#Haven x reader

[edgessunflower]

Future starts now

Pairing: Dwight Hendrickson x Fem reader

Description: You find a baby at a crime scene leading to you not only taking the baby home but a new start for you and Dwight

"This one's gonna be rough" you followed Duke towards the scene already seeing a trail of blood before raising the sheet to see the body of a woman which made your stomach churn. What caught your eye was a pacifier on the ground after collecting a piece of evidence near tall grass having a gut feeling of something more leading to you slowly walking through the grass in complete silence, you heard small noises only to find a baby who couldn't have been four weeks old as you slowly pick her up in your arms feeling relief after checking her for injuries to find none before walking back to the crime scene with tears forming in your eyes as duke and Audrey watch you go in the ambulance to the hospital where you stayed for forty minutes before they call and tell you to go home and look after the baby who you found out was named Juno. You hold her in your arms after getting Nathan to take you home not knowing what you were going to tell Dwight once he got home later on as time passed by with you falling head over heels for the little girl that made your heart flutter with smiles and giggles, you fill with dread hearing the front door open and close looking up to see dwight in the doorway before sitting next to you while juno lightly held your hair leaning your face into dwight's hand when he caresses your face watching him lightly run his finger over juno's hand looking up to explain what happened only for him to shake his head and telling you that he knew already since duke and audrey told him while you were at the hospital seeing the look of emotions swarm in his eyes while he watches you with juno before eating. An hour later he walks upstairs into your shared bedroom only to find you under the covers asleep with juno awake beside you calmly holding your hair as dwight quickly walks to the bed and kisses your temple, "Hi pretty girl, look at them eyes" dwight felt a warmth and tenderness he hadn't felt since he held Lizzy when she was born unable to stop himself from smiling and falling head over heels for the little girl just like you did earlier as he carried her in his arms down to Gloria's who couldn't help her smile seeing how dwight was with juno coming back an hour later to find you slowly waking up only to see dwight at the end of the bed with juno lightly laughing in his arms as he quietly talked to her. "I had a plan for this but now I don't want to wait for a week later" you raise a brow as he laid juno in your arms before getting on his knees with a ring making you tear up with a sweet smile sharing a tender kiss before calling the social worker on juno's case to start the adoption progress while feeling over the moon as the future you never expected to have began with you and dwight in each other's arms with juno in your lap in a new domestic bliss and peace as the pieces of your life together fell into place now that juno was in apart of your lives.

[edgessunflower]

I AM SAT AND NEED HOLY WATER 👀🤭🛐

Private Business

Pairing: Dwight x Female Reader

Distribution: Dropping the kids off at school and having a little free time 😏

After dropping the kids off at school, Dwight couldn't help but look at her and smile. Walking back to the car towards her as he things in his mind began to race.

"Mind if I make the first move?" He whispered, his voice covering you in goosebumps. he stooped his shoulders and dipped his head.

the atmosphere was suddenly thick with lust. This was meant to be a normal day. Even Dwight was surprised as to what he had felt in the air.

Lust.

His face lingered inches from yours, and the churning depths of his eyes sucking you in. Our bodies were so close, a sigh would press us together. Fear of being close to the school and getting caught rippled over your skin.

Sexual desire followed right on it's heels, coiling tight in your gut in a wicked anticipation of more to come.

Dwight sucked in a sharp breath, and it hitched in his throat. Your eyes slid to his lips, and suddenly wanted to know what this was and where it was going. Lately, your body had been craving the attention and now it seemed it was what you were getting and wished for.

It felt so wrong but so right as you craved it for so long. So you just let it play out.

Pressing his lips finally on yours. Feeling the power he had now rubbing up against you like fur. Like someone you never recognized before.

The kiss was intense, and you become wet and ready almost right away. Dwight pushed the lenght of his body against yours, and the thick ridge in his pants betrayed that his lust for you was serious as you felt for him.

You wanted him. Ached for him. You didn't know what this was or why it was happening all of a sudden, but you couldn't say no. You didn't want to say no. You were both in front of the school, out in the open by the car in the parking lot. It was the only thing that stopped you from tearing his clothes off his body to reveal that muscular body of his.

Dwight must have been thinking the same thing. He took you by the arm, his large hand wrapping around your wrist, and moved you towards the police station which wasn't but a block away. Forgetting in the heat of the moment you had a car to drive you both there faster.

Suddenly you made your way into the police station, through the lobby, down the corridor, into an office that was empty and apparently locked. But within seconds Dwight took his keys out to unlock the door and made his way inside with you.

"This is the police station," You stated, glancing around the room for cameras. You tried to mention how ironic this was, but your voice was breathy, and Dwight didn't wait for you to make petty remarks. He kissed you again, hard. Your back hit the wall behind you. He covered you with his body, his hard erection pinned against your body, and you moaned into his mouth. You haven't had sex in so long you had forgotten what he tasted like. Sinking his body lower, pressing into you, trapping you between his legs and hips.

Dwight's hands sailed to your throat, so large, you were sure he could take your head off. But for all that strength that surged through him and the brute force that I knew he was capble of, the hand on your throat was demanding but gentle.

You breathed hard, your lips mashing together.

With one hand, Dwight cupped one breast. Massaging it, and you could taste the arousal between the two of you on your tongue.

"Sexy as fuck." He fiddled around your body and explored it. "You want this as much as I do?" He asked.

"Yes." You replied. "More than anything." You wanted this man like he was a God. Looking at him with demanding eyes.

Dwight began to undo your pants, moving them down as if you had been doing this for the millionth time. Stepping out of them, leaving you shoes on. Clothes were unnecessary hurdle, and before you knew it, you were naked from the waist down.

Reaching for his pants and undoing them to reach in and grip his cock, Dwight moaned through his lips.

Good god you had forgotten how big he truly was. And it was dripping wet.

Dwight leaned down, and you thought he was going to kiss you again, but he grabs you behind the tights and lifted you. It cost no effort at all to hold you up and carry you over to the empty desk. He lowered your ass, one arm moving to your back, lowering you in slow motion as if you were delicate. Nudging open your knees as he kneeled before you, finding your sex with his mouth.

Gasping as your head began to spin. Dwight was like a drug, dragging you into a sexual need you haven't had in a long time. The ache at your core was fire that threatened to consume you, and Dwight was to quench you.

"You're mesmerizing and so beautiful," he murmured, glancing up at you, his face buried between your legs. He felt like heaven.

As he licked you insistently, you moaned loudly. You knew others could possibly hear you but you didn't care.

He had full control, and the passion in his eyes blocked out the world around you. He claimed you, and you surrendered completely.

When he started pushing his tongue into you, you couldn't help but cry out and forget about the morning that they had. Getting lost in the arousal, the way he spread your thighs, and one hand reaching to squeeze a breast. His breathing rasped in and out of his chest, his smooth voice coming in small groans.

Tilting your head back, heat burning through your body, nipples taut. You need this. You needed him. All of him, had to feel him inside of you. Each stroke brought you closer and the Earth felt like it had stopped moving in the moment. It didn't take long before Dwight pushed you towards the edge of orgasm. Heat filled up in your body like it was filled with water about to spill out in seconds. Your body felt like liquid, and you were at the mercy of his tongue.

He licked harder and pumped his fingers faster into you, the rhythmic beat reverberating through you. Moans turned into cries of pleasure. Losing all control, and the orgasm shattered you. Dwight pressed his mouth up against your sex, holding, ceasing his movements while your body contracted, shivers racing over your body. Groaning so loud, writhing beneath him and his touch.

Felt like you were floating on euphoria, the power curled around Dwight's, connecting, twisting, merging in a way you didn't understand. But it buzzed though you, sparks of energy dancing between your bodies, back and forth.

"Fuck," Dwight breathed.

You haven't had this in so long. You began to orgasm. Easing as your body began to calm. Trembling slowly as he pulled you to your wobbled legs. Zipping his pants back up quickly as he heard people outside the door. His lips glistening as he emerged, and he licked them clean. You were so ready to go again.

"You didn't finish," You say, hoarsely.

"Not here. Will finish when home. Promise." He smirk softly with a wink.

You couldn't be me more unhappy. The orgasm had been pure ecstasy, it still echoed through your body, and you wanted so much more. So why would he just tease you like that. "Let me at least pleasure you? Please?" You pleaded.

"You already have. But you should go before someone finds us in here." Dwight said, straightening his shirt. He scrubbed his face, as if coming to his senses. He had no clue what had come over him.

"Don't-" You say, but before you could finish the sentence, he had opened the door and left.

Your head spinning with everything you had felt with the orgasm and the power he left me to drink. Getting dressed as you then tried to leave without being seen.

"Well, fuck."

[pedrospatch]

a safe haven l ten

Jackson! Joel Miller x Female Reader

series masterlist

summary: After a long night, Joel and Ellie take you home.

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI. (TW) THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MENTIONS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MENTIONS OF AN INJURY SUSTAINED FROM AN ACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PREGNANCY, CONVERSATIONS SURROUNDING PREGNANCY LOSS . PLEASE HEED THE WARNINGS. Ellie and reader are very close to each other, Joel deals with feelings of guilt, Joel and Maria make nice, Joel gives reader a bath and washes her hair, food consumption (i am just gonna apologize to my lactose intolerant folks right now, trust me i must pretend with you), both reader and Joel have some big feelings, reader mentions her deceased father, angst, soft and domestic Joel, fluff.

word count: 5k

a/n: i have not updated this series since october. :l i feel a a mixed bag of emotions updating after all this time, but most of all, i am grateful to know there are a couple of people out there who are still invested in this story. to anyone who has been waiting: truly, it means the world that you have shown me patience, support, and kindness. believe me, i am going to be seeing this story to the end, and it is all thanks to those who continue to show this lil story of mine a whole lotta love. special shoutout to the loveliest human @mrsmando who made me this beautiful mooodboard every single time i got stuck during this chapter, i looked at it and it gave me the boost of inspiration i needed. thank you mimi <33 this chapter is fairly tame, the next chapter is already in the works, and there are a couple of time jumps coming. overall, we are down to the last handful of chapters. let’s finish this story and give these two the ending they deserve, shall we?

“What the hell is taking Tommy so fucking long?” Ellie whines. She’s sprawled out on the couch with her head in your lap, and her arm draped over her eyes. Her feet are hanging, dangling over the edge of the couch at an odd angle after you’d warned her not to get muck from her sneakers on the linen fabric. Despite Joel insisting over and over that she head on back to the house, she had stubbornly refused, not wanting to leave your side. “It’s been over two hours! He’s taking fucking forever, man. What’s the fucking hold up?”

Joel bites back a sigh, masking his own impatience. Or at least, he tries. He’s grown just as restless as the kid, if not more. Much like Ellie, he’s desperate. He’s itching to take you home already, almost too anxious to watch you take that first step over his threshold, and into your new life with him and with Ellie. He aches, aches, to get you settled into the place where you would be spending the remainder of your days with one another, where you would be safe, and loved in the way you deserved to be loved—the place where he would cherish and adore you until his final breath.

“Don’t know,” he answers, his voice sounding rougher, more gruff than usual. Reaching up, he scrubs his hand down the side of his face, adding tiredly, “He might be a while longer, kiddo. It could be another hour, could be more. Like I already told you, s’probably best if you just go on and head back to the house without us, alright?”

“No. I’m not walking out that fucking door unless she’s with me.” She pauses and pulls her arm away from her face for a moment, just long enough to throw a teeny glare his way. “Unless you’re both with me. The three of us go home together, or it’s no fucking deal. Got it?”

He shakes his head in utter exasperation.

“Ellie, we’ll be right here down the fuckin’ road—”

Her hand shoots out and she flips him off.

Just when he’s about to chastise her, he stops himself, clamping his mouth shut. It’s pointless.

Kid’s too goddamn hard headed for her own good, and Joel knows he’s just wasting his breath with her.

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon,” you reassure them both, weaving your fingers through her hair to scratch at her scalp in an effort to soothe her. “Right, Joel?”

He meets your exhausted, worn down gaze from where he’s standing across the room, and his heart lurches in his chest. As the guilt begins creeping in, he’s forced to look away. He can’t imagine the living hell you had been through over the last twenty four hours alone. And the worst part about it was the realization that last night, while he was fast asleep in bed just a couple of houses up the road, that fucking bastard had his belt wrapped around your throat.

Joel feels sick to his fucking stomach all over again.

