#Intentionally gave him the worst outfit ever

[colliekoi]

Been thinking about fnaf lately and I wanted to try making a design for Michael Afton 👍

[leviathanlazarus]

Reaching for Stardust - Part XVII

Read Looking for Space here / Playlists / Read RFS on wattpad or read previous parts here

Word Count: ~4000

Warnings: none:)

This chapter took me ages to write! But it ended up being quite a fun one. Hope you enjoy <3

---

“I can’t believe the boys actually wanted to go to a club,” I said from the passenger seat of Josh’s Jeep. Although it wasn’t a super long drive to get to the city and to see our kinsmen again, I was glad for the break in the harsh winter weather that made the journey smoother–instead of the ice-slicked and snow-covered roads we’d been struggling to get used to again, the highway was clear and dry, the snow kept to the sidelines. The woods lining the interstate were still coated in a seemingly perpetual layer of white which seemed to sparkle a bit with the rare and warm sunshine, the sky a wall of gentle blue and sparse clouds, the sunlight strong through the windshield. I was actually beginning to feel too warm with the heat from the vents and the sunshine licking my skin, bundled up with anticipation of the worst. You never knew when things might change. But underneath my coat, I was already in my “going out” outfit–a midnight blue sequined top with a deep v neckline that was slightly itchy on the inside but not enough for me to sacrifice it, a black skirt and matching sweater tights to complete it. Sequined black heels too, which made me notably taller than Josh, which he seemed to actually love. 

“It is a little surprising,” Josh agreed, also dressed in his New Year’s Eve celebration outfit–gray, almost silvery, pants and a matching jacket, a white shirt underneath, all topped off with a mixture of silver and gold jewelry. I figured we’d both be sparkling quite a lot throughout the night. “Then again,” he continued, turning down the heat after he saw me close one vent. “I think they’re always riding on the high of a much busier life these days. Going out to a whole myriad of places is more natural for them now.”

“Yeah, that’s true.” I looked out the window again, following the treeline with my eyes, imagining how much fun those three boys must have after their shows. Josh and I heard a lot about those nights, sure, but it would be so different to be a fly on the wall. Or to actually be there.  

“Jane didn’t wanna drive down with us?”

“She’s already there,” I said with a laugh, pulling out my phone to check again for texts from her, though I had a feeling there would be none. “She drove down yesterday.”

“Oh, they had a sleepover?”

“Yes. Imagine that.” Yup–no texts. I clicked my phone shut. “I’m assuming it all went well since she hasn’t texted me at all. Did Jake text you?”

Josh chuckled. “Nope. And why isn’t Bev joining us tonight?”

“She’s got another party to go to.”

Josh gave an exaggerated, offended scoff. “Would this other party be better than spending the night with us at a club called Pearl, drinking overpriced champagne and smoking all of Sam’s weed?”

I laughed. “I think she just doesn’t wanna hang out with Sam, honestly.”

I saw Josh’s lips twist a little. “Ouch.”

“No, no, it’s not like she hates him or anything,” I assured him. “I think she’s still attracted to him but knows he’s not interested anymore. So it’s easier for her to take a step back.”

“You think that or she told you that?”

“She told me. More or less.”

“Well,” Josh said, shifting in the driver’s seat. “That makes me a little sad. Bev is great. Is this going to make their places in the wedding awkward?”

“She assured me that it won’t,” I told him and, for once, I actually really wasn’t worried about it. “She’s hell-bent on finding some hottie at her party tonight and bringing them home.” 

“Oh, is that right? I hope she achieves her goal.”

I reached over to briefly toy with his earring. “What’s our goal tonight, Josh?” 

He giggled and swung his head to the side to evade my intentionally ticklish touch. “Our goal, my darling, is to get absolutely wasted and have the best time ever.”

“Which we will be doing again in like, two and a half weeks.” I shuddered, not from any slight chill in the car but from the anticipation. “At our wedding.” 

“So?”

I smiled, using Josh’s own smile at me to turn the nervous anticipatory energy into unbridled excitement. “So let’s do it.”

-

Pearl lived up to its name which, in my own naivety, I hadn’t expected. Then again, I should have known that Sam especially would only go to a club he passionately approved of, which meant it wasn’t going to be a cesspool or anything even remotely close to “subpar.” Still, I hadn’t been prepared for the slick white light, the shimmering waves illuminating a glossy, excited crowd, hot, scantily clad bartenders and servers passing out colorful cocktails in slim glasses, and certainly not the very not Sam music, which was pulsating and electric. The sound felt like it was vibrating through my bones as the entire lot of us made it past the exceptionally well-dressed bouncer and headed toward the bar.

The place was packed despite it being early. It wasn’t even half past nine, yet a throng was caught up at the bar, some people leaning over the counter in desperation while some stood back, shoulders straight and taut, eyeing the bartenders with impatience and contempt.

“I’ve never been to a club where so many people were actually dressed up,” I noted to no one in particular while I surveyed the people squishing against our group. Even the people who didn’t look fancy were sparkly enough to make up for it. 

“How many clubs have you even been to, girlie?” Sam asked, a cheeky smile on his face while he stayed close to Danny, who was one of the people leaning over the bar. The two of them were dressed up–Sam was in silky, shiny creamy fabrics with a bold pop of red from his jacket, while Danny was in black and indigo. I could even see faint traces of black eyeliner around Danny’s long lashes–oh, how things had changed. 

“This makes two,” I told him, earnestly proud of that fact. 

Danny fell back into line with all of us and said, “It’s gonna be an eternity before we get drinks. Should you guys find us a table or something?”

“Yeah, what exactly are we doing here?” I asked, trying to peer past the crowd ahead of me for spare tables. There were people sitting on the edges of the club, but on free-standing stools, not tables, and with my strained leering I could see a dimly lit hallway that piqued my curiosity. I tugged on the sleeve of Sam’s jacket and asked, “What’s back there?”

“Actual tables,” he told me, giving Danny a shove to get him struggling for the bartender’s attention again. “There’s also a big patio out back.”

“There’s also another bar in there,” Jake said, tilting his head and looking at Sam with his eyebrows raised. “So why don’t we try that?”

“Tag team it,” Sam suggested, lifting his arms to gesture out at the hallway and back behind himself at the bar. “Us here, you back there.” 

“And WE will find all of us a table,” Josh added, linking his arm with mine. 

“My god,” I said, too quiet to be heard over the music while Josh and I navigated through the crowd, Jake and Jane just a few steps ahead of us. I raised the volume of my voice to say, “What do you think about this place?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Josh called back to me, pivoting to avoid being elbowed by a man shoving his way past us to, presumably, get to the bar. “Visually, I don’t dislike it. The music, however, I’m not sure about.” 

I wasn’t either. The fast beats that had been laced with electric pop sounds had been replaced with what sounded almost like strange, electronic remixes of goth metal songs. “It’s like whiplash,” I had to shout back to Josh. 

The dark hallway was lit with strings of fake pearls, all dripping from black wires that almost entirely disappeared into the walls, and then we were in an even larger room where there were indeed tables. I sighed with relief–the space was marginally quieter, though the same songs filtered in my eardrums, and the bar was entirely visible. I watched Jake take Jane’s hand and zig-zag through the other patrons to reach it as I cleared my throat, the air so full of so many different colognes and perfumes, smoke and sweat, everything dry and dank at once. 

With the volume of the music so loud, Josh and I resigned to sitting next to each other in mostly silence, primarily communicating with facial expressions and hand gestures–a sour face from me when a man in a pleather jacket and way too much Axe body spray walked by, which made Josh sniff after the man and laugh hard into my side. The wait for drinks continued, and Josh’s eyebrows lifted and his lips parted in awe while he pointed at two girls headed to the bar, one in a purple sequined mini dress and the other in a longer, flowy, glittery teal dress. 

“Matching!” Josh said, leaning against my shoulder to get right at my ear. “Kind of.”

I nodded, my eyes following the shift of those purple sequins until the girls disappeared into the sea of people, then caught a glimpse of red and black headed our way–Sam and Danny, respectively. 

“My fucking god,” Sam said loudly as soon as he was within six inches of our table. He set down a try of six shots that he’d been carefully cradling the entire way as Danny set down a separate tray holding four different cocktails. 

“It’s nice that they gave you trays,” I noted, tapping the one holding the shots which was all iridescent and cream colored. “So fancy.”

“You didn’t get Jake and Jane drinks?” Josh asked, scanning the tray of cocktails that all looked unfamiliar. “What are these anyway?”

“Different house cocktails,” Danny said, pointing at each one as he explained them. “This red one is called something like ‘Cherry Divine.’ I think it has amaretto in it.” He pointed at a bubbly, almost clear drink with a strawberry garnish in a shorter wine glass. “This one has champagne in it but I can’t remember what else.” 

Sam shoved those two at Josh and I, clearly ready to get on with it, and took the last two for himself and Danny. “Okay, yeah, drinks,” he said with a huff, running one hand through his hair. He picked up a shot for himself and gestured at the tray. “Let’s do shots already.”

“Wait, wait,” Danny said, laughing, and grabbed Sam’s arm. “We have to wait for Jake and Jane.” 

“There they are!” Josh said victoriously, standing up and waving an arm out at the pair headed toward us, another tray of shots in Jake’s hands and another tray of cocktails in Jane’s.

“Long wait,” Jake needlessly explained as he lifted the tray of shots over his head while shoving past a different couple going in the opposite direction. With a deep sigh, he set it down once he was finally at the table and Jane set her tray down in tandem, then they both looked incredulously over the four trays holding the copious amounts of alcohol.

“So are we gonna do all these shots right now?” Jane asked with a laugh, sitting down across from me, the silver and purple glitter in her fine, tulle-like top catching the light. 

Jake sat down next to her and finally Sam and Danny joined in their own chairs, the table bouncing a bit as Sam slid in too hard. “We really should,” he said, already reaching for two of the shots. He and Josh were actually the least sparkly and shiny of us all, with Jake taking a little note from Danny with his all-black ensemble. “I’m feeling fairly desperate for a cigarette now.”

“Me too,” Josh echoed, passing me a shot next. I sniffed the clear liquid, discovered it was tequila, and grimaced. Josh just laughed and said, “You’ll need one too after this, won’t you?”

Twelve shots down the hatch, two for each of us, most of us wincing with each one; we sipped our cocktails as chasers and sat there amongst the excitable crowd, all of us turning our heads one direction, then the next, to take in the atmosphere. 

New Years always felt strange. There was so much expectation, but for what? Josh and I tried–and succeeded, honestly–to make the best of it every time it came around. The harsh, dark, bitter cold winters ended up being no match for a rowdy night full of multiple bottles of champagne, loud music, card and board games and the inevitable midnight kiss which always led to sloppy, fun, giggly drunk sex. This year was the first in a couple years we’d gone out, although last year we had also ended the night with not just the two of us. 

Looking away from the strangers and back to all my friends–my new family–I began to wonder what next year’s celebration would look like. There had been a night recently where I’d been texting Danny, mostly about wedding stuff but also about band stuff, and the latter proved to be more interesting–I’d known how talented all the boys were and I’d seen their success grow more and more over time, but I hadn’t known just quite how serious it was becoming. Danny wouldn’t tell me details–he swore that he couldn't–but apparently big things were happening. Bigger than all the other big things that had happened. And with the sudden onset of a wicked buzz in my head from the shots and somehow downing half my cocktail without even realizing it, my mind lingered on the mystery and the trepidation that came along with it more than I cared for.

“Is anyone feeling daring enough to dance?” Josh asked, scanning each and every one of us with bright, mischievous eyes. 

“Can anyone dance to this?” Danny asked, tilting his head, eyes looking up. “I don’t even know what I’m hearing.”

“I’m gonna need a few more drinks before that happens,” Jane said, and I voiced my agreement.

“Patio?” Jake offered, gesturing to the vague backdrop where the patio must have been waiting, and was probably just as congested as the inside of the club.

“Are we really ready to risk losing our table?” I asked, though I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to stay in any longer once the music changed yet again. The bass was even louder than earlier, aggressive and juxtaposed by swooping, high-pitched vocals. Maybe later on they’d start playing more familiar tunes. I turned to Sam and asked, “You chose this club? May I ask why?”

“Okay, alright, the music absolutely sucks ass,” Sam agreed, lifting his cocktail. “But the drinks are good, it’s busy, it’s kind of cool. Sue me for wanting us all to do something different for the new year.” 

“No one’s gonna sue you, but I do really want to see you dance now,” I told him; Josh smiled and gave an enthusiastic nod while Jake snickered behind his drink. “You know, to make up for it.”

“I would also like to see you get down with these strange, terrible songs,” Danny chimed in, nudging Sam with his elbow. 

Sam roped an aggressively affectionate arm around Danny’s waist and brought their faces close together. “Only if you do it with me. You’re the one with all the moves.”

The patio out back was less crowded but still full of life, although most people had covered up their festive outfits in favor of jackets and coats to shield against the cold. Some brave girls didn’t cover up at all and I wondered how they were standing out there without, at the very least, shivering violently. 

The city street in front, mostly devoid of trees, sent wind hurtling back to us but the vague sort of tree-lined courtyard behind the fence–also covered with string lights of fake pearls and tiny, glittering white stars–shielded us a bit from the other wall of cold air. I wrapped my coat tighter around myself and Josh pressed himself to my side. My hand that was holding my drink was already becoming frigid and a little stiff; I went to put the other in my coat pocket but Josh grabbed it and held it, his hand warmer while he rubbed his thumb over my knuckles for a few seconds, then he let me go to fish for his cigarettes while Jake pulled out his own and Sam whipped out a joint.

No one else around us cared about what we were doing or who we were–while I shared that American Spirit with Josh, I wondered to myself if Jake, Sam and Danny were reveling in their anonymity. Someday, they might not have much of it. But tonight, we were all strangers to the rest of the club-goers, just another posse looking for a good time and to ring in the new year with lights, glitter, alcohol, smoke and that excitement that some people like to say only comes once a year. Meanwhile, I was sure I felt those butterflies, the anticipation, the bundle of buzzing sparks every day with my sweetheart, who stayed close to my side and whose fingers brushed against mine each time we passed the cigarette back and forth. 

We smoked; we drank; we danced. Danny really did have the moves, I was reminded of again–I hadn’t seen any of the boys dance in so long that I couldn’t stop laughing with pure delight when Danny was the first to get out on the dance floor and force himself to jive with the music. I watched Sam watching him, then he swept out to meet his best friend and long, gangly limbs moved alongside Danny’s more built ones; it didn’t take long for Jane to pull Jake along by the hand, giggling enough for him to laugh too, and Josh and I watched them all until the song changed. Then he was doing the same thing–grabbing my hand and yanking me into the crowd, into the circle of our very best companions, while the clocks around the Eastern time zone ticked minute by minute into the night, while everyone forgot all the bad things that had happened in the past twelve months.

Pearl had their own ball to gradually drop in the last minute of the night and, of course, it looked like a huge, shiny, opalescent pearl. It twirled in the air, sparkling in the lights from the extra layer of jewels and sequins coating it, as some people kept dancing, ignoring it, some kept dancing while watching it with their heads tilted up and fixed in the same direction, while some people stopped entirely to focus their full attention on it. It was a mixed bag in our group–Sam and Danny kept dancing as if the ball didn’t exist. Jane and Jake swayed together slowly, side by side, watching the molasses-slow drop, as if the music was something gentle and light. Josh gathered me in his arms and swayed us together too, my back pressed to his front, and I had a hunch we were both imagining the giant fake pearl as the moon outside–the moon that would ascend, not fall, on both, on all, of us in just a few more nights. 

Despite the club being more or less a total mass of strangers, most people all chimed in together for the final ten second countdown of the ball drop. Sam and Danny did too, which prompted the rest of our group to join, all of us so drunk and stoned that every second of camaraderie felt like part of a huge, profound mission. In a way, I think it was–getting through any year was a feat every person should celebrate. 

I felt an excited sort of trembling in my bones, my eyes wide and too clear given the amount I’d drank as I followed the descent of that opalescent orb hanging overhead like it really was the moon. The moon displaced, an artificial but still significant moon that had been created just for us, for all of us who danced, laughed and consumed beneath it. 

When the chanting of counting became a roar of nearly synchronized cheers, before Josh spun me around, I saw Sam grab the sides of Danny’s face and pull him into a shocking, searing kiss. My own laugh in response at what I’d witnessed caught in my throat, a hand flying up to my mouth; I saw a flash of dark hair that I knew was Jake going in to kiss Jane, then Josh was in front of me as my mind went dizzy for a moment. But when he pressed us back flush together, facing each other this time, and his mouth met mine. I blinked into velvet darkness and felt like we were the only two people in the universe for a brief, blissful moment.

-

“So…” I began, slurring the single word, while Josh and I were undressing in Danny’s room. Now even more unsurprisingly, he and Sam had volunteered to share Sam’s room and leave us in Danny’s, and I had saved this juicy gossip until Josh and I were alone. It hadn’t seemed like the best thing to bring up with all six of us crammed into an uber on the way back to the boy’s house, although even in the dark confines of that SUV, Sam and Danny hadn’t hidden touches of their hands and the pressing together of their thighs. 

“So..?” Josh countered with a sly smile at me not having finished my thought. He stumbled as he tried to take his pants off, helplessly hopping around on one foot until he careened over to prop himself up with the edge of Danny’s bed. 

“So,” I began again emphatically, raising my eyebrows at Josh while I unzipped my skirt. “Did you see what Sam and Danny did when the ball dropped?”

“I caught a glimpse,” Josh replied with a chuckle, then a grunt of effort as he struggled to kick his pants all the way off. “Given how things have been going for a while, can’t say I’m surprised. Anyway, who doesn't want to kiss Danny?”

I laughed and nodded. “Totally, right? But yeah, not surprised, just surprised to see it, I think.” Standing in just my bra, tights and underwear, I grabbed my overnight bag to rummage through. The pajamas I’d packed felt luxuriously soft, comforting and inviting against my fingers, the electric energy of our celebration night dwindling into the usual drunken sleepiness.

“Everyone’s pairing off!” Josh said with a dramatic flair of his voice and a dramatic whipping off of his shirt to the floor. “What are we going to do?”

I laughed, tossing him his own pajamas from his bag. “Who do you think will get married next?” 

“I can’t even think about that.” Josh stripped down to nothing at the same time I did. “I almost didn’t remember you and I were getting married until just now.” 

I let out a loud laugh while the soft cotton brushed over my chilled skin. “You’re a little liar. I’ve thought about it a lot tonight, actually,” I told him, looking away from his nude form to find my travel toothbrush. “It was a really enchanting night. I didn’t expect it–not with the music and the club being, like, what it was.”

“It was a great night,” Josh agreed, achieving a little more balance while he got his PJ pants on. “Now it’s a new year–what are we gonna do with it?”

I paused at the bedroom door, toothbrush in hand, head and heart thumping: “We’re gonna get married and we’re gonna have the time of our lives.”

---

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[stray-kids-react]

Having surgery scars

Masterlist

...

Bang Chan

° You had no idea about Chan's crush on you, not many people did. The only person who knew about his crush was himself and his best friend Felix. You never thought he could love you due to how you saw yourself.

° You never wore cropped tops or anything that had the chance of rising up too high, even during the summer. He knew about your scar, but never saw it or knew how much you hated it.

° One day he was going to visit you by surprise, using the spare key you gave him to his advantage. You walked out in a cropped pajama shirt and underwear, not expecting your best friend/crush to be in the room.

° You scar was on your stomach, it was deep and noticeable to whoever walked by when itt wasn't hidden under clothes. You thought it gave off a negative impression, while Chan thought it gave you a unique beauty.

° Before you could cover yourself up, Chan gently embraced you in a hug. Calming your conscious, his fingers gently tracing over the scar. He placed multiple kisses to your head, asking you why you are so self conscious.

"Why can't you see how beautiful you are?"

Lee Know

° You were very clumsy all throughout your life, constantly falling and running into things. But the worst scenario bad to be when you fell and someone kicked you straight in the face.

° This led to you having to get surgery on your broken nose, leaving a scar on the right side of your bridge. It wasn't overly noticeable unless you were very close to your face, which Minho happened to be.

° He wondered how he never noticed this scar before, especially since he loves giving you kisses on the top of your nose. He knew you were clumsy, but wondered how your only scars ended up in such a specific place.

° Minho gently traced over the scars, finding it cute how you scrunch your nose immediately at the touch of his fingertips. Before you scrunched your nose, he noticed that your nose must've been stitched.

° He assumed you did this by accident, by either falling or hitting your face with something. Minho was surprised to hear that someone did this to you intentionally, wondering why someone would hurt you.

"I'm losing hope in humanity at this point."

Changbin

° You has multiple scars on your arms due to an accident you had as a child, this is why you'd constantly wear long sleeve outfits. Feeling that people may become worried or grossed out if they ever saw them.

° But after being asked out by Changbin, you knew you couldn't hide your scars from him for too much longer. He didn't seem suspicious of your long sleeves, until you spent your first summer together.

° You were both sweaty messes who were slumped in front of multiple fans, he was just in his boxers while you had no pants but still your long sleeve shirt. You were turning red by how hot you were becoming.

° He looked at you astonished as how you hadn't passed out from the heat yet, but Changbin was mostly worried since he knew it wouldn't be long til you hit that point. So he moved the fan closer to you.

° You had enough of the heat, telling him to look away as you took of your shirt. Turning your back to him once you said it was okay to look. Changbin noticed your arms even if you tried to hide them, they were gorgeous.

"You will always be a super model to me."

