#I mean I'll probably take a look at some stuff tomorrow but yeah

[girlitfeelsgood]

I'm so nervous about writing an essay for the first time in two years. What if I do horribly 💀

[allertonhoe]

duking it out - rafe cameron (18+)

summary: when you almost get robbed after a night out, your best friend insists you learn some self-defence from her older brother, who happens to own a gym. you also can't stand each other, but what happens when the two of you are left to your own devices.

content warnings: original afab!reader, obx!universe, enemies to lovers, best friends brother, boxer!rafe, use of petnames (princess, baby), 18+ MDNI - smut, dom!rafe, dirty talk, fingering, spanking, unprotected p in v, minor use of restraint, mirror sex, reader hurts herself/blood tw, mentions of getting robbed/jumped (not by rafe lol), mentions of guns/pepper spray, angsty af

length: 4.2k words

"Will you at least promise me you'll consider it?"

"Sarah, no. I'm not-"

"You almost got mugged. It would give me some peace of mind." she disputes once again, looking at you wearily.

She wasn't exactly wrong. It was a few weeks back while you were walking through Figure 8 on your way home from another wild kegger on the beach. And in the early hours of the morning, the sun having barely risen, some masked Pogue took the opportunity to ambush you.

Luckily, you carried pepper spray on you for this specific reason, blasting it in the culprit's face and sprinting back to your place as fast as you could. But according to your best friend, you should be a bit more prepared if you ever ended up in worse circumstances, god forbid.

"Rafe!" she calls through the house, marching towards the kitchen without even checking to see if you were following. "Can you help me out with this?"

"What are you talking about?" he quizzes, scrunching his face in confusion.

"She doesn't think she needs to learn any self-defense." Sarah clarifies, earning a judgmental scoff from the older boy.

"That's fucking stupid." he corroborates, causing you to glare at him.

"Don't call me stupid." you pout, wishing your well-meaning best friend hadn't dragged her overbearing brother into another one of your predicaments.

Saying you and Rafe didn't get along was an understatement. You couldn't stand him. He was arrogant, and rude, and just completely unbearable. You didn't know how someone as kind and bubbly as Sarah was related to such a nightmare. And along with his dreadful personality, he had a bit of a bad reputation around the island.

Rumours swirled about how he'd been involved in shady business deals or that he was entangled with one of the island's most infamous and menacing gangs. Having gotten into his fair share of fights in high school, which led you back to why you were having this conversation in the first place.

"What? Would you rather I lied?" he taunts, unscrewing the cap of whatever sports drink he was holding and taking a sip.

"Enough." Sarah referees. "Besides, you told me you'd help."

"That was before I knew who it was." he antagonizes, not even sparing you a glance.

"Yeah. As much as I'd love an excuse to punch Rafe, I'll have to pass." you acknowledge in a rare moment of compromise.

"Didn't know you liked it rough," he insinuates, rolling your eyes at the innuendo.

"Please." Sarah turns back to you in a pleading manner. "Just some basic stuff. I just want to make sure you don't find yourself in a vulnerable situation again. I hate to agree with him, but it is stupid to turn down learning from, like, one of the best trainers on the island."

Rafe decided after high school that he'd channel his fury and aggressive energy into something more productive, opening his gym up a few years back. And unfortunately, you knew she was probably right. The boxing studio having become one of the hottest spots to work out in Figure 8.

"Don't look so excited, princess. A lot of girls would be jumping at the chance to get free coaching from me." he quips.

"You're not gonna drop this?" you purse your lips at Sarah, her agitation not easing at all. "Fine. Whatever."

"No, if we're doing this, we're doing it my way. My gym." Rafe interjects. "You're gonna be there tomorrow morning at 8. You're gonna come, you're gonna listen to what I tell you, and you're not gonna act like a brat because I'm doing this as a favor for Sarah. Got it?"

With a hesitant nod, the session was set for the next day to your contempt. You were met by the sound of grunts and rustling chains when you entered the facility, finding Rafe at the far side of the room battering a punching bag. Too focused to realize you'd walked in, giving you the opportunity to get a proper look at him.

He wore a fitted white tank and basketball shorts, his sun-kissed skin coated in a thin layer of sweat. His toned arms on full display for you to admire as they tensed every time he hit the cushioned equipment. His signature grimace settled on his features as he beat the hung-up gear like it was personal.

"Fuck," he curses, alarmed once he detected your presence. "Sorry. Have you been here long?" He shrugs off, going for a swig of water.

"Just a minute," you reveal, stepping further into the building, almost feeling as though you weren't supposed to be there.

"Is, uh, that what you're wearing, or were you gonna change?" he surveys, taking in the tight leggings and crop top that clung to you. You shook your head at his question, neither of you knowing how to proceed cordially.

"You don't have to do this, by the way," you mention, giving him one last out.

"Huh?"

"I get you're doing this for Sarah. I can tell her you did if you'd just rather I go..." you offer.

"What? Already trying to run?" he solicits, the typical friction between you arising once again. "I don't mind," he reinforces, relieving some of your apprehension. 

He advised that you stretch a bit first, reluctantly following his lead as he got into what you were sure was his standard routine, somewhat hopeless yourself when it came to working out. An R&B track playing lightly over the speakers, filling the uncomfortable quiet that hung between you two.

You found yourself fixed on Rafe longer than usual, blaming it on the fact that you were trying to mimic his agile movements. There was no denying he was attractive, another trait you found particularly irritating, but seeing him in his element gave you a whole new perspective. He looked incredibly chiseled, a stark contrast to the usual sight of him in shirts that hid his arms, noticing how swole his biceps were with every flex of his.

Once you were finished warming up, he led you towards the practice ring that sat at the back of the gym. Tossing you a pair of boxing gloves and discarding his tank to the side prior to ushering you onto the canvas. Circling the perimeter like he was a shark targeting his prey.

"Are you gonna walk around and stare at me all day, or actually teach me something useful?" you sassed, making him to stop in his tracks with a hardened expression. "I don't have all day, Rafe."

"What happened again?"

"I was, uh, walking home from that party on the beach a few weeks back, and some kid jumped out at me on my way home and tried taking my shit." you recount, Rafe frowning at the story.

"Have you ever learned any self-defense?" he inquires.

"Yeah, I pepper sprayed him and ran the fuck home." you explain, making him snicker.

"And when you don't have that on you?"

"I don't know. My keys? A gun?"

"A gun?" he remarks, amused by your answer.

"Yeah. I could get one of those small ones."

"Sounds like a solid plan, princess."

"I swear, if you're just gonna piss me off-"

"I told you when we agreed to this you can't stand around and bitch at me the entire time." he recalls, not appearing too impressed.

"Then teach me something."

"Fine, let's work on your reaction time."

"My reaction time is fine. I did fight him off." you refute, tired of the constant belittling.

"And how big was this guy? Was he 6'5 and huge, or some shrimpy Pogue that wasn't much taller than you?" he challenges, startled at how accurate the latter description was of your attacker. "You might not get that lucky next time around."

You let him take over from there, watching as he continued walking around the platform menacingly, almost sizing you up in a way. Like you were playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Like there was a hint of something almost suggestive hanging in the air between you.

In any other scenario, you probably would've laughed at how he was stalking towards you. Abruptly diving out to snatch you from the side, making you whip around and instinctively throwing your hands in front of you. Not giving him a chance to grab you properly. Seeming satisfied with your efforts, he stepped back to the edge of the ring to launch into the  next drill.

It all happened so fast. He rushed towards you from behind, your initial impulse being to turn and lunge the other way, not realizing your shoelace had untied. You were in the air for a few seconds, tripping face-first into the mats. An ache immediately rising as you peeled yourself off the floor, almost missing how Rafe was at your side without delay, concern etched on his features.

"Shit."

He scanned you for injuries, quick to fuss over your condition while you were just trying to adjust to his sudden worry towards you. As you caught your breath, it hitched again when he reached out and held your cheek. Growing nervous when you saw his focus drift to your mouth.

"You're bleeding..." he notes, his thumb swiping over your bottom lip. "Don't move."

He dashed over to snag the first-aid kit and hurried back over, chucking it on the ground beside you. Taking your wrists and unfastening the padded protection covering your fists, doing the same with the other. He searched through the small bag, ripping open an antiseptic wipe as he assessed the wound.

"Sit down." he requested, complying to his instruction since you didn't want to cause any more unnecessary chaos. "Does it hurt?"

"Uh, no..." you trail off.

"This might sting..." he tells you as he brought the damp cloth to the cut, instantly hissing at the tender sensation despite his warning. "Sorry," he murmurs remorsefully.

"Don't apologize. It was my fault."

"No, it wasn't. You tripped." he reassures dismissively, letting the conversation die rather than feud over it.

The dynamic between you and Rafe was contentious, the two of you always bickering and getting under each other's skin. However, that wasn't the energy you were feeling right now. If anything, it felt a bit charged. Not missing the way his devious smirk reemerged on his lips as he cleaned the gash, the prolonged silence only making you more uneasy.

"What?"

"Only you would manage to get hurt when I'm trying to teach you how to protect yourself." he patronizes, snickering to himself.

You tore yourself out of his grasp, touching the bloody spot and deciding you'd just handle it yourself in the bathroom. Not in the mood to deal with whatever mind games he was playing at. His reflexes were still quicker than yours as he blocked you from getting up.

"Stop being difficult and just let me," he asserts. Not anticipating for him to take your chin to halt your tantrum, his face just a few inches from yours. "Please."

His glance flickered between your eyes and mouth, noting a shift in his expression—one you'd never seen before. Keeping your own on anything but him, no longer able to trust yourself to not do something you know you'll regret. Finding yourself softening under his wary gaze, against your better judgment.

"Why are you helping me?" you finally decide to ask him, the question coming out almost sheepishly.

"Seriously?" he replies, almost seeming offended. "Other than the fact that I was genuinely trying to do you a favour and show you how to defend yourself, and you ended up with a busted lip instead? Maybe I'm just not as much of an asshole as you'd like to believe."

"Wow, and they say chivalry is dead." you feign, falling back into your usual banter.

"Would it really kill you to just be nice to me for a few minutes?" he comments sarcastically, not giving you much room to argue.

"Thanks, I guess." you concede, his signature grin reappearing.

"Sorry, I missed that." he exaggerates, turning his ear towards you to repeat yourself.

"You're such a pain in the ass." you grumble, crossing your arms. "Thank you."

He finished treating the wound, squeezing out some healing cream onto his finger and brushing it across the sensitive area. Your lips parting at the intimate gesture, your eyelids fluttering shut. Keeping them closed to avoid facing the bitter truth that you didn't totally hate being in this compromising position with Rafe.

"At least now you got some battle scars, so no more thugs will mess with you." he declares.

"You can't help yourself." you scold.

"What? I'm just fucking around." he averts, thrown off by your change in demeanor.

"That's the thing with you, Rafe. Do you take anything seriously?" you proclaim, jumping back to your feet and fiddling to shove the gloves back on.

"Yes?"

"You're stubborn and aggravating, and always fuckingaround. You definitely don't take me seriously-"

"What are you even talking about?"

"That's the whole reason I'm here, right? Another free pass so you can give me shit?" you blindly accuse, temper flaring.

"Fuck, do you ever shut up?" he seethes in frustration, caging you in against the ropes as he towered over your figure.

"Move," you demand, nudging the barrier he'd created around you.

"Calm down," he urges you, as if his domineering stance wasn't partially to blame for your distress.

"Rafe," you huff, trying to escape his scrutiny when he suddenly placed his hands on your shoulders and pinned you back.

"I said calm down." he reiterates.

His piercing glare acted like another physical restraint, simultaneously making you confront the conflicting desires you'd suppressed towards him for years. It was just the easier choice—not wanting to involve yourself with someone so unpredictable or cross the boundary that was your best friend's older brother.

"Why don't you think I take you seriously?" he investigates, surprised that was what he'd hung onto from your rant.

"Are you kidding me right now?" you counter. "You've never been nice to me since I became friends with Sarah."

"Only because you're a fucking know-it-all," he contends, recognizing the teasing in his voice. "Do you think I'd do this for any of the other clowns Sarah hangs around?"

You didn't know what to say to that, trying not to focus on certain details throughout the years. How he'd always been more impartial to you compared to the rest of the group you were usually with. Assuming the pleasantries he'd occasionally throw your way were just another attempt to get on your nerves.

"You make it so easy to rile you up, princess." he remarks, taking the large gloves that were acting like a barrier between you and slipping them off your hands. "And don't try to tell me you don't like it either."

"I... I don't." you falter.

He took your chin and turned you back towards him, but this time there was no reason for it—caressing your jaw and studying you like some priceless piece of art. It was unsettling, the speed at which he was able to switch from tough and threatening to gentle and vigilant. Knowing you'd never seen this side of him in all the years you'd known his sister.

"Try again." he mutters, not letting you get away so fast.

"I don't, Rafe." you insist, trying to keep your tone steady but still lacking conviction—just enough to give you away.

"Then why haven't you pushed me off yet?" he boasts.

"I-" you stutter, considering your next words carefully. "You still haven't taught me shit." you maintain, knowing your response was weak as it came out.

"What's got you so quiet, hm?" he interrogates, basking in your discomfort.

"You're insufferable, do you know that?"

"Maybe. But you still haven't moved."

That's when his lips grazed yours delicately, almost questioning if it was a hallucination. Only knowing it wasn't because of the dull ache from his direct contact on your fresh injury. His icy blue eyes meeting yours in challenge, as if he was daring you to take the inevitable next step. As if he was waiting for your permission.

It felt like you were hit by a tidal wave when you finally kissed him, the faint taste of blood reaching your senses but you were so absorbed by him to even care. Rafe using his tongue to soothe the ripped flesh as he slipped it into your mouth. All of your resistance towards him being disarmed as he kissed you like he'd been wanting to forever.

One of his hands snaked to the bottom of your scalp, threading through your hair; the other sliding to your lower back and pulling you against him. Cradling you to his large physique like he didn't want to let you stray too far, not that you wanted to. While his actions were just as meticulous as his teaching style had been earlier, his execution was still raw and impassioned.

"Are you gonna keep being difficult? Or are you gonna listen to me like a good girl?" he grills hoarsely.

"Are you gonna make it worth my while?" you retort smartly, not wanting to fully surrender control.

He just chuckled as he nestled his face into the crook of your neck, the sound making your stomach twist, something you weren't used to feeling in his presence. Extending your nape as he placed a sloppy peck on your skin, lingering to make sure he'd left a mark. The disdain you'd always held towards him now somehow coming off as charming.

"Relax," he cooed, squeezing your waist before yanking your top off.

He discarded the shirt elsewhere, kissing down your torso and along the waistband of your spandex. Hooking his thumbs into the stretchy fabric, peering up at you as he licked his lips, your heart racing in anticipation. Leaving you exposed and disheveled in the middle of the gym, resting on the ropes to find some sort of stability.

"Shit... Can't believe I've kept my hands to myself this long around you," he mused, skimming through your wetness.

"Please Rafe." you whisper, as if the hushed volume of your voice somehow made it all seem less legitimate.

"Can't hear you, princess." he goads, not tearing his gaze from you. You didn't want to give in to his endless provoking, but it was as if he was coaxing it right out of you.

"Rafe, please." you echo, anguish evident from your tone.

"That's it, baby..." he praises, letting two of his digits slip inside you without any warning. "You always this wet around me?"

You instantly melted into his touch, like you were a puppet and he knew the exact strings he needed to pull. Rafe taking advantage of your disoriented state and kissing you again fiercely, the hostility that had built over the years boiling over and getting channeled into your embrace. Grabbing your thigh and hooking it around his waist to give himself better access to you, bringing you into a deeper lust.

He added another finger, immediately giving away that your climax was close as you clenched around him. And then right when your pleasure was about to hit, he withdrew them. A choked whine leaving your throat as he brought them up to his mouth, not daring to tear his attention from you.

"What the fuck?" you protest breathlessly.

Without a word, he took your extended leg, scooping you up with ease and wrapping you around his frame. Bringing you to the middle of the ring and laying you on the ground, looming over you again as he stripped off his pants. Straddling your bottom half, leaving you dumbfounded by how big he was as he pumped himself a few times.

"Told you if you came here, we do this my way. Arms up," he instructs.

As you stretched them over your head, Rafe took both your wrists and held you down. Your heart racing when you realized what he was doing, squirming as you felt him drag himself between your puffy folds. Rocking against him to create any extra friction as he continued to tease you as much as he could, surely revenge for your coldness towards him over the years.

"What's wrong, baby?" he mocks. "Tell me what you want."

"Need you..." you divulge, being met with Rafe's condescending laugh at your pathetic plea.

"You've made that pretty obvious, but that's not gonna be enough right now." he specifies, knowing what he ultimately wanted to hear and too far gone to keep denying yourself of him.

"Please, Rafe. Need you to fuck me." you confess, shuddering when you felt his fat tip circle your core.

"You had a change of heart or something? Not used to you being so nice to me," he revels smugly. "But since you asked so nicely."

You gasped as he slowly buried himself into you, fluttering around him as soon as he sunk into you. Keeping his motions steady and unhurried on purpose, clearly holding back from outwardly demolishing you right away.

You were already close to your high from his initial build-up, falling back into your bliss as he picked up a consistent flow, trembling as he started playing with your swollen clit. The hand he'd bounded you with loosening the more he lost himself in the essence of you.

"Is that why you've always been such a brat? Wanted me to do something about it? Shut you up myself?" he spits.

You clutched his face as his lips found yours again, unable to conceal how enamored you'd become by him. Losing your composure as his hips snapped into you, gawking at how his cock disappeared with every plunge into you. His athletic figure overtaking you without difficulty, looking like he was some Adonis.

"Rafe, I-" you plead, too consumed to even tell him you were reaching your peak, not that he didn't pick up on it.

"Let it out," he grunts, his rhythm unrelentless.

Shockwaves surged through your system as you let out a loud cry, drenching him with your arousal. Rafe pecking across your collarbones and up your neck until he was back at your lips, swallowing every noise you made. The action much more tender than he'd been up until then.

"Turn over," he barks, barely straying from the kiss.

"W-what?" you stammer, still recovering from the first orgasm.

"You heard me. I'm not done with you yet." he reprimands, straightening his posture. "On your knees."

He nodded forward to emphasize his command, eagerly awaiting what he'd do next. Moaning when he pawed at your backside and yanked you closer, not refraining as his palm glided across the flesh. Only noticing that you were facing the row of mirrors that covered one of the walls as you peered up.

He started hammering into you from behind, his technique now rougher from his new angle. You soaked in his reflection, observing how his torso flexed with every thrust, only becoming more turned on by the lewd scene unfolding in the mirror. Drunk off the sensation of Rafe, already knowing this wouldn't be a one-time thing.

"I think I prefer you this way, princess." he purrs into your ear, smacking your ass one more time. "Too fucked out to open that big mouth of yours."

His movements got hastier, but he still managed to pound at angles he hadn't from your previous position. Gripping your waist roughly as he slammed into you, effortlessly hitting your g-spot with every grind of his hips. In disbelief that the man that was fucking you into oblivion was the same guy that you'd written off for so long.

