#I finally asked for a refund on a piece I didn't get in over a year despite me checking in multiple times (it was a black and white sketch)

[interruptingkau]

What is it about being paid to make art for me that makes people not make art for me

[shapard]

Feather of Fate🕊️

Lucifer x Seraphim!fem!reader

Soulmate arc

You're eating breakfast peaceful (are you?) and Heaven is a big mess

In pieces

Chapter 1 < Chapter 2> Chapter 3

Heaven was a big mess. 

Nothing new. 

Since you’re gone Emily feels all the pressure that was on you. All your responsibility was handed to her like a silver tablet with no refund. 

It was exhausting. And it didn’t help that Sera was also a big mess. 

She never left Emily’s side, almost like a guard dog. 

She lost her daughter because of her dirty little lies. And is scared that Emily would leave her too.

The arch angels aren’t pleased for her doing. She’s not God.

Her Image now like a Hurricanes aftermath.

No one wants to deal with her not even her own daughter Emily. 

Emily was very distant towards Sera. She doesn’t want to be near her, not after what she has done.

Your Mother sent Emily away when you fell. 

She couldn’t be there for you. She wasn’t there when the most painful thing happened to you. 

She felt ashamed, like a failure. 

You always protect her from the vicious laws of heaven. Sometimes even taking her punishments to protect her. 

And when you needed her the most, she wasn’t there. 

She can’t deny that it’s probably her fault that you fell. Taking all her misleads and getting you into trouble after trouble.

So that she can be safe. 

Talking back towards Sera in the court was the final straw. 

Sera could’ve talked to them, but she didn’t. 

She agreed because of her Image. 

To Sera’s surprise, the upper angels weren’t Impressed.

It didn't help at all.

Not even the winners want to talk with her anymore.

…

Lucifer couldn’t believe his eyes. 

You were awake! 

But not in the state he’d hoped. You were covered in your own blood and the floor was all a mess.  Ceramic was soaked in with the golden color of your blood. 

“What happened?” You didn’t answer. 

Somehow, he knew you wouldn’t answer. Falling from heaven can be quite traumatizing. He talks out of experience.

You couldn’t even keep your wings like he did, the pain must be unbearable. You were definitely not used having no wings anymore. 

You were hiding behind a Blanket, Lucifer found it quite cute and adorable how you were hiding from him. 

But it also hurt him.

Ache.

“Are you hurt?” Lucifer asked you, not wanting to scare you away. You slowly peaked above the blanket. You have to say he is quite handsome. 

“I don’t know if I can trust you.” 

The handsome man looked at you and sighed. “I helped you when you fell out of heaven. You’ve been out for a couple of days. I can help you, please let me help.” 

“Why?” Your mere whispers made his heart squeeze. 

He couldn’t find an answer to your question. 

Was he helping you because he knows how it is? 

To get thrown out of your home, getting ripped apart from the elders. Family not even sparing a glance at you. But there was something else why, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

“I know how you feel, let me help you.” You nod, you don’t have anything to lose. 

You already fell from heaven and live now in hell. Getting thrown right infront of the bus. 

Letting the Blanket fall from your back showing the man your fresh back wound. 

“Again, the back?” He chuckled, “By the way, the name’s Lucifer.” The name rang in your ear. “The Lucifer?” your voice is kind of soar. 

He snapped his fingers and with a sparkling sound a cup of water formed infront of you. Muttering a small thanks, you grabbed the cup pf water and let it slide down your throat. You hummed in approval. 

“I’m Y/n.” His hands hover over your back and he pulled the ceramic pieces slowly out of your back.

“That’s a beautiful name, Y/n.” Your name out of his mouth felt like sweet caramel. You wanted him to say your name again and again.

You smiled a bit and winced at him removing the splinters. After he pulled the last pieces out, he hovered his hand again over your back.

This time his hands started to glow in gold. His hands radiant heat, it was like a warm summer breeze. 

After a while the feeling stopped, you turned around to take a look at Lucifer. 

“You’re Lucifer?” He nods but didn’t look you in the eyes, he felt ashamed somehow. “Indeed I am.” He finally looks back at you and you beamed a smile at him. 

“You don’t look creepy at all.” That surprised him and he blushed slightly at your sudden forwardness. 

“You should rest. We’re going to talk tomorrow.” He patted your head and walked towards the exit. Giving you a final smile, he went back to his couch. 

You sighed and laid down on the lightly soaked blooded mattress. “I should at least try to sleep.”

…

You didn’t sleep well that night. 

Your back was still hurting even after the treatment Lucifer gave you. 

The blood still sticked on your skin making it quite uncomfortable to stand up. You have to take a shower.

The red Sun lighted the room red. A quick reminder that you indeed are in hell. In comparison to heaven was Hell rather cozy. It was warm and more colorful, even though the colors are very vibrant or dark. 

It was exciting. 

It’s been so long since you felt that kind of Emotions. 

Everything in heaven was the same. You must do the same and be like everyone else. You have to work 24/7, and work 9 to 5 or even worse. Not even a single break, not even for you a Seraphim. 

You worked over night almost every day for your Mother Sera. It pained you when you saw her chilling the while day and Emily flying and playing around heaven. It is your responsibility as the bigger Sister. 

Well, was to be exact.

A knock echoed through the silent chamber making you snap out of your thoughts.

A couple seconds later Lucifer came through the door. Peering inside to see if you’re awake.

“I made you some pancakes.” Lucifer nudges his sharp clawed finger into the direction of the kitchen. 

On a table you see a plate with pancakes, Ice cream and a cup of hot chocolate. He sat down on the mattress. 

His pants started to soak in the semi fresh golden blood. He shrieked and sat up looking at his pants. 

“Are you still bleeding?” He franticly searched for any Injuries on your back. “I’m fine. It’s just the blood that spilled on the bed. Sorry for that.” He let out a sigh of relief, “Let me change the Mattress.” 

He held out a hand for you to take. With hesitation you took his clawed hand. With a pull he pushed you upwards, you gasp at how fast he was moving you. 

Your legs felt like jelly, your head started to spin, and it started to get dizzy. He held you tight before you could fell. “I got you.”

Without any second thought Lucifer carried you towards the kitchen. Your cheeks redden at this behavior. 

His touch was striking you like a lightning bolt. It was a warm comforting feeling. His Arm around your waist left a tingling almost sparkling feeling. The feeling almost made you smile like a fool. 

“Thanks.” It was a mere whisper, but Lucifer heard it very clear. The weird feeling on his arm was distracting him immense, though your voice brought him back out of his thoughts. And he smiled.

Lucifer realized how long he was actually holding your waist. Retrieving his Arm rather quickly he coughed out of distraction.  “Just sit over there.”

“Lucifer?” He hummed and looked at you, the way he chewed the food made you giggle slightly.

You smelled pretty bad. You didn’t want to ask him if you could take a shower, but you have to take a shower. His gentle gaze took your worries away and made her ten times more nervous. 

“Can I take a shower?” Lucifer nods hesitant. “Of course, you can.” He laid down his food and took your hands and walked slowly towards his bathroom. 

… Time skip…

The Shower was very relaxing, even though it was kind of creepy to know that Lucifer was waiting behind the door. 

The food was hellish good, heaven could never. 

In heaven it all tasted the same, very blunt and no emotions in it.  

Lucifer took your plate and cramped his sleeves up to wash your plate. You followed his swift movements and how smooth he washes them. 

It amazed you somehow, washing dishes isn’t something Interesting but how he washes them is just different. 

Then you saw it, his mark. Suspicious Identical like yours. Please no. 

Somewhere in Heaven:

Sera sat Infront of a U-shaped table looking up at none other than the arch Angels themselves. “Sera.” A rather deep voice said making her jolt in her seat.

“Michael.”

A/n: I know this chapter is kind of boring but trust me. It’s going to be good.

[w2soneshots]

Soft launch -Angry ginge

words: 1.1k+

warnings: light smut.

summary: you and Morgan announce your relationship, he asks you an important question and you celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Liked by kaci.jay and 104,690 others

y/username: soft launch?? @angryginge13

-comments-

angryginge13: hard launch??

dannyaarons: so cute man❤️

user20577940: omgggggg finally!!!!!

Me and Morgan have been together for just over 6 months. We decided to keep it a secret since we didn't want other people's opinions effecting our relationship while it was still early doors, but ended up putting it off for a lot longer than we anticipated. Last night after watching the KSI vs Tommy Fury fight, we decided to quietly announce it.

We met in a pub, he was hanging around with his friends playing pool, and I was with my best friend Lana. Nether of us drink so had something in common when our friends started to become increasingly more pissed.

Today I'm tagging along to one of his house viewings. He's been trying to find a home for a while now, with no luck. I knocked on his door and he opened it a few minutes later. "Hey babe." he said pulling me into the house and then into a kiss. I smiled into the kiss. He pulled away "What?" He questioned. "What was that for?" I asked with a smile still plastered on my face. "I've just missed you." He stated. "I saw you last week." I said. "A week too long." he said and I shook my head with a giggle.

We left the house around 10 minutes later. "You exited?" I asked while he drove. "Not really, I've been to so many of these so I don't have my hopes up". he said focusing on the road. "This could be the one!" I poked his side. "I hope so." he said quickly glancing at me. "We're here." he said as we pulled up. "Ooo this is nice!" I said excitedly. It's pretty big, with light brick and a dark roof, it has big windows and a nice sheltered driveway.

"And this is the master bedroom." the estate agent said showing us the final room. "This is lush!" I said looking around. "I'll leave you to discuss." the man said leaving the room. Morgan grabbed my arm "y/n?" "Yea?" I said slightly confused by his seriousness. "I know we've only been together for a few months but- I- hate it when you're gone even just for a day, we spend most nights together anyway and I know the lease on your house is running out I- I was just wondering, only if you want to, move in with me?" I was stunned, couldn't believe the words that just came out of his mouth. "I-" he cut me off "you really don't have to." he said. "No, I do." I said. "You do?" I nodded "of course I do you idiot!" he smiled and pulled me into a hug.

y/username just posted a new story!

Morgan officially bought that house soon after and we moved in the next month. We had minimal furniture for a little while but after many trips to Ikea we were finally getting somewhere. It's a three bedroom, 2 bathroom house with a lovely kitchen and living room along with a relatively large back garden. Our bedroom is almost finished as well as Morgan's gaming room where he streams and the third bedroom which he turned into my beauty room. I told him It was his house so he should do whatever he wants in it and not use a whole room just for me but one day I came home to him sat on the floor building an Ikea dressing table. Once he spotted me he stood up and said "non refundable." pointing to the pieces on the floor, I shook my head and laughed.

Today is valentines day so I sat at my dressing table getting ready for dinner. Morgan is currently filming a football video with Chris (md). He felt awful for not being here but booked a nice dinner to make up for it. Once I was fully ready I took some pictures for insta. I heard the front door open and hurried downstairs. But I stopped in my tracks when I saw Morgan standing there with a large bouquet of flowers in his hands. "happy Valentine’s Day." he said. I stepped toward him and he handed the flowers to me. "They're beautiful, thank you!" I said with a big smile. I quickly placed them on the table and pulled him into a hug. "You look beautiful by the way." he said and I pulled out of the hug to give him a kiss. "Now, get ready we need to leave." I said.

Liked by dannyaarons and 360,855 others

y/username: happy valentines day💘

-comments-

angryginge13: ❤️❤️🔥

kaci.jay: so beautiful!

-> y/username: 🤍🤍

tenesseethresh: STUNNING🖤

user74108510: where's that dress from? x

-> y/username: oh polly xx

Morgan quickly had a shower and got dressed. We left and arrived at the restaurant just in time. We were seated and given menus. "Mmm, this all looks so good!" I said scanning the paper. "I think I'm gonna get the burger." he said, and I laughed "what?" He asked with a smirk. "so predictable."

We ordered and ate our food. By the time we left it was pitch black outside. We got into the car and Morgan drove us home. He kept his hand firmly on my thigh the entire way and we sat in a comfortable silence. Once we arrived home we went inside and I slipped my heels off. "thank fuck for that." I sighed. I looked up to see Morgan standing a few centimetres from my face. I looked into his eyes and his flickered down to my lips. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and he pulled me into a kiss. It quickly became more and more passionate and soon we were in our bedroom. He pulled the zipper of my dress down so it fell to the floor. He broke the kiss for a second to look down at me, he gasped slightly "no panties, you dirty girl." he whispered before pulling me back into the kiss. I smirked into the kiss and pushed him towards the bed so he fell backwards onto it.

I crawled onto him and pulled off his shirt. Both of our breaths were heavy as I removed his pants and underwear in one swift motion. His hard cock hit his stomach and I resumed the kiss. His hands were harshly grabbing my ass as I grind down on him slowly. "y/n," he groaned. I slowly pushed myself onto his dick. He let out a loud groan and began bucking his hips up into me. "fuck, y/n."

[hazzyking]

Don't mind me, I'm hyperfixated on my characters shared trama

My writing is bad but I wanted to put this on "paper"

Thoughts I've had while playing the game

And no. My character is not a barbarian she's a Rouge. Just a really angry Rouge

"Lovi, are you sure you want to do this?" Klarach asked as they walked through the castle, her voice echoing softly off the moist walls.

"As long as Astarion sleeps through the day. Yes" she sighs heavily as she approaches the pool of blood in the crypt "seven hells" Lovissa gasps at the grousome scene before her.

"By the gods! What the hell did he do!?" Klarach gasped looking over the mulataded body of Cazador.

"I-it didn't look this bad when I found him... I swear" Lovissa gasps looking over the gaping stab wounds "dosnt matter. Can't get any dedder" she said as she pulled out a golden scroll of revival.

"Are you sure about this, Soldier?" Klarach asked. "Took us a long time to get him this close to death" it didn't matter what her friend was saying. She was already reciting the words on the scroll and watched Cazadors body come to life, the vampire lord groaned in pain looking up at Lovissa.

"Finally tired of your toy are we?" Cazador struggled to speak, Lovissa's lower lip quivered as tears threatened to spill from her eyes "Sorry, death has a no refund policy"

"Fuck you, you fucking sick fuck!" Lovissa screamed taking the knife in her hand and stabbing him in the throat. As Cazador gurgled on the monsoon of blood that erupted from the gash, Lovissa continued hacking and stabbing violently, screaming loudly.

"Well, can't say you two weren't made for each other." Klarach sighs, just watching the scene unfold. As if it was act two of Cazador's death. Lovissa screamed in his face as she stomped in Cazador's skull, his fingers still twitching with what little life was left in them. Lovissa caught her breath and pulled out another scroll. "Why don't we let the dead rest in piece?" Klarach suggested placing a hand on Lovissa's armored shoulder for a brief moment as the leather seered under her touch.

"Don't fucking touch me!" Lovissa seethed as she recited the scroll again.

"Right..." Klarach watched as the corpse barley reanimated. This time, Lovissa bent his fingers back. The bone cracked, erupting through the crypt. "What if Astarion wants to visit again? How are we going to explain... this?" Klarach asked, looking over the body. Which looked worse now than when Astarion left him. "Why don't we"

"He doesn't deserve piece... he doesn't deserve death, " Lovissa muttered softly as she killed Cazador for a third time."He deserves centuries of pain. And suffering, " Lovissa cried softly."How could he... take such a beautiful person... and ruin him. " Lovissa sobbed softly, mourning for the man she would never know because of Cazador's cruel ways.

"I wish I could hug you..." Klarach shudderd as she knelt down next to Lovissa."You both deserved better, " She said. "But now you both need to move on." Klarach said softly, urging Lovissa to leave the crypt in the dust.

"Everytime I look into his eyes... all I see is what this thing did to him" Lovissa motions to the now unrecognizable corpse. "I want to take it all away" She cried softly wiping away her tears.

"When night falls, you can tell him that." Klarach smiled a gentle smile. "Let's get out of here. Before we make matters worse"

[songofmadness]

Again, non-writing post but -- The Time of Santa Suits is once again upon me. And this year it comes with accompanying righteous fury. Long story short, I do the odd sewing commission to prop up my pitiful income, though I've tapered off a bit as my kid's homeschooling got more intense over the last year. Also life, brainworms etc. But there is one guy I've been friends with for years who does a lot of the local santa-ing who generally come to me for suit alterations and such. (He is also a personal friend and it seriously irks me that I haven't heard from him all year -- yet he returns from the void just as he needs my aid etc. etc. But whatever, dude's had an incredibly rough year, I'll get over it.) What gets me is that he commissioned a suit from some fancy company in England during lockdown -- I was just getting started homeschooling the Spawn and he didn't want to pile more shit on. He paid a fuckton of money and well, the delivery was delayed and delayed and then it finally comes out that the original creator had come down with Covid and a combination of that and a few other health problems unfortunately led to her death. This is, of course, fucking awful. And it's totally understandable that custom santa suits were very much not the focus for her family at the time. He gets that. I get that. What's less understandable is that the family/company didn't refund my friend's money. Instead they assured him that they could finish the commission, delayed some more and when the suit finally arrived... Calling it an abomination is generous. It's. I think they matched up the wrong parts of an unfinished suit? The armscyes are fucking massive. He literally cannot raise his arms in this boxy monstrosity. He's a big guy - can santa without a prosthetic belly big - and the suit is still enormous on him. It's a box. With massive sleeveheads. And the pants? One leg is bigger than the other. By several inches. This was a reputable business - I don't know the name, and I don't want to ask because if I go looking for previous examples of work, I will get angry. And I entirely get that suddenly inheriting a bunch of unfinished custom orders when you're grieving has got to be indescribably fucking awful. But if you can't do the work, fucking tell your clients that. If they'd sent pieces, he could have gotten me to assemble them. Or someone else, if I was still snowed in by single-parent-is-now-also-a-teacher insanity. If they'd just admitted they didn't know what the fuck they were doing, my friend wouldn't have received a hideously expensive unusable suit during the most stressful time of year for him. The same year he got slapped with a new cancer diagnosis. This guy is not a rich man. The santa-ing pays for a shitload of his yearly expenses. He takes pride in it. And I will guarantee you the fact that he didn't bring this piece of shit suit to me the year it arrived is because he was ashamed of getting shilled. The fact that he had to internalise that at the same time as he was struggling with the pain and fear of his cancer raising it's ugly fucking head again makes me incandescently furious. I am s e e t h i n g. It's nice fabric, so I'm gonna see if I can salvage it. Probably won't be able to wrangle pants, but I can at least try to fix the coat. Though the problem of how to make the armscyes smaller is already frustrating me. And I'm going to sew him the suit of his fucking dreams to make up for this bullshit. Somehow. Scraping the money together is going to be a bitch but I genuinely don't know how much longer he's going to be able to keep doing this and he deserves to have it end on a high note. TLDR: If you can't match the standards when inheriting a custom commission, just fucking admit it. And if you've screwed up beyond all hope, REFUND YOUR CLIENTS.

