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otkuhotgirl · 3 months ago

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─── 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐅𝐅 .

# with portgas d. ace.

the mera mera no mi had a dozen benefits — setting your walls alight was but one of them.

⎰ & KINKTOBER, (late) day five. smut (mdni!). temperature play. devil-fruit usage. oral (reader!receiving). fingering. afab!reader. no y/n used.

WC: 2.4k.

portgas d. ace had fed himself with a fruit that granted him particularities similar to those of a furnace. fire coursed through his veins — oftentimes he mused the thought that it had burned whichever cells connected him to his father still. heat gave him a reputation; an untouchable anatomical state. fire fist ace, the fearsome second-in-command. flames and warmth were but a weapon and he never thought of it beyond that. until he found that the feelings labored for you burned brighter than whatever spark his fingers conjured.

lust first settled during the search for akagami no shanks — the man who had saved his younger brother’s life. amidst ice and torrid snow, you stood: a single thread of life with a clear distaste for the cold. hunched, trembling figure whose knees were pressed to one’s chest, cursing through parted lips, at the corner in an attempt to disappear from sight. when ace sat by your side, heat emanating from his flesh, you immediately pressed yourself against him, hiding your face as you clung to his arm. he had laughed then, hugging you until the trembling ceased, growing hotter at the sound of your relieved sigh.

the second time had been during a sudden — yet common — change in the weather at the approach of a winter island. ace had no intentions of lingering there whatsoever, and briefly instructed his crew to be swift in their business. you opted to remain on the ship, covered in tides of blankets with a lukewarm cup of untouched coffee in hand. ace wordlessly set a place behind you, nervous, yet smooth, as he pressed his palms over your shoulders and began an amateurish massage. he feared the prospect of his physical strength causing you pain, yet you merely leaned into his touch, moaning with your eyes closed as the shared warmth coursed through your body. ace thought himself vicious; disgusting; for he had felt a sudden twitch in his cock at the sounds.

at last, the snap came once he mingled with the whitebeard pirates, his past crewmates choosing to linger; accepting the shift in captains. you were bedridden, and marco had commented that heat could increase the comfort during menstrual cramps. ace caught on the words left unsaid, and offered, once again, to be your soothing warmth; your healing flame. you sounded grateful altogether, and had no problems falling asleep in his arms whatsoever, allowing his hands to be placed on the external root of your pain. sharing the bed had been enough for you to claim one another; to officiate the clear-as-day relationship born from reciprocal love.

although things had changed ever-since — from endless travels to foreign lands, to the survival of a terrible war —, ace’s hidden desire regarding his devil-fruit persevered. it was shown regardless of the weather, twitching erection even in alabasta, when sweat pooled on your cleavage; when he’d see you swimming, sea-salt clinging to your flesh; or the particular instances of quietness, when his fingers would travel through your body until they found your clit. oftentimes, when his cock was lost amidst your warm walls, perhaps out of sheer instinct, he’d find himself increasing the temperature of it, if only to access your reaction. a complicated gamble; the fear of maiming, alight fire born from his excitement. yet, you remained restless, as though understanding that he had a fair share of thoughts unshared. ace feared the moment in which you’d corner him, for he’d cave to your every desire.

he sighed, clicking his tongue in deep thought. the second thereafter, ace all but choked on his food, punching his chest with certain strength. he half-noted the glass of water placed on the table, and spat a final chunk of meat at a particularly harsh slap on his back. ace’s hand gripped the cup and he chugged the liquid, tear-filled eyes observing your figure — sitting on the other side of the small table, an interested expression on your face.

“careful now, hotstuff,” you scolded, and he flushed at the name. “where have you gone this time?”

the question had increased in frequency since the death of whitebeard — his chosen father. ace was unused to the idea of sharing his pain, rather preferring to bottle it up. you respected said decision, yet, more often than not, his prolonged quietness proved itself to be obnoxious. you stated that his thoughts traveled to a place you could not reach, and in said instants, you were forced to scratch the surface of his mind and tether it to the present at hand.

“nowhere important,” ace answered, clearing his throat. you merely raised an eyebrow, well aware of the poor-crafted lie. he gave in, unable to withstand the expectating — borderline disappointed — look on your face. “promise not to be creeped out?”

“by you?” the question posed itself as though a joke; incredulous. “ace—”

“i know,” he interrupted through a sigh. “still, i would hate to leave you uncomfortable.”

“try me,” you encouraged, nothing but love explicit through your features.

ace stretched his hand, palm facing you. he coaxed your approach with a movement of his index, tensing once your wrist was pressed against his skin. he was hesitant — fearful, even — when he activated his devil-fruit, a tempting and gradual increase in his temperature. you hummed, circling your wrist on his palm, testing the waters.

