#I stopped at one to gas up and my mind was blown that they had a burger sandwiched between two breaded mozzarella squares

[extra-stout-stories]

Ok, I keep thinking about your NYC/tri-state feedist tags from the other day, like, there could be a whole road trip challenge series in the North American northeast: 

Maine to Eastern Mass to Connecticut to argue about whose lobster rolls are right 

Montréal to upstate NY to NYC arguing about whose bagels are right

Driving from Boston to Philly through grinder, hero, wedge, and hoagie territories to argue about each other's long sandwiches 

Hudson valley/NYC/Jersey deli crawl to argue about which deli does rolls and/or breakfast sandwiches right

(Personally opting out but) obligatory Massachusetts Dunkin stuffing (optional crawl to hit the 4 Dunkins on a 20-minute stretch of road)

Ahh, this is great!

Upstate NY food tour: get buffalo wings and beef on weck in Buffalo, a garbage plate in Rochester, chicken riggies in Utica, spiedies in Binghamton...

Queens international food challenge: get as many different regional variations on Chinese or South Asian or Latin American food as you can handle in one day while minimizing the amount of time spent walking or on the subway

Pick a town in the NYC suburbs and eat at ALL of its neighborhood Italian restaurants

Stewart's crawl: stop at every Stewart's you pass and get a thick shake at each one, see how far you can go before you tap out

[sleepysnk]

a/n: hey everyone! i’m so excited to bring this piece to you all. this goes along with my sugar daddy collab! <3 i hope you all enjoy this! 🫶🏻

pairings: kokonoi hajime x fem!reader

warnings: nsfw, smut, sugar daddy!koko, age gap (reader is 21 and koko is 25), oral sex f!receiving, mentions of oral sex m!receiving, unprotected sex, use of pet names (baby, pretty thing, baby girl, good girl, princess), some degradation, light choking, car sex, edging, creampie, possessive behavior, kinda angst (?), very fluffy koko.

synopsis: you’re a college student looking to buy the things you want. koko comes to your aid and is able to grant you every wish you desired. from handbags to makeup that was worth more than anything you owned, he gave you it all. you have a long list of items, but what happens when you ask koko for his debit card and not just one item?

head over heels ft. kokonoi hajime

Your eyes shifted over the many items in your shopping cart. The time displayed on your laptop screen showed that it was nearly one o’clock in the morning. You were fully aware that you should have been peacefully sleeping in your bed by now, but you were far too deep in your shopping to even think about any shut eye. 

Summer break was fast approaching and your university classes were soon coming to a close since the end of the semester was nearing its end. With that idea in mind, you grew sort of lazy and only did so much homework before feeling completely burned out. It was a common occurrence with many students your age. Your brain knew that the end was coming, so it set you into a certain mode where all you wanted to do was shut down and not do anything else. It was difficult, especially for the professors. However, you were passing all of your classes with high A’s and you had no reason to panic. You always kept up with your schoolwork like any proper student would, and now you were celebrating with a little retail therapy.

With break on the horizon, you had the desire to buy new things. Whether it was new clothes, a fresh new set of shoes, or just some makeup, you wanted to splurge a little. It wouldn’t hurt to have some new additions to your closet, right? 

Unfortunately, like many students you attended college with, you were quite broke. You had a part time job, but none of that money was able to go to things you wanted. You often had to save your checks for proper necessities like groceries and gas for your car. Sure, your roommate assisted with food and other things along those lines, but you didn’t want her to bear the brunt of it all. In the end, you were only left with a good one hundred fifty dollars. Sometimes, if you were lucky, you would have close to two hundred, but those weeks were rare. It was difficult to save, but the circumstances were never in your favor. You honestly couldn’t wait to graduate, but that left you with debt that would take you years to pay off. 

Now while that did stop you a majority of the time, you had an alternative option for buying the things you wanted. 

A little over three months ago, you and your friends were all hanging around inside your dorm. Your conversations were casual until your friend, Emma, had suggested downloading this app that involved meeting sugar daddies. At first, you were completely blown away by your friend's statement. You and your friends tried to protest that the app was probably a scam, because you had seen those types of things happen before. You’d offer them your banking information and then all of your funds would be taken from you in the matter of minutes. Plus, there were tons of weird men on those kinds of apps. Sometimes they would completely lie about their status just to receive whatever they wanted. Emma completely shut you and your friends down, and offered proof to help her case. When she brought it to the table, you were astounded. There had been multiple men that had sent her almost a thousand dollars each. She even claimed some didn’t ask for naked photographs, and they just sent it with zero hesitation behind it.

At first, you were stunned. 

Of course, that kind of offer seemed almost unnatural from how Emma made it look. A majority of the time those people were scammers or they wanted some kind of sexual advance for payment. Nowadays you couldn’t trust such a thing, but Emma had the proof. There were men sending her all kinds of money, and to be honest, you wanted in on that. You would have to do some digging is all. 

Once your friends had gone back to their own dorms, you decided to download the app. You chose some nice photos of yourself for your profile and began swiping on the plethora of men on your screen. It was almost like a sugar daddy tinder. For the first few minutes, you were met with lots of older guys. Some of them could have been your fathers age, so that’s why you decided to change your age range. Though, you had lots of discouragement for a while. A majority of the guys were genuine catfishes and you could tell by their profiles. The obvious cropping and misinformation was a clear sign of that. Some of them seemed like genuine creeps too. The one that looked promising almost always had a flaw along with them, and it was becoming quite annoying. How did Emma manage to discover the right men? This had to be pinned against you because all of the sugar daddies on that app were fucking weird. 

To be frank, you had started to believe that it was unlikely you’d find anything promising. The men you did have conversations with were disgusting or it was obvious they were trying to steal your debit card information. 

That ultimately changed when you came across a certain profile that seemed almost too good to be true.

Koko, 25

You were just about to delete the app when you came across the man’s profile. It was already almost two in the morning, but you were enthralled by the man on your screen. He was quite handsome and he seemed to live a very luxurious lifestyle. Your eyes widened when you saw that he was sitting on a Mercedes with many other cars beside it. He was so dreamy with his black and white hair that was dyed in different sections. There was a single earring that hung from his right ear, and there was even a photo of him sticking his tongue out. He owned more than your college tuition and car payment combined. It was hard for you to believe that a man like him was on such an app, but the most shocking thing was that he was only five miles away. Meaning, he was very close to you. It almost seemed like a fucking trap with how perfect it looked on the outside. There was no way this man was real. Behind the screen, there must have been a fifty year old man sitting in his crusty boxers. 

Despite that, you took a risk and swiped right on the man. 

You went to bed and didn’t ponder the app any longer. You assumed that if he was real, he probably wouldn’t bat an eye at you. He’d just keep swiping and leave it as that, right?

Wrong, so very wrong.

The next morning, you awoke and checked your phone as usual. You had notifications from your friends or random emails from your professors, but what you didn’t expect was a message from that app. 

Koko sent you a new message!

Your heart dropped inside your chest when you saw the message for the first time. You thought you were just having a dream, but Koko had actually messaged you. You immediately went to open it and see what he had said. You were honestly expecting one of those usual scam messages that are insanely filled with random emojis, but it was the exact opposite of that.

Koko: hey pretty thing <3 

For a little while, you contemplated replying to him. He could be a catfish for all you knew. He could also be trying to sweet talk you into taking your money, so you had to play it cool. It took you a while to actually trust the man behind the screen, but he eventually shared his phone number and the two of you began to frequently chat throughout the day. Koko had revealed he was a businessman. He never specified what it was, but he informed you that he made lots of money and he wasn’t married so there was nothing to spend it on except for himself. He was about four years older than you. The only reason he joined the app was to find someone to share that cash with, and that’s exactly what the man wanted to do with you. Koko also proved he wasn’t a scammer by any means and he would be willing to buy you whatever you wanted. 

But, at a price.

Koko had proposed a deal for you both. He had no problem being your sugar daddy by any means. He told you that if there was anything you needed from him, he would buy it with no hesitation. However, he wanted something in return. There was a reason you were his sugar baby. 

Koko offered to give you what you wanted after you had sex with him, or gave him something in exchange for your item. He told you that the higher the price of your gift, the higher you would have to work to receive it. It was quite a shock to you to hear such a thing, but you did want a sugar daddy. Koko had even mentioned he would never force you into a situation that you didn’t want, but he wanted you to keep your end of the deal no matter what. At first, you were unsure of it all. He was a handsome guy, he made lots of money, and all you would have to do was fuck him to have anything you so pleased. It was nerve wracking, though. You were going to be intimate with a man who was older than you, and he was going to give you anything you wanted after? There was a lot to ask, but you weren’t sure how to bring it up.

After a long phone call with the man, you had fully agreed to the terms he set for you. Koko had also explained to you that if at any point you would like to terminate it, he had no issue with that. You were relieved to hear such a thing. At least he wasn’t some deeply obsessed man who wouldn’t let you go if you asked.

The very first time you wanted to buy something, you were nervous. You were on Sephora, browsing the different eyeshadow palette’s or lipsticks you thought would fit nice on your skin. You had placed a few items into your cart. Your eyes drifted to the total and your chest practically started hurting the moment you saw it. It came out to $157.67. Part of you wasn’t so sure if you should ask Koko. It was his money, and you would always feel bad whenever any friend or family member spent money on you. You knew you wouldn’t have to give Koko a single cent back, but what would he say? There was a chance he would laugh at you and say no to the offer. It would piss you off, yes, but that thought was lingering in the back of your mind. You hesitated to send him the message with the total, but you eventually pressed send and left your phone to sit and wait. Your heart was racing so fast that you thought you would have had a heart attack back then. 

Within minutes, you received a reply, and his response made shivers ghost down your spine.

Koko: send me a video of you fingering yourself <3 and send me the link afterwards

After a long while of internal panic, you eventually sent Koko the video. There was silence for a little while on his end. You hoped that he didn’t somehow block you or he just lied to get what he wanted. There was a chance Koko had completely set you up, and he was going to steal the video for his own personal benefit. God, you prayed that wasn’t the case. 

Though, after ten minutes, Koko replied with a screenshot of your order. He also praised you for what you had sent him. He claimed you were one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid his eyes upon, and those comments made your cheeks burn with embarrassment. For a man who was only supposed to be your sugar daddy, he seemingly had a lot to say about your appearance. You weren’t complaining about that factor, though. You would have much rather had him commenting on that than being a weird creep asking for more. He was gladly proving himself as a respectable man, and you had gotten a new present out of it. You were very satisfied with that, and all of those worries that had you anxious disappeared once he shared that he had purchased your makeup. 

You frequently sent nudes to Koko for whatever you wanted. You began receiving many gifts and random packages that filled your room quicker than you had expected. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Koko was spoiling you rotten with his money. He didn’t seem to have much of a problem with that either. Any time you would protest, he would shut you up by sending you random payments. You could never argue with him either. He was quite stubborn at times. 

Eventually, there came a point where you both desired to meet one another.

He planned a nice date for you two. He offered to pick you up and he even proposed the idea of taking you shopping afterwards. If you didn’t have extra studying to do, you would have taken the opportunity to go and buy some things with him. However, you declined due to your own personal things. You were very nervous to meet him. This would be the first time you saw him in person, but you had this urge to finally see the man who had been giving you money. You were all over the place when the evening arrived. When he messaged you that he was outside, you almost completely chickened out and told him you didn’t want to anymore. However, with the help of your friends and your roommate, you were able to face Kokonoi Hajime in all of his glory. 

You didn’t expect to see such a fine man, but what you weren’t expecting the most was sleeping with him that night.

The dinner had gone quite well between you both. Koko was polite, handsome, and overall a gentleman with you. The place you went to was divine and you would have never expected you would have eaten at such a great restaurant. 

Things quickly changed once the two of you had gotten into Koko’s expensive BMW. The atmosphere had shifted and there was this ache that formed between your legs. It could have been the aroma of his luxurious cologne, or the way he gripped the steering wheel as he drove. It honestly felt like this man had casted a spell on you. You just couldn’t stop yourself from kissing him at the red light. One thing led to another, and you ended up in Koko’s high rise apartment with your legs thrown over his shoulders. The sex you both indulged in was like no other. Koko wasn’t anything like those lame college guys you hooked up with. He showed you what it was like to actually fuck someone, and it only left you craving more of your sugar daddy. He worked wonders on your body, and he knew exactly where to touch you to have you melting within his grasp. You only craved more of him as the days went on, and eventually, you two started seeing one another more often. 

Whether it was giving him a blowjob for a new pair of heels, or letting him eat your pussy until you made a mess on his face, Koko was intoxicating and you only wanted him at the end of the night. 

You chewed on your bottom lip at Koko’s contact. You had no idea if the man was still awake at this dead hour. However, you decided to snap a photo of your total and message your sugar daddy. If he didn’t see it at that hour, he would probably see it the next morning and decide what to do. 

You: koko, i want these

You: [image]

You clicked your phone off and sat there for a few minutes. There was silence from your phone, so it was just a waiting game. You hoped he was awake but you weren’t forcing a response right away. You were very patient with him. Koko had a busy lifestyle, so it was understandable if he was exhausted after a long day. 

Those thoughts you had were interrupted by the vibration of your cell phone. You reached for it and was surprised to see that Koko had texted you back. 

Koko: for sure baby

Koko: you better let me pick you up 🤍 that price is high 

Your eyes grew wide at his request. It was late, very late. Your roommate was asleep in her bed already and you technically weren’t supposed to be wandering campus at that hour. Sneaking out wouldn’t be that difficult, but knowing how Koko was in bed, you knew you wouldn’t be home the next morning. Usually, you would decline and say no, but you hadn’t seen Koko at all much recently. Not gonna lie, you needed your fix of him and you wanted to see his handsome face. It wasn’t like you could message him randomly to fuck. He probably wasn’t into something like that. 

You: okay

You: atp i deserve your debit card 🙄

You were joking when you sent that reply, but you brushed that aside to go and prepare yourself for what was to come. Koko didn’t live very far from your university. He worked in the city which was not a far drive from campus, but you hardly drove there unless you absolutely had to. Koko also would pick you up. He honestly considered you his little passenger princess because of how often he would come and get you. He always picked you up in a different vehicle, though. Sometimes, he would let you pick the car he would drive you around in. It was such a luxury being Koko’s sugar baby. You couldn’t ask for anyone better.

You paused in your motions when your phone vibrated again. You grabbed it off of your bed and stared at the new text messages Koko had sent to you. 

Koko: my debit card? you really want that baby?

Your eyes widened at his reply. As much as you wanted to say no, having his card on you would give you easier access to getting the things you wanted without having to wait. 

You: i was kidding haha

Koko: i’m serious

Koko: do you want it? i don’t mind handing it over

Shock coursed through your veins at his reply. You said that as a joke, yet he sounded incredibly serious about it. You could never take Koko’s debit card like that. He often told you he had many due to having such an incredible amount of funds, but having one sounded dangerous. Though, it sounded like such a great idea. 

You: really??

Koko: yes princess

Koko: but that’s a serious trade.. if you want it you know you’ll have to pay up.

You knew full well that’s how the deal worked. He wouldn’t give away something unless there was a price at hand, which was understandable. You wondered what that might be. Koko could make sex more intense depending on the price of the item you desired. Usually, anything above two hundred was always going to involve a meet up. Whether it was just oral sex, or actual fucking. You fully assumed now that Koko was going to ask to meet up. You had no issue with that, of course, but the thrill of the situation made your thighs clench together. He was a man full of surprises. He showed you things in sex that no other man was capable of, so this could be a situation you would never forget. 

You began typing a response to the man. It was already nearly two o’clock in the morning, so you had to make a decision quickly. 

You: okay, i want your debit card koko

Sending that message was the reason you were in the situation you found yourself in now. You should have expected Koko to be the person he was, but you hadn’t expected him to pull over into a parking lot after he picked you up. You were in the backseat of his Mercedes with your thighs spread apart and his face deep between them. His tongue was buried into your pretty cunt that he had been wanting to taste for the last two weeks. Fuck, he missed you so much. He never could properly admit it out loud, but Koko wanted to see you more often than he should. You were always engraved in his mind at work. He would often fight with himself on sending you a message about your day, or simply asking what you were up to. He shouldn’t be thinking that way, but you were too difficult to resist.

Your head was lying against the cushion of his seats. Your fingernails tugged and pulled at the strands of Koko’s dual colored hair. One thing about Koko was that his head game was one of the best. He slurped and sucked on your clit with such ease, and it drove you up the wall. There was nobody else that could make you feel the way Koko made you feel. “K-Koko..! Ah.. yes! Right there!” you wiggled your hips upwards to gain more traction against his tongue. You were getting lost within him. All you could think about was him and only him.

