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aeempress · 3 years

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Apritello Express Evidences, part 3

Apritello, my dear friends, is really all hints, devil in details, little pieces that, in the end, become a huge picture.

I can't say that there are a lot of episodes with April and Donnie spending quality time together, no. But all episodes are important to understand how their relationship are involving, growing. If you have sharp eyes and think about all of this even a little bit, you will be surprised how gracefully their relationship changes and grows, how characters evolve.

Dear passengers, we're about to start. Mind the gap!

Episodes “The Gumbus” and “Mrs. Cuddles”.

I think it would be appropriate to analyze these episodes in bunch, because they have common situations of spooky supernatural stuff and reactions of characters to this.

When you watch these two eps in raw, it's easy to see how alike are reactions of Donnie and April in some scary, really odd situations.

Adrenaline ‘n’ reclessness

April is really into all spooky things in “The Gumbus”, she's not afraid of some creepy stuff and she's really brave girl who easily copes with stressful and life-threatening situations.

Donnie is incredibly calm and collected when alive doll talked to him.

But still, April was frightened about plush rabbit because it was really unexpected for girl, she wasn’t ready to realize that plush doll that she’d worked with is alive fear-eating monster who will hurt and intimidate to get their precious screams. But point remains: Donnie and April share crazy fearlessness, which turns into an adrenaline addiction.

And here I am, a science guy, who tell you: adrenaline is a big deal for our body. This hormone can even provoke an onset of romantic feelings. Chemistry and anatomy come to fill the gaps: when a person is afraid, their pulse quickens, a cocktail of hormones is releasing into the blood, which sharpen the senses and reflexes. It will create a strong emotional bound, that's important for maintaining romantic kind of feelings. The more impressions there are (even negative ones), the higher the chance that person will remember his|her partner, and want to see them again – the body gets hooked on adrenaline, like a drug.

That’s why D&A have so strong, unshakeable boundaries. They are so alike: their attitude to scary things, the way Donnie and April cope with them, the adrenaline addiction their share. They even express feelings the same way.

And one tiny detail: April and Donnie start the teasing Raph for his fear of mrs. Cuddles. So they become the first victims of plushie.

Friendly reminder: they were the 1st victims, and what’s happened with them we don’t know, because it wasn’t shown due to not ruin the atmosphere of suspense.

But we have a beautiful quote of mrs. Cuddles and this precious shot which explain everything

Raph: Where’s Donnie?

Cuddles: In a happy place where he’ll scream and I can grow forever and now you’re gonna join him!

In a happy place, huh? Tied up with April in Splinter’s bedroom, a really happy place. Hold a sec, are they -

And after that Donnie’s responding is killing me.

Donnie:[OS] I'm afraid of togetherness.

Yep. All normal here. We should continue.

"Operation Normal" even though doesn't show a lot of interactions between April and Donnie, however continues the general outline highlighting the topics that were mentioned earlier in the show.

Firstly, April's relationship with her classmates. We're able to see how poor her scholar life is in "Hypno Part Deux" and "The Purple Jacket". She has no "normal", human friends except some strange remora guy, more like acquaintance than friend, though. But still, having "be normal" kick she's fine with Donnie's weirdness ( Mikey is always beyond all normal comprehension, Raph goes weird while he's alone, without brothers, and his fear of miss Cuddles is no big deal to fam, Leo didn't show any weird stuff during the series, like, reeeeal weird, m'kay?).

Conversation between April and Donnie at pizza spot

Really interesting and smooth scene. We’ve got Donatello who stares at April while he’s waiting his favourite pizza, no big deal.

And his legs.

If a person is interested in you, during a conversation, they will put their right foot forward (a left-handed person is more likely to put their left foot forward) in order to close the distance between you. - Check.

being in company, peson will point the sock at the most pleasant interlocutor for them. - check.

April’s legs are ponted at Donnie. Checkmate.

Yeah, April is hanging out with Donatello and Leonardo, but the main focus of hers is on Donnie.

All these scene makes me think that Donnie, knowing about how badly sometimes April wants to be normal, is up to help her overcome this. Fight fire with fire: fill up her life with all of this weird, mystic stuff so it will be normal with time. Regular people go to pizza spot to spend some quality time together, so we have pizza restaraunt here, in Hidden City. Make all odd normal, and problem will solved.

Donnie really tries his best, look at his face. Dee’s fine with all this bizzare things what happens to April, he’s fine with her. But still he fails, because April’s concept of normalcy differs drom Donnie’s.

And again, for Donnie it’s not a problem at all. He’s always was at the opposite side of normalcy and it doesn’t matter for him if April is in the same boat with him. Cause, as I said, Don’s fine with that.

Second, how much Donnie knows about April.

- Scoff! Are you really still on this whole "I want things to be normal" kick?

- Yes, what big city girl doesn't have a kayak and has hazmat suit?

Interesting detail here: this line launches Donnie’s flashback (because the first scene is from “Purple Jacket”, it’s Dee’s episode, obviously). And Don, as far as I can tell, has in his flashback moments with April when she did something reaaally impressive. His face is way more louder than any words.

- Short answer: no. Long answer: nnooooooooo.

- Oh, no! You know how April freaks out around the cosplay wizards!

These tiny lines are containing a lot of background, stories, intimate conversations that April and Donnie share. This show always does the same trick: we never see a direct action, we are only able to see a result or statement of the result. But series do a great work telling us with such small and imperceptible gestures that their bonding at this point is mutual. Not only D tells April about his inventions, family and fam's issues he has and even his falls, mistakes and failures. April does the same thing, sharing with Donatello one of the most important things to her. Problem that really bothers her.

C'mon, he'd even memorized Sunita's name, though April messed up with this situation a bit. It seems Donnie memorizes facts about April - he remembered the wi-fi password from old April's work as we can see in "The Longest fight" (he could hack it easily, he's a genius, why he's been keeping in mind some piece information that useless for a year? It doesn't make any sense)

Oh, and that. Just a coincidence, I guess?

Just alike suits, no big deal. Plus, the whole family has it (and something tells me that guys have suits at the behest of Don, so probably April does). But Donnie and April has a lot in common like emotional expressions, reaction about some kind situations, fight style and even tastes in fashion.

Also, it seems like Donnie's been watching April for sometimes.

While Leo was hiding in trash can, to not catch anyone's eye rather than April. He definitely couldn't know who was passing by, but there was Donnie to observe from above. That's why he was hanging down the stairs when Leo spoke to April.

It’s not the first time Donnie dress up as old lady to monitor April’s day.

Leo: Why do you always make us dress up as old ladies? Donnie: №1: confort, №2: to blend in as we monitor April’s day for max normalcy.

3. Even when D took away this cosplay wizard, he's still keeping eye on her.

Oh no, you don’t. Grandmas here!

Donatello changes his foe to save April exactly. He fought all evening with Brutus, but when April slightly gets in danger, Donnie just attacked anyone who has intention to hurt her and ruin her evening.

Is that a flying turtle in an old purple dress?

April, who all evening was trying to look “normal”, hiding her real friends because they are mutant turtles and pretending that nothing unusual happens here, finally gives up when Sunita mentioned Donnie. Even though new April’s friend has asked her before about Leo.

His eyes.

Donnie is really impressed but what he saw, and the reason - April O'Neil.

The episode "Warren & Hypno, sitting in a Tree" is another incredible piece of whole picture.

Turtle tank is decorated for April birthday in purplish scheme, definetely Donatello's work.

Dee's nonverbal speech.

• He seems more interested and softer than usual looking at April. It's easy to say comparing him with brothers. Mikey is in anticipation of fun mode, Leo relaxed and show his "whatever it will be fun" attitude, Raph is listening carefully, but still, Donnie could just turn his head in April's vouce direction, not a whole body.

• Warren felt Don's gaze while talked with April, so worm made the remark. Pay attention to the construction of the frame of neighboring scenes. The second frame is April's perspective. And Don is looking namely at her.

Indignation. Disappointment. Spark, storm, madness (i love this russian meme, sorry not sorry)

• Donnie seems sincerely sorry for this situation with April's b-day. And again, this soft gaze and "Raph, shut the shell up, your nonsense is upsetting her"-eyes.

• Donatello is kind of person, who’s avoiding a proper confrontation, so he rarely stands up for someone. He were remaining silent, when Raphael tried to cheer April in the most radiculous way, but when Hypno tried to play with April’s feelings, Donnie blew it.

He’s obviously in wrath as D emote that expressively. Yeah, he had much on his plate at April’s birthday, but it’s her b-day on the line, not his pride.

Warren used April, playing with her fan feelings. Her idol betrayed her, she was locked up in a cage, and now we have Hypno who wants to use her again by pitting and pushing for her compassion, because, it’s obvious - boys would do everything she said.

And Donnie tries to keep Hypno away from her, protect her feelings from another betrayal.

As he’s already stated - “For you, anything”.

The show always tells us: if you wanna trigger Don, bring April in.

Hypno tried to turn this thing around, Leo did the same in “Al be back”.

If Hypno-tamus did that accidentally as he found out that April O’ Neil is a birthday girl, so her wishes that day were laws, Leo did it on purpuse.

Leo is good at manupulating and pulling some strings, plus he knows his twin as back of his hand. That’s why Leo mentioned April in the end as she was always the most powerful argument, the reason and motive for Donnie. At second he’s even panicked, but remained calm. He almost blew up his coolheaded image because of one certain girl in yellow.

• Donnie is really happy to present Warren's arm to April. He even holds it like a rare, priceless treasure. D is really proud of himself right now: he saved the day, after all. The emotional reaction of hers is exactly what Donnie wants to get. And then, his final pose, while April is on 9th cloud from happiness - that's really territorial gesture, D claims his supremacy and confidence, telling "See? That's my happy birthday girl".

Leapfrog with a composition

Donnie and April are more and more eager to be together in the frame. Composition’s boners, m’kay.

Special ride for April

Yeah, Donnie used to offer his battleshell to give April a special ride. It even has a seat and handlebars for her comfort. She can control the flight as well as Donatello, they are like co-pilots. But he never carried her on his back before.

Usually, April is carried by Raphael, on his neck/shoulder, and she’s fine with it. Raph is strong enough to carry her without any difficulties or slowing down.

It’s not Donnie’s weak to carry her - no, he strong enough to carry his battleshell with a lot stuff in it everyday, Don can carry Splints on his shoulder without any apparent difficulty. He strong enough to hold the weight of his battleshell+April. Oh, c’mon, D assembled the Turtle tank only by himself and this for sure requires a lot of physical strength in order to engage in auto mechanics. Try lifting the wheel with tyre, and you'll see what I mean. Of course, there is a jack, but it will not solve all the problems. Don could use hydraulics and Archimedes ' laws, but I'm sure he did most of it with his own hands. Lifting and carrying, all by himself.

Not the strengh what’s matter but another point.

The sequence where Donnie carries April on his back doesn’t last long, it’s pretty easy to miss, while Raph openly do that with April on him.

Plus April’s gaze: she’s staring right at us with her “ninja-eyes” as if they were caught in the middle of something. The duration and length of the sequence, the way it is made all of this arouse certain thoughts.

It’s like nobody should see this. Too personal. To be more specific - too close and intimate?

Donnie stated a few times that he’s not into togetherness, tactile interaction and phisical side of contacts. Although he's fine with his brothers, don't forget that April is a girl. Even if she feels like part of family, she’s not his relative. She’s not his sister.

Some people tend to avoid physical contact with the objects of their interest. And this behaviour fits in Don’s character. He’s anxious type with a lot of psychological and emotional issues. Yeah, he tries to cover it up, built a shell to protect himself, behave as confident extravert but he’s nothing like that. Sometimes D tends to distance himself from his family, to hide in his shell, and we've seen that throughout the show.

Don hangs by his phone quite often, he addicted to this as his comfort zone, his peaceful cave, where everything is much easier,

Don pretends he’s so busy with his science stuff to ward off his brothers (ep. Mind Meld),

Don went to the lab to work on his projects, while he could hang out with April and the brothers (ep. Mrs. Cuddles). And he left for what? To work on self-cleaning tooth pick, or the titan bust of himself? It’s seems like lame excuse to be alone. He’s definetely an intovert, who sometimes needs some space and time with himself.

All his cocky behaviour is showing off to hide insecure, diffident and vulnerable creature, softshell purple turtle. Yeah, Donnie has confidence in what he’s great in: tech, science stuff, where he’s only one is capable of. But if someone steps on his domain or doubts his authority, his true colours exposed.

And, once again, “Mind meld” is a great evidence of that. Would callous, unsumpathetic guy without heart have a wall with pictures of his fellows? I’m afraid not. Donnie has a soft, caring heart.

There’s an alley of his the dearest moments, because photos - are always memory, precious moments we want to keep.

1 - from “Minotaur Maze”. Don loves good pizza, loves his brothers, and they have a little adventure together. Yeah, this photo isn’t on champ wall, but still.

2 - from “Mascot melee”. Important day for bros as they show themselves to people at daylight to rescue Raph and their operation to buy a new robe for his father. It’s their joint brothers dance, and D is loving to dance, remember? Definetely special occasion.

3 - from “Mascot melee”. Splints was really glad to receive a gift from boys. And Donatello, as we know, is always eager to achive for pop’s approval. This for sure must be in his precious moments collection.

5, 7 - from “Donnie’s gifts”. He even keeps a dorky photo, which Raph uses as profile pic at Donnie’s number.

8, 9 - “Down with the sickness”. It was funny to survive all the 7 stages to achive what boys wanted. They failed, but still.

10 - from “Al be back”. Who knows that Splints is so good at singing?

4, 6 - from “The Fast and the Furriest”. Strange choice, cuz, you know, photos ten seconds before his collision with April bat?

And yeah, he HAS April’s photo here. And at this pic it’s April, and April alone,without his brothers.

Don’s a real softie, see?

And avoiding physical contact is a way to protect Donnie’s already shattered self-esteem. To not cause any doubts in front of girl which he’s interested in. That’s possible reason why we did not receive any heartwarming hugs in “The Purple Jacket”.

But Donnie carries April, because it’s her birthday. On the one hand, the girl claims that her b-day is cursed, and Donnie could, by any chance, do something nice for her, and on the other hand - any request of the bithday girl - is the law, as we could see earlier.

Gift for birthday girl

There is no Donnie in the scene after Draxum throw off Warren's arm. While Raph comfort April about her birthday, Donnie was looking for it to present it to April.

He knows the best what is the most precious gift for her. Warren Stone, her idol, goat of making news; she have been in Stoneheads fanclub for 9 years. Also, it seems that Donnie is the one of turtles, who collected info about this worm.

Also, he stopped immediately when April stepped between them and show no disappointing (remind you about Donnie's sadistic science guy nature). The reason is April.

And another cute detail: their glasses are the same form.

Another episode "Mystic library" has slightly touched D&A interaction. But were talking about Apritello, it's all hints but quality.

When Mayham trapped in the mirror and Raph, Leo and Mikey obviously are not coping, April decides to call Donnie to clear situation up.

Donnie, mister "I ruin everything", she's going to call for help. I repeat this. April calls for help Mr. Science to solve mystic problems with her pet. MYSTIC PET.

And he AGREES.

Turtles dissuade their friend from calling Donatello but after a while, April returns with Donnie, and sees the bathroom in ruins.

I'm gonna clear this moment.

1. April haven’t called Donnie.

2. Some time later she returns with Dee.

3. Our girl is pretty shocked to see her bathroom in ruins, argo she didn't see/hear Raph chose to solve problem with smashing.

It must mean only ine thing: April went for Donnie by herself. We don't know where was he, we don't know what the reason April brought Donnie with her by herself, 'cause we know that if she call Dee, he will definitely get to her immediately.

Something is definetely off.

By the way, April changed Don’s profile pic.Yeah, the first one is very informative since Donnie is a turtle and he’s purple and he has bandana. Seems like April have done it by herself, editing the photo of real turtle. She didn't put a lot of effort into this, this image doesn't show her real attitude towards Don. But second is more personality-tinged. Sleeping Donatello in all his gear - this detail can tell us about only one thing - he was photographed when he fell asleep after his sleepless night(s) working hard at something - is something she can catch or receive by boys (namely speaking, it’s Leo, according to Ben Schwartz stated in an interview, that if Leo had an Instagram account, that 60 to 70% of his photos would be his brothers caught sleeping or slipping on things). And still. April has a dorky and little embarrassing pic of Donatello and this is... Interesting and cute?

This profile pic remind me about ROTTMNT: Sound off! (2nd issue)

The next station is “The Purple Game”.

Another episode in which the interaction of the characters is small in timing, but great in content.

And once again: they have a lot in common. I’d never tired of repeating this thing ‘cause the series do the same trick, showing one thing from different points of view. April and April shares the same taste in games, the same attitude, the same mojo.

But the most important thing here is how D&A interacrions are shown in this episode. Unlike other episodes, the interaction here is indirect, is provided by gaming.

Their customized avatars reflects their personality. I mean, the colour schemes (though Donatello has never shown any interest in yellow, he used it for customization of his persona), the way their avatars looking. Game even refering to Sherlock_Corn as “she”, albeit it’s impossible to refer to her avatar in female pronoun. Because, you know, design and nickname?

And the in-game interaction of the avatars resembles D&A irl relationships. Bootyyyshaker 9000 don’t like togetherness, he’s looking like Donnie’s expectation of himself (cool and tough guy, as D sees himself in his own dreams)

Their dialogue

Actually. Actually, Donnie and April are not able to hear each other as game has no voice chat, but their lines make an perfect dialogue nevertheless.

April:Bootyshaker9000? Donnie?

Donnie:April? You’re the last person I need to destroy to achive rank №1!

April:Ditto!

Both:There can only be one!

