#I know writing takes like a lot of effort and this was a lovely read
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I'm sorry to anyone who feels this way. It's awful.
But I also think it's wrong.
I try to not use the word talent in my life. Because 90% of the time what people describe as talent, an innate even destined ability, is actually skill, an ability that has been developed through practice and experience. And it's a super important distinction, because skill isn't up to genetics or god or some basic seed from which you sprouted. Skill is based in your choices and, essentially, your opportunities.
I don't want to turn this to the other extreme and say that you're not great at That Thing because you haven't tried hard enough. There are certainly many circumstances that can get in the way. Like money, like available time. Can you go to classes? Afford materials? Dedicate hours every week to practice and improvement?
And it's more than that even! Have you ever learned HOW you learn? Were you taught how to embrace failure? Because no matter what, you WILL fail at the thing you like a LOT on the path to getting good at it.
But I think the absolute most important element is, do you have people who support and believe in you? Not just for your interest of choice, but also in general.
OP strongly compares exceptional ability with fame. That makes sense. I know the kind of optimistic posts they're talking about with lists of celebrities who became famous later in life. But fame is a different game entirely. It's based in opportunity to the nth degree, on being attractive in a very specific way, and on having skill in one or two of just a handful of abilities. Sure, there's a fixation on singers, actors, and athletes, but how many people would know it if the world's greatest knitter walked on stage?
That wouldn't mean that the knitter wasn't incredible, just that there isn't an industry built around promoting them.
The celebrities in those posts are for a point of connection, as people you can recognize. But yeah, ANYONE can start again at any time. And to keep it mundane, I'll use myself.
I'm 36. I've spent the last few years rebuilding my life after living through many shitty things. I grew up in an abusive household. I was bullied a lot. I lost friends through death and through just being too much.
And now I've done SO MUCH therapy and work on myself. I find I have the strength to try new things. I've been taking local classes for fun; ballroom dance, juggling, and improv. I started a book club that just reads terrible books because I find that fun. I started ANOTHER club for doing escape rooms because I love those and they need about 4 people. I'm putting together a little business to help people with their writing.
This is a lot of stuff, but I chose it all one at a time. Some of these things may not particularly amount to anything. They certainly won't make me famous. But I get joy from the trying, from working with other people, and from having others who support and compliment my efforts.
So much of our self-esteem, for better or worse, is based in the love and attention of others. Is it really FAME you want? Screaming fans, paparazzi, and a billion strangers with some opinion on your work without knowing a thing about you? Or would you be overwhelmed with joy if a dozen people were proud of you?
I'm sorry you don't have enough love or encouragement or self-esteem right now. I hope that gets better for you as you live and build skills you need.
But most of all, I promise that it's never too late!
everyone says you can always restart. that your future isn't forgotten, just sort of misplaced. they name actors and singers and authors who started at 46, 59. they cite chappell roan's 10 years. they tell you to push and push, that some day you'll open a door and the truth will be behind it.
but what if you aren't a celebrity in sheep's clothing. what if you're just a normal person. most people aren't exceptionally talented or else talent wouldn't be exceptional - right? what if you're just another median person; not ever startlingly bad nor terrifyingly good.
you put the shopping carts back and you walk your dog and you write poems on the internet. you have grown a plant or two; killed a few others. you did okay, overall, and you've been okay most of your life. not valedictorian, but you were a smart kid. you had some hard knocks, but you got up again. your life is just - average. you probably will never sing onstage at coachella. most of the time you are at peace with that - someone needs to drive the speed limit. life isn't about extraordinary circumstances, it's just about building a life you love and figuring out how to live in it.
but you would like to feel as if you'd found "the answer." everyone else seems to have some kind of talent they are born nesting in - and meanwhile you just exist. is that why you cycle through crafts and hobbies and activities like a roulette wheel? are you waiting for the moment where it turns out - all this time, you've been a visionary. a genius. all this time, you were special. even you: someone who has-never-been.
crawling up your throat: something bitter and savage. not quite a feeling of wasted potential. after all, you need to first have potential in order to waste it.
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There is a lot of positivity flying around recently and...well, I wanna throw in something from myself. To start let me say sorry for not being around much recently, I will be back to all my RT nonsense once The Fluâą leaves me alone.
With that out of the way, let me first say I feel deep and immense gratitude to all the people in the RT fandom. Everyone, both active, more casual or on hold for now, here or on discord - I appreciate you all.
The creativity, the ideas, the amount of private time and effort shared between us all is amazing.
Now, in no particular order:
@cawyden-gaming - your introspective and informative lore posts and code-surfing are always so interesting, showing what we missed, what was perhaps cut or bugged out - you are here to bring this all together đ
@lordcaptains - I always love seeing your gifs, catching the details and beauty hidden by the isometric camera. Your insights into different aspects of our resident biomancer are always a delight to read. Thank you for so many good things đ
@nananarc - your beautiful art is truly extraordinary, and truth be told - it was your work that really got me intrigued by the concept of Abelard/RT ship. Get that old man ^^đ
@gingerfan24 - Ana! Everything about Ana you share is pure gold. It's funny, it's interesting and your posts never fail to make me smile đ
@misscoet - What can I say - your atmospheric and sometimes wildly nsfw art is always the highlight of my dash. Diana is etherally beautiful! đ
@ronavorona16 - we started our talks recently, but I grew to immensely enjoy your company. Your selflessness in making art of my little menace Imogene is a source of my joy. Beulah is THE queen of queens and I really like to imagine all the shenanigans her and Imogene would get into đ
@roorenart - can't possibly not mention you :) Seeing your (one of the first tumblr art I actually found!) Heinrix made me fall in love in both him and your style. Later, your take on Imogene made me cherish her even more, you made her real for me đ
@iamaweretoad - Mago! My ratty, criminal son. The adventures of Mago and Imogene are always alive in my head, I hope we will get to write much, much more of them at some point đ
@holylustration - My Aurelia So Daring đ„° Do I need to say more? You created an amazing AU story that inspired so many people (me included!) to experiment with the idea of Knight pilot Heinrix. And your darling Aurelia, a fierce woman of so many talents đ
@redbatchedcumbermayned - I said it many times and I will never stop repeating it - you are the source of my personal inspiration. Your work on your longfic (absolutely doesn't give justice to something that already is the lenght of a book!), your beloved OC Isha, your encouragement and presence in the fandom are very precious to me đ
@thatzombiecat - Nyomos! This was absolutely the greatest gift you gave to the fandom along with your stunning art and the duo of unforgettable OCs - Elayne and Vincent đ
@cadencespark - I am not sure you are still around to read this, but know I will always remember our talks about Annie and Imogene. Annie is the true princess of grimdark and I still often return to the pieces of art of Imogene you gifted me đ
There are so many more people I could write about and probably some that slipped through the cracks in my memory, for which I am sorry, but like I said - I have a reason to cherish each and every one of you and very much appreciate you being part of this fandom - both in the past and present.
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S/O with a hearing disability
Request by: @kssf
Thank you so much for the request, sweetie! Iâm not familiar with the anime Yubisaki to Renren, but I hope this turned out well!

Nagumo yoichi
Nagumoâs first reaction to learning about your hearing disability was one of absolute determination. He didnât let it faze him for a second. Instead, he saw it as another challenge to tackle head-onâand he was more than ready to bring all of his energy and humor to make sure you felt loved and included in everything.
Rather than just speak, Nagumo made sure to get your attention in little, thoughtful waysâtapping your shoulder gently or waving in front of you. Heâd sometimes give a thumbs-up or a silly wink, making sure you knew that, no matter what, you were part of everything. His expressive eyes and gestures made it so you never felt left out of any situation.
Learning sign language became his mission. Sure, he messed up a lot, and sometimes his signs would be more like jumbled hand gestures, but the effort was what mattered to you. And honestly, it was impossible not to laugh when he would get a sign wrong and look at you with mock exasperation, saying, âWhat? Was that not right?â
When he wanted to show affection, he made sure to make it known with a sweet look or a little gesture, something you could understand just as easily as the sound of a voice. Nagumo was always there with a hand to hold, a silly joke, or just his presence, making you feel safe and loved.
Heâd even take up small habitsâlike pausing when speaking, so you could read his lips or wait for him to sign if that was easier. His presence was always comforting in its own way, and he never let you feel like your hearing disability was anything to be ashamed of. You were always just you, and that was more than enough for him.
Shin asakura
Shin's approach was calm and incredibly patient. When he found out about your hearing disability, he didnât make a big deal out of it. Instead, he simply adjusted. He made sure to always face you directly when speaking, so you could read his lips clearly, and he became even more focused on the way he expressed his emotions.
Shin didnât rush you or make you feel like you were different. It was like you both entered a space where there was no pressure to perform or conform to a world that often didnât understand. He was content to stay quiet when you needed it and would write things down for you if the conversation felt too fast.
When you two went out, Shin would keep an eye on you, guiding you gently through crowds or pointing out things he thought might interest you. He didnât want to overwhelm you with too much noise or chaos. Instead, he tried to bring a calm sense of peace to every situation.
If there was ever a moment of silence between the two of you, it was never awkward. You could simply look at each other, share a smile, and know that nothing needed to be said. Shinâs love for you was simple, steady, and quietâa love that didnât need sound to be real.
Natsuki seba
Natsuki was a little more uncertain when he first learned about your hearing disability, but that didnât stop him from trying his best. His awkwardness was endearingâwhenever he tried to sign, his movements were a little too big or too fast, and his face would blush every time he got it wrong. But he didnât let that discourage him. Instead, he would laugh it off and keep trying, wanting to get it just right because he knew how much it meant to you.
He never made a fuss, though. Natsukiâs love language wasnât about grand gestures. It was about being there for you, even when he stumbled with the signs. Heâd always hold your hand or give you a playful tap when he wanted to make sure you were paying attention. His facial expressions and body language were his way of making you feel loved without needing to speak.
When you were out together, Natsuki made sure to stay close, letting you feel his presence without overwhelming you. He was quick to notice when you needed to slow down or take a break from the noise. Heâd help guide you, always being considerate of the things around you that might be hard to understand.
There were so many little moments where his care shone through. Heâd do things like write down messages on paper or make sure you knew where he was if you were in a crowded space. And when youâd get frustrated or confused, Natsuki was there with a reassuring smile, gently patting your back and letting you know he was always ready to help.
#sakadays#sakamoto days#sakamoto days x reader#nagumo yoichi#nagumo x reader#nagumo yoichi x reader#sakamoto days nagumo#shin asakura#natsuki seba#sakamoto days shin#sakamoto days natsuki seba#natsuki seba x reader#shin x reader#shin#shin asakura x reader
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Iâm the anon who sent you that ask about Sonic and Shadowâs relationship in the Chronic Sonic au. If your post saying you ignore long asks was directed at me, can you please just⊠post the latest version without answering? I would prefer to save it to my likes and maybe have other fans read my thoughts.
thank you
Well no, it wasnât just directed at you, there are a couple long asks in my inbox (some of which are positive and very beloved and i cherish, Dopambles Iâm looking at you <3). But youâve sent your ask twice now and this one too so Iâll answer this one. I donât really want to make this a big long thing, but I also donât really wanna leave ya hanging when this seems so important to you so lets do this (everyone else can ignore this if ya want Iâm going long-winded through everything.)
So, reasons i donât like to respond to or even post long asks sometimes lets do this [cracks knuckles]
1. I donât like posting things onto my blog that I havenât checked over first. I struggle a lot in reading and comprehending long asks. I donât know why, itâs weird, okay. Letâs leave it at that. Iâm not gonna blindly post walls of texts to my blog without checking them over first, because I want to make sure Iâm filtering asks so nothing harmful gets posted to my blog. Youâd be surprised at how whack a lot of anons can get. Not to say your ask was whack, but I also am struggling to read it so itâs hard to say for sure! Itâs not due to the nature of your ask, it is simply because my brain be like dat.
2. Sometimes, I just donât like having to scroll through walls of texts that arenât my own to get to my latest posts. I get a lot of asks as it is. I do love answering them, but when they get long, the amount of time it takes to scroll through em makes it hard to refer back to my previous posts and is just is not intuitive or fun when interacting with my own blog, which leads me to my next point
3. This is my space. My blog is by me for me. I choose to post and share to interact and have fun with other people but at the end of the day this blog is my space. I did not create it for anyone other than me. I welcome the people who find joy in my stories here, but this remains my space. If i was being paid for this itâd be different, Iâd absolutely curate and change things to make it a better and easier experience for those that i charged to be here, but like⊠Iâm not being paid for this? And to ask me to do what you want in my space so that you can have the experience you want is⊠i dunno it sounds a little entitled. (Iâm not saying that you ARE entitled, only that it sounds like it to me personally.) Contacting me even after I expressed my difficulty in answering asks to try and convince me to post it for your sake is a little rude. Iâm not a professional creator, Iâm not a person with fans, Iâm just a random dude trying to have a good time with other people on a dumpster-fire website. Iâm not a creator trying to make sure everyone else is having a good time. This is what i do in my free time to relax andâ
4. âbeing a moderator for other peoples hcâs and conversations is not personally relaxing to me. My blog is not a public confessions blog and I am not a public message board. I am honoured when people share their personal stories and how what I doodle has helped them feel seen and that things will be okay, but Iâm not a place for other people to come say what they want to each other, Iâm a person, not a message board. How other people use Tumblr is up to them, however, I am not going to change how I use tumblr so that you can have a better experience when it will make the experience worse for me.
5. If i answer asks, I donât draw. And I like drawing. If Iâm posting asks (even without answering them) and stressing about being the middle man in conversations that I will have to regulate to make sure conversations stay kind, that takes a lot of time and energy and I got so incredibly burnt out when i tried to do that. So i stopped. And I will not be starting up again simply so you can have a good time, because I will have a bad one. And this is my space to not have a bad time. If something stresses me out, I will not do it here, it is as simple as that. I have my whole irl to be stressed about.
These are some of the reasons I donât like to post long asks. I have notified you that I struggle to read, I donât understand why you continue pushing. I have amazing anonâs who send wonderful long asks who have been kind and considerate with me about my struggles reading and processing. They continue to send their wonderful asks and have assured me itâs okay if I never post them. I am confused as to why you cannot seem to respect my decision as well.
The final reason regarding my hesitance in posting your ask in particular is simply that your hc was not accurate to how I was aiming to portray the characters in the current timeline. You are more than welcome to hc and speculate, thereâs absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I cannot simply post it without answering it like you suggest because I would need to clarify that itâs not true. When I used to do that, people would start to misinterpret my auâs and it stressed me out. It takes hours for me to write up responses to things sometimes because I want to make sure Iâm being kind and thoughtful and accurate. I am honoured that you shared something personal but what you wrote is simply not where the characters are at right now. It could be them in the future, but it is still early in the au so that kind of resentment hasnât set in yet. Shadow is hurting because heâs taking the brunt of Sonicâs negativity but he is resigned to it because for him nothing else matters as long as Sonic stays alive, even if he has to be the person Sonic hates in all this and that is heavy. Heâs angry at him when he does not take care of himself, but he is not resentful. Sonic struggles with being a burden on all of his friends, not just Shadow. The way you described the relationship was closer to how Tails and Sonic interact than Shadow and Sonic and even then, thereâs more going on that I just donât have the time or energy to really walk through. And besides, I want to save that energy to draw out things later.
As i shared with another commenter who asked something similar, I can absolutely DM you your ask back if you want to save it. However I donât understand why you need me to post it to save it your likes if you simply want to save it. You have your own blog you can post it to. Why does it need to be on my blog? Why do I have to do extra work so you can have an easier time to do what you want? I am very grateful for your interaction and love of my comic, and I understand itâs frustrating when people make things harder for you to have a good time, but thatâs exactly what youâre doing to me by asking me to change how I use tumblr to suit your wants instead of what is easiest for me. I am not a public service you pay for. I am a person, a full time student with family issues, struggling siblings that Iâm trying to help, a person who is struggling myself. I have a limited amount of energy in a day, I get tired quickly. If i want to continue to find joy in drawing I have to set boundaries. You may not always know why someone does something, I guarantee there is more here that I will not share because it is personal. Sometimes you just have to be okay with not knowing, you have to be okay not understanding, and you have to be okay without an explanation that makes sense to you. All you need to do is understand that often times there is a reason people behave the way they do. Itâs not a reflection on you or their opinion of you, it is simply many other factors at play that lead to such an outcome.
I sincerely hope this did not offend you, I am not angry with you, nor do I wish for any of this to be taken as scolding or upset you. If it has come across that way, I apologize. I am sorry I am not in a state to give you what you want, and Iâm thankful for your patience with me in reading through this and I hope it is enough to at least paint a little bit of a picture as to why I will not be posting your ask. Itâs unfortunate that I ended up spending hours addressing this anyway both to you and to another commenterâthe very thing I wanted to avoidâbut I value you as a person and did not want to leave you feeling negatively if I could change that. I hope this does not affect your enjoyment or experience with how you were having fun with my au, and if it does I am deeply regretful. However, I do have to set boundaries and make sure Iâm doing okay or there would be no AU at all. Thanks for your understanding and I hope you have a day as kind as you are.
#knox rambles#asks#anon#same kinda thing goes for that anon asking me to post all my small works to ao3 actually#what i say: thereâs a couple reasons why but Iâll give you one#what i donât say: A LOT OF OTHER STUFF#the energy it takes to transfer and hunt them down just to make it easier for you is so much harder for me#i guess if enough people expressed intrest i could consider posting all my mini fics but youâd have to be fine with like no art no writing#no asks from me for months while i do all that work#personally i donât have time or energy to transfer anything#and its just not worth it for me considering how little people read them#the knuxoug e one i might consider posting because its a little longer#but all my smaller drabbles are Tumblr specials only#that could change in the future nothings set in stone#but just because you donât understand why i donât do something doesnât mean i owe you an explanation or my reasoning is any less valid#respectfully my goal here isnât to look after other people and hold their hands so theyâre having a good time my goal is to draw and write#and then sometimes share that joy i get by sharing the story#if i stress about and put effort into customizing what i do to make things smoother for everyone else that effort doesnât go into my writin#Iâm not a social media specialist Iâm a writer and and an artist#so far only one person has ever asked me to post long asks after Iâve said i donât vibe with long asks#and so far only two people have ever asked me to post my small drabbles to ao3 (to my memory i could be wrong on that)#i could go into a lot more long winded reasoning as to why i donât want to post small fics like i did here with long asks#but Iâve already spent enough time as it is on this and i wanted to draw metal today#anyway to reiterate: Iâm not mad honestly this is all kinda funnny i hope both anons have a good day and Iâll be moving on and moving#forward with my art and drawing so i can keep enjoying it and having fun#i know dramaâs fun to read through so all of yâallâs goofy beloved sneaky people reading to the end ily <3#giving you a kiss on the head :3#i maaaay delete this later since itâs so silly how long I spent on it#anyway yup hope yâall have a lovely day!
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THANKS @kimdokjafan you are so kind and generous. ok im cashing in the first of three blank checks to talk about faith trust and pixie dust (most recent chatfic) because the last two directors commentaries were too serious so let's do a silly one.
some p5r spoilers, and this is mostly about sumire, and it's long again. do i need to keep disclaiming that these are long? you should know me by now.
i had this written for a while before i started formatting it because i wasn't really sure if i should post it? i feel like silly chatfic is something people go to for predominantly lighthearted nonsense so i was like, maybe there's too much plot and dramatic misunderstanding and i should just keep this one for myself. but then i was like well nothing matters and maybe someone will have fun with it. it's kind of terrible how much fully or mostly completed fic there is my docs that just doesn't see the light of day lol. write for yourself etc but i like sharing! too bad it comes with the mortifying ordeal etc. anyway that was a tangent
potato counter is a neopets game. there's no deep lore i just like neopets. i guess in this universe ryuji doesn't play neopets? or maybe he's just never played potato counter specifically. i also have a different fic where ryuji DOES play neopets. it's about neopets and ryuji and goro talking on neopets.
i think this might literally be the first time ive written sumi in a fic because i haven't actually written that much fic for royal, like, now that im looking, literally almost none? and none that had a group dynamic. so it was kind of fun to find her voice for the first time in a silly groupchat like this. i was worried people would find her exclamation marks annoying but i personally thought it was endearing so i added it in there.
every time i do a gag where a character corrects their own typo i have to code more stupid little bubbles to make it happen but i think it's worth it. all the effort that goes into making tgis look as much like a real chat as possible
this obviously doesnt take place in the canon p5/r universe, but im imagining sort of a postcanon sumi personality where she's more comfortable being herself and isn't borrowing kasumi's brand of confidence, but she's visibly a really anxious person without that kasumi veneer. i also think in this universe sumire is a fairly recent addition to the friend group, and while everyone likes her a lot and she really likes them, i kind of wanted to emphasise that feeling of being in a friend group where everyone's established and you're sort of a plus-one? you don't really fit yet. part of that is her being new, part of it is her anxiety, part of it is just the kind of person sumi is where she's so polite and self-conscious she ends up taking herself out of things with her own good intentions. stuff like her interrupting the flow of an existing conversation by greeting everyone instead of jumping straight in because she doesn't feel comfortable inserting herself, which means everyone else stops to greet her even though that doesn't normally happen in a friend group, or making a point of thanking everyone for being invited to events while the others take it as a given.
idk i love that she feels a bit out of place with the phantom thieves in p5r. and part of that is a natural consequence of being a new addition in royal who can't be naturally integrated with an existing dynamic but i honestly feel like the writing team realised that and acknowledged it, and really leaned into it, and that made it work incredibly well for me. like, it's part of her character that she's sort of an outsider. it's not like p4g's incredibly clumsy integration of marie and subsequent attempt to shove her down everyone's throat as the canon love interest in p4ga (knife). sumi has that outsider vibe on purpose and it makes me really like her dynamic with the thieves as an individual
goro also feels slightly out of place in these chats, but his conversational style blends more naturally with the other thieves at this point and he even uses their codenames sometimes. i keep saying my chatfic series isn't a real Series because the lore keeps changing, but if we accept that they're all kind of following a General Continuity, assume this takes place some time after the last fic in which ren added goro to the groupchat and they made an effort to integrate him into their friend group. he's kind of there now and has settled into being the weird boyfriend. that's his role.
every time goro says something like "ren and i" assume it's the text equivalent of him talking to the group with his arm around ren's waist.
ok i got really fond of this silly running joke where sumi brings up the weather when she's feeling uncomfortable. she's so polite. i like this thread because setting it up meant i got to tie it off like this:
this just made me happy lol i liked writing this. i tried to use it to demonstrate that despite goro's abrasiveness he obviously knows sumire pretty well, he's attuned to her quirks and knows how to tell when she's having a bad time with her anxiety, so he uses her little weather habit to ground her.
i honestly dont think goro and sumire could be considered close in p5r and as much as i like the "royal trio" in canon they're not really... like... friends? with each other? they're both attached to ren, so it' more a V shape than anything else. but that said, i really LIKE goro and sumi's canon dynamic. he takes a really grouchy but politely attentive supervisory role to her during their few forays into the palace as a trio where he doesn't really know her well but clearly identifies her as a harmless little tryhard who needs some guidance and steps into that role grudgingly, and she immediately looks up to him despite being very wrong footed by his ruthlessness, which i find incredibly charming. i think given time they could be good friends, they just didn't get much chance to know each other very well in canon. so i tried to kinda do that here.
once goro stops being evil and joins the group they all kind of tiredly accept that his role is to occasionally push a cup off a bench while smirking and refuse to clean it up. emotionally, i mean.
wait i need to backtrack chronologically to talk about akeshu.
in this scene they're in the same room lol talking and snickering while typing. im trying to get at that vibe of the annoying couple who is flirting with each other, via you. you know? like ostensibly they're talking to you (sumire) but everything they say to you is part of their stupid game. sumi is incidental to goro and ren teasing each other about flirting with someone else, goro is reporting everything ren says because his boyfriend is so eye-rollingly foolish in a cute way. they're very tickled by how amusing and charming they are. gross. disgusting. sumire im so sorry for putting you through this
anyway here are too many of my favourite jokes from the fic
#futaba gets a lot of my favourite punchlines because i love her. i think she's an incredible vessel for comedic timing#once again you can see how much i overthink everything#given the amount of thought that goes into character shit for what LOOKS like a stupid 3 second chatfic#but is really. a stupid 3 second chatfic with twenty years of overthinking behind it#it takes time and effort. to be this stupid#anyway i love sumi. i think she's so cute. i like her dynamic with the thieves so much#ive said it before but i think chatfic is one of those mediums that looks so deceptively simple because#you know it's just silly dialogue and memes. it's very accessible. anyone can write a funny chatfic#but i think it's such a character-forward 'genre' that it's really really difficult to do well in the sense that it feels like the characte#s you know and not just mouthpieces for memes with familiar names attached. so im kinda obsessed with the genre#it relies so heavily on every character having a distinctive voice without trying too hard to be unique#ideally you should be able to read one of these with no names attached ands till get a general sense of who's talking#without having to rely on liek (sorry) homestuck style quirks which make it visibly obvious#that' skinda hard because irl people's typing styles aren't THAT distinct you know. theres only so many variations#you can make to a person's use of grammar punctuation capitalisation etc before it becomes a gimmick instead of an idiosyncrasy#but hopefully if the character voice is strong enough their identtiy should come through more subtly anyway. idk .idk if im there but i lov#to work towards it#wow i wrote anothr essay in the tags about my love for Modern Epistolary Fiction (chatfic)#after already writing a whole essay in the post#i mgonna shut up guys thanks for having me#rookfic#asks#p5#rookthots
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wanting comments when i post fic is the bane of my existence
#ignore me im just venting cause i need it vent#the ballad got very few comments and now im waiting on UR to get any#so im just đŹ#keep tellin myself itâs fine if no one comments cause i write for myself#and its *definitely* not a measure of my writing skills#but it does suck#you put so much effort and time and energy and love into something#but i kno a lot of ppl just flat out donât like me in fandom so even if they do read my shit they not gonna tell me about it#and im aware too that im terrible at reading other fics and have been for years#not that i think it should be a tit for tat to begin with but i know thats probably part of it too#and i also know im a slow writer so when it takes me 5 years to update i lose a lotta readers#thereâs ppl who still active in the fandom whoâs usernames i know who interact with my blog but stopped reading my fics#and i can only assume itâs cause i suck at updating#đ« đ« đ« #also i am very much aware ao3 is/was down so im not like saying this exclusively or even rlly about UR just a general feeling and a general#frustration with myself for wanting comments
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sorry and now im just thinking about fanfic but i think my relationship to reading fanfic has changed so much now that im writing more and i kind of hate it because i feel like i cant read without feeling guilty that im not writing. like if i have time to read it then surely i have time to write it. which is not really fair to myself because reading (especially fanfic) takes way less mental energy for me than writing so i can read when im tired or distracted or busy or whatever but i cant write unless my body and brain are literally in perfect condition. but the result is that i feel so guilty about reading that i basically just reread old fics these days and dont read anything new because that is somehow worse (?) than rereading something ive read before which makes zero logical sense but thats the way it is. but then even logging on to ao3 stresses me out because i feel like im being a bad member of the community per se bc i havent read up on the latest stuff. which is literally so dumb! like so ridiculous and i know it doesnt make any sense at all but i cant help feeling bad about it anyway. ive read like three new fics since december.
