#I have a feeling this has something to do with his abrupt plan to date Julia to shake off “those rumors” I could be wrong tho | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

laenordeservedbetter · 6 months ago

Text

My Way

Words: 6.7k

Pairing: Modern!Rhaenyra Targaryen x Fem!Hightower Reader

Synopsis: Rhaenyra wants a scandal. You want to get back at your father. What happens when Laena brings the two of you together?

Warnings: Otto Hightower, Criston Cole (this one-shot is not Criston Cole friendly, I'm sorry), mentions of assault, cursing, inaccurate business jargon, self-deprecating thoughts, drinking. [Let me know if I missed any.]

masterlist || previous work

—

“What did you say to Jackie?” You seethe, slamming your fists onto your father’s desk.

“Nothing, my dear. Why? Did something happen?” He questions, briefly glancing at his lackey, Larys, prior to meeting your gaze smugly.

You could feel the sting in your palms from clenching your fists, but you paid no heed to it. Despite your figure towering over him, Otto remained in his seat as if your outburst was merely entertainment for him, fueling your ire. “You know what you did.” You spat.

“If you are referring to your companion’s refusal to return your calls, you must know that I played no hand in that.” Otto says calmly.

You regarded him with a look of disbelief. The earliest occurrence you could recollect that is akin to your current situation was when you went on your first date. You believed that it was your fault dear Tabitha ran for the hills. You were inconsolable for weeks on end until your older brother, Gwayne, informed you of your father’s… meddling. You know not of the details of the transaction between Tabitha and your father, but you did notice how luxurious Tabitha’s life became through her online feed that you definitely did not go through every single day for an entire rotation. Numerous incidents succeeded the first to the point where you could not recall the exact number. Now, your date, Jackie, the daughter of one of your father’s associates, has been denying your calls after drawing up plans to get dinner together. You knew that your father was responsible.

“Maybe Jacqueline has seen reason.” Otto offers, interlocking his hands together as he leaned against his chair. “It’s about time you do the same, daughter.”

“I am being reasonable. You can’t keep meddling in my affairs like I’m some toddler.” You argue.

“I will stop meddling in your affairs once you start pulling your act together.” Otto retorts.

Taking a deep breath, you will yourself to keep calm. As calm as you can manage, of course. “And how do you suppose I do that, hm? By marrying one of your senile friends?”

You could tell the insult irked him by the way he blinked twice whilst keeping a smirk on his face, bringing you a semblance of triumph.

“No, but now that you mention it, I do have a list of eligible bachelors that are interested in you. Perhaps you should take a look.” He pushes a stack of papers towards you.

It dawned on you that he had it prepared before you stomped your way into his office. He anticipated your arrival, which meant that you played right into his game. You smile mockingly at him, accepting the papers. Otto smiled back, believing that he somehow managed to get through to you. However, his self-satisfaction melted once you flung the papers into the trash bin before walking out of his office.

Rhaenyra rolls her eyes at her phone before tossing it to Daemon, “Read.” She orders, her tone leaving no room for discussion.

Daemon, although stunned at the abrupt shift in Rhaenyra’s expression, catches the phone with ease. Sighing, he goes on to read the headline of the recent article centered on their family’s —or his— wrongdoing.

“From Genius Turned Mad Man: Daemon Targaryen Assaults Criston Cole in Broad Daylight”

“Well, this article is overexaggerated.” Daemon jibes after reading the entirety of the article. “I barely touched him.” He flops down on the couch, throwing the phone in the air and catching it (barely). Despite Rhaenyra’s strong glare, he repeats the movement until his niece breaks the silence.

“The media is in a frenzy.” Rhaenyra points out. “A few Criston Cole ‘defenders’ on social media are demanding that you be put in jail,” She states, her tone growing louder as she speaks each reaction. “The Baratheons plan to back out on their investment, father is under severe stress that goes beyond planning the company’s annual party, and news outlets are questioning Baela and Rhaena’s safety with you as a father.”

The last information brings Daemon back to his senses. He sits up swiftly, Rhaenyra’s phone landing on his head. Daemon grasps the phone furiously, flinging it across the room. Rhaenyra doesn’t spare her presumably dead phone a glance as she continues looking at Daemon and his sour expression. He had a right to be angry, she thought. But he did bring this upon himself.

“How dare they include my children.” Daemon raves.

“They’re just looking for any excuse to attack our family.” Rhaenyra utters gently.

“Did they even look into the bigger picture?”

“They never do.”

“That whore deserved it.”

Rhaenyra nods, “Perhaps he did.”

Daemon raises an eyebrow, as if challenging her to say more. “But?”

“But… what’s done is done. Our problem now is how we can fix this.”

Daemon opens his mouth to speak before realizing that it was no use trying to instigate a fight with Rhaenyra. She is not the object of his ire, after all. With a sigh, he looks at Rhaenyra expectantly. His niece has gotten the family out of precarious situations multiple times and was exceptional at it. Daemon would think Rhaenyra was suited in PR if he didn’t believe that she was destined for greater things.

“What is that look about?”

“Give me solutions and I will follow them.” Daemon shrugs.

Rhaenyra contemplates his words for a moment before ultimately saying, “No.”

Daemon scoffs, “No?”

“You got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out of it.” Rhaenyra says unwaveringly. She was exhausted of Daemon’s antics and having to clean up after his messes. It was time for him to handle the consequences of his own choices without being coddled. He gets enough of that from Viserys, thank you very much.

Daemon’s jaw clenches, disapproving of Rhaenyra’s denial.

“Well?” Rhaenyra looks on expectantly.

“I suppose I could think of two ideas.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“The first one is,” Daemon exhales theatrically, the thought being enough to make him want to hurl himself off the building. “publicly apologizing to Criston and vowing to never do it again, as well as to right my wrongs.” Rhaenyra and Daemon scrunch their faces at the suggestion, for the both of them knew that action would contradict Daemon’s entire being.

“And the second?”

Daemon gives Rhaenyra a sly grin.

“Create a bigger scandal that would make this one look like child’s play.”

Rhaenyra lets out a laugh, mirroring Daemon’s expression. “Now that, I can get behind.”

One thing you loved more than gossip was Laena Velaryon. Your friendship began through the business transaction between your father and Corlys Velaryon. You were brought to the office by your father, who thought it was a fine idea to acquaint you with Corlys’ son, Laenor. To his astonishment, you and Laenor got along quite well. However, it was Laena you were drawn towards. You were two peas in a pod. Both of you had a knack for defying your fathers’ wishes and visiting unrenowned coffee shops. Though, the purpose of your visits was more about escaping the scrutiny of the public (and by extension, your families) than actual coffee.

You’re in one of your favorite shops, drinking coffee with Laena that you actually enjoy. The ambience was remarkable. The place was always clean, the staff were nice, and there were booths that acted like little houses with curtains that could obscure you from the other people inside the café. It was another quiet day, which was alarming. It’s been like that for weeks now.

Lyman, the owner, opened the curtains with one hand and a tray of lemon cakes in his other. He places it on the table between you and Laena carefully, “Here you go, girls.” He says, offering both of you a smile.

It was a strange sight. For as long as you’ve been visiting the shop, Dyana has been the one to serve you. Come to think of it, you haven’t seen the girl since entering the place. Curiosity gets the better of you, prompting your question, “Is Dyana not working today?”

You wish you hadn’t asked.

Lyman’s smile falters. “We had to let her go.” He explains, “Business hasn’t been that good lately. It’s just me and Sandra now. If this keeps up, we’ll have to close the shop.” He says, his gaze on the counter.

You and Laena share a look, as if having a silent agreement.

“But don’t worry, girls.” Lyman smiles once more, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. “If the shop closes, I’ll give you my lemon cake recipe so you could have it anytime you want.”

“Lyman…” Laena starts.

Lyman waves her off. “It’s alright now, Laena. Sandra and I will be okay.” He winks before leaving to go back to the counter.

Laena sighs, shaking her head. “Tell me what your dad did again.” She requests, focusing on your problem for now. If you offer Lyman help directly, he wouldn’t accept it. Better to address the issue without him knowing.

“Influenced Jackie to refuse taking my calls, then handed me a stack of names of eligible bachelors interested in me.” You frown, “I wish he would just stop messing with my life, you know? Every time I think I’m close to being happy, he rips it from me. I couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t attempt to use me for his own gain. He sucks the life out of everyone who loves him and it’s so exhausting.”

Laena looks at you sympathetically, feeding you a portion of lemon cake. She waits for you to finish eating before asking, “So, what do you want to do?”

“I want to get back at him.” You mirror Laena’s earlier actions, giving her a bite of the lemon cake. She shoots you a knowing look which you disregard by finishing your coffee, looking away from her.

“Among all your attempts at getting back at your father, which one has worked?” Laena questions rhetorically. Seeing your discomfited look, your friend pushes you further. “You need to take your goal seriously, not just doing things that he can simply brush off. If you want to get back at him, do something that will really leave him unconsolable for a long period of time.”

“Like a scandal?”

Laena raises a brow, “What kind?”

“I don’t know, like… Targeting his favorite business associates on Twitter, spread nasty rumors about our own company, go out with someone he despises or go on a date with someone older than him, spend a large amount of money on a shitty private jet, give people raises without consulting him...”

Laena ponders your ideas, playing out possible scenarios in her head. Your brows furrow, her words to you a couple days prior ringing in your ears.

I am a visionary, Hightower.

She gasps, gripping your arm firmly, the sudden movement jolting you forward.

“Have you met my cousin Rhaenyra?”

“You’re going to take a Hightower as a date to the biggest party of the year? Have you gone mad?” Daemon clenches his jaw, scowling. Laena stood beside him, rolling her eyes at his frenzy of rage. “Do you have any idea how long that family has been plotting against ours?”

Rhaenyra shrugs.

“Since the beginning of time, Rhaenyra!” Daemon answers himself, scandalized at Rhaenyra’s impassiveness. She was going to defy centuries-old rivalry by bringing a Hightower to the Targaryen company’s annual party. Not to mention that Rhaenyra’s date is one of Otto Hightower’s children, making the circumstances worse. Oh, how Daemon hated that cunt. His greed knew no bounds and neither did his ambition. If Daemon had not stepped in, Otto’s quest for power might have dented their family. And now Rhaenyra plans to step on his efforts. Daemon’s hard work will be all for naught. “This would ruin our family’s reputation.” He states, matter-of-factly.

“No, it wouldn’t.” Laena murmurs.

Daemon stares her down.

“Uncle,” Rhaenyra interjects, remaining practical. “This is the scandal we were looking for.”

“This wasn’t what I had in mind.” The silver-haired man expresses.

Rhaenyra regards him for a moment, trying to see the situation from her uncle’s point of view. The Hightowers, second only to the Targaryen business dynasty, are their major rivals. Otto Hightower, the CEO, has been doing everything and anything he can to usurp the title of the biggest conglomerate in Westeros. He came close to achieving his plans once upon a time. Daemon had done something to stop him, but the Targaryens did not come out of the battle unscathed. It took years to bring back the shareholders’ trust and improve their defenses. Getting close to a Hightower would be a suicide mission. Rhaenyra’s date might try to earn her trust in order to achieve her true goal: to gather information on the enemy.

But, as it stands, the Targaryens are grilled by the masses due to Daemon’s recent altercation with Criston Cole. Additionally, the Baratheons refused to move forward with their investment, disliking the idea of their business being affected because they are associated with the Targaryens. Rhaenyra has to resolve this conflict before permanent damage is done. Being associated with a Hightower may do just that.

“Our stocks are plummeting because of your dispute with that Dornish boy. Criston works for Otto. Taking a Hightower to the party would be a power play. It will appear as an alliance between our conglomerates. A truce, if you will.”

The words cause the gears in Daemon’s head to turn. The act would indeed serve as a silent agreement between the families. Cole would be humiliated, which was an added bonus. The company he’s working for humbling him by brokering a deal with the family of the person who destroyed his nose. It will be quite the spectacle. But something wasn’t quite adding up.

“Why would the Hightowers agree to such a thing?” He asks. “Cole has been working for them for a long time now. He’s practically an honorary Hightower. Why insult him through an alliance with us?”

Laena speaks up, smiling sheepishly, “Here’s the thing…” She chuckles nervously, “We’re not… exactly… brokering a deal with all the Hightowers.”

“Just one.” Rhaenyra elucidates.

“What do you mean?”

“It’d be better if she explains it herself.” Says Laena.

Daemon purses his lips, his patience wearing thin. “Who’s ‘she’?”

As if on cue, you enter the room, everyone turning their attention to you. “Apologies for my tardiness.” You say guiltily, freeing your hair from the dark hoodie you were wearing. “I had to get past security.” As you remove your sunglasses, Daemon moves towards you like a predator stalking his prey. You meet his gaze, annoyance shortly crossing your features. “Daemon, is it?”

He doesn’t blink.

You don’t let his coolness perturb you. That’s just how Daemon is, Laena once said when she was talking about her family. He seemed…. Not nice, exactly… But he wasn’t giving you any indication that he was going to punch your face, so it’s something, right?

“I’m Y/n Hightower.”

“Hm.”

Your eyebrows raise in disbelief. You’d think that he’d offer more words based on the way he seemed intent on standing before you. “Right.” You sigh, moving past him to greet Rhaenyra.

The heir to the Targaryen dynasty was clad in grey suit and pants, her tie loose. Rhaenyra welcomes you with a warm smile, ushering you towards the couch. “Please. Sit,” She instructs, waiting until you’ve taken a seat to offer you light refreshments. It hits you suddenly that she was just as nervous as you were, easing your nerves to some extent.

“Lemon cake?” Your eyes light up upon sighting the delicacy, meeting Rhaenyra’s gaze.

She looked flabbergasted that that was the first dessert you turned your attention towards. “Would you like some?” Rhaenyra offers you the plate with a spoon. She knew beforehand that you had a liking for lemon cakes because of Laena’s recent Instagram post. (You and Laena took a photo of you eating lemon cakes, the name of the café plastered on the background.) However, it did little to help her hide the astonishment she felt as she watched you take the cake from her hands eagerly.

Daemon regarded you with thinly veiled disgust. A bug within his family’s premises. Look at you, eating cake and making yourself at home while Rhaenyra is made to play the role of welcoming host. His niece was a willing participant, of course, but that did not make the thought easier to swallow.

You ignore his glare until you could no longer bear it. “Is something the matter, Daemon?”

“Out of all your siblings, why are you the one making a deal with us in behalf of your family?” was his query.

“None of them know I’m here.” You state impassively, passing the plate to Rhaenyra, who fixates on how meticulously the slice of cake was cut in half. It was an impressive feat, bearing in mind that you weren’t using a knife. “Eat.” You murmur to her while resuming your staring match with Daemon.

“Why not?” Daemon scowls.

“I’m doing this behind their back.”

“Why?”

“I want to piss my father off.”

Enthralled by your words, Daemon (at long last) displays an emotion other than disdain, “And why is that?” He tilts his head. Maybe you weren’t as boring as he thought.

“Must there be a reason for wanting to anger him?”

“For me? No. For you? Yes.” Daemon says bluntly, “You’re his daughter. He must have done something unforgivable for you to turn to the enemy.”

“‘Enemy’ is exaggerating it, but alright.”

You tell the three other people present in the room about your frustration with Otto, not leaving anything out. You tell them about the meddling, the lengths he went to in order to cover up your failed romances, the list of eligible suitors, how Otto continues to undermine your hard work, and the rest of the sordid details that even Laena wasn’t aware of. By the end of your report, Daemon was stupefied.

If he didn’t have any more reason to despise Otto Hightower, he surely does now. Otto was despicable in business, but Daemon never thought that he would be the same with his children. Does this man hold no love for anything other than power?

“Your father is a cunt.” says Daemon.

Rhaenyra and Laena gasp at his crassness. He really said those words in front of you, Otto’s daughter. While you might not have the best relationship with your father, it must be grating to have others speak about him in a bad light, the two women think.

You nod, agreeing with Daemon’s words. “I suppose that’s one way to put it.”

The two Targaryen women lock eyes, shrugging.

“The party is in a week, correct?” You ask to confirm the details.

Rhaenyra shakes her head in affirmation. “Yes. The Hightowers are invited, as always,” Even though your families were at “war” with each other, there was still a place for your family in the Targaryen annual parties. You believed that it was Rhaenyra’s strategy.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

“—But you will be arriving the party with me.” Rhaenyra continues, analyzing your expression. “We have to arrive late, in the middle of my uncle’s speech.”

“Quite the dramatic entrance.” You murmur, a smile gracing your lips. “I like you already, Targaryen.”

Rhaenyra grins triumphantly in response.

You spend the rest of the evening planning out your actions for the party. Daemon continued treating you with apprehension, though he was less insufferable about it. Thank the Seven. Rhaenyra proved to be a pleasant company, assuring you that you would never have a boring moment in the event. The party would last for eight hours, beginning at four p.m. sharp. Every important person you could think of will be there, all the more reason why you and Rhaenyra need to make sure that this would be the biggest scandal of the month.

You just hope that it will drive your father mad.

The day of the party rolls around and you are bubbling with anticipation and anxiety. You and Rhaenyra have been texting each other back and forth about the chaos that would ensue in just a few hours. As you read her recent message, you find yourself grinning at the kitchen table, giddy with excitement for what was to come.

“Ooh, what’s that?” Gwayne speaks from behind you, grabbing your phone. The shock gives you no time to react, your older brother scrolling through the messages. “Who’s ‘R’?” He stretches his arm, holding the phone above his head, and standing on his tiptoes to ensure you wouldn’t be able to reach him. “You have plans tonight?”

Letting your impulse take over, you punch his shoulder, causing him to drop your phone from his hand. Gwayne groans in discomfort while you pick up your phone, identifying where he stopped reading. You let out a sigh of relief once you realize that he wasn’t able to read anything that would indicate your plans for this evening.