The man shifted his eyes up at you. His pupils were slightly dilated from lust, and the pure sight of you made him only more turned on. Koko honestly couldn’t believe that such a fine woman like you ever gave him the time of day. You were perfect in every aspect. He couldn’t ever imagine himself involving another woman, but you. He honestly wondered if you felt the same way about him. In some ways, he hoped that deep down you did. Koko liked to believe that he gave you it all. He spoiled you rotten with his money and gave you all the sex you desired. He didn’t care what it might be. He would do anything for his precious sugar baby. “Yeah..? That feel good, baby girl? Heh.. you always taste as good as you look.” he used his thumb to rub circles on your clit that was swollen. You were a dripping mess when he took your panties off. It was amazing what he could do to you in just a matter of minutes. His presence alone winded you up.

He then attacked your cunt once again. His tongue swiped over your sensitive bud, earning several sharp gasps from your lips. He lapped up any slick that appeared on your pussy. He was practically eating you like you were his last meal. Koko was making you feel like you were on fire. His actions were the very thing igniting that spark within you. He could only smirk at the delightful noises that were slipping from your throat. He could listen to you like a song on repeat. 

Koko’s cock was aching inside his sweatpants. It was taking all of his strength to not completely ravage you, but that need was there. He was begging to be freed from his boxers that felt like they were closing in on him. Koko’s hold on your thighs tightened and his tongue began to move quicker, sending bolts of electricity along your abdomen from the pleasure. Your breathing had become quite heavy and your hold on his hair had tightened. He could tell that you were absolutely enjoying yourself right now. It only stroked that ego he had deep within him. He averted his gaze for a brief moment to stare at your stunning features that were twisted with pleasure. The expressions on your face made him smirk while he ate you out. He couldn’t wait to be inside of that pussy he loved so much. He craved you more than he would like to admit. Sometimes, he would find himself jerking off to your videos or photos you had sent him. His fist never compared to the way your pretty cunt would suck him in.

You were close, so fucking close. Koko could make you cum by just eating you out, which was honestly a talent. The knot inside your belly was tightening with every motion of his tongue. All you sought was that burning desire within yourself. Koko could tell by your body language and your voice that you were about to reach your peak. He wasn’t ready for you to cum yet. He wanted you to be wound up just a bit more before he’d allow that to occur. Plus, you were only ever allowed to cum on his cock.

Koko then retracted himself away from your cunt. A mix of his spit and your slick covered his chin, to which he wiped off with his hand. You whined at the loss of contact, and the denial of your orgasm. He could be so unfair sometimes with you. “Koko.. I need you..” you took his hand into yours, intertwining your fingers together. 

He could see the desperation in your eyes, and in your voice. Koko then kissed your palm and smiled at you with those nice teeth of his. He thought you were so cute like that. All whiny and needy for him to be inside of you. He wasn’t going to let you wait any longer, because as much as it sounded selfish, he wanted to fuck you too. It had been far too long since the man had played with his favorite girl. He missed you more than anything else, and all he wanted was your presence near him. “I’m here, baby.. don’t you worry.” he then leaned down towards your lips, pressing a small kiss onto you. It was sweet, and tender.

Koko pulled away after a few seconds. He then began to untie the loops of his sweatpants, pulling them downward so he could free his cock that had been aching to be freed since he took you into the backseat. Some pre-cum leaked from the tip, which he wiped off with his thumb. He tossed them somewhere in the front seat and plopped down in one of the seats. He motioned for you to come towards him. “Come here..” he patted his lap, eyeing you like you were his prized possession. 

You sat up, maneuvering yourself onto his lap so both of your thighs were on either side of him. Koko’s hands settled on your waist, taking in the touch of your soft skin. He could never get enough of how delicate you felt underneath his fingertips. It was like he was touching flower petals, silky and smooth. You were the prettiest one in the garden though. Koko positioned himself at your soaked entrance. He glided his tip against your folds, causing you to softly moan from the friction. You were so fucking wet. He loved seeing what he was able to do to your body. Seeing you up above him made his heart swell with warmth. You were like a goddess in his hands. He couldn’t believe that someone like you wasn’t in a relationship, or at least talking with someone. You deserved love. 

Could he be the one to grant that?

After some small teasing of your slit, he pushed himself inside your pussy. The two of you let out noises at the contact. Your hands squeezed at Koko’s shoulders, holding onto him as he guided your hips onto his cock. You were so tight. You hugged his dick so well that he could almost moan from how great it was. He never got tired of how your cunt felt. “Koko..! So big.. fuck..” you looked down at his shaft that was filling you up and stretching you to almost your limit. He was big, probably the biggest you’ve ever taken.

Once he was fully bottomed out, he began to thrust into your cunt. The angle was just perfect for him. Your tits were practically in his face, and every little movement caused them to bounce. If he could, he would tape every single moment of your sexual encounters. He could watch them like movies and be able to recall every little detail. Koko groaned at how nicely you sucked his cock in. He held your hips firmly and would occasionally squeeze the plush of your ass. You were just too fucking good. He never was exhausted of fucking your brains out. You were completely in utter bliss. This felt much different than before. You weren’t sure why. You assumed that maybe it was because you were both fucking in his car or maybe because you hadn’t seen Koko in weeks, but that didn’t matter. All you could focus on was the gorgeous man who was buried into your guts right now.

Koko’s pace began to increase. He found it much harder to hold back now. He had these urges that needed to be released, and after all, you were going to earn his debit card once this was all set and done. He wanted to fuck you so good that any time you stared at it you would remember what he made you feel that night. “Fuck.. so good, baby.. takin’ my cock so well. You’re such a good girl..” he gritted his teeth. “You’re my good girl, yeah? Tell me baby..” 

You stared into his lustful eyes. The pleasure in your gut was so good that you were beginning to lose focus on the situation. He was grabbing and touching you in all the right spots that made you like putty in his hands. “Mmph! Yes.. ah! Yes, Koko..” you whined, pressing your forehead against his. 

The heat inside of the car began to gradually increase from your actions. Sweat was clinging to your skin, and some of Koko’s hair was sticking to his forehead. Neither of you gave much care to that fact, because you were too lost in the moment to even think about that. Koko couldn’t help but stare at you. Your pretty face was all contorted with euphoria and your gorgeous body was so smooth within his hands. He couldn’t think of a greater image. He knew the night he fucked you for the first time that he wanted to see you again. He didn’t want someone like you to slip through his fingers, so that’s why he continued to pursue you. There was so much to like about you beyond the sex. Your personality, your smile, that beautiful laugh. He could name so much more, but it’d take him years to finish. He knew it wasn’t right. Thinking of his sugar baby as something more, but he couldn’t help himself. You were a drug he couldn’t stop coming back to.

Koko’s hand went to wrap around your throat, keeping your head in place so you made eye contact with him. He squeezed slightly, blocking some of the air from entering your lungs. Your nails scratched into his skin from the lack of oxygen. “Shit.. so fucking good f’me..” he looked into your cloudy eyes. “Fuck.. you like being my slut..? Whoring yourself out for my money.. fuck, I love spoilin’ you, princess..”

All you could do was nod and let out a small whine. He then released your throat and smiled to himself at your reaction. He knew no matter what you would always love spending his money on shit you wanted. He didn’t care how much it was either. He loved what was to come before the purchases. Though, the after made him even happier. Seeing your smiling face when he buys you gifts makes all the darkness in his day disappear. “K-Koko..” you leaned your head downwards so it was now buried into his shoulder. “Fuck.. love being y-your slut!”

Koko couldn’t hide the smirk that had written itself on his features. Of course you loved it. You always slithered back to him and that’s exactly how he knew. He decided to speed things up and begin fucking you at such a rough pace. His tip rapidly pressed against your g-spot, making white stars appear in your vision from how intense it was. 

It was moment’s like this where Koko didn’t want the night to end. He wished he could fuck you like this all of the time, but that only happened whenever you needed something. That was the deal, after all. He didn’t want to overstep your boundaries and possibly cause problems in your agreement. Koko had his urges, though. He wanted to randomly arrive at your place and just have you all to himself with no sort of item being the sole reason why. It sounded selfish, he was well aware of that, but you were the first girl to ever want to see him for a date rather than just a hookup. Sure, sugar daddies often treated their sugar babies to dates at divine restaurants, but to Koko that was something special. He knew that you probably thought of it as something common, but he never did that with just anyone he came across. Dates, sex, money, all of those things could make Koko easily attached to somebody else. Despite his brain telling him not to, he wanted you. 

He wanted you all to himself. 

He knew thinking such a thing was wrong, but the thought of someone else spoiling you with their money angered him. Seeing your body in all its glory and only toying with you made him want to go after whoever that might be. He was the only one who should be giving you the things you wanted. He should be the only one pounding your pussy until you’re almost squirting onto his cock from how great it is. You were his sugar baby. You shouldn’t rely on any other man but him to give you what you need. 

Koko reached forward to hold your face with his one hand, forcing you to look at him. Your eyes were half-lidded and you had this gorgeous fucked out expression on your features. His eyes flickered from your face then towards those glossy lips. “You’re mine.. right, princess?” No one is better than me..” his voice was deep and sort of hoarse from how much he had been groaning and grunting. 

Your walls quivered around his cock, earning a breathy chuckle from Koko. He didn’t think you would have such a reaction, but it turned him on so much. You liked when Koko was possessive over you. He had no idea, but he was for sure going to use that to his advantage. You were making such a mess on his dick too. “Y-Yes, Koko! All yours.. ah!” you nodded your head vigorously at his question. You only desired more from the man. He was making you feel things that nobody else has ever made you feel. 

Your orgasm was creeping up on you. The pool of heat inside your gut was reaching its boiling point, making you all the more needy for Koko. He could feel your walls clenching and closing around his cock, making his own pleasure increase from how tight you felt. His favorite part was watching you reach your high, because your reactions were just so sexy. He loved making you cum like the little slut you were for him. His hands gripped your hips tightly, allowing him to fuck himself upwards into you at that same pace that would send your mind into a frenzy. He was abusing your g-spot only allowing his name to slip from your plump lips. His balls were smacking against your puffy clit, making all kinds of lewd noises inside of the car.

Koko leaned in and captured your lips onto his. A sloppy kiss erupted between the two of you. He swallowed down any moans that came from your throat. He almost chuckled again when he felt you struggling to kiss him back. You were both chasing your releases, becoming so desperate for one another. Koko almost bit down on your lip from how close he was, but he refrained and pulled away. “Gonna cum..? C’mon, baby, cum on my fucking cock..” he leaned towards your ear, nibbling on your skin. “Shiittt, ‘m gonna cum inside this p-pretty cunt, pretty thing.”

You let out a cry of pleasure as soon as that knot snapped. Your orgasm hit you hard. Your whole body trembled and shook, sending shivers down your spine. Koko squeezed your hips hard enough to leave bruises when he reached his own climax. The way your pussy spasmed and clamped down on him made his high come faster than he had expected. His cum filled your walls, creating a mess that consisted of your arousal and his around his cock to make it seem white. 

You let yourself slump onto his body. The two of you panted, trying to recover from your orgasms. A layer of fog had blanketed the window and both of you were quite messy. Koko rested his arm around your waist, placing his chin atop of your head. In all honesty, he didn’t want to let you go home yet. He wanted to sit there for a few minutes just bathing in your embrace, because he knew the moment you went home he would go back into his empty bed and imagine you lying beside him in his sheets. He also feared possibly staining the seats of his car by pulling out, so he decided to just keep himself inside you for a little while. Neither of you had anywhere to be at that moment. 

There was a comfortable silence that surrounded you. It was broken when Koko cleared his throat and reached for his wallet that was in the pocket of his sweatpants he had discarded earlier. He opened it and removed his debit card from the many spots he had in his wallet. He also reached into it and pulled out several one hundred dollar bills. “This is for you, baby.” he then reached under your shirt and shoved the bills into your bra. He also slid his debit card along with the cash. You were surprised to see him put them there, but it was Koko of all people. He always had the ability to catch you off guard.

You looked down at Koko. You seemed quite tired and he could sense it from your lazy body language. You were so cute when you were sleepy. “Thank you, Koko..” you touched his cheeks with your hands, rubbing your thumbs against his skin. A smile made its way onto your features from his gesture.

He pecked your lips, bringing your body closer to his. Your touch made him melt from how warm it was. “Anything for you..” he buried his face into your neck, inhaling your natural scent. His mind only thought of you for the rest of the evening. He hoped that maybe, just maybe, you would see him as someone more than just your sugar daddy.

[avonne-writes]

Put That Guy in a SituationTM Ask Game/Prompt!

#21 for Gale? Pretty please? 🥹🙏🏻

Again, sorry that I took so long! I'm trying to fill all the pending prompts in my inbox now. Thank you for sending this one! 🩷 I wrote a quick drabble tonight, I hope it's okay.

21. Fear poison/gas

A fist swings towards Crank's face, but it ends up colliding with the arm he raises in defence. Buck groans in pain as Hambone and Jefferson jump in to intervene and tackle him to the floor of their crowded room in the stalag. The three of them start wrestling on the floor accompanied by curses, grunts and Buck's panicked wheezing.

"What the fuck did they give him?" Hambone yells as one of the chairs is knocked over by Buck's legs kicking out.

"No idea." Crank replies, deep lines on his forehead. He throws himself down to trap Buck's shins and keep him from breaking someone's ribs with his feet. "Buck, calm down! It's just us!"

"Let me go!" Buck cries out. His pupils are blown wide, and his gaze darts around the room like a trapped, feral animal's. Cold sweat peppers his sallow, sickly face.

The Krauts took him away this morning and only just brought him back a few minutes ago. No explanation, nothing. They just dumped him on one of the beds unconscious, then left without a word. Brady ran out to get Bucky, but in the meantime, Gale woke up, and the first thing he did was attack anyone who touched him. They're all going to sport bruises tomorrow, no doubt. The familiarity of their voices doesn't seem to register in his mind, and the wide-eyed terror on his face suggests he doesn’t recognize their faces either.

Even with three men holding him down, Buck doesn’t stop trashing to get free, but the noises he’s making take an increasingly desperate edge. Crank doesn’t know how to help him when he's in this state of mind. You can’t reason with him.

Thankfully, the door swings open, and Bucky rushes inside, kicking the toppled over chair out of the way to get to Buck's side.

"Gale!" Bucky drops to his knees and cradles Buck's face with his large hands. Crank raises an eyebrow at the name, but he doesn’t say anything. "What happened? What did they do to him?"

Fear-stricken blue eyes go abnormally wide before Buck redoubles his efforts to escape their hold. More footsteps approach from the doorway, Brady and one of the camp surgeons. The sight eases the tight worry in Crank's chest just enough that he can breathe again. Bucky nudges Hambone aside to take over holding Buck's right arm himself and to give the doc space to examine Buck.

The man takes a good look at Buck's pupils, then measures his pulse at the juncture of his neck before reaching into his coat for a small box of pills. Despite Buck's ferocious protests, the four of them somehow manage to hold him still enough for the doc to pry open his jaw and force him to swallow a pill. Immediately after, tears start falling from Buck's eyes.

Thankfully, Bucky doesn’t seem to have the same struggle. As the fight goes out of Buck's body, his limbs go limp in their hold. Bucky moves Buck's arm from the floor to press it to his chest and reaches for Buck's face again. Gently, he starts wiping the wetness there even as more continues to fall. The tears glisten on Buck's freckled cheek.

It's a shock. Crank has never seen Buck Cleven cry. Through the loss of friends, through pain, cold and hunger, even on the bleakest days they’ve had as POWs so far, Buck's composure hardly ever wavered. He remained the pillar of their strength and hope through everything. It makes Crank feel guilty and selfish, but his first feeling upon seeing the fat teardrops rolling down Buck's scarred cheeks is despair, not compassion. His natural instinct of self-preservation makes it difficult for a moment to see past the crumbling Major and see the person instead. Because if the Krauts can break Buck Cleven like this, they can break anyone. They're all puppets to their cruel whim. Crank doesn’t know what to do anymore.

"Fear gas." The doc says, making a disgusted face. "Bastards are testing it on us. My guess is they picked him for his reputation."

The doc clears his throat awkwardly and moves to stand. "Gave him a sedative. We don’t have much left, but... We need the Major back on his feet, I figure."

That makes Crank feel even worse. He watches numbly as Buck opens his eyes again and blinks up at Bucky slowly. The stream of his tears starts drying out. When Bucky gives him a small, forced smile of reassurance, Buck turns his face into Bucky’s palm. As if it was the only safe spot in his world. Crank averts his eyes, and he sees Hambone and Brady do the same.