Horrifying, vividly real images of you helplessly trapped underneath Luke scratching and clawing at the leather around your neck with trembling fingers, struggling to breathe oxygen into your burning lungs as he tugged it tighter and tighter through the buckle flash in his mind, a gruesome nightmare turned into reality.

Exactly how far had Luke taken it?

Until you had grown too weak to keep fighting?

Until you almost lost complete consciousness?

Until he noticed the life threatening to leave your eyes?

Is that when he had finally stopped pulling on the belt?

Joel shudders, a bitter taste climbing up his throat as it sinks in. He could have lost you—and his unborn child.

This shouldn’t have happened.

He shouldn’t have let you walk away that night.

This wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t let you walk away from him that night.

“Joel,” you say his name, quiet and weary.

His head snaps back in your direction and he glances at you, almost missing the subtle shake of your head. It is a silent warning telling him not to go there, though you know by the tight clench of his jaw it’s too late for that.

Joel makes the futile attempt to hide it, but he sees it written all over your face—you know what he’s thinking because you know him like the back of your own hand, and you just know he’s placing all of the blame for what happened to you on his own shoulders.

But can you honestly fault him for that?

How can you expect him not to feel like he is somehow responsible for this? Just how the hell is he supposed to make himself believe he hadn’t failed you?

Joel promised—he had fucking promised you—that he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you. He had sworn to keep you safe, made a vow to protect you from Luke, but here you are, your soft, delicate flesh marred with the painful evidence of yet another one of his failures.

And it was all because he had let you walk away on that fucking night.

He should have done something.

Even if it meant running the risk of you never speaking to him again—even if you never forgave him, spent the rest of your life angry and hating him for going against your wishes. He should have something.

“Joel—”

“Be right back,” he mutters, lightly shaking his head.

Shoving away from the doorframe he’s leaning against, Joel pivots on the heel of his boot and starts down the hallway. He walks into the kitchen where he finds Maria standing at the counter, tapping her fingers against the smooth, laminated oakwood as she waits for the coffee she’d offered him a few minutes ago to finish brewing. She’d offered to whip up a quick supper, but food was the last thing on everyone’s mind.

“Tommy’s been gone for a couple hours now. Girls are startin’ to get real tired of just sittin’ around waitin’ for him to come back,” he tells her, exhaling the sigh he’d held back in the living room. “What do you think could be keepin’ him so long?”

With her back still to him, Maria reminds him, “Well, he did mention he was going to round up the council and get them together for an emergency meeting.” She lets out a sigh that matches his own—it’s been a long night for her, too. When the last drop of dark roast drips into the glass pot, she carefully takes the pot by the plastic handle and pours the steaming coffee into a speckled, white and blue ceramic mug. “Do you take it with milk and sugar?”

“No thanks, that’s alright,” he declines as politely as he can.

“I also have cinnamon if you’d like?”

“Plain black’s just fine.” He gives her a nod of gratitude when she hands it to him. “Thank you. And I don’t just mean the coffee, but for, uh—for bandagin’ up my hand for me, too.” He clocks the brief look of surprise on her face and almost laughs. He doesn’t blame her for being taken aback, because truth be told, so is he. Since he’d met Maria, he had known she didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him. There was something of a mutual understanding between them, a silent agreement they had made to keep each other at arm’s length, to only interact when it was absolutely necessary.

Never did he think he would be standing in her kitchen, thanking her for patching up his hand, and for making him a cup of coffee out of the kindness of her heart.

His brother wouldn’t believe it.

“Don’t mention it.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she leans back against the counter. “How’s it feel, by the way?”

“S’fine,” he replies, shrugging. “Nothin’ I can’t handle.”

There’s a momentary silence. A taste of tension lingers over their heads, and he knows at one point or another, he’s going to have to address the affair, the very reason everything had unfolded in such a terrible manner.

Guess now’s as good a time as fuckin’ any, he thinks to himself with an inward sigh.

Joel lightly clears his throat. “Listen, since we’ve got a minute alone, just the two of us, I was wonderin’ if, uh—if we could talk ‘bout somethin’? If that’s alright?”

“Of course.” Maria gives him the floor.

“I know that she—” Pausing, he shuffles from the heel of one boot to the other, his ears burning hot. He had known it wouldn’t be an easy conversation to have, but he underestimated just how uncomfortable it would be, regardless of what she already knew. “I know she told you and Tommy all ‘bout us, and ‘bout our relationship. See, the thing is, the first time I saw her—”

Again, Joel stops, the burning sensation now radiating, spreading from his ears to his face and down his neck, flushing his skin a deep, deep shade of pink. Unable to meet his sister in law’s gaze, he glances down into his mug, as if he will somehow find the right words to say somewhere in the depths of his coffee.

“It was never my intention, y’know,” he finally says after a minute. “Goin’ after a married woman. I swear, I never meant to fall for her. I just fuckin’ did. I think I might’ve fallen for her long before I even met her,” he confesses. He feels himself darken to a shade of maroon under her curious stare. “And somehow, for reasons I ain’t all too sure I’ll ever understand, she fell for me too.”

Maria raises an eyebrow at him. “Look, I’m not judging you, Joel,” she assures him, shaking her head. “If that’s what you’re thinking. I’m not judging her, either.”

He looks up at her, blurting out, “You’re not?”

She moves her hands to cradle her swollen middle. “Do I wish you two had handled everything differently?” she answers her own query with a nod of her head. “Oh, I’m sure we all do. But I’ve known her for a long time now. I know the kind of woman she is. And I’m starting to see the kind of man you are.”

“And what kinda man is that, Maria?”

He waits without the slightest clue as to what she could possibly say.

“Since you came back to Jackson, I’ve chosen to keep my distance from you—but make no mistake, I’ve been watching you like a hawk since day one. Waiting for any signs of trouble. Waiting for you to fuck up. Waiting for you to give me a good reason to throw your ass out of this community because I didn’t trust you. Not after all the things I was told about you.”

He snorts. “You goin’ somewhere with this?”

“You are not who I thought you were,” Maria admits, smiling wryly. “I’ve gotten to see a different side of you. You pull your weight around here by doing your job and doing it well. You stay out of trouble—for the most part. And more importantly, I have seen the way that you’ve stepped up to be a father figure to Ellie. It takes a good man to do that, Joel.”

“Think that’s the nicest fuckin’ thing you’ve ever said to me,” he muses, setting his mug down on the counter. “I stepped up because I love her. I love them both. Those two, they’re the best parts of me. They’re the reasons I keep goin’ and now I’ve got another reason on the way.”

Maria smiles, but it vanishes as quickly as it appears.

Catching her hesitance, Joel asks, “What? What is it?”

“What comes next is not going to be easy,” she warns him, lowering her voice. Even with the living room a fair distance from the kitchen, she doesn’t want to run the risk of you overhearing her. “For as hard as we’re going to try to contain the fire, it will spread, and everyone in this town will find out about everything—including the affair. People are going to talk, and believe me, they’re going to have a whole lot to say about it, Joel.”

He can’t help but roll his eyes at her.

“Think I can handle some fuckin’ gossip, Maria.”

“I know you can. But I’m not sure if she can,” Maria tells him, quietly. “It worries me. She’s been through a lot in just one night alone. I don’t want her stressing anymore than she already has. She is in a very delicate stage of her pregnancy right now, Joel. If she’s not careful, she could have a miscarriage. She had one about two years ago when her father became sick—” Observing his lack of a reaction, she realizes, “You knew that already.”

“Yeah,” he sighs. He knows where she’s going with this. “I did. She told me ‘bout it.”

“It makes her chances of having another one higher—”

Joel doesn’t even allow himself to think of it happening to you again. “I get it,” he interjects, trying not to sound too curt. “I’ll make sure she takes it real easy, alright?”

Lifting a hand off her belly, she reaches out and takes a hold of his forearm, gripping it tightly.

“Promise me something, Joel. Promise me that you’ll look after her,” Maria pleads him, gently. “Please. After everything she’s been through—I need you to promise me that she’s going to be in good hands with you.”

He nods. Without thinking, he places his hand over hers in an unexpected token of affection and reassurance. “You have my word, Maria. I’ll take good care of her.”

She gives his arm a grateful squeeze, then glances over his shoulder at the clock on the wall. “It’s getting pretty late. We don’t know how much longer Tommy’s going to be with the council. Why don’t we just go ahead and call it a night?” she suggests. “We can all get together first thing in the morning at your place to talk about it.”

“Yeah, good idea,” he agrees. “She really needs to rest.”

Maria gives his arm another squeeze. 

“Go on then, Joel. Take your girls home.”

“Finally!” Ellie exclaims with a dramatic flail of her arms as she shoves through the front door.

“Alright, kiddo. Get your behind upstairs and into the shower,” Joel instructs her, flipping on the lights in the foyer. “Y’smell like fuckin’ horse shit.”

She lifts the collar of her shirt to her nose, takes a whiff, and makes a face. “Yeah, I won’t argue with you there,” she mutters. She toes off her dirty sneakers and leaves them beside the door before dashing up the staircase, taking two steps at a time.

He shouts after her, “And don’t use up all the hot—”

“Yeah, yeah, I fucking know the rules, dude!”

Moments later, you both hear the shower going.

“Little shit,” he grumbles.

You exhale an amused huff through your nose.

Joel withdraws his arm from around your shoulders and reaches for your hand, lacing your fingers together. “C’mon, darlin’.” He guides you up the stairs and down the hallway into his bedroom where he switches on the light before proceeding to lead you over to his dresser. “I’ve got a bunch of shirts in this top drawer here,” he says. Dropping your hand, he pulls it open for you and gestures to it with a jut of his chin as he takes a step backwards, moving out of the way. “Go ahead and pick one to sleep in tonight. Want you to be comfortable, so help yourself to whichever one you want, sweet girl.”

Nodding, you begin to rummage through the drawer, unaware of the moment he slips away. You reach for a t-shirt, but then a plaid green flannel catches your eye. You pluck it from the drawer, running your fingers over the soft, warm fabric. “Is it alright if I wear—?” You turn around, stopping mid sentence when you realize he’s no longer standing behind you. Puzzled, you follow the sound of running water into the bathroom where you find him kneeling beside the tub. “Joel? What are you doing?”

“Runnin’ you a bath.”

You notice the bloodied bandage beside him on the tile floor. “Joel, are you serious?” you scold him. “Maria just patched your hand up for you.”

“S’okay, peach. I can rewrap it when we’re done.” Joel sticks his injured hand under the faucet to check the temperature, the cold water soothing his cuts. Once it turns warm, then hot, he pulls out his hand, waiting for the tub to fill halfway before shutting the faucet off and rising to his feet. “C’mere, sweetheart.” He rolls the sleeves of his shirt up to his forearms, then beckons for you with both of his hands. “Let’s get you washed up.”

You remain standing by the door. “Joel, you don’t have to do this for me.”

“I know.”

“I’m capable of washing myself—”

“Yeah, I know that too,” he says, chuckling. “S’only fair, darlin’. Don’t you think?”

That’s when it hits you—how this moment is mirroring that night you had cleaned Joel up after you and Ellie had brought him home from the clinic with an injured shoulder. He allowed you to take care of him, and now, he was looking to do the same for you. And all you had to do was let him.

“But your hand—”

“Will be just fine,” Joel persists, stubbornly. “It’s nothin’ but a few cuts and scrapes. C’mon—or else I’m gonna march right over there and get you myself, peach.”

Knowing Joel, you certainly wouldn’t put it past him to throw you over his should and carry you to the bathtub.

“Fine,” you relent with a small sigh of defeat.

Setting his shirt down on the sink, you slowly walk over towards him and whirl around, letting him help you out of your knitted cardigan. You finish undressing yourself, inhaling a deep breath as you muster up the courage to turn back around and face him—when you finally do, it feels like a punch to the gut to see the heartbreak in his dark brown eyes, the subtle tremble of his bottom lip. You don’t have to look at yourself in the mirror to know it looks about a hundred times worse when you’re not wearing clothes.

Keeping your arms down at your sides, you fight every urge to cover yourself up. You’ve never felt so fucking vulnerable.

Clearing his throat, Joel holds out his hand. “C’mere.”

You accept it, and he helps you into the tub.

“How’s the water? S’not too hot, is it?”

You shake your head and he leans forward, kissing your temple so sweetly, your eyes flutter closed.