“Nothing.” You state stiffly.

“Come on, I know when you’re lying.”

“I’m not lying.” You grit your teeth, wondering why he wouldn’t drop the subject.

Gwayne, sensing your displeasure, raises his hands up in mock surrender. “Fine, don’t tell me. But the Targaryen party is tonight. Are you sure you want to miss it?”

You recall your earlier practice with Laena, reciting the script she has given you word for word. “I have an important meeting. I can’t go with you tonight.”

“Dad won’t like that.” Gwayne reminds you, “You know how much he loathes them. We need to form a united front against the Targaryens.”

“If he hates them so much, why bother going at all?”

“To keep track of their moves.” Gwayne explains as he takes one of the chocolate pancakes your cooks had made. He then proceeds to chew very loudly in your ear, invading your personal space. “Business 101, sister.” He says, “See, you’d know that if you actually listened to father.”

“Between the scheming and the bullshit he says, it’s hard to tell which one is worth listening to.” You move away from him, sitting down on a kitchen stool.

“What kind of meeting are you going to, anyway? Is it more important than the party?”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t technically a lie. Your upcoming scandal with Rhaenyra is more important than the party. But then again, you’d have to be in the event for the scandal to work. But you can’t tell Gwayne that you’re going. It’ll ruin the surprise. But at the same time, your father will wonder why you aren’t going. He’ll probably send Cole after you.

Ugh.

Criston.

“Is it a date?”

“You could say that.” You try to sound as nonchalant as possible.

“What do you want me to tell dad?” Gwayne looks at you seriously, his brows furrowing.

Ever since he could talk, Gwayne’s main goal has been to gain your father’s approval. He thought that if he played the dutiful son, Otto would hand the company over to him. And for a while, your father did give off the impression that Gwayne would be his successor.

Until Alicent decided to go no contact.

You have to applaud Alicent’s resilience. She was twenty-three, fresh out of business school. She had money in her account, but it wasn’t much. Her departure was sudden. You didn’t hear from her until two years later, when her face was plastered on billboards across Westeros as a creative director for a renowned fashion brand. A year after, she started her own fashion company in the luxury industry. Your father reached out to her in order to “reconnect” and they’ve maintained a business relationship since. While the reason for Alicent’s exit remained undisclosed (even to you), it is clear that she is the most favored among your siblings. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Otto gives her the company when he retires.

Since then, Gwayne has decided he was going to “step up”, become the next man of the house. He would take on more responsibility that he can handle, refusing to buckle under the weight of the pressure and hoping that one day, Otto would see him.

“Tell dad I’ll be late.” You mumble, but it was enough for him to hear.

“You won’t be late, though. You won’t attend.” Gwayne points out.

“Don’t worry about it.” You smile, patting his shoulder on the way out.

Hours succeeding your father and brothers’ exit from your estate, you began to get ready. You took your mother’s infamous red dress from her closet, pairing it with some of Rhaenyra’s jewels that she lent you days prior. As you put on the necklace with the Targaryen crest, thrill washes over you. The piece looked good on you and the colors suited you well.

Otto taught you that going against your family is the greatest iniquity you could ever execute. But if committing this grave sin meant seeing the color from his face drain in front of the masses, you would carry out this act of treason a hundred times over. You felt no remorse for what you were about to do. It was about time you paid your father back for the hurt he caused you. However trivial and juvenile it may seem, you had dreamt of this day for a long, long time, despite the specifics being last to get finalized.

You finish putting on your makeup just in time for Rhaenyra’s car to arrive in front of the mansion. You open your door to the sight of her in an off-shoulder, black sleek dress. Her hair was styled in intricate braids with a few strands let out from the left side of her face. She looked otherworldly, like a goddess, perhaps. Rhaenyra had a beauty that could make individuals conclude themselves blessed purely by being around her existence.

“You look lovely.”

“You look beautiful.”

A laugh escapes your lips, finding it amusing, the way you spoke at the same time.

“You look lovely.” You repeat, taking in her features once more.

Her smile widens, “Thank you.” She observed you with awe and another emotion that you couldn’t decipher.

Throughout Rhaenyra’s life, there was never an instance wherein her thoughts were silenced. Her mind consists of a plethora of ideas that tangle themselves together, leading to everlasting noise inside her head. But at the moment, her world was entirely quiet. All she could ruminate about was how ethereal you looked.

“Let’s go?”

Your words snapped her out of the trance-like state, pulling her back to reality. She offers you her hand, which you take in yours, marveling at how gentle her grip was. You make your way to the Mercedes and Rhaenyra opens the door for you.

“And they say chivalry is dead.” You joke as you enter the back seat, Rhaenyra following soon after with an eye roll.

Numerous photographers and journalists lined the entrance of the venue, as if they were waiting for something interesting to happen. Some of them were sat on the ground, scrolling through their phones. These people are likely the ones who weren’t permitted inside the party. The sun has almost set, which meant that the temperature wasn’t as harsh as the earlier hours. But they’ve spent their entire afternoon under its glare, making you feel sorry for them. The heat was a formidable enemy, a sentiment everyone in your vicinity shares.

You feel a hand on top of yours, the tenderness of Rhaenyra’s touch making your breath hitch.

Gods, she’s playing this act a bit too well.

“Daemon texted me.” Rhaenyra says softly, squeezing your hand. “He’s delivering his speech now.”

Gaze fixed upon your hands together, you hum in response, then look back at Rhaenyra. You try to decrypt her emotions, almost losing yourself within those amethyst eyes you find so beguiling. You wanted to know her thoughts about this, if she wanted to push through. A part of your desire to know is due to your own doubts. Doubts that aren’t about the mess you were about to get yourself into, but rather the need to save Rhaenyra from your family before things get out of hand. The Hightowers have done well to mislead the people, persuading them to think that the family is the epitome of composed and organized. However, those who have seen what you and your relatives are like behind closed doors, know that everything you’ve shown to the public is merely a deception. Tonight, would be no different. If Rhaenyra gets insight on how fucked up your family was, she might want to run for the hills.

The second reason is simpler than the first.

You want to know Rhaenyra.

You want to understand how her brain works. You want to know how she is able to get her family through muddy waters and how she comes up with solutions that does not only benefit the Targaryens, but also everyone who associates themselves with them (workers included). You want to know her opinions on things, even the random ones. You want to know how she spends her time when she’s not working. Does she spend it like you do, reading books and doing anything you can think of, or does she have her own preference for how she utilizes the days without work. You want to know what she doesn’t like. You want to know if she hates Jason Lannister like Laena.

You don’t know Rhaenyra Targaryen, but you want to.

The questions you wish to ask don’t come out of your own mouth, however, as Rhaenyra beats you to it.

“Are you sure about this?” Rhaenyra’s brows were furrowed when asking the question, as if she has been thinking for a long time if she wanted to say it. The query was sudden, Rhaenyra’s words coming out in one breath. The situation was laughable, really. You’ve spent the last two minutes trying to figure her out while she was worrying about the same thing with you.

You can’t help but return the question, “Are you?”

“I asked you first.” Rhaenyra huffs, not liking that you evaded her query by shooting the question back at her.

“I’m sure.” You try to quell her worries by your words, ensuring that you sounded as sincere as possible. Rhaenyra doesn’t look convinced by your statement, cocking her head to the side with a challenging look. Gods, this woman was stubborn. “I’m serious, Rhaenyra.” You play with the ring on her finger, noting how that was the only one she was wearing in her hand, an unusual sight, given her love of rings.

Rhaenyra stares at you for a moment longer before determining that she believes you. With a sigh, she puts her phone back in her purse, getting ready to leave the car.

“I wasn’t joking when I asked you the same question, though.” You confess. “Are you sure about this?” Rhaenyra doesn’t respond for a while, which made you even more anxious. “Because if you’re not, then we can just go separately. No one will have to know and we can go about our lives like before.”

The idea of going back to a life without you scheming with her was unacceptable to Rhaenyra. Although she has only been granted the presence of your company for a week and a half, those days have been the highlight of her year so far. To call off your plans would entail the possibility of never speaking to you again. Rhaenyra would rather face Otto Hightower herself than be divested of the chances to hear your laughter. So, with a shake of her head, she utters, “No.”

Your face falls. It was to be expected, really. Who would want to involve themselves with you, with your family? Rhaenyra has every reason to back out. You probably look so stupid right now. But this is for the better. Rhaenyra wouldn’t have to deal with your family and wouldn’t get roped up in your father’s schemes. She probably didn’t even want—

“No, sorry, I meant, I don’t want to go back to the way it was before.” Rhaenyra confesses apologetically. Seeing you crestfallen brought an ache in her chest that gradually spread throughout her entire body like wildfire. “I’m sure of this.” She reassures you, squeezing your hand. Rhaenyra gives you a few seconds to breathe before she tells you that it would be best if the two of you head to the venue now, lest you miss Daemon’s speech and let your strategy go awry.

You thank Erryk for driving you to the place and he wishes you luck before you and Rhaenyra step out of the car.

The journalists, reporters, and photographers don’t notice you for a while, wrapped up in conversations amongst themselves. Erryk drives past you with astonishing speed, leading the press to turn their heads and question whose car it was. Erryk was no longer in sight, but in his place was you and Rhaenyra. The people stared at the two of you, dumbfounded.

“That’s Rhaenyra Targaryen.”

“She’s late.”

“She brought a date.”

“Who is that?”

“No way.”

“It’s Y/n Hightower.”

“Hightower?!”

“Hightower.”

“What are they doing together?”

“Aren’t their families—”

Rhaenyra turns to you, locking your arm with hers, “Ready?”

You exhale shakily, “Ready.” Closing your eyes momentarily, you steel yourself for what was to come.

When you open your eyes again, the media headed towards you and Rhaenyra. Mics were being shoved into your faces left and right. Photographers were snapping pictures of you, the light from their cameras blinding. It was a miracle you could still see.

Three of Rhaenyra’s bodyguards paved the way for you, guaranteeing your safety. They held off the press and made certain that they wouldn’t get too close. You held Rhaenyra’s hand, letting her guide you towards the entrance of the venue. You haven’t even faced the difficult part yet things were beginning to get overwhelming. Though, having Rhaenyra by your side did make it easier.

The security guards positioned at the entrance opened the doors as soon as they saw Rhaenyra. They bowed their heads in respect. You couldn’t hide your grin even if you tried.

“Don’t let go.” Rhaenyra murmured, referring to your interlocked hands.

“I don’t plan to, my darling.”

You could have sworn you heard Rhaenyra’s breath hitch as her grip tightened around your fingers. Together, you entered the venue, walking the red carpet laid before you. The place was massive. Banners with the Targaryen symbol of the three-headed dragon was placed all over the area. There was even a giant dragon statue near the stage. It seemed excessive, but there was no doubt that everything screamed luxury. While you’ve been to Targaryen parties before, you haven’t paid much attention until now.

“—And I thank my brother, Viserys, for giving me the opportunity to—” Daemon’s words get stuck on his throat when his eyes land on his niece and you. Viserys smiles at him cluelessly, wondering why he stopped in the middle of his speech. Aemma had to nudge him to turn his attention to the doors. Daemon hides behind a smirk as everyone in the room looks at you.

The attendees’ disbelief rose to a clamor, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. A Hightower and a Targaryen side by side. Surely, this would be included in the history books to come. Being under the scrutiny of the public gave you an uneasy feeling. You felt like a caged animal, a spectacle. Everyone was looking at you like you’ve done something wrong.

Taking a deep breath, you recall the lessons your father gave you on propriety. You hold your head up high as you waked with Rhaenyra, not letting go of her hand.

Walk now, overthink later.

You spot your father and your siblings on the left, near the stage. Otto had an incredulous look on his face, his eyes widening in horror. You school your expression, refusing to laugh as you imagined the things he would say to you when you got home. If he would even allow you to come home, that is. Gwayne and your brothers stood, dumbfounded, while Alicent raised a glass of champagne towards you, downing it in one gulp. Your father was too fixated on looking horrified at the scene before him to notice. The man would not move. Criston stood by his side with his jaw set firmly. It was hard to tell who was more appalled. Him or Otto. The former’s gaze hardened, staring Rhaenyra down.

At last, you make it to the front. Rhaenyra brings you to the stage, beside her parents, whom you’ve never shared an interaction with.

“Hello.” You smile shyly, unsure what to do.

“Hello, Y/n.” Viserys and Aemma reply, both of them grinning. This was the first time Rhaenyra brought someone with her during a Targaryen party. With a grand entrance, if they may add. They saw the smile on Rhaenyra’s face as she looked at you and immediately knew that you were someone who made their daughter happy. They had more questions, sure, but Rhaenyra seemed content around you and that’s what matters for now.

“It appears my niece has made quite the entrance.” Daemon says into the mic in order to get the attention back to him. “If my speech bore you, you could’ve just said so.” That earned a laugh from the guests.

“Sorry, uncle.” Rhaenyra whispers even though Daemon knew quite well what was going to happen.

“As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted,” More laughter came from the crowd, successfully turning the attention away from you and Rhaenyra. You silently thanked Daemon for the ephemeral respite from the critical eyes of the masses. “I would like to thank Viserys for giving me a chance in helping him plan this party.” He turns to Viserys, “Your trust means greatly to me. I love you.” Daemon whispers the last sentence and…

Wait.

Is that a tear?

“Lastly, I would like to thank you all for coming and I hope you enjoy the evening.” Applause echoed around the room as Daemon finished his speech, stepping away from the mic and letting Rhaenyra take over. The praise died down promptly, the audience observing Rhaenyra with keen interest, eagerly awaiting her words.

“Good evening, everyone.” The silver-haired woman started. “I apologize for my tardiness. As you know, I’ve never been one to keep track of time. To my uncle, I offer my apologies as well for cutting your hour-long speech short. I know how far you had to go to perfect your writing abilities.” The sea of people dissolved into laughter once again. Daemon narrowed his eyes at her remark. He did not like being mocked. That much was clear. “The Targaryen party is an event that I look forward to each year. Not only do I get to see your lovely faces, but also the simple truth that it brings us together. We may not always see eye to eye on things, especially in business,” Rhaenyra locks eyes with Otto, “but there is no denying that during this day, we are granted the privilege to treat each other as companions. The tensions are eased and everyone gets to enjoy each other’s company,” Your father bristles at Rhaenyra’s words while others murmur in unison, agreeing with Rhaenyra.

“This event is dear for me and my family, which is why I chose today to make my announcement.” Rhaenyra reaches for your hand, “My love,” You move forward, intertwining your fingers together. She analyzes the crowd nervously, fearing their possible response to her impending revelation. “You may know her as an influential and stubborn businesswoman,” You hear Jason Lannister snicker at the word “stubborn”, still not over the stunt you pulled with the Starks. Jason’s family was promised a great deal from the latter, but because of your interference, the Starks offered their contract to you instead. “Or you might know her as Otto Hightower’s daughter . . . I’ve had the honor in getting to know the different sides of her and I can say that she is definitely as tenacious as she looks. It’s a miracle I’m here today, really.” Rhaenyra jests, “But, in all seriousness, this woman has inspired me to do better every day and never failed to offer her support whenever I needed it. You know her as a businesswoman, but right now, I would like to reintroduce her to all of you as the magnificent Y/n Hightower. My partner, the love of my life, and most importantly… my fiancée.”

Otto lets out a strangled cough.

#rhaenyra targaryen x reader #rhaenyra targaryen #queen rhaenyra #house of the dragon

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januaryembrs · 6 months ago

Note

Tea!

Hey, I'm the anon who requested the drabble of bugsy realizing her feelings for spencer. Can you write a drabble based on what happened after spencer saw bugsy and the guy in her apartment?? I found the ending to have been quite abrupt and am genuinely curious as to how things were between them after that (I'm a sucker for angst). Hopefully you aren't also planning a BONUS chapter on this 😭😭 if so, then I'll just shut up bcs I'm actually just spoiling shit atp.

THEN STRANGERS AGAIN | Spencer Reid x Prentiss!Reader [drabble]

description: Spencer thinks he and Bugsy may have invented Murphy's Law. Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong and has gone wrong.

length: 1.1k

warnings: some small hints at mature content, but no actual stuff. angst? curses.

part of the trouble almost all my life universe

authors notes: finally finished my requests off thankyou for being patient with me, now who's ready to for the next TAAML update??

“Who is it, babe?” A deep voice spoke, and Spencer felt his face go green when he saw the adonis of a man who stood behind her, his chest littered with smudged lip gloss and bruises resembling her own neck trailing down to his crotch.

Her face was on fire when Spencer looked back at her, something betrayed in the hazel of his eyes which he knew was entirely illicit to feel in the circumstances, but it was true.

“Fuck off, Renly,” She shoved him back behind the door, looking at Spencer like the friendship between them they were scrambling to salvage hung in the balance with whatever she said next. “You remember Renly, my lab partner at Johns,”

Spencer nodded, the image of her lips on his pubic bone wouldn’t leave his mind, and he wondered what came after that, “I remember him,”

She nodded back, and they went silent.

They’d found themselves back at that stalemate.

“I’m just gonna…” Spencer trailed off, something sharp and painful in his chest as he looked at her. This was ridiculous, he had Maeve to worry about. Maeve, who was crazy about him, who he had a date with not even half an hour ago, who soothed the wound Bugsy had left when she’d moved to an entire other continent before he had a chance to tell her how he felt.

Except he did have a chance. He’d had plenty of chances, he’d just been too chicken to take them. And maybe that was what had made him so angry seeing a man twice his stature flirting and touching and grabbing her, knowing what they’d been doing before he’d interrupted. Maybe it was the fact he was irrefutably good looking, or that he was the kind of guy confident enough to call her babe and touch her so easily, or maybe it was the image of what she must have looked like underneath him to be as flustered as she was now. What had they been doing? Was he pleasuring her? Had she been teasing him? Had they been in the middle of full blown fucking?

