“Jonah will love it as well.” She teases, handing me the shoes and a few pieces of jewellery. Grasping them you sigh, “Can you just let that go, it happened almost a week ago. Plus I asked Trey to meet me at the party.”  You inform her, taking a seat on her bed and began to fasten the heels’ strap onto your ankle.

The heels were black and velvet with a chunky heel, barely having any foot coverage. Only having a thick band over your black toe nails and a strap around your ankle. You didn’t dare ask where they were from in risk of giving them back. You were working on that right now. 

“The hot barista with Delicious chocolate skin?” Ivette basically melted speaking about him, letting out a giggle you nodded. “God you’re so lucky, he’s fine as fuck.” 

“I know I saw him,” you said pride embedded in my tone, collecting the dainty butterfly necklace in my hands. Struggling to get in to clasp, a few tries before I got it. Matching dangle gold earrings, which were easy enough to not mess up. 

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

Ivette’s car was wrapped in rose gold crome and was apparently a bitch to keep crisp and clean. Pulling open the passenger’s door you slid in, wasn't too long before the vehicle roar to life. Music pounding into your back with the windows rolled down. This was a party not a wedding so you both never bothered with intense makeup, leaving your hair like it was. 

“I told Julie we weren’t going cause you came down with the chicken pox.” Ivette said turning the music down, you whipped your head towards her. “You do realised we just saw her less then five hours ago right?” A laugh vibrates in your throat. 

“She fucked with my best friend, you think I’m just going to stand by? Absolutely not!”  

“She’ll be there.” I stated looking at her, raven black hair tangling in her silver hoops. A devious smirk spreads on her red lips, “Oh I know,” You shake your head and roll your eyes playfully at her. She only laughs in response. 

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

The stench of alcohol, nicotine and sweat has entered your nose almost making you sneeze. Party in full swing, music so loud you swore you saw the floor boards lift up. Taking a step back you thought of hailing a cab and studying for the night. Hand grabbing your arm, you look to Ivette. “It’s time you enjoy yourself, those books aren’t going anywhere.” She speaks into your ear making sure you heard every word. You sigh in defeat she was right, you let her drag you into the night you will definitely regret.

Dragging you through sweaty an intoxicated people, mustering up apologies along the way. Reaching one colossal of a kitchen, a massive house like this was mostly definitely a fraternity house. There was always this pristine a polished look of them, but this one was familiar. One you’ve been to many times before for weekend parties. 

It belonged to Jonah’s band, they liked to call themselves Why Don’t We. As in why don’t we just start a band, you’ve heard the story many times. Ivette had an on and off relationship with their drummer Daniel Seavey.  You had nothing against him, Daniel was a rare stallion with the heart of a golden retriever. Ivette was always the one to pull away from him scared of giving her entire self to him. He was a drummer after all. 

“Babes what beverage is to your calling tonight?” Her voice soft against the shell of your ear. Glancing at the island prepared with every alcoholic drink you could think of. “Surprise me.” You respond with a soft smile on your lips, “The moment I’ve waiting for.” She teases separating from you to craft your drinks. Giving you the prefect opportunity to check if you received a text from Trey. 

You hadn’t. 

Anxiety starting to arise, where was he? 

“Where’s your boy at?” Ivette brushed into you holding that playfulness towards you. Shrugging you shoved your phone into your dainty purse, “I don’t think he’s coming.” voice crumbling, well you didn’t know for sure if he was coming or not. But it was well over an hour when you were suppose to meet. And there was not a single message from him. 

“Here mama drink up.” Ivette places a lime green cup into your hand, the colour coding for single. Tapping cups together in a cheers she counted down “1..2...10″ you rolled my eyes as Ivette skipped eight full numbers. Pulling the pink cup to her lips, taken. Which usually meant she was talking to Daniel again. She chugged the contents. 

You followed, it was bitter. Burning along your throat as you gulped every last drop of it. The percentage was most likely 60 vodka and 40 coca cola. Your alcohol tolerance wasn’t weak but it definitely wasn't strong either. Taking the cup from your lips you coughed. “How was it?” Ivette asks with hopeful puppy dog eyes. You shook your head at her, “I’m never letting you pick again.” 

“Perfect! now it’s time to dance.”

You barely had time to put the plastic cup down, before she was yanking you to the massive den. Into the heart of the party where the music was the loudest and most of the people had been. Cluttering together as if there wasn’t enough space for everyone. 

Your mindset switched as soon you had a taste of the liquor, enjoying every moment as if you did this often. Hand in hand with Ivette as you danced together, bodies close together Feeling the music flow through you as if it was in your blood. Singing the lyrics of an older 2000s song that you knew like the back of your hand. 

Jonah Marais

Music vibrated the walls almost shaking the frames off. Jonah leaned against the railing on the upper level of the house. Having full view of y/n tangled in Ivette Daniel’s girl. Sweat gleamed over her chest as red, blue, purple. yellow, and green lights flashed throughout the house. A blissful smile on her lips and hair plastering her skin. Unquestionably intoxicated by the alcohol she was given. He rarely got to see her like this and began to enjoy the sight of such a gorgeous girl. 

