#I mean the other option is that it was just something he wanted for so long that now that he actually has it he's having trouble believing i

[xetlynn]

Arcane Imagines- Violet

Sweet and Sour

Requested by: @m0ranna "vi and a s/o who looks, seems and acts very soft but is actually a beast when fighting."

[arcane] [main page]

Summary: you and vi have been apart for some time, and when she sees you all the feelings come back.

“Hey, someone’s here for you.” Your only employee, Mexi says, you hum in response waving that you’re coming. You feel slightly grateful to stand up from your desk and be done with all the paperwork for just a moment. It’s been slow running Benzo’s old shop. Nobody has really come in, especially now with everything going on between Zaun and Piltover so money’s real tight.

 You walk out into the shop from behind the counter after your employee leads you there. You look up with crossed arms. “What can I do for you?” Asked with a fake interested tone.

“[Name]? You own the place now?” A familiar voice rings in your ears. Your eyes widened to look more clearly at your past friend/crush. “Violet?!” You jump over the counter, pulling her into a tight embrace. You hadn’t seen her since that horrible, idiotic heist that went so wrong. “Hey!” She holds you close to her, before pulling you back to get a better look at you. 

“You still have that sweet innocent look.” She whispers, pulling you into another hug. Taking in your scent as tears fills your eyes. “How did you get out?” You back away this time, holding onto her shoulders to make sure she doesn’t go away. “Uh, see that pilty officer out there.” She points to the dark haired lady standing outside the shop with her hands on her hips seemingly impatient. “Yeah?” 

“Her, I don’t know why but I’m not complaining.” Vi chuckles and you smile at her. “Want to invite her in?” It stuns her when you offer that, even Mexi was taken aback. She gets nervous, walking into the back so she doesn't have to speak to an officer. “Eh, she can experience the undercity a little more.” Vi waves it off, jumping onto the glass counter to sit down. 

“Looks the same in here.” She sadly sighs, browses the place. “Tried not to change it drastically. Benzo did a pretty good job.” You frown, thinking back to the man who was like a father to you. “Is Ekko…” 

“Nah, he’s doing his own thing now. Unfortunately it's the same with your sister.” You groan, reminding yourself of the blue-haired girl's antics with Silco. “Powder? What do you mean unfortunately?” Vi perks up. “She’s not really Powder anymore.” You start, hugging yourself as you think back to when Ekko begged you to fight with the fireflies. 

“Let’s talk about something else.” You pick up a random gadget, fidgeting with it in your left hand. “How’s the free life?” 

“I want to talk about Powder.” Vi gets off the counter, walking towards you. “Vi, no. You’ll find out on your own. I really don’t want to get into this.” You tell her simply, pleading silently with your facial expression. She wants to argue with you, beg for you to say more but she can’t. Not when your eyes are full of fear and sadness. You’ve always been so sweet-looking. So kind to people, giving them the benefit of the doubt. Which is rare in the undercity. It’s also stupid to most. 

“Okay, okay. I- I don’t know, I’ve only been free for a few hours. This was the first place I went to.” She averts eye contact now. “Hm, I’m the first person you wanted to see, huh?” You joke, there wasn’t really any other option sadly. “Of course.” Vi smirks, nudging your arm. 

“I’ve missed you.” You turn to her, pulling her into another hug. “I don’t want to let go of you. It’s like you’re going to disappear at any moment.” You whimper out, trying not to cry. Vi’s face softens, kissing the top of your head. “I promise I’m not leaving again.” Her hands go to your waist just letting you cling onto her. 

“I’ll kill you before you get the chance to leave me.” You say, causing her to scoff out a laugh. The door bells go off and you both let each other go to see that officer standing there. 

“Sorry to interrupt, Officer Caitlyn Kiramman.” She bows down to you before looking at Vi. “We should get going, I have important things to get to.” 

You raise a brow on why Vi needs to go with this lady so badly. Vi sighs. “Give me a moment.” She tells the officer whose face contorts into an annoyed expression. “I’ve given you quite a few moments to reunite with your girlfriend here.” Cait spits out, obviously very antsy to get where she needs to be. The both of you awkwardly glance at one another now with flushed faces.

“Uh, it’s alright. I’ll see you later Vi.” You chuckle, taking her hand in yours. “There’s a fight in that one arena we used to go to behind Vander and Benzo’s back. It’s huge and you should come. Just like old times.” You propose to her, your face full of hope that she agrees to come. 

“You can bring your bodyguard too.” You tease making her playfully roll her eyes. Cait tries to bite back a smile at the joke. “I’ll be there. I promise.” Vi squeezes your hand before letting go. “It’s at the usual time as well, I hope you remember.” You tell her as she leaves with the girl. “Oh I remember!” Vi calls back. 

When the door shuts behind them and the bells still ring in your ears you let out a breath you didn’t even know you were holding. Mexi comes out of hiding. “You two are dating?” She asks curiously. You choke on your spit. “Huh?” 

“Well the officer said you were her girlfriend and neither one of you denied it.” She shrugs her shoulders, taking out her box of things to put away. “Oh, I mean we had a small thing as children but I haven’t seen her in 7 years. I’m sure she doesn’t think about me that way.” You ramble, putting the gadget back that forgot you were holding. 

“I don’t know. The way she looked at you says otherwise.” Mexi winks, your face heats up. “Whatever.” You mutter, going back behind the counter and heading into the back to finish the paperwork you had. 

•••

Vi and Caitlyn rummage through the crowd of people, trying to find you. “I don’t know if we’re going to find her before the fight!” Cait shouts over the yelling and the music that blasted. “I’m gonna try!” Violet huffs, shoving past all the people, getting to the front where maybe she could spot you on the other side of the arena. Her eyes traveled through the sea of moving bodies. “C’mon.” She mutters to herself. She didn’t want you to think she didn’t come. She had only made it five minutes before the fight even started because of what Cait and her had to do. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen!!!” The announcer screams into the mic, only making everyone louder with their cheers. As he speaks, Vi only zones everything out, trying her hardest not to panic when attempting to find you. 

“Isn’t that her?” Cait points down into the arena with eyebrows scrunched together. Vi’s eyes shoot down to see you standing there against a large woman. “Shit, what’s she doing!?” Violet urgently asks, gripping onto Caitlyn. “I think she’s about to fight.” 

Vi gives her a dirty look, giving her attention back to the scene in front of her right as the announcer starts the fight. The woman attempts to attack you but you swerve out of the way. You look up to see Vi and Caitlyn. You blow them a kiss before turning to the woman and throwing a punch. 

The lady doesn’t dodge it in time, getting hit right in the eyebrow. She tries to throw hits at you but you maneuver around them, hitting her in the right places to cause her to stumble. Vi leans over the edge, now cheering for you. “Kick her ass!” She shouts. Even Caitlyn was amazed at your fighting skills. She wasn’t expecting that from someone so… cute and sweet looking. 

You swiped the lady's feet out from right under her. Going in for the punches. The larger lady attempts to push you away with no avail. 

But when she sees an opening after multiple hits to the face she shoves you off of her. Getting herself up. You roll away, jumping to your feet, you weren’t paying attention when she gets a hit to the middle of your face. Violet gasps, nails digging into Caitlyn’s arm. The dark blue haired girl doesn’t pay attention though. 

You spit out blood, wiping your mouth before going after the woman with more passion than before. Looking like a beast in the ring. You go right for her head, only taking a few hits for her to be back on the ground. 

Not even five minutes into the fight and you win. Leaving her knocked out. 

The announcer commentates as the crowd goes wild. Violet listens to all the people saying how little miss [Name] out there is undefeated. “Holy shit.” Cait whispers. You pump your fists into the air, jumping around for yourself. You have blood guzzling down your nose but you’re having a blast with the attention. You look up, locking eyes with Vi who has a look of bewilderment. You chuckle then motion with your head to the exit doors. She immediately understands what you’re saying. “Meet me at her shop, I’ll see you later.” Violet places a hand on Caitlyn’s shoulder before pushing through the crowd.

You and Vi used to sneak and see the fighters in the back frequently as children. Not to meet them or anything but just to say you were in the same room as them. Even then it was kept a secret between you both. 

She sneaks through the men guarding the doors and slips into the very first room she can. Hands snake around her from behind. “Hey!” You scare her, making her jump away from you. She turns with her fists up in defense. You roar into laughter, mimicking her stance. She pouts from being made fun off and smacks your arm. “Why didn’t you tell me you were fighting?! I didn’t even know you could do all that!” She exclaims as you grin. 

“I wanted it to be surprising! Wasn’t I so amazing out there?” You lift your arms, flexing your muscles. “Yeah but honestly I did not see that coming from someone so… adorable?” She tilts her head as she tries to find the right word to call you.

 “Awe I’m adorable?” You poke her side, heading over to the full body mirror in the room, taking the wraps off your hands. “I mean, you’ve always been pretty cute. Like y’know sweet looking. I’ve never seen you even hurt someone!” she maundered, speaking with her hands flailing trying to explain what she meant with bright red ears. 

“Desperate times call for desperate measures. I don’t exactly enjoy being some beast fighter but it pays the bills.” You lean against the little table beside the mirror. Staring off into space at Vi’s shoes. “The shop not doing good?” Vi asks. “It’s seen better days. I have enough for everything except paying Mexi but I’m not letting her go. She’s helped way too much for me to do that.” You sigh, thinking about the young worker who you practically took under your wing. 

“So you risk yourself so you don’t have to fire just one person.” She quizzes and you go to defend your actions but she just snickers. “Gosh you really are too sweet for your own good, [Name]. I love you so much.” She holds her stomach as she laughs. Amused by how kind you are. “You love me?” You attempt to tease her but her face drops, realising what she said. “I mean, yeah! I’ve been in love with you since we were kids.” She speaks so nonchalantly it catches you off guard. When she said she loved you, you thought of it as a family thing. Not romantic. You weren’t upset but your mind was spiraling now. 

“I’m sorry if it’s too much. I don’t even know if you have a partner already or something. I’ve been gone for so long I just. I’ve never stopped thinking about you even though we were only 15.” She over-explains, and you go up to her, putting a finger to her lips. “I love you too, Violet. I wasn’t kidding when I said I missed you.” You tell her earnestly, your hand going to her cheek. 

Her shoulders drop, relieved by your words. “Oh thank god, I thought I had just scared you or something. I feel so stupid.” You shush her with a small laugh. “I forgot how much you talk when you’re nervous.” You whisper as she plants her forehead on yours. “I only do it with you.” She shamefully admits. 

“Mm, really?” You ask before locking your lips on hers. She moans into the kiss, deepening it by bringing you closer to her. The kiss was rough, making up for lost time. Wandering hands over one another's bodies. 

When you pull apart you grin, throwing your arms over her shoulders. “We're dating.” You state, not asking but telling her. She shakes her head. “I didn’t know that.” 

“Well you do now.”

 You peck her lips. 

•••

Time passes and Vi comes into the shop whenever she can, you let Mexi watch over so the both of you can go out. Always in cute light colored clothes in such a dark place. 

People never understood how you were so bubbly, giving to others and dancing in the middle of Zaun. 

Violet loved it, watching as a street performer played and you danced to music. Children joining you. Even a few adults. It was these moments the undercity needed. A little distraction from the horrors about to come. 

You’d have these sweet moments everyday and then night comes and you’re in people's nightmares. Fighting to pay the bills you said. Fighting to win and prove you’re more than what others call a weak minded, overly nice girl. And Vi’s there to support her girl through it all. 

Loving every second. 

[alchemistc]

Harry twirls a lock of dark curls between his fingers. Tips his chin against Tommy's head and stares up at the ceiling. He considers not asking, this time.

The sex is good, and Tommy's funny, and if he closes his eyes he could imagine there could be something - Tommy twitches and shifts his hand lower like he might be gearing up for another round, and it breaks the fantasy. That's new.

"Tell me about him," Harry says, and Tommy's eyes tip up to glare at Harry.

"Making an assumption, there," Tommy warns, but Harry just raises an eyebrow. Six years of this and Harry knows better than to expect Tommy would show up at his door for any reason other than to get his mind off of something - someone else.

"So we're both asses," Harry intones. He needs to call the super, see what they'll do about the water stain on his ceiling. "Tell me about him."

Tommy sighs. Twists, drifts away to the second pillow, and Harry's done this enough times not to mourn the loss, exactly. It's not like he's ever told Tommy -

"He's too young. Impulsive. New."

Harry fails to hold in his snort. "Okay."

Tommy at 34 had been a fucking hurricane. Newly out, no holds barred, he'd jumped right into the deep end and let the storm whirl him around. They'd been friends, for the first six months, Harry a watchful presence while Tommy made it his mission to be more than the guy in the dark corner getting a risky blowie fifteen minutes before last call. To be out - not loud, that wasn't Tommy's style - but to at least be himself.

He'd lasted two months in a real, actual relationship before he'd shown up at Harry's door with a six pack and a box of condoms.

"He looks at me and sees this - cool suave guy -" Harry shifts, nearly interrupts because that guy is exactly what Tommy projects, even if he doesn't mean to. Fucking Scorpios. "- and I was falling for him."

Yeah. Harry can extrapolate from that. Tommy fell ass over tea kettle and then got spooked.

"He's just so fucking open with himself. No brainworm goes untouched, and he can't hide his emotions for shit, and he's so goddamn stubborn and so goddamn ready to bulldoze through every hurdle ahead without looking back at the damage, and..." Tommy trails off. One hand shifts down to hitch the duvet up over his hips, and Harry adds the duvet cover to his list of laundry. "I gave him too many chances to slow down on his own."

"What, did the kid ask you to marry him or something?"

"He's the Himbo," Tommy retorts, and it takes Harry a moment to make the connection. He whistles through his teeth just to watch the scowl fall into place on Tommy's face. "And the connection freaked him out so much he asked me to move in. To his bachelor pad loft." Harry waits. "It has two balconies, Harry. Two."

"...he knows you have a mortgage, right?"

Tommy shoves at his shoulder. "It doesn't matter. We're just - the timing wasn't right."