Hyunjin

° You had a few scars on your neck, and you were embarrassed to admit where they came from. Even if you were close to Hyunjin and loved him dearly, you still felt silly admitting it came from a drunk bar fight.

° Hyunjin was curious to where the scars came from, but didn't want to pressure you into telling him in case it was from something traumatic. So instead he would just press soft kisses along the scars.

° You felt bad when he admitted ab embarrassing story of his to you, since he was revealing a moment that stuck with him in a bad way. Yet you were still hiding your scar story from him as he waited patiently.

° His puppy eyes and sweet smile made its mark on your heart, the story leaving your mouth hesitantly. You couldn't look him in the eyes, your cheeks were bright red from embarrassment. You felt stupid.

° He stroked your heated cheeks, turning your head so you'd make eye contact. All of your worries washed away when there wasn't a hint of judgement in his eyes. Only pure love and adoration were held in them.

"I won't judge a simple drunken accident."

Han

° You had scars all over your hands from a burning accident with a kettle, you were self conscious of your hands. But tried to hide those feelings when around other people, not wanting to make them worried.

° But your best friend Jisung noticed when something bothered you, your shimmering eyes would dimmer whenever someone would give you nicknames like 'Freddy Kruger' or 'The human torch'.

° Jisung loved you, even if you were too dense to catch onto that fact. He loves you and wouldn't let someone make you feel like garbage, which led to him defending you countless times throughout the years.

° You had this one fake friend that always rubbed him the wrong way, she would go out of her way to make fun of you and praise herself. Calling you ugly, and getting grossed out whenever you touched something.

° During a game of truth or dare, she dared anyone in the room to hold hands with you. No one was stepping forward, until Jisung crawled over. He didn't just hold them, but he also placed kisses along your knuckles.

"I would've done this without the dare."

Felix

° You were never self conscious over the scars on your legs, if anything Felix usually had more self doubt moments about himself than you did about yourself. Which led to you giving this angel SO MUCH LOVE. (He deserves the world ngl)

° But when visiting Felix back stage, a make up artist mistook you as an idol and suggested finding something to cover your scars. This left an unfamiliar sting to your heart, never thinking it was an issue.

° You say in one of the chairs back stage, placing your coat over your legs as you awaited your boyfriend. It wasn't long before Stray Kids were ushered to where you were sitting, all of them hyped and energetic.

° Felix knew you well, immediately suspicious as to why you were hiding your legs. He had many scenarios in his head, you were cold, period problem, hiding a present, no underwear. His mind was racing.

° But when he saw your sad smile, he knew it had something to do with your scars. Someone must've said something insensitive, and they hurt his favorite person. This wasn't the first time this happened.

"Don't hide your beauty from me, lovely."

Seungmin

° Seungmin witnessed how you got a scar on your back, you were running to catch the bus when you tripped over your feet and rammed into the glass of the bus station waiting area. Causing many gashes to appear.

° He rushed you to the hospital, watched the stitches and bandages go on, helped you up from the bed, helped you go to sleep, gave you medication for the pain. He made sure you were in perfect condition.

° Seungmin felt terrible that you got so severely injured, even though he couldn't do anything to prevent it from happening. He still felt guilty, even when you reassured him that it will be okay and will just leave scars.

° Scars were left on your back, and everytime he witnessed them he felt a slight ping to his heart. Wishing he could've done something to help you, but he doesn't want to relive that moment so he tries to ignore it.

° You asked Seungmin for a massage after a long day, laying down on the couch as he sat on top of your legs. His hands traced down your scars, rubbing the oils onto them gently as if they still hurt you.

"You look like a cute little tiger cub."

Jeongin

° You sometimes forgot that you had scars on your thighs, only remembering them if you see them. They don't effect you in any way, especially since they came form a bike accident when you were very young.

° You and Jeongin both had long days at work, so you both wanted to have a relaxing bath together. This was one of the moments where you forgot about your scars, until Jeongin pointed them out.

° He was worried they were recent, concerned if someone did this or if you did it to yourself. But you calmed him down with a kiss, before explaining it was from an accident with a bike when you very young.

° Jeongin covered you in bubbles, before cupping water in his hands and washing them away. He started around your thighs, rubbing them lightly after they were washed off. He felt a bit bad for bringing them up.

° You did the same treatment for Jeongin, relaxing in his arms for a while until the water was beginning to cool. He dried you off, playfully whipping your thighs with the towel, giggling as you stared in shock.

"It's part of my drying treatment baby."

[its-nebula]

I Don’t Belong Here

Prince!Kokichi x Fem!Reader

Walking through the meadow in the early morning always calmed you down. Getting a chance to smell the morning dew, witnessing the fawn leap and nibble on the grass, peering at the sky as it painted a glorious picture of oranges and reds. All of it was just so peaceful. With a tiny grin, you made your way over to the tiny pond hidden among all the trees. Grazing your fingers over the water, you watched as the fish swam about without a care in the world. 

You gasped as they so abruptly swam away from you, yet you immediately knew what the culprit was. The chimes of the bell from the tower rang loud, and you froze in place. It was officially 7AM, and surely, your  fiancé would be looking for you at any moment. Sadly, the beautiful moment would have to come to an end, as it has every morning since you’d moved in to live with Kokichi.

After you slowly rose to your feet, you brushed off your nightgown, then started your stroll back to your domain, the chime of the bell growing louder with every step you took. The birds flew away from the trees, bunnies and rabbits hid in their dens. You chuckled to yourself a little, knowing the purpose of rigging the bell to chime so early in the morning was to intentionally piss people and wildlife off.

As you entered the castle, peeking around to make sure nobody would see you. 

“Good morning, Duchess.” The castle’s maid, Kirumi, greeted. You jumped at her words, turning around quickly. “I assume you went for another stroll today?” 

“Kirumi, please! I already told you not to call me that...” You trailed off, looking down at the ground. 

“My apologies, S/O. However, I do hope you know once you’re married, I’ll be honor-bound to refer to you by that name, as per the request of the Royal Family.”

“Yeah, I know.” Sighing to yourself, you dusted off your nightgown again, then cleared your throat. “Will you be so kind as to read off all the duties for today?”

“Of course.” She pulled a scroll out of a pocket on her skirt, and unfurled it. “Request eating arrangements for the guests, confirm musical arrangement, confirm decorations, rehearse ballroom dancing, and dress fitting, my lady.”

You nodded your head. “Thank you, Kirumi. You may continue with your duties now.” Giving you a nod back, she hurried off to the kitchen.

“Don’t forget to put ‘explain why you don’t love your evil prince anymore’ on that list!” You heard the all-too familiar voice of your betrothed from behind you, and you rolled your eyes playfully. You couldn’t help but smile as he hugged you from behind, giving you a tight squeeze. “Why do you always get up so earlyyyy? Your side of the bed is always so cold in the mornings!”

“You’re the one who had that bell built to chime at the crack of dawn!”

“Niheehee, isn’t it soooo funny? Just think of all those people in town annoyed that they have to wake up early on all their days off! It’s the perfect way to remind them who’s really going to be in charge in a few days!”

You couldn’t help but laugh a little with him. After all, that chaotic energy was something you loved and embraced about him. If there was one thing Kokichi wasn’t, it was a normal prince. Still, you couldn’t get the feeling of nervousness out of your mind. You loved Kokichi with all of your heart, you truly did. You wouldn’t want to be with anybody else, and you knew that he felt the same way about you. Something still just felt off, but you brushed it aside as wedding day jitters, since you had that feeling since you had moved in with Kokichi. 

“Their leader’s going to be so big and bad...minus the big part.” You teased him, and he pouted.

“Laugh all you want, but just you wait! If my looks apparently won’t get me respect, I’ll have to rule...by fear.”

“Yeah, you’re going to TP their houses. The good thing is that you’re small enough to pull it off!” You laughed, and he started with his fake tears.

“YOU’RE SO MEAN TO MEEEE! I’M AN EVIL PRINCE! WAAAAAAAA-”

You cut him off with a kiss, giggling softly. He happily kissed back, grinning at you mischievously when he pulled away. “Heehee, I knew you still loved me, S/O! Okay, I have to do all the booooorriinnngg planning stuff now, but I’ll see you later to rehearse! Goodbye~” He gave you one last kiss on the cheek, then went into another room to take care of his princely duties.

The day grew on, and all day you had Kirumi by your side, who helped you complete your tasks. Surprisingly, you’d gotten done earlier than you expected, thanks in no small part to your maid handling things efficiently.

“S/O, I’ve heard that Kokichi isn’t quite ready to dance quite yet. Would you like to do the fitting first?”

“I’d love that, Kirumi.” You smiled at her as you followed her into the bedroom, where your seamstress was starting to set up her materials. You greeted her with a smile, standing on the podium that she had set out. Looking at yourself in the mirror, you couldn’t help but remember a time from which you were basically a random girl off the sidewalk. Your original room was nothing compared to the giant, extravagant bedroom you shared with Kokichi. Your whole house alone could probably fit in the dining room that you ate in now. You came here from almost nothing, and in just a couple days, you would have everything you could ever want.

You slipped into the dress, gawking at just how pretty it looked on you. It was crazy to think that not even long ago, you didn’t even dream of wearing something this expensive or nice looking for a second. It felt strange that it was you were looking at in the mirror, and not somebody else. Now, in just a few short days, tens of thousands of people would see you in this outfit, and you would be officially be royalty.

It wasn’t until the seamstress placed the crown upon your head that all the feelings suddenly started to hit at once. You, S/O, were going to be royalty. Did you even deserve this? Did you deserve to have any of this? Your soon-to-be husband grew up like this, he had experience with all of this, and you had nothing. No matter how many bells and whistles you adorned, nothing will change the fact that you had no idea what you were doing. 

“Oh my Queen Bee~ I just got the jewels on my crown affixed, what do you- oh damn.” He gaped at the sight of you in your dress and crown, after walking in without so much as even a knock. How rude, but that wasn’t what you were concerned about. “I sure picked the hottest girl to be my queen, didn’t I?” He started checking you out.

“Kokichi...” Again, you couldn’t help but laugh, even when you were in the worst of moods. He just had that about him, he never failed to make you fall in love all over again. “You don’t really think I’m cut out to be queen, do you? Be honest now...”

“Don’t tell me you’re as dumb as that peasant we saw the other day, S/O! What was his name...? Kaito? Well who cares, because I know you’re better than that!”

“But Kokichi...I don’t feel very royal.”

“Royal, shmoyal. Have you seen yourself in the mirror?!”

“Yes, but-”

“S/O, listen.” He held your hand as you stepped off the podium, so you could get used to moving around in your dress. “You’ll do great. Do you think one of these other boring princesses could rule by my side as well you could?”

“Well...”

“Ugh. Don’t answer that.”

“But, you’re so experienced and all, Kokichi. Look at where I came from. Face it, I don’t fit in.”

“It doesn’t matter where you came from. What matters now is the present and doing your best to be the best queen you can be. Look, could the old you do this?” Without warning, he started waltzing with you, and you quickly fell into the rhythm, laughing as Kokichi hummed a tune as he danced with you and spun you around. Both Kirumi and the seamstress just watched as you two danced around the room, with Kirumi making sure nothing fell over if you bumped into something. As you stopped, Kokichi dipped you into a long kiss, Kirumi and the seamstress clapped for the two of you.

“Kirumi, scratch ballroom dancing off the list.” You told her breathlessly. As she did, you looked at Kokichi, who had a smug smile on his face.

“Weeelllll?”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Now go away, I need to get out of this dress for dinner.”

“Aww, you mean I can’t stay and watch?” As you got ready to throw a shoe at him, he quickly exited the room, and you shook your head.

Maybe this is where you belonged after all.

[depressedacadamia]

Into the Darkness

 Prompt + pairing: Criminal AU, ‘Darkness’ + Victuuri

A/N: IM SO SORRY THAT I WAS LIKE 10 MINUTES LATE ON POSTING THIS. IM SO ANGRY WITH MYSELF RN, I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY except thanks @crimson-chains for the inspiration from ther Mafia AU comic- Please go read it!  IM ANGRY AT MYSELF BUT I'LL STILL DO MY OUTRO- <3 FROM PERSEPHONE .

Read on A03           WritersMonth 2021              Masterlist

“Victor…” Yuri seemed quiet for what seemed like minutes. “ You know I don’t like it when you come over like this.”

Seemingly offended by his boyfriend's words, the silver haired man huffed and placed his hand on his hips and poked his nose into the air. “ You don’t like it when your boyfriend shows up?”

Yuri- who would never intentionally say such a thing- quickly reiterated what he had said. ''No! No- not that. I mean when you come over… messily?”

Victor raised a hand to his almost prim hair- had it not been for the few stray bits that flew in random directions. “ Should I have done my hair?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Whaaat? No, I don’t,” Vector gave somewhat of a nervous giggle- sure his boyfriend would never arrest him without evidence but there was always a chance that if he felt petty enough, he would.

Yuri simply pointed to the blood stained mess that Victor called his ‘clothes’. It was truly Victor’s luck that he arrived on the doorstep of a cop covered head to toe in blood in the dead of the night- otherwise, the both of them would be in deep, deep, shit.

“Oh? You mean my new fashionable outfit? It seemed a bit drab so I decided to colour it up,” Victor explained thoroughly.

Yuri raised an eyebrow. “You decided to colour your clothes with the blood of your victims- what about your hair? Did you decide to dip it in cheetos?”

“I would never!” Victor gasped. “My hair also needed a makeover and so I decided to touch it up a bit.”

Folding his arms, Yuri leaned against the door. “ Uhu.”

“So my beloved beautiful boyfriend? Will you let me into your humble abode and allow me to clean myself up from this horrible experience?”

Grumbling slightly, Yuri opened the door to let Victor in and sighed slightly when he saw the small bloodstains that followed Victor- indicating a trail that Yuri worried may lead someone to his door. He was extremely lucky that it was this night that the rain decided to work in his favour.

“Yuuriii,” Victor wined slightly.

“What.”

On hearing his boyfriend's extremely monotonic reply, Victor decided to drop the brat act (for once).

“Yuri?” Victor put his face in front of Yuri’s screen, so he could no longer type properly. “ Are you okay?”

Yuri sighed passive aggressively. “ I’d be okay if you moved your face from my screen.”

Victor, who severely doubted this, ignored the request and instead pulled the laptop out of his boyfriend's view and instead placed his head into his lap. While Yuri was angry, he was not angry enough to shove his boyfriends adorable face off his lap and so he angrily huffed and began to stroke his hair.

Phew, at least he's not that angry.

“Yuri? Talk to me,” Victor pleaded.

“There’s no point,” Yuri admitted.

“What do you mean there isn’t a point?”

Yuri stayed silent for a bit, running his fingers through Victor’s ,now clean, silver hair. Victor wanted to stay like this, he wanted to remain in the peaceful comfort of his lover’s arms- but the longer he stayed, the more anxiety dripped into his soul and the more comfort slowly tip-toed away.

“Yuri… what'd you mean there isn’t a point?”

“I mean,” He sighed heavily pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, “I mean there’s no point in me complaining about you being part of the criminal underworld. There’s no point in me complaining about you coming here like this. And there’s no point compl;aining about how terrified I feel everytime I see you!”

“Yuri-”

“-And it hurts, you know? It hurts, it really hurts. Because I don’t know if you’re going to be okay. I don’t know if one day, I’ll walk into the precinct and my worst nightmare will come true. I don't know If I’ll walk in there and see you or even worse, If I’m assigned to a case linked to you? Or when you call me in the middle of the night and your voice is all weak or when I can hear gunshots or screaming in the background. Or when you show up in the middle of the night covered in blood like today, smiling like- like- like some sort of psycho!”

“Is that what you think I am?” Victor shot out of Yuri’s lap. “ Some sort of psycho? Someone who’s sick in the head?”

Yuri flinched at the sudden change in tone from Victor on realising what he had just said. “ No, I- Victor- you have to understand how it looks to me. You show up out of nowhere with a trial of blood- you look like you’ve taken a bath in ketchup and worst of all- you’re smiling. How- what else am I supposed to think? You haven’t explained what happened- you refuse to tell- why, I don’t know!”

“I refuse to tell you?” Victor’s voice sounded pained- outraged even. “ I refuse to tell you because I don’t want to put you in danger. I won't tell you because I feel sick everytime I try to remember the darkness. I don't tell you because I know how much you value your job- I don’t tell you because I don't want to make your job- no- your life difficult!”

“Well, it’s too late for that- isn’t it?”

Victor’s voice shrank. “ What?”

And suddenly, Yuri realized the magnitude of his words and like a tsunami of emotion, regret came flooding into his body, filling him from the crown to toe-top- misery consumed his body, guilt and regret overflowing from his eyes. The tears stained his cheeks as his lip wobbled.

He tried to take the words back. “ No, no- Victor- I didn’t mean it. You have to know I didn’t mean any of that-”

“-I should leave, shouldn’t I?” Victor smiled miserably. -Please tell me to stay, please tell me to stay.

Yuri stared at Victor hopelessly. Please don’t, please- change your mind, don't leave!

Victor’s footsteps seemed heavy as he moved towards the door- but it was perhaps this moment that Victor decided would not be their lady;when he turned around and smiled at Yuri. The very smile that had Yuri’s heart soaring through the clouds when he saw it for the first time and the very smile Yuri dreaded to see when Victor appeareched on his doorsteps drenched in blood as if it were the rain itself

Yuri was right behind Victor- not anticipating his sudden turn, he stumbled a few steps back. He was seconds from falling and hitting the floor only for a delicate hand to weave their wand around his waist and pull him back to warmth. He glanced upwards and found himself staring into Victor’s eyes.

Victor gulped as he stared at Yuri sans his glasses. He looked so hopeful and in that moment, it pained him more than ever when he opened the door and a took a step outside into the thundering rain.

“I won’t make your life difficult anymore.” And with that, Victor vanished, once again, into the darkness.

[jadelotusflower]

Robin Hood Rewatch: 2x08 Get Carter!

This is actually one of my favourite episodes of the season, partly because I really enjoy relationship angst, but mostly because we get multiple characters dealing with their trauma/grief. If we can't get these guys and gals into therapy, at least we get to see them talk (and hug) it out.

Also the best episode title they're had for a while - I have no doubt one of the writers is a fan, and Carter is so named only because they wanted to make this reference. The assassin seeking revenge for a dead brother is wholesale lifted from the plot of the film, and Joseph Kennedy almost has a passing resemblance to Michael Caine's look in that role.

"Get Carter - before Carter gets you!"

Carter is one of the only guest stars they actually will bring back later, and for good reason.

"Why don't you ever kiss my ring?" Vaisey, always making things creepy.

Marian is simmering with unrestrained anger, eager to get into the fight, while Robin is the one advocating for the watch and see approach, and it’s quite the role reversal.

The gang's reaction to her charging off is quite funny though, she knocks John over completely and Djaq throws her hands in the air.

Robin’s now getting a taste of what the rest of the gang have to put up with dealing with his recklessness.

Tying Marian up in the middle of a melee, however, is disgusting behaviour - while Marian was hot-headed throwing herself into the fight (nothing Robin hasn't done before himself), he knows that she can hold her own with a sword and doesn't need protecting. Tying her hands is the absolute worst thing he could have done, because how is she meant to defend herself? I can somewhat understand where Robin is coming from in this episode (even if he goes about it badly), but this is unjustifiable.

Clearly she gave that guard she clanked on the head amnesia, because he never reports back that Marian was fighting with the gang.

“I owe you my life”/“I won’t take it just yet.” Nice.

Scimitar is still missing in action.

Robin doesn’t want Marian to be seen in case she needs to return to the castle, when he’s spent the whole season urging for her to join the gang. I think he realises he made a mistake asking her to flee last episode without giving her time to deal with her grief, and wants to leave her options open. But telling her that she’s not ready to make the decision (about whatever she wants to go back), however correct, is patronising.

There's a fundamental conflict that Marian wants to be treated like a member of the gang, but doesn't want to cede to Robin's authority like the rest of the gang - in turn Robin expects her to follow his orders like the others, but isn't treating her like he would the others either - he would never tie them up to keep them out of a fight, and Marian has every right to pissed at him about it.

Djaq and Much having a little tête-à-tête about Carter - I just really enjoy that they’re often paired together in these gang scenes, they balance/play off each other so well. Just this pure platonic frazzled vs calm vibe.

Much just has this really great memory for faces - he was able to recognise fake Richard last season just from his profile despite wearing a helmet, and now he knows he remembers Carter's face from somewhere (or as it will turn out, Carter's brother).

Much really just does not let up, and I love that about him. "You'll be disappointed though, with uh, today's wound. I mean if you're planning to go back to the Holy Land and, uh, kill him." That not so subtle probing for information and Sam Troughton's delivery is always perfect.

"Wasn't me, was it?" Oh Much, so close.

“The crusty one” - lol

It's not explicit, but implied that Vaisey and Guy believe Edward was the one passing information to Robin, and Marian is cleared of any suspicion (paving the way for her return). Guess Guy never showed the Sheriff that hair dagger after all.

Vaisey is actually giving Guy some really good advice here, albeit laced with his usual cruelty and getting all up in Guy's personal space.

"Grow up Gisborne" - now I don't think it's deliberate on Vaisey's part to invoke a Marian parlance, seeing as she really only says this to Robin (and once to Much), but it's a nice little callback, however unintentional.

Marian asks for an apology (and deserves one), but Robin doubles down and doesn't come out of this exchange well.

