#I really didn't mean for this to take so long

[cherrygirlfriend]

─── YOU'VE GOT MAIL .ᐟ

...or what it's like to be scared.

★ pairing.ᐟ frat!rafe x nerd!reader

★ summary.ᐟ rafe cameron is the golden boy of kildare university; certified frat boy, captain of the football team, relentless party animal with lines of girls to sleep with.

reader couldn't be more different; while she has the best grades in the whole school, she suffers from social anxiety disorder, and her social life is limited to her three best friends and the cat she secretly snuck into her dorm room.

both of them decide to join the anonymous chatroom for their campus, and start talking to one another, a friendship starting to form between the two; but neither of them know how different the other is.

★ author's note.ᐟ i still intend on logging off however as there’s literally one chapter left after this i’m gonna post it sometime next week, and i’m logging off again until then. thanks everyone for the well wishes. i don’t know how long i’ll be gone but it’s gonna be at least for now.

YOU'VE GOT MAIL!

"don't fuck it up rafe. don't fuck it up rafe. don't fuck it up rafe."

the sentence echoed throughout rafe's brain, and he was unable to contain himself, the boy getting on his feet, rushing after you, all the words his friends had said to him turning into nonsense. for once, he listened to his heart.

"wait!" he called out, grabbing your arm, forcing you to turn around to face him, your eyes glistening with tears, "what do you want? i thought you didn't need a random chick you met on the internet in order to feel like a badass?" you scoffed.

"i'm an idiot." was the only thing rafe said before he closed the distance, pressing his lips on yours.

what rafe hadn't expected, was that only after his lips had been on yours for only a few seconds, you'd pushed him off of you as soon as you could react, looking at him with an expression of pure confusion bordering on disgust, making the boy's brain glitch. "rafe, what the fuck was that?"

"i- i thought that would be... a good way to show you how i feel for you...?" "i'm- jesus! rafe, this is not some cheesy romcom! kissing me after saying something like that about me is not in any way romantic. it's- it's insulting." "oh."

the seriousness slowly started falling from your face when you saw the redness starting to creep onto his cheek, rafe's hand scratching the back of his neck, the boy looking at anything but you, a soft chuckle escaping your lips that finally made his blue eyes snap to you.

"if you want to show me how you feel for me... just talk to me. tell me how you feel." "ohhh..." "so?" you cross your arms. "are you gonna tell me?"

rafe cleared his throat, looking down at the ground, "i don't really know how to talk about this 'feelings' shit." "you weren't that bad at it when you said things to me on the app." "yeeeah, but there's a difference. doing it like this is... all awkward and whatever."

"suit yourself. bye, rafe." you smile at the boy, but just as you were about to turn away from him, you felt a warm hand clasp around your wrist. when you looked back at rafe, he had his eyes pressed closed, the boy taking in a deep breath.

"when i talk to you... i feel the kind of happiness i've only ever felt when i won a big match. but, like, tripled. you're wicked smart and even though we joke about it sometimes, you never make me feel stupid. you're... yourself. even when i didn't know you were... AnnabelLee, when you were just you... you were always so bright, like sunlight.

rafe shifted on his feet, his eyes slowly opening, jaw clenched, "i don't think i deserve you. i'm not good enough for you, and i've been so fucking scared that you'd agree with that thought. that you'd think i'm just some dumbass who doesn't know how to treat girls right, like most people do. but... i've never felt this way towards another girl and that fucking terrifies me. i didn't mean anything i said to my friends, but i was scared that you didn't want me after you knew who i really was. you're not just some random chick, and i shouldn’t have said that because you're... the chick. and i'm the biggest idiot in the world." he chuckled in a slightly self-deprecating manner, rafe's mouth pressed together in a tight-lipped smile, "you're... you're the girl i love."

your eyes widened slightly and your jaw dropped at the confession; and somehow the brain that is usually on overdrive, overthinking every single thing, was now empty, as if all the cogs usually turning inside your head had stopped, like those simple words were the only thing enough to cause a malfunction.

"can you... can you say something?"

"you... you love me?"

"yeah." rafe says in a throaty voice, making him clear his throat as he looks down at the ground, "i... i love you."

you felt as if your knees were going to buckle underneath you as you took a shaky step towards rafe, swallowing down every single doubt that was threatening to crawl up your throat. all you could do was reach a hand out to his cheek, his blue eyes flickering to your face and you saw something you hadn't ever seen on his face before; vulnerability.

and this time it was you who closed the gap between you two, connecting your lips.

it was something neither of you had expected; you'd never made a move on a guy, and when rafe didn't kiss you back for a short moment, you nearly started pulling away, only to feel him molding his lips to fit against yours, his hand on your waist as he pulled you closer to his chest.

no one had ever kissed you the way that he had; no one had ever made your fingertips tingle against their skin, no one had ever made electricity shoot through your entire body.

when you pulled away from the kiss, you were nearly left breathless, your face only inches away from rafe's, his large hand moving to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear as he smiled down at you softly. "fuck."

you let out a breath of a chuckle, your lower lip stuck between your teeth as you looked up into the blue eyes that were now mostly pupil, before mumbling softly, "yeah. fuck."

your lips felt like they were buzzing with electricity for the entire walk back to your dorm as you and rafe walked together with your fingers interlocked, neither of you saying a thing, only listening to the soft breeze of the wind, your arms pressed together...

and they were still buzzing the next morning when you woke up.

and when you were sitting in the cafeteria with vivian, zainab and emilia...

"i kissed rafe."

the words are out of your mouth as soon as you sit down at the table where your friends were eating, vivian coughing from nearly choking on a meatball.

"wwwhhaattt-" she wheezed before continuing to cough, starting to hit her own back, "i think what vivian meant to say was... what the hell?" emilia interjected.

you couldn't help the radiant smile that took over your lips, a soft squeal leaving your lips. vivian's coughs started subsiding, and the girl took a large gulp from her bottle of water before turning to you, "you two kissed? when?"

"last night." you bit down on your lower lip, your cheeks hurting from how hard you were smiling. "what was it like?" zainab asked, softly nudging your shoulder.

"it was... like nothing i've ever felt. i can't even describe it with words."

"you can't describe something with words?" vivian snorted, and you could see zainab kick the girl under the table, making her let out an ouch! but somehow even her quip wasn't enough to bring you down from cloud nine.

"it felt like... when you find the correct spot for a puzzle piece. it felt like i finally understood what people in romance books and movies were talking about. like every part of my body was on fire from a blaze that he started. like i couldn't breathe if he wasn't touching me."

"wow..." emilia mumbled softly as he looked at your dazed expression.

"shit." vivian chuckled, "imagine how it'll be when you finally bang." "viv!" zainab exclaimed, throwing a fry at the pink-haired girl, who simply shrugged and grinned back at her.

"shut up, viv." you rolled your eyes, but couldn't help but smile, "real talk, i'm happy for you." vivian reached out to take hold of your hand, "you deserve a guy who gives you fireworks, babes."

when he entered the cafeteria, it was like the whole room brightened, your eyes immediately drawn to him.

you watched as rafe walked into the cafeteria with a group of his friends, playfully punching one of them on the arm before turning his head to look right back at you. and when his lips quirked up into a smile, yours did too.

you didn't even notice the way your friends followed your eyes to the boy before turning back to each other, "yeaaah, she's so gone."

you were laid up in your dorm room working on homework when you heard a sharp knock, angel's head quirking up, the cat looking to you, both of you sharing a confused look. as you got out of bed and made your way to the door, the white, fluffy cat followed at your feet, your eyes widening once you pulled open the door and saw who was on the other side.

"hi." rafe said with a slightly sheepish wave, holding a shoe box in his other hand. "hi." you mumbled softly, "can i, uh, can i come in?" "oh, yeah, of course."

stepping aside, you allowed rafe into your dormitory, the boy gazing around the different things in your room when you realized you were clad in an old stevie nicks t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, your cheeks starting to feel warmer in embarrassment, "what, uh, what are you here for?" you mumbled, a tight-lipped smile on your face.

"oh, yeah." rafe chuckled softly, "we have a game tomorrow, and i was wondering if you were coming." "vivian mentioned it earlier," you nodded, "i dunno, i mean, i don't really know anything about football." you chuckled breathily, "and... i have a lot of homework..."

"yeah, yeah. i get that..." rafe mumbled, before clearing his throat, "i... i really want you to come." your eyes widened, "you do?" "yeah. i do." he smiled softly, holding the shoe box out to you, "you could even wear this. if you want to. if you're not too busy."

you took the shoe box he was offering to you and opened it, seeing a folded piece of fabric. "what's this?" you chuckled softly, placing the shoe box down on your bed as you unfolded it.

"it's my jersey. i've seen some of the guys loan them to... uh, girls." "how many girls have you loaned it out to?" you chuckled playfully as you admired it, "none. just you." rafe shrugged. you placed the jersey down, turning to rafe and taking a deep breath, a small smile on your lips, "well, maybe you'll see me there. and maybe i'll wear that."

as rafe was about to turn to leave, you took hold of his wrist and he turned back to you, "but if i come to the game, you better win it." you got on your tiptoes, pressing a kiss on his cheek.

TAGLIST: @yktayy9669 @tinythebunni @dywho @melalsworld @akobx @samwinchesterisawhore @st8rkey @jjasmiineee @ltristessedureratoujours @a-lovers-card @uselessnewt @lunaleah @letstryagaintomorrow @cinnamqnnlatte @papapoy @kay133sposts @wtfisastiles @butterfly1c @emmiesummers @melodyyybubbles @toomanywhitelies @littl3loveydovey @scne-vampire @alwaysmaybank @mysticbby2009 @luna443 @drewstarkeyswife-7 @flowerluvr @kisselxoll - cont. in com

[bottledfool]

I don't see any point to you getting pedantic over the word "galaxy," since you used it in the post I was replying to, but yes, you're right, Union doesn't actually control an entire galaxy, not that it actually matters for the sake of the discussion. There also isn't a frame called the Infant Immolater, either, but you didn't seem to care as much about that one.

Anyway, to clarify, when I said "despite what the lore insists," I was referring to the fact that the lore's extremely whitewashed description of Union's actions post Sec-com is ridiculous to the point that it can easily be interpreted as in-universe propaganda. Despite verbally renouncing Sec-Comm's actions, Third Comm still benefits from and continues many of their colonialist projects from that era.

The fact that they have a really good reason for why they definitely need to keep working with slavers does not make integrating slavery into their economy any less evil. Sec-Comm undoubtedly had just as many reasons for why they had to do the same thing, and those reasons would have been just as valid. Instead of just accepting that it's a necessary evil, it might be more productive to consider what sort of government considers slavery to be acceptable as long as it doesn't have to look at it very often. In fact, I'm willing to bet the average Union official personally despises slavery (or at least they'd say they do), but they're not losing any sleep over the fact that Third Committee is allowing it to happen as long as it benefits the economy.

This is what I mean when I say they're Sec-Comm "with the visible edges sanded off:" They still do most of the awful things Sec-Comm did - they're still a neoliberal government entity who rules through the use of a corpo state, so unless one were to throw absolutely all logic out of the setting, it's undeniable that they do - but they no longer have the appearance of an overtly-fascistic government. They're palatable to the average citizen and maybe even to some of the people outside Union. But the long arm of Union colonization still very much exists, and the moment someone doesn't fall in line, it'll reach out and crush them.

The core issue with arguing that Third-Comm are good is that they have an extremely clear real-world equivalent: The EU. On the surface, the EU does a very good job of appearing reasonable and good, but anyone who has paid attention to the history of European politics understands that the EU was formed largely by colonial powers, and despite (frustratingly) gradual efforts at decolonization across the world, the EU's laws were still originally drafted with a colonialist mindset and designed to benefit the countries that formed it. Even setting all that aside, the EU has done some pretty reprehensible things over its lifespan, largely by funding and enabling smaller world powers to conduct these atrocities for them, thereby exporting political violence to a place where they can benefit from it but don't have to look at it.

When I say the lore insists otherwise, I mean that it lists multiple examples of exactly this sort of thing happening under Third-Comm, but just sort of handwaves it away as necessary and tragic. Despite the lore's insistence that these are unimportant when characterizing Union, I would argue that the actions of a government are, in fact, the most important thing to consider when characterizing a government.

And to your final point, yes, my point was that the government owns one of the four corpo states that rule just about everything in the setting. So, like I said, whether you prefer to think of the power structure in Lancer being four corpo states or one corpo states that three others rely on, it doesn't actually matter, because neither is good.

At the end of the day, you can come up with whatever interpretation you would like to use. But if you're planning on discussing the political messaging in a setting, you may want to take a look at what others have said about government entities that function very similarly to the one we're talking about. Look beyond the words the author wrote about their future utopia, especially when their idea of a future utopia is the EU. It might annoy you when some people characterize Lancer that way, but there are a lot of very good reasons for why they do that.

Armored Core: you're a cog in the death machine of capitalism and freedom lies in the hands of those strong enough jam the gears and break the apparatus. you should def use the Baby Flayer 9000 to achieve that goal btw

Gundam: war is fucked man, so much senselss death and killing all in the name of lofty ideals. anyway we'll be rolling out the orphan thresher as soon as next quarter

[dollkuna]

⚡︎ fratboy!gojo had been burning a hole through you with his stare all night. you'd been laughing with some random guy, acting like gojo wasn't even there. besides, the way that dude was looking at you? ew, he though.

you batted your lashes, tilting your head with what you hoped was an innocent smile, up at the stranger. one hand twisted a strand of your hair, the other clutched a half-empty plastic cup — a drink gojo hadn't bothered to get you.

honestly, it was grating on him, having to watch you like that. watching some other guy who was practically drooling over you. so, yeah, in his slightly-messed-up mind, his actions were totally justified.

now, your gaze was fixed upwards again — but this time, it was on him. where it belonged, in his opinion. your lashes were slick with tears, mascara smudged artfully across your cheeks, your hair mussed from his fingers tangling in it.

he'd cornered you in the bathroom, cutting the ridiculously long line and just barging in (scaring the absolute shit out of you without so much as a word). but hey, it was his frat house. his rules.

"j— jesus," he grunted, his eyes rolling back in his head. "you say you're virgin, huh? taking my cock like a damn slut, cherry." your hands were busy too, one sliding up and down his length, the other cradling his heavy balls.

you were practically choking on him, your moans and whimpers swallowed by his thick shaft. at first, he'd actually tried. tried to be gentle, remembering that you'd only he one other time you'd only done this one other time — with him.

but patience had gone out the window fast. now, he was using your face, each thrust of his hips sending the blunt head of his cock slamming against the back of your throat.

gojo thought he'd died and gone to heaven. your mouth was so hot and wet, eagerly engulfing every inch he offered. "you— you're doing s'good," he choked out, his jaw tight. (you might've heard a tooth crack.)

you were gagging, and a part of him was terrified you'd actually throw up, but damn, you were determined. and who was he to stop you? after all, the initial idea had been to take things slow, maybe learn a few new things. this definitely counted as new.

"w— was it worth it?" gojo asks, likely rhetorical. "whoring off to some idiot like that, huh?"

drool slicked your chin, followed by a stream of tears. your cheeks hollowed with each deep stroke, feeling the frantic throb beneath your tongue, the way he strained against your mouth. the pressure built, a dull ache spreading in the back of your throat as he thrust deeper.

you didn't get a warning, just a slight tremor in his grip on your hair before his heavy balls clenched, and he spilled thick, hot seed into your mouth.

it caught you off guard, but what really threw him was the way you swallowed every last drop. every single bit.

his eyes were wide as he helped you stand, watching you brush off your sore knees.

"ch— cherry, you know you didn't have to... i mean, i should've pulled out, i'm sorry—"

you give him a lop-sided grin, "don't be silly. i wanted to."

oh. oh.

gojo might not be your boyfriend, but he sure pressed a soft kiss to your tear-streaked, mascara-smudged cheek like one.

[starryeyed-apple]

a sunday morning

small town au xavier series part iii

synopsis: when you help your friend out at the sunday farmer's market, you try to do more than just admire xavier from afar.