“warm,” you stated matter-of-factly, tapping your fingers on his arm. ace repeated the previous action, multiplying the valor of warmth; recoiling the flames that threatened to lick your flesh. “warmer.”

ace closed his fingers around your wrist, caressing the tender inches of skin. “is it distressing? painful?”

you chuckled, moving your head in denial. “it’s soothing, ace. it’s you.”

he smiled softly, breathing in order to gather further courage. “would you mind if i tried it elsewhere?”

you blinked, growing quiet for the briefest instance, although that had been enough to bloom certain insecurities within him. ace’s lips parted, tongue prepared to spill a dozen apologies — until your hand pushed the plates and cups aside and you sat on the table, sliding towards him. ace was aghast at your willingness; your excitement.

“now?” you inquired softly, gripping the hem of your dress, legs already crossed.

“you want it now?” a stupid question, truly, when one considered the blown state of your pupils.

“please,” you pleaded, already tugging at the edges of your clothing, raising it over your head.

ace’s hands groped your breasts, cock twitching at the sight and perspective of what could be done with them. his tongue lurked out, swiping a streak of saliva up your chest. you shuddered, to which ace smirked, twitching one of your hardening nipples. his digits grew brighter as a consequence of the shift in his temperature, offering a direct source of warmth to your flesh. he tested the length of his devil-fruit, internal fire reaching the tip of his tongue. ace latched his mouth around the bud, a pathetic rut of his hips following-in-suit as a consequence of your moaning.

he grew hotter, the gradual warmthness of your own skin teasing his nose. when your fingers tugged at his hair, ace’s tongue flicked; mouth applying pressure as he sucked on the flesh of your breast, well-aware of the consecutive loss of control on his powers. it felt as though entering a forest-fire to meet its god in the center, an ever-growing heat embracing your every nerve.

your nipple grew swollen at the attention — heated and pained —, whereas his saliva was a river of liquid flames, setting you alight. his unused hand traveled down your stomach, emerging goosebumps at its temperature. he pushed your back against the table, adoration poured into each featherlight touch. you heard the sound of his knees meeting the ground; felt his palm settling on your hip-bone. a pair of heated fingers traveled through your folds, spreading your essence through the extension of it. you whimpered, for your own pre-cum had its temperature shifted; fire reaching your very core.

ace sucked on your thigh, experienced thumb drawing fast-paced circles on your once neglected clit; bright digit behaving as though the teasing of a lighter. you squirmed, and he needed but a single hand to cage your figure. his lips left a trail of sensitive bruises, before they replaced his thumb, wrapping them around the swollen bud. the tip of his burning index teased your entrance, before he shoved three fingers inside — knuckle-deep — invading your walls with unthought suddenness. you mewled, unused — however excited — with the heat; dripping cunt close to boiling.

he moaned, sending vibrations through your body. his fingers curled inside you, teasing the gummy walls; igniting your g-spot. ace rutted against the air, erection caged in between the fabric of his clothes. regardless, he neglected his own needs for the sake of your own, observing, through his eyelashes, your face contorting in pleasure. ace gripped a fistful of your thighs, the warmth of it enough to burn lonesome inches of hair. when he made a sudden worried move, intending to retreat altogether, you gripped his hair yet again, shoving his face deeper into your cunt.

“d-don’t stop,” you pleaded, trembling legs threatening to close themselves around his head.

he moaned, setting a vigorous pace. his tongue ventured through your folds, nose buried deep; teasing your clit. ace moved his head to the sides, dragging your warm essence through his chin and mouth. his tongue drew a luscious, famished stripe before he sucked on the swollen, burning clit, nearly tearing up at the saltiness coating his palate.

“fuck, babe, you taste so good,” he groaned, voice coming out muffled, for the ministrations of his mouth remained. you moaned at the compliment, arching your back at the retreat of his fingers — nails at your entrance — before he shoved them inside yet again, a relentless pace that had your cunt squeezing the digits, dripping down his palm.

your entire figure trembled, thighs caging him, feet sliding down his muscular back. ace’s tongue was molten-fire against your clit, zigzagging around it, his face covered in specks of burning pre-cum — growing reddish at the prolonged contact. curling toes; ruthless tug at his hair. he drowned on your cunt, mouth claiming every drop of your essence while his fingers abused your g-spot.

your voice was a broken choir whose words were all but variations of his name. it flared up his ego, had him switching to shove a burning tongue inside your clenching cunt; fingers parting your folds open as a set of two circled around your clit. he all but slurped; humped the air. a wet patch stained his pants, and one could smell the stench of burning fabric as he pre-cum escaped past his tip, a tide of wild flames.

“ace, ‘m close,” you mewled, breathing out heavily, eyes tethered to the sight of his soaked face.

he retreated his lips for the briefest second to press a searing, burning kiss on your entrance, smirking at your drawn-out moan. the pace of his fingers on your clit increased, and ace bit on your outer labia, his other hand pinching on your trembling thigh.