None of them wants to see. They've never asked. They don’t want to know.

Only Jefferson stares, likely not used to it yet, still trying to figure it out.

After a reassuring squeeze, Bucky lays Buck's arm back on the floor and stands up to offer his hand for the doc to shake. The doc starts talking about side effects he has seen in other men who received this so-called fear gas, but after a moment, Crank turns away from them and back to Buck again.

"Give me a hand, boys." He glances at Brady and Hambone. "We gotta move him."

No one talks. They all feel Bucky's helpless fury, but there’s nothing they can do. Crank rights the chair, sits on it and starts sanding the small wooden B-17 he’s been working on. He keeps his focus on his work and tries not to listen in when Bucky starts whispering to Buck. He knows it's not for his ears.

Together, they lift Buck's barely conscious body and put him on a bed. It doesn't matter whose. They can switch for one night. Buck doesn’t fight it anymore, dazed by the sedative. When the doc leaves, Bucky's back by his side in an instant. He sits on the edge of the bunk and puts a hand on Buck's chest to feel it rise and fall. His other hand curls into a fist on his thigh. Buck watches him with half-lidded eyes.

Tomorrow, he hopes Buck will be back on his feet. Then, they can go back to pretending that everything will be okay.

[lcandothisallday]

Request: Jeremy promised he’d be home in time to go grocery shopping with you but he completely forgets about it and when he gets home you give him the silent treatment. 🫢

Silent Treatment - Jeremy (WMCJ) x f!reader

gif by the wonderful @harlowgifs

“Jeremy,” you call out to your boyfriend who was fidgeting around the living room, throwing items into his gym bag. “Jeremy did you hear what I said?”

He lifted his head up and looked at you confused. “Sorry what?”

You groan. “I asked if you’re joining me for grocery shopping later today.”

“Uhh yeahhh,” he dragged out while still looking around. He was too distracted for his own good. “We can go at like 7?” he suggested.

“Yeah sounds good,” you confirm with him. “Are you okay, Jer?” you pout, your arms wrapping around his neck to get him to focus back on you. “Seem distracted.”

Jeremy nodded. “I’m fine, baby,” he smiled, his hands falling to your hips. “Do you have a hundred though?” he asked with a mumble.

You furrow your brows and pull away. “What do you need a hundred dollars for?”

“I just need it—”

“Jeremy we can’t afford non-essential expenses,” you sigh.

Jeremy ran a hand through his hair in stress. “The guy who owns the gym won’t let me use the court to train my client if I don’t pay for a month’s membership—and the rest is for gas,” he lied.

Truth be told he was using the money in pick up games here and there to help Kamal come up with money to play in a competition together. While most of the time they end up winning said pick ups, there have been the occasional ones where they lose and have to give up their bets— and he wanted to avoid any incidents if possible.

The only issue was, he was lying to you. You didn’t know he was playing basketball again. The both of you had agreed he’d stop for fear of his health and to focus on building a life together.

Of course you didn’t know any better and his excuse was one that made complete sense so with a sigh, you walked over to your purse and pulled out a one hundred dollar bill from your wallet. “Try not to use all of it up…maybe then we can buy ourselves some wine as a treat,” you giggled, insinuating that it was a luxury, as you handed him the bill.

Jeremy grinned and leaned his head down to press a kiss to your lips. “Thanks, baby. I’ll see you tonight.”

__

You sat on the couch with your arms crossed and an annoyed expression on your face. It was now nearing 9 o’clock and Jeremy still wasn’t home. You had called him maybe 4 times to remind him of your plans and to see where he was but he never answered, forcing you to go alone.

Something felt off the entire day but you weren’t in the mood to find out tonight.

9:40 is when Jeremy finally unlocked and walked through the front door. He dropped his bag onto the ground and plopped down next to you, his hand moving to rest on your thigh. “Missed you, baby,” he hummed, moving in to press a kiss to your cheek but you swiftly moved away, ignoring his entire presence.

Jeremy looked at you offendedly before he scanned the room and noticed the grocery bags still laid on the kitchen counters. You hadn’t put them away in pettiness. You wanted it to be loud and clear that he messed up.

His eyes finally widened in realization. He had blown off your grocery shopping plans. “Shit y/n I’m sorry—I totally forgot.”

You continued to stare ahead ignoring him. He deserved the silent treatment. “Baby come on—talk to me,” he groaned.

Instead of replying and speaking your mind, you get up to finally put away the groceries with him following behind you hopelessly. “Y/N,” he called out sternly. When you didn’t show any response, he stopped in front of you and snatched the bag of bread out of your hand to stop you in your place. Now he was getting annoyed. “We don’t give each other the silent treatment,” he reminded you as he stared you down.

You couldn’t help your scoff, your arms crossing over your chest in defence. You looked away and Jeremy clenched his jaw before his hand came up to redirect your gaze back onto him.

“Y/n.”

“Where were you?” you finally speak up, gazing up at him.

“At work—you know that.”

“Jeremy I’m not stupid!” you exclaim, throwing your hands up in exasperation. “You blew me off completely! If you were busy then you could’ve just said that—I asked you for a reason,” you pointed out.

Jeremy shrugged. “I didn’t think training would run this late,” he mumbled, but you only shook your head. You weren’t having it anymore.

“You’re lying to me,” you say accusing him. “You come home later than usual every day—you’re always tired—always looking for extra money—you stopped caring about your drinks all together—not to mention I’m like pretty sure you’re back on the pills--so what’s going on?!”

Jeremy shook his head in denial. “Nothing is happening, baby. I just genuinely forgot. The training session like I said went on a bit longer cos the kid needed work— then I hung out with Kamal. It’s just groceries,” he muttered under his breath. “No need to get all worked up.”

You’re in disbelief. “I know it’s just groceries! It’s the thought, Jer. You’re keeping something from me! Are you cheating or something?” you ask softly, looking down in fear of the answer.

“Woah woah woah! How did you get that I���m cheating from all of this?!” he yelled, clearly offended at this particular accusation because he would never hurt you like that.

“Well what other conclusions should I draw?! Jeremy—you’re acting different,” you whisper, your eyes gathering with tears. “I just want you to be honest.”

“I’m not cheating,” he reiterated sternly. “I really was with Kamal—we…I started playing ball again with him…been doing pick ups to make enough to enter a competition,” he sighed, finally spilling his big secret.

His honestly was a relief. “Jeremy—baby your knees,” you say softly, your hands moving to hold his. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“But baby if we win we’ll be set,” he says hopefully, his eyes lit up with a passion. “I’d be able to take you on that Hawaii trip you’ve always wanted to go on—we could finally buy a new mattress—I’d…I’d buy you a nice fucking ring,” he whispered.

“I don’t need any of that, Jer. I just want you,” you whisper back, your arms wrapping around his waist. “I want you to be safe and healthy…and happy. So if playing basketball will make you happy—”

“You make me happy,” Jeremy interrupted but you laughed and shook your head.

“So does basketball and I don’t wanna be the reason you have to lie and sneak around to partake in your passion,” you sigh. “I love you too damn much,” you mumble against his lips before kissing him softly.

Jeremy kissed you back, his hands moving up to cup your cheeks to deepen it. When the two of you had to pull away for a breather, he rested his forehead against yours and smiled. "How are you so perfect?" he mused.

Your cheeks flush and you shook your head. "I'm not--"

"Nah you are," Jeremy said again. "Any other girl wouldn't have been so understanding."

"I think you underestimate just how down bad I am for you," you giggle, your fingers now playing with his beard. "I only see my life with you in it and I don't want it to be filled with lies...I wanna be able to support you, wherever or whatever it is you choose to do. It really is that simple," you shrug.

Jeremy felt like his heart could burst at your words. "Exactly why you're perfect," he smirked, giving you another soft kiss. "I really am sorry for forgetting about our grocery run."

"Kinda worked out...I didn't have to get your weird vegan substitutes," you teased, causing him to laugh. "But you definitely need to make it up to me..."

"How so?" he mused, a playful smile dancing on his lips as his hands moved down to massage your hips.

You shrugged, your own smirk growing on your face. "Hmm...I'm thinking maybe something that involves a bed...and your mouth..."

"Bet. Let's go."

[whatitshouldvebeen]

“…stops the moment being with you is more difficult than it worth…” ((this is from your post a couple days ago))

Imagine a timid, broken reader trying to win back Johnny’s affection. He’s abusive but to her its still affection he gives and she can’t live without him. She has attached herself to this killer.

“If it will make you happy… you can hit me… you can pull my hair.. or choke me… I’ll even make you feel good… just don’t stay mad…please”

Johnny Slaughter x Reader

Contains: extreme abuse, gas lighting, and the unhealthiest relationship known to man

Too Much Trouble

In the dimly lit room, Johnny's return was heralded by waves of pure hate that seemed to radiate off him.

"You stupid fucking bitch," Johnny snarled, his silhouette looming menacingly in the doorway, hands clenched into fists.

"I'm sorry!" you sobbed, collapsing to your knees with hands clasped in front of you, a desperate plea for mercy echoing in your voice, a prayer to a merciless, vindictive God.

He stood there, a simmering rage evident as his fists clenched and unfurled.

"Johnny, please don't stay mad," you pleaded, bowing your head submissively. "I'll do anything. You can hit me, choke me, or do whatever you want to me. I am so, so sorry."

"You're sorry, huh? How many fucking times have I heard that bullshit?" His open palm met your cheek with a resounding slap, reducing you to grovel at his feet, tears streaming down your face, your cheek ablaze with red.

"I don't need your permission to beat you, you little rat fuck."

"You're right, I'm sorry," you muttered, nodding erratically.

"You're gonna be sorry. This time, I'm not holding back."

His kick landed squarely in your stomach, the force sending you sprawling onto the floor, clutching your abdomen in agony.

The illusion shattered again. The happy façade crumbled, the façade you could pretend was your reality when Johnny was pleased with you, when you were perfect.

He had expected you to pack him a meal when he went out to "work," criticizing you for forgetting his snack for a week. You leaped up, ran to the kitchen, and returned with the snack, only to face his wrath.

"Just like you to be a full-blown fucking retard. Can't listen for one goddamn minute. If I wanted you to go get me a fucking snack right this second, I woulda said to do it," he complained.

"I didn't realize you'd been without one for so long, so I felt bad and wanted to fix it. I shouldn't have worried about it right now, and I'm sorry," you said, attempting to de-escalate the situation.

"Can't go a fucking week without making me explain some basic shit to you. If you thought I cared about the fucking snack, maybe ask if you should go pack it instead of running off?" he berated.

You ducked your head. "You're right, I'm sorry."

"You ain't sorry. If you were, you'd learn a goddamn thing without me needing to tell you a hundred fuckin' times," he growled.

Truthfully, you were amazed he wasn't beating you already. You peeked up at him. "I swear I'll try to ask you if something is bothering you rather than trying to fix it right away," you said, hoping it would appease him. His glare deepened.

"Always with the promises. The swears. 'Oh, I won't do it again, Johnny!'," he mocked.

You started to tremble. "I don't know what to say," you said, struggling to hold his cold gaze.

"If I gotta tell you what to say, it won't make a difference. Why the fuck do I waste my time trynna teach you any goddamn thing? You're useless, lazy, spineless, and pathetic," he spat before leaving the room and locking the door.

Alone, you curled up on the bed, replaying the event in your mind, wondering why he hadn't hit you this time. Maybe you weren't even worth correcting anymore. Maybe you were more trouble than you were worth.

The thought hit you like a sack of bricks. You clutched the sheets, sobbing, desperate to be enough, to be worth keeping.

A timid voice from outside the locked door interrupted your thoughts. "Mommy? Are you okay?"

"Honey, I'm okay. Go to grandma's house, alright?" you said, masking the pain in your voice.

"Mommy needs rest?" they asked innocently.

You smiled through the pain. "Yeah, honey, mommy needs rest. Go on to grandma, baby. I love you."

As their little footsteps padded down the hall, you lay in silence, trying to hold onto the scent of him in the sheets. For almost a month, things had been good. You could almost believe Johnny loved you.

If you had any self-preservation, you'd plan an escape or consider self-defense. But you're stuck, desperately trying to think of what you can do or say to make him happy, knowing deep down there's nothing. With him not having touched you, you feared he had grown tired of tormenting you.

So, as you clutched your aching stomach after he kicked you, part of you was relieved. If he was bothering to correct you, maybe he was still going to keep you.

"I fucking hate you," he declared, kicking you over. "I wish you'd die."

His words cut deep as he grabbed your hair, a blade scraping under your chin. "One little slit is all it'd take to be rid of you. To spare me and our kid from growing up with a shit-for-brains mom."

You said nothing, tears and snot falling onto the floor. Johnny looked disgusted.

"You got nothin' to say? Maybe I should cut out your tongue," he sneered, tilting the blade to nick your skin.

"Baby, please, I-" you started. His eyes narrowed, bloodlust evident.

"Say one more goddamn word. Give me an excuse. I'm dying for you to let me be rid of you," he hissed, eyes filled with hate. "God, it'd make me feel so good to kill you. I can feel the tension leavin' my body just thinking about it. Honestly, I'd probably cum the moment I saw the light die in your dull eyes."

Appalled and mortified, you said nothing. You needed him. He was all you had. You stayed silent as he unleashed his frustration on you, beating you within an inch of your life. When he got tired or bored with it, he left without another word.

You lay on the floor in a pool of blood, body shattered, eyes too bruised to see, but alive. A broken smile crept across your face. He still wanted you. You weren't yet more trouble than you were worth.

[obxone]

Assumptions (Part 3)

Rewritten/Edited-ish-- ~2.2k words

Master Page

This might become a full blown series, but I'm not sure yet. Enjoy!

The day had started great, but now it is not. The couple miles back to your house from town seemed short when you started, but after being two miles in, the realization of how much it is after being on your feet all day sets in. Your car would need mechanic work, and that makes you nervous because you are responsible for it. It had been one of the conditions for you to get a car at sixteen. You are responsible for gas, insurance, and maintenance. You had checked everything you could think of, and your trusty mechanic friend, JJ, was not answering texts or calls before you started the walk home. It is another five miles at least.

You groan loudly, hating the shift in karma. A truck passes and rolls to a stop a few feet in front of you. You frown, not ready to fight off some random drunk loser. You pause, not nearing the truck. Instead, you wait for them to get the hint and drive on. But the driver’s side door opens, and out steps Rafe.

“Hey, you okay?” He asks, moving around the back of the truck and coming closer. His expression is worried as he looks you over in an attempt to catalog any injuries. You look past him, waiting to see his kook buddies step out, but no one does. It is just him, and you are not sure if that terrifies you, or not.

He looks good. His white t-shirt brings out his summer tan and highlights his toned physique. His favored cap on backward, pulling his hair back from his face and letting those frosty blue eyes become unleashed.

“I’m fine,” you respond, crossing your arms over your waist, aware of the situation of being alone in the middle of the night on the side of the road with him. “What are you doing out this late?”

“Picking something up. Why are you out this late?”

“Car trouble.”

“So you walked? From The Wreck?”

“Yes.” You reply, tightening your arms around yourself self-consciously. “I could not fix it by myself.”

“Why didn’t you call your parents or a friend?”

“Working, and I tried.”

“Come on.” His tone is casual while he extends his hand for you to take. You raise an eyebrow at him in question. “I’m not leaving you here in the middle of the night.”

You look him over, trying to decipher if you are safe with him. He frowns, understanding the reason behind your hesitation.

“I won’t hurt you. I’ve already told you that.”

“You did,” you agree. The idea of walking another five miles have you giving in and grasping his hand. He walks you to the truck and helps you into the passenger side. Once he is back in the driver's seat and heading towards The Cut, you take the time to look over at him, the faint glow of the dashboard lights illuminates his facial features.

“You know where I live?”

“Yeah. Remember our date that you bailed on.”

You look down at your lap and fidget with the hem of your shorts. “About that…”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says before glancing at you and then back at the road. “This makes up for it.”

A smile teases at your lips, it is an easy fix for you to partake in. “All right then. Thank you for saving my aching feet from walking another five miles.”

“Promise me that next time, you will call me instead of walking, okay?”

“I don’t have your number, Rafe.”

“I’ll give it to you.”

You watch the familiar surroundings of the island pass until he pulls into your driveway and puts the truck in park. You turn to him and begin to say thank you again, but he locks the doors.

“What-?”

“Give me your phone.”

You pass it to him and watch him input his number before his phone pings with a text sharing your number with him. You take your phone back and put it into your pocket. He has an unreadable expression while he looks at you. His hands are back on the wheel, clutching the leather-bound circle.