Because his delivery is terrible, but he's otherwise quite correct - as skilled as Marian is, she’s used to relying on (and having to worry about) only herself and not work in a team, and look to a single point of command. But both of them have their backs up - they're two strong personalities and neither is going to give ground, reverting to the ideological clashes of season 1, except now in much closer quarters.

Robin's also not used to being challenged in this particular way, and in his frustration is reacting like a captain disciplining a soldier, not a lover helping their partner through their grief. I do wonder if the conversation would have gone differently if they'd been alone.

lol at the gang awkwardly standing around listening to Robin and Marian fight. Djaq trying to busy herself with her mortar and pestle as Robin and Marian argue around her.

A really great scene between Marian and John aka the camp dad. Marian really just needs someone to listen to her and appreciate what she's going through - Robin is too fixated on the dangerous way she's channeling her grief and not even trying to address the root cause. He trying to tell her what to do, not listen to what she actually needs.

On the other hand it's probably better coming from John, a neutral party without the emotional baggage she has with Robin.

Because Robin and Marian are really being driven by completely different motives - Marian by grief and therefore loss, and Robin by trauma and therefore fear. In her sorrow, Marian has lost all her fear of being discovered, in fact she wants to make it know she's with the gang, to finally be free to say which side she's on and fight openly, to make her father's death worthwhile, and can't understand why Robin is trying to stifle that.

"I thought you used to have your own men Little John?" So someone remembers Forrest and Hanton!

After Carter takes down the gang one by one, Robin takes down Carter in three seconds (including catching the long dagger Carter throws at him, and flinging it back) and it's lights out. Can you believe it's the first concussion of the season? (Notwithstanding the multiple head injuries Allan sustained last episode).

While Marian has been known to be punch-happy, the "he'll tell us more if he knows we're willing to hurt him" is just so (intentionally) out of character - it is however somewhat reminiscent of Robin in 1x08, wanting to get his punch and torture on with Guy. However rather than understanding where Marian is coming from, he pushes her away with the "go and cook something" jibe. This almost feels like he was going for familiar banter and miscued, but is also an asshole thing to say. When their positions were reversed in 1x08 Marian at least tried to reason with him - Robin is seems to be ill-equipped to do the same.

Allan just having a little snooze against the castle wall. He really seems defeated and depressed after last episode.

Marian's corset has a pouch to hold a dagger - or at least I hope there is because otherwise it's ouch time.

Leaving Marian at the camp is again a mistake on Robin's part - it excludes and isolates her from the gang, rather than trying to involve her so she can bond with them, engaging in their outreach to the peasants - who she helped as the Nightwatchman, but never really had the opportunity to come to know. It would remind her that they are not just fighting against the Sheriff but for the people, which in her frenzied grief she has perhaps lost sight of.

Instead, Robin's focus is on Carter, who he rather identifies with and so finds it easier to address his motives, and try and change them.

Carter is in many ways Robin’s dark mirror, what he could have become in the Holy Land if he chose a different path. It’s important that this happens right when Robin is backsliding - he’s trying to save his own soul as much as Carter’s.

Okay, let's talk about Marian’s forest gear - fashioned from the outfit she wore when she fled the castle the previous episode - but dear me it's awful. The grey culottes, rather than becoming trousers have now been turned into that corset, and her vest/skirt overlay have now become those trousers. Just baffling.

“I’m good with nuns” followed by Allan straight up knocking the Mother Superior over and stealing her ring is iconic.

Much gives Robin a sword to use going after Carter - still no scimitar.

I really love the confrontation/fight scene between Robin and Carter - it's very well choreographed and written, but we also see the best of Robin's character (after seeing some of the worst earlier).

Carter's brother is called Thomas - Allan's brother was called Tom. Lots of dead brothers in this show (including Djaq's).

The story of Carter's brother Thomas dying because he "stopped listening" and led a raid against orders is a little on the nose, but gives context to Robin’s fear for Marian’s safety in part triggered by his war trauma - someone charging in against orders and then dying in his arms.

But it shows Robin as a man who, even when Thomas' recklessness had cost not only his own life but others of Robin's men, was still moved to instruct the stretcher-bearers to make Thomas the hero, and himself the negligent captain, in order to comfort his family.

The fight is fairly even, and although Robin gets the upper hand in the end, it's only partly his skill - rather his true strength is in reaching the man inside the assassin, and then surrender and allow Carter to take his revenge if that's what he wants, and despite his fear, trust that there is good still in him, and that he can leave behind the life as a killer as Robin has done (tried to do).

This scene is the core of why I really love Robin as a character. He's riddled with PTSD and a reckless bravado, he's at time emotionally stunted with those he loves, makes terrible mistakes and often says the wrong thing, but he also has this great heart and compassion that allows him to reach people, to understand and help them, even at the risk of his own life. He's trying.

"He was a hero - just not on that day" is quite a poignant line.

Much and Djaq together again, just saying.

Robin finally finds out that Roger of Stoke was intercepted. I had assumed he'd figured that out once he knew Allan was a traitor but okay.

Poor Much crying out for Robin's attention - he's got his own trauma from the war and wants to talk about it, to commiserate with Robin about what they went though, but Robin can only cope by not talking about it, not even thinking about it.

Much makes a good point that Robin should have listened to him about recognising Carter, but it comes across as jealously over Marian and Robin misses just how deeply Much carries his hurt.

One of Robin's biggest flaws is that he's overwhelming in his affection, compassion, and understanding for strangers, but takes those he loves for granted - Carter's response to grief was the same as Marian's, but Robin listened to Carter, consoled and comforted him, while keeping Marian at arm's length. Perhaps because strangers don't ask for anything beyond that - it is the granting of kindness, but not the sharing of self. It's the latter Robin truly fears, but what Much and Marian deserve (although tbf Marian has problems with this as well).

“Either I’m part of your gang or I’m not” is a valid point, and Robin's still not happy even when she agrees to stay behind!

But she disobeys him, and saves his life. It's a rite of passage - almost all of the members of the gang have this.

Allan looking rather distressed as Guy is about the chop off Robin's head, and he makes a small movement just before the swing (as does Much).

Guy again pushing Marian past the point of discomfort - she left, wrote him a letter asking him to leave her alone, straight up told him to his face to leave her alone, and still he persists.

Her kissing Guy (to distract him from seeing Much and Will) is really the only time she sends mixed signals, but Guy's whole energy seems to be just to wear her down until she agrees to be with him and it's gross. It is however kind of amusing that he tries to be authoritative and forbid her from leaving, and she immediately walks away.

Robin and Marian are back in playful banter mode, although I wish there had been a deeper discussion (and that Robin had apologised in return). It doesn't quite feel like the conflict between them has been resolved, it really is just a "truce".

But I do like that it's Marian who reaches out to Robin at the end of this episode, because up until this point it's Robin who has been (somewhat) the one making overtures - asking her to join the gang, telling her he needs her, telling her he loves her, while Marian's been more reserved. This feels like her acknowledging that sometimes she needs to take the first step.

This was a long one - but as a I said, I really love this episode!

[simsadventures]

Only Mine: Chapter 8: Introductions

Summary: Bucky takes you to the mansion, to introduce you to the whole crew, but there are a few guys that you aren’t too happy about

Warnings: fluff, implied smut, swearing, mobster au, mafia au

Word Count: 2873

A/N: I just wanted to say that in my fic Peter is 22, so not a canon, just FYI. I also tried a new thing, instead of a gif I created my own collage for this chapter. What do you think? GIFs or Collages? Let me know :) What do we think of the reader’s suspicions? This is also a little filler chapter, and sorry for the long wait. You know, Christmas and all of that :)

Series Masterlist __ Masterlist

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True to his words, when a month’s mark hit, you were still snuggled against his side in your apartment. You still never talked about his work, and you didn’t necessarily complain. You knew that it was some dark shit, and that was all you needed. He never came to you in such a bad mood as that day you first gave in, but your relationship, if you could call it that, was blooming.

You didn’t really want to go out of your apartment for entirely selfish reasons. You knew what reputation Bucky had in the town, and you didn’t need to be seen as one of those girls. You were in love with Bucky, that much you were sure of, but the world didn’t know that your relationship was much more than running around and showing off. And they would judge you accordingly, for which you weren’t ready. Not yet.

Bucky tried to take you to his favourite restaurants, but until now, you were able to hold him off, telling him that you rather stayed at home and do other things. He was always more than ready to comply with your wishes and stayed, but you could see the confusion and small amount of anger growing behind his eyes.

It was Friday night when he came to you, and while he was wearing a suit and a shirt, looking like a true gentleman, which made your insides quiver, you were sitting there, in your old jeans and a baggy shirt.

“Doll, c’mon, Get ready, and we can have a nice dinner out, enjoy the night fully.”

You scrunched your nose and shook your head. “Nah, how about we order in and have a nice night in, hm? I could even eat naked,” you said seductively and began to strip, but Bucky’s hand stopped your movement.

“Why don’t you ever want to go out with me? Are you ashamed of me and who I am?” Bucky asked, hurt evident in his voice.

You looked at him, and instead of the big mafia boss everyone was afraid of, there was a little boy in front of you, staring at you with pain in his eyes, pouting slightly. You suddenly felt ashamed and stupid. You didn’t even realise that he could think you didn’t want to be seen with him for who he was.

“No, no, that’s not it, James. I just… I don’t want people to think that I’m one of those girls, you know? That I’m with you to gain something of it. That I like you just because you are kind of famous here in New York. People will assume the worst, and I don’t want that. I like that it’s just us, without the pressures of the world. And also, I don’t want you becoming as you were, when we’re out,” you whispered the last part and hid your face in your palms. You knew you were being childish, but you just couldn’t help yourself.

You could feel Bucky moving so that he was sitting nearer, and when you thought nothing was gonna happen, you felt his hand on your wrist.

“Look at me, Y/N.”

You removed your hands reluctantly but kept your eyes trained on the couch underneath you. Bucky wasn’t having any of it and raised your chin with his fingers. His look was much more inviting now, a small smile playing on his lips.

“I didn’t realise that you would feel bad because of my reputation, but you shouldn’t worry about that. You know that you’re not like those girls to me, and that’s all that matters, right? And how exactly am I acting out?” He smirked a little, and you couldn’t help but giggle.

“They all see you as this arrogant mobster, ready to kill everyone in his sight, which I know would still happen if someone misspoke about you, but with me, you’re different. You’re my James here, and you have the sweetest touches and just… I don’t want you to treat me, even if it is just for show like I’m some whore. But I realise that you cannot show people your softer side. It just… sucks sometimes,” you sighed, wanting to hide again, but Bucky didn’t let you this time. He picked you up gently, sitting you on his lap.

“You’re right, I cannot be as soft as I’m here, people would use it against me. I think that even some of my men would use it against me, but that’s beside the point. I’ve got an idea. We’ll change the setting a little, but it’ll still be just us, what do you say?”

You searched his face and frowned a little. “I’m not going to your fucking apartment if that’s what you’re implying.”

He laughed and shook his head, winking at you. “I’m aware that you’re not ever stepping a foot there, doll. I’m thinking of a different place. I wanted to take you there for quite some time, and I think I finally got the courage to do so.”

You cocked a brow at him. “The courage? Since when do you need to find the courage to do something?”

He scoffed and patted your thigh. “Shut it, and go get ready. We’ll be spending a night there so pack accordingly.”

You rolled your eyes at him and his bossy tone but got up anyway. You knew better than to fight him on such a small thing. You didn’t really know where you were going, but you hoped that Bucky understood why you had an issue with going out just yet, and so you tried to calm your nerves. It would all be alright.

You packed just a light bag, only toiletries, PJs, even if you knew that you probably wouldn’t need it, with Bucky’s appetite, and a pair of jeans and t-shirt for next day morning. You changed into very flimsy lingerie that you bought just a few days ago. It was red and almost entirely see-through, and the second you saw it, you knew Bucky would enjoy it as much as you did. You put on a tight red dress, accentuated your hips and chest, you two biggest assets. You re-did your make up, trying to look a little more like human than house garbage.

It was almost an hour later that you finally got out of your room, Bucky looking spectacularly pissed. But when he turned his head and opened his mouth, probably to ask you what was taking you so fucking long (you could even hear him in your mind), no sound left his lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed dry.

He took you all in, looking like his dream, all sultry and beautiful. His eyes darkened, and you could see that his mind was suddenly less on going out and more on stripping you off your clothes and devouring your body all night long.

Bucky stood up from the couch and marched towards you, pulling you into his defined chest and kissing you breathless. You could feel his hands splayed on your thighs, travelling north. You quickly grabbed his wrist, and he gave you a dissatisfied growl.

“I wanted to stay here and eat naked, but you were dead set on going out. This is my going out outfit, and I wish it stays on me at least till we dined.”

Bucky groaned into your neck and kneaded your ass. “I’m not sure if I can wait that long, Y/N. You shouldn’t have worn something so sexy, I won’t be able to think all night.”

You smirked and kissed his cheek, getting out of his embrace and towards your door. “You can train your self-control, my dear. Let’s go, I’m getting hungry, and not only for food.”

The sound that came deep out of Bucky’s chest was something between groan and growl, and it sent shivers down your spine.

—-

The car ride was joyful. You paid no attention to Bucky and his boring stares, instead, you talked with Peter who was driving you to the place Bucky was adamant not to disclose. Peter was such a sweet kid that you had to wonder why he was involved with the mafia in the first place. You could imagine him going to University. You thought he still had more than enough time to do so, but you knew you had no say in all of that.

Bucky wasn’t enjoying the ride as much as you did. All he wanted to do was to strip you of that provocative dress and have your way with you. But no, he had to be an idiot and insist on going out. He was now sitting in the car, pissed at himself and at Peter, who was being a friendly asshole as always and to top it all you were having too much fun without him for his liking. Bucky was a jealous man, and he didn’t realise what he was doing by bringing you to where he was bringing you.

When a colossal mansion appeared in your window, you stopped mid-sentence and just stared. It was beautiful. It was elegant with huge windows in some of which lights were lit. You were pretty sure your mouth was hanging open, but you didn’t care. You abruptly turned to Bucky and gave him a confused look before you turned to your window again to stare at the beauty.

Bucky chuckled slightly, happy that you were still as confused as when you two left your apartment. There was a little nagging voice in his head, questioning this move of his, but he couldn’t feel more confident in bringing you to his house. Not his apartment, which most of the city saw, let’s be honest. This was truly his home.

He never brought a girl there, not intentionally anyway. There were few instances of him sleeping with women he was supposed to have a meeting with, but that was beside the point. There has never been a woman that he’d willingly and consciously brought to his home, to get to know him better.

His maid, Magda, was instructed to cook dinner for Bucky and his guest, and he knew that the old lady, being with him ever since he was a little child would have her eyes and ears open just to see who this guest was.

“Where-where are we, Bucky?” You asked incredulously, still amazed by the palace in front of you.

“I promised not to bring you to my apartment, and I intend to keep that promise. This is something more for me, this is my home. And I would like to show you around.”

Bucky was watching your every move and change of emotions on your face. He could see the disbelief, the relief, the excitement, he could see it all. Peter, meanwhile, opened your door and the two of you got out of the car. Bucky, ever the gentleman (well… ever with you, anyway) almost ran around the car to help you out, and he held out a hand for you to grab.

The inside of the house was even more spectacular than the outside. Everything was modern but elegant and simplistic. You could see the house was divided into quarters. Down on your right, everything looked a little darker and more office-like. Bucky was taking you through the rooms telling you where was what. The offices, meeting rooms and such (also the dungeons, but you politely refused to see those) were in the down right quarter.

Down left, space was devoted to a huge kitchen where an older lady called Magda was standing and smiling at you. Behind the kitchen and the vast dining room was what Bucky called the common room with multiple couches and armchairs. It looked really comfortable and here were seated first few of Bucky’s men.

They introduced themselves as Sam and Steve, names you already heard from Bucky’s stories.

“We’re glad to finally officially meet you, Y/N. This idiot right here won’t shut up about you, but damn, he didn’t do you justice. You’re one juicy piece,” Sam hollered, and it earned him a jab to his ribs by Bucky. You stifled a laugh, but when Steve punched Bucky stomach, and they all started to hit each other as if they were 5 year-olds, you couldn’t help yourself.

“Could you two idiots act like adults at least this time? I want to show my lady around.”

Whoops and cheers came from the two guys, and Bucky only sent them death glares before he grabbed your hand and dragged you out of there. He didn’t need his friends ogling you any more.

This quarter of the house also had a huge gym, in which few guys were again, and you were introduced to all of them. You could see that the interaction between Bucky and Steve and Sam was exceptional because when he introduced you to Luke and others, his tone and posture changed from friend to mafia boss. You didn’t comment on it, because you knew it was pointless.

The upper floor was much more personal. The people that lived in the mansion had their left-wing, all for themselves. Some of them were standing by their doors, and you greeted each one of them. And then there was Bucky’s wing. It included a luxurious bedroom, his own private dining room, master bathroom, which you thought was as big as your whole apartment with Nat. There was also his personal library and to that connected office, to which only his men had access.

Overall the house was insane, and you knew you’d enjoy spending your time with Bucky there. The bed looked exceptionally spacious and comfortable. Definitely much better than your Ikea queen-sized one.

You were coming down the stairs with Bucky to ask Magda when your food would be ready (Bucky was mainly curious if he had enough time for some fun times), and that was when you met last of Bucky’s men. Both of them were huge and muscly. One of them had tattoo sleeves, and even some tattoos on his neck, short hair and a deathly stare. The other one had no visible tattoos, but his face wasn’t any more inviting.

“Y/N, this is Brock Rumlow and Bob Johnson, probably the last of my men you haven’t yet met. Guys, this is Y/N.”

They both nodded, but the sly smiles on their lips made you shiver uncomfortably. Until then, all of the guys seemed friendly and welcoming, at least for mobsters, but these two gave you the creeps. They were the type you’d be afraid to meet walking home at night. You made a mental note never to wander around the mansion alone because these two seemed like they didn’t care that you obviously came with their boss. They were shamelessly ogling your ass and your breasts, one of them even licking their lips at the sight of you.

Bucky seemed to have noticed how uncomfortable you were, so he nodded at them and continued his way down to the kitchen.

You still couldn’t shake off the weird feeling that settled somewhere deep inside you after meeting Brock and Bob, and even after the beautiful dinner Magda made for the two of you, you were unsettled.

“What is going on, doll? I can hear the thoughts in your mind racing,” he whispered to your ear and put a hand on your bare thigh.

“Nothing, I’m probably just overreacting, you know? Maybe if you took my mind off everything, it wouldn’t be as loud.”

He smirked and pushed his hand under your dress, massaging your hip. “Oh, baby doll. I want you to be as loud as possible, so all the fuckers know that I’m the only one making you feel good. You and your damn dress, trying to either kill me or making me kill every single man seeing you in the dress, starting with Peter. You seemed to have liked the guys quite a lot.” He was growling now, and you smirked.

You would be lying to say that his jealousy didn’t make you even wetter. But you knew that you shouldn’t entertain these thoughts in his head, because he was actually that person who would act on it if he decided so.

“He is nice, sure, but you do know that I’m only yours, right? There is no other man for me, but my sexy bad mafia boss. But maybe, just maybe, you should remind me who do I belong to,” you whispered to his ear with fervour, and it was all that it took for Bucky to push you on his bed and jump on you.

But before you let him have his way with you, you made another mental note, not remember the two guys, feeling like they might not have Bucky’s best interests in mind. And you hated just the thought that the men who were there to protect your James, among other things, might not be the most trustworthy. But you needed more facts than your suspicions if you were to tell Bucky. You just hoped you were wrong and your spidey-senses were wrong this time. Not that they have been that many times before, but still.

/Next Chapter >

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If you’d like to be tagged comment/message/send an ask. If you like the story, please reblog :) any comments are appreciated, even the critical ones. Always a space to get better, so let me know what you guys think.

[ctay21]

A Sweet Encounter

                (Sanji x Female S/O)

Hey Guys! I’m super excited, this is my very first fic I’ve ever wrote and I don’t know but i’m kinda proud of it. This fic is done for @some-piece​ AU challenge. If you haven’t checked out her blog yet, you need to! Bas you are one of my favorite writers and are one of a few who have inspired me to write, thank you so much! I choose the Bakery AU. My list of characters I received was Trafalgar Law, Sir Crocodile, Sanji, Marco, and Kalifa. There aren’t really any warnings in this fic other than it being super fluffy. I hope you guys enjoy! 

It was an ordinary Friday in July. It could have been cooler for your tastes as the bakery you work in always feels like a million degrees at all times of the day. Five fans were on and you already felt like you were melting and it wasn’t even noon yet. 

Rolling your eyes you try to focus on the wedding cake you're currently decorating, instead of what felt like a massive heat wave in the bakery. It was exciting because this was your last cake to decorate today and you were just looking forward to going home and maybe taking an early nap. There was also the option of ordering take out, just thinking of all the possibilities made you look forward to finishing this cake so you could finally leave. 

As you were thinking of all the options for your boring night after work. It happened, the most unexpected, felt like a life changing moment but you were trying not to get ahead of yourself just yet. One moment you were decorating a cake, the next moment you looked up and out the window and saw the most gorgeous man. He hadn't looked at you just yet but you could feel it in your bones that he was very attractive. Mystery man had blonde hair, he was tall and slender. Wearing a blue button down dress shirt and black slacks, and boy do you love a man in a classy outfit. It was slightly funny because as put together as he looked I could tell he was heatedly yelling at someone over the phone. Then he turned around.