Feeling the presence of a feminine shadow he never took his eye off her. Pressing into him he sighed looking at her, hazel eyes sizing him up. “Hey Jo.” She purred, “Jasmine.” He greeted her in a bored tone she never detected. 

Jasmine was one of the many girls he got lost in through his time here. Jonah knew her body as if he saw it every day. He knew what pleased her and what didn’t, her save words and breaking points. But he didn’t know Jasmine not the way he wanted to know y/n. All Jonah knew was her body and he was getting bored of it. 

“You said you’d be mine for the night.” He voice seductive and slightly pleading, 

“I say a lot of things.” Tone still bored hoping to brush her off. 

“Yes you do.” She hums and begins to press her body into his, feeling every curve of her. Breasts, stomach, hips, and the pulse of her core. Didn’t take too long before her kiss reached his neck. Soft and slow thinking this would release the beast within. Hold her against the wall, bodies pressed together. Instead Jonah shivered in disgust as her hands reached for his belt teasingly. 

“Jasmine, this is a party not your sex chamber.” Daniel’s voice dripping in authority causing her pull away as if Jonah burned her. Relieve washed over him, eyes still on y/n as she grinds against Ivette. Her hands firmly holding her waist, acrylic nails embedded in the green dress. He began to wonder what that view would look like on him instead. 

“Cock block often?” Jasmine scowled at Daniel, 

“Think of it more as a rescue.” Daniel’s voice plain also bored with the girl in front of him. 

“It’s okay to be jealous.” Jasmine purrs again. Can this chick take a hint? Or do I have to form words to make her leave? 

“Not tonight, if you’ll excuse us we have some band issues to discuss.”  It was a quick excuse to get rid of her. It worked as she said a quick bye to Jonah who ignored Jasmine. Hearing her storm down the hall in her heels that clicked behind her. 

“I have no idea why you keep that one around.” Daniel sighs taking the abandoned spot beside Jonah. Elbow leaning against the banister supporting the rest of his body. “I don’t, she crawls back like a wounded deer.” Jonah replies not caring the way he talked about her. 

“Yet here you are still fucking her.” Daniel bites at him not liking the way Jonah drowned himself when things got hard. 

“On occasion.” 

“That’s even worse,”

Jonah looked at his drummer, between the twinkle in his icy blue eyes and Ivette’s blush pink cup. He knew they were talking again, she had this effect on him that no other girl did. “I have a plan and I need your help.” I devious smirk plays onto Jonah’s lips.  

Y/N

Your skin glistening with sweat, the adrenaline in your veins overlapping the pain in the core of your feet. Friction of the straps began to form open wounds, yet you didn’t notice in the bliss of the night. Smiling like an idiot as your body danced with Ivette’s, your best friend. 

“We should take a break.” Her voice strained, 

You nod, not wanting to sound like a dying cat with your sore throat. 

“Okay good, because i’m exhausted, I don’t know how you do it!” She shouts taking your hand in hers, guiding you away from the crowed bunch. 

“The alcohol seeping through my bloodstream.” Your tone in a duh manner like it was the most obvious thing in the worlds. Feeling the way the liquor took effect on your mindset, little hazy yet blissful and happy. 

“Lets get some water in you. okay?” Ivette’s voice holding concern, brushing your hair back like an older sister. “Yes mom.” you sigh sarcastically, with that both of you are off to the kitchen. 

Littering with a couple people not as much as the den. Talking and laughing, enjoying each other’s company. Making the memories they’ll have keep until they don’t want to. 

Again Ivette hands you a lime green cup, but this time the substance in side wasn’t brown. But transparent with no wrenched stench this time, water.  “Drink up, babes.” Ivette says, bringing her own pink cup to her lips. Hers contain the fizz sound of her favourite pop, Root Beer. 

“What would I do without you?” You ask feeling the adrenaline fade from your body. The feeling of complete blissful ecstasy drain to a more content happiness.

“You’d most def--” 

“Ivette.” Her name rolled off his tongue like a purr, like it was meant for his lips. Cutting or conversation quick she whirled around at the sound of his voice. Her breath shuttering at the sight of him. 

Daniel stood in from of her in all his proud glory, his blue eyes fixed on her and only her. They smiled at one another, his cupid’s bow extending. “Daniel.” She acknowledged him. Glancing at me she widened her eyes for quick second trying to keep herself together. Blue eyes shifting he tilted his head at you, “Hope you were having a good time.” 

“I was, thank you Daniel.” you say to him before finally taking a sip of your water. Cold sliding down your throat the perfect refreshment after the hour in the den.

“Always, y/n.” his voice smooth as he averts his attention back on Ivette. “Got time to spare me a dance?” Daniel extends his hand towards her, waiting for the acceptation.

 “Sorry, Daniel but I’m y/n’s ride.” Both flicked to you at the excuse she put on the table. You gave he a tight lipped smile not saying a word but you knew she got the message you wanted to get across. 

“I know that’s why I have Jonah, he’ll drive y/n when she’s ready.” Daniel threw a thumb behind him. Looking past Daniel you spotted him, Jonah leaned against the counter across the kitchen. Wolfish grin on his lips as he was sipping out of a lime green cup. It couldn’t of been Corbyn could it? No, cause that would be to much to ask for. 

