#I tried but I can't make Tango's face look right in this one I give up

[ice-cap-k]

Skizz: Alright now remember, when I say come on in then come on in. And after you say don't be that guy

Tango: ...

Skizz: Then just- then just go... then go... PFFFT!

Original screenshot/comparison below the cut.

[days-until-burnout]

Day 19 -

Characters - Jimmy/Tango || Etho/Joel Words - 1,275 Time - 45 mins Content - High School AU | fluff

“This is all your fault,” Jimmy hissed in a hushed whisper, glaring at Etho who dared to look offended by the accusation. 

“He was your friend first!” Etho hissed back. And now Jimmy was the one offended. 

“So?! He's become worse because of you.” Jimmy poked at Etho's chest. They glared at each other, then at the other two, seated in the picnic blanket, unaware of their less than friendly conversation. “He corrupted Tango! Because I bet he's trying to piss you off! Whatever thing you did to annoy him!” 

“Corrupted? Joel is in the cheer team! Whatever Tango decides to do has nothing to do with Joel. And– And you must not know Tango, if you still think he's all innocent!” 

“Whatever. Still your fault. I just know it.”

Jimmy huffed, turning away from him. Before he could take another step away, Etho grabbed him by the arm and yanked him back, walking ahead as he gasped, hand on his chest. Etho glanced back, gave him a look, and Jimmy glared at him. 

A couple seconds after Etho, Jimmy sat down too. He looked elsewhere but his eyes were drawn back to Tango, never able to look away for long. 

His eyes landed on naked legs, a heartbeat caught on his throat. He tried to swallow, to look away, only to look up at the little tummy exposed when Tango leaned back with a laugh. Tango kicked a leg over the other, both stretched out, and his face lit up as he turned away in time. 

Luckily for him, Etho was in the exact same boat, so obviously trying to not stare by intently looking at his phone. Black screen. 

They were both so doomed. 

“If it rains, I'm blaming you,” Tango laughed, unaware of the turmoil on the other side of the picnic blanket. Joel giggled. He laid down, head on Joel's stomach as they stared up at the clear sky. He closed his eyes, focused on the warmth against his face. 

Tango made a squawk when Joel dropped a hand on his face, sending both into a fit of giggles. He grabbed his hand and moved it down to his chest instead. 

Etho heard Jimmy breathe in sharply, glancing over to him, giving him a look to quiet down. Jimmy only glared, probably still blaming him for their current predicament. He flicked his thumb on his screen, then tossed it to the side. It was stupid. Instead, he grabbed a sandwich, tugged his mask down and ate, trying to be as nonchalant as he could. 

Joel was never one to stay still long, but right then, Joel simply laid. Eventually, he sat up, free arm behind him to give him support. Tango's head fell to his lap, Joel stared up at the sky still. 

There was a little redness in Joel's neck, probably from the grass or the occasional chill. He swallowed his bite, all too aware of Joel's outstretched neck, Adam's apple in place. His eyes flickered away eventually, not risking getting caught staring. 

“So… What's the special, uh, occasion?” Jimmy coughed into his fist, still making an effort to not look. He played with the little bag of chips in his hand, lacking appetite for food. 

“What? Can't we all hang out together?” Joel asked, raising his brow in Jimmy's direction. Jimmy did not notice, but Etho did. 

“Yeah, right, like that's something we do often.” Jimmy muttered, shoving chips into his mouth to not talk more. 

Joel turned to Etho, and Etho made a show to look at the trees elsewhere. 

“Why? You don't like hanging out?” Tango asked eventually, turning his head to face them, still laying on Joel's lap. 

Jimmy looked at Etho, almost prompting him to speak up though Etho looked in the opposite direction, not at all interested in joining. Jimmy made it obvious that Etho was part of this without a single word, the silence growing between them. 

Until movement broke them out of their thoughts. Tango got up and kneeled over to Jimmy, plopping himself in his lap with a smirk, hands loosely around his neck. Jimmy’s brain lagged, simply staring at Tango’s face. Very handsome, cute, pretty face. 

“Jimmy?” Tango called, almost sultry, as if he did not already have all of Jimmy’s attention. Soft, quiet, a call only for him. And Jimmy nodded, lips pressed into a quiet thin line. “Do you not want to hang out?”

He noticed then, the warmth of Tango’s body on his. Something about only his jeans being in between them, Tango’s naked thighs on him. It was hot. Dizzying hot. Tango straddling his lap. It was driving him insane. Very insane. His hands too, touching the skin of his neck, brushing just over the collar of his shirt. And the space between their chests and stomach, it was burning up too. How was there so much heat? 

Jimmy merely opened his mouth, no words falling from his suddenly dry lips. His eyes flickered between Tango’s eyes and lips, between mischief and smirks. Breathless and speechless, no one should have that kind of power over anyone else. It was not fair. But it was Tango. And he did no mind. 

Tango leaned over, moved his hand up to cup the side of his neck, pressing kiss on his jaw. Smiling, Jimmy felt the smile pressing against his skin. Kisses and touches, his nose brushing up against the side of his jaw, just under the apple of his cheek, the side of his nose. Kisses on his cheek, on the corners of his lips, then finally, finally lips pressed against his. Warm, all nice, smiling. It made Jimmy’s brain kick into action, hands jumping from his side to hold him. A hand on Tango’s hip, the other sliding his hip brushing down against the fabric of the skirt until he made contact with skin. Warm. Bouncy. He kissed back. 

At least one of them sorted their thing out. Which left Etho just… 

“Do you want me to sit on your lap?” Etho blinked, turned to look at Joel who was now sitting much closer, too closely. “I can sit on your lap too. So you don’t feel left out.”

“Uh… no… thank you?”

Joel stared back, blinked a couple times then continued scooting over until they were shoulder to shoulder. Etho tensed up, dropped his eyes to his lap, his hands. How interesting they were. Really. Very. Trembling, unlike the slight weight pressed against his arm. The head on his shoulder. Breathing was hard, he concluded. 

“I want to sit on your lap.”

“Please don’t,” he squeaked out, incredibly small and scared suddenly. Not of Joel, not really, never of Joel. Jimmy was a much stronger guy. 

Joel pouted, lifted then dropped his head onto his shoulder, like a kitten head-bumping him because he dared not do what he wanted. He held his breath a moment longer, until he was lightheaded. He exhaled, long and drawn, deflating on the spot. 

Joel fell forward slightly when he moved his arm back, snaking it under the varsity jacket around Joel’s sides. A soft hum of approval. Etho sighed in relief. 

“Not even a kiss? You are a horrible boyfriend, you know?”

“Shut up,” he hissed against his hair, then pressed a kiss there. Joel looked up with mischief, leaping up a little to catch his lips. He kissed back, of course Etho kissed back.

It was good, then, that Etho and Jimmy were hot and bothered by Joel and Tango, seeing as the breeze picked up and they would otherwise be cold since they had given them their jackets. 

_____

lol if yall knew the alternative idea for this fic. i will still write it. but not soon 😌

[hopepetal]

can't remember if I ever posted this so uh. More writing for the dnd au Bee and I made!

cw for. drinking. alcohol

-

“Tango, please!” Jimmy begged, for what had to be the twentieth time that night. “Just one sip! I promise! I'll stop bothering you after!”

Tango gave Jimmy a concerned once-over, keeping his hand firmly wrapped around his drink. “I dunno, man...” He glanced around at the rest of the party, scratching the back of his neck. “This stuff is really strong. I don't want you to like, hurt yourself or something.”

Jimmy crossed his arms and pouted, huffing softly. “I'm a big boy!” he protested indignantly, “I can handle my alcohol!”

Tango whined softly, silently pleading for advice from the rest of the party as he glanced around at them again.

Pearl took a sip of her wine, shrugging. The astral elf had leaned back against Impulse's side, the centaur having laid down to relax with the rest of them. “I say give it to him. Saves the rest of us from having to hear his begging.”

Mumbo looked up, anxious as ever. “Tango is right, though... as a, um, an expert in humans– because I am one, of course– it just seems like a bad idea.”

“Do it,” Scar encouraged, “it'll be funny.”

Impulse just watched with a slight smirk on his face. “I'm not healing you if you get sick.”

“Good thing I won't get sick, then!” Jimmy took the drink from Tango and, with a confident grin, took a huge sip.

“Aaaand I'm going to need you to make a constitution check, with disadvantage,” Grian interrupted.

“Oh, come on!” Jimmy complained as he picked up his die, “that's just unfair!” He rolled, looked at the die, and groaned. “...eight. At least it's not a one?”

Grian smirked. “So. You take a sip of this drink, and immediately regret it. You're reminded of that one time you tried to eat a torch as a child. It burns, and tears spring to your eyes as you barely manage to choke it down.”

Jimmy sniffled, wiping his eyes furiously as he tried to hide his tears. Scar had fallen against Mumbo, wheezing with laughter while Pearl and Impulse tried to hide chuckles of their own. Tango snatched back the drink, clearly very worried. “Jimmy, you good?”

Through the pain, eyes watering and his nose running, Jimmy gave Tango a weak smile and a thumbs up. “Doin' great.”

[jellieland]

The land around spawn is destroyed. Torn to shreds, full of holes. It's like a warzone.

Martyn leans up against the rocks by the side of the Secret Keeper. It, of course, is pristine. Completely untouched. Unharmed.

Something about that makes him really angry.

He glares up at the massive pillar Joel had jumped off a few weeks ago. Behind it, the sky is bright and clear.

Last week, as Jimmy climbed up it, Martyn had shouted after him. Fly, canary, fly.

Usually he might repeat that to himself, at this point. Laugh wryly, gaze off into the distance dramatically. Maybe make some comment about how letting the canary go free didn't actually keep it safe.

Not this time, though.

He won't laugh about it this time, because everyone else already did.

If he thinks about that, it feels like something is burning in his chest, so he keeps thinking about it.

He's the only red left, after all. He has to really give it everything he's got.

He'll tear them to shreds.

There isn't the same red bloodlust, this time, but he can make his own.

They all banded together. Roped in Jimmy, roped in Mumbo. Slayed the monsters, and congratulated themselves on a job well done, and left Martyn completely alone.

Jimmy had already betrayed him. Tried to punch him into lava. They hadn't really had the chance to resolve that, before he was gone.

It had honestly really stung, which was ridiculous and hypocritical given what he did to Scott last time, but he can't help it, no matter how hard he tries. No matter how much he tells himself that he, of all people, really had no right to feel betrayed.

It's so frustrating when he gets attached. It just makes things so much harder.

"You'd think I would've learned by now," he says, bitter. He looks away from the Secret Keeper, across the torn up ground. "You really would."

Maybe he had just been feeling sentimental, today, for some stupid reason. He'd even thought Tango sounded like—well, it's embarrassing to admit this even to himself, so he won't. Tango, of all people! The guy hates him!

But he'll show them.

He's not sure what, exactly, he'll show them, but he will. He'll make them hurt. He'll make them bleed. No honeyed words, this time.

He'd looted Lizzie's house, earlier, before he'd known quite how this was all going to end up.

He still would have if he'd known, of course—it's not like she was using it. Maybe he would have taken more, actually.

It's better not to think about how she died falling through the void, because when he does he starts to remember what that felt like, and he starts to feel cold, and that's the opposite of what he needs, now.

Mumbo had gone off the rails a bit. He does always seem to do that, when he hits red.

Martyn had still given him the TNT he needed, though, of course.

Mumbo had barely got to do anything. He'd had so little time.

It makes him so, so angry.

"I'm going to kill them," he growls, still staring out and away from the Secret Keeper. "I'm going to kill them. They were so proud of themselves."

He clenches his hands into fists.

He should, probably, be marching back home, planning and gather resources and seething in the shadows.

Looking out over this battlefield is good, though.

It's making him feel how he wants to be feeling.

It would be just wonderful if he could find a way to justify saying here forever, but unfortunately that's beyond even his skill at bending the truth into knots.

He is, unfortunately, going to have to go back to the house, eventually.

The house that Jimmy built, with Jimmy's stuff all along one wall, and the chests they'd been using to measure how many tasks they'd each completed.

He glares straight ahead as the thought crosses his mind.

It's always easier being angry. It's always so, so much easier, being angry.

So he'll keep being angry until he is dead. He'll do what he always does, and scream in the face of sorrow.

Hopefully he'll take a few people down with him.

[vivianquill]

It had taken an almost embarrassingly long time for Etho to get control of himself again.

After Bdubs had pulled him away, down to the sandy bottom where they couldn't be seen, he'd pressed his face into his hands and coiled his tail around himself, trying to regain his composure.

"Etho-- Etho what was that? They had Tango's voice." Bdubs asked, hands on Etho's upper arms, away from his spines, "And they-- and you-- I thought you were going to get them into the water. What happened?"

Etho pumped another breath over his gills, needing to get some semblance of control here, "They were-- The glowing box they have, it's a human trick that can store voices and repeat them back. They have a copy of Tango's voice because-- because they have Tango."

"WHAT?" Bdubs screeched, turning to go back up.

Etho grabbed his wrist, not letting him do something stupid like he'd just done, "Just-- give me a beat. I-- Bdubs. I know the human language."

Bdubs rounded on him, "You what? Etho how do you know human? If you understand them then what're they talkin 'bout? Do you know what they want?"

"I-- I think so. If they've got Tang-- the humans've got to be looking for more mer to steal too." Etho put up his hands in a placating gesture, "They took a copy of his voice to lure us in, but I don't think they have nets or hooks or traps. Otherwise we'd have been hauled up onto the rocks by now."

"We gotta ask them about it, right? You can make the humans understand you."

"Yeah. . ." Etho puffed out a mouthful of bubbles again, "We can-- We can see if they actually know where Tango is, or if they're just hunting mer."

After a few more moments of taking deep breaths, steeling himself for the humans' tricks, Etho flicked his tail to move back up to the surface, making sure that they were well out of arms reach. Bdubs was holding onto one of Etho's pelvic fins, ready to pull them both out of the way if something tried to come up from behind.

"Oh, hello." One of the humans sat forward, "They've gotta want something, right? They'd have run off otherwise."

Etho took a breath of air, translating the words he needed in his head before he spoke, "How do you have that recording? Where is our podmate? Where is Tango?"

Etho could practically taste the human's shock on the air, "I know Tango can't talk your talk. I can. Where is he?"

It would have been funny, the way the humans looked at each other, if every bit of Etho wasn't taut with anticipation. Etho narrowed his eyes at them, deliberately flattening his frill in the universal sign for displeasure as he waited for an answer.

The humans looked back at Etho, and the one with the trick-box responded very carefully, "We found your friend tangled in a net after a storm. He washed up on this beach. We brought him to a place where he could be safe, and heal. We meant him no harm, and we mean you both no harm."

Etho translated their words for Bdubs in a soft warble under his breath, holding tight to his arm to remind him not to lunge at the humans or do anything stupid. And also a little bit for his own comfort. They were keeping each other from doing something stupid.

The other human jumped in on the story, "His wrist was broken; he was very cut up from the net; it was wrapped into his gills so he couldn't breathe. We cut him free, and took care of him the best we could. We didn't know he was a person at first, he didn't understand us and we don't 'talk your talk'."

Etho took another deep breath, they weren't answering his questions. The humans were staling. "Where is he now?"

That made the humans pause, and look at each other again, "We don't know. Sorry. Someone attacked us and took your friend and we don't know where he is now."

Etho felt a hiss building in the back of his throat, and he didn't stop it.

"What? Do they know where Tango is?" Bdubs shifted, pressing against Etho's side.

"If they're telling the truth? No." Etho shook his head, letting himself drift lower into the water. The human language was hurting his throat. He was thankfully unpracticed with speaking it, "But I dunno if I believe them. What we found makes sense for most of their story-- the net, Tango's stuff. But humans lie to get what they want, just like mer."

"Ask them what they want."

"We know what they want--"

"Just ask. Please?"

Etho sighed, and turned his gaze back to the humans, who hadn't moved. There was no other signs of humans nearby. Maybe-- maybe they were telling the truth.

"What do you hunt?" Etho called to them.

"Nothing. We hunt nothing." Came the answer.

"Liar." Etho retaliated, then swapped back to mer, "We should go. They have nothing more for us. Tango is as good as dead, Bdubs."

"You can't--" Bdubs pulled Etho down, forcing him to meet his pod-mate's eyes, "You can't just give up on Tango like this!! There has to be something we can do. Tango's not dead. He can't be dead."

"There's not." Etho shook his head, "Not if the humans have him. There isn't any way we could possibly find out where he's gone, and I'm not willing to lose you to the humans trying to get Tango back when we don't even know if he's still alive!"

Etho pushed away from Bdubs, ever aware of the humans watching, wanting to get out of sight. "We should go. Please, Bdubs. We can talk about this when we're somewhere safe."

Bdubs relented, drifting down below the surface of the water, "Fine. This isn't over though. I'm not going to leave Tango for dead."