“What is on your mind?” You ask, trying to understand the kook prince that only seemed to confuse you each time you interacted lately.

He reaches over, brushing your hair behind your shoulder before his fingers move to your throat. His thumb drags down the length of your neck. Your inhale is shakey, and your nails press against your palms as he touches you. He smiles, knowing what he is doing to you.

“Why won’t you date me?”

“I told you,” you respond, voice breathy from his touch. “I’m a pogue.”

“I don’t care.” He looks at you through his lashes, a teasing smile on his face.

“You don’t?” You reach up to take his hand in yours and bring it down to the console so you can focus on the conversation and not the fire igniting from his touch. “I thought that is why all the fights between your Death Squad and my friends happen.”

“Death Squad?”

You nod, briefly pulling your bottom lip between your teeth.

He frowns, “That was for Topper.”

His fingers fill the space between yours, and your palms rest against each other. You stare down at your conjoined hands. Your heart thuds so loud you are sure residents of Figure 8 can hear it from here.

“Rafe, you and I would never work. Think about it.”

“I have.”

The silence stretches out as you think about the best way to handle this. He is relentless, and you know he is going to be true to his reputation and keep on until you give in to him. But you know giving in to someone like Rafe Cameron would likely mean losing yourself in the process. Rafe is all-consuming, you have seen it in previous girls that slept with him and seemed to be hooked on him after. But Rafe did not date, not seriously anyways. He always wanted to have fun and move from one girl to the next. It is a story that is old as time and told over and over, and the ending never changes.

“Have you ever been told no?” You ask, lifting your head to meet his gaze.

He smiles then, looking away before turning back. “Yes.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He shrugs. “I have no way to prove it.”

You laugh, shaking your head before reaching for the door handle.

“Lunch, tomorrow?” He asks, his hand reaching for yours again. “Please? It doesn’t have to be a date. We can be friends having lunch for now.”

“Did you just say please?” The surprise is clear on your face and in your tone.

He laughs, head tipping back and his eyes closing before he looks at you again. A simple shrug of his shoulders. “You’re worth saying please for.”

Your cheeks heat, and you have to look away from that piercing gaze as you try not to fumble at his revelation.

“Dammit, Rafe.” You mutter under your breath, but he still hears it. A faint chuckle leaves his perfect lips. “Fine. Lunch tomorrow. You can take me to my car so I don’t have to walk.”

“Perfect,” he responds before you exit the truck. He waits until you are inside before he drives away. You lean against the closed door and shut your eyes as you realize you basically agreed to a date with the enemy.

— — — —

You laugh as Rafe finishes telling you about Kelce tripping and face-planting on the golf course earlier that day after too many drinks. The sun illuminates his blond locks like a halo, and he smiles at you. He enjoys your laugh, his eyes sparkling when you meet his gaze again.

“Poor Kelce.”

“He did it to himself.”

“Fair,” you offer before taking a bite of your food. “How many did you have then?”

“None. I knew we had our date.”

“Lunch,” you amend before looking at him. “A proper date is over dinner, not lunch.”

A frown takes over his lips, and you feel bad for it. He has yet to seem anything but happy until now. Happy Rafe stirs something inside of you. You like the idea of being the one that makes him smile so wide his face probably hurts. He is complicated, and you understand that more today than before. He is also careful with who he shows what to, and you know none of the other pogues or most of his friends ever see this side of him. 

His face lights up a little, and you see a mischievous look take over. “So, I need to hold you as a hostage until dinner?”

You fight back a smile. “It’s Sunday, so no. I have work.”

“How many nights do you work?”

You think about it before responding. “As many as the Carreras need. I like the extra cash.”

“For books?” He asks after he finishes his bite of food.

You smile a little. “Car maintenance this time, it looks like.”

“I’ll make sure they give you a fair deal, Babe.”

You flush at the pet name and look away before clearing your throat. He reaches across, his fingers brushing your heated cheeks. You open your mouth but close it when you see a different look on his face. It made your skin tingle.

“What am I going to do with you, Rafe Cameron?” Your voice is soft and airy to try and hide the feeling he was causing.

“Date me.”

You laugh before swatting his hand away. “You are incorrigible!”

He shrugs. “I know what I want.”

“You think you know what you want,” you correct.

“Oh Baby, I know.”

“Rafe!”

He laughs before he takes your hand in his, and they rest together on the tabletop. “I’m not giving up.”

“Oh my god,” you sigh, dropping your head back as you stare at the clear sky and relish the sun. “I don’t think you realize how terrible of a match we would make,” you confess, meeting his gaze. “I’m also working way more than you probably realize, and when I’m not working I am reading. I’m home with my nose in a book. Happily, I might add.”

“Is that why you are so hard to track down?”

“Pretty much.”

“Then I’ll hang out with you while you read and take the rest of your free time.”

“Whatever you say, Mr. Cameron.”

He smirks before stealing one of your french fries.

He takes you to work after you finish eating. His fingers tangle with yours, and your hands rest on the middle console as he drives to The Wreck despite your best efforts to break free of his hold. You silently wish on all your good karma that no one is outside when you arrive. The pogues would never let you live it down and would probably be mad at you for spending the first half of the afternoon with him.

He parks in a space near the entrance and turns the truck off as you unbuckle and shift to the front of the seat while pulling the mirror down. He is silent as he watches you gather your hair in your hands to tie it back.

“You are beautiful when it’s down, but I think I may like it up a little more.”

“Would you stop?” You ask while laughing. “I get it, okay?”

“I don’t think you do,” he responds before reaching over to touch your ponytail. “Because you would agree to be mine.”

You look at him, narrowing your eyes before glancing at The Wreck’s door. “I have to go.”

“See you tonight?”

“No!” You chastise him. “I already told you.”

“I know,” he mutters before dragging his index finger down the back of your neck, and you shiver at the feeling of his touch. “I had to try.”

A bold feeling settles in your chest, and you lean over to peck his cheek. His skin is warm and soft under the press of your lips. His arms fold around you, keeping you pressed against the center console, and you blush before you lean back slightly.

“Thank you for lunch, helping me get my car to the garage for repair, and for driving me to work. But I have to go.”

He turns his face to yours, and your lips are barely a breath apart. Your breath hitches, and he smirks, liking the effect he is beginning to have on you.

“See you later, Future Girlfriend.”

“Oh my god,” you mutter before reaching back to remove his arms, and you climb out. You meet his gaze, and he winks at you before you close the door and turn for the front door as he starts the truck. A stupid smile on your face until you see Kie watching you, arms crossed over her chest, a look of surprise and irritation on her face. You hear the truck leave as you grip your apron bundle tightly in your hand. She had seen it.

“What was that?” She asks, her tone clipped.

“My car broke down, and he helped me get to work.”

“Looked like more than that.”

“It’s not, I promise.” You say before reaching for her hand and squeezing it in yours. “He did ask me out again, but I said no again.”

“Okay,” she responds, following you in. “I trust you know what you are doing.”

“Thank you,” you smile before patting her hip. “Let’s have a good shift okay?”

“Tips for days,” she confirms with a smile, letting the Rafe sighting go.

Part IV

[soupbabe]

Old Friend (Bo Sinclair x Male! Reader)

Bo has a bittersweet run in with an old childhood sweetheart.

This idea has been plaguing my mind and notes app for forever, but I'm happy with how it came out <3 fic is inspired by the song Old Friend by Mitski!

Warnings: Mild angst, One sided love, Reader is a father

Tagging: @rottent33th, @slaasherslut

Ever since Bo got the call from Lester, he had to dry his sweaty palms on the rag in his back pocket. The name slipping from the other end of the cellphone hit Bo like a ton of bricks. Memories of sneaking out the house, stolen kisses, and your hands gracefully tracing over his hands brought a smile to his face.

"Y/n L/n, huh?" Bo chuckled at the old, but familiar way your name rolled off his tongue. " Well I'll be damned.. Send him over."

It didn't take too long before he saw the beat up truck, and you through the windshield. You've definitely aged since you were 17. Obviously, but it was a welcomed change to the mechanic's eyes. The tired eyes and scruff was a good look for you. As he made his way over, he saw you get out of the car and reach for something in the middle seat. Getting closer, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of a black, bulky car seat with a child chewing on a silicone ring.

Time really changes people in more than one way, huh.

Despite everything, Bo swallowed his shock and called out to you, "Need any help?" He tipped his hat to you as you nestled the little girl on your hip. You gave a wave and encouraged the baby to say her thanks to Lester before turning to Bo. Laughter rung in Bo's ears, along with your much matured voice. "Nice seeing you too, Bo."

God your smile brought him back 20 years.

He hid his bashful gaze under his hat and gestured to the gas station behind him. "Lester told me about your problem. D'ya mind if we get out of this sun while we talk? I'm sure the lil miss would appreciate it." You simply nodded and followed your friend down the gravel road. You spoke up from behind, "So uh..how's life been treating you?" Bo tucked his hands in his pockets, "Nothin' much, been staying back in Ambrose for a while now. How about you?" He forced out a small smirk as he gestured to the 6 month old in your arms. "Find yourself a wife?" "Husband, actually." You corrected with a light laugh. "We found a surrogate to help with our family."

Bo’s smirk faltered, knowing he might’ve been a phase in your life hurt a lot less than knowing you had a life with a man that could’ve been him. "That's great..." he held the door open as watched and you walked in. "So, what kind of car troubles have you been having?" You were taken back by the abrupt topic change, but you brushed it off. Getting back home before dark was best. "Blown tire. My husband told me to keep a spare in the back, but I didn't think I'd actually need it." Your cheeks burned in embarrassment. Bo chuckled, remembering how you'd constantly watch him work on cars for other Ambrose residents. You'd tell your parents that you were just "studying with a friend," but in reality you kept Bo company and would reward him on his hard work.

After telling him about your car, he went down to the basement of the gas station and found the exact spare tire you needed. Though reaching out to grab it, Bo saw his chair in the corner of his eye. You found yourself back to him, back to Ambrose. The man who he shared all of his firsts with, who gave him more love than mama ever could, came back to him like the Lord answered his prayers.

But you didn't come back you, you came back with a different life. The promise ring he once welded for you is now replaced with a wedding band that some stranger bought for you. Unlike then, you're proud to belong to another man. Even though he was barely mentioned, you spoke of your spouse with a level of love he couldn't give you. Hell, you even have a child to take care of.

And while he entertained the thought of keeping you here, he knew you wouldn't be the same man he held onto for years.

Your life was too good for him to keep to himself, to ruin with his own impulses.

Snapping out of his thoughts were you yelling from the doorway, "Everything alright?" You asked. Bo quickly grabbed the tire and hurriedly yelled back. "Yeah. Mind just blanked. Stay up there, I'm coming! " The two men walked out of the station and into Bo's car. Silence filled the ride to your car, except for the occasional directions given to Bo.

As soon as you three made it to the car, Bo got to work changing your tire. The idea of you leaving him again made him feel sick, but having you stay against your will, never loving him back, hurt more. Changing the tire was quick and he avoided eye contact as soon as you came up to inspect the job. "I can't thank you enough, how much do I owe you?" Bo waved it off, "On the house. Just make it home before dark, got it?" His voice was tender and soft. You nodded and surprised him with a hug. "Thank you... y'know I've missed you, Bo. It was nice seeing you again." Bo takes in a deep breath before giving you a pay on the back.

"You got no idea..stay safe, Y/n."

[amnestria-the-elf]

Wyll woke with a start, reaching by reflex for his rapier and instead finding only a fistful of soft bedding, which added fuel to his panic. He tried to get up, but was constricted by the sheets, and he fought them off like he was fighting a bugbear. After a few terrifying moments, he broke free and sat up, and as his feet swung out of bed and hit the floor, his senses finally came to him and he realized that he was at home in the tower in Waterdeep, Gale slumbering peacefully next to him.

Heart still hammering in his chest, he looked toward the balcony doors and wondered why they were closed. Air. He needed air, and his feet propelled him across the room like a moth drawn to flame, heedless of the stacks of books on the floor, at least one of which went tumbling over in his wake.

He reached the balcony and threw the doors open, and as a blast of icy, salty sea air hit him in the face he remembered why they had closed the doors before going to sleep in the first place. A storm was blowing through, and Gale worried about either of them catching a chill. Wyll had pointed out that they were both perfectly capable of being exposed to the elements without getting sick, to which Gale had replied that ok, fine, what he really cared about was his papers not getting blown about. Wyll had chosen not to mention that it was possible to put one’s papers away before going to bed and instead relented, foregoing his usual need for fresh air while sleeping in favor of harmony.

Well, the papers were sure to be a mess now, anyway, and while a corner of his mind told him that he should close the doors again, his feet instead drew him out onto the balcony and his hands gripped the railing as he took ragged breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. The storm had not brought rain, only the relentless, icy wind, and goosebumps formed over his body as he stood there in nothing but his underwear gulping it in.

“My love?” Gale’s groggy voice asked from behind him. “Are you all right?”

Wyll glanced back over his shoulder to see his husband looking as radiant as ever with his hair all disheveled and his sleeping robe hanging open around his body. “I’m fine.”

Gale approached slowly, pausing only to close the balcony doors behind him and wrap his robe tightly around himself before standing at the railing next to Wyll and laying one hand gently on his shoulder. Wyll leaned into the touch, and Gale fully wrapped his arm around him and pulled him shoulder to shoulder. “Nightmare?” he asked softly, his voice barely audible above the howling wind.

Wyll’s heart began to slow, regulating under his lover’s warm embrace. He grunted in affirmation. “I don’t remember the details, only– her–”

Gale delicately guided his hands off the railing and pulled Wyll into a full hug, and Wyll buried his face in the side of Gale’s neck while his body melted into him.

“She’s gone now, remember? We killed her. You’re safe,” Gale said.

Wyll nodded. He did remember the great lengths that Gale and Karlach had gone to in helping him hunt down Mizora and end her in a battle that had been rather anticlimactic, if he was honest. Killing her had been easy, finding her had been the hard part. 

All of this should have been a distant memory now, over a year gone, his life turned into one of domestic bliss rather than adventure and danger. “I thought the nightmares would have stopped by now,” he admitted.

“It’s been a while since you’ve had one,” Gale pointed out. “And having one now doesn’t mean anything other than you’re processing everything. Hells, do you worry about me when I have nightmares about Mystra?”

Wyll lifted his head off Gale’s shoulder to look into his eyes, warm and inviting, shining with love for him. “That’s different–”

“It’s the same,” Gale insisted. “And I’m always going to be here for you.”

Wyll smiled and planted a kiss on Gale’s lips, feeling fully back to himself even as the winds of the storm continued to whip around them. “I love you,” he said as he broke the kiss.

Gale smiled. “I love you, too. Now are you going to take me back to bed, or must we stand out here in this tempest all night?”

Wyll laughed softly as he took Gale’s hand and they went back inside, closing the doors behind them and leaving the mess in the room for the morning. They crawled back in bed, and Gale opened his arms and Wyll immediately snuggled up against him. The chill from the wind melted away as they lay wrapped up together, and Wyll hummed in pleasure as his eyelids grew heavy. He still didn’t know how he’d managed to get so lucky, to be loved by this incredible man, but he would thank whichever Gods would listen every single day that he had.

[arkhamsrevenge]

I'll do it again.

Death of the Family - After the events of Death of the Family- You are packing up to leave and go back to Star City but due to unforeseen circumstances you’re staying longer than you thought. 

The Manor was quiet. Bruce had lost the trust of his children as it was revealed that the Joker always knew who and where they were. You were packing up your clothes as you had been staying in one of the spare bed rooms. “You’re leaving?” You turn to see Damien in the doorway. “Were you planning on saying ‘Goodbye’ at least.” You stayed silent then got up and stood in front of the blood son. 

“Do you want me to say ‘Goodbye’ to you?” You asked. Damien still had his arms crossed but nodded. “Goodbye Damien. Keep in touch.” Dam nodded again and headed down the stairwell and out the door of the manor. You kept packing up your clothes and toiletries when another voice entered your room. 

“Can we talk?” Bruce. You didn’t acknowledge his presents or the fact he asked you a question. “I wanted to…you helped us escape the Joker even after I sent you away.” You still ignored him. “I know you must have mixed feelings about me-” “That doesn’t even begin to cover what I feel for you right now.” You sneered. Bruce stepped back as you stood up to face him. “You kept the fact that the Joker knew who everyone was from them, from me. I was attacked and almost killed. Good thing Jason put in a really good security system in my apartment otherwise I’d be blown up. What would that have done to Jason? Did you consider that hearing the Joker killed someone else close to him would kill him?” You were up in Bruce’s face. “What did I tell you? What did I tell you was going to be your undoing?” Bruce gritted his teeth. 