"You gonna cum for me again?" he gloats, lowering his face to hover beside yours.

"Please, Rafe..." you beg, holding his piercing gaze in the mirror, his warmth radiating onto you.

"Who knew you were so damn polite?" he snides, striking your rear one last time. "Gonna let me ruin that pretty pussy?" he growls, mewling desperately at his filthy declaration.

With a few more pumps, he filled you with his own release, not stopping until he was fully satisfied. Coming undone again yourself as he pushed you back over your edge, the only sound filling the silent gym being heavy panting. Your head dropping in front of you as you caught your breath, whimpering when you felt him pull out.

Reality hit you like a ton of bricks as you finally registered what had just happened. Still clouded in your daze as he left featherlight pecks up your spine, doing your best to ignore the sweet gesture. Unsure how to even go forward, regret swiftly replacing your once insatiable hunger, blaming the moment on pure weakness.

"Hey," you hear Rafe utter, meeting his eyes through the reflection. "I can already see those cogs turning, baby..."

"I just..." you hesitate, trying to find the right thing to say when you'd barely processed what was going on.

"You just what, hm?" he drawls, turning your head towards him as he captured your lips with his.

"You're fucking trouble, Cameron." you mumble, giggling softly at the sudden turn of circumstances.

"What? You didn't enjoy your workout?" He implies shamelessly. "Don't act like you weren't into it. And don't think I'm letting you get away so easily either." He playfully accosts you, toppling onto his back and making you squeal as he pulled you back on top of him, passionately kissing you again.

note: suuper long, suuuper dirty 🤭 i wish i was exaggerating when i say ive been editing this for like a month omfg sos my brain is actually rotted lmao. hope you guys like it!! i'm trying to actually write more since i've been making a lot of short-form content sooo please be kind bc i'm still trying to find my bearings again lolol🙈

[empress-simps]

Poly!marauders x readers where maybe they are roommates and love the reader and being touchy and caring but the reader just thinks they are affectionate with all their friends?

Thanks for the request darling! I am more than happy to oblige. Thank you for patiently waiting too since it did take a while to publish it (ugh school am I right?) I tweaked it a bit, hope you don’t mindd : ) Really wanted to publish this before my birthday (which is tomorrow) as a little treat to myself and to you guys. I hope you enjoy!

Special Treatment?

Pairing: Poly!Marauders x Reader

CW: None that I could think of?? except for possible typos and grammatical errors. (1.3k words)

You often found asking yourself one-too-many-times if the boys’ affection to you were just purely platonic or romantic.

Maybe you were just being dramatic— giving meaning to meaningless stuff they do for you.

It's probably you, yeah. You and your delusional arse, really. Why would they want you in the mix when the three of them are already dating?

Although— you just can't help but feel special when Remus makes you his famous “Moony toast” as he likes to call it, or when Sirius calls you 'his doll' and slings his arm over your shoulder which results in your stomach doing flips, and let’s not forget how James would flash his mega-watt smile, setting your breakfast down and making sure you know that he's the one who cooked it for you.

With the help of Remus, of course— your flat would turn into ashes if you let James cook alone in the kitchen.

Being roommates with three dudes is certainly uncommon but fun. Telling people about it… well, makes them shoot you questioning looks or are concerned that you’re being held hostage by three big burly men.

You really weren’t sure how it happened— the four of you just fitted together seamlessly, similar to cogs of a well-oiled machine.

It began during the last three months of your 7th year in Hogwarts, you decided to start looking for flats to rent, preferably in close to London. You wanted to live where muggles are, having such keen interest about them and their daily lives, deciding to pursue a muggle career also helped you in your decision.

You tried searching if there's any available flats to rent and how much it’ll cost. However, seeing that you're a broke student, you really couldn't afford any sky-high prices for rent.

It seemed like all hope was lost until you asked one of your friends, Lily, if she knows anyone looking for a flat mate.

You were sure she was an angel sent here on Earth, after a few days she told you that Remus, James, and Sirius have no problems taking you in, seeing that you guys are housemates during their years in Hogwarts.

The rest was history.

They made sure you wouldn’t feel left out. It was how they looked out for you, the way they included you in every plan, every joke, every moment of their lives.

Although, as the days turn into weeks, and weeks into months you start to notice the little things they do.

"Hey doll, have any movies tickled your fancy yet?" Sirius asks, sneaking his arm around your waist, leaning close to your face.

"Erm, no not really... You guys could pick, I'd be fine with anything." You smiled at him, before fleeing to the kitchen to calm your racing heart.

"You're just friends with them, Y/n. I'm sure they do this with Lily and the others..." you let out a mumble, absentmindedly grabbing a glass of water before bumping into someone.

"Whoa, are you okay, darling?" Remus' worried voice pulled you out of your thoughts as he cupped your face before placing the back of his hand on your forehead.

"I'm alright!" You squeaked; Remus' doesn't really look to convinced. "Are you sure, darling? You look rather flushed... I told you to bring your jacket yesterday when you went out. You probably caught a cold." He frowned, you tried to protest but your attempt was futile as he shimmied off his cardigan and made you wear it. "I'll make you some lemon water, alright darling?" James called out from the living room, "We're starting the movie without you guys!"

Remus yelled out, boiling some warm water. "Hold your bloody horses, prongs! I'm making some lemon water." You heard a shuffling of feet nearing you, making you look up.

"Love, don't tell me you're sick." He frowns, and like what Remus did earlier, he placed the back of his hand on your forehead. "I'm not sick." You protested, but it all fell on deaf ears.

Next time you told them you went out, you were practically dressed for winter even though it's only spring.

Those little things made you honestly take a step back and re-asses your situation with them because for merlin's sake, why do they act like your boyfriends when you're just friends with them, right? You couldn't really open it up to Lily because you'd probably sound stupid if this was just normal for them.

Your mind ran with hundreds of what if's and the way Remus' eyes linger on you for a second too long, with an emotion you can't quite decipher doesn't help soothe the thoughts in your mind. The warmth of Sirius' touch, James and oh merlin, when the three of them kissed you on the cheeks during a movie night? You really couldn't live in denial anymore.

You're no detective but the signs are there, clear as day. There's a high chance they're not just being friendly—they care, deeply. And maybe, just maybe, you do too.

Having read enough romance novels, you quickly recognized the pattern, but this isn't fiction. This is real life, and these are your roommates—three guys who have somehow, inexplicably, fallen for the same person. You.

Sitting in loveseat while nursing a cup of tea, you couldn’t help but notice the way the morning light caught in Sirius’s hair, giving him a halo that seemed so at odds with his mischievous smirk. “Morning, doll,” he greeted, his voice a smooth baritone that sent shivers throughout your system. Does this man haven't ever heard of morning voice?

“Morning,” you replied, trying to keep your voice even. “Slept well?”

“Like a log,” he said, eyes softening before squeezing himself beside you. “Did you? You were up late reading with Moony.”

You nodded, the feeling the warmth within your chest surfacing because of the memory. Remus usually reads his novel alongside you, it's sort of yours and his thing. Although you sometimes found yourself getting distracted and instead of focusing on the book, you were drawn to the gentle timbre of his voice and the way his hand occasionally brushed yours as he pointed something out on the page he was reading.

And then there was James, who was currently flipping pancakes with a concentration that was both endearing and amusing. He caught your eye and grinned, the same smile that had greeted you every morning since you’d moved in. “These are going to be the best pancakes you’ve ever tasted,” he declared. “Guaranteed to improve your day by at least twenty percent.”

You laughed, the sound mingling with the sizzling of the batter. “I’ll hold you to that.”

A bedroom creaked open, and Remus shuffled out, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Is that breakfast I smell?” he mumbled, heading to the kitchen "Yeah, go help prongsie, moons. It's a miracle he hasn't started a fire yet." Sirius teased, it made Remus more awake and practically ran to supervise James.

After a few moments, the four of you were digging into the half-burnt pancakes that James was proud of, a mishmash of pajamas and bed hair (except for Sirius), and yet it felt right. It felt like family. As you ate, you found yourself observing them, the way they interacted with each other, and with you. There was a harmony; a rhythm that you had become a part of without even realizing it.

It was in the little things: the way Remus passed you the syrup without you having to ask, or the sound of Sirius’ laughter seemed to wrap around you like a warm blanket. And James? Well, he was the glue that held it all together, his energy infectious and his presence a constant source of comfort for all of you.

You realized; it didn’t matter what other people thought. They don't see what you saw, feel what you've felt. They don’t understand that this was more than just a shared living space; it was a shared life. And maybe, just maybe, it was okay to give meaning to the ‘meaningless stuff’ because, to you, it meant everything.

And as you looked around at the three men who had become your world, you knew that this was normal. Your normal. And it was perfect.

[so-long-soldier-writes]

Gorgeous

kai parker x reader (both 18+!) (shy!virgin!kai)

summary: troubled by his own body, kai's afraid to go all the way with you. that is, until you confess you love him regardless of the way he looks, giving him just the confidence he's needed all along.

tags: friends to lovers, kissing, minor fingering, shy!kai, mentions of child abuse / physical abuse [I can't just write a normal fic, can I?], implied s3lf h4rm, emotional hurt / comfort, confessions, making out, blow jobs, virgin!kai, top / bottom switching, reader is a little freaky, nipple sucking, pet names, aftercare, cuddling

word count: 5.5k

a/n: sooooo... this has been sitting in my wips for over a year. for some reason, i just never posted it. but unfortunately, i have work tomorrow, so i'll be dead as a doornail that evening, and the work i wanted to post isn't done yet, so i'll post this in the meantime. that being said, i think i'm finally starting to get back in the swing of things. i'm still working on requests as well as other stuff, but i'm coming back slowly!

also, if this idea is totally unusual, that's probably why it sat in my drafts for a year. it's a year old fluffy smut with a strange premise. bare with me. 😅

The minute you get back from work, you collapse onto the nearest chair and groan.

“You okay there?”

Looking up, you see Jo and her boyfriend on the couch watching a movie. Oops.

“Sorry. Yeah. Long day. Where is everyone?”

“Our dads went to the flooding company people to try and get that situation covered, and our moms took the kids to the park.”

“My brother too?”

“Your brother, but not mine.”

“Cool,” you give the girl a thumbs up. “Hey Cody.”

Jo’s boyfriend looks over at you, “hey, Y/N.”

“Alright, I’m gonna go shower.”

“Okay!”

You make your way up the stairs slowly, wondering where Kai is. Poking your head in his room, you see he’s not in there, but you don’t hear him anywhere else. Oh well. You’ll find him after your shower, because you really, really need that shower. 

In your room - also the Parker’s guest room - you grab a new set of clothes and your hairbrush, before going into the guest bathroom in the hallway. See, you and the Parkers are neighbors and have become close family friends. Though one night after a really bad storm, your basement flooded, as did several other houses nearby. This is a problem Mr. Parker could easily fix with magic, but considering the electric and flooding companies know your house was one of the ones affected, he can’t do anything without revealing his coven. Instead, your family temporarily moved in with his until the county could fix the issue.

It’s been two weeks, no progress. But you’re not complaining; you get to spend more time with Kai - your best friend who you’ve recently started dating in secret. 

As you’re busy undressing and getting the water ready, you don’t hear Kai come in from outside. The boy stands in the kitchen, staring at nothing in particular.

“Is everyone still out?” He hesitantly asks Jo.

“Yeah. But Y/N came home.”

“Oh. Where is she?”

“Mhm, went upstairs.” Then she snaps her fingers, “oh wait! She said she’s taking a shower. So don’t bother her. Just go to your room and wait for her to come out. Don’t be weird.”

Kai scrunches his nose. As if he’d ever make you uncomfortable on purpose. “Okay, thanks.”

Quietly, he makes his way upstairs. When he hears the water running, he bites his lip. Don’t be weird, Jo had just said. But she doesn’t know how close you two actually are. Swallowing hard, he slowly turns the knob to the bathroom door, trying not to alert Jo to which door he’s opening. Inside, the hot water steams up the mirrors, making it hard to see, but he can vaguely point out your figure through the glass. 

“Y/N?”

You hear him and pop your head out of the door, “Kai! Hi. Come in,” you gesture for him to enter all the way.

He does, then shuts the door just as quietly. “I don’t mean to bug you, I just wanted to make sure you were here. Jo said you were, but…” he shrugs.

“You’re not bugging. Come on, join me.”

“What?”

“In here.”

“But… I’m wearing jeans.”

“Well then take them off, you goof.”

“I-I… um.”

Deciding to give him privacy, you stick your head back in the shower and rinse out the shampoo. The whole time you’re finishing your shower routine, you assume Kai’s going to join you at any time. You haven’t gone that far in your relationship yet, but he is a teenage boy, and he does love kissing you every chance he gets.

You two have done more than kissing, of course, but just haven’t gone all the way. And there’s plenty of reasons for that: too many people in this damn house, someone might walk in, someone might overhear, etc. etc. etc. But aside from the obvious reasons, you can’t help but feel like there’s also reasons that Kai isn’t sharing. 

He likes to spend a lot of your time together practically worshipping your body. His lips and fingers have touched nearly every part of you, but he isn’t too keen on letting you do the same. 

Kai holds you in place with a hand on your neck. His lips are attached right below, sucking hard enough to leave a mark. His other hand’s busy farther down - two fingers pumping in and out of you quickly. You bite your lip hard to not moan as you cum on his hands. He continues to finger fuck you through your orgasm, not letting up until your body stills. Then, he tastes one finger before putting the second in your mouth. You suck on it, eyes trained on him the whole time. 

“My turn. Let me make you feel good, Kai.”

“You are. I like watching you like this.”

“No, I know. But I want to taste you, too. Let me blow you.”

Kai bites his lip as if he’s having an internal debate. “Isn’t this so much better, though?” Before you can say anything else, he kisses you, feeling his hands up and down the sides of your body as he does. “Now let me cuddle you, m’kay? Let me take care of you.”

You’re too overwhelmed in pleasure to fight, and succumb to his open arms. Minutes later, you’re both asleep. 

You don’t pry if he tells you ‘no’ the first time, but of course, you can’t help but wonder why he’s never let you even see his body. 

“Take your shirt off, why am I the only one exposed?” You joke, pulling at the hem.

“Hmph, no, baby, I’m too focused on you,” he says. 

Every time. He won’t even take his bracelets off, let alone any of his clothes. Again, you don’t push him - he’ll take that step when he’s ready - but you really want to pleasure him the same way he does you. And besides, he just has to be hot under there; his face is insanely attractive, arms are strong, and figure is lean. You’re dying to know. 

“Y/N?” His voice snaps you from your thoughts.

“Mhm?”

“I, um, actually nevermind.”

“You okay, angel?”

“Yeah, just…”

Done with your shower, you turn off the water and grab your towel. You would just go out nude despite him there, but you know the air will be cold, so you wrap the blue cloth around your body. “Well now I’m done.” Carefully, you open the door and step off the slippery floor.

In front of you, Kai is standing awkwardly. His jeans are still on, but his shirt is off and folded neatly on the bathroom counter. You gulp the minute you see his body for the first time. As you expected, he’s lean and rather well-toned for someone not allowed out of his house much. His arms have some muscle to them, and you can see several prominent veins close to the surface of his skin. What catches your eye most, however, is the sharp v-line shaping his hips, leading to somewhere still hidden from your sight. “Fuck,” you mutter under your breath.

Kai swallows hard. His eyes are red. You don’t notice the signs of discomfort, though, until a small sigh escapes his lips. 

You narrow your eyes when you hear him. “What's wrong, pumpkin?” Hurrying towards him, you cup the sides of his face. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I hate it.”

“Hate what?”

“Hate my body.”

“What do you mean? You’re gorgeous, Kai.”

“All the ew, all the stupid… everything.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t see anything ‘ew’.”

“Look closer.”

“Are you sure? If you’re uncomfortable, I won’t.”

“Just do it.”

Nervous, you step back to look at him closer. “Oh,” you mutter, suddenly saddened. Discolored skin in shades of green, yellow, and purple. Bruises, new and old. Handprints, whip marks, slaps from an open palm, all fading from red. Then there are the cuts, up and down his arms, some on his stomach, some on his shoulders. Clearly self-inflicted, though the bruises were all clearly marks of abuse. 

“Now you see how ugly I really am.”

“No, no, Kai…” Gently, you run a finger across a row of evidential abuse. He flinches a little and you can’t help the tear that falls from your eyes. “You’re still gorgeous, baby.”

“Hm,” he mutters, shaking his head ‘no’.

“Shh, shh, you’re okay. I promise. You are still beautiful to me. And I still want you, I still want every inch of your body. You don’t have to hide from me. Hey, I have some, too.”

You peel the towel away a bit to expose several cuts along your upper arm. 

He sniffs, “those weren’t there the other day.”

“I know, baby. But yesterday was really hard with my dad, and this was the only way I could think of to cope.”

Kai remembers yesterday. Your dad had forced you to go out with him to visit different universities in the area. By the time you both got back, he was fuming and you were holding back tears. 

“He got pissed at me when I said I didn’t want to go to college. He asked me why I was the family failure, and why I couldn’t be more like him.”

“I’m sorry, Y/N.”

“It’s okay. I’m okay, now that I’m back beside you.”

“He’s a dick. Your brother’s a dick.”

“My point is, Kai, that we have a lot of the same scars. You don’t think I’m any less beautiful because of them, so why should you think that about yourself?”

“Because I also have bruises from my fucking dad.”

“That’s not your fault, baby. Your dad is an even bigger dick than mine. And just because you have wounds on your body from his hand doesn’t mean I don’t love you or your body any less.”

Kai freezes, “you love me?”

You then freeze, too. “I, um…” Then you realize that that confession may be exactly what he needs to hear. “Yes. I do love you, Kai.”

Tears that were welling in his eyes are now falling, “why?”

“Why? Why not? Because on top of being absolutely gorgeous, you’re an amazing friend and boyfriend. You’re sweet and gentle and trying your best despite the awful circumstances you’ve been given. You’re always there through the good and bad, and I could never get tired of being with you.”

“Can I admit that I love you, too?”

You smile and nod happily before leaning in quickly to kiss him. Amidst your excitement, your towel falls from your body, and your breasts rub up against his bare chest. Kai lets out a moan at the contact, but then separates from the kiss to cover his mouth with his hand. You just raise your eyebrows at him. 

“Feel good?”

Instead of answering, his hands find your breasts and feel them. His eyes roll back in his head. “So soft,” he mutters.

“Kai?”

“Hm?”

“Does this mean I can see you now?”

“Um, I, n- uh-” he stutters over every word. 

“You know what? It’s okay. Later?”

“Okay.”

“Sounds good. And I hate to say it, but we have to stop,” you pause to pull on your panties and jeans, “because Jo will start getting suspicious soon,” you have to ignore Kai’s pouting face as you put on your bra, “and she doesn’t need to see us like this, because she’ll tell your dad.” Your shirt is on next, “and then my dad. And then you’ll get hurt.” He watches you pull your hair out from under your shirt and flip it to curl around your face, “and you’re not getting hurt on my watch. Okay?”

Kai nods, “I love you.”