"Did you want it to be?"

That's always the thing he ends up hung up on, in Harry's experience. Tommy's scared out of his mind to be the right person at the wrong time. Always has been. There's probably some mommy or daddy issues hidden in there somewhere he hasn't explored. Tommy's eyes drift up to the water stain. "Don't these apartments all have the same layout?"

This is the shove-off. This is his hint not to push. "Yes, and I really don't want to ask how the upstairs neighbor flooded their bedroom. Back to the guy." He's never been one for acknowledging unspoken cues.

"Buck," Tommy says, and the name sounds harsh in his mouth.

"Buck," Harry repeats, and pictures Tommy's usual type - tall, light-eyed, more smiles than common sense. There was always something distinctive, too - freckles, a scar, weird shaped ears.

"I miss him."

It doesn't hurt the way it had those first few years, when Harry was convinced that eventually Tommy would see him as more than a friend to blow off steam with. Still. There's a twinge there, beneath his rib cage.

"So stop missing him. That's an option, isn't it?"

And Tommy does that thing - that frustrating, enchanting thing, where his whole body seems to hold the emotion flickering across his face. "I walked out on him. I dug the damn knife in just to make sure he wouldn't try to convince me to stay."

"Would you have? Stayed?"

Tommy's quiet. The sweat has cooled on his skin, and the lights coming in through his window dance across the skin of his shoulder, his chest, that stupid thick neck of his.

The phone he left on the bedside table is dark, but that doesn't stop Tommy's gaze flicking to it.

"Cards on the table, Tommy?" Harry sucks in a breath. Blows it out through his nose. "Once upon a time, I convinced myself you were it for me. That I'd be satisfied with what you gave me, and I wouldn't ask for more. I cut you out of my life for eight months when I realized how fucking dumb that was."

Tommy frowns. Harry hadn't really ever expected him to notice.

"I've seen you through shitty relationships, and one sided ones. I've heard all the bullshit you and Greg put each other through. I've been there for every fucking heartache."

And he'd offered up his body like it was absolution for always being fucking thrilled when a relationship ended.

"You called me Evan," Harry murmurs, and Tommy's eyes go wide. That's never fucking happened before. This thing wouldn't have lasted nearly as long if he'd ever heard another man's name in his bed before. "You should shower. Go home. Take a day or two, if you need it. But I know for a fact you wait this shit out, justify coming to me with time and space from whatever guy has you strung out. I know it's been a minute already, and I know you've never sounded so unsure about cutting someone loose."

Tommy's gaze flicks to him.

"Whatever it is that's got you so scared of this guy, figure it the fuck out. Because it sounds to me like you fell fast and hard and hit a fucking wall before you ever thought to tap the brakes. That's not fair to you or him. Call him. Text him. Show up at his door with a bouquet or an industrial size bottle of lube and figure your shit out. Together."

Tommy stares at him for a long, long time in silence.

"Them's the brakes, huh?"

Harry hates that he knows exactly what Tommy means. Still, he clarifies. "This is your forever guy." Six years of watching him flail and learn and grow and hurt and love and fuck. He knows a thing or two about Tommy and his flights of romance. Knows this lonely man has never sounded quite so lonely before. "You don't need me, anymore."

He's quiet as his eyes drift back up to the stain. "I'm not his forever guy." Harry can't actually refute that, considering he's never met the guy. But he knows Tommy. Knows exactly how captivating he can be. Knows Tommy's a sucker for that starry-eyed look that so often has meant not love, as Tommy reads it, but idolization. "What if I'm not his forever guy?"

Harry digs toes into the spot in the duvet where Tommy's knees should be. He shifts Tommy about half a millimeter. "He has a nickname you don't call him except when you're punishing yourself. He dated Abby and that shared history didn't scare him off. You'd never let yourself fall for a guy that wasn't throwing clear signs that it was serious. I'd put my odds on him doing something weird and wholesome every time he thinks about you until his entire two balcony loft is filled with trinkets or treats and he still can't get you off his mind."

Harry's never seen Tommy's face do that before. Not in the throes of a honeymoon phase and not in the worst of a bad breakup. It's some awful mixture between unbridled hope and abject despair.

Harry thinks it's probably fair to hate him a little, for that face. He's earned the right.

"If he kicks you to the curb, I'll take you to one of those expensive wine tastings you pretend to hate, and I'll let you drink all my samples too." It's not an idle promise. Tommy may pretend to hate it but Harry fucking loves wine tastings. "If he doesn't..." Harry shoots him a fond look, "...knowing your type I'm not invited to the wedding anyway, so I guess then I'd been seeing you around."

Something shadows his gaze for a moment, but he's quick to hide it, to smack Harry on the chest like they've just had a good game, to shift out of bed and into his briefs before Harry can blink. He doesn't love Tommy. Not the way he'd have liked to, years and years ago. Still, when Tommy shoots him the dorkiest finger guns known to man and scoops up the rest of his clothes to take to the bathroom with him, Harry still wonders what it's like to have him enough to love him fully.

---

The name catches him off guard every time he hears it. 'Evan' isn't hard to filter - Evan had been a popular enough name to immediately write it off but Buck wasn't white noise of a name

Buck was a character in a movie, an old grizzled war vet, a dog. The name Buck wasn't popular enough not to hear it every time it was so much as whispered in his direction.

The coffee shop isn't crowded, but it's not dead either. When the girl at the counter calls out an order for Buck, sliding three cups down the counter, Harry can't help but look up.

A tall broad shouldered hulk of a man smiles a dimpled smile at the barista, and Harry watches him palm two cups and grab the third one in one practiced move. He's cute, Harry thinks. Maybe his grandpa ordered, Harry thinks, a little harder, and then caves, following his path through the three-tops littering the lobby.

Harry catches sight of him without being noticed. He's grinning, one of those rare earnest ones that make his ears rise and his face crinkle like a Shar Pei, hand spread out over something lying open on the table. The little girl on the seat to his right is a surprise, but Harry hasn't spoken to Tommy in two years. Maybe he's had enough time to get his mind around the idea that he's nothing like his father. The girl responds to something Tommy says by palming at as much of his face as she can reach and turning to the man now approaching their table.

"Uncle Buck!" he catches, another firm tug at the part of his brain that's been stuck on this for too long. The man barely gets all three drinks on the table before the girl is launching herself up into his arms, and it's too late for Harry to turn away without notice. Tommy's gaze shifts across the room and lands right on him.

He looks like he might wave Harry over, and Harry would rather die than know whether Tommy would introduce him as an old friend, or by name like Buck should know it. He tips a smile Tommy's way. Raises a brow at the man - Buck - and gets lips being sucked behind teeth in response, and then a slow, subtle head tilt.

Good. Good for him. Harry's never wanted anything for Tommy but to see him incandescently happy.

Witnessing it from a distance is better.

Buck twirls his - niece? - flops her back down on the bench seat next to Tommy and bends to say something that includes a pinky promise. He's got a wine-dark stain just above his brow, and Harry can't quite hide the tip of his smile.

Harry's name rings in his ears as he picks up his drink, and he's halfway to the door, feeling proud of himself for not turning back, when he hears the chorus of three laughs erupting from the corner where he'd taken his last good look.

He'd seen the ring on insta, a week and a half ago. Just an uncaptioned picture of two bands balanced one over the other on a rock, a killer sunset sky blurry behind them. No tags. 102 likes and counting.

Harry pushes through the doors and only glances through the window to watch Tommy tip his head back in laughter for a second, before he's cleared the coffee shop and rounded the corner back to his office.

[kiame-sama]

Which monsters are cool with monogamy? There's some speculation on who's good with sharing their human mate with who. But who's doubling down on smugness and protectiveness if the human says they only want one mate?

Most are content with Monogamy, some will only be able to consider the Human if their associated 'group' is allowed by that group's defacto leader (Lilia, Sebek, and Silver fall under a group and are bound by their loyalty to Malleus to let Malleus be the primary mate, they will not agree to be primary mates to the Human without Malleus involved).

Malleus will 100% double down if the Human wants monogamy. He figured he was the only one good enough for them to be a life-long mate with, may as well full send it. He is somewhat sad Lilia was not also chosen as Lilia desperately wants the Human, but he will agree to monogamy for the Human.

Leona will absolutely keep the monogamy vibes for his little Mousey. How cute the Mousey wants him all to themselves. He thinks it is precious and will give that Mousey what they want. He has been second place for a lot of his life, it works wonders for is already large ego to be in first place for once.

Ace already knew he was going to win, I mean, he was your first first-year friend, after all. He loves that he gets to have you all to himself. No sharing with that block-head Deuce.

Deuce is honored you have selected him as your one and only mate, he will happily do the same for you. Don't worry, he is ready to fight off anyone who disagrees (he will lose terribly in most cases, but he will still try and that's what matters!)

Riddle is already on the primarily monogamous route and has zero issue being the Human's one and only. He will be proud as hell about it and boast that his 'King of Hearts' only wants him.

Jack likes the idea of monogamy because he is naturally territorial and likes knowing his territory (the Human) is just as territorial of him as he is of them. Happy pupper wants his mate to be happy.

Azul will happily be the Human's one and only anday even feel the need to tease Jade and Floyd about the Human choosing only him. He will lord it over others and will boast he is the only one they chose.

Papa Hades is already fairly monogamous so if the Human goes the romantic route and not platonic route with him, he will maintain his monogamous ways.

Jade is thrilled with the idea of not having to share with Azul or his Twin, the Human being his one and only, the one only he gets to embrace and hold, he loves it. Craves it.

Floyd is so happy you saw reason, Shrimpy! After all, he only shares with his brother because he has to most times. Don't worry! He can protect and squeeze you well enough all on his own. After all, this is just another reason to challenge himself at something, and the Human is a very fun prize!

Ruggie has been bullied out of almost everything in life other than his home. He is huge by Human standards, but a runt by Gnoll standards, how lovely it would be to be the one and only for the most precious prize ever?

Rook is not sure he deserves this. He is by no means as extraordinary as Vil or as beautiful as Neige, why would the Human choose him? They have so many options, he is fine sharing, honestly! He is unsure he can accept being their one and only. Of course, he also selfishly craves being the only one who gets to know that Human intimately and it gives a wicked sense of unbridled pride from the idea.

Vil is alright with monogamy, to be first place and not have to share it with anyone is truly magnificent. He won't stop Rook from trying unless the Human asks for his help in the matter, but he won't encourage Rook either if the Human truly wants him to be as monogamous.

Idia is just tickled pink about it all. No one to bully him out of his mate? No one to try and put him down for being less confrontational and extroverted? Heaven. He LOVES THIS. Him, Idia, the one no one gave the time of day to, the one no one expected to pull the rarest SSR card with max charisma stats. He who has negative luck and negative charisma stats. Unsuspecting Idia won the Human all to himself and he couldn't be happier about it.

Trey is honestly pleased and thinks it is for the best, he can get more than a little possesive about this precious Human. He would love being the only one that gets the Human to love and hold. He promises to look at no other and expects the same in return. Though he could share, he doesn't want to.

Cater is not sure if he deserves the Human after everything he has done. He isn't sure he should even be allowed around the Human after his actions. If you are certain he is the one you want, he won't argue.

[thelightsandtheroses]

one: florida!!!!

Call It What You Want | Frankie Morales x OFC

Summary: Daisy never expected to move to Florida but recovering from burnout in the sunshine state seems a good enough plan. Years after the death of her estranged half-brother, Tom, she finds herself agreeing to move in with Frankie Morales, Tom’s former army colleague and friend. Falling for her roommate, who is definitely keeping secrets about your brother’s death, may not be the best way to ensure a fresh start, or is it actually what they both needed all along? Chapter Warnings: 18+ blog MDNI, mentions of previous canon death and grief, references to corporate burnout Word Count: 3.7k Notes: Please note I am not from Florida, or even the US, so there’s a degree of creative license here, What I know about firefighting probably comes from 9-1-1, other firefighter shows, or google so please don’t think this is gong to be an accurate depiction of the Florida FD for Frankie. It’s fic, babes, let’s let me be a little self-indulgent. This is a rewrite of my first fic which felt too fast, too angsty and not the story I wanted to tell for a concept I really loved. It’s seen some considerable changes since then while retaining several themes, but I am so excited to share this and particularly this version of Frankie who has been rotting my brain for months and months 🔥 🔥🫠

Series Masterlist | Next. | A03

Palm trees, beaches and viral memes. That’s what I’ve always associated with Florida. It never struck me as a potential place I would make my home. I thought I might vacation there one day perhaps; some time in a distant future when I had a real grown-up life and family and we would go to the theme parks, buy overpriced merchandise and fried food and take cheesy photos before flying or driving home.

It’s funny how things work out though, isn’t it?

I pull into the apartment block with trepidation.

This is the fourteenth apartment I’ve viewed this week. Fourteen. I thought the market back in Chicago was bad but this is a whole new hellscape, or maybe it was easier because I knew more people back then. College roommates turn into post-college roommates and your circle is fully formed. It means you have people when you need to find a new place, there’s a whisper network, friends of friends.

I don’t have that anymore.

I want it though. I miss it.

I think I miss it.

The advert says that this listing is for a single room and the apartment is occupied by a group of young professional women. It’s the best option I’ve come across yet in my browsing of online postings which has taken me through several levels of Dante’s inferno. Facebook is just one above Craigslist in the hierarchy of the internet hellscapes I’ve seen recently.  One guy asked for my shoe size and asked if I routinely wore high heels before I could view the apartment. Safe to say, that one went off the list extremely quickly. It was a shame though - that listing had a double room and balcony, but I think I can see why it’s been listed for over sixty days now.

I haven’t had a roommate since college and this whole process has been a soul-crushing exercise on my already fragile self esteem. I don’t think I can take much more of this.

I take a deep breath. I’ve got this. I will find a room so I can move out of Molly’s and do something, anything with my life. Anything that’s not just existing in this strange purgatory I’ve found myself in. I’m potentially placing too much importance on the apartment here, but it’s a symbol, an omen.