Spencer didn’t know. The kid who had tackled string theory when he was fourteen years old didn’t know. And he didn’t think he ever wanted to. A whole Schrödinger's cat kind of fucked up where he knew exactly what they’d been doing, and yet his felt something hurt well in his chest at the fact he didn’t know at all.

He felt like his head might explode, or like he wanted to rip his big brain out and kick it to the curb with how fast it raced with thoughts and images and sounds that all resembled her.

“I’m just gonna go,” He spluttered, already turning to head down the millions stairs back to where he’d thrown his car into park, his footsteps clicking against the hard linoleum as he took them almost two at a time.

She didn’t care that she had little more than underwear and a shirt on, didn’t care that Virginia evenings had reached almost freezing at this point in the year. Bugsy didn’t care, because Spencer seemed hurt, and that was her least favourite look on him.

“Spence!” She called, cursing when he didn’t turn back, and she’d barely had time to flick her door onto the latch before she was taking off after him, “Spencer, wait!

But he didn’t listen, he couldn’t. Not when he felt something close to tears welling in his eyes. Why was he getting upset? He was a grown man for fuck sake. He had three doctorates, a genius level IQ, and a job he adored. What did he have to be crying about?

He felt like he and Bugsy could only be described as Murphy’s Law, that everything about his day that could possibly have gone wrong between them did. That of course she was with some sort of adonis at this time of the evening, of course she was with someone else, because why wouldn’t she be? She was attractive, and quick witted, and sharp as steel. And most importantly she wasn’t his.

“Spencer, what’s wrong?” She called, but his damn long legs were too fast for her, and he’d made it out the front door to her building before she could yell at him some more.

By the time she got to the lobby, he was already half way down the street, his head straight down at the floor, his bottom lip quivering.

The chill hit her like a stop sign as she ripped the door open, and she was quickly reminded how bare her legs were as she did so, her teeth gritting together. “Spencer!”

But he didn’t look back, and she half considered risking the public indecency charges, only to quickly be reminded of her lack of socks and shoes as she took an experimental step onto the pavement, cringing in pain when it felt painfully harsh to her skin.

Her stomach dropped. What had he wanted, coming to her at this hour when things had felt so odd and icky and wrong between them. Where was Maeve? Even the thought of the mystery girl made her face heat with annoyance, but Bugsy supposed that if Spencer was happy then she shouldn’t feel so damn bitter all the time. It had been the whole reason she’d brought Renly home, though bumping into him in the liquor store had been completely unintentional, because she’d wanted to forget all about the guy who used to be her best friend who she couldn’t have, who had a shiny new genius to hold his affections, to take the place she’d thought was hers.

She should have known better. Bugsy should have known Spencer deserved so much better. She’d tried to dodge the fact of it in all the years they’d known one another, but it was like the reality had hit her square in the face, and the wind whipping against her bare shins was a wake up call. If things hadn’t been fucked up between them before, then they most certainly were now, all because she’d been so stupid to think she could drown her affections and squeeze out her love for Spencer into another person.

An arm wrapped around her shoulder and a jacket was shrugged over her, and she looked up at Renly with a quivering bottom lip. She felt like she’d been punched in the gut seeing Spencer so distraught, lost for words, lost in general. And despite her better judgement, for the sake of the fact she’d never felt so alone, she let herself lean into Renly’s warm stomach, his muscles rippling beneath her hands as she shoved her head into his pectoral, burying her face away in embarrassment, possibly to even forced the tears back into her sockets against their will.

“Is it complicated?” Renly asked, because he’d always been the gentle sort of giant, surprisingly kind for a guy who looked like he pounded roids non stop. Bugsy could have told him it’s because he was raised with a single mother and four sisters, but she wouldn’t bother. Sometimes people were just the way they were, no profiling needed. He patted her back soothingly as if he’d heard what she was thinking.

She nodded, because nothing summed up Spencer better than complicated.

“Yeah, it’s complicated,” She murmured, allowing him to kiss the crown of her head, because she was tired of licking her wounds alone, tired of being the one to beg for affection from people too good for her.

Spencer blinked back the tears the entire way home, cursing himself for the way his stupid, envious brain produced every image possible of the goliath man in her doorway who could squash his head like a coconut, wondering what they were doing now that they weren’t interrupted. They were probably naked by now, probably-

Bugsy let Renly make her a green tea, and in turn he let her sulk and mope and didn’t take it too personally when she made it clear that sharing a bed was as far as they were going tonight. There would be no more nudity than they already were, no more lustful kisses fuelled by cheap red wine and misguided intentions, no more pretending she was someone else entirely. There would nothing.

Because perhaps Spencer didn’t know her as well as he used to, and perhaps that was entirely the problem.

#em’s inbox ᯓ★#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid imagine #criminal minds x reader #spencer reid fanfiction

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fruittt-punchhh · 3 months ago

Text

Pop My Cherry!

this is part 9! read the rest of the parts here.

Synopsis: your dad's best friend is none other than Toji Fushiguro, and you can't help but wonder what he could do with his hands.

Characters: Toji Fushiguro x reader. Choso is mentioned a few times.

Content: Minors Do Not Interact! smut, afab! reader, fem! reader, dad's best friend! Toji, suggestiveness, cursing, marijuana and alcohol use, angst (forgive me)

Word count: 6.9k-ish (ayoooo)

Notes: hi bestiesssss!!! I’m so sorry for the angst in this chapter, but it had to be done. I’m too much of a wimp for heavy angst tho so it won’t be around for long I swear it. Next part is already in the works so I’m hoping you get to read that soon as welllllll🫶 as always ily tysm. (not to spoil but things will continue to be freaky next time, just trust me on this one)

More Notes: SO. I think I have everyone tagged that has asked me to tag them for this. However, if I missed you or you didn’t get tagged and you’d like to be for all of my future fics or just future parts to pop my cherry, leave a comment or send me a quick message and I gotchu!!!

There’s no fucking way you took off like that. He thought you must have left a note and started searching through every drawer, on every surface, even in the couch cushions. He was desperate for an explanation at this point.

Did something go wrong? Was he too rough with you? You seemed to enjoy the sex and even though he could be a dumb brute, he felt like he could tell when something was going on with you, usually. So far, you’ve been pretty open with him in terms of your wants and desires. But now all of sudden you’re gone? With nothing left behind except a lighter and one of your hairbands?

He must have done something wrong. He felt so fucking stupid. He was going through the events that had occurred over the last few days. Sure, he wasn’t always a “gentleman” and he certainly wasn’t attempting to court you, but he actually put in effort for once. He hasn’t done that since… well, he truly couldn’t remember it must have been so long ago. Maybe it was the allure of the “naughty” nature of it all. It was forbidden, so maybe that’s why he felt like he needed to step up his game.

But maybe that’s also why you left.

He had to take a shower to clear his head. At some point he even felt like crying, but only for a split second. He had to get his shit together.

He turns the water to a nearly boiling temperature, hoping to feel anything other than the confusion he felt now. Maybe he should have mentioned he had to take the job so you two could go on a proper date sometime. Maybe he should have waited to get to know you better before going all the way. Maybe he shouldn’t have even came through that door in the first place, knowing all too well what you were doing underneath the covers. Maybe he was doomed to an eternity of being a major fuck-up.

The water hits his soft skin, leaving bright red splotches wherever it lands. It felt good despite it all. He watched all of the dirt and blood wash down the drain and he couldn’t help letting his mind wander. He was tired of thinking of all the what ifs.

He reminisced on the time you two were in the shower. How you looked up at him with a smile on your face, how your hair looked when it was wet, how much you seemed to admire him. Even the little things like how the water fell off your shoulders was stuck at the forefront of his mind. He felt a rush of blood surge to his groin and he almost felt embarrassed. It felt wrong to do anything pleasurable right now. Especially to the thought of you. He immediately turned all the hot water off, hissing at the abrupt change in temperature. He finished up the rest of his shower quickly, knowing he had to make a plan.

He couldn’t remember the last time he got even semi-hard and didn’t take care of it. He was in far too deep.

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

He quickly found his clothes and sat down on the couch. He had to try calling again or sending a message. Maybe it was just poor service.

No answer. The texts didn’t deliver at all. Your dad said he got a text from you so you had to have had service at some point.

You had really taken off. He didn’t know what the fuck he was going to do, but he had to think of something.

At some point.

But right now, all he could think about was getting out of the house. Being here with you only a few hours earlier was making his head hurt knowing you were gone for who knows how long. He didn’t even know what university you went to, so he had no clue how to find you. Although he was good at finding people, he was almost scared to find you. You obviously didn’t want to be here anymore and he wanted to respect that. But you couldn’t just leave things up in the air like that.

Maybe he could call your dad and find out?

Was that really fucking weird though? And borderline stalker behavior?

Enough thinking. He had to get out and go somewhere. Anywhere. He grabs his keys and doesn’t forget to slam the door on the way out.

He grabs his phone and waits for Shiu to pickup.

“What’s up?”

“You wanna go out for drinks?”

“Is this you asking me on a date, Toji?”

“Shut the fuck up and just come get drunk with me. Please," gritting his teeth, embarrassed that he even had to say please. How fucking desperate could he be.

“A please? From Toji himself? Fine then. But you’re buying the first round.”

“Fuck off. Fine. Meet me in ten?” He asks before Shiu confirms the location.

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

He tries his best not to speed on the way there, but his mind drifted as the speedometer rose. He got there in five minutes instead of the planned ten. He went inside and found his seat at the bar.

He ordered himself two shots, and ordered one for Shiu. He downed them quickly, all too ready to forget about the day. He orders himself a double vodka cranberry and cringes at the familiarity of the taste.

Shiu arrives, patting Toji on the shoulder roughly. He downs his shot before fully seating himself at the bar. He orders himself another drink, turning to Toji who already seems a little tipsy.

“What’s with the girly drink?”

“Fuck you,” he spits, finishing the rest of it with one big gulp.

“Okay…. Wanna.. talk or something?”

“Nope.” He responds quickly, going to order himself another drink, before Shiu stops him. Toji gets a wild look in his eye, believing that Shiu is trying to prohibit his future hangover.

“Holy shit, chill. I-I’m getting the next round. And we can have a beer or something like an actual grown up.”

“I don’t want a fucking beer. Get me something strong.”

Shiu complies and lets him know he’s going to the restroom.

“What brings you here tonight?” Toji hears from behind his right side. He feels a dainty hand grab his shoulder and squeeze. He immediately straightens, uncomfortable of the thought of anyone touching him but you.

“Leave me alone,” he states plainly, trying his best to remain calm.

“Sorry, honey, I didn’t hear you. Could you repeat that for me?” She says as she inches her painted red lips close to his ear.

“I said leave me the fuck alone,” he says firmly, raising his voice enough that he knew she heard.

“Damn. Fine. Fuck you too then,” she says before she saunters out of the bar.

Shiu looks from across the room, eyes wide in disbelief. He didn’t know Toji all too well, but from the brief conversations the two had in the past, he knew Toji to be somewhat of a ladies man.

He rushes over to him, scared that someone has replaced Toji with a clone. This was so unlike him.

“Are you kidding me? You didn’t even look at her! I mean maybe she wasn’t your type, but I think she’s everybody’s type.”

He was right. She was tall, blonde, face full of makeup and had on a tight dress that accentuated her figured beautifully. Precisely his type. But he couldn’t care less right now.

“Just not in the mood, man.” He admits honestly.

“Typa’ guy you are, figured you’d always be ‘in the mood’,” he says as he laughs.

Toji looks him in the eye for the first time that night.

“Y-You think there’s any jobs we could do right now?” He says, trying his best not to stutter. He was started to feel the alcohol, and not a minute too short.

“Are you dumb? You’re bound to be drunk any minute now and I’m still tired from earlier. You good man?”

“Yeah. Just need to start working more. Gotta distract myself.”

Shiu furrows his brow, “Look. If you really need money or something I could probably help you out. It wouldn’t be much, but still”

Toji laughs for the first time tonight. Shiu was actually concerned about him.

“I don’t need your money jackass. Just need to stay busy for a while. Got some shit goin’ on,” he tells him.

“Okay. I know of one we can do tomorrow, I think. The pay isn’t great but it’ll probably take all fucking day. I’ve been avoiding it.”

“What time are we meeting?” He asks, knowing there’s no room to discuss the possibility of taking on this job.

“I never said I was gonna’ do it, what if I’m hungover?”

“My god, are you twelve? We’re doing it, so when are we meeting?”

The two discuss the details of the mission, the time, and the location. Shiu leaves shortly after, wanting to get enough sleep to be prepared for work tomorrow. Toji follows behind him, desperate to lay down. He got very drunk, very quickly, and his head was now pounding.

He walked down the block, fumbling for his house keys. He didn’t want to go back to the apartment or his friends house, but driving elsewhere was no longer an option.

He reaches the door and sighs before struggling to put the key in. He leaves the lights off like he usually does and opts to lay on the couch, not being able to stand the sight of his bedroom right now. He nearly falls and busts his ass, tripping over something in his way.

They were your shoes. From that night. The night that he put away his selfish desires to make sure your face was cleaned well. The night you relied on him to get home safely. The night where he started feeling like maybe this could go somewhere.

He picked up the shoes and tossed them aside, trying to think of anything but you. As he laid his head down, he felt nauseous. He wished you were there to tell him he’d be fine.

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

Three weeks had passed. Your time was filled with learning the new syllabi, familiarizing yourself with the material, and already starting new projects and assignments.

You had to keep yourself busy to avoid thinking of him. You felt like you saw him in every man you passed. Maybe a similar haircut or build, or even the tone of voice. But in everyone, you saw something that reminded you of him.

You kept telling yourself what you did was right. You only blocked him for your sake, knowing you’d feel too guilty if you saw a message from him. At this point, he’s probably long forgotten about you. He may not have even sent a message. He got what he wanted after all, so maybe this was all a huge relief for him.

Daily, you reminded yourself that he didn’t care. Whether it be true or not, you felt as if that was the only way you’d start to feel better. And it was finally starting to work.

You actually took it upon yourself to hangout with Choso more. You needed a friend more than anything right now and he ended up being a very good listener. Nothing had occurred in the way you originally thought they would, but you were thankful for that. You weren’t interested in being anyone’s partner or romantic interest, at least not for a while.

After you told Choso about Toji, omitting all the specific details, he was surprised you had such a hard time making the decision to leave. He sympathized with you, of course, but he also saw through what Toji was: a casual fling, and nothing more. And you found yourself agreeing with him, as stupid as it made you feel. You decided to lose your virginity to someone that couldn’t care less on how that made you feel. You had to remind yourself that afterwards, he immediately left for “work”. Who knows if that’s even where he went? Maybe he was the one who left first after all.

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

Three weeks had passed. Toji’s time was filled with missions, drinking, more missions, and an occasional smoke or two. When he was sober, he was working. When he wasn’t sober, he wasn’t thinking. Of you, of anything. It made perfect sense.

Toji and Shiu had grown closer over the past few weeks. Shiu was quick to catch on to Toji’s behavior. He reeked of desperation and was constantly busy. Obviously, something was going on. Maybe talking about it would set him straight.

It was after a particularly brutal mission that Shiu crossed the line.

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

“Okay, the target is this older man. Maybe early 50’s? I don’t know much more about him than that. I know he’s done some pretty fucked up shit, though.”

Toji was relieved. The less information he knew about his targets, the better. He liked discovering things about his targets as the mission progressed. It made the mission more of a challenge and knowing Toji, he was always up for a challenge.

“Fine with me, that’s all I need. Let’s get started,” he says, before grabbing his supplies from the trunk.

The mission location was at a gala, much too fancy for Toji’s taste. He was dressed in a suit that fit him too well, although he felt like he was wearing cardboard. The suit was stiff on his shoulders and prohibited his movement slightly. It hugged his thighs and he felt as if his circulation was cut off to his feet. Toji was more of a casual man, loving a loose shirt and sweats. This attire made him unbelievably uncomfortable, but he had to be able to slip in and out of the crowd unnoticed.

It wasn’t too long before Toji located his target. Shiu’s job was to keep the peace and make sure the target’s partner was distracted while Toji took care of business.

He matched the description Shiu gave him earlier. Tall, handsome for lack of a better term, and older. He sauntered around the room with an air of confidence, and looked to have no care in the world. He had a thick cigar glued to his lips, a glass in his hand, and at some point, a woman on his arms.

Toji never cared who his target was or who they were with. The frivolous details just made him get sloppy or too involved. The less he knew, the better.

Enough thinking. The man started to walk to one of the back bathrooms. As he opened the door, Toji got a glance inside and it seemed to be relatively empty. Maybe now was his shot.

He traipses through the crowd quite easily due to his large figure, and his hand is on the doorknob before he knows it. Opening the door slowly, he sees the man bent over the elegant counter, using a credit card to separate some sort of white powder. How classy.

Toji grabs him by the neck, much like you would a small kitten. The man immediately stiffens and starts to panic. Per usual.

Usually, Toji loved this. Seeing the panic in his victim’s eyes, the pleas for their life, the frantic begging. Offering anything they have to save their life. He’s even had men offer up their wife and children in order to save their own skin.

But this one was different.

“P-please, I-I-I have a wife. Please. She can’t lose me, please sir. Do you w-want money- it’s in my back pocket, please, t-take all of it. Please don’t do this,” he manages.

While this started to make him feel slightly bad, he reminded himself that this was a bad person that needed to be eliminated. Like all the others.

Until his wife walks through the door. Screaming, then crying, then pulling on Toji’s pant leg like a toddler begging him to stop. So fucking desperate.

Once he got a good look at her, it was over. Her makeup was smeared everywhere from crying. She had snot pouring out of her nose. A real mess. Apparently, she got a tip from a staff member that a 'suspicious looking man' followed her husband into the bathroom. Although Shiu was supposed to be here to prevent these things from happening, he was known to be an asshat sometimes.

