#I’m in awe just thinking about how much work this must’ve taken

[leossmoonn]

hi! can I please request a fluff piece of Mike giving the reader a mixtape of songs he likes and thinks about them as a cute thoughtful gift? established relationship would be great :) thanks for writing, love reading your work!

thank you so much :D i feel like this is short but I hope you enjoy! (ps i curated a playlist for mike that i’ll list at the end of the fic! the songs are from the 70s, 80s and 90s based on his dad’s music taste but also the era he grew up in!!)

includes - switching between between memories and the present, mentions of verbal harassment. lowk kinda angsty but you’ll see why

————

“mike, just give it!” you groan. he sits next to you, fidgeting with the present in his hand. he twists the coils of the ribbon between his fingers.

“what if you don’t like it?” he asks. you give him a look. “i love it when you get me taco bell. of course i’ll love this. now give it to me, otherwise my assumption of you stalling because you forgot our anniversary will be become a fact.”

his eyes widen and he shakes his head furiously. “i would never forget an anniversary.”

you smile and pat his knee. “i know, which is also why i know this gift is going to be awesome!”

he sighs and slowly hands it to you. “happy one year.”

you smile in excitement, tearing the blue wrapping paper off. you gasp as you see a CD with a picture of you as the cover titled ‘how i feel about you.”

“oh, my god. mike.” you turn to him, pouncing on him and giving him a big hug. he wraps his arms around you, pulling you in. you can feel his heartbeat raging against his ribcage. you can feel how warm he is from anxiety.

“do you like it?” mike asks as you pull away. “i love it!” you grin from ear-to-ear. “no guy has ever done this for me. this… this must’ve taken a lot of work.”

he shrugs, “i’ve been thinking of these songs for a while. it was just a matter of burning them onto the CD.”

you sigh dreamily, attaching your lips to his in a slow and sweet kiss. “this is why you’re the guy of my dreams.”

he blushes heavily. “are you gonna see what’s on it? there’s a little list inside.”

you nod and open it, carefully taking the paper out. the first song on the list is “black star” by radiohead.

“that song is the song that was playing when i met you at the bar,” mike says.

you start to remember, your smile getting impossibly wider. you were a bartender around the time you met mike. it was a little bit past dinner time and mike had shown up with a woman, who you now know as vanessa. apparently, she was trying to get mike to flirt — or at least get himself out there. she had pointed out many women in the bar, but you caught his eye.

“can i get you two something to drink?” you asked. “i’ll have a martini,” vanessa said. she glanced at mike, awaiting his answer.

“uh, i’ll just take a beer,” mike said. honestly, you thought he had a staring problem at first. but turns out, he was just falling deeply in love with you.

“i can’t believe you remember that,” you awe. “of course i did. i love radiohead and you. it’s like the perfect combination,” he says.

“i’m not sure i like being associated with radiohead,” you giggle. you take a look at the other songs. one that sticks out to you is “baby can i hold you” by tracy chapman. you remember this song as the song you and mike danced to at your friend’s wedding, the one where he told you he loved you.

“may i have this dance?” mike stood up and held his hand out to you. you were taken aback. this was surely out of mike’s comfort zone. you’d been dating for six months then and you knew mike pretty well. you had just celebrated your six month anniversary where mike took you to this big fancy restaurant. you had insisted you didn’t need go to anyplace, but he also insisted that you deserved something special and he wanted to provide it to you. the whole time at the restaurant you knew he thought he was out of place and not good enough for it. so for him have asked you to dance was a surprise — good one, though.

“yes, you may, kind sir,” you smiled. you slipped your hand into his and he led you to the dance school. he put both hands on your waist while you wrapped your arms around his neck.

“you look beautiful tonight,” he said, gazing into your eyes. you smiled shyly. you were pretty outspoken, witty, charming, but also sometimes crude, person. but mike brought out a side of you that other people, and even you, experienced rarely. he made you feel bashful and special. you honestly loved it.

“you look handsome,” you said. “you make me look good,” he remarked. you rolled your eyes. “oh, whatever. i’ve seen two girls practically drool over you since we got here.”

he shrugged, “and every male here wants to take you home.” “well, i only want one man to take me home,” you smiled coyly.

mike smiled with you. you both swayed to the song as it ended. you were excited when the next song started to play.

“ugh, i love tracy chapman,” you gushed. “i love you,” mike said, not really thinking. you stoped dancing, jaw dropping at his words. it finally registered in his brain.

“i-i’m sorry. i didn’t mean that. well, i did. but, i don’t have to. or, i guess you don’t have to say it back. you definitely don’t,” he rambled.

you stopped him with a kiss, smiling as you pull away. “i love you, too, mike.”

“i am so glad abby was gone that night,” you snicker. mike chuckles, “i’m sure we could’ve asked your friend if we could use her hotel room for a little bit.”

“and get it all messy before they mess it up? that would’ve been a good idea,” you say. you skim the list once more, surprised to see “songbird” by fleetwood mac.

“isn’t this the song we drove home to after we fought?” you ask. “yep,” mike nods.

that night, you and mike had your first bad fight. it wasn’t your very first one, but it was the worst by far.

mike was picking you up from work and when he walked in, he saw a guy harassing you at the bar. you were obviously handling it: ignoring the guy and having your co-workers stand up for you. but something in mike just snapped. you two were a pretty new couple. you’d only been going out for two months at that point. while you had already stayed countless nights at his place, were practically bffs with abby, and shared your deepest darkest secrets, there were other aspects of the relationship that you two were still navigating. so it didn’t help that when mike heard the guy call you a bitch, he punched the guy.

in the moment, you thought it was a justified act. in fact, you still thought so. but you were mad that mike didn’t let you handle it. you were mad that mike seemed to always lose his temper. you were mad that mike didn’t see you as independent.

you both were outside in the parking when the fight started.

“you need to go to an anger management class or something,” you muttered.

“that guy needs to go to how-to-not-be-a-creepy-asshole class,” mike said.

you sighed loudly and crossed your arms. mike scoffed and glanced at you. “do you not agree with me?”

“of course i do, mike! but you can’t just walk into my place of work and assault someone.”

“he was harassing you and probably was going to hurt you!”

“no, he wasn’t.”

“and how do you know that?”

“because niki had just called security and there were other customers in the bar helping me out.”

mike huffed, “i didn’t know she had called security.”

“if you had just minded your own business then you would have.”

mike balled his hands into a fist and then relaxed them. “you don’t need to act so tough, you know?”

you turned your head slowly at him. “excuse me?”

“i know you’re independent and you take care of yourself. i like that about you a lot. it’s one of my favorite qualities about you. but you have to learn how to accept help from other people, especially in situations like that. you have no idea how those situations can just flip within seconds.”

“that’s really rich coming from you.”

“what the hell does that mean?”

“you never accept help.”

“yes, i do.”

“no, no you don’t. you don’t accept help from the baggers at the grocery store. you don’t accept help from abby or me when cleaning or cooking. you didn’t even accept help when my friend’s husband offered to fix your sink, you said no. and he was offering it to you for free, might i add.”

“i can do all those things myself.”

“i know you can, but it’s also okay to have an extra set of hands.”

“if i’m so bad at accepting help, why can’t you accept my help?”

“you think breaking someone’s nose is helping me?” you scoffed. “you are such an idiot mike.” you grabbed the car keys out of his hand, unlocking the car and sliding into the passengers seat. mike groaned and sighed, joining you for what he thought was going to be the worst car ride of his life. the drive was expected to be pretty short, but with just your luck, traffic was terrible. while it was only 9 pm, there was an accident on the highway, making both sitting ducks.

mike sighed and glanced at you. you had a permanent glare on your face it seemed. your arms were still crossed and you looked out the window to avoid any and all eye contact with him.

guilt seeped into him. he knew what he did was wrong. well, he still didn’t think he was wrong, he just knew it wasn’t the right choice. he should have asked the guy to leave and to just take you home. he should have waited for security to grab him, to make sure the guy wouldn’t follow you home. all he wanted it to protect you. he did the same with abby. maybe not in a violent way, but he thought he was his life mission to protect the ones he loved. he wanted to do better than with you two than he did with garrett.

and you knew that. you knew all about garret and freddy’s. the animatronic business seemed crazy to you and you didn’t quite understand that part, but you tried to be as supportive, understanding, and sympathetic as you could as you’ve never experienced what he has. you just wish it didn’t get the best of him sometime.

mike turned on the radio. you scoffed, not believing that he’s turned on music. he turned on a classic hits radio. “keeping on loving you” by reo speedwagon was about to end, “songbird” trailing right after it.

“this is a good song,” mike remarked. you hummed in reply with something that sounded like a “yes”. mike stayed silent for a couple of seconds. he knew if you were to talk again, he would have to apologize first.

“i’m sorry i got out of control. i was just trying to protect you. that guy was being an asshole and you’ve hurt you. i guess i just wanted to hurt him before he could get to you,” he said. “but i know it’s not right and i know you have support at the bar. i just get scared with you working there with all those weirdos. i know you’re a grown adult adult, though, and you can handle yourself.”

you slowly turned to him, eyes softening upon seeing him. “it’s…” you sighed quietly, straightening up in your seat to face him completely. “it’s okay, mike. i know you were trying to protect me. i really appreciate it, i do. i love when you’re there for me. i just… he could’ve hurt you, too. and you could’ve gone to jail, too, if he decided to press charges. honestly, i just don’t want to be the reason that happens.”

mike shook his head. “you could never be. i would’ve happily gone to jail if it meant i helped you and made sure you were safe.”

you grinned teasingly. “you would happily go to jail?” he smiled with you. “anything for you.”

you laughed and shook your head, placing a hand on his thigh. “i forgive you. and i’m sorry about all the things i said about you not accepting help.”

“it’s true. i’m sorry about everything i said and did.”

“it’s alright,” you said. traffic began to move just then. both of you pumped your fists in the air and cheered. “god, finally!” you exclaimed.

“your place or mine?” mike asked. “what do you think?” you smiled.

“this is a great song, but why’d you choose it? it has to bring up some bad memories, right?” you ask.

“it did at first,” mike admits. “but, we made up. and we were able to settle arguments faster and better after that. also, the song lyrics are just how i feel about you. ‘to you, i’ll give the world. to you, i’ll never be cold. cause i feel that when i’m with you, it’s alright. i know it’s right’,” he cites.

you feel like your heart will explode from love. you hug him once more, holding him too you so tight he’s afraid he won’t be able to breathe. but he doesn’t mind. you pull away slightly, looking into his eyes.

“i love you so much, mike. you are hands down the best person that’s ever walked into my life.”

he smiles and leans in and kisses you softly. he pulls away to catch his breath, taking your free hand into his. “i love you more.”

mike’s mixtape for you

black star - radiohead

girl from mars - ash

sunday morning - maroon 5

your song - elton john

baby can I hold you - tracy chapman

something - the beatles

faithfully - journey

songbird - fleetwood mac

iris - goo goo dolls

everlong - foo fighters

————

taglist

@celestbarnes

[asher-agere]

Babble Time!

This shall be angsty and not happy. Mix of PJSK and BSD? My thoughts aren’t organized, but I wanna share thoughts on the little babies. Regression isn’t always pretty :(

Trigger warnings for self harm, suicide attempts, eating disorders (BSD fans can you tell this will include Dazai?). I get detailed sometimes, don’t read if this might make you uncomfy!

₊ ⊹ We’ll start with Dazai. Dazai after a suicide attempt. He knows he did something super bad. That’s why everything hurts. He knows there’s way too much blood, he knows he shouldn’t have consumed poison. But it never works anyway right? He feels so small… What’s he supposed to do? He should stop the bleeding… But how does he do that? His movements aren’t coordinated and moving hurts. He’ll just lay there until he passes out. Someone will find him before he dies. They always do

₊ ⊹ Dazai staying in his big headspace while he’s hurting himself. But once the bandages are on and it’s out of sight baby brain takes over. Everything feels itchy but if he scratches it bleeds, and blood is scary… It’s out of sight but not out of mind. He starts scratching and notices the blood, so he tried hugging a plushy! Keeps his hands busy… No scratches! But the blood is still there… And now staining the plushy! The poor baby can only cry harder, throwing his comfort away from him. Terrified of ruining it

₊ ⊹ Baby Dazai who’s really really hungry. He hasn’t eaten in a long long time… And he isn’t against it like he usually is! So he’s super responsible and he eats, maybe some nice crab… But his tummy doesn’t like that. A baby can’t regulate food. To much to soon. He’s crying and sobbing as the food comes back up. The vomit is gross and makes his throat burn. But how does he clean it up? He can’t think what to do, he can just cry. It starts smelling so awful and it just makes him cry harder. Such a baby he can’t even stand up

۶ৎ Baby Mizuki. She feels so gross in her boyish body… She’s disgusting. She’ll call her caregivers, she’d not trying to isolate herself! But the idea of someone seeing her in person? She feels so gross! She’ll put on a pretty dress but her flat chest looks so wrong… She can’t even babble to her caregivers. Her voice is too deep. That’s not a girls voice. Why doesn’t she have a girls voice?

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ Baby Mafuyu, finally happy thanks to her friends! She has some cute little gear they bought her! But… Her Mama always goes through her room. One day the baby comes home from school and Mama seems mad… So she hides in her room. Maybe she can regress and be nice… But her paci is gone. Mama must’ve taken it. So why didn’t she say anything? She’ll wait days. Mama says nothing. It fills the baby with awful gut wrenching anxiety. She can’t eat, can’t sleep, can barely focus on school. What if it’s her fault? What if she just lost it somewhere? She can’t exactly just ask Mama… So she just suffers

⛦ Chuuya as a baby. So absolutely completely convinced he isn’t human. He can’t be. That means he can’t regress! That’s something for humans. He isn’t programmed to do that. It must be a virus… So he pushes it off. For weeks even. He can’t think. Can’t do anything right. A proper human would be fine. It must be because he isn’t human… It’s the only explanation. There’s no proof he is human. He destroyed that. It’s his fault he doesn’t know. He’ll never know. Poor baby, just sits in his room staring at the wall. He wants his plushy… But he doesn’t deserve that. He can’t call anyone. Doesn’t deserve that either

Idk where I’m going with this- I just don’t see enough about the bad side of regression. And I need to see more representing it. Remember, if you’ve been through anything even slightly similar to any of this? You’re still valid! Everyone have a wonderful amazing day!

[teaberrii]

Chapter 22: Yours

You've been Cupid for as long as you can remember. You've brought countless soulmates together, yet you've never found love.

When you're assigned to bring two childhood friends back together, it should be simple until you unexpectedly catch feelings for the mysterious and cold Ph.D. student, Dan Heng, the man with a soulmate… the man with answers to your past.

Dan Heng/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

Stelle couldn’t forget about the man who saved her.

She’d left the house after another fight with her brother about Jing Yuan that day. Stelle didn’t understand why her brother was so dedicated to him. There was something Caelus wasn’t telling her, and the only excuse he gave was that he was protecting both of them. But Stelle didn’t buy it. Caelus was a delivery boy, a job he’d taken up as an easy way to get into the palace. The siblings had agreed that it would be a way to find out what happened to their mother, but Stelle felt her brother got caught up in something dangerous. 

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed the broken tree trunk that was struggling to hold itself up. In a stroke of bad luck, it struck her when it fell.

“You must’ve been imagining things,” Caelus had said when she told him about the mysterious man who had saved her.

“I wasn’t! Why won’t you believe me?”

“You’re only hurting yourself if you get involved with them.”

“I’d rather get involved with them than magic,” she muttered.

Caelus rolled his eyes. "If what you told me is true, he used magic to help me find you."

Stelle crossed her arms as she changed the topic. “Why have you been spending so much time with the general at the palace? Why is he teaching you so much about magic? That’s not what you should be doing. You’re supposed—”

“...To find out what happened to our mother,” Caelus said, not looking at her. “And that is what I’m doing.” When he looked at her again, Stelle had never seen such a cold look in her brother’s eyes before. “I used to think how our lives would improve if we had more money… more power. But, a simple life is best, Stelle.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The people who rule our nation don’t deserve what they have. They’re criminals. All of them.”

Before she could say anything else, her brother had left.

Stelle stopped. She’d been thinking about her brother’s words when she realized she had wandered back to the same place where she saw the mysterious man.

Would she ever see him again?

As soon as Stelle opens the door, she sees March.

“Heya!” March holds up the takeout she promised to get before coming over. “Hope you’re hungry!” Stelle steps aside and March walks into the empty house. She looks around. “No one’s home?”

“Dad’s at work,” Stelle says. “...Luocha hasn’t been visiting lately.”

March puts the takeout on the counter. “No wonder you called me over. I was thinking you were spending time with him or something.”

“You make it sound like I’m using you.” Stelle hugs her friend. “I missed you, too!”

March laughs. “I know, I know. I’m just kidding!”

Soon, they’re sitting across from each other at the dining room table with a plate of food in front of them. After catching each other up on what’s been happening in their lives, March asks, “Have you heard anything from Caelus?”

“...Not recently.” Stelle picks up a French fry. “But… I dreamt about him yesterday night.”

“Oh, gosh. Don’t tell me it was a premonition.”

“I don’t know, but we were fighting about something.” Stelle sighs. “I didn’t really understand it.”

March waves her hand dismissively while holding a chicken nugget. “Ah, I wouldn’t worry about it. People have weird dreams all the time.”

“I guess.”

March bites into her chicken nugget. “Or… is there a reason why you’re so hung up on it?”

“Well… after I woke up, I suddenly wanted to see Dan Heng.”

“Aw, well, call him up! I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.” March takes a sip of her juice. “Do you know he’s dating Cupid?”

“Officially?”

“Mhmm! He kissed her head and everything! I never thought Dan Heng would be so open about affection.” When Stelle says nothing, March continues, “Is… something wrong?”

“No. Why?”

“Well… I thought you’d be asking a lot of questions. This is Dan Heng we’re talking about! His first official girlfriend! A little late... but hey, better late than never."

Stelle chuckles softly. "Honestly... I never thought Dan Heng would date.”

March almost chokes on her food. “What? What made you think that?”

“He was just always so… I don’t know… indifferent to dating.”

“Yeah… that’s true.” March shrugs. “But aren’t we all like that until we meet that special someone?”

Stelle bites into her hamburger. “Didn’t you say you’re all going on a trip?”

“Yup. You're coming, right?” March gently kicks her friend underneath the table. “Oh, c’mon, Stelle.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t coming.”

March smiles. “Good. You’d better get packing then!”

◆◆◆

You get a text that morning from Dan Heng that he’s going to see Caelus. You know he's going alone, but you still joke that you’ll miss him while he’s gone. You expect him to flirt back, but his serious response catches you off guard.

Dan Heng: It’s best if I go alone.

You’re still looking at your phone when Pom, sitting across from you, looks up from the food he’s eating.

“Something wrong?”

You put your phone down. “It’s nothing.”

Pom continues staring at you. Then, he looks at your phone. “First couple fight?”

“Why are you smiling?”

Pom laughs. “He’s probably jealous because of what happened yesterday.”

“Jealous?”

"Well, I mean… You had your hand over a guy's naked chest, and he was flirting with you. Dan Heng's a saint, if you ask me." You think back to yesterday night. Dan Heng had never shown any sign he was jealous. He was his usual quiet self, so you never thought anything was wrong. "I know we're supposed to be getting on better terms with Jing Yuan, but he was in love with you, wasn't he? It's totally possible his old feelings are coming back."

“And I thought he was talking about Young,” you say quietly.

“Young?”

"Did you hear what Jing Yuan said about Young? He doesn't believe he's really gone."

Pom looks at the locket around your neck. "I do remember that once we open that thing... it'll set him free. So, yeah, I don't doubt that." Pom leans forward. "Hey... If Young appeared in front of you right now and asked you to go to the afterlife with him, would you?"

You give Pom a deadpan look. "That's impossible."

"It's totally possible!" Pom points toward your locket. "He's probably sitting in that thing just waiting for his chance."

You sigh. "Anyway, I have a feeling we’ll have to make a choice.” You tap your fingers against the table. “The past, the present, the future… I feel like time’s finally catching up to us.”

Pom leans back. “Y’know… we’ve been together for so long.” He looks at you with a slightly sad smile. “What if we end up making different choices?”

“I think I like you better when you’re not asking the hard questions.”

Pom chuckles. “Fine. Then, let me say that poor Dan Heng really has his work cut out for him. He needs to worry about two men from the past. One who seems like he’s rizzing his girlfriend, and the other is his past self who may or may not want to take his girlfriend back with him to… wherever that may be.” Pom sighs dramatically. “Gosh, Cupid. Tell me your secret to getting all the good-looking men. Or, do you just naturally have main character energy?

You raise a brow. “Rizz? Main character energy?” Pom picks up his phone. Soon, he shows you the meaning of the slang terms. You slowly clap. “I don’t know whether to be more impressed that you know how to use a phone so well or you’re very up with the times with your vocab.”

Pom smiles proudly. “Why not both?” Your phone dings with a message. You and Pom glance at the screen, and he smiles. “You know… You could use his jealousy to your advantage.”

“Oh, no,” you deadpan as you stand. “I’m not going to listen to your crazy ideas.”

“Fiiine.” Then, he waves you off. “Don’t have too much fun on your swimsuit shopping date.”

You smile. “Oh, I will.”

After you put the dirty dishes in the kitchen, you’re out the door.

It doesn’t take you long to meet Dan Heng at one of the biggest malls in the city. You catch him standing near the entrance but when you start getting closer, you see that he’s on the phone and hear a little of the conversation.

There’s a pause before he continues, “...I understand, Stelle.” You’re slowly walking up to him now, a little curious at what he’s talking about with Stelle. “I’ll come over tonight.”

You freeze. He’ll go over… to her house… tonight? You don’t want to jump to conclusions, but that’s just suspicious and—

“You’re here.” You snap out of your thoughts when you hear Dan Heng’s voice and feel his hand in yours.

“Ah… Yeah. I just got here.” You awkwardly clear your throat. “Um… I heard you talking on the phone with Stelle. Is everything okay?”

“She wanted to get together with everyone for game night.”

“Game night?” you ask as you and Dan Heng enter the mall.

“It used to be a tradition,” Dan Heng explains. “The five of us would get together on Friday nights to play games together.”

“I guess she wants to bring that back.”

“She wants to take her mind off of Calelus.”

You can understand that Stelle must be worried and lonely. But, still. You tighten your grip on Dan Heng’s hand. “How is he, by the way? Is he… getting better?” It might be a stupid question, but you think you should ask anyway considering your progress with patching things up with Jing Yuan.

“The curse is still spreading." Does this mean the theory about you letting go of your hatred is wrong? Then, as if reading your mind, Dan Heng says, “...You and Jing Yuan are still patching things up. It’s too early to say we’re right or wrong.”

“...Did Caelus remember anything about Stelle?”

There’s a slight pause before Dan Heng says, “Apparently, she met Young more than once.”

“You’re going to what?” Stelle stepped in front of the door, blocking her brother from leaving the house. “Jing Yuan is turning you into a murderer! Why… Why would you want to kill—”

Caelus put a hand over her mouth. “You don’t need to announce it to the world, Stelle. Keep your voice down.”

She slapped his hand away. “Then, explain how killing someone has to do with finding out what happened to—”

“Mom was killed!”

Stelle’s eyes widened. “W-What?”

“I didn’t want to tell you,” Caelus muttered. “But you’re leaving me with no choice.”

“Killed? By who? By—”

“The night she was taken away… She was brought to the palace to become the king’s concubine.” Stelle was shaking as Caelus finally told her everything he knew about their mother. “I hate the royal family, Stelle. I’m going to kill them all. I want to make them suffer.”

“But—”

“Young is the princess’s lover.”

Stelle clenched her fists. “...So, you’re going to kill him to make the princess suffer? It's not his fault for what happened to Mom!"

"They are pawns of a bigger scheme. You wouldn't understand."

Caelus didn’t have time to react as a sharp pain shot through his face. His head was turned, and he slowly looked back at Stelle who was glaring at him. “You’ve turned into a monster! My brother… he would never toy with people’s lives like this!”

“...Get out of the way, Stelle.”

“No.”

Caelus narrowed his eyes. “I’ll be fine, Stelle. I’m not the one who’s going to kill him.”

“...You can’t. I… I won’t let you.”

“What’s gotten into you? Why do you care so much?”

“He was the one who saved my life.”

“Are you sure that was even him?” Caelus asked, crossing his arms. “Have you met him besides that one time?”

Then, looking at her brother in the eyes, she said, “I have.”

“Has Young ever mentioned her?” Dan Heng asks.

“No… Not that I can remember.”

Dan Heng notices the conflicted look on your face. Does it bother you that Young might've met Stelle in secret? Or... is it because you don't have all of your memories?

You and Dan Heng walk in silence for a few minutes before coming to a store that exclusively sells swimsuits. You’re looking at one on a mannequin when a woman approaches you.

“Hi! Are you looking for something in particular?”

“Oh, um, not really. Just looking.”

She smiles. “Well, we have a new summer collection that might interest you!” Before you can say anything, she’s already leading you to a large selection near the back. Dan Heng casually follows you. The woman picks out a black two-piece and puts it over your clothes and looks at Dan Heng.

“What does the boyfriend think?” she asks.

Dan Heng isn’t expecting the sudden question, but he still calmly says, “She’ll look good in anything.”

The woman turns back and smiles. “Let’s pick out a few more styles for you to try!”

Soon, with a bunch of different swimsuits and bikinis draped over your arm, you’re on your way to the changing rooms. Dan Heng is waiting outside while the woman goes off to attend to more customers. He’s leaning against the wall when you unlock the door and peek outside.

“Is something wrong?” he asks.

That’s when you fully open the door and reveal a lavender one-shoulder bikini top and a high-rise bottom. You gently pull the top down. When you look up, you think you see a blush on his cheeks… even though he’s looking more to the side.

“You’re not even looking.”

“I am.”

“Gosh, does it look that bad? I—”

That’s when he turns to you. “It looks good.”

Too good.

The top pushes your breasts together making them look even more flattering. The bottoms make your legs look longer while hugging around your curves. Dan Heng thought he’d been prepared for this date, but you found a way to surprise him.

You smile and look down. “Really? Hm... but let's try something else.”

When you close and lock the door, Dan Heng sighs softly, but his heart doesn’t get a break for long. When you open the door again, you step out in a black, O-ring one piece. Dan Heng never thought he’d like seeing you wear dark colours so much.

“What about this one?”

He steps closer to you. “...It looks good.”

You put a hand on your hip. “Don’t tell me you’re going to say that for everything I try on. C’mon, give me some honesty.”

Dan Heng puts one hand on the doorframe and the other on the opposite side. When he leans in, you get a whiff of his cologne and your heart races.

“I like this one better.” Coupled with the way he’s looking at you, you suddenly want to kiss him. “...I’d rather not say more.” The faint blush on his cheeks worsens, and you smile.

“Could it be you like dark colours?”

Dan Heng hears how you’re enjoying teasing him, so he asks, “If we’re talking about what looks good on you”—he leans closer—”you’d look best in all natural colours.”

Is he saying what you think he’s saying? Without any—

Dan Heng stands upright and nods at the other swimwear you’ve yet to try on. “Are you going to try those on?” He looks at you. “Or, have you decided?”

