#I don't wanna hear no neg today

[somanywips]

OHBHH MY BABY HE'S GOING TO XHANGE THE WHOLE WORLD AND HE'S DOING SO MUCH GOOD AND HE'S WORKING TOWARDS A MORE UNITED AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY OHHWHHHH

[penkura]

Hi! I'm currently on my traffy brain rot-

May I request a law x Reader but reader has a tendency of always wearing headphones and/or play music on full blast because she can't stand silence too much. I mean I can't stand silence because you don't know what's in a specific space and silence just means something negative in me lmao.

Also, I listen to music mostly because I feel/express emotions more freely than without music because I find emotions hard to feel/express. It's alright if you don't add this to reader but I hope this helps somewhat explaining their love for blasting music.

Hello!! Traffy brain rot is SO REAL GOSH. It just comes randomly and sticks for months at a time good lord.

I also have headphones on most of the time, it's how I focus and sometimes is the only way I can get any work done, I hate the silence, there's always something on my TV or in my ears.

I hope you enjoy!!

Law knows when you’ve taken over his office, it’s the only time there’s ever music blasting from a radio snail or whatever little device it was you picked up on an island before. He doesn’t mind it per say, only because you have decent music tastes and it’s normally something he can tolerate, he doesn’t mind those moments when you’re both in there. He’ll usually be reviewing charts or the supplies list before your next docking, while you’d be writing up reports he’s asked for, it’s always comfortable even with music blaring as you work.

This time, your music isn’t playing out loud, you’ve got your headphones on and it makes Law wonder if something might be wrong today. You only really have your headphones on if you need to be left completely alone, even then you don’t take over his office but stay in your room or the common area, not wanting to feel like a bother towards your captain/boyfriend. He’d never call you a bother, Law loved you too much to ever think that. He doesn’t mind when you take over his office or bedroom honestly, anything for you to feel safe and comfortable, he’s willing to allow.

It only really becomes a problem when you don’t hear him speaking to you. A few times you’ve left your headphones on during crew meetings and he’s had to stop and make sure you’re listening, making you hand them over until he was done. At least it meant you weren’t in silence, not with your crewmates talking to and whispering with you. Your headphones aren’t on all the time, only when it’s too quiet, and you can’t stand the silence anymore.

And then, the other time it’s a slight problem, is when he needs to check in with you on your reports or anything else, and you don’t hear him.

“Hey, hey.��� You jump when Law taps your shoulder, surprising him when you turn your head quickly, wide eyed when you know he’s done this before to get your attention. Taking your headphones off, you ask him what he needs and he points at the report on your desk. “Have you finished that yet?”

“Oh, shaking your head, you turn back to it and slip your headphones back on, “Almost, just a few more minutes, okay?”

Nodding, Law almost leaves you alone to finish, before putting his hand on yours, making you stop your music again as you give him a questioning look.

“What are you listening to?”

“Mm, it’s Uta’s new song. It’s really catchy, you wanna hear it?”

“No, I’m fine,” you shrug and go back to work, while Law puts an arm around your shoulders and kisses the top of your head, “Just making sure you are too.”

[queenie-official]

✨🐚 Sandy Love 🐚✨

main masterlist word count: 2171

pairing: modern!Anakin skywalker x reader

summary: beach day with Anakin 🏖️

a/n: everyone say thank you @everydaydreamer for getting me to come back and write again 🤭 added a extra scene at the end just for you pookie ☺️

“why are we doing this?" you heard Anakin question from somewhere behind you as you dug around the bag in front of you, mentally adding items to your list of things to bring. sunscreen, extra water bottles, and your sunglasses.

you smile, turning on your heels as you respond "Because it's gonna be fun." he has his arms crossed, a frown adorning his face. to an outsider he probably looked furious but you knew better, you could see the soft look in his eyes despite the forced furrow in his brow.

"We both hate sand" he grumbles and you huff continuing with your task to distract yourself from the fact he's completely right.

placing the final items in your bag you defend your plan "yea but I always liked building sandcastles." you're about to grab the handles of the beach bag but Anakin quickly swoops in.

"We could do that here with kinetic sand- which by the way is way softer than actual sand" he retorts not even close to being convinced by you.

you glare at him, reaching forward to grab the bag back but he holds it out of your reach. "we don't have access to unlimited sea shells at home" you state whilst fighting him for the bag- or well attempting to. the height difference you two have proving to be a disadvantage on your end.

"we have access to literally unlimited everything else" he says with a roll of his eyes holding you back with one hand, pathetic really. you know how strong he is compared to you but it never really clicks until moments like this.

"What about the ocean?" you argue maneuvering under his arm quickly throwing him off guard and just as you're about to grab the bag he tosses it back onto the bed.

"you can't swim" he says plainly grabbing your arms and pulling you into his chest, trapping you in a hug before you can go after the bag.

"I can float!" you shout frustratedly, squirming in his hold to try and get him to release you which only makes him hold you tighter. you groan slumping against his chest in defeat.

"you can do that in a pool" he says with a smug smile thinking he's won, but as soon as he loosens his hold you break free. rushing over to the bed and grabbing the beach bag triumphantly.

"come on it's gonna be great, you've already got your swim trunks on" you give him a smug smile of your own.

Anakin had agreed to go with you before even processing what you'd asked, always ready to go anywhere you wanted to. today was the day that backfired on him because as soon as he got dressed and saw you packing a bag as he exited the bathroom, reality caught up with him. the fact of the matter was you'd ask to go to the beach not hang in his pool.

"i can't believe i even agreed to this" he groaned dramatically while running his hands down his face.

you frown growing tired of his negative attitude "you know if you're gonna keep complaining i can just call Padme and go with her."

Anakin lights up at that idea, smiling brightly as he plops down onto the bed putting his arms behind his head "that's a great idea, glad we've come to a compromise."

your jaw drops slightly your brain kicking into hyperdrive "what! no i was-" you cut yourself off taking a breath. "i wanna go with you Ani not Padme" you say sincerely, pouting as you look down at where he now lays.

there's a brief silence as you stare at each other and his smile falls caving with a sigh that makes yours grow "Oh alright, it's a good thing you're cute."

"Yes!!" you jump causing the beach bag to slightly tug on your shoulder from the action, but you continue your victory celebration "To the beach!" you sing while happily dancing your way out of the room.

"you're so weird" Anakin snorts just loud enough for you to hear before you're fully out.

"is it everything you wanted?" Anakin asks as soon as you both step foot onto the sandy beach, the grainy sand immediately making home in your sandals as you walk.

you can't help but grimace making your sunglasses move up with the scrunch of your nose. the feeling was almost immediately too much as you involuntarily replied "and worse" under your breath.

Anakin cranes his neck slightly, his face now directly in front of yours with a quirked brow "what was that?" he asks with his own sunglasses sliding slightly down his nose. at first you thought he'd heard you and was just being a smart ass like usual, but the lack of a smug smile on his face and the wind blowing in your ears mixed with the seagulls squawking reassured you that was not the case.

biting your tongue and putting on your best smile you answer "i said it's better, the sand isn't even that bad." you dig your feet into the sand a little more and gesture down for him to see to emphasize your point. "how about for you?"

Anakin rolls his eyes not buying your facade but he doesn't poke back. "i want to be anywhere else but here" he retorts lifting his leg up slightly, and shaking his foot to clear his sandals of the sand with a look of pure disgust on his face. "so yea id say the same as always for me" he pushes his sunglasses up his face with a sigh.

"oh come on it's not that bad" you say unsure whether or not you were trying more to convince him or yourself.

"mmm, debatable- we're just building the sandcastle and leaving right?" he asks with a sigh as he starts to walk further into the beach. he looks briefly behind himself to see you with your feet planted in the same spot. in all honesty, you were contemplating turning right around and marching back to the parked car but that would mean admitting he was right.

Anakin stuck his hand out shaking it a little, silently calling you over to take hold. the action made you genuinely smile as you jogged right on up to him- briefly able to ignore the horrible feeling of sand squishing between your toes. "yea just the sandcastle" you say while lacing your fingers with his.

it hadn't even been an hour yet since you had arrived but gods did it feel like it.

you'd spent the first fifteen minutes just gathering seashells to decorate your sandcastle with, which was fine up until you had to sit down to build it.

now here you both were with sand quite literally everywhere.

Anakin had stopped helping you the second he sat down, his mood souring again almost instantly. you couldn't even blame him. if you weren't trying to prove him wrong that would have been your final straw as well, instead you persevered.

you were just about finished when Anakin let out his fifth disgruntled sigh within the last five minutes "are you done yet?"

"will you stop being so negative" you huff, placing another shell around the base of your top tower. he all but groans, running his hands through his hair only to instantly regret his actions when he can feel every grain of sand on his scalp.

"maybe, if there wasn't sand in places where sand shouldn't be i-" he started, speaking through gritted teeth before you cut him off. placing your final shell on the very top as the finishing touch.

"okay i get it, let's just wash off in the ocean really quick, then we can leave" you stand up, wiping your hands clean with an annoyed look on your face. as always Anakin notices immediately despite the fact you refused to meet his eyes, opting to look at the rise and fall of the tides.

"well now i don't want to" he sighs, standing up and brushing himself off as well. you look over at him with your brow raised in confusion. you didn't even say anything before he answered your unspoken question, "you're gonna be all mopey."

"no im not" you say with a roll of your eyes, crossing your arms in denial but the pout on your lips contradicts your words.

"you're already doing it right now" he points out as you slump forward letting your arms fall to your sides. you wanted to leave as much as he did, however the reality of the fact you'd just wasted so much time in a place neither of you enjoyed just happened to settle in at that moment.

"i wanted this to be more fun" you say sincerely and Anakin can't help but soften. he pulls you into his arms rubbing your back in gentle circles, this usually soothed you but currently all you could focus on was the layer of sand that stood between your skin and where his hand was.

you cringe, shrugging his hands off causing him to frown. overstimulation was starting to settle in, which was clear from the look on your face. "you're hating this as much as i am aren't you?" he asked with a knowing smile.

"from the second we stepped foot on the beach and i felt the sand go between my toes" you cave just ready to leave.

"i knew it!" he shouts, throwing his arms up in victory.

you playfully shove him "yea yeah you were right." he places his hand over his chest in mock offense making you giggle. he drops the act with another smile, leaning over and pressing a kiss right to your cheek.

"i have an idea on how to turn this day around." he says while walking towards the ocean so you both can wash off as much sand as you can.

"how are you feeling?" he asks before taking a sip of a cold cola, leaning back where he is sat and adjusting his sunglasses.

"like we should have just done this from the beginning" you confess, turning your head so your view was no longer constricted from the flamingo pool floaty you were sitting in.

you can see the smug smile on his face as he places the can of soda down, pushing his sunglasses onto the top of his head before swimming over to you. "don't say it" you mumble.

"i didn't say anything" he defends himself, holding onto the side of your floaty.

"you were about to" you point an accusing finger at him and he gently smacks your hand away.

"but i didn't" he counters, moving back slightly before you can push him away.

as if that would stop you, moving your arm back you straighten your hand out and push forward splashing him with a bunch of water.

Anakin doesn't back down, moving back towards you while ignoring the fact his sunglasses fell off and were now sinking to the bottom of his pool. he shakes the water out of his hair all over you.

you both laugh, moods much brighter than before. "this is nice" you smile and Anakin smiles back, resting his head on your floaty right next to your thigh.

there's a comfortable silence before Anakin lets out an annoyed groan. "god there's so much sand in my car."

you can’t help but give him a awkward pity smile "sorry."

(bonus scene)

pushing up from the bottom of the pool and emerging from the water right next to where Anakin is wading comfortably, you smile at him whilst clinging to the wall of the pool. "Ani, wanna play mermaids?"

his brows knit together in confusion unsure if he heard you right "what?"

"do you wanna play mermaids?" you ask again, watching his face contort as he practically winces.

"why would i want to do that?" he says with a shudder. sometimes you can't even tell who's more dramatic than the other, but currently Anakin is taking the cake.

"because it's fun and we haven't played it since we were little" you plead, putting on your best puppy-dog eyes.

"with good reason and you can't even swim, what kind of mermaid can't swim" he quips.

"i can swim underwater! and mermaids don't need air to breathe so it works out" you shout your defense, you'd splash him with water but you would have to let go of the pool wall for that and you were way too far in the deep end for that.

"you're going to have to come up for air at some point-" he begins to clap back but you cut him off tired of fighting.

"okay i'm not gonna argue logistics with you, so do you wanna play mermaids with me or not" you grumble, but immediately brighten up when he lets out a defeated sigh.

"only if i get water manipulation powers" he states before you guys begin.

"deal.”

🌝umm hi guys, been awhile fr- be honest did yall think i died 😭? anyway i thought it made sense to work on my summer drafts i made last year now that it’s summer again ✨ so there will be more of these i promise 🙏 swear i won’t disappear for like a year again, this time it’s just a week because i’m going on vacation 💃

love you all 💋💋 and let me know what you think! i’ve missed reading your comments 😌

[felassan]

Thoughts on the IGN DA:TV 22 min gameplay - Crossroads portion

this post is under a cut due to what some peeps may consider spoilers, and length.

[Lighthouse portion link]

I began writing this post today before the progression video released, I wanna clear out the draft. don't look at me HH.

Coming into the Crossroads, again I'm curious to know if elf lineage Rooks will perceive it differently than the other Rooks, as in DA:I.

Left: The Lighthouse eluvian leads out to Solas' pocket area of the Crossroads. The area around the eluvian is called Beacon Island. It makes sense; lighthouses in the mundane world are often on islands, and they are beacons. in the Fade, the island floats in the 'air', and the Fade is often referred to with watery language & symbolism. Center: I've decided that I think these golden posts are the 'change party' points. You see them at multiple points throughout the video. The icon has three helmets (and parties are Rook+2). I feel like if we click on this it will take you to the party selection screen. Also, the gold-and-cyan coloring of the post reminds me of the color scheme of the lyrium dagger. We know that Rook can use the dagger to channel companions' special abilities in their absence. it makes sense that the [essentially] 'summon party member themselves button' is themed in the same way. Right x2: These blue lamps are all over Beacon Island. I wondered if they were also part of what gave Beacon Island its name (lamp - light - beacon), but then I remembered that we have also seen these elsewhere, like in this screenshot. what if that scene and the final battle (or whenever this key event takes place) isn't actually set in the Black City like we thought? what if that's the ruins of Beacon Island and the Lighthouse, under attack from the gods and their darkspawn army? if they can assault the Crossroads, why not the Lighthouse? Corypheus attacks your base at two key points in DA:I. what trips me up a bit is in the background of the dragon shot are the Evanuris head-shape statues like a Fade reflection of the Arlathan Forest ritual site, not this island. but the Fade is a changeable realm and the 'landscape' of Skyhold also changes when Corypheus attacks due to his influence. they could just like, appear.

The ancient elven tree asset from DA:I. It has an icon on the mini-map, so it's either a landmark or has some sort of interactable function. Among the branches it glows with magical energy, as a device it's active. What's it for? A power source? A defense thing? I could see an argument for it basically being a magical defense turret. At the base are two frozen figures, reminding of Solas' Trespasser power to petrify people. I feel like on one of them at least I can see a pointed elven ear. Were these people attacking the base (and are left there as a warning), or were they fleeing? Did the device freeze them? Or a person?

Left: big dog 👍 Center top: DA:I Falon'Din owl statue asset on Beacon Island, to the right as you exit the Lighthouse eluvian. There are at least two of these. Owls are also associated with Andruil. Center bottom: This is a tile thing on the ground that Rook walks over on Beacon Island. I turned it upside down here because I think if you flip it and squint it kind of looks like the shape of a wolf's head. Right: There are multiple points from which to take the Caretaker's transport boat. I'm so curious about how big and extensive the Crossroads are.

At this point Rook has some very interesting dialogue concerning the lyrium dagger.

Rook: "Wait. The lyrium dagger's... vibrating. Like a song in a wine glass. Are those voices?"

Why is it vibrating, what does it sense? this trope (not using the term in a negative way) is usually like 'it senses something bad coming' or 'it's near something that calls to it'. The song part reminded me of the red lyrium idol, as described in Tevinter Nights. some people who go near it in one of the short stories hear music in the wind, like a old song they used to know as kids. the song later stops when they stash the idol in a special chest. blue lyrium itself is said to sing, or be described in that kind of imagery. for example, dwarven miners who find it in rock by ear claim they can hear the Stone singing, and Justice says that lyrium doesn't sing in the Fade. In Asunder Rhys hears a song when someone gets a lyrium potion. etc

"Wine glass" also interested me :) Wine is a liquid and the Fade is frequently described in watery imagery. and back to the red lyrium idol for a second, the narrator in TN tells us "When I hefted it in my hand, it was like it wanted to keep moving, like it was liquid inside." Same with the voices. When Bartrand had possession of the idol, he began hearing voices. when the camera pans over the idol in the 2018 DA4 teaser trailer, there is audio that arguably sounds like ominous whispering. I'm not sure if I think the blue lyrium knife has anything to do with the red lyrium idol or if it's simply a case of lyrium things in general have singing, voices etc, but it's what came to mind. If there are two daggers, one red and one blue, like we saw in the DA:TV bonus card pack.. well, a ritual-blade sprang from the base of the red lyrium idol in TN. what if the blue lyrium dagger is from the base of a blue lyrium idol, or if it's the one from the red lyrium idol only Solas was somehow able to cleanse it?

There are some familiar assets and repeating assets in this area, some of differing sizes, like griffon statues, Warden statues etc. this makes sense as the Crossroads reflects the waking world. :)

The Caretaker from the side with their glowing blue oar. their 'body' is like the redesigned spirits/demons as being of emotion, with veins like this giving the impression of a nervous system.

Our hero is confronted by a Pride demon, imposing and armored as in previous games, yet accented by exposed, bright lines that seem to burst from its ribcage. “They are a creature of raw negative emotion,” Busche says. “So we wanted to actually incorporate that into their visual design with this glowing nervous system.” -- Edge magazine article on DA:TV -- “demons in general got a bit of a revamp to more closely align their look you. see it with shades and the pride demon as well. they’re creatures of emotion so they have a spectral nervous system look” [source].

The Caretaker piloting the boat like this is giving Charon the ferryman from Greek mythology.

In the post on the Lighthouse area, I wrote about the top center image here,

this symbol was on the minimap, in front of the Fen'Harel statue. I think it’s this one (left), which we saw in the high-level warrior combat gameplay video. it’s some sort of collectable in the sort of way that gold/coin is. I guess this is where we go to use or spend this thing perhaps, whatever they are? maybe it’s for Lighthouse upgrades? maybe it’s what we spend at or trade to the mysterious “enchanter” who helps us with crafting at the Lighthouse?

When I saw the Caretaker's helmet-shape from the front when Rook took ship, I realized that it reminded me of the symbol on the minimap in the Courtyard and the symbol for that collectable/resource.

When the dev commentary then called the Caretaker a "mysterious spirit" I thought this might be the mysterious "enchanter who helps us with crafting at the Lighthouse", and wondered if the Courtyard helmet symbol on the map near the blue fire in front of the Fen'Harel statue would be where we could summon 'shop version' of them to do that. (remember this post was in the middle of being written out today when a new video dropped hh). we learned today that they have their Workshop there and you spend Mementos (represented by the helmet shape near gold coins) at it. :)

The prow of the ship looks like a carved mabari head and the ship reminds me of a DA:I asset.

When the boat 'lands', this new area of the Crossroads is called the Heights of Athim. This caught my eye because isn't there a mysterious elf introduced in The Wigmaker Job called Athima? Lucanis takes Illario on a shortcut on their way to work. They go through an archway to a courtyard where a statue of a vhenadahl stands. Lucanis touches a groove that opens a secret passage in the statue. They go in and down a winding set of stairs. Torches of green Veilfire are nailed to the walls. At the bottom an elf in a scarlet coat called Athima guards a big door. They tell her they want to go up, she claps her hands together, the Veilfire goes out, the room spins. The Veilfire comes back on and when she opens the door it takes them to a different spiral staircase. Illario asks Lucanis wtf that was and he tells him it was a perk given by their mysterious benefactor. What was this? :D idk, doesn't it sound a bit pocket dimension, Crossroady? Veilfire? And here are "Heights of Athim".

When Harding says "Neve! She always gets the job done", it reminded me of the previous info that Harding and Neve have wholesome interactions, and the descriptors of Neve as capable, competent etc. it's nice to see them supporting one another :)

In this video we have our first proper look at mage gameplay. :D

This moment was so randomly cute because it looks like Rook has protectively put their arm around Harding's shoulders while telling off the darkspawn like DON'T TALK TO ME OR MY SON EVER AGAIN hhh.

At this point there's a gold chest off to one side. I liked hearing examples of combat barks, comments and banter. Neve explains a bit about how templars work in Tevinter to southern Harding. Their banter here is as follows:

Harding: Do templars really not have authority over mages in Tevinter? What happens if there’s blood magic? What do they do? Neve: Depends on the templar. Depends on who’s bought their loyalty Harding: What do you do when the authorities can’t be trusted to do the right thing? Neve: That’s how I keep busy.

This reminded me soo much of a promotional video for DA4 once upon a time where the devs said that "We want to tell a story of what happens when you don't have power; when the people in charge aren't willing to address the issues" ! Here Neve is saying, when that happens, that's where people like us can and should step in. :)

Rook then goes to a new area called "Mountainside Eluvians". the name of the area implies to me that there are other batches of eluvians grouped together in different locations elsewhere in the Crossroads which would have different names, not simply these 4.

The map here tells us that in the Mountainside alone, there are four different eluvians. The one lit up with the blue quest marker goes to Hossberg Wetlands. Dev commentary here says,

“You’ll see as we move towards these eluvians the architecture very clearly reflects what’s on the other side.”

The one on the right is flanked by griffon statues. The eluvian is shattered! This video was set after the storybeat of the siege of Weisshaupt. Maybe this was the eluvian that went to Weisshaupt fortress? now that Weisshaupt has fallen, we cannot go back there, and the fate of the place is reflected in the broken mirror. :( in fact, this eluvian no longer even has a quest marker for it. it's unusable. (see yellow dot annotated on minimap where I think its marker used to be).