[nityarawal]

3/30/24

Martha's Kitchen

Morning Songs

I Didn't Do A

Morning Song

Yesterday

Succumbed

To Martha's Kitchen

Invite

Wayward Schedules

Been Promised

New Clothes

For Many Years

At Revivals

Finally Went

Even Though My

Case Manager

Allejandro

Forgot Voucher

Gay Man Offered

Me A Bikini

Then Took It Away

At Revivals

Didn't Want Me

In Anything Too Pretty

Just Mens T Shirts 

And Men's Underwear

New Socks

For Men

Don't Take New Red Feragamo Jacket

Donation

From US

Even Though Nice Lady

Was Practically

Offering

But I'm The Charity

Project

Finally Found

A Few Dresses

Tried Them On

Thought They Could

Pass As Tops

By A Couch

Gay Bald Hosts

Said No

Hurry Up

Close Out

Done With You

My Love

No

Mirrors

But Finally A Lady

Sent Me To The Back

Vanities For Sale

Where I Could See

The Plaid

Rachel Zoe Jacket

Try On Dresses

In Front Of A Reflection

Such A Privilege

To See Ones

Real Image

Nowadays

Most Memed

IEHP

Never Gave

Me Mirrors

Don't You Want To 

Call Them

Asked My Nurse

Caitlin

Thursday At Urgent Care

No I'm Rather

Scared

Don't You Want To

Call Them

No I Have A Trunk

Of Junk Mail

From Them

Denying Grievances

Murders Hidden

Sign Over Your Lives

To Us

If Not Elon Musk

Your Kids

Rapunzel Trans

Gremlins

Demand

The Bottom Feeders

Want You

The Feds

Doje Daytraders

Gay Cartel

Lawyers

And Trans

Militia

Cast You

Addicted To Crystal Meth

Obedient Feloned Hookers

Heroin Addicts

Don't You Want 

Some Condoms From

Dabs

Jewish Family Services

Aids Queries

Probability

High

In Desert

Advertise A Gay

Man With Aids

Get A House

In A Month

If You Survive

Host A 'Lie-In'

At Martha's Kitchen

Easter Weekend

Only 3 Outhouses

Hundreds Sardined 

Indoors Waiting

For Sunshine And Fresh Air

Like A YMCA

Hostage

Suitcases Everywhere

End Of Busline

Now Loitering

A Crime

No Double Dipping 

Waspy Blondes Repremend

Denying Food

As If We're Vampires

Only To Traffic 

With Condoms

Stealing Another Kid

Don't You Want Your

Babies To Have Their

Own Boy-Toys

Transed

Geriatric Elon

In Diapers

Like Biden Boys'

Second Gentlemen 

Do You Want Us

To Sing About

Raucous

Fraternity Parties

At Tesla

The Hookers Were 

Hot

From Vegas

Until STD Tested

The Diseases Were

Not

And No One Wants

A Little Girl

Cyborging Them

Dumb

Neuralinked

Incompetent

The New 'Big Pharma'

Political

Plea Bargain

Tethered To TV

24/7

Were The Hookers

Hot

The Diseases Are Not

And There's A Price

Tag For My Attys'

A**

Tesla Forgot

To Pay

There's A Price Tag

On My Atty's

A**

Lexus Lemon

Still Payin'

Deep Gifts Keep 

Given'

Every Time Beyonce

Sings "Texas Hold 'Em,"

Lexus Lemon

Forgot To Scour

Away

Master Cleanse

There's A Price Tag

On My Atty's

Fabulous A**

And We Want 

Her Hair Dark

As Irany Queen's

Are Coming Back

We Want North

Saint And Psalm

For A Easter 

Picnicking

Camping Trip Mom

Anjali And Isha 

Want A Playdate

Today

X Is Demanding

My Family Come

Stay

Leprochauns Arrive

Menahune

St. Patrick's Day

Desert Side 

Rainbows Are Here

But Where's 

My Cybertruck 

Elon's

Refunds 

Where's My Fiance

Where's Elon's Hearty

Laugh

What Did You Do

With My Loves'

Got A Date For

Kimmy

But We Got To See

If He's Free

He's Very Very

Beautiful

And Being Trafficked

By Lesbians

You See

Like Elon-June

And Kardashians'

Under Trans

Branding

Bruce-Caitlyn

With Lou

Taylor

Like Elon-June

You See

Lex Friedman

Doesn't Dare

Complain

Six Hookers

He Has To Service

Pimping Him

Like A Piece Of

Physics Pie

For Atty Crimes

Physicists

Plea Bargains

Bros Bribes

Tech Compliant

Actors

Pimping Him

For Attys Crimes

Hunters

Boys' Don't Cry

Boys' Won't Cry

But Please Mamma

Stop The Abuse

For Kanye

And My Son's

Brothers Knights

Beloveds

Can't Take This

Spin Dr. Abuse

100 Men Per Room

Drugged Sick Drooling

Waiting

For Divindends

Martha's Manager

Priscilla

Says Why Don't 

You Try Riverside

Healthcare

Because They're The 

Ones

Mass Murderin'

Moms'

Why Don't You Try

Riverside Healthcare

System

Because They're Raping

Moms'

Kidnapping Kids'

Stealing Cars'

And Breaking 

Bridges'

With IEHP

Big Pharma

Covid Centers 

Preventing CARS

Recycling

In America

To Moms'

For Easter

Dr. Lemon

Go Interview

Dr. Singh

And All His Nurses

At Moreno Valley

Hospital

And Tell Me How

The Sheriff

Justifies Mass Murders

Casualties

Headhunting Advertisers

And Social Media

DJs

Presenters

Singers

Writers

For Google

Tech Apple

AI

Car Competitions

Trafficking

Moms'

Physicists'

Kids'

Rewind Doje Cons'

Peace

Rewind AI

Failed

System

Closed

Merci

Peace

Bond-Moms

Peace,

Nitya Nella Davigo Azam Moezzi Huntley Rawal 

[pillatedcompills]

idk

Hello, my name is Ewala. I come from the planet Alawe, in the galaxy Ewala, in the universe Alawe. But the point is I tried. If you think you need to go to the bakery, please do so now, because I do not want to be interrupted while I tell you my story. ...but anyway, I have been thinking about my happiness lately and have come to the conclusion that I am happy. This is annoying. If you saw a chicken as happy as me, I'll replace it, and give you a full refund... no questions asked! But that's not the point. The point is I am battery operated. Well, actually I am not. But that's not the point. What is the point? "The point is everyone should have my game and timetable! screamed someone who I subsequently smacked across the face and decapitated before sending him home in a cardboard box. Before I introduce myself, let me share with you a story. A story about me, and how great I am. But first, I think it would be appropriate to introduce myself. I am going to do this soon. So, it all started, in a smelly house, north of Wellington, south of Arizona and east of where you are sitting right now. It was a dark night, with no birds nor chickens, and it was raining a silent rain. There were too many stars to count, and not enough clouds to cover them. I like chickens. But anyway, what was I doing in this smelly house? "I was laughing at the boxes of dog food with you, remember!?" said Stevens grandma, but she was wrong. What was I doing? That's right, I was writing this story. Now back to the story. I needed to find something, so looked for it, and the most amazing thing happened! I FOUND IT!!! Guess what it was??? it was a piece of crispy bacon, which I dropped last Christmas. I thought the dog ate it, but I guess it didnt. There were many things over there where I always looked for things, but I didn't like them, so I don't know why I was always looking for them. But this thing I did like. And this thing, it liked me right back in the face. But I don't like things that like me. They smell funny. So I made it friends with it, seduced it, then strangled it in the night and ate it's flesh. The bacon wasn't happy with this, and laughed itself to sleep. But then in the plane, he needed to go pee, so I laughed myself to sleep as he pissed himself to wake. He was definitely awake when the plane started to fall. He was definitely going to fall with the plane, and he was definitely going to get lost again. And lost he did get. Lost in the eternal sea of human sadness, lyrically beautiful without the physical countenance to outweigh it's inherent irony. And that was where he found himself, lost in an abysmal abyss... That was where he found himself. He was taken to new levels of excitement, when he found himself. Oh what a day.... Oh ...what a day. But this was to be expected, because he was not just random. He was ranDom with a capital D. But anyway, who cares about the bacon, this story is about me. Me and my eternal instructions of destruction from underneath. Me and my inherent understanding of the ways of the universe. Me and my happiness. Me and my sadness. Me, and my bacon.

THE END

-Whoolia

This section of randomness was shoved upon the internet without warning on July 17, 2003Once upon a time in the land of Fliggimites lived a happy little thing by the name of Joseph.  Joseph once decided to go on an adventure and go atop the great mountain of Floosh to annoy the red dragon.  And so he left, with his pal, Gandaarghlee the wizard, to Mount Floosh.  Along the way he stole the golden toe ring of a guy named Walmart, and met many trolls and elves and dwarves and other odd mutated humanoid creatures, including this one guy made out of bologna that we didn't like very much, so we laughed at him and he was sad.

So we finally reached the mountan of Floosh and hiked up to the top.  Then the red dragon appeared and tossed us in the firy lava pit on the top, which hurt a lot, but by some  chance we won the battle and were very happy, and then we hiked back home, but Walmart trapped us and ate us.

The end.Laundromat:  Episode II

Guy: Im back

Laundry Lady: You cannot walk into my store wearing sliced turkey over your head.

Guy: Yes I can.

Laundry Lady: No you cant

Guy: Are you shure?

[Guy tries to bribe lady with a coathanger.]

Laundry Lady: Leave the Laundromat!

Guy: After you give me some peanuts!

Laundry Lady: You really want those peanuts, dont you?

Guy: Maybe, Maybe Not

Laundy Lady: Leave!

Guy: You shall not live to be older than two cycles of a halibuts unicycle, for Orville Redenbaucher, the popcorn guy, is coming for you. Hahahahaha! All hail Orville..All Hail Orville..

[lady calls the SWAT Team, and the swat team spray the guy with mace untill his eyes puff up and explode, causing the Advill on the counter to topple]This section of randomness was shoved upon the internet without warning by DelTaco on June 2, 2003.LobstersJeddidiah was thinking of ways to wipe out all of penguin kind by using a spoon and dental floss. Hmmm.... So far he has massacred around uhh...2. He cannot talk because the lobsters are gnawing at his only kneecap he has left, and that is the left one. Oh no!!! The've got ahold of his prostetic knee!! What type of lobsters are they???!!?! He  starts to smell some mashed potatoes, they might come in handy in the penguin plan..... --DelTacoThis section of randomness was shoved upon the internet without warning on May 27, 2003.Turmoil in Lobo's LenseJoe Lopo was a man of mild temperament, short stature, and had the goal to become the world's fastest telephone eater.  Though Lopo never knew even basic physics, he created a telescope capable of sighting the smallest hair on an alien who lived quite a few lightyears away.  Joe Lopo quickly destroyed a large boulder and used the shattered remains to form eight small statues that strongly resembled tiny creatures being or related to the water flea.  He placed them in a circular pattern to form a sort of shrine and placed the telescope in the middle of it.  He then channeled the power of the stone water fleas into the telescope to view the power of the heavens.  He was in a trance with the beauty of the mysterious dimension and didn't even notice the very large tornado heading toward him.

The shrine was quickly demolished and the immediate withdrawl of power sent Joe Lobo into a lair of pitch blackness found to be a parallel dimension that caused anyone whose first name began with J, along with M,L, and Q, to become rather uncomfortable.  Joe was also suddenly introduced to undroclamaticolomphasisciousy, the eccentric tapeworm with a strong morrocan accent.

"I'm undroclamaticolomphasisciousy, the eccentric tapeworm.  I like pizza so how are ya doin?"

"I have no idea," said Joe.  "I feel very uncomfortable."

A small beep was heard.  "Oh, that's me," said the worm.  He pulled out his cell phone.  "Hey, I like pizza so how are ya' doin?"

"You're too late," said the one on the other side of the line.

"I know I am!" he said, as he quickly hung up.  "Anyway, I've come to meet you," he said to me.

"I suspected that suspicious suspectial suspision," I said.  "Why did you come to meet me?"

"Because," said the tapeworm.  "You are the chosen dude."

A million tiny fabrics twisted in the shape of a microwave opened the space around me and started marching toward me, chanting, "Chosen dude, chosen dude, chosen dude..."

"Why am I the chosen dude?" asked Joe.

"Because," said the worm.  He pointed to the tissue hanging out of my side pocket.  "The sign."

"The sign, the sign, the sign...!" chanted the fabrics.

"I'm afraid there has been a mistake," said Joe.  "Please release me."

"You shall be released," stated the worm.  "On one condition:  you assist this cat in consuming the sacred erasible pen."

The fabrics gasped.  Joe shoved the erasible pen in the cat's mouth.  The cat suddenly morphed into a gargantuan capybara and exploded.

The worm scowled at Joe.  He was not supposed to complete the task.

"You, still shall not be released," said the worm.  "We are dependent upon the powers of the chosen one.  You shall remain with us!"  But just as he said this, Minnie Turner, the girl who lived inside of a shoebox on a desert island for fourteen years in 1672, appeared in the dimension.  She tainted the worm using a glass of grape juice and compressed the subatomic particles in the fabrics until a black hole formed.  Joe and Minnie entered and vanished from the dimension, to enter a new one that resembleed the innards of a cable modem device.

"Why did you save me?" asked Joe? "Mark the wrong one," said Minnie.

Then everything went "SKWADLIDOO!" and disappeared and Joe found himself alone, at his home on earth.

Joe then ate a telephone.This section of randomness was shoved upon the internet without warning on Saturday, April 25, 2003 by GiganticPuffyFluffballHaarpIfoosh the Depressed SausageOnce in a meat-packing plant far away, there was a sausage. His name was Haarplfoosh. Although since he was simply a mass of pig guts stuck into a small, gristly tube, he did not care. So, thus it was totally pointless. The End

SploookinfhaglishThis bit of randomness was thrust upon the internet without warning on Wednsday, May 7, 2003.This random, pointless moment by Datsun. Books About Lawn GnomesOnce upon a time, there was this guy.  This guy was very sad.  He was so sad that he decided to go out into his front yard and seize his lawn gnome.  He stared at it for at least 45 minutes.  He then smashed it with an umbrella.  He suddenly felt happy.The guy went and published his book, "Happiness Through Lawn Gnomes."  Millions of people bought it.  It didn't work.  They then smashed it with an umbrella.  Many people tried to publish, "Happiness Through Books About Happiness Through Lawn Gnomes," but only one four year old girl did.  Millions of people bought that book.It didn't work.So everybody stuffed their books in shoeboxes and flooded the guy and the girl's houses with billions of books.  But they had lawn gnomes and books about them, so they lived on in happiness for eternity.This section of randomness was shoved upon the internet without warning on Saturday, April 25, 2003.This random moment by GiganticPuffyFluffballLaundromat Tale with Inexplicably Chosen EndingThis guy walks into a laundry store, and asks for some peanuts. Guy:  Hey, give me some peanuts. Laundry Lady:  Um, we don't have peanuts, we're a laundry store. Guy:  Hey, who are you people?  Do you work for the CIA? Laundry Lady:  Um, no, who are you?  Whata are you doing here? Guy:  Stuff. Laundry Lady:  What's wrong with you?  You people drive me insane!  What are you doing here if you don't have any laundry? Guy:  Stuff. Laundry Lady:  Okay that's it. Lady smashes guy over the head with a cantelope. Guy:  Hey, you just hit me over the head with a cantelope! Laundry Lady:  Yeah, and the-- Guy:  Geez, what's wrong with you? Laundry Lady:  Well you're the-- Guy:  I'm not playing hide and seek with you any more! Laundry Lady:  What-- Guy leaves, slamming door.  Ants start to eat the cantelope.  Lady cries, and small rat living in a hole in the store implodes, leaving the cat furious.

[mysdrymmumbles]

My Ebay Adventures

So far, I have had quite a few mishpas with this:

My First Ever Sale It was a bird toy that sold for $0.99. I ended up owing Ebay $0.24 because of fees and shipping.

Sent a package via my mailbox. It disappeared from the world for a week before showing up in the processing center the next town over and finally heading off to be delivered.

That same sale was my first combination sale Someone bought 5 little toy lots from me and asked for combined shipping. Had to figure out how to refund for shipping and all that.

People constantly asking for me to break up doll lots. I'm getting rid of my collection, so rather than oodles and oodles of individual sales, I put them up four at a time. SO many people want me to piece meal them, letting them buy one doll from this lot and one from the next.

Someone asked me to pay for their shipping.

Someone asked me to hold a lot, then after I took it down, decided they didn't want it. It had like 20 watchers.

Someone won an auction, then messaged me to say they couldn't buy it. They have not canceled the order, however, so I can't offer it to the second highest bidder.

The first auction that was won has not been paid for, days after it was won.

Had someone ask me for a bunch of enchantimals from different lots, and then said, "I'll be back in a few days to check what your answer is." I sent them what the price would be for the dolls, but have not heard back. Honestly, I don't expect to, and think I may just donate the enchantimals to the charity shop because they do not sell.

Was selling a lot for $270. Someone tried to offer me $150 for it.

[queenoftheworldisdead]

Lap Dance

Warning: 18 + Only, hand job, lap dance and sex

Note: This is my late entry for @fineanddandy 's 1k challenge

Summery: Taika lays low and takes a night off from directing.