“cum for me, love,” he encouraged, yet again shoving a warm tongue inside, his chin and nose buried in your cunt.

the knot unraveled itself, and your orgasm tore you from inside-out, drowning his face. ace chased it, famished mouth claiming every droplet of cum that fell on his awaiting tongue, his fingers working still as he stimulated the tides of your high. with a final stripe of the warm muscle, ace leaned his face backwards, licking his lips and tracing the cum that lingered on his chin. he shoved a thumb inside his mouth, sucking the rest of it; removing the finger with a pop. his flesh had a shade pale pink where your essence had touched.

ace spread your legs and got on his feet, eyes tethered to the sight of your bare body on the table, sweat-etched skin glistening under the natural light. “it was a delicious appetizer.”

you laughed then, opening your arms — a solace, whose walls he could rest within. ace’s glance softened ever-so-slightly at the sound, and his chest leaned forward, drawn by your sentence. “come and get the main course, hotstuff.”

his fingers fidgeted with buttons, zippers and straps, a loud groan following-in-suit when his erection slapped against his stomach. swollen, leaking tip sensitive enough to make him hiss due to the merest brush of the wind. ace buried his face on your neck, licking the sweat off your flesh as his hand blindly aligned his shaft with your entrance. the girth slid in with fair easiness, the reminiscing drops of your previous orgasm mingling; enveloping the neglected head.

when ace bottomed out, the pair of you moaned in unison. your nails dug on his back as his hips set a languid pace, flushed tip reaching deep into your g-spot. his cock was a conflagration, forcing your walls to match the absurd temperature, shared heat enhancing both of your senses; increasing the sensitivity. the legs of the table complained at every harsh, wild thrust, balls slapping your ass as he hammered himself inside — sudden retreat of the tip; aggressive shove of the base until he had you filled with his girth. you babbled a sequence of compliments that had him twitching; drooling inside.

your legs wrapped around his waist, and both his hands settled themselves on the back of your thighs. his mouth sang luscious moans as his tongue and teeth bruised the skin of your neck — visible marks; explicit claim of what was his. ace’s pace grew erratic at the approach of his orgasm, the warmth leaving him sensitive to the point of embarrassment. your walls sucked him in, a famished, selfish lover that wished for nothing but to milk him dry.

when he pressed his forehead against yours, the act itself held an intimacy he once could ever dream of having with another, and the act itself soothed the once miserable soul of a child unwanted. ace breathed out into your mouth, words failing him as you nodded, increasing the strength of your legs around him.

“cum inside,” you cried out, raking your nails down his tattooed back. “want it—want you, all of you.”

ace struggled to keep his eyes open as he shot his load into you. it was of an alarming heat, leaving a lingering burning sensation on his tip. you mewled, sobbing as fire incarnated smeared your sensitive walls, leaving but a trail of metaphorical ashes in its wake. ace pressed butterfly-kisses on your face, lips claiming dried tears and accumulated sweat. his thrusts assumed a slower pace, a final chase of his high until the both of you were left a frail, exhausted mingle of bodies. his hands left your thighs; your legs fell, limp, dangling from the table.

the merest glance at your lover’s face had your eyes widening, hands pushing his chest. “don’t you dare, ace! the table will break—”

he collapsed into you, shifting your bodies at the last second. wood gave in to his weight, and his back all but met the ground, arms encircling your figure as your side was pressed to his chest. ace caressed your ass, mumbling about how he needed to clean you properly — and snoring thereafter.

you snorted, caressing his cheek. “sleep well, hotstuff.”

— 🐈‍⬛ : happy late kinktober, time is a concept!

#kinktober 2024 #one piece #op x reader #op #one piece x reader #one piece x you #op x you #one piece smut #op x y/n #portgas d ace #portgas ace x reader #portgas ace x you #portgas ace smut #ace x reader #ace smut #ace x you #ace x y/n

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verstappenf1lecccc · 2 months ago

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Full throttle

super angsty super fluffy

You never meant to get involved in racing. In fact, you’d spent most of your life watching it from a safe distance, admiring the skill and speed but never imagining it as your own reality. That is, until one fateful day, when your older brother, always the unpredictable one, gave you a birthday gift that would change everything—a voucher for a Silverstone “Experience Day.” Drive an F3 car.

The idea was ridiculous. It was a joke, he said. You'd hate it, he said.

But he didn’t know you.

From the moment you slid into the driver’s seat, the world around you seemed to blur, the grip of the steering wheel becoming an extension of yourself. The acceleration. The way the G-forces pressed you into the seat. You were no longer just controlling the car—you were the car. Every corner felt like a battle you were born to win, every straight an open invitation to break your own limits. You felt alive. *More than alive. Invincible.*

When you pulled back into the pit, panting with excitement, your hands still trembling, a voice cut through the rush of adrenaline.

“Impressive.”