He washes your hair first, then takes a clean washcloth, lathering it up with a bar of milk and honey soap—the same soap he would smell on your skin all those nights. Admittedly, Joel preferred castile soap, but switched it when he found himself missing you during those weeks you were apart from him, when he needed the comfort of your scent. He is gentle with you, so gentle, as if he’s afraid you’ll shatter into pieces in his hands.

As he lightly drags the washcloth up your back and around your neck, you stiffen, prompting him to freeze too. “Fuck. Baby, did I hurt you?” he asks, and you hear the slight panic in his tone.

“No,” you say quickly, desperately trying to swallow the lump rising in your throat. “No, you didn’t hurt me. It’s just—” Every overwhelming emotion slams into you all at once, and you can’t seem to figure out which one to feel first. Humiliation? Fear? Relief?

The water sloshes around you as you pull your legs up to your chest and wrap your arms around your knees, giving yourself permission to feel them all. Bowing your head, you begin to sob quietly, hoping that Ellie, who is just down the hallway, won’t hear you crying again.

Joel says nothing. Washcloth still clutched in his hand, he leans forward over the edge of the tub and wraps his arms around you, pulling you close, or at least, as close as the barrier between the two of you will allow him.

“Joel,” you choke, trying to push him off. “Stop it. Your clothes, they’re getting all wet.”

“Hush. Don’t fuckin’ care ‘bout my clothes,” he croaks, and for a second, you swear he’s about to cry too. But he doesn’t. He holds himself strong. Tugging you closer against his chest, he buries his nose into your soaking wet hair, whispering his reassurance. “You’re okay, baby. You’re safe, my sweet girl. I’ve got you, alright?”

He pulls back slightly, dipping his hand into the water, placing it on your lower belly.

You look down, your eyes glazing over his bruised and battered knuckles. Proof that Joel Miller really would do anything for you.

“I know you do,” you say, softly. “I know you’ve got me, Joel.”

A while later, you’re dried, dressed, and composed. You follow Joel out of the bathroom and back into his room, where he has you take a seat on the bed. Noticing you had missed a button on his flannel shirt, he does it for you. He plants a kiss on the top of your head and says, “Give me a minute while I change.”

He peels off his wet clothes, being careful so as not to further agitate his sore, injured hand. After changing into a pair of gray sweatpants and an old, faded black t-shirt, he turns around only to find you’re sitting in bed underneath the covers.

“Sorry,” you apologize with a nervous chuckle as you rest your back against the headboard. “It just looked so warm and cozy—and it smells like you. I couldn’t resist making myself comfortable.”

Joel pads over to the side of the bed. He leans over, planting one hand on either side of you as he dips his head and brushes his lips against yours. “Ain’t got no reason to apologize, baby,” he assures you in a gentle murmur. “This is your bed now too, peach. This is your room. This is your home. Alright?”

Home.

You’re home.

He touches the tip of his nose to yours, and then draws himself back up to full height. “There’s somethin’ that I’ve gotta take care of downstairs, peach. I won’t be too long,” he promises.

It’s almost midnight. Joel goes about the kitchen and he prepares you the quickest meal that he can think of. He plates the sandwich he’d thrown together and pours a glass of cow’s milk—he’s always sure to keep a pint of it in the refrigerator to make the kid her oatmeal in the mornings.

He heads back upstairs, only to find that while he had been gone, Ellie had joined you, making herself a little too comfortable on his side of the bed. He stands there at the door, watching the two of you.

“Hey, so is it true babies can hear stuff while they’re in there?” Ellie questions you, curiously.

“Mhm,” you reply with a nod. “They can hear music, for example. Voices—”

“Voices?” She smushes her face into your stomach and he hears a muffled, “Hey, dude!”

You giggle. “Ellie, I think it’s still a little too early.”

“When do you think it’ll be able to hear me?”

“I’m not too sure. In a few months, maybe?”

Ellie lifts her head, humming. “You know, I bet there’s baby books in the library,” she tells you as she sits up. “I’ll have Dina help me look for one tommor—oh shit.” She stares at you with wide eyes. “Dina! How are you going to tell her and Talia about Luke?”

Joel grimaces. He hadn’t thought of that, either.

“I—I’m not too sure.”

“You have to fucking tell them. Dina has to know about him. She has to know what a piece of shit he is, and so does Talia.”

Sensing your discomfort, Joel steps into the bedroom and intervenes before she can say another word. “Ellie, get to bed. S’late.”

“But—”

“Don’t make me tell you again,” he warns her, sternly.

She huffs, rolling her eyes. “Fine.” She climbs off the bed and on her way out, she eyes the plate in his hand. “That chicken?”

“Turkey. And it ain’t for you, it’s for her. So scram, kid.”

“Couldn’t have made me one while you were at it, old man?”

“Ellie, if you don’t get outta here right now—”

“Alright!” Ellie holds her hands up. “I’m leaving. Jesus.”

She disappears, closing the door behind her.

“Pain in my ass,” Joel mumbles, shaking his head as he walks over and carefully perches himself beside you. He hands you the plate. “Here, darlin’.”

“Joel, I appreciate this, but I’m really not very hungry.”

“Maybe not, but y’gotta eat,” he insists. “Baby needs it.”

Thankfully, you accept it without further protest.

“I’ll have Ellie get your things tomorrow,” Joel states as you’re eating. “Maria can go along with her since she knows the house. They’ll get your clothes and whatever else you might need outta there.”

“My father’s belongings.” You accidentally talk through a mouthful of turkey and bread. Swallowing, you tell him, “I have some boxes of his stuff in the basement. But they’re way too heavy for either of them to carry.”

“I’ll take care of that for you.” He reaches up, wiping a breadcrumb from the corner of your mouth with his thumb. “I can ask Tommy to give me a hand. Don’t you worry, peach. We won’t leave your dad’s things behind, I swear it.”

Relieved, you shoot him a grateful look, then polish off the last few bites of your sandwich.

“Here,” he says, offering you the glass of milk. “Figured it’s good for you, and good for the baby. Y’know, since it’s got calcium and…stuff.” He shrugs sheepishly, no clue as to what he’s talking about. “Vitamins, right?”

Nodding, you grab the glass and take a reluctant sip.

“You hate milk,” Joel realizes, raising an eyebrow.

“I do,” you admit with a laugh. “But you’re right. It’s good for both me and the baby, so cheers.” And with that, you somehow force the entire glass down.

He sets the dishes aside on the nightstand, figuring he can take them downstairs first thing in the morning.

Without bothering to rebandage his hand like he’d told you he would, Joel turns off the lights and climbs into bed with you. “All those nights wishin’ I could bring you home,” he muses as you curl into his side. “Wantin’ nothin’ more than to hold you in my arms in this bed. In our bed.” His arm slips around your shoulders, a laugh rumbling through his chest. “Almost doesn’t feel real, darlin’.”

Tilting your head, you nuzzle your nose into the scruff of his beard, prompting him to laugh again. Then, he remembers his conversation with Maria, and his smile fades from his face, his lips pursing together.

You catch the sudden shift in his demeanor.

“Joel? What’s the matter?”

“M’fine, baby. It’s just—” He hesitates. “From this point forward, I need you to let me handle things.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t want you gettin’ all stressed out, alright? I don’t want to run the risk of you—” He’s unsure of how to say it.

“Of me losing the baby,” you finish for him, quietly.

Joel winces, knowing he was wandering into sensitive territory. “Yeah. I—I really don’t want that to happen.” He pauses. “Maria mentioned to me you’re in a delicate stage. When do you reckon you’ll stop—how long until you don’t gotta worry ‘bout it?”

“After twelve weeks, my risk isn’t as high. If I make it to the second trimester in six weeks, then my chances of having another miscarriage are lower.”

Though you speak calmly, he clocks your anxiousness.

You’re worried, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t fucking worried out of his mind too.

Being a father at his age wasn’t ideal, but he wanted this child. It was part of him, and more importantly, it was a part of you.

Joel squeezes your shoulders. “I only ask ‘cause I was thinkin’ that, y’know, once we get to that point, maybe I can go ahead and start buildin’ the baby’s crib.”

“You’re going to build the crib?”

He nods. “And the highchair too. I can even make you a diaper changin’ table if y’want one.”

“Joel.” You can’t help but chuckle. “Our worlds were just turned completely upside down. You just found out that I’m pregnant, and you’re already thinking about building furniture? Aren’t we getting a little ahead of ourselves?”

“Hey, those things take a whole ‘lotta time,” he says in defense of himself. “Besides, winter’s right around the corner and I don’t wanna be out in the garage freezin’ my fuckin’ ass off. If I can get a head start now, I can have them all done in the spring by the time the baby comes.”

You fall silent.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I’m really scared of losing it,” you confess. “When I first took that pregnancy test, I wanted nothing more for it to be negative. Now, I’m terrified I won’t make it past my first trimester again. I really don’t want to lose it. I want this baby, Joel.”

He turns his head, meeting your eyes in the silver light shining through the lace curtains over his window. “S’why you’ve gotta let me handle things, darlin’. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“C’mere, my sweet girl.” Joel presses his lips to yours, murmuring against them, “I love you.”

His declaration comes with natural ease.

And so does yours.

“I love you too, Joel.”

[pixxiies]

˚₊‧ ౨ৎ ‧₊˚ ⋅ . small blurb of gf!madison !

𐔌 𓈒⠀⠀⠀ pairing . madison beer x fem!reader

𐔌 𓈒⠀⠀⠀ genre . smut

𐔌 𓈒⠀⠀⠀ content . strap use (r recieving), praise, softdom!madison, and thats it:)

small pants left your parted lips as you felt the tip of the silicone dildo kiss the sticky patch inside of you that made your eyes roll. your body was sprawled out on madison’s sheets, your ass in the air with her behind you, thrusting in and out slowly. “feel good?” she hummed, her hands rubbing your hips lightly. you nod dumbly, not being able to think clearly as the strap massaged your gummy walls. “such a pretty view, all f’me.” mads whispered. “yes—mmm.” you manage to moan out. you clamp around the rubber that fucked you slowly, making you whimper out as you feel madison paw at the knot in your stomach that was begging to be undone. “takin’ me so well—isn’t that right baby?” she said lowly, her hips moving quicker now; her pelvis snapping into your ass. “mhm!” you squeal. “you gonna cum f’me?” madison said while a hand snaked down to your clit, rubbing firm circles against it, making your legs tremble in pleasure. “fuck! yes!” you cry, back arching slightly. “that’s it baby..” she whispered quietly, gripping the pillow of your ass lightly. you felt the knot inside you become loose, your cum painting the dildo. madison fucked you through your high, small praises leaving her mouth as you whimpered softly. “you okay?” she asked, letting the strap leave your messy cunt. “yeah” you hum in a tired tone. she leaned over your body and gave you a lingering kiss on your shoulder. “good girl” she whispers.

[beautouslysandy]

a pretty little valentines for you and me

by: sandy

dallas winston x gn!reader

word count: 380 words

warnings: mushy, lowercase intended, lovey-dovey things, super short, basically just love in one big bucket :)

a/n 💌: i am back!!!! this is super late but a fellow fanfic author invited me to write a fanfic for valentines but um..your girl kinda forgot. so here it is! enjoy! sorry its so short, i am trying to get back into writing! i hope y'all like this, its been a hot minute since i have written fanfic!

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

"so, do you like it doll?" dallas asks nervously, he is rarely nervous

you and dallas were currently at y'all's favorite diner. in y'all's booth. dallas had just given you a promise ring. you were shocked. you didn't think that the dallas winston would be into this kind of thing.

you look up at him and nod, smiling. your eyes are a bit watery, you think its just from the overflow of emotions you have felt all day.

this had been the best valentines day ever.

"i really like it, babe," you say smiling then you glance back at the promise ring on your left middle finger. its an infinity sign ring and it fits you perfectly.

"its my promise to...." dallas began, he cleared his throat and his face grew red ever so slightly, then he proceeded to look down. he mumbled. "you know love you forever or whatever, doll."

you were grinning from ear to ear now, partly because of how sweet the gesture was but also because you knew that meant a lot coming from him.

"i love you more." you joke

dallas looks at you with his goofy grin you have grown so fond of.

"no way in hell is that possible doll." dallas says chuckling

the waiter finally brought your food to y'all, you had been waiting thirty-five minutes. far too long for a local town diner.