#i think i attach probably too much value to myself as a participator in fandom to me as a creator#like my writing is the biggest thing that i make so i feel like i should be doing it as often as possible#but its also extremely personal so of course it takes a lot of time and effort#but there are a lot of really talented writers in tennisblr (or tennis ao3) and i have of course fallen into the trap of comparing myself#not only in quality but also in quantity and frequency and stuff#bc i know that i dont write as often and i take forever to update#and i know the straightforward lesson is to just not compare myself but obviously its hard to get that through my brain#idk. i want to feel more secure in my writing because i love the process so much#and i love sharing it with other people#but im just feeling like im writing worse and worse because i'm stressed about making something#like. needing to make something to keep up my self-proclaimed status as a writer#again i know this is all so silly but my last post got me thinking about it and now my mind is on it#and thinking about the fact that i got the urge to search for like 15 minutes to find an old fic i read once#rather than looking at any of the new fics i've scrolled past which are like. exactly what i'd want to read#anyways. this is not important im just blabbing now but i feel liike i needed to get it out#sometimes it helps and sometiimes it doesnt. ig we will see
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Throwing in fun (not fun) facts to contribute esp bc I was tagged in the essay: (Sorry in advance this is literally my career and special interest AND I just got back from a training conference about this SO obv I am going to talk too much. Disclosure: These statistics are from peer-reviewed sources AND the National Children's Alliance. The NCA IS an American association, though, so take this all with a grain of salt bc we're applying it to someone whose bg is not American lmao. This is an essay for funsies. CW: discussion of and stats about CSA, Child Abuse) Relevant to the Jo stuff is also that victims of one/any kind of abuse are statistically much more likely to subsequently face overlapping abuse, so knowing he comes from a home where abuse and potential neglect was actively occurring sets Jo-boy up for some sad statistics. I am looking for my notes on the stats for that but it's something stupid high, I wanna say over 30 or 40%.
Additionally, 47%~ of CSA victims are revictimized. Abysmal statistic but mostly just an interesting note if this IS the case/if we choose to interpret Jo this way bc of the other things mentioned in Masu's ask, specifically if we're viewing his unhealthy and ultimately traumatic relationship with Ikumi as a potential example of that revictimization (similarly, coming from a like background, it may have been revictimizing for Ikumi if she had ever experienced something like CSA, as well. It's one of those cases where they both got hurt even if neither of them were at fault for "playing house" as Jo calls it).
Seconding/Adding on to Masu's thoughts about Jo's behavior being as self-destructive as it is because of the compounded trauma of his life, victims of adolescent abuse "engage in health-risk behaviors such as substance use, physical fighting, and risky sexual activity," in far higher numbers than non-victims. We know for facts that adolescent Jo checks at least 2 of those 3 boxes, and that he still puts himself in unnecessary danger as a full grown adult (the Heian Tower fight, and Hoshino's Office fight): An interesting and well-written cycle of trauma and abuse on RGGs part, tbh, but also so narratively telling about how he saw/sees/continues to see himself as more an object than a person. (Love your notes on that btw, it rings very true. I could write an essay on that alone tbh.)
Another weird little thing I notice from both a Doyalist AND Watsonian perspective: Jo's disclosure of his father's abuse would classify as what we call an "accidental disclosure" in the field even though it's clearly intentional that he shares it with Ichi - it's offhanded and markedly unimportant in the story he's telling. He says it passively in a literary sense, as well: "The only thing waiting for me at home was my father's fists." Like homie, that's the most roundabout way you could have said "My dad beat me." Interestingly, up to 50% of [specifically CSA] victims do not state outright that abuse occurs, but disclose it accidentally/offhandedly; and in general, accidental disclosure is more common among people who have also delayed disclosure. Up to 66% of admissions from victims of child abuse come delayed if they come at all.
I think it's a very in-character remark of him to make, but statistically, it lines up with other victims of abuse as a whole. I think it's also just cool that from the Doyalist perspective, writing his lines in this way was intentional. It's part of the whole "Everything Jo says sounds like it could mean more than one thing" thing. He speaks poetically - it's intentional not just for the character but for the writer.
Okay, I'm done for now I'm sorry I just wanted to throw some added stuff into the convo bc I love applying my everyday usage of adolescent-focused trauma care and pysch shit to blorbos and seeing what sticks. Anyway, I also have a shit ton of thoughts on Masumi Arakawa as an abuse survivor but THATS another essay I won't dig into now. If I am still in your good graces after this long ass spiel I will consider it not only amazing but perhaps even cool as hell.
[ continuity of this ask ]
#long post#cw csa#its related im keeping it LMAO#snap chats#love the implication that you'd be 'out of my good graces' for sending this LMAO NO YOURE FINE WHY WOULD I BE MAD#i wouldve chewed out masu at this point if that were the case i enjoy readin these#the thing is we just have to accept im very stupid and wont have a lot of commentary. just quiet note taking#and i very much do appreciate posts like these cause its a nice reminder for things im aware of but have become very passive to#like jo's passive exposure of his traumas is something im aware of and because of that i dont focus on it as much as i should#so thank you- to you and masu for writing as extensively as you do#again im just very dumb so i wont have anything else to add on that hasnt been already said#or it wont be anything i can just sit and write in a couple of minutes its something thatd prob take a while to write as in-depth as i want#which is why i feel bad for responding. Not At All with these types of asks LMAO CAUSE EVIDENTLY a lot of effort is done by you guys#and i appreciate it a lot so thank you again for writing in#arakawa as an abuse survivor is something i think of a lot and remembering his abuse as a child shines light on his actions and mentality#so i mean if you wanna share your thoughts on that go ahead ! just know. i prob will Also not have a lot to add on to it LMAO#LIKE THE BEST WAY I CAN INTERPRET MY LINGUISTIC INEPTITUDE IS JUST ME LISTENING my sister tells me i listen really well#and i do enjoy listening. because again im not smart enough to think of things on my own or i dont think its worth sharing some things#so always happy to read whatever you want to share
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HELP! My Neighbor is an Alien a Porn Star â h.joshua
Neighbors come and go and for Y/N, this is inevitable. Which is why she never bothered to get to know her neighbors. She owns her townhouse while the two on either side of her are rentals. When a new neighbor moves in, she doesnât think much of it until she sees the extremely attractive and single man moving in next door. She learns his name is Joshua and that thereâs more than meets the eye; a whole lot more. alien!Joshua Ă fem!Reader
» back || m.list || taglist « â WORDCOUNT 13k (i'm not sorry anymore lol) â WARNINGS â adult dialogue, female reader, sex work, mentions of: food & alcohol consumption, aliens, porn, cam work; sexual content (18+ mdni), see smut warnings under the cut! â CONTENT â fluff (in the form of comedy), smut (hella); sex work, porn industry, neighbors to lovers; non idol au, alien au, porn star au â NOTES â this is my submission for @ddeonghwa-s cupid event. Hello, hello @shuadotcom it is I! Your cupid! This was so much fun to write and the premise was so fun to come up with! I hope you like your alien!Joshua! I love this concept so much and I could definitely be convinced to return to this in the future. This is not proofread because I didnât have time đa huge thank you to @wooahaeproductions jupiter, @facethesunflower (+hubby) for helping coming up with the usernames. y'all are hilarious and wild. and thank you all for reading and as always, this is a work of fiction and all characters are not reflective of their respective irl counterparts. for entertainment purposes only.
MINORS WILL BE BLACKLISTED & BLOCKED. AGELESS BLOGS WILL BE BLOCKED.Â
â SMUT WARNINGS: voyeurism, watching porn/cam show, masturbation (male receiving), oral (f receiving), unprotected sex (do not do. especially with an alien), sex with an alien (lol), joshua has an alien cock (which is described in full detail so enjoy that image), use of pet names (baby, sweetheart), mild degradation, praise (f receiving), joshuaâs precum is an aphrodisiac (pretty cool tbh. aliens are fun to write) so thereâs that and also cum eating??, choking (f receiving), and I think thatâs all of them lol but of course, let me know if I missed anything!

One of the things that came with living in the suburbs was neighbors but for you, getting to know them was never a priority. Owning your townhome meant you were a constant in the neighborhood while your neighbors were not. The townhomes on either side of you were rental properties with a plethora of families coming and going depending on how long the lease was.
Despite not taking the time to get to know them, you still made a conscious effort to be a good neighbor, never causing problems or resolving any that popped up. Most of the neighbors you had were families with young children or young couples still in the first few years of marriage. There were the occasional single professionals that moved in but they were far and few between.
So when you woke up one morning and headed down to make a cup of coffee before clocking into your work from home job, the sight of the box truck parked outside the house wasnât a surprise. You walked over to the large bay window, spreading the slats of the blinds to peer outside.
The box truck must have pulled up while you were still upstairs as the back was now open and workers were moving briskly to unload items from the back. As you watched, you wondered who your new neighbor was going to be. Would it be another family like the last ones? Or maybe a couple of young professionals.
Letting the slats fall back in place, you turned from the window to go about your day, heading into your downstairs office off the main entry and shutting the doors to close off the rest of the home from your working space. You took a seat at the desk, setting your coffee on its designated coaster and powered up your dual screen pc. While it booted up, you sipped on your coffee, eyes occasionally drifting to the window where you could still see some of the movers unloading boxes and furniture.
The jingle of your computer home screen loading drew your attention back to the task at hand: work.
The rest of your morning consisted of checking emails, starting on reports and reviewing itineraries. It wasnât a glamorous job but it afforded you a comfortable living and to pay your bills while also adding to your savings and being able to spend money on your hobbies.
When it was lunch time, you broke away from your screen and picked up your phone, scrolling through the various delivery options before deciding on something that sounded good and was relatively close. You placed your order and decided to leave your office and check to see if the mail had arrived.
Upon opening the door, you could see that the box truck was still parked but that the movers seemed to be finishing up. Walking down the steps from your porch, you glanced over to the townhouse that had sat vacant until today. Amongst the movers who wore khaki uniforms of short sleeve button downs and black pants, was a man who was dressed entirely different.
You opened your gate, stepping out to the cluster of mailboxes you found the mail had indeed come. You quickly opened yours with your key, pulling out the various envelopes, sneaking glances at your new neighbor as he spoke to who you could only assume was the boss of the movers. He had black hair, pushed back off his forehead.
He wore a simple white tee shirt, light wash jeans, and a pair of sneakers. He looked relatively ordinary. As you shut your mailbox door, you moved back to your gate, opening it. At the sound of the gate latch, the man looked in your direction. You quickly averted your eyes and made your way back to your steps.
You chanced a glance at the man, finding his attention was back on the moving company boss. You returned to the safety and privacy of your home, mail clutched against your chest as you shut your door. You shook yourself and headed into your office, grumbling about looking and feeling like an idiot.
It wasnât like you werenât supposed to be there. This was your neighborhood, too. You were perfectly within your rights to collect your mail and it was only natural that you would be curious about the new neighbor moving in. So why did you feel so strange?
You didnât have much time to dwell on it as the sound of your doorbell made you jump, the letter in your hands you were about to open flying through the air and landing on your desk. You mentally scolded yourself for being so jumpy and got up, moving to the front door where you peered through the glass, shifting the small curtain to find the delivery driver with your food.
You opened the door, collecting your lunch with a âthanksâ and a generous tip before retreating once more into your home and carrying the takeout to your kitchen.
After lunch, you returned to your office, sorting through your mail before clocking back in for the rest of your shift. As the day wound down, you finalized your reports and submitted them before checking in for an end of the day meeting. It wasnât a long meeting, fortunately, and you mostly just had to listen, occasionally giving your input before you were finally released and allowed to clock out.
After powering down your computer for the day, you left the office, heading into the kitchen to get started on making dinner. It was a mostly quiet affair, listening to one of your favorite scary story podcasts while you cooked a simple meal.
Once finished, you sat down to eat, continuing your podcast and listening to the narrator tell stories about the horrors of backpacking through Appalachia, something you would never do solely because of the stories youâd heard. Not that being outdoors was really much of your thing. You were more of an inside cat.
After eating and cleaning up, you made sure the downstairs was locked up and headed up to your bedroom, drawing yourself a nice, relaxing bath with the rest of your open bottle of wine. The bath was less about getting clean and more about relaxing as it was thankfully the weekend and you were now allowed to hide away in your home for two days before returning to the office on Monday morning.
As you soaked in the tub, you thought about your new neighbor. Was he the only one living in that big house? Did he have a family? A partner? Children? Answers that you would definitely not learn tonight but surely you would meet him in passing at some point. Perhaps you would find out then.
Then again, you never really made much of a conscious effort before to get to know your neighbors on more than a surface level, sharing names and basic information like job titles and pleasantries. Youâd never invited a neighbor over for dinner nor had been invited over. You preferred it that way.
You had friends, you werenât looking for any more.
The next day, you slept in, enjoying the warmth of your nest of pillows and cocoon of blankets for as long as you could before your subconscious nagged at you to finally get up and start the day. On a normal day, you would be up by 6 am, making breakfast or taking a shower before you had to clock into work at 8 am. Today however, you slept in until 9 before guilt wracked you for wasting the morning.
You went about your day, making a simple breakfast of eggs, sausage, and some sauteed vegetables. You downed your breakfast with some coffee before deciding today you would get your shopping done. Every weekend, you stocked up on groceries that were running low. After getting ready and donning more appropriate clothing, you ventured into your garage, located on the backside of your townhouse and got into your car.
The drive to the nearest market wasnât long and you enjoyed the mostly empty streets and mild weather by singing and dancing along to your playlist. Drumming your fingers against the steering wheel to the beat and bobbing your head, you pulled into the parking lot of the market, pulling into a space and putting your car into park before shutting off the engine.
As you got out, you grabbed your bag of reusable totes from the trunk of your car and headed for the door, grabbing a cart and pulling out your list, kept conveniently on your phone. Walking up and down the aisles, you grabbed the items from your list, marking them off as you set them down in the basket.
As you rounded up your shopping, your phone started to vibrate in your hands and you checked the screen, seeing the face of your best friend along with her contact name. A smile crept over your face as you slid the bar across the bottom of the screen to answer, holding the device up to your ear.
âHi Jiji,â you said softly. âY/N! Where are you? Iâm at your house and ïżœïżœïżœâ You let out a sigh as you maneuvered your cart, one-handed, through the store towards the check out area. âJiji,â you said, trying to hide your exasperation. âIâm at the store. You know youâre supposed to tell me when youâre coming over before you get there, right?â you asked as you got into the queue to wait for an available terminal.
âI know,â your best friend started. âI was in the neighborhood and ââ
Your brows furrowed at your best friendâs obvious lie. âYouâre never just in the neighborhood, Youngji,â you countered. âDonât pull that with me.â You heard her click her tongue impatiently. âOkay, youâre right but thatâs not why Iâm calling. When were you going to tell me you got a new neighbor?â You rolled your eyes as you neared the start of the queue.Â
âWhen I saw you tonight,â you answered. âLike a normal person would.â There was silence on the other end. âOh⊠well, when will you be home?â she asked, sounding like a bored child. âIâm in line to check out,â you explained. âI have another errand to run and then Iâll be home.â You heard Youngji whine on the other side of the line. âJust let yourself in,â you said with a chuckle. âYou know where the spare key is.â
You heard Youngji fumble with something. âOh youâre right. Let me make sure no one is watching,â she murmured before you heard movement. âGot it!â she said triumphantly. You could hear the sound of her putting the key into the lock and the click of the latch as it unlocked. The sound of the door opening and shutting came over the line before you heard her turn the lock.
âIâm in,â she said in a whisper. âIâm gonna raid your fridge,â she added. You snorted as one of the checkout terminals opened up and you pushed your cart towards it. âItâs empty, so good luck,â you said as you started to unload your times. âIâm checking out now,â you announced as you heard the fridge open. âBoo, you suck,â Youngji whined. âGoodbye,â you continued and hung up, pocketing your phone.Â
As you continued to scan your items, you glanced up, eyes landing on the person at the self checkout machine across from yours. It was him. Your new neighbor. He glanced up, meeting your eyes. Your cheeks burned at being caught and you quickly offered a polite smile before returning your attention back to scanning and bagging your items.
You could feel his eyes on you and when you glanced back up, you saw them still looking at you as he scanned his own items, bagging them without looking. Seeing him this close, you could see that his eyes were a striking ombre of yellow and green and it caused your breath to catch in your throat. Either he had some really kick ass contact lenses, or he wasnât human.
Upon meeting your gaze, he offered a mischievous smile, one where you could see that his teeth were slightly off, and definitely not human. The canines were too sharp and a little too long. You lowered your eyes and finished scanning your items, placing them into the reusable bags.
You quickly pulled out your loyalty card, scanning it and hoping for some deals before you started to finish up your transaction. Following the on screen prompts, you pressed the buttons for payment and card before holding your card over the reader until it beeped. Once your receipt printed out, you put your bags into your cart and pushed it away from the check out, not sparing another glance back.
Out in the parking lot, you returned to your vehicle, popping the trunk and placing your bags into the back before shutting the lid and pushing your cart into the cart return area. As you turned, you nearly ran into a cart pushed by none other than your new neighbor who had the same mischievous smirk on his face. âPardon me,â he said, his voice lower and more honeyed than you were expecting. It simultaneously sent chills up your spine but also sent a wave of calm over you.
He was definitely not human.Â
âApologies,â he added as you stepped aside, allowing him to push his cart into the slot behind yours. âD-donât worry about it,â you stammered as he turned to look at you, those same piercing eyes looking back at you. âI should be going,â you added, taking a step backwards. âYouâre my neighbor, arenât you?â he asked, leaning casually against the metal fence surrounding the cart return.
You nodded slowly as he looked at you. âY-yeah,â you said breathlessly. A smile spread across his face before he held his hand out for you to shake. âJoshua,â he said in what you assumed was an introduction. You hesitantly took his hand, feeling the heat radiating off him. âY/N,â you responded in a much softer voice than you intended.
Just as quickly as he took your hand and shook it, he let go, sliding his hands into his pockets. âNice to meet you, Y/N,â he said, putting an emphasis on your name. You couldnât deny, you liked the way your name sounded when he said it. âYou too, Joshua,â you answered. He tilted his head like a curious puppy. âSo,â he started, taking a step forward, closer, towards you.
âDo you live alone?â
His question seemed to snap you out of whatever trance you seemed to be in and now that the allure of his smile was no longer clouding your judgement, your entire body was screaming at the danger it sensed. âNo,â you lied. Joshua stopped to stare at you. âYou donât live alone?â he asked curiously. You shook your head. âNo,â you answered again. âI have a ââ you trailed off. What lie could you get away with. A roommate? A parent? A boyfriend? At some point he might notice if no one else showed up.
âCat,â you finally said. âWhat the fuck?â Joshuaâs confused expression morphed into amusement. âAhh, a cat.â You mentally scolded yourself. âWhat the fuck was that? How the hell is that going to deter anyone? A fucking cat???â You nodded, forcing a smile. âYeah, a cat.â
Silence fell over the two of you before you finally broke it.
âWell, I should be going. Nice to meet you!â you said quickly before turning and making a beeline for your car. âNice to meet you too, Y/N,â he called. You quickly unlocked your car and got in, shutting and locking the doors before fighting with your seatbelt. Once it clicked into place, you started the car, checking the coast was clear before hastily pulling out of the space and hurrying out of the parking lot as fast as you could without hurting anyone or violating any laws.
Your second errand only took a few minutes and soon, you were pulling into your garage, the door shutting behind you as you got out of your car and started unloading your groceries. Entering your home, you heard the subtle sounds of the TV and deposited your bags on the kitchen island. Turning around, you found Youngji lounging on your couch, remote in hand as she flipped through the channels.
âWelcome home, dear,â she called jokingly from her spot. âHow was your day?â
You grimaced as you removed your jacket and moved to hang it up in the small hall near your garage entrance and kicked off your shoes, opting for your house slippers instead. You returned to the kitchen and started unpacking your groceries. âIf youâre going to pretend like you live here, you can at least help me put the groceries away,â you said, looking over at her.
Youngji turned off the TV, tossing the remote onto the cushion beside her before getting up with a groan and making her way into your kitchen, wearing a pair of guest slippers. âDid you bring me any snacks?â she asked as she peered into one of the bags. You lightly tapped her on the head with an unopened plastic jar of grated parmesan.
âNo snooping,â you said as you continued to pull everything out. âJust unload.â
As she helped, you chatted, talking about your respective weeks. As you started to put your things away, Youngji hopped up onto the kitchen counter, handing you things. âSo,â she started as she handed you an unopened bottle of your favorite wine. âYour new neighbor.â
You stood up straight, taking the bottle from her and looking up at her nervously. âWhat about them?â you asked as nonchalantly as you could, bending over to lay the bottle of wine on its side on the bottom shelf of the fridge. âHave you met them?â Youngji asked as you stood up straight. âYeah,â you answered vaguely. âI met him.â Youngjiâs expression lit up.
âHim? As in singular man? Living next door?â
You looked up at her, noticing the excitement in her eyes. âNo,â you said, pointing at her with your finger. âDonât look at me like that!â Youngji pouted instantly as you continued putting away your perishables. âOh come on!â she whined as you shut the refrigerator door. âIs he single?â she asked as you moved to start putting away the pantry items.
âI donât know,â you answered truthfully. âI didnât ask.â
Youngji hopped down and moved to lean against the wall next to the pantry opening, arms crossed over her chest. âYou met him but didnât talk about the basics?â she asked. You looked at her as you set a new bag of rice on the shelf. âWe didnât really have a chance to talk,â you admitted. âI met him at the store while I was checking out.â
Youngji narrowed her eyes. âIs that why you hung up on me?â she accused. You shook your head. âNo,â you answered. âI hung up on you because I needed both hands to scan my items and put them away. Stop jumping to conclusions,â you added. Youngji stuck her tongue out at you as you finished putting the groceries away.
âWell, whatâs he like?â Youngji asked as you moved to grab the non-food items to put away. She followed you through the house as you put away your laundry detergent in the laundry room. She continued to follow you as you took your toiletry refills upstairs to your linen closet.
âHis name is Joshua,â you offered when she asked for his name. âThatâs as much as I got.â Youngji wandered behind you as you led the way back downstairs. âNo job?â she asked. You turned to face her as you reached the kitchen. âI didnât get to ask and he didnât offer the information.â
Youngji frowned as you opened the fridge and started to pull out the things you needed to make dinner. Your best friend moved to sit at the kitchen island. âSo,â she started as you grabbed the necessary pans and set them on the counter. âWhatâs for dinner, boss?â
Dinner was a regular affair, sipping on wine as the pasta boiled and chicken cooked. Youngji was great company and always knew how to keep the conversation going, cracking jokes and telling amusing tales of her coworkersâ antics.
After finishing your early dinner, you headed upstairs to get changed and ready to go out. It was Saturday night and twice a month, you accompanied Youngji out to the city to visit her favorite club and let loose. You opted for a fitted, black dress that hugged your curves and fell just above your knees. Paired with the only pair of red bottom shoes you owned and a simple black clutch, you joined your best friend downstairs to put on your shoes and grab your jackets while you waited for the rideshare to arrive.
Youngji had donned a similar fitted dress but in white with a different neckline and long sleeves, over which she wore a black denim cropped jacket and wore black pumps with silver heels. Her clutch, which was a cross body with a chain strap, hung off her shoulder and the body of the purse was a vibrant red. Youâd gone more subtle on your makeup but Youngji had, as always, gone bold with a dark smokey eye and nude lip.
Your uber arrived shortly after and Youngji led the way out of your house, letting you close and lock the door behind you. The black, four door sedan had tinted windows but the driver in the front seat matched the picture on the app, as did the license plate. You followed your best friend into the backseat, settling into the black leather interior.
The ride to the club wasnât far but took longer with the traffic as you neared the heart of the city. As the car pulled up to the entrance of the club, you thanked the driver, handing her a cash tip and getting out of the car, curbside. Youngji joined you on the sidewalk as the car pulled into the flow of traffic and you turned to join the thankfully short queue into the club.
The location of the club was off the main strip of the downtown area so it never got exceedingly busy but it was still always full of people when you arrived. You never had to wait in line for long though and soon you were handing your IDs over to the bouncer and being directed inside where you paid your cover charges. The charge was higher than other clubs, but the higher cover charge meant the drinks were cheaper.
After turning your jackets into the coat room and getting your tickets, which you tucked into the safety of your clutches, you made your way to the bar, keeping a firm hold on Youngjiâs hand as she led the way through the throngs of people on the dance floor. The music the DJ played was always a good mix of different genres that always got people dancing. He definitely knew what he was doing.
At the bar, you squeezed between the other patrons, next to your best friend so you could order something simple. There were several bartenders, bustling about as they got drink orders, made drinks, stocked the station, and other usual duties that came with the job. You ordered something with cherries.Â
When you got your drink, you were surprised to find it was green with green cherries. The bartender, a very attractive man with a black button down under a black vest, gave you a wink as he set the drink down before you. You thanked him but before you could hand him your card, Youngji beat you to it, opening a tab and telling you it was on her tonight.
After getting your drinks, you nursed them at the end of the bar as you looked around for either an empty seat or table. Youngji must have spotted one because she grabbed your hand and started steering you away from the bar and around the dance floor. As you neared the corner, you noticed two empty chairs and quickly snagged them, thankful to find somewhere to sit.
âHow is that?â Youngji asked, eyeing your very green drink. You glanced down at it. âItâs good,â you replied over the bass that reverberated through the club and vibrated against your feet. Youngji silently held her hand out for your drink which you handed over. She took a sip, eyes widening as she handed it back. âThatâs good, what is it?â she asked. You shrugged as you took another sip. âNo idea,â you replied. âI taste sprite and melon though,â you added, taking another sip.
You continued to nurse your drinks as you listened to the music and watched the other patrons. One of the main reasons you came out here was to people-watch. It was fascinating to see how others interacted, especially strangers. When you finished your drink, Youngji got up and went to retrieve two more, bringing back two of the same drink you had received from the bartender.
âItâs some special drink for the night,â Youngji said as she sat down, handing you one of the drinks. âMean Green or something like that,â she added. You took another sip, enjoying the taste. It was one of those drinks where you could barely taste the alcohol and in your experience with the club scene, you were well aware that drinks that tasted like juice were dangerous.
The alcohol had a way of sneaking up on you.
After downing a second and eventually a third drink, you were loose enough to throw your inhibitions away and join your best friend on the dance floor. The music, a mix of a couple sounds youâd heard in passing, played, drowning out almost all other sound as you enjoyed this time you got to spend with your best friend.
When you first moved to this city after graduating from college, which felt like a lifetime ago, Youngji was one of the first people you met. She worked at your last job. You were both fresh out of college, in debt, and needing work so entry level was the only thing you could find.
Youngji had immediately latched onto you and quickly became your closest work friend. After a few years of attempting to make your way up the corporate ladder, you found a much better paying job and Youngji was the first to encourage you to go for it. When you left, you had expected that your friendship with Youngji wouldnât last but she continued to text and call, inviting you out and your friendship blossomed into more than just coworkers. You became actual friends.
Eventually, she left that job as well and went in a completely different direction in her career and now you were both settled and comfortable in your careers. Youngji lived in the city in a cute apartment on the edge of downtown that overlooked the river while you lived in a townhouse which had been a gift from your late aunt.
