#I cannot wait a month! That’s like… thirty days from now!

[welcome-to-green-hills]

MYSTERY WERE IN THE FINAL MONTH. WERE ALMOST THERE THIS IS THE ENDGAME

WHERE ARE THE FLUFFER PUPPERS AND SCRUNKLY?!

[copinghex]

Sincerely yours, me | T.S

Summary: Tommy receives anonymous gifts and letters. All the signs point to a single conclusion - he has a secret admirer.

The first gift was misinterpreted, as harmless as it could be, a man like Tommy wouldn't simply eat anything sent to him.

Sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea, Polly waited for Tommy to get home. On the table, a delicate box from a nearby bakery and a letter caught everyone's attention, not only for the gesture but also the date.

If anyone would search for Thomas Shelby in city registers, all they'd find would be his army register, indicating his date of birth was 19th September, months earlier than the true date, a cold Wednesday morning of November. Whoever sent the gift was close enough to the family to not be fooled by the erroneous papers.

That day, Tommy entered the kitchen in quick steps, unconsciously or not, he always worked more on his birthday, not being particularly fond of celebrating.

“Is anything special about the age of thirty?” Polly asked.

“...no,” noticing the suspicious gifts on the table, Tommy reached for the letter, the envelope contained no information other than his own name, “who bought this?”

“No one, it was left on the door this morning,” she turned the box to show him the bakery’s name, “the place isn't cheap, they wouldn't leave it at the door without someone to collect it,”

“So someone ordered and left it at the door,” Tommy concluded.

“What does the letter say?”

The first thing Tommy noticed was the calligraphy, it wasn't neat nor horrendous. He could see the author tried their best to look nice.

Dear Tommy,

Originally, I was excited to write you this letter. Now that I have your cake and shall deliver it tomorrow, it makes me question if this was a good idea.

I believe birthdays are meant to be celebrated with those we have dearly. You seem to think otherwise, nevertheless, I hope you (and your family) enjoy the flavor I picked.

I wish I had bought you a gift as well, I had an eye on a pocket watch from a pawnshop in London, it'd seat nicely with a brown three piece you have, unfortunately my budget is not endless.

I hope you enjoy your birthday and wish you all the happiness, prosperity and good fortune.

Sincerely yours, me.

P.S I've taken notice I mentioned the cake spent a day in my house, if the thought ever crosses your head, do not worry, it cannot have spoiled, I kept it on the ice box all the time ♡

“So?” Polly questioned.

“Take a look at the calligraphy,” he handed her the letter, “does it look familiar?”

“Not at all, I can check in the books, but it's too neat to belong to any of our men, also there's a heart in the end,”

“Alright,” he sighed, “I want you to go to the bakery and ask who ordered it, then ask all the neighbors about the person who left it at the door, anything is useful,”

“Oh, for Christ's sake! I've things to do but to investigate a birthday cake!”

“Polly,” Tommy opened the box, “whoever sent this is watching from close, what do they plan to do with all this information? It can't be good,”

“Alright,” she sighed, “I'll ask, but I bet is nothing more than some of the neighbors’ daughters wearing her heart out for you,”

“Fucking finally,” John suddenly entered the kitchen, “Polly said we'd only eat when you arrived,”

“No one is going to eat,” he looked at the cake, the white topping could be easily deduced as vanilla while the bottom was chocolate.

“What?! What not?”

“We don't know who fucking sent this, it can be poisoned,”

“Or someone wants to send a message,” Polly added.

“Or it's just fucking cake,” John argued, “ugh, forget it,”

As John left, Tommy threw the box in the trash, the light sweet scent rose up to his nose and looking superficially, it seemed like nothing but an innocently sent birthday gift. He wouldn't risk it though, if he was wrong about it, it'd be shameful to die over a piece of cake.

Weeks went by without further information, all the bakery was able to tell was that the person who made the order was a woman, nothing they hadn't already deduced. The dust settled, with no signs of danger or special dates coming by, nothing disturbed Tommy's routine.

The second gift was delivered by Scudboat, at the end of a shift in the betting shop he sneaked his head into Tommy's tiny office with a bulky envelope.

“Tom? I'm going home,” he said.

“See you tomorrow,” Tommy didn't lift his eyes from the papers on the desk.

“Someone left this on my desk today, it's for you,”

His shoulders dropped in a tired move, one more problem was everything he didn't need, “Who did? Did you see?”

“No, we had a full house today, I'm sorry, man,” Scudboat left.

First, a wooden horse fell from the paper. The delicate miniature wasn't bigger than a pocket watch, but the details revealed it was made by talented hands.

Dear Tommy,

Although throwing the whole cake away did offend me, I admit I'm the one at fault for this huge miscalculation, I have no enemies myself and yet, I'd be hesitant to eat something anonymously sent to my door.

Therefore, please accept this horse as a gift instead. It sat dusting up on my shelf for way too long, if you ask me, it resembles Monaghan boy.

Sincerely yours, me.

Tommy placed the miniature in the corner of his desk, it immediately set amongst his other belongings as if it was made to be there.

Slightly crumbling the paper, he fought the urge of ripping it apart, no harm was done and he couldn't find any subtle threats between the lines, but the thought of being observed made him tremble.

The possibility of someone being truly in love with him crossed his mind and was quickly shaken off. Tommy knew he wasn't lovable, at least not anymore, at most it must be infatuation from a stupid woman.

Putting the letter in a drawer, he carried on with his paperwork.

The third gift came three weeks later, when Tommy thought she had given up on him. A worn out bracelet he recognized from an Appleby fair, years ago he bought one for Greta Jurossi and managed to sneak up some more while the seller turned around to get his change. He remembered distributing them amongst her friends.

Those faces were all blurred in Tommy's memory now, shadows from a past that seemed so distant it felt like another life.

The envelope wasn't neat like the previous ones either, delivered by Ada herself, all she offered as explanation was an entertained smile and a “read the letter, Tom”

Relief washed over him learning that Ada was the one collecting information. The worry’s weight left his shoulders and then, the whole scenario felt as laughable as a joke.

Tommy,

It has come to my attention that my letters do you more harm than good. What a shame, I had planned to toy with you a while longer, but seeming it doesn't have the expected effect, I believe there's no option other than revealing myself.

I assure you I never intended harm and Ada was of great help in keeping an eye on you. Please, do not be upset at her, she was manipulated by having me watching Karl whenever needed.

Thomas, you are very dear to me, I've made it clear through the last few months, because of it, I'll be at the Garrison this Friday from 17:00 to 18:00, at the last table in the corner, we've never been complete strangers so you'll recognize me.

All I ask you is to not show up with selfish intentions, to mock me or satisfy your curiosity. I want to be someone close to you, someone you trust and perhaps like. If this possibility exists, come meet me, if your heart is permanently closed, I understand, but please do not come.

Sincerely yours, //////////

Tommy slowly put the letter down, the red scribbles where her name should be evoked sympathy within him. He imagined a simple girl, a silhouette between Greta's friends, switching pen colors and ruining the end of a tidy letter.

Lighting up a cigarette, he rubbed his tense brow, decisions that involved others were always harder and he doubted he'd get used to it someday.

He also couldn't deny curiosity was eating him alive, he needed to know who was sweet enough to look away from the atrocities he committed after France and still love the man he became.

Love, the word sounded so foreign to him he made a decision. He'd go to the encounter, even if he wasn't sure he wanted a relationship, having someone who loved him would be useful.

The week went by fast, around a quarter to five Tommy ordered everyone out of the Garrison, two cups and a whiskey bottle waited with him. He wouldn't define what he felt as excitement, perhaps satisfaction in finally closing that case.

Leaning on the counter, he stared at the doors, a hesitant shadow showed up on the glass panel, the knob moved down and a few seconds passed until she got in.

Her eyes widened seeing the pub empty, a shiver ran down her spine as her eyes met his squinted ones. She gulped, frozen at the entry. Tommy sized her up and his gaze softened, an afternoon tea at the Jurossi’s house years ago, he'd barely noticed her, apparently she had noticed him.

“You came,” she greeted.

“I was curious,”

“Tommy, I asked you to not-”

“Yeah,” he interrupted, “it was brave of you to keep me in the dark for so long,”

“It was barely two months,”

“Could've been much more if so you decided,”

“Why would I? You didn't see to enjoy my… admiration at all,”

Pouring them drinks, Tommy called her to the counter. She shyly smiled as he handed her a glass and made a tiny toast.

“It was clever,” he complimented, “I recruit clever people,”

“So this is business focused?” she looked down, disappointed.

“Amongst other things,” with his glass, he lifted her chin, “I think we can achieve great things together,”

[hiddenonyx]

(18+) Obey Me! Characters C*ck Warming Dabbles

Notes: haha c*ck warming, it's in the title. Each character has their one notes/warnings.

Word Count: ~5.6K | ~510 words per character

A/N: I'm not dead! Been working on this on and off for like a month and half. Lucifer's and Mammon's are bit awkward for it, but I think it's passable. Please do enjoy baby's attempt at smut. I tired to keep MC as gender neutral as possible, but there are one or two that are fem!mc :/

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

Lucifer - Notes: gn!mc, the barest hint of sex

Lucifer rarely has the time to properly indulge himself in you. You sneak into his study one night, a soft beg on your lip, and sweet, sinful eyes piercing his soul, and Lucifer feels horrible telling you “not tonight”. There’s a big political meeting happening in a ten day and there’s so much paperwork that-

    Seeing your gaze fall and your heart break, Lucifer sighs. Fine, he tells you. He’ll let you do one thing, but you have to promise to behave. And that’s how you end up sitting as still as you can on his lap, his hard cock buried deep within you. You’re truly dying now - you’ve been here for almost thirty minutes as Lucifer holds the small of your back, his free hand working away at his seemingly endless stack of paperwork.

    Your body aches with desire and you squirm a little, desperate for any stimulation at all. Lucifer hisses through gritted teeth, his gripped on you tightens in warning, and you whine pitifully. He hushes you gently. Your gaze gently trails over his expression, and you realize that he’s not faring any better than you. Maybe if you misbehaved a little more he’d break and fuck you properly. 

    “Don’t.”

You whine as your idea is shut down before you even attempt it.  “Lucifer~~” you whine, your voice broken. He sighs and tightens his grip on you again, his gloved hand digging into your skin hard. Another minute passes, and then, to your surprise, Lucifer sets his pen down. His now free hand joins the other before falling down to your hip.

    “Alright, alright. Seeing as you've been so good…” His other hand drops to your hip and he raises your body up, dragging you until only the head of his cock remains inside, before slamming you down. The action feels so good after having to wait so long, you almost cum right then and there. “I suppose you deserve a reward..”

——

Mammon - Notes: gn!mc, existing relationship, pet names

    You should’ve suspected that the Avatar of Greed would be an insatiable boyfriend; Mammon cannot seem to get enough of you. He wants everything about, of and from you. And when you tell him “no” or “later”, he pouts and whines and sulks for the rest of the day. It’s as cute as it is annoying, and today is no different.

    You’re sitting on the plush carpeted floor of your room, a pillow between you and the little tray that holds your textbooks, papers, and pens. You’re attempting to make a study guide for an upcoming test in Curses and Hexes, but Mammon is insistent in poking the fat of your thigh. 

    “C’mon! Ya can do that later,” you don’t even have to look at him to know he’s pouting. You pause and look at him, silently counting for a minute as you give Mammon a tired stare. He gives you a confused look, before opening his mouth to say something - something that you cut off as your gaze returns to your work.

    “There. Now it’s “later”. Now let me work, okay puppy?” You hear him whine and he goes back to poking your thigh.

    “W-what?! The hell was that?!” He huffs, “A-and don’t call me puppy, okay?”

    You can feel a vein throb in your head as Mammon continues to poke at you. You’re starting to understand why Lucifer hangs him from the ceiling so often. You’re about to snap at him, when an idea crosses your mind. It’s devious and mean, but it’ll be a compromise; you’ll be able to get your work done and he’ll get your attention…and it’ll be a suitable punishment for him.

    About ten minutes later, Mammon grunts softly, his arms straining to keep himself propped up in his sitting position to adhere to the pact command. You can feel his chest heaving in effort, though he’s trying hard to disguise it.

“T-treasure this…t-this is hardly f-fair,” his voice is ragged.

    “Well maybe you should’ve thought about that. Actions have consequences, puppy.” You grind back into him, and he hisses in both pleasure and the strain of obeying the pact command of “stay still”.  You roll your hips again, biting your bottom lip to stop yourself from moaning; thankful that your back is to Mammon so that he can’t see. He moans softly in response. 

    “T-treasure p-please-“

    “Aw, does the Great Mammon not enjoy having his cock warmed?” You tease him, as your pen scratches a line of text onto your almost finished study guide. “Just a little longer puppy~.” You feel him twitch at the nickname and you fail to bite back the soft sigh that escapes you.

    “N-not a dog,” he growls through gritted teeth. You scratch the last line on your guide before setting your pen down. You lean back into him a little with a soft mewl.

    “Alright, you can move now baby. Mm, you can fuck me as hard as you want.”

—-

Levi - Notes: gn!mc, Levi being Levi

    You passively press the button on the controller, reading the nearly absurd amount of dialogue as it flashes on screen. You lean forward a little, the story of the world dragging you in. Levi glances up from his manga as you shift on the floor and gives you a questioning look.

    “There is no way you’re reading all that. Just spam through it; it’s so boring.”

    You gently hit his leg with your free hand, your gaze never leaving the screen, “Shh.” You can almost feel him roll his eyes, as he relaxes more into the beanbag you’re sitting up against, “Just read your manga.”

    A few more minutes pass in silence as you read your respective media. You hum every now again, the game’s world growing more and more interesting as you continue to read. You only hear the occasional page turning from Levi as he reads silently. You settle back against the beanbag, resting your head a little on Levi’s leg as you sigh. You feel him tense a little at the sudden physical contact, but to your surprise he doesn’t comment on it. A flicker of interest crosses your mind; normally Levi would comment on any kind of touch, even casual…

    Your free hand gently brushes his leg, a little higher than where your head rests, in a fake stretch. You feel a little flinch, but again, no comment. Maybe he was really focused on his manga, or maybe, just maybe, Levi was finally starting to warm up to you. You wait a few seconds before you gently rest your hand against the side of his lower thigh, your fingers reaching up.

    “W-what are you d-doing, n-normie?!” He flinches away, and moves a little to escape your grasp. You tilt your head up to meet his eyes, doing your best to hide your smirk at his blush.

    “Nothing, just stretching. Why?” You smirk, “Were you hoping for something?” Levi, seeming to be full of surprises of today, blushes more, stumbles over his words, and looks away. It’s at the point you read the title of the manga that he’s been reading: “My Roommate Totally Wants to Fuck Me! (18+)”.

Oh. OH.

    “Levi?” You can’t hide the smugness in your voice or the teasing note. “Are you reading smut?”

    “N-NO! I-I-“

    You sit up and turn around, setting the controller to the side and climbing onto his lap; poor Levi is redder than a hellspiced tomato. However despite his embarrassment and your teasing, he makes no move to escape or push you off. 

    You lean forward and whisper in his ear, “Why don’t you show me a few pages, hmm?” You purr and flick your tongue over his earlobe, listening to his breath catch, “Maybe I can recreate a few of them for you~”

    Several minutes later, you’re sitting on top of Levi, his hard cock pulsing and twitching between your walls as you pepper his face with small kisses. He claws at you slightly, wanting to bury his face in your neck and hide from your attention.

    “Levi~” your voice is smug and taunting as you let him hide from your kisses. “C’mon~ All you have to do is kiss me, and then I’m all yours.”

    You feel him mumble something into your skin as he hides, thoroughly embarrassed by your teasing. Ah well. You don’t mind keeping his cock nice and warm until he works up the courage to kiss you.

—-

Satan - Notes: fem!mc, rough sex, magic

     You whine and squirm in Satan’s hold, only to be rewarded with a harsh smack on your ass. You bite back your moan, your body desperate for anything that can provide stimulation.

    “Thought I told you to stay still,” Satan growls lowly, the vibrations making your heart beat faster, “Don’t move again.” His command carries the weight of an unspoken punishment if disobeyed. Your body aches - you’ve been sitting on his cock for nearly twenty minutes now. You had come to him after finishing a particularly spicy novel, wanting  some…attention. Satan, however, was in the middle of finishing his own book. He had promised you all the attention you could ever want if you waited for him to finish his book. But you wanted his attention then and there. So here you were, warming his dick as a compromise.

     “How much longer?” Your voice is a pathetic whine. You have to fight back the urge to grind on him again.

      “Ten pages,” he grunts in response. He’s trying to keep his face neutral, but you can see the cracks in his facade. He’s starting to struggle as well. You feel him twitch inside you, and you break. You grind against him, rather hard.

      Satan growls right into your ear and you hear his book being snapped shut, “You bitch.” You hear the book fall to the floor and feel his hands harshly grab your waist.

      “You want it right now? Fine. Have it!” His voice is dark and dripping with anger. A dark, twisted part of you sings at his voice, and hopes that he’ll fuck nice and rough. And it seems like that part will get its wish.

     He lifts you up, till just the tip of his cock stays inside you before slamming you down. You scream in pleasured pain. He repeats the motion again again, setting a fast pace that barely leaves air in your lung. The rough pace hurts, but it feels so good. Satan pulls you a little closer, his breath tickling your ear.

“You wanted this, didn’t you? You wanted, urgh me to fuck you till you passed out, didn’t you?” He sucks in a trembling breath before biting your ear. One of his hands leaves your waist and finds your clit. He just barely brushes it and it sends white hot shocks into your gut. Satan pulls away from your ear and mumbles something in a language that you don’t understand. He touches your clit again, pressing his thumb tightly against it. However instead of feeling pleasure, a numbness seeps into your gut, dulling the pleasurable fire.

     You whine, “S-Satan-“

     “That’s your punishment. You’ll get to cum when I say you can.”

——

Asmodeus - Notes: gn!mc/reader (tho implied afab), strap-on

     “Aw, come now hun. Don’t hide your face~” Asmo coos at you, his warm hands brushing teasing, but soothing strokes along your side.

      “This is embarrassing,” you mumble, your voice muffled by the arms covering your face. You feel him lean down and gently kiss your exposed wrist.

      “And why is that love?” His voice is smooth and calming, still keeping that teasing note. But you can hear a concerned note underneath it, “Would it be better if you were on top?”

      “I don’t know,” you whine a little, flustered and out of your element. You shiver a little as you feel warm lube drip onto your thigh.

     “Would you like to stop dear?”

     “No.” You tense a little as you feel him gently pull your arms away from your face. You blink a little as your eyes adjust to the moody light again. Sunset eyes take in your expression carefully, as though searching for anything unspoken. Asmo leans forward and kisses you; it’s a gentle kiss, one intended to soothe over your embarrassment. His hands guide your arms up, above your head. He intertwined his fingers with yours, effectively pinning your arms above you. He pulls away from this kiss, once again observing your face.

      You glance down and swallow hard. Asmo’s legs are spread so prettily around yours, showing off not only his beautiful cock, but also where your strap-on disappears into him. There's an inch or so that he has yet to sink down on, and even from where you are, you see small drops of lube that’s leaked out of him. It’s obscene, dirty, unholy, but the absolute hottest thing you’ve ever seen. You whine again and look away.

Asmo, having watched where your eyes fell, giggles, and out of the corner of your eyes, you see him move a little. He moans a little, “Ahaha~ Is that it? Are you embarrassed that I’m warming your cock, hmm?”

     You groan and squeeze your eyes shut, “Asmo s-stop.” You feel his skin brush the inside of your thighs, signaling that he’s moved again. He moans and you hear a soft “squealsh” from the lube.

      “Aw, why? I like warming your cock. Mm, it makes me feel so good.”

     You feel his breath against your face and you open your eyes again. Lust dark eyes meet yours for a split second and then Asmo’s kissing you again. You feel his thighs rub your’s - he’s grinding on you. A soft moan leaves your lips as you feel your skin grow sticky with lube. He doesn’t pull away until both of you are thoroughly breathless.

    “Ah, ah, can I move now, Master? P-please?”

      You groan a little, your embarrassment slowly becoming replaced with desire, “You’re going to be the death of me. Yeah, you can…m-move.”

      Your comment earns you a little giggle, “As you wish, Master~”

——

Beelzebub - Notes: gn!mc, making out

     You hiss slightly, letting yourself sink down a little more his cock, the burn of the stretch was painful, but it felt so good at the same time. His hands on your hip tighten their hold and Beel grunts. He exhales harshly, his eyes glued to where your tight little hole is stretched around him. He’s so big and you’re so small - that thought alone is a huge turn on for him and he barely manages to restrain himself from destroying you.

     You feel his cock throb inside you, as a small gasp leaving you. He feels so good inside you, and he’s not even moving. Your eyes flicker to his face and you can’t help but frown. Beel’s face is twisted in a soft grimace as he tries so hard to stay still.

      “Beel~” you purr as you lean forward, drawing his attention away from your stretched hole. You rest your hands on his chest, feeling the firm muscles underneath his skin. You plant a gentle, chaste kiss on his lip. Violet eyes hold yours as he leans forward for another kiss, this one just as gentle, but longer. You pull away, sitting upright, and let yourself sink the rest of the way onto him. You throw your head back in a silent moan, and Beel curses.

      “Fuck, M-MC,” his voice is strained and his thighs are shaking with his effort to stay still. You lean forward again, panting slightly, as you count in your head - waiting for the pain to dull.

      “M-MC,” it takes you a second to realize that Beel’s calling your name. You lift your eyes up to meet his. His eyes are dark with lust and desire, but love and concern simmer just beneath, “Are you alright?”

You simply nod, words too big of a demand for you at the moment. A warm hand gently guides you forward and into yet another kiss. The kiss is soft and sweet, but no less passionate. You and Beel stay like that, him balls deep in you while you make out softly. It’s a sweet moment - lust tainting some of your kisses with sharp fangs and a twitch of cock. 

     Time passes, you have no idea how long, but the stretch of Beel’s cock in you is no longer painful; it is purely pleasurable, and you swear if you don’t move right this instance you’re going to die. Both of you break away from a kiss, a thin web of saliva connects you, hot breath fanning each other’s face, Violet eyes stare at you with pure love and affection. He’s about to ask you something, but whatever his question is, it’s cut off in favor of a low, gruntal moan. You grind back onto him. His eyes shut for a second while he regains his bearings. When he opens them again, there is only dark lust within them.

—-

Belphegor - Notes: gn!mc/reader (tho implied afab), strap-on

     You dig your nails into his hips as hard as you can as you attempt to deter him from moving, “Belphegor, stop moving. Don’t make me use the pact.”

     He whines, but stills mostly - only occasionally squirming under you - and looks up at you with half lidded, lust blown eyes. His chest heaves with hard pants as he struggles to regain any of his once bratty composure. (Not that it would help - you’ve never seen someone fall apart so hard and so fast; he was begging almost as soon as you sunk the first inch of your strap-on into him.)

     “M-Master p-please…I was so close…” 

     You shiver a little at the honorific, still a little flustered at how easily it fell from Belphie’s swollen lips. Sure, Belphie was normally a bit more on the submissive side, but he usually remained pretty bratty through your whole encounter. However watching him submit so quickly and so completely caught you off guard. 

     You feel him start to squirm more and you realize that you’ve spaced out for a moment. You pinch the skin of his hips again in warning, “Belphie. Stop moving.”

      “Please!” He whines rather loudly and you tense, hoping no one is on the stairs to the attic. “I wanna-“

      “And you’re not allowed to yet. Remember? You decided to be a brat earlier.” 

     He huff at that and stills completely, his gaze falling away, “M’sorry, okay? Please, Master? I’ll be good, promise.”

      You shift your weight a little; having to rest on your joints was starting to become uncomfortable, but…watching him beg while cock warming your strap-on was doing something for you.

     “Hmm, I don’t know…you were pretty bratty earlier.”

      “Please Master, I’ll do anything.”

You have to tense a little to stop yourself from trembling as he calls you “master” again, “Anything? Very well then.” You can’t help the smirk that spreads onto your face, and Belphie swallows hard, immediately regretting his statement. “Start counting: five minutes of cock warming and then I’ll let you cum.”

    His jaw drops and he whines, “Five minutes? No way.” 

      It seems that some of his brattiness is returning as his mind gets clearer. You rock your hips into him and grind a little.

     “Fine, two minutes - that’s as low as I’ll go for you.” He opens his mouth to complain again, but breaks off into a moan as you gently rub the head of his cock with your thumb, “And any more bratty comments will add a minute. So start counting.”

     He whines, but obeys. “O-One, two, three, f-four…”

- - - 

     “O-One hund - gasps hundred a-and nineteen… oh fuck, one h-hundred and ah~ t-twenty-“ 

     The moment the last syllable leaves his mouth you set a hard and brutal pace, fucking into him hard enough to make his cock bounce.

      And Belphie screams - loud enough you’re pretty sure whoever in whatever room is below the attic could hear it. His back arches off the bed as he claws at the sheets. His chest heaves, desperately trying to draw in air, while your pace pushes all of it out of him. You smirk, rubbing over his slip with your thumb and feeling his cock twitch hard.

     And then he cums, and he cums hard; painting both your hand and his stomach white.

——

Diavolo - Notes: fem!mc/reader, pet names

     “Mm, you feel so good, little princess. You’re doing so well~”

     His voice purrs into your ear, low and sensual. His warmth breaths fans on your ear before he gently nips at it. You have to bite your lip to stop the whimper that threatens to spill out of you, while you resist the urge to squirm on his thick cock. 

    Be good, you remind yourself, We have to be good.

     One of his hands rests softly on your hip, rubbing gentle circles in a soothing manner, while his other hand gently gropes at your chest, massaging the flesh there. His body is so warm against your back as he effectively holds you to himself. You can’t help the whine that leaves you as his voice reaches you, dark and deep.

     “Mm, princess, you feel so good. You’re so warm and wet,” his last word comes out a bit of a growl as he grinds up into you, making the dormant pleasure in your gut flare with renewed life. You mewl in response, letting your head fall backwards onto his chest. You feel his laugh more than you hear it, the low vibrations in his chest making your very being tingle.

     “D-Diavolo-“ you start, but you’re so overwhelmed you’re not even sure what you’re trying to ask for. He shushes you gently as the hand that was fondling your chest rises to gently grab your chin to steady you as he kisses you. You squirm on his cock as he overwhelms every sense you have with himself. Almost immediately you’re whimpering apologizes into his mouth, shaking as you curb your squirming. You feel his cock twitch inside you as he pulls away from your kiss.

     “Shh darling,” burning gold eyes find yours, “You’re alright. I know it’s hard.” He kisses your forehead tenderly as more soft praise falls from his lips, “You’re so well behaved, princess. Mm, keep this up and I may add to your reward.” Your face grows hotter, blushing even more (if that’s even possible at this point), and you feel your body get wetter.

To your surprise, Diavolo’s the one to move this time, a soft hiss escaping him as he does so, “My my, would you look at that; someone’s seems to like praise, don’t they?” You whimper again, and breathe his name in a breathless beg of nothing in particular.

     He smiles, the edges of it sharp and deadly. Diavolo slides his hand that was resting on your hip down, long thick fingers grazing your clit. You suck in a hard breath and moan, attempting to hide your face in his neck. He hums softly, pleased by your soft reactions as his fingers rub slow circles over the sensitive bud.

     You moan again, your hands reaching for his arm to try and pull it away from your clit, “P-Please, I-I can’t-!”

      “Then don’t,” his voice is right in your ear, dripping into your soul like liquid gold, “Go on, princess, cum on my cock.” He presses a little harder and rubs a little faster, and that’s all it takes. Your back arches off of him as you cry out, cuming hard on his twitching cock, your walls attempting to squeeze closed. Diavolo grunts softly, but continues to work your clit through your orgasm, smirking when you feeblely attempt to squirm away from the overstimulation.

       His laugh is deep and sinful, “Don’t struggle now princess, we’ve just begun.”

——

Barbatos - Notes: gn!mc/reader, tail sex, self-fucking, masturbation

     He smiles as you whine, struggling to pull your hands free from their magic bonds that hold you a little ways away from him on his bed. Your face is flushed red, both from the demonus the two of you had shared earlier and from the sight before you. Barabtos groans softly and spreads his thighs further apart, allowing for a better view of where one end of his tail disappears into his ass. The other end is wrapped lazily around the base of his cock. Darkened eyes stare at you, but you can’t bear to meet them, your eyes glued to the truly sinful display before you.

     Your eyes follow his delicate hand as it traces a pattern up his thigh to his stomach. A self-satisfied smirk pulls at his lip as he watches your expression darkened with lust from watching him. An involuntary shudder runs through him as his tail jerks inside him. 

     His hand trails down from his stomach to his aching cock, and he gives himself a soft stroke, sucking in a soft breath as he does so, “Are you watching, MC?”

      You don’t verbally answer him, but the slight tug on your bonds is answer enough for him.

— — —

     “Well done,” he hums as he drags a gloved finger over your sensitive clit, watching your slick gather on the digit.

      You wince a little but don’t pull away, relieved to have finally bested Barbatos at one of his own games, “So I win, yeah?”

      He scoffs a little at your impatience, but he can hardly blame you - you did just spend an hour attempting to bake with him with a vibrator pressed against your clit, “Yes, you do. As agreed, I will do whatever you request of me.”

      He’s unsurprised by your quick answer, “I want you to touch yourself.”

      He does raise an eyebrow at that, “Mutual masturbation?”

      You stick your tongue out at him playfully and poke his shoulder, “No, I wanna watch you.”

       Barbatos crosses his arms, a playful glint in his eyes, “Just watch?”

       You smirk, “Just watch.”

— — —

     He strokes himself slowly, letting his eyes flicker close as he focuses on the sensations he’s providing himself. His wrists drags up and down slowly, his own touch light as he teases himself. He drags his thumb softly over his slit, gathering the surprising amount of precum that’s leaked from it, and spreading it along his length. He tentatively lets a soft moan fall from his lips, unused to being vocal for such an activity. He can feel your eyes burn into him as you watch, your eyes darting from his tail to his hand. He purposely keeps the end inside himself still, not wanting to overwhelm himself just yet. The other end, however, coils and squeezes the base of his shaft just right, curling just under his balls and adding a pleasant weight there.

     Barabtos lets his eyes flicker back open, his hand having found a gentle, but pleasant rhythm. You’re watching him warm his tail, eyes transfixed on his stuffed hole. Lust just barely disguises the disbelief in your eyes - like you can’t believe someone as reserved as himself would even do such a sinful thing.

     A soft whine leaves you as your gaze flickers up to meet his eyes and he smirks, “Still content with watching? Or would you care to join MC?”

      You whine and tug at the binds, “I wanna join.”

      He pauses his hand and softly snaps his fingers, the spell that was binding you disappearing in an instant. You waste no time crawling over to him. The free end of his tail slides away from his cock and towards you.

     “Come now, little one. I have two ends for a reason~”

— — —

Simeon - Notes: gn!mc/reader, making out

     The harsh light from the TV brightens and dims the room in time with the movie, as some intense action scene plays out; neither of you were paying attention.

      Simeon sat on the plush of your mattress, leaning back against the wall to hold his upright position, while his mouth worked sinfully against your’s. His hands held your hips hard enough to leave bruises as he slowly grinds into you. Your own hands ranking angry lines down his exposed shoulders. Neither of you had bothered to take off more close than necessary than for you to sit on his cock, making this impromptu session even hotter and sinful.

      The kisses are messy; all open mouthed, all tongue. He tastes faintly of confectionery sugar and a sweet demonus. You lean forward more, pressing him harder against the wall, sinking a little further on his cock. Simeon moans in the kiss, his cock giving a hard twitch inside you and you squirm against him in turn.

     You pull away for air, a string of spittle connecting your lips. His face is dark with blush, and you’re sure yours is no different; soft pants leave his lips and he tries to catch his breath. His beautiful eyes are glossy with dark lust, contradicting his holy nature; it makes a dark part of you sing that you’re the one making him sin.

      His eyelids flutter a little when your nails dig into the skin of his upper arms, “MC?” His voice is soft and breathless as he tries to gauge the look on your face. You grind into his lap, his breath hitching into a gasp and his head falls back with a moan. You lean forward and begin to kiss and suck love bites into his neck, watching his dark skin blossom beautifully in response to your actions. Simeon moans shamelessly, keeping his head leaned back, giving you free reign to his neck. His hands slowly guide your hips in a circular motion on his lap, drawing the occasional soft moan from you.

You slide your hands from his arm to the sides of his skin-tight shirt, sliding your fingers underneath the material to thumb at his nipples. He moans louder, rocking up into your tight heat and you tremble, as the head of his dick brushes that sweet spot inside you. Your teeth nip at the skin below his jaw, leaving a particularly nasty hickey, one that Simeon would struggle to hide later.

      “M-MC p-please,” his soft beg startles you a little. You hum softly and pinch at one of his nipples. He gasps and bucks into you again, “P-please. I n-need you.”

      You bite at a love bite, intending to make it darker and suddenly the world around you spins. Your back gently hits your bed as Simeon pins you there. He leans forward and plants a tender kiss at the junction of your shoulder and neck, muttering apologies as he starts moving in earnest.

— — —

Solomon - Notes: gn!mc/reader, aftercare

     Softness. That’s the first thought that your mind registers as you blink away the fogginess; you’re laying on something soft. Warmth is your second thought, and the sensation of being touched by something. Something reaches your ears, and you shake your head trying to understand through the fuzz that fills your head. Slowly the something becomes a soft, warm hum that warms every sense of your being. Slowly the distant hum becomes clearer and you recognize that it’s words, and that the words are praise; praise for you. You open your eyes bearily and realize that the words flow from a blurry blob of white. You blink more, trying to understand what you’re seeing. You feel that warmth move from somewhere else on your body to caress your face.

      Your eyes clear a little, and the white blob morphs into a person, someone who’s leaning over you with a soft, but concerned smirk. It takes you another second to recognize who it is.

      “Ah, there they are. Are you alright, MC?” Solomon’s voice is soft, and he leans down to place a gentle kiss on your forehead, “I was worried that you had passed out.”

        “...wha?” You mumble as slowly you gain your bearings again, and then it comes flooding back - Solomon had just given you the most mind shattering orgasm you’ve had to date. You distantly recall taunting Solomon about something, however you can’t seem to place what exactly you had said to spark this little incident.