This one next to it is also flanked with griffons and has these giant rings on sticks. maybe this one leads to this location from the release date reveal trailer (which seems Anderfelsy to me)?

For the eluvian to the left of the Hossberg Wetlands one, like I said here, based on the dwarf statue and the way Kal-Sharok was highlighted on that new map, I wonder if that one goes to Kal-Sharok. (pls pls :D) Lastly, for the one to the left of that, it's hard to tell as the camera doesn't really pan round to it.

General thoughts/speculation on commentary & such:

The Crossroads is such a fun method of 'explaining' fast-traveling.

To think that we would get to explore Solas’ former base of operations and training grounds during the ancient days of the rebellion, view fragments of the past to get insight into his character, ancient Elvhenan and the gods and their motivations.. to actually get to re-live his memories, to take part in the ancient rebellion.. [Flemeth voice] and she came to me. A wisp of an ancient being. And she granted all I ever wanted and more.

It's like a dream come true!! It's peoples' decade-old headcanons, it's our fanfic dreams. I can't wait to see Elvhenan as it was. I hope we get insight into and see Elgar and Ghil before they became Blighted. I hope we get to see some of the other Evanuris too, and Mythal in her fullness before she was murdered. Mythal and Solas interacting. Young Solas, when he was prideful, hot-headed and foolish. his friend Felassan, who is also an ancient elf (it's the perfect opportunity, it makes so much sense). the moment when Solas created the Veil. the betrayal he suffered that he alludes to. Solas removing vallaslin of people who came to his side to join him. Solas with hair, like Matt Rhodes implied during the first dev Q&A? Solas creating a safe haven for freed elves and spirits. maybe even the Forgotten Ones?? and find out how they fit into it all? maybe they were Solas' "party members" in the time of his rebellion? things that we have only seen in mosaics and murals or read about in notes or heard about indirectly in oblique dialogue lines.. ON OUR SCREENS IN A GAME, TO PLAY. OUUGUGHHH. thank you devs

I'm also really curious about the Caretaker. "mysterious" implies that we can learn more about what/who they are. them being there before Solas was tells you how extremely ancient they are. rebuilding the area into a safe haven for spirits sounds so cool too. :)

The Risen Gods having an army of augmented darkspawn.. we in danger. :)

I wanna find every single deep Crossroads secret. :D

On Ghilan'nain's experiments, use of the Blight, etc: some old posts. it's so metal to see Horror of Hormak paying off ingame. :D

[Lighthouse portion link]

[spidybaby]

Okok but hear me out, it's okay if you don't wanna do it, I just keep thinking of this scenario😭 Reader helping Pedri shave even if she loves his beard and now that he's injured, he's growing it and one day she notices and it's like "Ok, let's do some shaving" and he's like "No, you like it and I'm not playing, the beard is staying"

"I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan." You sing using the hair brush as a microphone. "Welcome to the land of fame excess"

"Woah" Pedri shouts as he walks into the bathroom. "Am I gonna fit in?"

He was helping you with your routine

You both laugh but continue with the singing, changing to a Quevedo song.

"Dale caele uh uh uhhhh," you point at him, he blush at the thought of the World Cup and the video of him singing this song. "Dance with me."

You play a bachata song, grabbing his hands and pulling him to be closer. One hand on your waist and the other intertwine with yours.

"Te diría que volvieras pero eso no se pide." He sings while moving his hips at the rhythm of the song.

You dance in the middle of the bathroom. Laughing and enjoying each others company, something you loved about him. Every moment was like the first time.

"Okay, let's finish here so we can see that movie you like." He kisses your cheek, breathing your smell.

"Can I help with your skin care?"

"Only if we match headbands."

You laugh, nodding your head. You open the drawer where you have some hair bands, clippers, bobbypins.

You grab two blue headbands, the same ones you got with the purpose of him using it while leaning how to do his skincare.

"Okay, come here." You place the headband on his head, making sure to place it right so his now dry hair doesn't get wet again. "Pepi, not to be a hater, you know I love your beard, but I think you need to shave."

You squish his cheeks, kissing his now ducky lips.

"Oh please, mom says it looks good." He pouts, bringing his hands to his face. "Plus, I'm not playing, so it's not like I have to forcefully shave it."

"And it does look good, you look amazing."

He notices how you want to say something else but you stopped.

"But?"

"But you're letting it grow a little too much."

He turns to the mirror, hands patting his cheeks, trying to make it less crazy.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, mi amor." You massage his shoulders, kissing the nape of his neck. "You know you look amazing with every look you pull."

But he's not convinced. Now that you mention he did, in fact, let it grow a little more than usual.

"Pedro?" You ask after he stared at himself for a good five minutes. "Sorry if I made you feel bad, I didn't mean that."

But it wasn't about that. It was about him maybe being to attach to this look. It makes him look older, and to him, that's good.

Being in a job where most of your workmates are older or with stronger looks makes him feel some type of way. Being young is good, but not when the ultras decide to comment on how of a kid he resemble.

"Do me a favor."

"Yes, whatever you need."

"Come here." He opened his arms to you, embracing you and making you turn to the counter of the double sink.

He kisses your head, getting out of the hug but not letting you go. His hands on your hips, lifting you carefully, making you take a seat on the counter.

"You, preciosa." He taps your nose. "Are going to be my barber today."

He prepares everything, taking a new razor, some shaving cream, and his after shave lotion.

You watch him move around the bathroom. Still feeling a little bad about the comment, not thinking it will make him feel some type of negative way.

"You didn't do anything wrong, stop with those puppy eyes, amor." He says, placing the things next to you.

"You really don't have to. I love your beard so much."

"A new look never fails, plus this baby will grow back in a few days, so don't worry." He leans over to kiss you. "Now, grab some shaving cream and apply it to my face."

You let him guide you through it, carefully smearing the cream on him. Laughing at him, looking weird.

"Pedro." You laugh, he kissed you and left some cream on you face. "Stop it, let's be serious."

"Okay, now pay attention." He says, tapping the back of the razor on your head. "Don't press it too hard, like when you shave. And don't worry about timing, we have all night."

You nod, nervous about the job. He wet the blades and handed you the razor. You think where to start and decide that you're using the same logic that you use when saving.

So you begin with his left cheek. Hand shaking a little, and tongue out in concentration.

"Ouch." He screams, backing off and turning his back to you.

"Joder. Pedro, I'm so sorry." You were panicking, thinking you were being gentle.

He turns back to you, laughing. You grab the hand towel you have on your lap and throw it at him.

"Not funny." You pout.

"You should have seen your face." He laughs, forehead sticked to yours. "Such an easy target."

"Quit it." You warn him with a smile. You push him by the shoulders. Opening the water and wetting the blade again.

After some time and some light jokes, you finished the job. You turned on your seat to the mirror, where he was retouching some areas you were scared of doing.

You helped him with taking every extra of cream. Adding some after shave lotion, carefully patting his skin to finish with the job.

"God, you look so fresh and handsome."

"I'll give you two days before you start asking me to let it grow."

You laugh, splashing some water from your wet hands onto his face. "I love every look."

"Thanks for the help, missis Barber." He jokes, arms around you, chin on top of your head.

"Same time next week?"

"Yeah, fuck no." He says, making you both laugh.

♡♡♡

🏷: Miss @gadriezmannsgirl 💕🤭

[angelicbeaut]

Manifesting An Ex Back (Success Story + Advice! Long Post!)

Recently, I have been trying to apply the law and really distance myself from social media and loa accounts. For me personally, it is a lot of information at once and can be quite overwhelming, although I still enjoy reposting content I find to be helpful to my fellow manifestors. It has done wonders for me to allow myself to watch the law work, and today, I would like to share with you some things that helped me achieve one of my latest achievements, manifesting my ex back after 1 year of no contact. I hope this can help others to continue to be motivated. If you are interested, please read onward!

So, let's start by laying out the guidelines of how I view manifesting:

1. time does not matter. It has no control over if you can manifest anything, and in my head, it does not exist. I simply am unaffected by it, I know that I will have what I want regardless.

2. You are manifesting self. You are not going to get something, this is not a grocery shopping trip to purchase something. You got all the ingredients that you need at home, right in your beautiful mind. Do you have self? Then you have everything you need. Now, take it a step further, are you the "self" that has your ex partner back in your life, or the "self" that doesn't?

3. Everything is you pushed out / There is NO separation. Everything you believe is pushed out into your reality. Do you believe your ex hates you? Then they hate you. Booyah! Do you believe your ex loves you? Then they love you. There is no separation between you and them, there is no separation between you and any of your desires. All you must do is match your thoughts to that desire, and you will have what you want.

4. Persistence is Key. I remember when I first started my journey here, and I hated hearing this. It was like nails on a chalkboard. How long do I have to persist? Why? For what? This is why I will continue to stress that time does not exist, if you hyperfocus on the time passing on this planet, you will never get it. Because your focus is on time, not on your desire. Know that it is done, and it will be.

5. How it happens is none of your business. Read that again. You should not be focused on how am I gonna get to, what am I gonna do, how's it gonna happen. Who cares, quite frankly. Do you want your desire or not? Then want the desire, stop wanting for the in-between, it will happen in means you cannot even imagine. I promise you. It will be so out of the blue you won't even see it coming (more on that later).

6. Dominant thoughts manifest / robotic affirming. I used to believe this was bull, I'll be real. I won't sit here and act like I've always been a robotic affirming girly. However, it's sort of like vaunting but it's just one phrase. Changing your mindset can change your life. It starts by changing your dominant thoughts about your desire, or even about manifesting itself. The easiest way for me has been any time I get a negative thought, I turn on a 20 minute timer and I think or say my desire. It's like disciple. Whenever your teacher saw you disrupting class and they had you continuously write the same thing on the board, that was affirming. We were just too young to realize. Of course it sucks, but it taught us that we didn't want to end up in that position again. I robotically affirm because I don't wanna end up in a reality where I don't have what I want, it teaches me to keep my thoughts on my desire. It also dulls out the negative thoughts from rising, such as the continuous writing on the board dulls the child's want to continue the bad behavior.

My ex and I had officially stopped talking in Auguest of 2023. It was abrupt and feuled by arguments. We were both fed up with our own lives and we could no longer take care of each other. We ended on bad terms and I was in full belief he would never speak to me again and I wouldn't speak to him. I believed he hated me for a good while. But, in manifesting we have have to understand that nothing, and I mean NOTHING is set in stone. All we have is present and even that is ever changing. A simple change in perspective can open millions of possibilities.

Now, On to the Success Story Darling.

The first thing I did was process my anger. I hated him. The version of him that I was manifesting sucked, and I gave myself full right to feel that. You have the right to be angry and frustrated, emotions flow, so let them. Do not hold them, or you hold your state of being and solidify your reality for yourself. You are in complete control of everything, so process what you got going on before you do ANYTHING.

Second, I need you to have a funeral. I need you to kill the version of them that you created. Metaphorically, anyway. Let them pass away, forgive them, let them die from your reality. As a very emotional person who often feels like my emotions are very big and overwhelm me, I now use them to my benefit. I was crying like he had really gone away. Then I decided that a new him, the version of him that had learned from his mistakes, that had taken time to work on himself, the one that loves me, rose in his place.

I decided that I was open to meeting this new him, that I would meet him. That my experience would be completely different, that I would be refreshed. Every time I thought of him or had doubts, I would robotically affirm or sometimes even just tell myself, it is done. My main focus outside of this was changing myself, I changed what my definition of love was, I changed the way I loved myself, I changed the way I thought about myself, I continued to live my life. There is nothing to do, just be.

Before I knew it, Christmas was passing, and so was his birthday, it was the new year and then it was college graduation, and then it was summer. So much time had passed and I wasn't even thinking about it anymore. Of course the sneaking doubts would come but I would know it was done. If I didn't, I would say it was until I felt satisfied in my knowing.

Now, Let's get into how this started showing up in my reality and the final success. :)

1. Hearing his favorite songs/or songs we used to listen to

2. Discovering old music I listened to when I was with him. Like it would randomly show up in my playlist.

3. Dreams. Oh my god he was in my dreams, I was waking up like what is going on.

Remember that these are not your desire, they are manifestations of your ever-solidifying belief (imo) Do not accept it as the end until you get what you want.

The Success

Yesterday afternoon, I was scrolling on my phone, I wasn't thinking of anything really I was just enjoying making lists on Amazon (it's my thing, it's an addiction), and I saw a notification on cash app. I was thinking, oh did my mom send me money? Period! TELL ME WHY I OPEN MY PHONE TO SEE IT IS MY EX SAYING HE NEEDS TO REACH ME. I sat in a feeling of a full circle moment, and at that moment it all clicked. I had persisted. At this point I believed he was coming back and he did. Neither of us have much social media, I had changed my number, I had blocked him on most apps and so did he. I DID NOT EXPECT IT, I DID NOT KNOW THE MEANS AND YET IT HAPPENED. I send him my number and before I know it we are on the phone, he is repeating everything I said to myself, everything I wanted to hear. Even if I could not see the movement, it was always there.

He told me he had never stopped thinking about me, that he had cleaned himself up mentally and had started practicing meditation (again, didn't see that coming, he was not the type) and that he was sorry for everything. He said I was on his mind 24/7, the entire time I was affirming (no separation) he was feeling and thinking the same thing. He had tried finding any possible way to reach me, he was dreaming about me none stop. He prioritized his mental health, he focused on getting better, he became a better person, even though he admits that he is working tirelessly to become his best self for himself.

He said he wanted to see me, and now we are going on a vacation in the next comign months and he is taking me on a vacation to Disneyland on my birthday. Flights, hotels, excursions? Booked. He took out his laptop and immediately booked everything, literally. And we stayed on the phone all night until we got tired, and I just had to write this.

Please persist. Please keep trying. Please don't give up, you are so powerful, even when it seems like nothing is happening, something always is. Check your negative beliefs at the door, and get what you want. And if someone tells you that you can't manifest your ex or you shouldn't, I want you to remember who the god of your reality is. That's you right? Period! So go manifest!

Luv yall sm ♡

Che☆

[777rare]

ASTROLOGY OBSERVATIONS PT.1

Disclaimer :

DO NOT READ FURTHUR IF YOU ARE A MINOR!!

!TW! : THIS CONTAINS MENTIONING OF seggs so please scroll if ur below 18+

THESE NOTES ARE ONLY A STUDY OF MINE AND HAS/HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN YET, SO IF IT DOES NOT RESONATE WITH YOU, FORGIVE ME AS IT WAS ONLY A STUDY/OBSERVATION OF MINE.

I DO NOT PILRIMIZE, COPY OR REWORD ANY OF MY FELLOW ASTROLOGY OBSERVERS POSTS AND I DEMAND THE SAME IN RETURN

venus- moon in harmonious aspects( trine,sextile, maybe conjunction too) natives seem to have prominent breasts whereas when there's negative aspects(square,opposition,semi square) the native could have breasts that may be a bit different in size.

Why do People having mercury- pluto (any asp.) Have a very smooth, husky or just a very soothing voice?🙊🔥💨 Ex: SZA has her mercury conjunct pluto and I can't help but notice how her voice has a touch of relaxation and idk it's just so satisfying to hear her voice. But this may not be the same for others, This can depend on the other aspects as well.

Aphrodite-sun , you carry beauty in your very aura. If in harmonious aspects, you may know that you carry beauty inside you but if there is a hard aspect, you probably struggle to understand, realize or accept how beautiful your aura is or even how beautiful you are.💫👑💓

Eros-mars natives love rough, passionate or even "sex that involves lots of energy" sex so so much. Esp. In a man's chart💥🔥🥵

people with Odin conjunct venus (male and female) know just how to romance and seduce anybody within a minute damnn they don't need no class. they make people lowkey fall for them so so easily.💘🙉🛐

Natives with kiss-mars love aggressive kissing. Anywhere on the body as well. Especially if it's sextile or conjunct.💥🤤

Natives with Saturn-sun (most of the time harsh aspects) have so much authoritative, unapproachable and even a formal energy. People don't wanna play with you cuz you look like a person who don't take anybodys shit and most of the time this is the reason people don't approach you much cuz you look too structured or formal for them to loosen up and speak casually with you. (If u hv this You could always look like 😐🤨😑)

Jupiter-venus >> big butt, beautiful thighs and hips🍑

(can my dear readers having neptune-saturn clarify if this is relatable with you) neptune- saturn natives like to fantasize about having their partner on their knees or their partner putting them on their knees. This can also apply to mars-saturn having this kink.⛓

Jupiter- pluto/mars, just stroke or kiss these natives thighs to make them wet. These people have so much genital liquids in their sex organs. They can even cum multiple times and You can also grab their hips and make em go ughh😩🥵

people having cusp of sensitivity/magic/rebirth are most likely to be naturally intuitive, spiritual from birth, even psychic and clairvoyant.

Cusp of sensitivity : Feb 15-21 (aquarius/pisces)

Cusp of magic : June 17-23 (gemini/cancer)

Cusp of rebirth : March 17-23 (pisces/aries)

Natives with Mercury-mars aspects like to grab their partners hands while making out

ASTEROIDS MENTIONED ABOVE :

aphrodite - 1388

Eros - 433

Odin - 3989

Let me know if y'all want a pt.2! Feel free to reblog and tag me when you do❤🙌🏻 hope you all enjoyed today's post! Thankyou!!🫂💫

Also I wanna let my dear readers know that I usually observe 18+ related topics in natal charts💓 and I could frequently post about 18+ observations so fasten yo seatbelts!🙌🏻💫

[softie00]

SAFE

pairing; lee know x reader

warnings; fluff, cute bf minho, teasing, jokes, reader feeling tired and drained, use of jagi, going in nature, flowers, words of affirmations, kissing, very cute minho!!

word count; 1-2k

summary; you haven't been feeling the best these days, feeling drained as each day comes. but your cute boyfriend minho has something planned for you, hoping it'll help bring some ease.

a/n: something for myself and i hope for those who also have been feeling this way❣

Drained. You've been feeling this way for quite some time, not knowing why. The busy days at work, interacting with a bunch of people, making reports and handling all sorts of deadlines at once just makes you want to internally scream.

When was the last time you've had no interruptions? You probably don't even remember.

But you do know that once you reach to the comfort of your home, it stops. Seeing your beautiful boyfriend minho just brings you so much inner peace. It may even sound weird but whenever you struggle to sleep in the night time, you shift your focus fully on Minho's sleeping face.

How peaceful and adorable can one look just sleeping away? You've always thought angels only existed in heaven but how lucky are you to have one besides you.

Yes, only an angel could look this beautiful.

He isn't even aware how you thank those from above for delivering his sweet ass to you. A person who brings ease by just watching his face, being in his presence feels like a big warm hug, removing all kinds of negativity away.

You plant a kiss above his head, just before you fall asleep.

The routine begins once again. Getting up in the mornings are always the worst. Minho leaves earlier than you since his schedule is a lot different to yours. Though some days like today, you had wished to feel his lingering warmth right beside you for extra few minutes.

You gain the strength to finally get up and do your routinely quick shower, which has also felt like a chore. Once your done and you've put on your fresh clothes, you make your way down to the kitchen to have a quick little breakfast before you leave for work.

Just as you make your way to grab the milk from the fridge, a sticker note is placed above. You brows furrowed ahead before you read.

Wanna know a fun fact?

Octopuses have three hearts

And they still couldn't love you as much as I do ;)

If only Minho was here to see how hard you was smiling right now. Til this day, you're not used to him professing his love in various ways, almost immediately making you flustered. It's almost in sync when he does these things, particularly on the days you feel drained.

You love his silly little jokes and sometimes you question how he even comes across certain things but hey, it made you smile.

Like always.

You really needed to hear this today. Words of affirmations are so important to you and your boyfriend almost never fails to deliver. He really knows the key to your heart.

Oh Lee Minho, I fucking love you

Surprisingly your day wasn't as bad. It helps even more to know you have the weekend coming up, finally some break. But really thanks to your boyfriend's sweet words that instantly changed your mood for the day. Feeling a lot more loose.

You arrived at home as usual but was surprised to see Minho present. During the time at work, Minho cleaned up the place and made it look a lot more presentable. You appreciate his kind gesture as you were just about to approach him.

"Hey jagi, you're back."

Minho embraced you with his both arms, a warm feel arises as inhaled in this comfort. His fresh soft scented body wash still lingering over him, a scent that brings you to comfort.

"I missed you," You respond back. ever since the morning and even the past few days, you've missed having Minho around you for longer. But due to his work, he's been waking up a lot more earlier often leaving you alone.

"I missed you too, jagi." Minho replies, his hands squeezing you tighter. A part of him feels guilty that he hasn't been around much but he will change that very soon.

The hug felt like it just got rid of all your worries and distress of all them days you've had. If there is one place someone had asked you where you'd stay, the answer would be in Minho's arms.

Minho pulls aways first, causing you to frown but immediately plants a kiss to your head.

"Go get ready, we're going out today." Immediately you eyes open, surprised at his words.

"Where are we going?" You asked, part of you actually feels like a kid as the excitement grows. Minho watches your eyes for your reaction, just as he expected. They lit up almost in quickness, something he had missed seeing before.

"Somewhere, now go" He quickly brushes off. Only to make you get even curious.

"But-"

"Go. Now" He demanded.

"But where-"

"Jagiiii don't be stubborn please, just get ready. Pleaseeee" He begs sweetly, gently pushing you towards the door because he knows your ass won't stop questioning, which makes you giggle hearing how cute he sounds already.

"Okaaaay fine!" As you laughed to yourself getting inside the room.

You've been questioning Minho for the past 30 minutes and yet he still isn't giving up to tell you where you're both going. You look outside the car before opening up the window all the way down, letting the cool breeze hit your face.

How long has it been since you've just closed your eyes and felt some fresh breeze?

You almost forgot how calming it makes one feel. You breathe in and out, all thoughts of the days slowly becoming smaller and smaller until they are left to cease in your mind.

The feeling of nothing. No sadness, no anger, no frustrations, no worries, no stress, no nothing.