"what took so damn long?" dallas said to the waiter, returning to his old self and not the lovey dovey mess he was only a minute ago.

"sorry, the kitchen is really backed up." the waiter says handing us our food.

"sure it is, this place is packed." dallas says sarcastically as he bites into his burger. you hold down a laugh, as you didn't want to embarrass the waiter further.

the diner was empty besides the normal 8 o'clock crowd, which was just a few young adults and old people.

the waiter walks away, and you start laughing, you catch dallas looking at you with seemingly stars in his eyes.

"what?" you ask, your laugh dying down

"nothing, doll" he says smirking then goes back to eating

"happy valentines" you say grinning

"happy valentines, doll" dallas says and he bends over the table and kiss you softly

p.s. sorry i am so late to this @rumble-aint-a-rumble-without-me

[the-and-sign-anon]

Sweater

Word Count: 831

BSD Masterlist

Dazai made a lot of money when he was an executive in the Port Mafia. He squirreled most of it away, focusing instead on using his ADA wages to cover his daily expenses. His reasoning was to avoid suspicion from others who weren’t aware of his old mafia ties. But he just couldn’t help himself when it came to you. 

You were spending a day off wandering around the mall together. The weather was turning cold, so you threw on your favorite flannel on the way out the door that morning. Dazai was plenty warm in his usual trench coat, but he could tell you were still a bit chilly. When you passed by another clothing store and your eyes lingered on the new line of winter clothing, Dazai tugged softly on your hand to lead you inside. 

You took your time scouring the racks, running your fingers over the materials and checking sizes. Dazai looked around as well, eyes catching on a few things he thought you might like. His attention was returned to you when he realized you passed by a gorgeous sweater after checking the price tag. 

“Darling, why don’t you try this one on?”

You turned to see him holding the delicately woven sage green sweater you knew you couldn’t justify buying. It had beautiful darker green stitches forming a vine pattern around the neck, bottom hem, and wrists. Deep oranges and reds were added as little leaves to complete the look. 

“Dazai… I shouldn’t try on something I definitely won’t buy.”

“Come on, just try it. I want to see how perfect you look in it.”

You looked down with warm cheeks, but took the hanger from his hand regardless. A handful of other items later, you headed for the changing room. You took your time checking yourself in the mirror, looking at every angle and promising yourself you looked good. Dazai settled on a bench just outside the door waiting for you, applauding softly and encouraging you each time you stepped out to show him. 

The green sweater was left for last. You slipped back into your dark blue jeans, then pulled the sweater over your head. It was a perfect fit, which was no surprise. Dazai had made a point as soon as you started dating to learn your sizes and preferences and never forgot.

You peeked out the door, where Dazai had tucked his legs up to sit in a ball on the bench. He looked as perfect as ever, even in the fluorescent lights. His hair was styled in the perfectly messy way that begged you to run your fingers through it, his fresh bandages wrapping up his neck and down to his wrists. You still didn’t quite get how he considered you to be out of his league. 

“Come on, darling. I want to see.”

You stepped around the door with your hands tucked at your sides. Dazai’s eyes lit up and he seemed to freeze for a moment. His mind swirled as it hit him (certainly not for the first time) how lucky he was to have the life he did. How lucky he’d gotten that he was able to leave the Port Mafia behind and build something new. To have met you; to be loved by you. 

You gave a little twirl, showing off the sweater from every angle. When you met his eyes again, you let out a soft sigh as your shoulders slumped. 

“I knew I shouldn’t have tried it on. Now I really want it.”

“Then let’s get it.”

“Dazai-”

“Go get changed, then give me the sweater.”

You turned back, knowing there was no arguing with the look in his eyes. You did as he asked, bringing him the sweater after returning it to its hanger. You knew he didn’t have room in his budget for such a frivolous purchase either, so you tried as you walked up to the register together to convince him you didn’t need it. He ignored you of course, one hand gently holding yours while he set the sweater on the counter with the other. 

“Dazai…”

“You find everything okay today?”

“We sure did!”

You let out a long suffering sigh and watched him slip a platinum card you’d never seen before from his wallet. He swiped it while the employee folded and bagged your purchase, then grabbed the bag and led you back out of the store. 

“Dazai.”

“Yes, my love?”

“Where did that card come from?”

He hummed as if he hadn’t heard you, then tore off towards a bookstore, leaving you to follow with a bewildered expression that faded into deep affection as he practically bounced on his feet asking a staff member where books on suicide could be found. You were certainly going to question him later, but for now you had to get a leash on him so he didn’t scare any fellow customers with his excitement over his favorite reading subject. What a dork.

[thewalkingwillowtree]

Courting Ayelýn

Series Listing Found Here

Aonung x Original Na'vi Female Character

Summery: Pressured by his parents to enter a formal courtship, Aonung rebels in his own way and what starts as a ruse, turns into something real. 

Note before reading: This is a spin off of my Safe Haven Series.

Reading Safe Haven is not necessary to follow this story.

Some characters have been aged up. Aonung in particular is 25.

Ayelýn is my own creation. *Pronounced Aye-Lin

~

Part 1 - When They Met

“You want us to… what?” 

“Court. You and me.” 

“Clearly you’ve gone and lost your head.” 

~

Months Before…

Aonung stormed out of his family’s marui after yet another argument with his parents. Their demands were already ridiculous, but their constant reminders at every family meal were becoming annoyingly overwhelming. 

The anger and irritation inside of him was building, festering and threatening to make him do something he knew he’d regret. 

He was also about ready to punch something… Anything!

Clicking his tongue, he called for his skimwing and the second he reached the edge of the pier, he was leaping off and diving into deep crystal waters. Tsaheylu made, and at his command, the water beast shot off, taking him further and further away from his home… away from Awa’atlu. 

Mind distracted in a jumbled mess of fury and frustration over the situation at hand, Aonung let himself be blindly carried through the ocean. 

His parents had given him a deadline to find a woman to court. A woman he was then expected to eventually take as his mate. 

And honestly, it bothered him just how much of a shock the news had caused for him when he was told. Aonung had known all his life it would eventually come- it was expected of him- his birthright. 

But was it worth the pain it came with? 

“You should know better,” his father would say. “Be better.” Aonung was constantly criticized for his training techniques… his life choices, his decisions… his ways. It was, “do as I say,” and “when will you learn?” and… “you disappoint me.”

Nothing was ever good enough!

Words of honor and commitment and duty were forever shoved down his throat at every given opportunity. And although Aonung still considered himself a rebel and a rule breaker in his circle of friends, he was very much stifled and controlled. 

It was why most of his daydreams involved him running away. Daydreams of him leaving behind the duty, and the expectations… the fucking title. 

But he couldn’t leave. 

Tsireya. 

And Khalhan- his little brother. 

Aonung could never desert them. 

Damn his parents. Damn the entire situation. 

Fuck it all. 

~

For the remainder of the day, Aonung spent it by himself. Hidden away, he brooded, wallowing in self pity. It wasn’t until the sky began to change, suns slowly sinking into the sea that he considered leaving his shaded haven. 

A sudden muffled swear however, followed by a thunk, pulled Aonung from his thoughts. He couldn’t fathom who would have possibly ventured this far out to the abandoned, tiny island he considered his own. 

Curious, he climbed over a short wall of moss covered jagged rocks, only to find… a female.

He was unable to see her face from his position, but she was clearly upset, angry even, judging by the way she kicked the canoe that was half docked, half bobbing from the sway of rolling waves. 

“Oh you stupid thing! Couldn’t you have waited until I reached the reef line?” 

He snorted when a curse escaped her again, along with another thump, from the serve of a fierce kick. 

“Having fun there?” he called out. 

She startled at the sound of his voice, flinging her body around, knife drawn from her hip in preparation for danger. 

“Don’t do that!” she hissed when she found that it was just a loitering Na’vi. “I could’ve hurt you, you fool. You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.” 

Aonung approached, hands lifted in surrender. The tip of her knife brushed his stomach as his eyes darted between her and the weapon.

Head titled, he noted that she barely reached his chest and her puny blade looked so dull, he was certain she wouldn’t be able to make much- if any damage with it. 

“I highly doubt that, but if it makes you feel any better,” he shrugged, ignoring her pretty scowl as he moved to inspect her canoe. It was laden with laundered items, so with ease, he pulled it all the way onto the shore. “What seems to be the problem with this?”

“It’s got a leak,” she huffed, sheathing her blade. “I tried patching it before I set out this morning, but-” Head snapping toward the sea, she glanced around in immediate panic. “Wait, where are we-” Her stomach dropped at the sight of a significant flag blowing in the far distance. “Are we near Awa’atlu?”

It was only at this question did he take note of the purple and brown string of beads dangling from a lock of her tangled, messy hair. “You’re from the Keftxo village,” he said stupidly. It now made sense to him why she didn’t immediately recognize him. 

She sized him up when her eyes found his own string of blue and brown beads- Awa’atlu beads to be precise- attached to the sheath on his hip- her expression almost daring him to say something. 

And he would have… but for some reason he held his tongue. 

“I… got turned around,” she mumbled, thumbing at a small scar on her shoulder. The almost healed cut had ripped open in her haste to keep both her and her canoe safe. Thankfully it was no longer bleeding. “Riptide, along the eastern sharp rocks.” 

“Riptide?” he repeated in alarm. “Why in Eywa’s name are you even traveling near there?! It’s high tide. Were you trying to get yourself killed?” 

“W- Did you not just hear me say I got turned around and caught in a riptide?!” Tail flickering in annoyance behind her, she gestured to the vast ocean before them. “It’s not as if I had any control! I left Keftxo before dawn and now look where I am! Oh, and I’m fine, by the way. Thank you, for your concern,” she snarked. 

His gaze traveled the length of her body, spotting no other injuries. “Are you really?” he asked sincerely. 

That gave her pause. “Yes.”

He didn’t believe her but accepted her answer anyway. “Alright then.” Kneeling beside her canoe, his brows creased incredulously. “Just how old is this damn thing?”

“It’s fine!” she exclaimed in offense, crouching beside him to inspect the damage. “Only needs a bit of mending.”

“A bit?” He flicked at a thick, crusty patch of reinforcement. “You’re better off without it. I’d scrap it if I were you. One wrong turn along a pier and it be nothing but a pile of fucking splinters.” He snickered. “Who even made this thing? The work is shoddy, a mess of piss poor craftsmanship, sloppy carving. Look- even the design is off. How did you get it to float?” 

Nostrils flaring, her chin jutted out at his words. Aonung was pretty sure he’d be dead if her glare was a dagger. 

She muttered a slew of very creative swear words under her breath that had him raising his brows and while he should’ve been insulted, he was rather impressed. 

“Scrap it… scrap it?! I’ll have you know, I fixed it up myself! This canoe was specially gifted to my father by council elder Fjid!”

Aonung snorted. “Fjid?! The old man hasn’t been on the council in over a decade. And what does he know about canoes? Last time I saw him, he could barely tie a knot.”

“I know we just met, but does anything good ever come out of your mouth?” 

“Actually. I’ve heard my tongue does wonders,” he boasted cockily, tracing the tip of said tongue along his bottom lip sensually.

Instead of swooning or blushing like he thought she would, revolution clouded her features. It threw him off honestly. 

“Who is the nearest mender in your village?” 

Aonung blinked. “W- I can mend it for you,” he offered, getting to his feet quickly when she looked about ready to dive out. 

“No, thank you… Mender?” 

“Wait…” He pointed to himself, baffled by her reaction to him. “Are you upset with me?” 

“Hm, let me think,” she hummed sarcastically, pretending to ponder. “I almost died from a riptide, got washed up near Awa’atlu of all villages. My canoe has a gaping hole in it and the first person I’ve come across who I thought could maybe, possibly help me, insults its craftsmanship and tried to crudely insinuate that I let him please me with his so-called wonderous tongue… So, yes. I’d dare say I am upset with you.”

She blew out a gush of air. “Now… would you please tell me where I can find your nearest mender.” 

~

Aonung led her to a marui on the outskirts of his village where many canoes were lined docked along the pier it was connected to. 

All the while throughout their journey there, he couldn’t help tossing glances at his new found companion. A companion he found to be scruffy and slightly volatile… but also… pretty. Very pretty.  

Her reactions towards him were slightly refreshing- she clearly didn’t know who he was- status included - something he was keen to keep hidden from her for a bit longer for some reason. 