       You move a little; a wave of dull soreness spreads from your thighs to your abdomen. You squirm more trying to regain your sense of feeling, and a loud mewl escapes you when your squirming ends with your discovery that Solomon’s still hard, and still inside you; his cock pressing right up against your sweet spot.

He shudders and gently rests a hand on your hip (precariously balancing himself on one arm as he does so), encouraging you to be still, “Easy there.” His voice is softer and trails off as he leans and places another soft kiss on your forehead. You shakily reach for him with your fingers just barely touching the skin of his neck; his skin pleasantly is warm and surprisingly soft. He smiles softly, taking the hint and leans down again to pepper kisses along your face and neck, his white hair tickling you all the while.

      “You did so well, MC. You’re so adorable and lovely when you squirm on my cock. Mmm, I wanna keep you right here until you beg for more~”

      The tonal difference between Solomon’s soft and loving kisses and his sinful praise makes your head spin and you subconsciously squirm more, gasping as you remember that his cock is still inside you.

      “Mm~ yes, exactly like that MC. You enjoy keeping my cock warm, yes?” He nips gently at the skin of your neck, sucking soft hickeys into it. You whimper softly and try to gently push his face away from the skin of your neck. Your weak pushes do nothing to deter him, and he grinds softly into you.

      The dull soreness is tempered by the embers of pleasure that he strokes with each press of his cock inside you.

      “Come on, MC~. Don’t you want more?”

[amiserableseriesofevents]

[giving them a panicked hug] "no, no, no, no!" OR "shit, no, that's not what i meant." (if one of them inspires you dear 🥰)

After a week spent hiking, it's their turn! Modern AU, not Such Stuff related 🥰🏔️

John has been acting weird for weeks, and for the life of him Gale can't understand why.

For starters, he personally suggested the location for their holiday, a task that usually Gale takes on; one day he came home to a depliant of a quaint camping site in the mountains, amidst the nature, with suggestions on several hiking trails. It's not the first holiday they've spent hiking, they both like to stay outside and breath fresh air when they're not in the office and they're both in good enough shape to take on even steeper trails if the view is worth it, and it seemed like this particular place meant a lot to John so Gale had agreed to his plan, secretly pleased that he was the one taking the initiative for once.

That was only the first weirdness, though.

Since then, John keeps acting like he's hiding something and he's such a terrible liar that Gale knows something is going on, he just knows it.

He packed his own suitcase without accepting any help from Gale, and he triple checked everything before leaving when he's usually one to shrug and say he'll deal with it even if he forgets to pack something crucial like a clean pair of pants or a toothbrush. If it were winter Gale would think John's hiding his birthday present; but it's fucking July, their anniversary is not coming for two more months, and Gale cannot think about another date worth celebrating.

The strangest thing though happened just this morning, when they were getting ready for the hike and John dressed all in blue – an extremely sober choice for him that usually wears clashing colors like a hot pink tank top with yellow shorts and neon green socks. “Are you feeling alright?” Gale ventured to ask him, genuinely worried.

“Yeah of course Buck, why?” Was John's answer, with a hint of hysterics in his voice, so Gale decided to not push him; whatever is going on with him, sooner or later Bucky will tell him.

The hike he's chosen for today is splendid: a narrow dirt track amongst tall trees whose shadow provide a welcome respite from the summer heat, the air filled with the fragrant smell of resin and dirt. John told him there's a lake waiting for them at the end of the trail, with several bits of sandy shore all around where they can lie their picnic blanket and rest after the long walk.

“It's pear shaped, you know Buck? The lake I mean,” John tells him, his rambling never stopping even when he'd need to save his breath. “It's great, you're gonna love it. The water's a bit cold but no worse than Lake Michigan.”

“You came here with your family, right?”

“Yup, for three summers when I was a kid. I've always wanted to come back and I thought, what better chance to do it than, ah, with you, my love,” John answers, clearly almost giving up his secret. Gale feels his gaze on him, nervous, and he smiles back at him, grabbing his hand. He's not usually the type for PDA, but they're alone in a forest and John seems to be needing it, so Gale weaves their fingers together and they keep walking like that for a while, careful not to jostle each other on the uneven ground.

“I'm happy you decided to bring me here,” Gale says after a while. “Thank you for always sharing these things with me, John. It means a whole lot.”

John pulls him closer for a kiss, then stares seriously in his eyes. “I'll always share everything with you Buck, I promise,” he tells him. Gale hesitates, wondering if that's John way of suggesting him to ask about whatever he's hiding right now, but then John's focus shifts back to the trail and he decides to drop the subject.

After an hour or so they reach the last part of the trail, the hardest one: a steep staircase carved into the side of the mountain, more or less thirty steps to reach the other side before climbing down to the lake's shore.

“Once we're up there we'll be able to see the lake!” John exclaims, his childish enthusiasm making him all the more jittery, a smile on his face wider than any Gale has seen before.

Gale goes first, eager to catch a glimpse on the view. The sun beats down on him, unforgiving, and he feels beads of sweat forming along his hairline, his t-shirt progressively more and more stuck to his back. There are more step than John remembered, bordering on sixty, but once Gale reaches the top he immediately forgives him for his inaccuracy because the view is truly breathtaking: the lake is blue, the deepest blue Gale has ever seen in his life, and the light hits it just right so that parts of its surface look like they're made of shimmering diamonds. All around the shore there are more tall trees, their bright green in contrast with the sapphire hue of the water and the turquoise of the sky, dotted here and there with fluffy white clouds.

Gale leans back against the rock wall, breathless and mesmerized. He hears John reaching the peak after him but doesn't turn too him, too entranced by the view. “John. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen,” he says, voice shaky with wonder.

“I know, right?” John says, and by the mirth in his voice Gale knows that he's looking at him and not at the view. He turns to him, ready to affectionately scold him, and he finds him down on one knee with a small box in hand.

His brain short-circuits.

“No!”

How did he not think about it? Every single one of John's weirdnesses of the past few months suddenly makes sense: he chose a place that meant a lot to him, dressed all nice for Gale, and waited for the best possible moment to propose. He can't believe it. It was so obvious, so-

It's only when he notices that John has gone pale, his eyes wide with confusion and heartbreak, that he realizes he's spoken out loud. John got down on one knee to propose, and he shouted no at him.

“No?" John asks, little more than a whimper.

"Shit, no, that's not what I meant!” Gale says, frantically trying to make up for his mistake. “It was a no to me, not to you! Because I've been trying to understand what was going on with you for weeks and now that I know it was so obvious, I can't believe I couldn't see it!”

“...so?” John asks, still on one knee.

“Ask the question. I promise I'm not gonna say no.”

“You promise?”

Gale nods, and John takes a deep breath. “Buck, my love, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Gale shouts, louder than the no he spoke before, and throws himself at John when the other rises back on his feet, kissing him with all the passion and joy he can muster.

“Buck, the ring!” John tells him between kisses, and Gale reluctantly lets him go; there are tears on John's face and in his eyes, but Gale hopes they're of happiness just like the ones he feels wet on his cheeks.

The ring is beautiful, a simple silver band with a B engraved on the inside. “It's perfect, John” Gale tells him, beaming.

John gives him a kiss on the tip of the nose. “Never do something like that again,” he half threatens, half pleads. “I was about to throw myself in the lake from here.”

“I promise. I'll make it up to you.”

“Your wedding vows better be fucking fire, Buck.”

[alwayslurkinginthebackground]

For You - A Pedrotober Drabble

Day Thirty-One of Pedrotober: SAG Awards Pedrotober Hosted by @norththelemon and @alyssamariag. View the full prompt list HERE and view my entire Pedrotober drabble catalog HERE.

Pairing: Frankie Morales x f!reader

Rating: Y'all got your spice it's time for fluff. No warnings.

Word Count: 924

a/n: 37,566 words later, here we are. I simply cannot believe how quickly this month has gone, the same way I cannot express how thankful I am for this challenge, for the people it has brought into my life over the past thirteen months, and for the opportunity to explore it in my own way. Pedrotober has, above all else, proven to me that I'm capable of this. Of writing. Of balancing everything so precariously and working tirelessly to do the things I love for the people I love. You know exactly who you are, and this is for you.

He's never been prouder than in this moment.

Applause echoes through the room, following his steady lead, and he's standing to press a kiss to your cheek before you slip from his grasp. Lights are flashing, surely no brighter than the smile illuminating your face as you walk past the photographers and to the center stage. Someone claps him on the back, but his eyes are locked on you.

Frankie had seen every moment that led to this one. The early mornings, when he'd bring your coffee to your desk and ensure that you ate something for breakfast. The long days spent cramming in the tasks required for your job, just so you'd have time in the evening to work. The missed meals and the sleepless nights, the aching shoulders and the endless pacing down the hallway as you tried to pinpoint the smallest of details until it was perfect.

You make it up the steps without tripping in your heels the way you feared you might, even with a bit of tequila in you. There's someone waiting for you at the top with a trophy that is probably far heavier than it looks, and you accept it with a grin, a deep breath, and a glance back at him.

"Wow," you begin breathlessly as the crowd dies down, settling back in their seats. "Wow, I don't even know where to begin because I absolutely did not expect this."

He listens. Hangs on every word of your speech because he knows you're telling the truth. That you didn't expect this. That you'd simply been honored to be nominated for your work and to be here despite all the negativity swirling in your mind. The thoughts he's had to dispel from your consciousness with careful dedication and love until you're finally convinced that what you do matters.

The audience laughs lightly when you take a moment to pause and simply look at the trophy in your hands. "I'm sorry, I just never thought I'd be here, so I've completely neglected to make a list of who to thank, but I wouldn't be here without my incredible family and my astonishingly supportive friends who get me through each and every day. And, most importantly," you continue, finding him again in the crowd, "I'd like to thank my husband, Frankie. I wouldn't be able to do life without you, and this? This is for you."

You feel the emotion well in your chest when he winks at you, a quiet reassurance that he's with you now the way he has been all along. The reminder of the final words of your speech, the ones that you've held in your heart through every painstaking moment coming to life on your lips.

"And before I leave, I just want to add that to anyone out there feeling defeated, to every 'other.' You are my family and I love you. Keep going. Keep waking up every day and doing what feels right. This is proof that you can get there. That you will get there. Thank you."

The overwhelming sound of the crowd follows you off the stage, but it's not long before you're tucked back in Frankie's waiting arms. He meets you in the hallway before you can even make it back to your seat, tugging you against him and swinging you gently back and forth as the statue in your hand rests against his back. "I'm so incredibly proud of you," he whispers against your ear.

"Thank you." You shift to look up at him, one hand running along his forehead to push back a stray curl that's fallen out of place. "I meant what I said."

He shakes his head. "No, Carino. This is yours. You're the one who put in the work and made this happen. Not me. You."

The kiss you place on his lips is soft, and you stand on your toes to press just a bit closer. "I couldn't have done any of this without you, Frankie," you tell him when you pull back, your lips resting just a breath apart. "Do you realize that? There wouldn't have been a project to work on if you hadn't encouraged me. If you hadn't challenged me to dedicate myself to my dreams." He's staring at you, wide-eyed and mouth slightly parted, but you continue. "I wouldn't have been able to survive while working on this without you being there every moment of the day, making sure I stayed sane even when I felt like throwing something at the wall and calling it quits."

A laugh rumbles in his chest. "I would've just fixed the wall."

"Yeah," you breathe out. "You would've. So yes, Frankie. This is for you." To make your point, you hold the statue between you, holding it out for him to take. When he hesitates, you reach for his hands, wrapping his fingers around it until yours are closed over his. "Thank you for being there for me every step of the way. For encouraging me to keep going. For loving me and letting me love you in return."

He's speechless, words inadequate to express the way his emotions are rolling through him in a neverending tsunami, so he kisses you instead.

And later, when the ceremony is over and your colleagues wait to congratulate you, you can't help but feel the same kind of love wash over you. Pounding in your chest when you overhear him telling someone that he'd pick you every time anyway.

Because you'd pick him, too. Always.

[n1ghteeea]

RGB MARRIAGE HEADCANONS BECAUSE RAHHHHHH 💥💥💥

After Egon’s 40th birthday that Winston, Peter and Ray attend in 1997 (as seen in EGB) they never leave the Firehouse again. It feels so good being home together after six years apart that they just can’t bring themselves to leave. To be able to sustain this new-old life they raise the prices of the busts and work every other day, switching with EGB, because they still love their job and have the energy for it.

This goes on for a while, but in 2009 (when Egon would be 52, Peter and Winston 51, Janine and Ray 50) they quit fieldwork, fully handing it over to the new team. Egon and Ray keep working on paranormal research and mentoring EGB, while Peter and Winston find some regular jobs to cover basic needs and taxes.

Fast forward to June 2015, six years later (Egon 58, Peter and Winston 57, Ray and Janine 56) when gay marriage gets legalised. After a few months of serious thinking Egon decides to propose to the guys. They don’t *need* a legal act to affirm their relationship, but he loves them so much he feels like he wants to be tied to them in every possible way, especially after being apart for so long. He struggles through planning and seeks help from Janine who is ecstatic about his decision. She helps him set everything up while he writes a longass speech. Then, on a random day in October he asks the guys out on a date to a quiet, private spot (because they cannot announce such a thing to the public).

There would be some joking around from Peter along the lines of: “No wayyy we’re going somewhere nice, what is it today, some sort of holiday I’m not aware of?” but Egon just waves him off with: “Can’t we go out just for the fun of it?”

They arrive to the place and have a nice time, Egon being extremely fucking nervous throughout the whole thing to the point of others growing concerned and asking if he’s okay. Calculating that if he prolongs this for 15 more minutes he will (with a certainty of 65%) get a stroke he drops down to one knee, pulls out the rings and begins his speech.

The guys are stunned. They never expected something like this, especially from Egon. As he keeps talking, they start to smile, realizing what’s happening. Egon, however, avoids their faces, focusing on finishing his speech. Winston finally interrupts with: “Egon, maybe you should...” but Egon cuts him off, “I’ve been preparing this for months, let me finish.” They laugh, and after he finally asks the big question, they lift him off the ground, say a long-awaited “yes,” and feel like the happiest people alive.

They come home that night and tell everything to Janine who waited for their return and she is so happy for them she almost tears up. EGB do not get notified right away, but the next morning they notice an unusual giddiness in Egon and start suspecting that *something* is up.

Next few months are spent preparing the wedding (I have no idea how long it actually takes), but eventually the event is set to happen in late April. Gonna go over the details now.

Place: somewhere in a park, everything green and blooming, but far from the public eye.

Decorations: minimum of those, just the basic tables, altar, some pretty columns around, flowers and fairy lights. Everything in light colours.

Guests: Only trusted people who won’t freak out about four men getting married. The list goes as follows (with little stories of how they would invite them):

Janine as the best person. Literally a part of the family, would help them through the whole planning process, when told that they want her to be their best person would say “Oh you better!” but would still be extremely honoured.

Slimer as the flower boy (he’d try his best to not eat all the flowers).

EGB (who would be in their thirties by that time). Egon would write handwritten invitations and give them to the team with a heartfelt speech about how much they mean to him. Eduardo would joke, “Writing your will already?” but they’d be happily shocked when they read the invites: “No way! Finally getting married - like, 10 years overdue!”

Aunt Lois. They’d invite her over for dinner and tell her everything, she’s always suspected the guys were in love and would be overjoyed for Ray and the rest of the guys (she’s great, I love her).

Sam (Ray’s relative). That’s literally an aroace lesbian, they’d send her a letter and she would happily show up with her queerplatonic girlfriend.

Mrs Faversham (if she’d still be alive). Peter’s mom is dead and his dad fucking sucks, so he would invite this old lady he has a nice relationship with instead, and while I think she would not get the concept, she would still be happy to be there for him.

A few friendly ghosts like Buster, the party troll and Stay Puft.

The photographer guy from the “The Ghost Fight at the O.K. Corral” episode. No idea about his stance on gay marriage, but they’d pay him to take pictures and he would.

Lieutenant Frump (the police officer who has personal beef with them), they’d invite him as a joke and he’ll cry first for the comedic effect.

That nice couple from the “Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Ghost” episode. I like the idea that they invited the guys to their wedding, so it’d be nice to return the favour.

Jeremy, Cindy and DyTyllio from the “Ragnarok and Roll” episode because poly people solidarity.

Egon’s dragon (horse-sized) because that’s his son.

Suits: the guys wear suits color-coded to their jumpsuits. Janine wears a blue and red dress. Guests are asked to wear cream-colored outfits.

Legal reasoning: since polyamorous marriage is illegal in the US, they flip a coin and marry in pairs (Winston & Egon, Ray & Peter). But during the ceremony, they all share rings and kiss because, in reality, they’re all in it together 🫶

Now moving on from the wedding to their further life!

In 2020 (Egon 63, Peter & Winston 62, Ray & Janine 62) COVID hits and NYC goes on a lockdown. The guys are stuck in the Firehouse with nothing to do, bored out of their minds. That is when Egon discovers a strong ectoplasmic field around this random small town in Oklahoma with the same frequencies as Cathulhu had back in 1987 when they fought him. He shares his observations with the team and announces that he needs to go there to conduct further research. The guys agree on anything just to get out of this dead city and so the four of them have a long roadtrip to Summerville, Oklahoma (yes, just like in GB: Afterlife).

There, they rent an old farm, and Egon dives into his research while the others fix up the place: changing old boards, cleaning, replanting crops, basically doing what old people do at summer houses.

This goes on for a year or so until the lockdown regulations weaken, and as they do, suddenly people start moving into town. Egon identifies them as Cathulhu cultists and reveals that his research has proven that in this exact town, 26 years in the future, in 2047 Cathulhu will be brought back into the world. This time, the ritual will no longer need to be performed near the water. That is because when they last defeated him, Cathulhu vanished into the air, meaning he can now be summoned from anywhere in the world, as long as the proper energy is present.

Egon admits that he cannot do anything about this right now as he has no proof of the newcomers being cultists or carrying potential danger (and even if he did no one would believe him), so he announces that he’s going to stay in this town to build a contraption that would capture and destroy Cathulhu for good if he’s ever summoned again.

Since the lockdown is not as strict as before and EGB are back to work in NYC Egon suggests his friends go back, but they just say: “Do you really think we are going to leave you here?” and just like that it is settled.

As time goes on Egon works on his giant trap with Ray who also takes fun in making the entire farm automated. They grow some crops, have a garden, Winston likes working in the field with Ray, while Peter turns the first floor of their house into a Ghostbuster Museum and gives tours to visitors (kinda like Mystery Shack except without the con man part). He puts their old suits, equipments and pictures as the exhibits and tells stories about how they beat the most dangerous of ghosts. This brings profit and so does selling the stuff that they grow in the city.

Janine still lives in New York and is retired, but visits them often (or they visit home) because they just cannot be away from each other for too long. And that’s pretty much it!

This year Egon celebrates his 67’th birthday surrounded by his friends and family. He feels calm and confident about the future of the world and ghostbusting because he knows that even if something happens to him there will always be people who will pick his work up where he left it.

[ourfatherwhoartinhell]

Silent Hearts // [Part I]

Pairing | Cowbell x reader

Word count | 3.2k

⚠️ Warnings | Canon divergence, f!reader, Cowbell is Cowbell. TW for blood, a little bit of violence, mention of death, attempted assault (nothing happened)

Chapter Summary: You like to go to the cemetery once a week to replace the flowers. This time you were followed by some Brothers of Sin. Along the way you meet Cowbell and learn he's a little different than the rest, but then again... so are you.

A/N: Okay so this is largely based on my interpretation of Cowbell. I love the idea that his name is actually Felix (like how Special is Phil) so that will be used now and again. Visuals for the guy are based off of Endopyre's amazing art on Tumblr, literally cannot get it out of my head.

This will eventually have a few parts as I make more stories between Bell and the reader. Take this as their origin story, but theres more to come! xoxo

You really liked spending time in the cemetery. Most of the Siblings thought you were crazy, but amongst the dead is where you found your soul’s purpose.

The Abbey didn’t have a lot of residents. It had even less that devoted their life to the Ministry long enough to be laid to rest in the unholy ground it stood upon. You made a point to go out once a week and replace the wilting flowers with new ones so they knew their devotion was still appreciated after they were gone. Once a month you would help clean off the headstones and make sure everything was well kept.

You weren’t the only one who came to visit. Obviously family members and relatives came to pay their respects or check in. The groundskeeper quickly became your friend after he accidentally locked you in one of the mausoleums during his nightly rounds. 

Dusting off the gothic angels that kept watch over the Emeritus brothers, you remembered the door being chained shut behind you. He didn’t come back until morning to find you asleep on the well swept floor. That night you appreciated the time to study the ornate decor - once you found candles to light the room of course. Each brother had a distinct design outlining their final resting place. It was beautiful.

The next morning you spoke with the groundskeeper and all was well. He took extra care to make sure you weren’t in any small cracks before he locked up anywhere after that. It became quite a funny story.

This trip out would be no different. Armed with a basket of Mountain’s newest and prettiest flowers, you happily strolled towards the cemetery gates. The ghoul kept a separate batch just for the occasion, helping the newer ones grow if they weren’t quite ready. 

The theme for this week were tulips, a batch of baby blue, peach and yellow. You had enough so each resident got one of each. The gate creaked as it opened and shut behind you, walking up the grassy hill to where your silent friends waited.

“I’m comin’, I’m comin’– this walk never gets easier,” you panted, holding the skirt of your habit as you finally reached the top.

You always started from the left, working around to the right. Weaving back and forth between the rows, you placed the flowers delicately at the base of the headstones with a smile. The sun was starting to set beyond the hill. Your chores ran late so you were out later than normal, most days you were finishing up and headed back to the Abbey by now.

Turning the corner to start the last row, you stopped to count the remaining stems, making sure Mountain had given you enough. Your head shot up at the sound of a branch loudly snapping beyond the treeline. The wind kicked up, causing the gate to creak at the base of the hill as you tried to make out whether you could see who was there. Convincing yourself it was just an Earth ghoul doing a perimeter check, not noticing anything out of the ordinary you restarted your count.

“Twenty-eight… twenty-nine… thirty,” you nodded assuredly. 10 spots left. Just enough for everyone to get the same.

“Well, well. Look who we have here fellas.” A male voice spoke, startling you slightly. “You thought the ghouls were the weirdest thing in the Ministry, take a look at this one. Probably wants to dig them up and fuck 'em.”

You huffed in anger and turned to face them, placing the second last batch of flowers against the headstone. “What can I do for you?”

There were 3 of them. You didn’t recognize the other two, but the leader was in the same initiation group as you. You knew he was trouble when you both arrived at the Ministry. Clearly he was training some new goons in his tactics of being an asshole.

“Nothing, Sister,” he spat. “We were just coming by to make sure you were alright, being out here all alone. Wouldn’t want one of those feral ghouls coming and eating you up, now would we?”

“The ghouls are the least of my worries,” you said, gripping the basket tighter. You tried to look confident as they stalked closer.

You couldn’t tell where it originated, but a deep rumble weaved through the trees as the Siblings began to slowly surround you. The basket you carried slipped out of your hands as your nerves were quickly taking over.

“Look, we got her scared,” one of the newest members spoke up.

“Don’t come any closer. You know you aren’t allowed to h-hurt anyone.” You stuttered. “It’s against the rules.”

“And rules only apply to the living.”

You froze.

This time it wasn’t one of the trio that spoke. It was a gravelly, battle-hardened voice behind you. The faces of the boys in front told you all you needed to know. Their looks of terror extended beyond you, focused on where the other being stood. At least you assumed he was standing, you weren’t about to turn around and check. You just wanted to wake up from the nightmare this day turned into.

You shut your eyes, hoping this was all just a bad dream. A gust of air blew past and you heard a variety of growl-like rumbles off in the distance. Then it all went quiet. No more wind, no crunching of leaves, no taunts, or even breathing from the terror trio that were just mere inches from you.

Slowly opening your eyes, it was like it was all a dream. The three Siblings were nowhere to be found. The flowers were all in their rightful places. The last of the tulips waiting in the basket that sat at your feet.

You glanced around to see if they had given up and ran back to the Abbey, but the path up to the Ministry was clear. If they had started back, you would’ve seen them clear as day from the vantage point the cemetery had upon the hill.

You quickly placed the remaining flowers on the final grave before noticing a ghoul walking up the steps towards you.

He was tall like Mountain. He had a cloud-like mask that weaved through his dark, shoulder length hair and fully covered his eyes - indicating his element was at least part Air. As he got closer, you could notice the various piercings decorating his pointed ears. There were three more placed through the bridge of his nose and a couple around his lips. You wondered for a moment if they had been painful.

He walked as if he didn’t even notice you, completely lost in thought. His long strides carrying him quickly towards you before you gasped at the sight of blood splattered all over his chest and dripping down his face. He didn’t seem to be bothered in the slightest about it. You, however, had never seen anything like that before.

Your sharp inhale was enough to stop him in his tracks. His pointed ears twitched as he looked around without much direction, trying to locate exactly where the sound came from. It was at this point you realized this ghoul might not be able to see properly.

You weren’t sure why you slowly started walking towards him. He was clearly unstable and had just killed something, or someone. Yet the pull to him was hard to resist.

“Um,” you spoke softly, so as to not startle him. At this moment, you still weren’t sure if he even knew you were there. “Thank you for scaring them off. I really appreciate it.”

His attention turned directly to you, but it was different. Without eyes it was hard to tell exactly where his sightline was, but his head tilted upon hearing your voice. 

Okay, so he can hear but he can’t see - noted.

You shuffled nervously under his obstructed gaze, slightly unsettled that he was just standing there without speaking. It was almost like he was studying you, the way his head tilted from side to side and his ears twitched back and forth before he finally spoke.

“It’s strange…”

No shit. “Want to elaborate? A lot of this is strange.” You replied, the reality of your situation slowly starting to settle in.

“I can’t hear you.”

It was your turn to tilt your head in confusion, raising your voice to try again. “I said: ‘What’s strange? A lot of this is–”

“No no, Kitten. I can hear your voice just fine.” The ghoul smirked, the situation clearly amusing him. “Your heart, I can't hear it.”

Your brow furrowed. You didn’t realize that being able to hear heartbeats was a common ghoul trait; you didn’t know much about ghouls to start with anyway, only talking to them in passing. Exchanging momentary glances and friendly acknowledgements in the halls.

“I apologize, where are my manners? What’s your name, little one?” He asked as he leant his large body against one of the headstones, flicking stones off the top with his pointed fingers.

You scoffed a little. You weren’t all that short, but you assumed to him everyone else would indeed seem quite small. You had a fleeting thought that his enormous stature would easily rival Mountain. “(Y/N)”

The ghoul seemed to like that answer, a large grin appearing on his face showcasing many of his sharp fangs.

“And you are?” You prompted.

“Felix,” he said nonchalantly. “But almost everyone calls me Cowbell, or Bell. If we’re close you can possibly call me Cow without too much consequence.”

You stifled a laugh, letting a small snort escape through your nose as you hurried to cover your mouth.

“Something funny?”

“No! Not at all. It’s just… Cowbell?”

Instead of being offended, his grin just grew larger as he became more amused. “An unfortunate nickname from a long time ago.”

You nodded, accepting the explanation.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking.” You moved in closer, resting against the headstone across from him. “Are you, blind by any chance? Sorry if I’m assuming. I just can’t help but notice all of this,” you were talking about the mask he wore, forgetting he couldn’t see your gestures. “And the way you look around.”

He nodded. “I am. From birth actually. I created this veil of sorts to stop people from staring. Apparently my damaged eyes are a little too unsettling for the Clergy.”

If you weren’t curious about this ghoul before, you sure were now. 

“How come I’ve never seen you around the Abbey before?”

“I’m not allowed inside. I’m what you might call a ‘shit-disturber’.” He chuckles. “I was given an ultimatum: it was either solitary confinement in the catacombs, or living out the rest of my days in the woods.”

“That's awful!” You exclaimed. Never having been to the catacombs, you weren’t exactly sure what they were like. However, you knew he most likely made the right choice. At the very least, out here he was free to do as he wished.

“It’s not so bad, I promise.” He shrugged it off, the last of the pebbles discarded.

You sat in silence for a moment, the sun beginning to set. “You said something about… not hearing my heartbeat? Is that something ghouls can normally do?”

He shook his head. “No. It’s just a me thing. Since I don’t have my sight, my other senses are heightened. Hearing unfortunately being one of them. Heartbeats are like fingerprints, everyone’s is slightly different. Mixed with other things, it’s how I tell people apart.”

You nodded, trying to follow along as he explained.

“I can hear everyone’s all the time. Awake, asleep, it doesn’t matter. It drives me nuts most days, especially in crowds.” He paused. “I can’t hear yours though. As we’re sitting here it’s just... quiet.”

“Strange.”

“Indeed.”

The wind picked up and you shivered. Only dressed in your summer clothes, the suns rays were no longer warming you as it set behind the hills. The ghoul didn’t seem affected by the shift in temperature in the slightest.

“Do you know you’re covered in blood?”

The ghouls head tilted and you could see his lip curl in confusion before he let out a short laugh. “I didn’t, but that's a more common situation than you’d imagine.”

“Um…” you didn’t really know how to answer that, so you switched directions. “There’s a rainwater barrel beside the groundskeeper’s house. I could help you wash it off your face at the least? The clothes are up to you though.”

A genuine smile crossed his face at the offer. “That would be nice, thank you.”

He would never admit it, but no one had been this kind to him right off the bat. For most people it was a phase of avoidance and fear before they warmed up to his peculiar ways - the few people that he met before being banished to the woods that is.

The walk down the hill to the groundskeeper’s residence was mainly made in silence. Felix skillfully catching you from falling when you got halfway down, your foot sliding through a puddle of blood that stained the grass - remnants of the first body he dragged away by the throat moments ago. He was quick to convince you it must’ve been a wet spot from yesterday's rain. Praying the fading sunlight would keep his secret.

Alongside the house was indeed a barrel full of water. He would have to make a mental note of that for the future. He mainly used the lake to wash off the mess of his hunts, but sometimes he felt dirtier leaving the water than before he got in it.

In the Pit, Bell took very good care of his appearance. His skin was well taken care of, he took pride in his hair and the softness of his few patches of white fur. After being cast out, now he only had his tongue to groom himself. It was straight up humiliating. So the rainwater would be a nice change, at least fish didn’t shit in it.

You knew the groundskeeper left a few rags and things hanging on the clothesline in case you needed it. You figured this was a good enough reason to grab one. You told Felix to stay there while you went to pick one off the line.

There was a spout at the bottom of the barrel to fill watering cans or connect hoses, but you just popped the top off and dipped the corner of the towel into the water. You picked a dark grey one in the hopes that it wouldn’t suspiciously turn red.

Turning around with the damp towel you paused. “I– um… sorry I’m not 8 feet tall. Can you sit?”

He nodded silently and sat on the edge of the stone wall that ran alongside the house. “Woof.”

Your eyes went wide as he chuckled, clearly expecting anything but that response.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. You asked me to sit– never mind. Do continue.”

You couldn't help but let a soft chuckle pass through your own lips, now understanding the context. You took a quick look at his face, deciding where you were going to start.

“Can I start on your neck? The right side?” You wanted to make sure you didn’t startle him with the sudden touch, since he wasn’t able to see you coming.

“Of course, I can’t see where the blood is.” He tilted his head up and to the side, getting a better look at his numerous fangs and piercings at this angle while he spoke. “My cleanliness is in your hands. Make me look pretty again.”

This ghoul with his off-hand comments. You smiled and shook your head before telling him you were about to start.

Wiping the cloth over the stained areas, the mostly dried blood came off with surprising ease. All the while you were cleaning off his neck, you couldn’t get his comment out of your head. He was a pretty ghoul. Maybe not conventionally, he had a ton of piercings and you could already see a few scars, knowing he probably had a few more around at the very least.

You stood back to rinse out the cloth and re-wet it, turning back to find him grinning at you.

“What are you smiling about?”

“I could feel you staring.”

“Wh– how?” Your face flushed, you didn’t even know you were looking at him that long. “I mean I wasn't…”

“It’s alright, Kitten. You can stare.” He shrugs. “Not much experience with ghouls I’m assuming?”

You shook your head before remembering to verbalize. “Not really, no. In the halls mainly,” you began to wipe the blood off his jaw, working your way to the mass of red smeared over his bottom lip and chin. “You’re the first I’ve ever had a proper conversation with actually.”

He hummed in contemplation. “The first ghoul you’ve talked to. First time I’ve heard silence in someone’s company… today is full of firsts.”

“I like firsts, they always lead to interesting things.”

He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face as you rinsed the towel one more time, returning to work on the main concentration of blood below his lip.

You tried your hardest to work carefully around his piercings so as not to bother them too much. There was so much blood that you had to rinse twice, rubbing with significant force before all that was left was a little bit on the side–

“Ow.” Felix mumbled, trying not to move.

Confusion crossed your face before your eyes quickly went wide, noticing the streak of fresh blood run down his chin. “Oh my gosh, did I do that?”

Felix’s chest rumbled in amusement. The sound was covered by conveniently timed thunder off in the distance as you dabbed at it, trying not to smear it further. If the sun had still been lighting the sky, you would’ve noticed that the blood was not red like the rest, but actually black.

“I don’t know where that came from. Huh.” He smirked. “Weird.”

You happened to look up. Noting his fangs on that side covered in it, as well as his tongue as it passed over the puncture wound on his bottom lip. You immediately took a step back with an unamused scowl.

“You did that on purpose.”

“Maybe,” his head tilts once again. It was clearly a ghoulish trait. “I just wanted to see how you would react. You got so worried, it was very cute.”

If your eyes could roll further back into your skull, you would be searching for the brain cell that made you fall for his tricks and immediately cussing it out. You huffed in frustration, turning to abandon your efforts before something behind you pulled you back into him.

“Your face was so close to mine, I just wanted you to stay there a little bit longer.”

Your brow furrowed as you looked over your shoulder to see what pushed against your back, only to find a strong tail with white fur at the end. Having never interacted with many ghouls before, this in itself was a bit of a shock. Nevertheless everything else that had just happened in the last hour. People simply do not have tails!

But he wasn’t really a person at the end of the day. Was he?

[Next]

[whumpitisthen]

I don't know if you take a request!

But, can you write about Whumpee with Stockholm Syndrome who went back to Whumper after finally escaped for a month?

I take requests yes but you must know it takes me four years to come up with a single draft for anything so be prepared to wait an indefinite amount of time!! I tried to keep it short and idk if ive succeeded!! Here you go!!

