#I didn't get to read them out loud which I kind of regret but maybe that's better bc maybe others wouldn't have found them as funny

[meezer]

despite all odds I did decent on my project for my yummy prof today... I started off by saying I had made a synopsis of the book but it was too long-winded because I included too many details and he laughed kind-heartedly and he said it's okay, Accalia, we weren't expecting anything less from you. (?! compliment? I think?? I hope?) anyway I decided to freeball the presentation and just present mostly from memory (but using some quotes I wrote down) I think that was the right choice. at the end he was like we thank you Accalia for your presentation and your effort. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[thehouseofurmotha]

In all honesty, I'm such a fan of the bakugo x aizawas daughter!reader series (if i can all it that)

I'm in NEED of new oneshots basically anything will do

AHH PLEASE TYSM @kitthefanfickat FOR REQUESTING THIS I LITERALLY LOVE ANY EXCUSE TO WRITE DADZAWA <33

Pt. 3 to loud blonde <3 (as for all of them could be read on its own as a standalone one shot.)

Pt. 1, pt. 2

Summery: y/n starts feeling really left out of her father's life, and her loud blonde boyfriend is there to comfort her and fix the pieces of her that have broken.

Warnings: swearing, angst, mommy issues!! Mentions of mental abuse snd neglect,

You loved your father, and you knew how much he did for you. But sometimes you couldn't help but feel left out of his life. Recently he's started spending the little free time he has training a kid in your general studies class.

Hitoshi Shinsou, you've talked to him on more than one occasion. You and him have a very similar personality, and in reality he kind of reminds you of your father. Which is why it makes sense that he took a liking to the kid. But fuck did you feel like shit.

You knew that your father loved you too, and that there wasn't anything that he wouldn't do for you. But you still, couldn't help but feel left out of his world. The world of being a hero, you suppose.

You've never once regretted your decision to not become a hero like your father. Maybe it was from your mother drilling it into your head as a child that hero's are bad, and you should never want to be one.

For the first 5 years of your life you were raised by a mother who simply did not care about you. Maybe she saw to much of your father in you to ever truly love you. She had left your father before you were born, as a child you fantasized about him coming to save you and take you away from your mother. But even as a child, you knew the chances were unlikely as the chances he knew you existed were very slim. Your mother would tell you that, all the time. She would constantly remind you that no one loved you, and nobody was coming to save you.

For a long time you couldn't come to terms with the truth that your mom was an awful person. You wanted to hate her but she was still your mother. No matter how much she neglected and manipulated you.

The day of your 5th birthday, your mother finally snapped. She hadn't been taking care of you in months, you were practically skin and bones. Your hair was in one huge mat.

As a child, most kids were excited for their birthdays. Not you, your birthday just reminded your mother more of 'mistake' she made by not getting rid of you. You woke up and made your way to the kitchen in hopes she would have made herself breakfast and you could steal whatever scraps ended up left.

You were lucky that morning that she did. Or so you thought, she had went to the couch to watch her show while she ate. And you saw this as the perfect opportunity to eat a little bit of the food she had left over, even if you couldn't have much it was better than nothing.

You quietly dragged a chair over to the stove and picked at the extra eggs and bacon lying in a pan. You thought your mother had been preoccupied, but she must have forgotten something, you didn't really know.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?" She screamed some how louder than she ever has at you before. You immediately burst into tears stuttering an apology over and over again.

"I was just so hungry mommy I'm so sorry- I- I won't do it again-" She looked at you with burning hatred as you begged for her forgiveness. You didn't understand what you had done to deserve this.

"Get the fuck out of my house." You sob even harder at this. You were just a kid where were you supposed to go.

"Mommy please-" you beg, you don't want to get kicked out. You just wanted her to love you.

"Get out. Now." She was unnaturally calm while saying this. You kept sobbing and sobbing as you stood on your tippy toes to reach the door handle. Suddenly you were no longer in that house, and surrounded by a cold uncaring world.

You don't know how, but you managed to make it to a police station. You knew that these people would help you. You just wanted to be saved, like the people your father helped. Why couldn't he help you.

You push the large doors open, not without struggle though. You see a pretty woman sitting at a desk in front of you with a kind smile.

"Hi honey, where are your parents?" Her comment makes the tears that had previously stopped come back even harder. No body had ever been that gentle with you.

"M-mommy kicked me out-" You sob and hiccup throughout the sentence and the lady gives you a look of pity. She quickly gets up from her desk and wraps you in her warm arms.

"You're safe now sweetie, you're safe." You shove your face into her chest and sob harder. Never having felt such loving touch. "Can you come with me honey? We just need to ask you some questions so we can figure out how to help you."

You look up at her and give her a small nod. You're brought back into an interrogation room, but the kind lady never leaves your side. She sits in the chair next to you asking if you need anything. She offers you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

"don't know what that is.." It's hard for you to admit, you really didn't know what anything was. It was a miracle that you had learned how to talk at all.

"It's a very yummy food, and it'll help you feel better." She adds the second part after heading your stomach grumble. You not giving her approval, "I'll be right back honey." She says this as she walks out of the door leaving you alone.

You pull your knees to your chest. You were so scared, you just wanted your mom to love you.

You wake up from the nightmare, if you could even really call it that. It was nothing but the truth, the harsh reality you had to face that your mom had abandoned you.

You hazily make you way out of bed, tears gently falling from your eyes. You make your way straight to your father's bedroom, it's a Saturday so he should still be in bed asleep. But he's not and an overwhelming panic sets onto you. You go and search the rest of the house hoping that he just woke up early today.

As you're searching you find a letter on the kitchen counter, and it reads

'Hi hun,

Left to do some training with Shinsou, I'm not sure when I'll be home. But if you want me to pick up food or anything on the way home just text me. Have a great day.

Love, Dad'

The letter only manages to make you sob harder. You just wanted your father, and he was just with another kid. With this thought, you started to spiral. With the thoughts that your father's going to leave you, just like your mother did. Maybe you should have become a hero, maybe he'd like you better. You start thinking of all the things you could've done wrong, all the things that could make him hate you like she did.

Eventually you start to recognize that you are not in the state of mind to be alone. But texting your father asking him to come home now seems like the scariest thing ever. So you settle on the next best person.

As soon as you had just simply said please he knew something was wrong. You never invited him over without telling your father. You respected your father to much for that.

As to his promise, Katsuki arrived 15 minutes later. He pounded on the door until you opened it; you weren't sure if it was because he was worried, or this was something he would always do if you didn't wait outside for him. But today you simply didn't have the energy.

You walk over the door quietly unlocking it before sitting back on the couch. Your boyfriend obviously hears you unlock it cause he's bursting through the door a second later. He scans the room looking for you and as his eyes land on your disheveled body, with tears still running down your face.

He gently wraps you in his arms, holding you as close as he can. "Talk to me doll what's goin on?" He just wants to know how to help you. The softness in his voice seems to only make you sob harder.

"He- he's gonna leave me- he's gonna leave- I'm not good enough he's gonna leave-" This only left Katsuki with more questions. Who was 'he'? It couldn't be your father would it? What would he have done to make you feel like this, Katsuki thinks he may kill your father if it was him.

"Who baby? I need to know so I can help you, I just want to help you." He gently rubs your back, the soothing motion help you to start sobbing a little less. But in the moment Katsuki thinks that any progress is good progress.

"My- my dad- he's gonna- he's gonna leave me just like she did-" Katsuki's suspicions are confirmed with this. It was about your father, and he could only assume the she was your mother. He knew a little bit of what had happened. He knew that you didn't have contact with your mother, but that was pretty much the extent to what you had told him. He really didn't know what to do, so he texted the one person who might.

"You good sensei? You look even more miserable than normal." Shinsou and Aizawa have always had a sort of playful banter while sparring. And even though they're on a water break they normally keep it going. And when Shinsou noticed that Aizawa was staring at his phone with his brows creased, of course he was gonna do some teasing.

"Sorry to call it quits early, but I have to go kid. Something's going on with my daughter." Aizawa is really panicking internally, wondering what he could have done to upset you. He doesn't know, he thought you had been fine. But obviously not.

"Oh you're all good, I didn't know you had a daughter Sensei." Shinsou was a little taken aback by that comment. Never having heard about this mysterious girl.

"Yeah.. have a good day Shinsou I'll see you Monday morning before classes."

"Alright see you then sensei, thank you." And with that Aizawa gets in his car has fast as he can. Thoughts racing, he just wants to know what's wrong with his daughter. What he did, so he can fix it.

He doesn't want you to feel like he's going to leave you like your mother did. He never would. He definitely speeds a bit on the way back to your guys apartment but honestly, he doesn't care. He just wants to hold his daughter and tell her that everything will be okay.

He quickly arrives at your guys apartment, due to the fact that it's not very far U.A. He rushes up the stairs to get to get to your apartment.

As he opens the door, he's greeted with the sight of you sobbing into Bakugou's chest. The boy looks up at him with a puzzled look on his face. This tells Shouta that he's made no progress figuring out what sparked this.

Quickly he makes his way to you and picks you up out of Bakugou's lap. The boy goes to resist it but he just sends a glare at him and the boy takes the hint. Allowing him to carefully cradle you to his chest, the way he would when you were upset as a child. This action causes you to only sob harder.

"I'm not leaving hun, I'm not going anywhere's. I'm not leaving." He just keeps repeating that he's not leaving you. And this manages to get you calm enough to form semi coherent sentences.

"Msorry- I was just being dramatic- I'm sorry-" you mumble this out with your face shoved into his chest.

"Honey, if you're this upset it's not dramatic I promise. I need you to tell me what's wrong hun, please. Let me fix this." With a sigh he holds you closer, he just wants to make you feel better.

"I just- I had a dream- more a nightmare I guess- of um- the day my mom you know- kicked me out- and then you weren't here.. and you've been spending so much time out of the house. And I know your training Shinsou and he's a nice kid and would make a good hero- but I don't know- I feel like he's taken up the little bit of time that we would spend together- it's stupid but part of me thinks you like him better because he wants to become a hero and I don't.." Once it starts to come out you just couldn't stop. You had told him everything you had been feeling. He looks at you with a look that makes it impossible to tell how he feels.

"I'm so sorry, kid. I should've thought about you would feel about this, but I need you to know nothing you could do could ever make me love you less, or love someone else more. I need you to know that I'm not going to leave you, not ever. I will not abandon you like she did. I promise I'll make extra effort to hang out with you, I'll call out of patrol tonight. Me and you, as well as Bakugou if you would like, can all hang out and have a movie night. Or whatever you want to do, anything to make you feel better. I'm so sorry." You start to cry again, but this time more of relief than anything. You had finally gotten the reassurance from him that you needed.

"Also hun, I don't care about you not becoming a hero, all I want is for you to be happy and do something you love. And I know analysis is that thing."

"Thank you dad.. but you um- you don't have to call out tonight I'll be fine."

"Nah it's alright, I'll just get Hizashi to cover and he'll do it no complaints." This causes you to giggle, you truly do love your father and Hizashi's relationship.

"I love you dad." You say this with a smile on your face looking up at him.

"I love you too kid."

The two of you sit in silence for a while before you're the one who breaks it. "I think that I want to try and contact her.." You whisper this not knowing how your father will feel about this.

"If you think that's what you need to do, then I'll support you 100%." The reassurance that he's not upset at the idea is comforting.

You notice that at some point your boyfriend had left. You figured that he just went outside, to the benches at the front of the building. Because you know that Katsuki would never leave you with out saying bye.

You spend the rest of the night sitting between your two favorite people feeling more content than you had in a while. And even though there was anxiety about trying to talk to your mother, you know that they would get you through it. And that was all the comfort you needed.

Okay so I definitely meant to finish my Shinsou x reader one shot before I finished this, but I got a little carried away when I started- soooo! Anyways I hope you enjoy! Happy reading <3

[hornyhornyhimbos]

"Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy" ~ S. Harrington

Summary: Reader strikes up a conversation with Steve, who unbeknownst to her, is the best bull rider in all of Indiana. When the two strike up a conversation, it turns out this cowboy has plans for Reader.

Pairing: Bull Rider!Steve Harrington x AFAB!Reader

Word Count: 5,353

Content Warning: MINORS DNI (18+ content) PROTECTED piv sex, cowgirl AND missionary activities hehehe, maybe dubcon bc they were lowkey under the influence, one night stand, oral f!receiving, fingering f!receiving, overstimulation, multiple orgasms for reader, explicit language, steve def has a power kink, alcohol consumption, blasphemy toward the Greek Gods (sorry), nicknames (sweetheart, princess, baby; cowboy, god), maybe modern!au idrk, lmk if i missed anything!

Extra Notes: mayhaps i am a wh0re

Based On: some thots™️ that me and Georgia had (also slightly inspired by this reel i watched recently)

Originally Written: 03/12/2023 through 03/14/2023

Beta Read By: @dungeons-are-too-cold (literal bestie, love u so much for working on this fic with me)

stranger things masterlist can be found here!

hornyhornyhimbos ask box can be found here!

The air smelled of freshly poured booze and a hundred sweaty bodies as you walked into "The Lucky Shot."

You spotted the bar across the giant room, marveling at the glimmering and flashing of the lights as you made your way through the crowd. Your heart pounded in time with the country song that blared through the speakers.

You weren't really sure what possessed you to go to a random bar in a strange city during the middle of your work trip. Maybe it was your constant craving for a difference in your somewhat boring career. Maybe it was the secret wanderlust that often sat in the back of your mind. Maybe it was just because you wanted a really good margarita. Whatever the case, you sure as hell weren't regretting your decision when your eyes locked on him.

He was beautiful, the kind of beautiful only talked about in Greek mythology. From the brown strands that perfectly framed his chiseled face, to the hazel that swirled around his pupils, to the beige Stetson that sat upon his head, everything about this man was simply beautiful. If Apollo wore a cowboy hat, you were sure this would be him.

Your stomach did a somersault when you sat down on the only stool left, which conveniently happened to be next to this country god.

A couple moments later, your cocktail arrived, and you caught another glimpse of the room as you started drinking. Your eyes darted toward the dance floor, and when you spotted the mechanical bull on one side of the room, you felt mesmerized by it. Specifically, the thought of him on top of it. His hips swaying to the loud music, one hand holding onto his hat. There was no way it wouldn't be the prettiest sight imaginable.

"It's all in the hips, you know."

You turned to face the voice. It was thick like molasses, the perfect mixture of sweet and rough to your ears. "What?" you asked, your eyebrows furrowed together as you finally made eye contact with him.

"It's all in the hips," he repeated, pointing his chin toward the mechanical bull.

You fidgeted with your straw, positive that if you didn't keep your hands preoccupied, you'd tear his clothes off right there. "Uh-huh," you simply said, unsure if you could get anything else out.

"Really. You just have to know how to… angle them correctly."

Your mind raced with dirty thoughts at the emphasis he'd used. You managed to take a sip of your drink, trying your hardest to wash them away. "You seem pretty certain."

One of his eyebrows cocked upward almost as if to confirm your statement. "That, I am, ma'am," he said with a nod and a tip of his hat towards you.

"Hmm," you hummed, taking a long swig of your cocktail in hopes of wetting down the dryness of your throat. "Alright, Tom? Dick? Harry?"

"Steve," he clarified. No other name would do this cowboy justice.

"Steve," you repeated, and the word felt like honey to your lips, "why don't you show me?"

His arms crossed tightly in front of his chest, the tee shirt that covered his skin becoming extra taut. "What's in it for me?"

You shrugged, sipping down the last of your drink. "I suppose… whatever you want, cowboy."

"Hmm," he hummed, taking the last swig of his beer. "How 'bout this? If you can stay on longer, you get my number. If I stay on longer, I get yours."

You scoffed, your tongue darting out to lick your lips. "You're lucky you're cute," you chirped. "OK, cowboy, you're on."

He stood first, holding out a hand to help you down from the barstool. "After you, pretty lady."

You felt a rush of blood shoot through your body as he led you to the bull, and you'd be lying if you said you weren’t anxious.

"Ladies first," he smiled, lifting you up onto the mechanical bull. His hands felt rough and big on your hips, and you nearly fell off the bull before it even started up.

The operator counted you down from three, but even that wasn't enough to brace you. You held onto the handle for dear life, moving your pelvis to the best of your ability. What felt like an eternity later, you fell onto the blue mat, your heart nearly falling through the floor as you landed.

"Five seconds," he said with your back still flat on the cushiony floor. "Impressive."

He held out his hand once again, and you gladly took it. Suddenly, you were pulled up close to him. His eyes shot through you and it was then that you noticed the musky scent of his cologne. You had to collect yourself for a moment, excusing the clear sexual tension for pure competition."Let's see you do better, cowboy."

He slung his leg over the machine, gripping the handle and lifting his left hand into the air. You couldn't help but notice how thick the muscles on his biceps were. Get it together, you thought, but he just looked so natural on the bull. Like he belonged up there. You couldn't help the feeling that settled in your chest.

"Sound me off!" he shouted over the crowd.

You and the operator counted down in sync, and his hips practically assaulted the bull as the machine started up again. You were mesmerized by the movements. Now you definitely weren't regretting taking him up on his offer.

His hips twisted against the fake saddle, and you could just barely see the outline of his cock behind his giant belt buckle and those tight jeans. You watched the way he winded on the bull, wishing it was you he was humping like that.

Even as he fell off the bull, he looked beautiful. He landed flat on his back, letting out a triumphant, "WOOOOOP!" followed by a chuckle. "I believe I hit twenty seconds."

"No fucking way," you argued, turning toward the bull operator, who just answered with a confirming nod.

"How'd you do that?" you challenged.

"I told you, it's all in the hips, sweetheart."

Your arms crossed defensively, your eyes narrowing in on him. You chose to ignore the pleasant feeling building in your stomach with his new nickname for you. "Do you hustle all the women around here for their phone number?"

He folded his arms in front of his broad chest, almost mocking your stance. A stupid, taunting smile was plastered across his face too. "Hey, it's not on me if you don't know you're talking to Indiana's bull riding state champ."

Your mouth fell open in pure shock at his words. If any one person was made for that career, you thought, it would be him.

His eyebrows raised. "You seem surprised."

You gulped down the lump of disbelief in the back of your throat. "A little."

"Should've just read my belt buckle, sweetheart."

You had to fight the urge to look down at his crotch, which was unsurprisingly not the first time you'd had to fight that urge. It had definitely been one hell of a night so far.

"Go on," he instructed. "You know as well as I do that you're curious."