Seeing her beg for someone else’s life so selflessly, even offering her own in exchange for her husband’s piece of shit life, snapped him out of it. He felt that no amount of money was worth separating something like that, even with how greedy he is.

“You two leave and do not come back. If I find you again, I will end both of you. Understand?”

The two scrambled to their feet, crying and thanking the stranger for sparing their measly lives. The man even left a few bills on the counter for his troubles. They hug immediately before leaving the bathroom hand in hand, heading straight for the parking lot.

Toji pockets the money and returns to the bathroom door. Shit.

He really forgot to lock the fucking door? He was asking to be caught.

He heads back into the ballroom, finding Shiu lazily attempting to find a lay for the evening. He grabs him by the arm, much to the protest of Shiu.

“Hey man, what the fuck? I-I almost had something there.”

“We’re leaving,” is what he can muster before he all but drags Shiu into the car.

It’s silent. The car isn’t even on yet.

“What is going on with you?”

“What are you talking about?”

Shiu sighs, ”I saw the targets leave a minute ago. I thought it was some sort of master plan of yours, to kill them both outside or something. What happened?”

Toji contemplates even answering. His head is in his hands. What point is there in dishonesty now?

“I just couldn’t do it.”

“You? Couldn’t complete a mission? What is going on with you?”

“I couldn’t. Wife came in there screaming, snottin’ all over the place. I couldn’t fuck that up.”

“Fuck what up? Only thing you fucked up is the job.”

“Their marriage, I guess. I felt bad.”

Shiu was in disbelief. Since when has Toji ever cared about the personal life of their targets? He was always so bloodthirsty and ready for a payout that he had to remind him to keep the job clean to not risk getting other innocents involved.

He finally connected the dots.

“Ohmygod. Is this about that bitch you were telling me about a while back? She must have really fucked you up or-“

He doesn’t get the chance to finish before Toji’s fist is meeting his cheek. The impact is akin to a supersonic force and he wonders if he lost a molar or two. He doesn’t have time to think, feel, or respond before Toji is out of the car, slamming the door.

Toji wouldn’t stand for it. It was too far. You weren’t a bitch. You were someone he cared for deeply. Regardless of what distractions he chose, they all fell short. He saw you in everyone, in everything.

He walked home. For the first time since you left, he stayed sober on his own accord. He had to find a way to see you. He felt like driving to your university, but he still hadn’t allowed himself to find out where that is for his own sanity, and out of respect for your wishes. But he had to find you somehow.

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

Your dad was having a retirement party in a week. You were excited for the break in school and to get a chance to see your family again. You tried not to think about Toji being there. Yes, he was your dad’s best friend, but he worked most nights. The party didn’t start until six, so he more than likely would be gone. And even if you did see him, you’d be able to handle it, surely. The last week or so has been really great, and you’ve found yourself thinking about him less and less.

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

The retirement party. That’s how he would see you again. He needed to talk, that’s it. Nothing nefarious. He had to know why you left and if it was his fault. He had to try to fix things, or at least get closure for his own sanity. He didn’t even plan on attending, already telling your dad he had a previous shift at the time of the party. Which wasn’t entirely true, but he planned to be busy regardless. Parties weren’t exactly his thing, but if gave him a chance to see you, it’d be worth losing out on a couple thousand dollars.

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

Here you were, driving home for the first time in over a month. You were nervous, sure, but you felt okay. You had on a cute outfit and felt good about yourself for the first time in a while. Things would be fine, and if they weren’t, they’d be fine eventually.

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

Here he was, actually managing to arrive on time to something. He had your shoes, lighter, and hairband in a bag. He wanted to give you back your belongings in case you needed them, and it gave him an excuse to talk to you if you were there. He needed to be smart about this. The last thing he needed was to see you running off in tears, especially in front of your dad.

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

You arrive to the party a little early to help your dad set up. He was on the grill, finishing the last of the burgers. You’re actually excited to see him after leaving on the spot like you did earlier that month. During your break, you were so involved with Toji that you didn’t spend much time with your dad at all. It left you feeling guilty, but you knew your dad was not one to hold a grudge. You were an adult after all.

When your dad spots you in the yard, he exclaims a loud ‘heyyyy!’ while he opens his arms to give you a big hug. He dotes on how well you’ve been doing at school to his other friends around the grill, much to your embarrassment.

You hated to admit it, but you were starting to get increasingly nervous about Toji. For all you knew, he was on his way now. Probably not, but you had to find out for yourself.

“So, dad, who all’s coming tonight?”

He goes on to list a handful of your extended family members, some work friends, and his golf buddies. But no Toji.

Without thinking you ask, “So To- Mr. Fushiguro isn’t coming?” You feel your face get warmer. Why the fuck would you ask that?

“I mean no, he said he had to work. Were you needing him or something?”

Quite the opposite actually.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing! I just figured you’d want him here is all.”

“Oh yeah, of course. He said he’d take me out for drinks next week and he’s paying. So I can’t stay mad at ‘em.”

Phew. What a fucking relief.

“Hey, would you grab the buns out of the house? Food’s almost done.”

You tell him it’s no problem as you turn to the gate leading up the steps. You put your hand on the handle, until you feel yourself freeze in the shoes you’re walking in. You see a familiar black car turn into the driveway.

fuck.

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

He pulled into the driveway and his mouth goes dry. His heart is racing. Here he was. This was the first time he had been back to your house since you left. It made him feel sick to his stomach, thinking about everything that happened here in a few short days.

And he thinks he sees you. And suddenly his heart is in his stomach. It could have been anyone going into the house, but he could have sworn that looked like your hair. Maybe not. Maybe it was getting too dark outside and Toji was becoming far too hopeful.

He decides to leave your bag in the car. He grabs your dad’s retirement gift, a nice watch he had seen at a department store ages ago. He hasn’t worn it yet, so he figured someone else could put it to good use.

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

This could not be happening. He was supposed to be at work. You felt so hot all of a sudden, and not in a good way. You pilfer through the pantry to find the hamburger buns and take a deep breath. He may not even stay long, and you knew you’d be able to keep your emotions at bay. With how well you’ve been feeling the past week or so, seeing him may not be as stressful as you thought.

Hopefully.

You walk back outside and luckily your dad is already setting the tables. You bring the buns to the table and take a seat next to where your dad was sitting, desperately avoiding watching Toji get out of his car. Your dad's chair was at the end of the long table, decorated with balloons and even had a sash (that he was absolutely not going to wear).

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

Fuck it. People were starting to sit down and it would be more awkward the longer he waited. He saw you walk outside of the house and it hurt his chest seeing how good you looked. You weren’t too dressed up, but you had an air about you that genuinely made his head spin. He had to take a few moments to himself before he could get out of the car after he saw you fully.

He grabs the watch box from his passenger seat and turns the car off. Luckily, plenty of people were still standing and mingling, and Toji knew how to blend into a crowd well. He wasn’t too hungry, much like the last few nights, but his dad insisted he grab a plate.

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

Hearing his voice was interesting. It sounded quieter than usual. You couldn’t tell if maybe something was going on with him or he was simply trying to avoid you noticing him. Or neither. It was nice to hear again and to know he was okay, but that’s all you were allowing yourself to feel about that for now.

Your dad and Toji walk over to the table. Toji had given him his present when he first saw him. Your dad insisted Toji sit beside him at the table, since it was such a surprise to see him, he got him such a nice watch, and he hasn’t been around in a few weeks because of work. Not only that, but his seat was right in front of yours. How perfect!

Toji makes brief eye contact with you. He looked… nervous? He was just off in some way. Maybe he was tired from working so much. But it seemed like something else was going on.

He cleared his throat loudly from the shock of looking you in your eyes after what’s felt like so long. Less than two months ago he was inside you and now you feel like you could cut the tension with the knife. It felt strange being so close to you again like nothing had happened. Even knowing his shoes were a few inches from yours was making him feel sick.

You felt like your father could tell something was going on. Toji wasn’t his usual, boisterous talkative self, and you were also being quiet. Toji had his eyes glued to his plate. You in the other hand, couldn’t stop looking at him. Yes, although you hate to admit it, he was nice to look at. But more so than that, it almost seemed like he was scared to look at you.

“So, got any new love life updates, huh?” your father asks, naively. The question had made it seem like you had given him information about your nonexistent love life beforehand, which you hadn’t. You two called every now and then and he had asked about a boyfriend a few weeks ago out of curiosity when you mentioned you had been hanging out with Choso. You told him that Choso was simply a friend and you were too busy with school to even think about boyfriends right now.

“I-uh, well no. No updates, hah,” you answer honestly and much too awkwardly.

Hearing your dad ask about boyfriends made Toji’s stomach turn. He felt so angry and he knew it was irrational but he truly couldn’t help it.

“Yeah, shouldn’t you be focusing on school right now anyways, y/n?” He asks, boldly. Almost as if you two haven’t been completely absent from each other’s lives for over a month now.

“And that’s exactly what I’m doing, Mr. Fushiguro,” you spit back, trying to hold your anger for fear of your father catching on.

But he did catch on, at least in the slightest. He furrowed his brow and abruptly changed the conversation topic, not wanting to frustrate anyone anymore than he already had, apparently.

Hearing you refer to him as that was at one point, endearing. But now, it’s like a slap in the face. No more loving “Tojiiiiii”, just a cruel reminder of what he was to you: an older man that knew your father.

Having finished your meal, eliminating both your appetite for food and conversation, you let your dad know you were headed inside to lay down. The party was starting to die down and you didn’t want to give Toji a chance to speak to you privately.

And there you went. Stomping off into the house with an attitude. He shouldn’t have said that shit about your schooling. He shouldn’t have really said anything at all to you, but the words were coming out before he could shut his stupid mouth. (Was it fair to believe that you were swaying your hips as you walked inside?)

"Alright man, I’ve got a job later so I’ve gotta’ get back to the house. I’ll catch you later, though!” He exclaims, desperate to leave.

Well, leave the backyard at least.

Toji walks to the car and puts it in gear, backing out of the driveway slowly. He couldn’t leave his car there as he already felt like your dad was becoming suspicious. There was an abandoned warehouse at the end of your road that would be a perfect spot to park.

Not wanting to intrude further, he sends you a text message, hoping it delivers.

‘Hey, y/n. Can we talk?’

Short and simple. But it still says undelivered. Which leaves him no choice, unfortunately.

He grabs your bag of things and parks the car. The sun was nearly set now, which made this insane idea a little easier to pull off.

He walks down the road, careful not to alert anyone from the party. Thankfully, most of the guests had left or were still talking, so there were no strange passerbys on the road.

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

You lay into your bed with a huff, frustrated at how the past hour or so had went. Why couldn’t Toji just keep his mouth shut? And why would he act like he cares if you have a boyfriend or not? Per usual, you put in one of your headphones to drown out the persistent thoughts of him.

And that’s when you hear it, faintly. A *tap tap* at your window. Which was located on the second floor. Must have been a bird or something, right?

Until it continues.

*tap tap* *tap tap tap*

Although you were creeped out, you had to investigate. It might have even been a rogue branch.

You pull open the curtains to find none other than Toji, peering into the sliding balcony door. It takes everything in you not to close the curtains, but you had something to ask him.

You barely slide open the door to leave just enough room for your voice to travel through.

“How the fuck did you get up here?” You asked in a shrill whisper. There was no ladder, no fancy magical hanging vines, nothing. Just the balcony and the ground one story below.

“I climbed,” he admits, and you swear you see a pink hue cover his cheeks, even in the dim light from your bedroom.

Not wanting to entertain any of his antics, you reach for the handle on the door. Until he stops you with his hand on yours. You hated admitting that you didn’t mind feeling his warm, rough hands on yours again.

“Look, I have some of your stuff to give you. I can just leave it here, i-if you want. But I need to talk to you," was that the best he could come up with. Really? He felt like such a fucking loser. Nothing more than a groveling dog at the doorstep of a kind face that left food out once in a while. But he had to get an explanation from you.

There was a beat. You were nervous about talking to him. Although you felt like you had self-control, he somehow managed to be in your bed with you in the first place, against all your better judgement. But you also felt a knot in your stomach. You did miss him at least a little bit, and you have been trying to reconcile with leaving on the spot like you did. It left you feeling guilty, although you kept telling yourself it was for the better.

Fuck it.

You slide open the glass and the screen door and take a step onto the balcony. You closed the glass almost entirely, and left the screen door closed so you could hear inside the house.

You take a seat on the hardwood, motioning for Toji to take a seat as well. You knew you’d be here for a while, explaining your motives and whatnot, and standing was not on your mind at the moment.

He grunts as he sits down, placing the black plastic bag in front of him. He scoots it towards you, mentioning something about shoes in a sheepish tone. You grab the bag and low and behold, your shoes from your night in the club were there. It sent a wave of memories through your mind but you tried your best to ignore them, for now.

The only noise to be heard was the crickets chirping and the occasional car driving by.

“Wanna smoke?” You ask, not knowing how to proceed. It may be stupid, but you felt like your nerves were getting out of control, being so close to him again. You two were in each other’s space for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. He’s made you nervous ever since that first night in the kitchen, and you failed to realize the power he still held over you, even though he seemed to want you to take the lead now, which was unusual for him.

“Sure, it couldn’t hurt. I can’t have much, ‘gotta drive home afterwards. Thank you.” He said, choosing his words carefully. He was not an overly considerate person, and the words “please” and “thank you” were not often in his vocabulary. But this was different.

As you start to roll up, Toji interjects.

“Can I start? The t-talk, I mean. I just have some stuff I need to say.”

You answer with a nod of your head as he continues.

“Look, I know I left right after… well after everything. The job paid well and I wanted to use it to take you out again, or something. I know I should have just cancelled it anyways, and… I-I’m sorry for that. But then I get back and you’re gone? I couldn’t find a note and I guess you blocked me. I was so scared something had happened to you. I figured it was something I did, but I need to know why you left.”

It was as simple as that. Even though he was not much of a smooth talker outside of the bedroom, that was the best he could manage.

You light the blunt and inhale deeply, processing what he just said. So he did care. All the while you’ve been reminding yourself he’s moved onto the next lucky lady that would sleep with him. You take a few more hits before passing the blunt to Toji, and having your hand that close to his again felt embarrassingly electrifying.

Although you were a seasoned stoner at this point, it had been a minute since you smoked with school keeping you busy most of the time. You felt your high set in already. It was just enough to clear your head and relax the tension in your shoulders you didn’t even realize you were holding.

“Look, Toji. I was really upset that you left after we.. did everything. I thought it was rude, especially since it was my first time, or whatever. But I just got freaked out. It’d be different if things were.. different. But they’re not. You’re my dads best friend -“

“- I know,”

You continue, “and you’re older than me, I live farther away now, you murder people for a living-“

“- I know,”

“It just all got to be too much. I had to go back to school anyways and I’m not fond of goodbyes. I didn’t think you even cared enough to look for me or reach out. It wasn’t easy for me to leave without having a proper goodbye, but I didn’t feel like I could handle it at the time. Basically, I spazzed out and left. I didn’t even say bye to my dad before-“

Yet another, “- I know,” from Toji.

“How do you know?”

He takes another small hit before passing it back to you. He feels the same embarrassing ‘electricity’ you felt earlier.

“When I got back to the house I freaked out because you were gone. I tried texting you before I even got there and it didn’t go through. Then I called when I couldn’t find you and it went straight to voicemail. I called your dad and he said that you texted him that you had to move in early or something.”

Oh. Although you’ve already confirmed it in your mind, you can tell he did actually care about your safety, even if you weren’t there to see it.

“I see. Do you have any questions or anything? I’m lost on what else to say about it. I feel bad for leaving and it’s been difficult trying to make myself feel okay for doing it. But I felt like I had no choice.”

He did have a lot of questions. Some that could be saved until later, and some that he really wanted answers to now.

“Did you leave because of me? Was the.. sex too rough or did something happen?”

“Yes and no. The sex was… well, the sex was great to put it plainly,” you say, emitting the quietest chuckle from the man opposite you, “no complaints from me. I was hurt that you left right after, but I understand that you can’t ignore all your responsibilities for someone who isn’t even your girlfriend. But I was more so stressed about the whole situation. I don’t want to do long distance and it’s something I’ve never wanted to do, and I really didn’t want my dad finding out. I didn’t want him thinking you ‘corrupted’ me or convinced me to do things I didn’t want to do. I also didn’t want him to be disappointed in me. Not that you’re disappointing. But you know what I mean, right?”

He sighs, “Yeah, I do. I am really sorry I left. I regret it more than you’ll ever be able to understand. I know it’s childish of me to ask and I probably have no right, but do you have a boyfriend?”

Wow. That question from your dad earlier did strike a cord within him apparently.

“No, I wasn’t lying,” you say, unable to stop yourself from smiling. The high was hitting both of you and you felt like you were talking to an old friend again. Maybe smoking wasn’t the best idea, after all.

“I have a friend Choso who I’ve been hanging out with, but he’s not my boyfriend or anything close. I mentioned him to my dad once like two weeks ago and he has it set in his mind that he’s my future husband. I think he just wants grandkids before he gets too old, or something.”

So you actually weren’t lying. Not that he even liked thinking about you being close to another man in any type of way.

“Okay, sorry to ask-“

“I have a question too, Toji,” you blurt out, not realizing the words were leaving your mouth before they already had.

“Shoot,” he says as he takes the blunt from you yet again.

“Why do you care?”

“About the boyfriend orrrr…”

“About all of it. Me, whether I have a boyfriend, why I left. All of it,” you respond unabashedly, genuinely curious as to what he would say.

He was surprised you were even asking. Maybe if you knew how he behaved in relationships or with women in general in the past, you’d have no doubt in your mind how much he cared for you.

“Can I answer your question with another question?” He asks. You nod yes, shooting him a confused look as you do so.

“Can I kiss you?”

