#I already have like six scenes laid out in my head

[slothquisitor]

what if I wrote a BG3 AU that was set post-campaign and included all of the pining and mutual longing my heart desires....with like...a side of eldritch horror? You know...for the vibes lol.

[yeokii]

⌗ ADORE YOU ﹕이희승 (TEASER)

꒰ synopsis ꒱ all hopes were crushed when you realized there was no way to get close to your crush, choi beomgyu. your advances to get close to him never seemed to work. so, you decided to get closer to his best friend, heeseung, by joining the broadcasting club. but as scripts change, so do crushes, and you end up falling for his best friend instead.

▸ auditions are open . . . !

ㅤ❕MATCHMAKER ── crush bsf ! heeseung x reader

fast forward  ⃕ [ genre ] : written, fluff, angst, 90s au, unrequited love

meet the members ! beomgyu, gaeul, jungwon, taehyun, juyeon [more tba.]

warnings 𖧷 [only in this scene] unrequited love, yn kinda uses hee, thats all I think

ㅤhe's a real catch ▹ est. 2OK ❨ 이희승 ❩ ⌗ catch adore you here!

⌕ [ archives ] one result found . . . hi (still on hiatus kinda) js came here to post the fic teaser :D (im prolly gna post this after mocks or after my igcses) also ty @yenqa sewlmate for writing the synopsis (ly dookie) send an ask or comment to be added in the taglist !

THE FALL OF NINETEEN-NINETY SIX MARKED A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE. Ever since you came into the world, you never really could grasp the concept of love.

You wrapped your head around the myths and tales your mother would read to you every night. You thought that every princess would have her own shining knight in armor. So, after thirteen years of living, where was yours?

Your knight in shining armor, or knights in shining armor, existed within the pages of the comic books you read. You often wondered if they would magically pop out of your books and transport you into their world. Similarly, you wondered whether any of the characters from your adored TV shows would step out and bring you into their lives.

So, it wasn't a surprise when your jaw dropped to the ground as you saw the most beautiful man in your life (well, technically, boy). If the epitome of beauty was a fourteen-year-old boy, it would be Beomgyu.

But it wasn’t just his face that made your thirteen-year-old self swoon over him, it was also the way he acted. You loved the way he conversed, his smooth way of talking at a young age and the way he smiled at you every time he made jokes with his friends. You loved how his eyes lightened every time he’d pull a silly prank.

But the problem was, he never talked to you. You admired him from afar. You never actually had the guts to talk to him, as if. You were content with watching his funny actions from a distance.

There were some moments when you pushed aside your nervousness and talked to him. You remember having butterflies in your stomach the moment you first talked to him. There were times when you both were paired up as project partners for a biology assessment and at that moment, you swore you could’ve worshiped the floor that your biology teacher walked on due to her giving you an opportunity like this.

You knew this was an opportunity to make your move. And you did. You brought him small snacks with little notes on them. Gave him gifts regularly. Maybe even took lessons from your best friend on how to subtly flirt with him. You really thought you had him. Because whenever you used to play out these little acts, you saw the subtle smile on his face. You were so close. It’s like the universe laid it out for you. Gosh, how lucky you were!

Luck. The luck that you thought you had. If luck was a person, you would’ve tackled it to the ground already. Because the day you were about to confess to him was the day he announced his new girlfriend. 

His first girlfriend. You doubt you called it ‘love’ since the only thing she cared about was that he was popular and pretty. That’s it! All that girl could get from Beomgyu was his looks and his reputation. You could’ve scoffed at the sight.

Beomgyu was so much more than that. He was loyal, kind, and trustworthy. And she went for his looks. Even though she had him, you felt as if she was missing out on so much. You were partly sad due to them getting together and also due to Beomgyu getting used to his looks.

So, you were practically prancing when you heard the news of their breakup a month later. Did you care that Beomgyu was absolutely heartbroken? Well, yes, but you felt relieved that Beomgyu was finally unleashed from that mean troll's wrath.

And as he got older, he grew more handsome. And God did you love it. When you entered high school he was a completely different person. He had gotten more flirty and way more pretty. He was way out of your league. 

Out of the years you were in this crappy high school, you made absolutely no improvement in your and Beomgyu’s relationship. Beomgyu, who kept getting new flings every summer and tons of situationships seemed to discard your existence. One could only say ‘What the fuck?’

Your thoughts swirled, and you had a collection of emotions roaming around your head until your best friend jolted you back into reality with a gentle nudge on the shoulder.

“Are you even listening?��� Seori’s voice cut through your thoughts, annoyed, since she had to explain what she was talking about in the first place.

“Sorry, what were you saying?” You blinked, focusing your attention on your best friend.

She sighs, “I was saying that I think Doyoung is going to ask me out.” Seori pouts “Why does he not get that I don’t like him that way, jeez.”

Her ramble about her current boy toy washed out in the background. You were once back in your thoughts until you saw him heading into the cafeteria. Beomgyu entered the cafeteria, his smile widening at something his best friend said. 

Lee Heeseung, Beomgyu’s best friend. His ride or die. As long as you can remember, they were attached to the hip. They were basically the package deal. If Beomgyu was the life of the party, Heeseung would hold up his hair while he threw up in the host’s toilet. While Beomgyu was the exact depiction of a social butterfly, Heeseung remained aloof, keeping people at arm’s length. You could only wonder how he dealt with Beomgyu’s outbursting personality.

“Earth to Yn!” Seori snapped her fingers in front of your face which once again, brought you back to reality.

“Sorry.” You sheepishly smiled looking at your best friend's annoyed face. Your friend followed the gaze you had fixed before looking over to her. And her eyes followed the trail of your alleged ‘man’–– Beomgyu.

“Him again.”A sigh erupted from Soeri, having enough of your rambling over your four-year-old crush.

“I’m sorry, alright!” You pouted, your back hunching over the disappointing development between you two which was nowhere to be found. “He’s just so cute, God!”

Your sigh was followed by your best friend. Not long after, your best friend’s fed-up expression converted into a rather eager one.

“I got it!” She exclaimed, her hand hitting your back while she practically screamed. You winced in pain as a few fellow students gave you judgemental stares.

“All you have to do is be close with his best friend, Lee Heeseung.” She slowly said, almost like a mastermind coming up with a villainous plan–well, you would consider your best friend to be some sort of evil criminal.

But this, this opened new angles in your head. It felt like the universe–or more like your best friend–laid it out for you again. Your once unsolvable puzzle showed a new direction, and the missing piece was all in front of you. 

Okay, maybe you felt bad that you were going to use Heeseung like that, even looking forward to it. But, you were really desperate. To the point where you would actually be eager to attend Sunday mass just to ask God for Beomgyu to like you back or even spare one glance at you. Well, what could you do? 

Out of excitement, you pulled Seori in for a hug with a squeal while giving her a kiss on the cheek which she in return, yelped. “Seori, you’re a genius!”

“Yes, I know.” She laughed a bit, escaping your tight grip on her before wiping the spot you kissed her hastily with her hands.

“I mean, how hard could it be?” 

You smiled and your gaze wet up to the boy you loved for most of your life, then slowly to the equally handsome boy.

Jackpot.

adore you tags . @wonsbaer @isoobie @armydrcamers @heegyuwrld @nxzz-skz @txtlyn @enhastolemyheart @positivelyinlovewithjungwon @sumzysworld @eleanorheartschishiya @petalsofink @bluujeans @jvjsssnaa @iamliacamila @m3chigo @oldjws @kyrjnie @heartswonn @aeminju @en-dream @yeahsspider @imstupidcheesecat [closed]

tags . @flwoie @zuyairus @bubblytaetae @yenqa @haknom @redm4ri @hanniluvi @haechansbbg @taejaysreads @shinunoga-iie-wa @teddywonss

[caxde]

Hey you! I loved the bright eyes request!! I’d love to request a next part where Eddie finally asks princess out and Lua calls you mommy as she heard it at school or daycare and her and Eddie talk about it? 🫣

Also sorry I’m a pain I just love your story so much! It’s my favorite

Hi babe! I'm sorry it took so long, I have been going through it. I hope you enjoy it!

bright eyes universe drabble ~2.1k girl!dad eddie

“Careful Lu, let dada flip it.” He whispered as he grabbed the plastic spatula away from her hand. 

Her curious eyes followed every move he made, watching closely and in awe as he rapidly flipped the chocolate chip pancake they had made together. 

They had snuck into your trailer with everything prepared, pancake mix in one of those old reused glass jars. He got that new habit from you and your pantry. 

Lua kept giggling at the idea of waking you up. Her cheeks became rosier by the second as her eyes squinted. She had a hard time controlling her excitement given has she had only joked about wanting to wake you up, lucky for her her indulgent dad had the same idea. 

She climbed down the chair she used to see what Eddie cooked -he had a new habit, talking her through every process, trying to get her to talk more, better, longer sentences- and given that he was pouring more mix into the buttered pan he was too focused to stop her. He figured she’d sit on the floor as she usually did. 

Lua had other ideas in her head, she found her way to your bedroom door. A light push was enough for it to open and the little giggles became a chuckling that made you toss in your bed, now that you laid half awake. 

Her tiny footsteps found the side you were sleeping and a koi smile appeared on your lips as you realised what was happening. As soon as you felt the pressure on the mattress and her whispered grunting of her effort to climb your bed you knew you had to wrap her under your sheets. 

So you did, your eyes halved open as you saw her big and wide smile. You couldn’t help but let your lips curl upwards. Her hair looked exactly as Eddie’s did when he had a long night of just dreaming and tossing, a tangled perfected mess. You let out a small “AH” before opening your arms as you held your duvet, pulling it down in a swift motion, trapping her inside while she jumped to hug you. 

The small giggles and screams made Eddie rush to your room, finding the scene he found both endearing and magical. The warm morning light creeping into your room illuminates your bedroom in a way that makes it seem like it was already a warm and special memory. He stood there for a second by the threshold crossing his arms as he saw you both emerge from under the covers, he could help but shake his head in disbelief from how lucky he felt. 

You made eye contact with him briefly as Lua continued blabbering her good mornings and her excited questions and he mouthed a soft “morning” he caught you blushing before you mouthed back a soft “good”. 

He walked back to the kitchenaid with a different rhythm, a happier and more awake one. 

-

You waited in the car while he dropped Lua off into kindergarten, watching with a shy smile at the idealistic picture and the four hugs and six forehead kisses of reassurance Lua had needed before going inside the classroom. 

You laughed quietly to yourself as you waited for him to come back, seeing how an excited grin appeared on his face as he found his way back to you. 

“Hi” Eddie muttered as soon as he opened the door, sitting back in the driver seat. His head reached for yours so your lips could meet properly. 

A sweet and short kiss laid at the top of your lips. 

“Hi” You whispered back, feeling that familiar flush in your cheeks as that lucky feeling invaded your body once again. 

“So, what do you want to do?” He asked as he started the car, it caught you by surprise if you were honest, he could tell by the way your lips pressed together. 

“I thought you had work?” You half asked. You were the one that needed reassurance now. 

“Not until lunch.” He said nonchalantly, his right hand finding your thigh, stroking it softly and absentmindedly. 

“Wade’s doing the pick up then?” You followed as he started to drive, not sure where to go yet. 

“Shit.” He muttered as realisation hit. 

He looked at you with a horrified look. You knew in that instance he was starting to panic, he was starting to feel bad about himself, his mind telling him all sort of horrible and despicable things he would never dare to speak aloud. 

“Do you want me to…?” The space between his eyebrows where a wrinkle was relaxed suddenly. You simply smiled back, your hand petting his that still laid on top of your thigh. 

“You don’t have to…” You shook your head as soon as he said it. 

“It doesn’t bother me, Moon.” His hand tangled with yours. You saw him blushing at the softness of your tone. 

“I know it doesn’t… I just don’t want you to feel like you have to fix my fuck ups” He tried to explain as his eyes left the road to look at yours. 

“But I like fixing your fuck ups” You chirped back with a sweet sing-song voice that made him earnestly smile. “I also like you” You add just so you could see him blush a bit. 

“Idiot” Eddie whispered through his teeth, smiling wide at the sound of your words. 

“Your idiot.” 

“Yeah, lucky me.” He left a kiss on the back of your palm as he continued to drive aimlessly, singing along to the songs on the radio with you. 

Truthful bliss was felt once the two of you were together. 

-

You did feel nervous, yet again, it would be weird if you didn’t feel it. Everyone around you was older and they all seemed to have their life figured all out. You clocked a pattern -as you usually did when you were feeling a bit too anxious- those of them that seemed more uptight, blonder and with cleaner clothes seemed to take an effort so they could stay out of your way. Yet the ones that were a bit more tired, with wilder hair and kinder smiles dedicated soft  nods and smiles to your direction. 

It was a weird reassurance.

The blue door opened and with it the soft chatter and spontaneous giggles and scream from toddlers invaded the previously quiet street. You waited for the eager parents to rush through the door, you knew you had to introduce yourself to the teacher, even if Eddie had called in advance and explained to them that you were picking her daughter, it still invaded you with a sense of nervousness, your heart beating louder in your chest. 

You found your way, a few steps away from the door as a shy Lua emerged, holding hands with a young girl, a couple years older than you at best. You let your knees touch the ground as you open your arms, she rushed to hold you with an excited giggle. 

“Hi bug! You had a good day?” You asked as you embraced her, picking her up from the ground, her backpack hanging off her, way too big for her. 

“Yeah!” She hid her head on your chest as she continued to chuckle, excited by your presence. 

“So… You’re Lua’s mom?” The teacher asked. 

Your eyes widened, as shock invaded your body. You started to shake your head profusely as you rocked Lua whose head poked out once she heard her name. Mom is a word that you hadn’t discussed or introduced. Not since you did accidentally met her actual mother, and yet the word has only been discussed out of earshot from her, between you and Eddie in hushed voices and wet eyes. 

“No, no… Uh, I'm Eddie’s partner.” You struggled to find your words, trying to make sense of what was happening. You saw how she turned white with embarrassment. 

“I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to…” She started to apologise, but you just shook your head once again before she could understand your need for her to stop talking. “I just thought, and since I had never seen Lua’s mom I just figured you, I mean she had finally come I..” She kept trying to male it right but your cheeks were becoming redder than Lua’s shirt. 

“It’s fine really.” You told her with a kind smile and a soft touch to her arm. “We actually have to go, I have to take her to her dad’s car shop. You’re ready bug?” 

“Yeah…” She added with a confused voice. Lua waited for both of you to be alone. She needed to know what that new word meant. “Princess?” She softly asked. 

“Yes bug?” 

“What’s mom?” You could tell she was genuinely curious. “Are you mom?” 

“Oh..” You mumbled trying to know what you were allowed to respond. “Um… You know why Eddie’s your dad?” She nodded slowly, not really following. “Eddie’s your dad because he had you, and your mom is the other person that had you, because it takes two people to really like and love each other to make such a special person.” You started to explain as you helped her into the little kid seat Eddie had in his van. “Your dad loves you very much and takes care of you.” You added as you left a soft kiss on her forehead. With the impeding feeling you were somehow fucking it all up. 

“You take care of me” She responded once you were looking into her eyes. 

“Yes.” 

“And you love me?” That childish way of asking with a pure innocence made you smile softly. 

“Of course I do, bug.” 

“Then you’re mom.” She concluded. You shook your head as you fastened her seatbelt. You left that where it was, you weren’t sure what to answer.

-

“Dada!” Lua screamed as soon as she set foot on the car shop, running directly to where Eddie was. 

“Hi Lu!” Eddie matched her energy perfectly, grabbing her in one swift motion and letting her rest on top of the car he was finishing the check up. “How was school?” 

“Fun!” She added with a chuckle as she looked at him with a glee in her eyes. 

“I wanna hear all about it. Dada’s gonna go for a snack and then you tell me, okay?” She nodded enthusiastically as Eddie found its way to you so he could steal a kiss. 

“Hi.” 

“Hi.” You grabbed his hand as he passed swiftly by you to reach for his bag where he had an assortment of snacks for Lua to choose from. “Lua learned a new word today.” 

“Oh no, did I miss her first curse word?” He added with a sarcastic hope that would make you chuckle in another circumstance. 

“Actually, she learned mom” You whispered, he was now recreating the same expression you had made when the young girl had said it to you. “She asked what it meant, I tried to explain but she was convinced that I was… well- that.” You finished as his eyes shifted between you and her. 

“I’m sorry you had to…” He started, deciding to change what he was about to say before even speaking, even if it was no use since you had already guessed what he was about to. “You are kinda like her mom though… I mean she knows you more than…. This is a weird conversation, right?” He checked with you, grabbing your hand and pushing you a bit closer. Needing to feel like he wasn’t completely losing his mind. 

“It is a weird conversation. I just… I’m not her mom, I could… I would never want to impose that I just… I do take care of her and I love her and I love you but I just… I’m not” He squeezed your hand three times so your eyes met his. That maroon colour lets you get lost in them. 

“You love me?” He asked with a smile on his face, trying to distract you from the pit of overthinking you were fastly approaching. 

“Yes.” You answered with flushed hot cheeks. 

“I love you too…” He whispered before pushing you into a hug, whispering the next words close to your ear. “We’ll figure it out, whatever makes you comfortable. We can talk about it over dinner, tomorrow?” 

“I’d like that.” You whispered back, leaving a sound kiss on his cheek. 

He smiled at you with that grin that made you bite the interior of your cheek in response. You stood there looking at him, and the way he rushed back to Lua, letting her pick whatever snack she pleased. 

You wanted more than anything to be a part of this for as long as possible, you desired to stay in this bubble forever. 

Full of love, hope and fondness.

[satoruhour]

hello :) may i ask a husband nanami headcanons? your so talented!

a/n: ty anon !!! i hope u like this :3

warnings: (in second half of post) pregnancy kink? breeding / creampie kink ofc, consensual somnophilia, praise, pet names

i. sfw headcanons

nanami is so sweet when he first proposes to you! ofc you have sex on the daily or weekly but when he’s reading his speech to you when he’s kneeling down it’s so sweet that you cry

and this dude wonders why you’re tearing up when his words literally mirror a poet’s LMFAO

nanami proposes at a quiet place only the two of you frequent, to avoid unwanted attention like crowds (he’s just thinking about gojo and how annoying he would be)

but also because he just wants it to be as special as he can make it out to be

honestly, if the whole kuantan thing works out he would love to propose there while the waves and horizon set the scene naturally. like he already knew he wanted to retire from being a jujutsu sorcerer here but he just melts when you’re here too. everything wrapped up in one, and the tear-filled “yes!!!” makes him jump and warms his heart

has a dinner laid out for you and everything and if the beach is deserted he wouldn’t mind having u right there LOL hes quiet but freaky just sayin’ !!!

when you walk down the aisle he cries. really

and is now obsessed with how he can call you ”his wife” as opposed to “his girl” 

okay but now on to the domesticity. the dynamics are almost the same: he isn’t against you heading out to earn your own money, and he’s more than happy to be a stay-at-home husband if you want him to, but seeing you in your cute apron has him already thinking of family and how you would bounce the baby on your arm as you prepare dinner

nanami is more doting when he’s your husband, not that he wasn’t before, but he thinks it’s the old age when he sees your leg cramp and he massages it or when you squint at your book so he turns up your lamp to a higher setting

also likes to flaunt off his wedding ring, albeit with flushed cheeks. he does it when he drinks tea, sliding gojo his paper work, polishing his weapon and it’s silent, laidback bragging and only gets annoyed when gojo asks about it

if anyone else does it he’s happy to talk about you lol

is a lot more slack when it comes to his salary and treating you to things, saying things like “oh, it’s okay, my pretty wife deserves this”

nanami does his part of the housework now that you’re permanently living together and pulls his weight — buying cleaning supplies, folding the laundry, buying food for the dog

he doesn’t care much about gender roles and is willing to show you that a good husband shouldn’t just be a milestone to complete and then immediately refuses to participate in household work

deadbeat husbands = boooooo

for now you’re still busy as jujutsu sorcerers, but after a year or two of being married he’s trying to convince you to take less missions, partially because he’s afraid of curses taking advantage of your relationship (not that they didnt before, but now they have a leverage against you) and marriage to hold either of you hostage

but the main reason for the persuasion is because he wanted a kid. and you step back in shock because nanami kento? wanting a kid? it seemed so out of character for him but considering how much he liked to come in you… was already pretty telling

like he loved the dog but also wanted like. biological kids. it was wild, he knows, even when you tell gojo (he’s still a little mad that you did, but it was an accident), even the six-eyes user was pretty surprised.

when the kid comes he’s just. crying again. he really loves you so much, and the fact that you carried a baby for nine months and was in pain for 12 hours and then pushed a whole ass baby out ur vagina? goddamn

you two name her nanami kumiko and he holds her like she’s the only one in the world (besides you), cooing gently as how the baby seem to snuggle into his warmth

he gives her a danish name too: ida, but he’s not sure if he should include it in the birth certificate, so he didn’t

he is very protective of his girl, especially how you techniques seemed to be passed down and how the jujutsu society might be seeking out your offspring in kuantan, but he makes sure no one comes close to the two of you, even asking gojo reluctantly to monitor any news of the higher-ups looking to ruin her childhood

nanami really thinks it’s age now, because he find it so hard to say no to your baby girl whenever she asks for something — whether non-verbal or verbal

is a calm dad, usually burping the baby after you feed her, changing her diapers, etc., even suggesting bonding by holding her close with skin-to-skin contact and you're surprised he even knows about that

you give in when you see that he does it anyway, rocking the baby softly on the balcony with his top off, already knowing she’s going to be a daddy’s girl when she grows up

spoils his daughter but still disciplines her when it’s necessary, but he reverts to gentle parenting when he needs to. learns how to tie hair because of her, teaches her about manners and consent and tells her he has no problem if she decides to punch a guy one day. she’s just confused lol, why would i need to do that, dad?

