#I say 'seem' because the date still shows the update date so I just went back to the most recent update date being december but

[loonyloopylupin96]

2025: The year Moonwater reached 1,000 fics

R/R at the party like:

[ofstarsandvibranium]

Stitched Together

Fandom: Marvel (Mob Boss AU)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

Summary: You and Bucky used to be so in love and so... ignorant of the roles you had to play, which lead to you breaking up. But that didn't seem to keep you away from each other since you now act as Bucky's nurse whenever he gets hurt.

A/N: Based off my mini fic here.

Bucky Barnes Masterlist

You were used to it by now. In the morning, you'd go into work at the hospital. The pediatrics unit was filled with light and color. You made sure to bring as much joy and light into the lives of the children you helped every day. Then when you came home, you'd do work for the darker side of life.

Bucky Barnes was born for this life. Being the first born son of George Barnes, the position of head of the Barnes Family was immediately his.

But growing up he didn't act like that life was for him. You would know since you two knew each other since you were thirteen. You grew up in the same neighborhood. It wasn't until you turned sixteen that you started dating. You knew who his father was, your own dad knew who his family was. As a detective, he told you time and time again that you needed to stay away from him. Being a hormonal and rebellious teenager, you never listened. You should've.

At eighteen years old was when Bucky killed for the first time. Because he was now a man, his father put him up in a cage fight with another man. It was kill or be killed.

He wasn't the same after. He began to push you away, keep things from you, act like a complete asshole.

Then enough was enough. You broke up with him and even though he hurt you, you never told your father the things Bucky told you. Especially after your father became the chief of police.

You two were ignorant with the roles you had to play in your youth, but reality hit you right when you became adults. You became the dutiful daughter of the chief of police, went to university to become a nurse. You stopped keeping track of Bucky's life, but would hear updates along the grapevine every once in a while.

You were there when George Barnes passed. Well, not necessarily in the room, but you were at the hospital when he passed. You were coming up from your break when you saw Bucky at the elevators. He looked upset.

"Bucky?"

He turned at the sound of his name, "Sw-Y/N. Hey."

"Is everything okay?"

"Uh, my dad. He-He had a heart attack. I'm-He-" you could see how distressed he was, so you pulled him in for a hug.

"Whatever happens, you'll be okay," you whispered in his ear.

He fell limp in your arms. You didn't know it then, but Bucky missed you like crazy and being in your arms again that night saved him from spiraling.

It's later that night that George Barnes dies. After everything he's done and been through, a heart attack was what killed him.

Karma, is what your dad said.

Despite the position George Barnes held, he was well-loved around the city due to him caring for the community. The streets were filled during the procession, your dad and his men keeping an eye out in case anything happened. You were also there for the funeral. You caught glimpse of Bucky and you couldn't breathe for a moment. He was clearly tired and you couldn't blame him, considering how things have been going for him lately.

Despite your father warning you to not make contact with him, you felt like you should.

"I'm sorry, again for your loss, Buck."

He gives you a tired smile, "Thank you again for showing up, Y/N. I-I know your dad probably didn't want you to come."

"He doesn't control every aspect of my life."

"Still. I really appreciate you being here."

"Of course. It's always hard when you lose someone you love." You would know since you lost your mother when you were young.

"Bucky," Sam, Bucky's right hand, calls his name and urges him to follow him.

"I gotta-"

"It's okay. Hope things aren't too stressful for you."

"Thank you. I'll see you around," he says as he departs. You didn't know just how soon you'd end up seeing him.

Three days later, to be exact.

It was late at night when there was a knock at your door. You hold your knife close as you peer through the peep hole of your door. Your eyes widen when you immediately pull the door open.

"Holy shit!" you whisper loudly as Sam drags a bleeding Bucky into your home.

"He didn't want to go to the hospital since we don't know whose people might be working there. So he told me to bring him here."

You guide Sam to your couch where Bucky slumps onto it, "Sorry, Y/N. I didn't know who else to trust right now." You turn on all the nights in your apartment and get a look at him. There's a stab wound in his shoulder. It looks like the bleeding slowed though.

You help Bucky out of his jacket and shirt. You apologize profusely for the pain he's going through.

He dryly chuckles, "You know, when I dreamt about you stripping me, I didn't think it'd be in this context."

You pause and look at him, "You dream about me?"

"You haunt my mind, Y/N." He must be delusional due to the blood loss. Before his father's passing, you hadn't seen nor spoke to him in years. There's no way he'd still be thinking about you after all this time, right?

"I'll be back. I need to grab my first aid kit." You rush to your bathroom and grab the small duffle of all your first aid necessities.

You also grab a bottle of vodka and hand it to Bucky, "Drink up, buttercup."

He frowns and looks at the bottle, "Thought you hated vodka."

"It's not my bottle. America left it from a party I held here," you mumble as you pull on some gloves and begin to clean around his wound. You work in silence as Bucky takes swigs from the bottle. Sam watches from the corner of the room, staying out of your way.

While you work, Bucky takes in your apartment. He takes in the pictures, the decor, the trinkets you have around. This is exactly how he'd imagine your place to be.

"Hey, still with me?" you ask as you begin to thread your needle.

"Yup."

"Okay. This might hurt-"

"Probably not as much as getting stabbed."

You can't help but snort a laugh as you get ready to start stitching Bucky's wound. He grins at the sound of your laughter and you see the sliver the Bucky you once knew.

For the most part, Bucky didn't make much of a sound while you worked. He just kept his eyes on you, taking in every furrowed brow, every twitch of your lip. After all these years, you are still just as beautiful as before.

His heart lurches at what's become of you two. You're practically strangers again after spending so many years apart. His own doing really.

Scared of what could happen to you as he fell deeper into the family business. That's why he behaved the way that he did all those years ago. He was protecting you.

Because after all this time, Bucky Barnes still loves you.

"Alright. We're done. How are you feeling?"

"Sleepy," he mumbles as he tries to sit up, but you keep him down.

"Then sleep. You and your bodyguard can stay here for the night."

The man in the corner snorts, "My name's Sam and I am not his bodyguard."

"Sorry, Sam, you and Bucky are free to sleep here for the night." Sam simply nods.

"You don't have to do this. If your dad finds out-"

"He won't. I won't tell him. And you're hurt, Bucky. Doesn't matter what you do or who you are, I can't, in good conscience, let you leave without knowing you'll be okay after this. Just-Just take this as me wanting to observe my patient for the night."

He settles further onto your couch with defeat, "Alright...you know you should've been a doctor."

"Didn't have the time or money to get my doctorate."

"I can help with the money-"

You shake your head, "It's fine, Buck. I'm happy with my job."

"Just..if you need anything, I'm here to help. That's what my dad for the people of this city and that's what I want to continue to do."

"I know. Thanks."

You stand, collecting your things, "I have some spare blankets, pillows, and toiletries. Lemme grab them."

"Okay," he says and watches as you walk to your bedroom.

Sam moves closer, "So that's her."

"Yeah."

"She's nice."

"Yup."

"And beautiful."

Bucky whips his head to Sam, glaring at him, "Watch it."

Sam holds his hands up, "I can appreciate a beautiful face, man. Besides, she's not yours anymore."

"You know how I feel about her."

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you." Sam says as he plops onto your sofa chair.

You come back with pillows and blankets in arms, "The couch is a pull out, soooo you two will have to share."

"Absolutely not."

"I'm sleeping on the floor."

You snicker, "Okaaay, uh, I have a couch in my room that one of you can take too."

Sam and Bucky look at each other and Sam immediately goes, "I call this bed!" he points to the couch that Bucky's laying on.

Bucky rolls his eyes and you chuckle, "Actually, I think I'd rather have you near me, Bucky, just in case you pull a stitch or start feeling pain again."

"If you're okay with that," he says with a shrug.

"It'll be fine," you respond as you help him sit up and then help him to his feet. He follows you to your bedroom where you show him the couch. You point to the adjoining bathroom, you can take a shower there. I already set out stuff for you and Sam."

"Thanks, Y/N. I really do appreciate it."

"Just doing my civic duty, Buck," you say with a small smile.

He clears his throat, "Yeah. Right. Of course."

"Oh!" you grab a pile of clothes and hold them out, "Here. They're my dad's for some of the nights he stays over."

Bucky can't help but snicker, "If your dad knew-"

"I know," you say with a playful roll of his eyes, "But he's not here and he won't ever know I'm helping you. So go, shower, be careful around your stiches. Call me if you need anything," you turn to set up Bucky's sleeping arrangement, but he grabs you by the wrist.

"Y/N?"

"Yeah?" you ask when you face him again.

He looks at you with soft blue eyes as he murmurs, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," you lean in and press a kiss to his cheek, "Go. Wash all that blood off you."

"Alright," he says and grabs the clothes, going into your bathroom. When the door shuts, you fall onto your bed to give yourself a moment.

A few days ago, you went years without seeing or hearing from Bucky. Now you've seen him twice in less than a week and it's throwing your mind in for a loop.

Hopefully, this will only be a one time thing and you two can go back to being strangers again.

[chiipay]

Rin and Reader having a scary movie date?

Like they both REALLY LIKE those movies‼️

And it seems so perfect for this time of the month

(THANK YOU IF YOU DO IT😍)

Hi. Sorry for the very very long wait and it's already 2025- haha.... it's already past Halloween..hehe.. again, I'm so sorry for updating now because uh... I'm not that active anymore but I'll be happy if you still want to send a request! Hope this drabble or oneshot could make it up for disappearing.

”(name),” Rin glanced back at your laid back figure, slumped on his couch as if you owned it, a small drop of water dripping down his hair as he lazily rubbed his head with the towel that draped around his neck.

You scrolled down throughout every list of horror movies that could be found, ” do you have The Grudge?” Rin was mostly in charge of picking the movie but due to your stubbornness, he left you to do it instead.

” Already watched it.”

”woah- seriously? Without me, bro?”

” we watched it last Friday.” his face scrunched up when he heard the word ’bro’ coming out of your mouth.

” we did?” tilting your head a bit, clearly not remembering a thing.

” lukewarm.”

It was Rin's idea, which took you thirty minutes to actually proceed with what he was saying after one of his soccer games. Usually, Rin has always been following you like a five year old him would to his big brother, as you have known his for years and this is where it clearly took you out when he asked you to watch a movie with him at his place.

Munching on the popcorn that Rin prepared for you, ” I'm still upset you watched As The Gods Will without me, y'know? ” you looked up to see Rin walking to the couch and he grabbed the back of your shirt, lifting you up as if your weight is nothing to him then pushed you to the corner of the couch before he took a seat next to you.

”shut up.” he grabbed the remote from the coffee table, starting the movie before you could even protest.

Rin wasn't an affectionate person that's for sure, he doesn't really know how to be affectionate towards you, judging from the movement he kept doing during the movie started shows it all.

The movie wasn't that scary as there were a lot of bloody scenes that weren't necessary to the plot but it still gave you shivers due to the quiet atmosphere with Rin.

Therefore, it's really cold when there's no talking so Rin has already wrapped his hands around you, pulling you closer to him, he isn't very touchy but tried to make it the best of him.

” why does that ghost look like Ratatouil-”

” it's a ghost for fuck sake.”

Rin does not enjoy the time of watching the horror movie with you even though you guys watched movies together a lot, he had to clamp his palm to your mouth just so you won't question the whole movie to him as he regretted telling you that he has already seen the movie and just watching it again because it's a masterpiece (he didn't exactly state it but it's your perspective in the matter of way)

Moreover, he has already laid back on the couch with you on top of him, he draped the blanket over your body while your head laying still on his chest. The popcorn bucket is nowhere to be found as your only source urge to eat is only Rin fruit candy jar, which he slapped your hand before you could sneak your hand on it.

The movie continues as you start to get more drowsy to sleep but was shook awake when one of the actors yelled, ” I hope when I die, I don't look like ratatouille.” you yawn then spoke again, ”I want to look like a cool ghost instead." He hums in response, wondering how tf you got drunk by eating popcorn.

The rest of the movie went silent, Rin falls asleep soon after you entered your dream.

The next morning when Sae came home, he met with the ugly faces of his little brother and you, he snapped a picture quickly so that maybe he could blackmail his poor brother one day.

()()

Help guys- Idk who's the anonymous because it's anonymous and I feel guilty for ghosting the request for months- if the anonymous person who requested this, I deeply apologise for making you wait for so long.

[jarofstyles]

Teenage Dirtbag 5

Here we go again! I decided to bring back Fratrry in the rotation. For those of you who didn’t read them yet (or forgot) check out the series masterlist. These updates are shorter so I can get them out somewhat frequently instead of making you wait hehe.

Check out our Patreon for early access and 170+ exclusive writings

Teenage Dirtbag Masterlist

WC- 1.5k

Warnings- asshole H, angst, Y/N putting him in his place as usual

----

Harry knew he should be a bit more cautious when it came to Y/N but… god, how could he not try and push the envelope if it meant her maybe giving into it again? 

The reality of it was that Y/N, a girl who hated his guys most likely, had been the best fuck he’d ever had. She had blown his mind in the literal and metaphorical sense, and he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Fate had a funny way of working, sure, but he couldn’t be too mad considering he knew their chemistry was too good to push away completely. 

H: what do ya want from the cafe, baby doll? 

Y/N: nothing that you’ve touched. 

Harry smirked at his phone. So predictable, already back with the snarky responses. It worked him up a bit, thinking about how this snarky girl had pleaded for more, kissed him sloppily as his balls smacked against her ass and dragged her nails down his scalp. Such a sweet thing for him that night had gone right to being sour as soon as she left. 

H: ok, so you want me to lick your cake pop. Got it. 

H: it isn’t like we haven’t shared saliva before ;) 

Y/N: yeah, lick on it and then choke . Let me know how that goes so I can cancel our session this afternoon. 

The hope was to bring the sessions here one day. As much as Y/N had disdain towards him, the sparks had flown during sex. She had loved it just as much as he did- he’ll, during their last round she had pushed him on the bed and rode his cock until he was sensitive, her nail marks left on his chest for days. 

H: I’ve got something else you can choke on, baby

Y/N: I will quite literally not show up today, your grades be damned. 

His lips puffed in a pout. He was pushing it, but it was so fun to rile her up. Eventually, he hoped she would give in and like him. See the fun parts of him like other people did- but for now, he would play this game. Cat and mouse… though he wasn’t quite sure which one he was. 

H: fineeee. I’ll be good. 

For now. 

Y/N: please do. It was a mistake and we don’t need to keep bringing it up. 

It was a mistake he very much wanted to repeat, over and over again. 

H: yes, maam. I’ll see you at 2 🫡

Y/N: don’t be late, I’m serious. I have something afterwards and I can’t be late 

H: oooo, a hot date? 

Y/N: yes, actually. So don’t fuck this up or you aren’t getting your full hour. 

His smirk quickly fell. 

She was going on a date? With fucking who? 

That wasn’t in his plans. For some reason, guiltily, he hadn’t anticipated the idea of someone else making a move on the girl he wanted to fuck. Let alone her accepting. She seemed like such an ice queen with him that it led him to forget just how sweet she was to literally everyone else.

It was slightly infuriating, how everyone had nothing but good things to say about her. She was nice and she helped out this person when they moved, she helped plan this persons birthday party, she spotted this person 5 when they went to get coffee… there was no denying everyone else got the sweet parts while all the sourness was reserved for him. 

And yet, he still pushed her. Still played this game and taunted her because how the fuck else was he supposed to get her attention? He was going to have to kick it up a notch.  

——

“Who’s the date with?” He asked in the middle of their session, ignoring the paper in front of him as he looked at her. She was way more dressed up than he’d seen her at a tutoring meet before, a little skirt that brushed her thighs and a little button up tucked into it giving it a sweet but sexy combination that made him a little twitchy. 

In all honesty it had been hard to focus since he seen her today. All he could think about was how those pretty lips had been bitten and swollen from his kisses, how they’d curled around his name so fucking sweetly that it had his cock stirring at the memory. Her perfume was seemingly freshly applied and it was interfering with his brain chemistry or something, because all he wanted to do was throw the books to the side and pull her up to straddle his lap. 

He imagined her hands knocking off his SnapBack, tangling in his hair as she rode his cock right in the secluded part of the library. His hands under her skirt and gripping her plush ass yet again, unbuttoning that little shirt and leaving more marks on her skin. 

Marks he caught a glimpse of as she suddenly looked up at him. 

“His name is Derek.” She cleared her throat. “He asked me out on Monday so I decided to say yes. He’s really nice.” For some reason she looked embarrassed by the information she had divulged, like she hadn’t meant to say all of that. 

That sneaky little minx. 

“Uh huh…” he let his eyes linger on the bruising that was fading but not quite covered by the collar of her shirt. “And what is Derek going to think of this pretty little thing?” 

It was gentle, his knuckle lightly brushing over the mark he remembered sucking during the first round. He knew he had caused some nice little lovebites but that one was still healing, so it was probably a dark one. Fuck, it probably looked hot as fuck when it was first developing. “Suits you, y’know. My marks on your skin. I could put some more there, If you want.” 

He was pushing it and he knew it, getting closer to her as his nose brushed her cheek. She wasn’t pushing him away, so he counted that as a good sign. “I could take you back to my place and I could give you quite a few more. A refresher course because… I highly doubt this guy is gonna be able to make you squirt all over his dick. Which you did with me, twice.” He hummed, letting his fingers fall a bit deeper down the collar of her shirt. “I don’t think he’s going to give you what you need, princess. We already did it once and so we’ll… it would just make sense to do it again. I think we have gotten well enough acquainted that I could do the job.”

He hadn’t seen the cold drink coming. Poured all over his lap and seeping through his shorts, he yelped as the icy liquid  hit his skin. “Oi! What the fuck?” 

“I told you, last time was a one and done for this particular reason, Styles.” She snarled, grabbing her books and hurrying to shove them into her bag. “Because you’d be a fucking pig and see me as a sex object instead of a human being. I’m not some fucking challenge, I’m a girl with feelings and I- I told you, I wasn’t doing it again and it meant it!” 

“Babe- no, I wasn’t suggesting that at all. I’d never say that shit.” He tried to fight, unsure how it had gone south so fast. Apparently, he was shit at reading her cues. Worse than he originally thought. 

“You don’t have to say it. You suggest it. You don’t respect what I say. This is why I was never going to go and do anything with you. Who gives a fuck how hot you are if you’re an arrogant son of a bitch who can’t get his head out of his own ass to see exactly why people don’t like you.” Slinging her bag across her shoulder, she scowled at him. “This isn’t going to work. I’ll find you another tutor. I can deal with your stupid flirting, but throwing what we did in my face? Absolutely the fuck not.”

Harry didn’t have a chance to defend himself, feeling incredibly confused as she ran off. Any call of her name went ignored, the librarian hushing him as he made his way out of the doors but it was too late. She was god knows where. 

Who knew those legs could run so fast?

He was a little pissed that she was assuming he thought of her as some sort of object. He didn’t mean to make her feel any sort of way about it all, not thinking he was throwing it in her face, but apparently she thought so. 

H: Y/N can you please come back???

H: I didn’t mean to upset you 

H: I know I can be a dick and that’s part of our thing but I never thought of you as a sex object and I never would 

H: I didn’t think I was throwing it in your face 

H: can you answer me please????

H: I don’t want a new tutor, I want you :( 

H: y/n, cmon 

H: alright, I’ll try again tomorrow. But we need to talk. Please.

[the-badger-mole]

It's Time For Second...second....SECOND DATE UPDATE!!!!

{Transcript of Second Date Update from Tho and Due in the morning. Originally aired 1-/--/---

Good morning, RC! Thank you for tuning into Tho and Due in the Morning! I'm your host Tho.

And I'm Due! And it's time for Second Date Update! Today's first guest is Aang. Aang recently went on a date with a young lady that he says went really great, bu~ut he hasn't had any luck setting up a second date. {cue sad Aww! sound effect}

That's right. This situation is a bit different though. Usually on these calls, the first date is still the "getting to know you" phase for our couples, but Aang says that he and this girl had been friends for a while and actually knew each other pretty well before their first date. We're going to let him tell his story. Aang?

Thanks, guys. Yeah, Katara and I have been friends for about ten years now. We met when we were in high school, and I've been in love with her since the beginning. I had been trying for years to get her to go out with me, and she finally said yes!

Congrats! Tell us a bit about the date. Did something go wrong? Did she say anything to make you think she was upset at the end?

No! The date was amazing! I pulled out all the stops. We went to a nice restaurant, then a walk by the water, and dessert at this cafe that makes the best custard tarts in the city. We even kissed! But when I tried to make a second date, she said she was busy. I tried to talk to her when we were hanging out at our friend's house, and she seemed weirdly distant. I didn't know how to get her to talk to me, so I reached out to you guys.

Aw! Well, let's get Katara on the phone and see if we can't sort this out for you, alright, buddy?

{phone rings. rings. rings. ri-}

Hello?

Hi, is this Katara {last name redacted}?

Um...yeah? Who is this?

This is Tho from Tho and Due in the Morning on ZK100.

O-kay? What's this about?

You're on the air live with us on our radio show!

Radio show? Those are still a thing?

{Due laughs awkwardly}

Yeah, we're a hold over from the age of the dinosaurs. Anyway, you're on a segment we call the Second Date Update. We're calling you because we were contacted by a friend of yours. Did you go on a date with Aang a few weeks ago?

Yeah, I did go out with him once, like two months ago. What about it?

Well, Aang had a great time on that date, and he'd like to take you out again. We just wanted to know if you'd be interested.

No.

Oh, ouch! That was quick. Mind if we ask what happened? Aang said it was a lovely night.

{Tho laughs at Due}

Lovely night? Who are you? King Kuei?

Whatever man. So, Katara, did something happen that night that made you not want to go out with Aang again? From what he tells us, you two were already friends, so you like something about him, right?