Connecting eyes with Ivette, you saw pleased in the browns of her eyes. Not for you to let Daniel take her but to say you didn’t feel comfortable with Jonah. You remembered the times she was completely and utterly happy with him. Saying that he was it, he was home. He was this amazing person for her but she was fucking scared. 

You mentally apologised to her before saying anything, “She’s yours, I’ll be fine. Daniel trusts him, I trust him.” You forced the words to sound normal for his sake. Deep down you wanted to puke for saying those words, but it was for Ivette. “He’s a good person, he’ll get you home in one piece.” Daniel says before whisking your best friend from sight. 

“I’ll get you back of this.” You swore you heard Ivette seethe, nonetheless you smiled after them. Wasn’t too long before you felt his presence loom behind you. Great here we go, it was a risk worth taking at least that’s what you told yourself. 

“Hey, Babe.” 

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

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this piece. 

Which was your favourite part? 

Don’t be afraid to message me if anything offended you with my POC characters. This is a safe space for everyone and I want to make it right!

Taglist:  @jonahlovescoffee​

[peakyxtommy]

Last First Birthdays

Summary: Tommy & you celebrating your last child’s first birthday. You’re sad that the kids are growing up. Tommy provides a listening ear. 

Warnings: All Pure Fluff, slight mention of birth/pre-term labor. 

A/N: I am not a doctor, but did do some research. Enjoy, I loved writing this. Soft Tommy & Tommy with kids is my forever weakness. 

Word Count: 2.4K 

Today was a special day. Your last born was having his first birthday today. Attius James Shelby.

“Look at the birthday boy.” You coo, your fingers patting your son’s stomach as he releases a small squeal, happy to see your face. He had just awoken from his pre-party nap.

You dressed him in his 1st birthday onesie, khaki shorts, and clipped his pacifier to his top, which would come in handy later. His little blue orbs stare into your eyes, as you stand him up on his changing table, before lifting him into your arms.

“Let’s go find your dad and siblings.” You peck his forehead, brushing your hand over his brown curly locks. You walk down the stairs, to see the hustle and bustle of the last minute platters of food and drinks being placed. 

You walk into the living room to see Henry, your eldest son reading a book on the couch. Lydia, your second child with cards in her hands, slapping one down against the carpet. While Tom sits on the floor with Maeve, your third child, assisting her while laughing at something she says.

“Who’s ready for the birthday boy?” You speak gaining their attention.

“Me! I can’t wait for cake.” Lydia screams with excitement causing Maeve to scrunch her face up in annoyance at her sister.

“I am going to play with Jonas. He’s bringing his new card game over.” Henry responds, closing his book.

“Mummy we sing for Atty, right.” Maeve asks, calling her brother by his nickname, not able to pronounce his full name.

“Yes we will sing and have one slice of cake each. I will be watching.” You wag your finger playfully at Lydia. All the while your husband sits with a smirk on his face, his eyes fully enticed with yours. The doorbell rings, causing the kids to scramble to greet their family and poor Tom left with cleaning up the card game, but it wasn’t new to him with a house with four kids.

“Looks like you need some help Mr. Shelby. Bones of yours are getting old.” You tease, earning an eye roll, as he leans himself gently into you, as your free hand helps him off the floor.  

“Keep it up while it lasts, you are right behind me.” He chuckles pulling you into his side. “You look lovely, dress suits you well. Always a beaut.”

“Why thank you, my love.” Your lips press against his cheek.

“Let’s go birthday lad, we have to spend time with our crazy family.” You laugh as he takes your son from your arms, fingers entwined with yours as you make your way to the backyard. - The party was a smash. It was an overall great day with your’s and Tommy’s family and a few close friends. You hoped Tom was able to get Lydia to bed because she had a sweet tooth almost as bad as you, knowing someone gave that girl a second piece of cake (John), which was more unnecessary sugar the girl needed in her system, hoping she wouldn’t have a stomach ache from all the treats today.

Atticus enjoyed being passed around, trying cake for the first time, and being more interested in the wrapping paper than the presents. You took enough photos to last a lifetime.  

As you rock your son asleep in his rocker you mind couldn’t help but think back to what a year it had really been since he was brought into the world, a miracle really. You couldn’t take your eyes off the photos you would switch out periodically (as you took new ones) around his bedroom. Keeping the same ones you took of him when he was just born, when he arrived home, family photos throughout the year. The images floating in your head. The memories forever imprinted in your mind.

He was born eight weeks early in September.This pregnancy came as a surprise as you and Tommy weren’t expecting to have any more as your hands were full with three kids already. You both weren’t getting any younger. 

When you told your husband the news, he took it in stride, telling you how excited he was, despite the chaos of his world around you. All your pregnancies so far were a breeze but this one was stressful. Tommy tried his best to be home, get extra help around the home with the children, and get your older two children to be more helpful when possible.

Your water broke 8 weeks early and you had to have an emergency c-section. Tom was by your side through it all panicking on the inside but putting a brave front on for you. He wheeled you to the NICU to see your small infant son with tubes hooked up to him. Learning how to connect with him through the two small holes of the incubator. That was the start of a journey, for the family.