“I’m going to try them on,” you say a little too quickly.

You catch that little mischievous smile before closing the door.

The next time you open the door, you only poke your head out. “...Um, could you help me with the straps?” you ask.

Who is he to say no?

Dan Heng closes and locks the door behind him. He glances at you in the mirror who’s holding the straps of the one-shoulder top together. He puts his hand on yours and you slowly let go to let Dan Heng handle the straps. Is it silly that his occasional touches on your bare skin make you nervous? You’re looking off to the side but when you look back at the mirror, you catch Dan Heng's gaze as he finishes tying the straps. Then, he puts his hands on your shoulders.

With a genuine smile, he says, “This one looks good, too.”

You turn around and put one hand in his hair. When he doesn’t pull away, you kiss him, and he instantly returns it. His thumb runs along the curve of your throat as his body closes the gap between you and him. His hand finds itself in your hair at the nape of your neck, drawing you closer. Warmth and sweetness pour throughout your body as kiss after kiss makes the world melt away around you. You feel a cautious touch on your waist as if he’s asking for permission. You take his hand and put it on the small of your back where you feel it roam upwards until his fingers find the straps again…

Dan Heng is the first to break away. You can see it in his eyes. He’s holding something back.

“...What is it?” you ask breathlessly. You put a hand on his cheek. “Tell me.”

His forehead is against yours as he says, “Your lips. Your kiss. Everything about you… I want them to belong to me… and me alone.” It takes you a moment to realize that your back is now against the wall. The intensity in his eyes is enough to send your nerves on fire. “...You’re my woman.” His lips briefly touch yours; one of his hands is on your outer thigh. “...No one can make you feel the way I make you feel.”

His lips find your neck, and you gasp as he lifts one of your legs. Your arms go around him, holding in the breaths as his hungry, butterfly kisses travel lower… and lower…

“...Dan Heng,” you gasp.

When he kisses just above your breast, he draws a quiet moan. He looks up at you, the blush clear on your cheeks. He dips his head lower and uses his teeth to pull down your top until it reveals what he’s looking for. You’re biting your lower lip as his tongue teases its way around until you feel the warmth of his mouth. You grab onto the hook and with each flick of his tongue, you subconsciously grip it tighter until…

Knock. Knock.

“Hi! Is everything okay in there? Are the sizes okay?”

Dan Heng slowly lets you go, making sure you’re stable. Your mind is still a mess when Dan Heng says, “Everything’s fine.”

Your eyes widen as the woman says, “O-Oh! Okay! That’s good!”

Dan Heng has one of his hands on the wall beside you. Then, quietly, he says, “Seems like I didn’t tie it as tight as I thought.” You’re feeling everything all at once. Desire. Frustration. Happiness. It’s coming in waves that you’re so close to not caring about where you are. You need to feel his touch again; heat courses throughout your body as you remember every sensual movement of his tongue. “...Turn around.”

What is he planning now? You do as you’re told, feeling nervous and… arguably a little excited. However, there aren’t any hidden motives. Instead, Dan Heng helps fix your top. Then, with his hands on your shoulders and a little smirk, he says, “...All done.”

You don’t get a chance to say anything when he unlocks the door. You hear him say something to the woman before stepping out and quickly closing the door behind him.

This isn’t how you imagined your date. You aren’t complaining. You just want more.

It’s late afternoon by the time you and Dan Heng leave the mall. You can’t stop thinking about what happened in the changing room, but are you the only one? Dan Heng hasn't brought it up and shows no sign that he's thinking about it.

Suddenly, he looks at you, and asks, "Is something wrong?”

“...Was what happened in the dressing room about yesterday?”

There's a slight pause. Then, “...I heard what Jing Yuan said.” His gaze lands on the pendant. “I know Young will always have a part of you, but when this is all over… I want to be your future.” Then, as if embarrassed, he looks off to the side. “I didn’t mean to sound so serious.”

You take his hand. “I want to know what happened in the past, but… that’s just it. The past.” Dan Heng looks back at you. “If Jing Yuan’s words left any impression on me, it’s that the future is more important.” You glance down. “I… I don’t know what’s going to happen, but”—you take a small breath and look Dan Heng in the eyes—“I know that no matter what happens, I want to be with you.” You smile. “So… no more being all huffy and puffy about Jing Yuan… or Young.”

Dan Heng leans in to kiss you but stops when his phone suddenly buzzes. When he pulls it out, you see the name on the screen, and you slightly frown. Dan Heng notices and gently pinches your cheek.

“...Who’s the one being all huffy and puffy now?”

You haven’t forgotten about your job. What’s going to happen now that you don’t want to give Dan Heng up to Stelle?

“She knows I’m with you,” Dan Heng says, opening the message. “She wants you and Pom to join us for game night.”

“I bet Pom would agree in a flash.”

“What about you?”

You gently pinch Dan Heng’s nose. “What do you think?”

◆◆◆

The palace grounds were eerily quiet that cloudless night. But if one dared to venture to the underground dungeons, they would hear low growls, snarls, and the sounds of chains striking the ground.

“...What…. What are we going to do with them?” A guard holding a torch finally tore his eyes away from the grisly scene of the undead clawing at the ground, desperate for food. The guard that Luocha bumped into that night and the maid that Jing Yuan's wife had attacked were part of them. 

Neither Luocha nor Jing Yuan had an answer. They kept them alive in hopes they would find a cure, but the situation wasn't improving. The curse appeared to be evolving. Even those who hadn't been directly attacked were falling ill, except they didn't turn into monsters. Instead, they were slowly becoming paralyzed.

Time was of the essence.

With the king gone, Jing Yuan and Luocha were now in charge. An announcement was made that anyone who had direct contact with the infected had to come forward. Some people took it seriously. Some didn't. Regardless, the situation had spiralled into chaos.

Misinformation spread like wildfire. With no one unable to identify what in the world this mysterious disease was or a clear source of transmission, everyone was living in absolute terror and trust was slowly becoming a thing of the past.

However, what was truly alarming was the talk between the North and the South.

“...Don’t tell me you’re creating some kind of army.”

Jing Yuan slammed the alcohol on the table. He felt a pang in his heart as he thought about his wife. “They cannot distinguish friend from foe. We are all in danger.”

The King of the South sighed heavily. “Let me get this straight. It's those who have been attacked by the infected are the ones who turn into monsters. However, those who had 'close contact' with the infected are becoming paralyzed?”

“...Perhaps it’s proximity or sharing food, clothing, and other items.”

“...Could we use magic to control the monsters?”

“It’s not about controlling them,” Jing Yuan said, a little baffled that the king he used to serve would propose such a thing. “We need to stop—”

“Think about it, Jing Yuan. They can be used as weapons of war. Humans can finally reign supreme. We can get rid of the human dragons… for good.”

Things were spiralling out of control so fast that Jing Yuan couldn’t keep up. His initial desire for revenge had dug him into a hole that was going beyond rock bottom.

Pom, as a crow, was perched on one of the iron bars of the dungeon cell. His eyes went from Jing Yuan and Luocha to those of the cursed. The shapeshifter thought back to the night he saw Jing Yuan’s wife attack one of the maids. After you'd told him about Jing Yuan's wife attacking you, Pom went straight to work. He'd come to a conclusion and shared it with you just the other night... only for you to hit him with information that felt like a punch to the gut.

“Just like love, hate can be incredibly strong. It's also a never-ending cycle. I hurt you. You hurt me. I hurt you." Pom sighed. "You get the point. The curse carries your hate. It has your essence. No matter who you curse, they will always see you before losing their marbles because you were the one who... hurt them."

“Can’t say that’s a good thing or bad thing,” you muttered.

"...There's also something else." Pom put his hands on your shoulders. "Do you remember when we first planned this entire mission? We were prepared for pretty much anything... We didn't think there would be a way to stop it. But... there is. And, you have to be prepared because—"

"I know. Killing me is the only way this curse can ever stop.”

His eyes widened. “You knew? All this time?”

“You say you’re an expert at magic, Pom, but I’m one step ahead this time.”

“How… How did you—”

You snapped your fingers and a book mysteriously materialized in your hand. Pom quickly took it from you as if unable to believe that you had this in your possession all this time.

"The Grimoire of Black Magic?" Pom asked. "This belongs to the Gods. How did you get your hands on this?"

"...I found it. It appeared not long after Young died."

Pom sighed. "Then... I guess the stories are true."

"Stories?"

"The Grimoire tempts those with enough darkness in their hearts to do terrible things and appears in front of those who have the potential to create such powerful magic." Pom looked at you. "I don't know if this is true, but only those who have the potential to become Gods themselves can wield such magic. This book is owned by them, after all."

"...The Gods may own the book, but not all of them are involved in creating it." You took the book from Pom and flipped to the last page. Then, you muttered something, and pages began to materialize. "I doubt they know of all the curses in this book."

Pom had so many questions, but what he wanted to know most was: "You didn't bother telling me this when we first put this plan together?"

“I didn’t think it was worth mentioning."

Pom’s jaw almost dropped. “...I don’t know if you’re the one who's gone crazy or if… you’re just not scared to die.”

“...You shouldn’t be scared to die, Pom.” You took his hands and put them at his side. “Because living without a purpose is a fate much worse than death.”

Pom immediately sits up, but before he can let what he just saw sink in, he hears a male voice from the doorway.

"Long time no see, Pom." Pom turns, and his eyes widen. The man smiles. "Looks like you remember me. So flattered."

Pom quickly stands and says the name he hasn't said in centuries. "...Sampo."

Chapter 23

End notes:

I'm the author, and I can't believe what happened in this chapter lol

Also, I never intended this but Pom gives me LGBT vibes. I'm here for it though lmao

Tag list: @suoshiii @lordbugs @lxry-chxn @seirenspinel @tanspostsblog @theprinceofkhaos @nqctre @lunavixia @akwardbiscuit @kplatzman @sunsethw4 @hiqhkey @n8mareee

[hwascripts]

A Yandere Love Letter from Asmo

Warning: Manipulative behaviour, toxic relationship, blackmailing, overall dark content under the cut. I do not support or condone real life Yandere behaviour, this is simply a work of fiction.

Wanna see more? Hit up my directory

Are y’all interested in dad!Satan or dad!Mammon headcanons? Because I’m genuinely about to sob over the demon bros as dads.

Hi sweets,

Did you miss me? I know you must’ve! Don’t worry, though. I missed you too. I missed you so much that my beautiful skin has broken out with stress acne. I’m gonna have to punish you for what you've done to me, sweets. Since you've taken off, my perfect skin has been an absolute mess!

A perfect being like me should never have dull, lifeless, blemish-filled skin. But I guess my life has also been dull and lifeless since you left the devildom. Now I’m very curious, honey. What could possibly be better than being here in my presence? Certainly it can’t be that little…fling of yours.

Oh baby, it really does hurt me so! You shatter my heart with your cruelty. How could you leave me, your perfect match, for some little…useless toy? I’m very hurt, and offended. You see, nobody crosses me and gets away with it.

I’ve existed for thousands of years, sweets. And nobody has been good enough for me, at least not until you came along. You managed to wrap me around your cute little finger, baby. You’re truly a charming little fox, and that's why I can’t afford to let you go.

We were clearly made for each other, honey. There's no use in denying it. That's why I’ll have to resort to extreme measures if you don't return to me. What measures? Well, wouldn't it be truly awful if all our intimate conversations were released to your loved ones?

What would your little fling think if they knew you were already in a relationship? What would your family think if they found out you enjoyed toying with people’s hearts? It’s scary to think about, isn’t it baby?

But don’t you worry, I’ve always been a generous demon. I’ll give you three days to carefully consider your options. I know you’ll use that pretty little head of yours wisely, but just in case you haven’t gotten the message.

You are mine. Got it, sweets?

Don’t disappoint me.

Your perfect match,

Asmo

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Hey, today I got around reading your surprised by a storm series and it's so cute I loved it!

If you don't mind, id like to request Fuegoleon finding out they're having twins (one boy one girl) as his wife is in mid delivery and him holding his children for the first time please ?

Hiya!

Okay, so I love y'all for wanting soft Fue!! He really should have a family! I decided to combine these 4 requests, because I felt that they flowed together so nicely, and it means that the fic is slightly longer than... usually, but I do hope that you guys will like it!

Summary: Reader is afraid about the pain of the delivery, especially because she's having twins. Fue comforts her and offers to take her to Owen's office the next day to discuss more about the delivery. There both reader and Fue try one of Owen's spells that mimics the pain of delivery. And he's very much in pain (but there's no graphic depictions of the pain; the intended tone is slightly humorous). And at the end there's a successful delivery, and mom (reader), dad (Fue), and the kids (twins; one boy one girl), are laying in bed together, and Fue is just in awe.

Fanfic type: Oneshot Pairing: Fuegoleon x f!reader Length: ~2.6k Genre: hurt-comfort, slight comedy, family fluff (in that order) Warnings: obviously pregnancy, labour (no graphic depiction of labour though), fear of the delivery being painful, depictions of pain, I haven't actually given birth myself, so what's written here is to be taken lightly in that aspect; I don't actually know how it feels, possible typos so apologies for that

It was one of those nights where you simply lied awake and stared at the ceiling. It seemed as if the closer you came to your due date, of giving birth, the more anxious of it you grew. But it wasn’t about not wanting to be a mother, though it was scary too. You were told that nothing could quite prepare you for the task of being a mother, but it’d be a feat which you welcomed with open arms. Because you loved your children, even before they were born, and you knew that your husband would love them just the same.

It was more than clear from the way Fue stroked your stomach during the evenings, and spoke gentle nothings to them even if they couldn’t hear him. You were… almost sure, that they couldn’t hear him.

But your fear, uneasiness and anxiety had to do with the pain of giving birth. You had had horrid period cramps already, but you were told that giving birth would be much worse than that. And that… you couldn’t imagine a pain that bad. It had already been bad enough with dealing with being emotional and in pain during your periods and this just would be worse and it…

It was getting overwhelming. Especially because you knew that you’d be giving birth to twins.

So, you sat up and started crying as the emotions were just becoming too much. They were spilling over, and you just… sat there, sobbing. You hid your face into your hands and just… let it out. Because it was just too much.

“Honey…?” You heard the tired, muffled voice through the darkness. “What’s wrong..?”

There was a passing sense of guilt in you, since you knew how tired he must’ve been from work as well. And you didn’t want to bother him, burden him. But still, there was a hint of relief, of a wish to talk to him about it. And that wish soon silenced the guilt.

“I’m…” you begun, but still there was something in you holding back. Because, you also knew that despite the fear of pain childbirth would bring, it was too late to turn back now. So, the idea of grimacing over a fear that was inevitable felt… senseless? “I’m just… afraid of… how much giving birth will be…” you finally admitted while turning your face to the side and wiping tears from the corners of your eyes.

He sat up next to you, and for a moment the only sound in the room was the ruffling of sheets, as he, most likely, was thinking about what to say, what to tell you? Of course it’d hurt, he knew as much. And, if he was quite honest, he didn’t know how women could do it. Of course, he had read about giving birth and could site the stages of labour along with any other information he had managed to find, but… still, childbirth was no short of a miracle to him.

So, he placed one hand onto your shoulder, and wrapped the other around your middle, the bets he could. “I’ll be there, by your side through it all,” he assured you. “I understand that you’re afraid, and… though there are medicines and spells that can ease with the pain, I hear that it’s still quite the ordeal,” he was trying to reason with you. But he was also a problem solver. It was his love language. “Many women have gone through it, and thus there’s no reason why you couldn’t do it either,” another logical statement. “But I promise that I’ll be there with you through it, and I’ll do anything I can to assist you.”

He was trying. And he was being realistic.

The fact that he assured you that he’d be there for you, made you feel better, but it didn’t quite succeed in ridding you from all the fear you still held in your heart.

“If you wish, we may go to Owen to discuss about our options in more detail?” He suggested.

And you loved it when he said ‘we’.

“It… sounds good,” you told him, because it did sound good. It felt like you were being heard, and he really was there for you.

“Then we’ll do that as the first thing in the morning,” he told you.

“Don’t you have a meeting?”

“I can reschedule. There’ll be many more meetings, but I shall not be an absent father.”

There it was, that stubborn pride of a lion. But honestly, it made you love him even more.

“First thing in the morning,” you repeated with a subtle smile, after which he pressed a kiss onto your temple and pulled you back into the bed, holding you close.

His broad chest was pressed against your back, and you could feel it rising and falling as the sound of his breathing rang through the silence. Steady, soft, and secure. To the melody of which you drifted off to sleep.

---

The next day, as promised, you were at Owen’s office to discuss your options about pain relief during labour. And not many of the options presented were new to you. But, you supposed, you had forgotten about how many there were, while even Owen did admit that they couldn’t do miracles, and labour would still take a toll. It was a long ordeal, after all. And he was quite honest with you, when it came to admitting that it would still be painful.

He wasn’t going to lie, which… in a strange way made you feel a little better too. Because you would rather have him tell you the truth, rather than have him lull you into some idea of a painless childbirth, only to then be in agony during labour. At least you could mentally prepare yourself that it’d be like experience the worst cramps you had had, and then a little bit of extra.

But you could do it. You were sure that you could. And they would give you something for the pain to ease it. Warm baths, and walking supposedly also helped, so there were options.

“How painful will it be?”

You were a little surprised to hear Fuego ask that question, if you were honest. Because you had assumed him to focus more on the remedy. But you were even more surprised to hear Owen tell him that he had recently learned to use a spell to mimic the amount of pain a mother experiences during childbirth, in a way of allowing fathers to experience the feeling too.

“May I try?”

That was another question you certainly wouldn’t have anticipated while coming here. But as the initial, split second surprise faded, it did make sense. Fue would be the type of a person to try and understand your predicament, and this would be a good way of doing it.

But still you felt inclined to ask: “are you sure that you want to try?”

“Of course,” he replied while looking at you. “It allows me to connect with you, and understand what you’ll endure.”

“Mmm…” you uttered, first thinking about how you’d react if he went first, and it’d be horribly painful to him. Because the fact of the matter still was: he wouldn’t need to bear through it, while you did. “I’d like to try. First, if that’s okay.”

“If that’s what you wish,” he nodded to you, and then looked at Owen expectingly.

While Owen simply sat there, looking at the exchange, letting you have the discussion, before nodding to you, and instructing you to take a comfortable position before casting a spell.

“Alright, so this mimics the pain of a contraction in the early delivery,” he explained.

You took a deep breath and readied yourself the best you could. Okay, okay, I can do this… you encouraged yourself as Fue took your hand.

“It’ll be alright, my love. You’re strong,” he encouraged as the spell begun to take effect.

And it… it did hurt yes, but it wasn’t much different than a period cramp.

Your eyes shifted from side to side, expecting it to grow worse, but after a while it was gone.

“That’s… it?” You looked at Owen with a frown.

“A contraction in the early stages of labour yes. The few next ones will increase in pain level, much like they would during delivery, and the last that you’ll experience is equivalent to the pain you’d feel during delivery. But I’ll try to keep the last one brief.”

“Okay,” you said with a nod, while again readying yourself.

And Owen continued with the spell.

The next one was worse. And the one after that was even worse. Actually, it reminded you of that time you were on your period and you had had to run and do sit ups. Which had been awful. Horrible. Gut-wrenchingly painful. Just as was your expression and reaction this time.

But honestly, you had expected much, much worse.

And that came with the last stage. Your body curled around itself out of impulse, and your breathing was heavy and deep.

That was when Owen stopped the spell.

The pain faded, but you still sat there, hunched over yourself with a frown on your face.

“Are you alright, my love?” Fue asked, while still holding your hand.

“Mhm?” You hadn’t intended to hum it out as a question.

“Yes?” Owen replied with a question of his own while sitting there with slight concern on his face.

“I’m… not sure?” You said. “I was expecting something… worse?”

Owen gave you a slow nod while choosing his words. “I have to emphasize the fact that it is only a simulation, and what you’ll experience may differ drastically. And. This time the amount it took for each pain impulse to be in effect was considerably shorter than what it’ll be during actual delivery. Exhaustion and the fact that you’ll experience the pain for longer periods of time, do amplify the pain experienced in actuality.”

“Hmm…” you hummed.

“So, you still should do your best to prepare for the delivery.”

“Oh yes, of course,” you replied. Because… of course you would. But you also supposed that it was a good thing that he said it out loud.

As you fell in thought Fuegoleon asked if he could try it out now that you seemed to be alright, to which Owen agreed.

So, Fue took a comfortable position on the chair, as Owen again cast his spell.

Fue’s eyes opened wider, and his body hunched forward as he looked at you with a frown on his face, as if he was asking a question with his expression alone. During the pause, he took a few breaths, slightly deeper than usually.

“Regular… period pain?” He asked, this time managing to voice the question.

“Quite close yeah,” you replied. “Not as bad as being on your period while having to exercise,” you continued right before the second wave hit him.

This time his teeth clenched together, as he leaned forward, even if only a little again.

“This… cannot be,” he managed.

And the came the third wave.

And a fourth. And fifth.

 Sweat dripped down his face, and his breathing was ragged from the pain. His face was pale, and his arms were wrapped around his stomach as he still tried to maintain his composure.

The pride of a lion.

But by the time the last wave came, he was on the floor, growling while grinding his molars, fingers trying to dig into the floor without avail.

And then the pain ceased.

But the sensation lingered. Just as with you. And again his head turned towards you with a frown and a wordless question, which this time around was mixed with a profound sense of awe.

“Does sting a bit, doesn’t it?” You smiled.

And you could have sworn that you heard Owen chuckle under his breath ever so slightly.

---

The weeks rolled past as the due date came closer. All the way until it arrived. And the delivery was without complications.

If you didn’t count Fue stressing more than you would have expected. In fact, you didn’t think that you had ever seen him so on edge than on that day. It was almost like he was angry, angry about your pain, angry about you having to endure something with which he couldn’t help you.

He was helpless. And he hated that.

But by the time the delivery was done, and you were so tired that you couldn’t lift your arms anymore, silence settled into the room. Just... silence, and awe and bliss that you couldn’t describe even if given all the time in the world.

Your first born was by your side. He had cried so much at first, but now it seemed like he had realized that it was alright.

Everything was alright. Mom was there… dad was there… and it was… alright.

Somehow you found the strength to turn onto your side and look at him… His hands were so small… his nose was so tiny and he was… just perfect.

You reached closer to him, placing your arm around him, as if to protect him, without putting the weight of your arm onto him.

“They’re perfect…” Fue whispered while cradling your daughter in his arms, without breaking his gaze from her.

“They are,” you agreed, while looking at your son again.

He placed a kiss onto your daughter’s forehead before turning to you, and placing her next to your son before climbing into the bed himself.

His movements were careful, soft, almost hesitant.

..Yes hesitant.

His eyes were looking intently to your children, as if he was afraid of looking away, as if he was afraid of something happening to them if he dared as much as look away. He might have just met his children, but it was evident that he was already filled with nothing but love, support and devotion to them. They’d be his world. Along with you.

You, and your children were his world.

As simple as that.

And as he laid in bed next to you, wrapping his arm over yours, as if to protect you and the kids now sleeping in between you two, you couldn’t see any fatigue in him, despite having been awake with you throughout the delivery. But there was also a sense of… wonder? The question of if it was real, that moment, was reflected from his eyes. The sheer disbelief if the happiness of that moment was real.

Which it was.

It was…

Your daughter let out a babble in her sleep, and you could have sworn, that even through your tired state, you could see a tear of joy collecting into his eyes.

“They’re perfect…” he whispered, with soft, tender syllables again that flowed through the tranquil silence of the room.

“They are…” you agreed again with faint amusement in your tone as your eyelids begun feeling even heavier.

“Thank you…” he still said.

But you weren’t quite sure what to say, because a ‘you’re welcome’ seemed… out of place, somehow. So, you simply nodded, and it was enough.

It was more than enough.

He was thankful of you, of your kids, of your family, and he didn’t need you to say anything.

He didn’t need you to say anything.

It was enough for you four to simply be there; exist, as a family. The little, perfect family that you couldn’t have dreamed of even in your most wonderful of daydreams.

But the thing was, you didn’t need to dream about it, because it was right there, in the waking world.

[thisfanisgonesorry]

I'd love to request some Junkrat dreaming about his parents, especially his Mum

And how proud they are of him

Give me the feels!

started writing this fic the second u sent it (sorry tf2 fans) cos ive been brainrotting on my sweet boy augh anyway, made this junkrat/you fic just so i could work it into my sleepy time fics and also cos .. youll see

tags: fluff, light angst, sleepy time fic number 3, comfort,, heavily based off shit i grew up w as a kid in australia, paranormal ghost shii, genderneutral reader, open interpretation,, weird pov thing oops

heavily inspired by these 3 clips just in case ur interested :-) (spoiler warnings obv)

[game of tones] [bobs burgers] [tf2 comic #5, old wounds]

<3<3<3

He woke up in his childhood home, he furrowed his eyes at the surroundings and sat up, confused at how he fell asleep on the couch, and the TV buzzed from the heat. The kids channel was inactive as it tended to be late at night. He was remembering things that he hadn’t seen in years. He sat up and went to wobble his way around the building before both feet landed on the carpet.

He paused, noticing both legs in tact, then realising his arm was too. “It’s a dream.” He said plainly, realising what was happening. He began to make his way towards the kitchen, the bright light seeping down the hallway and into the dark lounge room.

“Jamison!” The tall blonde woman called out to him.

“...Ma?” He looked at her confused and she handed him a plate full of meat and vegetables.

“I was wondering when you’d wake up, tea was about to go cold.” She smiled warmly at him, all he could really do was smile weakly back. “Something the matter?”

“Uh.. Nah, nah.” He hesitated.

He’d dreamed of his mother before but not quite to this much extent. Not this much detail, it was uncanny how real it felt. 

“Dinner looks good.”

She placed her plate of food on the bench and put a hand on his face. “You look so grown up.” She frowned at him slightly.

“What?” He was taken back and put his plate on the bench too.

“How long has it been?”

He froze for a minute. “Close to fifteen years.” She kept rubbing her thumb over his cheek before he pulled her hand away.

“That’s a long time.” She laughed softly. “What’s happened?”

He furrowed his eyebrows and shrugged casually. “Not much.. Lost my leg.. Lost my arm.. Survived the Omnic Crisis.”

She grabbed his now in-tact amputated arm and ran her hands over his forearm. “That must’ve been hard.”

“It was.” 

He was a little uneasy about how she somehow knew which arm was gone. They just stood there in silence for a long period of time.

“Is this real?” Jamie laughed awkwardly. “It’s just a dream, right?”

She looked up at him and a moment’s silence passed over them and a sense of knowing filled the air. 

“I’ve missed you.” She said softly.

“I’ve missed you too but how.. How are you..?”

“I bet you’ve done great things since I’ve been gone.”

He pressed his lip into a fine line at her changing the topic but then frowned at the knowledge that she would not be proud of her son if she knew of all the awful things he’s done.

“I don’t know about that..”

“What have you been up to?” She responded casually, as if making small talk with a friend you see once a month.

“I’m a criminal now.” He shrugged with a nervous laugh. “I make a lot of money and.. It makes me happy, I’ve met a lot of good people through it. I’ve travelled the world.” He rambled a little, almost like he was trying to sell a product.