Just you being present, having the love of the life right beside you and some really cool breeze hitting your face.

This is what you've missed having.

You don't even realise that you've finally reached your destination, having your eyes still closed until Minho calls out.

"Jagi," He admires how peaceful you already look, his hand moves through the hair on your face, "We've arrived."

The sensation of his hands wake you up, not realising you almost fell asleep. You slowly opened your eyes and watched ahead. You have no idea what this place even is and before you even ask more, Minho already opens your door with his hand reaching for yours.

You don't remember when was the last time you've even visited nature. Nature was always a place you'd end up in whenever you needed a breather. Though these past few days, you couldn't even get yourself anywhere.

Normally you'd raise a comment on how much longer you'd need to walk. In places like these, it feels never ending.

You allow yourself to just feel. Let the wind fall through your skin, your hair as it flies away softly, let the birds sing to you and let the trees embrace you. Hand in hand with Minho, who seems rather ecstatic at the beautiful trees ahead as you both walk.

It feels peaceful.

As you both keep walking, there's fields of beautiful flowers that have blossomed, filling their love all throughout the way. Pink. It's such a pretty colour isn't it?

And before you could even say that, Minho beats you to it.

"Wow, I've never seen this many pretty flowers in my life." He says in amaze and you agreed, "Me too, they're beautiful."

Minho immediately engulfs you in a hug, like he's trying to protect you from something. "Jagi I think we need to hide you away from them," Which made you feel a bit confused to why.

They're only flowers. So harmless you thought.

"But why babe?" You questioned.

"Right well, you see how pretty they are right?" He explains as he goes on, "And how much space they've taken up?" Which you nod to trying to understand what he's coming at. "I fear them being within your presence they may end up taking away my beautiful flower, too."

Your heart melted. Stop. No. How much more cuteness can you take from this man?

"Minhoooo," you whined out, smiling like crazy, "Why are you cute and also are you actually jealous of a bunch of flowers-" you almost laughed.

"How could I not be! They also recognise beauty to, don't they?" He pouts cutely, and your heart is fluttering so much right this moment. You can't believe you've found someone who's this adorable.

"Exactly, so in that case," You grab on to his hand and move away from the flowers. "I'd have to protect my flower too." In which Minho immediately blushed with a cute smile creeping in. God, he is so cute when he gets shy too.

You both venture off until you finally stop to the end. The hills. You didn't realise you both had climbed all the way up here, which to be honest was worth it. You walk hand in hand, mouth dropping at the amazement of how beautiful this hill is.

It feels like your on top of the world right now. Seeing everything from above and below. The gorgeous fields that are formed within this place, the different type of flowers, the greenery. The people, the lights as you watch the city running in fast speed. Perhaps, you may have been on speed to. Not having a chance to actually slow down and just breathe.

Reminding you of the times you would often walk off to nature. Something you've actually missed doing. It brought you so much peace and only today you've realised how badly you needed to see this.

You don't realise when Minho has actually sat down, leaving you to fully embrace this lovely view on your own. He knows how badly you needed this and to be alone for some time.

Which you appreciate so much. You notice he isn't beside you and you make your way towards him, sitting down on the benches present.

You both listen and immerse yourself in the silence. Well not so much until the birds begin to hum, sending a lovely melodic sound to your ears. You don't know how long its been to just stay still. Quiet. No sounds of people nagging you, no one expecting you to do anything, just you two alone, in this world.

Allowing yourself to feel the earth for once.

"I'm proud of you."

Is all you heard as you break out of a trance. You look next to you as Minho watches you with intently with a soft look, his hands brushing above yours.

"I'm proud of you for existing today." The words seemingly hit your heart and before you could speak, he stops you. "I'm proud of you for waking up each day despite being tired of life. For taking a shower, for eating your food even on the days you don't feel too. For going in to a hell called work. For dealing with a bunch of humans that drain your energy and on top of the workload. For faking your smiles in order to show you're fine when really your crumbling inside. For gaining the strength to perform for people and society when all you want to do is hide. He utters, causing you to breathe slowly as you take in all of his words.

You smiled, with teary eyes, "Thank you so much Minho." You feel loss at words. No one in your life has ever seen you this closely to notice such things about yourself. No one. Not even your past lovers did.

But Minho? Oh, he's special.

Now you realise how Minho started doing more things at home, not allowing you to do anything. This goes to making food for the two of you, to cleaning up the place and washing up. Even those times where he would sneak into your showers, which you had thought was for other reasons. But no, you was wrong. Because each time he came in, he smothered your scalp with shampoo with his gentle finger tips, slowly massaging away the worries of the days. He picked up the soap and let his hands work through your body, all whilst he gave you kisses. It felt so comforting and you couldn't even think of anything else. It made it easier for you not to feel exhausted when you have him beside you.

And you never even thought of that, until today. Now.

Minho has always noticed. And he's always shown that through his actions.

Immediately you wrap your arms around him as you continue to sob, "I'm sorry I didn't even realise those things-" which he shuts you off right away.

"Listen jagi, you shouldn't need to apologise at all. It's my job and responsibility to care for you. I don't do these things out of pity, no. I do it because I love you, so much that I just want to make life easier for you." He breathes, "We can't control how we feel but what I can do is make things feel easier even if its little. And honestly this is so effortless for me because I love you. I want to care and do things for you." He emphasises.

You cry even more, letting your tears flow below him at his words. To be loved this way was always what you dreamed. You had thought these things only exist in movies, which only was proven wrong when you first came across Minho.

Minho removes your arms and faces you directly, brushing off the tears with his fingers gently, "Shush. It's okay. You're safe now. With me." He smiles, planting a kiss right above your lip.

You chuckled and leaned into the small kiss, placing your mouth on to his. His lips felt ever so soft.

You both leaned back to the bench, cuddled up just before Minho asks you something. "Jagi?"

"Hm?"

"I know you always love admiring my face, even right now haha. But am I that handsome that you watch me sleep too?" He teased watching how completely flushed out you looked when the shock runs through your body.

"Minho what the fuck-"

He did not just say that. Wait, how does he know you watch him?

"No no jagi it's completely fine. I'm just so handsome to look at, so I can't blame you," He smirked making you feel even more flustered. Great, cats out the bag now.

"This is so embarrassing" You screamed, trying to hide yourself away from him. How weird does that sound that someone watches you sleep? But you don't do it weirdly, it's just become an habit over the past few days. It just instantly makes you feel better and yeah.

You huffed as you got up trying to escape until Minho grabs on to your waist and pulls you down to his lap, "Why are you running away?" He looks further into your eyes. Even though you've been together for time, his eyes still feel so intense, reading through every thought in your mind.

"Hmm? Shy now?" He continued to tease you further, only for you to hit your palm against his chest. "You're unbelievable." You sighed out as you chuckled. "You know what, they shouldn't have dropped you down yet." You thought back to your whole theory on Minho, your boyfriend being a whole angel from heaven who accidentally fell.

Minho only looks at you confusingly before he laughs, planting another kiss on your cheek, "Who?"

You giggled to yourself, "Nothing." And kissed him on his cute nose, watching his puzzled adorable face.

"But jagiyaaaaaaaa."

copyright ©2023 softie00

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Hey Raven! Hope you're doing well, and I hope you had a great holiday, if you celebrate, that is.

I hate to clutter your ask box with something like this, and you don’t have to answer, you can just read this with an open mind, but I feel you're the only one I could go to with this without being straight-up attacked. It's also why I'm asking anonymously.

But, what's your stance on the whole war between the JP and EN versions of the game? I'm not asking you to pick a side or anything, I just wanna know your thoughts.

Obviously, I'm an EN player, and idk if you seen, but there's some hateful things out there about us, and honestly, it's hurtful and disheartening to every time I get up here. And it's always on this we as players can't control. Mainly the dialog translations and it's changes.

I've seen people calling us dumb and weak, saying we water down everything because we can't take it, etc. I've seen people saying we don't know how to really correctly and analyze characters and that we're not even playing the same game. They say we've ruined the game, the fandom, and that they wished it was never localized. I've also seen quite horrible things, but I don’t wanna repeat the things said, but yeah.

And the kicker is, it's only the JP side I've seen post this stuff. I've seen more hate come from that side more than anything, and of course not all, like you. You're my fave btw.

So yeah, thoughts?

Hello, hello! ^^ I’m not really a super big celebration person but I’m hunkering down for a cozy hibernation this winter ❄️ I hope everyone had/will have a good 2023 holiday season~

Before I provide my response to the question posed in this ask, I want to make sure we're all on the same page for this discussion first:

Please be advised that my perspective is coming from that of someone who started off playing JP in March 2020 and then picked up EN when it came out in January 2022. I have played on both servers since their initial launches.

When I refer to TWST JP and EN fans in this post, I am only referring to the English speaking fans (as in, English speaking fans who play JP and English speaking fans who play EN).

For the sake of simplicity, I will be disregarding “hybrid” fans (English speaking fans who play both JP and EN) as a separate category and will lump them in with “JP” fans (English speaking fans who play JP). This is because I assume most mixed fans started off with JP and then adopted EN later on.

I am not talking about ALL English-speaking JP and/or EN fans here; I am only talking about the ones Anon described in their ask.

As the Anon said, I ask that you go into this post with an open mind; do not assume that I will bash JP and/or EN, take sides, defend or condone toxic attitudes, or that this post exists just to “stir the pot”. That is not the purpose of my response. The purpose is to have a meaningful and constructive discussion about TWST’s fandom culture, particularly as it pertains to English-speaking fans. I hope that in talking about this, we can better understand “the other side” (however you may personally define that) and work toward making the fandom space more welcoming for all.

Please read the entire post and think about your own choice of words before commenting and/or sending in an ask about this topic, should you choose to.

To the Anon that submitted this ask and to anyone else that plays EN and may have had similar thoughts: I’m sorry to hear about the negative experiences you’ve had in the TWST fandom. I hope that this post brings you some peace of mind, if not at least some catharsis for what you may be feeling.

Firstly, it’s important to understand the mindset of both JP and EN fans. As such, I will delve into the background and the development of each side. It is NOT meant to justify either side, but rather to inform you on how each perspective originated and grew to what it is today.

The animosity and opposition to an official English version of TWST has been present for a while. An English version of TWST has always been contentious, even long before the localization was announced. Some wanted it to happen for accessibility reasons (as some people find it tedious to hunt for translations) or were supportive of the idea because it means a larger fanbase and thus more potential to make friends or to discuss the game. Others were more apprehensive of the quality of a localization (as much tends to be cut or censored to make the content more palatable) and/or claimed that expanding the fanbase in such a way would bring in more “bad apples”.

When EN first came out, it did, in fact, expand the fanbase. However, many were quick to notice the many (and I do mean many) errors and short sightings present in it: frequent spelling and grammar mistakes in the game and on official social media posts, inconsistent phrasing, incorrect translations, game-breaking glitches, frequent censorship, half-hearted promotions, etc. EN also became infamous for its absolutely brutal pacing of content in the early days, particularly related to the limited story event schedules (including back-to-back Halloween events). This, in combination with EN’s constant pushing of paid gems (which occurs far more frequently than in the JP server) has left a bad taste in JP fans’ mouths. To them, TWST EN did not make a good first impression and continued to misstep again and again. This is especially true of the many dialogue changes to make the TWST localization more “culturally appropriate” (which is the definition of what a localization is; there is a reason why TWST is not called a translation, which would be a more accurate/“faithful” or direct translation of the dialogue).

The claim that “EN fans are weak/can’t handle the real story” likely arises from how EN has removed or altered details which may offend western audiences. This includes things like the term “master”, the mention of Azul’s weight, Kalim’s “30-40” siblings, etc. These are conscious decisions made on the part of the game localizers to make TWST more broadly appealing and appropriate for a western audience, where such topics are contentious or considered taboo. This is adapting TWST to a new culture so that it can (in a dry business sense) perform well. However, I also want to mention that some cultural changes EN made do significantly alter the story/characters (such as Jamil no longer stating his family will be on the streets if they defy the Asims; in EN he only says his parents will be mad at him), particularly if you are viewing through an EN-only lens. Unfortunately 😔 as much as I can point the nuances of localization out, there will always be fans who still oppose any sort of censorship. This is also true of the anime and manga community in general, and this post isn’t large enough in scope to tackle those issues. I only mention this here to help you, the reader, better understand the changes from Disney/Aniplex.

A lot of the original negative feelings that were there before EN was announced were then confirmed by the official release, and this strengthened the dislike of EN on the part of JP fans. These JP fans may then become hostile toward EN fans who defend the localization (whether or not they have the context of TWST JP) because, in the eyes of the JP fans, the localization is not as good as it could be. Ultimately, it seems like their intense feelings stem from passion for what they love and not wishing to see it “desecrated” rather than an actual hatred of fellow fans. JP fans are upset because they fear EN fans are not getting the full scope of the characters and a story they enjoy, and they want others to appreciate those aspects of TWST as well.

Of course 💦 the fact is that EN fans are not responsible for the localization. But EN is there and that is what is the easiest and the most time efficient for English-speaking audiences, so most people will go with that rather than alternatives (ie hunting down fan translations). The issue is that some JP fans conflate simply consuming the localization as being bad or the “wrong” thing to do, and thus, by proxy, extend this frustration to EN fans themselves (especially those those are EN only and have zero prior knowledge of JP) and not just the product. Again, this is because they tend to see JP as the “full” version, without the changes or censorship present in EN. This inevitably leads to discrepancies in understanding between JP and EN, whether due to staggered release of new content or how the characters are presented differently between the two servers. To those who say “the versions are basically the same except for minor changes”, I disagree. There are several dialogue changes that appear small in isolation, but because TWST’s narrative is told primarily via dialogue, those “small” changes are actually very large and can drastically modify how one perceives a character or situation without explicit knowledge of JP to balance it out. When Jamil is made an “employee” rather than a “servant” and worries about his parents being mad at him instead of his entire family literally being on the streets for defying the Asims, it takes away the bite from his motivations. When Cater inserts a #WOW that wasn’t there in JP while Riddle is breaking down sobbing, or makes him come off as far more insensitive than emotionally aware. These are just a few examples, but they are very prominent ones that can change how an EN only fan sees things. The idea that “we aren’t even playing the same game” can ring true to some JP players because of this.

It cannot be helped that EN fans would interpret the characters and stories differently when the localization is their only or primary source of TWST content. Not everyone has the time or the desire to look for more accurate fan translations (not all fan translations are the same quality), as some JP fans have suggested. If EN fans want to, that’s great! It’s nice to expand one’s knowledge and to be cognizant of the changes between the versions. There are many blogs out there dedicated to educating people on these matters, and many EN and JP fans alike flocking there to be informed. But that level of engagement shouldn’t be demanded of anyone. To deem those that don’t engage in “further research” as “lazy”, “dumb”, or a “fake fan” is not acceptable, not in the name of love or otherwise. The expectation to “do homework” only puts pressure on EN fans to be a certain way or else be rejected by the fandom, and that only breeds more hatred and negativity. It makes EN fans feel “not worthy” of being a fan unless they study up, when the truth of the matter is that no matter how much we like TWST, it’s… media at the end of the day. People are free to consume their choice of media however they like, and that includes casually or at their own pace. It’s not fun to be in a fandom where others are breathing down your neck and policing everything you do, especially since these spaces are meant to be a temporary escape from reality. If JP fans meant to gatekeep in an effort to make others recognize the “real” greatness of TWST, then it’s failing because this kind of attitude only serves to drive new fans away.

Among EN fans, there is this idea that “JP fans are stuck-up”. I can understand where this thinking comes from, as I have witnessed hatred for EN myself which comes unprompted and has killed many conversations. Admittedly, some points are geared toward the company themselves (and those are valid), such as rushed and/or inaccurate translations or the pushing of paid gems, but I’ve also seen my fair share of nastier, invalid comments directed at EN fans. There are JP fans who actively hope that EN will shut down or who outright dismiss EN fans because of the version they play, thinking of their thoughts and opinions as “lesser” or doubting their media literacy skills. It’s true that this behavior is out there in the fandom, and that is unfortunately a sad reality.

That being said, JP on EN hate is not the only form I see, and nor is it the majority. It goes both ways (and I would say about equally for all, although this is just based on anecdotes and not objective data). There is plenty of JP on JP hate (particularly when someone spreads mistranslations around as though it were the truth) and EN on EN hate (arguments over what is and is not appropriate to ship, differences in headcanons, harassing fans that fall outside an “acceptable” age range, etc). There is also EN on JP hate which feeds into a dangerous back-and-forth with JP on EN hate. I briefly mentioned before that EN fans tend to believe JP fans are elitist, and this leads to assumptions being made about anyone that critiques EN and sometimes lashing out about it. I myself have previously been accused of “hating” EN because I often make posts commenting on the changes made between EN and JP (which ones I think work and which I think don’t). This preemptively defensive behavior drives another wedge between JP and EN fans, making JP fans reluctant to engage with EN fans, which then fuels the belief that JP fans think they’re “better” than EN fans (when really, some JP fans may be intentionally distancing themselves for their own wellbeing). Additionally, a lot of behavior deemed more acceptable in western oriented fandom spaces (such as moral justifications, taking pictures without crediting, callouts of other fans, and incorrect use of fandom tags) are not so for JP spaces (or those familiar with JP spaces). There have also been times when EN fans harass the actual Japanese-speaking side of the fandom (be it Japanese fans or the devs themselves) and demand (not ask, but demand) content that caters to them or free translations of fan comics they make. When EN fans fail to observe such “basic fandom etiquette”, it leads to JP fans thinking them rude or entitled, which makes JP fans reluctant to interact with EN fans and, again, feeds into confirmation bias. It’s a viscous system.

What is “ruining” the fandom is not just one side. There has always been turmoil present in fandom spaces. It just appears more visible now that TWST’s popularity has grown to this scale. Right now, both sides (JP and EN) are antagonizing each other because of a loud minority that’s attacking the other side. That minority then gets extrapolated and assumed to be behavior of the entirety of the other side, and that is what keeps the hate going.

If I’m being entirely honest 😔 I don’t think these tensions will realistically ever die out; the fandom is too large to “stomp out” what has already been established in its culture. When both sides are fueled by something so strong—a passion for TWST—it’s hard to seek out and/or to consider alternative perspectives. We become fixated on their own negative experiences and fail to think about where the “others” maybe be coming from, and then close ourselves off from discussion. That promotes isolation and contempt rather than friendliness and cooperation.

If we want change, then it starts at an individual level and in smaller TWST communities. We shouldn’t assume the worst of “JP” or “EN” fans; we are all TWST fans. Let’s keep open-minded and welcome other fans and their diverse schools of thought. And if you don’t feel comfortable with that, that’s also fine! You’re allow to keep a distance and curate your online space as you like; just please don’t go out of your way to disparage others, you have your own lane and others have theirs. Don’t encroach on other lanes.

Maybe we don’t necessarily agree with each other or we think may hold different opinions—but that’s good, isn’t it? The freedom of thought and the open exchange of ideas promotes flexible thinking and can lead you to see things from a new angle, or perhaps develop a new idea of your own. If we all thought the same way, then life becomes boring or it can cultivate an “us versus them” narrative that sparks online wars.

Let me put it this way to close off the post: isn’t this the message that Twisted Wonderland itself is trying to teach us? The true value of attending Night Raven College isn’t just about receiving a good education. Countless times it has been stressed to us (and often by Lilia, the oldest and wisest of the core cast, someone who used to be resistant to opening up to outsiders) that it is vital to understand other people in spite of how different we may be. Let’s take a page out of the students’ book and try to live up to that ^^

[rocknrollbabe14]

Rock a Bye Professor

Part Three

Read part one here, part two here

Rating: 18+ MINORS DO NOT INERACT.

Warnings: Direct mentions of sex, birth control, missed period, nausea, vomiting, pregnancy and abortion. Professor/Student trope at college level. Both consenting adults. Don't like it, don't read. Thank you!

 You sat in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, checking your watch. Joe was running behind for the baby’s appointment. You looked around as you bit your lip. This was an important appointment, hoping you’d get to hear the heartbeat today. There were a lot of pregnant women who were further along than you and some with babies. It hit you like a ton of bricks that soon, that would be your life. Your phone rang easily, bringing you out of your thoughts. 

“Hello?”

“Hey, love. Running a little behind. Had to leave class early. They haven’t called you back yet, have they?”

“No, not yet.”

“I am coming. Turning up the hill now.”

“Don’t speed, our baby needs its daddy.”, you smirked easily. 

“Don’t wanna miss this, love.”

You laughed easily, feeling the happiest you had been in a long time. You all were really doing this. You all were going to have a baby together. 

“I’m getting ready to park. I’ll be in shortly. I love you.”

“I love you.”

The phone clicked off easily as you stared down at your lap. The closer it got to your appointment, the more anxious you became. What if something was wrong with the baby? What if it no longer had a heartbeat? You’d feel so guilty having Joe here to be part of that. You shook your head, trying to shake away the negative thoughts as you looked up to see him rushing over to you. 

“Hey, love. Sorry, I’m late.”

Joe was in black slacks and a green sweater along with his black blazer. It was cold outside today, nearing twenty degrees. The scent of his cologne already hit your nose, sending chills down your spine. It was like home. How did you manage to stay away from him for weeks?

You stood up to hug him before you both shared a small kiss. “It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re here.”

You both sat down and he took your hand easily, thumbing over your hand. You smiled up at him, his brown eyes shining. He looked so happy and ecstatic. 

“Have you been feeling okay today?”

“After this morning, I’ve felt alright. I didn’t eat before I left.”

“You’ve not eaten anything?”

Concern was evident in his voice, his brows raising in surprise. 

“No, I was too nauseous.”

He sighed softly. “Did you throw up after I left?”

You shook your head. “No, just super nauseated.”

While you and Joe were waiting, he picked up a maternity magazine and began flipping through it. You watched him easily as he began skimming over a few things. He was wearing his glasses or otherwise, he would have to squint to read. 

“Did you know that our baby’s eyes are half closed but can react to light?”

You smiled. “No.”

“Yeah, that’s amazing. At only ten weeks old.”