It’s a fresh start. A signal to the universe that I’m here, that I’m doing something.

I feel like everything else I’m hoping and dreaming of can’t even start unless I have an apartment, and I can’t afford my own apartment and start a business so I need to find a roommate.

Maybe this is finally the one.

“It was so bad, Benny,” I say, taking a glug of lukewarm beer. “It was like being in high school over again, but worse. Infinitely worse!”

“Worse?” Benny tilts his head as he asks the question, something that only heightens my association between him and golden retrievers.

“Yes, because I’m not sixteen with a promise it’ll get better when I ‘find my people’ in college. This sucks. What was I thinking? Clearly I wasn’t. Maybe I should have stayed …” I trail off awkwardly.

“You were thinking that Florida is the perfect place to start over, which it is, Daisy,” he replies confidently.

Benny and his brother, Will, have played a considerable part in my move here. They served with my half-brother Tom.

Tom died more than five years ago - I don’t really know much about how it happened, Tom and I weren’t particularly close. There was an age difference, I sometimes felt he didn’t want me as a sister. I was only a reminder of his own parents’ relationship breakdown after all. I wish I could say we had that sibling bond but we didn’t. It’s clear to me his real siblings were the men in his team - he was their brother.

After his death though, Will kept in touch with me. I wondered if he thought he needed to fill a gap from Tom, if there was a sense of responsibility there. Tom never called me though except for birthdays and Christmas. I haven’t told Will that though.

It’s been nice feeling like I have a big brother. The irony isn’t lost on me that I feel this the most once my actual big brother is dead.

Will encouraged me to move down here, as did Molly, Tom’s ex-wife. They said I needed a fresh start and maybe they’re right.

I can’t remember the last time I felt like me. I’m not even sure what that feels like now, who I’m supposed to be and who I am really.

Florida seems a good place for reinvention though, for something new. I’m closer to the beach, to weekends spent with my toes scrunched in the sand as I sip coffee and read books. Days spent with Benny and Will

“Hey Benny,” A voice calls as I hear the front door open.

“We’re in here.“

“You remember Frankie, right?” Benny asks casually. “Tom woulda called him Catfish?”

“Uh, sure.” I don’t but I won’t admit to that. I remember the name vaguely, but that’s all. Tom wasn’t big on the details of his life with me.

“You probably saw him at the wake last,” Benny adds.

Even if it hadn’t been four years ago since I last saw him, all I can remember of Tom’s funeral is a procession of strangers and the continual vibration of my work phone as I stood in a strange graveyard. That whole day was a stark reminder of the distance between us, that my own blood was a ghost to me even when he was alive. It bought me Molly, Tess and Will though.

Frankie walks in. He’s a little older than Benny but younger than Tom was. He’s all dark eyes and curls peeking out through a battered baseball cap; softly tanned skin and that smile … that smile is something. If he could bottle that up and sell it, I’m pretty sure he’d find a captive market.

“Frankie, you remember Daisy, right? She’s moved here,” Benny says. “She’s starting a coffee van.”

“Uh - yeah.” Frankie has no clue who I am, but his efforts to conceal that are admirable. “Now you mention it, Will might have said something about that. You’re uh, staying with Molly for now, right? You were in Boston before?” I nod, wondering what Will has exactly said to Frankie about my move. “A coffee van?”

“Eventually,” I add nervously, “It’s a whole process. So, I’m actually just temping for now while I get things sorted.” I have no idea why I’ve told him that, why I still want to introduce myself based on my career, on my outward accomplishments. I’m almost surprised I haven't tried to find an old business card in my pocket or referred him to my LinkedIn profile where it neatly lists all my employable skills and experience.

 Daisy is highly skilled in project management, board engagement, data analysis  and most of all completely falling apart all of the time, but she makes a mean slide deck. Plus, guess what, she’s open to work!

“Oh, right, cool.”

“Frankie works for the fire department. He’s a firefighter pilot now,” Benny says. “Out here making me look bad.”

“Aw, I keep telling you don’t need my job to do that, Benny.”

Benny laughs heartily and throws a cushion at Frankie who catches it with ease and a raised eyebrow.

“Well, that’s definitely cooler than paperwork and admin.”

“Not really,” Frankie says, “I mean, it’s not really cool if you know what I mean.”

“Oh,” you say with a groan, “that might be the most dad joke I’ve heard.”

“It’s a classic though,” he replies lightly. “You got a soda, Benny?”

“Fridge. Wait, I just had a brilliant idea,” Benny suddenly interjects with a grin. “I mean, I’m a genius.”

“Oh yeah?” Frankie asks, one eyebrow quirking up. “About soda?”

“No, no, no. You need a roommate, right?”

“Yes?” Frankie replies slowly with the seasoned reluctance of someone who knows exactly what Benny’s brilliant ideas usually result in.

“Daze needs a room, you need a solid roommate, voila!” Benny makes a complicated hand gesture and smiles widely.

It seems too simple, too obvious but despite the terrible apartment earlier, my heart races as I wonder what if Benny’s onto something.

“Benny, I’m sure Daisy would -”

“How soon is it available?” I ask.

“Uh, immediately. My last roommate moved in with his boyfriend, which is great for him, but I’ve been struggling to find anyone suitable for it since then.”

“Suitable?” Immediately flashbacks of the weird Craigslist ads come back to me, please don’t say Frankie is going to say something odd. “What do you mean, suitable?” I really hope Frankie isn’t actually the weird shoe size guy from Craigslist.

“I have a kid who stays with me regularly. I need someone I can trust, someone safe to be around him, and someone who’s not going to be a …”

“Frankie wanted to mandate a background check,” Benny interrupts, before raising his hands at Frankie’s expression. “I said I got it! Perhaps, if you interrogated people less though ….”

“I’m not gonna apologise for prioritising my kid.”

“So, do I need a background check to apply then?”

“Nah,” Benny says, “you’re Tom’s sister, right Frankie?”

There’s a comforting weight to his words. The conviction in his voice, the simple answer that takes it for granted that maybe I’m not one of them, but I’m adjacent at least. It feels unfamiliar. I’ve never been Tom’s sister, not to Tom at least.

I feel as though I’m wearing someone else’s skin, another identity, and it’s alien but comforting. It’s an identity I never knew I could wear. One I never even knew was an option.

“You’re actually considering this then?” Frankie asks, eyebrows raised.

“Well, yeah. Benny’s heard all about my nightmare of an apartment hunt so far… unless, I mean. If you don’t want to then that’s fine.”

“Alright Tom’s sister,” Frankie begins with a soft smile.

“Daisy.”

“Daisy. “I’ll send you the info. let me know whether you’re still interested then. No pressure.” His voice is honey smooth, low and there’s something else.

His eyes.

They’re kind. Soulful even.

“I’m interested,” I say without thinking. “I’m definitely interested.”

Of course life isn’t as simple as just being interested in the apartment and one magically falling into my hands. Frankie texts me the information which is sadly towards the top end of my truly pitiful budget but includes a double room, furnishings and the apartment has a balcony which in itself is a big reason enough to say yes. I instantly conjure up a romantic image of me sipping from a steaming mug of coffee in the mornings, watching the sunrise.

It’s farcical. I hate the sunrise, or at least being up at that time. I’m not a morning person at the best of times. 

Frankie says there’s a beach view from the balcony though … if you squint, lean one arm and twist at a very precise angle. It’s something he has advised he doesn’t recommend without exceptional health insurance though so that’s definitely off the table for now. He mentioned it’s close enough that the landlord said it was a coastal view but it’s clearly not really.

Texting him feels so easy - there’s a lightness to the conversation, even as we talk about something as serious as becoming roommates. It’s why I’ve agreed to this - the next step and the one that is now filling me with dread.

The coffee shop we decided to meet at is halfway between his place and Molly’s. I haven’t been here before but I mentally take notes of the roast, of the general ambience. The brownies look amazing - the perfect combination of a fudgy middles and the solid crackly top that immediately calls to me.

It’s a neutral space though, one where we can finally make a decision of am I becoming Frankie’s roommate or not.

I think I want to.

I really can’t take another week of Craigslist -especially after watching that true crime documentary last night.

I twist the empty sugar packet into a knot, only looking up as the doorbell chimes. I see Frankie immediately.

He’s wearing a baseball cap, dark hair curling out from underneath and the Florida FD hoodie he’s wearing looks particularly well worn, comfortable. I can almost imagine how it smells.

No. No. This is a roommate negotiation.

“Hey,” Frankie says as I stand up to greet him. I immediately panic - is this a hug situation, that feels too familiar, but a handshake feels like an awkward callback to my corporate days. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.

“Oh, you already ordered?” Frankie asks.

“Yeah, sorry, I got here a bit early. Overestimated the traffic. I haven’t been here long.” Frankie looks at my almost empty mug of coffee, cocking one eyebrow.

“No worries. Do you mind if I grab a drink though? Want another?”

“Oh no, I’m good, thanks.”

“Okay.”

He walks over to the counter and I sit down and watch him carefully. This is a test really, an opportunity to try and work out his personality further. Does he talk to the barista? Is he cold or insufferable? Is he rude? These are all qualities I should be able quickly establish in just a few moments. Mum always taught me to notice these things on a date, to tease out those basics in the early days. Not that it’s foolproof. Not always at least.

Frankie seems. pleasant though, laughing with the barista but there’s almost a shyness about him. I don’t get it. From how Benny described him - a pilot, a firefighter pilot no less, I would have expected him to be as extroverted as Benny.

Frankie’s a surprise though. There’s a quietness to him, a slow and careful evaluation in each glance, in how he takes in the cafe around us as he sits opposite me. He’s assessing everything too and it occurs to me that as much as I’ve set this meeting up to work out if I can live with him, he’s doing the exact same thing.

The people pleaser in me instantly calls to attention, ready to perform and be perfect, be liked. To succeed. Automatically I straighten my posture, try and remember my very best table manners. I prepare to perform.

“What’s your poison?” I ask, which is a phrase I never use and an immediate sign I need to shift out of performance mode.

“Just an Americano.”

“Oh.”

“You don’t approve?”

“no, I guess it’s fine. I mean, I would personally recommend a pour-over and filter coffee than a watered down espresso. Something like a V60 or a -”

“I see what Benny meant about the coffee truck.”

“I’m not judging!”

He raises an eyebrow.

“Okay, only judging a tiny bit. Mostly I’m rambling. I’m just - I’ve never got the watered down espresso thing.”

“It’s got two extra shots in if that helps,” he confides with a smirk, “I was on shift yesterday.”

“Oh, we could have arranged this for later -”

“It’s fine. The shift wasn’t too bad, even got a few hours sleep!” Frankie empties sugar into his coffee and smiles up at me.

“How did you end up in the FD then? I don’t – I don’t remember it from before.”

Frankie pauses, twisting the empty sugar packet in his hands. The silence holds just long enough I worry I need to change the conversation before he speaks. “A couple of years ago I needed a change. It’s been good, much better than commercial helicopter flights for rich people.”

“Making a difference?”

“Trying to.” A ghost passes over his eyes. I immediately realise the link - Tom. His death. Was that the trigger for Frankie joining the fire department?

“Anyway, the apartment -” Frankie starts, reaching for his phone, “I took some new photos this morning.”

His wallpaper is him with a small boy. His son. I take in the wide toothy smile on his photo, the bright shine in his eyes and the same features I can see in Frankie, accompanied by a head full of brown curls.

“Felix,” Frankie says, a soft smile on his face.

“He looks like you.”

“Poor kid.”

“No, I mean - uh, how old is he?”

“Four and a half. He stays with me on alternate weekends, if I’m off shift, and sometimes in the week if his mom’s working late or something. A lot of it depends on my work patterns but that’s the general rule of thumb.” He wrings his hands together and I wonder what the story is there.

I have limited experience with children to say the least.

I’ve reached that point where half of my friends are parents, sharing photo after photo on their social media and speaking a whole new language. In contrast, the rest of my friends appear still mentally stuck in their early twenties party mindset. I’ve never been sure where I fit in with that; I’m definitely not a huge partier, but that sort of responsibility and commitment has filled me with anxiety. Maybe it’s my choice in friendships, in love.

I try not to think about it too much, the friendships left to dust over, the dates I was too scared to go on. I threw myself into my work instead because it felt safer somehow. I defined myself by my career and made that the only metric that matter.  I poured all of myself into the corporate world for all those years and it turns out I was naive. So naive. I actually thought they cared about me.

It’s hilarious in hindsight. Now I’m in Florida without even a leaving card to commend the efforts I put in. I’m a barely remembered spectre in the place I once thought I was indispensable in. A shameful secret swept under the rug. A never repeated name.

I can’t go back to that world again.

“Are you okay?” Frankie asks, concern creasing his brow. Great, five minutes into talking about becoming roommates and he already clearly thinks I’m disturbed.

“I’m fine, sorry, must have drifted away for a second.”

“Happens to us all,” he says lightly. “So, is that a problem?” Frankie folds his arms and I get the clear sense that he’s annoyed, that I’ve missed an important cue somewhere.

“Is what a problem?” I ask.

“Felix staying at the apartment, because sorry but it’s a non-negotiable”

“No, not at all. No, I just … I drifted away, like I said.”

“Right.”

Great, this is the first apartment that feels reasonable, and Frankie seems like a nice person and I’m wrecking it. Somehow at best, I’m managing to come across as scatty and someone who doesn’t listen, and a child hater at worst.

I need to get out of Molly’s. I need to make Florida work for me.

“I do that sometimes,” I say quietly, “It doesn’t mean I’m not listening, or anything. It’s just … it’s just something that happens. I don’t have a problem at all with Felix or …. it’s your home, Frankie.”

He pauses. “If you take the room, it’s yours too though.”

“And I get why you’re being careful about who takes the room because of that. Look, I can’t promise I won’t secretly judge your coffee choices, or leave coffee grounds everywhere, or watch really terrible TV from time to time, but I …”

“You don’t have to explain. I get it.”

“You do?”