“I love you, too, pumpkin.” You two share another kiss before leaving the bathroom. Kai grabs his shirt on the way out, fumbling to put it on, along with his multiple bracelets. “Downstairs? I need some water.”

“Sure.”

The minute you reach the last step, Jo calls out to you, “did Kai find you?”

“Yeah, he’s here.”

“Okay. He came in a little bit after you went up. I told him you were in the shower, but not to bother you. He listened to me, right?”

“He didn’t bother me at all. Was very gentlemanly and waited in his room for me to come out.” You wink at Kai as you lie straight to Jo’s turned face. Luckily, she’s fixated on the movie. 

“Okay, good.”

“I’m just going to get a drink and then we’ll be out of your hair shortly.”

◇◇◇◇

“Y/N, are you sure you don’t want to come with us? It’s a huge festival, it’s a lot of fun,” Mr. Parker asks one more time as he’s halfway out the door. 

You take another glance at the amount of people crowding the doorway: your brother and parents, plus Kai’s parents and all his siblings. Minus him, of course. “I’m sure. I’m not too big on crowds, and I’m kinda tired. Might just see if Kai wants to watch a movie.”

“Okay, but be careful.” Then, Mr. Parker leans closer to whisper in your ear. The gray hairs of his beard lightly touch your skin, making you shiver in fear. “And don’t get too close to him.”

“Noted.”

“We should be back around three-ish, more or less,” your Dad adds. 

“Okay.”

“Don’t leave the house, and certainly don’t let him sneak out,” Mr. Parker piggy-backs off your dad’s comment. Jeez, it’s like they’re long-lost irritating brothers.

“I won’t. He’ll stay here with me.”

“But not too close, becau-”

“I heard it the first time, Dad. I trust Kai enough that we’ll be fine for a couple of hours. Go have fun, okay?” You had to downplay your friendship to make them think you only trusted him a little. If they knew the truth - that you’d trust him with your life - they’d definitely stage an intervention and never let you see each other again. 

“Okay, just making sure. See you later, Y/N.”

“Bye.”

Finally, they leave. It takes ten minutes for nine kids to assemble between two cars, between the Parkers’ van and your parents’ SUV, but they eventually make it work. You can literally hear two kids crying over “having to sit in the back again”, but then you hear your Dad’s voice, “ride with me, if it’s okay with your Dad.” The crying ceases at last, and the cars pull out of the gate. 

“Are they gone yet?” Kai comes downstairs about a minute after they left.

“Just pulled out. What were you doing?”

He swallows, “um.” While struggling to answer, you give him a look. “I’m used to hiding during the van-packing process.”

“Okay,” you answer, not entirely convinced. 

He bites his lip, “okay, that part is true. I do hide when they do that because sometimes someone storms back in to grab something to appease the ones stuck in the back, like a snack or whatever. But, um, what I was actually doing was… trying to,” he pauses, and you let him find the words, “build up the courage to, um… can I just kiss you?”

You’re confused, but you’ll never deny him a kiss. Smile forming on your lips, you close the three foot gap between you two, hands tracing his jawline, capturing his face, while kissing him softly. His hands find your waist, gripping your hips. There’s something different about this kiss than your usual ones. Something more hungry… willing, maybe. Whatever it is, you let him take charge. 

As soon as the shift in control changes, he spins the both of you around so that you’re pressed into the counter, rather than himself, while he kisses you deeper. His lips leave your mouth to trail down your jaw, to your neck, but then he suddenly stops to look up at you. 

“Everything okay?”

“Can we go upstairs?”

“Of course.” You joke, “afraid someone’s gonna walk in?”

He misses your teasing tone and replies bluntly, “no, I wanna fuck you.”

You nearly trip up the first stair, causing you to grab a tight hold of his hand. “What’d you say?”

“Is that okay?”

“I-uh-um- yes, just caught me off guard. What brought it on?”

“You said you loved me. And that you liked my body even with all the scars. And that if I can love yours with scars, you can love mine.”

“I did say that. I meant every word.”

“And so now we’re here alone, and I’m going to act on something I’ve wanted to do a long time ago.” 

You reach the top of the stairs. He has an arm around your back to prevent you from falling, just in case, as he stares into your eyes for hesitancy. You give none. “Then do it.”

Instantly, your back collides with the hallway wall and he kisses you with the same tenacity he did downstairs. Out of habit, your hands find his hair; his, your waist, but he’s a lot more confident now. Slowly, he inches the both of you towards his door. His hand fumbles with the knob, making him frustrated.

“Wish I could just open the stupid thing with magic.”

“If I had magic, I’d let you take it whenever,” you answer, again, with no hesitancy. 

He stops to stare at you. “You would?”

“Mhm. I mean it, Kai, I love you.”

“But the siphoning hurts.”

You shrug, “can’t hurt that bad. I imagine it’d probably actually feel good. At least for me, maybe not other people. Send little tingles all the way down to my-”

He cuts you off with an open mouthed kiss. “Now I really wish you had magic.”

“-and then a part of me would kinda be in your blood, too, right?” You finish the second part of what you wanted to say. 

“Holy fuck, you’re turning me on.”

“Open the door, Kai,” you urge. 

He finally does, but in the second you take to catch a breath, he’s back on you. He takes advantage of your state and slips his tongue in your mouth, no regard for anything but his and your pleasures. You go weak in his arms and let him explore, enjoying the feeling much more than you probably should. Then, he taps on your hips signaling for you to jump. You do, wrapping your legs around his waist. He carries you to the bed, finally, and throws you down rather roughly.

Immediately, panic takes over his face. “Shit, that was way harder than I meant to! You okay?”

You, on the other hand, can’t get a word out because you’re giggling too hard. 

“Y/N, are you okay?” He tries again.

“You’re so hot when you’re all dominant. Well, you’re always hot, but-” and then you continue to giggle. 

Kai relaxes, realizing he didn’t hurt you. “Oh you little-” he climbs on top of you until he’s hovering over your face. Legs tangle together, bodies close but not close enough… You buck your hips. There, now they’re close enough. “You’ve been wanting this,” he observes, fighting back a moan at the contact. 

“Yes, but also, your comfort is my number one priority. It’s much better now, with you enjoying it too, than if we were to try when you weren’t ready.”

“Thank you, princess,” he kisses your nose sweetly. 

“Thank you for trusting me. One thing though.”

“Mhm?”

“Do you trust me right now?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” Without further warning, you grab his wrists and flip him over so that his back is pressed into the bed. It’s the first time you’ve ever been on top of him, and the power makes you giddy. 

“I thought you liked me being dominant?”

“Oh, I do. But I also want to see you writhe under me,” you wink at him. 

Kai gives you a look, and you know he’s going to start fighting any minute now. It’s in his eyes, and you can feel his muscles under you tensing to build up the strength. In the last second before you think he’s going to try and take charge, your hand goes down to the outline forming in his jeans. All fight is immediately gone as soon as you start to feel him. He can’t even fight the moan he’s been holding back since you started making out downstairs. The sound spurs you on and you rub him harder.

“More, princess. Please.”

You move your legs to straddle him, hands going to his belt. “This okay?”

“Mhm.”

“Words, please.”

“What am I, five?”

You cock your head at him. “Words, or no further touching.”

“Princess,” he tries to buck his hips like you did, but you’re holding him down.

“Come on, Malachai.”

“Don’t use that name.”

“Mala-”

“Fine! Yes, please. It’s okay. Please.” You smirk, not expecting the begging, but loving it. “You little sadist.”

That only makes you love it more. Not wasting another second, your hands are undoing his belt. As much as you want to take it slowly, you’re both too excited to drag it out any longer. Besides, just by looking at him, you can see how hard he is, and you know you’re almost soaking your panties with wetness. 

“Wait,” he pants. 

You stop immediately. “You okay?”

“I need… I need. C’mere,” he beckons you forward, and you listen. “Need this off,” he pulls off your shirt. “And this,” next is your bra. The minute it’s off, he loses control and grabs your tits like he did in the bathroom a couple days earlier. Before you know it, he’s fondling one while the other’s in his mouth. 

“If mine is, this is coming off, too.” You make a grab for his shirt. He pauses, tongue still around your nipple. “Is that okay?”

“Yes,” he seems to decide in that instant. 

In order for you to pull the fabric over his head, he has to disconnect his mouth from your breast. But when it’s off, he swallows hard and doesn’t reach for them again.

“Kai… c’mon, pumpkin.” You take his hand to put it back on your body, trying to return that sense of comfort, but he doesn’t grasp your breast again. Sighing, you take it as a moment to get a closer look at his body. The bruises, the scars, everything. A tear escapes your eye, and you lean down to press a kiss to one of the purplish wounds. Then, you start to do that with all of them. From his neck to his hips, you kiss every mark made on his body, whether by his dad’s hand or his own. On the fresher ones, your lips are more gentle, barely there, not wanting to cause him more pain. But on the older ones, you leave multiple kisses, or even lick them with your tongue before kissing. “I meant it, Kai. You’re gorgeous. These marks don’t stop me from loving you.”

Slowly, he makes eye contact with you again. His hands reach out to your face, and when he gets a hold of you, he pulls you in for another deep kiss on his lips. “What did I do to deserve you?” He asks with a tear emerging.

“You don’t have to deserve love, baby.” You kiss his collarbone. 

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Your lips travel to his chest. Giving him a taste of his own medicine, you swirl your tongue around one of his nipples. He moans loudly, arching his back.

“Holy shit, I didn’t know that would feel that good.”

“Can I continue to make you feel things like that?”

“Yes, please. I need it, I need you. Wait, but let me-” he suddenly sticks two fingers into your wet heat, hovering over his own body, and pops them in his mouth. “You taste so good.”

“Are you gonna let me taste you now?”

“Sure. Yes. I meant yes.”

Your eyes warm and you continue to kiss him further down - this time, trailing his v-line. You had noticed the prominent indents the other day, but are now getting to see it up close. He moans again, enticing you more. 

“Princess.”

“I’m working on it.” Finally, you shrug his jeans down and off his body. You can tell he’s fighting the urge to hide his now-bare legs, but you opt to not pay attention to them anyway. Your gaze goes straight to the bulge in his boxers that looks even thicker without his jeans in the way. Mouth watering, you touch him first, enjoying the feeling. 

“Y/N, please. It’s uncomfortable. Too tight.”

Succumbing to his wishes, you tap his hips for him to lift them, then peel back the final confinement. His cock springs out, slapping his stomach in the process. You’re quick to lean forward and lick a stripe from the base to the tip. Kai sinks his head into the pillow, groaning huskily. After pulling his boxers all the way off, you refocus your attention back to the length in front of you. 

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” you mutter. The praise makes him twitch, and you immediately reach out to grasp him between two of your fingers. “Need to taste.” And then you finally do. You start at the tip, rolling your tongue over the slit counter clockwise, stimulating precum in the process. Some of it leaks into your mouth, straight down your throat, but most of it drips down the side of cock. It doesn’t get far, though, before you move your head to catch it, licking your way from the base to the tip, again. 

A shiver runs through his body. “Feels so good.” Barely audible, but you hear him. 

Positioning your head over him, you prepare to take him fully. To you, it’s a five second break of deep breaths, but to Kai, overwhelmed in pleasure, there’s almost no warning. As soon as you’re ready, you sink your mouth down on him until you get about halfway and your gag reflex kicks in. Cock hitting the back of your throat, you gag around him.

“Y/N, you okay?” He sits up on his elbows, worried he’d accidentally hurt you.

Slowly, you lift your head back up, “I’m good, baby. Just training my throat to take you.”

He swallows so hard that you see his Adam’s apple bob. “Oh, um…” He doesn’t lay back down, opting to watch you instead. 

You don’t mind as you go down for a second time, getting further now. You do it several times, taking more and more of him each time. Your tongue swirls around his length and traces his veins. In fact, there’s one vein in particular that especially makes Kai moan every time you hit it. It’s on the underside of his cock, and you start to pay special attention to it. The rest of his length sits against your face as you focus on it.

Kai doesn’t know if the sight or the feeling is affecting him more. Either way, he feels himself getting close to release. Your mouth is around him, head bobbing up and down rapidly, when he twitches. He whines, resisting the urge to hold your head where he wants. Suddenly, though, you stop and remove your mouth completely. 

“Fuck, wait, I’m about to…”

“I know, pumpkin. Can’t let you do that yet.”

He’s about to ask why, but then sees his answer. In one quick motion, you’re removing your own pants and lining your bodies together. “Ready?”

“Mhm. Yes.”

You smile, grab his cock to hold it upright, then sink your heat down onto him. Kai collapses, elbows no longer supporting him, as pleasure consumes him.

“You okay?”

“Yes, oh- oh god.”

“Can I move? I’ll start slow.”

“Please.”

As promised, you slowly begin to ride his length. Your hands rest on either side of his body and lips are pressed to his chest, leaving hot kisses all over his skin. 

“Let me know if you want to try and take over.”

“Okay.”

When Kai starts to relax, you pick up the pace. Not too fast, but little by little. Soon, his hands find your hips and he helps guide you. His fingers have a tight grip on you, but it only makes you wetter. 

“I think, I wanna… wanna try…”

“Want to be on top, angel?”

“Mhm.”

“Okay. You can just flip us or I can move, what are you feeling?” But the hungry look in his eyes already gives you your answer.

As soon as you nod and grab onto his shoulders, he flips the both of you so that you’re now pressed into the bed. With his usual role re-established, so does his dominance. You open your legs wider to give him more access, and he immediately takes advantage of it. With a lick of his lips, he pushes his cock into you, not stopping until he’s run out of length. 

“Oh my god,” you mutter. 

“Is it too much?”

“No, you’re perfect. Move when you’re ready, mmkay?”

He nods, then copies the way you rode him when he begins to move: arms on your side, head ducked into your chest. His lips attach to your nipples, sucking, and pulling them between his teeth. When he gets a hold of his balance, you feel pressure on your clit, too. 

“Fuck, Kai. You’re so good.”

His body jolts, “say it again.”

“What?”

“Name. Say it again.”

“Kai,” you pant as he quickens pace.

“No one else is home baby, say it louder.”

You had forgotten this fact, actually, but the minute he reminds you, you let yourself go. “Fuck,” you moan, rather loudly, “feels so good, Kai! Fuck. Harder.”

He spreads your legs wider and thrusts harder upon request. Obscene sounds fill the room, mixed with your moans and whimpers.

“Kai,” you pant, “need to hear you, too.”

“I’d rather hear you, Princess.”

“Aw, come on, gorgeous. Nothing turns me on more than men moaning,” you admit. “Need to hear you.”

Previously held-back grunts and groans tumble from his mouth at your confession. When his lips return to your nipple, he makes sure to keep up with your request, sending vibrations throughout your body. 

“I’m close, Kai. So close, so close… don’t stop what you’re doing.”

“I’m getting there, too,” he twitches again. “Come for me, Princess.”

As soon as he asks, your orgasm rips through your body. Loud moans follow, and your eyes roll back in your head. Kai rides you through yours, before pulling out and immediately releasing all over your face and chest. Some drips off your shoulders, down to the bedsheets.

The minute he catches his breath, a worried expression takes over his face, “I’m sorry! I knew I shouldn’t do it inside you, but wasn’t sure where else to. I aimed for your chest and misfired.”

You make direct eye contact with him, then swipe a bunch off your cheek with your finger before sucking it off. “Oh, I’ll never complain about a facial.” You dart your tongue out to the side to gather more. “And don’t worry, I kinda like the taste. How the hell were you a virgin, Kai?! You were amazing the whole way through!”

He blushes, “um, thank you.”

You can’t help but giggle. Only Kai would be sweet enough to thank you for complimenting his sexual ability. Your ex-boyfriend, to whom you had lost your virginity, threw you an, “I know,” when you told him he was good. This little fact just made you love Kai even more. 

Then, as if he couldn’t get more perfect, his next words are, “can I clean you up now, Princess? And then we can cuddle and nap?”

“Of course. Give me a kiss first.”

Kai leans forward and kisses you sweetly. His tongue sweeps over your bottom lip, wetting it gently. 

“Blood,” he comments.

“Hm?”

“There’s blood on your lip.”

You run your own tongue along it, “must’ve bit it in pleasure.”

“I’ll be right back, okay?” He pulls on a loose pair of sweatpants from his drawer, giving you a wink. 

“Okay, darling.”

Two minutes later, Kai returns with a warm rag and a water bottle. First, he cleans the small sore and any remaining blood off your lip, then hands you the bottle. “Drink,” he insists. As you do, he moves the rag over your face and down your neck and chest, cleaning off his drying cum. He rubs your lower body next, easing some of the soreness as well as wiping away your cum. “Anywhere else?”

“No, I’m okay. Do you need anything?”

“Just you,” he sappily replies. 

“Okay, come here then.” Arms wide open, you gather him up and pull him close. You take a hand away for a split-second to pull the blankets over you two, earning a whine before he realizes what you’re doing. As soon as your arm is back around him, he snuggles into your body. “I love you, Kai,” you whisper with your lips against his cheek.

“I love you, too, Princess. Thank you for making me feel like I’m worth something to someone.” 

As much as his words sadden you, they also make you feel warm inside. You’re the one that makes him feel that way, and that’s pretty fucking special. 

“Always, my sweetheart.” You give him a kiss to the cheek, keeping your lips there even afterwards. His heartbeat slows into a comfortable rhythm and breathing evens out, and soon, he’s fast asleep in your arms. 

[admirationandromantics]

Going overboard, 10: Repentance

Yeah, you're right, I saved the best gif of him for this chapter. Just to remind everyone, this is not the last chapter!! I'll be posting the epilogue tomorrow, so stay tuned!!! And just a warning that it will be worth it (I mean, you've waited since chapter 5 or something for some more sexy times, right?) Anyways, hope you've enjoyed the story so far, and let me know if you want something else as well. My requests are open! <3

“I mean, I saw that thing from a distance” I start, walking behind Mike. “But it was so incredibly disgusting. The teeth, the skin, everything.”

“Like, I know I’m supposed to love every living thing on this earth, but can that thing be an exception?” Sam asks, and I giggle. 

“Oh yeah, you should’ve seen everyone I saw. They were all different from each other, I mean, they all tried to kill me, but they looked like different people. You know that mining accident I told you about?”

We both nod in unison. 

“The miners that survived resorted to cannibalism, and when they got treated at the Sanatorium, they attacked staff and killed people. I saw a video, medical journals and other stuff. It’s insane.” 

“So there’s more of them?” Sam asks, stopping in her tracks. 

“The one that took Josh, it was bigger than the one we just saw” I comment, getting a sinking feeling in my stomach. 

“So we are up against several of those things?”

“Seems like it” Mike answers, lifting his shoulders and starts walking again. 

“Fucking hell”

I start thinking about the one that took Josh. Something seemed so familiar about it. 

“Don’t know how we didn’t run into any of them last year.” Mike says. 

“Probably purely coincidences that we haven’t, like Chris says, butterfly effects and stuff” Sam wonders, keeping her sight on the path so she doesn’t stumble. The cave inn, how long ago was that?

“Wait, so how old is that thing?” I ask, thinking I’m messing with the wrong numbers. 

“80 years at least” Mike says. 

