#IN TWO MONTHS I GET ONE COMMENT AND ITS A NEW SLUR

[sunnybeewriting]

peachy keen. Part Two

Wow! Thank you all so, so much for all the likes and comments on last chapter, I was blown away! Every time I get a notification that someone liked or commented on something I’ve written I get giddy, so thank you! And I read everyone's comments and they were all so sweet!

Someone actually posted fanart of peachy keen!! I nearly died when I saw it, so thank you again to @desertrose244 for making that, it’s wonderful. And I’m sorry this chapter took so long, classes got me all kinds of messed up. So without further wait, peachy keen. Part Two!

peachy keen. Part One

WORDS: 9,000

WARNINGS: Adult themes and language

“Bitch, you better wake the fuck up right now.”

A hand whacks you on the back of your head firmly and you are jerked right out of your hazy sleep state. You let out an embarrassing snort as your head lurches up from its position of laying on your arms crossed over the table.

Your eyes squint tiredly against the bright light of the room. For a brief moment, your fuzzy mind struggles to remember where you are, until you realize that you’re still sitting in the break room.

“The time?” you slur out as you straighten your back in the chair. You lean backward, arms stretching out above your head, and strong relief fills you as several pops resound in different places. You groan loudly at the feeling, and blood rushes back into your body parts as you shift them. Hunching over in a chair for a half hour to try and get as much rest as you could had not been a good idea.

The sharp scent of something chemical makes you wrinkle your nose, and you look over to your left to see where the odor is coming from.

Margot sits beside you, humming softly and painting her nails a pretty light pink color. The little bottle of nail polish she is using cost her a lot of money to buy from the supply shop, given that nail polish was a rare find in Bridgehead. Granted, it wasn’t like there were a lot of military personnel or scientists who were fist-fighting over nail polish, but still. Margot had insisted it was completely worth the price, although you had definitely seen her lip wobble when she had looked at the dent in her wallet.

Margot had lasted almost two months before whining about missing her pretty nails, and the next day she caved and forked over the big bucks to get the tiny little bottle. Now, she likes to joke that it’s her most prized position (it wasn’t really a joke).

You yawn, then press your lips together as your right hand rubs at your eyes to help wake yourself up.

“What’s the time, Margot? Why did you even wake me up?” your tone is almost a whine as you question your friend, ready to throw a fit if she says she only woke you up because she was bored.

Luckily for Margot’s physical safety, she has a fairly good excuse.

“We’ve got that meeting with the new team leader, Amanda What-the-fuck-ever, in ten minutes.” Margot rolls her eyes as she carefully paints a strip of polish on her left index finger, tongue sticking out in concentration.

You snort softly at Margot’s clear disrespect toward a woman neither of you had even met, but you couldn’t really blame her. Your own feelings about this mystery lady were mixed as well.

Two months into being in Bridgehead, Amanda Hall was assigned as the field team leader of the new Avatar Program by the RDA. Her job is essentially to connect the members of the program to the important people in the company. She is the one to handle any concerns within the group, any issues with military personnel, any special reports about discoveries on Pandora, shit like that.

She also apparently did data work, collected samples, and would go out into the field with your team whenever the RDA finally chose for that to happen.

All that would be fine and dandy if it weren’t for the gossip from the other Avatar team, who told Margot that this lady was essentially here to report all matters of the program and its members to the RDA. Every slip-up, every boo-boo, every time someone sneezed out of turn, she would be mentioning it to the same higher-ups who would be deciding whether to disband the program or not.

This was very unpleasant news to all of you, given that your entire purpose on Pandora is to be an Avatar. The program was already in a precarious position, being that it was still in the testing stages. If it got disbanded because of whatever Miss Hall said, you’d all be completely fucked.

So yeah, none of you were exactly fond of her, too worried that she might very well ruin your lives.

Margot blows on her finished nail, holding it up closer to her face for careful inspection. Once she’s satisfied, she carefully screws the lid of the nail polish shut and gently places it into the right pocket of her light blue windbreaker.

She rises from her seat to check her reflection in a small, circular mirror on the grey wall of the break room, fixing her hair and smoothing down her clothes.

You watch her, not even bothering to do anything to fix up your own appearance. You’re certain your hair is slightly mussed and your clothes are wrinkled, but you’re beyond too tired to really give a shit.

You hadn’t slept well the past two days, too concerned about the rumors of Miss Hall. You have no idea what you would even do if the program went tits up, no idea what would happen to you or your friends.

Would you be shipped back to Earth, as if you were an unwanted toy the RDA no longer wanted to play with? Would you be forced to remain in miserable Bridgehead, doing nothing but look at samples for the rest of your life? As a xenobotanist who thrives on nature and color and unique things, that would be one of the worst things you could ever think of happening to you.

All the terrifying possibilities swirled around your head, digging so deeply into your brain that you were beginning to dream about it.

So yeah, you were stressed and unable to sleep, which made you exhausted and anxious. These past few days had been nothing but a vicious circle of misery for you.

Margot’s hands pause as they fluff up her hair, eyes meeting yours in the mirror. You stare back at her, too spent to even muster up a fake smile.

She turns away from her reflection, walking over to your slouched form and taking your hands in hers. You stare up at her with watery eyes, and she squeezes your hands tightly and says,

“Oh, honey. You don’t have to be so worried about it, it’ll be okay. The RDA spent billions on our Avatars, they’re not going to throw them away so easily, alright?”

You nod shakily, deep down knowing that she was probably right. Still, it was hard to shake the fear from your heart, the cruel little whispers of ‘but what if?’ refusing to let go.

It wouldn’t even be failing to reach a lifelong goal that would bother you so much, wouldn’t even be the years of school and training and sleepless nights that would all have been for nothing if the program was discontinued.

It would be failing to keep the promise you had made to your mother as she lay on her death bed that would be the worst of it.

Oh, your sweet, vicious mother. Once so kind and caring toward you as a child, she turned spiteful once her mind and body began to weaken. Bitterness and regret seeped into her heart and turned it as dead and cold as her husband, and the name-calling, the pinching, and the ugly insults began by the time she was confined to her hospital bed.

For five years you stuck by her side through it all, through the malice and the failed treatments and deterioration. You stayed by her side even when your aunt on your father’s side offered to take you away, because she was your mother, and you would love her always. Even on the bad days when she couldn’t even remember who you were, you stayed with her.

Through all the nastiness and difficulty, your mother’s true person would shine through sometimes, like when she told you about your father, when she made you promise to follow your heart and never let anyone or anything get in the way of your dreams. Those were the moments you stayed for.

And so, even the mere thought of letting her or yourself down, of failing to keep your promise, scared you to death.  

You shake your head, pushing the ugly thoughts back into your mind so you could focus on kind, lovely Margot.

It’ll be okay. You’ll see.

You swallow thickly, squeezing Margot’s hand tightly in your own.

“I know, Margot, I’m okay. I just need a little time to adjust, that’s all,” you smile shakily at her, and she looks at you, eyebrows furrowing with concern even as she smiles back.

“Right. Right, honey,” she tears her eyes away from you to glance at the clock, eyes widening when she sees the time, “Oh shit, sugar! We gotta go!”

Margot pulls you up from your chair by the hands she was still holding, and you sway dizzily as blood rushes back into your head. You barely have time to pull on the tennis shoes you had kicked off underneath the table before she’s tugging on your hand and you’re out the door.

“Margot, slow down!” you laugh quietly as you almost trip over the shoes not quite pulled over your feet correctly, and it feels so, so good to laugh again, even if it is just slightly. You hadn’t realized it’s been days since you felt genuinely well.  

Margot glances back at you, grins, and picks up her pace. Before you know it, you’ve reached the conference room, and you drop Margot’s hand and kneel to fix your shoes properly. Then you finally find the motivation to put your hair into a ponytail, straighten your clothes, and take a few breaths to calm your nerves.

Once you are ready you nod at Margot, and she nods back before opening the glass door to the room.

Inside is a long, metal table surrounded by ten chairs, along with an enormous whiteboard, several holotablets, and other various fancy-looing equipment.

David is already sitting in a chair closest to the door, posture straight as he reads from a tablet. He looks up eagerly when he hears the door open, and his overwhelmingly saccharine sweet smile drops fast from his lips when he sees that it’s just you and Margot. He scowls deeply, rolls his eyes, and points to his wristwatch like the little prick he is.

You resist the urge to childish stick your tongue out at him, but only just.

Probably got here an hour early, the teacher’s pet. What a weirdo.

You and Margot reluctantly take seats across from him at the table. It had been very tempting to sit all the way in the back of the room, as far away from David as possible, but that definitely wouldn’t have been seen as very professional by your new team leader. And, god help you, you did want to make a good first impression.

Hopefully that doesn’t make me as much of an ass-kisser as David.

You turn to look at him just as he takes a pocket mirror out of his pants, checks his reflection, and then positions himself in his chair so he’s the first one Miss Hall will see when she walks into the room.

Yeah, nope. Jesus Christ, David.

Barely a minute passes before Emma and James walk just in time, giggling quietly and blushing. They take a seat across from one another, James sitting by you and Emma sitting by David. They grin across the table, clearly amused about some private joke only they know.

It’s so cute, but it also kind of makes me want to puke.

You tear your eyes away from them in hopes that no longer looking at such sweet affection will help your stomach settle. They were awfully charming, but also gross if you looked at them too long.

You know, I wonder if employee relations are something Miss Hall will report to the higher-ups?

You turn to tell Emma and James they should probably keep their affections discreet whilst in the company of Miss Hall from now on. Just as you open your mouth to speak, the woman in question finally walks through the door.

The first thing you notice about her is her hair, bright red and pinned up into a smooth bun. She’s a tall, slender, strict-looking woman with young features, and while she does look stern, she also has a small smile on her lips as she looks around the table and introduces herself,

“Hello, everyone. My name is Amanda Hall, I’m the new Avatar Program team leader, which means that I will be overseeing any concerns you have and guiding you through our travels in Pandora. From here on out, if you need something or would like to speak to the RDA, you will do so through me and me alone. Do you have any questions?”

Your lips thin but you shake your head, and all members of your group rise from their seats to shake her hand in greeting, all smiling as pleasantly as they can. You notice that David is the first in line to introduce himself, and he eagerly shakes her hand and lists off all of his titles when he tells her his name.

Ew.

You’re worried your small smile might look more like a grimace than anything else when it’s your turn to greet her, but she doesn’t seem to notice as she slips her cool, smooth hand into yours. She looks at you, and her smile doesn’t seem to reach her eyes as she says,

“I look forward to working with you, Doctor…?”

Miss Hall trails off and you tell her your name. She nods her head in understanding and then shakes your hand in three perfunctory pumps before releasing you.

The next two hour is almost mind-numbing as Miss Hall talks about her new role in the science division, what she expects from you, all other mundane things that almost bore you to tears. Just as sound becomes muted in your ears and your vision begins to blur as you drone out, Miss Hall mentions something that quickly snaps your attention back to her.

“…and so, your group will be cleared for field-work within the next week or so, and you’ll be able to begin your jobs at Bridgehead in earnest, as well as-”

You gasp, “They’re finally letting us out?! In the next week?”

Miss Hall looks startled as she says, “Oh, well, yes, in the next week or so. Given that it’s been almost two months since you arrived, it’s about time you are able to do what you came here to.”

You slump back into your seat, mouth open in shock and joy. Your thoughts run wild as you realize that in a week's time, you will be in the wilds of Pandora, actually able to touch and observe and collect alien plant life. You’ve been waiting for this exact moment for years.

I can’t fucking wait!

Miss Hall smiles slightly when she sees your stunned face and then goes on to talk about her education. You don’t even bother trying to listen, simply too busy thinking to pay attention. By the time the meeting is over, you mindless shake her hand again and walk out the door with Emma, James, and Margot.

David had neglected to leave with you, staying behind to spend a few more minutes speaking with Miss Hall.

Better her than us. He’s probably sucking up for a promotion or some shit.

As you all wander back to the break room in a daze, you realize that you aren’t the only one stunned by Miss Hall’s announcement. All three of your friends look pale and glassy-eyed, and poor Emma is destroying her fingernails as she picks at them while biting her lip anxiously.

Since Pandora is a dream come true for you, it’s always been difficult for you to remember that it’s not a safe place, not an easy walk in the park, and that you could die out there. You just get so lost in your own head, so busy thinking about all the scientific possibilities that you forget the danger that may be lurking. Your one-track mind is a dangerous flaw of yours, and you hope it doesn’t get you killed someday.

Once you all reach the room and sit down, everyone has some color back in their cheeks, and James has grabbed one of Emma’s hands to stop her from hurting herself. You sit in silence for a moment before Margot breaks it,  

“I still don’t like her,” she huffs, arms crossed over her chest as she practically pouts in her chair.

You roll your eyes, having seen that coming from a mile away. Ah, classic Margot. Once she made up her mind about someone or something, it was incredibly difficult to get her to change her opinion.

“She wasn’t that bad,” Emma says quietly. Over the past month since your group really came together, Emma had opened up more and more until she was able to hold full conversations without freezing. You had once thought that her dreary attitude was because she was an unhappy person, but it turns out she’s just painfully shy.

James certainly helped with bringing her out of her shell; his caring attitude and cheerfulness are good for her.

You take a deep breath and agree with Emma, surprising yourself when you say the words aloud,

“You know, I don’t think having her as a team leader will be as bad as I thought. I think she’ll help our team more than hurt it, but we should still be careful with what we say and do around her for the next few months, just in case.”

Margot sighs but nods, uncrossing her arms from her chest.

“Yeah, okay, that’s probably for the best. I guess she didn’t seem that bad. She had pretty hair,” she mumbles the last part, and to your utter bewilderment, Margot tucks her hair behind her ear and actually blushes.

You gawk at her; it was incredibly rare for Margot to turn red, and it usually only happened when she was extremely angry or embarrassed. She hadn’t even blushed when she got super drunk at the bar downtown, took off her top, and climbed up on a table to dance around. Well, she tried to dance, but the only thing she succeeded in doing was falling off the table and throwing food and drinks everywhere.

You had tried to get her top back on and get her off the table but were fairly drunk yourself, and you failed terribly. When she went flying off the table, she kneed you right in the face, and you had to walk around with a black eye for two weeks.

Yeah, defiantly not either of our best moments.

But even when you had told her about it the next morning, hungover and miserable, she still hadn’t tinged red even a little bit at the fact that she’d shown her tits to an entire bar full of people. She had just waved her hand indifferently and asked if you got any good pictures.

So, it was defiantly bizarre to see her blush now for seemingly no reason.

Huh.

Margot catches you gaping at her and blushes even more before clearing her throat and turning her attention on you. She smirks mercilessly, eyes gleaming, and says,

“You know, I was surprised you even gave her your real name, I was half expecting you to tell her to call you Peach.”

Now it’s your turn to burn scarlet, and you shrink back into your seat with a flustered, “Margot!”

She laughs at your squeaky reaction before saying, “What? I’m just saying, Colonel Quaritch is always calling you that, and I’ve never heard you tell him to stop, soooo.” She wiggles her eyebrows and jams a sharp elbow into your ribs.

You wince, one hand reaching up to grasp where she hit you as you say, “Uh, yeah, I’m not going to Quaritch of all people what he can and cannot say, and you wouldn’t either. He could call me much worse names, so I’ll take Peach any day, thank you.”

“And I can’t believe you’re still going on about this!” you scoff, annoyance tinging your voice.

“Oh, come on! You guys spend so much time together-”

“Yeah, for lessons. During which he knocks me around for a few hours, so yeah, I can certainly say that we are, at best, acquaintances.”

“But you have such good chemistry-”

“Ha! Margot, you and David have more chemistry than Quaritch and I.”

Margot blanches and leans away from you, disgusted at the thought of such a thing, “I can’t believe you would even say something so horrid!”

“Well, it’s true!”

Margot lunges from her chair, jabbing an accusing finger in your face as you lean back, “Lies! I know for sure that you want to do the hanky-panky with him!”

You shake your head, amusement bubbling up in your gut and making you laugh as you say, “Hanky-panky? Are you fucking eighty years old, what’s the matter with you?”

To both your utter delight and disgust, Margot rolls her hips in a way she must think is provocative, but it mostly looks like something in her body is broken and she’s struggling to stand upright.

You burst out laughing and shout, “Jesus Christ Margot, what the hell are you doing?”

“Come on, I know this what you want to do with Quaritch-”

“What, roll my hips in a way that makes it seem like my spine is shattered to get him to sleep with me?”

Margot falters and stops wiggling around to say, “Is that really what I look like?”

“Yes!”

“Okay, okay, fine!”

She sits back in her chair with a pout but leans forward, and her green eyes bore into yours, “But my point still stands. You know, you’re starting to be like those little ducklings you had talked about seeing him with that first time, always following him around.”

You groan, “Ugh, Margot. You know what, I’m not even going to worry about it anymore. If you want to be lost in your delusions, you do that. I’m going to go to bed because I actually have something important to do in the morning.”

You pat your thighs and stand from your chair as Margot boos and shouts, “You grandma!”

“Goodnight, Margot,” you say, still absolutely tickled at Margot’s ability to bullshit even herself. You pat her on the shoulder as you walk past her to the door, and she smacks you on the ass and says, “Night, bitch.”

You barely remember to say goodnight to Emma and James, whom you had honestly forgotten were still even in the room.

They jumped slightly when you called out to them, having seemingly forgotten you and Margot’s presence as well, even with the way you had been so loud.

You shake your head fondly as they guiltily say goodnight, and you’re out the door.

You spend the journey back to your quarters thinking about the past month you’ve spent with Quaritch.

Your relationship with him, if you can even call it that, has grown from distant to something more of an…understanding. A mutually beneficial, symbiotic agreement. He’s still a massive prick, always poking and jabbing nastily, always quick to make fun.

He's still likely to smother you in your sleep if you do or say something bad enough, but he isn’t as terrifying as he was when you first met, that’s for certain.

You’re not sure if it’s simply the result of spending four hours every damn day for a whole month in his company, or if he chose to be less frightening on purpose. Either way, that all-consuming terror you felt in the first week of meeting him has faded into faint uneasiness.

And it was hard to stay so scared of him all the time when he did almost, dare you think it, nice things.

Like that one time, just a week ago, when he had been teaching you different ways to hold your blade so you could better attack someone instead of just defending yourself.

Quaritch had stood close to you, and even through the stifling, humid heat of Pandora, you could feel the heat coming off him. His bare arm brushed against yours gently as he moved from your right side to stand in front of you, and he lifted the little knife he had given you three weeks ago.

As he had warned you to, you’d kept good care of; you didn’t want to give Quaritch any other reason to dislike you, and losing the knife he entrusted into your care would worsen his feelings toward you for sure.

So, you kept it on you whenever you were in your Avatar form, nice and safe tucked away in your right short pocket. Sometimes, whenever you were distracted, you’d find yourself stroking over the M.Q engraved on the handle, thumb roving over the groves. It was sort of comforting, in a way you couldn’t describe. You probably just liked the texture.

“Alrigh’, Peach. Your defense with this puny little thing has been adequate at best, but it's good ‘nough for now. So, we’ll be moving on toward something a little bit more fun,” he grinned unpleasantly, head tilting to the side, “your offense.”

You swallowed uneasily but nodded.

Can’t be any worse than before, right? You had naively thought.

You were really, really fucking wrong.

Five minutes in, you figured out that Quaritch is a fucking monster at defense. You’d known this to some degree, just because this was Quaritch and he’s good at everything when it comes to combat, but trying to even touch this guy with your knife was utterly impossible.

No matter how fast your feet moved, no matter how much your muscles burned, no matter how hard you tried, Quaritch is bigger and better than you’ll ever be. You could see it in the way he moved, the ease of which he ducked and weaved around your inexperienced blade. He had a smug look on his face and his lips were curled up in amusement as he played around with you like a cat with a mouse.

Someday, you might get jealous of his skill, of his ferocity in combat. Now, though, watching him just made you feel in awe.

Embarrassingly, you can’t help but think he’s stunning when he moves like that. Maybe in the future you’ll actually get to see him against a real opponent, a real warrior who knows what they’re doing. You have no doubt that Quaritch would give them hell.

You leapt at him one more time in a last-ditch attempt to cut him, and he surprised you by not immediately dodging as he had done the past few minutes. Instead, he simply stays still as you run at him.

You tried to slow down once you realized he wasn’t going to move, but it was too late. He stepped slightly toward you and stopped your body’s momentum by splaying a huge hand across your upper chest and pushing you back with barely any effort at all.

You went flying backward, ass landing hard on the ground with a grunt.

Ow!

You groaned as you struggled to stand back up and Quaritch offered no helping hand, not that you had expected him to. Instead, he crossed his bulging arms across his chest, smirked, and said, “Well. You weren’t as pathetic at offense as I thought you’d be.”

You scoffed, eventually able to stand back up and dust off the gravel that clung to the fabric that covered your ass, “I was ridiculous, I didn’t even manage to make contact.”

“Well, that’s just ‘cause you ain’t pissed enough. You gotta think of me as some sorta son of a bitch you despise, someone you hate. Really let it provoke you, feel the hate in your blood and let it guide you until you kill em’. Then you’ll be golden.”

You considered his words thoughtfully, wondering who the hell you could ever hate so much you could brutally kill them.

Quaritch sighed when he saw the questioning look on your face, one large blue hand resting on the thick belt wrapped around his slender waist. He reached up to rub at his jawline as he rolled his eyes at your naivety, and then he said, “Look, Peach, there’s gotta be someone you don’t like-”

“David!” you blurt out, remembering how irritated he’d made you the past week with his stupid little comments and snotty attitude, “I really, really fucking don’t like David. If you think I’m a priss, you’d hate David if you ever met him.”

“…Alright, David it is, then. Come on, get ready to come at me again, and this time don’t be such a pussy about it. Remember what I taught you and think about whatever it is about this poor David bastard you hate so much.” Quaritch spreads his legs into a wider stance, long arms deceptively relaxed at his sides as he waited for you to come at him.

“The guy’s a douchebag, always rambling on about how he’s better than everyone else. He’s a real stuffy, know-it-all science puke. You know, your favorite type of person.”

You flashed him a sharp-toothed grin and he smirked back, wide golden eyes grudgingly amused.

“He once told me that it would be highly unlikely that you would be able to teach me anything. I really wasn’t sure if it was a dig at your teaching skills or my intelligence. Probably both, knowing him.”

Quaritch’s eyes narrowed and his mouth tightened as he said, “…Interesting. Might have to meet this David guy some time.”

You grinned at the thought of massive, terrifying Quaritch looming over a tiny, frightened David, grinning down at him evilly. That might finally be enough to deflate David’s ego, though it was David. Who knows, he’d probably be delusional enough to think Quaritch was talking to him out of respect or some shit.

I would literally fucking pay to see that happen. Quaritch would eat him alive.

“Alright, I’m ready, let’s go again.”

You spent the next thirty minutes pathetically struggling to hit him, and you didn’t make contact even once. You came close a few times, but you never actually touched the bastard.

And thinking about how utterly irritating David was didn’t even help! As much as you disliked the guy, you really couldn’t develop enough anger to want to kill him, even if it wasn’t real.

Maybe throttle him or duct tape his mouth shut, but to kill? That wasn’t you; you just didn’t have that sort of determination or ferocity in your heart. Maybe one day, but certainly not now.

It seems Quaritch could see that because he sneered at you before sighing and coming to a stop.

“Jesus Christ, alright, this isn’t working. We gotta figure somethin’ out, ‘cause at this rate you’re just going to hurt yourself by flailin’ ‘round like that. Goddamn.”

You stopped when he did, panting, face flushed and sweaty. You winced at his words but admit defeat by nodding your head in agreement.

Quaritch propped both his hands on his hips as he considered you for a moment, eyes flicking over your body. He checked the watch on his left wrist and then said,

“Well, Peach, we only gotta few minutes left and I’m fuckin’ hungry, so let’s call it a day. I’ll see ya nice and early morning tomorrow on time, you hear me?” He gave you a look, and you internally rolled your eyes even as you nodded understandingly.

It was one time you’d been five minutes late to meeting up with him, weeks ago, and he’d never let you forget it. Tom had woken up late, so you’d had to wait to link into your Avatar. You were only a few minutes late, but Quaritch had been a grumpy little bastard about it the entire morning.  

He was fucking relentless, and now every single time at the end of the lesson, he always has to say some little thing about it, because it’s Quaritch. Why ever waste an opportunity to be a dick?

“See you tomorrow, sir.”

Quaritch gave you one last look, golden eyes stern, before turning around to head back toward the gate of the courtyard.

You watched as he went, hands distractedly reaching for the sheath of your knife so you could safely put it away.

You gazed at the thin, green fabric of his tank top that stretched taught over his broad shoulders and muscled back, eyes lowering down to take in his slender waist wrapped in his belt.

And then your eyes went lower, and you made a daring observation that shocked your world, an observation you would have never dared to even think a mere few weeks ago.

Miles Quaritch has a fantastic ass.

You blushed strongly even as your head tilted to the side, eyes locked on his camo-covered ass as he practically struts his way to the gate. Your mouth parted gently before you bit softly on your bottom lip.

I’m mean, really, he’s goddamn packing it away down there. Is there any part of him that isn’t fucking attract- mother fucker!

You yelped as stinging pain ripped through your senses, concentrated strongly on the palm of your right hand. You dropped your knife on instinct, looking down hurriedly to see what the hell was hurting so bad.

You hissed lightly, shocked, when you saw the angry, bright red cut on the upper part of your blue palm, already weeping blood profusely. Your tail flicked irritably behind you, ears lowering on the sides of your head.

No fucking way, you absolute dumbass.

You’d been so distracted with checking out Quaritch’s ass that you had accidentally cut your palm open with your own knife while trying to sheath it.

“Mother fucker!” The words burst out of your mouth before you could stop them, tingling pain finally pushing its way through your surprised brain and throbbing from your palm all the way up your arm.

Blood slowly dripped on the concrete of the courtyard as you grasped your right wrist with your left hand, gasping softly.

I have to get to the medical center, Jesus Christ, why the hell does it hurt so much!?

You’d just started taking steps toward the gate, eyes locked on your bleeding palm when you heard stomping footsteps approaching fast. Before you knew it, camo-covered legs were in your peripheral vision.  

You looked up at Quaritch’s irritated and baffled face, his eyebrows furrowed as he snagged your wrist and yanked your arm up to his face to closer inspect the bleeding wound on your hand.

“Jesus Christ, Peach, the fuck did you do? I left you alone for two seconds!”  

“I-I know, I know! I was just trying to put it back into its sheath and-and I must have not been paying attention and it-” you stuttered, mind franticly trying to come up with an excuse to say instead of why you’d been so distracted.

There was no fucking way you were ever going to tell Quaritch you’d actually injured yourself because you were preoccupied with checking out his ass. Your pride and dignity would never make a recovery.

He interrupted you before you could finish, gripping your wrist tightly as he hissed, “Yeah, I can see that. Fucking hell, I should just start callin’ you clumsy instead of Peach. Let’s go.”

Quaritch lowered your arm from his face, scowling deeply, his own ears flicking angrily.

He began walking with your wrist still in his grasp. He tugged on your arm when you remained rooted to the ground, and you stumbled after him.

“U-Uh, hey, where are we going?”

“To the medical center, you idiot. It doesn’t look too deep but you’re going to need to get it cleaned. Hurry the fuck up, let’s go.”

He marched you out of the courtyard, through the bustling area of soldiers and across Bridgehead, all the while still holding onto you.

Every now and then he’d shorten his long, angry stride to take a look at your hand, and every time he did, the scowl on his face grew. His sharp teeth were clenched angrily as you walked on.

You didn’t say a word, too embarrassed and in pain, even as you struggled to keep up with his aggressive pace. You winced every time a gust of air blew across your open wound and made it sting even more. Every time you winced, Quaritch’s grip tightened.

Eventually you made it to the med center, and Quaritch waltzed through the doors with zero concern or hesitation. He tugged you upfront to stand beside him and finally released his grip on your wrist.

Ten or so tiny little humans wearing exo-masks and white sanitary gear bustled around the near entrance of the center, but none took any notice of the two giant blue Avatars standing in front of them, too busy with their own tasks.

When none of them looked up from their work after two seconds, Quaritch lost his minuscule amount of patience and barked,  

“Hey!”

You jumped slightly, not expecting Quaritch to shout, and every person in the immediate vicinity froze, heads snapping up and around to you and Quaritch. His deep voice almost echoed in the ensuing silence as any other sound stopped.

You wanted to shrink away from their stares, to just go back to your quarters and take care of your wound by yourself. Quaritch must have sensed your uneasiness and desire to bolt, because he firmly placed one large hand on your bare back, fingers splaying out across your sensitive skin.

You jumped again at the unexpected feeling of his skin against yours and tensed, mouth parting to gasp before you choked it down.

Quaritch’s hand was so big that his thumb brushed up under the loose fabric of the training crop top you wore, and goosebumps erupted across your body as you involuntarily shivered at the feeling.

You could feel the pads of his fingers against your skin, and it felt so strange (good).

“If any of you busy fuckers wouldn’t mind takin' a moment to check out this girl here, I would greatly appreciate it.” Quaritch’s deep voice boomed across the silent room, clearly irritated and sarcastic.

He sneered at them all, and then lifted an eyebrow when everyone remained frozen, “Well?”

One brave little human finally managed to unstick their feet from the floor to approach you and Quaritch slowly, as if you were both wild animals that might attack her at any moment.

They come close enough that you can tell it was a woman, even through all the bright white gear she wore. She was short, stout, and stern-looking, with grey hair pulled up into a tight bun.

She tilted her head up to meet Quaritch’s fierce yellow gaze firmly, and you almost raised your eyebrows in surprise when she refused to look away from his angry glare, her back straight and gloved hands folded in front of her.

Jesus Christ, this lady has some serious balls, you had thought incredulously.

“What’s the problem, sir?” she asked, voice coming out polite but stiff.

Quaritch had seemed startled for about half a second, then he narrowed his eyes once more and said, “This idiot sliced her hand open.”

He nudged you strongly with the hand on your back and you took a stumbling step forward, looking down at her small face and sheepishly raising your right bloody hand. It had stopped bleeding so much a few minutes before you had entered the center, but it was still a gross-looking mess.

“Uh, yeah, I’m sorry, I did do that,” you said sheepishly, apologetic.

The lady didn’t seem remotely bothered by the blood, though, and she simply sighed before guiding you over to a nearby cot with a white privacy sheet away from the entrance of the center.

You walked over willingly, careful not to jostle your hand. The stinging had faded slightly now that you were inside, but it was far from numb, and you didn’t want to make it hurt even more.

As you walked over to the tent, Quaritch left your side without your notice and wandered somewhere out of your viewpoint without a word.

You turned around to say something to him, and only then did you even notice he was gone.

Oh, you had thought, he could have at least said goodbye.  

The lady introduced herself as Doctor Miriam as she moved around your cot to grab various medical supplies. She asked you some questions, like how and when you injured yourself, and with what.

You sheepishly told her that you had been distracted when you had cut yourself, and your hand drifted down to your pocket to grab your knife to show it to her.

Your heart dropped to your shoes when you were met with nothing, and you tensed in alarm before immediately slouching when you realized you had dropped it in the courtyard.

