#I intend on finishing this since it did such numbers on x

[kumratart]

Go ahead little void brother Jeff, tell Tyberos who was mean to you

[enhanextdoor]

♡ - 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐒

prompt : you go on a road trip with your boyfriend.

pairing : nonidol!san x afab!reader. (the rest of ateez make brief appearances)

genre : fluffy. cute relationship shit. established relationship.

word count: 1.9k

warning : supa cutesy read at your own risk.

disc : lowercase intended. wrote this for bestie @choisanswife.

something about hitting the road with the love of your life was so comforting. san even planned the entire trip, he wanted everything to go just right. you were a little nervous, but only because san wanted to do this the old fashion way. no gps just a good old paper map and you were given the duty of navigator. 

“alright the car is all packed up and ready to go, are you?” he asked as he rounded the car and over to the passenger door to open it for you placing a kiss on your temple. “yes, but are you sure we can’t just use a gps?” you questioned with a shy little smile. “oh i’m sure, if we get lost then we do. i won’t mind because i’d love to get lost with you.” 

about two hours into the drive you two were having your own carpool karaoke moment. you were both singing along to the playlist you had going on. his voice was obviously better but the two of you were just enjoying the moment and you were using your water bottle as a microphone. you had to pull out your phone to document this for your friends and his friends. you posted it to the story that you titled “roadtrip with sannie” and then looked down at the paper map.

 “okay so we are going to be on this road for awhile it seems like.” you didn’t notice at first but there were little hearts on the map around certain spots and you arched an eyebrow. “what are the hearts for?” you peered over at your boyfriend who had his eyes focused on the road. “surprises.” he responded, taking your hand and bringing it to his lips to place a kiss upon the back of it. “you just have to get us there baby.” as if that didn’t make you nervous or put any pressure on anything. 

after another twenty minutes you two made it to the first heart on the map. when you got out you noticed it was a cute little park, much like the one you met san in. the memory brought a smile to your face. it was also good to get to stretch your legs since you’d been in the car for a little bit. you heard music coming from a speaker a little in the distance and you listened just a little that is until you noticed it was your favorite song. “oh i love this song.” you said turning to look for san, but he wasn’t behind you. he had wandered off. “san?” you headed off to look for your boyfriend only to find wooyoung instead. “woo what are you doing here?” you walked the rest of the way up to him. “here this is from san. you can’t open it just yet though.” he handed you a wrapped box. “it’s only one part of the gift so you have to wait until you get to the rest of the hearts.” he grinned cheekily then just walked off. 

that was odd, but you looked behind where he was and saw on the picnic table a lunch set out. san walked over now with a grin, taking your hand. “for you beautiful” he motioned the the picnic table. you gave him a little look and then sat yourself down at the table. “what exactly are you planning choi san?” you narrowed your gaze playfully at him picking up some food and taking a little bite. “you just have to wait to find out. i promise you that it will all be worth it. you saw wooyoung and got your gift right?” he said it so casually and you held the little box up. “yes i did.” the two of you continued to eat until you got full and he finished off the rest of the food. 

you two hit the road again and were off to the second heart on the map. you had put the gift in the backseat even if it was secretly calling for you to open it you had to ignore that. another hour and you two had made it to heart number two, you were pretty proud of yourself as navigator too because you haven’t gotten lost. the two of you got out and this time it was a coffee shop, just like your first date. you went inside and found yeosang with another gift, san sent you in alone. you came back out with your favorite coffee drink and the gift. “you are so extra.” you laughed a little as he opened the door for the car for you again. “oh i know, but you love me.” he smiled and pecked a little kiss to your lips before you got back into the car. two more stops and you found jongho and mingi at these stops with more gifts. gifts you couldn’t even open yet. they were just staring at you from the back seat. 

“san what are in all these gifts?” you finally asked because now you are just looking at the piling up gifts in the backseat. “you will see baby, you just have to be patient. we only have two more stops” he grinned cheekily as he kept focused on the road. you let out a little huff and looked back to the map directing him as needed until you made it to the next stop. this one was an amusement park. san told you he loved you for the first time at an amusement park, you remember because you were not expecting it and it helped to calm your nerves on the rollercoaster. standing at the entrance were hongjoong and seonghwa waiting with a gift and cheeky smiles.

 “alright, alright hand over the gift that i can’t open.” you held your hand out. “oh no this one you get to open.” hongjoong replied. your face must have shown the shock because they both let out a little laugh and looked to each other. san came up behind you and hugged your waist with a little nod. “yep this one you get to open. i figured at this point you’d be getting annoyed with the ones you can’t open so i have to toss you one.” you elbowed him for the comment, but smiled as you opened up the gift to find a hoodie. not just any hoodie but the hoodie that san told you that you COULDN’T steal. “wait are you for real? it’s mine now?” you had a little evil grin on your face. “yes, all yours baby.” he placed a kiss on your temple and you pulled out of his arms to slip it right on. “hell yeah.” 

you two spend a little bit of time at the amusement park and go on a rollercoaster then head back to the car. only two more hearts on the map and the last one is the destination you two were trying to reach anyways. “i’m guessing we are going to see yunho at this next stop, correct me if i’m wrong.” you joked lightly considering you’ve seen the rest of his friends on this road trip. “you are quite inquisitive, nothing escapes that keen eye.” he teased and you nudged his arm. 

you were right though because when you got out there yunho was with a gift for you and a smile. you took it and thanked him, this spot had a big beautiful fountain and you tried to think back to moments with san since all the other locations were related to something special in your relationship then it hit you and your cheeks flushed. you two went to an event together and while you were in your dress and him in his suit you two ended the night splashing in the fountain in front of the venue. it was so much fun and it was the first night you two slept together. “you really thought of everything huh sannie?” you said as you turned back to look at him and he was just stood there admiring you. “well i am a romantic when it comes to you y/n.” 

you guys made it back to the car and it was time for the last stop and you felt butterflies in your stomach over it. the last stop was a beach that you two picked out forever ago saying you both wanted to visit. he made everything about this trip so perfect and you loved him even more than you ever thought imaginable. when you pulled up at the beach you smiled and went to get out of the car but he stopped you. “you can open all the presents now but you have to do it in the hotel room, then meet me on the beach okay?” he had already checked in on his phone and it was a digital room key so now you had it too. you looked confused a moment then nodded. you took the gifts and walked to the hotel room, setting it all out and as you opened each gift you realized it compiled into an outfit. each gift even had a little letter in it written by san explaining why he picked this out for you. you looked at yourself in the mirror and san really knew your taste because you looked great in the outfit. 

it was getting dark outside and you could see the sunsetting on the beach as you walked out of the hotel and looked around the beach trying to find san but instead you found a candle lit path and your initials in roses to the side. you made the executive decision that you were suppose to follow this path so you did, walking along until you reached the end where san was stood waiting. he had changed too and looked so good in his button up suit. “y/n, you look even better than i could have imagined.” he said softly as he took your hand and pulled you to himself. your stomach felt like it did a backflip. “you don’t look bad yourself.” you said then placed a small kiss to his cheek. he gave you such a loving smile before he kept ahold of your hand and took a little step back. “i’ve been waiting to do this all day.” 

you couldn’t believe your eyes but there choi san was getting down on one knee in front of you and pulling a ring from his pocket, his one hand still holding yours. you felt the tears spring to your eyes already and he hasn’t even spoken yet. “i wanted today to be perfect and go through every moment of our relationship because i want to keep making memories with you y/n. forever, i want you to be mine. so will you let me hold you and be yours for the rest of our lives? will you marry me?” 

you were trying so hard not to cry, happy tears of course, but they kept falling anyways as you nodded a bunch. “of course san!” you let him slip the ring onto your shaking finger and he stood to embrace you in a kiss and that’s when you heard the clapping and hooting and hollering. when you pulled back from the kiss you saw all his friends there cheering you on and recording the moment. “oh my god.” you laughed slightly as you hid your face in his chest. “come on guys.” san called out but he was smiling too.

a/n: this took me longer than i thought it would take me. i did not proofread either so don't sue me. hope that you all enjoyed. likes, feedback, and reblogs are always welcome!!

[n109hunter]

Snippet Sunday - "cat nap"

pairing: sylus x mc word count: 1,043 summary: Still settling into the comfort of this new relationship, a certain kitten seeks a nice warm spot to nap when a rain storm comes rolling in. tags/warnings: fluff, established relationship, early relationship, "wip" (see authors note), a/n: A wip of mine I started back at the start of October that, woefully, I kind of forgot where I was going with it. Well, I know where, but I forgot the specifics and it's making me smad. 😔 However! As it is right now, I think it's a fine, "fade-to-black" fluffy little one-shot. I intend to come back and finish it eventually, once I can herd those thoughts back, but for now I think it's good enough to share.

It was three in the afternoon in the N109 zone, which meant almost nothing at all under its perpetual darkness - except that Sylus was sleeping. 

Since they’d more or less ‘officially’ started dating, (and admittedly, before that too), she had gotten used to spending her free time around the Onychinus base - at least, as much as she could without raising too many suspicions. Maneuvering around each other's work and sleep schedules could get a little lonesome at times, but she did take a pleasant contentment in simply being near him. 

He’d said before he slept easier when she was around, and while it was perhaps a bit of a strange dynamic, she took pride in the thought she might offer him some peace of mind - that she could protect him when he was ‘at his most vulnerable’, as the twins had told her once.

…Lied, actually, but sentiments were sentiments. 

“Here comes the rain.” Kieran said with a tired sigh, looking out the window as he played his number card. 

Luke tsk'ed at the play, and put down an assist card. “Thought we’d get through the day without it.” 

From where she sat on the sofa across the room from them, she tilted her head back to glance at the window behind her. A few raindrops quietly began to pelt the reinforced, one-way glass, heralding the coming ‘will it or won’t it’ storm that had been hanging heavy over the N109 zone all day. She blinked slowly, eyes feeling slightly heavy.

She felt so at ease and content, it wasn’t that she was tired exactly, but curling up under some blankets just sounded so good. Sometimes she begrudgingly had to acknowledge maybe Sylus was right all along, maybe she was a kitten. One who wanted nothing more right now than to go crawl in a warm bed next to her favorite person for a little cat nap on a rainy afternoon. 

Dog earring her page she set her book down and climbed up from where she’d been sitting overlong, stretching her arms high above her head.

“I’m gonna go take a nap,” she said, making her way across the room, ��don’t get carried away when you lose, Luke.”

“Hey! I’m still in the lead!” 

“Not anymore, you aren’t!” Kieran laughed, slapping down another card, soon followed by Luke’s frustrated groaning. 

Now, she didn’t particularly want to disturb Sylus’s sleep, but she didn’t think he’d mind if she just… crawled into bed with him, right? She would be oh-so-quiet, and felt like she could comfortably doze off with ease. 

Smiling to herself she recalled the multitude of times she’d snuck into this room before. Not terribly long ago, but how different those days had been. Back then she’d been appalled by him, now here she was eager to tuck herself against him and listen to the sound of his breathing and the distant rain as she fell asleep. 

Practically tip-toeing over to his bedside, she tried not to indulge herself in watching him sleep too much, lest he ‘sense eyes on him’ and wake abruptly. Augh but how couldn’t she? He was so impossibly handsome, and honestly pretty adorable when he was sleeping. The soft curl of his eyelashes against his cheeks, his slightly parted lips… No, no, she just needed to climb in and join him.

Though come to think of it… Just crawling into bed was quite possibly a risk, too, wasn’t it? 

Eh, she knew what she was getting into. Worst case scenario she’d be suspended in the air by his evol for a few seconds, and she was well accustomed to that by now. 

Steadying her breathing she gently lifted the covers and started inching her way onto the bed beneath them. And then stopped short, slowly looking up to see a pair of sleepy red eyes looking straight at her. Funny -and somehow comforting- how she was beginning to be able to simply sense the weight of his gaze when it was on her. 

Biting her lip briefly and feigning her best ‘oopsy’ expression, she lifted a finger to her mouth: “Shh.” and scooted closer. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” His voice was sleepy, words slurring slightly together, but there was no dissatisfaction in his tone, instead it was filled with warm amusement.

“Don’t wake up.” She told him, unable to restrain the big smile on her face as she started making herself comfy. “I wanna take a nap with you.”

‘Obedient’ was not a word she would ever use to describe Sylus, but nevertheless he… rather obediently stretched his arm out for her to lay her head on.

“Isn’t it a bit early for you to be sleeping?” He yawned, snaking his other arm around her waist and pulling her in closer to him. Her heart skipped a beat, and a shiver ran through her, but then she happily eased against him, letting her arm slide around him in turn.

“It’s a nap- shh, listen.” Curling her other arm up between them she tapped her finger against his mouth to shush him. He gave a small mumble in the back of his throat, but otherwise fell quiet. The sound of rain against his window filled in the silence, joined by an occasional rumble of distant thunder. 

“Mm, it’s raining.” He said matter-of-factly, as if unsure if there was some meaning behind her pointing it out. He brought his hand up to wrap around hers, thumb brushing over her outstretched finger to fold it into a fist as he kissed her knuckles. “I didn’t think you were scared of the thunder, kitten.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes, but her breath caught in her lungs at that impossibly sweet gesture. 

“I just felt… like the atmosphere was perfect to come take a nap with you.”

“The atmosphere will always be perfect for that no matter what.”

Laughing softly, she wiggled herself a little closer, knees bumping his. “Shh, go back to sleep, I didn’t come here to bother you.” 

“Mmm,” he hummed and closed his eyes again. “You couldn’t anyway.” Tilting his head down, his forehead softly pressed against hers, and one of his legs snaked over hers pulling it between his knees. “Besides, I’m not tired anymore.”

[sleepynoons]

togame x afab!f!reader (characters aged up), nsfw, 18+, not beta read

cw: marathon sex, unprotected sex, oral (receiving), slight face riding, subdrop + dubcon (not intended but could be interpreted as so), one slap on the ass, cum eating, fingering, descriptions of violence + pain + blood

notes: the underground fighter/fight club!au that no one asked for. i've never seen the movie either, so literally, take everything – especially the fight scene in this one-shot – with a fucking atom of salt. i was inspired by this lovely art, and since the manga mentions that togame has limitless stamina... well, i kinda had to do something with that info...

YOU'D EXPECT your boyfriend to be tired out by now. in fact, if you were him, the two of you would have gone to bed hours ago, deep in slumber from the day’s excitement and exhaustion. instead, you’re splayed out on the bed, arms boneless next to you and mouth releasing tired whimpers, as your body rocks along with every deep thrust from jo.

his hands hold onto your hips tightly, pulling you back as he pushes forward, attempting to bury himself ever deeper into you. jo’s always been competitive, and paired with his methodical nature, he’s obsessed with trying to bring the two of you to new heights of sexual pleasure.

how did the two of you end up like this?

your brain’s hazy, clouded by the feeling of jo’s cock kissing that sweet spot inside of you and his teeth nipping and biting at your neck and shoulders. but you try to recall, as a means to hang on, to stay awake for just a little bit longer.

you were invited to watch jo fight for the first time. you weren’t particularly fond of supporting violence, but he had insisted it was something of a casual community event, and it was good for some extra cash and fun prizes. it was also an important part of his life, and since the two of you’ve been dating for a few months now, he wanted to bring you along to meet some of his friends.

when both of you were driving to the club, hosted in an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town, you asked, “aren’t fight clubs illegal?”

he shrugged and said, “number one rule of fight club: don’t talk about fight club.”

you snorted and rolled your eyes. “you already have.” jo chuckled and answered all the questions you had until the two of you arrived.

he guided you toward the entrance and showed you around, pointing out a few coolers for drinks, the bathroom, and the arena itself. several people were already there, catching up and placing bets on the night’s matches.

as you walked around, you overheard someone say, “all my money’s on togame.” you glanced at your boyfriend, but he made no indication that he had heard anything. 

after being introduced to a few of jo’s friends, it was almost time for the match-ups to start. he had explained to you earlier that he would have to leave you unaccompanied as all participants were required to prepare for their rounds in a large storage room, which was essentially a smaller, neighboring warehouse unit. you reassured him that you would be fine, and in the worst case, you would wait for him in the car.

the fights shortly began after your boyfriend left. you watched as challengers came and went, some throwing punches and kicks at each other while others with more experience used their wits and specific techniques. you cringed as fists collided with jaws and feet were swiped off the floor. but everyone, including the fighters, seemed to be enjoying themselves, so you remained in your seat.

after four matches, it was finally jo’s turn.

like all of the other fighters, jo was shirtless and barefoot. everyone in the audience seemed to roar for your boyfriend as he made his way into the ring. when he stepped into the light, you sucked in a deep breath, a little shocked and in awe.

you had never seen jo so excited about anything in his life.

the jo you knew ate so slow that all the food would be cold by the time he was half-finished, preferred to nap on a beach chair instead of swimming in the pool, and hosted gatherings with friends at home to avoid clubbing and drinking out. the person you’ve gotten to know in the past few months seemed to be a wholesome, harmless dork.

but this jo didn’t even spare you a glance. now that he was standing in the ring, he was laser-focused on his opponent, eyes wide with dilated pupils and a wild, animalistic glint in them. it became abundantly clear to everyone in the audience that, no matter what, jo would win.

apparently, jo had amassed quite a bit of a reputation for himself, hence why the fight club was so packed. the hollers and howls from the spectators escalated as jo exchanged blow after blow with his opponent. you watched as your boyfriend ducked a swing, shifted his balance and stepped on one of his opponent’s feet, effectively immobilizing them for a second, before using his shoulder to jab at and ram into the opponent’s solar plexus. the other stumbled back a bit before managing to land a heavy kick to jo’s side, and despite knowing it would leave a nasty bruise, jo didn’t flinch and instead lunged forward, landing a series of punches in quick succession to the other’s face. in a few moments, his opponent surrendered. you finally allowed yourself to breathe, only noticing then that you barely did throughout the fight.

as the referee held up jo’s arm to announce his victory, he finally looked around in search of you. your boyfriend must’ve noticed your stunned expression, so he cocked his head and discreetly nudged his chin towards the exit. intuition told you to wait for him outside.

as you rushed outside, jo easily caught up to you, spinning you around and pinning you to the car. you squeaked as he kissed you deeply, taking away the air you just managed to regain, and pressed his body against yours, the smell of sweat and rusting blood piquing your senses. when he broke away and you thought you had a moment to recollect yourself, he dove back in, sucking on your lips till they bruised and swelled and brushing his hands against your ear, knowing that the touch made you shudder and buckle at the knees. even when your legs gave way, he didn’t relent, and you had to gasp out a “it hurts!” for him to pull away. you watched as he let up, and when the two of you were face-to-face, that wild glint you saw earlier was still apparent in his eyes. but his usual lazy smile returned as he apologized and rubbed at the spot where the car door handle was digging into your skin.

you can’t seem to recall your return home, and even then, you only remember jo haphazardly unlocking his door as you clawed at his t-shirt to take it off. you were still oblivious then to what the night actually held in store.

you’re brought back to the present when jo’s arm suddenly wraps around the front of your shoulders and chest and heaves you up. now, your back is arced backwards, and the slight shift in angle causes you to mewl in pleasure. you’re starting to see white spots in your vision with the way his thick cock stretches your walls apart and pokes at new spots in you that you’ve never discovered yourself.

between pants, jo gulps and asks, “what are you thinking about? am i that bad?”

you want to object, but then he gives you a harsh slap to the ass cheek with his other hand that effectively silences you.