★pairing: xavier x fem!reader ★wc: 6k ★content: fluff & light humor, slice of life. small town dynamics, childhood to adulthood crushes, pining, awkward tension. mention of reader's heart issues, she feels faint at one point from high emotions/excitement. ★an: I genuinely do not know how this chapter got so damn long, but uhh here it is!! I'm excited for the way it's heading hehe. hope y'all enjoy! <3 ★part ii ★read on ao3 ★series masterlist

In the early morning light of a lazy Sunday morning, there's nowhere better to be than tucked in your own bed, wrapped in your warm and cozy blankets, sleeping in to your heart's content.

Unfortunately for you, you're not in your bed. You're half-awake outside, shivering in the early spring breeze that refuses to let up, surrounded by carefully organized chaos and chatter on all sides.

The only relief to your half-lidded eyes and tired, overstimulated mind is the the warm coffee cup passed into your hands.

"Finally," you mutter with no bite, only exhaustion that begins to slip away the moment you sip the latte.

"Hey, I used my barista powers for evil to make this for you," Aarya responds as she nudges your shoulder, settling in beside you in the two chairs set up underneath the booth's canopy.

"You mean you used your shop keys to break in before opening in order to make these?"

Aarya takes a long drink from her mocha, making a satisfied sound when she pulls back.

"Exactly," she draws out with a little mischievous glint in her eyes. "You better hope I don't lose my job for this."

"You're not going to get fired," you reply, sipping your latte and humming a happy sound to prove your point. "You make the best drinks in town."

"Damn right."

"And you did promise me free coffee for a weeeeek," you draw out, grinning at your friend with a shimmy of your shoulders.

"Ugh. Stop that." She smacks at your shoulder halfheartedly, and you laugh, sipping more of your warm drink, made to perfection. "And it's a free drink once per day. Refills don't count, so don't even try it."

You both fall into a peaceful quiet as you sit together, enjoying your coffee with no need for idle conversation. The constant chit chat and bustling around you from the other farmer's market vendors doesn't let up, but it's easier to tolerate it with some caffeine in your system.

With each sip of your coffee, you find yourself grateful for Aarya's call dragging you out of bed this morning. The air is still crisp from winter's stubborn, lingering hold, but fresh with the scent of spring's arrival, sweetened by the carefully cultivated flower beds that surround the town's plaza.

It feels like home, and you didn't realize how much you missed just that scent until you came back.

Aarya sets her finished drink down with a sigh, then plucks your half-finished one right from your hands to put next to it.

"Hey—"

"It's already almost 6:30," she says with a sigh, standing up and stretching. "Market opens at seven. We gotta get to it."

You push yourself up with a groan, turning to the boxes of carefully packed crochet and needlework products. All vibrant colors to sharply contrast the black denim jacket and ripped jeans that Aarya was sporting today.

"Just let me know what goes where," you say cheerfully, feeling your mood already start to brighten when you kneel to rifle through the assorted sizes and color patterns of crochet rainbow ornaments.

"Doesn't really matter," Aarya responds as she moves about the booth around you, setting up the stands and racks along the tent walls to hang pieces for display. "I like when they're all over the place. People have fun hunting for different stuff."

You move together in old, familiar patterns, the rhythm reminding you of late nights studying for college entrance exams, or pulling together the final parts of a presentation project the next day. It makes you smile, listening to Aarya quietly hum songs she's loved since high school under her breath, while she frowns in concentration at the row of floral needlework she was hanging up.

Thirty minutes of diligent work passes as the morning churns on and the breeze warms with the rising sun. You're so content for a change, that you almost forget just what day it is, and where exactly you are.

That is, until you hear a chipper voice ring out from across the plaza, "Xavier! Over here!"

You jump, fumbling with the moon and star designed needlework in your hands, trying desperately to stop it from falling onto the ground. When you manage to hug it to your chest, clean and safe, you breathe a sigh of relief.

Then you whip around, shuffling to peer around the edge of the booth towards the cheerful shout.

You scan the market, a woman on a mission, and lock in when you catch a head of fluffy silvery hair gleaming almost golden in the sun's rising rays.

"Oh," you sigh as you watch Xavier move effortlessly along the stalls.

He nods towards each person that greets him as he passes—and it's nearly every damn person, making you wonder how exhausting all those idle chats might be.

As if on cue, he covers a yawn with the back of his hand after waving at someone, strolling through the market until he ends up with the vendor that called for his help, an older woman with knitted hats, and a booth not set up yet.

You sink into your chair, elbows on the display table, chin propped up on your hands as you watch Xavier roll up the sleeves of his ridiculously soft looking beige cardigan. Subtle muscles flex under flawless skin as he lifts each leg of the canopy, and you bite your lip.

He extends them one by one, showing little to no visible exertion despite the weight and effort, other than a small furrow of his brow when he reaches up easily with his height to lock each leg into place.

Xavier turns back towards the vendor when it's fully set up, and you watch them dote over him. A smile grows on your face as he nods intently or shakes his head gently at whatever they're saying, his long fingers brushing his hair from his eyes.

You swear a golden ray of light catches on the blue of his eyes, shining like peaceful waters you would gladly sink in, and you melt.

"He's so pretty," you murmur with a soft smile.

"He's alright," a voice chimes in next to your ear, and you yelp.

You turn to see Aarya raising her pierced brow expectantly, a teasing smirk curling up her lips, and you glance away with a nervous laugh.

"Still keeping that old flame alive, hm?"

"I don't know what you mean," you mutter, all but sticking your head in the last box of merchandise, just to find it empty.

"Mm, sure," she hums, and you push yourself to your feet, distracting yourself from her searching gaze by making sure each crocheted little forest critter on the table was priced correctly. Her voice is monotone as ever, but you know her well enough to recognize how it softens slightly when she asks, "What about your guy? Back in the city?"

Your shoulders stiffen, and you hope she doesn't notice. But you know better than to try and hide anything from her clever gaze.

"Didn't work out," you mumble, restlessly fidgeting with a little crochet bunny.

Thankfully, Aarya senses your discomfort enough to not push it. And you know she'll give you the space to come to you with whatever worried you.

Too bad you may end up just bottling it all up inside forever, your favorite go-to trick.

"How's Harper?" you ask, desperate to change the subject. "You two still together?"

"She's good," Aarya replies, and you turn back just to see the little lovesick smile that matches the rare warmth in her voice whenever she talks of her girlfriend. "Yeah, we're good. Really good."

"That's great," you say with a grin. "Is she still working on her mom's farm?"

"Yeah, she is." She checks her phone by reflex, and you catch a glimpse of the background photo of her kissing Harper's freckled cheek flash before she slides it back into her jeans pocket. "We do a joint booth sometimes. She brings fresh eggs to sell, and people go crazy for them."

"Is she stopping by today?"

"Nah, she's swamped with work on the farm. That's why you were enlisted."

"Well, I need to see her soon," you huff, hands on your hips to make your point. "It's been way too long, we need to catch up."

"She's been saying the same thing. She's super excited to see you." Aarya informs, and you grin. "But she's going to want to hear about everything you've been up to, and you know she doesn't take no for an answer."

The look in her eyes is a subtle way of letting you know she caught you switching the subject from yourself, but then she pats you on the shoulder and changes the topic again.

"Market's starting," she says, and you whip around, putting your best customer friendly smile on. "Look alive, I have a feeling it's gonna be a busy one."

When noon rolls around, Aarya's stall is already more than halfway out of stock.

Her prediction had been right, with not only familiar faces, but those from neighboring towns circulating the market all morning. By the time you manage to sneak in a break, your coffee has long gone cold.

Everybody seems more alive and chipper with the transition into spring, and nearly every vendor is having good business.

The only person who looks busier than you, or any other vendor around you, is Xavier.

He moves back and forth between booths, on odd jobs that have him constantly on a circle through the whole farmer's market. You haven't seen him get even a moment to sit down, and the more you see his eyes start to droop, the more concerned you get, even as nobody else seems to notice.

Maybe it's the way that he moves that has nobody suspecting he might be getting tired. He's always walking at a leisurely pace anyway, so it'd be hard to tell if you weren't really looking (and you were really looking). Even though somebody's almost always calling his name or has him sent on an errand, he stays calm, unhurried.

You never hear the gentle rhythm of his voice over the conversations of the market, even if you see him talking to someone. He's ever soft and in-control, which is probably why panicked small business owners always turn to him for help with so many mishaps.

With a rush of business at Aarya's booth, you lose sight of whatever Xavier's doing, the thought of him slipping your mind as you deal with customer after customer.

When you see her helping out the last one with their rainbow ornament of pink, purple and blue that makes you both smile happily, you let out a sigh in the moment of calm that follows.

You take the opportunity to scurry to the back of the booth, making yourself look busy by reorganizing the wall of leftover ornaments, just so you can take the time to breathe.

And thank god you could finally breathe.

"Hey, Xavier."

You jump with a squeak of surprise, whirling around to see him standing in front of the booth, pulling a rolling cooler along with him.

"Hey."

His eyes move from Aarya, scanning the booth to where you stand stiffly among the crochet ornaments in the back.

"Hi," Xavier says to you, and you tell yourself his voice is not softer, it's already soft and you're just crazy.

"Hi," you reply quietly with a wave, pressing your hand against your chest to calm yourself when he leans down to reach into the cooler.

Get a grip, girl! you mentally berate yourself, pinching your elbow to try and shock some sense into you.

When he straightens back up, it's with two wrapped sandwiches in one hand, and water bottles with condensation dripping down the sides in the other.

"Lunch," he offers simply, that calm, intent gaze of his fixing on you again.

You step forward, his attention drawing you in like a magnet. Not to mention your stomach's already growling when you reach for the sandwiches, but Aarya catches your hand.

"Who made them?" she challenges with a squint of her eyes at Xavier, and you blink in surprise when his eyes narrow back.

"Rob."

"From the sandwich shop?"

Xavier nods.

"Promise?"

He nods again, but not without a quiet huff under his breath.

Aarya assesses him for a moment longer before she releases your hand finally, taking the waters with a sigh of relief.

Xavier turns to you. He holds out the sandwiches, innocent and expectant, and you take them in each hand with a smile.

"Thanks, Xavier." It comes out quieter than you wanted, but his eyes widen a little anyway, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"You're welcome," he says with a nod, picking up the cooler handle and moving on to the next booth.

You melt a little when the breeze picks up and tousles the back of his hair, causing the soft looking strands to stick up.

And you freeze when he pauses halfway, glancing back over his shoulder at you.

Your feet shuffle in place, feeling the strongest rush of déjà vu for every glance you stole in high school, only for him to catch you looking. The fact that he still had that instinct with you was impressive.

Also worrying, solely based on how much you still sneak glances of him now.

The moment feels like eternity as you just stand there, caught red-handed and frozen like a deer in headlights.

But Xavier just waves before turning back around. He stops at the neighboring booth and reaches into the cooler again, with another quiet offer of "lunch."

You can already feel Aarya's smug look as you sink back into the chair next to her, and you quickly rush out before she can point out your obvious infatuation again, "I didn't know they gave lunch to vendors."

"They didn't used to." She opens her sandwich, holding it out wordlessly for you to put your unwanted tomatoes on it. "One year, a vendor got so busy that they didn't eat, and they almost passed out. Xavier convinced his dad to set aside a fund to give out basic meals after that. A lot of local restaurants pitch in just because the guy asks."

"Mayor Shen?"

"No." Aarya snorts at the suggestion, shaking her head. "Xavier."

She nudges you, and points at a booth for handmade soaps, lotions and bath bombs. The married couple that runs it is trying to give Xavier a little bag of merchandise in exchange for the sandwiches, stubbornly insisting as he shakes his head.

You watch with a smile on your face as he attempts to push it back. But just a minute later, he ends up holding it in one hand anyway as the other pulls the cooler.

It's a cycle that continues with each booth he ends up at. Little freebies are crammed in his arms; from handmade paper craft cards, to locally sourced crystal bracelets, to ornaments carved from wood. It gets to a point where his hands are so full that he's struggling to pull the cooler.

"Happens every market Sunday," Aarya says.

You begin to rise from your chair, hover, and sit back down.

When you do it for the third time as he tries to balance his gifts and tug the cooler along the next aisle of booths, Aarya elbows you in the side.

"Ow!"

"Oh, don't be dramatic," she teases, and pokes you again, jerking her chin towards where the owner of the knitted hat booth he helped earlier is now cramming two hats onto his head. "Go help him."

"But—" you look towards him as he denies a third hat, and then back at Aarya. "What do I even say?"

She shrugs. "Nothing. Xavier's chill, I'm sure he won't mind if you don't have anything to say at all."

You hesitate again, then take a deep breath, setting your half-eaten sandwich down.

Rising from your chair, you take a few steps forward, then stop. You immediately look back at Aarya to see her smiling faintly, gesturing for you to go.

So you do. You steel your nerves and ball your hands into fists at your sides as you walk.

"You can do this," you mutter, trying not to fidget or turn tail and book it.

You breathe deeply to calm your racing heart, and turn onto the aisle where Xavier is stuck with the two hats nearly pulled down over his eyes, trying not to drop anything and grab the cooler at the same time.

"He's just a guy," you murmur under your breath, hyping yourself up.

An impossibly cute guy whose cheeks you wanted to pinch and squish and smooch all over.

Still. A guy.

Maybe the illusion would be shattered if you actually did manage a full conversation with him. Maybe he'd say something that would make you cringe, or your personalities wouldn't mesh well together at all, and you'd finally move on. Quick, easy, simple. Painless.

"Xavier?"

His head snaps up, trying to see you over the brims of the hats, and you barely hold back a breathless chuckle as nervous energy sweeps through you.

Oh god, you were actually doing this.

"Um—" You reach forward towards the hats, then stop yourself. "Can I…?"

Why were you actually doing this!?

"Yes," Xavier answers immediately, shifting the goodie bags in his arms to hold them tighter as he leans his head towards your offered hands. "Please."

You slowly lift the top hat from his head, and gingerly adjust the second one until his eyes are free. Floppy bunny ears hang from the top of the fabric, and you bite your lip to hold back a smile.

Xavier sighs in relief when he can see again.

And he instantly sees you, eyes as bright blue as the clear spring sky above you, snapping up to meet yours.

You freeze, and he smiles faintly, half his mouth turning up in it before it's gone again in a blink.

But even when he's not smiling, his eyes still glimmer, like the stars you always doodled around his name in notebooks.

Xavier's head tilts to the side when he asks, "How does it look?"

You blink to clear the stars from your gaze.

"Huh?"

"The hat," he clarifies, his voice soft and nothing but patient with you as your wandering mind comes back to the moment.

Your chest begins to feel all warm, and your face along with it.

"Oh!"

You lean back, taking in the whole effect of his fluffy tufts of hair sticking out from under the white knitted fabric.

Hesitantly, you reach out to one of the strings dangling next to his face. Xavier watches you closely, almost scattering all your last nerves to the wind, but you brace yourself against the familiar urge to flee as you give an experimental tug of the string.

When one of the bunny ears lifts, you laugh, heart skipping a beat when his eyes light up.

"It's…good." You nod, quickly letting go and taking a step back. "Cute," you add, and try not to wince.

Cute? Oh, god, why did you say cute?

What if he hated being called cute? Some guys don't like that. He might not. What if he hated you calling him cute? Sure, he knew your name, but he didn't know you. What if—

"You should wear the other one."

"What?"

You look down at the matching hat with its own bunny ears in your hand, and start to shake your head.

But Xavier's already kneeling down, shifting his arms carefully so all the little assorted gifts land on top of the closed cooler lid.

When he stands, he takes the hat from you, then pauses with a question in his eyes.

Any refusal instantly flies from your mind at his searching gaze, and you lean your head down. There's no way you can keep eye contact, so you stare instead at the peek of his collarbone under his white tee when he leans in, before quickly looking away from that too because oh god oh no he's so handsome (no keep it together girl)!

His hands carefully brush any stray strand of hair back into place as he sets the hat onto your head. He does it so gently, ensuring that the fabric is snug enough without messing up your hair, and gives a light tug on one of the strings when he's done.

Xavier smiles when the ear lifts, a pretty curve of his full pink lips, and your breath catches in your throat.

"Cute," he repeats with a satisfied nod, and you just about explode into a million different lovesick pieces. "You should keep it."