You’d have to go back for it once this was done, but you’d much prefer that than it being lost like you had thought it was when you hadn’t felt it in your pants. Quaritch would have killed you.

All in all, the process for healing your hand was a simple one; Doctor Miriam cleaned your palm, removed the gravel, smeared a clear gel on it, and wrapped the upper part of your hand with a simple white bandage.

“Luckily,” Doctor Miriam explained, “the cut is shallow enough that it didn’t sever any of the nerves in your hand. It’ll be healed by tonight because of the medicinal properties in that healing gel, but be careful not to squeeze anything too tight. You don’t even have to wear the bandage for more than a few hours.”

You thanked her profusely and apologized again for causing her trouble, and she simply waved her hand, patted you on the back firmly, and guided you back toward the entrance of the center.

You stepped outside back into the light of Pandora, so ready to go back to the Avatar center to take a shower and get back into your own body after such a tiresome ordeal.

You’d barely taken a few steps before Quaritch rounded the corner of the building, stepping into your viewpoint.

You jerked to a stop, wondering what the hell he was still doing here.

He headed toward the entrance of the med center in long strides but stopped when he saw you standing outside. He changed his course of direction to you and reached you in a scant few seconds.

“I thought you were gone?” you asked, bandaged hand raising to shield your eyes from the bright light as you looked up at him.

Quaritch grabbed your wrist once more to examine the handiwork of Doctor Miriam. Apparently satisfied, he dropped your arm a moment later, and you let it go limply back to your side, still waiting for an answer.

“Noticed you left my knife in the courtyard, and I don’t like leaving my shit where others can take it,” he said, and lifted up your knife to your view.

“Sorry, sorry, I was just about to go back for it!” you exclaimed, hand reaching out to grab it from his own.

Quaritch pulled his hand back before you could take it, scoffing loudly before he asked, “What, you think you can just leave my shit laying around and then just take it back?”

He took a step closer to you, face lowering down to yours to look you firmly in the eye. He glowered at you, yellow eyes burning as he said, “Don’t do it again.”

You wanted to scoff at him and say, ‘Well, I was a little distracted by all the blood pouring from my hand!’, but you bit your tongue. It would just result in an argument you would never win.

“Sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.”

He glared at you one last time before dropping the knife into your hand. You took it gratefully, and as you tucked it into the pocket of your pants, you noticed that he had cleaned it of your blood. 

“And the next time you handle that knife, Peach, do your best not to slice open your own hand. Jesus, you gotta be the clumsiest brainiac I’ve ever met.”

You winced, suddenly feeling a hot flash of embarrassment all over again at the thought of your accident. You shuffled awkwardly and cleared your throat before you tilted your head up to meet his gaze, and you said, “Thanks for your help, sir. I really appreciate it.”

Quaritch sneered down at you, ears flicking as he sniffed derisively and said, “You’re damn right you’re thankful,” and then he stormed away as quickly as he had arrived.

You had watched him go, and it wasn’t until later that night as you laid in bed staring at the ceiling that you realized how surprised you had been that Quaritch had even bothered to take you to the center.

For all the cut had hurt like a bitch, it was far more superficial than life-threatening. Quaritch had been able to tell that the moment he had looked it at, but he still stayed with you to take you to the center. And he hadn’t even complained about it once while you were walking, which was a goddamn miracle for Quaritch.

And there was that other time a few days into the first week of lessons when you had neglected to eat much of breakfast, nor much of dinner the night before. While that would have been fine to do in your human form, your Avatar needs a massive amount of nutrients and calories to survive. Since you were working yourself to the bone every morning for the past week, it was a very dumb move to forget to eat two meals in a row.

You had gone out one morning to meet Quaritch and had felt fine through his Na’vi lesson, and it was only during your own combat session that you began to weaken.

You were thirty minutes in, clumsily dodging Quaritch’s hits when black spots began to cover your eyes. You stumbled to a stop, panting and dizzy, and your limbs felt much heavier than before. Your arms lowered from where they had been positioned defensively in front of you as you struggled to stay upright, swaying unsteadily on your feet.

Quaritch paused in his own movement, his fists lowering down in confusion as his eyes flickered over your face before he said, “You good, Peach? You’re lookin’ a lil’ green for such a blue girl-woah!”

Your vision faded, sounds muting out as you felt your body slacken. Just as you began to tilt backward, Quaritch lunged forward and caught your limp form before you could hit the ground.

It took a moment to come back to reality, to claw your way out of the darkness as the harsh buzzing in your ears lessened. You slowly moved your fingers and legs as feeling came back to them, and you realized distantly that your upper body was laying down across something firm and covered in soft fabric.

 A deep voice began to filter into your ears as you kept your eyes closed, still not fully conscious.

“Hey, Peach? Peach, you wuss, you went and passed out on me, wake up.”

You groaned as a hand began to lightly smack your right cheek, slowly blinking open your eyes.

For a moment, the only thing you could see was fuzzy blue, until Quaritch’s upper body and face became clearer. His eyebrows were raised in surprise, lips curled in light amusement, but you felt more than saw his shoulders become less ridged when you met his eyes.

You swallowed, mouth dry, and whispered, “Oh. Did I pass out?”

Quaritch barked out a ridiculing laugh and said, “Yeah, sweetheart, you sure did.”

“Oh,” you said again, still stunned. It wasn’t the first time you’d fainted, but the empty and dizzy feeling never got easier.

You swallowed again and realized just how thirsty you were. Your stomach growled furiously, and all of a sudden you were starving.

Didn’t even think about eating, you realized, beyond disappointed in yourself for not taking proper care of your Avatar. 

You moved your shoulders to start lifting yourself up from the ground, before you realized with disbelief and humiliation that you weren’t laying on the hard ground, but rather your upper body was mostly in Quaritch’s fucking lap.

No wonder I had been able to smell him so well, I’m practically on top the poor guy!

You blinked and lifted your head up, your face coming closer to Quaritch’s own, close enough that you could see the small flecks of brilliant green in his bright yellow eyes. More embarrassment flashed through you even as you subtly inhaled his intoxicating scent, made more overwhelming and mind-numbing by your proximity to him.

You wanted to scream and bury your face in your hands. Not only had you passed out like an absolute pussy for such a stupid reason, but Quaritch had actually had to catch you like you were some prissy damsel in distress. Honestly you were surprised he had even bothered to prevent you from falling, let alone bothered enough to cradle you in his lap until you had awoken.

Probably just pitied the stupid, clumsy girl who couldn’t even take care of herself, you thought bitterly, lips thinning.

You sniffed quietly as you met his eyes, your own golden eyes flicking between his as you said, slightly breathlessly, “Thanks for catching me.”

He looked back down at you blankly, eyebrows furrowing for just a moment and ears flicking back on the sides of his head before he scoffed and said, “Fuck, Peach, I just didn’t want you to bust your head and get blood all over my courtyard is all.”

You saw his muscled biceps suddenly flex with tension and realized you had about two seconds to get yourself off his lap before he tossed you away, curious generosity swiftly revoked.  

You tensed your core to sit upright quickly, and once you no longer felt dizzy, you shifted your hands to support yourself. Your right one went to press a palm down firmly on the ground, and once you began to lift yourself up all the way, your left hand moved to place itself better. That would have been fine if Quaritch hadn’t still been sitting there, waiting for you to move so he could get up.

Your hand landed just on the right side of his crotch, pinky finger brushing gently against something really fucking big by the cold zipper of his pants.

Oh.

Your stomach exploded with butterflies before sinking violently like a stone in dread as you realized exactly who you were practically fondling.  

You gasped loudly, head whipping downward in wide-eyed horror to confirm your terrified thoughts, and, yep, that was your hand full on Colonel Quaritch’s lap, just an inch away from earning you a horrifying phone call from the human resource department. If Quaritch didn’t rip your arms off and strangle you first, that is.

You jerked your hand away as fast you could, face and ears already burning. You franticly started lifting yourself away so you can give him more space, and you turned to look at him so you could furiously apologize and beg for your life.

Quaritch snatched your wrist in a bruising grip before you could fully pull away and tugged you angrily back into his body space. You hit the ground hard on your knees, wincing, kneeling in front of his sitting form. You didn’t even have time to pull away or straighten up before Quaritch is shoving his furious face close to yours, tail flicking furiously behind him.

And you couldn’t help but distantly think, this close to his face and eyes, he really is fucking pretty.

“You,” he hissed, bright yellow eyes enraged and narrowed as they flickered across your own wide ones, “need to watch you put your fucking hands, sweetheart, before you start something you can’t finish.”

“Sorry, sorry!” you squeaked, heart pounding in your chest with all sorts of emotions, “It was a slip of the hand!”

Quaritch growled, baring his sharp teeth slightly before tossing you your wrist back to you. You scrambled up and away from him quickly, taking several steps to widen your distance, chest heaving.

Quaritch rose as well, glaring at you one last time before turning on his heel and walking right out of the courtyard, fists clenched and tail still flicking angrily behind him.

As you squint worriedly after him, wondering if this was the end of your brief partnership, you could see the slight hint of a pretty purple on the back of his neck and the tip of his ears.

It was an accident, you wanted to shout after him, but somehow you don’t think it would help any.

Jesus Christ, I think my heart is about to explode.   

The morning after that whole thing had been unnerving, with Quaritch still grouchy and you still embarrassed. It was a little awkward when you began Quaritch’s Na’vi lesson, but by the time it was your lesson, you were back to inelegantly moving around and Quaritch was back to kicking your ass.

Now, every morning since your fainting spell, Quaritch will ask, “You sure you won’t pass out again, princess?”, or “Sure hope you snagged some grub, Peach”, always smirking callously and teasing you whenever he gets the chance, the dickbag.

You can’t really blame him, though; you really, really didn’t want another crotch-grabbing incident. Knowing your luck, you’d do something even worse, like full-on fondle him or trip and land face-first into his lap.

So now you make sure to take proper care of your Avatar, always eating and drinking enough and listening to the signals your body gave you. It had been massively dumb for you to not do that in the first place, but now you’re going to make sure it is your top priority.

As you finally arrive at your quarters, you conclude that you are far from friends with Quaritch, if that was even a possibility for him. In fact, you don’t think he even had any friends.

Sure, he was the commander of the Recombinant Unit and everything, and those guys fucking worship him, but it didn’t seem like it was the same as actually being friends who care about each other.

You get ready for bed, mind consumed with thoughts of Quaritch, and you can't help the thought that pops into your head as you shuffle around your room.

You know, I don't think I would mind all that much being friends with him.

Peachy Keen. Part Three.

Tagging: I'm sorry, I did my best, for some reason it wouldn't let me tag everyone!

@kristennero @silverhowe @creativityleftthechat @nissilou

@x-maladaptive-daydreams-x @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed

@rdeville @anxiousraindrop5299 @floufli @rax-raxus

@nanamislut321 @perseny @gremlinfuck @e1d0lonk3k

@iwillnotexplainmyself @mxddymay @coffinbeananteiku @j-ang-0

@myxwallz @rowdy-00 @tmblrsexyw0man

@tohellwiththedevill @arsen-the-vamp @babyduk213

[pedge-stuff]

HC: like if u are dating Pedro he is protective af in public. like the man is so sweet and wholesome but i like to think that if you ever get “harassed” in public or someone tried to record you,bother you, say he can do better than you to you or him he will like get sooo mad. He would barely be able to keep it together idk and like say things that would be unimaginable for normal pedro. (idk like just imagining him yelling or being like pissy and talking back to paparazzi or smothing is just whhwiwjwbwjwowiw to me) but its like sweet af, because it shows how much he cares about you. and that u are everything to him and whateverrrrr 🥺

idea ig idk

hm i will be back !!!! 😌 with more hc!! because this man had taken over me heh 😞

-thankful anon again as always still greatful for marked universe, m/gn content and the new fluffy fic that included oscar and the edibles ooohhhh so cute i melted !!!!!

I love where your head is at. Veered left with this one, hope it went vaguely where you were hoping. Thank you for the rec! :) Come back anytime. piss yellow range rover (pedro pascal x gn/m!reader)

a/n: same vague universe as “marked.” apparently no one comments on this app anymore but they are my favorite so please drop a line!!

tw: gay slur in the middle. trans character, trans writer.

summary: baby's first homophobia

————————————————————————

You’re surprised it took so long, really. 

A full month after Pedro’s Tonight Show interview goes viral. After his SNL debut, the following week he spends holed up recovering, his begrudging return to LA for Mando press, and your reunion in the LAX Arrivals driveway two weeks later. Four full weeks— long enough that it no longer gripped teeth into the front of your mind. 

Long enough that your guard was down. 

Until, of course, some asshole decided he needed to be tastefully homophobic before his morning cup of coffee. 

You were midway through your LA morning routine: parting with Pedro in the parking lot of the strip mall that housed his personal trainer, and timing your long run around the surrounding area with the duration of his session, such that you were back to pick up a 2-drink mobile order at Starbucks by the time he emerged.

Your very normal, palatable oat latte was balanced atop his stomach-turning 6 black espresso shots, as you watched Pedro round the corner through the window. 

Sweat is beading at his temple, but he is all smiles as he trades you a kiss for his plastic cup.

It still feels like a novelty. Neither of you are usually PDA people, but the sudden lack of secrecy has brought on a second wave of the honeymoon phase. You can just do things like this, now— kiss in Starbucks or hold hands at restaurants or be seen grocery shopping together. You don’t have to take separate Ubers to the same place on date nights. 

The sun is shining, your iced latte was made right, your workout is over. There is a whole day in front of you, and a handsome man beside you. A man who holds the Starbucks door for both you and the woman pushing a stroller inside— but only reaches for your hand after. 

Things are actually really, really good. 

Until you step off the curb: 

“That is not the way. Fuckin’ fags.” 

Crazy how quickly some guy sipping a green goddamn smoothie can ruin your peace. Two guys, actually, snickering to each other as they unlock their car. 

Beside you, Pedro goes incredibly still. He drops your hand. 

“What did you just say?” 

His friend, chewing on his straw, grins as your stomach turns. A shit-eating grin. “At least it’s kinda straight, right? Dude’s got a pussy.” 

They erupt into laughter.  

White noise buzzes in your ear; your cheeks flush. “Come on.” 

You break away, towards the car, but his feet are rooted to the ground. “Pedro. Come on.” 

They are still laughing as they duck behind the tinted windows of a piss yellow Land Rover. Laughing as they close the door. 

Laughing as five and a half shots of espresso splatter across their black-tinted windshield, streaking in brown rivulets down the yellow hood. 

Pedro turns, finally, and stalks quickly across the lot. You have to jog to keep up. Behind you, the assholes are yelling profanities, but you don’t hear a car door open. Cowards. 

The moment he settles into the drivers seat, Pedro pounds a fist on the dashboard. Hard. His fingers curl into a tight grip around the steering wheel, which he clutches like a lifeline as he draws in a handful of ragged breaths. 

You can only watch from the passenger seat. Try and ignore the fact that he won’t look at you as he starts the engine and peels out of the lot. 

The drive to the Hills is dead silent. Even the radio can read the room. 

Silence acts as a breeding ground for your racing thoughts, which multiply like hatching mosquitos. Your ears are still ringing. Buzzing. 

It’s your fault— this is a fact. This was his biggest fear, wasn’t it? The backlash? This didn’t happen before he came out. (Before you forced him to come out, though he swears that wasn’t the case. You’d just finally, maybe begun to believe it, after a month. Or not.)

This happened to you, sure. Less so in New York, or LA. It’s almost funny, that you apparently stumbled across two of the only straight people in LA this morning.  Shitty people live everywhere. 

You’d both disabled the comments section of your instagram for a few days, but by and large, the feedback had been overwhelmingly positive. Until today. It’s different hearing it face-to-face. 

Pedro is halfway into the house before you realize you’re home. Slowly unbuckling, you debate leaving the iced latte in the cupholder; the thought of it turns your stomach. 

As you greet the dogs by the door, a distracted ‘hello,’ you watch him slip out to the condo balcony. He is clutching a pack of Spirits in a clenched fist. 

What are you supposed to do? There is nothing you can do, besides apologize. You pace between the kitchen and living room, chewing on your cuticles, eyes closed. The sweat from your run has now cooled uncomfortably on your skin. An apology won’t be enough, but you don’t have a solution. You can’t take it back. He can’t come un-out. 

The balcony door slides open, and Pedro is still silent as he shuffles to the kitchen. He pours a glass of water— out of habit, you assume. Though you never mind, he always washes the taste of tobacco away, after he smokes. Refuses to kiss you until after he’s cleansed his mouth, lest he leave any trace of stale smoke on your lips. 

Before you can really register, he has crossed into the living room, and pressed his lips to your own. 

He kisses you softly, and then moves to your forehead, eyebrow, temple, along your jaw. Doesn’t go as far as your neck, which he knows you are sensitive to— these kisses are not foreplay. They’re too light, too quiet. Your eyes flutter closed. 

Pedro’s chin hooks over the top of your head. His arms wrap around your shoulders. Your cheek presses against the base of his neck. 

“I’m sorry,” he says, before weakly clearing his throat.  “I don’t know why I did that. I don’t know what came over me.” 

“Why are you sorry?” You pick your head up. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry.” 

“Why are you sorry? You… handled that so well, querido. I lost my shit. I have never gotten physical like that before, I don’t know what came over me. I’m not violent. They were just… they can’t say that. It’s not right.” 

It is your turn to reach up, place a kiss on the angle of his jaw. “You are not violent. You did not lose your shit.” 

“It was a perfectly good coffee,” he pouts. 

“We can get another,” you placate, “but I can’t get another you. People are always gonna say shit. It’s kinda nice to have something so good, it makes people mad.” 

Pedro chuckles, weakly. “Yeah. I guess.” 

“If it’s easier to lay off for a bit, though—“ 

“Lay off?” His brow furrows. 

You rub a hand up and down his arm, lightly. “The PDA, doing public stuff, I dunno. I don’t want you to—“ 

“Are you joking?” You are given a look of sheer disbelief. “Jesus, no. Isn’t that what they want? You want them to win?” 

“It’s not a competition, Pedge. I want you to be safe, and comfortable.” 

“Fuck that!” His exclamation is loud enough to startle Edgar, whose collar jingles as he jumps grumpily off the couch. “I love you. We went through too much shit, to not be able to hold your hand outside a fucking Starbucks.” 

Pedro’s hair is a little tousled, cheeks a little flushed. He’s maybe never looked more attractive to you. 

“Okay?” 

You exhale. “Of course.” 

There is a pause, as the morning settles back around you. The sun is still shining, your workouts are still behind you. Plenty of time in the day to walk to a different Starbucks, for another round of drinks. Maybe you’ll hold hands on the way there. You can, if you want to. 

Pedro tugs on the collar of his white t-shirt. He grimaces. “Can we shower, though? I think I smell like the ocean.” 

You don’t mind. 

[badass-at-fandoming]

Werewolf Books & Movie Recs

I commented on this post with werewolf book and movie recs, and I wanted to cross-post it here because it was so fun to make!

The original post mentions Teen Wolf, American Werewolf in London, Ginger Snaps, Dog Soldiers, Van Helsing movies, Disney's Werewolf-By-Night special, Wolfwalkers, Dungeon Meshi/Delicious in the Dungeon, After Dark Webtoon, Night Class comic, Bisclavret, Trick R Treat, Werewolf Fever, Strippers VS Werewolves, and Bad Moon.

Books (links to Storygraph)

Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaugh - tries to have a more realistic take on werewolves and pack dynamics. A kickass radio DJ heroine, the fall of the Masquerade, and various horror show adventures

Her Wolf in the Wild by Rien Gray - butch biker werewolf romance in the American Southwest by an author with a golden touch. I love everything they write!

Queer Werewolves Destroy Capitalism by MJ Lyons - smutty m/m erotica collection with two stories featuring a werewolf and his trans mage boyfriend destroying capitalism

The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro - A YA gay gothic romance wherein a marquis disguises himself as a servant and discovers his new employers have a very furry secret

Wolfsong by TJ Klune - this one has been recommended to the moon and back, but for good reason! Ox is reunited with a mysterious boy and it's time to solve a murder.

Mead Mishaps series, Book 2: That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming - I ADORE this series. Bloody and cozy with delicious world-building, great humor, and hot smut. You can read it out of order, but after one you'll likely want to read them all.

Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella - New Adult coming of age where a gay slacker werewolf gets a life coach who is a little too helpful

Squad graphic novel by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle - a YA coming-of-age about a girl who joins a werewolf pack that dedicates itself to eating one rapist every month.

Find even more on Book Riot's 8 Werewolf Books From Around the World, 50 Must Read Werewolf Romance Books, Leaders of the Pack

Movies (links to IMDB)

As Boas Maneiras (2017) - Brazilian lesbian film about a nanny who falls for her employer while also growing increasingly worried about the child growing inside

The Wolfman (1941) - Lon Chaney Jr's many appearances as Larry Talbot are really great to help understand the popularization of the werewolf as uncontrolled id. His films are the ancestor of American Werewolf in London, Ginger Snaps, and Van Helsing movies. Also, yanno, they're easy to find online or at libraries. As a product of its time, there are anti-Romani slurs and racist language, so take care while watching

My Animal (2023) - sapphic werewolf horror/romance where young love brings out the animal within

Bloodthirsty (2020) - an indie singer joins colleagues on a remote retreat to create new music, but starts having dreams of hunger and the hunt.

Jack and Diane (2012) - Two young sapphic women meet in New York and sparks fly. Except when Jack informs Diane that she plans to move soon, Diane's possessive nature turns hairy.

[elliaze]

Anchor

Pairings: Steven Grant x fem!reader, mentioned Marc Spector x fem!reader and Jake Lockley x fem!reader, but is mainly Steven and reader

Warnings: reader is pregnant with twins and they have names already, panic attack, comfort and fluff, one spanish sentence

Summary: Y/N is terrified and can't fall asleep. Steven is always there to help.

Words Count: 3800+

MASTERLIST

You couldn't get to sleep. 

You had been trying to find the right position for hours, but the minutes were passing, and you couldn't manage it. On top of that, you were exhausted and sore and if you had known what a twin pregnancy entailed, you would never have agreed to it. Two little humans growing in your belly was perfect proof that you, Marc, Steven, and Jake loved each other exceptionally hard, but you cursed the day you decided together that you were going to try for a baby. Besides, it was only going to be one child at a time, not two. The second could only come after a few years, because you thought growing up with a sibling was so much better than on your own. Meanwhile, fate turned out to be so perverse that it gifted you with two children at one time, and as supportive as your husbands were, in the end it was you who had to struggle the most. 

Tears were pushing at your eyes, but at this stage you weren't even sure why anymore. From fatigue, because you really wanted to fall asleep, but you couldn't even close your eyes for a few minutes. From pain, because almost your whole body aches with every slightest movement. From fear, because you didn't know whether you would be able to cope and whether you would turn out to be a good mother. Or from the fact that you were barely in your second trimester and looked like a woman who was getting ready to give birth in a normal pregnancy, while you still had several months to go. You wiped your cheeks wet with tears and tried to take a few deep breaths to at least calm down, but this was proving more difficult than normal. You knew you were behaving irrationally because your hormones were bubbling up as if in an active volcano, and you were increasingly unable to cope with them. This often made you take it out on Marc and Steven, for which you later hated yourself. Especially when you saw how your words affected Grant, or irritated Marc. Although they both always tried not to react emotionally and handled you almost like a ticking bomb. Even Jake had stopped his cutting comments and only took control practically when necessary. 

You felt like an outcast and the worst person in the world, to the extent that your loved ones tried to avoid you. At least you saw it that way, and it made the black thoughts haunt your mind even harder. 

You didn't understand what was happening to your body, and consequently everything was taking its toll on your psyche. All kinds of emotions were taking over you, and you couldn't control it. It was as if someone had switched on a button that made you stop being yourself completely and become a monster. 

You placed your hands on your rounded belly and felt a new wave of panic wash over you. You pushed yourself off the pillow and struggled to rise to a sitting position. These movements alerted Steven, who turned towards you and put his hand on your back. 

“Are you all right, love?” He asked in a sleepy voice, and you felt new tears gather under eyelids. You complained to yourself, forgetting that you were not alone in bed and both Marc, Jake and Steven deserved a fair amount of sleep, especially given their problems and Khonshu himself, who had them working late more than once. 

Steven ran his hand over the underside of your back, pressing gently on it, and you felt how such a small gesture, if only for a brief moment, helped to lift the constant pain in your spine. However, you didn't want to be the reason why Steven couldn't sleep peacefully at night. 

“Mhm, I need to... go to the toilet,” you replied with difficulty, almost hearing how slurred and broken your voice was. 

You propped yourself up on the mattress with your hands and pushed yourself off it so that you could get up. Then straightened up, feeling that as you walked you felt even worse than when you were in bed. 

You walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind you, trying to get at least the slightest sense of privacy. Didn't want to further worry Steven, who already seemed disturbed.

You looked at your reflection and although you still saw yourself, you were so unable to recognize yourself. It was as if the pregnancy had made you someone else entirely. You were really happy that you and the boys were about to become parents and that you were the one who was going to give birth to their first child, well children. It was an exciting feeling, something you never expected to experience. But at the same time, your whole life was turned upside down, and sometimes you just wanted it all to go away, and knowing that you still had three months to go only made the mood worse.

At this stage, a panic attack was practically expected. Your heart even started racing out of your chest and  breathing became extremely erratic. Your eyes darkened and at the last moment you sat down on the corner of the bathtub, but you had the feeling that you had knocked something over in the process and the glass had broken.  You felt as if someone had trapped you underwater. You couldn't take a breath, and you had the feeling that you were only falling deeper and deeper into a dark abyss of uncertainty, fear and anxiety. Unexpected heat hit your whole body, your hands began to tremble, and you felt tears running down your cheeks, and you could not control it in any way.

“Y/N?” You could hear Steven's concerned voice. And although you knew it was him, you couldn't normally see him and understand that he was actually next to you.

Steven himself was downright horrified by what he saw. When he was woken up by your movements, he had already realized that something was not right, but he knew that you were extremely independent and knew how to distinguish between situations where you needed a moment to yourself. He let you go to the bathroom without asking any questions, but did not go back to sleep and listened carefully, having a bad feeling. He wasn't wrong at all, because literally a few moments later he heard the crack of glass, the sound as if something was falling and the loud sobbing of his beloved. 

He had expected almost everything, but he was still unprepared for the sight of the destroyed mirror and the entire glass shelf of things underneath it. The frame after the mirror was still hanging twisted on the wall, and you were sitting on the bathtub, completely hyperventilating and looking as if you weren't paying attention to what was going on around you at all. What further disturbed him, however, were the traces of blood on your legs and the visible pieces of glass that were embedded in your skin. 

“Y/N!” He called out nervously and quickly made his way to your side. He ducked by your legs, being careful of your wounds. He managed to realize that the cuts were not life-threatening to you. He knew that he had to calm you down completely first, and he didn't think this would be an easy task, as it was the first time he had seen you in such a state. He put his hands on your thighs and reassuringly began to run them up and down, fearing that a bigger gesture would frighten you even more. “Talk to me, love.” 

“I think... I'm having a panic attack,” you said with difficulty, saying each word and taking a short pause afterwards. 

“Relax, we know how to deal with it. Look at me, and we'll breathe together, okay? Breathe in, count to five and calmly let the air out, you can do it. Just focus on me, love.” 

You blinked your eyelids a few times, trying to fix your gaze on Steven. Taking a breath, you heard him countdown to five and then instructed you to let the air out. You repeated this action several times until finally your breathing evened out. All the while, Steven was stroking your thighs reassuringly, occasionally hooking your hips and allowing you to relax completely. 

“How do you feel now?” He asked cautiously, and you shook your head, still feeling your whole body trembling. 

“I don't know what's going on, Steven,” you sobbed quietly, resting your hands on his shoulders. You tightened your fingers on his t-shirt, and it felt like it was the only thing that still made you conscious and more or less aware of where you were. 

Steven gently caught your face in his hands. 

“Do you remember the rule of the five senses?” You didn't answer for a moment, but then nodded with hesitation. “Well, that's good. Tell me five things you see.” 

You took a deep breath and almost squirmed under the pain you felt in your chest. However, you slowly began to list all the things you could see. 

“The door, the washing machine, the towel, Jake's hat and... you.” 

“You're doing great,” he praised you, running his thumbs over your cheeks. “Now four things you can touch.” 

“My t-shirt” you touched your clothes and then did the same with Steven's pyjamas. “And yours. The bathtub and…”

“Yes?” He encouraged you calmly. 

“Just you.”

You ran your hands up his body, so that you could feel his skin thoroughly under your own fingers. You could feel the pulse on his neck and had the feeling that you were slowly starting to come back to yourself. You knew where she was and with whom. Steven was like an anchor that allowed you to dock by the shore. You needed him to recover completely. 

“Very well, love. Now three things…”

“Which I can hear” you finished for him, and he nodded. “My heart, a car passing in the street and... your voice.”

You blushed slightly, which definitely stood out on your extremely pale cheeks. Steven smiled softly and, if it was possible, loved you even more. 

“And the two things you can smell?”

“Lavender oil and your distinctive scent”. 

Your words this time made him irresistible, and he quietly giggled, leaning your foreheads against each other. 

“I think you must love me a lot,” he stated, and you smiled for the first time. He kissed you on the cheek. “Here's that smile I love so much. But you have one thing left to say.” 

“One thing I can taste” you uttered quietly, directly into his mouth “Can I show you?”

You didn't wait for his response, and joined your lips together in a brief, gentle kiss. You felt your heart and breathing manage to calm down, but you knew it was solely because of Steven. He pulled you out of the dark abyss and slowly everything began to come to you. Including the pain in legs from new wounds. 

“What have I done…” you whispered in shock, looking around the room. You had the impression that the bathroom looked as if a tornado had passed over it. Your hand immediately found its way to your stomach, afraid that anything had happened to Jane or Oscar. 

“Hey,” Steven called out quietly, getting your attention. “Don't think about it now, okay? It's nothing, love. The most important thing is your safety and well-being. That's why we need to treat your wounds, but we'll do it in peace, okay? Can you manage to get up, or should I carry you?” 

“I can manage. I don't want you to break your back because of me.” 

Steven didn't reply, but furrowed his brow at those words. He knew that although it looked like the worst was over, there was still the question of why you were having a panic attack in the first place. You may have had mood swings over the last few weeks, but he completely understood that, especially as you had two little people growing inside your body, which he still couldn't believe sometimes himself. 

You lifted yourself off the edge of the bath with his help and then, calmly and being careful of the glass fragments, you walked out of the bathroom together. All the while, he held you up firmly and then planted you on the bed. You lay down on the mattress, and he quickly adjusted the pillow so that you could sit up comfortably. 

“Is that okay?” He asked with concern, and you nodded, closing your eyes. “I'll be right back, love.” 

Steven kissed you on the head and returned to the trashed bathroom. He pulled a first aid kit from one of the shelves and returned to the room with all speed. He looked at you for a brief moment and saw how exhausted you were. He just had no idea if it was just related to the attack or if there was something else behind this extremely vulnerable state. 

Hermano, ¿qué pasa?

Steven was surprised by Jake's presence, because he had not heard him or Marc for a moment. Marc, moreover, was still silent, so he was betting that he didn't even know what was going on. Steven was going to tell him about it anyway, as soon as he could sense him. 