It was cute how excited he was becoming about the baby, now that he knew. You watched as he continued reading, leaning back in the chair. 

“Y/F/N Y/L/N.”, the nurse called out as she opened the door, catching your attention.

Joe laid the magazine down, and you both rose up from your chairs. Joe let you go first, disappearing behind the door. He followed. The nurse checked your weight and vital signs before taking you back to a private room. She asked you a few questions about how things had been going—how you were eating, if you were having a lot of morning sickness, the usual. Next, she told you the doctor would be in shortly. The nurse gave you a gown, you undressed easily before getting back on the table.

The door closed, leaving you and Joe alone in the room. You sat on the exam table, holding your very small bump. If you could even call it a bump. It wasn’t long before a knock came to the door, the doctor entered and introduced herself.

“Hey Y/N, how have things been going? This must be your husband?”, she asked, looking up at Joe.

Before you had the chance to answer, he did for you. “Not yet. Boyfriend and baby daddy.”

Not yet? What did he mean by that? You looked at him, surprised. 

“Okay,”, she began as she sat down on her stool. “Have you decided about what you’re going to do?”

“We’re keeping the baby.”, you breathed easily as Joe took your hand and kissed your forehead.

She looked surprised before nodding. “So, you’d like to see your baby today? You’re ten weeks. Vitals look good, weight is still okay. You’ve lost a pound since your last appointment. Have you been having morning sickness?”

You looked at Joe easily before answering. “We’d love to see the baby. And I have been having a lot of morning sickness.” 

The doctor scribbled some notes. “I’ll write you some Zofran for nausea. Any other symptoms?”

“Just normal ones.”, you sighed.

She nodded. “Alright, well we will do another ultrasound today to check on the baby, see how it’s growing. So if you’ll lay back for me and pull your gown up, I’ll turn off the lights and we’ll look at your baby.”

You nodded as you laid back, Joe pulling the sheet over your legs right at your pelvis. Your belly was exposed, and he gave it a small rub before the doctor came back. 

“Alright—really cold gel.”

She squirted the gel on your belly, causing chills to instantly cascade down your spine. You tried to take a deep breath and relax, but your baby was on your mind. You needed to know if your baby was alright. Joe smiled softly at you, holding your hand. His eyes were glued to the blank screen as the doctor placed the transducer on your belly, running it over, looking for the perfect view of your baby. The screen was hues of black and white, the swish and swoosh sounds running together as she searched for your baby. 

Her eyes were narrowed, she was focused. Joe rubbed your arm with his other free hand, trying to soothe you. He knew deep down inside, you were worried. Truth was, he was nervous too. He wanted to see his baby. He was chomping at the bits, ready to see his baby. The baby you both had made together. 

All of a sudden, she found your baby. Its small arms and legs which were beginning to form came into view, along with its head and small body. Joe laughed, shocked and amazed while his brown eyes glanced over at you. You were smiling back before you both turned your attention back to the screen.

“Ah, here it is—here’s your baby.”, your doctor smiled, beginning to capture some pictures for you both to take home. 

“Look at its little arms.”, you smiled at Joe, sniffling easily. 

He sniffled, you could see the tears pooling in his brown eyes before he smiled at you. “And it’s little body.”

You giggled. “It’s really our baby.”

He smiled before he leaned down to share another kiss with you, brushing your hair out of your face easily. “Sure is, baby.”

Suddenly, the sound of the baby’s heartbeat filled the room, once again gaining your attention. Joe smiled, a tear sliding down his cheek.

“Our baby’s heartbeat.”, he smiled, his voice hardly above a whisper. 

“I know.”, you smiled, sniffling. 

Joe wiped the stray tear that was sliding down your cheek. 

“It’s such a beautiful sound.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

The rhythm of your baby’s heartbeat was displayed on the screen. The doctor was printing everything as she smiled at you both.

“Everything looks good. Baby’s measuring about a week ahead, but it looks perfectly healthy. Heartbeat is 140. Perfect.”, she smiled as she prepared to shut off the machine. 

You took a sigh of relief before you and Joe shared another kiss. 

“Alright. I’ll see you back in four weeks. Hopefully, then, we’ll get to find out the gender of your baby. Call the office if you need anything. I’ll send in your prescription for Zofran to your pharmacy. Okay? Here’s the pictures of your baby.”, she smiled as she handed the printouts to you, Joe instantly looking over your shoulder at them. 

The doctor left, allowing you to get dressed. Joe grabbed your waist from behind, placing a kiss on your neck. “Wanna grab some lunch and coffee?”

“Isn’t caffeine bad for the baby?”, you smirked as he felt your belly. 

“One cup of coffee is okay. About twelve ounces. That’s what they recommend that you drink.”, he mumbled as he placed soft kisses on your neck, sending chills down your spine.

“I guess I could eat.”, you smirked easily. 

“You need to. You’re eating for two.”, he smirked as you opened the door, ready to leave. 

“Okay, I’ll eat.”

You both decided on the small cafe in town, most people didn’t go there to hang out. Especially from college. So, it felt safe to go there to eat and relax after seeing the baby and hearing its heartbeat. It was a happy day, one to celebrate. You rode with Joe, he parked on the street. Joe got out first, opening your door. You thanked him, still not used to a man doing nice things for you. But Joe was different—he went out of his way to make you feel cared about. He grabbed your hand before holding the door open, allowing you to both enter the small cafe. 

The weather was freezing, causing you to shiver. You pulled your coat closer, teeth chattering inside your mouth. Joe rubbed your shoulders easily as you both looked at the menu, trying to decide what to order. You decided on a chicken salad croissant, coffee, and water. Joe decided on a salad and tea. It was going to be a light lunch, but he promised to make dinner for you. After Joe pulled your chair out, you both sat down. He grabbed your hands from across the table, acting like you were both love-drunk teenagers. 

They brought your drinks and food to the table, leaving you both to talk. 

“So, are you gonna stay over tonight?”, Joe stirred in his salad, mixing the vegetables with the dressing. 

“Yeah, if you want me to.”

“Of course, I want you to. I wanna look at pictures of our baby while we’re laying in bed and start trying to guess what it will be.”

You smirked as you took a sip of water. “You do?”

“Yes, love. Sound like a good night to you?”

You nodded before taking a bite of your croissant, looking up at the register. 

“Shit.”, you hissed, almost dropping your croissant.

“What?”, Joe asked easily, instantly worried.

“There’s Haleigh from class. What do—what do we do?”

Panic instantly began to coarse through your veins. Joe could read the panic in your eyes, letting go of your hand easily. You instantly saw the disappointment in his eyes as his happy, giddy mood slightly faded as he looked down at his salad. It pained him to have to continuously hide this, but he understood. With the baby coming, he didn’t want to lose his job and didn’t want you kicked out of college. You instantly felt guilty for ruining his mood—or at least you felt like you had.

“Just act natural.”, he said softly, continuing to stare down at his salad.

You took a sip of your water, trying to wash down the bite of chicken salad croissant you almost choked on. You held your breath as your classmate and your boyfriend’s student finished ordering, praying that there was some slight hope she might miss you all, maybe she wouldn’t notice you. That would be the best-case scenario, but things are not looking good right now. 

But all your efforts were futile. 

“Oh hey Y/N!! And—Professor Quinn?”

You looked up, seeing Joe’s eyes close at the sound of his name. Now, you all would have to come up with a cover. 

“Oh hey—Haleigh. Nice to see you out in town.”, you smiled, praying you were a good liar. 

“Yes—nice to see you, Haleigh.”, Joe smiled softly.

“So—is this like a study date? Or what?”, Hayleigh laughed easily, but there was some jealousy evident in her voice. 

You knew there were a lot of students that lusted after him. You could see it in their eyes when they watched him turn to write on the board, biting their lip as they stared at his ass, giggling softly. It made you burn with jealousy and part of you worried that he would find a new flavor of the month, forgetting you completely. So far, he hadn’t. He still loved and cared about you. There were some of the same girls who asked him for tutoring sessions after class, making sure to show a little extra cleavage. It was one of the reasons he was home late sometimes.

Were there nights when you worried that things had gone too far? That he had allowed the girls to take things too far? That the tutoring session may have progressed to something more. The thought plagued you, but you never let him know about your doubts and fears. 

“Oh—I saw Y/N here and she asked if I wouldn’t mind running over a few things with her—if I could spare my dinner time and I agreed.”

Hayleigh laughed easily. “Oh—I was gonna ask the same, Professor Quinn. Could you spare next Thursday evening? Maybe after our night lab?”, she twirled a piece of her hair, smiling as she bit her lip. 

Joe smiled easily, but your smile soon faded into a frown. 

“Yes, get with me after class on Thursday.”, he nodded.

“Thanks so much, Professor Quinn. Can’t wait.”

She walked off and exited the cafe, him breathing a sigh of relief. Your smile was still a frown, taking a sip of your coffee.

“What’s wrong, love?”, Joe asked. 

“Nothing.”

“It’s something. Tell me.”

“You’re agreeing to tutor Hayleigh after your late lab.”

“You’re upset?”

You didn’t make eye contact with him, taking another sip of your coffee.

“Y/N, this is my job. It’s nothing like that.”, he breathed.

“Not right now.”

Joe scoffed easily. “Love, I would never—”

Your voice cracked, and your eyes instantly began to swell up with tears. “You say that now. But I’m gonna get all fat and pregnant and hormonal—God, it’s already starting.”

Leaning on the table, you already put your head in your hands and began to cry. 

“Baby.”, he breathed softly, feeling instantly horrible for seeing you cry. 

Your eyes were still closed as you waved him off, trying to make him stop. 

“I love you, Y/N. Yes, you’re pregnant. But you’re having my baby. And it’s normal for you to feel emotions you’re not used to feeling. That’s normal. Your body’s changing, love. I know all about the process, trust me. And I want to be here with you and be there with you through it.”, he took your hands, rubbing his thumbs across them.

You looked up at him, hair slightly in your eyes. “You mean it?”

“Of course, love. I love you.”

“I love you, Joe.”

“Now, let’s go home. Maybe take a bath together and lay in bed and talk about our baby.”, he smirked.

“Don’t you have papers to grade?”, you laughed lightly, blinking the tears out of your eyes.

“They can wait.”

____________________________________________________________________________

After arriving home, Joe took it upon himself to run a bath for you. You sat on the bed, only in the robe he had bought for you to leave at his house. There were subtle signs you were at his house, him asking you to leave a few things to show you wanted to be there. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to be there, but you weren’t used to feeling this way about someone and your last relationship wasn’t exactly a fairy tale or anything like your current one. 

“Hey babe! Bath’s ready!”, Joe called from the bathroom. 

You got off the bed easily, making your way into the bathroom to find Joe standing there completely naked already, wearing nothing but a smile on his face. Your mouth dropped easily, but you tried to fix your face quickly. The lights were off except for the candles he had lit. 

“Mind if I join?”, he breathed easily.

“No—not at all.”, you smiled back as he took you into his arms, beginning to kiss your neck softly as his hands wandered down to find your tie on the robe and began to undo it gently as you both shared soft kisses.

One thing about Joe was he made everything sensual and romantic and you loved that about him. He never failed to be romantic, even sending flowers anonymously to your dorm for your birthday. 

Once he undid the tie on your robe, he slid it off your shoulders and allowed it to fall to the ground, now leaving you completely naked. He pulled you flush against him, instantly feeling his hard-on against your thigh. 

“Ready for the bath?”, he whispered between kisses.

You nodded. “Are you sure you don’t want to just forego it and move to the bedroom?”

He broke the kiss. “And miss a chance to bath with my sexy girlfriend? No chance.”

You smirked as he helped you over into the bathtub, you scooting to the front instinctively to allow him to get behind you. You closed your eyes as he slipped in the tub behind you, instantly pulling you against him. You felt his rock-hard cock press into your back as he began to pour water over your body, instantly making you sharply inhale and you felt your nipples growing hard from the contrast of the warm water and cold air. 

“Just relax, baby. Gonna take real good care of you.”

You hummed in response as you sank into him further. 

“It’s so sexy you’re carrying my baby.”, he breathed as he grabbed some bubbles, dumping them into the water. 

“Yeah?”, you breathed, closing your eyes.

“Oh yeah. Can’t wait until your belly grows and you get that cute little bump.”, he breathed as he kissed your neck. 

You laughed lightly in response. “So I can be fat?”

“No—you’re gonna look all cute and sexy carrying my baby. Gonna be hard to keep my hands off during class.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”, he confirmed as his thick, broad hands began to roam your chest, finding your breasts and cupping them with his hands.

“Are they still sore?”

“Not—as bad.”, you breathed.

“Mhmm….wanna rub them, play with them….”, he moaned softly into your ears, his breath tickling your ear, sending chills down your spine. “If that’s okay with you…..”

“Yeah….”, you hummed, relaxing further into into him while spreading your legs instinctively. 

“Already spreading your legs for me?”, he teased as he placed soft kisses on your neck.

His left hand left your left breast, cascading down your belly until it found your clit, his fingers instantly slipping inside. His right hand stayed on your right breast, kneading it while pinching your nipple with his thumb and pointer finger. 

“Is that what you wanted, love?”

You nodded breathlessly, humming. “Feels so good, Joe.”

“Because….”, he chuckled. “I know your body so well, don’t I baby?”

You nodded. “Mhmmm….so good.”

He chuckled as his fingers simultaneously worked inside your clit all while playing with your nipple twisting it and rubbing it just as he knew you loved it. You couldn’t hold back your pleasurable moan, feeling like you were on cloud nine. The rest of the world around you both didn’t matter. Nothing else matters to him except pleasuring you and worshipping your body. He loved you more than anything else in the world and he wanted a chance to prove it to you.

Before another moan could escape, his fingers left your clit abruptly causing you to whine at the loss of contact. 

“Don’t worry, baby. It’s still gonna feel really good….spread those legs a little more for me…..”

You did as he asked, feeling his fingers slip inside your wet slick, working in and out of your cunt causing a gasp to elicit from your lips. 

“Like that baby?”, he placed more kisses on you, continuing to multitask and doing a damn good job at it. 

You nodded, inhaling sharply. For once, everything else was melting away.

“Good girl, such a good girl.”

His words sent chills down your spine, making your stomach twist into knots.

“Joe…..”

“You know, we still gotta make sure you pass. Gotta get you graduated before our baby comes.”, his hand moved from your breast, rubbing your belly softly. 

“Been doing good…..in all my classes…..”

“I know, baby. You have…..I’m very proud of you.”

You had to admit it made you all giddy and horny just to hear him praise you.

“Gonna be cutting it close……”, you breathed.

“About?”, he hummed.

“Graduation—keeping this baby in until then.”

He sighed softly. “You know what the doctor will recommend if you’ve not gone into labor, don’t you?”

“What?”

“Sex.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, seriously. I’ve been reading.”, he smirked. 

You rolled your eyes playfully, feeling his finger diving deeper into your cunt. Your back arched as you let out a drawn-out sigh. 

“You’ve already—been reading about the baby?”

“Of course, I have. I mean—I do know a lot from being an anatomy professor and all, but when it’s your baby—there’s just something about that.”, he breathed before kissing your neck. 

You couldn’t help but smile at his words, he was excited about having a baby. The situation was going completely opposite of what you would have imagined it would have. He wanted this with you. He wanted to be a dad. 

“It’s really sexy that you want this. Can’t wait for you to be a dad.”

“Mhmmm, me too.”, he hummed, placing soft and slow kisses on your neck. 

You could feel your nipples harden at the rush of his touch. You sighed into him, the only sounds feeling the room were the subtle splashes of water as he worked his fingers in and out of you. He felt you spread your legs wider, giving into him. 

“You really want this, don’t you?”

“Yes.”, you moaned. 

“Right now?”, he breathed against your neck.

“Yes, please. Don’t—can’t wait.”, you swallowed hard.

He chuckled softly. “Don’t you want a bath, baby?”

“Just gonna be made a mess again.”

“Mhmm, want me to take you to bed and fuck you properly? Is that it?”, the speed of his fingers increasing.

You nodded, your plea drawn out. “Please.”

“Alright, love. Your wish is my command.”, he breathed as his fingers slid out just as fast as they had entered. 

You whimpered at the loss of his fingers inside of you. He easily stood up in the bathtub, getting out. You felt yourself fall back against the rim of the bathtub, taking him in. You bit your lip as you admired his perfect ass, his perfect broad shoulders. Your chest was heaving just at the sight in front of your eyes. He grabbed a towel, quickly getting most of the water off before grabbing another for you. He came over to the tub, smiling at you. 

“Ready love?”

You nodded before he kissed you deeply. He helped ease you out of the water as he wrapped the towel around your body. He held you in his arms, making you feel protected. You felt the cold air hit your body, shivers cascading down your body as your nipples hardened causing them to ache slightly. 

“Let’s go to bed, baby.”, he breathed as he kissed you softly and slowly. 

He picked you up easily, causing you to laugh before you wrapped your legs around his waist. Both of your lips crashed into one another, chaotic and full of desire. His hands slipped under your ass, not missing the chance to feel up on it. He somehow managed to grab the light switch on your all’s way out of the bathroom, flipping it off before ending up in his master bedroom. He had a very dim light just enough for you all to find your way to the bed. He eased you down on the bed, breaking the kiss.

Your hair was still wet but neither of you cared. Your towel loosened up, not leaving much to his imagination. His was long gone, still in the bathroom. His cologne mixed with his natural musk still managed to tickle your nose, causing your stomach to twist into knots. It wasn’t hard to imagine how you ended up pregnant in the first place. 

“Fuck, you look so beautiful.”, he smiled, brushing a piece of damp hair out of your face. 

“Whatever.”, you laughed easily, smiling up at him.

“No—I mean it.”

His fingers brushed your cheek, melting into his touch. Your towel was the only thing separating him from you. He leaned down, pressing his cock into your thigh as he kissed you softly and slowly. He was amazing at making love to you. He never failed to make you feel special.

“Mhmmm.”, you moaned, the taste of his lips and tongue mixing with yours.

His hands moved from your cheeks down your chest, grabbing where your towel was tucked together. He easily undone it, the towel falling on the bed, leaving you exposed.

“I’m surprised your sex drive is still high.”, his broad, thick fingers roaming your body.

“Ten weeks. I should be on the mend with the morning sickness and nausea, right?”

“Mhm, ideally. Ten weeks, your hormone levels usually will drop off meaning you’ll experience less fatigue and nausea.”

You kissed him, deepening the kiss. It was sexy to hear him talk about your body and the changes he knew was happening. It just did something to you.

“I feel a little better.”

“I can tell.”, he chuckled as you shared soft, slow kisses. 

“And what are you gonna do about it?”

Your tone was teasing, laced with eagerness. 

“Mhm, what do you want, baby? Don’t you want fucked?”

“I do.”, you moaned easily. “So bad.”

“That’s what I’ll do then. Gonna make you feel good—feel better. You deserve it.”, he breathed as he kissed down your neck and chest, sending chills all over.

“Why do I—deserve it?”, you gulped.

“You’re pregnant with my baby, you deserve to be spoiled, don’t you?”

You nodded as he placed one last kiss on your stomach, beginning to line himself up with your entrance. You could feel the tip of his cock brushing your entrance, causing you to close your eyes and swallow hard. It made you think back to all the times you all had made love—one of which you had ended up with your baby. You didn’t expect to get pregnant, even thinking taking a couple of pills late wouldn’t make a difference. 

“Of course you do.”, he agreed softly.

You smiled up at him, waiting for the moment he would enter you. It would be like a dream come true. It wasn’t just something you wanted—it was something you needed. He needed it just as badly as you did.

“Ready baby?”

“Please, Joe.”

That was all it took, giving him permission to take you. You felt the tip of his cock brush your entrance again before shoving deep inside of you, splitting you wide open. You hissed lightly before it turned into a moan, gripping the silk sheets on the bed. He groaned, ensuring he was as deep as he could be in your cunt. 

“So tight, baby. Feels—so good.”, he groaned, beginning to thrust inside of you.

“Yeah?”, you swallowed.

“Oh yeah, how does it feel for you baby?”

“Amazing.”

“Good, baby.”, he groaned as he pushed deep enough to hit your g-spot.

You could feel the hot aching twist in your stomach as your legs wrapped perfectly around his waist. It was clear this wasn’t the first time you all had done this, working together like a well-oiled machine. Your hands moved from the sheet to his chest, running your delicate fingers down. Having him inside of you was like heaven. Any intrusive thoughts from the day was melting away, you only being able to focus on him.

It was a relief, euphoria beginning to flood through your body. Like a dam breaking free. He took his time working in and out of you, making sure you were enjoying it as much as he was. Making love with him was one of your favorite things to do since getting together. He was intelligent—you loved to listen to him lecture even explaining things as you all had laid in bed while he graded papers by the light of his lamp. He was caring—always making sure you were okay. He could read you like an open book. He was hot—you thought back to all the times that you walked in class, taking a seat near the front of the room. It wasn’t hard to look at him while he lectured, matter of fact, it gave you an excuse to look.

You would jot down notes as you bit your lip, knowing deep down inside you’d do anything for a chance with him. Never once did you imagine you would actually get that chance. 

“Are you okay, love?”

“Yes, why?”, you moaned.

“Just checking, love. Wanna make sure you’re enjoying this and it’s feeling good for you.”

“Oh—it is.”, you moaned with a smile.

“Yeah?”, he hummed as he thrust deeper inside of you. 

“Yeah—feels so good, babe. You’re hitting it just right.”

He loved it when you praised him. It made him feel good. A smile spread across his lips as closed his eyes, giving into the euphoria. He didn’t want to keep his eyes closed too long, he was afraid he’d miss those seductive, alluring sex faces of yours.

“I’m glad, baby. So glad I can make you feel good—fucking your cunt just right.”

“Joe.”, you moaned easily, shivers cascading up your spine.

“What, love? Easy to see how you ended up pregnant, isn’t it?”

“Wasn’t—trying.”

“I know but it happened, didn’t it? And I’m so fucking happy that you’re having our baby.”