“I do.” Frankie smiles. “So, you’re still interested in the room then? You really wanna do this? I thought Benny might be putting you up to this and I won’t be offended if you don’t want to live with some random guy.”

“Benny keeps reminding me you’re not though, are you?”

Frankie shrugs and looks away, something flashing over his eyes briefly that feels a little haunted.

Since moving back to Florida, I’ve realised that, at least for Benny and Will, Tom’s death is still an open wound even now. It makes me feel worse sometimes because Will was so kind to me after the funeral, so keen to ensure I knew they’d be there if I needed them, that I could rely on them in Tom’s absence and I didn’t know how to say I’d never been able to rely on Tom. My brother spent his life a half-stranger to me and I feel like a fraud pretending we were real siblings.  In five and a half years, the Millers and my brother’s ex-wife have been more of a family to me than Tom ever was.

“It’s okay,” Frankie says, “I’m sure you’ve got far better roommate options.”

“I actually really don’t. One guy asked for foot pics, and these women kind of judged me because I wasn’t corporate enough anymore, so I don’t have a wealth of better options.”

Frankie frowns slightly.

“It’s a brutal market. And your place looks… nice and you seem like you wouldn’t ask for -”

“Some guy really asked for that?”

“I blocked him, it’s fine. It’s the internet, Frankie.”

“Sometimes I fucking hate that thing.”

“Yeah, but I like being able to shop in my pyjamas.”

Frankie laughs. “Okay, fair point. So, Daisy, do you want the room? ‘Cause if you do, it’s yours.”

My heart races. The room is mine? It’s not just that I’ll be escaping from feeling like a perennial thorn in Molly’s life, but it’s a beginning. Finally I have the chance to make something here, to be Daisy 2.0 and leave the corporate burnt out husk of my old self in the rearview mirror.

“You don’t have some weird neighbour who plays the bagpipes at 3am?”

“No, I don’t have one of those. It’s a normal building.”

“Good, just wanted to check. Okay then, yeah, I think I do. Want the room that is.”

“Great. I’ll get the agreement emailed over to you and we’ll go from there.”

“This is going to be good”

“Yeah, yeah it is.”

I think this might be the handshake part.

Tag List

If you would like to be added to to my overall taglist please let me know - I am no longer creating individual fic taglists though. As a reminder this blog is 18+ - minors do not interact and I block blank/ageless blogs. Tag lists are a bit funky at the moment, so I recommend following me or my fic account @thelightsandtheroses-fics (you can enable notifications for that account) if you want to ensure you're up to date

Everything Pedro tag-list: @harriedandharassed @pedrostories @hiroikegawa @pedrosaidsheispunk @pastelnap

[olderthannetfic]

https://www.tumblr.com/olderthannetfic/767420735500271616/so-the-thing-with-content-is-that-is-literally?source=share

The thing that makes the jellyfish hat content is that it is an object containing paper mache, fabric, cardboard, and the assorted accoutrements of jellyfish hat-making (the optional but popular add-ons go listed here in your head).

and implies that the container is more relevant in this specific context than the thing contained

No. that's not an implication. That's a thing you're making up in order to have an excuse to get angry about someone using a word you don't like, but it's not true. If I say, "I dumped open the contents of the box onto the floor", it is very easily discerned by most readers I am looking for something specific that is within the contents of that box. It is insanity to insist that the word content = the container being the most important thing on Earth. If I write "he opened the small box, revealing its' content: a single, small wedding ring" and you think the box is the focus, I just flat-out don't know what to tell you.

Setting that aside: holy shit, please calm down. I'm a bit busy with organizing resources for my local trans community at the moment but I promise you, there are worse problems than someone using a word you don't like. There was an election this year - don't know if you noticed - that impacts real people. Looking at all your anon and off-anon replies, the thing I keep thinking is, "Holy shit, who fucking cares? There are actual issues going on in the world right now!"

The fact that something I sent in during a ten minute snack break at work and quickly forgot about lives rent-free in your head to this degree days after it was said is highly, highly concerning. I cannot convey enough to you how much I did not mean to set off an episode in you, and at the same time, I am also very genuine when I say this may be a hill you're willing to die on, but it's not a hill I'm willing to kill you on. I kill people on important hills and jellyfish hats ain't it, chief.

It's wild to spend my time IRL trying to help people figure out what to do if our state makes it illegal for them to get HRT in-state and then pull up my phone and see someone this pressed about the word "content". Surely your life also has an important issue you could spend time on? No one is having a particularly good time right now. Maybe focus on a thing with literally any relevance to your quality of life whatsoever? I know that sounds glib. However, having had manic episodes where one thing someone said to me sent me over the edge, I'm not being glib. I really mean it when I say that redirecting your focus onto something important helps snap you out of it. It's how I got myself out of it before I was able to get medicated for my Bipolar Disorder. I take zero joy in seeing someone forth at the mouth because one person said one word and that made them spiral. I really do apologize, and I can see that this panic is a very real, valid emotion on your end. But 'valid' here is used only in the sense of 'I believe you when you say you feel panicked', not 'the panic is a logical, proportionate response to the trigger'. (As a side note, after this many anon and off-anon messages indicating fixation and extreme emotional overinvestment, I don't want anyone saying I misused the word trigger. This is not a proportionate response to someone using one word you dislike.)

The jellyfish hat contains materials needed to construct a hat. It doesn't need ads or legal agreements in order to contain cardboard, paper mache, etc. You are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Likely, you are taking your anger at something that actually matters and redirecting it onto this, a thing that does not matter. I'm not saying that in judgment - we all do it - but I am not going to be replying to this further. You may have a desire to use other people's words as an excuse to spiral but you'll have to find someone else to use the reason you're losing your shit.

The hat contains the materials needed to construct a hat. It's not that deep.

--

[quill-pen]

Soooo, you know that part where Rook and Emmrich argue before the final battle, and the game gives you those three options to pick from? And EACH ONE still results in a fight?

Which on do you see G’iney choosing, if she had to? Because I get three totally different vibes from each, and I’m curious which one she’d default to.

Ooh, this was a hard one because the argument is just so... nothing. Barest of bare bones. (No offense, Manfred.) And awkward. And I can only really imagine Guinevere and Emmrich getting much deeper into it than the game seems to let you, with much more passion, raised voices, feelings and worries shouted, etc, probably ultimately ending in some form of affectionate touch, whether or not they actually really come to an agreement at the end.

Ex. Guinevere stopped at the corner and turned to look back towards the dejected necromancer, leaning wearily against his desk. Her heart thrummed with a sudden ache that dampened the annoyance she felt at his stubbornness. What he had said to her was aggravating... but it didn't feel right to leave things like this. She didn't want him reading too much into it. And honestly, neither did she. Turning on her heel, the young mage came back to the man. She reached out to take one of his large, elegant hands in her dainty one and pulled it to wrap his arm around her waist. She moved into embrace him. Instinctively, Emmrich brought his other arm around to encircle her as well. Guinevere reached up to cup his jaw in a palm and draw him closer down to her height. Moving up on tiptoe, she touched her lips to his ever so tenderly. A quiet moan sighed from her lungs as he indulged the contact, nudging deeper into the kiss to embrace her lips with his own. Despite what lay before them, there was no hurry, no haste. All there was at that moment were two devoted lovers enveloped in a soft, sweet exchange. When they finally parted, they remained close, brows touching, noses brushing together as they gazed deeply into the other's eyes. "Emmrich," Guinevere breathed after a moment, stroking his cheekbone with her thumb, "I'm not giving up so easily. On anything." A spark of hope that seemed to have gone out of Emmrich's eyes during their argument glimmered to life again deep within his hazel depths as he picked up on her meaning. His hold on her tightened gently, pulling her still closer. "Then neither shall I," he murmured sincerely, "my darling Rook." And he angled his mouth against hers for another gentle kiss that she eagerly obliged.

That said, you asked if she HAD to choose what the game offered. It would probably be the "I mean something to you!" option. That feels most like her out of the three. The first option kind of shoves Emmrich's insecurity in his face, and I don't ever see G'iney doing that, as she hates to have that done to her. And the last option feels just a bit too cheeky for her, especially considering the topics of love and someone being in love with her. But her kind of teasing him about being able to say he cares about her but not go all the way to say he loves her feels mostly in line with her. "You know, it'd take a lot less time to say "I love you" than "I care for you deeply" and mean the same thing, Mr. Always-chooses-his-words-carefully."

[wihellib]

Okay so I have played a few NSFW games before and I have to say one thing , SA is a very common theme in those (and it is almost always romanticized) . So I am not surprised that Satan's torture card was written in *that* way .

But I think the developers should have had mentioned that the card may contain disturbing topics .

I’m definitely not someone who thinks that SA/noncon should never be written about. I do read and consume content that has noncon featured heavily. But I go into that fully aware and consenting.

It would be nice if there was a button on the banner or NP that you could press and it would outline the general content of the card, so people can decide if that’s something they want to read or not. If that’s something they want to spend seals/money on or not. Or you could ignore the button if you’re fine with anything. Just having the option there would really help.

Numerous factors contributed to my dislike of Satan (Tortured), the noncon part just exaggerated the others.

Satan had the least amount of cards of any of the original four Kings. He had half the amount of Leviathan and Beelzebub. It had been eight months since Satan’s last card was released.

If there were a variety of Satan cards that we could choose from and enjoy, then one miss is not that big of a deal. But there’s not a lot of variety. There are very few Satan cards. So, when the card you’ve been waiting so long for is bad by a lot of people’s standards, then it amplifies the disappointment by a considerable amount.

Satan (Tortured) is even worse when you compare it to Leviathan (Tortured). Leviathan’s card didn’t include noncon in the same way Satan’s does. It had a much longer, better written story than Satan. Leviathan got a new sprite while Satan didn’t. Satan‘s secret club animations were very lacklustre. There was much more new lore/characters in Leviathan’s card than Satan’s. Without question, Leviathan had the superior card by far. It’s a bad look for PB to be so biased towards one character and the NP.

Satan was also just really dumb and OOC in this card. He saw a random angel with purple hair, thought it was us, and just followed them. Like what????? There’s also little reason that he shouldn’t have know that it was us in Gabriel’s body. We have a contract with him written on our soul, recognized by the Lemegeton. He should have recognized our soul. He should have realized it was us. But he didn’t because PB didn’t care about logic or characterization and just really wanted us to noncon Satan.

There are many reasons that I felt Satan’s new card was an extreme let down. It wasn’t just the noncon. The noncon was part of it, since it felt very mean-spirited towards a character that has been very good to us, but it definitely wasn’t the only reason.

If someone likes Satan (Tortured), then that’s completely fine. You do you. But it’s also completely fine that I, and many others, didn’t like it at all.

[theconstantsidekick]

Everybody Loves A Clown

Pairings: Dean Winchester x Reader, Sam Winchester x BestFriend!Reader

Genre: fluff covered angst

Summary: John died a week ago, and Dean's been weird. Sam's been up his ass about it but it finally comes to a head when Y/n decides to talk to him about the whole thing.

a/n: it has an open ending but i can write more if y'all eat this up

Warnings: Smoking, mentions of smoking, romanticisation of smoking, a lot of that yes, sorry. Don't smoke kids

“You were right,” Sam admits.

“About what?” Dean asks from where he stands over the Impala, wrench in hand.

“About me and Dad,” Sam answers with red eyes and a crack in his voice. “I’m sorry that the last time I was with him I tried to pick a fight. I’m sorry that I spent most of my life angry with him. I mean, for all I know he died thinking that I hate him.” He pauses. “So, you’re right. What I’m doing right now, it’s too little… It’s too late.” His lips tremble. There’s a self-deprecating smile on his lips as he continues, “I miss him, man. And I feel guilty as hell. And I’m not all-right. Not at all.” There’s tears in his eyes now as he stares directly at Dean. “But neither are you. That much I know.” He waits for a second, seeing if Dean might answer, and still knowing that he won’t. “I’ll let you get back to work.” With that he walks off.

Dean doesn’t know what to… do.

He fidgets.

He paces and fidgets.

He clenches his jaw hard enough for it to hurt and then he paces and fidgets some more. 

Until his eyes fall on her.

“The fuck do you want?” He asks her.

In turn for his crude tone and cruder words, he is given half a smile. “Nothing,” she tells him.

“Then what the hell are you doin’ here?” He bites back. 

To her credit, she doesn’t flinch away at his harshness. No, she just smiles wider. 

She gets to her feet from where she was sitting on the steps of the shed behind them and walks over to Dean. She pulls something out of her pocket as she asks, “Asking, if you want a cigarette?”

The lack of pretence throws Dean off completely. “What?” is all that he can bring himself to say.

She shrugs, shaking the pack of menthols in her hands. “You want one?”

Dean, again, is met with the curiously unsolvable puzzle that is Y/N and left struck. “I didn’t know you smoked?” It’s a stupid thing to say, all things considered. But the fact that the answer is stupider consoles him some.

“I don’t!” she exclaims, a little too defensive to be God's honest truth. She pulls one cigarette out of the box. “Do you want one or not?” She throws the box at him. 

Dean catches it on reflex. 

“Fuckin’ menthols,” Dean curses looking at the box, but pulls one out for himself all the same. 

“Might make your swimmers less effective,” she says a little too easily as she lights his cigarette, “but they’re a certified cure to sadness.” She smiles, lighting her own. And standing this close, with the flame from the lighter painting her all shades of yellow, Dean has to physically pull himself away. He has to will himself to take a step back and catch his breath. He gulps and takes a drag. He is clenching his jaw again.

“You should mind what you’re sayin’ while lighting a guy’s cigarette. Talking about my ‘swimmers’ when you’re an inch away from my face?” He shakes his head. “Another guy might take it the wrong way.”

“Or the right way,” she mutters, so jumbled and wrong, Dean’s not even sure he heard it correctly.

“What?” 

“Nothing,” she dismisses him off handedly, a little too easily. 

He decides to let it pass, because again, he’s not sure he heard it right. And if he did, he’s not sure he has the mental wherewithal to be able to deal with that implication. So, he lets it pass. 