bless him, she got your kind disposition, but yeah he emphasises that she should stand up for herself if needed

during pregnancy, he’s also making sure you never lift a finger, running across the house to complete errands, going out to buy your cravings and regulating your diet. it’s pretty cute but nanami is sometimes really strict about what you eat because he doesn’t want your health to decline lol

“just one cup of coffee… please?”

nanami only grunts in disapproval, hoping a peck to your forehead can wake you up, ”no.”

okay but that’s a lot, i have a lot of Thoughts

now…. 

ii. nsfw headcanons

building on that hc earlier abt going from calling you ”his girl” to ”his wife”, he uses it so much in the bedroom you’d think it was a fetish

and you kinda understand it, there’s the jump of your heart when he introduces you as “his wife” compared to a mere girlfriend

honest to god, coming home that day and seeing you cook wasn’t the first time he’s thought of having a kid. it’s happened many times before, seeing you interact with the first-years, guiding a first-grader home after a mission

and sure he’s done it before, but you’re always on the pill and he has really really thought of getting a vasectomy, but then he thinks of how cute you’d look with a round belly, carrying his baby and that glow that he knows he’s the reason for

so the day he proposes to you, he fucks you like an animal, cumming deep in you with choked groans and fills you up.

wedding night? same thing

but what really got him going was after he told you about wanting a kid, and you begging with those eyes of yours is what drove that string to snap. “i w-want you— shit— to fuck a baby into me, kento!” 

wheew and he goes insane. nanami loves it when you beg for his cum, legs locked around his body to get him to do it. you’re relentless too, spreading your folds for him as his cum seeps out slowly and soon he’s fucking his cum deep into you again, filling you up two, three, four times

and he doesn’t exactly care if that time doesn’t work because now he knows you aren’t taking contraception so he just does it regularly for good measure.

you aren’t complaining because you’ve never seen nanami so feral when he’s pushing his cum deep into you, whether it’s with his cock or with his fingers. that period before your pregnancy was so fulfilling that you wouldn’t mind pushing out another baby for your husband, if it meant getting railed by a man on a mission to make you a mommy

by god he fucks you on every surface of the house

when you’re pregnant too, you can’t help but get wet bc of your hormones and sometimes comes home from work, tired and needing some relief

he finds relief between your legs when you’re sleeping, talking about how nice it was to get used while sleeping, but you didn’t expect nanami to utilise it while you’re pregnant. you wince and groan as you sit up, but you need to see your husband lapping at your cunt immediately, moaning into your core like a starved man

but ofc nanami is a lot gentler when you’re pregnant. he offers to do the work, thrusts gentler and less impactful, but he still feels so good

a few years after marriage, sex is still an ongoing thing, but it’s converted more into love-making and lazy intercourse because you weren’t exactly young. sure you both would go crazy a few times a week but it was difficult with a maturing kid in the room next to yours.

you both would also take the time to discover other kinks!!! always busy, it was a difficult thing to do, but in between taking care of kumiko and handling lighter missions, you’d find new ways to continue keeping your love and sex life exciting

nanami liked going slow with you too though whispering into your ears endless praises of how you were doing do well, settling into missionary so he could see how his thrusts still had the same effect it did on you years ago

“doing so well, sweetheart. that’s it… my pretty wife’s such a good girl f’r me.” 

nanami wasn’t against a second child, but sometimes he sees how much you go through in labour and in pregnancy that he becomes lightheaded with what could happen to you, especially with the unexpected illnesses that come with pregnancies. he told himself he would only grant you another if you ask for it

but then one day when kumiko prances up to you in the midst of her math homework, asking when she would get a little sibling and youre taken aback while nanami just chokes on his tea

yeah, sure, you taught her sex education way before her peers and how babies are made but you didn’t expect to actually ask the two of you straight up about having a sister or brother

that night, you mulled over the decision, and nanami mumbles into your neck from the back, ”don’t worry about kumiko, baby. she’ll probably forget it sooner or later.”

“but what if i want to give her one though?” you mumble, your smaller hand guiding his lower and lower…

“do you want to?” nanami only can suck in a breath when he feels your throbbing cunt, your nimble fingers showing his how you liked your clit to be rubbed. even if he knows you inside out he still lets you do it, “i do… do you, kento?”

his first name is whispered, breaking the tension and nanami has to hold himself back from handling you too roughly, loving the way you grin languidly.

oh, here comes round 2!

omg headcanons are so fun lol i never wrote 1k words so fast since they’re informal and chill

[qrrieterisunnq]

Please write a John Marino smut since I miss him so much… I hope he’s fine in Utah recovering, maybe like y/n playing a nurse for him to “recover”? It’d be hilarious if he takes an extra recovery time to spend his time with his girlfriend at home🥴

Personal Nurse - John Marino

MINORS DNI - 18+ content below the cut — WARNINGS: sex scenes, fluff — SUMMARY: John Marino, recovering from shoulder surgery, shares an intimate moment with his devoted girlfriend, Y/N, as they reconnect physically and emotionally after weeks of tension. Their love and passion reignite, blending tenderness and fiery desire, reminding them of their bond's strength. — WORD COUNT: 3,3K

Pain is all John felt for the past few months after his shoulder surgery. His shoulder was mostly on fire, but in the last few weeks, he’s feeling less pain and feels ready to hop on the ice and play like he’s used to.

But the team’s medical staff had other ideas. “One more week, Marino,” they kept saying, like a mantra designed to test his patience. He’d spent most of his recovery pacing around his house, stretching his arm in exaggerated circles, and muttering under his breath about “wasted time.”

That’s where Y/N came in. She had taken on the unofficial role of his live-in nurse—not that she minded, really. John could be grumpy and restless, but he was also endearingly stubborn. Besides, she enjoyed the rare opportunity to fuss over him.

“You’re not skating yet,” she reminded him one morning, setting a steaming mug of coffee on the table. “And don’t give me that look. You’re still supposed to take it easy.”

John groaned, leaning back against the couch with an exaggerated pout. “I feel fine, though. Better than fine.”

Y/N arched an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? You feel so fine that you don’t need your pain meds anymore? Or the physical therapy sessions I have to drag you to?”

He hesitated, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. “I mean… those are helpful. But come on, I’m bored out of my mind. If I don’t get back out there soon, I’m gonna lose my edge.”

“Your edge?” she teased, sitting beside him. “I thought the whole point was for you to rest and not wreck yourself again. Do you really want to deal with another six months of me bossing you around?”

John smirked, the corner of his mouth curling into that signature grin she knew too well. “I don’t know. I think I could get used to it. You’re a pretty cute nurse.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed. “Flattery won’t get you back on the ice any faster. Besides, I think you’re enjoying this whole ‘recovery’ thing more than you let on.”

He leaned closer, his good arm sneaking around her waist. “Maybe I just like having you around. Ever think of that?”

“Nice try, Marino. You’re not charming your way out of another week off.” She poked his chest gently, laughing at his exaggerated wince.

“Fine,” he sighed, resting his forehead against hers. “But only if you promise to keep me company. I’ll take extra time off if it means more mornings like this.”

Y/N smiled, her resolve softening. “Deal. But you’re still doing your stretches. No slacking.”

John huffed dramatically, sinking back into the cushions as though the weight of the world—or at least, the weight of not skating—rested entirely on his shoulders. He gave her his best puppy-dog eyes, the kind that usually melted her resolve.

“You’re ruthless, you know that?” he said, shaking his head with mock defeat. “I’m out here, helpless, recovering from major surgery, and you won’t even let me slack off for one day.”

“Helpless?” Y/N snorted, crossing her arms. “You’re like a toddler on a sugar high. The only thing helpless here is the state of this house if I leave you unsupervised.”

“Wow,” he said, clutching his chest dramatically. “You wound me.”

“Good.” She grinned, standing and reaching for his arm. “Now, come on, Mr. Helpless. Time for your stretches.”

John groaned again but allowed her to pull him up. She guided him to the open area in the living room, where she’d already laid out a mat for his routine. Despite his grumbling, she knew he secretly appreciated the attention.

As he moved through the motions—reluctantly at first but gradually loosening up—Y/N caught herself watching him. Even in his injured state, there was something magnetic about the way he carried himself, all lean strength and understated grace. It was a shame he couldn’t see how impressive he was, even off the ice.

“You staring at me?” John’s voice broke her train of thought, and she realized too late that she’d been caught.

“No,” she lied quickly, turning her attention to the clock. “I’m just making sure you’re doing it right. Don’t want you slacking.”

“Mmhmm.” He smirked, rolling his shoulder carefully before shooting her a playful glance. “Admit it. You’re impressed.”

“By you? Not likely,” she said, though the corners of her mouth betrayed a smile.

“Oh, come on,” he pressed, stepping closer. “I see that look in your eyes. You think I’m irresistible.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Maybe,” he admitted, standing in front of her now. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and his voice dropped just enough to send a shiver down her spine. “But you haven’t exactly been rushing out the door lately, have you?”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, refusing to let him get the upper hand. “Maybe I just like bossing you around.”

His grin widened, and before she could react, he’d scooped her into his good arm, pulling her close despite her half-hearted protests.

“Well,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “if I’m stuck here, I guess I might as well make it worth your while.”

“John—your shoulder!” she squeaked, though her laughter betrayed her concern.

“It’s fine,” he murmured, leaning closer. “But thanks for caring, Nurse Y/N.”

Her heart raced as his lips brushed against hers, the world narrowing to just the two of them.

Y/N tried to push away, half-heartedly, but John held her firmly—just enough to make her heart skip a beat without straining his injured shoulder.

“John,” she muttered again, though her voice lacked conviction.

“Yeah?” he asked, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers, his grin widening.

“Your physical therapist is going to kill me if you hurt yourself because of… this,” she said, gesturing vaguely between them.

“I’ll tell them it was an accident,” he teased, brushing a strand of hair from her face with his free hand. “Or maybe I’ll say my nurse was too good at her job. They’ll understand.”

Y/N couldn’t hold back her laughter, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“And yet, here you are,” he said softly, his voice dipping into that husky tone that always made her melt.

Before she could reply, he closed the gap between them, kissing her gently at first, then with a little more intent. She let herself sink into it for a moment, her hands resting on his chest, before reality nudged her conscience.

“Okay, okay,” she said, pulling back, her cheeks flushed. “You’re supposed to be recovering, not… whatever this is.”

“Pretty sure this counts as therapy,” John argued, smirking. “Emotional support is important, right?”

“Uh-huh. And what happens when you overdo it and have to stay out another month? You’ll drive me insane.”

“Is that a bad thing?” he asked, leaning in again, but she put a finger to his lips, stopping him.

“Yes,” she said firmly, though her smile softened the blow. “Now sit down before I have to explain to your coach why you’re still out.”

John sighed dramatically, dropping onto the couch like a petulant child. “Fine. But only because I don’t want to ruin my perfect recovery record.”

“Perfect, huh?” Y/N shot him a knowing look, grabbing a notebook from the table. “You mean the record where you complain through every stretch and refuse to follow half the instructions?”

“Hey, I’ve been improving!” he shot back, crossing his arms.

“Sure you have,” she said with a wink, flipping through the pages. “But don’t think I’ll go easy on you. You’ve still got a long way to go, Mr. Marino.”

He watched her with a lopsided grin, his heart swelling despite the teasing. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready to hit the ice again, but with Y/N by his side, he was starting to think that recovery wasn’t so bad after all.

John followed her instructions as she showed him how to do the exercise to help him recover quickly. It was clear he’s absolutely annoyed by the fact he has to do this but he followed her instructions just to watch her round ass moves with so elegancy and delicacy.

“Stop staring at my ass Marino!” she sighs turning her head around to sed him a glare.

“I am not!” John raised his hands above his head, grinning like a small boy. “Or am I?”

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. “You’re supposed to be focusing on your form, not my… assets.”

John shrugged, the motion slightly restricted by his healing shoulder. “Can’t blame a guy for appreciating the view during such grueling recovery exercises.”

She turned fully now, hands on her hips, leveling him with a glare that only made his grin widen. “You’re impossible, Marino. Do you even want to get back on the ice?”

“Sure, I do,” he said, leaning lazily against the back of the couch. “But I’m starting to think this rehab routine has some hidden perks.” His eyes flicked pointedly downward, earning him a sharp smack on the shoulder—the good one, of course.

“Behave,” she said, though her cheeks flushed at the blatant way he was ogling her.

“Or what?” he challenged, his voice low and teasing.

“Or I’ll make you do an extra set of stretches,” she shot back, leaning in just enough to make her point. “No complaining, no shortcuts, and definitely no flirting.”

John raised an eyebrow, his grin shifting into something more devilish. “You think you’re the one in control here?”

“Obviously,” she replied with mock authority, folding her arms.

In a swift motion, John grabbed her wrist, tugging her down onto the mat beside him. She let out a surprised yelp as she landed unceremoniously, his good arm looping around her waist to keep her from escaping.

“Guess again,” he murmured, his breath warm against her neck.

“John,” she said, half-laughing, half-scolding. “You’re supposed to be-”

“Recovering, yeah, yeah,” he interrupted, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. “But you didn’t say I couldn’t multitask.”

Y/N squirmed, trying to maintain some semblance of professionalism, but the heat radiating from his body and the way his fingers traced lazy circles on her hip made it nearly impossible.

“You’re unbelievable,” she said, her voice breathier than she intended.

“And yet, here you are,” he whispered, turning her head gently with his hand so their eyes met.

Her resolve wavered for only a moment before his lips found hers, claiming them in a kiss that was all heat and urgency. Her protests melted like snow under the sun, her fingers instinctively threading through his hair as she gave in to the moment.

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” she murmured against his lips, earning a chuckle that rumbled low in his chest.

“And you’re lucky I’m injured,” he teased, pulling her closer, “or I’d really show you how grateful I am.”

Her laugh was soft, but her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned back just enough to smirk at him. “Oh, don’t worry, Marino. When you’re fully healed, I’ll ensure you work twice as hard.”

John groaned dramatically, but the way he kissed her again told her he didn’t mind one bit.

“Twice as hard, huh?” John murmured, his voice dipping into that dangerously smooth tone that always unraveled her. His good arm tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. “Guess I’ll need you to supervise… closely.”

Y/N opened her mouth to respond, but whatever clever retort she’d planned was lost as his lips trailed down her jaw, grazing the sensitive skin of her neck. Her breath hitched, fingers curling into his shirt.

“John,” she managed, though it came out more as a whisper than a warning.

“Yeah?” he asked, his lips brushing the hollow of her throat.

“This isn’t—” She sucked in a sharp breath as his teeth grazed her collarbone, sending a shiver straight through her. “—part of the rehab plan.”

“Feels therapeutic to me,” he muttered against her skin, his hand slipping beneath the hem of her shirt to rest on the small of her back. “Don’t tell me you’re not enjoying this.”

Her silence was answer enough, and John smirked as he leaned back slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. “Thought so.”

She glared half-heartedly, her cheeks flushed and her lips slightly swollen. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re irresistible,” he shot back without missing a beat. His hand slid higher, fingers splaying against her skin, his touch both firm and teasing. “Admit it, Y/N—you like me better when I’m a little bad.”

Her laugh was breathless, her resolve crumbling with every passing second. “You’re lucky you’re injured, Marino. Otherwise, you wouldn’t stand a chance against me.”

“Is that so?” His smirk deepened, and before she could react, he flipped their positions, pinning her gently beneath him. His weight was balanced perfectly to avoid straining his shoulder, but the dominance in his stance was undeniable.

“Careful,” she teased, her voice dropping to match his. “One wrong move and you’re stuck in rehab even longer.”

“Worth it,” he replied, his voice low and gravelly. He dipped his head, capturing her lips in a kiss that left no room for argument.

Her hands slid up his chest, tracing the lines of his toned muscles before curling around his neck. The heat between them was intoxicating, but they both missed each other.

“John,” she murmured as his lips moved to her ear, his teeth tugging lightly at the lobe.

“Mm?” he hummed, the vibration sending another wave of heat coursing through her.

“We’re supposed to be taking it slow,” she reminded him, though her voice was shaky.

He leaned back just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes dark and full of promise. “Trust me, Y/N. I’ve been holding back. You don’t want me to take it slow.”

Her heart raced as his lips claimed hers again, his hand sliding up her thigh with a confidence that sent sparks shooting through her. For a moment, all thoughts of recovery and boundaries vanished, replaced by nothing but the heat between them.

John’s lips moved against hers with a passion that made her toes curl. His good hand roamed her body, fingers tracing the curve of her waist, pulling her closer until there wasn’t a sliver of space left between them. His kisses were hot and insistent, leaving her breathless and wanting more.

“You drive me crazy, you know that?” he murmured against her lips, his voice deep and husky.

Y/N smirked, her nails dragging lightly down his chest. “Good. Someone has to keep you on your toes.”

“Don’t worry,” he said, his lips brushing over her jaw, trailing kisses down her neck. “You do that just by walking into a room.”

Her laugh dissolved into a soft gasp as his teeth grazed her skin, his tongue soothing the spot immediately after. He kissed lower, his hand slipping beneath her shirt to tease the bare skin of her back. She arched into his touch, her fingers sliding into his hair and pulling him closer.

“Off,” he muttered, tugging at the hem of her shirt.

She raised her arms, letting him pull it over her head and toss it aside. His eyes darkened as they roamed over her, drinking her in like she was the most exquisite thing he’d ever seen.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he said, his voice almost reverent.

Her cheeks flushed under his gaze, but she didn’t have time to respond before his lips were on her again, searing and desperate. His hand slid up her back, unhooking her bra with practiced ease. She shivered as it fell away, his lips immediately descending to the newly exposed skin.

“John,” she gasped, her hands clutching his shoulders as his mouth closed around her nipple, his tongue flicking over the sensitive peak.

“Mm?” he hummed, his good hand sliding up her thigh, pushing her pants lower as he kissed his way across her chest to the other side.

“You’re so—” She broke off, a soft moan escaping her lips as his teeth grazed her skin, his hand squeezing her thigh.

“So what?” he teased, his breath warm against her skin as he leaned back just enough to slide her pants and underwear down in one smooth motion.

“So good at this,” she admitted, her cheeks burning as she met his gaze.

He grinned, his good hand tracing slow, deliberate circles on her inner thigh, getting closer to her core but never quite reaching it. “Oh, I’m just getting started, baby.”

Her breath hitched as his fingers finally slid between her legs, brushing over her most sensitive spot. He groaned softly, his eyes darkening even more as he felt how ready she was for him.

“You’re so perfect,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her again, his lips devouring hers as his fingers teased her with agonizing precision.

“John,” she whispered, her hips bucking slightly against his hand.

“What do you need, baby?” he asked, his voice low and full of promise as he kissed along her jawline.

“You,” she said, her voice trembling. “I need you.”

He didn’t make her wait. Carefully, he removed the last barrier between them, his sweatpants sliding off as he positioned himself above her. His eyes met hers, the intensity in his gaze making her heart race.

“Tell me if it’s too much,” he said softly, his lips brushing over hers.

She smiled, her hands cupping his face. “I’ll tell you if you’re not enough.”

That was all the encouragement he needed. Slowly, he pressed into her, his good hand gripping her hip as he moved with painstaking care. The feeling of him stretching and filling her sent a shiver through her entire body, her nails digging into his shoulders.

“God, Y/N,” he groaned, his forehead resting against hers. “You feel incredible.”

She couldn’t form words, her body arching into his as he began to move. Every thrust was deliberate, his pace slow and steady as he focused on her reactions. Her soft moans and whispered encouragement only spurred him on, his lips finding hers again as their bodies moved together.

Her hands roamed his back, her touch gentle yet urgent as she pulled him closer. “Faster,” she murmured, her voice breathless.

“Careful,” he teased, his lips brushing over her ear. “I don’t want to overdo it.”

“John,” she said, her tone carrying a hint of frustration that made him grin.

“Anything for you,” he murmured, his pace quickening slightly. The change sent a wave of pleasure through her, her back arching as she cried out his name.

“That’s it,” he said, his voice a low growl as he kissed her neck, his hand sliding down to grip her thigh and hitch it higher around his waist. “Let go for me, baby.”

Her nails dug into his back, her breaths coming faster as she neared the edge. His name fell from her lips like a prayer, her entire body trembling as the tension finally snapped. The release was overwhelming, waves of pleasure washing over her as he held her tightly, his own release following moments later.

They stayed like that for a while, their breaths mingling, their bodies still intertwined. Finally, John leaned back just enough to look at her, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“You, okay?” he asked softly, his voice full of concern and love.

She smiled, leaning up to kiss him gently. “I’m perfect.”

“Good,” he said, grinning as he settled beside her, pulling her into his arms. “Because I think that was the best therapy session I’ve ever had.”

She laughed, resting her head on his chest. “You’re still doing stretches tomorrow.”

“Fair trade,” he murmured, his hand tracing lazy patterns on her back. “As long as you’re there to supervise.”

[sansaorgana]

— A BETTER PERSON

PAIRING — Erik Lehnsherr x fem!Mutant!Reader

SUMMARY — Erik struggles with accepting the fact that his son is not a mutant.

AUTHOR���S NOTE — Hi, it's me again 😂 This fic can be read as a part two of THIS FIC but doesn't have to be at all. It contains some fighting between Erik and Reader but I promise it all ends well! 💗 Reader’s mutation is NOT specified (as much as it was possible).

WORD COUNT — 3,930

ENGLISH IS MY SECOND LANGUAGE.

A BETTER PERSON

“No,” Erik stood up and clenched his fists to stop himself from using his mutation powers against Charles. “I do not agree,” he stated more calmly now.

“Anybody else?” Charles looked past him at the other teachers sitting inside his office.

No one else said anything, though.

“I’m sorry, Erik, you’ve lost,” Charles smirked at him.

“Fine then,” your husband clenched his jaw. “If you want to let the non-mutant children in this school, I’m leaving. I won’t teach humans.”