You couldn’t help but smile. It was a relief that he wanted to be in your life and be a dad. It ws all you’d ever wanted or imagined once you became pregnant. You just never imagined it would be this soon or with your professor. 

“Me—too.”, you gasped through thrusts.

“Mhmm can’t wait until you get that cute little bump. You’re gonna look so sexy.”

“Will—not.”

“Will—so.”, he grunted, thrusting deep inside. 

“Fuck—Joe.”

He felt your toes curling against his waist as your fingernails sank into his shoulders. He knew what this meant and he couldn’t wait. Your breathing hitched as you were barreling to your orgasm head-on. It felt like you were floating, the aching feeling in the pit of your stomach rising into your chest. Your moans were becoming louder as you begged him to fuck you—begged him for a release.

“Fuck, Joe. So—close. Make me cum, please—pretty please.”, you begged.

“Aw, baby you know you don’t have to beg.”, he breathed as he threw one leg over his shoulders, giving him more leverage and allowing him deeper penetration. 

You nodded, legs beginning to shake. “I—know.”

“This is all about you, baby.”

As if you needed reminding, your eyes rolling back in your head from the pleasure he was providing you. He wished he could stop time for just a second so he could revel in this moment. It was always his favorite during sex, the moment you would release and all his hard work would pay off. He didn’t mind working hard if that meant both of you came to a release. He loved being on top—dominating you. 

“Joe—I’m gonna cum—so close.”, you moaned out, back arching as you sank your fingernails further in his back causing him to groan in return.

“Fuck—cum, baby. Can’t wait to feel you all over my cock.”

You took a sharp inhale before the dam finally broke free. You let out a reverberant moan, gripping his shoulders as you felt yourself tighten around his cock, pulling him in. His lone curls were beginning to stick to his forehead which was damp with sweat. All the tension and anticipation that had built up was finally resolved. Your juices washed over his cock as he softened his pace, helping you ride out your orgasm high. 

“Oh—Joe….”, you moaned out pitifully, already spent from your orgasm.

He took a free hand, brushing your hair out of your face. “I know, baby. Let it out. You’re such a good girl.”, he cooed.

“Oh——”

Your right hand slid down his arm, rubbing over his hand. He knew what you wanted—he wasted no time in grabbing your hand, lacing your fingers in his. 

“That what you needed baby?”

He chuckled lightly as you nodded in response, another string of moans fell from your lips as he felt your body begin to relax underneath him. He was still thrusting inside of you. 

“Can I cum now?”, he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded while wearing a cock drunk smile on your face. “Yeah, I’d love that, babe.”

“Okay, baby. I’m gonna go a little faster, okay?”

You nodded, eyes fluttering shut. “Okay, babe.”

He was on a mission. You were sensitive, each thrust intensified as he began to chase his orgasm. In your hazy state, you counted how many thrusts it took him before his release. One—two—three—four—.

“Fuck, here it comes, baby.”, he warned as his thrusts ceased almost immediately, a guttural groan coming from his throat. 

His fingertips sank in your hips, his hips stuttering as he kept himself buried inside of you. You felt his cock pumping his cum deep inside your cervix. A smile spread across your lips, thinking about how there was already a baby. His chest heaved, your legs still trembling. He tried to catch his breath as he let himself finish inside of you, making sure he didn’t pull out and deprive you of any of his seed. 

“How was it, baby? Feeling okay?”, he asked as you brushed his curls back. 

“Amazing—perfect, just what I needed. Thank you, babe.”

He leaned down to kiss your lips softly and tenderly before he pulled out easily, eliciting another whimper from you. 

“So sorry, love. Guess I could have let you cock-warmed me.”, he breathed as he collapsed in bed, pulling you towards him before grabbing the sheet and comforter and pulling it up and over you both. 

You shot up easily. “You know what cock-warming is?”

He chuckled lightly. “Just because I’m well educated doesn’t mean I don’t know the slang terms, love.”

He gave you a peck on the cheek, causing you to laugh. You snuggled into his warm arms, closing your eyes. You were beginning to get some of your energy back. Joe kissed your head before making sure you both were comfortable under the sheets—warm and protected. 

“What do you think the baby will be?”, you asked softly.

“Hmmmm,”, he pondered out loud. “A girl.”

He was already trying to doze off, voice become slow and soft. The voice that drove you crazy, you loved hearing it first thing in the morning. Your mind instantly began running, thinking of him holding the baby on his chest and kissing its head as he rubbed the baby’s back, kissing its head and telling the baby how much he loved it and how amazing it was that you gave him a baby of his own. It made your heart swell, and butterflies rise in your stomach. 

“A girl?”

“Mhmmm.”

“I think it’s going to be a boy.”

“I’ll be happy either way.”, he kissed your head.

“Me too. I love you, Joe.”

“I love you too Y/N, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

A few more weeks passed, a few more appointments came and gone. You were sixteen weeks and your pregnancy was becoming harder to hide. Joe was downstairs, making coffee. He had taken a few days off from teaching to spend some time with you. It was approaching Thanksgiving break, a chance for you all to spend some time together away from school. You had debated going home to see your parents, but they didn’t even know you were pregnant yet.

“Mhm there’s my baby.”, he smiled as he took you in his arms, placing his hand on your belly.

“Yeah.”, you smirked as you both shared a soft tender kiss.

Joe was counting down until the appointment where they told you what the baby was going to be. They were going to try at eighteen weeks if the baby cooperated. He was so excited he could barely contain himself. 

“So can we talk for a minute?”

You pulled away from Joe lightly. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine, love. Just—mum and dad would like to fly in from London around May, near your due date so they can be here and see the baby once it’s born—if you’re okay with it.”

“You told your parents?”

“I did—have you not told your mum and dad?”

“Not yet—I was wanting to wait until I was around twenty weeks.”

“Gonna tell them your professor got you pregnant?”, he smirked lightly.

“Well—not sure.”, you smirked back easily. 

“Mhm, I see. So can I tell my parents that’s okay?”

“Yeah—did you tell them you got your student pregnant?”, you teased before sharing another kiss. 

He smirked as he parted from you, going over to grab you a cup of coffee. 

“Isn’t caffeine bad for the baby?”

“One cup will be okay.”, he rolled his eyes playfully. 

Even though it was November, there was the threat of a terrible snowstorm. It was expected to begin later this evening. You weren’t going to complain if you both got snowed in together. This time next year, there would be a baby to share it with. The holidays will be an even more joyous time and you couldn’t wait to have the baby’s first Christmas. You all were going to have a baby of your own, become a family. 

You didn’t know if you all would be married. You didn’t know what that part of your future was going to bring. But you were ready for it, you were ready to share it with him.

“I’m gonna go to the grocery store in case it snows and we’re stuck for a few days. I’m still not quite used to the snows here—London wasn’t quite like that.”, he chuckled lightly. 

“Alright.”

“Anything you or the baby wants?”, he smiled, rubbing your belly.

Your morning sickness had practically subsided. There were still moments of nausea but they often left almost as quickly as they had came. 

“Just some yogurt—blueberry specifically. And some macaroni and cheese—oh and pickles.”

“Pickles?”, Joe scrunched up his nose.

“That reminds me—ice cream too, please.”

“Flavor?”

“Vanilla.”

“Alright, love. If you think of anything else you or the baby wants, text me. Okay?”

“Okay.”

He gave you another kiss before grabbing his keys, bending down to give your bump one last kiss. “Daddy will be back, baby.”

You watched Joe leave before making yourself a quick bowl of cereal and going to sit on the couch. Propping your feet up, you turned on the television as you attempted to find something to watch. It had become a habit for you to put your hand on your belly, rubbing it gently. It was a comfort thing—it was comforting for you both. You hoped anyway. Both you and Joe talked to the baby at night or in the evenings. He had read it was good for the baby in a book and he had been doing it ever since. It was cute, you had to admit.

Minding your own business while eating your cereal, you felt add odd feeling—one you had never felt before. You had read about it before or you think you had. You rubbed your hands over your belly again, feeling it with your own fingertips. It was the baby moving. Tears immediately came into your eyes and you instantly wished Joe would have been there, but it could have happened at any point. Wasting no time, you pulled out your cell phone and dialed his number immediately.

The line rang a few times before he finally picked up, you on the brink of crying. 

“Hey, love. Is everything okay? I’m trying to hurry.”

“Joe.”

“Yes?”

“The baby kicked.”

“What?”, he laughed, you knowing he had a smile on his face. 

“Yeah, I was eating some cereal and I felt the baby moving. I had to call you.”

“Record it. I wanna see it when I get home, please.”

“Okay.”, you laughed easily. “See you at home.”

“Alright, love. I love you.”

“I love you.”

You ended the call easily before turning your camera on, facing it on your growing belly. You pulled your pajama shirt up easily to reveal your belly. Staring at your belly, you waited for the baby to move again. Rubbing your belly, you attempted to coerce the baby to move. The baby waited a moment before beginning to move and kick again, causing a smile to spread across your face. It was hard to imagine you were having a real baby before when you just read a positive pregnancy test.

Seeing your baby on the first ultrasound made you realize this was really happening—you were really having a baby. Now, you were sixteen weeks pregnant. Your bump was bigger, finally giving a visualization that you were indeed growing a tiny human. In the video, you asked your little peanut to show Daddy how it could kick. The baby didn’t disappoint, giving a lot of good kicks and movement. You smirked, knowing Joe would adore this. He would be over the moon, just like he was any time he rubbed your bump or saw the baby through a doctor’s appointment. 

Caught up in the fact that you had finally felt your baby move, you didn’t notice when Joe pulled in or when the door opened, an arm full of bagged groceries in his hands. 

“Hey, love.”

“Hey, Joe.”

“Is the baby still kicking?”

“Yeah—showing off now.”, you smiled.

Joe brushed the snow off his peacoat as he slid his boots off and closed the door, heading straight for the kitchen. He sat the groceries on the table before coming back into the living room, quickly sliding off his peacoat and taking a seat beside you on the couch. 

“I’m guessing the snow started?”

“It did. It’s coming down hard and fast. I’m glad I went to the store. I got a few extra things for us in case it snows us in.”, he smiled as he leaned over, sharing a kiss with you.

“Thanks, babe. You’re the best. Wanna feel the baby?”

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about driving home. Pretty sure I broke the speed limit a couple of times.”

He chuckled softly as you began giggling, grabbing his hand and placing it on your belly. You moved it gently, trying to find exactly where the baby was kicking.

“Don’t get shy around Daddy.”, you told your bump, feeling slightly discouraged.

“You took a video, didn’t you?”

You nodded. “But I want you to feel the real thing.”

“Maybe the baby is sleeping. Mommy’s all relaxed and maybe the baby thought it was a good time for a nap—which you need to take too.”

You rolled your eyes playfully at Joe. He had insisted on you taking naps after class and even between your classes, giving you a key to his place. He didn’t live far from campus and it was much more relaxing at his house than in the dorm rooms. You would admit that it felt good to get a nap in and it was nice that he was pitching in to cook dinner, pick up dinner, do the dishes, and do the laundry. And you were now even leaving clothes at his place. 

“I will after we put away groceries and I eat something else. Ugh, my cravings are so bad.”, you rolled your eyes again, still moving his hand in an effort to get the baby to kick. 

“Mhm, that’s normal. You’re eating for two.”

“Yeah and I’m gonna gain weight.”, you groaned.

“A pound a month is ideal. You lost in the beginning from morning sickness and nausea. It’s not going to kill you to eat what you want. You’re only gaining in your belly.”, he sighed. 

“It will kill me when I have big, ugly stretch marks.”

Joe sighed. “You’re still going to be beautiful and it’s just a reminder that you’re growing and nurturing our baby. You’ll still be the most beautiful and sexy woman I’ve ever met.”

You smiled at him easily before moving his hand in just the right spot, distracting from your conversation. You and Joe both gasped in excitement, a look of awe on both of your faces.

“Joe, did you feel it?” 

“I did. Daddy’s little peanut.”

You both had tears in your eyes as you looked at one another. Joe’s brown eyes were beaming—just like you knew they’d be. 

“I love you.”, he breathed.

“I love you more.”

“I love you most.”

“Not possible.”, you argued back playfully.

He held his hand there, feeling the baby under his hand. It was the most magical feeling, one he never thought would happen. There were times he never imagined he would be a father and now, it was happening. He imagined he would be married ideally, but he wouldn’t change a thing. You giggled easily, making your belly shake as he moved his hand ever so slightly just to keep up with the baby. You smiled at him widely, him returning the same gesture. 

“Oh it is.”, he hummed before leaning in, sharing another slow and passionate kiss. 

“Can we put groceries away now? I’m starving.”, you eyed him. 

“I don’t even want to stop feeling for a second.”, he sighed.

“I know, babe. But you’ll have plenty of time to do it once I’ve ate something.”

He pouted playfully. “I know, love. What do you want to eat?”, he rubbed your belly easily, still feeling the baby move around under his hand.

“Ugh. A sandwich. Like with everything—ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup. And ice cream. With a pickle?”, you smiled nervously.

Joe’s nose crinkled up. “You hate mustard and pickles.”

“I know. I can’t help it. I’m craving it. Your baby is craving it.”

He laughed easily, pinching the bridge of his nose above his glasses. “I know. I’ll get it. Just relax and get comfy, baby. What did you want to drink?”

“A little caffeine….soda?”, you eyed him.

He smirked, teasing you. “Fine. I guess we can make an exception. I thought for dinner we could make baked ziti.” 

“Never had it, but it sounds good.”, you eyed him as you both stood up before he leaned down to kiss your bare bump, sending shivers and chills down your spine.

“I thought we were relaxing.”, he eyed you over his glasses, a true teacher look. “But baked ziti is similar to lasagna, but better.”

“I said I’d help you put groceries away.”, you sighed. “I’m just pregnant—not helpless.”, you eyed him.

“You need to relax. It’s cold—snowing. Perfect nap and cuddle weather. We could even go to the bedroom and cuddle if you’re more comfortable in bed. Watch Hallmark movies—isn’t that what you all do near Christmas?”

You eyed him before rolling your eyes. “Yeah, we like our cheesy, romantic Hallmark movies. And I guess that would be okay once I eat.”, you smirked.

Secretly, you both had an understanding that it would turn into more. ‘

“Alright and once you fall asleep—I’m getting up to make dinner.”

“You’d leave me? And our baby?”, you pouted, rubbing your bump as you both made your way into the kitchen.

He sighed as he began sitting the groceries out of the plastic bags, stuffing them under the sink. “Just to make an amazing dinner for you both.”

“Fine.”

You both laughed, sharing a kiss. Life was good—perfect practically. The only downside was still having to keep your all’s relationship a secret. It was getting harder, the closer you both grew to one another. This baby wasn’t making matter any easier. Tori still didn’t know you were pregnant as you were still able to hide it. Soon, you’d have to tell her but there was no way you were telling her who the baby’s father was. You watched Joe put away the groceries, you helped by handing him the items sitting on the table. 

You couldn’t help but bite your lip as he bent over, even his slacks showing his ass almost perfectly. It was one of your favorite things physically about him. He put the last of the groceries away before getting the ingredients out to make your sandwich. He seemed to notice that you had been staring at him, causing a smirk to spread across his lips as he began cutting the vegetables for your sandwich. 

“Enjoying the view?”, he teased.

“Maybe.”, you shrugged easily. 

He chuckled softly as he pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose before going back to cut your vegetables. “Maybe you can enjoy it later top, hm? If you feel up to it.”

You smirked easily, feeling like a love-sick teenager. “I’d like to. As long as your baby cooperates.”

A smile spread across his lips as he laid the vegetables on top of your ham. “You’ve had a lot less nausea lately.”

“I know but it still happens—at night which is really weird.”

Joe laughed. “I know.”

He was finishing your sandwich, putting all the condiments on it before setting your drink beside it. You wasted no time in moving over to the countertop and grabbing your drink and sandwich, beginning to eat immediately. Your eyes fluttered shut as you took your first bite of the sandwich, feeling like you hadn’t eaten in days. These pregnancy hormones were taking a toll on you but it would all be worth it for this baby. 

“Does it taste good?”

You nodded, humming in agreement. “Mhm, you did amazing babe.”

Joe came over and kissed your head. “Glad I could make you happy.”

“More than happy.”

Joe smiled as you ate your sandwich, finishing it almost as quickly as he made it before chasing it down with your soda. You both smiled at one another before Joe went back over to the freezer pulling out your ice cream and a pickle—just like you had asked. He tried to suppress his slight disgust as he brought it over to the kitchen table, sitting it down in front of you.

“Thanks, babe. After this we’re going to cuddle in bed and watch Hallmark, right?”

He nodded as he sat down at the table beside you, eager to feel your belly again. You giggled as his hands found it again. 

“We’ll watch your Hallmark movies and cuddle.”, he reaffirmed. 

You all shared another kiss before you dug into your ice cream and pickle, not taking very long to scarf it down either. You got up, rinsing out your bowl before grabbing a glass of water to take to the bedroom. You couldn’t help but look out the window, seeing the snow falling. It was a thick, heavy snow that was quickly coating the ground and everything else in its path. 

“It’s really coming down out there, isn’t it?”, Joe asked coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist.

“Yeah.”

“I think I’ll kick on the fireplace. And don’t worry, it’s propane, not actual logs.”, he smirked as he pecked your cheek.

You smirked softly. “Want hot chocolate or something?”

“I’ll just take tea. I need to try to stay awake and grade papers.”, he sighed. “Before dinner or the power goes out.”

You nodded easily, remembering exactly how he liked his tea.

“Shouldn’t I be waiting on my pregnant girlfriend?”

“I am perfectly capable of making you tea and myself hot chocolate.”, you glared back at him. 

“Okay, love.”

You went back to hit, boiling water on the stove as you worked on your hot chocolate. Once the water was hot enough, you pulled it off the stove and poured it into a teacup, careful to add the tea satchel. 

“Be careful with the hot water, love.”

“I will.”

He eased off slightly, trying not to be too overbearing. He knew he was worried, but he couldn’t help it. He’d never had a healthy stable relationship much less an unborn baby he had to worry about. He knew you were doing everything right in your pregnancy. You were going to the doctor like you were supposed to but he still was waiting for the other shoe to fall. When was something going to go wrong? The thought alone terrified him. What would he do if something happened to you and the baby? He tried not to focus on that.

You brought him out of his daydream but handing him his cup of tea with a smile on your face. 

“Thanks, baby.”

“I think I’m ready for a nap.”, you yawned as you stretched your arms. “Is it bad I’m still in my pajamas?”

Joe laughed. “No, it’s not bad. You deserve it."

He offered to carry your hot chocolate as you both made your way into the bedroom. It was dark except for the fireplace that he had lit. It was warm but not too hot—just cozy. 

“Soon we won’t be able to do this.”, you sighed as you sat down on the edge of the bed before climbing in it.

“I know. We can—it just won’t be exactly the same. We’ll have a baby.”

You nodded easily as Joe undressed down to his boxers, climbed in bed with you, took you in his arms, and pulled the sheet and comforter over you both before kissing your head. 

“Goodbye sleep.”, you smirked.

“I’ll help you and get up with the baby. You won’t do this all alone. We haven’t really talked about this—but are you planning on breastfeeding or using formula?”

You sighed, closing your eyes as he changed the television over to the Hallmark channel, your tiredness already hitting you full force. “I want to breastfeed.”

He nodded. “Okay, love. Sounds good. We’re gonna have to find you a breast pump. Best of the best.”

You smirked before grimacing slightly. “The baby is moving now.”, you groaned easily, turning over in bed towards Joe, trying to get comfortable.

“Maybe the caffeine and ice cream woke her up.”

“Her?”, you smirked.

“I’m thinking it’s a little girl.”

“It could be a he.”, you laughed before Joe kissed you again, brushing your hair out of your face. He knew you would fall asleep soon. 

“Either way, I’m going to love it with everything in me.”, Joe smiled as he placed his hand on your belly, rubbing it and lulling you off to sleep. 

“Me too. I love you, Joe.”, you smiled softly, voice slurring as you were already dozing off.

“I love you, baby.”, he breathed, leaning down to kiss you again before you dozed off. 

You weren’t sure how many hours had passed. You turned over in bed, stretching and attempting to find the alarm clock. It was five in the evening according to the bold, bright red numbers. You immediately turned to look for Joe but he was gone, his papers laid out on the bedside table with his red pen on top of them. His teacup was gone, and the Hallmark movies continued to play on a loop. You sat up easily, feeling like you smelled food. Did you smell food or were you going crazy? You definitely felt hungry again. 

Stretching, you pulled the covers back and got out of bed. Soon, you’ll have to buy some more clothes. Your belly wasn’t going to get any smaller. Most of your jeans didn’t fit. You opened the bedroom door and sniffed. It was definitely food. Joe had to be in the kitchen. You held your belly as you made it to the kitchen, seeing him turned away from you and being fully focused on cooking. He bent over, checking the oven and making sure he wasn’t burning the baked ziti…that’s what he was making if you remembered correctly.

He was dressed in his pajama pants, opting to match you and give up his dress clothes. It was such a shock to see him in more casual and comfortable clothes—still. He must have felt your presence because he turned around almost immediately. 

“Hey, love. Did you have a good nap?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“I ended up dozing off with you for like an hour before I woke up. I got a few papers graded and then I came down here and started dinner. It’s almost done.” 

You nodded easily. “How’s the weather?”

“Bad. They said on the news we’re under a state of emergency now. They advised everyone to charge their phones and all that stuff because they said there would be a lot of power outages. I lit the fireplace in the living room as well.” 

Your eyes widened easily before nodding. “Yeah, I think mine is at a hundred percent.”

“Said flights would be delayed for the holidays.”, he added as he turned around back to make the salad. 

Joe was an avid news and weather watcher, something he said he had learned to do since moving to the States. You watched Joe toss the salad before setting it to the side. His phone timer went off, prompting him to pull the ziti from the oven. The warm smell hit your nose, causing your eyes to flutter shut. Man, this baby was making you hungry. You felt like you were starving and hadn’t eaten in days but it had just been a few hours. 

“Really? Glad we aren’t traveling.”

“Yeah—my mom and dad had wanted to come see me but they saw the predicted weather and changed their minds.”, he smirked, looking back at you.