@theobsidianempress @scorpiosugar @voloslobotomyservice @lostsoul526 @shhreya @placxdbaby @iminurwallsgege @slvttyplum @bluejayreadsanddreams @iheartsuya @sebastiansssmasterrr @nekodasu222 @batladss @nahmoon

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byunejoo · 1 year ago

Text

four seventeen p.m 𐦍

pairing asakura jo x fem reader

content est relationship, virgin!jo, inexperienced boyf!jo, big dick!jo, he’s kinda massive, oral (m rec), handjobs, fingering (f rec), finger sucking, kind of dom!reader but not really, virginity loss, protected and mentioned unprotected sex, condom breaking, he’s embarrassed, he lowkey has a praise kink, potential size kink, mentioned pulling out (but only barely)

word count 3.8k

notes not a request! (where are the jo requests </3) lol i told myself when i was writing this that it wouldn’t be long bc i wasn’t attracted to jo like that…..brain said “u wanna bet dani?” also this is not proofread and the ending was rushed so don’t mind any mistakes please

To say that Jo was nervous would be a major understatement.

You’d been dating Jo for a few months now and it was nothing short of wonderful. It seemed that the two of you operated on the same wavelength; you both shared the same hobbies, opinions, interests, and even your differences didn’t clash, but instead balanced each other out. It almost felt like you were made for one another.

On the other hand, though, he felt very nervous for the next step in your relationship. So far, all you have done was minimal affection—a kiss here and there, hugging and some slightly-stiff cuddling. But he’d noticed lately how much more clingy you were, how your touches lingered, kisses were longer, and your eyes wandered. He wasn’t dumb. He knew what you were thinking about.

But the issue comes when it actually gets down to it.

It’s not that Jo is a virgin by choice. Well—his own choice. There were times where he brushed off his nerves with others he was interested in, but once they had gotten his pants down, all plans fell through. In short, Jo’s dick is big. Much bigger than most people know how to handle. And instead of making him cocky and confident about his size, it did the complete opposite. He felt almost ashamed.

So, when you took initiative one afternoon, kissing him a little harder and longer than you usually do, he got nervous. He tried to keep up with kissing you back, but all he could focus on was your hand that dropped past his shoulder, sneaking further and further down his front. When he felt your fingertips brush past his belly button, he gasped and pulled back from the kiss. You, shocked from the abrupt action, pulled your hand away quickly and stared at him with wide eyes. Have you done something wrong? Did you make him uncomfortable?

“I’m sorry—,” you both started. The two of you gestured to one another to continue, awkwardly laughing.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” You shared a laugh about speaking again at the same time, but a blanket of seriousness covered the two of you after that. It was quiet and a little awkward. Neither of you wanted to be the one to break the silence after that. You watched as Jo avoided your gaze and fidgeted with his fingers. Those fingers that you often find yourself staring at as of late. Just thinking, wondering, imagining how they would feel—. “I’m sorry, I’m just a little nervous to…do anything.”

You regained your focus, letting your eyes snap back up to look at his face. His cheeks were tinted a slightly pink shade, his ears red, and although he was trying to look at you, he couldn’t stop his shifty eyes. “We don’t have to do anything, JoJo, that’s okay.”

“I want to!” If you hadn’t been staring at him so intently, you would’ve been startled by his sudden burst. “Sorry…. I-I want…to do stuff. I’m just nervous.”

Reaching a comforting hand out, you patted him on the shoulder. “Why’s that, babe? What makes you so nervous?”

Jo finally made eye contact with you. He sighed, squeezing his eyes shut to avoid your gaze yet again. He’s not sure if he could tell you while you’re looking at him like that. He doesn’t want to see the look of disappointment when he tells you “I’m a virgin.”

You snort a little, breathing out a sigh of relief. Scooting closer to him, you pressed right up against him to lean your head on his shoulder. “Thank god. I thought it was something I had done. You know I don’t care if you’re a virgin or not. We can do whatever you want, and not do whatever you don’t.”

He couldn’t deny how he hardened in his pants, thinking about finally having that moment, and with you of all people, being someone he cares about deeply. Out of the corner of your eyes, you saw the bulge in his pants, but kept your eyes trained on his face as you reached for it. You were searching for any sign of hesitation, any sign he wants you to stop. But there wasn’t one.

And when you finally placed your hand over it, Jo felt his breath catch in his throat. He wasn’t fully hard yet, but that didn’t matter. In just a matter of time, with the way your hand was now working over his pants, he would be.

“Is this okay?” You could feel the way his thighs tense beside your hand. He was still avoiding your gaze, but you could see that he was looking at where you touch him. He nods. “I want to hear you say it.”

“It-It’s o-kay.” His voice was a little shaky, but it gave you all the confirmation you needed.

You leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss on the underside of his jaw. Adding a little more pressure, you cupped your hand more firmly around him, squeezing occasionally. His cock hardened, becoming more solid in your grasp. He gasped, taking shallow breaths as you kissed along his jaw and neck while you moved your hand. “Can I take your pants off?”

Your fingers slipped under his waistband when he said yes, hooking around his pants and underwear, pulling them both down to his thigh. His—now fully hard—cock sprung up, hitting against his stomach with a soft thud. Heat rushed from his chest all the way up to his forehead, and you couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. He groaned, reaching for his half-discarded pants. But you pushed his hands away and pinned his wrists to his side. He stares at you with wide eyes, waiting for your next move. Were you going to laugh at him? Humiliate him and tell him he was too big to do anything with, like everyone else?

No, you didn’t do any of that. “Is this what you were worried about, puppy?” He almost sighed at the petname. “Were you worried that your big dick would scare me away?” He nodded. You couldn’t help but let out another laugh. Not because you were laughing at him, nor making fun of him, but you can’t believe that all this time it was only because of something he has no control over.

“Please don’t laugh at me.”

You coo. “I’m not laughing at you. I think it’s cute that you were worried about this. But I promise it doesn’t scare me. Actually, it’s kind of arousing.” As you spoke, you smoothed over the skin of his thighs, hoping to make him less tense. “I’ll only do what you allow me to do. Can I touch you?”

“Yes. I want you to touch me, please.”

As you move to straddle his legs, Jo feels the bed shift under the movement of your knees, much like the way his stomach turns and dips at the realization that it’s happening. You are about to touch him, you’re going to make him cum, being the first person other than himself to do so. Your steady hands reach out, and after what feels like centuries, you finally wrap them around his cock. Two of your hands don’t even cover him completely from base to the tip. You give him a few experimental, dry pumps first before removing one hand. Spitting into the palm of it, you then used it to lubricate the glide of your hands on his length.

It felt much different having your hands on him versus his own. Your touch, although firm, was a lot softer. Gentler. You moved your hands a lot more slowly, familiarizing yourself with the heavy feeling of him in your hands. Feeling every inch of him, every little vein, and embedding that feeling into your mind. Your thumb swipes over his tip, dragging little beads of precum down, making every tug and twist of your hands on his cock even wetter and more slick. All he could do was squeeze his eyes shut and let out low moans. He could barely register when you asked if you could use your mouth, which he agreed to, of course.

The contact from your tongue had his eyes shooting open, feeling like all the air was knocked out of his lungs. He managed to let his eyes wander down, and he was met by the sight of you already looking at him, kitten licking over his tip while stroking him. Then, while he kept eye contact with you, you wrapped your lips around him. Only the tip at first. Gently suckling, hollowing your cheeks, then pulling off. After a few moments, you began to take more of him into your mouth. Just a couple of inches, little by little, until you felt you couldn’t take any more. You used one hand to follow behind your mouth so not one inch of his cock went untouched as you moved your head, bobbing up and down, back and forth. Jo could only grip the sheets beside his legs tightly, moaning and sighing. It was a feeling he’d never felt before. One that he could only think about in his dirty fantasies. The idea of someone being brave enough to pleasure him and his big dick was something he thought was too far-fetched, something he thought he’d never experience in his entire life. But here you are, sucking him off and giving him pleasure he could only dream of.

Before he realizes it, a tight feeling spreads from his flexed abdomen down to his toes, where he curls them while trying to fend off his pending orgasm. He knows he can’t hold off much longer, but he selfishly wants to have your mouth around him as long as he can have it. “Ah, I-I’m gonna c-um…” His words were broken from the sounds he’d been making previously. You didn’t stop nor slow down, and instead attempted to take just a little more between your lips. One hand moved to shuffle his shirt out of the way, the other holding his length steady as you moved your focus to rolling your tongue over and suckling what you have stuffed in your mouth. His thighs tensed and shook lightly as you pushed him right over the edge, humming around him. Your tongue laps up every drop he spills, causing broken moans to rumble from his chest straight to your core. You’d pretty much tuned out your own reactions, focusing on pleasuring him for the first time, but you can’t deny how badly it had affected you.

Once you’d swallowed every drop you could, and he was twitching from overstimulation, you climbed off of Jo’s legs and sat by his side. “Was that okay?” You pressed your thighs together looking at him. His chest was heaving up and down with the deep breaths he was taking to regulate his breathing, his hair was slightly tousled from your previous kiss, and the slight sheen of sweat on his flushed cheeks looked all too good to you. Not to mention the faintest of red marks on his neck from where you’d attached your lips earlier and the way his eyes are squeezed shut. He nodded, not confident in his voice yet. Yes, it was good, he wanted to tell you. Better than I could’ve imagined.

A heavy, but comfortable, silence fell upon the both of you as you allowed Jo to catch his breath. However, you couldn't deny that his labored breathing next to you, and the desire bubbling up and finally coming to a head once you’d finally seen what you’d been longing for didn’t make you want more. But you promised, you’d only do what Jo wanted. You’d go at his pace. It wouldn’t hurt to ask, though, would it?

“Do you want to go…further?” Yet again, his breath caught in his throat at your bold question. “It’s okay if not.”

He nods, seemingly the only reaction he can manage at this point. And with a few more questions, answered with a shake or a nod of his head, you had switched positions. Now you were laying in the spot he previously had been, knees bent and pressed together as Jo sits on his heels, waiting for you to tell him what you wanted him to do. He’d never gotten this far with anyone else, either.

“Take off my shorts. Just the shorts.” You stared at him, watching him nervously lick his lips. His plump lips that you can’t wait to feel all over you—but that’s for next time. This time, you wanted the focus to be less about you, despite how his full attention was on you now. This was his first time, and you want the experience to be all about him. But you aren’t sure if you could take him without some sort of preparation first. So you watch as his trembling fingers hook around the waistband of your flimsy shorts, gently tugging them off of your skin. You lift your hips so he could pull them off easier. Then, you moved your feet once the fabric pooled around your ankles, watching as he dropped them to the side. He struggled to keep his eyes at an appropriate level, totally unsure of where he’s allowed to look. “Look at me, babe. I want you to take my panties off, and I want you to see how wet I am for you.”

Jo feels like he’s going to explode with the words you’re saying. You’re wet? For him? These words are so simple yet so new and vulgar to him, but he thinks he likes them. He wants to hear more. So he hooks his fingers around the fabric of your underwear, much like he had done with your shorts before, only this time more confidently. However, he wasn’t ready for the sight in front of him when he’d pulled them off. Naturally, his eyes followed an imaginary line from your ankles all the way down your legs, where he saw what he thinks is one of his new favorite sights. You’d spread your thighs as he slipped your panties off of your legs, and he had a clear view of your gorgeous pussy. It was so pretty, and you hadn’t lied when you said you were wet. He couldn’t help but admire how some of your arousal had leaked into the seat of your underwear, spreading across your folds that glisten now that he’d removed the clothing.

“Give me your hand.” You reached out for him, and without much thought, he placed his large hand in your own. One by one, you curled his fingers down until he had just his pointer finger standing. Then, you guided his hand between your legs. You helped him slide his finger through your slick arousal, wetting his finger and dragging it back up to your clit. “You feel that? All for you.” After that, you let go of his wrist and let him feel for himself.

He timidly ran his finger through your slit like you’d done, then stopped at your entrance. His fingertip breached the opening, being met with little resistance. Inch by inch, little by little, he pushes his finger into you slowly. Pulling it out, pushing back in, he sets an inexperienced, slow pace. Jo was fascinated with watching his finger disappear inside you. “More. Another one, please.” You breathed out. He hadn’t even noticed any of the sounds you were making before. But he obliged and added a second finger beside his first one. The feeling was new to him, having you squeeze around his fingers each time he thrust them in. And every moan and shaky breath you let out was something he could get used to. “Oh, Jo, your fingers are so good. Doing so well.” Every praise sent a shock through his body, and in turn caused him to fuck his fingers into you just a little faster. Twisting his wrist, curling his fingertips—anything to get you to make those noises again.

Suddenly, your hand shoots down to grasp at his wrist. He freezes in shock, halting all movement. “Mm, don’t stop, please. Almost there.” With barely enough time to register the words that slipped past your lips, Jo watches as you begin to grind yourself on his fingers. Whines, whimpers, gasps, all noises floating through the air make him twitch, already getting hard again. You’re fully fucking yourself on his fingers now, taking charge and pushing yourself closer to orgasm. And when your thighs start to tremble and your hips jerk, Jo finally snaps out of his trance and begins to move his fingers. He curls them and drags them against your walls, feeling you clench down on them. His thumb brushes against the spot you showed him earlier, your clit, and starts rubbing gentle circles on it. Your hips jerked, stomach caving in with the pleasure. A few swears mixed with broken moans ripped through your throat at the added sensation, riding out your high until you lightly twitched with overwhelming sensitivity.

He pulled his fingers out of you, covered and soaked by your slick release. Staring, he’s a little uncertain of what to do now; does he wipe them off? What is he supposed to do now that they’re sticky and covered in you? Luckily, he didn’t have to think much before you sat up on weak arms to take his fingers into your mouth. Your tongue swipes up, down, and between his two fingers, licking him clean of any trace of arousal left behind. His mouth drops open in shock watching you, eyes following your every move closely. You hum around his fingers and pull off with a lewd pop sound. He couldn’t deny that he was hard again, mind racing with thoughts as you stare at him with eyes clouded by lust.

“Can-Can we…keep going?” He’s the one to ask this time. It was obvious that he was nervous from the shakiness in his voice, but you confidently nodded.

You rolled over to your side, stretching to reach your bedside table and pulling open the drawer on it. Reaching in, you fished around before pulling your hand back out with a shiny foil packet. “Have you ever put a condom on before?” He shook his head no and you beckoned him closer. Sitting up, you watch as he awkwardly shuffles his way to you, hard cock pathetically bobbing with each movement. “Watch me do it.”

With a firm grip, you held the base of his cock steady. You pinched the very end of the condom with one hand, and slowly started to roll it down his length with the other. It was a bit hard to do, but you managed to completely unroll it. The entire time, Jo’s eyes were trained on the work your hands were doing, trying to etch it into his memory for later use.

“It’s a bit tight.” He almost chokes on air at your words. “The condom, I mean. Does it feel alright? It doesn’t hurt, does it?” Jo looks at where you’re staring, and he sees the condom stretched tightly around his girth. He shakes his head no again, and you lay back, allowing him to continue.

He shuffles between your spread legs and tries to line himself up. When you realize that he’s just a little bit too shaky, you grab his wrist. “Jo. Are you sure you want to do this? You seem really nervous.”

He nods. You shake your head, urging him to use his words. “I’m…okay. I want to…do this. Please.”

“Okay. Okay. Take your time, babe.” You leaned back, relaxed. “There’s no rush.”

To Jo, it felt like an eternity before he was able to calm down enough to do anything. He was nervous, and excited. It was finally happening; he’d finally lose his virginity if he could just—. He presses his tip into you. The stretch was a lot, almost too much, but your slick wetness and the extra lubrication on the condom made the glide easier. Coupled with the fact that Jo was taking his time — he was pressing into you so slowly that if you couldn’t feel how he was stretching you out, you wouldn’t believe he was moving at all.

Jo braced himself on his hands beside your body. He slowly pushed his length into you until you couldn’t take any more. The two of you let out shaky breaths in unison, adjusting to the feeling. Of you being so full and of him being squeezed so tightly.

It was unlike any time he touched himself. For a while, he’d wrap his large fist around his equally long and thick cock, dreaming about this moment. He knew it would feel different. He just didn’t know it would feel this different. Having your gummy walls stretched and squeezing so tightly around him had his head spinning, and before he knew it, he was absentmindedly rutting his hips into you, trying to pathetically bury himself deeper inside you.

You gasped, grasping his shoulders, lightly digging your fingernails in. “Oh, Jo.” Small moans floated through the room. “You’re doing so good.”

He sits up on his knees to better drive his hips into yours, slightly jolting your body with every thrust. He, too, was letting out small noises of pleasure, trying to focus on what he was doing so it was pleasurable for both of you. But all of a sudden, he stops.

It took everything in you to not whine. Instead, you kept your composure. Maybe he didn’t want to continue anymore? This is a lot to take in, going from completely inexperienced to having your first everything in one night. You glided your hands down from his shoulders to his bicep, all the way down to his wrists to squeeze comfortingly. “Are you okay, Jo?”

He nods, shakes his head, then nods again. “I-Um. I’m…fine. It’s just,” you gently encourage him to speak. “I think…I think it broke.”

“The condom?” He nods. “Pull out. Pull out and let me see.” It took some urging, but he did eventually, hesitantly, pull out. And he was right — the condom had split and now had to be discarded. Jo had a pout on his face as he watched you gently pull off the ripped condom and toss it aside. He was fully prepared for you to tell him you can’t continue, and he accepted that. But you didn’t.

He lets out a confused noise. “We can keep going if you want.” You repeat. “Just let me know when you’re going to finish so you can pull out, okay?”

The feeling of being inside you without that extra barrier is so mind numbing that he almost doesn’t pull out. Almost.