“princess, i won just for you, so give me some attention, yeah?”

you manage to choke out, “for me?” jo reaffirms by pulling almost all the way out, leaving only his tip inside you, and then thrusting himself in again heavily with force so strong you feel it rattle throughout your body. you’ve always known your boyfriend is strong, but today’s fight and sex have exceeded your expectations. you cry out shamelessly and cum unexpectedly that even jo releases a guttural moan when your pussy clamps down on him, and he also finishes.

you collapse onto the bed. faintly, you hear jo apologize, “shit, sorry, babe. didn’t mean to cum inside of you.” he helps you roll over so that you’re lying on your back, and picks your legs up to slide you fully onto the bed. you think it’s the end.

but suddenly, the bed dips at where your feet lie, and your legs are pried apart. jo lines firm kisses along your inner thighs, and you whimper at the feeling of his fingers playing with your folds. he slides the fingertip of his index finger up and down between your folds, causing you to jolt whenever he flicks at your clit.

“jo…,” you whisper. you rest your hands around your boyfriend’s neck, holding onto him in hopes of grounding yourself.

“how about one more, babe? just one more,” he pleads, transfixed at the sight of your messy, wet pussy. his want hasn’t been satiated. he needs to feel you one last time. he begs again, “i won’t put it in, i know you’re sore. i’m going to clean you up, alright?”

the feeling of his warm tongue against your hole erases all of your thoughts and concerns. he’s careful, aware that you’re spent and overstimulated, and he laps at the mixture of his and your cum spilling down and onto the sheets. when he feels your body tensing up, he pauses and presses feather-light kisses instead as he waits for you to relax once more. he then mouths at your folds, sucking one into his mouth and licking softly, then switching to the other. you’re both moaning at the sensation – you because every suckle brings you closer to your high and him because you taste, smell, and feel so sweet and delicious against his tongue. finally, he reaches the top and spreads apart your lower lips with two fingers, admiring the sight of your pert clit throbbing in anticipation and need.

you groan, eager and impatient, when jo stares for too long. you scratch at his undercut to get his attention and whine, “jo, hurry! want your mouth on me!”

obediently, he dips down and gingerly kisses your bud. you shiver at the light touch and cant your hips upward, urging him to continue. jo resumes, alternating between gentle pecks and quick sucks of your clit, which leaves you writhing and compounds your arousal. occasionally, he even hums, and the vibrations pinch at your bud and you yelp in surprise every time. you’re no longer holding onto his shoulders – you’re grabbing and tugging at the curls of your boyfriend’s hair and pressing your clit against his mouth and nose, desperate for release. jo supports your movements as his large, calloused hands cup your ass. lastly, jo adds in his tongue. the erratic, unpredictable switching between all of the different ways he can tease your oversensitive nub quickly sends you over, and as you scream and cum, your thoughts are fully consumed with the sensations of his mouth drinking up your release and his nose nudging against your clit to extend your climax. you’re wantonly rubbing yourself against jo, smearing your pussy messily against your boyfriend’s face, and your eyes roll back as he just takes it and laps at what he can.

“you’re so fucking good to me, princess,” he moans into your pussy. from his words, you feel one last crashing wave of your orgasm, pleasure overwhelming you for a little longer, before it begins to subside.

seeing that you’re coming down from your high, jo pulls away. he licks at his lips, savoring the remnants of your high, and watches as you begin to drift off. jo himself is finally feeling the drowsiness and settles next to you.

even as you’re losing consciousness, he whispers, “this is the best reward, baby.” you nuzzle into his warmth, mumble something incoherent, and fall asleep.

[sunshine-daisies-library]

emergency contact | calum hood x fem!reader

FUCK this took so long and took so many twists and turns but i have finished lads

summary: you end up in the hospital after an accident, only to find that your emergency contact number hadn’t been updated. you are yet to find out if it’s a blessing or a curse. 

word count: 8.9k

warnings: self doubt, talking down about oneself, she/her pronoun usage, swearing, breakups, angst, drinking, car accident, hospital mentions, injury mentions, mentions of weed, partying, fighting

author's note: it might be rushed at the end and there's no set timeline of events, so it might not align with the true events IRL.

i also would like to say that we support girls here! no hate toward anyone, girls support girls!

In defense of yourself, you hadn’t expected to be back in Los Angeles so soon. Nor had you anticipated an accident like this to update your contacts on your phone. It was on the back of your mind, yes, but you had intended to change your emergency contact list on your phone for events like these. It was something you’d remind yourself occasionally, only to push it off for the next day, then the next day, then forget about it altogether. 

And perhaps you were too cowardly to change the list. You didn’t admit this to another soul since it had been nearly a year since the two of you broke things off. Your friends time and time again had persuaded you to put yourself back on the market, to get over the musician. But how could you? You had dedicated the best years of your life to him, nearly six of them. You thought you were going to marry the man, but life had other plans. 

That being said, you still loved him. The small act of removing him off your emergency contacts list felt so final to you. Like that was the end of your sad little love story with him. Truth be told, it was the end. It was the end from the moment you broke things off with him. You were just too stubborn to admit that to yourself. 

It was your doing, wasn’t it? You were the one to tell him it was over. He had just gotten back home from their tour and went to greet you with open arms. You had been wretched enough to deny him that, pulling away immediately. You ignored his eyes when you told him you were tired of your lifestyle. Of waiting on him like a dog for him to come back from tour. Of relishing that one month of being together like it was the last thing on earth, only for him to leave once again for tours or writing retreats. 

And most of all, you were tired of not feeling enough for him. In the world of popular and beautiful stars, why did he stay with you? Calum never made you feel so ordinary, not on purpose, at least. You had nothing to offer him other than your love. You feared that wouldn’t be enough in the end. The more years that passed, and the closer the possibility of marriage became, you thought it would be better to let go of him first before he ended up resenting you for not choosing someone better when he had the chance. 

You didn’t listen to his pleas for you to stay. Or his professions of love for you, or how his promise to leave the band entirely if it meant you staying. You felt so cruel to let someone who loved you so much go so easily. He was willing to give up his music for you, so how could you ever claim that you were second best to his music? 

But that was the very thing, you were afraid. He loved you so much that he was willing to let his entire life go for you. You couldn’t let him do that to himself, to let go of his happiness. But you had enough self dignity to know that you deserved more out of life than waiting in an empty home to fill up again. 

—

Calum wasn’t sure what to make of the phone call he received just a moment ago. He never thought he’d hear your name again, much less be summoned to the hospital to see you. 

“Mate, why are you still here?” Ashton asked, tucking away his drumsticks. “The nurse called you a half hour ago. Aren’t you going to see her?” 

“I don’t know,” Calum uttered truthfully. “It’s been so long since I last saw her. It was probably a mistake, right? Why would they call me up?” 

Michael rolled his eyes from the couch where he was tuning his guitar. “Because you’re still down as her emergency contact,” he drawled sarcastically. 

“Thanks for pointing out the obvious,” Calum deadpanned. “I mean, why would they call me and not her parents or something? Or her new boyfriend,” he muttered under his breath. 

Luke approached the group from the bathroom, running his fingers through his hair. “Easy there, tiger,” he teased, grasping Calum’s shoulders from behind. “One might assume you’re jealous.” The youngest of the group quickly dodged the bassist’s shove, laughing while doing so. “To calm your worries, no, she doesn’t have a new boy in her life. And her parents moved to the east coast three months ago so they can’t come over.”

“Well aren’t you the stalker,” Ashton snickered. 

Luke shot the drummer a glare. “I’m not a stalker,” Luke defended himself. “In case you actually wanted to know, I still keep contact with y/n. At least Sierra does for the most part. Though, last time I heard she was in Boston.” 

“Boston,” Calum spoke up in confusion. “What’s she in Boston for? And how did she end up here?” 

Luke clicked his tongue, a knowing look on his face. “If you want to know, you can ask her yourself,” he sang in an annoying tone. 

Michael set his guitar down and stood up in defense of his friend. “While that’s true,” he began. “What about..you know?”

“What about “you know?”” Ashton piped up. “There’s no harm in Calum going. She could really be hurt and need someone with her. If what Luke said is true and you’re the only nearby emergency contact, it’s better safe than sorry that you go to her.” 

The boys shared a look with each other. In their heart of hearts they knew it was a bad idea to let Calum go, especially after everything that had happened. But a selfish part of them wanted their best friend back, so what harm was in that notion? 

“I’ll go,” Calum finally relented. “But she’s coming with me.” 

–

When Calum arrived at the hospital, he wasn’t sure what he was expecting. The doctor explained it was a car accident, and although you were recovering okay you still had to be observed after minor surgery. A part of Calum’s heartstrings tugged at the thought of you alone and afraid during the accident, thinking he could have done something if you hadn’t broken things off, but he pushed that feeling down. It’s been a year; you’ve probably gotten over him and he’s started a new chapter of his life without you. 

Calum followed the nurse to the recovery room where you were still unconscious. At the sight of you, he instantly lost all air in his lungs. Frozen, the bassist stood before you with a mix of emotions flooding through his face. 

It was as though you were entirely different but still the same in some way. Your face, albeit bruised, looked more peaceful than Calum had seen of you. Hell, even before you broke things off you always had a furrowed brow or frown of some sort. It broke Calum’s heart to know that he was the cause of that stress. 

Calum sat down beside you, instantly grasping your hand like second nature. It was just as soft as he could remember, and your nail polish was chipped and stained the skin surrounding it. Calum chuckled to himself, a tearful smile on his face. He knew your nail polish was your own doing, seeing as you had always asked him to paint your nails since he had “more precision.” 

“Oh y/n,” he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “What the hell did you get yourself into now?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” 

Calum jerked back to see your eyes staring back at him. “Hi, stranger,” you managed to crack a smile. “What brings you to this hospital?”

Calum choked out a laugh, his thumb grazing against the top of your hand. “Oh you know me,” he said. “Always hanging around these parts whenever I get the chance.” 

“You idiot,” you snorted, shaking your head and wincing in pain.

“Easy now,” Calum reached over to cup your cheek. “The doctor said you have a mild concussion and a sprained ankle, but nothing a bit of rest can’t fix.”

Your hand met his on your face, instantly warming to his touch like nothing had changed between the two of you. “Why are you here, Hood?” you asked curiously.

“You tell me.” Calum pulled out his phone and showed his past calls list. “I got a call from the hospital saying I was your emergency contact.” 

You dropped his hand and covered your face in embarrassment. If your headache wasn’t killing you, the sheer embarrassment was. “Oh my God,” you groaned. “I’m so sorry, Calum. I had meant to change it but I never got the chance and–”

“It’s alright,” Calum calmed you down. “Relax. I’m not mad or anything. If anything, this gave us a great opportunity to reconnect and catch up on things. It’s been what, a year?”

One year, three months, twenty eight days, and twelve and a half hours, the both of you thought subconsciously. But who’s counting? 

The both of you were. Clearly.

“Something like that,” you lied smoothly. “How are you? How are the boys? I’ve kept contact with Crys and Sierra, but I haven’t had a chance to meet with them both. I was actually planning on shooting them a text as soon as I landed here, but obviously I haven’t had the chance.” 

Calum laughed at your blunt humor. He missed that a lot about you. “I’m alright,” he replied. “The boys are great, too. They send their love, by the way. We’ve been cooped up at the studio writing and producing music, though you probably expected that from us.”

Ouch. Was that a dig toward why you broke up with him? “Naturally,” you grinned. “Do I make a special feature in this album? The trashy ex that broke up with the bassist as soon as the tour ended? You best get back to the studio, I’m sure this whole debacle has given you something to write about.” 

“You are far from trashy,” Calum countered, continuing the light banter. “And I’m not going to throw your dirty laundry out like that, I have some taste, you know.” 

“Oh come on,” you pressed. “That hoe called me back, gave me a heart attack,” you sang terribly, making Calum cover his ears. “Oh yeah she broke my heart, that’s not even the start-”

“Oi, quit that!” he laughed. “Leave the songwriting to me because good God that was terrible. Any more of that and you’d put me in the hospital bed next to you. And please do not call yourself a hoe. That’s worse than Luke calling Ash “daddy.”” 

Once your laughter had died down and you ran out of lyrics to spew, a comfortable silence filled the room. His chocolate brown eyes rested down at your joined hands. 

“Thank you, by the way,” you spoke to break the silence. “For coming. You didn’t have to do that.” 

“For my trashy ex?” he teased, a smirk dancing along his lips. “I’d do anything.” 

God why did you break up with him? He was perfect, still is. Why does he still tug at your heartstrings and make you weak with one smile. How could you still feel this way after a whole year? Do you still love him-

“Babe, there you are! This place is a maze, I could barely understand the nurse’s directions.” 

You turned your head so fast, you nearly got whiplash again. Standing before you was a beautiful girl with the most luxurious beach waves and tan that every girl dreamed of. 

She bent down to kiss Calum’s cheek swiftly, making your breath hitch without you realizing. The girl smiled at you, taking your hand -that Calum instantly dropped at the sound of her voice- and squeezing it. “You must be y/n,” she concluded cheerfully. “I’m Tia, Calum’s friend.” 

–

“They are so not friends,” you grumbled to your friends, days after the initial encounter. 

Your friends chuckled at your gray demeanor, each of them taking sips of their coffee or bites of their breakfast. After being discharged from the hospital, the band and their significant others thought it would be perfect to catch up with you during brunch. You had agreed, eager to learn about everything you missed, especially the new couple. 

“You’d be right and wrong, n/n,” Michael replied, setting his mug down. The group was significantly more relaxed to talk about the subject considering Tia needed to take a phone call and Calum insisted on accompanying her. “The way they’re friends isn’t the same as how he’s friends with us–”

“Speak for yourself, baby, Calum keeps my bed warm whenever Sierra’s out,” Luke teased with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Sierra rolled her eyes playfully, elbowing him in the ribs. 

“And Luke keeps mine warm when they’re both gone,” Ashton chimed in without missing a beat.

Michael sent the youngest and oldest members a glare before continuing. “As I was saying,” he huffed exasperatedly. “They’re in the weird phase between friends and dating. They met a little after the tour and were friends for a while. It was Tia that made the move on Calum, like, two months ago.”

Noticing the stark difference in your facial expressions after hearing Michael’s explanation, Crystal came in to quickly finish the story. “He hasn’t confirmed or denied anything, but they have been on a few dates. He’s taking it very slowly.” 

“That’s..nice to hear,” you slowly began. “But the more I hear about her, the more guilty I feel about feeling this way.” Your shoulders caved in as your friends shared a concerned look. “She seems sweet, and Calum and I are old news. It was my own decision to break things off in the first place.” 

Sierra reached for your hand, squeezing it gently. “Why did you break things off with him?” she asked in a quieter voice. 

You couldn’t help but notice how the rest of the group leaned in to hear your answer. “You mean Calum didn’t tell you?” you inquired the boys. 

“He just said it was mutual,” Ashton raised his hands up in defense. “I didn’t know you broke it off with him.” 

“Why didn’t you tell us she broke up with Cal?” Luke whisper-shouted to his partner. 

Sierra only shrugged her shoulders. “I thought you knew,” she responded, her hands grasping around her mug as she took a sip.

“No one knew,” you settled. “And it’s going to stay that way.” 

The group let out shouts of disapproval that were instantly quieted once Calum finally returned and took a seat. “What’s the fuss about?” he asked curiously. 

You shook your head, taking an overly healthy sip of your mimosa. “Oh you know,” you sighed. “Typical group shenanigans, as per usual.” 

“What kind-?” he pressed before being curtly interrupted.

“Where’s Tia?” Luke cut in, saving everyone’s necks for the time being. 

Calum took in a draw of breath after stealing Luke’s cup of coffee, much to the singer’s distaste. “Oh you know,” he copied you teasingly. “Manager calls, as per usual.” 

“She’s been getting plenty of calls lately,” Crystal commented. 

You tried to not show immense interest in the conversation. After all, you didn’t know much about Tia and the group had been too distracted to show you her Instagram profile, damn Michael and his random tangents. In the meantime, you absentmindedly twirled your straw between your thumb and forefinger as the conversation continued. 

“Tia’s getting a lot of public interest, what can I say?” Calum responded. “Her videos are getting more views every day. Her manager’s been calling her nonstop since companies keep reaching out to offer brand deal after brand deal.” 

Ashton let out a hopeful sigh. “Imagine having a brand deal set for life,” he pondered aloud, setting his salad fork down. “I’d adopt more goats and expand the garden.” 

“Cool it, Old McDonald,” Michael snickered. “I can’t imagine the band doing brand deals. Remember One Direction and their Pepsi commercials during the Super Bowl? Louis hated them.” 

The table laughed, recalling the memory. Recognizing your confusion regarding Tia’s profession, Sierra leaned in. “She’s an Instagram influencer and interior designer. She went to school for design but has branched out since. Last time I browsed her page she was doing promos for some yoga company.” 

“Great, so she’s perfect,” you grumbled to yourself, quiet enough for only Ashton to hear since he was right beside you. The drummer snorted, elbowing you roughly. 

Calum, thankfully deaf to your comment, nodded along to Sierra’s explanation. “She’s great,” he hummed. 

Your heart clenched at his words, but a hopeful side of yourself couldn’t help but perk at his courtness. Of course, it could be just to spare your feelings to not speak much about her. But a selfish part in your mind wondered if it was because she wasn’t his missing piece, the way that you fit perfectly for him. 

Stop that, you scolded yourself. Calum is no longer yours, you made sure of that. You were the selfish one who pushed him away. Why do you continue to torture him when he’s finally happy, no thanks to you. You can’t continue to pull him back, that’s why you broke up with him. And here you are,  falling back into old habits. 

You blinked back your tears, the tears you had so desperately fought back since the day you broke up with him. You didn’t deserve to shed these tears when you caused the problem in the first place. Instead, you sucked in a breath and maintained your rigid composure. It’s better than falling apart, which you more than desperately wanted to do at the moment. 

“y/n, you alright?” Calum asked, breaking you from your trance. 

You jumped slightly, lifting your head to face the group. Forcing a smile, you nodded. “Perfectly fine.” 

–

You weren’t sure why you were called here. After becoming mutuals on Instagram (and thoroughly stalking her pristine profile) Tia was quick to invite you out for yoga. You weren’t too keen on attempting yoga with a certified instructor, much preferring to save face in front of the already perfect girl. However, you found her nice and sweet enough to befriend despite the heartache it caused you. 

“I’m really glad you agreed to come with me today,” Tia told you honestly as you finished your session for the day. 

You settled yourself onto the mat, easing yourself into a simple stretch. “I’m glad you offered,” you replied, grunting at the ache panging slightly in your ankle. You were careful not to apply extra stress on your injured foot since it was still tender to the touch at times. “I’ve been eager to relax, especially after that accident.” 

“And you deserve it,” Tia reassured you, beginning her own routine. “Yoga’s good for recovery and stress, I’ve always tried to convince Cal into joining but he wasn’t the most graceful learner.” 

You giggled, recalling how clumsy the bassist would be. “Yeah, I’d leave that to Ashton.” 

Tia nodded in agreement. Her fingers danced down her leg as she continued to stretch. Even as jealous as you were of her, you had to admit she was graceful in everything she did (and you were sure of it with a simple browse through her Tiktoks). 