It definitely put a strain on your marriage of having Tommy balance work, the kids, and taking time visiting the hospital and helping you recover. Both your families provided as much support as possible. The car ride home was nerve wracking having to remember all this information and doing this without the help of the nurses.

Atticus settled in pretty quick to the environment and his siblings who would come to say goodnight to their little brother. It would be hard to sleep during the night with either one of always getting up to check on him, even if he was just sleeping peacefully. He was a little behind his milestones which was to be expected but each step of the way was worth it. He was growing healthily, was able to say little phrases, and was getting closer to walking. He was the calmest out of all your children and easy going.

Your heart was happy to celebrate his first birthday. All your children’s birthdays made you emotional, as you knew they weren’t going to stay young - little - forever. As much as you both wanted them to. This one was the last first birthday you were going to celebrate, as you weren’t planning on having anymore children. Atticus like the rest of your kids were going to grow on their way to independence and need you less and less. You knew you had to let them find their way in this beautiful but cruel world.

“Knew I'd find you in here.” His voice brings comfort to your heart as he whispers to you in the dim lighting across the room, opening the door, just leaving it cracked a bit.

“The rest of the crew are finally to bed and remind me to slap John on the back of his head the next time I spot him for giving Lydia a second piece of cake.” His head shakes with a roll of the eyes as he paces across the floor, to take half a seat on the arm of the rocking chair. You can’t help the smile that plays on your lips.

“Those two are as thick as thieves, poor lad can never say no to her. Spoils her rotten, like the rest of your siblings do to all our kids.” You reply knowing all the Shelby siblings loved all your children equally, each one having similarities to them all, but knew which children brought a weakness or were closer to their uncles/aunt.

It’s quiet for a moment, just the two of you, staring at your sleeping son in your arms. “You know he’s not going anywhere, none of them are. They’re always going to need you, need us. Hell, even I'll need you when I'm old and grey.” His lips peck the top of your head, fingers squeezing your shoulder with gentle reassurance.

He knew you like the back of his hand. His words rang true in your mind and heart, knowing this wasn’t the first time he found you in this spot, with the same thoughts, that come along with parenthood.

You wanted old and grey with Tom, you wanted to believe in it, even though you both knew it wasn’t promised not in his world especially. You were blessed with him thus far, this man aged like fine wine the older he got. You could tell he was getting older in trying to keep up with the energy of the kids, the glasses you adored, and the crow’s feet that was starting to make an appearance.

“I know, just working myself up over the small things. I know we don’t have to worry but I do. Just want to make sure everything will go right. Henry is going to be a teen soon, that boy is too smart for his own good. Lydia is just as stubborn as you are and free-spirited but reminds me of you. Maeve is sweet and our little helper, she’s only just started preschool. Both of them wrapped around your finger in different ways.

I accepted it then in my mind after Maeve but then Atticus came along. I think about the what if’s of that day, the weeks passed, but then I'm reminded of today. How it all feels right and complete. It all goes by so fast, I just want to hold on to this moment, ya know.”

He listens to your continuous thought, walking through it as you speak your mind. You were a deep thinker and took everything to heart because you cared so much. It was the little things that added up. That made life sweeter than the grand things. That was one of the things he loved the most about you, the thing that attracted him from the very beginning of your relationship. He doesn’t miss the quiet tears that release gently out your eyes, the smallness of your wet voice.

He knows what you mean because he has the same thoughts, even though he doesn’t always share them. He has enough nerves for his lifetime and lines in his forehead to prove it.

Henry the eldest reminded him of the earlier years of your relationship. Young, in love, just starting out. The excitement of your first born. He knew after Henry was born, he would do everything in his power to stay alive. He was smart, a leader, and enjoyed spending time with his cousins. He was a younger version of himself, but better. He was glad for it.

Lydia came a few years later and she took his heart when his blue eyes met her brown ones. She was a handful from the start (she was definitely his daughter). She reminded him of Ada in her sass and the mouth on her but also John as she was the child that brought the most laughter and entertainment to the family as she was extroverted. They would enjoy being silly together and tease you to no end.

Maeve was like you in all ways, sweet, loving, and ready to help the best way a 4 year old can. She was a shy girl but was definitely a daddy’s girl. Always searching for him when he was away or would try to sweet talk her way to stay up to see him before bed or read her an extra story. Would make herself comfortable in his home office to play with her toys or find a way to sit on his lap as he did paperwork. She would always ask him the sweetest of things or most serious things, trusting whatever answer left his mouth. He had the hardest time telling her no.

Atticus came as a surprise but in the best of ways. His birth changed something within him. Thomas Shelby wasn’t a religious man by any means, but when he watched his son get wheeled away by the nurses and was watching him through the big glass window the first few hours of his life, he prayed hard for the first time, in a long time, since he was 18. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing a child, let alone losing you.

He remembers your tears as he wheeled you to meet your son for the first time. Him reassuring you and himself, that it was all going to be okay. It was this child that made him slow down the most and rethink his priorities, putting them in check once again. These past two years were hard business and family wise. Managing the logistics of expanding and meetings, risky deals/death threats, raising 4 kids, with two under the age of 5 and in need of constant attention.