“Shit”

“I know”

“Spunky for an old timer”

We arrive at a big cave lake, and I look down, checking out the water. 

“I think we’re close” Sam says. 

“How can you tell?”

“I just feel terrible all of a sudden” 

“I get that” 

I touch it with my fingers, surprised by the cold. There’s something odd about it. 

“I don’t want to go in there” Sam exclaims. 

“Seems like there’s no other way through” I comment, looking around. 

“What about there?”

I look over, seeing a path go beside the water. I stand up, walking there with the others. The path is surrounded by water, so there’s no other way for us to continue. I look over the lake, seeing a door on the other side. I think we have to go in it. 

“Oh my god, is that what I think it is?” I hear Sam, turning around I see a large dig up hole. Awfully similar to a grave. Shit. 

“That looks like a grave…” Mike whispers, a bit stunned. Sam walks closer, picking up something laying in the dirt. 

“Fuck, this is Beths!”

“What?” I walk to her, seeing the watch in her hands, with Beth’s name engraved on the back of it. “This is her watch!” 

“What?” Mike repeats, sounding unconvinced. He looks at it, eyes wide in realisation. 

“There was a cross here” I whimper, breath caught in my throat, pointing to a cross lying upside down. 

“So this must’ve been where she was buried” Mike says. 

“But who dug her up?” I ask, chills crawling down my spine. 

“Let’s keep moving” he says, hand on my shoulder. 

“The faster we get away from this mountain, the better” Sam adds, quickly walking in front of us. We get to the lake again, and I take the first step down. 

“God, I did NOT want to get an UTI from this trip” Sam comments. 

“Or hepatitis” Mike adds. 

“I can promise you, in these types of waters, that’s the least of your worries” I say, water reaching to my torso. 

“Jeez, thank you for calming me”

“Just being honest, I thought you loved that about me?” I tease, trying to ignore the coldness. 

“It’s okay Sam” Mike urges, holding out his hand for her. 

“You sure?”

“We’re not dead yet” I whisper. 

“Famous last words” she says before getting in. “Gosh it’s freezing”

“Just keep moving” Mike says. “Nobody likes cold buns… Although both of yours are great”

“Gee thanks Mike, you’re really lightening the mood” I say sarcastically. 

“Always a pleasure”

We make our way to the side, hoping the water is low enough so we don't have to swim. Sam suddenly trips, water almost reaching her shoulders. 

“Shit, I thought you said you reached the deepest parts?” 

“When did I say that?”

“Umm, I don’t know” 

She drags herself up, giving me a hand so I get out easier. 

“What is that?” I point, noticing some papers laying on the ground. 

“Oh shit” Mike exclaims. “That looks like Hannah’s writing. Sam looks over the pages, reading out loudly the writing for us. 

“I’m sorry Beth, I have no choice. It’s the only way I can survive anymore. If someone finds this, I’m sorry. I had to, I had no choice”

“What does that mean?” Mike asks, breathing heavily and quickly. 

“No, no, no, no, no” I exclaim, the pieces coming together. I look at Sam, she gets it as well. 

“What, what is it?” Mike asks, scared but confused. 

“I think… Hannah dug up Beth”

“No, no, no, no” I keep chanting to myself, feeling sick to my stomach. 

“It was Hannah!”

Mike shakes his head in disbelief, but I know he just doesn’t want to believe it. 

“No, that’s - that’s ridiculous” 

“It has to be, it’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“Think about it” I continue. “Beth died from the fall, so Hannah buried her… She couldn’t move, god knows how long she’d been down here, and she was probably starving”

“I get it, I get it, please don’t say it out loud” Mike scolds, and I shut up. 

There’s still no direct way to the other side, so we have to go into the water again. This time, we’re all silent. We make our way there, Mike going first, followed by Sam and I beside each other. 

“It’s getting deeper” Mike states. 

“Roger that”

“Oh, no it’s getting better”

“Don’t jinx it”

We get to the other side, easier to get out of the water than before. I look around, feeling eyes on me, but can’t see anything out of the ordinary. 

Sam goes straight for the door, pulling the handle hard. The door flies open, water pouring out, making all of us fall to the ground. A head rolls out, landing right beside me, and I shriek from the sight, pushing myself away. 

“Fuck fuck fuck!” 

Everyone stands up, keeping a distance from it. 

“It’s the old man” I whisper, throat closing. 

“Shit, let’s just go, now!” Sam firmly states, taking my arm and dragging me with her. We go inside, and I hold my hand in front of my mouth when I see the man’s body hanging from hooks in the ceiling. We need to go now, I want to get out of here. 

Mike is standing directly under him, a few drops of blood dripping down on him. He looks up, shining the flashlight. 

“Ugh, I’m gonna be sick” he cries, backing away and turning around. I hear small whimpers come from Sam as she clutches her stomach. My body starts shaking, a combination of coldness, wetness and panic. I don’t want to end up like that, none of us do…

“Wait” Sam stops us. “Do you hear that?” We stay silent, trying to hear whatever she’s alluding to. I try, but the explosion I caused with Chris must’ve damaged something. Mike moves to a wall, telling us to look. I walk over, seeing Josh walking around in circles, clutching his head and talking to himself. 

“No, no, no, no, no, no. I don’t take orders from you!” 

“Josh!” I yell, running to the door, trying to pry it open. Mike shoves in front of me, opening the door with ease and letting me run over. 

“You can’t tell me what to do”

“Josh” I say, my voice barely over a whisper. I try to take his hand, but he seems completely oblivious to my touch. 

“No, no, I told you, you can’t tell me what to do anymore”

Mike and Sam approach, saying his name and trying to get his attention. 

“No, okay fine. I trust you. I trust you” he continues, his eyes seeming like they’re in a completely different place. 

“What’s the matter with him?” Mike asks. 

“He’s tripping or something. Having an episode” I answer, scared and confused. 

“Hit him” Mike says, and I look at him with a ‘wtf’-expression. He pushes past me, lifting his hand and slapping him straight across the face. 

“Mike” I yell, moving my hand to soothe his chin. “Josh!” he screams in his face. 

“M-Mike?” Josh whispers, some of him coming back to the present. He looks down on me, his eyes calming down and breathing steadying. 

“Hi Josh, it’s us, you’re okay”

“Please, d-don’t hit me again” 

“No, no, I would never” I tell him, shooting a glare at Mike. 

“Hey, it worked” he tells me, and I don’t know how to respond. It did work, I would never have done it myself. “He was in deep, full mental jacket”

“We didn’t think we’d get you back” Sam adds. 

“Josh, Hannah was down here for… weeks? A month? She dug Beth up…”

“Sam” I warn. This is not what he needs right now. 

“Let’s just get the fuck out of here” Mike says, already starting to make his way out. 

“Okay, Josh? Do you have the key for the cable car?” I ask, trying to be as calm as possible. 

“Uhh, yeah, yeah, here” he hands it to me. Hands touching. I hold onto him a little longer. His hands are cold and dry, streaks of red covering them. I kiss him on the cheek, thanking him. He looks taken aback, and I don’t know if I went too far too fast, but there’s nothing changing it now. 

“See that over there?” Sam points. “That means a direct way out, come on”

I look up, a long rock wall. I could probably make it, Sam definitely would. 

“There’s no way Josh is making it up there” Mike says, an arm around him. 

“Okay, we split” Sam says. 

“What?” I ask, not wanting to be separated. 

“Two up, and two out from down here” Sam says, and Mike nods. 

“Okay, I’ll take Jos-” I start, but Sam interrupts me. 

“I need you. The wall, we’re the fastest, and the best climbers. Josh is safe with Mike”

“But-”

“No buts” Mike says. “We do it like that, we’ll be quick, I promise”. I sigh in reply, moving forward, putting one of my hands behind Josh’s neck and kissing him. I don’t care that the others are watching, I just need him to know how I’ve felt and how I feel. He kisses me back, hands moving to my waist. 

“I’ve missed you” I whisper, low enough so only he hears it. “When we’re off this mountain, we’ll talk, okay?” I ask, still in a low voice. He nods in reply, a little smile creeping to his lips. 

“We’ll go tell the others that we’re okay” Sam says. 

“Yeah, good” Mike replies. 

“Bring Josh back the way we came and we’ll meet at the lodge” I say firmly. 

“Be careful”

“You too” we both say in unison. Mike gives us both a push before continuing back to where we came from. Josh’s eyes remain on me, and I feel like I left a piece of me. 

We climb up the wall, getting up to the second half. I look up, seeing ice and snow. 

“How do we do that?” I ask, getting shivers already. 

“By having a good grip” she replies, starting to climb. 

“Well, fuck it” I whisper as I do the same. I grab hold of a branch, managing to lift myself up the entire way. We both get up, being met with the snowstorm. 

The path is still visible, and we waste no time walking. We both jog, not too slow, and not too quick. 

“God, it’s cold” Sam complains, and I look over. She’s still wearing the training gear, legs and arms very exposed. 

“Hey, take this” I say, giving her my bloodied scarf. I’m only wearing a sweater, a singlet underneath. There would be no point giving her that. 

“Thanks” 

The path leads to an icy pond, not completely frozen, just the edges. There’s no way around it. 

“Why does it have to be today?” she asks, not expecting an answer. 

“Come on” I tell her, getting into the icy water. I bite my teeth together, never before have I been so cold. I can’t talk, I can barely move. She gets in, and makes exactly the same expression. We have to be quick, both probably suffering from hypothermia already. We walk over, the water getting deeper with each step, but finally, we’re on the other side. I help her up, limbs frozen and red. 

Suddenly, we both hear a horrific scream. The wendigo. It must be close. Fuck. We both start running for our lives, jumping over trees and taking sharp swings. Finally the lodge comes to our vision, and we run for the door. I try to open it, but it’s locked. I start banging, praying that the others will hear me. 

“Let us in!”

“Get it open, get it open!” Sam urges, twitching and shivering behind me. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck”

A hand goes on my shoulder, and we turn around to find Mike and Josh standing there, panting and shivering as well. They’re both scratched up and dirty, more than when we left them. 

“Shit, guys” I pant, almost not being able to breathe. 

“You look terrible” Sam says, looking them both up and down. 

“We’re gonna look worse if we stay out here”

I give Sam a determined look, and pick up a rock from the ground. 

“Yeah, good idea” she compliments, arms around herself for a little warmth. I throw the rock through the window, sneaking my hand in and unlocking it from inside. We all run in, closing the door behind us. Sam turns on the light.

“Not good” Mike says as he turns it off again. 

“What should we do?” I ask, nervous and cold. 

“We should check the basement, might be someone left there” Mike replies, walking to the stairs. I take Josh’s hand in mine, and he takes the whole of me into a big hug. I finally feel tears coming, coating his shoulder. 

“I love you” I whisper between sobs, holding him even harder. 

“I love you too” he whispers lovingly, his voice finally sounding sure and true. I pull away, and he dries my tears before I can. I smile, thinking wow, we might actually survive. I hold his hand in mine, leading him down the stairs to the others. When we’re halfway there, we’re met with screams, and Emily, Ashley and Chris running up past us. 

“Run!” Mike yells as he comes towards us. Josh starts moving up the stairs, but I see Sam just standing still, unable to move. I run down, grabbing her arm firmly and dragging her with me. 

“Get it together!” I state as we run up the stairs, immediately coming to a halt. 

The wendigo, the big one who took Josh, is standing on the ornament hanging from the ceiling. Thankfully, I’m right next to Josh, and I look at him in the side vision, telling him not to move. All of us are standing completely still, the wendigo not being able to locate any of us, yet. I hear the others come up from the cellar, running up the stairs and catching the big one’s attention. They all look at each other, before going off, two of them hitting and biting. I hear someone run out the lodge, and I carefully look back, seeing Emily and Ashley taking small steps backwards. I signal to Josh, carefully grabbing the back of his overalls and taking a step back. It works well, the monsters being too occupied to notice any of us. We’re right by the door when I see the big one rip the other’s head off. Mike has been slowly moving, but suddenly, the wendigo sets his mind on him. 

“Hey!” Sam yells, and I struggle to hold my mouth shut. No, no, no. Not Sam, please. I hear the monster yell again, turning away from us. I take my chance, grabbing Josh’s hand and running out. Outside, I find Emily and Chris, both standing beside each other, not making a sound. We make our way over to them, looking inside for the others. Ashley comes running out, getting among us. I see Mike in the opening, waiting for something. Suddenly, he runs toward us, Sam in his heels, who switches the light on, causing the whole lodge to explode in flames. Sam shouts as she’s thrown forward by the explosion, Mike falling, and everyone else being blasted into the snow. I feel hands move around me as I hit the ground. 

A few seconds go by, the sound of burning wood and the smell of rotten flesh fills the area. A light is seen, and we all look up as a helicopter lands.

[ahgasegotarmy116]

Still With You | A Jeon Jungkook Series | Chapter Ten

Summary: You decide to take a break from Jimin and Jungkook but things don't go according to plan when they both show up during your late night shift Pairing : Luna (reader) x Jungkook and Jimin, f2l love triangle Word Count: 4.3k~ Warnings: Explicit language and a heated discussion a/n: Barely edited per usual 😅 Start from the beginning

"Hey Luna someone's here to see you" I hear Grey yell from the front of the store leaving me picking up the cleaning supplies I had been using moments ago and bring it up front. 

"Oh Jimin, hi! I forgot that you were coming tonight" I say putting everything away. "Yeah I just wanted to make sure to get this to you as soon as possible" he says with a shy smile handing me the pepper spray. I give him a shallow bow in thanks and place it in my back pocket for the time being. 

"So, how was your day Noona?" he asks, hoping he can stay around a little longer. "It was okay, Grey came over and hung out for a little bit and then I took her to Bora for a snack before work" I say glancing over towards Grey for a second. 

"Oh...you took her to Bora? That's cool" he says and I can see that he's a little upset at the mention of it. "Is everything okay?" I ask before continuing the conversation. "Yeah I was just thinking that maybe Bora could be our thing" he says shyly. 

He's really not that confident and cool guy he made himself out to be from our first interaction which is honestly quite adorable but I decide not to mention it.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't even think about that! I just liked the place so much that I wanted to show her" I say apologetically. "It's okay don't worry about it, it was silly of me to think that" he says rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "No it wasn't, we can always go again soon if you'd like?" I say and I see his eyes light up at the offer. 

"Are you asking me out on a date Noona?" he asks, jumping to conclusions and getting some of that playful energy back. "No it's not a date" I chuckle at him and roll my eyes. "We're still getting to know each other better remember" I say playfully pushing him. 

"Yeah I know I just wanted to tease you" he says with mischievous smirk, "But when did you wanna go? I'm free tomorrow if you are!" he asks looking hopeful. 

I see Grey waving at me and telling me to tell him no for some reason so I decide to trust her and go along with it. "I actually have some stuff I need to do tomorrow but I'll text you okay?" I say hoping he'll understand. 

"Oh okay yeah that works too. Well I better get going then, I have an early morning class so I should probably get some sleep" he says before giving me a quick hug. I guess that's going to be a regular thing between us now and as much as I hate to admit it it gives me butterflies every time.

We say our goodbyes and he waves at Grey on his way out to which she responds with a nod of her head. Once he's gone and down the street and out of earshot I make my way over to the register where Grey is. 

"So why did you want me to tell him no again?" I ask sitting on the stool next to her. "Don't you need time to figure things out with Jungkook before you start going on dates with Jimin?" she says turning towards me. 