The two of you stepped out of the yoga studio, mats in tow as you continued to talk about random nonsense. On the walk back to your friend’s house -you had been staying there for the time being-, you came to realize that Tia was as genuine as they come and found it very difficult to dislike her out of jealousy. 

“So you know how Cal and I met,” Tia began, referencing the story of how the two met at an awards show. “How did you and Calum meet and get together?” 

Your mouth went dry. She knew you and Calum were a thing in the past? “I-“ you stammered. 

Tia laughed at your sudden awkwardness. “I’m not dumb, you know,” she joked. “I knew about yours and Cal’s past. He talks a lot about you, you know? More now than ever now that you’re back.” 

You had to stop the butterflies forming in your stomach. “He does?” you catch yourself saying instantly. 

Tia nodded, uncapping her bottle and taking a sip of water. “Oh yeah, big time,” she answered. “It’s really sweet to know that you made such a big impact on his life.” 

Your cheeks began to warm at her words. “He did the same,” you responded with full honesty. Tia patted your shoulder and grinned. “To answer your question, I met Calum a little over ten years ago, once the band started getting famous. I was just a senior in high school when they moved to L.A. I interned at their studio and that’s how we formally met.”

Tia gave you an impressed nod. “You guys got history,” she mused. 

You couldn’t help but smile. The memories of the past always brought a smile to your face. Dyeing Michael’s hair and staining your bathtub red, constantly buying Ash bandanas whenever you came across one you knew he’d like. Luke coming to you when he had writer’s block, and Cal crawling through your bedroom window whenever he felt homesick and wanted someone to talk to. 

“We do,” you agreed. 

Turning a corner down the street, Tia continued to ask you questions. “Who asked who out?” she questioned. “Three years of being friends turned partners was clearly not an overnight thing.” 

“It wasn’t,” you said. “It was Calum who asked me, but it took a whole lot of convincing from the boys.” You laughed quietly to yourself, recalling how he asked you to be your girlfriend. 

You heard music playing softly in the night air. You had been studying nonstop for your college finals and hadn’t seen the outside of your dorm all day. You hadn’t called the boys in a while either since they’ve been touring the world after releasing Sounds Good Feels Good. You were significantly proud of them but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t miss your boys. Now, hearing the soft guitar strumming from outside your window made you feel more longingful for them than ever. 

Especially Calum. You had a soft spot for the bassist, everyone knew that. You spent the most time with him when you interned at the music studio. He trusted your opinion above everyone else’s, and reached out to you the most while on tour. To say you had a little crush on him would be an understatement. The boys teased you relentlessly and teased Calum much more. They always said it was a matter of time until one of you would cave in and confess to the other. But they were wrong. You’re here in a small college dorm with no air conditioning single as can be while the boy you loved was halfway across the world. 

“Thinking of you,” you texted Calum with a heavy heart. “And the boys, ofc :P” 

You set your phone down and attempted to go back to studying when your phone pinged again. 

“You don’t have to feel so blue, n/n,” he responded. “Look outside”

You hopped out of bed and opened your window as much as the old rusty thing could go. On the campus grass were your favorite boys flashing lights from their phones at you. Calum was resting on Ashton’s shoulders, waving at you with the wild boyish smile you loved with your entire being. Michael and Luke were beside him, Michael playing the guitar and Luke grinning and filming. 

Concentrating hard, you recognized the sweet melody. It was the very song you wrote with him, Beside You. 

“She sleeps alone

My heart wants to come home

I wish I was, I wish I was

Beside you”

Your heart did somersaults at the presentation before you. You had always begged Calum to sing more for the album but the boy was too shy. It took some pushing but you helped him get his confidence up. Taking a cardigan, you ran out of your hall and joined the boys on the lawn, tackling each of them into a hug. 

“What the hell’s wrong with you!” you shouted out with a grin. You didn’t care if your yelling woke up your peers. Your boys were here in the flesh. 

“We missed our girl,” Ashton told you, giving you a strong bear hug. 

“One of us more than the rest,” Luke added with a cheeky smirk. 

Calum had long been off Ashton’s shoulders, awaiting your hugs he missed so much. You, on the other hand, hesitated to do so. 

“Come on!” Michael playfully shoved you. “We’ve come all this way, give the boy a hug!” 

Your face was on fire. The extra pairs of eyes made you embarrassed. Calum took an extra step forward, his hands bashfully in his pockets. 

“Didn’t you miss me, sunshine?” he asked you, awfully shy now after his confession of love. He was nervous he put you off and that he read the signs wrong. 

“I did,” you whispered back, equally shy. “But I think I want something more than a hug.” 

The boys let out whoops and cheers of joy as you decided to bite the bullet, grabbing Calum by the loops of his jeans and pulling him into a kiss.

Once you had pulled away, Calum’s lips formed into a dazed smile. “Be my girl, sunshine?” he asked you softly.

You pressed your lips against his once again, though this one was much shorter. “I was always yours, Calum.”

“Why did you and him end things, y/n?” Tia asked you, bringing you out of your thoughts. You seemed to be stuck in a trance these days, always pondering over the past and what could have been. 

You chewed the inside of your cheek, truly at a loss of words. What could you say? That you had been selfish and pushed him away so that he wouldn’t end up hurting you first? That you drove the knife deep into Calum, twisting it in every way shape and form out of self preservation? There was no other way to put it than that in your mind. 

“Time heals but also kills,” you told her with a broken smile. “Cal and I decided to put ourselves out of our misery and end things while they were good before it got worse.” It wasn’t completely a lie. Sure, he had no say in your ending things, but you spoke the truth about putting him out of his misery.

“Do you still love him?” she asked. 

You glanced over at her. Her eyes shone in the light, curious and innocent. She didn’t know the pain you both had endured that landed you in this position. 

Yes, your heart cried out. You love him. You love him with your entire being, that’s why you let him go. Because you’d rather kill your soul every single day of your life than stop him from reaching his life goals. If you had to go through that awful night that you broke your own heart again, you would, just to ensure that he is happy. 

Even if that meant that he would be happy with someone else. 

“He’s my first love,” you told her tearfully. “Of course I love him. But I am not his love, and that is okay with me. Life goes on, and so should I.” 

The two of you stopped in front of your friend’s house. Tia took your hand and squeezed it. “I really do appreciate you coming along with me today,” she said earnestly. “And I’m glad I got to hear about you and Cal’s history. It really puts things into perspective.” 

You smiled back at her. “Thank you for having me,” you responded. “I hope my words haven’t changed anything between the two of you. I meant what I said; him and I are in the past. I truly want the both of us to move forward and grow in our own separate ways.” 

Your butterflies in your stomach turned into fierce wasps, stinging you sharply. Lies, your heart hissed. Tell her you love him and still want him. 

You forced the bile rising in your throat down. Tia, blind to your inner troubles, continued to speak. “That’s actually what I wanted to ask you,” she chuckled nervously. She grabbed your other hand, bringing them together. 

“I wanted to ask Cal to be my boyfriend,” Tia confessed.

Crack. There goes your heart.

Tia seemed to notice the dip in your lips and immediately retracted. “But I don’t want to overstep or anything!” she rushed. “You and Cal have history, I’m not stupid enough to deny it. And that’s okay, that’s no one’s fault. If you still love him and want him, I’m not going to get in the way. Calum, well, it’s clear he loves you, too. I’ve heard countless amounts of stories about you to not get the memo. I really like Cal, I do. But that can’t go up against love.” 

This was your chance. To right your wrongs from the past and take back what you truly wanted. Calum. You could take this moment to run to his house right now and take him back, and you’d have Tia’s full support. Zero guilt. 

But why did it hurt so bad? 

No. You made your bed, you have to sleep in it. It doesn’t matter if the bed was built of blades of self doubt and hate, you have to slip into the sharp sheets and let it pierce through your skin. You created your own mess. It is you alone that must deal with it. Not Calum, and surely not Tia. 

You’ve made enough problems for everyone as is. 

You mustered enough strength to let go of Tia’s hands and instead cup her cheeks. “Tia, honey,” you whispered calmly. “Our love is in the past. I’ve missed my chance, and I have learned to live with it. I’ve seen the way Calum looks at you, and that’s something that can blossom into something beautiful. There’s no need to dig up something that has already run its course.” 

Tia’s lip trembled at your words. You nodded carefully. “You don’t need my permission or anything to date Calum. You don’t owe me anything. You both deserve to be happy, and clearly you make each other happy.”

“Are you sure?” Tia asked. “I promise you, it won’t hurt my feelings or anything if you still want him.” 

“No, Tia,” you reassured her, despite the burning feeling in your chest. “Please, make him happy. Make him happier than I could ever make him. He deserves that much.” 

–

Two weeks have passed since your encounter with Tia. Last thing you heard was that the two were very happy indeed, but you didn’t hear if they made it official. You had plenty of dates with the girls, but you insisted on changing the subject whenever they brought Calum up. You feared that if you heard about him one more time, you might burst into tears or do something stupid. 

You finished up your work from the office in your friend’s house. Grateful to be able to work from home for the time you stayed in L.A., you had to admit that sitting on a chair from 9 to 5 made you quite sore. Eager to stretch your legs, you decided to take a walk to the local park. 

However, it wasn’t any random park. It was the place you and Cal used to have endless dates when he was back from tour or the studio. You’d lay on the blanket he took from his apartment at the time and stare at the stars. Back when you both didn’t have much, you’d snack on soup crackers you took from each time you went to the diner across the street and share a can of Coke Cal took from the vending machine after work. So many secrets were shared at this park, and so many memories were made, too. 

“I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who still frequents this place.” 

You jumped to see the last person you expected at this place. Calum gave you a bashful smile before sitting beside you on the grass. You took in the last hour of sun beaming down your skin before the sky went dark, closing your eyes and tuning out the sound of the infamous L.A. traffic. 

“How can I not?” you quipped. “This park is the only place in L.A. that isn’t stuffy or gross.”

Calum let out a laugh, quietly agreeing with you. “So what brings you here, Hood?” you asked, nudging his shoulder. 

The bassist could only shrug his shoulders. “Could say the same about you,” he hummed. “Sometimes I like to sit here and write music. Other times I just sit here and listen to the ambiance.” You nodded, crossing your arms on your chest and making sure to keep a safe distance from him. His touch was mesmerizing, but you had to remind yourself that he was no longer yours. 

“This place reminds me to stay grounded,” he told you truthfully. “When I get too in my head, I always go here, even after we broke up.” 

You dropped your hands to the grass, braiding the blades absentmindedly. “I’m glad,” you spoke up. Calum looked over at you, awaiting an explanation. “It’s too good of a place to let go after a silly little relationship.” 

“It wasn’t a silly little-” Calum fought back. 

“Let’s not talk about it, Cal,” you sighed exasperatedly. 

Calum instantly frowned. “Why not?” he pressed. “You never seem to want to talk about the good old days.”

“Because it wasn’t “the good old days,”” you insisted, lying through your teeth. 

Calum let out a stubborn huff. “Now that’s a lie,” Calum shot back. “But whatever, I won’t push.” A pregnant silence took over the two of you as Calum tried to find something to say. “Have you found yourself a new boyfriend yet?” he decided to ask. 

“Calum-” you began.

“You said not to bring up the past,” Calum argued. “This is the best I can do.” 

You shook your head at his words, giving in nonetheless. “No, I don’t,” you answered. 

“Are you not ready for one?” he asked. 

“I-” You took a moment to find the right words. “I need to work on myself before moving forward with someone else.” 

“Well, I don’t get that,” Calum commented with a snort. “You’re perfect, what could you possibly work on?”

You choked out a dry laugh, though there was no humor behind it. “Quite a bit, I’d say,” you confessed. “Calum, I was a mess, I still am. I can’t put someone through that again.” 

“You didn’t put me through anything,” Calum persisted. “And now that you mention us, I can’t recall anything that you did wrong in that relationship. It was all me.”

“No Calum!” you raised your voice, standing up abruptly. He quickly followed, standing up to meet your frustrated, tired eyes. “It was me. And I’m tired of you insisting otherwise.” 

“You said that I was always gone,” Calum reminded you, his voice matching the same volume as yours. “I don’t see anything that involves you in that.” 

You threw your hands in the air. “Because I was needy!” you exclaimed. “And I was pushy, and I hated being alone all the time–”

“But I’m right here!” he yelled back. You took a step back in shock. He was never one to raise his voice at you, even when you fought in the past. It was your throat that got raw in those arguments from having a shouting match against yourself and losing hopelessly. “Goddammit y/n I’m right here. And I promised you that night that I would always be here if that’s what you wanted.” 

Tears began to stream down your face as you pulled your hair in anger. “You don’t understand, Calum,” you cried out. 

“Then help me understand!” Calum took a step closer to you, taking your hands in his. His brown eyes were desperate, searching yours for an answer. “Please, sunshine, let me in.” 

For a moment, you almost faltered. You nearly gave in at his sweet words and use of that old nickname. But Tia remained in the back of your mind, and guilt sunk in once more.

You released yourself from his touch, looking away from his eyes. “You can’t call me that anymore,” you whispered to him. “I can’t, Calum. I just can’t.” 

Calum watched you back away hopelessly. “y/n,” he sighed.

“I’m leaving for Boston in two days,” you told him. “I’m sure Ash told you that already, though. I overstayed my welcome at my friend’s house. I should start packing.”

The bassist followed you to the gate of the park. “But I feel like we should talk about this,” Calum pleaded. 

Your fingertips grazed the gate, the cool metal sending shivers down your spine. “I’ll see you at the party, Calum.” 

– 

When you told the boys the date you were going back to Boston, Ashton jumped at the opportunity to throw you a goodbye party. In addition to catching up with you and spending every moment available with you, the boys insisted on planning the “biggest party of the century” for your departure. 

“I still don’t see the necessity for all of this,” you told the three boys with a shake of your head. 

“Trust us,” Ashton said with a wild grin. “We all need this.” 

So here you were, casually sipping your cocktail in the corner of Ashton’s home while their exquisite rager took the house by storm. Sierra and Crystal stayed by your side throughout the night, insisting  to keep up with each other while you were away. This time, you made sure to not end contact with them the way you did last time. Tia had also been in the group but left some time ago to deal with something. 

“Are you sure you have to leave?” Luke asked, pouting dramatically. “L.A. isn’t the same without you here, n/n.” 

You ruffled his hair playfully. The singer was always a little brother to you, no matter how close in age the two of you were. “I do, bub,” you said in a sorry voice. “I don’t think my boss could stand another week without me in the studio.” 

“Then move back to this location!” Michael proposed, raising his glass and nearly spilling his drink on the floor. “Transferring wouldn’t be a bad idea, would it? The studio would love to have you back, producing and doing whatever else you do.” 

You laughed at Michael’s drunken state. You were having a lot of fun relishing in the last few moments with your friends before leaving them once again. You almost didn’t realize the shouting that was going on in the dining room of Ashton’s home. 

The entire group ran to the source of the noise to find Calum standing on the dining table with Tia pleading for him to get down.

“Calum, babe, please,” Tia shouted. “You’re causing a scene.” 

All guests turned to see what was going on, especially to see why the bassist of 5 Seconds of Summer was shouting complete intelligible nonsense. 

Ashton ran towards the edge of the table. “Mate, you need to get down,” he begged hurriedly. “You’re not thinking straight, you need to get down before you get hurt.”

“No,” Calum insisted, his words slurring slightly due to his inebriated state. “I need everyone to listen to me.” 

Someone had managed to find the speaker and turn it off so everyone could hear Calum. Your heart was beating out of your chest, not from the alcohol buzzing through your system, but because of the drunk boy standing before you. 

Calum raised his cup to the crowd. “I’d like to raise a toast to the girl who broke my heart,” he announced sloppily. “The “heartbreak girl” herself, y/n l/n.” Calum clapped loudly. He was the only one who was clapping while you stood there in shock and humiliation. “I loved you, you know?” he sniffed. “And I bloody well still do. Tia’s great, though. Absolutely nothing wrong with you, Tia, I hope you know that. But you’re not the one. y/n right here, she’s the one.” 

His brown eyes, red from drinking and smoking God knows what, teared up as he looked down at you. “But what I can’t figure out is why won’t she love me?” Calum threw back the rest of his drink and winced at how strong it was. “I was getting ready to propose to you, you know?” he told you. “I had the ring in my pocket, and I was just waiting for the perfect moment.” Calum chuckled to himself bitterly. “Guess I fucked that up tremendously.”

“Calum, stop,” you pleaded. 

“Why should I?” he asked you incredulously. “You didn’t stop packing your things when I asked you to. You didn’t stop running when I chased after you in the dark. You didn’t stop when you booked that flight across the country to run away from me.” 

Tears were streaming down your face now. “It wasn’t like that, Cal,” you cried. “W-we broke up for a reason-”

“And that’s what I can’t wrap my head around!” he shouted. “You barely gave me a reason! You told me you never saw me anymore. I was willing to make more time for you, to end my career for you, to get down on one knee and be with you, and that wasn’t enough! There had to be another reason-”

“There wasn’t, Cal!” you sobbed. “So drop it, please.” 

Silence spread throughout the whole house. No one moved an inch, too shocked to make a single sound or move. All that could be heard was the sounds of your messy sobs that you failed to keep in. Cal dropped his cup and gestured his hands at you. 

“The Heartbreak Girl, everyone,” he announced with a broken sigh. “Hope you enjoyed this one hell of a show, with your heartbroken host, Calum Thomas Hood.”

You ran out of the house as fast as your feet could take you. The air was brisk in your lungs, but you didn’t care. You couldn’t care when the man you loved poured his heart out to you, only for you to squash it like it was nothing. 

“y/n!” you heard a voice call out for you. You whipped around to see Tia, scrambling to catch up to you. In the back, you could see the band -minus Calum- and their significant others peering out the glass door to see what was going on. 

Tia grabbed your hand tightly. “y/n, fuck, I’m so sorry about Calum,” she apologized, swearing profusely. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him. First we were talking about our relationship then-“

“Please, don’t bring up your relationship,” you cut her off, roughly shaking your head. “I know I gave you my blessing, but please I can’t bear to get my heart broken again.” 

“You don’t understand!” Tia pushed. “We don’t have a relationship to begin with! y/n, I never asked Calum to be my boyfriend, I just couldn’t. I couldn’t interfere with a love as great as yours and his.”

You stumbled backwards. “What?” 

Tia nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “y/n, you and Calum are endgame, don’t you see? I only talked to him tonight to explain that you still loved him. I guess he was too caught up in the alcohol to think rationally.” 

“Tia,” you said, voice dripping in disappointment and dread. “That wasn’t your secret to tell him.”

“Were you going to say anything?” she shot back. “You weren’t, so I had to take matters into my own hands. n/n, I’m a firm believer in fate and second chances. This is your chance at making everything right-“ 

“But I can’t!” you cried, ripping your hand away from hers. “Don’t you get it? I’m the one that’s killing him! I put him through hell and I can’t continue to do that. Why can’t you see that I’m a fucked up mess that ruins everything I touch? I love Calum, I’ll never stop loving him, but I’m not blind enough to not see that my love is torturing him slowly.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose in frustration. Tears reappeared in the corner of your eyes, but you were too tired to wipe them away. “I’m never going to be enough for Calum,” you confessed. “That’s why I broke up with him. I can’t watch him waste his life away on a girl that’s only going to disappoint him. I’m not like you, Tia. I’m not perfect, or beautiful, or smart, or anything remotely interesting. And one day, Calum is going to see that and realize he missed his opportunity to find someone good for him, someone that he deserves.