He found great amusement every time she caught him staring- her face morphing into an unimpressed scowl that most definitely read, fuck off… He was right, because a second later she was signing those two words right at him and speeding past, purposely sending a wave of water his way.

Oh he liked her alright.  

Was it terrible that he loved pissing her off? That scowl did it for him, honestly, especially the one she gave him after he’d caught up and yanked on her tail, signaling that they had to travel in the opposite direction. 

When they’d reached the shoreline, her annoyance towards his theatrics had subsided. Distracted, it was evident that she was trying not to gape at her surroundings, and failing to. 

Unbeknownst to him, Awa’atlu was in every way different from the little village she’d grown up in. While of course there were some similarities, Awa’atlu screamed life- brightness, adventure… promise. 

His companion was so rapt up with her awed surveying that Aonung was secretly glad she missed the few passerby’s reactions to him. 

Two women he'd slept with on two separate occasions, flirtatiously waved at him. And then there were also the overly respectful nods and gestures from others that were becoming obvious.

Desperate to avoid running into anyone who’d try to stop and chat, Aonung gently tugged on her elbow to change their direction. “This way.” 

~

The mender available to help seemed rather enthralled by the pair that had come to visit him that day. 

Hythspon, while no longer in his youth, but nowhere near considered old, stood for a full solid ten minutes watching the bickering two hurl snides and sly comments to each other, all while trying to come to a decision. 

His future chief wanted the Keftxo female to leave with one of the newly crafted canoes Hythspon had available, while the unnamed metkayina wanted to simply have her own canoe mended and be on her way. 

“I told you already, the thing is a deathtrap! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Because at this rate, I’m starting to think you are!”

“It’s not a deathtrap!”

“It is!”

“Not! It’s perfectly fine!”

“So perfectly fine that it almost killed you?! Sorry, gorgeous but you need to let it go. It’s time.”

“No. No, no. The riptide almost killed me, skxawng, the riptide! And for future encounters, the decent thing to do would be to ask about someone’s well being after facing a catastrophe like that! Not, lecture them as if they're stupid!” 

“Well you wouldn’t have ever been in that situation if you had ditched the fucking thing and worried about your own life! You seemed to think so too since I found you kicking and swearing at it!” 

“I already apologized for the kicking!”

“Yo- you,” he spluttered incredulously. “Did you actually apologize to a pile of splinters?”

“Canoe!”

“Deathtrap!” 

“It just needs a little love and care, I told you!”

“Aha! Love and care? I’m sorry, gorgeous but that thing is way past love and care.”

“That’s the second time you’ve done that now. Stop calling me that!”

Anoung paused… then, head tilted, he grinned wickedly. “Gorgeous.”

“UGH! Why do you insist on behaving like such an annoying little kit?! Even my brother is more mature than you and he’s eight!” 

“Oh-ho! So me trying to stop you from harm's way is-”

The clearing of a deep throat halted their argument and also made them simultaneously straighten up and put a little distance between them. At some point during their feud, they’d ended up merely inches apart. 

“Well, as much as I’ve enjoyed this rather entertaining ordeal,” Hythspon chucked, “I would like to get on with the rest of my day.” 

“Right, sorry,” she mumbled in embarrassment, tail curled as though she wanted to hide herself behind it. 

Hythspon’s solution in the end was to loan her a canoe. He’d have someone find her own and promised to mend it to his best and then have it returned to her- which she was ever grateful for.

That left Aonung with nothing else to argue about and the minute Hythspon gave her an oar, she was dashing off. Before he could think of running after her, she stopped abruptly at the marui’s threshold and pivoted. 

“Um, thank you. For your help… skxawng.”

“You’re welcome… gorgeous.”

She scowled, but he didn’t miss the tiny twitch of her mouth. He probably imagined it but he thought for the briefest moment that she’d almost smiled.  

Walking along the pier, Aonung watched her row until her silhouette faded into nothing more than a blob in the distance. Confused by the unknown churning he felt in his chest, he shook his head and finally turned away. 

It wasn’t until later that night as he waited for sleep to claim him, that he realized something…

He hadn’t gotten her name. 

~ 

In the blink of an eye life went on. 

The Sullys were gone and a few months later, Awa’atlu received word that Xilä- Neteyam’s mate had given birth to a healthy baby boy. 

Left behind was Lo’ak of course, who’d decided to stay at Awa’atlu for good. Much to no one’s surprise, the forest boy was officially courting Aonung’s sister, Tsireya. 

Whilst Aonung and Lo’ak had started off on rocky footing initially, they both had quickly overcome it in their youth, and dare say even become close friends since then.

And even though Aonung’s immediate confidant was Rotxo, Aonung found himself confiding in the Sully brothers more often than not. 

Neteyam had given him some good advice when Aonung had first opened up about his worries to find a mate. Advice that he was actively trying to practice. Neteyam had told him not to look- not to stress and worry. That Eywa would show him the way eventually… But his patience was wearing thin and time was also running out. 

Arguments with his parents had intensified and the gossip and whispers about his “playmate” days being over, had spread. Though it was the truth. 

Gone were the days and nights of fucking and fooling around with playmate after playmate. He hadn’t been with a woman since after Neteyam’s chat with him that night. 

It was harder than he thought- not getting his dick wet on the regular. Not only was it painful at times and he had to get rather acquainted with right hand, but it also put him in a foul mood most days. 

Aonung was secretly proud of himself however. Every time temptation tried to lure him, he didn’t give in. He was serious. He was trying… Even though he had his doubts. 

And then, just like that, his year was up. 

And still no woman from Eywa. 

~

“Bro… Are you shitting with me right now?”

A disgusted expression formed on Aonung’s face. “I do not shit with you, brother.” He shook his head. “Your human sayings are quite vulgar, do you know that?”

Lo’ak ignored him, focusing instead on the bombshell of a confession Aonung had just shared. “Can we go back to the part where you said you lied to your parents about having a courting partner?” 

Aonung grimaced. Not only because the words sounded just as bad coming from Lo’ak’s mouth, but also from the sour flavor of the pungent booze he and his friend were passing back and forth. 

“I didn’t know what else to do.” His jaw clenched at the thought of the tongue lashing he was in for when the time came for him to confess. 

Ronal had the spirit of the Great Mother running through her veins. Aonung knew his mother didn’t believe him when he’d told her his news earlier that day. 

Fuck. 

“Okay. Let’s start over, man. Why would you even do that?”

Right. Lo’ak didn’t know everything. Neteyam did.

Slightly tipsy as he and Lo’ak sat along the shoreline, waves kissing their feet, Aonung divulged, telling his friend every detail all over again, because, what else was there for him to do?

“Damn, that’s just… damn.” Lo’ak sighed, slightly stunned by the angry rant Aonung had just given. “You’re lucky it’s not as bad as Neteyam- he had a fucking blood oath.” He winced at his choice of words. “Sorry, cuz.” 

Aonung paid him no mind however, his gaze instead distracted and locked on the horizon before them as Lo’ak went on a long winded rant of his own.

“- all one fucking mess, this whole elders’ tradition thing. If you ask me, brother, I’d just get some poor girl to pretend to be in love with me- ya know, appease the parents, then just have her break your heart… and then-” Lo’ak drank another healthy mouthful of their booze, “and then everyone would feel so sorry for your moping ass, they’d give you a break over this whole courting thing… I’m sure of it.” 

Aonung’s head snapped to his friend, slightly stunned. 

“What?” Lo’ak glanced behind him for good measure, but nope, Fishlips was staring at him. “What?” he asked again.

“That’s… that’s actually a good idea.” 

“The shit I just spewed?”

Aonung cursed at the burn from anther sip of the liquid he swallowed. Why was it worse each time? “Yeah. I think I’ll just do that.”

Lo’ak plucked his bottom lip in thought. His mind was hazy but not that hazy. He probably hadn’t heard right. “Pfft. You’re yanking my tail.”

“No, I’m serious,” Aonung said, sitting up as his mind started whirling. He twisted to face the Sully man, taking another shot of the disgusting, throat burning spirits. “It’s the perfect plan. Just before the formal ceremony, I’ll have her break it off, but by then I’d have “fallen in love”… My parents wouldn’t push anyone on me after something like that.”

“Dude… I was fucking joking,” Lo’ak emphasized. Then, paying attention to the determined look on the man’s face, Lo’ak shoved his shoulder. “Skxawng, you’re not seriously thinking of going through with this?”

“Why not? It’s good advice- Hey! I was going to drink that!”

Lo’ak had snatched the waterskin they hid their liquid stash in. “I think you’ve had enough.”

“Fuck you.”

Facing the metkayina man fully, the omaticaya shook his head. “Listen… back at Home Camp, there’s a saying, don’t ever take advice from Lo’ak. Now usually I’d be offended, but right now, I think you should listen to the masses… Also, I’m pretty sure you’re drunk. Better yet, we're both drunk.”

Aonung waved him off. “Lo’ak. This plan could actually work.” 

“It could also blow up in your face.”

“Then that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“You’re that desperate?! Reya’s got so many female friends, why don’t you-”

“No. I wouldn’t ask that of my sister. I know myself and it’s this unspoken rule between us anyway. I don’t play around with her friends, and she stays clear of mine- even if she’s never been like that- like me.”

“Nice. Guess I’m the exception then?” Lo’ak grinned. 

“You’re not my friend,” Aonung deadpanned. 

“Ouch!” Lo’ak pretended to be hurt. 

“Are you going to help me with this or not?” 

“Dude, I really love your sister. And I’d really like to stay on good terms with your parents, you know, so they’d let me continue to court her?! If they knew I helped you with this they’d toss me back to the forest before I could even plead my case!” 

Aonung squinted at him. “Tsireya’s made you soft,” he taunted. 

“Nice try, but I have two new badass tats that say otherwise,” he replied, gesturing to the intricate ink that adorned his left arm, and right shoulder.

The corner of Aonung’s lips twitched. He was secretly proud of the forest boy. Lo’ak impressed them all with his determination to learn their metkayina customs.

He’d been through grueling challenges that endangered his life and partook in lengthy, traditional ceremonies all for the chance of love. All for Tsireya. No wonder it was so easy for Aonung to approve of their match. 

Lo’ak blew out a breath and handed the booze back to his friend who took a swig. “Alright then, let’s do this fucking thing.” 

“That was fast. What changed your mind?”

“I know too much. Your parents will kill me either way, especially if they knew I didn’t do anything to stop you. So, let’s get to planning properly so they don’t find out.”

“Let’s hear it then. What’s first?”

Lo’ak thrummed his bottom lip again. “First things first, we need to find you a woman. Should be easy to help you get a willing partner, you’ve already got so many swatting at your tail.” 

“No,” Aonung shook his head, eyes glassy in the moonlight. “It can’t be one of them. They’d think they could handle it but they’d also think they could change me. Make me fall for them. I’m not stupid.”

“Nope,” Lo’ak agreed. “You’re just a cocky bastard… a fucking fishlip skxawng if you ask me,” he mumbled.

“Skxawng…” Revelation formed on Aonung’s face. “I think I know the perfect woman.” 

~

Ayelýn was furiously scrubbing at a filthy mat someone had brought in. Frustrated, she cursed at whatever substance had left such a stain, praying it wasn’t blood… or worse. 

Thankfully it didn’t smell like either. 

She wiped at her brow, and blew out a breath toward a stubborn loc of hair that refused to be confined in her tie. This would be her last article to clean for the day. 

If she could just get the stain out. 

Scrubbing until her already bruised knuckles blistered, Ayelýn tuned out the sounds of the village around her. 

Keftxo, was the smallest and last in the chain of fifty islands occupied by the metkayina people. Hearing countless whispers and rumored talk when she was growing up, Ayelýn found out that Keftxo, was sadly known as “the lesser” island. That included the reef people inhabiting it, also.

Despite learning this, her parents taught her to never be ashamed of being from here. It was full of the hardest working Na’vi, Na’vi who undertook jobs that may not have been the most grand but were no less important than any other. 

Life in her little village was all hard work most days. Her duty, along with a handful of others was the grueling job known as a scrubber. 

Everyday, canoes from their neighboring villages were filled to the brim with tarps, sleeping mats, hammocks, heavy fishing nets, tapestries and harnesses. And everyday she would spend hours scrubbing them clean. 