No Longer a Lie

Their goodbye was the same as a soldier’s going off to war. He may never return, and even if he does, he would return a different man. A sombre, yet loving valediction.

Her smile is watery and proud. The kind, thoughtful, caring old lady that found him that day and took him in believes that he is going home today. He had told her his parents have finally arranged everything ready for him to return. He had explained that they didn't expect him to suddenly show up in their life after so many years again, that they lived abroad and needed time to get his papers in order, that they cannot wait to see him again. She believes he is going to heal and find himself, and be safe under the care of his family.

He was lying. He doesn't have a family. He had lied to this sweet, innocent lady so she would not try to stop him from what he is about to do. She thinks she saved him, and that he is going home. To some extent, that is true.

She packed him a backpack full of snacks, spare clothes, even some money. She bought him new clothes to wear. She walked him to the train station, though her rickety hips barely allowed her to stay standing long enough. She watched him get on the train and waved at him all the way up until they could no longer see each other through the window as the platform grew further and further away.

He only cried once he was sure she could not see.

He retraces every step he took a month prior to this day. He minds the gap, turns every corner. He recognises a flower shop in the suburbs. The large, tilted tree in the park. A large graffiti under the cement bridge is his next sign that he is going the right direction.

Soon, the houses become overwhelmingly familiar. A few more blocks, and he will be there. His legs ache, the new, cheap shoes he got from her rub at his heels with every step, bloodying the rough fabric. He could not stop his journey if he wanted. He feels his very heart dragging him along on a leash, back to where he left a month ago, back to where he escaped.

There it is. A secluded house at the edge of town, fenced off with barbed wire and kept in perfect condition. His soles burn, but his pace only quickens. He knows those chain links. He knows those barred windows. He knows that godforsaken garage door. He is home. He made it.

Oh, she would have never let him go if he told her that he considered this prison his home.

Reaching the outer gate, the intimate feeling of fear choking him arises like an old friend. The last time he saw this place from the outside he only got to for a moment in his haste. A glance over his shoulder in the middle of the night, and then he was gone like a ghost. He wonders what all has changed. He doubts anything has.

He hesitates. They will be angry at him, he's sure. So, so angry. He left without warning, without saying anything. To think he thought he could leave without repercussions instead of owning up to his mistake and suffering the consequences. Now, here he is thirty days later, crawling back on trembling legs, in strange clothing and some fat under his skin to beg for forgiveness. He is the most ungrateful, pathetic creature he can imagine. He's sure he will be told as much once the door opens.

He steels himself and presses the bell. It goes off twice in quick succession thanks to his twitchy fingers. He cannot tell if the overwhelming nerves strangling him are of worry or excitement.

He has been away for too long, trying to function in a place he is no longer meant for. He craves this hell like one would their heaven. He knows it's wrong, he knows he could leave right now and go back to the old lady that took care of him like her own son and he could relearn how to be a person and it would all be okay. He rationalises that it's far too late for that.

The ten seconds that pass in silence after the bell chimes are agony spreading over an eternity. His fingers cramp with how fiercely he fists them to his palm. Eventually, however, the entrance opens, and out steps the devil himself.

He stops on the porch, pausing to make sure his eyes aren't playing tricks on him, but he then quickly crosses the distance between the two of them to jerk the gate open and embrace him before his lost darling could even rant off his apology that he has been writing in his head ever since he first took a step outside of this house.

They stand in silence for a long minute.

This moment feels absolutely perfect. Better than he ever expected it to feel; just the most idyllic scene that goes exactly as he had dreamed it would. The hug feels better than he had imagined, so warm and tight and all-encompassing. His red nose finds its way into the crook of the man's neck, nestling in there. He breathes in deep, taking in the smell of comfort, of the wonderfully known and expected; the familiarity.

“I’ve told you so many times. You do not belong out there anymore.”

In reality, what he had experienced with his freedom was not joy, but layers upon layers of anxiety. Everything was new, everything was unusual, everything was terrifying. What he had grown so used to during his years in this house he threw away in blind greed, wanting more from life than the perfect world his owner had made for him.

At first the freedom was elating. Long forgotten concepts like privacy and control had returned and excited him. But then his new circumstances became tiring. One or two core differences became dozens of alien rules he had to rememorise. Then came shame at experiencing such trouble with something that is meant to be no issue at all for anyone; anyone but him. Normal people don't expect perfect obedience in return for tolerance. Normal people don't have to ask for permission to eat when a plate is put in front of them. Normal people don't have to keep their owners content. Normal people aren't scared of their owners. Normal people don't have owners. These are all things he had to get used to, among the sea of other more obscure examples.

The final straw was his curse of worthlessness. He felt he did not deserve any of this. He ran away. He broke so many rules. He was having awful trouble with his new rules. He was ungrateful. And yet, the old lady only showed kindness and care. No punishments, no threats, not even any mocking or insults. Just relentless, angelic forgiveness. She would not hurt him even when he offered, even when he had asked. He could not handle this; he felt like he was going to go insane with guilt.

His owner had told him this countless times, but only now does he truly understand what he had meant, — the complicated, scary life of a free person just isn't suited for him. Not anymore. He is different. He cannot be left alone for long. He cannot function without clear cut rules, routine or punishments. He doesn't think like everyone else. Above everything, what was killing him every day the most was yearning for his owner. He needs his owner. He cannot be away from him, he depends on him too much. He missed him every day, feeling dumber and dumber each day for being so cowardly.

But now, now he is here again, in his owner's capable hands. Everything will make sense again, all his mistakes will be fixed and he can spend the rest of his life atoning for his naïve stupidity. He will take being locked up in this birdcage for the rest of his life. He will take the sharp, unending burn of punishments each time he slips up. He will take it all without a word if that's what his owner wants. He missed him more than should be possible. He cries. He is so happy.

His relief is crushed as soon as the door locks behind him, and he is once again all alone with the man. His freshly washed hair is grabbed and he is dragged all the way down to the source of all of his nightmares, sent to the floor viciously. His crying turns desperate. He is barely left time to gasp out a plea before he is grabbed again and tied up much too tightly, rope burning over old, thick scarring along his wrists. His cries are muffled with a gag, and his tears are soaked up with a blindfold.

He becomes inconsolable then. He knew this would happen, he knew he would be punished, he knows he deserves it — but this is all too sudden, juxtaposed horribly by the tenderness of that hug that he waited a month for and needed more than he ever realised. Now it's like his owner is a different man, mercilessly restraining him and not saying a word, just like when he is truly furious. He didn't seem angry at all before. His owner seemed as relieved as he did.

He can tell he is dropped off in the middle of the basement by how cold it is and how his skin catches on the drain under him. He is pulled to kneel, and while he tries his best to obey every wordless order, his limbs have become useless jelly, flowing in all the wrong directions.

The punishment is severe. So severe that he is certain he won't survive it. The first to break are his legs. He might not ever be able to walk again, much less run away from consequences. His arms are wrenched behind and up until his shoulders pop, rendering all his limbs useless. They are left there like that, hanging off him like parasites that feed on his agony. He is beaten with something heavy, made of iron. That breaks several more bones, his ribs mostly. His screams start dying down then, not for a lack of trying. The gag muffles every apology he sobs into it, ensuring he will only be able to say sorry once his owner has decided he is truly sorry.

He is reduced to a bag of flesh to be abused. He cannot fight any of it, he cannot see any of it and he cannot stop any of it. He has never felt so much like an object before in his life, not with the old lady, not prior escaping, not prior to being caught. Still, he never even thinks about regretting coming back. He never holds anything against his master, he never holds a grudge or resentment. He deserves this for disobeying him, and his owner deserves his pain as compensation. He deserves this, he deserves this, please, please let him say he deserves all of it and see how he regrets running. He needs to say it, he needs this to end, he wants nothing more than to grovel at the man's feet and sob over and over how worthless he is and how he will never ever try anything like this again.

The only way this can end is if he is forgiven, but he cannot be forgiven until he has apologised.

The blindfold is never removed, not like his bindings and the gag. This distresses him greatly even as he is cuddled in his owner's arms once again, exhausted. The blindfold only ever comes out for the worst of his mistakes. When his master is angry with him. When a simple slap or two or a couple days without food isn't enough. The fact that it is still on even hours after he was finally allowed to beg for forgiveness — he just cannot relax. He supposes that's probably the reason why it's still on. He can’t just forget about what he did so easily with one round of torment. He hopes it will be taken off soon, but at the same time, he has no hope for it coming off in the coming days.

He doesn't even know if he has suffered enough yet. This small thing could very well signal that he will be atoning for this transgression for up to another month; just as long as he had spent away from here. The thought terrifies him enough to sob brokenly into his owner's chest, huddled up against him as he is. He’s rewarded with a light pet. He whispers a thank you.

The man pauses at that, causing his body to tense in preparation of more pain. Wonderfully, however, all that comes is more gentleness, a hand that has hurt him so many times now digging down to the roots of his hair and scratching in a pleasant rhythm. He has never been more thankful. The smallest of kindnesses from his owner are enough for him to forget all about the month of constant mercy from the old lady that took care of him unconditionally. Something must be wrong with him. He doesn't think about that for too long.

“I am so glad you came back,” — his master murmurs.

No one loves him like his master loves him. The old lady… was stupid. She was an idiot. Who would take in a stranger off the street, half-dead, and spoil him like she did? That's moronic. Her kindness — it doesn't matter. Any grain of sweetness from this man means more than a whole year of hers. He loves him. She was just a dumb old lady.

He feels awful for thinking this. His brain is at battle with his heart, trying to convince himself that this is what he is meant to be, that this is right, while feeling a dark emptiness building in his lungs.

Later, once his body is no longer useless and he can do as he is told, he does so. When he is told to clean, he cleans. When he is told to stay still, he stays still. When he is told to hold his breath, he holds his breath. Neither of them mention it. His owner doesn't tease him for falling back into old habits so soon. He doesn't even think to resist or think for himself. This is their norm. Nothing out of the ordinary. How it is supposed to be. Every night, he tells himself he is happy and loved. He feels his owner's arms around him, holding him close, pushing on his dark, painful bruises and he thanks him for allowing him to stay. His master tells him he loves him, and he smiles, saying the same thing.

And he means it.

~

Masterlist | Ko-fi

Taglist: @morning-star-whump @whumprince

[panthera-tigris-venenata]

Huma Soulmark AU ♥

About 2,7k words about everyone’s favourite pirates ♥

In the unholy hours of the morning, after the last has-beens fell unconscious and before the kids will need to be kicked out to school, Uma creeps into her mother's lair.

The place’s dark and half-flooded, the only decorations the empty jars her mother so treasures; she shows off some of them in the restaurant, too, above the counter. As if they were anything to look at.

Uma ignores these, anyway, carefully stepping into the water and trying not to disturb it too much. 

She shudders when something touches her legs: „Sssh,“ she hums to the empty space, bending down to glaze her fingers over her mother’s pets, „It’s me, Uma. I’ll be just a minute, in and out. Just need to look at something, yeah?“

She is not sure how much Flotsam and Jetsam understand her, really, but they cling to her legs as she wades through the water. It's better that way, they canʼt go nag to Ursula like this.

If Ursula knew… Well, Uma cannot imagine she'd be all too happy. She'd throw her out, at the very least, tell her to sneak better next time. And Uma, well, she doesn't want to wait for a next time.

It's been two weeks already, two weeks from her birthday – or at least the day Ursula told her she was born, but Uma figured better safe than sorry, right? So rather, it's been almost a month, as Ursula's account of time has never been the best as far as Uma remembers, unless it's to track her shifts at the shoppe.

It's been almost a month since she's touched another person, and she feels like she's going crazy.

She turns around just to glare at the gloves and the heavy jacket she left by the door and pets the eels again. Evil, look at her now: It’s been a month and here she is, petting carnivorous eels as if they were her best friends.

A month more, and they might actually be.

And that’s not even getting into it – her crew, Harry– Uma breathes in sharply as she remembers him, and something inside of her chest hurts, just where the heart should be. (Too bad she doesn’t have one, right? Villains don’t.)

She comes to the submerged treasure chest and opens it carefully: No sound escapes, but waves ripple through the water

She rearranges the stuff inside, putting her mother’s grimoire on the top, though she doesn’t dare lift it over the water: Gods know the thing might just disintegrate at the contact with the air. She flips through the book, to the page of contents and runs her pointer finger along the numbers, and, there.

Page thirty five. Show-thee-thy-Soulmate Solution.

The name rings at least five different warning bells in her head, two of them related to the word „soulmate“ and another just screaming one name over and over. She ignores all of these, reading the words flowing in her mother’s best dramatic script.

Speaking of her mother– „Stupid girl!“ she says, looming in the entryway but moving to her way to quickly, „What are you doing?“

„Nothing,“ Uma attempts to shield the sight of the book by her body and flexes her muscles, preparing for the hit of tentacles.

It doesn’t come, though the tentacles do close around her body – hard, hard enough to bruise – and move her aside. Ursula towers over her, peers into the treasure chest, at the wide-open grimoire.

„Stupid girl,“ she says again, „That’s the version for the customers,“ she spits that out as an insult. „What were you thinking? Did I teach you nothing?!“

Uma supposes she wasn’t thinking all that much. Kind of hard, to think clearly, when the only thing on your mind is the alarm of not being allowed to touch those closest to you ever again. Not to name anyone though–

The tentacles around her pulse for a moment, and Ursula speaks again: „I suppose it’d be too much to hope you got your wits together and plan to sell that to the other little Villains out there?“ she sighs dramatically.

Uma can only nod.

Her mother finally releases her and Uma breathes in in relief.

„And you’re not gonna kill him, your soulmate is too much of an asset.“

It takes Uma a moment to register what her mother just said.

„I– What?!“ she sputters, „You know who my soulmate is? Why wouldn’t you tell me?!“

Her mother just flicks around her tentacles carelessly and Uma ducks.

„But where would be the fun in that?“

„So who is it? Is it–“

„I’m not telling you,“ Ursula cuts her off before she can finish the sentence and flips through the book, looks for something in the chest.

Of course she isn’t telling her. That’d be too easy. And where would be the fun in that?

So Uma supposes she’ll have to come back later then, get her head straight on her shoulders meanwhile. Just one last question though:

„How did you know?“

Her mother gives her a look and curls her tentacles around to carve out an imposing figure of legends. „They call me Ursula the Soulstealer, child,“ she says, „I have my ways. Now do make yourself useful and carry these jars to the restaurant, yes?“ She points at something in the chest and turns around.

Walks away.

Uma looks after her in disbelief before rushing to the chest and looking for the jars in question. But– atop of them lies the still open grimoire.

This page is written in much less fancy script and in short, informative sentences, with practical notes in the margins: Uma reads it fast, with wide eyes, and then pours over it again. She commits it to her memory.

„Well?“ her mother’s voice disturbs her thoughts, „Hurry up!“

Uma hastily grabs some jars and balances them in her hands: „Coming!“ she calls out.

Now she only has to sneak out, get all the ingredients, hope that the Barrier won’t fuck with the effects too much, and convince Harry to trust her and do this.

Easy.

And to her surprise, it is easy enough: One visit to the Arachneum and few afternoons later, she is in her cabin on Lost Revenge, putting finishing touches to the, um, potion? It looks more like an ointment.

Kind off. Sort off.

It’s hard to tell, under the water: she filled a basinet with saltwater, not wanting to detriment the effects any more by preparing it on-land completely. No one questioned this, as Harry no one has entered her cabin for over a month.

There: The last ingredient, if it can be called that: Uma sinks her face underwater and starts singing the chant she memorised. Just two lines, but they come out jumbled, and the bubbles of her breath stir within the mixture. It pulls together. She hopes it does.

Not wanting to waste any more time, she grabs the finished mixture and spreads it under her eyelids; her eyes close involuntary at the unfamiliar sensation.

It doesn’t matter, though.

It is done.

Gasping, Uma pulls above the surface again, and lets the water droplets fall all around her.

Her eyes still pulse in dull pain, but she forces herself to open them anyway and hurries to the mirror.

Now, it is too late to double-guess her judgement and Ursula’s willingness to cripple her best and least paid employee, but she checks her reflection all the same. It hadn’t changed. Much.

There is now a shimmery sheen over her eyes and if she looks carefully enough, she sees, well, <i>something</i> under her skin, and just maybe, when she looks at herself but not into the mirror, she can more guess than see the same swirling somethings trying to reach out.

That must be it, then.

A bit underwhelming, if you ask her, but it’ll do. It’ll have to.

She stops gawking at herself, dries off her face and hands and walks on-deck, only to freeze barely out of the doors.

Well, fuck.

Turns out that her own soul and the souls of her crew look nothing alike.

And that she had greatly underestimated how hard this is gonna be.

She closes her eyes to escape from the unfamiliar, if beautiful, onslaught of vibrant colours swirling around and trying to reach out to one another, stretching wide with no regard to physical barriers or her senses.

She forgot her jacket and her gloves anyway.

Yes, that is the excuse she is going with to go back to her cabin.

She grabs them from the mirror by the door and left with no excuse, she exits on board again.

„Harry!“ she calls out for her first mate. He appears in front of her as if from thin air, though that is likely because the deck is oh-so overwhelming to navigate now, what with all these people. What with all their souls longing for connection to anyone who will have them and the one or ones that will get them more than anyone. That will be their One True Love, as they’d say in Auradon. Their success or their downfall, as her mother would whisper when she thought no one was listening.

Uma closes her eyes for less than a heartbeat to brace herself and looks at Harry: The book was right. She knows what to look for when she sees it.

She knows that she is looking at her soulmate.

„Are you okay?“ he asks quietly, his hand reaching out and hovering close to her but never touching, his soul reaching towards hers.

„You don’t look too good.“

„Well, thanks, Hook,“ she manages to choke out. She tries to find his familiar blue eyes in the unfamiliar mess that has become her word now.

She manages to make out his blush, too.

„No, not like that–“ he backtracks swiftly, „I mean, are you sure you’re okay? Are you hurt? Do you need to sit down? Uma, you look like the damsels in the soap operas right before they faint–“

She does feel a bit dizzy, but not lightheaded, and she knows her body enough to know she’s not gonna faint. That would be embarrassing.

She’d faint and he’d catch her, imagine what a mark would that be.

„I’m okay,“ she reassures him and then she decides: „Come inside.“

He follows her without hesitation and shuts the door behind them, his eyes never leaving her.

He stays standing in front of the door and Uma keeps looking anywhere but at him – fine, she tries to. She always ends up looking at him anyway.

„What did you want, Captain?“ he asks finally, shattering the silence. 

Uma gulps heavily at the distance that is in his words and at the fact that he isn’t right next to her.

„Harry,“ she says, just to say something.

„Yes?“

There is a thousand things she could say, but the words that actually leave her mouth?

„I think I did something stupid,“ she says quietly. She leans on the edge of her desk and Harry steps just a bit closer.

„Oh?“

She gestures for him to come closer yet and to give her his hand: he does so without protest, though she isn’t wearing any gloves or even a jacket. She gently runs her fingertips over the seams of his once-white gloves as she starts speaking:

„Yeah,“ she breathes out and shuts her eyes, „I think you’re my soulmate. I made one of my Ma’s potions, you see, and…,“ she goes on for few more sentences before she stops, realising how still and quiet he is.

She looks at him and he is just. There. Looking at her with slightly open mouth, his soul in uproar all around them – hers probably too, just much harder to see.

„You think I’m your soulmate?“ he repeats softly. He leaves his hand where it is, in hers.

She realises he probably didn’t hear a single thing beyond that.

„Yes,“ she confirms anyway.

Now he takes his hand away and Uma tries not to think about it too much. She knew there was– she knew he could reject her. Not hurt her, never, but leave her–

„Well, do you want to know for sure?“

She looks at him in surprise: His lips quirked in a smirk – smile – and he has removed his gloves while she was lost in her own head.

„Uma?“

„Yes,“ she answers. Yes, she does want to know. That’s why she did all of this, right? Maybe they can get a small mark that’s easy to conceal, keep wearing gloves–

She reaches out towards him.

He flinches his hand quickly and just as quickly speaks, so quickly she doesn’t have time to linger on his gesture.

„Uma!“ he protests, his eyes shining so brightly through the swirled mess of souls around, „I want a better mark! I want to show it off!“

„Show it off,“ she repeats blankly.

„Yes!“

She thinks his eyes turned a little bit manic; she is still a little bit surprised when he kneels in front of her.

„Show it off. I want everyone to know that I’m your soulmate, Uma.“

Oh, who is she kidding. It’s not gonna be a small, easy to conceal mark.

„If that’s what you want,“ she smiles at him. 

He just hums at her in response, yes, he does want that, but:

„But if you really don’t wanna, Uma, we do your thing. You’re the Captain.“

He reaches out and immediately retracts when he realises what he is doing, leaving the choice to her.

But, you see, she doesn’t think she could say no to him right now.

She hovers her hand close, so torturously fucking <i>close</i>, as she assures: „It’s fine.“ There is something about the thought of Harry clearly marked as hers that sounds deeply appealing to her.

„It’s fine.“

„Are you gonna mark my face, Uma?“

„You wouldn’t mind…?“ she adds the question as an afterthought.

„Not at all.“

Still, she makes no move, hesitant to break the taboo that the Isle society holds so dear. But what is Isle society to her? Why should she care?

„Uma, please.“

She brings her hand to him yet, she can now barely see it over the storm that his soul is creating.

Closer yet.

In the next heartbeat, Harry moves: He captures her hand with his, brings it to his cheek, presses his lips to her pulse point, all in one dizzyingly fast movement.

It is Uma’s time to freeze.

The space around them comes to a standstill as he pulls away just enough to show his now-stained lips.

Uma, he forms soundlessly.

She sinks down to him. He lets go of her and she slowly pulls away her hand, looking at the colour now coating it from both sides, almost matching blood in the tone. She doesn’t say anything as she hugs him for the first time in over a month.

He just hugs her, too, silent until he whispers her name into her hair in a tone so completely awestruck that it almost makes Uma cry. He just holds her tighter.

She doesn’t know how long it is when she finally speaks again: „Harry, I still did a stupid thing. My mom’s potion: I can see souls now. It’s so confusing – that’s why I looked so off on the deck.“

He doesn’t let go of her. She doesn’t think he will any time soon.

„Is that why your eyes were so weird?“ he asks.

„Weird?“

You see, she could get up and look into the mirror again, but she simply isn’t doing that now.

„Yeah. Looked like your mother’s. Like there was some glittery sheen over it. You wear it better though.“ He smiles as he says that, she can hear it in his voice. She pulls away a bit.

„Hmm, definitely,“ he says as he looks at her, „You look so pretty, darling. I can tell you that now, right?“

Yes, yes he can. Now, at least: Later, in public? She might have to think that through yet.

„And I can stay here with you until it goes away,“ he adds, since magic doesn’t last on the Isle of the Lost, „Or until you get used to it.“ (Since soulmates shouldn’t really exist on the Isle either, so who knows?)

She hugs him again.

„Stay.“

[simpxxstan]

perfect complements (ch. 5)

pairing: professor!seungcheol x professor!f.reader

genre: fluff, enemies to lovers, angst, smut

series summary: four and a half years of working together breeds familiarity, resentment, and everything in between. it's almost like living together.

chapter word count: 2.7k

warnings: nothing really except a few curse words and one suggestive joke.

a/n: exams are finally over! going to try and update this as regularly as possible before i get busy again. also: congratulations to bss for the daesang! their aaa performance was GOLD like no one does it like them honestly. hope you like this update! do let me know your feedback, it motivates me so much! this is a filler chapter, largely. kinda important to understand the gaps i guess. sorry again if the slow burn is hurting, next chapter promises action. also, about the poll: i promise mingyu fic coming up real soon! last thing i wanna say: thank you for 200 followers omggg lost my mind over it for a day yk <3 i hope i keep entertaining you for a long time on my blog!

taglist for the fic: @minhui896 @yunoyeol

series masterlist

It is well past midnight, but you cannot sleep at all. Perhaps it is the caffeine and sugar from the coffee and the crepe cake you had indulged in after dinner. Perhaps it is the stress of packing for the upcoming trip. Perhaps it is the chill in the wind that lingered in your bones for too long. 

Or perhaps it is the weight of Minhee’s words weighing down on you. 

You keep thinking of the conversation you had with her in the afternoon. 

_

Eight hours ago, Minhee had appeared at your front door, carrying bottles of soju and convenience store food, an apologetic expression on her face as you had opened the door in confusion. “I can explain, Unnie. I’m really sorry.” One look at her usually bubbly face now scrunched up and clearly distressed, and you didn’t have the heart to be mad at her anymore. Soon you were sitting on the couch, slurping ramen from the big cups, already two cups down, biting into cheese kimbaps, and drinking soju. It was an utterly unhealthy combination, but it was oh, so healthy for your hearts. After gobbling down the food and getting over with casual small talk, she had finally nearly lying on your lap, as you huddled into one blanket. 

“My sister’s getting married this weekend.”

“What?!” 

She looked up, smiling but it was not quite reaching her eyes. 

“Isn’t your sister already married…?”

“My youngest. You forget we are four sisters. My eldest got married three years go, the one right after me got married six months ago, at whose wedding you ate half the cake,” she teased, and you pushed your face into your chest in embarrassment. “This time it’s my youngest.”

“But you’re not happy?” You asked, even more confused. 

“No, no, I am! You know I’ve rooted for Miso and her partner forever!” You nodded, having heard about this couple quite a bit. 

“Then?”

“Nothing, it’s just… I’m the only sister who’s not married now. My sister who is five years younger than me are getting married but…. I can’t even last a stable relationship. And my parents-”

You huged her, noticing her eyes getting teary. “Minhee-ah! Don’t mind what your parents say, please. You know how parents can be…”

“But Unnie… I’m thirty now! I’m turning thirty-one in, like, three months, but I haven’t even been able to last a relationship for more than a year in my life, and it’s quite fair honestly for my parents to be bothered about this-”

“But this is your life! You should decide the pace, darling. It’s not important if your parents want you to get married early. They may have done it early at their time, but you should definitely wait till you’re ready! It’s not that late honestly-”

“Unnie, I think it is late though. I should think about freezing my eggs-”

“Oh baby, why are you thinking so hard!” 

“I’m not Unnie! Trust me, you’re lucky your parents haven’t pressurised you with this. It gets so claustrophobic whenever I sit with my parents these days. It’s all they can talk about. My mom keeps sending me photos of sons of her friends, forcing me to go on these blind dates with random guys, like honestly does she even look at the guys she sends me with? It’s so stressful, Unnie!”

You rubbed her back gently, feeling her heat up in agitation. “Minhee, tell me honestly. Do you want to get married soon?”

She stopped shaking in your arms and said softly. “I do. But I want to wait for love.”

“Then wait. This is the 21st century. This isn't the 18th century that people will scorn you for marrying late. Plus, your mom probably just wants to see you settled down and rid herself of her last responsibilities towards you. She doesn’t mean any harm. Have you spoken to her about this?”

“I’ve tried to-”

“Well then, you gotta be a big girl and speak up, huh? Unless you talk to her, she’ll never understand that she’s forcing you. There must be some middle ground for you to reach.”

She moved away slowly, nodding in gradual understanding. Her face looked infinitely more calm now, and she stretched her legs onto the carpet. “This is why I was so worked up that day… I’d just gotten over with a phone call from my mom interrogating me as to why I hadn’t liked the last blind date she had sent me on.” She then turned to you, facing you. You could see the clouds in her eyes, urgent and earnest. “This is why I’m worried about you, Unnie… you should speak to Hyunsik Oppa about settling down. You’re not getting any younger… and four years together isn’t a joke.”

You sighed, looking away. It was your turn to be worried, and you decided not to meet Minhee’s eyes for that while, knowing too well she’d catch on to the doubts that had been lingering in your mind for months now. You said softly, “I know you meant well, Minhee…. It’s just that, this is something for Unnie and Oppa to talk about, hmm?” She nodded again, speaking up with enthusiasm, “Yes yes, I’m sorry for that day! I just want to be your friend! I won’t be nosy from now on, I promise!”

And that had been that. You both had switched on to lighter topics after that, casually flicking through fancams of idol groups you both liked, or funny episodes from reality shows you had grown up watching since teenage years. Suddenly, it struck you that the next weekend was supposed to be your trip with Minhee and the undergrads to Singapore, and you panicked. She had calmed you down, calling Wonwoo for both of you, and speaking to him for advice, knowing he’d give the best option available.

He had not.

He had actually insisted you go with Seungcheol, mad man Wonwoo, and even agreed to calling off the therapy sessions if you called Seungcheol to ask him. After that, you had no option but to call Suengcheol, who had absurdly agreed. Like, you were seconds away from cutting the call off, calling up Wonwoo and blaming it all on Seungcheol denying the trip request, thereby getting the easy way out- Wonwoo would have no option but to cancel the therapy programme and also let you go alone on the trip, but the damn bastard just had to agree now. For the first time in four and a half years, he had willingly agreed to spend time with you and you didn’t know what to do now. 

“Fuck him!” 

Minhee giggled, slyly saying, “No shit Unnie!”

You were fuming with annoyance and this was not the time for Minhee’s jokes. “What?!”

“Isn’t that what you both want, ultimately? Getting into each other’s pants?” She kept giggling like it was the funniest thing ever, while you made disgusted faces at her mere words. “Minhee-ah, you’re so drunk.” “Am not!” She picked the fourth bottle of soju and uncorked it easily. “Unnie, can you not overreact so much? It’s just three days!” “Three days of torture! Oh god, he’s going to be so smug now. I just know he’ll behave like he’s doing me this huge favour and be all arrogant about it.”

“Unnie, I see why Dr. Lee asks y’all to do colouring and stuff. You really are kids, you know?”

“Minhee, I’m not in the mood now!”

“I’m not kidding, please. Everyone has co-workers they may not like. I remember hating my boss at the research institute I interned at. He was so slimy and always wanted to show me down because I was young. But I tolerated him, right? We just have to get along and live with it because that’s what the world is about.”

You tsked at her sudden philosophy lesson, bobbing on the heels of your feet, not quite calming down. 

“Unless you… don’t just dislike him as a co-worker? Minghao and I are just waiting for you both to tell us that you’ve been secretly crushing on each other for years now. The tension is real, ya know?” she smirked, and you threw a pillow at her face, causing her to duck, laughing at your flustered face. “Minhee, how many times do I have to tell you and Minghao?” “Right, right, sorry! I’ll drop it. You call Wonwoo Oppa now, or I’ll do the honours.”

_

At the end of the day, when the lights are off and you finally lie down in the softness of your bedsheets, however, worries about Seungcheol and the trip aren’t running laps in your brain. It’s thoughts about you and Hyunsik. 

You’d met him for the first time in the third year of your college. He had been everything you’d dreamt of in a boyfriend, coming into adulthood. You’d been too much of a nerd as a teen to ever think of dating, but now that you were in college, you were so ready to date an oppa like the heroines of k-dramas. Or perhaps you’d read too many fanfictions and you had fallen in love with the idea of falling in love rather than the act in itself. Hence, when you saw Hyunsik walk into your undergraduate statistics class as the RA, you’d toppled over your feet and fallen headfirst for him. From daydreaming over how his pretty fingers traced the words on your answer scripts when he corrected them for you, to journaling every day about how many times he made eye contact with you, you had become completely smitten by him. But he was an RA, a Postgraduate student, two years older than you. He hung out with many pretty unnies, one of whom definitely had to be his girlfriend. So before you could gather up the courage to actually confess your feelings, he had passed out of college, and you’d been forced to move on. 

It wasn’t like you hadn’t dated since then. After the initial crush on Hyunsik and the heartbreak of unrequited feelings, you had become bolder and started moving into the market more decisively. You had dated a total of eight people in the five years after that, most of which relationships had ended without any hard feelings and you had remained distant acquaintances with them. It wasn’t that none of them had captured your heart- they had each loved you in their own special ways, but it never felt enough. 

So you framed a pretty excuse for yourself: it was because none of them were Hyunsik. It was because he was perfect and nobody else compared to him. 

In hindsight, you were so wrong.

In hindsight, you probably should not have ended things so quickly after comparing them with what you imagined Hyunsik would be like. Imagined being the key word, because you had filled in the gaps that you didn’t know about him (which were a lot, considering you had only known him from a superficial level), using romance novels you had grown up reading. 

And you’d lived with that perfect image of him, until you’d met him at the college reunion. Apparently it had been organised for the two batches before you, and the two batches after you. And Hyunsik was there. So when he came walking up to the corner where you and your friends were chatting up on the old times, you had been stunned and had fallen back into the rabbit hole you’d been trying to get out of for years. He was still as gorgeous as before, and as he soon slipped, single. He had bought you drinks, made you laugh too many times, and then taken you home that night. 

Life had not been the same since then. It had been a whirlwind for the first two years, and you had gladly found out that he was exactly what you had imagined him like. But then-

Then he had got a new professorship opening in Canada, and he had moved away, on your insistence that this was a wonderful opportunity for him. You were so sure long distance would not affect your relationship, in fact, you’d been confident you’d even be stronger now. 

In hindsight, you were so wrong. 

_

You let the phone fall onto the pillow next to you, gently fading your attention away. You’re confident he will not pick up the call, like the last few days. 

“Jagi?”

You hear a faint voice squeaking out from your phone, and turn to the screen in shock, seeing the phone screen alight with his call receipt. You quickly click the speaker button, and reply, “Oppa! You picked up!”

You can hear his soft chuckles on the other end. Quickly checking the time, you realise it’s 9.30 am in Toronto. “I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy. I’ve really had no time to even eat properly,” he explains softly, making you worried. “You’ve not been eating properly? Yah, do you need me to come over and take care of you now?” You’re half teasing, half anxious. Somewhere you hope that he’ll bend and say that he does need you to come there for him. You know you’ll cave in if he says it, you’re that desperate for the least bit of his attention. Anything that’ll convince you that Hyunsik from two springs ago will be back.

“Y/N-ie, please stop overreacting. I need to lose weight anyway, a few meals skipped here and there don’t matter.”

You sigh, biting your lip. 

“Oppa has to go now, okay Jagi? I’ll drive to university now.”

Your eyes prick with the hints of long-dried tears. 

“Okay, good night Oppa… call me when you get time, hmm?”

“Hmm!” The line disconnects, and you’re left staring into the darkness of your bedroom. Once again, the pain of the past and a dark fear of the future grips your heart and refuses to let go.