“I don’t deserve him, Tia,” you finished in a broken whisper. “I never will. So I’d rather fade into the background and be a distant memory than become a face he can’t stand to look at.” 

“That’s not true,” Tia insisted, tears gracefully falling down her beautiful face. “y/n, you have to believe me when I say that’s not true.”

A car drove down the street, approaching the two of you. You let out a sigh of relief, recognizing it as your uber. “I don’t have to believe you,” you replied, opening the car door. “My word is all that I need.”

—

Calum woke up the next day with a pounding headache. He groaned aloud, sitting up on the couch and cradling his head. He wished he was drunk enough that night to forget everything that happened, but he remembered every single detail. From the beat of the bass from the stereo to the way your dress hugged your curves he loved to kiss and hold. 

He finally pushed you away, he realized. And for good, this time. Calum felt dread and regret rush through his system, and all he wanted was to crawl into his bed and sleep his life away. 

“You know grumbling isn’t going to cure a hangover,” Tia’s reprimanding voice rang through the living room. 

Tia. Calum jumped up to face her where she had been leaning against the door frame.

“Oh Ti,” he sighed, covering his face in embarrassment. “I’m so sorry for last night, I must have humiliated you. I’m a right idiot, and I’m so sorry I put you through that.” 

“Oh shut up,” Tia laughed, walking over to him and sitting him down. “I can’t say that I wasn’t hurt, but I also can’t say I was surprised with how things turned out.” Calum hung his head low, ashamed of his behavior. He never wanted to hurt either of you. “Cal, you don’t have to be so sullen. It’s okay, there’s no hard feelings or bad blood between us.”

When Calum couldn’t bring himself to respond, Tia decided to take it a step further. “I always knew you loved her,” she confessed. “That’s why I brought it up to you last night. I wanted both of you to work things out. She really does love you.” 

Calum let out a bitter laugh. “She sure has a way of showing it,” he muttered. “Tia, don’t make me feel worse by feeding me lies. It hurts enough that I hurt both of you, don’t make it worse by saying that bullshit.” 

“I’m telling the truth!” she fought back. “y/n still loves you, she told me that herself.”

“Then why did she break up with me?” Calum retorted. “If her love never left the table, where was it when she broke things off? Correct me if I’m wrong, Tia, but I don’t think that’s how you treat the people you supposedly love.” 

Tia screwed her eyes shut, heaving out a sigh. “She loved you so much, she thought you deserved more,” Tia finally explained. “She let you go so that you could find someone better, someone who makes you happier.” 

“That doesn’t make sense,” Calum shook his head, eyebrows furrowed in thought. “How could she think that? No one could be better than her, um, no offense.” Tia snorted at the last part. “If anything, I thought I didn’t deserve her.”

“Well you’re both idiots,” Tia deadpanned. “You two clearly love each other more than life itself but were too blind to see you were perfect for each other.” 

Calum’s shoulders caved in as he drowned in his thoughts. His hangover headache was piercing his skull but he couldn’t care less. He couldn’t process why you’d ever think so lowly of yourself when he praised the ground you walk on. 

“How can I go back to her and repair things when I never realized she was hurting?” he asked. “Why would she ever want me back when I wasn’t there at her lowest? All the signs were there. She stopped calling me every night to talk about her day while I was away. She’d dodge my Facetimes with bullshit excuses that I failed to point out.” Calum huffed to himself, beating himself up critically. “What makes you think I won’t fuck up again when she needs me?”

“Because you’ve learned from your mistakes before,” Tia told him, rubbing his arm soothingly. “And you can learn from them again. That’s what I like about you, Cal. You always made an effort to better yourself, no matter the challenge. And if you truly love her, you’re going to end up fine.” 

Calum smiled softly at Tia’s words, raising his chin to look her in the eyes. “I love her so much,” he whispered. The bassist took her hand, squeezing it affectionately. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out with us, Ti,” he apologized genuinely. “I really do hope you find someone who is willing to lay down their life for you.” 

“I’ve watched two lovers reconnect like no time has passed at all,” Tia smiled back. “Trust me, I have the groundwork laid out for what’s ahead of me.” 

Suddenly, Calum’s phone began to ring. Lunging towards the arm of the couch, Calum pulled his phone off the charger and read the caller ID. Eyes wide, he looked at Tia who gave him a knowing look. 

“I’ll start the car.” 

–

You opened your eyes, immediately squinting at the bright light. You were met once again with the familiar feeling of a skull splitting headache and aching ankle. 

“Must you always get yourself into these situations?” 

You turned to face those brown eyes and cheeky smile you adored. Calum shook his head in disbelief, taking your hand in his. “I thought you said you’d change your emergency contact,” he said in a scolding tone. 

Your face was on fire at his words. “I forgot,” you told him honestly. 

Once again, you ended up in the hospital with similar injuries to what you received at the beginning of your trip. But instead of a car accident, you’d clumsily fallen down the stairs on the way to your Uber to the airport. Luckily a neighbor next door heard the ruckus and loaded you into the Uber straight to the hospital. 

“Or it’s fate,” Calum suggested, resting his hand on the side of your head. 

“Calum,” you tried to counter.

He stopped you instantly. “I know why you ended things,” he simply told you. “And I think I deserve a say in it.” Closing your mouth, you let him speak. “You’re wrong, y/n. You do deserve me as much as I deserve you. And I love you no matter what. I don’t need a famous celebrity as my partner when I have you in my life. None of that superficial stuff matters to me, y/n, you know that. And I know that for as long as I live and you forget to change your emergency contact list, I’ll always come for you.” 

Your heart fluttered, and you allowed yourself to feel hope for the both of you. “But what if someday down the line you want more?” you asked in a small voice. 

Calum blinked away his tears. “What more can I want?” he said in response. “You’re all I want, y/n. I’m so sorry I ever made you doubt that.” 

“Don’t apologize,” you laughed, tears beginning to fall, too. “It was my stupid brain that made me doubt in the first place.” 

Calum leaned in, his lips brushing against yours. “So is that it?” he asked. “Are we done doubting? Will you finally come home, y/n? Be with me forever?” 

You raised your hand to cup his cheek. He instinctively leaned into your touch. “With you,” you told him surely. “I’m always home. I’m yours, Calum Hood.” 

–

if you enjoyed, please like and reblog! it would mean a lot to me <3

[flowermiist]

A warm heart - II

Click here to check out past chapters if you haven’t ♡

Pairing: John Price x Fem!Reader

Sypnosis: Some time ago, you started a cooking channel on YouTube as a way to relax, have a proper hobby and teach others your favorite recipes as you improved your own culinary skills too. Fame wasn't something you wanted, you were more than happy with your 50k subscribers... Yet you never thought you'd stumble upon one of them.

Word count: 3k

A/N: Hii!! I’m really excited for this chapter (as with every other) I’d like to apologize if this took me more time than I intended, work has been quite heavy lately but all the kind comments make me smile soo much. Enjoy!! And please don’t forget to like, reblog and let me know your thoughts about this chapter if you’d like!

After leaving your car at Harrison’s garage, you take an uber home. The mechanic told you it would take about three days to properly fix what was wrong with the engine, you didn’t give it much thought.

You sit in the back seat of the Uber and place your grocery bags on your lap, you sigh and open your purse, seeing the small note with John’s number – It was written on an old receipt the man managed to find in one of the pockets of his jeans, using a black pen you always keep in the glove compartment of your car.

You sink back into your thoughts while looking out the window. You don’t know whether to call his number or not, you sigh and keep thinking, as intense as it might sound, you know that if you call his number and he doesn’t pick up, you’ll be too embarrassed to ever attempt to call him again – You promise yourself that if he doesn’t pick up, you won’t call again.

It wasn’t like you wanted anything other than to thank him again properly for helping you back there. John was nice, yes, but he was still a stranger and you didn’t really know much about him.

You turn your head to the other window and realize you’ve reached your destiny, you pay the grumpy driver and make your way into place.

The charms hanging from the keychain jingle as you open the front door. You sigh and close the door behind you, locking it before you start walking towards the kitchen with the grocery bags in hand as well as your personal bag that has the receipt with the phone number of certain man – you make sure to place the groceries where they belong and you kneel down to the drawers of the counter where you store the bags you used, might come handy anytime.

The tripod is still on the counter where you left it. You check the battery of your camera before grabbing the ingredients for the homemade sourdough bread you’ve been preparing for your next video.

So after washing and drying your hands, you re-adjust the camera to the tripod and begin recording the process, making sure the lightning looks good enough.

When you try to start the small oven to preheat it and have it ready for the bread, it does not respond which makes you confused since last time you used it, which was over a week ago, it had been working – not anymore, apparently.

What is going on? Why is everything you own acting up? First the car now the fucking oven, great.

Not wanting to get pissed any further, you choose to use the oven of your stove which of course, was bigger and would take more time to heat up.

This was going to be a long night for sure.

John finishes putting the clean dishes away, the TV in the background with some History Channel show he was not paying attention to, but it was just the background noise he wanted.

Not particularly interested in what the telly had to offer anymore, he turns it off and does the same with the lights of the living room as well.

John Price has always had a pretty strict rule for himself and for his house, to turn off every light he wasn’t using – except for the old lamp he had in his living room next to the couch but besides from that one lamp, every other room that was not being used did not need any artificial lighting.

As he’s about to walk towards the stairs, the man remembers the laundry he had put in the dryer earlier, he had completely forgotten about it – “Fucking ’ell…” the words escape his lips as he clicks his tongue in annoyance and moves towards the uility room of his house, where the clothes should be.

After opening the small lid of the dryer, John places the clean clothes in the basket, grabs the old iron and the ironing board. He has never liked to leave things to the last minute, never liked to do things in a hurry and do them badly. John knows it’s better to iron the clean clothes now rather than leave them all wrinkly and forgotten.

Placing the ironing board in the living room, he folds out the winkly t-shirt and connects the iron, waiting for it to start producing enough heat and get this shit over with as soon as possible.

Some steam appears and he grabs the handle, making smooth movements with the iron, moving it from from the neck to the short sleeve of the green cotton t-shirt.

Looking back at it, the material is still the same, wrinkly and with obvious creases. John gathers his patience and moves the iron again, using a rough hand to stretch the fabric more and trying to press one of the buttons to make more heat yet nothing happens.

His mind drifts towards today’s events as all he can hear is the sound of the iron against the clothes – Your smile was still in the back of his mind and the thought of the big possibility of you not calling his number crosses his mind. Was he too forward? Would you call?

Without noticing, he moves the iron over his thumb and part of the back of his hand, groaning out in pain loudly as the sharp pain immediately hits him. John quickly grabs his left wrist. “God fuckin’ damnit, old fucking thing!” – Endless insults rumble through his chest, escaping through gritted teeth as the man is scrunching up his face with discomfort looking at the back of his hand where the bright red mark on his thumb throbs.

The smell of burning fabric and steam catches his attention again, looking down at the iron burning his shirt he quickly grabs it and places it vertically, taking a moment to manage the anger rising inside him, his face almost red.

John lifts up the green t-shirt, his gaze darkens as he sees the dark hole over the sleeve of the fabric. “Awesome.” He states with anger and sarcasm as he throws the t-shirt on the floor and unplugs the iron, contemplating smashing it against the wall for a single second but knowing it won’t solve anything.

Breathing through his nose while calming down, he walks to the kitchen sink, gritting his teeth in discomfort as he washes the burning part of his left hand – A first degree burn, nothing he can’t handle.

The basket with clothes ready to be ironed remains forgotten as John grabs one of the aid kits he keeps inside one of his kitchen counters. The man clearly has experience with dealing with these superficial wounds as he loosely wraps some of the bandage around it, covering the red area.

“What a muppet.” He grits through his teeth, directed to nobody but himself.

When you finally finish the video, you look at the clock, it is around 21:30 and you are tired, however; you aren’t too tired to go to bed just yet – and besides that, there’s still something you want to do before going to bed or rather someone you want to talk to.

The bread has such a good smell, freshly baked as you cut a big piece and put some cheese, tomato slices and arugula over it before biting and almost melting at the delicious flavor filling your palate.

You walk towards your bedroom and open the drawer of the nightstand right next to your bed to grab the pack of cigarettes on the second drawer. You were never a smoker but you liked the taste of nicotine on your mouth from time to time, especially after such a long day like this one.

You open all the windows to make sure the smell does not stay inside the apartment, you may like the taste and how the nicotine relaxes your mind but you still find the smell of it sticking to your clothes absolutely annoying.

Walking back to the living room, you grab our purse as the cigarette remains between your lips, the string of smoke and the smell over you now, your eyes open more when you look at the old receipt with the man’s number and smile, grabbing the cigarette from your lips and exhaling the smoke out of you.

At this point, all you are wearing is a pair of gray lacy underwear and a white tank top.

You look at the wrinkled paper and gather some courage before you dial the number and press on the green phone icon to call.

John sits on his back porch, a cigar between his index and middle finger.

His attention is immediately caught when he hears the ringing sound of his phone back in the living room, where he left it before moving to wash the dishes. Who would be calling him at this time of the night if it was not work related?

He grunts as his knees crack when he stands up and walks back inside, seeing the “unknown” contact and quietly staring at the number. Could it be?... No, he does not want to get his hopes up.

“Hello?” A hoarse, masculine voice speaks through the line with a tone full of curiosity and some clear seriousness, you immediately smile, holding the cigarette as sink down on the swing chair of your balcony.

“Hope it isn’t too late.” You say, bringing your hand closer to your mouth and position and the nail of your right thumb between your teeth when you hear a low chuckle. He recognized your voice, of course he would.

“How are you?” The man immediately asks after you stop talking – If you were able to see him, you’d see the way he scratches the beard on his cheek and goes back to his porch, a small smile between his thin lips.

“I’m good…” There’s a small silence before you speak again, keeping the phone close to your ear with your left hand. “Wanted to thank you again for everything, you know…”

John hums in acknowledgement – “No need to thank me, it was quite an honor for me to help my cooking teacher…” Is he flirting? No, that has to be a trick your mind wants to play with you for fun.

“How’s the car, eh? Hope it didn’t stop in the middle of the road.” He slightly tilts his head to the side while speaking, changing the topic rather fast.

“Well… I left it with the mechanic, won’t have it for a few days – took an uber home.”

You could have asked me to drive you home – He wants to say as he takes a puff of the thick cigar between his fingers. Of course, he would not rush into anything. He was still a stranger to you after all and the thought of possibly sounding creepy cringes him.

“Sounds like you had quite the battle then, with all those grocery bags?” His tone makes you chuckle and that gives him some relief yet he doesn’t want to think much of this call for now.

“I did, actually. Came home and filmed my next video.” You say, forgetting about the cigarette between your fingers and you move your hand away from your face.

“Mhm… Next recipe then?”

“Yes.”

“May I know ’bout it?”

“Nope.”

John chuckles quietly and it makes you smile.

“It’s a surprise...” The calmness of your voice is clear and it resonates in his ears.

“I don’t mind waiting then.” His voice is just as calm as yours.

There’s a comfortable silence through the line when the question pops out and you decide to ask it, to learn more about him.

“You said you had experience with changing tires.”

“Indeed.” John responds, giving you silence of his own for you to speak.

“Well, you got me wondering if you were actually my mechanic in disguise.” It lights up the mood a little bit when you hear a breathy smile. John grins before replying.

“I could be, you never know…”

“Where did you get the experience?”

He thinks of his answer...

“Different places ’round the world.” It’s vague and definitely not enough for you to figure him out completely and you are eager to do so.

A hum sounds through your throat, you take a drag of your cigarette and exhale. Not keeping the smoke inside for too long.

“You travel a lot?”

“Quite a lot, yes.” His voice is still calm. John is pondering whether he should say more or leave it at that, he is not the most open man when it comes to his line of work.

“Business men travel a lot.” The suggestion arises in the air when your words are spoken.

“They do, don’t they?” The sarcasm he uses answers absolutely nothing, he’s messing with you and you can clearly tell he finds it funny.

“Maybe you’re a famous lawyer traveling from one boring conference to another…” Another one of your suggestions.

John can’t help but grin a little at your response – “No, nothing like that.”

“Doctor?”

“No, not that either.”

You sigh, you won’t deny this is entertaining but you were getting nowhere so you give it one final try – “Well... They say military men travel a lot... Are you one of them?”

“Correct.” A calm voice replies and you try not to cheer loudly at finally guessing a part of this man’s life.

“So you’re in the military?” You want to make sure you’re right, even if he was clear and brief.

“I am.”

The line goes quiet before you break the silence.

“Explains a lot then.” You try to sound unimpressed as you shrug and it does get to him because now he’s curious.

“Does it?” He moves the cigar to his lips again, taking a puff and looking up at the dark sky.

The phone call hides the teasing smile painted over your lips. “Yeah, you look it.”

Before John can question your words any further, you change the topic.

“I’m pretty sure there are evil gnomes messing with my stuff.”

Your words don’t fail to impress him as he exhales smoke through his nostrils.

“You believe in that stuff?” The thick british accent and his raspy masculine voice could not be more noticeable as he tries not to sound rude while making fun of your possible beliefs.

A chuckle escapes your lips and you pretend to act offended by his selection of words “And what if I do?” A brief pause – “First my car then my oven…”

It catches his attention, John tilts his head like some curious dog and keeps the phone pressed against his ear.

“Did the secret recipe go wrong?”

“Well, almost.” You sigh and elaborate. “So I got this… smaller oven, easier to use compared to the bigger one that comes with the stove but as I tried to preheat it, it stopped responding.” “I’ll have to get a new one tomorrow.”

With a sigh, you get up from the swing and get closer to have a view of the street under your building, you take another drag of your cigarette as you place your elbows on the frame of the balcony, feeling the cold breeze embrace your exposed thighs and caress your almost naked arms, moving your hair with it.

“Could help you look for a new one.” The same husky voice sounds through the speaker of your phone. John’s eyes dart around his back yard, a man like him is never fully off guard. No matter where.

“You’ve already helped me enough… I- don’t really want to bother you.” There’s some embarrassment in the tone you use, looking up at the dark night sky while exhaling a slow – thin string of smoke out of your lips.

The man gazes at his bandaged thumb then at his fingers holding the cigar.

“Wouldn’t mind a shopping expedition, could use one m’self.”

This catches your attention, curiosity enters your mind. “Yeah?”

John won’t admit the fact that he burnt his hand with the old iron because he was distracted, he would rather lie that sound like a fool.

“Got this old iron at home, burnt my bloody hand while trying to use it, burnt my goddamn t-shirt too.” Some embarrassment makes the british man scrunch up his face, he doesn’t want to sound like a potty mouth.

He clears his throat before continuing – “Would be good to kill two birds in a stone, ya get your oven and I get my iron… Some advice could be useful too – ’bout the iron, ’course...”

A small smile escapes your lips as you reply to the man on the line - “Sounds like a good plan then...”

“Sounds like it.”

“Could drive you to the store with me if that’s alright.”

Right, you haven’t thought about how you’d get there.

“Will need one.” Of course you will, dummy, You don’t have your car with you – Says that little voice within your head, the one that tries to prevent you from saying too much.

His deep voice is heard again through the speaker of your phone. “Right, no problem.”

John replies, his tone monotone and casual about it which you’re thankful for.

“What time can I pick you up at? Got all day.”