“If it makes you happy, then I’m proud of you.” She sounded faintly disappointed yet still felt genuinely proud of him for finding what makes him happy and finding people that he loved.

“You’re not.. Upset?”

“I think I can understand why things happened the way they did.” She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “You’ll always be my baby, no matter what. I don’t think it makes you a bad person for trying to survive.”

There’s another long gap of silence, both not sure what to say next.

“Tell me about your friends.”

“Ah, my friends?” He hesitated. “Where do I even start?”

“Tell me about the big one.” She smiled.

“Roadhog? His names Mako but he don’t like when we call him that. He’s my best friend, he’s basically like a brother. He’s been there for almost everything, thick and thin, y'know? He's the only person who I can really count on.”

“And the other one?”

“Y/n.. They’re.. Well. I'm lucky to have ‘em, I think you'd love ‘em too. Y’know, in a strange way, they remind me a lot of you. They’re both really important to me and I’m grateful to have them.”

Silence lingers in the air once again, an awkward stillness of uncertainty. What do you even say in this situation? What could you possibly talk about?”

“So.. There’s an afterlife?” She stayed silent. “Why’d it take you so long to visit? Why are you suddenly visiting me now?”

“I think you know why.” A lot of ideas raced through his head, so many possibilities on why. She spoke plainly with a slight sentiment of sadness at the end of her words. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She wrapped her arms around his torso and pulled him into a tight embrace. He hesitated but hugged her back, savouring the moment.

“I think it’s time for you to wake up.” She said softly.

“I don’t want to yet.” He said as she pulled out of the hug and kissed his forehead.

He jumped awake with a loud gasp. I was leaning over him with my hand resting on his shoulder. “Jamie? Are you okay?”

“Huh?”

“You’re crying.”

He wiped his face in a hurry with his hand and attempted to with his bicep. 

“I’m fine just.. Realising some stuff.” He smiled up at me warmly though it was clear something happened to upset him.

“You can talk to me, you know?”

“I know.” He continued to smile. I handed him a water bottle and smiled back at him. “I’ll tell you about it later. Just gotta think on it.”

[kanamori-kamper-moved]

🥰

KAORU N YUUYU RIGHT NOW/nf

Saying I love you without I love you. THIS PROMPT WORKS SO WELL WITH THEM?? SOBS??

Also there’s more lore for my fanseries in here if you’re interested!! It’s small but yknow

-

Kaoru was the most impressive man Yuuyu knew by all means. He was handsome, and caring, and even though it was very telling of her own behavior, he could actually remember the things he needed to do on top of being her manager. But now, that her career as a duelist was getting so big to the point she needed a manager, to her own disappointment, she had to actually be an adult and take care of her responsibilities.

Yuuyu didn’t make a habit of sleeping in, always waking up at 4:15 to prepare pastries for the cafe Vanilla graciously left in her care. Although he was no longer with her, he couldn’t let him down, no matter where he was.

Yuuyu stretched her arms, flipping over her fluffy white blanket and getting out of her bed. No matter how early it was, she was dedicated to her work. Slipping on her shoes, and pulling her sweater onto her slim arms, she pulled herself down the stairs to open up the door to the entrance to the backdoor of the cafe.

To her surprise, the lights were already on. She must’ve forgotten to turn them off before closing up shop. No matter, just a slip up.

But the moment she stepped out of the kitchen to the front of the store, there he was.

Kaoru.

“Oh, Yuuyu!” He perked up, standing in front of a table. “I should’ve called you before coming in, I was just setting tables. Because last time we met, you gave me an extra key in case I needed to get to you, and I just thought you needed some help.

“Oh, no, it’s fine!” Yuuyu slowly walked over to him, feeling somewhat embarrassed for coming down without getting properly dressed to see him. Kaoru wasn’t too formal with what he wore, always a softly colored turtleneck or a sweater with jeans. They fit him oh so well. “You already finished setting them this quick? You must’ve gotten up earlier than me.” Her voice was soft, although still somewhat groggy. The sun had barely come up, after all.

“Do you need help with anything else? I’m free until about 1, I think.” Kaoru asked, turning over to face her.

“I was just about to prepare dough for some croissants, nothing else..” She played with her cotton candy colored hair, trying to avert eye contact to the best she could, “You can get some butter from the fridge and roll it out on a sheet pan while I make the dough. But I wouldn’t wanna trouble you, of course!”

“Please, you never do. It’s a joy to be around you.”

Was it really?

Following Vanillas untimely passing, she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. She’d work herself into the night, and whenever she wasn’t she was locked up in her room, mouth growing thick and venomous with silence. The hours kept passing by, and she never left her house, or touched her deck as the sky shifted and cicadas died. No matter how worried Trip or Hana or, hell, that kind boy, Pit, from nextdoor was, they were to hesitant on knocking on her door to do much.

She didn’t see herself as much of a joy to be around. Her mood swings were awful, whenever she wasn’t putting on a smile and wearing a frilly apron to serve pastries to people she was either rotting away in her bed, scrolling through her phone trying to ignore all of the texts they’d sent together, or crying, not saying a word to anyone unless spoken to first.

But she slowly climbed out of that home, but even then, at times she couldn’t help but miss him. At least there was Kaoru to distract from it.

Yuuyu had taken up dueling in her free time, she’d competed in the Glacé Cup and even though she’d lost it didn’t remove her status as a popular duelist, or any of the friends she’d made, leading her to meet Kaoru.

Her first meeting with him was something she would never forget, she was sure. Just as every other meeting they’d had, even this one.

The two had eventually moved to the kitchen, Yuuyu grabbing a bag of flour from the cabinet and a few measuring cups, just before setting them on the kitchen island. “The pans are in the bottom left cabinet, the rolling pin in the drawer under the sink, next to the big knife.”

“Oh, and don’t forget to grab an apron from the side.

Kaorus expression was just a soft smile, rolling out a stick of butter onto the pan just as Yuuyu had asked so she could roll it into the dough she was preparing. His features were so femininely beautiful, yet so impossibly handsome and masculine.

“Why’d you come here so early, anyway? Not even Hana is up this early, and she works here.” Yuuyu lightly chuckled. “Like I said, I thought you’d need the extra help.”

Even then, his delicate hands kept the same motions. “No, really. I know you, give me the actual reason.”

Running the cafe had become somewhat harder these days, especially after the final duel of the Glacé Cup between Yuuyu and a person she’d rather not name. It was almost like the first days Vanilla had joined The Eight, and the door was practically bust down by all the preteen girls who fancied him.

“Okay, you got me. Maybe I just like spending time with you, what are you gonna do about that?” He turned his head to her once more, smirking.

“Awfully sweet of you, Kaoru.”

“Not as sweet as these croissants, I’m sure. These are gonna be chocolate, right?”

“How’d you know?” She perked up, noticing the carefully handwritten recipe book she’d kept was in the wrong place, being on the kitchen island instead of on the front counter. “I read your recipe book, and I bought one while you weren’t working. They’re to die for, you know. Guess it’s just you working your magic!”

“You could say that..” Yuuyu couldn’t help but blush.

“But speaking of chocolate, fetch me a knife and a bar of it from the freezer.” Yuuyu asked, noticing that Kaoru was done with the butter, having perfectly rolled it into a perfect square which she would fold into the pastry dough.

”Of course, anything for you.”

Anything?

“You can chop that up, boil it over the stove, and make sure to mix it so it doesn’t stick. And put it in a piping bag when it’s done, too.”

Kaoru nodded, doing just as she said. “I really do enjoy spending time with you, y’know. I don’t get much done at home other than just doing paperwork.”

“Even if it’s just making stuff for the cafe, I’m glad.”

Yuuyu’s earlier blush only came from flattery, but this one, was from pure affection. She couldn’t really believe someone could go out of their way to wake up so early just to help her bake some pastries that they wouldn’t even get to eat. “Th.. Thank you..”

“Really, it’s nothing. Just my pleasure.”

“I know things have been hard for you, they really have been, and I’m sure you don’t want to admit it. Just, know I’m here.”

“Even if I’m just your manager, I’m your friend, no, more than your friend, honestly. Don’t be afraid to come to me, okay? I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.” Kaorus smile was soft, even softer than his earlier one, so as to make Yuuyu’s heart melt within her own chest. It was simply too much for her.

Kaoru turned off the stove, licking the partially chocolate covered spoon off with his own tongue. Normally, she would’ve scolded him for it, but she’d let him have this just this once. Just as a treat.

He’d said earlier that these croissants were sweeter than his own actions, but Yuuyu was certain he was even sweeter, to a tooth-rotting degree.

And as Kaoru walked to the cabinet to grab that piping bag, Yuuyu was sure of something as a smile, almost as soft as his, creeped onto her own face.

She was sure that she loved Kaoru, even though he hadn’t said it.

[threadsun]

Ian doubts Ian? More likely than you think 😌 How much do you want to bet though that firehouse puppy has a few lockers specifically DEDICATED to the amount clothes that were given to them (including the ripped ones)? I’m sure one of guys made it all pretty too just for them. Now the question is if Jean would pull you into his lap WHILE wearing one of his handpicked outfits when someone visits the firehouse just to show how powerful he is. Oh absolutely to the insane amount of aftercare needed after Jean gets his hands on you. I’m sure that some of the guys made a watch group to makes sure Jean doesn’t go near you after one particularly rough session, switching who keeps an eye on you every so often. But definitely he knows not to push too far or he’d feel the wrath of all the other guys. Sometimes when firehouse puppy goes nonverbal from all the pleasure, they use the asl sign for no so that Joesph or Nick can jump in and stop the scene. OMG Ian would secretly LOVE being a firehouse bunny at that moment 😩 Maybe he’d sneak off every so often just to slip it on for JUST a moment~

You can work with anything? That’s makes sense with summoning spirits though, is there something that happens if someone doesn’t follow the rules like not knocking before entering the temple in the morning or summoning spirits in general? Exactly!!! No need to put yourself in danger just cause you’re a little curious about something!! Thank you 🩵 Yeah!! With how much things can change and shift, there’s always something new to learn so that’s why it’s amazing that we get the opportunity to learn about it! Oh that’s a shame that you had to deal with someone who is misinformed about Kabbalah :/ Hopefully they’ve brought in someone who’s Jewish to teach that class and knows what they’re talking since you’ve taken it! Learning about witchcraft in other countries must’ve been cool though!!! I can understand why you chose to do disability studies as a minor instead of witchcraft though! What did that minor consist of?

-🎃

Ian will believe literally anyone over himself, poor lad has NO self esteem 😔 They definitely have at least one locker full of clothes for their dog! Jean will do absolutely anything for a powerplay, so yeah he'd definitely dress them up and pull them into his lap and casually grope them while visitors are around. Anything to show his claim over them. He keeps everything on just the right side of okay so that the others don't try to take them away from him, while still being able to take all his sadistic urges and whatnot out on them. Everyone else can only really help by giving solid aftercare and keeping him occupied when they need a rest. Oh I love that so much, they all learned ASL so they could help hoh/deaf people during rescues, but it's very convenient for a nonverbal partner too! Ian would be so into it. He'd try to pretend he wasn't because he wants to seem as dommy as the rest of them, but he loves when the others bully him into putting his lil costume on and subbing with their puppy!

Not really, it's just considered rude. Which I guess runs the risk of a supernatural being not liking you, which would suck, but usually there's no consequences. It's just about being polite. I'm hoping they brought in someone Jewish to teach it, cause she was really awful and kept spouting lots of antisemitic bullshit too. But generally the other witchcraft courses I took were really cool and interesting!! For the disability studies minor, technically it's only an honorary thing. I was meant to be in the first class of students graduating with it, because the disability studies programme as an official department was new in my senior year. But then covid hit towards the end of my last semester, so they had to push off the creation of the minor. But I took all the required classes for it, so while it's technically not on my diploma I hit all the requirements for it. It mostly involved various classes about the social and medical models of disability, the history of disability, and the way it's portrayed in media and literature.

[soft4gguk]

I don’t think JK has thought this beach house weekend all the way through. Like what is his plan? Treat her like the nanny the entire time then crawl into her bed at night? I’m a little angry at him for even putting her in this situation. I think his thoughts are mostly marred with Soori’s happiness. It makes me wonder if he’s in love with the idea of Soori finding comfort in OC but can’t think of his growing affection of OC outside of Soori’s connection with OC.

I also caught on Lucy’s “he’s bringing the kid” comment. He hasn’t taken her out on an actual date if my memory serves me well. I believe he cooked for her in his home, but I don’t recall if they’ve ever been out out on a public date. I think he lost what it means to take it slow. He wants all the things associated with a relationship ASAP but is going at a snail’s pace at facing his demons head on.

With JK’s oblivious nature when it comes to flirtatious women , I guarantee you that a woman as beautiful as Ira must’ve felt so insecure. All a woman wants is what Rihanna sings about “make me feel like the only girl in the world”… I’m afraid JK may have lost in that department and he’s going down that same path again. I wonder if Ira decided to leave as a test to see if he would chase after her — perhaps even call her a million times. I don’t blame him for the “no contact” but I wonder if a part of her was expecting him to beg so she can come back home.

bestie is it u???????????? I feel like its u!!!! if its not u ilu sorry for mistaking u for someone else <3

oof. so much to unpack. let me start from the beginning!

yeah, you're right. I don't think he thought things through and it's probably because he's not seeing it... he's not getting it. I mean, to him, everything's fine. they're on their regular schedule - maybe a little busier than usual bc of this deal thing but nonetheless, in his mind everything is fine. so yeah, he probably does think that lol. also what you said about his thoughts being marred to Soori's happiness is so smart, I can't. (that's what made me think it was u lol) and honestly, I don't know what to respond to that... are they? not even out of not giving spoilers, I think I genuinely have to explore this before I can bring it into the story. thank you for that, tbh. that's such an interesting point to elaborate on.

omg!!! yeah, you're right! he has not taken her on a date yet, that's insane. I mean... that's not even justifiable over the fact they haven't been together for that long. OMG HE'S DOING EVERYTHING WRONG! and yes, I get so much is complicated but a date???? shouldn't that be easy???? idk. and yeah, I mean, his last relationship bared an actual child, so I get if he's a bit out of the loop on how the pace of things should be but still... :/

okay so, I loved your insight on ira and any insecurities they might've faced, and I can't believe I'm saying this but this is wrong! and that's why I wanted to include that bit of oc googling her during the last chapter, because their relationship was genuinely picture perfect. that's why in a way, jungkook was so incredulous and confused when she left. even if things hadn't been doing so well with her becoming a mom and all of that. he genuinely believed they were gonna work through it. they loved each other a lot 😭 also!!! I know I am depicting him in an awful light but he is a good man. he's not a fuckboy!!! like yeah he's been with his fair share of girls when he was younger but he's a nice, respectful boy I promise 😭 just a little dumb LMAO. also!!! I feel like I wouldn't say he has a flirtatious nature because he's a flirt, more so because he's charming. hehe.

omg, you never miss. I love answering these. ilu <3

[awynter]

“That must’ve been it, then. My rambling about A Midsummer Night’s Dream must’ve been what endeared you to me in such a fashion.” She smirked. “Perhaps I shall refrain from speaking of what novel I’m reading as of late, then, lest I seduce you any further.”

She couldn't drag her eyes away from him as he wrung out the moisture from his hair. Anne swallowed, watching his hands, yearning to reach out and hold him and never let go. Her fingers itched to reach out and comb back his hair and to savor the feeling of his closeness. But she shakes her head, trying her damnedest to shove any such thoughts out of the forefront of her mind.

“Well, my head and I thank you for your mercy.” Biting back a grin, Anne gave a dramatic bow. At his last comment, however, she couldn’t hold it in and a loud, rather unladylike snort escaped her. “Only comely? Here I thought I’d be at least a lovely or, dare I say, useful paperweight. Though I suppose I haven’t done very well at proving my usefulness thus far, have I?”

Out of the three girls, Harriet had been the one most taken with Shakespearean works. Frances held no strong opinions on many things unless they included unicorns and Elizabeth preferred her mystery novels over her younger sisters' plays. In reality, Anne herself wasn't very familiar with other playwrights. She knew authors and the historical figures her own governess had taught her in her youth, but she wasn't knowledgeable about, well, anything when it came to theatre.

"If you have any recommendations for better reading materials, I am open to suggestions. My knowledge of the performing arts is painfully limited to the great Bard, and Moliere." Anne let out a sigh, feigning distress at having to admit her own shortcomings. “If I were to be cast as Viola, I might have to rely on you for a costume. I’ve already worn your clothes once before. What harm could a second time do?” A lot, she thinks. An awful lot.

“You are not an idiot.” She pressed, a firm tone refusing to accept such comments. It wasn't exactly a scolding cadence, but it was incredibly similar to the tone she took on when the Pleinsworth girls took to fighting one another. “Foolish, perhaps. Naïve at times.” And incredibly, wickedly, tragically beautiful.

“Yes, it was clever, I suppose, but entirely uncalled for.” She blushed furiously, a mixture of anger and embarrassment colliding within the confines of her chest. If she hadn't been so struck by how badly she wanted to kiss him again, she might've shook with annoyance at such a careless prank.

“As much as I take pleasure in teasing you, I would never stoop so low.” Cheeks brightening and eyes wide, Anne lowered her voice, as though even the ripples in the water could not be privy to her sentiments.

“Someone could’ve seen you, Ben. Someone who would've admired the view much less than I.” Anne winced at her own words, but trudged on. “N-Nonetheless, I highly encourage a firm scolding when you return inside. And if you aren’t up for it, I certainly will. Mister Bridgerton may have thought it a measly joke, but he put you in danger. He… He could’ve gotten you fired, o-or worse.” She didn’t want to think about worse, not when a mere two weeks sentence had made her heart yearn so much. A lifetime without him would surely be enough to kill her.

“It's funny, I was hoping the next time we met, we might speak about the... predicament we've found ourselves in.” Anne swallowed, desperately pushing the memory of his lips out of her mind. When she started again, her tone was softer but just as serious as she wrapped her arms tighter around herself. “But I'm not sure this is the right time to discuss matters of the heart, either. I'm beginning to think the time will never be quite right.”

Unbidden, flashes of skin came to mind and Benjamin flushed, the color burning along his cheeks and up to the tips of his ears. "I'm afraid it will take far more than ankles and toes to seduce me, Miss Wynter," he said. "I'm a man of simple tastes: one offer of opening a book, and I'm yours."

Wincing at the implication -- could he do or say nothing right as of late? -- he cleared his throat before taking hold of his hair, wringing excess water from his sodden locks while meeting her gaze. Anne's eyes were so wide and impish and blue -- so, so very blue -- that he momentarily lost his breath and looked away again, startled by the wave of yearning crashing restlessly against his heart.

"I’ll be sure to designate my dismembered head to you in my will.”

The joke startled him back to attention, and with a soft, husky laugh, Benjamin assured her, "I think I much prefer it attached, thank you very much, but I appreciate your generosity. If nothing else, I suppose I could use it as a comely paperweight."

Humming at her Anne Boleyn assessment -- it wasn't the most pleasing outlook -- he agreed, "Perhaps we need to get Frances to read some Shakespearean comedies for a while instead. I would much rather see you donning the garments of Viola than poor Queen Anne."

Unbidden, a hint of ruddy embarrassment nipped at his cheeks. The thought of her clad in men's clothes, albeit innocent on the surface, conjured thoughts of legs and hips, and swallowing low in his throat, he chuckled to mask the rising heat beneath his collar. "Um...on second thought, perhaps she should steer clear of Shakespeare altogether."

Anne continued to tease him -- Lord above, why couldn't he focus? -- and snapping his eyes back up toward her face, Benjamin blinked a moment as he struggled to comprehend. Her mouth was moving -- well, there he went being distracted again -- but he couldn't quite get a proper grasp of the words.

"I'm...sorry, I...think I must've gotten water in my ears," Benjamin deflected.

Right. Smooth recovery.

Anne narrowed her eyes. "Do you me asking how exactly you managed to get into this predicament in the first place? I saw Mister Bridgerton take your clothes, but... that doesn't explain why you were without them in the first place." Finally, her expression turned a touch mischievous. "Care to explain yourself, Mister Tallmadge?"

"Not in particular," Benjamin said, fighting back a smile. "But since you asked so nicely...Gregory convinced me to take a swim, so I agreed. I didn't want to get my clothes wet, and I also didn't wish to borrow anyone's garments, so..." He shrugged, sheepish. "In short, I'm an idiot, Miss Wynter. I should've seen behind his schemes the moment he spoke." A flash of fond amusement warmed his eyes. "Still, it was rather clever of him, wasn't it? I'd say I taught him well, but he's never been privy to my own pranks."

[sukirichi]

reckless [02.]

With a lackadaisical playboy as your boss, being reckless wasn’t an option. But on the one time you let loose and made mistakes, your life is shattered, and now you’re playing house with your insufferable boss who is the father of your baby.

✘ cw. angst, toxic situations

✘ note. yes, feel free to scream at me in the asks. but like don’t worry, i promise there’s more to come and there’s more to happen! it’s going to get fluffier as we go hehehehe. ALSO, I can’t help but feel that Zayn’s “Let Me” speaks perfectly to CEO playboy Gojo. hmph.

one  ✘  two  ✘  three 

One glance at the tall man beside you, and you would’ve thought he would pass out soon.

Satoru had been endlessly fidgety hours before the appointment. Flicking from music stations to another, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel or sighing at the sight of you calmly watching the city go by in a flash – it was clear he was restless. Judging from the dark circles he tried to conceal under a pair of shades, he probably hadn’t slept much last night as well.

Now that you were both inside the clinical room, with you laying back down on the reclined bed, belly exposed and all for him to marvel at, his knee hadn’t stopped bouncing. “Satoru, calm down. It’s just a doctor’s appointment.”

“Sorry,” he apologized sheepishly, rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants. “I’m just…excited yet nervous, you know? It feels so real now.”

Real didn’t begin to cover it. Although you masked your nervous quite well, you felt your stomach tighten when a woman came in. Her smile was gentle and comforting enough, talking you both through the process and spilling little fun facts about pregnancy. She applied a cool gel over your belly before turning to a screen, where mixed dots and waves of black and white blurred in front of your visions. Your eyes widened in awe, throat dry from the inability to speak. The baby had always felt real, but seeing it with your own two eyes, a small figure barely even a comprehensible shape in the screen, you couldn’t help but tear up a little.

“That’s mine?” Satoru breathed out, absentmindedly looping his hands through yours. It made you stiffen for a quick second, but your attention was quickly pulled back to the sonogram. “We made that?”

Your heart clenched at his words.

He sounded so happy – like all his dreams came true and you’d just given him a gift that was beyond priceless. You supposed it really was; a baby was always a miracle and joy to have, but this child wasn’t made out of love. How could he have so much fondness for something he didn’t want in the first place?

“The baby is perfectly healthy. This pregnancy doesn’t seem like a high-risk one, but it’s too early to tell so we’ll keep checking in on you,” the doctor pushed her glasses back to her nose, the sound of her cool voice pulling you back from a dangerous path of self-doubt and wariness. “Do you guys want to know the gender?”

Glancing at Satoru, you shook your head. It was amusing that you didn’t need to share words before he got the meaning behind one look, and he squeezed your hand as if to say he understood.

“I’d like that to be more of a surprise. Thank you, doctor.”

“Congratulations on being a father, Sir,” she bowed, and it occurred to you just now she was probably a family doctor. Satoru did end up keeping his promise that your pregnancy be kept private for a while. This little detail made you turn to him with shock written all over your face, though his attention was centred in on the swirling monochrome colours on the screen. Whether the doctor noticed the brewing tension between you two or not, you were still gad when they bowed once more to excuse themselves. “I’ll leave you two to talk now.”

The moment she was gone, you sat up and pushed your blouse down. Satoru’s demeanour had changed as well. His smile was wiped from his face, replaced only by a slight downturn of his lips.

Sighing, you swung your legs over the bed, not minding one bit that he was inches away from resting his chin onto your thighs. “Is there something you’re not telling me? You’ve been so worried since we got here.”

Satoru winced.

“Am I that obvious?”

“Even if you aren’t, it’s not that hard to see through you,” you spoke gently, a spirit possessing you because there would’ve been no other logical reason on why you placed a palm over his. Satoru’s hands were warm and large as he cupped your knee, tracing little patterns over your jeans as he kept his gaze lowered to the floor. It was an odd sight to see; that the Gojo Satoru refused to look a woman in the eye. “Tell me. What’s wrong?”

Satoru’s sigh is painfully drawn out, though his chuckles took the brunt.

“I don’t know what to do – how to be a father, I mean. Don’t you ever get worried…that maybe we might fuck up and ruin someone’s life?”

“Hey,” you cupped his cheek, forcing him to look you in the eyes – which you really wished he didn’t, because you’d never seen such azure this up close before. It was no secret that his eyes alone stole the hearts of people, but you had to remind yourself he broke them as well, so that you pulled away right before he got too close for comfort. It wasn’t what he needed anyway. Satoru simply required reassurance, so you opted for an awkward pat on the shoulder. “Weren’t you the one telling me the other day we’ll work it out?”

“Yeah, but…”

“But what?”

“It’s nothing,” he shook his head, a smile lighting up his features once more. “Are you feeling good? There’s someplace I want to take you, as a celebration for our healthy baby.”

You pursed your lips. As much as you appreciated his enthusiasm, this ‘celebration’ didn’t sound like a good idea. You’ve made mistakes before and now you lived the consequence of it; being reckless was outdated. Caution, wariness, and space were the top three perfect recipes for the complete opposite of a disaster.

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Why not?” he challenged, taking your hand in his as he guided you out the clinic. You made no comment on why he led you out the back where he’d parked his car, even going as far to bow for you as he opened your door. “Liven up a little, we got good news today! Plus, we didn’t both take a day for nothing. Come on, you’re going to have fun, I promise you!”

“And where would we go where people won’t recognize you?”

“Somewhere people are too lost in their own world to focus on others,” Satoru announced before sending you a side glance, smooth hands already on their way to rev the engine.

This wouldn’t go down well. Or at least that was what you wanted to believe, because his smile and excitement were too contagious that you couldn’t restrain the smile you wore.

“A carnival? Really? We’re too old for this.”

“We’re never too old for anything,” he insisted, placing his hands on your shoulders as he maneuvered from stall to stall. Everywhere around you, children and people of all ages milled by, laughter and screams that fading into the distance. One survey at the long, endless lines for the rides and crowded spaces, you grimaced, feeling an uncomfortable weight resting on your shoulders that was beyond Satoru’s hands. “Aw, come on, don’t be such a bore. Day offs like these are rare and think about the baby! Don’t you think they would’ve wanted us to get a long?”

“You’re just using the baby as an excuse to have fun.”

Of course he would – Gojo Satoru was like a man-child. Whether it was someone randomly bringing donuts or puppies into the office, he easily lit up like a firework, seemingly finding joy in every little thing. Being stuck in the office and forced to work his ass off under your supervision must’ve taken a toll on him too.

Add on the fact he hadn’t gone out on dates or parties ever since he found out he was going to be a dad, the desperation to go out and do something was written all over his face.