Your heart practically dropped into your stomach. “You were going to let them?”

He laughed out loud. “Yeah, but you aren’t super pregnant yet. I was going to ease them into our relationship then tell them about the baby a little later.”

“Oh.”, you nodded.

You didn’t know what it was but something made you very nervous when it came to the idea of meeting Joe’s parents and telling them you’re pregnant. You even wondered if you all were moving things way too quickly. 

“Maybe when we find out the gender.”

“In two weeks hopefully.”, you sat down at the table, rubbing your belly. 

“Mhm, sure hope so. We could have done the blood test.”, he teased. 

“But I worry those aren’t totally accurate.”

“True. But some ultrasound techs still get it wrong.”

You rolled your eyes before they panned to several candles adorning the table and you imagined they were there for the possibility that the electricity was going to go out while you all ate dinner. 

“Here you go, love. Baked ziti and a salad. What dressing do you want and what to drink?”, he kissed your cheek. 

“Um, ranch and some water.”

“Okay, love.”

He grabbed the ranch and some water from the fridge, setting it down in front of you. He kissed your cheek again before feeling your belly. 

“I hope you enjoy dinner.”

“Oh I’m sure I will—I’m starving. This kid is making me hungry all the time.”

Joe smirked before kissing your cheek again, going to fix his own plate. “It’s all the hormones and growing a tiny human. Completely normal, love.”

He came over to join you at the table, setting his plates down and grabbing some soda from the fridge. He poured himself a drink, and began to eat. You felt like a ravenous animal, stuffing your face. You all made small talk, talking about what gender you thought the baby would be and throwing around a few names. Joe was still very adamant it was going to be a little girl while you were sure it was going to be a little boy. Just thinking about a little boy, who was identical to Joe running around made your heart melt. He had the dominant features—especially his brown eyes.

“You’ve never shown me pictures of you as a baby.”, you stirred in your ziti before stabbing some with a fork. 

Joe stopped mid-bite. “Neither have you.”

“All mine are at home.” 

“Most of mine are with Mom. I brought a few with me. But I know we’re going to make a cute baby.”

“I wanna see them.”

“Okay, I’ll dig them out after dinner.”

All of a sudden, the lights flickered before going completely out, leaving you and Joe only in candlelight. 

“Or maybe when the power comes back on.”, he cleared his throat.

“It’s so dark.”

“It’s okay, love. I’ll go upstairs after dinner and grab some pillows and blankets and we can sleep down here if you want.”

“Okay.”

“Will you be comfortable enough? I know you get a little uncomfortable at night.”

“I’ll make it. We are going to have to invest in a pregnancy pillow for me. Please.”

“I will get you one as soon as the weather clears up, I promise. If you need something, tell me.”, his eyes darkened as if there was some undertone. 

“Anything?”

“Of course, love. I’ll do my best to oblige.”

“Okay.”, you smiled as you sipped your water, already thinking of an idea in your head. 

You all finished up dinner, Joe clearing the plates and cups before putting the leftovers away and putting the dirty dishes in the sink. He said he’d wash them tomorrow when the power would hopefully be restored. You asked him to get your gown and bring it down when he brought everything else but you couldn’t help to sit on the couch and have your stomach twist and turn in desire. That was something else they never told you when you got pregnant—sometimes you’d want to avoid sex and cuddle but then most of the time (in your case), you wanted sex. 

The noise of Joe coming down the stairs grabbed your attention, seeing him with several pillows and blankets in his arms, almost obscuring his view. You noticed your gown was on top before he sat everything down on the couch. 

“You sure you’ll be okay, love? I worry about you.”

“I’ll be fine for one night, I promise. If not—I can always move to the couch.”

Joe nodded. “Okay, love.”

You both shared a kiss before Joe began spreading the blankets out and placing the pillows just so-so. You watched him—the ways his arms flexed as he bent down and fixed the blankets and his soft grunts as he made sure they were just right causing you to bite your lips and shift from your spot on the couch, eventually causing you to stand up and slip off your pajamas and change into your gown which made your baby bump look that much more prominent. Joe smoothed the bottom blanket out before adding the top one. He was definitely going to make sure you all were warm and as comfortable as he could. 

“Okay, love. How’s that?”

“Great.”, you smiled softly as he turned around, quick to notice you had changed.

His eyes panned up and down your body.

“Like it?”, you smirked.

“Love it. You look more pregnant.”

“I know.”, you began, rubbing your belly. “Soon I’m not gonna be able to hide my bump.”

“Mhm, it’ll be okay.”, he breathed as he took you into his arms.

You took a deep breath as you inhaled his scent. You didn’t know if it was the hormones or something else but you craved his scent. His pheromones were much stronger, mixed with the hint of his Dior cologne.

“Joe?”

“Yes, love?”

“Did you really mean it earlier when you said you’d do anything for me?”

“Mhm, do you need something love?”

“Um,”, you cleared your throat as he pulled back easily to look at your face before brushing your hair to the side all while looking deep into your eyes with concern and care. “Actually I do.”

His eyebrows raised in surprise. “And what’s that, love? What do you need?”

“Um,”, you laughed from embarrassment lightly. “I feel like I really—need…”

Your mouth was going dry.

“Need what, love?”

“Um, sex.”

“Sex?”, his eyes widened as he repeated the word. 

You nodded softly. “You can say no.”

“And what if I don’t want to say no?”, he spoke barely above a whisper.

“I’d be really happy.”

He smirked. “And what a shame—you just put this gown on.”

“I know, but it’ll look better on the floor, won’t it?”

Joe hummed in satisfaction, already feeling his cock growing hard. “It would.”

You smirked as you reached down, grabbing the hem of the gown and lifting it up and over your head. It left you almost totally exposed, leaving your panties on. Joe took a deep inhale, taking in your body. Sure, it was changing a little but he still loved you and thought you were the most beautiful and sexy girl he’d ever seen. You bit your lip shyly as you looked up at him.

“God, you’re so sexy.”, he breathed. 

“Am not.”

“Are so.” 

“Your breasts have grown a bit.”, Joe commented as he took them in his hands, watching for your reaction.

Your breathing hitched as you closed your eyes shut, waiting for the pain and sensitivity to hit, but it didn’t. Not too much, anyway. It wasn’t unbearable. 

“Yeah—think I may need a new bra soon.”, you sighed.

“I’ll give you some money to go shopping.”

“No, you don’t have to.”, you eyed him.

“I can and I will. It’s all my fault things are getting tight, isn’t it?”, he chuckled. 

You bit back a moan. “Kinda….”

He nodded. “See? And when we find out what our baby is gonna be, we can go shopping for her.”

You rolled your eyes playfully. “You’re stuck on a little girl.” 

“I am.”, he smirked as he flicked your nipple in between his thumb and pointer finger.

“And what are you gonna do if it’s a little boy?”

“Love him just the same. But it’s gonna be my little girl.”

“We’ll see.”

“We will.”, he hummed as you let out a moan, desperate for more. 

You needed him in so many more ways than one.

“Joe, please.”

“Please what, love?”, he kissed your neck, fighting the urge to sink his teeth in your neck and leave a hickey. 

It would be gone before school started back.

“Fuck me.”

“I’m sorry?”

He just wanted to hear you say it again.

“Fuck—me. Please.”, you repeated.

His breathing hitched as he felt his cock twitch under his pants. “Not without a little foreplay first, right?”

“Right.”, you agreed.

This was almost a wet dream. His hands left your breasts causing you to moan lightly as you went for his pajama pants, pulling them down. He swallowed hard as you came back up, grabbing the hem of his boxers and flashing him a seductive smile. You jerked them down quickly, allowing his cock to spring free. He moaned out loudly, closing his eyes as he felt his cock twitch, waiting for you to touch it or put it in your mouth. He wasn’t picky. He just wanted you—however you wanted it.

A smile spread across your lips, knowing you had him right where you wanted him. It was sexy that you got him that hot and bothered. You grabbed his shirt, pulling it up and over his head, and tossing it to the floor before he gently pushed you against the wall, beginning to kiss you.

“How—do—you—want it?”, he breathed between kisses. 

“Missionary?”

“You’re so vanilla, aren’t you, love?”, he teased playfully. 

“What’s wrong with vanilla?”

“Nothing—nothing at all.”

“I mean we could do more—just I really want missionary.”, you breathed.

“Okay, love. I’ll do whatever you want.”

He picked you up, causing you to gasp before taking you over to his little pillow and blanket bed he had made in front of the fireplace, softly laying you down on the pillows. You gently pulled a blanket over yourself just enough to cover your breasts and cunt, leaving little to the imagination. Most of your belly and thighs were exposed. The only light was from the fireplace, the rest of the house completely dark. He began kissing you, pressing himself down on top of the blanket, and making you feel his cock through the blanket. It was so hard and you knew it was just for you.

“Fuck, just look at you.”, he breathed as his hand ran down your leg.

You smirked. “How bad do you want me?”

“So bad—do you want anything else?”, he breathed.

“Like?”

“Want me to eat you out?”

Your breathing hitched. “You wanna?”

“Of course, I do. I want anything you do, love.”

“If you want to, I’d like it.”, you breathed, feeling your cheeks turning red but you were unsure whether it was from embarrassment or how warm the fire was.

“Mhm, okay love. Spread your legs for me. Wanna see how wet you already are for me.”

“Okay.”, you breathed as he moved the blanket slightly to the side, dipping his head between your thighs.

Suddenly, you felt his fingers down your slick causing you to moan lightly while arching your back. 

“Fuck, baby. You’re soaked for me.”

“Can’t help it. Really horny.”, you breathed.

“I love it.”, he hummed as he pulled his fingers out almost as quickly as he had inserted them before bringing them to his mouth and sticking them inside, licking them off like a sucker. You couldn’t help but watch him, your chest heaving up and down. You bit your lip as he sucked off every last bit of you from his fingers. 

“God, I want more.”

“Then take it.”

He leaned down to kiss you, allowing you to lightly taste yourself. You ran your hands through his thick, curly hair. You were the perfect mix of salty and sweet, realizing why he liked it so much. 

“Are you sure?”

He broke the kiss to look deep in your eyes, brushing your hair back gently with his fingers as a small smile spread across his lips.

“Uh-huh.”, you shifted easily, feeling the aching feeling in your core increase. 

“Okay, love. Anything you want.”

He shifted to the floor, focusing his attention down south. He easily spread your legs, getting a perfect view of your cunt. He took a deep breath, yearning to be inside of you. You smiled up at him easily, the blanket barely covering your core. If he was being honest, he loved this view and he couldn’t wait to wreck you. It was amazing that he was going to have you all to himself. It was something he was still trying to wrap his head around. 

As he was positioning himself, he noticed you shift easily and take a deep breath.

“Everything okay, love?”

“Fine. Just a little nervous.”

“Nervous of what?”

“I don’t know—it won’t be that great.”

Joe’s face crinkled slightly in confusion. “What do you mean, love?” 

“I just mean—what if I don’t smell or taste good.”, you swallowed hard, saying it out loud only intensifying your fear further. 

“Love, it’s amazing.”, Joe reassured as he rubbed your inner thigh before placing a gentle kiss on it.

“Are you sure?”

You knew you didn’t taste bad—but your hormones were acting up again. There was a fear that he would find someone else, moving on to a new piece of ass. You had nightmares about it daily but chose not to discuss them with him, afraid he would find them annoying or agitating. 

“I’m absolutely sure, love. It’s amazing and it drives me crazy. Makes me want to fuck you even worse.”, he smirked.

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Okay.”

“Are you ready now, love?”

You nodded easily, trying to put your fears and concerns on the back burner. You did your best to try and shift, relaxing your body and attempting to relax your mind. You felt his breath between your thighs. Without further warning, you felt his tongue take a long, slow swipe between your slick, wet folds causing your back to arch and your breathing to hitch. He noticed, his brown eyes looking up at you.

“Does it feel good?”, he hummed against you.

“So—good.”, you moaned softly.

He chuckled against you, continuing to work his tongue in and out of your slick folds. You were doing your best to focus on the euphoria that was engulfing you. His grip on your thighs tightened, making sure to keep you close to him. This was one of Joe’s favorite things to do to you.

Interrupting your thoughts again, you felt his tongue once again swipe between your wet slit, eliciting a moan from you. You could tell this pleased Joe. You parted your legs as far apart as they’d go, allowing him full access to you. You eyed him, resting your head on the pillows he had used in this makeshift bed. He wanted you to be as comfortable as possible while he fucked you with his tongue and cock, soon enough. 

“Fu-fuck, Joe.”, you moaned, grabbing the blanket on top of you.

His lips curved into a smile again, pulling away from you just for a moment. “Do you like my mouth, baby?”

You nodded feverishly as if you were silently begging him to continue. He teased you, just enough to feel his breath once again on your clit. 

“Words, baby. Tell me what you want.”

“Don’t stop—please.”

“Good girl.”, he praised as he moved his mouth back to your folds, flicking his tongue over your folds. 

Your eyes rolled back easily, this already blowing your mind. Joseph easily took his hands, moving your legs up to his shoulders, allowing him more leverage. It was hot. So very hot. Was it the fireplace or the chemistry between you both? Your hands continued to grip the blanket with each flick and swipe of his tongue, you not being able to hold back your feral moans. 

You couldn’t wait any longer before you decided you needed something else to sink your fingers into. You eyed Joe’s curls hazily, your brain already turning to mush. You lifted your gripped hands from the blanket before brushing them through Joseph’s hair. What you did next slightly caught him by surprise. You tugged at his curls, causing him to moan, sending vibrations all over your cunt and throughout your heat. His fingers dug deeper into your thighs. The sounds filling the room were those that reminded you how wet you were.

Another sensation struck you suddenly—his beard.

You could feel the tickle of his stubble rubbing against your sensitive, throbbing clit. His stubble brushed against your clit as he moved his face, fucking you with his tongue. Joseph was well aware of what he was doing, his stubble dragging against your skin eliciting moans of pleasure from you. He was being so dirty and you loved it. 

Joe’s tongue was fucking you the right way in all the right places, and you beginning to feel your high take over. It wasn’t taking very much from him with his stubble and motions of his tongue to bring you close to your release. Joe felt pride at this, considering it an accomplishment he was going to make you cum this easy. You could feel the building hot, twisting, ache in your stomach signifying your impending orgasm was near.

“Joe—”, you moaned out, mewling under his tongue.

“Hmm?”, he hummed against you.

“I’m gonna—cum.”, you choked, feeling the intensity increase. 

He pulled away from your dripping cunt just for a moment, another whimper escaping from you for the lack of his tongue buried in you. “Cum for me, baby. I wanna taste you so fucking bad.”

His tongue went back to its dastardly deeds and that was all it took to send you over the edge.

“I’m cum—cumming.”, you moaned out as you gripped your fingers in his curls, tugging slightly.

He ceased working his tongue, allowing you to have your orgasm for just a moment before he stuck his tongue back in you, he was going to give himself the pleasure of tasting your sweet juices. Considering he was the one who worked so hard for it. Your toes were curled near his head, your vision going blurry as you cried out, feeling your cunt tighten around his tongue, releasing your juices. 

Your chest heaved up and down as he lapped at you, smothering himself in your cunt to get that final taste. Once he was content, Joseph pulled away and looked up at you, feeling his breath against your core once more. Joseph was usually a man of composure and class, however, how he looked right now made him that much more irresistible. He looked so feral and lustful, craving you. 

He wasn’t breaking his eye contact with you as you noticed his beard glisten in the low light with the coating from your juices. You swallowed hard at the sight. He ran his tongue over his lips and upper stubble from his beard, tasting the remainder of you from tongue fucking you. A small moan escaped you taking in the sight of this. Now, you need him more than ever. 

“Joe.”, you sighed.

“Yes, love?”

“Can you please fuck me? Please put your cock inside of me?”

Joe wore a shocked expression at the use of your candid language. “Love, you’ve barely recovered from my tongue.”

“Don’t care—need you inside of me—please.”, you begged, swallowing hard.

“You know you don’t have to beg, love.”

You nodded softly as he cupped your cheek. He gave you a soft kiss as he positioned himself between your legs, hard cock already brushing your slick. 

“Are you sure you’re ready, love?”

“Please—never been more ready.”, your eyes fluttered shut, preparing yourself for him.

“Okay, love. Wanna hold my hand while we do it? Makes us feel closer.”, he breathed.

You nodded softly again, reaching your trembling hand out. It didn’t matter how long you all had been together, you still got nervous at times. But he always reassured you.

He took your hand, threading his fingers in between yours. “You’re so beautiful.”

A smile curved on your lips. “Promise?”

“Always.”, he smirked with a soft chuckle. 

You smiled up at him, eyes becoming slightly watery. It was the damn hormones again, wasn’t it? He leaned down and shared another kiss with you before lining himself up with you and entering you, causing you to gasp lightly. 

“Sorry, baby. You’re so tight—even after fingering you and eating you out.”

His face was full of concern, he hated hurting you just for a second—even if it would turn pleasurable for you. 

“It’s—it’s okay, babe.”

He watched you, still holding your hand as he began to thrust deep inside of you. His rhythm started off slow in an attempt to give you time to adjust. He saw you take a deep breath as he grunted softly, rutting himself inside of you. 

“Feeling better?”, he asked softly.

You nodded. “Mhm.”

“I swear I’d put a baby in you if I hadn’t already.”, he groaned.

Your eyes flew open. “Yeah?”

“Yeah—so happy you’re having my baby.”

You smirked before moaning softly as he hit the right spot that made you see stars. The thought that had entered your mind left as quickly as it came.

“God, just looking at you right now drives me mad.”, his eyes rolled back in his head as he continued to thrust into you, the sound of his balls smacking against you filling the room.

You would have never in your wildest dreams imagined being in this position with your professor—who was now your boyfriend. It was like a dream come true. You smiled up at him, clearly cock drunk right now. 

“Mhm feels—so good, Joe.”, you moaned softly, his grip tightening on your hand.

“So glad, baby. Love taking—care of you.”, he groaned.

His thrust continued, steady and he slightly began picking up the pace as he closed his eyes, throwing his head back lightly. 

“Joe….”, you hiccuped easily.

“Yes, love?”

“I think I’m gonna cum…..”

“Cum for me—cum all over my cock, baby. Can’t wait to fill you full.”

You were climbing the high of your orgasm, not able to focus on anything but that. Your brain was focused on his movements, feeling him deep inside of you. You closed your eyes, drowning out any other care in the world. You took your free arm, rubbing it up and down his arm—anything to hold onto. 

“Joe…..”, you moaned out.

“Yes, love?”, he breathed.

“Gonna cum—right now.”, you moaned as you instantly felt yourself tighten around him, juices spilling over his cock. 

Your eyes shot open, his eyes closed as he reveled in the feeling of you releasing. His job was done, he had done what he wanted to do. 

“Fuck—cum baby, cum all over my cock. Feels so good.”, he hummed as his rhythm slowed, giving you time to work through your orgasm.

He wanted to help you ride it out, he always did. You sank your fingernails in his hand as you moaned, the final waves of your orgasm hitting. Lightheadedness took over at this point, you felt the heat of your orgasm wash over your entire body. Every sensation, every time he fucked himself into you was so much more intense now causing you to whimper. He smirked, watching you come down off your high. Your chest was heaving, visibly trying to recover a little before he came.

You felt his cock twitch and pulse, a reaction from your orgasm. He could tell you were soaked—utterly soaked. He could feel your juices all over his curls at the base of him.

“Ready for me to cum, love?”, he breathed.

“Please.”, your mouth was dry.

He mentally counted how many thrusts it took after you came. One. Two. Three. His thrusts ceased immediately as he released the loudest groan he had of the night. His fingertips sank into your hand this time, his hips stuttering, keeping himself buried inside of you as deep as he could. You felt his cock pumping his cum deep into your cunt, careful to keep himself there and make sure none of it was missed. You both smiled at each other, beginning to laugh lightly. 

“How was that, love?”

“So good, Joe. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, love. Are you sure you’re going to be comfortable on the floor?”

“I’m gonna be fine. Just come cuddle me.”, you flashed him the puppy dog eyes that you knew he couldn’t resist. 

He smiled as he fell beside of you, a little of his seed spilling out on your thigh but you didn’t care. All that mattered was him being with you. He kissed you again before pulling you close to him, covering you both up with the huge blanket and a few smaller ones. Without contemplation, he held your bump before rubbing his hand over it easily. 

“She’s being quiet.”, he smirked.

“Maybe he’s asleep now.”, you looked back at Joe with a smirk on your face.

“After all that, it would be hard.”, he laughed. 

Suddenly, you both felt the baby move, kicking Joe’s hand easily. You smiled back at him again before you both shared a kiss. 

“Now, get the baby to settle down and sleep, please.”

“On it.”, he kissed you again before you both cuddled up together, your back facing his and feeling his cock resting against your ass. 

You snuggled into your pillows, closing your eyes as he rubbed your bump and attempted to lull both you and the baby to sleep. It must have worked at some point. You only woke up once, his arm wrapped around your waist while hearing him snore causing you to smirk before you dozed right back off to sleep. You were both trying to enjoy sleep before the baby came, but it was a good trade-off. Getting a new baby that was part of you both and losing a little sleep—it’d be worth it. 

[littlekohai77]

Pole vault

🅆🄰🅁🄽🄸🄽🄶🅂: reader being insecure and having a horrible self image, colorism cause Asian beauty standards are toxic. Reader mentioned to not be as white as A4 paper. Reader mentioned to be chubby and short. Reader lowkey checking hyun-su out.

It always infuriates you when you react to something in a manner that's slightly... Humiliating. When you can't hide how much you're affected. Whether that be for a positive or a negative thing.

You hate that all your emotions show up on your face. You hate that people can read you so easily. That people know exactly what cards to play to get to you.

That's exactly what you had thought when Hyun-su first approached you.

You were freshly dumped out of a toxic friend group when he'd met you.

At first you didn't pay him much mind. He was irresistible, yes. But... You knew he'd never like you. He was literally wanted by every girl in school. All they had left to do to get the point across was physically hunt him down.