“Don’t be too dramatic, Erik,” you stood up as well and put your hand on his shoulder. “We’re building something special here and you know it…”

“Yes, we are,” he snapped at you and pushed your hand away, “but he wants to ruin it,” he pointed at Charles. “This place is a safe space for the mutants. Humans have always been a threat.”

“Well, obviously, the ones who hate mutants won’t be welcome here,” Charles rolled his eyes. “Your wife is right, Erik. You’re overreacting.”

“Oh, really?” Erik tilted his head. “Because I’m sure you’re going to invite everyone here soon. People who are against us so they can know us better and realize we are the same. People who admire us so they can look at us from a closer angle. I am not an animal in the zoo, Xavier, and I certainly am not a lab rat. Never again.”

“Erik, it’s just only about avoiding segregation,” you sighed. “Do you really have to make a scene? We don’t even know yet if we’re going to get permission from the government… It’s just an idea.”

“I am not going to teach non-mutants. End of discussion. They’re not welcome here,” he drawled out and that was when you heard a noise behind the door. An echo of the familiar legs running away as quickly as possible down the corridor.

“Alex…”, you whispered and laid your eyes on Erik to give him a dirty look. “I hope you’re proud of yourself,” you snarled at him before running out of Charles’ office.

Your son was fast but he wasn’t extraordinarily fast and he was a child after all, so you caught him pretty fast. In fact, there was nothing extraordinary about him and he was already ten years old, which could only mean one thing that your husband refused to ever address. For Erik, Alex was just a late bloomer but he was the only person in the whole school who was thinking that.

Because the truth was, Xavier’s School already had a non-mutant student. And it was Erik Lehnsherr’s flesh and blood.

“Alex,” you grabbed your son’s shoulder and turned him around. His eyes were full of tears and his hands were shaking. It was breaking your heart to see him like that. “Alex, what were you doing there? It was a meeting for the teachers.”

“I wanted to f-find you,” he sniffled and rubbed his eyes. “Edie did it again…” he sobbed.

Edie was your second child, named after Erik’s mother. She was six years old and her mutant powers had recently started to show. One of her favourite activities was to tease her older brother. She couldn’t understand why he was always so upset instead of teasing her back. She inherited much more from her father than just his mutation.

“What did she do?” You sighed and fixed his ruffled hair.

“Locked me in my room,” he looked down, ashamed of the fact that he had been bullied by a little girl. “I couldn’t open it, she melted the lock.”

You sighed and pressed his head to your chest. Edie’s pranks were starting to get too cruel these days.

“I will talk to her,” you promised him and kissed the top of his head. “Now, about what your father said…” you brought up the topic and Alex burst into tears once again, pressing his face even deeper into the material of your sweater. “He didn’t mean you, love,” you didn’t know what else to say.

“Of course I didn’t,” Erik’s voice made you both turn around. He looked a bit uneasy and he was keeping a distance from you two. “Because you’re a mutant, Alex. You just need more time to figure it out,” your husband added.

“No, I am not!” Alex exclaimed dramatically and ran away again but this time you didn’t chase him. Instead, you approached your husband angrily.

“That was not what he needed to hear,” you drawled out. “What he needs to hear is that you love him nevertheless,” you explained and then you took a step back and furrowed your brow while staring deep into Erik’s bright eyes. He was staring back at you without a word. “Unless you… don’t,” you whispered before turning around and leaving him alone in the middle of the corridor.

You didn’t look for Alex after that. You decided to give him some time to cry alone first and instead of that you focused on giving Edie a lecture. One of many and probably not the last one. You loved her, of course, just like you loved her father. But sometimes you wished she was… less like him. One Erik was enough to handle.

Speaking of him, he was avoiding you for the rest of the day and he seemed to be offended because he didn’t even want to talk to you. When you bumped into him, he didn’t say “sorry” or anything, he just walked on by.

During supper he sat next to you as usual but he kept talking to Raven sitting by his other side. You were playing with your food and watching Edie from the corner of your eye. She seemed to be very giddy and joyful. Too much for a girl who had been scolded by her mother for bullying her brother. She seemed to brag to one of the boys about what she had done earlier. You stopped looking at her and started to search for your son amongst the children by the long table.

“Where is Alex?” You asked out loud after realizing that he wasn’t there.

“Probably still crying in his room,” Edie shrugged her arms and you stood up loudly, making everyone wince at the sound of the squeaking chair.

“(Y/N), let him be,” Erik laid his eyes on you for the first time since morning. “Boys process such things differently.”

“No, they don’t,” you had to fight the urge to slap his face. How could he not even be worried? How could he allow Edie to be so insolent? “Now, if you excuse me, I need to find my son,” you informed everyone and walked out of the dining room to hurry upstairs.

Alex was a son of two teachers so he had the privilege of having his own room next to yours. Not so long ago he had been sharing it with Edie but since she had started to show off her powers they had to be separated. You knocked upon the door and waited for an answer but there was none.

“Alex, baby, open the door, please. It’s me, mummy,” you whispered but there was still no answer. “I’m walking inside, honey,” you pushed the door open.

The room was dark. You put the light on only to find the room empty and your heart skipped a beat at the realization that you had absolutely no idea where your son was.

Desperately, to be absolutely sure, you looked under the bed and inside the closet but he obviously wasn’t there. So you ran back downstairs, feeling like your heart would jump out of your chest any given moment. Your head felt heavy and your ears were ringing.

“He’s not in his room,” you announced after opening the door leading to the dining room with shaky hands. Everyone went silent and looked at you. Seeing your terrified face and trembling arms, they began to worry as well. Erik stood up from the table and approached you slowly.

“He… He’s not… He’s not there, Erik,” you struggled to catch your breath out of growing anxiety as you held onto his sleeve.

“Maybe he’s hiding in the garden,” he tried to calm you down but he began to look worried as well. “I’ll look for him.”

“I will help you,” Hank left the table, too.

“And me,” Raven joined them.

“Can we help as well?” One of the students asked.

“You can stay here and finish your meal,” Charles told him. “Unless any of you has any idea where Alex can be?” he asked but there was a dead silence from all the kids. “Alright then, you stay here. We are going to look for him. I’m sure he’s nearby,” he approached you and took your hand in his. “(Y/N), come with me,” he encouraged you and you nodded before following him outside. You felt like you were inside a bad dream.

“He has never done anything like that… He… He would always tell me everything…” you stuttered out. “He’s a clingy child… With me at least… That’s so unlike him to just… To just make me worry like that.”

“I’m sure Erik will find him,” Charles tried to calm you down and you both went outside where the rest of the adults had been looking for your son.

You could hear their voices calling out Alex’s name but you were too petrified to move and help them. You felt helpless. Ten minutes passed and there was apparently no sign of him still being around the mansion.

“He’s not here,” Hank walked up to you and Charles and shook his head. Erik followed him, paler than ever.

“When was the last time you saw Alex?” Your husband asked you.

“The same time you did,” you snapped at him. “I gave him some time after what you had said to him and it was my mistake. I should have gone after him and left that brat Edie to you.”

“Hey, hey,” Erik took a step back and put his arms in the air like he was giving up, “don’t take it out on me and certainly not on our daughter. Charles,” he looked down at his friend, “you can find Alex, right? You shouldn’t have a problem with that.”

“Well…” Charles sighed and hesitated for a moment, “I’m a telepath but it’s easier to connect with other mutants.”

“Excellent then,” Erik nodded.

“I’m going to try but considering the fact Alex is not a mutant…” Charles began again, less delicately this time.

“He is,” Erik protested, “come on, Xavier, you know that he is. We’ve talked about it, you were supposed to help him to find out what his mutation was. Just because you haven’t found it yet…”

“Wait, what?!” You interrupted him with a scream. It was the first time you had ever heard of it. 

“I tried but… Erik, there is really nothing there…” Charles explained but you didn’t let him finish. You approached your husband and pushed him away.

“Hey!” He exclaimed.

“Stay away!” You yelled. “It’s all your fault, stay away!”

“(Y/N), calm down. Charles needs to focus if you want him to find Alex,” Hank tried to put his arm around you but you pushed him away as well. Your anger and worry made your powers grow stronger and stronger with every minute.

“You’re so full of shit, Erik,” you could feel your whole body melting under the power of your own mutation. Your every nerve and every muscle was filled with anger. You could kill him with a snap of your fingers if you wanted to. “So, your son is a human. In a place like this, though, he is the outsider. He is the one needing protection here. And instead of doing what a father should do, you were pushing him, behind my back, arranging secret sessions with Charles… You… Can’t you see that what you’re doing isn’t far from what has been done to you?” you asked while walking slowly towards him. Those were rare moments to see Erik Lehnsherr genuinely scared of anyone but it was one of them. “He’s not a lab rat or a weapon. He’s a person. And all that boy has ever wanted was for you to love him. You have no idea how many times he’s been asking me about it. Does dad love me? And I have never been brave enough to tell him to ask you instead. Because I was scared of your answer. But now I know it,” you finished with your face only a few inches away from his.

“No, you don’t. You think you do but you don’t,” Erik whispered and swallowed thickly. He wasn’t even trying to defend himself, it was like he had known, deep down, that he deserved it. “You must be insane if you think I don’t love him,” his words were almost inaudible at this point; only for your ears to hear.

“Then act like it,” you drawled out.

“Mrs. Lehnsherr!” One of the children’s voices made you turn around. It was the boy Edie had been talking to earlier. You had noticed a few times that he quite liked to pick on your son as well whenever there was such an opportunity.

“What do you want?” You asked him rudely.

“I’m sorry I haven’t told you earlier…” he started as his voice broke. He looked scared and worried. “I know where Alex went… I saw him… I’m sorry, I should have said…” he started crying and you approached him quickly. “I’m so sorry…” he kept repeating.

“Stop apologizing and tell me where he is,” you grabbed him by his shoulders.

“(Y/N),” Charles raised his hand. He didn’t want you to be too rough with the students but you didn’t care. You wanted your son to be safe and back at home.

“I asked him where he was going… He told me he was running away to New York to get adopted by... normal people. I think he took the bus or something,” the boy sniffled.

“When was it?” You asked.

“Not long before supper.”

“He must be on the station or on that bus then,” you heard Erik’s voice. “I’m going,” he added and ran to the hangar to get one of the cars.

You wanted to stop him. To tell him that you should be there, too. But you were so heartbroken after what that student had told you that you couldn’t say a word. You couldn’t believe that your son wanted to be adopted by a different… normal family.

“Let’s go back inside,” you loosened the grip on the boy’s shoulders. “Thank you for telling me. You’ve done the right thing,” you added with a broken smile.

It was almost two in the morning and everyone was asleep except for you and Charles. You were in the living room, waiting for Erik’s return. Edie was also there, she refused to go to her bedroom before seeing Alex again but she fell asleep with her head on your lap around eleven. You were playing with her hair to keep your hands busy. 

Apparently it had been her. She had noticed the other student’s odd behaviour and it had been her threatening him to tell you everything. She had been crying and shaking in your arms and blaming herself. But you weren’t angry with her anymore. She was only six years old and putting a blame on her would be unfair. It would only make her feel even worse. It had been Erik who should have known better. Not her.

“They’re back,” Charles whispered after hearing a car on the driveway.

“Both of them?” You asked, worriedly.

“Yes,” he closed his eyes for a moment, “I can sense them both.”

You sighed with relief and gently moved Edie’s head away from your lap to put it on the sofa’s cushion. Then you stood up and walked out to see Erik and Alex entering the mansion.

When you saw them, you froze for a moment because Alex was being carried by Erik in his arms.

“He’s asleep,” your husband informed you immediately. “He fell asleep on our way here,” Erik explained. “He’s fine,” he added and you nodded.

“You couldn’t just wait at the next bus stop, right?” Charles’ voice interrupted you from behind. He was looking at Erik with a smirk. He had just been looking through his memories to find out what had exactly happened. “You just had to dramatically stop the bus in the middle of the road?”

“Yes, in fact, I had to,” Erik drawled out at his friend, “because my son was in there.”

“Alex!” Edie ran up to you. Her hair was ruffled and her eyes were squinted – she was barely awake – but she had a big smile on her face. Her calling woke Alex up and he moved in Erik’s arms before yawning and looking down at his sister. “Alex!” She called once again and extended her hands towards him. Erik put the boy on the ground so his sister could give him a hug. “I’m sorry I locked you in your room!” She cried happy tears and squeezed her brother tighter.

“It’s okay…” Alex hugged her back.

“I will never do it again!” Edie squealed.

“Thanks…”

“And you?” You crossed your arms and looked at your son.

“I will never do it again either. I’m sorry, mum…” He avoided your eyes, ashamed and scared. You crouched down and hugged him as well to place a kiss on his forehead.

“I’m glad Alex is safe. I’ll leave you now,” Charles nodded his head and went away quietly.

“Where did you even get the money from? For the ticket?” You asked your son.

“From dad’s wallet…” Alex looked down but you laughed instead of scolding him.

“Guess how much he’s taken,” Erik smiled for the first time in hours and you shook your head. “A hundred.”

“A hundred?!” You let out a laugh and Edie giggled. “Alex, how much do you think a ticket to New York costs?”

“I didn’t know how much it would be! I was worried it wouldn’t be enough!” Alex explained and you burst into happy tears of joy and relief to have him back. You kissed his forehead again.

“What did you do with the change?”

“I bought some comic books at the station,” he pointed at his small backpack. “And a bag of chips in case I get hungry.”

“Priorities,” Erik hummed.

“It’s time to go to bed now,” you announced when the clock struck two. “We will talk about it tomorrow before breakfast,” you stood up and Alex nodded. You took him by his hand to take him to his bedroom. Erik picked little Edie up off the ground to carry her upstairs as well. She was so sleepy she looked like she’d fall asleep standing.

When both children were already in their beds, you went to your own bedroom in silence.

“What did you tell him?” You asked when the door closed behind Erik and you were the only awake people in the whole mansion at that hour.

“Well, at first everyone was scared of me, of course…” He started.

“Yeah, no kidding,” you rolled your eyes.

“I told the bus driver my son had run away from home and that he must be there. The guy pointed his finger at Alex immediately. Not many ten year olds travel on their own. I just took him to the car,” Erik explained and sat down on the bed to run his fingers through his hair. He was exhausted.

“So… you didn’t talk to him? You haven’t told him anything?” You were shocked.

“What was I supposed to…? Listen, I was fuming! He stole my money and ran away and he’s only ten! Imagine what he’s gonna be like in five years! Absolute nightmare! I was worried sick and I was angry, so I decided it would be for the best if I shut my mouth. I have a tendency of making everything worse when I speak,” he lowered his voice in the end and put his face in the palms of his hands.

“I was too harsh to you earlier,” you sat next to him and gently took his hands in yours to move them away from his face, “I’m sorry,” you apologized. “I was worried.”

“No, you were right,” Erik sighed and looked up to meet your gaze. “I was lying to myself and pushing him. It’s… I didn’t expect to have a human son. We are both powerful mutants, it shouldn’t have happened… Now all my beliefs and opinions and… And everything… It is being questioned. And it makes me feel uneasy,” he confessed but not without the visible struggle.

“Oh, Erik…” you sighed and cupped his face to caress his cheeks with your thumbs. “Perhaps boys really do process such things differently,” you chuckled.

“I’ve maimed and killed for the idea of mutants’ supremacy. If I abandon it now… What would that make me? A hypocrite. A traitor to the cause,” he clenched his jaw as a tear rolled down his cheek.

“It would make you a good father, Erik,” you wiped that tear with your thumb, “and that’s all that should matter. Also, people change. It’s a natural process. You’ve changed once already, after being hurt by Schmidt. Because before that you hadn’t been like this either,” you reminded him and a short silence occurred between you two.

“Why do you always have to be right?” he sighed and you laughed softly before leaning in to place a kiss on his forehead.

When you went to Alex’s room in the morning, he was still asleep, which was not surprising after a night like that. You sat on the edge of his bed to caress your son’s hair and Erik opened his backpack to look at the comic books your son had bought.

“They’re about superheroes,” he noticed.

“Aren’t they all?” You asked.

“Mum…?” Alex opened his eyes slowly and covered his mouth to yawn before rubbing his eyes.

“Hey, sleepy head,” you greeted him softly. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” he sat up and extended his hands to give you a hug. You leaned in to put your arms around him and squeeze him tight.

“Your dad has something to tell you,” you said and moved back. Erik cleared his throat and sat next to you as Alex watched carefully while making big eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Erik started with an apology, which was quite unusual for him. “I’m sorry I made an impression that…” he hesitated. “No, it wasn’t making an impression. No more excuses. I’m sorry for pushing you into being a mutant. You are…” he sighed. “You are perfect the way you are because you are my son,” he finished. He had never expected to give such a talk to a non-mutant.

You felt tears forming in your eyes at his words and you squeezed Erik’s cold hand to give him more courage.

“But… I don’t have any cool superpowers,” Alex whined. “I wish I had.”

“Your superpower is being yourself and that’s enough,” Erik assured him. “And I’m sorry I haven’t seen it earlier. Even though you can’t defend yourself as well as me or your mum or your sister, I will never let anything bad happen to you,” he leaned in to give Alex a hug and pressed his son’s head to his chest. “You’re making me a better person and I was scared of that but I am not anymore. I love you.”

MASTERLIST

[rispwr]

─ Is it love or a panic attack? - KNJ - mini

pairings : mutual friend !joon x fem! reader

genre : mutual friend2lover, stranger2l, friend2lover, fluff, slight bickering, no smut

"Is it love or a panic attack? Is a heavy heart too much to hold? I don't know, but it's late, so I'm taking you home"

contents : bestfriends friend! namjoon, bestfriend friend! reader, fashion majorl! reader, (lowkey continuation of the side couple in my other fic iiwyidm but in readers pov), joon can cook and drive here, slight bickering to lovers?, nice hot nerd! namjoon, psych major! joon, panic attack by halsey inspired, oc is high not just drunk btw not just drunk. thought i'd wanna put this here cuz i don't think i remember making a scene of her trying stuff out.

WC : 2k

note : this has been in my drafts for a whileee so i thought i would wanna post it. i don't even know if i wanna continue this. i wrote this like 2 yrs ago actually when i had just started writing so pls don't expect this to be good.

"I think I like you." I said, grinning drunkenly at Namjoon.

-----

Now, you're probably wondering how that happened.

It all started earlier that night.

"Yeah, yeah, Mia, just go hang out with your boyfriend, and I'll... be over here." I said, waving her off toward Jungkook.

I sank onto the couch, sulking and nursing my bruised ego. I'd been rejected by my crush earlier, and honestly? I just wanted an excuse to drink. Maybe cry. Definitely drink.

Mia didn't seem too care. she was used to my pattern by now.

 Meet a guy, catch feelings, get rejected, cry about it, and then move on to someone new. Repeat.

So there I was, at this random party, already a few shots deep and ready for some poorly thought-out decisions. That's when someone called out for a game of Spin the Bottle, Seven Minutes in Heaven edition. I figured, why not? It sounded like the kind of distraction I needed.

The group formed a circle around a beer bottle, rules quickly laid out: Whoever the bottle lands on spins it next, and whoever it lands on after that, well... the two of you head into a room together for seven minutes. Then, depending on how long you last in the room, you drink the difference in minutes.

Sounded simple enough.

The bottle spun. It stopped... on me.

I sighed dramatically and leaned forward to give it a spin. My luck was already garbage tonight—what were the odds this would go well?

The bottle slowed, wobbled, and finally stopped.

On Namjoon.

Kim. Fucking. Namjoon.

I blinked, my tipsy brain scrambling to process. He was cute, hot, even. but I didn't really know him. The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles, and someone whispered, "He's so hot."

I smirked, mostly out of reflex, and reached out a hand to him. "C'mon, Joon. Let's give them a show."

His eyes widened, but he let me pull him up. The crowd roared louder as I led him to a bedroom.

--

"Look, we don't have to do anything—" Namjoon started, but I cut him off with a quick kiss.

"You're cute," I said, tracing my nails along his jawline. He tensed under my touch, and I couldn't help but notice... certain reactions.

cute.

"How much did you drink?" he asked, his voice careful.

"Six... shots?" I said, wrinkling my nose.

"You're tipsy, Y/N," he said, guiding me to sit on the bed. "I'm not doing anything."

I groaned, flopping backward dramatically. "Ugh, is this some kind of wholesome-guy act? Fine, then at least help me sell this."

When he still hesitated, I sat up. "If you don't want to get your hard dick wet by me, then help me!"

Namjoon's face turned bright red, and he looked like he might combust. "What are you even saying right now?"

"You heard me!" I shot back, my grin widening. "Moan. Bang the bed. Make it convincing for the assholes out there!"

Namjoon looked like he wanted to melt into the floor. "A-are you insane??" he muttered.

"Insanely clever," I said, clapping my hands. "Now hurry up!"

Reluctantly, he started bouncing on the bed, making it squeak. "Ugh, like this?" he grunted half-heartedly.

"Oh yeah, just like that, baby," I fake-moaned, clapping my hands against the mattress for extra effect.

Namjoon gave me the weirdest look but went along with it, groaning theatrically.

"I-I'm close, Joon!" I whimpered, fighting back laughter.

"F-fuck, me too," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I collapsed into giggles, and Namjoon just shook his head, clearly regretting every life choice that had led him here.

When the timer had about two minutes left, I sat up suddenly. "Okay, let's add some finishing touches."

"Finishing touches?" he echoed, confused.

"Hickeys," I said matter-of-factly.

"What?!"

"C'mon, just one! It'll make it more believable."

Before he could protest, I leaned in and sucked a mark onto his neck. Then another. 

And another.... okay! i admit it! i got carried away.

"Now you do me!" I demanded, gesturing at my own neck.