_

“Hello Dr. Lee!” You call out loudly as you step into their office, thinking you’re early for your appointment, only to see a very smiley Seungcheol already standing with an even more smiley Dr. Lee near the window of their cabin. You had successfully avoided spending more than five minutes with Seungcheol whenever you encountered each other in the staffroom, hoping he’ll not raise questions about the trip. 

They both turn around to see you walk in through the door. 

“Oh you’re here, Prof. Y/L/N! I just heard from Wonwoo that you’re no longer in need of my services from next week onwards,” they smile knowingly. 

You blush in embarrassment of getting caught. “It’s not like tha-”

“I heard about your bargain, and don’t worry, I’ve not taken offence.” They smile again, walking away from the window and towards the coffee machine sitting in one corner of the room. 

Seungcheol pipes in, “Take note, Dr. Lee, this bargain was framed by our resident darling, Prof. Y/L/N. I have no contribution. I assure you, I quite enjoyed our sessions and I shall miss them.” You roll your eyes, resident darling, really! and slap his arm lightly, laughing sarcastically. He chuckles back in an equally sarcastic tone, both of you throwing daggers at each other using your eyes. It doesn’t help that he’s slicked back his hair today, giving a more prominent show of his strong forehead with eyebrows more bushy than you could ever dream of having, even after makeup. Dr. Lee laughs out loud at your antics and give you both two cups of the vending machine coffee. 

“Well, I know exactly well how you both will be feeling, so no need to convince me. But before I let you go, I have one last task for you both, to conclude my notes.”

“Notes?” you ask, crossing your left leg over your right, ignoring the way Seungcheol squirms away from you as your left leg extends forward slightly.

“My analysis notes. I’ve been studying you two, of course.”

“But you have notes about us?”

“Force of habit, you forget that I am a psychologist and my primary interest is observing behaviours of people.”

You smile at their words, and quietly sip on your coffee. 

“So, what is the final task?” Seungcheol asks. You notice that his coffee is nearly finished. 

“I have a harmony-building task for you two.”

[mchlgayser]

can u do a jobe bellingham fluff where him n jude have a sister?

𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐀𝐘 ft the bellingham's brother

𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: one normal day at the Bellingham's residence + the chaotic and protective duo + a dramatic oc

𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: fluff / ✮

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: none

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: I don't fancy this one sm but I think it's quite good as well lmao let me know what you think

(( my navigations ))

The loud thud interrupted the two, you on the floor with your nose scrunching 'Ouch!' You hiss in pain rubbing your butt in the process to lessen the pain 'What's up with you?' Jobe asked, and you grin at him going in between him and Jude 'Okay so... Mateo asked me out!' Both Jude and Jobe raise a brow at you 'Who's Mateo?' A small wicked smile on your lip as you chuckle 'A guy I'm so crazy in love with..'

Jobe rolled his eyes 'This is the third guy this month, bro?' You hushed him and turn to Jude 'You will give me some money right?' He raises a brow again 'What? No..' You pout and then turn to Jobe 'You will right?' He shakes his head 'No.'

You got up from the couch with a huff 'You both are terrible,' You tread back upstairs to your room to get ready.

The duo stare back at each other with a crazed smile that finds its way up their lips 'Oh this is gonna be so much fun!'

Once you finished getting ready, you get your stuff and your bag before you made your way downstairs once again. The two were still on the couch but something was odd. 'Did you two change your clothes?' Jobe rolled his eyes 'What no? We wear this from the start, what are you on? You gave them both a suspicious look before shrugging 'Whatever, I'm off now, Mateo is on his way!' You went outside to see Mateo just in time and got out of the car, sending you a smile 'Come on, our movie is about to start in thirty minutes!' You get inside his car where he helps you with.

What you didn't know was that a few minutes after you left, Jude's car resounded 'Where you both going anyway?' Your mother questioned looking at the two of them 'Just outing,' She rolled her eyes 'You better not spy on your sister, she can't even have her privacy with you both being protective all the time!' She ranted on, on their way to the mall.

You on the other hand were having a nice time, minus Mateo being on his phone almost all the while 'You want the original popcorn or...?'

'The caramel one please, I'm not on my diet right now.' You giggle and he smile.

Mateo is currently lining up to buy snacks as you waited for him but you cannot help but feel that you were being watched. Not by a pair of eyes but two. You swiftly turn your head around seeing two creeps with a magazine, upside down, the magazine was covering their whole complexions.

You made your way towards them and sigh 'Firstly, you were so obvious for God's sake and secondly who brought a magazine to a cinema?' Jude was the first to stop play pretend and laugh, awkwardly 'It was Jobe's idea.'

'What no! We both planned this!' You glare at the two of them and give them the 'I'm gonna deal with you both later,' once you heard Mateo's voice coming from behind

You rush to him, taking his arms into you, and sough 'We should go now.'

Jobe felt his eyes burning with madness 'I don't like him.' He confessed making Jude laugh 'Come on, let's get inside the theatre room!' Jude freaked out at the idea telling Jobe mindlessly not to but he didn't listen and instead fasten his pace

You place yourself on the seat with Mateo beside you, 'Is this movie good?' You asked him, one hand propped on the hand rest 'Yes, it was the best!' You two began eating popcorn once the movie began commencing oblivious to the fact that your two idiotic brothers is at the back watching every single of the poor guy's moves.

Half through the movie, both parties started to feel very sleepy 'Bro we can't sleep here!' Jobe said, moving even near Mateo to examine him close and he saw that from beside he was playing with his phone typing something away

The plan's working! She fell for me!

You guys owed me 100$!'

Jobe is fuming, is this dude being for real? Betting on you for 100$? Is that your worth? You are not, you worth more than that. He told Jude about what he saw and Jude immediately texted you.

You groan the continuing buzzing sound in your pocket, but still fished it out

Look behind, we've got to talk!'

You turn your head behind, eyes widening at the sight of your two stupid brothers standing at the end of the hall motioning for you to come over, you rolled your eyes exasperatedly and went to them with a sigh 'B.F.F.R'

They pulled you outside making you whine 'That guy is a douche!' You rolled your eyes 'This gotta stop-' Jobe handed you his phone to which you look at closely.

Gasping, you ran down the cinema hall, and a loud slap echoed, and the back of his neck feel fuzzy and hot 'What the fuck?'

'You slap his face using a shoe and scoff 'Is that all I worth to you? 100$' The entire arena was watching, but that didn't stop you, this could be the chance to humiliate him 'You and your friends were betting on me?!' You dramatically scoff, eyes moistening with believable tears as you choke on your words 'You are a liar!' You cries out, the crowd was looking at him and was judging.

Some even started to record the scene and you huff 'You should be shame of yourself!' You said lastly and left the room with a quiet chuckle. Jobe and Jude were outside ready to high-fiving you.

'Serve him right.' You said, leaving the mall with your two brothers and went to Mcdonalds

'What you want?' Your mother asked 'I want the 20 pieces of McNuggets and the Mcflurries!'

You four are inside the car with you and them telling your mother about the whole event as she brutally calls him names. 'Oh Sebastian texted me..'

'Just great!'

[avacoleman]

when the lights go out || a firstprince fic

summary: Henry Fox’s career is in crisis and his dating life isn’t faring much better either.  After a chance encounter with a charming man becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons, Henry throws himself into his next assignment: writing the memoir of a beloved C-list actor. Henry, however, knows Alex best for the role he played as his random, awkward one-night stand. Henry enters their professional partnership keen on keeping their relationship just that. But after Henry confesses that their hookup was less than spectacular, Alex concots an arrangement that Henry is unable to resist. In addition to ghostwriting Alex’s life story, Henry will teach him a thing or two about satisfying a man.  As they spend months out on the road together, they must decide if the connection between them is yet another story worth telling.

chapter 4/8 || rated e || read on ao3 *updates every tues. and fri. *

Denver, CO Rocky Mountain Expo Henry thanks the powers that be for allowing Pez to crash the tour for the next two days. And by that, he means he cannot thank Alex enough for arranging for Pez to join them at Rocky Mountain Expo in Denver. He figures it might’ve been him mentioning one too many times how much of a Crescent Valley fan Pez was that Alex perhaps took pity and worked some magic behind the scenes to get him to fly out. Whatever it is, Henry is immensely grateful. He hadn’t realized just how much he missed Pez’s presence. Certainly they’d kept up well with FaceTimes and texts over the last few weeks, but there’s nothing quite like genuine face to face connection with a person– especially when that someone is none other than Percy Okonjo. At his side now, Henry watches Pez drink it all in. The convention center, like every other stop so far, is brimming with people from all sorts of fandoms. It’s chaotic and exciting, all baselines for a guy like Pez.  Alex had left from their hotel earlier than Henry so that he could attend the scheduled fan breakfast and Henry could be available to get Pez sorted. It’s such a small thing, but it was almost as strange being apart from Alex this morning as it has been to be away from Pez these past couple of weeks. Henry hadn't realized just how dependent he’d grown on Alex’s company.

Henry’s phone buzzes in his pocket as he and Pez visit different vendors in Artist Alley where creatives sell their custom made pieces. He takes a look at the screen and sees a text from Alex.

Alex everything going well with you and pez?

Henry smiles and notes the time. There’s still thirty minutes before Alex’s panel and having the experience firsthand, he can just imagine Alex behind the scenes, keeping busy to work out his excited energy.

Henry Indeed. Would it be alright if I brought him round to meet you now? Or would after be better?

Alex now pls!

“We’re being summoned,” Henry says, pocketing his phone again. 

Pez doesn’t need any more prompting and Henry leads them through the crowds to get to the hall Alex’s panel is being held. He’s surprised but pleased to find Alex already waiting for them by a private set of doors. Henry’s heart does a funny little swoop seeing Alex standing there, greeting them with a smile.

“Alex. I wanted you to meet Pez.”

Alex beams his thousand-watt smile at Pez.

“I feel like I already know you. Henry talks about you all the time. Nothing but good things, I promise,” he says.

Pez looks more and more like the Cheshire Cat as his smile overtakes his face.

“Alex Claremont-Diaz, as I live and breathe,” Pez says in a scarily good Southern debutante accent.

“You’ll have to forgive Pez. He has consumed far too much American media from the time he was a small, impressionable child. I fear the damage cannot be undone.”

Alex laughs. “It’s paid off pretty well. That sounded authentic as hell. You could give me a run for my money.”

Pez, unshakable formidable Pez, actually giggles at the compliment.

“You’re a charmer. Go on now. Keep saying more nice things. I won’t object.”

Henry watches them go, riffing off each other as if they’ve known each other forever. It feels like Henry has entered into an alternate universe of some kind, watching his worlds collide.

“I’m sure you guys must’ve made plans, but if you’re interested, I’d love to take y’all out for dinner tonight,” Alex says.

Pez’s eyes light up. “I’m sure we could shuffle a few things around,” he says, looking at Henry for confirmation. He nods and Pez smiles.

“We’d be delighted. Dinner sounds positively lovely. Thank you,” Pez continues.

Henry turns to Alex. “We could all meet back in the hotel lobby at quarter to 7 perhaps?”

Alex nods. “Yeah, that’d be great. Things should be pretty hectic at the expo today. I’ll look into making reservations nearby afterwards."

Voices carry a bit louder from inside the hall.

"I should probably get back," Alex says. "But have fun you guys and enjoy the panel. Pez, it was really nice meeting you. I will absolutely be expecting a truckload of embarrassing stories and any overall dirt you might have on Henry, so start brainstorming now,” he says with a wink.

 Henry already rues turning them into co-conspirators.

Pez smiles and wiggles his fingers at Alex before he leaves them to head to the greenroom. The moment Alex rounds the corner, Pez does an unseemly victory dance right there in the corridor.

“How can you possibly stand being around him all day every day without wanting to jump his bones? He’s even more attractive in person. That’s just unnatural. Dare I say, it’s supernatural.”

Henry touches his hand to his forehead.

“Come on. Let’s go grab our seats. They’ll be starting shortly.”

~*~*~

The secret of his true dynamic with Alex haunts Henry like a tell-tale heart. Each time Pez mentioned Alex’s name after the panel and now back here in their hotel room, Henry feels as if he could choke on the secret.

“I’ve hit rock bottom,” he says, apropos of nothing as he and Pez watch an episode of Crescent Valley on his laptop in bed.

“Welcome! There’s plenty of room down here,” Pez says, yanking Henry to rest his head in his lap. “Come now, tell Auntie Pezza what ails you, my darling.”

Henry sighs and hits the spacebar, freezing the show. It’s a small mercy that it isn’t a scene with Alex. He’s not so sure he’d be able to get through this conversation with Alex’s face right there in front of them.

“I think I’ve made a mistake.”

Pez’s fingers scratch lightly against Henry’s scalp.

“My dear Henry, you’re a writer. I need you to put your fancy degree to good use and elaborate for me, love.”

Henry looks away, unable to maintain eye contact for what he’s about to say.

“Part of me is falling for someone that I shouldn’t. Maybe ‘falling for’ is a bit too much. I need more time to parse it, but I feel…different sometimes.”

Pez’s hand stops combing through his hair.

“Hang on now. You haven’t met anyone new recently that I know of. I mean, there’s that secret midnight hookup back in New York and of course, scrumptious Alex. The latter would be bonkers, but it can’t be the former. You never got his info.”

Henry bites back on his lower lip. Pez is so close to the mark.

“That’s not exactly true. I sort of…ran into him the next day.”

“Have you any Advil here? I swear you’re giving me a headache talking in riddles like this. You had lunch with Alex the next day and then came straight home, no?”

Pez’s eyes grow wide, realization sinking in. Henry sits up and not a moment too soon as Pez’s hands fly to his mouth and he muffles a scream.

“No! Oh, my god, wait. No. There’s just no way! You don’t mean to say…Alex is Javier?”

Henry looks down at his hands, suddenly very fascinated with them.

“Well, now, that just shattered all my illusions. Pity he wasn’t good in bed. As fit as he is…hmm.”

“He wasn’t good that first night, no. But since then…”

“Since then! ” Pez shrieks, completely scandalized. “Grab the smelling salts! Get me a lounge chair! I’m going to pass out, I swear it. This is simply too much for me to take,” he says, putting a hand over his heart.

Pez shakes his head almost cartoonishly.

“Do you mean to tell me you two have been shagging this whole time?”

“Not the whole time,” Henry says reflexively. “Look, Pez, you cannot say a word to anyone, do you understand?”

Pez’s face grows serious, all his theatrics subsiding at the drop of a hat. 

“I give you my word. You know that. I wouldn’t tell a soul.”

Henry nods. “No, I know. I’m sorry,” he says, rubbing anxiously at his temple. “I’m just…there’s so much riding on this, you know? The book, my contract. Most importantly though, he’s only out to his friends and family right now. This isn’t even my secret to tell. But, heavens, Pez, I feel like I’ve been dying keeping this in. Things are so good with us. I’ve been loving being on this tour.”

“Well, I should think so,” Pez says, smirking a little. “If I were spending my nights tangled in the sheets with none other than Alex Claremont-Diaz, I’d be having the time of my already fabulous life too.”

Henry shoves him gently.

“You’re horrible, but I’ll admit, that’s been an added bonus. But honestly? I simply like being around him. He’s clever and funny and smart and infuriating in the best ways at times…I don’t know. It’s been fun getting to know him.”

Pez’s brows furrow a bit.

“Are you sure you can handle this, Hazza? It actually does sound an awful lot like you’re falling pretty hard here. I assume you two have struck up a deal of some sort with guidelines?”

“It’s just casual. Platonic even. I’m merely giving him pointers in the bedroom and by the time I leave from the tour, that’ll be the end of that. We’ll both move on from this,” Henry says.

Pez doesn’t look entirely convinced. 

“I don’t think you can put a hard deadline on feelings. No offense, but casual has never quite been your factory setting.”

Henry shakes his head. “It’s fine. This is so unlike me. I’m only being silly now, getting swept up in the secrecy of it all.”

Pez grins. “That I can understand. This is terribly salacious. I’m eating it up with a bib and a spoon.”

Pez hums and taps his chin. “Now, let’s back it up just a taste for one moment, honey. When you say he’s improved since New York…”

Henry buries his face in his hands and groans.

“Oh, come on! You’ve got to give me something here,” Pez insists. “You’ve been sitting on an absolute treasure trove of a secret for weeks now!”

Henry looks up and takes a deep breath.

“He…takes instructions very well. He’s a rather quick and adept learner. An enthusiastic one at that.”

Pez’s smile grows even wider which Henry didn’t think was humanly possible.

“I’d absolutely hate you if I didn’t love you so much. I’m dying. Good on you though.”

Henry laughs at the absurdity of Pez’s praise.

“Anyway, I needed to tell someone before I popped, so thank you for indulging me.”

“No, no. Thank you, my dear, for this cup of delicious, piping hot tea. I’m all the more excited for dinner now, to get to know the kitten who has gotten my best friend so smitten.”

~*~*~

After an incredible dinner at one of the trendiest restaurants Henry has ever been to, Pez insists they keep the night going with drinks downtown. It’s truly a marvel to see how easily his best friend is able to be at home anywhere, even a place he’s only now visiting for the first time.

From the moment they entered the club, Pez took his place on the dancefloor like a king holding court among his subjects. He dances with perfectly good strangers, cozying up to a few of them. Henry is already wondering if he’ll have to arrange to sleep elsewhere tonight.

He shakes his head to himself as he reaches for his drink where he and Alex sit in a corner booth, away from the crowd but with a perfect view to see it all.

“You told Pez about us,” Alex says out of the blue, a statement not a question.

Henry bites nervously on his bottom lip, stunned. He thinks back to dinner. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He actually thought Pez did a good job of hiding the fact that he was in on the secret. Yet still, Alex clearly picked up on something.

“I did. I’m sorry. I promise, he wouldn’t tell anyone. Subtly may not be his strong suit,” he says, glancing over Pez with his bubblegum pink hair and flashy sequined jacket, an all-out blur on the dancefloor, “but discretion is. He knows you aren’t out. He’d never in a million years breathe a word of any of this.”

Alex nods and smiles. “If you trust him, so do I. Honestly, I’m not worried. In all fairness, I told my sister and Nora.”

Henry can’t even begin to absorb that information or the possible implications of it. It’s just enough to know that this dynamic between them felt worthwhile enough for Alex to tell the two closest people to him.

“And do they think us mad for this?”

“Actually, no. They damn near threw me a party,” Alex says, reaching for his beer and laughing to himself.  “Your fan club increased by two automatically.”

Henry lifts a brow. “Am I to assume you’re a member too?”

“Sweetheart, I’m the president. The founding member.”

Henry smiles demurely and shakes his head. 

“Once again, I must say, you do wonders for my self-esteem. Thank you.”

Alex eyes him curiously.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” Henry says. “What’s on your mind?”

“How the fuck are you single? Not that I’m actually complaining because, selfishly, there’s no way in hell we’d be able to do any of the things we’ve been doing since New York. I’m counting my lucky stars and all that jazz, but still. It’s absolutely crazy to me that you aren’t seeing anyone. I’m sure that’s a conscious choice on your part. It’s got to be. A guy like you wouldn’t have any issues finding a boyfriend if you wanted one.”

Henry rubs the back of his neck.

“I don’t know what it is. Perhaps I’m too closed off.”

“Bullshit. The night we met, you opened up to me. You were so easy to talk to. I felt like I’d always known you.”

This brings Henry up short. He’d felt that same connection with Alex too, but to hear the man echo the sentiment almost identically to how he’d thought about it is slightly disorienting.

“I think we’ve established that night was a special case. It was different with you. I was different with you than I normally am with literally every other guy I’ve pursued. I don’t know why. I just felt comfortable so it was easy, for the first time in God only knows how long to open up. It was a fluke.”

“Or fate,” Alex says. His eyes widen and he blinks twice quickly. “I’m like…I’m not trying to say we’re soulmates or anything,” he stammers. “I just mean, I don’t know. It’s rare for me too to click with someone like that. I think there’s something to be said for two people like us just happening across each other then crossing paths again the very next day. What are the odds of that?”

Henry is quiet as he mulls over Alex’s words. 

“I don’t mean to freak you out. Shit, just forget I said anything.”

Henry shakes his head.

“You didn't. I think you might actually have a point and I don’t know what to make of it.”

He searches Alex's eyes then looks away, back down to his laptop.

“Anyway, to answer your question, I suppose I’m single because it simply isn’t my time right now. I’ve never truly been lucky in that department. Our night aside, I really do have a tendency to guard myself.”

“Why?” Alex asks. “There’s so much good in there. I could see it on day one. That’s what drew me to you in the first place.”

“So it wasn’t just my dashing good looks and accent?”

Alex cocks his head to the side and gives him a look.

“I’m serious. I’ve been seeing it ever since. You’re depriving people, Henry. Most of all, yourself and I think that’s the worst part in all of this. It’d be a shame to never share that.”

Henry’s brows furrow. In a way, hadn’t he been letting Alex in this whole time? Henry realizes belatedly that maybe it didn’t count. After all, none of this was actually real. 

If only his heart knew that.

“Shall I get us another round?” he says, rising from his seat, suddenly needing to be away from this suffocating booth.

Alex runs a hand through his hair.

“Fuck. Henry, wait. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t,” Henry says, perhaps too quickly. He tries again, setting his hand down on the table. 

“We’re good. I just…I need a moment is all. Besides, I should probably get Pez a large glass of water before he passes out.”

Alex’s knuckles touch the back of his hand. It’s so subtle and faint, any passerby wouldn’t even notice. But that small point of contact becomes the sole focus of Henry’s entire world.

“You’re sure we’re okay?” Alex asks again.

Henry stares back at him.

“Always.”

~*~*~

Columbus, OH GalaxyCon Day 1

Another week, another time zone and Henry is convinced tour life might actually be the death of him.

When they arrived in Ohio yesterday evening, Henry had felt a bit off. He ignored the feeling, not wanting anything to put a damper on the upcoming con and Alex’s excitement over it. He’d be joined again by his castmates and was looking forward to the big dinner they had planned before they were all parting ways again.

Henry liked how pumped Alex got ahead of and during cons, the way he’d light up at the prospect of seeing familiar faces in the crowds and new ones alike. Since the announcement, Henry has noticed the uptick in fervor from both Alex and fans. The last thing Henry wants to do is give Alex any cause for concern or worry.

He gets through most of the morning at GalaxyCon pretty well until close to noon when Alex’s panel is set to start.

“You okay?” Alex asks. “You look a little pale.”

“Yeah, I think all this traveling is catching up to me.”

Alex puts the back of his hand on Henry’s forehead.

“You feel warm, Henry. You must be coming down with something.”

Henry can hear the worry in Alex's voice.

“I’m fine.”

“I can literally see and feel that you aren’t.”

Henry can hear fans being let into the hall. Maybe all he needs now is just some time away to sit alone with some peace and quiet.

“If it’s alright with you, I’m going to pop back to the hotel and get some rest.”

Alex’s lips and brows are pinched with concern.

“Of course it’s okay. Do you need anything?”

Henry shakes his head. “Don’t worry about me. You have your panel to focus on. I’ll be fine.”

Alex doesn’t look convinced and Henry can see the debate he’s having with himself.

He touches Alex’s arm lightly. “I’ll check in with you later. Go have fun out there with your friends.”

Almost on cue, the rest of the cast starts to line up behind the stage. Henry watches them go past but Alex doesn’t budge.

“Go, Alex. I’ll be fine.”

Alex sighs and nods, finally accepting defeat.

“The second we’re done here though, I’m calling you.”

“Fair enough,” Henry says. “I’ll be as good as new by the time you do. You’ll see.”

~*~*~

There’s an annoying pounding sound that makes Henry’s already aching head feel worse as he opens his eyes.

“Henry, let me in,” he hears faintly.

Henry groans and rolls over in bed, instantly regretting the move. His vision feels like a dizzying kaleidoscope. He shuts his eyes again and takes a breath before looking around his room.

He doesn’t know how long he’s been knocked out, but the sun is no longer in the sky and that’s telling enough.

“Henry?” the voice calls again. There are three more quick knocks on the door. “You’re freaking me out. Open up.”

Alex. 

Henry sways as he gets to his feet. It takes a moment for the room to stop feeling like it’s spinning before he walks over to the door and opens it.

On the other side, he’s met with an anxious looking Alex who takes a deep breath of relief.

“Thank God. I was about to get hotel security.”

“I’m fine,” Henry says. 

Alex’s face is incredulous. “You look like shit which I never thought was possible. No offense,” he tacks on. “Shaan has been calling you. I’ve been calling you. I thought you’d passed out though, by the looks of things, I’m guessing that’s exactly what happened. You’re sick.”

Henry rubs at his left temple.

“I need…to sit. You…can keep talking if you want,” he says, stepping away from the door and back into the room.

Behind him, Alex scoffs and presumably comes inside. Henry hears the door close, but it feels like it’d take too much effort to turn around and confirm.

He sits on the edge of bed and wraps the covers around himself like a cocoon.

“I wanted to ask you some more stuff for the book. I just need thirty minutes more. You can go. I’ll set an alarm,” he says, fumbling around the nightstand for his phone but he soon abandons the task when he forgets what he’s searching for a moment later.

“Forget the book. Do you know what day it is?” Alex asks as he approaches his bedside.

“It’s Friday,” Henry mumbles, the comforter falling from his shoulders. 

“Okay, yeah, technically. But it’s also Opposite Day. So, I will be doing the polar opposite of everything you suggest.”

“Alex. How is that— in any way, shape, or form—different from any other day of the week for you?”

Alex grins, his nose scrunching as he does so.

“You may have lost the ability to breathe through your nose, but it’s nice to know your sass is still firmly in place.”

A wave of nausea hits Henry just then, holding him back from making another quick retort. The discomfort he feels must register on his face as Alex’s smile disappears and concern quickly takes its place instead. 

“Come on, seriously, lay down. Please let me take care of you.”

Henry’s tired body responds at once as if it’d been waiting for the command to allow him to finally give in. He settles in on his side and Alex is right there, pulling the comforter over him.

Henry’s surprised as Alex crouches beside the bed, their faces on level as he brushes damp strands from Henry’s forehead. His fingertips are soft against Henry’s skin where they lightly graze him. Alex’s eyes track the movement of his own hand, but Henry can’t look away from the other man's face, taking stock of the way his lashes cast shadows on his cheekbones and his perfect mouth parts slightly. 

“I’ll be right back,” Alex says softly. “I’m going to find the nearest pharmacy and grab a few things for you.”

“I just need to sleep it off.”

Alex scoffs. “Christ, and I thought I was stubborn. I might’ve finally found my match.”

Those words shouldn’t have the power to make Henry’s heart leap. He chalks it up to his sickness for the temporary delusion that Alex could mean anything more. They aren’t a match, even if they’ve been proving to be compatible in virtually every regard. He’s simply not the kind of person Alex actually settles down with.

It’s far too much to think about now; perhaps even when he isn’t feeling like Death warmed over wouldn’t be the best time to attempt dissecting all his complicated feelings.

“You’re the hottest nurse I’ve ever had.”

Alex winks. “If only I’d had time to get a uniform. You’ll just have to use your imagination, sweetheart.”

“A literal interpretation of a fever dream, huh?”

Alex smiles and strokes Henry’s hair again.

“Speaking of dreams, get some sleep while I’m gone.” Henry watches Alex snag his keycard from the nightstand. “I’ll let myself in when I get back. Call if anything changes while I’m out, okay?”

Henry nods, but already his brain is starting to shut down, his eyes too.

He feels a gentle hand against his cheek and what he thinks could be lips on the crown of his head for a brief moment before sleep overtakes him.

~*~*~

When he opens his eyes again, Alex’s back is to him as he sits at the front of the bed. An episode of The Golden Girls is playing on the television and Henry thinks, surely, this fever is playing tricks on his mind.

He sits up slowly and Alex turns at once just as the show breaks for advertisements.

Alex smiles and gets to his feet, going over to the table in the room. Henry sees two tote bags there that Alex begins to unload. The haul is serious, complete with cough medicine, throat lozenges, vapor rub, and even soup and orange juice.

It warms Henry’s heart to see the care that’s gone into this, but he can’t imagine this is how anyone would want to spend a Friday night.

“You’re sweet for this, Alex, thank you,” he says, sniffling a little. He clears his throat.

“You’re going to get sick if you hang around much longer though. You should probably go. I can take it from here. Honest.”

“Do I make for such poor company that you’re giving me the boot already? I’m borderline offended.”

Henry lets out a breath, the closest thing he can muster to a laugh, and gets into bed again, pulling the covers over himself.

“Of course not. I’d just feel even worse if you caught this because of me.”

Alex brings the container of soup over and sets it on the nightstand.

“I’m from Texas. We’re built strong. And besides, I always prepare for the con circuit. At this point I’ve probably got more Airborne than blood running through my veins. I’m good and I’m staying now shh, commercials are over.”

Henry shakes his head to himself as Alex focuses back on the screen and sits beside him now on top of the covers. Henry studies his profile, the sharp angles on a still soft face.

“You must be starving by now and if you aren’t, that’s all the more reason to eat. Here, try a bit of the soup.”

Alex leans over him and grabs the circular plastic container and takes the lid off. Vapors rise from it and it hits Henry then just how hungry he really is. Alex dips a spoon inside and brings it to his lips.

“I can feed myself. I’m not a baby,” Henry protests.

“No, but you’re acting like one. Now shut up and let me take care of you, dammit,” Alex grumbles.

“Your bedside manor could use a bit more work,” Henry says, but he obliges, leaning forward and taking a sip. 

Alex’s eyes look anxious as he watches him.

“Is it good? I went with chicken noodle, a tried and true classic. But if you want something else, I could always—”

“It’s perfect, thank you. You’ve done more than enough, Alex. Seriously.”

He lets Alex coddle him and finishes the soup before taking some cold medicine and orange juice. They watch more TV though Henry doesn’t really pay attention to anything on the screen. His body feels drained again and he's glad Alex had been stubborn and insisted on staying. It’d be an even more miserable scene if he were alone.

He tucks in on Alex’s side and rests his head against his chest.

“I’m really glad you're here,” Henry says after a moment. He listens to the steady drumming of Alex’s heart as the man cards his fingers through Henry’s hair, his dull nails gently scratching against his scalp. It’s enough to lull Henry; he feels himself quickly losing the battle to fatigue all over again.

“There’s no place else I’d rather be. Get some more rest, sweetheart,” he hears Alex’s voice say quietly as he begins to drift. The final word hit Henry’s ear a bit differently. It’s not as if Alex has never said it to him before, but this time, it sounded sincerely affectionate. Romantic even.

His exhaustion and delirium must be at an all-time high and working together to make him conjure up the term of endearment Alex has never uttered in that particular tone before.

~*~*~

Columbus, OH

Day 2

“You missed the cast dinner,” Henry says almost accusatorily, setting his plate of breakfast and mug of tea down on Alex’s table the next morning in the hotel's dining hall.

“Hi, sunshine. Good morning to you too. Slept well then?” Alex replies, popping a grape into his mouth.

Henry frowns as he takes a seat.

“Alex, I’m serious. I just realized you were supposed to meet up with everyone last night.”

Alex shrugs and plucks another grape from the bunch on his plate.

“And yet the world is still spinning. The sun is still shining. It’s not a big deal. I see them all the time and you needed me more. It wasn’t a hard choice to make.”

Henry feels his face warm slightly at the sentiment. 

“You didn’t have to sacrifice your night for me.”

“It wasn’t a sacrifice. I wanted to be there for you. It’s as simple as that.”

Henry pulls out a chair and sits.

“Well, thank you. I appreciated it.”

Alex smiles. “You look good today. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Me too. Considering the fact that you bought up half the pharmacy, my immune system didn’t have a choice but to get itself in order. How much do I owe you?”

“And here I was thinking we finally moved past this. I’m not accepting any form of payment or payback for last night,” Alex says, spreading cream cheese on a bagel.

 Henry smiles to himself.

“You’re infuriatingly stubborn.”

“I might’ve been told that once or twice before, yes.”

Henry laughs and decides he’s better off shifting gears.

“What would you like to do today? Are any of your castmates still in town?”

Alex shakes his head.

“Nah, not for long. They had early morning flights and should be at the airport by now if they aren’t already in the skies.”

Henry bites his tongue to avoid apologizing again.

“Perhaps we could hang out then? Maybe we could get lunch or do something fun before we kiss this city goodbye too.”

Alex grabs his phone and types something into it.

“Have you ever done mini-golf before?”

Henry laughs.

“No, I can’t say that I have.”

“There's an adventure park near here. Mini-golf, go karts…you in?”

“Are you an adrenaline junkie?” Henry asks, taking a sip of his tea.

Alex eyes him for a moment.

“I’m a fan of most things that get my heart racing. Surely you must know that by now.”

Henry tries and fails not to look affected. Usually Alex saves flirtatious talk like this for their lessons, when they’re in the privacy of one of their rooms.

He figures he’s overthinking it. Anyone passing by would simply think it’s an innocuous statement. Only Henry knows the deeper meaning of his words. It excites him, having this secret hiding in plain sight.

“That makes two of us then. I’m game.”

~*~*~

They unwind after a day of adventure in Alex’s room watching Crescent Valley. Alex gives Henry behind the scenes commentary on what it was like filming on the show and he takes advantage of the insights, letting his phone rest between them as they lay side by side in bed, recording all the stories so that he can add more color to the book.

Henry creates a new voice note and puts the show on pause, switching over to his running notes document.

“Can you talk to me about your journey learning about your sexuality?” he asks. “It’s such a key part to the memoir, I’d love to hear more about that.”

Alex pulls in a breath and Henry feels a bit guilty about switching gears so suddenly. In contrast to how easy it was for Alex to share on-set anecdotes, he seems unsure of where to start now.

“It used to be a distant, vague thing in my head. The first concrete period of time I can pinpoint is freshman year. I played lacrosse in high school,” Alex says. “And I was damn good.”

Henry can picture it easily, Alex in uniform, a complete rockstar on the field. He’s patient as Alex parses his thoughts.

“I’d get super competitive with guys I thought had an edge on me. I can’t really describe it. But sometimes I’d reason, if I could beat them, they’d be impressed and I’d get on their radar. I really don’t know how to explain it,” he repeats. Henry can hear the frustration. “I guess I was seeking some kind of validation. I wanted them to notice me and not just as an athlete.”

Alex sighs.