“My pride.” You hummed and went back to packing. Bruce stood in your room for a little longer than left. 

“I thought you weren’t a fortune teller?” Jason asked, stepping out of your shared bathroom. He insisted you pick a room that was shared by a bathroom with his room.  You pulled your bags up. “I’m not. It comes when I don’t try most times.” You say, trying not to look at Jason too long. The Joker had shown you what played out over and over again when you were fighting him off, trying to give the Batfamily time to escape. Of course, The Joker thought you seeing what he did to Jason was going to stop you but it only made you hit him harder. You would have killed him if Batman didn’t pull you off and chase after the Joker. 

“Take care of them!” He shouted running away. You turned back to see Alfred, still affected by Joker Gas, grabbing his head and laughing. You approached him slowly. 

“Sir?” You asked, reaching out. “Can you let me help you?” Even in his state, Alfred let you take a hold of his face. You close your eyes and reverse the effects of the toxic gas, healing Alfred. You had the power of healing others but it came with a price. You had to take on the pain and anguish the victim felt in order to heal them. You also were taught by John Constantine to read minds, but can’t always control what you see in some minds. 

“Nice to see you alive Ms.” Alfred said as you opened your eyes to meet him, now normal. You smiled slightly. 

“Let’s get out of here.” You say as you helped Damien untie the rest of the Batfamily. You untied Jason and he immediately grabbed you. 

“Holy shit.” He breathed. 

“Good thing you upgraded my security when you did.” You say hugging back. When you pulled away, the face of 15 year old Jason looked back at you and he was beaten and bloody. You turn away not wanting to see it anymore. If you had known him back then…maybe. 

“So Damien’s right. You’re leaving?” Jason asks bringing you back to reality. 

“Yeah but so are you.” Jason disappears and then appears next to you with his bag. “I can give you a ride.” He offers. You shake your head. “Last time I got on a motorcycle with you we ended up riding to Los Vegas.” Jason laughs. 

“That was a hell of a weekend.” You nodded. 

“Your fake mustache and glasses were the best disguise though.” You laugh with him. Once you were outside, you heard a familiar voice. 

“WOAH! And I thought Oliver Queen had big bucks.” Your head snaps to the voice. Roy Harper stood in front of a car with Kori getting out. You hadn’t seen Roy since Jason and you ran into him in Vegas. “HEY!” He screamed as soon as he saw you making him take off running to you. Roy picked you up and swung you around. You screamed and laughed as he put you down. 

“Hey Roy.” You say. 

“Moonlight!” Kori, AKA Starfire, says waving. You smile at your old nickname from her.  She called you that because she says your eyes remind her of the sky when a full moon is out. Kori flies up to you and you reach your hand out as she takes you up in the sky and lands on the roof. 

“Hi Kor.” She smiles. “How are you?” You ask. “How are you?” She questions. “Are you and Jason finally…” You shook your head. 

“No and from what just happened, we are probably just going to be…us for now.” Kori smiled sadly. “You will be travel with us until you find another place. Jason told us yours blew up.” You blinked. 

“Uh…” You really didn't want to be around anyone for weeks until this panic and pain subsided. Panic from the Joker showing you what happened to Jason and pain from Alfred's left over.  But Kori looked at you with hope in her eyes. “Of course. Sure.” You agreed. She cheered and flew you both back down. When you landed you saw Roy and Damien throwing a football around. Something you didn’t believe you were seeing at first. 

“You’re coming with us?” Roy asked over his shoulder. “Yeah.” You shouted. “Good. That way you can’t isolate yourself.” Damien shouted back. Your mouth dropped open as Roy started to laugh hysterically. You were about to retort when a scream came from in the manor. 

“AAAAARRGGHHHHHH!” All of you ran inside to see Bruce holding Jason, pulling his helmet off. 

“Jason! Jason talk to me!” Bruce screamed. Jason was unresponsive. 

“MOVE!” You screech as you drop down to Jason’s side. Damien ran off to get Alfred. Good. You didn't want him to see anymore carnage.

“It’s gonna hurt like hell.” Bruce told you as you put your hands on both sides of Jason’s face. 

“WHO FUCKING CARES!” You scream as the acid disappears from Jason’s face and melts into you hands. You continued to hold them there until Jason was fully healed. Only then did you notice now the flesh on your hands was burning and it did indeed hurt like hell. You tried not to make noises. Roy reached for your hands only to have you pull away. “You'll. Get. Burned. Stupid.” You say through gritted teeth. 

“For fuck sake, stick them in here!” Roy said, offering a bin of ice cold water. Damien had come back with Alfred carrying a bucket of cold water. Knowing it would be needed. As Bruce and Alfred took care of Jason, Roy and Kori had you soaking your hands in the cold water for minutes.  

“Once we get you back to the ship, I can repair your hands Moonlight.” Kori says softly. You smile, though now drained.  With everything that’s happened, you were running on empty but now you were completely out of steam. Finally the pain subsided quickly enough where they two were able to move you into a room. Funny enough, it was the same one you had just packed up in. 

“Take these for pain.” Roy offered while Kori bandaged your hands up.  You took them and thanked Roy and Kori. “We can leave when you both are good to move again.” 

“We’ll leave when Jason can.” You muttered. “I’ll heal quick.” With that they started to leave so you can get some rest. 

“Jason’s gonna kill you when he wakes up. You know that right?” Kori asked. You look at her, not knowing how to respond. As the door shuts, her words stay in your head. Jason actually might kill you this time. You look down at your hands and sigh. Hopefully you can hide them until they have healed a little better. With that you drifted off the sleep, trying to ignore the pounding of your hands. 

“Holy shit.” A raspy voice woke you from a dead sleep. You opened your eyes to see Jason sitting on your bed. You shot up. “You fuckin ruined your hands.” He whispers. You look down to see the bandages are bloody. 

“It’s fine. Just go back to bed.” You say hiding your hands under the covers. 

“Don’t.” Jason said carefully, taking your hands out. “Come on. I’ll change your bandages.” You let him lead you to your shared bathroom. He sat you on the counter and took the bandages off. Already the open wounds were healing well. You open your mouth to try and downplay the injuries. “If you try to make me feel better I’ll kill you.” Jason said humorously. You knew he’d never hurt you so you laugh. Once Jason was done you finally got a look at his face. It was truly Jason’s face, healed and all. You were relieved. “I was conscious when you did it.” Your breath hitched. “I felt the acid burning my face, then all the pain went away. It was blurry but I saw you, I saw your hands start to burn and I was too weak to scream at you to stop.” 

“I’d do it again.” You said with no hesitation. “And I’ll keep doing it.” Jason shook his head. 

“You’re going to get yourself killed because of me.” You laughed. 

“Like anything can kill me with you around. Both Roy and Kori seemed to have been under the impression that I was going to stay with the Outlaws. Did all three of you plot against me by chance?” Jason smirked. 

“Don’t know what you're talking about.” Jason and you walked back to bed as he didn’t want to sleep alone anymore. 

“I want you around…now and for however long I got left.” He whispered from behind you. You smile. 

“I’ll be there.” And the two of you fell asleep. When morning came, Dick found Jason still fast asleep in your room. He took a picture of the two of you and sent it in the family group chat with the caption, "Found Jason." The manor erupted in awes and laughter waking the two of you up.

"The hell are they screaming about this early?" Jason asked groggily.

[cookinguptales]

So my dad and I went on a road trip a few years ago. We hit a lot of national parks, ghost towns, bizarre little tourist traps, the weirdest things we could find in Vegas, etc.

(Also, we accidentally went to an alien-themed brothel but I guess that's another story.)

We did... go to Death Valley... but it was not a great experience. lmao

To preface, it had been windy for a lot of our trip, which affected our stops to varying degrees. By far the two worst situations were in Petrified Forest and Death Valley. We still sort of enjoyed Petrified Forest, even though I literally got blown over a few times and the pictures weren't great. We actually talk about going back there some time to see it better because I do love fossils.

Death Valley tho...

I do like deserts, to be clear. I think deserts can be really, really beautiful. And I think maybe in much, much better circumstances, Death Valley might be beautiful. But it was not beautiful that day, and we are not making plans to go back.

We'd actually planned to stay there a couple nights, but the wind had basically kicked up a dust storm that was so bad that it cut power to the entire park. This is very dangerous in a place like Death Valley, where you can literally die if you get stranded. Like... they call it that for a reason. It was April, so less hot than it would be later, but it's still a desert in the middle of freaking nowhere.

When we finally got to our hotel, we found that it had lost power and probably wouldn't be getting it back for a day or two. That meant very little by way of food options, absolutely no internet, and, probably more importantly, it meant we wouldn't be able to charge our cell phones. The gas station also was not working.

So even though we had quite a bit of gas in the tank, the prospect of potentially running out of gas with no cell service or internet in a place called Death Valley was enough to run us out of town. We saw a little bit of the place before we left, but visibility was so poor that it was difficult to see much.

(And... I have to be honest with you, it was not the most visually interesting desert I've ever seen.)

In the end, we ended up just canceling our hotel stay (they couldn't check us in anyway) and driving to Lone Pine. Which was beautiful.

So uhhhh here are some scenes from Death Valley. Mostly, after a certain point, taken from inside a car. Because we were in a fucking dust storm.

To know just how bad the wind was, here's a video from when we stopped at the hotel/fuel center. Please keep in mind, if you turn the audio on, that I was in a truck.

For this next section, the gas station we stopped at just outside of the park, please just know that I double-checked the time stamps and this was early evening but it was not dark yet. You can kind of see how the sky was blue from some angles, but the sun was still being blotted out by the storm. The closest I've experienced to that otherwise is the odd sort of half-light you experience during an eclipse.

And then we got to Lone Pine and it looked like fucking this when we woke up. lmao. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. What the fuck.

[sonofatoasterwaffle]

WIP Title Game

rules: make a new post with all the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPs

tagged by @dadbodbuck (thanks for always including me in tag games cause i love them 🥰)

i have to be so real with y'all i don't even have a folder, i just have one monster doc with headings and it's at like 60k. I have one other doc with 20k of a long form (the Buck whump). so i'll give you all my titles that i haven't abandoned forever and i'm only tagging a few people cause i don't think i even have this many writer mutuals 🫣

lay me out, i am out of my mind

team effort, down the drain

greysexual!eddie adventure

every girl i see (looks like you)

start me up (orgasm-challenged!eddie)

Eddie/Ravi

Accepting All Comers

Summer Baby

make you wanna make me yours (omega!eddie)

call me up (omega!buck)

get your heart racing in my skin tight jeans (gotcha for gaza fill)

outside the lines (gotcha for gaza fill)

measuring parts per billion of volatile materials (buck whump)

line outside the door (buddietommy sex club fic)

season 8 deleted scenes

space cowboy (drugged!eddie)

fall (with you i fall so fast)

be so fuckin fr

keep us together

much ado during nothing (the caught Bathena fic)

hurts like heaven (the wrecked throat fic)

but honestly who hasn't blown a guy at a truck stop for gas money?

you light me up

"hey, get up here with me" from a hospital bed

I wanna know, baby what it is like

buck being slutty drabbles

After she gives them back to him as his baby box, Buck shows Christopher the postcards. (BECAUSE THAT’S HIS BABY AND MADDIE GOT HER BOX WHEN SHE HAD A BABY SO NOW BUCK SHOWS HIS OFF TO HIS BABY!!!)

Eddie/Ana with buddie weirdcest

chronic leg pain fic

buddieshannon

i'd fight your mom (eddie, buck, and hen stop at the diaz house on the way back from el paso)

transmasc!Buck on his period

tagging some fic writers who may not have done this yet: @littlefreakbuckley @semperama @sofa-king-lame @pairofraggedclaws and anyone else who sees this and wants to play, say I tagged you!!

[braveclementine]

The Fight

Warnings: None

Copyright: I do not own any Marvel characters or locations. However, I do own my OC Elizabeth Lightwood. I do not condone any copying of this.

Tony zoomed across the lit New York sky. His mind was filled with a million thoughts at the moment. The fact that Obadiah had hurt Pumpkin, had tried to kill her, was the foremost thought. He felt a deep hatred fuel in his heart, the image of Pumpkin's broken body stuck in his head. The next thought was Pepper. If Obadiah could try and kill Pumpkin, he knew he was not bluffing about killing Pepper. He had to keep her safe for Happy, as well as for himself.

Not to mention the fact that Obadiah was the one to try and kill him in Afghanistan. That really pissed him off. His father had trusted this guy once. And now he was trying to kill his son. Not that he took much stock in who his father did and did not trust. He was always going on and on about Steve Rogers after all. The bloody saint.

Obadiah had to be stopped, he had to be put down. Arrested. And then, after that was done, he needed to first get his newer arc reactor back. And then secondly, he needed to go and see Pumpkin. She had to be okay. Because if she wasn't, Obadiah wasn't going to survive this fight.

"How do you think the Mark I chest piece is going to hold up?" He asked Jarvis.

"The suit's at 48% power and falling, sir. That chest piece was never designed for sustained flight."

"Keep me posted."

He immediately called Pepper next. "Pepper!"

"Tony! Tony are you okay?" Pepper shrieked.

"I'm fine. How are. . . "

"Obadiah, he's gone insane."

"I know. He tried to kill Pumpkin." Tony gritted out. "You need to get out of there."

"He built a suit. And is she okay?"

He came around the curve of the building as he heard Pepper scream through the phone.

"STANE!" He shouted and then collided with the larger, fatter metal robot. They crashed back through the ground into the lab of Stark Industrys. They made their way back up through the ground, into traffic, crashing through a truck and rolling across the highway. He desperately hoped no one died.

"I love this suit!" Stane roared as he picked up an SUV with a mother and four of her kids.

"Put them down!" Tony shouted. He would never have seen them in reality. I mean, he would've seen them as people, but now he was envisioning Pumpkin as a mother with his kids in the car. God he hadn't even met her human side and he was whipped.

"Collateral damage Tony." Stane said.

"Divert power to chest RT." Tony commanded. The power diverted into the pulsator on his chest, blasting Stane's suit backwards. He caught the SUV with difficulty and could hear them screaming inside.

"Power reduced to 19%." Jarvis warned him.

The lady put her foot on the gas and started off with him on the front. "Lady!" He shouted but she didn't stop, running him over so that he was caught underneath the car, dragging him along the road until he lifted the back end and tossed himself out, rolling across the pavement.

Stane was there in seconds by the time he got to his feet, whipping a motorcycle through the air to hit him and he crashed into another- luckily empty- car. Stane picked him up now and roared, "For thirty years I've been holding you up!" He threw Tony to the ground and started to stomp on him. "I built this company from nothing! Nothing is going to stand in my way!"

He threw Tony into the bus. "Least of all, you!"

Tony found himself being blown up into the air as Stane exploded the bus. As he came down, he set the shooters off to keep him afloat.

"Impressive!" Stane shouted. "You've upgraded your armor! I've made some upgrades of my own!"

Stane started to take off from the ground and Jarvis helpfully said, "Sir, it appears that his suit can fly."

"Duly noted. Take me to maximum altitude."

"With only 15% power, the odds of reaching that. . ."

"I know the math! Do it!"

He took off into the atmosphere, straining for the clouds. He knew that Obadiah was on his tail. The machine was clunkier, heavier, and just the slightest bit slower.

"Thirteen percent power, sir."

"Climb!"

"Eleven percent."

"Keep going."

"Seven percent power."

"Just leave it on the screen. Stop telling me!"

"You made a promise to Pumpkin."

"And I'll keep it!"

Suddenly, Obadiah grabbed his suit out of midair. Tony could see that his suit was already frosted over with ice. "You had a great idea, Tony, but my suit is more advanced in every way!"

"How'd you solve the icing problem?" Tony asked frantically.

"Icing problem?" Obadiah asked slowly. Then the power went out in his suit.

"Might want to look into it." Tony gasped, hitting him on the head and breaking off a chunk of the ice. He watched as the suit started to fall back down to Earth.

"Two percent." Jarvis warned and Tony gasped as he attempted to get his control of the suit back. "We are now running on emergency backup power."

He let himself fall at unevenly spaced intervals in order to get back down to Earth. Jarvis was right, he'd make a promise to Pumpkin.

He landed harshly on the roof of Stark Enterprises, sparks flickering from his suit. He got to his feet slowly saying, "Hogan."

"Tony! Oh my God, are you okay?" Peppers voice came streaming through the headphones.

"I'm almost out of power. I've got to get out of this thing. I'll be right there." Tony said. He flipped open the helmet only to feel the vibrations as Stane landed behind him. He quickly flipped the face plate back down as Stane raised a fist and growled, "Nice try."