He's...fine. Yeah, we're friends, but I didn't have as good a time that night as he seems to have had.

Oh? Do tell! He made it sound like a nice time. Dinner, a nice walk and then dessert. A kiss at the end of the night...

Ha! Okay, so the basics are right, we had dinner at this vegan spot in midtown-

Oof! Vegan! I see why you didn't want a second date.

What? No, no, that wasn't the problem. I'm fine with eating vegan sometimes, and it was a nice restaurant. But I made the mistake of telling him how much I liked my meal, and he launched into this long, preachy diatribe about the virtues of eating plant based, and how awful it was to eat meat. He stopped short of outright calling me a murderer, but only just. Then after dinner, he insisted he on what he called a short walk to a cafe for dessert. It was a mile through the most secluded part of Shori Park- you know, where they had that string of muggings over the summer? And I was in heels. I wanted to turn back and drive, but Aang kept insisting it wasn't much farther. I didn't feel safe walking back on my own, so I kept going. My feet were killing me and my shoes were ruined by the time we got to the cafe.

Yikes! That does not sound like the evening Aang described.

Oh, but there's more! It turns out Aang's a regular at this particular cafe, and he's very popular there. Very popular. He flirted with the cashier for like ten minutes. Then when he finally came back to our table with our orders, we kept being interrupted by all these girls who just had to ask him about random things or ask him to show them his marble trick- which by the way, isn't that interesting. I got a cab on Yip Yip, and it when it finally came, Aang was shocked to hear that I didn't want to walk back through the park to his car. He insisted on walking me out, and before I got in the car, he did kiss me. He smashed my lip into my teeth. I thought for sure I'd be bleeding.

Ooo...ouch!

Woah...yeah. I-I guess I can understand why he hasn't heard from you about a second date. But he'd been trying to get a date with you for a while, right?

No. I knew he had a crush on me at one point, but he never made a move. Then he suddenly asked me out. I had broken up with my ex a few months earlier, and Aang was the complete opposite of him. I thought why not give it a try with him.

Well, maybe he was nervous.

Trust me, if you had seen him in that cafe playing up for his crowd of admirers, nervous is the last word you'd use to describe him.

Wow... That sounds like a rough night. We actually have Aang on the other line. Would you mind if we brought him into the conversation?

{Katara heaves a heavy sigh}

I guess...

Alright. Go on Aang.

Hey Katara...

Hi, Aang.

I heard what you said about that night. I didn't realize you'd had such a bad time.

Well, maybe if you had let me get a word in edgewise.

I'm sorry I took you to a vegan restaurant. But you know I'm an ethical-

Ethical vegan. Yes. I know. I didn't have a problem with the restaurant. I had a problem with being browbeaten about eating meat. I respect the fact that you don't eat meat. You need to respect the fact I do.

That's like asking me to respect the fact that some people murder.

I can't have this argument with you again, Aang. I'm hanging up.

Wait! Please don't! I'm sorry, Katara. Can't we just talk this out?

There's not that much to talk about, Aang. Listen, you're a nice guy, but I don't feel that way about you.

How do you know after one date? I screwed up. I admit it, but I promise I'll do better next time.

Katara, we usually ask if you'd like to go on a second date. It would be completely paid for by the station. We'll even spring for a chauffeur so you don't have to worry about walking through sketchy areas at night.

No thank you.

Please, Katara! Give me one good reason you won't give me just one more chance.

I don't want to.

That's not a reason.

Okay, fine. You're self-involved to the point that you're boring. And you don't pay attention to anything I say. I've known you for almost ten years, and you brought me panda lilies for our date.

Those are very expensive flowers!

That I'm allergic to! Which you should know. You were there the first time I got hives from them.

No way!

Aaaahahahahaha! Aang! Buddy....!

I'm sorry! I forgot. I got nervous, and I wanted to impress you.

We've been friends for years. What made you think you had to put on some big production for me?

I-I just...

Yeah, great. Let it go, Aang. We gave it a shot, and it didn't work out.

That's not fair! You can't just throw away any chance of us working because of one awkward date. I've been waiting for years for this. It can't be over already, just like that.

I'm not arguing with you about this.

Wait, wait, wait! Come on, Katara! You have to give me another chance. We're supposed to be together!

Based on what?

On...well, haven't I been a good friend to you?

I don't know man...you didn't know she was allergic to panda lilies

Just because we're friends doesn't mean we're supposed to date.

I don't want to date you! I want to marry you! You-you're my Forever Girl.

{Tho, Due and Katara are all silent}

You can't be serious. I'm hanging up now.

If you hang up, our friendship is over.

Wow...okay. I didn't want to tell you this over the radio, because I thought it would hurt your feelings, but now I don't care. I'm dating Zuko now.

What?

Who's Zuko?

You can't be dating Zuko. You hate him!

I don't hate him. I've been friends with him for almost as long as I've been friends with you. We've been going out for a few weeks, and we just made it official a couple days ago. Even if I did want a second date with you, I don't think he'd appreciate me going out with another man.

Don't do this Katara! He's all wrong for you!

Good-bye, Aang.

Well, I think we lost Katara. Sorry about how that ended there, buddy.

There's plenty other girls. What about that cashier you were flirting with? In the middle of your date...

{Aang hangs up. Tho tries and fails to smother his laughter}

Well, that's all the time we have for today. Thanks for joining us on ZK100. Republic City's number one station for today's top hits, and the home of Second Date Update.

[ohsohoney]

When it comes to love you're just as blinded.

Part Thirteen

Eminem x Musician

Summary: It starts with a drunk embarrassing video, it spirals into something a whole lot more.

Note: Thirteen!! I'm actually so excited to post this one. There's some angst, but like it's not all bad, this is actually probably one of my favourite updates to date. But this is just a forewarning! Lots of swearing too, to be expected really so.. Anyway, hope you enjoy it, have a feeling there's gonna be a lot of emotions over this one!

Thank you again for all the love this series has gotten, means so much and really does keep me writing:)

| Set in 2014, just after the release of LP 2

taglist: @thelastemzy @helloitsme1223

Masterlist

It was strained. 

The entire house, its whole atmosphere. It was just incredibly heavy and strange.

It wasn’t hard to miss either, judging from the careful way Rosie had been watching the two of us since she’d first woken up this morning. 

But last night hadn’t fared any better. Em had been weirdly distant; not meeting my eye, dancing around subjects, hardly speaking at all in actuality, and then he went as far as to avoid my touch— even as I’d handed him a fucking fork. 

It was such a harsh reality check for me in truth, because suddenly, I felt like an intruder. 

“El?” Rosie’s voice rang out, drawing me from my inner musings as well as the slice of toast I’d practically been burning a hole into. 

“Hm?” I replied belatedly, dragging my eyes up and away from my plate to cast her a distant look, but Z was just wearing this perplexed sort of frown that had me blinking away any remaining haze as she dropped her spoon into her bowl of cereal. The splash sent a few drops of milk flying over the countertop.

“Called you like four times.” She sighed, that frown of hers still prominent enough for me to throw a small smile back in apology.

“Sorry, just– must be half asleep still.” I attempted to shake off the solemn feeling I’d been cast in, laughing faintly before I finally took a bite out of my own breakfast, hating the way the bread tasted like ash in my mouth.

She didn’t seem to take the bait though, not if the scrunch of her brow was any indication, or her next words, “Are you sure? ‘Cause last night–”

I didn’t know whether or not to be grateful for Marshall’s sudden appearance in that next moment because the girl swiftly cut herself off in favour of hurriedly spooning another load of cereal into her mouth.

Marshall whipped around the island without so much as a glance in my direction, opening up the fridge before he turned towards the coffee pot he had laid out but hadn’t used since my first day here. The kettle and the half-made mug of tea I’d set out for him either going unseen or just ignored. I was betting on the latter.

I opened my mouth to say something, if only to break the debilitating silence, when the man himself unknowingly cut me off. “You almost ready?” He questioned Z, who was still slurping up the remnants of her bowl. 

The girl’s eyes darted towards him from over the porcelain brim of it before she dropped her arms to cast him a buoyant grin lined with, what could have only been, a milk moustache. I couldn’t help the fondness my smile gave way to, or how I reached out to wipe her upper lip with a nearby napkin. 

Her expression softened at either the gesture or my laughter, I wasn't quite sure, but her bright eyes glanced back over to her Dad just as I withdrew my hand.

“Nearly, just my shoes.” Rosie told him easily enough, kicking her legs out beneath the table to better show him her shoeless feet. I saw Marshall roll his eyes out of the corner of my own eye and deigned to take a long sip of my brew if only to keep from flashing him the shared smile that threatened to break through. I didn’t think it would fair well right now, me trying to buddy up to him over his daughter's shameless antics. 

“We got fifteen minutes ‘fore you’re late.” He replied to her as he all but drained his mug dry, the heady smell of coffee grinds polluted the kitchen's air. I bit the inside of my cheek when the familiar warning of scalding his mouth crawled its way out across my tongue, but I didn’t dare speak a word.

Rosie bobbed her head in a quick understanding, already jumping down from the barstool to run and grab the last of her things before she could set off for school, forgetting the dirtied bowl she had left on the counter.

I didn’t think much of my next movement, in truth, mostly looking for a reason to ignore the heavy cloud which had since settled over the shared space, as I picked up both the bowl, my plate too, to carry them both over to the bin and sink. 

A sound had me glancing back over my shoulder instinctively once I’d turned on the taps though, surprised to find Marshall already looking in my direction, or rather the sinks, I supposed.

But maybe I was wrong about that, because my surprise jumped straight up to shock when I heard him speak, to me. “How many times I tell you, you ain’t gotta do that?” It didn’t sound much like the question it was meant to be, more of a grunt than anything else as his hard stare flickered up to meet mine.

It was instinct for me to frown, but as my forehead went to furrow I was quick to smooth it back out again and turn my back on him, knowing this conversation would be much easier if I made quick work of the dishes in the sink. “I don’t mind.” I muttered back, hands already covered in soap duds.

He didn’t deign to respond, just let the sound of the water fill the lengthy space that had been created between us so suddenly. My heart ached a little over it, in truth, as I wondered what I’d done so wrong to have fucked up the easy thing we had going on here. 

Because look, it wasn’t as though I was new to quick snipes or heated conversations, or whatever the fuck this was. But it unsettled me enough to know that it was him that I was on the outs with. Marshall, he’d practically taken me in, done more than just house and feed me, but now he was just over it? Done with all the niceties because of an almost– what, kiss? If it had even been that at all. 

But I didn’t, scratch that, I couldn’t linger on the thought because if I did, then I would be sure to start fucking throwing back words a lot more scathing than just ‘I don’t mind’.

I was broken from the way I was furiously scrubbing away at my plate with the scour when my personal space was suddenly invaded. I all but jumped out of my skin as my head shot over to the left to find Marshall now stood there, leaning over me in the tight corner which sat between the two adjoining counters, just so that he could drop his cup into the soapy basin. 

His eyes met mine the second I looked up at him, mouth somewhat agape enough to have those icy blues of his dropping down to catch a quick look before they settled back on my own again. I went to swallow, confused and caught entirely off guard by the intrusion, but found I couldn’t. Which was good, in reality, seeing as I didn’t dare want to let onto the fact that he’d garnered anything more than surprise out of me.

“Seein’ as you don’t mind then.” 

Marshall’s comment perplexed me further, before I caught wind of what he was really getting at with it. So it was in that next moment that I allowed my eyes to narrow, even as he brushed back against me slowly, almost languid in his retreat. 

I huffed out a tiny, grim laugh, more air than anything, when I shoved the dish I’d been cleaning into his chest, flicking soap and water all over him. But it was missed only slightly by his moving form, catching his bicep instead and allowing a trail of water to drip down his bare forearm. “You won’t mind dryin’ then.” I shot back scathingly, clenching my teeth.

As much as my own action had surprised me, the drawl of my accent heightening in my anger gave way to the actual shock which lined beneath it, forcing me to turn back to the sink before Marshall could realise or actually comment on it. 

I didn’t know what it was about what had transpired that kept him from jumping down my throat, but he kept quiet even as it took him a good second or two to grab the towel hanging by the draining rack and wipe at the sodden plate. 

It was tense after that. Not a word was spoken, and so a shaky exhale left me the moment Rosie reentered the room, her shoes clicking against the kitchen tiles as she slung her school bag over a single shoulder. 

If Marshall heard the reaction, he gave no indication, but was quick in the way he jumped back from the counter to meet her. “Let’s go.” He all but demanded after he’d chucked the towel down onto the side so that he could round the island. 

I didn’t have to look back to hear the confusion Rosie obviously felt, “Is El not coming?”

Opening my mouth to answer her, my chest pinched when Marshall did so for me instead, “Not today. Come on, you gone be late.”

It was with that which he withdrew from the room with, leaving me blinking and Rosie gaping at his retreating figure. I wondered then where the hell it had all gone wrong. 

When Rosie casted her eyes back to me, my hands were still hovering over the sink but I witnessed the way her usual smile had transformed into something more solemn, or perhaps just ruminative. 

Being the adult, as well as the ‘bigger fucking person!’ I wanted to scream at his back. I forced my expression into something a whole lot sweeter than just the bewilderment that had plastered it a second before. I let go of a large breath and reached for the tea towel. 

“I just got a new idea for a song, figured I’d write it down before I lost it, you know?” I attempted to reassure, brushing off how odd the entire situation must have seemed to her.

Because why was I covering for a forty-something year old man and his pissy demeanour? Well, one simple reason could be that it wasn’t Rosie’s fault that her Dad was being a massive prick at the moment, and that I for one wasn’t going to be shucking her with the bubbling irritation I felt for him. Something which I’d picked up from living in a house a whole lot worse than this, where you didn’t know whether a reply would earn you an outright laugh or something to tell your future therapist about.

Z was nothing if not perceptive though and so when she just hummed I was quickly taken back to my own childhood, to when some of my mum’s less shittier boyfriends had attempted to lie their way out of what was obviously happening between the two of them. My skin itched at the thought.

“You gonna be here when I get home?” She asked me before I could say anything at all, which broke my fucking heart, because Rosie was so quick to add to her question, if only to make it seem as though it had been something other that it was, “You know, ‘cause Dad’s talking to the school about what happened yesterday… So I just figured you might wanna hear about it when I got back.”

“Of course I do, Z.” I promised in one hasty reply, already moving to dry my hands before I could even really think about it. “Of course.” I repeated as I made my way over to her, smiling warmly when she met me halfway. “It’ll all be just fine, you hear me?” I murmured to her the second I let myself get swept up in one of her gentle hugs, “Your Dad will sort it all and I’ll be here waiting to hear about it the second you get home, okay?”

She was quiet for a long moment before she just whispered, “Swear it?”

My eyes shuttered closed and I buried a sad smile in the top of her head, already reaching out to lock my pinky with hers. “On my life.” I swore quietly, forcing myself to match the wry grin she wore when she pulled away to peer down at our interlocked fingers. Rosie giggled lightly, choosing to swing our arms back and forth.

I shook my hand in return, wobbling the pair of our limbs ever so slightly, before a slight cough gained our attention. I looked up whilst Z spun around on her heel to find Marshall stood waiting just outside of the doorway, a hazy shadow crossing over the bridge of his nose as he toyed with the set of keys he had in his hand. 

His voice was all too soft when he spoke, eyes zeroed in on his daughter, “Time to go, bean.”

It took everything in me then to look away from him and over to the clock stationed on the far wall, letting Rosie’s hand slip from mine after I gave it a small squeeze. “He’s right.” I sighed lightly, “I’ll see you later, ‘kay?”

She was already peering back up at me when I looked over and so I wasn’t too startled by the sudden embrace she wrapped me up in before she hastily made her way towards the front door. 

The quiet which settled in after her wake forced my gaze to return to the man who had yet to follow, his eyes faltering between my own before he dipped his chin in a barely there nod, a gesture which spoke volumes as he turned to leave.

–

Messages  Lottiebug 🐞 In school!! Sorryyyyy didn’t mean to ignore u Was out late and passed out At lunch now, promise to call later xxxxx Love u don’t miss me too much:))

I actually wanted to wring the kid’s neck. She was such a stress inducer that I was sure to head back home to her covered in hives come this point. I mean, where did she get off on making me worry like that? Especially after all that had gone down, all that she had kept from me. And with Rosie last night too, her entire situation having flooded my mind with memories of the past.

Messages  To: Lottiebug 🐞 You’re the actual antichrist I swear Where the hell have you been Lotts?? I’ve been worried sick just waiting for a text or a call, did your phone just die? Or did your charger break again? I swear I’m flying home if you don’t call me the second you step out of those school gates

Or you know, maybe sooner if things with Marshall carried on.

I sighed at the burst of adrenaline which had rushed and drained from me in a too short moment, before I tossed my phone down onto the couch I’d taken to sprawling on, a plethora of notes and pages dotted all around me. 

I figured it was at least one less thing to worry about now though, even if everything going on with Lottie was still a rather large issue at hand. I wanted to scream about it all actually. But currently, my biggest problem was this song. And maybe the man who was set to return in the time between now and the moment Rosie got out of school. 

Because see, I had a small hunch that Marshall was probably going to avoid me for as long as he possibly could, which would end up being the very second his daughter danced back through that door.

The thought had me groaning again, unhappy with how everything was turning out, as well as the lyrics that I just couldn’t get to sound quite right. See, I hadn’t been outright lying to Z when I’d claimed that I had an idea for a new song. Being unable to sleep truly worked wonders on the psyche and could send your imaginative thoughts into a whole other realm.

But still, I was struggling to get it all to fall into place, the verse sounding much more like a bridge and the chorus still lacking something. Even so, it was promising. That much I could tell. Only thing was, I was stuck on whether or not it was going to end up on Marshall’s scrapheap or my next album. 

It was what I was here for, wasn’t it? To write, to collaborate. Even after we’d gotten a little bit side tracked the last few days. But I just didn’t know how much he wanted from me, we hadn’t really spoken about it or hashed over all the gritty details. And yet, even after last night and this morning, I was still here trying to pull something together for him to come back and hear. Even if I was sure that he’d can it the second he did.

“You look like someone just shit on your chest.”

I startled at the voice, flailing a tad to get a better look at the figure which now loomed behind the sofa, but it seemed as though the scare had been enough to send all my hard work flying. 

Three things happened in the next moment: I gaped, frowned, and then ultimately topped it all off with a rather hefty huff, turning back to grab at the pages I’d just been scrawling on with my tongue tucked between my teeth.

“Shat on my chest?” I answered back in the same dull monotone he’d just used, face screwing up slightly as I stretched to collect the last page that had slipped its way further down the sofa. “You know that expression intimately, or just guessing?”

A breathy snort sounded just as the page I’d been reaching for was snatched up before me. My gaze snapped upwards in narrowed slits to scowl at him, unimpressed by the action, before I held out a hand towards him, silently asking for it back.

Marshall took no note. Instead his eyes flitted over the red ink I’d been working on, reading it at a mile a minute. He handed it back without another word said and then rounded the sofa to fall into the seat beside me. 

He had picked up a couple drinks whilst he’d been out, it seemed. Just a couple of coffee’s from what I could first tell and so I wrinkled my nose at the obnoxious smell they let off whilst I settled the final page back into the pile I’d since formed.

“Figured you’d be gone longer.” I couldn’t help but mention whilst he settled in, taking a slow deliberate sip from one of the brown paper cups before he slid the other across the coffee table in my direction, an action to which I raised a brow to.

He shrugged languidly as though nothing had occurred between us earlier, like he had the entire world at his feet actually, and then gathered up the pile, flicking through the pages without much care. “Dealt with that kid and his shitty-ass father, stopped off to get somethin’ to eat when Paul called, then came home.” He quipped promptly enough, leaning forward in his seat to rest his cup back down on the table and shuffle the first few pages between the hands he now had resting on his knees, “This new?”

I flicked my tongue over my front teeth, harsh enough to feel it drag and keep my head from imploading, but careful enough that it didn’t bleed– just yet, I allowed myself to add on. Because honestly, if I had to refrain myself much more than I currently was it sure was going to. 

“Yes.” I quipped shortly, picking up my phone to slide through the brief voice notes I’d made the previous night in bed and then again when I’d stepped out of the shower this morning. “It was just something I kept on replaying, a little melody.” I explained if only so that I wouldn’t allow myself the space to start pestering him with questions and his sudden switch up, because what was with that? “Figured I’d just get it down whether it was good or not.”

He grunted out a hum.

I gritted my teeth.

“What happened at the school then?” I asked in a mutter, feigning nonchalance even though my eyes were already trained on him reading my words and the fact that I was now dying to know what he’d been on about when referencing this kid’s ‘shitty-ass father’. 

His eyes were slow in the way they sloped over to me, my own darting back down to my phone if only so that I could pretend to meet his stare. He looked away again a second later, rolling a single shoulder. “Some teacher caught the shove yesterday, principle was already waitin’ for me when I pulled up.”

Surprised, I blinked. “What, he dragged both you and the kid’s dad in?”

“She. Misogyny has no place in the modern world, Elia.” Marshall corrected all too easily with that curt smile of his that he was so used to using. Typically it would have had me chuckling, but now it just pissed me off further, especially with the use of my full name.

Instead of reacting though, something I supposed he was aiming for there, I rolled my eyes. “She, what the fuck ever. What happened?”

Marshall leaned back in his seat with a quiet huff, “Guy got what was comin’ to him, fuckin’ wrung him and his kid out. Bitch figured he could say a bunch of shit about me and my daughter and I’d just let him?” He blew out a small titter then, though his evident smile was grim, “Bastard’s jus’ lucky I didn’t throw him through one of them windows. Could pay someone more than what he earns in a year to chop his fuckin’ hands off for me.”