From the second he turned around we made eye contact. The intensity of our gaze made you drop the piping bag you were holding on the table. He had grey blue eyes that immediately reminded me of storm clouds. His blonde hair was swept to the side covering his right eye. He has these interesting eyebrows that everyone probably wouldn't find attractive, but you were drawn to them and found them to be uniquely beautiful. The way his eyebrow came down and swirled up was so intriguing. To top it all off, he had a thin strip of hair on his chin. Giving him a slightly ruggedly handsome face. Overall your instincts were right and he was gorgeous and you never wanted to look away.

The eye contact only lasted realistically for 30 seconds, but to you it felt like a lifetime. You were a little sad to see he broke eye contact, but were immediately excited again when you realized he was turning to walk into the bakery. Washing your hands real quick and making your way up front so you can casually greet this hot mystery man, pretending you hadn’t intentionally walked up from the back just to meet him. Glancing in a mirror to make sure your bun and headband, that held all the hair out of your face while baking, still looked cute and not crazy. Feeling ready and excited to meet him, you step out of the back into the front and walk behind the counter. As you’re walking you glance up and meet his gaze again. Smiling up at him you introduce yourself as you finally reach the front counter. 

“Hello, welcome to Fairytale Confectionery my name is (y/n), how can I help you today.” 

“Ahh, what a beautiful name to match such a beautiful woman.” He says, as he grabs your hand and lightly brushes his lips against the back of your hand in the most charming feather light kiss. “My name is Sanji, a few moments ago I was mad at my mosshead idiot friend who gave me the worst directions in my life.” He says, as he drops your hand and leans both of his forearms against the glass counter. “Although, I may have to break down and thank him. For if he never gave me terrible directions, I may never have met you.” He said, giving you the most disarming smile you had ever seen.

“Wow, what a charmer you are. I bet all the women just love you.” You said, in a slightly sarcastic way. “With that being said, Please give my thanks to your friend who you called a mosshead idiot.” You say as you giggle and glance down to try to hide your blushing face. “Mainly, because so far it has been very lovely to meet you Sanji. Now can I get anything for you?” You asked him, as you finally dared to look up and make eye contact with him again. 

“Two questions. First, is there anything in this case that is as sweet as you?” He asked as he laughed a little noticing that you rolled your eyes and were slightly shaking your head. “Okay okay, the first question was rhetorical, but seriously what’s your favorite thing you make. I want to try that.” He said, slightly laughing at his attempts to flirt with you. 

“Well, to your first question I just want to say you’re so ridiculous.” You said, as you continue to laugh and shake your head, slightly covering your mouth with your hand. “Secondly, if I had to choose my favorite thing in the bakery, that would be hands down our cinnamon rolls!” You exclaim, while grinning widely because you can’t help it. It’s a natural reaction when you get to talk about your favorite baked goods. 

“Well then, I would love to get one cinnamon roll please and possibly your phone number?” Sanji asked hopefully while holding up his phone. 

“I can grab you a cinnamon roll and as far as my number, you’ll have to wait and see.” You say winking at him, while grabbing his cinnamon roll and placing it in a container. Walking over to the register you ring his order up.

 “So Sanji, will that be all for you?” You ask, as you smirk at him. 

“That depends (y/n), what do I have to do to get your number?” He asked, while giving you the cutest puppy dog eyes. 

“Hmmmm… I’m not really sure yet.” You say tapping your chin and shrugging your shoulders.

 You take his payment for his cinnamon roll. As you hand him the container your hands brush for a second and you feel a spark run up your arm. He looks into your eyes and as he goes to turn around to leave. You realize that you don't want your banter with Sanji to end so you blurt out really fast “Sanji Wait! I forgot to give you a napkin!” 

Sanji turns back around and notices a folded up napkin in your hand and grabs it. He opens it up and sees your name (y/n) followed by a series of numbers written in the middle of the napkin. He looks back up at you and grins.

“Well (y/n), thank you and just so you know your name is going in my contacts as Cinnamon Roll.” He said, as he winked at you one last time and turned to leave the bakery. 

“Have a great rest of your day, Sanji.” You call out to him as he is walking towards the door.

“You as well my Cinnamon Roll.” He calls back at you, right before he walks out the door.

Feeling super giddy and laughing about his nickname for you and about the interaction you just had with Sanji. You head back into the kitchen and finish your cake and head home feeling like your life hopefully won't be so boring and monotonous anymore.

Over the course of two weeks you and Sanji get to know each other very well. You found out he was an executive chef at a popular fine dining restaurant, that’s known for their amazing french cuisine. Sanji found it very ironic that you were a pastry chef. His exact words when you told him were. 

“(y/n) just think about it! We could be called the Chef’s Ultimate Power Couple!” He said over the phone, during one of your late night three hour long calls. 

You just laughed and shook your head at him, even though he couldn't see your head shaking. You started to look forward to the nightly calls, it basically was the highlight of your day and you could never wait to get to talk to Sanji. Since you both were super busy with work and both working in the food industry, meant so far you both haven’t had a night where you were free to go on a proper date yet. 

After two amazing weeks of talking and getting to know one another, you both finally had a night where you could go on a proper date. Since you were both chefs, Sanji came up with the most perfect first date idea and you couldn't be more excited.

He mentioned the idea of you coming over to his apartment and you both could cook and bake together. He would prepare a romantic dinner that only you deserve, which made you laugh when he was telling you all about his idea. While he would be cooking dinner, you would be next to him baking the dessert. He said that it was the perfect combo and would be the best first date ever. With every day that passed, your date drew closer and you were getting more and more excited as the days went by. 

On the night of the date, you arrived at Sanji’s apartment at 6:30 sharp just like he asked you too. Feeling nervous and excited, you knocked on Sanji’s door. When he opened the door you both blushed at seeing each other for the first time in two weeks, since the day you met at the bakery. He held out his hand for you to take as he led you into his apartment and shut the door behind you. 

“Wow (y/n), how is it that you got even prettier in the two weeks since I've seen you?” Sanji asked, pulling you into a hug. While he also was admiring the simple black flowy dress you were wearing for the date. You decided on a simple classic dress because you felt so beautiful in it, but also because you knew you would be baking and didn't want to accidentally ruin one of your really nice dresses. Mainly, in the off chance you accidentally spilled something that would stain while baking, you had a habit of being very clumsy sometimes with liquid ingredients. 

“I don’t know, but whatever I did you also have done, because you look so handsome. I am so lucky to be on a date with you.” You told him, while pulling back from the hug. As you also were admiring the (your favorite color) dress shirt and black slacks he had on. When you guys were getting to know each other you told him what your favorite color was and he must have wanted to surprise you because here he was, wearing your favorite color and looking so handsome that it should be a sin to look that good. 

“No (y/n), I am the luckiest guy to be on this date with you!” He said, while leading you into the kitchen so you both could start working on dinner and dessert.

He had a big open concept kitchen with a big butcher’s block island in the middle, and double stack ovens with a matching gas stove. This is a kitchen that you could only dream of. It was probably every chef’s dream kitchen and of course Sanji had your dream kitchen. He leads you to the middle of the kitchen, to the island that had all the ingredients you both would need already laid out. 

“I'm speechless, Sanji. This kitchen is amazing and honestly my dream kitchen. I love it so much!” You couldn’t help but gush, while still looking around and taking everything in. 

“Thank you (y/n), it’s honestly my favorite place in this whole space. Cooking is when I do all of my thinking and where I get most of my ideas. So I wanted my kitchen to be a place of comfort and ultimately my favorite place in my apartment because I knew I was going to spend a lot of my time in here creating.” He explained, as he walked around and started to prep ingredients for dinner. 

You both fell into a nice rhythm while cooking together. The conversation was light and funny, you couldn’t believe how hard he was making you laugh. As you were measuring flour out for your recipe, an idea popped into your head. Knowing how much a little bit of flour stands out against black, you wondered if you could get away with leaving a hand print of flour on his pants or his shirt without him noticing.

Trying to discreetly cover your hand in flour, you walk over to Sanji hiding your hand hoping to look like you were just coming over to watch him cook. You place your hand on the small of his back. He looks over and down at you noticing that you had walked over a little suspiciously, but couldn’t figure it out. 

“What are you up too?” He accuses you, smirking down at your oh so innocent face. 

“Who Moi?” you asked as you hid your hand that was covered in flour behind your back and used your other hand to cover your heart and make a sad hurt face at Sanji. 

“Yes you (y/n), you got quiet for two minutes, got a mischievous look on your face and then proceeded to walk over here. What are you up too and why are you hiding your left hand.” He jokingly accused as he turned to face you and tried to grab the hand you were hiding. 

“What nothing! I’m hiding nothing, don’t you trust me” You exclaimed. Not wanting to get caught you turned around quickly to go back to where you were baking, but you hadn’t realized that you got flour on your back as well. Sanji quickly tried to look at this back where he felt your hand and noticed a lot of flour in the shape of your hand print on his shirt. 

“ I knew it! I just knew you were up to something over there (y/n)!” He yelled.

Turning back to look at him you noticed he also had a mischievous look in his eyes and was grinning too much for your liking. You started to slowly pace around the island making sure he stayed on the opposite side as you. 

“You're going down for this (y/n), so you better get ready!” He goaded while laughing. You watched as he passed in front of the flour, he grabbed a handful. Then took off running around the island to try to get to you. 

“AAHHH!! SANJI DON’T!!” You yelled, as you took off running and laughing but also not wanting to get flour dumped on you.

 Which is why you were running, because you just knew he was going to dump the handful of flour he was holding on you if he caught up to you. While chasing each other in circles around the island, you grabbed a handful of flour as you passed by. Turning around quickly you ran into Sanji. As you ran into him you threw the flour in his face, but not before he threw the flour he was holding in your face. 

“AAAHHHH!” You both screamed at the same time. Then promptly fell into a laughing fit over how ridiculous you both looked covered in flour and the situation you both were in.

It took ten whole minutes to clean up the kitchen and sort of clean off your outfits. Sanji being the perfect gentleman, offered you a change of clothes but you declined. Mainly because you thought tonight has been so fun and amazing and you sort of wanted a reminder of how ridiculous you guys have been together. When you both finally sat down to have your dinner, it was with a happy fun filled heart and nothing about the night felt like it could get anymore perfect. 

“I knew you just had to be up to something earlier when I caught you being shifty. I'm glad I caught you because I think that is the most fun I have ever had on a date before.” Sanji confided as he walked you out to your car and opened your door for you to climb in. 

“It was a ton of fun, wasn’t it? I have to agree with you because that was also the most fun I've ever had on a date. I can’t wait for our second date.” You said as you looked up into his eyes, noticing he still had flour right above his eyebrow. Smiling, you lifted your hand and wiped your thumb across his eyebrow removing the leftover flour, loving the way his curly eyebrow felt against your thumb. 

“Will you be my girlfriend.” Sanji blurted out.

“Yes. I thought you’d never ask.” You replied before he could say anything else. 

Standing up on your tip-toes you kissed his cheek and quickly got in your car. You looked out your window and saw Sanji blushing and holding his cheek that you kissed. He was giving you the cutest dazed deer in the headlights look. You were also blushing, you gave him one last radiant smile before you started to drive home. 

Little did you know that from that night on. It became a game, whenever you both were cooking or baking together, that one of you would end up with a floured hand print somewhere on their bodies by the end of the night. Preferably without the other person noticing or knowing. 

[skekheck]

How about an urru rating list? Even though there's not much info on these guys, I like to hear what your opinions are on them. Thank you

FUCK YEAH LET’S GOOOO (and you’re welcome asdf)

1. urVa: Best mystic 10/10. But in all seriousness, the reason why I love him so much is because of the book series. He’s just a sweet grandpa hermit who lives in a hovel and offers you stew or tea. I love the scene where he’s showing Naia how to use a bow even though his was way to big for her. Or how protective he was of both her and Kylan when they saw Tavra’s silhouette from afar. I’m sure he was thinking that might have belonged to someone else. Although their scenes weren’t as plenty, their friendship was very sweet. Not to mention he’s a little more proactive in the gelfling resistance, even stopping other skeksis besides his counterpart (skekLi in Song). I just wish Flames allowed Naia to mourn over him properly. But I’m also not knocking his appearance in AOR: he’s great too I just wish he had more spotlight on him. I want to know more about his friendship with Aughra (how it extends from MalVa) and the complicated relationship he had with skekMal (because there are signs that he had conflicted feelings about his counterpart as he showed genuine sadness over “ending the Hunt”). Also the fact that even despite his age, he’s still strong and stealthy (and apparently good at martial arts) and that’s pretty rad. Also x 2 I love his design it’s really good. urVa is just *chefs kiss* the best. His sacrifice never fails to hurt me, though. Fuck you skekMal, urVa didn’t deserve this.

2. urLii: He’s a really close second. Honestly if he gets significant screen time in future seasons he may take urVa’s place. This is also mainly because of the books, but also from the few things I know about his appearance from the prequel comics. He a little senile cave gremlin taking care of Thra’s old artifacts. I’m still sad that in the comics only Maurda Argot knows about him because it just seems like urLii’s the Grottan’s silly grandpa who tells them stories about the artifacts in the Tomb of Relics. But I’m glad that the two have something similar to Aughra and urVa’s dynamic it’s great. I also seriously love his sense of humor. Like he lightly picks on Ordon for laughs and calls him Ordie.  In the books, it can get pretty dark (making death jokes at his expense) and I love the fact he shares that with skekLi. And speaking of, when urLii and urVa stopped skekLi, the Satirist called the Archer’s bluff when he warned he’d shoot the skeksis if he tried anything. He was playing on urVa’s feelings that the Storyteller would die too, but then urLii dangles himself off from the edge of the cliff like “I will not hesistate, bitch”. There’s a lot to love about urLii. Although I hope he gets his glasses back they looked so cute on him. 

3. urGoh: Gotta love this mystic stoner. To be honest, I think I like him only because I love the dynamic between him and skekGra. I’m not sure if I would like him on his own. But at the same time, I do really enjoy his character. I feel like despite smoking his brains out, he’s being intentionally slow to get on skekGra’s nerves. Also major props to urGoh for helping the Heretic reform because I know it wasn’t easy (he was one of the most dangerous skeksis apparently). Also I like how he used hookah smoke for dramatic fog for his and skekGra’s puppet show. That’s creative. 

4. urSan: She sounds so pretty. Like her outfit matches the color of the Silver Sea, her hair is indigo with white streaks, she’s just... I want to see her. I want to see what her puppet would look like. I like how she’s considered a folk legend among the Sifa and she lives in a lighthouse near by making star charts and maps. And apparently she had occasional visits from skekSa and that’s really interesting considering how fiercely independent the Mariner makes herself out to be. I feel bad for her: her skeksis counterpart is also a dumbass and urSan had to suffer a slow death because of her. Fuck you skekSa, urSan didn’t deserve that. 

5. urSu: So on one hand, urSu is probably the reason the mystics adopted a complacent philosophy and just let the skeksis destroy Thra instead of trying to work or co-exist with them. Also the fact he placed a heavy burden on Jen by basically having him fix their mess because of a prophecy.  So he and the other mystics are just as responsible for what happened on Thra. But on the other hand, I think he understands how much he fucked up and is trying to make amends along with the other mystics by protecting Jen. He didn’t tell the gelfling his destiny right away probably because the boy already had a traumatic experience losing his family he doesn’t want to add to that by telling him he alone must save the world. He wanted Jen to have a normal, happy childhood. UrSu really tried being a good dad to him and I appreciate that. 

6. urSol: I think I’m starting to like him more because of the headcanons I gave him but anyway. The sequel comics states he’s a rebel by mystic standards and after many years of doing nothing he suddenly gets involved with Thra. If Dark Heart is indeed SilSol, I think that’s really interesting that urSol deviates from the main group. I also like how it’s describe that urSol enriches the world around him through words as opposed to skekSil who manipulates it. I feel like urSol has a lot of potential being an interesting character. Also he’s just the softest looking mystic, like a cinnamon roll.

7. urTih: It really sucks being a mystic, but urTih probably got the worst of it besides urSol. Not only is his skeksis stupid, but said skeksis is also a self-mutilator... for science. He also has the funniest death he just blips out of existence because his dumbass counterpart fell down a shaft (which was also super funny). He didn’t deserve it: let him practice alchemy in peace. On the other hand, I also wish urTih was with skekTek because that guy needs something positive in his life (and also tell him to stop vivisecting and creating abominations). 

8. urUtt:

Also I like the fact he can just weave clothes using a system of knots instead of cutting cloth. Making use of all the material and not wasting it that’s rad. UrUtt is also one of the most cinnamon roll looking mystics of the bunch.  

9. urSen: Not going to lie when I read about his passage in the Dark Crystal bestiary I felt so sorry for him. He knew he’d die years in advance and he just isolated himself from the rest. Poor guy I hoped one of the mystics came by to visit him.

10. urAc: He’s pretty cute I like his lil hat. It sounds like he and urUtt work together since he’s the one that created patterns into cloth that incorporate the wearer’s thoughts. Seems very fitting considering their skeksis counterparts are friends.

11. urAmaj: As a common theme in this post I feel bad for him but for different reasons. He’s patient with how he cooks his food, making sure it has a nice balance of flavor and texture as well as nutritious. Yet he can’t make good gelfling food, according to Jen. He’s doing his best Jen leave him be. Also it’s cute that he’s close friends with urNol.

12: urNol: He has one of the most nice sounding names among the mystics. According to TDC Author’s Quest, urNol makes great elixirs and seeds that can grow into anything. Since the mystics are implied to have planted the Great Trees, I wonder if they were urNol’s creations. Also poor guy lost an eye and an arm, but I guess it could be much worse.

13: urIm: I like that he’s known for being a healer, but is the only mystic that knows something called a death trance. I just think that juxtaposition is very interesting. Also I’m wondering if he was the mystic responsible for teaching the Dousan the mystic ways?

14: urZah: Once again I feel bad for another mystic, the fact that he has to be associated with the absolute worst skeksis. Also I want to know why he’s so distrustful, even with the other mystics.

15: urYod: I always confuse his name with urNol’s for some reason, which is weird because his name kinda rhymes with “Shod”. So apparently ShodYod helped Aughra in her observatory? I wonder if urYod ever had a friendship with her at the beginning. 

16: urMa: Poor bastard there’s literally nothing about him. Hopefully he gets a page in the bestiary. 

17: urYa and urHom: Even more poor bastards they never even made it that far after the Great Division. For some reason, urHom is the only one with a confirmed title. 

[hutchhitched]

Hold It

Author: @hutchhitched

  Prompt 57: prompt “hey, you’re that asshole that closed the elevator when i yelled at you to hold it!” [submitted by anonymous]

  Rating: T

  Author’s note: I started this story back in April 2019, but it just wouldn’t work. This past November, I finished it during Nanowrimo, but I forgot to post it in the midst of holiday challenges and finishing up other stories. Without further ado, this is my fifth and final submission for the @everlarkficexchange 2019 event.

  _____________________

“Hold the door! Hold it, please!” Katniss shouted as she sprinted across the lobby of her office building. She wasn’t normally late for work, but she’d had a morning. Missing the elevator would only cap off the worst day of her life.

  “That’s hyperbole,” she muttered as she sprinted the last few yards over the marble floor. As she skidded to a stop in front of the elevator bank, she watched in disbelief as a stocky blonde guy with a cocky grin on his face and sinfully blue eyes waggled his fingers at her as the door slid shut.

  “You’ve got to be shitting me,” she cursed and pounded on the closed doors. “Why are you such a dick?!”

  Infuriated, she stomped over to the call button and stabbed it. She fumed as she watched the other elevators creep downward as slowly as possible. She was sure they decelerated just to make her late for work.

  She finally settled at her desk (ten minutes late) and pulled out the files she needed to get through before noon. She hated her job—a soulless entry level position in corporate banking that made her want to chuck it all and go full Thoreau. She was sure holing up in a cabin in the woods and living off the land would make her happier than the rat race she currently lived. But the money was decent, and that’s what she needed for another few months at the very minimum.

  The day didn’t get any better as the hours passed and she entered row after row of numbers and figures. Hour after hour. Column after column. Until finally…

  She trudged home at the close of day, still pissed at the nameless guy who’d intentionally left her in the lobby and mocked her as the doors shut in her face. She couldn’t shake that something seemed familiar about him, but the last thing she wanted to do was spend any more time considering that bastard.

  When she reached her apartment, she unlocked the door and tossed her keys on the side table before moving across the room to the kitchen where boyfriend—gorgeous, kind, patient, and immensely talented Peeta—sat with a cup of hot cocoa and her favorite pastry, his cheese buns from a family recipe.

  “Hey,” she murmured and threw herself into his arms. “I missed you today.”

  Peeta hugged her tightly and kissed the tip of her nose. “I missed you, too. Sorry about this morning. I had a bad one.”

  “It’s okay. I know how frustrating your family can be. It’s not your fault you got a call from them today, completely out of the blue.”

  “Still,” he insisted.

  “Still,” she agreed, “you could have handled things better.”

  “I could have. I’m sorry.” He was silent for a minute and then released her. “My brother drives me up the wall. Why, after all this time, did he decide he wants to be part of my life again?”

  Katniss cradled his face and kissed him firmly on the mouth. “I don’t know, but I do know you’re an amazing person. Maybe he realized he’s missing something really special.”

  Peeta smiled wryly and squeezed her hand. “Maybe.”

  “Or maybe he misses your cooking.”

  “I refuse to have another family holiday with that man, no matter how much he begs. He’ll never get my cheese buns again,” he insisted.