Besides, she doesn’t really give him any other option. “You remember how Sam was when Jess died last year?”

“It was last fucking year, yes! ‘Course I remember it,” Dean throws back, exhaling smoke out as he speaks.

She nods, “And?”

He knows what she’s getting at. “Sam was a mess,” he answers the unasked question. “I’m not like that.”

“That’s precisely the point I’m trying to make,” she states, taking a drag. “Not the second half, the first. Sam deals with emotions very openly. He… He lets himself fall apart and crumble. That’s what he’s gonna do now. He’s gonna get sad and he’s going to try and do things that John would have wanted him to do when he was alive. He is going to feel guilty and he is going to be a mess… because he deals with death, like he deals with everything else. He’s not emotionally constipated like you are. He’s normal…” She shakes her head slowly from side to side, reconsidering her words. “Or well, as normal as anyone in this line of work can be.”

Dean takes another puff. “Well, does he have to drag me into it?”

“Yes!” She answers, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

And it fucking isn’t. “Why?!”

“Because he isn’t used to this.”

“What? Death? We just established that—”

She shakes her head at him like he’s being difficult for the sake of it… Maybe he is, but it’s not fair for her to be able to read him that easily. She cuts him off then, with, “No. He’s not used to you being like this.” And the words hit him hard. She must see it too because then she pauses and brings the cigarette to her lips and takes a long drag. “He’s used to the flirty, cocky Dean, who’s an overall dickhead.” When she exhales the smoke, it’s thick and white. Don’t smoke, my ass, Dean thinks to himself. “He’s going to ask you if you need something. He’s going to try to make you feel better and he’s going to keep checking up on you, because he has never seen you—his big brother—bereft before.”

And fuck, if she isn’t talking complete and utter sense. 

He runs a tired hand over his face, cigarette clipped between the index and the middle finger. “And what, you have?”

He’s not very good at people assessing him and his brother emotionally so accurately, okay? He needs to retaliate.

“No,” she replies easily with a smile. “When your mom passed away you were too young, and with everything that followed, I’m not even sure you had the opportunity to deal with it. This might as well be your first time dealing with loss.”

He clicks his tongue and raises his brows briefly in semi-agreement. And having been assess accurately once again, “Well, isn’t that just fucked?”

She nods. “It is.” She brings the cigarette to her lips. “But at least you’ve got me.”

He laughs. 

It’s kind of cruel that he does and he knows it.

But he laughs, because what the fucking hell?

And again, he’s fully aware of his cruelty in this moment and ready for the repercussions. 

What he isn’t ready for is to look at her and see her wearing a smile instead of a hurt look on her face.

“You think you’re gonna save me, sweetheart?” He retorts, adding to his asshole-ry.

She shrugs. “I don’t think I’m meant to save you, Dean,” she says, all too politely while taking a puff from the cigarette. “I just meant…” she looks at him. “I know what you’re going through.”

“No, you fucking don’t.” His words are harsh and cold and painful and mean.

You’ll break her, he thinks. You’ll break her and it’ll hurt worse than anything ever could.

But she doesn’t seem to be breaking. “Your dad died ‘cause of a demon and you feel responsible for it—”

“I don’t feel responsible for it, I am responsible for it. He died to save my life. It was supposed to be me who you salt and burned, not him! It was me who was supposed to be dead, not him!” And he’ll carry that weight with him for the rest of his fucking life. “You have no fucking idea what I’m going through.”

Her eyes are locked to his as she counters without hesitation. “My brother died because of a demon and I feel responsible for it.”

Dean can do nothing but close his eyes and yell out in frustration, “It’s not the same!”

“Isn’t it?” she bites back, standing straight and unmoving in the face of Dean’s rage. She doesn’t let him answer. “It was supposed to be my job. I was supposed to be the one who got possessed by a demon and driven around like a meat-suit. I was supposed to be the one who died in a freakin’ basement like a rat. It was my job, Dean. I was the first call, the second and the third… But I just decided to ignore it. But he didn’t… ‘Cause he’s nicer than I am…” She winces, looking away. She looks hurt for the first time since they began this conversation. And it seems she’d done it to herself. Because then she corrects, “Was nicer…” She takes another drag from her cigarette. “So, fuck you. But I know what you’re going through.”

He bites his lips.

Then he lets his head fall.

Because as much as he’d like to fight her on this, he can’t. 

She’s right… as usual.

He doesn’t know what to say to any of that so he stays quiet. Moreover, he thinks he’s kinda supposed to. Because she doesn’t swear often, even less so at him. So yeah, zipping it might be the right call here.

She takes charge then, as he begins pacing and smoking once more. “This might be your first go around at grief. Sam’s second. But, for once, I’m the season player.” 

When he turns to look at her, she’s smiling.

“Does that mean you’re gonna keep fucking smiling at me like that?” He retaliates, again. He’s already told you the logic behind that one.

“Sorry,” she holds up her hands in surrender. “I don’t mean to. I’m not smiling at you—not really.” She smiles again. “It’s just… It’s just that look on your face. I’ve seen it before.”

“I thought we just established you’ve never seen me like this before?”

“No, not on you,” she clarifies.

“Then?”

“In the mirror,” she tells him honestly. “Every morning for the last three years.”

Fuck him. Fuck this. And fuck everything.

A part of him, a selfless and kind part of him wishes she didn’t get him, wishes she’d rather be hurt at his words than look at him with so much understanding.

But another part of him, the selfish and unkind part of him, is comforted by the fact that at least someone does, in fact, get him. Even more so, he’s comforted by the fact that it’s her.

“So, take it from someone with experience,” she begins then, breaking him out of his mind numbing miserable thoughts. “You’re gonna wanna explode. You’re gonna wanna break something.”

“You got a cure for that, oh experienced one?”

She smiles again. “Yeah, break it.”

“What??”

She shrugs all too easily, taking another drag. “If you can find something you can break, that won’t hurt anyone, that you could ideally fix, then yeah! Break it.”

He stops pacing to look at her and cocks her head. “Will it make me feel better?” He is genuinely curious.

She outright laughs at him then, “No!” She brings her foot up and butt the cigarette on the back of her boot, sending embers falling to the ground like fireworks. “Nothing ever will…” She looks back at him, still smiling, “But it'll help.”

Dean sighs. 

He nods.

And then he throws the cigarette to the ground, steps on it and then walks over to the side. He picks up a crowbar, and then he walks back to the Impala. He grips the crowbar tighter and then he smashes the window. 

Then he starts slamming it into the trunk, over and over and over and over again. It clatters to the ground. 

He keeps at it till there’s a hole in the metal near as big as the one in his heart. 

And when he’s done, he lets the crowbar fall to the ground and pulls the packet of smokes out of his pocket. He grabs a cigarette and places it right between his lips. When he looks up, she’s close to him again, lighter in hand.

She looks at him and he looks at her.

Then she lights his cigarette. “How’d it feel?”

“It didn’t make me feel any better,” he replies, handing her the packet back to her when she smiles at him. “But it helped.”

She nods, and takes the entire packet to her lips, with her teeth she pulls one cigarette out and then lights it, pocketing the packet and lighter in one go. “Look, I know you… You don’t know how to deal with this, and as much as I want to, I can’t really help you with it either but unlike me, Sam’s not gonna get it.”

“I know,” he tells her. Because he knows that his brother means well, but he has a tendency of being too in your face about it. 

She hums in agreement, as if hearing her thoughts. And fuck, if he’s to go by her track record, maybe she can. “You’re gonna wanna get mad, go crazy and lash out. So… I’m suggesting that you do that with me, instead of him.” Her eyes are too fucking kind as she adds, “If you want to get mad, go crazy and lash out—lash out at me, get mad at me.”

Dean can’t fucking breathe.

“Why?” he asks.

“‘Cause he’s grieving too.”

“That the only reason?” he asks, hoping for… well, you know what he’s hoping for. You’re his inner monologue.

She tilts her head with a sweet smile. “You gotta mind what you’re saying, Winchester. Being emotionally vulnerable when you’re an inch away from my face? Another woman might take it the wrong way.”

He can’t help himself.

He snorts.

“Or the right way,” he says then with a smile of his own. 

And fuck it all, her face turns red at the realisation that he’d heard her. 

He loves it so fucking much that he’s not even bummed about her taking a step away from him.

“Asshole,” she curses him, but her heart’s not in it.

“I’ve got one condition though,” he says and watches confusion break onto her face. “For lashing out at you instead of Sam.”

She shakes her head fondly, at his wording. “What is it?”

“You promise to do the same.” It’s the kindest thing he can offer her. His misery, in exchange for hers.

She chuckles at that. Morbid as it may be, their sense of humor was always on par with each other. “Sure,” she says. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

He raises his hand, cigarette still wedged between his fingers, “Shake on it?”

Apparently, that’s the wrong thing to say ‘cause then she makes a disgusted face like the hand he’s offered is covered in snot. 

Slapping it away, she throws the smoke in her hands away and she steps closer. And then hugs him. 

The action catches Dean off-guard. 

It takes a second for his brain and his heart to have a meeting and catch up with each other. And then finally his brain sends the signal out for his to hands drop the cigarette and wrap around her. 

Probably encouraged by him hugging her back, her grip on him tightens. And fuck if that doesn’t thaw Dean’s cold, broken, blackened heart. He happily does the same, snuggling his face into her neck and breathing her in.

They stay like that for a bit, until Dean realises she’s waiting on him, letting him have his fill.

Reluctantly, eventually, Dean lets her go. 

When he does, if she can spot his misty eyes, she doesn’t mention it. 

Instead she says, “Now, hand me the crowbar.”

“Huh?”

“What, you think I don’t wanna break shit?”

[movingmusically]

Caught Feeling: Wild Card - One Shot

Author’s Note:

I know absolutely nothing about baseball so apologies if there are any mistakes.

Word Count: 6,574

Masterlist

The idea started over breakfast, sunlight streaming through the kitchen window and catching the golden strands of Hank’s hair, making them glow faintly. He was sitting across from me, his phone in one hand and a half-eaten piece of toast in the other, his brow furrowed as he scrolled. I sipped my coffee, watching him with quiet amusement. The small frown pulling at the corners of his mouth was the kind of expression I’d come to recognise—he was deep in thought, something occupying his mind enough to distract him from the food on his plate.

“Everything okay?” I asked, setting my mug down on the table.

He looked up at me, his face clearing slightly as he gave a small, distracted smile. “Yeah, it’s just…” He hesitated, glancing back at his phone like he wasn’t sure how much to say. “The Giants are coming in to town. Mets versus Giants, wildcard game. It’s a one-game playoff, winner goes to the postseason.”

His tone was casual, but I caught the quiet yearning beneath the words, a faint wistfulness that tugged at something in me. It wasn’t hard to see how much it meant to him, even if he was trying to downplay it.

“Sounds intense,” I said, leaning back in my chair and studying him. “You thinking about going?”

Hank sighed and set his phone on the table, his fingers drumming lightly against the surface. “I’d love to, but tickets are probably insane.” He paused, glancing up at me again. “And, you know, it’s not really your thing.”

I tilted my head, my eyes narrowing slightly as I studied him. There was a flicker of something in his expression—a mix of longing and resignation that made my chest tighten. “What if I said I wanted to go?”

His eyebrows shot up, surprise flickering across his face. “You want to go? To a baseball game?”

“Why not?” I said with a shrug, trying to keep my tone casual even as his reaction made me smile. “You’ve already taught me the basics, and it’s not every day your team plays a game this important. Besides…” I leaned forward slightly, letting a hint of playfulness slip into my voice. “I kind of like seeing you in your element.”

The grin that spread across his face was so wide and unguarded, it made my heart skip a beat. It was rare to see him light up like that, so purely excited, like a kid on Christmas morning. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious,” I replied, unable to keep from smiling at his reaction. “Let’s do it.”

For a moment, he just stared at me, as if trying to gauge whether I was really being serious. Then he let out a short laugh, running a hand through his hair again, this time in a gesture of disbelief. “Alright,” he said, the grin still tugging at his lips. “We’ll check for tickets. But don’t say I didn’t warn you about how loud and crazy it’s going to get.”

“I’ll survive,” I teased, reaching for my coffee again. “Besides, I think I can handle a few hours of chaos if it means spending time with you.”

His expression softened, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary before he glanced back at his phone. “You’re the best, you know that?”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, waving him off with mock indifference. “Now, hurry up and find us some seats before they’re gone.”

The rest of the morning was spent huddled around his laptop, scrolling through ticket options and arguing over which seats to choose. I let him take the lead, secretly loving the way his excitement bubbled over as he explained the layout of the stadium and debated the pros and cons of sitting closer to the field versus higher up. By the time we’d secured our tickets, I could tell he was already counting down the hours until the game.

And, if I was being honest, I was too.

The day of the game arrived, and Hank was practically buzzing with energy from the moment he woke up. By the time I’d shuffled into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, he was already making coffee and pacing around in his Giants jersey and cap, the brim slightly worn from years of wear.

“You know,” he started as I poured myself a mug, “the Giants have the edge with Logan Webb starting, but the Mets have a solid lineup. It’s going to come down to how sharp our bullpen is.” He was practically vibrating as he spoke, his voice rising with excitement. “If Crawford’s in good form tonight, it could—”

“Okay, okay,” I interrupted, laughing as I held up a hand to stop him. “I’m awake, but I’m not sure I’m ready for a full game breakdown before breakfast.”

Hank paused mid-pace, his face breaking into a sheepish grin. “Sorry. I just… it’s a big game, you know?”

“I can tell,” I teased, taking a sip of my coffee and watching him over the rim of the mug. His excitement was contagious, and as much as I teased him, I loved seeing him like this—completely in his element, unapologetically passionate.

What he didn’t know, though, was that I’d been keeping a little secret. As soon as we’d decided to go, I’d ordered my own Giants jersey and a matching cap online, timing the delivery so it arrived while he was at work. I’d even gone the extra mile and picked a player’s name that I remembered Hank mentioning during one of his many baseball lessons—Crawford, of course. The shirt and cap were neatly folded in my bag, waiting for the right moment.