Namjoon sighed in defeat but leaned in, gently leaving two marks of his own. He pulled back and looked at me, his expression a mix of exasperation and admiration. as if he'd made a piece of art. 

3,

2,

1...

"Time's up," I announced, grabbing his hand.

We opened the door to find four people pressed against it, practically falling into the room. Namjoon and I exchanged a look before I winked at the group.

"Hope you enjoyed the show," I said sweetly as we walked past them.

----

We walked back to the circle of people, their "Oooohs" echoing around us as we sat back on the floor.

"Was he good?" someone asked with a sly grin. 

"You're so lucky, Joon," another teased, nudging him.

I subtly adjusted my clothes, pretending like something had actually happened. "Oh, he was good, okay? Shut up," I said, rolling my eyes, but my smirk gave me away.

Namjoon just looked down, a faint pink coloring his cheeks as the teasing continued.

A few minutes passed, and a few more people had their turns with the bottle, and i drank abit more.

"I'm done. I'll go home," I announced, drunkenly getting to my feet, wobbling slightly. Namjoon was quick to steady me, placing a hand on my arm.

"Can I—uh—can I take you home?" he asked, his voice soft.

"What? You tryna get in me for real this time?" I slurred, laughing at my own joke.

Namjoon stammered, looking both mortified and confused. "Uh—no! Just take you home," he clarified, scratching the back of his neck.

"Alrightttt," I said, my voice dragging playfully as I let him guide me toward the door. I stumbled a little, and Namjoon caught me by the arm, steadying me. I glanced up at him, my lips curling into a lopsided grin. "Oooh, okay, I get youuu."

He blinked, his brows knitting together. "What?"

I poked his chest clumsily. "You're, like, into me, huh?"

Namjoon stared at me, his mouth opening and closing like he couldn't decide whether to argue or just let me spiral. "That's not—"

"Shhh," I interrupted, pressing a finger to his lips. "It's fine. I totally get it." I pulled my hand back, wobbling slightly, but I was too busy rambling to notice. "You're all like, 'Oh no, poor Y/N needs me to take care of her because I'm such a nice guy. Maybe if I take her home, she'll fall madly in love with me and we'll live happily ever after.'"

Namjoon's eyes widened. "What?! That's not—"

I cut him off with a dramatic gasp. "Wait, are you planning to, like, confess your undying love for me or something?" I squinted up at him, swaying slightly. "Oh my god, is this, like, a rom-com moment? Are you gonna kiss me in the rain or- oh wait, there's no rain- uhhh, kiss me in the car?!"

Namjoon looked like he might physically combust. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly regretting his life choices. "Y/N," he said slowly, like he was talking to a very drunk toddler. "I am not trying to-"

"Ugh, whatever," I said, waving him off again with a dramatic flourish. "You don't have to explain yourself, Joonie. I know you're just trying to be all 'knight in shining armor.'" I snorted, stumbling forward a bit before leaning against him for support. "But, like... spoiler alert! I don't need rescuing."

Namjoon sighed, his hand steadying me by my elbow as he led me toward his car. "I'm just trying to make sure you get home safely," he muttered under his breath.

I gasped again, clapping my hands. "Ohhh, you're one of those guys. The whole 'I'm secretly in love with you but I'm too shy to say it so I'll just be, like, super nice and hope you figure it out' type." I grinned up at him, proud of my (very inaccurate) deduction.

Namjoon groaned softly. "Y/N, that's not what this is."

I leaned closer, squinting at him suspiciously. "Hmm... sounds like something someone secretly in love with me would say."

Namjoon's face turned bright red as he opened the car door for me. "Just... get in the car."

I plopped into the passenger seat, giggling to myself as he buckled my seatbelt for me. He was so close that I could see the little crinkle in his brow and the faint flush still lingering on his cheeks.

"You're blushing," I pointed out, smirking up at him.

Namjoon froze, his hands hovering over the seatbelt for a moment before he leaned back, avoiding my gaze. "I'm not blushing."

"Uh-huh, suuure you're not," I said, dragging out the words as I crossed my arms. "It's fine, Joonie. I get it. I'm cute. You're flustered. Happens all the time."

 "You know," I continued, as if we were deep in conversation, "I don't need anyone. I'm a strong, independent woman. But, like... you're pretty, so I'll allow it."

 "Thanks for your permission," he said dryly.

"You're welcome," I said, looking up at him with a satisfied smile.

Namjoon leaned in to buckle my seatbelt, and I squinted at him again. "Hey, Namjoon?"

"Yeah?" he asked, clicking the buckle into place.

"You smell nice," I said matter-of-factly, nodding as if this was vital information.

He paused, looking both confused and amused. "Uh... thanks?"

"Yeah. Like... soap. Or, like, a forest. Do you live in a forest? That'd be cool," I rambled, resting my head against the seat.

Namjoon chuckled softly, shutting the door and walking around to the driver's side. Once he got in, he turned to me again. "Hey, where do you live?"

I blinked at him, tilting my head. "Uhhh..."

"You don't know?" he asked, his eyebrows lifting.

"I forgot," I said, shrugging.

Namjoon sighed, shaking his head with a small laugh. "Alright. I'll just bring you to my place, then?"

"Okayyyy," I said, grinning again. "You're such a gentleman, Mr. Knight-in-Shining-Armor."

He glanced at me as he started the car, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "Sure, let's go with that."

The drive to Namjoon's place was a blur of me rambling about random nonsense while he occasionally nodded or hummed in response. At one point, I asked him if he believed in aliens.

"Uh... I guess so?" he said cautiously, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Good," I said, nodding sagely. "Because, like, statistically? They have to be out there. Like, imagine how big space is! You think we're the only ones? That's dumb."

Namjoon chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right," I said, smirking. "I'm, like, a genius, you know?"

"Totally," he said, his voice dripping with amused sarcasm.

When we finally arrived at his house, I was still tipsy, though the fresh air had sobered me up a little. Namjoon helped me out of the car, his hand steady on my arm as I stumbled up the steps.

"You're too nice," I muttered, grinning up at him as he unlocked the door.

"Uh-huh," he said dryly, guiding me inside.

He led me to a spare bedroom, helping me sit on the edge of the bed. As he started to move away, I grabbed his wrist, grinning drunkenly. "Hey, Namjoon?"

He turned to look at me, his expression cautious. "Yeah?"

"I think I have a crush on you now," I said, my grin widening.

Something flickered in his eyes. something he quickly pushed aside as he raised an eyebrow. "Okay," he said slowly. "Let's just get you to bed, alright?"

He gently tucked me in, pulling the blanket over me as I waved lazily. "Bye-byeee!"

He turned to leave, but I suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

Namjoon stopped, turning back with a tired but amused expression. "What is it now?"

"My makeup and clothes pleasseee," I whined, sitting up slightly.

He blinked, momentarily flustered, before nodding. "Uh- I'll, um, get you something, alright?"

He disappeared into his room and returned a moment later with a black shirt and some sweats. He helped me to the bathroom, carefully wiping away my smudged makeup before handing me the clothes.

When I came out, wearing his oversized shirt and sweats, he froze for a moment, his gaze lingering on me before he quickly looked away.

"You good?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," he said quickly, clearing his throat. "Let's just get you to bed."

"I'm going to dreamlanddd," I sang softly as I climbed into bed, my voice slurring. My eyes fluttered shut, and I hummed to myself as I drifted off.

Namjoon stood there for a moment, watching me with a mixture of amusement and something deeper he couldn't quite name. Finally, he sighed, rubbing his temples as he left the room.

He collapsed onto his own bed, still fully dressed, his hands covering his face as he let out a low groan.

"Oh my god," he mouthed to himself, shaking his head. He stared at the ceiling for a moment before finally closing his eyes, exhaustion pulling him under.

---

The next day, I woke up with a splitting headache, groaning as the sunlight poured in through the window. My head throbbed as I squinted around the unfamiliar room.

"Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my GODDDD!!!" I squealed, sitting up too quickly, making my head spin.

Seconds later, the door burst open. Namjoon stood in the doorway, his hair a tousled mess, wearing only a loose T-shirt and a pair of shorts. His tired eyes were half-closed as he tilted his head at me, completely unamused.

"Can you- can you not scream?" he grumbled, rubbing his temple. "I really don't want a complaint from the neighbors."

I stared at him, my brain struggling to catch up. Then I screamed again.

"Ahhh!!!"

Namjoon sighed deeply, shutting the door behind him with a soft click as though that would keep me from losing it further.

Once he was gone, I threw the blanket off me, checking underneath to make sure I still had clothes on.

Shit.

I was wearing an oversized black T-shirt and baggy sweatpants that clearly weren't mine.

Did we...? No way. There was no way. If something had happened, I would've woken up in his bed, not this unfamiliar guest room. 

Right?

I pressed my palm to my forehead as my headache worsened. The events of last night were fuzzy at best, but I couldn't shake the feeling of secondhand embarrassment crawling up my spine.

Slowly, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, slipping on my heels and grabbing my bag.

I shuffled out into the hallway, my heels clicking softly against the hardwood floors. My jaw dropped as I took in the pristine, modern decor. Everything was spotless. 

"Shit," I muttered to myself, glancing around. "Is this a house or a museum?"

I rolled my eyes in disbelief, still wandering as I muttered, "Is this even his house?"

Just as I reached the door, a deep voice spoke from behind me, startling me so badly that my purse and heels fell to the floor.

"You should eat first," Namjoon said.

"Shit!" I gasped, spinning around. My heart pounded as I clutched my chest, glaring at him.

Namjoon stood there, leaning casually against the counter in the kitchen. He gestured toward one of the stools at the island. "Sit," he said.

Reluctantly, I walked over, plopping myself onto the stool. As he turned back to the stove, I blurted out, "Did you- did we-"

Namjoon turned around so fast I stopped mid-sentence. "Stop," he said, holding up a hand. "I know what you're about to say. And no! We did not."

I blinked at him, a wave of relief washing over me. "Oh. Okay," I said, awkwardly.

Namjoon slid a mug of coffee across the counter to me. I took a cautious sip, raising my eyebrows in surprise. "Oooh, I like this," I mumbled, taking another sip.

Namjoon snorted softly, turning back to whatever he was cooking.

"So... what did happen?" I asked hesitantly.

"God, you're exhausting to take care of when you're drunk," he muttered under his breath.

I gasped, offended. "I. Am. NOT!"

Namjoon glanced over his shoulder with an amused smirk. "Really? You don't remember the whole 'Oh my god, is this, like, a rom-com moment? Are you gonna kiss me in the rain or oh wait, there's no rain.. uhhh, kiss me in the car?!' thing?" he mocked, mimicking my voice.

My cheeks burned, and I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "I-I do not sound like that!"

Namjoon raised an eyebrow, leaning his hip against the counter. "You're flustered."

"I am not!" I said, my voice muffled behind my palms.

He laughed softly, turning back to the stove. "Hey, remind me not to take you home when you're drunk again," he teased.

I scowled at him, dropping my hands to glare. "Ugh, I never asked you to bring me home!"

Namjoon smirked, flipping the omelet in the pan effortlessly. "Sure, you didn't," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I glanced around the kitchen again, still amazed by how neat everything was. "Seriously, what even is this? Is this a house or a museum?"

Namjoon chuckled, setting a plate in front of me with perfectly toasted bread, an omelet, and slices of ham. "It's whatever you want it to be, princess," he said, grabbing his own mug of coffee.

I stared at the plate, genuinely surprised. "Oh wow, you can actually cook?"

"Maybe in another universe I can't cook... or drive," Namjoon said, pursing his lips.

As I dug into the food, he mumbled something under his breath. "I wonder what my life would've been like if I didn't choose this med school thingy"

"What?" I asked, looking up mid-bite.

Namjoon shook his head quickly. "Nothing," he said, brushing it off.

I smirked. "You know, you've got the looks to be a comedian," I teased, finishing my plate.

Namjoon rolled his eyes, but I swore I caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

I stood up abruptly, grabbing my bag. "Alright, I'm going home."

Before I could even take a step, Namjoon grabbed his keys. "I'll take you," he said firmly.

"What? No, it's fine—"

"You don't even know where you are," Namjoon said, cutting me off. He grabbed my stuff for me and gestured toward the door. "C'mon."

I stared at him for a moment, then sighed in defeat. "Fine."

---

A week later, at school.

I sat at the table with my friends. Mia, Jungkook, Lia, and Matthew. idly stirring my drink.

"Sooo," Mia began, dragging out the word with an infuriating sing-song tone, "I heard something happened between you and my friend Namjoonieee."

I groaned, slumping back in my chair. "Oh, shut up."

"Mama mi Mia! You did what??" Jungkook exclaimed, eyebrows shooting up as he dramatically clasped his chest like he was scandalized.

"Nothing happened, you idiots!" I said, glaring at him and Mia.

"Uh-huh, sure," Mia teased, winking at me.

Meanwhile, Matthew and Lia were off in their own little world, staring at each other like they were about to eat each other alive.

"You two, get a room, please," I said, pointing at them with my straw.

They didn't even flinch. Typical.

----

School was finally over for the day, and here I was at my part-time job at Rife's Café, trying to survive another shift.

"Sir, welcome to Rife's Café! What can I get you?" I said automatically, not bothering to look up from the counter as I flipped open my notepad.

"I'll have an iced latte... and the barista taking my order right now," a familiar voice said, dripping with cheeky confidence.

My head snapped up. Namjoon.

He stood there, that same calm smirk on his face, leaning slightly against the counter like he owned the place.

arghh! what an idiot!..... a cute idiot... maybe hot too

 "The pretty and sexy barista you're asking for is busy and in work hours," I said, writing down his order and moving to the espresso machine.

Namjoon chuckled, watching me intently. I could feel his eyes on me even as I focused on the task at hand. "Heard from Mia you're a fashion major. How's it going?" he asked, smoothly changing the subject.

"It's good. I love my major," I replied, keeping my focus on his drink. "How about you? What's yours?"

"Psych. SNU," Namjoon said casually.

so he isn't an idiot.... just cute then

I paused, glancing at him with raised eyebrows. "Wow, smart?"

"Maybe," he said, his lips curling into a small, self-assured smile.

I laughed softly, finishing up his drink and sliding it across the counter. But before I handed it over, I reached into my apron pocket, scribbling something on a small note and sticking it to the cup.

"Maybe your pretty and sexy barista wants to hang out later... at Han River?" I said, smirking as I handed him the iced latte.

Namjoon's eyes flicked to the note on the cup, my number, written in bold and then back to me. "Sure, pretty and sexy barista," he said, his voice smooth as he grabbed the cup and walked out the door.

I watched him disappear through the glass doors, making my heart do an annoyingly stupid flip.

"Who's that cutie you were talking to?" Jin's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

Jin, my best friend and the owner of the café, leaned casually against the counter, a sly grin plastered on his face.

"Oh, it's just a friend of a friend," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but Jin's knowing look made me falter.

"You're in love," Jin declared, pointing an accusatory finger at me.

"I am not!" I exclaimed, my cheeks heating up instantly.

"Oh, you so are. You like him," he teased, leaning closer.

"I do not!" I protested, but Jin's grin only widened.

"You're making the 'in-love' Y/N face. Don't lie!"

"I don't even have an 'in-love' face," I muttered, pursing my lips and crossing my arms.

"You do!" Jin exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with a sudden realization. Then, with a gasp, he clapped his hands over his mouth. "Wait- what if he heard me?! You idiot, now he's gonna think I'm right!"

"Shhhh!" I hissed, shoving him lightly. "He's a psych major from SNU, Jin. Do you really think he's not already psychoanalyzing me every time we talk?"

"Oooh," Jin said, dragging out the word dramatically. "The next time you're feeling depressed, you can go to him then! And maybe your depression isn't the only thing he can—"

"Shut up, Jin!" I said, smacking his arm as I tried to fight back a laugh. "When did I ever say I wanted him to read me like that?"

Jin gave me a pointed look, wiggling his eyebrows. "You just did."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands, but despite myself, I couldn't stop smiling.

"Admit it," Jin said, poking me in the side. "You like him."

I sighed, looking out the café window where Namjoon had disappeared moments earlier. My chest felt warm and heavy all at once.

"Maybe," I mumbled under my breath.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

“it could mean that they didn't think further than season five and we're about to get a lot of awkward writing.”

Genuinely, I’m pretty sure this exact problem is about to rear it’s ugly head into the plot so hard. Once it becomes obvious enough next season, I think this is about to become the biggest gripe people have with the show.

I don’t subscribe to the “Chloé was rewritten by TA out of spite” theories—however—it is almost **impossible** that season 5 didn’t, at the very least, have the bones of the plot laid out *when it was still intended as the final season,* and then those bones were **heavily** rearranged when contracts were signed for Miraculous Ladybug to continue production beyond that point.

This is quickly having a domino effect on the plot, where storylines are being re-sculpted left and right to somehow tie-up the arc of the previous 5 seasons, whilst still maintaining pre-reveal status quo for the seasons still to come. The most glaring problem with this is, of course, that they had to royally shoot Marinette in the foot to make that work.

I don’t want to put my tin-foil hat on too much, but Adrinette getting together sans reveal is just a symptom of the show continuing past it’s original intended “end of life”. We were likely supposed to get exactly what is holding Adrinette back from being interesting right now—the reveal—in the original midseason finale of season 5 instead of Kwami’s Choice.

What’s an even more cynical thought—if season 5 was the end of the show like intended at one point, there is ZERO chance that Marinette would have even NEEDED to lie to Adrien about his father. *THAT’S* what frustrates me most about the season 5 finale. Not that it’s shocking, not that it subverts expectations, that it’s so glaringly obvious the main character is making a decision simply because the plot for future seasons implodes on itself if she thinks logically for 1.2 seconds. It’s not interesting. It’s only there because they wrote themselves into a corner they never intended to be in 5 years ago.

And as the seasons tick on and on, the cycle is just going to continue to chase itself in circles under the guise of “drama” and “plot”, but in reality the episodic nature of the show means that none of the plot lines will ever conclude in a satisfying way

(Post that inspired this ask)

it is almost **impossible** that season 5 didn’t, at the very least, have the bones of the plot laid out *when it was still intended as the final season,* and then those bones were **heavily** rearranged when contracts were signed for Miraculous Ladybug to continue production beyond that point.

Now that is a theory I can get behind and will even admit to subscribing to. Season five absolutely feels like it was written to be the final season and we know that it was, originally, supposed to be the final season. It's not a conspiracy theory to say, "I think that they may have committed to elements of season five before they got a sixth season and that ended up making season five into a bit of a mess."

I'd be fascinated to know the behind-the-scenes timing of things and what was written before the season-six greenlight and what they were allowed to change after season six became a thing. Things like scripts, lore bibles, and plot lines get signed off on by a lot of people! It's entirely possible that the writers' hands were tied on certain elements of season five. If the leaked, season-five Bible is to be believed, it says that it was signed off by TF1 & Disney and has a date of 1/29/21, about three months before season six was officially announced, implying that major elements of season five may have been set in stone all the way back in early 2021:

[Image description: footer for the leaked Bible reading "Ladybug - Bible FINAL VERSION updated season 5 - approved by TF1 & Disney 1/29/21 - CONFIDENTIAL]

This may mean that the writers literally weren't allowed to make major changes to season five because they'd already gone through the approval process for the overall plot. It's also possible that they could have redone things, they just didn't have time based on production timelines or maybe they did have time and just couldn't think up a new version of season five in the time they had. There's no way to be sure with the limited information we have. Maybe season five is exactly what they wanted it to be!

It's hard to buy that, though, because a lot of the awkward writing makes so much more sense if there was supposed to be an identity reveal at the end of Kwami's Choice. Like why Adrien is worrying about how to tell Marinette that he's leaving, but he never once stops to think about Ladybug. If he knows they're the same person, that's suddenly perfectly understandable.

I also full agree that the lie at the end of season five feels like another stalling tactic and not a piece in a well-crafted narrative. It's really common for the writing to get stilted in TV shows and movie series that get renewed past their expiration dates because no plot can last forever. Even the best writers can't draw a concept out to the end of time and Miraculous doesn't seem have the best writers. Now that they've been greenlit for ten freaking seasons, I think we're in for a wild ride and I don't mean the fun kind. Serious identity shenanigans like the love square are not designed to last for 86+ hours. (The show has 26 20-minute episodes per season, so if you multiply that by 10, you get a little over 86 hours + specials and such.)

I just don't see how they're going to draw out the identity reveal for another five seasons without making the love square a toxic waste dump, but I also don't think that they're ever going to do an identity reveal in the mid game. They're saving that sucker for the end no matter how much it ruins the story. (Watch season six prove me wrong, lol. You never know.)

[untilwedont]

A Gutting Feeling (I)

Pairings: Ethan Landry x Male!Reader

Genre; Angst.. ig?

Summary; Takes place during the sleepover scene but includes Ethan

Warnings; mentions of blood, spoilers from movie, character death

A/N; Some of this was inspired by @bricksduhh :D Also this is a bit of a longer story because I lowkey got too into it so enjoy

It started off on what you thought would be a good night. You'd be having a little sleepover with all of your friends and the thought of ghostface had disappeared. Yes, the thought of one of your friends being ghostface was a little frightening, but if they tried anything it'd be one against six.

You were sitting on the couch with your best friend, Anika and your boyfriend, Ethan. Quinn was in her room with her hookup and the other four sat in the dining room. "What movie do you think we should watch?" You asked the two sitting beside you. "Definitely nothing scary, you know my heart can't handle that." Anika spoke.

"Oh come on, It's October! A scary movie would only be fitting." Ethan protested. "With the situation we're in? I think not. I'm already worried about getting gutted by a maniac, aka ghostface." You spoke, taking Anika's side. "Uh, same here!" Anika rose her hand as she spoke, clearly not wanting to have nightmares.