You turned sharply, breath caught in your throat, eyes locking onto the man standing beside the track. His tailored suit and calm, assessing gaze told you everything you needed to know. *This was no ordinary observer.* He wasn’t just someone impressed by a rookie’s lap times. He was someone who knew.

Fernando Alonso.

It hit you like a punch to the gut, the recognition flooding your senses in an overwhelming wave. Fernando Alonso. The Fernando Alonso. And there he was, standing a few feet away, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Not bad,” he said again, but this time, his voice was softer, more contemplative.

You opened your mouth, but nothing came out. You were a fan of his, sure. But this? This felt like a dream.

And then like it had all been rehearsed a man in a hoodie appeared at Fernando’s side, signaling for him to leave.

The champion gave you a nod, a subtle smile crossing his lips.

“We’ll talk soon,” he said. “Don’t go anywhere.”

And just like that, he was gone. But you were still standing there, rooted to the spot, the sound of your racing heart pounding in your ears.

What had just happened? Had you really impressed one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time?

Weeks passed, and the disbelief never really faded. What had started as an impulsive birthday gift a harmless, one-off experience had morphed into something far bigger.

It wasn’t just Fernando’s praise that stuck with you. It was the moment you were called over by a scout, Marco, who handed you a business card that felt like a million pounds in your hands. A seat. A chance .You blinked down at the card, still processing the fact that you were about to be offered something far beyond anything you’d dreamed. F2. A tryout. A step closer to everything you’d always admired from afar.

And then, as if the universe had decided it hadn’t dropped enough surprises on you, you looked across the paddock. Standing just a few feet away, his gaze locked onto you, was Charles Leclerc.

Charles Leclerc.

His presence was like a gravitational pull.

He smiled, small but knowing, his eyes flicking between you and the scout with that trademark ease of his. You almost couldn’t breathe. Why was he here? What was he doing here, watching you ?

That smile so soft, so genuine did something to your chest.

It filled you with something you couldn’t name, and yet you couldn’t ignore it. You were supposed to be focusing on your future, on the seat you had just been offered, but Charles Leclerc’s presence was like a spark of something more. Something that wasn’t just about racing.

The first official test with the F2 team was a nightmare. You couldn’t quite control your nerves. You pushed yourself, yes, but everything felt like it was coming at you too fast. The feedback from the engineers was overwhelming, the pressure suffocating.

But there was one thing that remained constant: Charles. He wasn’t just a teammate or a driver who’d occasionally offer a smile. He was there for you when things got rough, when your focus wavered, when you almost felt like you couldn’t handle it.

It was Charles who pulled you aside after one particularly grueling lap, his fingers brushing against your arm. His eyes weren’t the playful ones from before. They were focused. Intent. “You can do this. I’ve been watching you,” he said, voice steady and firm. “And I believe in you.”

You wanted to argue. You weren’t good enough yet. Not by a long shot. But something in his voice stopped you. His belief in you felt like a tether, pulling you back from the edge of self-doubt.

“I think so,” you replied quietly, but there was no conviction in your words. Not yet.

“You will,” he said, a small, determined smile playing at his lips. “Trust me.”

And somehow, you did. For the first time since this whole whirlwind began, you felt a flicker of something like hope a dangerous, beautiful thing that made you believe, if only for a moment, that maybe you could actually make it.

The test was everything. It was chaos and control, precision and raw instinct all rolled into one. You didn’t just drive the car you became it. Every lap was sharper, more calculated, your instincts fine-tuned with each turn. By the time you returned to the pit, drenched in sweat, your heart pounding in your chest, you didn’t need the engineer’s feedback to know what had just happened. You had done it. You had succeeded.

As you peeled off your race suit, feeling the weight of what you’d just achieved settling over you, you found yourself face-to-face with both Fernando and Charles.

Fernando slapped you on the back, his grin wide and proud. “Told you,” he said, voice low but filled with confidence. “This is just the beginning.”

Charles stood beside him, his gaze never leaving you. He was quieter than usual, but when he spoke, his words were like a promise. “You’ve got what it takes,” he said, voice softer. “We’re going to do this together. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

The months that followed were a blur. The races, the media events, the constant push for more. Fernando was the mentor you’d never expected, his experience and wisdom invaluable as you navigated the ruthless world of motorsport. But it was Charles who kept you grounded.

The two of you grew closer, each shared victory and every setback strengthening the bond between you.

One evening, after a long day of press conferences and sponsor dinners, you found yourself on the rooftop of a hotel, looking out over the sprawling city. Charles appeared beside you, his footsteps quiet against the concrete.

For a long moment, the two of you didn’t speak. Just sat there, side by side, sharing the silence.

Finally, Charles broke it. “You know” His voice was unusually soft. “You’re not just a teammate to me.”

Your heart skipped a beat, a sudden flutter of uncertainty and something deeper. “What do you mean?” you whispered, afraid to hear the answer.