Handling the nerves of it all, your/his moods, and the tiffs you both would get in due to sleep deprivation, late nights working, stubbornness on both ends, or just not having a minute alone together or for intimacy. Moments like these, in the quiet night of his home with you and the children at peace made it worth every minute of the day. Made him want to be around even longer, even though it wasn’t necessarily promised.  

“I do too love, I know.” His fingers brush the sleeping infant’s cheeks, watching as he snuggles subconsciously closer in your arms. He knew he didn’t have to say much because in that small phrase communicated all you needed to know, to hear. The both you could read one another like a book where it speaks for itself.

“Come let’s get to bed.” He hums, blue eyes shimmering with affection, as his lips turn upward in one of your favorite smiles, reserved just for you. His soft lips press against yours lightly into just a small peck. The pads of his soft fingers, brushing against your wet cheeks to collect this remainder of the tears. He stands to his feet, holding the chair still as you get up to place your son into his crib.

“Goodnight, sweet Atticus. We love you.” You whisper, feeling the warmth of Tommy wrap around your frame, chin resting on your shoulder, fingers tangling together, bands touching as you both stare down at your sleeping son.

You knew that everything was going to be okay. Even though you weren’t going to be celebrating anymore first birthdays in your household, you knew every birthday after would still be as special as the last one. You always made sure of it as you loved celebrating birthdays as much as holidays. You had all you needed within yourself, the man you loved dearly, and the four sleeping children you called your own.  

[chronicalchaos]

A gift from death, part 1? – Wick RE Village crossover

A group of crows glide down, once almost touching the floor, the ones at the bottom of the huddle quickly lose shape and turn to a brown color, landing as silently and gentle as possible, he sprints behind the tree at his side, grabbing his manifesting cape, he sighs, leaning against the tree as he hears his brother's sobs.

It breaks his – Non-existent – heart how he can't find any courage to actually appear to Tim, all he wants is to keep an eye on him, he has to admit, it's not as hard as it sounds, he finds him at the same place everyday...his own grave.

Slowly peeking through the side of the tree, he smiles a bit, feeling tears forming on his completely white eyes, Tim is sitting infront of a lonely grave, bloodshot eyes and tears dripping from his chin, not even bothering to wipe them off, he created this habit of visiting that grave everyday, today is a really special day for both of them, it's their 18th birthday and, just like every year before, his twin spent the whole day sitting infront of his grave.

He wanted to make this day extra special, but things didn't go as planned...the greatest thing about being death is how you have eyes and ears everywhere, but the downside is how you lose track of time, as an 'immortal apparition', time doesn't matter as much it does to those living. So, once he heard James and his mother talking about some kind of mold, he needed to check it, the only thing he understood is that those two are up to no good...

He hides once again, this time looking to the grave at his side, smiling comfortingly as he mouths to it, Hi papa, thanks for keeping an eye on him while I was gone He knew it wouldn't respond, but his dad would be glad if he thanked him after that.

"Sorry for not bringing you a gift..." Tim's quivering voice caught him off guard, hiding his face on his hand, he swallows dry, trying to hold back his tears, I'm sorry, Tim

He sighs, looking to the sky as he notices the sun starting to go down, peeking from behind the tree once more, he smiles.

It's not what I wanted to gift you... He puts his hands under his cape, But i know you'll like it... From inside, he pulls a crow, just like the ones that he's 'made off', crouching down, he gently puts the bird down, one that flies over to Tim's side

"Hi!" The crow mimics in a silly voice, he leans back against the tree, waiting patiently for an response from his twin "Uhm? Oh, hi little guy–" "Hi!" The crow interrupts him "yes, hi. How old are you, buddy?" He heard wings flapping "Oh God! You're excited!" He smiles as he hears a small laugh.

There were a few seconds of silence, the crow caws, he hears a giggle "You once said they live 10 to 15 years, didn't you?" Tim sniffs, Yes, i did "Wait, if you learned that..." He barely picked his whisper, as the crow caws constantly "Hey!" He heard Tim snapping his fingers, the bird stops "Can you say 'Fuck you'?" He suddenly feels overjoyed, the amount of excitement on his twin's voice, he hasn't heard him like that in years!

He waits anxiously, he knows very well what awnser they'll get from that, suddenly, the crow responds with an almost not understandable 'fuck you', "Yeah!" He holds back a giggle as he hears a wheezy laugh.

"Tim...?" A older voice came from the gate, one he quickly recognizes as Benny, their older brother "You made a friend?" He hears a small laugh coming from the older "He can say fuck!" He could almost hear Benny's eye roll "It's time to go home" His smile slowly drops, for the first time in almost 10 years, he had made Tim laugh again and that bonding moment he was having was cut short...

He heard his twin sigh sadly "Okay..." He hears Tim getting up, as he expected, he heard wings flapping as well "I need to go home, little guy" Benny gets closer, for a few seconds, the three of them stay in silence.