“I’ve only genuinely hooked up with one guy other than you. I’ve gotten wasted at parties in L.A before and I’ve made out with some dudes, but it was always something I could explain away like, I was drunk or just doing a bit. Messing around, you know? But then I’d think about high school and the way one of my teammates and I would kinda orbit around each other. It wasn’t…the same with him. With Liam,” Alex sighs and Henry doesn’t miss how soft Alex’s voice gets when saying his old teammates name. 

“I didn’t get that competitive streak. It was different. More real. With him, it was like we were on equal ground.”

Alex shakes his head, toying with his fingers.

“We were good friends. We’d hang out a lot after practice or games. We kind of fell into it. I almost don’t even remember how or when I noticed it for the first time, the way we’d hold each other’s gaze a little longer than was needed. Or the way we’d make excuses to casually touch either other in almost stealthy ways. I guess it doesn’t really matter. Point is, it eventually came to a head. We’d be so hopped up on adrenaline after lacrosse most times and one day, one thing led to another and the next thing I knew, we were making out in my room.”

Henry studies Alex’s profile, sees the deep furrow of his brow as if, years later, he’s still trying to understand his actions.

“The first time it happened, I thought that’d be the only time. We were both kinda spooked by it, to be honest. After he left though, I couldn’t stop thinking about it…about how much I actually liked it and wanted it again. For fuck’s sake, I got off thinking about him and our kiss that night. That was the first time I ever got off thinking about a guy.”

Alex sighs.

“I saw him the next day at practice. At first, we kept our distance in the locker room. We went out on the field with everyone else, and played our parts well. Then he showed up at my house afterwards totally unannounced and it became a recurring thing after that. If we celebrated a win or if one of us had a shitty day at practice...we’d keep seeking each other out. It was mostly always just kissing. But every now and then, we’d touch. Nothing over the top. Hell, we’d mostly just get ourselves off together. I think I was too scared to touch him like that. It would have made what we were doing too real somehow.”

Henry listens on quietly, fully present in this moment with Alex.

“We… I chalked it up to goofing around. Just boys being boys or whatever bullshit I used to convince myself it meant nothing. Liam is actually engaged now to a pretty great guy. We’ve talked since high school, you know, about everything. I thought we were just messing around, but he told me how serious it was on his end, even back then. He’d always felt different than our classmates. He always knew this truth about himself even though he was afraid to say it out loud. He genuinely liked me as more than a friend.”

Alex frowns and collects his thoughts.

“Looking back on it, I feel like such an asshole. Liam had real feelings for me and I know now that I was attracted to him, but we were in two totally different headspaces when we were hooking up. Each time, it was reaffirming something for him. He knew fully that he was gay. For me, at the time at least, it just felt like a way of getting off and having fun. He felt like an exception to everything, an anomaly. I still went out with and hooked up with girls regularly, you know. I didn’t know what it actually meant about me that I was in fact drawn to both.”

Alex runs a hand through his hair. 

“I’m glad he and I have had the chance to talk things through. And I’ve apologized to him several times, but it hardly feels like enough. I should have been more careful. I should have seen what that really was. I never meant to hurt him.”

Henry inches forward, his heart breaking as Alex looks at him with wet eyes.

“You’ve done all you can since learning the truth. It wasn’t intentional and I’m sure he knows that. Liam isn’t upset with you, right?”

Alex shakes his head.

“No, but he’d have every reason in the world to be.”

Henry places a hand on Alex’s.

“You can’t beat yourself up over this. You’ve made amends. You were just kids back then. This isn’t easy. You’ve got to give yourself some grace.”

There’s a distant look in Alex’s eyes as he blinks his tears away.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right and logically, I get that. Still, I can’t fully shake it. I can’t help but to wonder what my life would have been like if only I would have realized what it meant that I kept going back to him. Because I really wanted it with him specifically, but it felt like a one-off, like no big deal, you know? If I thought a few guys were attractive, I saw it as just having eyes and being observant. It didn’t feel like some life-altering thing. But in reality? The things I was doing with Liam, the things I wanted to do with him but didn’t have the courage to say…that was a huge turning point and I totally missed it. Sometimes, it almost feels like I was robbed. But it was my own ignorance that kept me in the dark for so long.”

Alex shrugs and looks away and Henry’s heart shatters at once.

“Anyway, that’s a conversation for me and my therapist. I won’t bore you with it any further now,” Alex laughs, but Henry can hear the pain in it. 

He stops the recording. He’s asked enough of Alex tonight.

“It’s never a bore, a bother, or a burden. You can always talk to me. Even if I weren’t tasked with writing out your life’s story, I’d want to listen. I…perhaps it’s improper, but I sincerely do consider you a dear friend, Alex.”

Alex quirks a brow.

“Given the things we’ve done to each other’s bodies, I’d say friendship is the least improper territory we’ve waded into.”

This time Henry laughs as he concedes.

“You’ve got me there,” he relents. 

Alex smiles softly and reaches for Henry’s hand. 

“I appreciate it though. The offer and…you know, you in general. You’re helping me in all sorts of ways, it’s actually kind of crazy. I don’t know if I’ve even said thank you yet, for any of it. But I am grateful for everything.”

“You’re welcome. It’s nice to know I can be useful,” Henry says, aiming for levity.

But Alex’s face is serious as he shakes his head and laces their fingers.

“It’s beyond that, Henry. You’re essential to me. I don’t ever want you to forget that.”

[onetimetwotimesthreetimess]

The first time Lrhwy Alec comes back from deployment after adopting Max 🥹

okay chapter 2 actually begins with this scene and I’ve been wanting to write it for the longest time. Here’s a snippet for you.

——————————————————————————

Alec’s been skipping on his feet since morning. Since yesterday.

All week actually.

It’s impossible not to feel that way when today is the day. He’s only waited seven months for this. To be back home, back to his family again.

Their entire unit is at the airport right now, waiting to be picked up by their family members.

Alec cannot wait to see Magnus but there’s nothing new about this. He’s always excited to see Magnus.

But this time, Alec’s longing to see someone more than Magnus.

Max.

His Max. His baby.

It still doesn’t feel real sometimes that he is a dad. That he has an actual child to love.

The past few months without Max have been painful in a way that nothing has ever felt. Being away from Magnus is hard enough but there’s something cosmically different about missing his own kid.

He sees and talks to Max on video calls all the time but there’s nothing that can compare to actually holding his baby.

Also, Max is three so he can’t really hold a conversation. He’s always just saying gibberish between bouts of ‘daddy, daddy’ all the time.

Mom, Jace, Izzy, Magnus and Max are coming to pick him up.

Alec’s never been more in hurry to get home.

It’s 3:35 when his flight lands and by the time Alec is out, it’s almost 4. Magnus should be here soon.

“Alec!!” Jace yells and Alec turns up to find his mom, brother and sister there. Alec rushes towards them and envelopes his mom in his arms. Then Jace and Izzy. When Jace holds his face in his hands like the dramatic bitch he is, Alec almost cried with happiness.

“Where’s Magnus?” He asks when there’s still no sign of his boyfriend and son.

“I don’t know. We can’t reach them.”

“What?” Alec asks, a little worried.

He takes out his phone and checks Magnus’s last text

It’s a photo of Max and him, cuddled up in the morning.

We can’t wait to see you.

I miss you darling.

Magnus has been doing a countdown since the last 48 hours.

48 hours until I see you.

20 hours until I get to hug you.

2 hours until I get to kiss you.

I miss you.

I love you.

Alec calls him but Magnus doesn’t answer.

He calls him again. And again. Until he sighs.

Maybe they’re stuck in traffic.

“They’re probably stuck in traffic,” mom says.

Alec nods.

They wait for another half an hour, but Magnus still doesn’t arrive and Alec’s worry rises.

“We should go home. We’ll drop a text and let him know that we’re home. You can meet him there,” Izzy murmurs.

But what if Alec leaves and Magnus arrives and it’s another hour before they see each other again. He doesn’t think he can wait another hour.

His entire body is longing to see them. Alec can’t wait. If he doesn’t see Magnus and Max in the next thirty seconds, he will jump off a window.

But another half an hour passes without the sight of his baby and his other baby and Alec just wants to cry.

He hugs his mom, a little too tightly as he whispers, “Let’s go home.”

Jace takes his bag and they all turn to leave when a voice, the voice calls him.

“Alexander!!!!!”

Alec turns and his entire body sighs, relaxes, and somehow gets alive again.

Magnus stands there with Max in his arms. A huge smile appears on his face and his shakes his head to the side, opening his arms.

Max squirms in his arms so his boyfriend puts him down, exchanging a look at Jace, who makes his way towards the small boy.

Max is a chaotic little shit and he can go from anywhere to anywhere in a matter of three second.

“Magnus,” he whispers as Magnus comes running towards him, crashing their bodies together.

Alec doesn’t try to hide the tears that leave his eyes as he touches, and holds the love of his life in his arms again.

“I’m so sorry. There was a small accident and we got late,” Magnus says hurriedly and the words accident raises up his blood pressure suddenly. He pushes back and glances at his boyfriend’s body and only then he notices how disheveled he looks. There’s some light bruising on his arms and his shirt looks like it hasn’t been washed in days

Magnus is going to have an aneurysm if someone captures a picture of him looking like this and it goes viral.

“What? What happened?” He asks.

Magnus shakes his head, “I’ll tell you later,” he says and cups Alec’s face. Alec closes his eyes as he feels Magnus’s lips against his and breathes. And he wonders for a second how he ever lived without doing this for seven months. They kiss for barely a few seconds and Alec wants nothing but to do this for the rest of his life but there’s something, a huge voice inside his chest still and it’s not going to be filled until he holds his son.

Alec’s scared though. He is so, so scared that Max is not going to recognise him.

When Alec went for his deployment, Max was barely two and a half years old. Now he’s 3 and three years old are babies and don’t have the best memory and what if his baby doesn’t remember him?

There wasn’t a single second that Max left Alec alone before, always clutched to Alec’s side. Always with Alec but that was seven months ago.

And sure, Alec’s been talking to him on calls but what does a three year old even remember?

Maybe Magnus can see his worry because the man holds his face and smiles, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. He’s very, very excited to see you. He missed you like crazy.”

Alec exhales. He believes Magnus. Always does.

They release each other from their hold and Alec makes his way towards Max, who is clutching Jace, a nervous expression on his face.

Max is never nervous and Alec’s heart breaks a bit. He doesn’t want his kid to ever be worried.

He crouches down infront of his son and gently, touches his head.

“Hi, my baby,” Alec whispers.

Max, who’s been looking all worried until now suddenly perks up.

“Daddy in phone,” he says pointing towards Jace’s phone.

Alec chuckles softly, his heart breaking at Max’s surprise to see his dad infront of him, instead of a phone.

Magnus is crouching next to them too and he smiles at the two of them.

“Daddy’s here now, Blueberry.”

Max looks at him for a good few seconds before the damn breaks and he bursts into huge, loud tears.

“Daddy here?” He hiccups as he falls into Alec’s arms, clutching onto his uniform.

Alec starts crying too as he holds his baby.

“I’m here, Max. I’m here. I’m so sorry for leaving you,” Alec whispers, holding onto his son like his life depends on it.

“Da-daddy..” Max continues saying daddy, like it’s the only word he understands right now.

Alec puts him back on the ground and cradles his face. “I missed you, baby.”

Max beams through the tears and Alec can’t wonder how fast he’s growing up.

“Missed you daddy,” Max says as he jumps into Alec’s arms again.

And it feels like Alec can finally breathe again.

[alovesreading]

Constant Repeat | Part 10

Summary: Having worked at Focus Creeps for a year, Ella knows that as a production assistant and part of the crew, there’s one important rule: don’t interact with the talent unless it’s needed. But once she meets Arctic Monkeys, and the recording of the music videos for their upcoming fourth studio album starts, the band seem to become her exception. Not only because they treat her more like a friend than just someone else they’re working with but when Alex continuously makes her blush with his flirting, so enthralled by her that he forgets he’s got a girlfriend, Ella finds herself growing closer to him. As videos are filmed, wrapped and edited, the friendship lines become blurry. Situations unfold, secrets are told and others are kept under lock and key, but how long can Alex and Ella endure being stuck in each other’s minds on constant repeat.  

Word Count: 27.4k

Story Warnings: Throughout this series there will be suggestive talk, jealousy, cheating, alcohol and drug use, angst, smut.

A/N: Okay, you better buckle up because I'm telling you this trip is wild and real ride starts here. I'm giggling like an idiot typing this right now and realizing how this chapter perfectly falls on the start of June, what a way to start Pride month (happy pride month btw, love y'all my fellow queer babes xx), you'll understand why I say this when you read. Anyway I wanted to thank imagine-that-100 again because in this one, she gave me the incredible honor of getting my lovely Alice in here so I can introduce you to her and you can grow excited about the fic she's gonna be the main character of which is called 'Nightmare'. Alice is based on Heather from Pale Waves by the way! All I'm gonna say is that Alice is a fucking legend and when N eventually puts that fic out, y'all will die cus it's really fucking hot. I cannot wait for you to read this lol, remember the story warnings that are in the description of this story! (I think you can make out why I'm saying this right now) Enjoy!!!!!!

Masterlist

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 11 | Part 12 |

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

After spending the day before walking, it was obvious to Ella that she'd be sleeping in, but she had made sure to set at least three alarms in order to not miss breakfast time at the hotel restaurant. That hadn't worked though because she managed to sleep through them and wake up only thirty minutes before breakfast was over.

She'd rushed through the hallways to get there in time, barely having gotten presentable enough to show up at the place next to the lobby, but she made it regardless.

The lady who showed her to a table had been very obviously forcing a smile at Ella, making her wince and nervously promising that she wouldn't take long. And keep her promise she did, for she was done and back upstairs in her room getting ready for the day only twenty minutes later.

That day would have to be done without Alex, due to the band having a meeting at Domino Records in anticipation of the album coming out soon.

Ella had gotten a full update on it all from Flo, who had designed the cover art and the merch, and also helped the guys come up with a better name for the record than 'The New Black'. So 'AM'would be coming out in September, and only two months away from release day, things were busy for the lads.

When Alex suggested rescheduling the meeting, claiming they still had all of August to handle everything, Ella had turned him down with a laugh.

"Alex I won't have your label getting angry at you because you're pushing things back to hang out with me. I can spend the day with Bre and we'll see each other later—plus, didn't Jamie say we were all going to that pub tonight?"

Jamie had been adamant of going to this pub, somewhere Ella had no clue it was but looked pretty, and everyone would be following him to the place that night.

Just because of the plans the guitarist had already made for everyone, Ella had been conscious to take it easy that day. That's why she and Bre had walked around London, being mindful of not tiring themselves too much for the early afternoon, to then go back to Ella's hotel room and just chill about the place until they had to get ready to leave and meet up with the rest of the group.

Alex and Matt had picked them up from the hotel and taken them to the pub where Jamie, Katie, Nick and Kelly were already waiting.

Thankfully, the ride to the place was only fifteen minutes long so their friends weren't waiting for too long and when they got there, they could see they had bumped into a friend and been stuck in a lovely conversation with him.

Ella smiled at the sight of her friends, waving eagerly at Katie and Kelly who waved back just as enthusiastically when they spotted her by the door.

She walked over to the girls with Bre in tow and hugged them hello. She wasn't short in showering them with compliments since they looked stunning and they had done just the same to her.

Ella blushed and thanked them shyly, taking off her trench coat and placing it over the back of a chair to greet Jamie and Nick.

She silently made her way around the table and went to hug them, excusing herself when she interrupted the man she didn't know who was speaking with Jamie.

"So sorry to interrupt. I'm Ella, nice to meet you." She would've waited for Jamie to introduce her but the truth was that the lad was gorgeous and she had promised herself this trip would be the one to let go of the insecurities she'd been left with from her latest relationship and maybe put herself out there, even if it was just for some fun.

The guy waved her apology off with a smirk, one that fit his face so well it had Ella biting the inside of her cheek lightly, "Oscar. Nice to meet you Ella." He shook her hand delicately and let it drop slowly back down.

Everyone saw the way Ella had blushed, the girls had wanted to shriek at her reaction and the lads had wanted to giggle but they held themselves back. Alex, on the other hand, had wanted to pull Ella from Oscar's side because he only wanted to see her react like that to him, just like she had done many times the day before.

They all settled at the big table after Alex greeted everyone, Oscar included, Katie sitting beside Jamie, Nick and Kelly next to each other as well, Matt had his arm wrapped around Bre's waist as she sat on his lap despite having a free seat next to them, and Alex had Ella sat close next to him.

Soon enough, Ella found out Oscar was in a band called 'Pale Waves' and they'd been friends with the Monkeys for a few years. He had lazily pointed at the two other band members that had come with him and said that the third, who was their drummer called Zara, had stayed at home because she was ill.

Ella had barely caught that, because when Oscar had pointed towards the pool tables where his two other bandmates were, she swore her heart had skipped a beat.

There stood a man, waiting for his turn at the game but the one who had Ella hypnotized was this woman bent over trying to make a shot at a striped ball. Ella watched the smirk growing on her face when she made the shot with ease and watched as she stood back up straight, only losing her breath a little more.

Her black hair cut in a bob with the long bangs framed her face perfectly, and Ella appreciated her beauty deeply but what she was wearing had the American gulping at the sight. Her legs were on full show due to her short plaid skirt but covered in fishnets, her white crop top clearly showed the lack of a bra, she stood tall in her red heeled platform boots and her neck was adorned with a black leather collar that tied together with a metal A.

Suddenly, Ella felt so insignificant in her square neck green dress that covered up to her knees and her simple black chelsea boots.

But that feeling of inferiority died when the girl caught her staring and she had to make it seem like she was talking to Katie. It hadn't worked at all, because the girl's smirk grew bigger at the sight of Ella's flustered expression as she spoke to Jamie's fiance.

Alex had noticed her pink cheeks but had been in conversation with Nick and Matt, therefore missing what had happened, so he brought his hand to Ella's face and cupped her jaw just to feel how warm she was.

"Are you okay?" He asked with a tinge of worry. He knew she didn't do well in the cold and the last thing he wanted was for her to become ill whilst on holiday.

Ella gulped at the feeling of his hand on her face, so delicate and warm. "Yes, uhm–, who's that?" She shyly asked, pointing towards the woman with a slight raise of her chin.

Alex's gaze quickly fell on the other two members of Pale Waves and with a soft frown, he repeated what Oscar had said a few minutes before. "Oscar's bandmates."

She let out a small sigh, "I know– but, who's she?"

Alex missed the way Ella looked at the girl then, because he just had to roll his eyes as he was completely overcome with annoyance and anger towards the woman playing pool. He shook his head, not really wanting Ella to meet such an appalling person. "You don't wanna know."

That answer had Ella frowning, his face had completely fallen just at the sight of the girl and if that was Alex's reaction to just being in the same establishment as that woman, then she was intrigued about who she was and what her personality was like. She was curious to know about what had happened to make him react like that but she and Alex were brought back into conversation meaning she couldn't get answers just yet.

Matt and Bre came from the bar with drinks for everyone, placing a tray in the middle of the table. Breana had bought a round of shots for everyone along with their drinks, so that was the first thing they did to start off their night.

Ella winced at the burn of the vodka, quickly grabbing her old-fashioned to soothe her throat. Alex wrapped his arm around her waist, softly rubbing circles over her dress as he softly smiled in amusement at her reaction to the alcohol. The need to close her eyes so she could catch her breath again made Ella miss Oscar's bandmate making way to their table.

She opened her eyes and saw the lad waving at everyone and introducing himself to Bre and Ella.

"Hi, I'm Connor. Y'alright?"

Both of them greeted him sweetly and introduced themselves to him, falling into a quick small talk that was then interrupted as the mystery woman now came from the bar with two drinks in hand.

Ella felt her gaze burning on the side of her head from all the way there, that was the only reason she had noticed where she had disappeared to, and she'd had to turn back around slowly as she felt the blush creep on her cheeks again.

But then her platform boots hitting the wooden floors had Ella turning back around to watch her approach them. The girl took a sip of one of the drinks, the glass leaving her lips just a few seconds later and they formed a grin as she got to them.

"Well hello," The girl said but it wasn't to everyone, her gaze was stuck on Ella who grew hot under it and almost shifted in her seat. Alex's hold grew tighter by the second, and that was making her head spin too.

Ella was beyond herself at the way she was feeling about the woman so she could only mutter a quiet, "Hi." as she raised her eyes to return her stare, trying to smile at her without blushing but it was becoming difficult.

"I'm Alice." She said and offered her hand out for Ella to shake, "What's your name beautiful?"

That fully made Ella's cheeks heat up again—her voice was so sweet and her accent only made Ella's knees go weak—but Alice had barely a chance to see her flustered because Alex was quick to say through his teeth, "Fuck off Alice.", making Ella whip her head around to glare at him.

She had never seen him be anything but kind to everyone, and Alice had only said hello and introduced herself so there was no need for the defensive reaction.

Alice seemed to be used to it though, because she only raised her eyebrows at him, gave him an unimpressed, "Rude." and then turned back to Ella with a soft smile and asked again, "What's your name darling?"

Ella didn't know if it was the way Alex squeezed her waist after hearing Alice call her that, or if it was hearing Alice call her 'darling' that had made her squirm in her seat.

Nothing compared to the feeling in her tummy whenever Alex called her by that nickname but what she had just felt from being called it by Alice was the closest she could imagine it would feel from anyone else that wasn't the singer.

It was embarrassing how much of an effect a gorgeous woman could have on her but she would blame it on the lack of sex for the past six months and the instant attraction she felt for Alice.

"I'm Ella." The American finally answered, placing her hand on Alice's and praying she didn't feel how they had started to sweat.

"Well Ella..." Instead of shaking her hand, Alice turned it so she could lean down and kiss the back of it, "Lovely to meet you."

Ella wanted to say that it was a pleasure to meet her as well but after that, her words were completely stuck in her throat. Ella barely registered Alex's exasperated sigh at Alice's antics because she watched Alice notice her 'Pure Desire' tattoo on the back of her hand and how she seemed entranced by it, even if it was only for a mere few seconds.

Ella wouldn't lie and say that it didn't feel nice to see Alice acting like that towards her, especially when she seemed to really not want to let go of her hand and leaving her with a faint squeeze to it.

It had been so long since Ella felt anyone actually showed some genuine interest in her—she knew any flirting from Miles was a joke, and that the flirting from Alex wasn't something he actually meant—, that it had her feeling giddy and smiley.

"Oscar, wanna play the winner?" Alice offered her bandmate with the whole group watching her. "Hello everyone by the way. Looking gorgeous as usual ladies and I've missed you three." She added, only giving a smile to Nick, Jamie and Matt, completely excluding Alex from the greeting and even though Ella was still confused by it, she knew Alex had started it.

"Sure," Oscar stood up and then turned to his other bandmate, "Come on Connor."

"I didn't win." Connor hung his head a little, making Matt laugh at the bassist's defeat.

Ella's gaze was drawn onto Alice, she truly couldn't stop looking at her and when she let her gaze drop to scan her look again, she noticed her nipple piercings peaking through the thin fabric of her top. Ella almost groaned at the sight, her legs clenching together and biting her bottom lip.

Alice caught her looking again but this time Ella only gave her a big smile. However this might finish, I should go for it tonight, Ella thought then, with her mind made about Alice and what could happen. The night was young and she felt it was reciprocal so she could try to let go and have fun that night.

About an hour later, and after two more shots and a third old-fashioned in hand, Ella was well on her way to getting drunk. She was very tipsy, only a couple glasses left for her to fall over the edge of drunkenness so she made herself the promise of having a glass of water after she was done with her current cocktail.

Her eyes had been magnetized to Alice's figure, just like Alice's to hers because they had both caught each other staring a fair few times and the last one had ended with Ella blushing after Alice winked at her.

Ella went to the bar once she had finished her drink, promising Alex she was fine and was only going for some water so she could last a bit longer without getting absolutely shit-faced. Alex reluctantly nodded and turned back around to talk to Jamie and Katie once he saw her almost at the bar.

Alice had been waiting for the perfect moment to approach Ella so she could get to know her without being stared at by the rest of their friends and without Alex being an absolute prick to her.

So seeing Ella sweetly smile at the bartender and ask for a glass of water, Alice walked up beside her and greeted her again.

"What is the pretty lady drinking tonight?" Alice asked with a sultry voice that made Ella brightly smile.

"Got some water for now 'cause I refuse to get wasted and go back to my hotel room before midnight." Ella explained swiftly, playing with her fingers.

Alice hummed with a smirk on her face, "Awh baby, are you a lightweight?"

Ella giggled shyly, her already pink cheeks heating up even more at the pet name, "I have that reputation, yeah."

The Brit smirked at her, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you."

"Thank you, Alice." Ella replied with a faint blush on her cheeks.

Alice found it so adorable how easily she blushed but she didn't want her to stay quiet so she started to test the waters to see her chances. "You're not from here from what I can hear."

"The gossip or the accent?"

"The accent," Alice chuckled at her banter, "Quite like it, always been a sucker for an American accent."

Ella hummed softly and decided to just push through her shyness to flirt back with the stunning girl. "It's a British accent in my case."

"Is it?" Alice smirked, she wanted to keep talking to her just to see how she was once out of her shell. "Shall we go sit over there?" She pointed at a booth by a window, not too close to the bar but not too close to their friends either.

Ella nodded, "Sure. Let me get you a drink first though."

Alice just couldn't hold her tongue so she smirked to reply, "Spoiling me already? Was hoping you'd save that for later."

And she was pleasantly surprised when Ella flirted right back, "I'll have more left in me, don't worry."

Completely satisfied with her reply, Alice hummed and gave in, "In that case, I'd love a gin and tonic."

Ella quickly ordered and paid for Alice's drink, handing it to her once the bartender pushed it towards her and after a sweet 'thank you' from Alice, they made their way to the booth.

"Whereabouts in the States are you from?" Alice asked right after they'd taken their seats, sipping on her drink slowly as she waited for her to answer.

"Tennessee, but I live in Los Angeles."

"Ohhh," Alice let out in realization, "Is that how you know them then?"

Ella nodded with a soft smile, "I'm a production assistant in this company that has been working with them since 2011."

"Fucking hell. Two years dealing with them? I applaud you." Alice exaggerated a bit, knowing that they could be annoying but when it came to work they were professionals.

The American girl chuckled, "They're great. I love them, the four idiots."

"Yeah, but you know..." Alice pushed further, playfully. "Men."

"Ugh, don't even get me started." Ella groaned and that was enough to spark some curiosity in Alice.

"Oh no. Bad experience?"

Ella took a few seconds to think before answering, but even then she stumbled, "It's... complicated."

"Do you mind if I'm nosy and ask about it?" Alice was gentle, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

Ella was feeling very at ease with her though so she didn't find it hard to say, "I actually feel like a drunk rant about the whole thing will be great right now but I apologize in advance for oversharing."

"Nothing to apologize for, baby." Alice quickly reassured, smirking when Ella pressed her lips after being called by the pet name.

After taking a sip of water, Ella started, "So, my last boyfriend cheated on me. And I would love to say that the whole relationship was shit and it was the worst experience of my life but that'd be a lie."

That didn't make Alice feel better about the situation though, her frown deep as she commented on it with a stern, "What a fucking twat."

"Yeah..." Ella agreed, "Now, when I think back to it, I just get annoyed at how he played me. We had agreed on starting a family and trying for a baby at the start of the year and I was over the moon about it so imagine how shattered I was when his parents found him on a date with someone else when he'd told them he'd be out with me."

"You're joking..." Alice's jaw dropped at the brief story, for it sounded utterly devastating.

"He hadn't even wanted to tell me himself to start with so his parents called me to tell me themselves. Apparently they'd been together for a whole month by then." Ella winced as she thought back to it, still not believing that had happened to her.

"I'm so sorry, that's the worst fucking thing." Alice apologized like she needed to but then tried to bring her spirits back up joking with, "You should've fucked his dad. Or his mum, I don't discriminate."

Ella cackled and nodded, "Yeah, that threesome would've made him hate me."

Alice smirked, slightly satisfied by the subtle confirmation of the girl's sexuality. "Definitely."

The alcohol was already impulsing Ella to word vomit though, that's why she continued saying, "Now I have this awful feeling that every relationship I have will end up with me getting cheated on because the first one did it too."

And the British girl didn't miss a beat to reply, "I will batter him after I batter the last one."

"Oh it was a she." Ella felt the need to clear up, looking straight into Alice's eyes just to watch her reaction to the confirmation of her sexuality. "My first relationship. She was my best friend since we started high school but I'd always liked her, so we became girlfriends with two years left until graduation and we were gonna go to college together. Well, that was until she met someone else and fell in love with her, and then left me to go to college with that other girl."

Softly gasping at how cruel things had been to Ella, Alice said, "What the fuck? That is so unfair."

Ella could only nod, "I was left scarred from that one so I just didn't do relationships. Julian was my second official partner, everyone else in between was just a casual thing or a one night stand."

And that was enough for Alice to know that she'd make the night memorable for Ella, "You know what? Fuck them both. Tonight we're gonna have fun and we're gonna forget all about them, so let me change this," She grabbed Ella's glass of water and stood up from her seat, "For an actual drink. Tonight you're getting the treatment you deserve, baby."

Alice winked before leaving to the bar, leaving Ella to stay at the booth, fiddling with her fingers from how nervous she seemed to have gotten. It had been so long since she'd done something casual and she was so scared of fucking up.

No more than two minutes later, Alice was back with two gin and tonics. She left Ella's in front of her and sat back down across from her in the booth.

"Thanks very much." Ella's voice was shy, making Alice feel the need to relax her some more.

"It's nothing, Ella." Alice promised with that sweet voice of hers that had Ella already feeling some type of way.

"You can call me Ellie." She offered her quickly, it was weird to hear someone who wasn't from work call her Ella now.

Alice smirked and stood back up from the booth, grabbing her drink with her left hand and extending her right out to Ella so she could stand up too. "Ellie, let's go dance then."

But that had Ella hiding into herself, "M'not a great dancer."

"I seriously doubt that." Alice insisted, wiggling her fingers which finally made Ella take her hand and let her pull her up from her seat.

"We can dance when I have more alcohol in me." Ella negotiated, knowing she was too sober to dance in the middle of the pub.

"Should we get some shots then?" The singer suggested with that mischievous smirk of hers.

A smirk that Ella matched as she thought, "I probably shouldn't, 'cause it gets me quick but I'm feeling some tequila shots right now."

Alice hummed, amused at the information. "You're looking for trouble."

"Maybe I am." Ella flirted this time, before taking a sip of her drink with her eyes still on Alice's face.

"I like that." Alice winked at her, "How about some shots and playing pool to warm up?"

That sounded like a solid plan to Ella so she eagerly nodded, "Sounds wonderful."

"Alright, go get a table and I'll get us some shots."

Just like Alice had told her, Ella stood by the chosen table after setting it all up. She was leaning on the table as she watched Alice and Matt talking by the bar while they waited for their drinks, but it soon seemed to have turned bitter as Alice's smile changed to a frown that made Ella want to go over and fix whatever had happened.

"Was Matthew annoying you?" Ella had been quick to inquire once Alice was back beside her.

Handing her a shot glass, Alice shrugged with an eye roll, "He's being a dickhead."

"Typical Helders." Ellajoked before raising her glass and clinking it with Alice's to take it.

Ella winced at the taste, going straight back to her still half full gin and tonic to make the tequila burn subside a little bit.

"Do you know how to play?" Alice asked, grabbing her cue and already itching to start playing.

Ella scoffed playfully, "'Course I do."

Alice laughed and said, "Alright." letting her go first.

But halfway through the game, when Ella was missing shots consecutively, Alice had noted her poor form. "You're doing it wrong."

"Why?" Ella asked, slightly defensive.

Alice went to stand behind her, pushing her back down so she was still bent over the table and she could fix her stance. Alice had smirked at the position though, her brain going places already. "If you keep leaning like that then you're gonna mess up your shot."

The Brit leaned her cue on the side of the table and used both her hands to grab at Ella's hips and reposition them. "Keep your hips here, and don't slump over the table like that." Her hands softly fixed her shoulders, making Ella smile at the touch. "There we go. I thought you knew how to play." Alice teased with a smirk.

But Ella took the chance to flirt a little bit, "Maybe I needed a little help." wiggling her ass a little bit before hitting the white ball to shoot at a striped ball.

"Well, I don't mind helping some more." Alice's hands were still resting on her hips as Ella stood back up straight.

With her back pressed to Alice's front, Ella leaned back to say, "Sure you don't."

And Alice didn't let up when she squeezed her hips and whispered in Ella's ear. "I truly don't, but I'm still gonna win."

Ella laughed once Alice had left her with the ghost of her touch on her skin, and turn after turn, she was growing fonder of the singer's company.

Between giggles the game ended and just like Alice predicted, she had won and left Ella to play the next game with Oscar, making her way to the bar to get a new drink for herself.

Alice only let her eyes leave Ella's figure when she had to order her drink, turning back around to look at her bent over the pool table as she giggled over the things Oscar was saying. She wanted to hear exactly what the guitarist was telling her but the music was louder than the chatter.

Ella stood back up and met Alice's gaze with rosy cheeks and a soft smirk, mouthing "I'm winning" proudly to her.

Smiling brightly, Alice winked at her and mouthed a "Good job." back to her, before turning around when the man behind the bar handed her drink.

Alice thought she'd let Ella have some fun by herself, only so she didn't feel suffocated by her flirting because she truly couldn't be fucking it up with her.

So she walked to the booths on the other side of the room, to the one that gave her the best view of the place where Ella stood with Oscar, and it wasn't a surprise that a certain someone had beat her to the best seats in the house.

She smirked at the thought of pushing Alex's buttons, especially knowing that Ella seemed to be very important to him and how she had completely gotten her attention the whole night. Alice could see the fact eating away at Alex's insides.

"Your friend is fit as fuck," Alice sighed as she dropped herself into the space beside Alex, "Thank you for bringing her... Here, and to my attention."

"Stop flirting with her." Alex immediately scorned, "You're making her uncomfortable."

"If I'm making her uncomfortable then you're fucking Einstein." Alice shook her head, sarcasm thick in her voice, "She's flirting back or are you blind as a bat and can't see that woman blush?"

He scoffed, his patience wearing thin already, "She doesn't deserve to be played about by the likes of you."

"Christ Red, I'm already sick of the sound of your voice." The feeling is mutual, Alex thought but before he could even say it out loud, Alice continued, "And it's rude that you think I'm trying to play her about. I'm genuinely interested."