  Smiling, she gave a soft whoop in support of his declaration. “More for me, then.”

  “Your cocoa’s getting cold,” he said. “Go ahead.”

  Peeta’s phone rang just as she settled onto a stool and took the first sip of hot chocolate. He glanced at the screen and cursed. Sucking in a long breath, he held it for several seconds and then answered the call.

  “Hello. What do you want, Graham? No, I’m not going to discuss Mom. No. No. I’m not— Graham, tell me what you want before I discontinue this call. Yes, discontinue. No, I’m not putting on airs. God damn it, Graham! You’re a pretentious ass.”

  Katniss reached over and put her hand on Peeta’s arm to calm him. His breathing quickened and face reddened as he listened to his brother speak. He squeezed his eyes closed and pursed his lips for several moments before answering.

  “I don’t really want to meet, no. Because we haven’t seen each other in years. Because I intentionally haven’t contacted any of you. You know why, Graham. No, it’s not okay to pretend things are fine between us.”

  He paused again, and she could hear a rush of words from the phone. He looked pained, and she longed to ease the turmoil.

  “Fine!” he snapped. “Fine. I’ll meet you—we’ll meet you tomorrow. My girlfriend. Yes, I have a girlfriend. Shut up. Stop now. Text me the specifics. Whatever.”

  Peeta hung up and dropped the phone onto the counter in disgust. She raised her eyebrows at him, but he leapt to his feet and began pacing before she could form a sentence.

  “What’s going on?” she asked and snaked her arms around his waist.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. He wants to talk about Mom. I’d rather strip naked and run through the streets.”

  “I wouldn’t mind stripping you down,” she teased and slipped her hands under his shirt.

  “Mmmm…” He leaned down and kissed her, and she melted against him. “I’d like that.”

  “I’d like it, too.”

  He moved into her, but she could tell his heart wasn’t in it. He wound her braid around his palm and pulled her head back so he could explore her mouth better. She pressed into him, but his mind was clearly somewhere else.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He sighed and dropped his hands down to her waist. “I’m sorry, honey. I’m just…”

  “You’re just…?”

  “I’m just not really in the mood. I’m sorry.”

  “Peeta, you don’t have to apologize for being upset. I know your family is something that really bothers you.” She carded her fingers through his hair and kissed his jaw where she knew he liked it. “If you want to talk about it, I’ll listen. If you want to sit in front of the TV and drink cocoa and watch mindless TV and say nothing, I’ll sit next to you.”

  “Love you,” he murmured with a soft smile. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “Love you back.”

  “Let’s go watch some bad television and drink spiked hot chocolate and fall asleep on the couch after having some really dirty sex.”

  “You have the best ideas.”

  “Hold it. Let me get my phone. I need to record you saying that.”

  She rolled her eyes and pushed him toward the living room. “Shhhh… You talk too much.”

  “Better show me something else to do with that mouth then.”

  “Challenge accepted.”

  ****

  “Are you sure this shirt goes with these pants?” Peeta asked for the fourth time, and Katniss wanted to throw something at him.

  “For the five thousandth time, darling, you look amazing.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Do you really care what your outfit looks like? You’re just meeting your brother—the brother you haven’t seen in years and who wants to try to talk you out of the family business again.”

  He scoffed and made a face at himself in the mirror. “No better way to make Graham mad than to look like I have it all together. He such a narcissist. Hates it when I’m presentable, let alone looking better than him. Besides, it’s hardly a family business anymore, is it? I’m the only Mellark still involved.”

  “That’s because you have vision and foresight and a brilliant business mind and didn’t want to exploit the hell out of your dad’s dream the way your brothers and mom did. You know as well as I do that there would be no Mellarks if it wasn’t for you,” Katniss said firmly. “Graham would have run it into the ground in three months.”

  “Tell my mom that,” he grumbled and straightened his tie.

  “I would, but she hates me.”

  “You have the worst in-laws.”

  “In-laws-to-be someday,” she chuckled. “But I sure did get the best of batch when I found you.”

  “Thanks for going with me tonight. Thanks for being my shield.”

  “That’s what you and I do. Protect each other.”

  Thirty minutes later, Peeta tugged her across the restaurant and wound his way over to a table near the windows where a stocky, blonde man waited with appraising eyes. There was something familiar about him, but Katniss wasn’t sure exactly why.

  “Peeta,” the man said as they drew near. His voice was arrogant and cocky, and her spine stiffened.

  “Graham,” Peeta answered in a bite and tightened his grip on her fingers like she was his lifeline.

  Peeta’s brother smirked at them and wiggled his fingers in a little wave. Katniss gasped and narrowed her eyes. Her scowl turned into an outright glare, and she huffed a few times before she couldn’t deny her annoyance.

  “Hey, you’re that asshole that closed the elevator when I yelled at you to hold it! What a treat. My boyfriend’s brother is a jackass.”

  Graham considered her and clearly found her wanting. “Peeta always did like them feisty. Can’t say that I blame him.”

  “I beg you not to finish that statement,” Peeta warned.

  “Why? What are you gonna do? Beat me up?”

  “If I have to.”

  “Ah, little brother. I can still whip your ass. Just like I did every year in the wrestling championships. Always second best.”

  Katniss looked at her boyfriend and saw red. He was pale and trembling, which was nothing like the confident, sexy, compassionate man she knew.

  “I think you should apologize to Peeta,” she suggested, but Graham clearly didn’t have a lick of sense.

  “I don’t really think I want to.”

  “That’s really too bad,” she lamented with so much sarcasm she was surprised the words didn’t catch on fire as they came out of her mouth. “I really don’t want to do this either, except I really do.”

  “What?”

  “This,” she answered and punched him in the nose. She grinned at the satisfying crunch and turned to Peeta. “You know, hon, suddenly I’m not very hungry. You want to get out of here?”

  “Absolutely,” he beamed at her.

  With as much grace as they could muster, they headed to the door. A man was just entering when Katniss called, “Hold it, please.”

  This time, there was no finger waggling. Instead, the door was wide open when Peeta and Katniss breezed out of the restaurant and into the night air.

[nerdypinupcrystal]

Every Breath You Take - Chapter 11: The Devil That You Don’t Know

Hiiii guys! I’m back with a new chapter and boy are you guys in for a roller coaster! I’m gonna keep this intro short and sweet, I just hope you guys will love this as much as I do! Annnnd here we go!

MASTERLIST

Chapter 11: The Devil That You Don’t Know

“Holy shit, you’re hurt!” I exclaimed as I crouched down to the bloody vigilante. 

He grunted as he struggled to stand up. “I’m fine.”

“My ass, you’re fine! You look beaten to shit!” I reached for his arm to help him up. 

“Thanks, it’s a new look I’m going for.” He smirked, but it looked more like a grimace. 

Seriously? This guy’s being sarcastic at a time like this?

I rolled my eyes, leaning him on my shoulder. “Okay, wise ass. If you’re well enough to be sarcastic, then maybe this isn’t as serious as it looks.” I hope. “Now let’s get you inside and get this taken care of before anyone sees you.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He protested. “It’s not nece-”

“Oh yes it is ‘nece’!” I argued as I held him firm against me as we walked down the steps toward my apartment floor. “It’s absolutely ‘nece’. Now cut the stubborn martyr nonsense and let me help you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” 

And that was the end of that until we got into my apartment, luckily unseen by anyone. I walked him to my couch, silently thanking god I didn’t have to carry all of his weight, because holy fuck, he was heavy. 

Maybe I should start lifting weights. That took a lot out of me!

I noticed his left arm was dangling funny.  Dislocated shoulder; recognize that anywhere. 

I gently sat him down on the couch before running to my bedroom to retrieve the first aid kit I kept in my backpack. I set it on the table once I made it back to him. 

“Okay, so before I treat any of your wounds, we should take care of that dislocated shoulder before it gets worse.” I grabbed his hand to hold his arm straight in front of him.  

“Okay take a deep breath,” I instructed; he inhaled deeply, his spine stiffened up. “On the count of 10…” His head tilted in confusion. “1, 2, 10!” I quickly pulled his arm forward until I heard the loud pop of the shoulder going back in its socket. 

The vigilante let out a pained grunt as he wiggled and flexed his arm. I opened the first aid kit and activated one of the cold compress packs and pressed it to his shoulder. 

“You’re gonna wanna keep an ice pack or a heating pad on that shoulder for at least a few days and use a sling if you have one. Otherwise just try to take it easy. You don’t want that to pop out again, you’ll have a bad time. Believe me.” I handed him some aspirin from the kit and grabbed a water for him. 

“Thank you.” He spoke gently. 

I smiled in reply. “Now let’s look at those wounds. Where are you hit?”

He grunted as he pulled his shirt up, the cuts and bruises distracted me from gawking at his otherwise ripped torso. No wonder he was heavy. Look at that muscle!

I shook myself out of my thoughts before I could get carried away and started cleaning the cuts. 

He hissed at the sting of the rubbing alcohol and peroxide. 

“Sorry.”

He grunted. “Don’t be, it’s okay. You’re doing a great job.”

I chuckled. “Thanks. May I say though that your outfit is the worst? It doesn’t protect you at all.”

“It’s a work in progress. Ah!” He gasped as I cleaned the biggest cut on his stomach. 

“Sorry. That one’s gonna need stitches.” I pulled out the needle and thread I kept in the kit; I sterilized the needle before I started stitching at his permission.  “So work in progress, huh? Can it progress a little faster? Because you’re in serious need of armor or something.” 

“Armor will slow me down.” He argued. 

“Tough shit, you need it. If this is something you plan on doing long term, the least you can do is wear some kind of protective gear.” 

He chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.” There was a moment of silence before he asked, “How are you so good at this?”

“Good at what?” I asked, still focused on the stitching. 

“Stitching me up, pulling my shoulder back in its socket. You didn’t even hesitate. You look a little young to be a doctor. Are you a nurse? Med student?” 

I hesitated before answering. “Neither.  I...I’ve had personal experience. And I had to teach myself.”

The air was filled with tense silence as I finished his stitches. I looked up at him and the sight of him instantly made me nervous; his jaw was so tense I could practically hear his teeth grinding. His hands were tightened into fists so tight, they were shaking.  I couldn’t stop myself from shifting away from him. 

As if he could hear my frantic heartbeat, he loosened his fists and let out a heavy exhale. 

“I’m sorry if I scared you.” He spoke softly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you.” His voice cracked slightly. “It’s just...you’re a sweet girl. And the thought of someone being the reason you had to learn how to treat those kinds of injuries makes me angry.”

I relaxed a little at his statement. I didn’t like the idea of making him angry. 

I tentatively reached for his hand, rubbing it in a comforting gesture. 

“Please don’t be angry. I’m sorry I brought it up.  It was a long time ago since it was that bad,” Six months to be exact. “And I’m okay now.” I assured him. 

He turned his hand to hold mine in a gentle grip. “Please don’t apologize for something you didn’t deserve. Nobody deserves to be treated like that, least of all a sweet innocent woman like you who goes out of her way to help a masked stranger when she doesn’t have to.”

I gave a soft smile as I placed a bandage over his stitches. “I’m helping you because I want to. After all, you did save my life. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t return the favor?”

“A sane one?” He asked with a smirk. 

“Shut up.” I chuckled as I checked the rest of his sexy torso for anymore wounds. His abs visibly tightened at the heat of my touch, I could hear his breath hitch. Before I could lose myself in the sight of him, I pulled down his shirt when I didn’t see anymore wounds to treat. “Anywhere else that’s wounded? How’s your head?”

I lifted my hand to his masked face, but his hand quickly yet gently grabbed my wrist before my fingertips could graze him. 

“It’s fine.” He replied with a slight edge to his voice. 

I dropped my hand with a sigh and grabbed a rag to wipe the blood off his face, mindful of the cut on his lip. “I wasn’t gonna take off your mask. I just wanted to check if you had a concussion.”

He reached for my hand to gently hold. “I’m sorry. It’s just-”

“You don’t have to explain yourself.” I cut him off. “I understand.”

He relaxed with relief, still holding my hand. I could feel the warmth despite the barrier of his thick black glove. Warmth that made me feel safe, protected.  It made me want to move closer to his arms so they could wrap me into his protective warmth. 

What about Matt?

As if a bucket of ice water had splashed in my face, I stiffened and snapped out of my daze. How could I forget about Matt? What’s wrong with me?! Yes, he ran out in the middle of our date, leaving me high and dry no less, but that’s no excuse to lust over a mysterious vigilante. 

I gently pulled my hand out of his grip, causing his lips to frown slightly. I cleared my throat. “So you’re sure your head’s okay?  I don’t want you to say yes only to pass out from a concussion as soon as you get up.”

He chuckled as he rose up from the couch, “I promise you that I’m fine. I appreciate your concern.” 

“You don’t have to leave right now,” I insisted, standing up with him. “You can rest here a little longer to gain back your strength.”

“Thank you, but I’ve taken up enough of your time. I should really be going.” He replied as he turned away. 

“Are you gonna disappear mysteriously into the night?” I asked him. 

He smirked at me in amusement, “I figured I’d use your door.”

“Fair enough.” I shrugged, walking him to the door, checking that the coast was clear. “Please don’t go looking for more trouble tonight. You may be feeling fine now, but you’re still injured. Take care of yourself at the very least.”

He tilted his head to look at me, his lips lifting into a soft smile. “I’ll try my best-”

“Do or do not. There is no ‘try!’” I cut him off, blocking him from the door. 

“Okay, okay, you win.” He held his hands up in surrender. “I will do my best to take care of myself and not intentionally look for trouble.”

I let out an exasperated breath as I shifted from the doorway. “I guess I can’t ask for any more than that, so I’ll let you go now.”

The vigilante stepped out into the hallway, and  he turned to face me once more. “Thank you for helping me, Ir-uh... I really owe you one. How can I ever repay you for your kindness?”

“Don’t get killed.” I replied. “You’re a good man, doing dangerous things in order to keep people like me safe. There are too many monsters out there. It’s comforting knowing that there are people like you trying to get rid of them.  Just please, be careful out there.”

I didn’t even realize I held up my hand to touch his bruised cheek until I felt his warm skin under my palm. He let out a breath as he leaned into my touch, his gloved hand holding onto mine. 

“Thank you.” He whispered, his lips tenderly kissed my palm. “I will ...for you.”

He held onto my hand a moment longer before backing away and disappeared into the darkness of the hallway, my apartment feeling cold and empty once more. 

-------------------------

Next Morning 

I woke up the next morning feeling restless.

My brain was too awake trying to find answers for last night. 

Why did Matt leave in such a hurry? We were having the best date, and it was getting even better…so why did he just run off? Why couldn’t he give me a simple straight answer? 

He said it wasn’t because of me...but was it?

Was I moving things too fast? 

I have to admit that I was really surprised with myself for progressing things so quickly. My only sexual experiences were with Paul, and it was always full of pain, discomfort, and fear. I honestly thought I would never want to have sex for the rest of my life...until I met Matt. 

I’ve known him for such a short time, and yet he’s treated me far better than Paul ever did. With Matt, I felt cherished, beautiful, safe, and desired. I wanted him, when I didn’t think I was ever gonna be capable of wanting ever again. And I thought the feeling was mutual. It sure felt mutual. Maybe I shouldn't jump so quickly into the physical stuff. That’s something he and I will have to talk about the next time I see him. 

Then my thoughts turned to my surprise visitor/patient.  

I can’t get him out of my head. I honestly haven’t stopped thinking about him since the night he saved me. 

It wasn’t just because I felt drawn to him, but because he was the first person to have ever saved me from danger. For too long, I’ve had to suffer under the hands of someone I thought I loved. I spent three years of my life praying for someone to save me before losing hope and saving myself. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever meet someone who went out of their way to save a complete stranger like that. 

There’s a big part of me that really wants to see him again. I felt safe and comfortable around him; I longed to feel the warmth of his gentle touch again. I longed to see the face behind the mask. 

But the other part of me is hating myself for betraying Matt by thinking about some stranger whose face I’ve never even seen.  

I really like Matt, but the way he ran off just has me thinking he doesn’t like me as much as I thought. 

Maybe I came on too strong, or maybe I’m a lousy kisser...or maybe he felt the ugly scars on my body and it turned him off. 

But he seemed so sincere when he was leaving, like he didn’t want to leave me. 

But why couldn’t he give me a real explanation? 

Why do I have this heavy feeling in my gut that he’s lying to me? 

And why can’t I stop thinking about Daredevil? 

Why do I feel just as comfortable around him as I do Matt? 

Why do I want them both?

Fuck, my brain hurts from thinking so damn much!

I forced myself out of bed and got ready for work. 

Dressed and ready to go with a coffee cup in my hand, I exited my apartment and locked the door. My eyes turned toward Matt’s apartment, and I walked to his door without a second thought. 

I knocked on the door. No answer. I gave it a minute before trying again. 

“Matt?” I called out, hoping he’ll answer. 

But there was none. 

Maybe he left for work early. Or maybe he slept in the office. He’s not avoiding you. 

Letting out an uneasy breath, I turned away from the door and walked out of the building. 

------------------------------

I made it to work a few minutes early. I was welcomed with the amusing sight of Lucy dancing around the bakery, singing to the music as she was laying out the treats. 

It doesn't matter where you go or what you do

I want to spend each moment of the day with you

Look what has happened with just one kiss

I never knew that I could be in love like this

It's crazy but it's true, I only want to be with you

“I take it the date went well?” I greeted with a knowing smile. 

She twirled around to face me, her eyes and smile shining brighter than the sun. 

“Iris, my love!” She exclaimed cheerfully as she ran to me, pulling me into her arms and twirling me in a circle with my feet dangling in the air. 

I giggled hysterically until she put me down. “I take that as a yes?”

“Oh my god, Iris, you have no idea!” She replied as she pulled me to one of the empty tables to sit down. “It was the best date I’ve had in a long time...probably the best date ever really. Foggy was absolutely perfect!” She let out a dreamy sigh. “He was a total gentleman. He got a new haircut and looked so sexy, I nearly melted. We danced the night away, we talked, we laughed, and…” she trailed off to lean in closer, “I invited him to stay the night with me.”

“And???” I asked with impatient excitement. 

Lucy slyly lowered the silk neck scarf she was wearing to show the hickies on her neck. 

I let out a squeal of joy, causing her to burst into giggles. “Oh my god, Luce! I’m so happy for you! How was it?” 

Lucy’s cheeks turned to a rosy pink. “It was the best sex of my life!” She exclaimed. “Oh my god, Iris, Foggy is so amazing. He’s such a giver, and I mean that in every sense of the word. The things that man can do with his tongue…” she trailed off in a dreamy daze. “My legs are turning into jello just thinking about it.”

I’m glad that at least one of us got laid last night. 

“Holy shit, sounds like Foggy has some serious skill.” Was all I could think to say. 

Lucy’s grin widened. “We barely got any sleep the entire night.”

My eyes widened in amazement. “Wow. I had no idea it could be like that!  So things are getting pretty serious between you guys?”

Lucy held my hand in a tight grip in excitement. “Iris...he told me he loves me!”

I gasped. “Oh my god, Luce, that’s huge! What did you say?”

“The truth. That I love him too.” She replied with her bright smile still intact. “I know that it’s crazy to move so fast, but being with him feels so right! He’s so beautiful inside and out, he’s fun, he makes me laugh, he makes me feel so loved. The way he poured his heart out to me was so genuine and so sweet. I’ve always gone by my gut feeling, and this time it told me to never let this man go. I adore him. Plain and simple.”

I felt bittersweet tears well up in my eyes. I felt so happy for Lucy, but I felt a little sad that I couldn’t have that same assurance for myself. 

“That’s so wonderful, Lucy.” I replied, my voice cracking. “I’m so happy for you and Foggy. He’s a great guy.”

Lucy’s brows furrowed in concern. “Iris are you okay? Didn’t your date go well?”

I couldn’t keep the few stray tears from escaping my eyes. “I don’t know.” My voice cracked. “We were having a great time. Matt was so amazing and so sweet. One minute we were kissing, and it was getting so intense, and the next minute he leaves! With no real explanation! He swears it’s not because of me, but I feel like he’s lying to me. I feel like I did something wrong and I don’t know what! I’m so confused.”

Lucy rose out of her chair and pulled me in her comforting embrace. “Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry. I don’t believe you did anything wrong. I’ve seen how he is around you, he likes you- hell it’s stronger than ‘like’. He probably forgot to take care of something involving a case he and Foggy are working on. They were here the other day talking about a client, so it must’ve been about that.”

I pulled away to look at her. “But why couldn’t he just tell me that? He left in such a hurry, and was so vague.”

“Sweetie, guys are stupid.” She replied in a chuckle. “Even handsome lawyers. He probably just wasn’t thinking, and was stressing out about whatever he might’ve screwed up on. Give him time, and I’m sure he’ll come groveling to you and explain himself.”

What Lucy said was making sense, I started to relax with relief. “I hope you’re right. I hope everything’s okay with him.”

-------------------------------

2 weeks later

Two weeks. 

Two fucking weeks, and no sign of Matt. 

At first I was feeling depressed and confused. I couldn’t understand why he couldn’t just talk to me. He could’ve told me he was busy, or that he didn’t want to see me anymore, something. It would’ve hurt if he said he didn’t want to see me anymore, but at least I would actually know, instead of sitting around wondering and stressing out. 

The closest I got to an explanation was through Foggy, that he’s busy with a case.

I can understand that, really I can. But why the hell couldn’t he just tell me that himself? We only live right next door to each other! He hasn’t once stopped by, and he never answers the door when I go to him. 