Donnie said the cheat combination, so April would know for sure what he is supposed to do, but she has no idea.

So, once again: their sync is incredible.

And can we talk about that?

April’s attack

As it seems, attacks may be customized by players. Bootyyshaker has attack that refers at Donatello main feature - superior intellect.

And this attack isn’t effective, because REAL April O’Neil has a resist towards it. She has known D for years, she knows what he’s capable of, she’s aware of his nerd side. April’s immune to it, so Sherlock_Corn is.

Sherlock_corn has a default attack - kernel cannon. It’s nod to her nickname: kernel, corn, the same book. But her second atteck is something reflecting her personalitiy. Plus, April is aware of Donnie’s “fear” of togetherness. All’s fair in love and war, right?

April took a lot of BS9000 hp by her “friendly hugs”. And, by the way, his sweet reaction for hugs.

So:

The selection of the final opponent. It might be literally anyone, but we wouldn’t be able to see Dee’s obsession in that case. Yeah, he’s already had a demon possesion ™, but it was too easy to him to win. No challenge. No “kill or be killed”, “It’s me or you” mojo. He needed some tough gamer for challenging, to develop his character, push him too far. And April, actually, is an excellent choice to reveal the character of certain purple turtle.To expose his true colours. And April do a great job: they know each other, so battle will be spicy, they are both compepitors, they are so alike, so it would be intersting to watch Donatello vs April. And it will, ‘cause In-game April and In-game Don is somewhat different than them usual.

April is Don’s slayer for sure. She’s good at gaming, her last attack was almost fatal for him. So he had to to cheated on her.

Captain Cuddlecakes. Yes, she know about his afraid of togetherness. And there’s lovey-dovey attack animation with this cuddling and Donatello’s persona behaves like him. And it was SPECIAL RUN, so... I haven’t the foggiest why. Cute detail, I mean.

Just look at it. Isn’t it cute?(at least we got their hugs somewhere... kinda. kinda.)

“Snow Day“, albeit being family episode, shows a lot about D&A relationship through “family war”.

First of all, the same taste in films.

Donnie’s already shown the same attitude to fashion, scary things as Cap O'Neil, April shares the same gamer’s mojo as Donatello, but now? We have Donnie and April that are loving the same movie.

For love of purple supernovas, of all the Jupiter Jim’s movies (and there are more than 60 of them), that's a convinient coincidence, they like the same movie.

It stated in series several times that Dee is fond of Atomic Lass. He had crush on her when he was child, he admires her by all his heart, so it will make sense if films with this character he would be his favourite. It’s logical, isn’t it?

Atomic Lass, even if she is part of JJ-universe, however, isn't in every movie. Leo described "JJ: Pluto vacation IV" and there is no sights of Atomic Lass. Like, at all.

Nevertheless, April’s claimed that “PV-4” is the best movie of the time, and Don agrees.

April:What the whaaaat? Hold up, Skip. “Jupiter Jim Pluto Vacation 4″ is the best JJ movie of all time.

Donnie:Ranked, by us, just now. So it’s basically official, no arguing.

And they do this thing again. Reflecting each other. Facial expressions, intonations, poses and etc. Haven’t I mentiones that? Mirroring is natural way to build communication. People, who communicate enthusiastically, who have sympathy to each other, feelings of certain nature, unconsciously copy each other's poses.

Direct reflection and close contact have a strong effect. This is used between lovers, people with close relationships or interested in each other.

And you can see that during not only episode, but through the whole series.

Poses, gestures, facial expressions they share constantly. Even if they are apart, they are mirroring each other, showing their bound. Because Apritello is not always about sitting close, holding hands and blushing. Apritello is about staying together even if they are not. It’s about solid foundation, about synergy, about chemistry Donnie and April share. And all of these are not always so obvious and clear, evident. But so realistic nevertheless.

And that’s why they splitted off the fam - they are too close and alike.

I stated it before but DonniexApril team is way more effective than Donniexbrothers team. Donatello and April are equal, worth each other. They are comfortable with each other, their teamwork is amazing.

They are always near, close to each other for the entire episode. Stand up for each other, side by side. They have no need to do team-building, because their sincronization is incredible. April works well together with Donnie, their skills compliment each other.

I love that April in a first place look at Donnie to check is everything alright.

And a cherry on top?

This inviting gesture. Donnie just watched all along how his brothers and April try to throw some cold water on this situation (khem, it slipped). But when April call him with this inviting gesture, he’d like to help.

In other words, he was waitng when April requests for his help.

Composition’s boners

Sometimes it happens during the show, but this episode beat hte score at this point. I say only one word: physics. Or, more precisely, the force of attraction. Or, maybe Mayham.

... Anyway.

Fitting in the type

April can play not so nice against her enemies, she got steady hand and meanness, merciless and reclessness. She’s passionate and kinda badass, sassy - in a positive way, she’s baddest girl who can kick your butt if you mess with her, and she really good at this.

She has a fire, and Donnie likes that. Dee never stated that directly but miss O’Neil impressed him so many times and in different way so it’s kinda pretty obvious.

Just look how Donatello reacted the way April took Raph down a peg. Her actions are elegant, relaxed but really sly. She almost dare Raph to put his flag on top only to bring him down to Earth in really painful way. She destroyed Bros’ team so easily just by waiting a bit and by calling Mayham.

She’s definetely got some pepper.

Pretty cute but baddest, don’t you think?

And Donnie was impressed for sure, he admitted it - “That is fun for me”. He don’t even stand a chance, c’mon: she’s smarass and elegant, she can be mean and cute at the same time.

Even though that’s it for season 1 analysis (the last series is more appropriate to review as part of 2nd season, plus it was a reaally big post, I need some time)

You can refresh this whole situation in the car 1 and the car 2 or follow the hashtag #apritello express as you please. It’s a pleasure of mine, keep in touch :)

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nat-20s · 3 years

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what’s poppin everyone please have this fun lil writing warmup/short story inspired by me thinking “Dancing in the Moonlight” was definitely 100% about werewolves

~*~

“So, this your first transformation?”

The counselor? Leader? Tour guide? Asked this with a perfectly jovial tone, as if the typical social mores surrounding, ugh, lycanthropy, didn’t apply to her. They didn’t know what exact title to call her, and her name tag just said “Luna”, which, reflecting on it, either was a joke on her part or a reflection of her parents’ sense of humor.

Picking at the scabs from last month, they cringed and replied, “No. Uh. Second.”

Luna lets out a low whistle. “Oof. That sucks. Guessing you got bitten rather than inherited the ol’ wolfman gene?”

“That’s...kind of personal?”

Unlocking the front door of the log cabin that served as King Harvest’s Headquarters, Luna shrugs and says, “Shit, sorry. Forgot the whole weird stigma around your source of the once monthly nightmare, as if it fuckin matters. Also, I know, I know, ass out of you and me. Hey, you got any dietary restrictions? Gluten, peanut allergies, the like?”

Voice flat, they tell her, “I’m vegetarian,” and waits for the obvious response.

As they wander through the cabin towards the kitchen, Luna flipping on the light switches, generic club music starts to filter in. Instead of the obvious response, Luna asks, “You like veggie burgers? Or maybe pasta? I’d offer salad, but that’s really not gonna cut it for tonight.”

“I ate before I came.”

With a snort, she tells them, “Oh yeah? Did you have about 4000 calories?”

“No? Why would I have?”

Sweeping out her arm, she gestures at the food laying out on the counter and tells them, “Then eat up! 4000 is really a minimum for the night if you don’t want to feel like someone physically beat out all of your energy in the morning. 6000 is more the target area, but we got, hmm, about 15 minutes before things get uncomfortable, and half an hour max before things get dire.”

They glance down to the food, and, admittedly, the broccoli alfredo does look pretty appealing. Still, they have to ask, “Is this a cult?”

Luna lets out a bark of a laugh that has nothing to do with her (maybe) being a werewolf. “Okay, first of all, what kind of cult is like ‘fuck yeah, we’re a cult’? Secondly, despite the first thing, I can say that we’re not a cult. I know how “King Harvest: Center for Movement Therapy” sounds, both clinical and vague enough to be suspicious as hell, but I didn’t come up with the title, blame my long deceased dad for that one. Plus, ‘King Harvest: Bitchin’ Wolf Dance House’ probably wouldn’t look good on the grant applications.”

“Grants?”

“Oh yeah. This bad boy’s been publicly funded since its opening in 1972. Hence no membership fees.”

“Is that why animal control is giving out your business card? Are they one of your sponsors?”

“Nah, that’s just Jack. Me ‘n’ him go way back, hell, to his park ranger days. I mean, yeah, I think he’ll campaign for us, but mostly I think he just hates capturing a wolf in the night only to have a naked, trembling human in the morning, and he knows that our program significantly reduces the odds of that happening, at least in this neck of the woods.”

They let out a hum, then glance back down to the food. As appealing as it down look, they’re still about..30% convinced this is an elaborate organ harvesting operation. Or sketchy sex thing.

Apparently sensing their hesitation, Luna says, “You got a favorite chip?”

“Salt and vinegar.”

Grabbing a sealed family sized bag from the overhead cabinets, Luna tosses it to them. “If you come back next full moon, either eat enough in advance or have a real meal here. That being said, excuse the turn of phrase, you should wolf that down. It’s sure as hell better than nothing.”

They catch it, and the bag opens with a puff of air that speaks to a reassuring lack of tampering. As they toss a chip into their mouth, Luna grabs a water bottle from the fridge and places it down next to them. “So? Any questions for me? We’ve still got about ten minutes before we have to go out there.”

Rolling their eyes, they tell her, “No. None at all.”

“Great! Soon as you’re done eating we’ll get you started.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Yeah, no shit, smart-ass. Seriously, what are your, we haven’t got much time.”

“I don’t know? The whole..thing? I mean, how is it supposed to..work? Like? At all?”

“You ever see Amok Time?”

“Is that relevant?”

“It’s a yes or no question babe.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then the explanation is going to be a lot more technical and take a lot longer, ultimately to likely make less sense.”

“...I’ve seen it.”

“Great! So, Pon Farr is basically this chemical blood imbalance that results in fuck or die disorder, yeah? But then Spock neither fucks nor dies, and eventually the vulcans get their shit together and find out that an intense fight can serve the same function, and the blood fever chills out. Lycanthropy operates on a similar enough basis for comparison. You’re compelled to act out on energetically heavy base instincts, returning to the ways of the wolf or whatever. Traditionally, that’s done through running and hunting, which has, historically, been a crapshoot at best. Theoretically, sex can also get the job done, but I’m sure you can imagine how that gets extremely dicey extremely quickly. Either restraints or isolation has been implemented for a while, but, c’mon, they’re bandaid solutions, and they’re far from foolproof. Luckily for us all, my grandmother decided to connect back with her ancestors, and there was a handful of stories having huge festivals to deal with ‘moon violence’. She tried it out, and, yeah, dancing works.”

“That sounds…”

They don’t know how that sounds. Made up, mostly.

“Like a bunch of hippie bullshit? Yeah, it kind of is, Grandma Josephine was a huge hippie, but it’s hippie bullshit that works. In fact, let’s go see the others, it almost always makes things clearer.”

Figuring that whatever they’re about to see can’t be worse than their transformation last month. They head through the sliding glass door out the back, the thump of the music suddenly loud enough to be felt in their chest. The sight that awaits them makes them drop their chips and let out a gasp. Barely able to speak, they exhale out, “None of them...they’re not wolves. How..how??”

Indeed, the roughly forty people jumping to the pulse of whatever they’re listening to (some to the in house DJ, some, apparently, to what’s playing over the large headphones they have adorned), resemble the image of a wolfman much more accurately. They bare claws, fangs, elongated snouts, upright ears, and serious amounts of hair, but they’re on two legs, and moving like humans. Some of them are even singing along to the lyrics, which really shouldn’t be possible.

Luna grins, making it obvious that she’s used to this level of shell shocks. “Ultimately, you do have to give into some damn rigorous instincts. But dancing is a human instinct, not a canine one, so you end up, well, humanoid. Pretty nifty, huh?”

“And they all..they all keep their minds? I didn’t...they don’t blackout?”

“Not since we banned alcohol in the 90s! Here, watch this.”

Luna nods her head at the DJ, and the DJ, obligingly, turns down the music for a moment. The members of the crowd not listening to their own music pause, then look towards the door. She cries out, “Hey gang! HOW WE ALL DOIN’ TONIGHT?”, and gets a mix between a howl and “WOO!” cried back. The DJ then turns the music back up, and the general movement of the crowd resumes.

They should be more skeptical. They want to be more skeptical, they were just minutes before, but it’s hard to disagree with something right in front of you. “This will work for me? I just..have to dance?”

“Well, it’s not guaranteed. Few things are. But we have yet to have someone turn violent on us. If you start to fell yourself slipping from consciousness, though, I do ask that you start heading further into the woods, as to not hurt other guest. If you find yourself just getting tired, there’s beds inside, and a fair amount of pillows around the edge of the quote unquote dance floor, if you end up in more of a nesting mood. Also, I recommend taking off your shoes before you start.”

“What? Why?”

Luna gives a pointed glance at the dancers’ feet, which, ah. They’re about twice as large as normal and at least twice as sharp. The converse on their feet would be no match. “Ah.”

“Ready?”

They shove off their shoes and place the remainder of their chips aside. “As I’ll ever be.”

Good thing, too, as they’re starting to feel an uncomfortable pressure in their chest that was the prelude to disaster last month.

Luna strides to the center of the dance floor, which is really a plush lawn surrounded by forest. The crowd naturally moves around her, and she yells out, “Aiyana! Play my song!”

Aiyana gives a nod, and the opening notes of “Dancing in the Moonlight” start to sound out. “Seriously?”

Luna shrugs, grinning like a fool, and says, “It’s a classic!”

“It’s cliché at best.”

Luna shrugs, and then begins dancing. She’s hardly elegant, but she is dazzlingly joyful in her uncoordinated movements. As the song reaches the first chorus, she gives a twirl, and in the split second it takes, she’s transformed. They blink in shock, not knowing you could transform that seamlessly, that quickly, that painlessly. Luna in half wolf form is just as expressive as the human Luna, and she gives a nod over her shoulder as if to say Come on.

Feeling somewhat foolish, they start to bop their head to the tune. Luna lets out a huff and grabs their hands, spinning them around and forcing them to get moving. At first, it’s them indulging Luna, but as they let themselves get lost in rhythm, they feel a stretching sensation in their face and limbs. It’s not unpleasant, more like when you wake up and work out the tension in your spine. They open their eyes and look down at their hands, now covered in fur in and made for slashing. It didn’t hurt. It didn’t hurt, and they’re still themselves, and they had no idea that full moons could be like this, maybe for the rest of their lives.

They turn their head to the night sky, and their body can’t help but continue to dance. Despite all their fear, all their dread, “movement therapy” worked, and they can admit, at least to themselves, that they feel warm and bright.

#my writing #nats journey into writing short stories based on 70s songs continues lmao

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neonponders · 3 years

Text

I’m so sorry that I don’t remember who originally posted about Steve accidentally calling Billy, Daddy, and Billy - naturally - going feral for it.

But daydreaming about this helped me sleep so ~ enjoy! (If anyone knows the post I’m talking about, I’ll happily add a link to it in a reblog and the ao3 notes.)

Read on ao3 here.

Featuring reunion/aged up trope ~ (I didn’t really keep canon in mind for this, but if you want it to be post season 3, that’s fine.)

It’s a strange twilight zone, meeting someone again. Being complete strangers with a history.

Not the best history, either, so Steve just had to laugh to himself while he sat on Billy Hargrove’s couch. The guy looked up from the kitchen counter across the open floor plan. “What?”

And Steve might be internally combusting a bit-

A lot.

Because Billy’s hot. Like...Steve can actually appreciate it now. It’s not the first time he feels like a fool for being too slow. Billy was a looker in high school; easily one of the guys who completed puberty first and knew it. Made him an asshole for it. And people liked assholes.

Steve guessed he just didn’t do it right. Being the mean guy. But that was far behind them, now, and Billy’s late twenties were doing him favors.

Steve supposed if young, spry, Adonis Billy came with being a complete dick, then he could appreciatively leave him behind. Because Billy wasn’t a complete dick anymore. And the man strolling back across the room with a pair of whiskey sours was definitely, 100%, burning a hole through Steve’s jeans better than the show-off from high school ever did.

Steve reckoned Adonis never got laid nearly as much as Zeus or Poseidon anyway, which he only knew from Robin’s ramblings about her Greek theatre class. Steve earned a distinct wrinkling of her nose when he said, “Lettuce? Adonis is symbolized with lettuce? Yeah, no. Aphrodite, that cougar, fell for a twink while Daddy Poseidon was getting whoever he wanted with his beard and all.”

Robin had barked a laugh but chided, “Please don’t ever call Poseidon, “Daddy,” ever again. Oh my god.”

Joke’s on her, because now she referred to the gods and heroes by whatever name Steve gave them.

And the joke was on Steve. Because he was definitely the twink in this new situation he found himself in.

Billy had always been stacked. But the guy walking through the university gallery to make Steve’s heart stop beating in his chest was something else. He wasn’t even bigger, really. Something just...happened as soon as a person could see 30 closer than 20. Steve had first noticed it with Robin, because they spent the most time together. Obviously that crush had been snuffed out with her gentle coming-out to him years ago, but Steve still had eyes in his head. Robin aged really well. Steve had begun to wonder if he was aging nearly as gracefully.

Billy, that bastard, strolled right up to him with a freaking mustache of all things, invited them to lunch the next day - where he had switched to clean shaven - and now sat on his couch in his newly built apartment complex with a sweating, rattled Steve. He had neatly pulled him aside before the three of them parted the restaurant to invite Steve over for drinks that evening.