Satoru pouted. “That’s mean. Take that back.”

“No.”

“And I’m the childish one here?” he snickered. You merely rolled your eyes at him and gave in; too much time spent working and not enough time relaxing (not that being a carnival was your definition or relaxation, but alas, Satoru was dragging you around everywhere like always) wouldn’t be good for the baby.

“You see that bear over there? I’m going to win that for you. It could be my first ever present for our baby.”

There was no stopping him. You didn’t want to, either, because you just stood there, arms crossed against your chest as you let him do whatever he pleased. A literal man-child, a youthful soul stuck in an irritatingly attractive man’s body – these were the thoughts that ran through your head while Satoru kept swinging his arm back and forth. He chose a stall where you had to knock down stacks of cans down with one set of three balls, all because he wanted to win a bear. You would really rather go home than watch him fail four times now, but he wasn’t giving up, only flexing his shoulders before gesturing to the young man.

“Hey man, three more balls please.”

Nothing was funny about it at all. Watching your boss fail miserably even after ten tries shouldn’t have been so hilarious, yet sweat was dripping all over his face and his patience was hanging on a loose thread that you were giggling before you knew it.

His usual confident bravado began to tear down bit by bit, his face flushed from the sounds of your teasing.

“Satoru, stop,” you laughed, “We’ve been here for twenty minutes and your wallet might as well be empty! You can just go buy a bear at the mall.”

“You’re too functional. Where would be the meaning behind it if I just bought a random bear?” he huffed, pushing the sleeves of his denim jacket up to his elbows. Determined now more than ever, he even stretched his long arms side to the side with a shake of his hips. You could tell the young man manning the stall was hiding his amusement by whistling to himself, but Satoru really was such a ridiculous sight you couldn’t blame him. “No, I’m going to get that for you, then I’ll brag to my baby how cool their dad was when he knocked those cans down.”

“You mean, if you knock those cans down.”

His shoulders deflated. “Support me a little bit, will you?”

“Hmm, I don’t know, it might just inflate your ego and you’ll be too distracted by yourself to ever actually knock those cans down,” He threw a ball with a force so strong it hit the curtain above the cans, and it bounced back somewhere below the tables. It didn’t even touch the can by a smidge, and you snorted. “See what I mean?”

Expecting that Satoru would take insult to heart (as his ego was easily wounded, this much you knew when he refused to talk to anyone at the office for a whole day because one of his directors forgot his name) you smirked at him, but that smirk immediately dropped when he grinned back at you. He was no longer wimpy like before, an aura of confidence brimming from him. “That’s like the second time you’ve told me I was distracting,” he mused, leaving you baffled because he was right. “On the contrary, I think you’rea lot more distracting, so I take that back. Just stand there and watch me win.”

“Okay,” you drawled out in faux disinterest, thankful for the corny carnival music and chatter from the crowd that he couldn’t hear your poor beating heart.

You were too focused on pretending to be unbothered by him that you failed to see how the cans were knocked down. The counter guy was already picking them up as Satoru pumped his fists in the air, way too much like a child high on sugar.

Was this really the father of your baby?

“I won! I fucking won! That huge brown bear, please!”Satoru’s smile from holding the bear that was half his size couldn’t even compare to the city lights and sparklers. Even his eyes were lit up in joy as he skipped back to you, happily waving the doe-eyed bear in front of you. At your lack of reaction, he sighed before jutting his cheek out to you. “No congratulations kiss?”

“How about a slap?”

“Kinky,” he teased, sending your brain to overheat when he tapped his chin in thought. “Well, you did make my back bleed so I kind of got the idea you’re sort of extreme in bed – ow! Would you please stop hitting me? I just won you a wonderful prize and your first reaction is to hit me! This arm is exhausted from swinging endlessly, you know.”

“Maybe if you aimed better, you wouldn’t have had to exhaust yourself. Like I said, you could’ve just bought a bear,” you scolded, raising your arm threateningly when he opened his mouth again. Idiot. “Give me that.”

Satoru effortlessly swung the bear until it was under your chins, his white lashes ethereal as he peeked at you through them. He was close enough that you could feel the warmth of his breath dusting on your cheeks, that same warmth that had been mixing with yours in a sloppy, heated kiss just weeks ago. “And who said I was letting you carry this?” he taunted, thoroughly enjoying how for once, you weren’t hitting him.“I’m supposed to wave this around proudly then place it in our baby’s room when we get home. Besides, your hand looks heavy already.”

“My hands? Wait, what do you mean our baby’s room?”

At your words and questioning gaze, Satoru did a quick turn, trying to use the bear as a shield.

“Yeah, I forgot to tell you,” he scratched the back of his head awkwardly, “I may or may not have had my parents’ guest room renovated as a baby room, although if you ask me, I think moving somewhere else would be much better. Raising a child in a penthouse doesn’t seem like such a great idea if you ask me,” opening your mouth to scold him, Satoru stopped you by placing a finger on your lips, noses grazing against each other. “Don’t scold me right now; I know that look on your face and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, okay? We can still decorate it ourselves. I just had the beds removed and the space cleaned out. Now stop over thinking and let me help you with your problem.”

You pushed his face away for the sake of your heart. In fact, you should be paid for your acting skills for looking so unaffected.

“What problem?”

“Your hands look heavy,” he beamed, long fingers looping through yours as he swayed them side to side. “So let me carry it for you.”

“Satoru, I—”

“Don’t get me wrong,” he blinked innocently while surrendering his free hand, “I’m not doing this for you, it’s for the baby. Did you know oxytocin is released and makes you feel good and reduces pain, maybe even stress? We can pump your oxytocin levels through touch. It also lowers your blood pressure, and we want you at your happiest and healthiest for this pregnancy, right?”

“Since when were you an expert on this?”

“Since I found out I’m becoming a dad,” his words struck you speechless, mouth pressed into a flat line as you stared him openly. You hadn’t mean to come off as rude in that moment; you were just trying to gauge the sincerity behind his words, to explore the depth in his eyes, but Satoru must’ve took it wrong as he cleared his throat, “I can let go if you really want me to.”

“N-no! It’s fine…can we move? We’ve been standing here for ten minutes now,” Embarrassed, you pointed to the closest thing in your sight – a photo booth. “How about there? That looks fun.”

Satoru followed where your arm was pointed, laughing when a couple exited the red curtains while giggling amongst themselves. The guy even leaned down to steal a long kiss from his lover, and if you were embarrassed before, you wanted to crawl into a hole and never come back again right now. “You know, if you wanted me to be stuck in a cramped space next to you, you could’ve just said so. I didn’t bring the limo with me, but the Audi could be pretty small for us, I guess…”

You hissed at him in warning, “God, you never shut up do you?”

“It made you smile.”

“I wasn’t smiling!”

“Sure, mommy, whatever you say,” bumping his hip with yours, Satoru led you inside the cube. There were a plethora of filters to choose from; ranging from heart frames and ones that placed shades on your face. Not really thinking of what to pick, you reached out to press the frog hats one, but Satoru was swatting your hands away for the effect with heart emojis everywhere. “This is cute. We can show this to our baby once they’re born.”

“They won’t really know what a Polaroid is, Satoru.”

“It’s still sentimental!” he grumbled before clicking the camera icon, a huge smile already on his face until he saw you squished on the other side of the booth. Only one side of your ear could be seen, and Satoru furrowed his brows at you. “Come closer, you’ll be cropped from the frame.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Jesus, Y/N, don’t act shy now, I already fucked a baby into you,” mouth falling open at the vulgarity of his words, Satoru took the chance to drag you beside him. “Relax, you’re always so stiff. Our baby might come out frowning if you keep huffing like that.”

“You’re too close for comfort.”

“My apologies, I’ll try not to be included in the photo when you’re the one who suggested this in the first place,” he muttered playfully, booping your nose before he wrapped an arm around your shoulder. He was close, too close, that his musky perfume filled the close space. You wanted to lean closer to his warmth and sturdiness of his broad shoulders; his mere presence bringing about a sense of tranquillity despite your words. You told yourself it shouldn’t be too bad to lean into him for just a little while, absentmindedly following him as he cheers, “Smile!”

One photo turned into two, and Satoru ended up inserting a few more bills into the slot to take more. He tried out as many filters as he wanted, acting as if you two had been long time friends from how easy it was for him to be around you like that.

You supposed it came from his heavy experience with women. You were so unlike; while he was open to touch and didn’t care too much about space, you craved it deliriously.

It was obvious none of this meant anything to Satoru. You were probably just another woman in his life, with the exception that you had a kid, but you couldn’t mean something more. If anything, he treated you more like an old friend than a lover. He’d said it himself before that you weren’t his type and you didn’t mind, so why did it hurt the longer you mulled about it? Sure, you may not be as attractive or luxurious as his previous lovers, but did you really not even have charismatic pull? Is it because you weren’t his type that he was so casual with you, while you on the other hand, felt like you would lose your mind at every little thing he did?

You watched as Satoru pulled out his wallet and kept the Polaroid of you both grinning at the camera, forming a silly heart shape with your hands per his request. It was silly and platonic – yet the gesture confused you to no end.

“Why’d you do that?”

Satoru’s hand paused. “Am I not allowed to…?”

“We’re not lovers. You can’t just put a photo of us in your wallet.”

As if to prove a point, Satoru pulled out more photos of his wallet and showed it to you. There were several more wallet-sized photos, mostly of his white cat with black shades, another of him and his best friend, Shoko, and the last photo was of him skiing. They were all placed in his wallet along with a small, faded out photograph of what seemed to be his parents from the younger days. You couldn’t understand why he was showing you this, much less how patient he was as he smiled softly at you. “It’s memorabilia. I keep photos of everyone I care about everywhere with me,” he said, pocketing his wallet back before gazing up at the night sky. “I like to think we’re friends, at least. We’re definitely not just boss and employee anymore.”

Then what are we?

There were so many things you wanted to ask. You always knew he was always this overly friendly and nice, but what did make you? What did a friend mean to him? Other than Shoko, who was his lesbian friend who was also the company’s resident doctor, you’d never seen him be platonic with another female before.

The realization made your mood drop.

Maybe you were right. He probably didn’t even see you as a woman, but what did it matter? You didn’t like him. You shouldn’tlike him. Even if he had no intentions of wooing you, Gojo Satoru was far too appealing for his own good. Being around him was dangerous for your heart.

“Wanna ride the ferris wheel? The night city always looks beautiful.”

He was just your boss...and you were just a friend. Things were going to be alright as long as no feelings were involved. You survived seven years of working with him with not a single moment where your heart fluttered when he spoke your name; a baby made between you shouldn’t change anything now. At the end of the day, you were both only doing this out of responsibility. Satoru was trying his best to become a supportive co-parent to you, and that was all it ever would be. Strictly business – purely professional – as it always had been and always will be.

Foolish girl, you could hear a voice whisper at the back of your head, don’t get too lost in his eyes.

“Y/N, are you tired? Do you want to go home now? We can just order dinner to be delivered if you’re exhausted,” Satoru tugged at your sleeve to get your attention, and you chuckled awkwardly, not meaning to have spaced out the whole time. Worry was written all over his face from the way his brows dipped, stunning blue eyes darkening like the night sky you both made memories under.

Don’t look at me like that...

“Are you okay? Do you wanna go home?”

“Yeah,” you chirped far too brightly than you would’ve liked. Right now, it was more of a mission of fake it til you make it. You would just have to keep exerting the same amount of effort into making this work for the baby’s sake. And if that meant pushing aside any budding desire for this to last any longer to focus on your ‘friendship’, then you would do it. Taking Satoru’s hand for the first time since the baby ordeal, you flashed him a genuine smile. “The ferris wheel sounds nice. Let’s do some sightseeing before the night ends.”

Neither of you speak inside the cab. Beautiful the night was as the city shone into awakening illumination beneath you, comforting you with the thought that in the grand scheme of it all, you were small. Insignificant. That somehow everything you worried about wouldn’t matter when there was a much bigger world out there, and you were but a fickle dot in the middle of its entirety. But that was you, and Gojo lived in a much different world than you did. For somewhere in the city, you could recognize several of the sky towers, buildings, and establishments owned by his family. He mattered in the grand scheme; you were a small factor in his world.

Glancing back at the man who’d been silent the whole ride, you smiled upon seeing that he was doing the same. Satoru was practically bouncing in his seat as he snapped several photos of the city, mumbling something about he’d never seen this view before.

He was so innocent yet so out there, igniting within you an urge to take care of him and wanting to be taken care of by him.

You’d already accepted that you may just never have him that way. That small, fleeting crush was like a butterfly – pretty look at, but damn near impossible to catch. You’d already stopped crying yourself to sleep over the new changes brought about in your body, that in a few months’ time, you’d look back into everything and see that everything had changed. The mistakes you made that night were still something you regretted because you wished you could’ve done better, but seeing him right in front of you now, there was only gratefulness blooming within. Grateful that he was right by your side, grateful that at least the father of your child was more than capable of giving them a comfortable life, grateful that he didn’t push you away like you expected.

Acting more on impulse than logic, you leaned over to press your lips on his cheek.“Thank you,” you mumbled, eyes closed as you let your lips stay there for a few more seconds.

His skin was warm underneath your touch, and when you opened your eyes, Satoru was gazing up at you with stars twinkling in the vast galaxy he called his eyes. You smiled at his reaction, watching as he reached a palm out to caress that spot your lips had landed.“For what?”

“For everything,” you crumbled,“You’re not a bad person, Satoru, I know that,” with shuddered breaths, tears sprung at the back of your eyes again. “I’m sorry for being so difficult. I just need time to adjust to…well, all of this.” Your voice cracked at the last sentence and you were crying before you knew it, face hidden behind your palms in fear he’d look at you differently. In his eyes, you were always his stoic secretary who didn’t even bat an eye when people gave you backlash after Satoru hired you despite the lack of a college degree.

This all felt new – to cry, to trust, to rely on someone – and there was a flurry of emotions you couldn’t quite place yet.

Scooping you into his arms, Satoru patted your back as your cries grew louder. “Take all the time you need. We don’t have to rush into anything at all.”

In the harsh world of conglomerates where the laws of business blurred thinner and thinner with each day, it was hard to believe that not rushing into anything would be possible. It was always a flurry of hurried phone calls, frantic preparations for emergency meetings, anxiety over presenting new proposals and hoping that your superiors would sign your documents so you could go about your way. Time was as imperative as money was to them, but Satoru had proved he could be beyond that.

From the moment you met him, he never treated time as if it was something that slipped through his fingertips. He enjoyed every second he had of his life, and perhaps that was why you hated him so much in the first place.

You thought he took everything for granted, when in reality, all he did was bask in the little things life offered.

This much, at least, you trusted him with. If he said there would be no need to rush and you could both take it slow, he meant it. Around him, time felt more like a secret whisper than a treasure you both had to seize to protect. The night drifted off until it was already midnight and the crew was ushering all visitors out. You and Satoru made it home safely and quietly, hands linked together as if it was the most natural thing ever. No rush, you kept telling yourself, and you plopped down on the couch heavily as you let your muscles relax from such a long, eventful day.

You stayed there for a solid minute or so when you felt warm hands take your heels off. Opening your eyes, Satoru kneeled before you, his fingers expertly rubbing and pushing against the sore muscles of your feet. “Wh-what are you doing?”

“Your feet must be tired from all that walking,” he mumbled, looking up briefly to meet your eyes and tease your shoulder back. “Lean back for me. I’ll take care of you.”

Judging by the sentiment behind his smile, you figured it wouldn’t be harmful to enjoy this at least once. You’ve never gotten foot massages before but his hands kneading yours felt heavenly. You knew from experience beforehand that Satoru was quite godly when it came to the skills and magic his fingers brought, though this one was on a different level, and you were sinking deeper into the couch from the bliss. He was right; you were tired, and if having your boss massage you like this every night after dragging you wherever he pleased, then you wouldn’t complain.

The ringing of your phone made you sit up abruptly, surprising Satoru whose head you almost knocked into. “Sorry,” you croaked out sheepishly, “It’s my dad. I need to take this.”

“Do you need me to leave you alone?”

“Uh, no, you’re fine.”

Satoru gestured to your foot as you took the call, mouthing, “Should I continue?”

“Yes, please,” you answered back, palm pressed over the mic before you answered. “Hey, Dad!” Your father greeted you back with much enthusiasm, his energy heard even by Satoru who sent you small smiles and curious glances every now and then. A part of you wanted to ask if he was fine kneeling on the floor like that, but his knees were on the fur carpet anyway that it shouldn’t hurt him. He extended your leg and trailed up your calves, pulling a soft moan from you when he kneaded the flesh and rid it of its knots. His ministrations distracted you until you were nodding absentmindedly to your Dad every now and then, not really paying attention to what he was saying.

Then the call ended, and his last words kept ringing back into your head ominously. Satoru took quick notice of this as he tapped your knee, bringing your attention back to him. “Is something wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I...” you started, helplessly fumbling around Satoru. “My dad is in Tokyo. He said he wants to have dinner with me.”

“You don’t look particularly happy about that. Do you not want to meet your father?”

“I do but...”

“But?”

“I have to tell him about this,” you shivered, refracting your legs back to the couch until his touch disappeared from your skin. For a moment, you had the urge to crawl back to his heat, but you were restless, agitated. “About us. He’s going to want to meet you and I don’t want to hide the pregnancy from him either,” Satoru remained unmoving as you rambled, and you hid your face behind your arms again as you remembered the rules you asked him to follow. “Listen, I’m sorry if I sound unfair right now, I know I said I didn’t want anyone else knowing—”

Warm lips brushed over your knuckles, large hands peeling your wrists to reveal your face. “Hey, it’s fine. He’s family and you can tell him. It’s not like your Dad would ruin your image or something like you expected to happen.”

“He won’t but...” you frowned, “My dad isn’t going to like this. I can’t guarantee he’ll be civil the whole time, especially towards you.”

“You told him about me?”

“A few years ago, yeah, when I still couldn’t tolerate you.”

“So you can tolerate me now?”

“Only a little bit,” you corrected, pushing his hands away as you opened your phone to check your schedule. It was mostly Satoru’s schedule, truth be told, but you were free for the most part tomorrow. Satoru could just longue back in his office while you clocked out early to meet your dad. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. On second thought, he doesn’t have to know at all. I’m only a few weeks in and it’s not like he’ll notice—”

“Y/N,” Satoru interrupted you, rudely snatching his phone from your shaking fingers. You would’ve scolded him had he not sounded so worried. “I did promise I would take responsibility for you, right? I want to meet your dad and introduce myself properly. As a father-to-be, I think I can somewhat understand that he might react strongly to this, but I also need to reassure him you’re in safe hands,” taking your hand in his, Satoru leaned into your palm, the smile he wore way too charming than what your heart could handle. “As long as you’re okay with it, I would like to meet him.”

“I’m sorry if he does something stupid.”

“Don’t be,” he reassured with a chuckle. “I’m sure everything will go well.”

It didn’t go well. Your father wasn’t throwing a fit or causing a scene like you originally feared, but the current situation wasn’t any better either. He looked like he was on the verge of tearing Satoru’s head apart, his grip on the bread knife so tight his knuckles flashed white. Your father was the literal definition of unpredictable and out of nervousness, you held Satoru’s hand under the table for comfort.

In complete opposition of yours, Satoru handled it with class and composure. His head was ducked down in respect, making sure to be curt and precise in counters to your father’s harsh accusations.

“I’m really sorry for everything, Sir.”

“Did you ruin my daughter’s life?”

Satoru finally tilted his head back up to look your father in the eye, both your hands turning cold and sweaty in between the seats. “Pardon?”

“I asked if you ruined my daughter’s life by getting her pregnant.”

“I would never intend for that to happen, Sir,” Satoru straightened up. From your perspective, he looked every bit the man parents would want their children to be with – handsome, elegant, educated, polite, respectful and well-off – but your father was no ordinary parent. He sized Satoru up like a predator hunting his prey even as the latter acted cool about it. “Granted, it was an accident and neither of us are prepared for this, but I promise I’ll take care of her. I take responsibility as the father and you have nothing to worry about.”

Your dad slammed his palms down on the table, the loud smack catching the attention of nearby tables. “How dare you tell me I have nothing to worry about?”

“Dad, please don’t do this.”

“No, he needs to know,” he snapped. Unable to help it, you groaned inwardly and scooted closer to Satoru, knowing where this was leading. “I lost her mother right after she was born; raised her by myself when I was barely out from high school. Rich men like you may never understand the struggles of taking care of a baby all by yourself, but I did everything I could to make sure she grew up well. My daughter had a happy, comfortable life. When she told me she wanted to follow her dreams in Tokyo, I supported her, and then you go take everything away from her because you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself? You dare defile her like that?”

“Dad!” you roared, clutching Satoru’s hand who’d gone limp. “It was equally my responsibility as it is his! I wanted this; we both got carried away but we’re doing our best, so please stop being difficult to us.”

“You wanted this?” he laughed dryly, “A child with this man you kept moaning to me about; the same man who went to clubs every night while he left you all by yourself to work, to clean up his mess from him? You wanted him?”

“Dad,” you gritted your teeth, nails sinking down onto your thigh. Satoru remained silent between you both, although you could feel his burning gaze penetrating through the back of your skull. “It’s both our mistake. But this child...we don’t see it as that. We like to view it as a blessing. It may be true we harbour no affection for one another, but we want to be good parents. That’s all you need to know and I find no reason to explain myself to you. If you have nothing else to say, you can go back home. I’ll pay for your ride,” slamming down a few bills his way, you glared at your father, who shrunk back at the anger radiating off of you. “You’re not welcome here, Dad. Just go back home.”

“I’m just worried for you.”

“You don’t have to. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“I never said you were,” he sighed, rubbing the sides of his temples. “But he just took all your opportunities away from you! What about your dreams? What about your plan of having your own career once you have enough experience? What about—”

“Are you implying that because I’m pregnant, suddenly I’m not qualified to fulfil my goals?”

“Sir,” Satoru cut you off, releasing your hands as he leaned forwards on the table, becoming more and more like the CEO he was trained to be – all authority and gentle command that won the hearts of multiple investors. “I assure you that I won’t be holding your daughter back from the things she wants to achieve. As her co-parent, I’m perfectly capable of supporting her in the dreams she wishes to achieve. I’ve worked with her for years; I know she can reach for the stars if she wanted.”

Your mind blanked.

“Young man, don’t talk to me as if you know my daughter better than I do,” your father scorned, “I’m not questioning your capability to support her, but what about your credibility? How can you assure me you’ll really be there for her? How can you assure me you won’t leave my daughter stranded in the middle of nowhere? How can you assure me you can protect her from the harsh criticism of society? Money can’t provide nor does it solve anything,” your father copied his gesture by leaning forward, but it was to poke Satoru’s chest. “From what I’ve heard about you, I suppose you understand perfectly well why I don’t trust you.”

“Sir, I do plan on marrying your daughter and to give her the life she deserves,” Satoru confessed, effectively stealing from you the ability to speak as he glimpsed your way. “If she lets me.”

“You’ll marry her? Be faithful to her as your wife and have a family? Are you sure you can do that?”

“Yes, Sir, I’m highly confident I can. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Then that’s all I need to know,” your father leaned back in your seat, arms crossed against his chest and a stern expression on his face. “And if I find out you hurt or make my daughter cry in any way, I’ll beat up that pretty face of yours. I have two more sons that’re willing to do the same, if you don’t watch your actions.”

Satoru beamed at your father’s ‘approval.’ “I’ll face any consequence if I fall short on my duties, Sir, but I assure you, it will never have come to that.”

“So we’ve come to an agreement?”

The two men linked and shook hands across the table, completely disregarding the fact you were right beside him. You were beyond appalled, but mostly hurt that you’d been reduced to this way. And they were unaware of it, too, sickening and satisfied yet tense smiles were masked on their faces as they decided your future.

You stood up and left the restaurant.

You kept walking as fast as you could in the cold night, hands shoved into the coat of your pockets. Thousands of pin needles pricked at your heart and your skin the more you replayed the memory in your head. How stupid were you to think that Satoru would be different? And marriage? Was he serious? It all made you sick to the core to the point you wanted to throw up and disappear, until a heavy set of footsteps echoed behind you and tugged your wrist.

“Y/N, wait!” Satoru panted, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. “What’s wrong with you? You just up and left—”

“Seriously, Satoru, you’re asking me that?” your face fell flat at his cluelessness, “What’s wrong with you? You men are sickening; planning my entire future like that right in front of me as if I don’t have a say in what I want. None of you asked if I’m okay with this. You really went ahead deciding we’ll get married when I told you already, I don’t want to marry you and I never will!”

Satoru brushed a hand over his hair, a hand on his hip. You could tell his patience was being tested – after being verbally harassed by your father and now with you pushing back in the same heat, it was only a matter of time before he lost his cool. Surprisingly enough, however, his voice remained levelled as he sighed. “What did you expect me to do back there? Tell your father that we’re just going to be roommates and raise a child together as if we’re not already family?” he defended, words slow and pronounced with a hint of hurt behind them. “I respect you and I truly do want to be with you, that’s why I wanted us to get married.”

“You respect me?” you laughed incredulously, “Are you hearing yourself right now? No person respects another by deciding what happens to my life without my consent!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t ask, okay? I apologize for it and I acknowledge my mistake that I didn’t give you much of a choice. Me being cornered and pressured isn’t a good excuse, but I wasn’t lying when I said I want to take care of you and—”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why?”

“Why do you want to be with me?” you demanded, “Why do you want to take care of me so badly? How did you even take this so well? You weren’t even that angry when I told you I was pregnant.”

Satoru paled. “Was I supposed to be? Should I have pushed you away and kicked you out my life? Is that what you wanted me to do, or is that what you expected from me, considering you’ve made it extremely clear I’m nothing but your airheaded boss and a man who always wants his dick wet, right?” the sting of his words pricked you both – you with your guilt, and him with his pride crushed. But he didn’t let on, didn’t waver and didn’t match your anger as his chest shook with impatience. “I’m trying to be good to you; I want to be good for you and the baby because despite what you think of me, I’m not the devil the tabloids make me out to be. I sleep around, yeah, but I wouldn’t go so far to turn someone away especially when I know I’m supposed to be there.”

“Satoru, if you’re only doing this out of obligation, you can be a good father without marrying me. Marriage is not a requirement; I don’t care what people say that I got pregnant without getting married. That’s the least of my concern, I just want the baby to grow up healthy but I don’t want to be involved with you.”

With how stunned Satoru looked, one would’ve thought you slapped him right in the face. That mere sight of seeing your boss tear his walls down in front of you almost made you feel bad, but you had to be strong.

You had to be firm with what you stood for.

“I really don’t want to be with you, Satoru. I’m so sorry.”

“What do you want me to do?” his voice cracked, begging and pleading as he stood before you, looking every bit of a man lost in uncharted territory. “I don’t know what you want me to do, Y/N. One moment, you’re telling me you want me to be a good father, and then the next you’re pushing me away. People are so sure that I’m a man who can never settle down because they believe I have commitment issues, but I’m telling you I can commit to you right now,” he held your hand, rubbing some of his warmth at your comparably cold ones. You didn’t fail to notice that he was trembling, but what about what you couldn’t decipher. “Are you really sure I’m the one here who isn’t capable of that? What are you so scared of that you can’t trust me?”