"I couldn't—"

You cut yourself off, hands held out when he tries to scoop all his gifts back into his arms.

"Wait!" you exclaim, plucking the ornaments out of his stilled hands. "Let me help."

"You don't have to—"

"I want to," you interrupt hastily, already starting to balance the bag of bath bombs with the crystal bracelets, then adding a little pair of earrings made from salvaged sea glass to the mix.

You try and sneak a peek up to see if his ears are pierced, then quickly look back down when you see how closely he's looking at you.

"Ah—sorry," you mutter, awkwardly shuffling the gifts in your arms when you straighten. "I should've asked. Do you not want me to—"

"No," he interrupts you quickly this time, taking the cooler handle. "It's okay. Thank you."

You nod, daring to try and look at him again. When you do meet eyes, you can't help but laugh a little at how silly you both look with your bunny hats on, and he gives a tiny chuckle before you both quickly glance away.

Silence stretches between you as you follow him. Awkward, but not unbearable, at least.

He hands out lunches, and you readily accept any more gifts that the vendors have to offer. When they see you trailing after him, their eyes light up. They exclaim about not knowing you were back in town, and starting making small talk with you too.

You're all too aware of Xavier's attention on you whenever somebody asks how your grandpa is doing since coming back from the hospital.

In the lull between one booth and the next, your longtime crush quietly admits, "I didn't know your grandfather was sick."

You stiffen by reflex at the topic, and force yourself to relax with a slow exhale.

"Yeah."

He hands out another lunch, and the silence as you reach the end of the aisle is more tense than before.

But the atmosphere eases when Xavier offers gently, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," you answer automatically.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

You pause, and look back at him in surprise.

Your eyes meet his for the first time since you started helping him, and you feel the breath stolen right from your lungs.

Xavier's always been hard to read. You're sure it's part of his charm; that air of mystery, the feeling that you could only get so close to him while still feeling so far. That untouchable star in the sky. It made admiring him unattainable, but safe.

But when he looks at you now, his gaze is open, honest. The dip in his furrowed brow shows concern, but his eyes are more than sympathetic. There's understanding in those pools of blue.

And it suddenly hits you why every vendor has a gift ready for him, why each one calls to him for help.

Because he responds, without a question. He helps without complaint. He delivers meals that were his idea in the first place, just because it's the right thing to do.

You stop your trail of infatuated admiration, shaking your head before you look back at him. Xavier's still waiting patiently, not bothered one bit by how long you were taking to answer.

In this light, he is just a man.

But he's a kind one.

"I…don't think so," you admit quietly, blinking rapidly as you suddenly feel overwhelmed with indescribable emotion.

Because Xavier has been the first person who didn't just ask about Gramps, but offered to help.

The next words come easier than they ever have around him. Your voice is soft, as if this tender moment may break when you say, "But thanks, Xavier. I appreciate it."

"Of course," he murmurs, glancing over your face. Your chest feels lighter, butterflies dancing in your stomach when he tilts his head. "Just let me know if you ever do need help. Okay?"

"Yeah," you croak out, then clear your throat. "Okay."

He nods, turning onto the last aisle of booths.

And even though you know the moment is over, the air between you feels softer. Warm.

He gets another little gift, stickers from a local artist this time. When Xavier hands them to you, he says, "Keep them."

A glance tells you that they're all space themed. One sticker of a moon even has a little bunny on it, and you hold them close, not even trying to argue.

At the last booth, they ask about your grandpa again. The words come easier when you say he's doing better, the impossible knot in your chest since you'd come home a bit less tight at the thought of him.

"Here," the old man who runs the dairy farm says as he tucks an extra bottle of fresh milk into your arms. "Give him this from me, I know how much he likes his damn cereal."

A warmth rushes into your heart, and you laugh, feeling lighter than you have in days.

"I just restocked them the other day."

"She did," Xavier offers beside you, and your head snaps towards him in surprise. "I checked her out."

Greg, the dairy farmer, arches a bushy gray eyebrow at Xavier. "You did what now?"

Xavier's face is blank as yours gets hotter, watching you as a cough gets stuck in your throat.

Then he says quickly, head whipping back around, "Oh, no—at the store, I mean. I was working."

A loud guffaw leaves Greg's mouth, and he smacks Xavier's back with glee. Even in all your embarrassment, you can't stifle your snort when he stumbles forward with the motion.

Xavier's brow pinches together, rubbing the back of his head as he looks to the side, and you wonder if he's blushing again. You imagine his ears getting pink under the bunny hat, and smile to yourself.

"I know what you meant, son." Greg shoots you a not so subtle wink, and you quickly look down at the chilled dairy bottles in your arms, face burning as he laughs cheerfully again. "Tell your good ol' gramps to get back to bingo soon. I miss beating him at it."

"I'll pass the message along," you assure with a nod before scurrying ahead, beating Xavier to the end of the aisle so you can collect yourself.

You still feel hot, embarrassed and all out of sorts when he's back by your side. But somehow, the feelings ease a bit when his eyes meet yours.

That was…new.

"So is that why you're back?" he asks, following behind you now while you start the walk back to Aarya's booth. "To help your grandpa?"

"Mhm," you hum, skin buzzing just from the weight of his gaze on you.

"How long do you think you'll be here?"

"I…hadn't really thought about it," you answer honestly, slowing down in your pace.

You turn, allowing Xavier to catch up beside you, and you walk side by side through the stalls.

"He hasn't told me if anything's really wrong," you find yourself admitting, your voice hushed.

Xavier leans a little closer, shoulder brushing yours as you stroll through the market.

"I just need to make sure he's okay, and I can't do that from another city."

"That makes sense," Xavier hums, his gentle validation offering a warm rush of comfort to you.

"He's stubborn, you know?" you laugh fondly, even if it's a little strained, and look up to see Xavier smiling at you.

"Yeah," he murmurs. "I know."

The way he says it is warm, a look in his eyes that you can't make sense of as he glances over your face, and you quickly look away.

"So, yeah," you stutter, trying to clear your head. "I might be here for a while, I guess."

"Okay," he mumbles. Then he adds, in a softer tone, "Good."

Your head jerks back up at the casual way he says it, and you stare at the side of Xavier's face.

When he catches you staring, his head tilts to the side at your wide-eyed gaze.

And when he doesn't attempt to elaborate, your mouth opens, then shuts. Your lips form around words that all flee you the instant his eyes drop down.

"Xavier!"

You both turn towards the large booth of fresh produce nearby, and the older women waving him over with big smiles on their faces.

"We have fresh carrots today!" One of the ladies beams as she beckons him closer, and you follow him, feeling like you're burning up so hot you're about to self destruct.

"You have fresh carrots every day," he replies gently, and the women grin and laugh, gushing over how handsome and kind he is.

You can't help but smile at the praise and affection he gets, watching them take turns patting his head or his cheek while they put the little bag of vegetables into his hand.

"Oh," he says softly, glancing back at you, and towards them again. "Can I have a carton of strawberries? They're her favorite."

Your mind goes blank.

All three of the ladies glance towards you, and you freeze up further at their sharp attention.

Then in a blink of an eye, they're all smiling at you, the two in the back sharing a look you don't even want to think about as the one in charge moves towards the bin of fresh strawberries.

"How much—"

"Oh, it costs nothing for you, Mr. Shen."

"No, really, I insist—"

They banter back and forth, and you stand there, malfunctioning as your heart races so fast you worry you might just pass out. When Xavier eventually turns back to you with the carrots and strawberries, concern flashes over his face, and he rushes towards you.

"Are you okay?" he murmurs, hesitating before he gently presses a hand between your shoulder blades to steady you. "Do you need to sit down?"

"Oh, no, I'm—" you try and protest, flustered under the warmth of his large palm on your back.

But he's quickly and carefully extracting the gifts from your arms, juggling them in his own again, all while you're still trying to process what just happened so casually.

"I'm okay, Xavier, really," you insist, hating how your high emotions could trigger your heart arrhythmia. It'd been a while since you'd fainted from it, and you'd be mortified if it happened now.

He pauses at his name, looking up at you and oh, his eyes are so big and blue that you might just drown in them.

"I just got a bit overwhelmed," you explain sheepishly, pressing your hand to your chest, willing yourself to calm down. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Xavier says softly, and that same rush of warm, indescribable emotion washes over you again. "Have you eaten? Did you drink your water?"

"I ate half of the sandwich you gave me," you admit, unable to meet his eyes. "I don't think I opened the water."

"Here, lean on me," he offers, and after a moment of hesitation, you allow yourself to rest against him, quickly grabbing the cooler as you walk. "I'll get you back to Aarya."

You let him help you, too embarrassed to ever try and explain that it was him making you get overly excited (even if feeling how soft his cardigan really was under your hand was not helping).

You walk slowly, in silence, until the words that don't stop flashing in your mind like neon lights rush out of your mouth in a jumble, "How did you know that?"

"What?"

"Strawberries," you say bluntly, mind still playing catch up to that moment. "How did you know I liked strawberries?"

He looks at you, then down quickly, and off to the side.

"You don't like them anymore?" he asks quietly, not meeting your eyes.

"No," you say quickly. "No, I do. I just…didn't expect you to know that."

"You used to drink strawberry milk with your lunch every day," he mumbles and, yeah, you must be dreaming. Or, like, dead.

Because in what fucking alternate universe did you just slip into, where Xavier Shen knew which damn drink you were obsessed with all throughout high school?

Xavier glances at you from the corner of his eye, then looks ahead and announces, "Oh, there's Aarya."

She's darting up from her chair the moment she sees you, urging you to sit down as you're still stuck in your moment of shock.

"What happened?" she asks, glancing over you, twisting the cap off your water bottle and putting it in your hand.

"Nothing," you mumble, embarrassed again as her usual indifference disappears in hovering over you. "Just felt a little faint, is all."

Your friend huffs, putting the rest of your sandwich in your other hand. "You need to hydrate. And eat, you didn't finish your sandwich."

You almost laugh at the fact that she and Xavier both thought the same thing.

Sipping at your water and taking a few bites out of your sandwich, you look over to see Xavier dividing his gifts into two piles on the table. You watch him put the strawberries down on one side, staring at the fruit as what he said repeats in your mind.

"Damn, Xavier," Aarya whistles, looking over it all. "Still most popular years after high school, huh."

Xavier scratches the back of his head, pouting a little. "I wasn't popular."

He…what?

You and Aarya exchange a look of disbelief, then turn back to him.

"Here," he says when he realizes he has your attention, pushing the bigger pile closer to you. It's led by the strawberry carton, along with the bath bombs, crystal bracelets, and the stickers he'd already given to you. "These are yours."

"Oh, I can't—"

"Yes, you can," he interrupts gently. "It's to thank you for your help. I insist."

Somebody calls his name from across the market then, and he frowns. His eyes dart over your form, hunched in your chair as you recover from too much excitement, and he hesitates.

"Are you okay?" Xavier asks you, and you blink in surprise.

"Yeah," you reassure him with a smile, and his shoulders relax. "Yeah, I'm good."

He nods. "Let me know if the strawberries are good," he insists gently, eyes so wide they were almost pleading. "Okay?"

You manage a nod, and then he's gone.

"So what was that all about?" Aarya asks as you watch him disappear further into the market, and you lean against her shoulder with a groan.

"He knew I liked strawberries and I swear I almost passed out," you mumble, face hot in embarrassment. "I never want to talk about it ever again."

Aarya laughs as she pats your back, then tugs on one of your hat strings, making you groan because oh god you almost passed the fuck out in this bunny hat!

"Oh, girl," she sighs fondly as you yank the fabric off your head, and she taps over your heart. "Wouldn't be the first time you passed out from too much excitement. Don't be too hard on yourself, it happens."

You groan as you remember the other incident, the memory flashing in your mind as you look at the little carton of strawberries.

"I probably looked like the biggest fool."

"Maybe," Aarya says, and you punch her shoulder, making you both laugh. "But a cute one. Now hush and eat your damn sandwich before I steal all your precious Xavier Shen strawberries."

"Don't you dare!"

taglist: comment here if you want to be added! blank blogs will be blocked ⭐️ Xavier fics: @santaluna @itsmysmut @onigiriinthecorner @inzayneforaj @biblioth-que 💖all fics: @frostbitten-cherry @asiatic-apple @heartyluv @floatinginaer @sweetcalebb @princessofenkanomiya @lazygelpen @deepspacebunnieblue @cherryartchaos @kireeen @stargirlygirl @draftbeerbibi @pastelsweaters-and-bubble-t @slovesyouuu @ineffabl-y @grlyeetswrld @toelady @asiaticapple @aenishas series taglist: @peascribbles @beaconsxd @plasticcardholder @mochibunnies3 @sylusgirlie7 @creator-freak (let me know if you just want to be tagged for the series!)

[starboye]

you want a good boy that does bad things

your place was the go to spot for some good sex after a long day, i mean all the best knew of they wanted a good fuck you were the person to go to, and so did nanami, and after a particularly bad day at the office he just wanted you to ride him until his brain went numb

but he was pleasantly surprised when he saw toji already at your place, opening the door to see toji having you full nelson position fucking the life out of you, he could tell toni had been here for a while as he watched the loads drip out of your ass bit by bit, when you finally caught a glimpse of nanami in the doorway you tapped out

there were certain rules that the men that came over knew to follow, like dont catch feelings, if you wanna stop they you stop, and most of all no fights "well hey there handsome" you say reaching out and drawing him closer by his tie "hello to you too" he says a little awkward by toji just sitting there "kento" toji greeted plainly "fushiguro" nanami greeted back in the same tone of voice

"hope you dont mind toji, he just stopped by and i was free so i just let him in" you apologize"no worries i don't mind really, i just need a fuck" nanami loosens his tie before taking off his blazer and shirt, you made quick work of his pants to until he was naked in front of you "fuck still as hot as ever i see" you run your hands through his abs while licking at his tongue, slowly slipping it in your mouth

toji took this moment to just slip right back in to your already loose hole, fucking you right onto nanamis hardened dick, nanami and toji soon matching their thrusting to fuck you at the same pace "did he get even tighter just by having to cock in him" toji asks with a laugh at the way you started tightening around him, tojis grip tightening around your waist simultaneously as nanami cums quickly in your mouth

you gulp it down with such ease (which seems to be something all the guys love about you) "hard day" you ask licking the extra cum off his tip and all he does is nod "take it out on me" you get off tojis dick and turn around "hey, what the hell" toji complains but you just push him onto the bed and sit back on his somehow still hard coc, straddled right over toji while teasing nanami with you hole "loose enough to fit two, plus i know you wanna try it" you smack you ass to more entice the man and i works

kento crawling up on the bed to slip his cock into your stuffed hole "fuckkkkk that's good" you groan satisfied, it made you feel so full, it felt so good being stretched out by two big dick daddies "does this mean i don't get my private sessions anymore" toji jokes "shut up dick" you say making out with him, tojis hands holding your ass open while him and nanami fuck into your hole, making sure you feel every thick inch of this

"keep going please, want you to fill me up so badly" you whine backing your ass onto their cock now like a slut thats had no dick in the past week "should we give the slut what he wants" toji asks smacking your ass until it was red "why not he's such a pro at taking cocks why not reward the man" kento leans forward to turn your head, kissing you while poking his tongue into your mouth for the freak of it all

"yeah take that dick babyboy" toji smirks backing your ass onto both his and kentos cock even harder until they both blew their loads in you, giving you a nice small belly bulge of their cum in you, but that didn't stop them from having a fuck fest for the rest of the night, round after round position after position they had you bent all sorts of ways whole fucking you through the night

just until the sun was rising did things start to slow down "fuck you guys are persistent" you huff barely able to feel your ass or legs for that matter, your body was littered in marks of all kinds, slaps, bite, bruises from their rough touches and many more you couldn't even see "why not go another round huh lightweight" toji asks pulling you ass apart to see the loads squirting out of you "yeah why not" kento fingers the loads back in your hole to use as lube for much later "its gonna be a really long day

xoxo, starboye💋

taglist: @mailmango @boypied @ghostking4m @gayaristocrat @addictedtomalepits @staarb0y @crispysoup318 @its-ares @gargoylesworld09 @znerac @r0mcom-8ngel @bbibbiiu @tqrgaryenfilms

[m4mmonthebest]

Fucking Volt and fingering Eddie until you cum inside of Volt, pull out, and continue cumming inside of Eddie, filling them both up…

My breeding kink is going crazy over this entire game

HEHEHEHE I GET YOU.... (This became really long .... Uhh yes lmao.)