Taika x Reader

---

The club was a buzz. Everyone in town was excited about the movie being filmed in the city. Why they chose this random piece of earth you weren't sure, but every strip club did their best to lure the cast and crew to their club.

A lister's getting paparazzi pics outside their club meant good business for at least a week. You scoffed at Ricky when he told you be ready. This club was not in anyway getting that caliber of clientele.

The old heads that ran the club were not up on social media trends enough to know that the bodies in this club wouldn't be bringing in the likes of them.

You didn't mind too much as they waved their dancer fees. Allowing you to come in late and run rick shaw around the club.

----

While on stage you noticed someone in the corner. He waved off the other girls and you squinted as you wondered why. Most of the men here weren't picky. A little attention and they almost thought you were in a relationship.

Finally off stage you were bored. Looking around the not so inconspicuous stranger still sat in his spot.

"So.. bad day huh?" you question the hooded stranger. Flopping down next to him you whistled loudly catching the attention of a waitress. "Two -" you looked at his drink "Lite's on his tab" she nodded in understanding before turning back to another patron. "So come here often" you joked. You didn't care if he left. You didn't mind if he got mad. Broc was within ear shot and would step in if you gave the signal. The customer tipped his brim lower, trying to act as if you weren't there. But you were bored, so you fucked with him. Ricky hated that. You had several complaints about fucking with people. And even one refund which you were personally proud of.

"So what's a pretty thing like you doing in a club like this?" You teased. He scoffed and you bit back a laugh of your own. "Oh come on honey smile." You joked as he ignored you and took a sip as the waitress approached.

Taking your beer from her you took a big swig of the foamy brew. "Look honey I'm bored and I don't want to make my rounds." You motioned to the half empty club. "So you tell me what girl you like and I'll bring her here. Or you get me drunk until you have to go back to your -" you hesitated as you tried to look at his ring finger. "Girlfriend?" You said unsure of yourself.

When he looked at you, you smirked at him. "I didn't know that you, women, were so aggressive in the states." His accent through you off. You were used to accents, but this one was like the ones you saw on t.v.

You placed your elbows on the table and stared him down. He looked like he was from these parts, but that accent told you other wise. And then it hit you, your eyes could not hide the surprise.

He smirked taking another sip as you whipped your head around. Looking at everyone on the floor slack jawed that they hadn't figured it out before you.

"So you figured me out then?" Taika asked almost cocky.

"Hey dude I'm chill. I will leave you alone. Sorry I was just bored." You made a move to leave when his hand signaled you to stop.

You shifted sitting towards him. "You know if they know your here you will get all the bells and whistles." You cocked a brow right back at him.

"Naw I'm alright here with you."

You recognized that look. You weren't one to fraternize with guest, but he had this chill vibe that flowed with your own.

'Welcome to the jungle' played in the background as he stared you down. You stood and he followed your movements. "You don't have to do that"

"Well if I don't. I'm gonna get chewed out by management " you sarcastically shrugged. "Can only sit and chit chat for so long before I have to move around." With your hip you pushed the table back. He gave a nervous giggle and leaned back in the booth.

It was a lie, you were just feeling frisky. You straddled him and through your g-string you felt him immediately. You stared him boldly in the eye. "Well I guess I like you too?" you smirked down at him. Looking over your shoulder you made sure the floor managers were far away before you got too cocky. Lifting off his lap slightly your hands went to his zipper.

Taika stared up at you in shock. "You look so cute like that" his lower jaw started to slack as you began stroking him through his zipper. He looked around nervously, biting his lip as he contemplated if he should stop you.

"What's the matter? Scared your gonna get in trouble if you touch me? Hmm" you teased.

You pulled your breast free with your other hand as you continued to stroke him. He wet his lip with his tongue watching you hungrily.

Leaning forward, you wrapped your arms around his neck as you nuzzled into his ear. "You want to give them a show or go somewhere more private" you purred.

-----

Taika was hesitant when you pulled him toward the private room. He took the seat before the stage as you locked the door. The main floors music flooded into the room while the red neon lights illuminated the room.

You walked up behind Taika. He waited patiently for you to get up on the half stage, instead you threaded your fingers through his salt and pepper hair. Gripping it you yanked his head back harshly, smirking down at him as he hissed and looked up at you.

You released him, walking around tweaking your nipples before his hungry eyes. He flattened his palms on his lap, mindlessly rubbing his jeans as you lowered on your haunches.

You reached and took his wrist, guiding his hands to your breasts, keeping your eyes locked on his. Taika cursed under his breath as he palmed you.

He enjoyed himself while you leaned in and unfastened his belt and took him out once more. "You're such a bad girl" he smirked down at you. Taika felt big when you played with him earlier, but pulling him out was a sight to see.

"Don't be shy now" he taunted, helping you up onto his lap.

You hadn't realized you were wet until his tip swirled around your juices. Taika's mouth found your breast, sucking and licking around as he pressed against your folds. You bit your lip as he angled up with your cunt.

You gasped suddenly when he pushed you down. Taika held you down to enjoy the look on your face.

"Not so cocky with my cock stuffed in your tight little cunt" he grunted.

"Shit" you cursed as you gripped his shirt.

"Fuck I might have to take you home with me." He confessed as he rocked your hips. "I don't think I ever want to leave this."

You leaned in to kiss him to hide your moans. You didn't want the guard at the door to know you were getting your brains fucked out by a client.

He swallowed every moan and mewl as you bounced on his cock. "Fuck I'm not goin ta last long in this tight cunt" he growled pulling back to look at you. You smiled cocky, playing with your breast as he admired you.

Taika took control of your hips, forcing you to ride him harder. He was making it hard to keep things a secret. You felt your walls tremble signaling the end was near. And you could tell by the way he manipulated your body he was almost there too.

"Taika! Shit! Fuck!" You shouted unable to contain yourself any longer. Coming around his cock harder than you had ever come in a while.

Taika held you down on his lap tightly and you felt his warm seed paint your walls. "Fuck!" He chanted.

Through the haze of your climax you stared at him deeply smiling at him with your arms wrapped around his neck. "Fuck. your coming home with me. I hope you have your passport."

[ask-marios-apprentice]

Sorry

I haven't updated in a while.

It's because Mario's Dad has finally made a return to the Kingdom.

I haven't been able to sleep at night because I have been helping him try to find a record.

You see. Back in the 80s, Mario had this record that he really liked. Unfortunately Luigi threw it into the fire while he was trying to read a book.

As a birthday gift, JumpMan (I'm going to be calling him that now because it feels is a little bit weird to call Mario's dad Mario's dad) was going to give him that record as a belated birthday gift.

Unfortunately. It turned up the one that he had already gotten was actually a bootleg that broke almost after one playing.

Because he didn't want anyone to ruin the surprise. He actually asked me to help him.

Here is what happend recently

At the canopy market at the docs

The docs are a place where a lot of things happen, Sea Shell Necklaces, Over priced caricatures, and a shady underbelly.

I know this because that is where we ended up finding the record.

After entering a 3 and an eighth record stores (one also was a thrift shop where everything smelled really awful.)

We are about to give up until we Heard a dolphin noise,

???: Dolphin noise

We followed it and found our selves underneath the docs.

The black market.

There were a few people there

A kid repeating "Hey fat boy, You wanna fight" to any passer by.

That Bob guy trying to sell his mix tapes.

There was a Goomba in a blue cap sitting on a bar chair who look like he had a pint too many.

He was eating ice cream flavors that wouldn't be on the shelves for a few years and yelling about the game Paper Mario.

To the right, we saw a dolphin in a leather coat. They were selling a large marked container of fruit drink powder to a Yoshi in a tank top and gold chain.

???: I see you two are looking for a record.

JumpMan: Uh. Yes. I guess we are.

Loan dolphin: well you've come to the right place. Call me Loan Dolphin, I've got "legal" merch.

And in your case, iv'e got the record your looking for.

Garth: What do you mean by "legal".

Loan Dolphin: Shut up kid. I've gotten stuff from Awesome-Mix drink powder that's been off the shelf for years, autographed photos from people both on Panko AND Earth, and even a couple pieces of ammo of the mob boss who was here in the 50s.

JumpMan: How about that record you mentioned, how much will that cost.

Loan Dolphin: How much you got.

We ended up paying him a large amount of coins.

I say we because I payed most of it.

JumpMan: Look, I'll pay you back.

Just as we were handed the record.

The Yoshi came back in and started yelling. Something about how his Awsome-Mix was not up to snuff and he needed a refund.

As we were slipping out, I'm pretty sure the Yoshi pulled out a Zapper and said he could stun him for a week if he didn't do something.

I don't know what that something was because we left as soon as things looked like they were getting bad.

This is where the story would end normally.

But I had one last thing to do.

After JumpMan delivered the record and caught up with his family.

I went to see him before he was going to take off.

Garth: I need you to take this back to Earth.

It was in the letter I wrote and a box of mementos from the mushroom kingdom.

It was for my parents.

Garth: This needs to get to Agridulce, to my family. I need to let them know I'm safe.

JumpMan: What, I can't take this. This stuff will probably get me arrested.

Garth: You said you would pay me back. And you will not get arrested, if you get caught your son can probably pull some strings.

JumpMan: ... Fine.

JumpMan: But if I get caught I'm blaming you.

He had reluctantly agreed.

I just pray that the letter find my parents well.

Garth hoping and signing off.

[anondudeao3]

Fic Recs!

Since I'm on hiatus, I've finally had time to do some reading, and I thought I'd give some fic recommendations, since I won't be posting for quite a while. These are my absolute favourites!

(I'm splitting this into two posts — one for JayDick and one for JayTim — because now that I'm finished with the first half it's quite long)

JayDick

A Love Triangle With The Same Person

By: Chrystie, kate882

Word Count: 10,031

Summary: Dick might have a bit of a thing for Jason, one of Red Hood's criminal underlings. But he's also already a little in love with Red Hood.

→ Identity porn! Who doesn't love identity porn? Very cute and sweet.

Everything I Know

By: epistemology

Word Count: 12,360

Summary: Red Hood is a little bit in love with his partner, Nightwing, who has a huge crush on Jason Todd, the hot bookstore owner, who is actually the Red Hood, who is too busy being in love to notice Dick Grayson, who's actually Nightwing.

Jason and Dick fall in love with the wrong versions of each other, and things become complicated fast.

→ More identity porn, but this one is a lot more sort of missed connections, plus it has bookshop owner Jay who was never taken in by Bruce! It really has you begging SOMETHING to happen to somehow make them see that THEY ARE EACH OTHER, THEY ARE THE ONES THEY LIKE. AHHHH IT'S THE SAME PERSON. And when it finally does happen, it's so sweet and satisfying. (I recommend checking out their other fics too! Lots of sweetness.)

Lie To Me, Darling

By: Chrystie, kate882

Word Count: 19,214

Summary: Officer Dick Grayson is undercover in the infamous Red Hood's gang trying to track down the man behind the helmet. With his former partner killed for being found out, there's a new guy in the gang to take his place. Jason doesn't seem like the average new gang recruit, and Dick may be getting more than he bargained for trying to get close to him.

→ Okay, ngl I JUST now noticed that this one is by the same people as the first one, and I specifically didn't want to put multiple fics by the same people (just say I recommend checking out their other stuff, but not rec separately), but it's too late now and I don't have a 7th JayDick fic to recc that isn't also an author repeat, and I don't want it to be uneven.

But ANYWAY. This one will fuck you up, I can't lie. Unhappy ending, but if you can brave that, ohhh it's so good. It's so damn sweet whilst the good times last, even though you know it's only temporary and it's all going to go to hell at some point... man. It hurts. But it hurts so good. It's beautiful, and I personally think it's worth the pain.

Two Birds on a Wire

By: empires, pentapus

Word Count: 20,565

Summary: Dick asks Jason for help on a case. Jason should have never agreed.

→ It's probably laughable that I'm reccing this, since pentapus is one of the authors and their art is like huge in the JayDick fandom, and the fic has more than 22.5k views, which seems to be quite a lot as far as JayDick fics go. But in the event that you haven't read it yet... This is actually the very first JayDick fic I EVER read, it introduced me to the ship, and I just reread it and it's still just as amazing, what a winner to start out with!

The dynamic between Jay and Dick, the way Dick gets so into his undercover role, Jay's emotional turmoil, the action — it's all just absolute chef's kiss! It's so hard to write action well, and these two made this fic so engaging!

All Soulmates Final, No Refunds

By: empires, salvadore

Word Count: 38,900

Summary: Mystic Waters Grande Hotel sells itself as a luxury soulmate retreat with all manner of couple’s activities. The cost is high, and all is not as it appears on the hotel’s grounds. Dick and Jason go undercover as newlywed soulmates to find out what’s behind the rash of missing persons. And dig up old feelings in the process.

→ (Since empires was collaborating with two different people of the different fics, I don't count that as a repeat).

Well firstly, this is a rare Batman!Dick JayDick! And secondly, yes, one of the ubiquitous soulmate AUs. But with some very interesting twists! Also, like TBOAW above, the action in this is amazing, and absolutely had me on the edge of my seat. Similarly, their undercover personas were lots of fun, and it was very fun to see them push each other further and further with them.

Secrets of the Sea

By: ParzivalHallows

Word Count: 42,711

Summary: Being a merperson was dangerous enough, but being a merperson captured by pirates? That's got to be one of the worst fates for a merman. Merman Dick Grayson is captured by a slave ship, where he meets Jason Todd, who's a slave on that ship. Together, the two plan an escape. However, they need to put aside their odds first, which is very difficult for the two stubborn men.

→ I have to give you fair warning first, this one is incomplete and hasn't been updated since 2017, so I don't think it's ever going to be finished (but it can't hurt to leave a nice comment!) BUT WAIT, DON'T SCROLL YET, hear me out. It's really good, okay. You do need to mind the warning tags because there is major character death (not Jay or Dick though, and since it's not complete I'm kind of choosing to believe that they're not really dead and later in the story it actually turns out that they managed to survive).

There are a lot of grim things in this story, it's really about survival, but the worldbuilding is fucking phenomenal, and the author drew me right in. The descriptions and the action and emotion, the unexpected magic that they have to figure out? It's all so cool and well done.

Steady On Forward

By: JayseHasNoGrace

Word Count: 96,287

Summary: Dick Grayson's life has never been easy, but he'd like to think it's been going better lately. He's been operating mainly out of Gotham again for almost a year, and has been in a steady relationship for just over. He knows where he stands with crime-fighting, and the family is all on pretty good terms, considering.

Things are really going pretty well.

Unfortunately, the balance doesn't last long, and old horrors from Dick's past end up dredged up alongside new ones.

This is a story about love and family, but equally so about trauma and healing from it. Please heed the warnings in the preface.

→ Alright, the final JayDick rec, the longest, and the darkest. But wait, again, don't scroll! It's also by far the most hopeful AND FLUFFY. Now, the author is NOT fucking around about heeding those warnings, there's a shitload of them and it's really heavy, hard shit. Do not get me wrong, this fic is going to HURT you. But by the end, it's going to have felt so cathartic, and you're going so feel soft and hopeful and whole. I don't know how they did it, but it's SUCH an emotional rollercoaster. Another commenter on AO3 (mach5plus1) said it better than I could:

I gave this fic my whole heart, it took it, smiled and said “awwww, I’ll take care of it!“

Then started putting pressure on it and I told it “ouch, that hurts”

The fic kept smiling and put more pressure until a piece broke off (last chapter)

and then another (this chapter)

The fic keeps doing it until my heart is shattered into pieces and it’s standing over each shard with a frown saying “oops” (the upcoming chapters)

Then, after finding each piece again and picking them up, the fic will slowly push each piece back into place.

By the end it’ll give my heart back a little different, but somehow better than it was when I gave it away.

It will crush your heart, but it will lovingly patch it back together by the end, I promise. If you can read it without getting triggered, I thought everything was well handled, and it's so worth it. (I recommend checking out their other JayDick fic too, they only have one, but it's a fluffy romcom, so if you need a break after this one, that's there!)

[marvelite624]

My brother, Frankie, had always been the one in charge when we were kids. 'The world was his oyster' as the saying goes. I lived in his shadow most of the time and was happy to be there. But Frankie didn't seem as 'in charge' as he once was and I, well, I was eager to carve out a piece of that oyster for myself, or is that supposed to be pies, carving pies? No matter, I had to find out where I belonged in the scheme of things... especially since Mom...

Left for college almost two years ago. The experience was new and exciting! It was also sometimes scary. I didn't have my brother's shoulder, always there for me when I found things slipping. Frankie was my rock! He didn't even flinch when I unloaded the fact that I was gay on him. Without missing a beat, he hugged me, told me how happy he was that I'd told him, and then added, "Well, at least I won't have to worry about you stealing my dates or anything." He gave me some quick 'noogies' and that was that. What a relief it was to find nothing had changed between us. He never treated me any differently, never put me down, and never let me down either.

Something has felt 'wrong' where my brother was concerned lately. It started weeks ago, nagging insistently; I couldn't concentrate or think about much else, not even my studies. Calling home, I got Sarah who assured me everything was alright. She said Frankie had 'taken off' for a few days but was back now. "Everthing is fine.", she said. It did little to ease my mind but I had to finish the quarter. Tuition is non-refundable, unfortunately.

Soon as I could manage, I hopped on a bus for home; even that felt 'wrong'. Sure enough, we got a flat about sixty miles out and had to wait several hours for repairs. When we finally hit town, I caught a lift out with a girl who was dropping a friend off at the station. Her vibe had 'free ride' written all over it. Her face was saying, 'I want some of that' as she looked me up and down...I felt guilty taking advantage of it. Her name was Mercy coincidentally. She was very sweet and NOT playing hard to get as she gave me her phone number.

Crawling off the sofa this fine Sunday morning, I could hear voices from the kitchen. The conversation stopped me in my tracks near the doorway. Frankie was asking Sarah who she'd spoken to about little Becka's party. The answer was, "No one really, just Constance, why?" Frankie told her what I'd said about calling the Thrift Store. "So, if no one else at the store knew, and Constance was AT the party, Gil was...being less than honest with me. Why, I wonder." "I'm sure he had good reason, hon. Just let it go, ok?" Bless her, she had my back without even knowing it.