[tev-the-random]

So I may have come up with a whole Villain Jimmy AU...

Listen. I have way too many feelings about the events of Jimmy's Empires S2 Episode 31 and the immediate following stream. I also have way, way too many feelings about whatever the hell is happening in Sausage's and Shubble's lore and whatever is to come in Lizzie's, so I decided to only indulge one brainrot at a time and came up with... an interesting concept? I dunno, I'm easily entertained—

(There's a TLDR at the end if you don't want to read my insane and incessant ramblings o3o)

Ok so, after Walmart WRA kills Jimmy on the bridge for the kicks and giggles, Jimmy really starts questioning just what respect is and who his friends actually are. The conclusion? Dude has absolutely zero friends. Sure, he has this truce going on with Joel, and Katherine has been somewhat trustworthy so far. But actual friends? Nada. Closest thing he had were Scar and Tango, but they're gone now and he didn't even get a proper goodbye. His town is empty. He's alone.

Jimmy may be quick to anger, but this might be the first time he actually allows himself to be sad about it. There's something much more painful than rage crawling inside of him; be it guilt, self-hatred, loneliness, betrayal, there's just so much he's been burying under all the fighting that he can barely breathe through it all now. But once it's over, Jimmy's left with a strange feeling of clarity. This cold bitterness and complicated self-awareness that would turn into something far more sinister in the future.

The next day is really what decides his next course of action, though. He's touring the Old Sheriff around the server, kind of holding onto the last hope that someone might want him to stay after all. But then Fwhip comes along and decides that no, he doesn't get to have this, so they start bickering like the old divorced couple they are, like nothing's changed. Somehow, Fwhip manages to charm his way into the Old Sheriff's good books despite everything that Jimmy has said about his ex-deputy.

Martyn (that's what I'm calling him, he doesn't get his own name now) laughs at his jokes, makes little comments that... sound so familiar to Jimmy. This is how it all started: little comments — and this is how it's going to end. Maybe the Old Sheriff has good intentions. Maybe he does have the intention to stick with Jimmy and be a friend/mentor to him. But Jimmy, still raw from his most recent disillusionment, can't bear the thought of befriending someone only to have the rug pulled from under him again.

So Jimmy leaves Tumble Town in the dead of night.

Now, his first objective is to bring himself back to normal. He had to admit, no matter how hard he tried, it was hard to gather any respect from others when he was trapped in the body of a literal toy. He had already asked Joel to reverse this nonsense, but the god only offhandedly mentioned that this was Jimmy's true form and that it was how he was meant to look — which Jimmy took as "I have no idea how to, my name is Joel and I'm irresponsible with my powers and incompetent and also really short". So his next destination is the Witch Academy.

He had heard about the them from Shelby. She was a nice witch — or, well, nice enough. She was clearly going through some stuff at the moment, which is why he thought it would be better not to ask her for help to begin with — and was clearly able to change people's bodies, whether intentionally or not. So surely the people who taught her magic would be able to help him, right?

Little did Jimmy know that most witches do not, in fact, give a damn about helping other people. After travelling far and wide, he explained his curse to them, and all they did was close the door on his face.

Well, he's not having it! If the witches won't help him, he'll find someone else who will! This is when Jimmy starts travelling around in search of someone, anyone who could undo his curse so he may start his life anew. Through all the ensuing shenanigans, he gathers some... interesting allies.

It's not that he wants to ally himself with undead pirates; he may not be a sheriff anymore, but that doesn't mean he's about to become a criminal! But alas, when the boat he's travelling with is captured, it's not like he can do much else.

Jimmy is spared due to his... interesting predicament. Well, surely this tiny tiny man could be useful! Besides, didn't he use to live close to Pirate Joe? So in exchange for some information on Skeletron's rival and helping them get some treasure for a little while, Jimmy is dropped off at the next port with directions to a shady wizard who might be able to solve his problem.

When he gets to said wizard, they are already expecting him. You see, this is the same wizard who gave Scott his magic eye, and although I'm sure we'll get some actual canon explanation to it eventually, this is an AU in which the wizard may have some... ulterior motives. And they may or may not have been spying on a certain god who lives very close to Chromia. But that's a story for another time!

Jimmy wakes up the next day his normal-sized, human self again! It's almost overwhelming, how much he loves his own body right now. His chest quite literally aches... and that's when he notices a heart-shaped scar on it.

The wizard is still around. They explain to him that, to deal with the curse, they had to remove his heart. Literally. They stored it in this lamp, which emits a blinding red glow — an indicative of how strong it is, how much it feels. The farther away he is from it, the more detached he will be from his feelings. Although that would mean he should probably carry it close at all times, he should not forget that it is still his actual heart; you better keep it safe, kid.

Now that the deed is done, the only thing that the wizard asks for is a front row view when Stratos falls. Jimmy carries a lot of grief, clearly, and if they know anything about him — which they shouldn't, but they strangely do, — he is going to get back at the people who made him miserable for so long. It just so happens that the wizard also has a beef with Joel, so really, they both win in the end!

After some not-so-subtle persuasion and reminders of all the horrible things Jimmy had to endure in the past, the wizard manages to convince our ex-sheriff into going back to the empires to truly bring an end to this story of pain. He's never going to be able to start anew unless he gets rid of all traces of his weak past self, right? His enemies deserve to reap the hate they've sown fashioned in cold blood, right?

And so Jimmy concocts a plan, gathers resources and new (purely professional and with no emotional attachment, never again) allies, and returns to Tumble Town a new man with a new name. In the day, he's a charming and friendly traveller sneaking his way into the emperors' hearts. At night, he's a dangerous bandit carrying a lamp of dwindling red light, playing a game of metaphorical chess with the authorities to bring the pieces of his plan closer together.

-

TL;DR Jimmy leaves the empires bitter with his friends, searches for a way to turn back into a regular human and finds a wizard who does so in exchange for being able to watch the world burn. To reverse the curse, he had to lose his heart, which he now carries in a red lantern closely tied to his feelings. He goes back home for revenge.

Calling this one the Red Light Bandit AU òwó

[aggressivenesswhilecrying]

Welcome to the beginning of the end and all that comes with it: where love blossoms on the walls

Summery:

When martyn hit Jimmy on accident, and righted his wrongs with a kiss of life, very first scene of the season

No trigger warnings!!

Proof read and edited!!

“Hello friends!!”

“ayup!!”

“Hi!!

“Hi everyone”

‘Welcome”

“Yellow!!”

“Ayo”

The chorus of hellos came through, everyone looking around the small circle. Martyn could see 17 faces he had come to know, ones he had seen twice a year, well, all but gem. Ren was missing again. And he hated it, but tried not to dwell on it as the eyes circled, he could feel their eyes on him, looking through his own eyes. He could see gem shiver at the feeling. Maybe it was her first time feeling something other than her, in her body. He was unsure.

“This time, we have gem with us!!”

Grain called out, arms out as he made eye contact with the purple eyes of everyone else. Good. they’re watching. Skiz grins, straightening his blazer. Tango ruffles his burning hair. Lizzie fiddles with her hands. Gem rocks back and forth on her feet. Cleo holds her hands on her hips. Pearl pulls down the edge of her jacket just a little bit. Bigb rubs the back of his neck. Scar pets Jellie as she circles his ankles. Jimmy picks a stray leaf out of his wings. Joel huffs with a large confident grin. Mumbo adjusts his tie. Bdubs rubs his thumb over a clock hanging from his hip. Etho straightens his mask. Scott leans against impulse, seeming to have found who he’s going to stick with already. Impulse chuckles. Martyn pulls at the dogwarts banner on his waist.

They all look at each other, with green and purple eyes, all grinning.

All but gem, know this game like the back of their hands. It's etched into their bones, their very existence. They all come back. They all get pulled to their doom again. They all let it happen. They all stand in the same circle, next to each other. And they whisper their own prayers.

“Let me win”

“May my team stay together”

“Let me team with scar again”

“Let this be the season i don't die first”

“Let this be a good first session for gem”

“Give me an easy task”

All their own prayers whispered to the wind that never listened before. Their own words of wish, of futile hope. They stand in the same circle. All so confident, knowing their end is once again near.

“I think we should all get one free hit on gem since she’s new!!” someone in the crowd laughs out, and gem instinctively reaches for her sword as everyone starts to agree in laughs. A hit of fear on her face as she laughs along.

“No, no, it should be the other way around..!! I should get a hit on each of you!!”

She blabbers out with a grin and a forced chuckle. Martyn can't help but chuckle as the worry that coats her voice.

Martyn makes a show of going to hit gem, missing completely, but jimmy side steps, and goes exactly to the receiving end, martyn laughs in worry and lets out a gasp. Jimmy shrieks and holds his cheek. The bright red indents of his knuckles blossoming across his face. Jimmy eyes are wide, so are martyn’s he has to imagine everyone else’s are wide as well as he hears yells and shrieks of surprise

It’s still for a moment, loud but still as everyone starts to run in other directions.

Martyn is quick to grab jimmy.

“Jimmy!! Hold on!! Let me give you a heart!!” He laughs a little nervously as Jimmy stops and turns as Martyn catches up, Jimmy's a little red in the cheeks, but nods.

The second martyn is in range, he grabs Jimmy's chin, rushing into the kiss with the intent to give Jimmy a laugh. A sparking feeling traveling from his chest, to his throat, to his lips. He feels as jimmy shivers, the sparking must have traveled to him, they hold the kiss for a moment longer then they probably have to. They’ll say later it’s just to make sure it worked. That's a lie.

They had a bit of contact like this in last life. Not a lot. But, the last time, they actually had a moment even slightly similar to this was on evo. They miss it. They miss the feeling of each other's lips. Jimmy misses how martyn always nibbles on his lip before pulling away. Martyn misses how jimmy always acts breathless.

It’s been far too long, they both think.

They can't bring themselves to care about each other's purple eyes. So what if They can see the two?

They saw it in evo, they saw glimpses of it in last life. Their relationship has always been on display. Every relationship everyone has, has always been seen. They don't care.

They break away, martyn giggling as he kisses Jimmy's check, starting to run off, the canary letting out a breathless laugh as he runs off in his own direction.

Taging: @kittygolucky

[not-so-anonymous-scotch]

"Turning Pages" - Limited Life Ethubs oneshot

696 words, oneshot, angsty/gen, SFW, based around/inspired by Session 2 from Etho's POV/ravine convo.

hi. wrote this real fast cuz i have feelings.

===

“So, why are you with TIES, then?”

Bdubs looked at Etho, as the pair quietly stole some of the unchecked seeds from the Bread Bridge. No one was around, and the thing had spanned so far there was no chance anyone would hear them out here.

“What do you mean?” Etho glanced over at Bdubs. “I mean, I'm with them but..”

“You are- you are with them.” Bdubs chuckled. “Tango, Skizz, Impulse...”

“Yeah, yeah- they're a good team. BEST was nice, Impulse has been good too, so...”

Bdubs huffed, annoyed by Etho's apparent obliviousness. “Yeah but-”

“What, are you jealous?” Etho said as he grinned under his mask.

“No-” Bdubs started quickly, “No I am not. I- I killed all of them before, remember?”

Etho paused for a moment, the thought not having crossed his mind like that. “Oh.”

“Yeah!” A laugh trailed from Bdubs as he more quickly moved to pull wheat from the dirt around them. “I thought-- I just wonderin', cuz you teamed up with them... I never killed you.”

While Etho had admittedly not thought about the fact all of TIES had been killed by Bdubs, he couldn't deny there was a pull there. They all had talked behind Bdubs' back. Etho hadn't been killed by him, but.. well, there was Double Life. Maybe not killed, but there was tension from that. There was jealousy shown. He'd enjoyed his time with Joel but Bdubs' bursting with infatuation for Impulse was hard for him to watch. Where was their playful back and forth? Why couldn't they be together despite their soulbonds? Why didn't Bdubs give that to him?

“Uhh... yeah, you didn't.” Etho spoke quietly, choosing to steal from a different side of the bridge. “But I- I... guess they were just nice, you know? They-”

“What, and I couldn't be nice?” Bdubs butted in, “You're- it's about all that talkin' you did with 'em. You know I'm not gonna drop that. They certainly weren't nice to me!”

An ache settled in Etho's chest. He did feel bad about that. “I know, I know-- I guess I just...” Etho sighed, stopping for a moment. “Bdubs, you know how Double Life went.”

Etho had to glance over at Bdubs as he stayed silent for a few moments too long.

“...Yeah.” He could hear Bdubs, faintly a few blocks away.

Etho stood up straight to face Bdubs fully. “We didn't.... we didn't get any time to.. to talk about um, Last Life.” He was trying so hard to keep his voice steady. “I- You just went off with Impulse and I didn't really talk to you at all, you know.”

He kept going, not giving Bdubs a chance to interrupt. “You died in Last Life- I barely got to see you after that. And then you run off with Impulse, like the happiest couple on the server.”

Bdubs turned to look at him, a mix of anger and upset clear on his face. “I- I didn't abandon you. I- you can't tell me that, I died for you!” His voice was quickly rising, “Do you want me to kill you? Do- D'you need me to kill you and really make it even? Huh? Cuz it sure sounds like you feel as if you've been hurt as bad as the rest of TIES.”

Etho's brows creased, looking down at Bdubs as he took some steps closer. He tried to ignore his heart beat, picking up as he heard the genuine hurt in Bdubs' voice.

“Come on, Etho..” Bdubs' voice wavered for a moment. “You.. you know that's not how it is. I- I know you aren't like them.”

Etho looked away, giving a sigh. “I... I donno. I can't- I think I just... need some time this season, to just.. team up without you.”

It wasn't what Bdubs' wanted to hear, but he couldn't bring himself to fight it.

“Fine.”

“You... got a nice thing going- with Cleo and Scar.” Etho added as he watched Bdubs start to head down the other side of the bridge. “I think... it's good you know- find a little family. Right?”

For a moment, Bdubs softened. “Yeah. Yeah, it's nice.”

[dryad-of-the-dogwood]

Snippet Sunday

@fangbangerghoul tagged me this week and I'm using this as my opportunity to share a bit of chapter 10 of Grav Jump Tango, just in case I fail at getting it posted today 😅 Yes, we're going to Neon next~

I can't think of anyone else to tag, pretty sure you got all the active writers I know right now lmao

Caught a little off guard, Sam polished off his awful drink to give himself time to consider that, trying not to stare into her eyes the entire time. The last time Cass thought her past might have caught up to her, she’d tried her damnedest to keep both him and Sarah as far away as possible. Did it scare her that much, the idea of going back to Neon, that she thought she needed someone else with her? Or—and it sounded both more likely and more concerning the moment he thought of it—was it less for her sake and more for Walter’s? Sam could see her thinking that way, that at least even if Ryujin took her out of the equation, Walter would still have someone capable at his back if he was there too.

“That depends,” Sam said finally, watching her closely as he did.  She was slumped on one elbow against the bar, looking almost disinterested if it wasn’t for how carefully she was watching him right back. Those green eyes were fixed on him and his every word like she hadn’t been drinking at all. Unsure which question to ask first, he settled for, “Why me?”

Cass’s shoulders shifted in a tiny shrug but otherwise she didn’t move, still staring him down like she’d declared an unofficial staring contest. “Well, I still haven’t quite told Andreja or Barrett anything that came up in Guniibuu. Not that I doubt Andreja in particular would literally kill or die to keep a secret, but you know. ‘By the way, Neon might be a little tricky thanks to all the people I pissed off there when I was hacking Ryujin or hacking for Ryujin’ doesn’t exactly fit itself easily into a normal conversation. So I figured you or Sarah made the most sense, and to be honest, I thought you’d probably be a lot less likely to judge every single thing I do or don’t do along the way.”

Sam chuckled and admitted, “You’re not wrong there,” then paused to process everything she’d said before that. “Wait, hacking Ryujin? Did you try to take them down after you got out?”

“Before,” Cass said with a smile that was suddenly unamused. She sighed and downed a little more of her terrible drink choice before continuing, “Let’s just say I got started as more of an… independent contractor in cyber running, and in that field, all roads lead to Neon. I’d broken into their servers a few times for jobs—dug out ways to disable a couple of their older neuro amps without blowing the damn things off people’s faces, things like that.”

Sam whistled to show he was impressed, but Cass shook her head. “No, trust me, that isn’t impressive. It just makes it even more ridiculous that I was as naive as Sarah once. I thought signing up with Ryujin would be my ticket to, I don’t know, legitimacy? Reduced odds of getting arrested, at least? Which I guess is technically true, but only because they have Bayu, the Syndicate, and half of Neon security on the take. Point is, I should’ve known better in the first place. Like a company that spends their spare time dabbling in rewiring brains to be more aggressive or convincing could be anything but a nightmare behind the scenes.”

“That just sounds like they hide it really well,” Sam offered, and she tapped her tumbler against the bar a couple of times as she seemed to consider something.