The next logical step now that you were settled was finding someone to share your life with but you werenât in a rush to find anyone. Youngji was also in that stage where she was looking but not too seriously. You were just enjoying your life and living vicariously.
As the music changed again, Youngji leaned in to speak into your ear. âIâm gonna go to the bathroom,â she said over the music. You nodded to show you understood and told her youâd wait right there. You were having too much fun, feeling the music and dancing. You were well past the stage where you felt embarrassed or too anxious to do anything by yourself.
As your body swayed, your eyes shut and you continued to move to the beat. The lights seemed to mimic the crowd, dancing over the people in time to the music. You started to turn when you felt a warm body press into you from behind. Your eyes snapped open instantly, knowing it was impossible for it to be your best friend. They were too tall.
Turning in their hold, your eyes met those same green-yellow ombre eyes.
âWell, hello, neighbor,â Joshua said, an amused smirk on his face as he looked down at you.
âJ-Joshua?â you asked, your voice barely audible over the music. Your body had stopped swaying as you stared back at him. âWhatâre you doing here?â He tilted his head curiously, those yellow-green eyes staring into your soul and seemingly glowing under the club lights.
âItâs a club, Y/N,â he answered. âIâm here to partake in thisâŠâ he trailed off, looking around at the dancing patrons surrounding you. âRevelry.â You stared up at him, heart pounding in your chest and echoing in your ears. âAm I not supposed to be here?â he asked, moving closer until his body was pressed right up against yours.Â
âIs this your special place? Should I find somewhere else to go and watch the people of this planet drink and make fools of themselves?â he asked, hands skimming over your hips as he drew you closer, holding you tight against him. You shook your head, staring at him wordlessly. âNo,â you finally said, breath leaving your lungs as he leaned in closer.
âNo,â you said again, clearing your throat and finding the will to push him back. âIâm uhâŠâ you hesitated, closing your eyes and your brow furrowing. The club had started to spin and you were getting dizzier and dizzier by the minute. âY/N?â Joshua asked, hands gently grabbing yours. âAre you alright?â he asked. You shook your head, attempting to shake yourself out of whatever this was.
You looked up at him as his face came back into focus. âYeah,â you gasped. âIâm fine. I need to go find my friend. Enjoy your night.â You pulled away from him and started to push through the crowd only for him to catch up to you, gently grabbing your hand. âAre you sure youâre alright?â he asked, all amusement gone from his expression, replaced only with concern.
You forced a smile and nodded. âYeah, Iâm okay. Have a good night, neighbor,â you said, attempting to banter back with him. Whatever it was in your tone seemed to work and a small smile came over his face. âAlright, neighbor.â
You quickly found Youngji and after telling her about your almost spill on the dance floor, she agreed it was time to leave. You left out the part about running into Joshua as you retrieved your jackets while Youngji closed her tab at the bar. Outside, you waited for your rideshare on the sidewalk. The line for the club now extended down the side of the building and around the corner.
Your uber arrived shortly after stepping outside and after dropping Youngji off at her apartment, the driver took you back to your home in the suburbs. You thanked him, handing over an additional tip as you opened your door and stepped out.
The walk up to your front door was slow and sluggish and your body felt hot, despite the cool night air. It was a heat that radiated from deep within you and you couldnât quite place it. Perhaps it was the alcohol but it didnât feel quite right. As you unlocked your door, a car passed on the street behind you but you paid it no mind as you let yourself into your home, shutting and locking the door behind you.
You dragged yourself upstairs after checking to make sure your home was locked up and barely stripped yourself of your dress and shoes before collapsing into bed where exhaustion and sleep overtook you. You werenât sure if it was the alcohol or the run in with your handsome neighbor, but your dreams that night were weird to say the least.
Weirder than usual.
When you woke the following morning, you couldnât really remember much of them other than your neighbor starred in them and they were accompanied by that same deep seated heat that had thankfully dissipated by morning. The rest of your weekend was spent doing chores. You cleaned your house, did the laundry, and the dishes.
The morning had started out very gray and by afternoon, the clouds hadnât dispersed and a light rain had settled in. You decided to light a few candles and camp out in the front room in front of your TV while you folded your laundry and caught up on your favorite show.
The rest of the day passed in a similar fashion and soon you were falling into bed.
Your sleep was plagued with the same strange dreams with Joshua. You werenât sure what it all meant and you werenât able to learn anything else as you woke up abruptly when your alarm cut through your subconscious. It was still dark out when you pulled yourself out of bed to shower and start your day.
It was the one day a week you were required to be in the office. Your job was mostly work from home but you had to go to the office every Monday for in person weekly meetings which were always done on Mondays. The commute to the office was the worst part, driving downtown, parking in the company parking garage, and making your way to the lobby and then up to the fifteenth floor.
The day dragged on but you were thankful that it was just today that you would be required to go in and then you could lounge about at home and get your work done. When the clock finally read half past four, you were beyond relieved to be leaving and heading home.
The commute back was much more enjoyable due to less traffic and you werenât required to head back for another week.
You pulled into your garage and got out, letting yourself into the house where you were quick to rid yourself of your jacket and shoes. As you headed into your living room, you caught sight of the mail truck outside and sighed. âRight,â you told yourself. âThe mail.â
You retrieved your shoes and put them on at the front door, stepping out into the cool air and making your way down the steps. As you were halfway to the gate, you noticed a familiar face at the mailboxes and stopped in your tracks. Joshua. You were contemplating turning around and head back in to wait until he was gone but when his eyes flickered up and he caught sight of you, it was too late.
You committed and continued down the pathway, opening your gate and stepping out onto the sidewalk. âHey neighbor,â Joshua said as he unlocked his slot, pulling out his mail and shutting it before stepping aside and allowing you to do the same. He sorted through his mail, checking to make sure it was all assigned to him while you pulled your own bills and other junk from your little metal box.
âHey,â you said softly. As you shut the small door, locking it, Joshua spoke up. âAre you feeling any better?â he asked, his voice sounding genuinely concerned. You looked up at him. With a smile you nodded. âYeah,â you answered. âJust tired from the day. Had to go into the office today.â He glanced down, taking note of your attire. âSo where do you work?â he asked,Â
âJust at a firm downtown,â you answered. âI mostly work from home but once a week, I have to go into the office. Makes my Mondays just that more awful,â you joked with a light chuckle. Joshua mimicked your amusement. âWhat do you do?â he asked, sounding mildly curious.
You spent the next couple minutes explaining the nuances of your job and what you did on a day to day basis. âIt sounds much more tedious than it is,â you added. âItâs not a glamorous or highly important job,â you added. âBut it pays really well. Allows me to live a comfortable life.â Joshua nodded slowly.
âAnd rent such a beautiful home?â he asked, a smile gracing his face. You shook your head. âNo,â you answered. âI actually own my townhome.â His expression shifted to awe. âYour salary covers your mortgage?â he asked, sounding impressed. You shook your head. âNo,â you answered. âI actually inherited this place from my aunt,â you explained.
Joshua leaned against the gate, glancing back at your place. âItâs a beautiful home,â he said with a smile. You echoed his expression. âMy aunt loved this place. She took great care of it and actually renovated it from the bottom to the top.â Joshua glanced down at you. âShe did a great job.â
You looked up to meet his gaze. Silence fell as you stared at one another. Finally you broke eye contact and cleared your throat. âSo, uh,â you stared. âWhat about you? What do you do for work?â Joshuaâs smile shifted into a smirk for the briefest of moments but before he could answer, you heard the sound of a phone ringing. He apologized softly, digging into his pocket and pulling out his phone.
His eyes read the contact on the screen and you watched as his brow furrowed slightly. He finally looked up at you. âSorry,â he said with a kind smile. âI have to take this. It was nice talking to you,â he continued. âEnjoy the rest of your evening,â he added before turning away and heading towards his own gate, answering his phone and holding it to his ear.
You watched as he headed towards his front door and disappeared into his home before making your way back to your own front door. Once inside, you went about your night, making dinner, eating, and then settling down for bed. As you lay there, your mind wandered back to Joshua.
Youâd never really bothered to get to know your neighbors before, at least nothing past surface level.
Perhaps just this once, you could make an exception.
Over the next couple days, you continued to run into Joshua, whether it be at the mailbox or the store. You managed to chat with him each time and learned more and more about him. He worked in the entertainment industry but kept the details vague which you could understand for that line of work. You also learned that apart from being extremely good-looking, kind, and hardworking, that he was also very single and had signed at least a two year lease on the townhouse next door. Since it was just him, heâd turned one of the extra bedrooms into a home gym.Â
He seemed almost as interested in you as you were in him but despite the occasional flirting, he never really made a move. He also never said or did anything that made you feel uncomfortable and after a couple weeks of interacting with him, his inhuman qualities started to feel less shocking and the feeling of alertness or danger that had accompanied him started to dissipate into the background.
You knew he wasnât human but that didnât seem to bother you or anyone else around the two of you.
Nearly two months had passed by since Joshua had moved in. It was Friday which meant the weekend was coming up. Youngji was coming over as planned for dinner and Joshua had managed to catch you outside while you were getting your mail.Â
Joshua had started a new home project now that the weather was starting to warm up and you caught him in the middle of gardening. He was dressed in an old pair of jeans, the knees stained with grass and dirt, a plain white tee shirt, also smeared with bits of dirt tucked into his jeans and a dirty pair of work boots. He was leaning against the fence that separated your yards, a pair of gardening gloves on his hands, and a trowel in one hand.
You had been in the midst of conversation when you heard a car door shut and glanced out towards the street to find Youngji gathering her bag from the passenger seat of her car. She looked up as she reached the gate and her eyes went wide. âYoungji!â you said, waving her over. This was the first time she had come over while Joshua was out so this was the first time sheâd ever seen your neighbor.
âThis is Joshua,â you said as she let herself in, staring wide-eyed at your neighbor as she approached. Joshua removed one of his gloves and extended a hand for her to shake. She slowly took it, eyes still wide and staring at him, almost as if she were in a trance. Joshua seemed to have that effect on most people he met. She finally shook herself out of it. âN-nice to meet you,â she murmured, retracting her hand quickly after shaking Joshuaâs hand a couple times.
The interaction seemed a little cold from your perspective. âJoshuaâs started a new project,â you said, trying to break the tension that started to build between the three of you. âHeâs built a flower bed here,â you explained. âWhat are you planting again?â you asked him directly.
Youngji listened silently as Joshua explained what he was planting in the flower bed before explaining the other plans for the yard he had. Throughout the whole thing, Youngji kept staring at him, occasionally glancing at you. Finally, you excused yourself and Youngji, wishing Joshua a good rest of the day and leading your best friend into your home.
Once inside and the door shut, you rounded on Youngji.
âWhat the hell was that?â you demanded as she kicked her shoes off and carried her bag over to the couch, dropping it on the cushion and sat down, covering her mouth with her hand. âJi?â you asked, walking over to the couch. âWhat is it?â
Youngji looked up at you. âDo you have any idea who that was?â she asked. You nodded your head slowly. âUh, yeah? That was Joshua. My new neighbor,â you answered. Youngji shook her head. âNo,â she said. âI mean, yeah. He is your new neighbor but do you know who he is?â she asked. You stared at her, confusion spreading across your face.
âNo?â you finally answered. Youngji let out a laugh, not of amusement but of astonishment. âYour new neighbor, the boy next door,â she started as she pulled her hand away from her mouth. âIs a porn star.â
Your stomach flipped at her revelation. âWhat?â you asked incredulously. âA p-porn star? No,â you said, shaking your head. âThereâs no way. You have to be mistaken.â Youngji watched as you crossed in front of her to take a seat on the other part of the sofa. âHe is,â she retorted. âHeâs actually a really popular one. There arenât that many alien porn stars out there,â she continued and you sat up, holding up your hand to silence her.
âIâm sorry,â you interrupted. âWhat did you just say? A what porn star?â
Youngji stared at you, a deadpan expression on her face. âAn alien one,â she finally answered. âAn alien porn star?â you repeated before bursting into laughter. âHow do you even know this?â you finally asked when your laughter subsided. You watched red creep up your friendâs neck and face. âThatâs not the point,â she said nervously, fidgeting in her seat.Â
âThe point is that your neighbor is a porn star from another planet.â
Later that night after Youngji left, you were sitting on your couch, a movie playing in the background but you werenât paying attention. Your mind was elsewhere. You glanced over the back of the couch towards your office where you could see your computer sitting on your desk in the darkness of the room.
Your curiosity was peaked but you werenât even sure if you wanted to act on it. You werenât exactly afraid of what you might find, but more afraid that you would like it. Youngji hadnât given you much to go on other than a link. You stared at the computer for a moment longer before sighing and getting up.
Entering your office, you grabbed your laptop and took it back to your couch, setting it on the coffee table and producing a pair of earbuds that you paired to the laptop. Grabbing your phone, you opened your texts with Youngji and typed the link she had sent you into the address bar of your browser exactly as it appeared in the text.
It took you to a dark webpage with three large electric green tentacles, curling up around a singular rectangular box with rounded corners. Glowing and dripping green text read the word enter with a little green arrow pointing to the right. You hovered your mouse over it, checking the link properly to make sure you typed it correctly.
âJust do it,â you whispered to yourself. You clicked on the arrow and the page seemingly refreshed. The page had changed and now you were greeted with the same black page, green tentacles and an empty box with a typing cursor. Glowing and dripping green text instructed you to type in a name before allowing you to continue.
You pondered for a moment. You could keep the name vague but something deep down in you wanted Joshua to know that you knew about his career in the entertainment industry. Heâd been purposefully vague when telling you and now you knew why. Alien porn star wasnât exactly a career youâd go around advertising. Smiling to yourself, you typed into the box and clicked the little arrow next to your new display name.
Immediately, you were met with the home page. It was like the rest of the website youâd seen so far. Dark background, glowing green text but instead of the three large tentacles in the middle of the page, extending up from the bottom of the screen, there were a bunch of smaller tentacles peeking out from around the edge of the browser.
At the top of the page was a banner with a logo for the name of the website. It read Xeno-rotic in that same glowing green text that dripped down. Under it were various navigation buttons ranging from âhomeâ to âcontact.â Under that was a small search bar with a little green magnifying glass. You started to scroll, checking out the home page.
It displayed a list of active streams, a thumbnail with the name of the stream, the user who was live with a little slow blinking green dot, as well as a small description and a little green eye icon next to how many viewers were currently watching. You scrolled down to the bottom of the page where a little simple white arrow pointed to the right, indicating a next page.
Instead of clicking, you scrolled back up to the top. When you reached the top of the list, it refreshed and a couple new streams showed up. Once of which was at the very top and quickly gaining a lot of viewers. You looked at the username and checked your text from Youngji. The username of the top stream matched the one she had sent you.
You mouse hovered over the thumbnail and for a moment, you sat unmoving, unblinking as you contemplated just closing the whole thing and pretending this never happened but your curiosity was too strong and youâd already come this far. Taking a deep breath, you clicked on the stream and waited with baited breath as the page loaded. It was a lot like the home page but instead of a list, you were greeted with an embedded video player. The screen of the player was black with a circular loading icon, a glowing green one.
Just as you were about to back out and close your browser, the blackness flickered away and you were greeted by the sight of a figure moving on screen. âSorry, sorry,â a familiar voice said. âFor those of you just joining, the audio cut out so Iâm trying to fix that.â Your heart skipped a beat as your neighborâs face came into view, from the nose up. He was very close to the screen but you could tell he was smiling just from the way his eyes turned into crescents.Â
âIâll have it fixed in a second,â he added before disappearing. You could see below the video was a white chat box with black text. It was going crazy with chats from various users. Off to the side of the player was a small box displaying a few names with little alien icons next to them. Above the names was the same green text that read âsupporters.â You assumed it was some sort of payment system. If you paid so much, your name was shown in that tier.
Joshuaâs face reappeared in frame and he peeked over the edge of the desk his computer was sitting on. âHowâs that?â he asked. His voice was clear and the video also seemed clearer. Several people in the chat agreed with your personal sentiments, applauding him for fixing the audio and video feeds so swiftly. Joshua chuckled as he stood up and you could now see he had changed out of his gardening clothes. He was wearing a black tee and a pair of light gray sweatpants.
The chat went absolutely feral over this revelation.
You watched with amusement as Joshua leaned in to read the chat. âOh is that so?â he asked, raising a brow, a playful smile appearing on his face. âWeâve only just started, chat, and already youâre demanding I remove my clothes?â he continued, a teasing laugh leaving his lips, âAt least buy me dinner, first.â
You couldnât help the laugh that escaped you at watching him banter with his viewers. It wasnât unlike the way he teased and flirted with you. He was a natural at it. You watched as he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth, eyes scanning the chat. âNo, no,â he said softly. âItâs not out yet. It should be coming in the next couple months. We finished filming a few months ago. There was a lot of post production they needed to do before itâs ready,â he explained and you wondered what he was talking about and started reading the chat.
t3ntacleluver101: how was filming? Itâs been a while right? knottyxbunny: hi shua! xen0ph1liac: i love you shua b34mmeupdaddy: beam me up daddy asstr0nut: will physical copies be released or will it only be available for streaming?
Based on the comments you could make out as the chat moved at lightning speed, Joshua must have finished filming something. He confirmed this as he answered some of the questions you had seen.
âNo, itâll be released for streaming first and then physical copies will go out to adult stores. Youâll also be able to buy it directly from the company website,â he explained, answering that question first. You watched as he reached up, scratching the back of his head. âFilming was different,â he continued. âItâs been a while since Iâd been in front of a professional crew,â he added with a chuckle. âIâve been doing cam stuff for so long that I got used to just being in front of a camera on my own. It was weird having to act again,â he continued stretching before leaning forward, resting his chin in his hand as he read more.
âIâm seeing a lot of familiar usernames,â he said with a smile. âHi bunny,â he added. You watched his eyes scan the screen and assumed that he might have a list of all the viewers on his end. You watched his brows raise before a smirk came over his face.Â
âHereâs a few new ones,â he started. âHi monster smasher sixty-nine, I hope I said that right. Hereâs another, black hole bandit,â he read, letting out a chuckle. âClever,â he continued. âHe loves me not, with a k. Oh, a play on words. How cute,â he continued. âScum lord four-two-one, Iâm a monster for you, andâŠâ he trailed off as he read the next one, his grin widening.
âNeighbor six-eight-three,â he read your username aloud and your heart skipped a beat as he looked into the camera. âHello, neighbor,â he said and you swore he knew it was you. âWelcome to the stream everyone. I guess Iâve taken up most of the beginning of this,â he said sitting back in his seat, slowly swiveling back and forth as he continued to read the screen.
You watched as his hands moved and he did something with the mouse. âThere,â he said, turning his head slightly. âNow I can see the chat and viewer list on this screen,â he said, sitting back once more. âFor those of you that are new,â he started as he rested his hands behind his head, sitting back with his thighs spread, looking every bit as comfortable as he probably felt.
âI like to do things a little differently here. Most cam stars will only take suggestions from paying viewers,â he explained. âI donât think thatâs fair. So I will take suggestion and direction from paying viewers, of course, but donât think that if you canât pay, that I wonât listen to you as well. I want everyone to have a good time and enjoy the show,â he said with a smile. âItâs why I donât charge an entry fee like some of the other stars here. Iâm not shaming them by any means,â he continued.
âEveryoneâs gotta do what they can to make money,â he added. âI just personally donât like to do that.â You watched as he continued to swivel, turning his focus to the screen with the chat on it. âOh come on now,â he said playfully. âBunny, Xeno, Beam,â he said. âBe kind to our new guests. Donât hog the chat. Remember what happened last time? I had to mute you because you wouldnât stop spamming. Donât make me do that again.â
A wave of heat washed over you, arousal shooting straight to your core at the sound of his voice. His voice was soft but his tone was very commanding and stern. Joshua lowered his hands, resting them on his thighs as he continued to read. You tore your gaze away from him to look at the chat as well.
b34mmeupdaddy: sorry alien daddy knottyxbunny: sorry. Iâll be good xen0ph1liac: just wanna express my luv ):
You heard Joshua chuckle and looked back at him. âItâs okay Beam, and you better Bunny. You know what happens when you donât behave. I know Xeno, and I appreciate it, but we have six new viewers,â he said with a smile. âDonât be shy, say hi, he encouraged. You watched as the others said hello and hi in the chat.
imamonster4u: howdy đ€ heluvsmekn0t34: hi hi m0nstersmasher69: greetings scumlord421: yo blackh0leb4ndit: hey đ
You realized that you were the sixth and you hesitated to type. Joshua noticed, the corners of his mouth twitching as he held back the urge to smirk. âCome on, neighbor,â he said. âYouâre holding up the chat.â Your fingers hovered over the keys of your keyboard and you quickly typed out a response and deleted it before typing another in and pressing enter. Your whole body felt like it was on fire.
neighbor683: i donât like being told what to do
You watched as Joshua sat up straight, leaning in to rest his chin in his hand, a smile spreading across his face as he read your message. âOh, is that right, neighbor?â he asked, turning to look at the camera. âDonât like being told what to do? How interesting.â The chat went wild, other viewers rushing to repeat the same words but Joshuaâs attention was on the camera, almost as if he was staring past it and into your eyes. âIâll have to remember that,â he finally said and pulled away.
He didnât waste any more time as payments started coming in with suggestions as well as the chat asking him to show more, to talk, to do anything. You merely observed, watching as he gave a show, slowly moving his hands over his body until one rested over the growing bulge in his sweatpants.
âYouâve been so patient,â he said, eyes flitting over to the chat but speaking to no one in particular.
Or so you thought.
âWonder what I am, where Iâm from, what I do,â he continued, his hand moving over his erecting and palming himself through the thick material of his sweats. âWonder whatâs under here,â he added, gesturing to his crotch. âI look human enough,â he continued. âBut Iâm far from it.â
You watched as he rested his head back against his chair headrest, his chest slowly rising and falling as his breathing started to grow heavier. âYou wanna see it?â he asked, the hint of a smirk on his face. âWanna see what Iâm hiding under here?â
You could see the chat moving at hyperspeed as the viewers threw out their own suggestions and pleaded with him to take something off. His hand slipped under the waistband of his sweats and you could see a peek of his underwear. You watched his hand move under the material, no doubt fingers wrapping around his shaft and slowly starting to pump himself.
You were on the edge of your seat, eyes glued to your screen as you watched him, his eyes fluttering shut as his hips started to buck, fucking his fist a little faster. You watched as a large payment, some four figures, appeared on screen with a single request: show us.
Joshua let out a breathless chuckle, his free hand grabbing his waistband. âAs you wish.â he said and you watched, lips parted in awe as he pushed his sweats and underwear down, pulling his cock free from the confines. Or what you could only assume was his cock.
Despite his eyes, the teeth, and the overall feeling that Joshua was far from human, he was still human looking enough that when you looked at him, you could justify that he was wearing contacts and had fake teeth but when you saw what he was hiding under his clothes, at least his pants, all justification of him being human was thrown out the window.
In his hand was something that resembled a cock, just not a human one.
The base of it rested against a slit telling you that whatever this was, it was retractable. Meaning it withdrew inside of him when not in use. The color of it was what threw you. The base, which was slightly bulbous, was a deep crimson. The shaft was veiny and quite girthy but it also had small ribbed like patterns that wrapped around.
 As your eyes were drawn up the shaft, the color faded from the deep crimson color to a lighter, more pale red. When you reached the head, you finally let out a soft gasp. It was a very soft pink. The absolute tip of his cock was a darker pink. The head was pointed, almost like an arrow shape, the base of the head slightly flared. It was like nothing youâd ever seen before and would probably ever see.
From base to tip, it was probably a good seven inches, so it wasnât massive but you were certain that it would definitely fill whatever hole he decided to put it in. You watched his hand glide up the shaft towards the head and noticed a small bead of a translucent, pink liquid, almost like a pink syrup, drip from the slit of his cock. âPrecum?â you wondered to yourself.
You watched as he gathered the viscous liquid and spread it along his cock, making his hand glide smoother. Joshua let out a low groan, eyes fluttering shut as he continued to stroke himself, hand moving a little faster. It was a mesmerizing sight. The way his precum seemed to shimmer in the light of his room. You cou;dnât seem to look away. As another bead of the pink precum appeared, you wondered what it tasted like.
Before you could stop yourself, your fingers were typing into the chat. Joshuaâs eyes opened as you hit enter and he slowed his movements so he could focus on reading. You watched as he lifted his head and stared at the screen with the chat on it. âTaste it?â he asked, curiously. He turned to look at the camera. You typed quickly into the chat.
neighbor683: have you ever tasted your own precum before?
Joshua let out a chuckle. âI have,â he said with a nod before turning to look at the camera. âDo you want to taste it, neighbor? You wanna come over and see what my cock tastes like?â Your thighs pressed together on their own, as if you werenât in control of your body. You didnât care about the rest of the chat at this point and you werenât sure if Joshua did either.
neighbor683: how about you come over here instead
Joshua let out another chuckle, his hand moving up and down his cock again, spreading more of the precum. âYou want me to come over?â he asked, his head falling back against his headrest again. âWant me to come over and fuck that cute, tight little human cunt?â
The chat was going wild over your interaction but you didnât care as you typed another response.
neighbor683: do it. I dare you.
Joshua let out a moan, low and pornographic as his cock twitched and he came onto his stomach. Thick ropes of milky pink painted his golden skin as he continued to pump his hand up and down, making sure to get everything out. You watched, eyes wide and underwear sticking to you, as his chest rose and fell, his breathing erratic and heavy.
The chat was still going off when he finally opened his eyes and lifted his head. âI wasnât expecting to cum so soon,â he said softly as he sat up and reached off screen for something, producing a few tissues which he used to clean himself off with. âIâll have to take another shower,â he said with an amused smirk as he wiped his stomach and hand. His cock had gone flaccid and started to retreat back inside his body. He pulled his underwear and pants back up, hiding it from view.
âLet me wash my hands really quick,â he said as he got to his feet.
He disappeared for a few moments, all the while, you sat there, staring at your screen in disbelief as the chat demanded to know what was going on. You saw your username being thrown around a few times. Without saying anything, you closed the browser, your screen going back to your desktop. Wordlessly, you shut your laptop, got to your feet and carried the device back to your office.
Setting it on your desk, you glanced out the window where you could see Joshuaâs yard, the small flower garden barely visible in the darkness. As you shut your blinds, you headed back out into the living room, not noticing the dark shadow that crossed his yard and hopped the fence.
As you grabbed your empty cup from the coffee table, you were unaware of the footsteps ascending your front steps. It wasnât until three sharp knocks rang out from your front door that you knew someone was there. You looked up from the sink. Had Joshua decided to make good on your dare? Or was he here to reprimand you?
You hesitated before wiping your hands on a towel and walked over to the front door. You knew it was Joshua without checking and unlocked the door, pulling it open and bracing for impact.
There he stood on your porch, still dressed in the same sweats and black tee. As the door opened, he turned to look at you, those piercing yellow-green eyes meeting your gaze. Nothing was said for a moment before he took the chance to look you over, a smirk slowly spreading across his face.