I walked in innocently, rubbing my eyes, "Mornin' guys. Any more of that coffee left?" "Mornin', Gil!", Sarah said cheerfully. "Have a seat, comin' right up!" Frankie started, "You sleep ok on the old sofa?" "I was so beat, I could have slept on a park bench; that sofa felt good." "Well, we'll work on somethin' a little more accommodating today. Here, I found this for for ya." He stood up halfway, reaching across the table to get at something folded there. I took it and, getting a good look, let go of a belly laugh that caught us both by surprise.

"The last thing I heard before turnin' in was the first thing I thought of when I opened my eyes. I did some diggin' and found that old rag. Try it on, if it still fits, keep it...you won't have to borrow it anymore. Always suited you better'n me anyway!

It fit like a glove. "Thanks, man! You know I always loved this shirt!" "Yep, and I always knew which one of your drawers I could find it in too!"

Sarah placed a steaming cup in front of me as I sat back down,"You gentleman even a little bit hungry?" "I could eat the south end of a north-bound horse this mornin'!", Frankie exclaimed. "Eeew! I'll be struggling with that image the rest of the day, thanks! Yeah, Sarah, I'm starved!" About that time, Becka bounced into the room,"Mo'nin!!"

I replied to her exuberance, "Hey there, Sunshine!" "Unca Gilly! I dit'n know you was here!" She raced across the short distance, arms outstretched and I scooped her up! "I was trying to get here for your party, baby girl...but, that dumb ol' bus had a bad tire. Sorry I wasn't here. I got some of the cake though!" "Mommy makes good cake!" "I know that's right! Hey, do Gilly a favor and go look in the side pocket of his bag! It's next to the sofa. If you find something in there, bring it here, ok?" Sliding back to the floor, she scampered away.

Moments later, she returned. "What's this for?", she asked sheepishly, already aware of what she held in her little hand. It was a small, transistor radio, the kind that Radio Shack had built its' name on. "That's for you, Tidbit! You like music don't you?" "Who doesn't?" "Well, now you can listen to some any time you want, anywhere." "I get to have it? A wadio!" "All yours, happy birthday, sugar!" "Thank you, Unca Gilly, I wuv it so much!" She hopped a couple of times and reached out for another quick hug as she gave me a peck on the cheek.

With a puzzled look on her face, she addressed her mother next. "Where I'n gonna sit, Mommy...my chaew is gone?" "You're a big girl now! You don't need that old highchair any more! Pull out the one across from Daddy." She fumbled a bit, but got it out enough to see her new booster seat. She began to clap, "I'n a big guwa, now! A big guwaaa!" "Upsy-daisy!" Frankie lifted her into the booster and slid her up to the table.

It could be the cause, I don't know but, just as the smell of bacon frying began to fill the room, the cat sneezed. I'd forgotten about him. Becka spun her head quickly in that direction, "PESKERS!", she shouted. "You found Peskers!" "Somethin' you want to tell us, Angel?", Frankie asked softly. "I put him inna basement so he could be safe, Daddy." Frankie placed an elbow on the table to provide a prop for his cheek, "Peskers?" "Uh huh, he kept comin' up outside an' peskerin' me til I gave him bites o' stuff...so I named him Peskers." There was a moment of silence until, "I can keep Peskers, Daddy? He'll be a good boy, I jus know it!" "You think, now that you're a big girl, you can take care of him?" "I was alweady takin' care of him, Daddy...befow I was big yet." "Ooh, she's got'cha there, bro." "Well, since he was caught earning his keep...", another moment of silence, "Sure, honey, Peskers can stay. Consider him Daddy's birthday present...if the vet says he's ok, I will too." "I do get all the best pwesents!....thank you too, Daddy!"

Sarah placed a bowl of Frosted Flakes and some juice in front of Beacka before continuing to prepare breakfast. "So, Gil... any 'special someones' in your life these days, a furry plaything perhaps, hmmm?" "Seems your husband is the expert on finding furry playthings these days...but no, there's no one really. A social life is too distracting right now. Just me and the books are all that's cuddling I'm afraid." "A strappin' lad like you don't have half the campus on his doorstep? Ok, then, keep your secrets if you want..." "No, really!" "Suuuure." She was never going to believe me.

After breakfast, I asked Frankie about the guys he always ran with. He told me he had lost touch with Cale and Donny but, he didn't say why...I think I already knew. Asked him if I could borrow his truck later, after I did some work on the yard he'd been neglecting. "I haven't been myself lately, Gil. I've gotten slack, let some things slide.", he said. "I understand, Frankie." And I did, better than he knew. "You know where the keys are hangin', buddy...anytime.", he told me.

A little after three o'clock, I was almost finished mowing the grass, the part I'd planned on doing today at any rate. I was thinking about Donny and how I'd always had the biggest crush on him. He and Frankie were closer than they wanted anyone to know about back then too. But I could tell. The gaydar would be screaming up a storm when they got together. How was I the only one who could tell? Even Jeb and Cale were clueless. Frankie had walked the yard picking up branches and other obstacles for me; he was now in the house with Sarah cleaning some things out of the spare bedroom. I went inside.

"Can I help you guys with that?" "Haven't you done enough today?", Sarah threw her hands on her hips as she spoke, "I think we've got this." "Ok, then...if you're sure. I'm gonna jump in the shower real quick." "Yes, please do!", Frankie teased. "I'm going, I'm going!"

Showered and spruced, I noticed the butterflies in my stomach as I got dressed. Donny was still dominating my thoughts and I looked forward to seeing him again, maybe too much, I don't know. That's where I was headed, out to his place. I was making a habit of surprising people these days but, I didn't want to call, give him a shot at telling me "no". I pulled the keys off the wall and announced that I was leaving. A not unexpected, "Don't do anybody I wouldn't do!", from Frankie. To which Sarah added, "Well, that just leaves him with nobody period, stupid! You go have fun, be picky, be careful...but, have fun."

Less than twenty minutes later I was pulling up at Donny's. Wearing my best cologne and sporting a case of the jitters, the worst ever, I crawled out of the truck. The front door opened as I approached. Donny leaned out a little and, to my relief, let a smile cross his face.

"Gilbert James! As I live and breathe, Gilly-boy!" His voice was as sexy as I remembered. I offered my hand for a friendly shake. He gripped it firmly and snatched my nervous tail on up the stairs, followed with a surprising hug. Up close like that I got a whiff of 'manliness' that almost curled my toes.

"How's it hangin', Gil? You been doin' alright? Come on in, have a sit down...tell me some shit!" I walked in not expecting much. To my amazement, the interior was much nicer than was suggested by the exterior. The trailer was small but, neat, clean and furnished well. He had taste and a good eye for spacial design. Why that surprised me, I don't know, he was 'family' after all. I took a seat and began to jabber on about school, looking for anything to hold his interest.

Donny had set a cold beer in front of me, asking if beer was ok. I do believe he'd already had a few before I arrived. He sat there all man-spread on the sofa looking like Sunday dinner, finger-lickin', salty goodness and he must have noticed the hungry look on my face too. It prompted him to order a pizza, "You look hungry.", he said. Yeah, he'd noticed, but it wasn't pizza on my mind.

We'd talked for several hours, the sun was setting on us. It was strange that he'd not said much about Frankie. He was obviously avoiding the subject. All of a sudden, he rose from the sofa stating with certainty, "I don't smell too good right now." He pulled a twenty out of his wallet and asked me to pay when the pizza arrived. "I'm gonna go clean up a bit, do you mind?" "No problem, you go do whatever. I'll be here." I watched as he headed for the bathroom, an oh-so-slight stagger in his swagger, still an awesome sight to behold!

The delivery guy came and went. The box went straight to the counter as I checked the time. He'd been gone for like twenty minutes, give or take, and not a sound since the water stopped running. I used it as an excuse to check on my host. Outside the bathroom door, I pecked gently, "Donny, you ok in there?" No immediate response made me wonder for real but, I wasn't able to discern anything alarming. Nothing until a wave of sadness washed over me unexpectedly. From the other side of the door Donny called to me, "Gilly-boy...I gotta tell ya..." I opened the door and poked my head in, eyes to the floor, he continued, "Come on in, let me tell ya."

I walked on in slowly, lowered the lid on the toilet, and parked myself there. He looked so hot in the tub. My heart was pounding so hard but, none of that could erase the vibe tearing through me, I wanted to cry and had to choke it back. Donny spoke again after I'd seated myself, "I was the one who found him. Just lying there like that! I called for help and just dropped to my knees. Held his head in my lap while I waited for someone to come! I was so afraid I'd lost him forever! I cried so hard, Lord, I'd never cried that way, ever!" He began to weep now and awkwardly tried to hide it from me as I left my perch to crouch next to the tub. I wept with him, "Let it out, Don, let it go.", I told him. Leaning toward me, he did let go, laying his forehead to mine as I stretched my arm across his shoulders. A few moments later, he spoke to me once more, through his tears and anguish he asked me, "Can you stay with me tonight, Gilly? I'm so tired of bein' alone." "I'll stay as long as you need me to, Donny...I'll stay."

Assuring him I'd be right back, I found the phone and called home. Frankie beat Sarah to the phone; she must have been doing the dishes or something. "Frankie..." I was interrupted, "Where you at, brother?! Nevermind, unless you're in trouble, I probably don't want'a know. What." "Would you mind too much if I didn't come home tonight? I have a friend who needs me..." "Hey, do what you need to, Sarah can take me to work in the mornin'...she wants to run Peskers to the vet for a checkup anyway. No problemo, man!" "Thanks, Frankie, you're the best." "No, you are!" "See y'all tomorrow."

I returned to the bathroom where I was greeted with a smile and a warm, sincere atmosphere of relief. Donny stood up, suds running down the length of his body, "Hand me a towel, would you please?" I did. That pizza would go uneaten for quite some time yet. Neither of us was hungry...for pizza.

(to be continued in Part 7)

•This is an original work of fiction and labor of love, written by me, Terry G. Nunley.

[worldsover]

No More Drowning ft. Olivia Hye

length ✦ 7138

genres ✧ drunk hookup; outercourse; roommate!Olivia

✦✧✦✧✦✧

Perspiration deluges your white Taekwondo uniform. You make it fit loose so that it doesn’t stick to your skin. A refreshing breeze now annoys you as it whistles through your damn window that never sealed completely shut. At least you didn't need to turn on a fan today.

“Hey Captain,” you greet the commander of none. Hyejoo lies on a small blue couch, the only pristine spot in the living room. Her outfit suggests that there would be the usual cool air expected of the season but the fall is humid and stuck in the climate of a couple months past. It’s incredible that there is not a bead of sweat formed on her face. You study her and somehow she’s handsome in your eyes which is probably not a word others would use to describe the stunning woman reclining with her feet up.

“Wassup,” she says.

“You gonna-”

“Clean up?  Yeah, yeah, lemme finish this round.”

Her face is welded to her screen though her eyes dart around maybe holding a hint of remorse at the clothes that litter the cramped living space and the dishes in the sink.

“I’m not an impostor! Ahhh!” Hyejoo shouts into the screen. Certainly none of her actions follow through on that guilt.

“How'd this even happen? You got pyjamas on the floor, shirts on the chairs. You a camgirl or something?"

"I'm a camgirl? I can see your tits dude.” Cover your pectoral cleavage in faux shame. ”Yo, I swear I just saw green-"

"And all these energy drinks? Come on Hyejoo, no way your heart lasts more than a year.”

“Wow, meanie.”

You look at your watch. “It’s like 9:40.”

“Shit, right, the marketing test.” Hyejoo’s fingers show no pretense that she’ll stop playing. She definitely didn't see your disapproving face. “Oh relax, I still got time,” she says anyway.

Finally, she looks up at you and her brows crease. “What?” you ask.

"You look good today."

Your heart floats just a little. You always appreciate the little compliments she gives. They were just ones that friends, good friends, would say but you’ll take anything to keep you going. Well, it’s enough to get you to clean up for her again.

“It’s gonna be a long shower by the way.” She giggles and you step over empty cans and bottles when you walk to the bathroom.

“No prob, I’m heading out soon,” Hyejoo says.

“Sure you are.”

Her exaggerated yawn seems not so exaggerated by how she stretches her entire being before putting her phone away.

“Oh, soon means now. How long’s it going to take?” you say.

She shrugs her shoulders. “One, two? I dunno.”

In a rush to get all her supplies in her bag, a series of metallic clangs sound out when finished beverages fall over like dominoes.

“Fuck. I’m so sorry about that, I really am. I can buy you lunch if you want something?” Hyejoo starts picking up a few of them to set aside in the corner and you help her.

“Nah, I’ll still be in the shower by then.”

Hyejoo scoffs. “If I'm addicted to caffeine, you're addicted to water. A sandwich sound good?”

“Yeah sure. I got a lot on my mind, Captain.”

“That include me?” A dismissive puff of air exits your lips. No, no way. She walks up to smell your uniform. Your acute awareness of her distance or lack thereof causes you to ignore her pupils' subtle drift downwards.

“You’re a weirdo, you know that?”

"Get to your shower stinky."

You wave Hyejoo off then enter the bathroom. The scurry of little steps and a slam from the front door echo the whole apartment. Never any privacy in here. These sounds give way to the jet engine of your shower with its pressure betraying the bargain rate of your rent. Soap washes away your muscles' ache and the sun’s beating on your skin. It's been unusually warm since the leaves turned brown. Water builds up in the tub.

Something's not adding up. There it is again. That plunging in your heart. Sparring always helps a bit after your early morning manual labor carrying bags of sand. However, it does not stop the resurfacing of your every mistake as there's nothing but your mind in the shower. You don't have a plan and your future is void because money and work hours kill you as much as school. You're not even getting all the wages you earn and there's nothing you can do about it. Past choices bubble up in that unkind way. The cup fills and clear blue liquid engulfs you.

Lift yourself out the tub to catch a breath that you don't deserve. Deliberate respirations do nothing to slow down your heart rate. The only thing that can is a captain. You could wander the ocean on a raft with her alone but you have no idea if she felt even close to the same. Maybe she's just the most important friend you've ever had. Light from the small window hits the tiled floor. Unplug the drain. Right, you left your clothes in your room so wrap yourself with a green towel you find hanging from the doorknob.

Shit! There's not a mouse in sight but you shriek like there is one when Hyejoo materializes in the confined kitchen. Hyejoo expresses no surprise herself as she sits cross legged on the miniature wooden dining table playing yet another mobile game. Laundry baskets and garbage bags hold all the previous mess. Your surprise at her appearance transforms into surprise for her proactiveness. You want to give her thanks but no words escape your lips.

"You gonna put on some clothes? Perv. That’s my towel too."

Your hands push off invisible blame. The hands of the wall clock reads five minutes before noon. "Woah, woah, wait a sec. What happened to the midterm?"

"Walked out in the middle of it. Couldn’t deal. Dropped."

"Wait, what about the refund?"

"Sunk cost dude.” Hyejoo sniffs a wide white shirt hanging from a chair next to her. “This yours or mine? Ehh, it's clean either way."

You catch the shirt and smell it. A little vanilla. It's hers. “Thanks Captain.”

“Even sniffing it? Really a perv.” You almost forget a single piece of fabric separates full exposure of your genitals but the realization makes you blush anyway.

“Nah, you smelled it first and. Whoever smelt it, dealt it.”

“That’s not what that saying means.” Hyejoo gets up from her awkward seat.

Incredible how many new ways she can throw you off like when she bumps into you with her eyes are still on her phone. Hyejoo's clumsiness will be your death as the towel slips down and hangs solely from your half erect dick. Cool, you're just a clothing rack now. She turns you around with one hand and snatches the large shirt with the other. Your bare moon is in full view.

"You gonna put this on or just stand there?" she says with no qualms about the absurd sight of your newly cleansed rear. You scramble to wrap the towel tightly around you to tame your erection but there's no way she hasn't noticed by now.

"Y- yep, I, I will do that, for sure." Turn back around and take the shirt to put it on carefully. It’d be oversized for her but it fits you snug. Your ears must have joined your cheek’s redness because your nipples poke through the thin white fabric.

Hyejoo takes a single glance away from her screen at your makeshift towel skirt and laughs. "Actually, you look cute like that. Just keep the towel on, it's less to clean."

Wide-eyed, you say, "What if ahjumma barges in?"

"What if? Whatever, no fun." She sticks her tongue out then gets comfortable on the couch while her diligent and nimble fingers peck at the screen.

Return to the restroom and deal with your erection before it becomes a problem. You’ve seen hints of her comely body before and it helps you undress her layered attire in your imagination. Instead of the black button-up long sleeve and track pants she wore just moments ago, you picture a crop top, her hair tied up and white panties, and it's that latter image that affixes to your mind. On a particularly balmy day, Hyejoo wore only her underwear because she had nothing else to do but game and it hasn't stopped plaguing your fantasies ever since. Your hands are Hyejoo’s, soft and loving just for a moment.

"You taking another shower in there or what?" Hyejoo shouts, “I’d definitely hear from here!”

Reality smacks you in the face. She had no fear of you, no worry that you’d take advantage of her. Were you even a man? Stop your jerking and get up. 

Open the bathroom door absentmindedly and thump. It smacks her head. You don’t even think about why she was standing right next to the door, instead sweeping aside her hair from her face. Red doesn’t come from where you hit her.

Simultaneously, you and Hyejoo say, “You okay?”

“Um, I’m, look-”

Her blush grows but she interrupts your blabbering, “I didn’t hear you respond and thought you, uh, died in there or something.”

Nearly reached la petite mort if that counted but instead you say, “No, I just. Had a lot to consider.”

“Sure.” You’ve never seen her this flustered since it’s enough for her to scurry back to her room. Hopefully things wouldn’t be too awkward.

✦✧✦✧✦✧

“I fucking hate you!” Hyejoo yells.

“Oh yeah? Same!” you retort, probably too loud.

Her tone goes down. “Were those the lines?”

“Ehh, as long as we get the gist of the argument down.”

Hyejoo and you stand on the stairway up to your rooftop apartment in your rehearsed spots. She looks a little confused on how to start what she wants to start but you poke at her when you see the landlady walking towards the stairs.