“If you aren’t paying attention,” she said after a moment, her tone surprisingly quiet. “But I suppose I wasn’t, at the time. I was young and stupid, and I didn’t realize it until I was already in too deep to walk away without getting someone sent after me.”

“We’ve all been young and stupid,” he said, and Cass laughed softly.

“Trust me, I was something of a child prodigy in making stupid decisions. Still takes a lot of effort to trust my own judgment, a lot of the time.”

Sam watched her empty her glass again, but for once, he wasn’t really seeing her. Because what she’d just admitted was important, he thought, whether she intended it that way or not. Not that he hadn’t had an inkling, after she’d expanded on how any member of Constellation could have a hand in screwing things up for her with Ryujin even though she admitted she didn’t think any of them would. Cass did actually want to trust them, then; it was as much self-doubt as anything else that kept her charming them away to safer distances. And despite how difficult it was to parse self-doubt from someone who projected confidence like a shield, it made sense in a convoluted kind of way.

And maybe, if she did in fact want to trust him, all those distractions she directed his way could have a grain of truth in them? Sam tried to bury that idea as soon as it reared its head. It was entirely too tempting to consider, because he was supposed to be not dwelling on how attractive she was and definitely not wondering if there might be a reason she tended to choose flirting as her preferred diversion tactic for him when he’d never seen her do that with Sarah or Barrett or Andreja…

Wrangling his thoughts back in order took a little longer than it did for Cass to finish her drink. Not least of all because this time, after she polished off her glass, her tongue dragged slowly over her lips in a way that was entirely intentional. Even her smile was coy when she turned it on him again.

[zedif-y]

"That was genius, Tango!" Jimmy cheers the moment they're alone. "Absolutely genius!"

The grin Tango gives is positively blinding, shining like the sun as he thrums with excess energy, still riding on the adrenaline of previous events.

"It kinda backfired at the start, but I'd say it was totally worth the effort, right?" He gestures excitedly with his hands, beaming as Jimmy leads him back inside the house.

Their house.

"Definitely. Did you see them panic?" Jimmy laughs, kicking his shoes off when they're inside. "I still can't believe you've managed that," He says. "I mean, an entire Warden! Up here!"

Tango laughs where he's leaned against the wall, taking his shoes off. "Well, down at the ravine, now." He jokes, a glint in his eyes as he smiles, pleased with his own joke.

Jimmy giggles, and oh if that doesn't make Tango's heart blaze like a wildfire, spurring him on. It does absolutely nothing to quell the energy in his veins, if anything, seeing Jimmy's laugh, seeing him happy has just made it a lot worse.

"Say, did you feed the cows today?" Tango asks, looking for something to do. From where he's been sifting through the chest, Jimmy looks at him, confused.

"Yeah? I fed them between fixing the house and building the wall." He shuts the chest, having found what he needed. "Why?"

Tango shakes his head. "Nothing. Just extra energy, y'know?"

Jimmy's expression grows fond, and he beckons him closer. "C'mere, we've gotta go to bed. It's late." He says, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"We don't have a clock." Tango teases, just because he can. Jimmy pulls a face. "Alright, alright, I'm coming." He concedes, following him.

Tango shuts off the torchlight along the way, letting the faint light of the moon take its place as they get themselves comfortable on the bed.

They end up in their usual arrangement, Jimmy as the big spoon with his arms around Tango, his head resting on Tango's blonde curls. They've both got their backs turned to the wall, in silent agreement to let them see anyone who decides to drop in during the night.

"G'night, Tango." Jimmy yawns, his warmth all around him.

"Night, Jimmy." Tango replies quietly, closing his eyes to sleep.

Or, he tries to.

Tango can't help it, he keeps tossing and turning during the night, going back and forth in between Jimmy's arms as he tries and fails to fall asleep.

It was bad enough that he'd had to slip out of Jimmy's embrace, worried that he'll wake up the other man. Jimmy, fully asleep and dead to the world, does nothing but roll over to face the other side.

He resists the urge to groan as he looks up at the ceiling, still not even a little bit sleepy.

Tango rearranges his pillow again, for probably the fifth time that night.

"Dude, are you gonna sleep or what?"

Tango startles, freezing in place. "I- You're awake?"

Jimmy turns to him, cracking one eye open. "Could barely sleep with you rolling around over there, really." He says, voice rough.

Tango winces. "Sorry."

Jimmy shakes his head, "Don't be," He puts a hand on Tango's arm, pulling lightly. "Lay down."

Tango does as he's told, facing Jimmy on the bed. "I didn't mean to wake you... I just can't sleep." He whispers. Jimmy puts an arm around him, inching closer.

" 's alright..." He mumbles, eyes fluttering shut. "Don't mind..."

Jimmy's hand around him starts absently running through his hair, brushing through the soft strands and soothing his scalp. Slowly, Tango starts to relax.

Oh, he thinks. This is nice.

After some time, he hears Jimmy say something. He opens his eyes, (when had he closed them?) "Hmm?"

"Are you purring?" Jimmy asks in a low voice, his hand still in Tango's hair. Half-asleep now, he can't even find it in him to be embarrassed. He nods.

Above him, Jimmy hums, and that's that.

(Privately, he files this information away for later. Who knew Tango had an off switch?)

When the hand in his hair starts to slow, Tango doesn't even notice, sleeping soundly. Jimmy smiles down at him, heart full of love as he presses a kiss on Tango's forehead.

He dozes off not long after.

[wishful-soda]

Speak of the Devil : Chapter Seventeen

Daniel Ricciardo x Reader

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 13.9k

A/N: This chapter guys. This one, man.😭 I am so SO excited to hear all of your thoughts because this one is so near and dear to my heart, I can't even tell you. Thank you endlessly for all the love and support you continue to give me, I am unworthy of you guys 🙏🥰😘

Also; I hope you enjoy our very first Max POV 🥰

Playlist

Masterlist

Chapter 17 - Takes two to tango, babe.

You’d gone to Charles’ apartment because you knew he’d not only understand, but also keep Daniel if you asked him to. No, the relationship wasn’t real between you and the Monacasque, but there was still a tension between Daniel and Charles lately that you knew would assist in fueling Charles to tell Dan to fuck off. 

Now, curled up in Charles’ bed, your eyes puffy from crying, sitting with your back to the headboard with your knees to your chest, you were glad you made the right choice. 

“He’s gone.” Charles announced as he made his way back into the room, his expression one of exhaustion. “He didn’t go easily.” 

“Of course not, he can’t make anything easy…” You grumbled, more to yourself than to your friend. When there was silence, you looked up, only to be met with Charles giving you a look that wasn’t exactly sympathetic. 

“What?” You demanded. 

“You could have given him a break.” Charles shrugged. 

“What?!” You sat up straighter. 

“He didn’t know when he said it.” His eyes were full of pity and you could tell, it wasn’t pity for you. 

“And that makes it okay?” You retorted 

“No no no.” He shook his head. “Not okay. It was still quite a bit of a dick thing to say. But the point is that he didn’t say it knowing your history to hurt you. His biggest crime is just…being an idiot.”

“I can’t believe you’re defending him right now.” You huffed, refusing to look at him. “What happened to you guys being two seconds from knocking each other out?” 

“I’m not!” Charles got up from the bed and walked around it, coming to sit next to you, leaning against the headboard like you were. “I’m just saying. He didn’t know and  he followed you all the way here in the middle of the night. He was going to apologize without even knowing what he did wrong. And I only cannot stand him when Max is around, that dynamic seems to make him think he needs to be completely unbearable.”

You couldn’t help but sniffle out a laugh at that, it was too accurate. 

“For someone who says they’re not defending him, this sure sounds a lot like defending him.” You put your forehead to your knees, hiding your face. 

“I’m your friend, no?” 

“When you finish sentences like that it makes you sound very French.” You tried to change the subject, albeit, not very smoothly. 

“I am your friend, no?” Charles repeated, this time firmer. 

“No.” You mumbled.

“Stupid girl.” He shoved you playfully. Your arms were still wrapped around your knees, your body huddled in a tight ball, so when you weren’t prepared for the impact, you toppled over, your arms and legs flailing to catch yourself. 

“You know you’re my friend, it was a stupid question!” You griped, sitting back up and crossing your arms. 

“Then you know that I am on your side and I have your best interest at heart.” Charles continued on, not letting your attitude deter him one bit. “So you are allowed to be upset and to run away and ask to not see him. But you also have to give him the chance to apologize. If you had told him a single detail about your life, maybe this could have been avoided.” 

“I’m going to go home if you don’t knock it off.” You pouted. 

“Oh my God, please do, Jesus, it’s nearly 4 o’clock in the morning!” Charles groaned and then slid back under his covers. You didn’t move. 

“If you’re staying then lay down and let me go back to sleep.” He grumbled, yanking on the blankets you were sitting upon. 

You quickly slipped under the covers as well, leaving Daniel’s hoodie on. Charles clicked the lamp off and you let out a soft sigh, turning away from Charles to lay on your side. 

“Thank you.” You said softly into the darkness. 

“You’re welcome.” Charles’ voice was thick with sleep when he replied. 

“Do you think I’m unaffectionate?” You knew Charles wanted to sleep but you couldn’t help it. The words Daniel had said were still plaguing you. 

“I have been your fake boyfriend for how long now and I haven’t received so much as a kiss that I didn’t initiate, you’re extremely unaffectionate.” 

“Shut up.” You laughed, kicking him under the covers. When Charles didn’t respond, you weren’t sure what to think. Was he joking and assumed that you knew the truth or was it a joke to deflect from the truth, that you really weren’t? 

You sighed and tried to close your eyes and sleep, your head pounding with a headache that probably came from crying and overthinking. 

The problem was that Daniel was almost too spot on. You weren’t hugged enough as a child. And his correctness on that matter made you wonder if the rest of what he said was correct too…

_____

Max didn’t have a lot of plans so he was in as soon as you called him, asking no further questions beyond where the two of you were going. Although you didn’t elaborate, he knew for sure that your reasoning wasn’t just a desire to have fun. 

One look at your face confirmed his suspicions. He knew you well enough to know that you didn’t exactly deal with hard feelings well and he wasn’t exactly one to talk,  so he didn’t. 

He arrived at the bar and spotted you in the back of the bar at a booth, alone. You weren’t hard to spot in a crowd, you were absolutely gorgeous. Max thought of you as a sister, but he wasn’t so dense as to deny that you were extremely good looking. He’d always known that and it was part of the reason he’d felt so protective of you. He’d spent years watching guys fall all over themselves in an attempt to get your attention. And spent years being thrilled and amused when it never seemed to work.

“You know this isn’t a 1980’s themed party.” Max joked as he slid into the booth across from you, gesturing to your clothes. 

You were wearing flared bell bottom jeans and an oversized denim jacket, one that looked well worn and loved, it looked like it had to be older than you were. Under the jacket was a band shirt that looked just as worn. 

“Oh fuck you too Max.” You quipped back immediately, though a wide smile broke on your face. “Double denim is back in style” 

“Was it ever in style to begin with?” 

“Yes!” You rolled your eyes in exasperation. “Forgive me but I’m not about to take fashion advice from Max Verstappen, I’ll take the fact that you wouldn’t wear it as a compliment.” 

Max had no defense, when it came to clothes he wore what was comfortable, usually jeans or shorts and whatever neutral shirt his hand grabbed first. There were much more important things in life besides fashion. 

He ordered a drink as the waitress passed and was about to ask you why you were out drinking alone when you had a boyfriend who could’ve come with you, but then the song at the bar changed and it caught his attention instead. 

“Oh God, is this Bon Iver? Why is it that all anyone can play anymore is this shit?” He grumbled. 

“Bon Iver, Max, not ‘bawn eye-ver’” You laughed.

“Do I look like I give a shit about Bon Iver?” He mocked your pronunciation and you cackled. “It’s indie crap stuff and all of that indie crap stuff is all the same.”

“You’re such an old man, oh my God.” You shook your head as you continued to giggle. “Not that I don’t love hearing you grumble about today’s youth while simultaneously being a part of today’s youth, let’s cut to the chase.” 

Max raised his eyebrows, genuinely not sure where you were going with this. 

“The chase being?” 

“I’m here to get drunk.” You stated simply.

“I wouldn’t assume anything less.” Max chortled. 

“Alright then, with that being said, I’m going to the bar, want anything?”

“Sure, wine is fine.” Max regretted it as soon as he said it. 

“Wine?!” You balked.

“I meant a beer! I know, I know, getting plastered, wine isn’t the vibe you’re looking for, sorry.” He held his hands up in surrender. “Forgive me for my maturity.”

“Maturity?! I’m about to smack you….maturity…” You kept grumbling under your breath as you stalked off, not bothering to ask him what kind of beer he wanted.

Max absentmindedly scrolled through his phone while he waited for you, but when he found nothing of interest, he glanced up to see where you were. You had just been handed the drinks you ordered and were crossing back across the bar to him, trying to walk and sip your drink through a cocktail straw at the same time. 

He wondered what the hell could have happened that made you so determined to get drunk, but he assumed you’d tell him if you wanted him to know. 

You set his beer down in front of him and slid back into your seat, a content sigh leaving your lips as you took another sip. 

“I can’t remember the last time we did this.” You said, looked him straight in the eyes. 

“Got drunk? For you it was probably Tuesday, if you can’t remember that then maybe I should be more concerned about your lifestyle.” Max teased. You kicked him under the table. 

“Shut up, I meant hung out like this, just you and me.” You gestured to the space between you and him. “Like the old days when it literally was only you and me.” You smiled through closed lips.

“I can’t quite compete with Charles LeClerc and Daniel Ricciardo can I?” Max was joking when he said it, but the way your face fell, he worried that you took him seriously. 

“Ughh. Don’t. I don’t want to talk about either of them.” You waved your hand as if it would dismiss the topic. 

“Why, what’s wrong?” Max pressed. 

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying.” 

“You’re lying” You retorted, wincing as you said it like you heard how horrible of a comeback it was as it left your mouth. 

“Good one.” Max cackled, taking another sip of his beer. “But really, what happened?” 

“Nothing happened.” 

“Is it about Daniel?” He didn’t give up, he knew you well enough to know that you were truly upset underneath your joking and aloof exterior. 

“Why would I give a shit about Daniel?” 

Max could immediately tell from the way you spoke his name that it was about him and he almost asked you straight if you really thought you were good at lying, but he thought better of it. 

“Alright, so it is about Daniel.” Max hummed. “What’d the prick do this time? Is the truce off?”

“There isn’t a truce.” You stared down at the table. “There was never a truce.” 

“Well something changed to make you able to be around him and not threaten to chop his dick off or punch him in the face or whatever other violent acts you think about when he’s involved.” 

“Nope.” You popped the ‘P’ sound loudly. “Still want to punch him in the face.” 

“But not chop his dick off. Interesting…” Max teased, trying to get that sad look off of your face. You stared him down with a straight face and he let out a chuckle in response, unfazed by your death glares. 

You didn’t respond, only knocked back the rest of your drink and waved down a waitress to order another. 

“So how’s Charles then?” Max knew he was failing at casually trying to get you to open up, but oh well, he was never subtle anyways. “You two doing alright?” 

“Sure.” You shrugged.

“Why aren’t you out with him tonight?” 

“What, now that I have a boyfriend I’m only allowed to spend time with him?” 

“That’s not what I said.” Max knew exactly what you were doing, deflecting to try and change the subject. “I was just asking why he isn’t here.”

“Because I said ‘wow I need some quality time with my good ol’ buddy Max.’” You gave him a big fake cheesy smile.

God, she’s not cracking tonight… Max thought to himself. You were guarding yourself behind those steel walls you always put up and no matter how he tried it didn’t seem he was chipping away at them. 

“Alright, fine.” He resigned. “You don’t have to tell me what’s going on or what happened, but can you at least give me some sort of clue as to why you need to get wasted tonight?”

“Since when do I need a reason to want to get shitfaced?” You grinned mischievously and Max knew in that moment, it was useless. You weren’t giving it up. 

“He doesn’t know.” You spoke up and Max looked up in surprise.

“Who doesn’t know?” 

“Charles. He doesn’t know I went out tonight. It’s not like he owns me or I have to ask permission or anything, but it ‘s easier to just…not tell him.” 

“Alright. It’s not like you’re doing anything wrong.” 

“I know. He’d probably insist on coming with to make sure I didn’t drink too much and to make sure I made it home.” 

“Well yeah, isn’t that what a boyfriend is supposed to do?” 

“I can take care of myself. I’ve never needed a man to follow me around and keep track of my alcohol intake.” You huffed. “Besides, he doesn’t have any reason to care about what I’m doing…” 

Huh?

“Alright, alright.” Max concedes , knowing you well enough to know that he’ll most likely end up hearing about whatever is plaguing you once you’ve got a few more drinks in your system. And by the looks of it, that will be soon. 

“I hope you ate something for dinner before downing all this alcohol.” Max furrows his brow in concern.