Alex didn't care to believe her words, still pushing for her to stop her behavior. "She's just had her heart broken and she doesn't need you to-"

But Alice had had enough, "To what, Alex? To break it again? To use her? Why do you automatically assume I'm going to be a bitch?"

"Because you are a bitch."

Alice let out a dry laugh at his attempts, "You can do better with your insults, Turner."

"She's only just herself again and I don't want you fucking that up." And truly he didn't want Ella to get hurt, he'd do anything in his power to avoid that but he was biased and in denial, not wanting to see how Ella was reciprocal to Alice's intentions.

"Very noble of you Red I've gotta say. But I have absolutely no intention to hurt that stunning woman." It was one of the very unusual times that Alice didn't use sarcasm when speaking to Alex, her words screaming honesty but the singer was seething seeing it all unfold in front of him.

"Stop trying to fuck her too," was the only thing he could say, completely ignoring Alice's tries to make him understand she wasn't playing the American girl.

She was completely fed up then, so she just said, "I think she wants to fuck me too, so why would I stop?" to mess with him a bit more, have him more angry at the fact that the night was simply not going how he'd expected.

Alex groaned in response, his hands coming up to rub his face in frustration. He desperately needed a smoke but if he went outside after this talk, he knew Alice would take Ella back to hers in a second and there'd be nothing he could do about it.

"I've never seen you so defensive. Not even over Arielle when I used to flirt with her." Alice was taking the opportunity to continue annoying him, but at the same time she was trying to find some answers, just so she could use the information to her advantage in the future.

Alex didn't give her the pleasure though, only glaring at her with murderous thoughts running through his mind. Alice brought the worst in him every time.

"What's that look for?" She teased, knowing she'd break him in no time. "Ohhh, you like her don't you?"

"Fuck off Loveless." He cursed through his teeth, really grasping tightly the last bits of patience he had left.

Alice rolled her eyes, truly amused at the fact that he kept trying to tell her what to do. "Oh Red, you've already told me and I didn't listen to you the first time so I definitely won't be now. Save your breath."

"Do you ever just get fucking tired?" His question was hostile, his gaze matching the tone.

"Not really." She purposely answered knowing that it would make him want to scream in frustration, "Do tell, how long has it been since you've liked her?"

"Shut up Alice." She truly didn't need to know, because the true answer was gonna be enough for Alice to laugh until the end of time over his 'lack of game'.

But she wouldn't budge, now she was just purely curious to know the real answer because it seemed like it'd be an entertaining story. "C'mon, let's try and be civil once." She kicked his feet under the table, only getting him to grumpily shift his legs away from her.

She laughed as Alex gave her an ultimatum for her to stop trying to get an answer. "We're not going to sit here talking about my feelings Alice. We're not friends."

"No we're not. But Christ, I'm jealous you've been her friend for so long. Since 2011 she said, you fucking lucky bastard." She really couldn't believe he had seen a girl like that for two years and not tried to make her his girlfriend.

"Please stop." He begged, making Alice's eyes widen.

"Damn you beg for this woman. You're down so bad." 'Please' was a word she never heard coming from Alex, so this meant it was very serious for him.

"Loveless, I'm being serious." His eyes narrowed as he glared at her once more.

That only had her trying not to laugh, "Don't threaten me with a good time Alex."

"Kill me now." Alex sighed, looking up to the ceiling as if begging for lightning to strike him down.

"Don't tempt me." Alice pushed further, fully just jumping on everything he said because he put it so easy for her to get him angry.

Alex was done with it so he just said what he wanted to say, not caring about what Alice may think, because he was finding her cruel—not just to him but to Ella—and he hated it. "Don't, because I know exactly what you're doing and you know it's working so just please stop."

Alice frowned, not really understanding what he meant. "What is it that I'm doing?"

"You're trying to fuck her to get one up on me for our little vendetta we have against each other. You're trying to get with her to annoy me. And yes, it's working." He stated like it was obvious, a patronizing look on his face that made Alice want to punch it right off.

Alex watched as the singer visibly deflated then, her eyes got less hard and some emotion he'd not seen in her before seeped through the cracks. But before he could comment on it, Alice's hard expression came back, "It pisses me off how you think I'm such a stone cold bitch. I have fucking feelings too, I just don't when I talk to you because you're always a cunt to me."

Her glass landed with a loud thud on the table in front of them but it wasn't loud enough to hide her scoff, "I'm not a monster Alex. I'm not trying to use her. Especially in any way to get back at you."

Alice's playful smirk had long left her face, making Alex start to panic inside thinking about what he should say to make it better, maybe even try to apologize. If Alice had paid attention to him, then she'd seen the cogs turning around in his brain, smoke coming out of his ears with how hard he was trying to make it up to the singer but when Matt came over to check on them—knowing they had a reputation to ruin each other's nights from their arguments—, he took it as he'd been saved by the bell.

Thankfully, Matt had been a sort of mediator between them because about five minutes later, when they were back alone, they stayed there in a comfortable silence rather than the awkward one before.

So they continued watching Ella playing. Their eyes followed her every move, which were ever the slightest bit calculated since Ella had caught them and could feel them staring at her.

So, with a mischievous mind very much induced by the alcohol in her bloodstream, she slowly leaned down to pick her glass from the floor, making a show of her barely covered ass and swaying it to the sides slightly, just enough for them to notice but for everyone else to take it as a normal thing.

And if that wasn't enough, when she came back up, she made sure to stroke up and down the cue she was using to play. Her fingers flexing around it, her tattoo stealing the spotlight and drawing their eyes in.

"Fucking hell." Alice hissed quietly before biting her lip and taking her own drink to have a long sip of it as she looked away from the American. Her brain was racing with thoughts that had her eager to get the night moving.

As Alex was the only one who could hear it, he looked at the singer and breathlessly asked, "What?" as if he hadn't seen that too, as if he hadn't had to bite his tongue and clench his fists to not groan.

"I want that Pure Desire tattoo wrapped around my neck like a pretty necklace." Alice said truthfully, not really wanting to keep it to herself because it was Ella and she knew now that he'd agree. "Take this choker off me and give me her hand."

Alex hated so badly that it was Alice saying it, he didn't want to share Ella with anyone, much less with the woman he hated. "Oh my fucking god Alice."

Alice rolled her eyes, "Oh don't tell me you've not pictured exactly the same thing. Just because I'm the only one ballsy enough to say it out loud."

"Come on," Alice nudged his shoulder with hers, "Admit it."

"Loveless." He told her like a warning.

Alice leaned in a little closer, prompting him again, "Admit it, Red." And only to see his reaction is that she allowed herself to think of a dirty scenario, "You've definitely thought about that hand around your throat, probably around your dick too, but knowing your lyrics, the throat one probably has you finishing in seconds when you think about her."

"You're being loud." He warned once more.

"And there was no denial in sight. Kinky bastard." She raised an eyebrow at him, challenging him to admit to having done that. But he was quick to avert his eyes and look back to the pool tables. "Don't go all shy, she's hot. Why wouldn't you want her? I know I do."

He still gave her silence as an answer and that was enough for Alice to know it all. Alex was so easy to read, and having received nothing but hostility, indifference and defensive comments from him, it was easy to know when he felt the complete opposite towards someone.

They watched as she made her last shot, making it perfectly and she jumped in her spot in celebration. Oscar laughed at her actions, his smile staying on his face because Ella was just so adorable to him. So he took a step towards her and in one swift motion pulled her in by the waist, making her crash into his chest and fling her arms around his neck for stability.

Oscar had seen the two staring at Ella for a while, so he found his friends' eyes and smirked at them in an attempt to tease them.

Oscar's smirk only grew bigger when Alice and Alex flipped him off at the same time, the jaws locked and their stern looks on him as he swayed with Ella in his arms and squeezed her tight before letting go.

"How you nearly fucked him I don't know." Alex quickly reminded Alice, trying to see if that'd push her away from trying anything else tonight.

"We were very drunk and my standards were lower."

"You sure?" He back chatted, without missing a beat and the way her face fell in annoyance.

"You're a dick." She sighed, her 'Alex Turner tolerance' levels were running very low, "I'm sorry but out of me or Oscar, who would you rather take your friend home?"

"Can't believe I'm saying this but you." He felt sick just admitting that aloud.

She hummed in satisfaction, "Exactly."

Ella moved to hang the cue she'd been using, hearing Breana call her over from the table the group was still at. So she walked in a slow pace over to her best friend, smirking at the attention of Alice and Alex she could still feel.

Alice sighed in content, watching Ella's legs peeking out from the fabric of her dress, her ass so perfectly hugged by it. "She's so perfect from every point of view... Just one look from her is more than enough for me to believe god is real and she's just as gay as me." She backtracked on her statement and felt the need to clarify, "God, I mean, not Ella. I know Ella is just as gay as me."

Alex shook his head, trying not to give her the pleasure of hearing him actually laugh because he'd found that funny, focusing on the way Ella got to Bre and hugged her from the back and over her shoulders.

They could see Breana had ordered some sort of dessert, but they weren't quite sure what it was. It didn't matter though, because watching Ella take the spoonful that the model was offering her was far more important, and it had them completely entranced when the whipped cream that was over it fell out of the corner of Ella's mouth and down her bare neck.

Ella laughed, struggling to swallow between the chuckles and Breana, who was trying to wipe the sweet from her neck with her finger, couldn't do it correctly due to how she couldn't stay still from the laughter.

A few seconds later, Bre had managed to wipe most of it with her index finger and offered it to Ella as a joke to lick clean but that was exactly what Ella needed to have the two people who were gawking at her, completely lose it.

So Ella stuck her tongue out to lick Breana's finger from base to tip and then wrapped her lips around it to sink her mouth on it. It got even filthier when Ella's eyes met theirs and she let them roll back in satisfaction.

Both Alice and Alex were struggling to breathe. In the middle of that Alice's head had fallen on Alex's shoulder and she'd fully groaned into his neck. Alex was going into overdrive, and Alice felt herself getting worked up from the whole thing.

"That was thigh-clenching-ly hot. Fuck me..." And Alice wasn't lying because when Alex distractedly dropped his gaze down, he saw her thighs pressed together and he had to hold himself back not to groan in response.

But Ella wasn't done, not when she'd just seen them react that way. She had made it seem like she'd gotten distracted by Jamie and Nick laughing at Matt's comment on Ella trying to steal his girlfriend, but she'd been watching the two out of the corner of her eye.

That's why, to seemingly keep the joke going in front of the lads, she asked Breana to lick the rest off her neck and her best friend did just that.

Alice wanted to be Breana so badly in that moment, to have Ella sit on her lap as she licked her neck. Alex tried not to moan when he saw Bre purposely start sucking on Ella's neck and Ella's mouth opened slightly in pleasure.

"They're gonna start shagging on the table!" They heard Nick yell, Matt was separating the American girls as everyone laughed their asses off, especially when they pointed at the small bruise already showing faintly on Ella's neck

Alice had been sure she'd be shagging Ella later, but that just made her a thousand percent sure that it'd be one of the best decisions she'd make. "I won't fuck her against the shared wall, don't worry." She stated, even though she certainly knew that'd happen, because all she wanted to do now was fuck Ella in every corner of her damn flat.

Alex stood up then, completely done with her, still breathless from the whole situation and just wanting to go home so he could properly get off to the thought of Ella. "Time for another drink."

"I'll have a Negroni Sbag–"

"Wasn't asking if you wanted one Loveless." Alex leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Especially if you fuck my Ellie."

Alice smirked up at him and whispered back, "I'm going to make your Ellie cum on my tongue."

Alex pretended the image hadn't made him want to burst right there. He was sure he'd hate Alice even more after that night because of how much he'd be thinking about them both. And it was awful of him, he knew, but how could he not. That made him also want to kick himself in the head because it wasn't only Ella involved, it was Alice of all people. Fucking Alice.

Alice downed whatever was left of her drink, taking the empty glass with her until she reached Ella's side and wrapped her arm around her waist.

"You're a tease, aren't you?" Alice whispered into her ear, making Ella shiver in her hold.

Ella played innocent, "Me? What makes you say that?"

But Alice could see straight through her and if she was right about her suspicions then it would be a very fun night. Alice hummed, letting her hand drop slowly and then grabbing a handful of Ella's ass and squeezing it, making Ella whimper softly only for her to hear. "I'm very observant."

Ella had enough alcohol in her to fully be blunt and not care that she was in public and in front of all their friends so, with her eyes filled with lust, she said, "And are you liking the view?"

"Very much." Alice replied looking at her hungrily and not being able to hold back any longer.

Alice quickly placed her glass on the table and grabbed Ella by the neck to pull her in and kiss her. It was a hungry kiss, and neither of the girls cared to be seen, if anything Alice thought it'd be better for everyone in the place to know she was the one taking Ella home. Alice believed she was the only one in the place that could treat her the way she deserved.

Ella's arms wrapped around Alice's shoulders, making sure to tangle her fingers on the singer's hair and pulling her in impossibly closer. Alice had one of her arms around Ella's waist, holding her tightly to her chest, and her right hand was still wrapped around Ella's neck just like she'd wanted to do all night.

Now, Alice wanted to test her theories, so she put some more pressure around Ella's neck to see if she was truly into it and when the girl moaned into her mouth, allowing their tongues to taste each other, Alice felt like the luckiest woman alive.

Their kiss went on until they ran out of breath, pulling away as they panted, not even caring about how their friends had all gone silent. All the girls could focus on was the big smirks on each other's faces, certainly satisfied by the kiss.

Somewhere in the background they heard Matt saying "Fucking hell, they were eating each other." but they couldn't be arsed to say anything back because Alice was now rubbing circles on Ella's neck and she was enjoying the touch way too much.

Ella's gaze fell on Alice's swollen lips and that only made her want to taste them again so, letting one of her arms drop from around her shoulders to her waist, Ella pulled Alice back in for another kiss.

Alice moaned as she felt Ella's tongue instantly teasing her lips so that she could open them up for her, making Ella grip her waist tighter and pushing her hips against Alice's. That only made the British girl tighten her hold around Ella's neck, and that's when Ella knew that if she didn't live in a different continent, then she'd do anything to feel Alice's lips on hers all the time.

This time they didn't kiss for long, because now their friends were causing ruckus and they'd rather not have them ruin the night for them by being loud and forcing them to leave early. Not that it would be bad for them, as they could get down to it sooner but they both knew they wanted to stay and enjoy each other's presence a little more at the pub they were in.

So Ella left a bunch of pecks on Alice's lips, which made Alice truly melt at how fucking adorable she was.

When Alice let her hand drop from Ella's neck, she noticed once again the bareness of it, so she undid her own choker and wrapped it around Ella's neck instead.

Ella bit her lip, feeling Alice's fingers brushing the skin on the back of her neck—it was such a simple touch but she was suffocating in the tension between them, it had her tummy fluttering.

Alice finished locking the leather piece, and leaned backwards to see it in all its glory around Ella's pretty neck. "Definitely suits you better." She said, her mouth watering as she thought of marking her up all over. "That feel alright?" She asked, just to make sure Ella was comfortable.

But Ella made her breath hitch in her throat when she whispered, "Kinda wish it could be tighter."

And once again, Alice just couldn't help herself. She deeply groaned as she hooked her finger on the A that tied the choker together and pulled Ella in to attack her lips again. Thankfully, seeing that the two girls had been ignoring them all, their friends had gone back to what they were doing and left them to it.

They were also thankful for the music in the place, loud enough so it could drown the moans they were letting out into each other's mouths.

Alice brought one of her hands to tangle in Ella's hair and pulled on it ever so roughly to make her whimper. Ella had left the hand that was on Alice's waist drop to grope her ass, fingers roughly kneading the barely covered flesh, and the singer stopped the kiss to let out a breathy moan that had Ella smirking.

Alex had come back from the bar right after Alice had put her choker on Ella and he found it a miracle that the glass he had in his hand didn't shatter from how tight he was holding it.

He knew Alice was determined but how he wished she'd set her eyes on someone else because seeing all that was just making his chest twist in a knot. He had imagined tonight going so differently: getting to have a drink with Ella and chat to their heart's content, dancing around with her, sharing smokes and maybe taking her back to his just so they could cuddle.

The longer he thought about it, the more his anger towards Alice bubbled inside him.

He got to the table right when the girls let go of each other, not before Ella gave Alice's ass another cheeky squeeze, making Alice laugh and leave a kiss on her neck. Rolling his eyes, he started gulping down his drink, making a mental note to make it a double next time he went to the bar.

Ella went to sit with Breana again, leaving Alice to chat with Oscar and both conversations seemed to be about the same topic.

Bre kept teasing Ella, and she could only blush as she said how much she was looking forward to later in the night. The model had hugged her tightly and shaken her in her arms, making Ella giggle away.

And Alice watched all that with a loopy smile on her face, matching the one on Alex's face who was looking at Ella's happy state with pure adoration. Yes he despised seeing it be because of someone else but her happiness was contagious and he couldn't help feeling warm inside whenever she smiled.

It was about ten minutes later that someone from the staff had pulled the projector screen down in the corner of the room and set everything up for karaoke. A handful of people ran to the book to pick a song to perform.

They all suffered three very drunkenly performed songs and a decent rendition of one of the best ABBA songs. And as a man very passionately sang an Adele song, a tipsy Ella who had been peer pressured into participating stood up to grab the song book.

If it wasn't for the alcohol and Alice's gaze on her, she would've done anything to avoid it, but then she found a song she loved by one of her new favorite artists that had her brightly grinning and quickly telling the man in charge of the songs what it was that she'd be singing.

When the man singing Adele was done and stepped out of the small stage, Ella grabbed the microphone with shaky hands. Everyone at the table whooped and cheered, wolf whistled and clapped seeing her walk onto the stage, making her blush.

The song started, she was deeply regretting agreeing to it until her eyes landed on Alex's and he nodded at her encouragingly, giving her thumbs up and smiling wide at seeing her on stage for a change.

Ella smiled back at him, scrunching her nose and in no time she started singing along.

She had a sweet, hush voice that sounded amazing even when she was drunk. People at the pub started cheering for her as she'd been so far the best to perform. But it was when she got to the chorus that her eyes met Alice's and she just had to put on a little show for her.

Fuck yeah, give it to me, this is Heaven, what I truly want

Ella sang teasingly, making sure to get a little breathless to accentuate how she wanted to be chanting that line, Alice crossed her legs to aid the ache between them.

Alex had let out a groan, one that left his throat without him wanting to. If he closed his eyes every time she sang that line, he could paint a picture in his mind that was enough for him to cum in his pants at any second.

It was in the second verse that Ella leaned onto the railing that separated the stage and stared right into Alice's eyes as she sang.

In the land of gods and monsters

I was an angel looking to get fucked hard

Ella sent a wink Alice's way and the singer bit her lip, eyeing her up and down with a hungry look on her face.

And after that look, Ella just filled up with this confidence that had her hips swaying and really feeling every line of the song.

Alex was quite literally dying in his seat. His heart was going a thousand miles per hour, every movement of Ella's body getting branded to the forefront of his mind. But all of Ella's attention was on Alice, making him want to scream.

Alice had made a point to be the loudest once Ella got off stage and she was pleased to see Ella go straight to sit on her lap and give her a quick kiss.

"That was so embarrassing." She'd said in Alice's ear.

Alice shook her head, "You did amazing, baby. T'was fucking hot."

Ella gave her no time to react when she cupped her jaw and kissed her hard. Ella's hands cupped her jaw eagerly and Alice's arms pulled her impossibly close, and because of how she'd forcefully pushed her hips into hers, Ella had moaned at the friction.

"God– Please, sit on my face." Alice said under her breath, already obsessed with the noises Ella made.

Ella's thighs clenched together, "Thought you'd never ask." was what she said back and Alice would've taken her right there if she could've.

Another hungry kiss started, their tongues meeting straight away making them dizzy from want but it was cut short because of the person who was now on stage quite literally screaming 'Living On A Prayer'. Ella rested her forehead on Alice's and they both started laughing into each other, absolutely loving the way the night was turning out to be.

Alex was forcing himself to focus on the butchering of the Bon Jovi song, just so he could keep the little sanity he had left.

He was sure it'd be worse once he'd go home and had to try to find sleep whilst he knew that the girls' would be shagging next door. He would just have to try and stay way longer just to avoid arriving at his flat.

A few more people went—including Katie and Breana who had sung 'Head Over Heels' by Tears for Fears—, and after a fair fifteen minutes, Ella had stood up from Alice's lap so she could go sing.

When Alice got on stage, Ella wolf whistled at her, earning her a wink and a blown kiss. Alex felt himself dying a little bit when he watched Ella's massive smile on her face at that. Jealousy was such a weird feeling, his chest tightening at the sight of her happiness and knowing someone else was the reason for that, was killing him.

And it only became worse when Alice's chosen song started and the people around the place started cheering for her as she sang straight to Ella.

So one, two, three

Take my hand and come with me

Because you look so fine

That I really wanna make you mine

I said, you look so fine

That I really wanna make you mine

He wanted to be the one making Ella blush as she giggled by having a song basically serenaded to her.

Well, I could see you home with me

But you were with another man, yeah

I know we ain't got much to say

Before I let you get away, yeah

I said, are you gonna be my girl?

Alex drowned his thoughts in whiskey, staring at a giddy Ella hypnotized by Alice. It was painful to see not only their group of friends enjoying the performance but everyone in the establishment cheering and singing along, clapping and hyping Alice up. That only had the singer more confident to lay it on thick on Ella as she sang to her.

Once Alice was done and off stage, seeing Ella so eagerly kiss her had Alex standing up from his seat and going to the bar.

He ordered himself a double whiskey on the rocks, downing it faster than he should've and ordering another one right away. He sat at the bar until the karaoke stopped and even though his ears hurt, he wished the obnoxious noise was still there so he could distract himself from his thoughts.

Once he was finished with his second drink, he made sure to get a third one and when he got it, he went back to sit at the booth he and Alice had been sitting at earlier when watching Ella.

Time had moved quicker than he could process as he wallowed in self pity in a corner and, in a moment when her attention wasn't completely taken by Alice or the rest of the group, Ella made her way to him.

She was truly elated, the night had turned out better than she'd ever expected and to find someone she actually wanted to fuck, who she felt so comfortable with already, was a massive win to her.

So Ella let herself drop beside Alex with a happy sigh. He turned around quickly, knowing it was her from just her scent, and smiled softly.

"You okay sweets?" She asked with a soft frown on her face, the last time she'd seen him was when she was on stage during karaoke and he'd been smiling so she wondered what had happened for his mood to fall down completely.

"Yes darling, I'm fine." He gave her a tight lip smile that she instantly knew was forced.

She shook her head, "You don't look it, sweetness. Come here." She opened her arms for him and Alex sighed.

He stared at the A around her neck, held by the leather band of the choker and he wished with everything he had that it was A for Alex instead of Alice. Ignoring the growing jealousy inside him, he accepted her embrace and relaxed instantly by nuzzling in the crook of her neck.

She giggled at the tickling feeling from his hair, which made him only do it more in order to hear her laugh louder. His hand managed to go around her side to tickle her there and that's when she dropped her arms to cackle as she tried to push him away from her.

"Stop, stop, stop. I'm too drunk for tickling." She pleaded, really feeling like she'd fully pee herself from laughing with her state.

Alex stopped, opting for properly wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer into his side.

"Are you having fun?" He asked softly, only she was able to hear him from how close she was to him.

Ella showed a loopy grin, her eyes closing at how wide it was, "Lots."

"I'm glad, darling. You deserve it." He was being honest, because despite how he hated everything that had gone on—except for this very moment—, he was so damn happy she was happy.

She cooed, letting her head fall on his shoulder. "Gonna make me cry, sweets. Remember I'm an emotional drunk."

He chuckled and left a kiss on top of her head, making her skin erupt in goosebumps. "You're a clingy one as well. You'll be asking for cuddles in a bit."

And he was about to suggest taking her back to his so they could cuddle all night, a last attempt to stop anything from happening between her and Alice, when aforementioned suddenly appeared beside her and pounced on Ella's lips.

Ella leaned back into Alex due to the force and the lack of space, and since the singer had his arm around her waist, he was stuck between the seat and Ella's body.

He tried his best to avert his eyes, not wanting to watch the way Alice's tongue disappeared into Ella's mouth but what he couldn't do was mute the noise so he fully froze when Ella let out a loud moan at the taste of Alice.

A moan that earned her one from Alice and soon enough both of them were whimpering messes which had Alex completely going insane.

Alex tried pulling his arm out slowly but Ella kept leaning back, meaning he was more trapped by the second. He watched around him in search of any type of help, he needed a way out, but everyone was still at the table, so engrossed in the conversations that he couldn't even catch anyone's attention from where he was.

He cursed in his head, fully panicking as Ella continued to lean back into him and now resting on his chest, Alice starting to bend over on top of her. And then the girls' hands started to wander and Ella's right hand disappeared under Alice's top. He could see her fingers inching closer to Alice's nipple and he knew that if he didn't get out of there soon, then he'd be in serious trouble.

So Alex cleared his throat loudly and continuously, enough times to have them separating with their chests heaving and cheeks flushed. Not as flushed as his, but definitely giving him competition.

Alice held her hand out for Ella to grab, which she accepted instantly and watching Alice go over to the table to grab her coat, Ella turned around slightly to apologize.

"Sorry sweets. I'll see you tomorrow?" Ella tried meeting his eyes to see if their plans still stood, but it was a failure.

Alex could barely meet her eyes as he nodded his head. "Yep. See you tomorrow, darling."

Ella gave him a tight lip smile that he missed but he was left with the picture of Alice helping Ella put her coat on and then intertwining her fingers with Ella's as they waved everyone goodbye.

"Have fun Eleanor!" Oscar yelled suggestively as the couple of girls walked away.

Ella was gonna flip him off when Alice beat her to an answer, "Oh she most certainly will." She assured, to then make a V with her fingers and stuck her tongue out through it to flick up and down in a quick motion.

They heard their friends laugh behind them, Ella's cheeks bright red as they walked out but her heart leaped on her chest from anticipation. 

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

The walk back to Alice's was about fifteen minutes long which she'd find short in any other circumstance, but standing right there with the need to have Ella to herself had her deciding to just take a cab back to her place.

Only a few minutes later the girls were sitting inside a car, the red light on and the lights flashing as they drove the city's streets.

"So I hear you're in a band?" Ella started the conversation, feeling Alice rubbing her hand tattoo with her thumb.

She nodded, giving Ella her undivided attention, "I am."

"What do you do?" Ella asked, her words a little slurred, and she felt slightly bad for forgetting what Oscar had said she did earlier.

But Alice smiled amused, "I sing."

"Like Alex?" The American grinned, forgetting how both singers seemed to hate each other.

"Yes, but I'm better than him," Alice stated confidently and when Ella laughed a little she added, "I'm sexier too."

Ella hummed softly, not really knowing if she could fully agree on that because if she took a moment to think about it, then she'd greedily choose them both.

"Why does it seem like you two don't like each other?" She felt the need to ask.

"That's because we don't... At all." Alice didn't hesitate to tell her.

The information confused Ella because she truly couldn't understand why Alex couldn't stand such a sweet and funny girl like Alice.

"Can I ask why?" She asked curiously.

"I don't know why to be honest with you." Alice told her truthfully, "The first time I met him he was horrible to me for no reason. And then it progressed to what it is now... Always getting under each other's skin."

"He's not a bad person, I swear." Ella felt the sudden urge to defend her best friend, maybe even give Alice another view on him that could make her try to change her mind. "I've actually never met anyone nicer... He's the one who got me through all the shit my ex put me through, got me being myself again."

"I'm glad he's got a soft spot for someone. Nice to see some human qualities come through" Alice only smiled back, her eyes clearly wandering around Ella's face, which made her blush. "And it's really fine that it's not for me. We get under each other's skin, it's entertaining a lot of the time to be honest."

Ella got lost staring at Alice's features, half a minute going by before her brain caught up with what was said so she offered a solution, "Maybe if you spent time together then you both could-"

But Alice shook her head with a sad expression on her face. Only sad because of not being able to give Ella the outcome she wanted in the situation. "We're going on tour together the rest of the year and the next baby, and we've just done a festival run together. I can't see anything changing. And I've already tried with him and nothing's ever come of it. So I'll just have to learn to live with him."

"You're touring with them?" Ella asked with a sparkle of excitement in her eyes.

"Pale Waves supporting Arctic Monkeys across America and Europe and festivals in Australia. Can you believe it?" Alice smiled sweetly at her, really appreciating her obvious elation at the news.

"I feel bad that you're touring with them and I've never heard your music." Ella's voice sounded very apologetic then, as she played with Alice's fingers.

"Don't worry baby," Alice waved off, letting go of Ella's hand to let her own wander over her knee and slowly up her thigh. "You'll get the best seats to any and all shows. I'll be very pleased to see your pretty face there."

Ella blushed harder then, letting her head drop slightly. Feeling the urge to tease Alice back, she let her hand brush over her fishnet covered thigh, and let her fingertips ghost over the tattoo she had there. 'My Mind Makes Noises' it read, and if she focused enough, Ella could see the goosebumps breaking out on Alice's skin from the touch.

"It's the title of my first album." Alice told her with a small smile.

Ella's fingers kept tracing the words as she asked, "Your first?"

"Yes, I'm writing my second now." The singer nodded, trying not to react to the tingles that Ella's fingers were causing her to feel go up her thigh and reach her center.

"Nice." Ella smiled but she couldn't help but wonder, "Why 'My Mind Makes Noises'?"

"Mental illness, baby." Alice chuckled as a joke, but she went on to explain, "I'm okay now but I struggled with how I looked and what my body looked like when I was younger. Wrote the song Noises about it and 'my mind makes noises' is the first line of the song."

"Proud of you for getting through it." Ella smiled, fully resting her hand over her thigh then as she made a mental note to remind Alice as many times as she could just how fucking drop dead gorgeous she was.

"Thank you Ellie." Alice smiled back at her, her hand coming over Ella's and tracing her hand tattoo again.

For a brief second, Ella felt bad that she was flirting with the singer when she'd just told her about her personal trauma. So going a little shy, she withdrew her hand from the singer's thigh and put it back down on her own.

This however was written all across Ella's face and Alice could already read her like a book. So smirking a little, Alice picked Ella's hand up and placed it back on her thigh over her tattoo, then crossed her legs trapping the American's fingers so she could keep her there.

Ella's mouth opened up slightly, her breath shaky when she met Alice's gaze. The action made her lean back into the seat as she cursed under her breath. "Fucking hell."

Alice smirked at the effect and she was grateful to see they only had a few blocks left to get to their destination.

It was all a blur from the moment they got off the cab to when they made it upstairs and into her flat. Their minds were quickly shaken up by their lips clashing again as soon as the door to Alice's flat closed behind them.

"Fuck." Alice cursed on Ella's lips, "I can finally have you all to myself." She inhaled deeply through her nose, so glad to be in between four walls meaning that she could freely drop her hands to grab Ella by the ass and push her hips into hers.

Soon enough, after Ella's coat had been thrown onto the floor, they were on the settee. Ella's legs on each side of Alice's hips as she straddled her. They couldn't stop kissing each other, only when they were overcome by the friction of their hips meeting and they couldn't stop moaning into each others' mouths.

Ella was drenched already and Alice hadn't missed that, not when Ella's dress was bunched all the way up to her hips and she had a full view of her cute lacy thong already ruined. Alice let one of her hands in between their bodies to push Ella's underwear to the side and rub her clit with enough speed to have Ella whimper and stop kissing her.

"Alice–" Ella was barely able to say, breathless from the kiss and now her fingers.

And Alice had loved how she said her name so much that she went ahead and dipped two of her fingers into Ella, slipping so easily inside of her because of how wet she was.

"All this for me?" Alice asked teasingly as she slowly pumped her fingers in and out of her.

Ella could only softly moan at the stretch of Alice's fingers inside her, feeling so much better than her own after so long of having had to get herself off.

But since Alice didn't get an answer, she stopped her movements which made Ella whimper in despair. And in a desperate attempt to continue with what had been happening, Ella lifted her hips up and back down Alice's fingers, fucking herself on them.

Alice groaned as she watched her fingers disappearing inside Ella's cunt and when she looked back up, she noticed Ella's eyes rolling back in pleasure.

She didn't let her have fun for much long because she took her hand away and before Ella could even protest, Alice gave her left ass cheek a hard spank, leaving her to let out a gasp that turned into a moan.

"You need to answer." Alice scorned, a smirk on her face when she watched Ella's dilated pupils focus back on her.

Ella nodded desperately, missing the feeling of her fingers inside her, "Yes, baby, all for you." And in an attempt to get some mercy from Alice, she connected their lips again with need.

Alice knew exactly what she wanted Ella doing first, so without breaking the kiss, she guided Ella's right leg in between hers and forced her hips down onto her tattooed thigh. Alice's hands gripped at Ella's hips tightly, guiding her to move on her thigh, to ride it until she came.

Ella hummed in pleasure, biting Alice's bottom lip as she pulled back and letting it free after a few seconds. That had Alice squirming in her seat, her leg accidentally shifting in between Ella's legs, making the American girl cry out in pleasure.

Watching Ella ride her thigh was a picture Alice wouldn't forget in a while, her soft sounds echoing in her brain and making her want more from her. So when Ella fell forwards, caging Alice between her arms as she rested them on the back of the couch, Alice took advantage of the skin she had right there to bruise.

Her choker stood perfectly in place still and that only encouraged Alice more. She started kissing her way down her neck and started her attack on her chest. Alice sucked love bites on Ella's tits, biting her nipples softly over the fabric of her dress and that only made Ella move faster on her thigh.

Ella got increasingly louder with the more sucking Alice did, and it turned into desperate whimpers when Alice found that spot right over her collarbone at the base of her neck that made her go absolutely insane.

The rhythm of her hips grew erratic and messy, Ella's moans falling straight into Alice's ear and she couldn't do anything else other than encourage her to reach her climax.

"That's it, good girl." Alice said against her neck, leaving a trail of pecks as Ella got louder, "Come on, baby, I wanna hear how good you sound when you cum."

Alice's hands went to grab harshly at Ella's ass, helping her with her movements and it was her touch along with her words of encouragement that had Ella tipping over the edge and trembling as she orgasmed on top of Alice.

The singer watched her in awe, taking a mental picture of her pretty face scrunching up in pleasure, continuing to help her shaky hips as she came down from her high.