"Do you want to keep him?" He sighs, it's been a while since he last saw or heard Benny, it's nice to know he still cares about Tim "Those were his favorite animals, remember?" Tim suddenly lets out a sob, his excitement didn't last long "Hey, he wouldn't want to see you cry" Cautiously, he peeks from behind the tree, watching as the two stand infront of his grave, Benny having his arm around his twin, while the crow stands on top his head, they stand there for a few minutes, just staring at the stone structure.

"Hey Tom..." He smiles, hiding and resting his head on the tree "...happy birthday" Benny finally congratulates him, it feels so good to be gone, but not forgotten.

After a few seconds, his siblings start to leave, once the sound of footsteps disappear, he leaves his hiding spot, going to the middle of the path, standing alone as he watches them leave the graveyard.

"I'm so sorry, Tim...I'll try my best to not miss it again next year, i promise" Tom turns to John's grave, feeling tears forming again, this time, he doesn't hold back "...I won't leave him alone, not like you did" His voice quivers as he looks at it, he understands his dad's reasoning, but it still doesn't excuse him abandoning everything and everyone for a child that has been dead for almost a decade.

Giving one last glace at the gate his brothers went through, he turns his back to it, taking a couple steps before exploding into a huddle of crows, ones that fly in different directions.

━━━━━━━━━

I actually cried writing this...Well, it's kinda long, i'm sorry about that and if anyone wants a second part, i could totally write it

This is exactly a year before the twins met again and an origin for the crow that's Tim's pet

[rrrawrf-writes]

retirement

this is for @gingerly-writing. it was supposed to be for her birthday. then i didn’t write anything for six months. but now here we are.

---

“If you’d wanted me to attend your party, you could have just sent an invitation.”

Suijade looked up, a bit startled, and then stood abruptly, his chair scooting back, as Gloria Delgado smiled at him. For a woman in her eighties, she looked elegant - and recognizable as none other than Morning Glory. She didn’t have to wear a suit. A long, slim white silk dress with the unmistakable prints of cherry blossoms and the creeping, flowering vine that gave her her alias, wrapped around a body that should have belonged to a younger woman.

A much younger woman. Gloria may have had laugh lines and crow’s feet, but she looked like she hadn’t aged past her forties. 

Suijade instinctively reached out to his ropes, but stopped himself, as Gloria simply smiled at him. He hadn’t seen her in person in years. Very few people had. Her brown skin was a beautiful contrast against her straight, snow-white hair, cut in a bob that curved slightly around her face. Suijade stood in front of superhero royalty, and all that Gloria was missing was the crown.

“Please, don’t let me make you stand,” she said warmly, pulling out a chair across from him and taking a seat. She smiled and gestured towards his chair, as if this were her party. “Sit.”

Suijade sat.

Her brown eyes regarded him with a hidden laugh; her voice was warm and honey smooth as she spoke. “This is a wonderful event. And I quite appreciate the cause - a charity ball for the conservation of local wildlife. Tell me,” she drew one of the still-full winegasses from Suijade’s side of the table to hers, and took a sip; he resisted the urge to tell her that it was for his fiance. “Did you arrange this for the irony, or was that a happy coincidence?”

Suijade finally found his voice. “It’s rather brave of you to come here alone, Mrs. Delgado.”

She smiled at him over the rim of her glass. “As I said,” she pointed out, “you wanted me to come.”

“I would have preferred different circumstances,” Suijade admitted. He doubted he would see them, but he looked out over the crowd for any sign of the people he’d sent to fetch Gloria in the first place. His table was one of several on a balcony overlooking the celebration; it was otherwise empty, as the people in the hall below them chatted, danced, and ate their fill. 

“Then you should have come yourself, Lariat,” Gloria chided. “I’m sure the end result would have been very different.”

If Gloria had been sixty years younger, Suijade suspected she would have rolled her eyes. The sarcasm still carried without the gesture, and he took a bit larger of a drink than he really should have. 

“I believe that the end result will turn in my favor, now that you’re here,” Suijade said. “I appreciate how much easier you’ve made this for me.”

Gloria let out a soft chuckle, and propped her chin in her hand. “Oh, no, darling, it’s rather the other way around. You see, you’re trapped.”

Suijade arched his eyebrows. “Pardon?”

Gloria’s smile grew a touch wider. “You’re trapped,” she repeated, and gestured around them with her glass of wine. “By societal convention.”

“Please explain.”

Gloria gave him a warm look, took another sip, then set down her glass and straightened. “Everyone,” she said, “knows who I am. And those here who don’t recognize me yet, will soon. It’s rather expected for heroes - even retired ones - to kick up a fuss at these events. Though,” she added, “I really would prefer not to. I haven’t been invited to much of anything for years, and this is quite enjoyable.”

“I would prefer not to have a fuss at my party, either,” Sujiade said dryly. “Mrs. Delgado, you seem to have quite the monologue prepared.”

“Please be patient with me, my dear,” Gloria said. “As I said, I haven’t been out and about in years.”

Suijade couldn’t help a smile, and he tipped his glass towards her. “Well, then, please continue. I would hate to curtail your enjoyment.”

Giving him a maternal smile, Gloria reached across the table and warmly patted his hand. “Thank you, darling. I have no need to hide my identity, or my powers. You, however, cannot make a scene without revealing yours.”