She’d just added another sweet smelling soap spud directly to the already almost potent concoction she’d formed for this one mat, hoping the concentrated effects would aid in her task, when a familiar fine voice called her name. 

“Lýn! Lýn!” Kaiiff, her little brother excitedly bounced into the marui she was in, boxy grin wide. “You won’t believe this! We have a visitor from Awa’atlu and I think he’s asking for you!”

Wiping sweat from her brow again, and mostly likely smearing herself with soap studs, Ayelýn began to rinse out the stubborn article. “No one from Awa’atlu knows who I am, Kaii,” she said with a forced smile, trying to mask her tiredness from the ball of life in front of her. 

“Lýnnn, I’m serious. He described you perfectly. Asked for a puny, scowling female and even said you have a tiny scar on your left shoulder. At least that’s what Talu said he was asking for. And who else in the village could that be?” 

Ayelýn paid full attention to her brother now, brows scrunched in confusion. Before she could ask, two individuals were entering the marui behind her brother, flanked by a very obvious crowd of onlookers behind them. 

Her father seemed uneasy as he approached her, suspicious eyes flickering from her to the man following close behind him.

“You!” her lips spat in fury before her brain could comprehend who exactly she was seeing. 

“Hello, gorgeous,” the familiar stranger greeted- rather loudly too, once again with that stupid smirk of his. 

“Ayelýn?” her father called. “You know the Olo'eyktan’s son?”

Ayelýn audibly inhaled- shock clouding her features at the revelation that the wall of a man before her- the man she’d practically insulted quite a few many times now, was none other than their Olo'eyktan’s son. 

Aonung…

Ripples of not so hushed whispers from Lýn’s workmates echoed behind her as her face paled in mortification. Despite the reveal, she had never wanted nothing more than to punch the stupid smug smirk off his face, mirth dancing in his eyes because he knew… that she knew now. 

“Ayelýn,” he voiced as though testing it out- her name sounding sinful coming from his lips. 

Time seemed to have sped up, because in a matter of seconds, quite a few things happened.

The first being, Aonung’s surprisingly pleasant introduction with her younger brother and her mother, who’d quietly snuck into the mix as well- her cheeks tinting as she bashfully patted Aonung on the arm for thinking that she was Lýn’s older sister and not her mother. 

Having enough, Ayelýn snapped rather rudely, interrupting their small talk. “What are you doing here?” 

“Ayelýn,” her mother hissed in disbelief. “Have some respect.”

“Sa'nok, you don’t under-”

“No, it’s okay. I know my presence is a bit of a surprise… I was actually hoping to have a word with your daughter, if you’d allow me,” Aonung directed to her parents, tone dripping in charm Ayelýn knew was probably- most likely all an act. “Somewhere private if possible?”

“Oh! O-of course, of course,” Bwena replied, grin stretching so wide that Ayelýn thought her mother’s face must hurt. She was ever eager to encourage whatever was happening here. “You may use our marui. Ayelýn will show you! Go on, Lýn,” her mother quipped, bodily shuffling her forward and even taking a fast second to try to hastily wipe away a streak of soap residue from her brow. 

“No- wait-”

Protesting was futile because before she knew it, Ayelýn found herself in her family’s shabby but quaint, tiny marui- quite alone with a towering Na’vi and his stupid smirking mouth. 

It annoyed her how much he was enjoying this- whatever this was.

Her eyes tracked his every move as he observed her home. It wasn’t as nice or grand or even tidy like the ones she’d snuck glances into during her brief visit to Awa’atlu, and she suddenly found herself feeling self conscious- lesser than… and she hated herself for it. 

When he finally returned his attention to her, his lips did a funny little quirk as though he were trying not to laugh.

“What?” she snapped.

Instead of responding, he snagged a cloth from a line of clean drying articles and approached cautiously, surprising her when he began to gently wipe at her brow and down her cheek. His other hand held her chin in place, thumb and forefinger keeping her still as he worked in silence. 

Ayelýn didn’t know why she allowed him, but something gave her pause… maybe it was the way his smell attacked her senses- salt and spice and comfort. 

“There you go,” he hushed, voice rumbling deep and wrong. “All pretty again.”

Senses betraying her, she forced herself to take a step back. “What are you doing here, Aonung?”

“Looking for you.”

“Mm, I gathered… You’ve created quite the spectacle and now it will be all my village talks about until I’m frail and old.”

“That’s dramatic… and presumptuous of you.”

“Presumptuous? Me? Oh-” she scoffed. Oh the nerve of him. “I have lived here all my life and I have never seen you step foot in Keftxo. You’re the one that walked into my village- like you own it mind you-” She gave him a flashing warning glare when he tried to rebut, because technically he did own her village. “-looking for me! Can we get this over with so you can be on your way? What do you want?” 

Mouth set, he shrugged casually. “I want us to form a courtship. A formal one.”

When Ayelýn didn’t answer, his head tilted, trying to catch her attention as he poked her shoulder. “Did you hear me, gorgeous?”

“Hm? Oh yes, I did. Nice joke. I'm just too tired to laugh though. Now what do you really want?”

“I’m… not joking,” he enunciated slowly, peering at her in concern, as if she were the one saying crazy things. “I want us to court and-”

“You want us to… what?” 

“Court… You and me.” 

Ayelýn snorted. “Clearly you’ve gone and lost your head.” But something about the way he kept staring at her however popped the amusement bubbling at her chest. “You’re being serious right now, aren’t you?” 

He nodded. 

And for the first time, she saw his sincerity shining through.

“So, what do you say, Lýn?” he asked with an expectant smile, using her nickname as though they were old friends.

“Absolutely not!”

~

Hey, you lovey people!

I’m sure you all know the drill by now, please let me know what you think. 💛

Parts 2 & 3 are mostly complete and just need a full edit, so be sure to share anything in particular you’d like to see happen.

~

Tags:@jakesullyfatjuicypeen@granddearduck@riatesullironalite@strawberri-blonde@earthling55 @innercreationflower @duckworthbean @gyuventure @btsiguess-kpop@blkmystery@neteswife@luvteyams@isnt-itstrange@erenjaegerwifee@faatxma@ivysully@bakugouswaif@pinkpantheris @mntx666@ironcaptainnataliabarnes

[hollandorks]

haven - masterlist

battinson! bruce wayne x f! reader

Summary: After the sudden deaths of her mother and grandmother, y/n is forced to return home to Gotham…and to the man who broke her heart three years ago. Back in Bruce Wayne’s inescapable orbit, she vows to get to the bottom of her former best friend’s new cold personality. But Bruce’s secrets aren’t what she's expecting. Childhood friends to lovers & investigative reporter reader!

find it on ao3

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Interlude 1 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Interlude 2 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Interlude 3 Chapter 15

[drghostwrite]

Running back to you…

Pairing: Regina Mills x reader

Summary: After Regina keeps going cold on reader you finally tell her how you really feel. How is she going to take you telling her how much you love her?... Feat the other world Robin.

******************************************************** "Robin!" you looked up watching as Regina ran to him, she wrapped her arms around him as he stood there just looking at her, not returning the embrace, she pulled away and you watched as her face dropped seeing that he couldn't have cared any less.

Your stomach turned and hands shook at watching the interaction, why did she keep going for him, the constant advances that were turned down, the wishful glances returned with blank stares. For almost an entire year you had been in love with the woman and yet she wouldn't even bat an eye, you were just a friend, her person, the dependable shoulder for her to cry on.

You're the one that climbed out of your totaled car after the accident, battered and ran headfirst into the fire to save Henry, her son, while Robin stood idly by after saving himself.

"Hey Y/N, David has to stay here with Emma to clean up the scene, I'll take you home." you turned met by Snow’s gentle expression and nodded.

"You're cleared, but if you're feeling intense pain I would recommend letting us take you to the hospital." the paramedic said acknowledging you and Snow as you watched Regina.

"I think I'm good," you said a light smile pulling the corner of your mouth, you got up to walk away.

"You're a hero, you know..." the young woman called after you. You turned around to slightly face her, "saving the kid, it was brave, not many people can say they have the guts to do something like that... and her I'm sure she'll see it."

"Thanks." you said looking at Regina before turning to walk away, you climbed into David's truck as snow took you home.

"You saved his life..." she said breaking the silence. You watched the trees pass by in the darkness outside the window as rain started to fall, rain drops racing down the window. A few minutes later you pulled into your driveway, hopping out and heading towards your door.

"Hey Y/N..." Snow called

"Yea?" you turned to her.

"Just tell her." she said and you nodded as she pulled away into the night.

---time jump---

2 hours later you heard a soft knock on your door, you pulled yourself off of the couch with a grimace, holding your injured side you pulled the door open, revealing a disheveled Regina, dark jeans and her black long sleeve had rain spots from the storm outside.

"Regina, " you whispered in suprise at seeing the woman on your doorstep.

"Y/N, can I come in?" she asked and you stepped aside letting her come in. She looked around your keys thrown on the table next to the door with your phone. Your brown suede jacket hanging on the chair, your brown boots had mud on them placed next to the chair in the dining room, she followed you to the kitchen as you went to grab a drink.

"Want anything coffee, tea?" you asked back still turned to her as you poured coffee.

"Coffee would be nice, thanks" she said as you poured her a cup, turning to her she saw the gash on your forhead being held together with little white butterfly bandages, a black eye, and your lip sliced open drops of blood on your tank running down your shoulder.

"Y/N..." she said concern flooding her features at the condition of your face.

"I'm okay," you said pulling out a small smirk. she leaned forward to get a closer look at you, her hand ghosted over your side, the slight touch making you wince at the pain in your side.

"Y/N..." she said lifting your tank to reveal the already purpling bruises.

"Don't Regina." you said reading her face.

"Please just.."

"Regina!"

"Shut up and let me help you!" she scolded, her magic quickly flowing to ease the pain, repairing the injuries. a moment of silence pasing between you but a conversation happening behind your eyes

"I wanted to say thank you..." She looked up at you but you were avoiding her eyes by watching her hands, as the purple flowed between you, "For saving Henry, I know that wasn't easy and you got hurt in the process, but..."

"I can't do this," you said quickly pushing past her.

"Y/N here just let me help you, you're hurting..."

"Regina, Just stop!" you snapped.

"Y/N?" she asked treading lightly, her body language was protective as she tried to keep her defenses from going up.

"I-I just can't right now." you said and turned your back to her leaning on the island.

"Did I do something?"

"No..."

"Then what is it?"

"nothing..." you said vaguely trying to calm yourself down.

"It's not nothing..." She rounded the island to come to your side, and looked at you softly with concern.

"Y/N I love you, I'm here..."

"Do you?" you whispered under your breath.

"What?" she asked.

"Do you love me? Truly love me?" you said looking up to make eye contact with her.

"Is that even a question?"

"Obviously... Regina, if you knew what was good for you..."

"Y/N where is this coming from?... why would you even question if I love you?"

"Because, no matter how hard I try you return to him every time."

"Robin? is that what this is about, why would you say that?"

"Because I LOVE you, I love you, I'm in love with you... For awhile now, and I see how you look at him, and in return what do you get... Regina I want you and only you, everything, the good and bad, Regina and the Evil Queen, Henry, all of it." you snapped back, realization of what you said hitting you when you saw her face.

"Time after time I watch as you run back to him, he doesn't know you, he doesn't love you and yet you go back everytime... tonight I climbed out of a totaled car and into a burning one not just because I love Henry but because I know what he means to you and I love you with everything I have, and you still ran to Robin after he did what make sure no hair was out of place. I would risk my life for you everytime cause I want nothing more than to have a life with you, to love you, and show you what true love is."

"Y/N..." she said trying to find the words.

"I'm sorry," you said hanging your head, waiting for her to reject you and scold you. But instead she stepped closer to you, she lifted your chin with her fingers and suddenly her lips were on yours.

"I never knew, I didn't think you would want me so I tried to stay away... I have a lot that comes with me and I always thought you were too good to have to be put through that." she said resting her forehead on yours.

"Regina that's the point, I would voluntarily walk through the fire with you if it meant we both made it out, I don't deal with this baggage, your scars because I have to, I do it because I want to, because I love you." you said pressing your lips to hers in the gentlest kiss you could muster.

"So what does this mean for us," she said a few tears falling.

"It means whatever you want it to, it means you have a protector, someone you can run to. You were never meant to belong somewhere that you aren't loved."