“Y/N had a panic attack, but she's calmed down now,” he explained quietly, glancing at his reflection in the aquarium. Jake nodded but didn't reply, knowing you were in the best of care. 

Grant sat next to you, slowly attending to your wounds. Occasionally you hissed in pain as he pulled a larger piece of glass from your skin and then poured hydrogen peroxide over it, but at the end, no cuts required stitching. There were a few patches on the calves, and Steven kissed each one at the very end. He put all the first aid kit on the bedside table and then sat down closer to you. He grabbed one of your hands, which had been on your stomach all this time, and drew it to his lips, placing a gentle and tender kiss. When he looked at you, you did your best not to look at him.

“Y/N” he spoke up, still holding your hand and now running his fingers over your exposed forearm. “Darling, what happened? You don't have to tell me now, but you scared me. I thought something had happened to you.” 

“I'm sorry,” you muttered quietly, and Steven barely heard you. Even though you had calmed down, you were still so scared. “I... I don't know what's happening to me.” 

“It's alright..”

“No, it's not fine,” you interrupted him, shaking your head. Steven immediately fell silent, allowing you to spill everything that was bothering you. “Since the beginning of the second trimester, I've felt like I'm not me. I am mean, I would cry all the time and everyone notices it and suffers because of it. You get hurt by my words, Marc refrains from replying to me, and Jake hides for as long as possible. I feel as if the pregnancy has completely changed my character, and I've gone from being an independent, strong woman to some kind of caricature of myself. On top of that, I am behaving towards you, like the worst kind of bitch. You do not deserve this”. 

“Y/N, we totally get it,” he asserted, but you still refused to look him in the eye. Steven sighed quietly. “You're pregnant, it's normal for your body to change, and therefore it also affects your psyche. We know how hard it is for you, we see it. If we could, each of us: me, Marc and Jake, would take at least half of your struggles from you. We love you no matter what you say or how you act. You are doing something amazing, and we are really proud of you.” 

“It's not just that” you finally dared to look at him, but despite your fears, you saw nothing but deep devotion and love in his eyes. “I haven't been able to sleep peacefully for days, I feel sore all the time, and today I feel like my back is about to burst.” 

“Why didn't you say anything to me before?” 

“I didn't want to worry you. I could see you were tired after work, and I didn't make this evening any easier for you at all.” 

“Love, you're my wife for a reason” Steven kissed you on the cheek. “I know how much you love your independence, so asking for help and telling me something is not right is not a sign of weakness” 

“I know, I know. You've taught me that yourself over the years. It's only recently that all my insecurities have been coming back with redoubled force. Then there's the whole situation at the shop today.”

Steven tensed up, fearing the worst. It was the first time he had heard of any situation in the shop, and the mechanism that told him to defend you at all costs suddenly triggered twice as hard. He straightened up and then looked at you carefully and put his hands on your shoulders. He felt that he could not for a moment stop touching you in any way, because it was his touch that calms you down. 

“What situation?” He asked with audible concern. 

“It's actually silly, there's nothing to talk about.” 

“Y/N?”

“You are going to laugh at me” you tried to ignore the whole situation and play down the whole problem. 

“You know very well that I would never do that. What happened, love?”

“I went to the shop because I wanted to make your favourite casserole. I thought I'd surprise you, and we could spend the evening together, even if all we had to do was lie in bed and watch some stupid movie” you took a deep breath, nervously playing with the end of your pyjama shirt. “There was some old, curious... woman in the vegetable department. You know, at first I didn't pay any attention to her, but now I have the feeling that she's been watching me all this time. Until finally she came up to me and started touching my belly without warning. I was terrified and became immobile. She asked when my due date was, and I was unable to think logically and said it was only the end of the second trimester. And she looked at me like I was... I don't know like, I said the best joke in the world, and then she said I must be eating a lot if I look like this in the second trimester, and she walked away, and I stood there like a fool. Terrified, heartbroken and on the verge of crying because I realised I already looked like a whale and what would happen later.”

“Oy” Steven called out quickly. “Don't say that. Do you hear me? This woman had no right to behave like that, and you have no reason to listen to her. Possessed crazy bitch” you giggled quietly, and Steven was even furious at the whole situation that you must have experienced. He took a deep breath, straightened up and grasped your hands in his own. “Y/N, darling, look at me.” This time you obeyed him. “Do you know that I love you? And Marc and Jake? I'm going to say this on my behalf now, but I know the guys totally agree with me. Y/N, you are the most beautiful woman on earth. Incredibly dedicated, caring for others, courageous and empathetic. You can understand and put up with all three of us like no one else. You don't mind my chatter, and you know full well that sometimes I can get carried away. You accept each of us as we are and don't want to change us in any way. You are the best that has happened in our lives. You give us your love every day, even though we don't always deserve it. And you are doing something extraordinary by carrying our two children. Little Jane and little Oscar, who will be half, like us and half, like you. You are my heroine, and I don't know a stronger person than you.” 

She felt a few tears fall down your cheeks, but Steven quickly brushed them away. He took you into his arms, and you snuggled into his warm body, and for the first time all evening you finally felt completely at peace. All your worries were gone with just a few words you needed to hear. Steven ran his hands along your spine, and you sighed in relief as his hands found their way down your back and began to press a little harder against it. 

“Don't stop doing that,” you asked quietly. “It reduces the pain in your back.” 

“Anything you want” he whispered in your ear. “Next time you feel like this again, tell me or Marc or Jake, okay? Panic attacks are not good for you, and Y/N I've never seen you like this before. You scared the hell out of me, sweetheart.” 

“I'm sorry, Steven.” 

“You have nothing to be sorry about” he kissed you on the head. “It's late, you should get some rest. Do you think you'll be able to fall asleep?” 

“Will you hug me?” 

“With the greatest pleasure” he answered with a smile. He placed a quick kiss on your lips, and then you lay down on the bed together. You lay on your side and Steven carefully put one arm around you and placed the palm of his other hand back on your back, gently massaging it. 

“Steven?” You spoke up again, and there was visible weariness in your voice. “Will you tell me about how we met?” 

“Why about that?” 

“I love to hear you talk about it. I love to hear you talk about anything. Your stories are better than books. Jane and Oscar will love them as much as I do.” 

Steven couldn't argue with that, so he started telling stories. When he needed to, he would change the tone of his voice, sometimes accenting single words or events he was talking about. However, he didn't even get halfway through the story of how they had tried to stop Harrow and Ammit together, and he heard your quiet breathing. You fell asleep, snuggling tightly into his shoulder. Although he knew the position he was lying in wasn't too comfortable and tomorrow he or whoever was in control of the body would complain, seeing Y/N finally calm was not going to change that. If that was to be the price for your comfort, he was happy to pay it. 

He adjusted the duvet and covered you tightly so that you wouldn't be cold at night, and then he brushed a strand of hair away from your face and breathed a sigh of relief to see you smiling gently. He hoped you were dreaming something beautiful.

[whysodelirious08]

Don't Disappear - Eddie Munson x Female Reader

A/N: I'm really gunna try on this lmao but if it doesn't work or it's really bad, oh well. Let me know. This is also based in a time where its not so much based around the powers and upside-down, and Eddie doesn't, you know in this world I'm making.

- Please do not copy and repost elsewhere or steal my works. Thank you. -

[THIS TOOK ME 14 HOURS TO WRITE PLEASE READ IT LMAO *Crying*]

This is a dark fic! MINORS DNI. 18+. Read all TWs first. It's a horror/Thriller/Gore/Suspense. Smut at the end! So you can skip it if it's not your thing. :))

Ship: Eddie Munson x Fem Reader

(friendship but some feelings and kissing/making out. Maybe a relationship? I guess I'll know when I finish writing or you finish reading lol)

Plot: You and Eddie have been best friends since forever, you grew up together at the trailer park and were inseparable up until you disappeared, that was when you were both thirteen. Now you were nearly twenty and you're suddenly at high-school, avoiding him at every moment so that you don't have to reveal the dark truth. The tension builds, you argue, feelings are revealed and a new lease on life blossoms.

Word count (story content only. Not story info/notes/dates): 10k (10,824)

TW: Hidden feelings, Dark past, Tension, Avoidance, Vocal Arguments, Slight grabbing and pulling, Kissing/making out, Smut, Lying, Bullying, Blood, Kidnapping, On the run, Alcoholic parents, Drugs, Verbal abuse, Slurs, men eyeing up minor (briefly mentioned in summery), talk of death, swearing, 18+.

(If I've forgotten any TWs please comment below, politely.)

Note: (Up until 12th October 1979, everything written before dated timestamp takes places from September 1978 - October 1979)

You and Eddie had known each other since you were toddlers, him being a few months older than you which he always used as an excuse to get what he wanted, despite the fact he would almost always give into you after, just wanting to make a point. For the both of you, days consisted of make believe adventures and searching each others homes for enough money to get some candy while you walked around the outskirts of the trailer park. Though those days hunting for money was also a fear filled missions, worrying your parents would catch you and proceed to lock you in your bedroom for stealing. Eddie knew to be cautious, you two had signals and expressions so subtle that no one ever noticed. Though you wouldn't know that wasn't part of a regular childhood until later.

"Hey! Hurry up! He's going you see you!" Eddie pleaded in a voice just above a whisper, his eyes locked onto your father walking down the gravel path, coming back from work. Your heart was pounding in your chest, you could almost hear Eddie's too. Your tiny, twelve-year-old hands fumbling to pull the dollar bill from under the tight space of the cushion, the couch being the first spot you always checked. Neither of you had expected your father to come home early, as a result a dollar would have to do for now. You finally grabbed it and shoved it into your shoe, putting the couch back together and moving to the nearest space; the kitchen, as your father walked in.

He eyed you up and down, stopping where he was with a judgemental stare. You grabbed a cold glass of water and offered it.

"Welcome home, daddy..." You smiled, not too sweet but just enough. He grunted and took the glass, watching as you slipped away and out of the home. Your hands were visibly shaking, Eddie noticed and took one of them.

"I'll be back soon, daddy. We're going to walk about while it's still light" You called and waited for some acknowledgement before the two of you bolted out of there, tears brimming in your eyes, the adrenaline rushing through you was now settling. Eddie's hand, a little bigger in comparison, still clung to yours. He didn't say anything for a while, you noticed in his eyes that he had been just a terrified in that moment. You both sat on a grassy patch a ways from any of the trailer homes, you found yourself sniffling a little though the shock had worn off.

Sure, Eddie was usually argumentative, stubborn and prone to acting out but not to your or his family, you both knew better than that. He had tried it once, you had watched in fear the entire time as your father pinned him against the flimsy kitchen wall, you thought Eddie might've actually gone through it into the bathroom at one point. Both of you left your home and neither went back for that night. You had stayed at Eddie's, curled up in the same bed with what was left of a crumbling comic. None of the kids liked you or Eddie, you were always at school and he never was, when he finally did get into school he met a group of boys who were obsessed with a new found game called Dungeons and Dragons and that was when things started to get rocky between you two.

He spent more time away from the trailer park, leaving you with your alcoholic and abusive family, you two only saw each other at school and without him to step in, bullies quickly took that opportunity to separate you and bully you so badly that at times you even skipped school which became a concern for teachers, this lead to house calls where your parents had then find out that you were skipping and punished you harshly. This only lead to more days out of school as you waited for the bruises to heal. You two soon bickered any time you saw each other, you were lonely and you were always met with Eddie's guilty expression hidden by anger. This started a year before things took a frightening and a life changing turn for you, and an endless amount of guilt for Eddie as you would find out later on.

---

5th November 1978 [Saturday]

(A year before the event. An interaction with Eddie where it becomes evident things are not the same between you at school or home anymore)

You had been trying to talk to Eddie the entire day but now it was lunch and he had brushed you off three times, he tried to be nice to you but he still gave his excuses. You huffed as you sat at a table that was next to his, your back to his. And then came Francis Carmen, the boy who bullied you the most, even outside of school back when Eddie never attended.

"Oh look! It's the rat girl! Too poor to get new clothes Y/N?" He teased with a laugh as he grabbed your hair and let it slide from his fingers, admittedly it was messy and tangled but you barely had time in the day to look after yourself anymore. At twelve years old you were made to attend school, complete homework, clean, cook and run errands.

You hated that laugh. You wanted to take it and bottle it up, throw it into a well so he could never laugh like that to you or anyone ever again. He continued to ruthlessly tear into your appearance, your family, your lack of friends. Your glanced over at Eddie with a pleading look, he had usually defended you by now, way before it ever got to this point but he just frowned and turned away. Your heart sunk to your stomach and you know right then and there he had separated himself from you.

"Just leave me alone!" You asked quietly standing up with your tray of untouched food, taking what you were able to carry and just dumped the rest.

"What was that? Did you just talk back? Feeling brave, Rat?" He said as he headed toward you but you rushed out just in time.

----

The rest of that year had been a blur of insults from Francis, arguments with Eddie and bad grade reports from teachers. And of course being thrown about and yelled at by your parents. On Christmas break you got work from around town just to be away from home since you had no school for a while, sometimes finding anywhere else to sleep. Occasionally Eddie would come and talk but the conversations were short with a lot of silences in between.

"If you don't want to be my friend anymore, just say it. You don't have to pretend anymore. You have your new friends. You don't have to come and hang out with me just to make me feel better..." You stated as you sat on the tire swing, Eddie was stood behind you, you couldn't even face him.

You knew Eddie had a tendency to say things he didn't mean when his anger sparked up. This time was no different.

"No. I don't wanna be friends with you. You're clingy and annoying. And you're weak! So stop talking to me at school. Just stay away from me" He spat, his words like a spear through your heart. You said nothing, you couldn't do anything other than let the tears fall though they were hidden from sight as Eddie walked away. That was the last time you would hang out before the event took place.

(Converstation took place in December. Life carried on as usually until the next timestamp, when the both of you are now thirteen)

----

12th October 1979 [Friday]

(This is the day and the days thereafter the event took place. I will give some backstory first and proceed with the dark, violent, Gore event; kidnapping. You may skip over this and just acknowledge it was a kidnapping).

You had just celebrated your thirteenth birthday just a few days prior, having actually gotten a cake from your sober parents, you didn't know why they were being so nice and despite the fact you found it very suspicious, you didn't want your questioning and worries to ruin the first birthday in a very long time that was normal. The day had been nice, you had gotten to sleep in and was greeted with a gift and a cake, as well as smiles from your mother and father. You made a wish and opened your gift, spending the morning eating cake for breakfast while your parents left you with minimal chores for that day. It was nice actually, though it would have been nicer with Eddie. You had never celebrated a birthday without him before.

But now it was back to your normal life yet your parents had been out of the house more than usual, without explanation. You had tried not to question it but the worries creeped in. On this particular night though, your parents called, which they never did.

"Hey Love, I'm going to need you to do a favour for me" Your mother's voice was soft yet sounded strained as if she had been or was crying. You found yourself frowning as you stood awkwardly waiting, nodding before remembering you had to actually talk.

"Y-Yeah sure..." You stammered out after a moment of silence you shared. A wave of unease washing over you but you didn't know why.

"I need you to go and hang out at a friend's or something. Just leave the trailer park for a few hours. Can you do that? It's complicated but can you just do that? For me?" She pleaded, her voice was so thick with desperation that you couldn't bring yourself to even ask why. Again you nodded but spoke up too. Your breaths were getting heavier as a thick feeling of fear tightened around your throat. The call didn't last long after that and you tried to rush to get dressed into something warm and to find some money just in case but you froze as you opened the rattling draw of cutlery.

A heavy set of winter boots met the weak wood of the steps just outside the front door. A shadow of a man. No. Of multiple men. Outside your home. You could barely swallow the lump in your throat, they waited while you waited, seeing who was going to move first. You notice that the fact they were unmoving was enough evidence that they knew you were there. Your hand slid into the draw, pulling out the biggest knife you could feel while not looking away. You noticed a hand move to what told you was the doorhandle, jaw clenched so tightly your teeth hurt, your knuckles white while you desperately gripped the handle of the knife. You had never so much as fought back against your father let alone anyone else.

And then a loud ring blared through the home. Simultaneously the front door opened. You reached for the phone, answering in fearful cries as you were grabbed by the waist from behind, a deathly grip pulling you away from the kitchen and the phone that was in it. You heard your father on the phone, you called for him.

"Daddy! DADDY HELP ME! DADDY PLEASE-" You could all but scream as you clung to the phone, as if talking into the phone was a better option that using the knife in your hand. You could hear his sobs down the phone and his pleads of forgiveness. Your mother's too. You tried. You did. You tried to fight them off with the knife but you were too weak, to frail to even do any actual damage other than a few cuts on their faces. Your fighting ended when you were launched back and hit your head against the counter, the last thoughts you remembered was why no one came to help, why, in a trailer park full of people, did no one come to help. They just stayed away in fear as your small body was carried into a car and you weren't seen again. Not for a long time.

During your time being held captive you were made to be a cute little waitress to some lowlives in a house. You weren't told why you were taken for a number of years. And the men did nothing other than ogle at your child body, until you were eighteen and only then did they start to grab you, of course others had tried before then but the "House Rules" were strict. Disgusting men that still had rules and morals apparently.

That was not to say they didn't thow you about when you disobeyed. They would beat you senseless, call you names, starve you, leave you in a room with nothing to sleep. You tried to escape so many times but you never could. You lost hope when you were told by the drunk version of the man who kidnapped you that your parents owed him money and gave you up in place of the money because they couldn't pay it back. After hearing that, your thirteenth birthday made a lot more sense. You could do nothing but just obey mindlessly from then on, your determination had ceased, no hope, you just felt so entirely numb that you couldn't focus on anything, you spiraled. You let them do whatever they wanted, you had no other choice and you figured you would die here anyway. That was until a rival group of criminals raided the house, and when they found you they clearly wasn't going to spare you. Despite being thin and weak like you had been before, no matter how weak you felt that adrenaline rush of a chance of freedom was something you were not going to let go. From the large spears of wood from the door where the armed man had kicked it open, you picked the nearest that was able to do the most damage. Sure, he threw you like a ragdoll but you could handle more than that, you had dealt with worse.

You growled lowly, you felt such an animalistic rush, a need to survive at that moment. Your legs trembled, tears were falling qns yet you were still standing. They raised their gun but even still you ducked and lunged forward, the base of the wooden shard against your stomach as you forced it into them, feeling the warm red liquid soon connect with your hands. Your eyes erratically looked for an exit. The window. Ground level. Locked. As you tried to form some kind of a plan you heard multiple boots thudding, threatening to round the corner. The man under you was still alive, your heavy breaths nearly matched his whimpers of pain.

"Fuck" You breathed under a heavy breath. You scrunched your face up in pain, not wanting to hurt anyone but he was drawing too much attention. You snatched the gun and pointed down at the man. You locked eyes for the brief time you held the gun toward him.

"Keep your mouth shut. Got it?" Your voice was trembling yet the look in your eyes proved you would pull the trigger if you had to. This. Was. Life. Or. Death. You had no choice if he yelled.

You quickly moved the gun to the window, shooting a few times before shoving the gun into the back of your jeans waistband. You looked over your shoulder, for only seconds before you kicked the glass away from the window frame. The small space was just big enough for your body to fit through. It wasn't until you were standing and four step away from the window did a ground round the corner of the house and see you. You ran. As fast as your weakened legs could. You fell. You tripped. You nearly gave up but the feeling of freedom was so damn close you didn't let go of the hope that was blossoming in your chest.

"Fuck this shit. I'm getting out." You spoke through gritted teeth as you snuck up to a car climbed in moments before two men got into the front. Your back was against the back of the drivers seat, curled up so tightly as you moved out of the estate and away. You didn't even care which direction as long as it was away. You had to keep your hand over your mouth and conceal all noise as a few gunshots hit the care. You felt sick, your vision was threatening to leave. You held on because your life depended on doing so.

Twenty minutes of driving and they stopped, you were praying to any and all divine beings out there that you didn't get caught. Up until this point you weren't religious at all but you needed a miracle. A real big fucking miracle. You listened as the two men climbed out of the car and a valet climbed in. You waited until the car started to move again before you made your presence known, a gun clearly in your hand.

"Drive to a safe area. I need to get out without being seen. I promise I won't hurt you but I need to get home. I've been through enough shit" You pleaded now, the nervous valet nodded and pulled up to just before where the parking area was. You left the gun in the car and bolted out of there. The bride was nearby, you would feel safer being over the bridge but your legs were failing you. You cried out in pain as your legs burned as if they were on fire. You were dragging yourself along as a police car pulled along. They asked a few questions but all you could manage was a string of words.

"Hawkins. I need to go...home. to Hawkins." You cried now. The rest was a blur of questions and a long drive with a few stops to a police station to figure out who the cops had in their car. Calls were made and a drive home was needed. Despite your need of sleep you were questioned by Hawkins police. Everything was kept hush hush. For two weeks you were kept under a secret location, asked the same questions and treated for wounds. Once assessed and found stable you were free. From cheap motel to being left at the trailer park was a huge step.

Your family no longer around, having died as a result of alcohol and drugs two years ago, their place was left to you and Eddie. You would find out that Eddie had upkept it but never stayed there.

----

September 14th 1985 [Saturday. 1:00 A.M.]

(It has been nearly six years since your dispearance. Not even a month away from six full years. You are nineteen now. You're scared of being back at the trailer park. Of Eddie not being there, of even just facing him of he was.)

From cheap motel interrogations to being left at the trailer park was a huge step for you. It was dark, the rain was hammering down and you were already drenched even though you had stepped out the police car not even two minutes ago. You moved through the gates and shut them behind you. Your tired and sloppy steps caused your shoes to gather cake like layers of mud though the thick and fast droplets were washing your shoes clean at about the same pace. Once you had reached your trailer you stood studying it, it looked the exact same. You don't know why you expected it to look any different. It was only when you headed up the steps that you realised you didn't have a key and one of the neighbours probably did. You let an disgruntled grunt leave your slightly swollen lip. To Eddie's it was. If he still even lived there. Or here. Or just in Hawkins.

You trudged over and carefully walked up the steps, your lightly closed fist hovering in front of the door before you knocked three times, somewhat gently. The flimsy metal doors were loud enough. You hated waking people up, always had but perhaps that was the trauma of childhood speaking. You waited a few moments and tried again, you were one knock in before the lights turned on.

"Alright! One second- Jesus. H. Christ!" A deep, raspy voice called from the other side, a light flickering on before it stabilised to a yellow glow. You heard the sound of locks being turned before you had to step out of the way of the door.

"Who the hell are you? And why are you knocking the goddamn door at one in the morning?" The average yet slightly thin built man with brown, frizzy curls spoke as he looked down at your with those all too familiar brown eyes, you barely recognised him with the new look. Last time you had seen each other he had a shaved head. The new look suited him.

"Hi? Hello? You gunna answer my question?" He asked in his tiredness. A hand on each side of the doorframe.

"Oh...I uh need the keys to my trailer, Eddie. A place to sleep would be great. It's cold" You said, you didn't know how to introduce yourself after all this time so you just went straight to the point, moving forward into the light more. Your hair was way longer than before too, the wetness of it made it stick to the majority of your face. There was a shared silence as you watched the realisation hit Eddie's face. He stepped back, tilting his head a bit as he gave you a looked mixed with pain, fear and almost anger. His eyebrows knitted together.

"This is just some weird fuckin' dream. You're not here. Yeah, I just smoked too much. So you can just leave. I don't like these sick games" he stated in a world of shock. It pained you to see Eddie like this. You realised now how much going missing must have hurt him too.

"Eddie...I get what it looks like. But I promise. I'm not pulling any sick kind of game" you offered softly, not wanting to step in with messy shoes so you remained where you were next to the door.

"I'm sorry...I...don't know what you think happened back then but I can tell you. I can explain if you just let me..." your voice breaking a little. You were desperate for some familiarity, the closeness of their hold. You watched as Eddie paced the room.

"You can explain?! It's been six years! You just left me. You just- gunna uh- just left without a word!" He stated as he walked up to you. Pointing his finger. Now the tears were forming again in your eyes.

"Eddie that not what happe-" You tried to speak but you were cut off by a loud laugh and a scoff. He nodded with his hands hovering over his hair briefly.

"Oh? No? That's not what happened? What happened then? You got bored here? You found someone better to spend your time with?" He asked. He stated. Though what he was saying was contradictory since that was what he had done.

You turned to the side as you looked up, trying to force away the tears. You sniffled before letting out a weak sob.

"Just shut up! Just...please. My parents- fuck..." You couldn't say it out loud, it sounded ridiculous and it was painful to admit.

"What? Your parents What? Waited for you? Looked for you? Your parents-" He rambled but you cut him off with a harsh glare this time.

"Traded me in." You stated and Eddie finally fell silent as he stared at you.

"Traded me in because they couldn't afford to pay back what they borrowed. So they let a group of men drag me away from my trailer in return for not paying the money back. I was screaming Eddie. The day they dragged me away and not one. NOT ONE PERSON. Helped!" You were almost yelling now. Having to admit this was heartbreaking for the both of you.

"I would NEVER leave you without saying something. Anything. But I'm not the one who pretended to not know me all because you made new friends at school. You let Francis bully me. And you moved on. We didn't even talk for a year before I disappeared. Remember? So if I had left by my own accord, could you even blame me?!" You cried now. It was all coming out. You had years to think about this and hadn't had the chance to say it up until this point.

Eddie stood with mixed expression, you could deduct some anger, pain and guilt and perhaps a need to defend himself too. There was a long pause. Enough to dismiss the following statements.

"You were taken..?" He finally spoke as he stepped forward. You didn't move but your eyes dropped to your feet as your face scrunched in pain at acknowledgement of the fact. You had been taken. And your parents offered you. You were just a kid.

You were just a fucking kid...

You could only weakly nod. You felt a slow hand curl around the back of your head and pull you into the dry, warm and soft feeling of Eddie's stomach, their shirt sticking to your face, your hand resting only just below his chest. It took a few moments but your arms moved to slink around his waist and pull yourself in closer for a minute.

"Come in." He whispered and dragged you in which gave you no other choice but to bring your muddy shoes in. You used Eddie to stabilise yourself as you pulled your wet feet out of your shoes. You tried apologising for the mess but he wouldn't let you.

"Just- Stay here. Let me grab you something to wear" he said softly though his voice wavered in it's rushed and tired tone. He disappeared into what you knew was his room. You pulled off the jacket given to you from the police, having gotten it from the lost and found box at the motel. It felt gross but it had been keeping you warm. You placed it by the door where your shoes were, looking around in one of the junk draws and found a hair tie, you knew that long haired son of a bitch had to have one now. You pulled your hair up into some kind of bun at the back of your head, pushing the small strands out of the way.

Eddie stood in the doorway of his bedroom and motioned for you to come in. You moved into the room where he shut the door. He pointed to the fresh towel on the bed along with a shirt that you knew would be huge on you if it was baggy for Eddie. As well as some of the smallest boxers he could find. That's That's he had for now. You sighed and pulled your shirt off, you had become so used to people seeing your body that you forgot to give any warning. You heard Eddie make a noise of surprise and looked just as he had turned around.

"Sorry..." You mumbled before continuing to pull the wet clothes that stuck tightly to your skin. You them proceeded to dry yourself with the towel before you heard Eddie speak, not looking.

"Do you uh. Wanna stay here tonight?" He asked quietly, you sniffled and cleared your throat, thinking for a moment.

"Okay..." You finally mumbled out as you shimmied into the boxers that fit pretty well, a little loose but good granted the situation. You quickly pulled on the shirt and turned around.

"I'm dressed." You said, then watching him turn around while he then watched you pull their hair tie from your head. You grabbed the towel and started to dry your hair.

"Lemme help" He moved to the bed and patted the wooden frame in between his legs. You paused for a moment before obliging. You sat crossed legged in front of him while he took the towel and gently started to gently dry your hair, you felt yourself relaxing into their gentle kneading movements.

"Almost like you don't want me to stop..." He joked softly, his voice not very loud at all, not wanting to disrupt the calmer atmosphere. You smiled a little at the comment and hummed in a response which was enough for Eddie's paused hands to carry on, though your hair didn't really need to be dried more.

"You um...look good with your long hair..." You told him in a voice that matched his earlier. You had always asked him to grow his hair out but he never did. He leaned over you while stopping his hands and pulled the towel away. His hand falling over his face and into yours.

"Hmm? Really?" He smiled, you just loved the way he smiled with his whole face, the creases of his smile in his cheeks. You couldn't help but smile back. Finally feeling safe for the first time since...you and Eddie were still close.

"Really." You reply softly, your hand moving up to touch it, your head moving to lean against his thigh, his sweatpants pretty comfortable too. He chuckled and leaned back up.

You moved to tie your hair back up and rub your face in your tiredness. Yawning a moment later before you stood, promoting Eddie to do the same. He moved to the small storage cupboard and pulled out a spare blanket and pillows, heading to leave.

"Where are you going?" You blurt out without it meaning to sound so sudden. Watching as Eddie moved to turn around.

"I'll sleep on the couch" he stated before you frowned and shook your head.

"No you have the bed. Give." You stated and took the blanket and pillows before he could protest. You moved to set up a bed and climbed in. He groaned under his breath and flung his arms up a little in protest but said nothing.

"Goodnight Eddie" you said just as he was about to turn off the lights. You caught a glimpse of his smile just before the room went dark.

"G'night Y/N" he said before almost shutting the door.

Your peaceful sleep lasted all but four hours at most, not able to do the math while so tired. Yet you work up with a start, sweating and panting as fear ran through your veins. It was usually at near to five that you'd be woken up and clearly you would have an issue with this for a while. You leaned back on your hands and sighed, eyes gliding over to Eddie's door. You thought for a moment before sneaking over and into the bedroom. Shutting it after you. You knew he was a heavy enough sleeper to not notice you as long as you were quiet and gentle. You climbed into bed, facing inward of Eddie's chest. You pulled the blanket up and for a moment you were sure he was still asleep until an arm wrapped around you and held you close. Not noticing that he was shirtless at first yet that didn't bother you. You could notice the smell of smoke, cigarettes and some cheap cologne still lingering on him but still it was oddly familiar and comforting.

You fell asleep after a while of thinking, listening to Eddie's steady breaths helped a good deal. You awoke in the morning to gentle fingers running up and down a section of your back, a chin resting on the top of your head. You shifted a little and the feeling stopped, Eddie pulling away to look down at you.

"Morning" Your voice was weak but there. Groaning as you slung your arm over him and cuddled in.

"Good morning" he said just as softly though his voice was gravelly, giving you a hint he had not long woken up either. You both just laid there for a while, almost until you fell asleep again but he forced himself up and that urged you to do the same.

The morning was filled with hot coffee, sour conversations and explanations that you had to slowly admit. Some confessions and some catch up.

"Really Munson? You're graduating next year? Jesus. Looks like I'll have to help you huh?" You teased as your now dry locks started to frame your face as gathered strands slowly slipped from the hair tie.

"Mhm sure, Sweetheart. You haven't got the brains" he chuckled as he leaned back into the firm cushion of the couch, coffee in hand.

You rolled your eyes though a flutter had risen from just the word 'sweetheart'. You prompty ignored it though. You took a break and took the last sip from your coffee before placing it on the table.

"So...who knows that you're here?" He asked with a worried look arising on his features, the expression didn't suit him.