“Did my uncle ask you to be my replacement dad or did you decide to do that all on your own?” You quipped, ever ready with a snarky comeback.

“You know just as well as I do that if anything happened to you, he’d kill me.” Max huffed out a breath of air, the statement seeming like an exaggeration but you both knew it wasn’t far from the truth. 

“I’m older than you, I should be the one looking out for you.” 

“And yet…” Max gestured to the 2 empty glasses you’d already downed with a smirk. 

It didn’t phase you, you simply ordered another round, both ignoring Max’s previous statement about food and continuing towards your goal for the evening. 

“Do you want to be a buzzkill all night or do you want to drink?” You demanded, gesturing to Max’s barely touched beer. 

Max thought for a moment, briefly getting hung up again on your sheer determination to get wasted, there had to be something there, something underneath the desperate need to numb whatever it was you were feeling, but if he couldn’t get you to talk about it and he couldn’t convince you not to drink, what else was he to do? 

Well. Might as well enjoy the night.

Max responded by chugging the rest of his beer, leaving a huge grin in your face.

“That was the correct choice!” You giggled, clapping your hands together gleefully like a child. 

As the night carried on and the pile of empty glasses on the table grew, Max found his previous theory to be correct. The amount of alcohol you’d consumed had a direct correlation to the amount of information you’d reveal. 

“Alright fuck it.” You announced, slamming back the rest of a vodka lemonade. 

“What?” Max laughed

“Daniel asked me if I wasn’t hugged enough as a child and if that’s why I’m so cold and unaffectionate.” 

Max sat stunned for a few seconds. He wasn’t sure which part of that statement was more surprising, the fact that you’d told him, the fact that Daniel said something that affected you so much, or the fact that Daniel was stupid enough to say something like that. 

“He said what?” Max spit out the sentence with disgust. “When?! At poker?” 

You froze like a deer in headlights and Max knew that he was only getting a small piece of the story. 

“Uh, yeah.” 

He knew you were lying.

“As we were all leaving your place he said it.” You fibbed. 

“So he said it in front of Charles then?” Max didn’t think Charles was the fighting type, but he also knew that he wouldn’t let Daniel make a comment about you like that and let it go unpunished, even if you weren’t his girlfriend. 

Your eyes darted around the bar, like you were scrambling for what to say next. You were hiding something.

“No. But I told Charles about it.” You waved your hand for another drink. 

“And?” 

“He said that I should give Daniel a break…” You spoke so quietly Max could barely hear you. 

“A break?! Are you fucking kidding me?” Max was suddenly seeing red, unsure of which driver he was angerier with. “He says something like that and he deserves a break?” 

“Thank you!!” You threw your hands up. “That’s what I said! Well, not exactly but I thought it!” 

“Why would he deserve a pass for something like that?” 

“Charles said I should forgive him because he didn’t know about my parents when he said it. He was just making what he thought was a hilarious joke.” You shrugged. 

“He still insulted you. He still said that you were unaffectionate.” Max was so confused as to why he seemed angerier at Daniel than you were. This is the exact type of thing that used to happen that he’d have to talk you down from and convince you whatever you wanted to do to Daniel wasn’t worth it. 

And yet, here you sat, shrugging it off? 

“And of course you’re unaffectionate around him, people don’t tend to show affection to those they hate.” He continued, baffled by the entire situation. 

“Exactly.” You nodded in agreement. You still weren’t as fired up as he thought you’d be. 

“Do you want me to call him and tell him off?” Max’s hand was reaching for his phone before he even finished speaking. 

“No!!” You blurted, reaching out to stop him. “You don’t have to do that. He knows he fucked up, that was made very clear to him.” 

“I’m still going to say something the next time I see him…fucking moron…” Max seethed. 

Max knew firsthand how much you’d been through in your life. He met you because of it. And he knew how easy it would have been for you to use all of it as an excuse, as a reason to not do anything with your life. Instead you used it as motivation to do more with your life than was ever expected of you. He wasn’t one to get mushy and emotional, but he was so proud of you and the idea that anyone would make you feel bad about what happened to you infuriated him. 

“He feels bad, but I’m not really letting him apologize right now.” You blurted and by the look on your face, Max could tell you didn’t mean to say that out loud. 

“He’s been…trying to apologize for it and you won’t let him?” 

“Fuck, forget I said that.” You groaned, smacking your hand to cover your face. “Ouch…” you mumbled when you hit yourself harder than you’d intended. 

“Forget you said that? Don’t be ridiculous, you said it now, explain.” Max wasn’t letting you off the hook that easily, no way. There was something going on here that he wasn’t privy to and he was fucking tired of it. 

“I just don’t want to hear it, y’know?” You mumbled into your hand. 

Max said your name shortly and firmly and then didn’t speak again, waiting for you to look at him before he continued. 

“He’s actually trying to apologize to you. Isn’t that what you’ve wanted from him this entire time?” He asked once you finally looked at him. Your eyes widened and you looked offended. 

“What?! No!” You gasped, your voice louder than he thought you realized. “What the fuck makes you think that I’ve been waiting for an apology from him? Nononono, fuck that, I don’t want his apologies. Nope. Nah.” 

Max might have believed you after the first no. Maybe even have the second. But after that, you completely oversold it. He didn’t respond to your profuse denial, he simply smirked at you. 

“This is taking too long, I’m switching to shots.” You stood suddenly and wobbled a bit, taking a moment to steady yourself before walking to the bar again. He didn’t want to argue with you, but if your weaving path to the bar was any indication, your plan was working just fine. You were well on your way to being wasted. 

When you came back with a tray of shots, Max audibly groaned. 

“When you start puking I’m calling your boyfriend to pick you up, it’s his job to deal with that mess.” He declared.

“Yeah, yeah, fine, call Charles so you can avoid dealing with my drunkenness, I don’t care.” You laughed before knocking back a shot without even pulling a face. 

“You and Daniel are a lot alike, you know.” Max stated simply. 

You froze and frowned. 

“Why are we still talking about him? And no we’re not.” You huffed. 

“You are. I think that’s why you want to be friends with him but you don’t want to admit that you want to be friends with him.” Max knew calling you out this bluntly was like poking a lion, but you were tipsy enough that he lost his healthy fear of you.

“How are we alike?” You challenged. 

“You both use humor as a defense mechanism.” Max listed off the first thing that came to mind. “You both love to tease other people. You both love music.” 

“You just described like…nearly everyone in the human race.” 

“You both want to be friends but won’t admit that you want to be friends.” 

“Not true.” 

“Actually, you’re right. I bet Daniel would admit that he wants to be your friend.” Max said as he contemplated. 

“Well we’re never going to ask him so we don’t have to worry about that.” You sighed and then glanced down at your phone on the table as it buzzed. 

“Is that him?” Max leaned forward, trying to get a look at the screen. 

“Prolly…” You mumbled, your words beginning to slur a bit. You reached up and flipped your phone on it’s face. “I don’t care.” 

Yet another lie. 

“You never said why you don’t want to let him apologize.” Max tried to steer the conversation back. 

“Can we dance now?” You suddenly lit up, glancing over to the small dance floor of the bar. 

“I am far too sober for that.” Max shook his head rapidly, grabbing his beer for dear life like somehow that’d keep him at the table.

“Then here.” You shoved a shot into his hand, nearly spilling it all over him in the process. 

Max sighed and knocked it back, knowing full well that he’d still be quite a bit behind you when it came to intoxication. 

“Okay, let’s go!” You grabbed his hand, pulling him from the table without giving him another second to protest. 

“Charles should really be the one here with you tonight…” Max grumbled as he was tugged along behind you. 

Max couldn’t deny that your enthusiasm was contagious however, and he found himself cracking up in laughter and jesting with you, the two of you stumbled over your feet trying to dance. You twirled and skipped around until sweat bead on your forehead, giggling incessantly. 

He knew your moves were all off and he had to steady you more than once, but it didn’t dim the enjoyment whatsoever. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever had so much fun on a random evening in a bar, but he wasn’t surprised, somehow you seemed to make even the most mundane things fun. No wonder Daniel wanted to be around you more. 

Max saw the large man about to bump into you before it even happened, but he didn’t react quick enough and he stepped back, bumping you and nearly knocking you off your feet. Max was thankfully quick enough to grab you and steady you. The man spun around quickly, horror on his face.

“Oh my God miss, I am so sorry! I didn’t see you there!” He reached out and placed a friendly hand on your shoulder, checking to ensure you were alright. He was an older man, and by the look in his eye, Max absolutely knew the apology was sincere. 

A woman stepped out from behind the man and began scolding him for not being more observant and then also ensured for herself that you were alright. 

“I’m fine!” You smiled sincerely. “No worries, it was an accident.” You waved off their concern. 

“Please let us make it up to you, do you like alcohol, what are you drinking?” The woman insisted and Max saw the joy break out on your face.

“I love alcohol.” You beamed and Max groaned.

“Don’t you think it’d be a good time to slow down just a bit? You’ve had a lot.” He said timidly, trying to feel you out to see if he was asking to get his head bit off.

“I’m not even tipsy!” You lied, your words betraying you when they slurred at the end of your sentence. 

You won. The couple brought over a tray of what Max could only assume were very expensive shots along with sincere apologies again. 

“Please only take one more.” Max begs for both of your sake. 

You took two. 

Big mistake. That seemed to be what you needed to push you past the threshold of tipsy and crash you straight into drunk. You giggled non-stop at your seat. 

“Who is prettier, Danny or Charles?” You blurted suddenly, your voice way too loud. 

Max bellowed in laughter anyways. He was tipsy, but compared to you, doing absolutely fine. He thought for a moment, considering the two options.

“Charkes.” He finally decided, unable to even answer without laughing again. 

“What?!” You gasped in shock. “I was sure you were going to say Dan!”

“Why?!” 

“Because you love him and also have you seen his nose?” Your words slurred more, Max considered himself lucky that we could still understand you through the mumbling speech and giggles. 

“Yes, I’ve seen his nose.” 

“That big ol’ snoz is beautiful.” You sighed, staring off behind Max dreamily as if you were picturing it. 

“Alright, you’re officially cut off.” He declared, slamming his hand down on the table for effect. 

“What?! No!! Why?!” 

“Did you not hear yourself, you were complementing Daniel Ricciardo’s nose, I think sober you would very much support my decision to cut you off.” 

“She would not.” You pouted, crossing your arms and jutting out your bottom lip. “I’m sorry.” 

“What? Why are you apologizing?” Max frowned, suddenly feeling like the world’s worst best friend. 

“Because I’m drunk.” 

“Wasn’t that the goal?” He chuckled. 

“Well….yeah.” You said thoughtfully. 

“I’m having fun, don’t be an idiot, you don’t have to apologize.” He smiled across the table at you sincerely. “Besides, I’ve dealt with you shitfaced more times than I can count.” 

“I love your accent.” You blurted, reaching your hand across the table and touching his lips. Max blinked, caught off guard. 

“What?” 

“Your accent is so….it sounds like Max y’know? When you say ‘three’ it sounds like ‘tree’. Say it. Say ‘three’” You poked him in the mouth several times impatiently and he swatted away your hand. 

“You’re so fucking weird.” He cackled, shaking his head. 

“SAY ‘THREE’ MAX EMILIAN.” You were so loud it caused several people to turn and look in your direction. 

“Shhh!” Max reached across the table and slapped his hand over your mouth. “Three!” he relented, unable to help the laugh that followed when he heard himself say it and it did in fact kind of sound like ‘tree’. 

You busted into a fit of giggles, clapping your hands delightedly. Max couldn’t help but laugh with you. Or maybe it was more like laughing at you. Either way, the entire incident confirmed to Max that it was absolutely time for you to be cut off. 

“Max.” You said, your laughter ceasing. 

“Yeah?” 

“I’m gonna go throw up now, m’kay?” 

“Oh shit!” Max sprung into action, hopping up from the booth and grabbing you, directing you to the nearest bathroom. He was thankful it was a one-person bathroom so he could follow you in and help you. 

You fell to your knees rather unceremoniously and barely made it in time before heaving all of the alcohol in your stomach back up. Max didn’t even think twice about holding your hair back. He’d been here before, this wasn’t the first time you couldn’t hold your liquor. 

You sat back on your knees and wiped your mouth with the back of your hand, letting out a small groan. 

“Sorry, you were supposed to pawn me off before I was this drunk…” You mumbled, your words still slurred. 

“It’s alright, you okay?” He rubbed your back gently, trying to assess if you were going to puke again before he moved to help you stand. 

You nodded pathetically. “I think I’m ready to go home now.” 

Max tried not to laugh at you as he nodded and fished his phone from his pocket. “Alright, stay here, I’ll be right back with some water.” 

“Are you calling Charles?” You whimpered, panic flashing across your face. 

“Of course, you told me to.” 

“No, don’t call him he’s going to ask if I let Danny apologize and I don’t wann-” You stopped mid sentence, your eyes widening before you turned and leaned over the toilet, dry heaving. 

“He’s your boyfriend, sweetheart.” Max tried to be consoling. “Just stay right here ok, I’ll be right back.” 

You nodded and Max stepped out of the bathroom. He considered taking you home himself, but he knew you needed someone to make sure you were alright, he didn’t want to drop you off at home alone after getting this drunk. 

He ordered you a glass of water from the bar and pulled up Charles' number in his phone, letting out a sigh as he clicked ‘call’. 

“Hello?” Charles picks up on the second ring. 

“Charles mate. Hey, how’s it going?” 

“Uh, alright? How are you?” Charles asked confusedly, clear he wasn’t expecting to just chat with Max on the phone this evening. 

“Good. I’m calling because I was hoping you could come pick your girlfriend up? She’s a little d- alright I’m not gonna lie, she’s wasted.  I’d bring her back to her place myself but she asked me to call you and I didn’t think she should be alone.” Max didn’t know why he felt like he was apologizing to Charles, but he did. 

“Is she okay?” Charles asked, alarm in his voice. 

“She’s fine, yeah. She’s been sick a few times, but she’s alright, just…very drunk.” 

Charles sighed loudly, like a disappointed parent. 

“Alright. I can take her home.” He agreed. 

“I’d do it myself, it’s just…you’re her boyfriend, I assumed you’d want to stay overnight with her rather than me.” 

“Yeah, yeah, yes.” Charles respondly quickly in agreement. “I can take her back to my place. Give me just a moment, where are you?”

“The bar downtown, the one on 18th.” Max glanced towards the bathroom, realizing he needed to probably get back to you. 

“Be there soon.” Charles confirmed and then hung up. 

Max grabbed the glass of water and then headed back to the bathroom. 

“Hey, it's me.” He announced as he opened the door. You sat on the floor still, but the color had returned to your face. “Here, drink this slowly.” He handed you the glass of water and you obeyed, taking small sips. 

“You look better, do you feel better?” 

“I feel liiiiike a million bucks!” You slurred, smiling widely. Max huffed out a laugh at you before helping you to your feet and leading you back out to the booth you’d sat in. 

“Thanks Max Emilian.” You smiled sheepishly at him. 

“Wasn’t the first time, sure it won’t be the last.” Max chuckled, waving you off. “That’s what best friends are for. Or something else cheesy like that.” 

He watched you curiously as you sat at the table, staring off into space, your brow furrowed. 

“You alright?” 

“Hmm?” You mumbled and then shook your head, as if breaking yourself out of a trance. “Oh yeah, yeah. ‘M fine.” 

“You sure?” 

“I was just thinking about my mom.” You admitted and Max had to admit to himself that he was completely unprepared for that response. You rarely ever spoke about your mom. He assumed she was on your mind because of the incident with Daniel.

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah.” You nodded. “I think she would have really liked Danny.” Your voice was so small and sad that it hurt Max’s heart. 

“Probably. Most everyone likes him.” Max agreed, but still looked at you with concern. “What about Charles?” 

“What about him?” You cocked your head to the side. 

“Do you think she would have liked him?” 

“Oh.” You thought for a moment. “Yeah, probably, he’s a good guy.” 

Max wanted to know why Charles was a second thought, but he wasn’t sure if you even knew with the state you were in. 

“I think I might be starting to love him.” You spoke again, your voice still quiet. 

Max’s eyes widened in surprise. He knew you and Charles had been spending a lot of time together recently, but he didn’t realize it was that serious. To be honest, he didn’t really see that from you. You didn’t look like you were in love with him when the two of you were together. But he knew you weren’t always great at expressing yourself, so maybe he was just overthinking it. 

Still, the confession shocked him. When he looked back at you, your eyes were glossy, full of tears about to spill over the edge. 

“Shit, no, why are we crying now?!” He exclaimed, sliding out of his seat and into yours so he could pull you into a hug. You pressed your face to his chest and let out a whimper. 

He opened his mouth to ask you again why you were suddenly crying, but didn’t get a chance to. The door to the bar swung open and it normally wouldn’t have caught his attention, but Max recognized that big ol’ snoz right away. 