"No, I belong with you," she said looking up into your eyes, her coffee brown orbs soothing your soul, "my happy ending."

"A part of it at least."

"no Y/N you are my happy ending, the arms that I find comfort in, the person that I get to come home to, you're my future."

"Regina..."

"I want to have babies and a beautiful home, and live in love, it's never easy but it's a choice I'm willing to make everyday, something I will fight for until I draw my last breath, I will always come running back to you."

"And my arms will always be open, our home will always be our safe haven," you said pulling her in for a kiss feeling the hot tears touch your cheek as she cried in relief of the confession.

[bullet-prooflove]

5000 Follower Celebration: Death In A Tarot Card - Duke Crocker x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @of-mice-and-mirth @bunnybarnes1917 @princessmermaid1289 @jeysbae

Companion piece to:

The Finder - Haven has away of giving you what you need even when you don't know what you're looking for.

The List - Duke makes a list of the reasons you should stay with him.

Baggage - You coax Duke to tell you about his baggage.

Everything (NSFW) - You are everything to Duke.

Love Bite - Duke loves wearing the marks of your love.

Another (NSFW) - Duke wants to make sure you forget any other man.

Come Home - Duke travels to Nova Scotia to bring you home.

Layby - Duke and you take a moment in the aftermath of everything that's happened.

Stars (NSFW) - You and Duke spend a night under the stars.

Duke hasn’t told you about the tarot card, the one that he keeps tucked in the visor of his Jeep because he doesn’t want you find it on the Cape Rouge.  

When Elspeth had handed it to him, he had laughed because the Death card, it never really means what it says but then he’d seen the look in her eyes and he realised her Trouble, it’s a lot more literal than most.

“How long?” He had asked her.

“Months at most.” She’d said as her fingers traced over the illustration of his death sentence. “The cards, they don’t tend to draw these things out.”

When he makes it back to the Rouge that night, he doesn’t say anything when he steps through the door, he simply kisses you and that kiss…

It’s everything to him in that moment and Duke, he knows exactly what he has to do.

When you wake up the next morning, it’s to a cup of Earl Grey on the nightstand and an engagement ring on his pillow case. It’s an antique piece, silver with onyx stones set into the clasps. You smile as he takes your hand and places it on your finger.

“Will you?” He asks, his voice a little rough as he looks into your eyes.

“Of course.” You grin, your hands threading through his hair as you draw him back down into bed with you. He spends the morning inside you, making you sure you know exactly how much he loves you before he falls asleep tangled up in the sheets.

It’s a couple of hours later you slip away. You hop into his Jeep with the intention of heading to that bakery he likes when you pull down the visor to block out the sun and you find that tarot card and in that moment everything just falls into place.

You take your own out of your bag and study it alongside his.

Two years ago when you rolled into Haven, you’d found yourself in Elspeth’s shop and she’d given you your own tarot card. The Lovers.

“You’re going to meet man.” She’d told you as she pushed the card towards you. “A rogue and you’re going to fall in love with him, he’s going to give you a home right here on the water and for a time you’ll be happy, the happiest you’ve ever been.”

You’d met Duke Crocker the very next day, ended up living with him on the Cape Rouge.

It’s only now as you recall those words that you realise how temporary they sound.

You wonder if Elspeth had known Duke’s fate when she’d given your own card, if she’d known it would end in tragedy. You sigh as you tuck your card in alongside Duke’s underneath the elastic in the visor.

Whatever comes, the two of you, you’ll handle it together, just like a husband and wife should.

Love Duke? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Interested in supporting me? Join my Patreon for Bonus Content!

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[thereaperisabitch]

My Joel Miller fics recs from 2023

I’ve planned to do this since before Christmas, but life caught me up, so that's why I'm here rushing to finishing this before the reveillon party. 2023 was a very tough year for me, in different ways, and this stories were my refuge and my balm during good times and bad times, so this was the way I found to honor all these incredible authors who made my life better this year.

To the authors: you guys are the most amazing and sweet people ever, I know that I'm not active as other readers and I don't reblog your works enough - and I'm sorry for that, I wish I could shower you with the praises you guys deserve.

Hope this will make up for all the comments and reblogs that I haven't give.

And to the readers who find this recs: most of these stories are series and most of them has age gap and are Joel Miller x fem/afab!reader. I won't put warnings from each fic because it would be a too long post, so click the link and read the author's warnings in each before you start to read - I'm afraid to get into fandoms because of people who give shit to authors, so please, don't be this kind of person.

Someday I'll make a part 2 of other stories that caught me up this year.

That all being said, thank you @morning-star-joy @hier--soir @frannyzooey @joelsgreys @fuckyeahdindjarin @the-ginger-hedge-witch @eupheme @bageldaddy @covetyou @theidiotwhowritesthings @atinylittlepain @imtryingmybeskar @ezrasbirdie

A stranger's heart without a home (complete)

Summary: A one night stand that later becomes a secret affair – or masterpiece of literature – all the poets and great writers ran so Doni could walk.

This is my favorite fic of all times, forever! I read and re-read it so much that I can’t even count how many times I’ve had read it, it’s my 100% comfort fic. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope, and the way @morning-star-joy developed here it’s perfection in the most pure way.

It’s Joel on his Jackson era and it’s a perfect character development from both sides, how to people who prefer to deal things on their own learn to rely on someone else.

I also highly recommend But you know the killer doesn't understand, which it’s on-going Joel x fem! Reader also post-Outbreak in Jackson, but it’s different and addicting as ASHWAH.

A Lover’s Pinch (on-going)

Summary: a one night stand (do I have a pattern?) at the bar turns to be so much more when you discover that your fling it’s your professor at university.

The professor x student trope might be cliché for some, and by the very brief summary that I wrote above may sound like Pretty Little Liars, but @hier--soir works with those elements and creates something beyond amazing, it is like contemplate a work of art at a museum, but much better.

I’m very much obsessed with this story, that’s why I reread it with more and more frequency.

Can’t even mention the references in this story – it’s truly enriching, it makes all better, truly.

Plus: the playlist it’s amazing!!!!

Short Days, Long Nights (on-going)

Summary: Remnants of a band travelers, you and Joel find a cabin in the woods - what would be the problem with staying?

I’m crazy about this one, it’s my true love and it had 3 or 4 chapters when I started and now we’re heading to chapter 17, blessed be @frannyzooey for sustaining us with this preciosity for so long.

I'm a sucker for when there's one character (Joel) reluctant for his feelings, and if the story was only about this, I would be perfectly glad too with, too. BUT Kelli it's a genius, an amazing writer, giving me all that I didn't even knew I wanted.

It's fluff, with smut from the highest quality - with some tense moments, wich turns everything more addicting.

A Safe Haven (on-going)

Summary: Joel's quickly drawn to the vet of Jackson - even knowing she's married. Will this affair thrive? Or there's more underneath of the vet's story? (Jesus Christ, I’m so sorry for this lame summary, but I refuse to copy from your masterlist and I’m also rushing to finishing this rec today).

I was bought on the infidelity trope and the drama that comes with it. It would still be a nice story, but @joelsgreys it’s so much fucking talented that she wrote the most beautiful thing ever!

It has tooth roting fluff, drenching panties smut and heartstopping angst! All perfectly written and balanced.

I also love how Ellie it's also a crucial character for the couple's history and I really adore how she's attached to Peach.

Special mention to Fall Into Temptation and Strawberry, that lived rent free in my mind since I've read those.

Seams (on-going)

Summary: Joel pays visit to Jackson's seamstress after a trouble with his too-tight jeans – and it's only heaven from that on, won't say more.

Now I call @fuckyeahdindjarin ✨Queen of the Build Up✨ and that's because the way Cee builds up the sexual tension between characters it's undescribable.

Cee is such an excellent writer, not only in Seams but on other stories too she's gives a rich description of details that makes the reading flow better, it's like knowing you looking at gem stone.

Breakout (complete)

Summary: Boxer!Joel AU when he has to train a fuckboy who happens to date a sweet little thing.

Well I'm a fan from @the-ginger-hedge-witch for a while, she wrote one of the best Javier Peña fics ever (which turned into a book and that's fucking A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!) and other amazing stories, but this one got me hooked so bad.

Clearly I have a pattern because I LOVE when there is an obstacle for the characters to stay together, in this case, a relationship (I already spoiled that her boyfriend sucks, but I don't think it's spoils the story development) and Ren just atests she's a wonderful writer - now book writer, blessed be her 🙏🏻

And the idea of Joel using his fists it's already apealing, am I right?

I also recommend Friendly Fire, that I love just for knowing that in this, Ren envisioned an Aries character for reader - but also the premise of the story is great, too.

In The Woods Somewhere (complete)

Summary: living alone in a cabin at the apocalypse gets less dull when a teenager appears with a handsome injured man.

I've read this since a while, but it marked me. @eupheme created such tenderness between the characters - they know he and Ellie can't stay, which makes the affair even more apealling.

I’ll know It when I see it (on-going)

Summary: Joel as a porn star in its golden era who meets Lucky, a rising star in porn - chemestry goes beyond the cameras.

@bageldaddy deserves all the shout out forever because this here it's golden. They're both are porn stars and I could be hot just for this, but of course there's feelings involved - and the way they struggle to fight against these it's what makes this story even more perfect. Shout out to the one shot Sundown, as well, it’s completely wonderful.

Something wretched about this (complete)

Summary: Joel Miller it's a self appointed pharmacist in the QZ, and fucks you when you don't have how to pay for your father's medicine

Whoring yourself for meds sounds bad? In this story it's hot af! It's filthy, each chapter explores different sexual practices and it's THE. BEST. THING. IN. THE. WORLD!!!

@covetyou it's the most blessed being for writing a perfection like this, seriously. I loved every single chapter of this, loved Joel being an asshole and a slut. I can't tell enough how much joy this story has brought me. And lo it's better than Santa, because she provides christmas gifts for the nice and naughty, with Freeze-thaw (smut with fluff) and Baubles (smut with FILTH) - I can't die before I try the balldo, I didn't even knew this, didn't think that this could be possible - but happily it is, and this one shot it's perfect in every aspect.

Take Care of You (on-going)

Summary: Joel it's a sugar daddy in this AU and appears in your life to make all better 👀 He doesn't charges for the sexual part of the arrangement, but he's irresistible - so what will you do?

The ideia of a sugar daddy it's extremely appealing to me because that's all I wanted, you know? Some rich hot guy telling me I don't need to work and paying everything to me - that's living! Okay jk, but I started reading this when things caught up badly at work, so it was a sweet refuge.

@theidiotwhowritesthings it's the perfect writer! It's the perfect slow burn that makes you thirst for more and more!

Apothecary (complete)

Summary: Summary: Joel falls in love with the "witch" from Jackson and it has its perks and struggles.

I LOVE Practical Magic, it's one of my favorites witch movies so to read something inspired on that it's great -but @atinylittlepain it's such a wonderful, talented, amazing writer - so we were all blessed with this masterpiece.

It has fluff, angst, smut - stupid people being scared about what they don't understand and etc. It's very sweet, Joel also doesn't understands about her, but can't help being drawn. And Ellie it's a natural, their relationship here, how they grow to be a family ... it's utterly sweet. Special mention to Only Lovers Left Alive (another movie that I LOVE),  The Heyloft and the masterpiece Down to The Ankles (it's perfection and it's inspired in Bones and All, other film that I truly love).

Come home (on-going)

Summary: when you've lost everything and everyone, you reach to Jackson - and meets a ruggedly handsome who you can't help being drawn to.

I've read this for a while, as well, but I still think about this story often. It's a slow burn - which I love (in case you haven't noticed from the stories listed above) - and it's so sweet, the blossom of a friendship that turns to more, their relationship with Ellie ... It's been a while since it was uptaded and I hope @imtryingmybeskar it's okay, because this story it's lovely and I really wish to see and ending for them.

Catalyst

I'm gonna just summarize that it's a threesome with Joel and Frankie Morales from Triple Frontier, that's it - if that ain't reason enough for you to read, idk man.

I didn't even knew that I wanted it, that I needed it - until I read it. I find threesomes hot af, but I don't tend to enjoy when it's with characters that I love too deeply - don't ask me why - but in THIS ONE, GOD FUCKING DAAAAAMN!

It has filth, of course, but there's also fluff - which I find inevitable when it's about Frankie. In the chapter Here, especially, @ezrasbirdie builds perfectly of the struggles that I imagine for a threeway relationship, reading it was sad, hot and lovely.