Tony ducked and went to shoot before realizing that his glove was missing. As he was hit, he flipped in midair and landed in a crouch, nearly flying off the roof. He ran forwards, using only one arm booster to get himself forwards in flight, slamming it across the iron giants face.

Stane grabbed Tony around the middle and started to crush him.

"Weapon status." He choked out.

"Repulsors offline. Missiles offline." Everything was starting to crack and break, red beeping lights coming on to alert him.

"Flares!"

The flares were produced, ricocheting off his armor and Stanes before he was finally let go. Tony used his temporary blindness as a way to get behind a metal box and hide from him.

"Very clever, Tony." Stane said slowly.

"Hogan." He whispered quietly.

"Tony!"

"This isn't working. We're going to have to overload the reactor and blast the roof."

"Well, how are you going to do that?"

"You're going to do it."

He felt terrible putting her in danger. Happy was going to be pissed with him.

"Go to the central console, open up all the circuits. When I get clear of the roof, I'll let you know. You're going to hit the master bypass button. It's going to fry everything up here."

"Okay." Pepper's voice was shaky and he didn't blame her. "I'm going in now."

"Make sure you wait till I clear the roof. I'll buy you some time." He darted around the corner once more as Stane came closer, looking for him slowly, scanning everything.

He crept up behind him and jumped on his back with a shout. Stane growled like an animal. Scanning the suit, he saw something light up and he said, "This looks important." He reached down into the back of the suit and yanked it out, wires sparking when they were disconnected from their circuits.

Stane turned around in circles, arms moving upwards to try and grab Tony. The power had gone out in Stane's suit and he couldn't see well. He threw Tony over his shoulder and Tony landed on the glass ceiling. He could see Pepper below him, working on opening up the circuits as he'd asked.

Suddenly, Obadiah let the Iron giant suit open. "I never had a taste for this sort of thing, but I must admit, I'm deeply enjoying the suit!" He crunched Tony's helmet in his hand and tossed it over the railing so it landed in front of his face.

Tony looked up as Obadiah came closer. "You finally outdid yourself, Tony! You'd have made your father proud!"

This was the man that had almost killed Pumpkin. Tony pushed himself to his feet with difficulty.

"It's ready Tony get off the roof!" Pepper shouted in his ear.

Obadiah pointed his machine gun at him, shooting. The bullets missed, bouncing off Tony's Gard until one hit the glass at his feet. The glass broke and he grabbed the edge so he didn't fall off. He heard Pepper scream below him.

Obadiah shot all of the glass around him out, making it impossible for Tony to find any sure footing, even if he could get himself back on his feet.

"TONY!" Pepper's voice was so far away.

"How ironic, Tony." Obadiah shouted at him. "Trying to rid the world of weapons, you gave it its best one ever!"

"Pepper!"

"And now, I'm going to kill you with it! Tell Pumpkin I said hello."

He shot and the missile hit the wall instead. Obadiah shook his head. "you ripped out my targeting system."

"Time to hit the button!" Tony shouted.

"You told me not to!"

"Hold still you little prick!"

"JUST DO IT!"

"YOU'LL DIE!"

Obadiah shot again and Tony fell once more, hanging below the circle now, holding on by one hand, "PUSH IT!"

He watched Pepper push it and run down the stairs, covering her head with her hands. He caught the edge of the blast and was slammed into the wall, but he was out of the way while it went straight for Obadiah, frying him in his suit as he shouted.

It sent a beacon of energy so powerfully into the sky, electrical radiation coming from it that there was an immediate power outage around the city. Obadiah fell forwards, breaking metal beams as he fell down into the reactor. His suit and body fried the entire thing, a column of fire shooting up through the ceiling and filling the rest of the building.

He hoped Pepper got out in time.

Tony felt his own arc reactor go out, and he closed his eyes. 

[vampiremarz]

Split The Heavens

"We're closed" The Demon said flatly, pushing his glasses up so they would stay propped up on his forehead(that corner of the bookshop was way too dark to wear sunglasses, And read something) "I thought Muriel was running the Bookshop?" the customer said, their oh so familiar voice rang in Crowley's ears. His skin crawled, as he looked over his shoulder. "Aziraphale." he monotoned. "

or

Something wet and warm ran down the demon's cheek, it burned like holy water, but worse. it didn't kill him, but the burn wouldn't go away. He didn't know demon's could cry.

cross posted on ao3

The Demon had watched The Angel step into the elevator with a smile on his face. It broke his heart. He felt it slowly crack and shatter into a million pieces. his dark glasses covered his eyes welling up with tears. As music began to play on the radio as he turned the key in the Bentley, instantly he turned it off, not wanting to wallow in his emotions.  He slammed his foot down onto the gas pedal, going as fast as the Bentley would let him. oddly slow compared to their usual 90 in Central London. "oh for fucks sake" He groaned. His glasses had slipped down his nose so he pushed them up with his middle finger.

His plants seemed to wilt behind him like he could hear them crying for help. "stop your whining, I watered you last night" He said through his teeth. He shuffled through the stack of CDs and tapes stashed in the glove compartment, frustrated he slammed it shut, turning the radio on and switching a few channels.

His original plan was to go back to his flat, but now that Shax had returned to hell his "home" was his once again, instead of slowing down and parking the Bentley in his parking spot, the brakes seemed to falter, the steering wheel turned on its own and Crowley was on the road once again. "FOR FUCKS SAKE" He slams his fist down on the dashboard, and the radio sputters.

"Love of my life, can't you see?

(Please bring it back)

Bring it back, bring it back, don't

take it away from me

Because you don't know what it

means to me (means to me)"

Love of my life by Queen had started playing on the radio, or the Bentley's mind of its own had decided to force Crowley to face his own emotions, the emotions he had felt for the first time ever

"You will remember when this is blown over

And everything's all by the way

(ooh, yeah)"

The radio continues. Crowley took his hands off of the steering wheel, looking ahead of him at the road as the Bentley seemed to drive itself.

"When I grow older, I will be there at your side" He sang along to the song. "To remind you how I still love you- Dammit Angel" He cursed under his breath before removing his glasses. In 1974 they had seen Queen play that song live, together. Aziraphale had apparently traded one of his books to get them "VIP" tickets, whatever that meant. ( And coincidentally, Crowley got to meet the band) He saw them 8 more times before Queen's last album was released.

He vividly remembered how during the bridge of the song Aziraphale's hand had brushed up against his, of course, they were sitting next to each other, they had gone together. Not like it was a date or anything(it was)

Lost in his thoughts the next thing he knew he was back in front of the bookshop. A.Z. Fell and Co. the oh so familiar sign read.

the bells above the door rang as he stepped inside "Welcome!" Muriel shouted from behind a pile of books almost twice their size, poor thing had just discovered what books were and now they were practically swimming in the mess the demons had made the night before. "oh! it's you, the demon" They said, straightening their posture "The Metatron put you in charge of the shop?" He said through his teeth again, straightening his glasses. "yes! I'm very excited" They replied "If Aziraphale finds out you're actually selling them or you damaged them in any way, the new Supreme Archangel will have you punished I'm sure" His fingers brushed against the dust of a book, despite Aziraphale only leaving about a half an hour ago it seemed to take a toll on the bookshop. "oh… are you just trying to scare me? it won't work on me Mr. Crowley, I'm an angel and you're a demon"

"blah blah blah doesn't matter, I know the bookshop better than you"

Muriel sighed "I suppose you're right"

Crowley sighed. The bookshop felt so empty now. "I'll help you get situated, He liked things a certain way" He stepped towards the angel, and Muriel stepped back. "Relax, I'm not gonna hurt you or anything, despite demonic appearances"

Muriel picked up one of the books from the large stack, an older and relatively smaller one. One Aziraphale had carried around with him when he had first gotten his hands on it, back in 1957. "Now, are you gonna read that or put it back?"

"put it back"

"Angel always organized them by author first name and genre, I have no idea how he didn't blow a fuse when Gabriel-" he corrects himself "Jim started organizing them by the first letter of the first sentence" He scoffed "Are all of these "authors" humans?" Muriel asked, using air quotes. "uh, I suppose so? never really thought about that" Crowley shrugged his shoulders, picking up a book and reading the author's name to reshelve it "Mr. Crowley?" They asked again. "hu?" he looked up from the book. "Once you're done teaching me about books, can you teach me about humans?"

He raised an eyebrow "You what now?"

"teach me about humans!" They said with a smile "You and Mr. Aziraphale had been here for 6,000 years, right? surely you know more than I could learn from observing"

"well… you're right I do know more. I'll consider it. You start organizing the best you can. I'm gonna go get a pick me up, hopefully, something alcoholic and a chat with someone" he pushed his hair back and walked out of the bookshop. The truth was he didn't mind Muriel, they were too clueless for their own good but also curious. The questions they asked reminded him of himself before the fall. He wanted to be nice to them, but they reminded him too much of himself, and too much of Aziraphale at the same time. Halfway to Nina's he realized he didn't really want to talk about what happened, just needed to get away from the bookshop, it was an instinct to meet Aziraphale there. Crowley groaned. His next option was to go back to his flat, pick up the mail shax had left at his door. He sauntered over to the Bentley and turned the car on, of course a sappy love song that reminded him of Aziraphale was playing, he decided to drive in silence instead.

splash! suddenly the demon was soaked, He shot up, his head throbbing and the room spinning "Crowley, where's Aziraphale?" Maggie said, her hands on her hips. Nina was next to her, holding an empty coffee cup, she must've been the one to wake him up "It's been weeks since we've seen either of you, very very unusual "

"fuck both of you" The demon groaned, rolling to the other side of the couch he was comfortably lounged on "I assume it didn't go well?" Nina asked, picking up a few empty wine bottles "Jesus Crowley how much can you drink? Are you planning on drinking your life away?"

"I'm not drinking my life away, just drinking the next decade away, till Aziraphale comes back or , till it doesn't hurt anymore" he muttered, reaching for the half-drunk bottle of wine next to him. Nina quickly grabbed it before he could, causing Crowley to fall off of the comfortable couch. "I'll go find the other one" Maggie said, giving Nina a kind pat on the shoulder. Nina gave her a nod as she headed up the spiral staircase. "What happened?" Nina sat on the couch, the demon still on the floor. "He left," Crowley said, his face squished into the floor. "oh! I wasn't expecting that, you two were absolutely made for eachother"

"I doubt that" He rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "He went back to heaven, wanted me to join him again, but we went through this ages ago, we're not on heaven or hell's side. we're on our own, but he picked heaven over me" His voice faltered slightly. "Oh Crowley, that's horrible" He simply just shrugged in response.

"I'm glad you came back. Aziraphale wasn't just the bookshop owner he was the landlord too, someone has to run it who knows the ropes already" Crowley sighed, looked like he couldn't abandon the bookshop even if he wanted to.

Crowley sat up. He blindly fumbled for some sort of drink, and begrudgingly, Nina handed him the bottle of wine she had snatched up. "the Metatron, that old fuckin idiot placed Muriel in charge, I have nothing against them but they don't have a clue what's going on at all" Crowley talked with his hands, almost knocking the bottle against the coffee table and breaking it.

"the Metatron? what type of a stupid name is that?"

"He's an old guy, balding, and smells like moldy cheese, but I'm probably exaggerating. He was in here earlier and gave Angel a coffee. I think it was a latte thing with almond syrup"

"I remember him! he was the first customer in that morning and asked a weird question, he asked if anyone ever asked for death"

"do they?"

"no," She said plainly, almost side-eyeing him.

"Muriel said they saw you drunkenly praying last night. You're a demon, who were you praying to? Satan?" Maggie said, heading down the stairs.

"I was asking God to take care of Aziraphale" he muttered under his breath, Looking down and away so he could remove his glasses and wipe off the lenses, covered in lukewarm tea. Maggie sighed "Crowley…"

"Yes, stupid human I know. I know"

The empty coffee cup is tossed at his head "You've been camping out here for weeks, you gave your flat to Beelzebub and Jim and haven't even unpacked the boxes of your shit!" Maggie pointed towards the stack of boxes by the door labeled "Krowly" the handwriting absolute chicken scratch, obviously written by Beelzebub. "You got all this from Muriel?" Crowley raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, and your plants died," Maggie added. With a wave of his hands, the plants were luscious and green again "No they're not"

"you can't miracle everything to be better" Nina pulls over a chair and one for Maggie, sitting down in front of Crowley. "Muriel wants me to teach them about humans. Guess I'll be staying around longer than I wanted to, I'll run the bookshop I guess"

“Don't be a horrible influence on that poor kid”

“I won't, Aziraphale will probably come back in the next few days, he’ll realize how boring it is in heaven”

“What are you going to tell people if they ask where he is?”

“Probably in America or somewhere stupid” Crowley shrugged. "He'll come back"

"you're very nice for a demon, I know I don't have much of a reference to base it on but you're a really nice guy" Maggie said. "Look uh, I told Miss sandwich already, I'm not either. I'm not nice" he said through his teeth. "Have fun lying to yourself then" Nina said before Maggie could, like she could read her mind. "we should go, we have to open our shops, we'll be back after closing to make sure you're not drunk again"

The demon was nice, As much as he hated to admit it he wasn't evil, he was far from it. The last mean thing he ment and actually remembered saying was telling Jim- Gabriel to step out of the window and face plant onto the sidewalk of Soho London. As much as he hated Gabriel, he still regretted it.

The demon who lived in his car after he lost his flat, never thought to ask his angel for a place to stay, he thought it would make Aziraphale uncomfortable. The same demon who felt comfortable enough with said angel to show his eyes around him, the eyes he could have miracled into normal human eyes at any moment. The demon who would do anything to kiss Aziraphale again, despite how horrible the situation was or how painful of a memory it was, how much it hurt seeing the look on Aziraphale's face. He would still do it all over again.

His Bentley turned a familiar shade of yellow, shortly before malfunctioning and becoming undriveable. Crowley could've easily miracled it, fixed. After everything the car had been through with him, after 90 years of Aziraphale sitting in the passenger seat. He couldn't dare look at it again, his most prized possession was left in an empty lot, yellow instead of black. The Demon knew the Bentley reflected his own emotions.

Life without Aziraphale moved ever so slowly. Crowley was used to life moving slowly, he had been on slow-moving earth with slow-moving humans for six thousand years, but this was painfully slow. Time should've been flying by, but it wasn't. But from Inspector Constable turned bookseller's perspective, he seemed to be doing better than he was the day Aziraphale left.

Crowley sat lounged over the fancy chair pushed up against Aziraphale's old desk, shuffling through a box of records, the cardboard around the packaging edges fraying slightly "Muriel? What should we listen to together? Queen or?...." He held up an autographed version of A Day At The Races and started shuffling through the box again, looking for a second option. "the queen of what? Why are we listening to a queen?"

"What did you just say?" He gritted his teeth, spinning around in the chair and dropping the box onto the floor "I don't understand who's the queen?" They asked. Crowley simply strutted towards the record player "Muriel Muriel Muriel you are about to have your mind blown- sorry human expression" He corrected himself, avoiding a question. The record slid out of its sleeve and into his hand, very very cautiously placing the pristine record (despite being 47 years old and still in mint condition) onto the turntable.

As the first song started playing and he slumped back into his chair "Take a seat and enjoy the music little angel" He said, lifting the to-go coffee cup to his lips, "was six shots right? Nina knows your usual but I wanted to try and remember it"

He nodded, closing his eyes to enjoy the music "Do you-" They continued, being interrupted by Crowley's finger behind, held up to shush them "Listen to the music" Crowley said, side-eyeing them. "this one's called Tie Your Mother Down" Muriel sat down in their chair, a simple blue metal chair opposite next to Crowey's fancy deep red and gold throne-like chair. Crowley couldn't bring himself to sit in the chair that had been next to the desk before. It was Aziraphale's chair, not Crowley's. He had brought his chair from his flat, and stolen Muriel's from Nina's. Aziraphale's worn-down chair sat nicely in the corner as if he was sitting there with them. His gaze shifted towards the record player, then towards the chair as the songs switched.  "I can dim the li-" the record sings, quickly Crowley jumps to his feet, the needle quickly skipping "Why'd you do that?" They tilt their head to the side "I uh…. I just don't like the song" He responded. His demeanor had changed drastically. "Mr. Crowley, are you ok?" They asked. "I'm fine! just that's enough of this album for today, pick one from the box. I'm gonna organize the books' ' He stormed off to the other side of the bookshop. a nice old lady had come by to sell a box full of her husband's old books, he had to inventory them and shelve them, a boring task he had no idea how Aziraphale dealt with it. "I think I'll get a new one!" They stood up. Crowley shuffled through his pockets, he sauntered back over to them and placed about 15 pounds into their hand "Maggie will probably let you just take a record because she doesn't have to pay us- Aziraphale, rent anymore but pay her anyway"

"That's very nice of you for a demon" They respond, putting the pounds in their pocket. "Eh, not really, I just don't hate Humans. Gray zone, remember?"