I didn’t know how to take his words, all I knew was that a strange emotion had settled over me upon hearing them, almost uncurling the coil that my shoulders had wound themselves into. 

Still, I licked at my lower lip and reached out to take the other cup he’d pushed down onto the table, pleasantly surprised by the lack of coffee it offered. Infact, the sweet taste of chocolate started to chip away at the icy irritation that had been brewing since early this morning. 

“So, no lawsuits?” I murmured over the brim, pulling up a leg to get more comfortable on the sofa, seeing as my little makeshift workspace had now been overtaken. 

Marshall’s eyes caught on me in that next moment and, stupidly, I wasn’t put off by the way they were so clearly examining me. The grit of his jaw softened after a minute and so I figured he’d found whatever it was he was searching so intently for. “A fine for parkin’ in a no-stop zone. But nah, no lawsuits this time ‘round.”

One corner of my mouth ticked upwards impulsively, though I was quick to smother it behind the paper cup, feigning a sigh instead, “And here I thought I’d get to witness a real court in session.”

Em didn’t hide his own smile at my words, his eyes gleaming in a way that gave more away than he realised. You see me, they said. 

I supposed I did.

–

Working on music had always been a way for me to channel or process my emotions and thoughts, whether it was when writing or just messing around. It was possibly the reason as to why I was constantly in a bubble of it, when working, when cooking, driving, when I showered or got ready for bed. It was just always there, a constant companion in a way. 

Em seemed to be torn from the same cloth. In the days I’d spent with him and Rosie, I’d gotten to understand that in a whole new way, he played music almost as much as I did, even if it was barely audible, I could still see the way it settled him in the drum of his hand or the tapping of his foot. I guessed it was why we worked so well together, just in the studio of course.

Somehow we managed to leave whatever resentment and odd feelings we’d been experiencing at the door to the downstairs studio when we’d moved from the living room to get a start on writing again. The song I’d been working on earlier had been pushed to the side so that Marshall could show me the few verses and ideas he’d had for the song we’d been messing with previously, the same one he’d called Dre and practically fawned over.

“I figure it’ll open the album.” He explained from where he’d wheeled his way over to the sound deck, scribbling over the top of it with the pen he kept chewing on subconsciously. “Set the tone, then we can just work around it.” 

I hummed noncommittally, rereading the chorus I’d jotted down and since toyed with. “Could have a big voice on it,” I suggested to him, “Like, it sort of feels like a symphony in the way it builds, I reckon a few people could be jumping over one another for a chance at it.”

When I was met by an immediate silence, the scratch of his pen having paused, the rustle of his papers too. I dragged my eyes up and away from my own page to cast him a sparing glance, but was evidently surprised to find him already watching me. Rather intensely.

“What?” I queried, dropping my hand away from where I’d been rolling my lower lip between my fingertips.

He levelled me with a blank look, “You’re fuckin’ stupid if you reckon I’ma ask anyone but you to sing on this.”

My brow furrowed, before I raised my hand in a placating gesture. “It was just a suggestion– a good one too. Song won’t get as much recognition if I’m on it.”

That blank look shifted so quickly that I could barely even blink before it morphed into something which visibly portrayed his inner irritation. “You think I give a fuck about shit like that? I care about how it sounds, not how much it can make.”

Rolling my eyes, I just shook my head and looked back down at the marked margain, not entertaining him with a reaction. I knew I was right in my words and hadn’t meant anything by it, he could take it how he liked for all I cared. 

He didn’t appear to enjoy that though, seeing as he dropped the pen down onto the deck with a clatter to push himself to his feet and walk closer to the couch I was still perched on. “I mean that shit. What, you think I was jus’ gone push you aside? You think that little of me? Last I checked, this was your fuckin’ song.”

His voice was littered with misplaced exasperation and the way he chose to tower over me, even if he was still stood a foot and a half away, showed it too. He was looking for a fight, had been waiting for it, gearing up. I realised then, rather belatedly, that he wasn’t too good at holding onto his emotions. Sure, he could wait and bite his tongue when he chose to, but those feelings he had only seemed to bubble further the longer he held them in, as though they were stewing in the acid of his stomach, waiting to burn through.

I could really see it now. He was antsy, overassessing, overthinking this entire situation. I could almost smell the unease he’d been simmering in, and I knew it was all down to what had transpired the night before. Only now, he had a real excuse to bite back at me. Rosie wasn’t around to hear or interrupt, and me? I was done being impassive. 

“Yeah, Em. Of course,” I drawled with little to no care as to how I was practically scoffing at his words, “I think you’re an egotistical prick who just wants to steal my work, wasn’t as though I was the one to suggest getting someone else on it or anything.”

He didn’t take too kindly to the sarcasm. 

“You’re awful fuckin’ mouthy for someone who claims they a nobody, you know that?” He sniped back with enough heat to have my back immediately straightening, “All high and mighty, that it? Like you can do no fuckin’ wrong.”

My mouth fell open because– what?

“Just waltz in here,” He continued on in his tirade, “Into my goddamn life and jus’ throw your opinions out, then expect me to lap it all up. Well I ain’t your fuckin’ lapdog and I’m sick of listenin’ to you tell me what to do and how to do it.” He shot out, casting me away with a gesture of his hand which seemed so pointless, what with the way his unblinking gaze was still hooked on me. 

“Me?” I bristled, my voice high in the face of his outright irony as I stared up at him. “You brought me here! You! You were the one to call me, Marshall. You were the one to ask me to collaborate. To come stay with you here. To invite me into your fucking goddamn life!” I mimicked callowly, “So don’t go throwing that shit back in my face just ‘cause it's blown up in yours now.”

“The fuck’s that meant to mean?” Marshall seethed, ridgid in his stance as I forced myself to my feet too, done with sitting below a man so full of anger. 

I laughed bitterly and shook my head at him. “I don’t know what the fuck last night was, but since it happened you’ve been acting like a proper dick about it. An even bigger one than I’d been expecting, too.” I told him plainly, pointing towards his chest as I tried to bite back my gall smile, “And everyone else might be fine soothing your ego and apologising to appease whatever fucking delusions you’ve conjured up in that thick head of yours, but I’m not gonna let a grown man mess with my head and make out like I’ve done something wrong or acted inappropriately. ‘Cause look, I’m sorry if I offended your sensibilities, but again, you’re old enough to fuckin’ be able to work through your own feelings. I can’t be expected to read your mind!”

My chest was heaving with all the anger that fueled my words and I only realised a second too late just how close we’d grown in the short space that sat between his heated question and my reply. 

I glanced up into his eyes, that familiar blue gone, now swimming in dark hues. They flickered between my own and for a split second, I wondered what he saw. He was breathing just as harshly as I was, lit by the intense conclusion we’d been pulled into. 

It was make or break, I figured. 

But then he met me halfway and suddenly I was drowning in him. His hands in my hair, tugging, my fingers digging into his sides. It was unlike the night before, where his breath had been teasing, ghosting over my skin in baited wait. His words soft and genuine. Now it was just sparks flying off–  only not in that shitty Disney magic sort of way, but instead it felt like steel being forged in fire. 

I couldn’t concentrate on the way he was biting at me, teeth clashing as he forced me to expose my neck, me responding in the only way I knew how, dragging his lip between my incisors and pulling. Tugging. Hoping it hurt.

He walked us backwards, feet encasing mine, drawing me up against the nearest wall. My fingers dug in harder, feeling the muscle of his torso jump beneath me. He knocked my head back and we both heard the collision it made with the concrete there but neither of us seemed to care. The sting was enough for me to sink my nails into the skin of his neck and he retaliated by dropping his mouth to my jaw, leaving me gasping at the ceiling that sat above us, pulling him closer even as his own hands started to explore.

“Bastard.” I blew out, voice hitching when his tongue circled around my pulse point.

He answered me by nipping at the skin there, not enough to bruise but to mark, dragging his mouth lower and lower, tugging at the hem of my top until he bit harshly into the collarbone he’d exposed. I choked on my next breath, clawing at his nape until he soothed the sting with a featherlight kiss. 

I dragged his face back up to meet mine, his jaw in the palms of my hands as I knocked my nose against his, panting against his open mouth, not even questioning how I’d gotten this worked up by just his teasing. Because that was what this was, a game. The opener before the real show could begin. He seemed to know it too, smirking briefly at me before he slotted his mouth back over mine, dragging his thumb down my cheek to pool in the small dip there.

My hands fell too, they clung to whichever part of him they could find, but it wasn’t enough. It felt as though everything I’d been feeling, every emotion I’d experienced, not just over the past twelve hours, but during our phone calls, our texts, and the days I’d spent with him here, were pouring out of me. From crevasses that I didn't even know could exist until then.

He pushed and he shoved, greedy in the task of getting what he wanted, but I was just as bad. Just as eager. The moments over the past week where I’d lingered too long, looked too intently, were all making sense now. Silently, I hoped I left my own mark on him, something that was enough to have his mind lingering on me instead. 

I wondered then if he’d known this had been coming. If all his irritation had just been pent up tension. If he’d been angered by the fact he’d given himself away last night.

But then he pulled away. 

My eyelids fluttered.

His thumb dropped to swipe over my bottom lip. It settled there for a second, then two. 

It withdrew, smeared in a sheer coat of spit. I watched on, jaw agape, as he lifted it up to meet his own mouth, wiping it clean in one swift suck all whilst he stared back at me, his eyes taunting. Mouth menacing. 

My next breath escaped me in a silent shudder.

His eyes, dilated and glimmering, flickered between my own. Mirrored arousal looming over us like a thick fog, before he took another step back.

Away.

Retreating.

Only, was that what it was?

I watched, baited by his stance. By the devious look his gaze gave way to. The rest of his features were solemn almost, so blank that it was practically daunting. But his eyes…

They told a different story.

The studio was so quiet I doubted the thought that he couldn’t hear my heavy pants, or the way I swallowed around the lump in my throat. I waited, pondering over his next move, what he might say, before he tilted his head.

The motion caught me by surprise, ever slight as it was, before he spoke, “Times up.”

My face must have ploughed through a dozen different emotions in that brief pause, but confusion won out, head shooting to the right the second he decided to move, crossing the short distance which stood between him and the door.

“Z’s home.”

Ah.

Fuck.

[austinslounge]

The KRAZY Kaustin Relationship 🤡 Circus (2024 Timeline)

(Hey everyone! 👋 Since I was starting to get mixed up and confused with all of the dates and drama going on in this ghetto situationship, I figured I would create a timeline so we can track this craziness. It might also help make clearer some of the things going on in this clown-show 🤡 of a "relationship" lol. 😂 **PLEASE feel free to let me know if there are any relevant things missing that you feel that I should definitely add to this year's timeline. I will continue to update as time goes on.)

2024:

December 2023/Jan 2024 - Austin went to Cabo with Kaia and her family for their annual Christmas Holiday and New Year's vacation. Link 1 Link 2

January 5, 2024 - Kaia posts a cringey Instagram story where she's crying because Ayo wins the Golden Globe that night, and some shippers swear that it was Austin filming her.

But Callum and Austin both state (twice, in two different interviews for MOTA press) that they were watching the Golden Globes together, "just the two of them", at Austin's "pad", and one article even mentions that "no girlfriends" were around. Link

January 10, 2024 - Life & Style posts an article stating that Cindy Crawford "doesn't want Kaia to wait for a commitment from Austin Butler". This seems to be one of the first few times the couple has ever received any type of negative press about their relationship. Link

Austin has the MOTA premiere in LA.  The L&S article came out on the same exact day as his MOTA red carpet premiere.  

March 13, 2024 - Austin and Kaia are spotted at the gym in LA looking just as bland together (as always).  Link    These pictures were taken the day right before Kaia's "Palm Royale" red carpet premiere night on March 14th. Link  

Presley posts a picture of him with Austin at the Palm Royale premiere.  

FOR MORE: CLICK BELOW! 😁👇

May 25, 2024 - Kaustin did a NYC Pap Stroll where they both look miserable.    Link 1 Link 2

May 26, 2024 - Austin kicks off "The Bikeriders" press tour with Jodie at the Indy500 race. Fans immediately notice that he looks way happier with Jodie than he looked with his gf Kaia just a day ago in NYC.  Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

May 27, 2024 - People.com posts an exclusive from a source that claims that Austin and Kaia are "still happy and in love". Many fans strongly suspect that this was a message put out from Kaia's team because they both looked so miserable in NYC, and perhaps the media reached out to ask what is going on, or perhaps her team herself reached out to People.com to put out this fluff article.  Link 

May 31, 2024 - Life & Style posts an exclusive story from a source that claims that Austin and Kaia "have nothing in common and they know it".  Link

June 4, 2024 - Fans noticed that Austin liked a post on Instagram (Posted on May 24th) about girls "with two A's in her name".  The post was tagged #toxicrelationships  Link 1 Link 2

June 9, 2024 - DeuxMoi posts on her "Sunday Spotted" a message from a sender that says they supposedly saw Austin, Kaia, Camila Morrone, and her boyfriend Cole in the Cayman Islands together.  The sighting seems strange (and fake) since Austin has been on a Bikeriders Press Tour the whole entire time.  Link

August 3, 2024 - Kaia is in Montana for a Gerber Family Wedding (Cousin). Austin was not in attendance. 

August 8th or 9th, 2024 - Austin is spotted arriving at JFK Airport wearing a Library Sciences shirt from Kaia's book club merchandise. Link 1 Link 2

August 16, 2024 - Presley Unfollows Austin (AGAIN) lol 

August 17, 2024 - Austin's Birthday Pap Stroll.  Link 1 Link 2 

August 18, 2024 - Pictures of Austin hanging with Dylan O'brien at the Joyface bar/club in NYC surface on DeuxMoi "Sunday Spotted". It was stated that there was "No Kaia".  Link 1 Link 2

August 21, 2024 - Austin spotted with Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz in NYC Manhattan at the "Blink Twice" after party.  The difference between how happy and lively he looks with them, vs how lackluster and bored he looked just the night prior while out with Kaia is not lost on fans. 

Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

August 27, 2024 - Austin spotted in Muskoka with Kaia and the Gerbers  Link 1 Link 2

On this same day, Kaia posts the "Dear Dickhead" post to her Instagram while on vacation in Muskoka. Link

September 4, 2024 - Kaia's birthday at Disneyland. Actress Ayo Edibiri and Presley's gf were also in attendance, but Austin was not present. Link 

Presley posts a birthday tribute to his sister Kaia on Instagram, and in it, he posts a picture of Austin with them at a Halloween event last year. Link

September 9, 2024 - Austin begins filming "Caught Stealing" in NYC around this time.

September 10, 2024 - Kaia and SNL movie co-star Corey Michael Smith do an interview on the red carpet that raises a few eyebrows. She appears to be flirting with him. Link 1 Link 2

September 15, 2024 - DeuxMoi's "Sunday Spotted" post mentions Kaia and Marcello were spotted at The Odeon restaurant in NYC, and were "all over each other".  They were supposedly "ignoring everyone else at their table", and one point went downstairs together for 20 minutes.  

Interestingly enough, DeuxMoi also posted that a fan saw Austin at iSodi restaurant inside, and that Kaia was walking in the general vicinity, but weren't together.

■

■

September 16, 2024 - Kaia and Marcello appear to be at a friend's party at Victoria Bar (NYC) getting kind of close for a woman who's supposedly in a relationship with another man.  Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

September 19, 2024 - Marcello untagged himself from the photos with Kaia at the party in NYC.

September 20, 2024 - Life & Style posts that Austin is "outgrowing" his relationship with Kaia, and that Kaia is "trying to stay interesting" in order to keep him interested. Link 

September 21, 2024 - Kaia is in LA celebrating her best friend Travis' birthday. Link 1 Link 2

Austin attends the "Dune: Part 2" FYC event in NYC with Timothee, Zendaya and Denis. Link 1 Link 2

September 29, 2024 - DeuxMoi posts portions of her podcast that deal with Austin and Kaia, and she swears that Austin and Kaia are still together.  She also posts (for the first time) a supposed Kaustin "sighting" that said that Austin and Kaia were spotted together getting coffee on the weekend (14th) and that they looked "happy" and "in love". She never posted this sighting until now.   Link

On DM's Sunday Spotted, someone reported that they saw Austin and Kaia at iSodi restaurant in NYC. Link

October 1, 2024 - Kaia is spotted out at a play in NYC with Camila Morrone's boyfriend, Cole Bennett.  Link 1 Link 2

The Daily Mail posts the outing with Kaia and Cole to their website.  Link

Marie Claire also posts about the outing, and even claims that Austin and Kaia have broken up.   Link 

Earlier this day, DeuxMoi posted a supposed sighting from one of her followers that said that they "worked with Kaia during TIFF" and saw that she was FaceTiming Austin at one point, and that they were "incredibly loving" and "happy" over the phone.  

That evening (Oct 1st), Kaia is spotted with Cole Bennet (Camila's bf) going to a play in NYC, and the outing looked like a date, so much so that Marie Claire and The Daily Mail were even speculating about Austin and Kaia breakup rumors lol. 😅

October 2, 2024 - Kaia is featured in Time100's issue.

Page Six puts out an article showing Kaia out to dinner with Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth the night before, and claiming that Austin and Kaia are still together, and that there is "no trouble in paradise". Some feel that this is only damage control since it seems very odd to many that Kaia has been spotted in pictures (paps and citizen photos) all over NYC with everyone but her boyfriend. 👀 Link

The article goes on to mention that Austin was supposed to join them for dinner that night, but he got tied up with work and couldn't make the dinner. Some feel that's really strange, especially when signs stated that "Caught Stealing" was having a night shoot on October 1st, so why would he have committed to having dinner if he knew he was going to be filming that evening? 🤔

October 3, 2024 - The Daily Mail posts pictures of Austin and Zoe kissing on set for "Caught Stealing", and makes sure to let everyone know that they are just acting, and that both are in "serious, real-life relationships". 🤣😅😂 As if we the reader is dumb and didn't know that lol. 🙄Link

October 5, 2024 - Austin and Kaia attend Kaia's friend, Gracie Abram's concert in NYC together (looking miserable as usual). Link

This was their first public outing where they're papped together since the whole Marcello thing and breakup rumors. Some fans and people on the general public aren't buying it anymore though. Link

October 11, 2024 - Life & Style yet again puts out another article stating that Austin and Kaia's relationship has been having issues "for weeks", and that Cindy thinks that Kaia needs to try "harder" to "keep Austin interested", and even suggests that the couple should go to "couples therapy" together. Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

The article also hinted that Austin's career is what is most prioritized and on his mind, and that Cindy is a little upset that Kaia has been acting flirty with other guys instead of working hard to keep Austin interested in her.

October 13, 2024 - Kaia follows actor Nicholas Chavez on Instagram. Link

October 16, 2024 - The Daily Mail posts an article stating that the Gerbers are giving Austin a "fierce warning" and want him to commit to their daughter Kaia with an engagement 💍 Link

Austin starts following The Daily Mail. 👀

October 21, 2024 - Actor Nicholas Chavez follows Kaia back on Instagram. 👀 Fans notice that he liked a bunch of Kaia's pics -- even posts from 2017. 😏 Link 1 Link 2

November 2, 2024 - Kaia attends the LACMA Hollywood event in LA, and is overheard in a video talking to fellow actress Laura Dern about a "breakup" and how it came as a surprise to her. 👀 Link

November 22, 2024 - A woman/fan wearing a DeuxMoi merch sweatshirt supposedly sat next to Austin on a flight from NYC to Mexico, and they supposedly had a very long, 4-hour conversation about yoga, life, relationships, and the fan confirmed that Austin and Kaia are still together in the DM group chat. Link 1 Link 2 Link 3 Link 4

November 24, 2024 - In DeuxMoi's Sunday Spotted, Kaia was spotted with Marcello (again) and Jake Shane at an Italian restaurant (Jone's Hollywood) in LA 👀

December 4, 2024 - Austin (now shaved bald) is spotted in Tulum, Mexico with his "Caught Stealing" Director, Darren Aronofsky, at the Xieltun Park on a retreat and underground river tour. Link

The Instagram account for Xieltun stated that the pictures were taken that day. Link

Meanwhile, Kaia posted a photo of her dinner table with some man with "toe thumbs" (lol 🤭) at a restaurant in LA. Link

December 7, 2024 - Today, fans noticed that apparently, one of Kaia's best friends, Charlotte Lawrence, has unfollowed Austin. No one is sure exactly when she unfollowed him. It was just noticed on this date that she is no longer following Austin. 👀 Link 1 Link 2

December 12, 2024 - Kaia is pictured sitting on her "guy pal's" lap while being photographed with Santa at the after-party for the Babygirl premiere in LA, leading many fans online wondering whether or not Austin and Kaia are even still together. 👀 The guy friend was ID'd as Charlie Walker. Link

[gay-wh0re-slut]

Thank you so much for doing my angst request! It was so good!Can I request a new one? I’m in a mood for angst lately, but with smutty ending lol

Reader and Rhea have broke up a while ago, but Rhea is taking it harder than she thought she would. She hears that reader is going on dates (which is actually just to kill time and as an effort to move on, but Rhea doesn’t know that). She feels angry and jealous that she’s replaced so fast and confronts reader about it. During the argument things are getting heated and “somehow” they resolve the misunderstanding horizontally 😅

i’m so glad you liked it! I’m hoping it was the one with the prompt bc that one was fun to write. thank you for making another request!

after writing: it’s a bit more sad than angry bc i lowkey went thru this a while ago lmaooo so sorry bout that but i hope you like it hahahahahaoops and they’re not really horizontal but it’s still hot lmaoo

Over

rhea x fem reader

content: angst-ish with sad rhea, smutttttt, oral sexxxx, fingeringggg, hot buff goth woman kissing youuu ooooooo

It’s been two months since you and Rhea have broken up. The first month was hard on you but the second month you wanted to get your mind off of it so you decided to download all the dating apps you could think of. You’ve been on a few first dates and a few second dates but none have lived up to your expectations.