By late afternoon, we were finally getting ready to leave. Hank had switched from pacing to glancing at his watch every few minutes, his impatience growing with each passing second. “Come on,” he said, hovering near the door. “If we don’t leave soon, we’re going to miss the warm-ups.”

“I’m almost ready,” I replied from the bedroom, suppressing a grin. My heart raced as I checked myself in the mirror one last time, adjusting the cap on my head and smoothing down the jersey. It was a bold look—bright orange and black weren’t exactly subtle—but the thought of surprising Hank made the nerves worth it.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the bedroom, leaning casually against the doorframe as I called his name. “Hey, Hank?”

He turned at the sound of my voice, his brow furrowing slightly as his eyes swept over me. For a second, he looked confused, like his brain was struggling to catch up with what he was seeing. His gaze landed on the orange jersey, the cap tilted just slightly on my head, and his jaw dropped slightly.

Hank froze, his mouth parting slightly as his eyes widened in surprise. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just stared at me like he was trying to process what he was seeing. “You…” He finally found his voice, shaking his head with a breathless laugh. “You got a jersey?”

“Crawford,” I said, turning slightly to show him the name and number on the back. “I figured if I’m going to do this, I might as well do it right.”

He blinked, his expression softening as a slow, delighted smile spread across his face. “You look…” He trailed off, his gaze sweeping over me again, a mix of awe and affection in his eyes. “You look incredible.”

“Don’t sound so shocked,” I teased, adjusting the brim of the cap. “I clean up pretty well.”

“It’s not that,” he said, stepping closer and running a hand lightly down my arm, his touch warm and grounding. “It’s just… you didn’t have to do this. But you did. For me.”

I shrugged again, though my heart was doing somersaults at the way he was looking at me. “It’s just a shirt and a cap, Hank. Don’t make it a big thing.”

“It’s not just a shirt and a cap,” he murmured, his voice quieter now, more serious. “It’s…” He shook his head again, that boyish grin returning as he reached up to adjust the cap on my head. “You’re perfect, you know that?”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t hide the blush creeping up my neck. “Alright, save the sweet talk for the stadium. Didn’t you say you didn’t want to miss the first pitch?”

Hank laughed, stepping back to grab his wallet and keys. “Alright, alright. Let’s go, Crawford.”

The nickname made me laugh, and I followed him out the door, feeling lighter than I had in days. If this was how much fun we were having before the game even started, I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the night had in store.

The atmosphere at Citi Field was electric, a buzzing hum of energy that hit me the moment we stepped through the gates. The smell of hot dogs and popcorn filled the air, mixing with the faint tang of beer and the sweetness of cotton candy. Everywhere I looked, Mets fans were decked out in blue and orange, waving foam fingers and sporting oversized jerseys with their favourite players’ names on the back. But scattered among the sea of home-team pride were splashes of black and orange—Giants fans holding their own, waving flags, and shouting chants that echoed through the concourse.

Hank walked beside me, his hand resting lightly on my lower back as he navigated us through the crowd with practiced ease. He was in his element, his excitement bubbling over in small bursts as he pointed out details I’d have never noticed on my own. “This place is great,” he said, his voice tinged with awe even though it was clear he’d been here before. “It’s not Oracle Park, but it’s still got charm.”

“Oracle Park?” I asked, glancing up at him.

“Giants’ home stadium,” he said with a grin. “Right on the water. You’d love it. Fans bring kayaks to McCovey Cove just to catch balls that land in the bay. One day, I’ll take you there.”

The promise in his tone made my chest tighten, but I pushed the thought away, focusing instead on the energy of the moment. The closer we got to our seats, the louder the noise became—chants, cheers, and the occasional heckle blending into a chaotic symphony that seemed to shake the very ground beneath us. Vendors shouted above the din, hawking everything from peanuts to beer, and I caught sight of kids clutching oversized souvenir cups and foam baseballs. The excitement was contagious, crackling in the air like static electricity.

Our seats were incredible—close enough to the action that I could see the sweat glistening on the players’ foreheads, but far enough back that we didn’t have to worry about dodging any errant foul balls. Hank led the way down the aisle, glancing back every few seconds to make sure I was keeping up, his grin widening with each step.

“Here we go,” he said, gesturing to our row. “Perfect spot. You can see the whole field from here.”

Settling into my seat, I took a moment to take it all in. The perfectly manicured grass, the crisp white lines of the diamond, the players warming up near the dugouts—it all felt larger than life. The scoreboard loomed above us, flashing stats and player profiles in bold colours, while the speakers blasted music that barely cut through the roar of the crowd.

It was overwhelming in the best way, and I couldn’t help but glance at Hank as he took it all in, his expression a mixture of awe and boyish excitement.

He looked incredible in his Giants jersey and cap, his enthusiasm radiating off him like a force of nature. And from the way he kept sneaking glances at me—his smile impossibly wide—I could tell he hadn’t fully gotten over seeing me in my matching gear.

“You’re really pulling it off, you know,” he said, leaning closer so I could hear him over the noise. His eyes scanned over me, his grin nothing short of delighted. “Like, really pulling it off.”

“Good thing,” I teased. “I’d hate to be out here embarrassing you.”

He chuckled, shaking his head as he adjusted the cap on his head. “Embarrassing me? Nah. You’re making me look good.” He bumped my shoulder lightly with his, his grin softening into something warmer. “Thanks again for doing this. It means a lot.”

“You’ve already said that,” I pointed out with a laugh, nudging him back. “And you’re welcome. But if you keep getting mushy, I might have to start rooting for the Mets just to throw you off.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” he said, mock horror flashing across his face.

“Try me,” I teased, raising an eyebrow. But as I looked around the stadium, taking in the energy and the excitement, I couldn’t help but add, “Honestly, though, this is amazing. I can see why you love it.”

The corners of his mouth twitched into another smile, but this one was softer, more introspective. He reached for my hand, his fingers tangling with mine as he gave it a light squeeze. “I love it even more with you here.”

Before I could respond, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd as the players took the field. Hank’s attention immediately shifted, his grip on my hand tightening slightly as he started pointing out players. “See number 35 over there?” he said, nodding toward a pitcher stretching near the dugout. “That’s Logan Webb. He’s been lights out this season. If he’s locked in tonight, we’ve got a real shot.”

I followed his gaze, spotting the pitcher he’d been talking about earlier. The precision in his movements was impressive, even to someone like me who didn’t fully understand the intricacies of the sport. Hank’s enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself getting caught up in the moment, clapping along with the other Giants fans as they cheered their team onto the field.

Hank leaned in close again, his voice low in my ear as he started pointing out more players and strategies, his excitement bubbling over in a way that made my chest ache in the best way. He was so alive, so completely in his element, and I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face as I listened to him.

It didn’t matter that most of the details went over my head—I wasn’t here for the stats. I was here for him, for the way his face lit up as he spoke, his words spilling out in a rush of enthusiasm that made my heart swell. Seeing him like this, so happy and so alive, was more than worth the price of admission.

“Alright,” he said after a moment, straightening up and adjusting his cap. “Let’s do this. Ready to watch the Giants crush it?”

I nodded, my grin matching his. “Let’s do it.” The game hadn’t even started yet, and I already knew this was going to be one of my favourite memories.

The game started with a bang, the first pitch slicing through the air to the roar of the crowd. Citi Field was alive with energy, every seat filled with fans on the edge of their seats. The Giants fans scattered throughout the sea of Mets blue and orange were loud and proud, matching the energy of the home crowd with chants and cheers. I could feel the vibration of it all in my chest—the sound, the excitement, the anticipation.

Hank was in his element. From the moment the game started, he’d been explaining plays and pointing out nuances I’d never have noticed on my own. “Watch this guy,” he said, nodding toward the batter stepping into the box. “Conforto. He’s got a mean swing, but if Webb keeps it low and away, he’s toast.”

Sure enough, the next pitch was a perfect sinker, and the batter swung so hard he almost spun himself around. Hank let out a whoop, clapping as I joined in, not entirely sure what had just happened but loving how excited he was.

By the third inning, I was fully invested. I’d been watching the game intently, picking up on more than I thought I would thanks to Hank’s running commentary. When the Giants turned a double play, the crack of the ball meeting the glove like thunder, I shot out of my seat, clapping wildly. “Yes!” I shouted, my voice blending with the other cheers around us.

Hank looked over at me, a mix of amusement and pride lighting up his face. “Look at you,” he said, his arm slinging comfortably around the back of my seat. “You’re into it. I think you might actually be more invested than I am.”

“Don’t get cocky,” I teased, shooting him a smirk. “I’m just trying to balance out all the Mets fans around us.”

He laughed, his hand briefly squeezing my shoulder before leaning in to press a kiss to my temple. “You’re the best.”

I felt a flicker of warmth at his words, but before I could respond, the crowd erupted in boos. The umpire had called a strike that, according to Hank, wasn’t anywhere near the plate. “What?” I shouted, standing up in protest along with the other Giants fans in our section. “Are you blind?”

Hank’s laughter was loud and sudden, his hand wrapping lightly around my wrist to pull me back into my seat. “Alright, calm down there, coach,” he teased, his grin wide. “You’re gonna get us kicked out.”

“Hey, I’m just sticking up for your boys,” I shot back, crossing my arms but unable to hide my grin.

His gaze softened, his fingers brushing against mine as they rested on the armrest between us. “I think I love you a little more right now.”

The comment was casual, playful, but there was something sincere in the way he said it, his eyes lingering on mine for just a beat longer than necessary. My chest tightened at the warmth in his voice, and I squeezed his hand lightly in return. “Good,” I said, my tone equally light. “Because I’m not done yet.”

As the next batter stepped up, the chants and cheers ramped up again, and I leaned in close to Hank. “Alright, what’s the strategy here?”

He grinned, his eyes flicking between me and the field. “Stay tuned. I’ll make a fan out of you yet.”

I rolled my eyes, but as the next pitch sailed across the plate and the batter connected with a solid crack, I knew he already had.

Between innings, Hank stretched in his seat and turned to me, his grin full of mischief. “Alright, rookie,” he said, nudging my knee with his. “Time for the next part of the baseball experience: snacks. What’s your poison? Hot dog? Nachos? Or are you one of those people who just wants a pretzel?”

“I’m offended you think I wouldn’t go for a hot dog,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “But nachos sound pretty great too.”

“Why not both?” Hank suggested, already rising to his feet.

I smirked, shaking my head. “Big spender. Fine, let’s do it. But don’t forget the beers.”

“Like I’d ever forget the beers,” he called over his shoulder as he headed toward the concession stand.

When he returned a few minutes later, balancing two fully loaded hot dogs, a tray of nachos, and two frosty beers, I couldn’t help but laugh. “You realise we’re only here for a few hours, right? Not a whole weekend?”

“Trust me,” he said, settling back into his seat and handing me one of the beers. “We’ll need the fuel. Baseball games aren’t sprints; they’re marathons.”

I took a sip of the beer, the cold, slightly bitter taste refreshing against the salty, cheesy goodness of the nachos I dug into next. As the game resumed, we alternated between shouting at the field and making jokes about who would drop something first. Unsurprisingly, Hank managed to get mustard on his jersey.

“Careful, Thompson,” I teased, handing him a napkin. “You’re supposed to eat the snacks, not wear them.”

He shot me a mock glare but took the napkin, muttering something about “rookies” under his breath. Still, the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement.

With the snacks loaded and drinks in hand, we settled back into the rhythm of the game, letting the crowd’s energy and the crisp bite of the beer carry us through the next inning.

In the fifth inning, as the energy in the stadium buzzed like electricity, the familiar jingle of the kiss cam echoed across the field. I glanced up at the giant screen, watching with amusement as the camera zoomed in on couples scattered throughout the stands. Some were shy, barely brushing their lips together, while others went over the top, dipping their partners back dramatically to the roaring approval of the crowd.

I chuckled, nudging Hank as one particularly enthusiastic couple earned a wave of applause. “Think they rehearsed that?” I joked.

He smirked, his attention half on the screen and half on the next batter warming up. “If they didn’t, they’ve got natural talent.”

I didn’t think much of it when the camera moved again, zooming in on another section of the crowd—until I realised it had stopped right on us. Our faces filled the screen, framed by a giant pink heart, and the crowd around us erupted into cheers and whistles.

“Oh my God,” I muttered, my eyes widening as the realisation hit.

Hank froze for a moment, glancing up at the screen and then back at me. His lips twitched into a grin, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief. “Well, looks like we’re up,” he said, leaning closer. “Can’t disappoint an entire stadium, can we?”

I laughed, my cheeks already warm from the attention. “Just don’t make it weird, okay?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, his tone mock-serious, though the playful glint in his eye told me otherwise.

Before I could respond, his hand came up to cup my face, his palm warm against my cheek. His thumb brushed lightly along my jawline, the gesture surprisingly tender for a moment so public. Then, with deliberate slowness, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.

The kiss was soft at first, almost teasing, but it deepened just enough to make my stomach flip. It wasn’t over-the-top or exaggerated—just sweet and genuine, with a touch of heat that left my cheeks burning for an entirely different reason. The crowd around us cheered louder, a few people hooting and whistling as Hank pulled back, his grin entirely unrepentant.

“You’re ridiculous,” I said, trying to sound stern, but the laugh bubbling in my throat ruined the effect.

“And you love it,” he replied, his tone smug as he settled back into his seat, one arm casually draped over the back of mine.

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t hide my smile. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late,” he said, chuckling as he turned his attention back to the field. But his hand found mine, lacing our fingers together as the next pitch was thrown, and I couldn’t help but squeeze his hand lightly in return, the warmth of his touch grounding me amidst the chaos of the game.

By the time the sixth inning rolled around, the pace of the game had slowed slightly, giving the crowd a chance to catch their breath. Hank glanced over at me, then down at the nearly empty beer cup in my hand.

“Need a refill?” he asked, nodding toward the vendors weaving through the crowd.