“I get out of work at five, a friend will drop me off at home… Is six too late for you?”

“Don’t worry ’bout it, six ’s fine.” John says calmly and you smile.

“I’ll text you the address then.” You sit back on the hanging chair as the wind moves your hair and you squish the head of the cigarette against the ashtray placed on the small glass table of your balcony.

“Six it is then.” That voice rumbles through his chest and without even knowing you just put your cigarette away, he sticks the head of the cigar against the wood of his porch, leaving a small mark, putting his own cigar away almost at the same time as you.

“Good night, John.”

“Sleep tight, Y/N.”

Taglist: @bumblebeesfromvenus @thesevi0lentdelights @zekes-beard @blckbrrybasket @shuttlelauncher81 @thychuvaluswife @airzonaaa @mamanmae @cadotoast @ateliefloresdaprimavera @heyitsmarimari @markitvz @live-love-be-unique @syoddeye @hyriefortuno (Let me know im the comments if you’d like to be added! Dm me for removals! ♡)

[sorchathered]

Strip that down

Pairing- Club Owner!Jake Seresin x Dancer!Reader (Nightclub AU)

Warnings- mentions of stripping, language, light smut

Summary-I’m gonna be so serious y’all I blacked out writing this, might make it a series of drabbles in the future bc I went feral for the concept.

“I swear you have got to be the most pig headed, arrogant son of a bitch I’ve ever met” you say as you storm down the hall, a very disgruntled Jake Seresin hot on your heels. He hadn’t intended to start a fight but goddamnit it seemed like no matter what he said lately caused an argument.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? It’s not like I was asking for that girl’s number or anything, she was all over me! What did you want me to do? hit her? Come on Cherry just stop and look at me please?” He said as he jogged in front of you to stall you. You two weren’t even dating, you’d been very adamant that this was just hooking up, so why were you so pissed? Unless…

“Cherry look at me. I can’t keep fighting with you like this, it’s driving me insane. If you want to break things off we can, I can’t say I won’t miss you but I’ll get it. We work together and it’s hard to be professional when shit like this happens. But…if you want more, all you have to do is ask baby girl, you know good and damn well you’ve got me totally wrapped.”

He had you crowded up against the sticky nightclub wall, bass thrumming through the room straight into your chest as he skimmed his hands up and down your sides. You’d been in the middle of your set when you watched some fresh faced new hire throw her arms around his neck and get way too close for your liking, but of course you had to be professional and continue on, trying to school your features as you danced on stage. The second you’d finished and gotten your tips you’d slammed his portion on the bar, stomping off to the dressing rooms, the fire in your eyes enough to burn the whole room down. He wasn’t yours, he was your boss and you should’ve known better than to let him get under your skin like this.

You were trying to get your bearings but your head was spinning, had he really just said he wanted more? You opened your mouth but promptly shut it, how were you supposed to respond to that? Of course that’s what you wanted but you never would’ve suggested it, you’d been in love with him since the two of you had started this whole arrangement, how could you not be? He was charming and charismatic, and don’t even ask about his looks; the man knew he looked good. He was making it harder and harder to focus now, those damn hands of his couldn’t seem to stop grazing over whatever exposed flesh he could get to and it was making you dizzy.

He cocked his head and smirked that smart ass smile at you, leaning in to whisper against your lips, “Gotta use your words baby, you want us to keep going like we are? Or do you want me to make you mine? You say the word and I’ll make sure every girl in a 100 mile radius knows you own me, but I need to hear you say it.”

“You know I do, I love you, you’re such an asshole but fuck I do, I love you Jake.”

He groaned as he pressed himself to you, kissing you hard as he continued to run his hands all over your body. “Goddamnit Cherry, you can’t just drop a bomb like that on me, making me fucking crazy, I ought to take you right here where everyone can see.” His words sent fire through your veins, you cried out and bucked into him at the thought of him fucking you right outside of the main stage, anyone could walk by and you weren’t sure you’d even care. He chuckled against the shell of your ear as he continued to press his palm against your core, he could feel you soaking through the thin fabric of your costume, again he briefly considered following through with his taunting and fucking you right here, but thought better of it because after all you were still at work. He kissed you again and removed his hand from your shorts, watching your pretty doe eyes blink at him in shock, you really had thought he’d do it.

“Oh come on now don’t look at me like that, go change and grab your stuff, first I’m gonna take you out for dinner and then you can be my dessert, whadd’ya say Cherry Pie?” You rolled your eyes but let him scoot you down the hall, and when you walked out with his hand on your ass you made sure the new waitress caught a glimpse of your tongue down his throat. Jake could definitely get used to this side of you, and the private dances just for him every night didn’t hurt either.

🏷️ Tagging- @mamamaystbr @mamachasesmayhem @sailor-aviator @attapullman @bobgasm @sebsxphia @goldenseresinretriever @bradshawssugarbaby @roosterforme @mynameismckenziemae @sarahsmi13s @hangmansgbaby

[ywnzn]

boy next door ᡣ𐭩 so dramatic

ᡣ𐭩 song eunseok x fem!reader

ᡣ𐭩 synopsis. in which yn keeps texting a random number life updates, that turns out to be the boy next door.

ᡣ𐭩 warnings. lower case intended, not proofread, kissing ? lolol, wonbin being a ynseok anti, ignore any typos pls.

ᡣ𐭩 wc. 515

“dude, just finish your job, you’ll go home and see her.” wonbin groaned, rubbing his temple in frustration at his friend’s lack of productivity.

“you don’t get it, i don’t even have any motivation.” eunseok rolled his eyes, fingers tapping on the back of his phone anxiously.

he hasn’t seen his girlfriend since the night before, of course he was feeling that way.

wonbin grimaced, but before he could reply back, sungchan entered the studio. “and why are you late?” wonbin turned to the taller guy, who said he’s going to get coffee 40 minutes ago but only came back now.

“i had a situation…” he scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, “and what is it- oh right, i forgot i asked you to…”

eunseok’s ears picked on the way wonbin’s voice got quiet, however, he didn’t get the chance to turn around before he felt two small hands cover his eyes. he smiled and a small chuckle left his lips.

“guess who?” the familiar voice paired with the equally familiar scent were enough to widen his grin.

“my baby, of course,” eunseok giggled, his hands moving to hold yn’s and uncover his eyes, he turned his head to look at her with a smile still plastered on his lips.

“hi,” yn giggled shyly, cheeks slightly reddened. “hey, cutie.” eunseok giggled back, standing up and facing her so their position won’t be straining anymore.

“keep it down with the pda, or you’ll see my lunch.” wonbin groaned again, putting his headphones on before he could hear or see anything else.

“so dramatic.” eunseok shook his head at the boy before he turned back to his girlfriend who was busy giggling at the sight of wonbin complaining.

“hey, don’t look at him.” he pouted and cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him.

she giggled again and leaned up to press her lips against his pout in a quick move, pecking it before she pulled back again, watching as his cheeks got pink.

“goddamn, what did i say about pda? i’m telling seunghan.” wonbin groaned, standing up and taking his laptop with him. glaring at the couple as he stepped out the studio, pulling sungchan, who was silently lounging on the couch, out with him.

“now we’re alone.” eunseok smirked, leaning in till their noses almost touched. “don’t get too excited, seoki, i need to go back soon.” yn pouted, nuzzling her nose gently against his.

eunseok hummed, his hands resting on her waist and pulling her closer towards him before he tilted his head and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss.

yn kissed back almost immediately, fingers slipping through his hair; which made eunseok giggle softly against her lips.

he always felt ticklish whenever she played with his hair or brushed her fingers through it. soon after both had to pull away for air, eunseok let himself rest his forehead against yn’s, eyes closed and lips spread in a smile.

a few seconds of comfortable silence passed before she heard him mumble against her lips;

“i love you, hong yn”

₊ ⊹ prev | bonus ⊹ ₊

ᡣ𐭩 notes. the end ?! i’m definitely gonna post bonus chapters at some point though (taro if u see this ily, thank u for being my no.1 supporter <3) (and thank uuu hannie for keeping me sane ‼️)

ᡣ𐭩 taglist. [closed] @deobriize @starwonb1n @teddywook @seunghancore @molensworld @ahnneyong @lecheugo @eternalgyu @rksbae @hakkkuu @wonychu @nakam00t @totheseok @ilovechanhee @strawbaemi @miyawakiblossoms @kgyam4 @sseastar-main @rosesfortaro @dodot04lover @daegale @b-riize @snoopyana @lipsbyive @bludzk1llzyuzu @keilovr @ksywoo @bambisnc @poollabug @rllymark @jinanangel @bunni @drinktaro @wonbinsvlle @lcvehee @snowyseungs @miyawwn @nujeskz @https-yeonjun @esther-kpopstan

[petsdenonne]

hi!! may i request some arkham knight jason smut with a lot of oral? 👀

Should’ve listened

Pairing: ArkhamKnight!Jason x Fem!Reader

Warnings: SMUT 18+, Gun against jaw (for a second in a non-sexual scene), Oral, brief mention of church, semi-public sex.

Word Count: 1,426

Summary: After zoning out at a bad time, you come to learn that maybe it isn’t bad after all.

Authors note: oh my god, I forgot how feral I am for AK!Jason, like ugh, I went down a little rabbit hole of research to refresh my brain after writing so much RH!Jason and I’m sure glad I did. Thank you, Anon 💕 Gonna have to play Batman: Arkham knight again even though I’ve already finished it.

✨MASTERLISTS✨

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

Your breathing faltered as the air got caught in your throat at the sight of him, your heartbeat ringing loudly in your ears. You had heard others talking about him, and you’d seen photos and videos in the media, but none of them had quite done him any sort of justice.

You couldn’t even see his face, it being covered by a full helmet with bat ears and an LED panel front, yet you were still intrigued. 

The way he walked and carried himself, the way his body language demanded respect, and how his voice came out all husky and modified through the modulator had a dampness forming in your underwear. 

You shook your head a little to try to clear the thoughts swarming your mind, thoughts you definitely should not in any circumstances be thinking about the Arkham Knight- 

“Did you just shake your head no?” His voice abruptly cut in.

Oh, shit. 

Your head shake had been a lot stronger than you had intended for it to be, causing him to think that you were disagreeing with what he had been saying to the group of mercenaries present tonight, which you had zoned out of to focus on what his hands might feel like on your body, so you had no idea what you had even accidentally said no to. 

“No”

“No? Are you sure?” 

“Maybe?”

Scoffing he pushed past a couple of people to get to where you were standing in the back row, looming over you as he closed the gap between you intimidatingly. 

“I said that I am going to hand-pick people present here for my personal squad tonight, and you thinking that you have a say of your own makes you target number one, you shaking your head no, thinking you have freewill means you’re stuck to my side tonight… Say no to me again, and I’m going to make you wish you don’t even have a head to shake next time. Am I clear?”

“Yes” You said under your breath, distracted by how close he was to you. If you were brave enough you could reach out and touch him, run your hands along the armoured plating on his chest. 

“Excuse me? Speak up” You only registered what he had said as you felt the cold barrel of his gun press into the underside of your jaw, the metal digging into your skin a little bit.

“Yes” You repeated, this time a lot louder “Yes, you are clear.”

—-------------

Oh, of course, the one day you mess up and get forced to stick to Arkham Knight’s side is the one where he decides he is going to stand on a random Gotham rooftop and overlook the city. 

You’d never really been that fond of heights, not since you’d fallen off that wall at school and broken your left arm in three places. This must have been God’s way of punishing you for not going to church since you’d flown the nest. 

To your right, you could see him in your peripheral setting up some sort of equipment quickly and gracefully like he had done it a thousand times before, which you realised he probably had when you turned to look at what it was and saw that it was a sniper tripod. His fingers worked smoothly to set up the rifle and attach it to the joint. As a bone-biting breeze blew through you, you began to rub your arms a little to try to generate some sort of warmth, walking over to where he was working as you began to feel a little dizzy from how close you were to the edge, you really didn’t need to be fainting and going over. 

The thought made you dry heave a little which caused him to stop working momentarily. His hands paused as if he was listening to see if you were going to throw up. 

“Sit” He instructed bluntly as his hands again began to move, a small tut under his breath as one of the parts didn’t quite click in as it should. 

Blinking a couple of times you stayed standing for a few seconds before you immediately began to move so your arse was on the asphalt as he turned to look at you, even though you weren’t able to see his eyes you could feel them burning into you. 

“Good” a small huff sounded through his modulator “Now stay there. I don’t have time to scrape you off of the pavement” 

You don’t know why you did it, but you scoffed at that statement. As soon as it left your mouth you could feel the air around you tense up, oh shit. 

“Excuse me?” Standing up, he walked over so that he was towering over you. Making you feel like an ant against him, the flickering LED display of his helmet causing a sense of unease to burrow deep into your gut “Up. Now. Get over there.” 

—--------

You knew the Arkham Knight liked to punish those who went against him, liked to torture them until they were so out of it that even prayers and begging wouldn’t pass their lips anymore, because they knew they were already in hell. 

When he told you to get up and move you were convinced you were about to go over the edge of the roof, he said he didn’t want to scrape you off of the pavement, but that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t cause the mess himself. You hadn’t ever pictured his punishments as…this.

The cold night’s air that had been cutting at your face earlier on was now cutting at your bare arse and pussy, soothing the aching handprint now present on your behind, the firm smack noise and burning sting making you aware that the handprint was now a pair. His fingers lightly rubbed against the growing welt to soothe it a little before tracing down the back of your thigh as he knelt down behind you, making you bend further over the air conditioning unit that was currently supporting your body weight. 

“Keep your head forward” He demanded, not wanting to piss him off more you obeyed, keeping your eyes locked on the city view as you heard his helmet release and slide off of his head, there was a slight heavy noise as he placed it down- fuck. 

Holy shit.

Your focus was interrupted by the feeling of his tongue gliding through your folds, teasingly skipping over your clit as he went. You could feel him gripping onto your thighs as he repeated the path a couple of times before he finally focused in on the bundle of nerves. Closing his lips around it he began to suck, gently at first but quickly growing in force. A whimper-like moan left your lips, causing him to spank you again “Shut up.” 

Without his helmet on you could hear his voice for what it actually was. Liquid gold. 

A thick Gotham accent with a husky tone to it, you didn’t really care for the specifics of his voice too much, you just know it added to the growing pressure in your stomach. 

Whilst you had been distracted by what he sounded like he had decided that he was done being soft, and was now going to eat you like a starved man.

His tongue lapped at your wetness before pushing deep into you, his calloused thumb moving to circle your clit to help you reach your peak faster. Hard breathy moans vibrated into your pussy as he went, causing you to moan louder than before, but this time he didn’t silence you. Because this time he would be a hypocrite. 

As you tilted your head down slightly to try to not lose yourself you could see that he had unbuckled his trousers and the tact straps that usually kept his pistols on his thighs so he could pull his trousers and boxers down to his knees, his hard cock currently trapped in his tight fist as he pumped in time with his tongue moving in and out of you. 

The sight made you hit your high, releasing over his mouth and chin as you let out a strangled groan, after a few short moments you’d hear a similar noise but deeper, more masculine, before the asphalt where he was kneeling was glazed in his own spend. 

“I think you should be a brat more often, Doll” He said as he kissed your inner thighs.

His boyish cocky grin would be ingrained in your brain until you died.

✨TAG LIST:✨

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[haowrld]

TO WISH — XU MINGHAO

SYNOPSIS : minghao finds himself back at his hometown, dreaming to meet you again.

NOTES : xu minghao x gn!reader, small fluff, angst, romance, non-idol!au, minghao’s pov, lowercase intended, a bit grim(?), dream to nightmare, not proofread

WORD COUNT : 1.8k words

WARNINGS : drowning, mentions of death, character death

A/N : this is inspired by hai cheng and this took like months to finish since it was just in the drafts LMAO. anywayy pls let me know what you think 🤧 🩵

MASTERLIST

it was the season of autumn, and the rustling leaves on the trees gently fell on the stony ground. there was a comforting silence in the afternoon and minghao thought that this would be a good moment to take a picture.

walking to his old home, he begins to appreciate the usual comfort. the cozy color of brown around the beige white as he lets himself bask in the peeking sunlight through the window and wishes to think about nothing—letting time pass by without a word.

but his mind continued to trail on as he thought about the waters. the rich color of the sea—a vibrant teal with a mix of the soft color blue. the way the waves move past sandy shores. he thinks about the sea creatures that wander aimlessly around the sea.

he also thought about his family, his home, and the frequent chilly weather that he grew up in. the familiar smell of his family's cooking, the pot of rice still hot as he took a bite. the book that was given to him resting on the floor even though he barely read any of the pages, and the small conversations he would listen to from his family.

“how was school? did you have fun with your friends?” his family wonders.

but most of all, minghao thought about you. he thought about the day he first met you. he noticed you wandering around the town, your eyes were pasted on your phone.

minghao was kind enough to try and guide you, “new around this town?” he remembered asking, each step unconsciously wanting to be close to you.

unsurprisingly, you looked back at him, letting out a sigh as you looked at him like he was your savior. minghao noticed the way you were clutching the on string of the balloon that you were holding. a bright red color, he thought.

“i can’t seem to find this place,” you walk up to minghao showing him your phone, its bright light hitting his face immediately. minghao noticed the familiar trails on the map, following their town’s local beach. no one ever visited that place as it wasn’t exactly the hotspot of his town.

but of course, minghao wasn’t about to let you down on the first day that he had met you, “sure, i could help you find it,” he said as he looked at you giving you a nod, your face practically lit up

he still remembers the walk you two both had together. you had a brown scarf that wrapped around your neck loosely, it seemed like it could’ve blown away at any second.

“so your name is minghao?” after asking for his name, you repeat it once more. you smile before introducing yourself as well.

“yep, i grew up in this neighborhood, so if you hear anyone call my name, that’s because they’re calling me. quite popular around here” he grins, as he looks at the older people from the cliffs, giving them a wave.

“then i can rely on you for a lot of things then?” you give minghao a bright look in your eyes, something made him sigh with content in his heart.

“i suppose, but what do i gain from this?”

“a new friend maybe?” you reply, nudging minghao as you give him a grin.

minghao, can’t help but smile. new friend?

“that would be nice,” he said, “someone from out of town needs to get to know this place.”

minghao remembers that fulfilling day, you two had exchanged numbers after and hit it off since. you and minghao were basically inseparable.

as he opened the curtains, minghao looked at the beach, and he noticed someone holding a red balloon and a familiar one too, he never thought you’d be here again.

or was it all just a dream?

even if it was a dream, he would want it to last forever. minghao immediately leaves his home to go to his sanctuary where you would be waiting for him.

were you here just to see him again? minghao didn’t know why you were suddenly at the beach, it logically didn’t make sense at all, since the last time he met you was years ago.

maybe you wanted to surprise him or maybe you don’t even remember him, but he doesn’t mind at all as he pulls the scarf you gave him close to his face, the same love and longing that he had when he first met you.

he dreams to see you again, look for the red balloon you hold for him to look for you, follow you around as you try finding hiding spots to try and not get caught, but as he finds you hiding a corner, he’s reaching out to you as you move away from him as a joke making him smile. he would feel his steps getting quicker as he tries to chase you.