"Just you and the cops. I've been here for two weeks but they wouldn't let me go since I had information they needed and I needed to be assessed after everything I told them. Needed to I don't know...make sure I was mentally stable I guess." You sighed softly and shrugged, shoulders shrinking a little after.

"I disappeared from this town a freak. A outcast. I'm just as much of one now as I was then. I don't- I don't know how people are going to react. It'll be like they're seeing a ghost or something" You said and laughed nervously looking around before meeting Eddie's eyes, finding safety in their reassuring gaze.

"Well...this time I'm not turning my back on you. I promise. Again. No more broken promises." He said, he seemed genuinely yet after the last six years your trust was destroyed. You didn't let that show, you just nodded.

"Well...Will you come to my graduation?" He asked after a moment. You smiled a little and moved forward a bit.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it. Just as long as you help me find a way to live in this town. I have nothing. I was still in middle school when things happened. I have nothing to get a job with" You admitted and sighed, standing up, still in Eddie's shirt and boxers. You noticed him staring a little from the reflection in the window but didn't physically acknowledge it. You moved to bag your still wet clothes to take them uo to the laundrette later.

"What have you got plan-" you were cut short by a voice outside Eddie's door.

"Eddie? Eddie! You home? Hello?" The voice of Dustin called, wanting to talk about ideas for an upcoming campaign.

You stood and looked over with a frown before you disappeared into the bathroom.

You listened as Eddie opened the front door and spoke for what felt like ages, even noticing how the new person came inside and rambled on. You tried not to let a grain slip from your lips. You just looked around his bathroom and pulled a new toothbrush from under the cupboard, opening it from the plastic and cardboard packaging. You brushed your teeth diligently. Pulling your clothes off after and getting into the shower, which both boys inside the trailer took notice of. Still, it felt nice to get clean, properly clean. You had nothing else to change back from other than what what have been wearing. After changing back in to the borrowed clothes you used a wide comb which was the only one in the bathroom, after washing it of course, to detangle your hair that was nearly matted.

Finally you heard them leave and Eddie knocked the door as a signal. You came out much the same as you went in except you now smelled of mens body wash and had wet hair.

"Jesus. He was here for ages" You groaned. And Eddie just made a 'phfft' sound and gave a 'I don't know' kind of shrug. You rolled your eyes a bit.

"I guess I can't hide out in here forever. I'll need to actually make myself known. I just need to get some new clothes first. That's all I have" You mentioned as you pointed ti the bag of wet clothes you arrived in.

"You can try and find something of mine to wear? Or uh...I could go and pick something up from the thrift stores? Then once you have at least a few things you can pick your own stuff out? I'll help you pay." He offered and as much as you feared Eddie picking something out for you, you still agreed.

That afternoon you spent by yourself, apparently Eddie had some game thing tou didn't understand to talk about with a bunch of school kids, you didn't understand any of it but didn't question it, well. Not too much anyway. You slept for a while before laying on Eddie's bed while listening to some music, you didn't mind Eddie's music but you liked the older stuff you two heard as kids the best. Remembering how when no one was home you and Eddie would secretly play the records and dance around in the living room. Thankfully none of of the neighbours snitched.

You sat up slowly as you heard the keys jingle, groaning as you moved to turn the music off. Shuffling into the living room to meet Eddie with a smile. Your hair now down and dry again. It was now nearing dinner time.

"Hot dogs! Huh? What do you think?" Eddie smiled, you couldn't help but chuckle and nod. Moving to give him a hand with the bags.

"Sounds good. Also any luck on the clothes?" You asked as you started to unpack the groceries. Noticing a lot soup but said nothing, secretly hoping you wouldn't have to live off soup.

"Yeah. Not great but I think it will do. I asked the girl that was working there. I don't know shit about fashion for women" he chuckled.

"Or just about fashion in general" you teased before you felt a cold glass bottle on your back moments after Eddie fingers lifted your shirt.

"You asshole!" You half yelped as you turned to face the smirking man. You moved closer, Eddie craned down a little.

"Oh yeah? But isn't that why you love me?" He said, his voice as smooth and sweet as honey. You felt your cheeks flush just a little before turning away and finishing the unpacking.

"No" You stated bluntly as you folded the paper bag. You heard him chucked and open the bottle, the lid landing somewhere on the floor. Knowing you'd step on it at some point.

You glanced to watch him in their reflection momentarily, watching them take a swig before placing the bottle on the counter. You looked down when he caught your eyes. Moving behind you to place his hands on your hips.

"No? You don't love me? Or no I'm not an asshole?" He asked as he leaned down, his hands moving from your hips, around and over your stomach and wrapping around your waist instead. You sighed and looked away from both of your reflections.

You felt his lips graze your neck ever so gently, his breath was harsher than his lips before you felt him plant a kiss on your cool skin. His lips quite warm in comparison. You knew he felt you these up as a result. You cleared your throat and moved away to look through the clothes though the feeling of the kiss was burning into your skin.

You picked our an outfit for now and went to get changed, shutting the door firmly before you let your heaving chest finally move, fingers tracing the spot where Eddie had kissed. You swallowed hard and tried to push it away from your mind. You forced yourself to think about getting dressed and only that. The outfit was cute and simple. Enough for you. Though you had gotten used to wearing next to nothing, because you had to. In a strange way it was both nice and weird to have some damn decency.

The rest of the night was spent with decent hot dogs, a funny and flirty conversation with a lot of needy glances and a reluctant Goodnight. In all fairness you two were high as hell and a giggling mess. The Sunday was about the same except you slept most of it while Eddie was out and you cleaned up since the home desperately needed it. You didn't feel the need to go to your own trailer yet.

----

September 16th 1985 [Monday]

(Eddie attends school while you start showing your face around town. People were a little pale and the hushed voices started to grow. You had been on flyers, in news papers and on milk cartons for a long time. And suddenly you were back as if nothing had happened. Just older. Taller. More mean faced.)

You found yourself at the library trying to form some kind of sheet of references, skills and why you should be employed. Trying to write everything down neatly and clearly. Knowing it was a pain but had to be done if you were going to photocopy it. Eddie had given you some money thankfully to pay for the printing. An hour or so later you had your copies and set off on handing them out to anyone who had a "hiring" posted taped to their window. After handing out god knows how many you finally make it to the school, waiting for Eddie to head out. In your hand were some sour patch kids. Pulling a bit of a face at how sour they were. A lot of the people stared but you ignored them as you turned your back to Eddie to see who was shouting across the street, soon having an arm over your neck.

"Heeey. Gimme one?" He asked though his free hand was already waiting. You laughed a little and gave him a few before you started walking back. You had a casual conversation. Before you heard a unfamiliar and unwanted voice.

"Oh look the freak has got a girlfriend!" Jason, Eddie's enemy. The equivalent of your bully Francis. You groaned under your breath and turned around as you were lead to do so by Eddie.

"Not like you would know what that's like. Every girl you're with just uses you for popularity and fucks off when you call them a whore because there's another girl you want to shove your dick in. Yet the only freak and whore here is you" You blurted out before Eddie could even get a word in. You threw a sour patch kid at Jason's head and dragged Eddie away. You had learnt not to take bullshit like you had done when you were a kid.

"Impressive~" Eddie half complimented and half teased, you could tell he was surprised that you spoke up let alone were so fierce with your words. His hand that rested at your coarbome patted it in approval. Somehow that sense of approval was much appreciated.

The walk to the trailer park didn't take too long and by that point half of the sour patch kids had been eaten and the rest you two had thrown at each other like a couple of kids. Though you enjoyed bing able to be a kid again because in a way it was stripped away from you from both your parents and your kidnappers.

You stumbled into Eddie's place and ran to his bedroom and shut the door, squealing as you kept your back to the door to not let him in. Slightly regretting that you bet that he couldn't catch you in return for doing anything he wants. It wasn't very well thought out because the excited fear you felt running away had now caused you to be trapped in Eddie's room.

"You're stuck in there now! You'll either have time leave the door unattended to get out the window or open the door" Eddie handed you your options and the groaned loudly which earned a chuckle. You bolted for the window but half of you was out when Eddie grabbed you by your hips and yanked you back while you clung onto the outside.

"No! Noooo!" You whined through your giggles, your giggles making you weak enough for Eddie to pull you back through the window where you both landed on the floor, you in-between his legs and your back against his chest as you both were in a fit of laughter.

"Now you're mine!" Eddie claimed in a n evil voice, wrapping his arms around you to secure you in place. Tickling you a little before rested his head on your shoulder while you both caught your breath. You felt your cheeks redden with the feeling of his breath on your neck, they were quick and tickled a little. You were also very aware of his cool rings that were connected to your skin under your shirt. You felt Eddie shift behind you a bit, pulling himself closer into you. Adjusting their head where his eyelashes met your skin but you could tell their eyes were closed. You stayed like that for a while, your heart racing the entire time.

"...Eddie?" You asked in almost a whisper. Trying to turn to face him but stopped when his grip around your waist tightened. His mouth met your neck again, earning a gently gasp.

"You said anything right?" He repeated your words, softly, so softly against your skin. You paused before sighing.

"But not that. Just...kissing if you want...just nothing more" You stated, expecting him to be disappointed but his face buried deeper into your neck. He held you close as if you'd vanish if he let go.

"I'll take that..." He commented as one of his arms moved from around your waist so his fingers could gently grab your face, finger almost pinching at your skin as he turned your head toward his. Leaning in slowly, noses bumping into each other just a little before his lips graze your own. Both of you lightened breaths became a little heavier. Eddie leaned in further his lips barely touching yours but enough to kiss you, featherlight. Just as he moved in to kiss you the front door opened.

Eddie's group of friends, something called the Hell-Fire Club or some shit, stepped through the front door as it had been open.

"Yo Eddie? We need to start planning and getting ahead of that kid you know and get some good ideas in-" but the stopped when Eddie was clearly pissed off, having gotten uo and was now standing in the doorway. You, however were hiding away on Eddie's bed barely out of view. You were red and your hickey was quite clearly forming.

"Our meetings are on Wednesdays. And I was busy and you ruined it." Eddie stated with crossed arms and at first they were coming fused before they caught sight of you, you avoided eye contact, suddenly the dying plant outside was the most interesting thing around. You zoned out of the conversation but came back when Eddie pushed some hair from your face, you expect him to to kiss you then, he was so close, he was leaning closer but just as you were about to close your eyes he pulled away.

You were left feeling like a bit of a fool, even more so if you had actually closed your eyes. You swallowed soem saliva that had built up in your mouth in almost anticipation and want.

"I'll uh...go start on dinner" he stated and walked away, leaving you on the bed. Alone. Wanting him. You found yourself playing with your fingers, a fizzy feeling left over from his hickey on your neck. You relaxed down into the bed and curled up, you didn't know if it was weird gur you kind of enjoyed the smell of his pillows, they were fresh since you had changed them yesterday. But he had since slept on them and you could smell the cologne which overpowered the smokey smell but it was still there. You just buried your face into the pillow, imaging it was his chest you were laying on. It took a few moments to realise that acting this was was utterly pathetic. He was your best friend. Despite the kissing and the grabbing. It was all just fun and games. Right? Of course it was.

The two of you ate pretty much in silence other than the TV playing. Eddie finished uo particularly face and headed into his bedroom without much commentary. Just telling you he was going to nap or sleep early.

You decided to not share his bed that night. You just locked up and sat reading for a while before getting comfortable on the couch and falling asleep after about thirty minutes.

You wouldn't know but Eddie would come in a few hours later to check in on you, making sure you were tucked in before heading back to bed himself.

12th October 1985 [Saturday]

(Three weeks after you arrived at Eddie's place. Small time skip to move over the mundane and get used to staying at Eddie's.)

The past two weeks had been fun but awkward too, mainly because you and Eddie would get high and have great conversations that almost always led to a make out session but nothing more. Admittedly only stopping at kissing was getting to you but you didn't feel comfortable enough yet to go any further. You could tell it was starting to get to Eddie too, while sober he started to avoid any kind of physical touch with you, only you. Admittedly you got a bit healous when he was close with his friends; being all touchy feely in a friendly way and not even you got got anymore.

Saturday night came and after brooding all day you finally spoke up. Your leg bouncing under the table as Eddie clearly avoided your eyes.

"I think it would be better if I stayed in my own trailer from now on. You've been distant for over a week and I don't want to intrude in your personal space" you inform as you leaned your head on your hand, elbow on the table. Eddie looked over with a frown but his response was disappointing.

"Alright. I'll get the key" Was all he said before he stood and walked over to the kitchen drawer before pulling out some keys and handing them to you. With how quickly he moved you could have just assumed right then and there that he wanted you out now.

You sat there for a moment before you stood and grabbed your little amount of things and left, it was quite clear you were upset yet neither of you said a word. Your movements were clunky as you entered your trailer and turned on the lights, the thick feeling of emptiness and loneliness hit tou like a thrashing wave. It was only coming up to eight in the evening but it felt a lot later. You felt an extreme boredness as you sat alone, as if you were back in that room on the estate. You hated the silence but you knew Eddie needed his space, perhaps it would be good for you too.

It wasn't as if you had been totally honest with your feelings, unknowingly you had liked Eddie as a kid, the jealousy was something you recognised now as an adult looking back and now that you were with Eddie again, the Eddie that hadn't changed, not really, you found yourself in the same spot but now with adult wants and needs. You thought the making out would be fine, be enough but you didn't know if Eddie wanted sex and only sex or of he wanted more but to ask would mean admitting your feelings and making a fool of yourself. And to be distant was both painful yet easier. Perhaps for now anyway.

15th October 1985 [Tuesday]

Three days had passed since you last saw each other, you hadn't spoken or even got a glimpse of each other. You wondered if Eddie was as lonely as you or of he liked not having you around.

It got to about midnight and you had foolishly smoked a joint that Eddie had given you last week. You weren't as mind numbingly scared about asking something stupid. You dialled up his number, not daring enough to be face to face. You thought he wouldn't answer but your eyes were watching his trailer and you saw his shadow finally move toward the phone.

"Hello?" He asked, his voice was clear, you'd have thought he'd been smoking by now but apparently not. There was a linger silence before he was about to speak again but you spoke first.

"Hey...it's me." You admitted, admitted..? It felt like a confession of sorts, in some strange way.

"Oh..." was all you heard on the other end for a moment, something so simple yet it hurt. As if he was disappointed it was you on the other end.

""Oh?"" You repeated back to him, yet another lingering pause followed. You felt like an idiot for even calling. You had heard the rumours. He liked the pretty, popular girl. You forgot her names but it didn't matter.

"We're you expecting someone else? Or just hoping that it was anyone else?" You asked, your tone was a bit sarcastic but the pain showed through enough. You instantly regretted your choice in words and tone. You listened as you heard a sigh, a muttering of words.

"Why are you being like this?" That's what he had whispered, you weren't sure if you were supposed to hear that. But you had.

"I like you" You barely managed to get out as you heard the phone brush away from them and their breaths becoming distant as if they were about to hang up. There was a pause, you hated how many there were.

"...what?" The voice on the other end spoke faintly. You gulped, fearing you had made a mistake.

"I...like you, Eddie. But- I didn't know if you wanted sex or more than that and I was too scared to ask so I just kept...you at arms length but let you kiss me...I gave you mixed signals but....one minute you'd be kissing me and the next avoiding me..." You found yourself rambling a little.

"Just shut up for a minute Y/N...you like me?after all this time and just threw weeks together you're going to say you like me?" Well, if anything was going to make you feel like shit and invalidate your feelings, that would do it.

"Okay? And you're going to tell me you don't like me by the way you desperately beg to let you have me? That the way you kiss me is only for people you want to fuck? All the sweet nothings you whisper in my ear before you kiss me? That's all just because you wanna fuck? Is that it? Or are you in denial too?" You asked, almost spitting venom. He struck first this time. He hurt you with those words and you weren't going to let that slide. As much as you had just confused to being in denial, you were calling him out too.

The two of you stood in silence after that. And then the line went dead. You reluctantly put the phone down before heading to fo to the bathroom when Eddie opened your front door. You both just stared at each other for a minute.

"Ok. So you in denial. So are you? Aren't you? Huh? So you want me to admit it? Is that it? That I like my best friend? And then you reject me and you leave again? You disappear?" There was a desperate need in his voice, a fear too. You could almost see he was crying. His eyes searching yours for an answer. You sucked up all the anger and the guilt and embarrassment and walked over to Eddie. You cupped his face.

"Okay. I'll be the first to say it. Again. I like you Eddie Munson. I like you now and I always have. And if you like me then you better kiss me right now" You told him openly from the heart.

He grabbed you roughly and pulled you in for a deep yet soft kiss, as if everything he needed to say was put into that kiss then and there. You needed no other explanation. You both had been wanting each other yet were too scared to face one another. Your hands found his hair, your fingers tangled in his curls while you held each other close. When you both parted, your lips red and wet, Eddie pulled you in close.

"I wasn't lying when I said you were mine...so don't disappear" He mumbled a little. You laughed a little though it wasn't in making fun of him. You just remembered how he had said it at the time.

"I won't...I'm yours, Eddie. I'm yours." You replied softly. The rest of the evening you opened up to each other more and laughed at the awkwardness the two of you had been feeling about the entire thing. It was nice for the two of you to laugh at the situation rather than bicker about it. And Eddie cleared up that he had been dealing to Chrissy as that was the reason he had been close with her. Though you'd still feel jealous, she was damn pretty.

Well the rest of the story goes that you got a job at photo printing shop, the work was easy and you got discounts, great for pictures of you and Eddie and Eddie and his club for posters. Either way someone you knew was going to get a good deal on too many pictures. You and Eddie spend most nights trying to make decent meals while his records play in the background and then he tries to teach you D&D but to no avail. You find out the talkative kid is Dustin and you love watching how he and Eddie are so enthusiastic about the game even if you don't understand it. The rest of the group seem nice too. You've been able to convince Eddie to learn how to dance with you as long as you build a character with him. You're also currently studying with a retired tutor who was kind enough to reach out so that you you improve your grades and get better work but until then, currently, life is good.

- Smut section >:)) - (you don't have to read obvi I'm also bad at this but oh well)

Top/Dom Eddie - bottom/sub fem reader

(Car sex. You're riding him. He's dirty talking, he's degrading and praising you. Unprotected sex. Doesn't pull out.)

You whine as you shifted in you seat, Eddie had been teasing you all afternoon, whispering dirty words in your ear and then had the audacity to leave you in the car to have a cigarette. It wasn't yours or Eddie's car so no smoking inside allowed. Though the car looked like it eas falling apart anyway. You watched him while his gaze was over at the gorgeous view, that wasn't the view you wanted right now. You huffed and crossed your leg over the other, thighs squeezing together which made your area twitch a little. You heard the door open ans Eddie climb into the drivers side, the door slamming shut not long after.

"What's wrong?" He dared to ask as if he didn't know and wasn't the cause. You shot him a glare though that smirk was already waiting for you.

"Oh yeah. As if tou don't know. Teasing me all afternoon, driving all the way out here where there is no one just to ignore me?" You state with an annoyed tone. Though when it came to intimate stuff you knew better than to talk back. Yet here you were.

"You better watch your tone or you won't be getting what you want" Eddie's voice lowered and more serious look washed over his face. You kept your mouth shut but the annoyed look never left. And for nearly ten minutes you two sat in silence while your need grew, damn even his scent, that smokey cologne mixed smell was driving you inside.

"Are you done sulking? Do you want me to make you feel good?" Eddie finally spoke as he grabbed your face to make you look at him. After a moment you sighed and nodded. He raised a brow momentarily as a silent question if you were sure about not sulking anymore. Your frown turned into a pout as your need started to show. Earning a light chuckle.

"Alright, Sweetheart. Get to work" he stated and let go. Leaving you as you undone his belt, buttons and the zip. He lifted his ass up so you could pull his jeans down a little, giving you better access to his boxers, his semi-hard cock springing out gently as you pull his boxers down a but too. Eddie was a pretty boy. He had a dick to match. You flicked your tongue over the tip, earning a groan and tight hand in your hair. You take all of him slowly until he reaches down with his free hand to feel his cock in your throat.

"Such a little whore for me, are you Y/N? You look so pretty taking all of me like a good girl" He purrs before a nudge if his hand urges you to bob your head, his tip rubbing against the back of your throat as you try not to gag much and then you start to hear him moan and whine.

"Fuck- so good for me baby~ just like that. Use your dirty little mouth, oh yeah-" he moaned out moving your head by his own command now. You could tell he was starting to get a little despite. Leaving you to whine loudly.

"Awe, what? Worried I'll cum and you won't be able to have this dick in your tight pussy?" He asked as he looked down at you. Your eyes confirmed his question. You were sneaked through, the skirt sliding up over your lower back as you leaned down.

"Well you've been such a good girl taking my cock that I'll be nice." He said softly now, pulling your head away before kissing you roughly.

"You're my pretty girl. So beautiful. Your body is begging for me, isn't it?" He asked and you nodded eagerly. The tears in your eyes starting to fall from your desperate ans growing need.

"Speak. Tell me how much you want my cock inside of you" he asked, his voice so soft, so gently while he barked his commands.

"I want it so bad- please Eddie! Please!I want it deep inside me" You pleaded, gripping his thigh a little as you waited for permission.

He smiled and caressed your cheek, his calloused thumbs wiping away your tears, planting an soft kiss on your forehead.

"Good girl. Come and sit." He instructed as he patted his lap. Watching as you straddled him, his hands immediately moving to your waist for support. One hand slipped down to your cunt, his lips to your neck as he whined into your skin.

"So wet down there. Already so ruined for me. So desperate for my dick, aren't you?" He said as he brought his lips up to you ear to whisper. He massaged your clothes through the fabric of your panties, you rocked your hips into his fingers.

"Y-Yes! I want it so badly" You cry out while moaning softly. His synced movement dragging you closer. He suddenly pulled his fingers away leaving you a whimpering mess.

"Patience, Sweetheart. Patience." He cooed as he hooked his fingers under the sides of your panties, pulling them down while you used his shoulders to climb out of them. You moaned lightly as you felt Eddie's tip brush against your folds.

"Shh shh that's it. Guide my cock into that pretty little pussy of yours" he said in raspy voice. You did as you were told with no hesitation but didn't move fast, sinking down slowly until Eddie's hands moved to your hips and slammed you down, causing you to moan loudly.

His brown curls clung to his face as now you studied him, his bottom lip held under his teeth while to rocked your hips gently. You noticed how his gorgeous brown eyes rolled back and his ringed fingers gripped onto your hips, nails digging in a bit.

"Just like that. Oh fuck-!" He whined, as much as you loved having Eddie be control, you loved to hear him whine for you as much as he loved to hear you whine for him. Just hearing those whimpers was enough to make the walls of your pussy tightened around him causing him to moan from his lower throat.

Your hands on his shoulders for support you rocked your hips faster, not even bothering to hide your whore ish moans anymore ams better yet Eddie didn't hold back his whines and whimpers, only making your pussy pull his cock in deeper. The car was shaking ans creaking even as another car drove by.

"That's it. That's it! Yes baby- rock your hips. Does my cock feel so good? So deep inside you?" He asked as his hands guided your movements.

"S-So good, Eddie! It's so deep" You moaned before leaning in and burying your face into his neck. He forced your hips to move faster, slamming down into his cock a few times too. The both of you in pure ecstasy, the world around you melting as you were only away of each other.

He move your head to be able to kiss you, so lovingly as if he wasn't guiding your hips to point into him the man looked like an angel yet his actions were that of a devil. You pulled away to hide your face as you moaned loudly, your cream covering his thick cock,but he didn't stop not until you were leaning back on the dash and he was thrusting into you, smashing into you.

"So good for me baby. Thats it. Let me hear your voice. Fuck! You're taking me so well. Good girl~" He praised as he finished into you, thrusting a few more time as some quiet, breathy moans still slipped form Eddie's lips. He pulled out slowly, your mix dripping onto the car floor as he rubbed his tip over your sensitive clit.

"Such a mess we've made. Harrington doesn't have to know" he smirked and the fun didn't end there.

[covenofwives]

Too Warm

Its too warm on the DSMP. Far too warm. Dream and George try to entertain themselves and think about anything other than how warm it. Luckily they have a perfect distraction. DreamXD apparently doesn't do well in the heat either, but it leads to a very adorable discovery.

Surprise! Kind of out of the blue with this fic but I just had to do it. This fic is based on the days of MELTING heat we've had here and this idea popped into my head. Sorry it took so long to get out though, this should have just been a quick lil fic but life got in the way. Hopefully within the coming month i will have more lil fics like this out and some AU stuff out.

Thank you all for reading and I hope you all enjoy!

---

It was a warm, close day on the DSMP. There was no breeze to give any relief so people were trying to cool off throughout the day. Some took to small pools of water, others relaxed in any shady area they could find.

Dream and George had taken to cooling off in the shades of the forest. They hunted for a while, before they decided it was far too warm for such things. They tried to fill out their day with activities but it all ended with them laid out on the grass under the leaves, trying to will their bodies to cool off. Dream hadn’t even taken his usual green hoodie/cloak for the day, leaving him in just his dark grey top.

The two were in a debate whether to go back to George’s home when suddenly the blades of grass behind the two shifted. They shuddered before parting, making way for new grass that seemingly appeared. This grass was a different tinge of green and the trees behind the forest seemed to bend and twist, shadowing over a path deeper in.

Dream and George looked at one another before quickly scrambling up and running down the shadowed path.

The two had become well known to DreamXD’s glade and the entrance to it whenever it appeared to them. Usually it came when the boys were bored, or one of them greatly needed him. And sometimes, when XD was in a good mood, he’d show the two things they’d never seen before.

But if Dream and George were hoping for excitement or something fun, their hopes were dashed. The heat was just the same as anywhere else, though the surrounding trees of the glade offered more shade at least. The sun was starting to dip in the sky, giving it a nice colour over the tops of the trees and in the middle of it all, DreamXD laid out on the grassy terrain. His cloak was off and his arms were crossed over his face, as though trying to shield himself from the rays of the sun. It didn’t seem to be working because not even a second later, XD reshuffled his arms, setting them back over his face and giving out a huff.

It felt like the two had stumbled upon the God on their private time, but they knew the glade wouldn’t appear to them if XD didn’t want it to.

“You alright, XD?” Dream called out as the two walked over. The tall God hummed in some form of greeting and confirmation.

“I hate being warm.” XD’s voice slurred with a low rumble.

“I’m surprised the glade is warm.” George commented as he aired out his t-shirt.

XD gave a grunt in response. Dream came up and sat by XD’s right side and George on his left. The God’s second set of arms were laid at his sides, which George took interest in.

The brunette gazed at XD’s arms, specifically the part covered by his long gloves. He peered through his goggles before pushing them up and out his eyes, sitting them on his head. Dream was about to ask what George saw until George spoke.

“XD. Can I take off your arm warmer?”

XD nodded slowly and George got to work, pulling down the black material until XD’s arm was bare. By then Dream had seen what had taken George’s interest.

“Freckles…?” Dream wondered allowed, eyes widening to the small pale brown speckles along his siblings arm.

“You have freckles?!” George wondered with much more excitement.

XD shuffled the arms crossed over their face up and out of the way. They still had their mask on, but they tilted their head down ever so slightly to their left lower arm as if inspecting it.

“Hmm…sometimes.” XD shuffled and rearranged himself. “When it’s sunny I sometimes get freckly.”

“Like Dream! He gets more freckly when the sun is out.” George pointed out.

Dream’s cheeks flushed slightly on the attention but of course he couldn’t say anything against it. Even today his freckles were more pronounced against his skin, but he’d never known XD to have them. Then again he’d never seen XD in the sun much.

“What about your face? Does it have freckles?” George asked.

XD paused for a moment before unfolding one of his arms and moving his mask of stars off his face. His eyes were still covered by his crossed over bandages but just under them, dotted along his cheeks and down his nose, were small freckles matching the ones on his arm.

“I didn’t know you got freckly.” Dream said. He had been looking at XD’s lower arms by his side, spotting the little freckles that were hiding under the arm warmers.

“I don’t go in the sun much.” XD gave a slow shrug. “Being warm makes me sleepy.”

George nodded in agreement while his attention was fully focused onto the freckles dusting over XD’s face. The most the tall God would ever show of their face was usually just their mouth down so George was taking in every detail he could as usual. It was hard though when he kept getting distracted by the freckles. On Dream they were normal, something he always had but to see them on someone like XD seemed like a rare oddity, something to be recorded down.

His attention was taken, for a moment, as he saw the corners of XD’s lips tilt up with a light snort.

“Dream…” XD’s voice was low, in warning.

George looked over to see Dream had removed the covering on XD’s other arm, looking at the freckles there too. But his finger was on the arm, slowly tracing over the most pronounced freckles, making an invisible pattern.

Dream’s eyes flicked to XD, then he looked up though his lashes to George. A slow grin grew over Dream’s lips and he carried on, tracing his finger down over XD’s wrist and to the back of their hand.

George caught on immediately, holding back his own grin as he placed his finger softly over a few freckles.

“George…” XD’s voice came out in the same low warning tone, and George had to physically bite back his giggle.

“W-What? I’m not doing anything.”

“I knohow what you two ahare up too.”

“Your voice is a little wobbly there, XD. What’s wrong?”

“Dreheaham!”

Dream’s fingers fluttered down to trace some more shapes into the back of XD’s hand. The freckles were more pronounced there, which was weird when the two thought of it because that area was mostly covered by the gloves, but they weren’t going to question a blessing.

Dream traced down over the knuckle on XD’s first finger, and gave a small chuckle as he saw the finger twitch.

“Dreheheaham…” XD’s voice came out in breathy laughter. The slow drawl in his voice carried to his laugh, making it slow and warm. “Yohou’re plahaying a-Aha! G-Geheohorge!”

Dream looked up to see George copying his movements, but instead he was drawing a very tight swirl onto the back of XD’s hand. When his fingers brushed along the knuckles, XD’s fingers wiggled and tapped his claws along the ground.

“Yohou twoho ahare ihin trohouble…” XD chuckled.

“Why don’t you stop us?”

It was less of a challenge and more of a genuine question from George. One that XD seemed to have no response to. They pursed their lips with a smile, tilting their head away, even though the bandages covered any embarrassment from eye contact.

The head tilt seemed to spark an idea in George and he grinned before speaking. “I think your freckles make your skin more tickly.”

“Thehey’re nohohot t-tihihickly!” XD giggled.

“What about the freckles on your face, do you think your face is really ticklish now?” George asked.

The question took XD by surprised, as it had Dream as well. The God shuffled his arms above his head to slightly hide his face. His grin still poked out from under his arms though, making it very unconvincing when he shook his head.

“N-N-Nohoho…”

“Won’t know till we try though, huh?” Dream quickly pointed out, immediately catching onto George’s plan. His fingers still lightly grazed along the skin of his sibling’s arms. Their arm twitched and fingers tapped their claws along the ground but they never pulled away, or stopped the two from continuing. They just lay there, in a giggly puddle and badly trying to deny it.

“M-Mihiy fahace ihis n-noho mohohore tihihicklish…”

“So you admit it’s ticklish!”

XD’s face almost split into a wide grin, quickly hiding in their arms. “N-NoHOhohOHOho!”