AFAB Eddie and Volt, Amab Player, gn pronouns.

(Not proof read if you see something off uh no you didn't hehe)

It all started with small touches. You were doing it on purpose, and they knew.

You passed next to Volt, pressing your cock on his ass and quickly apologized. "No apology needed livewire...." At first he wasn't sure if you were doing it on purpose, it was true that the Breaker Room was busy today.

But the way your touches lingered...it made him worked up. He realized it wasn't an accident when you also began to do it to Eddie.

With the excuse of helping him, you got close to him, touching his hands and shoulders gently, talking close to his ear saying it was not to bother the clients. Eddie shuddered, he knew what you were doing but also he couldn't reciprocate right now. You squeeze his ass and he has to choke out a gasp.

"Bye Eddie... I'll come back when you're not busy."

They think about closing the Breaker room earlier. They can't stop thinking about your touch, your voice.

When all the customer's leave they can see you, arms crossed at the door.

"Well livewire..... why don't you come in?" says Volt, with a flirty tone.

"Hmmmmm.... I dunno. It's too late I think."

This catches them both off guard. They're feeling needy, VERY needy. They're not gonna let you go that easily.

"I insist. What about a drink? Eddie can you serve them a drink?"

Eddie snaps out of his stunned state, trying to look nonchalant.

"I'll get you the one you always order. Come sit."

You pretend to think about it. Volt plays with his fingers.

"Hm. Sure. Although... just a drink? I'm not that easily convinced."

"What else can we offer you, Livewire?" Volt walks towards you, his posture looks dominant, but the way his eyes look....those are the eyes of a man who's a second away of begging.

"We'll drink. Then you two go to my room and I have my fun, ok?"

Eddie turns red, so does volt although the smirk does not leave his face.

"Ah, but of course... It would be our pleasure... I assure you. Don't you think so too Eddie?"

Eddie stutters, but quickly gets his bearings.

"H-hm. You're always helping around." He looks away. "let us help you too."

You pretend like you're interested in the drink. Gulping it in one go.

"That's nice." You look at Eddie with a smile. "one more?"

After the drinks you feel warm and ready for some action. You proceed to leave the Breaker Box, not before turning your head to them and signalling with one finger for them to come follow you.

You admire their drive to look as unaffected as possible, even though you knew it was a lie. You saw them before when you drank. The way they pressed their legs together and played with their clothes.

When you got to the bedroom, you grab them roughly by their clothes and shove them on your bed, making them gasp (sorry Betty)

You quickly get in the middle of them. They look at you with hunger in their eyes, brows furrowing. Volt laughs, a shy laugh more than anything.

"Eager, are you not...?"

"If by eager you mean wanting to bury my cock inside you? Yes?"

They both make small noises at how rough you're being.

Your mouth connects with Volt's, as your hand wastes no time going right for his cunt. Of course your other hand also goes for Eddie's like magnet.

"Fuck!" Eddie adjusts himself, feeling your hands doing circular motions through his pants.

Volt moans through the kiss, legs pressing together, which he quickly pulls apart when you slap his pussy, earning you a whine.

Your fingers quickly take care of the annoyance that's their clothes. They help enthusiastically of course, they need to feel your hands directly on them now.

The single touch of your warm digits on their sex makes them moan more loudly than they wish they did. You can tell they've been worked up all day.

You rub their clits in circular motions, every once in a while putting pressure on their holes.

"Fucking...." Eddie can barely contain his words, he wishes he felt a bit more confident right now but his brain was failing him.

"Ah! Livewire! P-please..." Volt sounds whiny.

"Please what?" You say, while your fingers press strongly on their sensitive places.

"Nghhh!! P- ah! Please! Your fingers inside me.... whine or your c-cock please! Please fuck me!"

Eddie can't help but feel jealous. What he struggles with comes naturally to Volt.

"With pleasure."

You begin to undo your pants, revealing your hardness to the boys, which you can feel swallowing.

"Don't worry Eddie... you'll get your turn."

His jealousy is replaced with excitement...

You position your cock on Volt's entrance, making him shiver. Then slowly, you begin to enter him.

Both Volt and Eddie make choked out noises, grabbing the sheets next to themselves tightly. Volt's legs tremble as you get deeper and deeper until you're fully inside.

"L-livewire..." His voice quivers and breaks as you start to move, slow motions at first, teasing him just how you know he likes it.

His moans are deep, hiking in pitch as you begin to set a faster pace. Eddie sweats, biting his lip trying not to make too many noises, although he fails.

"Hah-hah!"

Eddie lets out a girly whimper, unlike him, when you insert roughly two digits inside of him and begin to pump at the same speed you're fucking Volt.

The whole room is filled with wet noises, as their cunts swallow everything you've got to give them.

Volt's hair shines brightly in the dark, and you can feel his legs tensing up. His pussy hugs you tightly, enticing you to just destroy the man you've got in front of you.

"Ah! F-fuck that's-"

Your pumping becomes rapid, earning loud moans and curses from the boys, alongside a string of "Please" and "Faster".

The desire to fill him whole becomes a need and with one last stroke, the deepest you've been this night, you come.

Volt arches his back, a loud but strangled moan leaving his lips as he also shakes uncontrollably, squeezing your cock as his cunt twitches uncontrollably, trying to get every single drop of your cum inside of him.

You can feel your digits getting pressed hard, although you realized Eddie hasn't cummed yet, which seems strange to you. Usually fucking one of them means they both tend to cum at the same time, considering how connected they are.

You pull out of Volt...cum dripping down as he breathes heavily, he looks content.

"Are...you okay Eddie?"

"...Huh?"

Eddie looks at you confused. Blush still very present in his face.

Volt despite his tiredness, turns around and begins caressing Eddie's face. He melts to the touch.

"I think he's......hah.....feeling left out...."

You join the affection... kissing Eddie's face tenderly as you softly pet his hair.

"S-stop!"

You don't, you know he doesn't really want to. You kiss his lips softly, swiping your tongue on them.

"...Why?"

Eddie presses his legs together, which Volt makes sure to open with his hands, earning a groan from the other man.

"I-it's....embarrassing."

Your fingers press against his cunt again, rubbing small circles. This makes his body tense, although the caresses on his face and small kisses Volt gives them makes him start to become wet again.

You begin to jerk off, which earns you a whine from both men. Eddie adverts his gaze, but he fails himself as he can't help but to look at the way you touch yourself. He swallows hard, he can feel himself twitch between your fingers.

"Eddie is enjoying the show..." Volt uses one of his free hands to finger himself, still filled up with your seed. "F-fuck I am too..."

Once you've deemed yourself hard enough you position yourself in between Eddie's legs, making sure to tease his clit and entrance with your cock. His legs twitch, he looks at you with a pouty expression, which is oddly cute for a man his age.

You begin to enter him, you are tempted to simply rail him until he can barely form words, but right now he needs some reassurance from his two partners that he's good enough.

Eddie's eyebrows furrow, his face gets even redder if that could be possible, as his mouth slowly opens up every inch you put in him.

Volt feels it too, sighing once you bottom out.

You reach out to make out with Eddie, showering him in praises, telling him how good he feels, how pretty he is, how much you and Volt love him and need him.

He's panting, as your tongue plays with his, and Volt kisses his neck. His legs are shaking, not only from your cock hitting every right spot, but also from the compliments, he feels warm, he gets warmer and feels his core start to unravel.

You've came some minutes ago, so you feel it coming quickly.

"Hey....ngh...Eddie." You grab his hands above his face.

"Do you want me to come in you?"

If it were possible you'd see little hearts pop out of Eddie's eyes. You can tell he liked it not only because of his sudden twitch, the way his body begs to you...

"Fuck! Yes- Yes- In me please- please!"

You kiss him, which is reciprocated with desperation.

The moment he feels your warmness filling him his legs shake violently. His back arches, painfully so, as he lets out a moan that sounds more like a scream. You hold him tight to you, pumping every single drop of your seed deep inside, just how you know he wants it.

Volt also cums, you can feel him next to you, a loud sob leaving him as his fingering gets progressively slower.

You grab them both, bringing them close together and begin to pamper them, filling their faces with kisses as you wipe the sweat and tears from their faces.

"Good job. I love you both."

They kiss you. They love you too.

[artificial-transmutations]

Three days to midsummer: Prologue

A bead of sweat traveled down Jörgen's brow as he carefully looked down the corridor, left and right. He knew he was safe here from the cameras, and the watchman wouldn't make his round for another fifteen minutes, so it was safe to take a quick break and wipe the sweat away. It was a week after the middle of June, and although it was already dark, the summer heat of the day still hung in the corridors of the museum. This was good one hand; everyone was either distracted by the heat, asleep or already in preparation for the upcoming celebration. On the other hand, Jörgen wore tight black clothing from head to toe that damply clung to his body when he moved. Still, it was the ideal opportunity for the heist. The idea to sabotage the AC unit had looked good on paper - and it probably was - to keep the watchman distracted, but it also made his own job harder.

Pulling himself together, he put the ski mask back on - for the off chance he had missed a camera - and stepped into the exhibition room. There it was, the pride of the Stockholm museum for crafts: a pair of silver bracelets forming a complicated, ornate pattern. Valuable enough to sell them for a good amount, but with no historical significance or wider popularity, to cause a lot of trouble afterwards. He stepped forward to the pedestal, took out his glasscutter, and started working on the glass panel. Even though the cameras were off, he still had to be quick about it. As always in his job, the smallest mistake could have dire consequences.

Finally, the glass was cut, with an almost inaudible 'pling', and the treasure was in his grasp. Carefully, he lifted the bracelet and placed it into his pocket. It was a beautiful piece of art, really. Too bad he couldn't keep it for himself.

Suddenly, his professional focus was interrupted by a warm glow on his neck, and he spun around, startled and blinking. Gone was the midnight darkness of the museum, and instead...

Jörgen looked around in utter confusion. He was standing in some kind of garden or park, with flowers and the remnants of some old walls scattered around the place. And it was sunny. This couldn't be! Given, it was close to the summer solstice, and the days were long, but this was high noon sun shining down warmly on him.

"Well. Look at that. How curious."

Jörgen almost jumped at the foreign voice. It was warm and rich like honey, flowing effortlessly in a sing-song melody that belonged to the man behind him. He was tall and muscular, with white hair and an almost perfect body that was only stressed by the thin glittering fabric draped around his hips, accentuating the ample bulge more than hiding it. But that wasn't the most unusual thing about the other guy. Behind his back, flapping idly in the breeze, was a pair of elegant, glittering blue wings. Like a butterfly or...

"It's been in a while since I had visitors. What's your name, mortal?"

"Mortal? What? What the fuck? Where am I? Who are you?!"

The impossible man smirked, uncrossing his arms and walking slowly towards him, licking his lips unnervingly.

"Oh, how rude of you. I like it. Very well. I'm Zephir. Prince Zephir, of the Summer Realm, to be exact. And I believe you," he pointed a finger at Jörgen, and he could have sworn to see colorful light particles dancing around it, "have not only trespassed into my realm, but you also carry something that once belonged to me. Perhaps you have stolen it? Now. Please tell me your name."

A few colorful sparks hit Jörgen's chest and suddenly, he felt his tongue move on its own accord.

"Jör... Jörgen." he muttered. Damn. He should have kept his mouth shut, but he couldn't.

"I see... Jörgen."

He didn't like the way the self-proclaimed prince was rolling his name around in his mouth as if tasting it.

"Are you... I mean, are you really a -"

"A fairy?" Zephir sighed theatrically. "Yes. And, as I have mentioned, not just any ordinary fairy, but royalty. But enough of that. Why don't you take out the bracelets you have stolen?"

This time, Jörgen didn't need any magical sparks to compel him, and he took out the silver bracelets, gulping.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know they belonged to you..."

"Oh, I'm sure of that," Zephir interrupted him, "but you were aware they belonged to someone, right? Well, to be quite exact, they don't belong to me either. I gave them to a lover I met so many years ago. It's a melancholic memory. We shared so many wonderful hours, and yet... mortal lives are so... fleeting. It's a tragedy."

Jörgen didn't know how to react. At least the fairy prince didn't seem too... upset?

"I'm sorry. She must have meant a lot to you. Please, you can take them back, as a memento."

Zephir, who had apparently been lost in thoughts looked up, and a rather mischievous smile crept on his face.

"Oh, yes. He was a wonderful lover, but that is history now. You, on the other hand..."

Blue wings idly flapped as Zephir circled around Jörgen.

"You are here now, and I believe you will prove rather... entertaining. Keep them. Better yet, put them on."

When Jörgen didn't react directly, Zephir snapped his fingers impatiently and a small shower of sparks rained onto the man, who quickly slipped the bracelets onto his upper arm, where they fit perfectly.

"Much better. See, we're not so different. You and me, both thieves, in a way. Only while you steal jewelry, I steal hearts. Now, here is my game. You see, in only three days, it's midsummer. And - coincidentally - my birthday. I have enchanted these bracelets so you can't take them off anymore. Over the course of the next three days, they will change you, body and mind, into my perfect birthday gift. A plaything, always ready to provide entertainment, always... horny."

The way he pronounced 'horny' didn't sound good. Jörgen felt a cold shiver run down his back.

"What? No! That's not fair! You can't do that to me!"

Zephir blinked.

"Oh, yes, I can. But you're right, that wouldn't be very fair indeed. So, here is the deal. If you happen to find true love - the man who you can love with all your heart and he loves you - then and only then shall the enchantment be lifted."

This was so absurd, Jörgen had to laugh out.

"What? That's impossible! First of all, I'm not gay. I love women, do you understand? And what the fuck? Three days? That's not possible!"

Zephir chuckled, seemingly amused by his predicament.

"You will have to find a way - or submit to my whims. And as for your preference for women... I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you. In any case. My conditions are clear; the enchantment is sealed. Good luck finding someone who can put up with your... needs. I know I will be watching your struggle with great interest."

With another snap of his fingers, the world turned black again, and Jörgen found himself dreaming.

He was dancing, in a club he recognized, like many times before. But something was different. The dancefloor was crowded, and it was hot and sticky, but when he looked around, he noticed that every single person in the place was male. And they were all moving, gyrating to the music, grinding their half-naked bodies against each other, and against Jörgen, as well! He had never had a dream so intense and for a moment, he wasn't even sure it was a dream at all. He could smell the sweat, he could hear the music, he could see those bulging muscles, those perfect abs and those thick bulges, barely contained behind fabric. To his horror, Jörgen found himself mimicking the movements, grinding his own body against the other guests and...

No! He needed to get out! Now! He pushed his way through the crowd, not without noticing the looks and the whistles he was getting, but he didn't care. He needed to leave, to get out and breathe the cold air. It was just a dream, but his head was spinning and his cock was painfully erect and...

Finally, he found a door and stumbled through, but it only got worse. Behind it was not the saving outside, but a room that was barely lit at all. There were fewer men in here, which was good, but the relief was short-lived. In the darkness, several decidedly male figures were moaning, and moving and...

A pair of hands grabbed his body and pulled him against a wall. Several others joined them, roaming over his chest and his ass and he felt his shirt being torn open and strong fingers entering his pants and...

With a scream, Jörgen woke up, and needed several moments before he realized he was at home, in his bed. His heartbeat slowed as the first light of the morning was pouring into his bedroom. Then, he noticed three things:

First, his bedsheets were tented and wet from his morning wood and a rather intense nocturnal orgasm.

Second, there on his upper arms were the two silver bracelets, glittering innocently in the light of the rising sun.

And third, his body didn't look like it was supposed to. The changes were subtle, but if his eyes didn't play tricks on him, he was just a little more defined, the tent under his sheets slightly bigger, his chest had a bit more hair to it...

Realization dawned on him. The fairy prince, the bracelets, the dream - it had all been real, and he was already changing. Zephir's curse was real. And if he didn't find some imaginary true love in the next three days, that pervert fairy would do God-knows-what with him!