You exhaled a deep breath you'd been holding, eyes locked on the giant buckle as you forced them not to wander lower. Pain is temporary, victory lasts forever, it read, with the date of the championship engraved below.

You had to force yourself to meet his gaze again. "So what do they call you?"

"The Hawk," he replied nonchalantly. "What about you? What do they call you, sweetheart?"

"Y/N," you answered, not even trying to force your mouth closed. He spoke, and you answered, and somehow, you didn't care in the slightest.

You shook your thoughts away, willing yourself to focus on what had just gone down. "You know what? Not important," you blurted, shaking your head. "I want a rematch, Mr. The Hawk," you mocked.

You looped your arms in front of you once again. You wanted to challenge this man to anything you could find. Eventually your eyes landed on the dartboard. Jackpot.

After all, if Steve could hide the fact that he was a professional bull rider, you could hide the fact that you'd been playing darts with your father since you were old enough to hold one. "Darts."

He smirked, walking toward the dartboard. "Alright, sweetheart, you name the stakes this time."

"Fine," you rebutted with a smirk of your own, "whoever gets closer to the bullseye gets to ask the other a question. If they don't wanna answer, they have to take a shot."

He seemed pleased, giving you a crooked smile. "How 'bout this? We each get a Jack and Coke and take a nice big swig of it every time we don't answer."

Your eyebrows ruffled in confusion. "Why does it matter what we drink?"

He leaned in close to your ear, his breath hot on your skin. "I want you as close to sober as possible if things go in the direction I'm hoping for."

Your airway felt tight as you processed his words. You felt lightheaded when you answered, "Understandable."

He shot you another smile before heading back to the bar for a couple drinks. Your legs wobbled as you gathered the darts. You watched his hips sway in time to the music while he waited for the drinks, and all but drooled over the way his ass looked in those tight blue jeans. And I thought the front looked good, you smirked internally.

Soon enough, he came back with the drinks, placing them on the table next to the darts. "Two Jack and Cokes," he confirmed. "Like I said earlier, ladies first."

You tossed the dart, landing almost directly in the middle of the board. He threw next, landing a little above where yours was.

Your mind raced, carefully considering every question you could ever ask him. Truth be told, you wanted to keep winning, not only for the sake of being better than him at something, but also because you wanted to find out every little detail you could about this Country Apollo.

"Hmmm. How long have you been riding bulls?"

"Since freshman year of college," he explained. "I rode horses a lot of the time while I was growing up, did the whole bucking bronco thing, so I thought I'd test the waters. See if it was something for me. Guess it was, all things considered." He gestured to the belt again, almost like a taunt, but your eyes stayed on his, cold and steely.

You threw again, the dart sticking to the single area, prompting you to groan at how bad your aim suddenly was. It had to be the drawl of his voice distracting you.

His dart stuck in the single area as well, slightly closer to the middle of the board. "I believe that makes it my turn."

You nodded. "That it does, cowboy."

"What's your story? You here for business or pleasure?"

You planned on answering anyway, but still took a small sip of the cocktail to wet your lips. "This city? Business. This bar? Pleasure."

About a half hour passed of you spitting questions back and forth. Your drinks were both about halfway finished, mostly from sipping. You had both been pretty bold with your answers, and questions for that matter.

Your arm felt tired from all the dart throwing, and if you had to be honest, the more you found out about him, the more you wanted to jump his bones. "Alright, I don't know about you, but I'm about ready to get out of this place."

He chuckled at the hint of eagerness in your voice. "Me too."

"I say we throw one last dart."

His expression read one of confusion and curiosity. "What're the stakes this time, sweetheart?"

A rush of heat pooled in your stomach as you carefully thought about how to word your answer. Confidence came over you as you finally figured out what you wanted. "OK, cowboy. If you win, I take you back to my place," you started, stealing the Stetson right off his head and placing it on your own, "But if I win, and I will, you take me back to yours."

His tongue darted out to wet his lips, eyes dark as he said, "Well, princess, I think someone needs to remind you of the cowboy hat rule."

You nearly snorted. "What the hell is that?" Your heart fluttered at the nickname, secretly hoping he'd continue using it.

"You wear the hat," he said, taking his hat back, "you ride the cowboy it belongs to."

Your thighs closed together as discreetly as possible while you picked up the darts. You placed one in his hand, your fingers shaky as you released it.

Even in your desperate state, you managed to toss the dart at the board, the dart sticking almost directly in the middle of the bullseye. "Hmm, lucky shot."

Steve's face was one of confidence, even when he threw the dart and it landed in the single area. "Huh," he said plainly, "Guess we're going back to my place."

You were quite positive he'd fucked up on purpose, but chose to ignore for the sake of not staying in your bleak, boring hotel room again.

The ride to his place was absolute hell. His hand on your thigh, his muscles tight in the flannel he'd thrown on, the sultry country music playing quietly on his radio.

The comments Steve made the whole way certainly didn't help you either. He was "sweetheart" this and "princess" that, and he certainly didn't shy away from telling you every little thing he wanted to do to you, making sure you were still okay every once in a while. He even offered to drive you back to your hotel at any point, but you reassured him you wanted this. Probably even more than he did. Hell, if the vehicle hadn't been moving, you would've taken him right there in the front seat of his truck.

From the moment he unlocked the door, he couldn't keep his hands off you. His fingertips slipped through your belt loops immediately upon entering his house. He barely succeeded in kicking the front door closed behind him as his lips met your neck.

"Aren't you gonna give me a tour?" you teased, your hands slipping into his back pockets. Damn, the fit was tight.

He snickered into your shoulder. The vibration was absolutely intoxicating against your skin. "Well, this is the living room. And I fully plan on laying you back on that couch before the night is over."

You easily kicked off your sneakers, Steve letting out an aggravated groan as he remembered his boots. "But first I'm gonna have to sit on it to take off these goddamn boots of mine," he complained, plopping onto the couch in frustration.

You giggled as he started to pry one of them off. "I don't know," you sang. "Next time, you could just leave 'em on. It's kinda sexy."

His head shook in disbelief. "You keep saying things like that and you're gonna be the damn death of me, sweetheart."

You sat down on his lap, your ass winding down on his leg as your lips made contact with his. He struggled to hold you up and take his boot off at the same time. He decided on putting his focus solely on you, choosing to worry about his boots later.

You clutched his shoulders, maneuvering him to lie back on the couch. Your hips ground onto his thigh, and you let out a whimper against his lips. The friction was absolute heaven to your cunt, feeling your heat make contact with his even fully clothed.

His hands clung to your waist, guiding you along the fabric of his jeans. "Mmm," he hummed against your lips, "You're so good at this."

You let out an amused huff, moving from his lips to his jaw. You placed a hard kiss on the stubble. "Bet you're even better. You should teach me sometime. How to angle my hips correctly, that is."

His head fell back in pleasure. A soft moan fell from his lips, and you felt quite proud of the way he was falling apart beneath you.

His grip tightened on your hips as he pulled the two of you up from the couch. You whimpered in protest, but he just said, "Gotta finish the rest of the tour, princess."

He finished kicking his boot off before heading toward the next room. His lips made contact with your skin again as he began leading you through the rest of the house. His fingers returned to your belt hoops, tugging you ever so close. "This is the kitchen. Definitely planning on bending you over that table while we wait for breakfast to finish cooking in the morning."

He led you down the hall, stopping in front of the bathroom. "Gonna pound you against those tiles after we get done in my favorite room of the house," he said, cocking his head towards the shower.

Finally, he ushered you into the bedroom. His hands parted from your waist to flick on the lamp. "And this is my favorite room. The bedroom. The room where you're gonna ride me into the sunset. Or sunrise, all things considered."

His room was quite different from what you'd imagined. He had white walls, which you were sure would only enhance the sunlight in the morning when you woke up beside him. His white bedsheets and deep brown quilt looked so welcoming that you wouldn't even fight if he asked you to stay for the rest of your trip. Maybe even the rest of your life if he wanted.

Your stomach fluttered with pure want as he tossed off his flannel, followed by his shirt. All you could do was stand and watch him strip. His abs were nothing short of glorious, glowing in the pale bedroom light. You wanted to leave scratches and bites and bruises down them. You wanted to memorize every divot and ridge of his body.

His lips met yours again, and his hands were back on your body. They roamed down your torso, meeting the hem of your shirt. "Can I take this off?"

"Uh-huh," you breathed out, trying your hardest not to moan already.

His face fell teasingly. "Aw, you're gonna have to do better than that, sweetheart."

Your cunt clenched around nothing at his dominance. "Yes, Stevie. You can do whatever you want to me tonight."

His hips bucked into yours when you called him Stevie, persuading you to add it to your vocabulary for the night. He lifted the shirt from your body, his eyes going glassy as they fell on your boobs. "I'll take you up on that offer, princess."

His hand moved to his hat, tossing it onto the bed lightly. You took a second to admire his curls and waves, sure that you would get lost in them if he allowed you to. As he laid back on the bed, he held your hips and guided you to straddle his waist. With a soft movement of his fingers, he undid the clasp of your bra and slid it agonizingly slow off your body. His mouth made contact with one of your tits while he occupied the other with one of his coarse hands.

Your hands grasped at his jeans but struggled to undo the giant buckle. He chuckled, eliciting a mewl from you as the vibration rumbled against your body. He lifted your hips out of the way before undoing his jeans and kicking them off, his mouth not leaving yours. After finally getting out of his own pants, he moved onto yours.

He flipped the two of you over, your back arching away from the mattress. He sucked on your nipple as he slowly helped you out of your jeans and underwear. You kicked them away, nearly shivering as you heard them hit the floor. As his hands led you further up the bed, your head crashed into his pillows. They smelled like him and it made you smile.

"Ah-ah," he tutted as he moved down your body towards the foot of the bed. His lips met your mound for a second, leaving a soft kiss right above where you needed him most. "Don't get too comfortable laying down. You'll only be like this until I'm satisfied, yeah?"

"Y-Yeah," you answered, your nipples feeling neglected since he parted from them. You let your own hands wander towards your breasts, giving your nipples a tug, still desperate for friction there. Pure shock exploded in your body though as his lips met your thigh, inching toward your entrance.

Your hands flew to his hair on instinct, tugging on the soft strands as he licked a stripe up your cunt. "Stevie," you sighed, your grip tightening.

His mouth moved up to your clit, suckling on your sensitive bud. "Mmm," he praised against you, letting you know he was tasting the most delicious thing on the planet. The rumble of his voice egged your orgasm on and your legs began to shake already.

He left a trail of kitten licks from your clit to your hole, his tongue thrusting in the exact rhythm you needed it. Your legs tightened around him, and you found yourself struggling not to push him away.

"Hey," he stopped you, pulling your legs apart with his rough hands. "You remember what my belt says?"

You looked down at him between your legs to refocus yourself, meeting his beautiful eyes. Your senses were in absolute overdrive at his words. "Pain is t-temporary, victory lasts f-forever."

"I want that to be your mantra tonight, because I've still got a while with you yet."

You moaned pornographically as he met your core again, and this time his mouth was accompanied by his fingers. "Oh, god."

His lips parted from you, his fingers still working fast at your hole. "What was that? Couldn't hear you."

"Oh, my god." Your head fell back and eyes rolled as the digits brushed against your g-spot.

"That's right, princess," he said, licking another line up your puffy cunt. "I'm your god tonight."

Your first orgasm of the night rushed through your body, your essence gushing on his tongue. Apollo had nothing on this man, you were sure of it.

He didn't give up though and continued sucking hard on your clit. Your body convulsed at the stimulation. Your hands clung to his hair, struggling to push him away. "Oh, god, Steve!"

He removed his lips for a split second. "You tell me to stop and I’ll stop," he said, his tone of genuine concern.

"No, god, please don't stop!" you cried out. Your grip was becoming even tighter on his hair.

"Then I need you to remember the words, baby." His mouth absolutely assaulted your pussy, but you were sure you didn't want anything else at that moment.

"Pain is temporary, victory lasts forever," you repeated, your feet digging into his shoulders where they dangled. "Pain is temporary, victory lasts forever."

You could tell that hearing the phrase fall from your lips was affecting him just as much as he was affecting you. You watched his hips roll against the mattress below, desperately searching for any friction he could find. Still, he was dedicated to pulling one more orgasm out of you with just his mouth and hands.

He stayed like that until you came again, and a string of profanities was all you could manage to say. "Fuckfuckfuck," you muttered, your walls pulsing around his tongue.

"Oh, god, please!" you begged, his mouth licking up every last bit of your taste.

His mouth moved up to yours as he hovered above your body, and to say that your taste on his tongue was anything less than sexy would've been a lie. "I think I got you good and loosened up for me, princess. You ready for the fun part?"

You mewled, your hips bucking at nothing as your hands met his skin. One of your hands slipped into his boxers, and already you could tell that he was big.

He hovered over you, his legs straddling your hips, as he reached toward the nightstand. You had only just realized how long his limbs were. He pulled out a condom and slipped it into your hand. "OK," he instructed, "Go ahead. Open it."

You eagerly complied with his simple command. He made quick work of pulling his boxers off and tossing them into the pile with the rest of the discarded clothing as you made an effort to tear open the foil. Your mouth watered at the sight of him, thinking about what it must be like to take all of him down your throat. He was just so big, and you knew one taste would be all it took to have you utterly addicted.

As he settled above you again, you finally pulled the rubber out of the packet. "Now put it on me," he demanded.

Before you managed to inch forward and take him between your lips, he moved your hands to his cock, helping you roll the rubber on. I guess I’ll just have to wait until morning, you thought to yourself.

Rolling the condom onto his length was definitely not an easy task. Between the thickness of his dick and the shakiness of your hands, it seemed impossible. After what felt like an eternity, you finally managed to get it on him, completely captivated at the way his length felt in your palms. You gave it a few experimental strokes and the groans you dragged from his lips were beautiful.

While you finished up with the condom, Steve reached into the nightstand again, grabbing a bottle of lube. He squeezed some onto his fingers, slipping them inside you once more. You moaned loud enough that it echoed off his walls and a chuckle fell from his lips. "You think that feels good. Just wait for what I've got planned for you."

He moved to lie flat beside you, squeezing a couple drops of lube onto your fingers. "Lube me up?" he asked.

There was no way you could ever say no to that. Your hand met his dick, massaging the liquid down the shaft. A groan tumbled from his lips, and you wanted to play it on repeat for the rest of your life.

He grabbed your waist and pulled you on top again, forcing you to face him. His hands squeezed at your love handles as he cooed, "Come here, baby."

Your mouth felt like it had been sewn shut as he guided you into his lap. He grabbed the previously abandoned Stetson, now setting it on your head and looking you over like he could absolutely devour you. "Go ahead, cowgirl. Giddy up."

You keened as you sunk down onto him, barely getting the tip inside you before your head fell back. "Oh, my god."

"That's it, princess, you got it," he cooed, lowering you down his length. You whined as he slowly reached the hilt, his cock surely hitting your cervix.

His hands carried you, rocking your hips in the perfect rhythm he needed. His mouth fell into an open 'o' as you rutted against him. "Just like that."

His cock was made for splitting you open, you were convinced. The only word for the sensual, blissful feeling he brought you was heaven. You'd died and gone to heaven, and this was Apollo you were looking at.

He pounded into you, but the stimulation was becoming just too much. Your body felt heavy as your movements stilled, leaving Steve to do all the work.

The thrusts of his hips slowed as he noticed the absolutely exhausted expression on your face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Too much," you pouted. "Feel worn out."

His hands moved up to your cheeks before pulling you down for a long kiss. He smelled of sweat and what was left of his cologne, and the aroma did nothing to aid your senses.

"Do you need to stop? It's fine if you do, Promise," he reassured you. "I put you through a lot, huh, sweetheart?"

You shook your head. "Uh-uh. Jus' need a little help. Please?"

He pulled away, pushing some stray hairs behind your ear. "Want me to take care of the rest, baby?"

You managed to nod before he flipped you both over, a whimper falling from your lips at the friction. His hips resumed their previous tempo, his eyes screwing shut as you involuntarily squeezed around him. You smiled up at him from your new position. You were happy to keep going but even happier that you didn't have to hold yourself up any longer. Steve had it, had you.

"You poor little thing," he taunted after one particularly rough thrust. "Needed me to take the reins for you, huh?"

Your head bobbed in something close to the answer he was looking for. Your hands fell above your head, and Steve moved to hold them both in one of his large palms.

"Should've known you wouldn't last long," he teased, fucking into you harder. Your eyes nearly rolled into the back of your head from the stimulation. "Considering that sad bull riding attempt."

His lips met yours again as he continued pounding into your core. He controlled the kiss too, his lips rough against your trembling mouth. His tongue searched your mouth, giving you everything you didn't know you needed.

He moved from your lips to your ear, leaving a ghost of a kiss on the lobe. "Just needed Stevie to take over for a bit, yeah?"

"Mhm," you murmured, willing your hips to roll toward his once more. You tried so hard, but this time, you were sure you didn't have the strength left in you. You nipped at his neck, your way of letting him know you were still with him.

"Shhh, you're OK, princess," Steve cooed, "I got you."

His next statement was quite the juxtaposition from his previously quiet voice. This time, his voice was rough, and he couldn't help himself from babbling out, "Shit, I'm close!"

Eager to help him finish, you tried to meet his movements with a couple sloppy thrusts of your own. After all, you were supposed to be riding him. You felt bad for not holding up on your end of the cowboy hat rule. However, Steve moved a hand to your hips to still your movements. He left a distracting bite on your collarbone before kissing over the spot. "Told you I'd take care of the rest, baby. I promise I've got you, but you just gotta trust me.”

You managed to nod again, and your body jerked as you fell apart beneath him. "Oh, Stevie," you gasped. "Thank you."

"Oh, you feel so good," he rasped, his cock twitching inside of you. "Shiiiiittt!" Chasing down his own pleasure, his hips canted as he guided yours, desperately riding out both of your highs.

He fell limp on top of you, and his now softening cock left you feeling full and thankful. You still weren't sure what possessed you to go to a random bar in a strange city in the middle of your work trip, but you definitely weren't regretting it when this god of a man had been there seemingly waiting just for you.

He flipped the two of you over one last time, his hands settling on the small of your back as you rested on top of him.

"I guess the song was right," he sighed. His chest rose and fell in a heavy rhythm as he pecked your scalp, his fingers drawing soft circles on your skin.

"Hmm?" you managed to hum against his pec, his torso warm and inviting.