âEnjoy the show?â he asked, leaning against your doorframe. You swallowed thickly. âLook,â you started. âIâm sorry. I shouldnât have watchedââ
âWhy are you apologizing?â he asked, raising an eyebrow. You looked up at him. âI⊠I donât know,â you answered. âAre⊠arenât you upset?â Joshua stared at you before letting out a laugh. âUpset? That my attractive neighbor now knows Iâm a sex worker? No,â he answered. âAnd since you just sat there and watched from start to finish, Iâm going to assume you arenât upset?â he asked.
You shook your head. âNo,â you answered. âGood,â Joshua replied. âSo, you still want me to come over?â he asked, his tone lowering. Excitement coursed through you at the prospect of seeing in person what youâd seen on your screen. âI uh,â you started. âDonât you need some time to ⊠you know?â
Joshua chuckled as he leaned in closer. âYouâre really cute when youâre flustered,â he said. âIâm not human,â he started. âGive me like five minutes and Iâll be more than ready to go.â
âOh,â you said softly. âDo you wanna come back in five minutes orââ
âJust let me in and eat you out already,â he said with a smirk. You could feel your arousal pooling in your panties. âBesides,â he added as you stepped back, letting him into your home. âIt smells like you could use some release.â You stared up at him in shock as he shut the door behind him. âAlien, remember?â he said, tapping his nose.
You watched him look around your living room. âNice place,â he said with a nod. He looked down, meeting your gaze and neither of you moved or spoke for a moment. âSo,â he started. âWe gonna do this right here on the floor or you wanna show me to your room?â
Without any more prompting, you took his hand and led him up the stairs, leading him down the hall to your bedroom. Inside, you watched him look around curiously. âYou can tell so much about a person by what they decorate their room with,â he said softly as he neared your bed, running the tips of his fingers over your bedspread.
You walked over as he turned towards you and let out a laugh as you pushed him down onto the bed, falling onto his butt with a bounce. âYouâre so eager,â he said with a chuckle. You started to climb onto the bed, straddling his lap. âJust right into it, huh?â he whispered as your hands rested on his shoulders. You could feel his move up your back. âHave you watched any of my films?â he asked, his voice still soft. When you shook your head no, he smiled. âGood,â he said with a nod.
âIâd rather you didnât have any expectations. The way I fuck in front of a camera is not how I do it off screen,â he explained, his hands sliding down your back and moving to your waist. âDo you have a safeword?â he asked, his voice still soft. âCherries,â you whispered. Joshua reached up, cupping your cheek. âGood,â he replied. âTell me what you like,â he continued, his hand sliding down the side of your neck, watching how you reacted, head tilting back slightly.
His fingers wrapped around your neck and you let out a moan as he squeezed gently. âChoking, got it,â he said, his voice slightly amused. âAnything else?â he asked, his hand sliding down to your chest and smoothing over your breast. âDom-â your voice cut off. âWhat was that?â he asked. You licked your lips, swallowing the lump in your throat. âDominate me.â
The minute the words left your lips, Joshua had done a complete 180, flipping you onto your back on the mattress and hovering over you. âAre you sure you want that?â he asked softly, eyes searching your face. You nodded slowly. âYes,â you breathed out. âTake me.â
You didnât have a chance to say anything else as Joshuaâs lips crashed against yours, muffling a gasp as his hands wandered. He pulled back briefly. âCan I take this off?â he asked, gently tugging at your top. You nodded. âTake it all off, please,â you replied. Joshua chuckled as you pulled him into another kiss, his tongue slipping into your mouth.
His spit was different from your own. Whereas yours was watery, his was thicker, more viscous. It had a slight taste to it. Something you couldnât place. It was almost tangy but oh so subtle. Joshuaâs hands pulled your shirt up and he broke away to pull it off entirely, tossing it aside as his eyes drank in your appearance. âI like this,â he murmured, fingers skimming over the black lace of your bra.
âBut Iâd like to take it off,â he added, looking to you for permission. You granted it with a nod and sat up, helping him undo the garment so he could slip it off and toss it aside. He guided you back down onto the bed, lips leaving a trail of kisses down the side of your neck to your collar. He continued, kissing down your chest, stopping to swirl the tip of his tongue around one of your nipples before continuing on until his lips met the waistband of your shorts.
He lifted his head but before he could ask, you were shimmying out of both your shorts and underwear, tossing them aside. Joshua let out a chuckle as he placed his hands on your knees, pushing your thighs apart. His eyes swept downward, taking in your nude form until they settled on the space between your thighs, your arousal glistening in the dim light of your bedside lamp.
You watched as his tongue slipped out to wet his lips. âI could probably just slide right in,â he said softly. âBut whereâs the harm in having a little taste,â he said, a mischievous glint in his eye as he lowered himself onto his stomach, head between your legs. He pushed your thighs further apart, fingers digging into your flesh. âJust a little taste,â he repeated.
Your head fell back against the pillows, a soft moan leaving your lips as his tongue met your clit, dragging slowly over it. On the surface, his tongue looked a lot like a humans but now that you could feel it, you could feel what felt like millions of small spines, like a cat's tongue only on a much smaller scale. It felt incredible and each pass over your clit had your back arching off the mattress as you moaned loudly, the sound unrestrained in the privacy of your bedroom.
True to his word, Joshua only had a small taste, groaning against you as he lapped at your essence. When he pulled back, he sat back on his heels and tugged his shirt off, dropping it aside before also shuffling out of his pants and underwear. The same cock youâd seen on the live stream was barely peeking out of the slit but quickly pushed its way out.
Joshua glanced up at you, a smirk on his lips. âYou wanna taste it?â he asked, drawing your attention. You looked back down at his cock before nodding, your eye watching the way the small bead of pinkish precum caught the light. Joshua swiped his thumb over the slit, catching the liquid and brought his hand to your face, offering it to you.
Opening your mouth, you stuck your tongue out and Joshua let out a low chuckle before smearing the fluid over your tongue. Immediately you closed your mouth, swallowing. It was like nothing youâd ever experienced. Most human precum was salty but this was almost⊠fruity. There was a distinct taste of fruit, maybe a berry but you couldnât fully place it. One thing was certain tho.
It definitely tasted like it looked.
There was a dull tingle that accompanied the taste and it started where the precum made contact with your tongue but started to slowly spread across your whole tongue and soon your mouth. It slowly spread down your throat, into your stomach and extending further until it settled low in your belly. A heat started to radiate from your belly, spreading throughout your whole body.
Joshua watched as your breathing started to quicken, your heart hammering in your chest. Arousal started to drip down and seep into your bedspread. âWhat is that?â you asked, referring to the tingling heat. Joshua chuckled. âItâs a natural aphrodisiac,â he explained. âMy species secretes it during foreplay to prolong intercourse.â
He leaned over, his fingers wrapping around your throat. âYou still want this?â he asked, to which you nodded. âThen do exactly what I tell you,â he said before roughly rolling you onto your stomach. He pulled your hips back, pulling you onto your knees. You felt his hand on your back between your shoulder blades, pushing your chest down. âStay just like that,â he said in your ear as he moved your arms under your head. âYou might want to hold on, baby,â he added as he guided the flared head of his cock to your dripping slit.
You felt the pointed tip enter you and let out a gasp before the rest of the head of his cock followed, pushing into you with ease. Your fingers dug into the sheets as he slowly eased his way in, your walls welcoming the intrusion as he stretched them. You let out a long, low moan as he bottomed out, the bulbous base kissing your entrance and the head of his cock pressing against your cervix. How he even fit inside you was beyond you but it felt even better than you imagined.
Joshua gave you a few moments to adjust before he started moving, setting a slow, steady pace. He had a firm grip on your hips as he thrust into you, the base of his cock hitting your lips with a wet smacking sound. You let out a cry of pleasure as he thrust into you harshly, testing your limits. âJust as warm and tight as I thought, he groaned, picking up the pace.
Each thrust had your toes curling, stars clouding your vision. Pure, unbridled pleasure coursed through you, the aphrodisiac running its course and making you more pliant and increasing your arousal. Joshuaâs strength and stamina was a surprise to be sure but he wasnât human so it wasnât all too surprising.
âYou had a lot to say earlier,â he growled as he wrapped his fingers around your neck from behind and lifted your head, his chest meeting your back as he leaned over you. âBut you canât say anything now. Does it feel good? Do you like how my cock feels inside you?â
You could only mewl and moan in response which only further fueled Joshuaâs monologue. âHave I already fucked you dumb, sweetheart?â he panted into your ear, pounding into you from behind. âSo pathetic and dumb just from a little bit of alien cock? What a good human slut. Are you gonna be good for me?â he asked, fingers tightening around your neck. You nodded wordlessly, still unable to form a coherent sentence.
âGonna be a good girl and take it all?â he whispered, holding back a moan as your walls clenched around him. âMhmm,â you moaned. Joshua let out a growl, hips slamming into you now. The base of his cock was trying to breach your hole and each attempt had you crying out in both pain and pleasure.
âFuck,â he groaned. âBe good and let me in.â With one final thrust, you came, tumbling over the edge as he managed to push the base of his cock into you, locking into place as he came, pumping you full of the same thick milky release youâd seen paint his stomach during the live stream.
âThatâs it,â he mumbled as his cock twitched inside you, pumping even more cum. You let out a whine as you felt a slight ache from between your thighs. âStay still,â Joshua murmured in your ear, his grip on your throat loosening. âStay still, baby.â
A moan ripped from your throat as you felt the base of his cock start to swell. âWhatâs that?â you mumbled. You tried to push yourself up but Joshua gently forced you back down. âJust stay still, okay baby? Be good for me.â You did as he asked, receiving praise for your obedience.
After a couple more moments, everything seemed to stop. Chancing a glance downwards, you could see that your lower stomach was slightly distended. Swollen almost. âThat was a lot of cum,â Joshua murmured, pressing a couple of soft kisses to your cheek. âBut you did so well. Took everything I gave you.â You whined, trying to shift under him but he held your hips still.
âYou canât do that. Weâre locked together. If you try to pull away, youâll only hurt yourself or me. Just stay right there,â he cooed. âWhat do you mean, locked together?â you asked. âRemember the knot?â he asked softly. You shook your head. âWhat knot?â
âAt the base of my cock is a knot. When I came, I pushed it inside you,â he explained. A brief flash of pain shot through you at the memory. You did remember that. âAnd then it started to swell,â he continued. âWell, now itâs swollen and locked in place. If I try to pull out, itâll only hurt. So we have to wait for the swelling to go down before I can pull out,â he added.
You sighed, resting your cheek against the sheets. âHow long will that take?â you asked as he gently caressed your thighs, massaging your muscles. âAbout an hour or so,â he murmured nonchalantly. âAn hour?â you asked incredulously, lifting your head. âMhmm,â he hummed. âAbout an hour and then youâll need to go to the bathroom to get all of that out of you,â he added, reaching a hand around to press against your stomach. âAnd then we can go again,â he said with a smile as he nuzzled against your shoulder.Â
âIâm not done with you just yet.â
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#keopihausnet#svthub#kvanity#ksmutsociety#seventeen scenarios#seventeen imagines#seventeen fanfiction#seventeen fanfic#seventeen smut#seventeen x reader#joshua hong scenarios#joshua hong imagines#joshua hong fanfiction#joshua hong fanfic#joshua hong smut#joshua hong x reader
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What about the whole 141 ships it or tries to play wingman, but the couple are idiots in love and denial? Lol
The way I SMILED while writing this prompt. I had so much fun with this. Thank you so much for sending it in! This whole thing is just humor, hijinks, and shenanigans. And lots and lots of denial. Enjoy!
For the masterlist and how to submit your own request, click HERE
Task Force 141 x Reader (can be read as gn!reader)
Content & Warnings (per the warnings MDNI): swearing, brief alcohol, denial of feelings, shenanigans, humor, fluff, suggestive themes
Word Count: 1k
ao3 // main masterlist // imagines & what if masterlist
John Price
âThat,â emphasizes Kyle by pointing in Priceâs direction, âis a man in love.â
âItâs like watching your old man attempt to flirt,â mutters Simon.
âYouâd know all about that wouldnât you, Lt?â smiles Johnny.
âFuck off, Soap.â
Kyle frowns. âThink we should do something?â
Simon side-eyes him. âLike what?â
âStep in?â shrugs Kyle.
âLook at him. I think the captain can handle himself,â replies Johnny, leaning against the doorframe as Price talks with you across the room.
As Price talks, he reaches for his mug. He shoots wide, knocking it over, and spilling the contents everywhere.
âWellâŠI take that back,â sighs Johnny.
Kyle shakes his head. âI canât watch this.â
âWe should help,â Johnny says over his shoulder. âThese two lovebirds need a push.â
Simon snorts. âTheyâll figure it out.â
âAnd if they donât?â
âThen they donât.â
Johnny guffaws. âHate to be dating you, Lt.â
Simon leans toward Johnny, voice low. âWant to have a go?â
Kyle reaches between the two men, snapping his fingers to get their attention. âPay attention.â He shakes his head. âFucking weirdos,â he mutters.
âFine,â says Simon. âIâll step in.â
âAnd do what?â counters Johnny.
âTell them to kiss already.â
âNo,â says Kyle. âNo!â
âToo late,â whispers Simon as he walks into the room, heading for you and Price.
John "Soap" MacTavish
âLook at those idiots,â sighs Kyle, leaning an elbow on the high-top table behind him.
Price and Simon stand on either side of him, watching as you and Johnny attempt to play pool. Johnny uses the cue stick as a support, both hands clasped over the top of it, chin resting on his hands. Thereâs a massive smile on his face, eyelids a bit soft as he gazes at you. You are not serene. With hands waving in the air, you appear slightly irritated but also amused.
âHe wonât go for it,â replies Simon, crossing his arms over his chest.
âSee how close theyâre standing?â observes Kyle.
You and Johnny are almost on top of each other. Only one of you needs to lean in to erase all separation.
âLeave them be,â mumbles Price. âTheyâll figure it out.â
Kyle addresses Price. âTheyâre both in love. Look at them. Their seconds away from having it off on the pool table.â
âIf they start making out, Iâm leaving,â grumbles Simon.
Price cracks a smile. âItâs denial,â he sighs, reaching for the ash tray to move it closer. âLovebirds donât want to admit it.â
Kyle shakes his head, turning back to you and Johnny. Johnny is teasing you now, cracking jokes, making you all flustered.
âFucking hell,â mutters Simon. âJust fuck already. Give us all some bloody peace.â
Soap tilts his head slightly, whispering something to you that as you smacking his arm and laughing hysterically.
Price knocks back his whiskey. âWe need a plan.â
âAgree, Captain,â replies Kyle. He turns to Simon. âYou in?â
âYou know it.â
Simon "Ghost" Riley
âYou look upset, Lt.â
âIâm fine,â growls Simon.
Johnny and Kyle both glance at Simonâs whiskey glass at the exact same time. Simonâs hand is clutching it tightly, knuckles white from the effort.
âSure about that?â asks Johnny.
âYes,â snarls Simon.
Johnnyâs lips purse, his gaze shifting to a place across the bar. âWouldnât be that a certain someoneââ
âI told you,â says Simon slowly. âIâm not angry.â
Kyle leans in, lowering his voice. âJohnny and I could chase them off. Give you an opening.â
Simonâs grip on his glass relaxes a bit. The intensity between his brow softens.
Johnny chimes in. âWhat do you say, Lt?â
Simon rolls his shoulders, straightening his back, the grip on his whiskey class easing completely. âLooks like they need saving.â
Johnny is nodding enthusiastically, already standing, pushing back his chair. He clasps Simonâs shoulder and nods at Kyle.
âIâll go shepherd them off,â says Kyle, winking at Johnny as he heads in your direction.
âThereâs nothing going on between us, Soap,â says Simon.
âCourse, Lt,â nods Johnny as Simon gets up from his chair, aiming for you. When you notice Simon, the corners of your mouth upturn into a huge smile. âNothing at all.â
Kyle "Gaz" Garrick
âWhat?â asks Kyle around his toothbrush.
Johnny and Simon have him cornered in the communal locker room. Itâs late, the three of them just in from a quick mission. Simon looms, his stare intense as Johnny crosses his arms over his chest, leaning forward slightly like he knows a secret Kyle doesnât.
The two men remain silent.
âThis is fucking weird,â continues Kyle, his gaze darting between the two of them.
Johnnyâs knowing grin widens. âYouâve got a thing for one of the team.â
Kyle blinks. âPrice?â he splutters, little droplets of toothpaste shooting in various directions.
Simon chuckles. âThe other one, smartass.â
Kyle spits into the sink and rinses the toothbrush under the faucet. âDonât know what youâre on about,â he mutters.
Johnny steps around to Kyleâs right side, he and Simon boxing him in. âDo you think we didnât hear the two of you over comms?â
Kyle takes a step back, hands raised. âJust a bit of banter.â
âBanter?â counters Simon. âThat was banter?â
Kyle shrugs. âWhat else would you call it?â
âFlirting,â deadpans Simon
âVerbal fucking,â replies Johnny, just as monotone.
Kyle shakes his head, hands still raised like heâs about to ward off evil. âYou have it all wrong.â
âDo we?â asks Simon. âThen explain what happened after we got off the plane.â
Kyle swallows. âNothing.â Johnnyâs knowing grin returns. He scoots closer and Kyle groans, running his hand over his face with annoyance. âDonât go there, Soap.â
âAre tongues down each otherâs throats nothing?â
Kyle places his hand over Johnnyâs face and gives him a light shove. âNothing happened.â
Johnny swats at Kyleâs hand. âAdmit it!â
âShould go for it, mate,â says Simon.
âNothing is going on!â Kyle tosses his towel onto the bench and slides on a pair of joggers. âLeave it.â
Johnny and Simon exchange a look.
âWhat?â prompts Kyle, shirt in hand.
Johnny leans in, lowering his voice. âWant us to have a chat with them?â
âFuck off. The both of you.â
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#task force 141#task force 141 x reader#task force 141 imagine#simon ghost riley#john price x reader#john soap mactavish#john price#simon riley#tf 141#cod 141#kyle gaz garrick#cod#price cod#captain price cod#price call of duty#soap call of duty#soap cod#ghost cod#ghost call of duty#gaz cod#gaz call of duty#simon riley x reader#simon ghost riley fanfiction#simon ghost riley x reader#simon riley fanfic#simon riley x you#simon ghost riley fanfic#captain john price x reader#soap x reader#gaz x reader
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SĂ... ESTAMOS SALIENDO | Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri x Pérez!Reader
SUMMARY: Scared of everyone to find out, Y/N Pérez and Oscar Piastri decide to hide their relationship from everyone until Checo starts wondering how Piastri learnt to speak Spanish so good... and specially why he has a Mexican accent ⳠREQUESTED BY ANON: Maybe one were she is checos daughter and they hide their relationship from him. And also maybe she teaches oscar some Spanish. At the end they end up telling checo about their relationship
WORD COUNT: 2399
WARNINGS: Use of Spanish. Important to say that even Spanish is my mother tongue, I may have some mistakes because it is Mexican Spanish and I don't know much about it, so I had to do some research. Otherwise, mentions of unwanted pregnancy, unprotected sex, drugs and alcohol
TAGLIST: @hc-dutch @raavadakedavra @coffeedestroyingperson @evey-kuznetskova @bowielovesyou @chaoswithus @isotopemylove @iceman-kazansky @gwginnyweasley @formula1-motogpfan @myescapefromthislife @regalbanshee [in case you wanna be tagged just tell me so i can add you!]
VEE'S NOTES: Not writing related but Iâm obsessed with a K-Drama I started watching yesterday and I just wanna write Come What May series since the main charactersâ personalities are the same as Seb and Y/N (Di in case you read the OC Version) there lmao. Anyways, missed a lot writing about Oscar (I definitely will be writing about him more as he's my second fave on the current grid) and this one got me so happy with how it turned out! Hope you like it as well, and remember that I'd love to see your comments <3 âł MAKE YOUR REQUESTS | LET'S TALK! | JANUARY UPDATE CALENDAR

© VETTELSVEE (2025). please, do not steal, copy or translate my works. thanks for reading!

âWhat if you taught me some Spanish?â
âSorry, what did you just say?â
âThat's it, Y/N. Teach me some Spanish.â
You, completely absorbed in looking at the pictures you had taken during the date you had with your boyfriend that same day, lifted your gaze from your phone and raised an eyebrow, fully taken aback by Oscar's proposal.
âSpanish? You? You already speak English! English is the only language that matters to you allâŠâ
Oscar shrugged, nervously playing with the steering wheel. At that moment, he reconsidered what he had said, unsure now, and realized that maybe it had been a somewhat strange proposal on his part.
âI just want to understand you when you talk to your dad or your family. I know no one knows weâre together yet, but sometimes when you do video calls with them, I feel a bit lost. I also feel like sometimes you talk about me, and Iâd like to know if I should worry,â he confessed, glancing at you from the corner of his eye.
âAnd why do you assume we talk about you, huh?â
âWell, because you always look at me out of the corner of your eye when you do.â
You couldnât help but smile at how cute he looked with that unnecessary concern.
âWhy do you have to be so chismoso?â You said, making Oscar give you a little tap on the shoulder. That just made you laugh more. âAlright, alright, fine! But I warn you in advance: if you laugh at me speaking Spanish or donât take me seriously, Iâll break up with you.â
What started as a completely random proposal, with little prospect of a future or sense at first, eventually became one of your favorite routines. You took advantage of every moment together to practice, always hiding it from Checo or any member of the PĂ©rez family when you were in the paddock. Moreover, whenever you were in your respective countries, you would watch Mexican movies and TV shows, and also some in their original version with English subtitles. You even started sending each other the occasional message in Spanish, thanks to the Australianâs initiative.
Oscar seemed to have, in your eyes, a natural talent for languages. Not only did he manage to learn greetings and basic words in less than a week, but after a month, he was already making the effort to use your Mexican accent and even incorporating words that seemed exclusive to your familyâs vocabulary.
And that was exactly what, a few months later, turned into a real nightmare for the secrecy with which you kept your relationship.
While no one knew you were together as a couple, Oscar and you pretended to be just friends when you were in public. Thatâs why it was completely normal for Checo PĂ©rez to see his daughter with the Australian, having coffee and chatting animatedly after a press conference.
âÂĄBuenos dĂas, Checo!â Oscar said in almost perfect Spanish. âÂżCĂłmo va, papĂĄ?â
You, hearing that last word, spat out the little coffee you had left in your mouth and opened your eyes, completely surprised. Checo, however, made a face and a frown, questioning his daughterâs friend.
âWhat did you say?â You asked, though you knew perfectly well that what your boyfriend had just said was something you hadnât taught him, and heâd probably heard it from you.
âWell⊠¿CĂłmo va, papĂĄ?â the guy repeated innocently. âDid I say it right?â
âPapĂĄ?â repeated the Red Bull driver, even more shocked. âDo you even know what that means, kid?â
âItâs an expression, right? Isnât it like saying buddy?â
Checo stared at him for a few seconds that felt like an eternity to Oscar. Then, he turned his gaze to you, who was pretending to fiddle with your phone to avoid having to face an awkward conversation about why your secret boyfriend had just said that.
âÂżTe importarĂa decirme por quĂ© Oscar habla como tĂș?â PĂ©rez asked quickly in Spanish, clearly aiming for Oscar not to understand.
âHe doesnât talk like me!â You quickly replied in English. âOscar has been practicing Spanish, and well⊠he wants to fit in better so heâs trying. Duolingo isnât the best app for learning, so heâs been watching YouTube videos... Right, Osc?â
The guy nodded, but that didnât convince Checo. Still, he didnât say anything else and, instead, coldly said goodbye to you both.
As soon as he was far enough away not to hear you, you turned to Oscar and started shaking him:
âOf all the things you could say, you call him papĂĄ?!â
âI didnât do it on purpose, babe!â He rushed to reply, feeling bad for you. âIâve heard it so many times that, well⊠I just said it without thinking. I honestly didnât think it was anything bad.â
You huffed, knowing that it wasnât Oscarâs fault or his curiosity and interest in learning your mother tongue, but yours for not setting boundaries or explaining the meaning of each word, as well as the context in which it should be used or who it was addressed to.
From that moment on, your father started paying more attention. He was an expert in discretion, but you knew him well enough to realize that, since the incident with Oscar, he had become much more alert and interested in you both, especially looking for clear signs that would confirm his suspicions that his daughter was dating one of the newest additions to the grid.
Unfortunately for you and Oscar, the Mexican didnât need to investigate much, and he only did so for a month to confirm his theories.
During one of the briefings with all the drivers, Checo heard Oscar mumbling an âĂrale, weyâ followed by some insults in Spanish that you had made up when it had gotten pretty late and everyone was eager to return to their hotel. Also, instead of saying âsorry,â he let out a âÂżmande?â which wouldnât have been strange if he hadnât continued speaking in English, as if nothing had happened.
You and Oscar seemed unaware of all your slip-ups; on the contrary, feeling like you werenât arousing anyoneâs suspicion, you lowered your guard. Displays of affection in public, though still cautious, became more frequent, especially when Checo wasnât near you. Or at least, thatâs what you thought.
The back of the McLaren garage, just a few meters away from Red Bullâs, as expected, wasnât the most suitable place.
âWe should go somewhere else,â you said softly while nervously fiddling with the collar of your boyfriend's shirt, who had his arm around your waist.
âWhy? This place is perfect,â Oscar replied, unconcerned.
âYeah, sure, perfect for my dad to catch us,â you muttered. âIf he already suspects and looks like that doll from the red light, green light game on Squid Game, analyzing us so much to jump on us as soon as he catches us⊠imagine if he finds us. Heâll kill us, I swear.â
âCome on, Y/N, just try to relax. Weâve got it all under control. Seriously, thereâs nothing to worry about, mi amor.â
You blushed at the compliment he had given you in Spanish, and couldnât help but plant a chaste kiss on his lips, even though everything inside you felt chaotic.
âIf youâre trying to convince me that everythingâs fine by speaking to me in Spanish, just know that youâre doing it perfectly,â you declared. âBut donât forget, that doesnât mean I donât feel a tremendous anxiety and keep thinking that weâre literally one step away from getting caught. Do you know what he could do if he finds out that you and I⊠that?â You asked hesitantly.
âIs he going to give us a lecture on how we have to stay professional whenever weâre in public? Or is he going to tell me heâll kill me if I even think about getting you pregnant?â
âHeâll probably make you come home to have lunch with my family and only speak Spanish,â you tried not to laugh but couldnât help yourself. âAnd trust me, you donât want to be in that position because youâll have all my aunts, and there are quite a few of them, right next to you, asking you some very uncomfortable questions.â
âThen weâll have to tell him as soon as possible so he can prepare. How about I tell him that Iâm absolutely and completely in love with his daughter?â
You shot him a glare, panic flooding your insides at the thought of that happening.
âNo, donât you dare do that, Osc, and especially not here. You have no idea how my dad would react ifâŠâ
âWhy not?â He interrupted. Then, he stopped, and after a few seconds that felt like an eternity to you, he seemed to finally find the courage to speak: âI could tell him something like⊠¥Señor PĂ©rez, estoy saliendo con su hija porque ademĂĄs de ser la mejor mujer de este mundo, me hace la persona mĂĄs feliz del mundo!â
You couldnât help but laugh, filled with emotion inside at Oscarâs sweet yet innocent declaration of love aloud.