#&team smut #&team hard hours #&team hard thoughts #&audition smut #&audition hard hours #&audition hard thoughts #asakura jo smut #jo smut #&team jo smut

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skania · 8 months ago

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AquaKane & OnK 148

Ohhhhh boy. I thought we would have to wait until July to get back to Aqua and Akane, so this chapter blindsided me lol

I know that the most on-the-nose reading of this chapter is that Aka is preparing to pull the classic romcom trope where the love interest gives up on the MC only so the rest of the cast can reassure her that she is the one who makes the MC happy, etc. etc. Considering that this is happening two chapters after Aqua told Kana that he has fun with her, it's like Aka is leading us all to believe that's where it's going. It's all very tropey and in-your-face and perfectly on brand with the way Aka has always written that particular ship.

So instead of talking about the obvious, I'd like to indulge my hopes for good writing and discuss the possibility of Aka actually subverting those tropes by playing this straight, regardless of how likely or unlikely it may be. Because if he does, then all of the stuff I've always loved about Aqua and Akane may just end up meaning something.

This is the possibility I'm rooting for against all odds after all, so I figure that I may as well go down throwing my ship the hurrahs it deserves while I can still do so lol

So buckle up because this is going to be long!

This chapter is a wild ride because it touches upon a lot of different things at once.

First, Aqua supposedly didn't want to be involved with Akane any longer in order to keep her safe.

However, when Akane announced that she would stop his plans — in other words, that she would stay involved in his life — Aqua looked giddy.

Look at him. When Aka allows him to actually emote and be an actual character, Aqua can be so funny!

True to form, in this chapter we see Akane come up to him and Aqua just... welcome her. In fact, he even asks her if she feels awkward around him. Instead of acting like they never dated (which is exactly what Akane has been doing, mind you), he himself brings their former relationship to the forefront.

There's a pause splitting his question in two, meaning that this is something Aqua hesitates to ask. Almost like he is scared of the reply. Or like he may be feeling a little awkward himself.

Which is no surprise, because that is how Aka himself presents their current era. Akane isn't just Akane and she isn't just a friend; she is Aqua's ex girlfriend, a title that never fails to bring attention to the fact that they used to be romantically involved.

From colleagues, to a fake couple, to partners, to a real couple and now they're in their Exes era. I've been waiting for Aka to explore all the tension and complexity that should bring, but he's been kind of busy off-paneling most things Aqua. Alas!

When I commented on Chapter 131, I mentioned that (to me) it feels like after Chapter 116, Akane found something to focus on. She isn't thinking about her relationship with Aqua, the only thing she has in mind is Aqua. Keeping him safe, helping him achieve happiness.

Even here during this chapter, she goes to him to ease his loneliness and remind him that he has people worth living for and that he deserves to be happy, but... nothing she says includes her. It's all about Aqua and the others, the others and Aqua.

I don't think it's a coincidence that Akane walks away from him with her eyes closed. Her mind is consumed with thoughts about wanting Aqua to be happy, and so she doesn't even notice the way he turns to look at her retreating back.

Until Kana shines her proverbial light on her, making Akane open her eyes.

The way the chapter is structured, it's like Kana is there to give Akane the answer — the missing piece to solve the Aqua Happiness Conundrum™ that Akane is so focused on. It's easy to think that the answer is predictably Kana herself, but since I'm here for Aqua and Akane, I'd like to believe the answer can be just as Kana says.

After all, who is prominently featured in what Aqua considers to be his happy days?

Kana's words are abrupt, yes, but the silver lining is that they reflect what Aqua himself has already told us.

Akane is front and center in what Aqua has come to know as happiness.

One may wonder: How TF does Kana know that though?? And it's a fair question that I'll talk about in a little bit, but maybe what matters most is that she knows it at all.

In a way, it feels almost like meta commentary. Like the story has finally reached the point where Aka can afford to go back to Aqua and Akane, and so he is getting ready to reap all the seeds he sowed during the previous arcs fingers crossed.

And this is the very first one of those seeds: Aqua was happy with Akane, but Akane never let herself think that she played an instrumental part in his happiness. She seems to think that it was just being freed from his revenge.

I'd even argue this right here was the true reason of their downfall. It wasn't Aqua finding out about the loophole and Akane not coming clean, it was the reason why she didn't come clean.

Aqua's happiness mattered so much to her that Akane failed to consider that risking her life for him was the last thing Aqua wanted.

So when I read the leaks and Kana's comment, my kneejerk reaction was to think Finally! because this could be setting in motion something I've been waiting for all along.

For Aqua and Akane to revisit their dynamic, their relationship, and come clean about what they mean to each other — wherever that may lead them.

Now, going back to Kana and that earlier question of how does she know? Perhaps she saw something we haven't been privy to (in classic Aka fashion). Or maybe it's as simple as Kana finally realizing that Aqua is deeply unwell, and knowing that the last time she saw him happy was back when he was dating Akane.

Considering the information Kana has and — especially — all the information she lacks, it's not far-fetched for her to come to the conclusion that Aqua's state is partly to blame on his break-up with Akane.

Once again, it would be easy for Aka to say that Kana got it wrong because she doesn't know anything about Aqua's revenge. But wouldn't it be ironic if Kana's lack of insight into that particular side of Aqua is what allows her to see something so simple that the very parties involved are missing it?

Regardless of the road she took to get there, I'd like to think the manga has given us enough reasons to believe Kana is not quite wrong.

After all, Aqua didn't get his black stars when he found out that his father was alive. It wasn't finding out about his father's identity that did it, either.

It was turning his back on Akane and on the naive thoughts of being happy in order to walk down the Revenge Road, on a chapter aptly titled "Going Astray", that gave Aqua his two black stars.

If that was the chapter where Aqua stepped away from the "correct path", so to speak, then it stands to reason to believe that Akane may be front and center in the path Aqua is meant to take.

Coincidentally, this was the last interaction Aqua and Akane were allowed to have before this chapter.

Another thing I find very important in c148 is the way Kana words her realization. Kana isn't telling all of this to Akane as an observer. She's saying it as someone who likes Aqua romantically.

This is in contrast to Akane and Aqua, who are two hot messes when it comes to identifying the nature of their own feelings.

Throughout the entire manga, we've never seen Akane put a label on the way she feels about Aqua. We've seen her realize why she feels the way she does, but we haven't seen her say what she feels, even though Aqua himself has questioned it.

Closest we got was this, and they broke up a chapter later.

Aqua has unexpectedly been more open than Akane in that regard, but... once again, they broke up literally one chapter after Aqua was at his most candid.

And considering everything that happened before and after that, I'm not sure if Akane actually got the message.

But before I get to that, there is an important difference in the way Akane was thinking of Aqua's happiness back then and the way she's thinking about it now.

Chapter 97 was even titled Together. Akane wanted to make Aqua happy, yes, and she also wanted to be together with him always. Just like Aqua wanted them to, according to his own admission: "I don't want to let go of these days... when you're by my side."

But all of that is missing in this most recent chapter. She no longer includes herself as part of the equation at all.

It truly feels like Akane is back to completely underestimating how much she means to Aqua.

Back when Aqua told her this:

Akane reacted like this:

And what is her reaction to Kana's words this chapter?

Every single time, Akane is taken aback by the thought of meaning more to Aqua than she thinks. Every. Single. Time.

This is sad and a little frustrating, but it's far from surprising. After all, this is how Akane has always interpreted their relationship:

As far as Akane is concerned, their relationship was a lie that was turning into truth little by little. She never dared to hope that he loved her back; hell, she even thought that he was attracted to Kana and wondered why he decided to date her instead.

To make matters worse, in Chapter 98, Aqua deliberately set the stage so that Akane's trust in him — the very basis of their relationship — would be broken.

So while Akane realizes that Aqua doesn't want to use her, she may have explained that away as Aqua being his kind self rather than as Aqua harboring any kind of special feelings towards her.

Regardless of how she interpreted his actions though, it seems likely that Akane thinks that she failed him.

She couldn't save him as his girlfriend and Aqua told her he would have nothing to do with her anymore, and so Akane is now trying to save him as something else entirely. Not even as a friend, because she hardly interacts with him at all.

She's trying to save him while staying away just like he wanted her to. While only stepping in when she deems it appropriate and/or necessary.

But is that really and truly what Aqua wants?

Most importantly, is that what Aqua needs?

This chapter suggests that may not be the case, and the rest of the manga agrees. Staying away is not how Akane saved Aqua little by little. This is how she did it:

That's why the way Kana worded her realization is important. It isn't only that Kana — the very girl Akane thought Aqua was attracted to — is bringing romance to the forefront and thus setting the stage for the nature of Akane's (and Aqua's) feelings to be finally cleared up.

It's also that Kana is showing Akane that it's possible to own her feelings while being selfless about his happiness.

After all, the ball right now is in Akane's court. In the state he is now, Aqua would never ever allow himself to chase his own happiness. Even when he thought he was free to do so, he felt that Akane deserved better than to be held back by him.

So all in all, it's like with this chapter alone Aka has laid the groundwork to address all the AquaKane elephants in the room. Just in time for the very season that will be showing AquaKane in all its glory to all the anime-only watchers, at that.

In each of the last arcs, Aqua has reconciled with someone important to him. Kana and Ruby are fully back in his life now, yet he isn't doing any better. Maybe it's finally Akane's turn to try again.

So yes, Kana's change of heart is so abrupt that it may be a red herring leading to a very predictable end.

But since I've made it this far, I may as well keep hoping for the opposite to be true: maybe, just maybe, Aka is planning to tie all of this together and lead it to a satisfying conclusion. I can only hope that is the case, because it's where I feel that the writing is at its best.

Besides, if "giving up on Aqua" and "turning his black star white" are so-called "winning flags", well... Akane did both of those first 😂

#akane kurokawa #aqua hoshino #aquakane #aquaka #my aquakane meta #I was half-tempted to wait until next week because for all I know Aka is going to shoot all of this down in record time #but as I always say: if I've been reading for this long I may as well go down clowning lmao #aka can do whatever he wants but this is the way I'd personally like the manga to go and I'm sticking by it #bring it on aka #I've got both my celebratory and my clown gifs so I'm ready for both outcomes #one thing I forgot to mention is that aqua adresses akane by her first name in this chapter #but that's a post for another time

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starwarsmum · 3 months ago

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My last installment of Sibling! Cassinette for this year's Maribat BioFamily September is for Day 25: Afraid of Heights @maribat-calendar-events

Jason hadn't expected to arrive in Paris to a parade, but that's exactly what happened. When they got out of the car, fresh off the plane, people were dancing and screaming with joy in the streets. There were quite a few people openly weeping as well, an unnerving sight although most people just cheered when they passed these groups.

He was even more surprised to spot Robin lurking atop a building, apparently watching the procession. Ladybug was swooping in from the other side of the street and the cheers reached a near deafening level. Ladybug waved enthusiastically before motioning for everyone to quiet down.

“Thank you, everyone! I'm sure you are all every bit as relieved as I am that the threat of Hawkmoth is gone,” she said, her voice brimming with emotions. “I made a promise to do everything in my power to keep you safe, and I meant it. Even now, with Hawkmoth defeated, I intend to keep that promise to you. You may not see me patrolling as regularly, you may think I have gone quietly into the night, but I will be here whenever you need me.”

The crowd cheered again, several people screaming their love for the spotted heroine and she beamed out at them. Jason was impressed at the way she handled the crowd, watching as she launched herself away towards the Eiffel Tower. He watched her all the way out of sight but most people just returned to partying in the streets.

“Come on, we should go get the debrief with Dick and the others,” Steph said, grabbing the back of Barbara's wheelchair for something to do. Jason nodded, dumbfounded, and followed after the pair. Cass was due to arrive the following morning, so the three of them were planning on interrogating Damian about Hawkmoth's defeat.

Back at the suite the three had been staying in for the past month, Tim and Dick seemed just as nonplussed by the abrupt end to their investigation. They stood arguing about whether the other had done something given that no public arrest had been made.

After several minutes, Damian arrived with his new little friend and the arguments cut mid sentence. The girl was beaming and giggling with the little Demon, and Jason was unnerved to see him smiling back at her.

“Bonjour!” Marinette trilled, her eyes bright. “It's a beautiful day, non? Ah, it's so nice not to worry about feeling angry that I couldn't if I tried! It's a pleasure to meet you, by the way. I'm Marinette.”

“Jesus, you're a veritable ray of sunshine,” Jason said, awe obvious in his voice. “How in the hell did Demon Spawn get you to agree to spend time with him, let alone date him? Especially since it seems like you have the option to date a model?”

“God, Jaybird, take it easy,” Dick said, appalled. Tim muttered something that probably agreed with Jason, but didn't press it. Dick turned apologetically to a blushing Marinette. “Sorry about Jason, he has a condition that means his brain doesn't connect to his mouth.”

“Oh, um, it's fine,” Marinette squeaked, the sound muffled by the fingers across her face. “I'm just not used to people talking about us dating yet. You'd think I'd be used to it with all of my classmates giving me a hard time over it but no.”

“They don't approve of Damian?” Steph said, raising her eyebrows. Jason agreed; even though Damian was a little brat he was still a Wayne and most people tended to see that first and his personality second.

“Oh, no, they think he's way out of my league,” Marinette said, waving her hands. “Which I can't argue with, but that's not the point. What with the two different articles, it's been a hot piece of gossip at school. Plus, I did have a crush on Adrien, a lot of them hadn't realised I was over it a while ago.”

“Tt, he was unworthy at any rate. If he was incompetent enough that he did not notice or return your feelings then you are better off without him. And your friends have it entirely backwards, you are the one out of my league. But I shall do my utmost to be worthy of your affections.”

“Holy shit, since when is Demon Spawn smooth?” Jason demanded, glaring at Dick. The older man looked like Christmas had come early, a happy fluttering happening in the region of his hands. “You've been training him, haven't you,” Jason accused.

“No, there were no puns involved so it can't have been Dick,” Barbara said, amused. Marinette let out a groan, now burying her head in her hands. “Oh, not a fan of puns? Wow, Dames, she's literally perfect. How did you trick her into dating you?”

“There was no trickery,” Damian growled, and Marinette looked over at him, still blushing. The others watched as she took hold of his hand and his glare lessened. “Tt, regardless, we came in here to discuss whether you would like to join us for a celebration at the funfair?”

“You, Mr allergic-to-fun, want to go and spend time at a funfair?” Jason said, nonplussed. Really, he had known that something fundamental had changed with the brat, but this was beyond what he could have imagined.

“Tt, it is not as though I am afraid of heights, it could be quite thrilling to face the likes of rollercoasters,” Damian retorted, rolling his eyes for Marinette's benefit. “Besides which, I am lead to believe that it is more about who you spend your time with, as opposed to what you spend your time doing.”

Marinette gave a bright laugh and pulled Damian out of the suite, calling back for the others to follow if they chose. They all trooped down to the lobby, Marinette walking hand in hand with Damian. They were pulled up short when someone shouted across the lobby.

“Dupain-Cheng, who gave you permission to bring your poor baker girl butt into my hotel?” A blonde girl with a sneer flounced over to Marinette. She seemed to expect her to cower, or apologise but Marinette merely raised an eyebrow.

“I don't know, Chloé, who gave you permission to look and act like a total troll?” She said sweetly, and Jason choked back a laugh. Tim, being the sleep deprived gremlin he was, gave a giggle. Chloé shot both of them poisonous looks before turning back to Marinette.

“You think you're so smart, just because you managed to get your name in a couple of half rate rags? Please, you're only famous this week and by next week you'll be back in the gutter where you belong.”

“I'd ask if you hit your head, but I'm pretty sure you're lacking the necessary organs to get brain damage,” Marinette shot back, sounding bored. This time even Dick was suppressing laughter, and Steph was shaking with silent giggles. “Listen, Chloé, as…fun…as this is, I have plans. So maybe go sort out your hair - which looks ridiculous by the way, utterly ridiculous - and change into something other than yellow and see if it improves your mood. God knows that I feel better when I don't look like shit.”

“You- how dare you, you insignificant little twerp! And you,” she screeched, rounding on Damian's family with an evil glare. “Do you know who I am?”

“Don't tell me you forgot that too,” Marinette said in mock horror, an exaggerated look of concern on her face. It morphed into a look of smug defiance a moment later. “Seriously, Chloé, go crawl back under whatever rock you were hiding under before. I've said it before but I'll say it again for the dimwitted among us: I am done with your nonsense. Now beat it.”

The blonde girl stomped her foot in frustration before storming off. The Batfamily eventually managed to control their giggles and turned back to Marinette. Jason decided he would be the one to break the silence.

“Okay, I see it now. Welcome to the family, Marinette!”

#maribat #damian x marinette #damianette #dc x mlb #maribat biofam sept #mlb x dc #fanfic #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #sibling!cassinette #daminette fanfic #daminette #fluff

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lunafreya24 · 5 months ago

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Modern au: When the Storm Breaks

Pairings: Jacaerys Targaryen/Cregan Stark, Rhaenyra Targaryen/Harwin Strong, Rhaenys Targaryen/Corlys Velaryon

Cregan and Jace have been married for a couple years when tragedy strikes. Jace's brother, Luke, is killed in a car accident. From the moment they got the news, Jace barely cries. He buries himself into being strong for his family and planning Luke's funeral. Cregan stays by his side the whole time, trying his best to help. Everyone is worried Jace is carrying too much on his shoulders and that he's going to explode soon. Their fears become reality when Jace has a full-blown mental breakdown at the funeral. Jace's family and his husband rally around him. Afterwards he apologizes for making a scene. Everyone tells him that he has every right to upset and that he doesn't have to be strong all the time.

(cw: character death, graphic language, grief, unhealthy coping mechanisms)

Notes: This takes place in modern day New York. Rhaenyra and Harwin are married. Aegon III and Viserys II are Harwin's sons, but they get their looks from Rhaenyra. All the age gaps are closed in this story. Cregan and Jace are the same age, Rhaenyra and Harwin are only like 3 or 4 years apart. Laena is Rhaenyra's best friend here not Alicent, because I didn't want to touch that situation. Helaena is the only green that makes an appearance because I love her. Laenor and Daemon also aren't mentioned in this story. Do with that what you will.