He left another soft kiss on your head. The feeling of his lips was to die for. "You really should save a horse and ride a cowboy."

OK I KNOW I DON'T USUALLY LEAVE LIL MESSAGES LIKE THIS ON THIS BLOG BUT THERE'S NO WAY I CAN'T THIS TIME

This fic... yawl. Me and Georgia stayed up til 5 am two nights in a row editing this for y'all. When I tell y'all... this might be my favorite fic I've ever written!!! Gosh, this was so much fun and I wish I could experience writing it all over again, even if it has only been like 3 days.

Again, huge thank you to Georgia for working this fic to its fullest potential. I am so obsessed with how this turned out and I am so thankful you helped me with it!!

-> taglist: @dungeons-are-too-cold @rupsmorge @writer-in-theory @esoltis280 @liberhoe

[adore-laur]

THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM

— flashback from the dadrry universe about how you & harry first met 🍸

——

Harvelle's was where Harry went to unwind. The dive bar in downtown Santa Monica was home to an intimate, narrow bar room that had once been a popular speakeasy nearly a century ago. Live jazz music, bewitching burlesque dancers, and eclectic alcohol choices attracted people from various backgrounds to visit and escape reality for a while.

Harry was there after a strenuous ten-hour shift, his back and feet aching to the highest degree. No amount of pain pills or sleep had fixed it, so he decided to come to a place where he could drink his sorrows away and focus his mind on anything other than his premature midlife crisis. The hangover he'd wake up with tomorrow would be dire, but thankfully, he'd have the weekend to recover.

As a generous patron of Harvelle's for over a year, his designated seat was the circular stool snug against the corner of the bar. Every Friday evening after work, he'd sit down, slap his credit card in the bartender's hand, and quietly sip cocktails while he observed everyone around him dive into drunken ecstasy.

This night was different, however, because someone at the opposite end of the room caught his attention.

In a trance, he watched you sway your head to the sultry music playing while holding a martini glass filled with pink liquid. Something strawberry-flavored, probably. He flicked his gaze to your lips, which puckered around the thin straw and took graceful sips occasionally. You were... gorgeous. Effortlessly so. You had the kind of face Harry would remember for a long time, even when he was slightly tipsy.

His lemon drop martini was half empty, and his eyes drooped from either exhaustion or the alcohol coursing through his blood. Tendrils of his hair fell over his forehead, which his sunglasses failed to hold back. His sheer, patterned shirt was sticking to his skin because of the room's humidity.

Or maybe it was because of you.

There had to be a way to garner your attention from where he sat. Your body was turned away from him, the shimmering lights from the rotating disco ball dancing across your back. Harry didn't want to be the type of guy in a bar who uncomfortably invaded a woman's space and sparked a lousy conversation until he could sense boredom practically exuding from them.

So, after the band finished playing a song, Harry put two fingers in his mouth and produced a loud whistle as everyone else clapped. It worked, much to his surprise. Your head shifted to glance back at him, and Harry felt instant regret. Too annoying? Had he turned you off?

"Sorry," he mouthed for some stupid reason.

You just smiled kindly and ran your eyes up and down his figure before casually jerking your head in invitation. Harry pointed at himself to ensure he was reading your gesture correctly, and you nodded in response while patting the empty stool beside you. The bar wasn't packed since it was nearing the early morning hours, so he grabbed his martini glass and stood up before approaching you. He awkwardly sat beside you and decided he should introduce himself.

"Hello, I'm Harry," he said, holding out his hand.

You placed your hand in his and gently shook it, telling him your name. "Nice to meet you, Harry."

"Where are you from?" It had been a brutal couple of months of having minimal luck in the dating realm, so he hoped he wasn't coming across as a total moron.

"Topanga," you answered, absentmindedly twirling the straw in your glass.

Harry had already fallen in love with your voice, if possible. "Wow. That's all the way in the mountains."

Shrugging, you sipped your drink, then said, "I don't like big cities. If I could, I would live closer to the coast, but properties are so expensive there."

Harry crossed one leg over the other, trying to appear nonchalant even though he was nervous as all get-out. "Like a beach house?"

"Yes, exactly!" you said, your eyes lighting up. "Maybe with my own private beach or something. That'd be amazing."

"Sounds like a dream," he replied, placing his chin in his palm.

"And what about you? Where does a guy like you live?"

"I live in Santa Monica in an apartment complex a few blocks away."

"That's nice. Do you come here often?"

Harry didn't want to give off lonely, miserable drunkard vibes, so he chose not to fib. "Um, sometimes," he admitted sheepishly, hoping his answer wasn't too vague.

"This is actually my first time here. It's quite intimate."

Harry licked his lips, desperately fighting the urge to longingly stare at yours whenever you spoke. "Yeah, it is. They have burlesque dancers on Saturday nights."

You whistled attractively. "I'm sure you enjoy that."

"Hey," he dragged out, smiling a bit. "I appreciate their flexibility." Too far, man. Dial it back a bit. "Just kidding," he quietly added.

You downed the last of your drink and then tapped your phone screen. "Yikes, it's getting late. I should probably head home."

A wave of disappointment and insecurity washed over him. He was just getting to know you. Had he said something wrong? Was he boring you? He could be quite the awkward, clingy idiot when he was drunk, so he genuinely felt worried as to why you had to leave so suddenly.

His brain was hazy, and the words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop himself. "Can I have your number before you go?"

You collected your purse, shooting him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but not tonight. Ask me again when you're sober."

Harry went utterly speechless. You hadn't said it dismissively or rudely, but it caught him by surprise nonetheless. In response, he just lamely lifted his drink in a cheers gesture as you left him alone, mysteriously disappearing through the exit and never glancing back.

——

You were running considerably late to work. A mandatory meeting was supposed to begin in less than twenty minutes, and you'd only just pulled into the parking lot of some random restaurant to pick up a cake for a coworker's birthday today. You followed the directions your boss gave you, which led to a burgundy building on the outskirts of Santa Monica. Luckily, the bakery section of the restaurant was right next to the lobby doors, so you parked your car and rushed inside.

When you pushed the glass doors open, a bell chimed, and you immediately heard something clatter to the ground, along with a hushed swear. The place was empty of people; chairs were still stacked upside down on the tables. Its modern interior design with neutral shades provided a subtle background for the colorful pastries crowding every corner. There was also a grand window display of desserts, all aesthetically and meticulously organized.

A man suddenly came shuffling out of the swinging kitchen door, his hands full of supplies teetering on each other.

Oh, it was the hot guy from the bar you went to about a month ago. What was his name again? Harvelle? No, that was the bar's name. Maybe it was Henry? Hector? Hubert? You didn't exactly remember, but you were positive it was something close.

Anyway, he seemed flustered in his oversized knit sweater and green trousers. A Styrofoam coffee cup was balanced in the crook of his elbow, and honestly, it looked like he just woke up. Yet somehow, he appeared even more beautiful than he did in the moody lighting of Harvelle's. His features were now accentuated by the pure daylight pouring through the windows.

You cleared your throat and waited by the front counter, observing him clumsily set things down before flipping through a notepad and blindly reaching for a pen off to the side. He had yet to notice you, too caught up in whatever task he was trying to complete.

After a few silent seconds, he ripped out a piece of lined yellow paper scribbled with scrawly handwriting and skimmed over it while walking forward to greet you. When he glanced up, he froze in place. His green eyes took in what seemed like every inch of your being. His fingers twirled the ballpoint pen he was holding.

"Hi," you said quietly, adjusting your purse strap.

"Hey," he replied, scratching under his eyebrow with his knuckle. "Uh, hey. Hi. What— why are you here? Sorry, that sounds rude." He took a deep breath before continuing, "I meant, how can I help you?"

You bit back a smile and took out your wallet. "I'm here to pick up a cake for my work. We're having a birthday party for someone, and this is where I was told to get it from."

"Ah, okay. Can I have the name associated with the order?"

"It's under mine, but I—"

He politely interrupted with your name unfurling from his mouth as a question. "We talked at Harvelle's not that long ago, right?"

He remembered, and you thanked the heavens that you quickly noticed his name tag because otherwise, you would have been guessing every name in the book.

"Yeah," you confirmed with a nod. "And you're Harry. You asked for my number."

His cheeks flushed pink as he rubbed his forehead with an embarrassed scrunch of his nose. "I'm so sorry about that. It wasn't the greatest first impression, was it?"

"I've had people try worse lines on me," you assured him with a laugh. "So, how much is the cake? I only have cash on me."

Harry checked his notepad. "Twenty-four dollars and sixteen cents."

You fished out a crisp twenty- and five-dollar bill, then handed them to him. He took them, his hand brushing against yours as he opened the cash register.

"Did you know there's a Carlo's Bake Shop in Santa Monica?" you asked.

"Mm-hmm. It's just around the block, actually."

"That's wild. I almost screamed when I found out."

Harry slowly smirked and closed the register with his hip, silently counting your change in his palm. "Why? It's just any old cake shop."

You gasped with wide eyes. "Excuse me? Any old cake shop? It's from Cake Boss!"

"Cake what?"

"The show that was on TLC with Buddy Valastro. Hello? Do you live under a rock?"

He tilted his head and tucked a pen behind his ear. "You're speaking Greek to me. I've no idea what you're on about."

"Never mind." You rolled your eyes playfully and began gazing at the displayed pastries. "Do you make everything here?"

"If I'm not scheduled elsewhere, then yes," he answered. "I'm usually here for the morning part of my shift."

"What else do you do?"

"I'm mostly an assistant chef in the restaurant kitchen, but sometimes I bartend or run the bakery."

"Well, everything looks delectable." You checked your watch and huffed when you saw the time. "I need to get going."

Harry snapped his fingers twice. "Shit. I almost forgot to give you your cake." He turned around and opened the see-through fridge, searching for the correct box. He eventually took a baby blue one out from the bottom shelf before setting it on the counter and taping the receipt he printed out onto the top.

"Here you are," he said, sliding it toward you before taking a sip of coffee.

You found yourself liking the way his voice sounded when no one else was around. "Thank you. Um, you forgot to give me my change."

Harry cupped both of his cheeks and slowly shook his head. "I am so sorry. It's early, and I didn't sleep much last night."

Waving him off, you said, "It's okay. Mondays, am I right?" You mentally facepalmed yourself for sounding like a loser.

"Right. You get it." He breathily laughed and handed you your change.

You put your wallet away and then picked up the cake box. "Thank you again."

"Of course," he replied with a handsome smile. "It's nice to see you again, by the way."

"Same here." You checked your watch for the second time. "I really need to go, but I'm sure I'll come visit another time to buy something for myself."

Harry gestured a thumbs up. It made your heart skip a beat for some reason. "Please do," he said. "Have a good day, yeah?"

"You as well."

You headed toward the door, and just as you were about to pull it open to leave, Harry called out, "Hey, wait!"

You abruptly stopped and turned around. "Did I forget something?"

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, clearing his throat. "No, but you told me to ask you sober, so can I— sorry, may I have your number? Please? Or we could go out somewhere?"

Your spirit sank. "I'm actually running super late right now. I'll try to come back soon, though. Promise."

Harry nodded, his head dipping low. "I understand. I'll catch you later."

"Bye," you whispered hastily before stepping outside.

When you finally got to work and sat down for your meeting, you thought about Harry the entire time.

——

Harry was bartending when he saw you again. He was topping a white Russian with cream, almost overflowing the glass, when he did a double take at your figure walking toward the counter. He wasn't expecting you at all, entirely confident that he'd never cross paths with you again after his failed attempt at asking you out a few days ago.

You were dressed in a black suit with matching heels. Your hair looked frazzled, but it was ridiculously attractive. He had to check that he didn't make the customer's drink wrong because of how many times he had glanced at you.

"Hey," you said breathlessly, sitting on an open stool in front of him. "I had a feeling you'd be working here tonight. Are you busy right now?"

Harry nervously swallowed and slid the drink down to the customer. "Hey. N-not really, why?"

You bit your lip, your teeth puncturing the soft flesh. "I just wanted to say thank you for the delicious cake. My coworkers loved it."

"Oh, thank you," he said, casually placing his arms behind his back. "I'm happy to hear that."

"I also came here to tip you." Harry followed your movements with his eyes as you took a ten-dollar bill out of your pocket, smoothing the creases against the edge of the counter before holding it out. "This is for you. You're very talented."

He accepted the money because, in all honesty, he really needed it. "That's kind of you. I appreciate it."

Harry couldn't believe he had the woman he couldn't stop daydreaming about right in front of him. His mind scrambled for a flirty gesture or pick-up line to impress you, and he ended up going for what he was best at. Jerking his chin up, he smoothly asked, "Can I make you a drink?"

You set your elbows on the counter. "What do you suggest?"

"A strawberry margarita. Isn't that what you ordered at Harvelle's?"

"It was! I'm surprised you remember."

He wanted to say it was impossible not to since he had been besotted with the way you puckered your lips around the straw, but he refrained for the sake of his dignity. "I'll make it for you right now," he said. There are also appetizers in the back if you'd like some. Jalapeño poppers are the special tonight."

You nodded eagerly. "I'd love some."

Harry walked toward the kitchen, smiling as he grabbed a steaming basket. He thought it was going well so far, and it was wild that you had visited to simply tip him.

When he came back, he set the food and a couple of napkins in front of you. You immediately took a bite as Harry started making your drink.

"I'll go out with you, by the way."

If he hadn't been working, Harry was sure he would have acted like a lovesick girl at a sleepover who was spilling juicy details about their crush while giddily kicking their legs in the air. Him? You wanted to go out with him, of all people? The burnt-out food service worker who drove a shitty Subaru and was living paycheck to paycheck?

Maybe the third time's the charm.

"Are you sure?" he asked as he stuck a sliced lemon on the rim of your glass.

Before you could reply, a customer pulled him away, waving him down. He apologetically smiled before rushing over and helping them as fast as possible. Once done, he spread his hands on the counter and tapped his fingers. "You're serious?"

You leaned forward and stared at him with a glint in your eyes. "Dead serious."

Harry blew out a sharp breath and chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Would it be lame if we got dinner here since I work literally every day this week?"

"I don't mind at all," you replied without missing a beat. "Whatever works for you."

"Cool." He straightened his posture and flung a dishrag over his shoulder. "How about this weekend?"

You hummed, quirking your lips to the side. "How about tonight?"

Harry's eyes went wide, clamminess instantly infiltrating his palms. Tonight? As in, there wasn't enough time to mentally prepare himself for a date tonight. Is it even considered a date? He was freaking out.

"Unless you're not in the mood," you added quickly. "I understand if you just want to go home after work."

He briskly shook his head. "No, no, I'm in the mood. Totally in the mood. I get off in about an hour, if that's not too long of a wait for you."

You lightly knocked on the counter three times. "Perfect. I'll sit here and watch you make drinks until then."

He just grinned and handed you your margarita. "Wave me down if you need anything."

Throughout the last hour of his shift, Harry tended to everyone in the bar while checking in on you every so often. Making sure no one tried to hit on you, for the most part. After his coworker finally arrived to replace him, he washed his hands and rounded the counter to stand next to you.

"Let's head outside where it's quieter."

You nodded and grabbed your drink as he led you away from the crowd, his hand hovering over your back. He didn't want to overstep unknown boundaries too soon.

"Where do you think strawberry margaritas are better? Here or at Harvelle's?" you inquired as you both walked to the outdoor seating area right by the beach.

"Here, obviously," Harry said with a smirk. "Why, does mine taste bad?"

You both sat down opposite each other at a circular table. "No. I'm just wondering since you're the expert."

Harry bashfully smiled, then became a little more serious. "Listen," he started, "I'm sorry again about asking for your number while tipsy. That wasn't very gentlemanly of me."

You laughed and said, "Don't worry about it."

"All right. Good."

After you ordered food and more drinks—Harry insisting that he could get everything for free since he was a loyal employee—the two of you began getting to know each other more, taking turns asking questions and falling into an easy flow of conversation.

"Do you want kids?" Harry asked on his tenth or eleventh turn, his rings clinking against his glass as he tapped it.

He watched you ponder the simple yet complicated question, wondering if asking such an invasive thing was a stupid mistake. "I'm not sure," you replied eventually. He let out the breath he'd been holding. "I'm still young, and I don't think it's a decision I can confidently answer right now. What about you?"

Harry cradled his cheek in his palm. "I definitely want babies in the future—with the right person, of course, so I guess I have to wait for that first."

Your eyes softened as you took a sip of your drink. "How many babies?"

"Hmm, maybe two. Three, if my partner doesn't hate me by then."

"Boys or girls? Or both?"

"Honestly?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. You nodded as he rested his foot on the bottom of your chair. "All girls would be ideal. I don't know why; it's just what I see for myself."

"I get that," you said, nudging your foot against his. "Daughters would be really special to raise. They make the world go round."

He hummed in agreement, subtly brushing his kneecap against yours. "I also think I could learn so much from them, you know?"

"Who, your hypothetical children?" you teased.

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess. We're speaking hypothetically, right?"

"Sure. Unless you're speaking it into existence."

"With how my love life is going, it doesn't seem likely."

You made a noise of protest. "Don't say that! You're a handsome guy."

"Well, my looks only get me so far."

"You're also sweet and charming." You took a small bite of food and maintained eye contact with him. "I'm shocked you're not taken already."

"I swear it's because of my job," he muttered. "Whenever I tell someone I work in a restaurant, they look at me like I'm a disappointment."

You retracted your head. "What's wrong with working in a restaurant?"

"You tell me," he murmured around the rim of his glass.

"I think it's hot."

Harry nearly choked on his drink, raising a fist to his mouth as he coughed in shock. "Come again?"

"You're a chef."

"Assistant chef," he corrected.

"Same difference," you continued confidently. "You can cook food, you can bartend, and you know how to woo a woman. That's hot."

"Are you sure you're not just quoting Paris Hilton?"

You rolled your eyes with a knowing smile. "Maybe, maybe not. Please tell me you've watched The Simple Life."

Harry stared at you, waiting for the punchline, but you looked completely serious. "No," he deadpanned. "Absolutely not. I will never watch trashy reality shows."

"Not even The Bachelor?" you asked, leaning closer with interest. "That's my favorite franchise to watch."

"You're insane if you enjoy that," he replied, wiping a napkin around his lips. "Anyway, back to you calling my job hot. Elaborate, please."

You gawked at him. "Has no one ever told you that before?"

He blinked slowly with a straight face. "It's not like I have the sex appeal of Bobby Flay, love."