Steve was unprepared for the sculpted scruff on the man’s face now. He’d never seen a guy switch facial hair styles like he was changing shirts. Frankly, he didn’t know anybody who could just grow it that easily.

Steve gulped loudly around his whiskey sour.

It was Billy’s turn to laugh under his breath. “You okay? You never answered me.”

“Yeah,” Steve said, a little out of breath. “I’m just...reeling, here. I think the last conversation we had involved a fist fight.”

Billy laughed again and Steve’s eyes trailed over the shirt fitting perfectly around his built shoulders. Maybe Billy is bigger. In like a...domestic sort of way. Like he still had all his muscle but didn’t throw a fit over a bowl of pasta. Steve is still taller. Steve still had that, at least, but he sure felt like his second puberty hadn’t graced him yet.

Billy was talking. Pay attention, Steve.

Something about Robin. Steve replied, and hoped he was answering close to whatever Billy had said, “Robin teaches there and some of her students were in the exhibition. It’s an art nerd thing. Everybody’s involved, even if it’s not your subject.”

Steve couldn’t tell if the pause was Billy processing or if Steve had been completely off the mark. Deflect. Reroute! his brain told him, so he asked, “Did we ever ask how you knew about the gallery?”

“Max goes to school there.”

“Oh,” Steve chirped bluntly. “Small world.”

Billy hummed a sound low in his chest. Something vibrated inside Steve and he closed his eyes in a hard blink, grasping at flimsy straws for composure. Billy finished, “I was in the area. Definitely a pleasant surprise to see your familiar face.”

“My Lego head?” Steve gestured vaguely at himself. “I guess this block always did stand out.”

Billy huffed a surprised sound, like he hadn’t expected that, but he let it tumble into easy laughter. “You look good. I never saw you with short hair.”

His fingers pushed the arching swoop of Steve’s fringe behind his ear. The briefest touch across his temple finishing on his neck...

I’m going to have a heart attack.

“Thanks. That goes for the both of us.”

Just like he almost missed never snatching a chance with high school Billy, Steve only kinda missed never getting his hands on that mullet. Only to know how soft that hair actually was. Not like Billy needed it, of course. Truly absurd, how he rocked any hair situation on his head that wasn’t shaped like a Lego person’s.

Steve finished his whiskey in the next gulp.

He could feel Billy’s laser blue eyes notice this, and then he stood from the couch. “I’m getting us some waters.”

“Okay,” Steve chimed dumbly. Feeling dumb.

Jesus Christ, it’s Scoops all over again. You suck. You suck-

“Poseidon liked a twink too, you nimrod,” Robin had teased back. “His name was Anteros.”

“And he dies too, right?”

“Nope. He’s basically Poseidon’s husband and chauffeur.”

“Aw. Good for Daddy P.”

Billy returned. “Are you one of these people who likes seltzers?”

Steve blindly took the can while his thoughts slammed mutinously into, Daddy B. B is kinda cute. Shorter-

“Thanks-

Billy.

-daddy.”

Steve opened the can before it sank in what he’d just said. Carbonation gently kissed his skin as he held the can to his lips but didn’t drink. Some may or may not have landed in his lap before he lowered it to see Billy’s unreadable face.

“Oh my god.” Steve rushed to place the can on the coffee table and pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes.

“Did you...?”

“Don’t say it,” he pleaded, removing a hand as if to physically defend against the words in the air.

“Steve-”

His words came muffled from where he hid inside his hands. “Oh my god. I’m gonna throw up.”

He stood up - to go where, he didn’t really know. Probably best to just leave at this point. Way to choke. Way to absolutely choke, Harrington. You don’t even know if Billy’s bi and you just deep-dived into WEIRD-

“I’m really sorry,” he rushed as he stepped around the coffee table.

“Steve.” Billy gripped his arm and pulled right back onto the couch as if it were easy. Steve more than landed in his spot, he landed flush against Billy. His thigh felt Billy’s warmth, and his lips stayed parted to keep breathing when he realized how close their faces were.

Billy this close was something else, and Steve didn’t have the brain power to navigate it.

“Say it again.”

So it took him a long minute to absorb that. Was he seeing stars? So much for breathing.

“Huh?”

Steve’s lashes sagged heavily over his eyes when Billy leaned tantalizingly close. Either of them could stick their tongues out and taste the other’s lips.

Don’t, he commanded his mutinous subconscious.

“Say it again, Steve.”

He wondered which was louder: his thunderous heart or the racket in his brain trying to turn rusty gears. He whispered against Billy’s skin, “I didn’t mean to say it.”

A hand, gentle but there, found Steve’s nape. “I’m telling you to say it on purpose.”

Was he making fun of him? Steve couldn’t tell. He hadn’t spent more than a handful of hours with him. But his voice made that thing in Steve’s body vibrate and his brain had officially declared itself a lost cause.

In for a penny, in for a pound. Steve closed the gap - tiny as it was - and involuntarily moaned at the softness of Billy’s lips. The hand on his nape tightened and another came to hold the front of his throat; not pressing against his windpipe, but Billy’s fingertips held Steve’s jaw in place and his palm surely felt the drumming of Steve’s heart.

Steve’s tongue couldn’t help itself. He touched the plush skin of Billy’s upper lip, ever so lightly-

Billy groaned, wanton and hungry as he pushed entirely into Steve’s personal space. The latter gasped at the sound, and then he really did see stars as Billy’s tongue fucked against his own. He tasted sour and sweet and the citrus mixed with Billy’s natural taste in such a way that Steve tilted his head for more, pushed right back into Billy’s space.

Steve’s body rotated enough that his knee bumped into Billy’s. Then Billy was gripping that joint hard enough to bruise so that he could pull Steve all the way around to straddle him. Steve clumsily climbed onto his lap, grateful for the influx of air as Billy planted wet kisses and pressed his tongue into Steve’s pulse. He didn’t really know what the boundaries were anymore. This was explosive and sudden and Steve sat, unsure, higher up on Billy’s thighs-

“Ahh!” he burst when Billy gripped his hips and yanked his pelvis flush against him. Steve’s moan clipped short into a small ache of pain. The way his jeans tightened with the stretch of his thighs crimped into his already throbbing erection.

Billy opened his jeans. Steve’s voice escaped with his gasp when the colder backs of his fingers touched his belly as he dipped into Steve’s underwear. He stood up on his knees to give Billy the room to free his erection, and Steve couldn’t help the moan that exhaled out of him when he sat back down, feeling Billy’s soft shirt against his red cockhead.

Steve shivered as Billy’s hands slid up and around his body, mapping out Steve’s topography and shoving his shirt as high as Steve’s collarbones. Steve felt like a lewd wet dream: an exposed, panting mess on Billy’s lap. His heart ricocheted around his ribs with the sharp tickle of stubble, and he whimpered as it scraped over his nipple and chest.

“Your shirt,” he heaved, knowing he was dripping precum. “Billy-”

“Call me what you did before.” He reached into the back of Steve’s jeans and gripped a handful of his ass that had Steve lurching forward and bucking into the softness of that shirt and tummy, the warmth of Billy’s body. Steve whined when Billy held him down, unable to move.

“Say it. Whatever you want. Just say it for me.”

Steve bought a little time by kissing him, hard. Hard enough to make Billy lie back into the couch, his head tilted up to moan into Steve’s mouth. Steve’s lips nuzzled the side of his lips and began an exploratory trail across Billy’s cheek and jaw, down to his throat.

“I just...wanna feel all of this on me. I wanna feel your beard so much I’ll still feel it tomorrow... Daddy.”

Steve’s voice pitched to the ceiling when a hand gripped his hair. Billy’s other hand released his ass cheek to push encouragingly on Steve’s lumbar the same time he drew Steve’s earlobe into his mouth. Steve gripped the couch upholstery behind Billy’s shoulders as he bucked against him, rutting like a teenager. Billy’s own jaw fell for his moan to escape when Steve’s ass and backs of his thighs moved over his own cock trapped in his pants.

Steve tried to slow down a little, to rub against him without making the fabric chaff. “Daddy, what do want?”

If he didn’t feel Billy’s heartbeat before, he sure as hell did now. Steve felt it against his hands as he sought to know the contours of Billy’s shoulders and chest. He watched Billy’s swallow through the gorgeous neck that lay open to him as Billy gazed up at him. One of his hands traced the gently twitching artery on the side. Steve began to pepper slow, audible kisses against his face. When he landed on Billy’s lips, Billy kissed back, and when he wandered all the way up to Billy’s temple, Billy let him. Only his hands moved sluggishly between Steve’s thighs and his waist, seeking skin underneath his shirt.

Steve came back down to whisper against Billy’s lips, “Daddy?”

It was a blur of movement punctuated by Steve’s surprised yelp of glee as Billy threw him onto his back on the couch. Billy kissed the laughter out of his flushed, red throat, growling in satisfaction at how those bubbles of mirth sank into breathy moans.

“I’ve wanted you for years, pretty boy.”

Steve’s brain didn’t absorb that so much as his body did. Pinballs of emotion and sensation darted to and from his groin. He lifted his leg to rest across the back of the couch and to give Billy access to whatever he wanted.

Strong hands moved carefully - fondly - over Steve’s thighs. A stuttering breath left him when Billy clutched the backs of his legs. A sweet ache to have the muscle squeezed there.

“Don’t hold back on me now, baby,” Billy taunted, pressing his hands into the couch on either side of Steve and aligning his bulge with Steve’s hole and undercarriage still inside his jeans. “Let me hear you.”

Steve’s other leg wrapped around him and he lifted his pelvis to grind against Billy’s front. Billy’s bravado melted into an anguished, blissed-out frown as he shut his eyes against the sensation. When he opened them, Steve held his cock in hand, pumping himself in time with his pelvis rolling up to meet Billy.

It was sloppy and desperate and Steve didn’t think he ever did this even as a teenager. It had all been a small town rush to get hands or mouths on skin and get rid of the stigmatizing V-card. Except when Steve was in love, and allowed to take his time...

Steve didn’t know if he was in love now. But as another wave of ticklish warmth darted through him, Steve laughed a little.

“What?” Billy asked, not unlike the first time.

“I just...I just like this, that’s all,” Steve admitted. “You feel good. You smell good. Ahh! I’m close.”

“Let me see you, baby. Let me taste the mess you make.”

That didn’t so much as nudge Steve off the cliff as it drop kicked him into his orgasm.

“Hahh! Daddy, I’m there! I’m there...”

The mind-halting knot of sensation burst inside him with a force that let Steve not even care that he craned his face toward the arm of the couch, moaning and splashing his hair over the upholstery like a romance novel cover.

He realized somewhere in the middle that Billy had grasped his cock and was the reason his climax kept going. Milking little dribbles of cum out of him. Steve hadn’t cum like this in years, and he lay riveted to Billy hastening his rhythm to chase his own cliff edge.

The furrowed brows of concentration on Billy’s face were wiped off by Steve gripping his shirt and yanking him down for Steve to taste him, to plunder his mouth and feel that soft material against his own bare, messy torso.

Billy shuddered and pushed, pushed against Steve like he meant to bury his cockhead inside as he came. The visual sent an aching thrill into Steve’s core, knowing how Billy looked when he came and knowing that he’d cum inside. It made Steve eager to feel the pressure of his thrusts and the aftershocks when he pulled out to repeat it all again.

Steve had just cum like a seventeen year old and wanted to go all the way, with Billy’s hands all over his backside and his scruff against Steve’s ass cheeks-

Billy’s hand brushed over his hair and eased around to cradle his head. “What are you thinking behind those big eyes?”

Steve blinked drunkenly up at him even though it certainly wasn’t whiskey giving him this high. “My eyes?”

“Mmhm,” Billy hummed through lips pressing into a content smile. He hovered over his elbows, still framing Steve in but not crowding him. Fingertips pressed little swirls over his scalp, drifting around his ear. “I like your big, doe eyes.”

No one ever commented on his eyes. His hair, obviously. His butt. His shoulders. His moles. Billy gazed down at him, searching through Steve’s thoughts. The way he always had, really.

“Thinkin’ about you creaming me instead of your pants.”

Billy turned his head to the side so he didn’t laugh directly in Steve’s face. “Only if I’m not dreaming this time.”

This time.

God, Steve liked what that implied.

His arms came around Billy’s shoulders, loving the broadness and weight of the man on top of him. He kissed him softly, bumping his nose against Billy’s and eliciting a groan while Billy tilted his head and deepened the kiss.

“Again,” he begged through the kiss. “I want you again, Daddy.”

#i've never written a daddy kink before #i hope it's okay u_u #harringrove #neonponders #pondermoniums #ficlet #daddy #daddy!kink #my greek mythology nerd is showing #steve out here being a service top even when he bottoms

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h-e-l-l-b-r-o-k-e · 4 years

Text

Touch [B.H. x you]

Request:

Inspiration: Hands Across The Sea by Modern English

Words: 1828 Warnings: none.

Written Date: 3/16-31/2020 Posted Date: 4/4/2020

[MASTERLIST]

Scratched up skateboard wheels rolling across the pavement fluttered through the three-inch crack of the front door as Billy sat at the kitchen table. He’ll be met with a stern lecture from a mustached lip if a fly managed to wander into the home like a tourist upon their first breath of the A.C. at a hotel lobby, but Billy had much more important business to intend to. Report cards were just around the corner and with his sweet talking skills, Billy’d convinced the math teacher into giving him a passing grade if he turned in 200 solved problems by the end of the week.

He had seven days. Seven whole days to answer some textbook questions that they’ve gone over in class. It should have been easy, except it wasn’t. Billy was failing the class for a reason. Day five only had two hours left of sunshine, yet Billy’s currently stuck on problem forty-six. With each tick of the clock mounted behind him, his frustration grew.

One of his temples rested in the cup of his left palm as he beat the eraser head on the other before tossing the pencil at the book pages. Words were merging into numbers and numbers were blurring into letters.

Fuck it, he thought, I’ll just ask for a tutor. Yet he knew if he kept this mindset he’d fail, receive a smack across the back of his head, and still wouldn’t seek out a tutor.

He could hear the skateboard’s wheels beat relentlessly against the cracked concrete while Max explained the footwork behind the technique to you, who was sitting on the grass with your white cane last he check. Jealousy picked at the nerves in his forehead as frustration clenched his eyebrows together.

His mind began running off of the book pages and onto the blue sports car in his driveway. Would he have enough for the wash and the wax. Would there be enough leftover for a tip? Billy was an asshole to a lot of things, but he knew what it was liked to be stiffed.

Page 267 was beginning to give him more trouble than it was worth, and those pointers the geek with the lisp in his class gave weren’t helping at all. The rim of one of Susan’s good glasses touched the plush of his bottom lip, the cool water streaming down the well of his parched throat―

A gasp bordering along a yelp burst through the door, clawing its way into his ear. He nearly choked on his drink; some loose water dribbled down his chin.

Pushing out of his chair and the table he was leaning on, not caring if the polished hardwood caught a couple scratches, he was out the front door in five seconds.

Under the shade of his palm, which he planted against his eyebrows to fend off the sun’s brightness, he scanned the situation for clues.

His step-sister’s skateboard lied planted on the other side of the street. Upside down. Wheels spinning lazily under the shade.

The little redheaded runt’s wide eyes met his. Laced with alarm. Her bottom lip wobbled in search for words. Her hands held out below her…toward you, who was slowly lifting yourself by the skin of your elbows.

Raw. Blood beginning to clot around the loose gravel that clung to the wounds.

Billy marched through the grass, nearly tripping over your forgotten cane. “Max, what’d you do?!”

Max took a deep breath, crouching down to you. Her small fingers brushed your palm before helping you to your feet. “I’m sorry.”

As soon as you were back on the safety pads of your feet, Max turned to face her fuming step-brother.”I didn’t mean―”

His hand landed on her slender shoulder, shaking her like an earthquake rattles a brick foundation. “No, of course you didn’t mean to, you little twerp.”

A couple specks of spit landed across her freckled cheeks and nose, prompting her to screw up her face in mild disgust. “She wanted―”

“How many times do I have to tell you? You need to be careful with her, she’s―”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here, Billy.” You dusted off the debris from your stinging cuts. “I’m blind, not fragile. How many times do I have to tell you?”

You would have walked off in the direction of his house if only you knew wherever the hell it was. Trying to land that kickflip Max had spent the last half hour explaining to you really messed with your sense of direction, but you weren’t about to tell them that. Your mother didn’t call you a stubborn mule for nothing plus you were getting really sick of Billy thinking you were weak, so you turned around and started stalking off without the aid device your parents payed for.

“Y/n, where are you going?” Billy called after you. “You can’t just leave.”

“Watch me!” You called over your shoulder, continuing your trek into the unknown.

Billy watched you walking down the street, and for once he appreciated living down such a long road miles away from the populated center of town. If it wasn’t one of his neighbors pulling into their cracked driveways after a long 9-to-5 shift or pulling away for a hearty meal at Benny’s Diner, cars rarely ever raced down this street.

Turning to Max, his grip loosened on her shoulder. “Grab your board and get inside.”

Max didn’t argue. Out of the two of them, Max had a more leveled head. She knew she could just check out the damage on your elbows and apologize again once Billy convinced you to come back into their comfy abode. Yanking away from her older step-brother, she ran for her precious skateboard.

“Babe, come on,” Billy tried to reason with you as his long legs neared you. “You know I didn’t mean it like that. You just―”

His warm hand gently latched onto your arm, turning you to face him. “I just what, Billy? You know people here either pity me or they stand feet apart from me like I’m made of glass,”the pressure in the center of your forehead begins to make itself known in the form of a headache, “I just thought things…here…were different.”