“Because you’re you! Because you’re a fucking asshole who’s been treating me like I’m an overworking machine and always expects me to undo your shit for you! Because you make me sick and I don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t know what love means!” Exploded. You exploded. “I regret everything that happened between us that night. No, in fact, I regret ever meeting you at all.”

Satoru took a step back.

All the light and joy that fit so perfectly with him had now disappeared.

“I’m sorry,” he demurred, “I’m sorry that I’d been so repulsive that you’ve felt miserable for all this time. I’m sorry I haven’t been a decent boss and I’m sorry I’m not good enough for you.”

“Gojo, stop. Stop doing that; stop apologizing!”

“Then tell me what you want me to do,” he barked desperately. “Because I can’t read your mind and I just want to be good for you.”

“What if I don’t want you to? I don’t want you to be good to me, I don’t want you to care about me. Be there for the baby, but don’t involve yourself too much in my personal life. Stop asking me to marry you because you and I would never work out. We’re impossible, okay?”

“How do you know we’ll never work out when we haven’t even tried?” he pushed, “You never even gave me a chance.”

“You’re not worth that chance.”

If someone could receive an award for effortlessly trampling over someone repeatedly, you would’ve been crowned winner a long time ago. You had no idea what came over you as you spat all those hurtful words to Satoru, but did your words bear no truth? The fact that he no longer defended himself meant he also knew that he wasn’t worth it – that he wasn’t someone to be trusted. It wasn’t that you were completely unfair too; of course you considered it. Weeks of living under the same roof as him and you most definitely considered it. Say you did get married and became a real family – what then? It wasn’t a marriage out of love, but rather out of responsibility and obligation.

As much as you loved your child, you couldn’t imagine throwing away your future and living miserable for the rest of your life like that.

A life built on lies wasn’t a life worth living.

“I would never hurt you.”

Your heart cracked. After everything you said, after all your efforts to keep him away from your own safety, after all the hurtful things you’ve done to him, and he was still apologizing? Why did he have to make it so hard to let go? You were tired, so tired that you could no longer refrain your lip from quivering as tears caked your face.

“Gojo, please, don’t—”

“So if me stepping away from your life is what would really make you happy, then I’ll respect it. But there’s one thing I have to ask,” Satoru swiped a thumb under your eye to catch the tear. His smile was forlorn, his touch cold and words melancholic. “Do you want the baby? Do you...want to keep the baby and be a mother? You don’t have to do anything for me, I just want to know if the mother of my child even wants to be one. And please be honest, because everything you say right now are words that I’ll mark seriously.”

The word left your mouth before you could stop it.

“No.”

“No what?”

“I don’t want to be a mother,” you admitted, hands trailing over your belly. It felt like you were betraying your own child, but you hadn’t planned this. “I’m too young, Satoru, I-I’m not ready for this. With you there beside me or not, I really don’t want this.”

“Then,” he cleared his throat, turning his head to the side to catch a moment. You swore you saw his eyes shine under the city lights with tears, but it was gone so soon that you might’ve just fooled yourself with it. Once he deemed himself ready to talk, Satoru took a deep breath. “Do I have your consent that once the baby is born...it’ll be under my care? Would you prefer to reach your own dreams, then? You’ll never have to be a part of the Gojo family if it’s really not what you want, even though I could support you as much as you need me to.”

Your eyes widened at his proposition. “You’ll take care of our baby?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Can I...can I visit them, at least, once in a while?” It was more than just your heart that broke that night. There was no telling whether you’d hurt yourself in the long run with this decision. It was no easy choice to make – to actively pursue your dreams somewhere else more than being a mother. You wanted to do your best, of course you did, but it wasn’t that easy. Gojo didn’t have to tell you for you to understand that once you married him, you’d be expected to run the business with him and be involved in his family and their dramas. Now that wasn’t a life you wanted.

“You’re free to visit them whenever,” he promised, voice fading even lower into the background. “So is this it? We’ll just be living under the same roof until the baby is born and once they’re here...”

“We’ll part ways.”

“We’ll part ways,” he nodded in agreement, sniffling for a brief second before fixing his tie. The Gojo Satoru you got to know for a few weeks had now disappeared. Not even the goofy boss you spent seven years with could be found in the coldness of his eyes, almost as if he’d put up such impenetrable walls around him and nothing could pass through. The sudden shift in aura made your heart clench as he offered his hand to shake. “Okay. Let’s stay professional until then?”

“Yeah, Sir, I can do that,” your hands shook as you enclosed it around his, but now all the warmth had disappeared – from his eyes, his touch, his soul. It hurt, but this was necessary. It was what felt right. “Thank you – for everything.”

“You’re welcome. Anything for you and the baby,” Satoru proclaimed, perplexing you both when he suddenly pulled you in his arms. Just like that, the dam broke, and you were staining his precious suit before you could stop it. His arms rubbed up and down your back the longer he held you there, almost like a final moment to lean on one another before you had to say goodbye eventually. Beneath your palm, his heart beat exuberantly loud, so much so that you might’ve heard the prayers it whispered. “Stop crying now. The baby might feel sad too. We’ll both be alright – we just have to get through this.”

taglist OPEN: @sixeyesgojo @bongofrito @7tsumurai @aphnyoturkey​ @stuckindreamland06​ @dogsarenyspiritanimal​ @thebeardedmoon​ @lildreamer93​ @pizzaspirits​ @q-the-rockaholic​ @rogueofbullshit​ @ladywaifuuwrites​ @flochsgirl​ @hamsa-mage @sonic-and-songs​ @vsvwi @misslovingpearl | bolded users can’t be tagged 

[h2bakugou]

4k special | WAP dance reactions

a/n: it’s here! the big moment!! (edit 9.12.2020 - requests are closed and will reopen again soon!)

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thank you for 4,000 followers, and as of editing, we’re at 4.3k, it’s insane, thank you so much, i love writing, and your support is what makes it possible. here’s to more in the future. thank you for all your love and support <3

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dance credits go to @/ besperon on tiktok!

all characters aged up 18+ au!!

headcanon: them reacting to their s/o doing the wap dance

key: (y/n) - your name / (f/n) - first name / (l/n) - last name / (e/c) - eye color / (h/c) - hair color / (y/q) - your quirk

warnings: swearing, suggestive themes, fluff, no smut but 16+

»»————-　★　————-««

katsuki bakugou

»»————-　★　————-««

Before you even start the dance, you’re pumping yourself up. The song is playing, and you’ve just decided you’ll dance to the part when it gets to it.

You practiced hard enough, and you had a few injuries but now you were ready.

Bakugou’s watching you closely. This song was very interesting to him.

All of the analogies in the song are shocking him the more he listens to it. It’s kind of groovy though.

Bakugou’s waiting, and as he reaches for his phone the ending hook comes and he’s frozen as you kick your leg up and begin to dance.

He watches as you bounce back in forth, your curves moving to the music.

He’s shocked by the way you move, he’s never seen you do anything like that before. But he’d certainly like to see you do it again.

“What was that?” Bakugou smirks. You catch your breath and stand up, smiling.

“The new dance I learned, did you like it?” You question, walking over to him.

“Oh I loved it.” Bakugou smirked. You rolled your eyes and sat down on his lap.

“Glad you enjoyed it.” 

“Could you teach me how to do it?” Bakugou’s eyes were speaking for him, you knew exactly what he meant, but before you’d show him the dance privately, you’d worked his ass out and had him learn the dance.

He nailed it-

»»————-　★　————-««

shoto todoroki

»»————-　★　————-««

You’ve been practicing this dance for about a week or two now. And you were so excited to see Todoroki’s reaction of it.

“Hey Sho?” You call for your boyfriend and he emerges from his room. You were at his house, and thankfully there was plenty of space for you to do said dance.

“Yes baby?” He asks, standing in the doorway of the large studio you’d been warming up in.

“I have a dance I’d like for you to see me do.” You smile innocently.

“Alright.”

You begin to play the music, just before it gets to the part you’ll be dancing too and Todoroki’s face is already red.

And when the beat drops, you’re kicking your leg up and dropping down to the floor, popping your ass out and going at it.

Todoroki is entranced as he watches you, completely mesmerized by how you’re moving.

It’s so beautiful.

When you get to the split, Todoroki’s eyes widen as you move. He’s blown away.

“That was amazing.” Todoroki compliments. It was hot.

“I’m glad you liked it.” You whisper to him, pecking his cheek as his face reddens even more.

“Hey wait.” Todoroki grips your wrist and looks down. 

“Do you have a few minutes?”

“Do you want a private dance lesson?”

“Yes.” Todoroki whispers.

»»————-　★　————-««

izuku midoriya

»»————-　★　————-««

Be prepared. Because Izuku is going to be a blushing mess before and after.

You’ve practiced, and he’s heard the song you practiced too. It was all over social media and he accidentally interrupted you while you were practicing.

But you shooed him out and finished up alone without any interruptions.

Deku can be a shy boy but he can also be dominant. A true switch.

“You ready?” You ask as Izuku sits down on the couch nervously. He nods and relaxes, sitting back into the dark green sofa.

The music starts and you sway your hips, waiting for the beat to drop, and when it does, you do too.

Izuku’s eyes are glued to you as you kick your leg up and land on the floor, throwing your ass out and following the routine.

Midoriya’s cheeks flush red as he watches, but he can certainly tell how hard it must’ve been to learn the dance, let alone how badass it was as well.

When you finish the dance, you bow and smile at Izuku, who’s trying his best to contain his excitement and fluster.

“That was amazing!” He was proud of you. He knows how hard training can be.

“Did you like it?” You questioned innocently, striding over to him on the couch, taking a seat on his lap.

“I loved it! You did great!” Deku beamed, no longer trying to hide his blushing face.

“There’s a lyric, in this song...”

“Yeah?” Deku’s hands rest on your hips.

“I think I’d like to spell my name out for you sometime.”

»»————-　★　————-««

denki kaminari

»»————-　★　————-««

Horny. Jail.

If anyone knows this song, it’s Kaminari. He knows it word for word, and it’s probably one of his most played songs at the moment. Not for its lyrics, but because he genuinely finds it pretty groovy.

He also finds the ‘touch that little dangly dang that swing in the back of my throat’ part funny.

He’s probably also seen the dance a few times, he’s woke when it comes to tik tok culture.

So when he overhears you practicing the dance, he’s very curious.

“Whatcha doin’?” He peaks his head into the room and you quickly snap out of the position you were in.

“Nothing! Go!” You shoo him away with a smile, closing the door so you can finish practicing.

Kaminari has an idea of what’s going on.

So when you perform the dance for him, he’s aware and he knows what he’s expecting, but at the same time, he did not expect it at all.

The way your body moved and flowed with the music, you looked good, really fucking good.

“Shit.” Kaminari cursed, biting his bottom lip as you brought your leg back around, bouncing into the final split as you bounced up and down.

Kaminari’s never really seen you move like that before, but he knows now that he loves every second of it.

“What’d you think?” You ask, stepping over to him.

“I-It was good.” Kaminari had drool leaking from his mouth as he stared at you, his entire body threatening to short circuit.

“I’m glad you liked it.” You lean down and kiss his cheek, knowing that he was going to be smitten for you even harder.

»»————-　★　————-««

eijiro kirishima

»»————-　★　————-««

He’s heard the song maybe once or twice thanks to Kaminari. He likes the song and thinks it’s actually pretty good.

He doesn’t know there’s a dance for it, and he certainly doesn’t know that you’re practicing it.

So when you bring him into your bedroom and sit him down on the bedroom, he’s a little confused.

And when you start dancing, his faces turns a shade of crimson, very similar to the one he dyes his hair.

Your body moves swiftly, and Kirishima’s eyes never seem to leave you as he watches you dance.

From the way you move your hips, to the point of your toes as you kick into the split.

Watching you do something like that is impressive, Kirishima is impressed.

“Wow.” Kirishima utters as you rise to your feet, clapping your hands together with a big grin on your lips.

“Did you like it?” You question, excitement bubbling inside you. It’d taken hours, probably close to a few days in fact, of practice to nail it. And it was well worth it.

You felt sexy, and validated, and strong, and badass.

“I loved it. You did amazing.” Kirishima smiles, trying to ignore the heat on his face.

“You’re blushing Kiri.” You comment, teasing the red-head as you walk over to him.

“I’m not! I’m just...”

“Being manly. I know.” You kiss his cheek and sit on his lap, wrapping your arms around his shoulders.

“Are you tired?” Kirishima asked quietly, his large hands resting on your hips.

“Why? Do you have something in mind?”

»»————-　★　————-««

tamaki amajiki

»»————-　★　————-««

Tamaki is flustered just being around you. He’s a nervous kind of guy, granted he can swallow his nerves when he needs too, but generally speaking, he’s gonna be a blushing mess when you mention even holding hands.

It’s no surprise what this song does to him.

Between the loss of words, and the sheer heat that radiates off of the bright blush on his cheeks, he’s flustered.

Even more so when you begin to dance.

It’s not like he’s embarrassed of sex, or songs that mention it, he just happens to get flustered easily.

Especially when you dance. 

And you dance well.

He’s battling watching you or looking away and not trying to imagine the dance as anything more than a dance. It’s hard, but you wanted him to watch you. Why should he feel bad?

“B-bunny.” He stutters quietly as you transition into the split, popping your hips out, bouncing off the ground.

When the music fades out, he covers his face to hide the enormous blush on his cheeks.

“Awe, Tama-”

“Bunny. T-That was so beautiful.” He stutters, peeking through his fingers to look at you as you approach him.

“Thank you. Are you alright, your face is really red.” You peel his hands away and get close to his face, admiring your boyfriend up close.

“I-I’m fine. J-Just a little hot.” Tamaki gushes, looking away quickly.

“You don’t have to be so flustered about it, I wanted you to see me dance! It’s okay Tamaki.” You kiss his cheek and hold his hands, earning his gaze.

“Bunny.” Tamaki pulls you on top of him and you laugh at him for a second before admiring him even closer.

»»————-　★　————-««

mirio togata

»»————-　★　————-««

Ass man ass man ass man.

He literally sticks his ass out of a bush and you’re gonna tell me he isn’t-

He’s sold the second he hears the song, he already knows what’s about to happen because he’s kind of into the whole tiktok thing.

He watches in antcipation as the song plays, waiting for the moment you drop to the floor.

And he’s so into it. He’s grinning like an idiot, practically drooling over you as your hips move in ways he’d only ever imagined them to move.

More so, when you do the splits, he’s curious about how long you can do them for.

And when it’s over, he’s clapping.

“That was amazing, I had no clue you could move like that.” Mirio hus as you walk over to him.

“I’ve been practicing. I’m glad you liked it!” You smile, giving hin a short hug.

“Could I see those moves again sometime?” Mirio asks cheekily. You giggle and sigh.

“I guess I could teach you a little about them.”

»»————-　★　————-««

hawks/keigo takami

»»————-　★　————-««

This motherfucker.

He knew from day one what you were going to do. Just from hearing the song a little more often from your shared room, and the denial of him entering said room while it was playing-he caught on really quick.

So he did a little research.

And after watching a few videos of people dancing to it, he couldn’t fucking wait.

To see you do those moves? To see you move like that? Oh god he was foaming at the mouth.

He’d purposely try and spy on you while you were practicing, even daring to peep in from the window by flying outside of it.

But at the same time, he wanted it to be a surprise. He’d catch himself in the act of trying to watch you practice and he’d curse himself for being so impatient. Being patient was going to make the final experience even better.

And oh how happy he was to have waited.

Watching you pop your ass and move your hips, laying on the floor and bouncing your ass upward and even doing a split.

He was impressed.

And he was even more so, very intrigued.

“You gonna put all that training to use, Babybird?” Hawks’ sly smile and relaxed position on the couch made the comment that much more sensual.

With his arms stretched out over the tops of the cushions, and his legs pointed outward, you crawled and sat right between them, gazing up at him with bright eyes.

“You’d be lucky if I even let you sleep in the same bed with me tonight, horny ass.”

“Hey- I’m not even in season yet!”

“Shut it bird brain! You can test them out for yourself!” You joked as you got up, walking away from the winged man.

“Oh Babybird, you have no idea.”

»»————-　★　————-««

dabi

»»————-　★　————-««

Much like Hawks, this bastard is way too horny to not know what the fuck is going on when he hears the song WAP playing.

Even more when you practically beat his ass for barging into your apartment without knocking.

“I’m busy! What do you want?” You ask as you push him out of your bedroom, into the hallway toward the front door.

“I’m just checking in on my baby. Is that illegal?”

“Dabi, you’re literally a criminal-”

“A criminal of love baby.”

“Get out. I’ll text you if I need you dumbass.”

Back to practice, it’s tricky. The dance is very fast-paced, but you nail it. after way too many ice-packs and ‘fucking shit’s said later, you have mastered the WAP dance.

Around ten minutes after a ‘come over’ text, Dabi arrives to your apartment.

With candles set out, awaiting Dabi’s blue flames to light them and set the mood, you’re dressed simply in one of Dabi’s favorite outfits.

“Oh baby.”

“Light the candles and sit down.”

With no further questions, Dabi does as he’s told and takes a seat on the couch which he quickly notices is pushed back further than it usually is. Come to notice even more, most of your living room furniture is moved out of the way entirely.

When the music begins, you begin to dance as well, not wasting a second as the lyrics float into Dabi’s ears.

Watching your hips and your ass, Dabi is clearly interested in what you’re serving him. You look good too, but when you move like that, of course he’s going to be a drooling mess.

In a less sexual way, he’s impressed with your moves, he knows training is a big step to anything, so he wonders how hard you worked, and for how long, it took you to master this dance.

“Come here baby.” Dabi ushers for you to come to him with his pointer and middle finger after you finish dancing.

You take a seat on his lap and smile.

“We’ve already set the mood, why not continue? You could give me a private lesson on those moves you just did.”

»»————-　★　————-««

overhaul/kai chisaki

»»————-　★　————-««

He has no clue what you’re doing. You asked if you could show him something and now he’s in a room alone with you.

You’re setting up some music and he can’t keep his eyes off of you and the way you’re dressed. He was thankful he was alone in the room with you or he might’ve had to tell people to step out.

You were his angel after all, not anyone else’s.

When the music starts, his the tips of his ears begin to burn bright red. This music is raunchy and sexy, but he likes it. It’s got a good tune, and it’s empowering, and then he sees you.

You’re swaying your hips to the music until a certain point and you drop to the floor, popping your ass and grinding against the floor, dancing to the music erotically.

He’s impressed. Not as much that you’re dnacing on the somewhat dirty floor, but he’s impressed nonetheless.

“Angel, that was riveting.” Chisaki comments, his arms crossed over his chest. He can feel his pans becoming tight but he decides to ignore it.

“So did you like it? I worked extra hard on it.” You look so innocent as you approach him, your pink lips pursed and begging to be kissed as you stand in front of him.

“I loved it.” Chisaki nods, a smile rests on his lips under his mask unable to be seen.

“I could show it to you again up close if you’d like.” You hint at something a little more physcial which only stirs Chisaki more.

“That sounds like a good idea, angel.”

»»————-　★　————-««

tomura shigaraki

»»————-　★　————-««

I’m not sure if Tomura is a big tik tok guy. He’s into video games, and probably graphic novels too, but depending on his fyp, he probably won’t even get close to hearing the WAP song or know anything about the dance.

That being said, he’s gonna get annoyed if he hears “now from the top, make it drop’ one more time.

Currently wishing he could grip a sound wave and decay it.

But, when you pull him away from a video game, or say a meeting with league and sit him down in a chair in a dark room with some rather unpleasant lighting, maybe just enough to illuminate the two of you and nothing else, he’s confused, but also very interested in what you’re about to do.

And there’s that stupid line- ‘now from the top,’ and- you’re dancing.

His crimson eyes lock onto your figure as you dance, the growing urge to turn the music off suddenly dies as he watches you bounce and pop your hips.

The way your body moves, he’s addicted. Like you’re administering some sort of drug, he can’t look away.

When you lay on the ground and roll onto your back, spreading your legs as you roll into a crawl and then into split and continue to bounce your ass, he’s completely speechless.

The very definition of no thoughts, head empty.

And the aftermath of it all.

forget whatever the fuck he was doing before, forget the grudge he was holding against the lyric’ now from the top, make it drop’, forget the terrible lighting, he’s getting down to the bottom of whatever you just did.

“What was that?” Shigaraki ask, his hands daring to scratch at his neck.

“Did you like it?” You ask, batting your eyes at your flustered yet confused boyfriend.

“I liked it yes.” He mumbles, looking at you from the chair, you’re still sitting on the ground as he stands and walks over to you.

“You’re really flexible. Why didn’t you tell me that before?” He towers over you before squatting to your height.

“Meet me in my room in ten minutes.” He whispers.

»»————-　★　————-««

eraserhead/shota aizawa

»»————-　★　————-««

A man addicted to black coffee and funny cat videos on youtube has no knowledge of WAP or it’s current dance craze on tik tok. But do not let that discourage you.

After hearing the song a few times while you practice your dance, unbeknownst to him, of course, he might get a little curious.

You’re being secretive and it leads him to do a little research. Simply typing in a few lyrics, he finds the song and the dance shortly after.

He’s more or less very interested in what you might have to be doing. Because if you’re learning this dance, he might not know what to do with himself.

Sure enough, you come striding out of your shared room one day, wearing something cute for Aizawa.

“Got a minute?” You ask, pulling him away from grading papers. 

Sitting him on the couch, you step back and turn on the song, smiling as he watches you.

And watch you he does. From the second you kick your leg up, to the second you bounce your ass the last time, ending the dance.

His eyes never leave you. The way you crawl, the way you lay on the floor and pop your hips up, he’s not the least bit uninterested.

“Where’d you learn all that Kitty?” He asks, folding his arms over his chest, his long raven hair parted to watch you even better.

“From the internet. Why? Curious to learn it too?” You tease, crawling over to him.

“Only if you teach me.” He says slyly.

“You’re supposed to do the teaching not me.” You smile up at him.

“Is that how you want to play?” Aizawa smirks and crosses his leg, cutting you off from crawling between his legs.

“You tell me, Kitty cat.”

»»————-　★　————-«« 

masterlist

[tswaney17]

I Do Bad Things with You  - Part 30

Has it really been almost two months since I lasted posted an update to this fic? Shit, I’m so sorry! This part really was a bitch to write. It fought me at every corner and I’m still not 100% happy with how it came out, but it’s time to move on and accept it for what it is. 

My head has been a bit all over the place with fic ideas and lack of motivation to write - it’s been awful to say the least. I feel like I’m slowly coming out of my slump, but I’m not totally out of the woods yet. I do have some other things in the works that I hope to finish and get posted here soon. One may or may not be a sequel to my Oh Baby headcanon, but now I need to decide if that headcanon should become a full fic first too... 

Anyways, I’m rambling. Mind the warnings and the length. This is a steamy, long piece. So grab a snack and enjoy! 😘

My fanfic account: @tswaney17fics​​

My ao3 account: tswaney17

Please let me know what you think about this update. I love getting your feedback. Constructive criticism is always welcome. 💙💜💚

Catch up here.

Credit to @featherymalignancy​​​​​ for Cassian’s nickname, Cash. 😘

Trigger warnings: violence, sexual assault, language, NSFW

Word Count: 8,523

Light filtered in through the sway of the curtains. The distant sound of traffic carried in on the breeze from the open slider attached to the balcony.

Elain’s eyes fluttered open. The steady rhythm of Azriel’s heartbeat pattered against her cheek. Her body was pressed into the side of his, leg slotted between his thighs, head on his chest.

Azriel had an arm wrapped around her, his palm splayed over the curve of her behind.

She smiled to herself, knowing he had a thing for her ass—he was not subtle when he checked her out whatsoever.

His warm breath stirred the hairs at the top of her head and she took the opportunity to just look at him.

At his relaxed face. His hair had gotten slightly curlier than from high school. He wore it longer too, just enough for it to settle against his forehead. Long, dark lashes brushed the tops of his cheeks—lashes women would kill for. His mouth was parted slightly, lips plump and soft. Though she was aware of how bruising they could be. The night they went to Cash’s set told her as much.

Her eyes traveled down the strong column of his throat, to the arch of his trapezius muscle, and over the swell of his bicep. She realized then that he wasn’t wearing a shirt—he must’ve taken it off in the middle of the night when she was asleep.

Not that she was complaining.

His tanned, tattooed skin was warm under her cheek. Elain curved her head closer to him and kissed his chest. Her eyes peeked up at him through her lashes, seeing if he stirred. When it was clear he hadn’t woken, she rocked herself up higher over his torso and dropped a kiss to his sternum.

He moved then, arms tightening around her. His hand flexed on her ass and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself from giggling.

Elain pushed herself up against his body even further and pressed her lips to the dark ink of his collarbone.

At last, hazel eyes blinked open and found her gaze. A sleepy smile crossed his face. “Good morning,” he murmured, voice deep with sleep.

It sent a shiver racing down her body; warmth pooled low in her belly. Elain had forgotten how husky he sounded early in the morning. “Hi,” she breathed, letting him get his bearings with reality.

His body shifted as he stretched underneath her and she saw the moment when he realized exactly where his hand was. Azriel snatched his hand back almost as if she had burnt him, muttering a profuse apology.

Elain laughed; the sound thick as honey. “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to realize where exactly your hand was at.”

His cheeks turned the most adorable shade of pink. “Truly, Elain. I apologize—”

She snorted, cutting him off. “There is no need to apologize, Az. Not when you and I both know that your hand being on my ass, conscious or not is no accident,” she teased. “You have always been an ass man.”

He made a sound of protest, but again, she interrupted with a wave of her hand. “You are so not subtle when you check me out. I think yesterday proved that.”

His fingers caught her chin and he brought her mouth down for a slow kiss. “It’s not my fault you’re so damn beautiful I can barely breathe.”

Elain scoffed against his lips. “What a fucking line,” she laughed.

With her distracted, she didn’t realize he had hooked an ankle over her leg until he flipped them. She let out an ungraceful yelp as she landed on her backside, glaring up at his stupidly, perfect face.

Azriel nudged her nose with his making her breath catch. His hands were in her hair, on her jaw, tilting her head up to give him access to her throat. Soft lips grazed over her fluttering pulse. “It’s not a line if it’s the truth,” he whispered onto her skin. “Exquisite,” he breathed dropping a kiss to her jaw. “Stunning,” he said onto her throat. “Intelligent,” he breathed onto her cheek.

Elain’s heart had begun to beat at what she would consider medically unsafe levels. Her fingers slid into his hair, grip tightening enough that he groaned.

“A fighter.” A kiss to her full lips. “And stubborn as hell.”

“Hey!” she pushed him backward, making him chuckle.

“I never said it was a bad thing.”

Her brow raised in defiance. “Really? You want me to be stubborn? I have never, in my life, heard of a male who wanted their woman to be stubborn.”

Azriel let out a huff of air, eyes rolling, but a grin turned up the corners of his mouth. His thumb stroked down the side of her neck. “Of course, I want you to be stubborn. You want to know why?”

“Do enlighten me.”