I take in her words and she has a point there, I know how Jungkook is and although it's only been a day that doesn't mean that I can push him to the side just because I don't know what I want. "Yeah you're probably right. I'll let Jimin know that I need some space too I guess" I say knowing that I really do need to start taking things more seriously.

~~~~~~

A week passes by and I find myself back at work daydreaming. 

I've been trying to think of all of the different ways that things could go between Jungkook and I, but I'm just too scared to act. My brain has been full of 'What ifs' and I'm too afraid of what the consequences of those 'What ifs' might look like. 

I hear the chime signaling a new customer coming in and I see Jungkook walking through the door. He stops in his tracks for a second, both of us just staring at each other before he takes a deep breath and walks over to me. 

"I thought Grey was supposed to be working today" he mumbles and breaks eye contact with me. "She was, but something happened with Smokey so she asked if I could cover. He's fine though, just got into something and messed up her apartment" I let him know in case he might've been concerned. 

"Oh, okay that's good" he responds and we stand there in silence for a bit. "How have you been?" I ask taking notice of the dark circles under his eyes and his disheveled look. "Could be better" he says continuing to mumble before clearing his throat and asking me the same question. 

"I'm okay, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and-" I start but get interrupted by the sound of yet another customer walking in but my eyes widen in horror seeing that it's Jimin.

"Hi Noona!" he greets coming in with a big smile. He copies what Jungkook had done just moments before, stoping in his tracks now taking in the sight of Jungkook and I at the register. 

"Jungkook..." I start trailing off. "Is this the reason why you needed more time to think? Because you're dating someone else?" he says through gritted teeth starting to raise his voice. "Jungkook please we need to talk but we can't do this now" I whisper trying to hopefully encourage him to keep his voice down. 

"No I think now would be a perfect time Luna" he says in a stern tone that I've never heard from him and storms outside, hovering by the entrance clearly waiting for me to follow. 

"Sunghoon?" I call out hoping the kid isn't too far. "Yeah Noona?" he says peaking his head out from around the corner. "Can you watch the store for me? I'm gonna take my break a little early" I say keeping my eyes on Jungkook. "Sure, is everything okay?" he asks noticing my stiffened posture. 

"Yeah everything is fine I just need to talk to Jungkook for a sec" I reassure him, taking my store vest off and placing it behind the counter. He does as he's told and walks behind the counter as I drag myself outside, dreading the impending doom that is this conversation.

Jungkook stands off to the side now, a cigarette held between his lips as he takes a drag and blows it out when he sees me leave the store. 

"When did you start smoking?" I ask, surprised at his new habit. "Really?" he say harshly "That's what you decide to focus on? Luna cut the crap and tell me what's really going on. Are you dating him?" he says, face flushed from the emotions I can see that he's trying to hold back. "I'm not dating him" I answer plainly, not really knowing how to describe my relationship with him. 

"So what, are you guys sleeping together?" he spits out bitterly. "What the fuck? Jungkook no! Why would you even think that?" I say surprised at his attitude. "I saw the way he was looking at you, like he had been caught doing something wrong when he saw me back there. Is he the reason why you wanted space? So you could mess around with him and see if you liked him before you decided to come back and settle for me?" he says starting to get angry. 

"Jungkook what's gotten into you?" I ask concerned for him. "What's gotten into me? No, what's gotten into you? What happened to being honest with each other? What happened to trusting each other? Fuck Luna what happened to loving each other? You told me you love me and then you pull shit like this? Stringing me along and stressing me out thinking that I lost the most important person in my life because I let my feelings get mixed up. Making me think that it was my fault when all along all you were doing was playing with me because you just liked the attention" he says spewing out things that I never thought he could ever say, let alone think about anyone. 

I catch a whiff of alcohol mixed with the cigarette smoke making me understand why he's acting like this. "Jungkook you're drunk" I say sternly trying to stay strong and keep my emotions in check. I don't want to break in front of him, not like this. 

"Yeah so what? Trying to find an excuse to push me off just because you know what I'm saying is true. How could you be so selfish? Treating me like I'm just some little play thing that you can come back to when you've had your fun. Well guess what Luna I'm done! I'm not waiting around for you hoping that you'll some how love me the way that I love you" he scoffs bitterly pausing for a second " I guess I should say loved because I don't think I could ever love someone like you seeing your true colors now".

I hear the door open behind me and Jimin comes out to jump in and defuse the situation "I think that's enough" he says calmly coming to my side. "Last time I checked I wasn't talking to you" Jungkook says coming closer to him. "Jungkook no, stop" I say quickly blocking him from doing something stupid, "Please let's talk this through later when you're sober okay? I'll text you and we can meet up tomorrow" I say trying to bring his attention back over to me. 

"I don't want to talk anymore. I saw what I needed to see. I'm done!" He says shrugging me off. "Be careful with her. She'll kick you to the curb too once she's bored" he warns Jimin before walking off with a slight sway in his step.

"You okay?" Jimin says turning his full attention to me once Jungkook has turned a corner. "Yeah I think so. I've gotta get back to work though so I'll see you later okay?" I say giving him a pained smile before walking back into the store. 

"Did you want me to come pick you up?" he offers, walking in behind me. "No that's okay I should be fine. I haven't really seen or heard any sign of them in a while so I think they might've gotten bored" I say in reference to the stalker that I had been dealing with earlier this week. 

"Are you sure? I don't have class tomorrow so I really don't mind" he tries one more time. "It's okay, I think it'll help me process things easier if I go alone" I say offering up an explanation for my refusal. He nods his head and sighs in defeat and departs soon after that. 

"Are you okay?" Sunghoon asks me, clearly seeing how upset this all has made me. He's worked here since he was 16 and is in his second year of University now so we've known each other for a while and he's become somewhat of a little brother to me. 

"Not really" I say trying to blink back the tears that I can feel forming. "You can go to the back and take a minute if you need to, I didn't hear much but I know he said some hurtful things to you" he says placing a hand on my shoulder as somewhat of a way to provide comfort. I nod my head and walk back into the break room to take a breather.

'Is what he said true? Was I just toying with him because someone else came along? What the fuck am I doing? What do I really want?' I question myself while trying to take deep breaths to calm down. I let a few tears fall before quickly swiping them away knowing that I really do need to collect myself and stay professional. After a minute or two I'm able to put on that customer service persona that I need to sport for the rest of the night and make my way back out. 

"Thanks for that" I say placing my store vest back on. "It's fine don't mention it" he trades places with me but hovers by the counter clearly wanting to say something. 

"You want to know what happened huh?" I question with a half smile. "Only if you're comfortable with telling me" I let out a deep breath and decide to tell him bits and pieces of the story throughout our very uneventful night.

"So let me get this straight, you're basically in a love triangle with Jungkook and that other Jimin guy?" I nod my head and wait to answer more of his questions. "But because you've been friends with Jungkook for so long you're afraid that if you date that you might have a messy breakup and you'll lose your best friend?" I nod my head again and I watch as he formulates a few more questions in his head. 

"But based off of Jungkook's reaction tonight it seems like you might already be losing him right?" I nod my head but this time decide to elaborate on the subject. 

"He seemed like he was really drunk though so I know he definitely meant some of the things he said but he kind of just jumped to conclusions based off of one look and ran with it. I need to talk to him when he's preferably sober so I can reason with him a bit more" I finish. 

"What does Grey think about all of this?" he questions, curious to see another perspective. "She's been pushing me to make up my mind since day one so I know she's irritated with me. I have no doubt that Jungkook has been bothering her about me this past week so she's probably about to confront me about it too" I say trying to mentally preparing myself for that conversation.

"Have you made up your mind yet? Do you know who you want to be with?" he asks leaning in a bit more, now clearly invested in the whole story. "I thought I did, until Jungkook's outburst tonight. I want to be with him, but not if he's gonna be acting like this. I can't do this whole jealous overbearing boyfriend type of relationship. Like yes some jealousy is hot occasionally but I don't want to have my partner think I'm cheating on them or something based off a single glance" I run my hands through my hair and take a deep breath before continuing. 

"This isn't even the first time he's acted like this towards me. He blew up on me the day after he told me he loved me because his hyungs were flirting with me and he couldn't take it" I say getting irritated just thinking about that day again. 

"So that's why he hasn't been around lately. I was kind of wondering since he used to spend a lot of time around here, like almost everyday" he says now connecting the dots. 

"Yeah and Jimin has been the polar opposite of Jungkook, caring, understanding, supportive, so it's been making this decision even more difficult. I know I've only known him for a while but we seem really compatible. We like the same movies, listen to the same music and we like the same food" I say listing off our similarities.

"But do you like him?" he says cutting off my list. "Of course I like him" I say surprised at his question thinking it had been made obvious. "No but do you think you could fall in love with him?" I take a second to ponder his question and I feel stuck, not really knowing the answer yet. "I mean I think so... I don't know? Don't you think it's a little too soon to be thinking like that?" I question. 

"You don't have to be in love with him already but don't you think that's the point of a relationship? To eventually fall in love?" I take a second to contemplate his word and I feel like I'm getting even more confused. "Yeah I guess you're right" I say "But I still don't know what to do" I finish running my fingers through my hair for the nth time today. 

"Maybe you should just focus on what you're going to say to Jungkook. I'm sure you guys will work things out, and even if you don't then there's your answer" he says trying to simplify the situation for me. "Yeah you're right..." I trail off and he is quickly pulled away by a customer who seems to be in a hurry.

I spend the rest of my shift going through the motions until I'm finally able to go home. Walking back I take that time to breathe and force myself to take a look at my life and what I want out of it. 

Jungkook has been an amazing friend and I think he would be an incredible boyfriend, or at least I thought he might. Now I'm not so sure, which scares me. Was he just pretending this whole time to be someone that he's not and now I'm just now seeing his true colors? There has to be something else that's going on with him but I have no idea what it could be. 

I take out my phone to send him a text to at least ask if he got home safe but it bounces back showing me that he's already blocked me. I'm not surprised at this point but I'm still a little hurt at the fact that he just wants to cut me off for this. 

I agree what I did was fucked up and I should've talked it out with him instead of pushing him away so I guess I deserved it. I strengthen my resolve and decide to go to his house in the morning to talk things out. No doubt he'll have a hangover so he won't be going anywhere that early.

Opening the door to my apartment and being greeted by silence used to give me peace of mind but after that envelope showed up on my doorstep I've hated being faced with it every time I return. 

My mind is racing with all that I'm planning to say to Jungkook so I decide to turn on the TV to drown out all the thoughts that are running circles around my head. 

I set an alarm on my phone for eight so I can go to the store before Jungkook wakes up to get stuff that'll help with his hangover and right as I reach for the remote to press play on the Netflix show I've been planning to catch up on I'm interrupted by a sound outside my door. My heart goes into overdrive and I wait a few seconds before getting up to go check. 

Making my way over to the door I'm greeted with, yet again, another red envelope, this time having been slipped under my door. They know that I'm home, they wanted me to know that they're still watching me. 

I decide against opening the door this time and look through the peep hole instead to see if they're still in the hallway. The hallway looks empty but I know better than to open the door so with shaking hands I pick up the envelope and take it over to the couch.

I open it up and see that this time it's pictures of Jungkook, Jimin and I from tonight inside the store, me arguing outside with Jungkook as well as Jimin and I talking outside afterwards. 

I try to visualize what our surroundings had looked when we were outside to see if I could remember if there had been anyone outside that could've been the one taking pictures of us but no matter how hard I try with just the shock of seeing Jungkook my whole attention had been solely on him. 

Jungkook's face is still crossed out in all the pictures but this time written on the back of one of them are the words 'GOOD RIDDANCE!'. Whereas on the back of one of the pictures of Jimin and I are the words 'Who the fuck is this?!?!?' with his face circled a bunch of times. 

Seems like no matter what guy I'm with this person doesn't like them. Makes me think that the sick fuck is not only obsessed but also in love with me. What the fuck did I ever do to deserve this? Why is all of this suddenly happening all at once? No matter what I do I can't seem to catch a fucking break.

I pick up my phone and call Grey, not wanting to bother Jimin this time and she luckily picks up on the fourth ring. "This better be good?" she lets out groggily, clearly upset that I had woken her up. "Stalker guy is back" I say simply and hear her bed creaking signaling some kind of movement on her end. 

"What the fuck? What happened this time? Are you okay?" she says hoping to get some more information about what we're dealing with. 

"Yeah I'm fine, surprisingly it didn't bother me as much as it did last time. I'm more pissed than anything. Like what about my life is so interesting? I'm just an average person working an average job and doing average things. Why would my life be remotely interesting?" I say exhausted with the added annoyance of this guy showing up again. 

"In case you haven't noticed Luna you're kinda hot. Hell if you weren't my best friend I might even go for you" she teases. "Grey this isn't helping" I whine. "Okay okay I'll stop. What did the stalker guy do this time? Was it another envelope?" she questions. "Yeah but it was only pictures from tonight" I say preparing myself for having to tell her everything that happened.

"Did something happen tonight?" she questions and I can tell she knows there's something else going on. "Jungkook came by the store looking for you" I say and I hear her mumble a curse under her breath. "Luna I'm sorry, he's been coming around every once in a while to check up on you and see how you're doing. I didn't tell you because he's still my friend too you know so-" 

"Grey it's fine, it doesn't bother me" I say cutting her off. "Okay good, I feel like I'm always put into an awkward position between the two of you so I never really know what to do. Plus he usually calls or texts me before coming" she explains further. 

"Yeah well he was drunk so I'm not surprised he didn't let you know" I say rolling my eyes at the thought. "He was drunk? Did he say something?" she says and I can tell she's already wincing. "Boy definitely gave me a piece of his mind that's for sure" I say rubbing my temples. "You okay?" she asks hoping he didn't do too much damage.

"Yeah, he came in and then Jimin came in a few minutes later and he jumped to conclusions and assumed that we were dating and/or sleeping together. He basically called me an attention whore and that I was playing with his emotions so I know he's just hurt and trying to hurt me too in his drunken state. I know that wasn't him, or I hope it wasn't. I've seen so many drastic changes in his character lately that it's starting to scare me. It seems like he's changing into a different person and I'm not sure if that's the kind of person I want to be around, let alone date" I let out honestly. 

"So what are you gonna do?" she asks, hoping to help me at least start to voice it all. "I guess I'm just gonna tell him how I feel, one of the last things he said to me though was that he was done and he didn't want to talk anymore so I'm not even sure if he'll talk to me even if I tried. I'm planning on going over to his place in the morning and bringing him stuff for his hangover so I guess we'll just have to wait and see if he let's me in or not".

"And if he doesn't let you in?" she questions. "Then I guess I'll have my answer" I say and lay down, grabbing one of the throw blankets I have and crawling under it. "I should probably let you go though since I woke you up. Thanks for answering" I say, thankful that I have someone like her to count on. 

"Yeah no worries, let me know how things go tomorrow okay? Let's meet up afterwards and go to Bora, I know that'll probably cheer you up, plus I owe you one" she says nonchalantly. 

"You just want to go to Bora again to see that guy huh?" I tease. "No! I- I just really like their macarons okay! It has nothing to do with him" she denies nervously. "Whatever you say" I say after laughing a bit at hearing how flustered she sounds. 

"Goodnight Luna" she says with a monotone, "Goodnight Grey" I say and end the call, lock my phone and will myself to sleep, tossing and turning soon leading to a well earned night's rest.

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[daddypriceugh]

Trouble

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Alright, so this is a little something I wrote some time ago.

I hope y'all like it :) i'll start writing more stuff soon as I have more free time now!!

Tw: some curse words but all in one nothing major

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"He's definitely your son"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know it"

The air in the car was thick and tense as you and your husband drove to your son's school. Reason for it was the phone call you got 30 minutes ago, stating that he got himself into trouble with a classmate.

You knew that your son was a bit different when it came to emotions. He was just like his father, quiet and reserved, but more repulsive. You of course denied that he got that from you.

The car came to a stop and Simon turned off the engine, body turning towards you. He had a neutral look on his face but you knew him better than that. When you told him about the call, he took it in better than you did. He seemed fine with it and that made you mad.

"You okay?" He asked, hand reaching for your cheek. You let him put it there.

"To be honest, i don't know. I just don't know how to react." He hummed in response, seeming to  understand your troubles.

"That's alright" he whispered "neither do I but we will know how to handle it" His palm was smoothing over your cheek, trying to give you any comfort. You smile at that.

"Yeah. Let's go then"

You were now sitting in the headmaster's office, desperately trying to not rip his head of. "And therefore I think that your son has some kind of mental problem"

Your body tensed at this sentence, anger spread through your body. How dare he say something like that? Your son is perfectly fine!

"Mr. Miller I think your overstepping a line right now." Simon's voice interrupted your thoughts. "Our son literally helped a friend that got bullied by that football idiot, how in hell does that have to do something with mental health?"

"Well, Mr. Riley from what I know you weren't exactly a steady father figure he could rely himself on. Whether it be your job-caused absence or your own mental state, your son had to deal with his emotions alone."

That's it. Know he reached your limit.

"And how the fuck do exactly know that huh?! Did one of the other parents tell you that? Well guess what, my son grows up in a loving family on which he can definitely rely on! I do not and will not take and crirism and insult from a man that clearly doesn't even know who the actual problem in this situation is. And spoiler, it's not my son but that bully that you just seem to fucking ignore!"

Mr. Miller's eyes widened at your outburst, clearly not expecting you to say someone like that. You felt Simon's hand reaching for your own under the table, giving it a quick squeeze.

"And if you ever tell my husband that he's not in a perfect mental state, than prepare for the worst! And now if you excuse us, we would like to take our son home with us now."

With that you stood up from the chair and made your way towards the door to open it, Simon quick to follow you.

You were greeted by your son standing in the hallway awkwardly with a black eye. He smiled at you and immediately engulfed you in a hug.

You pressed him closer to you, showing him that you care. You part after a minute. Your husband wrapped an arm around your shoulders and lead you towards the exit, your son not far in front of you.

Simon tilted his head to you ear, whispering.

"You do know that we will probably have to change school after that conversation"

A small laugh escaped your lips.

"Yeah maybe. But let that be a problem for tomorrow okay?"

"Of course, my love"

You two shared a small kiss and continued to walk to your car.

You are a happy family and that's all that matters.

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Tips for improvements are welcome!!!

Please ignore grammar mistakes English isn't my first language ♧

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[dronebiscuitbat]

Oil is Thicker Then Blood (Part 73)

(Honesty, every chapter from here on out is probably going to be gross...)

“We have to get back to the bunker.” N dropped back into the nest suddenly, processors firing on all cylinders as he scooped Tera up in his arms, looking behind him occasionally.

“Woah, hey. We just got here, what's the rush?” Uzi cocked her head and raised an eyebrow, reaching up to hold his shoulder.

“I just ran into…something.” He choked out, stopping his frantic movement to look at her, he could feel his core trying to beat out of his chest.

“Descriptive clues babe.” She deadpanned, looking slightly irritated at his lack of detail.

“A zombie? I don't know how else to describe it! It was a drone, but dead, and not dead?!” He looked like he was grasping for straws fir a way to say it without sounding absolutely insane.

“It had weird, veiny tentacles all over it and a big one burst out like a weird creepy worm!”