However, a cough behind you made you snap back to reality.
âCan I know what youâre doing with my daughter, Piastri?â
You both slowly turned around. There, standing before you, was Checo, arms crossed, with a very unfriendly look on his face. You swore that if Oscar walked out of there alive and without a reprimand from your overprotective father, he could do whatever he wanted for the rest of the year.
âWellâŠâ Oscar began, his confidence suddenly disappearing.
âEsto no es lo que parece, te lo juro,â you said in Spanish, trying to calm your father, even though you knew your attempts would be in vain.
âOh, really?â Checo asked, raising an eyebrow, knowing you were both lying. âThen, what explanation do you have for this kid shouting to the four winds in almost perfect Spanish that heâs in love with you? At least thatâs what I understood, if my Spanish doesnât fail me.â
You were about to reply, but instead, Oscar gently took you by the wrist and stepped forward, surprisingly confident.
âCheco, Iâm not playing around. Okay, I was joking about that, but not about what it means⊠likeâŠâ Piastri explained slowly, nerves eating at him as he couldnât bring himself to look Checo in the face. âYour daughter matters to me, well, like⊠you know, like a boyfriend cares for his girlfriend.â
Checo tried not to laugh at the declaration of love from the man who had just confirmed he was his son-in-law and did his best to maintain the protective fatherly composure, thinking no guy would ever be good enough for his daughter.
âSo you care about my daughter⊠You, one of my coworkers, a twenty-three-year-old kid, care about my eldest daughter enough to believe you can have a relationship with herâŠâ
âItâs not that I believe it, itâs that I know I do.â
Not only you and Checo were surprised by the boyâs words, but Oscar himself too. He regretted it immediately, but before he could apologize to Checo, the man stepped forward, raising a hand and staring at him:
âSo⊠are you two dating or not?â
âYes, for almost six months now,â you answered, feeling a knot in your stomach, but much less pressure now that your father knew the truth.
Checo sighed, running a hand over his face as he tried to process the news his daughter, his little girl, had just told him. The girl he knew ever since she was born and now he had to imagine her spending, if not the rest of her life, at least part of it, with another man.
âAnd why didnât you tell me before?â Checo asked, his voice tinged with disappointment but also some understanding. âDonât you trust me?â
âItâs not that I donât trust you, itâs that I knew you would react badly,â you answered, frustrated. âI trust you, and I know you want to protect me from any guy who could make me feel bad, but you have to understand that Iâm twenty years old, and whether you like it or not, Iâm not a little girl anymore.â
Checo looked at you and then turned his gaze to Oscar, who had his head down. Besides his nerves being pretty evident, so was his willingness to face any kind of dispute or reprimand from him just to stay with you.
That made Checo feel a bit bad, though it also gave him some relief seeing that the Australian was truly concerned and, why not say it, in love, willing to do anything for his little Y/N.
Finally, he let out a small sigh, trying to calm himself. He repeated your words over and over in his mind before saying anything else because if you had never disappointed him in your life, then he didnât want to disappoint you just because you were in love.
Iâm not a little girl anymore.
âChecoâŠâ Piastri spoke, but Checo raised a finger, silencing him instantly.
âIâm only going to say this once: you better not hurt my daughter, or Iâll hurt you when I kick you off the track or crash into you accidentally. Is that clear?â
Oscar swallowed hard, feeling that Checo wasnât joking.
âUnderstoodâŠâ
âAnd as for you,â Checo now spoke to you, completely stunned, âdonât think this is over. Your mother, you, and I will have a conversation about this and several other topics when we get home.â
Unprotected wild sex, alcohol, and drugs, for sure, you thought, forcing a smile to try to hide your worry.
âNow go on and keep loving each other, but be careful where and how you do it. I donât want to be a grandfather just yet.â
With those words, Checo left, leaving you both.
âWell⊠now he knows. Finally,â Oscar said, letting out a sigh of relief.
âI told you he was intense. Do you believe me now?â
âOf course, mi amor,â the Australian replied, taking your hand and heading to your room in the McLaren motorhome, so, as Checo had said, you wouldnât become grandparents just yet. âYour dad scared me, but Iâm not going to lie to you, he gave me enough motivation to beat him in every race from now on.â
#formula 1#f1#oscar piastri#f1 x reader#formula 1 x reader#f1 fanfic#f1 fic#formula 1 x female reader#formula 1 x you#formula 1 x y/n#f1 x female reader#f1 x y/n#f1 x you#formula 1 smut#oscar piastri one shot#oscar piastrix y/n#oscar piastri imagine#oscar piastri x reader#oscar piastri fanfic#oscar piastri fluff#oscar piastri fic#formula 1 imagine#f1 imagine#oscar piastri f1#oscar piastri x female reader#oscar piastri x you#op81 x reader#piastri
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temptation
i lowkey have too many notes to write down properly KDFHKDS but ill write them down for Future Cele so i can read it later and be like omggg past cele ur so fun and interesting
in general, the more "color" the scenes have, the closer it is to "real life" as opposed to the muted/hushed winter blues of maruki's reality
i.e. the dark frames w akira smiling and the very last panel are when reality sinks in: first for akira, then for goro
by the way this is long winter au but sumire is still brainwashed. this also works for canonverse but i just had long winter au in mind:o
youve heard of laundry and taxes now get ready for coffee and pastries
in every panel, akira is smiling! :) and goro is very much not smiling.
intentionally his face is hidden in the last 2 pages so its unclear whether it's the "ideal reality" already (akira/goro's daydreams/wants/desires), or if goro is still fighting akira on making sure he picks the right choice
the smoke from the first page kinda leads into the 3rd page omfg COMPLETELY UNINTENTIONAL BUT REALLY COOL LMAOOO
that's nameless and belladonna in jazz jin!!! i love them. I LOVETHEM. i miss them so bad is it obvious
the cafe is loosely based off of caffe strada @ uc berkeley LMAO. my parents used to take me there a lot as a little kid so that's the first cafe i think of when i imagine one. its like right on the streetside, basically on the sidewalk, so its very bustling and people are always walking by... probably a little disconcerting to see everyones summery bright smiles despite the bitter cold and snow
in long winter AU, the Ideal Reality starts before 1/1 so yeah they get to see the new years fireworks together (or something)
also intentional that they wear the same winter outfits in the whole comic although it Probably does not take place at the same time. in maruki's snowglobe, time seems frozen in place... but akira and goro are both acutely aware that the sands are running thru QUICK
goro's frustrated expression on page 3 is one also of disdain: "don't speak FOR me you fucking imbecile" type of expression.
goro, who's never lived a normal life and therefore doesn't know much abt "normalcy" nor really actively seeks it. this 3rd semester is basically purgatory for him and he doesn't care to try and go through the motions the way akira does. akira what do YOU know about the type of "normalcy" i deserve? how do YOU know if i "deserve" that?
im thinking that this is a naive akira who is mostly set on taking the deal because he feels hopeless... seeing all his friends with good happy lives while goro and himself are alive and miserable and shouldering the weight of the world during the horror of long winter......
oh but if he takes the deal they could all be good and alive and happy!!!.... and goro knows this. i feel like in any other universe (i.e. akira is 100% certain on not taking the deal and goro knows this) then goro would be happy and carefree to do these little indulgences for himself and akira's sake, to just enjoy the snowglobe world while it exists.
but this goro is discontent. he sees how akira is enjoying the snowglobe and knows maruki is depending on this. goro has to be the one to remind akira that none of this is his to keep........ in this fucked up world, routine is dangerous. becoming comfortable is dangerous. they cannot keep any of this.
on that note, goro says "i hate you" in a halfhearted sort of way (it's not true and akira knows that.) but he's trying to think of a way that he can dissuade akira from picking the wrong choice.....
and i think the thing is, goro thinks all of this, but he still falls into the rhythm of routine with akira anyway. in a way, goro feels hopeless too.
all of this is maruki's doing........ paralyzed by the inability to choose... whatever you do, you lose. goro needs to hold akira at arm's length so the stupid sentimental fool doesn't get too attached and falls into the wrong universe. akira needs to make a concentrated effort to detach himself from goro even though he wants the simplest thing in the world: just one more unremarkable day with him. it's lose-lose..........,
also i liked drawing the tentacles in the last pic the freaking blue lines on them were SO satisfying to draw
edit: also the last page: the blood flooding the panelâŠ.. the idea of the ideal world being built off of the blood and sweat and tears and bodies of the people who could have been. of those lost in the actualization, of those destroyed, of those stitched together and brought back to life. all just for a little false happiness. goro sees it but akira doesnât, and itâs a grim sight.
#shuake#goro akechi#akira kurusu#persona 5 royal#cele draws#cele comics#last comic for 2 weeks ish probably bc ill be away frm my usual setup for a while:O will still be drawing tho!!!#long winter#takuto maruki
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hiii!! i've been reading your works for a while and im IN LOVE with your writing <33 thank you for all the effort you put into your content! may i ask what are your HCs for the LIs with a very short partner?? i'm 4'11'' and i have a real hard time imagining how they would deal with an astronomical height difference (they are all giraffes omgđ) thank you again for everything you do for us! feel free to refuse if you're uncomfortable with the request, i hope you have a wonderful day and please don't forget to take care of yourself đ
When You're Short- The Love And DeepSpace Men
parings in order: Xavier x Reader, Zayne x Reader, Rafayel x Reader, Sylus x Reader, Caleb x Reader genre/ tags: fluff fluff + silly a/n: hihi anonnie ! âž(ïœĄË á” Ë )âžâĄ PLS YOURE SO SWEET thank you so much my sweet angel and thank you for recognizing the effort i put into my writing MWAH MWAH (à·Ëá”Ëà·)⥠i hope i did this justice bc im around..5'4 ? so im short as well when i compare my height with them (âàȰ_âąÌ) i hope you're having an amazing day anonnie and dont forget to take care of yourself as well ! MWAHH enjoy reading !(à·Ëá”Ëà·)âĄ
âïœĄâ§ËÊâĄÉËâ§ïœĄâ
Xavier:
Oh youâre so adorable to him. He knows what you're capable of but he can't help but feel even more protective around you.
Youâre like a fun size plushie that he can just cuddle with all day and night. He loves holding you in his arms because you just fit perfectly. If he could, he would shrink you just so he can keep you in his little pocket and have you travel around with him all day. Sometimes he'll use you as a pillow to rest his chin on your head while the two of you take a nap together.
He loves to rest his head on your lap whenever youâre sitting up, just so he can look up and admire your pretty face.
Whenever you two play video games or watch movies together, he loves pulling you into his lap, his chin resting gently on top of your head as his arms wrap around you
If you want to kiss him, youâll have to tug on his clothing to give him a hint and usually heâll lower himself for the kiss but sometimes he teases you, pretending not to understand your intentions. âHm? What is it? Do you need anything?â He asks, feigning innocence as he watches you pout. Although knowing him, he canât resist any longer. He leans down pressing a soft kiss to your lips as if he didnât already know what exactly what you wanted
Whenever you two are out, Xavier always keeps his arm slinging around your waist, pulling you close. Heâll hold your hand firmly whenever youâre walking together, making sure youâre never swept away by the crowd.
Zayne:
Whether or not you two live together, heâll make sure to install mirrors at your height and place your favorite snacks, utensils, and anything you might need on lower shelves or in drawers so you donât have to bother getting a chair to reach things when heâs not around.
A small smile curls up on his lips when you compare your hands with his, admiring how big the difference was. He also melts every time your smaller arms wrap around him, your face buried in his chest as you fall asleep beside him. He likes knowing that you feel safe around him.
Whenever you two are out together, heâll purposely slow his pace to match yours due to his long strides that make him walk faster.
Zayne is always aware of the space around you, keeping an eye for anything above you so nothing comes close to hitting your head.
Except a LOT of forehead kisses. He'll also dip his head down a lot just to kiss you. He also doesnât mind leaning down to kiss you softly on the lips so you donât have to strain yourself just to reach him. Whenever it was those deep, passionate kisses where his hands cradle your face, he can't help but smile at how small your head feels in his palm and how it fits so perfectly.
He also loves the way his clothing drapes off your body..which is why he can't let you wear his clothes often because he's worried he might lose control again
Rafayel:
Rafayel absolutely loves the height difference between you two. Heâs tall and while some people are close to his height except you, you were so small compared to him.
Whenever you two take photos together, he leans down a little or bends his knees, even if you were wearing heels. He instinctively does it to make sure the height difference in the picture feels more balanced
Rafayel has a collection of really beautiful candid photos of you but also some of the most unflattering shots you can think of. He loves to capture moments from his height, taking photos of his camera looking down at you just to show how tall he is compared to you. It became your photo contact for a while.
You can already expect a lot of teasing from him. Whenever you attempt to kiss him, it only boosts his ego. He lets you make a few attempts, grinning smugly, âYou reallllyy wanna kiss me that bad huh cutie?â With a playful smile, heâll lean down, pressing a soft kiss to your lips.
Expect a lot of beach trips where youâll use his towering height to shield yourself from the sun for the perfect cover. But donât think you can get away without paying him back in kisses since heâll be spending a lot of time with you tucked away behind him.
Whenever you two cuddle, he always gets to be the big spoon and relishes how his arms completely engulf you and loves it whenever you snuggle further into his arms. However anytime you ever want to try to be the big spoon, heâll tease you, playfully whining about how heâs so cold.
Sylus:
Just like Zayne, heâll install mirrors around the house so you can always catch a full view of your pretty face and body whenever you need too. But sometimes, heâll purposely leave things on higher shelves, just so you can call him for help. Instead of him easily handing it to you, heâll lift you up instead just because he wants to hold you.
He LOVES it when he finds you wearing his clothes. His shirts fit you like a dress sometimes and he purposely leaves the most comfiest ones out for you to wear. Youâre practically drowning in his scent and he wouldnât have it any other way.
Sylus thinks itâs absolutely adorable and amusing whenever you try to kiss him, standing on your tippy toes and barely reaching his chin. So heâll lower himself to you, gently guiding your chin to meet his gaze before pressing his soft lips to yours. If there was a chair nearby, he'd sit down, pulling you into his lap before gently pressing his lips to yours. Whenever you're a step ahead of him on the stairs, you're at the perfect height to turn around and surprise kiss him!
He loves to hold hands with you even though his large hands basically consume yours. The size difference never fails to amuse him and finds one of these physical traits of yours to be truly adorable
Whenever you're out together, he'll always have his hand resting on your lower back or he'll offer his arm for you to cling to or his hand for you to hold. He wants to make sure you're always close by his side.

Caleb:
expect teasing. A LOT of it. It makes sense why he calls you pipsqueak as your nickname.
Sometimes heâll snatch things from you and hold it above his head just so he can get a kiss from you and watch you jump for it. âAw whatâs wrong? Canât reach it pipsqueak? Maybe if youâd eaten your veggies when we were younger, youâd be tall enough by now.â He absolutely loves watching you get all flustered about it and heâll laugh and comment on how cute you are.
Constant jokes of, âWhat was that pipsqueak? Couldnât hear ya from down there.â With a teasing grin, heâll lower himself just enough to meet your eyes, âThere, now what were you saying?â His smirk would only deepen more if you got flustered, his warm breath brushing your skin.
Sometimes heâll even rest his arm on top of your head just to tease you and just because itâs absolutely funny to see your reaction and besides..he misses you and the closeness you two once had.
However he knows when to you donât want him to comment on your height and he can tell whenever the joke goes too far and knows when to stop
Caleb will NOT tolerate anyone calling you short, especially if itâs from a stranger. Whether itâs meant as a joke or even worse, a rude comment, theyâd better sleep with one eye open. No one is getting away with disrespecting you
Have you ever found one of his weak spots? Itâs whenever you look up at him with those pretty eyes, no puppy pouts face or anything, heâll melt on the spot right there. Whatever you ask for, you can have it.
Occasionally heâll ask if you can hop on his back whenever heâs going out for a run or whenever he does push-ups as if you were his personal weight to make his workouts a little more fun
#xavier x reader#xavier x you#xavier x y/n#zayne x reader#zayne x you#zayne x y/n#rafayel x reader#rafayel x you#rafayel x y/n#sylus x reader#sylus x you#sylus x y/n#caleb x reader#caleb x you#caleb x y/n#xavier love and deepspace#zayne love and deepspace#rafayel love and deepspace#sylus love and deepspace#caleb love and deepspace#xavier lads#zayne lads#rafayel lads#sylus lads#caleb lads#love and deepspace#love and deepspace x reader#love and deep space x reader#love and deep space#lads x you
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Love how you write for Marvel Rivals! It's been one of my favorite games lately. If it's not too much to ask can you write Emma Frost, Natasha, Magik, Hela, Wanda and Storm using a strap-on on their girlfriend?
Hi, Anon! I'm glad you're enjoying the game and me writing my silly little fics. I'll write this one for you too!
Pairing: Emma Frost, Hela, Illyana Rasputin, Natasha Romanoff, Ororo Munroe, Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader
Tags: nsfw, smut, established relationship, strap-on use, praise, breeding kink, kissing, clit stimulation, dom/sub dynamic
Ko-Fi | Rules | Fandoms and Characters | Commissions
A/N: It's a really good time to love women! I love women so much!
Emma spends a ton of time teasing you with it before anything else. She has you tied to the bed, wrists bound and legs spread open, all dolled up in lingerie that is complementary to her own. Of course the strap on is shiny, glistening even more as she runs it through your slippery folds. She hears all your little whimpers and she doesn't need to use her mind reading powers to know how you want to be fucked. And then she does the opposite, her hips moving so slowly but even that feels like too much to your pussy, and yet not enough.
Hela will fuck you in every position possible but her favorite one is the when you're both on your knees and she's thrusting into you from behind. Her hands smooth up and down your thighs, brushing against your wet cunt. She's moving fast, but deep, grinning into the kiss you clumsily pull her into in a desperate attempt to silence your moans. All your effort to do so it futile, with every thrust you get louder. There's no need for you to keep quiet while she's fucking you, she wants to hear you clearly, her favorite woman in the whole world.
Illyana developed a breeding kink during the many times she's used her strap-on with you. She didn't mean to say she's gonna get you pregnant while almost breaking the bed, it just slipped out. From then on she only uses the strap-on with artificial cum in it and bends you in half while doing so. No matter the position she's always within kissing distance, she loves kissing you, her tongue demanding against yours. if she goes too hard on you she will kiss your pussy as an apology and she is being very sincere with her apology.
Natasha often wears her strap-on under her clothes and leaves it to you to get it wet and ready. You can suck it, you can use lube, you can ride it until you come all over it. But after that it's her turn to have some fun and for you to be a good girl and not a brat like she knows you can be. If you do behave like a brat she has no problem putting you in your place, which is under her, screaming her name, telling her how much you love her cock. She's also very forgiving towards you, if you ask her nicely she can go easy on you.
Ororo teases you a lot but ultimately gives you everything you want. She spoils you when she uses the strap-on, she encourages you as you ride it, massages your thighs, your ass and your hips and grins when you tell her you're close. When you feel tired but needy she is more than happy to stay still and cuddle, only moving back and forth occasionally, eliciting soft whimpers from you. Plants soft kisses across your neck while you ride her up and down, back and forth. One of her favorite things is to have you clean it afterwards.
Wanda uses a magical strap-on that makes it feel like the real thing, meaning she can feel your pussy gripping, tensing and relaxing around it. It drives her crazy when you're close to coming but she forbids you from doing so more than a few times. That when when you finally do come she knows you'll take her with you, right over that edge. Loves to watch the strap-on go in and out of you while her thumb massages your clit. The wet, silky pressure around her cock every time she touches your clit almost makes her magic go wild.
#marvel x reader#marvel rivals x reader#mcu x reader#emma frost x reader#hela x reader#illyana rasputin x reader#natasha romanoff x reader#ororo munroe x reader#wanda maximoff x reader#white queen x reader#magik x reader#black widow x reader#storm x reader#scarlet witch x reader#marvel imagine#mcu imagine#marvel rivals imagine#marvel headcanons#mcu headcanons#marvel rivals headcanons#marvel smut#mcu smut#marvel rivals smut#marvel x you#mcu x you#marvel rivals x you#marvel x female reader#mcu x female reader#marvel rivals x female reader#marvel wlw
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Hii, I hope you are doing great !
I saw that your requests are open and I was wondering if you could write something about y/n not being famous and she is not accepted and treated badly by Harryâs celebrity group of friends which will put to test her relationship with Harry.
Thank you so much, and happy holidays !! đ
A/N: This was such a fun request to write! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Itâs a mix of angst, fluff, and a lot of emotion. Thank you for trusting me with this idea, and I hope it resonates with you!
Triggers: Emotional manipulation, unkind behavior, insecurity
Pairing: Harry Styles x Female!Reader (Y/N)
Word Count: 2,167

You knew it wouldnât be easy.
Being with Harry meant stepping into a world so far removed from your own that at times, it felt like youâd fallen through the looking glass. It wasnât that you doubted your love for him or his love for youâit was undeniable, unshakable. But you werenât naĂŻve. You knew his fame came with its challenges, and the hardest one wasnât the paparazzi or the scrutiny from strangers on the internet. It was his friends.
They werenât all bad, of course. There were a few who made an effort to get to know you, to see you for who you were beyond the label of âHarryâs girlfriend.â But most of them⊠most of them didnât.
Tonight was one of those nights.
The party was at one of Harryâs favorite spots in Los Angeles, a sleek, exclusive venue where everyone seemed to glitter with a level of confidence and beauty you couldnât help but envy. Youâd been nervous from the start, clinging to Harryâs hand as he introduced you to people whose names you struggled to remember.
âJust stick with me, love,â heâd said earlier that evening, pressing a kiss to your temple. âItâll be fine.â
And for a while, it was. Harry stayed close, his arm around your waist as he guided you through the room. But then he was whisked away by someone wanting to discuss music, and you were left standing near the bar, nursing a drink and feeling utterly out of place.
Thatâs when the whispers started.
At first, you tried to ignore them, telling yourself you were imagining things. But the pointed glances, the half-smirks, and the subtle head tilts in your direction were impossible to miss.
âDoes she even know who sheâs talking to?â
âSheâs cute, but⊠I donât get it. Harry could do so much better.â
âShe looks so uncomfortable. Itâs kind of painful to watch.â
The words stung, each one landing like a small, sharp jab. You kept your head high, determined not to let it show. But when one of Harryâs friendsâa model youâd met once beforeâapproached you with a patronizing smile, your resolve began to crack.
âSo,â she said, swirling her cocktail as she looked you up and down, âhowâs it going, Y/N? Adjusting to all⊠this?â
âItâs fine,â you replied, forcing a polite smile.
âMust be overwhelming,â she continued, her tone dripping with faux concern. âI mean, itâs not really your world, is it?â
You clenched your jaw, searching for a way out of the conversation. But before you could respond, she leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
âDonât take it personally,â she said, her smile sharp. âItâs just⊠weâve all known Harry for years. Weâve seen him with people who⊠well, letâs just say they were a better fit.â
Her words hit you like a slap, and you felt your chest tighten with a mix of hurt and anger. You didnât want to give her the satisfaction of seeing how much sheâd gotten under your skin, so you excused yourself, heading for the nearest exit.
The cool night air was a welcome relief as you stepped outside, leaning against the railing and taking deep breaths. You tried to shake off her words, to remind yourself that they didnât matter. But they did.
âY/N?â
You turned to see Harry standing in the doorway, his brows furrowed in concern. He crossed the distance between you in a few quick strides, his hand coming to rest gently on your arm.
âWhatâs wrong?â he asked, his voice soft but urgent. âIâve been looking for you.â
You hesitated, unsure how to put your feelings into words. âNothing,â you said eventually, though the shakiness in your voice betrayed you. âI just⊠needed some air.â
Harryâs eyes narrowed slightly, and you could see the gears turning in his head. âY/N,â he said, his tone firmer now. âTell me the truth. What happened?â
For a moment, you considered brushing it off, pretending everything was fine. But then the hurt bubbled up to the surface, and before you could stop yourself, the words came spilling out.
âI donât belong here, Harry,â you said, your voice breaking. âIâve tried, but your friends⊠they donât want me here. They think Iâm not good enough for you.â
Harryâs expression shifted from concern to something darkerâanger, though not directed at you. His jaw tightened, and he looked away for a moment, as if trying to rein in his emotions.
âWho said that?â he asked finally, his voice low and controlled.
âIt doesnât matter,â you said quickly, not wanting to cause a scene. âItâs not just one person. Itâs the way they look at me, the things they say when they think Iâm not listening. They donât think Iâm⊠enough.â
Harryâs hand moved to cup your face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. âListen to me,â he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. âYou are more than enough. Youâre everything. And if they canât see that, then thatâs their problem, not yours.â
You swallowed hard, leaning into his touch. âBut what if theyâre right?â you whispered. âWhat if Iâm just⊠not the kind of person who fits into your world?â
Harry shook his head, his eyes meeting yours with an intensity that made your breath catch. âY/N, my world is wherever you are. None of thisââhe gestured toward the party insideââmeans anything without you. And if anyone thinks they can make you feel unwelcome or unworthy, theyâll have to answer to me.â
You let out a shaky laugh, the weight on your chest easing slightly. âYou canât fight all your friends for me, Harry.â
He smiled then, his expression softening. âI wonât have to. Because once Iâm done having a word with them, theyâll know better than to treat you like this again.â
Before you could respond, Harry pulled you into a hug, his arms wrapping around you like a shield. You felt the tension begin to melt away as you rested your head against his chest, his heartbeat steady and reassuring.
âI love you,â he murmured into your hair. âAnd nothingâno oneâis going to change that.â
âââââ
True to his word, Harry didnât let the matter drop. When the two of you returned to the party, he made a point of staying by your side, his presence a clear signal to anyone who dared to question your place in his life.
Later, you found yourself sitting on the couch in his dressing room as he paced back and forth, recounting the conversations heâd had with a few of his more tactless friends.
âTheyâre idiots,â he said, running a hand through his hair. âI told them that if they canât respect you, they canât call themselves my friends.â
You watched him, your heart swelling with gratitude and love. âHarry,â you said softly, reaching out to take his hand. âYou didnât have to do all that.â
âYes, I did,â he said, sitting down beside you and pulling you into his lap. âYouâre the most important person in my life, Y/N. And Iâll do whatever it takes to make sure you know that.â
You smiled, resting your forehead against his. âThank you,â you whispered.
He kissed you then, slow and sweet, as if to remind you of everything you shared. And in that moment, you knew that no amount of judgment or criticism could ever come between you.
Because what you had with Harry was real. And nothing else mattered.
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Faceoff with Love - Jack Hughes
Summary: Jack Hughes. The NHLâs ultimate manwhore. King of confidence. Untouchable⊠or at least, thatâs what he thought. Until he falls hard.
Warning: Implied sexual situations, mature language, nothing too wild or serious
Hey, lovelies! đ This is Jack's story, the next installment in what Iâve officially named The Hughes Effect Sagaâbecause letâs be real, every brother deserves their own story. I couldnât resist giving the main characters names since this universe is growing, and honestly, trying to write it without them wouldâve been mission impossible. So, just a heads-up: Thea is Lukeâs love interest! (Though if youâve read Age Is Just a NumberâŠRight?, you wonât see her mentioned there, since that one started as a standalone one-shot.) You can read this without reading Age Is Just a Number, but it definitely gives you more background on Jack's story if you do!