"Mr. Crowley?"  Muriel asked, standing by the door. "Yeah little angel?" he responded

"I'm going to miss you when you go back to hell"

"You've got a day, just gotta tie up some more loose ends" Crowley shrugged his shoulders "you'll be fine without me, I've waited for Aziraphale long enough" Crowley fixed his glasses as a customer came through the door. "I'm still going to miss you" Muriel said with a smile "be careful, saying stuff like that is gonna get you pushed outta heaven" He whispered to them, patting them on the shoulder. "Go pick out a record kid," he sauntered back over to the books that needed to be shelved.

Muriel skipped their way over towards Maggie's record shop, the bells above the door rang and she turned her attention towards the door "Muriel! It's nice to see you" she smiled. "Mr. Crowley said I could get a new record" They smiled, walking over towards one of the shelves, sorting through the newer records, still in the plastic. Then towards the older ones till they found a pretty blue one. "Can you play this one for me? I wanna know what it sounds like" They handed her the record "Ohhhhh this is a nice one" Maggie smiled "Voulez - Vous by Abba, Aziraphale used to like this one he would always listen to it here while looking for other records but never bought it" She slipped the record onto the turntable and let it run. The first few songs grew a smile on Muriel's face. "I'll take it!" They said, taking the record from Maggie the second it was back in the casing. They drop the money given to them on the counter and skip back to the bookshop "Wait! Muriel the record was only 3£ not 15!" She shouted but they were already too far gone to hear her, she simply sighed and placed it in the cash register.

Crowley, now swimming in books, refused to turn around and greet the customer as the doors opened "We're closed"  He said flatly, pushing his glasses up so they would stay propped up on his forehead(that corner of the bookshop was way too dark to wear sunglasses, And read something)  "I thought Muriel was running the Bookshop?" the customer said, their oh so familiar voice rang in Crowley's ears. His skin crawled, as he looked over his shoulder. "Aziraphale." he monotoned. "I came to check on Muriel but I guess you ended up taking over"

" teachin' them, I'll be out of here soon enough" He stood up, dusting his clothes off. "Crowley… I-"  He took a step towards him,  his attention being stolen from Crowley to the wilting plants under the window. "Don't. you told me how you felt and made your priorities clear"

"Oh Crowley, don't be like that. I brought you coffee?" His brows furrowed, but he held the coffee cup full of espresso in front of him. "Muriel brought me one already, and of fucking course in going to be that way you chose your side" He put his glasses back on. "You look good, Are those new glasses?"  Aziraphale asked, most likely trying to make conversation "No" Crowley responded, Flatley. "same old glasses, same old me, different you" He picks up the box of books once more and moves to a different section of the bookshop. Aziraphale cautiously stepped towards his old desk, placing the cup of coffee next to the other cup Muriel had brought Crowley earlier.

Aziraphale wished the world would just stop, he could stop it but he doubted that it would get Crowley to talk to him. He wanted those damn glasses off and Crowley, he wanted Crowley.

"Crowley." Aziraphale reached forward to grab his wrist, but Crowley pulled away quickly.

too distracted to pay attention to the door Crowley missed Muriel coming back in, attempting to sneak past the two. He caught them in the corner of his eye, and despite being blocked by the edge of his glasses, he'd gotten used to it obviously. "what record did you get?" He turned his attention towards them "I'll show you after" they said, heading up the staircase.

"You seem to like them now" The angel fidgeted with his hands. "Well, it's been a year, Aziraphale. I know the time in heaven works differently but I hope you're doing well"

"I missed the bookshop" the Angel stepped towards the desk, eyeing the new chairs and his that had been moved "I missed the books, my records, I missed the weather. Heaven is awfully boring compared to Earth"

"take your records with you then" The demon muttered.

"you seem closer with them than you were with me" Aziraphale looked down "For Satan's fucking sake they're like my kid now it gets annoying sometimes. you- you were. Oh fuck off"

"Please, I want to apologize"

"Are you gonna do the dance again?" He laughed slightly, humoring himself. "Do you want me to?" he responded, tilting his head to the side. Crowley dropped the box, his hands were shoved in his front pockets and he turned to face his old friend "listen. I understand you coming to check on Muriel, you're both angels. But I'm a demon. I'm the enemy now" He pulled his glasses off, like an instinct to do in front of Aziraphale. realizing what he had done he quickly puts his hand over his eyes. "Crowley look at me…" He asked, so gently. Slowly Crowley moved his hand, revealing his eyes. The angel's face sank, instead of his favorite shade of yellow staring back at him, Crowley's eyes were a normal shade of brown, with normal human irises. "Crowley what? you?"

"don't like my eyes anymore" He put his glasses back on, sniffling he continued speaking "and I know I fucked up by kissing you-"

"Oh, Heaven Crowley I thought you were trying to tempt me!" Aziraphale interrupted. Crowey's posture stiffened "You think I would tempt you? I never have!? don't be an idiot Ang- Aziraphale '' He corrected himself "I would've never done anything to hurt you. and you assumed?"

"you're a demon! And I'm an angel, an Archangel! you could've been trying to tempt me into staying"

"I USED TO BE A FUCKING ARCHANGEL!" The demon snapped, practically shaking.

Aziraphale stepped back, not expecting Crowley to raise his voice at him, it had never happened before. "what?" he questioned. "Archangel Raphael, He asked too many questions and hung around the wrong crowd. then God punished him"

Aziraphale put his hand up to his mouth, his eyes widening "I asked too many questions" Crowley said, trying to compose himself "Crowley I'm so sorry I never knew-"

"I never wanted you to know"

Aziraphale stayed silent, the look of pity on his face made Crowley want to burst into flames.

"They wiped my memory, Everyone in heaven forgot Raphael eventually, of their own doing or I was wiped from their memory too. I only remember a handful of things. I know exactly how Gabriel was feeling. I can't have that same thing happening to you"

"It won't, I can change heaven. you can-"

"I should've been enough for you to want to stay, what happened to us? shades of gray remember? they tried to burn you alive Aziraphale!" He knocked a few books off the shelf, causing Aziraphale to back up. Quickly he bent back down to put them back on the shelf. "Crowley, I'm so so sorry. I really am" he reached down to place his hand on his shoulder "Did you really want me to be an angel with you?" Crowley had moved before Aziraphale could've touched him.

"Yes of course I did! I know you must've been happier as an angel, and we can be together in heaven. The last thing I want is to be away from you. You can still take my offer"

" You weren't there when we switched. You didn't see how your stupid angels treated you"

"I'm in charge now Crowley. they won't-"

Crowley interrupted him "They wiped Gabriel's mind because he didn't want another Armageddon. Threatened to wipe him from the Book of Life because he fell in love with Beelzebub. You- mmmhhh" he stopped himself "Do you understand what they'll do to you?"

"They won't do anything to me, because I'm in charge" the archangel stated. "Join me, please. Nina told me you accepted hell's offer, take mine instead."

"Fuck Heaven, fuck Michael, fuck Uriel, and all the other angels. fuck god and fuck you. As you said, Like it's always been Aziraphale,  I'm a demon, nothing ever gonna change that."

"It wasn't always that way, you were Raphael, you can be him again. It can change! Let me help you"

"YOU STUPID FUCKING ANGEL!" Despite it being almost a perfect day a strike of lightning came crashing down just outside the bookshop, singeing the concrete ground. "You can't help me! I am a demon. I enjoy being a demon." He said through gritted teeth, a deep growl coming from his throat. "I'm like a walking bomb of death and destruction. Just leave, please. I could kill anyone with a snap of my fingers, I could kill you"

Aziraphale stood back, those last words stung "Anthony J Crowley! I'm not leaving you, not again"

"For Satan's sake! why won't you understand?! I don't want to be a damn angel! I wasn't happy as one, all I did was get in trouble for asking honest questions! I- All I wanted was you. I was happy with you" He said, furrowing his brows "Angel I loved you" he wanted to kick himself for letting the term of endearment slip. Aziraphale's eyes softened "You what?"

"Forget it, I'm going upstairs. If you want to you can take some of your shit back to heaven" Crowley fixed his glasses, turning around to head upstairs the spiral staircase. Aziraphale quickly responded. "Loved?"

"Love doesn't matter, you chose to be enemies again" He looked down at Aziraphale's hands, dangerously close to his own "Do you still love me?"

Crowley sighed "It doesn't matter" he rolled his eyes, "humor me" Aziraphale sighed "Oh you think this is funny?"

"It's a human expression, you know this!" His voice got all high-pitched and whining, one of the mannerisms Crowley had thought was cute. Crowley's gaze traveled back toward Aziraphale's eyes.

Something wet and warm ran down the demon's cheek, it burned like holy water, but worse. it didn't kill him, but the burn wouldn't go away. He didn't know demon's could cry.

"Crowley-'' Aziraphale reached forward to wipe the tear off his cheek. "No. I don't love you anymore" his voice shook.

The angel’s hand drifted down to grab his wrist. The demon watched as his fingers trail down further, intertwining their fingers. He realized Aziraphale was also looking down at their hands, his fingers tightly gripping Crowley's limp hand.

The Demon exhaled, his breath faltering "Aziraphale…" The Angel looked back up at him, and suddenly his eyes widened. Crowley had been using a miracle this whole time to make him seem… alright. His comment about Crowley "looking good" now felt out of place and almost like an insult had spilled from his lips. His hair was longer and messy, he could smell the alcohol on his breath, and could practically sense the tired eyes behind his glasses. stubble shaped his face, making him look more disheveled. A single freckle sat above his lips, an angel kiss as some would call them.

Tired eyes was an understatement, Crowley couldn't sleep anymore. Some night were by choice, he didn't want to relive the horrors that were the nightmares that followed the day Aziraphale left, some nights he would lay awake contemplating different ways that morning could've gone.

Aziraphale understood why his plants were wilted now. "Crowley… you look…" he brushed his hand up his arm, against the soft fabric of his sweater. "yeah I know. Maggie and Nina tried to get me to put myself together again. Too hard when I feel so damn empty. so I miracled myself" The angel's hands came up to gently take the glasses off of the demon's face, and quickly Crowley squeezed his eyes shut, deep eye bags under his eyes confirmed the tired gaze Aziraphale suspected. "Don't do that again" He quickly grabbed his glasses back from the angel.

"But Crowley, I… we… Oh" He struggled to find the words "Was this why I couldn't find you? I checked on you through heaven but you had gone missing. You miracled yourself to seem human. Crowley, I'm so sorry."

"you can take your apology and shove it up your feathered ass"

"Crowley, my dear…"

"don't" He turned away from Aziraphale. "Fuck you, Angel, if you wanna talk to Muriel I'll tell them to come back down but I don't want to see you again. and don't look up my file, leave me alone" He pulled his hand from his grasp and continued up the spiral staircase. Aziraphale could hear the heartbreak in his voice.

Crowley stormed past the open door to Muriel's room, the record spinning on their turntable

"Look into his angel eyes, One look and You're hypnotized" the new record they had just bought sang. With a wave of his hand the record started spinning backwards "Listen to another one Muriel, I can't stand this song anymore" He said with a deep growl in his voice. "Mr. Crowley, are you okay? I wasn't expecting to see Aziraphale- Or the traitor" Muriel stood up, following him to his room. "it's fine, he's just coming to get some of his books to take back to heaven" He responded, opening the door to his bedroom, the room across the hall from the dusty and locked door that was Aziraphale's room. "Mr. Crowley" Muriel stood up straight, speaking louder than usual "I have a confession to make"

The demon raised an eyebrow before uncorking a bottle of wine in his room and leaning against the doorway. "As you probably know angels can sense Love" they stated "and last year before Mr. Aziraphale left, I might have sensed it between you two, very heavily. and I also might've accidentally been watching through the window when I felt that love was the strongest" They watched as an almost disappointed look grew on Crowley's face "I saw you kiss him and I could sense the heartbreak"

"Muriel…" Crowley sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"And I still sense that love and heartbreak in you, but it's even stronger in him I think he meant the apology"

"Even if he meant it… Aziraphale is too holier than thou to leave heaven again. And I'm going back to hell, there isn't time for an us anymore"

"You two were happy when you were still with heaven and hell before you left, right?"

"This is different now, he's an Archangel, and I'm going to be the new prince of hell, just like Gabriel and Beelzebub. We cant- shit" He looked down at the ground, adjusting his footing and bringing the bottle of wine up to his lips "fuck… I'm gonna regret this again" He shuffled past them, and back down the staircase. He was met with an empty bookshop, not an angel in sight. "FUCK!" He shouted, tossing the bottle to the ground, the glass shattering. Quickly he threw the doors open and scanned his surroundings, searching for that familiar face he longed for. "Aziraphale!?" He shouted, hoping it would get his attention if he hadn't already returned to heaven.

"Aziraphale! Where are you!" He stepped out from the awning over the doorway, the cold rain drenching him instantly. He turned left, towards Maggie's shop and raced through the sidewalk. "FOR SATAN'S SAKE WHERE ARE YOU!?" He sputtered, his voice being overpowered by the loud rain hitting the concrete sidewalk and the cars zooming by. Suddenly his attention was grasped by a man in a tan trench coat with a pristine white umbrella, across the street by Nina's. Dodging cars he sprinted over "Aziraphale!" He shouted, finally getting the Angel's attention. He turned around to face the demon "Crowley?" Very out of breath, he came to a screeching halt in front of him "Aziraphale…" He swallowed harshly "Oh you're soaked" He responded with a slight laugh "I love you" Crowley responded, his voice filled with emotion, not his typical rage, almost filled with urgency and affection. "I know I said I didn't, I'm a demon we lie"

"for a demon" Aziraphale breathed out "You've always been a terrible liar"

"I never wanted to lie to you, angel"

"I know, my dear I know"

"Don't go back to heaven, they can appoint Michael as supreme Archangel or some other idiot with a stick up their ass. please. I'm choosing you over hell. choose me over heaven this time"

A slight smile formed on his face. "I told you I wouldn't leave again" he hesitated when stepping towards him "I don't know why I told you I forgave you, I- I guess it's because I was scared and I thought you were tempting me, I knew you would never, Crowley you're the kindest demon ever. I wanted, I wanted to tell you I love you" He said quickly, all in one breath. Crowley let him catch his breath before he placed his hands on his cheeks, so gently, like he could make a mistake at any moment. Aziraphale reached forward, pinching the earpieces of his glasses and pulling them off his face "There you are, so pretty. I thought you had changed them for good" he said with a smile, placing Crowley's glasses in the pocket of his waistcoat. "Angel I-" The umbrella clattered to the ground as the angel leaned forward and his hand swept through the demon's hair. Crowley backed up, his hands on Aziraphale's shoulders, pulling him along with him under the awning. They looked into each other's eyes, longing for each other. slowly they pulled closer till their lips brushed against each other. A wave of relief washed over Crowley. His hands-on Aziraphale's shoulders glided down to his waist to pull him closer.

their lips parted slightly, just enough for Crowley to tell Aziraphale was smiling, probably the largest he had ever seen him smile. "This kiss was better than the last one," the Angel said, backing up more, reaching to grab the umbrella, now upside down and filled with water. "This kiss was reciprocated," Crowley muttered, his arms still around the angel's waist. "Oh don't be like that, dear" Aziraphale playfully punched his shoulder "We're both soaked now, back to your bookshop to dry off then dinner at the Ritz, Angel? it can be our first official date" Crowley asked. "our bookshop you mean? They can kick me out of heaven a second time. I'm staying" He leaned forward once again, their foreheads touching. Crowley placed a soft kiss onto his lips before stepping back and holding out his hand for his angel to take, and gladly he did. "I'm sorry, I really am," The angel said once more "I know angel, I'm expecting the dance sooner than later" The demon responded "Once I'm in dry clothes, my dear.  you're growing out your hair again, I love it" with his free hand he brushes a strand of hair soaked and stuck to his face behind his ear.  "ah oh I almost forgot" he took Crowley's glasses out of his pocket and placed them back onto his demon's face "thank you, Angel" He responded, absolutely smitten.

"Did I ever tell you who this song was based on?" Crowley said, swirling the wine left in his glass around, the two comfortably lounged on the floor in front of the fireplace, the record player going.