Ella let her forehead drop on Alice's shoulder, her shallow breaths loud as she tried to get oxygen back in her lungs, her legs still shaking slightly besides Alice's thigh.

"You look so fucking pretty when you cum, baby." Alice started, leaving open mouthed kisses on the side of Ella's neck which was on show to her.

When Alice licked a bold stripe up her neck and started sucking right under her ear, Ella's breath hitched on her throat and that had her coming out of her trance.

She sat back up straight, dipping her head to give Alice a brief messy kiss and then saying, "Let's go to your room, Allie." as she carefully stood back up on wobbly legs and offered her hand for Alice to take.

Alice wasted no time, intertwining their fingers and dragging Ella towards her room.

Once inside, Ella quickly pushed Alice onto bed and dropped to her knees right in front of her. Alice felt herself grow breathless in anticipation, her cunt dripping at the sight of Ella so innocently staring up at her through her lashes.

But Ella wanted to tease her, so she got a hold of one of her legs and slowly took one of her red boots off, making sure to kiss from her ankle up to a few inches above her knee, really making it feel like she was going to her inner thighs but leaving right when Alice got her hopes up.

She repeated the process with the other leg, this time teasing her a bit more and licking her inner thigh up until she was close to the edge of her underwear.

Alice watched as Ella's head disappeared under her skirt, but whined when all she got was a couple of open mouthed kisses over her clothed core.

Ella pulled back to take Alice's fishnets off, so painfully slow that almost had Alice wanting to complain—she only didn't because she was enjoying Ella's methods, it turned her on impossibly more.

The American got on the bed then, straddling Alice and slowly pushing her backwards so she was fully laying on the bed. Alice cupped her jaw and brought her in for a kiss, another steamy one that had their breaths shaky in no time.

Their hips met once again, over and over, the friction so good that it made them stop kissing just so they could moan into each others' mouths. But Ella wanted Alice to cum under her first, just so she could also fully see how she came undone without being distracted by chasing her own high.

Ella's lips trailed down Alice's neck, slowly starting her attack on the singer's neck, leaving open mouth kisses and softly sucking her skin which earned her soft moans from Alice.

It was when she got to her clothed chest that Alice got louder, as Ella licked over the fabric on her nipples and then blew on the wet spot, sending surprising shocks of pleasure down Alice's spine.

"Ella, fuck–" Alice could barely mutter.

Ella did that for a minute, Alice felt like she was agonizing already and she was surprised at the confidence Ella had to tease her like that.

Soon, she started lifting Alice's top until it was off her and forgotten somewhere on the floor of the room.

Seeing Alice's nipple piercings made Ella moan as she bit her lip, "So fucking stunning, baby." She complimented before leaning in to suck her tits, purposely leaving her nipples abandoned to her touch.

Alice squirmed under her, and when Ella's fingertips started to ghost over her inner thighs up until they got to her cunt but never touched her like she wanted, Alice started rolling her hips as if that'd help her.

Chuckling, Ella kept her teasing going, this time abandoning Alice's legs to softly touch all over her chest and abdomen as her mouth stayed busy marking her up. And Alice could feel herself going insane when Ella's fingertips faintly rubbed on her pebbled nipples, feeling all the heat going down in between her legs.

Her breaths grew shallow when Ella took it a step further and used her fingers to pinch her nipples. Alice was whining in a high pitch, feeling a new type of pleasure that had her head spinning. And it only got more intense when, after kissing up the side of her neck, Ella found Alice's sweet spot right under her ear.

Mixing the feeling she got as Ella intently sucked on that spot she loved so much and the way her fingers kept pinching and twisting her nipples, Alice felt herself fastly reaching her orgasm.

Ella knew it, from the way she sounded and how ragged her breath had gotten. The more obvious sign was Alice's hand dropping between her legs to help alleviate some of her frustration in that very spot.

But Ella was quick to stop her, letting her skin alone with a pop and taking the hand she'd been using to play with Alice's nipples under her skirt.

Her left hand went to pick up the work she'd been doing and her right one dipped right into her cunt, pushing Alice's underwear to the side.

"Needed me right here?" She teasingly asked her with a massive smirk on her face.

Alice's face contorted in pleasure at the feeling of Ella's fingers filling her up and curling inside her. "Yes– Ella, baby–"

She continued pumping her fingers in and out of her, her thumb rubbing her clit as well and her other hand still playing with her nipple.

"What is it Alice? What do you want, babe?" Ella's mouth opened slowly as she watched Alice quickly approaching her climax. So to help more, she changed her fingers for her mouth to suck on her nipple and that was enough to have Alice lose it.

"Oh fuck!" Alice cried in pleasure, "M'gonna cum, gonna cum!"

Ella hummed enthusiastically with her mouth still sucking Alice's tit, and the vibrations from that were the thing to push her to her orgasm.

Her fingers pumped in and out of her in a constant pace that she kept up until Alice couldn't take anymore and pushed her hand out and away from her cunt.

Ella let go of her tit with a pop, smiling down at a dazed Alice who was trying to get her breath back, and the little she had managed was taken away once more when Ella brought her hand up and licked her fingers clean.

Humming in pleasure, Ella felt herself clenching around nothing as the taste of Alice's arousal fell on her tongue, "You taste so damn good."

At that Alice wrapped her hand around Ella's neck and pulled her down to kiss her. She moaned, tasting herself on Ella's tongue, already thinking about the infinite ways she wanted to have her.

It was a brief kiss because of how breathless Alice was, but Ella took the chance to gather more of Alice's cum on her fingers and bring it up to her lips again. Once again she moaned as she wrapped her lips around her own fingers and tasted Alice on her tongue.

Alice watched it all in adoration, in complete awe of just how erotic it all was. Her mouth went dry when Ella dipped her fingers back down to gather more of her slick but this time telling her to, "Open up." so she could taste herself.

And how could she just not oblige when Ella was looking at her with those hungry eyes. So Alice wrapped her lips around her fingers and sucked them clean eagerly, moaning around them to then release them with a pop.

That made something in them unleash, desperately kissing again as they got rid of their other clothes. They both stood up from the bed and while Alice shed herself off her skirt and underwear, Ella took off her dress along with her bra and thong.

"Keep the collar on. I love seeing you branded as mine." Alice said, eye fucking Ella as she stood so perfectly naked in front of her.

The comment had gone straight in between Ella's legs so she basically threw herself at Alice, both of them falling back on the bed with shrieks that turned into giggles that they swallowed into a kiss.

Maybe if they hadn't laughed so loud, they could've caught the sound of the next door neighbor arriving home.

Alex had slammed his front door closed, dropped his keys on the little table he had by the entrance and toed his shoes off. He was drunk and knackered, already dreading the fact that he'd had to come home earlier than expected because his mind was too distracted to focus on the rest of the group, growing too bored of hearing their chatter and of mindlessly drinking so he felt the urge to leave.

In retrospect, he probably should've walked home just so he could waste more time and avoid hearing anything, but he had been truly just craving his bed and unfortunately his cab had taken way less than anticipated.

He was glad to hear absolute silence once he got to his room, wishfully thinking that Ella wasn't enjoying whatever Alice was doing and therefore it was all completely silent but, as he took his own clothes to get in bed, on the other side of the wall something completely different was happening.

"I meant it when I said I wanted you to ride my face." Alice reminded her, making Ella's ache between her legs grow.

The girls wasted no time going further up the bed and getting comfortable. Alice started a devastatingly slow trail of love bites on the insides of her thighs, making Ella breathe shallowly in a matter of half a minute.

Another excruciatingly long minute went by, Ella feeling every bruise that Alice was leaving in her wake, before she could finally ask her to go where she needed her. "Allie, baby, please– I need you."

The British woman smiled hearing her plead, "Come here then Ellie." She encouraged, and Ella didn't need to be told twice.

She slowly came down to have her cunt hover over Alice's mouth and a loud moan left her throat when Alice licked from her entrance to her clit and then sucked it harshly, making her see stars.

"Alice!"

That noise had made Alex freeze one foot away from his bed. He stayed there for a minute, trying to sharpen his hearing to see if it was real or he was imagining it but his questions were answered when he heard the unmistakable voice of the girl he fancied screaming the name of the girl he hated.

"Oh fuck! Alice!" Ella cried out, Alice fucking her with her tongue as she very quickly rubbed on her clit was making her go absolutely insane.

A minute later Alice changed her tongue for her fingers, seeing how Ella was practically dripping all over her face, being able to easily fit three inside Ella and then letting her mouth give her clit all the attention.

Ella's right hand quickly tangled in Alice's hair, pushing her closer to her center and tightly pulling at it encouragingly, her hips moving erratically on Alice's face and the whole thing had Alice humming in pleasure—Ella shaking over her as she got closer to her orgasm.

It only took Alice's fingers going faster and sucking harder on her clit for Ella to fall forward to grab a hold of the headboard as her legs trembled beside Alice's head.

Ella loudly moaned Alice's name like a chant, followed by profanities that were barely understandable as her orgasm left her completely breathless.

Alex's mouth and throat was dry, all he could feel was pure jealousy and himself growing hard in his boxers as he sat there on his bed with his back leant against his headboard.

He wished he could be the one hearing all that in his ear and not through the bloody walls. He wanted to be the one making Ella fall apart under him, yet he had to know it was Alice doing that.

His blood was boiling out of rage, his body extremely hot from how turned on he was thinking about the whole situation. But he'd have to be strong this time, so he let himself close his eyes and ignore the way he was dying for some release.

That didn't work though, not when his eyes stayed open as he stared at the darkness in his room and minutes later was startled by another round of moans from the girls.

Alice was already overly sensitive, only slowly recovering from her last orgasm, when Ella had cum all over her face. Watching Ella come undone on top of her had Alice clenching her thighs together, it had been such a pornographic view that had her wishing somehow she could replay it second by second, over and over in the future.

Not wanting to waste any of Ella's sweet taste, Alice had lapped at every bit of her arousal she could get, making an overstimulated Ella cry out as her tongue continued working on her cunt.

She only stopped when her whines got louder and Ella desperately shifted to go back down and straddle Alice again, "Jesus fucking Christ," She watched her slick all over Alice's chin and neck so she just couldn't help but lick it all up for her and then catch Alice's lips in a hot kiss.

It wasn't the long kiss Alice had wanted it to be, because Ella desperately wanted more of Alice and she just couldn't wait longer. So she kissed down Alice's body, making sure to suck more bruises on her skin and enjoying every sound the singer made under her.

But Ella just needed to have a taste of her again, so in no time she dove between Alice's legs and started eating her out.

Alice's back arched off the bed in pleasure. Her center had been aching from just watching Ella that the feeling of her tongue flicking at her clit and lapping at her entrance had Alice not able to control her whimpers.

"Ellie, oh my–" She shivered as she grabbed a hold of Ella's hair and pulled on it tightly as she fisted it to bring her closer to her cunt.

Feeling Alice so desperate already made Ella the more needy to make her cum hard so she went up to Alice's clit and wrapped her lips around it to suck on it as she moaned into her.

The sucking and the vibrations made Alice's legs shake and instinctively close around Ella's head.

That had Ella smirking to herself, changing her mouth to use two of her fingers to quickly rub at the singer's clit and making sure to lick all of the arousal that had wet the top of Alice's inner thighs.

Ella made sure to look up to see Alice's face, and that was just a portrait she wished she would have captured with her camera. Sweat was making her face shine and her makeup the slightest bit messy, her cheeks and chest were flushed, chest heaving and littered with bruises that were already darkening.

She was proud of her work so she went back to finish her task, but when she let her eyes drop again to Alice's cunt and saw how she was clenching around nothing, Ella groaned.

"Where are your toys Allie?" Ella asked, knowing there was no way she wouldn't have a wide variety of them.

Alice couldn't answer, not when Ella kept quickly rubbing on her clit so when Ella realized that and stopped, Alice whined in complaint before answering, "Second drawer, over there."

A satisfactory smirk appeared on Ella's face when she opened the drawer and she was met with being right about her suspicions. She tried making a quick decision but there were many toys to choose from and she was feeling indecisive.

That was until she heard Alice mewl in the background and when Ella turned to see her, she was playing with herself. Ella couldn't even find it in herself to warn Alice not to continue doing that because she just looked so fucking gorgeous desperately trying to reach her climax.

In a quick decision for a safe bet, Ella grabbed a dildo and made her way back to the bed.

Alice let her hand fall from her center and raised on her elbows to look at what Ella had chosen. Ella looked her right in the eye and brought the toy up to her lips, to spit on it and once it had dribbled down the length of it, she sank her mouth down on it.

Alice swore she died seeing her like that, as if she couldn't get any fucking hotter. And for a second a cursed thought ran through her mind, of how she'd love to watch her fuck someone else and if she was desperate enough for that show then she'd definitely choose her next door neighbor to be the third in the party.

Out of convenience, of course.

Ella broke her out of her trance when she kneeled on the bed between her legs and prompted them to open further. Bringing the toy to Alice's entrance and teasing the tip in and out of her.

"Baby, please–" Alice begged breathlessly, "Don't tease, Ellie, please."

Her wish was her command so Ella pushed it slowly inside Alice, letting her jaw drop as she watched it disappear inside her with ease. Alice moaned loudly at the stretch, which got easier when Ella's thumb came to rub soft circles on her clit.

"You always take it so well, don't you, gorgeous?" Ella started properly fucking her with the toy, slowly picking up the pace, "And here I thought you couldn't get more beautiful."

The 'thank you' Alice had wanted to say died down in her throat when Ella leaned back down and started sucking her clit again as she continued to use the dildo on her.

"Fuckkk– Ella!" Alice mewled as her back arched in pleasure. One of her hands went down to tangle on Ella's hair, while the other started playing with her own tits.

Alex tried his hardest to control himself but, at the end of the day, he was still human so his hand traveled down his boxers and he slowly started faintly touching himself.

He was well aware the one screaming was Alice but, as he closed his eyes, picturing what could be going on on the other side of the wall was driving him mad.

Alice bit her lip harshly, the pain feeling almost null compared to the heavy pleasure she was feeling, and the stronger the waves of pleasure came, the more she'd bite on her bottom lip.

Ella tutted when she noticed Alice going silent and stopped her sucking to scorn her, "Uh-uh, I want to hear you."

Alice was so focused on the tightening feeling in her belly that she barely heard her so Ella used her free hand to spank her clit, making her jump and drop her hand from Ella's head. Alice yelled from the sensation that pushed her closer to her orgasm and Ella smirked satisfied from it.

"You liked that? Yeah?" Teasingly asked Ella, rubbing slow circles on Alice's clit.

Alice hummed and it sounded almost like a purr, so Ella spanked her again and the gasp that Alice let out turned into such a sweet moan that had Ella needing to hear more of her like that.

Ella hoped the use of a choker meant more about Alice, so she brought up her right hand and wrapped it slowly around Alice's neck.

A massive smile broke on Ella's face when Alice made eye contact with her then only to let out a guttural moan and roll her eyes back in pleasure. So Ella tightened her hold, feeling Alice moan even more under her hand, and continued fucking her with the toy.

Wrapping his hand around his cock, Alex found himself already leaking precum and he groaned, applying a little more pressure around himself. Soft strokes was what he was relying on as he got harder in his hand to the sounds of the girls shagging. He was biting his lip, only letting out soft hums of satisfaction but when he heard Alice yell at Ella to go faster, he let himself moan out loud.

"I'm so close! Faster– faster, please!" Alice begged, feeling herself so close to reaching her high.

Ella listened to her straight away, letting her hand wrap even tighter around Alice's neck and picking up the pace with her left hand as she pounded into her with the dildo.

In no time, Alice's legs started shaking uncontrollably as she came with loud moans of Ella's name, 'baby' and pure gibberish. Ella had her seeing stars as she kept pumping the toy in and out of her with a slightly slower rhythm but kept her hand wrapped tight around her neck.

Alice was getting so overstimulated that she felt the tears pricking her eyes, her legs ached from how they wouldn't stop shaking and she felt like she was about to explode.

But that was exactly what Ella was looking for, so she took the dildo away to solely focus on her clit then, rubbing on it as fast as she could, wanting to see if she could do what Ella had in mind. Ella kept her relentless pace until Alice was cumming all over her again, squirting all over Ella and herself.

Alex died a little hearing how loud Alice had gotten, and thinking about what Ella could be doing for the singer to be almost screaming her name made him fail at trying to stay quiet. He picked up his pace, smearing the precum down to make it more comfortable for him and he fully just pictured them two in front of him, having fun as he watched.

He grew hotter hearing Alice's sounds continue until they ended in her choked up words asking Ella to stop.

"No more– Can't– Can't take more." Alice chanted over and over, making Ella loosen her hold on her neck and start rubbing Alice's thighs soothingly while leaving pecks on every inch of her skin.

Alice was gasping for air, absolutely mind blown by what had just happened and despite wanting to get rid of the mess as soon as possible, she had to show Ella the appreciation she deserved for all that.

"You..." She started, reaching out to get a hold of one of Ella's hands and pulling her up to her, "You are a fucking dream."

The singer attacked Ella's lips hungrily, and it was messy as she still was trying to catch her breath but that only made it better, because it was a clear sign that they were enjoying each other that much.

"That was so fucking hot, Allie." Ella said between kisses, having to hold herself back from going down on her again.

"You're skilled," Alice smirked, breaking the kiss and wrapping her hand around Ella's neck, "Only a few people have been able to make me do that."

Ella laughed, the noise vibrating under Alice's palm making her squeeze tighter and causing Ella to moan.

"As much as I love your hand around my neck, we need to clean this mess." Ella was quick to say, pecking Alice's lips in between words.

Alice agreed, trying to stand up along with Ella but she plopped back on bed when her legs were too weak to do it without help.

The American girl laughed as she offered her hand out for Alice to hold, which she appreciated and stood up slowly.

"I can take the duvet over to your washer while you clean up, if you want." Ella offered, pulling Alice in by the waist and rubbing circles on her lower back.

The singer leaned in to give her a soft kiss and nodded, "Okay. It's the last room at the end of the hallway." She pointed out the door and to the hallway on the other side of the flat.

With a kiss, Ella left Alice to get cleaned up in her ensuite whilst she balled up the duvet from the bed and walked to the laundry room.

It was good for Alex that they had left the room, because if they'd stayed then they would've definitely heard his grunts as he replayed all that he had heard like a broken record in his head as he continued to get himself off.

He was so close when he noticed the silence, and maybe it was that which had made him snap out of it. Realize what he was doing and just how wrong it was.

The next ten minutes were filled with an internal debate that had Alex wanting to pull his hair out of his head. One part of him told him that he'd done that before and why would it matter if he did now, so desperate for relief, and the other told him he should be a bigger person and learn to have better self control.

His inner monologue was rudely interrupted then, by a loud gasp and all Alex could do was let his head hang as the girls started back up again.

After going to the bathroom, Alice had made her way back into her room and seeing her drawer still open, she let herself choose what she was gonna use next on Ella.

The singer was tired but she needed one more from Ella, one more look at her face while she fell apart for her, one last taste of her sweetness.

So when Ella walked back into the bedroom, feeling so bare only wearing Alice's choker, and saw Alice standing there with a smirk and four things in her hand, she bit her lip already feeling herself getting flustered again.

"Thought we were going to bed." Ella blushed as she approached Alice, shy steps but eyes brave as they scanned her up and down with lust.

"I need you to cum for me one more time and then we can do whatever you want, baby." Alice raised her eyebrows, putting the things on the bed to turn around and pull Ella into her by her waist.

Ella hands came up to cup Alice's face, "How do you keep getting hotter by the fucking minute?"

Alice leaned in softly laughing, "I could ask you the same thing."

Kissing again, Alice walked Ella backwards until she was sitting on the edge of the bed and grabbed two of the items to start her plans.

Alice started making her way down, sucking down Ella's neck and chest—really enjoying her whines when she played harshly with her nipples—, leaving open mouthed kisses on her tummy and bruising more of her thighs.

By the time Alice came to where Ella wanted her most, she only got to feel the blow of her hot breath over her because Alice wanted to tease her this time, wanting to hear her truly desperate.

In her hands, the singer had two leather wrist to thigh cuffs, meaning that once they were on Ella, she'd have her legs up and wide open at Alice's mercy.

A few minutes later, that's how Ella ended up with her feet plated on the bed and her knees up, her wrists pressed on her thighs and her legs open to show her glistening cunt to Alice.

Her mouth watered at the sight, the need of having a taste of her before everything taking over and making her dip down to intently lick up and down her core.

The whole setting had Ella already whimpering, being so exposed to the singer made her shiver from lust and looking at the vibrator and the new dildo beside her was only making the ache between her legs grow.

The vibrator coming alive with its buzzing made Ella squirm in her place in anticipation, an action that Alice noticed, making her smirk.

"Are you ready, baby?" She crawled back to Ella with the white buzzing object in her hand.

"Mhm," Ella mewled, "Yes, Allie."

It was excruciatingly slow that Alice moved the vibrator down to Ella's cunt, so much so that when it finally came to meet her clit, Ella gasped loudly.

Like he'd come alive, Alex heard it and only was able to curse his poor luck for a few seconds, because when more moans that Ella was letting out came through the walls, he didn't have it in him to stop himself.

He fully spat on his hand this time, imagining Ella actually doing that to him and wrapped his hand around his length under his boxers.

He was getting harder the more he got to hear the sweet sounds Ella made and it was so much better than he could've ever pictured in his head all those times before. Nothing compared to the real thing. He couldn't imagine how fucking good they sounded falling in one's ear.

Alice had increased the intensity of the vibrator as she started sucking on the dildo she'd chosen for Ella. Getting it ready for her—not that she truly needed it though, because she was already dripping and messing the sheets.

When she pushed it inside her, Ella let out a chesty moan that was followed by the most earth delicious moans Alice had ever heard.

"Oh fuck! Al–!" She couldn't even finish Alice's name and that caused a reaction on the other side of the wall.

Alex would describe those moans as earth shattering. Hearing a clear moan of her saying his name had made him fully lose it. That 'Al' kept replaying in his head and in the background all the sounds she was letting out.

Without them knowing, the three of them were moaning almost in a harmony. If it wasn't for the loud buzz of the vibrator then they could've heard rather quietly Alex's low groans as he fucked his fist to the thought of Ella.

"Ella, darl– F–fuck–" He choked out, desperate to vividly picture her in bed with him.

But Ella's legs were trembling as Alice teased her by keeping the vibrator on her clit for a few seconds, taking the dildo away from her, and then taking the vibrator away to fuck her fast with the long toy.

It was agonizing, feeling so full one second with the ghost of the vibrations, to feeling empty and clenching around nothing as her clit got intensely stimulated.

"Baby I'm so fucking close!" Ella yelled desperately, a loud cry leaving her when Alice still took the dildo out and away from her.

Ella couldn't even touch herself to help, it was impossible for her to bring her hands up and tease her own nipples without pulling her legs all the way up—she was definitely not that flexible.

Alice was enjoying her desperation so much, it made her want to take it to another level. That's why she upped another level and dropped the dildo on the side to curl three fingers inside Ella, knowing that'd get her instantly.

"Fuck!" Ella screamed, feeling Alice hit that spot perfectly and her vision clouded because it was just too much along with the vibrator on its strongest level. "Right there! Right the– Al– Ah!"

And then it came crashing down on them.

Ella got whiplash from how strong her orgasm had reached her, her vision blinded as her legs shook and she squirted, feeling herself spasm around Alice's fingers.

Alex's quick motions pumped himself to an intense climax that had him cumming all over his chest. All he seemed to know was Ella's name, as that was the only thing that came out of his mouth as he came.

Alice was drenched in Ella's cum, as it had all splashed over her arm and chest and that was enough for her to match Ella's noises. She desperately reached for her face, to kiss her messily and feverishly.

After that, everyone disappeared into their bathrooms. Alice and Ella shared a shower while Alex stood alone under the waterfall.

Alex cleaned himself with the sounds replaying over and over in his mind. Alice and Ella got carried away and their shower ended with Alice cumming on Ella's fingers once more.

He had already been in bed for fifteen minutes trying to force himself to sleep when, on the other side, Ella and Alice came back into the room and discarded the dirty sheets for new ones to get some sleep.

The girls were giddy as they got under the fresh sheets and scooted closer until they were cuddled into each other. Alice's head nuzzled in Ella's neck with their legs tangled together and their arms wrapped around each other.

They were certainly aware of the next level of intimacy that meant but they couldn't be arsed, they were enjoying each other's company and they wouldn't keep themselves from it just because of how it may look like. Ella and Alice were both glad to be on the same page.

Alex, on the other hand, was dying inside just thinking about how he'd have to see Ella after all that and how he, no matter how hard he'd try, would never forget the night. 

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Alex thought he was dreaming when he heard Ella's soft moans reaching his ears. He squirmed in bed and continued to sleep when suddenly Alice's soft sounds came in to mix with Ella's.

He held his breath trying to gather his hazy mind, still attributing the noise to his imagination not having recovered yet from last night's events but then Alice loudly moaned Ella's name and Alex's eyes shot wide open.

Groaning in misery, Alex let his head fall back on the pillow and hid his face there begging in his head for it to be over soon.

His silent prayers weren't answered though, only a few minutes later—which had been painfully long, five minutes had felt like fifteen—the girls on the flat next door only seemed to be growing louder.

Alex stayed there sprawled over his bed with jealousy filling every cell of his body as he tried to focus on that awful poking in his chest to ignore how the noise was making his lower belly tingle and his dick to twitch in his boxers.

What had happened last night was a lapse of better judgment and he was trying now to hold onto every bit of self control he had left.

He had contemplated blasting music to drown it all but that'd give away the fact that he was in fact listening and he knew that if Ella found that out, she'd be mortified. So he suffered in silence for the next ten minutes, as they gasped for air and chanted each other's names accompanied by lots of profanities.

It was too painful, not only because his chest felt tight but he felt his body responding to it all subconsciously and he hated it, so once they got quiet he escaped to his ensuite.

The shower Alex took was freezing cold. He stood there, shivering under the waterfall for a while until he felt himself calm enough to be able to get out. His movements were slow as he got ready for the day, brushing his teeth and brushing his hair with his fingers, deciding to just let it air dry while he waited for Ella.

Choosing something from his wardrobe had been painfully slow because he was sure he could hear faint noises coming through the walls again and trying to find out if they weren't just the ghosts of what he'd heard earlier kept distracting him.

That was until the high pitch whines came loudly through the walls to knock all the air out of his lungs, like a punch to the gut.

Pulling up his trousers quickly, Alex almost ran out of his room and it seemed like the noise wanted to follow him as he heard all of it walking out of his bedroom.

The singer could breathe again when he got to the kitchen, the noises long lost in the hallway and it seemed like they had stopped because even if he'd left the door open, he couldn't listen to them anymore.

There was only so much Alex could take anymore so he decided to ignore it all despite one part of him begging to pay attention and give into his carnal desires.

This day was meant for him to accompany Ella to buy a dress for the wedding since she hadn't had the time for it back in LA, and not only that but she'd thought it'd be better to buy one in London rather than being worried about the gown being ruined from having to be cramped up inside her suitcase.

Alex had agreed with her when they videocalled a few days before her flight and he promised her that he'd be taking her to buy her dress. He was excited for it, the prospect of spending more time with her was always something that elated him but it being in a place he knew so well and she was so foreign to made it the more special.

Now, after last night, Alex wasn't sure when it would happen but like he had promised himself merely a minute ago, he would ignore it all and act like nothing had happened so with hope that she'd be coming over to his in a bit, he started making breakfast. For himself and for Ella.

He was softly singing under his breath as he cooked some sausage, serving two plates and then he moved onto making some scrambled eggs. The only thing that could be heard then was the sizzling of the eggs cooking on the pan, but after he finished them and served them, the silence that overcame him became dangerous for it gave way for the now loud again noises from the girls to creep up through the hall and softly reaching his ears.

Alex stopped as he turned with the two plates in hand, slowly bringing them down to place on the kitchen island, really unsure of how to feel anymore. He was just utterly confused at all the reactions his body was giving to the whole scenario.

Once again, he reminded himself to ignore it so he grabbed himself a fork and knife and started eating, his brain only trying to think about what was in front of him to not go absolutely insane.

But that only worked for so long because the girls, now getting closer to their climax, had started getting louder and more restless meaning their cries of pleasure were just filthy begs and it was making Alex's head short circuit.

Dropping the utensils on the countertop, Alex hunched over almost defeated. He was breathing heavily and in his mind praying for self control and patience. Since that wasn't working because the noises were making his breaths become more shallow, his hands came up to his head and his fingers tangled in his hair to pull on it with frustration.

He was going insane now, he really was.

And Alex thought it couldn't get worse than it already was, when he heard Ella clearly encourage Alice, "Cum for me, baby, c'mon." followed by a loud mewl.

He let his head drop on the cold surface of the kitchen island, fully defeated as his thoughts were spinning. A groan came from the deepest pit of his chest, one of pent up frustration that he knew he wouldn't pay attention to for his own sanity.

"Fuck my life." Alex muttered under his breath when he heard the girls clearly reaching her orgasms, hands holding onto the sides of the countertop like it was gonna ground him somehow.

He was almost scared to see Ella later, afraid that after all that he'd just ask to have her like he wanted to so badly. Every bit of his being was just aching to have her, and Alex didn't know if it would be the right time to play his chances.

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About an hour went by and it was surprisingly quiet after everything that had happened the night before and in the morning. That had been a relief to Alex who had gotten to finish his breakfast counting to a thousand multiple times to try and get his shit together again.

What he didn't know was that Ella and Alice had gone to make breakfast after that second round he had heard. They'd gotten decent first, going to the bathroom to freshen up and Alice lended Ella some clothes for her to leave with—Ella had shyly asked after seeing her chest and neck all marked up on show with the low neckline her dress had.

Ella walked through Alice's kitchen with gray joggers and a 'My Mind Makes Noises' jumper on. The singer watched her in awe through the corner of her eye as she grabbed some mugs to make some coffee for the both of them.

"You look amazing in that." Alice threw the compliment out as she focused on frying some eggs, pieces of bread toasting on the little oven by the stove.

Ella looked down at herself and her new outfit, "I'll give it a listen tonight."

Alice smirked at that promise, "Hope you enjoy it, baby."

Ella walked up behind the singer as the Keurig made their coffees, wrapping an arm around her waist and said into her ear, "It's you singing so I definitely will." Alice bit her lip at Ella's actions, a little harder when Ella left her with a squeeze of her ass and a kiss on her neck.

The British girl was fast making breakfast, almost done at the same time as Ella had placed the coffee on the counter and got utensils for them to use.

"Do you want me to drop you off at Alex's?" Alice asked Ella casually, placing a plate right in front of her as she sat on one of the tall chairs.

Ella was truly confused at the sudden question as she was completely unaware of Alice and Alex's housing situation. "Huh?"

"Are you going to Alex's?" Alice changed her inquiry slightly this time, walking over to sit next to her.

Ella watched as Alice took her seat and ripped a bit of her toast to dip on the runny yolk of the fried egg, "Not now... I'm going back to the hotel first."

"Oh well." The singer shrugged nonchalantly, "He lives next door, that's why I'm asking."

"What?" Ella's face went pale, looking at Alice with wide eyes like it was her worst nightmare come true.

Alice chuckled looking at her face, "He lives next door... I thought I told you."

And Ella shook her head with a frown to remark that Alice in fact hadn't told her, "Fucking hell." She cursed under her breath, flashbacks of the night before and this morning coming to the forefront of her mind and she felt herself burning up from head to toe.

"What's wrong baby? You've gone all red." Alice teased, one of her hands resting over Ella's thigh, where Alice now knew she had her 'Divine feminine' tattoo and squeezed slightly.

Ella squirmed a bit under her touch, her cheeks growing even hotter. "Do you think he heard us?" She genuinely felt like she'd die if he had, because it had already been embarrassing that he knew she'd gone home with someone but him hearing her was making her burn inside and out.

Will this ruin things? Will this make things awkward? She had no idea but now she was spiraling about it all and she just couldn't help but think about every little thing this situation would entail.

Alice being so calm about it was what brought her back from her thoughts, "I couldn't care less to be fair."

"Fuck..." Ella mumbled, staring at her plate with a shocked expression.

"I mean," Alice squeezed her thigh once more and when Ella turned to look at her, she brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "If he did, he's lucky 'cause I don't think I'll ever want to hear anybody else now."

Ella blushed under her gaze, still feeling so affected by the way the singer would smirk at her. "Stop." She brought one of her hands to cool down her cheeks, Alice's smirk getting bigger at that.

"I love it when you go all blushy on me." Alice remarked and then she leaned in to kiss Ella one more time, which the American girl welcomed with a smile.

After the brief soft kiss they shared, the girls went back to eating breakfast and they made small talk about what they were doing in their current jobs, getting to know each other a little bit better. Alice had heard all about Ella's aspirations and Ella had listened to everything Alice had been getting inspired from for her next record.

Without really noticing, an hour had gone by, and when Ella noticed it was about to be noon, she told Alice she had to leave.

They were both gutted to know this was the end of it but Alice a bit more, especially by knowing that Ella would be going to Alex and he'd be the one to spend time with her for the rest of her stay in the UK.

After having loaded everything in the dishwasher, Alice walked over to Ella and pulled her into her by her waist, "Remind me why you can't stay," The singer brushed a strand of hair behind Ella's ear and with her gaze taking in all of Ella's features, she bit her lip at the memories of all that had happened in the past twelve hours. "I wanna fuck you all day."

Ella grinned at Alice with her cheeks heating up, she could tell Alice was being completely honest and that was one of the things that she liked about her because it gave her the confidence to say "I would love that." back to her, which was exactly what she was feeling.

It was hard to compare how honest she could be with Alice than how cowardly she felt even admitting to herself anything to do with Alex, because with Alice it was something casual and it was always easy with girls, but Ella knew deep inside her that Alex wasn't meant to be a casual thing to her. It was either all in with Alex or nothing. But that would only happen in her dreams, she'd much rather keep him as her best friend than try to become more again and it ending poorly like it had before.

In another life, if Ella hadn't been hung up on Alex already, then she would've tried to pursue whatever had started with Alice, because Alice was lovely and funny, and she was the type of girl anyone would be lucky to have in their lives.

The American girl smiled, bringing one of her hands up to cup Alice's jaw softly, "But I need to get a dress for the wedding."

"Can't you do it some other day?" Alice pouted, it was playful as she tried to see if there was any chance Ella would change her plans.

But Ella didn't budge because she really needed to get the dress, "Wedding's in three days and today's the only day we've got no plans."