It has been really hard on the wrestler though. She claimed that she did it because she was getting so busy that she felt it wasn’t fair to you that she wasn’t able to be around as much as she wanted. So she decided to end things, unfortunately for her, she didn’t realize how much she relied on you to get away from all the buzz.

You haven’t spoken or texted Rhea for three weeks and it was hurting you, but she was the one to end things so why should I try? you thought. You and her had mutual friends that you would hang out with sometimes and they would try to tell you updates on her but you didn’t want to hear them.

“She really misses you,” they would say.

“Then she shouldn’t have left me,” said the anger stage of grief.

Part of you knew that the friends were telling her that you were going on dates and how you were doing but you didn’t care. You wanted to seem like the ‘bigger person’ and make it seem like you moved on.

One night, you had been chatting with a girl on one of the many dating apps and things were going suspiciously well so you set up a date for the next day, just to see. It was at a local coffee shop because you wanted it to be in public in case something went wrong.

You wore a long maroon, but sort of tight dress that showed off your curves just right, some light makeup, and your hair natural; you didn’t want to try too hard. The time came and you headed to the shop, ordered coffee and sat down at a small table in the corner.

People came and went and you were there for about twenty minutes, checking your phone and scrolling through social media. Because you were waiting for quite a while, you didn’t want to come off as someone who got stood up, so you decided to text her.

“You still coming?”

“Sorry, something came up, maybe another day?”

Of course. This wasn’t the first time this happened and it sure wouldn’t be the last.

“All good,” was the only thing you said. You didn’t like putting effort into something that wasn’t going to go anywhere. If they wasted your time, then they don’t care about you, your friend would say, but something seemed off.

You brushed it off, drank your coffee and enjoyed your time alone, it was nice. You rarely went out by yourself, so it was good for a change.

You finally finished your latte, so you head back home. To your surprise, there was a familiar black truck in your driveway.

“No fucking way,” you growl as you park the car. You sit for a few minutes contemplating going somewhere else in town, maybe a movie or something long enough to where she would leave on her own, but you decided against it. “If she wants to talk then let’s talk.”

You slammed the car door and stomped inside to her helping herself to a glass of water.

“Sorry to show up out of the blue,” the australian admitted.

“No you’re not,” you threw your keys down on the counter.

“Excuse me?”

“Obviously you have something to say that you couldn’t call or text about so…” you crossed your arms keeping your distance.

She was silent but you could tell she was trying not to go off.

“So?” you push.

“You’ve been going on dates,” she finally said.

“Yeah and? Why does it matter? You broke up with me,” the lump in your throat began to form, you were never good with confrontation but you swallowed it down.

“It’s only been two months!” she barked as she threw her hands up.

“People grieve differently!”

“You’re not grieving, you’re trying to get back at me.”

“I’m not. I’m trying to move on,” you glare.

“Moving on means seeing other people after two months?” She walked to the kitchen table and leaned on the back of one of the chairs, gripping it tightly.

“Yes, it does because I’m tired of throwing myself a pity party every night.”

“As if I haven’t done that?” she gestured to herself.

“You broke up with me,” you reiterate.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t miss you!” She walked to the bar area of the kitchen counter.

You let the words hang in the air, you genuinely didn’t have a response to that.

“It’s like you didn’t even care to reach out,” she sighed under her breath.

“The phone works both ways,” you rebutted.

“Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to talk to you.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to!”

“Of course I did! I wanted to remain friends,” her cheeks were flush.

You try to calm your breathing and think hard about what you’re going to say because you didn’t want to get her feelings anymore than you did, apparently. “It’s hard to remain friends with someone you had fallen in love with and been with for a year.”

“As if I don’t know that?!” She crossed her arm and held her forehead with the other, “I had hope that we could work our way back.”

“Well…”

She took a long deep breath, before looking back up at you, “so you don’t want to try?”

“Literally when did I say that?”

“You didn’t have to say anything! I can tell with the way this is going that you don’t want to,” she was trying to calm herself down but you could tell she was struggling.

“No, no, no, back to the main question, why do you care that I’ve been seeing other people? We broke up!” you uncrossed your arms and got yourself some water too, your hands needed to do something.

“Because!” she huffed, “Because I still care for you and I don’t want you to get hurt,” she sighed once more, “and I miss you.”

You stop in your tracks and set the glass down gently before your impulse took over to throw it. You glare at her, “then why did you leave?”

“Because it wasn’t fair to you! We barely saw each other and when we did we would fight! I loved you too much to do that to you,” tears began to form in her eyes but she didn’t dare let them fall.

“I was perfectly fine letting you do what you love and was willing to work it out, you never talked to me about how you felt! You just up and left!” you threw back.

“Are you serious?! I had a flight that morning I had to leave, it was nothing to do with you.”

“You could’ve waited,” you growled.

“And make you feel more miserable?”

“I wasn’t!! That’s what I’m saying! I loved you, hell I still do, but that was bad the way you did it and you know it,” you pointed at her, hoping that she didn’t catch that one part.

“You what?”

Damn it, “you heard me.”

She sat at the bar and hung her head in her hands, sniffling.

“Rhea…” you start, and the lump in your throat was getting bigger, “I was distracting myself so that I could stop thinking about you. You consume my life, I think about you all the time,” a tear fell and you wiped it away before she could see. “I couldn’t do anything that first month, I was miserable, I had to do something.”

She lifted her head, her face was red and covered in tears. “I never stopped loving you,” she admitted.

“That makes two of us,” you said under your breath. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I didn’t want to hurt you again,” she wiped her nose with a paper towel.

You couldn’t think of anything to say. You sat there staring at her, thinking of everything you’ve ever done together and where it went wrong, but it never came up. “What do you want me to say?” you sigh.

“I don’t know,” she caught your eyes. Those icy blue perfect eyes staring back into you.

“Then what do you want from me?”

She sat for a minute racking her brain, trying to think of an answer that was different from what she wanted to say, but what’s the use, she thought and decided to shoot her shot anyway, “Another chance?”

You contemplate for a few short seconds, “You have to promise me-”

“I’ll do anything please, baby,” she didn’t mean to call you that, but you let it slide.

“You have to promise me that you’ll keep me informed on your schedule no matter what. We will make it work. Take me with you, I’ll pay for the extra bed, I’ll pay for the tickets, just…” you take a deep breath, “don’t give up again.” You didn’t think you would fold so quickly, but here you were.

“I promise, I’ll send it right now, the whole month. And when the next one comes I’ll send you that too,” as she took out her phone and sent it, “we can download a shared calendar app.”

“Thank you,” you took a sip of your water and set it back down. “Now are you going to admit that you were supposed to meet me at the coffee shop or what?”

“I had to get to you somehow,” she smiled nervously.

“You didn’t think that Leah Shipley wouldn’t raise an eyebrow?”

“Hey, what can you do?” she shrugged.

The two of you sat in silence for a good minute smiling at the thought of her trying to trick you.

“So are you going to kiss me or what?” you said a little too confidentally.

She basically ran around the counter and slammed her mouth against yours, holding your jaw. Your hands grabbed her waist and pulled her in tightly.

“God, I missed you,” she breathed.

“Shut up,” as you kiss her again.

She carefully walked you backwards towards the counter as your lips danced against hers. Your hands found themselves roaming her body naturally, like it was never gone.

She picked you up onto the counter, carefully moving things away. Her hips shoved their way in between your thighs pushing your dress up as she went, as you wrapped your legs around her, pulling her in as close as possible.

A hand found its way into your hair and yanked it to the side letting a whimper spill out of you. She kissed down your neck, biting delicately sending shockwaves down to your core. She kissed her way down your chest until she couldn’t find anymore bare skin. Suddenly, her arms pulled you forward to where you almost fell off the counter, yanking your dress farther up. She planted soft kisses on your inner thighs which made you crazy.

“Can I-” she whispered before you cut her off.

“Do it. I don’t care just fuck me, please baby,” you had missed her touch so badly. No one had ever made you feel the way she did, it was insane. She knew how to work you out just right.

With a devilish smirk she bit harder on your thighs spreading them as far as they would go. Your hand tangled itself in her hair as you used the other one to lean back. She grabbed at the waistband of your underwear and slid them off of you. A shiver hit your body as the cool air hit your hot center.

Her eyes widened at the sight of you basically dripping onto the counter, “Damn, baby, you missed me that much?”

“Shut up,” you said once more and shoved her head into you.

She immediately began lapping at your juices. You moan loudly with your head slamming on the cabinets behind you. A small “fuck,” fell from your lips followed by another moan. Her hand grazed up your thigh, lightly scratching its way up. It reached around to the small of your back and pushed you more forward into her. Riding her face, your hand gripped hair tighter. The hand sneaked its way back around and prodded at your entrance.

“Please, yes,” you whine.

And so she did, gently plunging her two fingers into you. “God,” you groan as your eyes rolled back.

She kissed the inside of your thighs before returning to your neck and kissing her way up to your lips. You grab her face, kissing her intensely, as she’s now pounding into you. Her other hand returns to your now swollen clit and adds to the knot growing inside of you.

“You missed me, baby?” she coos.

“So… fucking… bad,” you breathe.

“Then show me,” she growled.

Only a few seconds pass and you released all over her hand with a loud moan, squeezing your legs closed but was stopped by her hips blocking your way. Your back arching into the woman in front of you, “ffffffucccckk,” you whine as she kisses your neck. Your nails are digging into her shoulder blades as she continues to pump in and out of you letting you enjoy the high.

As you came down, catching your breath, you release your grip on her shoulders. Your head lolled forward leaning onto the wrestlers forehead for a few breaths before leaning back onto the cabinet. She gently pulled her fingers out of you and brought them to her mouth, cleaning them off.

“I forgot how good you taste, princess,” her accent was so thick you almost came undone again.

“It’s been too long,” you sigh.

“I guess we have some catching up to do, then huh?” she smirked. She picked you up with a giggle coming from both of you and began to carry you to your bedroom.

[rentumblsstuff]

Domestic Lautski + Steph with the Spankoffskis headcanons cause I just woke up and it’s one of those days

💚 Out of the two of them, Pete was the one that was consciously taught by his parents how to cook. They saw how poorly neglecting to teach Ted that valuable life skill went, so they figured they had a second shot at all their mistakes in Peter as Teddy grew up. Steph on the other hand, can make food that’s edible, but she can’t necessarily cook.

💚 Steph asked Pete’s parents to teach her how to cook a polish Spankoffski family recipe to surprise Peter and despite not being very connected to that heritage beyond food and older relatives, he is extremely touched.

💚 When Steph takes off her bra after a long day and it hurts (cause tig ol biddies will do that), Pete holds em up for her and somehow it’s not sexual to either of them. Well……. Not entirely.

💚 Pete has fallen asleep so many times with his head in her lap and her hands in his hair. Towards the beginning of their relationship, Steph would spend the whole time studying the little details of his face when he’s all peaceful and eventually it became commonplace enough for her to sit on her phone while still carding her hand through his hair

💚 Steph didn’t start off on a particularly good foot with Ted- he just seemed to hate her instantaneously. He would make passive aggressive comments to her that hid the most upsetting accusations like she wasn’t actually into Pete and just stringing the poor guy along until she found someone she actually liked- yes these comments hurt everyone involved, including Mr. and Mrs. Spankoffski, who remember that Ted used to be so similar to Pete before Jenny moved away and he Changed™️. It’s been rough getting him to accept Steph as a permanent fixture in Pete’s life because Pete’s relationship started in such a similar way to how his and Jenny’s would have, and look how well that turned out.

💚 The Spankoffski parents’ reception of Steph was quite the opposite, they absolutely adored her (despite the initial response of “oh dear, the mayor’s delinquent daughter?” that they were soon proven wrong by) but they kept making comments about how they thought Pete would never start dating. Once Steph realized that they were making Pete feel bad saying that, she made it a point to reply to each comment like that in the most chipper tone “glad I have no competition then” while making some sort of contact with him and grinning proudly

💚 The amount that they share clothes is honestly an art form. He borrows her flannels all the time and she loves stealing his stupid nerdy graphic tees that his dad keeps getting him so he stops dressing like that to go to school. Pete knows his dad doesn’t grasp that he’d only get targeted by Max more if he CHANGED HIS LOOK SUDDENLY, and has already decided a long time ago that he can wait to reinvent himself in college if he wants to, so until then Steph gets all his t-shirts if she wants em.

💚 Cuddling while reading together. All snuggled up in each other’s arms and occasionally giving an update on the book when something crazy happens so they can get their reaction mirrored in the other like “(GASP)” “RIGHT??”

💚 Both Pete and Steph regularly cover the other in kisses just for fun- because showing your partner affection is FUN. And whispering to the other sweet things that they’ve heard a million times but could never get tired of hearing as long as it’s their partner saying it

💚 Whenever one of them doesn’t respond over text for a while they joke “depression nap all by yourself, handsome?” “depression nap all by yourself, gorgeous?” and so whenever they nap together and one falls asleep first, they’ll occasionally mutter that and sometimes one fully wakes up cause they were just awake enough to hear it and they laugh too hard (or it’s met with a sleepy little “mm-mm” of disagreement and holding the other a bit tighter)

[whatsk-poppinhomies]

Pairing : college!ex-boyfriend!Han Jisung x F!Reader TW : MORE angst ; jealous Jisung ; fluffy ending though ; kind of suggestive ; Word Count : 1.2k Request : Anonny : OMG COLLEGE JISUNG WAS PAINFUL! You did such a great job with that one line he said outside the party. If requests are open, can I request an update on what happened during that week or after graduation? Nothing to be written out. I'm just so curious to know what happened to them! A/N : I know you said it doesn't have to be written out but I'm gonna write it out because my brain has way more to say than just a couple sentences!! I hope you enjoy!!

Roommates. It was weird for him. After 4 years of being so close to you, he had been bumped down to nothing but a roommate, and not even a roommate that you enjoyed living with. You avoided him at every turn, you didn’t talk to him, you didn’t even look at him.

Mornings where he’d wake up beside you, nuzzling his face into your neck as his arms wrapped tightly around your waist, tired giggles filling the room as you unsuccessfully tried to move away from him… they were gone. He missed you, he missed every single moment that he used to share with you.

Soft kitchen kisses when you’d both stand in the kitchen making breakfast, your eyes barely opened as you almost burnt the pancakes and bacon. Quiet yawns as his arms held onto you, your body leaning back against him as you almost fell asleep in the comfort of his hold.

He had been demoted to the couch, and while he found some sort of bittersweet happiness in the scent of you that clung to the cushions, it wasn’t you. The sofa was cold without you beside him, he could barely even sleep, his eyes refusing to close completely knowing that you were there, you were so close but so far away. He hated it, he hated that he had caused this, and he feared that there was no way to go back.

3 days until graduation and you were going out more often, something that Jisung wasn’t used to happening. It almost felt like you were doing it just to escape him. You didn’t like leaving the house, and it’s not like you were going shopping, you would always come back empty handed with the biggest smile on your face.

It was a smile that he was familiar with, the same kind of smile you’d wear whenever you’d go on dates together, whenever you’d so much as see him on campus. You were happy to see him… And now it seemed like you were happy to be seeing someone else.

His phone went crazy with notifications about the parties that were happening every single night almost, leading up to graduation. He ignored all of them. Parties weren’t his thing… not anymore. The thought of being surrounded by so many people made his skin crawl, being surrounded by the people that he had tried so hard to impress… And he still couldn’t figure out for himself why their thoughts mattered so damn much.

Friends… If they were really his friends they would have respected you… No… They weren’t his friends, they just liked having him around. He was the life of the party somehow, and even that didn’t make sense to him. He hated being around so many people… Why did he do it? What was so important about being popular? He wouldn’t know these people once these next 3 days are over. The only person he wanted to take with him once college was over was you, and you didn’t want that… You didn’t want him anymore.

1 day left until graduation, everyone was so excited, but he was terrified. Today would be the last day he got to actually be with you, to spend with you… And of course you were out again. Who the hell were you out with? Who had you going out so much? Who had gotten your attention like this and stolen you away from him?

You walked through the front door, once again bagless, showing him that you still weren’t shopping. He could see on your face, you were flustered, he knew that look quite well, he had made you look like that many times. You were giggly and giddy and when you shut the door behind you, you leaned against it, letting out the cutest little sigh. Is that how you reacted when you’d come back home after dates with him?

A date? A date?! That’s the only thing that made sense to him, and now he was… upset… he was jealous… he was pissed. “Yah!” He shouted, jumping up off the couch and storming over to you, his hand landing against the door right next to your head, caging you between him and the door. “Where were you? Huh!? What have you been doing? Who are you going out with?!”

Your little smile quickly fell when he was right in front of you and he hated that you seemed to be drained of all emotion when he was close to you. “It’s none of your business, Jisung.” You muttered, trying to duck under his arm, but he moved closer, pressing his chest against yours and pinning you there. “What are you doing?” You grunted, trying to push against him, but he wasn’t budging, his muscles flexing as he kept himself steady.

“I can’t fucking take it! It’s driving me bat shit crazy, and I hate seeing you happy if it’s not with me.” You rolled your eyes and his fist came down against the door with agitation. “Who are you going out with?! I’ll kick his ass, I swear to god!” He screeched, his head falling forward, his forehead resting against yours as he breathed heavily. “Who is it…? Just tell me, please… Are we really done?”

“You’re being ridiculous.” You mumbled, tilting your head away from him. “Don’t you have parties to attend? I’m sure everyone misses you.” You tried to push against him again, but he refused to move, his hands moving from the door to grip your hips, his head falling to your shoulder as he shuddered with quiet sobs.

“I don’t care who misses me… I want you to miss me… I miss you.” He whispered, desperately kissing along your shoulder, wanting you to feel something, wanting you to want him. “Fuck the parties… I want you… I just want you. Fuck, I miss you so fucking much!” He nibbled lightly on your neck, and he was more proud than he’d like to admit when you tilted your head to the side, a soft gasp leaving your lips. “Tell me who he is… Please, baby… Just tell me… Is he better than me?”

Your hands moved to his hair, your fingers tangling in it as you gently pulled him back, but the feeling of it had him moaning softly. “Are you jealous?” You cooed, a small smirk playing on your lips, and he didn’t even care how smug you were right now. He was jealous, and he nodded quickly. “I was with my mom… We’re getting things set up for when I move back in with her.”

He couldn’t help but stare blankly at you, blinking rapidly as his mouth fell open, and then your words sank in and his lips were latching back onto your neck, kissing and sucking against your skin ruthlessly before moving up to your lips, his teeth sinking into your bottom lip. “Why… Why did you look so happy? Why were you giggling? Hmm?” He questioned through heavy breaths, and you snorted softly as you cupped his cheeks.

“Because I know how you get… I knew you’d get jealous…” You teased, squishing his cheeks before kissing him once more. “It worked, and now you know how I felt at the party… Well, before you insulted me… Which I’m still pissed about by the way.”

“I’m sorry!” He shouted quickly, his bottom lip jutted out as his eyes widened. “We’re… We’re not done though… Are we? I don’t even want to party… I just want you.” His fingers were gripping your shirt so tight, the fabric balled up in his palms as he stepped back, leading you to the couch. “I want to spend my life with you… Every second of every day… Please…”

[sage-lights]

met you at the right time (this is what it feels like)

word count: 2287 Their friends at Smosh were starting to take note of the way Amanda and Angela acted with one another, and it was confusing the heck out of them. Or Amanda and Angela are very happy as a "secret third thing."

Chanse didn’t know when it started, or if this was any different than how Amanda and Angela had always been. But he first took notice of it during an otherwise unremarkable lunch at the Smosh office.

As much as he loved working at Smosh, he had to admit the filming schedule was often brutal. Their call times were usually between eight and nine in the morning. But after a shoot went overtime earlier in the week, Selina had asked the cast to come in at seven today to compensate and ensure they filmed all the videos they had planned for this shooting block. This morning, he rushed through his usual routine, skipping breakfast with barely enough time to make it out the door.

All of this to say, Chanse was starving. It was all he could think about during the last “Try Not to Laugh.”

After what seemed like an eternity, it was finally time for their lunch break. The office had ordered deli sandwiches for everyone, and while Chanse was usually not one to turn down free food, there was a container of last night's leftovers in the fridge calling his name.

While waiting for his lunch to reheat in the microwave, he twirled around the kitchen a bit and checked what flavors of Celsius and La Croix were still stocked. He soon grew bored and leaned against the island counter, people-watching instead. From his position, Chanse had the perfect view to observe all his coworkers milling around the main meeting area.

Near the end of the long tables where the catering was set up, Chanse spotted Angela and Erin engaged in an animated discussion. Judging by Angela's comically shocked expression, he assumed it was about the insane Tinder message Erin had shown him that same morning. He chuckled—straight men are a whole other breed of crazy.

Erin and Angela arrived at a table near the mural at the back of the room where Amanda, Kiana, and Selina were already eating. As expected, Angela sat right next to Amanda—they might as well carry a “Reserved” sign with them everywhere to perpetually save the seat next to them.

The microwave behind him dinged, and Chanse grabbed his lunch before joining them.

“Hey, y’all!” Before Chanse even sat down, Erin swept him into the conversation.

“Oh, my God, Chanse! Remember the Tinder date I was telling you about?” He nodded, “I’ve got updates.”

“Already? Damn, it’s only been a couple of hours!”

“I told you, he’s. Insane.”

Angela scooted her chair back and stood, “Let me get a drink before you continue. Got a feeling you’re not even halfway through the story.”

“Yeah, you go do that,” Erin halfheartedly shooed Angela away, “Because I want you guys to be sat for this story!”