"Dining at the Ritz, we'll meet at nine

(One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine o'clock)

precisely. I will pay the bill, you taste the wine

Driving back in style, in my saloon,

will do quite nicely

Just take me back to yours, that will be fine"

Aziraphale shook his head, Busy sitting behind Crowley, braiding his longer hair.

"Come on and get it

Ooh, love (there he goes again)

Ooh, lover boy (he's my good

old-fashioned lover boy, ooh)"

"It's about you, Good- Old fashioned Lover Boy," Crowley said with a wink. Aziraphale leaned forward, his face pink with blushing "I'm trying to focus my dear I'm a bit out of practice" The elastic tying the braid together snapped as Aziraphale let go of Crowley's hair and smiled at his work, "done!" He smiled, leaning forward to set his head on Crowley's shoulder. "Angel I don't mean to kill the mood, but I need to know, why did you come back now? why not sooner?" Crowley turned around to face his angel.

Aziraphale was at a loss for words, not really, just didn't know how to explain "It's a long story, it can wait for another day"

"Angel, I'm not going to be mad at you I just need to know"

the angel sighed "They… the other angels, they weren't you. I couldn't see you from heaven and it honestly scared me, I was worried about you. I felt so alone there, a week in heaven and I was already ready to come back to the bookshop- to you, I came down to earth once, I saw you here, with Muriel, and Maggie and Nina"

"And you didn't say anything?"

"You looked happy. I didn't want to ruin anything for you"

"you know I used a miracle to disguise myself, angel"

"I know I know my dear but I didn't know that then. but, I returned to heaven and was sternly reprimanded for coming to earth, the other Archangels noticed I was acting differently, so when I returned to my office you were there"

"what? I've been here this entire time" Crowley questioned "I know I know, but I was- and you were an angel! you seemed just as happy as you were before the fall. You said that Metatron offered you the same position, but you wouldn't show me what it was it was very out of character of you "

"Angel, I love you but I'm not following anymore"

"They made a deal with hell and made a puppet of you!" Aziraphale whined, his voice all pitched. He covered his face with his hands, almost like he was embarrassed "I was so happy to see you- or the puppet that I kissed you. Heaven wasn't expecting that, they weren't expecting me to have feelings for a demon, because angels don't express emotions that way usually, and-and affection is a human thing. You looked like you, but I should've known something was off. You didn't call me angel anymore, your eyes weren't that beautiful, beautiful yellow anymore" The angel's thumb brushes against the demon's cheek. His eyes seemed to glow in the darkness of the bookshop.

Crowley rubbed his hand up and down Aziraphale's back, reassuringly "I didn't figure out it wasn't you till it was too late. I should've known"

"Too late for what?"

"We were in my office, I was doing paperwork, I was practically swimming in paperwork up there. I don't know how Gabriel dealt with it. I leaned in to kiss you and the puppet stopped me, and-" Aziraphale leaned forward, hiding his face from Crowley. "I can't even repeat what it said to me! it was horrible Crowley I ran away from heaven and came right back to the bookshop, when I saw you here I knew the you in heaven was just the other angels tormenting me"

"That's why you were so adamant about asking if I wanted to be an angel"

"I thought you were! but I don't even know if, if-"

"Angel, Angel calm down, it's ok. I'm me, I'm me" Crowley pushed Aziraphale's hands off his own face, replacing them with his own "Are you sure?" he responded, finding comfort in Crowley's touch "Yes angel, I'm sure, I've always known I'm me," he said with a chuckle "you wanna hear something that only I would know or something?"

"yes please"

Crowley sat up straight "The only thing I remember from before the fall, when I was still Raphael. God appointed me to design a section of the stars and set up the whole damn universe. I was almost done. All I had to do was crank up the engine and you showed up. You held the scroll for me while I turned the thingy. You introduced yourself, and I was too focused on my creation to tell you mine"

"oh my dear that was you?"

"didn't expect something that highly of me hu angel?" he said, almost teasingly "Believe me now? I'm me"

"Yes my dear, you're you" Aziraphale leaned forward to plant a kiss on his lips. Crowley brushed his hand up Aziraphale's back, leaning closer towards him. "Crowley?" Aziraphale said with a hum, leaning away from his demon. "mhh?" he responded, leaning in once more, craving more of Aziraphale. "Let's watch the stars together?"

Crowley's gaze softened, he smiled as the mention of stars left Aziraphale's lips "we'd have to miracle away the London smog?"

"Easy task, to the roof?" Aziraphale stood, holding his hand out for Crowley. "Angel, I'd like an apology first" he said with a mischievous smile.

Aziraphale took a breath and held up his right hand and swayed his right hip forward and in a sing-song voice said, “You were right.” A hop in place. “You were right.” A slow twirl followed. “I was wrong.” then a gracious bow. “You were right.”

"I was right about what" Crowley grinned, pulling his angel close by his hips "mhhh not sure " Aziraphale teasingly looked away "Angel" The demon said through gritted teeth "you were right about being us, I love you Crowley"

"to the roof, I want to see how my work has aged. I never had the heart to look on my own" Crowley planted a soft kiss on Aziraphale's cheek before taking his hand and guiding him up the stairs towards the roof. 

[thebattlelost]

Old songs

Old songs

I was driving down the highway listening to the radio all

alone like I always am going nowhere in imparticular trying

to clear my head with a change in scenery with the windows

rolled up singing at the top of my lungs songs like 1985 by

Bowling for Soup anything by Blink-182 and Salt-N-Pepa

Shoop minding my own damn business and not bothering

anybody else when the radio stopped playing I looked down

hit the on-off button a couple of times but nothing at all it

was dead I thought I must have blown a fuse so I yelled shit

then I slammed my hands down hard on the steering wheel

yanking the car to the right and pulling over to the side of

the road slamming my brakes skidding to a stop I closed

my eyes taking a huge breath thanking God that it was only

me on the road then I heard a tune faintly at first, begin

playing through the speakers and it was not coming from

my radio I opened my eyes looking around it was darker than

I remembered I rolled down my window and listened but

heard nothing but what was supposed to be the crickets

birds and the ticking of my hazard lights so I rolled my

window back up shook my head turned the hazards off

and adjusted my mirrors and pulled off continuing down

my path when a memory of my boys being born which

of course, made me smile at first then sad as it went away

too fast then I caught myself humming a tune that I was

trying hard to search the words too, it was the same one

that I had heard earlier which was now quietly still playing

becoming a little louder the farther down the road I drove

the longer and louder it got the more I was sure I knew

this song but I thought to myself why can't I remember

those words yet I can remember the tune and the more I

memories began to show mostly good not all though then

tears fell from my eyes for both sadness and joy why I

wondered this went on for two hours like a dam had burst

sending a flood of memories through my mind feeling

every emotion happiness sadness guilt anger and more

all the ones I hid away because of the pain I could no longer

take but why now then nothing the tune was ending and

I was pulling into the gas station and as I came to a stop

I heard the words I finally remembered, and I smiled that

song defined my life it was perfect God needed me to let

it all go it was time for me to let my emotions free he needed

me to end those final chapters so I could start a new

blank page in a new chapter for my new book. I was about

to begin my new life like a butterfly emerging from its

cacoon

"Oh, our lives are better left to chance

I could have missed the pain

But I'd have had to miss the dance"

Then I opened my car door and turned and collided with the

most beautiful woman I ever saw we looked at each other

and laughed and laughed and stood up reached down and

pulled her up she tripped and fell into my arms and new

song began to play...

"If tomorrow never comes

Will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day

That she's my only one

And if my time on earth were through

And she must face this world without me"

Is the love I gave her in the past

Gonna be enough to last

Songs music poetry is the gateway to our souls

they can control everything about us everyone is

a time machine bringing back memories sights

smells emotions feelings. I believe God uses them

to heal Poets know what words can do that's why

we don't search for old songs. Old songs search

for us.

Poet Richard M Knittle Jr.

[moohnshinescorner]

Vengeance is rarely clean.

HANS by S.J. Tilly is now live! 

Cassie

How to make the handsome, brooding man across the street notice me.

Step one: Deliver baked goods to his front porch, even though he never answers his door and always returns the containers when I’m not home.

Step two: Slowly lose my mind as a whole year passes without ever running into him, no matter how hard I try.

Step three: Have my boudoir photos accidentally delivered to his mailbox instead of mine. Have him open the package. Then have him storm into my home for the most panty-melting scolding of my life.

Step four: Still figuring out step four.

Hans

I’m a dangerous man.

A man who has spent the last two decades removing so many souls from this earth that it’s a miracle my hands aren’t permanently stained red.

I’m a man who belongs in the shadows.

I certainly don’t belong in my pretty little neighbor’s bedroom when she’s not home, touching her things and inhaling her scent.

I shouldn’t follow her. Shouldn’t watch her. Because no number of cookies on my doorstep will change the fact that love isn’t an option for me.

The only option left for me is violence.

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3RZvLLe

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/HANS

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3rVp5TL

Read the Alliance series now!

MY REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once again Ms. Tilly has blown me away with her story telling. Hans is an absolute silent killer. He is not only quiet when he sneaks in and slits your throat open, he is mysterious, dangerous, obsessive, intense and a good guy. Yep I said "good guy". And nobody better touch anything that his Butterfly touches or they just my lose a head or hand. This guy is intense and insanely possessive.

Cassandra, "Butterfly" is a sweet woman. She is a bit forgetful and seems a bit high strung and nervous. Her baking is terrible, but she means well and little does she know she has a stalker. He watches her every move, but it is not for why you would think someone stalks another. No her stalker is protective. He makes sure her hair dryer is unplugged, gas lines are tight and not leaking, windows shut and doors locked. Yep all the things Butterfly tends to forget.

This book like all of her books starts off out of the gate with a bang. It is a non-stop suspense and action thriller, mixed with smutty romance and I loved every minute of it. It is an intense story written with pure perfection. It has some triggers in it such as, stalker, human trafficking's, kidnapping, violence, and lots of blood and gore.

It is so hard to pick a favorite in this series, but if I had they would be in this order: DOM, HANS, KING and then NERO. I fell in love with each and every character as I read the series. Each one has his thing and together they make an unstoppable team. I know the author states this is the last in the series, but I think Karmine needs to have a story and join the Alliance as well. Think of the possibilities. "hint hint"

I want to go on and on about this book, but I do not want to give away anything. You have to read this book and all of it's predecessors. They are must read for all of the smut and dark romance readers out there. The books draw readers in and have them on the edge of their seats the entire time. From the very first page until the last, these books leave readers panting and wanting more. If I could give any of these books more than five stars, I would rate them at the maximum of a million to infinity. They are that freakin' good. Don't miss out. Pick up a copy immediately.

[casspurrjoybell-27]

Claimed by the Beast - Chapter 47

*Warning Adult Content*

Mind Made Up

Everett can do nothing but watch.

He watches in frustration and full-blown alarm as one of the policemen moves Knox's truck off to the side and away from the pump.

He then climbs back into the cruiser with his partner, Knox trapped like a wild animal in its steel embrace and they drive away.

The crowd disperses, the drama over and Everett makes a dash toward Knox's truck.

"They're gone."

He clenches the cell-phone in his hand, having given Gavin a play-by-play.

"But they left the key to the truck behind. What do you want me to do?"

"Alright, listen," Gavin replies, his voice steady.

"If they had a warrant to search it, they wouldn't have left the truck behind, so they probably took Knox in on some bullshit. It's all scare tactics. I'm texting the club lawyer as we speak."

"What kind of bullshit?" Everett asks before thinking.

By now, he should know better than to ask questions that won't be answered.

"Club business. I can't tell you, kid. I'm sorry," Gavin says.

"Do you want me to send Finn out to pick up the truck or are you comfortable driving it back? I'll make sure Mason scrubs the cameras out there. Your involvement won't be documented."

Everett takes a deep breath.

Driving the truck back is a risk but he feels a sense of responsibility to Knox.

"I can drive it back," he replies.

"I can do it."

"I'm sending Finn out anyway. Don't want you to be alone right now," Gavin assures him before ending the call.

Everett pockets his cell-phone and climbs into the driver's seat, the keys dangling from the ignition.

He closes his eyes and takes a moment to inhale deeply, the scent of Knox's cologne lingering in the air like a distant memory.

He starts the engine seconds later, both hands trembling as he grips the steering wheel and navigates the truck out of the gas station.

He tries to ignore the regret swirling in his stomach.

He's been acting like a total dick since their long-distance conversation.

His concerns are valid but had he known Knox would get snatched up by the police today, perhaps he would've handled his emotions a little better.

No matter, his nerves are officially shot now.

The tension in his body makes every bump and pothole on the road feel amplified.

He can't stop looking in the rear view mirror, thinking that he's being followed during the whole drive back to the clubhouse.

He doesn't truly calm down until he spots Finn on his motorcycle halfway into the drive.

They ride back together, Everett leading the way while Finn takes on the job of scanning the road for any of their enemies.

As they eventually pass through the gate of the clubhouse, Everett brings the truck to a stop and hops out, his legs feeling slightly unsteady.

He turns to Finn.

"Be real with me for five seconds," he says.

"Fuck club business. How much trouble is Knox really in?"

"Look, the pigs love fucking with us, kid."

Finn's expression is guarded, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

"But we're careful in everything that we do, so there's really no need to worry..."

"Oh. My. God. Do I have to be initiated in or whatever the fuck for you people to just tell me a little bit of what's really going on here?" Everett snaps.

"Everett. Chill."

Finn places a hand on his shoulder and much to his surprise, Everett doesn't shrug it off.

"Without any hard evidence for... whatever it is that they think Knox did, the longest they can hold him is 48 hours. We just have to wait it out, man," his words amount to a whole lot of nothing but arguing with Finn isn't going to bring Knox back, so Everett has no choice but to drop it.

He nods, lips pressed into a tight line and he grabs the grocery bags from the backseat.

With Finn by his side, they head into the busy clubhouse.

Bear greets Everett in the kitchen.

The dog's presence is a brief distraction from his turbulent thoughts.

He kneels to accept the affectionate nuzzles and licks.

"I missed you too."

Burying his face in Bear's soft fur, Everett apologizes for his absence.

"You're probably wondering where your other Daddy is, aren't you?"

As if to answer his question, the dog whines in response.

But the moment is quickly ruined by the ping of his cell-phone, signaling a new text.

Everett pulls it out, his brow furrowing as he sees its from an unknown number.

His heart nearly stops as he reads the message: You have 24 hrs to deliver the USB. Come alone to the attached address. If you don't, there's gonna be more dead bodies.

Everett's stomach churns, bile rising in his throat.

Before he can shout for Gavin, two more pings signal the arrival of picture messages.

With trembling fingers, he opens the first image, eyes widening in horror as he sees his father's house.

The blinds are open on the living room windows, revealing his father eating in the kitchen alone, oblivious to the danger lurking nearby.

The next picture message is even more chilling.

The lifeless bodies of the two Fallen Angels members who were keeping guard at his parents' house stare back at him from the inside of someone's trunk, their eyes vacant and faces battered.

Everett's vision blurs, the room spinning around him as he rushes to the kitchen trash can and retches violently, his body shaking with each burning heave.

Bear whines beside him repeatedly and the chattering in the room stops abruptly.

He can feel all eyes on him as Finn walks over to place his hand on his lower back, his voice a low whisper when he speaks.

"You okay?" he asks.

"Stupid fucking question, isn't it?"

Everett straightens and wipes his mouth with the hem of his shirt, his mind racing with thoughts that don't feel right.

Without another word, he rushes out of the kitchen, Bear's loyal footsteps trailing behind him.

They head upstairs and enter Knox's bedroom, Everett shutting the door behind them.

His heart is heavy and throbbing as he paces the floor.

The thought of betraying The Fallen Angels, of stealing the USB drive after everything they've done for him, makes it feel like a million explosions are going off in his head.

In truth, however, the choice he needs to make is quite simple.

The Jackals are already at his house and will presumably stay until he hands over the USB.

Even if he tells Gavin about the threats, The Fallen Angels won't be able to reach his father in time.

The Jackals will definitely shoot to kill before anyone can sneak up for the rescue.

'Don't leave the clubhouse. Stay where you are, kitten. Let my brothers handle this. You trust us, right?' he can almost hear Knox's voice, firm and protective, telling him to stay put.

Too bad Knox isn't physically here right now.

The tables have turned drastically and it's up to Everett to take action, to make a move that may cost him everything... even his own life... for the sake of his father.

Even as his emotions threaten to overwhelm him, he knows exactly what he must do.

So he takes another look around the bedroom, committing every detail to memory before finding a notepad and pen to scribble down a short message for Knox.

His mind is made up.

Everett is going to steal back the USB.