“Oh XDeeeee~” George cooed. “Is your face so tick-tick-tickly you can’t stand the thought of it being tickled?”

“S-Stohohohop!” XD’s arms covered his face completely.

Dream’s eyes wandered up XD’s arms to his shoulders, noticing the freckles along the god’s shoulder and disappearing down his back. “What about your back?” Dream half thought aloud. “Is your back all freckly?”

XD gave a half squeak half chirp, which made them giggle more. “M-Mahaybe…”

“Mines gets freckly.” Dream nodded with his thought. “Can we see?”

Dream could see the God’s muscles relax. His arms eased from tensing and he gave a slow nod.

George and Dream backed off a little, allowing XD to unfold their arms and turn around to lay on their front. They giggled slightly as both Dream and George gasped.

“You have so many on your back!” George squealed with his delight as he already poked his fingers and traced along the scattered brown dots.

XD was already giggling to the pokes. “M-Mihihiy b-bahack is m-moHOHOhore expohohosed!” He tried explaining.

“XD can you feel this?”

There was a pause between George’s word and the poke that landed softly onto XD’s shoulder blade. The blonde God jumped with a small squeak.

 “Y-yehehes!”

George looked up to Dream, holding back his giggle as Dream grinned.

“Can you feel this?” Dream asked, poking down into the centre of XD’s back and watching his sibling arch his back with a squeak.

“Y-Yohou knohohow I cahahan!”

Dream and George kept their hands hovering over XD’s back, close enough that XD could definitely feel it. Dream could see the God’s skin jumping and shuffling under the almost attention.

“G-Guhuysss…?”

A silent signal passed between the two, and they pounced; both lowered their hands onto XD’s back. George tapped over the freckles, prodding them so lightly like he was softly working over a keyboard and wiggling his fingers every now . Dream’s fingers skittered along the middle of XD’s upper back, tracing over multiple freckles littered between XD’s shoulder blades

XD broke out into a mix of squeaks, giggles and chirps. They shuffled over the soft grass, wriggling from side to side but never once actually moving out of Dream and George’s reach. Their top arms folded under their head while their bottom set laid out, lazily gripping into the grass whenever Dream or George would hit a bad spot.

“You just have so many freckles back here, XD.” Dream cooed. “It’s impossible to count them all.”

Between the chirps and giggling, XD muffled into his arms. “Y-Yohou’re nohohot cohohounting th-thehem!”

“Well I’m trying to.” George huffed. “But Dream’s fingers keep getting in my way, and I have to start over again.”

XD hid further into his arms. “Yohohou lihihahar!”

George gave a mocking gasp to the accusation. XD knew it was all in good fun but grew tense when the tickling suddenly stopped and the two were silent. XD was tempted to pull himself up from his arms, but he knew just how red his face was and how much his freckles would stand out.

The tall God opened his mouth to call out to the two, but before any words could form a sudden laugh burst from his chest and surprised him, pulling him up out his arms and arching his back as Dream and George had both leaned down and pressed raspberries over his back.

“NahaAHAHahaAHA!! WHAHAHAHAHAT!”

One got him right between his shoulder blades while the other was on his lower back. The raspberries felt like they lasted forever, and even as they did fade out they were replaced by smaller faster ones, spread out all along his back in any space Dream or George could catch.

“STAHAHAHAP! P-PLEHEheheahAHAHSE! N-NOHOHO mohoHOHORE!”

Dream and George showed mercy. They stopped with the raspberries though their hands came back in to rub soothing circles along XD’s back, chasing away the ghostly tickles and melting him more into grass.

“You alright, XD?” Dream asked, moving himself up higher to be closer to XD’s head.

“He’s fine!” George shrugged off. “This is nothing compared to what he puts us through. Right XD?”

The God was still silent and they had grown still. Dream and George only started to get a little worried before there was movement again.

Suddenly XD turned himself over onto his back again and his arms launched out, engulfing both men into his sides.

“W-Wahait! Wahahit!”

“EHEX DEHE! NOoHOho!”

Both panicked at the assumed counter-attack, but XD’s hands weren’t tickling them. They were soothing them. The God was running his clawed fingers through the twos hair as his lower arms rubbed at their sides. His voice came out in barely a whisper, almost hushing them.

“Noho more t-tihickles…” XD mumbled. It was hard to tell if it was a plea, or a promise. Some of the giggles still lingered in his words, but he took in a breath, softly sighing it out and spoke again. “I’m too tired now…”

“W-Wehe’re not!” George exclaimed though he didn’t try to escape anymore.

Dream nodded in a half agreement with his frined. As the day was going on, the sun setting and the warmth getting to him again he was getting sleepier. But he was filled with a soft giddy type of energy. A certain mischief he wanted to continue. He suspected George felt the same. He could see the tell-tale signs of George’s slow blinks, and the red mushroom blush along his cheeks were fading away slowly as the minutes went by. Always an indicator to George’s mood.

“Yes you are.” XD said. “It’s time to sleep. Or a nap at least.”

“We’re not toddlers.” George huffed.

“I’m not tired.” Dream added though his voice didn’t sound as alert as he would have liked it to.

XD smiled. “Just try.” They encouraged.

It was hard to keep still when giddiness ran through the two, but Dream and George obliged to XD’s wishes. Somewhat. They shuffled to get comfortable and moved about but eventually they stilled and XD feel into a calm moment of bliss. His thoughts were drifting further and further away from him, all he had to focus on was the soft grass under him and the gentle warmth of the two pressed in his side. It was the perfect way to fall asleep. If the two could just keep still.

DreamXD felt the two shuffle at his sides again and gave a long exaggerated sigh.

[havenoffandoms]

Hey congrats on 900 followers! Would I be able to request the touch starved prompt from your list with the pairing Aiden/Lambert please? Love all your writing!

Hello!! Thanks for requesting this prompt and this pairing! I’ve been on a right Lambden kick recently, so I felt inspired. I hope you like it! 

Prompt 13: Touch-Starved

Pairing: Aiden x Lambert

Warnings: None

Prompt List

Lambert was apprehensive about many things concerning Aiden when the two started travelling together. Being stabbed to death in his sleep comes to mind, or having Aiden go all batshit crazy if Lambert dared to beat him at Gwent. Lambert has heard many rumours about Cat witchers in his long life. Cats are batshit crazy. Cats are emotionally volatile. Cats are backstabbing sons of bitches… literally and metaphorically. Cats are bad. Cats are evil, etc, etc. All these rumours circulated in Kaer Morhen long before Lambert even set foot in that ramshackle castle. He was too young to have witnessed the Tournament, but he heard the older witchers talk. Later in his life, when only a handful of wolf witchers were left after the sacking, Eskel gave Lambert a more detailed account of the Tournament.

“The Cats betrayed us, went on a rampage. Killed many wolf witchers in the process. Geralt and I lost many friends that day,” Eskel told him one evening, when the oldest surviving wolf was too far in his cup to notice that he was oversharing. “Radowit’s court mage Astrogarus promised the Cats monopoly on killing monsters within Kaedwen in exchange for attacking the Wolves during the tournament. Turns out Radowit was a backstabbing motherfucker himself. He ordered his soldiers to shoot all of the remaining witchers of both schools in the arena.”

“Lemme guess,” Lambert spoke, his own speech slightly slurred, “pretty boy saved the day?” 

Eskel shook his head. “Fled. Mousesack helped him escape the massacre. Poor bastard never forgave himself for abandonin’ our brothers, but what choice did he have?”

Don’t get Lambert wrong. He’s not saying that Aiden is harmless, far from it. The guy’s lethal with his swords, deadly with a pair of daggers, not to mention a stealthy and clever thief. Aiden is mercurial, hot-tempered and a bit feral when he wants to be, and his morals are at best dubious. Whereas wolf witchers had their emotions beaten out of them at a young age, cat witchers feel too much, too strongly. Lambert’s witnessed Aiden flip tables when peasants beat him at Gwent, but he’s also witnessed the Cat shed a tear after bringing the news to a mother that her son did not survive the ghoul attack two villages down the road. 

Lambert was apprehensive about many things concerning Aiden when the two started travelling together, but the Cat had never ceased to surprise him. The most unexpected trait Aiden has displayed to date is his insatiable need for physical contact. It’s not like Lambert hates being touched - he’s only human, albeit a mutated one, but still human. He enjoys a hug as much as the next person, especially when said hug comes from one of his brothers (or, dare he say, Vesemir) at the end of a long and difficult year on the Path. Lambert has also never begrudged a bed partner a post-coital cuddle session. Aiden’s need for physical contact is… on a whole different level. 

The first time it happened, Lambert almost shoved the Cat off him and sent him packing, until he realised that Aiden was not only hugging him, but clinging onto him. His sharp nails were digging in the soft material of Lambert’s shirt, the fabric creaking in protest under the firm grip. When Lambert looked down, he noticed the pinched eyebrows and tears trailing down Aiden’s face. It wasn’t until a broken sob pushed past the Cat’s lips that Lambert reluctantly returned the embrace, arms wound tightly around Aiden’s trembling body. Aiden eventually settled in the safety of Lambert’s arms, his features softening as he sank back into a peaceful slumber. 

Neither mentioned the previous evening’s impromptu cuddling session, but from that moment one, it was like someone had flicked a switch. Aiden came up with every possible fucking excuse to touch Lambert. Their hands would always accidentally graze each other when they packed up camp, or tacked up the horses. Aiden would bump shoulders with him when they were travelling on foot. If they sat next to one another in a tavern, Aiden would press his leg against Lambert’s, and if they were facing each other, a tentative foot would gently nudge Lambert’s shin and linger there. It’s not like Aiden was trying to hide his intentions, either. They rarely paid for two rooms anymore, because even if they did, Aiden would always end up in Lambert’s bed anyway, arms wound around Lambert’s body like a koala clinging to its mother.

Lambert doesn’t hate Aiden’s need for physical proximity, he’s just… confused by it. Aiden rarely takes any lovers to bed, even though he clearly craves physical intimacy. Lambert is more than happy to cuddle with Aiden, especially when they are forced to sleep under the stars and the early autumn frosts begin to settle over the region. It saves them from lighting a campfire, which may attract the wrong kind of attention to them. That’s all that’s ever transpired between the two, though… cuddling. Lambert enjoys the cuddling as much as Aiden does, but for Aiden it seems to be about more than mere enjoyment. The Cat simply refuses to go without physical intimacy which at times can be… alright, it can feel overbearing, but Lambert’s not about to complain, not when most humans turn away from him in disgust and contempt when he tries to chat them up. 

Over the course of the next few weeks, Aiden almost develops a form of separation anxiety. He refuses to let Lambert out of his sight, going so far as to follow the man everywhere, and that’s the moment when Lambert snaps. 

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” he asks, his tone hiding none of the irritation he feels at being tailed by this overgrown tomcat. Aiden stops dead in his tracks, his eyes growing wide at Lambert’s words. 

“Huh?” 

“You’ve been following me since this morning… I have errands to run and it’s hard to do that when you’re breathing down my neck!”

Lambert instantly regrets his words the minute they leave his mouth. Aiden’s shoulders visibly sag at Lambert’s comment, his content expression melting into something sadder and the sight tugs at the wolf’s heartstrings in all the wrong ways. Aiden averts Lambert’s eyes shyly, the tip of his ears turning a pretty shade of pink as embarrassment washes over him. Lambert heaves a sigh. Way to act like a fucking dick. 

“Sorry, Aiden. I… I didn’t mean to sound like an ass, but-”

“It’s alright, I… I knew this moment would come eventually.”

“What are you talking about?” Lambert asks, a confused frown etched on his face. Aiden doesn’t look at him when he replies in a voice far too small to belong to the lethal, cocky witcher Lambert has come to know over the past few months. 

“You’re gonna ask me to leave for good. I get it. I… I’ll go back to the room and pack my things.” 

As Aiden turns around to leave, Lambert’s hand shoots out and grabs a hold of Aiden’s wrist. Before Lambert’s brain has a chance to catch up, he finds himself pulling Aiden into a nearby alley, away from prying eyes of judgemental humans meandering the stalls of the midweek market. Aiden looks so unsure now, so vulnerable like this, and it makes Lambert want to wrap the Cat up in warm blankets and cuddle him and forget the world for a while. Instead, he settles on pressing Aiden’s back against the wall and draping himself around the Cat witcher as much as he can. 

“That’s not what I meant,” Lambert breathes in the air pocket between them as he locks eyes with Aiden, “you’ve just been… especially clingy recently. Are you sure you’re alright?”

Aiden averts his eyes once again, but Lambert is quick to grip the other man’s chin and force Aiden to meet his gaze. Even that simple touch pulls a small hiss from Aiden, whose eyes flutter shut as he relishes in the feeling of Lambert touching him anywhere. Lambert purses his lips, eager for an answer. 

“Aiden-”

“Winter is around the corner,” Aiden whispers, his tongue darting out to lick his suddenly dry lips. Lambert’s frown deepens. 

“And?”

His question is met with a pointed eye roll from Aiden. 

“And… wolves return to their dens for winter, don’t they? I was just… enjoying the last few weeks in your company before you leave and never come back.”

As the final piece of the puzzle slots into place, understanding dawns on Lambert. He pulls away from Aiden and the small whimper the loss of contact triggers does not go unnoticed. Something old and fragile aches in Lambert’s chest as the meaning of Aiden’s words sink in. Aiden isn’t just worried about being separated from Lambert for a few months, but he’s worried that Lambert will never come back.The wolf links his fingers with his Cat’s, squeezing softly as he leans into Aiden’s space and rubs his bearded cheek against Aiden’s jawline. The latter quickly melts under the soft ministrations, the soft content rumble deepening into a continuous purr as Lambert nuzzles the crook of Aiden’s neck. 

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” 

“Yeah, right,” Aiden snorts in response, “cause you’re so good with feelings and shit.”

“Not everyone’s a sappy sentimental bitch like you are,” Lambert teases gently, earning himself a half-hearted slap up the back of the head. “I don’t have to go back to Kaer Morhen this winter.”

Aiden tenses, his soft purring stopping abruptly as he takes in Lambert’s words. Lambert continues to rub his cheek against Aiden’s jaw, his neck, his cheek… wherever he can reach, the action meant to soothe the brewing storm in Aiden’s mind.

“It’s your home,” Aiden offers weakly, “I don’t want… I… it’s your home.” 

“I can send a letter to the old man. Let him know I’m alive. We could find a den somewhere else… an attic somewhere, or an abandoned castle.” Lambert nuzzles the spot right behind Aiden’s ear, earning a pleased hum from the Cat. “Or you could come with me.”

“Sure. Cause that’s gonna end well…” 

“That’s settled then. I’m spending winter with you.”

Aiden pushes Lambert away, their eyes meeting once again but this time, Aiden searches for any trace of a lie in Lambert’s amber gaze. He finds none, because Lambert is one hundred percent honest in his offer. He would ditch Vesemir, Geralt and Eskel for a year to spend it with Aiden… and the thought should scare him more than it does, truthfully. He’s only known the Cat for a few months, and yet… well, maybe Lambert was dreading the winter as well. How about that? It’s not like he felt equally anxious about leaving Aiden, it’s just… fuck off. 

“You mean that?” 

“Mhm. Fair warning… I hate the cold. If I’m spending the winter with you, you’ll have to find a way to keep me warm or I will bite your head off.” 

In Aiden’s defence, he does keep Lambert warm all winter long. Their cuddling finally turns into something more, and from the moment Lambert and Aiden cross that fateful line there is no going back. Aiden becomes insatiable, always seeking Lambert’s body in some shape or form, never letting the wolf out of his sight again.  Lambert may have been apprehensive about many things concerning Aiden when the two started travelling together, but it turns out that all his worries were for nothing. Turns out Cat witchers are still crazy, and feral, and mercurial… a tad possessive as well, something Lambert doesn’t hate... but they’re also the cuddliest sons of bitches on the Continent. 

Lambert can live with that, he thinks. 

Request a prompt.

[mercy-burning]

Wine Drunk - BLURB

@subspencer / @wheelsup and I briefly discussed this concept Thursday night and I... I just had to. I’m obsessed. I was going to post it later tonight, but I got impatient, so enjoy 😂😘

Pairing: Spencer Reid x fem!Reader Category: SPICY FLUFF Warnings: alcohol consumption, drunk/tipsy making out, second base Word Count: 1.3k

MASTERLIST

Spencer rarely drank, so you were actually quite surprised to see him take you up on your offer to 'watch movies and get drunk'.

Work that week had been rather headache-inducing, more so than usual, so you'd only said it as a joke to emphasize how draining the week had been. And surprisingly, Spencer agreed. In all honesty you had been prepared for him to just laugh and offer lots of snacks instead, movie nights actually pretty common for the both of you after a long work week. But his long sigh followed by agreement and how he could actually really use a drink or two made you happy.

It gave you an excuse to break out the new bottle of blackberry merlot you'd been dying to try since getting it as a Christmas gift from your sister a few months back. It was currently sitting in the fridge, waiting to be cracked open and enjoyed, and honestly you couldn't think of a better time to use it.

You went into the bedroom to change as Spencer made his way to your bathroom, using clothes from his go-bag to change as well. By the time you walked out in green and black plaid pajama bottoms and a loose grey tee shirt, hair thrown up in a ponytail, he was already on the couch, adorning a similar look— minus the ponytail. You laughed at the thought, reminiscing over when his hair was way longer, when you'd ask constantly to braid his hair.

You grabbed the wine from the fridge and two wine glasses from the cupboard before meeting him in the living room as he turned the TV on and scrolled through the channels until he found the Old Western movie channel.

"Why Westerns?" you asked, popping the wine open and starting to pour the first glass.

"Eh, it's something different. Besides, I think our focus will stray more towards getting drunk than actually paying attention, so..."

You laughed, handing him the first glass and pouring another for yourself. "Good assumption." Then you set the bottle back on the coffee table, leaned back, and held up your glass. "To... John Wayne."

Spencer smirked, amused, raising his glass all the same. "I don't think John Wayne is in this movie..."

"I don't care."

The two of you clinked glasses and took the first sips, settling back to your respective sides of the couch. It wasn't a long couch, so even though you were on opposite sides you could greatly feel body warmth radiating from one another. It was something you both became hyper-aware of the more you drank, which led to more drinking— something to do to keep your hands and mouths busy in an attempt to prevent any confessions or accidental touches.

The obvious sexual attraction you and Spencer felt towards one another only ever came out in the rare occasions where you were alone like that, close enough to touch and uninterrupted by any outside forces. But you'd repressed all of it, nervous for one thing due to your close friendship and fear of dismantling what you'd built from it. And for another, the both of you were so extremely bad at verbalizing romantic feelings in general that you didn't want to take any chances.

As the movie droned on, your wine glasses kept emptying, then re-filling until the entire bottle was gone, and every time you reached over to put it back on the table, you came back closer to Spencer. And now, your relaxed, wine-drunk brain was swimming as you leaned your body into his, curling up at his side and slowly resting your head on his shoulder.

You couldn't help but notice how good he smelled. You couldn't place what it was, some type of cologne maybe, or just his laundry soap, but it smelled so incredibly like him that you found yourself breathing him in, taking deep breaths and trying to inhale as much of it as possible.

But the more your nose searched for his smell, the closer it got to his skin, until it gently nudged the underside of his jaw, and you could slightly feel his throat as he swallowed. The movement didn't deter you, however, from dreaming about what it would be like to kiss the source of movement... To feel his Adams apple move as you traced it with your tongue, tasting the saltiness of his skin and feeling the vibrations as he moaned.

In your wine-drunk state, that thought is what spurred you forward, softly dragging your nose up his jawline as your eyes flicked up to catch him staring down at you. God, he was pretty...

But he seemed to be just as intrigued with the idea of tasting you as you were with him, because the moment your eyes locked, his flicked down to your lips before lingering there. You both moved closer and closer until your eyes were both inevitably closed, patiently waiting for something that was sure to feel like a dream.

The second Spencer's lips grazed yours, you sighed, letting him take as much of you as he wanted. The kiss was sweet, sure, but it wasn't until his lips parted and came back a little stronger, giving you more to taste, that you realized it wasn't actually a dream. He tasted of wine, and you knew you did, too. It was sweet and wet and bitter all at the same time, and it only got stronger the longer you reciprocated his actions.

The first time your tongues glided over each other, you both slumped forward, letting the feeling take over. Your kisses became long and drawn out, and a little uncoordinated due to your drunken haze, but that made it all the better— You didn't have the time to think or care about the imperfections of your first kiss. Rather, you lost yourself in the moment, glad to be this close to someone you loved and longed for all these years.

And that's why you didn't care that you were getting sloppy. If anything, the wetness of your kisses only added to the intensity of it all. You gave each other everything you had, offering yourselves to one another through kisses like you'd never been able to with words.

When his hand came up to cradle your face, butterflies swarmed your belly and up through your chest. You both adjusted a little, giving him the clearance to tilt his head and allow you access to deeper kisses. This in turn, of course, made you feral for more, a long sigh escaping as you pushed yourself into him and longed to get closer.

Spencer opened his mouth to you, and the opportunity couldn't have been more clear. So you took his tongue between your lips and sucked on it, eliciting a loud, throaty groan from him that sent another wave of heat through your body. You let his tongue go with a soft pop and smiled against his lips, pecking him a few times before resting your hands on his chest. "You liked that, huh?"

"Mhm," he offered in return, right before kissing you again.

You didn't want to stop.

And for hours, you didn't. After twenty more minutes of just making out, his thumb found its way into your mouth, and you whimpered around it as you looked him in the eyes and sucked on it for another two minutes.

And then eventually, his hand found its way up your shirt. He breathily explained that he didn't want to take advantage of you, and you laughed, taking his wrist and sliding his hand higher until it cupped your breast, telling him through slurred syllables, "It's okay. You can touch me... I want you to..."

You cycled through another movie and a half, his hands kneading your breasts gently while yours tugged at his hair, before you finally tired, your kisses slowing significantly until, finally, you rested with your foreheads pressed together.

Still a little hazy from the wine, though, you smiled, hearing him whisper, "I love you," before dozing off, John Wayne in a shootout on the screen in front of you.

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[hobbitsnapes]

YOU GUYS ARE DATING

Corpse x MGK!sister reader

(Found this image on Pinterest so all credit goes to artist, if you know who it is please comment below so I can credit them)

A/N: this was requested by @heyitssab

Tree is tall of sex in this, but it’s more in a joking matter, plus corpse has stated he doesn’t mind as long as you are not a minor or send or tag him. I’m literally 2 years younger than him, and have no intentions of ever tagging him or sending him any of my work XD

Summary: how many idiots does it take to tell the brother and friend they’re dating? Apparently takes 2 very forgetful people, who kept their relationship secret without knowing it.

It had just been by chance, a small chance that he had been scrolling through his tags. liking and reposting art, when he saw a tag from someone he followed. He wrecked his brain for when he had followed her, coming up empty. She was cute, no denying the beauty she had as she laughed in the video. It was a clip from a stream that he didn’t know she had, as he couldn’t even remember her name, wearing his merch as it fit her snug. It fit her perfectly in fact, the large hood covering her face, hiding the flush to her face from her rather large chuckles that left her body. He couldn’t help but like the photo, and he couldn’t help but to press message either.

It was first only small likes to posts, an Occasional message, and a view on their livestreams, but that all changed when he spoke of the song he was working on with her older brother.

It all started that night, when both lay in their beds as they talked, laughed, and felt their hearts flutter each time they heard one another speak.

Her phone rang violently in her bag, nearly making her drop the to go bag all over the ground as she walked. “Hello?” She asked, as she held both bags with her hands as her shoulder gripped the phone as if it’d fall down a cliff. “Hey bug!” He exclaimed, making her chuckle as she heard the booming sound of his voice. She had always detested the nickname, as he gave it to her as kids due to her horrendous fear of the creatures. But, it brought more joy to her, as it reminded her of their youth. Having been adults for years, it was fun to hear such a childish name that’s stuck.

“Hey mopey.” She chuckled, as that was the name she gave him when he was in his emo phase that he never outgrew.

Both talked as she walked towards the elevator, mainly about how his day had gone as she silently listened.

She had always been this way, always the shyer of the two, the one to listen to others first before she said a word. He had teased her for it most of their childhood and teen life, but he had grown to love it, as he could let loose or rant to her about anything, and he knew she’d be there just to listen to him.

“So what’re you doing right now?” He asked, as she got into the elevator. “Just grabbed some dinner a few minutes before you called and nearly made me shit.” A smile painted on her face at his boisterous laughter.

“Are you at home?” He asked, as he heard the sound of the elevator beeping in the background. “No, I’m spending the night with my boyfriend.”

She had mentioned about a month prior that she was seeing someone, the joy it brought him to hear the excitement and joy in her tone as she gushed about their first date.

If this was 7 or 8 years prior, he would be bombarding her with questions about the man, who he was, where he lived, where he could meet him to find his intentions with his baby sister. But, in the last few years, he found himself feeling calmer whenever she’d mentioned her love life. He knew she was smart, and would never date a man who treated her poorly. The few breakups she had, they always ended amicably, her head still high as she told him. So, he never asked her any questions about the man, as he could tell from the few times she mentioned him, he could feel the love this man had for her, and Vice versa.

The strong barreling of her phone alerted them awake, both groaning out as she reached for her phone without lifting her head from his shoulder. “Hello?” She mumbled, voice slurred as the saliva was thick in her mouth, barely awake as she fought to listen in on who dares to wake them up.

“Hey!” He exclaimed, making her equally exhausted lover groan. She shifted off of him, laying on her back as he turned away from her, as to hopefully shut his eyes and fall back asleep. She was used to her brother's large voice, as it hardly phased her after growing up with him. “Colson, why are you calling me this ungodly hour?” “Oh come on, it’s not that early.” “Col its-“ She pulled her phone from her ear, eyes shutting violently as the bright light blinded her “5 o’clock in the morning. So again, I’m going to ask you, why did you call me at the asscrack of dawn?” “You don’t remember?” He asked, making her irritation grow. “No, that’s why I’m asking.” She says, as she rubbed her sleep crusted eyes. “You were coming up today to hang out with casie, remember?” Her hand stopped rubbing her face, as she felt her heart stop momentarily. “Wait, you mean today? I thought I was coming Friday?” “No, both of you settled on today, remember I told you that’s perfect because I have a day off?” She felt her heart pain as she heard the sadness in his tone, knowing he’s expecting her to bail. “Yeah sorry, I thought you meant Friday so I mixed it up, let me get ready and I’ll be out the door okay? Love you” she said, as she hung up the line.

Before she could even move, she felt his arm wrap around her body. A tired groan leaving his lips. “Nooo stayyyy.” He groaned, pulling her body to his. She smiled as she looked down at him, wrapping her arm on his chest and the other behind his neck. “I wish I could live, but I can’t.” Planting a soft kiss against his lips. “Stay in bed for a few more hours, please?” Her heart pulled at his tone, hearing just how tired he was. “I can’t, casies wanted me to come up for weeks now. And it takes a good 3 hours to get there. I wanna spend as much time as I can with them before it gets dark so I can get back safely.” He groaned at this, wrapping his arms around her. “Yeah but it’s only 5, it wouldn’t be safe to drive since we went to bed like, 2 hours ago.” “Yeah, and whos fault was that mister?” She teased, “hmm, sorry but I just couldn’t keep my hands to myself after not seeing you for a few days.” He mused, pulling her body closer to his, planting his lips against hers. A small hum left her lips as he pulled her thigh over his, grabbing the flesh harshly as their lips cascaded together. “Mm, no no no, you’re not gonna convince me to stay here just to go another round.” She said, as she got off from his warm body, throwing his large hoodie over her bare body. “Oh come on babe, are you sure about that?” He said, making her turn around to him. A small gasp left her lips as her eyes took in his milky white complexion. His honey brown eyes looking back at her with a small smile etched onto his face. His hair a tousled mess that resembled a bird's nest, some pieces falling onto his face. “Honey, I’ve been wanting to see my family for weeks now, I see you almost everyday and practically live here. I’ll be back tomorrow so I can grab more clothes from my place okay?” She placed a kiss to his lips, both holding one another in their arms. “I don’t know why you don’t just say fuck that place and just move in.” He mumbled, making her chuckle and heart warm. “Don't you think it’s a little soon though? I mean we’ve only been together a few months love.” “Yeah, but you’ve practically lived here since we got together, you literally just go there to get more clothes that you end up leaving here.” She looked into his eyes as she thought about his words. “Hm, I’ll think about it today okay?” She mused, planting a kiss to his lips. A soft okay leaving him as she got up.

“And babe, remember if you live here, we can have all the sex we want and not have to worry about driving to get one another.” He exclaimed, laughing at the loud honey she screamed from the bathroom.

She couldn’t help but laugh out as she watched, as her niece tried her hardest to braid her fathers grown out hair. It was near impossible not to, as pieces would fall out, resulting in her pulling them harsher, nearly pulling his eyelids back due to the tension from his temples. “Okay okay you’re gonna fuckin scalp me.” He chuckled , as all three bursted out in large laughter.

“So how’s school going this year?” She asked her, as she delicately painted her nails. Both of the girls had found themselves on the floor in front of the nice coffee table, as colson sat and chatted with them. “It’s going really well.” “Oh yeah? Make any new friends?” She teased. “I mean, kinda.” She couldn’t help but hear the wavering in her tone, spotting the faint blush dusting her skin. “Ohh, so there’s a someone eh?” She teased to her, making the preteen hide her face as to conceal the flush. “His names Garrett, and we both take social studies together. He always sits next to me at lunch, and we’ll draw on my notebook.” She gushed, making her smile. “Soo, do you think he likes you?” “I mean, that’s what everyone keeps saying.” “Yeah well don’t worry about it to much cas, you’re not dating anyone for many more years. You’re still a kid.” Her das said, making the young girls face fall.

Y/N knew he was only saying this to protect her, as he said the same thing to her growing up. “Hey, don’t be bummed out about it. He is right, you both are only 12 and should focus on school. But don’t worry, he’ll come around. He was just like that with me up until my current boyfriend.” She whispered, making the young girl chuckle.

“Speaking of which, how are you guys doing?” He asked, as she hadn’t mentioned hun to her in a while. He didn’t think it’d hurt to ask. “Great actually, we’re thinking of moving in together actually.” “That’s great! I’m really happy that y’all met.” “Yeah, I am too.” She hummed, a flush dusting her cheeks.

Both men laughed as they chatted on the phone, talking about anything that would come to mind. What was once only a collaboration for a song, turned into an amazing friendship that caused both of them to call at late hours just to shoot the shit.

A yawn left his lips, as he listened to colson ramble on about another song he was making. “Woah, you tired man?” Colson asked, shocked to hear the sound. “Yeah sorry, was up most of the night last night.” He mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “Were you feeling alright?” He asked, worry laced in his tone. He knew all about his friends illnesses, even once being on the other end of the phone during a bad spell one day.” “Oh yeah yeah yeah, was just, up with the misses last night.” He chuckled, a flush blooming on his cheeks. “Ohhh yeah? And how was it?” This shocked him, nearly feeling his heart stop. Like, does he usually know about his sisters sex life? He didn’t think much of it, as he knew just how close both were. “It was absolutely fucking amazing. Like I thought we’d be done for the night, fully tapped out but after like 5 minutes she’d be right back on me for another round.” He chuckled, his flush even worse than before. “Ayyyeee good for you corpse, glad to hear that puss is bussin.” He laughed at this, throwing his head back. “Yeah, it’s bussin bussin.”