“yn!” he didn’t care if his shoes were brand new and were going to be ruined by the sand, he quickly called out and you turned around, giving him a wave, you were so far ahead, he thought. minghao walks calmly, knowing you wouldn’t leave. he knows you wouldn’t.

he wishes for another day with you, sitting across from him on the train as he sketches you out, he thought of you as the most beautiful person he’s ever seen.

he wants to have one more night with you, sitting next together, as you both let out a sigh seeing the small fog. he wants to hold you close, as night falls, and the lampposts begin to glow the same orange hue.

but as he steps to the sand, there he finds nothing but a floating red balloon and the brown scarf.

“wake up, you’ll drown.” a familiar voice said.

what?

the red balloon pops as the shores wash past him, he has to remember to wake up as fast as he can. the water quickly drags him down from within. he was falling, drowning, he couldn’t feel anything but the strong, moving waters.

it was sudden. it was too much, he couldn’t breathe or feel anything. minghao was trying to swim as fast as he could, trying to get back to shore. he wanted to see you, but you were too far.

he was so close just to be able to see you. but you were too far, and now he’s going to…

“wake up.”

wake up it says.

WAKE UP.

minghao jolts, immediately getting up to find himself in his old bedroom, he could hear someone snoring quietly. the morning was about to rise, as the sun peeked through his curtains.

“a dream,” he mumbled to himself. as he gets off his bed, he suddenly steps on something soft, a contrast to the hardwood floors.

a brown knitted scarf was on the floor. minghao carefully picked it up, his thumb grazing around its details, its different shades of brown, and its textures.

minghao begins to tear up. he pulls the brown scarf close to his chest.

🌊﹕──﹕🧣﹕──﹕🌊

the train ride to the beach was pretty quick, there wasn’t anyone on the train like he remembered. as he steps off the light rail, he finally sees the beach.

the familiar turquoise color rushes through the sand as he looks around, the sunlight was warm as it was the coldest season of the year, he was the only person who ever visited this beach whenever he visited his family, it was quite calming as he looked down, listening to the waters.

although something told minghao to look up, and as he did, he noticed someone, someone familiar who was standing on the water still.

“minghao,” it mouths out before waving.

“take care,” minghao recalls your familiar catchphrase.

“take care…” minghao couldn’t help it anymore, he began to cry as everything else went silent. the unfinished dance, you two had choreographed together, he remembers fondly. the incomplete sketch of you, it was the only thing he could remember of you.

minghao wants to live another moment with you again, to be able to have another dance with you, to hold your hand as you move along with him, and let out a hearty laugh as you accidentally make a misstep before telling you it’s okay to make mistakes. step by step, the two would dance together like droplets of rain pattering down the ground.

but he knows it would never happen again.

“minghao!” a hand grabs his shoulder, trying to shake him, all the noise finally came to him, he heard the waves of the water hitting his shoes, the squawk of seagulls, and the person who was shaking his body

“are you…okay?” he hadn’t realized there was someone right in front of him. their shiny black shoes had been ruined by the grainy yellow sand, but it’s like the stranger didn’t seem to mind at all, they were only worried about minghao’s state and his unending tears.

“i…” he quickly notices the tears dropping into the sand. wiping away the tears, he looks at them, “w-who are you…?”

“oh you can’t be joking right now hao!” they aggressively shake his shoulders before immediately placing their hands on his face, “i just see you staring from far ahead and reaching at nothing and weeping, then you start saying that you don’t know me,” they said as they let go of his face and crouch on the grainy ground.

“you’re starting to sound like someone from an amnesia episode in a show…” continuing to ramble on, making minghao smile lightly. he laughed like this was the first joke he had ever understood. it was hearty, and it was weird, but it brought comfort.

“i’m sorry..it was just a dream…” he reassures them, holding onto the brown scarf tightly, “i just thought i needed some fresh air.

“minghao if something is bothering you, you have to let me know,” they said looking up at him, “if this place leaves a bad impression on you we can just leave and—”

“i’m going to be alright.”

“but you were crying hao..”

“it’s going to be okay, i told myself i would leave this…” minghao says, pulling the scarf away from his face, “…this scarf, it meant everything to me.”

minghao crouches on the sand next to them, “i’m sorry for going crazy,” he grinned wrapping an arm around them.

“well, i’ll be here if you need anything,” they said, “but i don’t want you to forget about yourself again,” they joke.

minghao remembers how long ago it had been since he lost you in the waters. the scarf was something that he needed to remove if he wanted to move on.

he unwraps the scarf around himself, but before he even places it on the sand, he stops himself for a moment. he didn’t know whether or not this was the right call, i mean this was the last time he was seeing this scarf.

it takes him a while to think, but minghao quickly shakes his head, wrapping the scarf around himself again before getting up taking their hand, “let’s go,” he says.

the beach that was once yours and minghao’s sanctuary. it lingers behind his mind as he leaves the beach with them, holding their hand. not knowing it, a popped red balloon slowly moves from the shallow sea.

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[misguidedswagger]

right through me ~ katsuki bakugo x reader

a/n: heyyy guys! super excited for this one, as this is one of my favorite songs! hope yall enjoy what my tired and emotional brain conceived. i haven’t written for kats publicly yet, pls lmk what yall think about him! i also intend on this being more than one part lol (p.s. i was dying my hair as i wrote this, so i apologize for errors if they’re there!)

warnings: swearing, katsuki pining after reader, jealous katsuki, fem!reader, everyone in the story is 18+

word count: 1.9k

you’re still a maybe,

he sucked on his teeth, rolling his eyes as he finished shoveling his food into his mouth. katsuki’s crimson eyes locked onto his best friend, a grimace frozen on his face as he watched you run up behind denki, a lovely giggle leaving your lips. as he turned around, you were caught red handed, about to tape a ‘kick me’ sign on his back. his scowl only deepened as you ran away from the goof you called one of your closest friends, denki, hiding behind another one of your friends, hanta, who had provided you with the tape in the first place. denki ended up hot on your tail, his words to you incoherent, the blood in katsuki’s ears muffling all the sound around him. 

why would you hide behind tape arms, dumbass? i’m right here… 

so could you think about it rationally? 

“y’alright, man?” eijiro asked his hotheaded friend, tuning out of the conversation with kyoka, mina, and momo for a moment to check on him. the girls continued to chatter among themselves as katsuki rolled his eyes again, 

“‘m fine jackass, stop paying attention to me.” katsuki said tiredly, his eyes flicking over to you, hanta, and denki messing around and goofing off on the other side of the cafeteria near the napkins and utensils. the girls’ chatter was interrupted by the sound of the metal spoon in katsuki’s hand splintering, his anger finding an outlet despite him not paying attention. 

kyoka leaned closer to katsuki, over the empty seat between the two of them, having known him too long to be scared by his aggression anymore, “dude, just ask her out. its so painful watching you pine over her like this, seriously dude, she’s your best friend, and besides, its painfully obvious that-” 

“-and weren’t we telling you the same thing about ponytail over there?” his usual moniker for kyoka’s girlfriend never leaving, despite how many times she told him to simply call her momo, or at least her last name.

“exactly, katsuki. i told mo how i feel, and look at us now. why are you so insistent that y/n doesn’t like you back? she spends the most time with you out of anyone, even since high school!” kyoka said, a little exasperated, her eyes attempting to connect with katsuki’s own. your group of morons had all known each other since your first year in highschool and had all had excellent test scores, granting your entrance to the number one hero university in japan. you and katsuki had met in middle school, meeting mina, eijiro, kyoka, momo, hanta, and denki in high school. you had garnered everyone’s attention, the friend group essentially forming around you, katsuki unwilling to be their friends, only giving in because of the smile on your face when you gave him a bowl of his favorite spicy ramen to sweeten the deal of going out to hang out with your new friends from school.

but to be honest, you didn’t even have to offer anything. katsuki knew he felt differently about you than he did for any of his other friends at that moment, immediately noticing the elevation in his heart rate when you pulled him into an excited hug. he hesitated a moment before awkwardly patting your head, unsure of how to handle this sudden affection you had displayed.   

“okay, well that’s your situation, earphones, just because she’s my best friend and happens to hang out with me all the time doesn’t mean that she likes me too.” the blond scoffed, turning his head back to y/n, his heart pounding as he watched her approach their table. “ ‘sides, we’ve been friends since we were kids, i don’t wanna screw that up,” he said, his eyes landing on the spot to his right that was left open, just for her. like always. any time anyone’s even joked about sitting in your seat, he’s threatened to blow up whoever it was making the joke.  

katsuki couldn’t deny that there was possibly a chance that his confession could end as well it did for ponytail and earphones, but he instead gritted his teeth, electing to fill his mouth with more food, “i don’t want to talk about this with you losers anymore.” he decided, making sure to shovel another big scoop of food into his mouth, subconsciously tilting his head down to hide his stuffed cheeks from you. 

“wait!” mina interrupted a little louder than she intended, causing momo, kyoka, eijiro, and katsuki to all look at her. “you’re coming tomorrow night right?” she asked the blond sitting directly across from her.

your hot headed best friend shook his head, “i told you, i’m not going to some stupid fucking-”

you walked behind katsuki, squeezing his shoulder as he untucked your chair with his foot, his face partially obscured by his muscular arm, you took your seat and smiled brightly at him, thanking him. 

you quickly began to tell your friends what you and hanta had just attempted against denki as they slid into their designated seats, denki next to kyoka and hanta next to eijiro. you were completely oblivious to the conversation going on at the table before you arrived, entirely oblivious too, to the look mina was giving katsuki. 

i’ll let you sleep on it and call me in the morning,

that evening, katsuki lay awake, his hands resting behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. his black ceiling was decorated with shitty glow in the dark stickers that you put up on his sixteenth birthday. 

you know it’s hard to find someone like you,

stupid pink hair’s invitation to her party and earphone’s words swirled around his mind, causing him to grimace as he sat up, picking up the green thermos you had gifted him last christmas. he slugged down some water, hoping it’d help him get to sleep. his thoughts were only of you, his mind almost starting to spin from the decadence of you. it had taken katsuki about three years to fully come to terms with the fact that he liked you, let alone that he was falling hard and fast. katsuki didn’t do crushes, not on anyone, which is why it sent him reeling so hard when your shared friend group finally got through to him and helped him admit to himself how he felt about  you. the first semblance of any ‘abnormality’ that he felt towards you was the night of his sixteenth, but it wasn’t until only a few months ago that he realized what he felt for you was more than friendship.

kyoka had caught him glaring bullets into some guy from another class, a boy who happened to be blushing in your presence through no fault of your own. you were carrying on the conversation and kept eye contact for no other reason than to show him you were listening to him. however, it seemed that no other girl had ever granted him that respect, rendering you oblivious to the way his pupils were expanding at the sight of you. 

“yo, you hear me, loudmouth?” kyoka asked, her arms now crossed over her chest as she realized katsuki had zoned out, 

katsuki ignored her for a second longer, leading to his downfall, his anger towards the man in your presence palpable. kyoka noticed the anger in katsuki’s air and her brows furrowed as she turned around to steal a glance at what her friend was staring at, 

she immediately noticed that katsuki was staring at you angrily, almost ready to bitch slap him for directing his probably pointless anger at you, until she followed his gaze closer and gasped loudly, 

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, NO WAY, YOU LIKE-?!” 

kyoka’s voice came out shrilly, in a shout so loud that katsuki swore that you would’ve turned your head at the sound. but, you were too occupied with other things, and clearly, so was the boy with whom you held conversation. 

katsuki had tackled kyoka behind the entrance of the ice skating rink, the two of them disappearing from sight as mina and denki’s heads flicked in their direction. 

“ears, if you say a goddamn word about this to anybody, i swear to god-”

katsuki heard thudding metal against the ice and suddenly denki and eijiro were pulling katsuki off of kyoka, and mina was helping her up. momo was at the snack stand, buying her and her crush some candy. she was just getting back to the rink’s entrance when she noticed the commotion with her friends, 

“what’s going on?!” momo asked, rushing to help kyoka dust off, timid blushes on both of their faces. 

“EARS.” katsuki said with warning, 

“katsuki likes y/n!” 

think with your heart like you always do,

the memory of you waking up extra early and skipping school to decorate his entire room and living room for his surprise party that night tightened his chest in a good way,  leaving him unable to fight the smile that formed on his face. he let his body fall back onto the bed as he let himself remember the night you stuck those stupid stars to his bedroom ceiling. 

he was dejected after not seeing you at school that day, annoyed and maybe a little hurt that his best friend hadn’t told him that she wasn’t showing up to school that day, on his birthday of all days. he entered his house, his vision tunneling on his room despite the heavily decorated living room. he slammed open his door, scaring the shit out of you. you had jumped, leading you to trip over katsuki’s sheets and stumble off the bed. in an instant, katsuki had caught you, entirely bewildered to see you here after not having seen you at school.

“happy birthday, kats…” you were in shock, surprised to see katsuki home already, and even more surprised to see that he caught you so quickly. but it was kats after all, you knew he would never let you fall if he still held oxygen in his lungs.  

katsuki stepped away from the edge of the bed, gently placing you back on your feet as if you would break at any increase in force. he then noticed the sign hanging above his bed that he could tell was handmade by you. his breath caught in his lungs as he noticed the care you had put into his decorations, realizing everything but the glow in the dark stars now decorating his ceiling was handmade. 

katsuki’s heart thudded at an unfamiliar pace, his heart starting to pound when he realized how much you cared about him, and in turn, how much he cared about you. 

“what the fuck…? y/n, you…made all of this up for me?” the boy asked in disbelief, his eyes flickering over all of the decorations cluttering his room in his favorite way possible. she had even taped a party hat to the poster of all might that hung in his room next to his closet. 

you nodded nervously and excitedly, anxious for how he was going to react. 

he didn’t even remember the party itself that much, his mind focusing on retaining the memory of you placing a gentle and platonic kiss on his cheekbone for the first time. 

just be sure it’s what you want and you’ve made up your mind 

katsuki finally snapped back to reality before immediately speeding towards his phone, charging on the desk across the room. 

masterlist

[shitty-writers-blog]

THE ONE WHERE YOU ASK FOR HELP [EP.1]

I also am still getting to know Colter Shaw. He is being written as I depict him so far, and hopefully, later on, I will be able to know how to write about him perfectly.

Hey guys, this is my first ever fanfic. I know it's not gonna be the best, so please be nice to me.

Please feel free to tell me how I can write better and maybe send it request? I hope you guys enjoy/like this first part.

Colter x F! Reader

You had been pacing back and forth unable to decide whether to worry about your brother who you haven’t heard from in a week, usually he would call after he arriving to his destination, your brother had caught the traveling bug at a young age like you mother. Unlike you who hated the thought of traveling due to all the responsibilities you had to take in as a young teenager, your mom was always traveling to New places whether it was in the country or international, your father had decided to spilt from you and the rest of the family because he’d grown tired of your mother’s antiques. If you weren’t so protective of your brother you would have left with your dad as well, but because your brother didn’t want to leave mom you ended up sacrificing your childhood, your father still provided financially, but emotionally or physically he wasn’t present.

During all this you had your best friend Colter Shaw to keep you afloat, soon y'all started dating junior year and continued all through your college journey it wasn’t, until Colter decided he wanted to be a rewardist and travel to find missing people for money, you tried making it work, but you were exhausted at the idea of him traveling and doing the long distance thing so you did something that you never wanted to do. You ended things with him, as he was in the middle of proposing, he tried to convince you to work with him, but you explained your issues with traveling and then that was it you never saw or spoke to Colter again.

That is until your brother potentially went missing, you still had Colter's number at least you hoped you thought to yourself, you kept messing with you lips, with furrowed eyebrows, thinking deeply about wondering if you were being to overprotective, that maybe he was alright and you’re just worked up over nothing because let’s be honest your brother wasn’t the best at calling you to assure you he’s fine.

“Fuck it.” You said as you picked up your phone from your bed and scrolled at your contact list until you found his name Shaw you pressed call and as it started to ring your heart started to beat fast and loud, you inhaled and exhaled as you continued to pace in your room, as you were about to hang up, you heard his voice.

“Y/n? Are you alright?” you heard his voice with a lace of worry and confusion, you face palmed yourself wincing at how stupid you probably were- “uh, hello? Y/n are you there?” he interrupted your train of thought “Oh um, yeah hey Colter!” You said a bit more enthusiastically than you intended you cringed at yourself as you shook your head in annoyance why can’t you act cool for once you thought to yourself. “um, sorry to bother you Colter and I wish we would talk under different circumstances, but um- are you still doing that rewards job by any chance?” you asked hoping he would be able to help you with your situation, you heard a chuckle as he answered back a simple yes and asked what was going on with you. You explained to him the situation and he told you how lucky you were because he had just finished a job, he told you how he’d drive up to your place since he was 2 hours away, you thanked him and then hung up the phone.

I decided it would be better if I got dressed, so I took a quick shower even used my favorite scented exfoliator because why not. And did my normal shower routine, then I decided to do my routine that I always do after a shower. I decided to clean up a bit even though it was already pretty clean, once I turned my wax melt on I heard the door bell ring. I straightened myself and checked myself in the mirror to make sure I looked okay, I took a deep breath in and I exhaled it as I opened the door. “Wow! Um, hey, I uh got lost- how is it that all these apartments look very identical?” I laughed Stepping to the side as a sign for him to enter, he smiled as he entered my house noticing I had a shoe rack by the door and he started to take his shoes off. “Thanks for taking your shoes off, most people who visit never do and I’m always to shy to say something.” I explain while shutting the door behind me, he nodded and gave a small smirk, “well I’m very observant and I’ve known you since we were young, every time I entered your room I always had to take my shoes off. Only difference now is I don’t have my own inside pair of slippers to put on.” I frowned a bit at the memory, but let out a breathy chuckle, “I bought a new pair for my brother Chance, for when he crashed at my place. You two have the same shoe size so you can have those,” Colter smiled nodding as a way to silently thank me, I walked up to my little storage closet and got the pair out and handed it to him, he went and sat on my couch and I sat distantly close to him.

I looked at the floor nervously because this was the first time in years we’ve seen each other and first time seeing him, I realized those feelings were still there towards him, and the fact that he had a major glow up. I bit my lip trying to come up with a topic to converse, but my mind wouldn’t stop going down memory lane about how we used to be inseparable and the last thing I said to him was no to becoming his wife. There has always been a part of me that regretted saying no, to breaking up with him just because he chose to do this for a living and the fact that it involved so much traveling, I just couldn’t go through what my mother put me through with Colter. “Y/n?” I looked up confused at him, “I asked you to voice your thoughts.” I looked away a bit flushed at how well he could read me, I even thought for a second he was able to read my mind. “oh well, it's nothing, really.” I tell him making eye contact with him for the first time in 10 minutes, he raised his eyebrow as a way to tell me he didn’t believe me and gave me that look he would always give me that said to spill it or he’d get it out of me. I rolled my eyes and told him how annoying he still was, and that made him laugh, “yeah okay, I hate to mention this, but your brother, why do you think he’s missing?” I sighed, putting my legs up to my chest, looking at my coffee table, taking a deep breath and bolting myself up, starting to pace back and forth, telling him everything I knew and didn’t know.

[write-here-n-now]

upstanding citizen of society

C.(S). Johnny Suh x Reader | WC. 1311| G. Angst-ish/Fluff-ish |

The invisible weight of your future weighed down your shoulders, keeping you hunched over your far too-small study table. 

In the centre sat your trusty desktop computer, glowing bright with multiple tabs running simultaneously as you tried to complete your study notes

Bright neon-coloured sticky notes stuck haphazardly around the monitor frame, close to falling off and onto the desert of books and papers distributed on the width of the table top. 