You weren't conventionally pretty, skinny or social.

You didn't have too many friends in high school, just a senior and his little sister to hang around. And of course, the kind janitor.

Nobody really wanted to hang out with you, and... It might've been your fault. Partly.

You had been quite guarded and hostile during your freshman year, after getting bullied in middle school. Which drove people away. Cause aint nobody got the time to climb that wall.

But he did.

You two didn't even met all too often, small run ins at the convenient store that happens to stock your favorite drink and happens to be close to his school.

Passing by each other on the way to home. You'd be leaving a little late, cleaning up the club room with Eun-hyuk.

As soon as you'd step out the gate, you'd bump into him. Coincidentally. So many times... The timing so perfect you'd almost be convinced that he was waiting for you.

But of course he wouldn't. You two don't even know each other.

But he always tried to strike up conversations. At first, it was annoying. Painfully so, to be having to respond to small talk. Your head aching.

You had acted rudely quite a few times. Which he either laughed off, stayed quiet for 5 minutes, or give a rebuttal. The latter would ensue a verbal fist fight.... A one sided verbal fist fight. With you delivering the most hints and him walking it off.

You didn't understand what made him stick around. You wouldn't hang out with yourself either, than.. Why?

But then he began to grow on you. You began to somewhat look forward to it. At the time you'd blamed it on the made up fact that he'd become a part of your routine.

But now that you look back on it, that fondness was probably you finally beginning to accept him as a friend.

"Why that face? "

"What do you mean? " you responded, wiping away the obvious frown you had previously. Damnit, he has sharp eyes.

"Your face, are you.. Upset today? " his head tilted to the right, resembling a curious puppy.

"Maybe... " you shrugged, not really wanting to elaborate.

"Why? " he leaned in closer to your side.

Which made you a bit annoyed...or rather flustered "What why? "

"Well.. Tell me. "

"You... Wanna know? " you sounded surprised. And your surprise seemed to have made him surprised. As if he didn't expect that people don't actually wanna hear other's problems.

"I wanna. " he vehemently nodded his head, his fluffy hair bouncing in a way that made your fingers twitch at your side, wanting to touch it.

"Well... I've been.. Failing chemistry lately.. " you looked ahead at the road and slightly sped up your pace.

"Mhm.. "

"And... It's really taking a toll on me. "

"But why? "

You released a sigh through your nose in frustration, even if he grew on you, there was still a part of him that you hated, his 'why's that would dig into the parts that you didn't want to discuss, the parts that made you squirmy. Embarrassed.

"What do you mean 'why' ???!!? "

"Why do you care about your grades so much? "

"I... Isn't that normal? To care? " your attempted to deflect.

"Well... Yeah but.. Usually that's when your parents also care. And... It seems you dad doesn't necessarily? "

"... You know my dad? "

"Ran into him thrice. "

"Oh well.. You won't get it. " and that was your dismissal. The one thing he couldn't yet break past in this acquaintance like relationship that you share, that existed only on the road to home. And it upset him, that much you could gauge from his pout.

Silence ensued

"...."

".... "

"Okay... Maybe I won't" he muttered with a sigh of defeat. Clutching the strap of his book bag and bouncing it higher on his left shoulder.

More silence.

But not meaningless silence.

He was scratching the back of his head, and pulling at his bangs. Seemed like he had his thinking cap on.

"But, how about this? I'm pretty okay at chemistry so.. I'll tutor you? "

"For how much? "

"Uhm.. I dunno..free? "

You were surprised he'd be that generous.. But maybe it's not that surprising considering he's talking to you.

"You're not taking anything? "

"Not that I can think of... What are you willing to give? "

"Uhmm... Not money? "

He gave you a feigned glare of judgement.

"Cheapskate."

Oh... Had it struck 6:00 pm already? Seems like it's time for your routinely one sided verbal assault.

"Says the one who buys nearly expired bread. Thinks he's all that with that Vector lookin ass hair cut. Wearing above the knee shorts like a kindergartener but I guess it suits you since you got the mentality of one too. Would explain why you got spinach in your teeth-ALSO you said you don't want money, so that shouldn't even matter! You're just tryna get under my skin at this poi-"

"Tutor me in physics. "

"Huh? "

"Tutor, me, in, physics. "

"You're bad at physics of all things? " now it was your turn to be judgemental.

"Yeah, I know. Tragic that someone as perfect as me can have imperfections. But I believe that makes me all the more charming!!✨" the way he brushed his hair back and stepped under the street light made you want to roll your eyes into the next dimension.

"Stop acting like Tamaki. "

"Thought you liked him? " he grins that infuriatingly charming grin and wiggles his eye brows teasingly.

"That was a horrible impression. " you say after a feigned gag.

"Ehhhh whatever. Gimme your number. "

"Huh? "

"For the tutoring session? I mean, if it's like at your house and mine, I'm fine with that too... Not that I know your address so.... Might need that. "

Of course... He'd never ask for your number.

A realization hits you and you suddenly start stomping off. BECAUSE WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU CARE ABOUT HIM ASKING FOR YOUR NUMBER?? IT'S NOT LIKE YOU HAD A CRUSH ON HIM OR ANYTHING??? BRO IS YOUR SELF ESTEEM REALLY THAT LOW THAT YOU'D GET AFFECTED EACH TIME A PRETTY BOY DOESN'T WANNA BE WITH YOU????? AJHZJAHXJNSZN

"OIIIII! WAIT! WHAT HAPPENED??!! WHAT THE HEL-"

He yelled, running after you. Grabbing your hand and turning you around, and your forehead hit his chin.

"Ouch! Ahhhh... " he mutters rubbing it. You didn't apologize, head too busy spinning in circles. His hold wasn't that strong. It was firm.. But you could definitely break it off had you tried.

"What's the matter? I mean, if it's too much.. Fine we can forget we ever agreed to that. I just... I just wanted to help....... "

Silence from you.

"Look I.... I wasn't trying to upset you so like... I'm sorry if I did... Can you... " he looks into your eyes pleadingly and all you give him back is silence.

"Can you at least tell me so that... So that I can properly apologize? " he was nervous. He looked like he was an inch away from whimpering like a kicked puppy. And you slowly began to come back from your disassociative state.

"No it's... Uhhh.." Why's he looking at you with those eyes...

"Yes? "

"Sure I'll give you my number... And... Anddd... "

"And? " and then you kinda just rambled off without thinking because you'd become hyper aware for his hand around your wrist and his warm touch against your cold.

"Andddd.... Annddd we can't do it at home... They'll... Probably assume that we're.... We're.... "

"Dating? "

"Yeah... That... " you nodded, staring at his lips and nose. Too afraid to look into his eyes. Too afraid that you'd crumble to your knees at the sight. At the touch of him against you. Why does it feel so nice? It's like you're floating. It's making you dizzy. Because it's him, Hyun-su. The boy you used to watch play from your window when you were 9. The one you'd leave random things for on his doorstep. Hoping at least he'd notice. He didn't have to like it. Just acknowledge them. He probably doesn't remember the many times you've met before. Because you were a nobody. A nobody that he was now standing in front of. Holding onto. His was so close. You could almost smell his cologne and a hint of sweat. His body was so close. Heat literally radiating off of it. You could make out the muscles under his shirt. God you were such a pervert.

"Hey... You okay? " when that sweet saccharine voice of his flows into your ear, you feel like you might just collapse. Fuck, when did his face get so close? Your knees are starting to buckle and you hope that you crash into his chest when you fall. So that you can hear if his heart is beating as fast as yours. Maybe that'd break this fantasy of yours. Because who'd want to be with you. You were chubby. Your inner thighs brushed against each other when you walked, you got tummy rolls when you sat down. You were short. Your skin wasn't pale. You didn't have any particular talents. Your only sense of self worth based on your scores-

"Y/n?? " now both his hands were on your cheeks, squishing your face slightly. His worried yet angelic face so close you felt like you were suffocating, heart in your throat.

A car horn broke the haze.

You peeled off his hands and continued walking.

After a few paces you uttered a number as he stayed behind, beyond confused.

"xxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

"What? "

"My number? "

"Oh... Could you repeat that? " he quickly pulled out his cellphone. Growing confused when you picked at your nails.

"Hmmm... I don't know... My throats kinda dry... A soda would help me speak... " you thought he probably would give up after this.

"ALRIGHT! LESSS GO!! ☆(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*"

He was so overjoyed that he almost dropped his phone. Grabbing onto your hand and running across the street so fast that you almost got whiplash.

His touch was still electrifying. But not like before, where it was to the point that you wanted to squirm away.

When you two arrived at the convenient store, you were the one to break off his hold. As you could feel your lips quirking up. And you didn't want that. You didn't want to be vulnerable in front of him. Not yet.

He was nice. Probably the nicest guy you'd ever met and you didn't want that illusion to be broken too quickly. So let him be cautious, let him think he doesn't affect you.

As you left the convenient store, sipping your soda and his phone in hand, dialing in your number.

You took a glance at his lock screen before returning it. "You're such a basic bitch. "

"Heyy!" He just pouted in return.

Silence again...

But...

Oddly.. Okay?

Comfortable even.

"Did you mean that when you said there's spinach in my teeth? "

Of course he never shuts up. And you loved him for that. Because he didn't just climb that wall. He fucking pole vaulted over it.

*･ﾟﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　　✿✼:*ﾟ:.｡..｡.:*･ﾟﾟ･*

I might've portrayed him wrong but I wanted to give off the feeling that he was really comfortable around reader. And also this is before he got bullied so... Yeah. Probably didn't portray reader's insecurities well enough either. This is so cringe god help me I just wanna get to monster part.

Masterlist

Previous part

Next part

[firefeelsfine]

HELLO pretty people!!!🌸 <3

The intro post is finally here...🫴🏻✨

ABOUT ME :- she/her | 8teen | Pisces | ENFJ -A | Girl's girl | certified panick mechine | super random | desi | hopeless romantic.🌼

Wanna know more about me, here you go:-

🌸 yepp, so my name is KEHKESHA which means Galaxy & The name originates from Persian language.

( I am truly in love with my name, so please try not to mess it up while interacting. )

🌸I am a die heart fan of SRK and RK.

( it's okay if you don't like them or the way they act...I respect your views nevertheless.)

🌸what do I mostly post?

Random shit, that's right. Relatable kinda shit , random funny looking pictures , memes and rants. In short everything that would show a sense of carelessness towards life and people. Because let's be honest , we all are struggling with stuff one way or another. So ig it's better to deal with that shit by making it somewhat random.

But but but, at times I may tap into my devdas zone, and post or reblog something kinda sad. ( Not negative or something devestating, just simply sad) Something that may or may not touch that hidden empty void in your heart.

🌸 there is nothing in this world that will ever come close to how much i love tulips 🌷🌷🌷

🌸I am not religious but very spritual.

🌸I respect every religion with all my heart. I am obsessed with Indian myths and history. I would really appreciate hearing anyone speaking of there culture, the traditions they follow, the facts and the myths, all of it together and everything in between as well. Feel free to reach out to me for the same.

🌸my favourite colour changes with my mood, today it's rose gold.

🌸I am seriously very chaotic. If my chaos makes sense to you, we're meant to vibe together.

🌸my favourite vibe:- midnight thoughts with Lo-fi Beats.

🌸 I have bunch of interest, here goes the list:-

• imtiyaz ali movies ( my go to )

• F.R.I.E.N.D.S ( nothing compares to that common! )

• music:- jagjit singh, Mukesh, kishore kumar songs are a bliss to me. Shreya Ghoshal, Mohit Chauhan, Arjit Singh top my playlist every now and then. The weekend, JVKE , arctic monkeys, Chris brown make my playlist near to perfect.

But but but...LANA DEL RAY & ISABEL LAROSA make me tap into my siren self way too quick.

• I am diagnosed with moderate anxiety and an undiagnosed mild ADHD awaits me.

•THE SCARLET WITCH from the MCU is my comfort character. ( It's weird ik)

• I like every existing shade of maroon.

🌸 relationship status :- in love- hate relationship with my life.

🌸I am in love with the idea of being in love.💌

🌸I get lost in my books every now & then ( I won't be posting anything about what I read , in this blog, because I cannot tolerate listening to anyone having an opinion on why they don't like a character that I may be obsessed with at that very point of time. I will get defensive and that won't end good . I know me)

🌸 recommendation for kdramas, songs , movies and tv shows of any kind are appreciated.

( need an recommendation from my end ? Do try watching • It's Okay to Not Be Okay • 2020 ‧• Romance • kdrama )

• I really cherish this drama because I feel it is very me coded. Don't forget to tell me your views on it if you do watch it.

🌷🌷🌷 I am obsessed with my govind, my protector, my bestie and my supreme support 🌷🌷🌷

NAGAR NANDJI NA LAAL...💌💌💌

Also, my two alltime favourite songs ( hindi)

My alltime favourites ( english)

If you're a creep who just wants to disturb people's mental peace first of all get a life, And second of all try not to try your dirty tricks on me. I am not a girl who will ignore or block you. I very well know some people , who would not only trace you but will make sure to get your life as miserable as possible. MARK MY WORDS !!!

PS :- My brother's bachelor's degree in criminal justice works like magic at times.

🌸 other than this , I am a really friendly person, so feel free to reach out to me.

Tons of love to my stunning mutuals <3 🫴🏻✨I adore you guys so damn muchhhhhh 💌

[millersdjarin]

I Only See Daylight

Chapter Four

Pairing: Din Djarin x F!Reader

Rating: E (eventually)

Chapter warnings/tags: slow burn, dad!din, bonding, injuries (not in detail), negative self-talk, mentions of past trauma/abuse

Chapter Length: 4.2k

Previous Chapter | Series Masterlist & Info

notes: im sorry this chapter is a bit shorter than the others! if it's any consolation, a few of the chapters in this fic are 10k, so there's that. :) i've set a posting schedule of mondays and thursdays, but this week i'm posting on sunday because i'm going to be travelling on monday and i have to stay off tumblr to avoid tlou spoilers until the evening. so, surprise :)

i don't wanna look at anything else now that i saw you

“How do you feel?” Is the first thing you hear when you wake, rolling over on your makeshift bed to find Mando standing at the cave entrance again. He’s leaning against the wall with one shoulder, his hip cocked out, one leg bent casually. 

Kriffing hells, how is he so attractive when all you can see of him is his posture and his impossibly shiny armour? 

You force the thought from your mind, blaming it on your half-asleep state. 

“I don’t know yet,” you answer with a grimace. It’s been two days since your fall. The pain is better, though the rest of your body feels stiff now, muscle soreness finally catching up with you after the tumble. There hasn’t been another storm, at least, so Mando has managed to hunt for every meal so far. He goes out to get water every morning, filling canteens to the brim. He makes you drink so much that sometimes it feels like you’re swimming in it. “Hydration helps with healing,” he says every time, even though you already know; he says it just to counter your playful glaring at him every time he hands you the flask. 

“Sun rose not that long ago,” he cranes his neck to gaze up at the sky, “if you’re feeling up to it, we can probably travel today.” 

You manage to sit up, but the minute you do, pain shoots down from the wound on your calf and into your ankle. It circles there around the joint and throbs. “Have we got any more ice packs?” 

“One more,” Mando answers as he heads right over to his medpack and gets it out. 

“We should ration it,” you hold out your hand to stop him activating it. “For when we’re travelling. I’ll probably need it.” 

He looks down at the pack, hesitates. Then nods and puts it away. “Do you think you’ll be okay to travel today? If so, we should move soon, make the most of the daylight.”

Shifting a little, you try to get a gage on your body, how it feels. A grimace makes its way onto your face without your consent. Everything hurts. Literally everything. Muscles you didn’t even know you had are strained and stiff. 

But you’ve been here for two days. He’s been stranded here for four. 

“If the answer is anything but yes,” his voice cuts through your rapidly declining thoughts, “then my answer is no.” 

Relieved, you smile. But you protest, “Mando, you’ve stayed with me so long now. I can make my own way back.” 

“No,” he says definitively. “We move when you’re ready.” 

You relax, settling back against the wall. You’re too sore to argue. 

“The kid’s enjoying the vacation, anyway,” Mando says, the lilt of a smile in his voice. 

As if summoned, Grogu steps forward from his little bed at the back of the cave. He yawns, his tiny mouth opening as wide as it can go, his eyes screwing shut. 

Oh, Maker, he is adorable. 

“You take time off a lot?” You ask with a wry smile as Mando scoops the kid up into his arms. 

The huff of a laugh comes through his helmet. “Not really.” 

“Why am I not surprised?”

Mando tickles Grogu’s cheek, earning a little giggle. 

You watch them. There’s that warmth again, creeping its way between your ribs, around your heart. 

You have to look away. 

All three of you are starting to get a little stir crazy by the time the night comes around. 

You’re feeling better, though. Mando’s hydration obsession is working to help loosen out your stiff muscles. It doesn’t help, though, that you have to keep getting up every hour to pee. Especially because you have to tell Mando every time nature calls, which is, admittedly, rather humiliating—it shouldn’t be, it’s fucking natural, but he’s Mando and he’s been making you feel a certain way, and you don’t want to have to admit to this terrifying yet comforting man that you have to piss. It’s even worse that he has to help you hobble outside, then walk away while you do your business, and come back and pretend to not notice the puddle sinking into the ground. 

It’s demoralising. Your cheeks are tired from flushing red all the time. 

But he insists on you drinking enough, even when you protest. 

“I don’t mind doing this, you know,” he says as the sun sets, an arm around you as you hobble to the designated Nature Area. 

“Yes, you do,” you grumble, kind of just wanting the ground to open up and swallow you whole. 

“I don’t,” he insists. “It’s fine. Besides, it’s good to move a little.” 

“A little? Mando, it’s every hour, on the hour, at this point.” 

The unfamiliar sound of a soft laugh comes through his helmet. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say it sounded fond. But you’ve never heard a laugh like that. So. “It’s good. Just call me back when you’re ready.” 

He never comes back until you call, no matter how long it takes you.

It isn’t lost on you, either, that you never would have been able to do this on your own. You’d have had to piss where you sat. Which seems like a worse concept than just ruining your leg, and subsequent mobility, forever by forcing yourself to walk home. 

As darkness approaches, Mando takes his flashlight—yours is long dead by now—and puts it in the far end of the cave. He stays over there, rustling in his pack for something. Curious, you watch, wondering what he’s doing; he angles the light strangely, propping it up with a few stray rocks on the ground, and then fishes out a small piece of canvas, pulled from what remained of your tent. He puts it over the flashlight, folds it once. 

Then, the light is softer. Diffused around the cave. 

Grogu, who is sitting against the wall playing with a little silver ball, looks up at the newly-lit cave walls and laughs in glee. 

“You like it, kid?” Mando asks him. 

The kid claps his hands together, gazing around. Mando laughs softly and sits back down beside the kid, watching him. 

You’re watching Mando. It’s impossible not to, with the soft light reflecting from his armour in a new way, casting new highlights and shadows across every curve and edge. You wonder what places he’s been, how he’d look in all kinds of light. Harsh, bright, sunshine of a bright summer’s day, the dark ashy colour beneath rain clouds. 

“Mando?” You find yourself saying. 

He looks up at you, one hand holding the kid. 

“Tell me about somewhere else you’ve been,” you request. “Please?” 

“Where do you want to hear about?” 

“Anywhere. First place that comes to mind.” 

For a second, he’s quiet, just looking at you. Considering. When he speaks, he doesn’t say what you expected him to, and his voice is softer than it should be. “You really want to travel, don’t you?” 

And, okay. 

That hits a nerve. 

You look away, blinking. It’s clear that you’ve tensed, that something has made you uncomfortable; and you expect him to backtrack, to apologise, but he just waits. So patient, like he wouldn’t mind if you didn’t say anything, or even if you just told him to fuck right off. You wish you could see his face, decipher his expression. Match it to the soft curiosity of his lovely voice. 

“Yeah,” you manage on a shaky breath, imagining yourself up there, in the vastness of space, free to explore the Galaxy. “Yeah, I do.” 

Quiet again. He’s giving you space. 

You take it, let it sink in. 

Then, his voice is there again, “So why don’t you?”

And if that isn’t a question and a half. “It’s, uh,” you clear your throat. You’re about to say it’s complicated. But that doesn’t even cover the half of it. Instead, feeling a cold, familiar dread slowly creeping through your veins, you say, “I like it here.” 

He doesn’t say anything, but he looks at you still, some kind of unexplainable patience coming from his dark visor. 

It’s unclear if he can hear the omission of the truth.

You don’t want to lie to him. 

You’re sitting here, in a cave that he so beautifully lit as best he can, on top of a bed that he made just for you to be comfortable, after he’s helped you pee about twelve times a day for the last two days. He’s been nothing but kind. 

And it’s not that you feel like you owe him answers because of that. Nor, in fact, that you think he feels you owe him answers. His quiet, unassuming patience in the dim intimacy of this cave is proof enough of that. 

No, it’s not that. 

It’s that you’ve been alone for so long. You’ve never said this to anyone.

And after all this, once you’re back at your hut and you’ve fixed his ship together, he’s going to leave. And you’re never going to see him again, anyway. 

So. 

“Truthfully,” you say, “as much as I like it here, it’s not where I’d choose to be. If I had another choice.” 

Instead of staying still and silent, he starts to nod. His gaze is unwavering, solid and stable, weaving its way into the tension and uncertainty beneath your skin, soothing it.

Grogu gets up and waddles over to you. He climbs clumsily into your lap.

Then, with a quick look to Grogu, Mando says, “I understand.”

And that, those simple words, make something release in your chest.

The weight of your confession doesn’t feel as heavy as you’d expected. In fact, it feels like something has lifted in the air between the three of you. Like even the kid understands. 

Well.

This is new. 

-

As the third morning in the cave rolls around, you wake up feeling much better. 

Once you’ve relieved your always-full bladder, you tell Mando as much, staggering back into the cave and to your bed. “You can stop over-watering me now,” you tease as he lets you back against the wall, gentle. Your hands are on the backs of his arms, and slide all the way down them as he moves away. You wish you could linger there, and the way he moves so slowly, his visor gazing down into your sleepy eyes, makes you think that he wishes that, too. 