"Ugh, you guys are no fun. I'll let it slide since you're my boyfriend" Ethan looked towards you. "Oh- and what am I?" Anika asked, acting offended. "You're just a friend." Ethan smiled, Anika laughing along. But the laughter was quickly cut short when the sounds of Quinn struggling was heard.

"Damn, Quinn must be really getting off with that guy." You spoke, a small laughter coming out of you. That thought quickly changed with the small group of 4 quickly got up from the table, "Ghostface is in Quinn's room!" Sam yelled out. Anika was about to walk into the room Quinn was in, but was quickly stopped my Mindy.

A second after, Quinn was pushed out of the room, falling onto Anika. The group, including you, scream when they realized her throat had be slit and her "lifeless" body laid on the floor. Before you could process what was happening, ghostface ran out of the room and stabbing Mindy's arm and jumping onto Anika.

"Get off of her!" You yelled, grabbing ghostface's head and knocking him toward the ground. He was quick to recover, and before you knew it you were stabbed in the leg. You screamed in pain before tumbling onto the floor. Ghostface quickly got up and stabbed your stomach before forcing his knife up your abdomen. You were so focused on ghostface that you hadn't realized Ethan had gone.

Before any major damage could be done to your stomach, Anika pulled him off of you, only to be met with ghostface's hands around her throat, chocking her out. If you could, you'd help your friend in need, but you were too busy trying not to bleed out. Chad and Tara had luckily made it out of the apartment.

He picked Anika up and slammed her against the fireplace before stabbing her in the stomach, forcing his knife up her abdomen like he did to you, this time way worse. Anika fell to the ground after Ethan hit ghostface's head with a knife block. "Holy shit M/N, are you okay?!" Ethan quickly ran towards you and put his hands on top of your bleeding wound. "You guys, over here!" Sam shouted from Quinn's room. Ethan quickly got you up, your arm resting around his shoulder.

When you made it into the bedroom, you sat next to Anika, who was also badly bleeding out. "Someone help me block the door!" Sam yelled, trying to push the dresser into the door. Ethan and Mindy were quick to help. When the dresser blocked the door, Ethan quickly ran towards your side. Sam said something but you were too focused on yourself to hear what she said.

"Hey M/N, look at me." Ethan spoke in a panicked voice. You faced Ethan and he placed a bloody hand on the side of your cheek. "Just focus on my, okay? We're gonna get you out of here and get an ambulance okay?" He tried to make his voice as reassuring as possible. You only nodded. You hadn't realized how much Anika was bleeding out until you removed Ethan's hand from your cheek and looked at her. "You guys, she needs an ambulance, she's gonna bleed out." You yelled out, more focused on your friend surviving.

Sam looked around the room, trying to find anything to help escape. Sam's eyes looked towards the window and she saw cute boy waving his hands, trying to get her attention. She quickly ran towards the window and saw him pull out a ladder. "Are you crazy?! No way." She yelled out, clearly hesitant about falling off. "You have any better ideas?" He yelled back, already laying the ladder between the gap of the apartments. "No.." Sam shook her head, climbing onto the ladder.

Ethan looked towards Sam and fear fell upon him. "Sam, I don't- I don't think M/N and Anika will be able to get across that." His voice was shaky, filled with worry. He couldn't bear the thought of losing you, nor' his friend. "It's the only chance we have at survival." Sam yelled back.

Your head turned from Anika to the window, "Shit.." you mumbled out. A few seconds later and Sam had made it across safely. "Alright, I crossed! Come on guys!" Sam yelled from the other apartment. "Okay, it's your turn M/N. You think you can stand up?" You looked at Ethan, who was clearly worried and stressed. "No.." you shook your head, "You go first." You knew that if you went, you'd only be slowing the rest of the group down.

Ethan shook is head, "Hell no M/N, I'm not going first-" you cut him off with a weak kiss, "Go. I'll be right behind you, I promise." You slightly nudged him off of the bedroom bench. Ethan looked at you with tears coming out of his eyes. "I promise." You tried your best to reassure him. "COME ON GUYS! CAN ONE OF YOU JUST GO?!" Mindy yelled, struggling to hold the door closed.

"Fine, but I better see you climb onto the ladder the second I get across." Ethan sternly spoke. You nodded and Ethan got up towards the window. Slowly but surely, he made his way across. You looked at your best friend who was badly bleeding out. "You know, you guys are so cute.." She scoffed, but quickly winced at the pain. "You think you can make it?" You asked, completely disregarding her compliment. She nodded, "I hope so. Just tryna pull through." Even with her hands covering her wound, blood still continued to pour out of her stomach. "Good because I can't lose you."

"OKay M/N, it's your turn!" Ethan yelled from the other apartment. You looked at Anika once more, "You better survive this." You spoke to Anika, before trying your best to get up, wincing at the horrid pain. You walking towards the window and looked down. "shit, that's high." You thought. You tried your best to get onto the ladder, the pain almost being unbearable. You tried your best to slowly cross the ladder. Ethan's chants were the only thing keeping you from not accidentally falling. The ladder slightly wiggled, causing you to yell and freeze.

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath, "Come on M/N, you're almost there. Hurry!" Ethan yelled. As you got closer, Ethan stuck out his hand, trying to get you into the apartment as quick as possible. Finally, your hand met his and he pulled you into the apartment. You fell into his arms and he laid you against the wall. Blood was pouring out of you but it wasn't as bad as Anika's wound. "Anika, come on!" Sam yelled out. But instead of Anika crossing the ladder, it was Mindy.

You tried your best to get up, escaping Ethan's grasp and looking out the window, wanting to make sure both your friends safely got across. Soon enough, Mindy was safely in the apartment and now it was just Anika's turn. "Come on Anika!" You yelled out, wanting to make sure your friend didn't die. She got onto the ladder, but before she was barely halfway, ghostface got through the door. She hadn't noticed until the group's expression dropped and they screamed out, urging Anika to hurry up.

Anika looked back and screamed, her screams echoing through the alleyway. Without any warning, he began to start shaking the ladder, trying to get Anika to fall off. "No, stop!" You yelled out to the ghostface, tears coming out of your eyes. Sam and Mindy were begging Anika to crawl faster, but she couldn't. You stopped looking out the window and rested your back onto the wall. You didn't want to see your best friend die in front of your eyes. Ethan was right by your side, telling you everything would be fine.

You heard Anika scream, "I don't wanna die!" and you prayed that Anika would make it. Your eyes widened as you heard Anika's screams come to a stop, a loud thud coming from the ground of the alleyway. You couldn't believe it. It felt like the world was spinning. You had completely forgotten that you were bleeding out until Ethan made the group turn their attention towards you. "Guys, we need an ambulance, M/N is still bleeding out!" Cute boy quickly ran to his bathroom and Sam dialed 911.

"Lay him on the bed." Cute boy commanded Ethan. He slowly got you up, trying his best not to hurt you. He laid you on the bed and pulled your shirt up. After a few minutes you were finally bandaged up and the bleeding stopped. The ambulance came soon after and you were placed onto a stretcher.

Ethan made sure that he was by your side the entire time. On the way out, you saw Anika's body in a body bag and tears began to fill your eyes as you remembered that she was actually gone. You were placed into an ambulance truck and Ethan placed his hand on top of yours. You both smiled at each other, your smile being weaker than his. "I'm so glad you're okay. I don't know what I woulda done if you died." Ethan spoke, his face turning back into worry.

"Don't worry, you can't get rid of me that easily." You laughed and Ethan's face turned back into a smile. "I love you." He said before placing a soft kiss onto your lips. "I love you too." You smiled and squeezed his hand. You knew you'd get your revenge on the maniac that killed your bestfriend, but as of right now that'll have to wait.

[tyxoxo]

Feel It - teaser.

pairing: jaehyun x fem!reader teaser, find full fic here.

genre: smut, pornstar!jaehyun au, 00’ dream inserts

words: loading…

warnings: pure filth, oral, cum play, exhibitionism/voyeurism, degrading, humiliation, dacryphilia, shibari, unprotected sex

a/n: san francisco armory, das the setting lolol (thanks kink.com 🫡)

—

“okay, we’ll just have you sign this.” the producer with the name tag K said as he handed you a clipboard with a pen; the two of you sitting across each other in a large auditorium.

you were fidgeting the more you sat there in the middle of the “playroom”, excitement rising with every glance of the various s&m props placed on antique plaques. whether it was the torture rack, assorted floggers, or cattle prods, you couldn’t wait to try it all.

never in your years of living did you expect to be at an armory-turned-BDSM studio, preparing to do your first adult scene. yet here you were, only wearing a pair or your underwear, completely bare everywhere else.

the use of a National Guard armory was oddly fitting for the company—20th century Moorish Revival architecture, albeit refurbished, still gave a sense of “grittiness” and “rustic charm.”

“i know that you already submitted your online waiver but we just like to have an additional one for in-person. physical signatures are always preferred.” K snapped you out of your thoughts for a second, though your mind couldn’t help but drift back into the gutter, thinking yet again to your upcoming scene.

the single sheet of paper reiterated everything you read through just a week prior:

“Mission Statement and Company Values”

typical header to start a waiver…littered with the expectations to provide a “consensual and safe space for all participants.”

your eyes scanned further down, taking a few minutes to read their “Right to Distribute Media:”

“By signing here, you agree to having any and all media in your presence posted to our website Kink.com, with potential distribution to other pornographic partnerships…”

you provided your signature for the two spots provided, officially sealing the deal…

as soon as you handed the clipboard back to K, he spoke into his bluetooth earpiece, presumably notifying the other producers of your newly sealed fate.

“you guys are good to head this way.” he said before placing the clipboard on the floor next to his water bottle.

“in a moment you’ll be able to meet your partner, and go over the do’s and don'ts, that kind of stuff.” he said, followed by a closed-mouth smile.

you smiled back, trying to hide the anxiety creeping under your skin. there was no telling what kind of man would appear through the doors, meters away from where you sat.

you kept your eyes trained on the double-doors, tapping your leg up and down to pass what seemed like hours.

but then again, this was a four story building…maybe it was just taking them a while to get to where you were.

just as you looked down at your twiddling thumbs, the heavy sound of the double-doors echoed throughout the room. the man that appeared was unlike anyone you’ve ever seen.

he was gorgeous…

and he smiled as soon as he laid eyes on you. his dimples being the first feature that caught your attention.

he strutted towards you, confidence exuding with every step. he only sported boxer briefs, definitely nowhere near as self-conscious as you, now that you saw his toned body.

you tried not to make it obvious that you were eyeing his subtle six-pack. but it was hard. his body was perfect; not too overbearing, not too ordinary. still, his biceps and his quads showcased the work he put in to maintain his physique.

the last thing you could observe before he stopped in front of you, was his happy trail, leading all the way to the package he had confined in his briefs. he completely ignored K, standing right in front of his field of view.

your eyes slowly made their way to his face, still smiling so bright, with ivory teeth to match.

“hello, my name is jaehyun. nice to meet you.”

his voice was velvety deep, baritone.

another surprise to you.

jaehyun held out his right hand, but you noted the single platinum band adorned on his left ring finger…to your disappointment. your thoughts were outlandish, there’s no way you’d have a chance with him even if he wasn’t taken.

you returned the handshake, voice visibly shaken as you gave him your name.

“i’ll go ahead and let you guys have the floor. i’ll be back in 10.” K said with a clear of his throat. he then gave up his seat for jaehyun, making his leave towards the double-doors.

jaehyun looked back at the medieval-styled chair before sitting down, chiseled thighs growing in size once he found a comfortable position.

“so tell me a bit about yourself…”

—

//tagging: @pradajaehyun

[chaosduckies]

Restoration (Chapter 8)

A bunch of scenes because why not? On another note, it is extremely hard to write a scene in winter when it’s the middle of April. I hope you enjoy anyhow! Because now I’m really getting into the plot.

Word Count: 5.9k

CW: Death, crying, vague thoughts of suicide, severe trauma, (anything else idk??)

8-Ryker

It was Thanksgiving break. The first official break from school until Christmas. Words could not describe how grateful I was for the week-long break. There was no reason to have so much work piled up a couple weeks before the end of first semester. 

I was laying in my bed on my phone. It was about to turn six, which meant I should probably get started on dinner, but I just couldn’t bring myself to climb out of bed. I was physically and mentally tired of keeping up with everyone and whatever plans they had with their friends, taking care of Isabelle and Angela since they were still little, and on top of that keep up with the chores around the house. 

I grabbed my phone off the charger, stretched out my arms and legs from laying down, and opened my door to get started on dinner. The living room was oddly quiet, with Dylan and Lucky playing a game. Isabelle playing a game with Angela on the carpet that consisted of a bunch of stuffed animals and blankets. I smiled to myself. 

“What do you guys feel like eating for dinner?” I leaned against the kitchen island, waiting for an answer. 

“Spaghetti!” Isabelle and Angela answered at the time, giggling at one another. I think I could do that. I don’t know if Lucky can though. It was the first weekend of the break and I’d probably need to go grocery shopping tomorrow anyways. 

I looked in Dylan’s direction, making them pause whatever they were playing together. He just shrugged his shoulders, “Whatever’s easier for you.” Always with the same response. 

“Ummm, I can go check what we have.” Lucky told me, getting Dylan to let him onto the floor. All I could do was wait now. Jasmine was staying over at her friends today and tomorrow. I just told her to text me if she goes anywhere far and if she needed anything. Weird, right? Usually the parent handles these kinds of things, but in the situation my siblings and I are in it’s literally impossible. 

Lucky came back, shaking his head, “We don’t have the things for spaghetti,” He laid down on the arm rest of the couch and grabbed his remote, “You should call Nathan to come over. He hasn’t been here in a while. Plus, he’s so much better at cooking than I am. Right, Angela?” 

“Yeah!” 

I bit the side of my cheek. I don’t know about that. Just asking Nathan to come over to cook and then ask him to leave? That was wrong. Plus, he told me before the break that he’ll be pretty busy. Or… texted me. Either way, I shouldn’t bother him. Maybe he actually has a meal with his family for Thanksgiving and they were all getting ready for it already. On the other hand, Lucky makes something else for him and Angela, Angela doesn’t eat, and then everything goes downhill from there. 

Looking at my phone, I picked it up, opening the messages app, and clicked on Nathan’s name. The last time he came here, Jasmine did kind of freak him out. I remember him not being able to leave anyone’s side if she was in the room. I wonder if he’d even want to come over after that. At school the next day he was a little nervous, but otherwise fine afterward, but I’m sure whatever Jasmine told him is still stuck in his mind. Ugh. This was such a bad idea. 

Ryker: I have a huge favor to ask you 

I waited for a response, watching Dylan and Lucky play a fighting game against one another. I had no idea who was winning, but I’m pretty sure it was Lucky. Actually… it was kind of weird how Lucky seemed to want Nathan around more often. Like, really weird. Especially when every time Nathan came, he would practically ditch him with me. I honestly don’t mind, I liked having Nathan come over, but still. I had wondered why, but I wasn’t going to ask. 

Nathan: Yeah?

Ryker: Do you mind coming over to help Lucky cook something? 

Ryker: You don’t have to 

Well, if he says no Lucky will have to make whatever he can and I’d have to break the news to Angela. If you didn’t know, four year olds can be a little hard to deal with sometimes. So, this might just turn out to be a very, very bad day. 

Nathan: Sure! 

Nathan: Anything specific?

I stared at his text, relief washing over me. Dylan let out a cheer from winning against Lucky. Wow. Perfect timing. I was just so grateful right now. Nathan was literally the greatest friend ever. Now I have to think of someway to thank him. That shouldn’t be too hard, right? 

Ryker: They wanted spaghetti

Ryker: And thank you  

Nathan: No problem :)

Ryker: I guess I’ll be at the bus stop in about twenty minutes? 

Nathan: Okay 

I stuffed my phone in my pocket, “Okay, I’ll be right back, just text me if something happens.” I told Dylan, who nodded his head. And with that, I walked out the door and into the cold air. 

———Nathan———

Winters in the city were bad. But not as bad as when we were still help captive. Now those days were terrible. Horrifying even. It was still freakishly cold here. Not something I enjoy. For several reasons really. One being that I already get cold really easily. Two, I just hated being cold and sick. And the most important reason being that it was during this kind of weather when my dad had died. Actually, in three days it’s officially been nine years since my dad died. November 24. A long time, right? 

It hurts. The memories. Not just of him but how they brutally murdered him in front of his own child. I shuddered at the sight pictured in my mind. Nope. Can’t think about that. Right now I should probably be getting ready to head over to the bus stop. I already had packed a tiny bag with the things I needed to cook. Weird enough, it was kind of a therapy for me at this point. To be cooking I mean. I guess that’s why my mom always gets worried when I’m baking for no reason. Because she knows. 

I sighed, giving my mom a quick text that I was heading over to Ryker’s for a little while. The last time I went, I thought everything was going great before Jasmine talked to me alone. everyone had left to go looking for something and it was just her and I. I was scared of course. We’ve never, ever talked before and from what I’ve gathered she’s really intimidating. 

Her exact words to me were: “If you hurt my brother in any way I will personally murder you.” and that was was it took for me to have an entire mental breakdown for nearly two weeks. I mean, who wouldn’t be scared if someone’s sibling threatened you like that? So, the week before the break, I might have been acting a little weird around Ryker, afraid that I might actually do something wrong or hurt him in any way, which I don’t really see how I could. 

Otherwise, I haven’t really been doing anything. I told Ryker that I would be busy during the break, but really I wasn’t. Only because I do actually have something to do on November 24, and I was already feeling the depression spikes as the day came closer and closer. As for Thanksgiving itself, my mom and I never do anything. Last year we were barely getting used to being in the mental hospital so we didn’t really do anything. This year she’s working so it’ll just be me. Nothing new. 

I made my way down the icy streets, the sun setting faster and faster. It was only getting colder, and I didn’t really have a winter jacket. Just some to wear in the classroom like when it’s freezing in there. So, yeah, I was basically freezing my face off. Not to mention that my mom told me it might snow later tonight since it was already under twenty degrees outside. I wasn’t used to cold weather. 

Once I made it to the bus stop, I snuggled up with my bag on the bench, trying to have some kind of warmth. Also because there were several people (giants) who were going back home from stores or getting off of work. The bus stop was actually used for both humans and giants. The human was a little ways from the huge one that was practically as tall as a skyscraper. Maybe taller. 

My hands were shaky from the cold, but it was only another five minutes before Ryker would come and hopefully I wouldn’t be as cold. Maybe. Hopefully. I don’t know what today has in store for me. All I knew was that I just wanted to wrap myself in a blanket with some hot chocolate and binge watch something on tv. 

Ryker came a few minutes later, smiling and giving a thanks before offering a hand. I threw the bag on first before struggling to get on. It was hard when the ground underneath you was starting to freeze over, but I figured it out after trying for a good minute. 

“You’re freezing.” Ryker told me, cupping his hand just a little. Sure, it was scary to have his fingers closer to me, but still, it was warm. How could I deny something that was practically calling me? 

  “That good?” He smiled, for some reason making sure I was comfortable. But I was not about to complain. I was desperate at this point. I nodded my head, bringing my knees closer to my chest to keep some of my body warmth with me. And yet another reason I hate winter. 

“Thanks again. Sorry for bothering you.” 

I continuously shook my head, hoping he would get the message that it was fine. Plus, I liked going over. Everyone was nice (Besides Jasmine I’m pretty sure she hates me) and never really tried to do anything too crazy with me. It was great. I’m not as afraid anymore, which was a miracle given I thought I could never trust anyone ever again, and I’ve actually made some friends. 

Ryker opened the door to his house, where we found them all watching a movie together. Everyone turned their heads as soon as the door closed behind Ryker. I jumped slightly, but relaxed after a while. Nothing to be afraid of. Dylan’s eyes landed on me, giving a smile and a two fingered wave. I waved back, but I doubt he could see it. 

I was set down on the ground, not entirely expecting to be in a tight hug the second I balanced myself. Lucky bursted out laughing, letting me go, “You are literally the best, Nathan.” I laughed with him, following Lucky into the room. 

——————

I didn’t eat anything. I wasn’t hungry. Of course Ryker tried to convince me to eat something, but I always answered no. Otherwise, dinner was okay. They had Lucky, Angela and I on the coffee table, which wasn’t really too big of a deal. I’m pretty sure Ryker and Dylan just didn’t want to handle any humans while they were eating, and hey, I was not about to say anything about it. There are just some things that will never leave my mind. 

After everyone ate, Dylan and Lucky started playing a game on the tv while Isabelle and Angela were playing hide and seek I’m pretty sure. I just hoped that no one would get hurt, but Ryker quickly reassured me that they would never harm one another. I just had to believe him. Most of his siblings are stuck together like glue. Which is a good thing. 

“It’s supposed to start snowing in a little bit.” Ryker announced, earning cheers from the other room where I was guessing Angela and Isabelle were. I was sitting on the arm rest of the couch by Ryker. I kind of wished that their house was a little warmer, because I was still annoyingly cold, but beggars can’t be choosers. I should have asked to grab a blanket. 

“Nice. Are we gonna go out?” Dylan asked, eyes glued to the screen. I had no idea who was winning, but I think it was him. 

“If you want to.” 

Ryker threw his phone on the other side of the couch, turning his head to the screen. I don’t want to go outside, but I’ll go if that makes things easier. I just don’t want to be in the snow. Reasons. Remember? 

It was about ten minutes later that it did actually start snowing. Angela and Isabelle were begging Ryker to let them outside, which he just laughed to and told them to get jackets on and to bring their hats. Dylan paused their game to go get on a jacket, and Ryker left to go help Isabelle. So I was alone in the living room while everyone was busy to go have some fun. I hated winter. In just three days. I reminded myself. 