“Chill out!” she yelps.

“Chill out, you’re telling me to chill out?"

"Seriously, oppa," that's about as strained as a human can say a word, "You’re such a slob!”

“Shut up, look at me straight in the eyes and tell me you’re not just as bad,” you say, trying not to laugh but Hyejoo’s punch knocks the wind out of you. Your pain is only half acting. Her sympathetic look does nothing to soothe you.

"Ya!" The elderly woman interrupts and forces you two apart. “That’s enough! I get you’re cousins but even I don’t fight this badly with my family.”

Hyejoo whips her pupils towards you as though to ask the same question you had, if you sold the illusion too hard.

“I get that living with your kin is tough but at the very least, no murders on my property. Not until one of you graduates.” The old lady squints and turns to each of you saying, “Promise me. No hitting. Not in my sight.”

You nod then Hyejoo’s sigh becomes an assenting nod when the landlady smacks her wrist nearly black and blue. Satisfied at her hard work reconciling family matters, she walks back down her stairs to do her usual wandering around the neighborhood. Hyejoo and you take a second to stretch and relax.

“Ha. Do as I say, not as I do,” Hyejoo says as you both sit on the concrete steps.

You caress your tender rib. “Or don't do at all. Ow. You wanna be a Youtuber? They do boxing and gaming, and you'd kill doing both." Hyejoo's laugh is rich and all that it takes for you to forgive her. You exhale. "Hopefully that gets her off our backs for a while.”

“How do you even manage Taekwondo? You’re so fragile and-" Her sentence is interrupted when she looks at your built arms.

"No way they hit as hard as you, Captain." You miss her carnal look when you close your eyes and think about the nickname that you aimlessly threw out one day.

She stands up. Your eyes violently spread open at her “Kya!” Hyejoo’s fighting stance and shouts masquerading kihaps are totally off. As much as Hyejoo could kill you, a Taekwondo fighter since your childhood, she could also be incredibly cute too.

You tsk. "All that power and no technique."

Hyejoo sits back down none the more ashamed and scratches her head. "You think it would’ve been easier if we came clean?”

“Ahjumma could never allow two strangers to live co-ed. No way. I’m still surprised you came up with that so quickly.”

“It just came out so naturally, oppa!” she says in a deriding high pitch. “Yeah right I ever call you that again.”

Ring ring. You answer the call and Hyejoo's quizzical stare turns concerned at your breathlessness from the words that drill into your ear. They slam, they crash and their volume could break your eardrums even though they’re said as calmly as possible. The hole in your raft grows bigger and leaks more so even when you reach the abandoned shore, you're marooned.

"Fuck, fuck, god."

Sprint for the next bus. Pay no heed to the girl chasing you. Dammit, this can't be happening. Every problem gets fucking magnified because you can't have anything good and if you did, never could it last for more than a goddamn millisecond. You embark on the most anxious ride of your life even though you already know exactly what's going to happen. Transfer buses. The skyscrapers hover over you and gloat about how you’ll never enter their doors. Asphalt and glass swelter you when they reflect radiation down the sky. Your skin hurts. You get off the bus and arrive at the headquarters of the construction company. At the front of the building stands your boss.

Slap. "Did you not get the message? Were you under a tunnel?"

You get on your knees and bow. "Sir, I'm sorry."

"No one else is going to hire a goddamn delinquent like you."

"Please. I thought you understood." You nearly prostrate yourself

"I have no idea what you're talking about. There's a lot of assault on your record."

You stop yourself from blurting out that you fucking know. Defending yourself from bullies is assault? He already knew this was bullshit since that's why he hired you in the first place but now he's backtracking like a rat. 

"I'll do anything to work here." He shakes his head while you hold back a tear. "Please. Just. Just tell me why?"

"You got greedy."

"Greedy?" You raise your head and then your tone. "Getting paid for the work that I do is greed?"

"You're on your knees and wanna talk back? Get out."

Bang. A closing door. Your head slumps back down and not a single person on the bus would misunderstand your emotions. You take the longest way home, unsure if you even deserve to go back. Any time, you could give up.  Ponder your choices. Never going to get a job again. Never going to school. Never will have a chance to learn or a chance to improve. Never going to have money and never will have a place to live. Never going to see Hyejoo again. You have to give up.

One missed phone call from your polar opposite. She can do so much better. The longest way home turns longer when it goes straight to the sea as you decide to live life as a fisherman with your uncles. You were always invited. You wasted your time in the city. There's no stress here.

✦✧✦✧✦✧

There's no happiness either. Weeks passed even though only days passed. That’s life on the water. Everything spins. Fortunately, you manage to keep your stomach in not wanting to inconvenience the bus driver, the only other person in the vehicle. 

You look at your watch as you near Hyejoo's home. She must be asleep by now but you carry each foot heavily when you walk up the steps anyway. Apologies, excuses and petitions that you wrote in your head blank away when you open the door when you see a woman asleep on the couch with earbuds on. Her unconscious head bounces to a slow rhythm. Your lungs fail your mouth's movements to form words because of all that creamy skin covered only by a green towel that creates an outline of her captivating curves. Hyejoo's legs beg to be licked and her collarbones direct your gaze to the bulging flesh poking from the top of the towel with her nipples an inch from your sight. Any other day and you’d ravage her on the spot. Stupid brain tells you to leave and stupid you follows.

You're outside when you hear Hyejoo say, "Hey! Motherfucker, where'd you go you son of a bitch?"

She steps out with no regard to her state of dress and you spin around watching for any witness. You notice her hold back when she hits you but her consecutive punches send a message anyway as each strike punctuates her words, "What, makes you think, you can worry me, like that?"

"Woah, you should. You should get back inside your house," your voice breaks and you back away.

"Hold on now, you're really about to go? Like this?" Hyejoo says.

"You. You look busy. I have to go."

"I'm sorry, I was just messing around with you. Come on, you're really telling me-" She notices your tumultuous expression and sighs. “Fuck it, we'll worry about it tomorrow. First of all, come in. With me. Into our home.”

You follow her into her apartment. She quickly returns from her room in a simple white tee and red gym shorts revealing the supple shape of her ass.

“I'm not gonna ask, okay? Tell you what. When you have a problem, the only answer is late night soju, beer and?” she says.

“Chicken, it’s gotta be. Come on, I see the bones right there.” You point to the countertop dishes. “I’m surprised this place isn’t messier."

"I can handle myself, thank you very much. And that. That was leftover, dry, sober chicken. We're going to munch down on that good crispy skin and we're doing it goddamn wasted." You can't help but match her smile, more radiant and genuine than yours.

Hyejoo pulls out all the alcohol from the small fridge while you call for delivery before both of you step outside the home. It’s night but the heat would make you believe the moon disguises the sun with how it shines on the green roof. What a weird fall. Only the trees remind you of the season. A short plastic table as the only furniture easily moved outside means that you’d have to sit close together on the floor, not that you minded.

Her silence confuses you but she becomes her usual self after you both down glasses of mixed beer and soju and especially after she sees the delivery man bringing an absurd amount of plastic bags for two people.

“Let’s. Go!” she shouts sloppily.

The poor worker looks at you so you give him a knowing nod and point to the beer and soju cans strewn about. His thumbs up as he walks away beguiles you. You look at Hyejoo and realize all the cleavage she’s showing with the shirt she chose. It's as revealing as the towel she wore earlier. Did she not put on a bra? Stand up quickly and search for the guy but his motorcycle revs and he’s already out of sight. That fucker probably saw something he shouldn’t have. You’re never gonna order from that chicken spot again. You bite angrily into the spicy crispy wing. Alright, maybe you just won’t order at this hour or whenever that dude works. Hyejoo chows down with drumsticks on each hand and it’s clear she’s responsible for a majority of the finished carcasses. The stains on her shirt would not make her look any less goddamn cute.

“Cheers!” Glasses clink. How many drinks, how many, burp, were you down? She burps too, you burp together. It’s funny. There was a lot of conversation but it slips you.

"I said I wouldn't talk about it, but Doyun and Michael, worried sick. They came here, everything.” Hyejoo garbles her words.

"Just ‘cause I don't show up to the club for a few days?"

"I'm telling you, a lot of people care. For you. I know I do."

It’s been a while since you started your little escape. All the food’s gone. You’re more sober now. You swear. The nighttime is so comfortable that Hyejoo brings out her blanket to lay on, along with a spoon and a watermelon.

"You're gonna have to wash this later," you say.

“Alright fine. Don't. Don’t rest yourself besides a pretty lady.“ Stab. ”On a perfect starry night.” Stab. “And don’t have some of this delicious watermelon."

One more stab at the watermelon she splits it open. Her devilish look suggests she might do the same to your rib cage if you don’t acquiesce. Lie down next to Hyejoo on the flimsy layer of cloth. You share pieces of the fruit and notice water spilling down her mouth. Definitely sober by now. She’s maybe half a meter away.

"Starry's a strong word to use.”  You twirl your finger at the scarce lights in the black backdrop. “Lady too with the way you eat-" She playfully covers your mouth and flicks your forehead.

You don't know when your laughter and banter slow down, or when you start inching closer to her. It doesn't matter.

“Fishing is boring. They make it look all dramatic on shows and you’re just waiting. The night sky’s much clearer though.”

“You gotta. When you do something like that, gotta lemme join in at least.”

“You’re really fine on going on a trip with a man, alone, faraway on the sea?”

“If it’s you.”

“I don’t count, not much of a man at all. I just run away from shit and-”

"Shhh,” she shushes you loudly. “You can count on me.” Hyejoo says and you don’t let her voice project into empty space.

“I will.” It sounds a little forced from you.

“You will,“ she sounds so sure of herself, ”you’ll be okay.”

Your head lays in her neck. A finger in a cup, breaking surface tension so a drop escapes past the rim. You have no outdated sentiments on displaying emotion but you held back often pretending your tenacity was as strong as your body. Not this time. Your cup overflows.

Only moonlight refracts on your tears and Hyejoo wipes them away. You have no idea what she’s thinking as she gazes into the few stars visible in the city. Turn on your side and Hyejoo does likewise to face you then puts a couple of fingers in your hair. Cup her face in return and it wears many emotions, such as impishness, meekness at a few times, and an often impenetrable focus, but above all it’s the standard for beauty in how it assumes no blemish. Her triangle mouth is distinct, welcoming, but you hesitate. Her minute sugary fragrance overwhelms the variety of smells in the air. Crickets and distant occasional traffic. Hyejoo’s head tilts forward then places her lips light on yours and your world is silent. Your heart’s pulse slows so it doesn't interrupt.

“Captain,” you exhale out when she finally retreats her mouth. The name sounds ridiculous in this setting. “Ma’am?”

“Whatever sounds right to you,” she yields, though the subdued caresses on the definition of your arms, and less subtle grabs on your black shirt, convey that she’s in charge even if it’s a gentle direction. "Just Hyejoo is fine."

It's like she’s teaching you how to spar for the first time though neither of you are virgins. Hyejoo gives another kiss then turns you recumbent. You could not and would not stop her now especially when she straddles your denim covered thighs. Take off your shirt and her hands rush to aid you.

“But I’d prefer we don’t think at all.” Is she drooling?

“That’s what got me into trouble. Thoughtlessness.” Your eyes somehow wander away from the woman and her sumptuous yet clothed ass grinding on you.

“What do you think of me?

“Huh?” you say and your eyes snap back to her.

The underside of her shorts warm your groin. “I said, what do you think of me?”

“I think, ugh,” her weight striking a sensitivity in your pants makes you moan, “I think, you’re the most beautiful woman I know.”

“What a player. Well, that’s all you need to think.” Hyejoo rocks back and forth. “Fuck, this is going to be good.”

Lay your hands on her hips and Hyejoo takes your right one, lifting herself just enough to let your dick breathe.

“Why do you need that hand?” you say.

“Feel this.” She takes your hand to knead the thin cloth under her mound and you feel just the tiniest hint of moisture build on your palm.

Pull away to take a base whiff of your slippery fingers. It’ll be a new addiction. The smell of alcohol and the most delicious fried chicken in the world couldn’t compare.

"It's been like this around you since the day we met." Hyejoo bends down and etches every word of the confession into your eardrums, her tone even raspier. "This is all for you."

“Really?” You give her a peck and it turns frisky when tongues join the mix and teeth nibble at lips. 

“Mhm.” Her lips vibrate on yours. Hyejoo gropes your crotch over your jeans. “I know it's going to be perfect.” She unzips and pulls down your pants to your knees. You take them off your legs completely and she searches for your wallet.

"I just lost my job and you're gonna rob me?" She breaks her serious character with a snicker. You sniffle and your mood lightens, “And how’d you know I had a condom in there?”

“Just had a feeling.” She winks.

Not an implausible cold reading but you can't count out the possibility of her snooping through your personal effects. You don't mind her proclivities this time. Hyejoo traces your every muscle’s curve with her index and middle finger and focuses especially around your pecs.

“I have to concede. I love these muscles of yours. Ever since that first day I met you at the open house. Maybe I’m just a simple woman.”

“Simplicity is sophistication.” Her fingers draw a line down your torso.

"Indeed. But I'm most interested in this hunk of meat right," she frees your cock from its confines, "Here." Hyejoo licks her lips.

“How is it?”

You’re already hard but Hyejoo's hands deftly work your shaft stiffer. “It’s so thick and this vein right here. It’ll hit just right.”

"Fuck, Hyejoo," you utter when she spits a little on your cock before she unrolls the condom on your erection. Hyejoo slips aside her shorts.

You don't get a view of her pussy with how she sprawls herself on top of you, but the slickness of her lips and the warmth that she emanates from between her legs immerses your senses enough. The missionary with her on top lets her control by the way she guides your cock and presses down on you.

“Oh god, I was right, fuuck,” Hyejoo proclaims when she sinks herself carefully into you and, on the next bounce, smacks her butt right into your waist. Her snugness clenches and quakes on your cock. Willowy arms share a similar hold of your body when she embraces you. You need her as badly as she needs you. You take heavy breaths, especially through your nose. Even her sweat is so alluring. The velvet texture that surrounds you keeps taut on your dick no matter how forcefully she rides herself on top of you. Squelches and quiet moans to a higher power pepper the warm night air.

Hyejoo removes her shirt and slings it away before bowing back down to lick your ears "God, your tits are perfect," you say even though your hands squeeze her buttcheeks in time to her thrusts. Her perky breasts recoil back and forth as they rub your chest while hard nipples juxtapose their softness.

No chance someone would come up to this little rooftop at this hour or have a good view though your cheeks flush at the thought. What if you had extra chicken coming? Or what if the landlady decided to check in on you two late at night? What if-

Hyejoo nudges her forehead against yours. She knows your habits. Your worried face is too familiar for her not to react so she nuzzles your neck and surrounds you with kisses.

Her husky voice vibrates your whole face. "Just focus on me." She makes out with you before her tongue dips into every crevice of your face the same way your cock does in her pink pussy.

Your dick slips out for a second and you take the time to admire her beauty and your fortune. 

“Telling me not to drown and you’re going to inundate me,” you say in between her smooches, "With all these kisses."

“Well. Mwah.” Another peck. "You're so delectable.”

“So I’m just chicken to you then.” This deep kiss is probably to shut you up. You’re fine with that.

Regret on her mouth that she pulls away from you. One of you rips off her shorts, the last piece of clothing obstructing you two from total symmetry. Who cares who sees. You’re both fully naked with not a woe for the surrounding world. Delicate hands splayed across your upper body grasp tightly and again, your pecs get particular attention while she fondles your nipples. 

She adjusts her back straight up and now she’s on her knees seated on your erection. The cowgirl stance allows her to find a new cusp of your cock head inside her. Hyejoo gyrates on you and you notice the understated lubrication of her pussy begins to overpower everything else in existence. Her musk vaguely reminds you of the ocean while its pheromones have you just as wobbly. It’s enough that, even though you're on your back, you have to hold her waist to avoid keeling over. Nails dig into your chest.

“God, yes, you, your cock, everything, just fuck into me.”

Hyejoo relaxes her body weight and relinquishes the rhythm to you. Pick up a new wind in your sails when you hear her gasp as you pinch her nipples. The momentum has you use all your stamina as though your rigorous fitness had one culminating purpose. You would make Hyejoo cum with only your cock. Rotate and circle your pelvis in pursuit of her most tender spot and an uncharacteristic high pitched wail confirms the location of the treasure. It’s difficult holding yourself up to reach the sensitive wall but she realizes your shared interest.

“That’s, that’s the spot. When I touch myself and think of you, it’s right there, fuck, it’s right there.” There’s no speed or power in your movement, only deliberate jabs and graceful nudges at the softest flesh. Sure it’s work, but damn did you get paid for it since she somehow sops even more between her thighs. Truly the reciprocating delight of friction and silkiness on your dick’s tip is worth it. Your name mixes profanities and wet slapping noises as Hyejoo bucks her hips in climax. Prized juices cascade all over your lap. Her highest vocalizations pierce your ears and her pussy tries its best to milk you but Hyejoo keeps as still as she can to hold your cock’s ideal positioning. Smear the fluids that coat her thighs slick with your hands and lick at your fingers, thirsty like you’re stranded.

Those thighs, by smothering your cock and removing your condom, soothe the pangs of when you pull out. Hyejoo is still in her cowgirl position reeling from her climax and her contorted face is yet more polished than any art you’ve consumed.

Seize the opportunity. Bend your dick forward. The topside of your shaft now rubs on her well-formed ass cheeks, moisturized by the wetness on your cock. Its cradle is different from her pussy's with perfect round cushions in her buns and a tight asshole that greets and tempts your shaft every time you thrust. It’s a siren call you’d have to answer another day. Fucking her bare buttcheeks satisfies you plenty enough.

She lifts up to let your erection return to its idle upward stance and you fuck her thighs in response. Her labia gnaws away at the bottom of your shaft and it begs you to shove it back in especially with how its liquor intoxicates your dick. You don’t forfeit, already overwhelmed by the thickness of her legs and her saliva dribbling from her mouth to help her juices. Hyejoo squirms as you repeat fucking her ass cheeks and fucking her thighs, and it makes the both of you feel heady. Alcohol and lack of sleep would probably do that too.