Uzi blinked, before slowly laying back down onto the plush colored floor. “Uuuuuuuggh". A long-suffering groan left her mouth as she covered her face with her hands.

“Dammit. Come on, can't we catch a break?!” She complained to no one, grumbling irritability.

Tera was squirming in her father's arms, still wanting to play.

If it was any other time in her life, she would be flying down into the city and taking a look for herself, but now? She was in no condition to do much of anything physical, especially fight.

“I'll grab V and we'll do a sweep tomorrow, it came from in the direction of camp. Maybe theres something there?” He thought aloud, already drafting up a message to V. Uzi looked conflicted, wings fluttering as she took a long look out of the entrance to the nest.

“I don't like the idea of not going with you…”

“You need to stay where it's safe, I'm not going to risk you getting hurt. And… Tera needs her mom, in case something happens.” He added, words sounding thick and heavy. “Not that anything will! Just thinking logically.”

Uzi sucked in a wary breath, he was right and she hated it. She hated this situation, she hated this planet.

“Yeah.” She replied simply, worry creasing every one of her features as she looked back at him.

“It'll be okay, maybe it won't be that bad?”

…

N and V walked side by side, both drones on high alert as they made their way through the thick trees and hanging fog. The brightest lights being the ones attached to them, their headbands and tails glowing brightly.

“How do you keep finding this stuff?” V complained, raising an eyebrow as she walked slightly ahead of him with a sword drawn, she scanned the tree line ahead of them, squinting as she tried to make out any drone-like shapes.

“I wish I didn't…” N's tone was deadly serious. Something that caught V slightly off guard. N had always been the excitable, happy one. But here, with his gaze locked forward and him holding onto his inbuilt rifle. He looked a lot less like N and a lot more like J when she was leading a hunting party.

“Hey, uh, relax. There's nothing on this planet we can't deal with. We're the predators, not some stupid infected drones.” She smirked, making N crack a small smile before it was once again washed away by whatever internal battle he was having.

“Hey, V?”

“Mm?”

“Do you ever want kids?” He asked, and she stopped suddenly in her tracks. N raised an eyebrow as it looked as if she was stealing herself.

“No, It's too dangerous right now to think about.” She said before starting to walk forward again, her footfalls sounding heavier then they did before.

“I said ‘ever’ not ‘now’.” N hummed, being extremely curious about V's odd reaction to a question he'd assumed would be a straight ‘No’.

“N-no. I wouldn't be a good parent.” She replied, refusing to look at him as she did.

“What do you mean? You're great with Tera.”

“Tera's not mine. You two take care of her. Not me.” She sounded irritated, swiping her sword at a branch that had gotten in her way.

“I know you've been coming around more when I'm not home…”

V didn't say anything at that, only pushed her head down more as she walked forward, N sighed.

“I just wanted to thank you. Uzi could use the help, even if she won't admit it.”

There was silence for a few moments, before he heard a deep sigh come from in front of him.

“She's pregnant, it kinda just feels like my job. You know? Even if I still think you two are stupid.” She added, making him laugh nervously.

Snap!

A branch snapping underfoot startled them both, both drones looked around rapidly, tension rising to fever pitch almost instantly. N growled in warning, and despite him never hearing it out of her voice box before, so did V.

A drone came through the trees, hunched over and leaking oil from its mouth, it had been sliced in half at one point, because a large black vein was the only thing keeping it together. It’s arms outstretched towards V as in lumbered toward them.

“Oh that’s so gross.” V spat before slicing the drone in half again. Releasing the thick black appendage from its job of holding its host together, and sending it careening towards her outstretched arm, where it wrapped around and squeezed.

V screamed as tiny black veins snaked quickly up her arm, sending searing pain through all of her sensors and nearly sending her to the ground. She was in so much shock she almost couldn’t move,

N brought a sword down between the tentacle and her, blasting it to bits with an energy cannon until it was nothing but scrap. That didn’t stop the spiderwebbing of pain up her arm though. She watched in horror as her arm twisted up unnaturally and without her input, switching to a rifle aimed directly at N.

“N! Look out!” She cried out, N just barely moving out of the way as a stream of bullets left the tip of the rifle and dug themselves deep in a gnarled tree. Thinking quickly, N brought his sword down on her shoulder, severing it utterly.

The severed arm twitched erratically, switching between different weapons until N blasted it to smithereens as well, leaving nothing but scattered shrapnel and bits of undulating flesh.

“Are you okay!?” N leaned down and immediately pulled her shoulder into him, looking for more veins. V let out a stuttering breath, the burning pain was gone, taken along with her arm.

“Fine. It’ll regenerate. What the hell was that!?” She shouted, letting him fret over her only for another minute before pushing him off and standing. Watching her nanites fill the space with grey goo before solidifying into a new arm.

“That was the thing I saw yesterday! I didn’t know it could do that though!” He exclaimed, looking around just in case there were any more infected drones around. The trees were silent, but that meant very little.

“I think it’s the same thing that was in Dolls room… what happened to my arm happened to Uzi’s leg.” V huffed breathlessly, flexing her new arm before switching it to a flamethrower.

“Come on, and don’t let them touch you.”

The closer they got to camp. The warmer the air got, damp with the smell of iron and decay. They stood hip to hip, both wary of being grabbed from something unseen. When the clearing broke and they both stopped in their tracks.

Camp 98.7 was no more. A massive sinkhole had opened up from underneath, pulling in the surrounding buildings, a red mass of flesh surrounding the entire hole, pulsing. Black veins jutted across the ground, digging themselves deep within the planets very crust. The air was putrid, a too-sweet mixture of rot and garbage. Sharp, jagged teeth wrapped around the sinkhole’s circumference, and hundreds of very human eyes stared out in all directions.

The hole gurgled, the ground shaking slightly as the tendrils of black visibly spread across the ground, N and V both stepped back to avoid it touching them.

“Holy fuck.” V murmured, looking down at her very small looking flamethrower in comparison to this portal to hell “What do we do?” She looked at N for answers, something she wasn’t used to doing but felt right in the moment. He looked at her, eyes hollow before shaking his head, replacing his fear with determination.

“We need to see how big this is. We should fly over, see how deep this hole goes.”

V nodded, her wings unleashing as she launched herself up in the air to get a better look. N right behind her.

The sinkhole went down for miles, the inside crackling with yellow energy, the red flesh also went down for miles, teeth lining the inside like it was the mouth to some insanely sized creature. She could see black tendrils slinking around near the ‘bottom’, moving like a nest of coiled snakes.

“This is bad… this is really bad.” N looked at the surroundings, everything the tendrils touched became flesh, several trees that had gotten sunk in now had growths of bone growing out of them, jutting out randomly, the ground itself moved as if it had a heartbeat.

“N this is too big, I can’t even see the bottom of this thing.”

The hole gurgled again, the hundred of eyes suddenly focusing on the drones hovering high above it, N gulped, watching the nest of moving tentacles inside suddenly stop moving.

“We need to move.”

“Wh-“

“We need to move, now!”

N dragged V by the hand just in time when a gigantic mass of tentacles ripped out of the hole in their direction, trying desperately to grab them and drag them down into a gaping hellish maw. N kept heading upwards, pulling V along until they were safely out of reach. The tendrils continued to swipe at them, arching up high into the sky.

Both disassemblers looked down, watching as the flurry of movement slowly calmed down and the pit pulled back in its determined appendages, once again beginning to coil and slide within.

“What the hell do we do, this thing is spreading!? V exclaimed, looking out at the mile of transformed land and how quickly this petulance was spreading over it.

“I don’t know…” N replied, looking in the direction of the bunker not far from here.

Next ->

[leashybebes]

🛻🛻🛻 I am so enamored with this one

thank you!!

"Hi, Mr Kinard," the doctor says with a smile. She looks around Evan's age and has an air of calm competence that he appreciates. "How are you feeling today?"

"Stoned," Tommy says frankly. "And please, call me Tommy."

"Okay, Tommy. Stoned is pretty normal - we've had you on the good stuff for the pain but we'll want to start reducing the dose so we can do some cognitive tests."

"Yeah?" Tommy asks. 

"All standard procedure. You took a pretty nasty knock to the head and the CT scan we ran when you first came in did suggest some level of TBI, so we want to check the progression of that, make sure things are looking good up there. We'll probably take you for another scan later today or early tomorrow."

Tommy nods, trying not to think about it. "I'm a pilot in the LAFD. Do you think I'll get back to work anytime soon?"

Doctor Achali hesitates. "I won't lie, Tommy, you've got a long road ahead of you. Head injury aside, you'll need a lot of rehab on that leg. The TBI has the potential to impact things like your fine motor control and your vision that would give me some concern about recertification. But the brain is a wonderful thing, and a lot of people do make full recoveries from these kinds of injuries."

"Right," Tommy says carefully.

"I'm going to send a nurse in to talk to you a little more," she says. "We need an emergency contact and a medical proxy, and they'll want to talk you through the plan for the next few days."

"Yeah," he says, carefully not looking at Sal.

It's to no avail though, because the minute she leaves, Sal rounds on him.

"Uh. You wanna tell me what that's about?"

"What what's about?"

"Tommy."

"Christ. Look, my cap can handle anything that happens at work, and - "

"And when you wreck your truck off the clock you wind up as a fucking John Doe unless you scrape yourself off the floor enough to text me? Tommy, man, what the fuck."

"I mean, I have ID. That's not - "

"Don't piss me off, man."

"Fine, you can do it," Tommy says, waiting on Sal's eye roll and refusal.

Instead Sal looks at him in silence for a long, embarrassing moment and says, "Okay."

[anonymitywriterprescott]

The ding of the door opening gets my attention, so I walk, minding the gap, onto the train. Looking around for a seat, I notice the empty train car and choose to sit close to the door.

I scroll on my phone as the train starts moving again. 6:09 pm. A call notification appears on screen as the ringtone echoes through the car, making it sound bigger and emptier than it is. "Babe <3" is calling. "Hello love, what's up?" "Sooo I may have promised a lovely homemade lasagna but we will probably be having your choice of fast food tonight instead." They say, sounding sorry as ever and a bit annoyed. "Oh noo, What happened? You ok?" "Yeah, no bruises, burns, or blood, but the oven shit the bed again, and I already called the office to see if and when it could get replaced this time instead of just a duct tape fix, but they said it would be at least 3 weeks." "3 fucking weeks? They expect us to not cook for 3 fucking weeks, really?" My voice is barely below yelling. "Hey, it'll be ok; I already texted my mom, I can go over tomorrow and premake some stuff, aaaand she's giving us her microwave because she never uses it, so we can reheat it all." Their voice sounds desperate to calm me, knowing how much I hate that stupid, old-ass, fucking oven. "I guess I'll need to sneak a $50 in her pocket because I doubt she'll let us pay for it." "You would be right. So, do you wanna pick up dinner on your way, or should I order delivery?" "Delivery," I glance at the time on my phone. 6:27 pm. "feels like the train is taking forever, and I don't wanna carry the food up the stairs." "Alright baby, text me what you want, Love you." "Love you, bye." I tap the end call button and go to our texts, filling out where to order from and what I want. The text continuously attempts to send but fails. I have no signal, of course.

The clock reads 6:30 pm. This route is usually like 10 minutes, and we haven't stopped moving, so why is it taking so long? The windows show only darkness and an occasional flash from the tunnel lights. I walk to one of the doors connecting the cars and press the button to open it, but nothing happens. Same with the second door. A bright white light floods the car, but it's gone before my eyes adjust. The text continues failing to send. No signal means I can't call anyone or look up anything about train delays. The clock reads 6:30 pm. Still? I look at the walls to see if there is an emergency or call button or something that says a phone number to call if I get signal. Nothing. The clock reads 6:30 pm. I stare at my phone. 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi… …59 Mississippi, 60 Mississippi. The clock reads 6:30 pm. Maybe I was a bit off on my timing, I tell myself, waiting for the minute to pass. It doesn't. The clock reads 6:30 pm. Finally, soft light seeps through the windows. Outside, a dim forest, trees with twisted limbs, and long-hanging vines whizz by. Every so often, I think I see a creature, but it looks… wrong. One of them was a deer, but the antlers looked like its legs? So time is… frozen, I can't get off the train, I am alone, and I'm seeing things?

"You're not seeing things, darling." A voice comes from the other side of the car. Startled, I quickly turned to see it. A tall, rectangular figure, wearing a red hat whose top scrapes the car's roof, whose brim covers its face, and a matching red suit that looks like it's made of silk. I stare wide-eyed, not knowing what it is or its intentions. Or why it can hear my thoughts. But I keep calm, "What am I seeing then?" "Not the thing you think." It says, speaking "That's upsettingly vague." "It's more literal than you realize." It cocks its head as if it's examining me.

Its face.

It feels like it's… out of focus? No matter how hard I try, I just can't quite… see it? "Don't hurt yourself." It says, looking me up and down. "Look at the wall if it helps." It sounds annoyed at my existence. Like my inability to see its features is an inconvenience of the highest accord. "May I have your name?" It reaches out its hand as if it expects me to give it something. Its hand has long, thin fingers that come to a point, like a pale grey claw, which turns pitch black towards the fingertips. "Only if I can have yours," I reply, using the same reply my mother always gave when people asked for her name. "Not worth the trade… no offense." It sneers at the end. "But your mother taught you well. Did you come here intentionally?" "Well I got on the train intentionally, but where ever we are now was not where I wanted to go." "And where do you wish to go?"

"Home." "Home it is."

My eyes close, and I feel a rush of air circle me. As the air dissipates, my eyes open, and I am in front of my apartment door, plastic white bags containing our dinner at my feet. The door swings open, and I see my partner's face and baggy pajamas. "Hey baby, good timing!" Silence fills the air, I try to speak, but my voice feels stuck in my throat. I can't wrap my head around this. "…baby? You ok?" Their hand strokes my shoulder, a slight touch, yet it feels like it drags my soul back into my body. I gasp, startling my partner. "I… don't know how… I got here…" I stumble out. "Well, you got here, and you seem unharmed. Come inside, love." They guide my arm, pulling me inside. As I walk into the apartment, I look for my phone, finding it in my pocket with a small, folded piece of paper that reads, "Safe travels, darling. Your mother says hello." The clock reads 6:30pm.

[otherone12]

Comics And "Something"

Gerard Way x Brazilian!Reader 

-> Masterlist

A/N: Hey!! Well... days ago my intrusive thoughts just won and i wrote a Gerard Way imagine (because why not)... and then I received this request... I've been bored, so maybe i'll post some emo imagines (mcr, p!atd, fob, paramore...) frequently?? Idk. If have requests, I will certainly make them... and i will post a part2 of the “I Can Help You With That” :)

~ "Could you do another imagine with Gerard and a Brazilian reader? (Perhaps the reader is Gabriel Bá's sister) ...I don't know if it's an interesting request :("

Summary - Your brother worked with Gerard for a while, but you've never really met him until now 'cause you live in another country (Brazil). Fortunately, Gerard is gonna stay at your brother's home for a week, to work on a new project. You both don't know what happens when you've seen each other, but it was CLEARLY something.

- Word Count: 1.570

- Warnings: Age gap? (not smut!)

- Ps1: I'll not use y/n…

- Ps2: I'm brazilian, so english is not my first language ... sorry if i wrote something wrong.

Damn... sorry for the superlong intro *-*

___________________________________________

Reader's 1st Person POV

I woke up 3 am and looked at my phone just to see three missed calls and an absurd amount of texts from my brother. I can't believe that this man is like forty-something years old and can't even wait till the morning to tell me whatever he wanted to tell me.

Even though I'm tired, I read every single one of the messages. None of them has a real meaning, was like "are you awake?", "i need to talk to you", "it's important!"

Why the fuck he did'nt just tell me what is going on insted of doing this?? 

I called him back and he dropped the news: Gerard Way will spend a whole week in my brother's house!

- Realy?! - I shout at phone

- Yep... he's gonna stay here for a while... don't act like a stoned, please. - i heard a bit of a desperate tone in his voice, like he wasn't kidding.

- What do you mean? - I said, trying not sound offended, even if i was.

- I know you for 25 years, dear... you can't keep MCR lyrics references out of your mouth for too long. - He chuckles.

He's right... i can't, the same way i can't swim, can't dance and i don't know karate.

- I don't know why you think I'm gonna be weird or something... it's not like I'm a fangirl. Not anymore. - I argued.

- Sure... - his sarcasm always makes me mad - By the way, we'll be busy working, so i will need your help here... can you stay with us in my place?

- Yeah, but why do you need me? Don't you think I'm gonna "act like a stoned"?

- Honestly? I KNOW you're gonna be creepy, but I can't cook, and i refuse to buy shitty North American food for Gerard when he's here. 

- OH, FINE! - I couldn't help but take it as a challenge, I'm gonna be there and act normal, because that's what i am, right? A normal person - I get it. So no cheeseburgers and stuff? 

- NO! You can cook something nice, right?

- I can try... 

- Awesome! See ya tomorrow at 8pm in the airport to pick Gerard up. Good night. 

-  Bye! 

Yeah, sure, how the hell does he expect me to sleep? I mean, when I was a teenager, Gerard was my hero. I'm not that kind of fan anymore, but still, I like him so much. 

Gabriel never introduced us appropriately, probably 'cause I was ‘that’ creepy fan, or the long distance between the countries made it impossible for me to travel. Anyways… just didn't happen yet.

*** time skip ***

I don't know why, but I just imagined the scene of Gerard going out of the airplane and thousands of paparazzis just screaming and taking pictures of him… I was surprised that didn't happen, I know the people here and we can be really crazy sometimes. By the way, Gabriel and I was waiting for him.

Soon, along with several other passengers, We could see him, who was looking for the familiar face of my brother in the crowd. The smile emerged on his face in the moment they made eye contact. 

Damn this man is so good looking… Suddenly I remembered why I had that crush on him.

-Hey, How long, man?! - Gabriel said with a smile as he opened his arms to hug Gerard.

- Hell yeah! How have you been? - That pretty smile still in his face.

- Great! Better now that i know we'll gonna work together again!

I just couldn't stop looking at him… I think he noticed, ‘cause he looked back at me.

-Lemme guess… Your sister, right? - The lovely look on his eyes as he extended his hand to greet me made my face burn. - He talks alot about you, I was excited to finally meet you!

- So as I! - I shaked his hand and smile back at him, trying not to overdo it.

- She's A huge fan! 

The death look I gave Gabriel made Gerard laugh a bit, but not enough to make me feel more embarrassed than I already was.  

-Well, that's true, but why don't we go home? - i said - You need help with that? 

I pointed to the two suitcases he was carrying.

-That's fine. I can handle two of them. Thanks! - i swear, his eyes was glowing… im not that crazy! 

We put Gerard's things in the trunk of my brother's car and we went back home. 

During the way, all I could think about were those hazel eyes and how I felt a connection... it was inexplicable, maybe it's just nonsense in my head. But there's always a ‘maybe not’, right?

Gerard's 1st person POV

I don't know what that was. But THAT was fucking something! The way she look? Maybe, but not just that. don't know! 

I haven't even talked with her, but I hope we have time to get to know each other well. Because that was something.

At home, Gabriel showed me the office and the room i'll stay in.

He has such a pretty house, and all the pencils, markers, and art stuff get me even more excited to start work. But his sister is still in my mind... The best I can do now is go to sleep, cause all the way in the airplane just stressed me out.

Reader's 1st person POV

First things first, i woke up early to do exactly the thing my brother wants me to do: cook. 

I was distracted preparing coffee, and heard a familiar voice from the back of the kitchen.

-Morning… - Even though his voice was dragging because he had just woken up, he still sounded so good. 

Gerard sat at the table while I finished preparing breakfast.

- Morning! How was your night? Did you sleep well? - I asked, trying to start a conversation.

- Yeah, really well, and the feeling of waking up with this smell is just amazing! - He smiled, rubbing his eyes.

- I'm glad you like it. - the feeling of relief and joy took over me, I think being normal will be easier than I imagined…

*** time skip ***

The next two days was normal, just small talks, because the purpose of him coming was not to talk to me, but to work, right? Still, it would be nice to take an hour or two just to talk.

Or not, i keep thinking about the feeling in the airport, i want to feel that again. 

Gabriel left early this morning to look for who knows what, which ended up making room for a break from work. 

I was sitting on the couch, watching a rerun of my favorite movie when Gee appeared in the living room and sat next to me.

-Finally a break, hun? - he said, with his usual smile, which by the way I always thought was beautiful - Don't get me wrong, I love to do that, but sometimes Gabe just goes too deep.

- Yeah, I know… he is intense. Family thing, I guess… - I chuckled and turn the TV off, so we could talk. - Same eyes and same craziness.

We laughed for a moment, but he seemed to concentrate on confirming the similarity between my eyes and my brother's eyes. A shiver went down my spine when the look stopped being critical and became appreciative. It's incredible how artists can vary between technique and feeling.