I went from depressed to aggravated. The first man I allowed myself to be completely open with since I ran off to New York, and he completely avoids me. 

I’m not trying to be clingy at all, I don’t expect him to drop everything for me. What upsets me is that he apparently doesn’t respect me enough to be honest with me like I was with him. 

Foggy looked remorseful every time he saw me. He swore that Matt still wants to see me, that he wasn’t avoiding me on purpose; but I’m having a much harder time believing him. 

Lucy was an absolute godsend. 

She kept my mind occupied at work; and when she saw how lonely I felt at my apartment, she started alternating between staying over with me, or having me stay at her place. 

She took me to the upper east side, where I got to finally meet her just as gorgeous and talented younger sister Gwen at her pinup boutique.

We hit it off as instantly as I did with Lucy. The three of us were inseparable. 

With both sisters’ help, my apartment was redecorated with a vibrant, wildly colorful gypsy bohemian interior that I fell madly in love with, making the apartment truly feel like home.

They also saw fit to provide me a new wardrobe, despite my constant protests that they shouldn’t spend money on me; only for them to argue that the clothes and the decor are gifts and that I’m not allowed to pay them back. I let that go, for now. 

Claire stopped by the bakery a few times to check on me, and enjoyed many helpings of the desserts I offered her. She didn’t get to hang out very much because of her job, but she and Lucy got along great. 

On one of her rare days off, she joined Gwen, Lucy, and I to Guitar Center, so they got to meet my band of Gypsies, and enjoyed watching me jam with them. 

It warmed my heart so much to be surrounded by these amazing people, that for some reason wanted to be my friends. I felt wanted and accepted. 

A piece of me, however, was still longing for Matt. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I also couldn’t keep my thoughts away from the mysterious vigilante. 

Most of the time, I get this feeling like I’m being watched, yet I never see anyone. I’d like to think that it’s my late night visitor keeping a protective watch over me. It’s more comforting than the alternative, which I’ve been working really hard not to think about. 

Ever since I’ve opened up about my past with Paul, the nightmares started to go away. The fear was still ever present, but my friends keeping me company helped keep that fear at bay.  I was starting to feel more and more safe. 

 --------------------------------

Tonight, Lucy made good on her promise to take me to a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time. Gwen and the band of Gypsies joined us, but unfortunately Claire had to work. The experience was more wild and fun than I could’ve imagined, I didn’t want it to end!

It was almost 3:30 in the morning by the time I made it to my apartment building. Lucy and Gwen wanted me to stay the night with them, but I insisted I was fine with sleeping in my own place tonight.  

I exited the elevator to my floor, I hesitated in my steps when my eyes shifted to Matt’s apartment door. Despite the welcoming distractions as of late, I still miss Matt something fierce. I miss his sweet smile, that silky voice that always made me feel safe and excited at the same time. I miss the touch of his sweet, seductive lips, and those teasing callused hands. I miss how he can make me laugh one minute, and comfort me the next. I miss him. 

I felt the walls start closing in on me until I struggled to breathe, I needed fresh air. I took the steps to the roof and took in a deep breath of the night air.  I leaned against the wall overlooking the city. The city lights bright and vibrant, the billboard facing the apartment building shining even brighter, the stars barely present due to the lights, the air was silent. 

I hate myself for pining over Matt like some lovesick teenager, but I can’t help it. I just wish I knew what was going on with him. If he doesn’t like me anymore, then fine. It’ll hurt, but I’ll get over it. Just give me some damn closure!

“Penny for your thoughts?” A familiar deep voice spoke behind me. 

I let out a startled gasp and turned around to see Daredevil standing a couple feet away from me. 

“Jesus!” I exclaimed. 

“Not quite.” He replied with that sly smirk, causing me to roll my eyes. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”

“Glad to see you’re all healed up, but I’ll accept your apology when you start wearing a damn bell around your neck.” I replied with a huff. 

The vigilante chuckled. “I’ll think about it...someday.”

My heart paused as I remembered a similar conversation with Matt…

“If you get one, I might actually wear it…” he trailed off in thought. “Someday.”

I rolled my eyes and giggled, “People always say “someday” when they actually mean “no chance in Hell”. That kind of defeats the purpose of getting the bell.” I raised my eyebrow at him expectantly as I continued, “You want to try that again, Mr. Murdock?”

Matt looked deep in thought before he leaned in closer, his warm breath making my face heat up like a furnace and my heart racing at ludicrous speed.

He replied with a sly smirk. “Someday.”

“Are you okay?” Daredevil’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. 

He sounds so familiar….oh god, stop! It couldn’t possibly be him. You just want it to be him so you don’t feel guilty for being attracted to two men. 

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I replied. “I just have a lot on my mind.”

He cocked his head to the side as he stepped towards me. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Oh no, you don’t wanna hear about my stupid problems.” I gave an embarrassed chuckle as he leaned against the wall next to me. 

“Don’t say that. If something’s troubling you, it’s not stupid. Maybe I could help, like you helped me.” He replied with a sweet smile. 

“That’s sweet of you to offer, but I don’t think you can help me in this case.” I argued. 

“Try me.” He insisted. 

I looked at him as I hesitated for a moment. What the hell. What do I have to lose telling him about my guy problems? Part of them anyway. 

I let out a sigh. “There’s a guy.” I started. He nodded for me to continue. “He lives next door to me, and he’s great. I like him a lot, and I thought he liked me...but I’m starting to think he doesn’t.”

Daredevil frowned. “Why would you think that?”

I shrugged. “We had a date one night, and it was going great.” I blushed thinking about our heated makeout session that night. “And just as things were going further, he just stops everything and leaves. Like he couldn’t get out fast enough. He said it wasn’t because of me, but he couldn’t be bothered to explain, or at least give me a straight answer; so I’m thinking that it is because of me. It’s been two weeks now, and I still haven’t seen or heard from him. So now I think he just wants nothing to do with me and is just avoiding me without at least having the decency to tell me why, and it fucking hurts!”

I didn’t realize I had started crying during my word vomit until the vigilante came closer to me to gently wipe my tears.  I looked up at him, his face crumpled with a deep frown of guilt and remorse. 

I looked away embarrassed. “I’m sorry for spitting all that out. Like I said, my problems are stupid.”

“Please don’t say that.” He begged, his voice cracking slightly. “Your problems are not stupid. And you have every right to be upset. I’m-” His voice cracked once more. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

I gave a weak smile in return. “You have nothing to be sorry for, but I appreciate the sentiment. It’s not the first time I’ve been wrong about a man, and it probably won’t be the last.”

He shook his head in earnest. “He’s an idiot. It’s probably a huge misunderstanding and an act of stupidity on his part. I’m sure he feels the exact opposite of what you think. He probably likes you a lot more than you think, how can he not?  You’re so kind and sweet, you’re funny, you’re smart, you go out of your way to help a complete stranger who probably doesn’t deserve your kindness,” He smirked referring to himself. “And...you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, inside and out. You deserve to be cherished and loved by a good man who is worthy of you.”

I could barely breathe let alone speak by the end of his passionate speech. My heart was beating so hard and fast, I’m sure he could hear it. 

“That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” I replied in a whisper, my voice cracking with tears I’m struggling to hold back. 

“It’s true. All of it.” He answered, caressing my cheek. 

Instead of pulling away like I probably should, I held his hand to my cheek as I stepped closer to him. “I don’t know anything about you, but... I can’t stop thinking about you.”

He raised his other hand to run his fingers through my hair. 

“Neither can I.” He replied, his voice now husky with want. 

His nose lightly rubbed against mine, our heavy breaths intermingling. 

I gave in to the urge to ask him a question that’s been on my mind the past two weeks. “Have you been watching over me? Have you been following me?”

His throat contracted as he swallowed his breath before replying. “Yes. I don’t mean for it to be creepy or anything. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”

I probably should’ve been creeped out, but I was honestly relieved. I’d rather it be him than someone who haunts my nightmares. 

I reached up to caress his cheek in return. “You already make me feel safe.”

Without a second thought, Daredevil leaned down and slammed his lips against mine. 

I couldn’t bring myself to pull away, and instead pulled him closer, causing him to hold me tighter. His tongue met mine, seeking dominance, which I happily gave. 

My pulse was racing, my skin was tingling, the heat between my legs grew even hotter. His kisses took my breath away; they were addicting and sinful. His lips were full, sweet, and...familiar. 

I’ve tasted these lips before. 

As if ice water splashed in my face, I froze up before yanking myself out of his arms. I gasped in a breath as I looked at him with widened eyes. 

With a shaky hand, I touched my now swollen lips as everything finally added up in my head. 

Oh my god. How could I have been so stupid? How could it take me this long to figure it out?!

The familiar voice. The way he talked to me. The familiar lips. The way he moves. The vague excuse for running off that night  and then returning late that same night injured. 

I wanted to believe it, but I doubted myself every single time. Not anymore. 

The vigilante let out a shaky breath. “What’s wrong?”

I blinked back into focus, not sure how to feel about this revelation. All I could think to say was, “Come inside, we need to talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?” He asked softly, as if afraid of the answer. 

I stepped in closer to him and spoke at a volume only he can hear. “I think you know exactly what we need to talk about. You owe me that much, Matt.”

------------------------------

Dun dun DUUUUUUUN!!!!!! Holy shit, Iris knows! How do you think she’s gonna take it? Will she be pissed and dump him? Or will she accept him completely? Or both? You’ll find out in chapter 12, until then, PLEASE be sure to reblog, leave a comment to let me know your thoughts, I love reading comments! And be sure to follow me if you aren’t already to stay updated.  Well that’s all for now, I hope it was worth the wait. Until next time....*kiss noise*

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[bunny-banana]

For the director's cut thing, the story where Fabri asks Ermal out on a date but Ermal doesn't realize that? 👀

YO SO WE GONNA DO THAT OR WHAT

Its this fic btw if anyones curious.  

Chap 1

Even with closed eyes, he sensed the man lying next to him turn towards him but Fabrizio did not spoke immediately. No, he just stayed silent for a bit, Ermal wasn’t quite sure what he was observing but before Ermal could ask, Fabrizio broke the silence.

its u. he’s gazing at u, u idiot.

*

*

’You didn’t exactly give off the vibe that you’d say yes’

“What the fuck does that even mean? I don’t give off the vibe?!”

mr no-homo meta has NO right to be surprised at that. boy went into a panic attack every time someone as much as breathed the suggestion ofc fab was Anxious

*

*

A certain Roman showing up at his doorstep looking like he’d belong to the Milan Fashion Week.A tight grey shirt whose top three buttons almost begged to be opened (yet remained miraculously, in Fabris case, closed!) clung nicely to the body underneath it. A very fine silver chain hung around his neck that perfectly fit with the rings and the watch on his hand.Instead of ripped denim, now tight & shiny dark jeans were worn and to round this look up, an impeccably tailored black, suit jacket was thrown over him.

so not to be Hoe on main but we all just love Sexy Fab.  but more so, i really thought Fabrizio would have put a lot of effort into dressing nicely this time around. Probably called a few friends, crying to help him. He just wanted Ermal to like his look. Which he did.   A lot.  again, outstanding heterosexual of the year, ermal meta is completely mesmerised by that look.

*

*

“Well, well, Fab. Gotta say, this place is on a whole different level“ The curly haired man commented as he flipped through the menu.“You like it?”“How could I not?”

again, Fabrizio intentionally looking up a fancy place for their Date, something he actually felt a little bit uncomfortable about himself and wouldnt normally chose for himself. But then again, he was greatly relieved when Ermal actually did say he liked it.

*

*It felt.. nice. The whole evening was quite nice, Ermal had to admit, even with the unusual ambient.

Ermal is just honestly iconic in this fic. man enjoys fabrizios appearance, enjoys talking with him,  eating out with him, just spending time with him in general sooo much……and yet.

*

*

Fabrizio tilted his head and was it the candle light or something else, but a intriguing shine filled his eyes.“I’d know something sweeter than this.” In the next moment, everything turned upside down when Fabrizio suddenly took his hand and intertwined their fingers, his thumb gently brushing over the back of the younger man’s hand.

THE COURAGE THIS TOOK. THE NERVES WHICH WERE WRECKED.  Fab really just went “ok here we go balls to the wall now or never”

*

*

Chap2

“So, Fabrizio….Fabrizio likes me. Apparently.” It felt interesting to say it out loud. Ermal got a tingly feeling at the thought. So ..it was him who made Fabrizio blush earlier? Who made him nervous? And smiley?  Christ, he actually really wanted Ermal to like his outfit, didn’t he? A small smirk found its way on Ermal’s face. Who would have thought that he’d have Fabrizio Moro of all people wrapped around his finger.

erm: so im het

also erm: wow i really really like the fact that fabrizio is into me. its actually super exciting. kinda makes me happy in a way.

*

*

“Wait, what?! I should ask him out?!”“Yeah? Isn’t that something you want?”Is that something he- But that would imply that he’d want to pursue Fabrizio, his very male, masculine, manly friend Fabrizio who was definitely not by any chance a woman. To have a relationship with guy that was …..romantic… and oh sweet Mother of God, sexual?!“I- I- I don’t know.”

so yeah, to get to the bottom of this, when you’re in the process of realising your own …..non-heterosexuality, its just A Lot to take in.  I thought, realistically, that would just be a bit too much for Ermal to take in at that moment. He had to process the mere thought of “yes, you could have a romantic relationship with this guy, since he’s into you. Its absolutely a possibility”. When you’re conditioned to think “i can only ever date people of the opposite sex” all your life, it takes a bit of time to get accustomed to new possibilities.

And then theres the sexual aspect which is like, on Jupiter, for Ermal’s current state of mind.

*

*

Chap3

The video he currently was immersed in showed a slow-mo fight between a mongoose and a cobra that in all its intensity outdid any action movie in a heartbeat.

i remember watching that vid before writing that chapter and being mesmerised by it. u fucking go lil mongoose!

*

*

[Bizio]: sorry i cant this weekend

First, i just love the thought of him being saved as Bizio on Ermals phone. Second, the reason why he replied so late was because he was wrecking his mind about it. Should he go? should he not? god, the thought of seeing ermal excited him and yet scared him. nonononno. he’s trying to get Over Ermal. He needs space. he is not ready yet.

*

*

[Ermal]:Fabri!! Heard you’re coming up North! 😁 I have this excellent bottle of wine that a fan gave me the other day (don’t ask) so how about we open it at my place? I know you love a good wine 😉🍷

He couldn’t even slide the phone back into his pocket before it started buzzing. Surprisingly, the reply came almost instantly this time.[Bizio]:sorry no the schedule is pretty tight for me at the moment i dont think ill have much time in milan

i just image him getting the weirdest fucking fan gifts. also lmao the lightning speed with which fab replied. homeboy saw that wine would be involved and imemdiately thought “nononononono. worst case, my drunk ass might kiss him, god forbid. we are absolutely not gonna do that”

*

*

[Ermal]:So I’m flipping through the channels at home and there comes a baking show and I wouldn’t normally stop to watch but you know what they’re baking? Those creamy pastry things we had in Lisbon!

Now the idea about the Pasteis de Nata stemms from a real life event! During ESC 2018 i slept at a friends house and since the contest was held in Portugal we decided to cook something portuguese. Thats what we did. They fucking slap. Also, one of the best weekends ive ever had

*

*

However, this is how things continued as to all of Ermal’s messages, he’d receive rather uncharacteristically short replies. When he sent him photos he’d often not reply at all and even when he called Fabri didn’t pick.

Okay we have to image in WHAT kinda mental state Fabrizio is in that time. Boy is EMBARASSED to death. Then obviously, he is trying his hardest to get rid of this crush.  So he just isnt talking to Ermal at all. Which in turn makes him lonely and sad.  So then Ermal shoots him a message, sends him a picture and Fabrizio is immediately head over heels again. Which he shouldnt be. Bad Fabri. And the circle repeats itself.

*

*

Fabrizio who smiled sweetly at the host, who hugged her tightly, who joked with her and oh, whose eyes didn’t stick to her face but wandered more and more south.

Dude honestly, Fab was not flirting with anyone. He was just being nice as he usually is. And we all know he a lil bit sleazy so yeah, he might have looked down once or twice. but he really was not flirting. It was just Ermals affection-deprived mind going berserk.

Also that was the first time Ermal witnessed Fabrizio being affectionate with someone else. And the contrast to that cold shoulder he received was just the last straw for him.

*

*

“Why is he all smiley and lovey-dovey with her while he treats me as if I’m a war criminal?!” Ermal shouted the second the other line got picked up.“Uhm, hello? Maybe a ‘Good morning’ first of all? A simple ‘how are you doing, Sabina?’ would have been appreciated too.”

Damn bitch can ya greet ur sister first before going off smh

*

*

And would it have been really that bad if Ermal had just held on to his hand? Let Fabrizio gently stroke him with his thumb, maybe even squeeze back while Ermal’s finger draws circles over letters that covered the older man’s knuckles.It would have been nice and Ermal would have liked it.

I think he just needed to see what he was missing out to realise what he really has always wanted. If things were to go back to normal, he would have never made any realisations.

*

*

“Am I- Do I like Fabrizio?”

No, we dont ask what he is. Because thats for another time, a calmer time. Or maybe not at all. He doesnt know the answer to that question and its not important right now. All he knows is that despite it all, he likes Fabrizio.

*

*

The fact he was a guy was new, but those feelings involved weren’t.

I feel like this is just a very bisexual experience. At least to me it was. Its very confusing when u are genuinely attracted to the opposite sex, so you make the conclusion: you are obviously straight. Its not possibly that you are not-straight.  

Then u start feeling attraction to someone of ur own gender and its like “hmmm. Obviously this must be fake since we have established that Im genuinely attracted to the opposite sex ”

But the thing is..it aint going away. And then u think how you’d perhaps be down for sex, and perhaps be down for something more, and perhaps do all those nice things you would be doing with someone of the opposite sex.  

So yeah, its ..its really confusing and complicated to figure it out. And if you actually do have a feelings for someone it only makes matters more complicated ig

*

*

“Jesus, I really do like him. Me. Liking a guy.”

Again, once u made That Realisation, its just the WILDEST thing in the beginning. a complete NEW concept being applied to yourself.

*

*

“LISTEN CUT THE BULLSHIT I KNOW EXACTLY THAT YOU’RE HOME! OPEN UP OR I WILL STAND HERE ALL NIGHT I’M NOT FUCKING AROUND!” In addition to the knocking he now also started ringing the doorbell. He sure as hell wouldn’t move here until that door wasn’t opened.“I DONT GIVE A FUCK, I WON’T EVEN SLEEP AND NEITHER WILL YOU. I CAN GO ON FOREVER YOU HEAR ME, FABRIZIO MOBRICI?!”

Ermal is just unhinged in all my fics.

*

*

Epilogue

[Ermal💛]: You ready?

Fabrizio added that heart right immediately after Ermal left his house a week prior.

*

*

Ermal looked….cuddly.

So yeah we all know Fab isnt the keenest on fashion and shit. And i just though Ermal would want him to be as comfortable as possible on their date, so he was like “ay come casual” . and also, its sort of cute that Ermal lets Fabri see him so casual too, its sort of more private in that sense.

*

*

And those were still the mild surprises, let’s not start with the downright shock he felt when his brain started providing words like kissable, attractive, sexy and hot during lonelier nights.

i have a fic for those kinda nights too

*

*

“It’s not that far and God knows men your age need the exercise anyway.”

ermal just cant show affection like a normal person, he has to roast u even when he’s madly in love with u

*

*

What followed behind the colourful door was a small chaos. Literally. People constantly coming and going, with buzzing voices chatting in every corner. They made their way half through the rather crowded establishment, got greeted by a waiter who rushed past them, before they finally spotted a couple leaving, liberating two chairs for them.

SO YEAH. the restaurant. it is loosely based on a place here in Vienna. Its pakistani food too, its a buffet, its kinda chaotic like described in the fic. also u can pay as much as u want.

i just thought, yknow, its home made cooking and its kinda relaxed and chill and casual and has a certain liberal flair to it. and i thought yeah that has fabri energy we gonna use that. also their mango rice puddings fucking slap

*

*

Languages were not his forte, those belonged to Ermal, but Fabrizio ran through his options. It surely wasn’t French or Spanish, that he would at least recognise. German looked different too; they had those dots over their U’s and those curly B’s which allegedly weren’t B’s at all. Swedish? Danish? No. He’s been to Ikea often enough to know that his wardrobe wouldn’t be called Qershor. And Russian had different letters but maybe it was something similar to Russian?

Okay, so I’m a known Slut for Languages.  Fabrizio is not. I can pretty much recognise most European languages in written form at some point in a text. Fabrizio can not. Therefore writing this from the perspective of someone who really isnt into languages was kind of interesting and a bit challenging. I was just thinking ‘how would he recognise them when he isnt into them?’  And i think, in the end, i did it realistically.

*

*

“Is it like..Serbian? Croatian? Or something?” He mumbled while putting a piece of eggplant in his mouth but quickly realised the answer when Ermal almost spit out his water from laughing.“No, definitely not. I can guarantee you, it’s very much not Serbian or Croatian ‘or something’.” Ermal chuckled with a bright smile, obviously enjoying their little guessing game. “But you’re close. In a way.”