Not gonna lie, this one took forever to write. It ended up being 16,472 words and 42 pages in my Word docâso, yeah⊠buckle up! đ
Hope you love reading it as much as I loved writing it! â€ïž
For more fun: masterlist
â-
Jack Hughes, star of the New Jersey Devils, was enjoying a normal morningâuntil the noises coming from his little brother Lukeâs room hijacked his thoughts. Jack had always been supportive of Luke, and he was genuinely happy for him. After all, Luke and his girlfriend had been through a lotâthe pressures of the NHL, the relentless fans, and everything in between had made starting their relationship anything but easy. He knew how much effort they both put in to make it work, and he couldnât help but admire them for it.
But the sounds from the next room? That was a different story. Jack tried to block it out, but it was impossible. The muffled conversationsâand those other noisesâhad a way of seeping into his mind. It wasnât just the invasion of privacy that bothered him, though. It was what heâd learned that really threw him off: Lukeâs kink.
Some things were best left unsaid, behind closed doors. But there was Luke, sounding way too eager to ask permission for... well, things Jack had no business hearing. It was burned into his brain, and he couldnât unhear it.
âYeah, no. Nope. Thatâs it. I need to get out of here,â Jack muttered, dragging a hand down his face.
With a groan, he kicked off the covers, grabbed a hoodie from the back of the couch, and yanked it over his head. âI need bleach. For my ears. And my soul.â
A coffee shop seemed like the safest escapeâloud espresso machines, the comforting scent of fresh beans⊠anything to erase whatever the hell heâd just overheard.
As he stepped outside, he let out a deep breath, shaking off the lingering ick of the morning. He had morning skates later anyway, so at least this way, heâd be caffeinated and mentally prepared before hitting the ice.
By the time Jack reached the coffee shop, the tension in his shoulders had finally eased, the crisp morning air doing its job in clearing his head. As he pushed open the door, the familiar chime jingled, welcoming him into the warm, cozy space. It wasnât crowdedâjust a handful of people tapping away at laptops, a few others lost in their books, the low hum of conversation filling the air.
Jack stepped into line, a slow grin tugging at his lips as he took in the room. He could feel itâthe shift in energy, the way conversations quieted just slightly, the not-so-subtle glances thrown his way. He walked in like he owned the place. And in a way, he kind of did. Not literally, of course, but the moment he stepped inside, it was obviousâpeople noticed.
A couple of girls in the corner glanced up, whispering behind their hands. The old man at the corner table did a double take. A guy in line nudged his friend, a knowing smirk passing between them. Jack thrived on it. The attention, the recognitionâit was something he was used to, and he had no problem leaning into it.
His gaze swept over the room, naturally lingering on the women who were stealing glances at him. A cocky smirk curled at the corner of his lips, and just for fun, he threw in a wink. A playful smile for good measure. Yeah, he knew the effect he had. Confidence? Absolutely. Arrogance? Maybe just a little. But it was the kind of charm that turned heads, and really, who could blame him? Jack Hughes wasnât just another guy in the crowdâhe was the one people noticed.
And he loved every second of it.
Jack was used to this. It was familiar. Easy. But thenâhe saw her.
She wasnât looking at him. She wasnât whispering about him, or sneaking glances, or batting her lashes like so many others did. She was behind the counter, focused on her work, crafting drinks with effortless precision, her movements fluid and practiced. There was something about herâa quiet warmth, a presence that made the entire room feel at ease. She wasnât just beautiful; it was the way she carried herself. Feminine yet self-assured, graceful but never trying too hard.
Jack felt it immediatelyâthe pull. Like gravity.
His heart did this stupid little stutter, and before he even realized it, he was just standing there. Staring. What the hell?
This wasnât him. Jack Hughes didnât freeze up over a girl. Heâd had flings, fun, no-strings-attached moments. He knew how to flirt, how to charm, how to walk away before things got complicated. But right now? None of that seemed to matter.
Get it together, Hughes, he muttered under his breath, forcing himself to look away.
But then, as if sheâd felt his gaze, she looked up. Their eyes met.
And in that instant, something shifted.
It was subtle. Electric. She had this knowing look on her face, like she could see right through him. Like she already had him figured out before he could even open his mouth.
And for the first time in a long time, Jack Hughes wasnât the one in control.
Jack leaned on the counter, trying to play it cool, but he couldnât shake the pull he felt toward her. When she finally looked up, their eyes met, and for a second, the usual confidence he wore like a second skin seemed to fade.
She raised an eyebrow as she set her hands on the counter, a half-smirk forming on her lips. "Can I help you?"
Jack blinked, catching himself. "Uh, that depends. You serving coffee... or are you in the business of making guys fall in love too?" he said with a grin, though it came out a little less smooth than he intended.
She didnât even flinch. "Just coffee. And bad pickup lines? They cost extra."
Jack chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ouch. Brutal." He leaned in, dropping the cocky act just a little. "Alright, alright. Iâll take a latte. And a blueberry muffin. Gotta keep it classic, you know?"
"Classic? More like predictable," she replied, tossing a glance over her shoulder as she started on his drink.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "You analyzing me now?"
She didnât even look at him as she spoke. "Not really. Just guessing youâre the type who thinks a smirk and a couple of cheesy lines will get you anything you want."
Jack froze for a moment, a little taken aback. "Whoa, right in the heart," he said, putting his hand over his chest in mock offense.
She didnât even look at him this time. "Youâll survive. Might even build some character," she added casually as she reached for the milk steamer.
Jack smirked, his confidence flickering back. "Character, huh? Iâve got plenty. Some might even say too much."
She glanced up then, eyes dancing with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Yeah? And who exactly are these 'some'?"
He leaned in a little closer, almost leaning on the counter now. "Oh, you know... fans, teammates, my mom... definitely my mom." He winked.
She let out a small laugh, shaking her head, her fingers expertly crafting the latte. "Uh-huh. Sure, sounds legit."
Jack leaned back a bit, watching her. There was something about how she didnât let him off the hook. It was... refreshing. "So whatâs it gonna take?" he asked, trying to play it cool again.
"For what?" She finally met his gaze, eyebrows raised.
"For you to admit youâre already a little bit in love with me," he said with a teasing grin, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
She slid his drink across the counter without a hint of hesitation. "Jack Hughes, right?"
His grin widened. "So you do know me."
"Oh, I know of you," she said, turning away to grab a napkin, clearly unfazed. "Youâre a good player."
Jack straightened up, puffing out his chest. "Great player," he corrected her, but his tone was light, playful.
She looked over her shoulder, deadpan. "On the ice."
Jack laughed softly, the sting of her words taking a second to hit. "Damn, alright. Tough crowd."
She smiled, but it wasnât the soft, flirty smile he expected. It was knowing. Like she already saw right through him. "Seen your type before. You walk in, flash a smile, throw out a line or two, and think the worldâs just gonna roll over for you."
Jack leaned in again, his grin slipping into something more genuine. "And yet, here you are... still talking to me. Guess you must like it."
She hummed, considering this, before turning back to the machine. "Or maybe I just like watching a guy slowly realize heâs not as smooth as he thinks he is."
Jackâs smirk returned, and he picked up his drink. "So this is how itâs gonna be, huh?"
She winked, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Oh, Hughes. You have no idea."
He laughed, shaking his head as he grabbed his muffin. "Iâve got to run. Practice later... but Iâll be back. Youâre an interesting one." He winked, letting the last word linger a little longer than usual.
âDo not threaten me, Hughes,â she shot back, her voice dry but that little smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Jack turned to leave, his mind still buzzing from their conversation. He could feel her eyes on his back as he walked out the door, but this time, it wasnât the usual adrenaline of a win. It was something else.
Maybe... just maybe, she was right. He was used to being in control, but with her? Yeah, she wasnât having any of it.
â
The ice cream shop had a laid-back atmosphere, with a few customers scattered across the tables, quietly enjoying their frozen treats. The soft hum of conversation blended with the occasional clink of spoons against bowls and the low buzz of the freezer in the corner. The casual, easygoing vibe was the perfect backdrop for Jack to make his usual, attention-grabbing announcement.
âSo, I met a girl,â he said casually, his grin practically glowing with satisfaction.
Luke didnât even look up, already bracing himself for whatever absurdity was coming. Jack had that lookâan announcement, followed by something outlandish. Thea, however, shot him a pointed glance, arching a brow in that skeptical way she did so well.
âOh, here we go,â she muttered, barely containing her amusement.
Jack scoffed. âWow, way to be supportive.â
Thea smirked, scooping a spoonful of chocolate ice cream into her mouth. âNo, itâs just... every time you drop that line, I know Iâm about to hear some delusional story about how sheâs already swooning over you.â She shrugged with a grin. âWhich, letâs be honest, is usually true. Flash that smile, and bam! Girls are basically tripping over themselves for you.â
Jack leaned back, clearly relishing the attention. âExactly. Itâs a gift.â
Thea rolled her eyes and casually tossed her hair over her shoulder. âNo, itâs just an ego boost. Youâre like a baby with a bottleâconstantly sucking up the attention.â
Jack, looking entirely unbothered, twirled his spoon. âCan you blame me? I mean, why not appreciate what Iâve got?â
Luke looked up now, giving Jack a resigned look. He was ready for the same tired routine. âJack, have you ever thought that maybeâjust maybeânot every girl is going to fall for your whole act?â
Jack shot him a glance like heâd just suggested the most absurd thing. âWhy would I think that? Itâs never happened.â He paused, then added with a touch of uncertainty, âOkay, sheâs a tough one, but sheâll come around. I think she just likes to play hard to get.â He could see the truth in her eyesâshe wasnât interestedâbut admitting that wasnât an option. Not with his brother and Thea around.
Thea snorted, clearly amused. âOh, the delusionâs strong with this one.â
Jack leaned forward slightly, tapping his fingers on the table with a confident smirk. âIâm not delusional, Iâm just a realist. And the reality is... Iâm me.â He paused for effect. âAnd I donât lose.â
Thea let out a dramatic laugh, clearly enjoying herself. âOh, this is gonna be good.â
Jack frowned, confused. âWhatâs so funny?â
Thea took another bite of her cone, her grin widening. âYou. Thinking youâre untouchable. I love the confidence, but one day, some girlâs going to make you look like a fool.â
Jack scoffed, shaking his head. âPlease. Do you have any idea how many girls would kill for a shot with me? I could walk out of here and just point at someone, and they'd be all over me.â
Luke, who had been watching the exchange unfold, finally spoke up. âYeah, except for this one. Iâm guessing sheâs got a little more sense than that.â
Jack groaned, dramatically rubbing his face with his hand and shooting Luke an exasperated "you little shit" look. âOh, come on. You make it sound like I donât have options. Iâm Jack Hughes guysâthe same guy who got a date with three different girls at last weekâs game.â
Thea rolled her eyes again. âOh yeah, thatâs really a sign of emotional maturity.â She shot Luke a knowing look.
Luke just smiled faintly, shaking his head. âIf Jackâs ego ever took a hit, we'd probably need a whole therapy session.â
Jack flashed a smug grin, fully aware they were kind of right. âEgo? What ego? Iâm just stating the facts.â
Thea leaned in, her eyes twinkling with mischief. âSure. State your facts. But youâre missing one thing, Jack.â
Jack raised an eyebrow, intrigued. âAnd whatâs that?â
She tilted her head, clearly loving the moment. âThis girl doesnât want you.â
Jackâs smile faltered just a touch, but he quickly recovered. âEverybody wants me.â
Thea shook her head, the smirk never leaving her face. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jack jumped in before she could.
âOkay, maybe except you!â He threw his hands up in mock frustration. âBut thatâs not my charmâs fault. You just have a thing for younger guys, so I never stood a chance. You pedoâŠâ
Theaâs cheeks flushed, and she slapped his arm lightly, her voice a mix of disbelief and amusement. âJack, you canât call me that, you arrogant prick! Show some respect to your elders!â
Jack smirked, unfazed. âOh, yes, yes⊠sorry, Ms. Senior Citizen.â
Luke chuckled softly, shaking his head. He couldnât help but be impressed with how Thea had grown into herself. At first, their six-year age gap had made her uneasy, but Jack, being Jack, never passed up a chance to remind her of it. Luke knew Jack played this game on purposeâhis teasing made Thea realize the age gap wasnât as big of a deal as sheâd thought. And over time, sheâd become more confident, even starting to enjoy Jackâs dark humor. Of course, sheâd never admit it, and Luke was thankful for that. Jack didnât need any more ego boosts.
âThis is going to be a disaster,â Luke muttered under his breath, as if preparing himself for the inevitable chaos. It wasnât a predictionâit was a certainty. Jack wasnât going to let this girl slip away, he new that.
Jack waved him off, though his signature, idiotic grin only grew wider. âRelax, Lukey. Iâm unstoppable. Sheâs going to like me. Trust me.â
Luke sighed, leaning back in his chair, his fingers pressing against his temples as he massaged his forehead. âOhhh, this is going to be such a disaster.â
Jack finished off his ice cream, still blissfully unaware of the train wreck he was about to walk into. âYou two are the worst. But mark my words, sheâs going to like me.â
Thea winked at him. âNo, weâre just not here to feed your delusion, Jacky. You could use a reality check every once in a while.â
Jack rolled his eyes, the mischievous grin still tugging at his lips. âYou know what, Lukey? Maybe you should upgrade her to someone a little youngerâŠâ
âJACK!â Luke and Thea shouted in unison, but Jack only laughed, clearly finding his own joke far too hilarious.
âÂ
Jack pushed open the door to the coffee shop, the familiar chime of the bell ringing through the night air, but tonight, it sounded more hollow than usual.
It was lateâtoo lateâthe kind of late when the world seems to shrink into itself, wrapped in the silence of the night. The air carried the warm scent of coffee and sweet pastries, but Jack barely noticed. His mind was still spinning from the game. The Devils had lost, and his mood mirrored the dark sky outsideâheavy, empty, and far too cold. Yet, despite the bitterness of defeat lingering in his chest, there was something else that kept nagging at him.
He wanted to see her.
The girl behind the counter.
It was absurd, he knew. He didnât even know her name. But ever since the game endedâever since heâd sat in the locker room, listening to Nicoâs half-hearted attempts at positivityâhis thoughts kept drifting back to her. Why? It didnât make sense.
He glanced around, expecting the usual warmth and buzz of conversation that made the place feel so cozy. But tonight was different.
The lights were dim, and the usual chatter had fadedâmost likely because it was just two minutes to closing, and the last of the customers had trickled out.
Jackâs eyes immediately found her behind the counter. The girl from before.
The moment she saw him, her expression shifted, just slightlyâa brief flicker of annoyance before her face went completely neutral. He could tell she wasnât exactly thrilled to see him, especially not this late.
Jack leaned against the counter, flashing his trademark easy smile. âHey there.â
She looked up, the briefest flicker of recognition crossing her face before it disappeared. She sighed quietly, clearly not in the mood. "You again," she muttered under her breath, forcing a smile that didnât quite reach her eyes. "What do you want this time?"
Jack grinned, undeterred by her tone. âActually, I realized I never got your name last time.â
She blinked, taken aback. âSeriously? You came all the way back just for my name?â She paused, voice dripping with sarcasm. âI must be pretty special, huh?â
Jack shrugged like it was no big deal. âGuess I was too busy trying to charm you last time. But hey, I did promise Iâd come back.â He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. âSo now that Iâm here⊠whatâs your name?â
She rolled her eyes but grabbed some fresh milk from under the counter. âItâs Anja,â she said flatly.
Jack raised an eyebrow, as if savoring the name. âAnja, huh? Definitely sounds foreign.â
Anja shot him a dry look, hands almost slamming the milk into the fridge. âYep. My dadâs German, my momâs from New Jersey. Pretty exotic, right?â
Jackâs grin faltered for a moment, surprised. âWaitâyour dadâs from Germany? Thatâs⊠interesting.â He paused, then added with a laugh. âThatâs one combo I didnât expect. My buddy Nicoâs German too. He was born in Switzerland.â
Anja froze, staring at him. Then blinked slowly. âWaitâwhat?â
Jack, clearly proud of his random connection, rushed on, oblivious to her confusion. âYeah, Nicoâs our captain, super chill guy. Always telling me I should visit him in Switzerland one summer. We havenât done it yet, but maybe next year. Heâs like a brother to me, honestly. Donât tell my real brothers, thoughâtheyâd flip. They get jealous if I even mention Nico.â
Anja raised an eyebrow, already knowing Jack had a habit of overestimating the significance of himself. She stared at him for a moment, then couldnât help itâshe burst into laughter. âNo, Jack⊠Switzerlandâs not in Germany!â She bent forward slightly, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
Jack blinked, feeling a little foolish, but he wasnât about to back down. âWhat? Itâs a county in Germany, right? Somewhere near... uh, MunichâŠ?â
Anjaâs eyes widened, her expression a mix of disbelief and amusement. She let out a laugh, half-pitying, half-astonished. âOh my God, Hughes. Switzerland and Germany are two completely different countries.â She shook her head slowly, as if heâd just told her the Earth was flat. âYouâre telling me your best friendâs from Switzerland, and you have no idea where the hell is that? Seriously, could you be more American?â
Jack winced, but a grin quickly crept back onto his face, clearly unbothered by his own ignorance. âHey, donât forget, youâre half American too, so no need to get all high and mighty on me.â
Anja raised an eyebrow, her grin widening as she crossed her arms.âSweetie, youâre the one who thought Switzerland was a county.â
Jack shrugged with a playful grin, raising his hands in mock surrender, his smile never faltering. âAlright, fine. But Iâll take this as a win. Iâve officially upgraded to the âsweetieâ category.â
Anja shook her head, still chuckling at his relentless self-confidence. âA lost cause, Hughes. Thatâs what you are⊠a lost cause.â She gave him an exasperated look, but the corner of her mouth quirked up. âMaybe try opening some books next time. Girls like guys with an actual brain.â
Jack waved it off dismissively. âIâll let you know I do read. But yeh my brother Quinn is the nerd. Seriously bookish. Let me tell you, itâs not helping him. Heâs got zero game.â
Anja flashed a playful grin and leaned in closer, the sudden proximity making Jackâs heart skip a beat. Her perfumeâa fresh, orange scent that reminded him of a rain-drenched forestâhit him like a bolt of lightning. It was warm, feminine, and intoxicating. He couldnât help but notice the way the scent seemed to pull him closer, but he did his best to keep it together.
She lowered her voice just enough to make him focus. âOr maybe... heâs just a normal guy who doesnât want every womanâs panties to drop the second he meets them.â
Jack swallowed, his eyes flicking to her mouth, noticing the way her lips parted just slightly as she spoke. He tried to focus, but the air between them was thick with tension, the heat of her so close to him throwing him off. âOr maybeâŠâ He leaned in, his voice dropping low, his words teasing as his gaze lingered on her lips. âHe just overthinks everything. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow in life, you know?â
Anja shook her head with a soft smile, muttering under her breath as she crossed her arms. âAs I said, lost cause,â she added, only half-amused, half-exasperated.
Jack laughed, relieved she was still in the game. He gave her a wink, the confidence in his smile almost irresistible. âBut a charming, good-looking, lost cause, right?â
Anja rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips and the amusement in her eyes made it clear she wasnât really bothered. Her eyes briefly caught his, and for the first time, she noticed how his blue eyes werenât just any shadeâthey had this grayish undertone that made them look almost stormy. It was enough to make her pause for a moment, but she snapped back to the banter with a playful glint. âYou really shouldâve opened a geography book sometime. You canât disrespect your friend this much. At least learn the basics about the poor guyâs life if you want to be his bestie.â
Jackâs grin widened as he leaned in, his light brown wavy hair falling slightly into his eyes, his expression a mix of challenge and charm. âHeyâIâd happily let you teach me about Switzerland... or anything else. To be fair, Iâd let you do anything with me.â
Anja let out a breathless laugh at his boldness, shaking her head, but her eyes softened as she met his gaze. âYeah, keep dreaming, Jack.â
Jack winked. âBelieve me I will. But seriouslyâjust give me a chance. Let me prove myself to you.â Anja rolled her eyes again, but the smile tugging at her lips gave her away. âWhatever, Jack. You can beg, but the answer is still no.â
Jack didnât hesitate. The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning, and before he could second-guess himself, he dropped to his knees with all the dramatic flair he could muster, looking up at her with wide, pleading eyes.
Anja froze, her eyes wide, the mug sheâd been about to place on the shelf still dangling in mid-air. âWhat the hell are you doing?!â she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and something elseâamusement, maybe. It was hard to tell.
Jack tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes, still kneeling with a grin that stretched wider. âYou said I can beg, but I wasnât really begging yet, was I? Let me show you just how good I can be at it.â He fluttered his lashes and gave her the full-on puppy-dog eyes, cranking up the charm.
Anja stared at him for a solid minute, her brain clearly processing the absurdity of the situation. Then, as if a switch had flipped, she burst out laughing. âYouâre insane,â she said, shaking her head, stepping back like she needed to regain some personal space from this level of ridiculousness.
Jack, still on his knees, leaned in a bit closer with dramatic theatrics, his grin widening. He clasped his hands together like he was about to give a TED talk.
"Anja, hear me out," he began, voice dripping with over-the-top sincerity. "I know you think Iâm a lost cause, but Iâm not just any lost cause. Iâm your lost cause. And let me tell you why."
He paused for effect, then continued, ticking off his points like a lawyer making a case. "First off, Iâm a party. You want a good time? Iâm your guy. I can keep things fun, always ready for an adventure, never a dull moment."
He held up a finger, ready to deliver his second point. "Next, Iâm a manwhore. And I know what youâre thinkingââJack, that sounds bad!â But no, hear me out. Being a manwhore means experience. I know how to make people laugh, I know how to charm, I know how toâ" He shot her a wink. "Well, I know how to do a lot of things. So... experience? Check."
Jack then leaned back dramatically, spreading his arms out. "And, letâs not forget, Iâm a hockey player. Iâm rich, athletic, andâ" he gave her a sly grin, flexing his arm slightly, "look at these muscles. Iâve got the athletic build, which means a lot of energy to spare. And when Iâm not working out, Iâm probably... in the kitchen making all the mistakes with cooking. And thatâs actually a good thing! Because youâ" he pointed at her, "You can be the queen of the kitchen, living out your baking dreams while I try not to set the stove on fire. My kitchen? Practically untouched, new condition. You can take over anytime."
Anja rolled her eyes, but she wasnât ready for what came next. Jack, still grinning, suddenly pulled his shirt up slightly to expose a well-defined set of abs. His muscles flexed with a little extra dramatic flair. "See this?" He flexed again, holding the pose for a moment. "Hard work, dedication... and honestly, a whole lot of charm. You canât argue with that, right?"
Anja froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. She stood there for a moment, trying to process what she was seeing, before rushing to Jack. Kneeling beside him, she reached for his shirt, fingers scrambling to grab the fabric. She shot him a look of shock. âOh my God, Jack, put it down! This is insane.â She yanked at his shirt, but Jack grabbed her wrist. His grip was unshakable, and he used his position on the ground to keep her from pulling away.
He moved closer, a glint of mischief in his eyes, clearly enjoying every moment of his act. âIâm just proving a point. Iâm the full package, Anjaâathletic, a manwhore, experienced, and a terrible cook. The perfect guy to have fun!â
Anja gave him a look that was half disbelief, half amusementâas if saying, "Even you donât believe this." She tried to pull her hand away, but Jack kept his grip tight, holding her wrist steady as his grin grew wider.
Jack shrugged, unfazed by the situation. âAlright, alright, maybe my geographyâs a little off. But hereâs the deal: You get to be the smart one with all the answers, and Iâll just nod and smile while you school me. Itâll be your showâIâm basically signing up to be your personal cheerleader. Youâre the brains, Iâll be the brawn. Need a little backup? Iâm your guy.â
Anja shot him a pointed, exasperated look, surprised but slightly amused as he kept his hold on her wrist. âSo, Anja, what do you think? Iâm the full packageâfun, rich, athletic, kind, supportive, and amazing. What more could you possibly want?â
Despite herself, Anja laughed, though she fought to hold her composure. âThis is the worst pitch Iâve ever heard in my life, Jack. Seriously, put your shirt down already.â
But Jack didnât move an inch. "You know you want to. Iâm practically giving you the world here. I can be your support, your personal cheerleader. Youâll be the brains of the relationship, and Iâllâ"
"âBe the âmuscles,â right?" Anja interrupted, raising an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smirk.
"Exactly! I'll be your biggest fan, always backing you up. And hey, Iâm probably the best at making people laugh too.â
Anja couldnât help but stare at himâthis insufferably stubborn, over-the-top guyâand, much to her own surprise, found herself laughing again. âHughes, youâre a complete idiot. But fine,â she sighed, shaking her head, âIâll give it to youâyouâve got muscles... and, I guess that counts for something?â
Jack shot her a wink. âOh, it counts for everything, Anja. Everything. So, what do you say? One coffee, no weirdness?â
Anja hesitated, still gripping his shirt, then let out a long sigh. "Fine. One coffee. But just so we're clear, Hughesâthis is strictly a friend thing. No boyfriend talk. Iâm not looking for anything, and I definitely canât handle you as my boyfriend.â
Jack released her wrist, smoothing out his shirt, his grin still in place but with a spark of mischief in his eyes. âDeal. Iâll settle for the friend date. A desperate man takes what he can get.â
Anja rolled her eyes, half amused. "Just... no flexing, alright?"
Jack chuckled, giving her a mock salute. âAlright, alrightâI'll behave.â
âÂ
And Jack wasn't lying, about him being on his good behaviour.
He pulled up in his sleek car just as Anja finished her shift a couple days later. The neon lights of the coffee shop flickering behind her. She stepped out into the crisp evening air, shaking off the exhaustion of her shift, her apron swapped for a simple jacket. Jack leaned over from the driverâs seat, his grin wide, like a cat whoâd just caught its prey.
âReady for our coffee date, Anja?â
Anja rolled her eyes dramatically as she slid into the car, amusement flickering across her face.âItâs a friend date, Jack,â she corrected, her voice dripping with mock annoyance. âAnd whatâs the plan? Where are we going?â
Jackâs grin widened. âWell, about thatâŠâ He gestured toward the empty streets. âItâs a bit late, and all the normal coffee shops are closed. But donât worry, Iâve got a backup plan.â
Anja raised an eyebrow.âYeh that's what Iâm afraid of.â
âNo, no. Youâll love this. Trust me.âJack chuckled.Â
A few minutes later, they pulled up to an old, charming bookstore that looked like it belonged in another eraâwarm light spilling from its windows, a glowing sign that read Open 24 Hours. It had the kind of inviting presence that made you want to step inside and stay awhile.
Jack parked and motioned for Anja to follow him in.
âThis is⊠a bookstore?â she asked, her tone laced with skepticism but also curiosity. As she stepped through the door, the scent of old pages and freshly brewed coffee wrapped around her like a comforting embrace.