What would happen? Would someone else be claimed victim? Something bad always happens during this time. I don’t know if it was just me. It probably was. Everyone else was smiling while I was crying in the corner. It’s how it was in the hospital. They all went outside if they could, and I stayed in my room, under the blankets and shove my face into my pillow to drown out my tears. I couldn’t do that now though. Not when so many people had their eyes on me. Not when a trip back to the hospital was a very viable option for me. I didn’t want to go back. Not because of something… traumatic that happened nine years ago. I should be over it, right? But I’m not. 

There goes one of my depression spells. Great. Just great. At a time like this? I sucked in a deep breath, calming myself down before anyone notices. This was embarrassing. 

Ryker came back into the room, eyes landing on me with an unsure look on his face. He walked up to me, holding a hand out. Was he not going to wear any gloves? He wouldn’t be cold? I stood up, keeping my balance on the soft surface underneath me and walking to climb onto his hand. 

“You don’t mind if I just keep you in my hand, right? I don’t want you to be freezing.” He asked. I shook my head, sitting down in the middle of his palm. That was actually what I preferred. I did not plan whatsoever to go into the snow anyways. 

Once everyone was outside, Ryker sat down on the stairs, cupping his hand and keeping me close. A little uneasy about it, but there was really no reason to be. It’s just instinct. And everything in me right now is saying to get the hell inside. But I wasn’t going to say that. Mostly because I don’t want to be alone.  

They were all screaming and laughing. It was snowing pretty hard too, already covering most of the frosted grass just after ten minutes. Other people were also sitting outside. Their kids playing around with the snow. I tried not to focus on that. Instead, I found myself scooting back slowly, almost to where I couldn’t see the heavy fall of the white flakes. 

My body was still freezing. It was so much colder than before. Was this how dad felt? The cold pricking at his skin I mean. 

“Nathan?” My thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice above me. I groaned, body shaking and stuffing my hands in my pockets to preserve some of my body heat. I shuddered a breath, trembling. It’s so cold… How could they even be having fun like this? I looked ahead, seeing Dylan helping Isabelle make a small snowman with both Angela and Lucky stuffed in his scarf. This was just another one of my depression spells. 

“Still cold?” Ryker asked me. I took a deep breath, “Y-Yeah…” It came out more like a quiet mumble, and I was surprised that he even heard me. Did he want to help them make a snowman? He probably did. I should just tell him to leave me inside. It would make things a million times easier for everyone. 

Ryker moved his hand a bit, making me worried about what he was trying to do, but he just kept it the same. I wondered why he was going through all this trouble just for me. There was really no point. There was only a couple more months until graduation and then we’d go our separate ways. That’s how it always goes. I’d be alone again, figuring out what to do with the rest of my life. That’s how my story goes. 

“Better?” 

I nodded my head, getting to a comfortable position and decided to just watch what they were all doing. Finishing up the head of the snowman. It was comfy even though I was kind of scared from being in someone’s hand. At least now that is. Currently I was just afraid of falling into the deep snow. I’m pretty sure if I fell I’d sink into it. Not something I would like to see or imagine. 

“You okay?” Ryker asked, softly smiling above me. There was no other response other than to nod. I couldn’t just say no. That wouldn’t do any good. But.. maybe if he notices that these next few days would be hard for me. Maybe. Just maybe. I doubt it though. I don’t plan on being here all of the time anyways. I couldn’t. 

Isabelle finished the snowman, grabbing some loose twigs for arms as they stepped back. It was still snowing, just not as much. Was dad watching me right now? Was he shocked just as much as I was? I never thought I’d ever be able to be around another giant for as long as I had lived, and here I am, sitting in one of their hands. Would he think I was crazy? Delusional? Psycho? Happy like my mom even? I would never know, but even I think I was crazy. 

Actually… why did I even trust Ryker? Or really anyone. They’re all so nice of course, but about four months ago I was so sure that every giant would only hurt me, and it almost became true with that lunch incident that felt like forever ago. So why did I trust these people with my life? In the back of my mind I keep thinking that this was all just a sick joke being played on me. But… I don’t think these people are lying about anything. They don’t have a reason to. And Ryker’s been nothing but patient, and kind, and… understanding. No one would go through all that trouble just to fool someone as gullible as me. 

I sighed, snuggling up closer to Ryker’s thumb and watching Isabelle throw snowballs at Dylan who was shielding Lucky and Angela from the crossfire. Was it scary being there? In the midst of everything? Having to trust someone at least fifty times your size to keep you safe? I sucked in a shaky breath, just watching. It wasn’t so bad really. 

———Ryker———

Today was November 24. Thanksgiving was here, and everything was a complete mess. I never learned how to make a turkey like the tradition, so usually I just made something that all of us had liked. Along with that, I had to make sure no one did anything too crazy while I was busy in the kitchen. Jasmine and Dylan were helping out cooking while I ordered something for Lucky and Angela. They both agreed on pizza (Because what else does a fourteen year-old and a four year-old want) so now I was busy with that. That part was mostly because Angela didn’t like when Lucky cooks something different. 

It was just pure chaos now. Everyone was running around the house, and at that point I had to ask Jasmine to keep an eye on Angela to make sure she didn’t wander off where we couldn’t find her. I wasn’t too worried about Lucky since he’s almost always with Dylan, plus he’s smart enough to stay off the floor when it’s something like this. 

I took out the lasagna, letting it cool down before making separate plates. Yeah, I know, super weird, but I can’t do anything better. I only know the basics thanks to my parents, and that was all I needed to know. 

There was a knock on the door, and I asked Dylan to open it. It was just the pizza. I washed whatever dishes I had and called everyone that dinner was ready. It’s days like this where I wished that my parents never left. I feel like I can never be like them even though I was the oldest. I mean, was I just supposed to let CPS split us all apart? I couldn’t do that. My siblings would never forgive me. I like to think that they’re all happy, but I doubt it. Sometimes I feel like I can’t do anything to help any of them. Like I’m doing this “parenting” thing all wrong. Of course I was. I was seventeen in my last year of high school taking care of five kids on my own while also juggling a job and trying to do fun things with them so we can forget about what happened a little over a year ago. There was no reason for one person to be doing all of this. 

It was snowing outside again. Not really surprising when you’ve lived here for your entire life. It was really nice though. I loved the cold. Weird, because most people don’t, but I do. I remember my parents freaking out when I would just be outside making a snowman in just a short sleeve and sweatpants when I was a kid. Of course it was so cold it burned, but I guess I kind of liked it? It was hard to explain. Or sometimes we’d stay inside and watch movies or play a game. I missed it really. 

“Ry.” Jasmine snapped her fingers in front of me to get my attention. I blinked a couple times before giving a clueless look. She groaned, “I asked if I could go shopping tomorrow, I have work the next three days so I just wanna go do something.”

“Oh, um, sure.” 

The tv was playing in the background, but I wasn’t paying attention. Come to think of it, I don’t think I was paying attention to anything. Dylan, Jasmine, and Lucky were all laughing about something. What were they laughing about again? Something about going back to school? I don’t even want to think about that right now. I needed a break anyways. Most of my classes love giving me piles and piles of work anyways. 

I sighed, pushing away my plate that I had barely eaten. The sun has already set, everyone was done eating, Angela asked Jasmine if she could go outside in the snow. She said yes, and so Isabelle followed. Dylan and Lucky were helping me wash the remaining dishes. Honestly I already felt so tired. It was only 8 p.m but my eyes threatened to close at any moment. 

“You okay, Ry?” Dylan asked, putting a plate up in the cabinet. 

“Yeah.” I replied, handing him another to dry. Lucky shook his head while continuously saying “no” over and over again. At some point Dylan grew tired of it and pressed the pad of his thumb into Lucky’s entire upper half of his body. 

“He’s not wrong. You’re always like this on holidays.” 

“I am?” I sighed, not really knowing how to get out of this one. These two have always been vigilant anyways. They would have noticed at some point. 

“Yeah.” 

“I don’t know. I just feel really tired today.”  

“That’s it?” 

“Mhm.” 

Dylan gave me a skeptical look before putting in another plate. He doesn’t believe me. I don’t think he ever will about these kinds of things. 

“Why don’t you call Nathan? You always seem happier around him.” 

I stopped only for a second, then continued to scrub off something on the pan I used. No. I won’t call him. Not this time. No matter how many times he’s actually made me feel better just by being here. I’ve noticed I was happier around him too, but it’s only short lived since he always goes back at the end of the day. Do I know why I was happier? Not really. I’ve thought of a few reasons. Because he’s the only friend I’ve made since middle school. He listens to me ramble on and on about the most useless information. Best of all he’s really nice. Doesn’t really seem like he’s tricking me either. Not that I think he could even if he wanted to. He was too sweet. 

“No.” I sighed. Cleaning out the sink and handing off the last dish. 

“Why not?” Dylan asked leaning against the counter. 

“Cause I’m tired. No point in calling if I’m just going to fall asleep,” I countered, drying my hands and heading to my room, “Make sure Isabelle and Angela are asleep by 10? Please?”  

Dylan nodded his head, I closed the door behind me and buried myself under the covers of my bed. I can’t keep on relying on Nathan to come fix every problem I have. He’s probably off dealing with whatever he’s doing right now anyways. But still, my hand reached for my phone, grabbing it and opening the messages app. I’m just gambling with myself at this point. If he answers in the next ten minutes I’ll ask to call, if he doesn’t, I’ll head to sleep. Either way it’s really a win-win. And here it goes. 

———Nathan———

I was laying on my bed, under the covers. No lights, no sounds, just nothing. I had cried earlier this morning when I visited his grave. My eyes were dry now. Red and puffy. I just sat curling in on myself while clutching the same teddy bear he gave me when I was still just a kid. It was childish, but if it’s all I have left of him then I’m taking advantage of that. 

Ironic, huh? How this holiday was supposed to bring family together. It was actually the opposite for me. Even though he didn’t actually die on this holiday, it’s just ironic how it happened this year. When we’re finally free and live like a “normal” family now. Was he watching me now? Sad and lonely in my bed? I hope he wasn’t. He’d scold me. 

My phone went off, but I didn’t feel like looking at it. It’s not like I wanted to be alone. Usually my mom would cheer me up by taking my mind off of it. Whether it was playing some makeshift game or just doing something I liked with me. What else was there to say? This year was the year I was completely alone. 

I sucked in a deep breath, picking up my phone with sore arms. I spent most of the day digging out the old flowers on his grave and replacing them with new ones. It was hard to do when a thin sheet of snow was covering most of the dirt and grass, but it was worth it to see the bright a beautiful colors. His favorites were lilacs. I remember mom telling me that. 

My eyes shot up when I saw who texted me. Ryker? I mean it was already night, so I doubt he was going to ask if I wanted to go over. But… I was kind of curious now. 

Ryker: Hey

Ryker: How was your day? 

Ryker: You’re probably doing something right now but I’d just thought I’d check what you were doing 

Sent five minutes ago. Why did he want to know what I was doing? It seemed weird to me, but maybe he was just bored. Did they celebrate? I hope they did. They seem to be happy with each other. 

Nathan: It was okay :) 

Nathan: And yours? 

Ryker: Chaotic

Nathan: Oh 

I wasn’t technically lying. My day was okay despite crying for most of it. 

Ryker: Yeahhh 

Ryker: Do you feel like calling? 

Ryker: You don’t have to of course 

I thought about it. It wouldn’t be that bad. Might keep my mind occupied.

  Nathan: Sure 

And so he called. 

“Hello?” His voice sounded tired and sad, like he just woke up or something. I couldn’t find my voice. It’s become rasp from sobbing anyways. It’d be embarrassing for it to sound like that over the phone. So hopefully it’ll get better in the morning. 

“Oh, right,” He sighed, “Sorry. I just felt like talking and usually you listen. You can just hang up if you don’t want to though.” He sounded nervous, but I didn’t want to hang up. Not only because it was the wrong thing to do, but because I always loved listening to what he was saying. No matter how irrelevant it was. It distracted my mind from everything wrong with me. And he seemed to like it when I did. 

Nathan: I’m listening 

I heard him let out a little chuckle before talking. I could hear at some points it sounded like he was going to cry, and some he sounded like he was so hurt, and sometimes he’d laugh. He changed the subject multiple times, but I kind of liked it. I just wished I could help in some other way. It sounded to me like he was stressed out and just wanted someone to be there, and I’m surprised none of his siblings were. Or maybe they were, but he just doesn’t want to put all of this on them. It seemed like something he would do. 

By the time he was done, it was an hour before midnight. Funny thing was, I wasn’t tired anymore. I was putting together pieces in my mind still about everything he had talked about. How he was mentally tired of juggling five things around at once. I would be too if I were him. How he’s been more and more exhausted by the end of the day. How his parents usually did all of these kinds of things. I was going to ask what happened to them, but I feel like that was a touchy subject. Especially when he just vented to me. I don’t mind though. Not at all. 

“Oh crap. Sorry for keeping you up.” Ryker apologized, saying sorry about five times before I texted him that it was okay. I wasn’t going to sleep anytime soon. 

“Thanks. Y’know. For listening.” I heard him yawn on the other side. He was the one tired. I silently laughed to myself, hugging the bear closer to my chest. If only he could see me now… this was embarrassing. He’d probably make fun of me for it. I wouldn’t care. 

“You’re too nice, you know that?” I heard shuffling on the other side of the phone. Probably Ryker getting ready to go to sleep. And I know this was selfish, but I didn’t want him to hang up. I didn’t want my mind to realize that I was alone again. Was is it really selfish then? To me, yes. It feels like I was making him do something he didn’t want to. 

“Hey, um, remember when you tried hugging me that one time? Why’d you do it?” He had asked, and I could practically see his face. Confused and happy at the same time. He was talking about when I had to stay overnight. I knew that would come up eventually, just not so soon. 

Nathan: Nobody’s ever been so nice to me before. Besides my mom of course 

Nathan: But I was kind of shocked you agreed without complaining 

Nathan: Are you mad about it?

“Mad? Nononono. Um, the complete opposite really,” He laughed quietly, “I was shocked, yeah, but happy too.” 

That gets rid of the guilt. I swear I thought I ruined everything between us, but now I know what he really thought. He wasn’t mad at me for anything. 

“What about the other day? When it was snowing. You looked comfortable. Like you were about to sleep.” My cheeks started blushing from embarrassment. I had hoped he didn’t see me snuggling closer into his palm to stay warm, but apparently he did. So embarrassing. I groaned quietly to myself, tightly hugging the bear closer. 

Nathan: Sorry 

Nathan: I was cold 

Nathan: You were warm 

Nathan: Sorry again 

It was silent for a second. 

“Why do you apologize for things like that?” 

I didn’t know the answer to that question. Usually my mind just takes over and then I spiral into the worst possible scenarios. So I have no idea why I do. Maybe because my brain thinks I’ll get hurt if I don’t? My body was scared of getting another broken bone or something getting hurt? 

Nathan: I don’t know 

It was silent again. 

“Do… do you like being around me? I-I mean most people stop talking to me as soon as they get what they want. So, I was just wondering.” His voice sounded hurt. Obviously this ha sharpened once or twice to him. And it hurt to hear that these things have happened to someone so amazing. I could never do that to Ryker. It’d hurt me more than it’d hurt him. 

“Y-yes.” I almost immediately replied, my voice a little raspy. It hurt to speak, but it was fine. It’ll get better in time. 

I heard him let out a sigh of relief, and I smiled. I was finally doing the right thing for once in my life. I’m kind of glad this was how the day ended. 

“I would give you a hug if you were here… and if you were comfortable enough with it,” We both laughed quietly, “I’ll let you go to sleep. I’ve kept you up long enough.” 

I shook my head, forgetting that he wasn’t here to see it. I didn’t want him to go. Then again he sounded exhausted. Then I would be the one keeping him up. Or he doesn’t even have to stay awake. Just the knowledge that I knew he was just on the other side of the phone was enough to make me feel like I wasn’t alone. 

“U-Um you d-don’t have to s-stay up b-but could we stay… stay on call? P-Please.” I waited for an answer, biting my tongue for stuttering so much. My body was shaky for no reason. I was nervous. He was going to say no. He was going to say no. He was going to- 

“I would love that.” 

I wish he could see the smile I had on my face. How fast my heart was beating. I laid down under the covers, getting comfortable and staring at my phone that read: Ryker: 3:14. Three hours and fourteen minutes. Another seven won’t hurt. 

“Thank you.” 

I fell asleep a couple minutes after he did. No nightmares haunted me tonight.

—————————————

My heart is meltinggggggg

By the way, this was not the great scene I was talking about. This was just one of many to make the one I actually want to write make sense.

Anywayssss I told you guys it would be a little plot heavy for a while! I loved how this chapter came out though.

Hope you enjoyed, and thank you for reading! Love you guys!

[lydia-too-late]

Six Song Soundtrack :: Tula

RULES :: If you're tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following...

////Going with first impulse. None of these are definitive and they are all. over. the. place.////

1. AN EVENT THAT DEFINES YOUR CHARACTER'S PAST

"Bukowski" by Modest Mouse

Well all that icing and all that cake, I can't make it to your wedding, but I'm sure I'll be at your wake. You were talk, talk, talk, talkin' in circles that day, When you get to the point make sure that I'm still awake, OK?

Went to bed and didn't see Why every day turns out to be A little bit more like Bukowski. And yeah, I know he's a pretty good read. But God who'd want to be? God who'd want to be such an asshole?

2. HOW YOUR CHARACTER SEES THEMSELVES

"Weird World" by Allie X

Hail Satan At least he keeps a promise Big brother's always out of office I know nobody wants to hear this, but

I live in a weird world Yeah, it's sad but it's true Maybe you can't see it But you live in one too I used to be a dream girl But the world interfered At least now I know why Now I know why Now I know I'm weird

3. HOW OTHERS VIEW THEM

"Whore of Babylon" by Zheani

The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour And decked with gold and precious stones and pearls Having a golden cup in her hand Full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication And upon her forehead was a name written Mystery, Babylon The Great The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth

Mystery the Mother of Harlots I am drunken with the blood of the saints

4. THEIR CLOSEST RELATIONSHIP

"Repetition" Purity Ring

I can feel your knees sinking into the bed Searching in my dark eyes to break what's been said There's a will of grace until the sadness down There's a light in my skin that's been dimmed I'mma dig you up and give you what I took Pull you up and tuck you in and make you look I'mma smooth your shoulders down and calm what's shook It was all forlorn, if only for a season

Watching me is like watching a fire take your eyes from you Hope it isn't repetition Though that's the only thing that keeps and takes you

///FUCK IT ONE MORE HOPE YOU LIKE GIRLY POP 'CAUSE I FUCKING DO///

"Heartbreak in the Making" by Dagny

You're like a stranger I've already met You're like a fantasy I've had in my head Don't know if time's gonna mend me again Hey, you feel like a heartbreak in the making

Bittersweet (bittersweet) Always had a taste for the bittersweet (Bittersweet)  Recklessly, I run towards the danger When it's close to me

It's a good thing that we can't say It's a bad thing before it's too late It's a good thing that a bad thing can feel this great

5. A MAJOR FIGHT SCENE

"Daughter" Beyonce

Your body laid out on these filthy floors Your bloodstains on my custom coutures Bathroom attendant let me right in She was a big fan I really tried to stay cool But your arrogance disturbed my solitude Now I ripped your dress and you're all black and blue Look what you made me do

[...]

I sashayed my dress Did my best impression of a damsel in distress This alcohol and smell of regret Allured my catch Outfit too small to hide my scars Feelin' bottled up like bottle service broads How long can he hold his breath before his death?

6. OPENING CREDITS / END CREDITS

"Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)" by Run The Jewels

Fashion slave, you protestin' to get in a fuckin' look book Everything I scribble's like an anarchist's cookbook Look good, posin' in the centerfold of Crook Book Black on black on black with the ski mask, that is my crook look How you like my stylin' bruh? Ain't nobody smilin' bruh 'Bout to turn this mothafucka up like Riker's Island, bruh

I was tagged by @gorbalsvampire, @porcelainseashore, & @silkenred (y'all are great!)

I'm tagging... FUCK, I think I might be the last person on the site to complete this??

[koolkat9]

Royal Red Bros Week - Day 5

@royalredbrosweek

Prompt: Badly Injured/Verge of Death || Bonding

Rating: T

Relationship: England + Canada

Word Count: 1015

Read on AO3

Author's Note: So while working on this fic I was reading All Quiet on the Western Front for school so a lot of this fic was inspired by scenes in chapter 4 with some of the descriptions in this fic being descriptions in the novel.

Your Sword and Shield

Arthur hadn’t heard the first ‘take cover.' Instead, it was Matthew hurtling towards him and knocking him into the mud, followed by the first whistling then an explosion erupting that gave it away. Clumps of dirt rained down on them, though with Matthew practically on top of him, they never hit him.

The darkened sky popped with white, red, green. Like fireworks, but far more deadly. For a moment, he wondered if Alfred managed to get to safety or at least shield himself with something.

Before him, Arthur spotted a sinkhole made by a recent explosion.

“Matthew?”

There was no reply.

“Come on lad,” Arthur shouted, figuring Matthew couldn’t hear him above the heavy fire. “We need to get into the hole. We’re going to die out here if we…”

When Arthur managed to turn around he found his son limp on top of him, crimson trickling out of his mouth.

“Matthew…MATTHEW!” Arthur shouted again, shaking Matthew’s arm. “You need to open your eyes lad before–”

He was cut off by a shell exploding right next to them, tossing the both of them across the field. At least Arthur was finally free, but now he had to get himself and his giant of a son somewhere safe. Luckily they were tossed near a hole. Dragging Matthew with him, he jumped in.

As safe as they could possibly be, Arthur began to inspect the damage to Matthew’s body. The boy had already grown pale, his breath shallow, skin growing colder. His back was bloody from the barrage of fire, his side had a nasty gash from getting too close to an explosion. Grabbing his and Matthew’s field dressings, he attempted to wrap up the wounds.

Minutes later, when the gunfire and explosions finally died away, Alfred came to find them.