Your eyes scanned him up and down. "I'm sure it's hidden somewhere deep inside you. Do you wear a chef jacket?"

"Yeah."

"See? That's hot."

He barked out a laugh. "You're lying to me."

You mimicked his surprised expression. "I am not!"

Slightly leaning over the table, he looked at you with unwavering eye contact. "Liar."

"You don't know me."

He said in a low, self-assured voice, "I'd like to."

A heartfelt exhale escaped your beautiful lips. "Then stop assuming I'm a liar when I compliment you."

Harry breathed in deeply and glanced at your lips. One brief look at them rendered him weak, their shape curving into a smile, stained pink due to your margarita. He wanted to kiss you, but it wouldn't be very romantic to do so in public. He could kiss your cheek instead, but he already imagined how awkward he'd make it. He could hold your hand—a more subtle gesture that wasn't too bold. That sounded manageable.

So, with a single swig of his liquid courage, he went for it. His hand slowly scooted to your thigh under the table, delicately grabbing your fingertips with his own. He rubbed his thumb along your knuckles and set his fingers underneath your palm so you were holding hands, fingers not interwoven but holding nonetheless. You'd gone quiet; whatever you were about to say was lost in the intimacy swirling in the air.

Harry squeezed your hand and said, "Let's walk down to the beach."

"Okay."

Harry let go and stood from his seat, then pulled you up with him before leading you to the sand. The sun had fully set, yet several campfires and tiki torches lit the way to the shore. There was barely anyone out, which was perfect for Harry since he planned to kiss you senselessly. At least, he hoped so. He might chicken out, which was highly likely considering his heart nearly gave out whenever you looked at him.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Pardon?" Harry's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Damnit, you beat him to it.

You took off your heels and started walking toward the water. "You heard me."

"Yeah, I-I did," he stammered, sliding his shoes and socks off as he strode up to you.

His black work shirt almost caught fire from the tiki torch with how fast he walked toward you. The waves calmly met the shore, and he admired you step into the shallow water, the Ferris wheel and pier merely twinkling lights in the background. The nearby flames danced off the reflection of the ocean as well as your skin, and he swore he'd never experienced such a magnetic pull toward someone before. He followed you like a puppy on a leash, digging into his pocket for a mint he secretly grabbed. He popped it into his mouth.

Eventually, he faced you with the water rising just below his knees. You were staring at him with a particular look, and he took it as his cue to initiate the first move. "Do you want to kiss me, or should I kiss you?" Harry asked nervously.

You placed your hands on his hips and said, "Just kiss me, please."

So he did. He ducked his head down to mold his lips onto yours, feeling them immediately find the shape of his and move beautifully against his bottom lip. He tasted strawberry residue, weakening his knees with each soft pull. His hands gently held the sides of your neck, and he used his thumbs to tilt your jaw. He wanted to open his eyes and savor how you looked, but he was so caught up with how fast his heart beat and how euphoric he felt touching the woman of his dreams.

When you finally ran out of breath and pulled away, Harry rested his forehead against yours and made a noise somewhere between a whimper and a groan.

"Was that okay?"

He shook his head in disbelief but quickly turned it into a nod so that you didn't think he was saying no. "Yes. That was the best thing to ever happen to me."

You laughed and kissed the corner of his gobsmacked mouth. "I'm honored."

Harry stared at you, mesmerized by every square inch of your face. "I feel like we were always supposed to meet," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

"Me too," you said sincerely.

He really hoped he didn't mess things up.

——

[acowardinmordor]

My brain won't shut up about this, so maybe if I write it my brain will let me finish working and get this massive work project off my plate.

Warning for Accidental Drunken Pregnancy

Fandom loves, correctly, the idea of Girl!Steve Harrington, either as an 'always a' or trans, we're a fan. And that's good. No arguments from me there.

But I was thinking about Always a Girl Eddie. And the impact that would have. Because see, Eddie is already Wrong in a lot of ways. She's poor, she's loud, she's a freak, she sells drugs, and starts shit with bullies. She's too much in every way, and she refuses to be a girl properly. Has ever since she was old enough to express an opinion.

She didn't want to play with dolls or play house. She wanted to run through the park chasing dragons. When her parents fought, she wanted to run away and get found by the Addams family where no one would be mad at her for liking black and reading about blood and fights and monsters.

By the time she's in high school, everyone's decided she's a lesbian. She isn't. She thinks she isn't, but she doesn't get a chance to try or test or find out before the whole damn town has made it Known. Eddie doesn't wear skirts, and she doesn't style her hair, and she doesn't listen when the counselor sits her down to talk about her behavior and how she needs to try to be a bit more like other girls if she wants to get married one day. That's her junior year, which is when she snaps and, true or not, goes on a rant about being a carpet munching butch who never wants to have a husband.

Her friends don't care. They've talked to her and agree its all bullshit. Her only regret about it is that her outburst becomes fodder for the kind of bias that makes her fail two classes her senior year. It makes her fail four her second time around. PE is one of them. The teacher won't let her participate if she isn't 'dressed appropriately' which suddenly requires that all the girls have their legs shaved. Surprise surprise, Eddie is the only one that has an impact on. Wayne gets into a shouting match over it, and he wins, but not in time for Eddie to pass.

And every time someone pushes her to be more ladylike, Eddie doubles down on being a freak because she's a lot of things, but she's not a quitter. The one good she knows she manages is that barely any other girls in Hawkins get bullied all that much. Eddie pulls too much attention, and Eddie is so far off the end of the scale, it makes the minor mistakes easy to ignore.

All her friends are guys because the girls of Hawkins are scared of the witch/lesbian/succubus/whatever bs they came up with this week. There are some girls who Eddie thinks want to come talk to her, thinks she'd be friends with if she could, but any girl willingly hanging around the Freak is going to get painted with the same brush.

She showed up to every single class in her third go around, daring her teachers to fail her again when she was getting perfect scores on anything with a straight answer, and doing so well on the subjective stuff they were giving her passing grades. She had a new flock of sheep who didn't care about the rumors because she ran Hellfire for them.

After Spring Break, after they accuse her of seducing and murdering Chrissy, after Eddie walks into Mordor and is dragged out the other side. After Eddie gives everything she has for a town that hates her, the school gives her the diploma. Maybe its just because they're terrified that she'll come back for a fourth try if they don't, but she has the damn thing.

Or maybe they don't want the new freshmen to start crying when they see her scars.

After the hospital lets them all leave, and after El and Will do whatever it is they do and promise it's over for real this time, Robin, Eddie, and Harrington sit around and watch crap movies and talk. It's still June when Robin comes out to her, and Eddie has to awkwardly explain that she isn't. Supportive, in favor of it, but not sure if she's like Robin.

"But everyone heard about what you said to--"

"Yeah, she was telling me I should start curling my hair and wearing makeup so I could find a husband."

"She did not."

"Yeah. I kinda snapped."

A few minutes tearing apart that kind of thinking later, and Steve asks, "So you like dudes?"

Eddie shrugs, because she's never tested that either. A bit of leftover enmity from when he was the King and she was the Freak keeps her from admitting she's a virgin. Instead she gestures to her face and neck, the part of her chest visible around her tank top.

"Don't think that's going to matter, Stevie, not now that I look like the Wicked Witch midway through melting."

There's nothing either of them can say about that. Between her status as a murder suspect, the infection from Upside Down dirt, and how efficient the demo bat fuckers were, her scars are ugly. Not the sort of thing she's read in books that a hero learns to take pride in. Just a mess. Her smile is jacked up on the left, and while she does have both of her nipples, the one boob is significantly smaller, and lumpier than the other now.

But they're friends, and its nice. Robin didn't find a fellow lesbian, but Eddie can understand the way she feels, and they bond over it. Where Robin goes, so goes Steve, so intentional or not, Eddie and Steve get close. Help each other with scar cream type close. It would be weird if there was any universe in which Steve would ever be interested in her. Instead they're good friends, and co-conspirators against the gremlins.

Robin is starting college in the spring semester in Chicago. Steve is going with her. Obviously. Eddie hasn't agreed to anything, but she's considering it.

They have one last party at Harrington's place. The kids leave around seven. The Hellfire guys leave around nine. By eleven, all three of them are plastered, and Robin is lamenting that she's leaving Hawkins and still hasn't kissed a girl. Eddie rolls her eyes and smacks one on her. Get it over and done with, right?

After an hour of Robin flustered and babbling about 'yes, yes, yeah, I do like girls! Kissing! Kissing girls is great! Steve! Steve-o! Did you know kissing girls is great?" she passes out on the couch.

Steve and Eddie, just sober enough to know that they're all going to be hungover in the morning, close blinds and lock doors. They leave water and asprin by Robin, then chug down a glass each.

"So, did it help you figure it out? Kissing my Soulmate with a capital P? Did you figure out if you like kissing girls more than guys?"

Eddie giggles instead of answering.

"I know Rob's not kissed anyone, but if you liked kissing her you probably could tell, right? So if you liked kissing her as much as you like kissing guys, or if its not like kissing guys, then you know!"

Steve's not a dumb as the kids joke. When Eddie doesn't answer, he puts it together. "Oh. Oh shit. Eds. You and Robin were each others' first kisses? Thats so -- you didn't have to do that! And now you don't know if you like kissing girls or guys or both or neither or -- Oh!"

Eddie watches Steve come to his decision and turn, and she decides to let it happen. Steve is the only guy her age who doesn't wince looking at her face. This is probably the only chance she's got until she's old enough her skin gets all wrinkly and no one can see the scars are there anymore.

It's better than kissing Robin. There's a lot of reasons why that might be true, but none of them matter, because after that first one. After a few seconds pause. After she leans a little closer like she's asking, they don't stop.

She wakes up naked and sore, with a blinding headache and the tight-skin pain that comes from forgetting the scar cream.

Awkward doesn't cover it when they look at each other in bed. When Robin trips on her way to make coffee, it gives them an excuse not to talk about it. It's bad enough that Eddie keeps thinking about it, and excavating the fragments of memory she's got. Probably the only chance she's going to get, and she remembers barely half. She does remember liking it, and Steve liking it, and neither of them being weird about the scars because they've been helping each other with them for months now.

Once they're sober enough for it, they talk, both of them apologizing, but not really. Neither of them regret it, even if it wasn't their best idea, and Eddie starts quoting Robin's rant about antiquated concepts of virginity when Steve tries to apologize for that. It's definitely weird, but they're not going to freak out about it.

By Wednesday, when Steve and Rob are loading up the beemer to drive north before the holidays, so they could get a place with a rental discount, everyone turns out to say bye. Eddie winks at Robin again, because it still makes her blush, and it still makes Eddie and Steve laugh when she does. She gives Steve a hug, and a promise to make a decision soon about moving up with them.

Six weeks of scheduled phone calls with them, and uncomfortable talks with Wayne, Eddie has finally, finally decided to go for it. She'll still be a freak, but according to Steve, no one in the city will bother her about it unless she asks them to. He's working at a diner, and swears the bookstore across the street will totally hire Eddie if she applies. Robin loves her classes, and her part time hours at the library on campus.

It's while Eddie is looking around and opening drawers, trying to plan how to move with more detail than 'throw stuff in the van' that she notices. There's a box of pads, mostly empty, in the corner of the bathroom cabinet. It's been mostly empty since November. And yeah, her period has never been predictable, and this isn't the longest its gone, and Eddie has never cared since she wears black all the time -- but. This time she had sex.

The odds are tiny, and the image of it is ridiculous. Eddie isn't any kind of a mom. Harrington is more a mom than she is. Anyway, all that shit in sex ed about it only takes once is crap. And she remembers Steve getting out the box of condoms. She doesn't remember anything between that and getting fucked, but she definitely remembers how concerned he was about opening the foil. So there's no way. No chance. Absolutely none.

The test comes back positive, and the nurse at the planed parenthood in Indianapolis asks if she wants to hear about her options.

It's pretty easy to choose as it turns out. Easier than quitting smoking cold turkey is for sure. Hell of a lot easier than telling Wayne. It's not something she ever wanted, ever thought about or considered, but Eddie knows this is the only chance she's got. Well. Sperm donors maybe, not that she'll ever have the money for it, unless she paid a guy to keep coming around until she got knocked up.

At first, she keeps it quiet because the nurse told her about the potential problems, especially with how much Eddie drank and smoked. It's not certain, so she stays quiet. Stalls the topic of moving up. She waits an entire day for the doctor to slip her in between appointments to get an ultrasound and check. Everything looks good. Healthy. and Eddie gets on their weekly scheduled call, hears Robin and Steve laughing as they tell stories, and Eddie breaks it to them.

"What do you mean? You said you were going to move up here. I thought you said you -- Eds, what the hell? You're going to leave me alone to watch Robin's attempts at flirting? You - I thought you promised."

"Excuse you, Dingus, she needs to come up so we can watch your attempts at flirting. I'm great."

"Fun as that sounds, me and Wayne are getting out of Hawkins. Wayne has some family in West Virginia, and I can't leave him at the mercy of all those spinsters. I'll still have a phone, you know."

They move before she's showing, and Wayne never asks, and Eddie never tells, but her uncle knows who it has to be. They land in Summersville, which is a damn lie since its a blizzard when they arrive. It isn't hard to use moving as an excuse to cancel a few phone calls. Then uses a boss moving her hours working at motel as an excuse when hormones means she knows she'll start sobbing if she gets picks up the phone.

Steve gets accepted to a community college. Robin aces her exams. Eddie finds out she's having a girl. She wouldn't have spent the money to find out since it wouldn't change anything, but the planned parenthood was still worried because of the alcohol at the start.

Wayne brings it up. Eddie considers it.

Steve gets a girlfriend. Eddie stalls.

Robin calls solo because Steve is on a one month anniversary date.

Eddie abandons the idea.

She never makes a choice to hide it from anybody. It's always one moment at a time, needing to get through one more thing, one more problem, one more checkpoint, then she could say it. By the end of July it's been too long, and it would be too weird. They didn't have some great tragic romance. They were good friends who got drunk one night. And Eddie is just living up to the warnings all the guidance counselors scribbled down about her.

She's never going to be anything special. She's not going to go chase her dreams and become the Joan Jett of metal music. She's coming up on eight months pregnant, can't hide it or pretend its something it isn't. She's still loud and obnoxious. She still wears all black and chained pants and refuses to style her hair in anything more complex than a ponytail. She's still mauled by monsters and scarred.

She's never going to be marriage material, and never wanted to be anyway. She can be a good mom though. Not a normal mom. Or a traditional one. She's probably going to end up punching someone at a pta meeting. But she can be a good mom for her daughter, whoever her daughter wants to be as she grows. And if that means she has to learn about ballet and glitter and my little pony, then she will.

Steve and Robin ask about a visit before their classes start since they'll have to do calls every other week now. They offer to drive to West Virginia, or buy Eddie a bus ticket. Eddie manages to dodge that bullet.

She dodges another when she starts contractions while on the phone with them, and plays it off like she has heartburn. She cries when she holds her daughter thirty hours later, smiling broad enough that the scars on her face hurt nearly as bad as the rest of her.

She gets good at sewing together a patchwork lie. Gets Wayne to take Lulu out for a walk during calls. Swallows the guilt when Steve talks about his girlfriend, Amy, who wants to have kids. Stares down the pediatrician who raises an eyebrow at her daughter's name.

It's awful. It's wonderful. It hurts more to do it alone than Eddie could have imagined, but she still can't bring herself to say it. Not because she thinks Steve would hate her for it . He wouldn't. One look at Stephanie Luthien Munson -- Lulu -- and Steve would know. And Steve would stay. And Steve would give up his classes and his girlfriend and his hope for his perfect family. Eddie has always known she's not what anyone is looking for.

So Eddie gets good at dodging questions, and explaining away noises in the background, and finding very reasonable excuses not to come out to visit. Very good at it.

She makes it to June of 1989, when her best friends decide it's been too long, and show up for a surprise visit.

Eddie was right though. It only takes a glance at the toddler on Eddie's hip as she opens the door for both of them to know.

[fanalislover4life]

Just Another Typical day

Masrur x Reader (S/O, Y/N) [Re-write]

S/O pov

The days in Sindria are never boring. At least, that's what most say. The King is always wrapped up in some sort of trouble, the palace is always noisy, and the people always smiling. But that was just it, Always.

For (Y/N) It's just another typical day. Getting up in the sun-basked morning, the smell of their daily fresh baked bread, opening up the small and quaint bakery, sweeping the walkway of any debris from the party held the night before, having a Fanalis stare at them from across the street, having people flood in and out, and finally having a well-deserved lunch break. Yup, a typical day.

"Another great day of morning sails!" (Y/N) stretched feeling accomplished. "At this rate I'll have to close up in a couple of hours! I wonder if the flour shipment came in yet." They sighed as they took a seat in one of the outdoor chairs. People flooded by as usual; some holding baskets of goods, maybe a few kids with toys, and the obvious group of Sinbad's admirers reading his Seven Seas tales. Which to (Y/N) was incredible considering how outlandish the story sounded, but then again in the age of Dungeon Conquerers and Djinn anything could happen.

Masrur pov

"Masrur, just say hi to her. " Sharrkan kept trying to persuade the taller man to talk to the bakery owner.

"I don't always agree with this dummy over here but...he is right Masrur. What you're doing most girls would find creepy." Yamuraiha kept insisting, "I mean, even if she just accepted this as an everyday thing, it probably didn't dawn on her it was because you liked her." She waved her wand around as she leaned back into a wall.

Masrur thought for a bit before shaking his head still lost in his friends' reasoning.

"Fine let me put it to you this way," Sharrkan began, "If Pisti stared at you every day, at the same time, shrinking on her duties; wouldn't you be concerned? Now add on that she's suddenly much bigger than you and doesn't talk."

With that though Masrur paled a bit. A giant Pisti did not sound wonderful in the slightest.

"Do you want them to think your a creeper Masrur?" Yamuraiha stated which made Masrur freeze.

"..... No.... " He lowered his eyes to the ground, suddenly finding the dirt interesting.

"THEN GO TALK TO THEM!!" Both his best friends shouted as he sighed. The sudden thought of having a crush became burdensome for the duration of this chat, but as he looked over and saw (Y/N) staring off it suddenly felt worth it.