Both men talk as they read from their phones, eyes wide in absolute awe of the love they received from the song. They had just dropped it a few days prior, not expecting the cry of joy from both fan bases.

He didn’t even look up from it when she walked in, until she bent down to plant a kiss to his forehead. “Sorry I had completely forgot about the tea I made you an hour ago, but I put it back on the stove to heat it up so if it’s twisting funky just tell me okay?” Before he could even thank her, both their heads whipped towards the loudness from the other line. “Y/N? Is that you? What in the hell are you doing there with corpse!” He didn’t sound angry, more shocked than anything, both of them looking at the phone in confusion. “I, I love here? Remember I told you like a month ago I was moving in with him?” “WHAT!” Both jumped at the loud scream. “Wait so you guys are dating!?” Both we’re even more perplexed, until it dawned on both of them. Their eyes wide as they turned their heads to one another slowly. “Wait you didn’t tell him?” “No? He’s one of your best friends so I thought you did!” “He’s your brother! So I thought you did!” Both whisper, until all three lay silent. That was until, the large cry of laughter that leaves the two, leaving colson even more confused. He wasn’t mad, not at all actually. More shocked and confused than anything. Until he started thinking, it does make sense, all the times they spoke about one another without him knowing, all the times they mentioned-“OH GOD!” He yelled, gagging violently, making them stop their laughing fit. “What's wrong? Why are you yelling?” She asks “like a month ago corpse was talking about how he was tired cause he was up all night having sex AND I HAD NO IDEA HE WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU! OH GOD WAS THAT WHY YOU WERE LIMPING THAT DAY WITH CAS AND I!” Both laugh even harder, as they listen to his ever growing gags.

“So yeah,. That’s literally how we had no idea we were keeping the relationship secret from her brother.” He laughed, as he red the comments and listened to his friends' laughter. She sat beside him, head laying on his shoulder as he told the story. She couldn’t help but to look back up into his eyes, as he glanced down at her, planting a soft kiss to her lips. “Keep it pg guys.” Colson said from the other line, making them chuckle.

[smelted-applejuice]

hii! can you do a one shot with buck where you’re being hit on by some guys and they’re making you uncomfy and he’s there to defend you?

Pairings; Evan 'Buck' Buckley x Reader Pronouns; She/Her Desc; All it takes is a few words and a nice grip to scare the others away. TW; MENTIONED OF ALCOHOL, A TOUCHY STRANGER, & HARASSMENT.

Enjoy my luv!!! <3 -[YourName] was not a direct member of the 118 family, she was a dependent. [YourName] would be Buck’s fiancée of two years, together for a total of three. Buck and [YourName] met back in college before he got kicked out, remaining in contact through letters. [YourName]’s mother never enjoyed the fact you were contacting such a reckless man, but she couldn’t help but find it hot in a way. 

[YourName] and Buck got together a few months after Abby had officially left him and you had moved to California, it was an odd and confusing time at first. Buck and [YourName] didn’t know what they were for months, yeah they went on a few dates and would find themselves in each other’s bed, but it meant nothing at first. They didn’t like how ‘Friends with Benefits’ fit them, but it was exactly what they were. 

Eventually, the two sat down on [YourName]’s couch and had a long conversation on what they were. By its end, [YourName] could call Buck her boyfriend and Buck could call [YourName] his girlfriend. Announcing who you were to the 118 family wasn’t large, but it wasn’t every day that Buck came bearing good news of a new partner, so they celebrated. 

Tonight’s celebration though was the fact [YourName] and Buck had finally placed a wedding date. It was all Eddie’s idea to go out and get a few drinks, Christopher would be occupied for the night with Anna, so it was perfect for the time being. In the beginning, it was perfect, everyone had a table, and karaoke was going on in the background, but drinks and karaoke could only go but so far. “I’m gonna go get more drinks” [YourName] said leaning over to Buck, “Alright, careful out there tiger” he jokingly replied placing a gentle kiss against your cheekbone. [YourName] chuckled and shook her head, grabbing their glasses and heading to the bar where she patiently waited for her next round of drinks to be made. [YourName] smiled toward the bartender before looking around, accidentally making eye contact with a brunette with brown eyes. [YourName] could tell it was going to be trouble from the moment he started making his way over. The brown-haired male smugly placed his arm against the bar, failing horribly to be sly with it as he fell the first time. “How can I help you, sir?” [YourName] asked placing her customer service voice on, “Nothing much, you could come home with me or come sit your pretty ass in my lap” the male said. He smelt of alcohol and had obviously been here longer than you had been with the 118. [YourName] wasn’t taken too aback, but his comment was still off-hand and totally unacceptable. [YourName] was ready to decline the male, but instead, he decided to place his hand against her hip and slide down. [YourName]’s drinks were ready, but she wasn’t, so she knocked his hands away with complete shock. “You disgusting man child!” [YourName] said obviously offended, the dude looked confused- as if every female loved to be grabbed in that way by a stranger. “Hey, Babe, where’s the… drinks?” Buck said trailing his words off into nothingness when he noticed the situation his fiancée was in. “Woah, Woah, Woah, what’s happening here buddy?” He asked placing a hand against [YourName]’s shoulder, which she quickly took leaning into his touch. “So you’re gonna let this show-boy touch you but not me? Now I see you have a type.” He slurred, sizing Buck up as if it would be a fair fight in the first place. “No, Buddy, I’m just her fiance,” Buck said placing a hand gently against [YourName]’s waste, so much softer than the stranger had done moments prior, “I think we’re done here.” Buck finished leading [YourName] away totally forgetting the drinks. Once back at the table, Chimney looked over and made a shocked noise. “Where did the drinks go, guys?” He asked, it was the whole reason [YourName] had gotten up ten minutes ago. [YourName] and Buck looked over at each other in surprise had forgotten about the drinks. Once they looked at where they once were moments prior, finding the stranger absolutely going ham on their already bought drinks. [YourName] and Buck sighed and shook their head, “Lemme go buy more, these ones are on me [YourName] said patting her hand against the table and leaving with Buck to buy more drinks.

[nohoney]

shouto with a webcam! girlfriend where he likes to watch you do your thing

you were pretty nervous to tell your new boyfriend how you liked to make your extra cash on the side, bad flashbacks of the last person you told and them not taking it well. but you didn’t want to be dishonest with shouto so you work up the courage and tell him over dinner.

he takes it very well which honestly surprises you.

“are you happy doing it?”

“i uh... i do. i have a lot of fun with it.”

“then i’m happy for you my love.”

for the first couple months of dating, shouto just asks if you enjoyed yourself when you’re finished doing your stream. he actually likes to hear about it and likes to see you get all excited about how you entertained your viewers. maybe you put on a cute pair of kitty ears, teased your viewers with a little flash of a jeweled plug inside your ass, or just casually answered viewer questions while wearing an innocent teddy.

you’ll excitedly show him pictures your friend took of you for a lewd photo shoot and comment which ones are his favorites. “i like this bathtub one with all the flowers in the water, you’re so beautiful.”

he makes you blush with such endearing comments.

and one day he’s watching you doll yourself up for one of you streams, adding the final touches to your makeup and making sure that the little outfit you’ve chosen fits comfortably. when you turn to ask him if you look okay shouto asks if it’s okay he be in the room while you stream, his face neutral but his ears red that are a dead giveaway to how flustered he is.

“oh shouto, i’d love to have you watch me!”

“r-really? it’s okay with you?” its cute that shouto is more nervous about it than you are.

he sits behind your set up in a chair, just watching quietly as you play with yourself for your viewers. you’ll casually talk about your week and the mundane things you did while inserting a vibrator into yourself, respond to viewer comments or when you get a large tip from a subscriber, shouto is just so in awe of you as you gradually shift to the real show of pleasuring yourself for your subscribers.

so from then on shouto likes to just sit behind the scenes sometimes, careful if he enters the room midstream so that he doesn’t distract you. one time he walked in, left a bowl of cold soba for you on the table, and walked out without a peep as you were fingering yourself in front of the camera.

sometimes shouto will touch himself as you do your streams, he notices how when your eyes catch a glimpse of him stroking his cock you get a little more enthusiastic. he’ll only edge himself during your streams, never to completion; he wants to ravage you when you’re done entertaining your subscribers. “you’ve worked hard darling, let me take care of you.” shouto says as he pushes his cock into you, pussy already soaking wet and so easy for him to enter inside you. and he rewards your hard work by pounding your pussy until his cum is leaking out of you. “i bet your viewers don’t know how pretty you look when you’re fucked dumb by my cock.”

his words are the conception to your next stream idea.

“can i suck your cock on my next stream shouto?” you ask him this after the two of you are finished watching a movie together. “is that okay with you?”

if he said no, you’d totally respect it of course.

but you very much wishes that shouto would say yes.

“would your viewers be okay with that? don’t they like the idea of you being single that way they can imagine you’re available to them?”

“well i mean I’m not announcing that you’re my boyfriend on the channel, i just want to suck your dick on camera.”

so your viewers get an awfully nice surprise of you sitting so pretty on your knees with a pretty teddy on that was purchased by one of your viewers from your wishlist. and an even nicer surprise when shouto steps into the view, only his bottom half visible because the main show is going to be you sucking his cock on camera.

the comments are going wild and the tips are rolling in like crazy as you give shouto a blowjob on camera for the first time. it’s sloppy and messy, the color of your lipstick lost on shouto’s cock and your cute little mewls when you gag yourself on his length. fuck you’re so pretty with his dick in your mouth, shouto can’t help but start fucking your face.

he’s not gentle about it, even going so far as to comment out loud to you, “you’re so fucking horny for my cock, aren’t you?”

if you thought your subscribers were excited when shouto stepped into view, they were absolutely exuberant when shouto spoke on stream.

‘that voice talks dirty to you? fuck im jealous!!!’

‘if I had a cock that big, i’d want to shove it dwn her throat too ;(‘

when shouto pulls you off his dick to let you get some air, he commands you to look to the camera. “show your slutty face to them.”

you’re the prettiest wreck he’d ever seen; smeared lipstick on your lips, mascara running down your cheeks along with tear trails, and the cutest cock drunk expression as you blink dumbly towards the camera.

but you’ve got a one track mind right now and all you can think about is getting face fucked by shouto until he cums all over your face, so your viewers only get a few quick seconds of your face before you sink your mouth back down to shouto’s cock. forget about your viewers, right now it’s just you and him.

you pretty much forget about the stream and only want to concentrate on getting your face fucked at this point. but shouto won’t let you forget, making sure to face you properly so that the camera can capture you. “all over my face please! cum all over my face!”

a shower of cum that ruins your makeup but is the perfect end to the stream.

“say thank you for watching, darling.”

“thank... thank you for watching...” you manage to slur out, two fingers swiping shouto’s cum from your cheek before pushing them into your mouth to taste him. “mm... yummy...”

shouto ends the stream for you, kissing your lips and telling you good job. he much prefers sitting back and watching you himself but he won’t mind if you’d like to ask him back onto the stream.

[pengychan]

Look mom, I'm making a callout post!

Well, not a callout as much as a warning to the entire Coco fandom, given what we found out about the piece of work that goes by "hobbyartist01", and what she has done to several fans for the past few months. I'll try to make a very long story short.

Be warned, there is mention of heavy homophobia and continued harassment.

I'm going to start from... near the end. When, a few days ago, this exchange between hobbyartist01 and some other users was brought to the attention of several people in the Coco fandom. 

(Could I have blacked out the other people's names? Yes. Did I? Absolutely not.) 

I will not link you to the video in question because I don't think that pile of shit should get any views. If you're too curious to resist, you can find it on YouTube but be warned - it is vehemently homophobic and the arguments in it are absolutely vile.

As hobbyartist01 was in a Coco Discord server called The Marigold Bridge, this screenshot was brought to the attention of its admins and some users. Not only did it show a new side to this user we'd been unaware of, but it suddenly presented us with a possible solution to an issue several people had been dealing with.

Starting in January this year, several Coco artists and writers have been dealing with an especially malicious anon. Hateful messages were sent, harassing comments, and in some cases even personal information the anon had been able to uncover about them (though mostly outdated); this person has quite literally gone back years in one user's Internet history to dig up information they had posted as a young teenager. The mods were sent a link by a blog which turned out to be an IP tracker; the blog later deleted itself. This anon tried rather hard to doxx one of the mods, and expressed frustration over being unable to do so. Another Coco fan received an anon message with a link to their personal Facebook profile.

Due to some very specific conversations in the Marigold Bridge server being referenced in the anon's comments, it was clear this piece of work was among its users. However, the mods had no idea who it may be.

Until the conversation above was brought to their attention.

You see, a lot of the messages and comments the anon had been sending had very clear homophobic undertones, with some being straight-up slurs; and some, which was most puzzling of all, had some really weird fanatical comments about going to Hell for worshipping a character "like he’s a god". So, once we saw the ugliness behind hobbyartist01's cutesy art and facade... we began looking into her a bit more. And suddenly it turns out that clues were there all along as to the anon's identity, we just needed to know who to look at.

A combination of peculiar wording in the messages, timing, people who just so happened to be their friends being brought up in said messages and more, made us strongly suspect hobbyartist01's was the hateful anon who'd been harassing people for some seven months. None of it was proof, but as it turns out, there was a smoking gun: while we knew how the anon was able to doxx one person, the other - the one who got a link to their Facebook profile sent to them - had no idea how they may have possibly been doxxed.

They had been very careful not to leave anything online that might point to their  identity. And yet somehow the anon, who just so happened to be in the same server, had managed to find it. It was a real mystery... until they remembered a relative’s email exchange over some gift art with another user in the server, which contained information one could easily use to figure out their full name and find their Facebook profile.

And guess who the user in question was.

As we put all this together, hobbyartist01 realized several of us had unfollowed her on Tumblr (we immediately hit the unfollow button after becoming aware of the homophobia, before we really began putting two and two together on the rest) and blocked us all, before creating a very obvious sock puppet account and inviting it in the server, to be able to stay in case of a ban. She clearly did not know that the mods could tell exactly who created each invite link. Not suspicious behavior at all, eh?

At this point, the mods confronted hobbyartist01. All the evidence pointing at her was laid down in detail, including the fact no one else in the server had the information needed to find out a specific user's identity, and hobbyartist01 was asked for an explanation. The chance to defend herself was there, but it was not taken; despite the mods waiting for days before enacting a ban, hobbyartist01 never responded - though in that time, she did delete her DA and Ao3 accounts. Not at all suspicious, again - this just about obliterated any doubts that may have been left.

So yeah, there you have it. We feel everyone in the fandom should be warned about hobbyartis01, ESPECIALLY any LGBTQ+ people - she is a malicious homophobe who has harassed people for no good reason for seven months, going as far as to bring up family members' names in her messages to create as much anxiety as possible in her victims. 

Keep away from this person, she cannot be trusted and we suspect she may have fake accounts.

Keep safe.

[shoutogepi]

Jealousy Has Its Perks

Todoroki Shouto

word count : 10.4K holy shit im tired

[  ✘ (nsfw!), ☀︎ ]  sin with a cute ending

themes : jealous,dom!shouto, brat,sub!reader, friends with benefits, degradation, quirk use, edging, overstimulation, general bdsm things, & a sweet lil confession

bio : Even though you’re not his, Shouto can’t help but turn green with envy when he sees you dancing on another man at the club.

author’s note : uhhhh can i get a hell yeahhHHH for jealous fwb trope? lmao my basic ass loves these. hope y’all do too <3

also available on AO3 here

  ─── ・°* ﾟ✧:* • ｡ﾟ:*･☽･*: ｡ﾟ•*:✧ ﾟ*°・ ───

🅂hinsou’s hands land on your waist, cold fingertips pressing into your exposed midriff and guiding your hips along with his. The circular motion has your head spinning, and you let your skull fall back onto his sturdy chest at the feeling of his semi brushing against your ass. Shinsou’s purple locks tickle your neck as he bends and presses his lips to your skin, sucking on the skin just hard enough to leave a ghost of a bruise. His hands cup your hips, squeezing the flesh there softly while his thumbs trace the crest of the bones.

The song blasting through the club changes, a novel and heavy bass causing your throat to vibrate. The sudden need to quench your thirst emerges, and you pull away from the handsome man regretfully. His lavender irises regard you with understanding as you point to the bar, holding up a finger to signal you won’t be long.

Your heels stick to the dancefloor slightly as you cut through the throngs of club-goers, and unsurprisingly a handful of guys attempt to stop you on your travels. Finding a familiar pink head of hair, you slip into the empty spot next to Ashido and let out a sigh of relief as your elbows land on the wooden counter. Perspiration makes the hairs at the back of your neck stick to your skin, and you fan yourself with a cocktail napkin as you attempt to catch the bartender’s attention.

“Not doing so bad for yourself, Y/N,” Ashido grins at you coyly, her words a tad slurred as her black eyes give you a once-over.

You let out a chuckle, painted lips curving knowingly. “Yeah, well… he used to have a crush on me back in the day,” you explain with a nonchalant shrug, finally giving your order to the woman behind the bar. You look at Shinsou over your shoulder, who has returned to his table of friends and is currently being shoved, high-fived, and noogied animatedly.

Ashido gasps exaggeratedly, her mouth turning from an ‘o’ of shock to a grin of delight. “Two heroes wrapped around your finger at once? I can’t believe you,” she laughs, perhaps too hard, because you have to hold her arm tightly to keep her from falling off her stool.

“Hey now, I’m a free woman!” You reason, thanking the bartender as they hand you an icy glass. “I can fool around with whoever I want, thank you very much.”

“Can’t argue with sound logic,” Ashido taps your glass with hers, throwing back the remaining contents of her drink. “You know, you should tap Bakugou, too. Last night, he Lord-Explosion-Murdered this pussy.”

You snort, the alcohol burning your nostrils as it leaks into your nose from the abrupt reaction to Mina’s words. All the pink-haired woman does is laugh with you, the both of you maybe a step past tipsy but not nearly blackout drunk. Not yet, anyway.

“Shinsou though, really? I’m surprised… I thought you were too in love with IcyHot’s dick to tap anybody else,” Ashido teases, poking your shoulder as a frown forms on your face. Her words are playful, but they send irritation surging through your veins. That asshole had cancelled your weekly appointment tonight, which is why you’re here at the club, prowling for a suitable replacement.  

You shrug again, allowing the bitter liquid to drift past your lips before you speak again. “What can I say? He knows how to get the job done, and he’s sexy as hell.”

“You sound a little smitten. He must be pretty damn good,” Ashido wiggles her brows at you, a devious smile making its way to her face.

You disregard her comment, looking away from your friend with an eye roll. Smitten? Your relationship with Shouto is strictly physical. But maybe you had been a bit too disappointed when he’d sent you that text earlier. Shaking your head, you take a gulp of your drink, willing the intrusive thought to disappear.

Ashido’s phone vibrates and you watch her face light up at the message. After a brief moment, she stands, collecting her jacket and purse. “Hmm, seems like Bakugou is calling for an emergency meeting,” she winks at you, flashing you a rather lewd photo of the blonde that was clearly not meant for you to see as she walks away. “Give my regards to Shinsou! I wanna hear about all the nasty stuff he does to you with that mind control quirk of his.”

You can’t help but chuckle at that, sighing as you cross your arms. Would Shinsou really be enough to satisfy your cravings? His quirk does interest you sexually, but it’s unclear if he’d be willing to dominate you like that. He always seemed like the type to go with the flow… and tonight, you really need someone to force you to swim against the current, so to speak.

“Shinsou, huh?”

Speak of the icy devil. The voice behind you makes your body still, your eyes widening at his deep tone. The scent of his encaptivating cologne infiltrates the air around you, and a hand slides around your waist, pushing you backwards against his firm chest. You swallow, your tongue poking out to wet your lips in anticipation. What’s he doing here?

“Already forgetting about me, angel?” Lips ghost over the shell of your ear, his hand gliding across your torso until it reaches the other side of your waist, grabbing there and spinning you around. He catches you as you turn, snatching your wrist with his other hand to steady your half-finished drink.

You look up into his heterochromatic eyes, noticing a new emotion simmering there. Is that… jealousy? His cold breath fans over your flushed face, and you bask in the cool relief it provides in contrast to the stuffy club air. “It was you who cancelled our appointment,” you murmur, feigning innocence as you look to the side in a faux-bashful manner, “I needed to find a substitute. A girl has needs, you know.”

Shouto grins down at you, but it seems like more of a snarl as his eyes glare down at you with hostility. One eyebrow raised in mockery, he chuckles lowly. “And Shinsou Hitoshi is gonna do that for you? Are you sure he’s big enough to fill my shoes, angel?”

Your eyes wander back to the intimidating man before you, lingering on the ridges of his muscular form hidden underneath his button-up and slacks. Feeling brave, you down the rest of your drink, tongue rolling out and over the lip of the emptied glass. Shouto’s eyes burn as they follow the movement, his lips parting slightly while his grip tightens on your waist. Shooting him a playful smile, you tug your wrist free, placing the vacant glass on the bar. “What are you even doing here, Shouto?” You change the subject, hand reaching up to tug on his slim tie as a cheeky grin splits your lips. “You don’t like to have fun.”

The action causes him to lean closer to you, his face next to yours. “I was dragged here against my own will, of course��� boy’s night. But would you believe my surprise when I saw my little minx walk in, all eyes on her in her skimpiest dress?” His baritone voice loud and clear despite the blaring music, his lips hover dangerously close. The hand you’d freed strikes your ass abruptly, causing you to jump closer to him in shock. His fingers hold the reddened cheek through the thin material of your dress, gathering you into his chest. No one seems bothered by the blatantly sexual action in the club, everyone distracted with their drinks and their own sensual pursuits. “And then, can you imagine how I felt watching her grind up against mind-control, watching him put his filthy fucking hands on what’s mine?”

You let out a heavy breath, delighted at how responsive he is. How possessive he is. “What’s yours?” You challenge, hands landing on his broad chest. His expression makes you press your legs together eagerly, your body starting to bend to his will.

Shouto’s hand leaves your waist to cradle the back of your neck, forcing you to bend your gaze to meet his. “Mine,” he whispers, his lips inching closer to yours by the second. Your pulse pounding, your fingers curling into the cotton of his shirt, your eyes flutter closed. His lips brush over yours, and then he pulls away.

A whine of protest escapes you, and you shove your palms against his chest in annoyance. But he doesn’t even budge, his fingers slipping into your hair and pulling your defiant face to look at him.

“Let’s get outta here, angel,” he nods toward the exit, releasing you and lightly smacking your ass again before his fingers settle at the small of your back, “I think I need to remind you who you belong to.” Shivers shoot down your spine at his choice of words, effectively drowning the bratty response you were so ready to quip at him. Without even a glance at Shinsou, you allow Shouto to guide you out of the establishment and into the crisp night air.

The brisk walk to his luxurious apartment is silent, but laden with anticipation. Your brain begins to ponder if his words had a deeper meaning. The two of you had been engaging in this affair for months now— you aren’t quite sure how it came to be. Your relationship had remained stringently physical, but you couldn’t help the butterflies that filled your stomach when he held you through the night, when his hands would rub your exhausted body tenderly, and when he would kiss you for hours before you’d slip into a satiated, peaceful slumber. And you did not dare to acknowledge the warmth that would blossom in your chest when you’d drowsily awake, still swaddled against his muscular chest with his arms around you as sunlight peeked through the blinds. Physical, yes— your relationship is only physical… regardless of the fuzzy feelings that ebb through you when you’re next to him.

And when he had proposed to have you come over twice in one weekend, you’d nearly panicked at the raw excitement that coursed through you at the premise. After much consideration you had denied his request, fearful that if you allowed yourself even a shred of further indulgence you’d be entirely consumed by the captivating man. He hadn’t overstepped that boundary since, and you weren’t sure if you felt appreciative or disappointed.

Your train of thought is interrupted as you reach the tall doors of his apartment building. The complex is perhaps one of the most expensive in the city— the lobby boasts flat leather sofas and sleek wooden tables. Lush tropical plants with leaves as wide as tennis rackets break up the space, magnificent orchids dotting the area just sparingly enough, and to top it off, an entire wall with running water rushing over the flat surface, creating a sheet of liquid that trickles quietly as you wait for the elevator.

Next to you, Shouto has his hands in his pockets, a blank expression on his face as usual. But after months of getting to know him, you can easily recognize the irritation lingering on his handsome mug. You are not able to think of any words that could possibly calm Shouto’s crackling, brooding intensity, but honestly, a large part of you desperately wants to find out what exactly he has in store for you. It’s clear that he has no intention of forgetting you were about to leave with another man, and his blatant acrimony brings a sliver of joy to you while jealousy oozes out of his every pore— you know you’re in for a wild night.

When the door closes with a deafening click behind you, your body freezes as you wait with bated breath. Sure enough, two large hands curl around your stomach, coasting down your pelvis in a V shape. His long fingers nearly graze your clothed slit, but he changes direction at the last moment, instead securing his palms on your inner upper thighs. He rubs the flesh there roughly, making your head fall back against his shoulder as you gaze up at him. His smoky eyes are already on you, a smirk decorating his pretty lips as his fingers work on your sensitive muscles. Thumbs brushing against the sides of your panties, his movements push the hem of your short dress up along your hips.

“You need to be fucked pretty bad, huh, angel?” He taunts, analyzing how your ass rubs zealously against his crotch. His smirk only grows as you nod, your hand flying up to grapple onto his bicep. “Bad enough to drop your standards so embarrassingly low?”

You snort at his words, turning your head so your eyes catch his. This asshole has some nerve getting jealous after he was the one who cancelled on you.  “Shinsou is just as hot as you, Shouto,” you reply boldly, wondering what exactly the price of your words will be. How far can you push this envious beast? Will you be able to take his punishment?

Shouto’s expression darkens, allowing his hair to fall over his eyes as his stare falls to the floorboards. His hands leave your skin, and you whirl around ready to dish out another line, but he’s already a step ahead of you. He lashes out, yanking your body against his by swooping his hand underneath your thigh and cupping your bare ass. He lifts your body so your heels leave the floor, rushing to press your back flat against the drywall. He’s hoisted you up high enough to set your ass against the thin, tall table next to the door which usually holds his keys.

Your legs parted with him standing between them, he places his hands on the tops of your thighs. A low chuckle rumbles out of him, his tidy fingernails trailing up your flesh. “Just as hot as me, hmm? Is he really, Y/N?” His left hand jumps from your thigh to your cunt, the only barrier between you two your skimpy panties. The heat emanating off his palm catches you off guard, a moan tearing out of you as he easily cups your covered sex, sending a searing fever through your body.

“Fuck,” you whimper, hips bucking instinctively against his palm, your body hoping for some kind of friction. The heat makes your pussy twitch, stirring as a cat slowly pulled from a deep slumber.

He tilts his head, as if he doesn’t understand why you’re breathless. “Huh? What was that?” He wiggles his fingertips a bit, enjoying how you whine as the ends of his blistering fingers dig into your core through the material of your panties. Your wetness drips through the thin cloth to coat his hot digits, making it easier to glide them against you.

“More, Shouto,” you squeak, panting heavily as his fingers rub along your slit at an infuriatingly slow pace.

Shouto lets out a low purr of satisfaction at your plea, savoring how your smooth leg tenses up underneath his other palm. Your sweet whimpers are music to his ears, his right hand moving around your thigh to meander toward your ass. “No, baby. Not until my angel answers me,” he murmurs, ducking his head down and placing his lips against the delicate skin on your neck.

A wayward moan evades your gasping lungs as his tongue ravishes your flesh, his teeth scraping over the wet skin. Your legs wrap around his waist, wiggling your body forward so your soft breasts press up against his hard chest, your cunt inching closer to his crotch. “Ugh— nooo,” you gasp as a fingertip presses harshly against your core, just barely pushing your panties into your pussy.

“No? No what?” He laughs darkly, his breath tickling your sensitive collarbone. He draws back from you, his intense gaze focusing on the other side of your neck before he looks directly at you, a sinister glint in his eyes.

Your lip trembling, the brat you’d been so ready to let free is for once taciturn at his dominance. Your submissive nature leaking out in desperation, you whine when his fingertip recedes slightly, leaving your panties barely inside of you without the pressure you really want. “No— Shinsou’s not nearly as hot as you, Shouto!” You rush out, heavy breaths making your chest rise and fall swiftly, restless for his touch to return to you.

But Shouto does not seem appeased by your admission. In fact, his gaze becomes a glare, his mouth curling into a snarl as he grabs your hips, crushing your body against his. “I hate hearing another man’s name come out of your pretty little mouth, Y/N,” he growls.

You’re shocked by his possessiveness, your eyes widening like saucers as his teeth skim your pouting lips. His proclamation makes a cocktail of doubt and lust unfurl in the corners of your body, but you’re torn as you wonder if he really thinks of you as his. Before you can ponder the meaning behind his statement, his eyelids shut and he smashes his lips onto yours.

Your arms are around his neck in less than a second, all thoughts vanishing as your nails scratch his scalp through the short, buzzed hair at the base of his undercut. He groans against your mouth, eliciting a moan from you in response. He takes the opportunity in stride, his hot tongue thrusting into your mouth as hot steam puffs out his nose, his calloused hands squeezing your body carnally. Your lips dance with his clumsily, your other hand cupping the corner of his sharp jawline and pulling his lips closer to yours.  

He pulls away from you as your hips begin to grind against his, his eyes still closed with his lips pulling back into a snarky smile. Your needy mewl of disappointment makes his eyes slit open, regarding you with a predatory gaze. He takes in your desirous expression, his stare cold yet sizzling with passion. “You let him defile your perfect skin, angel?”

The hickey Shinsou had left is barely even that— nearly indistinguishable from your skin tone— yet Shouto’s eyes make the flesh on your neck blister with his scalding intensity. Your cheeks flush red, his words fanning the fire inside of you as you bite your lip. You had hoped he wouldn’t notice, but now you realize it was foolish of you to even allow yourself to think his perceptive gaze would skip over something so blatant.

“This heavenly body is mine to mark,” he hisses, a hand fisting your hair and pulling your neck back roughly to reveal the hidden skin from the shadows.  The vaguely purple mark now on display in the dim mood lighting of his entryway, more steam billows from the man as he sneers in contempt. “And only mine. Got it, baby?” He does not allow you to answer— his mouth attacks the bruise, harshly sucking the skin while he washes away any recollection of the other man with ferocious swipes from his strong tongue.

Your back bows, your body wriggling in his grasp at the surge of devastating arousal that pulses through you. You shriek his name, hands clawing hysterically into his shoulder and the soft hair atop his head. Your pussy clenches around nothing, making you very aware of the aching need for him to claim you building in your core. Your legs snag his hips closer to yours, his body crashing into you as he grunts, lips finally releasing your battered skin. Without a doubt, the once indistinct mark is now more akin to the remnants of a punch to the throat, the colors already eclipsing into a deep shade of violet.

The lust crackles in the air between you two like thunder, your body a savannah ready to receive the generous relief of the first deluge in months. God, it’d only been a week since you last saw the man, but the unmitigated yearning for him to ravage you is the only emotion you can process.