“Take your brother,” Arthur commanded, trying his best to carefully lift Matthew for Alfred to reach.

“What hap–”

“You know him. My sword and now my shield.”

Alfred went to say something else but pressed his lips together again. With Matthew out, Alfred reached for Arthur. Arthur batted his hand away and climbed out himself.

“God, what did you do this time Matt?” Alfred reprimanded, picking his brother up.

Arthur was already heading back towards the truck.

“Hey slow down,” Alfred barked.

“We need to get him medical attention if he’s going to survive.”

“Arthur.”

“We need to go.”

“You’re going to get him killed,” Alfred barked. “He thinks about you before himself every time.”

“He’s an adult,” Arthur snapped back, whirling around to face his other son. “He makes his choices. And he does the same for you. For Alastair. Even for Francis, though he won’t admit it.”

“Well…You–”

“We need to move. Or else he really will die. And you and I both know the pain of regeneration.”

— — —

When Matthew began to stir, he could tell he was in the hospital before he even managed to open his eyes. The stench of death and sick mixed with that distinct hospital smell. He let out a slight groan, the pain of his back and side catching up to him.

Instinctively, he went to push himself up having been laid on his stomach only for someone to gently hold him down.

“Relax love,” A gentle voice whispered. A voice he hadn’t heard since he was a little boy.

“Dad?”

“Shhh. Just lay down. Are you in pain?”

“Mhm…”

“Okay. I’ll see if the orderly can get you anything for it.”

Matthew heard shuffling, footsteps. A pained ‘no’ ripped from his throat.

“It will only be a moment,” Arthur murmured.

“Please…stay…”

For a moment, Matthew could picture himself, no more than six standing in the hallway as Arthur was about to set off for England. So many moments like that throughout his childhood. And as much as he wanted to cry out ‘stay,’ he never did. Not that it would have probably made a difference. But now…

“I…I don’t want…” Matthew trailed off.

“Okay…Okay, I’ll stay.”

Arthur took a seat beside him once more.

They were quiet for a moment, only the hurried steps of medical staff and the occasional screaming of a patient filling the room.

“You’re okay right?” Matthew finally asked.

Arthur’s face looked unfazed, but his eyes sparked with something Matthew couldn’t quite place. It made him shutter.

“I’m not the one in the hospital bed,” Arthur answered shortly.

“True…”

Silence again. Or as silent as you could get in a field hospital.

“Am I going to make it?’ Matthew asked.

Arthur was quiet for a moment. Closed his eyes and took a breath. “I don’t know. The orderlies don’t seem to think so, but they don’t quite get how our bodies work. But either way, I’m going to get you out of here and back home as soon as possible.”

“No. No. I’ll heal. It doesn’t take too long, so I’ll be back out there–”

“You’re going home to recover. Especially if you really are going to die. I don’t want you to have to go through the reset in this place.”

“But I have to–”

“You don’t have to do anything. You’ve done more than enough. I’m standing here because of you. But I can’t have you out there in a weak state.”

“Dad I–”

“That is an order. You will be going home in a week if I can help it.”

Matthew paused for a moment, simmering in the command he was given. “Can I at least go stay with Auntie Niamh? That way I’m not making a long trek across the ocean like this.”

“I suppose… that would be best,” Arthur said slowly. He coughed awkwardly. “I’ll figure out the details. Just…rest for now.”

“Okay…B-But you’ll stay right?”

Arthur’s unreadable eyes finally softened ever so slightly. “Of course.”

As sleep crept in, Matthew felt Arthur brush his bangs out of his face. Just before he nodded off again, Arthur pressed a kiss to his forehead. And for a moment, Matthew felt no different than that six-year-old boy, but now his father would stay.

[capypub]

Don't Be Late - Mafia!Joel Miller Imagine

Mafia!Joel Miller x OFC

Rating: M (smut)

MNDI. 18+ content.

Summary: Joel had no intention of being late for another dinner, some idiots firing bullets at him weren't going to stop him.

Part of my Extended Scenes Collection of Without Warning - Mafia!Joel Miller Series

AN: This was supposed to be cute and funny, but ended up taking a spicier turn...oops.

Joel was terrified. Not because of the handful of men shooting at him currently. Not because his backup was still eight minutes out. Not even because he’d already been grazed by a bullet in his side. No, he was terrified thinking about what his girl’s gonna do if he misses one more dinner date.

“Joel, just sit your ass down and wait for us,” Tommy snapped over the phone, “Four minutes and we’re there, don’t do somethin’ stupid.”

“You don’t understand, Tommy,” he tried to insist, glancing around his current barrier to try and spot the shooters’ locations, keeping his voice low as he held the phone close, “She might actually cut my dick off if I’m late one more time.”

His brother scoffed over the line, the car’s tires screeching in the background. “It’s six to one, Joel and you’re already injured, stand the fuck down.”

He chuckled, never being one to take orders well. That’s why he became his own boss after all, so no one could tell him what to do, including his little brother. “Six to one? I like those odds.”

He hung up the phone, sticking it in his pocket before taking a deep breath, gripping his gun tightly before standing up, revealing his location and moving forward with the practiced precision of a military unit. He hit one upon standing and then a second after taking cover behind a table that had been tipped over. 

When he came to the warehouse this evening, looking for an inventory list, he didn’t expect to find the door unlocked and men, who were not his own, inside. They had guns, of course, and started firing upon hearing him. He’d barely had time to duck behind one of the vehicles that had been inside. That’s when he called Tommy. That’s also when he saw the time and a sliver of panic ran down his spine. 

He didn’t know how many men there were in the beginning, not taking the time to count when they started firing. Tommy must have logged into the security system from his phone. 

The third fell to the ground when Joel leaned around his current barricade. There was a slight pause. They were out of bullets. He took the opportunity and fired two more perfect kill shots, the bodies hitting the floor simultaneously. 

By the time he clocked the last one, the coward was already trying to run, only to get knocked out by Tommy’s appearance, snagging the man by the shirt and throwing a hard punch. Joel smirked, glad his brother knew to leave him alive. 

“I thought I told you to sit your ass down and wait for us,” Tommy grumbled, assessing the room and all the dead bodies scattered around. 

“And I thought I told you I have somewhere to be right now.” He glanced at his watch and swore under his breath. “Keep that one alive, I’ll come back tomorrow to deal with him,” he said, digging for his keys in his pocket.

“Joel-.” Tommy tried to stop him.

“Clean this up too, I don’t want the iron smell to stick,” he added over his shoulder, jogging out the door, too caught up in making it home within the next five minutes. 

His brother rolled his eyes with a smirk. He didn’t understand what Joel was so scared of. She was like, what? Five feet, three inches? How scary could she actually be if he’s a little late to dinner?

With a shrug, Tommy started directing the guys he’d brought who were supposed to be Joel’s backup on where to dump the dead bodies. 

“Jesus, he took out six big-ass dudes on his own…with just a pistol?” Daniel, one of their own, said with a shake of his head in disbelief. 

“I heard he took down fifteen dudes on his own, one time,” Matthew piped up, helping Daniel carry one body to the waiting tarp they’d laid out to avoid more blood stains on the floor.

Tommy rolled his eyes. “He took out damn near fifty on his own in the Salt Lake City Job,” he added, passing the guys with a smirk. 

Meanwhile, Joel was driving like a bat out of hell, swerving around other vehicles on the highway as he kept anxiously glancing at the clock on his dash.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he kept muttering to himself with each passing minute. 

He came to a screeching halt in front of his house, taking the steps two at a time and barging into the house. His breaths were labored from rushing as he quickly went in search of his wife to prove he was in fact, on time for their scheduled dinner date. With her getting busier with school this time of year and his erratic schedule, they realized quickly they needed to start actively working on setting time aside specifically for them.

“Baby? Baby, where you at?” he called, going into the kitchen first to grab some water. 

“Whoa, why are you yelling?” she asked, appearing from the game room, where he now realized he could hear the TV in there playing some reality show. 

“I made it on time, told you I wouldn’t be late,” he said, grinning confidently.

She tilted her head with a light scrunch in her brows, looking confused. “Late for what?”

His expression fell. “We’re supposed to have dinner tonight…right?”

She laughed with a shake of her head. “That’s tomorrow, Joel, oh my God,” she said with an amused eye roll.

He blinked once, twice and then pulled his phone out to see his calendar did in fact have nothing scheduled for today with her. 

He groaned. “Fuck, I musta been lookin’ at the wrong day, I’m sorry,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. 

“It’s okay, Joel,” she said sweetly, coming up to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him into a soft kiss. 

“You’re not mad?” he asked, those dark brown eyes making her internally swoon.

“I mean you’re not late, yet, so there’s nothing to be mad about,” she shrugged, kissing him again before taking his hand and leading him upstairs. 

“We doin’ this right now, baby girl?” he asked, assuming she was going to their bedroom, grabbing onto her waist and giving her hips a squeeze.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Maybe later, handsome,” she said with a smirk. 

“So where we goin’? I could go for a smoke after today,” he said, happily following her through the house blindly.

“You’re bleeding,” she said simply. 

“Huh?” He glanced down, remembering where he’d been grazed by that first bullet and finding a smear of blood spreading across his shirt where he’d been hit. It was just big enough to where he knew he’d just have to throw out the shirt, there was no recovering it with how quickly the stain grew as they moved into the bathroom. 

“Shirt off. Sit.” 

He smirked, her assertiveness always making him a little excited. “I like when you give orders,” he said with a lopsided smirk, his eyes trailing her form as she brought out the first aid kit. 

She giggled but chose not to indulge him by responding just yet to that comment. “How’s the other guy look?” she asked softly as she started cleaning the wound.

“Dead.” 

“Good.” 

“Doin’ somethin’ for you?” he teased, squeezing her waist as she applied a bandage over the wound, thankfully not that deep.

“You know it does,” she said without missing a beat, glancing up at him through her lashes with that coy grin. 

“Fuck, baby girl,” he groaned, pulling her against him as he leaned on the bathroom counter, shirtless, dark jeans dirty, smelling so uniquely like Joel. 

He knew what he did to her, just like she knew what she did to him. Bringing his thumb and forefinger to her chin, he tilted her head up, kissing her hungrily, a primal growl rumbling in his chest against her body, sending a spark of thrill down her spine. She loved when he got like this. 

“Gets you off knowin’ your man’s a killer, doesn’t it? Makes this pretty pussy so wet thinkin’ about all the bad things I’ve done, ain’t that right, sweetheart?” he crooned down at her, her eyes growing darker with every word.

She whines faintly in her throat, biting her lip. “Joel,” she sighed, clinging to him, his voice lulling her into the state of mind he wanted her, relaxed, aching, submissive. 

“Answer my question, baby,” he said lowly against her jaw, using his other hand to lace through her hair and tilt her head back roughly, earning another eager whine from her. 

“Yes, yes, I love it,” she gasps, eyes already closing, that wicked grin making his cock twitch in his pants. 

“I know you do, baby, you’re a little fucked up in the head, just like me,” he chuckled darkly, “But aren’t we all,” he added before leaning down to kiss her again, fisting the roots of her hair to secure his grip and keep her just how he wanted. 

He picked her up by the back of her thighs, groaning slightly in pain when her leg brushed his freshly bandaged wound. Setting her on the counter, he immediately tugged her shirt off, throwing it to the side without a care, his hands rough and warm on her chest, tweaking her nipples and squeezing her breasts. 

“Always so pretty for me, baby girl,” he groaned into her chest, his mouth latching onto one of her nipples while he continued toying with the other. 

She moaned, her thighs hitched onto his hips, her fingers blindly reaching to undo the buttons of his shirt. As Joel continued to toy with her body, she worked her hands between them, feeling his length strained behind his pants.

“No,” she said, sounding breathless, when he went to shrug his shirt off. “Keep it on.” 

He smirked knowingly. Something about the bloodstain most likely had her brain all foggy with some dark fantasy only he could fulfill. She definitely kept him on his toes. 

“Take it out,” he said assertively, leaning back from her, watching her expertly undo his belt, unbuttoning his pants and dragging the zipper down until she could reach in and feel how hard and heavy he was, the faintest damp patch on the front of his boxers from his own budding excitement. “See what you do to me, baby girl, got me addicted to you, just thinkin’ bout it gets me hard,” he groaned as she caressed and groped him through his boxers. 

“Feel,” she purred, using her other hand to bring his fingers over her panties, the material much more wet with her essence. “All for you, baby. Gonna do something about it?” she asked, sighing as his fingers moved the material aside and immediately slid into her heat. “Fuck!” she cried, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion but loving the stretch all the same. 

He chuckled darkly, bringing his free hand to her throat, squeezing the sides. “So fuckin’ wet for me, baby girl, could slide right in no problem,” he groaned.

She nodded against his hand, slipping her hand past the waistband of his boxers and gripping him firmly. “Do it,” she encouraged him, jerking her hips up against his palm, “Fuck, please, do it.” 

Yanking her panties down her legs, Joel pushed his own pants and boxers down to his mid-thigh, squeezing the base of his cock with a deep groan. She was already starting to drip onto the counter by the time he nudged the head in, sighing at the familiar warmth he could never have enough of.

“More,” she whined softly, leaning back, trying to scoot her hips forward.

He smirked, squeezing her throat again. “Bossy, tonight, aren’t we, baby?”

She huffed, obviously frustrated. “Yes.” She groans when he slips in another inch. “I want it all, Joel, please!” 

“Hush now, baby, I’ll take care of you,” he soothed her, finding her little fit amusing. “I always do, don’t I?.”

She’s panting, squirming against him, desperate for more. “You’re teasing too much,” she grumbled, pouting. 

He chuckles. “That’s funny comin’ from you, sweetheart.” He suddenly thrusts the rest of his length into her, reveling in how she cried out for him, her nails instantly digging into his forearm. 

He begins to thrust roughly, a slow and steady pace that has her gasping out every breath, the slow torture just enough to satisfy her need as he worked her to orgasm. Those little noises had his cock twitching as she latched onto him. 

“Feelin’ good, baby? Got quiet on me,” he choked out with a cocky smirk, her walls beginning to squeeze and flutter around him as she got closer to her end.

“Yes, yes, yes…so fucking good,” she nodded, pulling him down by his neck to kiss her, a wet and messy display of need. 

He hummed in satisfaction against her lips. “Come on then, gorgeous, soak my cock, be a good girl and make a mess on me.”

“Joel!” she moaned, her thighs squeezing his sides.

She brushed the bandage again with her inner thigh, unintentionally of course, but it was just enough pressure to have Joel groaning, a strange combination of pain and pleasure that had him teetering on the end much quicker than he anticipated. 

“Oh, f-fuck!” he grunted, erratically jerking into her until he came with a heavy groan. 

He hadn’t even realized she’d also come, her walls still spasming as he rutted weakly into her, the tip of his cock quickly becoming very sensitive as she squeezed him with her release. 

She was breathing hard, head leaning back on the bathroom sink mirror as she looked at him with a lazy, satisfied grin. “I love you…”

He grins, ducking his head down to kiss her softly, bringing his hand up her neck and into her hair as he deepened their kiss with a content sigh against her lips. “I love you too, baby, always.” He pecks her lips, helping her off the counter as well. “Can I burn this shirt now?” he asks, walking with her back into the bedroom, her laugh echoing around them as she agrees and helps him start a fire in the small pit in the backyard.

[ask-de-writer]

FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC  

(Part 67 of ?)  

18+ readers only  (sex scenes)

Return to the Master Story Index

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FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC

or

Making Fiends and Influencing Ponies

An Anthro *Tail* of the Mane Six

Part 67 of ? (Work in Progress)

by

De Writer

76884 words (story in progress)

© 2022 by Glen Ten-Eyck

All rights reserved.  This document may not be copied or distributed on   or to any medium or placed in any mass storage system except by the express written consent of the author.

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years or older!

Users  of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights.  They may   reblog the story provided that all author and copyright information remains intact.  They may use the characters or original  characters in my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical compositions.

All sorts of fan art, cosplay, music or fiction is actively encouraged.

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New to the story?  Read from the start HERE

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Twilight nodded her agreement and gestured towards the balance of her Palace of Friendship, offering, “As this is a State Visit, I shall give the whole Throne of Empire and their retinue lodging in my Palace.”

Princess Luna retired to a dressing room and emerged in her usual regalia and dressed sensibly for the upcoming work in Kin's hospital operating rooms. She smiled at Kin and Rarity, the twinkle of her eyes telling that she well knew what they were going to be doing. “Scoot, you two. The casualty train has already arrived. You have about an hour and a half before Kin will be needed in the Surgery.”

Arm in arm, they scooted away to the Carousel! Kin snickered as she brought in the outside chair. “Pink tornado prevention!”

Rarity, joining the game, took a bit of hay from the kitchen and made a stop block out of it. She put the pretty but stout pale yellow wood like piece into the window, preventing it from being opened.

With no other words, they both took the time for close and cuddly hug. When they broke, Rarity suggested, “Let's take care of your breasts first, my Love. You are going to be needed soon. If necessary, I can milk myself. Which would you prefer, my Dearest One, to be suckled or shall I hand milk you?”

For an answer, Kin simply pulled Rarity close and cradled her head to the prominent nipple of her right boob. With a sigh of pleasure, she reveled in the sheer delight of Rarity's lips and tongue while she eagerly and rhythmically sucked her demon lover's nipple deep into her mouth. Kin gently but firmly held Rarity in place while she adored the sensations of breast feeding her wonderful partner. In far too short a time, her right breast was emptied and she presented her left nipple for the same joyous ministrations.

Without interrupting Rarity's eager and pleasurable suckling, Kin picked her up and gently laid her cherished lover on their bed, where she joined her. Rather than getting into an active sexual session, they quietly cuddled and stroked each other.

Rarity, in a gentle voice, wanted to know, “My dearest one, we have been so amazingly lucky to find each other. As things stand, I have but one fear. As a spirit, you are near immortal. I am not. What will become of you, my Love, when I age and pass on?”

Holding her treasured one close, Kin lightly touched Rarity's nose as she replied, “You need not fear for me, sweet darling. It is I who fear for you. Do you want to age and die, my darling? Keeping you close and young for as long as you wish it is no more difficult than giving you the gift of milk.”

Rarity nodded slowly, ears intently forward as she thought. “I did not even think of such a thing, my wonderful Kin. That can truly be either blessing or curse. I wish that I had either Marchhare or Princess Luna here to talk it over with. They both have been among mortals for ages and yet have kept their deep caring for them.”

As Kin was snuggling close and saying, “I understand, my treasure. Princess Luna would be my choice, having worked alongside her. Perhaps Marchhare would be better, for having lived more closely with pon . . . um, HORSES! Rom call themselves horses, don't they?”

There was a careful tapping at their front door!

Kin looked up alertly and exclaimed, “Love, get our Knives of Honor and our Golden Talons! That is the whole Throne of Empire, all three of them! They have an honor guard of eighteen gryphons!”

Rarity's magic reached out and brought the elegant cases unerringly to them. Kin's magic got them both dressed quickly and settled their medalions into place and girded on their Knives.

Kin paced for the door to let their guests in! Rarity dove into the kitchen and called out, “Twenty one of them?”

Kin returned, “Make that twenty two! Princess Luna just landed to join them!”

Kin opened the door and three Gryphons of Royal bearing and garb stepped in. As Kin was starting to bow to them, they all three, went to a deep crouch, wings spread and crests raised and spread to show honor.

The Empress of the Gryphon Empire rose, her crest going to a gentle smile as she greeted, “Kindred Spirit, it is we who are honored by your presence.”

Indicating her Two Strong Wings of the Throne, she asked, We have come to request of you yet another favor. Would you be willing to allow us of the Throne to watch your amazing healing? Princess Luna has said that this is your decision alone. That the Hospital is yours.”

While they were anxiously awaiting Kin's answer, Rarity emerged from the kitchen bearing trays that she set out on the Carousel's counters.

“Your Highnesses, the flying to get here must have been hungry work. We have laid on a small refreshment for you. We have a salmon, a pork roast, one of beef, and a substantial turkey for you. I do not know what you enjoy in drinks, so I made up an urn of Rom Black tea.”

As she was preparing to bow, the Empress raised a claw and said, crest smiling but serious, “No, my good Knife Bearers. It is We of the Throne who are honored by your presence and service. We bow to YOU, not the other way about.

“This feast is indeed most welcome. You are correct. It was hungry work, getting here.”

Kin had listened with care, using her skills only to assure herself that all that was said was honest. She made up her mind. “It will be my honor to have you of the Throne observe our healing work. But first, this is our home and you are most welcome guests. Allow us to serve you, so that this good food does not go to waste.”

TO BE CONTINUED

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Tagged: FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC, Part 67 of ?, age restricted 18+, MLP Fan Fiction, Written by De Writer, WORK IN PROGRESS.

[tilly-tilly-2827]

Leave it by Degrees #6

The unhinged love story loosely based on Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost that I can't get out of my head.

Synopsis: "What have we done?"

Post in AO3 from here!

Previous chapter from here

Benedict was at the entrance of Out of The Blue at 19:00 sharp. Being led by a six seat table in the terrace, he had to chuckle seeing Sophie Beckett wearing the same navy suit with a white collar shirt, while the other ladies sat next to her were respectfully in their holidays attires; one in a teal colored summer dress, the other in a pink floral A-line.The restaurant was placed at the end of the island, on one of the seaside Villas, and Benedict silently observed the three musketeers from a distance; the two girls were absolutely dazed by the sunset before them, while the other seemed to be completely focused on the small bucket of breadsticks before them. Somehow Benedict couldn’t take his eyes off the girl who sat at the edge of the table, her short brown curls waving in the ocean breeze, the sunset giving her a radiant gleam. The absolute fascination, joy, and wonder on her face ticked something inside him, as if a certain gear had been reattached to their place in his anatomy. 