For him they weren't like everyone else. Instead of (Y/N) it felt like (S/O). He hated to admit it but it was truly love at first sight. Their face radiated feelings of happiness and warmth; even with that kind demeanor they weren't ever afraid to speak their mind as he saw them get in a few spouts with unruly hung-over customers. Also, their bread smelled heavenly ever morning. Not that he would admit that out loud, nor accept the fact he was too shy to buy any.

"Fine...but if this goes wrong..." Masrur ended with a chilling side glance to the pair as he had a quick feeling of regret and potential mourning coming upon his soul. Meanwhile, they both gave him a thumbs up with unnerving confidence as the Fanalis man walked over to the bakery.

S/O pov

'The sun today feels warm.....or.....felt...' (Y/N) thought as they felt a chilling absence of the suns' rays. "Can I help you?" They asked as one eye opened to see the silhouette of the shadow cast upon their seating area.

When their question was met with a long silence they finally gave in and looked directly at the shadows' owner. There stood the Fanalis who is part of (Y/N)'s typical day, or what they thought would be typical.

"General Masrur?!" In a slight and embarrassed panic (Y/N) stood up and bowed. "Is there anything I can help you with?" They asked excitedly as they looked at the Fanalis with new determined and hopeful eyes that today would be a bit different than the rest.

Much to (Y/N)'s delight, Masrur didn't fail to deliver as his ears began to glow red.

"Hello?" (Y/N) asked as they waved their hand in front of the generals' face.

"...... I like your b-bakery." The tall man mumbled at last.

Masrur pov

Masrur mentally slapped himself. everyone would be laughing their asses off with his poor attempt at first contact....well all accept Ja'far who might have given Masrur a look of pity. Not that the thought made this any better.

Surprisingly (Y/N) began to laugh. It sounded heavenly, just like the bread baked every morning.

"Okayyy...Thank you~. You know, if you like it that much you should stop in sometime. I try to perfect my recipe a little more each day." (Y/N) chirped.

Masrur nodded. "Sure."

S/O pov

"From that day on, he made sure to visit as soon as the bakery opened." (S/O) laughed lightly at the fond memory.

"But how was that another Typical Day? Wasn't it something new since Masrur came to talk to you, Finally might I add?!" Pisti said fully intrigued and into (S/O)'s fond memory.

"Well I guess you could say that." (S/O) smiled, "But the look in his eyes, they still look the same after all this time. Filled with undoubted love.~" They teased as Masrur squeezed their hand lightly, both which held a matching ring.

[innytoes]

“Good morning, sleepy head.” for Ray/Rose!

Work had been chaotic, between three shoots that had all been rebooked on the same day, an editing emergency that had kept him up two nights in a row, and a potential client who could not make up their mind between A Professional and Cousin Kyle Who Will Do It For Free and wanted to 'compromise' by Ray doing thousands of dollars worth of work for a hundred bucks and would not take no for an answer.

So he was incredibly glad it was Sunday, and he got to sleep in. Rose had spoiled him a little last night, letting him take a long bath, even bringing him a glass of wine. She hadn't even made fun of him that he was in bed at nine, barely able to keep his eyes open long enough to kiss her goodnight before she went back downstairs.

He slept like a log. He hadn't woken up when Rose had come to bed, but he had in the early morning light of dawn, wrapped around her, nose buried in her curls. He'd sighed happily, reveling in the warmth, in how lucky he was that she was still there after all they'd been through. And then he'd dozed right back off to sleep.

The next time he woke, the clock read ten fifteen, which felt obscenely late even for a Sunday. He stretched out, reveling in how well-rested he felt, before getting up and using the bathroom, getting in a quick shave, and putting on some comfortable jeans and a Henley.

He was just about to head downstairs when Rose intercepted him at the top of the stairs, her arm catching his waist as she pressed a kiss to his lips. "Good morning, sleepy head," she said, teasing and warm and bright.

"Good morning," he said, all thoughts of coffee temporarily forgotten as she peppered kisses along his jaw. Well, there was a reason he'd shaved. He inhaled happily, wrapping his arms around his wife. "Thanks for letting me sleep in."

Then, he inhaled again. Deeply.

"Why do I smell pancakes?" he asked. "Who broke something?"

"Nothing broke!" Rose said, but she said it so quickly that it just confirmed his suspicions that these were Bribery Pancakes. Or at the very least Buttering Up pancakes.

"Rose..."

"So you know how we always talked about how we wanted a big family?" Rose started, which was not where Ray thought this was going. He thought they were softening him up for another crazy DIY project he was going to regret halfway through.

"I do," he said. Though they'd also had a long conversation when Carlos was one, about how two small children were kind of enough for both of them, but maybe they could foster or adopt when the kids were older.

There was commotion downstairs, and some very familiar voices hushing each other, and suddenly, everything clicked. "Which one?" he asked.

"Which one what?" Rose asked, trying to go for innocence and landing solidly in 'shifty' instead.

"Which one of Julie's friends did you adopt while I was sleeping?"

It wasn't like they hadn't talked about it before. How they wanted to be a safe place for Julie's band members to go to if things got bad at home. They'd both been worried about Reggie and the way he flinched at loud noises. Ray had sat him down once and told him he was always welcome to stay with them if he didn't feel safe at home.

Luke constantly fought with his mother about music, and had run away to the Molina's garage to spend the night and cool down more than once. And Alex... well, after he came out, they made sure to let him know that there were adults in his life that loved him for who he was, and would keep loving him no matter what.

Rose didn't say anything, just entwined their fingers together and pulled him down the stairs. The amount of bags in the hall were a bit concerning. Then, when they turned and came into the kitchen, he became even more concerned.

Reggie's black eye was the first thing that stood out. But Alex looked like he'd been crying for hours, his eyes red and puffy, his face blotchy. Luke sprang away from where he and Julie had been wrapped around each other. Which was usually funny, but now was a little heartbreaking, considering how upset he looked. He was even wearing sleeves, the big cozy flannel he wore when things got really bad.

"Hi Ray," Reggie whispered awkwardly, giving a little wave.

He strode into the kitchen, pulling all three boys into a hug. Reggie went willingly, plastering himself against Ray's side. Luke quickly followed, and Alex tensed up before sinking into the hug with a sniffle.

"Pancakes first," he said, after a long while, looking over their heads at his wife. "And then I want to know how you managed to pull all this off."

Rose shrugged. "I had help," she said, and oh, that was either a very good thing (Victoria) or a very illegal thing (the Petal Pushers), and maybe Ray didn't want to know after all. Oh well, he had spousal immunity, he wouldn't have to testify against his wife.

"And then," he said, looking down at the boys as he let go. Alex fidgeted, and Luke drifted back to Julie, but Reggie stayed close, so he kept an arm wrapped around his shoulder. "I think we need to go to Ikea and gets some bunk beds, or something."

Alex let out a great big sigh of relief. Luke sagged against Julie, while she grinned and hugged him. Carlos gave a little cheer, high-fiving Reggie.

And Rose? Rose just smiled at him, like she'd known all along that he didn't really need pancakes to butter him up. Because Rose knew him, knew how much he loved these boys. And knew that even if he did have misgivings, he'd follow her no matter what anyway.

Together, they'd get through anything.

[honorhearted]

Benjamin snorted. "I suppose a 'dashing carrot' is the farthest thing I'd like to emulate, so maybe you're right... Though I can't imagine you wearing orange truly being so heinous. There are many cardinal sins in this world, but fashion doesn't happen to be one of them." He squeezed her hand. "Now come -- I trust you know the best way to sneak you back inside?"

With a conspiratorial grin, Benjamin led her outside and back towards the Featherington manor.

--

The soiree proved far more involved than Benjamin would've otherwise been gifted. Due to an unfortunate illness, Gregory was holed up inside his room, forced to miss out on the festivities -- which, of course, he hadn't truly been upset about once Benjamin gave him a book on medieval knights -- so without his pupil to keep watch of, Benjamin was forced to partake far more extensively.

At first, he milled around the room, sipping wine and hoping to avoid the cloying mothers who draped themselves over single gentlemen, much like cats greedily seeking a sunbeam.

Before long, however, he found himself wrangled into the company of the younger crowd (whether he wished it or not).

"Tallmadge," one of the gentleman said -- an Everett Farnsworth -- his eyes bright with drink as he nearly sloshed wine over the front of his weskit. "Rumor has it that you came across the pond because you're on the lam. 'Cause God only knows why you'd choose Mayfair, of all places."

A few titters arose, and Benjamin snorted. "I'm afraid my life isn't quite so romantic as all that. I came because--"

"The women, right?" Hugh Melville eagerly interjected. He was an oily gentleman -- one who sprayed spittle if anyone dared to get too close -- and he jabbed his elbow into Benjamin's ribs. "I hope you'll be sticking around for our games later on, Tallmadge. You won't wanna miss it."

Across from him, Cressida and her minions simpered and waved their fans beneath their chins, only pausing in order to whisper and point to their left.

Following their line of vision, Benjamin's heart leapt in relief once Penelope entered the room. Although the women weren't being too loud, he prayed his friend couldn't overhear their barbs as they began snickering.

"I cannot believe she wore that," Cressida loudly whispered. "Then again, when one is destined to be a slovenly spinster for the rest of her life, you must own the look with as much pride as can be mustered."

Benjamin bristled. "Well, I suppose if anyone's expert on the matter, it would be you," he coolly agreed. "This is what, your third or fourth year on the marriage mart? Heaven forbid that stroke of poor luck continue."

Cressida's mouth dropped, a ghastly white flooding her features as her lips flapped without sound.

Despite the brief sweep of triumph between his ribs, Benjamin regretted such words. It wasn't a kind thing to say, and whether or not she deserved it was irrelevant. "Excuse me, please," he muttered.

As he retreated, he could hear Cressida sniping out insults, but he didn't dignify any of them with a response. Instead, he joined Penelope with what he hoped to be a welcoming smile.

"Well, fancy seeing you here," he teased. "And at our wall, of all places." Nodding around them, Benjamin added, "I expect they'll say I'm rescuing you, when in reality, you are rescuing me. The company has been ghastly until now." Eyes twinkling, he added, "Now are you going to regale me with your reads? Because I'm sure you've been eager to discuss."

"I have a feeling the only way I'll ever return to such a state of being is when I have kids of my own." She smiled wistfully at the thought. Pen had always wanted a family of her own, not unlike the Bridgerton family. She wanted her children to have siblings that they got along with and trusted, ones that they formed happy memories with. She imagined them running through the halls of whatever home they claimed as their own, with cousins and friends alike running alongside them. It would be a perfect, picturesque kind of life, in her mind. However many children the world allowed her to have, she would be grateful to raise them differently than she and her own sisters were raised. Although Pen loved gossip, the thought of having her own children caught up in the frenzy of the ton was terrifying and, as much as she enjoyed the occasional excitement of a scandal, a quiet life sounded far more secure.

"Well, if you ever change your mind about returning home, I'm sure there are plenty of ladies here who would jump at the opportunity to have you as their lawful husband." Pen, herself, very much included. "But, wherever you end up, I hope you are able to rid yourself of such melancholia. Sadness doesn't suit you, Ben."

She looked up at him with a gentle smile. Both of them had an affinity for mawkish tendencies, it seemed. Pen, however, could count the many reasons that she deserved such sorrow in her life. Lies, betrayal, jealousy. She had earned her sadness and carried it with as much dignity as a lady could. But Benjamin didn't deserve such a life. Penelope may not have known what things he had done in him life, but it couldn't have been anything bad enough to warrant an unpeaceful life. He was kind and smart, both of which felt rather rare these days. He had honor and humility that most London men lacked. He deserved a life filled with euphoria rather than melancholy.

"Gods, no. Not unless you want to attract attention." She let out a small snort. "Orange is rarely a flattering color on anyone. I suspect that is precisely why my mother is so intent on making me wear it. If I don't look like some kind of citrus fruit, I look like some sort of flower waiting for bees to pollinate. Sometimes I wonder if it's her goal to sabotage my prospects."

Portia had been dressing Pen in orange and yellow since she was an infant, a fact Varley had never missed an opportunity to confirm. What her mother's fascination with the vibrant colors, Penelope didn't know. All she knew was that such a bold palette only proved to set her aside from the rest of society, and not always in the way she hoped. Philippa and Prudence wore the colors too, but they were afforded the luxury of a more muted palette. Pen, ever the odd one out, adorned the vibrant fabrics that no one else dared to.

Pen takes his arm, her heart heavy by the notion of returning home. It struck her as such a peculiar feeling. Pen was a homebody by most accounts and returning home was typically one of the highlights of her days. But all good things came to an end, she supposed. And it was better not to overindulge. Such an excursion had been a welcomed change and she ought to relish in it while she could.

[dorefasolsido]

32.

Section 1 – Who were you?

Think back as far as you can. What is the first memory you have?

My first memory is from the time I injured my leg when it got stuck in the bicycle wheel. I was super super young, so I don't remember anything too clearly, only like a still image of a hospital corridor, no details or anything, just a flash of light at the end and some doors.

What is something you remember enjoying very much as a small child?

Making up my own stories or changing existing ones into my own version. I guess I was a fanfiction writer before I knew what that was lol.

How old were you, when you made your very first friend?

My mum and dad's friends had two daughters who were around my age, so we basically knew each other since birth and were always friends. We lost touch, sadly, but I'm happy to run into them.

Are you still friends with this person today?

Whoops, already answered that.

Was there a story somebody read or told you that has stuck with you?

Yeah, my grandpa liked to tell me stories about his fake adventures with his village gang lol. There was one about a giant tree and a bird that lived on top, and his gang had to climb all the way to its nest to retrieve something. Or the one about an island of children-eating cannibals that my grandpa and his gang had to fight off during summer holidays. I loved those stories.

What is something you get an immense feeling of nostalgia from?

Usually music I listened to a decade or so ago. Like, songs I haven't heard in a long long time.

As a child, were you a sore loser or a sore winner?

I wasn't either, I think. I liked winning, but I don't think I rubbed it into people's faces or cried about losing.

Did you go through the "naked phase"?

Lol I don't think so. At least my parents never told me.

Which television shows do you watch the most as a child?

Charmed, Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh, Spongebob, Rugrats, etc. 

Did you play with siblings, neighbourhood kids or by yourself?

I played mostly by myself or with my sister, but we also had a few kids in the neighbourhood we were friends with.

Is there something you really miss from your childhood today?

I miss plenty of things from my childhood. But if I have to pick something specific, coloured pancakes or cutting out paper snowflakes for Christmas with mum.

Section 2 – Likes and interests

Would you ever like to try competitive pinball playing?

I didn't even know that was a thing. I mean, if I got time to practice, I guess lol

Do you knit, crochet or cross stitch?

Nope.

Have you ever, or would you like to attend a gaming or comic convention?

Oh for sure. I regret not going to comic conventions (manga-oriented) here, especially since they stopped organizing them after COVID.

What's your opinion on online multiplayer games?

Looks fun, but I'm more of a solo gamer myself.

Do you like to go cycling? If so, where?

I don't often, usually only when I'm in my hometown over the summer.

Have you ever tried woodturning? If not, would you like to?

I had to look it up, looks neat! But I'd have no talent for that.

Do you enjoy drawing? If so, what do you usually draw?

I actually do, but I suck at it. Still, I find it relaxing, so I like to doodle once in a while. Usually like, chibi anime characters -- that's the whole extent of my abilities lol.

Have you ever attended a painting class? If so, what did you create?

I haven't. I hated art in school, so I never really considered going, but maybe it would actually be kinda cool to try in a no-pressure environment.

How about a creative writing course? If so, did you get any feedback?

I considered it at uni since I love creating writing, but no. I would be able to submit my writing, but if we had to read it out loud or anything like that, I'd literally just drop dead.

What is your favourite form of exercise?

Cardio. I like jogging, swimming, that kind of stuff. Don't do it nearly as often as I should though.

Section 3 – People

Who is the most important person in your life (besides yourself)?

Probably my sister and my best friend.

Do people generally approach you easily?

Not really. I mean, in my mind, I'm approachable and friendly, but that might not be the impression I give off.

Do you get along with people well? If not, what's the problem?

I get along well enough, I just struggle to establish a deep connection. And well, I'm the problem there.

Do you enjoy being in crowds or do you prefer your own company?

I prefer my own company, but I sometimes enjoy crowds too. Depends on the mood.

Which one of your friends have you known the longest?

I think Millie from middle school.

Do you find it easy to make friends now? If not, what makes it difficult?

Lol no. I never ever found it easy, but I think it's even harder in adulthood. Like, I'd have an easier time talking to people now than I did in the past, but everyone kind of has their own thing going on and it's rare to find someone who wants and has time for new friends.

What is something about people that annoys you?

How selfish almost everyone is, including myself. I genuinely believe a lot of people don't even do it on purpose, but yeah.

What is something about people that you really like?

I like that they can be very creative. I mean, look how much we've made and make every single day. That's so cool.

If you live alone, what would be your criteria for a roommate?

I don't, but if I had to find a roommate, I guess I'd look for someone easy to compromise with and who's ready to give me my space sometimes. Someone responsible, I guess.

How about criteria for a spouse, if you're single?

I don't want a spouse so I don't have criteria for one. But generally speaking, I think it's important to have someone reliable and comfortable by your side if you're talking about long-term. And someone you vibe with.

In general, what's your attitude towards people?

Oh I don't know, I'm conflicted.

Section 4 – Habits

What is something you do every day without fail?

Lately work, lol. Hopefully that will change soon.

What is your typical breakfast?

I don't typically eat breakfast.

Which article of clothing do you like to wear the most?

Hoodies and my sister's black cargo pants when I steal them from her lol. I wanted to buy ones just like that, but I haven't been able to find the exact kind...

Is there a TV show you watch habitually?

Not really.

Where do you usually spend most of your day?

Hmm, probably on the floor of my living room.

Is there a product that you do not want to run out of?

I don't know, I can buy most things I run out of.

What is your preferred mode of transport?

Train, but we don't really use them here. They're so cool though.

Do you usually have something playing in the background when you're home?

When I'm alone, no. My sister always has the TV on, and I used to be like that too when I first moved out. But now I actually enjoy just sitting in silence.

Where do you usually get your groceries?

Local Maxi.

How often do you go to your local park?

Hmm, not too often. I jog there sometimes, but if I'm going for a walk, I usually switch to some different area of the city.

Which of your hobbies do you indulge in most often?

Doing surveys lately.

Section 5 – Favourites and dislikes

What is your favourite fruit?

Maybe apples.

How about your favourite berry?

Not too big on berries, but I guess strawberry. Dipped in sugar or melted chocolate.

Which food do you highly dislike?