She returned to their table holding a drink in each hand and passed Amanda a grapefruit La Croix before cracking open her own berry-flavored Celsius. Amanda muttered a soft “thank you,” and Angela responded by gently patting Amanda’s leg. Throughout the whole exchange, they didn’t look at each other, didn’t acknowledge the strange act of domesticity. Like this was just considered the norm for them.

Chanse looked around, but no one else seemed fazed. He shook his head, wondering if anyone else had even noticed it.

Angela glanced over, and he caught her gaze, giving her a skeptical look. She stared at him, confused, before turning back to Erin.

He didn’t know what to think anymore.

This was something to file away for later. Angela was definitely getting questioned about it on the ride home.

—

Arasha knew she should be paying attention to the notes their director was reading. Especially since the live show was coming up so soon and the sitcom format they were trying to pull off had some very technically complex elements to it.

She tried for a while, her eyes flicking between her friends and the director. But she couldn’t focus on the director’s words when there was a much more interesting scene playing out in front of her.

She’d been squished between Amanda and Angela enough times to know they were naturally touchy people. Angela would randomly lean on her shoulder for brief moments, Amanda would place a hand on her leg while laughing, and Arasha often found herself playfully hitting her friends’ arms to emphasize certain parts of her stories.

However, Arasha sensed a difference between their general touchiness and whatever was happening with Amanda and Angela now. The intentionality of their movements set it apart; she knew they were both fully aware of their actions. She just wasn’t sure if they realized how differently others interpreted them.

Arasha tried again to focus on the director’s notes, but her eyes still drifted to the couch in front of her. The conversation about character choices and blocking faded into the background.

Amanda leaned against the armrest with Angela settled remarkably close to her. As their coworkers asked questions and pitched ideas back and forth, Arasha watched the two of them whisper amongst themselves. She remembered the way Angela and Amanda had shared a look during last week’s rehearsal, the silent communication that seemed almost intimate.

Now, watching them whisper and laugh together, Arasha felt her suspicions solidify. It was very reminiscent of how they were acting during Under the Mistletoe. Now that she thought about it more, she definitely should’ve clocked this behavior much earlier.

Maybe live shows just brought out something within them. Then again, Angela and Amanda have always been close, both figuratively and literally. But this time around, they didn’t have the guise of alcohol to hide their physical affection behind.

Angela reached over to the other side of the couch and grabbed the white chunky knit blanket, draping it over her and Amanda’s legs. She swung her feet onto the couch and tucked them underneath the blanket before leaning back into Amanda’s side. The taller woman sat up to wrap her left arm around Angela’s shoulders and pull her in impossibly close.

Here they are, the middle of the workday, cozied up with one another as if they were in the comfort of their own apartments.

They must know this isn’t how platonic friends act with one another, right?

—

Courtney didn’t make a habit of prying into other people's lives. They knew just how much all her friends and coworkers valued their privacy and it would be hypocritical for her to speculate considering how long their relationship with Shayne was kept private from their online audience.

But she couldn’t help the curiosity swirling in her mind as Amanda talked about a fan edit she watched recently.

They were sitting on the Smosh Mouth set, microphones in front of them on the wooden table, and cameras capturing every moment. Courtney watched Amanda as she described the edit, reenacting parts of it for them.

What was interesting, however, was that Amanda made a blatant request for more. And knowing their audience, Courtney was sure that Amanda would soon to be flooded with dozens of edits across Instagram and TikTok.

Sure, Courtney would concede that they had watched their fair share of edits—she remembered sitting in the old Defy office years ago reacting to them with Olivia. She might have also indirectly encouraged edits of herself and Shayne in an old SmoshCast episode. And plus, she would be remiss if she ignored the fact that they just made a comment about how all the girls on the cast look at each other with pure adoration and love.

But still, never had Courtney ever asked for edits of herself to be made. It got her thinking, to say the least.

As the podcast recording wrapped up, Courtney’s mind lingered on Amanda’s request. Casually, she brought it up again.

“So, about that edit you mentioned…” Courtney began, her tone light but inquisitive. Amanda’s eyes lit up, and she pulled out her phone  to it to show them.

Courtney knew you couldn’t trust everything you saw on the Internet. People could manipulate photos and videos to fit their narratives. But as she watched the edit of her close friends, she started to believe it too.

Observing Amanda rewatch the edit, Courtney saw a familiar look—soft eyes and a small smile. It was the exact expression Shayne had given them countless times.

Hm, there was definitely something more there.

—

The entire cast and crew were gathered at a karaoke bar now, drinking and singing their hearts out. Even after weeks of rehearsals and an hour and a half long live show, it seems that with this group, the urge to perform just never went away.

Courtney spotted her friends tucked away in a booth, and by the looks of it, Chanse and Arasha are arguing intensely over something. They slid in next to Arasha, lightly bumping her with their hip so she’d scoot over.

“Who’s winning?” they joked, taking a sip of their cocktail.

“Look at Amanda and Ang over there,” pointed Arasha, “They’re so in love and they don’t even know it.”

Chanse looked shocked, “You just said that you don’t think they’re going to get together!”

“Emphasize on the ‘they don’t even know it,’ Chanse!”

Courtney chimed in, “Give them some credit guys! I bet you they’re not as clueless as you think they are.”

“$10 says it’ll take them a months to realize they’ve got feelings for each other,” Chanse insisted.

Courtney scoffed, “five months, tops.”

“You guys forget,” Arasha cut in, “they’re both idiots. It’ll take them at least until end of the year, if not longer.”

“You’re insane!” exclaimed Courtney.

“What? Already doubting your prediction?” Arasha said with a cheeky grin.

“Nope.”

Chanse smirked, clearly scheming already. And the girls know that a scheming Chanse was a dangerous Chanse.

Courtney looked pointedly at him, “No interfering! If we’re doing this, we’re playing fair.”

“Fine,” huffed Chanse, “If we’re playing the long game, then I think we should up the stakes.”

Arasha laughed, “$20 good enough for you?”

“I’m thinking more like $25 from each loser.”

“Jeez, Chanse. We’re not made of money here!”

“It’s go big, or go home, Arash.”

If there’s one thing you need to know about the cast, it’s that they’ve all got a serious competitive streak. There’s no way any of them were backing down from a challenge.

“Okay, I’m in.”

Chanse looked over at Courtney, “You too?”

“Fuck it,” Courtney sticks their hand into the center and her two friends join, sealing the deal.

Courtney hoped that Amanda and Angela would figure out their feelings soon, for their own sake. Though selfishly, winning $50 from the whole ordeal wouldn’t be a bad bonus.

—

Shayne laughed when Courtney informed him of the bet they had going with Chanse and Arasha, and told his wife that that Arasha would likely end up winning the prize money.

He had gotten much closer to both Angela and Amanda over the past couple of years working together, and was immensely grateful that Smosh Mouth had given him the capacity to work with Amanda in a way he hadn’t had the chance to before.

Despite his extroverted on-screen persona, Shayne was much quieter in reality. He preferred to be a spectator rather than a participant. So, not to toot his own horn or anything, but Shayne thought he knew them pretty well by now.

Amanda was an open-book, though she wasn’t often vulnerable. She told crazy stories from her life before Smosh, grand tales of the otherworldly adventures she’d been on, and gives great advice when you ask her for some perspective.

But she often didn’t talk about her feelings. Amanda mentioned it off-handedly in Smosh Mouth episodes and conversations outside of work that she doesn’t like to let her personal life affect her ability to do her job properly. Shayne admired her in that manner, no one could ever claim Amanda was anything less than a true professional.

Angela was the complete opposite. Shayne related to her in the ways they were both private people, preferring to discuss their work or whatever TV show they had watched recently. He didn’t find small talk to be shallow, at least in this scenario where he’s not trying to seem cool to a stranger. Both of them just didn’t think to talk about themselves often.

What separated Angela from Shayne was her innate vulnerability. It was difficult to not wear your heart on your sleeve when you were as earnest a person as Angela was. Their coworkers liked to tease her occasionally for it—you couldn’t tell her anything without getting a shocked Pikachu face in return.

However, together, they balanced each other out nicely. When they were around one another, Shayne noticed how Amanda’s walls would slowly start to crumble away, and Angela got excited to recount the mundane details of her day.

Honestly, they seemed perfectly content just the way they are now. Something a little more than best friends, but a little less than lovers. And hey, if it works for them, who was he to tell their friends to act differently?

—

(Angela was scrolling through TikTok before bed with Spork happily curled up on her chest, petting him softly to lull him to sleep. Hopefully, this time, he won’t sneeze in my face after I’ve already exfoliated and moisturized, she thought to herself.

A video of a random girl lip syncing to a song she vaguely recognized popped up. The text above her read “yk your friendship is elite if people think you’re dating.”

Without missing a beat, Angela sent it to Amanda.

angela: literally us

amanda: HAHAHAHAH SO REAL

Angela smiled like an idiot to herself. God, she loves Amanda. So much.)

[dakotalun]

What Now? | Eddie Munson

pairing: Eddie Munson X Fem Reader

summary: PART 5- You finally tell Eddie about your past. And it's not pretty, cause it never is.

warnings: talk of cheating, mentions SA

word count: 1.2k

a/n: tears for Y/N!

*******NOT MY GIF, CREDIT TO OWNERS*******

I sniffle a bit more before I pull away and look at my friend. His face is soft with a hint of fear behind his eyes and I honestly can’t blame him, I probably sounded like I was getting murdered just now.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you dare apologize. You can’t control that, it’s not your fault,” He reaches his hand up towards my face but I flinch backwards. His eyes go wide for a second before slowly trying again, this time I don’t pull back and allow him to wipe away the tears from my face.

“I’m guessing these happen often?” His voice is quiet, as if speaking over a certain octave will trigger me again. I only nod. “Is it the same every time?”

“Not always. But a lot of the time.”

“You want to talk about it? I know it’s easier to talk about dreams and nightmares to allow your brain to discern reality from dream.”

I just look at him as he lets his hands fall from my face into his lap. I want to know why he knows this but I don’t want to pry or overstep at all, so I don’t ask. I scoot back on the couch and pull my knees to my chest, building a wall around me.

“They started about a year and a half ago,” Eddie shifts his position and listens intently to my words, “My ex had broken up with me a few months earlier and I got depressed one night and looked him up on Facebook, just to see if he updated it at all. It was a stupid thing to do.”

As I say this he places his hand on my ankle, just to let me know that it’s okay and he’s there for me. “As I searched his page I saw that he was in a relationship, I was a little hurt at how fast he had moved on but my curiosity was piqued now so I went to her page, but there wasn’t much there. She had a unique name so I went to Instagram to try and see if I could find anything else about her and subsequently, him.” 

I pause for a second to assess Eddie’s expression although it’s neutral, with no sign of emotion. I gulp a few times and he seems to notice this and grabs my tea from the table, handing it to me. 

“Thanks,” I take a sip before continuing, “So I found her account and it’s private so I can’t get any more info from it and was about to just give up and go to sleep when I noticed that in her bio it says she’s married and she tagged a profile. Same name as my ex and the date of the wedding, October 3rd.”

“So he got married to this other girl while in, where?”

“Indiana.”

“Right, but broke up with you two days later? So were you the person he was cheating with or the one he was cheating on?”

“That’s the question I’ve been trying to figure out since I found out about him being married.” I finish off my tea and reach to set it back down but Eddie takes it from me and heads to the kitchen.

“Okay. So these nightmares are about him cheating on you?”

I raise my eyebrows at his question, surprised that they aren’t, “Actually no. They’re about the moment I fell in love with him.” 

“What about the other name you kept saying, uh Sarah?”

“Right, her. Well she was the first person I ‘got with’ after Quinton and she was in college I was still in high school, she was so cool and experienced and I just wanted to get it over with.”

“Get what over with?” I cringe at the fact that he’s going to make me say it so I instead just look at him like, come on you know. He finally gets it, “Oh.”

He sits there for a minute thinking before he face shows confusion, “But wait, didn’t you say you were virgin, like you’ve never even made out with anyone?”

“Yeah I did. Because I didn’t want to do those things with her. I mean past me thought they did but afterwards I felt, violated in a way. I don’t know, I just don’t think that I was really ready I just wanted to be like everyone else. I wanted to feel normal for once.” I don’t say anything else after that, the memories being too much to handle especially after reliving them in the worst way ever.

“I get that, is there anything I can do to help? I mean like do you want more tea or some water?”

“I honestly don’t know. I don’t normally get them around others, at least not that they notice.” My roommates all wear headphones to sleep and I never stay with Jamie for more than a few days and even then I haven’t had one this bad in a while. Honestly since December.

“What does- or shit did Jamie do to help you through them?” He has two water bottles in his hand as he sits back down in front of me, opening one and handing it to me. As I accept and take a sip he opens his and downs about ⅓ of it in one go. 

“Well to be honest, I never really had nightmares around them. We’d sleep in a small bed and so we were forced to cuddle and I guess just knowing that they were there and they weren’t him I wasn’t susceptible to the nightmares.”

“What about your friends and roommates?”

I shake my head, “Even with them if I did have one it wasn’t like this, I would just wake up maybe in paralysis but it’d stop in a minute or two, I haven’t woken another person with it before. Sorry”

“Shut-” He takes a deep breath before continuing, “You don’t have to aplogize, you don’t do it on purpose, plus I shouldn’t sleep on the couch anymore than I already do,” He rubs the back of his neck.

“Thanks for being concerned about me but you should sleep, I’ll be fine out here.”

“Or you could,” He averts his gaze, looking out onto the water, “You could sleep in my bed. With me.”

My eyes go wide. Is Eddie seriously offering for me to sleep in his bed…with him! Clearly just as friends but still… “I, uh,”

“It just seems like you sleep better knowing someone is there with you. Like the nightmares are nonexistent. I was just offering because I care about you and don’t want you to scream bloody murder again.” He’s rambling and it’s cute.

“Eddie,” I rest my hand on his, the one resting on his thigh, “It’s okay. I’m fine on the couch, plus I’m going home tomorrow so it’s only a few more hours.”

“But what if you have another one? I can’t get to you as quickly.”

“Because it’s not your job to help me through them, I’ve lived with them on my own for this long. One more night won’t kill me.”

“It could,” He mumbles. I pick up a nearby pillow and hit him with it.

I roll my eyes at him, “I’m fine, go to sleep.”

“Not unless you join me,” He defiantly crosses his arms.

“Ugh you are impossible you know that?” I say tossing the blanket I had over my legs off to the side.

“I do, my uncle tells me that every day,” He follows me as we head to his bedroom around the corner.

Taglist: @ali-r3n @dixontardis @witchwolflea @micheledawn1975 @daydreaming-mood @idfwfeelings @adaydreamaway08 @preciousbumplingbee @rustboxstarr @plk-18 @teary-eyed-egg @needylilgal022 @exploding-bonbon @gagasbee @eddiemunsonsguitarpic @aol19 @thatwitchyoucouldntburn @meanlilbean @sonnyahngel @corrodedcass @pigwidgeonxo @marsmunson86 @lottie-90 @figmentofquinn @sareim123122 @eddies-puppet @gvf23 @kennedy-brooke @rocklees-wife @emma77645 @cherris-n-peaches @breehumbles @joequinn-love @anyoddthoughts @aysheashea @eddiesskittle @uncxmfxrtablex @cherrymedicine13 @mrsjellymunson @shotgunhallelujah @bambipowerblueaddition @hexqueensupreme @josephquinnsfreckles @harrysgothicbitch @paleidiot @smurfflynn @lilyungpeanut @selena-rocker27

[cre8inghavoc]

What are friends for?

PT. 8

Status: ongoing!!

Updates: no set date.

WC: 4154

Pairing: megumi fushiguro x FEM!reader

Genre/Warnings:[18+] Characters are aged up. This story contains toxic boyfriend, cursing, name calling, self-doubt/hate, angst, breaking up, post-breakup, alcohol, drug use, drunk moments, new friends, dating!au, college!au, no curses!au, dark humour, dark jokes. SMAU.

Recap:

"Where the hell is this stupid class?" you mutter under your breath, frustration mounting with each passing second.

With your mind solely focused on finding your class, you fail to notice the person standing directly in your path. Before you can react, you run right into them, the impact jolting you back to reality.

Stumbling backward, he reaches out to steady you, his hands gently settling on your waist, you look up to apologize, only to freeze in shock as you lock eyes with the person before you.

"Megumi?" you blurt out, unable to hide your surprise as you take in his familiar features and all-black attire.

His expression remains impassive at first, but as his gaze meets yours, recognition flashes in his eyes.

“Y/n?”

You become acutely aware of the situation: his hand on your waist, yours resting on his chest. If anyone stumbled upon this scene, they'd undoubtedly mistake you for a couple practically about to kiss. Stepping back, you clear your throat, trying to shake off the embarrassment that flushes your cheeks. Thankfully, he can't see your face, so you're spared from the embarrassment of him witnessing your cheeks turn bright red.

Despite the inner voice telling you otherwise, you can't help but feel drawn to gaze at him, captivated by his undeniable charm. Dressed in black sweatpants and a snug shirt that highlights his physique, he looks like he just walked out of the gym — with tousled hair, toned arms, and abs peeking through the fabric. And don’t even get me started on his arms and how his veins pop out- What the fuck y/n! Snap out of it! What am I even thinking? I can't let myself indulge in these feelings anymore. He's made it crystal clear he's not interested. It's time to move on.

"What are you doing here?" he questions, a hint of confusion in his tone.

"I go here... Why, are you following me?" you retort, mirroring his confusion.

"How could I be following you if you're the one who ran into me? You stalking me?" He teases, a smirk playing on his lips.

"What? No! Don't flatter yourself," you reply, your tone sharper than intended. His joke strikes a nerve, perhaps because you're still upset and disappointed about him not showing up at the park. It feels like a sign that whatever you two had is now over, yet here he is, acting as if nothing happened.

"Well, I go here too and I've never seen you around, so..." he counters.

"Whatever, Megumi, I'm gonna be late for class, so can you please piss off," you reply, frustration evident in your tone. You don't want to be mean to him, but anger seems to be consuming you. You walk past him, only for him to turn around and gently grab your wrist.

"Y/n, wait..." he says, concern lacing his voice.

"What do you want?" you retort sharply.

"Why are you being like that?"

"Like what?" You take offense to his question. What does he mean by "why am I being like that"?

"I don't know... cold? upset? I didn't mean to offend you if I did... I just didn't realize you went here..." he explains, his tone softening.

"If you must know, I just transferred here from my other school. Now, can I go back to finding my class?" you say, pulling your hand away and continuing to walk.

"Wait!" he says, grabbing your wrist again. "What room number is it? I can help you."

"Megumi, can you please just stop," you say, a little annoyed.

"Stop what?" he says, confused.

"This," you reply.

"This what? I don't get it..."

"Stop trying to pretend like you care or be nice to me because you feel bad."

"Pretend? Feed bad? What the hell are you talking about?"

"See, you're doing it right now. You made it quite clear you want nothing to do with me, so just leave me alone, okay?" Your tone is angrier than before.

"Y/n, no—“

"She said leave her alone, bro." A tall man with a deep voice appears, cutting Megumi off. He's probably just as tall as Megumi, but a little more buff. Megumi lets go of your wrist, and you back up a little, watching the two boys walk towards each other, staring one another down. You stare at Megumi, knowing his intention but hoping he doesn't do anything stupid. As you glance at the other man, he seems somewhat familiar... You examine his face, and just based on the way they're both looking at each other, it's obvious what's about to go down.

"Guys, it's okay, please—” you begin, attempting to separate them before they escalate the situation further.

"Get behind me," Megumi interrupts, his hand gently pushing you back and you comply, even though you're not sure why you're still listening to him.

"What are you gonna do, huh?" He spits back.

"Watch who you talk to," Megumi smirks.

"Guys, please... I said it's okay, can you two please stop!" you plead desperately.

Their voices start to draw attention as this unfolds in front of a few classrooms, with students peeking out from the doorways. Among them is Todo, one of Itadori’s best friends who also happens to be friends with Yuta and Toge. He quickly realizes what's happening and storms out of his class to help stop the situation before the teachers intervene.

"Y/N?" Todo shouts out, rushing towards you.

"Todo?" You look at him as he catches up to where you're standing.

"What the hell is going on?" Todo asks you, clearly perplexed.

"Y/n?" the other man says with confusion and shock, peeking behind Megumi's shoulder to see you. Stepping off to the side from behind Megumi, you stare at him in confusion.

Todo's attention is suddenly drawn to the familiar voice, and he looks at the person in front of Megumi.

The way he said your name feels incredibly familiar, as if you've heard this person's voice before. He just seems so familiar... with his low, deep voice, long black hair, heavy eyebags, and low eyes. And that line tattoo on the bridge of his nose down to the middle of his cheek.

"Choso?" Todo looks at him, baffled, and Choso returns the look with a smile.

"C-Choso?" you question, walking up to him.

"Long time no see, huh?" he says, smiling at you. You smile back and rush in for a hug, which he returns, resting his chin on your head.

As Megumi and Todo stand there, perplexed by the unexpected reunion between you and Choso, you're too engrossed in catching up with Choso to notice the tension building around you. If you were to glance at Megumi now, you'd see the anger in his eyes, the way he's glaring at Choso with increasing intensity. It's evident that he despises the way Choso is holding you close, resting his chin on your head. Perhaps it's out of jealousy, but you're too focused on Choso to realize Megumi's "death" glare.

Meanwhile, Choso takes a step back, his hands still resting on your shoulders as he gazes at you, then briefly glances up at Megumi. He notices the furrowed eyebrows and the intense glare directed at both of you. With a smirk at Megumi's expression, Choso turns his attention back to you, locking eyes once more.