The situation made me want to kiss him, but I think this is out of the limits, considering his relationship with my brother. I respect that and never gonna do something that could ruin it. 

-  Transcendently impressive… - The way he spoke made it seem like he was in some kind of trance. - Your eyes. 

I gasped in shock. I didn’t know what to say. I just stood still, while my breath was panting.

-Thanks! - I pulled from somewhere within me the confidence to thank and return the compliment. - I can say the same about yours, maybe even more.

- I think you're exaggerating, but thank you - I thought the situation would be awkward, but Gee seemed increasingly comfortable with my company. - May I ask you something?

- Sure! - My curiosity barely let him finish the sentence. - Anything.

- Did you feel that at the airport? - He sighed as if taking a huge weight off his chest. - Because i did. Sorry if it sounds weird or...

- Thank God! I thought i was freak out. So there WAS something. - I quickly got up from the couch and practically jumped for joy. - The last days i couldn't barely sleep thinking of you! Well, not YOU but the whole situation and-

It happened so quickly that I couldn't register in my mind when he stood up, even less could I believe that he cut me off with a kiss. 

-I thought about you too, sugar… 

Before I could do anything, he kissed me again, that feeling it was becoming clearer and clearer, with every second my lips remained close to his.

The next few days were a bit different… not like we just makeout a lot of times, but some quick looks, kisses and conversations. We discovered that we have more in common than we imagined…

Now, taking advantage of Gerard's last moments here, I decided that I would help him pack his bags, so that we could make, whatever our relationship is, last longer. While we were talking, I couldn't help but notice the t-shirt he was putting on his suitcase. 

-Oh my god, i didn't notice… you brought THE shirt! 

- What do you mean? - He was confused, but then he looked at the shirt and noticed why.

- “Pool Boy At The Vampire Mansion” shirt… it's like THE shirt!  

- Ya know? Keep it.

- WHAT? I don't think-

- You heard me. - He smiled, in the cutest way a human being can smile.- I want you to keep it. I don't know when we're gonna seen each other again, so… 

Gerard dropped the shirt in the bed and got closer to me, placing his hands on my waist and, getting even closer, he pressed his lips to mine gently. The kiss became deep as we let ourselves be carried away by the heat of the moment. 

-This week was perfect. - He said, placing his hand on my cheek and looking into my eyes. - I wish it didn't end now. You know, sugar, I think we could work out… be something. 

- I'm sure that we can make it happend- I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into a kiss even more intense than the last. The feeling of hope made it seem like time would stop at that moment. 

~ That's it. Hope u enjoyed :)

[spiderfunkz]

hii! i was wondering if you could write something about robin buckley choosing reader to go to europe with her for the summer! (maybe a rebel robin au??) ive never seen anyone write anything about it and id think id be cute!

✧.* operation crossaint!

— summary : summer in hawkins is boring. so, how about a trip to europe?

— pairings : robin buckley x fem!reader

— word count : 0,9k

— warnings : fluff, friends to lovers, oblivious reader kinda, messy plot whoops, foul language, kissing mwah mwah, weird time jumps, not proofread, this is set in the summer btw!! robin & reader is 18 here.

a/n : hi there! thank u for the request anon ^_^ i tried fitting some aspects and references from rebel robin because i couldn't really fit in the whole au and storyline of rebel robin because i don't think it'll fit that well, so sorry about that!!

"operation crossaint?" you question as robin nodded. "just hear me out. i want to live outside of hawkins y/n. i want to know whats outside of this shitty town," she explains.

"it's sounds weird i know but, i want to learn and experience things." she continues.

"so like europe?" you ask, "yes! exactly like europe. i want to travel, meet people who live exactly how they want to, i want to see beautiful museums, and walk down old streets!" she rambles.

you nodded listening to everything she says. "and live off of crossaints and cheese?" you laugh — "mhm!" she nodded.

"i told mr hauser about it and, he told me to take someone with me, and he suggested milton or dash but i was thinking-" she paused, "that maybe you could go with me?" she asks, scrunching her nose.

"or don't, i understand that maybe you have something going on or maybe you focusing on othe-"

"i'll go with you." you stated. "but we literally have 0 dollars and, have you asked your parents?" you ask.

"we can work on that! mr hauser said that he could help talk to my parents which automatically means that he could talk to yours so-" she rambles, "all he said is that if i find someone to take with he could help me. and you said yes."

"yeah well of course, i mean spending any time at all with you and in europe? that sounds like an absolute dream." you smiled.

robin's cheeks grew pink as you stated that. europe? with you? together? is she dreaming right now?

"i'll go work things out, i'll see you tomorrow y/n." she waved.

you were so caught up with the conversation you don't realize you were outside your house now as robin skipped away.

—

robin could barely sleep that night, was she really going to spend her time in europe with you?

god, she was so excited to tell mr hauser all about it. she had already started learning languages she thought might be important for the trip, like french or their culture and stuff.

she is so excited to spend time with you, especially outside of hawkins. the walks you could go with her, the food you get to taste together, the memories she could make.

"jesus, get yourself together buckley." robin sighed, her thoughts haunting her as she slowly falls asleep.

—

you sat down the bus, going home from another miserable day at hawkins high. flipping through the pages of your book, you see robin hoping on, almost missing the bus.

she ignores the taunts of some of the older kids before spotting you and sitting next to you.

"dunno whats their problem," you look back at the older teens mocking robin — "their probably failing another year anyways." you stated, voice a bit louder. "i hope they fall off of the bus." she sighed.

it's been a few weeks since robin told you about 'operation crossaint' and you two just got back from thanksgiving break.

"so, how was your break?" you ask. "amazing actually, i got a job, and i think i can finally afford tickets for two people to go to europe!" she smiles.

"really? that's great! i saved up a bit and i think we can manage. plus, you know extra money for gifts and stuff." you added.

robin was so beyond excited that you stuck by her, the last few weeks everything had been going the total opposite for her, yet you were still there for her in every moment.

"i also bought a camera recently, and we could bring that to our trip. you know? for memories and stuff, so they last forever." you say as robin nodded, smiling wider than ever.

—

and here you are now!

the past weeks is the probably the best few weeks ever. europe, with robin, together.

you two finally get to experience the europe dream, going to museums, eating in fancy cafes, going on trips on a boat, and just living a life outside of hawkins.

you've been carrying your camera around everywhere, documenting your summer with your person.

and for robin, the past few weeks was somewhat of an awakening for her. she finally could understand herself with the help from you and everything around her.

she now understands why she's been feeling a certain way around certain people, especially you. like butterflies fluttering in her stomach, and how her heart feels like its going to explode.

and that brings you here, on a random hill surrounded by pretty flowers and bright stars above.

"heres one where we were at the fair, the ferris wheel looked so pretty here." you showed robin the pictures you've been taking along the trip.

"oh! and these are some cats near by the water, remember? the ones i told you. gosh, they're just so cute." you smile.

you didn't notice how quiet robin was, you could feel her smile but she hasn't said anything.

you look up and notice that she wasn't looking at your camera like you had been doing. she was looking at you.

"what? do i have something on my face?" you questioned.

in robin's defense, you're really pretty. cherry stained lips, gorgeous hair that just falls in place so perfectly, and the prettiest eyes.

"it's not nice to stare buckley." you chuckle, "you're too pretty not too." she replied.

the tension grew as the moon shined, perfectly reflecting robin's freckles.

she moved closer to you, the smell of your perfume overwhelming her.

she kissed you.

you kissed her.

robin pulled away, realizing what she just did, what you just did. your cherry stained lips now staining her.

"i'm sorry i should've-" robin got cut off, your lips connected to hers again. "don't apologize robs." you say, tucking her hair.

"i like you, like, like like you." robin stated — "i like like you too." you replied.

[f4iry-bell]

jameson hawthorne x f!reader [enemies to lovers] | part 4

part 3

hiii, the first part of the fic is noice!!!!! but the second part is meh. im so sorry i suck at angst 😭😭

It has been two whole months since Jameson and her came to their agreement to see eachother but with no strings attached. Two whole months of fun that he has never experienced. It's not just the sex that he enjoyed, he also loved the part where when they are done he shares his life risking experience to her and she shares something small about her. It was like a tradition for them to share something with eachother after they are done. But today it was different, when they were finished she quickly went to the bathroom to clean herself up. Jameson also noticed that she got a text from Logan asking ‘are you ready?’ he fronwed at the text and wondered why she's still hanging out with him, she's done with the secret society, he knew that because she told him herself.

When she came out of the bathroom with new clothes he fronwed again. She was not wearing a casual outfit, it looked like she's going to go out.

“Logan texted you.” Jameson comments, ignoring how she looked in that outfit. 

“Oh, okay.” Was all she said. 

“So…Are you coming back to bed?” He asked, he has the perfect story to make her stay. He doesn't want to jump into the questions this soon.

“Not today.” She said as she collected her things from the bed.

“Why? You going somewhere?” He asked moving to the other side of the bed where she was collecting her things from the night stand.

“Yeah.”

“I'm guessing it's with Logan.” It wasn't a guess. He was sure of it.

She nodded.

“But I have the best story to tell you. You know?” He said putting on a charming grin.

“You can tell me later. I'm already late.” She said and went to grab her dirty clothes, Jameson took the opportunity to grab her hand to stop her from rushing to leave him to see another man. The realisation made his stomach twist.

“But what about our little tradition?” He asked.

“Not today, Jameson. I'll see you later.” She kissed his cheeks and removed her hand from his grip.

He slightly pouted as she left the room.

_

It's been four hours since she left. Jameson couldn't help but wonder if she was just hanging out with Logan as friends or something else. He pushed that thought aside and texted her like always does when she's not with him sometimes.

lowkey miss you.

He put his phone away knowing she's probably chatting some news paper stuff with Logan. Or he might be flirting with her. He won't be surprised if he did. She's beautiful and interesting. Who wouldn't?

But he was wrong. She texted back immediately. 

Aw, I'll see you later tomorrow. Just hold onto my mini bunny plushie.

He smiled at her text, she left her plushie two weeks ago or something. Though it's her favourite plushie and only plushies she took from home to college, she still left it at Jameosn’s apartment to leave something that reminded him of her.

J - Why are you online? Aren't you on a date?

It wasn't a date. He knew it. But had to make sure still. Why would she even go out on a date with Logan? From what he remembered she always complain how he wants to meet her to discuss about what article to release every week for the newspaper but keeps ditching her then and there. He's worth no one's time from what he heard from her. 

He got a call. So he excused himself lol

There it is again. Jameson thought how he would have ignored the call if he was with her to just talk to her. She's still online and replying fast which means Logan is taking his own time on this call of his. You don't take so much time when you're alone with a pretty girl like her. So he called her.

As soon as she answered he spoke. “Ditch him.”

She chuckled which made him smile. “What?”

“Ditch him. It's not like he hasn't done that to you before.” He said.

“I can't. He's going to come back and be disappointed.” She said.

“If he comes back.” He corrected her.

“He will.” She assured.

“Don't care. Ditch him and meet me.” He suggested.

“Your apartment is quite far.” She stated.

“Where are you?” He asked her.

She told him where she's at a bar. He knew the bar well so he asked her to wait two blocks away so Logan wouldn't come outside and find her. Jameson wanted to surprise her this time, so he did a thing that would interest her. When he arrived at her location, his lips curled up to a beam of sunlight of a smile. He would pay a million dollars to see the reaction on her face when he parked his borrowed motorcycle near her. She walked closer to where he was as he took off his helmet. She didn't need him to take off his helmet to tell that the guy on a motorcycle and black leather jacket is Jameson Hawthorne. 

“Where did you get this?” She giggled, both of them were smiling like fools. Her smiling because he's on a motorcycle, him smiling because it's hard not to when she's smiling like that.

“Stole. Now hop on.” He was not asking as he grabbed the spare helmet and handed it over to her.

She was thinking about it for a moment. 

“You're not scared now, are you? Come on, Ace. I know you better than that.” He pushed the helmet to her again. 

She knew this won't be a slow ride. This is Jameson Hawthorne on a motorcycle, he will drive like it's his last moment on earth. But this time he will drive like it's their last moment on earth.

“Fine.” She grabbed the helmet from his hands and put it on. He made sure it was buckled right before he let her hop onto the motorcycle. He felt his stomach twist this time in a good way when she wrapped her arms around his waist. She has touched him a lot of times, but everytime she does the feeling never changes.

Jameson drove fast as she expected, they tried to chat with the fast wind slapping their faces as they tore through the air, words barely got inside each other's ears.They finally reached the destination Jameson wanted to show her, it was too far from the campus. A view point at the corner of the road where you can see everything below. The only light they were able to see was the half moonlight and passing vehicles light. Jameson took her hand and led her to the edge of the road, they were about 200 feet high. 

They talked about how many bones one would break if they fell for a while and other things. Somehow the conversation got linked up with Logan.

“...I do kind of feel bad for ditching Logan.” She said as she played with the grass. Jameson was laying down as she was sitting next to him.

“He ditches you all the time. You shouldn't feel bad.” He wasn't feeling bad at all. In fact he was happy that she ditched Logan to spend time with him.

“Yeah, but those were the times we were hanging out for newspaper stuff.” She shrugged.

“And you didn't hang out this time?” He chuckled.

“It's not a hangout, dummy. It was a date. That's why I feel bad, you know? I could have at least told him that I'm leaving face to face. Maybe the call was really important, he was telling me about his father and how he is…” Jamesom stopped listening when the word ‘date’ left her lips.

He scrunched his face. “Wait, what? A date?” 

Her heartbeat started to race a little, this shouldn't bother her. “Yeah.” She said, sighing out loud.

“A date.” He sat up. He didn't say much but his face spoke a lot. For someone who had a good poker face Jameson was showing a lot of emotions than necessary.

“Jameson. You can't be upset.” Her tone was sober. 

“Of course I can't.” He let out a fake chuckle.

“Jameson, we agreed—”

“No strings attached.” He completed the sentence nodding his head.

“Then why are you upset?” Her tone was getting frustrated. He showed no direct interest during the past two months. They both didn't. “We're not a couple.”

“Yeah, cause we're just fucking, right? You can't be serious. You can't just go on a date with someone when you're…” He didn't know what they were. To him what they agreed to and what they have was different. And what they have—or had is special.

“You can't be serious.You are just mad that I'm not just sticking with you, that I went on a date. You can't act like you've liked me all this time when you and I both know it's not true.” She told him what she thought was happening. Jameson doesn't like her, but don't like the idea of someone else having her. 

“Is that what you think?” He asked, a bit hurt of what she thinks of him. “No, I'm not just acting like I like you. I've always been interested in you. I didn't know what it was at first but the more I spend my time with you, I realised how much I like you. But I'm glad to know this is how you see me after all this time.” He was genuinely hurt by how low she thinks of him.

“You're just saying that.” She said.

“Or is that what you want to believe?” He scoffed.

“I’m leaving.” She said as she got up and started walking away from him. He immediately followed her.

“Where are you going? You can't just walk all the way down, you know?” He said, following her. She didn't reply or stop. She was simply being unreasonable. 

Jameson was the one who was supposed to be acting this way given his past. 

He grabbed her hand to stop her. “Stop. You don't have to talk to me, just let me take you back to campus.”

She knew it's a long walk down the road. A cab won't come up here. She sighed and nodded her head.

The ride back to campus was opposite to everything it was coming here. Quiet and slow. Jameson knew this might be the last time he'd get to be this close to her. 

She mumbled a thank you when he stopped at her destination and left immediately. He was so hurt by her behaviour. Both of them knew they were more than just friends with benefits. She just won't accept it. Jameson tried to think that she went on the date just to make Jameson jealous so he'd confess his feelings and they'll be together but her behaviour at the cliff told a different story. She was more than Jameson himself. Only if he could read her mind he'd know what to do.

[glitterinmyveinss]

// Fuck It I Love You • part 2 //

summary: after the party, you and wes talk more about your feelings for each other and things get a little heated

part 2 of this chap

❥༄ when i stepped out of fred's car, the night sky was jet black, accompanied with bright stars. i started giggling to myself because they looked like little specks of glitter. Fred gave me an irritated look, "get inside weirdo." i sneered at him while he pushed me towards the driveway, wes beside him laughing. I was still trying to wrap my head around the events that happened merely an hour ago. the whole thing happened so fast. it had me questioning wes's motives. i mean does he really like me or did he just tell me all that because him and harmony broke up? as we all stepped into the house, my thoughts were interrupted by fred's voice. "ah shit man, how are you gonna get home? me and y/n are way too drunk to drive you back, and i need my car tomorrow." i looked over at wes, he was looking at fred with a concentrated face. "i mean i could just crash here right? it wouldn't be the first time." fred looked down at his shoes, clearly thinking then shrugging. "yeah you're right, just take the couch." fred waved me and wes off, making his way to his room, leaving the two of us in the kitchen, alone.

❥༄ I awkwardly stared at my shoes, while wes scratched the beck of his neck. "well i guess that's my cue." i murmured along with a weak laugh. wes jumped up "oh yeah me too.." "well goodnight wes." i whispered. he looked at me and there was something about his eyes, it's like there was some kind of message in them, but i couldn't decipher it. "yeah goodnight y/n...sleep well." he gave me a small smile, i returned it and trutted up the stairs to my room. i shut the door with a sigh and changed into my pjs. i followed that up with brushing my teeth. i was about to wash my face, then i remembered i was probably going to have a gnarly hangover in the morning. i made my way downstairs where i saw wes on the couch, flipping through channels.

"whatchu doing?" i asked. He jumped a little, startled by my entrance. "nothing just racking up your guys cable bill. how about you? i thought you were going to sleep?" i leaned on the counter and sighed. "i was but i realized i'll probably feel like death tomorrow, so i came down here to get some water and pain killers. do you want any?" he shook his head "nah i didn't drink a lot, so i should be fine" i shrugged while grabbing a glass "suit yourself~" he laughed me off and returned to looking through TV channels. once i was done i began making my way back to my room until i noticed wes had no blanket, or pillow. really fred? "did fred not give you a pillow and blanket?" "nah hes a jerk" he said with a chuckle. i placed my water and pills back on the counter. "wait here." i went down the hall to get him his stuff.

i plopped the items down on the spot next to him on the couch. "thanks i appreciate it" he stammered. "n-no problem!" his nervous behavior was so cute, it was making me nervous as well! i turned to the tv and saw he was watching mtv downtown. "oh i love this show!" i said while placing myself on the couch. "can i stay and watch it with you? please!" he laughed at my pleading. his head was thrown back, and i could see the crinkles on the corner of his eyes, and how his smile curved up. how could someone be so effortlessly beautiful? "it's your house y/n, go ahead." i blushed in embarrassment, realizing he was right. "yeah i know...i just didn't want to keep you up." he looked at me, still smiling "don't worry, i'd stay up all night if you wanted me too." he confessed. i looked at him to notice he had a bashful look on his face. i smiled shyly in response and turned my attention to the tv screen in an attempt to stop myself from kissing him right then and there.