Tomatoes. I have an actual beef with them.

What is your favourite song, and why?

H. by Tool is an all-time favourite, and I don't know why, I think it just hits something within me that I'm not able to express, but the song does.

Then there's also many songs from BTS discography, in particular Blood Sweat & Tears.

What is a movie you cannot stand?

I don't really like stuff like the After series, 365 Days and similar. It's fun to watch YouTube commentaries on them, but I would hate to actually waste my time on them.

Which trait in a person do you find most appealing?

Passion, warmth, sense of humour.

Which trait puts you instantly off?

When someone makes their whole personality about how much they drink, party, and take drugs. Like, okay, congrats, but tell me something actually interesting??

Who is an actor/actress who you dislike so much you can't watch them?

I don't think I have such an actor. At least no one that comes to mind.

What colour are your favourite shoes?

Black.

What is a smell that disgusts you to no end?

Vomit, well disgust might be the wrong word, but it triggers me, like anything related to it.

Which door handle/door knob do you like the most in your home?

Now you're asking the real questions lol. I guess my front door doorknob is pretty neat.

Section 6 – Culture

What is something very typical to the culture of your home country?

Eating way way too much meat, drinking way too much alcohol, spending the money we don't have on lavish celebrations and summer holidays in Greece, and of course, beef with all of our neighbours.

Do you enjoy art? If so, which form of art is the most enjoyable?

I do, I love abstract art personally. The less I understand the better, it allows me to make my own interpretations.

What is something about another country's culture you don't understand?

Well, there are some weird-ass traditions in other countries, but that's the case everywhere. Here we used to have a really weird tradition too, where a woman whose fiance died before marriage still had to marry him after his death. So like, guess I can't judge.

Do you ever attend the theater? If so, which play did you see last?

I do, but it's been a while. So I'm not totally sure what I've seen last.

How about the opera or the ballet?

I have seen some ballets and I'd like to see an opera in the future.

Which dance troupe do you enjoy, if any?

I don't know, I don't follow any in particular.

Do you attend concerts or gigs? If so, which band did you see last?

I love concerts and gigs and attend one cover band's gig pretty regularly. As for an actual band, I'm not entirely sure what I've seen last, but I'll see Rammstein in May!

Are you interested in foreign food?

Definitely.

If so, which country's cuisine do you enjoy the most?

Italian, Japanese, and Korean.

Do you enjoy stand-up comedy? If so, who is your favourite comic?

I'm not too big of a fan of stand-up. I tried to get into it, but idk, even when it's funny I don't really feel the need to see more.

Do you contribute to culture in some way? If so, how?

Probably not.

Section 7 – Charity

Do you volunteer your time to anything charitable? If so, what?

Not time unfortunately, but I donate once in a while.

Do you donate money to any charities? If so, which ones?

Yes, here and there, when I stumble upon something I believe deserves support. And when I have enough money to spare.

If you have pets, are any of them rescues from shelters?

My cat isn't a rescue, we adopted him from my sister's friend.

Do you donate your old clothes, linen etc. to charitable organizations?

I haven't yet, but I think my mum does that for us.

If someone you know is in need, is it in your nature to offer help?

I mean, maybe it's not my first instinct, but yeah, I would help.

Have you ever donated Christmas presents to children of poor families?

I don't think so.

Have you ever had to rely on other people's charity?

No.

How do you feel about donating to charities endorsed by celebrities?

Well why not if it's a legit charity.

Is there a charity you absolutely never ever will not trust?

I'm honestly not sure.

Have you ever donated to a cause that had a person going door to door?

I don't think I've seen that in a long long time, and when I did last, I was a kid with no money to donate.

In general, what is your opinion on charity?

Well, I support it. You just gotta be careful who you donate to.

Section 8 – Entertainment

Which was the very first video game you remember playing?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Which was the very first film you remember watching?

Hmmmm, I'm not actually sure at all.

What is your go-to form of entertainment?

Netflix, Youtube, Tumblr, Instagram sometimes.

Do you have a large collection of DVDs/Blu-Rays?

We still have some at home, but we don't use them anymore.

How about music albums?

I have a few albums because, even though I listen to music on Spotify, it feels nice to have a physical copy and support the artist you like.

Do you prefer to have your music on vinyls, tapes, CDs or digital?

Definitely digital now.

When and where do you like to entertain yourself usually?

Well sometimes at home, sometimes outside... Idk.

Do you ever binge watch shows? If so, what are you binging now?

I can only binge when I'm watching something with someone else, like with my sister. We aren't binging anything now, just finished The House of Usher.

What kinds of books do you like to read, if any?

All kinds, but mostly horror, psychological horror and thriller, postmodernist stuff, dystopian books...

Is there a book series you're currently collecting?

Hmm, I don't think so.

Is entertainment something you prefer to enjoy alone or with someone else?

Depends, I obviously read on my own, but as for watching TV shows, I really struggle to do it by myself.

Section 9 – Internet

Do you always have access to the Internet, wherever you go? If not, why?

Pretty much, except when I'm travelling abroad. But even then sometimes I buy data plans.

Which website do you frequent the most?

Tumblr lately.

Which search engine do you prefer and trust the most?

I use only Google.

What do you use the Internet the most for?

Lately work, but also for entertainment, communication...

Do you judge people who have their phones out all the time? If so, why?

I don't, I'm one of those people. The only thing I judge is when I'm sitting with a friend and they're just on their phone the whole time, completely disinterested in the conversation. That's one thing I don't do, although I did in the past, long time ago.

If your connection goes down, what do you do?

Depends. If I'm in the middle of something important, then obviously get annoyed. But if not, then well, I don't care.

Is there something you wish you could do online that isn't possible yet?

Hmm, not sure.

Do you remember the first time you used the Internet? When was it?

I don't remember exactly, but sometime in mid 2000s.

What was a website you used to frequent that doesn't exist anymore?

I loved 9gag. It probably still exists, but I don't think it's nearly as big of a deal as it was when I used it.

Do/Did you ever have your own website?

I actually made one before, but I abandoned it.

Isn't it great how much knowledge and info we have at our fingertips?

It is pretty amazing. And wild to think about.

Section 10 – And finally...

What is something you consider to be highly controversial?

Idk, many topics related to political and social issues.

What kinds of jokes do you like the best?

Dad jokes, the stupider the better.

Is there a person who makes you laugh effortlessly?

Hmm yeah, my sister.

What's something random, out of context you remember from your past?

Once a pair of Ukrainians scammed me out of 40 euros using an owl in Rome. I won't explain anything further.

Do you wear shoes indoors?

Of course not.

What's the silliest thing you've worn on your body in public?

I don't think I've ever worn anything particularly silly.

What is the most distant point on the planet that you've been from home?

Hmm, probably Portugal.

Do you enjoy trivia games? If so, which one's your favourite?

Sure, but I don't really have a favourite.

Are you more logical or emotional?

Generally I use logic to guide me, but idk, I think emotions always play a huge role whether we notice it or not.

[h-pelessly]

August 13, 2023

Last night, I attended a wedding, Christy and Vincent's to be more specific. Christy is my cousin, who I was shocked to be honest when I saw her because I haven't seen her. But the wedding last night evinced that I'm not ready for a wedding.

When we first got there, there was people lining up and I was so confused but then we got sat in the freaking back with some randoms and I was like well... this is gr8. But my dad was USELESS-- just going around to talk to people and start his behavior of drunkiness. But it was my mom who got us to the front of the venue to sit with our family members. I do have a bone to pick her because she made me say hi to everyone and that IRRITATED me so freaking much. I was like... pls leave me the FUCK alone. And there was a lady who I think visited me in the hospital so she had some relation to me, but she was holding me there and I really had to pee, and my father did not help me so I just stood there for a solid 5 minutes listening to her talking whilst being held against my will. And I was terrified. Honestly everyone and everything terrified me so idk what I'm even talking about. There was an open bar, but people were lining up and the line was abnormally long so I was f it we shall wait until after. Which I was glad I got what I got bc I would've not liked anything. Irregardless...

From the speeches, I found out they have been dating for 9 years, which everyone said was a long time but like they only have one year on us. No idea how old they are, but they only have one year on us and the people who did speeches said that was a long time so like.... that kind of terrifies me. The side of our family was being loud and obnoxious which was to be honest kind of annoying and disrespectful, but I'm pretty sure they were drunk so there's no use talking some sense into them. Also, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't take any direction from a lil girl with an opinion so it doesn't matter. All the speeches, I'm pretty sure, the speakers were intoxicated which was honestly kind of funny, but I get it. I would too if I was up there. There was the shoe ceremony that I thought of Tim because I was like we would do amazing on this. But the whole idea of marriage scares me. So when I finally got around to the bar, I got myself a White Claw (peach is amazing). I got it after awhile when I should've gotten it at the beginning bc my anxiety did really settle down. So I came to the realization that a whole white claw makes me into a normal human being. I wasn't AS afraid anymore. I wore heels to the event and as annoyed as I was the entire time, they broke on me (thankfully???) but I was forced to walk barefoot, which was kind of gross tbh but I didn't want to wear the heels. And I did bring slides, but they were FUCKING NIKE SLIDES. Anyways, my parents made me get it so I ended up wearing them. Honestly I was kind of embarrassed, but also, I didn't really care. None of those people knew me, though most of them are family, I don't come around a lot so it didn't matter. I saw a bunch of people wearing shoes and I was like imagine if I knew I could wear shoes bro. Like that would've fixed a LOT of my problems.

Well we had to sit around for 4 hours and I didn't read bc I'm pretty sure I couldn't focus anyway, and when it was time to leave, my dad drove. He did drink, which I was kind of scared, but so did me and my mom. I mean my mom didn't as much, but my dad drove anyway. He wasn't like blatantly drunk so he seemed fine. We made it home safely, and idk it was a wild social event. I hate it here. And I have 3 more events lined up for this month and I'm regretting everything. So maybe if it gets super bad, I know I can rely on a peach white claw lmao.

[quokkareactions]

Seventeen reaction to jealous s/o:

Part 3

Mingyu:

- he'd get sooooo cocky

- I mean yeah, maybe you shouldn't have acted the way you did, but come on

- you left him alone at the bar for like five minutes

- but when you came back from the bathroom, that girl was already all over your boyfriend

- and you definitely not gonna sit back and watch it

- maybe you shouldn't have stormed up to them and pull Mingyu into a passionate kiss, not pulling away until she gets the message and leaves

- but what can you do now

- "You know, you could've done anything else" he said with an amused smirk

Minghao:

- you can't hold it against him

- he wasn't even aware that the barista was flirting with him

- so when you sat down at one of the tables with your coffees and told him that it made you uncomfortable he was SHOCKED

- he said sorry so many times you cannot count it on two hands

- but you really couldn't be mad at him when he didn't even realize that she tried to flirt with him

Seungkwan:

- the guys had a photoshoot and Seungkwan invited you to it

- you were happy to go but you kind of regretted it when you saw how one of the stylists couldn't seem to keep her hands off of him

- he didn't react to it at all which made you question whether you were reading too much into it

- but you watched how she interacted with the other members and it was definitely different

- "Is everything alright, love?"

- he probably sensed your irritation because he came up to you with a worried expression

- you told him that you are annoyed by the flirty stylist which made him laugh

- loud enough to get her attention

- after he made sure she was watching he gave you a peck on your lips then whispered

- "You have absolutely no reason to be jealous"

- then he left to get his makeup touched up

- your cheeks definitely caught a deep shade of red out of embarrassment

Vernon:

- you never thought you would be the jealous girlfriend

- and you surely haven't thought you would be jealous of Vernon's childhood friend

- but you haven't thought that the childhood friend is the prettiest girl you've ever seen either

- you actually don't believe that boy-girl friendships don't exist but you just can't help to feel that something is off

- well, her hand was always on Vernon without any reason

- and any time you got his attention she was fast to take it back

- you were furious

- so when she went to take a call, you turned to your boyfriend

- "I'm leaving. With or without you, I don't care. But if you decide to stay, don't bother coming home tonight."

- poor guy was sooo confused

- but he definitely won't let you go alone

- he waved goodbye to her and left with you

- later asking what was that about

Chan:

- you woke up in the middle of the night just to see Chan crying in his sleep

- at first you wanted to wake him up and ask him what's wrong but then he started whimpering

- "No, please don't go... I need you... please... I love you"

- you thought it was sweet, he was dreaming about you leaving him and he was crying about it

- you really didn't expect him to say what he said next

- at first when you heard him say a name that is definitely not yours you thought you misheard him

- but he said it again

- you weren't happy about it, not even the least

- and you did what came to your mind first

- but you didn't think that if you kick him he'll wake up

- "Why the hell did you kick me?"

- "I don't know, you should ask the girl from your dream"

- he was quick to catch the attitude

- "Oh, so you're jealous, aren't you?"

- "No"

- he just laughed and pulled you closer to him

- it's hard to be mad at him while falling asleep in his embrace

[accirax]

oho you're in for it now. with one person asking to hear my thoughts on the candy choices for everyone, the world's fate is sealed...

i will also discuss why i chose the costumes the way i did for anyone who is curious :)

Ace's costume is based on the Pokemon Trainers prompt from DRDTtober Day 26. And, yeah, I gave him the airheads candy because he's a little dumb. Sorry for bullying you on your birthday, Ace :(

Arei's costume is from the Witches prompt, Day 25. I didn't have a lot of great ideas for an Arei candy, and sour gummy worms were the best I could come up with. The sourness is sort of like her general attitude, and her threat to make people "eat dirt" made me think of worms. And then I picked a blue bag because... well, that's probably obvious.

Arturo's costume is from Day 3, Vampires, AKA J's wish fulfillment. The mint doesn't really have anything to do with Arturo himself, more a setup to an insulting vampiric punchline. If I had remembered that Ace likes mint, maybe I would have given it to him. That guy just keeps taking Ls (canonical).

Charles's costume is the Mad Hatter, themed around the unused side of the Day 10 prompt, Tea Party. I don't know if Charles would really choose to dress up as the Mad Hatter himself, but once I realized I could combine the tea with the Diet Coke/Mentos chemical reaction, it was over for him. Does anybody actually hand out Mentos on Halloween, though...?

David.

He's the Phantom of the Opera due to the Day 20 prompt, Masquerade. As alluded to by my alternate David ask, I was originally going to give him the Whoppers candy, because one definition of whopper is "a giant lie." However, once I remembered David's connection to lemon's as detailed by this awesome video (wink wink i know you don't need prompting to interact with this video, FF; but for anyone else reading, i will add the promo), I couldn't NOT give him a lemon candy. Those things cut up your mouth too. Bastard.

Eden's fairy costume was inspired by the Day 27 prompt, Cottagecore. That one didn't actually have anything to do with fairies, but I thought it would be more fun than just being like... a woman. And yeah, Eden has Almond Joy because she spreads joy!

Ah yes, Hu's idol costume, from the Day 28 prompt of the same name. I had so many idols in contention that I decided to try to include them all. "Saga" is a reference to Zombieland Saga, "absolutely declare" is a reference to Pastel*Palettes' Absolute Declaration Recital, and the "more more" prefacing "Happy Halloween" was meant to indicate specifically More More Jump's cover of Happy Halloween (which somehow still doesn't have a full version). I couldn't figure out how to work in Ai Hoshino of Oshi no Ko into the dialogue, so it became the costume. Similar to Arei, I didn't have a ton of candy ideas for Hu, so I went with the Hershey's bar. It's a simple yet tasty classic, which she seems like she would enjoy.

J's costume is from the unused side of the Day 3 prompt, Werewolf. She got stuck sharing a prompt with Arturo, unfortunately. Originally, I was going to make her be Ash Ketchum instead, but I could not figure out what else to give Ace. Traditional Clothing was already taken, and, like, how do you make a costume based off of "Regret"? The closest was if I had given him a Marty McFly costume for Time Travelers or something, but... I thought it would be simpler this way. J gets the Pop Rocks because I feel like they're the kind of thing she would enjoy, and they have a special effect when you put them in your mouth. (for those unaware, Pop Rocks are basically a carbonated solid, so when they hit the liquids in your mouth, they make a loud sound. i am only now realizing this could have been a Charles choice too.) They're blue ones for similar reasons to Arei.

Levi is a steampunk guy from the Steampunk prompt on Day 8, and he has a lollipop because he likes lollipops. Not much more to say on this one.

Mai! She did not appear in any prompts, so I had to come up with a viable costume that wasn't represented by any of the prompts. In the end, I decided on her being a superhero. They help people and have secret identities, right? It works! The costume is vaguely flower related because I remembered that I never drew her in the BNHA AU (another link i know FF doesn't need). The candy is a Lifesaver because it's pretty likely that she saved someone else's life, or needed her life to be saved, or something of that ilk. This is actually the first time I've drawn Mai! It was fun.

Min is Athena because Greek Mythology (Day 13), and hands out Nerds because she is a nerd. Pour one out for Daskalos.

MonoTV is dressed as a student from the Day 5 prompt, School. Given that MonoTV canonically eats DVDs as treats, I quickly decided that that would be its offering. I guess I could have done movies about candy (like Willy Wonka or something), but "king sized candy bar" was where my brain went first. MonoTV and Mai weren't included in the randomizer wheel (simply because I thought it would be weird if Mai appeared, like... second), but they were available if anyone had asked. Also, if we had gotten through all of the students randomly and people were still trick or treating without specifying a character, I would have thrown them in. I'm fine just including them as a surprise reveal for the final post, though!

Nico is dressed as a spy from the unused half of the Day 2 prompt, Spies. I am only now thinking about the possibility of spy Hu, which I fully ignored. Alas, maybe another time. This is another costume where, like Charles, I'm not sure if Nico would really choose to dress up as a spy irl, but I was working with what I'd given myself. And yes, Nico indeed hands out Kit Kats because they are a kitty cat (and they dance dance dance--)

Rose is a cyberpunk from the Day 30 Cyberpunk prompt. I promise I don't actually hate the cyberpunk aesthetic-- would I have completed the Project Sekai close game/OFFLINE Cyber Sniper card set if I did? (none of those words are in the bible.) Skittles were indeed chosen for the connection to colors and art. I was originally going to give them to a more... canonically fruity character, but this was how the chips eventually fell. Rose girlliker headcanons rise.

Teruko is a ghost from the very first prompt, Haunted. Giving clumsy Teruko the Butterfingers candy was one that I locked down pretty early. I don't think I've ever actually eaten a Butterfinger. I wonder what they're like.