“You've grown so much, I almost couldn’t recognize you. You look so beautiful.” Choso says looking you up and down.

“Oh.. thanks cho! I could say the same for you… you’ve been working out?” you point out his physique which only makes Choso smirk more. 

“Yup, like what you see” He winks at you.

“Omg shut up” you say, rolling your eyes playfully and giggling. 

Megumi couldn't bear continue to witness the apparent flirtation between you and Choso any longer. Something inside him boils, and he kicks himself off the wall, striding up to you and wrapping his arm around your waist, pulling you close to him. You're aware of what he's doing, and you know you should be angry with him, especially after he didn't show up at the park, leaving you to believe he didn't want you. But when you feel his body pressed against yours and his hand around your waist, you can't help but feel flustered, melting into his touch. Does he actually want you? Was the park situation just a misunderstanding? Is he jealous, or are you just being delusional? Would he be doing this if things were good between you two? God, why does this have to be so difficult and messy... You notice the way Choso and Todo look at you and Megumi, and you can't help but feel embarrassed by the situation.

"What are you doing here?" Todo walks up to Choso, ready to greet him.

"Just passing through the area for a few hours, so I wanted to come by and see old friends," Choso responds.

"Didn't know Y/n went here," Todo says, glancing at you as you're still in Megumi's arms.

"I just transferred; today's actually my first day," you explain.

"How do you two know each other?" Megumi asks, annoyance evident in his tone.

"We were childhood best friends, haven’t seen him in years!" You smile at Choso, and he returns the smile.

Megumi responds with only a hum and a nod before a teacher steps outside and instructs you all to get back to class.

The grip around your waist loosens, then completely disappears as Megumi takes a step back. All you can think about is how you already miss his touch, yearning for more, wishing you could stay in his presence just a little bit longer. But you have to get to your class, and so does everyone else, except Choso, who's heading out anyways. You say your goodbyes to him and hug him one last time, but when you turn back around, Megumi's already gone, leaving you with only Todo.

"Where's Megumi?" you ask, scanning the area.

"Went to class, I guess. What happened, by the way?" Todo inquires.

"I'll be honest, I don't even know... One minute I'm trying to find my class, the next Choso and Megumi practically get into a fight, and for what? No idea. What a great way to start my day, right?!" you respond, feeling stressed.

"Well, I can tell you what it seemed like to me," Todo begins.

"And how's that, Todo?"

"Looked like Megumi was jealous of the way you were close to Choso, and it seemed like Choso realized that and tried to piss him off more."

"Why would Megumi be jealous?!" You ask, thoroughly confused.

"Is it not obvious?" Todo responds, clearly shocked.

"What do you mean?" you press.

"Damn, Y/n, anyone could see it from a mile away."

"The hell does that even mean?" you respond, feeling even more confused.

He facepalms, then starts to walk away.

"Todo! .... Todo!!!" you shout after him, but he just keeps walking.

"TODO!" you call out again, but he slips back into class.

"UGH! Can this day just get any worse?" you mutter to yourself, feeling frustrated.

After a few minutes of searching, you finally found your class, only being five minutes late. The teacher didn't mind at all since he understood how confusing it could be to find classrooms on your first day. He was a pretty cool teacher, very nice and calm. You finished your first two classes and had a two-hour break until your next one, just like your friends. Obviously, you made your schedules similar to theirs so you could all go out for lunch.

You finally met up with your friends, and you all decided to go to a nearby cafe just down the street from the school. It had recently opened up, and you were all excited to try it out. Laughing and talking, you walked there together, and upon stepping inside, you were all amazed by the decor and how beautiful it looked. Choosing a booth to sit in, you all ordered croissants. You opted for a vanilla iced latte, as did Maki. Yuta and Toge couldn't decide between regular lattes, cappuccinos, or iced lattes, so they ended up getting the same thing as you and Maki, and they were not disappointed. 

You all sat at the booth, chilling and enjoying your drinks, until you noticed Maki's girlfriend, Nobara, walking up to the counter to order. You waved at her, and she smiled back, coming over to join your group. Maki turned around, noticing your attention on someone, and when she saw Nobara, she got up, happy to see her, and hugged her, then kissed her.

"What are you doing here, baby?" Maki said, pulling Nobara in by her waist and holding her close.

"We just wanted to check out this new cafe!" Nobara replied, looking behind her as Megumi and Itadori walked towards her. However, they both didn't notice your friend group, as they were too distracted arguing with each other about who knows what.

You hadn't noticed Megumi and Itadori coming in; you were too focused on enjoying your food. However, when you finally glanced up and saw Megumi, your face dropped. He looked away from Itadori and locked eyes with you, both of you visibly shocked. Everyone around you couldn't help but notice the tension between you both, their gazes darting back and forth between you.

Little did you know, Nobara and Maki had actually arranged this whole situation. They planned for you to go out to a cafe, and then Nobara would join along with her friends, just to see how you and Megumi would act towards each other. Feeling the awkwardness intensify, you quickly stood up from your seat. Looking back at your group, you both simultaneously said, "Nope, I gotta go." Then, as if on cue, you both looked back at each other and repeated, "No, I'm gonna go." Itadori looked at you both in complete shock.

"What the hell is going on with you two?" he said, clearly confused.

"What do you mean? Nothing is going on!" you say to Itadori, though it's clear you're lying to him.

"Course there isn't," Megumi says with his regular grumpy voice. You glare at him, and he glares back. 

"Uh... yeah, sure, totally believable," Itadori says, rolling his eyes.

 "Can you just spit it out already?" Maki says, hinting at Megumi to apologize to you for not showing up at the park.

Megumi shifts uncomfortably under Maki's gaze, then lets out a heavy sigh. "Fine. I'm sorry for not showing up on time at the park," he grumbles, still looking somewhat annoyed.

You nod, acknowledging his apology, but the tension between you two remains palpable. Everyone knows about the park situation, but they also sense that there's more to the tension between you and Megumi. After all, there wouldn't be this level of anger if it were just about the park.

"Cool! Can I leave now?" you ask, looking back at Maki with your arms crossed, clearly not forgiving Megumi.

"No, not until this is resolved," Itadori says firmly.

"Megumi, what type of apology is that?" Maki responds, her tone slightly scolding.

"Do I have to apologize in front of you guys?" Megumi retorts, his frustration evident in his voice.

"Uhm, yeah? How else are we going to even know if you actually are?" Itadori responds, his tone firm. Nobara, Toge, and Yuta watch with amusement, clearly intrigued by the unfolding drama.

"Right," Megumi says, annoyed, pinching his eyebrows together. "Look, Y/n, I didn’t see your message on time. I was out running errands, and my phone was on 'do not disturb.' When I finally saw it, it was already 6:55 pm. I tried calling you a few times, but your phone was off. I did go to the park, but I got there at 7:15, and I guess you had already left by then. I tried calling you again after that, but I guess you blocked me... I'm really sorry I didn’t make it on time. If I had seen your message earlier, I would’ve been there on time. I’m sorry." Megumi's apology sounds genuine.

"Oh..." was all you were able to say. After hearing what Megumi said, you were baffled. Honestly, you didn't expect that response at all. It made you feel... important again. It kind of made you happy to realize that he actually did come to the park. But it seemed like something was still bothering him, because after apologizing, he just sat down beside Itadori and didn’t look at you again. You glanced up at him a few times while you were all out, but he never once looked at you. It felt like he was trying to avoid you, but for what reason? The tension between you two lingered, and it was clear that there was still more to be resolved.

Everyone talked and shared laughs while you were in the cafe, except Megumi, who barely said a word. Apparently, that was normal for him, but you had never seen him like that before. And you, usually the happy person who always talks to everyone, were quieter than normal. Yuta and Toge picked up on it pretty fast, but they figured it was because of the whole situation with Megumi. They weren't wrong though… but they hated seeing this side of you. 

It's been two months since you all went to that cafe together, meaning it's been two months of you and Megumi not talking to each other. You'd see each other in the halls from time to time, but it just felt... weird. Like it seems as if he is avoiding you. No, he is avoiding you. 

Within those two months, you've gotten super close to Itadori. You found out that the two of you actually have a lot in common, and you'd both hang out a few times a week. Sometimes Yuta and Toge would come to hang out too, while Maki and Nobara are always together. It makes you happy that you're all friends, except the one thing that upsets you is that Megumi isn't there. He isn't talking to you, and every time you're over at their house hanging out with Itadori and Megumi comes home, he just heads straight upstairs and locks his door, completely ignoring your presence. And you don't even know what to do anymore. You don’t understand why he's avoiding you, but it hurts so damn bad.

This time, the sting of rejection cut a little deeper. You, Itadori, and Toge were all hanging out at Itadori's place when Megumi arrived home from his last class. As he entered the house, his gaze swept over the living room where you three were engrossed in video games. Gaining courage, you decided to greet him, but Megumi simply glanced at you all before retreating upstairs to his room, as if you were invisible. It was a small gesture, but it weighed heavily on your heart, making you roll your eyes in annoyance.

Sensing the tension, Itadori and Toge exchanged a concerned glance before swiftly diverting the conversation.

"I'm starving, you guys wanna grab some pizza?" Itadori's stomach growled audibly, prompting laughter from you and Toge.

"Yeah, I'm down for some pizza too!" Toge chimed in.

"You ordering, Itadori?" you asked.

"Nah, let's go pick it up. I'm too hungry to wait," Itadori replied eagerly.

"Ugh, can I just stay here and wait for you guys to come back? I'm feeling lazy," you grumbled, feeling drained.

"That's cool. Oh, and ask Megumi if he wants anything too," Itadori said, shooting you a pointed look.

"Why me?" you protested, taken aback.

"Because you're the one staying behind!" Itadori replied with a mischievous grin, while Toge chuckled.

"Why can't Toge do it?" you countered.

"Because we're leaving now, and you can let us know when he responds. Bye!" Toge said, already halfway out the door with Itadori.

"Fuck you’ve gotta be kidding me.” you mutter to yourself, as you walk up the familiar staircase. Reaching Megumi's door, you knock, feeling a mix of nerves and frustration bubbling inside.

You hear Megumi open the door from his bathroom and approach. As he opens the door, you see he's holding a towel, ruffling it through his hair. At first, you're looking down, but your gaze slowly moves up, and your face turns bright red as your eyes widen. Holy shit-

He's standing there shirtless, wearing only shorts, with his wet hair indicating he just got out of the shower. Water droplets glisten on his chest, and even though you knew he was in good shape, seeing him actually shirtless makes you feel flustered. You quickly look away, embarrassed for staring for so long.

"Uhm... sorry, I didn’t mean to-I mean, I didn’t know-”

"All good," Megumi cuts you off, his expression nonchalant and his tone cold, which catches you by surprise. Lost in thought, you're interrupted as Megumi asks again, "What’s up? You need something?" He throws his towel over his shoulder and he leans against the door frame.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Itadori and Toge are on their way to get pizza. They were wondering if you wanted any..." you say, feeling a bit awkward.

"Oh, nah, I'm good, thanks," he replies.

"Okay..." You stare at him for a moment, and he notices, prompting him to ask, "Anything else?"

"No..."

"Doesn’t really seem like that..." he observes, noting your lingering presence.

"I just... why are you being like that...?" you ask him, feeling a little sad.

"Like what? I didn’t do anything," he retorts.

"Like cold..."

"What do you mean? I’m always like this," he replies.

"No, you're not. Not to me... I thought we were okay after the apology, but you just kept trying to avoid me... We haven’t talked in two months... Why, Megumi?" you say, your voice tinged with sadness.

"Why don’t you just go talk to Choso?" he suggests.

"What?! Is that what this is about?" you scoff.

"No clue what you’re talking about," he says, clearly annoyed.

"Megumi..." you start, but he hums in response.

"Are you jealous?" you ask, a little surprised, teasing him.

"No, I’m not," he says, his face serious as always.

"Don’t lie to me. You are jealous!"

"What do you want, y/n?" he says, attempting to change the subject, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

"I want you to admit it and tell me why you’ve been avoiding me," you say back, crossing your arms.

"What are you trying to get at? There’s nothing to admit," he says tersely.

"So you’re telling me the reason you’ve been avoiding me has nothing to do with Choso," you question him.

"Mhm," he replies, rolling his eyes.

"I just don’t believe you," you tease him further.

"Alright, fine. Yeah, I was jealous. You happy now?" he says angrily, stepping back into his room, about to close the door. But you quickly take a step forward, putting one hand out to keep his door open, and you step into his room, closing the door behind you.

"Why? I don’t understand what there is to be jealous of..." you say, genuinely oblivious to the situation.

"God, Y/N, did you just come here to just fucking argue?" he spits back.

"No, Megumi, I just don’t understand you! I don’t understand why the fuck you’re avoiding me and why the fuck you’re acting like an asshole right now!" you snap back, now angry yourself.

"Don’t you get it?" he retorts.

"Get what? I don’t fucking get shit," you reply, your tone escalating.

"Are you that oblivious?" he challenges.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean? What are—" you start, but he cuts you off mid-sentence.

"I fucking like you," he confesses, his words leaving you stunned. It's not what you were expecting. You thought he was going to tell you he no longer wanted to be friends, but this... This was definitely better than anything you could’ve imagined.

"What—“ Your mouth drops, speechless at the unexpected revelation. 

"I have since the day I took you home from the club..." he adds.

Flooded with so many emotions, you’re unsure of what’s happening, but one thing is clear: you want him. You want him more than ever. You’ve missed his touch, craved it, longed for him. And before you know it, your legs move on their own, as if you have no control over your body. Without hesitation, you rush to him and lean in, kissing him desperately. One hand finds its place on his cheek as you press your lips against his, to which he responds with a groan. At first, he’s stiff, clearly not expecting your bold move, but then he starts to kiss you back with hunger, and you reciprocate, matching his intensity.

Suddenly, you feel his hands on your waist, pulling you closer and pressing you against the wall behind you, the kiss unbroken. A soft moan escapes your lips as your back meets the cool wall, sending shivers down your spine. Your free hand finds its way to his bare chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your fingertips, stirring a sensation you can’t quite explain… The heat between your legs intensifies with each passing moment of the kiss, a fire burning within you. 

Megumi’s grip on your waist tightens slightly, eliciting yet another moan from you, making him smirk against your lips. “Missed that fucking voice of yours,” he murmurs in a deeper tone, sending a wave of heat coursing through your body once again. His words, dripping with desire, only serves to fuel the flames of passion between you, leaving you both consumed by the intoxicating heat of the moment.

finally they apologized 🙄

this lowkey might be one of fav parts bc it was so fun to write…

but i’m so excited to write the next part 😗🤭

TAGLIST <3

@lavender-hvze @xbarrjallenx @atinymonbebestay @1l-ynn @chilichopsticks @dr-fluff-meow @lost-resonance @maya-maya-56 @ichorstainedskin @luciiferslover @madaqueue @vanitywoo

[mariamariquinha]

Bossa Nova (Benny 'Borracho' Magalon x f!reader) - Eleven

Ten

Summary: You've made a decision.

Word count: 7.544.

Warnings: Cursing, talks about police work corruption, irresponsible use of alcohol, people being idiots and work-related situations. If I forgot something, sorry :/

Author’s Note: I remember that I said that there would be some fake dating stuff and there will, but not right now. I'm working on chapter 12 already, so it was a small change of plans but not a change of path.

I'll try to update on AO3 as soon as I can! Sorry for any mispelling mistakes as well; always safe to remind that English isn't my first language.

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

Join my taglist! Don’t forget to reblog, comment and like! As always, I would love to know what you’re all thinking! ❤

****

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has just completed an operation that arrested a ring of robberies in luxury properties last Saturday. Police-grade weapons, special clothing and technological equipment that facilitate the breach of property security systems were seized.

You closed the fridge and stared at the 7-Eleven television curiously, a bottle of sparkling water in hand. 

One of the gang's most notorious victims is technology entrepreneur Theo Park, who was in the house at the time of the incident and was attacked by the robbers.

“To bad things that come to good. If I hadn't been there, maybe they would have gotten away with it and not left enough evidence to get caught. I’m very grateful for LASD's dedication to solving this case.”

Theodore had once said that he appeared on an experimental college TV show and, after that day, he decided he would lose some weight so he wouldn't look so bloated on screen. He seemed to have learned his lesson; despite reporters shoving microphones in his face, he looked flawless.

“It's amazing how the rich get justice so fast, right?” 

You blinked a few times and turned to the cashier, who was also watching the TV. You neither agreed nor disagreed; you approached the counter, placed the bottle on top and fished out a pack of licorice candies, which you also slid towards him.

“You work there, don't you? At LASD?”

Because he would know, right? Of all the other thousand times you went there and bought the same thing, without fail, and the other times you were looking for some alcohol after work. You would open your wallet and every time your badge would come into view. It wasn't really a badge, you wanted to argue as you held out the credit card to him and looked up, but you didn't know if it would make any difference to say that.

“Mm-hm,” You answered and he nodded. 

“Huh. I don't doubt that your boss didn't carry this Park guy on his lap.”

Again, you didn't respond. Outside, in the parking space very close to your car, there was a pickup truck with a nice Confederate Flag sticker and the owner had entered the store a little before you, so you didn't want to take any chances. The cashier swiped your card and handed you a bag with the things you bought. You thanked him, wished him a good day and he told you the same.

You sat on the curb for about twenty minutes on the block before your building. You took out a piece of licorice candy and chewed it leisurely, observing the movement of the early hours of the morning and mentally calculating that you should soon get in, take a shower and remind yourself that you would be late for work, that there was something else you should do before going there. Yes, the work, the same one that would be buzzing with excitement at the conclusion of a case with so much repercussion, and that would remind you enough of things that you were willing not to remember. 

Well, you should expect that; should learn to let it go. 

Still, you thought about what you could do strategically: you would get in late, people would be already minding their own business, so you could get in easily. 

It wasn't like Theodore was going to give up on the climb to become a popular person in the city alongside the most popular people in the world.

****

You had your eyes closed, face to the ceiling, hitting the back of your head on the elevator wall. Before you could hear the doors close, you heard voices getting closer to the point where they were inside the space with you; when you opened your eyes and lowered your head, you saw Nick, Benny, and Connors walking in.

They paid attention to you for half a second and looked away; Benny had a look that lasted longer, one that made you run your hand over the back of your head and stare at the ground.

“Hearing?” 

The question made you snap your eyes up again, spotting O’Brien eyeing you curiously. 

“... No,” You shook your head, forcing a small smile. “Got something to deal with this morning.”

“Mm,” He hummed. “Something important, eh?”

You didn’t know why you did it, but you swiped your eyes to Benny for a split second and spotted him pinching the bridge of his nose with a discreet sigh. When you turned back to Nick, nodded a little – a deep breath to not say the first thing that passed through your mind. 

“It was.”

But there was a weird, sticky atmosphere. Connor’s hair was wet, they all smelled like shower – probably had a long night out, arriving that late at the station. You could tell, from the way Murph would be looking at anything but you, that there was an attempt to access you, a curiosity to know how you would react to the recent news, or to be in the elevator with them when everything was pretty much fresh in everyone’s minds. 

The doors opened, like a breath of air along that tension. It was your floor. You shared a small nod with them, walked to the corridor… then stopped, turning to them and held the doors from closing. 

“I-” You cleared your throat. “Congratulations on the case. You guys-” You looked at Benny again, saw him frowning at you, which made you frown back. “You did a great job.”

“Thanks,” Connors said when the silence stretched and no one, not even Nick, said a thing. It was weird to verbalize, weird to touch. Whatever confused expressions were splayed on their faces, it certainly was splayed on your face as well. 

You nodded a little, feeling rubbish and robotic at the same time, and then you let your arm go, standing like an idiot in front of the closing elevator doors and giving all of them one last look. 

****

Of course Big Nick or Connors would notice, but no one felt like verbalizing it. Untouched territory, like a silent agreement, that it wasn’t their business to poke through your drama with your ex. Maybe that was why Benny felt so weird with time, so invasive towards you even if he knew he was right – you were still someone who happened to be in Park’s life, there was no denying it. 

They were on about three hours of sleep – hungover. They managed to hold off on the scoop until the morning, at least until the paperwork was signed; Benny remembered that they handed in the papers and Z had already found the girls to celebrate. Well, celebrate was a strong word. Benny went and enjoyed it, but little; he was home around 3, took a while to fall asleep and had a late morning. Nick needed a ride because he slept in the hotel room, so the two went back and found Connors in the parking lot. 

It was strange. Benny spent days talking and listening to his ex's testimony, checking information about him, going deeper and pretending he didn't know anything when Z mentioned that the guy had graduated from Caltech, as if Benny didn't research for that already. And Theodore, fuck, he was an ass, but an ass still trying to be nice. He was polite, but his phrases and his words were a touch harsh, bordering impatience. He would look at him, then at Connors or Henderson or Nick, do an once over, put a tight smile on his face – like trying to fit in way-too-small shoes because it was pretty. 

Benny saw that your face wasn't happy, and even if it was, there wasn't a sense of genuine relief in you. It wasn't like you didn't want the case to be solved, but it seemed like you were already fed up and wanted to take a band-aid off at once. Congratulate on the case, smile, leave. Don't give them a chance to ask anything, disguise it.

When the case was closed and they happily went to Theodore’s penthouse to give him the news, he said he would give them something, like a bonus for the Department or other things they might have wanted – you know, to compensate. Benny told him that they couldn’t accept because it would be categorized as a bribe, but then Theodore looked at him like he grew a pair of extra ears on his head like an alien, as if that even made sense.

After a while, he wondered if Theodore was confused because he thought with common sense about LASD or if it was because you, who was already married when you became official there, told him things about the Department's relations.

Still, when they arrived that morning, Theodore had delivered a breakfast basket to them – one that was already somewhat cold, but intact.