That was true. Suijade observed her over the rim of his glass, straight-faced. “I have been known for my subtlety, Mrs. Delgado.”

“I am aware.” Gloria glanced around the room. “But it is a touch more difficult to hide ropes at such an event as this, isn’t it? Let’s see - you have the curtains, of course,” she waved her hands towards the fabric pulled back from the high arching windows. Suijade had, indeed, added ropes to hold them back, as much aesthetic decoration as a potential weapon; more ropes hung behind them. “If I were here to cause a fuss,” Gloria continued, “I would also suspect the vents in the room, and the high ceilings. I’ve had to use those hiding places for my own purposes, before.”

“You’re very observant.”

“I’m very old,” Gloria corrected with a smile, “and I’ve seen every trick in the book, Lariat. Even yours.”

Suijade gestured to the one server waiting on the balcony with them, though she was far enough away not to hear anything. He and Gloria waited for the server to refill their glasses, and Gloria thanked her warmly before the waitress stepped away again.

“Mrs. Delgado,” Suijade said, after a moment. He resettled himself in his chair. “I do not rely solely on my powers. I have always considered that a weakness.”

“And so you would like to tell me that my focus on your powers is a similar weakness,” Gloria guessed with a smile. Suijade nodded, once. “This is true, and very wise of you, Lariat. Though you should be cautious of your use of the word always,” she added, a twinkle in her eyes. “I remember when you thought that your only strength.”

“Would it be inaccurate of me to suppose that you are focusing on your own strengths at this moment?” Suijade said. This evening was taking an odd turn, but he found the conversation refreshing - and, admittedly, somewhat flattering. There were not many these days who had the opportunity to speak so frankly with the woman who had been the first to show superpowers - and become the first superhero. 

“It would not,” Gloria confirmed. “But, it would also be accurate to say that you, Lariat, are outgunned.”

He frowned.

Gloria straightened with a smile. “You have done me the wonderful favor of ensuring that I have more than enough ammunition, Lariat.”

Her eyes drifted towards the vase of flowers in the center of the table. Suijade shifted slightly. It was only a single vase of flowers -

A single vase of flowers on every table in the large hall. Several clustering end tables. Displays along the wall showing realistic dioramas of the local environments they were trying to save. Small indoor, decorative trees and plants that were real, because if Suijade was going to sponsor an event, he wasn’t going to use plastic for anything.

He had arranged his own trap.

“I presume you had all of these roses dethorned, of course,” Gloria mused, reaching a hand out to the vase. Her fingers curled around a soft green rose, and the smooth stem sprouted slender, sharp thorns as she pulled the flower away from its fellows. “That’s really a shame. You can’t properly appreciate something without experiencing all aspects of its creation.”

“They came that way,” Suijade said numbly. He hadn’t really paid much attention to the flower decorations. He had people for that. He suppressed the urge to look around for his security, to check again just in case Gloria had brought someone with her, and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Mrs. Delgado, my associates - ?”

“Ah.” Gloria set the rose aside. “They’ll have been arrested, by now. I was vague on the details when I called the police. I tried to avoid hurting them as best as I could.”

Of course she had. “I appreciate that. They were only doing their jobs.”

Gloria smiled. Her gaze drifted over the celebration below them, following the attendees in their suits and gowns. It was hardly a news-worthy event, simply some of the local rich folks around the state that Suijade and his fiance had convinced to back the charity.

“Lariat, if you’re going to send others out to do what no one else can do better than you, you really should retire.”

He startled, looking up at her. “I’m sorry?”

She set down her glass, a slight smirk touching her green-coated lips. “Oh, you could join my book club.” Gloria’s expression brightened at the thought. 

Suijade stared. “Your… book club.”

“Yes. We just met last week, and we’re starting a new book. This is the perfect time.” She straightened. “I think you would enjoy it. We’re reading one of Robin Kimmerer’s books this month. Braiding Sweetgrass.”

Had she gone senile? She was eighty years old, at least, and Morning Glory had taken a lot of hits during her career.

Judging by the slight smile on her face, Gloria could guess at what Suijade was thinking. “Well, at least consider the idea,” she said, and finished off her glass of wine. “Who was it, Lariat?”

Suijade blinked, and shifted again. “Who was who?”

Gloria looked at him. “I know that there is no reason for you to hold me ransom, Lariat. I have no riches, and I’m not that valuable a public figure any more.”

“You shouldn’t sell yourself so short, Mrs. Delgado.” Suijade flagged the server down again, asking her to refill Gloria’s glass as he regained his feet in this odd conversation. “We would all be poorer without your presence.”

She gave him a fond smile as the server left them again. “Except you. How much richer would you be?”

Suijade smiled back at her. “Quite a bit, Morning Glory.” And considering the money Suijade already had, that was certainly saying something. He could retire their server’s father, the poor man. Suijade knew he worried about her university tuition.

“Mmm. And who will be to blame for your sudden increase in charitable donations?” Gloria asked with a smile. Suijade sat back in his chair, but before he could think of a non-answer to give her, he spotted his fiance over Gloria’s shoulder.

Jesse, of course, had the worst timing, as always.