As your palms brush against his wrists, he seems to catch himself. He pulls away quickly and turns to distract himself with the kid.

“So, you’re ready to travel?” He asks. 

“As I’ll ever be,” you reply, staring at him from behind. He has a nice behind. (And you need to stop. Immediately.)

“You can lean on me. We’ll take it slow, I promise.” 

Kriff, say that again… “I’ll be alright. You’ve got enough to carry.” 

He looks at you again. “I’m leaving the parts here,” he says, like that should be obvious. 

“What?” You frown. “But your ship…” 

“Once we find our way back, and you’re safe, I’ll come back for them.” 

“Mando, I can manage. Seriously, we should take the parts. You’ve been here long enough.” 

The helmet tilts. “You trying to get rid of me?” It would concern you, if the teasing in his tone wasn’t arousingly obvious.

You just about manage to recover from the stirring in your belly, and you laugh, “Totally. Sick of you already.” 

The kid, standing beside him, looks at you and makes a sad noise. His ears turn down towards the ground. 

Kriff. “Hey, I’m just kidding,” you assure him with a smile. As a peace offering, you reach your hands out to him, and he relaxes in an instant, immediately plodding over to you and climbing into your lap. You hold him, give him a quick hug, then just let him sit there. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m actually gonna miss you,” you whisper into his ear. He coos happily, tugging at a loose thread on your coat.

When you look up, Mando is, of course, staring at you. This time, you know for sure that it’s at both you and the kid.

“What?” You ask. 

“Nothing,” he answers after a moment of hesitation. “I’m going to pack up. Then we can move. You okay to sit with the kid?” 

“You know I am,” you smile, and watch as Mando nods and heads outside.

That pang in your chest is back. Well, you’re not sure when it turned from a slow warmth into a pang. 

But it’s there. Too obvious to ignore. 

For a few miles, you manage pretty well. It took some convincing, but you got Mando to agree to taking the parts along with him in the end. You do lean on him, but only when moving over particularly rough terrain, fallen logs, or exposed tree roots. 

“How we doing?” Mando asks at around noon. 

“Fine,” you say, feeling a little breathless. 

“You sure?” 

“I’m sure. We can stop soon for a break.” 

Another hour passes, your ankle is starting to throb, and you’re really fucking glad that you saved that ice pack for this exact moment. 

Mando sits you down on a fallen log, keeping his arm around you until you’re properly seated, lingering just a little too long for you to tame the way it makes your heart beat wildly. To feel the heat of him through his flight suit, your hands and arms pressed to parts of him not covered by armour, just the soft parts; it’s a lot. When you first saw him, this wall of metal, you never thought you’d see any further than that. Kriff, you never even thought he’d get closer to your hut than he was when you had your blaster pointed at him. 

Maybe that would have been best. Because if he’d just left, if there was another way for him to get the help he needed, you wouldn’t be thinking about him the way you are right now. 

The softness of the crook of his elbow, the curve of his waist and hip. The warmth of his skin that you have yet to see an inch of. All of the weapons strapped to him, so close to you, close enough that if it were anyone else, you’d be scared. 

But it’s Mando. 

This might be the least scared you’ve been in a lifetime. 

He cracks the ice pack to activate it, then kneels down in front of you. Reaching out to grab a smaller log, he places it under your ankle, elevates your leg slightly. Then his gloved fingers tug at the hem of your trousers. “Can I?” He asks. 

Kriff. You nod, unable to form words. 

The rough-yet-smoothness of the gloves is all you feel at first, brushing delicately against your skin as he lifts your trousers, then unlaces your boots, gently pulling them off, followed by your socks. Your ankle is more swollen than it had been this morning, but you’d expected that. 

And, besides, that is not what you’re thinking about right now. 

Instead your mind can only focus on the softness of his hold under your foot, the gentle way he places the ice pack on top of it. The heat of his hand starts to come through. You wish it was his bare skin. Wish you knew what his skin is like. Is it calloused, or soft from always protecting them? Does he have scars? Is the hair on his arms dark, light, a thin covering or thicker, perfect to run your fingers through—

His hands are gone before you realise it. It takes your glitching mind a second to catch up.

You chase him with your eyes, silently wishing for him to come back. 

But then. 

Then. 

As he turns away, he reaches for the flask in his satchel. You watch his hands lift to his helmet, take a gentle hold of the base of it. At first you panic, thinking he’s about to remove his helmet, no you don’t have to do that it’s okay—

But he just lifts it the tiniest bit, such a small movement that you only know it has been lifted because he puts the rim of his flask to his lips and takes a sip. 

You can’t see his skin, not a hint of it. But you can hear him drinking, hear the water against his lips, the gentle gulps as he swallows. 

And the way it entrances you, takes you away from the forest and the pain of your ankle and the fact that this is so not appropriate for you to be thinking—yeah, it’s probably for the best that he can’t ever show his face to you.

You look away before he even lowers the helmet again. 

-

Maybe the worst part about all this is that you’re starting to dread Mando and the kid leaving. 

That’s not how this was supposed to go, not how any of this was supposed to play out. You helped him because it was the right thing to do, because it’s exactly what They would tell you not to do, because your life has been the same every single fucking day since you got here. 

But that’s been fine. It’s been safe. 

“Pass me that wrench?” Mando asks, breaking you out of your thoughts. 

You pass him it, noting the tilt of his helmet in a wordless ‘thanks’ before he turns back to his job. He’s up on a ladder, leaning against the ship’s exterior wall with one of the panels fully off, fixing something to do with the foundation for the body. 

His ship is bigger than you’d expected. He tells you that it’s bigger than his old ship, the Razor Crest, but only by a little. “It’s a similar shape,” he’d said, “but it has two bunks and more space. For the kid.” He has a star fighter too, apparently, docked at some other base off-world with a friend of his. It’s funny to imagine him with friends, though you’re not sure why. Especially because, since getting to know him the last few days, you know how generous he is. How kind, helpful. Gentle, despite everything. 

Why wouldn’t he have friends?

Beneath him, you sit on a crate and lean against the ship, waiting for him to give you more instructions. The engine has been mostly fixed now, as much as it’s ever going to be out here in the middle of nowhere using scrounged-up parts. He’s just getting the last of the body work done, enough to make sure it’s aerodynamically sound. 

It’s interesting, watching him work. You ask a lot of questions, and every time you do, you expect a frustrated sigh or an exasperated response. But he answers every question thoroughly, and it doesn’t even distract him from his work. 

The sun is warm against your face. The afternoon of Mando’s fifth day on this planet is drawing to a close, fading into the evening. As the sky turns to duller shades of blue, tinted with oranges and pinks, you can’t help but admire the way he looks beneath the light. His armour is always the same, always so distinctive, yet it reflects different lights in different ways. Sometimes it makes the beskar appear darker, like a gun metal grey. Other times it’s a bright silver. Then there are times like this, when it goes with the colour of the sky, reflects the beauty of everything surrounding him. 

You think back to the light in the cave, how that looked different still. The urge to see the Galaxy comes over you again, though this time it’s not staring at his ship and dreaming about taking off in it that does it; this time, it’s wondering what he looks like in even more places, more environments. Does the metal get hot in the sunshine? Or is it always as cool as it’s been when you’ve had the chance to feel it before? 

The kid is sitting on the ground in front of you. There’s a beetle scuttling around in the mud, and Grogu is toying with it, blocking it off when it runs one way, then doing the same when it runs the other. You wonder if he’s going to eat it, or if he’s just having fun by being cruel to the little six-legged creature. 

“Don’t play with your food,” Mando says to him, answering your silent question. 

Grogu looks up at him. His ears turn downwards, sulking. Mando ignores his obvious pleas to change his mind, turning back to his work. When Grogu looks back at the beetle, he only just catches it before it runs off, and instead of toying with it anymore, he just shoves it in his mouth with a loud crunch. 

You find yourself smiling at him. He smiles back, ears lifting again. 

“Alright,” Mando starts to step down from the ladder. You reach out and hold one of the ladder’s legs, knowing he probably doesn’t need you to, but still not wanting to risk it. Ladders make you nervous. “Think that’s the best we’re going to get.” 

You look up to the ship. He’s fixed the panel back on again. Now all that remains is the burnt metal from his “interesting landing”, with some bends in it, exposing little sections of the framework beneath. It’s definitely a patchwork job. But it looks better than it did when you got here this morning. So.

“How’s your leg?” He asks as he folds up the ladder. 

“Good,” you answer. It’s stretched out in front of you, propped on another crate. “Ship looks good.” 

With a resigned sigh, he puts his hand on his hips, and tilts his helmet to look up at his handiwork. “No, she doesn’t. But she’ll do.” Then he looks back to you, “I couldn’t have fixed it without your help. Thank you.” 

You shift under his gaze, unable to help it. Every time he looks at you it feels like his eyes can see right through you, and the part that makes you uncomfortable is that it doesn’t make you uncomfortable. Self-conscious and disgustingly aware of your own inappropriate, lustful thoughts? Yes. Uncomfortable? No. You don’t think it ever could. 

“Of course,” you say eventually. “And, hey, I’ve got a scar to remember our little adventure by, huh?” 

He laughs softly. You see the shake of his chest as the chuckle comes through his modulator. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing.” 

“Hm, no. But there’s no gift shop around here. So.” 

He shakes his head, and you imagine, hope, that he’s smiling under all that beskar. He certainly looks casual, a hand on one hip, one leg relaxed while his weight rests on the other. 

“Do you always stare so much?” You find yourself asking with a teasing, daring quirk of your brow. 

“Yes.”

“At everyone, or just me?”

He pauses. Your heart rate spikes briefly as you wait for his response to your terrible excuse for flirting. “At everyone,” he answers eventually, and disappointment starts to set in before he says, “But it’s harder to look away from you.” 

Oh. 

The disappointment quickly shifts to nervousness, heart beating fast again as you clench your hands in your lap. He just stands there, staring despite the awkward and loaded silence between you, and stares. As if he’s making his point by offering an example. 

You look away. Suddenly, your cheeks are hot. “You hungry?” You find yourself asking. 

He pauses again, then nods. “Yes.” 

“I’ll make us some dinner. You just come back to the hut whenever you’re ready.” It’s only as you stand to hobble back home that you realise he might not want that. You swivel back around to face him, backtrack, “I mean, unless you want to eat out here. Your ship’s fixed now, I guess you can—you can stay in that? You don’t have to come back with me. I’ll be okay.” 

Again, getting more and more infuriating with each silence he lets stretch out, he just stares. Kriffing hells, does he ever stop!? 

“Would you let me cook for you?” He asks, finally.

You weren’t expecting that. 

Shifting weight to your good leg, you raise your eyebrows. “You want to cook me dinner?” 

He nods once. “Yes. To thank you for all your help. And as a farewell.” 

You’ve been trying your hardest not to think about that part. It sits in your stomach, cold and dreadful and confusing, too far down for you to swallow it. “Alright,” you agree with a soft smile. “I can’t promise I’ve got any decent ingredients, though. You might have to perform a miracle.” 

“I’m up to the challenge,” he says, hooking his thumb over the belt around his hips. You’re distracted by it, finding your eyes sliding down to his middle before you catch yourself and look back up. The tilt of his helmet suggests he might have seen your gaze shift. “I’ll walk back with you. Just give me a minute.” 

You can’t find a reason to refuse. 

♡ updates posted Mondays and Thursdays ♡

notes: thank you for reading! all interactions are appreciated as always, but comments and reblogs especially fuel my need for validation ❤️ as always, the title and lyrics at the start are from taylor swift's "daylight"

taglist: @toobsessedsstuff @granillx @keepingitlokiii @shoe1412 @kiruoris @quentinor @yourunstablegf @moonknight-s-cumdump @senassn @samanthacookieone @local-fanfic-addict @your-slutty-gf @brilliantopposite187 @iwantjoelmillertoultraviolenceme

if you wanna be on the taglist, let me know! (pls specify if just the taglist for this fic, or the list for all my future fics ❤️)

[prettyverse2]

Things I have manifested as a result of robotic affirming/regular affirming ⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍒ɞ˚‧｡⋆

not having my device taken away at night: basically, when it was like 10 pm at night, my dad called me and my brothers, and then told me that i would have to put my device in his room, and at first i was disappointed because OBVIOUSLY i did NOT wanna have to do that, but then i remembered, i can manifest what i want, and so i said to myself: "you know what? my dad actually won't take my device because he will fall asleep before he can." then i get in my bed and use my device, and at first i had some subliminal intruding thoughts, about like if it would work or not but i pushed them away by kind of pushing myself to remember that i manifest instantly (which is actually my robotic affirmation) and then I forget for a little (cause I'm watching tiktok), and then after a while, i hear my dad SNORING (like SUPER LOUDLY which meant he ws deep asleep) and i was so shocked because i infant didn't have to put my device in his room.

getting popcorn while shopping: i went shopping with my mom and i wanted to get a snack before we left, but since we were a little tight on funds and my mom wasn't really the type to get snacks for us to eat right at the moment (she only buys snacks for school) i felt as if she wouldn't buy it for me, but then (once again) i remembered that i have been robotic affirming that "i manifest instantly" for a while, and so i decided to say that "you know, mom will get me this snack" and then when i asked her for it, she ACTUALLY DID!

toilet getting unclogged: okay... this one is a little embarrassing 😳 🫣, but anyway, i have a really sensitive toilet, and last friday it got clogged, i was so mad at the fact that it wouldn't flush and this lasted for like two days, until saturday night, i decided i wasn't going to love like that so i told myself "you know what, my toilet won't be clogged by the morning okay, so i don't need to stress about it and i can just forget about it" and after that i decided to just continue on with my day (scrolling on tiktok, pinterest, etc.) and then i fell asleep soon, but guess what? THE MORNING I WOKE UP TO USE THE BATHROOM, MY TOILET WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND IT WAS LIKE IT WASN'T CLOGGED FOR 2 DAYS! i was shocked honestly (but not really because i had been affirming "i manifest instantly" for a couple of days now). and that's to robotic affirmations and just getting off of tumblr!

having a 92% in my AP class: so basically, i had a 79% in my AP class because I had gotten a 64% on an assignment (i know horrible), and an 84% on a huge test (which was out of 100 points which isn't bad but it brought my grade DOWN) and so i had been stressing because the quarter is about to end (and i can't end it with a C on my report card (i've been getting straight A's since elementary), and so I decided to affirm. yep, i quit crying over my grade and lovked in by saying, "nope, this is glitching because i have an A in this class." And obviously, i wavered a little occasionally, but every time i did, i would go back to affirming, and i come to check today to see that i have a 92% in his class (as shown below) and during this, one of my friends had been mocking me affirming and was saying all sorts of negative things to try to get me to be discouraged but despite it all i persisted and got an A in his class, and it might even go UP after the test we take this friday!

picture proof:

getting food after a school meeting: usually we get food after we do meetings, but recently, my parents had been declining everytime i asked because once again, we are tight on funds, but i decided to manifest for it since i really wanted to get something, and then my parents just decided they wanted to get Chipotle (which we hadn't had in over a year so that was very random).

*i will be occasionally updating this list !!!

[mukuberry]

Trial 3 cover song wishlist

With trial 2 basically done, I want to make my last wishlist for covers... these aren't predictions because Deco hates me and won't let me be happy ever ^u^ there's quite a few songs I wanna see be covered but since we'll only get one per character, I've forced myself to just choose one each....

Haruka - Relationship Scramble

You know, we'll end up love's prisoners, hurt each other,

And say farewell no matter what, right?

In that case, isn't the right answer the twisted one?

What a pain! This pain is so great it's lingering even now.

Searching for legitimacy

Cost me so much that I fell apart.

Yuno - Rabbit Hole

If you get lonely, find anybody, just get lucky

I loathed to love but it gave me life, gonna be a smitten mitten till the day you die?

So why don't you kiss up and shake your cottontail?

A bad dance, why don't you drown in it?

Fake out! I like you! Ugh, can't take it

Fuuta - Chimera

Oh, 1 like, 2 likes...

Your face is like a wolf in sheep's clothing

But watch your step, the evaluation is using a point deduction system

Don't be greedy or you'll drown in poison

Wow! 100 likes, 1k likes!

Your face looks like you're trying to suppress your ego

Muu - Theory Of Negativity

It's not like you'd ever understand, so I'll just keep my mouth shut and make a fool of you

As long as people have secrets to hide, I'm invincible

I can be a good girl through the tears I shed

"Shall I just die"- even while making wishes like this,

I accidentally said "I want to live"

Shidou - Ghost Rule

No statute of limitations for my crime,

Robbed of forgiveness for that thievery of mine,

Things don't look any better today,

Unable to keep up this deception the way I'd hoped

Slowly lapsing in depravity

I hardly realise what has already become rotten

Mahiru - Cosmic Rendezvous

I wanna dance with you, forever, I wanna poke fun and play, forever

This sucks so bad, this countdown to bye-bye, not long until it runs out, fuck

Hey, take me with you to the other side, "together forever" like on a playground, laugh around

But seriously, what's up with my wish not coming true, fuck

Kazui - We The Hostages

I can't drag you along. I can't drag you along, so let's say goodbye.

No matter how much you love me, all I do is get itchy

So give me back the version of me that you own

The memories you want to forget are hostages

So you have to be prepared to kill them at any moment.

I knew too much, so I wish to forget

I only like your exterior. After all, I want to make you my servant

Amane - Poison Apple

You make me laugh with your "sorry", serves you right, always self-centered

On a different note, your tear-stained face, it kinda tickles me the right way

No more, not any more, you really should stop.

No more, not any more, I'd get so ripe, I just can't

Poison check that love, mmm tasty, yummy

Spine shivering sweetness, I wanna feel it, I can't forget that flavour

Mikoto - Nocturnal Kids

I want to sleep but I won't- today is still all right.

Though we've transmitted our voices to each other over and over again, and it's lasted so long,

Let's stop. Let's run away. It's okay.

You can sleep now. I'll protect you diligently, after all.

Let's say "good morning" and make it "today" again.

Kotoko - 118

Not to mention, the fact that you don't even seem to feel any remorse for your actions is just so pathetic

My iron heart has already been melted down and broken

From all the love and affection that was jammed into it

Hearing the words "I love you" just makes me hate you

Where has our happiness been hidden away?

[cybertroniannugget]

Balancing on the ice❄️

I'm here for you pt.2 (Fluff ending because pt.1 was kinda dark and this is CHRISTMAS TIME)

Dec 13

After the not so great encounter earlier, Optimus takes it upon himself to cheer you up.

The sound of your phone ringing catches your attention and as you lift it up you see, that it's Optimus calling you.

Pulse rising you pick up with the usual 'hello' as a greeting.

"My sincerest apologies for contacting you this late but would you mind walking over to the main hangar?"

"Eh, sure no problem. Why though?"

Fidgeting with a pen you listen to his answer.

"After today I wish to drive somewhere with you."

"Just you an I?", you ask, letting the pen fall onto the floor.

"As long as the idea does not arise negative feelings in you."

You nod, realizing he couldn't see you.

"Of course!", you answer a little too excited.

"I'll be there in a minute."

"I will meet you there then."

He hangs up the call and you could hear your fast pulse in your ears.

Quickly getting into your winter clothing, you walk outside to where the Prime was already waiting in his truck form.

The driver's door opens, inviting you to get in.

Carefully you do so, unsure whether to close the door yourself.

It closes on it's own, the warmth of the cabin welcoming you.

"It will be a 20 minute drive. If you wish to remove your winter coat you can place it next to you onto the passenger's seat.", Optimus's voice echoes over the radio.

You remove your coat, keeping it in your kap though.

"Now please fasten the seatbelt.", he says and you do as you're told.

The engine starts with a loud rumble, the vehicle setting in motion, leaving the base.

The first few minutes of the drive are silent.

Desperate to break the silence you speak up.

"If I may ask, where are we going exactly?"

"I wish to keep it a surprise."

You nod, again realizing that he CANNOT SEE YOU.

"That's fine."

Another moment of silence before he turns to speak.

"How are you feeling?"

"After what happened today?"

The Prime hums.

"Pretty awful to be honest. It was scary. But you saved me. I wanna thank you for that."

"I deemed it necessary to take action."

You chuckle. "Never thought I'd see you hit someone square in the face like that."

"I deemed it necessary.", he repeats.

"If negotiation cannot get me far..."

"You'll throw hands.", you finish his sentence after noticing he couldn't find the words to do so himself.

Ten minutes later he stops and you get into your wanr coat again.

The door opens and you get out, careful not to slip.

Before you stretched an entirely frozen lake. Tge light of the setting sun colored the ice in purple and orange. Mesmerized by the sight you don't notice the shifting behind you. Only when Optimus stands beside you in his mass displaced form you connect the dots.

He was still a head taller than you in this form.

"Now, what's your plan, Prime?", you ask, hands on your hips.

"Teaching you in how to keep your balance on the ice."

Eyes widening you look up at him.

"Wh-now?! Why?"

"Because you deserve to enjoy yourself, which you were not able to do today. I am here to change that if you allow me to."

He extends his servo, which you grab hesitantly.

He nods, slowly guiding you down onto the ice

"I don't think this is a good idea.", you mumble doubting the whole situation.

"I am here with you. Holding no ill intentions."

"I know.", you respond, holding onto his arms for dear life.

"Let's do this then.", you try to convince yourself that this not end in a total desaster.

After a few initial rounds of tumbling and falling once, you got quite the hang of it.

Certainly you couldn't move across the ice as gracefully as Prime, but it could be worse.

"You are improving."

"Because you are patient with me Optimus.", you admit.

"Pressuring you would not prove to be of advantage. I let you take all the time you need and be patient."

Taking a deep breath, you brace yourself for what you were saying next.

"And that's why I love you Optimus.", you blurt out.

"There I said it."

His eyes widen for a mere moment, before his gaze relaxes, looking at you with nothing but love.

"Wait, don't tell me you feel the same?!"

"How could I not feel love for you? From the few people on earth accepting us, you are the most welcoming. Every aspect of you is something I admire greatly, and I wish to learn more about who you are."