If it were up to Benny alone, it would continue like this until the end of the day, and the next day after that.

****

He called. 

It was a new number, one you didn’t recognize, but you were already expecting calls from unknown places. You picked up, excused yourself from the chat you were having with Lennon about some material he delivered, went to the corridor – you said it was important, family matter. 

For a few seconds after your ‘hello?’, no one said a thing. It was so quiet that you wondered if it was one of those marketing bots or something, so much so that you had already taken the phone out of your ear to put an end to the call. Before you could do it, though, a voice cracked up on the other end, and you stopped dead in your tracks, a big frown on your face as you recognized who it was. 

“... Hello?”

And you still had the phone away from your ear, staring at the screen in confusion, and when he insisted one more time you just blinked a few times, looked around and took a few steps deeper into a less crowded area. 

“Yes?” You asked, voice low and discreet, the phone slightly pressed against your ear as if someone could hear him, as if it was shameful to speak with him in the first place. 

“Oh, hi,” He said. “I… Erm… Am I interrupting something?”

“... I’m working…?” 

“No, yeah. Yeah, yeah, totally, I could’ve imagined, I… Sorry.”

You felt a tone of impatience, at the same time that you felt irritated with yourself for wanting to ask how he was, how he felt. You could see that calling you was impulsive, Theodore only got nervous like that in situations without any planning or with too much planning.

Fuck, yeah, you were mad with yourself – you shouldn’t get attached to whatever you used to know about him. 

“Can I help you with something?” You asked instead, pinching the bridge of your nose and squeezing your eyes shut for a second. 

He got quiet on the other end, sighing and ruffling through what seemed to be like papers or whatever. You looked around again, just to be sure, and felt that pinch of irritation growing. 

“Theo-”

“I thought you had changed your number, so I didn't think you would answer,” He excused with a small voice, one that silenced you. “Now I don't know exactly what I wanted to talk about.”

“Maybe you better think about it quickly, I have to get back to work.”

Another sigh. 

“... You went to the hospital that day. Aile-I was told you went there,” The mention of the occasion made you throw your head back in frustration and suppress a groan. “And that you got hurt.”

It was your turn to stay quiet, unsure of what to say. Your hand was good, better; it wasn't that serious of a burn and, in general, you would have a few months of recovery for the mark to disappear. Still, you unconsciously flexed your fingers, remembered Aileen's face when the coffee spilled on you.

“... So what?” 

“So what? Hell, you could’ve sent me the bill or whatever.”

“I could?”

“Well, yes.”

“So you called to offer me money for my injured hand?”

He was growing frustrated – you expected him to. You could sense him gritting his teeth, clenching his jaw. 

“... You went there, maybe you wanted to know how I am.”

“And how are you?”

“Good.”

“Okay.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Are you good?”

“I’m fine.” 

“Your hand is okay?”

“You don’t need to pay me for my hand.”

“I don’t want to, I just want to know if your hand is okay. Technically, it’s on me that it got burned.”

“Oh, so that’s the secret for a good relationship? Taking responsibility for your partner’s faults?” 

“That’s not-” He paused, huffed. There was a noise you could hear, like a chair cracking, and then the sound of steps on a wooden floor. “I’m not with her anymore. Although I’m probably taking that responsibility, it wasn’t me who threw coffee at you.”

You blinked dumbly at that, staring at the floor without a single reaction to process what he just said to you. It should be simple: he’s not with her, you could’ve supposed it would happen, that has nothing to do with you. But Theodore told you that, let it hang in the air, waited to see what you would do. 

“... All in all, I just want to know if you need anything… That’s on me. The least I can do is pay for the hospital bill that I know was expensive as fuck. They call themselves Samaritans but they fucking rob people.” 

You needed to suppress a laugh or a giggle or any indication that what he said was slightly funny. For what felt like an eternity, you just kept looking at the floor, then at your own feet, squirming to prevent any insistent feeling to bubble inside of you with the prospect of him realizing that Aileen wasn’t the best for him, or just him being let down. 

Not that you expected him to be humbled by it, but still – you could dream. 

“... I don’t need anything. Thanks for asking, though,” You offered, voice more calm and genuine. 

“Okay,” He took a deep breath. “Listen, I know you’re out of this almost death experience transformation or some shit, but it was nice of you to come by. Despite everything, you still checked on me and… Well, I won’t forget that.”

You considered him for a while. 

“Maybe you should.”

“Should what?”

“Forget that.”

“Why?” 

And that was that tone, that… subtle implication. You knew what he was doing – what he was fucking implying. He used to do that when he flirted with you, when you two were doing some dirty talk in bed, when he was trying to get inside your pants. It wasn’t that good in high school, but the experience he probably gathered in college made him bold, confident; that shit worked. 

So when he asked ‘why?’ with that low, teasing underlining, you wanted to punch him in the face. 

“Because you should. Because I’m your ex. Because it brought me problems. Because it will make you put words in my mouth and meanings to my actions that are absurd.”

“Absurd like you still caring about me?”

“Yeah, exactly like that.” 

Theodore went quiet, probably nodding to himself. 

“I need to go now,” You pressed. “And don’t surprise me pulling up some shit like you still having my number and calling.” 

“It isn’t some shit. I’m just thankful,” That almost sounded too false, but it just made you feel like it was really forceful. “In debt, too. I know it sounds crazy but whatever you need anything, I-”

“I’ll hang up.”

You did. Right away, at the snap of a finger – out. If he still needed to say something or add or keep up with that bullshit, you really didn’t want to know. You hung up on him, left him mouth agape or whatever, then stared at your black phone screen with that same ugly frown you had when you noticed it was him. 

Your head was starting to hurt, you could feel the sting deep inside. After almost two years – two years – and the bastard called right when his little girlfriend dumped him. You deserved this, didn't you? Surely that time you stole parking cones or vomited on the college lawn wasn't going to go unpunished.

Because you were always so nice to everyone, always following the rules. Motherfucker. Cocksucker. Bitch. Cunt. Jerk. Asshole. 

“You good?” Lennon had a puzzled expression on his face, watching you fuming and huffing while entering the lab again. 

You threw your phone on your desk, sighed tiredly at him. Good news, Theodore is alive. Bad news, Theodore is alive. 

“Yeah, just some stuff. Don’t worry about it.”

But maybe Lennon should – he should worry, should give you some clarification, should fuck you again. Thing was: he couldn’t do any of it. He was an amazing friend, one with his own worries and responsibilities, and he wasn’t your mentor to give you advice. And yeah, maybe you hinted something to him, and then he turned you down by saying he was seeing someone – that guy from the 15B, remember? – and he liked them, so you could get your shit together and let him be, feeling bad for not remembering whoever this person was. 

So you got angry and worried alone – you got pissed alone. You went to the bathroom, saw yourself in the mirror, and felt like punching yourself in the face. And for what? For answering an unknown call? For listening to Theodore? For feeling that bad after Isla’s case? For, fuck, asking how Theodore was? For wanting to… 

Fuck, wanting what? 

You looked at your head again. A large scar was forming there, one that was uncomfortable. It wasn't that bad, nor that destructive, but looking at it was a reminder of how you shouldn't be so nice to the wrong people. What did that bring you, anyway? Turn the other cheek and listen to your ex tease you about it?

You clenched your fist and placed it against the marble of the sink for a while, eyes closed. 

It wasn’t him; no, it fucking wasn’t. It shouldn’t be. 

It was on you. You, you, you. Fucking you. 

****

“... And, you know, he’s kind of a bitch so-”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Which is why I wondered if there was the slightest chance of you knowing anything about it.”

“Mm-hm.”

“So… do you?”

“... Mm.”

The laptop screen began to lower against your will, so that before you could take your hand off the mousepad, the edge reached your fingertips and it hurt. You hissed, but before you could complain, your brother shoved the thing away to the other side of your kitchen table. 

“Hey!”

“Did you hear what the fuck I said?” 

The pain dissipated at the same time as you looked at his face with a frown -- he was irritated. If you were honest, and there was no reason to be any other way, you would say that in fact no, you didn't hear what he said. You hadn't been listening to what people were saying since Theodore's call, because suddenly you were in a hurry and needed to get away, anxious to put your mind together around the fact that he was still having this effect on you. 

“... No, I didn’t,” You sighed in defeat, relaxing your face to a defeated expression and leaning back in your chair, eyes lowering to the table. “What was it?”

“Theodore is on a new project with-”

“Be briefer. Maybe if you didn't go around so much, I-”

“He spoke to you.”

You went from defeated to tense. Honestly, and that was as far as you could go with that wake-up call, you wouldn't have thought that Theodore would make a big deal out of that phone call: it was one of the reasons you felt bad about reacting so intensely to it, in fact, because he didn’t give you the same importance as you did and that was pathetic.

Your face gave away the answer your brother needed, but he didn't hold on to his anger for long; with another sigh just like yours, he sat down in front of you and ran a hand through his hair worriedly.

“Just don’t tell me you’re reconsidering.” 

“... Reconsidering?” You asked, and it took you a beat to get what he meant. When you did, you raised your eyebrows. “Do I sell myself for so little?”

“You do. You answered the phone.”

Fair.

“I didn’t know it was him. I was expecting another call from-”

“From Linda Ricci.”

Okay, now this conversation was starting to get weird because you were sure you would hear if he mentioned that name first. You hadn't told people that you were considering, at least in a healthy way, the possibility of leaving LASD. God, you were still coming to terms with the idea of ​​doing this. But suddenly your brother knew the name of the person you spoke to, what you were thinking about doing, and that left you a little scared. He didn't give in, however.

“He told me,” He added. “Which is crazy, because I’m sure you didn’t tell him that if you didn’t tell me or anyone else about it.”

It sounded like an accusation, which could be also something fair because as far as he was your brother, you honestly didn’t put up with the intimate details of your relationship with Theodore. He cheated, you two split – that was all he needed to know, alongside with legal terms of your prenuptial contract. It was the kind of thing that made someone resentful, but his brother never blinked more than twice at his personal life, so perhaps the possibility of Theodore being the messenger of such intimate news of his life after so long was frustrating; between a cheating ex-husband and a negligent brother, who would be the first to know the good news about your life?

“... Can you not tell dad? Or mom?” You tried with an easy demeanor, even if your tone was clipped. He was ready to open his mouth to deny, though, so you rushed to add. “I didn’t even tell my boss yet!”

“And when are you planning to do that? When we all get worried sick about your well being in that fucking job?” 

You took a deep breath, leaned back in the chair. The email was open – the answer was there. You saw it. 

You glanced at the closed laptop, then at him.

“Soon.”

****

“Is it because of what happened?”

Byrne was definitely not a very sensitive guy, much less an emotional one, but the question seemed to have a natural compassion background like seeing a puppy at an adoption fair. You had asked for the first few minutes of his shift to talk about the subject, at zero hour when no one would arrive for a while, and you sat in front of him with a serious expression.

The question didn't make you change that, actually; you raised your eyebrows and sighed, but it was more like a spontaneous reaction to a subject you didn't want to talk about than an explicit denial.

“Depends on what we're talking about,” You threw the ball at him, who narrowed his eyes at you. 

“... About the DEA case,” He said after a while, leaning back on his chair. “The recent events wouldn’t give you time to recalculate like that. Tell me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like a well-thought decision, one you wouldn’t make out of spite.”

“That’s a good observation.”

“Not as good as the one you’ll tell me.”

Then you smiled – a bitter, large grin. You measured his reactions with caution, licking your lips and reconsidering what to say. After a beat, you arched an eyebrow and averted your gaze to your hands, both of it splayed out over your thighs. 

“... I'm not a very virtuous person, Doctor, and I like to believe I'm not a moralist. Despite this, I have never given anyone reason to doubt my integrity as a professional,” You raised your eyes at him. “Maybe, at some point, but nothing that time wouldn't prove otherwise.” 

“You talk about your alliance with Major Crimes.”

Alliance. You needed to prevent a snort at that. 

“My partnership, yes,” The correction made him retrieve a little. “And, look, I understand how things work. I'm not an idiot and much less indifferent to them, but I think there comes a time when they stop being just things and start putting you on the main stage.” 

For a moment, as soon as you closed your mouth, you remembered Emma, ​​just as you remembered Walsh and his pitiful speech to the cameras. That made you frown.

“You, doctor, are here because the Department's credibility went to waste after what happened. People have always questioned LASD's methodology, but what happened was much greater than common sense about what we do.” 

“Are you talking about Emma?”

“I’m talking about being put in the hot seat for sabotaging the case.”

He shut down again, this time considering your stern tone with more caution. You already left her with a cracked friendship, you wouldn’t want it to be worse than it was. 

“... You didn’t, I assume.” 

“No, I didn’t.”

“But you know I could work it out. I'm not Emma, ​​but it's no secret that Major Crimes doesn't have much room for imposition with me here.” 

Which was quite funny to think about, but you did as he did and just took it as it was – a single comment. You nodded, averted your gaze again. 

“Not only that, but I appreciate your consideration. Rest assured that, despite everything, they should have the right to speculate. Maybe it was my innocence that I thought I didn't have the tendency to go over anyone to gain an advantage, especially people I've worked with for so long.” 

Not that that would actually solve it, but you also didn't want to repeat Emma's attitude and put yourself as someone who was harming someone else's work, even if Nick and company had a lot of capacity to do that on their own. You thought about it. You thought about Benny. He could also harm you with what happened at the hospital, he could make conversations with Byrne less cordial and make Nick push you away even more, to the point of making the murmurs even worse than they already were. 

So you said something else to put him at ease. 

“It's not Major Crimes that's going to get me out of LASD. Everything that happened and happens makes me sure that I got out of LASD myself.” 

****

Gina got the news with a frown, but her hug said that she was proud. 

Lennon smiled, placed a small kiss on your forehead – just don’t become a stranger, he said. 

Your departure was silent: no parties, no goodbyes and, please, no speeches. Despite all your years at LASD, leaving in an atmosphere of so much falsehood would be worse than dealing with more personal problems mixing with professional ones.

So no one in the lab other than Gina, Lennon and Byrne knew. From what you heard, Cillian would break the news as soon as he found someone else, and two days later he informed you that that other person had already been found. Efficient and fast, just how he liked everything to be.

You considered talking with Nick in the meantime – considered apologizing to Benny, like, properly. But every time you grabbed the phone and dialed their number, every time you thought about texting but saw the flirting stuff Benny used to send you or clipped orders O’Brien sent over, you would chicken out. 

You just didn't want drama.

****

Byrne was fucking dramatic, the kind who was probably a theater kid in school before deciding to be a scientist. He had been probing the work of Major Crimes since he had set foot in the LASD, so each and every interaction came with a passive tone that bordered on rudeness, but always hovering with unharmonized friendliness.

It wasn't like Emma – with Emma there was a flow, a rhythm. She and Nick had known each other for a long time, it was just different. Byrne was ruthless, regimented, too close to an OCD diagnosis, and two feet on the spectrum of control obsession. He didn't like them and had made that clear from the beginning; for him, the defeat of Major Crimes was a personal gain, which could be reasonable, since no one there made much of a point of being pleasant.

That day, however, Cillian was radiant, smiling. He asked for permission to enter the office and had both hands in his pants pockets, almost bouncing in tune with what seemed to have been a great weekend.

It should have been – for him, of course. He practically hummed the news, or sort of purred like a cat.

“I received very ecstatic news that our lab partner is leaving us,” He said, looking at Nick and only Nick, wanting to have every single drop of reaction or bother or anything. “She received a particularly undeniable opportunity at Ricci & Co.” 

Benny was sure you didn't use the term 'irrefutable'. He just knew that you weren't that definitive about things, or that at least you wouldn't talk to Cillian that way. In any case, it seemed certain that it was a good thing financially and professionally speaking: they already had the opportunity to scratch Ricci & Co. when they worked on an old case. Family business, the kind that wasn't limited to university newspapers like Theodore Park and with big, New York glass doors.

It was an immediate rational thought, one he only processed with more consideration when he saw Henderson exchanging a confused look with him.

“Since when?” Connors asked with a clipped tone. 

“Hiring processes at Ricci last, I don't know, thirty days?”

“You know that's not what he asked,” Nick pressed, which made Cillian hide a smile behind a satisfied sigh. 

“She gave us two weeks' notice and made sure to finish as many ongoing cases as possible. Today is her last day.” 

Benny remembered what happened at the hospital, made mental notes of any sign you might have given as if the whole situation wasn't already a big enough warning. He remembered your tired, defeated expression, your slumped shoulders; you looked sick, apathetic. Then he went over Isla's case, the conversation in your kitchen, your look of fragility at his rejection.

Your defeated stance with Walsh humiliating you in front of everyone, your lost look when he made you sit in a room to solve the problem. Maybe he didn't know that these little things were pushing you out of LASD, that every frustration or disappointment or tiredness was draining you enough to make your decision.

“I see that everyone is very upset, which was expected, so I made a point of letting them know and avoiding gossip or side conversations. I believe there is a lot to think about, especially because this is a personal gain for her but an almost irreparable loss for the Department.” 

“You know, Byrne, this is a good chance to stop beating around the bush and be direct with what you want to say.” 

“Well, Detective O'Brien, I think everyone here is smart enough to know what I'm talking about. Please be aware that as much as I would have made a point of cutting even our toilet paper budget to match the offer she received, I should have warned you that I am not willing to sacrifice the sanity of my employees for what appears to be a whim of yours.”

Everyone was quiet, expectant – Nick was being called out by a guy who knew shit and, as far as they all knew what kind of thing O’Brien would say, his silence made a wave of shock wash through all of them. 

“She was kind enough to say that it wasn't because of you, but I've been watching her movements for some time. No day off to photograph a crime scene that wasn't in her jurisdiction, small bribes with dinners, requests for preferences in evaluating evidence… This isn't exactly professional. A good reason for someone with decency to reconsider, though.”

“You know this agreement always had two sides.”

“Yeah, but only one of them was self-aware of it and clearly the wrong one made the right decision. Should I tell you which side you are on or are we on the same page here?”

It was an exaggeration – at least it seemed like one – but deep down Benny knew it wasn't. In fact, it wasn't like a feeling, just an obvious awareness, the kind that everyone knew about but didn't talk about openly. Big Nick was no longer in the sheriff's good graces. Major Crimes received a portion of annual investment that didn't come that year, and since the last meeting with superiors, Nick wasn't very satisfied with the way things were going. It was off. Odd. 

If it was the case of what they did that influenced you to leave, it might sound very absurd but it wasn't impossible, even if Magalon firmly believed that you wouldn't give in for so little. 

Byrne wanted the excuse to give Nick a hard time – unfortunately he wasn’t totally wrong about it too. 

When he left without a word, using the silence as a way of having the last bit of speech, there was a swagger on his steps, like a weight leaving his shoulders. He knew for sure that was how you saw them all, how you accessed them: full of themselves, always without a worry in the world because they could handle it. 

Nick threw a stapler on the panel near his desk, muttered a small ‘fuck’. Tony could even be the one to be at least pleased about it, but no one felt like sharing their opinions on the subject. 

There wasn’t a worry about you leaving – it was about how it wasn’t something O’Brien couldn’t control. 

****

The idea was a drama-free exit and you knew that Gina and Lennon would be able to comply with your wishes with as much effort as they could. When Cillian let everyone know at the weekly meeting, you got a few hugs and handshakes, but everyone there knew you well enough to be cordial up until that point. You were even relieved. Apprehensive, but relieved. Everyone said so many good things about Ricci & Co., Ballard even showed up at your lab during the day and told you that 'this technology thing was cool', that it 'suited you'.

He was nice. Warmed your heart with the gesture. 

Lennon arrived there towards the end of the day and handed you an envelope. As no one had time to buy you a gift as they were busy because they just didn't know you were leaving, some people from the lab raised a donation and gave you around 450 bucks.

“You didn't have to do that.”

“It wasn’t my idea. Rob from IT always had a small crush on you.” 

That made you smile and almost made you cry. 

And maybe your last day at LASD would turn out perfectly fine if it were like that, if you only said goodbye to people with silly, happy memories, so that you could miss it a little while you were tied up in the good parts of working there. 

Looking back, you should have been more insistent about saying no. Not because it sounded like a bad idea from the beginning, no, but mainly because you knew how nights like that could end and you should be just a little less carefree just in case. Lennon invited you for some drinks – Gina too. Took you, what? An hour? And then what was supposed to be only a small gathering with only the three of you turned into a ‘remember when we got our asses busted for going to that bar?’ and before you could decline, the three of you were smashed in the backseat of an Uber to meet some Gina’s friends at that same bar. 

It was like the old days, the trio fresh out of college, excited from the perspective of being in LASD, all excitement and fervor to be your best versions. Theodore wasn’t with you when that happened – he went to get you from the bar, yes, but if he was there in the first place, you wouldn’t be that drunk or have that much fun. 

And you had enough fun. You weren't very drunk, but you had that buzz, that feeling of excitement and anxiety; for a while, you managed to forget your apprehension about saying goodbye to LASD, about taking a direction in a place where you didn't know anyone. For a while, only. With dancing, beers, a shot or two like the cops used to do. With music too, voice high and hands moving in the air. 

You would certainly need to deal with your relationship with alcohol after that. That was something for tomorrow, however, or the day after tomorrow, or next week or next month. Fuck Theodore. Fuck him and his fake concern and his phone call and his fucking money. You didn't need any of that. Look at you: a young spirit, hot, single, with friends, having fun. He didn't have that. He would spend his life licking the balls of rich people to invest just a little of their time in him, humiliating himself for crumbs to grow in life… And you wouldn't. Nooooo, not you. You would be great. She would be a fucking analytical security manager for mansions up and down the Coast, earn your money and be respected. That's what you were going to do. And no thanks to that mediocre piece of shit. No thanks to Walsh or your work for even more pathetic and idiotic detective messes.