He stood up with a smile regardless, and he didn’t even have to fake it - seeing Jesse enjoying himself was a pleasant contrast to the work Suijade had to deal with. Jesse had his hearing aids in, but Suijade still signed a greeting to him.

“Oh, Jesse, hello again,” Gloria said brightly, getting to her feet a beat after Suijade. He shot her a startled look, and bit his tongue. “I’m sorry for disappearing on you earlier, I found an old friend I wanted to say hello to.”

“That’s all right, Mrs. Delgado,” Jesse said brightly, his voice just a touch too loud, the words just a touch too close together. Suijade still hadn’t heard anything he loved more. He pressed his lips together when Jesse offered a hug to Gloria first, but he really couldn’t blame either of them - Suijade had always been the one with more reservations about displays of affection.

Jesse at least broke away to come over and kiss Suijade, very briefly, on the corner of his jaw. “I didn’t realize the two of you knew each other,” Jesse said brightly. He reached down to steal Suijade’s glass, and Suijade let him. 

“Well, it’s been quite a while since we’ve seen each other,” Gloria said warmly. 

“I’m more surprised the two of you know each other,” Suijade remarked, though at this point, he really shouldn’t be. Jesse somehow always knew the oddest people, but tonight, Jesse shook his head.

“We only met tonight,” he said. “I wish we had known each other before, I absolutely would have invited you.” Jesse gave Gloria a bright smile. 

Of course he would have. 

They all took a seat again, Jesse sitting as close to Suijade as he could manage it. The server appeared without being asked, bringing another glass and refilling the others before she ghosted away again. Suijade had hoped this would be the last event she’d have to play caterer at, and then she could simply focus on her studies, but with Morning Glory here as a guest, rather than a captive, Suijade supposed he’d have to find some other source of a bonus for her father.

Well. He could still find a way, he was sure. He was Lariat, after all, even if Gloria was right.

Sorry for not being down there with you, Suijade signed briefly to Jesse, under the edge of the table. He didn’t know if Gloria knew sign language, but he wouldn’t be surprised. Work came up.

That’s all right, Jesse signed back, before taking one of Suijade’s hands and leaning against him. “Are you enjoying the party, Mrs Delgado?”

“It’s lovely,” Gloria assured him. “I especially adore the decorations. You’ve both truly outdone yourself tonight.”

“Have you seen the gardens?” Jesse asked eagerly. “The people who own this place have been working on them for decades.”

“No, not yet,” Gloria said, though she perked up just as eagerly as Jesse. “But I would like to.”

“Jesse,” Suijade started, but Gloria had already swept to her feet; Jesse bounced up, too, like an eager puppy. Suijade started to stand.

“Let me show you,” Jesse said excitedly, before Suijade could make any attempt at heading off this adventure. Turning, Jesse gestured for Suijade to stay seated, adding, “No, Suijade, it’s fine. I’ll be right back, I promise.”

Gloria slipped her arm through Jesse’s, and smiled past him to Suijade. “You should really consider my invitation,” she told him warmly. “Jesse, hold on juuuust a moment.”

She hovered her hand over the flowers in the vase, deliberating a moment between colors before she pulled another of the pale green roses. Suijade shoved down the urge to leap across the table as Gloria fussily slipped it through Jesse’s lapel, cooing over how well it matched his shirt.

Jesse, of course, was delighted, and he half-turned to show Suijade with a grin. Suijade did not miss the single thorn on the stem.

“Who was that friend of yours you wanted me to meet, Suijade?” Gloria asked, the lines around her eyes crinkling with a warm smile.

Suijade’s grip wrinkled the tablecloth. Jesse looked to him, and Suijade forced himself to relax, pushing a tense smile onto his face. Looking good, he signed quickly to Jesse. His fiance beamed.

Suijade knew that Gloria wouldn’t hurt Jesse. Of all the capes he’d ever dealt with, Morning Glory was the one he trusted most not to make good on a threat against a civilian. But it wasn’t about whether she’d hurt Jesse or not - it was about whether Suijade was willing to take that chance, miniscule though it may be, with the man he loved.

He wasn’t.

“Ah. Percy Banks,” he said, glancing past them to the people below. “He is very keen to make your acquaintance.” And all of Banks’ money in the world wasn’t enough to make endangering Jesse worth it. Suijade did not want to make the mistake of trusting Morning Glory’s public reputation. She was not one of the more predictable superheroes.

“Thank you.” Gloria beamed at Jesse. “Shall we?”

Suijade watched the two of them go, then sighed. He drained his glass, then wearily waved over the server to refill it, again. She looked at him, then just set the bottle on the table. Suijade let out a soft laugh.

“Thank you, Maria,” he murmured, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was sure no one would notice if he dipped his hands into the charity till for her tuition. If she kept him supplied like this, he would. 

With a sigh, he sat back in his chair. Retirement. He’d thought about it for some time, and he knew it would make Jesse happy. And Suijade carried out his own plans less and less these days. Maybe Gloria was right - it could have ended very differently if he’d gone after her himself, instead of trusting to his employees.

It could have ended with him hurt, or worse, and Jesse left alone, waiting for him to come home. Suijade closed his eyes for a moment.

Then he pulled out his phone, and looked up Robin Kimmerer.