This is SO embarrassing but this whole language guessing game was just a setup to an inside joke I have with myself.  So, for those who don’t know, I speak Serbo-Croatian. And I study Slavic studies. The first things they tell you in the first lesson of the Slavic Linguistics course is “Please, for the love of God, PLEASE, dont say Albanian/Hungarian/Romanian is a slavic language”. Apparently many europeans assume these languages are because theyre surrounded by slavic countries. BUT TO AN ACTUAL SLAVIC NATIVE SPEAKER, the difference is immediately obvious and so its quite comical when people assume theyre related languages.   So i thought the reverse would be kinda funny to Ermal too.

*

*

“I can be anything the teacher wants me to be. A good student, a naughty student, whatever floats his boat…” He asked sultrily before winking at the man across of him whose higher brain functions seemed to have ceased at once and just gaped at him like a fish.

boys whole brain got fried when the sexiest man in italy started flirting with him. issokay, he was just shocked. fabrizio has never been flirty with him before, he’ll get used to it.

*

*

“I was just trying to give you the best date that I could.“At those words, the Roman frowned however."Wait, this was a date?!”

im just an asshole honestly

*

*

They giggled as they finally closed the gap between them going for a slow and deep kiss.

i just love them being all SOFT and in LOVE

*

*

“Erm, I- I have an instore tomorrow, I better be well rested.”His counterpart just huffed and raised an eyebrow.“So were you planning on staying up all night, huh?”

Fabs horn dog brain definitively went HmmmmMmm this is nice:) ..could get even nicer:)  but no fuck, i have work to do tomorrow

*

*

“Love how you immediately forget about a good night’s sleep once you have a tongue in your mouth.”“Fuck off.”

He just got carried away as if u were complaining ermal smh

*

*

"I bet on everything I have that your password is 'liberoanita1’ so yes, I actually can.”

Parents culture is just using ur children’s names as all your passwords and we all know Fabri is that kinda parent.

*

*

All in All, i also wanna talk about how the epilogue mirrors the first chapter, but in a more successful light.

Fabrizio dresses for Ermal - Ermal dresses for Fabrizio

fancy place - more casual place

They take the car - they walk

Fabrizio takes Ermals hand on the open for everyone to see - Ermal takes Fabrizios hand under the table, in private

They eat their dessert seperately - they eat theri dessert together

they fall out - they become closer, kiss

they dont talk - they plan the next date

anyway thanks for reading and thank uuuuuu for this ask julchen

[theonceoverthinker]

OUAT 4X05 - Breaking Glass

Not super excited to GLASS-ess this episode, but let’s get a move on and see if this rewatch BREAKS my perspective!

So go under that there cut for the review!

Main Takeaways

Past

I wonder what would’ve happened if Lily had been honest from the start about where she came from. Would Emma have rejected her for leaving a family that she already had or would she have trusted Lily’s feelings of not belonging and feeling invisible?

Speaking of invisibility, I really feel like giving a tangible meaning to “invisible” would’ve made this segment better. Because we see that Lily’s not neglected. Her father personally goes searching for her and her mother is apparently “worried sick.” Are we supposed to believe that they’re putting on an act and that Lily regularly is neglected or are we supposed to think Lily’s over privileged and lying? Or is there something else going on there? I feel like just a line talking about Lily’s specific experiences at home would’ve really helped Lily be a bit more fully rounded.

Present

Okay, so I’m gonna get right to the point about why I don’t like this episode: Emma and Regina’s dynamic. I’ve said before that I don’t like their arc this season and this episode is the reason why. In every episode of it prior, while Emma truly felt bad for Regina and the consequences of her actions, she didn’t forget that that action was saving (What we all originally thought) was an innocent woman’s life, and thus didn’t show regret for the action, just remorse. Therefore, her kindness towards Regina, especially as Regina was insulting, only went so far before she bit back. There were lines that Regina would cross that Emma would say that she’s taking her anger out at the wrong person to. And Regina’s anger at Emma, while not pleasant, was in character and came from an understandable enough place. I get that and it made their dynamic something organic and interesting to follow. It was a complicated issue and they had complicated reactions to it, reactions they and the audience understood.

Here, that nuance fucking disappears and what we’re left with is more shallow than a McDonalds container of dipping sauce.

Emma spends the entire episode putting up with every mean thing Regina says. She practically begs for Regina’s forgiveness and refuses to stand up for herself. And there’s no reason for this change. Had Elsa or even Snow suggested a gentler approach to how she handles Regina, only for it not to work, that would’ve been a better handling of the story.  

And when Emma DOES stand up for herself, it’s just nothing! It’s over Regina lying about Sidney and lasts for barely a few seconds! Regina brings up everything with Marian and I’m just here wondering why they never get into it!

And Regina’s BRUTAL in her insults and goes SO far over the line compared to previous episodes (“You ruined my life” being the worst of them), and the fact that Emma doesn’t have a big snap back to these things highlights not only how harsh the lines actually are, but how practically nonchalant Emma is being towards them. It’s a sentiment that really doesn’t work in the episode’s favor.

As an Emma fan, it feels absolutely undeserved and to not see a consequence from Emma for such lines is anger inducing. As a Regina fan, her behavior here feels embarrassing!

In Emma’s final scene with Regina in the vault, the framing becomes weird. The whole episode is framed as Emma needing Regina to forgive her and then in this last scene, it’s kind of reversed. Emma talks about how she doesn’t want to make the same mistake again, but last time, she was the victim. “I don’t want to kill you.” This is the wham line of the entire final scene between them, but where does it come from? At no point in this season or episode has Regina said anything about killing Emma and it makes the final speech really weird seeing as they were just talking about being friends and forgiving each other.

“You’re trying to win me over so I can assuage your guilt, but you’re wrong.” This is the only line that has a bit of nuance to it, and it still ends up suffering. It makes sense for Regina to feel that way and if we’re to take the line “once you screw someone over, there’s no going back” line at face value, it feels for a second like a real sentiment that the episode is trying to have. I’d even say it would’ve done a better job of painting Emma’s actions as something we’re not supposed to be absolutely sympathetic towards. That said, in terms of framing, we’re supposed to take “I wasn’t looking for you to assuage my guilt” as a genuine statement and those two sentiments can’t coexist simultaneously. Are we supposed to think Regina’s taking Emma’s actions the wrong way and/or overreacting?

I do like Snow’s conflict. As I said before, I don’t think Baby Neal ever needed a huge amount of focus, but these B-plots of seeing Snow and David’s worries concerning him in Season 4 do help to not make him feel forgotten in the rest of the shuffle and help enhance Snow’s character. It also gave way to some cute silliness between her and Will Scarlet. In the grand scheme of things, that makes it a bit meaningless, but I like the cuteness.

Stream of Consciousness

-Emma, I’m with Will here. You gotta let him out. I know legality means fuck all in this town and I’m fine with that, but he’s not a super villain. He broke into a library! This is just cruel and unusual punishment! Give him a fine or something and send him on his...MERRY way! XD

-I kind of love the idea of Sidney just barely holding back giggles at the fact that he betrayed Regina. XD

-I know people don’t love Snow’s wardrobe from Season 4 onwards, and I’ll admit that there’s something of a stark change, but I like her wardrobe. For one thing, in this episode, she’s rocking that vest. For another, she just looks so cozy and warm!

-The cape is here!!! It’s so fabulous!!!

-Who took that photo of Regina and Robin? Were Henry or Snow just being sneaky af? XD

-”Leverage.” Part of me thinks that had Regina freed him, Sydney would’ve stayed loyal to her and that was one final chance on his part for Regina.

-Regina, LOVING the outfit! Everyone just looks positively BANGIN’ tonight!

-”No one was ever gonna look at me the way those parents looked at her.” I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING!

-I know Regina’s mad, but why won’t she just tell Emma that Sidney’s helping her. It makes up a lot of the screen time of this episode and it makes no sense! It’s not like Emma can free him and she’d probably just ask him to help until the Snow Queen is defeated.

-“Intentionally or not, you hurt someone.” Emma would’ve hurt someone regardless if she’d done nothing!

-Watching Will dig holes trying to get back to Wonderland breaks my fucking heart! Just...OW!

-Will, you’re very out of place here, but props to you for going for the gay option! XD

-I love how baby Emma was just raring to go! “I got this” and grabs a fucking candlestick! Emma, no matter the time or place is a fucking badass!

-I like how we got to see Elsa get herself out of danger!

-”If the outcome of your escape is that you found a part of yourself again, I’d say he earned that pardon.” ...Boy can this open a big can of worms in terms of villain redemptions in this show, but at least Will just broke into a library.

-Emma, why do you keep a box from your childhood in your workplace as opposed to the loft? It’d probably be safer there!

-Who took that photo? August? XD

Favorite Dynamic

Emma and Lily. The bond between Emma and Lily is just so en pointe. Their personalities and experiences compliment each other really well and make for an initially very easy going friendship. Lily is very much the opposite side of Emma’s coin. While coming from more of a place of direct privilege, Lily feels like she doesn’t belong and that connects with Emma’s resolve following Cecilia’s adoption. They support each other, trust each other, and are kind. It does so much to make the ending of the episode a point of tragedy. I also like that while Emma is undeniably the victim here, the decision to have her fully turn her back on Lily was depicted as a touch too harsh without erasing the former point. You end up really feeling for both of these girls.

Writer

Kalinda Vazquez writes her first piece for Season 4 in today’s episode and she’s joined by newbie, Scott Nimerfro. Once again, unless I’m corrected, I’m going to attribute the past segment to Kalinda and the present to Scott due to how their names are sequenced on sources pertaining to the episode. To me, that just makes sense too given the writing job. Scott seems pretty unfamiliar with how Emma and Regina work, something that after a brief review of Kalinda’s past episodes, isn’t something she struggles with. When dealing with an episode with a storyline like this, one really has to intake the nuances of the characters and evaluate what they’re trying to accomplish. Here, I feel like Scott was just trying to start on a simpler note when this episode needed a more complicated touch to it. Simplicity will be more of a friend to him in his next episode, “Shattered Sight.”

Rating

6/10. Like with the last episode, the present segment leaves me mostly unimpressed, but the past segment is pretty good.

Flip My Ship - The Home of All Things “Shippy Goodness”

Captain Swan - CHEEK KISS! WE HAVE A CHEEK KISS! And then the office scene. After an emotionally taxing day, Emma gets to reflect on things with a nice bit of booze and her boyfriend. “May I have the honor?” May I have a fainting couch because that shit made me swoon! And I love how Emma, while nervous, trusts Killian with her box of memories. And his reactions as he takes in everything range from adorable when looking at the ring to a pained understanding of mutual grief and love when they look at the picture of Neal. And finally, the hand-arm around thing. Like, while Killian finds the old Emma video to be adorable, he knows on some level that this is hard and wants to be there for her.

Swan Star - I basically Disney ship these two here!

Snowing - I love how David makes such a big effort to make Snow feel safe as they go out on their date! David is such a good husband who really understands what his wife needs!

-----

Woohoo! I made it through the two episodes I knew I wasn’t gonna like! Now let’s get back to some good stuff!

Thanks as always to the fine folks at @watchingfairytales and to the lovely @daensarah!!!

Season 3 Total (35/230)

Writer Scores: Adam and Eddy: (9/60) Jane Espenson: (10/40) David Goodman and Jerome Schwartz: (10/50) Andrew Chambliss: (6/50) Dana Horgan: (6/30) Kalinda Vazquez: (6/40) Scott Nimerfro: (6/30)

*Links to the rest of my rewatch will no longer be provided. They take posts with links outside of searches and I spend way too much time on these reviews to not give them that kind of exposure. Sorry for the inconvenience, but they still can be found on my page under Operation Rewatch.

[delightfullygrace]

Connor Murphy

Dear Evan Hansen • ESFP • In the Grip

"An ESFP in a rut will revert to their introverted intuition. This normally happy-go-lucky type will turn their vision to the future and may get lost imagining negative courses of action that could develop. They may become crippled by self-doubt and adopt a cynical viewpoint toward others. This normally warm and enthusiastic type is apt to developing a ‘short fuse’ while operating from their inferior function and may lash out at others – imagining a sinister ‘hidden meaning’ behind everything others say and do."

- Heidi Priebe

Symptoms of the Grip in an ESFP:

• Jumping to conclusions

• Believing the worst in people's intentions

• Emotional outbursts

• Feeling lost within themselves; hopeless; alone

• Sensitive to what others say/do to them

I.E.

Jared: "Hey, Connor. I’m loving the new hair length. Very school shooter chic."

Connor turns and glares at Jared, who is unphased by this. Evan is clearly uncomfortable.

Jared: "Calm down, bud. It was a joke."

Connor: (deadpan) "Yeah no, it was funny. I’m laughing. Can’t you tell? Am I not laughing hard enough for you?"

Jared: (walking away, shaking his head) "God, you’re such a freak."

Connor now turns his attention to Evan who is forced into eye-contact. There is no one else in the hall (that we can see). Evan doesn’t know what to do, so he laughs.

Connor: "What are you laughing at?"

Evan: (freezing up) "What?"

Connor: "Stop f***ing laughing at me!"

Evan: (his palms becoming sweaty) "I’m not."

Connor: "You think I’m a freak?"

Connor steps towards Evan.

Evan: "No, I don’t-"

Connor: "I’m not the freak!"

Connor is in Evan’s face.

Evan: "But I wasn’t-"

Connor: "You’re the f***ing freak!"

Connor shoves Evan into the lockers and storms off.

- Script

Connor: "Is this yours? I found it at the printer. 'Dear Evan Hansen?' That’s your name, right?"

Evan: "Oh, that’s just a stupid, it’s a paper I had to write for an, um...assignment."

Connor: “'Because there’s Zoe.' ...This is about my sister."

Evan: "No, no, no..."

Connor: "You knew I would find this."

Evan: "What?"

Connor: "You saw that I was the only other person in the computer lab, so you wrote this, and you printed it out, so that I would find it."

Evan: "Why/ would I do that?"

Connor: "/So I would read some creepy **** that you wrote about my sister and freak out, right? And then you can tell everyone that I’m crazy, right?"

Evan: "No, wait. I don’t even...what?"

Connor: (furious) "F*** you!"

Connor charges past Evan, leaving him calling after him

- Script

Trying to Escape the Grip:

"To break out of a rut, the ESFP needs to engage their extroverted sensing. They will need a new situation, adventure or group of people to help them remember that they think best on their feet, when directly engaged with the world around them. This type requires a great deal of external stimulation to feel healthy and happy – they are the most themselves when they are constantly engaged with new people and projects."

- Heidi Priebe

I.E.

Connor realizes he has an opportunity to talk to someone and walks over to the printers

Connor: "So, uh, what happened to your arm?"

Evan: "Oh, I um. I fell out of a tree."

Connor: (laughing) "You fell out of a tree?"

Evan nods and Connor sits down next to him. He is holding a paper in his hand.

Connor: (still laughing) "Well, if that isn’t the saddest f***ing thing I’ve ever heard."

Evan: (faking a laugh) "I know."

Connor: (pointing to Evan’s cast) "No one’s signed your cast?"

Evan: "Nope."

Connor: "I will."

Evan: "Oh, you don’t have to…"

Connor: "Ya got a Sharpie?"

Evan reluctantly hands over his sharpie. Connor grabs Evan’s arm roughly, Evan winces. Close-up on Evan’s cast as Connor writes his name in massive letters across it. Evan isn’t too happy about this. He stands up.

Evan: "Oh. Great. Thanks."

Connor: "Now we can both pretend that we have friends."

Evan: "Heh, sure."

- Script

Se-Te Loop:

"An ESFP in an Se-Te loop becomes overly concerned with 'doing' all of the time, unable to let themselves stop to take a break. They become forceful, aggressive, insistent upon taking action whether or not it hurts those around them or fulfills their inner sense of duty. They dismiss their necessary stage of stopping to reflect on whether their choices are in line with their values, instead shutting off this voice and focusing on outward manifestations of logic and planning."

- @infj-mbti

Symptoms of a Loop:

• Aggressive Behavior

• Giving In to Impulses

• Disregarding Others

• Ignoring their Moral-Compass (Fi)

I.E.

"Just because Connor isn’t here, trying to punch through my door, screaming at the top of his lungs that he’s going to kill me for no reason—that doesn’t mean that, all of a sudden, we’re the f***ing Brady Bunch."

-Zoe Murphy

Personal Thoughts:

I think Connor is an ESFP who tried to reach out to others, but when no one reached back, just sunk deeper into the grip. I think for awhile growing up (prior to the events in the play), he might've been in a loop.

From Cynthia, we learn that he got clothes to go Bar Mitzvahs (but was never invited to any). I'm sure that the idea of going was exciting to him and he enjoyed looking for an outfit, even if he played it off. From his mom's positive testimony of him in Requiem and throughout the rest of the play, I feel like he did have a connection with her. I don't think that her view of him is only there because she's his mom - I think they genuinely had an understanding, even if they got frustrated with each other sometimes. He probably just put up walls with her - walls that she patiently waited for him to take down, but never did.

Larry "gave him the world," but he gave his own world, not a world that Connor wanted. He didn't meet his son where he was. I'm sure he wanted to hang out with his dad and connect with him, but maybe he wasn't into baseball (or skiing or whatever else his dad pushed him to do). Larry decided, even when Connor was still there, that he wasn't worth investing in because he wouldn't listen anyways. The connection was dead because his dad didn't seek to break down his walls. He saw them and assumed that's all there was.

Zoe saw him as a villain, and for good reason. From what we learn of his time with her, he treated her terribly. He pushed her away. He threatened her. He scared her. Of course she didn't seek him out, why would she? She was forced to protect herself from the monster beating on her door every night. How could she break down his walls when she was building up her own?

Jared joked about him looking like a school shooter and called him a freak, and probably never considered actually trying to befriend him.

Evan was terrified of him. *Though, I would like to point out that Connor probably never got to sign someone's cast before - Evan was probably the first. They could've had a genuine connection after that had Connor listened to Evan explain the letter rather than jumping to conclusions and storming off.

The script says, "Some people [in the school halllway] point at him and snicker. Unlike Evan, Connor makes deliberate eye-contact with these students, making them uncomfortable."

He was hurt. He was alone. He could seek out new experiences and new people all he wanted, but if no one else was receptive, then he would never be satisfied. He wanted a connection with someone, anyone, to pull him out of the grip, but at the end of the day, he felt completely isolated.

But he wasn't, and you're not. If you're feeling stuck or isolated, anxious or depressed, please let a friend/family member know or check out this link and call one of the numbers. Seriously. You were created for a purpose. Your existence matters. You matter, just as you are. Please don't forget that, and get yourself the help that you need!!

Also, even if you don't have clinical depression, you should still reach out to those around you. Sometimes, we all need someone. Don't justify not getting yourself the help you need just because others have it worse. My brother does that all the time. It's not selfish to need support. Reach out. It's okay.

Additionally:

By the time we come to meet Connor, he is so deep in this rut that in order to have a relationship with anyone, he would need someone to seek him out fiercely and intentionally - to toss a rope into the hole Connor was in and pull him out. He needed a friend who would call him out and tell him he needed to calm down, but also someone who would support and encourage him. More than anything, he just needed someone who was willing to try and wasn't going to give up on him.

If you see someone who needs that too, please, be that person for them. Even if you have problems of your own - it doesn't matter. Two horses can pull 3 times the amount than one can alone. You can bear each others' burdens and walk together. It makes it a lot easier. It'll be difficult to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to someone else, but I promise you, it's the most worthwhile experience in the world.

[hollandroos]

The Grand Spectacle | Part 2

Part 1 here!

Words: 2.7k!

Summary: You’re a runaway and Tom offers to take you under his wing as long as he can teach you trapeze and make you an act in his circus. He doesn’t question why exactly you ran away, that is until he notices a few strange habits you possess.

@cosmetologynerd Helped me out with this part! I’m so, so grateful and will forever love writing with this girl! Payton deserves so much praise, I can not express that enough!

The outfit Tom had laid out for you the next morning was not what you had been expecting. To anyone else, it would’ve been simple work out gear but to you the skin tight shorts and t-shirt was eye gouging and completely different to the many, covering layers you’d shown up in last night. None the less, you slipped the clothes on eager to make a good impression on the man that’s taken you under his wing and the many others you’d be around for the next-, who knows how long, as long as you can please the people.

Thinking about standing in front of others in the outfit already made you feel exposed, so you threw on a jacket over top. It was still early, so you hoped that everyone else would still be asleep. Thankfully the outfit didn’t include shoes, allowing your blisters to heal more slightly. Thanks to the ointment, they already looked better than last night but you still felt uncomfortable.

There was a bottle of water, a muesli bar and an apple sitting at your door that morning which you gratefully took, the ice cold water which was enough to wake you up and the food was simply delicious. Your taste buds finally felt alive and it was possibly the best thing you’d had in days.

When you reached the room Tom had directed you to last night, you were shocked. It was bigger then you were expecting and contained a range of gear that almost blew your mind. Voices started sounding outside and you glanced out the window, seeing all the circus performers starting to head into the tent. It was time, and your nerves were on edge already. You can do this, you scolded yourself, pulling open your door and walking out, trying your best to blend in with the crowd of people.

Of all the people though, Tom was nowhere to be seen and you were desperate for a familiar face. As you entered the tent, you looked around quickly, spotting him in the far corner. He spotted you at the same time, and he smirked to himself.

He walked over, saying good morning to everyone else as they began their training too. No one had asked about you yet, which he was thankful for considering he didn’t know if you were prepared to stick around.

“C’mon, sweets, jacket off” Tom snapped his fingers, turning his back to straighten out the mats. When he turned around to see you still wearing the jacket, clutching the zipping points tightly. He raised a brow. “It’s going to get very hot very quickly if you don’t slide that thing off and I’m not giving you a break to pass out from heat exhaustion.”