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Jacaerys Targaryen and Cregan Stark had built a life together that was rooted in love, trust, and mutual support. They met in college, when Jace was getting his MBA and Cregan was getting a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Until then, neither of them had believed in love at first sight, but in that moment, love was the only thing that came to mind. They dated all throughout college, receiving their respective degrees with honors. Jace’s parents, Rhaenyra and Harwin, threw a grand graduation party at their home. However, Jace was the only one unaware that this party was also an engagement party. Once everyone important to them had arrived, Cregan got down on one knee and asked Jace to make him the happiest man in the world. Jace accepted with tears in his eyes. Their wedding was a sight to behold, a perfect blend of extravagance and sentiment. They vowed to be there for each other for every moment of their lives, no matter how painful. After four years of marriage, they had faced their share of challenges, but none had been as shattering as the phone call that came one quiet evening.

Jace was in the kitchen, preparing dinner, while Cregan relaxed on the couch, engrossed in a book. The shrill ring of Jace's phone broke the silence. It was from Baela, Jace's favorite cousin. Jace and Baela were very close, but they hadn’t spoken in a while, feeling they didn’t have much to share with each other. When she called out of nowhere, Jace thought she had something exciting to tell him.

“Hey Baela, how are you?” He answered cheerfully.

“Hi Jace.” Baela said, her voice shaking, barely above whisper.

“Is everything okay?” There was silence on the other end.

Cregan could sense the tension and looked from his book. “Who’s that baby?”

Jace moved the food off the stove and walked over. “It’s Baela,” he whispered.

“Is that Cregan?” She asked in an abrupt manner.

“Yeah.” Jace said.

“Can you put the phone on speaker, you both need to hear this.”

Jace did as he was asked, placing his phone on the coffee table, “Okay, Baela what going on, you’re kind of scaring me now.”

Baela took a deep breath before continuing, "Jace, it's about Luke.”

“What about Luke?” Jace asked, fear washing over him.

They could hear Baela start to cry on the other end, “There…There’s been….. an accident. I’m so sorry Jace. He's... he's gone."

Jace’s breath hitched. He and his husband sat there frozen, Baela’s soft cries coming from below them.

“What? What happened?” Jace questioned. The room seemed to close in around them as the reality of the situation sunk in.

“He… he was driving home for a visit when .... a truck sideswiped him. He hit a wall and…. first responders couldn’t get to him in time.”

Jace could hear Baela talking to them. He could feel his husband grab his hand. But all of that seemed to fade away with the thoughts whirling through his mind.

"I'm so sorry, Jace," Cregan whispered, his heart aching for his husband.

Jace sat frozen once again, his eyes were unfocused. He didn't cry, didn't scream. He just nodded and took a deep breath.

"What about my parents? Do they know yet?"

“We’re at their house right now. My mom was with yours when she got the call. They didn’t know how to tell you so I offered to do it. They’re…. heartbroken, but we’re here to help them.”

“Thank you.” Jace muttered.

“That goes for you too, if you need anything, please come to us Jace.”

“Okay. Goodbye Baela.”

“Bye.”

Crega pulled Jace into a tight hold. “I’m so sorry baby.” He offered. But Jace shifted in his arms, pulling back. He looked as if he were in some sort of trance.

“I need to get home.” He announced. “My family needs me.”

The days that followed were a blur of grief and responsibility. From the moment they got the news, Jace seemed to switch into autopilot. He threw himself into planning Luke's funeral, his focus solely on being the pillar of strength his family needed. He promised his parents that they didn’t have to worry about anything while he was there. He coordinated with funeral directors, arranged flowers, and meticulously chose every detail, ensuring that his brother would be honored in the best way possible.

Cregan watched his husband with growing concern. Jace was handling everything with a stoic determination that bordered on obsessiveness. He knew Jace was hurting, but he seemed unwilling or unable to express his grief. Every time Cregan tried to talk to him about it, Jace would deflect, insisting that there was too much to do.

"Jace, honey, you need to slow down and let yourself grieve, let yourself feel something," Cregan urged one evening, gently touching his arm. "It's okay to cry, to be upset."

Jace shook his head, his expression resolute. "I don't have time for that, Cregan. My family needs me." That phrase had become Jace’s mantra over the last week. At night, he would lie awake, staring at the ceiling, while Cregan held him, hoping that the physical closeness would provide some sort of comfort.

Jace's family was just as worried. At first, Rhaenyra was eternally grateful for her son's strength at this terrible time. But she quickly realized what was happening to her son, her whole body flooded with guilt. She and Harwin both expressed their concerns to Cregan privately. "He's carrying too much," Rhaenyra said one evening, her voice thick with worry. "I'm afraid he's going to break."

The day of the funeral arrived, a gray, overcast morning that seemed to mirror the heavy hearts of all who gathered. Jace was impeccably dressed in a black suit, his expression set in a mask of calm control. Cregan stood by his side, offering silent support.

The service was beautiful and heart-wrenching. Friends and family spoke of Luke's kindness, his bright smile, and the joy he brought to their lives. Jace delivered the eulogy with a steady voice, recounting fond memories and expressing the depth of his love for his younger brother. When he finished, sobs and sniffles could be heard throughout the whole church, but Jace’s face still didn’t falter.

As the service drew to a close, Jace stood by the casket, greeting mourners and accepting their condolences. He was the picture of strength and composure, but Cregan could see the cracks beneath the surface. Each handshake, each hug seemed to chip away at the veneer of control Jace had built around himself.

When everyone proceeded to the burial site, Luke's body was placed over the area where it would be buried and lay forever. As the priest gave final blessing, Jace’s frame stiffened, his breaths shallowed slightly. Cregan was at his side, sensing the shift. He grabbed his husband's hand and started rubbing small circles on his back. He had seen this coming from the beginning. He only hoped now that he could soften the blow, if only a little bit.

It was during the final moments of the burial, as the casket was lowered into the ground, that the storm finally broke. Jace stared at the graveside, the finality of it all crashing down on him. His breathing quickened even more, and he felt a tightness in his chest that made it hard to breathe.

“No.” Jace shook his head, pleading with every higher power he could think of. “Please, no!” he whimpered, not caring about what people thought about him. The pressure inside him had built up to an unbearable level. "I can't... I can't do this," he gasped, his voice breaking. "He's gone, Cregan! No....please! He can’t be gone!"

The tears finally came then, a torrent of grief and anguish that he had held back for far too long. He lurched forward, falling to the ground, sobs wracking his body. Cregan knelt beside him, wrapping his arms around Jace, holding him as he wailed.

The mourners looked on with a mix of sympathy and understanding. Rhaenys and Corlys took it upon themselves to start herding the funeral guests toward the reception, knowing the best thing for the family was to be alone with each other right now. Rhaenyra and Harwin rushed to Jace's side, their own tears falling freely as they tried to comfort their son. For the first time since the accident, Jace allowed himself to truly feel the depth of his loss. Jace clung to Cregan, his cries growing softer, his screams turning into broken whispers, “Come back…. Luke I’m sorry…. Please come back.”

The four of them sat like that for a while. Everyone else had gone, Laena had taken Jace’s other brothers to the reception, giving them time to just worry about Jace. Thirty minutes felt like a lifetime. Jace felt like he had cried away all the tears he had left, a terrible headache was brewing in the back of his skull. He picked up his head and looked around, realizing they were alone. “We should go to the reception now. They’re probably waiting for us.” He groaned, rubbing his burning eyes.

Rhaenyra cupped her son's face gently, "Jace, you don't have to go. Everyone will understand."

Harwin nodded in agreement, "We're all hurting, son. And you’ve already done so much. If you just want to go home, it’s alright.”

Jace looked to his husband for the answer. Cregan looked at him lovingly, saying, “I’ll do whatever you want, baby.”

Jace thought for a moment, “I think we should go.” He decided.

“Are you sure?” Cregan asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

The reception was a blur for Jace. He felt exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Many people came to him again, offering even more condolences and asking if he was alright. He assured everyone that he was feeling much better now, but the ache in his heart and the pounding in his head were creeping up on him again. He wondered why he even bothered coming. Just then Helaena came up to him with a gentle smile.

“Hi Jace.” She spoke softly

“Hi Helaena.”

She looked at him as if she was trying to speak a language she didn’t know. She quickly gave up on words and held her arms out to him. He took them gratefully. After a full day of words and tears, her silent comfort somehow surpassed it all. Helaena often struggled with words, but in her touch was a power no one else in that room possessed. In that moment, Jace felt all of his pain melt away. For a split second, he felt whole again. He felt the one thing that had been missing since Baela called him that night, hope. They stayed like that for a little while. Jace breathed in her soothing herbal scent, finally feeling a sense of healing take fold.

“Thank you so much Helaena.”

“For what”

“For being exactly what I need right now.”

Helaena smiled kindly and then left. Eventually everyone cleared out, leaving just the family. As they sat on the couch together, Jace struggled to come to terms with his outburst at the funeral. In hindsight, he felt embarrassed and ashamed for breaking down in front of everyone. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "I didn't mean to make a scene."

Rhaenyra held him in her arms, her eyes filled with compassion. "Jace, you have nothing to apologize for. You lost your brother, not even a month ago. You have every right to grieve. If anyone should be sorry, it’s me. I never should have let you take on all that by yourself."

Harwin nodded in agreement. "Neither of us should have, Jace. We're a family, and we should support each other. You don't always have to be strong for everyone."

Cregan held his hand, his voice gentle but firm. "You've been carrying so much, sweetheart. It's time to let others carry some of that weight with you. We're all here for you now." He pressed a feather-light kiss to Jace’s temple.

Jace looked around at his family, seeing the love and support in their eyes. He realized then that he didn't have to bear his grief alone. He didn't have to be the pillar of strength all the time. It was okay to lean on those who loved him. He felt tears come to his eyes again, but this time he let them flow freely. He grabbed on to his mother’s waist and cried slow, soft tears. Rhaenyra did the same until they both fell asleep in that position, their pain and exhaustion finally ceasing for the time being.

Harwin and Cregan shared a knowing look before carefully unraveling the two and picking them up bridal style. Harwin couldn’t help but smile as he remembered the last time he held his wife this way. She had gotten too tipsy at a party and passed out in the car on the ride home. They were so young then, before the children, before their lives had truly begun.

Cregan thought about the last time he held his husband this way. They had just gotten married. Jace was about to open the door to their apartment, when Cregan scooped him up and carried him across the threshold. It was a silly moment filled with laughter and so much love. They were still young, but Cregan knew from the moment they met, that he was going to spend the rest of his time on Earth and then some with the man sleeping in his arms.

They carried their spouses up the stairs and laid them down on their respective beds. With the softest touch they remove as much of their uncomfortable funeral attire as they could before laying down next to them. They knew in the morning the pain would hit all over again, but for now they enjoyed this moment of peace in the eye of the storm.

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aihoshiino · 7 months ago

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chapter 149 thoughts

Chapters Since The 143 Kiss Happened And Went Entirely Unacknowledged And Unaddressed Count: 6

anybody else here unironically love getting yuribaited or just me

Honestly I kind of don't know what to think about this chapter lol. As it stands I didn't really hate it - in a lot of ways, it feels like a return to the humour and emotional focus of early OnK which is something I've honestly been missing in the manga while revisiting the anime. Mengo's art toys chapter was great and getting some proper Akane focus was nice. On the other hand, transitioning into this style of writing with no cushioning after the last arc is so incredibly jarring and the Akane stuff we get here is… well, we'll put a pin in it for now and address it later.

In general "put a pin in it" feels like the right energy for this chapter. As the second chapter of a new arc it's primarily setup for the stuff we're going to be dealing with for the next however long, I think it's going to be something we can really only chew on when we have a more solid idea of what exactly it's setting up, long or short term.

Anyway…! We start off with an explanation of why Kana seemed to flip so suddenly last chapter which does patch up some of that logic a bit. I think it's a little silly that she didn't actually overhear the conversation and thus clue into the actual goings on with how close she was standing but that's basically romance misunderstandings 101 so…

Her leaping to assumptions and giving up so quick also feels a bit abrupt but tbh Kana has always been deeply insecure and quick to leap to it's so over when it comes to her feelings for Aqua. Not only that but as others have pointed out since last chapter, from Kana's outsider perspective, Aqua was at his happiest and most at peace while dating Akane and has been in a mental health spiral to the point of expressing suicidal ideation since they broke up. Obviously we, the readers, know the extenuating circumstances at place but from Kana's POV it makes perfect sense to conclude that Akane makes him happiest and is uniquely equipped to do so. It just feels clunky in execution.

On the subject of clunky… I won't lie, it really bugs me that the first really significant AKKN interaction we're getting is love triangle shit entirely centered on Aqua. One of my biggest complaints about the series post TB was the way the end of that arc set up a huge status quo change to Akane and Kana's rivalry and then kind of failed to expand on it at all and that continued to be true all the way up to the Movie Arc. I'd hoped that them both working in close proximity as actresses on the same project would give us opportunities to dig into that. We got some lip service in that regard and then swerved hard into suddenly hyperfocusing on Kana's insecurities regarding Ruby while Akane got all of zero meaningful focus during the back half of the Movie Arc even though she was one of the characters with the most potential to bring interesting things to the table.

Honestly, one of my biggest fears with Akane's declaration that she'd stop Aqua's plan was that even though the two of broken up, she would continue to orbit Aqua at the expense of being allowed an arc of her own that focused on her relationships with the wider cast. Like - even if what she says about not being romantically interested in Aqua anymore is true, she is nevertheless entirely revolving around him to a really frustrating degree. It really feels like Akasaka realized Akane would have solved everything going on in the Movie Arc and had to panic and offscreen her as a result lol.

tho akane dismissively talking about the idea of clinging onto a past lover did make me do a very mean chuckle. ouch, better hope ruby didn't overhear that one, girl!

That said, for all my complaints, I didn't hate their little talk. Yes, it contained an absolute mountain of transparent-to-the-point-of-cynical KanaKane shipbait but it was pretty gay so who's to say if it's really good or bad or not. It's also just nice to see Kana and Akane being able to have a talk that isn't entirely hostile even if I really wish it was under different circumstances, or even that we'd just seen the road they took to being able to be so civil with each other. But whatever - we're here now, I'll take what I get.

Circling back around a bit, I am intrigued by the idea of Akane framing herself as having 'moved on' from Aqua when she very clearly hasn't lol. Like I indicated up there, I don't quite think this is the case nor do I think we're supposed to uncritically accept this as being the case - it reads moreso to me that Akane is trying to convince not just Kana but also herself that she's moved on from Aqua so Kana doesn't feel like she's in Akane's way if she tries to shoot her shot. As for why… well, that's something to talk about at the end of the chapter but I do think it's interesting either way. Akane wildly overshooting in her scrabble to convince Kana it's totally just platonic and going for sonzoning Aqua was also about the most insane thing she's said in a while but her utterly panicked and deranged expression as she said it made me bust a gut laughing.

In general, the expression work this chapter was on fire and there was a ton of really funny and really cute moments - Akane's blushy pout after Kana's quasi-confession, the fish-eye lens effect on her when Kana sees her outside her door and especially her and Kana's expressions in the second to last page… jesus i lost it so bad.

I've been gushing about Mengo's panelling and expressions for the last ten or so chapters but she really is amping it up lately. It definitely feels like her art for OnK has been getting really refined during the last few volumes and while this chapter was a little whiplash-y coming off the end of the Movie Arc, I also think it's a really impressive display of Mengo's range, too. Her horror and drama chops were on full display while all that was going on but in a more lowkey chapter like this, she brings a lot of life and charm to even simple things like the little montage of everyone wrapping up their day of the beach - it's three silent, tiny panels at the bottom of the page but she crams a ton of detail and character into each one.

I also am Extremely Shrimpterested in the note this chapter ends on. Something OnK does occasionally is use genre trappings as a smokescreen for what is actually happening on page and Akane's words at the end here seem to indicate this is happening here, too. This entire chapter goes extremely hard on the romcom tropes and dynamics but the way Akane's energy totally changes once she's on her own makes me think this is intentional and a reflection of the way Akane is setting up to use Kana.

Because I do think it's undoubtable that she is setting up to use Kana. Her sudden leap to captain of the SS AquKana is not about wholeheartedly supporting two people she loves (at least not primarily) and more about her continued efforts to save Aqua from himself. Kana just happens to be a convenient pawn in making this happen.

If I'm making this sound very cynical and cold of Akane: it is! But that's why I think it's so interesting. Akane is very like Aqua in a lot of ways and seeing this tendency of his to perform cruelty and manipulation to the greater end of doing the most good (or at least in their eyes) mirrored in her is very juicy and potentially very deadly in the hands of someone as smart and perceptive as Akane.

It's also kind of telling and kind of really sad to see Akane asserting that Aqua wouldn't be able to take revenge if he had a girlfriend at his side when that certainly didn't stop him back when he and Akane were dating. It's subtle but it's consistent with just how little faith Akane seems to have ever had in Aqua's feelings for her. Kana's not the only one struggling with long term insecurities in that regard.

I also can't not address the elephant in the room that is the story setting this up while the resolution to whatever the hell is going on with Ruby is still dangling over everyone's heads. I mentioned this last chapter but it really is getting to be bizarre just how much of a nothingburger that has been turned into, not just in terms of the characters' lack of reaction to it but the way the narrative has just entirely failed to give it any weight or significance whatsoever. I can only assume that one of the other girls making a move to pursue Aqua (if it does end up happening) will kick Ruby into action and we'll get god knows what sort of resolution there but a dark and evil part of me that loves to start shit thinks that the funniest possible resolution would be for it to never come up or be referenced ever again just for the sheer frenzy of confusion and bafflement it would cause. everybody loses!!!