“Please, Shouto, I need you to fuck me,” you beg, the words slipping out of you like a wet bar of soap from your desperate clutches. You’re mortified at your shamefully wanton admission, your cheeks still red and your body flushed, nearly shaking. You are not accustomed to this submissive side of yourself, but the brat inside of you only watches on in avid curiosity. If he doesn’t escalate this tryst fast enough, you’re afraid your body will fold like a limp noodle in his strong arms.

Shouto seems just as affected as you, his pupils dilated and his erection painfully straining against the confines of his slacks. His hands leave your frame, going to loosen the collar of his shirt by yanking his tie loose and then beginning to unbuckle his belt. You lean forward, your lips meeting his again as your fingers eagerly land on his cheeks, beckoning him closer to you. He moans into your mouth, fist nearly ripping the leather belt from the loops on his slacks, the metal of the snake-shaped buckle klinking loudly as he discards it carelessly onto the tabletop. Hands trailing up your spine, he tugs the zipper of your dress down your back, effortlessly lifting your hips in one hand to slip the garment under your ass and off your legs.

The inferno of jealousy ignites once again as he appraises your figure, clad in a matching set of white silky lace adorned with satin ribbons on each hip and one beneath the valley of your breasts. You’d worn this and Shinsou had almost seen such a marvel? Seen your delectable body in this gorgeous lingerie that he himself had never feasted his starved eyes upon?

Unaware of his change in mood, your lips move along his, begging for him to kiss you back as your tongue swipes his full bottom lip. His palms slide along your back, moving to cup your ass cheeks as he picks you up. You nibble on his earlobe as he swiftly carries you to his bedroom, his fingers jabbing into your behind in response. He kicks open the ajar door forcefully, unflinching as the doorknob nearly cracks the wall. Sliding onto the edge of the mattress, he sits with you on his lap, your legs still secure around his torso. His rough palms glide over your hips, rounding your waist and seizing your breasts, lifting the flesh to sit more perkily on your chest in perfectly round spheres.  

“Why are you so fucking gorgeous, Y/N?” He groans, eyes closing in pleasure as you feel his cock twitch beneath you. He presses his mouth to the supple skin just above the cusp of the bra, slurping and nipping and leaving a trail of pretty pink marks. “You’re damn ethereal, angel.”

You’re gasping for air, hips unabashedly rolling against his, the feeling of his strained length making your desire for him to fuck you senseless multiply. Your hands latch onto his broad shoulders to steady yourself, your mind spinning dizzily with desire and the prolonged buzz from your earlier drinks.

“Take off my tie.”

The command rouses you from your far-away state, your fingers slightly trembling as you work on the silky material of the tie. After what seems like an eternity, the knot loosens and the tie slides off his neck into your hands. Shouto’s lips cover yours again, instantly enchanting you so that you don’t notice the sleek item slip through your fingers.

All of a sudden your front meets the cool sheets, your lips ripped away from his. Instead your face meets his pillow, engulfing your senses in the sexy, virile smell of him. You moan into the pillow, ass pushing into the air as your cunt throbs between your legs, ready to be taken in whatever manner he decides. His knees land on either side of your hips, his bulge rubbing into your ass teasingly as his hands close around your wrists. Tugging them behind your back carefully, he loops the tie around the both of them and fastens the knot with a firm pull, jerking once more for good measure.

You swallow into the pillow, teeth poking out to capture your bottom lip when he trails a sole finger along your spine. He’d never tied you up like this before, and the concept excites you to the point that your arousal visibly permeates your white panties.

“Do you feel that?” Shouto inquires, rutting his hips against your bottom so his clothed cock rubs between your ass cheeks. He’s panting lightly, his palms groping your ass and pinching the skin torturously. “Can you feel how much I want you, Y/N?”

“Fuck yes,” you answer, your head turning to lay against the pillow so he can see half your face and hear your voice. “I want you too, Shouto— I need you.”

He sighs at your saccharine words, almost swayed by your submissive antics. If he gives in now, his cock could be in your tight hole in just seconds… But then he wouldn’t get to have his way with you.

“Mmm, you’re cute when you’re desperate, baby,” he remarks, grasping your hips and pulling you down the sheets. He maneuvers you over his lap, and your eyes bug out of your skull as you assume position, knowing what comes next— he’d only done this once before but the memories of that night makes your pussy twinge excitedly. Your arms tied behind your back, your face dangles perilously beside his ankle, your forehead almost skimming the wooden floor. Your body is stiff, and Shouto hums as his hands drift along every inch of your back, ass, and the backs of your thighs.

“I wanna give you what you want, angel, but I promised I would remind you who you belong to, didn’t I?” His words are phrased like a question, but his tone implies them as a statement. Unsure what he wants, you keep quiet, waiting for him to continue.

Apparently, that’s the wrong move, because his freezing hand slaps down hard onto your ass. A mix between a shout and a whine falls out of your lips, your fingers clutching onto themselves in apprehension. Your breathing picks up, ascending into a pant as his other hand caresses the reddened skin with a soothing heat exuding from his palm.

“Did you know I was going to be at the club tonight?”

His question catches you off guard, and you think for a moment before replying with a simple, honest “No.”

Shouto lets out a long sigh, his warm hand leaving your ass and making you tense in preparation.

“So you wore this little number thinking you would just show it to whomever you went home with?” Oh, that’s where he’s going with this.

Again, you’re not sure how to answer. Either way will be unsatisfactory— either you say yes and that would certainly result in a jealous smack, or you say no and he’d spank you for lying to him. You cannot come to a decision fast enough, and the next frigid slap across your other ass cheek steals your breath away as you whimper, your pussy clenching in sadistic delight.

“Answer me, angel. Or I’ll turn this flawless little ass of yours scarlet.”

“I bought it for you!” You blurt out meekly, your cheeks flushing with mortification. It’s not a direct answer to his question, but it’s more than enough to amuse him.

The warmth of his left hand feels hotter this time as it curves around your irritated skin. “Oh?” Shouto all but purrs, his brow raised in interest. “For me, angel?”

You nod, even though your head is below his eye level. “I was gonna wear it tonight, just for you,” you whisper sincerely, blush bright red as your thumbs rub over your knuckles in a self-soothing manner. Deciding you’re already deep enough into your embarrassing confession, you finish your thought with your eyes scrunched shut as you prepare yourself for what you know will come next. “But you rainchecked, so I… thought Shinsou might enjoy it instead.”

Shouto remains eerily quiet for a moment, your heartbeat accelerating wildly as he leaves you waiting, questioning just how he will react. Your body jumps as his left hand swirls around your hips, his arm resting on your back to gather your ass higher across his lap. The neat bows on your panties unravel at your hips, the cool air hitting your swollen cunt as the material is snatched away and discarded. He forces you to wait for another dizzying pause, the urge to squirm in his grasp tempting but you force yourself to stay motionless.

Tears spring into your eyes as his palm crashes against you, his arctic hand causing your body to thrash in recoil, and a strong gust of chilled wind slapping against your dripping folds. A shaky breath escapes you, morphing into a distraught cry when his hot thumb plunges into your aching core, rubbing and curling against your shuddering walls with spite.

“I thought I told you not to say his fucking name,” Shouto jeers, taking his thumb out of you to rub mercilessly betwen your petals, spreading your abundant slick with ease. Coasting down to your clit, he smirks as you sob, your legs quaking.

Your hips jut backwards on their own accord, forcing his thumb to penetrate your cunt again. You moan at the stimulation, squeezing the digit and grinding so it presses against your velvet walls.

He chuckles, pressing the finger as deep as he can and savoring the shameless wails the action induces. “How can you look so pure and act so naughty?” He wonders aloud, his frosty hand trailing along your thigh as he works his thumb inside of you. “You’re really just a little slut, aren’t you? Fucking yourself with my finger so brazenly.” He sighs as he feels your core clenching around his thumb, grinning as you whine at the loss of the digit.

“Please, just fuck me,” you exclaim, turning your face to look at his haughty gaze above you,  “Make me forget about anyone else!”  

Shouto pinches your inflamed ass cheek, forcing another whimper to croak out of your throat. “Aha, is that your game, angel? Want me to fuck you so hard I’m the only man you see? Fuck this little pussy so good no other cock can satisfy you, hmm?” He maneuvers your body effortlessly, positioning you to face him as you sit on his lap. The smooth material of his slacks irritates your sore ass slightly, but all you can bring yourself to do is nod, your arms shuffling behind you with the want to reach out and touch him.

His hands settle on the apex of your thighs, rugged fingertips soothing the skin there before he lifts your body, standing and placing you neatly on the floor before him. Casting an innocent look up at him, you shuffle to your knees, arching your back to your breasts and ass pop out for his aerial vantage point.

“You know what to do, don’t you baby?” Shouto snickers as he untucks his shirt and begins to snap open the buttons down the center of his chest, revealing his creamy skin to your lustful eyes. Leaving the shirt on with his abs on display, he undoes the clasp and zip at the front of his hips, slowly unveiling the delicious V tapering south below his slacks. You squirm in impatience, eyes glued to the trail of fine, bicolored hair he uncovers as his slacks sag tantalizingly slow. His thumbs slither underneath the elastic band across his pelvis, lowering the hem just enough to show you the base of his thick, hard cock. “Alright, angel,” he rumbles, and you feel a stray bead of arousal drip down your thigh at his gruff tone, “Convince me you deserve to have this cock in you.”

As soon as he shoves his briefs low enough for his length to spring free, your lips drown his cockhead with haste, your tongue welcoming his hot, heavy tip with eager flicks. Shouto groans when you suck abruptly, your cheeks hollowing as you allow his member to drive deeper into your mouth. His hand landing on the back of your head, you take that as your cue to leap forward, slamming the entirety of his impressive cock into your open throat as your nose brushes into his abdomen.

“Fuck, Y/N!” Shouto gasps, his hips bucking into your face and shoving the tip of his dick into the depths of your throat.

Tears beading in your eyes, you refuse to let up, releasing a loud moan that makes his cock vibrate. Shouto throws his head back, his fingers curling in your hair as his hips recede, leaving only the tip inside your mouth and you gratefully take in a breath of air before he shoves back in.

“You take my cock so well, angel— fuuuuck, just like that,” he grumbles, pistoning into your face at a slow, deep tempo, the back of your throat caressing his tip delectably as a fat tear races down your cheek. Your cheeks flush pink and your chest tightens from the lack of air, but Shouto’s low grunts falling on your greedy ears has your cunt pulsing with need, your spit trickling down your chin. Shouto’s rabid gaze locks with yours, monitoring your wet eyes and your pleading pout as he speaks, “You look so beautiful slobbering on me like this, my little slut.”

You flutter your eyelashes at him, humming on his length as you continue to bob back and forth. Your tongue lathering the veiny underside of his length, the promiscuous flavor of salty pre blooms on your tastebuds. Your head recedes back, keeping just the swollen head inside your mouth as you twirl your tongue in circles around him.

You pop his cock out of your mouth, and send him a closed-lip, coy smile as you smear the slick tip against your mouth. Shouto sighs when your half-lidded gaze meets his, your tongue poking out and curving to dawdle up and down his length.

“That’s enough, baby. Come here.” Shouto bends and picks you up from the floor, kneeling on the mattress and crawling toward the center with you in his arms. Your back collides with the silky sheets, your arms awkwardly stuck behind you with the tie rubbing your wrists. Shouto opens your legs, hovering over your body and making you suddenly feel small in comparison to him. Your cunt parts at the motion, exposing your twitching, saturated hole to him and sending a fresh blush to your cheeks. One hand propping himself up, the other stroking your cheek gingerly, he ushers you to look at him. He whispers to you, his voice calm yet enticing, “You want me to make you feel good, angel?”

“Please,” you implore, your voice hoarse and quiet from his abuse on your throat, “Please touch me, Shouto.” Your mind hazy with a lascivious fog clouding your senses, you can barely find the words to beg.

Even just his hands floating down to your breasts makes you shiver. Your lip between your teeth again, Shouto smirks at you as his fingers pinch the ribbon holding your bra together. Deliberately taking his time, he unravels the neat bow, examining how the silky fabric falls apart so smoothly. The bra cups fall to the side, exposing the smooth skin of your breasts to his feasting eyes. You release a string of mewls as his lips graze the marks he’d left behind earlier, darkening the blemishes with gentle bites. Tongue tracing around your areola, your thighs squeeze around his waist when the warm muscle brushes along a pebbled nipple. Pressing your lips together harshly as he sucks the pert bud into his mouth, your hips jolt against his. His hand kneads your other breast expertly, tweaking your nipple between his skilled fingers. The rough pads of his fingertips only make your nipples stand out more, scraping against you and sending your head spinning.

“You like that, Y/N? Want all my attention on you, don’t you, greedy girl?” Shouto purrs, your breast falling from his lips as he grins at your cheekily.

Swallowing another moan, your breath comes out ragged as you retort, “I could say the same for you, baby.” His fingers on your nipple press together in a pinch, eliciting a strained whimper from you.

Shouto chuckles, poking his tongue out to rove over your other breast, flicking the nub playfully before he speaks a single word. “Touché.” Drifting lower between your legs, his lips leave a wet path down your torso, nibbling and slickening your skin. His mouth littering your body with kisses, an artist eager to make a fresh blank canvas his own. Hot breath colliding with your glistening sex, he groans at the sight of you spread before him. “But damn, angel, can you really blame me?”

Without any warning, he thrusts his tongue into your folds, swiping vertically along your slit and dipping into your entrance with a moan, eyes closed as he relishes your sweet nectar. Your hips dig into the mattress as you struggle to handle the instant relief his touch provides, unfiltered noises of pleasure escaping you. One of his hands slides underneath your thigh to cup your ass and bring your body closer to his face.  

Every time Shouto’s mouth is on you, you’re reminded of just how good he is at pleasuring you. He alternates between rubbing his tongue along your silky inner walls and curling the muscle around your clit, sucking the nerve into his mouth and applying just enough suction to steal your breath away. Your body reacts to his touch naturally, with each moan summoned true and raw.

His fingers prod your sex gently, coating the digits in your essence before they slide into your body at a snail’s pace. The friction of his touch inside of you makes your legs clamp around his head, eliciting a deep laugh from the man that reverberates against your clit. Your eyes roll backwards as he begins to pump the digits at a reasonable pace, knuckles curling deeply in search of that plush spot that makes you fall apart underneath him. Saliva mixing with your arousal, Shouto’s chin is drenched in the sinful concoction as he continues his hunt with determination.

“S-Shit,” you choke as his fingertips push into just the right place, your thighs gripping his head so tight you think you’ll crush him. But Shouto doesn’t seem to care, angling his wrist to gain better access, lithe fingers speeding up as his teeth graze your clit. His vigilant eyes fix on your face twisted in ecstasy, minding how your pussy begins to clench onto his digits in desperation, trying their best to suck them back inside. Your heels dig into his broad back as your body begins to squirm, preparing for your first orgasm of the night.

But just as you’re about to tip over the edge, Shouto pulls back. Your eyes fly open to look at him in distress, your lips parting with a gasp as your climax flees without a trace. “Shouto!” You hiss, regarding his sultry smirk in shock. This man has some audacity. “I was about to-”

He interrupts you, his fingers gliding back into your core without resistance, lips wrapping around your clit again. The sudden pleasure of the intensity stokes the mere embers of your previous orgasm with fervor, your head flinging backwards onto the pillow as your spine bows.

Your palms behind your back are slick with sweat, your hardened nipples cutting into the still air of the room as your body writhes on its own accord. Your thighs tremble ever-so-slightly on top of his shoulders, your eyes shutting again as you try your best to hold in your whimpers.

But Shouto doesn’t like that, his mouth abandoning your pearl to snarl, “If you wanna cum I’ve gotta hear your voice. I wanna hear you beg for me, baby.”

His dirty words send a new wave of humiliation crashing over you, your mind horrified at your body’s betrayal. Your submissive demeanor is by no means akin to your usual behavior during your weekly rendezvous, and you’re honestly impressed and shocked that Shouto had coaxed it out with such ease. Already you can feel the tension building in your core, your body happily receptive of his generous caress. Your chest heaves as you attempt to even your frazzled breaths, but once your focus switches to that, the pleasure increases exponentially between your legs. Your cunt quivers obviously, Shouto’s eyebrow raising as he shoots you a taunting look.

“I’m the only one who can get you so close so quick, angel. Aren’t I?” His mouth leaves your clit to speak but his teeth capture the nerve instead as he speaks, his hot breath steaming against your throbbing cunt.

Your chin against your chest, you nod vigorously, your hips inching closer to close the distance between your cunt and his mouth. Your fingers curled into fists against the sheets, your back sticks to the sheets with perspiration.

Shouto shakes his head, teeth releasing your aching clit as he clicks his tongue at you. “I said, let me hear you, Y/N.” His fingers pull out, the fingertips just barely inside as he rims your entrance, just enough to keep your pussy throbbing. He exhales, an icy breath rushing over your sopping sex.

“N-No!” You wail, your voice nearly breaking as your orgasm fades away once again. You were so fucking close! You let out another sob, tossing your head to the side in humiliating agony.

“There’s that divine voice of yours,” Shouto chuckles, nipping your inner thigh playfully. Taking his fingers away, his thumb replaces them as it glides over your soaked slit, dipping into your clenched core amusedly before tearing it away again. Your destitute whine only feeds his dominance, and he rolls his thumb over your puffy nerve gently, enjoying how your hips buck weakly in response. “Come on now, angel. Just tell me what I want to hear.”

Your chest jolts as his thumb presses down just a pinch, cruising down to rub your entrance brusquely. “You’re the only one that can make me so breathless, Shouto. Please,” your voice wavers as you grovel, eyes locking with his, “Please, make me cum! I need your touch, I need your cock, I— I need you!”

Shouto’s gaze flickers for a moment before he smirks, ducking down to kiss your clit softly. “See, baby? Was that so hard?” He murmurs, his words rumbling on your shivering pussy before his tongue parts your folds, driving deep inside you.

You scream at the intense bliss as his thumb works quickly over your clit, his tongue assaulting your velvet insides. Your thighs weakly tighten around his head, your body unable to stay still as the pleasure wracks through you. Lewd moans and swears tumble out of you as you grind against his face, thrilled by the way his tongue never tires. The pressure between your legs is back and faster heightening, your eyes flying open in shock at how astonishingly fast your climax is approaching.

“S-Shouto, I— I’m—,” is all that you can get out before you seize in his arms, your entire body spasming in ecstasy. Shouto only pins your hips down against the mattress with his free hand, forcing your legs to stay open as he continues to assault your cunt, tongue pummeling your tender core and thumb abusing your clit. You can’t even let out a moan because your lungs are empty— all that slithers out of you a string of shrill and broken cries. The pleasure thrums through your body from head to toe, your fingers and toes curling and splaying as sweat runs down your skin.

Shouto diligently continues to lap at your cunt, slurping up the fresh essence dripping out of you onto the sheets. When he pulls back all he can see is your blissed-out, flustered expression, and your nipples standing upright in arousal. Wiping his chin with the back of his hand, he tears the shirt off his shoulders in one swift motion. His slacks shed just as quick, he grabs your hips and throws you onto your front, your face once again in his pillow. “You came without my permission, angel. You wanna be a slut? I’ll treat you like a fucking slut,” he snarls, rugged palms coiling around your hips and forcing them into the air, bending your spine so your body transforms into a delicious arch.

Your heart slams against your ribs in apprehension, your mind still too woozy to make a complaint as his cock plunges inside of you. Your walls spread for his length welcomingly, your arousal and your cum lubricating your cunt. Your eyes roll back at the fullness— the stretch of him stuffing your cunt with his thick cock so delectably euphoric. You’re so wet that it doesn’t even hurt as he impales you, pleasure the only feeling coursing through you.

Shouto growls, your pussy hugging his length so snugly he has to take a moment for his head to stop spinning. “Fuuuck,” he utters huskily, sliding out halfway and inspecting how your cunt grips his slippery cock so desperately.

You cry out as he thrusts back in, the angle already perfectly locating your g-spot and making stars flash across your vision. Your body shakes as a palm cracks against your ass, more tears collecting on your lower lashes at the pain that hurts so good.

Shouto grabs the tie around your wrists with the other hand, yanking your body backwards to slap against his hard torso. Hands flying to your hips, he drills into you as he holds you upright against him. Your breasts bounce as your back arches, cunt trembling at the familiar tension building deep inside of you.

“You wanna fuckin’ cum already, don’t you, slut?” Shouto barks, a hand leaving your hip to hold your breast, trapping your nipple between his long fingers. The friction he provides is exquisite, and long, unabashed moans float out of your parted lips.

“Yes! Yes! Please— Make me cum, Shouto!” You howl, your toes curling at the sacred pleasure so close to peaking within you. Lips latched onto the claim he had laid on your neck, his teeth pinch your skin. His ragged grunts in your ear make your core clench around him, about to reach salvation for the second time.

“Do it, Y/N. I want my slutty angel pussy to cum all over this cock,” he commands, forcing your hips to crash down onto his so his tip jabs your g-spot harshly.

Your body collapses at his approval, cunt squeezing and fluttering and leaking onto him as you release a lewd scream. White hot bliss shoots through you as sinful tides of delirium pull you under. Your body trembles as the ecstasy pulses in your veins, your jaw unhinged and your eyes rolled into your skull.

Shouto pushes you forward so your torso falls flat against the mattress limply. His hips do not stall, continuing to push into your tightened cunt with determination as he drags out your orgasm. “Where’s my nasty little brat now?” He laughs crudely, slapping your ass gently and grabbing the reddened flesh, pulling your hips back against his. “Nothing to say, hmm?”

As if your brain is functional enough to form words. Your limbs feel like jello, wiggling with pleasure and shock as he advances his plight. Your throat is dry from all the panting, your ass sore underneath Shouto’s oppressive grip. But it feels so fucking good, you can’t bring yourself to tell him to stop.

Shouto sucks a breath in between his grinding teeth, watching how your ass bounces against his pelvis as his cock slides into your depths. Sweat dripping down his chest and along your back, his hold on you is tight enough to cut off circulation. His lip twitches as he recognizes his orgasm creeping up inside, and he groans as he pulls out of you abruptly.

You whine at the loss, but you’re silenced immediately as he flips your body and presses his lips to yours. His kiss is pleasantly soft, a harsh contrast to his rough hands which slide around your back and fumble with the tie around your wrists. His tongue pushes inside your mouth, searching for yours and caressing it at first touch. Once the silky material slips off you, his hands rove over your breasts, massaging the heavy flesh tenderly as his cock brushes along your slit. A string of saliva stretches between you as his lips leave yours, a hot, breathy sigh fanning over your face. “This beautiful body is all mine, Y/N,” he whispers, tip slipping between your folds and entering your cunt with ease.

Your eyelids flutter shut at the feeling of your aching hole being filled once again, but the pain makes the pleasure so much more enjoyable. His lips wander along your neck as he begins to thrust into you, your legs wrapping around his waist. He kisses along your clavicle and down your breast, tongue washing over your nipple as his cock brushes along your velvet walls so perfectly.

The friction has your eyes nearly crossed, and the pleasure only intensifies when Shouto guides your legs to rest against his chest, your ankles by his ears. The angle allows greater access, his thick member reaching new depths that elicit a sharp gasp from you. His left hand pushes your abdomen down slightly, his thumb travelling south to flick along your clit lazily.

“Shit, Shouto, I— s-so sensitive,” you whimper, your hand timidly reaching out to rest on his flexing abdominal muscles. The sensation of him dragging against your g-spot so sensually causes your bottom lip to tremble, a tear sneaking down your cheek to land in your hair.

Shouto’s large hand guides yours to land on your thigh, and he tucks his arm so his own hand covers yours as he pulls your thighs closer to him. “One more, baby,” he moans, the thumb on your clit speeding up.

The extra attention summons that familiar build up in your core, a long whine falling from your lips. “I can’t, I can’t,” you mewl but your body says otherwise, pussy tightening slightly as your ankles cross behind his neck.

“I thought you wanted to cum, angel?” He uses your words against you as he sighs, hips picking up to ram into yours. He holds his breath as you clamp down on him, your sinful expression fueling his impending orgasm. “You gonna make me finish on my own?”

The thought of him blowing his load into you has you biting your lip, your hips shuffling against his. Shouto moans, thumb circling your puffy nerve even faster as he continues to pound into you. The sound of your skin slapping together fills the room, the only noise to interrupt that your huffs and moans.

Steam billows from Shouto’s nose as his eyes nearly close, his abs flexing out of his torso as he fights to keep his orgasm at bay. His heavy breath and visible restraint convince your body to give in, and you weep as you sink into euphoria for the third time tonight. Shouto’s right there with you, a strangled growl mixed with a moan ripping from his lungs as his seed spurts into you, his cock twitching and balls draining as he falls to his elbows above you.

Your body feels sluggish as your limbs tremble slightly, the high from your orgasm still clouding your brain as your arms wrap around Shouto’s shoulders. His cold breath refreshes the moist, flushed skin on your neck, long eyelashes tickling your jaw as your nails scrape carefully down his spine.

When he pulls out your body feels incomplete, but Shouto nuzzles into your jaw affectionately, his hands sliding between the damp sheets and your skin to hold you close. He scatters sluggish, persistent kisses along your throat and up your jaw. And when he moves to your face, they only become longer and more intimate, gently guiding you back to reality.

You sigh in content as you lean in to capture his lips, moving sweet and slow against each other. Your digits amble into his hair, combing back the soft tresses so you can see more of his charming face. He moans at your touch, pleased by the soothing sensation of your fingers feathering along his scalp. His own hand follows your lead, fingers steering a stray hair off your forehead and gliding into your tresses to hold your head in his palm.

The pair of you continue to kiss for who knows how long, touching each other tenderly and savoring the feeling of skin against skin. Your lips melding into one, cradling one another fragilely as if you mutually fear the other will break without your embrace. You could spend eternity like this, high off his ambrosial, tender care.

You are the one to pull away first, knowing Shouto would keep this going until morning if he didn’t think you’d come back down from your high. Not that you would mind that, but you should probably clean up the mess that your passionate session had created— his release beginning to trickle out of you onto the sheets. As he pulls back, the emotions swirling in his striking two-toned gaze shock you. His brow is slightly creased as he nibbles at the corner of his lip, eyes darting around your face.

“I’ll be right back,” he murmurs, sitting up and scooting off the mattress, disappearing around the corner of the bathroom door. The sound of water splashing in the sink fills the silence as you sit still, closing your eyes as the cogs in your brain begin to turn.

Oh god, you’d been so shameless tonight— you’d taunted him and he had made you fall apart and beg in return, bending to his every command. Sure, he had always been the dominant one in your rendezvous before, but tonight was different. He had been jealous, when he had no right to be. But is that why your heart is beating so quickly in your chest? Suddenly you’re anxious, overthinking as usual. This is just sex, right?

But then, why did you leave Shinsou’s side so quickly at the bar when Shouto had been the one to cancel on you? And then there was that, too— why had he just ditched his friends in the middle of boys’ night when it was the reason he cancelled on you in the first place? And he had clearly been furious at the thought of you spending the night with another man. Was it because he knew Shinsou? Or was it because he wanted to be exclusive with you?

Well, if he wanted to be exclusive friends with benefits, isn’t that the same thing as dating? Would he ever date someone like you? Wait, would you even be willing to date him? Do you want him to be your… boyfriend? Your eyes widen and a pink girlish blush emerges on your cheeks at the label. What are you, eight years old? Why do you feel so giddy at the possibility of him wanting you, for more than your body?

Shouto strolls out of the bathroom just in time to catch that embarrassing look on your face, but he only smiles sincerely at you and it makes you blush even harder. What the hell? You’re extra submissive for one night and now you’re thinking about your feelings for him? Wait, did you just admit you have feelings for him?

He clambers over to you in the middle of the bed, a washcloth draped on his slender finger. He leans down and pecks you like it’s no big deal, humming as his lips linger on yours just long enough to make you want more. Your body jumps at the feeling of the damp warmth the towel provides, but you relax as the feeling soothes your aching core.

“Was that okay? How do you feel, baby?” Shouto asks softly, watchful eyes gauging your expression as you look at him. “You seemed like you were enjoying yourself, but, I wasn’t too rough, was I?”

You let out a breathless, mirthful chuckle at his concern, reaching out to put your hand on his strong arm. “No, I’m fine. And it was… great. Mind-blowing, actually,” you smile at him bashfully, hoping it was just as good for him.

Shouto’s eyes twinkle as he smiles back, nodding slowly. “It was, wasn’t it?” He helps you sit up, maneuvering you carefully off the bed and gesturing for you to use the bathroom.

After relieving yourself, you look at yourself in the mirror that hangs above the sink, vision falling on the massive bruise blossoming on your neck. You sigh when you inspect the purple mark, but when your gaze floats back to your face, you’re dumbstruck to find yourself grinning like a fool. Terror and thrill floods through you at the realization that if any other guy had left a mark this nasty on you, you’d be furious. And yet, having Shouto’s claim on you makes you feel like the luckiest girl on the planet.

Shit. Looks like you do want him to be your boyfriend.

You’re half expecting the reflection to show a stupid cartoon character with the way that your heart feels like it’s thumping out of your chest. Taking in a deep breath, you determinedly point at yourself in the mirror and breath out shakily, “You can do this.”

Exiting the bathroom, you return to find Shouto leaning against the headboard, the sheets pulled up to his waist and his fingers rubbing together awkwardly. His eyes on his lap, he almost looks anxious. But he notices your presence right away, peeling back the corner of the blanket and beckoning you to slide in.

Placing yourself stiffly on the side of the bed, you take in his confused expression. “I need to tell you something,” you say as steadily as possible. Man, that’s a scary sentence, even if you’re not on the receiving end.

Shouto’s lips part and he looks like he wants to say something, but he swallows whatever it was down and nods, his expression guarded. “I’m all ears,” he replies, placing his hand on the pillow in front of you.

With the spotlight on you, your throat feels dry as dirt, and you nervously shuffle, suddenly very conscious of your nakedness. “Um,” falls out of your mouth, anything to split the suffocating silence. Your palms are clammy, and your fingers delve into the folds of the sheets to hide your nerves. “I know this is gonna sound kind of lame, but… well, I um…” Shouto’s gaze is burning your face, your cheeks redder than ever as you will this humiliation to just end already. Sucking in another breath, the words blurt out of you. “I have feelings for you.”  

The surprise on his features is unmistakable. All you can do is stare at him, frozen in uncertainty but strangely enough it feels like a weight has been lifted off your chest. A heavy one at that— one whose existence you refused to acknowledge until ten minutes ago.

“R-Really?” Shouto stutters, looking like he’s just seen a ghost with how wide his eyes are.

You aren’t sure how to take that response, but as soon as your gaze falls from his, his hand shoots out to latch onto your wrist. When you look back at him, a different emotion is painted over his face, one of… hope?

“I have feelings for you, too, Y/N,” he whispers, his own blush dusting over his cheeks. His eyes are soulful and hold nothing but candor and content.

Before you can process his words, his hands are rounding your waist and pulling your body toward his. A different kind of high bursts through you as his lips touch yours, joy storming through the both of you and warm, tingly static crackling between you. These kisses feel different— your heart feels like it’s about to pop, swelling with excitement and relief. Shouto begins to laugh against your lips, and the alluring sound infects you, too, as you join him with a giggle. The both of you are laughing at nothing in particular, but you don’t need a reason to let the noises of elation loose.