“Please. Hyejoo,” you implore, flexing your cock to scrape by her pussy lips.

“You want to?” She teases your bare tip but even just the spread of her satin pink on your head makes you shoot just a little. “I. I dunno.”

“Can we?”

“No.” You regret your loud sigh and feel selfish since you already had more satisfaction than one man could ever experience in his life. ”No, not no. No, as in no thinking.”

Plunge back into her wetness. Your cycle in and out continues with you eager to make her climax a second time. Maybe it’s the third time? The only thing you can recall is that this round, you can feel every corner of her pussy on your shaft tensing and relaxing without the latex protection. All of everything is a blur. Hyejoo could be clutching and ogling your muscles. She might be kissing your neck or maybe she’s bobbing up and down to show off her tits and her tummy. God, that midriff would look perfect coated in your cum. You could live forever with Hyejoo mounted on your cock and riding. A ringtone interrupts forever once again. It’s from that number. What was that number? Fuck it, no thinking. Her bouncing tits hypnotize you away from substantiality.

She snaps her fingers. “Hey! Hey. This is, fuck that feels so good, god your cock is just right. Ah fuck, I really think you should answer that.” You take an eternity to slow your boat. Hyejoo points to your phone on the table next to you. Work. She’s right. Both of you take a second to stabilize your breathing. Try to push her off but she refuses, shifting her mass onto your lap and keeping her pussy’s hold tight and warm on you.

“Really?” You groan, “You’re the one who told me to answer it.”

“It’s so late and they haven’t stopped calling.” She rests her head on your chest and yawns. “Your cock is sooo big in me. Don’t even need to move.”

Channel your practice silently jerking off to keep your cool though years of doing that couldn’t prepare you for this. Your hands certainly tried but never could imitate her pussy’s plush tightness. Really wish you didn’t have to but finally, you answer your phone after minutes of ringing. The voice on the other side mumbles a greeting. Didn’t expect to hear him. “Joonho. Why the fuck are you calling now?”

“It’s me! Joonho.”

“Yeah, I know. The hell you calling for?”

“Now that’s no way to speak to your boss, is it?”

“Huh?”

“I said that’s no way to speak.”

“I got that!”

“Hyung. That asshole, management fired him.”

“You telling me-”

“Yeah, they caught him stealing.”

“How the fuck?”

“Dude got too big for his britches and aimed up with his theft too. Mr. Son really didn’t like that shit.”

You cheer in your head. It wakes up the girl resting on you. Guess that wasn’t in your head. “Fuck man.”

"I know right. Fuck him!" You're not on speaker but Hyejoo must’ve heard him say that. You massage your ringing ear.

“Ow. But thank you. Seriously, it’s so late. You could’ve called me tomorrow.”

“I’m drunk as shit man. Sounds like you are too.” You don’t even realize how much you’re slurring your words. “Should I pull up, maybe we drink a little more?”

Stare at the woman still holding your cock in place, fluttering her lashes at you. Hyejoo mouths if you’re gonna take much longer. “I. I don’t think I will. We’ll have to meet up some other time, okay?”

Understanding that you’re winding down your call, she gets back upright and starts bouncing again. “You gonna pass out or something?” Joonho says.

“Something like that” Hyejoo teasingly drops her waist into you and waits, then lifts herself. You purse your lips. “Listen, ah.” And again. Purposeful slams into your cock too loud not to be picked up by a phone. “God. I gotta go, I’ll text you again tomorrow aight goodbye,” you rush your words.

She holds her hair up in pleasure and her profane cries let everyone living below know that you’re fucking the most gorgeous girl with more energy than you’ve ever had. For all the pressure on your sensitive nerves, it’s that image of Hyejoo satisfying her need with your cock that brings you closer.

“I’m almost there! Fuck, fuck.” You pull out and despite her drowsiness, Hyejoo diligently takes your dick with both hands, scoots back and bends down, slobbering on it with her mouth while her fingers stroke the skin of your shaft.

Hyejoo’s lips pop when she releases your cock’s tip. “Where do you wanna-”

“Those fucking perfect abs,” you shudder.

She takes advantage of your previous thrusts’ zeal on her thighs and repositions herself in cowgirl one last time to bend back and choke your cock with her toned legs. One single motion is all it takes. A tsunami and a storm clash. Didn’t remind her that you hadn’t cum at all away at sea as you explode. You call out, “Hyejoo, god, yes, fuck, Hyejoo, yes,” at every wave of pleasure. Shove desperately and Hyejoo’s eyes grow big at how much semen streams out of your slit because the volume of cum nearly rivals the fluid she ejected from her wetness. Her inner thighs, her lap and her stomach all soak in stickiness. She holds onto your arms as she finds enjoyment not only from your cock’s throbbing on her clit, but at your biceps and other curves. An inquisitive pinky takes a sample of your cum to lick up then, to your surprise, she collects all the cum she can with both hands and swallows it down.

“Ahh,” she presents her tongue to you.

Finally, you sit up and no amount of exhaustion would stop you from nibbling her neck as thanks.

“Relax, you hungry beast. You just came all over me and now you’re trying to tell the world we just fucked.” She gives you a little suck on your lips instead.

“I don’t mind.” You clash at her mouth and your teeth click. She smiles and gives you a deep but final smooch. Both of you breathe stiltedly and take time to readjust into the world once again.

“Me neither, if I didn’t have a presentation tomorrow.”

You fall back and feel everything aching in a good way. “Ah shit, school.”

“What did I tell you earlier?”

“Hmm?”

Hyejoo falls flat next to you and clasps her hands into yours. “You will be okay. I called them with an excuse. Speaking of which. You’re gonna find out sooner or later that a certain cool as fuck girl blew the whistle on that son of a bitch.”

This whole thing feels like it should be temporary, like a one-time thing. Any more and it’d be weird, yet her confidence makes you reroute all that anxious energy in your heart’s pace into something good. It’s not love but, “Thanks. I just. Thank you.”

“You are always welcome.” Her lips curl up.

“So. You a snitch now, huh?"

"Relax,” she hisses the end of the word. ”Maybe I snooped through the construction company records, maybe I didn’t. You didn’t hear from me, ‘kay?" She nudges your side with her elbow.

“Hey!” You laugh a little, ticklish in that spot. “Okay, okay. How’d you manage that anyway?”

“Joonho didn’t mention it? Well, I have my connections,” Hyejoo says.

You breathe out and you deserve it. “You really are the Captain.”

“Damn right. Guess you’re stuck on this boat a little.” Yawn. “Longer.” Her eyelids slowly descend.

Watch Hyejoo fall asleep and realize she’s nude and still a little sticky. You decide to make a smart decision just once by putting away all the garbage in your apartment. She giggles reflexively when you clean her up and you struggle but manage to put on her previous outfit.

After you get dressed yourself, you lie next to Hyejoo and watch the few lights in the sky all distanced from each other. You feel a little reticent but the old lady shouldn’t fret if the outdoors is a better bedroom for one night. Close your eyes. Drift away into the best sleep you’ve ever had even if it’s only you and a blanket separate the hard concrete rooftop from the atmosphere. Dreams of water are gracious for once. The ocean lacks bounds and you smile for it. Who cares about tomorrow? It’s made of sticks and rope fashioned from whatever bamboo you could find but the raft holds two. That’s all you need.

✦✧✦✧✦✧

"A college roommate scenario where the male reader is living with LOONA's Olivia Hye and she's attracted to him sexually since he moved in due to his physique. Then one day, he got home all stressed and the two hooked up eventually." - @optimisticwritersworld​

AFF, AO3

Pretty sure this was supposed to be all casual but then I started adding to explain the co-ed living scenario and the stress, so here we are. Watch out for more LOONA though no promises on timelines

[boop-le-snoot]

masterpost • main masterlist • taglist & faq

previously on...

Chapter 3 is finally here. Sorcerers need their shopping done, too. Beyonce/Wong platonic ship (joking)! And finally some action, more witchy stuff. Bucky whump because I have a saviour complex. Stucky cuteness moment. Some blood/gore in this chapter.

My insides clenched, seeing the yellow and blue notice taped to my door - the building manager rarely left notes, so whatever it was, it wasn't going to be good. I had managed to wind myself up into an anxious frenzy by the time I had gone inside and locked my door behind me, immediately thinking I would have to exhaust myself by turning to magic to keep a roof over my head.

For once, the news turned out to be positive: a neighbor was being evicted and turned in to the police for stealing packages. The building manager urged the tenants to report any missing items and apply for a refund when possible, apologizing for the inconvenience. I wondered what prompted this, basically unheard of in NYC, act of kindness as my altar stared at me with mocking amusement, pointing out the obvious by its mere presence.

Grinning to myself, I texted Odette - predictably, she was happy for me, happy that my protection spell had turned out strong and steady, and added a few tips of her own for my spell to stay that way. It felt like I'd grown invisible wings, those days, with all the possibilities open - and never once did I let myself entertain a thought of getting back at an enemy of the past for longer than five seconds.

Sure, it was perfectly human to consider making the cheating ex go bankrupt or make sure the college professor, that failed a couple of students each semester as a 'reality check', trips and face-plants at least once a day... I mean, who wouldn't experience a malicious sort of joy from petty revenge?

But I found my powers were best applied with a positive result in mind. My friend's cat was the first test rat- I mean, living creature I had practiced my healing spells on. The eleven year old kitty was struggling and both me and my friend loved the critter dearly - so the short, but tiring spell I performed yielded exactly the results I was expecting. Odette said something about genuine love backing up the magic, and- well, Dumbledore much?

On humans, it turned out, it wasn't nearly as simple. I didn't know what I had expected would happen after performing nothing short of a whole improv-performace type of ritual right in front of my very puzzled but hopeful friend with chronic asthma, but it wasn't the sheer exhaustion that ran bone-deep and left me bedridden for a whole day.

Odette visited my dingy apartment with her signature enormous purse full of vials she spoon-fed me and trinkets she strategically placed in and around my immediate sleeping area. "There, there," the woman patted my head as I pitifully moaned at the ear-splitting headache. "The first one is always the most challenging. After all, if it would be easy, everyone would do it."

I understood that. But at the same time, it felt unfair that no good deed went unpunished. I told Odette so, raising my voice to the best of my ability as she rummaged around my kitchen.

"Nothing in this world comes out of thin air, whatever you decide to give has to be taken from somewhere," she explained patiently. "People like us are considered hedge witches. We do solitary work and draw most of our energy from the Earth, from mother Nature. We cannot perform miracles, however, the cost of our spells are very low," I felt an immediate peak of interest at the simple yet effective explaination she gave me. "We remain mostly human. Gaia* is kind and generous to the ones who pay respect," Odette continued over the clatter of pans and pots. "There are other kinds of witches - who take from other people, who take from the dead. But taking something by force always leaves scars and taking something from the dead means bringing a piece of them back to places it should not be."

I pondered the words as Odette brought the kettle to a boil, the whistling shriek piercing through my skull like a sharp projectile. "What about Voodoo practitioners?" I couldn't hold back my curiosity.

Odette cleared her throat. "What is left of them is mostly not human. Their gifts are great but the costs are greater. They can live far, far longer than the average witch but their souls will know no peace, just like the souls of the dead they anchor to themselves over time," Odette entered the room with a bowl of tangy, creamy liquid that smelled like pumpkin soup. "We do not bestow any judgement upon our brothers and sisters but it is our duty to inform the young." She cast a pointed glance towards me, passing me the soup and a wooden spoon I didn't know I had. "This should help you recover. Take tomorrow off if needs be."

She left shortly afterwards and I hadn't much strength than to use the bathroom, wash the rune-engraved spoon and curl up in my bed, only waking up when the meager light shone over my face from the window. Sleepy and fog-tinted, the early morning NYC was damp and windy as I stuck my head out of the window to soak my sleep-heated head in the cool air.

As uneventful as the day at the café was, I still wasn't up to 100% energy-wise, but the long walk from Jeremy's to Odette's was pleasantly invigorating. I didn't find the cold autumn moisture displeasing; the small raindrops kept me awake and alert. Odette nodded in muted pleasure as I clocked in and returned the special spoon back to her. The runes on it were interesting; I had taken a picture of them for research purposes, fully intending to craft myself something similar.

"Odette has taken on an apprentice," Wong's voice had me take in several deep breaths in preparation for the inevitable fuck-fest on my patience. "She has been avoiding me. And the girl is painfully slow."

I didn't hear the answer of Wong's companion over the rustling of the boxes I was hastily shoving in their places before the Asian man's temper grew foul. More foul. Ugh. The sharp ding of the bell had me yelling a, "Just a second please, I'll be right with you," while trying to keep my tone polite.

Wong's sour face and a list of items required greeted me as I flew out of the backrooms, noticing the locked doors of Odette's office on my way out. Wong's companion stood at the far end of the store - his robes quite different from the ones I'd seen people of their kind wear, his lithe, tall figure seeming strangely familiar. I squinted my eyes at his back. "Is this all you need?" I waved the list around, increasing the volume of my voice.

The tall man turned around and I could only gape. He, in turn, also froze, the stern, unfriendly expression losing heat and giving way to perplexed wonder. "I had placed an order, for sorcerer Strange," Tony's boyfriend eyed me somewhat sheepishly under Wong's concerned gaze.

I nodded, eyeing Wong in turn, letting satisfaction nestle a warm ball in my chest. Stephen's look of displeasure had turned onto his... Colleague. By the time I finished retrieving Strange's order and packing up the items on Wong's list, the Asian man had left, leaving Stephen to sheepishly pretend to examine the books on the furthest shelf. I waved the paper bags as he took long strides towards me, his fancy, large necklace glimmering under the lights.

"So, how long have you been working here?" Sorcerer Strange asked after I told him the total.

The cash register beeped loudly, coins clattering on the desk as I counted out his change. "Some time now," I shrugged noncommittally. I felt his magnetic eyes gloss over my adornments, the star necklace, the various rings; I could practically feel him coming to his own conclusions. "Long enough for your colleague to get an attitude with me," I had to make sure he knew I would be taking no bullshit from him - or anyone else, for that matter. Odette's opinion on his kind was firm and I was heavily inclined to agree.

"Hmm, I see," Strange was equally as keen on hiding his curiosity. It was a funny thing, really, that we, being adults that we were, treated this encounter like some sort of a dirty secret. "Don't take it personally. Wong is like that with everyone," The man briefly scratched his beard with a gloved hand before pocketing his change and picking up the bags. "Except Beyoncè, maybe," the wink he threw me was positively mischievous as it caught me off-guard, giving him a fox-like appearance.

I sighed as the door shut behind him. Pretty white boys - the ultimate human disasters.

I had no time to dwell on them, however, as something - or someone, hit downtown with all the malicious intentions to wreak havoc on the innocent civilians calmly going about their day. Mutants and people who knew Odette came in hordes, scrapes and bruises and strange wounds that required imminent healing.

My boss was no rookie, she dutifully accepted each and every single soul, looking worse for wear with each minute. Not being able to withstand seeing her drain herself, I simply took over the simplest tasks - and she said nothing, just gave me a nod, instructed to use whatever I needed and write it down somewhere along with the name of the person who required the healing.

As the battle raged, the crowds thinned but the ones who managed to come to Odette's spouted more serious wounds, obviously a result of them fighting back. Mutants covered head to toe with coats and hats and robes, for me to swallow my shock when they undressed - horns, tails and weird skin textures were on the far end of the normal. I dutifully extracted small pieces of information from each and every person I treated.

Yes, the Avengers were winning. No, there aren't many people hurt, most of the damage is cosmetic. Yes, the villain of the week is as stupid as usual. It was like a mantra. Odette poked her head into the spare room every now and then, her eagle eyes briefly scanning over me to make sure I wasn't exterting myself.

As I applied the healing salve to a tiny, pink-skinned woman, bandaging up her hands, my boss entered and closed the door behind her, setting down on the creaky chair with a loud thud. "Just got the news, the Avengers apprehended the terrorist," she sighed long and slow. "We've done all we could, the next few days I'll be handling house calls so you'll be here on your own. I'll probably see you in a few days, don't hesitate to give me a call if something comes up," Odette seemed to be barely standing up, yet when she tore off a few pieces of her jewelry and chucked them into a big tin can under the sink, the glossy sheen in her eyes melted away.

"Okay," I mumbled under the watchful eyes of the mutant woman. "Will there be more people coming in today?"

"No," the woman in front of me snorted. "SHIELD is prowling the streets. They are not fond of us, they always say we intervene unnecessarily even though we willingly do their dirty work so our children could be safe," the bitter, harsh tone took me off-guard.

I had to admit, there was reason behind her words. "Will you be able to get home safely? I have a puffy coat and a hat you can borrow." Figuring an expensive taxi ride would be a better alternative to something terrible happening to the woman, I offered her my winter clothes.

She smiled at me, razor blade teeth and large, red eyes the kindest I'd ever seen on a person. In the end, she took the clothes, promising to bring them back in a few days and Odette gave me a parka that was too small for her frame - despite it smelling like someone's grandma's attic, I found it to be quite lovely vintage. The puffy knitted scarf she added felt like warmth and safety - she had to have knitted it herself, for I knew, handmade items carried a significant amount of energy in them.

The shop was eerily quiet as I cleaned and scrubbed the stained, dirty floors and disposed of the bloody clothes and bandages in the tiny, odd fireplace in Odette's office - that was a thing most peculiar, it burned everything I put in it, but had no chimney, no place for the smoke to exit. Magic.

Something banged loudly against the entrance door. I let out a startled shriek, broomstick falling out of my hand and adding to the sudden cacophony of noise as the figure behind the stained glass slowly slid down the door, a deep, male voice groaning something incomprehensible loud enough for me to hear.

Grabbing a large serrated knife we used for mincing the bones of small animals, I made quiet steps towards the door, seeing a large, obviously humanoid figure helplessly lean on the door. The man's arm glinted chrome black and gunmetal grey in the low light. "Sargent Barnes? Bucky?" I whisper-shouted, carefully plying open the door.