His eyes locked onto yours, intense, searching, like he was seeing you for the first time. “I care about you,” he said quietly, the words hanging between you like a confession. “More than I ever thought I would. More than just the racing.”

And there it was. The thing that had been building between you two for months—the unspoken connection, the undeniable chemistry, the way his presence could either ground you or set your heart on fire.

Before you could respond, before you could ask all the questions racing through your mind, he leaned in. His lips brushed against yours, gentle but with a quiet urgency that told you everything

And in that moment, you knew. This wasn’t just the start of a career. This was the beginning of everything.

a few months later

The air was thick with tension as you stood beside the pit wall, watching the race unfold before your eyes. The final laps were always the hardest—so much could change in such a short amount of time. But you weren’t thinking about the race. Not entirely. You were thinking about him.

Fernando had pulled you aside that morning. He didn’t need to say much. You’d spent enough time together for him to know exactly what was on your mind. “You’re ready,” he said simply, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand races.

But it wasn’t Fernando you were worried about anymore. It was Charles.

The moment the race finished and Charles crossed the line, securing his victory, he came straight for you, the fire in his eyes matched by the fierce grip of his hand as he pulled you into his arms.

“I meant what I said,” he murmured against your ear, his words low and intense. “You’re everything to me. And now” He pulled back, a soft smile on his face, “I’ve got something for you.”

Before you could process, Charles dropped to one knee, pulling a small box from his pocket. Your breath caught in your throat as he looked up at you, his eyes filled with love and sincerity.

“Will you be mine?” he asked, the world seeming to slow down. “In this crazy world we’ve found ourselves in, will you stand beside me, every race, every win, every loss?”

Tears blurred your vision as you nodded

your heart swelling with an overwhelming mix of joy and disbelief. “Yes,” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd in the background. “Yes, I will.”

Charles’s smile lit up, and in that moment, the entire world racing, fame, the pressures seemed to fade away. It was just the two of you, standing together on this unexpected, incredible journey.

But not everyone was thrilled by your newfound place in the racing world. Jos Verstappen, ever the outspoken critic, had made his opinion about you known from the start. The moment rumors about your racing career began to circulate, Jos wasted no time in publicly questioning your abilities. His protest went beyond mere skepticism he had made sure the tabloids had a field day. Behind closed doors, he’d even gone so far as to tell paparazzi to fabricate stories about you, painting you as nothing more than a media darling with no real skill or merit.

Among the worst was the rumor that you had slept with Fernando Alonso to gain entry into F1. It was a degrading, false story one that completely disregarded your hard work and talent. It hurt, but it wasn’t just the press that was relentless.

Jos Verstappen openly trashed you in interviews, telling anyone who would listen that your rise to F1 was nothing but a scandal, a way to “ride the coattails of a famous name.”

It was crushing. But through it all, Charles never wavered. He remained your rock, silently fighting battles behind the scenes. Unbeknownst to you, he was taking legal action, suing those who crossed the line and spread malicious lies about you.

One evening, after a particularly harsh tabloid cover story painted you in an even darker light, Charles sat you down in his hotel room. He took your hands in his, his expression grave but calm.

“I’ve been dealing with it,” he said softly. “I’ve filed lawsuits against the worst offenders. You don’t have to worry about it.”

You blinked, stunned. You hadn’t known. You hadn’t realized how much he’d shielded you from.

“You did all that… for me?”

He nodded, his eyes never leaving yours. “For us. You don’t deserve any of this. I’m not going to let anyone tear you down.”

A rush of emotion flooded you gratitude, love, and a deep sense of awe for the man sitting in front of you. Without thinking, you leaned forward, wrapping your arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.

“Thank you,” you whispered, your voice shaky with emotion.

Charles held you even closer, his grip steady, his lips brushing against your hair. "I would do anything for you."

And in that moment, you realized just how much he truly cared and how much you had already given to him. Your future was no longer about racing alone. It was about the two of you, together. Forever.

based of this ask -: by @clomo12345

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help-i-lost-my-sock · 7 months ago

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Sleeping Beauty (Ace x Reader)

Summary:

As he reminisces their first kiss, Ace can't believe how lucky he is to have her in his life.

SFW

Fluff

Established relationship

A/N: Experimenting with 3rd POV; semi proofread

Warnings: Itsy-bitsy little hint of angst if you really, really squint. Otherwise, just tooth-rotting fluff. Enjoy!

Word count: 1170

It was the middle of the night when Ace finally managed to drag himself out of the meeting and towards the bedroom he shared with her. He’d been up late with the other commanders going through the details of an upcoming operation, and trying to iron out the kinks. They must have gone through it some 50 times already, courtesy of Marco’s insistence (and Ace dozing off repeatedly, but he can’t really help it, can he?).

At long last, the day has ended, and the quiet of the night reigned once more, as Ace stumbled around the hallways and towards your door. The only sounds he could hear were small, cold waves crashing against the side of the boat, rocking it ever so gently, making its timber creek.