âNot just any bookstore,â he said, his tone teasing. âItâs got a coffee shop inside. And pastries. Perfect place for a late-night coffee date, if you ask me.â Jack flashed a smirk, leading her toward the back. âAnd you thought Iâve never read a book in my entire lifeâguess Iâll just have to prove you wrong.â
Anja smiled sweetly, shaking her head as she followed him. âYouâre ridiculous, you know that?â
âNot ridiculous. Creative,â Jack corrected with a grin.Â
Inside, a barista was still serving warm drinks to a couple of late-night readers, the soft hum of conversation blending seamlessly with the crackling of an old record playing in the background. Cozy armchairs and beanbags were scattered throughout the room, creating an intimate, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Anja glanced around, taking it all in. The soft lighting, the inviting scent of coffee and something sweetâchocolate, maybeâit all made the space feel like a quiet little world of its own. A place where time didnât feel so urgent. âOkay⊠Iâll admit, this is actually kind of nice. Cozy, even.â
Jack flopped onto a nearby beanbag, a self-satisfied grin on his face. âSee? You canât always judge a book by its cover.â
Anja groaned. âYouâve been in prime form tonight, havenât you?â
âHey, Iâve got plenty more where that came from,â he shot back, flashing her another confident smile.
He studied her for a moment before speaking again, his tone softer. âWhat if we swap coffee for hot chocolate instead?â His playful edge had slipped away a little. âFigured something warm and sweet might be better this late.â
Anja raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden thoughtfulness. âHmm, actually, that sounds really good. It is too late for coffee, and I could use a decent nightâs sleep for once.â
Jackâs smile deepened, satisfied with her answer. âGood choice,â he said with a wink before heading to the counter.
When he came back, he wasnât just carrying hot chocolate. Along with the two steaming mugs, he had a plate of warm pastries, their flaky layers golden and crisp. He set everything on the small coffee table between their beanbags, the sweet smell of cocoa and butter filling the air. Something about the simple gestureâjust them, the warmth, the foodâmade the moment feel unexpectedly intimate.
Anja dropped her coat to the floor and sank into her beanbag, letting out a soft sigh as she got comfortable. Everything about this night felt softer, easier than sheâd expected.
âI really wasnât expecting this⊠but itâs nice.â She reached for her mug, glancing at him. âJust donât let the compliment go to your head.â
Jack smirked as he leaned back, his eyes gleaming with amusement. âNo promises.â He picked up a pastry and held it out to her. "I figured you'd appreciate a little something sweet to go with the moment."
Anja hesitated for only a second before taking the pastry. As she bit into it, the warm layers melted on her tongue, and she let out an involuntary hum of satisfaction.
âOkay,â she admitted, taking another bite. âYouâre definitely not wrong about this.â
Jack watched her, the sound of her hum catching him off guard, a hint of something shifting in his chest.
As they sipped their hot chocolate the cafĂ© around them felt like its own little worldâsoft lighting, the distant murmur of pages turning, the quiet clinking of mugs against saucers.
Anja curled deeper into her beanbag, fingers wrapped around her mug, letting its warmth seep into her hands. Jack stretched out in his seat, looking just as content, his usual energy softened.
When they finished, Jack set his mug down with a satisfied sigh and shot Anja a look. Then, without warning, he reached for her hand and pulled her up.
âAlright, letâs go,â he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Anja blinked. âGo where?â
He gestured toward the shelves. âYou canât just sit in a bookstore cafĂ© and not browse. Thatâs practically a crime.â
She huffed a laugh but let him lead her toward the towering bookshelves. As they wandered through the aisles, Anja ran her fingers over worn spines, occasionally picking up a book to flip through. Jack did the same, moving ahead of her, plucking books off the shelves without much thought.
At first, she didnât pay much attention to his choicesâuntil she caught a glimpse of the titles in his hands. The Odyssey. Moby Dick. War and Peace.
âYouâve got to be kidding me,â she said, staring at him like heâd just grown a second head. âWar and Peace? Really?â
Jack raised an eyebrow, totally unbothered. âWhat? Iâve got layers, Anja. I like to read, too. Not geography books, as you already know, but serious stuff. Might surprise you.â
Anja let out a laugh, shaking her head. âYou? The manwhore of the hockey world? Reading Tolstoy? I thought you were too busy with girls and hockey to have time for this kind of thing.â
Jack smirked, holding up the book like it was a trophy. âHa ha, really funny.â He shot her a look, clearly not offended. âIâll have you know, girls and hockey are not the only things in my brain.â
Anja scoffed, reaching out to snatch the book from his hands. She flipped it open, skimming a few pages before looking back up at him, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief.
âYou actually read this?â she asked, holding up War and Peace like it was a foreign artifact. âNot just for, like, show?â
Jack placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. âWow. Zero faith in me.â
She narrowed her eyes at him, flipping through the pages. âAlright, prove it. Whoâs your favorite character?â
Without missing a beat, Jack smirked. âAndrei Bolkonsky.â
Anja froze for a second, looking up from the pages, clearly thrown. âWait, really? Youâre an Andrei guy?â
Jack nodded, his expression dead serious. âWhat? You thought Iâd say Pierre?â
âYES,â she said immediately. âPierreâs the obvious choice. Heâs way more... interesting.â
âInteresting? Pierreâs a hot mess for like, 90% of the book. The guy spends half his time getting lost, getting into trouble, and overthinking everything.â
Anja shot him a teasing glance. âExactly. Thatâs what makes him interesting! Heâs awkward, searching for meaning... vulnerable.â
Jack laughed, leaning closer to her. âVulnerable? Or just indecisive? The guy canât make a choice without spiraling.â
âThatâs the whole point. Heâs human. Complex.â She poked Jackâs chest with a finger, her eyes gleaming with passion as she leaned in just slightly, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.
Jack moved closer to her, crossing his arms. âIâm sorry, but Pierreâs a disaster. Andrei knows who he is. Heâs a leader, a soldier, a guy who gets things done. Thatâs why I like him.â
âOh, please,â Anja scoffed, rolling her eyes. âAndreiâs the epitome of a brooding, pretentious sad boy. He spends the entire book sulking, acting like everyone else is beneath him.â She paused, a sly grin spreading across her face as if sheâd just had a sudden realization. âHmm, sounds kind of familiar, actually.â
Jack raised an eyebrow, a wide smile creeping onto his lips. âAre you calling me brooding and pretentious?â
Anja held his gaze for a beat, then shook her head. âNot exactly. But yeah, that sounds like youâat least the pretentious part. Youâre not really the brooding type. Youâre way too cocky for that. But I can definitely see some Andrei in you.â
Jack chuckled, a small spark flickering in his chest. He couldnât help but like a woman who had both a strong opinion and a sharp mind. âIâm confident, not pretentious. Thereâs a difference. Andreiâs got his life togetherâhe knows what he wants, he has standards, and he doesnât just drift through life hoping things will work out. You canât say the same about Pierre. That guy spends half the book lost in his own head, making bad decisions, and hoping the universe sorts it out for him. Andrei? He takes charge. If thatâs who youâre comparing me to, Iâll take it.â
Anja shook her head, amused. âNot just that. Andreiâs just a ticking time bomb. All that âdutyâ and âhonorâ... Itâs like a mask he hides behind to avoid facing his own mess. You probably like him because, letâs face it, heâs a little bit like you in that sense as well.â
âMe? A mess? Iâm hurt.â Jack let out a dramatic gasp.
Anja shrugged, a wicked grin playing on her lips. âDonât act like itâs not true. Youâre just like him. A little too obsessed with being âthe guy whoâs got it all together.ââ
Jack smirked, shifting his weight casually as he placed Moby Dick back on the shelf next to them. âAndreiâs confident. Iâm confident. So, Iâll take that as a compliment.â
Anja raised her eyebrows. âSure. Keep telling yourself that. But at least Pierre learns. He grows. Andrei? He just spends the whole book whining untilâwell, spoiler alert, he dies.â
Jack threw his hands up in mock disbelief, eyes wide. âOuch. Ruthless. The guy goes through war, heartbreak, and personal tragedy, and you justââ He waved his hand dramatically. âDone. No sympathy?â
Anja grinned, flipping the book shut with a decisive motion. âNot my fault Tolstoy made him insufferable. I stand by Pierre.â
Jack looked at her, laughing in disbelief. âI canât believe you read War and Peace and took Pierreâs side.â
Anja shot him a playful side-eye. âOh yeah? You read it and picked Andrei. Weâre clearly both making questionable decisions here.â
âI guess we canât buddy-read Tolstoy together, huh?â Jack chuckled, shaking his head.
Anja crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. âGood. Iâd hate to have to explain everything to you.â
âUnbelievable.â Jack let out an exaggerated sigh, while he tucked War and Peace under his arm again, giving her a teasing look. âAlright, book snob. Since you clearly think you know everything, whatâs next? Are you going to try to convince me that Anna Kareninaâs actions were justified?â
Anja gasped, eyes widening. âJack. Donât even start.â
Shaking her head, Anja grabbed a couple of books from the shelf, and Jack did the same. With their newfound selections in hand, they made their way back to their cozy beanbags. They settled in, the quiet rustle of pages filling the space between them.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Jack flipped through War and Peace, skimming familiar passages, while Anja lost herself in a biography of one of her favorite artists. The playful banter from earlier still lingered in her mind, but as she snuck a glance at Jack, something about the way he was fully immersed in his book made her pause.
She watched him for a moment, her smile softening. There was something oddly sincere about him like thisâquiet, focused, different from the cocky, fast-talking guy she was so used to.
âHuh,â she murmured, more to herself than anything. âGuess I underestimated you, Jack.â
Jack didnât look up immediately, but a slow, lazy smirk spread across his face. âIt happens,â he said, finally meeting her gaze. âDonât worry, Iâm used to it.â
Anja rolled her eyes, but there was no real bite to it. She turned her attention back to her book, trying to focus. But every now and then, she found herself glancing upâwatching as Jack absentmindedly ran a thumb over the edge of the pages, completely absorbed in his book.
Anja took a deep breath, smiling to herself as she sank deeper into the beanbag. Maybe Jack Hughes wasnât just a pretty face after all. And maybe, just maybe, this friend date wasnât so bad after all.
â
Weeks passed, and what started as a single friend date grew into something neither of them had quite expected. Something real and deeper. Jack started showing up at the coffee shop every day after practice, sometimes before games, sometimes after. Heâd slip in quietly, pulling his hood up, and find a corner table by the window. And there heâd stay, right where Anja could see him. It was like a routine now, something familiar and comforting.
Heâd sit there, watching her work, the steady hum of the cafĂ© filling the space between them as he lazily flipped through a book. On quieter days, when Anja wasnât rushing from table to table, Jack would start talkingâabout hockey, the latest game, or whatever TV show had caught his attention. Their conversations stretched beyond the usual small talk. They argued about politics, books, their childhood, even their biggest fears. Jack was always challenging the way she thought about things, pushing her to question what she believed. And though it sometimes annoyed her, Anja couldnât deny that she actually enjoyed it.
She began to appreciate the complexity in him, the layers behind the cocky smile and careless attitude. It wasnât just the light teasing that made her laugh. It was the way he could discuss some silly tv show one minute and then dive into a heated debate about the latest political news the next. And sometimes, when their conversations would die down, Jack would pull out a book, burying himself in it while Anja went about her work. Theyâd fall into a comfortable silence, the kind only true friends could share.
More and more, Anja found herself looking forward to seeing Jack walk in. There was something about him that made everything feel a little more relaxed.
It wasnât long before their friendship spilled over into texts. Casual check-ins after games, long messages about something that had made them laugh, or a random book recommendation. Anja, to her own surprise, found herself enjoying it. Sheâd thought it would be strange, having Jackâs name constantly flashing on her phone, but it wasnât. It was⊠nice. She wasnât sure when the shift happened, but somewhere between the books theyâd shared, the heated debates, and the quiet moments spent together, Jack had become a friend in a way she hadnât expected.
And now, as she glanced over at him, sitting in his usual spot, flipping through pages of Inferno by Dante, she couldnât help but smile.Â
Then, as she turned to take an order at the counter, she heard laughter from across the cafĂ©. She didnât even need to look to know what was happening. Jack, as usual, had charmed a group of older ladies sitting near the pastry case.
âOh, come on, Marge,â he said, grinning at one of them as he leaned casually on the counter. âYou canât tell me you werenât a heartbreaker back in the day. I bet you had all the boys lined up.â
Marge, a widow in her seventies who came in every morning with her two best friends, waved him off with a playful scoff. âOh, hush, you flirt. Youâre just trying to sweet-talk me into buying you a cookie.â
Jack gasped dramatically, but his confident smile was still on his face. âMarge, I would never!â
Anja, overhearing the entire exchange as she filled a coffee cup, triedâand failedâto stifle a laugh. She bit her lip, shaking her head as Jack continued his antics, effortlessly charming the older women like he was born to do it.
But then, when his gaze flickered back to Anja, something changed. The easy, flirtatious grin softened. His shoulders relaxed. He still had that effortless confidence, that natural charm, but when it was just the two of them, it was different. He didnât need to perform. He let Anja see something deeperâsomething quieter, more thoughtful.
She walked past his table, setting down a fresh cup of coffee without him even asking. âYouâre ridiculous, you know that?â she murmured, shaking her head.
Jack just smirked up at her, his voice dropping into something softer, something just for her. âYeah, but you like it.â
Anja rolled her eyes, but she didnât argue. Because maybe, just maybe, he was right.
âÂ
Jack hated these nights.
Another brutal loss. Another night of feeling like the weight of the entire team was sitting on his chest. With Nico out, the pressure had been on him to step up, to push the team to a win. And he tried. He fucking tried. But it wasnât happening.
And to make matters worse, the apartment wasnât exactly peaceful.
A muffled whimper filtered through the wall. Then another. ThenâJesus Christ.
Jack clenched his jaw and rolled onto his stomach, shoving his pillow over his head as if that would help. Spoiler: it didnât.
Luke and Thea were home. And happy. And apparently, they had absolutely no concept of thin walls.
And maybe Jack was just being petty, but it was hard not to feel... left out. Especially when he remembered how heâd been on with Anja these past few weeks.
Jack had never experienced a true friendship with a woman, but Anja was different. From the start, she made it clear that she only saw him as a friendâand that was fine with him. At first, he struggled to accept it, but over time, things shifted. They grew closer, spending hours together, laughing, talking, and sharing moments. Jack found himself explaining the New Jersey Devils to herâa tough task, especially since she was a Bruins fan and knew next to nothing about his team. Patience wasnât his strong suit, and the fact that she didnât seem to care made it even harder to keep his cool. Still, he couldnât help but respect that she wasnât one of those girls who swooned over him. It was... refreshing.
But still... there were nights, like tonight, when it hit him.
He couldnât deny itâhe was drawn to her. He loved their friendship, no question, but deep down, there was always that something more. That unspoken tension, simmering just beneath the surface, waiting to be acknowledged. He wasnât ready to face it. Jack didnât do love. It was just sexual tension, he told himself. It couldnât be anything more. After all, Anja was a beautiful, young woman, and he was a ridiculously good-looking athlete. Of course, they had chemistry. But thatâs all it was.Â
And then there were nights like this, where his mind wandered off course, and instead of texting herâbecause that would be weirdâhe went back to his old habits. Hook-ups. Quick distractions. Just something to get his mind off things.
So, he picked up his phone and fired off a few texts. It was easier this way, he told himself.Â
It wasnât like he wanted anything serious with anyone else. He wasnât looking for that. But sometimes, he just needed a reminder that he could still get attention from people. He still had that pull. Even if Anja didnât feel the same way.
He knew what he was doing wasnât exactly healthy. But it was easier than dealing with the things that really mattered.
Five weeks since heâd met her. Four weeks since she had completely turned his world upside down. But that wasnât her fault. He was the one who couldnât seem to figure things out.
His phone buzzed almost immediately. But it wasnât the message he was expecting.
A: Hey, Prince Charming.
Jack smirked, running a hand through his hair as he read the text. The nickname had started after their first friend date, when sheâd looked at him with that amused glint in her eye and said he reminded her of a fairytale princeâall looks, maybe not completely dumb, but letâs be honest, not that smart either. He shouldâve been offended, but for some reason, he fucking loved it when she called him that.
Another buzz.
A: So, that was a really shitty game. You sucked today.
Jack barked out a laugh. Jesus. He loved that this woman didnât hold back. Everyone else always tried to phrase it in a way that wouldn't bruise his ego. Not Anja. She came at him full force.
J: Wow. Donât hold back or anything.
A: I donât do sugarcoating. You were bad. Like, painfully bad.
J: Yeah, yeah. I know. Thanks for the reminder.
A: Anytime, Hughes.
Jack shook his head, still smiling as he stared at the screen. His other textsâthe ones heâd sent out looking for a distractionâwere sitting there, unread. He didnât even feel like checking them anymore. Instead, he rolled onto his side, typing out another response.
J: So what, you just text me to roast me, or are you actually gonna make me feel better?
A: Oh, I was getting there. Youâre a disaster, but at least youâre a pretty disaster.
J: Pretty disaster, huh? Wow, really boosting my confidence here.
Jack rolled his eyes, but a small smile spread across his face.
A: Youâre welcome. Itâs the least I can do. You looked so sad out there today, I felt bad for you.
J: I donât need pity. I need sleep.
He ran a hand through his hair, irritation creeping back in. The game had been brutal, and now he was staring at the ceiling again, the exhaustion weighing on him. Tomorrowâs practice would be hell if he didnât get some sleep. His body was already aching from the game, and now this.
A: Oh, so now you want sympathy? Make up your mind, Hughes.
J: Iâm just saying, Iâm exhausted. And Iâve got thin walls hereâLuke and Thea are having the time of their life, and I canât escape it. Iâve tried everything. Nothing works.
A: Ah, poor thing. Just not jealous?
J: Trust me, the last thing I want to do right now is stick my dick in anybody. I donât even know how Lukey does it. Guess being young helps⊠Maybe Thea was right about that stamina thing...
A: Jesus Jack! You really donât have a filter. TMI! ButâŠWell⊠I mean, if you need a place to crash, my couch is always available.
J: Wait, seriously?
Jack paused, blinking at his phone. He wasnât sure if she was being sarcastic or serious. But there was a part of him that was already considering it. He couldnât remember the last time heâd had a night to himself that didnât end with him staring at the ceiling.
A: Yeah, Iâm serious. Weâre friends. Even if this is painful for me to admit. And I live basically 10 minutes from you. Just come over.
J: âŠWait, you actually want me to crash at your place?
A: Just donât make me regret this, Prince Charming!
Jack chuckled. This⊠this was definitely unexpected.
J: Alright, fine. Iâll take you up on the offer. Thanks, Anja!
â
Jack stepped into Anjaâs apartment, every muscle in his body groaning in protest.
His legs ached from the game, his mind was a chaotic mess, but right now, all he could think about was sleep. Real sleep. Not the restless, half-conscious tossing and turning that had been his last few nights. He needed to crashâhard.
And then he saw her.
Anja stood in the soft glow of the apartment, wearing loose, dark pajamas, her hair twisted up in a messy bun. No makeup, no effortâjust her. Effortlessly beautiful, untouched by the outside world.
Jackâs brain stalled for a second.
How the hell was she this attractive without even trying?
He shook the thought away. It was exhaustion, right? Had to be. She was just⊠Anja. He was too damn tired to think straight.
So, Jack did what any man on the brink of collapse would doâhe went straight for the bed, flopping face-first onto the mattress without asking.
Behind him, Anja leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. âYou know the rules. Couch.â
Jack groaned into the pillow. âAnja. Please. My body is broken. My soul is hanging by a thread. And that couch? That couch is where souls go to die.â
Anja snorted. âYouâll survive.â
Jack rolled onto his side, his eyes heavy with tiredness, but he still managed to give her a slow, teasing glance. "Youâre seriously gonna make me crash out there when thereâs a whole king-sized bed right here?" He patted the mattress like it was the most inviting thing in the world. "Come on, thatâs practically a crime against humanity."
Anja lifted an unimpressed eyebrow. âYou are humanityâs crime.â
Jack grinned. âThank you.â
She sighed, rubbing her temple like she was already regretting every life decision that had led to this moment.
Jack pushed himself up onto his elbows. âAlright. Letâs make a deal. Iâll do anything. Literally anything. Name it.â
Anja smirked. âAnything?â
Jack nodded solemnly.
âI wantââ she paused for dramatic effect ââa New York Rangers jersey.â
Jackâs face twisted in disbelief. âOkay, thatâs just plain evil, darling.â
Anja smirked, knowing full well how much Jack loathed the Rangers. Her hockey knowledge was avarage, but she was well aware of the hostility between Jackâs team and their biggest rival.
Jack exhaled in frustration, rubbing a hand over his face. âAlright, new offer: Iâll make you breakfast.â
Anja let out a short laugh. âYou canât cook, Jacky. Thatâs basically a threat, not an offer.â
âIncorrect,â Jack said, giving her a playful look as he pointed at her.âI can cook. I just choose not to.â
Anja stared at him, unamused.
âOkay, fine,â Jack groaned, his hands raised in mock surrender. âI can make breakfast. Still counts.â
âThatâs just eggs. And even those are awful,â Anja remarked dryly.
Jack shrugged his shoulders. âHey, still technically breakfast.â
âAnja,â he said, voice grave. âI am a man at his lowest. My body is failing me, my will to live is fading, and youââ he pointed dramatically at her ââhave the power to save me.â
Anja blinked at him, unimpressed. âYou are so dramatic.â
Jack pressed a hand to his chest. âI prefer passionate.â
She rolled her eyes again, exhaling like this whole act was physically draining her, and for a second, Jack thought she was going to send him to the couch anyway. But then she let out a long, resigned sigh, shaking her head like she already regretted it.
âOne night,â she said, pointing at him sharply. âAnd no funny business.â
Jack shot up like heâd just been given a second lease on life, already pulling off his hoodie as he practically dove under the covers. âYou wonât even know Iâm here.â
Anja muttered something under her breath about regretting this already, flicking off the light as she climbed into bed beside him.
Jack exhaled as his body sank into the mattress, tension bleeding from his muscles. But just as his brain started to shut down, he caught itâher scent.
That unmistakable mix of orange and peppermint.
It was everywhere. In the sheets, in the pillows, in the air itself, wrapping around him and settling into his skin like a slow, creeping warmth he hadnât been expecting.
His body relaxed instantly, but his mind? His mind did the opposite.
He wasnât sure why this felt different. Why she felt different. Why, after all the nights spent in beds that werenât his, thisâlying next to Anja, stealing her blankets, breathing in the scent of orange and peppermintâwas the only thing that had ever felt right.
He hated how much he liked it.
Jack turned his head toward her, voice low, teasing. âYou know, if you let me stay in this bed again, Iâll compose an original poem just for you.â
Anja groaned. âShut up, Hughes!â
Jack grinned. âA sonnet, actually. Or maybe a haikuâshort and sweet. You know, something likeââ He cleared his throat, pretending to get serious before continuing, âShall I compare thee toââ
Anja rolled over, cutting him off by slapping a hand over his mouth.
âEnough,â she murmured, her voice light but warm, with a hint of something almost... hesitant.
Jack blinked up at her, his lips still pressed against her palm. The room felt different all of a sudden, as if the air had thickened. Maybe it was exhaustion, or maybe something else entirely, but the shift between them was unmistakable.
Neither of them moved for a moment.
Jack could feel the heat of her skin against his face, and saw how her breathing slowed just a fraction, like she had only just realized how close they were. He should say something, crack a joke, break the silence. But for once, he didnât.
And thenâbecause he was Jackâhe wiggled his eyebrows.
Anja blinked at him, like she was snapping out of a daze, and pulled her hand away, rolling onto her side. âYouâre such a pain.â
Jack chuckled, stealing half the blanket. âAnd yet, here I am, still in this bed.â
Anja rolled her eyes, pulling her blanket back. âYouâre lucky Iâm not making you sleep on the couch. And honestly, how do you know what a haiku is? You didnât even know that Germany and Switzerland were two different countries.â
Jack groaned, but the smile never left his face. He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head slightly. âIâm misunderstood,â he muttered, like he was truly burdened by it.
Anja laughed softly, the sound light and warm in the dim room. âYeah, the real mystery, Jack Hughes. Youâre dumb enough to confuse countries, but youâre cultured enough to drop haiku on me.â
âHey,â Jack said, lifting his head and squinting at her with a playful grin, âIâm a complex man. Who loves literature.â
She rolled her eyes once more, but a smile played at the corners of her lips. âAnd thatâs exactly what makes you so damn annoying.â
Jack smirked, sinking back into the pillows. âGlad to see you recognize my complexity.â
Anja sighed, still facing away, though Jack could feel the faint shake of her shoulders as she tried to stifle a laugh. âYou really think youâve won, donât you?â
Jack relaxed into the bed, the warmth of her body and the soft sound of her laughter soothing him. âOh, I know I have.â
Anja scoffed, but Jack could hear the smile in her voice. âEnjoy it while it lasts.â
Jack smirked, his eyes fluttering closed. âOh, I will.â
â
Jack sat at the kitchen table, staring down at his coffee like it owed him money. His head was pounding, and the goddamn world seemed way too fucking chipper for his liking. His body was sore as hell from practice, but it was nothing compared to the frustration buzzing through his brain.
âYouâre a ray of sunshine today, Jacky,â Thea chirped as she walked in, pressing a kiss to Lukeâs head. Of course, Luke had to shoot her a goofy grin, like he was a damn golden retriever. Ugh. Disgusting.
âShut up, pedo,â Jack mumbled, trying to sip his coffee without gagging. He didnât care if his tone was off. He wasnât here for their bullshit today.
Luke rolled his eyes, totally unfazed. âWhat the hell happened to you, man? You were all full of energy this morningâlike, bouncing off the wallsâand now you're just... this.â He gestured at Jack, who was hunched over the table like he was already dead inside.
Jack snorted, clearly not in the mood for a pep talk. âMaybe Iâm just tired of people asking me why Iâm an asshole. Get a new hobby.â
Yeah, Luke was right. He knew that. But honestly? He had way bigger problems right now. Like, Anja.
This morning had started off like some cheesy rom-com, and Jack was seriously starting to panic about it. He woke up, and there she wasâher small, warm body tangled up in his, all soft and perfect. For a split second, he actually thought about kissing herâmaybe snuggling, maybe even making her coffee. What the hell? When had he become the type of guy who fantasized about making coffee for someone? What was next, brunch? Fucking brunch?!
But, of course, it wasnât until he was changing out of his hockey gear, post-practice, that he realized what a weird thought that was. He wasnât exactly known for catching on to things quickly. He knew his flaws. But here he was, practically having a meltdown over the idea of wanting to snuggle.
And the worst part? The morning had been way too perfect for his comfort. Like, Anja didnât even make the cuddling weird. Which, on any other day, would be a blessing. But now? He was thinking about herâand not in a âsheâs a cool, funny friendâ way. No, this was different. This was âI just woke up in her bed and Iâm wondering if we should get matching coffee mugsâ levels of insane.
Theyâd woken up, did the lazy morning cuddle thingâbecause apparently, Jack had no self-controlâthen theyâd grabbed coffee. Heâd cracked a few jokes about the news, sheâd laughed like it was just another morning. And, damn it, it felt so normal. Too normal.
And then came the worst part: he kissed her on the cheek when he left. Like, a peck. And she blushed. She fucking blushed and wished him a good day like she was some picture-perfect, Hallmark-movie wife.