What? No way this could be a coincidence right?

Daniel glanced around the bar, obviously looking for someone.

“Why is Daniel here?” Max asked, shaking you slightly in his arms. When you didn’t respond he said your name firmly. “Why is Daniel here? Did you call him?” 

You nodded against his chest. 

Jesus fucking Christ. 

“When?!” 

“When you went to get water.” You mumbled, your voice muffled by his chest. 

“Holy fucking shit, why did you do that?! I already called your boyfriend!” Max groaned. 

“‘S not my boyfriend.” 

“Huh?” He grabbed your face in his hands and pulled you away from his chest so he could look you in the eyes. “No, I called your boyfriend, I called Charles.” He clarified. 

“No, called Danny.” Your eyes were half lidded. 

“Jesus fuck. What did you tell him?” 

“Told him ‘need you to take me home Danny’.” 

For fuck’s sake…

“Okay well your boyfriend Charles is on his way to do that very same thing.” 

“I don’t wanna go home with Charles. Wanna go home with Danny.” 

Max was certain he wasn’t hearing you right. He had to be missing something. 

“Don’t wanna talk to Charles, wanna talk to Danny.” You repeated almost the same sentiment as if you’d read Max’s mind. 

“Well now you get to talk to both of them because Daniel is here and Charles is on his way.” He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers. 

“You called Charles?!” You gasped. 

“If you weren’t one of my favorite people, I would smack you in the face right now.” Max said flatly. It was like talking to a 2 year old…. “Yes, I called Charles. He’s your boyfriend.” 

“He’s not.” 

“What? What do you mean he’s not? Did something happen, is that why you wanted to go out tonight?” 

If Charles dumped her, there was going to be hell to pay. 

You didn’t answer, you simply leaned forward and rested your head on Max’s chest again. Max looked up, to where Daniel still hadn’t spotted them at the back of the bar, probably because it was you he was looking for and not Max.

“I think I am falling in love with him, it’s so bad.” You whimpered. Max rubbed your back trying to soothe you. 

“Why is it bad? Did you tell him? Did he break up with you?” He felt like he was grasping at straws but you weren’t making any sense. 

Max glanced towards the door again and Daniel had spotted you. He was already making his way towards the table, a confused and concerned expression on his face. 

He assumed that expression was understandable based on the way you were slumped in his arms right now. He tried to pull you up to sit, but you whined and buried your face back in his chest.

Daniel was steps away from the table when the door swung open again.

And in walked Charles. 

Fucking wonderful…

“What’s goin’ on?” Daniel asked as he approached, his eyes not even meeting Max’s, still locked on you. 

“She’s just absolutely shitfaced.” Max sighed, tugging on you to try to get you to sit up again. You didn’t budge. “Why the fuck are you here?!” He didn’t mean to sound so aggressive, but then he remembered what Daniel had said to you and he didn’t feel too bad about it. 

“She called me. She said she was drunk and she needed me to pick her up and take her home.” Daniel stood his ground firmly, not looking intimidated by Max at all. 

“Yeah well I really wish I would have known that before I called her boyfriend and told him the same thing.” 

“Dannyyyy, you came.” You lifted your head from Max’s chest and gave Daniel a weak smile. 

Daniel gave you a small nod and then looked back at Max. “Charles is coming?” 

“He’s fucking here.” Max hissed. “Can you help get her off of me?” 

Daniel grabbed you gently, helping you to sit up in the booth. 

“Danny.” You smiled at him like he was the only person in the room. “Take me home.” 

Max groaned and it caught your attention. When you turned your head to look at him, you must have spotted Charles at the same time because you slumped over the table, burying your face in your arms. 

“Nooooo.” You whined. “Don’t wanna talk to Charles, he’s gonna be all boyfriend and then fight Dan cuz Max is here.”

Daniel looked to Max in confusion, hoping he had an explanation for what you just said. Max shrugged and sighed, beyond explaining anything at this point. 

Charles went straight to your side, pushing past Daniel as if he wasn’t even standing there. 

“Hey, are you alright baby?” He asked you softly, rubbing his hand on your back. 

Alright, they didn’t break up then….

“‘M not drunk.” You mumbled. 

“Are you sure?” Charles pressed. “You seem pretty drunk.”

“She’s very drunk.” Max interjected. 

“How much has she had to drink?” Daniel questioned and Max gestured to all the empty glasses on the table. 

“You let her drink that much?” Charles shot eye daggers at Max. 

“Let her?” Daniel huffed. “I’m not sure if you’ve met her before, but she does want she wants and fuck off if you think she’s going to let anyone tell her otherwise.”  He didn’t say it as an insult, no it landed as quite the opposite, as if he admired that about you. 

“I don’t think I was speaking to you Daniel.” Charles snapped and Max sat up straighter in surprise. “Why is she here in the first place?”

“She called me and asked me to go out with her tonight. We were just drinking together.” Max felt like he was being interrogated. 

Charles stood, nodding slowly and then turned to Daniel.

“So why are you here, Daniel?” He asked pointedly. 

Daniel’s mouth fell open and he blinked a few times. Max could see it all over his face, he realized the predicament he was in. He couldn’t exactly take home someone else’s girlfriend. 

“She called me.” Daniel finally spoke. 

“Daniel, you can go home now, we’ve got it handled.” Max said shortly. He felt a little bad for Daniel, but his job was to look after his best friend and right now his best friend needed some guidance and help to do the right thing. He knew you’d thank him for it later. 

“She called me. I couldn’t just not come.” Daniel said, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Well Max called me.” Charles matched Daniel’s tone. “I’ll be taking her home, she’s my girlfriend.” 

Daniel narrowed his eyes at Charles. And Max swore he could see the moment something snapped. 

“Did you ever stop to think that there must be a reason she called me instead of you?” Daniel leveled. 

“Stop it.” You mumbled, your voice still muffled by your arm. 

“She’s absolutely wasted mate.” Charles snapped back. “As her boyfriend, it’s my responsibility to see her home safely.” There seemed to be something he wasn’t saying just under the surface of his words.

Max could feel the tensions rising between the two and honestly, wasn’t sure if there was anything he could do to stop it, barring physically splitting the two men up. 

God I hope it doesn’t come to that.

“Doesn’t it irk you that your drunk girlfriend didn’t think to call you first?” Daniel was baiting him. 

“It doesn’t matter who she called and when, at the end of the day, she’s still mine.” Charles took a bold step towards Daniel and Max’s stomach flipped. 

This was going to end badly. 

“Guys.” Max spoke firmly. “Can we please calm down and handle this like adults?”

Neither of them listened. 

“How about we ask her what she wants?” Daniel smirked. 

“That’s not necessary.” Charles said dismissively. 

“Daniel, she’s plastered.” Max sighed. 

Daniel ignored both Max and Charles and took a step towards you. “What do you say?” He asked you softly, leaning over the table. 

You simply groaned, either unable to decide or refusing to. 

“See?” Charles preened. 

“Do you want me to take you home?” Daniel tried again and came up with the same result, just a whimper from you. 

“What are you doing Daniel?” Charles threw his hands up in exasperation. “Why are you so determined to take home someone else’s girlfriend?” 

“He has a point.” Max agreed.

Daniel stood and whirled on Charles, his eyes suddenly full of a rage Max wasn’t sure he’d ever seen from the Australian. 

“Because she. Fucking. Asked. Me. To.” Daniel seethed, his tone full of fire. 

“She’s too drunk to even stand, I don’t think she’s got the best judgment right now.” Charles didn’t back down or even flinch at Daniel’s tone. “I think we’re all tiring of your jealousy when it’s not necessary. I am only doing what she has asked me to do.”

“Drunk words are sober thoughts.” Daniel stated. “I know what you’re trying to do here Charles, and it’s appreciated, but let me handle this. I’ll deal with the fallout from it.”

“Daniel, I took your side!” Charles cried out.

“Then why wouldn’t you let me in?” 

Max opened his mouth to ask what fucking language they were speaking, since he was clearly the only one not on the same page, but you stood suddenly, drawing all the attention to you. There was a pregnant pause as everyone waited to hear what you had to say, like it was going to be the final word. 

Then you turned, racing to the nearest trash can and puking into it, yet again. Charles and Daniel didn’t even move, both of them frozen in shock or horror or both. 

“Oh for fuck’s sake, you’re both useless.” Max huffed, hurrying over to you and pulling your hair back from your face. 

“Are you okay?” He asked you gently. You just nodded. 

Charles finally broke out of his stupor and rushed over, rubbing your back gently. “Alright, that’s it, I’m taking her home.” He announces, helping you to stand up straight. 

“I don’t wanna…” You whined. 

Max eyed you in confusion. You’d just told him not fifteen minutes ago that you wanted to go home. Did you think you’d be going home to Daniel?

Daniel just stared, speechless, like his mind was going a mile a minute. He had no reason to be here. He knew it. 

“Go.” Max nodded towards the door. “We’ve got it handled.” 

“Okay.” Daniel sighed, his voice defeated. “I’m leaving.” 

“No Danny.” You croaked. “Wait…I need to talk to you.” 

“You can talk to him tomorrow ma chouchoute.” Charles coaxed you gently. 

Daniel narrowed his gaze darkly on Charles at the sound of the pet name. 

“Go Daniel.” Max urged, desperate for this entire event to be over. 

“No!” You spoke up louder, wobbling back over to the table and grabbing your glass of water and taking a large gulp. “I need to talk to you.” You said, turning to where Daniel stood. 

Daniel hesitated, lifting his eyes to meet Max’s. He looked concerned, like he didn’t want Max to be around when you said whatever it was you were about to say. 

“You need to think about what you’re about to say and who you’re about to say it in front of.” Daniel’s tone was full of warning. 

“‘I need to know.” Your voice sounded pitiful.

Max looked to Daniel pointedly and then back to you, eager to hear what you needed to know.

Charles said your name so firmly you flinched in surprise. “Let’s go before you say something you regret.” He said through grit teeth, flicking his eyes to Max and then back. He stepped forward and grabbed your arm, not hard, but enough to begin to lead you away.

“But I need to ask, I’ve been waiting to ask.” You whined as Charles led you towards the door. He leaned closer to you and it looked like he was whispering something to you in your ear. 

You protested verbally, but physically it looked like once he’d said whatever it was he said, you’d given up. You nodded and then linked your arm with Charles’ and trudged along. “That’s why I called him though!” You declared, as the door to the bar opened. Then you exited with Charles and Max couldn’t hear anything else.

Suddenly it clicked and Max wondered why he hadn’t figured it out immediately. You had called Daniel because whatever you had wanted to ask him, you couldn’t do it without liquid courage. You weren’t lying, that was why you called him. And Charles must not have understood that either and seen it as a threat.

“What the fuck just happened?” Max blurted, spinning from the door to where Daniel stood behind him. 

Daniel shook his head, like he didn’t have an answer either. 

“You shouldn’t have come mate.” Max finally said what he was thinking the entire time. 

“She called me. There’s no way I wasn’t going to come after she asked me to.” Daniel crossed his arms over his chest again. 

“I’m not sure what the fuck you’re trying to do.” Max said. “But she loves him.” He felt a little bad, but Daniel needed to know. It was clear that he wasn’t getting over his affection for you and the longer he was in the dark the worse it would get. 

“What?” He looked at Max like he was insane. 

“She told me tonight, she loves him.” Max tried to be gentle but that wasn’t exactly his nature. 

“What did she say?”

“I just told you.”

“No, what exactly did she say?” 

“What the fuck are you on about? She told me she’s falling in love with Charles.” Max snapped.

Daniel stood completely frozen for a moment, nodding and staring off into space, lost in thought. 

“I gotta…” He mumbled when he finally spoke, pointing to the door. 

“No fucking way, you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on, you know something I don’t.” 

Daniel reacted like he didn’t even hear Max, he bolted to the door so fast, it look Max a second to process what had happened. He began to run after him, and then noticed the empty glasses still covering the table and remembered someone still had to pay the bill.

“Fuck! Someone better fill me in really fucking soon….” He grumbled under his breath.

_______

The first thing you were aware of was the headache. Before your eyes even opened, before you’d even moved a single muscle, you were aware of the pulsing pain radiating through your entire skull. 

Nooooo You internally sobbed, squeezing your eyes shut tighter, desperate to go back to sleep and not face the consequences of your actions. 

But then, stronger than the pounding in your head, was the thirst. You were desperate for a glass of water. You pried open your heavy eyes and lifted your head ever so slightly off of where it was heavily resting on the bed, no where near the pillow. 

You let out a soft sigh of relief when you realized you were in your own room. You’d expected to be at Max’s or maybe even Charles’, so you felt slightly better about your situation when the familiarity of your home crept in. 

You pushed yourself up off of your stomach with your arms slowly, letting out a groan when moving from laying to sitting aggravated the pounding in your head. You reached for your phone on your bedside table and squinted at the brightness of it when the screen lit up to what seemed like way too many notifications to deal with right now. 

However, the most recent one, a text from Charles, did catch your eye. 

Sharl: Had to run early this morning, hope things aren’t too terrible when you wake up.

You furrowed your brow at his choice of wording. 

Hope things aren’t too terrible? Why wouldn’t he just say ‘hope you don’t feel too terrible?’ You shook your head in dismissal, chalking it up to English not being his first language and tossed your phone back on the table with a thunk. 

The sound triggered another sound that you weren’t prepared for, a male voice letting out a startled “huh?” seemingly coming from your…floor? 

You screamed, also startled, and realizing you weren’t alone and then winced, the yell causing the pain in your head to yell right back. You crawled towards the edge of your bed, in the direction the sound had come from, just as the person who’d made said sound, sat up. 

“Daniel?!” You croaked, your throat stinging from dryness and soreness that was probably from talking and/or yelling way too loud in your drunken state last night. “What the fuck are you doing, you scared the shit out of me!” 

Daniel blinked, his eyes full of sleep and his dark curls a mess. He was wearing just a regular shirt and jeans and the more you looked at him, the more you pieced together what was happening. 

“What the hell are you doing on my floor?! Did you stay the night here?” You questioned, wondering why he didn’t at least have a pillow or a blanket. 

Daniel nodded and blinked a few more times as he shrugged his shoulders. “You asked me to take you home.” He stated simply. 

You tried to remember the events of last night, everything seeming clouded with alcohol and sleep. As the fragments of memory became clearer, you did remember calling Daniel. Kind of. 

“I did?” You asked, more to yourself than him. “Did we…” your voice trailed off as you looked down at yourself, noticing you were in sweatpants and an oversized shirt and not the clothes you’d worn out last night. 

“What?” Daniel looked appalled that you were even asking. “No. Charles stayed over too. Besides that, you were plastered, I would never after you’d drank that much.” 

You nodded, looking away from him as a small wave of relief coursed through you. 

“You tried though.” He added, and you didn’t even have to look at him again to know he was smirking. 

Great.

“Oh my God…” You mumbled, covering your face with your hands, no other words coming to your mind to describe the level of shame you felt knowing you were drunkenly making advances on Daniel, and all seemingly while Charles was present.  “Who changed me?” 

When Daniel didn’t answer right away, you dropped your hands and lifted your head to look at him. His eyes sparkled playfully before he even spoke. 

“Well…” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I dressed you in that.” He gestured to what you were now wearing. “But as for who undressed you….”

Oh god, don’t say it…

“You did that all on your own.” He finished with a grin. “Maybe I should rephrase my earlier statement. You tried hard.” 

You groaned, face heating as you slumped onto your stomach on the bed again, trying to hide your mortification in your duvet. You heard him chuckle and then a few moments later, felt the bed give slightly as he must have moved to sit on it. 

“S’alright y’know.” Daniel spoke gently. “You don’t need to be embarrassed.” 

You peeked at him from under the fluffy comforter. “Don’t need to be embarrassed?” You repeated, your voice full of disbelief. “I got wasted and called, not the guy who is supposed to be my boyfriend, but my the guy who is supposed to be my sworn enemy and then drunkenly tried to seduce him, which I can’t imagine was sexy at all after I’d…oh my God…after I’d thrown up!” You remembered that detail and wanted to crawl even further under your covers. 

“Charles isn’t actually your boyfriend.” Daniel stated firmly. “So you didn’t do anything wrong.” 

“Did you not hear the part about calling my sworn enemy to take me home and then drunkenly making passes at him with throw up breath?” 

“You didn’t have throw up breath, you went and brushed your teeth before you made a move.” Daniel grinned at you with pride, like you’d done something extremely admirable. “It was very considerate.” 

“I still called you and expected you to drop all your plans to come and get me.”

“All my plans?” He let out a breathy laugh. “Yeah, I was devastated to have to interrupt my evening of staring at my phone and hoping you’d call me back.” 

His honesty hit you like a splash of cold water. You were so caught off guard by it that you were silent for what seemed like far too long and then you began to panic he’d regret being that honest with you. 