He lifted his head, blood dripping down from it, his face looked like someone went to town on it with a meat mullet, his eyes were unfocused and couldn't keep a straight line. His flesh arm leaned heavily on the door frame, the prosthetic hanging limply, dragging his whole body to its side. It must've weigh a ton.

"Я должен найти капитана Роджерса," he whispered.

I didn't understand Russian at all but I could make out the name of his boyfriend. Which made sense. Bucky looked severely concussed - I idly wondered what exactly they had been fighting, what could have given a freaking super-soldier such a brain-leaking injury. "Sargent Barnes, follow me," I put on my big girl shoes and used my momma bear voice, towing the man behind me.

He, too, weighed a ton, as I stumbled, helping him into the chair in the spare room that became my healing station for today. The longer I looked at Bucky, the less lucid he grew, eyes falling shut as he murmured something in jagged Russian, slurring his words.

There was no time to think about the consequences of exposure of my witchcraft; mortar and pestle, herbs and salves flying everywhere, I assembled a healing spell and memorized the according ritual in what felt like record time. He was bleeding all over the chair, fresh crimson blood pouring out of his nose and mouth and it was all I could see.

I hadn't known true terror until the blood that poured out turned black. Whatever it was in him, it was poisonous - my protection charms grew hot, scalding as they left marks on my skin; powering through the pain and unable to turn my eyes off the convulsing Barnes, I finished the chant just as the flow of vile, tar-like liquid suddenly ceased. It pooled around his feet, dripped down the armrests and matted his long hair. It reeked, too, of copper and putrid meat.

Bucky had passed out somewhere mid-spell, the slow, steady breathing bringing me my own sense of calm. To say that I was drained would be an understatement - my vision swam and my world spun on it's axis as I unlocked Odette's office to messily rummage through a cabinet for the emergency tonic I knew she kept there. I chugged the vial, an avalanche of almost anxious, jittery energy hit me like a freight train - exactly what I needed.

I bought myself a couple hours of time. Cleaning up the sludge around Bucky's feet and removing the outer parts of his gear was easy as he remained as relaxed as a cooked spaghetti noodle. The amount of weapons he had on him was impressive, but those weren't what I was looking for - his phone. It was dead, so I plugged it in, waiting for the 5% to show and bringing it to his fingertips, hoping he used the print recognition instead of the password option... And I lucked out.

"Hello, this is Star, I found a Bucky. Tell Dr. Strange to come get him, he knows where I am." I texted the "Stevie ❤️" contact, my inner fangirl self squealing at the dorky name of his boyfriend's contact in Bucky's phone. Shortly afterwards, I went ahead and snapped a picture of myself next to sleeping Bucky, figuring out some actual proof wouldn't do any harm in this bizarre situation.

The answer didn't let me wait long. "10 minutes" came the first text, and shortly afterwards - "Is Bucky okay??????". I had to snort at the amount of question marks before honestly replying "He will be ☺️" and putting the phone back in Bucky's pocket. I cleaned up and attempted to lift Bucky up, succeeding in waking him up into a half-lucid state, probably courtesy of decades of training and whatnot, to at least drag him to the front of the store. I wasn't particularly comfortable with strangers seeing the backrooms.

Bucky leaned with his back against the counter, ass flat on the floor and a towel with a cold compress pressed to his head when the doors all but flew open, revealing Captain Rogers, still in uniform and Stephen Strange, arguing with his boyfriend, both still suited up and bloody and grimy.

"Uhh," I blinked owlishly, causing the men to stop bickering and stare first at me, then at Bucky. "I think he hit his head," I offered weakly, backing up slightly at the amount of burning eyes staring at me.

"Shortcake, that you?" Tony's eyebrows rose as he surveyed the bodega, the items on the shelves, the black and red blood stains on my previously pristine, yellow shirt.

"Now is not the time, Tony. Go with Rogers, make sure the medical is prepared for Barnes and disable his arm," Strange barked out authoritatively, shooting me a puzzled but compassionate look. "The portal is open. I'll talk to Star, find out what happened." He advanced towards me as Captain picked up Bucky bridal-style as tenderly as he could while making sure the compress stayed on.

"Keep that tone fo the bedroom," Tony's voice was more than displeased as he shot me and Strange a hurt look, but followed Steve into the golden circle right outside the door before it sparked shut.

"Now, now, what happened here?" The sorcerer's voice lowered into a soothing drawl as I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. My shoulders sagged, fingers twitching with anxious energy. The man extended a gloved hand, briefly squeezing my shoulder. "It's alright, take your time."

Damn, did I look that bad?

Taglist: @couldntbedamned @mikariell95 @letsby @sleep-i-ness @toomanyrobins @mostly-marvel-musings @persephonehemingway @schemefrenzy @lillsxd @bluecrazedandbeautiful @slothspaghettiwrites

[monokyokyo]

Flower Boy

An old one but I'm working on a part 2 so I figured I'd share it anyway!

Jongsang (although it's not really focused on), pretty fluffy, Jongho is a florist

Flowers had a range of emotions. From the fiery passion of roses to the sombre colour of forget me nots'. Jongho found comfort in the likes of these pristine plants. After all, he had an entire shop dedicated to nearly every flower the region had to offer. It was such a simple job yet there was nothing he would rather do.

Every day, someone new entered his shop in search of a flower to suit their tastes or situation, and it was Jongho's job to assist them.

The day started out normal. Jongho was rearranging the objects on the front counter when a familiar face strutted in. "Hello Mr Park," He greeted the tall man cheerfully.

"How many times must I tell you? Just Seonghwa is fine." Chuckled the customer as he removed his sparkling sunglasses.

"I'm sorry. What can I do for you today, Mr Park?" Seonghwa shook his head, deciding to just leave it be. His eyes travelled around the small shop, a light hum coming from his lips.

"I'm looking for something that really pops! You know? This couple is really into gemstones, so they're having a crystal wedding." Seonghwa was a wedding planner. Every now and again, usually once or twice a week, he would come to Jongho's store in search of the perfect flowers to impress his clients. He was a rather picky individual and Jongho learned during their very first encounter that he wasn't someone whose time should be wasted.

As such, Jongho got right to looking for the perfect bunch of flowers for the occasion. He glanced around before finally landing on what he hoped was the right bouquet. "Why not freesia?" He suggested. "The red ones represent passion, something these two must have a lot of if they're theming their wedding around their love of crystals. Wouldn't you say?"

Seonghwa nodded at him, a slight grin forming on his face at the bright smile on the younger man's face. "I would say indeed. Alright, I'll need two dozen bouquets. I'll send you the details on the wrapping later." He put his sunglasses on and turned to the door. "Give me a call when you're ready to plan your wedding, hey Jongho? I promise I'll give you the best of the best."

"I'm only twenty," He giggled. "I've still got some time, Mr Park."

Seonghwa chuckled. "Indeed you do." He left, leaving Jongho with a smile on his face.

About an hour or so later, the bell above the store entrance dinged. Jongho looked up from his order and saw a man scanning, somewhat frantically, through several displays of flowers. "How many I help you today?" Jongho asked the customer cheerfully.

The man sighed and sluggishly walked over to the counter. "I need the perfect flower for my boyfriend. He's been going through a lot recently and I need something to show him that I'm here for him..." Jongho tilted his head at this and hummed. He told the man to wait a moment then hopped over to one of the shelves.

"Here," He said. The man looked down curiously at the pink hydrangea in Jongho's hand. "Pink hydrangea for a passionate and emotional romance. You clearly care about him a lot. I'm sure these flowers will show him that." Jongho tilted his head at the light hum of consideration he received, hoping he would take up his suggestion. "I could label the bouquet if you'd like? What's your boyfriend's name?"

"Wooyoung," Jongho didn't fail to notice the way the man smiled at the mere mention of his boyfriend's name. He found it sweet how love two people could share with one another. Words are hard to express, but one could show them through something as simple as a flower. So Jongho made sure to put on the nicest tag he had, and encased the hydrangea a shiny, clear plastic to keep them safe.

"I hope things go well for you two," Said Jongho just as they finished their transaction. He handed the man the bouquet, sending him a grin with it. "Have a good day Mr..."

"San. Choi San," Then they parted ways. It made Jongho feel a certain pride inside, knowing he had the potential to help someone with his flowers. Regardless of if he knew the turnout, at least he was able to provide some assistance to those who would appreciate it. Well, it wasn't always appreciated.

About thirty or so minutes later, another familiar face stormed into the flower shop. The front door slammed open, disturbing the usual calm atmosphere of the store when he stomped in. An empty vase on the counter, nearly cracking it and causing Jongho to flinch from his seat. He let out a yelp in surprise, a small squeak that only made the man in front of him scoff.

"M-Mr Jeong? I'm sorry I-"

"You should be," Growled the older man. He pushed back his blonde hair with an aggressive sigh while Jongho slowly pulled back the clay pot. His brow furrowed in confusion, wondering what could've gone so wrong that he would come back so vexed, especially after their calm encounter last week. Mr Jeong or, Yunho, had ordered a pot of roses for his girlfriend. Could she have hated them that much?

"I-If you don't mind me asking...What happened last week?"

The blonde huffed, though it sounded more like a growl to Jongho's sensitive ears. "She's allergic," The younger male squinted, carefully asking him to repeat himself. "Are you deaf? I said she's fucking allergic!" Jongho flinched back at his harsh and loud tone yet Yunho hardly made the effort to reel himself back in.

"You sold me these damn flowers, giving me this grand speech about how special they'll make her feel and how she'll love them and you know what happens? She ends sneezing through our entire date! Why the hell would you give those to me?!"

"W-Well how was I s-supposed to know? Y-You came in asking for flowers!" The look Yunho gave him had to be the scariest thing Jongho had ever seen...in his shop. He was tall, about six foot, and easily towered over the cowering boy.

"Are you saying this is my fault?" He seethed through his gritted teeth. Jongho gulped, unsure of what to do in this sort of situation. He had never had anyone this angry over roses of all things.

"W-Well, no...I'm not blaming you but...shouldn't you have known?" He flinched yet again when Yunho leered closer, his hands thrown up in what would likely be, useless defence.

"Those roses had to be bugged, sprayed with something, I don't know! You had to have done something to them! We have roses at home for crying out loud!"

"And do you water them?" When Jongho's only response was silence, he lowered his arms, creasing his brow.

"Well...I've never seen anyone water them...but..."

"So...You ordered real roses thinking that your girlfriend wouldn't be allergic...because she doesn't react to the fake roses in your home?" Yunho could only sputter out a string of incoherent words that basically proved Jongho's suspicions to be correct. In response, he sighed then wordlessly pulled out his logbook.

Yunho watched curiously as he flipped through before he landed on last week. Jongho then grabbed a piece of paper and asked for the man's card, which he reluctantly agreed to. When it was handed back to him, Jongho hit him with a frow. "Here is your receipt sir. I've refunded your flowers..." The face alone was enough to make anyone feel lousy but the way his words trailed off just added extra salt to the wound.

So just before he took his receipt and left, Yunho mumbled something under his breath to the boy. "Thank you...for what it's worth...she loved the flowers before she started sneezing..." A tiny grin formed on Jongho's face and it made Yunho sigh, successfully feeling like less of an ass.

Jongho never had aggressive customers. Irritated, sure, but no one had ever gotten that upset with him. It was a flower shop after all. All of that before twelve as well...

The brunette let out a sigh of relief when his phone went off at twelve-thirty, signalling that it was finally his lunch break. Though the day was mostly quiet, he hadn't eaten since that morning and was eager to fill his stomach with some sort of nutrients. However, just before you could put up his 'Back in 20 minutes sign', the sound of the doorbell caught his attention. In shuffled a man with jet black hair, featuring various strands of gold.

His eyes were light red and his face was a little puffy as well. Jongho didn't give himself a moment to mourn his lost lunch break and hastily rushed over to greet the once crying figure. "I'm sorry...Am I bothering you?" He sniffled, wiping whatever remaining tears he had.

"No, not at all! What can I help you with?"

The man fidgeted slightly, eyes wandering around the shop and towards the floor. Clearly, he was trying to look anywhere but at Jongho, something the younger wasn't at all bothered by. "I'm looking for a flower..." He shook his head, muttering how that was obvious. "A gift I mean. I-It's for..."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to..." Shaking his head once, the customer told him that it was alright, followed by mumbling a few things that Jongho didn't quite get. "Pardon?"

"S-Sorry I um...I just got back from the hospital..." Judging by his mannerisms, Jongho couldn't quite tell if he was a patient or if he was merely visiting someone. "My father he um...isn't doing too well," Well now he felt awful for assuming his condition. "I just wanted to get him some flowers and my boyfriend recommended this place..."

The snap from Jongho's fingers made the older male flinch, put off by the rather bright grin on his face. "You must be Wooyoung! San's boyfriend, right?"

"Y-Yes...That's me..." Jongho had realised his awfully chipper tone wasn't very appropriate and did Wooyoung a favour by calming himself down.

"Sorry...Why don't you browse around and tell me what catches your eye." A slight nod was all Jongho got before Wooyoung began to walk around the store. He tried his best not to follow the young man whilst he strolled about but it was difficult not to be curious. The way he moved was so tired, sluggish even and Jongho knew he wouldn't find anything he would like in a reasonable amount of time.

So, with that, Jongho stood to his feet and made his way over to the mixed-haired male, following his gaze across the shelves. "Anything that's caught your interest?" His sudden question made Wooyoung jump. Jongho apologised as soon as he startled him yet the older only turned away.

"I'm sorry...I don't really know what I'm doing here," Jongho heard his airy chuckle but it definitely wasn't humorous. "I don't know the first thing about flowers or what he would like...I think I'll just go."

Jongho grabbed his arm before he could turn away, earning him a questionable look from Wooyoung. His arm was yanked back and Jongho replied with a nervous laugh. "Sorry. Um, stay right here?" With the soft tone of his voice, Wooyoung couldn't possibly leave yet. So he sighed to himself while watching the young florist run off to the corner of the room, where an array of purple flowers caught his eye.

He came back not too long later with a bouquet in his hands. "Iris'," Said Jongho just as he handed them off. "They represent hope. I hope you and your family have enough, but a little more won't hurt. Stay strong." Wooyoung looked down at the flowers in his hand. Incoming tears were the only thing he saw as they began to fill his vision, eventually clouding it entirely until he felt the water roll down his pale cheeks.

Whatever words he mumbled to Jongho were interrupted by his unstable breaths and cries but it hadn't deterred him in the slightest. Instead of charging him the moment Wooyoung was handed the flowers, Jongho asked him if he would like a cup of hot chocolate. The older male wiped his tears, offering him a slight grin and saying: "T-That would be wonderful..."

Jongho even gave him extra marshmallows to make him feel better.

It was rather late when Wooyoung left. Well, if you count quarter past three to be late - which Jongho did. Although, he didn't mind much. Wooyoung left his store with a smile, flowers and a cheeky bit of foam around his lips. It was good enough for him.

Thankfully, Jongho had gotten to eat a cookie or two while speaking with the mixed-haired male. It was just enough to distract his growling stomach while he helped his few customers. One of which was certainly one of the most intimidating Jongho had seen yet.

A tall stature, black leather jacket, red hair and a dark stare - Jongho had no clue what he was doing in a flower shop of all places. However, he had learned to never judge a book by its cover and greeted the man with a bright beam, just as he did with all his other customers. "Hello..." His voice certainly fit his appearance. It was deep, like it could reach the depths of the ocean if he wanted it to.

"How can I help you today?" Said Jongho, as he waved to the old lady who had just bought a pot of daisies right before the redhead entered.

"I'm looking for some flowers..." As obvious as that may have sounded, Jongho didn't hold it against him though. It was clear that he had never been in a store like this. The poor man looked too scared to touch anything as if he were afraid it was going to burst into flames if he so much as lifted a finger. Honestly, Jongho found it rather cute.

"Of course! What kind?" That didn't seem to be the right question to ask. As all the man did was rock back and forth on his heels, the gears turning in his head as attempted to come up with a suitable answer.

"Um...Pretty ones?" Jongho nearly giggled at how adorable his answer was. He was clueless about flowers and the young florist was ready to help him find the perfect one for his occasion. Walking from behind the counter, Jongho made his way to his titan of a customer and looked up at him. He was quite small in comparison but he didn't mind.

"I'll help you find the prettiest ones around! Who are they for?" Big men like him didn't usually visit Jongho's shop, so it was no surprise when a light blush crept across the customer's cheek and he began to avert eye contact in embarrassment.

"They're um...f-for my mother..." This time, Jongho didn't hesitate to giggle, eliciting a deeper blush from the taller male. "D-Don't laugh! What? Got a problem with me getting a gift from my mother?" The man's tone dropped to a frightfully low level, ending Jongho's laughter within seconds.

"I didn't mean it like that...It's just, I'm surprised. That's all. Not many tough looking guys like you come in here." This time, it was the other male's turn to laugh. A 180 that was nothing but appreciated by Jongho.

"Never judge a book by its cover, I suppose," He sent Jongho a grin and the younger smiled right back. "My mother's been telling me all about this shop, she comes here every Tuesday to look at the flowers and pick up supplies for her garden. She was busy today, so she asked me to pick a few things for her house."

"Oh! You must be Mrs Song's son? Mingi, was it?" The redhead nodded at him, continuing to grin even as he chuckled somewhat awkwardly. "She talks about you quite a bit. The one that sleeps with plushies, right?"

"Yep, that's me. I'll be honest, I'm not much of a flower guy but my mother adores them. Mind helping me pick out something she would like?" Jongho nodded at him, eagerly bouncing up and down in a way that made Mingi giggle.

Despite his rough exterior, Mingi was a rather sweet person. Listening attentively and nodding along as Jongho told him about his various selection of flowers and even giving his own input, saying what and what not his mother would like. Eventually, the two settled on yellow daffodils, quite a few dahlias and a tiny pot of lavender. Once Mingi was completely sure this was perfect, he bid Jongho farewell, promising to come visit again with his mother at some point. The prospect of seeing him again made Jongho grin. Another satisfied customer.

The day was officially coming to a close. Jongho sighed the moment the final customer went on their way. It was a rather old lady and he had just spent the last fifteen minutes explaining that the stamen and anther of her plants weren't insects. A rather draining conversation, as you can imagine. After that, the young man was just about ready to close his shop and head home.