it was around 15 minutes later when the question began bouncing around my head again. did wes really like me? i let out an audible sigh, without meaning to, which made wes turn to look at me with a perplexed expression. "what wrong? are you cold?" he questioned while shoving more of the blanket towards me. "no i'm just...thinking." he raised an eyebrow. "about what?" i hesitated and began playing with my hair before i spoke up. "wes...do you really like me? or did you just do and say all that tonight because you and harmony broke up?" he positioned himself in a way that forced him to have hisbody fully towards me. "y/n...yes i really do like you. i mean i've known you since we were in elementary, why would i do something so cruel to you? especially...you." i sighed and ran my hands through my hair. "i don't know it's just...why now? why all of a sudden? i mean like you've said, we've know each for years, and i've liked you that whole time." i confessed, my voice getting more shaky as i continued, and my face reddening as well. "y/n look at me." i snapped my head towards him. if he was medusa i would still look. "first of all, i never knew you've liked me for so long, i'm flattered. second of all my-" he stopped to let out a light hearted chuckle. "my crush on you is kinda new..." i furrowed my brows. "what do you mean?" he began rubbing the back of his neck again "well i wanna say it started this year, i mean i've always just known you as my best friends little sister, but you've really changed. i mean looks and personality wise." i nodded at his confession. i guess you could say i had a "glow up." i didn't like bragging about my looks a lot but of course, i wanted to know more. "like what?" he looked at me, confused. "what do you mean?" i rolled my eyes at him. "what specifically about me changed?" he laughed dryly while turning away, a small tint of pink adorning his face. "come on, don't make me say it." i turned to him with a worried look. "what?" he sighed while looking back at me, then at my chest, then back at me. i scoffed and pushed his chest. "seriously?!" he threw his hands up in defense. "hey you asked." he said while chuckling. "i mean it's not like that's the only thing." he continued. "you've just really grown into your looks ok? and you've become such an...individual. you're just completely your own person, and i really dig that." my heart felt like it was going to jump right out of my chest, and i'm pretty sure my face was as red as a strawberry. with a shaky voice, i thanked him. "t-thanks wes that...means a lot coming from you." he laughed a little then asked, "what do you mean by that?" all while having a devilish smirk. i rolled my eyes "you know what i said...i've liked you for years."i looked up only to see he was already looking at me. i felt like he could see through me completely. see every secret and insecurity. every line and curve. he cupped my face and i was frozen, unable to speak or think, then our lips connected. the kiss was slow and passionate. despite it being the middle of november, his lips felt warm against mine. i felt like i had a wildfire all over my body. then he picked me up and sat me on his lap. i let out s small yelp, resulting in him pulling away and putting a finger over my mouth. "shh we don't wanna get caught " he said with a sly smirk. i nodded in agreement, i was like putty in his hands at this point. he put his hands in my hair and reconnected our lips. my hands found his chest and biceps. when did he get so buff? i moaned into his mouth, unable to contain the immense pleasure i was feeling he giggled into the kiss and began stroaking my hair, then he lightly tugged at it. "what did i just say baby?" my lip wobbled in embarrassment. "it's too much wes!" i said, my voice shaky and barely above a whisper. he began attacking my neck, littering it with love bites. i his myself in his arms and neck, my body was electric. "you're so adorable, it's driving me insane" // to be continued

[miss-ery-3]

i dont have much to report on weight wise, as i havent weighed myself since thursday, because i've been drinking alcohol and therefore i am retaining water

i can feel how i am all swelled up rn - my rings feel tighter than normally. i'll weigh myself again once the water retention goes down

but, ofc, i have even more stuff about my whole ✨love life situation✨

i am seeing my bf tomorrow, and i will tell him that i dont think our relationship is going that greatly, and then i'll take it from there. i dont really like to think too much about it, but i also feel more at peace w it - and i think my lil crush is a huge part of that. i really dont need anyone to tell me that i'm a horrible person - i am truly doing my best, both in terms of navigating my feelings and my relationship and my mental health. i'm really not in a good place right now, but at least i can kinda pretend, that my troublesome feelings are some fun new drama that i can share w my friends (you guys teehee)

if you don't care about my love life drama, then its totally ok. if you are, you're in for a treat (maybe idk)

lets call my crush-situation W

aight, so W and i talked all night thursday, and i have quite a lot to report about that night, and then a little about last night

my friend started talking about one time i had a ons w one of my friends, like 3 years ago, and i was quite embarrassed to talk about it. but the others laughed and idk, i figured it was fine. W switched between not laughing at all, just looking down at the table, and then awkwardly laughing a bit while looking at me, and then the table. i dont know what that means??? just as the conversation ended he was like "do u wanna go for a smoke" and then we went outside, and talked about other things.

we had been drinking and joking all night, and he decided to tell some group of girls sitting in the bar, that he and i are childhood friends (big lie, i've known him since summer). and i was like "aight, whatever" and then he lied and told them that i had written him tons of love letters when we were children. and i just laughed and lied and said "yeah haha, i was totally in love with you". when we left the bar, like 2 hours later, and we were all alone, i teased him about something we told the group of girls, and then he was like "yeah yeah whatever, i know that you'll just send me another love letter. you're like tooootally into me hahaha" and i was like "oh yeah, haha, totally. u got me" while walking away and laughing. i might just be fucking overthinking everything but also... why lie about writing love letters? there are much more embarrassing things (for me) he could've said. idk, help me

he texted his girlfriend throughout the night (i think) but looked quite annoyed/not happy whenever he did, and at some point he left the table for like 15 minutes (probably to talk to her). idk

he kept touching my stuff. like my cigarettes and my lighter, he would just sit with them and play with them. i found it quite cute, idk

OKAY, and then to last night (friday) i was in another bar last night, helping out, 'cause i kinda work there (ish, like, volunteer-work) and W was supposed to have a shift later in the evening

he calls me to tell me that he will be running late, 'cause he was at an event, and shit hit the fan, idk. then he asked me if i could cover for him, and i said that i for sure could cover for him. we only talked for 1,5 minute, but idk. my fucking hands went sweaty and i couldn't stand still. i don't think i've ever picked up that fast. uuuughhhhh i feel so weird. whatever

he showed up like 1,5 hours too late (but it was ok, 'cause there really wasn't much to going on), and went directly out to find me (i was smoking) to hug me and apologize for coming so late. then i kept feeling his eyes on me, and i could hear him mention my name a lot of the night

we ended up doing some cleanup together afterwards, and it was just... really nice. we have such a good time whenever we're together and i feel so comfortable around him. except for the part where i keep thinking about how hot i think he is and how want to give him a big old smooch. i had hoped to talk to him some more, but we both went home when cleanup was done, and idk. its fine

i have not been able to keep him out of my head all day. its truly torturous

[shirohige-pirates]

Hey Doll

CisFem Reader x Thatch

CW: toxic parents, manipulation, The Plan™, smut, mdni, I'll add as we go I'm kind of fly by the seat of my pants on this one.

tag list: @mfreedomstuff @harahettania @clumsyraccoon

Chapter 13: Yes Mother

A/N: This chapter contains physical and verbal abuse. Please proceed carefully.

“I am so sorry.” Thatch says for the third time since he got home. He’s set out the remotes on the coffee table. “I can’t believe I forgot to show you how to work everything.”

“It’s okay, I promise.” You reassure him. You aren’t sure what to do. When Thatch got home he found you napping on the couch. In your sleepy post-nap daze you’d admitted that you didn’t know how to turn on the TV and didn’t want to mess up a setting, and had just dozed off.

Taking a few minutes he walked you through the TV controls. It was easy enough, not too different from what you had at home, but you’d never been allowed to even touch those remotes. It was probably best to experience choosing the channel while you were on your own tomorrow, you didn’t want Thatch to worry more than he already was.

“If you want to rent a movie you can,” he says after he’s sure you’ve got the controls down pat, at least well enough to be okay on your own tomorrow. “Most of the books I have are about food and cooking, but I got one of those electronic deals somewhere. I can dig it up tonight.”

“Please just rest.” You offer a warm smile. “You were at work all day, and having the TV for tomorrow will be plenty. B-besides, I was… I was hoping I could maybe ask for something.” Your stomach knots, but you try to look and sound as comfortable as possible.

Thatch pauses, and his face lights up. “Certainly! Anything you want.”

“I… would like to… go on a date?” You can’t look at him as you ask, but you’re not sure you would’ve been able to do so regardless. It was almost painfully embarrassing to ask, even if the reason was duplicitous, it was something you did want to do with him.

“Tonight?”

“No!” You reach out for him, stopping short and covering your face. He looked so delighted you were worried you were going to break down and start crying. “No, I mean… I mean like, I’d like to see a movie, and maybe have dinner before, or… er… well, I’ve never gone to a play, or… anything.”

“Ah, I see.” Thatch ruffles your hair gently. “A full and proper date then. It would be my pleasure, doll.” He heads down the hall to his room. “Let me grab a shower and change, after dinner I’ll see what I can find for this weekend, okay?”

“Y-yes, thank you!” You raise your voice a little as he disappears down the hall. Sitting back down on the couch you look out the sliding door again.

You cannot cry. You can’t. If you cry then Thatch is going to ask what’s wrong, and if he asks you can’t lie to him. Doing this was bad enough, but if you told him then he could end up getting hurt. Your dad couldn’t harm him directly, but he could find people who would do it, you knew that for sure. Especially after today.

Thatch cooked so much the day before, dinner was an easy affair for him. It was interesting to watch him go through a few different ways of reheating leftovers in order to reheat each part correctly. He talked you through what he was doing, more you think, to fill the silence than anything else. The impromptu lesson was appreciated; you could cook, but not like Thatch, and you never really dealt with leftovers.

Everything was so measured to be sure you weren’t over eating that leftovers weren’t really something that happened.

After dinner, Thatch set up a laptop at the dining table, and looked up some stuff you could do for the weekend.

“There’s an Opera this weekend, and a performance of Shen Yun the weekend after that.” He says as you sit down next to him. “We’d have to leave Friday night for the Opera, it’s pretty much on the other side of the island. Grabbing a hotel room would be less hassle than waking up at 4am to get there on time.”

“The Shen Yun is closer?”

“Yeah, it’s barely twenty minutes from here. See? The Rumbar Theater House is just down the way a bit.” He explains, pointing it out on the little map. “It’s a long production though, we should probably consider a big meal before hand.”

You had told your father one or two weeks, and he hadn’t pushed for one or the other. The distance away from the apartment would be something you were sure he’d prefer, but you were nervous about traveling so far.

“We should do both.” Thatch says after a minute of silence.

“Huh? N-no, that’d be…” A waste, you think. Once your father does whatever he intends to do, you’re sure that everything will fall apart.

“Perfect,” Thatch interrupts your thoughts. “It’d be perfect. We should be trying to spend as much time together as we can. With my job that makes it a little difficult, but if we go on some big dates every weekend for the next couple weekends that would help make up for it.”

“But…” You take a moment, and Thatch sits still until you decide what you’re going to ask.

“Isn’t it expensive?”

He smiles and you feel your chest tighten again. “It’s not cheap,” he admits. “But I have more than enough saved up, and I think you’d enjoy both of them. This way too, you can decide which was more fun.”

“It’s -.”

“It’s not too much, I promise.” Thatch puts a hand over yours. “I’ll get things set for both of them, and if the travel and the Opera is overwhelming, I can cancel the other tickets. How’s that sound?”

You nod. It’s too much, it’s entirely too much, but only because you don’t deserve any of it. You can’t say that, and you’re pretty sure even if you did, he would argue. The only way that argument would resolve would be if you came clean about everything that happened today.

Instead, you sat with him while he booked the other parts of the dates. He gave you choices on a lot of things. Thatch chose the hotel, but let you choose one room or two. You chose one because it would be cheaper, and one with two queen sized beds because you weren’t quite ready to sleep in the same bed. It was the same cost as a single king, so you didn’t feel guilty.

You made plans to go out shopping tomorrow, or Wednesday. Thatch was going to try and get home a little early and if he couldn’t swing it tomorrow he’d manage it the next day. That way he could buy you something really nice to wear, since both events were the kinds of things you could get all dolled up for.

“I have nice clothes.” You insist. There’s no anger in your tone, but you don’t want him to spend more money than he already has.

“You do, and I won’t force you.” He gives you a smile that has the tips of his ears pink. “But the date will be fun for both of us, and… I’d love to give you a gift. You know, for your first real date.”

“Let… let me sleep on it.” You can see the edges of sadness creep into Thatch’s soft expression, but he nods.

“Of course.”

Shortly after that, you’d both gone to bed. As quietly as you could you cried yourself to sleep. The guilt made you feel sick, but if you got up to throw up you were worried you’d alert Thatch. You only had to hold out a few more days and it would be over. Whatever happened, he’d be safe.

Whatever happened to you wouldn’t matter. Not after all this. You didn’t deserve him. You didn’t deserve any of this. The whole match process had been fabricated, you weren’t even supposed to be here.

The only thing you did deserve was the guilt, and so you’d carry it. You knew your place, and your worth. You’d do as your parents asked to pay back all you owed them, and then accept whatever happened.

You slept so hard that night that you barely had time to scramble out of bed and tell Thatch good-bye in the morning. He asked if he could kiss your cheek and you said yes. He told you not to worry, but you weren’t sure what he was talking about, and then he said he’d be home for lunch, and not to worry on deciding about going shopping. He’d open up Wednesday for it, and that would give you time to think on it.

After that, he was out the door and you were in the empty apartment again.

Remembering that he said he’d be home for lunch you decide to eat a light breakfast and then take a shower so you can get cleaned up. Your face wasn’t too swollen, but it would be better to make yourself fully presentable if he was going to be coming back.

It was difficult. Even the “quick” breakfast took nearly an hour. No matter how hard you tried you couldn’t shake the heavy feeling in your heart, and tears kept leaking down your face. Your tears last night were apparently only the beginning, and you wondered if your resolve was so flimsy that this was the result.

You waffled between resolving to tell Thatch, and resolving to not say a word at least a dozen times while you were in the shower. By the time you were done you’d only managed to resolve to stop thinking about it for the rest of the day.

So automatic was your usual process that you had hardly registered that you were back int the main area until you heard the door beep. Your eyes slipped over the microwave clock and saw that it was barely past 9am, there was no way it was Thatch. Fear grips your heart for a split second until your mother walks into the apartment by herself.

Fear is replaced by confusion. You can’t even sort out how to greet her.

Your mother hasn’t noticed the look on your face. She’s been looking around since she stepped in, a wide glee-filled smile on her lips as she takes in the surroundings. Your brain catches up enough to understand she used the key card your father copied yesterday, but her presence is still entirely too surreal.

“Show me around, Doll.” She says, setting her things on the kitchen counter as she walks past you. “This is much nicer than I had expected, I wonder if that old bastard pays for it.” Anger flashes across your face, but it’s long gone before your mother looks at you.

“Show me around!” She snaps and you flinch.

“Yes mother.”

You motion with your arm down the hall that leads to your room, and the bathroom you have. She looks around your room, only opening your closets to marvel at how much space you have in an apartment.

“Goodness! It’s bigger than our house.” Giggling she closes your closet and turns toward you. “His room, Doll, c’mon.”

“I… I haven’t.” You stammer and she rolls her eyes.

“I’m not asking you to lay in his bed, I’m telling you to show me to his room.” She asserts, turning you around and pushing you out of the room. “C’mon now, I’m not going to spend all day in here.”

You stumble a couple steps before you get your pace ahead of hers, leading her down the other hall to Thatch’s side of the apartment. She’s not even pretending to care about the common areas, and you’re certain she didn’t even want to see your room in the first place.

When you get to Thatch’s bedroom door you’re surprised to find it open. The fact that he didn’t even close it while you were here and he wasn’t sat heavy on your shoulders. The pictures of his family lining the hallway walls felt like condemnations with every step.

Thatch’s room was well organized. The king-sized bed was dark wood and dark sheets, with white accents. There were more cooking books in here, a desktop and desk in one corner, and a sense of military service in the way the bed was made and how his closet was organized. As far as you knew neither him nor any of his brothers had been in the marines. Maybe Newgate had just raised them strict in that way.

It would make sense, trying to wrangle and keep so many boys in line like he had. You can clearly hear him saying that he runs a tight ship, or something similar.

“Ah there it is.” Your mother says, looking up at a space high up in the closet. “Doll, go bring a chair in here.”

“You can’t take anything.” You say the words without really thinking, your mother’s eyes going wide as she looks over at you in shock.

“I’ll take whatever I fucking please, you ungrateful bitch.” She replies icily. The weight of your words settle on you as she raises her voice, pointing down the hall as she practically screeches. “GO GET ME A CHAIR!”

The volume, more than the words, has you down the hall in a dash. You grab one of the dining room chairs and carry it into Thatch’s room. Your mother points and you set the chair into the closet.

“Steady it for me, useless thing.” She grumbles, stepping up on the cushion and looking around the top shelf of the closet while you hold the chair steady for her. “Humph, a number pad and no key. Well, that settles that then.”

Stepping back down off the chair you’re relieved to see she’s empty handed. She waves you off to return the chair, and she’s coming down the hall by the time you’ve put it back where it belongs.

“Have you convinced that oaf to take you on a date yet?”

“He’s not an oaf.” You say the words far more quietly than you wanted to, unable to even look at her.

“True, he’s a monster. That brute, you didn’t see his face when he threatened your father and I.”

“Thatch didn’t threat-!” The sharp sting on your cheek was unexpected, as was the force she used. The sharp slap cut lines in your cheek from her fingernails. You put your hand to your cheek, shocked she would leave such a harsh mark on you. Especially your face.

“Don’t you dare talk back to me like that!” Her hand sails through the air again and she grabs your wrist roughly, twisting it until the pain has you on your knees. “Apologize this instant!”

“He didn’t threaten you!” You cry, trying to get her to let go of your wrist. You cry out as she twists it further, her other hand grabbing your hair and forcing you to look at her. The look in her eyes is wild and manic, you can’t remember ever seeing her so angry before.

You can’t remember defying her either, but Thatch hadn’t threatened your parents.

“APOLOGIZE!” She demands and you shake your head. If she twists your wrist much more she might actually break it. “He’s a fucking monster! I bet I could tell everyone he’s beat you, and they’d believe it. Wouldn’t even listen to a pitiful thing like you,” she snarls, a twisted knowing grin marring her features. “So desperate to be accepted by a faked match you let him abuse you. I’ll get your father up here and-.”

“Sorry! I’m sorry!” You wail, sobbing as she lets you go, leaving you to crumple onto the floor, throbbing hand to your bloody cheek. “I’m - hic - sorry, mother. I’m sorry, you-you’re r-right.”

“He’s a monster.” She says and you nod. “Say it, Doll.”

“He is,” you reply, hoping it’s enough to satisfy her. You don’t think you could actually call him a monster and she might really break something if you defy her again.

“Humph. Did you convince him to take you on a date yet?”

You nod.

Your mother hisses, taking a step toward you and causing you to back away so reflexively you’re under the dining table before you can stop yourself. There’s a tense moment of silence and she clicks her tongue.

“Text us the details before you go to bed tonight.” She commands, stepping away from you and heading toward the door. “Fix your stupid face before he gets home.”

“Yes mother,” you barely say the words aloud as she gathers her things off the counter and leaves.

You need to get up and get ice for your wrist. You need to get up and clean the scratches on your face and try to cover them up with makeup. You need to get up. You need to.

You can’t do anything but cry heavy gasping sobs from under the dining table. Almost no sound escapes you, the occasional hiccuped gasp of air dotting the relative quiet. A few painful sobs manage to claw their way into existence and you can’t keep quiet, letting the wretched wail into the air before forcing yourself to quiet again.

When you hear the beep of the door you realize you must’ve been sobbing under the dining table for over an hour. The door opens and you just stay where you are, resigned in having been caught. There was nothing you’d be able to tell him except the truth.

Thatch comes over, and sits down as far away as he can, and still be in your line of sight. You can smell the mix of flour and fruits on him, the soothing smell of honey and sugar from the confections made at the bakery. You don’t know if it’s the warmth of the shop that you can feel rolling off him, or if it’s just the warmth that always seems to be around him.

Most of you is hidden from him, curled up against the central table leg. Looking over at him you can see splatters of different sauces on his uniform, puffs of flour against his yellow scarf that makes it look patchy in places. The look on his face is sorrowful, and painfully kind.

He has no idea what’s happened. He might have an inkling, some idea gnawing at the back of his mind. His sorrow might be in knowing you’re going to hurt him, or maybe it’s just in knowing you’ve been hurt. He wants to be closer, you can tell, but he’s staying back until you give him permission.

How could he be so kind?

So gentle?

So patient?

He should be furious! He should be loud, and demanding, and unrelenting! This is his home! He shouldn’t be coming home to something so unknown. He shouldn’t find you like this. He should be able to have lunch with you, because that was the plan. That was how it was supposed to go. How it should be going.

His voice was quiet when he spoke. Like he didn’t want to spook you. The tone was soft and gentle, full of a pain you didn’t understand. How could two words sound so sad and so loving at the same time?

Especially when they were nothing but cold disdain on the tongues of your parents.

“Hey Doll.”