“Very funny.” You said flatly, sitting up, flinching at the way your headache responded to the sudden movement.

Daniel got to his feet and wandered into your kitchen. You frowned, wondering where he was going. 

“Where-” You stopped speaking as he walked back into your room, a glass of water in one hand, his other a closed fist. He sat back down next to you and then handed you the glass, lifting his other hand and holding it out to you. 

You held your hand out in response and felt several pills land onto your palm. Aspirin. For your head. 

Again, always anticipating your needs. 

The simple gesture was one that you probably shouldn’t even think twice about, but either it was the hangover or the fact that he stayed here all night, on the fucking floor for christsake, that amplified the significance of what he’d just done and you were suddenly worried you might do something stupid like cry or hug him. 

“I’m serious.” He stated, continuing your conversation. “That’s all I was doing. Hoping you’d call or text back and agree to see me.” 

You didn’t know how to respond to the confession, so you popped the pills into your mouth and followed them with a gulp of water, which then turned into several gulps, your brain reminding you that you were parched and the fact that Daniel was on your floor had made you forget it. 

“Why?” You asked and felt stupid the moment you did. 

Daniel took the glass from your hands and set it on your bedside table and then dropped to the floor, on his knees in front of you where you sat on your bed. 

He actually got down on his knees. 

He looked at you so intensely you felt like you needed to squirm away from his gaze, but you didn’t. He grabbed both your hands in his and squeezed them firmly. 

“Because I needed to tell you that I am…” he swallowed and let out an exasperated breath, like he couldn’t find the words he was searching for. “...so fucking sorry..”

Your mouth dropped open, completely at a loss for how to reply. He didn’t look away either, he kept his eyes on yours and you knew it was in the hopes that you’d be able to see the sincerity there. 

“I had no idea of your…situation…when I said all of that stuff.” He continued and you were grateful because it gave you more time to try to figure out what the hell to say. “Not that that excuses it. Because nothing excuses what I said. I was such an asshole and I’m really fucking sorry.” 

You nodded slightly. “You know now….?” Your voice was soft. 

Daniel stood and moved to sit next to you on the bed again, crossing his legs under him so he could sit facing you. 

“The gist of it. No details.” Daniel rubbed his thumb over the back of your hand soothingly. “Will you…” He stopped and took a breath, like he needed to muster courage for whatever he was about to say next. “Will you tell me about them? Your parents?” 

Your eyes shot to his in surprise. That was the last thing you’d expected him to ask. 

“You want to know about my parents?” You repeated slowly.

Daniel simply nodded, his thumb still making soothing passes over the back of your hand. “If you’ll tell me.” 

You took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, nodding before you even realized what you were doing. 

“My mom.” Your voice was warbly already, you paused and cleared your throat. “My mom was a driver. She started really young and she made it to Formula A. She was a total racing nerd, she loved everything about it.”  

You saw a smile flicker on Daniel’s face out of your peripherals, but you didn’t dare look away from where you’d locked your gaze on your hands, still in his. 

“She was so tough too. She knew from the start she was walking into a boy’s club but she never let it intimidate her at all. She took no shit.” You said proudly. “My dad, he loved racing too, but not as much as her. I think he loved her so much that he loved whatever made her happy.” 

You stopped for a moment, knowing the next part was going to be the hard part. Daniel squeezed your hands, a hard, long squeeze. When you looked up at him, he was waiting patiently, no expectation on his face. 

“When I was 7 there was…uhm…” You cleared your throat again. “There was a crash. And the…the kart rolled and landed upside down so there was really no way that…that….” You didn’t know where you were going with the end of your sentence or how people even said things like this out loud. 

Your throat burned, your eyes filling with large, hot tears and you shook your head, huffing in annoyance at yourself. “Sorry…” You mumbled. “I just need a sec-” 

Daniel grabbed you by the waist, not giving you a second to even protest as he lifted you with ease into his lap. He wrapped his arms around you, holding you to him tightly. You knew that you shouldn’t, but you couldn’t help it. You melted into him, laying your head on his chest, the smell of him soothing you instantly. 

You simply breathed there for a few moments and then decided that you were ready to continue. It suddenly seemed easier with his arms so firmly encasing you. 

“After my mom died, my dad wasn’t the same.” You spoke softer now, he was so close you didn’t need to speak much louder than a whisper. “I mean, no one is the same after something like that but he…he gave up. He hated racing or anything even remotely related to it, like it was to blame for what happened. He stopped being a dad, an employee, a brother. Everything, he just….quit. He sent me to live with my uncle, who raised me.” 

You felt Daniel press his lips to your temple softly. “Have you seen him again?” He asked so gently that you almost didn’t believe it was Daniel you were sitting here talking to. 

“Once. He came by to ask my uncle for money. I didn’t talk to him, but I overheard. My uncle told him what I wanted to do with my life, I think he was trying to get him to take an interest in me, but it had the opposite effect. My dad said I wouldn’t make it in an industry like ‘that’, that it was a man’s world. He actually said I wasn’t tough enough.” You huffed, leaning further into Daniel. “Fuck him, because I did, right?” You tried to laugh, but it didn’t really work, the attempt just came out sad. 

Daniel leaned back, pulling you slightly away from his chest and grabbed your face in his hands, gently turning your head so you were looking directly at him. He then leaned in, his nose nearly touching yours. 

“You did.” He smirked, but this time it felt like one you were in on. “I always knew you were tough but Jesus Christ. Listen, I’m fucking proud of you.” 

Your heart caught in your throat. You couldn’t do anything but blink at him, your chest tightening. 

“You had every reason to not go near another race car, or track, or driver for that matter. And you had every reason to step away because there are…a lot of crashes sometimes.”

A tear escaped and slid down your cheek. Daniel wiped it away with his thumb gently. 

“But you fucking didn’t. You fought for what you love and for your dream.” He grinned at you, one of those grins that was so big it looked like it had to hurt his face. “You’re a badass. I know you don’t need my approval or need me to be proud of you, but I really am.”

You closed your eyes and silently hoped he was done because his words were completely destroying you. It felt like a wrecking ball to your very last line of defense, the last stronghold. 

“And.” He added and you internally swore. “I need you to understand that I am really, really fucking sorry.” 

You broke, burying your face in his chest, a sob wracking your shoulders. Daniel’s arms were around you in an instant. 

“Fuck, I’m sorry, now I made you cry, please don’t cry.” He sighed and you couldn’t help but laugh into his chest, the sound that came out of you a mix between a laugh and a sob. 

“Did you just…laugh at my concern over your crying?” Daniel gasped in offense and you laughed again, shaking your head, your face still buried in his chest. 

“You did it again!” 

“I’m not laughing at your concern, I’m laughing at you!” You clarified, lifting your head to look up at him.

“How is that better?” One side of his mouth pulled up into a playful smile. 

“I dunno, it just is.” 

“After all the nice things I said to you, wow…” 

You turned in his lap so you were facing him, one knee on either side of his hips. 

“I’m laughing because you apologized for making me cry…with your apology for making me cry.” 

“Shit, I don’t have the best track record, do I?” He feigned disappointment in himself, however he didn’t do a great job, the smile still played on his lips. 

You wrapped your arms around his neck and pressed your forehead to his. 

“Alright, now that I told you my sob story;it’s time to make good on our deal.” 

“You’re ready for a tattoo?” 

“Shut up, no. You’re supposed to tell me something, remember?” 

“Ahhh. Does everything I just told you not count?” Daniel asked. 

“Nope.”

His eyes flickered about as he thought for a moment. They lit up a moment later, like it came to him. “I didn’t plan on punching that guy at the concert. I don’t consider myself a hotheaded person and the dude was much bigger than me, but something about the way he was holding on to you, the way he was talking to you….” He shook his head, his eyes narrowing like he was feeling the anger all over again. “I can’t describe it but I didn’t think about the fact that I could get myself really messed up or lose my seat, I just…had to get him off of you and make sure you were okay.”

You blinked at him in awe and then swallowed thickly. Seeing Daniel knock the dude out had been hot enough in the moment, but now the way he was talking about it? Jesus Christ. 

“What?” He laughed nervously. 

“Nothing. That’s just really….” You shivered and then felt heat rush to your cheeks. “Nothing.” You got up onto your knees, shifting to move off of him but he wasn’t having it. 

He firmly pulled you back down onto his lap and this time you landed closer to him somehow, the center of your legs pressed firmly against his lap. 

“If I didn’t know better I’d say hearing that turned you on.” He raised an eyebrow, a feline grin on his lips. 

“I guess it’s good you know better then.” 

“So you’re not turned on then?” He asked, his voice clearly mocking you. 

You shook your head, curling your lips into your mouth and pressing them into a thin line. 

“Right. My mistake.” Daniel feigned an apologetic smile. The innocence on his face should have told you right away he was up to something. 

He grabs your hips firmly and adjusts you on his lap so your center is now resting on his thigh. Your eyes widen for just a millisecond as the pressure sends a wave of pleasure through you. You squirmed slightly, trying to recreate the action.

And, of course, he fucking notices. His smile turns into a villainous grin. 

You thread your fingers into his hair and then close them tightly around the strands before closing the small distance between your lips and his. You kiss him hungrily, your need for him suddenly seeming all too urgent. 

Daniel’s hands squeeze once on your hips and then he moves you slightly, guiding you away from him and then towards him again, creating exactly the friction you were looking for between your legs. 

You gasp and he swallows the sound, nipping your bottom lip in response. When his hands don’t continue to guide you like you expected, you assume he was showing you what he wanted you to do so you take it upon yourself. 

You try to ride along his thigh again but this time his grip stops you from doing so. You pause a beat and then try again, only to be held firmly, frustratingly still by Daniel’s firm grasp. You’re reminded how fucking strong he is. You break the kiss and lean back slightly so you can look Daniel in the eyes and shoot a glare at him.

He simply smirks and raises an eyebrow, his eyes speaking for him. 

“You’re really going to make me say it?” 

“I dunno what you’re talking about.” Daniel bats his eyes innocently and you whine in response. 

“Fine.” You grumble. “Yeah, turned me on…” you say through grit teeth, your voice barely audible.

“Sorry, what was that?” Daniel asked, his voice much louder than yours. He held challenge in his eyes, like he didn’t think you’d actually give in.

In any other situation, you would never submit to him. You would never back down, you’d fight him tooth and nail even if you realized you were wrong.  He knew it just as well as you did. But somehow, those rules or lines were erased when you were in the bedroom with him. You knew that giving into him now, wouldn’t change the way he thought of you. It wouldn’t change the way you challenged him outside of these walls. And maybe that’s why it worked.

“Your protectiveness is sexy as fuck.” You spoke loudly now, firmly looking him in the eyes. You saw surprise and amusement flicker in his eyes and you couldn’t help the swell of pride you felt in your ability to catch him off guard. 

Daniel leans in and captures your mouth with his again, this time the kiss is much rougher. He rewards you by grinding you against him, pressing his thigh upwards against you harder. You let out a barely audible moan in response, your fingers tightening in his hair again. 

 “Never know what you’re going to do next….” He chuckles softly against your lips, a short and quick shake of his head. 

“Same could be said for you.” You take your time getting your words out as he helps you set a rhythm on his thigh, slow, but firm and deliberate. He gives you a questioning look. 

“Who knew Daniel Ricciardo could apologize so much.” You taunt. 

Daniel pulls you down by your hips, causing your now soaked pussy to receive even more pressure and friction. You let out a loud cry and shudder as it sends a fresh wave of pleasure through you like liquid heat. 

“Hmm maybe if you took the time to get to know the man behind the legend.” He teases back. 

“That’s quite the statement coming from the same man who has been fucking me without knowing a single thing about me.” Your statement is honest but you mean it in a teasing way and for a brief second you wonder if he gets that.

Daniel uses his grip on your hips to toss you onto your bed on your back and before you can react, he’s tearing your sweatpants and underwear off. He replaces one hand on your hip and slides his other arm under you, wrapping around you just below your breasts and pulls you back up and onto his thigh. 

You shudder when your now bare skin comes in contact with the fabric of his pants. He guides you to move again. 

“Atta girl.” He praises as you eagerly follow his lead. His words cause your entire body to react, your thighs clenching around his tightly. 

“See, now that’s simply just not true.” He whispers in your ear, his lips brushing against it affectionately. “I know quite a bit about you.” He releases his arm around your ribcage and slides his hand up under your shirt. You instinctively arch towards his touch and he responds by nipping at your earlobe. 

“I know how you take your coffee.” Daniel continues, speaking like you’re having a normal conversation and not fucking yourself on his thigh, coming undone at his touch. “I know your go-to drink. That you’re allergic to cherries, that you hate flying, that when you’re upset music helps more than anything else.” He palms your breast firmly and then teasingly traces his fingertips over your nipple.

The combination of the friction of his thigh, his hands on you, his voice, and the things he’s saying, the way he’s revealing that all this time, he’s been paying attention to you, that he’s noticed you for much longer than just these past few months, longer than just this season, all of it is just too much. 

“Danny…” It’s all you can manage to get out.

“I know you have an impressive vinyl collection.” He continues. “And that you pretend like you hate it when someone acknowledges your birthday, but in reality, you love it.” 

You drop your forehead to his shoulder, your breathing erratic and your legs trembling. You aren’t sure if you want him to stop talking or keep going. 

“I know you don’t even realize how incredibly sexy you are, that you’re somehow fucking oblivious to the fact that everyone thinks it, even your fake boyfriend.” His words are a little harsher now and it should deter you, but it only pours gasoline on the flames. 

“Daniel” Your voice is a rough whisper. 

“I know…” He pauses for a moment and takes a breath. “You’ve got me right in the palm of your hand and you don’t even know it…” 

A nearly pornographic moan falls from your lips as you interally curse him and the way that he can always, without fail, push you over that edge with his words. 

“There’s my girl…” He praises and squeezes your hip in encouragement. His praise feels like sunlight on your face, only you’d greedily choose to bask in it instead. 

Then his hand under your shirt moves to the back of your head, gripping your hair to pull your head up off of his shoulder so he can kiss you sloppily, his tongue messily pushing past your lips his mouth moves in a way that’s claiming. You let go. 

Your entire body shudders violently as your orgasm tears through you, your whimpers and cries swallowed by Daniel’s mouth against yours. When the rhythm of your hips falter, he takes over, using a combination of his hand on your hip and movements of his thigh to coax you through each wave of blinding pleasure. It spirals out to the very farthest corners of your body and you’re briefly filled with disbelief that you just came like that from his thigh, his fingers never even touched you between your legs. 

Daniel breaks the kiss and releases his grip on your hair, letting you drop your head again, this time your face buried in his neck, the scent of him overwhelming as you try to catch your breath.

As the fog of lust clears slightly, you become aware of the wetness between your legs. Your face heats as it sinks in that you’ve effectively ruined his pants, they’re completely soaked. 

He doesn’t seem to notice or mind however, he leans back on one arm, his hand on your hip sliding down to rub soothing circles on your thigh. 

After a few moments you shivered, your lower half still bare. Instead of releasing you so you could redress, Daniel grabbed your blanket, tossing it over you and then pulling you to him closer. It was clear he wasn’t letting you move anytime soon. 

“Are we back to friends now?” Daniel asked, breaking the silence

“Ew, don’t be gross.” You teased, your voice soft against his neck. “I don’t like you, remember?” 

“I have a pair of pants that will never be the same that would beg to differ.” He quips back, like he didn’t believe your comment for a second.

“Danny!” You scold, giving him a gentle smack on his chest with the back of your hand and he cackles in laughter in response. “You’re the worst.”

“I’ve learned that your insults mean the exact opposite. You basically just told me you love me.” 

Maybe it was because he made a statement involving love and him or maybe it was just simply the word ‘love’ itself, but either way, it was like a light was switched on and memories of the previous night flooded in. 

I told Max I��m falling in love with him. 

You waited for the horror, the panic of the possibility that Max knew to seep in, the desperation to find out just how much he knew; but it didn’t. 

“Max knows I called you instead of Charles.” You stated, the panic still completely absent in your voice. 

Daniel leaned back more so he could look down at you and you lifted your head from his chest in response to return his gaze. 

“Yeah, he does.” He affirmed, his eyes scanning your face rapidly like he was watching for the first signs of your inevitable freakout. 

“Did I say why?” You couldn’t remember. 

“I don’t know. You didn’t while I was there, I’m not sure what was said before I showed up.” He spoke carefully, still looking at you like you were about to implode. 

You only nodded, trying to remember what else was said last night. 

“You don’t remember much?” he asked, his tone more curious than judgemental. 

“Bits and pieces.” 

“He didn’t seem thrilled that I showed up. Neither he nor Charles did for that matter…” He huffed out a laugh. “Do you remember what you needed to ask me?” 

Yes. 

“Um…” You avoided his eyes. 

“You do.” He read you easily. “Ask me.” 

You shook your head. 