You were almost a wreck, but okay: your reflection in the mirror was more inviting than you thought it would be. Gina was already vomiting, one of her friends holding her hair as those tequila shots took effect. You watched the scene in your reflection for a while, then heard your friend turn to you and say that it was late, that it was better to leave. You nodded. You turned to the sink, turned the tap on, watched the water drowning your palms in. 

She got Gina on one side and you on the other. This was your chance to leave too. Yes, you've already had your relaxation, you've had fun, and you could go and rest. But then you glanced in the wrong direction at the wrong time and spotted Benny a few tables away with Connors and Henderson. 

You looked around – Lennon was distracted, probably didn’t even notice them. You had this… frown on your face, this… sense of inadequacy. Should that be your second chance to say something? Because, well, it didn’t take long to admit the coincidence. 

Benny turned slightly amidst laughter and the two of you held each other's gaze for a while. The laugh turned into a smile that turned into a grin, that turned into a straight line, then a frown. You felt embarrassed, called out, caught out. Suddenly you were too sticky, too uncomfortable, ready to run away. 

Gina slipped through your arm when her friend announced she would take her. You stood still, watching them both stumble out of the bar with a lowered gaze. Flexing your fingers, you forced a big smile on your face when Lennon came jumping up and down, offering you another shot of tequila. 

They would leave, you decided. They would leave and you would be able to relax. You didn’t owe them a thing. 

****

You were sitting in the gutter nursing a can of Coca-Cola that was already hot. Lennon had already left sometime around one, and it was reckless of you to let him go alone with another guy, but before you could worry anymore, he sent you a photo in the mirror of his own house. Damn, you could be closer to Gina's friends, they were really good people.

You should have gone with her, even, and not stood there saying that you were fine, that you would order an Uber and go home alone. Firstly, you were clearly not well. The drink had gone bad, you were drunk and everyone obviously knew it was the stupidest thing in the world.

Still, you sat there, watched the streets fading into blurs of light and dark. Another peak at your phone and the driver was 15 minutes away, taking turns, expecting you to cancel the ride. It wasn’t like you were going to throw up in his car or whatever – you just wanted to go home. 

“Seems warm.”

His voice made you grunt, bowing your head down in defeat. When you looked up, he was standing right beside you, both hands inside his jacket pockets while he eyed your hunched figure. 

“Because it is,” You grumbled, taking another stubborn sip. “Borderlining my sobriety, so… cheers.”

“Yeah, I think we can agree that you have a conflicted relationship with alcohol.” 

“Calling me an alcoholic?” You frowned, to which he just shrugged. He raised his eyes to observe the street surrounding you two, nonchalant as ever, and after a beat of silence you just scoffed to do the same. “Too bad you saw it too late, I guess.”

“What? You think I wouldn't fuck an alcoholic?”

“I’m not-You know what, eat shit, Magalon.”

But he didn't go. Damn, he wasn't. He remained there, moving the sole of his boot on the concrete here and there, sighing as you held your head with both hands. After a few minutes, your cell phone buzzed: the driver canceled. 

“Lemme guess-”

“Why are you still here?”

“I have a tolerance for the number of bodies to find in one night,” He arched an eyebrow, tilting his head to you. “Just imagine if the first thing I see in the early hours of my morning is a reckless drunk girl who took an Uber at 2 am.” 

“Right, okay. Got it.” 

“Yeah, so.”

“But I’m good. I’ll find-”

“Another Uber to go back home?”

You glared at him, then made an effort to get up from your seat and feel the whole world spinning in your head. That almost got you on the floor again – you lost your balance for a second, got up too fast. 

“You know what,” You raised both hands in the air. “I’m done. I’m totally done. Say what you mean or leave me for you to find me dead in the morning.”

Benny shook his head, taking in your state with what seemed like frustration. 

“I don’t remember you being so annoying. Last time you drank a little too much-”

“We kissed. I know the lore, Magalon, I was there. But we are not gonna kiss now, if that’s what you’re intending to.”

“I don’t wanna kiss you right now.”

“Good.”

“But I want to take you home.”

It could be the alcohol. Well, there was a good chance it was alcohol. Anyway, when he said that in such a genuine way, with a more accessible and light tone of voice, as if he was comforting you, you felt your eyes water and an almost uncontrollable urge to cry. He noticed it too, noticed the way you wavered, blinked hard a few times and stayed curiously quiet.

You averted your gaze to the side and sniffed with a dry nose, doing a hard job to keep the tears at bay. 

“Do I look like I need to be saved by you? Like, all the time?” 

He didn’t walk closer, didn’t try to bring any kind of physical comfort – Benny shrugged, kept it cool. When you looked at him again, he wasn’t giving you anything but a straight face. 

“At this point in time, you could say it's just a coincidence that we're in the same place when you screw up. And luckily, of course, I'm not such an asshole that I'd let you go off on your own.” 

And then he said something that made you waver even more. 

“I like you. In a very stupid way, but I admire you as a person and as a professional. The difference between then and now is that you're hitting the goalposts for a longer time because you're too stubborn to understand that it's not always your responsibility.” 

That would make you really cry, but you didn't, opting to swallow dryly while locking your jaw so that your lower lip wouldn't tremble and you wouldn't falter. He was too good at it, it was even annoying. You didn't see Nick or Tony having that same kind of ability to read people, even though it was naturally intrinsic to the anatomy of a good detective.

The cold night breeze hit you, making you shiver and flinch a little. He then took a single step closer, pointing at his own car down the street. 

“Home. Let’s go?”

****

No pressure tags:

@cheesybadgers

@thoroughlymodernminutia

@seaweeden

@thesandbeneathmytoes

@eclecticfashionbookszipper

@servenas-inner-fangirl

@mysoulisasunflower

@dizzybee03

[deltastra]

My Sonic Movie 3 Predictions

So I initially planned to make this post AFTER my SonicxShadow Generations post.

Unfortunately life happened and I'm still writing that.

AND I won't be able to watch the movie until 3-4 weeks after the release date...

So, here are my predictions for Sonic 3. Stuff I believe will happen, how likely I believe it will happen, and why I believe so.

UPDATE: I am aware that recently, the movie's plot and post-credit scene got leaked. So I just wanted to state that all of this was written on the 14th of December when there were no leaks. I am not hinting anything or spoiling the movie. If you have seen the leaks, please avoid confirming or denying anything on the list as you may spoil the movie for people who are interested.

THESE ARE JUST PREDICTIONS. NOT SPOILERS

Super Shadow (VERY Likely)

Shadow will live (Likely)

Dr. Eggman's fate will be ambigious again (Likely)

Gerald is immortal and will drop the goofy persona in the final act (Somewhat Likely)

The ACTUAL Live and Learn song will play (Very Likely)

Maria won't be shot (Somewhat Likely)

Team Heroes will betray G.U.N (Somewhat Likely)

Time Travel may be involved (Likely)

Amy and Metal Sonic for post-credit scene (VERY Likely)

As for my opinions on it and why...

If you have no knowledge on Sonic outside of the movies, then consider this a spoiler warning

Super Shadow (VERY Likely)

Okay let's get the obvious out of the way. This is happening, we all know it. Not much to say. He will probably go super with Sonic and stop the Ark or something...

Shadow will live and learn (Likely)

It's important to remember that at the end of the day. The Sonic movies are FAMILY movies. So, I highly doubt they would kill a fan favourite like Shadow or confirm him as dead. Also, if they plan on making more movies, they may need Shadow.

However, I won't mind him being for one movie only, it could feel more impactful. But I understand many may disagree with that.

(Off topic but I hope Sonic says "Sayonara Shadow the Hedgehog")

Dr Eggman's fate will be ambigious again (Likely)

Now, this may sound like a weird prediction to make but bear with me here. I'm not saying that it will be unclear if he dies or not at the end of the movie like at the end of Sonic 2, but rather, it will be unclear if he continue being the villain for future movies. I believe this for two reasons.

Jim Carrey's retirement plans and the ending to Sonic Adventure 2.

Jim Carrey's retirement news has been very wishy-washy. It certainly seems he will return whenever he wants to but that means the writers cannot confirm his presence for future movies because of this.

This also pairs well with the ending to Sonic Adventure 2

I believe Eggman will have a moment with Tails similar to this scene. For Jim Carrey's Eggman, this scene will show the ambiguity of Eggman's actions for the next few movies. He will talk about Gerald and we will be left wondering whether he will turn over a new leaf.

(Tho, I do not know for sure what will become of Gerald by the end of the movie, since he wasn't executed. Not a fan of that change, but I will keep an open mind.)

Speaking of Gerald...

Gerald is immortal and will drop the goofy persona in the final act (Somewhat Likely)

To be honest I dislike the "Goofy villain suddenly gets mean and serious near the end" cliche. In fact, I do not like the idea of a goofy Gerald even if he is just pretending because it doesn't feel like he will emit that feeling of insanity birthed from grief.

And yet...I feel like that's where the movie is heading so it's best I learn to deal with this possibility so as to not ruin my enjoyment.

Let's talk about the immortality thing instead.

HOW ON EARTH IS HE STILL ALIVE?! I believe in the movie's universe, Gerald did eventually discover immortality using Shadow. But instead of handing it over to G.U.N, he used it on himself and went into hiding, waiting for the day he can get revenge with Shadow.

On paper, not only does this sound like the most probable, ITS ALSO KINDA COOL? Sadly the "Goofy Gerald" act throws me off sorta.

The ACTUAL Live and Learn song will play (Very Likely)

With the reveal of the ending song being "Run It", a country pop song, many have began to doubt if Live and Learn will actually play in the movie. I believe it will.

Instead of the ending credits, the song will definitely play during the final battle which eventually leads to Shadow's sacrifice. I know it's just baseless speculation on my end but the reason why I believe so is because of how much they advertise the movie as a love letter to Sonic fans in interviews. It would be crazy if they didn't add the song.

I believe that they will add the Sonic Symphony's version of the song. I listened to the symphony's version and it genuinely sounds fitting for a climactic showdown on a movie-scale.

I will still keep my expectations low because we may just get a orchestral version of it instead....fingers crossed though!

Maria won't be shot (Somewhat Likely)

A common joke among fans is Maria getting shot. I see it online and I feel like it's become kind of a flex that the Sonic Movie will have such a scene. And it feels like so many people are convinced it WILL happen. I do want that scene because it highlights the core issue with G.U.N and how far they'd go.

However, the reason why I also believe the scene will not be shown is due to censorship and how they've gone from clearly insinuating how she died, to keeping it somewhat vague.

Take a recent game like Shadow Generations for example

No guns are shown, and if they were, it would be hard to see. But the implication was still there due to the gunshot sound.

But before, they wouldn't be subtle about it.

I don't know how they'll kill off Maria in the movie, but I hope its at least G.U.N's fault that it happened. No "accidents".

SCU G.U.N soldiers do carry guns so maybe they might imply the scene. But I would also not be so surprised if they changed it. I just hope the change makes sense. In other words, I hope the movie still treats her death how it was meant to be treated. A tragedy caused by those in power.

Please...PLEASE...do not glorify or excuse G.U.N's actions SCU...yea that's my main concern so that's why my next prediction feels more like a cope...

Team Heroes will betray G.U.N (Somewhat Likely)

Adventure 2 centered around Sonic getting falsely accused by the military and even getting captured by them for a while.

Hence, this is not only a prediction, but also a hope for the movie.

It's very obvious that in the SCU, Sonic works with the police and the government. He does it to be the "hero" of Earth, Knuckles and Tails follow him. Many people are upset over this and I agree. It feels off for Sonic to work WITH authorities or support them in any way.

But the thing is, Sonic is not really a static character in the SCU. He learns and grows. So I genuinely think that Sonic will work with G.U.N for the first and second act, then betray them in some form after learning the truth.

It doesn't need to be a big betrayal by Sonic, but rather a "I'm not following orders" mindset from him.

Time Travel may be involved (Likely)

This is a common theory, not a fan of it but it seems likely that it will happen. Look at all the damage that's caused. I feel like that volcanic area was destroyed land.

Not only that, the Moon was sliced, I don't see the movies keeping the Moon destroyed. It doesn't feel like the SCU want any "point of no return" for anything (I don't know if consequences is the right word here).

If they do time travel, I hope it isn't too hammered in. Maybe just a slight change to justify the climax without taking away any of the emotional impact. But I still wouldn't be a fan of it.

Amy and Metal Sonic for post-credit scene (VERY Likely)

Yea I feel like they're going to take inspiration from Sonic CD for the next movie.

It may be possible he will be created because Sonic gives a quill to Eggman in the first trailer as a deal. Which leads to Eggman creating Metal Sonic.

With the introduction of Metal Sonic, I don't see why they wouldn't introduce Amy (Then again they are adapting Adventure 2 without her or Rouge so...).

Oh but I also recall that those who attended the premiere said that the post-credits scene is "better" than the Shadow Reveal in Sonic 2...

Is it really going to be Silver? Nah, I still think it's Metal Sonic and Amy.

I don't believe Silver will be introduced right after Shadow because it would feel too similar to Shadow. Hedgehog vs Hedgehog. So why not place Hedgehog vs Robot Hedgehog in between?

I definitely won't mind if Silver and Blaze are in the post-credits scene though. Knowing that Sonic Team planned Year of Shadow with the movie as the grand conclusion, it makes me hope they make it a regular thing for other characters. Year of Silver? Sounds fun. Any character getting a year will be fun.

Conclusion

Geez this took a long time to write...but I'm glad I got all my predictions out now.

I do want to clarify something. Reading my post again, it seems that I'm speaking about the SCU in a slightly negative tone.

I won't say I dislike the movies. I'm just cautiously optimistic. I don't expect 1:1 adaptations from them, and I'm pretty sure Hollywood execs like to get in the way of creativity sometimes in order to focus on profit.

There is also an issue of target audience. The movies, at the end of the day, are for families. They're family movies and kids are the target audience. THAT'S NOT A BAD THING. It's just the reason why I don't expect too much, the plot still has to be quick and easy to follow. It can't be TOO dark either.

However, while I do look at the SCU as just "enjoyable spin-off media", I genuinely like the movies and I am excited to see what Sonic 3 has in store!

[pentition]

Spoilers for Sandrock and Portia below:

Hey gang, have we talked yet about how Pen's letter directed us to a cave that conveniently was right by the marriage location? :')

I reloaded to an older save and revisited the entire Duvos arc and now am catching up on the updates that followed from it. But I was thinking here just musing over the location of this cave. Obviously one the Builder either didn't know about or conveniently they just never went together? Because doing cave crashes with Pen would have made for fiiiiiine date content if we ever had gotten more of it.

I just keep thinking on the fact this dude got KO'd and dropped a diamond ring and his gloves (though, I imagine the Builder knew better than to let him keep those on). It's like, ow, okay. As if the thought process and what he says while imprisoned wasn't enough. But then you got to a cave that I'd argue isn't actually that dangerous? Find what was left. And interestingly it's not just The Protector that's waiting for you.

Gold and diamond was there, too. It kind of makes me wonder a couple of things. What if the little challenge of the cave was meant to be a repeat of their first date. Instead of taking down robots, they just take down cave dwelling critters. Was the prize meant to be a marriage proposal despite stating how that wasn't on the table originally?

The other thought that came to mind was maybe it was his bail out of Sandrock hiding spot. Some diamonds and gold could get him far enough. But then that begs the quest, why is The Protector there? He mentioned a number of times about the Builder having staying at his side, or taking them away with him. So maybe bail out funds (if the operation went south) is what it started as before he began seriously accounting for wanting his partner to go with him?

It's stupidly wild how he talks a lot of shit, and I mean a lot of shit but he's smart enough to know what's what. Like while he's imprisoned and you have the 'farewell' dialogue exchange. Choosing the romance option leads to him starting out saying something that the Builder likely wants to hear before he sours and becomes kind of bitter about it. The fact he knows it may be what they want to hear just shows a depth of acknowledgement and understanding.

The bitterness that seems to follow, especially speaking in regards to his own heart not being capable of love, just points to what Duvos has put him through. Even if willingly, I doubt Pen would have known the extent of what their military force intended to do to him. It's said he has a criminal record in and out of his military service, so either he's a bad apple but (like Stev and other soldiers have said) is still just a person or he's legitimately supposed to be vile. And I can't really see it being the latter with half of the things he says in your time knowing him.

There are so many fun little things that I try to see both sides with in this. Pen being escorted onto the plane to leave. He stops to look back at the Builder specifically. On one hand, it could be argued he looked back in disgust at the crowd and then notice the Builder. On the other hand, after hearing Pen's farewell words and how he went quiet at the end of it, it makes me think something else. He looked back, and not just looked back. Dude like, braced himself and sighed before doing so, saw whatever he expected or didn't to see and lingers a moment before continuing. There's not of that bravado. It kind of just carried on with 'farewell' tone. The thing is, even if you didn't romance Pen you still provided something for him that stood out from the rest of Sandrock. He noticed your Builder, it actually got to be fun. Even if things were distant, he was clearly having fun and that shook things up enough for him. Which I think points fingers ultimately back towards whatever training (and experimentation) he endured.

What was it... Telling him he could change still in the 'farewell' dialogue led to him acknowledging all the people he has killed/things he has done. It's a self-awareness he clearly possesses. I feel like that's vital insight into his character. He has an ego but he's still a soldier obeying his higher command. I can't really comment much on Pen and Howlett, but Pen was thrilled when Logan was putting up a challenge. Frustrating he kept eluding him, sure, but still he welcomed it. Just like he welcomed being challenged by the Builder. I kind of imagine Pen is akin to a hound locked in a dark kennel for long periods of time, when he gets out easy prey isn't going to quench his thirst. Howlett being onto the Duvos scheme meant there was prey that was putting up a challenge. Logan and the Builder then proved the same.

Whether that's just Pen's personality, or a bloodthirst that has always been there or developed due to his military service, it's hard to say. I think it's up to interpretation. It's kind of putting on the table the whole argument that soldiers become monsters to win wars. Sometimes to get through it, they let themselves feel all that shit. Or times, it was just what's within them being brought to the surface.

Pen showed himself to be a manipulative individual. He's cunning enough to get away with laying low, in getting people to dance to the tune he wants usually, and to be able to have that self-awareness. The latter of which has be shaking my fist like, "Pen, you fucking idiot." as I say, repeatedly, my Builder left on standby at the moment while I write this lmao. It would be one thing if he was just, "Haha, I LIED and genuinely don't give a shit!" but we see otherwise in the things unsaid. And when it is said, it's said in the 'farewell'. Though, I'd like to add, him putting out the theoretical 'that's what you wanted to hear, right?' thing could be considered as close as he came to stating his feelings aloud.

I don't know if it was an update or what since I came back, but like 3 mornings out of a week Pen would be outside my Builder's home for a play date. Even on days they couldn't because it was used up that week already (and I'm missing that 'follow' function Portia had ahhh). It interested me that someone he was trying to come off as so callous (post-being caught) was actively seeking out the Builder so often. Someone which that size ego wasn't just thinking, "Oh, they'll come to me' instead. Which made him turning around to look back hurt way harder because it was like he was seeking out the Builder again. :')

Last thing to add for I wrap up... I like that it's called The Protector. Because that's how he introduced himself as. And maybe also what he believed himself to be by Duvos logic. The description of it felt like it had two meanings: specifically restating Pen's perspective and the fact relationships have an emotional weight to them. Probably in a way that he had been expecting to encounter on this mission of his. It could have been called anything to reflect it being burden, but it wasn't.

I'm screaming. I just want to dive deeper into this drama of Pen and the Builder (especially a romanced Builder) in the game. (Incoming Portia spoiler): I'm still mad af over Aadit. Just the up and abandonment and nothing was ever done about it. I know that Pathea stated they had to move on due to conflicts behind the scenes or whatever. But it still feels similar all over again. There's so much potential with Pen's character and coming back. The main argument I see is 'well, he killed Logan's dad'. Yes, valid. Not at all going to let that pass. I know Pathea tries to be a little more on the lighter/sillier side. I'm a Fable fiend, I know how well dark shit and humor blends. That being said, it also bugs me how little I've seen of people acknowledging Logan and Haru's plans were dangerous as fuck.

You can say that they didn't kill anyone. Doesn't really mean they didn't try or an accident couldn't have happened. What if someone tried to play the hero on that train and a misfire happened? Pretty sure I remember getting bombs hurled my Builder's way and poison from Haru. The point of intent does matter to some degree. If an accident happens, sucks, but it is an accident. It's not intentional murder. At the same time, the two lovely chucklefucks know they are playing the bad guys so they are intentionally putting themselves in these risky positions that also puts others at risk as well.

The difference is that to Logan it's personal, to Pen it isn't (even if he still gets a kick out of it). It's personal affairs vs military orders - and the two have come to detest one another. That opens up interesting possibilities if we ever got to see Pen come back. Because the first step with those things will always be having a self-awareness of your part in it all. Oh wait, Pen already has that. :)

I don't know, I've seen it occur in other medias with less of a backstory behind the mutual hate. It feels like a prime opportunity to tackle it as a DLC. Because like the whole Aadit thing, the possibility of Aadit and Pen (and Matilda) showing up later is like. Cool and all. But I won't be playing the Portia or Sandrock character who had a history with them probably in that game. It'll likely have us start fresh with a new Builder. And if they put romance in that? I'd feel like how I did with Cullen in Inquisition. Just sweaty and waiting if he'd go off about his first love (crush). And like, the relationship with Aadit or Pen were way further along than what Cullen and the mage Grey Warden experienced so. It's like LET ME RESOLVE THIS NOW PLEASE and then a bunch of screaming and crying emojis.

Okay I've rambled enough for now. Hi. I'm back and will post art soon. Sorry this is a mess. I haven't slept properly in days and just AHHHH