He glanced at the clock, smiling at it finally struck six. Closing time. He trotted over to the front door and got ready to flip to the open sign to close. Yet just before he could do so, the door suddenly swung open and Jongho flinched back in surprise. A hand grabbed his waist just before he could fall backwards, lifting his body to meet another.

Light, sparkling brown eyes met with Jongho's dark ones. His hazel hair managed to look unkempt yet too perfect to fix and his expression was soft but his features were sharp, almost prince-like. He was the epitome of beauty. "Are you still open?" Were the first words to leave his soft lips.

Jongho couldn't find the words or the will to say no or so much as shake his head. All he did was slowly escape his grip, carefully gesturing him into the store. The stranger smiled at him then made his way in. Jongho gulped, watching his every movement. He had seen him before. A delivery boy from the restaurant down the road. The two had never spoken but Jongho knew he existed. Yet he yearned for more.

"Do you know what you're looking for?" He inquired in a voice more akin to a whisper rather than his usual upbeat speaking voice. The older brunette turned back to him. Jongho thought he had done something wrong judging by his stare yet the smile returned to his face.

Slowly, he made his way towards the florist, prompting Jongho to step back until he was pressed against one of the displays. "You," He stated simply.

Blush erupted onto Jongho's cheeks, sending him into an internal frenzy of panic. "M-Me? What do you..." He trailed off when the other male picked a lone rose from the table. Oh...he meant the rose. He told Jongho that he would take it and go, filling him with a heavy heart.

With that, Jongho filled out their transaction, trying his best not to let his gaze travel to the lean figure in front of him. How could he be so intimidating while doing practically nothing?

The man had sweater paws for crying out loud.

Jongho then handed him the rose and a receipt. "Have a good evening, sir..." Yet he hadn't left yet. He glanced up to see the man wrapping a tag around the flower, before he placed it back on the counter. Just before Jongho could question what he was doing, he was hit with another smile.

"Good night, flower boy." Was all he said before he leaned in and placed a kiss on the younger's forehead. Just like, he disappeared into the night. Like a strange yet delightful dream Jongho had experienced in the wake of dawn.

Cautiously, he glanced at the rose that was left on the counter.

Call me XXX-XXX-XXXXX Kang Yeosang I would love to get to know you, Flower Boy

[xxkellsvixen19xx]

Spotlight: A Life Of A Troubled Celebrity Heartthrob Ch 7

Word Count: 3,437

Colson continued to be sick as the night dragged on. Dr Lander had warned of the side effects and advised Colson to keep hydrated. Tired of rushing him to the bathroom, Y/N called room service and requested a bucket filled it with sand and put it at Colson's side of the bed; in case he had another bout of nausea-which he did, for most of the night.

"I'm so sorry baby..sorry for putting you through this," Colson mumbled repeatedly.

"I got you babe. Don't worry... I'm here okay?" she cooed soothingly.

Y/N patiently wiped his face or mouth whenever he dribbled and held up the bucket for him when needed. She constantly made trips to the bathroom to wash the towel; to wipe the sweat off to keep his body cool. Colson was delirious until his fever broke, which was the point they finally got to rest.

Colson's phone kept buzzing on the night-stand until Y/N reached over and answered it; because she couldn't take it anymore. "Hello," she said groggily.

"Good afternoon Y/N," Byron said, "Any chance I can talk to your husband?"

"Hmmm.." Y/N groaned, "No can do By."

"Why? He still asleep or..? It's way after lunch-"

"Rather you come over and see for yourself," she croaked in her sleep deprived voice.

"Is everything okay?" Byron started to panic.

"See you soon By. I need to go back to sleep now so-bye," she hung up and went to the bathroom. Then called room service and ordered breakfast for herself since Colson was still knocked out.

Colson was still sound asleep so she tiptoed around as she cleaned up the bedroom. She flung the windows open and the fresh air that invaded the room was a welcome intrusion. The curtains she kept closed so as not to wake him. Colson's phone rang again and she rolled her eyes before answering.

"Hi Mrs Baker! How are you this fine afternoon?" Jax said with enthusiasm.

"Jax," Y/N groaned.

"Everything okay there? Anything I should know?" he inquired.

"Just get here and you will find the answer to all your questions," she sighed as she cut the call.

"Hey-is Colson around?" Slim asked.

"Hey Slim. Yes but he's still asleep," Y/N said for the umpteenth time.

"We have a sound check at four so was wondering-"

"It's not going to happen," she said flatly.

"I'm coming over," Slim saved her the trouble of hanging up.

The phone wouldn't stop ringing. She was almost tempted to switch it off.

"Hi Mrs Baker this is Dr Lander..from last night at the hospital?"

"Oh hi Doc," Y/N said, "I'm going to get the driver to bring you tickets right away. Take care."

A few minutes later she heard a loud knock on the door; when the door swung open Slim, Jax and Byron were waiting outside. Y/N glanced at them and grunted a greeting before walking back into the bedroom. She had thrown on decent PJs and tied her hair in a messy bun. They trailed behind her quietly and stood at the door waiting for her to allow them to get in.

"Colson is sick," she stated in a flat tone, "I took him to the hospital last night but he seemed better and then he got worse. Fever, nausea-all of it," she leaned against the headboard and rubbed her forehead.

"Why didn't you call us?" Slim asked.

"He insisted that you all needed a day off and he was against the idea of calling any of you," she dug her hands into her luscious long hair as she pushed it back. Slim stared openly and shook himself before anyone else noticed.

"Let's not have this discussion here, we might wake him up. He needs his rest and so does Y/N," Byron led them back into the living room.

"So today is the last day of the tour and Colson seems out of it," Byron rubbed his chin worriedly.

"What do we do?" Jax asked as he sat down.

"We can improvise.." Slim suggested.

"How?" Byron asked in a low voice.

"We can give him a little pick me up.." Slim smiled slyly "it works like a charm.."

"No!" Jax said adamantly as he rose to his feet.

"Look-it's the last concert guys c'mon. We can't be refunding fans that got tickets already. Need I remind you it was a sell out show?" Slim whispered defensively, "Besides everyone in showbiz does it."

"What you're proposing will do more harm than good," Jax whispered fiercely.

"Guys let's take five shall we? Deep breaths everyone.." Byron raised his hands, "That's it.."

"Don't tell me you're in agreement with him??" Jax turned to Byron, shock registering on his face.

"Well..I.." Byron looked around in discomfit.

"You can't-" Jax looked distraught.

"I don't really need anyone's permission besides Col's. So I'm going to ask him what he thinks when he wakes up," Slim challenged.

"Why would you want to put him through that again? He's been clean and it should stay that way...Don't do it Slim," Jax glared at Slim, "Just because you're beyond redemption doesn't mean you should take Colson down with you."

"Well, we will have to see about that the, won't we?" Slim sneered and walked out of the hotel room. It was time to put his plans in motion..with a little help from unsuspecting friends of course.

"Hey Slim," Ashleigh opened the door and let him in.

"Hey Ash, listen..I think you need to take Y/N out of the house or something. She seems like she could use a friend right now you know?" Slim said with concern.

"Oh..is she okay?" Ashleigh asked as she sat on the couch opposite Slim.

"I think you should just go over and suggest lunch or shopping or whatever it is you girls do to de-stress," Slim shrugged as he leaned forward.

"Okay, I will do that..maybe Sommer can join us?" she said brightly.

"Yeah, that would be great. It will give the boys a chance to bond," Slim stood up and made to leave, "I'll go and tell Sommer to get ready, so long."

"She can just come over to Y/N's once she's done," Ashleigh said as she walked him to the door.

"Thanks Ash, you're a great friend," Slim said as a parting shot. He smiled to himself as he walked back to his hotel room. All the pieces were falling in place. He would get his revenge before he left and he wasn't going out without a fight. Colson would pay.

*********************************************

"Hey Byron..have you sorted out the venue for the after party? The Banquet Manager just sent me a text that there was a mix up with the booking," Jax looked at his phone and frowned.

"What? I thought she had sorted out the issue with the double booking??" Byron stood up and raked his hand through his hair in frustration, "this is just what I need! I need to get this thing sorted before Colson finds out," Byron grabbed his coat, "please make sure he's on time for the sound check," he said before he rushed out,

"Checkmate," Jax grinned as he made his way to Colson's bedroom. He knocked softly and Y/N's melodic voice told him to come in.

"Hey Y/N-we need to get Colson out of here. I'll explain later," he hurried over and effortlessly lifted Colson over his shoulder, "please get dressed quickly."

"What's going on? Is everything okay?" Y/N furrowed her brows as she threw the covers aside and grabbed her shoes.

"That's what I'm trying to do-make sure everything is okay..including Colson," Jax made for the door, "Let's go-hurry please!" he implored.

Jax hoped that they didn't bump into anyone as they escaped from the hotel room. There was no way he would allow them to manipulate Colson-they would have to kill him first. Jax had vowed to Colson's father to protect him at all costs and he would; no matter what the cost. He would deal with Byron and Slim later. He was actually disappointed in Byron, he didn't expect him to go along with Slim's pea-brained scheme. Clearly Byron was all about the dollar signs and didn't care about Colson's well-being.

"Please open the door for me?" Jax asked when they got to the car.

"Sure-sorry let me get it," Y/N ran forward; opened the back seat of the SUV and then jumped in from the other side. She cradled his head an her lap and he began to stir. Colson's eyes fluttered open and then he fell asleep again, oblivious to what was going on around him.

"So we're going to hideout at a guest house close to Genval Lake until this whole thing blows over okay?" Jax drove away quickly but cautiously.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on now?" Y/N pursed her lips in a grim line as she stroked Colson's soft platinum hair.

"I will but you're not going to like it..just promise me you won't confront anybody?" Jax stared at her through the rear-view mirror, "promise."

"Fine," she sighed.

Jax filled her in on the whole debacle and Y/N went from shocked to super-pissed. Jax had to tell her again that confronting the perpetrators was not an option. She argued with him until she was red in the face but Jax was adamant.

"Let me handle this," he insisted; then "please?" in a gentle voice.

It was inevitable that Colson would wake up because of the heated discussion that was taking place, while he was half-asleep.

"Stop the car!" Colson shouted as he scrambled to sit up.

Jax didn't hesitate he slammed on the breaks by reflex. Colson threw open the door and barely made it out. He spewed his guts as soon as his knees hit the ground. Y/N grabbed a box of Kleenex and a bottle of water then went after him. Jax was crouched close by rubbing his back with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm sorry sweets. I know you didn't sign up for this," Colson croaked as Y/N dabbed his mouth and wiped the sweat of his face.

"I said I do didn't I?" Y/N jabbed at a joke.

"Guess you did," he gave a lopsided grin and drained the water from the water bottle.

"I feel like a third wheeler," Jax grumbled as he stood and dusted his jeans.

"Nothing new," Colson muttered and Jax punched his shoulder playfully.

"You're ready to go?" Jax asked.

"Yeah..just give me a minute," Colson leaned on the car as another wave of nausea seized him.

"I've got your meds in the car. Should I get them? They kind of helped last night.." Y/N suggested.

"Baby, I can't tell you how sorry I am.." Colson said dejectedly; his face filled with shame and remorse. He pulled her into his arms and leaned his forehead against hers.

"There's no need to apologize..I know you would do the same thing for me," she kissed his forehead then pulled his hand, "Let's get out of here."

"Are you good to go?" Jax started the car.

"Yeah," Colson replied, "what were you two arguing about earlier on? The truth please?" Colson put emphasis as he held Y/N's hand.

"Well..if you really want to know.." Jax sighed deeply; his hands tightened on the steering wheel.

"I do," Colson stated firmly.

Jax told him about the discussion that went on while he was in oblivion and didn't leave anything out. Colson clenched his jaw and didn't say anything until Jax was done talking. They even arrived at the house but Colson remained in the car and told them to go ahead without him, he would follow.

The house was a beautiful cosy villa consisting of an entrance hall, a bright living room with a wood stove and beautiful bay window overlooking the lake, a fully equipped kitchen with a breakfast corner, the floors had a sumptuous studio and its adjoining terrace. It had four large bedrooms, including a master room with a dressing room, two large bathrooms with bath and shower. A haven of peace, in a quiet close with outdoor parking included.

Y/N went straight to the shower and afterwards proceeded to make brunch but Colson had beat her to it. He was busy cooking up a storm with the help of Jax. She stood at the door and just observed for a while before they noticed her.

"We're almost done here. Maybe you can help set the table on the terrace or the garden? You can choose," Colson turned back to the stove and busied himself again.

"He'll be fine. Don't worry okay?" Jax startled her and intruded her thoughts. He set the steaming, delicious food on the garden table, then put his hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Yeah..of course," she gave him a stiff smile and proceeded with him back to the kitchen.

"I think we're all set. I'll take the coffee outside and you kids can bring the toast once it's done," Jax said.

"Have you taken your meds?" Y/N asked Colson as she leaned on the counter.

"Yes mum," he teased, "stop worrying okay?" he kissed her on the cheek and smiled, "can we go and eat now? I'm staving!" he tugged Y/N's hand and pulled her back outside.

They made small talk as they ate and Y/N noticed that Colson seemed to be in a better mood. Either that or he was a very good actor..come to think of it-he was. He even had an Oscar to prove it..

*********************************************

"Sweets-please stop worrying! I'll be fine okay," Colson reassured his wife for the umpteenth time, "beside you will be right with me on the stage-isn't that enough?" he chuckled and cupped her face. She tried to focus on his hypnotic blue eyes instead of his enticing well-toned body. He had just stepped out of the shower with a towel loosely tied around his waist; smelling so fresh and looking too sexy. His golden locks were still dripping with water that slid slowly down his neck and coursed down his chest. She had never been so turned on by him as she was at this moment. He could literally make her do anything right now and she would be more than willing to oblige.

"Alright, alright," she said weakly when she remembered that they were supposed to be having an argument, "but if I feel that you are straining yourself then I will be forced to do something about it," she was bit her bottom lip.

"Gees sweets! You're beginning to sound like a typical nagging wife!" Colson laughed and she broke out of his embrace. Y/N couldn't get over his laugh. He looked so young and carefree. His beautiful features really stood out whenever he was happy; which was very rare.

"Cut it out Baker," she swatted his arm and folded her arms.

"I'm just teasing Bambi," he pulled her closer and kissed her softly. Unable to resist him as usual, her lips melted into his and they became one. The kiss ignited something in them and it went from being a mere spark to an uncontrollable inferno. Without breaking contact, Colson lifted her and gently placed her on the bed. Her hands were deeply buried in his hair; his hands were tracing every contour of her body. Their bodies fit perfectly together and they were lost in each other. Caught up in a world of their own where only two of them existed and their need for each other was the main purpose of their existence.

"I need you Y/N," Colson whispered as he pleaded with his intense arctic eyes that bored into her very soul. She could see the need in them and she needed him almost as much as he needed her. He turned up the music on the iPod when she silently gave her consent with a silent nod. He was sure that things were about to get a bit loud and more heated.

He was bound to lose control once he got a taste of her because he had wanted her from the moment he laid his eyes on her. She pulled him back to possess not only her lips but her mind, her body and her heart.

𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆 

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 

𝑵𝒐𝒘 ���'𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒚 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 

𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆

𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 

𝑾𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 

𝑰'𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 

𝑰'𝒎 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒏 

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏

𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖  

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 

𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖

(Credit: Devil Within by Digital Daggers)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jax checked his watch and noticed that Colson would be late if they didn't leave soon. There was no sign of either him or Y/N and by the sound of the extremely loud baby-making music streaming downstairs from their bedroom; he knew they were definitely not playing Karaoke.

Jax sighed as he made his way upstairs. He didn't want to disturb them but he had to. Nonetheless he still felt bad. He raised his hand and pounded on the door and got no response until the third knock. The music was turned down considerably and Jax could hear movement.

"Go away Jax! We're almost ready," Colson called out.

"Don't let me come back again," Jax called, "you have exactly one hour to get ready," he said before turning to leave.

"I wish we didn't have to go," Colson groaned as he brushed his lips on Y/N's neck.

"The show must go on Baker," she pulled the covers over her exposed body and sat up.

"Do you regret it?" Colson asked as he furrowed his brows.

"Never," she said with pure conviction.

"Neither do I," his face broke into a smile, "I just wish I could do you all day.."his skilled hands started to rove again.

"Colson.." Y/N gasped as his lips found her weak spot.

"I love it when you say my name like that..it makes me want to take you over and over again.." he trailed her body with feather-light kisses and once again she was at his mercy.

Jax checked his watch again and shook his head. It's a good thing he told them they had exactly an hour to get ready instead on two hours. He knew they would disregard his warning. He stood outside the door and pounded on it once again. The door flew open and Colson stood there fully dressed but cussing him with his arctic orbs.

"That scowl on your face tells me that you're happy to see me," Jax grinned, "it's a good thing you're ready though..where is that dangerously gorgeous wife of yours?" he peered over Colson's shoulder.

"She's almost done," his face softened, "can we go and talk downstairs?"

"So what's on your mind?" Jax sank onto a nearby couch and stretched out his long legs.

"Did you make doubly sure that security will keep Slim out? I don't want him anywhere near the stadium," Colson stressed.

"Yeah I did. We got everything covered. It's under control okay?" Jax reassured him, "if you can step outside, you will see that we have beefed up the security around you as well."

"Good," Colson nodded and ran back up the stairs.

"I didn't know what to wear so.." Y/N shrugged as Colson gave her a once over. She was dressed in full white- ripped jeans, t-shirt and matching converse sneakers.

"You look good baby..you always do," Colson stepped forward, "except there's one little problem," he undid her messy bun and her beautiful, lush hair came tumbling down her back, "I prefer your hair like this," he kissed her nose and smiled.

"If it pleases the master," Y/N bowed her head and they laughed.

"Let's get out of here before the master throws you back on that bed," Colson jerked his head towards the bed.

"Not if I do it first.." she purred as she traced her finger suggestively down his chest. With that she exited the room without another word.

Colson stood there gulping down his own drool; every fiber of his being on fire...

Tagged: @kellysimagines