“They are, babe.” His chin bounced with quick little nods to reassure you. Sometimes he forgot that you couldn’t see these small actions. “Okay? They are. Max was teaching you one of her stupid tricks, and I just freaked, okay?”

Memories flicker through your mind, sounds and touch alike. When one of the mean girls at school had purposely stuck her foot out in front of you for taking “her man” away, you had bashed your head against a locker and were knocked out cold. You had woken up moments later in Billy’s arms as he carried you to the nurse’s office. You hadn’t bent over and died when the concussion symptoms came at you in full force; you had just taken the standard amount of sick days at home. Not any less and, definitely, not any more.

Other memories came at you, but none were as extreme as the concussion. Yet, with each scrape or nick that life threw at you, Billy reacted like blood was seeping through your clothing at an alarming rate or your lungs were restricting from lack of oxygen. Whatever it was, Billy acted like it was the end of the world for you.

“I didn’t cry when I fell off a tree branch and broke my arm in fourth grade, “ you began the recited verse you’ve told almost every member of your family, “so, I’m not gonna cry because of some stupid scuff marks on my elbows. I’m fine.”

“But, when I was sitting at the kitchen table, loss in thought, I heard it.” His thumbs were stroking the bones of your cheeks. “I heard you fall, Y/n. How was I supposed to know it wasn’t anything worse? When my dad first introduced me to Susan, Max walked around in crutches after a bad skateboard landing snapped her shin bone.”

You sighed, allowing his outlook on the situation widen the scope of your mind. Maybe you were being a little too harsh on him. After all, you couldn’t pour salt to the sizzle off the worry that ate you up inside whenever Billy decided to hang out with one of his pals. It would steal the sleep from you knowing he’d be driving around drunk. Him cradling you to the nurse’s office and you phoning him to make sure he made it to his bedroom safe were two sides of the same coin.

“I’m surprised Susan still lets her ride around on that thing.” His fingers carded through your hair. “I was just scared the same thing might of happened to you, or worse.”

“I understand, Billy.” You spoke so softly, Billy wasn’t entirely sure if it was just one of your breaths. A shuddering gasp forced its way out of your throat as you fought off the burning sensation of tears from the corner of your eyes. “I just get so frustrated sometimes.”

Your face met the soft cotton of his shirt as he brought you into the protection of his arms. “I know, baby,” He kissed the crown of your head. “I’m sorry I overreact sometimes.”

You sniffled a couple times before pulling away from him, “It’s okay.”

His lips brushed against the center of your forehead first then dipped his head to land another on your plump lips, but your fingers caught him. “You still have to apologize to Max first before you can kiss me.”

He took a deep breath. “Deal.”

Your fingers fumbled for his before before successfully latching on. You sighed as your palms melded together like ironworks as Billy led the way to his house.

As you both grew closer a loose thought struck you. “Wait. Don’t you still have homework to do?”

A/N: I hope I did alright in characterizing a blind reader.

#Billy Hargrove #stranger things #billy hargrove imagine #billy hargrove x reader #billy x reader #billy hargrove x you #stranger things imagines #stranger things imagine #billy hargrove x y/n #st #stranger things fanfiction #st imagine #dacre montgomery imagine #dacre montgomery #reader insert #fanfiction #blind!reader

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bluffbomb · 5 years

Text

Fic - Warm Water

Bruno Bucciarati/Leone Abbacchio

R18

I hope you like it ♥

Construction noises stirred Bruno from his sleep. The clanking of metal on metal and loud beeps from reversing machines made him frown at the window of their hotel room. He could tell it was cloudy by how the light coming from the window looked gray and dreary. He thought because it had snowed so heavily the night before, the builders wouldn’t be working, especially not this early in the morning. Bruno rolled his bleary eyes over to the alarm clock, blinking a few times to see clearly.

7:00 a.m.

Come hell or high water he supposed. Too bad he was a light sleeper and would never be able to get back to sleep with all this noise. A drill ground hard into the earth and he sighed, the sweet wisps of sleep fully leaving him. He hadn’t got much sleep last night to begin with, so this was more than disappointing. He tiredly rubbed his eyes, causing the blankets to slip and reveal his bare chest. He shivered, goosebumps raising on his skin from the chill in the room. The space heater in the corner was working hard but was no match for the biting cold.

He deserved it in a way. It was his choice to go to Milan in the winter, his choice to book their stay at a historic hotel. He could have done this trip on their anniversary, when the weather was nice, and they could enjoy the view from their room. Though, this trip was mostly to introduce his mother and half-siblings to the love of his life, and because that love was a man, he didn’t want a possibly crushing reaction during such a happy time for them.

However, with hindsight, he could see he was just being overly cautious. His mother had met Leone the first night they arrived and was absolutely smitten with him after dinner. She’d even bought him several pieces of jewelry that Bruno didn’t have the heart to tell her he wouldn’t wear. She was just happy to see Bruno had someone that loved him, and that made all fear and trepidation melt away and yes, he absolutely cried.

A shame his father couldn’t meet him, but Bruno knew he’d like him, too. His father would probably take them out on his boat and pop a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. Probably would have given Leone one of those crushing bear hugs that Bruno missed so much. A body shivering next to him stole his attention from his thoughts. “S’cold,” Leone murmured, tiredly grasping at the sheets. When they slipped off of Bruno, they must have slipped off Leone as well. When he finally found the hem, he made a fist of the sheets and brought them up to his nose.

Leone could sleep through anything. Fire alarms, bulldozers, the rapture. Anything. Bruno genuinely envied him for it, how he could just fall asleep when his head hit the pillow, how even an ice cube down his shirt only resulted in half-hearted reaching. He knew that because he tried it. “Leone,” Bruno said softly. If he had to lay awake, he at least wanted some company.

No response. “Leone,” he sang, rolling over to face Leone’s back. He slept almost completely face down, one leg bent and hugging a pillow right under his chin. Bruno thought that was so cute. “Leone,” he whispered, sliding an arm over his back. This time, Bruno got a deep exhale. One a horse would make but without sputtering lips “ ‘m tired,” Leone slurred, not moving a muscle.

“I can’t sleep,” Bruno whispered, snuggling closer to the warm body next to him. “Mm,” Leone replied, probably not even awake. “Talk to me,” Bruno whispered. Nothing. Bruno pouted, rolling onto his stomach and leaning up on his elbows. He gazed down at his boyfriend, his face almost fully obscured by a veil of silky silver hair. Without his makeup, Leone looked so youthful, truly looked his age. Bruno could see the faint dusting of freckles on the bridge of his straight, sharp nose, plush dusty pink lips that were parted just the slightest bit.

Long black lashes rested atop marble carved cheekbones. He was magnificent, angelic even. Even in sleep, he must have felt Bruno staring and slowly cracked one sparkling eye open halfway to look at him. “What?” he mumbled. “You’re pretty,” Bruno replied, caressing a few strands of hair away from his face. Leone didn’t reply, but Bruno knew he’d roll his eyes if he had the energy. He didn’t have much capacity for compliments and was probably maxed out from all the praise his mother had showered onto him.

Bruno leaned over and planted a soft kiss on his shoulder, letting his lips linger for a moment. He loved this man so much, sometimes his heart couldn’t take it when he thought about it. Leone huffed but didn’t move away. “It’s cold and I’m tired,” he said, voice less heavy with sleep. Bruno smiled against his shoulder, his plan was working. He grazed his teeth over the spot he’d kissed, making Leone exhale again. This time he swatted half-heartedly at the spot he thought Bruno was in and groaned. “It’s cold, baby, let me sleep,” he said, closing his eyes.

Baby. Bruno loved little pet names like that, but Leone usually only used them in times like this, when he was too tired to feel embarrassed by them. Bruno caught his hand mid swat and brought the knuckles to his lips. “Don’t be mean,” he said against the smooth knuckles. Leone’s hands were surprisingly soft, much like the rest of him. He put on a tough front, he had to in his line of work. And it worked, people were terrified of him, most people didn’t even look him in the eyes when speaking to him.

But Bruno knew him, he knew that under that front, Leone was just a big, ooey-gooey softy. Leone let out a defeated sigh, knowing he wasn’t beating Bruno’s persistence. He rolled onto his back, bringing up one hand to rub his eyes. “Good morning,” he said, a tiny bit of bite to the words. “Good morning, Leone,” Bruno said. Leone could hear the smile in his voice.

“What time is it?” he asked once he fully opened his eyes. Bruno glanced over his shoulder to the clock before looking back at Leone. “7:15,” he said simply. “Jesus,” Leone sighed, letting his hand cover his eyes. “Don’t fall back asleep!" Bruno commanded playfully, tugging on Leone’s hand to bring him closer. “It’s the crack of fucking dawn,” Leone whined. “And it’s cold,” he added, still letting himself be pulled by Bruno. “Well then come here and cuddle me and we’ll warm up,” Bruno whispered teasingly. Leone didn’t fight being pulled to the middle of the bed, if anything he helped by scooting himself over.

“Baby, it’s so early,” he croaked, scooting into a half-sitting position, his shoulders touching the headboard. He hissed at the cold contact but didn’t flinch from it. “I know, the construction woke me up and I couldn’t fall back asleep,” Bruno pouted, deeply and dramatically at his boyfriend. This earned him the tiniest smile and an even tinier laugh. “Princess can’t sleep with a pea under her mattress,” he mocked lovingly.

“So now what?” Leone asked through a yawn, stretching his arms and letting one fall to wrap around Bruno’s shoulders. “Smooth,” Bruno teased. Leone clicked his tongue and winked, reaching to the end table on his side for a glass of water. “I was thinking I could order room service for us, since the kitchen opens at six.” Leone tilted his head and stuck out his lower lip at the suggestion, clearly thinking about it. “Sounds like a good idea, what do they serve?” Bruno shrugged and went to search for the menu on his end table. Once acquired, he snuggled back into Leone and pulled his arm around his shoulders again.

Leone stroked two fingers up and down Bruno’s arm absentmindedly, as if it was just natural to do so. Bruno hummed while scanning the menu. “Feta and cremini omelet with a side of sausage.” Leone considered it silently. “Spicy sausage and spinach frittata, apple or cherry cornettos with a side of fruit or fried egg toast with two sausages or prosciutto on the side.” Leone contemplated the options silently, sipping his water and scanning over the menu in Bruno’s hands.

“I’ll get the toast with sausage,” he said finally, putting his glass back down. He picked up his phone and checked it silently, his fingers now making circles on Bruno’s shoulder. “I’m thinking I’d like the omelet,” Bruno said, reaching over to pick up the phone and order. The kitchen staff took the order quickly, giving them an estimate of fifteen minutes for it to be ready. “And now we just wait,” Bruno said, rolling back over to smile at his boyfriend. “What should we do today?” Bruno asked, tracing small shapes on Leone’s chest. “Nothing, I checked the weather on my phone. It’s gonna look like shit all day.”

Bruno frowned. “But this hotel is really nice, lots of historical things we can look at and read,” Leone added, trying to cheer him up. “True,” Bruno affirmed, taking a strand of Leone’s hair and twirling it between his fingers. Leone pulled him closer and kissed his forehead. “Thank you for doing this,” he whispered against his skin. “I’ve had a lot of fun, even if we’ve been snowed in for two days. I got to spend it with you.” With his words, the temperature in the room didn’t matter, Bruno was melting in Leone’s arms. “Meeting your mom was fun.” Bruno hummed a reply. “And your siblings are nice.” “Yeah, I don’t know them very well, though,” Bruno sighed.

“Seeing where you grew up was cool.” Bruno smiled but didn’t reply. Leone could tell his mind was wandering and wanted to bring him back to the moment.

“I love you,” Leone said, placing another kiss on his forehead before squeezing him against his body. “I love you, too,” Bruno replied, kissing Leone’s chin. That got him an actual smile and he was definitely melting now. Leone had such a beautiful smile. It wasn’t a catalog smile or an ear to ear smile, but it was sincere and rare. Bruno loved it so much. Loved Leone so much. “Kiss me,” Bruno said, pulling Leone in closer. “But I haven’t brushed my teeth yet,” he protested. “I don’t care,” Bruno replied. When their lips brushed against each other, Bruno sighed in something close to relief.

When it finally turned into a kiss, he sighed in actual relief. Leone’s lips were petal-soft and pillowy, addicting in how they moved with expertise against his own. He was such a good kisser. His nibbles were never too hard unless requested, he used his tongue just enough to flick over Bruno’s lips and make him dizzy, and pulled away to make Bruno chase his lips, kissing the smirk that tugged at his mouth.

Bruno rolled on top of him, slithering his arms around his shoulders to pull him deeper into the kiss. Leone put one hand on the small of his back and the other right under the curve of his bottom. He slid that hand up and down Bruno’s thigh, squeezing it gently every now and then. When he smoothed his hand to the cheek of his ass and squeezed, it reminded him of a very important fact. They were naked.

Still bare from their attempt at tired, half-drunk sex the night before. They hadn’t got passed kissing before deciding to just take a shower and go to bed, not even bothering to get dressed for bed. At 22 and 23, they were getting old and domestic. When Leone gave it a little smack, Bruno yelped in surprise before giggling into the kiss. Leone smoothed over where he smacked with a kind of care that made Bruno weak. He was so sweet, too sweet sometimes. “A little early for spanking,” Bruno whispered against Leone’s lips. “Can’t help it, it’s so nice it was asking for it,” he replied, nipping at Bruno’s bottom lip and pulling a little bit. Bruno shivered, kissing Leone again with more force. He moaned into their kiss when Leone used his strong arms to squeeze Bruno against his body.

“I’ve missed you,” Leone whispered, pulling away to trail kisses on Bruno’s neck. Bruno tilted his head back, smiling as Leone sucked on his pulse point. “I’ve been here the whole time,” Bruno sighed playfully. “You know what I mean,” Leone said, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness. He squeezed Bruno against him and let out a small grunt when his thigh pressed into his semi-erection. Bruno grinned, no wonder Leone was being so affectionate this morning.

Calling him baby and being so touchy, so receptive to his teasing and to waking him up so early. “Oh,” Bruno cooed. He leaned up and looked down at Leone who was just the slightest bit flushed. Bruno was always amazed at how pale he could get this time of year. “First thing you want in the morning is me?” he asked, feigning surprise. Leone just bit his lip, letting his hands wander to Bruno’s hips and squeezing. “I always want you,” Leone whispered, his honesty making Bruno feel guilty for teasing him. “But I can’t always have you, at least not without embarrassing you” he added, a hint of mischief in his voice “Well, you have me, now, don’t you?” Bruno taunted.

Leone didn’t respond, but his raised brow said everything his words didn’t. “I guess I do. Right where I want you,” Leone said finally, his hands coming to Bruno’s chest and tracing the filigree of his tattoo. “But do I have you, Leone?” Bruno asked, mostly so he could look Leone in the eyes to see those sparkling lavender gems again. He could get lost in those eyes, as corny as it sounded. They were so expressive, so vulnerable in a way that made Bruno want to cherish the times where they just looked at each other.

“You always do.” He leaned up to kiss Bruno again, but Bruno leaned away, squinting and smiling at Leone. “Even now?” Leone’s lips parted. “Especially now,” he replied. “Then,” Bruno started, walking two fingers up his chest, stopping to tap the tip of his nose. “Can I do it?” Leone blinked a few times before his face flushed pink with the realization. “I-I don’t know,” he said, averting his gaze. “You know I’m not that great at it.” Bruno fought back the urge to giggle at Leone’s shyness. “You’re amazing at it, love. You just don’t relax enough,” he said, placing a kiss on the tip of Leone’s nose.

“It hurts,” Leone grumbled in his defense. “I know, my love, I know. It’s gonna hurt at first, or at the first couple of times when you get started.” Leone looked everywhere except Bruno’s eyes. “Your size doesn’t help,” Leone grumbled again. Bruno winked, even though he knew Leone probably didn’t see it. “But I’m always gentle,” Bruno said softly, dipping his head to tease his lips over Leone’s collarbone. “That’s true,” Leone breathed, tilting his head back to give Bruno more access. “And I’ve only put it in you twice the whole time we’ve been together, so it’s normal that it’s still…” Bruno searched his mind for a word that was accurate but not crude.

“…a snug fit,” he finished. Leone pressed his lips together, thinking carefully on his words. “I have thought about it,” he confessed, his voice barely a whisper. Bruno’s eyes brightened. “Yeah?” he asked excitedly. His excitement must have embarrassed Leone, as his cheeks turned a darker shade of pink. “Yeah,” he affirmed quietly. He cleared his throat. “The times that we’ve done it, when we’d find our rhythm it would feel really good.” He took a breath and looked at Bruno dead on. “It’s nice…being full of you. I get to be close to you in a…such a special way. I like it.” It was Bruno’s turn to blush, and he did. Hard. “Just wish it didn’t hurt so damn much,” Leone added, laughing lightly.

That was partly Bruno’s fault. He had less experience than Leone and had rushed through stretching him those times. He’d gotten so worked up, he overestimated how prepared Leone was. It was selfish, and he felt immense guilt when Leone would wince and grit his teeth as he accepted him inside. Thankfully though, Bruno had been doing research and had found something he could do that both let him get worked up while working Leone as well. He just had to tell Leone what it was. Or show him.

“Well,” Bruno began. He had clearly piqued Leone’s interest, as he leaned up onto his elbows when Bruno sat back on his heels. “I’ve thought of a way to get you…more accommodated.” He grinned at the way Leone’s breathing got shallow. “I’ve thought about doing it many times, I just worry about how you’ll react.” This caused Leone to furrow his brows. “You’re not talking about putting your fist in my ass, right?” Bruno couldn’t help but sputter out a laugh. “No, honey, no!” he giggled, placing his hands on Leone’s chest. “What I’m thinking of is a lot gentler than that. It’s just…different from anything we’ve done.”