Seeing how Alice's pout stayed on her face, Ella brought her in for a kiss. A slow one that just felt like it settled it all, a silent thank you and a goodbye.

They savored every second of it, trying to enjoy the time they'd shared until the very last moment. Alice hummed against Ella's lips before pulling back. "Don't go back to the States without saying goodbye, alright?" Her thumb rubbed soft circles on Ella's cheek.

"Promise." Ella replied with a sweet smile and pecked Alice's lips one last time before stepping out of Alice's hold to get her things which were merely her phone and the dress she'd worn last night.

With the dress draped over her arm and her phone being pocketed in her coat she had just put on, she made her way to Alice's front door. Alice was already standing by the door, watching Ella's slow steps with a smirk. She was glad Ella also didn't want it all to end.

When Ella got beside her, Alice softly opened the door but stopped Ella with a hand on her wrist before she could go out to the hallway. "Don't forget I'm always a text or a phone call away." And this time now walking up to her and getting a look of the empty hallway that led to the rest of the flats, including Alex's, Alice added pointing at the door that was his, "A door away as well."

Ella blushed when Alice winked at her right after that and nodded, "Definitely noted."

"Bye Ella." Alice squeezed Ella's wrist softly and let go of her hold.

"Bye Allie." Ella said after one last look at Alice.

Ella walked into the hallway and walked over to what Alice had pointed to be Alex's door. She had expected Alice to close the door right after she left but, out of the corner of her eye, Ella could see Alice was there waiting to make sure she'd gotten inside Alex's flat.

Three knocks were left on the door and only a few seconds later, the door opened to reveal a smiley Alex.

"Hi, Al." Ella smiled brightly at him, hearing then the soft thud of Alice's door closing.

"Hi, darling." He greeted almost breathless, she looked stunning despite wearing Alice's merch and now it seemed like every time he'd look at her, the memories of the previous night and the early morning were going to haunt him. "How are you feeling?" He asked, letting her come in and closing the door behind him.

She sighed and very genuinely answered, "Tired and in a desperate need of another shower."

He tried biting his tongue about it all but his mouth played with him when he let out a "Reckon you enjoyed yourself then?" without meaning to.

Stopping in her tracks, she cursed through her teeth, "Oh, fuck–" And almost wincing, she turned to see him and ask, "Did you hear us?" She was begging he hadn't, because if he had then there was no way she could look him in the eye for at least a week.

"No, no." Alex shook his head and her soul came back to her body. He walked past her, and it was easier for him to lie when she wasn't seeing his face, "No– I, erm, I passed out right when I got home and only woke up a little ago."

"At what time did y'all leave?" Ella asked curiously, she didn't even know when it was that she had gotten to Alice's but the last time she'd seen the clock it had been a bit over three in the morning, and that had been before her and Alice got in the shower.

They got to the kitchen and she stood by the marble island, resting her belongings on one of his high chairs. Alex seemed entertained by what was on his kitchen stove, so she barely heard him recount very briefly the rest of the night, "Everyone left about fifteen minutes after you but I stayed for another hour or so."

She hummed trying to calculate at which point of the night that would've been and nodded once she gave up trying to come to a conclusion since all she was getting was flustered by the memories. "Right."

Wanting to change the subject as his brain was aggressively reminding him of the night before, he asked her, "Are you hungry?" turning to see her with a plate in his hand filled with the food he'd prepared.

Ella looked at him with her lips pressed together, hating having to turn him down by saying, "Alice made me some food actually..."

A small "Oh." fell from his lips, and he froze with the plate in hand before he could manage to form a proper sentence, "There's some more here if you want."

"That looks amazing," She admitted because it truly did and just because she felt bad for leaving him last night, she gave in and said, "Some more food is not gonna hurt anyone..."

Alex gave her a sweet smile when her words reached his ears and placed her plate right in front of her, quickly getting her utensils to eat with. As she had before, Ella enjoyed the meal he had prepared and wasn't shy to give him praise for it. It was really good so it wasn't long until she was done with it and she was calling Alex out for not letting her do the dishes.

"Stop it, I'll wash this quick and we can go to get the dress." were his last words on the matter and he took care of the task with a grin on his face seeing Ella let her arms fall by her sides in defeat.

"Okay but we need to go back to the hotel first though." She truly wanted to shower first, before she could even think of going out to try on clothes. "Can't go out shopping looking like this." Her hands waved briefly down her body to emphasize the state of her.

Drying the freshly washed dishes, he agreed, "Yeah, it screams 'walk of shame'." He quipped, snickering which earned him a roll of her eyes and an annoyed sigh.

Her response was a simple, "Idiot." as she shook her head. He laughed at her while he sorted his dishes back in the cabinets and once done, he dried his hands with a kitchen towel.

"Alright," He glanced around his kitchen to see where he'd left his phone, finding it and pocketing it, he looked back up at her and instructed, "Let's go then before the shops get too crowded and we don't find anything."

Alex had already been ready for the day so once Ella picked up her stuff from the high chair next to her, they left Alex's flat. And thankfully, his place wasn't far from her hotel so they got there in less than a fifteen minute walk.

Once inside her room, she left all that she was carrying sprawled over her bed, really not caring for the mess at the minute as she just wanted to freshen up. The singer found comfort in lying on the bed as well, his head resting on the pillows.

He watched her as she yawned behind her hands before letting him know she was "Gonna take a quick shower now." adding a "If you don't mind." just to check if he had any other plans he had to get to.

But Alex shook his head with a blissed expression at the soft pillows under his head and the silence in the room. "Absolutely not, go ahead." He replied with a soft smile on his face that she gave him back.

Before she left for the ensuite, she wanted his advice, "What should I wear?" Crouching down, she opened her suitcase and was met with multiple articles of clothing all rolled up, "Needs to be easy to put on and take off since I'm gonna be trying shit on all day."

His eyes were closing but his mind was still with her in conversation so trying to be helpful, he thought about it for a few seconds and came to the answer being, "A skirt?"

He hadn't sounded so sure but she nodded in agreement, "Oh, yes. And with a sweater so I'm not freezing to death." It had been quite cold as they walked back, and she was certainly grateful Alice's clothes were quite thick and cozy.

Alex only hummed in response and she took out the clothes from her case, trying to be the quickest she could be as it was already about to be eleven in the morning.

"Okay, I'll be right back." She informed and in his hazy mind, Alex managed to nod.

The water pattering on the floor of the shower lulled Alex to sleep, Ella took her time to shower and pamper herself after what certainly felt like a very long weekend, slowly putting her clothes on. And once she had dressed herself, despite the loud noise even with the door closed, the hair dryer she used didn't manage to wake him up.

When she left the wet room, she walked into the small hallway that connected it to the room which had a floor to ceiling mirror that showed her reflection back to her and the sight made her gasp.

That was enough to wake Alex up then, blinking multiple times he was able to get himself the slightest bit awake to ask, "What's wrong?"

The answer Ella gave flew straight past him as she let out a low whistle and said, "Fucking hell, it's gonna be really awkward trying on dresses today." and continued to watch herself in the mirror.

"What was that?" Alex inquired again, his brain not being able to process what she'd said just yet.

But when she walked back into the room and stood in front of him, she reiterated in a different sentence, "The skirt is not gonna do..." and that was what made him look down to her bottom half to see what she meant.

Her inner thighs were littered in purple marks and the view alone made his eyes shoot open, "Holy shit, Ella." He cursed loudly, his jaw dropping more the more she showed him the insides of her thighs a bit better.

She looked down at the lovebites and chuckled to herself, feeling her cheeks heating up, "Yeah, I know."

"What the fuck?!" He cursed out loud again, his brows furrowed.

"She's a little vampire." Ella joked trying to make the situation a bit less awkward, because he seemed really taken aback by it.

What she wasn't expecting was for him to start saying, "I'll have a chat with her when I get ho–"

She stopped him before he could continue with a firm, "No, you're not."

"But she–" The singer tried to fight, yet Ella wouldn't have it.

Shaking her head and with her cheeks tinting up redder, she admitted, "Alex, I loved it when she was marking me up so there's absolutely nothing to complain about here."

Ignoring the way that statement had felt like a knife to the chest, he gave another argument to back himself, "Well she needs to learn to control herself."

Sighing, she pursed her lips and added, "I'm pretty sure I left her looking the same or maybe worse." so he could stop with his need to cause a fight between himself and the girl.

"Fuck." He cursed through his teeth, hiding his closed eyes behind his hands like he was in pain.

Ella tried to get answers then, ones that she hadn't managed out of Alice, "I still don't get why you don't like her, she's one of the sweetest girls I've ever met." And she truly meant it. In her head if she got along well with Alice then there was no reason for Alex not to get along with her.

Alex wasn't help at all for Ella to try to solve the mystery because he only shrugged and meekly answered with, "Maybe you're biased because you've fucked her."

Without missing a beat, Ella replied in the same tone, "In that case, maybe you need to fuck her too." She had been guilty of picturing the scenario of the three of them in bed the night before, when the thought of him flashed in the forefront of her mind in a moment of pure ecstasy.

"Eleanor." Alex warned with a firm voice, his face stoic as he stared at her like he was begging her to be joking.

"Alexander." Ella copied with the same tone but a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as his anger was becoming amusing to her.

"Don't ever say that again." The singer warned, as if it had been the single worst most awful thing someone could've ever told him.

"What?" Ella threw her arms up defensively, "She's good." Her cheeks warmed again and the sight made Alex sigh exasperatedly.

"Just find something to wear and let's go already." He was growing impatient and he wanted the view of the love bites Alice had left gone for they made a bitter taste rise up his throat and coat his mouth with it.

She chuckled and playfully rolled her eyes, "Whatever you say boss."

He let out an involuntary snort at her remark, unable to not react to her, "Shush you dickhead."

Going back to her suitcase, Ella ended up picking up a long brown wool skirt that reached her ankles and went to the bathroom to change into it. Her white sweater stayed on and over it came her long brown trench coat.

After quickly tying her converse on, they left her hotel room and went straight to Harrods where Alex said he knew she would find something. 

She had scolded him when they stepped out of the taxi and the first store she saw was Valentino with a couple stunning dresses she could wish to buy on a random afternoon. He only laughed and reminded her that it was a dress for the wedding and that she was allowed to spend her money on it if she ended up loving it—not that he was going to let her buy it but she didn't need to know that—so with that mindset they began to look for it.

It was a hit or miss in the many stores they had visited, the first few she had been far too wary of the cost of the pieces and by the time she had convinced herself it was okay, she hadn't found anything she was completely set on for her to spend an obnoxious amount of money on.

That was until they stumbled into a boutique that gathered many designer clothes into one place and the dresses she had caught through the window looked to die for.

When they went in, a lovely woman called Rose greeted them by the door and took them inside while asking a bunch of questions so that she knew what the pair were looking for. Once Ella told her she was looking for a dress to wear to a friend's wedding, Rose effortlessly guided them to the ones she knew would be wedding appropriate and that Ella might like.

From the looks of them, Ella chose a few to try on and Rose guided her and Alex into a private changing room. Thankfully, inside was a curtain that separated the actual changing room with the small lounge area in which Alex would be waiting.

Taking her time as she slowly put the different pieces on, Ella tried on the first three dresses she had chosen but none of them had her swooning. Alex on the other hand found himself at a loss of words and oxygen every time she drew back the curtain and stepped out in a different gown.

The first one had been a champagne off the shoulder dress with a slit on the side that showed her right leg perfectly, but it was exactly that which made her discard it. The second was a strapless plum dress which had a beautiful mermaid silhouette but it was just that which made her struggle to walk, plus the top kept falling down so she had to hold it up when she walked out to keep it in place. The third was a black one shoulder dress made of tulle which made it puffy and she truly felt like a princess with it but it was far too big for her to be comfortable in it all day at the wedding, she had been already sweating figuring out how to put it on.

The fourth one was a deep red low v neck dress which cinched at the waist and from there draped down a lovely flowy train. It looked amazing on her, it was light and the shape of it was beautiful and flattering but she found herself pursing her lips at her reflection which showed her fully exposed and very marked chest. Her tits looked great hugged perfectly by the fabric but the love bites littering her skin had her trying not to laugh at herself for caring so little about it the night before when she had a wedding to go to in a few days.

At least she was grateful it didn't have a leg slit for her bruised thighs to show and with amusement clear on her face she walked out, "Well this is not gonna do, is it?"

It was a rhetorical question, she already had seen the annoyance in Alex's eyes that he knew Alice had left those and a part of her was hoping it was the product of jealousy, but thinking of it like that would hurt her if she found out that wasn't the reality so she had been pushing the thought away.

Before Alex could compliment her on how stunning she looked, there was a knock on the door of their private room that snapped Ella out of her thoughts. She was well aware of her marks so she tried to escape back behind the curtain before anyone could walk in but Rose beat her clumsy steps as she came into the room right when Ella was only managing to turn around.

"How are you liking them?" The woman asked enthusiastically and when she saw Ella's figure being hugged by the red fabric, she just had to say, "Oh let me see that one!"

Ella winced at her tone because it was so sweet and genuinely excited to see her wearing the dress so she just couldn't say no. Bad time to be a people pleaser, she scorned herself before slowly turning back around so she could face Alex and Rose.

The loud gasp Rose let out was enough for Ella to hide her face behind her hands, feeling her cheeks burning under her fingers, and Alex to laugh out loud. The singer watched as Rose all but counted the bruises on her skin and then switched her surprised expression for a teasing grin, "You're gonna have a good time covering all those up."

Hearing the smirk on Rose's voice, Ella shook her head still hiding behind her hands so the, "Oh my god, this is so embarrassing." she said came out muffled against the palms of her hands.

The woman directed her gaze to Alex then, completely unaware of the actual story behind them, "You went hard on her didn't you?"

Ella dropped her hands, ready to correct her but she only managed a, "He d–" when Alex interrupted, being a bit louder than her as he said, "I did but I'll help her get rid of them later." He looked so smug with a hand on his chin and a smirk on his face, it made Ella lock her jaw because if she didn't it would've dropped.

Rose giggled at the pair, "That's gonna be lots of ice you'll use." But once again, Ella's real explanation was stuck in her throat as the woman beat her to it, but luckily changed the topic of the conversation, "How did you like the ones you've already tried on?"

"This one was too big." She pointed at the second one she'd tried after clearing her throat, and very truthfully admitted her opinion about the other three, "And the other ones I just don't feel like I love them."

Rose hummed completely understanding her, "This one looks stunning on you though. But I feel like–" She cut herself off to have a small think and after a few seconds of staring at Ella's silhouette, a spark lit up in her brain, "Okay wait, I know just the one to bring you. I'll be right back."

Ella barely managed to say, "Thank you!" to her when Rose walked out of the room, but when the door closed behind her, she instantly turned to Alex to scold him.

"Why would you say that?!" Her mind was in a mush, she was so embarrassed but seeing him so proudly admit to that was making her head spin.

Her thoughts were stopped abruptly when the singer shrugged and raised a brow to set his argument down, "Would you prefer to explain how someone else did all that whilst you're out with me buying a dress for a wedding that you told her we're going to together?"

Ella didn't know why she felt so defeated and recognising that reaction from herself made her feel pathetic. She tried to hide it as best as she could, turning around to go back behind the curtain and look at herself in the mirror again, "Well if you put it that way." She replied, brushing her hands down the smooth fabric of the gown she had on.

"Saved you the awkwardness." Alex added proudly, eyebrows raised as if telling her he had been the one to make the situation better.

But Ella poked her head out the changing room and with a frown, she whisper-shouted, "It's still awkward!"

He giggled at how mortified she looked, it was so funny to him that she'd react like that when she had no need to. "You are making it awkward, she was joking about it."

"My face is burning." Her hands came up to cup her red cheeks, sighing at the cold of her fingers against her face.

"Wouldn't be the first time today, darling." He retorted playfully, and that earned him a lovely middle finger peeking through the side of the curtain which had him laughing out loud.

A few minutes later, in which Alex had been lost in his phone and Ella had been lost in her thoughts, Rose knocked on the door again with a stunning blue gown hanging on her arms.

"I think you'll like this one, but I'll keep looking for some more." The woman said handing Ella the piece of clothing and once the American girl had thanked her for it, she left the room again.

The dress was heavy in her arms but it felt fresh and it had the prettiest floral detailing embroidered with the same color of the gown so it looked more like texture than a pattern. It had spaghetti straps and a delicate scoop neck, what she wasn't sure about was the excess fabric on the back of it so without wasting more time, she went back behind the curtain.

A minute went by, Alex impatiently waiting for her to come out because she had gasped a few seconds before. He was about to ask what it was that she was gasping about when she let out an excited, "Oh sweets I think this one's it."

With his knee bouncing up and down, he bit his bottom lip before saying, "Let me see."

Alex was met with silence for another half minute and when he called her name, she only answered with a quiet, "Wait a second."

But he wasn't feeling that patience anymore, so very eager to see her, he instructed her, "Come on out already, you can't say that and then leave me hanging."

Ella's voice came out struggling as she replied, "It's only been less than a minute and I'm trying to fix the back but I can't reach it."

Knowing that he only itched more for her to come out, so he offered, "Come out and I'll help." Not without adding a "Hurry." at the end.

"You're really impatient." She sighed defeated as she couldn't get the extra fabric out when it was stuck right on her lower back where the zipper was. Taking him up on his words, she came out from behind the curtain, mindful of her every step to not step on the bottom of the dress, "What do you think?"

Alex choked on his words seeing her in that dress, his mouth opening and closing only letting out a "Wow." before he could gather his thoughts and finally say, "Darling you look gorgeous and that doesn't even cut it."

"Shut up." Ella rolled her eyes not wanting to take the compliment herself so she complimented the look of the gown, "It's pretty, isn't it?"

"It's beautiful." He agreed, nodding enthusiastically like a little kid, "You look stunning."

Ignoring the way his words made her stomach flip, she turned around to show him the back of it for it was her favorite part of the dress, "I'm obsessed with the back of it." And he was too, it was a backless dress so her back was on full show, the fabric sitting tightly on her lower back and the extra fabric draping lusciously around the low cut.

"Help me with this bit, it's stuck on the inside." She said and he knew exactly what she meant so reaching to untuck the fabric that had gotten stuck on her lower back, his fingers grazed her skin and she shivered under his touch.

A low, breathless, "There we go." fell from his lips, entirely satisfied by her reaction to his touch.

She hated that she had so obviously reacted so her "Thanks." came out choked.

Walking a few steps back to the changing room, she fully opened the curtain so she could see herself in the mirror without having to go back in and she turned slightly to see how the dress looked from different angles. "So... this one?"

"You're the one who decides that darling, you looked stunning in all of them but this one's just... wow." Alex was truly at a loss for words, she was effortlessly stunning. Her hair had been put up in a quick bun so there were many strands sticking out of it but she looked beautiful with her messy hair and she was walking around in her long gray socks which she had laughed about how they looked when she lifted the bottom of the dresses up to walk.

Alex grew mesmerized by her everyday it seemed like and it was something that surprised him. He didn't want to think too much about it, scared of messing something up and hurting her like he had in the past. He just had to live only being friends with her. Best friends. He'd rather have that than absolutely nothing, he loved her too much to let go of her that easily.

Rose's knuckles thudding against the wooden door interrupted his thoughts and when she came in and saw Ella practically beaming in the dress, she smiled and nodded in approval.

"I love this one." Ella confessed, giddy about having found the perfect dress for the wedding.

Rose was proud of her vision, "I knew it. That was just the right one."

So the American girl walked up to her and gave her a tight hug, "Thank you, it's truly perfect." She said into the woman's ear, letting her go after a soft squeeze.

Alex was entranced by her beauty and her kindness, but he was brought back when Rose turned to him and tauntingly asked him, "What do we think, Mr Dracula?"

"Think she looks absolutely breathtaking." He answered genuinely, the biggest smile on his face as his gaze went up and down Ella again.

"At least you didn't attack her back." Rose chatted back, seeing Ella's fortunately love bite free bare back in the reflection of the mirror.

The singer was feeling very smug about Rose thinking it was all him so playing more into the situation, he cheekily replied, "We shall see about that."

Which earned him a firm "Alex!" from Ella, one accompanied by her wide eyes at his confidence to just say that in front of the woman.

But Rose laughed hard at that, patting Alex's shoulder as she got some air back into her lungs, "Oh I love you two," she stated before inhaling deeply to completely regain her posture. When she straightened back, the woman turned to Alex and kindly inquired, "Want me to ring you up while she changes?"

Ella was about to say no because she wasn't going to allow Alex to buy her the dress but he practically jumped to his feet as he said, "Yes, I'll go with you and she can change."

Rose nodded and exited the room, completely unaware of the hard glare she was giving Alex who was pretty much ignoring it as he got his phone from the coffee table beside the loveseat he had been sitting on.

"Alexander." Ella started with her voice firm to try and get him to look at her.

But when he turned, a mischievous grin was adorning his face, and when he replied, "Eleanor." in a playful tone, she knew whatever she'd say would fly right over his head.

"Don't." She warned with a serious face, her hands already frantically trying to undo the zipper of the dress so she could quickly change and beat him to it.

He played dumb first, asking a silly, "What?"

She wasn't having it so trying to remind him of what they had talked about before she came, she said, "What did I tell you?"

There had been many occasions in which he had suggested taking her to many places and when she had jokingly said 'well you'll let me pay this time right?', he had swiftly averted the question and continued with listing his plans. So she had made sure to remind him every other time that when she came to visit, he wouldn't be allowed to spend money on her. That had been broken already when he showed her around London and she had been determined to not let it happen again.

But her reminder didn't work because Alex continued playing dumb about it, this time taunting her by saying, "I don't really remember right now darling, head's scrambled by the view." Giving her a wink before he stepped closer to the door.

She took a step forward to reach out to him, getting a hold of his wrist, "Told you I would–"

Alex interrupted her before she could repeat what he clearly remembered she had said many times before. "I really have to follow her 'cause it'd be rude to make her wait." He wasn't gonna listen to her in this one, not when he had the means to make her happy gifting her the dress she'd loved.

The singer took another step with her hand still clasped around his wrist and she quickly caught up right behind him. "Alexander David Turner." She said through her teeth when he didn't stop and had a foot out the room.

Knowing he had won already by being out of the private room, he smirked and pointed out with a tut, "Eleanor Hayes you can't leave the fitting room with the dress on."

Ella pursed her lips, exhaling through her nose completely frustrated, "I'm gonna fight you."

He was enjoying seeing her like this way too much. "Would love to see you try." He dared, taking advantage of her hold to pull her in by her forearm and leaving a quick peck on her temple.

"Have fun!" He said with exaggerated enthusiasm, leaving her all flustered and annoyed, still wearing the dress.

She had been huffing around while changing back to her clothes and when she came out of the changing room with a frown and the chosen dress in hand, Alex had the opposite expression on his face.

Rose took the garment from her with the sweetest smile which made Ella feel guilty for her lack of one so trying to make herself look at the positive outcome of it all, she smiled back as the woman packed it up in a perfect box with a bow tied around it and placed it in a bag.

Ella had been trying to keep up her act with Alex, thanking him reluctantly at first and biting her tongue to give him the cold shoulder as they walked out of the shop and back onto the streets of London.

But that had only lasted so long when he pulled her in by the waist and pressed a bunch of kisses on her cheek.

"Oh c'mon darling, don't be angry. I wanted to buy it for you." Alex defended himself quickly, his eyes trying to look for hers but she was forcing herself not to look at him.

Her gaze stayed ahead as they walked a few more steps but he wasn't gonna have her silence any longer so he stopped in his tracks, forcing her to stop with him and turning her around so her front was pressed against his.

"Are you not gonna talk to me now?" He pouted and when her eyes flew up to the sky, he cupped her jaw to make her look at him.

There was nothing aggressive about his touch, it was how delicate his fingers were on her skin and his gentle gaze on her that made her slowly melt in his arms.

"You just don't listen." She started with a defeated sigh, "I didn't want you to spend money on me again."

He thought about it then, something to say to twist her arm, "Can't this be your very late birthday gift?"

"You gave me a ticket back home." Ella reminded him with an eyebrow raised.

"That was from all of us, this one is just mine." He negotiated, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips when he saw her face fall in slight amusement at the loophole he had managed to find.

"You're insufferable." She decided then, shaking her head at how proud he looked to have caught her with that.

"You love me." He fought back, the corner of his eyes crinkling the harder he smiled.

Humming, she gave in and agreed, "I unfortunately do." playfully trying to get that ego of his down.

He scoffed and it made her giggle, "I'm kidding." and throwing her arms around his shoulders, she added, "Thank you sweets, love you."

Leaning back, he looked down at her and left one last kiss on her cheek, squeezing her waist before letting go and once she was back beside him, they continued their walk back to the hotel.

A few minutes passed, people watching and talking about the upcoming big event. Their talk about Nick getting his tux with the lads brought him to pointing out a fact that made him warm inside.

"You know this is perfect." Alex vaguely started, trailing off long enough for Ella to ask what it was and with a tilt of his chin pointing to the bag which contained the dress she'd just gotten, he explained, "My suit is blue too."

Gasping, she turned to him, "Awh! We're gonna be matching!" Ella scrunched her nose at him, "How cringe, I love it."

Alex snorted at her response but agreed, "Matt's gonna take the piss out of us."

"Definitely, but I bet everyone will be matching with their plus one." She pointed out, wishfully thinking that it would be that easy to escape Matt's taunting.

He hoped that logic worked too and whilst they were on the subject of the wedding, he mentioned again the plans for that day, "I'm picking you up early that morning, by the way."

Ella groaned, already dreading having to wake up at an ungodly hour to start getting ready. "Yeah, don't remind me how early though."

"I know, weddings shouldn't be that early." Alex wholeheartedly agreed, almost every wedding he had attended would've been awful for him if he wasn't surrounded by his friends—only being in their presence made him able to look past how long they lasted and how unnecessarily stressful they were.

"It's an actual crime." And then she thought about how late the reception could be but found relief at the silver linings, "At least there's a free bar."

He chuckled and nodded, "I can already imagine the hangover."

She grimaced at the thought, "S'not gonna be pretty that's for sure."

"I'll take care of you, don't worry, darling." He promised, holding her closer by the arm she had hooked on his.

"I'll take you up on that, sweets." Ella replied with her eyebrows raised like challenging him to keep up to his words, which he definitely would.

But then the singer reminded her of the real trouble approaching them, "Tomorrow's what you gotta be worried about."

The next day would be the parties thrown for the bride and groom, she called them bachelor and bachelorette parties but she'd gotten cultured about them being called stag do and hen do over in that side of the pond.

"Matt and Bre being in charge of the parties is making me nervous." She admitted very honestly as she had tried many times to get something from Breana but miserably failed at it.

Alex hadn't been successful in getting information from the couple either so he felt the same way, "Haven't managed to get anything out of them so I share your worries."

Ella sighed, only being able to imagine the trouble the next night would bring but wishing aloud, "It better be fun."

He decided to tease her a bit and with a low voice said, "But at what cost?"

"Don't." She cut him off before he could set off more nerves in her and nudged his hip with hers, "That only makes me even more scared."

He giggled at her, noticing they were already close to the hotel she was staying at and wanting to spend the last few minutes they had together on a better note, he decided to settle her down a bit, "I know we won't be together but Florence will take care of you since I know Bre is gonna be too gone to do it herself."

"Awh I love Flo!" Ella almost jumped in her spot at the reminder of his childhood best friend's attendance, "I'm excited now, I can properly party with her."

They had been talking about properly going out at Glastonbury, trying to align their schedules so everyone could join and there had been a few dates thrown around but nothing confirmed, nothing that couldn't be solved when she would see her again then and the thought of making plans with her and the girls was making Ella excited.

She had been brainstorming more about that shoot she had in mind and she couldn't wait to properly set a day and a meeting place for them all to bring the vision to life. Ella was properly giddy about it for they were all stunning and the shoot was going to be in a style she had been waiting to try for a while.

Alex's memories came back to him of every time he'd partied with Flo since they were teenagers and he smiled at them, there wasn't a doubt in his mind that the girls would have the best night together. "She's amazing company, you're gonna have the best time."

Ella hummed, even more excitement bubbling up inside her and with hopes up to the ceiling, she replied, "I'm counting on it, Turner."

The girls all together and away from the lads, partying the night away in celebration of the bride sounded like a perfect night and, despite going into it blind, Ella just couldn't wait to see what that night would bring.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

A/N: I don't exactly remember how me and N came about the talk about how insane it would be if Alice and Ella bumped into each other and had Alex absolutely seething but it ended up in me writing this and all I can say is I blacked out, I was fully possessed lolllllll! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it's a whiplash of emotions from now on tbf but it's gonna be really fun. Hen do is coming next and so is the wedding... heheheh. Thank you for reading and see you in two weeks!!!!!! xx

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[therealslimshakespeare]

begging for more details on the first time Ida gives Rosie a handjob 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Ughhh yes yes I cannot wait to write this as part of the whole vignette thing, the nine times she thought she was and the one time she really was ready.

But for some reason, although I’m not fully settled on it, I always think of the genisis of it in the shower. She’s been watching him at it for weeks, and admits it to him in a guilty panic over breakfast one morning. Rosie, per usual, may be pink as his nickname but he cites some very levelheaded reasons for why it’s alright and expressly reaffirms just how alright it is for her to linger if she wants.

Perhaps he even ventures later that day to ask what she feels when she watches. And she admits it’s burning curiosity, mouth drying novelty, perhaps even the itch to grasp him. She can tell how her words have affected him -how he tries to temper his happiness at her small progress with his own raging exultation at inspiring such a want in her- by the dip of his voice when he reaffirms huskily that it’s alright, whenever.

I think one day she works up the courage to step into the shower with him. They’ve taken baths before together, discreet things at times when undressing but this is so up close and foreign with its tiles and scents and fogged glass that Ida feels emboldened. Enough to lather him with soap, to drag her hands and the washcloth over skin she’s been admiring water cascade down from afar. Robert is too unsure to do much more than keep his hands away and let out little hums when she grows particularly thorough. He may grow aroused this time but he has to go to work and now’s not the time to push something beyond its organic limits. He swears he’ll be fine and tucks it down his trouser leg.

Meanwhile Ida can hardly think of work all day with the memory of it, half shocked she did it, mostly giddy. with a supreme want to do it again. to replicate what she’s watched to completion.

Next morning is a Saturday, and after the usual routine of kissing each other and murmuring about their week or their dreams or their lazy plans for the morning, he goes to take his usual shower and she stills him with a hand on his hip.

“Do you need to take care of yourself?” she is always direct.

He’s a young man under thirty with a pretty young wife who has grown ever more snuggly as the months go by, yeah, those staid pajama pants are tented.

“Then I’d like you to stay. I-I’d even like to help, if I can get the hang of it.”

And that’s how Rosie got his first -overly tight fisted? maybe? but hell he didn’t notice at all he blew like a gizer in appreciation- handjob, cock pulled through his silk pant fly and his shirt unbuttoned from a sublime amount of wanton thrashing and need for air. It makes his chest hair shine a little auburn in the morning light and Ida loves it when it does that.

Something about watching his large hands cradle and coax himself made her bizarrely competitive and after replacing his hand with her own, she felt herself grow nurturing at the sight of him unraveling far more intensely than his solo escapades ever had.

[maconthepen]

the silence.

2014.

“He’s a provider. He’s calm,” the woman says. I would not call her a friend. She is a drinking buddy, an acquaintance, a person who occasionally says certain things just to shock me. This isn’t one of those things. This is advice. “If you two break up, it will be because you wanted it. You’ll be the person blowing everything up.”

2013.

“I love you,” I say. I am crying because I’m tipsy and in love, and I cannot possibly hold it in anymore. It is the moment they told me about in the story books. The ‘you’ll just know’ moment. Part of me knows it’s too early — three weeks! It’s no time at all. Still, I just know. He gives me a hug and does not say it back.

2014.

On our three-month anniversary, he turns to me, bright-eyed and sweaty, after we have sex. I tell him, again — I have never stopped telling him — that I love him. He whispers it back onto my lips. I am so happy that I don’t realise it sounds like all the advice columns I read growing up in the sealed sections of a teen magazine: don’t say it too fast, don’t wait too long. Three months is perfect, give or take.

2017.

I cannot remember his entire response to the question, “When did you know it was me?” but I do remember he used the phrase, “You seemed like a good option.” Later, I am listening to a snippet of some stitched misogynistic podcast on TikTok. “What is she bringing to the table?” ask the men. “Why should I consider her an option?”

2018.

At his family’s dinner table, I spend all of dinner listening to the sounds that aren’t a dreadful silence: a knife scraping against a plate, the mastication of a dry chicken breast, the pouring of wine into my glass, which I am downing too quickly. I thank his mother for the meal. After her, “Oh, you’re welcome. It’s nothing,” we are the only two people to have spoken until the plates are empty.

2023.

When our new dining table arrives in our new flat, I get through thirty seconds of dinner before I ask, “Mind if I pop some music on?” The sound of eating is unbearable to me.

2022.

We are flipping through some unofficial, blurry wedding photos on his cousin’s phone when an unflattering one of me comes up. It is taken from below and behind my chair, and I am laughing at something so hard that my head is thrown back, but I am slouched in a way I wouldn’t be if I knew a camera was on me. Before he can stop it, my husband makes a short sound, an urgh of disgust. I can feel his guilt smothering me afterwards when he takes me to bed.

2023.

I am fat. I take some time off work due to stress. He nods at my coffee cup one morning and says, “Now you’ve got the time, you’re not considering giving up any bad habits?”

I know it is not the coffee he’s talking about.

We have sex later with the lights off, and when I ask if there’s anything he wants to try in bed, the answer is an awkward silence.

I fill in the gaps myself. It’s far worse than any kink he might have thrown at me.

Yesterday.

“I think I want to book driving lessons soon,” I mention over a beer. “But I'll need to get a stable job again first.”

“Don’t worry about that,” he says. “I’ll put it on the card. If you want them, you should go for it.”

It’s a lovely thing for him to say, and so I utter a thank you. Unbeknownst to him, I am thinking about good men who provide and wives who are provided for.

Today.

“You’ll be the person who blows everything up,” I remember, washing the dishes in a rage. I am enraged at myself for not doing them earlier, at him for not doing them at all. I am furious at the silence that has blanketed my life. I cannot believe I am so conscious of myself talking these days.

I sound so loud in this house, but I want to be louder.

I want to be an explosion.