Did he just call her a wife? Oh, hell no. That couldnât be a thing. He wasnât ready for that.
He gulped down more coffee like it was going to fix this internal meltdown. The burn hit his chest, but the panic was still there. He had to shake it off. This was stupid. Anja was just a friendâno, not just a friend, she was a friend who he happened to share a bed with... and now apparently, his feelings? What the hell was happening to him?
Jack swore under his breath, rubbing his forehead. This wasnât him. He was the guy who had no problems keeping things casual, no strings, no feelings. But now? Now he was screwing up his own rulebook. Anja is a friendâŠjust a friend!
Jack sighed dramatically, letting his frustration hang in the air like a thick cloud. âLook, I donât know what the hell is going on, alright? But I feel like a goddamn idiot. Iâm not supposed to be thinking about this. I should be pissed about my game, but instead..." He rubbed his forehead, hoping it would somehow stop the mental chaos.
Luke, ever the observant little shit, raised an eyebrow. âSo this is about her? Anja, right?â
Jack shot him a look that couldâve melted steel. âWell, no, Iâm talking about the weather, Luke. Of course itâs about Anja. Who else would it be?â He paused, thenâBAMâhis brain hit him with a sudden revelation. Wait a secondâthis was actually Lukeâs fault. âActually, this is your fault, you know. If you and Thea werenât busy mating like a pair of rabbits, I wouldnât have had to leave the house yesterday!â
Lukeâs smirk was already five miles wide. âMan, just admit it. Youâre into her. Youâre all mopey and pissy because youâve got no idea what to do with it.â
Jack glared at him like he just insulted his entire existence. âFuck off. I donât do feelings. And I sure as hell donât do snuggling.â
He immediately slapped his hand over his mouth, realizing he'd maybe over-shared just a bit.
Thea grabbed an apple from the fridge and plopped herself down on Lukeâs lap âSnuggling? Snuggling? Oh, Jack, you are so gone.â She bit into the apple dramatically, her eyes dancing with mischief.
âYou sure about that âno snuggleâ rule?âLuke teased, clearly enjoying the moment, as he lightly traced circles on Thea's exposed hip.
âOh, Luke, do you remember what Jack said to Quinn?â Thea tilted her head, changing her voice to mock Jack. ââWho said anything about it âmeaningâ anything? Iâm just here for the ride, bro.ââ She smirked. âI canât believe Iâm hearing this from you.â
Jack groaned. âOh, God, please, feel free to enjoy my suffering. Itâs what youâre best at.â
Thea clutched her chest like she was watching the best drama unfold right in front of her. âOh, Iâm living for this. You know, those moments that are so painfully awkward and secondhand embarrassing that they keep you entertained for weeks? Jack Hughes falling in loveânow thatâs the kind of content Iâll be replaying in my head forever.â
Jack shot her a glare. He knew exactly what she was referencing. That was his lineâthe same one he threw at Thea when he caught her sneaking out of Lukeâs room. Yeah, maybe heâd been a little too smug about it at the time. And sure, he knew sheâd get her revenge eventually.
But honestly? Making his brother and his date uncomfortable had been way too much fun.
Jack would love to say heâd learned his lesson.
But he was way too much of an asshole for that.
âYeah, yeah, enjoy every moment of this,â Jack grumbled, grabbing the last of his coffee and standing up. âBecause this will be short. Iâm just gonna figure my shit out. No more cuddling, no more kissing her on the cheek like Iâm some goddamn romantic. Iâm not built for this.â He slammed his mug down with a little more force than necessary. âIâll find some random girl tonight, bang her, and get over this. Problem solved.â
Luke just shook his head, his curly hair bouncing with the motion, falling in soft waves across his forehead. âYou know youâre not fooling anyone, right?â
Jack shot him an icy glare. âShut up, Mr. Pedo Lover.â He practically growled as he stomped over to the sink, banging the mug down.
Thea and Luke exchanged a look, their smiles knowing. They didnât even need to say anything, and it pissed Jack off even more. He muttered under his breath as he turned to leave the kitchen, needing to get away before he said something even dumber. But in the back of his mind, his thoughts kept running. Fuck. What the hell was he even doing?
â
The music pounded through the bar, a steady, brain-numbing beat. Jack Hughes barely noticed, his attention fixed on his beer as he took a slow sip.
He was in trouble.
Not because of the game. Not because of a fight. But because, for the first time in his life, he couldnât find a single fucking woman he wanted to take home.
And that was a problem.
A huge problem.
This Sunday night was supposed to be easy. A big win finally, a few drinks, a quick fuck. No strings, no thoughts, no mess. That was the routine. That was him. And yet, here he was, staring into his beer like it held the answers to his fucked-up brain.
It was Nicoâs slap on his back that snapped him out of it.
âCome on, man! What the hellâs up with you? Youâve turned down, what? Ten girls already?â
âFour,â Jack muttered.
Nico laughed, shaking his head. âThatâs not like you, Jacky boy. You sick or something?â
Jack grunted, smacking Nicoâs hand away when he pressed it to his forehead. He took another long swig of beer, hoping the alcohol would do somethingâblur the edges, dull the noise, drown out her.
Because that was the real problem, wasnât it?
Anja.
The fucking Anja Syndrome.
Every girl, every goddamn girl, he measured against her. And every single one of them came up short.
Too blonde. Too tall. Too high-pitched. Too weird with her fucking drink.
It was bullshit.
Jack never gave a shit before. He didnât care if they were tall or short, blonde or brunette. If they had a body and were willing, that was enough. And yeah, he knew that made him sound like a dick, but he was 23, a pro athlete, and heâd be an idiot not to enjoy the perks.
So why the fuck was he sitting here, empty-handed, second-guessing his entire goddamn existence?
âCome on, Jack,â Bas nudged him, nodding toward the bar. âThat little blonde has been eye-fucking you all night. Give her some mercy.â
Jack glanced over.
Petite. A little too skinny, but she had pretty greenish-brown eyes and a face guys would probably call âcute.â She was fine.
She should be perfect.
But she wasnât her.
Oh, fuck off.
No more of this shit.
This girl was hot, and she was ready to go. She was exactly what he needed to snap himself out of this bullshit.
âPerfect,â Jack muttered. Ignoring his teammatesâ laughter, he downed the rest of his beer and pushed himself to his feet.
With long, confident strides, he crossed the bar, slipping back into the guy he used to beâthe one who didnât overthink, didnât feel. He flashed his best smirk, the one that melted panties before he even said a word.
âHey, gorgeous,â he drawled, voice dropping into that low, rough tone that always did the trick.
The girl beamed. âHey! Took you long enough.â She giggled, the sound high and grating.
Jack forced a smirk. âYou know how it isâcanât ditch the team right away.â
He didnât care about the small talk.
Didnât want it.
He just needed this to work.
âSo⊠wanna head to the back with me?â He made sure his tone left no room for misinterpretation.
The girlâs eyes sparkled. âOf course.â
That was all he needed.
He took her wrist, weaving through the crowd until they reached the back exit. Heâd spotted the terrace earlierâquiet, dim, completely empty. Perfect for what he needed.
And the second the terrace door swung shut behind them, Jack wasted no time.
He grabbed the girl by the waist, pulling her flush against him, his mouth crashing onto hers with a force that had always been enough. His hands slid down her back, gripping, squeezing, searching for that familiar sparkâthat fire that always ignited the second he got a girl alone.
But nothing came.
Not even a flicker.
The girl moaned into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair, pressing herself against him like she wanted to be devoured. It should have been hot. It should have sent a jolt straight to his dick, setting off that automatic chain reaction his body had perfected over the years.
But there was nothing.
Nothing except a creeping, cold frustration curling in his gut.
No. No, this was just in his head. He needed to push through it. He could push through it.
Jack deepened the kiss, tilting her head back as his hands roamed lower, his body pressing her into the brick wall behind them. He rolled his hips forward, desperate for his body to wake the fuck up, desperate for the heat to kick in, for the hunger to return.
Still nothing.
His pulse poundedânot with arousal, but with something dangerously close to panic.
What the fuck was happening to him?
The girl let out a high-pitched giggle, threading her fingers down his chest, her nails scraping against his shirt as she reached for his belt.
"Let me take care of you," she whispered, voice dripping with suggestion.
Jack flinched.
His stomach turned.
It wasnât her voice.
It wasnât her hands.
He sucked in a sharp breath, squeezing his eyes shut, willing himself to snap out of it. He could fix this. He just needed to focus.
He dropped his head to the girl's neck, trailing open-mouthed kisses down her throat, hands gripping her hips, fingers digging in. He sucked at her pulse point, dragging his teeth over her skin in the way that usually made a girl melt against him.
She gasped, arching into him, nails raking down his back.
Jack felt nothing.
His body was like a fucking corpse.
Dead.
Unresponsive.
Refusing to play along.
And then, before he could stop it, before he could shove it back down where it belongedâher face flashed in his mind.
Anja.
That smug little smirk she got when she knew she was right. The way she tilted her head when she was listening to him talk, like he was the most interesting person in the world. The fire in her eyes when she called him on his bullshit.
The way her body had felt against his that one night when they slept in the same bed.
The way heâd spent every second since aching to feel it again..
Jack froze.
His entire body locked up, his breathing sharp and erratic.
The girl noticed immediately.
"You okay?" she murmured, pressing a kiss to his jaw, hands still working at his belt. "Just relax, baby."
Jack jerked back like heâd been burned.
Baby.
She wasnât her.
She would never be her.
And for the first time in his life, that mattered.
"Fuck," Jack breathed, running a shaky hand through his hair.
The girl frowned. "What?"
He swallowed hard, his throat dry as sandpaper. "Iâ I can't. Iâ This isnât gonna happen."
Her expression flickered with confusion, then shifted into irritation. "Oh, come on. You just need a littleâ"
She reached for him again, her hand slipping down toward his belt, but Jack caught her wrist before she could get any further.
"No." His voice was firm. Sharper than he intended.
She yanked her hand back like heâd slapped her, eyes narrowing. "Seriously?" She let out a harsh laugh, crossing her arms. "What, you bring me out here just to waste my fucking time?"
Jack exhaled heavily, raking both hands through his hair. His chest felt too tight, like his ribs were closing in on his lungs.
"Youâre not her," he muttered, his voice raw, barely above a whisper. He shook his head, running a shaky hand through his hair.
"Fuck. You are not her."
And that was the problem.
Her gaze darkened with annoyance. "Oh, so it's me thatâs the problem?" She scoffed. "Classic. Maybe next time donât bite off more than you can chew, Hughes."
And with that, she spun on her heel, shoving open the terrace door and storming back into the bar.
Jack didnât move.
Couldnât.
His back hit the brick wall as he slid down, knees bent, head tipped back against the cold surface. His breaths were uneven, his entire body wound too tight, but stillânothing.
He squeezed his eyes shut, his fists clenching uselessly in his lap.
His body had never betrayed him before.
Never failed him.
And now?
Now, it was screaming the truth at him.
The truth heâd been trying to ignore for weeks.
He didnât just want Anja.
It was worse than that.
She was the only one who fucking existed.
And he was so. Completely. Fucked.
â
âShit,â he muttered to himself, still trying to make sense of what had just happened. The girl in the back. His body refusing to cooperate. The cold panic that had washed over him like a wave when he realized it wasnât just that he didnât want herâhe didnât want anyone. Not unless it was her.
Anja.
That thought hit him again. Like a sucker punch straight to the gut.
He hadnât realized how deep this shit went until now. Heâd spent weeks trying to deny it, trying to make himself believe that it was just a phase. That he could get over it. But he couldnât. He couldnât because Anja wasnât just someone he was into. She was the one. She was it.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it. His mind was too loud. He didnât want to talk to anyone else. Not right now. Not when his entire body was screaming one thing.
Her.
He reached the street and stood there for a second, trying to get his bearings. The world around him felt off-kilter. Everything looked distant, like he wasnât actually here, like he was floating in some fucked-up dream.
âFuck it,â he muttered under his breath, pulling his phone out. He tapped through his contacts and hit the taxi app without a second thought. He needed to get to her. Now.
His finger hovered over the âConfirmâ button before he pressed it without hesitation. He didnât even care if he was drunkâhe couldnât stay here, couldnât keep sitting with the fucking mess in his head.
He could already feel the buzz from the alcohol, the remnants of the beers heâd downed earlier, swirling in his blood. But it didnât matter. Nothing else mattered except getting to her.
The ride felt endless. The city lights blurred outside the cab window as he stared at his phone, willing it to stop feeling like it was vibrating in his hand. His mind kept replaying the images of Anjaâthe way she looked at him when she thought he wasnât paying attention, the sound of her voice when she laughed at his dumb jokes. God, even the way she bit her lip when she was concentrating made him want to crawl out of his skin.
By the time the taxi pulled up to her building, Jack didnât know if he was angry, frustrated, or just scared shitless. Probably all of the above.
He handed the driver a few bills without even looking at the change, already pulling the door open and stepping out before the car had even come to a full stop. He jogged up the steps of her building, his hands clammy, stomach twisted in knots.
When he reached her door, he didnât ring the doorbell. He didnât wait. He just raised his hand and banged on the wood, the sound echoing in the stillness of the hallway. He felt like he might pass out from the tension in his body, the anticipation clenching his chest tighter with every passing second.
It felt like forever before he heard the sound of footsteps. And then the door creaked open.
After a few seconds, he heard the shuffle of footsteps, and then the door cracked open to reveal a very unimpressed, very sleepy-looking Anja. Fuck she was beautiful.Â
She blinked at him. âJack?â Her voice was groggy, her hair a mess. âItâs one in the morning.â
âYeah, I know,â he said quickly. âIâI needed to talk to you.â
She sighed, rubbing her eyes. âAre you dying?â
âNo.â
âIs someone else dying?â
âNo.â
She squinted at him. âAre you drunk?â
Jack hesitated. â...A little.â
Anja let out a dramatic sigh and leaned against the doorframe. âAlright, go on then. Whatâs so important that you had to wake me up in the middle of the night?â
Jack opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then ran a hand through his hair because shit, this was harder than he thought.
âOkay, soââ He exhaled sharply. âSomething happened tonight, and I think Iâm broken.â
Anja raised an eyebrow. âBroken?â
âLike, physically broken.â He gestured vaguely to himself. âLike⊠I had a girlâa very hot girl, by the wayâpractically throwing herself at me, and nothing. Not a damn thing.â He pointed at his own chest. âMy body justâbetrayed me.â
Anja stared at him for a second. Then, to his absolute horrorâshe burst out laughing.
Like, full-on, body-shaking laughter.
Jack scowled. âOkay, rude.â
âOh my god.â She clutched the doorframe for support, laughing so hard she nearly lost her balance. âJack, I swear, if you woke me up just to tell me you couldnât get it up, Iâm slamming this door in your face.â
âItâs not about that!â Jack groaned, dragging a hand down his face. âWell, it is, but itâs also not.â He sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. âLook, I was with this girl, right? And she was perfectâlike, objectively, guys would kill to be with her. And I tried, I really triedââ
Anja snorted. âPoor girl.â
ââbut the whole time, all I could think about was you.â
That shut her up.
Anjaâs smile froze, her laughter dying in her throat.
Jack swallowed hard. âThatâs the problem, Anja. Itâs you. Youâve ruined me.â He pointed at her like she was some kind of criminal. âI used to be great at this. No thoughts, just vibes. But now? Now, I go out, I find a hot girl, I do my thingâexcept I canât do my thing, because all I can think about is how she doesnât laugh like you, or talk like you, or smell like you, orâfuck, Anjaâhell, even the way she breathed just annoyed the hell out of me.â
Anja blinked. â...The way she breathed?â
Jack threw his hands in the air. âYeah! Stupid, right?! But it mattered! And you wanna know why? Because she wasnât you.â He let out a frustrated noise, pacing in a small circle before turning back to her. âI fell, Anja. Hard. And I donât even know what the fuck to do with it, because Iâve neverââ He stopped, exhaling shakily. His voice dropped, raw and unguarded. âIâve never been in love before.â
She stared at him, eyes wide, lips parted slightly like she wasnât sure if she should laugh again or take him seriously.
Jack exhaled loudly, raking both hands through his hair. âSo, yeah. Iâm here. Iâm standing on your doorstep like a fucking idiot, telling you that Iâm gone for you. And I donât even know what I expect you to do with that information, but I couldnât not tell you, because keeping it inside was making me lose my goddamn mind.â
Silence stretched between them.
Jackâs pulse thundered in his ears as he watched Anja process everything he just blurted out like an absolute lunatic.
Then, slowly, she started smiling again.
And thenâyep, there it wasâshe was laughing again.
Jack groaned. âOh my god, Anja, Iâm baring my soul here!â
âI know,â she gasped between laughs. âThatâs what makes it so funny!â She wiped her eyes. âJack Hughes, king of hookups, showing up at my door at one in the morning to tell me heâs emotionally constipated and in love with me? This is gold.â
Jack scowled, crossing his arms. âI take it back. I donât like you anymore.â
Anja just grinned, stepping forward until she was standing right in front of him. âToo late, idiot.â
Jackâs breath hitched.
She was close now. So close that he could see the tiny freckles on her nose, the way her lips curled just slightly at the corners like she was still fighting laughter.
Then, before he could say anything else, she reached up and flicked his forehead.
âOw,â Jack muttered, rubbing the spot.
Anja smirked. âThatâs what you get for waking me up.â
And thenâfinallyâshe tugged him down by the collar of his hoodie and kissed him.
Jack froze for half a second before his brain caught up.
Then?
Then, he kissed her back.
This kiss was different. It wasnât rushed or uncertain. It wasnât a fleeting thing. This was everything heâd been missing, everything he didnât know he wanted. The warmth of her lips, the softness of her touch, and the unmistakable scent of oranges that clung to her skinâit was intoxicating. He couldnât breathe without it. Without her.
When they finally pulled apart, Anjaâs smile was wide, like sheâd just won something precious.
Jack blinked at her, heart pounding. âSo, just to clarify⊠you like me too, right? This isnât just, like, a pity kiss?â
Anja rolled her eyes, but the affection in her gaze was clear. âYes, dumbass. I like you.â
Jack let out a breath he didnât realize heâd been holding, his entire body sagging with relief. âOh, thank God.â
She laughed again, the sound like music to his ears, shaking her head as she pulled him inside.
And just like that, Jack Hughesâthe guy who swore he'd never let anyone inâwas completely, hopelessly lost.
â
It took Jack three months to finally introduce Anja to Luke and Thea. Not like he didnât want to shout it out to the world the very next morning after his drunk love confession that Anja had said yes to be his girlfriend. The thing was, saying those words had felt strange, almost surreal for Jack. He didnât remember the last time heâd had a real relationshipâmaybe back in high school? But high school felt like a lifetime ago. And back then, relationships were fleeting, brief. Nothing like what he felt for Anja.
But after meeting Anja, everything started to feel different. Jack couldnât stop thinking about how he felt when he kissed her, when she smiled at him, when they were together, just the two of them. It wasnât about sex, and that was the biggest shock to him. Every relationship heâd had before had always been tied up in physicalityâchasing the high of the next touch, the next kiss, the next night. But with Anja, things were slower. The chemistry was undeniable, but they didnât rush into anything. They took their time. And Jack was fine with that.Â
So when Jack finally brought Anja around Luke and Thea, it felt like a milestone. They immediately clicked with her and both of them could see how well Anja handled Jackâs sometimes overly confident, sassy nature. Anja, in her own calm, collected way, knew how to ground Jack. She didnât put up with his antics, but she didnât try to change him either. They balanced each other out perfectly. Jack made Anja more confident, and she made him more humble. The shift in him was noticeableâhis arrogance softened when she was around.
Things between Jack and Anja were effortless, natural. Theyâd fallen into a rhythmâhanging out with Luke and Thea, then slipping into quiet nights together. Theyâd binge-watch their favorite shows, wander around town grabbing food at random spots. But as their connection deepened, so did the tensionâthe unspoken feelings Jack wasnât ready to confront.
Anja had made it clear she wasnât in any rush, but Jack noticed a flicker of impatience in her over time. And he understood why. But for the first time in his life, he didnât want to rush things. He didnât want to mess up what they had by diving into something physical, especially after everything heâd been through. Every other relationship had been based on attraction, and theyâd all ended in disappointment. This time, he wanted something real. He wanted something that could last. He cared too much about Anja to risk ruining it.
Then came that night. After a double movie date with Luke and Thea, the evening wrapped up with everyone saying their goodbyes. Anja had laughed with Thea all nightâjoking and teasing like theyâd known each other for years. Jack watched them, captivated by how easy and natural it all was. And more than once, he found himself just staring at Anja, wondering how heâd gotten so lucky to have someone like her in his life.
As Luke and Thea headed off to their room, Anja turned to Jack, her smile soft but knowing. She stepped into his space, her body warm against his as she slid under his chin, leaning into his chest. Jackâs breath caught, his heart rate picking up. The scent of her perfume only made everything more intense.
"Hi," she said, her voice low, playful.
"Hi, baby," Jack responded, his smile matching hers, but there was something more beneath the surface. He brushed a strand of her hair from her face, his fingers grazing her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. She was up to something.
Anjaâs fingertip traced small, slow circles on his neckâlight, teasing touches that were enough to make his body respond before his mind could catch up. "So, I was thinking..." she said, her voice filled with mischief.
"Dangerous thing to do," Jack teased, his voice rougher than he intended, heat already pooling in his chest. He could feel his body weakening.
Anja giggled, hitting him lightly on the chest. "Shut up, you."
Jack grinned, but his thoughts scattered. Her touch was like fire, and it was hard to think straight with her so close.
"Can I stay the night?" she asked, her voice soft, but there was an edge to it nowâsomething more vulnerable, something Jack couldnât ignore. "Iâve missed you these last couple of days. Your scheduleâs been all over the place, and Iâve been working late shifts... Itâd be nice to just snuggle with you. You know, wake up next to you."
Jackâs brain short-circuited. The thought of waking up beside her, of having her close, overwhelmed him. Just the way she said itâher words carrying something deeperâmade his heart race. He couldnât focus on anything else. She knew exactly what she was doing. The sly smile on her lips, the gleam in her eyesâit all made it clear she wasnât just asking to stay. She was asking for something more.
Jack kissed her templeâsoft, quickâbefore answering, his voice unsteady, without thinking, âSure, Jaja. That sounds amazing.â
"Thanks, baby," she said lightly, almost singing the words. "Iâll just grab one of your T-shirts for PJs and take a quick shower."
Before Jack could even process it, Anja jumped up from his lap, leaving him sitting there alone, his mind racing. She was leaving him spinning, and he had no idea how to catch up. He tried to steady himself, but his thoughts were already scattered, caught between what he wanted and what he was afraid of.
âMinx,â Jack murmured under his breath, leaning back into the couch, running a hand through his hair. He knew exactly what she was doing, but he wasnât ready to play alongânot yet. Anja deserved more than a rushed moment while his brother and his girlfriend were just down the hall.
Still, the thought of her in his T-shirt, of her curled up beside him, made it hard to resist.
â
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to think about anything else. Hockey stats. The weather. The existential dread of taxes.
Then the bathroom door clicked open.
Jackâs head snapped up.
Anja stepped out, bathed in the soft, golden glow of the bedside lamp. Her damp hair cascaded over her shoulders, darkened from the water, strands sticking to her collarbone. His breath stalled in his chest as his gaze drifted lower, catching on the oversized white T-shirt sheâd chosen.
His T-shirt.
The fabric was old, worn thin from years of washing, clinging just enough to show the shape of her body. It barely covered her thighs, teasing at modestyâbut when she moved, the dim light made the cotton damn near see-through. And under that shirtâŠnothing. Not even a pantie.
Jackâs grip on his phone tightened. Hard.
She knew what she was doing.
Anja smirked, catching the way his dark eyes flickered over her before he forced them back up. The way his chest rose and fell just a little too fast. She crossed the room slowly, stepping onto the bed, crawling toward him with deliberate slowness. Her fingers traced over his bare arm, featherlight, enough to make his breath hitch.
âYou know,â she murmured, tilting her head, âI could have brought my own pajamas.â Her smirk widened. âBut this just felt⊠better.â
Jack swallowed hard, his back pressing against the headboard like it could somehow create space between them. He needed to slow this down. He needed to say somethingâanythingâto keep himself in check.
âAnjaâŠâ His voice was low, rough, a warning.
She didnât let him finish.
Curling up beside him, she let her lips graze his jawline, barely a whisper of contact. Jack went still, every muscle in his body wound tight. Her breath was warm against his skin, her presence intoxicating, impossible to ignore.
âRelax, Hughes,â she teased. âI know what I want.â
Jack exhaled sharply, his hands flexing at his sides. He wanted to touch her. Badly. But if he did, thereâd be no going back.
Anjaâs fingers slid under the hem of his shirt, her nails tracing faint patterns across his stomach, slow, exploratory. âI want you, Jack,â she whispered against his ear. âNot just the careful version of you. I want all of you.â
Jack clenched his jaw, tilting his head back, fighting for control.
âAnjaâŠâ he ground out, his voice thick with restraint, âyou donât know what youâre asking for.â
She shifted, straddling his lap, her hands gripping his shoulders, forcing him to look at her. âDonât I?â she challenged, her gaze locked on his.
Jack knew that look. The same one sheâd given him in the bookstore the first night they metâthe night they sat there, arguing over War and Peace, the night heâd felt something shift inside him. That knowing, unwavering gaze.
âI saw you, Jack,â she said softly. âNot just the cocky hockey player everyone else sees. Not just the guy who acts like nothing gets to him. I saw You. And I thinkâno, I knowâthat we are perfect for each other. So stop fighting. Stop being afraid that being yourself will chase me away. I trust you. With my heart, with everything.â
She leaned in, lips brushing his ear, her voice a breathless whisper.
âSo take me, Jack.â
Jackâs restraint snapped like a frayed thread.
His hands found her waist, fingers pressing into her skin, pulling her against him. With a rough growl, he flipped them over, pressing her into the mattress, his body caging hers in.
His lips crashed onto hers, all heat, all desperation. It wasnât careful. It wasnât slow. It was every moment heâd held back, every time heâd wanted her and hadnât let himself have her.
Jackâs hand slid up, fingers curling around her throat, firm enough to make her breath hitch. His grip wasnât tightâjust enough to remind her who was in control. He crushed his mouth to hers, his tongue sweeping inside, swallowing the soft gasp she let out.
Anja rocked her soaked core against his thigh, her fingers threading through his hair, tugging, demanding more.
Jack pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his breath ragged, lips swollen, self-control slipping fast. âYou sure you want this?â His voice was rough, almost a growl. âLuke and Thea are in the other room. And you wonât be quiet if we start, darling.â
His eyes locked onto hersâone last chance to stop him.
Anja arched up, pressing her body flush against his, nails scraping down his back, making him suck in a sharp breath. Her smile was wicked, teasing. âPretty sure weâve both heard enough of them to know theyâre not exactly holding back.â Her lips brushed his ear, her voice pure sin. âItâs our turn.â
Jackâs smirk was slow, darkâpure fucking trouble. That cocky, self-assured look that had driven her crazy since day one.
âOh, sweetheart,â he murmured, his lips ghosting over her throat, making her shiver. âYou just opened Pandoraâs box.â
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