“C’mon, you called me all the way there to ask me something and Charles didn’t let you. No one is stopping you now, let’s have it.” He squeezed you firmly in reassurance.

“Why?” You looked back at him, eyes locking onto his again, this time firmly without backing down.

“Because I wanna know what it was?” He laughed like it was a silly question.

“No. Why.” You repeated. He looked confused. “I wanted to ask you why.” 

“Why what?” 

“Why did you do what you did in 2016? Why did you have to do it?” Your voice didn’t so much waver or falter and you were genuinely surprised at yourself. “You didn’t even know me yet, what did I do to make you hate me that much, that fast?” 

No, it was time to know. You had to know. 

Understanding flickered in Daniel’s eyes when it clicked what you were referring to, he opened his mouth, but you weren’t finished. 

“And how was it so insignificant to you that you forgot about it?” 

Pain flashed in Daniel’s warm brown eyes. 

They are always so expressive.  

“This feels like a conversation that you should be wearing pants for.” He commented. 

Deflecting. 

“I don’t care.” You dismissed his concern and looked at him expectantly. 

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his curls and looking away from your piercing stare. 

“I know this isn’t what you want to hear…” He started and your stomach dropped. You didn’t know if you could handle hearing the motives outloud. Actually hearing and confirming why he hated you. 

“But I didn’t have anything to do with that article.” Daniel locked his eyes on yours and you instantly knew….

He’s telling the truth.

“I don’t know who is responsible. I don’t know who his ‘source’ was, but it wasn’t me.” 

The world spun out from underneath you. You suddenly felt like you didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t the past two years. The entire time you’d known Daniel your feelings for him were based off of…a misunderstanding? One that was……

My fault. 

It’s never been his fault. 

Two years of hatred. My fault. 

“I…” You stammered, words failing you yet again. 

“I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear…” Daniel sounded apologetic. 

Why?! Why is he sorry?! 

He had nothing left to be sorry for. He atoned for all of it. He apologized for the one incident you were sure he did, which was being a dick when you met. But that wasn’t the basis, that wasn’t what started the entire….mess. 

“Wait…why wouldn’t I want to hear that?” You breathed. Your chest felt heavy. 

“Because you’ve been hell bent on hating me and convincing everyone else that they should too and when I found out that that article was why…” Daniel shrugged. “I just thought it was easier to move forward from where we were”’

“You weren’t going to tell me it wasn’t you?” Your voice was full of shock and confusion. 

“I dunno.” He shrugged another time. “It didn’t seem…necessary. We were getting better in spite of it.” 

Fuck. I was wrong. I was so wrong. About who he was, about what he thought of me. Wrong, wrong, so fucking wrong.

“Oh my god…” You whispered, still rapidly shaking your head and trying to make this make sense. “It’s all my fucking fault.” 

“What?” Daniel leaned in so he could hear you better. 

“It’s all my fault.” You said louder this time. 

“You didn’t write the article about yourself.” His eyes held concern now. “It’s not your fault.”

“Not the article Daniel.” Your words were short and clipped and Daniel looked surprised by the use of his full name. You looked down, tucking your chin to your chest in defeat.  “Everything.” 

When he didn’t respond, you tilted your chin back up again. 

“All of it” You gestured between your chest and his. “You and I hating each other. It’s my fault.”

Daniel’s eyes softened and the corner of his mouth pulled upwards in a closed lip smile. 

“Takes two to tango, babe.” 

There was no malice in his voice. He wasn’t angry that you’d drug him into a nearly toxic 24 month war. 

“I started it.” 

“I continued it.” 

“Yeah, but only because I drove you to it.” 

Daniel laughed softly and you nearly jumped, the sound catching you so off guard. “You and I have one major thing in common.” 

“We did. Mutual hatred.”

“Nah, that’s not what I’m talking about.” Daniel shook his head. “Neither of us is going to let someone tell us what to do. Not gonna to be stopped from doing something we want to do, not gonna do something we don’t wanna do. You didn’t make me do anything.”

“But I-”

“You may have shot first.” He cut you off. “But I returned fire.” 

You looked at him in pure disbelief. He couldn’t even blame you when you deserved it?!

“Doesn’t matter now anyways.” Daniel continued. “We’re friends now, yeah?” 

You opened your mouth and then closed it, utterly speechless. Your heart felt like it was actually cracking.

“You look like a fish.” He smirked, echoing what you’d said to him. 

“Daniel.” You said seriously and the smile fell from his face.

“Hmm?” 

“Now you should really hate me.” 

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[lunar-writes-things]

3) CHA-CHING!

"And that is it!" Y/n smiled as they finished the makeshift washer and the spider string woven to make a rope to dry clothes "Now to announce my services and prices!" 

<Y/n'sHarmony> Clothes washing services are now open at my hobbit hole! Prices can be discussed at my base! Discounts are possible with any good deals! 

<Tango> ON MY WAY!

<Etho> same 

<Grian> I'm gonna head over 

Y/n smiled at the three who typed in chat before placing down a sign and carving out their prices 

Full set of clothes: 25 diamonds 

Shirts: 15 diamonds

pants: 15 diamonds 

Full set Armor: 50 diamonds

Mending clothes: 10 diamonds per piece

"Those are some pretty good deals," Grian said, spooking Y/n and making them clutch their chest in fright 

"Grian!" Y/n breathed out in relief "Oh you scared the crap outta me!" 

"Sorry!" He laughed "Anyway, I have some mending books and like 4 stacks of quartz ore. I know you need quarts for your megabase and probably some mending for your armor." 

"What do you need to be cleaned?" Y/n asked and stood up only to be reminded that they towered over Grian "For that much, it's like a 15-20 diamond discount!" 

"Two full sets of my regular clothes please and one I need one of my shirts and pants mended. They got ripped during my fight with the dragon." Grian said sheepishly 

"Okay! that will be 50 diamonds! there's a 20-diamond discount." Y/n smiled and took the clothes from Grian who took out the shining blue gems and placed them on top of his clothes

"Those are some good deals indeed!" Tango's voice made them smile and the nether hybrid "And what did you bring for that discount? Huh, Grian?"

"Mending books and Quartz ore!" Grian chirped "Why, what did you bring?" 

"My love!" He announced and gave Y/n a wink 

"Oh My!" Y/n giggled as they put their hands up to hide the bottom half of their face "Tango! So bold!" 

while Y/n laughed along, their eyes closed with joy and laughter Tango watched Grian's expression which turned from shock to confusion to anger, and if looks could kill... Tango would have been dead 100 times over

"Anyways, I'm kidding," Tango said and watched as Grian's face quickly changed from anger to guilt and then back to normal as Y/n opened their eyes with a smile 

"Alright, then what do you have for me Tango?" Y/n asked and set Grian's things down on a table she made outside 

"I have six netherite ingots and a shulker of glass." He said and handed Y/n the shulker box of glass and the six netherite ingots, "I heard you had plans to play around with stained glass so I figured you'd need it." 

"Woah!" Y/n looked up at him with big eyes "I can't take the netherite you worked so hard for!" 

"It's fine, I can always mine some more." Tango shrugged "Anyway, I need 4 sets of clothes washed and then 2 pairs of pants mended." 

"Okay, that's 120 diamonds total but I'll give you half off for the netherite and glass because that is a lot," Y/n said and took the clothes from him "And Etho! What you got for me?" 

Tango and Grian turned around to see Etho arrive with a bundle of clothes in his arms and looking extremely happy with himself. 

"Three full sets plus 4 masks that need mending." He said and dumped his clothes on the table "Two of the sets of clothes are Iskall's though, but I figured he wouldn't mind if I used some of his money to clean our clothes!" 

"All right! What's 75+40 again?" Y/n asked out loud and started trying to do the math in their head 

"115 diamonds," Grian said 

"115 diamonds unless you have something to offer me," Y/n gave a sly smile at the masked ninja 

"One IOU for whatever you need?" Etho asked nervously before he went to look in his inventory 

"Make it four IOU's and I'll let you pay 15 diamonds for this," Y/n said 

"Five and it's free?" Etho tried 

"Four, Take it or leave it Etho," Y/n smirked 

"Deal," Etho sighed and his shoulders slumped 

"Perfect!" Y/n smiled and started folding Etho's and Iskall's clothes "I'll get back to you in the order in which you came! At most, it should take a week! Thank you for paying, goodbye!" 

As the three males left, Bdubs came crashing in with his new moss jacket off his shoulders and a sad look on his face. 

"Bdubs!" Y/n exclaimed and helped him up "What happened are you okay?" 

"My jacket is ripped!" He whined and stomped his foot before Showing Y/n where the rip was "Can you fix it?" 

Bdubs looked genuinely distressed and with his big pleading eyes, Y/n couldn't say no. 

"Would you like me to mend it up?" Y/n asked, "I'll do it for free for my favorite person." 

"Wouldn't you be missing out on diamonds?" Bdubs asked, "I can't pay right now but I will be able to eventually!" 

"Nah, No need. So long as you don't tell the others. Think of it as me returning the favor from last season." Y/n smiled "Remember when you gave me all that diorite to piss off Iskall?" 

"Watch your mouth!" Bdubs said before he smiled and laughed at the memory "And yeah! Ohh! He was so mad!"

"And it also took a bunch of your hard-earned diorite." Y/n said, "And if you really wanna pay me you can help me fashion diorite in my megabase when I get to texturing."

"that works!" the man holding the moss jacket smiled "When's the fastest you can get it done?" 

"While I put Grian's clothes in the wash?" Y/n smiled "I have some moss that I can braid into a thread to sew your jacket with." 

Bdubs smiled before it dropped and his face scrunched up. It was silent for a moment until he looked up and asked "Can I watch while you work? Keep you company?" 

"If you can sing for me?" Y/n offered back to which he nodded and headed inside to make himself comfortable while Y/n picked up the clothes and separated everything from what needed to be washed or mended and then washed. 

Y/n headed inside after grabbing all the clothes that need to be mended and placed the rest of the clothes in a shulker box that they would need to wash out afterward to get rid of the smell that may overtake it. Y/n sat down on a pile of moss that was encased with some fabric they found, making a bean bag chair while Bdubs sat on their bed. 

Besides them were their sewing tools (Thankfully Y/n packed them from last season) and started braiding a thin but strong chunk of moss to sew into Bdubs' moss jacket. As they sewed, Y/n could see why Bdubs owned the beautiful coat. It was super warm and even as it lay in Y/n's lap Y/n could feel the warmth emanating from it. Now Bdubs was a cold person, not in the sense of his personality but in actual temperature. 

Maybe it was the sudden warmth or the gentle singing of Bdubs in the background but Y/n was suddenly very reminded of when they used to spend their days off chilling with Grian in season 7 when no one else was online. The way he would let Y/n sit between his legs and wrap his wings around them as he hummed songs in his hobbit hole and castle when the interior was done. A wave of nostalgia and domesticity washed over them as they finished sewing Bdubs jacket. 

"All done," Their voice was soft and sleepy and if they didn't have work to do Y/n would probably sleep the day away "it should hold for the rest of the season. Enjoy Bdubs." 

"Thanks, Y/n," He smiled and got up to put on his moss coat and melted in the warmth it gave "I can still stay with you and sing if you want me to." 

Unfortunately for Y/n, their communicators beeped and it was Keralis asking where Bdubs was and that he needed him for something. 

"Nah, go see what Keralis wants. If anything I can get..." Y/n drawed out the letter 'e' as she looked who was online "Grian or Pearl to join me." 

"Are you sure?" He asked but stood up anyway 

"Absolutely!" Y/n smiled "Go see what Keralis needs and tell him I said hi!" 

"Alright, Bye Y/n! Thanks for fixing up my jacket!" Bdubs left Y/n's house and took off with his elytra 

"No Problem," Y/n smiled and watched as he flew off "Now let's get the paid stuff done!" 

Y/n sat back on their makeshift beanbag and started mending Grian's clothes. They used the same needle, enchanted with mending, unbreaking, and sharpness, that they used on Bdubs' clothes to sew and used red thread they made to sew up and match the pattern on his sweater and did the same with his grey pants. After Y/n sewed up the clothes, they threw them in the washer with some soap she made last season and watched as it worked carefully cheering when it didn't break down the second the water started draining. As Grian's clothes washed, she focused on sewing up the other clothes of Tango and Etho while humming in satisfaction. 

It was just a peaceful day

Masterlist

[hyunsuks-beanie]

Thoughts

Pairing: Perv! Best friend! Hyunjin x afab! reader

Genre: Smut (implied only, not real); mentions of grinding; oral (m. and f. receiving); cockwarming

Word Count: 1.64k words

Mellow speaks: This has been sitting in my inbox since forever and I finally found the time to write it!! Hope the nonnie who had requested this enjoys, bc I definitely did LOVE writing it! Friends to lovers is my absolute favorite trope, so this one was a pleasure to write haha.

Tagging: @freckledwinterfalls

"I told you not to drink that much," Hyunjin grumbles under his breath, huffing just a little as he helps you, flushed and giggling, climb into the cab. It's hard, given the way you don't seem keen to help him in the slightest, but eventually, he succeeds in getting you seated the right way.

Shutting the door close, he jogs on his way over to the other side of the car, nodding his head sheepishly to the cabbie who is peering out from the driver seat window. The second he opens the door though, he knows he's in for another battle, because he finds you lying down, your head very conveniently resting on his side of the seat, and your already short dress having had climbed even higher, your smooth legs on full display.

Hyunjin can only groan at the sight, willing himself to push the thoughts that are threatening to overcome him, away. "Y/N....," he drawls, his hands getting wrapped around your shoulders as he tries to lift you up. "Mmmm, Jinnie," you whine, resisting his attempts to get you into a decent position with all your might.

"Don't be a brat," is all he says, feeling a spark course through his veins as finger brushes against the skin of your thigh. You can't help but giggle at his scolding, too wasted to even notice the way the cabbie's eyes look at you through the rearview mirror, lingering on your form just a second too long as a "Party pooper" slips past your lips. But your best friend isn't that oblivious, not wasting a single second in taking his shirt off.

Narrowing his eyes, he's quick to drape the fabric over your exposed legs, causing you to let out a gasp. "You'll thank me later," he whispers, only to realize that the action was not what surprised you. Running your fingers up his bicep, you find yourself unable to suppress the whine that escapes you, one that has Hyunjin freezing.

"Your arms....s-so......pretty," you mumble, slurring over your own words as you feel your mouth water. "W-what?," the man sitting next to you all but chokes out, his eyes going wide upon hearing what he just heard. But all he gets in response is a hum, your mind too preoccupied with tracing his veins to comprehend what you let slip barely a minute ago.

It's no lie that you have a crush on your best friend. In fact, you're so obvious that even your best friend himself has a hint. But in your defense, how could you not, when he's got everything you need in a guy? His looks and sheer Hotness aside, he's the only person to match your vibe as well as he does. He's perfect for you, and the both of you know it.

So of course, even his bare arms are enough to make you go crazy, and your currently intoxicated state isn't really doing much to help you keep your thoughts to yourself. Had you been in your senses, you wouldn't have dreamed about ever uttering those words out loud, but believe me when I say that in the morning, you'll be thanking those very words.

Of course, it takes two to tango. And right in this moment, Hyunjin is aboard the same boat as you, his mind playing tricks on him as his eyes scan over your body, taking in just how pretty you look, with your eyes wide and a lazy smile stretching across your face. If what you feel for him is only a crush, then he's pretty sure what he feels for you is love.

Yeah, he knows. He knows the two of you have something going. Something that you just can't seem to give a name to. He sees the way your eyes darken ever so slightly whenever the hem of his T-shirt rides up as he stretches in front of you, and he's convinced that whenever you touch yourself, you're moaning his name in secret.

He tries to be decent, tries to stop his mind from imagining what it would feel like to let his hands run up your thighs and bask in your heat. But it's hard. It's hard when you're adamant on making his knees go weak, your head resting against on his shoulder as your fingers refuse to let go of his skin. Not that he wants them to anyway.

His attempts at small talk to keep you awake go in vain as all your replies end in a fit of giggles as you slip a little deeper into your slumber. And he knows it's only a matter of time before you pass out, leaving him alone with his thoughts. "Maybe that's better," he thinks to himself, eyeing the way your free hand moves in the air as you tell him about the game of beer pong that took a turn towards you being drunk.

"And t-then I had to drink anotherrrr-," you slur, humming softly as you nuzzle just a little closer to him. He can't help but smile at your action, taking a second to respond as he lets his arm get wrapped around you. But when he opens his mouth to speak, all that escapes him is a short gasp when he realizes you've already fallen asleep, your figure slouching gently as your head falls on top of his lap.

It gets a little easier after that, the silence eventually calming him down as he looks out the window, sneaking a glance at you every now and then with a soft smile playing at his lips. His eyelids start to get heavy, dreamland inviting him with outstretched arms. And it's then that he feels it, you turning your head so that your face is towards his abdomen.