"Fuck!" he muttered.

What was he supposed to do?

I've always wanted to do a poll-style story! Enjoy this 4-parter where you help the fairy prince to spread mayhem by your choices!

[arminthada]

[HIGHLIGHT] 8 minutes of Pond Ponlawit defending Armin's reaction in EP 5

Notable points/quotes from this live

How do I feel about Armin? He's like a roller coaster and maybe you can add a little haunted house to him because he's so unpredictable. Like you've seen in episode 5. So it was all going good. Great, great, great, great. And then boom, he just exploded. But it doesn't mean that he- It's not unreasonable like reaction from him. It is reasonable. I'm protecting him. So, yeah. I got to stand up for my man.

What did you learn from your character? I think like what I understand more is to be loved. Armin is so loved by Thada. Yeah, I think the feeling of being loved is amazing and I kind of understand how you guys feel and how I don't know to say this but it's just kind of like this emotional roller coaster that kind of make me so emotional, every time being loved.

Is it hard doing the emotional scenes? I think once I'm in it, I wouldn't say it's difficult. Well, let me rephrase that. It isn't hard for me to get emotional as myself, but it is a challenge to to be inside Armin's shoe and be emotional from his personal story because Armin is like this artistic 40+ years old who's back in his 20+ body with those hormones and those like instinctive feelings, emotions. So that's one of the reasons why he kind of burst out at Thada in episode 5. But it is his thinking, his thoughts as this mature- Is he mature? I'm not even sure. I think like he's been through a lot of relationships. He's been through a lot of failures, a lot of fightings. And it kind of shaped him to be this protective self because he's done everything on his own. That's what he thought. Well, Thada has always been helping. But yeah. So, back to the question. I think it is difficult.

I think he has his reasons to be like this. Right! I think so. I'm trying to justify him. Well, he's not this vulgar, this 'couldn't control himself' kind of guy. I mean, sometime he is. And well, he definitely is. But no. Well, I mean when when I played him like for this especially in this scene because a lot of people talked about it like why did Armin do that? Like when I played him in this scene, Armin actually feels bad for bursting out at him like that. Even when Thada was walking away from Armin. I feel so wrong. This kind of grief inside of Armin because what he said wasn't what he really wanted. It's just this instantaneous reaction from him [which is] this protective barrier, this wall that he built up for himself to protect himself from other people who can hurt him. But like after that outburst you've seen in episode 5, he realized that Thada is this long companion on his journey in his previous life and it all makes sense to him so there's this passion inside of him. So sometimes his reason has to catch up with his passion because his passion is so intense, so strong. I don't know how to describe his passion but sometimes his reason has to catch up with his passion. So that's what happened.

Do we go off script most of the time? I think the original script is just the a very broad um structure to the series because the director and us the actors we kind of improvised as as the series goes on. Yeah, we didn't we didn't actually change it beforehand but we acted it. We think there is some improvement to be made, some adjustment and the next take we just adjust it accordingly. So yeah. So mostly it's all I would say improvise but it was but we didn't do it in one take.

What do I think about episode 6? I think it's going to be the most- I shouldn't say much. I'm going to spoil for you guys. I don't think I should. So yeah, I think you guys should wait for it. It's better. I think the scenes in episode 6 is, well for me personally when we shoot it, I think it's our best- I wanna say best scene but- the most romantic episode ever. I hope so. I hope so. I'm not sure. I don't even know because I haven't watched 7, 8, 9, 10.

Reset is a masterpiece. Thank you. I'm so delighted and honored. Wait until you see episode 6 because I think it's like- I think it's the best- No, I'm not going to say it. I promise myself to not say but I kind of liked it the most of all the episodes.

Pond also answered a bunch of questions about 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us which I also compiled here. Out of all the characters he's played, Wang is the character that impacted his life spiritually and taught him a lot about the world and relationships in general.

I hope you don't get too stressed. Noooooo. I'm stressful because I love doing what I do right? Isn't that right? If I don't love what I do, if I don't pay attention to it, if I don't give it time and love, why would I be stressful? It's because we have to care about our work. That's why it's stressful. But it's fun because we love it. <- (peak nadao-ism right there y'all ಥ_ಥ)

[Full 250702 Pond Ponlawit from Reset The Series TikTok Live]

[batrogers]

Often with a rapid influx of REALLY long comments, I try to give equally long comments back in reply. However, this *does* require effort so a sudden drop off or gap in replies may simply mean that the author needs a breather.

With regards to extensive analysis comments, it depends on what directions you go in. if your ideas really don't mesh with the authors (or you start speculating too much, either correctly -- possible spoilers if they answer!! -- or not) that can also make it a bit harder to reply. It doesn't make your comment "bad" but you can probably see where that would make figuring out how to answer *harder* and require a bit more time and effort to try to engage with it without spoilers or feeling rude if someone's very much gone in a direction the author didn't actually intend.

(We don't want to insult your engagement either! But sometimes analytical commenters are just wrong. How do you politely say "Neat idea! Not happening here, but glad you're having fun!"? Its hard!)

My guess would be that if the author had been replying for a while but you've been commenting frequently in rapid succession they just need a break and the replies will pick up again soon. If you really want/need replies to not worry, dialling back on analysis/speculation (eg. a few lines of it to a paragraph, vs multiple) and focusing on shorter comments would help -- but if you're okay with them taking their time, keep them long!

I reread the stream-of-consciousness comments I got *several* times before I had the energy to reply myself. Personally, I want to match the effort and energy that went into the comment out of respect to you, too! But yeah, it can take days to weeks to months for some authors to clear their inbox. The odds its something you did are quite low <3

I really really really don't know who to ask and I'm new to AO3😢😥😥 Is commenting too much awkward??? I'm socially inadept and interacting with people online gives me an overload of anxiety and recently I've found this fic and fell super deep in love with it and commented massive messages on each chapter. The author replied to me at the beginning but recently they just stopped (hi I understand it's not the author's job to reply and they're likely busy with their life too) but I can't help but be kind of worried that I somehow had put them off (because my comments sometimes involves analyzations and if I get into something too much I can be too excessive) I plead for advice is this normal???

while I can only speak for myself, I as a writer absolutely LOVE it when people give me long comments (the longer, the better lol) and, for me personally, there’s no such thing as too many comments.

love love love love these long comments, they help motivate me, especially when my readers give me deep analysis on the characters and/or their actions.

anyway, fellow writers, reblog if you love long positive comments

[mika-thexd]

I need more mics and drums but BUILDERMAN EDITION ‼️‼️

I'm eating your au up and leaving no crumbs for the others🤭 sorry not sorry

A/n: after your chance fanfic I just HAD TO PROPOSE TO U so this is my proposal to you PLEASE ASAWAHIN MO NA AKO MAHAL 💍💍 @mikkies also my personal headcanon is that he's Filipino idc if it's not canon I DO WHATEVER I WANT

Muilti Instrumentalist! Builderman

The sun was setting as the band packed their belongings together, all of them were physically tired from their performance; Noob was trying hard not to fall asleep, Elliot was stretching his arms, and Dussekar was carrying the equipment that Shedletsky couldn't carry. All of them had their arms slumped, especially Builderman.

They couldn't handle human interaction anymore and would rather drop dead on the floor than speak any longer. Heck! Even Chance; the most talkative person they know shut their mouth up.

But, it was expected of course, since it was their first time performing in a stage.

They were just gonna pack the last set of speakers when someone called out to them. "WAIT" someone shouted, they froze up and turned to look at who was shouting for their attention, the person in question was running towards them with a guitar slung over their shoulders.

Some of them held a groan— they didn't really wanna deal with anyone right now, and their tired forms were evident of that. And you knew that.

And while you were approaching them, they were silently communicating who they wanted to send to talk with you— and they all unanimously agreed that builderman was more suited for that; yes he was tired, but he was more likely to be polite talking to fans— well, limit there of.

When you finally reached them, builderman stepped up to talk to you, but before he could you held out your hand, as if to signal him to wait, and he did, while you regained your breath.

After catching your breath back you slowly stood up from your slumped position and handed your ukelele to him. He was about to protest but you cut him off before he could "I know that you don't wanna deal with fans anymore" you started. Then you looked up, finding a new found confidence and held eye contact "But I'm not here to talk"

"I'm here for you"

A beat of silence passed between you two— a really uncomfortable one that made you realize what you just said "WAIT— no no I don't mean it like that— I meant—" he chuckled at your scrambling and flustered attempt to explain yourself; the kind of chuckle that made butterflies flutter around your stomach, it was hearty, tired, and filled with warmth at the same time.

"It's okay, what do you want me to do?" He asked with a tired smile— the best smile that he could do admist his tiredness, you smiled in returned. "I just want on you guy's signatures on my guitar" you said while taking off your guitar and handing it to him.

Your guitar had a lot of stickers, paint, and laces on it, it was chaotic and aesthetically pleasing at the same time, and he couldn't help but smile unconsciously at the charm of it.

He handled it with care and carried it in his arms with gentleness that made you wonder if he thought that it was made of glass. "Are you a long time fan of ours?" He asked while holding his hand out for a pen. You gave it to him while answering his question, "yeah, how'd you know?"

He smiled and pointed at the first ever poster they released using Chance's printer— it was the same one, but smaller to fit the guitar, you flushed at the revealed fact, not expecting him to notice right away, but I guess it's noticeable when you're the one who made it. "Kinda hard not to when that's literally plastered there" he teased.

You chuckled and shook your head in embarrassment. He smiled and continued to sign your guitar.

He handed you back the guitar, you took it back graciously and gawked at the ingrained initials and at the signature— your one and only dream to be noticed by an artist was finally fulfilled, even though it was just a small band, you still held it near your chest in admiration.

You thanked him and was about to get out to not bother them further, but he stopped you by grabbing your arm gently and handed you something. You tilted your head in confusion but you stopped your tracks anyways to take it along with your pen.

There it was. His initials and his phone number.

You could barely handle your shock and stared at him dumbfounded, he smiled, "you're our first ever fan. It'd be sad not to acknowledge you, isn't it not?" He said while patting your back while you were still in shock, and he can't help but laugh a little at your expression.

"Get safe at home, okay kid?"

After that interaction, you didn't waste any time to spend time with him— with all the band members. You literally couldn't contain your excitement and admiration when you literally got noticed and got the privilege to see them perform behind the stage, and to hear their unreleased songs.

You got close to the band pretty fast; with your energetic and easy going nature, it's not that hard for you.

You always found time to spend time with them and learn about them and their other interests than make music. Yes even two time. They're actually chill and nice once you get to know about them; You found out a lot of things about them, like how Noob crashes out on horror games, how Elliot was actually a part time pizza worker, and how Builderman was actually a half Filipino.

Slowly, you found yourself as their friend than their first ever fan— and yes, they found out that you're actually their first ever fan, the fan that stuck around, the fan that refuse to give up on them.

They loved your stubbornness, your easy going nature, and you in general.

Especially Builderman.

At first, Builderman just had a fascination about you because you were literally their most loyal fan, and also friend. But slowly it turned into something more than that.

Then he noticed the littlest things about you; about how you would bag stickers to stick them on their instruments, at how you would scrunched your nose when your annoyed at something, and how you would tilt your head a little when you're curious or confused about something.

Then all of a sudden he fell, and he fell for you hard.

So hard that he made songs about you, or inspired about you— all of which were in Filipino to make it not suspicious. At how he switched your nickname specifically to "mahal" (love) instead of the usual "kid" and at how he would linger in your hugs.

Until finally, he would sometimes switch language to say something that he didn't want you to hear; like confessions, talking about how beautiful you are, and sometimes even the littlest things he noticed about you.

So you were naturally suspicious about what he was saying. So you asked Shedletsky for help, knowing he was the only one that Builderman taught bits and pieces about his language.

...

"C'mon Shedletsky" you whined as you shook him back and forth, he just smirked at you like he just successfully rage baited you. "Just tell me what he's saying"

He shook his head in response with a smile— oh he knew what builderman was saying, although just bits and pieces, it doesn't take a genius what he's saying. And who was he to ruin the surprise? To ruin the fun he had listening to him basically confess to you, while you were oblivious to it.

"Nahhh I think I'm more content not helping you thanks" he said smugly, this just annoyed you further and shook him more violently this time. "You fucking asshole"

But as fun as you were to tease, he wanted to have an ounce of guilt and give you a little bit of help. "Y'know you could just install a live translator in your phone right?" You stopped shaking him and stared at him like he held all the answers of the world. "OH MY GOSH YOU'RE RIGHT!— thanks Shed!" You joyfully shouted and bolted out, finally you had a solution.

Meanwhile Shedletsky smirked while trying to hold his laughter, "oh my god this is going to be fun"

Today, was an especially special day— well, for you atleast; because you'll finally know what your friend is saying in his language, so you planned this out strategically, and this has to work, or else you wouldn't catch a wiff of what he's saying.

You dressed up in your most simplest but also kind of cute outfit you could construct. And headed to where Builderman would usually be; his garage.

The door creeked open as you went in his garage; and there he was, tuning his electric guitar with his usual unnerving silence and concentration, at first he didn't notice you, too engrossed. But when you sat next to him, he fully turned his attention to you.

"Oh? —" he said your name in a confused tone, "what are you doing here?" He asked, you just rolled you eyes "c'mon build, y'know how I show up to houses unannounced to hang out" you said it as if it was the most natural thing in the world— and if you're them, it was.

He smiled, yeah he knew that, "yeah yeah, I know that, I just didn't expect you to hang out with me"

You shook your head "as if, you're my friend too dumbass" you said while punching his side gently as a joke, he didn't even flinch and only chuckled.

Then time seemed to stay still as you guys shared a comfortable silence; you were looking around at his room boredly, while he stared at you with those love sick eyes.

"Ang gandang-ganda mo talaga, mahal"

And god did you wish you stayed curious in that moment, you wished you didn't take Shedletsky's advice and just stayed curious, and most of all, you wished you didn't put the love translator in full blown speaker.

"You're so beautiful my love"

You snapped your attention at your phone and fumbled to reach it out your pockets, your face was burning bright red and your chest was banging against your rib cage, and you wished he didn't hear it, didn't hear the translation, didn't hear how much his words affected you.

But alas, fate had a twisted way of showing up in the wrong times.

"Oh?"

He asked confused, and even though he looked calm on the outside, his heart was racing a damn track race, his ears was turning red, and all he could think of was why does she have a translator on?

"Ah— ah heh, uhm... It's not what it sounds like I swear" you fumbled through your flusteredness, struggling to find words. And damn, if he didn't look so good, you would've chocked him.

"You have a translator installed?" He asked while scooting closer to you, his curiousness hiding his intent of making you more flustered, because damn you for making him into a mindless love consumed zombie.

"EKK!— uhm— hah! W-what no—... It's just my uhm.. Music! Yeah! Music" you said while shuffling back, you clearly saw how he was trying to get close to you, and you wished you could— you wished you could battle your flusteredness and face your fear and lean in closer to him. But no, you can't, and curse the world for making your brain to mush over this!

"Mhm, right, a weird AI voice that coincidentally played after I said something in my native language" he said with a faded smirk, all while he was getting close, and closer to you. And unfortunately, you can't back up any longer cause there's a wall behind you.

"Mahal ko, hindi mo matatago sa akin yan" he chuckled, then finally, he caged you in his arms, and all you could think off was how close he is that you could practically smell his signature, intoxicating, Cologne.

Then ping!

"My love, you can't hide that from me"

Embarrassment seeped through your skin; you could feel your body starting to sweat from your burning heat, you could feel and hear your heartbeat, and you could most definitely, hear your raging thoughts about him. And God did you wish to disappear right then and there.

Then his confident demeanor snapped when he realized that you truly did have a translator and it wasn't what you claimed to be. He smiled gently. "Finally... I can finally say my confession to you freely"

You snapped your attention to him— which, before was looking anywhere but at him, but now? He had your full attention.

"Wh— what do you mean?"

You managed to say, and he looked at you, really looked at you with those same loving eyes he has been, but today, there was no hiding from it anymore, so he showed you how much he did love you.