Typing away you glance above the monitor to the glowing numbers “2:55 a.m.”

A sigh escapes your lips as you lean back on your computer chair, tugging off the hairband you had perched on your head to keep hair from falling across your eyes. 

Closing your eyes, you try and locate all the areas of your body threatening to cramp up if you continue to study is such an awkward position.

It had been nearly an hour and half since you had stretched your limbs, now they were desperately in need of some blood flow. It had also been nearly three hours since you had eaten something, your stomach joining the protest alongside your aching joints.

As you get up to stretch your legs and maybe grab a bite to eat, you’re startled by a knock to your balcony window.

You jump slightly before turning your head to make eye contact with your early morning intruder. 

Johnny stands on your balcony, slightly hunched over, due to the dim lighting you can only make out a few bruises on his face. He gives you an expectant look, not used to your usually unlocked balcony not budging as he tried to open it.

Sighing you walk over to unlock it and let him in. 

“I know you like to drop by unannounced but can you please use the front door and pretend to be an upstanding citizen of society?” You’re quick to nag about his behaviour as you walk to turn on the main bedroom light he walks past the door frame and takes a seat on your bed, ignoring your words quite blatantly. 

With the light on, instantly illuminating the room with a soft yellow glow, he winces at the much too bright lightning, eyes slowly adjusting.

With the room lit up, you can clearly see the bruises and cuts littered on his face. Bottom lip busted, not to mention his knuckles; cracked and blood-crusted skin, bruises and the usual rough calluses. 

You felt your heart sink, uneasiness settling in the pit of your empty stomach. Without a word, you head to the bathroom squatting down as you open the cupboard and pull out your first aid kit—it too had seen many nights like this. You walk back towards your bed, where he remains seated, his jacket off with luckily no more injuries to be spotted. 

Though not the worst he’s ever shown up to your abode at untimely hours, silently asking you to tend to his wounds, you couldn’t prevent the worry over what event took place to leave him battered like this every time. 

He used to joke, whenever you questioned the cause of his condition, “You should see the other guy.” Lately, it had been quiet though, the two of you careful not to break the silence with pointless small talk.

He with his eyes closed, head tilted back letting you do your magic. And you, gently applying the anti-septic and bandages trying not to let it sting, though even if it did he never winced at the contact. 

You finish up applying a small bandage to his cheek, cut up from presumably a piece of jewellery between a punch some unlucky bastard succeeded in landing. 

Sensing you moving away, he opens his eyes just as you stand from your seat beside him, he tugs at your arm. Caught off guard you stumble and land in his lap, right where he intended you to go. 

“thank you..” He whispers into the shell of your ear, holding you somewhat dangerously close.

The acknowledgment of his gratitude gets stuck somewhere in your throat, unable to rid your head of the feeling of his hand gently clasped around your bare arm and his warm breath on your neck now. 

“...its not that bad babe.”

He already knew that your head was swirling with worry about how and why he showed up bloodied and bruised, how many nights followed this same pattern?

“I know...But-” He presses his lips to your mouth, silencing your over-worrying.

Sighing into the kiss, you let yourself relax in his embrace and wrap your arms around his shoulders... Pushing the worry to the back of your head, at last he was here in front of you alive and standing (well sitting now).

He pulls away, resting his head against your forehead, the two of you silent for moment, catching your breaths.

“....When’s your exam?” He asks burying his face in the crook of your neck and shoulder.

“monday...” You whisper.

“Do you need my help studying?” He mumbles in your neck, the action tickling your skin.

“Johnny Suh,” You use his full name but there is teasing snip to your tone. “I think you’ve helped me learned anatomy enough with bandaging your injuries.” 

He lets out a small laugh against your shoulder.

“Then let's, rest for a bit yea?”

You contemplate the offer, comfortable in his arms and you still had plenty of time to finish studying. 

“I’ll let you draw the names on me…” You were already sold but his offer pulled a grin to your cheeks. 

“You’ve convinced me, Suh.” Grinning he presses another kiss to your lips.

“But first a shower ok, then bed.”

You detach yourself from his arms and he’s quick to follow you up, but before you can walk away fully, he pulls you in by the waist. Lips low to your ear.

“Shower or shower~?” he questions, an air of flirtation in his tone.

“Shower. ALONE.” You stress, turning yourself in his arms to look into his eyes, asserting your stance.

You two stand there, silently battling it out through your eyes. Him with his most pitiful pleading eyes while you stood your ground narrowing your eyes in challenge. 

It doesn’t take long for him to concede, no match for your stubborn rules and routine. 

“Can I at least get a kiss for emotional support?” Batting his eyes in plea.

Rolling your eyes, you plant a quick kiss to his lips and pull his arm towards the washroom. 

“Ow ow, babe I’m hurt”

“Yeah yeah, I know how hurt you are.” Now in front of you, you push his back forward towards the washroom. “Chop chop babe~!”

His whines are drowned out as soon as he’s inside and you begin to walk back to your desk to clean up.

As you begin to clean up your notes and books, the scent of fresh soap fills your senses as Johnny is back quick as bullet, wrapping his arms around your waist. You halt your previous movements and let yourself relax in his arms. 

Your sweet moment is interrupted when you feel a cold gust of wind blow through the room, you turn your head towards the balcony and see that the door is wide open.

“John-NY!” you nag as you rush out of his arms to close the door and cast away the cold intruder. 

“Oops” he recalls only lightly shutting the door behind him. He walks behind you to wrap his arms around you once more. “..I’ll make sure to close the balcony door next time babe.” He plants a tiny peck to your crown.

“Next time you’ll use the apartment door,” you side-eye him, arms crossed in annoyance.

“Ah yes, the door.” He chuckles, leaving another kiss on your head, finding your anger endearing.

You know he'll probably be at your balcony again sooner or later.

[b4mpyre-k1zz3s]

I need more Ville Valo fics 😩 no one seems to do them anymore! I need another part to Love You To Death! 😍

Love You To Death (Pt. 2)

Y/N makes the painful decision to leave the romance she found in Finland behind, but fate has different plans in mind. By fate, I mean Bam and Ville.

Ville Valo X Fem!Reader, (slight Bam Margera X Ville Valo if you squint?)

(Fluff, angst)

2.5k Words

Warnings: Highly suggestive content, alcohol, manipulation, power imbalance, toxic relationships, unwelcome flirting, creepy guys,

An: Thank you so much for the request!! I had a ball writing this and I’m sure you’ll enjoy t as well :) This was the first fic I wrote after finishing finals, so I hope this is up to par with my usual work! I really wanted to explore how Bam was affected by what was going on with Ville and how Ville feels almost protective of Y/N. As a note, there’s a painting referenced in this fic that was based off of a real piece in the Philadelphia Museaum of art! Anyways, thank you so much for the request and please keep sending them in!

“You’re not actually gonna stay with him, are you?” Bam raised an eyebrow at you from where he was laying against the hotel room mattress. Continuing to fill him in on what happened that night, you cracked open your own tiny mini bar liquor with a sigh, “No, I mean- I can’t.” Bending down to pick up the steadily growing pile of bottles at his bedside, you rolled your eyes, “I mean- it’s not like I could just pack up all my shit and move to Finland!” Trying to ignore your heartbeat thrumming in your ears, you went over the same thing you had been rolling around in your mind since you left Ville’s flat no more than an hour ago.

Tomorrow, you would be flying back home to Philly, away from Finland and away from him, and as well as you knew you couldn’t stay, you didn’t want to go. But as unobservant as he usually was, Bam’s liquor-addled mind made a connection there. He respected Ville. Ville was in love with you. You were friends with Bam. It would be so easy to earn himself a little easy cred with him if he set the two of you up- you know, play Cupid. “So, you got his number?”

Too distracted with stress packing, you didn’t give Bam’s question a second thought, “Of course I did. Why do you care?” Good. He gave you some BS about how Ville is his friend, and if you hadn't gotten his number, he would say you’re stupid, “I know he’s really hot, but I get it- he’s moving a little fast. I mean, you guys just met!” The lip service continued and you were lucky you couldn’t see that smirk of his he was so not hiding. But Bam’s words hit a little closer to home than you expected and made you pause a bit. “Yeah, yeah- I hear ya…”

Bam was getting a thrill out of playing double agent- maybe more than he should. That night, far after he was sure you were out cold, guess who he was calling up? “Ville, man- I got just the idea for you to win over Y/N!” His giddiness was a contrast to Ville’s half-drunk stupor he dove into after you left, still somehow as smooth as ever, “Hmm?” Cupping his hand around the receiver in the dark, Bam went on a rambling, half coherent rant about this master plan of his, which Ville periodically hummed in agreement to. In both of their minds, it sounded pretty foolproof. And there you were, fast asleep about five feet away from where this whole trap intended for you was unfolding.

☆彡

Months later, once the initial flames of desire died down, you kept in touch with Ville in the form of constant phone calls that seemed to stretch on for eternities. Even if he didnt go on and on about this romanticized, poetic vision he had of the two of you together in the future, you couldn’t help but find his voice so pleasant to listen to. It was hypnotic, the way he detailed something as mundane as how stunning the countryside in Finland was in the springtime, how plentiful and beautiful the wildflowers are there. “Of course, they couldn’t compare to your beauty, my dear.” Ville purred his words in a way that almost made you blush and giggle.

Based on the low chuckle he let out at your reaction, you were sure he picked up on it. “There is, however, something I’d like to discuss with you, Y/N.” His voice took on a conspiratorial tone that made you listen a bit closer. “I’ll be going on tour in a few weeks- and seeing as I’ll have a day off in Philadelphia, I was wondering if you would be interested in going out together?” Holy shit. You would be seeing him face to face- like, actually in person. “Oh- of course I’d be interested! That would be amazing!” A disbelieving grin spread across your face, your heart fluttering a little at the prospect, “I can’t wait.” Ville seemed content with your enthusiasm and the way this was trending, letting out a hum of satisfaction, “Neither can I, darling.”

★彡

Bam seemed pretty eager to get your ass out of the house the night before Ville was set to arrive in town. While you were perfectly content with spending the evening fucking around with him and the rest of the guys (because that’s you usually did on a Friday night), for some reason he couldn’t let that happen. “Y’know what? I’m really not feelin’ like going out tonight.” Excuses like this were uncharacteristic of Bam, but you suspended your dislebeleif as he got up from where the two of you were watching tv on the couch, grabbing something off the kitchen table, “It’s lady’s night at 15 North! I think you should go hang out with your girlfriends, have a few drinks, here-”

Turning around to where you had been following behind him, Bam shoved a handful of twenties into your hand and grinned, trying to sound nonchalant, “It's on me!” Part of you wanted to question why the hell he did this big three sixty from how cold he was acting towards you in Finland. But another part of you, a part with a little less shame, knew not to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when said horse was buying you and your friends drinks. Considering your options for a moment, you nodded, “You know what? I will go out!”

☆彡

That whole thing with Ville just happening to have that time off in Philly wasn't nearly as coincidental as he made it out to be, but that wasn’t the only dishonesty here. Even though they were more than capable of discussing it over the phone, Bam urged him to stop by the castle so they would have the opportunity to ‘talk about it more’. Really, the whole thing was a ploy to keep Ville in one place with him and to show off the castle in one big effort to impress him. Though he was unaffected by his childish attempts to win his favor, Ville decided not to say anything on his thinly veiled intentions or tacky choices in interior design. Bam was giving him some pretty useful information, so it wouldn’t be wise to write him off just yet.

Bam had told Ryan and the other guys the same excuse he told you, which they questioned even less. Adding to this web of lies was the fact Ville got in town a day earlier than he told you he would. You decided to stop by Bam’s to pick something up that you left there the previous night before retiring to your place, so you would only discover this fact when you stumbled through the door around the early AM’s to a figure in the darkness of the living room, lounging on the couch with a glass of something dark that he sat down on a table as you walked in. It was silent as you peered around a corner, still pretty tipsy. The light from the entryway illuminated this person’s silhouette enough for you to see a sliver of a swirling tattoo peek out from under a sleeve- one you instantly recognized. “Ville…?”

☆彡

You should’ve known; who else would look that good in the dark? Of course, you had a lot of questions for Ville, but he gave you the rundown after you nearly pounced on him, “We arrived at a hotel around an hour ago, and while Midge and Linde- and the rest of the fellows were getting settled,” Ville ran his fingers through your hair idly while you pretty much sat on his lap, ”Bam rang me to ask if I would mind staying at his place for a night or two. Who am I to say no to that?” Gently taking your chin to tilt your head up, he pressed a kiss to your cheekbone, “All the more time I get to spend with you, my love.” A hummingbird couldn’t have caught Ville at work, the way he was playing you, and judging by the way you were blushing and melting onto his lap like warm butter, his charms were working their magic on you.

“Anyways,” Glancing down at you, he quickly brushed it off as if he wasn’t just thrilled by how flustered he could make you with such a simple gesture, “I was wondering if you’d care to go out for drinks sometime?” Well, Bam had asked him if he wanted to continue their conversation tomorrow night over a few beers at Rex’s, which gave him the idea to ask you. Close enough. “Oh, I’d love to!” You giggled, laying back against his chest.

★彡

There was pretty obvious confusion in Bam’s half awake gaze the next morning when he saw first you in the kitchen making yourself some toast, then Ville at the coffee maker. Why the hell were you here? Wait, did the two of you…? “Y/N?” He thought he was having some kind of weird dream- some nightmare, but nope, this was reality. “Oh, hey Bam!” Turning around, you took a bite from your toast, “What’s up?” If the smirk on your face wasn’t telling enough, the fact that the two of you were half dressed certainly was. “You stayed here last night?” You could practically see Bam’s train of thought on his face as he looked between you and him, “Ohhhh…” Ville quietly chuckled at his reaction, not seeming to notice the traces of jealousy in his gaze.

☆彡

You were completely oblivious to the fact that there were serious art museums in Pennsylvania until Ville took you to one. Well, you knew there probably were some out there, but the thought never really crossed your mind that people actually go to these places. But there the two of you were, strolling through the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The only sounds that echoed off the tall ceilings of the exhibit hall were the clacking of rubber soles on marble and the hushed whispers among people who actually had opinions on this kind of art.

Sure, you appreciated the stuff, but Ville understood the meaning in seemingly any kind of art that you couldn’t even begin to grasp. Stopping in his tracks, he turned to gaze at a painting that caught his eye: this Christophe Guérin piece titled L'Amour Désarmé. You looked at it as well, trying to gather any meaning from what appeared to be a pretty straightforward subject: a woman holding a bow and arrow away from Cupid, who was reaching to grab it. Standing there a moment next to you, Ville spoke up in a low murmur, “Even though I feel the Metamorphoses is a bit overdone, I’ve always found paintings depicting them impactful...” He didn’t even need to see you to visualize the confused look in your face from his words, so he explained. “See, the woman, Venus, is disarming her son, Cupid- but what she doesn’t know is that she’s already been pierced by his arrow.”

Well, you gathered some of that on your own. “So, now she’s going to fall in love with someone?” Eyes no longer fixed on the painting, he turned to you as you still admired the art, completely oblivious, “Yes. In the myth, it’s a mortal: Adonis. It’s symbolic of love as an uncontrollable force-“ In awe of the way he could just think so deeply about things, the double meaning of his words went completely over your head. “One that binds people together beyond what can be grappled with or comprehended by you or I…”

☆彡

You didn’t really mind that Bam tagged along with the two of you to the bar after Ville finished the show that night, but you were starting to get an inkling that he did. Honestly, at this point, you didn’t really care. Sure, you had known him for way longer than you knew Ville, but not in a million years could he hope to compare to him in your eyes- not now. It was like Bam was some child, constantly vying for attention, and it was starting to get on your nerves. Almost as much as that guy who had been flirting with you since Ville left to use the men's.

“Y’know, I saw you from across the bar over there …Can I buy you a drink?” Looking over to Bam for any hope of getting out of this situation, the only response you got from him was the cold shoulder as he glanced away, pretending not to know you. Asshole. Glancing away, now both angry at him and the guy, you replied flatly, “I’m with someone.” Still, he kept pressing, not getting the hint in the slightest, “I didn’t ask who you were with- I wanted to buy you a drink.”

The aggression in his voice would’ve put you on edge a little if it weren’t for Ville’s return with incredible timing, sliding between you and the creep. “Hope you weren't too lonely without me, love.” Having seen everything, he still paid the guy no mind, leaning in to press a sweet kiss to your lips. Too preoccupied with your little victory, you didn’t notice that, barely out of your line of sight, this bitter look crossed Bam’s face as he took another swig of his drink.

★彡

Ville had to leave the next morning. You knew that when he showed up, he would have to leave- you would be an idiot for thinking this could end in any other way, but you didn’t want him to. There was no logic to how you felt, but yet again when did logic have anything to do with love? Bam wasn't awake, but even if he was he’d probably still be sulking in his room. He probably hated you now. But there you and Ville stood, in the living room at Castle Bam among all the dark velvet, the dim light of early day flooding in through the back window. “My heart aches for you, Y/N.” Delicate features bathed in cool blue, he took your hand in his and his words came to you, deliberate and earnest. “But you have a life to live. I have a tour to finish.” Your heart wept at his words. This whole situation with Ville- it was killing you. In three months, your life was turned upside down by a complete stranger, and you were helpless to do anything about it.

“No more of what’s keeping you here, and no more of what’s pulling me away from you. If not today then some day, my dear…You will be mine.” Lifting your hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to your knuckle. “Only mine.”

[miley1442111]

hii love ur content!!! single-handedly carrying sydney adamu x reader fans rn LOL. was wondering if u could write something w femreader x syd where reader is filling in for marcus as he takes personal leave for his mom? like something with buildup and clear romantic tension in the kitchen btwn them and possible hesitation to act on it from syd’s end when they work together but immediately get tg afterwards ?? if you get the vision!! thank uuu <3333

thank you for requesting this, i love this idea so i'm going to give it two parts if that's ok!

i will always push the sydney adamu x reader agenda

in a minute- s.adamu

a/n: this is PART 1 of most likely two but i'm not sure yet. this is intended for a femreader but you can ignore that and imagine what you want :)

summary: you get a call from carmen berzatto to fill in as a pastry chef, you have nothing better to do, right?

pairing: sydney adamu x reader

warnings: mentions of a difficult workplace environment, mentions of verbal abuse, mentions of not communicating, cursing

Getting the call from Carmen Berzatto made you sick. He was your replacement in New York, he hated you, at least you thought he did. You were leaving New York for Paris, becoming a pastry chef after being sick of the stupid pressure and disgusting abuse you had gotten from restaurants over the years. Don’t get me wrong, being a pastry chef was difficult too, the insufferable people and bosses made you want to rip your hair out, but anything was better than New York. You had trained Carmen for a week, giving him your number in case he needed to ask any other questions. You assumed he’d deleted it. But no, four months into living in Chicago, teaching masterclasses and subbing in for people in various Michelin-star restaurants and bakeries, Carmen Berzatto called and asked if you could cover his pastry chef for a few weeks. You agreed and showed up the next day to see a restaurant that was not yet finished. Residue from walls lay on the floor, mould on the ceilings and an empty kitchen, bare of appliances met your eyes as you walked in. A pretty girl with headphones in stood in the locker room as you turned the corner and she startled when she noticed you. 