“Oh,” Leone said with relief before taking in a deep breath. “What is it?” he asked shyly. Bruno turned his head coyly. “It’s a surprise. I want to see your natural reaction to it. Sometimes you try to please me too much, even when you’re uncomfortable.” Leone mumbled something inaudible and glanced over Bruno’s shoulder.

“As long as you’re not putting a fist in my ass or anything with feet, I’m willing to try it.” Bruno let out another laugh. “It’s definitely neither of those,” he assured with a kiss. “I think you’ll like it. It’s different but not in a weird way. And if you don’t like it, you can always tell me.” Leone pursed his lips to the side, and Bruno could see the gears in his mind moving as he was considering it. He chewed on his bottom lip before letting out a breath. “Okay. I’ll try it. I trust you,” he said. Bruno’s heart swelled so big, he didn’t think his chest could contain it.

The confidence and vulnerability Leone extended to him was truly something special, something to be cherished. Just like Leone. “I’ll make it worth it,” Bruno whispered, coming in for another kiss. This time their kiss was different. It was hungry and wild. Leone pushed his tongue into Bruno’s mouth and licked urgently into it. His hand went to Bruno’s throat and he rested his fingertips there, keeping himself grounded and present in the moment. It was easy to float out of his body when Bruno kissed him like this. Bruno moaned when Leone smacked his ass hard and squeezed after he did so. Their tongues danced together, moving and sliding with practiced and delicious rhythm.

Bruno kissed like he was going to die of thirst, sucking on Leone’s tongue with urgency and desire. Leone was no better, kissing desperately at Bruno’s cheeks and chin when he pulled away to breathe. Bruno slid his hands into Leone’s silky mane and pulled him closer, deepening their already passionate kiss. He was getting dizzy, needing more air than their kiss allowed, but he wouldn’t pull away, he needed Leone’s mouth on his just a little longer. His lungs stung with neglect, but it didn’t seem to matter. They broke apart with a shared gasp and without skipping a beat, Bruno’s mouth found Leone’s neck and he sucked hard at the joining of his throat and jaw, knowing that was one of Leone’s many secret soft spots. Leone made the most beautiful sigh when he grazed his teeth over it. “You know too much about me,” Leone breathed, smirking as he gazed down at Bruno. He smiled against his skin and laughed softly, lapping at the pink mark he left. Leone closed his eyes, relaxing into the feeling of Bruno’s mouth as it left wet, opened mouth kisses down his neck and over his collarbones and chest.

Bruno used his teeth to gently scrape the skin he kissed, staring up at Leone in wonder at his beauty. In these moments, he was convinced this man was divine. The muscles in his neck and chest flexed and fluttered under the taut, opalescent skin as he arched from Bruno’s kisses. His platinum hair seemed to gleam like precious metal against the flat white of their bedsheets, splaying behind him in a corona. When those plush, perfectly shaped lips parted, Bruno was convinced he’d hear hymns and chants to a higher power. The dim sunlight that filtered in through the clouds and curtains glinted off Leon’s fine, silver body hair when he sighed and shuddered. He was glowing, blessed and highly favored as Bruno’s mouth kissed lower and lower.

If it wasn’t for the low, raspy curses coming from Leone, and the whistle of hard wind against their window, Bruno would have believed he was making love to an angel. He was so lucky to have Leone. His hips flexed as Bruno’s mouth stilled just below his navel. “You’re staring at me, babe,” he said, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. Bruno, still dazed by the seraph looking down at him, didn’t replay. Instead, he licked a long, slow stripe up the defined v of his hips. They flexed again and Leone cursed low and raspy once more, resenting how close but still how far Bruno’s mouth was from his straining manhood. Tanzanite colored eyes narrowed in suspicion at him, but in this moment, Bruno could only use his mouth for worship rather than words. He licked up, then rounded back down to the other side, sucking and nipping as he reached near the base of Leone’s swollen column.

Their eyes stayed locked onto each other, one contemplating while the other stared in devotion. “I love you,” Bruno whispered, the words feeling so good coming out of his mouth. Leone pressed his lips together to hold something back, probably another curse. “And I’m going to make you feel so good,” he said, letting his eyes flutter closed as he kissed a velvety smooth thigh. He felt Leone shudder against his lips, and it made his veins thrum under his skin. Leone had more stamina than he did, always lasted longer than he did.

But this morning, Bruno was going to use everything he had to send his personal deity straight into the arms of ecstasy. He spoiled himself when kissing up and down Leone’s strong, smooth thighs, leaving pink splotches and faint teeth marks as he silently praised the skin. He relished in the feeling of those thick muscles flexing and the sounds of Leone’s groans and breathless compliments. Bruno could tell by the way his hips were jolting, Leone was trying to control himself, trying to behave as he was getting pampered. “You’re so beautiful,” Bruno said, opening his eyes and kissing the crook of Leone’s knee. Leone broke their shared gaze, his blush deepening.

Leone had a hard time receiving praise, always too humble or too sad to listen or take it to heart. “I mean it,” Bruno said gently, moving his head so their eyes met. “I know you do,” he said, a small smile breaching his otherwise stoic expression. Bruno kissed his thigh again, nipping it hard enough to get Leone to look at him. “Let me make you feel good, Leone. Let me show you how much I love you.” His blush got even darker. He pressed his lips in a tight thin line, then let his shoulders drop in agreement. He plopped flat against the mattress and exhaled. “You’re too much for me sometimes, Bruno,” he said, hoping his lover could hear the smile in his voice.

“I only give what I think is deserved. And you deserve to be spoiled.” Leone’s thigh twitched when he nipped it again. “I’m going to spoil you so much, you have no clue,” Bruno said, mostly to himself. That earned him a breathless little laugh from Leone, and it made his heart jump. He was so cute, and he didn’t even try. “Gonna treat me like a good little pillow prince?” Leone teased. “Mhm, I’ll make you feel so good, you won’t be able to think about anything else,” he replied, planting an open-mouthed kiss on Leone’s hip. “I’ll even buy you a crown,” he teased back.

“Well I definitely want the crown,” Leone sighed, doing his best not to buck as Bruno’s mouth got agonizingly close to his still painfully straining and unattended member.

“That mouth is dangerous,” he rasped, leaning up onto his elbows to get a better view. Bruno smirked against his skin, nibbling the inside of his knee. “Just you wait, I’m only warming you up,” he replied, cupping the undersides of Leone’s knees and folding him over, nearly in half. The confident, almost taunting look on Leone’s face turned to one of surprise and confusion. “Hold your legs like this for me, baby,” Bruno purred, smoothing the backs of Leone’s thighs with his fingertips. He hesitated for a moment, his brows furrowing quickly, then setting back into a pensive expression. He snaked his fingers over Bruno’s and swallowed audibly.

“It will feel good, I promise,” Bruno said, mouth on the back of his thigh just below the swell of his buttocks. “Okay,” Leone breathed, both trust and trepidation in his voice. He hugged his legs tighter, mostly in a form of self-protection. “Close your eyes and just feel it,” Bruno commanded in the softest way he could. Leone squinted, then obeyed, slipping his eyes shut with a sigh. Now it was Bruno’s turn to be nervous. He’d never done this before, only seen it in porn and read about it in books. How would he know if he was doing it right? Was there even a right way to do it? Was there a wrong way to do it?

Does he just…go for it? Does he stick his tongue in? What does it taste like? What happens if it turns out to be too extreme for them both? Bruno sighed, letting his mouth linger on Leone’s thigh, flicking his tongue to give it something to do. He’d just have to trust his instincts, use his experience and the conversations he’d had with others to his advantage.

Leone cleared his throat impatiently and Bruno knew he had to move. Slowly, Bruno gave the cheeks of Leone’s ass the same treatment as his thighs. Sucking, nipping, kissing and licking the creamy skin until Leone was twitching and jolting again. He was becoming painfully aroused, Bruno could tell by how his sounds were going from raspy sighs to quivering moans. He couldn’t torture his angel like this any longer.

He placed a small kiss on the swell of Leone’s scrotum, smoothing his tongue over it to give himself confidence for what he was about to do. Leone’s hips jumped and he huffed out a little moan from the brief contact, his fingers pressing hard into the back of his knees. His trust in Bruno had him keeping his eyes closed, making him unaware of the way Bruno chewed on his lips nervously. “Ready, Leone?” he asked, mostly for himself.

“Mhm,” was all he received, but he could hear the shakiness in Leone’s voice. With a final deep breath, Bruno gently spread Leone open and let his tongue slide down from his sack and over his entrance with the most confident lick he could muster. A sharp gasp cut through Bruno’s anxious thoughts. “Fuck!” Leone whined, bucking hard against Bruno’s mouth. He whined. Bruno had never heard him sound like that before and licked again to see if it had been real. Leone whined wordlessly this time, taking his swollen lower lip between his teeth. Bruno was both in awe and relieved. Leone tasted like nothing if anything it tasted like his soap.

He also seemed to be enjoying himself more than he ever had. “Keep going,” he panted, his eyelids slowly lifting to reveal needy, dilated pupils. Bruno hadn’t realized he’d stopped. Hadn’t realized he was staring at Leone again. “Please,” Leone whimpered, tilting his head in the most heartachingly submissive way. Bruno nodded quickly, snapping out of his trance. He stuck his tongue out again and licked long, up and down strokes and Leone was whining again. Bruno pressed his tongue flat, smoothing it slowly and deliberately over Leone, reciprocating the moans he was freely letting out of his beautiful lips.

God, those sounds were so beautiful from him, so guttural and so primal. So different from the short grunts and reserved groans he’d become accustomed to. Those were beautiful in their own way, but the sounds Leone was making now were absolutely dizzying. Ringing between his ears like the songs of cherubs. Bruno was hooked, addicted to the way his lover fought to catch his breath as he lapped at him. He was so happy he chose to do this, so happy to make Leone feel good like this.

He moaned against him, feeling bold enough, drunk enough on Leone’s sounds to try something else, something more. Without warning, he stilled his licks at Leone’s entrance, pointed his tongue and dipped it inside.

Leone seized, his body locking up as a sharp gasp cut off any sound that would have come out of his throat. It was so quick, less than a second, but Bruno had brought Leone to the brink with a push of his tongue. “Good god!” Leone choked out, thrashing as Bruno lapped inside of him, his thighs shaking in his grip. “What the fuck?” he huffed, more in disbelief than anything else. His cock was leaking now, so swollen that the tip seemed to glow a dark fuchsia against his pale skin. He bucked and whined sharply, and Bruno was convinced he was with an angel.

He felt encouraged to go further, living for Leone’s sounds. He wanted to up the ante, increase Leone’s pleasure and tried something else. He fluttered his eyes closed and sealed his lips around Leone, sucking gently. This earned him a gorgeous throaty moan, and he thanked his heart for not stopping. “Holy shit, baby!” Leone growled through gritted teeth, bucking hard and squeezing his own legs so firmly the skin around his fingers turned white. He’d leave bruises on himself, squeezing like that, but Bruno could see Leone wouldn’t care. He’d probably be proud of them. His eyes were squeezed shut and his brows furrowed desperately. Bruno couldn’t smile or talk, but he was beaming inside and would be praising Leone if he could.

Slowly, he crept his hand over, lifting his mouth off Leone just enough to slip a finger inside of him. He locked up again, his back curving beautifully off the mattress. “Does this feel good, Leone?” Bruno asked softly, eyes just as desperate as the man panting underneath him. “Y-Yeah,” was all Leone could stammer out, sucking in a breath when Bruno added another finger. “I want your mouth on me again,” he panted quickly, saying it like he couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “Please, Bruno, I-,” Leone tossed his head back, a moan cutting off his words as Bruno’s mouth made a seal around him again. “Thank you,” he breathed, letting his chest sink with another moan.

If Bruno could talk, he would have told Leone not to thank him, but he chose to keep working him open instead. He alternated between sucking, licking and thrusting his tongue inside Leone, adding another finger and earning both cries and growls from the folded man beneath him. The way Leone’s eyes would roll back made Bruno’s whole body vibrate with love and devotion and painful arousal. Leone was having such a good time, Bruno was making him feel so good that he couldn’t even put words together. His curses disappeared under gasps and Bruno’s name turned into a drawn-out hymn.

When he added a third finger, he pushed deep enough to press Leone’s prostate and he all but screamed, his already raspy voice growing hoarse from his cries. “Bruno, I-I…fuck I’m.” Leone’s hands left his legs and balled into fists, his chest heaving as he fought to breathe and moan. Bruno continues his ministrations, thrusting his fingers and tongue in and out of Leone with unwavering vigor. Leone growled and threw his head back, trying to make words but only managing broken syllables, slurring the sounds together.

Then Bruno noticed a change. Leone’s sounds were becoming short, high pitched, cut off and louder than before. He’d never heard Leone make noises like these. His bucking turned into hard rocking against Bruno’s mouth and his eyes watered when he opened them. It was too late when Bruno thought about stopping.

“Oh god, o-oh shit!” Leone stuttered. His body locked up again, then trembled and twitched. His loud, rumbling moan shook Bruno’s skull as it escaped gritted teeth. His body shook violently as he panted and whimpered. His legs dropped limply, and his watery eyes blinked several times, still in awe. “Bruno, honey… what the fuck?” he deflated, his pulsing member dripping with his release. Honey. There was another little term of endearment that let Bruno know he’d done a great job.

Bruno’s eyes widened. “You came?” he asked, probably with too much excitement. Leone let out a huff of disbelief, half-lidded eyes looking seriously into sapphires that gleamed with happiness. Leone only had enough energy to smirk. “Yeah. Real hard,” he panted.

They shared small laughs before Leone flopped down, splaying out like a starfish on their bed. Bruno crawled over quickly and sat between Leone’s spread legs. “I told you that you’d like it,” he gloated. Leone just waved him his defeat, body too spent and mind still reeling to put up any kind of fight. “I thought I was gonna pass out,” he admitted, a small blush creeping over his already flushed cheeks. “Oh yeah?” Bruno taunted. “Yeah,” Leone affirmed, finally opening his eyes to look at Bruno.

It took everything in Bruno’s power not to gasp.

“I still have so much more I want to do with you, you know,” Bruno said. Leone’s cheeks flushed deep and rosy at his words, recalling the pact they’d made earlier. “Right,” he mumbled. Bruno smirked, rising from the bed and stretching his long, elegant limbs. “I’m going to brush my teeth first, though. I can’t imagine being inside you and not being able to kiss you.” Bruno made an effort to purr out his words, making sure they sounded as sensual and tempting as possible. “R-Right,” Leone repeated, stumbling over the word this time.

He was so cute when he was flustered. “Do you still want it, love?” Bruno asked, looking at him a little more seriously, which was so hard to do because Leone looked heaven-sent. His cheeks dewy and pink, lips swollen and almost red from kissing and biting into them. “Yes,” Leone said, voice confident and unwavering. “But.” Bruno raised his brows.

“You promise to be gentle?” Leone asked in a near whisper. They both stilled, feeling their shared nervousness in the air. “Of course,” Bruno affirmed. He scooted closer, draping his arms around Leone’s shoulders and gazing down at him, letting all his sincerity and devotion speak through his stare. Leone Abbacchio, the hardened ex-cop turned gangster, was the biggest softy Bruno had ever met, and he adored him for it.

“I’m going to make such good love to you, baby. I’ll have you moaning and shaking from how good it’ll feel.” Bruno kissed Leone’s forehead, combing a hand through his thick hair. “You won’t be able to say anything besides yes and please, more. I’ll make sure of it.” Leone's lips quivered in an attempt to grin. “Yeah?” he asked shakily. “You’ll make me beg?” Leone tilted his head playfully, wanting to join in on the fun, even with his shaky, nervous voice.

Bruno clicked his tongue and shook his head. “No. No begging. You deserve to be spoiled. You deserve to feel good.” Leone looked away, his blush growing hotter on his face. Bruno brought a hand to cup his cheek and he took it and brought it to his lips, kissing his palm and sighing. “Let me make you feel good, Leone.” Leone’s blush got even darker. He pressed his lips harder into Bruno’s palm, doing his best to maintain eye contact. “You’re gonna kill me, saying things like that.”

Bruno shook his head. “No, I’m gonna make you feel so good, Leone. So good.” Leone pressed his lips together and Bruno could see his thoughts working behind his eyes, then a smirk replaced his pensive expression. He placed Bruno’s hand back on his cheek. “Yeah, but I might die from the shock.” Bruno grinned. “You mean the ecstasy?” he corrected, playing into Leone’s game. “Whichever comes first.” Bruno snickered. “You can’t die yet though, you don’t have your crown.”

Leone gasped in false surprise. “You’re right! I’ll have to wait till I get my perfect prince tiara.” Bruno’s smile turned gentle and Leone smiled in kind. “You are perfect, that’s for sure,” he said, curling a silver lock around his finger. “Stop it,” Leone laughed, unable to keep his smile from growing wider. “Never,” Bruno said, squinting at Leone.

They both laughed, Bruno tried to hold Leone without getting any of his cold release on his stomach. “Okay,” Leone started, unwrapping his arms from Bruno’s body. “Go brush your teeth so we can make out. And bring me a towel, please.” Bruno kissed Leone’s forehead one final time before hopping off the bed. “Yes, your majesty,” he teased. Leone laced his fingers together behind his head, making a show of eyeing Bruno up and down, watching him with hungry eyes as he walked to the bathroom. He bit his lip as his mouth curved into a smile.