He flicked her lightly on the nose for the smartass comment. “I want your stubbornness because I want you to challenge me on things. To not just roll over with what I say and do. I know we’re going to fight sometimes, but I need you to be able to call me out on my bullshit, Elain. To go toe-to-toe with me.”

She blinked up at him, the pads of her fingers tracing down his temple. “And you think I’ll be able to do that?” she asked quietly, almost as if she was afraid to hear the answer. She had been passive with Graysen. Too passive. It was what made her weak to him.

Az smiled softly down at her like he could read every thought and emotion running through her mind. “You already have, Elain. You did that night at the club when you held me back.”

She expected herself to flinch at the memory and was surprised she didn’t.

“And at the fundraiser. And the fucking Gala when you almost broke my nose and threatened to throat punch me.”

Elain laughed. “I’m sorry about that.”

He grinned down at her. “Don’t be. I deserved it and you know it.”

Her fingers caressed his cheeks, feeling the stubble of his five o’clock shadow. She mapped the contours and lines of his face. The bridge of his nose. The shape of his lips and cupid's bow. “Maybe a little.”

He caught her hand in his and pressed a gentle kiss to her digits.

Honey-brown eyes traveled down the column of his throat to his broad chest. “You took your shirt off last night,” she stated, obviously.

“When I picked up last night after you had fallen asleep.”

Her eyes snapped back up to his and she turned her head to look over at her now empty nightstand.

“I sleep warm, but figured the pants with the slider cracked would make you the least uncomfortable.”

Elain’s neck twisted to look over at the open balcony. That explained why she could hear the faint callings of early morning traffic.

Azriel’s hand had slowly crept its way down to her hip, his fingers lightly tracing over the bit of skin peeking through on her waist. Even if it made her body heat, the feeling of his presence there was comforting.

She moved her hands to his shoulders, feeling the strength there. Fuck, he was so strong. He’d been holding himself over her for gods how long now? “What do you normally sleep in?” Elain asked though she had a feeling she already knew the answer.

His wicked grin gave it to her anyway.

She let out an undignified snort. “Figured as much.”

Az laughed, the sound deep and husky enough that made something slither along her bones. “I had no idea you were curious about what I did or did not sleep in.”

Her fingers tugged the hair at his nape hard enough that he purred sensually, which did nothing to help that tugging feeling low in her gut.

“I would be curious about what you sleep in, but I’m pretty sure I already know.”

Elain raised a brow. “I’ve worn my pajamas here before. I don’t know what you mean by that.” He had stripped her out of those pajamas after her nightmare and cleaned her up.

“Yes, but it wasn’t my old gym shirt from high school.”

Her cheeks flamed. “Oh my god, no.” Her hands fell from his neck to cover her face as embarrassment swallowed her. His chuckled reverberated through her body, but it made her peek through her fingers, eying him suspiciously. “Wait, that was in my bedroom. Why were you in my bedroom?”

His entire body tensed at the question. He fingered the fabric of the shirt she wore, his Adam’s apple working as he swallowed hard. The sight made something in her chest tighten—like what he was about to say was difficult for him.

Which didn’t make sense because they were talking about pajamas…right?

“I went to your apartment after you were taken.” Az kept his eyes downcast. “I was told what it looked like but I needed to see it myself. To assess the damage.” He moved his hand up to brush her hair away from her brow with his thumb. It was the gentlest of gestures. “I checked your bedroom, to see—” he cut himself off, unable to voice what he thought may have happened. “I needed to make sure…”

To see if they had done to her what Graysen had attempted.

Elain’s hands went back to his arms, sliding upwards over his shoulders to his neck and jaw. “They didn’t.”

It was like some unknown relief flooded his body and he relaxed slightly against her. Azriel let out a heavy breath that kissed her lips. “I know the kind of men that he employed, and fuck, I was so scared of what they’d do to you just to hurt me.”

She brushed her thumbs over his jaw, hating that he couldn’t even seem to look at her in guilt. “I don’t blame you for what happened, Azriel.” He still refused to meet her eyes. So, she decided to give him her truth. “I’ll admit that I think he would’ve toed the line had I not broken his nose.”

That made his gaze snap to hers. “You broke his nose?”

Elain nodded; a small, satisfied smile found its way onto her mouth. “I did, with a move Cash had taught me to use as a last resort because it likely would end up hurting me too, and it did.” Her fingers dipped to touch her forehead briefly before she returned them to his jaw. “But I refused to be weak again. Not like I was with Graysen. He needed to know I would fight back. It made him hesitate. Enough so that none of his men even came near me and neither did he. Not to that degree.”

Azriel leaned down and kissed her forehead, right where she had busted his nose. When he looked back down at her face, his hazel eyes were a golden blaze. “You are not weak, Elain. You have never been weak.”

He had always been a wordsmith and as an adult, it was no different. Even the simplest of phrases seemed to break through her barriers, always knowing what to say to her. Though something still nagged at the back of her mind—something she needed to ask. “I’m glad he’s dead,” she whispered. His face gave nothing away. “Does that make me a bad person?”

A scarred hand cradled her cheek and he let his thumb swipe over her the apple of it a few times. “No, Elain. That doesn’t make you a bad person. I don’t know of anyone who could’ve gone what you went through and not wished the same.” He let the words wash over her. “You are the strongest person I have ever met, Elain,” he began. There wasn’t an ounce of waiver to his voice and she had to swallow back the lump in her throat. “It’ll take time for you to move on from this, but I know you can and you will. Some days will be harder than others. And on those days, I’ll be here for you in however you need me. But as time moves on, you’ll find that those days become few and far between because you’ll replace them with new, happier days. And I hope that I get to stand there with you during those days as well.” The hand still on her face, wiped away the tear that rolled down her temple.

She chuckled; the sound rattled in her chest with her unshed tears. “Why do you insist on saying such nice things that make me cry?” she complained.

Azriel’s grin was blinding and he leaned down to kiss her softly. Just a gentle brush of his lips over hers. Before he reached back to take one of her hands from behind his neck and slid it down his chest over his heart.

Elain could feel its steady rhythm beneath her fingertips and palm. She let it steady her as she matched her breathing to it. “I can feel your heartbeat,” she murmured, breaking the silence that had settled over them. “It’s strong.”

Azriel let his other hand trail up her bicep to her shoulder and down the side of her body to settle back onto her hip. “It’s yours,” he answered honestly.

She could only blink up at him, the words catching in her chest. They had soothed the rough edges of her soul, but he wasn’t finished.

“My heart is yours, Elain. My whole heart has always, and will always belong to you.”

Her eyes glistened, but his thumb continued its sweeping motion to catch the tears that fell down her cheek. “I don’t think I ever got mine back from you. Even when I was engaged to him—” It was a truth she had never admitted to herself, and never out loud. “I think I knew, deep down that, that marriage would be doomed from the start. That I couldn’t give him my heart fully because it wasn’t mine to give anymore.”

Azriel touched his forehead to hers, taking a breath deep into his lungs. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but there is nothing I regret more than leaving you on the front porch, getting into my truck, and driving away. You trusted me with your heart and I broke that. I promise you that I won’t ever betray that trust again.”

“I know,” she murmured, eyes searching his. “I know you won’t, Azriel. I trust you.”

He kissed her then, more urgently than before. It was hot and needy. A clash of teeth and tongues; one that she reciprocated. But just as quickly as he kissed her, he pulled away, breathing heavily. Hazel eyes were swallowed by lust-filled black pupils.

There were words, she realized, sitting on the tip of his tongue that he was holding back because she knew he wasn’t sure whether or not they would make her uncomfortable. Her fingers curled slightly, nails digging into the flesh of his chest as she said what he wanted to. “I’m yours.” His entire body shuddered above her. “And you’re mine.”

The tether he kept on himself snapped. His hand on her face tilted her jaw up as he crashed their mouths together once more. The softness of his lips always surprised her—such a contrast to the roughness of his palms and the hardness of his body. But the demanding way they molded against hers made her chest flutter. His teeth drug her bottom lip into his mouth, sucking on the tender flesh.

Elain felt the sensation of that pull on her lip low in her belly. She moaned softly. On instinct, her body reacted, arching against him. The hand at his nape tangled in his hair, her fingers threading through the inky strands to tug him down, greedily taking more. Elain’s mouth opened for him, sighing at the first stroke of his tongue.

He released her hand from his chest to let his wander down her body, lightly touching at her waist until it joined his other at her hips. Azriel settled himself over her, still holding most of his weight through his knees and elbows, but she could feel everything.

Every hard edge of his torso pressed into all of her soft curves. Even through the t-shirt she wore, she could feel the heat of his body, the essence of him. It seeped through her skin and warmed her down to her bones.

And yet, she wanted more.

More, more, more.

Azriel’s scarred hands were on her bare waist, having slipped under her shirt. His touch was like a brand in the best of ways. The movement of his mouth sent shivered promises wracking through her body. Promises of where else that wicked tongue might one day ravish.

The idea only fueled her on more. Her hands couldn’t sit still. They were in his hair, on his shoulders, scratching lightly down his back. Without thinking, her hips rolled into his, feeling every hard inch of him press into her aching center.

The moan that left her throat should’ve embarrassed her, but it didn’t.

And it clearly only spurred Azriel on more as his lips left her mouth and traveled down her jaw to her throat. His hands were sliding up and down the length of her torso, over her ribcage, but never quite reaching up to where she wanted him to.

“Off,” she whined, her voice a husky whisper. Dark eyes snapped up to look at her face, his breath caressing her lips. She knew what he was looking for, what the golden ring left of his irises was searching for on her face.

He knew what she was asking without her even needing to elaborate. “Are you sure?” he questioned through his heavy breathing.

Her breasts tightened at the hungry look on his face. She dropped one of her hands to fist the front of the shirt she wore. “Take it off,” she told him definitively.

Azriel’s hands left her heated skin to tug her t-shirt up.

She helped as best as she could, arching her back at first, then lifting her head and shoulders until the grey fabric was slipped off and tossed behind him.

His gaze met and held hers, not letting his eyes wander until she gave him the okay. Once she nodded, his normal whiskey-colored eyes swept downwards.

Elain was pretty sure she stopped breathing as he looked his fill. Her cheeks heated and she knew that blush had extended to where his eyes were focused on. Could feel his stare burning into her skin, but when finally looked back up at her face, it was adoration she found lining his features. Adoration and devotion.

“You are so beautiful, Elain.” He leaned forward to kiss the center of her stomach, then slowly slid his mouth up until he hovered between the valley of her breasts. “I can’t tell you how much you tormented me in that dress.” She knew which one he was referring to. “Every time you wear it, I’m seconds from getting on my knees before you.” He dropped a kiss to her heated skin, making her squirm beneath him.

One of his hands slid up, over the slope of her waist, across her ribcage to the underneath side of her breast. The soft brush of his thumb made her breath catch in her throat. His eyes shot to hers, watching her carefully as he crept his palm up higher until his thumb could circle over her pebbled nipple.

Her back arched under his touch, sultry sounds escaping her parted lips. Elain’s eyes fluttered closed as she focused on the circular motions of his thumb. The bed dipped as Azriel’s sinful mouth returns to her neck, nipping at the sensitive skin there, then let his tongue lap the hurt away. Her hands slipped back into his hair, gripping hard.

He growled against her throat, the sound vibrating into her and making her shiver, but he kept his pace steady. “Fuck, you’re so soft,” he breathed, thumb and forefinger pinching at her nipple.

Elain cried out at the quick, sharp pain that sent bolts of pleasure running straight to her core. As Azriel continued to worship her neck and breast, she felt herself begin to drip. Her hips bucked up slightly, searching for him to relieve the ache that was building.

A scarred hand gripped the back of her knee and pulled it up onto his hip, allowing him to sink further into her. They both gasped when his hard length pressed into her and on instinct, Elain brought her other knee up giving him more room to thrust into her.

And advantage he took. Azriel’s movements were slow, dragging out the pleasure of it.

He did everything right. Had stroked every ember in her until that warmth had turned into an inferno. It was hotter than what she had felt the night after the fundraiser. Her body was ready, could feel the moisture that had seeped through the boxes she wore. But even with every part of her body was primed to go forward, something nagged at the back of her mind.

The awful sound of a belt tinkling flooded her brain made her body go cold. Glass shattering and the smell of tequila and cheap cologne invaded every thought. She knew it wasn’t real—the sound was purely from her memory—but it didn’t stop the goosebumps from erupting down her skin.

“Elain.”

She heard the change in his voice, felt him lift his head off her neck.

Azriel’s movements stopped and his hand left her chest immediately. “Elain, take a breath.”

Had her breathing changed? Shit, it had. She wasn’t panting in need anymore; her breaths were far too short. “Wait,” she finally got the word out that probably should’ve been said a while ago. Elain would be eternally grateful that Azriel could read her body better than she clearly could.

Her eyes were still shut and her fingers hadn’t left his hair, but she slowed her breathing.

He brought a hand up to her jaw again, stroking it lightly. “Talk to me, Elain.”

She slowly opened her eyes to find him looking down at her with concern. Her cheeks-tinged pink under his scrutiny. “I’m sorry—”

“No,” he stated adamantly. “Do not apologize for not being ready. Ever.” When she gave him a confirming nod, he rolled off her to retrieve her shirt from the floor and handed it back to her.

Elain’s cheeks burned as she shucked the fabric back on and sat crisscross on his bed, fingers fiddling with each other in her lap.

Azriel settled in front of her. “Tell me what’s going on,” he said softly.

She met his gaze. Saw much of the hazel color had replaced the lust that was there only moments before. It amazed her how he could control his body and bring it down like that, knowing her own was not doing that at all. “I was okay for the most part. My body reacted how it should’ve. It was my mind that suddenly took a turn.” She let out a heavy breath, feeling emotions clog her throat and she dropped her eyes back to her lap. “I don’t what exactly triggered it, but I just started hearing things from that day. The sound of his belt. Glass shattering. Then the smell of the alcohol he drank and the cologne he wore.” She shuddered at the memory.

This had always been her fear. That she wouldn’t be able to let go of the past and it would affect her future relationships. And while she knew that Azriel would never let something like this come between them, she couldn’t help but feel like this was just another piece of her past coming back to haunt her present and trying to ruin any chance for happiness.

He was silent long enough that her curiosity got the better of her and she finally looked back up at his face. “It was too much all at once.”

And it was, she realized. If her anxiety hadn’t flared, Elain would’ve let Azriel fuck her senseless. Had wanted to take that step. But he was right. It was too much too soon. Realizing he was still waiting for her response, she agreed. “I think so.”

Azriel brought his hand to his mouth, thumb swiping over his plush bottom lip. “So, we take baby steps. When you’re ready to try things and move forward. But I need you to promise me something.”

She nodded.

“If at any point during whatever we’re trying, you become uncomfortable or you start not to like what is happening, I need you to tell me to stop. I don’t want you to push yourself to try and move past something when you’re not ready. And I definitely don’t want you not to say anything for my benefit.” There was a seriousness to his authoritative tone that made something inside her come alive. “Promise me you’ll tell me to stop.”

Elain reined in whatever it was that purred in response to that. “I will.” A twinge between her legs had her shifting on the bed uncomfortably.

Something that the male sitting in front of her noticed. “What’s wrong?”

Her cheeks heated. She knew she shouldn’t be embarrassed. The man has seen her naked before and they were talking about sex right now. But the last time she told him she was frustrated, she rode and came all over his thigh. Gods she was so awkward.

“You have a lot going through your face right now, I can’t keep up. What’s going on?”

She glared at his smirk. “I didn’t realize I wore my emotions on my face.”

“You do, just so you’re aware. But seriously, there’s something else. I can tell there’s something you’re not telling me.”

Elain sighed heavily, her face growing impossibly hot. “My body hasn’t quite come down yet.”

Az’s head cocked the side, dark hair sliding across his forehead. “I can help with that if you want me to.”

Honey-brown eyes blinked at him. “Didn’t we just talk about baby steps?”

The corner of his mouth quirked up. “I was talking about just my hand, Elain. You wouldn’t even need to remove your clothes.”

“Oh.” She blushed.

“Or, I can draw you a bath. Or I can just step out of the room if you would like me to. Whatever you wish for me to do.”

Gods, this male was the epitome of respectful. If her body wasn’t desperately needing a release, she would’ve probably started crying. She still might. “Um, you or, your hand. I’d like to try your hand…that sounds weird,” her face scrunched in embarrassment.

He chuckled, leaning forward to kiss her. Pecking her nose once, he got up and walked around to settle behind her against the headboard. His arm banded around her waist as he hauled her against him like she weighed nothing. He gathered her hair and pulled it over her shoulder to give him access to the side of her throat. “What are you going to do?” he asked

With his warmth pressing into her back, Elain momentarily forgot what he was talking about. “I promise I’ll tell you to stop.”

Az kissed her cheek. “Good girl,” he murmured.

The praise lit a fire inside her, one she had no idea existed.

“Relax into me.”

She did, reclining back into his chest. Elain laid her head back on his shoulder as he splayed his one hand on her stomach, high enough that his thumb again brushed under her breast.

He let his lips suck on her jaw and slowly glided them down her neck to her fluttering pulse. “Prop your knees up and lean them against my legs.”

Again, she did as she was told. Elain was surprised at how much she didn’t mind being told what to do. But with Azriel, she freely handed over the reins of her will and let him drive her. Especially when it came to her pleasure. It was different when you trusted somebody wholeheartedly.

His fingers stroked at her stomach, slowly making their way higher between her breasts. She breathed in deeply, her body going more languid against his as he inched his other hand down her side towards her hip before dipping inwards.

But instead of going where she desperately needed him, his fingers curled, tracing teasing lines on the inside of her thigh.

“Az,” she mewled, body squirming.

He clicked his tongue, kissing at her jaw. “Not yet,” he murmured, sucking at her skin.

Elain’s head tipped more, giving him better access to her throat.

Azriel smiled against her. “You’re such a sweet girl,” he said, his hand coming back up her leg, teasing over the damp fabric between her thighs before venturing down her other leg.

She let out a frustrated sound, one that quickly turned into a cry when his thumb found her nipple once more. The texture of the t-shirt adding to the sensitivity as he circled it a few times until finally, finally, his other hand cupped her sex. The heat of his palm and the pressure were like an explosion of fireworks that danced in her blood.

He added more pressure before—gods bless this male—he let his thumb part her folds through the damp fabric and slide from the top all the way down and back up. Her body lurched, but he kept her held tight as he set a steady rhythm to his movements, sliding down and up, down and up until she was a mewling mess.

“Easy, baby. You’re doing so well,” he murmured into her temple, kissing her gently. And when he knew she had reached the edge, he focused his thumb into circular movements over her clit until she exploded.

Her back arched, but he was quick to hold her, never letting her get too far from him as she moaned loudly. Elain wasn’t sure if people on the street could hear her, but frankly, she didn’t care. Not as his thumb kept circling her jewel and his other fingers slid along the soaked slit of her boxers. Not as he rang out every ounce of pleasure from her, yet still had her craving more. Even with the orgasm, she still needed more, was still wound too tight.

And that was how she found her hand moving on its own accord, clutching Azriel’s wrist like her life depended on it, and pulled it from between her legs before sliding it down beneath the waistband of her boxers.

“Fuck,” he breathed as the pads of his fingers danced over her bare center, feeling the wetness from the source. But he didn’t move, kept his hand still even with her hips wiggling against him. “Are you doing okay?” he asked, checking in.

Elain wasn’t sure when her eyes had closed, but all she could do was focus on the sensation of his hand and his mouth and where they ravished her. “Yes,” she whined, breath heavy.

He brushed his fingers over her glistening slit, teasing. “What do you want me to do, love?”

Her hips jerked, searching for friction against his hand. “Please.”

Az bit down on her shoulder lightly, enough to grab her attention but not to mark her. “Please what, Elain? Use your words?”

She had a few choice words for him, but none that could come to mind when she was this hot and needy and desperate for another release. Nor any that would get her what she wanted. “Please, Az. Please touch me.”

He smirked against her throat. “Such a good girl.” His other hand came up to turn her head towards his so he could claim her mouth as his thumb pressed down on her clit.

Elain moaned into his mouth.

He took full advantage of the access, letting his tongue sweep in to claim her as his thumb toyed her nub. His middle finger circled at her entrance once, twice, three times before slowly he pushed it inside of her.

“Oh gods,” she cried, hips snapping up. Elain’s hand shot out from within her underwear and went straight for Azriel’s hair, grabbing the dark strands on the side of his head in a death grip that was likely painful, but he didn’t seem to care. Her knees closed together, adding pressure between her legs.

Az’s mouth worshipped at her neck while his finger set a steady pace, plunging into his farthest knuckle and back out. “Relax, baby. I need you to relax,” he purred. “Put your feet on the outside of mine.”  

She was nothing but a whimpering mess. Legs shaking, she managed to do as asked and realized why he wanted her feet there. It gave him more control over how far her legs were spread.

Azriel shifted their feet slightly farther apart, giving his hand more room to move between her thighs.

Elain’s breath shuddered as he quickened his pace, thumb flicking over her clit with a renewed vigor. When he curled his finger deep inside her, sweeping over that sweet spot she couldn’t even remember the last time was touched, her entire body pitched.

She fisted his hair, her other hand coming down to clutch the arm wrapped around her torso, nails digging into tattooed skin. “Please, please, please.” She was nearly sobbing. It was too much. It wasn’t enough.

He would drag out her pleasure, she knew that. But fuck, she needed this drop. Needed to find that blissful edge.

Elain had gone years without an orgasm and here was Azriel, drawing out the second—well, technically third—one in less than a month, and they weren’t even officially a couple.

Increasing the pressure of his thumb and the curl of his fingers, Az tugged on her earlobe between his teeth. “I’ve got you, El. Let go for me.”

And she did. Elain shattered, screaming out a slur of words and syllables that she’s pretty sure was Azriel’s name. Her body arched, but he tightened his grip on her, keeping her pressed into him as his fingers worked her through her high.

Her walls clamped down on him and the boxers she wore were soaked with her release, but he kept moving until she went limp against him, her shaking legs slumping heavily against his muscled thighs. Honey-brown eyes fluttered open as she caught her breath.

Azriel pulled his hand from her underwear.

“Don’t rub that in your hair,” she teased, looking up at him.

He flashed her a sly grin. “And waste a perfectly good meal. Absolutely not.” Making sure he had her gaze locked, Az sucked his middle finger into his mouth, tongue sliding around to catch all of her juices dripping down his knuckles. He pulled his finger from his mouth with an audible pop. “Delicious.”

Elain’s mouth dropped open as she watched him lick all of her essences from his hand until it was clean. It was possibly the filthiest thing he had ever watched him do before and gods did it make her cheeks flush a warm pink.

Fingers gripped her chin and he leaned down to press a kiss to her lips. She could taste herself on his tongue. It was surprisingly erotic.

“How are you feeling now?”

“Better. Relaxed.” A little turned on again after she watched him suck his fingers clean—not that she was going to say that little bit out loud. They had explored enough today and she needed to get a better grip on herself. Elain blamed it on the fact that she hadn’t had sex, or any sort of pleasure, in years.

He kissed the side of her head. “You did so well, my love.”

She was also going to blame her uncontrollable hunger on the stark realization that she had a little bit of a praise kink. That was new to her. Some uncharted territory that had never been explored before, but she had a hidden desire to. Especially if it was Azriel saying those things to her.

“You’re quiet,” he stated, guiding her face to look back up at him. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Elain smiled softly at him. “Yes, just thinking.”

“What about?” He let his thumb stroke her jaw, swooping down the curve of her neck. His heartbeat echoed against her spine.

Her cheeks heated under his intense gaze. “Some of the things you said…during.”

His brows furrowed briefly, then raised as he realized what she meant. “The praise.” When she nodded, he asked, “Did it bother you?”

She knew if she had said yes, he wouldn’t continue doing it and that’d be the end of it. But that was definitely not what she wanted. “Quite the opposite actually.”

It wasn’t often Azriel was caught by surprise, but her response clearly did. He tipped his head back and laughed, a deep, beautiful, lovely sound she wanted to bottle up and keep forever. “I’ll admit some of it slipped. I wasn’t sure if you’d like it or not, but I’m glad you did.”

“Where did you even learn to do something like that? Videos online again?” she snarked, a cheeky grin plastered on her face.

Azriel’s face turned a dark shade of red, possibly the darkest she’d ever seen before. “Oh my god. It’s been ten fucking years and that is still coming back to haunt me.”

Elain giggled, leaning forward to kiss him softly, shifting slightly against him. The soaked underwear she was wearing was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. “I should really go clean up,” she breathed onto his mouth.

“You stay here,” he kissed her briefly again. “I’ll go draw you a bath and then will make breakfast while you freshen up.” He rose off the bed, replacing himself with a pillow behind her back. “What do you want to eat?”

Her traitorous eyes dipped low, below the low-hanging waistband of his grey sweatpants to the peaked area that was far beyond what would be considered morning wood.

Holy fuck. The erotic dream from a few weeks ago had not been playing her. Elain felt her entire body clench around nothing. It made her bones go molten at the mere idea of how large he was—how he’d make her feel. Her toes started to curl.

“My eyes are up here, Elain,” he chastised, playfully.

Her cheeks flamed at being caught checking out a very private area, and she spat out the first, morning food she could think of from her heated brain. “Pancakes,” she squeaked.

Az grinned at her blushing face but didn’t call her out on it. “I knew it.” To be fair, pancakes were her favorite breakfast food. Bending forward, he kissed her one last time before he slipped into the bathroom and shut the door.

She heard the tub turn on first. It drowned out most of the other sounds, but after a few minutes, he returned to the bedroom, hardon gone, and went over to his dresser. It didn’t take her medical degree to know what exactly, he did behind that closed door—not that she blamed him. She didn’t exactly offer to “help” him this morning after what he did for her.

He pulled out a clean t-shirt and pair of boxers, then padded his way back into the bathroom and kicked the bathtub faucet off. When he came back into the bedroom, he sat down next to her on the edge of the bed. “I’ll text Nuala and Cerridwen and see if I can get an update on when we should expect an arrival of your belongings. I’ve left you a clean pair of boxers and another t-shirt in the bathroom. I also turned the jets on in the tub to help you relax.” His fingers brushed over her cheek. “Take your time and help yourself to anything in there.”

“I’m sorry,” Elain blurted.

Azriel frowned. “About what?”

“For not reciprocating,” she admitted with a nod towards his lap.

The fingers on her cheek moved to cradle her face. “Elain, you don’t owe me anything. I was more than happy—and willing—to do that for you this morning. I do not expect you to reciprocate anything. I don’t even want you to think about doing anything like that until you’re comfortable too. Please believe me when I say that I can handle myself. I have been since before you came barging into my office.”

Her jaw popped open. When she went barging into his office? That was months ago. He hadn’t been with anyone since before then? “You haven’t…?” she couldn’t even finish the question.

The corner of his mouth curled up. “After you reentered my life, I couldn’t get you out of my head. Everyone else was unappealing at that point.”

His words made her heart trip over itself.

Bringing her head forward, he kissed her softly. “Go clean up. I’m going to go start breakfast.”

Without another word, he rose from the bed and left her to her business. Elain had to give herself a minute to sit there and process everything he had just done and said.