Veronika is a zombie mermaid inspired by the Day 15 prompt, Fairytale, which she basically references in her dialogue. I specifically didn't have Veronika mention The Little Mermaid on Day 15 to save it for here, to give a sense of around when I decided that this was my Day 31 plan. The Swedish Fish are fully unrelated to Veronika's canonical character and solely intended to relate to the Little Mermaid. Unless, of course, Veronika was the one who got the minnows into the Playground for the Chapter 2 murder. In this theory post, I will--

Whit's jiangshi costume is a little twist on the Traditional Clothing prompt from Day 12. After I had Whit dress in French clothes in the comic, I really wanted him to have a Chinese costume on Day 31 to show both halves of his heritage. The jiangshi costumes are always super cute, so I thought it would fit well. I'm glad that the Snickers joke actually made sense to people. It makes sense to me. Sillydarity.

Xander's angel costume comes from Day 16, Supernatural. Get it? Because... because Xander was... because in the meme, Xander is in the place of......... The Kinder Surprise Egg is, of course, the combination of spending time abroad and being a rebel who could sneak the candy back into the States. As a pitiful American, I know I haven't eaten a Kinder Surprise Egg before. Xanruko fail comp.

That's "all I have to say" (<- several hundreds of words later) about the Halloween costumes. Hopefully anybody who read this far found something interesting/funny in the development process.

Also, thank you again for all the compliments. Hopefully I can do something like this again sometime!

🕯️🦇🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃🦇🕯️

[starssabove]

Comfort

Hi hi hi! Its been a while! im very sorry for the wait on this chapter, and im hoping to get back on track because i really enjoy writing this! im sorry that its kind of short-

As a refresher, this is the previous part- Kai is Hero, Seth is Villain, and Jay is "friend" (aka the worst man alive :T )

i hope you enjoy reading! - let the whump portion continue muahaha

Pt1 Pt2 Pt3 Pt4 Pt5 Pt6 (this is part 7)

[Content warnings: this chapter is slightly severe-- Mentions of past abuse, implied past abuse and descriptions, injuries, abuse, betrayal, manipulation, brief mention of vominting, implied upcoming abuse, mentions of blood, mention of weapons. i hope i covered everything- please let me know if i didnt.]

----------

What was ringing? 

A high-pitched noise hummed over everything. 

What was that? 

Kai scrunched their closed eyes. Their teeth grated and they clenched their fingers into their palms. 

That noise hurt. 

Kai tried to sit up, their slurred thought process attempting to find the source of whatever was screeching. Kai did try. Didn't they? 

Why hadn't they moved? 

They tried again, somehow managing to lift their head, neck muscles straining. The hero shifted their arm so slowly, they were sure their head would fall before they could catch it, but somehow they were able to prop themself up on their elbow. 

It was a start--

Shit.

The ringing got louder. Loud, so loud, so high and uncomfortable as it spread through their brain, making their forehead ache- that ache spread through their face, an unbearable burning pain. 

The ringing was from their own head? 

Everything hurt so bad…

Oh. 

Right. 

They were severely injured. 

They were with Jay.

Not Seth. 

And no one was going to save them again. 

The pain only spread, and Kai decided being propped up was not helping. Neither was thinking about him. They brought their arm away from their head which fell straight back down to the mattress. A whine escaped their lips, one they immediately regretted. Jay hated whining. Who knew if they were watching, ready to make their move? 

The memories flooded back, hell- the whole dam broke. Kai remembered it all at the same time, somehow felt every bit of pain over again, and their throat felt so tight- like they were still screaming, screaming and praying and pleading, words tumbling from their shaking lips, that Seth would help them-

Not that they did. Not that they would anymore.

Stop thinking about them.

Kai decided that they were too tired and in too much pain to be awake. Nestling back onto the bare mattress they laid on, cold and shaking, the fire in their eyes completely choked out, they passed out, everything growing comfortably dark and warm.

—---

Shit. 

Shit.

Fuck, what were they going to do?

Seth held their head in their hands, tears slipping loose the way they had since the morning, ten hours ago. They were sick, stomach turning in guilt and fear. Ten hours. So many things could happen in ten hours… 

They shook their head again. They couldn't think about it. The image of Kai- god. The- The image of Kai spilling that much blood. It was enough to make them vomit for the third time.

They had to keep working. They had been trying to find Kai’s location. They had called everyone in the business that they knew- villains, henchmen, vigilanties. They were all annoyed at first, but after hearing Seth's voice-  uncharacteristically raw, shaking, hesitant- they gave their best effort. To no avail. No one in the underground systems had seen Kai. 

Theyd burn down the city if they had to.

They swore they would.

They had sworn to Kai that they would burn the agency to the ground- and maybe it was sooner than later. 

—-

“Wake up.”

Kai heard it somewhere above them. Unconsciousness still crept at the edges of their mind. Their breathing immediately sped up. There was no hiding. There was no escape. Only them and the person who had broken them.

Kai’s eyes slid open, vision blurry and dark.

“You look like shit.”

Yeah, no shit. They wished they could say it. But their lips didn’t part and their vocal cords couldn’t move. 

“I really do wish you would have just listened to me.” Jay starts, the words already finding a deep spot in Kai’s chest, “I tried to make you better, and now look at you;” a pause, a glance.

“Now you're nothing. You were so desperate to avoid putting in the effort” 

The effort? Effort being tortured? Effort crying and screaming until their throat was raw?  

“... to be better, you were willing to let someone like Villain ‘save’ you. Honestly,”

Jay took several steps forward, quick and powerful, dangerous determination in his eyes. The gap between the two was easily closed with the steps, Kai scrambling backward but hitting nothing but a cold wall.

“It's laughable.” Jay whispered inches from Kai's face.

Kai could do nothing but sit there, white hot shame settling in their chest. They really had believed that Seth- Villain, cared about their situation. Cared about… them. 

“Look at yourself- you're shaking in fear, and I haven't even done anything yet.”

Yet? They had to push. They had to beg, to plead that they could learn another way.

Maybe say that if he only gave them a few more days to recover, they would be so much better for him during the ‘training’. Stalling wasn't better, but it was something. 

Nothing was working like they wanted it to. Their jaw was so tense, shivering and shaking, their throat tight and raw. The only thing they could manage to breathe out was the word that kept repeating in their head over and over again.

“Yet?” the word cracks and falters but interrupts the silence.

A dangerous flicker found Jay's eyes. One they definitely knew too well. Bile rose. Tears welled, sweat pooled, muscles tensed. His hand was already in his pocket, and Kai knew all too well what would emerge when he pulled it out.

“Well, it seems someone needs a little refresher.”

Without fail, the switchblade appeared at his side. 

Kai’s eyes darted around the room they were in, one they hadn’t paid attention to until now. They scanned for places they could run, anything that would help them. All they noticed was that they knew this room. The cell they kept villains in when they were captured at the agency. 

In a building full of traitors, of sick men and abusers, they were the one in the cell. 

They were sure every sick bastard in the building heard the screams that came next, but not a single person came to help them. No one would.

—-------

Seth’s phone lit up with a small buzz, immediately drawing their frantic attention.

‘They're at the agency building. Same cell you stayed in when you got turned in. I can't take the screaming anymore, but I can't beat him.’

That's all they needed before they were out the door, the one knife they had with them in hand.

next part

–

Thank you so much for reading!!! i will try my best to be more active on here because i really enjoy doing this and i missed being on here :) thank you for any support!!

-ant :7

Tag list- Comment/reblog/dm to be added or removed!

@doublericenobeans @roblingoblin285 @justmevoldemort @another-whump-sideblog @devilish-whump @a-place-to-put-poetry @syberianjade @cornflower-cowboy @blessupblessup @tedrakitty

[some-messed-up-writing-for-you]

A lot of people wanted a part two of #2, so here it is! (Also thank you for all the kind words I really appreciate it!🥺💖)

Request #6

Warning: non-con touching (nothing sexual), slight body horror, abuse, one-sided attraction.

Honestly, I remember that with #2 I really did have some kind of breakthrough or something lmao. It just came out so good! And this continuation? Well, let's just say that as I was writing it, I got my own stomach to twist a little bit. ;]

Enjoy, dearest anons!