But that's not what makes him take in a breath, his eyes going wide. What makes him do that is the feeling of your hand, resting flat against the tent of his boxers. You simply lie there, peaceful as ever with your eyes closed. "It's okay," he mutters to himself, looking down at you as he tries to calm himself down.

You, though, seem to have different plans. Because just when he thinks he's safe, you let out a soft whine, your eyebrows creasing while you dream as your hand begins to move once more. And then you're rubbing him. Full-on rubbing him, your palm pressed against his clothed member as you provide friction.

It takes everything in him to suppress the moan that's threatening to spill past his lips, his eyes going bleary as you grip tightens. And your moans? They're driving him insane to say the least, his hold on his thoughts going lax by the minute. He thanks the heavens for the fact that you're not being too loud, because he doesn't think he'll be able to handle it if you were to make things more obvious than they already are.

He can no longer stop himself from daydreaming, his eyes stretched wide and hooded at the same time as he thinks about all that he wants to do to you. He's going to have to lay everything out on the table one of these days, because now, he doesn't think he can live without getting his hands on you. It might be pervy, but he wants, no. Needs it.

He needs to kiss those pretty lips of yours, needs to feel them slotting against his own as your tongues dance to their own rhythm. He needs to feel your soft skin pressed against his mouth as he nips into it, leaving his mark all over your body. All he can think about is how your fingers would feel as you trace his ab lines, how your tongue would feel as you lick his rock-hard chest.

He wants to feel your hands on the waistband of his jeans, wants his own to rest on your hips as you grind your clothed-core against him. He wants you to pull his boxers down and take him in, wants to feel your lips take him in as your saliva gets mixed with his load. He wants to cum all over your face, wants to hear you moan as he thrusts his tip all the way to the back of your throat.

It doesn't take him long to grow all hot and bothered, his desire for you making him harden even more at your touch. He tries to push the thoughts away, but not really, because they're beautiful. You look so innocent right now, and all he wants to do is absolutely wreck you while you sleep.

But he's not that far gone to not realize that that's not right, and so for now, his filthy thoughts will have to do. They will have to help him imagine what it would feel like to have his tongue inside your hole, licking up and down your folds as his fingers play with your clit. What it would feel like to have you cry out his name when you go down on all fours, his nails digging into the flesh of your butt as he pounds into you.

He rests his hand on your thigh. Not moving, and barely even touching you. His thoughts might be absolute filth at the moment, but every time he glances down at you, there shines through one thought. What it would feel like to wake up with his dick still buried inside of you the next morning, your lips curving up into a sleepy smile as he begins to move once more, gentle this time.

Yes he's hard right now. Yes he needs help, your help. Yes he wants to rip you apart for teasing him this much. But that doesn't mean he doesn't still have feelings for you, his best friend.

[papergirllife]

Lee Haechan / Donghyuck

'Lazy morning sex with Hyuck'

Warnings : unprotected sex, cock warming.

Word count : 0.8k

Sleep was slowly seeping away from you as your senses start to awaken, the first thing you felt in your half awaken self was breathes of hot air behind your neck, high pitched moans and breathless callings of your name in an all too familiar voice.

Next thing you know, you felt something poking at your ass, a rhythmic hump against your body, arms draped over your, trailing mindlessly as if they're trying to find a particular part to hold onto.

You didn't know what to do, you've never been in this situation, Hyuck never had a wet dream before, it was just last night when the two of you did the devil’s tango at an ungodly hour, a short round compared to what the two of you usually get up to, Hyuck has been practicing late every night and was thoroughly frustrated after last night’s practice, so you gave in to his whining, but fell asleep right after you came, which might explain why he was having a wet dream.

Just when you were contemplating what to do, Hyuck’s alarm rang, he must’ve forgotten to turn it off last night, so you decided to act like nothing happened, reaching to his side of the bed to turn it off, but just as you were about to get off of bed, Hyuck locked you in his embrace.

“Don't go,” he whined, before nuzzling his face onto your shoulder, his legs draped over yours, the blanket had slid down from his upper half, revealing the marks that you had left from the night before, if you were flustered before, you are definitely turned on now.

“Hyuck we should be waking up to get breakfast, it’s ten in the morning,” you said as you tried to get out of bed.

“Why should I get breakfast when I have a full course meal right here? Don't act like you can't feel me,” Hyuck said in a teasing tone before playfully thrusting in between your thighs, painfully hard and definitely spreading his arousal between your thighs.

“Hyuck...” you said breathlessly as you felt him suck onto that certain spot on your neck that has you soaking wet, not helping the fact that you were already dripping from when he was asleep.

Hyuck pushed up his shirt that was on you, fingers immediately locating your core, coating your wetness all over your slit before spreading you open with his two lithe fingers.

“Tell me you want me, baby,” Hyuck demanded before he nibbled onto your earlobe.

“Please, Hyuck...” you begged, desperate for the feeling of Hyuck’s length inside you, craving to be filled.

Once Hyuck had your confirmation, he slid himself inside of you, setting a slow pace, letting you feel every vein and ridge of his thick cock inside of you, a stark contrast from the usual impatient thrusts you were often given, not that you were complaining.

Hyuck took his time with you, choosing to penetrate you with deeper and harder thrusts as he slides a hand higher, twisting your nipple in between the pads of his fingers with just the right amount of pain that makes you lose your mind.

Whimpers of his name tumble from your lips as you felt Hyuck confidently fucks your sweet spot over and over again when he found it and with the combination of the stimulation on your nipple as well as the newly added sensation of rough circles on your clit, you could feel your edge nearing.

“Fuck, I’m close,” you told him in advance.

“Good, I was so fucking hard, you looked so hot in my dream, can't believe you still wanted to get out of bed, leaving me hanging, maybe I should leave you hanging too, baby? How does that sound?” Hyuck said, before pinching onto your clit, making your thighs shake from the stimulation.

“No, please, don’t, please Hyuck, I’m begging for you,” you spitted out in your frizzled state, mind fucked dumb by your usually soft looking boyfriend.

“No more next time, or else I won't give you permission to cum. Now cum, don't make me repeat myself,” Hyuck ordered in a tone one or two octaves lower, husky and deep in the morning.

Once you got the green light, you let yourself go, falling apart from the overwhelming pleasure, your walls clenching onto Hyuck which induced his own orgasm, warm spurts of Hyuck’s cum painting your walls, and his teeth biting onto your shoulder to muffle his high pitched whimpers.

Hyuck sloppily thrusts a few more times, milking both your highs, detaching his mouth from your shoulder when he was done, the feeling of his saliva on you, but you couldn't care less, even clinging onto Hyuck when he wanted to pull out, keeping him inside of you as you drifted off to sleep once more, satisfied with what happened.

Hyuck smiles endearingly at the sight of your blissed expression before pulling you even closer to him, joining you in slumber land.

[haveyouseenthisskeleton]

Outertale, Dancetale/fell, Farmtale, Mafiatale/fell. Reacting to S/O saying "Hmph! I have a new husband now!" and holds a body pillow that looks exactly like the skellies (S/O made it).

Outertale Sans - Oh no. This is a nightmare. Moon is cringing so hard looking at himself. The picture you chose were a prank he send you and now he is regretting so much. Please burn this down. He's begging you.

Outertale Papyrus - He blushes like hell, but he doesn't know if he should be creeped out by this this or if he genuinely likes it. It's weird, it's surprisingly as big as him, but it's so distirbing at the same time? Sun smiles awkwardly at your joke, cause it's a joke, right? You won't keep that... right?

Dancetale Sans - I mean, he has cardboards of himself in the house. He's saving them after his shows. So maybe that's just another goodie his manager made? He's a bit embarrassed, but not so surprised.

Dancetale Papyrus - "If you put this in our bed, I'm sleeping on the couch." He's serious about this. Salsa will not share his comfy bed with himself.

Dancefell Sans - Oh no, is this Tango's idea? Rumba is looking at the pillow with nothing but disbelief. Are you planning on torture him again on his brother's Instagram account? Because he doesn't want it. He hates this so much. Is it weird to be jealous of a pillow? He's not sure.

Dancefell Papyrus - He loves it and will put the pillow in your bed and makes it famous on his Instagram account. Now everyone wants a pillow with Tango's head on it. Tango is encouraging you to start a business. You didn't plan this far when you decided to prank your boyfriend.

Farmtale Sans - "... did ya' just make this for this prank??? how bored are you right now?" If you're bored, he can give you things to do, you know. You don't need to waste your knitting talent of his face. He's nothing special.

Farmtale Papyrus - His face lights bright orange and he can't look you in the eyes anymore. He's fine with you drawing him, but naked??? That's way too much for him. He feels like he's about to pass out. Can you get rid of this already?

Mafiatale Sans - He whines and tries to get rid of your pillow to cuddle with you. He doesn't care what the pillow looks like, he wants attention already, why are you so mean to him you monster.

Mafiatale Papyrus - ... He's asking for divorce, that's it, you win. He gets up and leaves the room. You're laughing at him, thinking he's playing along... But then he doesn't come back. ... He understood it's a joke... right?

Mafiafell Sans - Fang's dog is confused. She's sitting in front of the pillow, asking for food, and doesn't understand why her best friend is suddenly ignoring her and now she is sad. So sad she suddenly grabs the pillows and destroys it like it's nothing. Both Fang and you are looking in shock. You silently comes back to snuggle against him, a bit worry.

Mafiafell Papyrus - "THIS IS DISGUSTING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE? WHO IS THAT STUPID LOOKING UGLY SKELETON?" "... It's you." "...." "...." "it'snicethanks". Then Torpedo runs out of the room like a coward, the face so red you're worrying for one second if he's going to explode.

[redorich]

(Hermit Canyon AU)

Eventually, the Hermit seems to get attached to Puffy. It makes sense- it's been trading gifts with her for months now, and has even shown itself to her a few times, albeit while invisible.

The other SMPers don't think much of it at first. The more curious members ask Puffy questions about The Hermit sometimes, but she knows little, so they quickly give up. Occasionally someone will try to explore the ridiculously trapped town, but they give up once it's obvious they're not getting in.

The trades grow more and more valuable, and one day Puffy opens her barrel to find a beacon, and enough iron to fully power it. She's stunned, naturally. To think the Hermit is so capable it can kill a Wither just to give a beacon away- she can barely believe it.

(In actuality, they cheesed it on the Nether roof, but she doesn't know that)

She does try to hide it, but word gets around, and after another few failed raids on the town (and some rumours that the Hermit can teleport), things settle down again, as much as they can on the SMP.

Then someone steals Puffy's beacon. {You decide who, because I. don't actually watch DSMP, admittedly.}

Puffy, naturally, is devestated- she can't imagine the work the Hermit put into getting it for her in the first place (the most time-consuming thing was getting the Wither skulls, and it wasn't even that bad). But there's not really much she can do, so she carries on.

Except, the next day, the thief wakes up to find their house full of chickens, Puffy's beacon missing, and every single empty space in their chests filled with strategically renamed light grey stained glass panes.

They go outside to find the entire contents of a cave spider spawner on their front lawn. Alongside a ravager. With speed potions. Renamed Pamela's Revenge.

(Cue half the SMP trying to find out who Pamela is)

Puffy, meanwhile, wakes to find her beacon back in its rightful place, and a beautifully terraformed garden outside her house (Scar accidentally detonated a creeper and naturally had to fix the hole...and then went a little overboard. But it's fine.)

op i want you to know that i considered just posting your ask, because it’s already So Good and practically a fic on its own, but i really wanted even more content so i wrote it myself. ANYWAY here’s sapnap’s terrible horrible no good very bad day xD

It’s risky, doing anything on the wide open Nether roof where anyone can see. Hell, using a beacon at all is risky for the Hermits. Still, they’ve got all sorts of farms and copious amounts of materials at their fingertips. They’re past early game, stuck in mid-game while they wait for Etho to scope out more locations, while they build the second Upside Down (which Grian has named the Upside-ier Down), while they build their joint bases miles out from civilization. 

Having a beacon would make the process faster, they reason to themselves. They certainly aren’t risking being discovered just because they’re bored and getting a beacon is an excuse to do something. And hell, Tango made that giant, super-efficient wither skeleton skull farm right next to his double blaze spawner farm, so they might as well mass-produce Nether stars by killing multiple Withers. It’s not that difficult.

On another note, it’s after they gift Puffy one of their many beacons, in addition to a kit of iron blocks for powering the beacon that the Hermits realize that while their gifts are increasing in expense, Puffy’s are... not. So, if Puffy’s around average in the Dream SMP economy, they’ve figured out where most players meet their limit. She hasn’t stopped dropping by, though, which is nice. Her gifts become increasingly handmade, in lieu of upping the ante on material wealth. The Hermits suppose that hand-crafted items have a value that extends past money. Each and every one of them has something that she’s made for them, whether it be a shawl, a blanket, a set of earrings, a bracelet, or a pair of socks.

Apparently the beacon is more of a Big Deal than the Hermits thought. After all, the rainbow castle has several. However, the Hermits realize that they’ve been shortsighted. While it is true that the rainbow castle has several beacons, the castle is the only place that they’ve seen any beacons.

Sapnap steals the beacon. He doesn’t particularly need it, but he wants it, and stealing is fun. Maybe if he’s lucky, he’ll even start another minor war over it. He hasn’t fought Puffy very much. He wonders if she can put up a good fight.

Puffy’s-- not distraught, but she’s upset. That was a gift from the Hermit, a friend who she’s been pulling out of its shell. She doesn’t have much use for a beacon, but then again, neither does Sapnap; he’s just a dick. Just in case, Puffy leaves a note with the rest of the items she leaves in her barrel:

Dear Hermit,

I’m very sorry for losing the beacon you gave me. I made the mistake of keeping it in a normal chest instead of an Ender chest, so Sapnap stole it. I should have seen that coming. I’ll try to get it back, but if I don’t, please know that I didn’t throw it away.

Thank you,

Puffy.

Sapnap wakes up in the middle of a lake. His mattress is floating, and when he tries to paddle back to shore (once he’s done screaming), the mattress tips over and he receives an unpleasant fishy wakeup call. He trudges into his house for a shower, and finds that the showerhead, as well as all his faucets, have been stuffed with ramen noodle seasoning. 

He looks in his chests for a bucket of water. The first chest he checks is not only full of light gray glass, but also trapped. When he opens it, pufferfish fall out of the ceiling and bounce around. He dies to their poison twice before they finally die. The next chest he opens also has light gray glass, no water buckets, and a trap. This one, though, only releases a metric fuckton of chickens into his house. It’s fine. This is fine.

As he looks through his chests, he realizes something. They’ve got glass in them, sure, and they’ve been raided of water buckets, but... the beacon is gone. None of his other items, like enchanted netherite tools or literal diamond blocks, have been stolen. Just Puffy’s beacon.

Whoever pranked him missed a bucket, so he promptly dumps it over his head in an effort to smell less like pond scum and spicy chicken noodles. It takes the whole day to get his base back in order: he’s got to clean out all the faucets, empty all the glass from his chests, throw out all the dead pufferfish, and slaughter chickens by the dozens.

He can’t sleep. Are you fucking kidding. He can’t sleep. A soft hiss catches his attention, only audible now that the quiet of night has fallen. Is there somehow an unlit cave under his base?

Nope. As he steps outside onto his front lawn, he sees a daylight detector near the door that he missed when he came inside this morning. The daylight detector seems to have released approximately fifteen bajillion cave spiders onto his lawn, and they’re all angry, so he shuts the front door in their faces and goes back inside. That’s a problem for tomorrow’s him.

Horns spear the wall right next to where Sapnap was standing five seconds ago. He yelps. What the fuck is a ravager doing on his front porch? And why the FUCK does it have speed potion particles?!

<Sapnap was slain by Pamela’s Revenge>

<Sapnap was slain by Pamela’s Revenge>

<Sapnap hit the ground too hard whilst trying to escape Pamela’s Revenge>

<Sapnap was slain by Cave Spider>

<Sapnap was slain by Pamela’s Revenge>

<Georgenotfound> who is pamela’s revenge

<Sapnap> ;RVAER

<Sapnap> HELP

<Sapnap> RAVEAGER

<Sapnap was slain by Pamela’s Revenge>

<Georgenotfound> good night sapnap :)

<Sapnap> GEORGE OYU BITCH HLEP ME

<Sapnap was slain by Pamela’s Revenge>

<Georgenotfound> zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

-------

Puffy sees a whole lot of nonsense in the chat when she wakes up in the morning, and promptly decides to ignore it. She goes about her morning as usual, heading out to her front porch to sip a cup of coffee in peace. 

She... has a garden now. Hm. That wasn’t there before. And come to think of it, neither was the beacon she lost.

“Thanks, Hermit,” she says with a smile.

-------

Stress sips a cup of tea, having breakfast in Grian’s rustic sitting room with a few of her fellow Hermits.

“D’ya think we went overboard?” she says.

“...Nah,” Cub says.