"Anak ng langit... alam mo ba kung gaano kalalim ang pagmamahal ko sa'yo? Nararamdaman mo ba kung paano mo ako binabago at pinapangibabawan sa bawat araw?"

This time, the translator was delayed, and you two shared a comfortable silence, none of you spoke, but you could practically hear how intimate that was. Then finally, what you dreaded and hoped for finally came though.

"oh my god, do you realize how much I truly love you? Do you realize how you affect me on a daily basis?"

He then leaned in close to your ears.

"Mahal ko, nababaliw na ako sa ka-tangahan mo, akala ko alam mo na mahal kita"

He said in a low raspy tone that you didn't even know he could do. And damn you wanted to restrain him right then and there. But you just gulped down the saliva that collected in your mouth that you didn't even know you held.

"My love, I'm going crazy at your obliviousness, I thought I already made it clear that I loved you?"

Your brain officially turned to mush, it cannot be turned back to a proper brain anymore.

A/n: I don't know what I'm doing 😀 but idc cause I was running on those Elliot gooning drug that keeps me pumping of these fuckass ideas that keeps popping up on my brain cause I'm CRAZY single ANYWAYS 😋 I hope you guys have a GOOD feast on this

[leftpoetrymoon]

Threads of love. (part 5)

Pairings: - Xavier x you (non-mc)

Genre: - Fluff, smut and more fluff!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

You can't believe what is happening right now. Last night you were sleeping your room with Kiki or you should say Xavier. But now? you were no longer in your room and what's more surprising is you were not in your world! One side of you is happy because you were in his house but another side of you wondered if you even deserve this small happiness in your wrecked life.

Maybe you are still dreaming? looking at the mirror you slapped yourself hard in hope of waking. "Ouchh! it's definitely not a dream…. wait a min does that mean i can stay with Xavier right?! Oh my! this a dream come true…. Have my prayers been finally answered?"

Grinning to yourself you look at the mirror in front of you. You looked like shit. "I should take a bath but i don't want to… why am I so lazy?" Groaning to yourself you sit on the tub and turn on the water. "Wait… I'm taking a bath in Xavier's bathroom! Oh mo… I want to die in happiness..."

You looked around your surroundings drinking each and every detail. It was more spacious than your room. Glowing fairy lights and stars on the wall it reminded you of something that you can't grasp. If you are really inside the game- but wait. Can you even call this a game anymore? especially when you are inside it?

Okay back to topic. But if you are here then MC? If you remember the details of this game, it revolves around MC who don't remember her past lives with the male leads and the story goes on. But since you are here, she must be too right?

Oh, if only you knew my dear y/n….

"Y/n? are you done?" you snapped out of your thoughts when you heard Xavier's voice behind the door. "Just 10 minutes more Xavier!" You heart got melted when you heard him laugh silently, gosh his voice his so gentle… "Okay my starlight, but don't stay long or else you'll catch cold, and I put some clothes on the bed for you, wear it alright? I'll be in the hall."

Wait a minute did he just call you, his starlight?!

After 10 minutes of your own concert at the bathroom you wrapped a towel around yourself and exited the bathroom. You flopped on the bed and looked at the ceiling. For once you felt so much peace. Peace from your daily life. You grabbed the hoodie and brought it to your nose. It had a bit of vanilla fragrance and sandalwood.

"Gosh... am i being a creep right now? y/n behave yourself!" But hey no one blames you y/n. You put the hoodie over your head and looked at the mirror. It covered you until it stopped below your thighs. If you're being honest you look like a dwarf. "Sheesh... I'm so short for someone who's 20!"

You opened the bedroom door and got blocked by a large frame. You look up and saw a flushed face, Xavier. He didn't look at you and he looked like he was in a trance. "Xavier! are you ok?! you look so red- don't tell me you got fever?!" You shook his arm in order to gain his attention and that worked perfectly.

Xavier looked down at you with wide eyes and shake his head. "No no… I'm fine starlight, you go and watch tv I'll come back after using the restroom then we'll talk alright?" He didn't wait for your answer and rushed into the bedroom and locked it.

"Is he lying? whatever I need to look at my phone." Without a second thought you go to the hall and plopped yourself on the couch and started to scroll on your phone completely unaware of what's happening inside the restroom.

Xavier can't believe his body's reaction after seeing you wearing his hoodie- I mean he didn't mean to peak to see you changing clothes- his clothes. Especially when you bent down to wear his boxers. "What am i thinking she don't remember anything yet, but fuck-" Xavier body felt like it was in heat. Maybe it's because he saw your naked body after a long time that's why he wants to worship you properly.

Xavier quickly pulled down his pants and freed his throbbing cock. The tip was red and leaking with pre-cum. This much reaction just for seeing your body? Xavier wasted no time and started to stroke himself without making noise, but he was failing miserably. That plush ass of yours that he likes to run his fingers and those lips that felt like heaven around his cock… "Fucking hell- She don't even know what I am doing right now…"

He started to stroke himself faster and let out small gasps. Sweat fell down from his forehead, but his mind was full of dirty thoughts. He remembers how you like to tease him back at Philos. Most people think he's the one who's a fox in sheep clothing, but they didn't know that you're the one who always tease this fox endlessly.

After another exploration Xavier saw you at the crowd waving at him while showing that beautiful smile of yours. He wasted no time and came to you and twirled you around. "Xavier! you came back, I missed you so much darling… I can't even sleep peacefully because you were not there…" You held his cheeks and squished it gently and pouted. Xavier laughed at your words because his starlight missed him as much, he did.

He held the back of your neck and nuzzled on your stomach while still holding you up. He suddenly threw you over his shoulders and teleported you to his chamber. He threw you on the bed and opened your legs. "You sly fox, you did this on purpose." You looked up at him innocently and batted your eyelashes. "What are you talking about Xav- ngh! s-slow down!"

Before you even finish, he inserted two fingers at your dripping core. "You're not wearing panties… were you that desperate for me starlight?" But you were too fucked out to say anything. Xavier prepped kisses on your neck while his fingers show no mercy on your dripping core. "You know starlight every time I fill this greedy pussy which is tight every time- but fuck! because of your endless teasing you make me want me to bend you and fuck you no matter where we are…"

Hearing him talking like that made your pussy clench around his fingers. You grabbed his other hand which was holding your neck and put his fingers in your mouth and swirled your tongue on it. Xavier hissed at the sight. "You really became a slut for me my starlight.. fuck, look at you… I bet you were touching yourself when I I was at the exploration right?" He started to move his fingers so deep his mind was full of wrecking you in different ways until you can't even move a muscle.

You on the other side was truly a sight to see. Your hand was gripping at his arm which was holding your neck, drool from your mouth was wetting your chest... your eyes were unfocused, too much pleasure was going through your body which was made you unable to answer his question. "X-Xavier! I missed you s-so much! Don't leave me-e alone again!" You started to cry from the pleasure and him.

Xavier eyes become gentle because of your sudden confession. He knew how much you missed him, because you always cling on him like he'll vanish. And he's the only person you trust. He captured your mouth with his lips gently despite the harsh treatment his fingers were giving you. He slowly moved his lips against yours and caressed your cheeks.

He pulled away and looked at your eyes, the eyes that made you fell deep for him every time. "Xavier- move faster…" Fuck. Do you even the realize the words coming from your lips? Xavier eyes turn feral and gave a gentle squeeze on your throat. "The things you make me do… you really became a brat y/n, look at you you're moving your hips faster on my fingers. I really made your body to be so responsful to me."

He lay flat on his stomach and started to kiss your inner thighs while looking at you. He sucked every spot despite where you need him the most. Tears of frustration wells up in your eyes and you looked down at him with a pout. "Xavier! Why are you like this?" He chuckled at your word and finally cave in.

His mouth latched on your clit and started to eat you out like you were his last meal. The little gasps and soft moans came from your mouth sent pleasure straight to his cock. "Fuck, Xavier! d-don't stop-p-ah!…. fuck, fuck, fuck!" He licked a long stripe up to your clit and inserted his tongue with brutal force that made your mind fog with pleasure. He swirled his tongue into your clit and grazed his teeth slightly.

He threw your legs over his shoulders and completely buried his face into your clit. He grabbed your boobs with both of his hands and pinched your nipples. Your eyes were blurry with the tears that he was giving you, drool were coming out of your mouth from the overstimulation you were receiving from him. Your hands gripped his tightly to gain some sense, but fuck. The minute he felt his hair being held tightly by your hands his eyes rolled back and let out a loud moan.

His hands gripped your thighs and buried his face so deep and ate you out with so much intensity. "Ngh! X-Xavier, I'm going t-to cum! -" Before you finished your sentence your juices exploded into his mouth, and he didn't waste drop. Xavier crawled to you and held your cheeks, and that's when you realized- "Mind squirting again? this time here…" He held your hand and placed it on his chest and slowly until you reach his bulge. "Be a good girl and let me take care of you…"

Oh, how he wishes to see you trembling underneath him again... His hand started to move up and down fast wishing it was your pussy. "Fuckk! y/n… y-you feel too good..." He threw his head back and started to stroke faster. His gaze went to the bathroom and thinking of using your clothes and he wasted no time on it.

He opened the bathroom door and saw your dirty clothes on the box, he grabbed your panties and sat on the bed again. He brings your pantie to his nose and smelled on it and groaned softly. His hands started to move so fast, and he can feel himself getting close. He moaned into your panties and came on his hands and still kept his nose there.

"FUCK."

"Oh Xavier! you finally came!" You looked up at him and saw him emerging from the room with a flushed face. You excitedly patted the sofa, and he sat beside you. Now only you noticed how big he is, his large hands and legs…. 'Why am i so dirty minded?!' Clearing your throat, you took a deep breath and looked up at him. "How Xavier? How did you find me and how did I end up here?

Xavier doesn't seem to know where to start. Should he start from the scratch? But will you forgive him for ignoring you? for breaking your heart? for being blind? for making you vanish from this world with a broken heart? will you still love him when you found out that you deliberately cut the thread to forget him? He looked at your hand and saw the red thread shining brightly.

"Xavier?" He looked down at you and gently held your hands. "I'm scared that if you get to know the truth, you'll try to leave me again…. I can't bear that starlight, I tried so to have you in my arms again…." The vulnerability in his voice made your heart clench tightly, you can feel the amount of sadness coming from his voice. You squeezed his hands and placed it on both of your cheeks and nuzzled in it.

Xavier's heart started to flutter by your actions, he knew how touchy you were with him no matter where you are. You looked at him and touched his cheek. "Alright, you don't have to tell me now. You can tell me later, when you feel like. But just so you know no matter what I did in the past was in for your happiness. This time I won't leave again…."

How can you say like this when you don't remember the memories you had with him? Xavier pulled you into his lap and hugged you tightly. You buried your face into his chest and caressed his hair. You can feel him slowly getting relax by your touch. "I promise this time, no matter what happens I won't forget you again. I'll give you all the happiness until the end of time... This is my promise to you…"

"Xavier! can you buy that chocolate cake too?!" Both of you were at the supermarket and buying groceries because his fridge was basically empty. The sun was slowly setting but people were busy on the streets of Linkon, who would have knew that you end up here? "Alright darling... we'll buy that too."

Xavier can't help but keep looking at your hands that was holding his tightly. It took him so long to find you after seeing you in his phone. He spent so many sleepless nights to go to your world, hell he even took a holiday vacation to search you. Xavier still didn't tell you that he can turn into a cat. When he entered your world as a cat or you should say Kiki, since he was an outsider, he gained this ability.

Maybe he should turn into a cat again, because when you were taking a bath, he would be preached on the sink, and at night? It was his favorite time because his head would be always between your chest. Xavier snapped out of his thoughts when you tug on his sleeve to gain his attention. "Xavier, look it's the arcade!"

Before even he answers question, you were already dragging him inside the arcade. "It's not a dream... she's really here…." You looked at the claw machine Infront of you and looked at Xavier. It was a bun bun plushy which was your favorite. You know Xavier's skills at claw machine, moreover you really want to try the real thing with your own hands. "I'll get it for you-", "No. I want to try it. Just sit back and watch my skills, ok?"

"Alright…."

Not even five minutes had passed, you won five plushies in a blink of an eye. All the people in the arcade were looking at you, watching how easily you won the plushies. You noticed this and smirked. 'Yes, yes, look at me all you want, I've literally spent all of my time in the arcade.' Even the owner was shocked by your skills. You can hear his thoughts very clearly. Xavier was the cheerleader. All the kids surrounding you two was looking at you with awe.

"Look Xavier! I got all of the plushies!" You jumped on him and hugged him tightly. Xavier quickly cached you and twirled you around. "You did so good my starlight..." The small things you do every day only made him fell for you more.

"Today was sooo fun Xavier! Let's go to the arcade again when you have time!" You looked at Xavier who was sitting at the balcony beside you. "Sure starlight. Anytime I'll always be available." You giggled at his words and looked at the sky, the sky was full stars. "It feels like a dream Xavier, one minute I was at my home all alone and the next minute I'm here with you… I really don't want this dream to end..."

He looked at you and held your cheeks and caressed it softly. "I can assure you it's not a dream... you don't know how many nights I've dreamed of holding you I promise I'll tell you everything at the right time…"

"That I'm your soulmate?"

Taglist:- @jihae222@lunia-likes-pomegranet@an-ever-angry-bi@koojunweh@brailsthesmolgurl@nezuswritingdesk@umiwu@silverianni@sylusgirlie7@llamabois@hihe @celestesylus @browneyedgirl22@sabage101@ourgoddessathena@poptrim@satansthiccasscheeksreblogacc@blaire123@zeynatura@soobinloveclub@akiralimeheart@vspxriddles@justpassingdontworry@eialovescats@crazygirl3001@bri3423@alyssac9@chocochip-gaia@needsumcomfypillowstosleep@floofycookie@plzdonutpercieveme@mentaltrouble2201@micasosa34@paper--angel@eolivy @satansdaugther123 @mentaltrouble2201

[edwardhartenjoyer]

A New Side Of You

A few months into your time at Darkwick, a new ghoul was announced as arriving. An assembly was held to place the new ghoul, and you went, curious who this new person was that you'd have to get to know.

To your surprise, you already knew him! It was your childhood best friend, and while very shocked to know he'd made a pact with a demon, you were also so excited to see him.

You screamed in delight and went running up to him. He grinned and pulled you into a massive hug. While not everyone was at the assembly, enough ghouls were that word spread fast.

Soon, your resident favorite ghoul finds out you know this new guy and are super close with him. Whatever, it totally doesn't bother him...right?

Featuring: Ren | Taiga | Jiro

Ren Shiranami - Ren glared daggers down at his phone screen, not daring to look up and direct his gaze at the person his glare was really for.

Why'd you have to bring that guy in here anyways?

You had come to the Mystery Diner with your childhood friend, wanting to catch up with him and chat. Though in Ren's opinion you were far too close and clingy to the guy.

You were practically draped all over him, and it made Ren sick. He pointedly ignored the fact that it was jealousy eating him up inside, instead choosing to believe it was disgust at such open affection.

I mean, you'd hung out with Ren plenty of times, even spent late nights on his bed watching movies, and every time, you'd always been so careful to not even accidently brush up against him. So why were you suddenly so clingy, especially with this guy??

Whatever, he didn't care. And if he scooched closer to you, letting your shoulders touch the next time you two watched movies, well then no he didn't okay!

Taiga Hoshibami - If this was the game you wanted to play, then two could play at this game Kitty Cat.

Taiga watched through narrowed eyes as you held onto the arm of your childhood friend as the two of you made your way through the casino.

You likely hadn't spotted the Sinostra captain, but he'd certainly spotted you. He didn't know why the two of you were there, but he did know that he hated the look of you hanging off that other guy.

If you wanted someone to cling to, he would have happily provided you his lap to sit in Kitty.

He stood up from the table, leaving it mid game. Whatever, not like he needed that money anyway. He'd been winning tables all day.

"Kitty Cat~" he purred, approaching the two of you, "The fuck you hanging off this guy for?"

"Kitty cat?" You friend laughed."That's a stupid nickname."

Taiga's eye twitched, and before he could even move for his gun you moved to stand between him and your friend.