A small flame flickered atop his finger, lighting his way. He kept on walking - one foot in front of the other. There were two main thoughts going through his head at that moment, as he struggled to keep his eyes open just a little longer. One: how his head throbbed with exhaustion, and two: how he longed to hold her in his arms.

It was a rather chilly night. While not quite winter, Ace knew it was too cold for her liking. She must have been cold without him… He’d warm her up as soon as he got there. As soon as he got there… This must have been one of the longest journeys to his bed; the stairs and hallways connecting the decks and areas of the Moby Dick seemed positively endless that night.

A seeming eternity later, Ace’s heavy feet finally stopped in front of a door. He hoped it was the right one, given how tired he was. He wasn’t looking forward to climbing in bed with one of his men. He’d never hear the end of it. A shiver ran down his spine; the thought sobering him up ever so briefly.

But it must have been this one.

Ace traced his finger over a burn mark on the door - about shoulder height for him, and on his right side. He smiled wearily to himself as his fingers rubbed over the charred wood. It happened some years ago, around the summer festival. Everyone got drunk off their asses that night, and decided to play truth or dare. While she wasn’t eager to share much about her mystery crush, rumours had been going around about who it might be. Fueled up on liquid courage, Ace made a move on her that night. But oh, that look in her eyes. Her cheeks, so rosy from the booze and the proximity. The way her soft lips parted as she stammered to string words together. And finally, the sound of her voice when she admitted it’s been him all along; him - the one who stole her heart.

He tried to play it smooth - tried to put his charms to work - but he could not hide the way she made his heart skip a beat, and butterflies flutter in his stomach. The bottles of booze he’d downed - that same liquid courage that brought them to this moment - now seemed to work against him, as his hand, resting against the door, sparked up ever so slightly. But ‘ever so slightly’ was enough to singe the wood before either of them caught on to it.

Ace then hurriedly patted the wood, clumsily trying to put out the flames, while she laughed and got the hiccups. It was then that she rose up on her tiptoes and pecked him on the lips. Their first kiss - so soft, so sweet, so fleeting - before she told him goodnight and skipped down the hall to her room.

Her old room… Ace couldn’t remember how long it’s been since she’d slept in there. He didn’t think she could remember either.

Memories like these warmed his heart.

His hand grasped the doorknob and turned it gently, trying not to wake her.

And there she was, curled up in bed, wrapped up in blankets up to her chin. It was indeed a tad too chilly for her liking, and Ace couldn’t help but puff a small smile at that. How someone from a place so cold could be so averse to it was a mystery to him.

Seeing her in his bed, sleeping soundly, made him feel at ease. They were hardly ever apart, and yet, a part of him could not help but worry that one day she would no longer be there. That one day she would leave him, or be stolen from him.

But when he saw her form there, beneath the sheets, her chest slowly rising and falling as she breathed in the night air, all his worries melted away. She was safe, and she was there with him.

Ace softly put his hat down on his desk. He slipped off his boots, and peeled off his shorts, eager to crawl in bed with her and join her in her dreams.

What was she dreaming of, he wondered? Would she have been dreaming of him perhaps? The thought of it made his heart flutter.

She stirred, vaguely awake, and turned her head towards him.

A strand of hair slipped down her cheek and now clung to her lips as she looked at him with half-lidded eyes, beckoning him to join her in bed. His fingers reached out and gently touched her face, brushing the silky strands of hair behind her ear, his gaze and smile soft as he looked down upon her face. Her lips, so full, were more beautiful than the summer flowers in full bloom. The way her long hair would glisten in the warm sunlight reminded him of cascades mirroring late sunsets. Her eyes, so bright with hope, could not compare to any glistening riches of this world. Her love, and his love for her, were deeper than any seas he may have sailed. To him, her beauty was more radiant than the sun, and her love… more captivating than the moon.

“Ace…” she whispered in the darkness.

“I’m here, babe.”

“I’m cold…”

“I’ll warm you right up, love,” he said, placing a chaste kiss on her cold forehead.

Ace climbed up in bed, quickly wrapping his arms around her smaller frame. His body moulded to hers, as his heat seeped into her skin.

To him, she was the calm that cooled his hothead. She was the cool breeze on a torrid summer day. The soothing ointment on a burning wound.

As her temperature rose, he could feel her relax in his embrace.

He could not quite understand how he got so lucky - why a girl like her would go for bad blood like him - but that did not change the fact that it did happen…

With a soft sigh, she snuggled closer against him, nuzzling her face into his arm.

…and all that mattered now was that he loved her and she loved him. To him, she would always be…

…the beauty to his beast.