With a little bit of hesitation, you slid the jacket off and left it on the bench. Tom stared for a second or two, trying to pry his eyes away but you just so happened to notice, feeling your cheeks flush red. You didn’t feel utterly uncomfortable about the man in front of you, admittedly you felt as if there was potential for a bond to form but he had a wandering eye that happened to appear at the worst times and currently as you stood in front of him in possibly the least amount of clothes you’d worn in your life, you felt near naked.

Tom wasn’t staring intentionally, no if he wanted to do that he had all day but it was the little purple and blue marks left on your wrist that stood out to him. Not that he thought twice.

“Now, we’re going to do a range of things today but first we need to do some stretches and work on your flexibility. I’m not sure if you’ve ever done anything like this before or if this is all going to be new, but I won’t be going easy on you. We only have a couple weeks and I need to teach you all that you must know to get up on that bar.” You stood still, watching Tom discreetly as he wandered around the area to set things up. “Luckily, you’ve got the best coach in the business”

“You may find some of these stretches to be uncomfortable and-, well, exposing but trust me, they’ll make you go from zero to ten within the blink of an eye.” Tom sighed when you still choose not to speak. In a way it was good, it made his job slightly easier but he wanted someone he could converse with, someone that would ask questions about how to improve and challenge themselves to be the very best they could be. But then again, he didn’t know your past or what you were running away from last night. How could he know that you just didn’t want to speak or if you were taught not to speak? “You know you can talk to me, right? I’m going to be here to instruct you and guide you but I need to know when you don’t understand. But let’s get something straight, I’m your trainer, not your friend.”

“Okay, Yeah, I can do that” Tom smiled, glad to hear your voice. You were still nervous inside and out, You could feel it and Tom could see it.

“Let’s start, shall we? The deed won’t get done by standing around.”

Within minutes of Tom showing you what to do, then telling you how to do it properly, he had come up behind you, placing a hand on your lower back and putting a slight amount of pressure on it. “You’re too tense, loosen up a little and arch your back more. We need to build your arm strength, you’ll be using that a lot.”

You complied, feeling the ache in your arm muscles already, only minutes in. You really didn’t use to this kind of workout- or working out at all. But you complied, doing what Tom said and getting through it.

“Slowly, as we do more work, you’ll gain more strength and be able to handle more but for now, we need to see just how much you can take.”

True to his word, Tom pushed you to your full extent. He said things that, in a way pushed you but also broke you down. He was tough and you should’ve been glad, but after dealing with that your whole life, you needed encouragement, support. Something he wasn’t able to offer you and slowly, but surely, you were starting to think that maybe it was something you wouldn’t come across.

“C’mon, you can’t be giving up already?” You weren’t going to give up, not when you’d finally been given a chance, even if it was just in a circus. “I need you to push harder, try harder”

Tom was ruthless, instructing you to do more sets when you were on the ground huffing and puffing like a dog. People stared, sympathy filling them when they remembered that was them.

Tom didn’t ask himself why you didn’t get up and grab water or a snack in between if you wanted something you’d grab it yourself, it was that simple.

“Get up, we’re not done yet” He got down to eye level with you. “I want to have you on the bar by next week”

“I can’t, I-I can’t-” The pain in every part of your body was agonizing, you were close to tears and Tom could see it, but he kept pushing.

“Yes, you can. And you will. Now, up!” Tom stood up again, clapping his hands together. You were frightened by his hard stare, it reminded you of a time you weren’t ready to reminisce yet.

You stared into his eyes, a fire burning inside you like never before. You stood, ready to prove to him that you could, but as you did, your feet gave a particularly nasty reminder of their blisters. “I can’t. M-My feet are killing me, okay? I’ve never done this before, push me, fine. But I need a minute.”

You were embarrassed, you don’t complain about pain, you get up and work through it. Pain is nothing.

Tom blinked, amazed at your back talk, but not in a bad way. He was proud of you, seeing that spark in your eye and he knew that you had it in you. But then his gaze flitted down to your blue feet and he was shocked to see that many of the blisters had broken open and were bleeding. He felt a twinge of guilt for not noticing before. “Take ten. Rest and hydrate. We’ll start again in a few minutes.”

You glared at him slightly as you sat on the edge of the mat, the edge to his voice not missed by you. “Sounds good.”

Tom nodded once and walked to the benches where one of his acts, Aviana was seated. She was a pretty girl, one of his dancers that for the longest time, he’d treasured, even taking their friendship to the next level once or twice, but never anything series. Tom didn’t do seriously.

“You’re pushing this girl harder than you pushed any of us, look at her, she looks like she’s about to drop.” Avianna felt her heartache for the girl, but at the same time, she simply wanted to shrug her shoulders and move on.

Tom nodded, folding his arms as you got back up, screwing your face up as the pressure you’d been putting on your feet was already too much. But you got up nonetheless. “She has potential, I’ve just got to push her”

“Don’t push her too hard though. How’d she end up here anyway?” She stopped watching you and turned to Tom. Despite the lack of distance, the music would prevent you from hearing anything they were saying. It was blasting through the speakers, echoing throughout the entire hall.

“I don’t know yet, but clearly she’s been through a lot.” Tom continued. “She reminds me a lot

of myself, maybe that’s why I’m pushing her so hard but she’s going to get us places.”

He tried to ignore the small bruises on your wrists. They were light and could only be seen up close as if they were healing or were simply not done intentionally. He thought maybe you could’ve got them when wandering around last night, it wasn’t the best neighborhood after all. But then again he didn’t know how far you’d traveled.

“Enough sad talk, maybe you could come to my trailer tonight? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Tom grinned and shook his head as Avianna place a hand on his folded arms, her eyes staring him down suggestively. “Look at you, you’re so tense”

“We have two weeks before the shows start, we don’t have time for messing around. Shouldn’t you be training right now instead of messing around? He scolded, chuckling to himself when she removed her hand and headed back to the mats with a defeated look.

She turned back to him for a second, not feeling completely torn about being let down. “If you change my mind, you know where I’ll be, I’ll wait”

As the session came to an end, you really felt like your body might give out. Your feet were aching more than ever and your shoulders hurt from the excess strain you’d put on them today. Tom rolled up the mats behind you, glancing back at you as you limped slowly from the tent. He felt bad about pushing you so much today, but it was vital. You had to be ready, and it was clear you’d had no training in the field.

He let you exit the tent alone, to give you a moment to recover and compose yourself. He recalled from all those years ago, his mentor pushing him to his max and how important those moments alone had been. After a decent amount of time had passed, he made his way to your trailer, knocking gently on the door. He heard your soft “Come in,” through the door and he pushed it open slowly.

The sight that greeted him was one he hadn’t seen before. Your feet were cracked and bloody, the welts on your feet fresh and raw. You were wincing at the pain of putting more ointment on them, the fresh gauze sitting right next to you on your bed. “O-Oh,” you said, surprised. “Hi.”

He walked over to you and knelt down in front of you, his fingers hesitating to touch your raw skin. “Those look pretty bad,” he said softly. You nodded and reached over to grab the damp towel needed to clean the excess blood away. “Here, let me.”

Your eyes met his in surprise, the tenderness in his voice completely shocking you. He had been so cold and hard all day, his only objective to train you, that seeing him this way felt nearly intimate. You handed him the towel and watched as he gingerly cleaned your wounded feet, taking extra care as he wrapped gauze around your feet and ankles. “If you wrap it this way,” he said softly as he looped the gauze around your feet, up around the back of your ankle and back across your foot, “it provides ankle support and keeps the gauze tighter.”

You nodded, watching his fingers work delicately and a smile crept onto your lips as his brown curls fell in his eyes and he repeatedly brushed them away. “Thank you,” you whispered to him.

“It’s the least I can do,” he murmured, looking back into your eyes. “I’m tough on you because I believe in you, I don’t know what you’ve been through- or how exactly you ended up here but, I know you’ve been through more than others.”

You looked at him, curiosity on your face, but your lips had gone thin, tight. You nodded harshly, looking away from him, a slight fear bubbling in your stomach, twisting it into knots. You didn’t know what to say. “When will I meet the others?”

“Maybe tomorrow, they’re all busy training right now but they’ll come by and introduce themselves at some point” He finished up, tightening the gauze. “I bought you some painkillers today, to take tomorrow when you wake up because you’re going to be in a lot of pain after today.”

He handed over a small box and you took it hesitantly, scrunching your face up in confusion. You could visibly make out little white dots, the size of a daisy petal or a stone. “P-painkillers?”

Tom blinked twice and stood up, content with the bandaging. He didn’t know how you’d been utterly clueless about painkillers, maybe the situation was worse than he’d originally thought. “Yeah, just take two with a glass of water and within around half an hour the majority of the pain will be gone, you’ll feel good as new”

You continued staring at the packet, then decided against it, handing the pack back to him. “No, thank you”

“What? But-” He sighed, rubbing his temples and closing your fingers around the pack. The act was gentle, but you froze when his fingers were only inches away from the marks. “Just keep them, you may need some tomorrow” He knew the pain you’d be in would be immense and he didn’t want that to slow you down tomorrow, though he doubted you’d allow pain to slow you down. You were determined and strong-willed. Tom wanted to keep the offer open if necessary.

You nodded, placing the packet on the bed. “I should get to bed. Another long day tomorrow.”

Tom nodded back just as rigidly and stood up. “Get some sleep. See you same time tomorrow,” he said, his voice not as soft as it had been before, and he exited the camper without another look back. The door closed behind him and a moment later the light went off. You were determined to get some sleep tonight.

Keep sending me reasons why you think the reader ran away! I love reading the theories.

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[bimboized]

Oops!

er screen in stunned silence. Running his fingers through his short brown hair, he lowered his hands and pondered sending what he'd found to a watchdog group. The information he'd stumbled across and then pieced together scared him. If he was right, the biochemical company he worked for was in deep with the CIA and MI6. While he didn't know much about organic chemistry, as he was a polymer chemist and engineer, it took some digging, but his research into CRISPR had netted him the information he needed.

The process that Biology Information Manufacturing had come up with, in theory, was decades ahead of what anyone ever thought possible. It had taken some effort, but Andrew had managed to find information: terrorist kept at Guantanamo Bay had been the first unwilling test subjects. Andrews first thought when he'd stumbled over the video files was that someone was browsing porn at work and had been trying to hide it. The time-lapse of the middle Eastern man slowly being feminized, growing massive tits, and then being fucked by two guards had shocked him.

Digging deeper, he found records of people who'd gone into witness protection, along with several missing political figures, most of them running to oppose current leaders. New identities had been forged and post-transformation interviews had clearly shown the full effects of the treatment. It didn't matter how you started, male or female, thin or thick, in your twenties or in your sixties, by the time the treatment was concluded, you looked and talked like some twenty-something bimbo that craved sex in almost any form. It was crazy.

The worst part was that not only did the company had a way to reverse it, they simply chose not to as the governmental agencies wanted those subjected to it left that way. Worse still, while there was information about ways to alter to process to not be so extreme, providing either "natural accelerated breast growth" or complete genetic gender reassignment, the cost wasn't considered "economically viable enough" to provide the treatment to those suffering from gender or body dysmorphia.

Flipping through the files, Andrew wanted to warn the world about this. Had they been willing to offer this to the public, his ethics may have struggled a bit. The way things stood, this was evil. No government should have this ability without steep oversight. Encrypting the files, he pulled the thumb drive from his pocket and slipped it into the machine. He began to copy the encrypted files and tried not to look suspicious.

As soon as the files finished copying, Andrew slid the USB drive into his pocket and closed the windows, leaving the armor weave project information he had been working on in the background along with an email he'd already typed out stating he was taking the rest of the day off. He sent the email, locked the computer and stood up only to see the head of the Biochem division, Jennifer Allister, heading his way. He quickly ducked the other way and, as discretely as he could, he headed toward the exit. He waved at the security guard, Harry, as he made his way out the front door. It was around lunch time, he rationalized, so his leaving shouldn't draw much attention. He got into his car and left the parking lot.

It was a long thirty-minute commute back to Parkview, the village he lived in, his eyes fully expecting that someone was tailing him. When he passed the gas station at the edge of town, he sighed with relief, given the last car that had been behind had turned off a few miles back, probably heading to Fondulac. Thinking about Parkview, he smiled. Andrew liked the people there. He knew most of them, having gone through grade school and high school here. The local bars were decent watering holes and the one restaurant served great comfort food. The small grocery store didn't stock much, but it was better than driving all the way to Springdale.

He pulled into the duplex he lived in and owned, renting out the other half to Isabelle, a Mexican woman in her mid-twenties that often joined him when he'd barbeque on the weekends. She'd outrightly stated she had no interest in men and he'd met one or two of the girlfriends she'd had over in the past. All and all, a nice enough lady, if I bit peculiar in her choice of outfits. Andrew waved at her as she got out of the custom Beetle that she owned. She was wearing a purple and black corset, matching dress, and steampunk goggles that sat atop her head. She waved back, smiling, and waited for him.

"Hey, Andrew," Isabelle said, leaning forward to kiss his cheek, "you're home early."

He shrugged. His hand in his pocket gripped the USB drive. "Yeah, decided to take half the day off to relax," Andrew replied. He stepped back and gave Isabelle a once over, chuckling when she twirled to show off. "Okay, so I have to ask. What's up with the fancy outfit. I'm used to you dressing goth, but this is over the top."

"Had a photo shoot in town," Isabelle replied. "I was supposed to take the day off, but the money was good. You still planning on grilling this weekend."

"Probably," Andrew said, as he really had no idea what his life was going to be like later today, much less later this week. "Look, I need to take care of a few things. Chores, that sort of thing. Let's catch up later, okay?"

Isabelle nodded. "Sure thing," she said, turning toward her front door, pausing there to look back at Andrew. "One of these days, you're going to find yourself a good woman."

Andrew laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, maybe you will, too." Isabelle laughed at that and headed inside. Andrew, in turn, headed to his front door, unlocked it and made his way inside. He kicked off his shoes and walked to the spare bedroom that he'd converted to a personal office. Turning his computer on, he waited until everything was loaded before slipping the USB drive into the USB port. He copied over all the files and mulled over his options. He pondered BookLeaks and a few other sites, finally deciding on one. It took some effort to find actual contact information.

Andrew sent over a few of the files and, as they uploaded, got up and paced. He was going to get fired, that much was certain. Probably sued. He mentally told himself, again and again, that this was the right thing. The upload complete, he sent the email.

He got a reply about an hour later, the person identifying themselves only as Xiang, stating they wanted to see more and were eager to get this out to everyone they could. Andrew replied with several emails, sending the rest of the files. By the time they were done corresponding, it was almost six in the evening. Andrew's stomach grumbled. Sighing, he decided he needed a beer or three along with some food. His nerves weren't exactly shot, but they were close.

Deciding he might be getting fairly sloshed, he chose to hoof it to the local watering hole. It wasn't that far, only about a mile. He waved at Bruce, the one cop that lived in town, as he headed into what amounted to downtown Parkview. Reaching the aptly named "Last Chance", he opened the door and stepped inside, country music playing over the speaker system, the sound of pool being played further inside the tavern. Making his way to the bar, he ordered a pub pizza and a beer from Molly, the woman that ran the place.

As the beer was sat down, Molly smiled at him. "Seems like you got someone's attention," she said, gesturing up the bar to a woman sitting at the other end. He didn't recognize her, but her dark black hair, the overall dress, cute top, and girl next door look of her got his attention immediately. Not to mention her melonous breasts. He raised the beer to her and smiled. She grabbed her own beer and walked down, her hips swaying and her breasts, larger than he'd first thought, bobbing back and forth as she walked.

"Mind if I take this seat?" she asked, looking at the stool next to Andrew.

"Not at all," Andrew replied, "and thanks for the beer."

"You looked like you could use it," she said, sitting down and setting her beer on the counter. "I've seen less jumpy rabbits back on my uncle's farm." She offered her hand. "I'm Kelly, by the way."

"Andrew," he replied, shaking her hand. He took a pull of his beer and sighed. "Been a long day, just not one I overly feel like talking about. Who's your uncle?"

"Leo Smithers," she said, reaching for the menu. "He runs the cattle farm 'tween here and Fondulac."

Andrew was aware of Leonard. He'd heard his brother call him Leo when the two ran into him at the grocery store once. "In town with your pa?"

Kelly shrugged. "Just finished college and looking for work back in Springdale. Uncle Leo suggested this was a good place to get a drink and maybe meet a nice boy." She rolled her eyes then winked at him. "I'm not a big fan of nice or boys, but I like finding a good man who's not too nice if you get my meaning."

Andrew took a pull of his beer. "I might, though I'm afraid my beer is empty and to get all the niceness out of me may take a few more."

Kelly laughed. "Here, have mine as a start. I'll order us a few more."

After a half dozen beers and a couple of shared pub pizzas, Andrew was very into Kelly. She had this charm about her that made her irresistible. It didn't hurt that she'd intentionally leaned toward him and pressed his boobs against his arm when she caught him staring at her breasts. She stood up after her fifth beer and reached for her phone. "I should probably call it a night and call a cab," she said, leaning over to kiss Andrew's cheek and somehow unbalancing herself so that she ended up stumbling against him, her boobs pressing against his chest. Andrew felt himself get instantly hard.

"Or, you know, you can walk me home first," Andrew said with a grin, slowly standing and helping Kelly steady herself. He reached for his wallet before Kelly waved him off and reached into her purse.

"You pay for the cab and I'll get our drinks," she said, her speech a little slurred. She handed her credit card to Molly, who ran it and handed Kelly the receipt. The two made their way outside and started walking toward Andrew's house.

Pausing at the doorstep, Andrew was pushed against the door as Kelly pressed her body against him, kissing him soundly. His hands went around her back before slipping down to her ass. She wiggled against his palms and slowly broke the kiss. "Mmmm, forget the cab," she murmured in his ear. "Why don't you take me inside?"

"Yes, ma'am," Andrew replied, fishing out his keys and unlocking his door before making his way in. They both kicked off their shoes before Andrew led the way to the bedroom. Kelly paused at the door to the bathroom. "Let me freshen up first, okay?" Andrew laughed and nodded, making his way to the bedroom. He was completely naked and laying in bed when he heard the toilet flush. A moment or two later, Kelly walked in, completely naked, holding nothing but a condom. "I like to ride cowboy, if that's okay?"

"Happy to let a woman have her way with me," Andrew replied. Kelly crawled over him and began to lick and stroke his cock before rolling the condom down around his shaft. She then lowered herself atop him and began to rock her hips, causing both to moan in pleasure.

He wasn't sure if it was the booze or what, but Andrew never seemed to grow soft despite Kelly bringing him to orgasm four times. By the fourth, though, he was so exhausted, it was all he could do to pull the light sheet over them both as Kelly snuggled against him.

Andrew woke the next morning to hear the shower running. He lay there for a moment, both dealing with a pounding headache from the hangover and trying to sort out the memories from last night. It was all a bit fuzzy. The shower, at least, confirmed that the dream he had about a woman fucking him silly wasn't some dream. As the shower stopped, Andrew staggered to his feet. He still felt a bit weird, like his balance was off. He staggered to the bathroom just as a pantied Kelly opened the door to it. Her breasts hung freely but she had one hand toweling her hair while the other held the rest of her clothes.

"All yours," Kelly said, kissing Andrew's cheek. "I'm going to get dressed."

Andrew nodded, making his way into the bathroom to relieve himself. He left the door open and lurched in. His foot slipped on a bit of water and he found himself spinning, only to land with his butt on the toilet. "Fuck it," he thought, deciding to pee sitting down. It felt a little odd, to be sure, but he didn't feel like standing just yet.

"I left my number on your nightstand, Andy," Kelly said, pausing at the door to the restroom. "Call me once you're coherent, okay?"

Andrew looked up and nodded, giving a thumbs up. He heard the front door close and decided he might as well stagger to his feet. Slowly pushing himself up, he flushed the toilet and opened the standing shower. He turned on the spray, getting it nice and warm. The shower smelled like coconuts and hibiscus. He realized it must've been the body wash his cousin, Amber, had left behind a few months ago. He grabbed his own body wash and opened it, immediately wishing he hadn't. Something about it smelled off. Closing it, he set it aside and reached for the feminine body wash.

Sighing and rationalizing that it would get the smell of sex off him at least, he put some of the coconut body wash in his hands and began to lather up his arms and legs. His whole body felt week and his eyes stung. He realized he'd never taken out his contacts even as he reached for the similarly scented shampoo to clean his hair. The scent seemed to grow on him, though he was having a hard time focusing. He rinsed his slightly shaggy hair out only to realize he'd completely neglected his crotch.

Lathering up his palms, he reached between his legs to clean his cock, only to realize that it was no longer there. In its place was a perfectly formed female pussy. Rinsing himself clean, Andrew staggered out of the shower, for the first time noticing all the hair on his arms, legs, and around his crotch were gone. Wiping the mirror clean with a towel, he looked at his face and body. Even through the blur, the reflection showed softened features in both his face and body, his waist having thinned slightly while his chest showed the barest hint of breasts. They'd dosed him! He was sure of it.

Staggering back to the bedroom, he found a note along with a pair of panties. The note was blurry until Andrew remembered to take out his contacts. Everything became crystal clear as if his vision had been completely fixed. He grabbed the note and read it again.

"We know what you did and intercepted it, Andrew. We're going to give you a chance to rethink your options. You can either come to work and talk to us about this or you know what the consequences will be."

Well shit.