“I love that you are more invested in the scenery than me, Ms. Beckett.”  He grinned as he slid into the seat in front of her. Her moss green eyes hardened as her gaze met his, Benedict felt a lump in his throat. Didn’t she want him, like she whispered last night? That she needed him?  Quite honestly, her heated gaze last night was the only thing that he decided to join the dinner, to perhaps grab her offer when she was not, well, heavily drugged. Well, maybe not just her gaze, Benedict secretly thought to himself as he again sized her up over her suit of armor. Yes.Perfect. 

“Mr. Bridgerton.” Sophie gave a brief nod, “Thank you for coming. This is Posy Reiling, she would be negotiating the deal…”

Posy gave a little cough. 

“…This is my step sister. Posy.” 

“Nice to meet you, thank you so much for saving my sister.” Posy smiled sweetly, “Please, call me Posy.” 

“Posy, nice to meet you…”

But just as he was about to shake his hand, there was a huge crashing sound from the back, followed by a small yelp. Benedict was quite surprised to see Hugh Woodson collapsed on the wooden floor, papers and papers of Emails dancing around the air, his laptop screen miserably cracked in two. 

“Hugh, are you all right?”

Benedict hurried from his seat, reaching out to help him, but he was a second late. Hugh was already taking Posy’s hand, with a dreamlike daze in his eyes he had never seen before. 

“Are you hurt?” Posy peered into Hugh’s brown eyes, her neck craning up to match his lean figure, “I’m terribly sorry about your laptop.”

“I, I…I’m…Huu, Hu…”

“Hugh.” Posy smiled sweetly, shaking his shivering hand. “I’m Posy.”

The whole universe stopped for just a second, the orange sunset shining from the distance between them. As if everything was in slow motion, Benedict watched Hugh’s pale face turn into the same shade as the sky before them. 

“P, Posy.” He stuttered, “My sister loves Posies. We, we have a patch in our gardens,” Hugh was still shaking Posy’s hand, his glasses almost slipping out from the bridge of his nose . “The, the most beautiful flower in the universe, in my opinion…”

The three watched in awe as Posy’s cheeks turned into a deep shade of crimson, and Hugh wrapped both of his hands into hers.

“Y, you are the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.” 

“Thank you, Hugh.” 

“I, I, I…I fell for you.” 

“You fell for me?”

“I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Both Sophie and Benedict snorted sparkling water out from her nostrils. Kate casually took a bite of a breadstick, almost as if she were watching a rom-com on a Friday night. 

“Was it just me or did I just hear a love declaration?”

Benedict sputtered, not quite processing the scene that laid before him, and by the flabbergasted look from Sophie, he knew she had the exact same reaction. 

“I’m afraid I heard it too.”

Hugh, still grasping Posy’s hand into his, fell into one knee, his usually wandering eyes looking straight into Posy’s blue ones, with fervent passion Benedict had never seen on him. 

“I am in love with you.”

“Oh,” 

“Wow.” 

“Damn”

“Posy, will you marry me?”

“Should I stop him?”

“Oh, yes, please.”

Benedict quickly peeled Hugh from the floor (“But I haven’t got her answer!” He cried out. “But Hugh, you don’t even know her full name!”), also picking up the papers on the floor. Sophie quickly joined him, but when the two raised their heads, the couple was already seated at the table shoulder to shoulder, happily giggling over a cup of lemonade. Barely five minutes have passed but they were already like a couple on the honeymoon faze. 

“Well, that was quick.” 

“I know.” Sophie softly said. “But it was quite beautiful, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Benedict smiled, taking a stack of paper from Sophie’s hands. “It’s not everyday you get to see people fall in love,”

“Just like a movie,”

“So, you wish for romance as well, Ms. Beckett?”

“Well, that’s a rather private question don’t you think?” Sophie eyed him wearily but Benedict didn’t miss her ears turning slightly red. 

“Worth a try,” He quipped with a small wink, “Do you think your step sister said yes to Hughs proposal?”

“Oh I literally have no idea.”

“So Hugh. Are we hearing wedding bells tonight?”

Hugh completely ignored Benedict’s question, his chocolate eyes entirely focused on Posy and Posy only. 

“We are starting from friends, actually,” Posy replied, but her eyes never left Hugh, dripping with the same dreamily look. “But Hugh was telling me about the beautiful cathedral nearby, and the one built over the sea…”  

Sophie slid into the seat next to Kate, flinching slightly as Benedict casually seated himself next to her. 

“I was rather hoping that you would sit on the other side.” Sophie said hesitantly. 

“Wouldn’t want to disturb the two loves birds, would you?” 

“Well, yes, but if you’re not going to…” Sophie's words trailed off, noticing that there was still an empty seat. “Mr. Bridgerton, I’m wondering,”

“He’ll be here in a few minutes,” Benedict replied gallantly, looking at the watch, “I think he’s just finished his third rotation of meditation.”

Kate choked on her glass of wine. 

“Excuse me,” Kate coughed, “Went the wrong way. So the rumor is true. The Great Anthony Bridgerton truly on a cleanse?”

“Whistledown does it again,” Benedict replied sarcastically. “I can’t figure out why she’s so obsessed with us.”

“I personally think she’s more besotted with Colin Bridgerton,” Benedict was surprised to see Sophie with a playful smile on her lips. “She seems to know every location your brother is at, now matter how far corner of the world he could be.”

“You are quite an observer, Ms. Beckett.”

Sophie blushed for the first time that night, not being able to quite look back into Benedict's eyes. 

“This one is actually obsessed with Whistledown.” Kate quipped from her seat with a teasing grin. 

“Katie!”

“Actually, Sophie clips all the photos of you from Whistledown, Mr. Bridgerton.” 

“Posy!” 

“That’s a pleasant surprise.” Benedict couldn’t suppress a smirk, seeing Sophie’s face change deeper and deeper into a shade of crimson. Yes, he knew that she liked him, “What part of me intrigues your attention, Ms. Beckett?”

“It’s work related,” Sophie mumbled, slightly squirming in her seat. “Nothing personal.” 

“Oh, then do you clip every photo of my dear brothers? For research purposes?”

“Well, no, but…”

“Then I am flattered,” Benedict tried to snake his right hand to her waist, inching closer to Sophie, “Anything it was about me, what caught your attention is a good thing, I believe…” But he gave a miserable yelp, feeling a sharp pain on the back of his hand. 

“Hands off, Bridgerton.”

A pair of sharp brown eyes were glaring at Benedict, eyeing him suspiciously behind Sophie’s shoulders. 

“I believe we haven’t been introduced.” Benedict managed to croak out despite the striking pain. 

“I believe so,.” Kate smiled elegantly, her hands were delicate despite the enormous strength she demonstrated a few seconds earlier, “Kate. Kathani Sharma. Sophie’s friend from uni. I’m here as her guardian and moral support.”

“Ben. Nice to meet you.” Benedict shook her hand. “Which uni are you two from? My brother and I are from Oxford by the way…”

“YOU.”

Benedict turned his head and saw his brother in his green Khaki pants and a white line shirt, the mixed expression of shock and amusement in his brother’s usually stoic expression. 

“Brother! You missed the beautiful proposal from Woodson…” But Benedict was then interrupted by the last person he had imagined, Kate Sharma. 

“YOU!”

Kate pushed the glass in Sophie’s hands, her posture suddenly became rigid, the corner of the lips tightening. 

Not a good sign, Sophie thought. 

“YOU are Anthony Bridgerton?”

Anthony’s lips turned into a slight grin. 

“You didn’t notice me?”

“Why would I notice you?”

“Well, I am quite famous.” Anthony took a seat next to Hugh, puffing his chests as he seated himself deeply in the chair. Kate scoffed at his words, crossing her arms with a frown. 

“So you’re not only deficient but ignorant as well.” Kate rolled her eyes, “Just as I imagined…”

“Hold it right there. What part of me is exactly deficient…”

“Wait, Katie, you’ve met Anthony Bridgerton before?” 

“He’s the aggravating man I told you this morning!” 

“Ohhhh the guy on the running course? Why didn’t you tell me that guy was Anthony Bridgerton?”

“Why in the hell would I notice him? He was in shorts and sunglasses, he didn’t have the gorgeous sideburns I saw in Whistledown…”

“Oh so you liked my sideburns?” Anthony replied with a smirk. “I’m surprised that those were the only things that caught your mind.” 

“I was being sarcastic, Mr. Bridgerton. Do you need an introduction to dry humor?”

“You didn’t seem so dry this morning actually,.” 

“Brother?” 

“Sophs, remind me to add the word pervert in his wikipedia page,” Kate took a swig of wine from the bottle, (“Katie!” Sophie yelped.) “The world deserves to know that as a fact. And by the way, other than the sideburns, nothing about you was even remotely memorable.” 

“Why don’t we step away from the topic of sideburns?” Benedict smoothly interjected, seeing the color slowly drain from Sophie, “Any preferences on the drinks? The drinks from the bar are exceptionally good…” But Benedict was interrupted yet again by his very brother. Well, his brother would die to have the last word in the argument, he mindlessly thought. 

“Well, I would add infuriating at the top of your characteristic traits but I don’t suppose you even have a wiki page. Wouldn’t want to put useless effort in even searching your name.”

“Oh infuriating would be on top of your resume, Mr. Bridgerton. Seeing how you repeatedly kept going over my pace in the course this morning, I’m shocked those words weren't tattooed on your forehead!”

“YOU were the one overtaking me!” Hearing his irritated tone; Benedict was surprised he didn’t see Anthony jabbing his finger towards Kate Sharma, “You kept interfering with MY pace which I was specifically set at eight kilometers an hour.”

“Is mathematics such a difficult subject for you?” Kate snared, “From where I saw, you were definitely NOT running at eight kilometers an hour. I would barely define it jogging, considering your pace.”

“My apple watch specifically says that I was keeping a stable speed…”

“I thought you were on a digital-free holiday,” Kate raised her eyebrows, “Already breaking your oath, Mr. Bridgerton? Never considered you as a weakling,”

“Katie. Katie Cat.” Sophie tried to tug her back to her seat. “You do realize that you are snapping at the head CEO of Audrey Cooperation…”

“His social standing in society doesn’t mean that he gets the special license to be a total dickhead!” 

“Katie!” Sophie froze in horror, but Benedict had an amused smile on his lips, as if he were enjoying the verbal slander his elder brother was getting. Posy and Hugh were apparently still on the topic of the best wedding cakes. 

“I personally think lemon and raspberries are the best combination,”

“I agree with every word you say, Posy,”

“YOU don’t have any right to call me a dickhead,” 

“Well, I disagree with everything you say,” Kate replied. “I find it difficult to find any other description.” 

“I rather thought of you as delusional,” Anthony snared, “Suddenly walking and suddenly sprinting in the road, don’t tell me that was ordinary behavior…”

“Let me teach you the interval running method, Mr. Bridgerton,”

“I’m already well versed in the area.”

“Then you must know that short bursts of high intensity triggers mechanisms in the body that enhance the burning of the fat, building of the muscle…”

“Improvement in the cardiovascular system, yes I know that.”

“So you do know that by using the interval method your Vo2 max improves two times faster than the regular run,” 

“Speed is no guarantee of efficiency.”

“Well, stability doesn’t exactly bring the thrill does it?” Sipping red wine from her glass, Kate crossed her legs, exposing her glowing legs from the slit of shimmery teal summer dress. and Benedict could swear he heard his brother's sanity shatter into pieces. 

“I…I…I don’t exercise for the thrill.”

“You don’t surprise me, Mr. Bridgerton.” 

“I’d rather focus on endurance, stamina, strength, rather than thrill.”

“Really? I doubt that you can last the first six minutes of my routine, considering the speed you consider as running.”

“You’ll be surprised what I can do in  6 minutes,”

“Um, Brother?”

“Don’t believe you.”

“Katie?”

“Won’t need a minute to make you beg.”

“Brother !."

“Prove it.”

“Kate!”

“Oh, Hugh, I would love to meet you parents tomorrow!” 

“Oh my parents are going to love you Posy, Let me pick you up at the Villa at 11:00, my mother cooks amazing dishes from….”

Sophie took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from yanking all her hair from her scalp. What did she do wrong? Perhaps she shouldn’t have invited Anthony Bridgerton to the table, but she needed him to keep the dinner professional. Perhaps she shouldn't have invited Kate, but she needed her  to keep the air casual…Perhaps this situation was inevitable, her plan was conflicting all along…

“Have you noticed that my dear brother and your Katie Cat are practically eye fucking each other from the other ends of the table, Ms. Beckett?” Benedict whispered into Sophie’s ear, his deep voice sending shivers in her spine, “Bet a pound they’ll be fucking each other in 5 minutes.”

Oh how Sophie wished for a cigarette.

Despite Benedict’s predictions, Anthony and Kate did not fall into intercourse right there on the table as he had expected; rather they went further and further into disagreement. It was rather interesting, Benedict thought as he observed the complete opposite sides of the spectrum; Kate and Anthony practically barking insults at each other from the other ends of the table, while Posy and Hugh whispering endearments, sitting practically glued together in the corner. Despite having seven siblings, Benedict knew that this was the correct definition of Chaos. But thanks to the Chaos, Benedict had managed to lure Sophie Beckett to the bar, who seemed quite shaken by the whole fiasco. 

“Do you mind if I smoke?” Sophie asked him with a guilty look as soon as they reached the stalls. 

“No, not at all.”

“Thank you.” Sophie quickly took out a pack from her pocket, lighting one up in one swift motion. Benedict also took one as she offered him wordlessly, knowing that his brother would be too busy arguing than to notice his violation. But he was surprised how smoothly Sophie offered him a light, expertly lighting him with one settled between her lips with a glass of water in the other. 

“Heavy smoker?”

Sophie smiled weakly between puffs. “Trying to quit.”

“Yet, I never see you without one,” Benedict said teasingly, remembering how he had first seen her with a cigarette between her fingers, “But everytime I see you with one, I always feel it doesn’t suit you.”

“Because I am a woman?”

“No, no, no, no, no.” He almost dropped the ashes between his fingers. “You just give me the impression of…being innocent?” 

Sophie’s gaze averted from his, as she slowly shook her head, with somewhat of a wry smile on her lips. Benedict noticed that she had no further intent to continue the conversation, seeing how she looked out in the dark blue ocean, the surface having a mystic glow in the moonlight, her eyes dimming oceans deep. 

“Sorry about my Brother.” He blurted out, “He’s, um…sexually frustrated.”

“I also have to apologize on the behalf of my friend, especially on her language.” 

“Is she the competitive sort?”

“Very.”

“My brother as well.”

Their eyes met just for a second, both breaking out in a laugh at the same time.

“I still don’t know if we are the worst or the best matchmaker in the entire universe,” Sophie managed to wheeze out between giggles. “Hugh and Posy, yes, but Kate and your brother? I didn’t know if they were going to kiss or shoot each other in the head.”

“Definitely the best, Ms. Beckett.” Benedict laughed, “I could just see the sexual tension between the two sizzling.”

“I know!” Sophie cried out jokingly, “The sexual implications in the conversation was just killing me.” 

As the wave of laughter ceased, Sophie dropped the cigarette on the ashtray, feeling the nicotine in her blood, she finally felt she was ready to talk to one Benedict Bridgerton. 

“I wanted to say thank you, Mr. Bridgerton.” 

“For what?”

“For saving me.” 

“Oh.”

“I didn’t get a chance to say it properly, but you truly saved me from a terrible fate.” Sophie continued, “Thank you. For saving me.”

“No worries. Anyone would have done that if they were in that situation.”

“But you were the only one who noticed.”

Benedict again could return in a grunt. 

“And who stood up to help.”

“I have four sisters,” Benedict mumbled, “Just doing the right thing.”

“Not everyone has the courage to do the right thing, like you did last night.”

“Have we ever met?” Benedict asked abruptly, craning his neck slightly. “Your tone, it's oddly familiar. Do you live in London?”

Sophie’s breath hitched slightly as his piercing blue eyes met hers. “I work in the arts department in the Gunnningworth Foundation,” She managed to croak out. “Perhaps our paths might have crossed in the London gallery somewhere.” 

Benedict only hummed in response, taking another whiff of the smoke. 

“Mr. Bridgerton.” 

“Won’t you call me Benedict?”

“I’d rather keep in professional,”

Benedict groaned, tilting his whole body sideways. “Must we?” 

“Mr. Bridgerton, there is only advantages in this offer,”

“I thought this was a private dinner, Ms. Beckett, away from the foundation or the contract…”

“Wouldn’t you like to be independent from your family?”

Benedict froze, stopping dead in his tracks. 

“You have been working on your projects with the financial funding from the Audrey Cooperation for the past four years, including People Watching, your most celebrated work yet. I do understand that your brother must guarantee you the freedom of your artistic agency, but I can assure you that the Gunningworth foundation will support the same artistic freedom at higher costs.”

“Supporting my freedom?” Benedict sneered; he hated his tone, but Sophie was the one who was crossing the line, bringing up the deal when she promised him privacy, bringing up his deepest insecurities about his work and the family money… “Here you are, invading my privacy on a private holiday. Not the best action to convince me that you would support my creative freedom.”

“This is the extent to show you how the foundation is willing to support you at any costs, Mr. Bridgerton.”Sophie’s voice was quiet, but her words were firm and determined. “The foundation believes that gaining independence from your family funds may broaden your originality even more,” 

“Are you implying that my work lacks originality?”

“No.” Sophie shook her head, a slight panic appearing in her almond eyes, “I was saying that the foundation believes further potential in your works…” 

“You keep saying the Foundation.” Benedict interrupted her monologue, his eyebrows narrowed in irritation. “The foundation believes, The foundation believes…you sound like you are convincing yourself, not me.”

Sophie’s lips were curled into a straight line, biting the other bottom part of her lip. 

“Do you even like my work, Ms. Beckett?” Benedict hated the desperation in his voice, hated the fact that Sophie wasn’t answering his inquires, “You only seemed to be focused on pleasing the foundation of yours,”

“Pall Mall.”

“Pardon?”

“Pall Mall.” Sophie continued, repeating the words almost like a prayer. “Finished in the summer of 2013. Watercolor and pencil on paper. Size 31.0×43.2. Inspired by your childhood memories, the summer you spent in the countryside of Kent. The intricate details of each expression of your families. The soft pastel colors bring out the nostalgic air.”

“Ms. Beckett,”

“The Portrait of a Young Man,” Sophie closed her eyes, trying to picture it in her mind. “Completed in the spring of 2014. Winning your first Wells Art Contemporary. Oil on Canvas. Thick coating method, using the palette knife. The gray background, the dark suit almost drawn almost like a rough sketch…but the details on the face was magnificent. The right side of his eyebrows, the highlight under his eyes, each stroke of your brush creating a beautiful shade, bringing out the specific details of your brother’s expression. The absolute focus on the coloration. Now that I’ve met him in person, I can see how you managed to capture his entire aura. Size 64.1×52.8. ” 

“Sophie,”

“People Watching,” Now, Sophie couldn’t stop the words slipping out of her mouth, “The eight series of portraits created between the period of January 2015 to April of 2016. Your masterpiece,”

For the first time in years, Benedict blushed, his gaze dropping to his feet. 

“You exaggerate. It was slandered by the critics,”

“To my eyes, it was a masterpiece. You wouldn’t believe how much it saved me…” But she couldn’t quite continue her words, she didn’t know why she was suddenly on the verge of tears. Sophie raised her eyes to the sky, no she was not going to cry in front of Benedict Bridgerton. 

“You like my paintings,” Benedict softly said.

“No.” Sophie shook her head, but she couldn’t look into his eyes. “I love your paintings.”

Benedict found himself quite a loss for words. 

Sophie took a deep breath, trying to inhale every inch of air around her. “It would be the greatest honor for the foundation,” She stopped for a second, starting the sentence again, “It would be the greatest honor for me to have the opportunity to support your future works, Mr. Bridgerton.”

Sophie was finally able to look him in the eyes, his ocean blue eyes meeting with hers. The waves were still swaying, she thought, but she did noticed the change in the wind, 

“Would you like to come to my studio, Ms. Beckett…”

“SOPHIE BECKETT!”

Benedict’s offer was completely silenced by the angry voice of Kate Sharma, who had stomped into the bar with a fierce look on her face. 

“THE MOST ANNOYING MAN I HAVE EVER MET,”

“Kate, what happened? Are you all right?”

“WE ARE LEAVING, SOPHIE BECKETT.”

“Kate, I’m kind in the middle of something here…”

“I refuse to spend another second with that infuriating man,” Kate snared, taking another shot the  bartender had wordlessly offered, “Sophie Beckett, you shall not talk with Anthony Bridgerton ever again.”

Linking Sophie’s arms to hers, Kate Shama marched herself out of the bar and the restaurant, and Benedict could only stand them dumbfounded to the speed Sophie Beckett disappeared from his sight.

Did she convince him through? 

Sophie’s mind kept wandering as she stared at the ceiling, watching the five petal wooden fan move round and round in circles. She wasn’t confident if she had succeeded, but she knew that it worked somehow, seeing the change in Benedict Bridgerton’s eyes. Maybe he’ll sign the contract tomorrow. The sooner she finished the job, the faster she could get away from him, knowing that if she had to spend another hour with him, she would fall in love with him all over again, melting herself into his ardent eyes. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t make the same mistakes.  

Kate had apologized for interrupting the conversation, (“Lost my temper,” Kate admitted weakly) and had gone to a midnight run to cool off her mind. Sophie was too tired to understand what had happened between her and Anthony, but she vaguely understood that it had to do with patriarchy and toxic masculinity. Hearing Posy’s peaceful snores next to her bed, Sophie closed her eyes as well, finally noticing how exasperated she was from the events of that day.  

-6 hours later-

“Kate.”

“Sophie.”

“Remember your oath?”

“Sophs.”

“Kathani..”

“No relationships.”

“Mmm.”

“I did clearly say that.”

“Mmm.” “May I introduce you to the term, situationships…?”