“Definitely,” I said, tilting my cup toward him for emphasis.

He flagged down one of the vendors, passing me another cold beer before grabbing one for himself. “Gotta keep the good vibes going,” he said, holding his cup up in a quick toast.

“To good vibes,” I agreed, clinking my cup lightly against his.

As the inning resumed, I noticed Hank stealing glances at me every so often, his smile soft and full of something I couldn’t quite place.

“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head with a chuckle. “Just… I’ve been to a lot of games, but this one? It’s something else.”

I grinned, nudging him playfully. “You mean because of the nachos, right?”

“Obviously,” he teased, his grin widening. But the way his hand found mine a moment later, lacing our fingers together, made it clear what he really meant.

In the seventh inning, the atmosphere in the stadium had shifted. The Mets fans were louder now, buoyed by their team’s narrow lead, while the Giants fans were clinging to hope for a late rally. Hank had been animated through most of the game, cheering and analysing plays, but as the innings wore on, I noticed a subtle change. He grew quieter, his easy grin fading into a contemplative expression.

His knee started bouncing, a restless rhythm that seemed to echo his unease. His gaze was fixed on the field, but there was a distance to it, as though his thoughts were somewhere far beyond Citi Field. The tension in his posture was palpable, his shoulders stiff, his jaw set. I watched him for a moment, my chest tightening as I recognised the flicker of something deeper—something that went beyond the game itself.

“Hank?” I said softly, reaching over to place a hand on his knee. The movement stilled under my touch, and he glanced at me, his blue eyes clouded with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite read. “You okay?”

He hesitated, his gaze flickering back to the field before returning to me. For a moment, I thought he might brush it off, but then he exhaled slowly, lifting his hat and running a hand through his hair. “Yeah,” he said, though his voice was quieter than usual. “It’s just… watching them out there, it gets to me sometimes. Seeing them playing at this level, the energy, the stakes. It reminds me of… well, everything I thought I was going to do with my life.”

The rawness in his tone hit me like a punch to the gut. He rarely opened up about his past as a baseball player, the dreams that had been cut short by his injury, but in this moment, it was written all over him. The longing, the ache of what could have been, the quiet grief for a life that had taken a turn he hadn’t expected.

My heart ached for him, not just for the loss of his dream but for the way it still lingered in the shadows, waiting to catch him off guard. I wanted to say the perfect thing, to somehow take that pain away, but I knew it wasn’t about fixing it. It was about being here, showing him he didn’t have to face it alone.

I shifted closer, sliding my hand up to lace my fingers with his. His hand was warm and solid, but there was a slight tremor to his grip that made my heart ache. “You’re allowed to feel that,” I said gently, holding his gaze. “It’s okay to miss it, to wish things had been different. But don’t forget—you’ve done so much, Hank. You’ve built a life that’s yours. And that’s pretty incredible.”

He blinked, his expression softening as my words sank in. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a small, grateful smile. “You always know what to say,” he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of my hand. “Thanks, Y/N.”

“Always,” I replied, squeezing his hand gently.

He leaned over, pressing a kiss to my temple, the gesture warm and grounding. I rested my head against his shoulder, my free hand coming up to trace idle patterns on his forearm. The roar of the crowd faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of his breathing and the soft thud of my heart.

We sat like that for a few moments, the game continuing around us, the energy in the stadium undiminished. But for us, the world seemed to slow, the connection between us taking precedence over everything else. It wasn’t about fixing anything or making the ache go away—it was about being there, side by side, facing it together.

Eventually, Hank straightened, his grip on my hand tightening slightly before he let it go. “Alright,” he said, his voice a little steadier now. “Let’s see if the Giants can pull this off.”

“They’ve got this,” I said with a confident nod, nudging him playfully. “And so do you.”

His grin returned, softer but no less genuine, and he reached up to adjust the brim of my cap. “You really are my good luck charm, you know that?”

“Damn right I am,” I said with a smirk, leaning back in my seat as the next batter stepped up to the plate. The game was far from over, and neither were we.

As the eighth inning stretched on, the tension in the stadium was almost unbearable. The Giants were still down by a run, and every pitch seemed to drag out longer than the last.

“I need something to do with my hands,” Hank muttered, his knee bouncing again as he leaned forward.

“Like what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Peanuts,” he declared, already scanning the crowd for another vendor. “You can’t watch baseball without peanuts.”

I laughed, flagging down a nearby vendor and grabbing a bag for him. As I handed it over, I couldn’t resist teasing, “Anything else, your highness? Maybe a crown?”

“Very funny,” he said, cracking open the bag and tossing a peanut shell at me. “Keep it up, and I might not share.”

“Like I want your peanuts,” I shot back, though I couldn’t help stealing a handful when he wasn’t looking.

He caught me, of course, rolling his eyes fondly as he held the bag out for me to take more. “You’re lucky I like you,” he said, shaking his head with mock exasperation.

“Lucky me,” I replied with a grin, settling back into my seat. The tension of the game was still there, but the warmth between us made it easier to bear.

The ninth inning was pure chaos, a crescendo of tension that seemed to vibrate through every corner of the stadium. The Giants were down by one with two outs, and the bases were loaded. Every pitch carried the weight of the season, every swing a potential make-or-break moment. Around us, the Mets fans were on their feet, a wall of blue and orange chanting in unison for their closer to finish the job. The energy was electric, a mix of hope and dread that buzzed in the cool night air.

Hank was on edge, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his fingers laced tightly as though he were physically willing his team to pull through. I could feel the nervous energy radiating off him, and I found myself holding my breath alongside him.

The Giants’ batter stepped into the box, his stance steady, his eyes locked on the mound. The first pitch came in fast, and the batter swung hard. The crack of the bat meeting the ball echoed like a gunshot, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

The ball soared high into the night sky, a perfect arc carrying it deep into the outfield. The crowd collectively held their breath, heads tilting back as they followed its trajectory. It kept going and going, clearing the fence by a mile.

A grand slam.

For a split second, there was silence—disbelief hanging in the air like a fragile thread. Then the stadium exploded into chaos. Mets fans groaned in disappointment, their chants dissolving into a cacophony of frustration, while the pockets of Giants fans erupted in pure, unbridled joy. Black and orange flags waved frantically, and the cheers were deafening.

Hank shot to his feet, his arms flying up in a triumphant victory pose as he shouted, “Yes! That’s what I’m talking about!” His voice was raw, brimming with exhilaration, his entire body alive with the energy of the moment.

I jumped up beside him, clapping wildly and laughing at his sheer enthusiasm. Before I could say a word, he turned to me, his face alight with joy, his blue eyes sparkling like I’d never seen before. Without a second’s hesitation, he pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me as he lifted me clean off the ground.

“You did it!” I shouted, laughing as he spun me around, his grip strong and steady despite his excitement.

“We did it,” he corrected, his voice ringing with triumph as he set me down. His hands stayed firm on my waist, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. The pure elation in his expression made my heart swell.

Before I could respond, he leaned in, kissing me with all the exhilaration of the moment. It was unrestrained and full of life, a kiss that carried the weight of celebration and connection, of everything we’d shared that night. The noise of the stadium melted away for a moment, leaving just us, tangled in the thrill of victory.

When he pulled back, his grin was wide and infectious. “This is the best game ever,” he said, his voice full of wonder.

“It really is,” I agreed, laughing as I brushed a strand of hair out of my face. “I think I’m officially a Giants fan now.”

Hank’s grin turned playful as he tugged me close again. “You already were. Tonight just made it official.”

The energy around us was still buzzing, fans shouting and clapping as the Giants rounded the bases, the scoreboard lighting up with their triumph. But in that moment, all I could focus on was Hank—the joy radiating from him, the warmth of his hands on my waist, and the way his eyes held mine like I was the only thing that mattered.

As we left the stadium hand-in-hand, the hum of the city mingling with the fading cheers from the stands, Hank couldn’t stop smiling. His grin was impossibly wide, the kind of joy that seemed to light him up from the inside out. “That was perfect,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’ll never forget it. Seriously, best game of my life.”

The way he looked at me in that moment, his face glowing with a kind of happiness that seemed almost childlike, made me want to freeze time. There was something so pure about his joy, so unfiltered, that it felt like a privilege just to witness it. And the way he kept sneaking glances at me, like I was somehow a part of it all, made my chest tighten in the best way.

“Me neither,” I replied, leaning into him as we walked down the bustling street. The air was cool against my flushed skin, but his warmth at my side was more than enough to keep the chill at bay. “But I think my favourite part wasn’t even the game.”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh yeah? What was it then?”

“Watching you,” I said simply, the words falling easily from my lips. “Seeing how much this means to you… the way you lit up with every play, every moment. It made it even better for me.”

Hank stopped walking, pulling me gently to a halt on the edge of the crowded sidewalk. The buzz of the city swirled around us—taxi horns blaring, vendors shouting, and fans streaming by in their respective team colours—but in that moment, none of it mattered. He turned to face me fully, his expression so soft and open it made my chest tighten.

“You’re something else, you know that?” he said, his voice low, full of quiet wonder.

I smiled, trying to tame a strand of blonde hair that had escaped his cap. “Guess you bring out the best in me.”

His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. He didn’t say anything at first, just looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached up and took off his Giants cap, turning it backwards before placing it back on his head. The playful tilt of the brim framed his face perfectly, and I felt my heart skip a beat at how effortlessly handsome he looked.

“Better?” he asked, his lips curled into that familiar, lopsided smile, the one that always managed to make my heart skip.

“Much better,” I murmured, my voice catching slightly.

Hank leaned in then, his other hand sliding to rest on the small of my back as he kissed me. His kiss was slow, deliberate, like he was laying everything bare without saying a word. It wasn’t just the kiss of a man celebrating a win; it was something deeper, something that made my heart ache and soar at the same time.

The world around us seemed to fade, the noise of the city blurring into the background as his lips moved against mine. His touch was steady, grounding, his fingers splayed gently against my back as though he were anchoring me to him. My hands slid up to rest against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palms.

When he finally pulled back, his lips lingered near mine, his eyes searching my face as though he couldn’t get enough of the moment. His thumb brushed along my jaw, and his hand settled lightly at the small of my back, keeping me close. The city buzzed around us, but it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

“I mean it,” he murmured. “Best night of my life. And it’s not just because of the game.”

My chest tightened, a wave of affection swelling in me so strongly it almost overwhelmed me. “You’re not so bad yourself, you know,” I teased softly, though my voice betrayed the emotion behind the words.

He chuckled, his fingers gently tucking a loose strand of my hair back into place, his touch lingering for just a moment. “I try,” he said lightly, but there was a seriousness beneath his tone that made my stomach flip.

We stood there for a moment longer, caught in the glow of the streetlights and the lingering energy of the night. Then he slid his hand into mine again, his fingers lacing with mine as he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

“Come on,” he said, his grin returning as he started walking again. “We’ve got to celebrate this win properly. I think I know a place that serves the best post-game beer in the city.”

“Lead the way,” I said, falling into step beside him, my heart still racing from the kiss. As we disappeared into the New York night, my heart felt impossibly full. This wasn’t just about baseball, or even Hank’s team winning—it was about the way he made everything feel brighter, bigger, and somehow better. And I knew I’d never forget this night—because of him.

[latexb0n3z]

Alright yall… this might be the most vulgar fic I’ve written thus far. It’s dirty and weird. Here’s a little snippet. You can read the rest on Ao3 if you like it.

Double Claimed

Wade had no business being here.

He knew it, the brass knew it, and every mutant in the unit sure as hell knew it. But none of that stopped the military from sticking him—plain ol’ human Wade Wilson—in the middle of a mutant special ops squad. “Resource integration,” they called it. A real bright idea to slap someone without claws, fangs, or superhuman anything into the middle of a unit bred for war.

His mouth, though? That was a weapon all its own.

He hadn’t started out in special ops. Hell, he’d barely passed basic training, scraped by with a mixture of charm, luck, and an unsettling knack for violence when the situation called for it. A few successful black ops missions later, someone decided he’d be a good fit for the mutants. Maybe it was his ability to keep his cool when things went south. Maybe it was his penchant for making enemies want to throttle him instead of finishing the job. Or maybe they’d just run out of better options.

Whatever the case, he was here. Here, with six mutants who could crush him in a heartbeat if they decided he wasn’t worth the trouble. And judging by the way Victor Creed looked at him half the time, that wasn’t entirely off the table.

The mission was simple, but simple didn’t mean easy: a long recon op deep in the kind of terrain that turned men feral. Weeks with no end in sight, no backup, and nothing to do but sit in the dirt and wait. No bars, no women, no distractions. Just the squad, their gear, and an ever-mounting tension that seemed to thrum in the air like an unspoken challenge.

Victor was the worst of them all. Not just because he was built like a freight train—towering a full head taller than Wade with arms like tree trunks and a grin that promised nothing good—but because he was bored. And a bored Victor Creed was a dangerous Victor Creed.

Wade wasn’t exactly tiny himself, standing at a respectable six-foot-one and built solid, but next to Victor? He felt like a damn paperweight. The guy looked like he’d been carved out of a mountain, and every movement was slow, deliberate, like he was conserving energy for the moment he decided to break something—or someone.

And Wade, ever the idiot, couldn’t stop poking at him.

The camp was quiet tonight, the fire reduced to glowing embers. Most of the squad had turned in, leaving Wade alone with his thoughts—or so he thought until a shadow moved in the corner of his vision.

“Out here all by yourself?” Victor’s voice rumbled through the stillness, a low, lazy drawl that made the hairs on the back of Wade’s neck stand up.

Wade turned to see the man leaning against the flagpole, arms crossed, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

“Can’t sleep,” Wade said, shrugging as casually as he could manage. “Figured I’d enjoy the peace and quiet. Didn’t realize it was so popular.”

Victor chuckled, the sound deep and rough. “Peace and quiet, huh? Doesn’t seem like your thing.”

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises.” Wade grinned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Victor pushed off the pole and sauntered closer, his sheer size becoming more apparent with every step. Wade stayed where he was, tilting his head back slightly to meet the man’s gaze.