Tags: @captainportgasdace

Dividers by @cafekitsune

#dividers by cafekitsune #portgas d ace #one piece #portgas d ace fluff #portgas d. ace fluff #one piece fluff #3rd pov #moth fics #portgas d ace x reader #portgas d. ace x reader #one piece x reader

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jellyclogs · 2 years ago

Text

One piece characters reacting to you calling them Darling

characters: Kid ,Ace, Mihawk, Shanks ,Katakuri

y/n has she/her pronouns

Tigger warning: Some cussing

Kid

"Hello Darling," you purred walking into his workshop. You put on a sweet smile. If this ended poorly killer would owe you an arm and a leg.(hopefully not literally)

Kid froze, setting down the project he'd been working on before looking at you. He looked incredulous studying you. His cheeks flushed softly, " Don't" He growled. His yellow eyes were sharp.

"Don't what darling?" You hummed tilting your head. You were doing your best to project nothing but pure Innocence. This bet could go poorly with your captain's temper. Killer had bet you a pretty penny that you couldn't get Kid to submit to you calling him darling.

“Are you trying to piss me off?” Kid huffed not looking at you his hands fiddling with whatever project he was working on. His cheeks were visibly red. No one in their right mind would believe you if you told them just how easily flustered the gruff man was.

“Of course not,” you hummed stepping up behind him and gently beginning to rub his shoulders, “I wouldn't dream of it.” you smiled feeling his trying not to relax at your touch.

“What do you want?” he growled aimlessly fidgeting with a screw, you sure were laying it on thick.

“I just wanted to check in on you, you been in here all day and I wanted to see if you had eaten. You know skipping meals isn't healthy darling.” you purred directly into his ear, this would either break him or make him break you.

Kid whirled around in his seat pulling you down to eye level, “What is with this darling shit?” your stomach was fluttery seeing his red cheeks.

You gave a frown, “Do you not like it?” you did your best to look like a kicked puppy… you were really good at that.

“I- Well.” he fumbled his words before crossing his arms, “If you call me that when any ones around you'll be swimming to the next island.” you could see the gears in his flustered mind turning.

You smocked kissing the tip of his nose, “Ofcores Darling.” you slipped from his grasp and made your way back to the entrance of his work shop before turning and looking over your shoulder, “You really should go get something to eat.” you chimed leaving him to his work. You had a nice little bounty to go collect from Killer.

Ace

“Darling you smoldering,” you whined trying to pry yourself from the pyromaniac’s vice of a hug. You know he was about as drunk as he could get which meant big words were your best weapon. If you said something he didn't understand his brain would work overtime and his grip on you would no longer be squishing your organs.

His body went stiff for a moment before he melted again looking up two you from between your breasts, “So I'm your darling?” he giggled. Before baring his face back in your chest and repeating, “I'm your darling.” into you.

You whine again, he clung to the wrong word, you bit your lip before trying again, “Ace you are sweltering. If you keep clinging to me like this I will melt.”

“You can't melt,” he snuggled in closer, “You're not made of wax.”

An idea sparked in your mind one that might just free you, “Ace you’re, not my darling, Marco is but if you beat him in a fight you can be my darling.”

Ace instantly let you go looking into your eyes before fully standing up, “I'm gonna beat up that dumb pineapple.” and then he was gone.

“What did marco do?” one of your crew mates asked smiling down at you.

“He told a drunken ace that i needed to be protected,” you smirked up your crew mate, “Aka he is the intier reason i had that flame brain smothering me.” you huffed.

The man lagged pating your head, “well get the hell out of doge befor ace finds him.”

“I’I’ sir,” you gigel giving the man a salute and standing up. Now you could finally begin the walk to your bunk, and finally you could go to bed.

Mihawk

“Hello darling,” you gave the swordsmen the most innocent smile you could muster.

Mihawk’s golden eyes shot up from the paper in his hands the look on his face anything but pleasant, “What did you do?” he groaned, his eyes piercing through you.

Yep, you had a filing this is how it would go, “I didn't do anything.” you tried.

He rolled his eyes taking a sip of his whine, “is this the kind of I didn't do anything, where you have managed two die all my shirts pink or the kind where you have managed to accidentally tame the humandrils …again.” his pricing glare was not letting up.

“I didn't know Parona had thrown in one of her red dresses and all I did was show the humandrils some human decency, either way, I didn't do anything,” you repeated putting stress on the I.

His eyes glazed over as he understood the situation, “Are you going to tell me what the two of them got up to?” he mused, swirling the wine in his glass.

“Now what fun would that be?” you giggled coming to stand next to him, “plus id much rather watch the two of them try to explain it by themselves.”

Mihawk shifted his newspaper and patted his lap. “Did you try to talk them out of this?” he sighed in defeat.

“Of course I did,” you hummed slipping into the man's lap.

“Of course you did,” he groaned leaning his head back clearly regretting adopting the feral children that washed up on his island.

“Just be prepared to watch the world burn my darling.”

Shanks

“Say it again,” he hummed with a goofy smile, on arm wrapped around your waist as you cooked.