“Where did you learn to that?” Leone called from the bed. Bruno leaned back to peer through the doorway, trying to catch a glimpse of Leone from the weird angle of the bathroom. “It’s a secret,” he called back, spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing his mouth. He grabbed a towel on his way out and threw it softly at Leone. He caught it and wordlessly began wiping off what hadn’t dried. “Thank for doing this, honey,” Bruno said, taking the towel back from Leone between two fingers and dropping it in the laundry basket.

Leone gave him a weird look as Bruno settled next to him. “For doing what?” Leone asked, turning his body to get a better look at his boyfriend. “For all of this. Letting me do all of this to you, trusting me to be gentle. All of it.” Leone smiled, warm and sweet and Bruno could swear time stopped. “You don’t need to thank me for any of that,” he said softly, pulling Bruno closer. “I love you. I’d let you do anything to me.” Jesus, Leone was really trying to stop his heart, wasn’t he? “Good thing I just want to make you come your brains out tonight.” Leone’s eyes widened in surprise, his smile stretching wider. “I need to let you take the reigns more often,” he mused.

“Right now, you need to let me kiss you,” Bruno replied, cupping Leone’s face and bringing him closer. Leone grunted his agreement and closed the gap between their lips. Their kiss was sweet this time, both taking the time to appreciate each other’s lips and tongue. Bruno stroked Leone’s cheek with his thumb and earned such a delicate sigh it made him whimper in response.

Leone’s hands roamed freely over his body, squeezing and caressing every inch he could get a handful of, pulling Bruno’s thigh over this body for more contact. Bruno’s knee brushed over Leone’s stiffening member and grinned against Leone’s mouth. He reached a hand down and gently pumped the half-hard column, stroking it to full mast. Leone moaned and went close to limp, his lips going slack as he slowly opened his eyes. “You’re so good to me,” he said softly, a dreamy look in his eyes. “I only give what I get,” Bruno replied, kissing Leone’s parted mouth. “I want you to be on top,” he said after a pause. Leone tilted his head and looked at Bruno with confusion. “I thought you wanted to…” his eyes widened, and he grinned wickedly when he put the pieces together.

“You’re so hot, babe,” Leone mused, getting onto his knees and crawling over Bruno to reach for the bottle of lubricant they’d left out from the night before. It was still by the lap where they’d left it, cap popped up. He remembered both of them groaning when he clicked open, realizing how exhausted they were. That couldn’t be farther from the truth now. “Capo wants me on top,” Leone teased, purposely arching his back and sticking out his perfectly sculpted cheeks.

Bruno cracked a hand down hard on one of them and laughed at cute little yelp that left Leone’s lips. “Better hurry up, your Capo wants you right now.” Leone shuffled back over with a devilish grin, throwing his leg over to straddle Bruno, handing him the tiny bottle. “Do you like when I call you that?” Leone asked, his voice sweet with genuine curiosity. He hovered over Bruno’s lap, watching him coat his fingers with anticipation.

It was mostly a courtesy at this point, Bruno had worked him pretty open earlier, but he still appreciated the consideration. “Yeah, a little too much sometimes.” Bruno flicked his eyes up from his fingers to Leone. “Sometimes it can be a distraction.” “Is that why you say, just call me Bucciarati right now?” Leone taunted, already knowing the answer. Bruno tapped Leone’s hip with his clean hand, gesturing Leone to come closer. Leone obeyed, shuffling closer on his knees. “Tell me if it hurts,” Bruno said, softly but with enough seriousness to make Leone answer formally. “Yes, capo.” It was almost like a switch they had in their brains, being able to instantly pick up each other’s moods. Capo only being used to reciprocate the serious tone.

Leone knew Bruno wanted to make him feel good and was serious when it came to lovemaking. He was playful up until the final act. Bruno slid in two fingers easily, fighting the urge to smirk as Leone sighed beautifully above him. “Does that feel good, Leone?” Leone groaned, his voice sounding like a compliment when Bruno said it so sensually like that. Bruno hummed happily, flicking his tongue over Leone’s nipple as he gently worked him carefully. He hadn’t expected to make Leone come earlier and needed to be more cautious if he wanted to last.

“One more,” Leone breathed, slowly rocking himself on Bruno’s fingers. “Anything for you, Leone.” Bruno obliged, slipping a third finger inside and tilting his head to scan Leone’s face for even the slightest discomfort. Leone pushed himself onto Bruno’s fingers with the same caution Bruno used while thrusting his fingers, closing his eyes and licking his lips in concentration. Slow, deliberate and sweet, they both stayed like that for a few moments. When his fingers found Leone’s spot again, he did his best to stroke it enough to watch Leone’s body tremble, but not enough to make him for limp.

“I think I can take it now, Bruno,” Leone panted, opening eyes Bruno hadn’t noticed he closed. He must have been staring at him again, daydreaming about the love he was about to make to his beautiful, blessed seraph. It was truly Bruno that was blessed to be doing this. “You sure, baby?” Bruno asked softly, stilling his fingers. Leone nodded quickly. “Yeah, I can’t wait anymore.” His eyes locked onto Bruno’s and suddenly he couldn’t breathe. “I want you to fill me up, Capo.” Bruno knew it was a taunt by the grin on Leone’s face but godddamnit, it sounded like his mouth was made just to say his title like that.

Bruno let out a shaky breath and nodded quickly, carefully pulling out his fingers and wiping them on the sheets. He scooted up to sit against the headboard and grabbed Leone’s hips to position him. “Come here,” Bruno said shakily. It was finally happening, he’d fantasized about this for so long. He’d spent many solo missions stroking himself to the thought of something like this and it was happening. Leone moved closer, placing his hands on top of the headboard and leaning up to allow Bruno some room to position them together properly. Leone groaned when he felt the thick tip of Bruno’s cock brush against his entrance, fighting the urge to just sit down on it. Bruno nudged against him again before letting out a deep breath. He pushed in just the slightest, torturous bit, then looked at Leone with commanding blue eyes. “Ride it, Leone.”

“With pleasure,” Leone purred, flipping his hair to one side so elegantly Bruno swore he would faint. Slowly, he lowered himself down onto Bruno’s throbbing, cock, hissing with pleasure as he did. “Ah, this is everything I wanted it to be,” Bruno moaned, eyes fixed at where his body joined Leone’s. Leone grinned above him, silver hair falling around them like a curtain. “Me too,” he said, capturing Bruno’s mouth in a searing kiss. Leone worked himself further down, whimpering when Bruno’s cock rubbed against a particularly sensitive area.

“I love how big you are,” Leone groaned, pressing his forehead to Bruno’s as he finally reached the base, Bruno filling him completely. He lifted his head and Bruno felt dizzy. Leone was a work of art, hand-sculpted by the gods of beauty, and bestowed to the earth as a blessing. An angel of highest, most beautiful order, here to send Bruno off to heaven in the most wonderful way. Or at least, that’s how he felt looking at Leone’s euphoric face. “Leone,” was all he managed to say, moaning it so loudly it shook his skull.

It was the only name he needed to say, the only one he wanted to say. Leone began tot move again, riding Bruno with cautious undulations of his hips. “Oh – Leone – just like that,” Bruno moaned, his head dipping back against the headboard, giving him a view of Leone’s grinning, pleasured expression. Suddenly, Leone slammed himself down onto Bruno, whining and throwing his head back as he did it one more time, then again, and again.

“Leone!” Bruno cried in pleasure and surprise. “I wanted to know what it felt like,” he panted, starting a deliciously harsh pace. “You like doing that so -,” he moaned loudly, using Bruno’s cock to press against his prostate. “I-I had to see what was so good about it.” “How’s it feel?” Bruno gasped as Leone did it again. Leone dropped a hand to Bruno’s throat and nearly burned through him with the intensity of his stare.

“I might get addicted to it.” They grinned at each other. “Let’s hope,” Bruno winked. Words were lost to them when Leone leaned back onto his hands, bracing them between Bruno’s ankles. In this position, Bruno not only got a full view of Leone’s god-like figure, but also a perfect view of where they connected, and he felt dizzy again. Leone began riding Bruno with fervor and desperation, the new angle allowing him to hit his spot over and over without fail. “F-fuck, this feels so good,” Leone moaned, letting his head fall back as he fucked himself on Bruno’s cock. “God, I love it, I-I love it!” Leone cried, his face twisting in ecstasy. Bruno couldn’t reply, only moaning as a response. Leone squeezed him so good, so wonderfully, like he was made for it, like they were made to fit each other perfectly.

Leone was perfect, Bruno didn’t need any more convincing. “I love you, Leone.” Bruno was proud he was able to string that together, his brain foggy and slow with the heavy, burning euphoria wracking through every nerve and vein in his body. His gut twisted, coiled and taut with pleasure. “I love you, I l-love you,” he stammered, his mind forgetting any other words. “L-Leone, I love you!” he cried, reaching out and wrapping his hands around Leone’s slim waist. He sounded like a sap, like a cheesy romance novel, but he couldn’t help it.

“Leone, I-I-,”

“Baby don’t say it anymore! I’ll come if you keep saying it like that!” Leone gasped, his hips staggering in uncoordinated patterns. “I don’t want to come yet. I want more of this,” Leone whined, resentfully slowing down to pace himself. Bruno wanted to obey, wanted just as much to be inside Leone for longer but, damn his release was already shredding him inside and he couldn’t say anything else still, despite knowing other words, could only repeat himself.

“I-I love you, Leone,” Bruno whimpered, thrusting up into Leone. With a growl, Leone, dropped onto his elbows, hoping the shallow angle would allow him to last longer. “B-Baby. I love you,” Bruno moaned. Progress, a new word. “You’re so beautiful, you’re amazing. I love you, I love you so fucking much, Leone!” Leone’s eyes locked onto Bruno’s and he saw something in the man snap. “Fuck it!” Leone growled, leaning back up carefully before grabbing the sides of Bruno’s head, keeping him from looking anywhere else. As if he’d even want to. Leone began slamming down hard onto Bruno, the sound of their skin slapping so lewd and loud, but it didn’t matter.

“Say it,” Leone grunted, his movements erratic and fast. Bruno’s release clawed at his gut, his toes curling to hold off just a little more. Leone had to come first, he had to. “I love you, Leone!” “I love you, too, Bruno,” he breathed, attempting to kiss him but so drunk on ecstasy he licked his cheek instead. Neither of them cared. And the lick seemed to only make it harder for Bruno to hold off. Desperate times call for desperate measures. He reached for Leone’s hips, holding them in place and thrusting into him deep and fast, giving him everything he had left. “Come for me, Leone. Come for your Capo,” Bruno commanded through gritted teeth It was too late, he was already coming. “Goddamnit,” he moaned, feeling himself flood Leone with his seed. Leone grunted helplessly, knowing he was no match for the determination in Bruno’s eyes. “Say it,” he managed to whimper, the final thread holding him from his climax fraying, waiting to snap at Bruno’s words. “Leone, I love you! I fucking love you! I lov-.” A rumbling groan tore through Leone’s throat, his body jerking as he came hard, spurting all over Bruno’s chest. He pumped himself through it, stroking out every last wave of ecstasy before falling forward and crumpling on top of Bruno.

They panted, trying to catch their breath but still wanting to dole out praise as their lungs burned.

“You’re incredible,” Leone barely managed to say.

“You’re divine,” Bruno replied, equally breathless.

Leone wrapped his arms around Bruno’s shoulders and pulled him down as Leone’s flopped onto the mattress. “I know this is corny but…” Leone began, taking a break to pant some more before continuing. “…the only thing I could think the entire time was…how much I love you, and how happy I am to have you.” Bruno wrapped his arms around Leone’s waist and squeezed, turning his head to kiss his neck. “Glad I wasn’t the only one,” he said, smiling against his skin.

He wiggled himself out of Leone’s embrace just enough to lean up and look at him. Opalescent skin flushed and nearly iridescent with sweat, silver hair sticking to his cheek and eyes still hazy, recovering from the rush of pleasure that had shot through him. Bruno sighed. “You’re a gift from the heavens.” They were Bruno’s thoughts, but they came out of Leone’s mouth. “You’re so beautiful, Bruno. You’re making my heart hurt,” Leone said, laughing lightly. Bruno blushed bright red, not expecting such tenderness. Leone was always sweet, but this was a lot, even for him.

“You look like you’re made of gold.” Leone tilted his head, as if to get a better look at him. “Wouldn’t be surprised if you were.” Bruno flopped down next to Leone, reflecting his beaming smile back at him. “I want to say something cute, but I can’t think straight thanks to you.” Leone snorted out a laugh and pulled Bruno closer to him. “You’ve said enough,” he said softly, closing his eyes to rest. “But now I’m hungry. When is the food coming?” Bruno paled, going completely still before scrambling to their door. He whispered a curse as he quickly brought the tray in. “They probably heard us!” he said, not able to hold back laughter. Leone leaned up tiredly and gave a half-smile. “Good for them.” Bruno put the tray down on the bed, crawling next to Leone and scooting up to sit against the headboard. Leone did the same thing, turning on the tv and flipping through channels before landing on a mystery show they both liked.

“It’s cold, but I honestly don’t give a shit. I’m so hungry,” Leone said, his mouth full of food. “It’s our fault it’s cold,” Bruno replied, mouth equally full. He rested his head on Leone’s shoulder when has finished, letting himself ease into the person he loved most. Surprisingly, he felt himself slipping into slumber, despite the construction, the wind, and the tv, Bruno felt his body get heavy with the telltale signs of approaching sleep. He indulged, slipping his eyes shut and drifting, but not before feeling Leone’s lips gently on his and a whispered, “I love you.” Bruno smiled, then gave into sleep.

They could explore the hotel later.

#bluff fics #bluff smut #bruabba #leone abbacchio #lion boy #Bruno Bucciarati #bucciadaddy #I guess I should also post them like this #since I know not everyone wants to click off of tumblr #I'll probably post my other ones like this later #smutty fluff #JJBA #Jojo Part 5 #jojo golden wind #also known as #the fic where bruno eats the peach

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tabithacarlisle · 6 years

Text

*OFF THE RECORD Pairing: Maxwell x Tabitha (TRR MC) | (Liam x Tabitha & Drake x Liam are mentioned)

Word Count: 4392 (pour yourself a drink and settle in ;)

Warnings: 18+ NS*W, 🍋, marital angst, smut, extramarital affairs, pregnancy, swearing

bonus warning: this is my first fic in a long, long time! It’s probably super messy, but this story has been bouncing around in my head ever since I first read TRR Book 3’s Vegas Fling with Maxwell & it blew my mind!! ;) Glad to finally put it out there in print.

*OFF THE RECORD PREQUEL <<< click here!*

*Author’s Note: any time you see text underlined, it’s a link to screenshots from Pixelberry’s Choices TRR scenes, or other chapters referenced from *OTR- click them!! :) Notes: Pixelberry Studios owns these characters, not me! I just have fun playing with them :) Also a short snippet of dialogue quoted from Choices TRR 3 Chapter 16 “What Happens in Vegas...” is used as a flashback. This chapter takes place about 4 months after the Royal Wedding in TRR Book 3 Off The Record (OTR)by Jo (“@tabithacarlisle” :) Maxwell got the Caller ID notification on his iWatch:

‘Tabitha 👑🌸’.

He answered it right away on his cell,“Hey, ‘Your Majesty!’ Glad you called! I was just thinking about calling you, actually, I—“

(Crying, she cut him off) “Oh Maxwell...”::sob:: “Hey-heyhey hey, shhhhh, it’s ok. It’s ok! What’s going on- what happened?”

“I had to reschedule my sonogram appointment that was supposed to be for tomorrow. Bastien called. He said Liam’s one-on-one meetings at the Davos Summit are running late, and he’ll need to stay out there for another week. But, Liam wants us to find out the baby’s sex together, so I’ll just... have to keep waiting! Again! Oh my fucking gawd, Max! He’s always in ‘meetings!’ He’s always gone! I was just looking forward to us sharing that moment together to see our new baby, so much. How could Liam put off such an important milestone for his first child? It’s not fair. No— I shouldn’t say that. I mean,I know —He warned me what I was getting into when I married him, how he’d have to split his loyalties between me and his duties as King. But, Maxwell, I don’t think I’m cut out to be the sole parent while he galavants around the globe all the time! Our first sonogram! Is nothing sacred? For fuck’s-sake?!” Another loud sob escaped her throat. “I’m sorry, I’m hormonal hot-mess right now and more upset by this than I probably should be, but... I could really use a friend to distract me right now. I —“ “Say no more! I’m only a quick jet-ride away. I’ll be there a-sap.” She sniffed on the other end. “Omigod, I don’t know what I did to deserve a best friend like you, Max. Thank you.” Her statement caught Maxwell off guard. He felt his breath catch in his throat & his heart take a small leap in his chest. After that beat, he spoke, “Stop it. You deserve everything good, Tabitha. And, I feel the same about you, too.” ...

Tabitha had cared for Maxwell more than anyone in his had ever cared for him in his whole life, besides his late mother, and the thought of her being sad tugged at his heartstrings like no other. He’d do anything to make her smile and take her pain away

...... Maxwell fast-walked to keep up with Mara as she led him down the long, gilded hallway to the master bedroom doors. Even with his lanky, athletic legs and naturally speedy gait, his hurried strides still kept him about half a pace behind hers. Mara spoke to him over her shoulder, “Between the two of us, OTR? I’m thankful you came, Lord Maxwell. Her Majesty has been holed up in her room all day.” He gave a solemn nod and waited at the door as Mara rapped her knuckles on the frame “Lord Maxwell to see you, your Majesty.”

The sound of urgent steps grew louder before the door opened . Tabitha covered her sob with the back of her hand. “Oh Maxwell!”