Gods, she loved this male.

~~~~~

Azriel had no idea why he shared with her that he hadn’t been with another woman. It was true, he technically hadn’t fucked another female since, shit, even a month before Elain had returned to his life. He’d been too busy to even go to his club to look for female company. Aside from that one girl who he picked to try and get his mind off Elain, but that had been the night Amarantha showed up and everything had changed before anything could happen. And even then, he wasn’t into it or her. It was always Elain.

He supposed he could be grateful, in a way. Because it brought her back into his life, though not in a way he would have liked. While they still weren’t technically a couple—that was something he would let her bring up when she was ready—he hoped that his overshare didn’t cross any of her boundaries. Didn’t make her uncomfortable in any way.

Az had given her about ten minutes before he went back upstairs to change into clean clothes. He'd forgone jeans in favor of sweatpants, knowing they weren’t leaving the penthouse today. He couldn’t remember the last time he lounged in sweats all day long.

Elain padded her way down the stairs right as he was pouring the last bit of pancake batter onto the griddle. She donned on a pair of his black dress socks and the sweatshirt he purchased when he went to his first professional soccer game with his brothers after he returned from overseas. The black fabric drowned her small frame.

“Cold?” he asked, flipping the pancakes.

She nodded, perching herself on one of the barstools. “I stayed in the water too long. It cooled off.”

Azriel went over to the thermostat and kicked up the temperature a few degrees. Fall was coming into Velaris fast. He could feel the briskness of his bedroom when they first woke, though it quickly warmed up with their morning activities. He shook the thoughts from his head. “How was your bath?”

“Your tub is excessive.”

A joyous laugh rumbled from his chest as he flipped the last few pancakes onto his stack and carried them over to the set table where the rest of their breakfast awaited. “Excessive how?”

Elain snorted, following him. “Aside from the size that could fit three people easily?” She narrowed her eyes at his raised brow. “Don’t even think about voicing whatever dirty thought is running through your head.”

“I wasn’t even going to say anything!” he exclaimed, laughing.

She just rolled her eyes, but he saw a small grin fighting its way onto her lips. “And the number of jets is atrocious.”

“You say that now until you have an awkwardly pulled muscle,” he stated, loading her plate up with food and then his own. He didn’t miss the shy smile that tugged her mouth at his antics. He may have been fussing. “Did you at least enjoy it and relax?”

Elain shoved a piece of pancake into her mouth, her eyes nearly rolling into the back of her head. “Yes,” she began after swallowing, “I did. Thank you.”

“I’m—”

The elevator pinged interrupting his sentence.

Everything happened so quickly, he hadn’t even realized she moved until he felt her. Elain had shot out of her chair so she was standing behind him, her hand clutching at the sleeve of his bicep.

Azriel was up a half-second later, his massive frame blocking whoever entered his place from seeing her. He had momentarily forgotten what Rhys had told him about how Elain acted after she was attacked by Graysen. How she would flinch at a cupboard door closing too loudly. He slid a hand to her cheek, the other on her waist. “Hey,” he whispered low enough that the person who entered the apartment wouldn’t be able to hear him. “You’re safe here.”

He was grateful that whoever had entered, read the room, and kept quiet.

It cut him profoundly to see her shoulders shaking slightly. He ducked his head to catch her gaze. “You’re safe, El,” he repeated.

The worry that weighed heavily in her eyes settled at his words and she inhaled deeply, calming herself. Once she collected herself, she took the hand from her waist to lace their fingers together. “Thank you. I’m okay now.”

Az’s eyes flicked over her face, looking for any sign that she wasn’t being honest with him. When he found nothing, he brought their linked hands to his mouth, brushing his lips over her knuckles before they turned to whoever had entered his place.

Fenrys stood in the entryway of the penthouse, holding a box of what he assumed was Elain’s belongings. His head was down, likely an attempt to give them some privacy.

“Hello, Fen,” Elain said, moving them both forward.

The golden twin looked up at them. “Good morning, Elain, Mr. Knight. I apologize for interrupting. We should’ve texted or called when we arrived.”

“It’s no interruption, Fenrys. And please, call me Azriel.”

A charming smile lit his face though it didn’t quite touch his eyes. “Con and I were asked to bring over some of Elain’s things. He’s loading up a few more boxes in the elevator now. Where would you like us to put these?”

Elain glanced at him, the hesitation of where she should put her belongings evident.

That was another discussion they needed to have. Where she wanted to live and whether or not it was temporary. He hadn’t been lying when he said she could live with him. Whether she chose the guest bedroom or his, he didn’t care, he just wanted her here with him. “Right there by the foyer table is fine, Fenrys. We’ll take care of it from there.”

The male nodded, setting the box down as the elevator doors dinged, revealing his polar-opposite twin.

Az was grateful that Elain didn’t jump at the sound this time. That would be something else they had to work on to help her during her healing journey.

Connall beamed, eyes flicking between the two of them and their joined hands. “Hello, Elain, Mr. Knight. How are you both doing this morning?”

He huffed a laugh. “I’m not ever going to get you guys to stop calling me ‘Mr. Knight’ am I?”

“Nope.”

“Not likely,” the twins said in unison.

Elain covered her mouth with a hand, trying to hold in a giggle.

Azriel rolled his eyes, releasing her hand to help the twins unload the elevator. There wasn’t too much here, a few boxes of clothes, textbooks, toiletries, and other essentials.

“Do you guys want to stay for breakfast?” Elain asked once they had finished.

He may have gone a little overboard on their breakfast for two with pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit, coffee, and orange juice. There was plenty for the twins to join them. But Az knew she loved her pancakes and would likely munch on cold ones throughout the day.

Connall hooked an arm around his brother stopping whatever response he was about to say. “Thank you for the offer, but we’re okay. We’ll leave you guys to it.”

“Thanks again for everything,” Elain murmured, reaching out a hand towards each of them, and for a minute, Az wondered just how much the twins knew about her history.

“Anytime, Elain.” There was genuine love and emotion in those words. Az could hear it. And the way she smiled softly at the twins, he knew Elain could hear it too.

She glanced at the boxes that littered the floor when the elevator doors closed, sweeping the twins back down to the parking garage. “I guess we should have a conversation about living arrangements.”

“Later,” he said, taking her hand and guiding her back to the table. “Let’s finish breakfast first and then we’ll worry about all of that. Sound good?”

Elain plopped back down in her chair.

“They really care for you,” he said once they started eating again. “The twins I mean.”  

She sipped at her coffee. “We grew attached to each other while they chauffeured me around.”

He snorted. “Is that what you called it?”

She raised a brow. “Wasn’t it? What would you have called them driving me to and from work?”

“Escorting you.”

Elain wrinkled her face in the most adorable way. “Now it sounds like I’m paying them for pleasure.”

Az really couldn’t just help himself. “I think we both know where you get that from.” He flashed her a self-satisfied grin.

She wanted to argue it—he could see the retort sitting on her tongue. But in the end, she just rolled her eyes and came around the table to perch herself on his lap.

His hands went to her waist to steady her, but he was surprised when she leaned forward and kissed him softly. Her arm slipped around the backside of his neck, hand sliding into his hair. It wasn’t a kiss to spark a fire—nothing like the ones they shared this morning—but simply to convey her love.

“I think we do,” she finally answered him, brushing her nose along his.  

Azriel couldn’t help but smile at her, at his world. Not letting her leave his lap, he kept an arm around her, feeding her bites of pancakes, bacon, and fruit straight from his plate. The simple domesticity of the action wasn’t something he had shared with anybody else; nor had he ever wanted to until now. It was something he loved sharing with Elain and her alone—enjoying the comforting presence of each other.

It was the best morning he had ever had—one he wanted to continue having for the rest of his life.

~~~~~

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[beels-burger-babe]

The Day Out

GN!MC Summary: MC and Solomon spend the day out enjoying the wonders of the Devildom. The problem with this? They never told the seven Lords of Hell that they’d be gone for the day.  TW: Torture (Not to the MC or the bros tho), Injuries, Murder (Again, just an unimportant Background Character) When the Wise King Solomon asks you out of nowhere if you would like to spend a day exploring the Devildom with him, some hesitancy is to be expected. We’re talking about an ancient wizard who is notoriously sketchy in every way and who seems to always have some kind of personal agenda that he uses for everything.  But the fact in the matter was that you had just survived and grueling two weeks of exams at RAD, and the stress of always being passed around between the demon brothers to partake in their various schemes and problems was really starting to wear on you.  So a day out, relaxing, and finally getting to explore Devildom in its entirety, regardless of the company, actually sounded pretty good.  Solomon had asked you to meet him outside of the House of Lamentation just before dawn. He stood there now, looking as collected and secretive as ever, with a satchel strapped over his shoulder.  “Ready to go and enjoy the company of another human?”  “More than ever! What’s with the bag?”  The wizard shrugged held out his arm to you. “I thought I might collect a few potion ingredients if I happen to spot any. The Devildom is home to a number of special rarities after all, and it would be horrible not to take advantage of my time down here to collect some of them.” That was fair. You took Solomon’s arm and allowed him to pull you close to his side before the two of you took off onto a trail in the woods. 

*** Later that morning  Mammon frowned as he approached his human’s room. You hadn’t been at breakfast, and he hadn’t heard from you all morning. This was weird. More than weird, it was worrying. It seemed like ever since you had arrived in the Devildom, the second born had a hard time getting you to leave his side, and sure it was annoying at first, but he had come to appreciate the warm presence that you exuded and found himself feeling strangely cold without you there.  He knocked on the door. “MC! Ya gonna missed breakfast! Wake up, ya lazy bones. Just because it’s the weekend, doesn't mean ya get to hold up in ya room all day like Levi!” He smirked at his own insult and waited for your inevitable retort.  Instead, he was met with silence.  Mammon’s frown made a quick reappearance. “Oi! Don’t go ignoring the Great Mammon! Beel’s gonna eat you’re share and I don’t wanna hear ya complainin’ that you’re hungry all day. Now wake up!”  Again, silence.  He growled quietly to himself in frustration as a knot of concern began to tighten in his stomach. “MC, open the door and get over here or I’m comin’ myself! This ain’t funny, human!” When he was once again met with no response, the demon cursed under his breath and went to open the door; to his surprise, it was unlocked. He threw the door open and glared inside the room. “That’s it human! Up and at it! I’ll drag ya down to the dining room mysel-” He cut himself off as he noticed the room was empty. “MC?” Mammon looked around, noting your unmade bed and window being propped slightly open. He chuckled worriedly and began to look around a little more frantically. “Ha. Ha. Very funny. What? Ya plannin’ to jump and scare me? Ain’t gonna work, so ya might as well come out now. Seriously, MC. This ain’t funny.” The knot pulled tighter as he realized he was talking to himself. He began to search every nook and cranny of the room, hoping to Diavolo that maybe you were just really dedicated to this prank and was still hiding, but paled as he realized you were nowhere to be found. “Shit!” He cursed aloud and sprinted to the dining room where the rest of the brothers still sat.  “MC is missing!”  *** You gasped and ran ahead of Solomon as the two of you walked through the forest. You crouched down and looked at a patch of glowing blue mushrooms, eyes wide with awe. “It’s so beautiful,” you gasped and glanced over your shoulder. “I can’t believe I’ve been in the Devildom for nearly a year and never came out here.”  Solomon chuckled at your child-like wonder. “The forest can be quite dangerous to those who don’t know what to look out for. For example, those beautiful glowing mushrooms?” he gestured to the fungus in front you, “Those are called the Ardentes Mushrooms. They explode on contact and create a poisonus gas.”  You’re eyes widened as you quickly scrambled back from it. “What?! Why didn’t you tell me that before I got close?”  The wizard shrugged and put a hand on your waist to pull you close to his side, as he handed you a cloth. “Like you said, you’ve been here for nearly a year and haven’t seen much because those demons have gotten quite protective of you. I thought you might enjoy observing and learning about the wilds of the Devildom. Put the cloth over your mouth and nose, and watch.”  You did as instructed. Solomon smirked before putting a cloth mask over his own face. With one hand holding you close to him, a safe distance from the mushrooms, Solomon picked up a long stick and gently poked one of the fungus.  With a small poof it quickly became engulfed in azure flames aned small glowing flecks danced and sparkled in the air around you. You held back a gasp from behind the cloth as you watched in amazement, and Solomon simply stood there holding and watching you.  *** The Seven Avatars of Sin stood in the lounge anxiously. They had searched the entire House of Lamentation inch by inch and there was no sign of the human that had been entrusted under their protection.  Lucifer sighed and leaned against the table. “If they’re not in the manor, we have to consider other possibilities. Has anyone had any luck reaching them?” He looked over at Levi, “Could you potentially trace their D.D.D. if we aren’t able to reach them?”  Levi solemnly shook his head and placed the mentioned device on the table. “Found it in their room,” he ran a hand over his face in frustration. “They know better than to go out without their phone! This isn’t like them!”  “Maybe they didn’t go willingly.” All attention snapped over to Satan, who was looking at the D.D.D thoughtfully with a hand on his chin.  Mammon paled as his hands gripped tightly onto the chair in front of him. “Y-Ya mean ya think someone took them?”  The aura in the room darkened as Satan nodded. “Levi’s right. They know better than to leave without one of us and even if they had to, they would at the very least take their D.D.D. They may be reckless sometimes, but they’ve been more careful about their safety ever since-” he paused and glanced at Belphegore before clearing his throat. “But that’s besides the point. Their window was unlocked and open as well. A demon could’ve very easily gotten in through there and took them while we were all asleep.”  Asmo let out a dramatic gasp and threw himself onto Beelzebub’s arm. “Oh the poor dear! They must’ve been so frightened being taken advantage of like that!” Beel looked down at Asmodeus both disturbed by his brother’s antics, but also distraught by his words.  Belphie rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “But there wasn’t any signs of foul play in the room. No signs of struggle.”  Satan hummed in thought. “MC is a human with no particular means of defense. They’re weak enough awake,” a spark of wrath flared behind Satan’s eyes as he clenched his jaw. “I imagine that asleep, they wouldn’t even have the chance to become fully conscious before a demon, even a lesser demon, could knock them out.”  Lucifer growled lowly. “We’ll find whoever did this, get MC back, and make the perpetrators responsible for this regret their very existence.”  In that moment, the brothers had never appeared more frightening or demonic, as the room filled with eyes glowing with the promise of death, snarls of anger at the knowledge that someone dared to touch what belonged to them. In that moment, they truly were the Lords of the Devildom. Satan grinned a wide, murderous grin, “It seems, for once, we agree, Big Brother.”  *** You peacefully continued to gather the flowers and mushrooms that Solomon had pointed out to you and verified were “safe for human contact” as the mid day sun beamed lazily through the tree branches of the forest.  You quietly hummed to yourself and glanced occasionally over at Solomon who was collecting some of the more dangerous samples to observe later on.  You smiled at the wizard. It wasn’t often you got to see him so relaxed. It seemed like every time you saw him, he was prepared for at least ten different scenarios and was weaving the strings of manipulation before his victim could even blink.  But out here, where there were no prying eyes and no other tasks to follow, Solomon looked open and the most human that you’ve ever seen him.  “You really like it out here, huh?”  He glanced back at you with a raised eyebrow, and made quick work of putting his current sample into a storage bottle. “And how did you come to that conclusion?”  You rolled your eyes and went back to picking mushrooms as you spoke. “I just mean that you seem so calm and...loose out here. Like you’ve finally dropped that act that you always put on and are finally allowed to be yourself.”  Solomon was silent as he looked at you with a strange glint in his eyes. As after a moment or two, he smirked and chuckled softly as he looked away. “For a human with no magical talents, I have to applaud your skills of observation. I think I can understand how it was you, and only you, that was able to see through the brothers as you have.”  You shrugged and attempted to hide the blush dusting over your cheeks. “It’s nothing. I just want to-”  You cut yourself off as a low growl fills the air not far from you. You slowly look up to see what appears to be a mix of a bear, a rat, and a skeleton, standing only a few meters from you. It’s beady red eyes were glaring directly at you. Your breath caught in your throat as you froze, “S-Solomon?”  “MC, listen very carefully. What’s in front of you is an Iacis Rat. They are extremely hostile, and considering their hibernation period has just ended, I imagine they are very hungry. I need you to back up very slowly and carefully. Avert your eyes, and hunch low to seem unthreatening. Keep it in your peripheral vision,” his voice was low and calm but firm with a sense of urgency. You took a shaky breath and slowly began to do as Solomon instructed. You got five steps in before you heard something snap beneath your foot.  The giant rat let out a horrendous roar that you could feel vibrate in your bones as it suddenly swiped at you. Your cry of pain pierced the air as it sliced open your arm and threw you back several feet. Another snap; only this time it was the fragile bones in your other arm breaking, not a stick.  You could hear Solomon shouting a series of spells, before he quickly scooped you up and began to run. You whimpered as he picked you up and jostled your arm. “We’ll get that taken care of in a minute MC, for now, we need to run.” You glance over his shoulder and see the rat surrounded by a series of warding walls and swatting at a few crackling balls of arcane energy that prodded at it and flew around its head.  The two of you managed to get away. You found yourself sitting on near a cliff, panting heavily as you looked out on a view of all the Devildom, with the sun just beginning to set. It would’ve been beautiful if you weren’t bleeding and in pain.  Solomon crouched beside you and inspected the gash on your arm and your broken bones the moment he had deemed that you were both safe once more. After a few silent moments of observation, he had set up a small fire and began to brew some kind of potion. You watched closely as he worked, and within an few, agony filled minutes the wizard was holding out a small cup to you.  “I am so sorry you got injured. In all honesty, I had forgotten about the Icais Rats post-hibernation season, and foolishly believed that we would be safe today,” He sighed and shook his head. “Regardless, this potion should heal all the injuries on your person. Though I should warn you, this will hurt...quite a lot actually. You can hold my hand during the process if you’d like.”  You took a shaky breath and took his hand into yours. The wizard smiled softly at you and pressed a kiss to your fingers before handing you the potion. “Whenever you’re ready.”  You eyed the red liquid in the cup before bringing it to your lips. Before you could change your mind you quickly downed the potion and squeezed tightly onto Solomon’s hand.  You tensed waiting for the pain to kick in... but nothing happened.  You frowned and looked over at Solomon. “I don’t feel any worse than I did before. Are you sure this thing-”  You were cut off as a fiery hot pain suddenly shot down both your arms and your head began to throb. Your loud piercing scream could be heard all throughout the forest as the pain began to overwhelm you.  Solomon pulled you into his lap, and held you tightly with one hand as the other ran his fingers through your hair. “I know,” he whispered softly through your screams. “It’ll be over soon. Just a couple minutes. You can do this MC. It’ll be alright.”  You sobbed as waves of pain hit you over and over again, until a sudden cool, sweet, numbness began to trickle over you. A gasp escaped from you as you stilled in Solomon’s arms.  The wizard chuckled, “Growing back your bones isn’t very fun. I’m sorry you had to go through that. You should be feeling better now.”  You looked down at your arms, and sure enough, the gash on your arm was gone with no sign of it having ever existed and the bones in your other arm had mended. You sniffed and wiped away the tears that had begun to appear in your eyes and looked over to Solomon. “Can you take me back to the House now? I think I’d like to take a nap.”  He smiled sadly at you. “Of course.”  *** A loud agonized scream rang off the walls of the House of Lamentation, causing Belphegore and Satan to grin. Their victim hung by their hands, chained to a wall while they slowly carved into its flesh.  “You know neither of us are exactly known for a patience...” Belphie drawled as he slowly brought a claw down across the lower demon’s chest. “So this is your last chance; Tell us where MC is.” The demon sobbed openly as it shook it’s head. “I’m telling you! I don’t know where they are! I swear! Please, let me go! Please, I don’t know anything!”  Satan tsked as he polished a knife and approached the demon. “Really? Because I know for a fact that you have been following them around and watching them at RAD lately,” he points the knife against the demon’s throat. “You wanted them, didn’t you? You were figuring out their routine so that you could take them for yourself. Admit it!”  The poor demon sobbed even louder as it’s body trembled. “No! I admit, I-I was following them around! But not because I wanted to- to- kidnap them or anything! I swear! I-” the demon’s face turned red, “I find them attractive and I-I was trying to work up the nerve to talk to them! That’s all!” It made eye contact with Satan, it’s expression pained and desperate. “Surely you guys understand that! I-I mean all of you brothers like them, right? That’s why you’re always following them-”  The demon didn’t get a chance to finish before Belphegore growled and snapped the demon’s neck. Satan rose an eyebrow at his younger brother, causing Belphie to shrug in response. “He didn’t have anything we needed, and was just babbling. It was annoying.”  Satan rolled his eyes and looked back at Lucifer, who stood in the back of the room, going over stacks of papers, maps, and occasionally checking his D.D.D. “Another dead end.”  The eldest brother scowled and crossed something out on a piece of paper. “Right. That’s it for possibilities at RAD then. We should start with the list of possible suspects from The Fall and the people Mammon’s indebted to then. They’ll be harder to get a hold of, but some of them would definitely have a strong motive.” Just as he finished, the House doors swung open and Mammon and Levi came marching in with the angels in tow. “We got them,” Mammon stated the obvious as he unnecessarily pushed the two in front of him. “They’d just gotten back from RAD. We haven’t told them anything yet.”  Simeon gasped at the sight of the tortured demon still hanging dead on the wall in front of them, and quickly drew Luke against him, hiding the younger angel from the sight. He glared over at Lucifer. “What is the meaning of all of this?”  Lucifer ignored the question and frowned when he noticed there was only two out of the three exchange students. “Where’s Solomon?”  “Chihuahua says that he’s been gone all day gathering ingredients for some potion. Based off of the stuff missing from his room, and the feed from the security cameras, it checks out,” Levi explained.  “Luke is not a chihuahua!” Simeon loudly defended, surprising all the demons in the room, as the little angel hugged himself closer to Simeon. The elder celestial scowled at everyone. “Now will someone please explain to us exactly what is going on and why you all are acting like a bunch of mindless, feral, demons, when we all know you are more intelligent and civilized than that!” Lucifer gave him a flat look as he crossed his arms over his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut of by a hiss of pain as a sharp, agonizing, burn suddenly swiped over his upper right arm. Not too long after, an even stronger twinge filled his entire left arm. A quick look around the room told him that his brothers were feeling the same thing; meaning this could only be one thing: MC was hurt.  Mammon snarled as he grabbed the front of Simeon’s robes. “Look, we ain’t got time to mess around. MC’s been taken, and is currently being hurt. That’s all ya need to know. What we need to know is if you got any ideas in that feathery, “holier-than-thou”, brain of yours who might’a took them or where they are! If ya can’t help us, than ya useless, and you can just get the hell outta our way while we actually do something about it!”  Simeon’s eyes widened as he felt Luke stiffen against him. The elder angel glanced over Mammon to Lucifer, “MC is missing? For how long?”  The second-born growled and harshly shoved the angel away from him. “Did ya not hear anything I just said?! We ain’t got time for stupid questions! Now do ya know where they are or not?!” The angel opened his mouth to speak, when Lucifer’s ring tone suddenly cut him off. The demon quickly snatched it up and put the call on speaker. “Asmo, report. Any sign?”  “Beel and I didn’t have any luck downtown, so we were headed back to House. We were passing the woods, when Beel... Beel thinks he’s picked up the scent of MC’s blood. We’re following it now.” Simeon shivered as he felt the demonic power in the room quadruple in strength and could practically feel it’s energy crackling in the air around them. Mammon’s face paled, as the second-born cursed and rushed towards the door. Satan, Leviathan, and Belphegore weren’t far behind him; all four brothers were already shifted into their demon forms. Lucifer’s expression became absolutely murderous as he swung his cloak over his shoulders and moved past the angels to follow his brothers. “Keep track of the scent, and describe to me where you are. We’re all coming to-”  Suddenly, all the brothers cried out in shock and pain, some of the younger ones even stumbling from it, as their bodies felt as though they had been filled with white-hot needles. Even more painful, however, was the distant, familiar, scream that could be heard on the other side of the phone call.  “Th-that’s MC,” Beel grunted out through the pain. As suddenly as it came, the pain vanished as was replaced with a chilling, numbness that filled the demon’s with dread as the screams also ended.  Levi froze and looked around at his brothers. “D-Does that mean...Are they?”  Satan swallowed thickly and shook his head, but there was a hint of uncertainty and fear in his eyes. “No. If they were dead, we’d feel the pacts break. We’d know. R-Right, Lucifer?”  The first born merely scowled and charged forward, leading the group towards the woods. “Let’s go find Beel and Asmo. We’re getting our human back now.”  *** Solomon kept an arm wrapped around you as the two of you slowly made yourr way back down the trail to get home. He watched you carefully, keeping an eye out for any unexpected side-effects of the potion. “You’re sure you’re alright then?”  You smiled weakly at him and nodded. “Yeah. Only side effect I’ve noticed is it’s made me quite tired. Other than that, I’m all better now, thanks to you.” You looked out at the trail ahead of you, “I’m sorry our day had to end on such a bad note.”  The wizard waved a hand in dismissal. “Non-sense. It wasn’t something neither of us could control. Though perhaps I should’ve been more cautious before taking you out here,” he chuckled in thought. “Imagine what the brothers would say if I returned you beaten and broken from a giant rat attack.”  You laughed and shook your head. “I doubt Lucifer would let me leave the House again! If I got hurt, it would be damaging to the program after all.”  Solomon frowned at your words. “Do you truly think that is the only reason why he, or any of the others for that matter, would care if you get injured?”  You shrugged and notably avoided the wizard’s gaze. “What other reason would they have for caring for me? Their the Demon Lords of the Devildom. I’m just MC. A defenseless human with no magical powers and nothing that makes them special.” Solomon stopped walking and grabbed you by the shoulders. He looked down at you with his stern silver eyes as though he was attempting to see straight into your soul. “You are MC. A descendent of the Angel Lilith, Master of all seven of the Avatars of Sin, and one of the kindest most observant individuals I have ever had the great fortune of knowing. You are not just some defenseless human, MC. You are special; and I know the brothers see that too.”  You’re heart fluttered in your chest at his words, as a light warmth filled your chest. You opened your mouth to respond, when suddenly the calm forest air was filled with the sound of the Icais Rat’s roar and several battle cries. The two of you frowned and glanced at each other before cautiously making your way towards the commotion.  There, in the middle of the same field you had been attacked in earlier, was all seven of the demon brothers, decked out in their demon forms, as they viciously brutalized the wild beast, that looked as though it had been killed within the first hit.  Your eyes widened at the sight as you took several panicked steps closer to them. “Woah! Guys! Stop! What are you doing?!”   You flinched back as you were suddenly being looked at by seven sets of manic eyes gleaming with danger. Solomon came up behind you and placed a hand on your shoulder, he began to quietly whisper the beginning of a protection incantation. You gulped and held up your hands defensively. “Easy boys. It’s just me. It’s MC.”  Asmodeus was the first one to fall out of whatever daze the brothers all seemed to be under. His demon form instantly dropped as tears lined his eyes. “MC!!!” He sprinted over to you and was about to pounce, but found himself smacking into an invisible wall as Solomon threw his hand up. The demon rubbed his nose and gaped over at the wizard in shock and betrayal. “Solomon?! You’re the one that took MC?!” The vicious hue that surrounded the brothers while they were attacking quickly returned as they set their sights on the wizard. Lucifer growled, his eyes remaining fixed on the hand that the wizard kept on your shoulder. “I knew we couldn’t trust him. Solomon, we demand that you let MC go, now.”  Your eyes widened as the demons began to surround you in a notably offensive position. You could feel Solomon’s hand tighten on your shoulder as he glared at them. “Not until you all calm down enough, that I feel that I can lower these protective walls without MC being maimed to death.”  Levi squawked in offense. “Us hurt them?! You’re the one that kidnapped and tortured them!!!”  “Wait what?!” You and Solomon exclaimed in sync.  You shoved Solomon’s hand off your shoulder and stood between the wizard and the demons. “Alright, everyone calm down for a minute. I think there’s been a big misunderstanding. Why do you think that Solomon kidnapped and tortured me? That’s insane!”  Satan eyed you analytically. “He’s probably given them a potion to manipulate their memories to make them think they’ve come willingly and have them be more submissive,” a few growls filled the air from the statement.  Mammon moved as close to you as he could with the invisible wall still up, and looked at you desperately. “MC, you’ve been drugged. But we’re gonna get ya home! Solomon broke in through your window this mornin’ and took ya from us. We know that he’s hurt ya, but we’re not gonna let him hurt ya any more,” his eyes hardened as they shifted to Solomon. “That’s a promise.”  Solomon sighed and shook his head. “I didn’t do any of that! Earlier this week, I invited MC to accompany me today as I gathered ingredients to give them a chance to see more of the Devildom. They agreed and came with me this morning.”  You nodded and held up a bag of mushrooms as proof. “Exactly. We’ve just been out here exploring the woods all day. That’s all.”  Belphegore raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Then how come you didn’t tell us, or leave a note? Why was your window open and your phone left behind?”  You’re eyes widened as you felt your stomach drop in realization. “Oh, boys, I am so sorry. I completely forgot! We left so early that I was a bit out of it, and I must have forgotten to make a note. I figured there wouldn’t be any reception in the woods, and I had Solomon there with me for protection, so I didn’t take my phone. I promise this really is just a misunderstanding.”  Belphie’s eyes narrowed, clearly still not fully buying the story. “And the window?”  You chuckled and scratched the back of your neck. “It was hot last night. I opened it too cool off. I must have forgotten to close it too,” you could feel guilt course through your heart as the brothers all glanced at each other with caution and uncertainty. “I’m really sorry guys. I promise I’m okay. Really!”  Beel growled lowly as he moved closer to you. “Then what about the blood that we found in the woods? What about the pain we felt you go through? I know that was real! You were hurt MC! Solomon hurt you!” his voice dropped dangerously low on the last line as his eyes began to glow once more and he punched the invisible wall; trying to break it down by sheer force to get to you.  You flinched back, as you realized just how bad this must have seemed to all of them. “We weren’t careful, and we were surprised by that Iacis Rat that you found. It scratched my arm and threw me causing me to break my other arm. Once we got away, Solomon gave me a healing potion, that unfortunately has a pretty painful process,” you looked at Beel sympathetically. “I’m alright, see?” you moved your arms around, and took off your coat to show the undamaged skin on your arms. “No injuries. Just a plain, old, healthy, MC.” You sighed and looked over at the others. “I am so so sorry for worrying you all. I swear I didn’t mean to. If I get Solomon to lower the wall so that I can hug you, do you promise not to attack him?”  There was a notable hesitance in their response as they eyed the two of you and seemed to exchange a silent conversation between one another, before one by one, they all dropped their demon forms.  Taking that as confirmation, Solomon dropped the warding walls, and within moments you were engulfed by the arms of six of the brothers.  “Stupid human” Mammon grumbled and he held you tightly to his chest, “What were ya thinkin’?”  “Don’t ever pull that normie crap again, okay?” Levi nuzzled his face into your hair, blushing deeply. “I-I missed a raid because of you!”  “You’re not allowed to do stuff like that. You had Beel all upset. You know I don’t like it when Beel’s upset.” Belphie muttered, causing Beel to wrap his arms around the group of you tighter.  “You really had us all worried MC,” the gentle giant whispered. “We...We thought you had gotten killed or something. Thought that we lost you.”  “Urgh! All this stress has been terrible for my skin!” Asmodeus complained as he pulled away from the group hug. “You owe me a full spa day, darling. I don’t wait want to hear any arguing about it either, because it’s happening. It’s the least you can do after everything you put us through.”  Satan pulled away in front of you and frowned as he flicked your nose, like an owner would to a misbehaving dog. “Your actions today were reckless. You know the dangers of the Devildom. You should’ve told us where you were going and took your D.D.D with you. Do I need to remind you of just how wrong today could’ve gone even with Solomon by your side?”  Lucifer, standing away from you looked down at you with a carefully drafted gaze of indifference. “We’ll need to make sure that what happened today does not happen again, and ensure that you don’t ‘forget’ basic Devildom safety once more. There will be consequences that we will discuss once we get home. Am I clear?”  Strong waves of guilt, shame, and regret washed over you as each of the brothers spoke. You shivered at Lucifer’s words, and his tone which promised that these consequences would not be pleasant, and nodded in response.  “Good. Let’s get you back home then, shall we?”  As you were to be lead back down the forest path in Levi, Mammon, and Beel’s arms, you glanced over your shoulder and waved at a notably concerned Solomon. “Bye Solomon! Thanks for taking me out today. Next time, we’ll both make the proper preparations and have an even better day, yeah?”  Solomon smiled softly at you and nodded. “That’d be lovely MC. It was great being able to spend the day with just the two of us.” The moment you weren’t looking, the brothers all snapped their glares back at Solomon, causing the wizard to flinch back. The message was clear: he would not be taking you for a day out ever again.  ***This was meant to be just a funny little drabble, but I accidentally went a teeny bit serious with it...woops. Oh well, hope you all enjoyed it! Thanks for reading! Love, B 🐝***