"Taiga, no!" You pleaded. Taiga moved and grabbed you, throwing you over his shoulder before any of you could react.

"Hey! Dude, let MC go!" You friend exclaimed, making Taiga growl low.

"Shut the fuck up before I put a bullet in you."

"He won't hurt me, just, I'll see you later." You consoled your friend, who relented as Taiga walked off with you.

"Wanna explain?" You asked Taiga.

"Gonna teach you that you should only be hanging off me like that Kitty Cat." Taiga huffed. Oh, you weren't sure what to make of that, but you knew you had a long day ahead of you.

Jiro Kirisaki - Jiro wasn't quite sure what to make of this as he observed you with this new student.

Normally, you were quite and soft-spoken, but now, now you were loud and outgoing as you laughed and joked with your friend.

He wasn't sure why, but something in him hurt to see you like that when you hadn't been like that anytime you were with him. He'd thought the two of you were close, you often visiting the lab just to "make sure he was taking care of himself." It was puzzling then, why he'd never seen this side of you before, and why it hurt so much to see.

"Yuri, what's the emotion when you don't like seeing how somebody behaves with someone else?" Jiro asked later, as he and the doctor worked in the lab.

Yuri glanced over at him. "Would this be about our assistant and how she is spending more time around that new delinquent? Ruining her intellect is what it is, neglecting her duties here!" He huffed.

"What's that emotion?" Jiro pressed again.

"Jealousy." Yuri explained before his face grew red at the implication. "Meaning you likely have feelings for MC...Jiro don't you let this distract you from your work!"

Jealousy. Strange. Jiro quietly pondered on this as he worked. Perhaps the cure to this would be to get even closer to you so that you could be outgoing with him too.

Yes, that's what he'd do. He sent you a text telling you the time he'd come around to see you the next day. He'd just work harder at understanding you and getting closer to you, so you'd be comfortable with him. Then he wouldn't feel this burning pain of jealousy anymore.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tag list: @cloudcountry @ventisimpilysm

Wanna be added or removed? Let me know!

[howdidigethereimlost]

@forsakencomicunofficial

Hey I wrote a mini oneshot fanfic for this, it's more comedic than angsty though at this point. There's somewhat light gore, pretty much just blood though.

The sun had almost risen, blood littering the grass and stone of the cave alike. 1x1x1x1 stood there, blood on her sword already cooling and drying to a red crust that he knew he'd have to clean later.

One left. Shedletsky. His father. The man who had raised them, had abandoned them. She hated him. Hated Shedletsky. Unfortunately, he was also the best swordsman in the land, a god among men. Shedletsky had created a world for the sole purpose of swordfighting, and he'd seen him still with his classic sword. This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

He tore his own eye out, looking with the newfound glow to the figure hiding, crouched beside a generator in the cave. Who looked up and saw his own child's gaze, stumbling to his feet and drawing his sword.

1x1x1x1 stalked forwards at first, casting necromancy as she walked, watching in the distance as a minion chased Shedletsky out of the save, right into their field of vision.

She threw her swords, looking up to see... Shedletsky get hit. But this was a one off, right? He wasn't fast enough to dodge. That hadn't ever happened before. Shedletsky always dodged. His father always dodged. He only ever got hit when he was cocky, and he didn't look cocky, he looked terrified as he saw 1x1x1x1 start sprinting, albeit not as quickly as Shedletsky started to run. Turning and barely avoiding the minion. 1x1x1x1 ran to the opposite side of the cave, cutting him off.

Shedletsky raised his sword, pausing in place as he did, like it was too heavy to lift and swing normally. 1x1x1x1 casually took a step back, and the blade missed him.

He stared at his father for a few seconds, then at the sword hanging by his side. He wasn't swinging it. He looked back up at 1x1x1x1, blinking.

"...so. Whaddya say you,"

He paused to take a frantic breath.

"- let your old man go..? Just this once, kiddo? I uh... I don't really have the same uh, spark, that I used to at this kind of thing..."

Shedletsky didn't swing again. 1x1x1x1 paused, before laughing, a laugh that grew manic, like she truly found this funny, funny and pathetic.

1x1x1x1 finally caught their breath,

"So you really-?"

"No."

1x1x1x1 swung again, cleaving across Shedletsky's chest, who stumbled backwards, holding a hand over to try to frantically stem the bleeding.

"So, god."

She hissed, voice dripping with venom.

"You want to play the pity card? I know better than that. I wanted a fair fight. Go on. Swing."

Shedletsky chuckled nervously, lifting the hand that wasn't currently trying to keep him from bleeding out to scratch at the back of his neck dramatically.

"I... Can't."

"...can't..?"

1x1x1x1 paused. Actually looking back at Shedletsky. He looked like shit. He was literally barefoot? He didn't have his cloak, just the one sword, and looked like he'd given up on life entirely.

"Yes you can."

Shedletsky looked back up, swaying a bit from the now severe blood loss that was only starting to finally slow now.

"...heh, nope. Can't. Spectre won't let me."

He tried lifting his sword to demonstrate. It wouldn't budge. Like it were suddenly made of lead. He barely managed to get it back into it's sheath, let alone lift it again.

"How long until you can again."

1x1x1x1 snapped back, impatient, and only now realizing that this really meant nothing to her if he were helpless.

"...thirty seconds?"

"You... You're helpless. Truly, helpless. There isn't a chance that's the only thing you can do."

This couldn't be happening. All these years of being lost, and now, finally given the chance to make his creator suffer, all of the fun in the act was gone. Sapped by the entity she was hoping was on her side for once.

"...uh. They also let me carry two fried chicken drumsticks into the match?"

...

"I mean, I don't get a bucket or anything, or a plate, I just carry them in my pockets, but... Uh, it's something. Right?"

There was no fun in killing Shedletsky anymore, no fun in finally making him suffer. He was weak. This wasn't fair. Where's the pride in defeating a god when the god has been stripped of even the most basic means of self defense?

He looked up at Shedletsky. Noting that the blood had finally stopped. And watched him, intently, as he went for his pocket, pulling out, as he'd claimed to have, a fucking drumstick. And eating it right there. Like it was going to do anything.

"You, just... You really don't have anything else?"

"...no."

FORSAKEN - MINI COMIC 2 - THE PROMISE

After a while, finally a new mini comic! hope you like it! :D

[starboye]

risky messages

you were the new hot thing on base, a young, attractive new recruit that got put with the one and only captain price as your new trainer and god did price take notice to your amazing body, the way it always looked like you body was calling for him just had him distracted all the time

which made it even harder to train you when all he could think about was bending you over this weight rack and marking up every part of you while keep ing you quiet with his tongue in your mouth, but he couldn't, i mean he was your captain and he was way to old for you, like a large age gap kinda old

but you didn't care about it, just shamelessly flirting your way around him, soon you even got his number, ot took him a little to figure put all the words you were saying but once he got a hold of it it was just to much for him, you sending him pictures of you after a workout where you're just a sweaty mess that he wants to have his own workout with

"you like the progress" the text said under the photo, he could just feel his cock jump in his pants at the thought of him fucking you in the gym while trying to stay hidden "fuckin' hell" he muttered to himself "you're really trying to get me in trouble" he texts you making you chuckle a bit "not their problem if they dont know" you type back and price has to put down his phone to keep himself grom texting something to risky

or when you'd send him 'accidental' pictures of you in bed, nothing but some underwear on that he always imagined taking off you with his teeth "oh shit sorry captain i meant to send that to someone else" you'd fake apologize "it's okay rookie just make sure you're more careful next time" he struggles to type back, he really wanted to invite you over to his room to fuck the night away but he still held back

but it was one day price and the team were running laps and he looked like he was getting a little tired, leaning down to take a breather just for you to stop next to him "what, old man price cant keep up with the rookies now" you tease him and that just gave him the lovely idea, taking you off to the bathroom and locking the door behind him, pressing you onto the wall and slipping his and yours pants down

wetting his tip to slip into you, you could feel it bulging in your stomach "mmmm fuck captain do you fuck often or are you a little rusty" you taunt even more making price slam his cock into you even harder, wrapping his arm around your neck, squeezing his bicep to trap you "say some more smart shit rookie, i dare you" he laughs at your moaning that anyone walking by would probably hear

"no... sir" you choke out, and price was a little happy to finally be fucking you after all those nights you teased him, sending those pictures of your ass and beautiful body to him, all those long nights of him fucking into his fist while imagining it was your hole instead, the real thing felt so much better though, the way you clenched around him everytime he dared to pull out

"desperate little slut huh, cock hungry and all" hos beard tickles the side of your neck as he whispers in your ear, just as things start to rise someone knocks on the door "why's the door locked" some soldier outside says "a little busy in here go use the bathroom somewhere else" price bellows from behind the door "whatever" the soldier complains walking off

looking back at you, a panic look all over your face "what, scared you're gonna get caught drooling all over the cock of your captain" price lays a couple hard smacks on your ass making you whimper and whine out but price silences by shoving his fingers into your lolling open mouth, you drooling all over his thick calloused fingers just made him even harder

and it wasn't a surprise when you came all over the bathroom wall with a muffles moan "cumming without even touching your dick wow, thats a new one for me" he laughs at the feeling of your weak legs shaking "fuck im gonna fill this tight ass up" price grunts slamming into you a little more before abruptly pulling out and cumming all over your ass

you whine at the feeling of not being full pf his cum but are shut up when he grabs your face to turn you towards him "you can get your reward tonight" he kisses you one more time before pulling his pants back up and walking towards the door "now hop too, i wanna see you back out there in five minutes" he adjusts his pants one more time before walking out the door

xoxo, starboye💋

taglist: @mailmango @boypied @ghostking4m @gayaristocrat @addictedtomalepits @staarb0y @crispysoup318 @its-ares @gargoylesworld09 @znerac @r0mcom-8ngel @bbibbiiu @tqrgaryenfilms

[cherry-romper]

Reunited - Reiner Braun

Guys...icl i was giggling as I wrote this. Im back in my AOT era and it is STRONG. Word count; 4348 Warnings; none Contains; F!reader, yearning, pining, longing, confession in the rain, hungry kiss, god i need him

She never meant for it to go so far; after all, it was only a crush.

Was.

And now she found herself—of all places—adrift upon a sea she couldn't name, in a vessel so modest, so laughably unworthy of her ambitions, that she might have smiled at her own absurdity, were she not so deeply and terribly in earnest.

She didn’t know how to sail. Didn’t know the stars or the winds or how long she had until everything collapsed beneath her. But she had to go. She had to get to him; somehow, someway, she had to see him again. But this time, it was on her own terms.

She knew if they caught her, they would break her down, piece by piece, and not quickly. No, they’d keep her breathing far longer than what is merciful. And when they were done, she’d disappear without a trace, fed to something that doesn’t ask questions. No one would know where to look for her stain. 

And yet, she hoped. Much like many people who are in love, she allowed herself to believe—most irrationally—that he might protect her. That he, above all others, would not permit such a fate to befall her. That, even if he didn't love her back, not in the way she loved him, even if she’d made this trip across the ocean like Charon himself was taking her across the river Styx, he would at least care enough to help. To save her, if only as a friend.

It was silly, really. 

She’d fallen for a man who had betrayed her. The same man who’d set a thousand tragedies into motion. The deaths, the disappearances, the silence that now encroached on her conscience—all of it led back to him. But her heart never wavered. 

Of course it hurt—to leave behind the few she had left, to disappear into a journey with no map. However, she held a deep conviction that couldn’t be learnt or articulated, that it would all be worth it.

Him. He. To her, a god. 

She loved him. Foolishly. Irrevocably. Most Ardently. With a devotion that defied good sense and a constancy that neither betrayal nor bloodshed could erode. 

He was everything to her. Flawed and powerful and painfully human.

And so, as she slipped quietly ashore under the cover of night—on land that would have her slain without trial—she did not tremble. No, her thoughts were steady, her intentions clear: she would find him. She would love him still, not merely for his virtues, but for all that he was. His sorrow. His strength. His cruelty. His laughter. His deceptions and his truths alike. She wanted it all. Every piece of him, so perfectly moulded into the man of her dreams, she needed it. 

Oh, to be loved by him!

To be seen by him. To be held by him.

These were the thoughts that filled her as she crept, silent and unseen, through a land both unfamiliar and dangerous. She did not know his exact whereabouts, nor did she possess any reliable means of discovery. Yet she believed—knew, even—that he was a man of significance. A warrior, as he had once claimed. So she turned her gaze toward the largest buildings, those that bore the air of consequence, seeking some trace, some sign.

As the stars above were obscured by low clouds, whispers of an impending storm hung ominously in the atmosphere. Salt and tension clung to her throat as she inched through the shadows, her steps careful upon the uneven cobblestones of a town that did not yet know her name—God willing, it never would. She moved swiftly, skirting the periphery of lamplight, eyes scanning every edifice for signs of military importance, for guards, banners, or insignias. 

It only truly occurred to her—once the ocean’s breath had faded into a distant hush—that she was, in fact, trespassing. She walked foreign ground, alone, unwelcome, and under threat. 

There she was, creeping through shadows like a common thief. But soon she realised such behaviour would draw attention, and, in a land built upon suspicion, attention was fatal. She had learnt, through observation of her paramour’s seamless assimilation, that the surest method of concealment was not disguise but conviction. After all, the wolf does not fear the shepherd if it walks like a dog.

And so, she moved as one who belonged. Tall. Steady. Even proud—almost excessively so. Her chin lifted and her stride assured, as though she had every right to be precisely where she was. As though the streets were her inheritance, and the stars above had been placed solely to light her way.

The people here did not know her face, nor would they suspect her blood. It ran as warm and as red as theirs, and though secrets nested in her bones, they bore no mark upon the skin. Even if they were to open her every vein, they would find nothing amiss—no sigil, no omen, no betrayal of origin.

In fact, she nearly turned toward the nearest guard, a tall man idling beneath a hanging lantern, his posture one of bored authority. She could have approached him—would have—to ask him for directions, had her nerves not prickled faintly at the nape of her neck. An old instinct, sharper than reason, one she trusted more than anything. Don’t.

Still, it was not fear that made her pause. It was strategy.

For she had not come all this way to cower in alleys or flee at shadows. She had crossed the sea and her friends alike for one purpose alone: to find him. And she would. By wit or by will. She would find him.

A building loomed ahead—smaller than one might expect to catch the eye, yet it drew her in all the same. Its dark brick stood in stark contrast to the pale, off-white exteriors that lined the rest of the street. Narrow windows—ones far too narrow than seemed fair—flickered faintly in the dying glow of lantern light. The place bore a distinct resemblance to the prisons back home, a resemblance only strengthened by the tall, wire-laced fence that made the whole thing seem like an enclosure.

She recalled a time when he had disclosed to her how he was treated here, how he’d mentioned that he was of importance but was still marred by bad blood. He had informed her that although he was revered, he was still rejected by the locals. He’d babbled on and on about how he must prove himself, prove his blood, so that his mother might be free. Apparently—much like she was back home—his mother was also caged; segregated from the rest of the world over the blood that flowed through them.

Absurd. 

In all her years, she had never truly felt a sense of belonging—forever small in her triumphs, diminished in every effort, her accomplishments quietly eclipsed by those around her. It was only with the Scouts that she had, at last, begun to glimpse a place for herself—full of purpose, camaraderie, even pride. And yet, she had forsaken it all, casting aside the only certainty she had ever known for what now seemed a pitiful, reckless pursuit of love. 

She stared the building down, yet it seemed, in its grave and unyielding stillness, to stare back. Slowly and deliberately, a chill crept over her skin, as if the air around her had conspired to warn her heart. This was it—the building she had been looking for. As if the sensation of dread travelling down her spine wasn't confirmation enough, to the side of a lamppost was a sign that read: Warrior Barracks. 

She drew in a breath. This is what she came for. At last—after all the endless nights, the unanswered prayers, and the perilous crossing—she might see him again. He was here. Finally, she could see him and hold him and love him. 

No. 

The very thought echoed through her like a bell jolting her awake. She was, most foolishly, indulging in dreams not yet spoken. She didn't even know if he held her in the same regard. Did his heart stir in her absence? Or did it beat now for another? The possibility that his affections had never aligned with her own made her heart run dry with aches. She hadn't even really considered it. And now that the thought had formed, it would not be banished.