“You’re a cocky little thing,” Victor said, his tone almost amused. “But I guess you’ve gotta be. No other way a guy like you survives in a squad like this.”

“Yeah, well, charm and good looks go a long way,” Wade shot back.

Victor laughed again, this time louder, and Wade felt his pulse quicken. The sound wasn’t threatening, exactly, but there was something about it—something that made him feel like prey.

“Good looks, huh?” Victor leaned down slightly, his grin widening to show just a hint of fang. “You sure you’re not compensating for something?”

Wade snorted, his bravado kicking in. “Please. I’ve got nothing to compensate for. If anything, I’m probably overqualified for this gig.”

Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly, the smirk never leaving his face. “Is that so?”

The air between them shifted, heavy with unspoken tension. Wade wasn’t sure if it was the lack of sleep, the weeks of isolation, or just plain stupidity, but he didn’t back down.

“Yeah,” Wade said, his grin sharpening. “And you’re not exactly subtle, are you, big guy? All that muscle, all those claws. I bet you’re just dying for a reason to use them.”

Victor tilted his head, his expression unreadable now. “Careful, Wilson. You don’t want to see what happens when I do.”

Wade’s heart was pounding, but he refused to let it show. “Maybe I do.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. The fire crackled softly in the background, the only sound breaking the silence. Then, Victor straightened, his grin turning wolfish.

“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” he said, stepping back. “But don’t push your luck, kid.”

“Who’s compensating now?” Wade muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Whatever game Victor was playing, Wade was more than willing to see how far it went.

Victor paused as he stepped away, his broad back cutting a shadow against the dim glow of the fire. For a moment, Wade thought that was it—that whatever tension had coiled between them was just another unresolved standoff in the desert night.

But then Victor glanced over his shoulder, his yellow eyes gleaming with something feral and sharp. He didn’t say a word. Didn’t need to. The faint twitch of his lips—half smirk, half snarl—was invitation enough. He was courting him, inviting Wade to do this little primal dance of his.

Wade hesitated, his usual bravado faltering under the weight of that look. It wasn’t just a glance; it was a command. One that promised danger and something Wade couldn’t quite name but found himself craving anyway.

Victor turned and walked into the dark, disappearing further outside camp, behind an outcrop of rocks without another word. Wade let out a slow breath, his pulse already hammering in his chest.

“Yeah, this seems like a smart idea,” he muttered to himself, though his feet were already moving. He knew Victor wouldn’t kill him… whatever it was he had in mind.

The firelight faded behind him as he followed Victor’s path into the shadows, the sounds of the camp falling away until it was just him, the crunch of his boots, and the faint, predatory stillness ahead.

He found Victor leaning casually against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest, but there was nothing casual about the way his eyes locked onto Wade.

“You always this obedient?” Victor asked, his voice low and rough.

“Obedient?” Wade snorted, forcing himself to keep it light even as his heart tried to beat its way out of his ribcage. “I am a lot of things, obedient is definitely not one of them. Ironic right?— considering the point of this whole military thing is obedience.”

Victor came closer, his movements deliberate and unhurried, like a predator stalking its prey. Wade stayed rooted in place, though every instinct screamed at him to move.

“You’ve got a big mouth,” Victor said, closing the distance between them. “Maybe too big for your own good.”

“Yeah, I’ve been told.” Wade’s voice wavered slightly, and he hated himself for it.

Victor stopped just inches away, towering over Wade like a goddamn mountain. His hand came up, claws glinting faintly in the light, and for a split second, Wade thought he was about to regret every decision that had brought him here.

[loquarocoeur]

alex I am so sorry to send another fucking ask but like. I needed to okay, (also doing my first ask on a laptop was a mistake bc I can type at the speed of light here and this got way too long oops?)

something I've thought and wondered about before was the idea of what would happen should max & charles ever be interrupted while max is in subspace. you've covered a funnier side like a regular walk in during sex and both of them just being like Would U Fuck Off, but subspace is different. like perhaps its something just like someone at the apartment door that actually does really need answering, an urgent work call one of them forgot about, someone in an area they are unexpectedly that maybe doesn't see them but their presence is enough to panic max.

if its more the physical presence of someone, even just in another room etc, obviously max would lose 20 years of his life at the idea of anyone but charles seeing him in subspace, its a painfully private vulnerable part of him for charles and charles alone. it'd rock him, obviously.

or if it was more along the line of a phone call or situation where one of them needs to be physically present, how would max feel but also how would charles deal with juggling the Important Thing He Forgot To Do while also soothing a very down very subby max. obviously a first idea is just making the problem Go Away, etc, but a. I like to work scenarios through and b. it'd be enough of a bubble intrusion to cause a shift in the atmosphere anyway.

its not even meant to be like especially angsty if you don't want because heavy shit aint always the vibe. you don't need to know like a definite answer here, or have even thought about it before. I just particularly enjoy the dynamic of subspace itself and wanted to chat (and accidentally send u half an essay about) it. hell you don't need to have a fuckin clue I just wanted to float you my brain thinky stuff bc why not <3

apologies again that I've sent u an ask the length of war and peace

~ swanon 🦢

Yeah I think considering their careers this is definitely a thing that happens at some point.

I think the first time it's probably just the door or something and Max thinks he's going to be fine if Charles just leaves to answer it quickly, but turns out it is not fine and Charles can't just leave him because he will absolutely panic

Also it's probably also more subtle that Max's, but I think Charles also kind of gets into a kind of domspace during sex as much as Max gets into a subspace and even though he finds it much easier to snap himself out of it or multitask with it, it's still a thing and he'd probably need a second too

So I think it obviously does happen like several times to the point that sometimes they either just put it off for a few minutes until they're out of that headspace enough to do the 'important thing' or Charles just ends up taking Max with and letting him just cling onto him behind the door while Charles peeks his head out to sign for a package or smth lol and also let's be real, Charles is not above answering phone calls while he is actively inside of Max

So basically I think it's either Make The Thing Go Away or if that's not an option just Multitask

But yeah I don't think it would end up too great if anyone walked in on them while Max is like actually properly in subspace because yeah that's not something Max wants anybody to see except Charles and it's also not something Charles wants to share with anyone else because it's just like private and personal and it means something to them yknow. And Charles also kind of has the responsibility of taking care of things when Max is like that so he would feel like absolute shit about it even if it wasn't his fault like at all.

Yeah I don't even know what would happen but I don't think they would blame each other at all, if it was bad enough they'd probably end up having a joint breakdown about it crying at the same time like no no I'm sorry it's my fault, no it's mine etc until they finally agree it was nobody's fault and finally calm the fuck down and feel slightly bad for whoever they accidentally traumatised just now

[thcophagy]

laid out across the backseat of his car, caressing her curves and smiling impishly at him, lana looked just like one of the models in those old dirty magazines that sully kept hidden under his bed as a teenager. he should've known better than to fall for such overt seduction techniques but he wasn't thinking clearly, all that mattered in that moment was distracting himself from the guilt that was to inevitably come and instead touching lana like he'd been fantasying about for weeks upon weeks. there wasn't a lot of space to fit the both of them across the seats, especially not with what she seemed to have in mind but they could make it work, they had to as there wasn't any other options. with the object of his desires splayed out in front of him, sully was suddenly hit with the realisation that he didn't know what to do. he wasn't some teenage boy who had never known the touch of a woman before, he was a married man with children and a whole youth behind him filled with exploits, yet in that moment any of that experience might as well have been forgotten. he stared at her cunt with reverence, like it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. "christ." he muttered under his breath as he watched her spread herself open, her pretty pink folds glimmering with the evidence of her arousal and causing sully's mouth to water with the desire to lean down and taste her. he didn't though, he didn't move an inch. the hands that had helped roll up her dress rested on her waist, a touch so soft it was almost like it wasn't there at all. in response to her question, all he could do was nod, his eyes still fixated between her legs till he forced himself to look up and meet her gaze. "lana, i don't..." don't want this? don't know what to do? a million different versions of the end of that sentence flittered through his mind but he decided it was better left unfinished, allowing her to decide how to best respond. after all, she was the one who seemed to know what he needed, despite everything else about them that should've had him being the one in control, he was at the mercy of whatever she deemed was appropriate. he couldn't sit there forever, just staring at her body in awe. eventually, his hands twitched back to life and he slowly slid one down from her waist, settling on her thigh which he squeezed gently between his calloused fingers. her skin was impossibly soft, smooth as silk and like temptation itself. after a couple seconds squishing the meat of thigh, sully could no longer keep himself frozen in anticipation of what to do and relented. he hunched over her lower half and pressed his nose into that soft crease where her thigh and groin connected and took a long inhale, all while he continued to knead at her supple flesh like it were dough. it was hard to tell whether she smelt so good inherently or if it was because it'd been too long since he'd gotten to bury his face into a woman and indulge in such basic things as her scent but either way, it was bringing something feral out within him, a need to eat her whole. "you're beautiful." he mumbled once again after pulling his face back, just enough so he could turn and press a kiss to her wrist before gently moving back up. his wife was still asleep at home, completely unaware what was going on between her husband and nanny but that didn't mean sully didn't feel the pressure of the clock, they didn't have an infinite amount of time and they'd already spent a lot of it bickering over whether or not he was going to give in, he wanted to spend the rest of the night buried between her thighs till his entire face was soaked with the proof of her arousal but it wasn't possible. once he started, sully knew he wouldn't be able to stop and so he held himself back, instead choosing to replace lana's hand with his own, slipping two fingers through her glossy folds before tucking inside of her after a couple of leisurely passes.

whatever problems would arise in the morning were none of lana's concern— not as she finally had him eating out of the palm of her hand. though she may have appeared reckless and hedonistic, there was a great deal of rationality that went into the important decisions she made. unlike some people, she didn't have a safety net in the form of her family's money to fall back on, and it took a great deal of skill and planning to get by in the world on her own. because of that independence, she was forced to grow up fast, learning how to do whatever it took to make ends meet, but at the end of the day, she was still young. she didn't know it all like she thought she did, and sometimes she was wrong. while she truly believed she had thought things through and that no real harm would come from seducing sully, people were unpredictable, and there was always a chance she could be wrong and put her whole source of income and housing in jeopardy. she didn't even have the capacity to be influenced by such worries, though, far too uninhibited by her substance intake to even give voice to consequence. seeing such a formidable man— the family patriarch, respected at work, a pillar in his community—reduced to this shuddering state of speechlessness from merely a few flicks of her wrist was an instant rush of power, and it inevitably went straight to her head, making her feel as though she could get away with absolutely anything. he was so eager, so desperate for more attention, it almost made her feel guilty for withdrawing her attention, though what she had in mind for him was so much better than a handjob. if he had the balls to accept her brazen offer, of course. it was still up in the air as to how he would ultimately respond once she crawled into the backseat—receiving a coerced handjob while still all buckled up in the driver's seat was one thing, but willingly following her to a more spacious part of the car in order to properly consummate the affair was inexcusable, a damning admission of guilt mr. landry couldn't hope to hide from. finally, lana began to feel a shred of worry. the pause he took was too long for comfort, and the expression on his face when he glanced back at her was hard to read. she was about to call out for him again when he finally opened his car door, and she immediately breathed a sigh of relief instead. it only took a moment or two for him to open the door to the backseat, flashing him her pearly whites in another dazzling grin as she shifted her body into a more seductive pose, hands suggestively caressing up her body and emphasizing her subtle curves. much to her satisfaction, he wasted no time in bunching up the fabric of her dress, aiding him in pushing up from the hem until it was practically bunched up around her ribcage. his eyes went directly for her exposed cunt, and lana couldn't say she was surprised, spreading her legs and following suit by running two fingers through her folds and using them to spread herself apart to give him a better view. hopefully there was enough illumination from the street lamps for him to see the way it glistened, allowing her to confess just how badly she wanted him without having to actually say it out loud. though he hadn't touched her yet, she already felt short of breath. just looking at him while he stared straight at her pussy was akin to foreplay, her head cocked to the side curiously as she propped herself up on her elbows slightly. "it's pretty, huh?"

[the-judicial-assistants-notebook]

not enough discussion about the gavins' complicated relationship with feminine-coded/beauty products, i don't think.

[july-19th-club]

first time i watched 'no exit' i was 100% in jo's corner like oh great it's sexist dean time . wheeee let's all watch her learn a lesson about hunting and he can be 'right' in a factual way but he'll be as obnoxious as possible about it the whole time . now i think what's happening here is that he has pretty much instantly samzoned her, as a college dropout from a hunting family who has a contentious relationship with her one surviving parent. EXCEPT that she's a five-foot-something twiggy barely-out-of-her-teens woman who has a crush on him and has never been on a serious hunt before, and he's dismissive/over-vigilant enough with the actual sam, a powerfully-built man with clairvoyant powers and over a decade of experience. bearing that in mind, his behavior towards jo is barely outside his normal realm of bossy and overbearing, and since he knows a little something about how sams will respond to direct orders, he still tells her mother she's not on the hunt with them so as to avoid the fallout until it's over. basically i think the whole dean thing, his most consistent characterization over the course of fifteen years, is his tendency to express even genuine protectiveness through the medium of 'bossy older sibling', and this makes him come off like the worst person on the planet. he frequently IS, but it's actually because of other things and has nothing to do with that habit in specific

[arsenicflame]

(in general, removed from any specific au's where he needs to swim/not swim for Plot)

(personally, i think my stance is that he has some ability to keep himself afloat in calmer waters- on the shore or in a pool- but not in the way where its a particular skill. hes spend enough time dicking around in the shallows with Jack & Sam & Ed to know how to handle himself in water where he cant consistently reach the bottom, to feel comfortable cooling off by a waterfall, but is also keenly aware that if he goes overboard, even in relatively calm waters, being able to swim isnt going to do anything to save his life if a dinghy isnt sent. hes not gonna drown the second he's in the ocean or anything, but hes screwed if the waters a little too rough or its late or a raid and it isnt noticed before the ships a way away.)