They hugged, clinging to each other as if their bodies were buoys in the middle of a vast ocean. Maxwell placed a chaste kiss on her head as she burrowed it into his chest. After a few moments Tabitha pulled away from him long enough to address her bodyguard,

“Thank you, Mara. We’ll be fine.”

Mara gave a curt bow and left the room closing the door behind her. Maxwell gripped her hands to space their bodies apart as to get a better look at her. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and Tabitha shuddered as she felt his barely calloused thumb pad wipe them away.

“It has been way too long, Tabz! I’m sorry I’ve gotten so wrapped up in my book tour. And I haven’t seen you since you and Liam announced the news. Look at you!” His eyes shone with emotion as he looked her up and down, seeing the small growing bump underneath her shift dress. “You’re going to be a mom!”

Tabitha’s sobs resumed with a heave in her chest, her hands still holding on to his. She looked down and sighed. “But Liam’s not here.” She let go to dab the corner of her eye with the back of her thumb. “This was supposed to be a big milestone. It was so important to me. It should have been important for him, too! This whole pregnancy, becoming a parent in the next few months, it doesn’t even feel real yet, y’know? I just want to see this baby so badly to prove that to myself, to hear its heartbeat again. And, I wanted this for Liam, too! He needs that affirmation just as much as I do. I want him to feel that this is real. For us. For the family we’re about to create.”

“Psssh. Of course it’s real, Tabitha! Look at me, look. This? Right here? This was always the ‘end game’ for us. Getting Liam to fall in love with you, getting the two of you married and secure your place on throne for Cordonia with an heir, it’s all real! You have no idea how proud of you I am.”

“Really?”

“You know it.” Maxwell clicked his tongue mischievously as he squatted down low, hovering his cupped palms over her belly. He looked up at her with wide, adoring eyes. “May I?”Tabitha smiled softly and nodded, touched by his reverence for her condition.Having permission, he placed both hands down over her stomach and turned his head as he spoke animatedly to it “Hello in there, Little One! Guess what? Gender reveal parties are so basic! Definitely too passé for a future celebrity trend-setter like you!”Tabitha giggled.He looked up to give her a subtle wink, then continued talking to her belly in a more of a whisper, but loud enough for Tabitha to hear him, “You are destined for so. much. more! And your favorite Uncle Maxwell is going to spoil you rotten, no matter what.”

Tabitha put her hands over his as she looked at him with happy tears beginning to well in her eyes, “I can’t wait for that to happen.”Maxwell beamed up at Tabitha and gave her belly an adoring quick kiss before he sprung up from his crouching position to a stand. He began to tear up too, seeing so much emotion stirring in her. There was so much he wanted to say, but now that she was the Queen he felt as if it was no longer his place quite like before, to be so free with his words with her. So instead, he stared intensely into her eyes and beamed at her, wishing to convey all he felt in his heart at that moment through his smile.

“Maxwell,” she began with a tentative shake to her voice “there’s somethi—“ “No, no.” he interrupted, “You asked me to be your distraction from all of this, and I promised I’d come through for you.” “When Maxwell Percival Beaumont makes a promise, he delivers!” Maxwell pulled a small thumb drive out of his pocket. “Ahem. OK, check . this . out. My buddy, Spencer, just gave me some bootleg pre-theatrical releases of ‘John Wick 3,’ ‘Avengers Endgame,’ and ‘The Curse of La Llorna’. Siiiiiick, right?! I’m so stoked! I’ll call the kitchen downstairs for popcorn and drinks, and we’re in business!“ “Ugh, no,” she groaned, turning away and shutting him down, “no action or horror movies tonight. You know how they put me to sleep.” He scoffed in mock disappointments at her, chuckling.”I still don’t get it. How the hell does anyone fall asleep during action movies?! What‘s wrong with you?” Tabitha shrugged, “I told you, without character development or drama to pull me in, it all just becomes too much overstimulation and I just, tune it out. The loud sound effects just start to sound like a white noise machine.” Yawning through her words, she continued, “But, now that you mention it, maybe that’s just what I need to cure my insomnia?” “No, nononono. I did not come all the way from Ramsford to have my bestie fall asleep on me tonight, Tabz!” Rubbing and patting her shoulders and crouching slightly to look directly into her eyes he said, “Here’s what we’re gonna do: I’m going order up sundaes to the room and we’re going to stay up hate-watching trashy reality shows. Whatever it takes for you to have the fun night that you deserve, ok?” She smirked in agreement, “Ice cream & trashy tv? Now you’re speaking my language.” Maxwell triumphantly gave his fist aquick air pump “Yes! I’ll call the kitchen up right now.” ...........

Within moments they were sitting sprawled on the oversized chaise loungers in the adjoining theater room, watching “Real Housewives of Cordonia” on the drop down projection screen and spooning mouthfuls of mutiflavored ice cream sundaes into their mouths. Maxwell had consumed enough wine for the both of them which warmed him plenty afterwards but Tabitha had to abstain. Brrrr!” She shivered “Omigod I’m freezing now!” Maxwell chuckled & shook his head, bouncing up right away to fetch a large plush throw blanket to drape over her with a dramatic flourish. He knew the drill. “Your wish, is my command.” “Thank you!” she gushed, her teeth were still chattering, “You’re so good to me, Maxwell.” “Mind if I stretch out here? I need to put my feet up.” Maxwell found her adorable when she was cold and pouty. “Of course!” He winked and motioned for her to cuddle up against him, “C’mere,” and as she placed her head on his lap he ruffled her hair playfully. In this moment, they were just Tabitha & Maxwell, ‘best friends.’ She was his first real best friend. Isn’t this what all best friends do? “She’s like the sister I never had” he’d tell his other guy friends when they had teased him about her. They didn’t believe him. Was that it though? They were about the same age but he felt an impulse to comfort and guard her from any one or anything that could make her sad. Like an older brother? No, it was much more complex than that. Maxwell draped his arm over Tabitha protectively and she snuggled up against him, her eyes closed for a brief moment, full of contentment. As the night wore on, several episodes later, Maxwell found himself laughing at a commercial and looked down at Tabitha to see why she wasn’t laughing too. She was sound asleep. “Geez, I should have known,” he whispered, “you always fall asleep when you lie down to watch tv,”

Maxwell felt a surge of warm appreciation for how much she still trusted him, after all this time, even after marrying Liam, to let down her guard enough to fall asleep on him. He found her breathtaking when she slept, watching her long lashes flutter softly over her cheeks. Pregnancy suited Tabitha; she was even more radiant than usual, and her hair was long and lush, spread out and falling over both her shoulders and his knees. Her lips were swollen and parted, and as he watched the rise and fall of her body, he fell in a sort of trance watching sleepy breaths escaping softly from her mouth every few seconds. Maxwell felt the urge to touch her. He gently combed his fingers through her hair, tracing over the braided bags that always crowned her forehead, and in doing this he began to recall the bachelorette party, the after party, “a free pass”

....... ~(flashback to Tabitha and Maxwell lying naked together in The Vegas hotel penthouse suite bed, Maxwell playing with her hair)~

“I’m going to wake up tomorrow and wonder if any of this was real...”

“What happens in Vegas...”

“Can happen anywhere else in the world?”

“Maxwell.”

“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

~...

He remembered that night, the way she made him feel like the luckiest guy on earth. Why me? The future queen of Cordonia could have had any one that night for her ‘last premarital fling,’ sanctioned & blessed by none other than the her future husband, the King of Cordonia himself. And she picked Maxwell Beaumont? He remembered how out of character it was for her to seem nervous talking to him when she had brought it up at the hotel bar at the end of the night. The way she blushed and seemed just slightly and uncharacteristically nervous, she had never smiled at him like that before. He remembered she shivered when he kissed her neck, her collar bone, the swell of her breast, He remembered how she smelled, how she tasted, the soft, beautiful and otherworldly sounds she made as he went down on her on the window seat overlooking the Vegas Strip, how effortlessly he had fit into her, and how easy it had been for them to find their shared rhythm as they came together...

Coming to and snapping out of his flashback, Maxwell audibly whelped as he realized how close Tabitha’s face was to his crotch and his growing erection aching against the fly of his pants. The noise that escaped from the back of his throat caused her to stir, and he cursed himself under his breath for waking Tabitha up. “Err, sorry Sleeping Beauty but I... gotta—‘xcuse me!” he started to get up

Tabitha started to sit up herself, drowsily, with her eyes squinting against the glow of the projection screen in the semi dark room. Her line of vision came into focus onto Maxwell’s lap as he hastily tried to move from under her, and just as suddenly, she became aware of what must have been the source of his need to get away. “Maxwell! Omigod I’m so sorry- what happened?” Was that - was I touching you in my sleep? Liam says I—“ Hearing Liam’s name made his flight response kick into overdrive. This was wrong, this was so, so wrong and he had really fucked up, again. Maxwell blurted out “No! No no, it’s not— I just... had to—“ “Oh gawd” she realized he was leaving to go ‘rub one out’ in the bathroom, and the thought of him doing that had made her surprisingly horny, “Wait, Maxwell...” her hungry eyes begged him, looking him over up and down and resting at his girth. Then she sat up and did that thing Maxwell loved so when she bit the corner of her bottom lip, “You don’t need to take care of that alone. I can help you.” Oh shit. He couldn’t. She was married now. To Liam. King Liam. Maxwell began to really sweat now. fuck, is this really happening? I can’t let her do this I can’t— “No!” He pleaded, unconvincingly “I can just go—mmmphf!” His words of objection were silenced when her lips crashed into his and she them with the tip of her tongue. He lost himself, momentarily suspended in disbelief and letting go, groans escaping into her mouth as his hand moved to cup her jaw. But just as suddenly as the kiss had happened he remembered where they were, who was missing, and he let her go. “No, Tabitha,... what about Liam. You can’t. We can’t” “He’s not here.” she protested, wiping off her mouth. “He won’t be back for days. Bastien said this summit goes on for—” “But” he looked down at her baby-bump, asking his head. “I can’t, I don’t want to hurt the baby” Tabitha laughed “omigod, Maxwell! do you realize how often pregnant women have sex? It’s completely safe, nothing bad will happen to the baby” “...Really?” “Doctor approved. My hormones are raging, I’ve got no more morning sickness so now I’m horny all the time! Which is unfortunate because Liam has been.. distant, and busy.. And you know about, him and Drake, right? The real reason why Drake is always coming along on these international business trips with him?” “I mean yeah, I know... I know what used to go on” he nods, “but, I thought they would have stopped that by now, now that you’re married, I mean?“ “I had thought the same thing, but Mara & Bastien & Liam have placed so many restrictions on my travel. I feel like a princess stuck in a tower! I mean I get why they’re being overprotective, I’m carrying the future heir to the throne. But now that means I can’t be there for Liam when he gets he needs to be fulfilled. Drake is there, I’m not, so... I get it, I do. We’ve talked about it and we have an understanding. But, I get so emotional and lonely now, I just wish.... Liam has needs but, so do I...” she looked up through her lashes at him pleadingly and then back down her thin fingers ghosting over his belt. He gulped. “Yeah, ::pant:: ‘needs’, I know about those...” he could feel his dick stiffening again, aching for her. She kissed her way up Maxwell’s jawline and nipped at his ear, tenderly moaning into it.“Mmhmm.” Maxwell shivered. Tabitha’s hands went straight for his belt buckle. Like Houdini breaking out of a straightjacket she expertly freed his erection. When she pulled down the elastic from his boxer briefs his cock sprung out and bobbed up against his shirt. Tabitha grabbed his shaft and took him into her mouth in one swift motion. Maxwell’s hips instinctively thrust forward and he closed his eyes, grunting “jesusFUCK that’s good. ahhh!-“ he could now feel her canines lightly grazing his skin, her pointed tongue scribbling lines on him, and though his eyes were closed he could feel her smiling with satisfaction at how easy he was to please with each moan of pleasure he made. Maxwell’s hands grabbed her hair to pull her closer as her checks once again hollowed out to take all of him in. It was hard, really hard, for Maxwell to remember to have inhibitions and to mind the Royal protocol with his dick deep in her mouth. He knew he should stop, but then again, if he should stop, why would it feel so natural and so fucking good to be like this with her? “Tabitha...” She let the tip of his shaft roll out of her mouth and rest on her pursed lips while taking the length in one hand and his balls in the other, cupping him while circling the underside of the velvety head with the tip of her tongue. Licking him down and up, she traced the sinewy underside of the shaft, her fingers massaged tight circles on the sensitive spot just underneath his sac. “Nghhnn!” Maxwell saw how the lust in her eyes made her pupils flood them with black, darkening with desire. That look from her made his cock convulse and beads of precum began leaking at the tip. Tabitha moaned with him inside her mouth causing tantalizing vibrations on his member... but Maxwell’s trance was interrupted by a sudden and inconvenient thought invaded his mind. “Wait!”He pulled away from her. Tabitha looked up at him, confused “What?” she pouted. “I can’t cum in your mouth!” he almost whispered motioning to her stomach: “The b—.” Tabitha covered her mouth in horror “shit, you’re right” She blushed furiously.

Tabitha started to get up but her eyes darted to the side as a solution presented itself to her. She looked back at him with a Cheshire Cat grin and raked her fingers up his abdomen to his chest. “Well then, Lord Beaumont,” she purred “it looks like you’re just going to have to cum inside me.” Maxwell opened his mouth to protest, but soon forgot his objections when she came back down to meet his lips again. He smiled against her mouth and deepened the kiss as they raced and fumbled to finish undressing each other. Maxwell’s teeth playfully nipped and sucked at the exposed hollow of her neck and she gasped at the sensation. “Oh god, Tabitha. I want you so bad” he murmured in his soft, husky voice at her ear before he bit at the cartilage. “I need you now, Max.” she gasped. Maxwell’s hands palmed her breasts once he had sprung them from their confines and the heat of arousal blooming from her core at his touch was almost enough to send her over the edge. He lowered his head to take them in his mouth and stopped, his lips agape and his eyes widened, at how she had changed since the last time he had seen her naked. “They’re...so...big now!” A rakish smile crept on his face from ear to ear. He bent his neck again, meaning to tease her by biting her nipple, but it had the opposite effect and Tabitha whimpered. “ahhhAahh! More sensitive now, too!” Maxwell looked up apologetically at her “Sorry! I’ll be gentle.” Taking precious care now to avoid being so rough he swirled slow circles around her nipples with his tongue before taking her breast into his mouth to suck it. She moaned in the way that let him know he was doing it just right now and she could feel him smiling on her again.Tracing the faint raised lines of his hippo tattoo on his chest with deep longing she implored, him “I need you Max, right now.”

“Yes m’am!” He scooped her up into his arms and she squealed with surprised delight as he carried her over to the bed. Maxwell set her down dotingly on the pillows and kissed her again as he maneuvered himself on his knees between her legs. He allowed his shaft to slide against her folds, slick with arousal, rubbing back and forth on her clit. Tabitha grabbed the sheets and arched her back mewling with pleasure. “Now, Maxwell!” He guided himself into her and they connected at last. Tabitha’s ankles wrapped around his hips and he audibly groaned at how good it felt to be inside her again. His hips rolled into her rhythmically and she rose her pelvis up to meet them at his speed. She closed her eyes and reached down to rub her clit, but had made the mistake of forgetting how much Maxwell had liked to be the one in charge. He smirked and playfully slapped her hand away, replacing it with his own. “Nuh-unh, your Majesty, that’s my job.” This dominance in the bedroom was completely different than the dynamic she had with Liam and it was such a turn on. She whelped at the new waves of pleasure that coursed through her now, completely at the mercy of his touch. Grabbing one hand onto his bicep and the other at the nape of his neck, she anchored herself to him. Maxwell lowered himself to crush his lips against hers again, groaning and all the while never losing the tempo of his thrust. Tabitha pulled back to take a sharp breath and he pushed her wrists down to hold them against the bed and as he planked himself above her. Maxwell’s biceps flexed to hover over her just so as to not crush her with his weight. They stared deep into each others eyes, both a deep sapphire blue mirroring each-other’s intensity with pupils ever growing and darkening their depths, “Max- I’m gonna... nnhhh”

Her words came as he felt her walls begin to throb around him, and it set every nerve in his body alight. With ever quickening pace his breaths and hip gyrations intensified. He could sense that familiar feeling of his sac tightening, and from her shallow breathing he knew they were both almost there. Maxwell closed his eyelids as he gave over to the delicious pressure boiling over in him, and they climaxed together, groaning into each other’s necks to muffle their sounds of wanton euphoria

......

He turned over and collapsed sweaty and spent onto the pillow top mattress. There was a smattering of lazy breathless kisses and pets shared between them, but no words of consequence spoken. Staring at the ceiling, Maxwell took a deep breath and collected his thoughts. His mind was wrestling with the two warring impulses. One: get out of bed right away, get dressed and leave. She was not his & he was not hers, that was the standard procedure for all of his other one night stands. The second one was to wrap his arms around her and stay that way till morning in that beautiful postcoital bliss that he had only ever felt with her. Maxwell was relieved when Tabitha made the decision for him, nuzzling her head into the crook of his shoulder and tenderly draping her arms around him. He combed her hair with his fingers, staring at the ceiling until his heavy eyelids began to give way to sleep. They stayed that way for many moments, silent and breathing slowly with their chests rising and falling in alternation. “I love you” he whispered under his breath, meaning only for himself to hear it, just before drifting off. But then, he heard her, murmuring in her sleep, “The... baby... might be yours” Was he dreaming already? She couldn’t have really said that. Tabitha said she was on the pill during the unity tour, surely there was... no way that— but he couldn’t finish the thought before falling into a deep & dreamless sleep

...................