“Jesus! Y-you scared me,” she smiled, embarrassed.

“Sorry,” you smiled, stretching out your hand for a hand shake. “I’m y/n y/l/n, is Carmen Berzatto here? Or his partner, Sydney Adamu?”

“Oh my god, you’re Y/n y/ln. Like the only woman ever the International Union of Bakers and Pastry Chefs named ‘best pastry chef’,” she said, shocked that you were standing in front of her. 

You felt heat crawl up your back. You still couldn’t get used to people knowing who you were, it was strange. “The very same,” you practically grimaced. “So, are chefs Carmen or Sydney around?”

“I-I’m Sydney,” she smiled, shaking your hand. “Sorry if that was weird, I just… yeah.”

“It’s fine, I’m just awkward about it, don’t worry.”

“Ok,” she smiled, then snapped out of it. “What are you- I don’t know how to say this politely-”

“What am I doing here?” you finished for her and she nodded. “Carmen called me a few days ago, I trained him in New York and he apparently still has my number. He asked me to fill in for Marcus?” 

“Yeah, ok. So… umm, yeah ok. That’s cool,” She said, still coming to grips with it. 

“He didn’t tell you?” 

“No,” she admitted, sighing. 

“He always was kind of a dick. Don’t worry, I bet he’s just cooling-off or something, he used to get so angry we’d shove him in the freezer for a few minutes to let him calm down.”

Sydney looked at you in bewilderment. 

“I take it that he’s still like that?” you chuckled. 

“Yeah,” she sighed. “Only sometimes though.”

“‘Sometimes’ is too much for me, if he starts pulling that shit I’ll send him out. He’s such a baby sometimes,” you reminisced. “Sorry, if that’s rude since he’s your partner.”

“Well, he doesn’t really feel like a partner,” she sighed, leading you to the office. 

“Not communicating?”

“Never. I didn’t even know we were pulling down walls until they were down.”

“Shit, that’s awful,” you sighed. 

“I’ll call him and see where he is, just wait in here,” she smiled and opened the door for you, then left you alone. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 1

Working at the Bear was different to anywhere else you’d worked. The people there were interesting in a way that only people outside of the Michelin-restaurant world could be. None of the bullshit you’d dealt with in New York, none of the crap you had to put up with in Paris. They were professional, but they cared about each other. Tina had become a good friend in only the one week you’d been there. Richie was pissing you off enough to warrant stabbing- something that had apparently happened before, and Carmen was either there all the time, or nowhere to be seen. 

And then, there was Sydney. Sydney had essentially fucked you up. From the moment you’d met her, you knew you were fucked. Her soft smile and endearing awkwardness made her basically irresistible. It was embarrassing how in just one week, you felt like you couldn’t be in the same room as her, yet you craved to be near her all the time. 

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

“Yo, you good?’ Sydney asked as you mapped out dessert ideas Marcus had sent you.

“Huh? Oh-yeah, all good,” you smiled.

“How do you like it?” she asked, cleaning the new silverware. 

“Like what?”

“The Bear?”

“It’s nice. Calmer than the restaurants I’ve worked in,” you answered and she laughed.

“This is calm for you?” 

“You should’ve seen Carmen and I’s boss in New York. Every night he’d make me stay until after closing, fixing any mistakes I’d made if I’d made any. After a while, it was just verbal abuse,” you chuckled and she smiled half-heartedly at you, her eyes missing the certain glow she usually had. 

“Sounds fun,” she joked, but it fell flat on both ends, then she walked away. You couldn’t help but feel like you’d made a fool of yourself, or made her uncomfortable. 

You internally kicked yourself. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 2

You liked to pride yourself on two things, your standards in the kitchen, and your ability to stay calm under any circumstance. One of those didn’t apply to the current situation, and the other had been thrown out the window 3 minutes ago when this conversation started, more specifically, when Sydney started touching your arm. 

Carmen had finally come in and you’d gotten in a fight over the menu. You wanted something Marcus had suggested and Carmen wanted fucking fig rolls or something, you didn’t exactly know but you do know that it ended in you storming off to the back of the Bear and Carmen storming off to his office. You felt a swell in your heart when Sydney had come to you first, before she went to talk to Carmen. 

“You good?” she asked, accompanying you in the freezing air. You didn’t respond, still annoyed from the conversation. “Earth to Y/n?” Sydney had grabbed your arm and your eyes trained themselves on hers. 

“Yeah, just pissed,” you sighed, answering her first question. “He really doesn’t listen, does he?” You yawned. Sydney’s hand felt like it was burning itself into your skin. 

“No, he kind of refuses to,” she joked. “But if it makes you feel any better, I like your ideas more.”

“They’re Marcus’s ideas, just my drawings,” you were quick to deflect the compliment.

“Well they're beautiful,” she declared, with some uncertain meaning behind her words. ‘Well, you’re beautiful’ is what you picked up from her insinuation and your heart beat much faster than before. “Coming back in?” She dropped her hand and you finally let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. 

“In a minute.” 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 3 

Ok, so maybe you could pride yourself on just one more thing, the effect you had on Sydney. 

For the past two weeks, it’d been fleeting glances, the creating and taking of opportunities to touch each other, and small flirty conversation. Sydney had asked you to taste test some restaurants with her, and you had a great time. Conversation flowed, you felt relaxed for the first time in what felt like years, and you were spending time with the girl you liked. 

“Y/N?” You heard Sydney’s voice from behind you. “Behind!” she said. 

You had asked an old friend if you could borrow his restaurant's kitchen and he obliged, knowing he owed you a favour from when you saved him from being fired 7 years ago. 

“Yeah?” You called back, focused on your plating. 

“You almost done?”

“Almost,” you added the finishing touches to the plate and stepped back, a silent victory. It looked delicious. “Done!”

She handed you a fork and you took a bite at the same time. It tasted… terrible. You both spit it out into the sink behind you, then looked at each other and laughed. 

“That is god-awful,” you coughed, a laugh making its way out of your mouth.  

“Oh fuck that’s bad,” she laughed with you, a hand on your shoulder to brace herself. 

Both your laughters died down and her hand remained. She looked so beautiful, her hair pulled back in a blue bandana, her regular chef-white swapped for a green t-shirt and white overalls, and a smile on her face. You seized the moment and kissed her, it started out soft, cautious. Though it quickly divulged into something less sweet. Her tongue was in your mouth and your hands were roaming her waist. She gasped when you bit her lip and you smirked into the kiss. A buzzing noise pulled you two apart, heavy breathing and an uncomfortable stare of ‘what did we just do?’. You grabbed your buzzing phone, bag, and jacket, and left her in the restaurant. 

Was it the coward’s way out? Yes. Did that matter much to you? No. 

Not one bit.

[msklassickilla]

Prada You Chapter 4

Summary:

In the summer of 1998, sparks fly between Nyeya and Jey.

Nyeya is an 18-year-old around the way girl. Jey is older, paid, and fine. He is also the leader of the infamous Prada Bois alongside his twin brother Jimmy.  The two have chemistry. However, Nyeya has plans outside of her attraction. With a birthday around the corner and dreams of living a good life, Nyeya sets her sights on enjoying the perks of Jey's money and hood celebrity.

But baby girl has no clue what it takes to really be down. Nyeya is about to learn some hard life lessons at the expense of her 'Prada' priced dreams.

Pairing: Jey Uso x Nyeya (Nye) Green (OC)

Author's Note: This story is happening in an alternative universe. It features the current and original Bloodline members along with other WWE stars. So, the characters are themselves, but some things are switched around for the stories sake. This was originally written with all original characters, but I think it could work better this way. Hope you guys enjoy it and I actually finish it...

Warnings: Please be advised that this chapter contains harsh/foul language, age gap, brief asphyxiation

Disclaimer: This work of art is fictional in nature including the original characters created by me. I do not own any of the existing characters or lyrics from songs referenced in this story. All rights belong to their respective owners with the exception of my original characters. This work is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to cause harm.

Chapter 4: Ride

I laid in my bed with my feet up against the wall. True Life on MTV was playing in the background, but I was paying no attention. My mind was on Jey. I still hadn't got the nerve to call. Every time I got the nerve to dial the number; Michael's warning would replay in my mind.

Yea, Michael was hater, but he knew more about these streets than I did. He was 13 going on 43. Wise beyond his years but I would never admit it aloud. I laid there thinking things over. My birthday was officially 86 days away.

"That's a big day, Nye. You can't miss going all out like that. Last year was cool but you gotta go harder," I reasoned aloud.

I was about to take a dive in dangerous waters. Sharks was beneath that surface so I knew I had to tread carefully even if I was shark too.

"Get what you need and dip, Nye. Do him how you did all the other dudes," my inner conscience advised.

I was known as a playa. I typically dated a dude until I got bored with him. Not too many could keep up with me. Rolling over, I grabbed the house phone. I had my own personal line so I knew nobody could eavesdrop on my conversation. I snatched up the folded card with Jey number on it. Pushing the numbers in, I had to calm myself.

The phone rang three times before he answered.

"State ya business," Jey said, coolly.

"Um, hey. You told me to call you," I shyly replied into the receiver.

There was a brief silence, and I swear I was holding my breath in anticipation.

"Bout time you called me. How you living, mamas?"

I exhaled, smiling wide.

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I ain't got no complaints. Shit no lie my day done got better since you called though" he imparted. 

This negro was smooth. I would have to check myself around him. However, two could play that game.

"Word? You gotta be around me more often. Can't have you out here having bad days. No. Not on Nye watch."

He chuckled. My ass could be just as suave as he was.

"So that's ya name. Our last two run-ins, it slipped my mind to ask. Nye, short for what?"

"Nyeya. What's yours?"

Another brief silence.

"Joshua. If you stick around long enough, I'll let you call me that, Ms. Nyeya."

He was making me blush, "I plan too."

Oh, I was acting real bold but I had plans. Playing safe wasn't gon' cut it. I had to stake my claim.

We stayed on the phone for almost an hour. I now had some preliminary information to go on. Josh- I mean Jey was 29. A Leo. No kids. No wife. No hoes but I felt that was a lie. And a whole lotta money that I wanted. I had to just wiggle my way inside his heart to get to it.

"You gon' come chill with me tonight, Ms. Nyeya," Jey queried.

I giggled. His accent was so cute to me. It was like some country twang mixed with a little southern gentleman thug.

"What time you talking?"

It might have seemed like I was moving too fast but the clock was ticking. I had to utilize every minute to maximize getting my party paid for.

"I got some thangs to handle. Tell you this, meet me at that white house on Bend Dr. around 9, aight."

Bend Drive was a couple blocks over but nothing I couldn't handle as far as walking. The white house was infamous because that was one of the Prada Bois traps.

"Okay. For sure. See you later then."

And with that we hung up. I hadn't realized it, but my heart was beating fast. This was really happening. I took a moment to gather myself before I called Kiyah, Natasha, and Nataya. This three-way phone call was necessary.

⸺

7pm rolled around fast. I had to admit I was nervous. My palms was sweaty. The heat from the straightening comb above me didn't help. Natasha was pressing my hair. The girls decided to come over and help me get ready. They was all for me going after Jey. They were aware of the benefits they would reap if I was the girl of Jey, ½ head of the Prada Bois.

"Nye! Stop moving before I burn yo ass," Natasha warned.

My foot was bouncing up and down in anticipation of what was to come. I had dealt with some dudes with money, but they wasn't on Jey level.

"Damn! My bad. I'm nervous as fuck. Like what I am supposed to do?" I worried.

My question sounded immature. However, Jey wasn't no immature little ass boy. He was a grown ass man. I felt inadequate on some level.

"Do you what you do to them other niggas that have them fallin' all over ya ass. That Nye Voodou," Kiyah cackled. 

The twins fell out laughing too. I couldn't help but join them. There was a rumor going around that I was putting spells on dudes because ain't no way dudes could be acting like they was. Some hating hoes started that; I just know it. I was bomb all the way around. What I had was rare. And that's when it clicked. I just had to be me. Dope ass Nyeya Noir Green.

"If he anything like Jimmy then maybe I can help you out," Nataya began. 

We all gave her our attention. She was sitting on the floor with her legs crossed with a VIBE magazine in hand.

"Well, hoe? We waiting," Kiyah blurted aloud.

Nataya simpered, almost like she had gotten shy.

"Um. Well. I don't really know Jey, but Jimmy speaks highly of him. He said that Jey is good dude," she paused. "He mentioned one night that the way into a Prada Boi heart is through seeing past what they do. Seeing them as humans."

I marveled at that. I guess there was more than meets the eye with Jimmy and the other Prada Bois. They had heart. I was hoping Jey was who Jimmy said he was.

"So, this nigga be opening up to you? This shit done got serious, huh?" Kiyah pried.

Nataya snickered.

"We just chillin'. He good people and he treat me nice. I think we can get there one day," she gushed.

I was happy if she was. We all deserved happiness so it wasn't no hating going on when it came to me.

"Damn! So that mean y’all boo'd up and we ain't?" Kiyah pouted.

"Un-uh, just you. I got a boo. You just lonely hoe," Natasha corrected.

We cackled. By 8, my hair was laid, and my outfit was on point. Nataya had let me borrow an outfit that Jimmy bought her. It was a matching red and white plaid two-piece shirt and skirt set. The shirt came down to my belly button. I paired that with some red chucks with white long socks scrunched down like leg warmers. It was cute. I sprayed on some Tommy Girl perfume that my mama had sitting on her dresser. I had said my goodbyes and was out the door by 8:30.

⸺

It would be hot as hell during the day but by night it would cool off. My freshly pressed hair blew in the breeze as I walked over to Bend Dr. The neighborhood was quiet with the usual dog barking for no reason. It was a Monday night, so the city was preparing for bed.

I approached the white house at the end of the dead-end street. Only the bottom windows was illuminated. Two cars sat out front. A black BMW and a red Grand Marquis with 22-inch chrome rims which I knew belonged to Damian.

As I got closer, my nerves showed up again. Questions bounced around in my head. Did he say knock? Am I just supposed to sit out here and wait? Do they know I'm out here? These types of dudes shot first and asked questions later.

So, I decided against knocking and took a seat on the trunk of Damian's car. It didn't take long before a stocky dude the same hue as Jey and Jimmy peeped out the front door. He looked a few years older than me from what I could see.

"Who you here for?" he called out.

"Jey."

He nodded before disappearing. About a five minutes later, dude stuck his head out the door again.

"Jey on his way out. Just chill for a few."

I nodded in response. I picked at the imaginary lint on my skirt for a while and then check my small mirror from my purse to see if anything was on my face using the light from the streetlamp. As I added more gloss to my lips the front door opened. Jey, Damian, dude from earlier, and another unidentified man stepped out onto the porch.

They noticed me as they continued their hushed conversation. I slid down off of Damian's trunk and lingered by the BMW which I figured was Jey's. Damian descended down the steps towards me first. He looked me up and down. I smirked, knowing what that was about.

"Hope your little ass ain't put in a dent in my shit, mami," he joked.

"Nah. I ain't do you nothin,” I smiled.

He grinned. Before he could say something else, Jey had a question.

"Ain't you got somethin' to do, uce?"

Nothing about his tone was nice. He was staring a hole in Damian ass. Damian shot me a side glance before hopping in his car without another word. I guess he knew what time it was. Jey wrapped up his conversation with the two dudes left. I was close enough to hear the car unlock even though I didn't see him push the button.

I took that as my cue to get inside the car. It smelled like Black Ice. The inside was nice, real nice. Leather seats, plush floor mats, and a phone. Yup, Jey was definitely paid. The driver side door opened up and a good smellin' Jey hopped inside.

"Aye I apologize about the wait. Money calls," he apologized.

"No worries. You good," I reassured.

Jey started up the car and the dashboard lit up like a spaceship. My eyes widened in amazement. I had been around fancy shit before; just not enough to be used to it. Most dudes had Fords and Chevy's. This imported stuff was fancy.

"You like what you see, huh?"

I glanced in his direction. He had his trademark smirk going on.

"Yup. Do you?"

His eyes widened.

"Gahdamn girl! You coming like that, huh? I like that shit," He laughed.

We pulled off from the white house heading to an unknown destination. My nerves had settled as we drove through our city. Conversation flowed effortlessly as we flirted back and forth. After a while I realized we had been going nowhere in particular. Just driving around, the city talking.

I mean I wasn't mad at that, but I had initially thought something different. However, when he turned off the main road onto a little dirt road, I panicked.

"Jey! Where the hell we going?" I questioned.

He chuckled, "Relax, it ain't what you think it is. You in good hands. Trust me."

I was still on edge but relaxed enough to sit back in my seat. A few moments later, the BMW finally came to a stop. We were perched on a dirt road that gave you the perfect view of the Downtown skyline. Through the windshield it looked like a picture. I beamed at all the lights. The skyline was beautiful.

"Oh wow. This is dope. How you find out about this?"

My eyes were wide taking it all in.

"By accident."

His reply was simple yet said so much. He turned the ignition off and relaxed in his seat. The car was quiet.

"What's on ya mind?" I asked, noticing his attention seemed elsewhere.

Those brown eyes of his shifted towards me.

"You."

There was a tinge of heat that overcame me when he said those words. I wasn't tryna go there with him but he if kept it up I would.

"Word? What about me?"

He stroked his beard as he sized me up. Shaking his head, "I can't put my finger on it but it's something, something about you just scream trouble."

My hand immediately flew up to my heart in shock. 

"What you mean trouble? Like good trouble?" I asked to clarify.

He laughed showing off the gold bottoms in his mouth.

"You seem hurt by that, Nyeya. I ain't mean no harm. Just calling it how I see it."

I was highly offended. How he just gon' prejudged me? I sat back, speechless. Not because I didn't have nothing to say but because it wasn't gon' come out the right way. I felt Jey watching me. I ignored the urge to look at him and just stared out the window. This wasn't going how I thought it would.

Silence. Nothing but silence for 10 minutes. He never took his eyes off me. It was like he was tryna figure me out, define what I was. I wanted to shift in my seat but feared it would come off as if I had something to hide. He ain't make it to the top of Prada Bois by being no fool. I'm sure he could sense bullshit a mile away. 10 minutes turned to 15.

"My age. It’s my age," I whispered.

11 years apart. A big gap to most. I appeared more of threat because I was young. At the moment, all my plans was slipping through my hands like sand.

"You think that's it, huh?"

This response prompted me to finally meet his eyes.

"Yea. You scared. Scared I'ma hurt you, set you up."

Without blinking, he explained, "Flip that around. I'm scared of what I would do to you."

My heart dropped into my stomach. He meant that shit with every fiber in his being. Ain't gon' front, I was low-key scared. However, Toy ain't raise no weak kids.

"You ain't gon' hurt me. If anything, you gon' love me."

I dropped my head after my response and sat back in my seat. My cards was on the table. Either I won this hand, or I didn't. There was brief moment of silence. A warm calloused hand traced the length of my jaw. Jey was caressing my cheek, moving to my hair, pulling the loose strands back behind my ear.

"Look at me, Nyeya."

I lifted my head in his direction, staring into those deep brown abysses he called eyes. Jey's hand slowly made its way down my face to my neck. I held my breath as his hand expanded and then slowly tightened around my throat. His eyes never left mines nor did he blink. I was pulled closer. And now we were only centimeters apart, face to face.

“Nyeya. Nyeya. Don't make me regret this," he lowly requested.

Filled with fear and ecstasy, I replied, "You won't. I promise."