Part 1 here | Next Part

~~~~

Hero's legs burned as they ran with all their might, turning another corner. The halls of Supervillain's lair were like a maze. Everything looked identical no matter where they went. The hero could take twenty different turns and would still be met with the same dead end.

This was bad, very bad. Hero had to get out. They had to get away. The monster- The monster was after them. They had to find an exit, because if the monster caught them...

Hero shivered at the thought but refused to give up just yet. There had to be an exit somewhere! There just had to be! Because if there wasn't one then Hero- then Hero was as good as dead-

The same dead end again. Except this time, the hall leading up to it was much longer. And... And at the end of it was...

"N-No... no, no, no, NO, NO, NONONONONONONONONONONONONO!" - Hero turned on their heel and ran, tears falling from their eyes as their body shook in terror, lungs burning in need of more air. The corner they had turned just moments ago was gone now. There was only one long hallway. Hero could only run forward and nowhere else. They could not leave the monster's line of sight.

They spared a quick glance behind themself.

A mistake.

The monster's face was millimeters from their own, and Hero looked into one of its many eyes.

Another mistake.

Without warning, the hero's mind screamed in agony. They grabbed their head, forgetting that they were running and falling to the ground with a loud thud. They clawed at their temple, trying to get the abnormal pain out of it. Hero realized they were still looking into the monster's eyes. They tried to look away but couldn't. They- They couldn't move.

Their body refused to cooperate. They continued to stare deep into the monster's dark orbs, and as the beast neared them, they pleaded, they begged, they screamed for it to stop.

But the monster was silent, one of its clawed hands grabbing Hero's head, bringing them closer. The pain only worsened as the distance between them shortened.

Hero was apologizing now. What were they even saying 'sorry' for? They didn't know, but maybe it would help? Maybe that's what the beast wanted to hear from them?

The pain only grew. And Hero-

Hero awoke, gasping for air as their entire body shuddered with leftover terror. Where were they? They opened their eyes, but there was only darkness. W-Why? Why was it so dark-

The blindfold. That's right... Hero's eyes were covered so that they couldn't see. They took in a shaky breath in an attempt to calm themself, but it didn't help much.

They decided to focus on their other senses, feeling what was beneath them with their hands. It was soft and warm. Hero found the feeling rather pleasant. The arms around their waist were also quite comforting.

...

Wait, arms? W-WHAT ARMS-

"Did you have a bad dream, darling?" - a voice softly sounded in Hero's ears. They shivered as one of their captor's clawed hands trailed up and down their side, their hold tightening just a fringe.

"S-Supervillain... W-What are you d-doing..?" - they asked, worried confusion taking over their face. Why was Supervillain back already? Hero couldn't have slept for that long! They- What... What even was that dream just now?

Reading their thoughts, the supervillain answered, "Oh, I just happened to get done with work a bit sooner than planned today." - the monster started, nuzzling their face into the hero's hair, adoring their scent. "And, well... You just looked so cute sleeping in my bed. I simply couldn't resist cuddling you~. "

Hero had to resist another shiver trying to move through them. They were just... sleeping on top of the criminal for.. well, who knows how long! And Supervillain... Had they been watching them sleep? Hero couldn't stop the shiver that time.

The monster's grip suddenly tightened but stopped just short of hurting the small hero in their grasp. Said hero's entire body froze. A pit grew in their stomach as Supervillain pulled them closer and whispered lowly in their ear, "What was your dream about, little hero?"

There was an edge to their voice, Hero noticed. Were they angry? B-But why?! Hero hadn't even done anythi-

The dream.

The hero inhaled sharply as a realization hit them. It wasn't a dream. They- They remembered now- IT- IT WASN'T A-

A clawed hand suddenly gripped Hero's neck. They could only whine, terrified as the supervillain's grip threatened to cut off their air. A deep growl echoed in their ear, the monster's hold tightening even more and becoming painful.

"S-Supervillain, please- I-" - Hero never finished as another hand clamped over their mouth, keeping them quiet. Where did the third hand even come from? They didn't know nor needed to, as they had more pressing matters at hand.

"He̠̋ro... My l̟͊ittl̨̉e ̾͢H̺̾ė͈ro... ͛ͅỶͅoụ̿ tr̺̚ǐ̞e͂ͅd ̪̾t͓͑o r̰͕͊̍ư̥̟͈̝̅̆̓̍͢n̤̩̟͓̯͆̒̀͠͝ a̍ͅw̡̲̫̘̣͚̩̆̈͐̌̋̀͝a̹̜͙̎̿̄y͕͡ ." - Supervillain's voice had grown octaves deeper. It sounded... corrupted as it echoed in Hero's ear. It made their head hurt. They shook once more as a familiar pain brushed against the edges of their mind.

"Y̘̋ou th͚̆o̜͘ug͘͜h̖̽t͕̀ ͍̄y͕̒o̤̕u c̪̐oul̲̿d ̯͆j̮̎ust ̥̀g̙̈et awa̛͖y, ͇̇hm̓͟m?" - Hero could practically feel the other's anger- no, rage filling the room. It felt suffocating, it was making them struggle to breathe. Or was it the hand at their throat squeezing too tightly? They couldn't tell. Everything was starting to hurt. That- That pain from before- It was all coming back-

Hero whimpered against the hand at their lips as more arms came seemingly out of nowhere. They still couldn't see anything. They could only feel them wrapping around their small form, slowly crushing them.

The hero felt the tears flowing down their face, their terror growing as the grip on their neck tightened, just a pinch away from choking them. They could only breathe through their nose, and it hurt. It hurt so much. Everything hurt so, so much. Their heart was hammering against their ribcage, trying to get out. They- They couldn't get out- They couldn't- They-

They screamed as sharp teeth wrapped around their neck, about to bite.

Hero tried to struggle against the monster. They writhed and fought, but their body didn't even budge. Not even their head moved. They screamed out loud but were muffled. So they screamed inside their mind, crying out, begging, making promises the hero knew they would regret making.

But nothing worked. They could feel Supervillain's teeth slowly sinking into them, breaking their skin with ease. They tried to jerk their head away one more time, but it did nothing. Nothing worked, there was nothing they could do.

They grimly realized just how powerless they were, and even though it changed nothing, they squeezed their eyes shut, and went limp in the monster's hold, submitting to them. Only muffled sobs escaped the hero, their head empty of thoughts or pleas. Hero-

Hero-

Hero flinched as a gentle kiss landed on their neck. The razor-sharp teeth from before were now gone. They whined, confused and scared. They didn't understand.

The many arms holding them loosened their grip, the hand around their throat released completely but did not leave. The hero gasped for the precious air their lungs were demanding as the hand on their mouth pulled away. However, once they got a good lungful of oxygen, the hand moved back to cover their mouth. A whimper left Hero as its fingertips brushed against their face, a weak "Please..." managed to slip past their lips, their voice cracking, broken, and petrified.

But Hero's plea was for nothing. They shook as the hand covered their mouth once more but said nothing else. A shiver ran down their spine as a trail of more gentle kisses was left upon their neck, the last one underneath the hero's ear, in which Supervillain whispered, "Do you understand now, little hero?"

The monster's voice was back to normal, but Hero's stomach twisted into knots regardless. Not awaiting an answer, the supervillain continued, "Do you understand that I'm in charge here? That I'm choosing to be nice to you?"

The hand laying on Hero's throat squeezed once more, just the slightest amount, and they froze at the feeling, more sobs threatening to rip out of them. "I could do so many terrible things to you, little hero. And yet, in the three months that you've been here, I've never actually hurt you, now have I?"

Their throat was released a second time, and Hero couldn't deny it. Supervillain could do whatever they wanted with them. They could easily hurt them or- or use them. But they hadn't. The entire time that the hero had been here, the supervillain was always very gentle towards them. Perhaps they scared them every once in a while, but Supervillain never did anything... extreme...

"A smart conclusion as always, Hero~." - the way the supervillain said Hero's name made them shudder. They were still helpless in their grasp, but at least they were no longer on the verge of having a heart attack.

Supervillain chuckled as they read the hero's mind. They left another kiss on their neck, before continuing, "Will you play nice now, little hero~?"

"I-I will." - Hero answered in their mind.

"Good~." - the monster purred. "That means that you'll keep all those promises you made a few minutes ago, right?" - they asked with a grin, and Hero froze once more, their muscles tensing in new fear.

"Mmm, what was it that you promised again..?" - Supervillain mused, pretending not to remember, just so that they could smell their hero's fright in the air. "You promised to... do anything I asked for~?"

Another whine escaped Hero as their body began to shake against the other's. The arms holding them tightening. The hand at their throat squeezing again. A few small, still muffled sobs escaped them as Supervillain's sharp teeth brushed against their ear, "Well, Hero?" - the monster pressed.

"I-I I'll do whatever you w-want, j-j-just... P-Please just don't h-hurt me." - even inside their mind, Hero's voice still broke and quivered. They whimpered as Supervillain relaxed their hold once again, their various hands now caressing and petting the hero's body. "Oh, of course I won't hurt you, Hero..."

The blindfold around Hero's eyes suddenly got torn away, and they opened their eyes out of reflex. At first, they thought nothing had changed, as there was darkness all around them. But then their brain registered all the eyes around them. They noticed the darkness surrounding them moved unlike normal shadows but rather like living flesh. Out of the corner of their eye, they could see that the giant mass around them was connected to Supervillain's body.

Hero tried to close their eyes in their terror but found that they couldn't. They could only stare wide-eyed, breathing growing unsteady as a hand somehow formed in the dark, a terrible sound of wet flesh squelching and bones cracking echoing across the entire room.

They whimpered as the new hand cradled their cheek, thumb wiping away some of their tears, all the eyes focused on them as the monster finished their sentence,

"...No̼͡t̠̾ uṋ̓l̳̔eś̼s̩̽ ̫͋yo̻͞u ̮́ģ͒ive m̙̏e a r̮̂e̾͜a̺̽ṡ͎on̎͢ ̧͂ṱ̾o."

And then, at last, the sweet embrace of slumber overtook Hero's body and mind.

[mywritingonlyfans]

Reader gets to give stitches on a cute rockstar. / Thomas Raggi Fluffly

prompt: you're a young medical student and, after Thomas tries to jump into the audience at a gig, you meet him in the emergency room. (just fluffly, nothing more. I didn't describe how the bruise is or how he actually got hurt.)

His look was pure tension. An awkward smile, almost begging the blonde girl to get him out of there. Long legs and uncontrollable movement. If you weren't used to it already, you'd think he was trying to dig a hole in the ground.

“Thomas?” You asked him, getting a confirmation from the young woman beside him. They looked to be about your age, but a lot cooler. “Well, I guess you're the one who's gonna need some stitches, right?”

Your voice was friendly. You held his chin in your hand, looking at the dried blood on his brow. His face snuggled into your palm, making you smile sweetly and bring your eyes level with his. He looks like a puppy, sweet and golden. He was also as scared as one after hearing fireworks on New Year's.

“This is going to hurt?” His eyes softened and you had to bite your lip to keep yourself from letting out a cute sigh in front of him.

The girl patted his shoulder to let him know she was there. His smile wasn't on his lips anymore, but he was still adorable. He was dressed in sequins, which was being covered by a large coat, and his face was perfectly contoured with makeup. The same makeup she was wearing, they looked like porcelain dolls.

“Not much, it will be fast!" You assured him, soaking a piece of cotton for him.

“He's not much of the brave type.” The girl commented. You laughed, he didn't look too happy about it.

“Yeah? I confess I wouldn't want to be in your shoes right now, but I promise to make it as painless as possible.”

“Thank you,” he swallowed, growing more and more tense.

His friend still had a smile on her face, as if saying she was right. From the looks of him, she really was.

“Y/N.” You said, lifting his face with your thumb. He seemed happy to know your name, but maybe it was just your head pulling tricks on you.

He was about to repeat your name, but you were quicker and pressed the cotton to his wound. He shivered, stifling a groan. So adorable that you'd like to hear him saying your name out loud, you regret having interrupted him.

“I'm sorry,” you wrinkled your nose. Patients in pain wasn't your favorite thing, let alone when they were in your hands. “I swear this is the worst part, you will soon be numb and feel nothing.”

“Yeah, Thomas. The doctor is pretty, they won't kill you if you don't ask.” The girl said, making him blush and you tingle inside.

“Uh, I will ask you to close your eyes, I believe it will be better.”

“Don’t mind her, she’s just trying to distract me,”

“I see, do you think it’s workin’?” You continued the conversation. Theoretical classes taught that talking to children makes them handle pain a bit better. Thomas wasn't a child, but it seemed the right thing to do in that situation. After all, he was as nervous and restless as one.

“I think so, actually your face helps. I thought I'd find someone older, grumpy.” His brows twitched, this time a tear trickled down his face. Why was it hurting like it was on you?

“Shhh, love. It’s alright, we are almost done.” You whispered, squeezing your fingers against the side of the wound to see if he felt anything. Fortunately, nothing. From then, he would be fine.

“I wish I could say that your kindness and delicacy is making me calm but I would be lying — even though I appreciate it.” He smiled sweetly, threatening to open his eyes, but soon giving up.

“Keep it closed, I like your makeup. Pink looks good on you.” You replied, putting your hand under his neck, twirling some of his hair around your fingers. You might be overreacting, but you thought about taking more time with this just so you could hold him longer. The girl smiled at you and you knew she had read you like a book. You smiled back, even embarrassed.

“Aren’t you too young for that? I'm not judging, just curious.” She asked as soon as you looked at him. His cheeks were flushed as well as the tip of his nose. God, you wanted to kiss him.

“It’s okay,” you avoided looking at her. “I'm in training, I've stitched people up before, but if you feel better I can get someone else to stitch up your boyfriend.” Your voice showed you were nervous. You hated to think about it, it was disrespectful but if someone didn't want you to touch their body you wouldn't be sewing them.

“No babe, I didn’t mean it like that. Thomas looks good with you, it was supposed to sound like a compliment. It looks like you've been doing it for years.”

You got rid of the air that was being held in your lungs, and kept your attention on making him feel better. “Then, thank you,” glancing at her you could see that it was never her intention to think less of you.

“She's not my girlfriend, she’s just in a band with me,” he kept his eyes closed, bringing his hand lightly to your lab coat. He squeezed the cloth a little, reaching the skin around your waist. “That's how it happened, by the way. It was crazy but kinda nice. How long will it take?” He swallowed dry, making you laugh as he squeezed you a little tighter.

“Just a few more,” you muttered. “So are you in a band? What do you play? And what exactly were you doing to make this happen?”

His nose twitched into a smile, making you feel better knowing you were managing to distract him. “I'm a guitarist, I'm used to jumping in the audience while I'm playing — this time it didn't turn out so well as you can see,”

His friend babbled, looking at you and whispering a 'he's a bastard'. You nodded, playing along.

“I'll guess you guys are a rock band, huh? It doesn't seem like a very smart thing to do but I think if I could I would try too.” You took a step back, analyzing your artwork on his pale skin.

“See, Victoria? It’s a normal thing, you should try!” He spoke in a funny voice, it sounded like an inside joke between them. She rolled her eyes at him.

“Well, we're done,” you held onto his shoulders, studying him. He smiled broadly, letting his green, lazy eyes fall on yours. The pink eyeshadow looked even prettier on him when you could see his eye color. “You look good!”

“You look good too!” His attention remained on you, making the entire room goes silent around you until Victoria coughed exaggeratedly.

Your blood rushed all the way to your cheek. Thomas was something else. It had been a few seconds since his hand were on your waist and you already missed it.

“You could go to one of our gigs if you want to,” Victoria suggested.

“Yes, please. You‘ll love us!” He exclaimed and it looked like you had never sewn him.

“Promise me that if I go you won't scare me by trying to get hurt again?”

“I promise, no jumping around when you're watching me.” He held up his hand, giving you his word.

“Then, fine. I'll keep that in mind, what's the name?”

“Måneskin,” he got up. Your mind went dizzy with his height, it certainly wasn't what you expected. But not that it was a bad thing, he looked like a cute tall blond mess. “I’m Thomas. Thomas Raggi, love.” He took your arm, placing a quick kiss on your head. You held back the urge to hug his torso.

“The guitarist, I'll remember that, you'll see,” you were smiling like crazy.

“Just contact me, I’ll be glad to see you again,” he said happily, following to Victoria who was already by the door. “And you're really good at what you do, like, this whole mini medical genius thing that you are, really good.” You nodded, mumbling a simple ‘thank you’ while watching him walk awkwardly but cute to his friend. Your whole mood was radiant, you felt you could make another shift wearing that smile.

“Uh, excuse me,” you were taken out of your reveries. You put your hand over your mouth so you don't look so silly for smiling at nothing. “My bastard friend told you to contact him but he forgot to exchange numbers with you.” She added, waving a small paper in front of you. She was clearly enjoying the situation. How did you forget that you needed to have his number?

“Oh, yeah, thank you,”

“You don’t forget to call him. Don’t make me come here with him again.” She blinked as you nodded fiercely at her words. She wouldn't have to.

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tagging: @pingpongchamps @oro-e-diamanti @user0126 @its-afucking-mess @marriedwithmarktuan

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buy me a coffee! // Månelist

[ollieinoue]

Ollie made an 'ooohhhh' sound, nodding his head enthusiastically. "One of those big atlas books that have maps of the whole country in them," he says. It would be good, so no matter where they ended up they would know where they were. He felt like he was really good at reading maps! He did it all the time in video games. Never mind the fact that in video games there was usually a marker that was telling you where to go, and even then sometimes you ended up trying to figure out how to get through a wall, or across a huge body of water. He smiled a little and gave a small laugh. Maybe it was a bad idea, and Ollie really had no idea what he was doing, and they really would end up completely lost and have to transplant themselves into the middle of a completely new group of people. But hey, whatever was going on with those people where ever they were was most likely much better than what was going on here. Maybe they'd end up in a quaint little town, and have to make new lives, and they'd never have to worry about G, or any of this bullshit again. And people would think they were super mysterious because obviously they couldn't talk about their old lives (out of embarrassment over being so lost) and people would think they were criminals on the run from the law! Or maybe in witness protection. Ollie wouldn't mind that. It could be a lot of fun. Or maybe he just watched a lot of movies. "I think whatever happens it'll be a great time."

It had been a mistake to tell Monty about this games for sure, he could already tell. But Ollie thought he could probably tolerate the embarrassment of being teased about making a dating sim if Monty kept insisting that it was cute. He could admit that took the edge off a little bit. He fiddled with the small plastic coffee stirrer waiting for the sugar to dissolve into the still mostly hot liquid of his coffee. He only spared a glance towards Monty at his question, but he didn't respond. Did he have fun in High School? No. No it had been literally the worst time in his entire life, but he didn't know if he really needed to say that out loud. "My senior year wasn't actually too bad." He had started trying by then. He opened up a little bit to his parents about how terrible he was doing, and started seeing the school councilor who helped him quite a bit with so many things. He started trying to participate in school. Trying to find friends his own age. He even cleaned up a little (which was a blessing and a cruse because it had given him the false confidence that if he wanted to stop doing drugs he could whenever he wanted, which was not true). It had been a little to late for his High School career, but it had given him good momentum coming into college, and his time at Ogden - barring this year - had been a pretty good one, so he couldn't complain. It was comforting to hear that what he felt was pretty universal. He knew that everyone had regrets, and that everyone questioned things, that everyone worried that they were going to miss out on something. He'd had this conversation before with Nat, and it came to a similar conclusion. That everyone kind of felt that way. "I try not to worry about it to much. You know? Like it is what it is. Life is what you make of it. But I guess it's the whole … milestone thing. It makes you think too much sometimes." He didn't really believe in fate and being somewhere for a specific reason, you had to make your own reasons. He tried to. He reached out and squeezed Monty's knee gently in appreciation, before taking a drink from his coffee cup, letting it burn down his throat. A great way to wake up.

He nodded his head as Monty spoke about his parents. "They probably just wanted you guys out of the house," Ollie said. He was joking, but also … not really totally joking. Logically he would assume that Monty's parents had probably been fighting about money, since that was what most people fought about. But with both Sally and Monty gone now they were kind of double income, no dependents. He wouldn't be surprised if there was a lot less fighting now then their had been. Being a parent seemed so bleak to Ollie. There was just something so terrifying about playing a specific role to your child for eighteen years, and maybe even longer. It was so rare for kids to really view their parents as a whole person and he just didn't think he was suited for that kind of thing. Besides, he probably wasn't great at taking care of a whole baby who might die if he did something wrong. But there was only a very small chance of having a child in his future. "Maybe it's something one of them will suddenly talk to you about like when you're 32 and visiting and they'll just tell you some crazy bullshit about why they were fighting all the time. I feel like that's the progression. You become an adult, and suddenly you get to know way more about your family lore than you ever wanted to know," Ollie said, his mouth quirking a little bit. For better or worse. You just couldn't dump some things onto your kids. His parents never really hid money problems from him, he was pretty aware of that sort of thing. But did you know his parents also smoked pot? Crazy. He definitely never learned that until he was eighteen.

Ollie finished off his donut, sucking some icing off of his thumb and shaking his head at Monty's question. "Unless we're counting the fact that I've been in love with Keanu Reeves since I was like 7 years old? No- well, I guess it depends on what you consider serious," he added with a snort. He supposed there were some people out there that would consider being in an on and off … thing with a person for almost three years now to be fairly serious. So, if that was the case then the most serious relationship he'd ever had was with Link. Which was funny to think about. Then there were people who would consider dating someone to be serious. So maybe there were people out there that would consider his like two month long 'relationship' with Alethea to be serious which was even funnier. "I think you have probably had more serious relationships than I have. You're probably more of an expert than I am." Ollie stated, hand waving in Monty's direction. That also might be funny to think as well. "It might be surprising to hear that there is absolutely no romance, and very little intimacy involved in any of the random guys I hook up with." Actual intimacy? Actual romance? A real connection with someone? Don't be crazy. And he meant the truly random ones from apps that he'd cut himself off from - and his New Years Resolution was still indeed going strong. That had been the main reason he'd made it it, in the first place.

"I'd really like to, though," Ollie added after a moment, staring very intently at his coffee cup, because for some reason he found this difficult to say while looking directly at Monty. Something about it making his stomach a little bit queasy. "I don't know if I'd be any good at it, but I'd like to be in a serious relationship with someone. And have someone who wants to be with me, and not someone who just … wants me. If that makes sense?"

Choosing to go on a road trip sans GPS was already asking for trouble, but taking it another step further and totally unplugging for the journey? Monty had to wonder if maybe Ollie had a little bit of a death wish for the pair of them. Still, he was grinning as he thought it over, imagining all the curious, hole-in-the-wall places that they could stumble upon by taking less traveled routes, even if the risk was greater to have no idea where they were headed for a week. He couldn’t help but think that the timing was perfect, too, remembering that this was the last summer they’d have before the start of Ollie’s senior year. Who could say what he’d be busy gearing up for the next time June came around -- MIT, Monty reminded himself, dragging his thoughts sideways and back to the present as he bargained, “How about we go totally retro and get some classic paper maps to use when we try to find our way back. That could be fun, huh?” Or an even bigger waste of time, since he was fairly confident that he couldn’t read a road map without a helpful, electronic voice chiming in every 50 yards. If they wanted to get lost, then they might as well do it right. It was unsurprising to hear that Ogden felt small to Ollie, a shrug rolling through Monty’s shoulders before he ultimately shook his head. “Not really, I guess. It still feels way different than being back home.” Somehow, he got away with feeling relatively anonymous around campus, but maybe that had something to do with the number of people who still tried to call him Montgomery (and this one guy that insisted he was a Murphy). “But I wasn’t nearly as stressed to come back this year, either. I’d been looking forward to it, actually.” And look how all that turned out... Monty’s smile pulled a little crooked, nudging his friend's side at the talk of finding a new crowd to hang with. “Ah, okay, I get it. This is your big master plan with us running away this summer, right?” His eyes widened a touch, as if he was really trying to accuse Ollie of orchestrating something. “We’ll get lost, never make it back in time for next semester, and then we’ll be forced into a totally new friend group. I’m onto you.”

Monty was combing through his brain for every freaky Flash game he could remember playing -- and there were a lot. Unfortunately, it mostly amounted to a homogenized mass of nondescript motorbike jumps, blood splatters and dummies, and really questionable soundbites. No matter how much of his childhood he’d spent on Newgrounds, there was no way he would’ve guessed it until Ollie confessed. “A dating sim!” he crowed in excitement, eyes lit up and giving the other one more little shake for good measure. Did he write up scripts for froyo dates? Were his character based on anyone he’d known in real life What would a ten-year-old consider edgy? “That’s cute, dude. That’s very cute,” Monty said with a warm smile, positive that he was never going to let Ollie forget about it, squirreling away this new bit of knowledge to drop into a conversation at the most inconvenient time he could manage in the future.

His gaze was trained on Ollie’s hands as he took a testing sip of his dirty chai, remaining silent while he listened to the other, watching the methodical process of each sugar packet being dumped into his coffee. “But you had fun, though, right?” he asked after a moment, referring to his friend’s high school experience, not sounding as confident about it as he wished he could. He blinked back to Ollie’s face, eyebrows lifting a touch, and tried to imagine just how bored he’d have to have been in school to feel even remotely motivated to ditch more than once a month. He couldn’t, not really. “If it’s any consolation, I think that’s sort of how everyone feels at some point. That they should’ve done more. Or done it all differently.” It probably wasn’t exactly the same type of regret that Ollie felt, but he hoped that it was at least somewhat of a comforting reminder. “I mean, I get stuck with that feeling sometimes, too, and I don’t even have any special skills,” he continued on, a teasing twist to his smile before he was shrugging. “Like, I’ll think back on some opportunities and be like, ‘damn, I should’ve gone for it’ or even ‘I wish I hadn’t ever bothered,’ but then, either way, it’s like I’m thinking of some imaginary alternative. Whatever didn’t happen, but maybe could’ve... Damned if you do, damned if don’t, I dunno.” Ollie could’ve done better in school, applied himself more, and maybe he would’ve jumped ahead several grades. Maybe he would’ve already graduated college or never attended Ogden in the first place. If Monty really believed in the butterfly effect, he might’ve gone as far as suggesting that if anything were different, maybe neither of them would be here at all right now. It was too depressing to mention, though, the thought leaving a nasty taste at the back of his throat that he quickly washed down with another drink.

He nearly groaned as he was admonished for all but fingering the pastry, the annoyed noise that escaped Monty coming out in a nasally tone before he sighed and reached for the donut he’d attempted to abandon. Just to prove a nonexistent point, he took a massive, too-big bite out of it, the fruity center squishing out in the least attractive way possible. He hummed, beginning a weird nodding-headshake hybrid that mostly just made him a little dizzy while his mouth was full. “Yep,” he got out, pausing long enough to swallow. “That’s what I used to think, yeah. But then, like, I hit eighteen and there was no divorce. I graduated, no divorce. I went off to college... no divorce.” He shook his head, unsuccessfully wiping filling from the corners of his mouth, leaving a berry red smear across his chin. At this point in his life, Monty was convinced that the root of most problems was the fact that people didn’t talk to each other, and in his family? No one ever said a word. They had plenty of photo albums to prove that his parents were married, but he never heard about their wedding day. He’d watched the home videos, but he had no idea why they settled down in South Dakota. He wasn’t sure how his parents first met, either. His family only spoke in the present -- never about the past and certainly not about the future. “I guess it doesn’t matter,” he dismissed after a beat, ignoring the fact that no matter which way he looked at it, it made him sort of sad.

Any threat of becoming a downer was quickly squashed when Monty snorted, “Can you really blame them, dude? What Richie Rich type would wanna deal with the trouble we stir up all year long?” Ogden was clearly a town meant for summering, not living indefinitely. All the billionaires who fled back to their penthouses every August were probably very glad to miss out on the missing Golden Girl saga. Not like financially -- “So, does that mean you’re not wanting to find a pay pig in the future?” he interjected swiftly with a teasing grin, scoffing out an amused chuckle while letting Ollie continue, listening astutely. His head bobbed slowly, finishing off his donut in a few more bites. Ollie painted a nice picture, made it sound good and so simple to achieve. Balance was attractive, after all. “Have you ever been serious with someone before?” he asked, an uncertain head tilt turning his gaze in the other’s direction, not at all meaning it as a judgement, and hoping his tone reflected that as well. Monty didn’t think he had, but maybe, he didn’t know. After the surprise of finding out that he and Alethea had legitimately dated at one point, it seemed like almost anything was possible. He was slowly realizing more and more how much felt unknown about Ollie. It was like he could chop up his past into a million smaller, digestible bits and still find that he’d lived half a dozen lives.