[ponyam]

Heyyyyyy! I can’t express how much I love your writing honestly and I really want to request something if your still taking them. Could you do a Zhongli x reader? Zhongli takes reader on a date to propose to them and could you include the wedding too if that’s too much to ask? I would really appreciate it :)❤️❤️

thank you so much! and sorry this took so long omg

devout

zhongli x reader [gender neutral]

synopsis: zhongli takes you on a proposal-date and sweeps you of ur mfkn feet <3

cw: slightly suggestive towards the end, mentions of a [food] coma, i'm a sap

The light of the morning sun shone brightly, yet the air was brisk as it nipped at your cheeks. The crisp smell of sea air wafted in from the docks, while the rhythmic chime of ship’s bells echoed off the walls of buildings, indicating that sailors had risen to greet the day and the unruly tide that awaited them.

Your hand was pocketed with his, keeping your grip warm and secure as you walked closely together through the awakening streets of Liyue. At the brink of dawn, your lover began persistently nudging you awake, peppering your face in sweet kisses while promising you with an even sweeter meal as a form of bargain. How lucky he was that it appeared to have worked.

Mornings like this weren’t totally uncommon with Zhongli, however this seemingly newfound fervor for planning a whole day trip like this was a little out of the ordinary. When you asked him what the occasion was— out of slight concern that you might’ve forgotten it— he denied that there ever was one; he simply wanted to express his “love and adoration through a little quality time together.”

Before you could press any further, something had caught your lover’s attention, as you were suddenly being ushered in another direction. He escorted you to sit at one of the tables at the Wanmin Restaurant and, once you were settled, excused himself to order food, planting a quick peck to your cheek in the process. Looking around you noticed that the area wasn’t too crowded at this time of day; there was a certain peacefulness that had settled over the atmosphere that contrasted heavily with the normally bustling streets of the harbor. Perhaps that was what he intended by waking you up so damn early.

Breakfast was delicious, as promised. It also served to ease some of the bitterness you felt towards being jostled awake at the crack of dawn. Zhongli didn’t hold back, either. Anything and everything that you might like was placed on the table in front of you, and you weren’t sure how he was able to afford it, nor if you’d manage to finish it all without going into a coma.

On top of all that, your lover seemed to have brought his own food from home, though it was neatly wrapped and sat underneath the small table. Again, when you asked him about it— not having ever recalled him making it— his reply was as vague as ever; “oh it’s just a little something for later.”

After boxing all the leftovers from the meal that Chef Mao so kindly put together despite the large request, Zhongli offered to take you to visit Dihua Marsh to show you a few of his favorite sights, and maybe even enlighten you with some of the history as well.

There was something so enchanting about the way he spoke; his deep, honeyed voice coating over his words as he recounted tales of his many years of living. He exuded the calm and sophisticated aura of a scholar, which he practically was whether or not he chose to admit it, yet his occasional naivety and silliness were equally charming qualities of his.

You failed to realize how quickly you were drowning in his presence until he directed a question at you, which you had to embarrassingly ask him to repeat. Fortunately, Zhongli wasn’t irritated that you hadn’t been paying attention, in fact he found the dumbfounded expression you wore to be quite endearing.

“I said,” he began as he reached out, gently lifting your chin with his thumb and forefinger while tucking a few stray hairs and a glaze lily that he must’ve picked earlier, gently behind your ear.

He then leaned in, arms snaking around and pulling you towards him by the waist as his breath danced along the side of your neck, lips ghosting over your skin.

“...would you allow me to take you to see a few ruins with me? There is still so much that I wish to show you…”

A sudden tingle shot down your spine as Zhongli’s lips moved to decorate your neck in soft, delicate kisses that seemed to leave a burning imprint in their wake, leaving you slightly flushed. It was truly astonishing how easily he could leave you breathless, even with such little strenuous activity. His affectionate demeanor was slightly peculiar, too, but you were hardly in the position to complain about it.

“Then show me,” you replied, managing to tame the swarm of butterflies that had almost completely consumed you.

Letting out a deep chuckle, Zhongli withdrew his kisses while his hand moved to cup your cheek. He hummed in satisfaction, admiring you with his glowing amber gaze for a moment before speaking.

“Gladly.”

That afternoon was spent with Zhongli as your tour guide as you traversed the various decaying stone structures throughout the Guili Plains, Luhua Pool, and finally, Jueyun Karst, where Zhongli recalled some of his early memories of the adepti with a fond smile adorning his face. You quickly discovered him to be quite the archaeological expert, not that you ever doubted it of course, but he seemed to have quite the knack for uncovering intricate little mechanisms that had been hidden away and preserved in stone over the course of the last few millennia.

He was also very adamant about showing you many of Liyue’s great sights, and was not afraid to express this by taking you to every available vantage point, regardless of how far or out-of-reach it seemed. Even if you claimed to be exhausted, Zhongli would simply carry you the rest of the way because you were going to see this view. And what a view it was. From up high it was easy to take in almost the entirety of Liyue in all of its golden splendor, which was the original intention in bringing you here. This was something that he spent years constructing and cultivating, something he took great pride in and fought hard to protect. It was his world, and you were his crowned jewel.

As the sun was beginning to set, Zhongli escorted you back to the harbor before excusing himself to quickly go and “check something,” sending you off once again with a sweet kiss, and asking you to meet him at the peak of Mt. Tianheng in about twenty or so minutes. You smiled to yourself as you waved goodbye, curious as to what he had in mind and slightly amused by his frantic behavior. You thought back to your earlier denied inquiries regarding what was so special about today.

Perhaps now you would get some answers.

When you arrived at the rendezvous point, well, least to say you were taken aback. Laid out before you was a spread of a variety of your favorite foods, including desserts and a tea set, accompanied by an array of flickering candles that illuminated the small picnic blanket as well as the single glaze lily that grew nearby. Just past it stood the man that you had fallen in love with, his back turned as he watched the sun sink beneath the clouds.

“What’s all this?”

Immediately you caught his attention.

“Ah, there you are, my dear,” he said, turning slightly to face you. “Come here. I have something I’ve been meaning to show you.”

He extended his hand out towards you, a gesture for you to stand beside him. You approached him hesitantly in an attempt to not disturb the lovely display he had assembled for you, while letting his arm gently drape itself across your shoulders.

Your breath caught in your throat. By the Archons, the view was stunning. Sure, you had been sight-seeing all day and this could hardly be any different from the last dozen places you trekked to watch the skyline, but there was something about the way in which the glowing aura of the evening sky reflected off of Liyue and the twinkling sea of its harbor that left you in completely awestruck.

Had you not been quite as transfixed as you were in that moment, perhaps you would’ve caught sight of the distant, far-away look in your lover's eyes. Maybe you would have noticed the way he was fidgeting slightly, or the way his eyes were no longer trained on the view, but on something far more radiant.

“It’s beautiful,” you said, snapping him out of his trance.

Zhongli smiled, enjoying watching the awe and wonder twinkle in your irises.

“Indeed it is.”

You felt his arm lift away from your shoulders.

“But I think I have found something far more precious.”

You felt his hand slip into yours.

“Oh really? And what’s tha—”

When you turned, Zhongli, Rex Lapis, the former Geo Archon, was kneeling before you, regarding you with such an adoring gaze as if you were the deity to be revered, answering your question without needing to utter a single syllable: ‘You’

“(Y/N),” he began, giving your hands a light squeeze. “There is much I’ve been meaning to say to you, but I fear that I have such little time,” he sighed. “When I first gave up my gnosis, I found myself wandering aimlessly, unsure of my place in this world now that I was no longer Rex Lapis. I am now just a mortal man, with no duty to my people. It was a… foreign concept to me, at first. I wasn’t sure how to lead a carefree life, with a clear and resolute heart, until I met you.

“I never anticipated to meet someone quite like yourself, nor did I intend to fall in love as deeply as I have, but I hold no regrets. You have shown me true happiness, and for that I must thank you.”

Zhongli pressed a kiss to your knuckles as you felt your eyes begin to well up with tears.

“Each day spent with you is as valuable as gold to me. Our time together is boundless. I knew not my place in this world before, but I now realize that it has always been right here with you.”

He let out a shaky breath.

“(Y/N), my love, I cannot imagine a world without you in it, and I wish to form a new contract with you from here on out, so please…”

Reaching into his pocket, Zhongli produced a small, black box. Inside was a beautiful jade ring, crested and adorned with gold.

“...will you marry me?”

—

It was a warm summer’s night, and the moon rose full, its light ricocheting off of crystalline streams of water as they cascaded down the high cliffs which surrounded you. The air was humid, but somehow the combination of mist and the gentle night’s breeze made each inhale feel more rejuvenating than the last.

Fireflies were out tonight. They were dancing about you and your fiancé as you stood together side by side adorned in matching hanfu, rapidly beating hearts synchronizing to the same rhythm. It was a relatively quiet ceremony. There weren’t too many guests, and the venue was fairly secluded, making the process feel much more intimate.

After lighting the altar candles and paying respects, a tea ceremony was held, followed by the exchanging of vows. A few adepti were present, as well as some close friends and family members. Seldom did you release each other’s hand, regardless of what you were doing or who was looking. It provided a sense of security for the both of you, a silent reminder to one another that ‘yes, I’m still here, and yes, this is real.’

Although Zhongli is known for being a very composed gentleman, he still found it difficult to restrain himself from sweeping you off your feet and twirling you around while kissing you all over; he was overjoyed, though he was not the easiest person to read.

Instead of performing such an extravagant display of affection, Zhongli opted for a single, chaste kiss once you completed in saying your vows. It was extremely tempting to turn that one kiss into many, much more passionate kisses, but Zhongli was still quite aware of his audience, giving him reason to hold back.

After the wedding reception was held and you had just sent off the very last guest, your husband pulled you aside, albeit a little harsher than intended. You let out a small yelp as you collided with him, surprised by his sudden brazenness.

“You look divine,” he spoke softly, admiring you as you were bathed in moonlight.

A hand then moved to brush some of the hair away from your face, while his other remained gently clasped with yours. Soft lips moved to caress your forehead, and then your temples.

“I have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” he continued.

His lips then moved to your cheek, then jaw, lingering there for a moment while his hand cradled your face.

“Longer than you can imagine,” his voice was deep, sultry, and right in your ear.

He moved to repeat the same process on the other side of your face.

“So forgive me if I’m a little selfish tonight.”

He kissed the tip of your nose before moving his lips to hover over yours, warm breath mingling with your own.

“I must make up for the lost time, after all.”

Zhongli sealed his promise with a kiss that was deep and devouring, conveying all the emotions he had ever felt for you as well as one last, simple message:

'I am utterly and wholly devoted to you.'

[keilemlucent]

prey and promises

 (NSFW)

hawks | takami keigo x reader 

word count: ~2.1k

keigo is a people pleaser at heart, and you’re his person. you want to try some new things in the bedroom. you do the math.

warnings: light restraints, light predator/prey (ish), praise kink, service dom keigo

a/n: people pleasing keigo is my kink, service dom keigo is my kink, here’s some pwp. this was originally my drabble for the exchange, but it got a wee bit long so it’s its own bastard now. enjoy some h word and happy valentine’s day loves!!!! 💗💗💗

“That too tight, dove?”

No, and honestly? Not tight enough.

The rope binding on your wrists was a bit too loose, a bit unpracticed, but a good effort despite all of that. Keigo really tried his best for you, and you could tell.

The bedroom was dim, for the sake of romance, suspense, or both. Only the flicker of a few perfectly placed jar and pillar candles lit the room, allowing Keigo’s wings to cast large, beautiful shadows across the room.

You watched, mesmerized by just his shadow.

That wasn’t mentioning the man who was straddling your hips, chest level with your face as he futzed with your bound wrists.

He worried to himself, nervously speaking just above breathing.

Who would’ve fucking thought, that number two, pro hero ‘Hawks’ was a goddamn sweetheart in bed?

He was a notorious playboy (wrong, but tabloids work harder than sinners on their knees), and unabashed flirt (true, but before you, he’d always been shit at the follow-through). Yet, he’d been worrying about the state of your bound arms for what had to be at least ten minutes.

As much as you appreciated the care, you were practically dripping onto the bed from all of the teasings he’d led up with (kissing, sucking, torturing your poor nipples until they were hard, flushed, and bitten.) It had been too long since you’d had the proper time to spoil each other, and Keigo was exploiting the opportunity for all it was worth.

Some time ago, he must’ve had the rope shipped to your shared apartment without you knowing. It wasn’t too thick, not too rough, just perfectly oiled and deep scarlet. It was worn by the time he’d brought it out to you that night, a surprise for you, but not him. He’d obviously been practicing knots in the little spare time he had.

It showed how much he cared, truly.

You’d mentioned, offhand, a month or two ago over a shared bottle of wine that you’d like to ‘spice things up’ in the bedroom when you had the chance to. Keigo had been intrigued, dug in a little more, and got you blushing and revealing a good handful of kinks.

And he delivered, the best he could anyway, with the experience and research he’d been able to put together.

“Not too tight at all,” You tug on the restraints, wiggling a bit below him, antsy and needy already. “Now get down here, or I’m gonna leave hickeys in some very visible places.”

Keigo ‘ooo’ed and flopped to rest his chest against yours, the chill of the barbels through his nipples making you shiver. He gives you a pleased smile, eyes sharp and half-lidded all at the same time, “Is that a threat or a promise?”

“Both, if you keep talking and not touching,” You really tried to keep your tone from getting whiney. Keigo was content, always content, to be a tease, and without your hands, it was even easier to fall to mush beneath him.

“Needy,” Keigo clicked his tongue, snapping the elastic of the garter over your thighs. With his weight over your hips, and your arms high and held to the headboard, there wasn’t much you could do other than writhe a bit and plead with your eyes.

“If you were in my position, you’d be the same way,” you hissed.

“Maybe,” He mussed, lips trailing over the skin of your throat.

Keigo stole any retort and the breath from your lungs as he chomped down on your neck (really, he bit down) and suck at the skin. The bruise he was leaving began to ache almost immediately, teeth kneading away even as you arched and gasped beneath him.

You bucked your hips, begging silently for just a bit more��

And Keigo growled against your pulse. His hands gripping the fat above your waist and pressing you into the mattress with his body weight.

His wings puffed up and outstretched before your eyes as your breaths became more labored with each moment.

He’s really fucking turned on.

Keigo pulled back to sit over your hips, pupils wide and having eaten the amber of his eyes long again.

You tried to grind up into him, desperate for just something—

And Keigo pressed you to the bed again, wings widening to cover the two of you as a low rumble broke from his throat. You swallowed dry and your lips fell open as you watched Keigo, somewhat in awe and very horny.

“Here’s how tonight’s gonna work,” Keigo sounded way too pleased that you’d finally stilled. “You’re gonna be the good girl I know you are and let me decide how and when you get to feel good. You can do that, can’t you?”

You didn’t have a lot of fight left in you, not with the way he was looking at you, not with the way his hands were stretching and squeezing over your curves.

The small part of your brain that was still functioning recalled your tipsy conversation from months before—

...

“I dunno,” You giggled, leaning on Keigo’s side. “I just think I’d be nice to feel a little bit smaller, and weaker. In like a hot way.”

“... Small and weak is hot to you?” Keigo’s word only slurred slightly.

“Nah, not like that!” You pushed against his shoulder, hiding your bashful grin in his bicep. “Like... Use me a bit, you know? However you want to fuck me up, fuck me up.”

...

Apparently, Keigo had taken your request to heart. Did some serious ruminating. And was planning on delivering.  

“I said,” His wings half-flapped (oh, you were fucked)— “‘You can do that, can’t you?’”

He ran the tips of his nails (talons) over your ribs, the fucking bastard.

The nail in the coffin was the way how he dragged them up and up. Over the curves of your sides, your tits, heaving chest, and collar bones to plant either hand on the side of your head.

And Keigo leaned over you, naked and leaking, wings extended high with a fucking delicious and terrifying gleam filling his eye.

The sharp talon on his thumb ran over your cheek, and your stomach dropped. You felt your cunt clench around nothing as you pulled at the restraints.

“Yes, y-yes, yes!” You sputtered, lost in the pitch of Keigo’s pupils. “I can do that, it, whatever you want, please.”

Keigo visibly shuddered when you begged, but you hardly noticed. You were far more focused on how he shifted a knee between your parted legs, nudging his own flush with your bare cunt.

“Then fuck yourself on my thigh.”

Your hips moved without thought, the muscles and flesh on your tummy flexing to get just a morsel of him.

“Oh, I think I like this,” His breath felt so fucking hot against your ear, you swore you were scalded. “You’re just so fucking gorgeous when you doing just what I want you to.”

A strained, little sound dribbles from your lips as you nod, ‘yes, yes, I’m sure I look nice but I need more’, turning your head to drag your lips over his cheekbone.

His feathers ruffled, wings fluttering and flexing, the primaries scraping the ceiling but neither of you had a mind to care. Keigo had never really had this energy before, and you were a fucking glutton for it. You needed more, more of him and whatever he was willing to give.

You were begging for it without even thinking about it.

Keigo sat back on his heels, chest and cheeks flushed enough to match his wings.

He was so fucking pretty.

You took him all in, lips parting and just a bit of drool spilling from the corner of your mouth. Just a little bit.

All the while, you kept grinding on his thigh, soaking Keigo in slick that he oh so fucking sinfully gathered up on two fingers that he then sucked clean.

Bastard, bastard—

And impatient bastard.

“Such a good little dove,” Keigo purred, palming his cock with his saliva-soaked hand. “My good little dove. I’m sure you want something to fill you up, don’t you? Tell me. Use that mouth of yours.”

And you spewed.

You slurred about how hot Keigo was like this, how much you needed his cock, because, I don’t know, for fuck’s sake, without it you might as well die. You licked your chapped lips as he grinned above you, more smug than you’d ever seen him.

And thank fucking god, he threw your legs over his shoulders and fucked into you clean with one, single motion.

You shrieked, stretched and stuffed without a moment to adjust but you didn’t fucking care. The burn was grounding, the heat spreading from your cunt to the tips of your toes and fingers as you tugged at the restraints, begging for more until your voice went hoarse.

And, as... predatory as Keigo was presenting himself, large and sharp and intimidating, he was ultimately still your dutiful lover who wanted nothing more than to have you ruined for anyone else on his thick, pretty cock.  

“FUCK!” Your voice broke high as you took Keigo’s cock, eyes rolling white as he moved, so fast— “K-Keigo!”

The tempo he set was something worse than brutal. It tore the breath from your lung with each slam of his hips. Each slap of skin on skin had a high moan ripping from your throat in time with the creek of the headboard. The way his cock hit everything so perfectly was overwhelming, but all the same you wanted to drown in it, take it between your ribs and absorb and it and be—

“Whose are you?”

His, Keigo’s, his, his, HIS—

“Y-Yours, yours, YOURS!”

Your vision sparked on the edges as you came, spin curling off the bed, back blown to high hell but you didn’t fucking care. All you could focus on was the pleasure of it all and the way Keigo didn’t slow—

The bastard sped up.

You sputtered something, a weak ‘too much!’, but with no safeword (no need to use it, you felt more alive on his cock than you had in a long time), Keigo kept up his pace, sweat pouring down his temples and feathers twitching blurrily in your vision.

A hand slipped between your bodies, “Y-You’re so perfect, baby, best f-fucking girl in the world for me.”

“Y-you’re best girl?” Your voice broke into a whine as pummeled that knot of nerves, your gut overheating in the best way—

“Yes, fuck, my best girl,” Keigo took only a moment of pause, catching his breath before continuing at a pace and depth you didn’t think you could take but you were— “My b-best, perfect, girl. You’re fucked for me, aren’t you?”

You nodded dumbly, watching Keigo’s bow forward with the curve of his spine.

“Good, good,” Keigo’s voice was just as rough as yours, weak for you and your spent, perfect body and self. “You take me so well, gonna take all of me so, so—”

The finger rolling your clit sped up, and heat shot through you, cunt clenching and sending the two of your tumbling with each other.

“GOOD!”

Keigo’s hips finally stuttered, slamming into yours once, twice, and third time before he spills into you, stuffing you so full you swear you can feel it in your tummy.

You were cresting at the same time, swimming in the sensation of him, slick soaking your thighs as Keigo gave a few shallow thrusts, stuffing you.

And you came down together.

You were only half lucid as Keigo pulled out, laying thick praise on you with words and little kisses to your undoubtedly sore legs. A feather or two loosened the ties around your wrists, so your arms could drop limply to your sides. The rope left the prettiest indentations that you made a not to ogle at when you were more present. 

Keigo flopped beside you in the sheets, greedy hands pulling you close to mingle in sweat, sound and breath.

“So, how was I?” Keigo asked.

Someone less practiced in knowing him would assume his tone sounded over-confident, the lazy smirk he was wearing only adding to his incredible acting.

But you could tell from the tension still bound up in his wings, and the little crinkles between his brows, and the thick swallow he gives you, that he is indeed asking you, genuinely, ‘how did I do?’.

You replied with a deep breath, fumbling a bit to grab his hips, fingers dancing up his spin to rest the roots of his wings between your spread fingers.

“You did so good, Kei’, please fuck me like that again sometime—” It would probably be smart to let your very blown out back heal, but—

Keigo kissed you, hard and hot with a hand pulling your jaw just right.

“‘Sometime’?” Keigo murmured, nibbling your bottom lip, the fucking whore. “Why not now?”

You had no reason to refuse, so why not?