To Be Continued......? <<< click for *OTR Part 2

Tagging: @brightpinkpeppercorn @itsbrindleybinch @silversparrow02

also tagging some of my favorite bloggers who’ve tagged me before on their fanfics ;) : @tmarie82 @boneandfur @ritachacha @breaumonts @fullbeaumonty@scgdoeswhat @ludextruction @littlecrookedheart @jovialyouthmusic @queen-among-writers @choiceslife

#maxwell beaumont #maxwell x mc #trr fanfic #choices fanfiction #choices fanfic #off the record #maxwell x tabitha #thirsty thursday #ns*fw #maxwell's vegas fling #lemon #tabithacarlisle #otr part 1 #liam x mc #drake x liam #playchoices fanfic

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kujo1597 · 7 years

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Actually, That Was a Good Thing

Things are going well between Peridot and Amethyst, they talk a lot, have similar interests, and are actually both dorky. Sometimes schedules don't align but that's alright.

Especially when they finally do at an amusement park.

Well, ideally anyway.

You can also read the story on Archive of Our Own

Chapter 3

Annoyingly for the both of them, Amethyst and Peridot’s schedules haven’t lined up for over a month.

“Hey Peri, you free on Monday?” Amethyst had called Peridot.

“Sorry, I have a doctor’s appointment that day. Then I have to rush around and do other things.”

“Yeah, that’s fine, health’s important. We’ll try some other time."

“Amethyst, how does Thursday sound?” It was Peridot who made the phone call this time.

“Sorry Peri,” Amethyst sounded bummed. “I have work that day and the rest of the week too.”

“Alright, phone me when you have time off, my schedule’s flexible.”

So Amethyst did call Peridot asking if she could go out with her.

“Max is sick,” Peridot sounded upset. “Lapis has been in a funk lately too and when she’s like this she can barely take care of herself. I can’t leave them alone together. I really don’t want to clean throw-up.” Peridot laughed but it was hollow.

“That’s okay! Take care of the little guy! Give him a pat from me too.”

Peridot’s spirits sounded a bit lifted, “I’ll do that.”

And that just kept happening, Peridot’s schedule was flexible but something always came up.

And Amethyst was over-scheduled at work then when she wasn’t working she was too tired to hang out.

If they didn’t know better they’d swear they were avoiding each other.

Peridot’s anxiety tried to convince her of that but the fact that Amethyst was calling and texting quelled those awful thoughts.

Peridot picked up her phone, debated calling Amethyst then put it down.

She didn’t know Amethyst’s schedule so she decided it was best to wait.

Just as the phone almost touched the table it started to ring startling Peridot.

She answered it with a fumble.

“Heeeeeyyyyy Peri!” Amethyst sounded very cheery. “Guess who has a few days off!”

“Lapis?” Peridot was in a silly mood.

“What? She’s self employed!” Amethyst decided to be silly too.

Peridot giggled. “I know. So, you’re finally free?”

“Yeah!” Amethyst was pumped. “Wanna hit Funland on Thursday? It’s usually pretty quiet on weekdays. Steven will be there, he wants to spend the day with the two of us.”

It wasn’t really a date but just seeing Amethyst would be nice.

“Thursday sounds fine,” Peridot replied. "What time?”

“I was thinking we could get there at nine and make it a whole day.”

Peridot sighed. “That sounds fun but I can’t be in the sun that long. I get sunburnt very easily and I have yet to find a sunscreen that doesn’t bother my skin grafts.”

Amethyst got quiet, Peridot hoped it was just her thinking. “Well, you could come later in the day. Steven needs to start heading home before dark but I don’t.”

“Would four PM be okay?” Peridot asked after considering her own limitations. “We would all be able to spend some time together and I’ll hopefully not get too sunburned.”

“Sounds fine to me,” Amethyst sounded relieved. “See you then!”

Peridot smiled. “See you then.”

Thursday arrived and Peridot walked through the gate of the amusement park. She had arranged to meet with Amethyst and Steven near there.

Amethyst spotted Peridot’s hair in the crowd and waved and shouted for her to come over. Peridot took a bit longer than Amethyst expected and seemed to be hobbling a bit.

But whatever, Peridot came! Amethyst ran up to her and gave her a huge hug nearly knocking her over.

“It’s so good to see you again!” Amethyst had a huge grin.

With a chuckle Steven joined in on the hug. “Hey Peridot, glad you could make it.”

“So am I,” Peridot ruffled Steven’s hair. “I hope you don’t mind too much that it couldn’t be the whole day.”

Steven shook his head. “Nah, it’s okay. Amethyst told me about the sunburn, I’m just happy to see you.”

“So,” Amethyst spoke up, “what should we do first?”

“Rollercoaster!” Steven cheered.

“Yeah, we definitely need to do the most fun thing in Funland first,” Amethyst agreed with his choice.

Peridot was a bit apprehensive however.

The group made their way to the rollercoaster, Peridot trailed slightly behind the excited duo.

When they arrived the ride was bigger than Peridot expected and so was the sign covered in safety warnings.

Amethyst grabbed Peridot’s hand and started leading her to the line. “C’mon, you’re gonna have a blast.”

But Peridot stayed put. “I think I’ll sit this one out.”

“Aw, what?” The disappointment was clear in Amethyst’s voice.

“What?” Peridot side-eyed Amethyst.

“It’s not as scary as it looks, just give it a try.”

Fear wasn’t the problem. But Peridot didn’t want to say the real issue.

“Maybe later, you and Steven can ride it.”

Amethyst started to protest but was stopped by Peridot waving her hand.

“Just hurry up and go so you can hurry up and come back,” Peridot said with stubbornness clear on her face.

Steven and Amethyst gave in and went on the ride without her.

“So good,” was the first thing out of Amethyst’s mouth when they returned.

They tracked Peridot down who sat on a nearby bench while they were on a ride.

“Looks like you had fun,” she said as soon as they got near. “So, what’s next?”

Unfortunately on their trip around the park Peridot saw more and more rides she couldn’t go on. Normally she enjoyed watching other people have fun but she couldn’t help feeling more and more miserable.

She trailed behind Steven and Amethyst as they passed by some stalls. Peridot debated coming out and telling them what the problem is but she didn’t want the pity and awkward ‘I’m sorry’s’ she always got.

Most of the surroundings were kind of a blur to Peridot but one thing did catch her eye.

An excited gasp left her mouth before she knew it. “Steven! Amethyst! Look at this!”

Peridot pointed at an alien plush almost as big as she is with a huge grin on her face.

Then she noticed that it was at the ring toss booth.

Something she could do!

She rang the bell and surprisingly quickly Mr. Smiley hopped over the counter.

“Mr. Smiley,” Steven happily greeted him. “You work the ring toss too?”

Their conversation continued, something about a bed, but Peridot was too focused on figuring out the perfect way to throw the ring to win that prize.

Before Peridot knew it some rings were put infront of her. Either Steven or Amethyst paid.

Must’ve been Amethyst, Steven’s a kid.

Either way, the trio each threw a ring and not a single one landed.

They tried a few more times and had no success.

“This biz is rigged!” Amethyst angrily exclaimed then crossed her arms.

Steven groaned and Peridot sighed.

Nothing was going right.

“I’m going to get you that prize,” Amethyst muttered with determination.

Amethyst gasped. “Is that Onion trying to set the rollercoaster on fire?!”

Mr. Smiley crossed his arms. “I’m not falling for that one again.”

Unfortunately for Mr. Smiley, Onion was trying to set the rollercoaster on fire. He quickly jumped over the counter and ran over to Onion. “No! I’m still paying off the lawsuit from last time!”

“Good old Onion,” Amethyst said with a shrug.

Amethyst leapt over the counter with ease and put a ring on one of the bottles then quickly retook her place.

So, Amethyst was willing to cheat.

When Mr. Smiley returned Amethyst smiled.

“Hey Mr. S, while you were gone, Peri got a ring!” Amethyst did a fine job of selling the lie.

“I did?” Peridot was a little slow to catch on.

Amethyst whispered to Peridot, “we’re lying.”

“Yep! I did land the ring!” Lying was never Peridot’s specialty.

Mr. Smiley seemed to buy it though. “Why would you look at that... I thought this thing was rigged."

Excitement filled Peridot’s whole body, cheating wasn’t right but neither is rigging a game.

Mr. Smiley handed Peridot a tiny alien pencil topper with a smile.

Disappointment immediately hit Peridot.

“Um, excuse me, but you’re wrong,” Peridot pointed at the large plush. “I’m supposed to win that one.”

“You mean the big guy?” Surprise was clear in Mr. Smiley’s voice. “Sorry kid, that’s ten rings.”

Of course, another thing went wrong.

Steven and Amethyst sat down eating their corn dogs as Peridot browsed the internet on her phone.

“That toy you won sure is cool,” Steven tried to make conversation.

“You mean the one Amethyst won by cheating?” Peridot wasn’t in the mood.

Amethyst stopped eating. “Okay, what’s bugging you?”

“You mean besides the fact that you cheated?” Peridot raised an eyebrow.

“You were upset even before that,” Amethyst leaned in closer to Peridot. “C’mon, be honest. You’ve been miserable all day.”

Peridot really didn’t want to come clean so she buried her nose even more in Rumbld.

“Stop playing around on there,” Amethyst tried to get Peridot’s attention but it didn’t work.

Amethyst really needed to get Peridot’s attention so she took the phone away from her.

“No! Give that back!” Peridot sounded really upset.

“After you tell me what’s wrong,” Amethyst stood firm. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

But it was hard seeing Peridot like this.

Peridot looked defeated.

“My back’s really bad, I didn’t mention it because every time I mention a problem of mine everybody pities me, I'm sick of it.”

Amethyst’s expression and voice softened, “well of course you weren’t having any fun. You were so focused on what you can’t do. You should’ve told us.”

Just as she was about to give Peridot’s phone back Amethyst’s gut told her otherwise. “There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

“My right knee got shattered when I was a kid. Sometimes I need to walk with a cane,” Peridot reluctantly explained. “Today’s one of those days; I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

“Embarrass me?”

“You’re so cool and then there’s me, hobbling on a cane next to you. I felt like I needed to keep up my image so you’d want to be around me.”

“Wha-image?” Amethyst couldn’t believe her ears. “Per, I’mma be really real with you. I don’t like you because of some image, I like you for you. Okay sure, your look is what made me sit next to you in that club but when we talked I saw you. A really sweet nerd who didn’t deserve half the shit she’s been through. You’re so focused on being cool for me but I like you.”

“Amethyst,” Peridot couldn’t find the words to express herself.

"Okay," Amethyst patted Peridot's knee. "Did you bring your cane?" Peridot nodded. "Good, where'd you park? I'll grab it for you."

Peridot fished her keys out of her pocket then handed them to Amethyst. "I'm parked in an accessible parking spot. My car's the dark blue two-door."

Amethyst got up then ran off to the parking lot leaving Steven behind with Peridot talking about Ninja Keith and other cartoons.

It didn't take long for Amethyst to return with a plain grey cane but the sun was already setting.

"Here," Amethyst handed over the cane.

"Thank you," Peridot stood up so Steven could hug her goodbye.

"Bye Peridot, hopefully next time we can ride stuff together."

"I'm sorry Steven, I should've said something sooner."

"It's okay, now we know."

Steven left Amethyst and Peridot behind in the park.

"Hey," Amethyst made sure to choose her words carefully. "So what did happen to your back?"

"I fractured a disk when I was twelve," Peridot replied, leaving out an unusual amount of information.

"How'd you do that?"

Peridot's grip tightened on her cane. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Alright, but if you ever do I'll listen."

"I appreciate it."

"Sooo... I'm cool with sitting but are there any rides you wanna hit?"

"They're all slow and boring, anything else would be too hard on my back," Peridot replied with a frown.

"Slow's fine by me," Amethyst offered her arm to Peridot. "Teacups good with you?"

Peridot took Amethyst's arm. "Yeah, but first I want to get an elephant ear."

"Elephant ear?"

"Funnel cake? Is that what you call them?"

Amethyst softly laughed. "No clue, just point it out when you see it."

Peridot scribbled something in her notebook as she ate her deep-fried dough. Determination was clear on her face.

"So, whatcha writing?" Powdered sugar fell from Amethyst's snack.

"I'm trying to figure out how to win the ring toss," Peridot replied. "There has to be a way, the rings are obviously big enough since you got one on there. It's just a matter of technique."

With that, Peridot returned to her writing.

"I could always distract Mr. Smiley again. He's pretty out of it so it should work."

"I want to win fair and square; games are my thing. And I'm not the type to quit."

"Yeah, I kinda guessed that," Amethyst chuckled. "Is this something you do a lot? Find a problem then plan out a solution?"

Peridot nodded. "It's probably what's kept me in one piece all these years. I plan everything, even while I was recovering in the hospital I planned who to call, where to stay, how to make more money, and so on."

"Geeze, I've never been a planner. I've always flown by the seat of my pants. You're really something."

Peridot giggled then looked over her notes, she nodded with satisfaction. "This should work. Ah, but first we can ride a few things. I am actually looking forward to the teacups."

Amethyst smiled. "Alright," she remembered something. "Need a hand?"

"Please," Peridot accepted the offer.

They took their seats in the giant teacups. Amethyst was very clearly excited, she had a glint in her eye.

"I'm gonna spin you so fast you'll hurl." The glint vanished. "You can spin, right?"

"Yes, I can spin, it's bumps I have to to worry about," Peridot replied with a sigh.

The glint returned.

"Awesome."

The ride started and true to her word, Amethyst turned the inner circle as fast as she could laughing the whole time as Peridot clutched onto the sides screaming.

Just as she started to consider slowing down, Amethyst saw a huge smile on Peridot's face.

Yeah, Peridot's having fun.

Before they knew it, the ride was over. Amethyst helped a dizzy and especially wobbly Peridot off of the ride.

"Just how much hairspray do you use?" Amethyst asked, surprised by Peridot's hair still being in one piece.

"Not as much as you'd think, it's just very-" Peridot was cut off by a gag, "-strong. Boy, you weren't kidding. That's the closest I've come to throwing up in a long time."

"But you had fun, right?"

Peridot's eyes lit up. "Yes! Let's do it again!"

And that's how Amethyst learned that when Peridot likes something she'll do it over and over again.

Not that she's complaining, the goal for the night was to get Peridot to have fun.

Eventually Amethyst managed to get Peridot to go on rides other than the teacups. By the time they finished it was almost midnight.

Peridot turned on her phone. "Oh gee, I completely lost track of time."

Amethyst yawned. "Yeah, 'bout time we head home. You gonna give the ring toss another shot?"

"Of course."

Peridot couldn't believe her eyes.

"Mr. Smiley? You're still here?"

A grin was plastered on his face. "Of course! I almost never leave!" He laughed an empty laugh.

"Don't you also run the arcade?" Against her better judgement Peridot asked another question.

"Yep," the grin remained on Mr. Smiley's face. "Why do you think it's so close to the amusement park?"

An awkward mood hung in the air as Peridot slid her money across the counter. She had no idea what to say.

Peridot took a deep breath, she couldn't let Mr. Smiley's situation rattle her.

It's all in the wrist.

She made the first toss and it landed. She felt hope bubble up in her chest and the excitement escaped from her mouth.

Numbers two, three, and four were also successful.

She glanced over at Amethyst who looked stunned.

Five and six were successes.

Amethyst started pumping her fists and chanting.

There was a sudden gust but Peridot accounted for it. In fact, it was the boost she needed to reach the back.

Eight... nine.

Peridot's hands were shaking, Mr. Smiley was snoring, Amethyst was losing her mind.

"I won't blame you if you say 'no' because it's been stars knows where but uh," Peridot blushed. "Would you kiss this last ring for luck?"

A scientist shouldn't rely on luck of all things but Peridot wanted all the help she could get. The very end is when things always go wrong.

Amethyst kissed the ring without any hesitation. "Go get 'em Per."

Peridot shook out her hands and took a deep breath.

She threw the ring and it hit the neck of the bottle.

Peridot's heart never shattered so quickly

It also never recovered so quickly either, somehow the impact was just so that the ring flipped up and onto the bottle.

"Ten! That's ten!" Excitement completely overtook Peridot. She hit the bell far harder than she should have.

Mr. Smiley woke with a start and looked at the bottles.

"That's ten alright," he grabbed the giant green alien plush wearing a bowtie and hat then gave it to Peridot. "Here you go, kid."

Normally Peridot would take offense to being called a kid but she was too busy hugging her new plush to care.

"Give it up for Pea-pod!" Amethyst cheered.

"No, give it up for us," Peridot hugged Amethyst.

"Aw Peri," Amethyst said hoping the dark would hide her blush. "It was your brain that figured it out."

"Yes, but you gave that last ring a lucky kiss," Peridot did see the blush and found it very cute. "Normally everything falls apart at the end. That kiss is what did it."

Amethyst smirked. "Alright, I guess we can call it a team effort."

Amethyst walked Peridot to her car and gave her a big strong hug next to it.

"I had fun today, hope you did too."

Peridot giggled. "I absolutely did! Thank you for inviting me."

"Yeah, definitely. We should do it again some time, just the two of us."

"I'd really like that."

Amethyst opened the car door for Peridot. "I might have to pick you up next time, incase you win more giant prizes."

"Yeah, we probably should do that," Peridot absent-mindedly said as she fit her toy into the passenger seat.

"Call you later," Peridot waved.

"Yep, look forward to it," Amethyst waved back.

Peridot drove off.

After telling Lapis all about her day and getting ready for bed Peridot collapsed onto her firm mattress, appreciating being off of her feet.

She glanced at the four-and-a-half foot tall alien lying next to her and smiled.

That was a good day.

#SU Fanfic #Amedot #Perithyst #SU Amethyst #SU Peridot #Steven Quartz Universe #Kujo Writes #Human AU #Not Such a Bad Thing Universe

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