#oshi no ko #oshi no posting #onk spoilers #chapter reviews

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beomanamilk · 5 months ago

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·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ chalk n’ cheese!

chapter twelve - bullshit

warnings - cursing obviously, mentions drinking alcohol, mostly written chapter; 585 words

you sigh as you tuck your constantly buzzing phone into your pocket.

it seems replying to tweets about you with snarky remarks was not the best idea, as your phone has been blowing up with a mix of both prayers and death threats, all directed to you because of sick rumors.

more specifically a rumor that choi beomgyu had spread. the same choi beomgyu that you’re shamefully walking towards the front doors of your school to meet.

even before the rumors, for someone like you, dating a loser like beomgyu would have most definitely been considered social suicide.

but you suppose you’ve had enough of that now, so a little totally friendly apology hangout wouldn’t be too bad for your ego.

walking down the halls, you’ve grown used to the stares of others. you’ve grown used to the whispered insults and the crumpled, wet pieces of paper slapping you in the face, although they’re all things you thought ended in high school.

as you push the doors open and step outside, it should be hard to find beomgyu in the crowd of people talking with friends or desperately trying to escape the school, but it isn’t.

he is the only one who is still. he wears headphones around his neck and leans against a railing.

you can tell he’s nervous. his bottom lip is pressed hard between his teeth and his fingers tap nervously at his phone screen. you wonder if he’s texting heeseung.

slowly, you walk towards him, feeling yourself, too becoming nervous.

he doesn’t notice you until you’re standing right in front of him, and he looks up at you with scarily cute puppy eyes, so cute that you have to stop your eyes from widening in shock.

you look down and kick at a rock to distract yourself, mumbling a short, “hi.”

beomgyu suddenly stands up from the railing, and you glance up to see him with a smile on his face.

“you actually came!” he states the obvious.

you roll your eyes, “it’s not like i have anything better to do.”

you want to wipe the adorable grin off his face, but it seems near impossible as it only grows every passing second.

he takes your hand and gently urges you to walk with him.

you gulp at the abrupt contact, eyes glancing over at how softly his warm hand is wrapped around your own.

how long has it been since you even touched anyone that wasn’t your friends or family??

you want to pull away, but his smooth, pretty hand is hard to resist.

he looks back at you, still beaming like a little kid as he tells you, “i have something planned, but it’s a little while away. maybe 15 minutes. are you okay to walk?”

you mentally slap yourself at your sudden shyness.

“yeah, that’s fine.” your voice is quiet.

he smiles smugly at you like he knows something you don’t, and you narrow your eyes at him.

even with his silly smile and big eyes, you can’t help but notice how handsome he looks.

you have to blink hard to stop yourself from staring back at him in a way you shouldn’t for someone you dislike so much.

“what’s wrong with you…?” you ask him, voice far too quiet and innocent sounding for your liking.

what the hell is he doing to you?

“nothing.” he says, but his smug smile is still apparent as he turns away from you to focus on the path ahead.

total bullshit.

notes : cliffhanger! (this was so lazy i’m sorry)

#txt #tomorrow x together #txt x reader #beomgyu #choi beomgyu #beomgyu x reader #beomgyu smau #txt socmed au #txt smau #🍌: chalk n’ cheese!#🍌: gyu

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hwnglx · 1 year ago

Note

enhypen love life update juseyo

i did not intend on writing this much, but most of their energies were so messy. also, i will not be doing romantic readings on niki as long as he's still a minor.. pls, respect that and stop pressing me in my inbox 🤍 thank you

who in enhypen is dating? dec '23

based on tarot. i do not know these idols personally. energies are always changing. what i say is NOT straight fact. pls take it with a grain of salt!

heeseung

is he dating? star, 5ofsw, world, char, 7ofw&wheel

no, he isn't. he really really wants to, but is starting to feel this sense of hopelessness and lack of faith. it seems like his overly high expectations, standards and hopes are always standing in the way, like he's constantly wanting everything to be perfect. he wants to be a perfect boyfriend to a perfect partner with a perfect relationship, and often finds himself getting a reality check once things don't go according to a plan. he realizes it's a very difficult thing to achieve.

the wheel of fortune is telling me the universe has heeseung's back, and he needs to stop trying to force something that isn't meant to happen yet. he needs to trust the process more and let things flow. i get this very frustrated and almost angry energy from him these days. i feel like he has a lot of stress pent up inside of him.. the bottom of deck shows me the empress. i got this figure a lot for heeseung, so i believe they must be a prominent figure in his life. i can tell he's still reminiscing and longing for this person quite a lot. (half a year ago he was still in a strong relationship, so i'm guessing it's his ex)

jay

is he dating? 6ofc, knofc, 10ofw, 2ofc&10ofsw, 7ofc&queofp

hmm, it's kinda complicated for him. i can see there is a significant person in his life, who he seems to have known for a longer time now and had very romantic and flirty energy with. however, whatever they had seems to have come to an abrupt end, before it could develop into anything substantial. like i don't see any committed full blown relationship here.. this person seems to have feminine energy and prominent earth placements. really gentle and calm person. very pleasant energy. someone easy to be around, i can tell they're well-liked. he still seems to be dreaming about them and their relationship a lot, and often finds himself thinking about what could've been, what could still be.

it's crazy because jay is the member who likes casual relationships the least, but somehow finds himself as one of the members who jumps from person to person more quickly than others, because things never seem to fully work out. confusing as hell. i think he himself gets frustrated over things always not working out fully, since he dedicates so much of himself into every fling he starts. me getting the 10 of wands for him in every love reading is crazy 😵‍💫 he puts a lot of pressure on himself to satisfy the people he's with, no matter how casual the relationship might be.

jake

is he dating? 6ofsw&10ofc, aceofp, 3ofwrx, moon&3ofsw star&2ofw, queofc&9ofp, knofw

yes, he is. but, not his ex. see, his energy is so all over the place right now, that i kinda struggled understanding what's going on, can't even lie. first time i read for him, he seemed very heartbroken over moving on from his last girlfriend. the relationship was like perfection to him, everything he could've ever wished for.. yet he still felt unfulfilled, like it wasn't going anywhere anymore.

(while writing, glimpse of us by joji started playing in my head?.. especially the "why that if she is so perfect, do i still wish that it was you? perfect don't mean that it's working, so what can i do?" line came to my mind, damn)

i can see that he did have problems confronting his ex about this. as i stated before, jake isn't the best at confrontation. he doesn't like hurting people, especially if he deeply cares about them. (which he still does, his ex is still important to him. so i can tell he's kinda frustrated about his state of dissatisfaction) i believe that in his head, breaking up wasn't gonna hit him as hard as it did. but it kinda went the opposite direction, and he spent some time feeling very lost and sad. i saw him crying a lot while reading.

however, seems like he's seeing someone already.. a beautiful water sign person with feminine energy seems to be a figure in his life right now. don't ask me, i myself get all 😳 over this back and forth for him. with the star and the two of wands at the start of the spread, it's evident he made a conscious effort to heal from his hurt. everyone has their own ways of healing.. jake can often be the type to distract himself and escape his emotions with sexual intercourse. i'll be direct, lol. he's a single pringle now, so i guess he's trying to just enjoy that to some extent. the knight of wands is giving very sexual energy, so.. yeah. this queen of cups person is giving me nice energy though, very mature. so who knows how this could end up.

sunghoon

is he dating? 9ofsw+magic+dev&10ofcrx&kingofprx, 7ofw, 2ofp, 10ofw

yes and no.. his energy is very messy. i can see there's someone in his life he has a relationship with, but i don't think it's an overly committed one, instead one of more physical nature. there is this feeling of heavy co dependency though, and i'm getting this confusion of "what are we?", especially on that person's side. it's giving this toxic (😈 card..) relationship where someone doesn't wanna put a label on it, but still demands a sense of control over you.

the burden of the responsibility that comes with making this an "official" relationship seems to be something sunghoon is avoiding, esp. since he's very busy. i can see this stressing his "partner" out immensely. a lot of push and pull going on, and this person is feeling used, but can't let go since they do hold strong feelings for sunghoon, and he makes them believe it's a two-sided thing. which to an extent seems to be true, but.. sht is just all over the place. whenever i read for sunghoon in general, his energy can be pretty comfortable and laidback. but as soon as it comes to romantic readings.. the man is a whole different guy. his venus and mars in scorpio don't play.

sunoo

is he dating? queofp&pagofw, aceofc, hangm&9ofc

yes and no for sunoo too.. he's another one who has something with this earth sign person, however it's all extremely fresh and lose still. it's more in the beginning stages, yet sunoo already seems to be like "meh, you're not entertaining me enough." and kinda putting everything on hold. (like randomly leaving them on read) i can tell this person likes him a lot and feels let down by his non committal attitude, since they themselves seem to be someone who puts a lot of themselves into every relationship they start. sunoo's behavior is making them feel very insecure, and they're afraid he's just leading them on.

he's the type to only call when he's bored, or feels lonely. he only contacts them when he feels like he can get something out of it, it seems. and not really realizing (or not wanting to realize) that this person already values what they have a lot, and his behavior is messing with them. sunoo is so absorbed in this own world, that he doesn't seem to pay much attention to that at all. it's not something he concerns himself with.

jungwon

is he dating? 8ofp, 2ofp, hangm, 4ofw&9ofc

no, he isn't. and seems to be happy that way. the only member whose energy didn't make me feel like i'm going a little insane, thank you jungwon 🥹 he has his entire focus on work right now, and is consciously making the decision not to start anything in his romantic life. there is so much on his plate, that he feels it'd currently be difficult for him to find enough time and energy for a relationship. jungwon has very high standards, he's someone who exactly knows what he wants and needs. he dedicates his entire heart and soul to everything he does, in various aspects of life, including his love life. so, he's either all in a relationship, or all out, doesn't start one at all.

the happy four of wands together with the proud nine of cups shows him in a very content and comfortable place, a lot of confidence and satisfaction. not having a partner doesn't seem to bother him at all.

#kpop tarot #enhypen tarot #finally posted phew..

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yuseirra · 3 months ago

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what do you think of aquakana chances to be endgame? lately i am wondering and feeling like it wouldn't make sense for them to end up with anyone else as much as i see hate towards them

Hey anon~ :) good to see you!

I'm confident about the predictions I make about my series. I've got so many things right thus far. Here's some (spoilers up to ch 160!)

I predicted that Aqua had feelings for Kana all along. (Ever since I picked up the comic)

I predicted that Ryosuke and Nino would have visited the hospital, not Hikaru, immediately when 155 dropped. (The guy has no reason to kill Gorou, and he wouldn't have had an idea about it if he were to send Ryosuke to Ai on his behalf)

I had a vague idea that Ryosuke and Nino would have been close acquaintances after her mention of him in 158, I was like, wait, why is she talking about him like that? were they dating..? but I didn't write that because it felt like a stretch;; turns out they REALLY were; (I have no idea why the heck would nino wish to date such a guy but I guess...okay..)

I predicted that Hikaru would have only wanted to send the bouquet to Ai, and he never intended to "scare Ai" after I read CH 154.

I predicted exactly what Ai would have said in her video message towards Hikaru, that she lied about being unable to love him and actually had feelings for him all along (when CH 152 was the newest chapter)

I predicted that Ai would have trusted Hikaru with her children and had him in her plans about her future (I had a vague idea of it when I saw her making the the phone call)

I predicted that Hikaru would have wanted to raise his children with Ai but she left him on an abrupt note to "save/protect him from the burden that is her"(after 152)

I predicted that he would have had no idea why she broke up with him, but also that he would have been totally unable to hold her back as it did (also after 152)

These are just some of the things that I was able to guess in an accurate sense (I've been SCREAMING about a lot of these things since June? July? and it's all confirmed now despite Aqua claiming there's somehow more to it)... if my line of thinking is correct, then there's a lot more that I will guess right. I'm looking forward to that being a reality. At this point, I feel like I can predict the "feelings" of the characters of this series if I really set my heart to it.

I can't predict the exact outcomes that'd result from these emotions the characters have, but I still can see the things they have very low chance of doing, to say the least. So, the things that WON'T happen or won't do. It's a bit like erasing the odds, but there are still many possibilities left...

There's hate towards Aqukana?? Why?; I don't really understand why they'd have the hate but I guess it may happen..

However, they're the ones that's got me back reading the series! If you see my older onk fanarts from last year, they were the ones I drew! :)

When I saw that ep where Aqua confesses he had feelings towards Kana all along to his visions of Gorou in.. CH 150? was it? I was like YES!!!! I knew it!! There is no way that it could have been any other way... it's been so obvious... Even before the whole Hikaai thing hit me like a truck, Aqua and Kana was a ship that was just...there. It's something that's very strong in the plot despite you liking it or not.

Aqukana is the endgame ship. They like each other and the feelings they have are mutual, so it's definitely going to be a given that it's going to be the ship for both characters.

However, whether they would actually end up together is a bit ambiguous… I feel there's high chance that they will come to at least acknowledge their feelings towards each other. Aqua's too focused on his parent's affairs right now for him to focus on his own love life, so we first need to get that out of the way.

If onk gets a "happy ending", then they can end up together.

Here's an analysis I have of them: Kana trying to be Aqua's "favorite idol" is actually what keeps her from becoming his lover. The fact that she will graduate from being one is ACTUALLY a good sign in terms of the ship's outcome. Ironically, she has to step down from being one in order to be on an equal standing with Aqua and come to love each other as a person.

The more I read this series, I feel that this work is emphasizing that fantasizing about the other party is not the right way to love. Ai struggled because people failed to recognize her flaws and insecurities as a person, and people like Nino and Ryosuke could not forgive her for being human(which is such... an ugly, and an entitled thing to do. They have no right to have treated her like that.) People send out expectations then get disappointed all on their own because their "idol" could not fulfill their delusions. Even if they're the "good" fantasies, at the end of the day, you have to accept that idols are just people too. I feel that's the message and what onk has been trying to express as a whole.

Gorou's approach from the very first chapter was a lot healthier as a fan, he accepts Ai's feelings when she says she wants her happiness as a mother as well as being an idol, and he's there to support her and her wants. He's the "good fan", while people like Ryosuke and Nino are his polar opposites.

Hikaru's approach about her was actually pretty decent too. In 154, he recognizes that Ai was just an ordinary girl. He STILL loves her despite her flaws and even while believing she didn't love him back. That's why I started to think maybe he really is the right guy. I understood why Ai said all these things about him. I keep stressing this, but he didn't like her because Ai was an idol, he loved her because he thought they understood each other and felt "they were the same". They really are in many ways. I'm going to draw something based on that after I reply to you )

Aqua actually understands Kana really well, as a person. That's a good sign. That part was prominent in the earlier part of the series, when he supports her having disguised as Pieyon in ch 35. He liked her and took an interest in her even before she was scouted as an idol, and that's pretty similar to how Hikaru was towards Ai. Aqua doesn't like Kana because she's an idol, he likes her because she's hardworking, and loves the determination, the strong gazes she has. He's also aware that she's sensitive and has a sharp tongue. (ch 150) These traits of Kana doesn't really go anywhere because that's how she is as a person. He will love her, whether she becomes his favorite idol or not.

So regardless of the fact he does go to watch her concert of not(it would be better if he does), their future is bright, if Aqua decides to accept his feelings and head to the future. I feel like he's working towards that in fact, even in the end of 160, he has those sparkling white star eyes, doesn't he? He's telling his dad to "disappear", and that's a warning, I don't think he's going to stab him. If you're up to actively hurting someone, you don't show off the cards you have. If he was going to stab Hikaru, he would have just gone and done so without a word. What Aqua's doing here is telling him to leave. From Aqua's perspective, if Hikaru would just listen to him and leave on the spot somehow, he'd really just be able to head to the future with Ruby...(I don't think things would go that smoothly since this is a manga and things need drama, though.)

But I don't know just what events would break out in the story just yet. If there's just one ship that'd happen in onk at this point, it'd be Aqukana with all the buildup they have, but there's just so many things that can happen in between that could occur as an obstacle. The author might suddenly? decide that they want the ending to be "bittersweet", "realistic", or have everything turn out to be all "fiction" and end the story on a note that it's the heart that matters no matter the outcome or whatever.. it's really up to them to decide although I really do want them to get a happy ending after all this; I feel like the authors could have this desire to put in a twist to it all and leave a bad taste to it which I really hope not. I wouldn't like to see that happen after seeing all the suffering the characters had to go through.

However, like what you said, it doesn't make any sense at this point for either Kana of Aqua to end up with someone else at this point. At least that much of it is clear. I'm with you on this one, and I can firmly say you're right. So either they do end up together or they end up with no one.

Overall, I predict the chances of them actually becoming a real, happy, loving, dating couple to be about 80%. The other 20% comes off from the authors putting in a twist for.. some value they may have as a creator!

Thanks for the question~ It's been awhile I talked about Aqukana, but they're also something I can talk about! :) I may be able to do that more if the plot touches on their relationship. RN the dad is sort of taking all the spotlight.. but there's going to be more to the plot, I'm sure. I like the dad, but he isn't the main character.

I really do hope they get the development and some proper closure!! The fact that they held out so long to get their screen time means that it's going to be handled in the very end. That's not a bad sign, quite the contrary, actually. If anything, there is going to be more that's going to come out of their relationship, I just don't know if they WILL handle it delicately but I hope they do!

#aquakana #aqukana #oshi no ko #oshi no ko spoilers #oshi no theories #spoilers #hope this helps you anon~#I'm not worried about them at all actually #they're the ship I'm very..confident that will be there as endgame #whether it will be fulfilling enough is another thing but it will be acknowledged #and I really hope they will GET WHAT THEY DESERVE.. and just have some cute and happy moments for once in the very end #aqua hoshino #kana arima #asknreply

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