The heart she wore so boldly on her sleeve only moments ago now reeled back as though slapped out of her hands. She felt hollow. What if this had all been for nothing—the journey, the betrayal, the sacrifice? It can't have been for nought; surely he felt something for her. 

The way he looked at her back on the island, constantly sneaking glances, blushing when she was near, putting himself in harm's way to be sure none would fall upon her. He’d put his life on the line for her and, by extension, his mother’s too. Such things are not done without feeling…are they?

Her hand rose of its own accord and brushed her cheek. It was damp, yet she was not crying. She looked up to the sky, and only then did she feel it—a delicate kiss of rain. A single droplet clung to her brow, then slid down the curve of her jaw. Heaven's grief brings Hell’s rain, as they say. The rain did not fall in buckets or waves but fell with a hush, as if it, too, held its breath for what might come next.

She clung to the wired fence of his enclosure. Her heart ached in her chest at the realisation that, despite the time they had been apart, he was being treated like a beast, confined and imprisoned not for what he had done but for what he was. Such a man—so beautiful, so majestic—should never be locked away. He should roam as free as a deer, eating and drinking as he pleases, all with her by his side. 

She looked inwards, towards the narrow windows of the dark-bricked building, and saw a shadow darting from view. Had someone been watching her? Could it have been him? Her chest skipped a beat at the thought. 

Though he was locked behind this fence, all she could see was her freedom, her future—hers and his entwined. A new beginning. One where they might exist not as predator and prey, not as traitors or in exile, but as companions.

A new beginning steeped in devotion.

Oh, how she longed for that life!

The fence offered no passage; she couldn’t even spy a gate along its periphery. Somewhere beyond this wall, he existed. God, how sick she was of walls. 

She skirted along the border, her fingertips feathering over the chain link until a break appeared in the fence, barely wider than a child's shoulder. It was little more than a fold in the structure—perhaps born from the wind or some kind of struggle. Whatever had caused it, it was enough—an opportunity—for her to slip in. She looked around but could see no guards; the only one close enough to have spied her seemed worlds away, taken entirely by dormancy.

She moved quick, using the many gruelling years of training to her advantage so she might slip through the gap unseen. She pried back the wire of the fence with a thwack. The noise startled her, but it had not been loud enough to rouse the guard. The rain, while fine, made it hard to grip the cold metal and was beginning to obscure her vision. The aperture seemed large enough for her to squeeze through, yet small enough not to attract attention in the morning. 

With a struggle, she pushed herself through, wrestling with the hem of her dress as it snagged on a sharp edge. She pulled and pulled, but the material did not budge. Then, a sound most horrific. Footsteps. There were many—four, maybe five pairs—their boots sloshing around against the wet concrete. If she were to be found in such a compromising position… the things they might do to her. 

Her heart pounding, she quickened her pace, tugging at the now sodden fabric, willing it free. Mere moments ago she had held her head high as though she belonged on these shores. But now—here—compelled by her illicit desire to thrust herself into his embrace, she was trespassing in the highest degree. 

No matter how hard she pulled, the fabric wouldn’t budge. The sound of boots—heavy with the weight of death—drew closer with every step. Then—a hand on her back. A flash of steel. The hem was cut free.

She hadn’t even processed what had happened before a hand seized hers, yanking her into the alley—just in time to vanish from the patrol’s line of sight. 

The force of it stole her breath, and her legs gave out beneath her, but she did not fall. Hands held her. 

His hands. 

She was momentarily frozen, her eyes unable to meet his. Those hands she’d spent so many years dreaming about, so many years yearning for, now gripped her arms tightly. 

Oh, how she wished they would never let go!

He was bigger than she remembered. Yes, they had been parted for nearly three years, but in that time, he had built muscle—broad shoulders and thick arms that strained against the fabric of his shirt.

Her gaze trembled, tracing every crease of the unironed cloth that hung unbuttoned at the collar, slightly untucked at the waist. His boots were untied, carelessly thrown on as if he’d left in a hurry.

Then, a rush of warmth. A veil wrapped around her shoulders. His coat. His scent still clung to the collar, faint but familiar, and so achingly close.

“Don’t move.” His words dripped from his tongue like honey. 

She did as he commanded, not out of respect for his authority, but because she could do nothing else. She was frozen stiff. An agonising mix of fear, relief and endearment surged through her veins. 

He stepped closer, the space between them disappearing. She could hear his breath hitching in his throat, his gaze fixed on her, his hands tightening their grip as though ensuring she were real. 

“You shouldn’t be here,” he whispered. There were layers to his voice. Anger, disbelief, solace, adoration. The soft ache of someone who’d forgotten how to dream.

Her voice came out as a strangled string of nonsense, unable to vocalise all the things she’d been planning to say. 

I miss you.

I need you.

I love you.

He shushed her, bringing his fingers up to her chin, lifting it up so he might look into her eyes. A silence bloomed between them, thick with everything unsaid. His gaze searched hers, and for a fleeting second, she saw it: the same longing that lived in her, tucked away behind the years and distance and all the things they’d become without each other.

“I thought I’d lost you,” he murmured.

You could never lose me, she thought.

She wanted to speak, but her words betrayed her; she was lost in his eyes, his face, his hair. She’d missed him. She’d missed him so dearly. 

He was handsome before—undeniably so—but now, with the weight of years and separation, he looked otherworldly. The light from the lantern was the only thing illuminating his face; it bounced off the sharp angles of his cheeks and chin—casting shadows that made him seem sculpted from marble. 

His hair hadn’t changed much. Still longer on the top than at the back and with the same golden hue as before, only now it made his skin appear even paler. She couldn't tell if the light was playing tricks or if he was truly unwell. Not the kind of unwell that came with fever or cold—but the kind that came from within, like something had kept him from sleeping. 

And his eyes. 

They looked the same. Golden, yet sunken and hollow and depressed. His brow was furrowed, and though she doubted that, even if he were to relax his face, the creases would go away. He looked perpetually stressed. 

Her gaze lowered to his nose; as trivial as it might have been to notice, it seemed a little crooked, like he had broken it during their time apart. And his lips. She couldn't take her eyes off them. The last time she’d looked at him, he was smooth-faced and clean-shaven. But now surrounding his lips was stubble, rough and rugged, as though he’d forgotten to take care of himself.

She wondered if he could hear her heart, pounding frantically in the quiet between them. So many nights she’d imagined this reunion, rehearsed what she would say—accusations, apologies, explanations—but now that he was in front of her, all of it dissolved.

Instead, she stood there, wrapped in his coat, staring at the ghost of the boy she once loved and the man he had become.

He cleared his throat. He looked down for a moment, as if grounding himself, then slowly met her eyes.

“You’re shaking,” he said, almost more to himself than to her.

Only then did she notice the tremor in her fingers, curled tightly around the lapels of his coat. She didn’t know if it was the cold or the fear or him—the impossibility of him standing there.

He stepped closer. She didn’t move.

“I waited,” he mumbled, and the ache in his voice was sharper than anything she’d prepared herself for.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Reiner…” she whispered. His eyes widened at the sound of his name passing through her lips, like the very word had breathed life back into him. 

Then, a pause. 

The rain fell gently around them, barely more than a mist, but it clung to their clothes and hair and to the silence that stretched and stretched. 

He reached out, shaky, and brushed a damp strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered longer than they should have, trembling just slightly. He cradled her face, taking in every part of her, as though he were seeing her again for the first time.

“You look as beautiful as the day we parted,” he said.

She smiled, a small chuckle escaping her lips. “You don’t.”

But she didn’t mean it unkindly. He had changed—so had she—but something underneath all of it still remembered, still recognised, still loved.

He smiled back, dropping his head slightly, laughing under his breath at her words. 

“I haven’t been myself lately… I've had a lot on my mind.” 

His eyes flickered with a shadow she didn’t dare ask about, but the weight in his gaze said enough. The man before her was not the carefree boy she had once known.

Staring him down, her body swelled with emotions, but one prevailed above the others. Once the quiet laughter between the two of them subsided, she let out, no louder than a whisper, “You left me.”

He felt as though she’d taken an axe right to his chest. 

More silence followed before she repeated her previous statement, “You left me, Reiner Braun.”

All he could do was nod. The weight of his actions pulling at his heart. “I know,” he breathed.

“No. No, you don’t know!” Her voice raised slightly, as though sobering up from the overwhelming embrace of love. She pushed away from him, still clinging to his coat. 

The rain continued its quiet fall around them, the world holding its breath along with them—two souls torn between love and loss, each carrying wounds the other could barely begin to understand.

“You don't know what it was like watching you leave. You betrayed me, Reiner.” 

There was a thunder to her words, and they sent a bolt right through him. He dropped his gaze, his knees weakening beneath his own heaviness. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, knowing nothing he could say in that moment might take away her pain. 

She shook her head. Inside, she felt a wave of disbelief wash over her, like the memories and aches she’d suffered through didn't belong to her. She felt, despite the undeniable truth of their existence, that she had not experienced such things. Her mind, in that moment, could not comprehend the weight of her own life, nor the one that stood before her. So indubitably real and so painfully intertwined. 

He paused, his eyes stinging with emotions. He wanted to apologise, take it all back, and show her that she meant the world to him. That despite her absence, his heart had only grown fonder. That, with every agonising moment of their distance, he thought of her morning, noon, and night. But he knew that those words wouldn't be enough, for his actions deceived them.

She was right.

He had left her there on that island. Most discourteously. 

And he feared, with every fibre of his being, that he could never repair the damage he had caused. 

“You left me…” Her voice came again, soft, hesitant. “But I don’t care.”

He looked up at her words, taken aback by their zeal. 

His brow furrowed even more than what she thought possible, as he stuttered out noises of confusion. 

“I don't care. I don't care! You're here now, and that's all I could care about. You. You with me…” 

She fumbled at the material of his shirt, gripping it tightly as though he might fade into dust at any moment. She looked up to him, meeting his glazed eyes, and she laughed. 

She smiled, shaking her head vigorously. “I don't care, Reiner; I just want to be with you. I am a fool for you.”

He couldn't speak; he couldn't breathe. He only watched as she rambled on, her words spilling out of her like a fountain of truth. 

“All this time, I tried to hate you,” her eyes glassed over with honesty. “You didn’t die; you didn’t disappear into thin air—you chose to walk away. And I waited. I waited like a fool. I woke up every morning hoping, praying, you’d come back, that this was all some mistake, and that I’d turn a corner and find you there. That I’d see you in the mess hall, or in the training ground, or in the courtyards. But you were never there. I held on to scraps of you: the way you said my name, the stupid way you tied your boots, and your incessant drive to always improve yourself. I hated you for it. I hated how much I still needed you, even when every part of me screamed not to. I built my life around your absence. I mourned you like you were dead. And I don’t know what’s worse—that you left me, or that some pathetic part of me still wants you.

God, I wanted to hate you! But I couldn’t. I wanted to hate you because it was easier than missing you. Because if I missed you, I had to remember what it felt like to lose you. And it gutted me, Reiner. It still does. I couldn’t breathe without wondering where you were, if you were safe, and if you ever thought of me. I screamed into pillows at night, pretending I was done with you, but it never stuck. I tried to forget you, but I just couldn’t. You’re a part of me. And I’ve hated myself for…for loving you. I do, Reiner; I really do. After everything, after all the silence and pain and years lost between us—I love you, with all my heart.” 

She sucked in a breath, like the words that had left her had taken a part of her soul with them. Her eyes widened with the realisation of what she’d said. Despite all the planning and scheming for what she might say to him when they finally met, she didn't expect the words to fall out of her like a woman possessed. 

She stared at him, and he stared back. Their eyes caught in the light. For a long moment, they said nothing.  The rain continued its soft patter on the rooftops above, dripping steadily onto the cobblestones like the seconds slipping between them. Her chest rose and fell in uneven waves, her heart pounding, terrified of what his silence might mean.

Slowly, like approaching a wounded animal, he lifted his hand again, no longer shaking, and cupped her cheek. His thumb brushed the wetness from her skin, and he couldn’t tell whether it was from the rain or her tears.

She opened her mouth to protest, to take it all back, but no sound came.

“I wanted to come back. A thousand times, I almost did. I’d picture it—every day. You, standing in a doorway. Me, apologising and explaining. I thought of a hundred variations of that moment. But none of them ended with you looking at me the way you are now.” He swallowed hard, eyes glinting in the faint light. Then his voice cracked, and she could see that he was undoubtedly crying. “And none of them ended with you saying you loved me.”

He leaned down, his forehead leaning against hers, timid and tender. For a second, there was nothing but shared breath and the soft tremble of her hands on his chest.

And then, as if pulled by gravity, he kissed her. 

When their lips met for the first time, it wasn't all tongue and touch and desperation; it was soft, almost hesitant. Their lips ghosted together. Of all the things they’d done, it was the kiss that undid them. They deepened it slowly, not with hunger or lust, but with something real. Hope. And when their tongues met, it wasn't about claiming or needing or owning; it was about allowing.

Allowing themselves to want.

Allowing themselves to feel. 

When they parted, his voice was barely audible. “Let me make it right. Please.” 

She nodded, pushing herself up onto her tiptoes to kiss his lips again, sealing their love with a promise.

“I love you,” he whispered, “I love you, and I swear I will never ever hurt you again.”

[batsandbirdbrains]

Heyyy! I love love LOVE your Bad parent!Bruce but also the wholesome dad Bruce and it's torture lol! It honestly makes me think more about the what if Bruce was good Dad then became a meh dad and then fully bad dad?

It's him being a good dad to Dick at the start, where kid Dick was okay with doing the emotional work to understand him and Bruce helped him because he was younger and loved him then Dick got to his teen years and just it's exhausting being the understanding one? Being the one doing the emotional workload? And Bruce is not helping because he sees Dick growing up and he doesn't try harder to connect to him but also still sees him as a child that he became even more protective especially because he's now with the Titans more than him? Then the firing happens and they just disconnect and then Jason is here and Bruce is actually helping in the emotional workload and Dick is envious because why couldn't you be that to me??

Then Jason dies, Bruce hits Dick and Dick is just I'm done. But Tim comes and he doesn't need emotional connection on the surface so Bruce doesn't get better but Dick sees and knows and tries for Tim and makes Bruce a little more better but not like he was and not with Dick. But when Damian comes? Bruce can't see him as a kid, he's trying but the disconnect between what he knows and what Damian is doing isn't helping and what should he do-

And he's gone, and then Dick is the one responsible for Damian, and yes he's grieving his dad but the dad he really loved was long gone by this point and so when he takes on Damian and helps him emotionally he talks about the old Bruce, the one who actually treated a kid like a kid and the one who while awkward still was obvious in his love. Dick becomes Dami's Baba and Dami becomes his Robin.

When Bruce returns it's both him and not. Dami can't see the man his Baba talked about but no one else is questioning it and Dick said the he changed after Todd's death. Their relationship now is more work colleagues and the only trust between them is bc Nightwing kept helping for 6 months. Then Dami dies, and Dick dies and then Spyral and Bruce is getting worse, more Batman and mission than the person and the hero.

The amnesia arc happens but when Bruce gets his memories back he's hit by what sort of person he has become, by what he has done, by how much he changed, how could he become more general than father what happened WHY-

Lol I think I went too deep down the rabbit hole. I honestly also like the idea that when Bruce returned from the time stream something did change in him, like poison or parasite that made him worse and then led to the spyral beating + mission but by the time he gets his memories (which shocks his systems into recovery) Dick is already back and his relationship with a lot of people has soured. (In my ideal au Dick decided that he tried enough to explain and he is done doing the effort of building the relationship for anyone and so when they want to talk like civilized people he will explain. Of course this means that only Dami from the family knows the truth + The og Titans, a lot of other superheros were okay with his return but didn't ask him anything just assumed it's Bats normal ops (because yes he's everyone friends but not everyone needs to know)) Okay I'll shut up now lol.

This blog is all about going down rabbit holes and exploring their potential!! And this is such a fun one!!!

Bruce gradually becoming a worse and worse parent I think is prob a little easier to explain anyway than just having him instantly be like “I’m gonna beat the shit out of this child” ☠️