Hope all the links work, 'cause I don't have time to check now 🙃

Sorry if my comments felt weird, if I forgot to mention something, as I've said above, I intend to make a part 2 of recs someday soon (hopefully).

I wish everyone a happy new year 🎆🥂🎇

[edgessunflower]

Make you run and hide

Pairing: Duke Crocker x Fem reader

Description: You reveal your trouble and how it's disfigured you leaving everyone stunned but what Duke does leaves you taken off guard

No one knew about your trouble but they knew that whatever it was caused you a lot of pain and left you fatigued whenever you used it or waves of emotions hit you. You felt a wave of dread hit you along with a gut instinct of something bad happening as you called Dwight and asked where everyone was immediately running when he said that they were in the middle of the woods looking for evidence, you hung up and drove as fast as you could until you saw the SVU leading to you running into the woods as you heard yelling and gunshots which made your heart sink and it dropped to the ground when you see Duke unconscious, dwight hidden behind a tree, Nathan holding his bleeding leg, and Audrey being lifted in the air seeing her face turn blue which was the final straw that sent you over the edge as you blacked out and your trouble took complete control until you wake up to find everyone over you. The look on their faces made your heart stop when you see the mask you would wear to cover some of your face was gone making you cover your face and curl in a ball, you yelped when you're picked up only to see duke as he carried you to your car wrapping you in his jacket before taking you home not expecting him to hold your face gently putting an antibiotic cream on the wound above your eye without any words being said until you couldn't hold back anymore, "Why doesn't this make you run and hide?" he looks at you before wrapping you in his arms and kissing you which left you in complete shock before reciprocating with tears in your eyes by his tender actions as he pressed your foreheads together and wiped tears away as you openly sobbed after holding in your emotions and isolating yourself from everyone. "Your scars are nothing to be ashamed of, they show who you are and they don't define you" you tangle your hands in his hair and the gap is closed with a soft kiss that grew sweeter and passionate as held in tension and unexpected intimacy hit the surface and was shared after depriving yourself of love and human needs after so long from many things that had happened to you because of your trouble for the past five years with the last two being in Haven after finally picking up some of the pieces of your broken life and starting a new not knowing that you would become a detective and helping people like yourself but also finding a true family with duke and your shared friends who you had been looking for your whole life after being abandoned by most of your family and losing your aunt, from this moment on you never held yourself back from having the life you always wanted and now that duke was with you it was the true new start for you as you laid in duke's arms filled with safety, acceptance, and love.

[pedrospatch]

a safe haven l masterlist

Jackson! Joel Miller x Female Reader

*MOODBOARD FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES ONLY.

series summary: When Joel Miller and Ellie Williams return to Jackson, Wyoming to begin their new lives, the last thing Joel expects is to catch the eye of the thriving community’s equine veterinarian. Young, beautiful, and married, Joel knows that he should stay away from a woman like you, but he can’t help but to be drawn to you like a moth to a flame. As you start growing closer to both Joel and Ellie, you find out all about the secrets they both carry—and they find out you’ve been hiding a secret or two of your own.

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI. AGE GAP (no specific age is mentioned, but reader’s in her late 20s/early 30s and Joel is 56). reader is basically an OFC but story is written in reader format and her physical descriptions are kept as vague as possible. i have my own face claim for her, but i will only ever share it under cuts and with disclaimers. (TW) infidelity (reader is married), domestic violence and abuse, mentions of infertility, pregnancy. opposite of slow burn. please see individual chapter warnings and tags. NO USE OF Y/N.

chapter one

chapter two

chapter three

drabble - the truth

chapter four

chapter five

drabble - jealousy

chapter six

drabble - words left unspoken

chapter seven

chapter eight

drabble - lost on you

chapter nine

chapter ten

chapter eleven

chapter twelve

*more chapters to be added.

extras

supporting character face claims

peach face claim/moodboard*

joel x peach moodboard made by the lovely @johnwatsn

moodboard made by the lovely @morning-star-joy

Peach x Joel edit by the lovely @cavillscurls

beautiful peach drawing by my love @cutesyscreenname

book cover by @morning-star-joy <3

stunning moodboard by @penvisions 🤍

drabbles l headcanons l blurbs l asks

pains (drabble request) When Ellie has awful menstrual cramps, you come to the rescue.

unconditional (drabble) After your first night together in the barn, Joel tells you he’s worried about the possibility of you getting pregnant; You tell him that he doesn’t have anything to worry about and it leads to a heartfelt conversation—and realization.

Ellie sees a hickey on Joel (blurb)

Joel talks about missing Sarah (blurb)

[pixxiies]

madison beer as your girlfriend hcs

ꜝ haven’s notes / i couldnt have finished this without the help of my angel @flouvela 🤍

ꜝ warnings / none! its all fluff

ꜝ requested / nuh uh!

· girlfriend!madison who definitely sends you little vlogs on snap/insta when shes in the studio

· girlfriend!madison who refers to you as toast nd presely’s mom

· girlfriend!madison who drags you around with her EVERYWHERE. hanging out with the triplets? she’s taking you. going to get dog food? put your shoes on ur going with her

· girlfriend!madison who always buys anything she sees in the store that reminds her of you for you

· girlfriend!madison whose love language is making playlists. she loves making you them filled with songs that she thinks you would like.

· girlfriend!madison who could listen to you yap about something for hours nd hours

· girlfriend!madison who makes sure you’re the first to hear her unreleased song

· girlfriend!madison who loves cuddling on the couch, binge-watching shows, and ordering takeout during cozy nights in

· girlfriend!madison who’ll take you with her during her world tour

· girlfriend!madison who loves romantic picnics in the park and late-night drives

· girlfriend!madison who involves you in brainstorming sessions for her music videos, seeks your feedback on her lyrics, and loves bouncing ideas off you (sometimes even haves you be in them)

· girlfriend!madison who isn't shy about showing her love for you in public. whether it's holding hands, stealing kisses, or sharing affectionate moments on social media, she proudly displays her affection

ꜝ taglist / @mattsluttywaist @luverboychris @mxqdii @sweetstars-posts @xoxo4chrisss @mattscoquette @conspiracy-ash @submattenthusiast @sturnsforlife

[beautouslysandy]

dallas and you hanging out downstairs at bucks, theres a party and dallas could give a rats ass about it.

“try and socialize, babe, it’s good for you.” you say, as you walk to dallas, you were just talking with friends. soon to find him sitting in a barstool all by himself.

his arm is resting on your waist, he is sitting on a barstool.

“socializing is for the weak.”

“i socialize.”

“beside you.”

“oh okay.”

“i wast calling you weak, doll. just that guy.” he says pointing to some random guy flirting with a couple of girls

“that’s quite pointed, why him’?”

“he just looked annoying.” he says shrugging and then he turns you around, gives you one of his drenched in passion kisses that knock you off your feet every damn time.

“okay then.”

“i just wanna socialize with, in every way.”

“is that supposed to be seductive?” you say laughing

“yeah, it didn’t work?” “good glory, no.” “oh. noted.” he says before crashing his lips into yours, it’s likes a million different sparklers went off. he was kissing you like it was the very last one. it never got old, ever.

(last one haha)

[the-and-sign-anon]

Coincidental Matchup

Dazai

Despite everything Dazai’s been through, he can be a very a silly guy and will take full advantage of any opportunity to enjoy that

So when the ADA is promised to attend a huge Halloween bash in Yokohama and Kunikida is on everyone’s case about dressing up and behaving professionally, Dazai takes it to heart

On the night of the party, everyone is in costume

Ranpo is dressed as Sherlock Holmes, a little uninspired, but acceptable

Atsushi and Kyouka dressed as toned down slashers from a cheesy horror film they enjoyed

Even Yosano had agreed to come, dressed as a corpse bride

Dazai decided to indulge in one of his favorite movies, Howl’s Moving Castle

Dressed as the titular wizard, he mingled and played it up to the fullest

It wasn’t long before he started getting comments about ‘his partner’ having created an equally impressive costume and people thinking it was so cute that they’d dressed up together

Naturally, he slipped away to get a better view of the party and figure out what people were talking about

That’s when he spotted you, a meticulously managed white-gray wig on your head, lingering by the buffet

He took full advantage of the opportunity and sidled up to you with a fittingly flattering compliment on your costume

You responded with a kind smile and an understanding look when you took in his costume

For the sake of ease (or so he says) Dazai suggests sticking together, especially once you mention your colleagues have all disappeared into the unfamiliar crowd

You agree to do so, enjoying yourself far more than you expected now that you had someone to talk to

And Dazai is more than happy to listen, watching with focused eyes as you chat about your job, your costume, and anything else that comes to mind

As a joke, you both just pretend to be together whenever someone compliments either of you for the remainder of the night

You have to admit, you’re a little surprised when you try a cafe on a whim a few weeks later to see him sprawled out dramatically in a booth while a young man with an unfortunate haircut listens to him moan about his big missed opportunity

Without saying a word to alert him, you pass by and smile at the waitress there, ignoring the exaggerated gasp he lets out when his eyes land on you again

Maybe he’d make a good costume partner next year too

Chuuya

For Chuuya, I don’t really see him dropping the mafioso business for a costume party unless his partner asked him too, so we’ll go with an au

Chuuya is a sophomore in college, and his roommates decide to throw a Halloween party that he can’t really get out of

Rather than pouting about it, he decides to just go with the flow and come up with a simple costume that won’t draw much attention

He digs a black t-shirt out of his closet that has flecks of bleach on it, which conveniently makes it look sort of like ground pepper

Paired with some black jeans and a little slip of paper labeled ‘pepper’ safety pinned to his front, he has a low effort costume that will keep his roommates off his back

The party is a little more popular than Chuuya expected for how little he sees his roommates bring friends over

He primarily keeps to himself, listening to the music, staying close to the walls, and manning the front door when handfuls of trick-or-treaters come by

Right as he goes to close the door after a pack of teenage princesses leave, a voice calls for him to wait

You come strolling up the front steps with a friend of yours just behind you, each of you carrying two six-packs of drinks

Chuuya holds the door open and ducks back to make for your full arms, nodding as you offer a quick thanks

He doesn’t really take notice of your outfit, since he has no reason to do so, but it doesn’t escape him that it’s pretty simple

All he sees as you and your friend walk by is a flash of white

You meet with one of his roommates in the kitchen, setting down the drinks and trying not to watch him greet your friend with an enthusiastic kiss

Once he steps back to say hello to you, he takes in your costume and gets this stupid grin on his face you’ve learned to dread

All he’ll say is that you have a missing piece out in the party, and encourages you to find it

You try to brush the comment off and wave to your friend who has already drifted into a conversation with someone else

The only reason you’d agreed to come was because your friend insisted they wanted to introduce you to their boyfriend’s roommates

Of the other five young men who lived in the rented house, three were in college, same as you

Two of them were single and your friend never let you forget that you were too, but could easily change that

So you conceded to their begging and slapped a name tag labeled ‘salt’ onto your white shirt and let them drag you off to the party

Now that you were here, you wished you could have turned them down

The music was too loud, and everyone was too close

So you shuffled along the edges of the main room and darted over to sit halfway up the staircase leading to the second floor

You had about two minutes of peace before a heavily inebriated guy stumbled up past you headed for the bathroom and made a comment about having seen ‘your boyfriend’ by the front door earlier

You didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, but you received similar remarks for another half an hour while Chuuya heard the same

He was the first to break and went looking for his supposed ‘partner’

You were still on the stairs when he found you, scrolling on your phone and tapping your feet to the beat from the living room

“Hey there, Salt.”

Your eyes flickered up to meet his, drifted down to his shirt, then back up.

“Ah. Pepper. Now I get it.”

“You’ve been getting comments all night too, huh?”

“Yep. I was starting to think there really was a boyfriend I didn’t know about.”

Chuuya chuckled and came up to sit a few steps below you, both of you curling in on yourselves to take up less room.

“My name’s Chuuya, by the way.”

“Y/N.”

It didn’t take long for Chuuya to realize it was too loud in the house for both of you, so he lead the way back out to the porch, where you spent the remainder of the night handing out or eating from the bowl of candy and chatting

Your friend finally came to check on you when they realized you hadn’t responded to a check in text, and found you fast asleep on the porch, side by side with Chuuya in matching camp chairs