Once your laughter ceases, Shouto collects your chin in his hand and places a gentle kiss upon your grinning lips. When he pulls back, his eyes contain a wisp of that jealous fire that had consumed him only hours earlier, and he shoots you a mischievous smirk as he squeezes your ass playfully. “Do you think Shinsou could ever make you feel this good, angel?”

You roll your eyes, chuckling in exasperation at this man’s relentless, absurd envy. “Hmm,” you pretend to think for a moment before you lean closer to him, hands hung loosely around the back of his neck. “Shinsou? Never heard of him.”

  ─── ・°* ﾟ✧:* • ｡ﾟ:*･☽･*: ｡ﾟ•*:✧ ﾟ*°・ ───

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you reached the end!! thanks for reading this long ass fic lmao, i know it was an investment. I hope the ending was not too cringe, I usually just end my fics after the nut but I wanted to try something new :’)  be sure to lmk if you enjoyed <3

➥ masterlist

𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 © 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐩𝐢 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝.

[dustofbrokenheart]

The Lost Boys: Take-Out Intrigue Part 1

Part One | Part Two

Marko x Reader

Word Count: 2,400

Warnings: racial slurs, some gore 

Summary: You catch Marko’s eye while he’s waiting on an order. (Since my blatant favoritism towards Dwayne was called out, I’m trying something new!) 

“Nin hao ma,” Marko called out as he entered the small restaurant.

The familiar scents of garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil wafted out from the kitchen in the back. Marko personally preferred the take-out joint down the block but it was David’s night to choose so he didn’t complain. Much.

The older woman at the counter bowed her head slightly with a smile. He wasn’t a regular but he was there enough that she recognized him. “Hao, hao.”

Mandarin was fluent but these owners spoke Cantonese which he wasn’t as familiar with. He supposed he could take time to learn but he’d been occupied with spray painting and the birds for the past few years. That didn’t leave much time, or desire, to pick up something else. Pleasantries out of the way, he switched back to English. His

“Let me get three orders of the sweet and sour pork, one sweet and sour shrimp, four chow mein, one lo mein, and one fried rice.” After a second of thought he added, “Oh, and some egg rolls.”

The owner wrote it all down quickly and waved the paper slip in between her fingers. “Wait here.”

She disappeared to the kitchen, leaving Marko by himself to admire the scrolls of art that hung on the wall.

In the back, she calmly walked over to where you were hunched over an open textbook, frantically taking notes. It was noisy in the kitchen so you didn’t notice her until she cuffed you on the back of the head.

“Oww!”

“Time to work. Keep an eye on the customer out front,” she nagged in Cantonese.

“Fine, fine. I’m going.” You held your hands up in surrender. But you snagged you stuff when she wasn’t looking and hoofed it to the register before she could chastise you again.

You stood at the register and it was impossible to miss the customer. He had a riotous mass of blonde curls pulled back into a ponytail and wore a patched-up jacket that was simultaneously too busy to look at and too interesting to look away from. He must have felt your gaze because he suddenly shifted his focus from the calligraphy on the walls and stared you straight in the eye.

You held your breath and after a few seconds, his face relaxed and he smiled at you. The smile only added to his attractiveness but you instinctively knew that he wasn’t as sweet as it would lead you to believe.

“You’re new,” he commented.

“Y-yeah. I mean, no,” you sputtered. That was embarrassing. You’d never struggled to speak with a customer before. The fact that he stared without blinking made it worse.

He merely hid his smile behind the fingerless gloves and stuck a thumb in his mouth. A possible oral fixation—? You stopped that thought dead in it’s tracks. It was highly inappropriate to think of a paying customer that way. His actions were none of your business.

You cleared your throat in an attempt to start over. “Actually, my family has known the owners forever. But yes, I’ve only been working here for a few months.”  

“I don’t remember seeing you,” he said crowding you despite the fact that there was a register between the two of you. “What’s your name?”

You weren’t sure why, but you felt the need to defend yourself to him. Which was ridiculous. You talked with chatty customers all the time, no problem.

“My name is Y/N. I always take the busy shifts since my English is better. This is the first time I’ve stayed later than the dinner rush.”

That answer must’ve settled something for him because he took at thumb out of his mouth and gave you the first genuine smile you’d seen thus far. In turn, you smiled back and the mood in the room calmed.

His attention went back to the calligraphy and you opened your textbook to the spot you left off at. Everything was quiet. “So…you like calligraphy?” he questioned.

The next fifteen minutes passed quickly as he got you talking about the restaurant’s décor. He was especially absorbed by the painting of a fiery-scaled eastern dragon, which you also liked. But your favorite was the Chinese phoenix on the opposite wall.

“Did you know the fenghuang is a lucky omen? They’re the bird of all birds in traditional mythology.”

That seemed to intrigue him. “The bird of all birds, huh?”

You latched on to the tone in his voice. “Do you like birds?”

He toed the tip of his worn boot into the linoleum floor. Laughed a little. “Yeah. You could say that.”

He opened his mouth to say more but at that moment you were called to bag up his order. A little reluctant, you excused yourself and went to kitchen. The food was already portioned into their respective white cartons, the top flaps folded in neatly.

Opening up the plastic bag, you quickly arranged the cartons inside and tied a with a small, snug knot at the top. Stapling the receipt to the bag, you drew a smiley face on it with a blue-ink pen. The smile came out a little lopsided but you left it alone, afraid it might turn out worse if you tried to fix it.

You lingered near the door, twisting the plastic in your hands. For some reason, you would be disappointed to see him leave. Which was crazy as you’d only talked for a few brief minutes. Judging by the size of the order, the poor guy probably needed to leave so he could bring other people their dinner too.

Resigned, and uncomfortable with that feeling, you went back out to the register. You made sure to use your most polite voice as you rang him up. The exchange happened normally and he dug a wad of dollars bills from his back pocket. It made you cringe to see the money so wrinkled and spotted with an unknown stain, but you kept your reaction to yourself.  

“Have a nice night,” you wished him as you tried to hand him his change.

He waved it off with a shake of his head that sent his curls bouncing. “Nah, keep it.”

And that was it. He turned to leave, swinging the plastic bag at his side with every step. There was no hesitation on his part and you sighed. Clearly, your interest was one-sided.

Logically, you knew shouldn’t take it personal, but emotionally, you couldn’t shake the feeling of rejection. Remembering that you were in the middle of reading, you went to open your notes again. You flipped through the pages slowly, your heart not in it.

Outside of the small restaurant, the red neon open sign casted hazy lighting on the cracked cement sidewalk. Marko hovered just far enough from the door that you couldn’t see him. He snickered.

Your disappointed sighs had followed him as soon as he turned his back on you to leave and he had to be honest—it delighted him. Good to know that you were attracted to him. He certainly liked you.

Santa Carla was full of interesting people, alive, undead, or otherwise, so it was hard to catch his attention. But as soon as you started spouting off about mythical Chinese phoenixes, he was hooked. Yes, he was into birds, screw you, but he’d never heard that story before.

He supposed you could’ve been talking out of your ass but he didn’t get that vibe from what he had seen. Your eyes lit up when you talked about the image so he bet that you truly did admire it. Your voice was steady for the first time in the encounter, meaning that you were comfortable saying those things, had probably told them to other ears dozens of times.

So, yes, you could be making it up. If you were, he’d be the first to admire your skills. But you seemed too straight and narrow for that. After all, you were actually studying at work. What kind of person did that?

The tantalizing combination of authenticity and passion for your Eastern mythology made him want to talk to you again. That way he could pick your brains more and maybe, if he was lucky, make you stutter again. Still, he wasn’t going to walk back in there like a sap. Not after he just left.  

“Hey!”

His ears twitched and he finally got a look at the guy he’d been watching stagger down the sidewalk the entire time he’d been outside. He chose not to saying anything figuring the human would keep talking anyway, which he did.

“You get that food from here?” The human pointed to the restaurant with his thumb.

Marko nodded, biting on his thumb.

“These chinks, or japs, or whatever any good?”

Marko’s eyes that had been taking in the guy’s appearance the entire time paused in the bird pin he had on his cap. It was yellow orange. Similar shade to the fenghuang’s wings. He took his thumb out of his mouth, his slick fangs descending to bite into his bottom lip.  

The ass hadn’t even noticed, still talking and seemingly some kind of inebriated. Fine by Marko. He liked surprising people.

His clawed hand shot out faster than the human eye could track and plunged into the guy’s chest. A hole was torn clean through. The blood and heart organ felt warm and wet as it stuck to his fingers. “I don’t think you need to worry about that you prick.”

The hole was much more pronounced and blood began spilling out. In the light of the moon, the blood looked black instead of red. The about-to-be-dead offender’s jacket absorbed some of the liquid but the rate at which it poured out was too much for the fabric to soak it all up.  It wouldn’t be long until he was officially dead.

The shock registered late and by the time the human looked down, Marko had already pulled his hand out and was sucking at the blood. He laughed at the other’s confused expression. The last thing the guy saw was Marko giggling and playfully waving his fingers.

The corpse sagged to the ground and Marko wrenched it up by one of the arms. He must’ve used too much force because he heard the shoulder pop off out of its socket.

He shrugged, not really bothered. No one else was out on the streets at this time. Especially not during a weekday. Getting rid of the body would be easy. Strengthening his hold, he flew into the night sky to dump the body where it would never be found.

When he came back, the white bag of Chinese take-out was sitting exactly where he left it. Excellent. Bending down to rip off the receipt, he pinned his new yellow orange bird pin to it. There was a small speck of blood on the glossed paint near the small bird’s wing that he licked clean.

He didn’t mind scarring you, but he didn’t want you so freaked out that you went to the cops. That would make things a little messy and make David pissy.

Following his nose, he wandered over the car that smelled of you. A quick glance through the driver’s window showed a stack of other notebooks and…a ridiculously bedazzled charm dangling from the rear-view mirror. It made him raise his brow, but he decided he liked it.

Mythological creatures, bedazzled charms…he couldn’t wait to find out more about you.

He arranged the paper backed pin under the windshield wiper to keep it from falling or blowing away. Marko prided himself on giving gifts and he wished he could be there to see you find it, but he’d been gone long enough. The boys were already going to give him hell for it. And he was getting hungry, too.

Besides, he knew where you worked. He’d find you again when he had more time.

Revving the bike, he raced down the road, the plastic bag quivering where it hung from his handle bars.

---XXX---

“See you later, Auntie,” you called out. A bell jingled as you pushed the front door open. You weren’t used to working this late and were long past due for sleep.

“Bye bye, drive home safe,” she said in Cantonese, the gruffness failing to mask her fondness for you.

Being in the restaurant all night, the crisp air outside was a nice reprieve. You loved the food, you really did, but oil could be headache inducing after a while. There was a slight breeze, too, that refreshed you with its invisible caress.

Most of the other businesses in this area were closed by now, leaving the streets dim and vacant. Luckily, there was a streetlight by your car so you didn’t have to walk in the dark. There was no such thing as being too safe in Santa Carla.

You shifted your things so you could get the keys and stopped in your tracks when you noticed a small piece of paper on the windshield. You looked around, not seeing anything else out of the ordinary. Still, you couldn’t shake the wariness.

Was it a ticket? A threat? A piece of trash that just blew into the window?

Creeping forward, you recognized the smiley face you had drawn earlier. What the—? When you were close enough to snatch it, you realized there was something weighing down the corner of the flimsy paper. A pin.

You angled it toward the streetlight, unsure what it was. An orange, no, golden orange bird gleamed in the light. Its wings spread wide and were smooth under the pads of your fingers.

Warmth spread through your chest. There wasn’t a message on the receipt, but the smiley face gave it away. This could only have been from that customer with the curls and jacket. Had he been wearing it inside? You couldn’t remember.

Clutching the pin, you sat in the driver’s seat. The car ran idle for a bit and you fiddled with the back of the pin. There was plenty of space on your bare jacket to place it wherever you wished. With the delicate gift attached securely to the jacket, you backed out of the parking spot, a smile on your face the entire way home.

Hopefully, he stopped by again soon.

_______________

My first time writing for Marko! Thumbs up or thumbs down? 

Regardless, East Asian (and any) racism isn’t cool peeps. Let’s do better :) 

[honestlywtfisgoingon]

A Match Set

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Pairing: Benny Watts x Reader

Summary: After meeting one night in New York, you and Benny Watts are drawn to each other. As you go through different experiences with one another, you grow closer until it finally gets to be too much for Benny.

Word Count: 1890

Warnings: none

Notes: aye this is my first fic because there is a serious lack of benny watts fics and i had to change that for myself. this will probably be multiple chapters that can be read separately.

It was your first art gallery, and you were both anxious and overjoyed to see people surveying your work. You had put so many hours into each piece and all kinds of people had poured in to look. It was a well known gallery, but the variety still surprised you. You looked around and saw some interesting characters, but your interest was piqued when your eyes fell upon a particular cowboy.

He was inspecting one of your favorite paintings which had chess pieces as the subject. The pieces merely served as part of a metaphor in your art, as the game and all its complexities had never really been your thing. As you looked closer at the man you realized that, not only had his outfit sparked your interest, but he seemed familiar too. Out of curiosity, you walked over and stood next to him.

“What are your thoughts?” You asked, motioning towards the painting.

His initial expression showed surprise that you were talking to him, but he recovered quickly, saying, “It’s good. I think the artist has talent.” You felt a bit of pride hearing that. You opened your mouth to say thanks, but you decided not to reveal yourself. You wanted him to give his honest opinion without fear of offending you.

“So do you like chess?” He nodded to the painting. Hearing this you made the connection as to why you remembered seeing him before. Your father owned a little bookshop back home and you were looking into chess for the same painting you were discussing right now. You had seen this cowboy on the back of one of those books, but you hadn’t given it another thought, never actually expecting to meet him. You decided not to reveal this information either and continued with the conversation.

“I can play a modest game. You?”

“I can play a modest game.” He had a small smile as he shrugged.

“Your first lie.” You said smirking back.

He looked confused but curious, so you explained about your research, your fathers bookshop, the whole story. He puffed up a bit after hearing that, looking impressed that you knew who he was.

“What’s your name?” He asked, still curious.

“Y/n” you replied.

“Nice name. I’m Benny, but you already seem to know who I am. On the other hand I don’t know anything about you.” He reached out his hand to shake yours.

“You walk in here with a black trench coat but you make me out to be the mysterious one,” you smirked as you took his hand. He chuckled a bit, and after your introduction, you asked why he was here.

“My friend knows the artist actually. She told us we had to see her work before going out.” You hummed as you thought about what to say, but he interjected.

“I don’t usually do this, and I’m not sure why I’m doing this now, but maybe you’d consider coffee with me. I won’t tell anymore lies” he joked.

You laughed a little, mildly shocked. “you’re not sure why? That’s flattering” you teased.

“Not what I meant-“ but before you could come to a conclusion on his sudden offer, you heard an excited french accent.

“Y/n! Im so proud! You finally got to show off all that talent!” Your friend Cleo ran up to you and wrapped her arms around you. You hadn’t seen her since you lived in France for a few months and you had missed her. You left for France after you realized you weren’t really needed at home, so you dedicated yourself to trying to soak up some culture. She looked gorgeous like you remembered, fitting for a model. You continued your reunion embrace for a moment before she waved her arms to the men and woman behind her. She introduced the friends she had brought to your show as Arthur, Hilton, and Annette, who all smiled at you. Cleo paused to turn to the cowboy saying, “I see you’ve already met Benny.”

“Yeah we met,” he said, “but I didn’t know this was your work. I would’ve told you how impressed I am.” Your cheeks turned a light pink at the praise.

“Look at Benny, impressed with someone besides himself for once.”Cleo poked fun and the group let out a laugh.

“Hey I’m not a narcissist or anything, don’t listen to Cleo,” Benny made excuses to you, only mildly offended.

“Sure you aren’t. I have nothing against narcissists,” you jokingly assured him. This answer didn’t comfort the man who had essentially just asked you on a date.

You and Cleo continued to catch up and you talked more with her friends as well. Benny just stood next to you, and you caught him glancing at you once or twice, but you just ignored it. Eventually you agreed to go out for drinks with the group, walking with them to a bar a couple blocks down called Hal’s.

You all squeezed into a booth while Arthur went off to get drinks. You sat on the outside, watching the people out on the floor next to you giggling and dancing. Having a couple of drinks beforehand must’ve contributed to the large amount of people out there, you thought. Arthur eventually announced his return by laying a tray of drinks in the middle of the table.

You were all conversing and sipping on your drinks when Annette decided she wanted to dance. Cleo agreed enthusiastically, but the rest of us refused. She suggested we all take shots to make it easier, but once again we tried to turn her down. she pleaded, “come on guys, it’s a Saturday night, and you can’t possible lose something from it. Have a little bit of fun with me!”

We relented, having a feeling that she wasn’t going to give up any time soon. She gave a little clap and handed out the shots. You knocked yours back with everyone else and grimaced at the bitter taste. Shaking it off, you slid out of the booth so the others could get out. You moved back into your spot after they all made their way to the throng of people. You decided you would join them later, but you liked to observe first. You looked over and the only two left were you and Benny. You slid over to him, not wanting to sit awkwardly on the other end like he wasn’t there.

“I bet you five bucks that lady is bored out of her mind.” He pointed to a blonde on a date across the bar, “Either she’s an alcoholic or she’s trying to tune out baldie.” You looked at the woman and saw she was surrounded by empty glasses while the man in front of her seemed like he was boasting endlessly. You both started making observations about the various people in the bar. Most of them were snarky comments that you whispered into each other’s ears, giggling, but you also created imaginary lives for them, guessing who they were and how they got here. After sharing a couple laughs, you sighed and reached a comfortable lull before Benny brought up what you knew was coming.

“So have you thought about my earlier question?” He eyed you seriously all of a sudden, but you didn’t feel any pressure. He seemed the type of confident where he thought you would say yes, but he could recover if you said no.

You weighed in your impression of him. He was cute, with fluffy hair and nice eyes that were a kind of chocolate color. He was funny and you he seemed intelligent (I mean he had to be, he played competitive chess). Albeit his trench coat and hat were a bit eccentric, but that wasn’t a bad thing, in fact you found it attractive.

“So have you?” He asked again, leaning his head in.

“Oh uh” you hadn’t realized while you were thinking that you had zoned out looking at him. Clearing your throat you said, “I’m free for coffee.” You stopped, “But you have to wear the hat.”

“Wouldn’t leave home without it” he winked.

Suddenly you were shoved against him as your tipsy friends barreled back into the booth.

“We should probably join them” you said as you moved off him, pushing one of the leftover drinks towards him. He nodded and you both drank some more just to get on the same level as your friends.

“You two haven’t even danced! I saw you whispering. Too busy flirting?” Annette smiled as she slurred a few of her words. You just looked down, cheeks pink, leaving Benny to respond.

“How were you watching us when you were dancing with that guy, the one who looks like he’s only ever kissed his mother.”

“No, I’m sure he’s kissed other people! I mean he did seem young but...” Annette looked over to the guy she dragged to dance with her earlier. He stood sheepishly in the corner, looking like he hadn’t outgrown his baby fat yet, and was definitely not a city type. “He’s just shy!” She defended, but me and Benny just looked at each other, falling into giggles. You figured out that night that Annette was one of those drunks who got a little childish, but she was sweet.

You would’ve been content to keep hanging out with Benny, if it hadn’t been for Cleo who grabbed your hand and pulled you out to the dance floor. You looked back at Benny, but gave in and allowed her to twirl you into the crowd. You were having a good time with Cleo, Hilton and Arthur dancing on either side of her. You were soon out of breath, but didn’t mind, enjoying it all.

You had moved to the city a couple months ago, but hadn’t had time to make friends, focusing on your work and setting up your apartment. You missed having company, people who were fun and interesting.

You continued to move to the beat of the song until you bumped into someone. You looked back to see Benny smiling next to you. You smiled back and let him in to the little circle you and your friends had created. You felt a little warm, not from the dancing, but from being close to him.

After fifteen minutes you were all tired and made your way to the booth to gather all your things up and pay the bill. You walked out of the bar and into the chilly night air, grateful for the residual body heat that came from all the dancing. You hugged Cleo and your new friends goodbye as took turns getting into taxis and headed towards their homes. Hilton offered to wave you down a taxi too, but you declined, explaining that your home wasn’t a far walk. He shrugged and gave you another hug before climbing into the yellow car. Once again it was just you and Benny.

“Just the two of us again huh?” He spoke, and he definitely didn’t sound turned off by the idea.

“Fate I guess.”

“Sure” he said casually.

“Do you not believe in fate?” You asked. You weren’t a firm believer in the idea but something in his tone made you curious.

“I’ve had this debate before I think. I’m not sure, but I’d like to figure it out. How about you?” He said. You imagined him having a lot of debates. You had just met him, but he seemed to fall into the intellectual category. They always kept things interesting, and frequently offered new perspectives.

“I mean everything’s gotta mean something, there has to be a purpose. I just don’t know if we make our own purpose or if we’re given a purpose; fate.” You mused, not meaning to get existential. He didn’t seem to mind.

“You seem like the type to want to figure things out too.” He said ‘too’. So you and him both liked to do that. You added that to the growing list of things you liked about him.

“I guess I am.” He had a pleased look on his face and you just shrugged as you started to say goodbye.

“Wait” he grabbed your arm, “I heard you say you didn’t live far, I could walk you.” Before you could protest he told you, “it wouldn’t be a big deal, I heard you tell Hilton where you lived, we’re in the same direction.”

You agreed, finding yourself wanting to talk to him more. He offered you his arm casually and you laughed to yourself a little at the gesture, taking it anyway. You walked down the sidewalk, talking and laughing. You felt comfortable as you felt like you leveled with him. It seemed like too short of a walk as you suddenly found yourself at the door of your apartment building.

“Guess this is goodnight.” Benny said as you both stood on the sidewalk.

“What about coffee?” You asked.

“Glad you remembered. I’ll pick you up at twelve tomorrow, we can make it lunch. I’ll pick you up.” He said it decidedly, like it was just a fact. Something you noticed he did often.

“Ok then. Lunch. Tomorrow. Am I forgetting anything?” You said as you stepped halfway into the doorway.

“If you are we can figure that out later. I’ll see you.” He waved with a slight smile.

You waved back and smiled in return, watching him walk away before closing the door. You sped up to your apartment, letting yourself finally feel the excitement and anticipation of going out. You stripped off your clothing as soon as you got in and flopped on your bed, feeling sort of giddy. You felt like you and Benny were connected, though you had barely met him. As you laid down you smiled to yourself, looking forward to tomorrow.

[sableflynn]

Felivy - The Choice

Soooo after a solid week of constant gushing about this au with @whumpopology I decided to try writing a bit of it! I'm uh pretty much completely obsessed with this au at this point, the amount of brainstorming we've done is incredible and soooo much fun.

Very brief context: AU where Felicia and Ivy both end up at Volkan's mean man estate together. The girls bond, Volkan is mean, the teams try to find them. Volkan decides to spice things up, contacts the teams and tells them they can choose one girl to have sent home and he'll keep the other. This is the timeline where they choose Ivy to come home.

cw: drugging, noncon kiss/touch, general noncon implications (none happens), whumper pov. ao3 link here.

---

The girl was strapped into a chair, thick leather cuffs tight on wrists that strained against the imprisonment. Even with the needle still in her arm, the drug coursing through her bloodstream, she fought; she had fought from the moment he first showed her just how he planned to transport her back to her team.

Red, Harrison had called her, for the striking color of her thick curls, but her hair color wasn’t enough to set her apart here. That fighting spirit, though; that was something his healer lacked, a tenacity bordering on feral that kept things interesting in a way Felicia couldn’t. And yet all it took was one wandering touch, one comment dripping with innuendo, one look, and she fell apart. Beneath all her bluster and bravado, Ivy was a scared little girl, and he was happy to remind her of that every time.

Her head began to droop and he thought that was it, until she snapped back to full alertness with fresh fire in her eyes. “You’re—” Her words were slurred, the effort to get them out visible in her face. “You’re fucking sick.”

He smiled and inclined his head in acknowledgement. “You should relax,” he said, and just to make sure she couldn’t relax, he leaned over her where she sat, one hand rising to brush strands of hair from her face. “Just let this happen. Next thing you know, you’ll be waking up in your boyfriend’s arms.”

“Nuh—” Despite the determination blazing in her eyes, she shuddered. A thin sheen of sweat broke out across her forehead, and he imagined he could see the drug working its way through her body, slowing her nervous system until she succumbed. Yet she still fought it; she couldn’t not, not with the needle still in her, and the knowledge that there wasn’t a single thing she could do to stop him from taking anything he wanted.

He leaned in for a kiss, and she was still awake enough to snap at him. Pulling back with a grin, he watched the terror dancing in her eyes, drank in the soft hitch of her breath as his hand caressed her cheek before traveling down further. His second kiss dipped lower, lips tracing the curve of her neck, sucking hard enough to bruise until he pulled a weak sob from her. Her pulse was racing beneath his tongue; every touch from him would send the drug through her body faster, which would make her more and more vulnerable to his touch. A delicious feedback loop of her suffering.

He lifted his head to meet her gaze, and the fire he’d seen there moments before was snuffed out. She was breathing heavily, eyes glimmering with unshed tears, mouth working as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t push the words out. He took her in another kiss and she whimpered against him, and god, he was going to miss this. Her fear was so different from Felicia’s, tinged with frustration at her own helplessness, and he could spend months drawing it out, showing her again and again that she was small and weak and nothing. But he had made a deal, and he was a man of his word. Better to leave her a sweet memory to remember him by, then.

When he pulled back from the kiss, he let his hand drift lower, until his thumb fretted with the fastenings of her pants. He hadn’t thought she could become more despairing than she already was, but at that touch she let out another sob, her head shaking weakly, slurring out words that might’ve been stop, please, no, don’t. He didn’t particularly care what they were. Fingers deftly undoing the button of her pants, other hand rising to press a harsh thumb into the bruise he’d kissed into her, he took her mouth in his one more time. She had no resistance left, and his tongue touched hers, his teeth dragging along her lower lip as he tasted her once again.

Her cry left her in a rush of air, and she slid into oblivion.

He studied her face, hands still on her body. In sleep, her features softened, the panic and desperation of moments before dulled to the slightest downward curve of her lips. So different from the wild thing who’d spat blood in his face, laughed under the threat of his knife, fought against him with everything in her. So much more fitting for the weak, terrified girl she became whenever he began to undress her, the lost thing he knew she was deep inside.

Refastening her pants, he took his hands from her body and began undoing the leather cuffs holding her in place. She had somewhere she needed to be, and it wouldn’t do for her to be late.

***

Felicia blinked, and stared at the bare white wall of her room, and fought a losing battle with her emotions.

One of us is going home. Volkan had dropped that bomb on them, and then dragged them off to their separate rooms before they could fully process. Before they could think to ask a single question. Before they could say goodbye.

She couldn’t hope. She couldn’t dare to hope, because if she went home, that would mean Ivy was staying here, and if Ivy stayed here alone she would be dead within the week.

She couldn’t hope, because she wouldn’t be strong enough to survive if her hope shattered and Ivy went home and she was left here, alone, with him.

There was no solution; only branching paths that ended in different flavors of heartbreak. Even when he offered them freedom, he twisted it into a weapon against them. Her heart raged against the unfairness of it all, and she crushed that feeling down, closing herself off, a few stray tears leaking from eyes squeezed shut.

The door to her room creaked open and she gripped the edges of the cot she sat on. He filled the frame, silhouetted against the hallway lights. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, and yet she knew she had to. His expression was unreadable. Maybe she just didn’t want to read it.

“Come with me,” he said, and walked away without waiting for a response. She rose and followed him.

He brought her to his lounge, all dark leather and polished wood and a fire crackling in the hearth. At a gesture from him, she sank into the couch and he poured two glasses of amber liquor, handing one to her. He sat across from her, and in his eyes she saw that look, that fucking look that meant he was savoring the anticipation of breaking her down in some new way, and that was how she knew to prepare herself a heartbeat before he said, “Why do you think they chose her over you?”

She pressed her lips into a thin line and willed herself not to feel. From the moment she had woken up in his office, some part of her had always known she was going to die here. This changed nothing. At least Ivy was safe. She could take this.

He gestured at the glass in her hand, the drink within untouched. “Drink. It’ll help you relax.” She stared through him, setting the glass on the table without a word, and he took a sip of his own liquor. “I just want to talk tonight. I know you must have a lot of mixed feelings right now.”

She shifted her gaze to look him in the eye, and his face crinkled with a genuine smile. “I wish I could’ve been there for the discussion,” he mused. “What do you think was the deciding factor? What was it that pushed them over the edge, made them realize that Ivy was worth more than you?”

He wasn’t going to let up. She bit down the urge to say they made the right choice—self-deprecation was only playing into his hands. And she couldn’t do it, couldn’t dwell on what sort of conversation must have taken place, so she said, “I don’t know.”

“No theories at all?” He raised a skeptical brow. “You have no idea what might’ve led your girlfriend to look me in the eye and tell me that she was choosing to leave you here with me in favor of a stranger?”

Elyse. Her face flashed in Felicia’s mind, and shit, a few tears welled up before she could close herself off to the feeling, and then her chest ached with longing and grief and despair, and her fingers dug into the leather of the couch as her breath hitched in a sob, and then another.

Volkan shushed her with a faux-soothing hum, his hand like fire against her skin as he tucked her stray strands of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry. I know this must hurt.” Through the haze of tears, the smirk on his face was infuriating. “If it helps, I think their choice makes sense.”

“Nothing about this makes sense, and you know that, you—” Now that she’d started, the sobs kept coming, racking her body with shudders. “You know, because you rigged this fucking game from the start, because that’s what you do, you—”

“Shhh.” He pressed a finger to her lips as he shushed her this time, and she flinched. “You’re getting emotional. Try to think about this logically. I’m sure your team did when they made their decision.” He sipped his drink again, considering. “Ivy’s a strong girl. A much better fighter. She doesn’t just roll over and submit at the first threat of pain. Although,” and his smile turned mocking, conspiratory, “you and I both know she’s not as tough as she likes to pretend. For a girl with two boyfriends, she sure fell apart quickly as soon as I—”

“You don’t know a goddamn thing about her,” Felicia lashed, stomach churning. Her skin warmed with the memory of Ivy’s touch, the only kind thing about this place. Ivy’s beautiful fierceness as she fought Volkan in every way. Ivy’s smile, and her tears, and her whispered promises in the night. “She’s—she’s so brave, and she’s good, and she’s not going to just leave me here.” Please.

Volkan’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Adorable. She already did.”

The flash of Ivy’s hazel eyes, wide with shock as she was dragged to her own room to wait for a decision to be made. “She didn’t leave. You took her.”

He chuckled. “Technically, you’re correct. Would you prefer she was still here with you?”

“I—” Felicia hated herself, then, for how close she came to saying yes, and she hated him even more for the slight quirk of his lips as he saw the indecision play across her face, as he read her like a book. “I’m glad she’ll be safe now,” she managed at last.

“Safe is a relative term,” Volkan said, setting his empty glass down on the table. “But I’m sure we can both agree she’s in a better place than you are.” He leaned in closer to her, pressing her against the couch, and his arms surrounding her were the jaws of a trap closing in on her.