“It was supposed to be condescending.” you hissed as you stirred the boiling pasta. You told lucky rue he could have a break from cooking tonight. Your main goal, trying to get away from your captain. It did not work.

“But it’s so nice hearing it from you.” he nuzzled into your neck, his stubble scratching you softly, “Say it again,” purred.

“No.” it took all you had not to stomp your foot.

“Come on aren’t I, your Darling?” he chucked into your neck.

“IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CONDESCENDING!” you yelled.

“Aw are you too flustered to admit it now?” he teased.

“You are not my darling I was being condescended!” you tried in vain to get your captain to let go. You had dug your own grave and he would make sure to bury you deep in it.

“Oh no you can't take it back.” he squeezed you gently.

“Shanks I will start kicking.” you decided fuck it if words don't work violence.

“Just say it one more time and ill leave you alone.” he kissed your neck.

You sighed before giving in, “Darling if you don't leave me alone after this i will feed everyone but you.”

“Your so mean,” he laughed letting go of you and snatching up a bottle of sake on his way out of the kitchen.

Katakuri

“Darling would you please put me down,” you mused softly from your seat on his shoulder. He had been keeping you there your entire trip to the market.

“You know using pet names won't get me wrapped around your cute little finger.” Katakuri smiled, looking over the goods for sale, " plus you'll be lost in this crowd and I don't need to lose my little wife."

"But darling i want to look around and do a little shopping myself " you whined gently patting his cheek.

“What do you want? A dress some sweets?” he picked up an appel studying it.

“Its a farmers market, i wanna look at all the pretty jewlery and art.” you begged. It was always fun to look around and see what people could make.

“Fine, ill set you down.” katakuri smiled planting a kiss on your cheek, “Meet me at the fountain in 30 minutes.”

“Ok i will darling.” you kissed his cheek than slipped off his shoulders to go wander.

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babsharrison · 4 months ago

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Safe Haven - John Wick

(Chapter three)

Pairing | John Wick x Original Fem! Character

Summary | In search of a breath in his tumultuous life, John Wick finds himself in a charming bookstore where he meets a sweet and welcoming woman. As they grow closer, John questions whether she can love him despite the dark secrets he carries. While battling the shadows of his past, he must protect the love that is blossoming and discover if hope and redemption are truly possible.

Word Count | 2.6k

A/N | New chapter! My day was so boring today, but listening to music brought me so much inspiration!! I really recommend it!

(Previous chapter!)

The lobby of the Continental Hotel was shrouded in na elegance that only the most dangerous appreciated. The golden lights reflected on the marble floors, creating na atmosphere of luxury and power. Every assassin, mercenary, or bounty hunter passing through was a reminder that this was no ordinary place. It was a refuge, but also na arena where everything could change with a single glance.

John Wick crossed the lobby with determined steps, his black suit immaculate, but his gaze hardened. He was no stranger to this routine, but Winston’s summons felt like a warning that something more serious was about to happen.

When he reached the reception, Charon, as always, was there—impassive and professional. “Winston is expecting you, Mr. Wick,” he informed without hesitation.

John simply nodded, heading straight for the elevator. The path to Winston’s office was familiar, but something in the air felt heavier, as if a storm was approaching.

Upon entering the office, Winston was already there, pouring two glasses of whiskey. He smiled faintly, a gesture that didn’t completely hide the seriousness in his eyes.

“John,” he greeted, handing him one of the glasses. “Sit down.”

John took the glass but remained standing. He knew Winston wouldn’t have called him here without a valid reason.

Winston sighed, swirling the whiskey in his glass for a moment before speaking. “Have you heard of Marco Vitale?”

John remained impassive, but the mention of the name sparked a flicker of recognition. “I’ve heard of him,” he replied in a firm voice. “Why?”

“Vitale lost someone very close a few days ago. And you were responsible.” Winston set the glass down on the table, his eyes fixed on John. “The man you killed at the nightclub was more than na associate. He was practically family to him.”

John raised na eyebrow, the whiskey glass unmoving in his hand. “He’ll have to get in line,” he responded indifferently, taking a sip from his glass.

Winston, his expression unchanged, was unsurprised. “John, Marco is not a man who forgives easily. He has resources, influence, and a burning desire for revenge.”

“Everyone does,” John responded with a disconcerting calm.

Winston’s seriousness remained. He had known John long enough to understand that the man before him wasn’t easily intimidated, but Vitale’s threat wasn’t something that could be ignored. “I understand you’re tired of this cycle, John, but you need to realize that Marco won’t stop. He won’t be deterred by rules or fear. He wants revenge, and you are the target.”

John looked at Winston, his eyes cold and calculating. “I’ve been through this before. And I’m still here.”

Winston leaned slightly in his leather chair, crossing his fingers in front of him. “And how many more times do you want to go through it?”

John didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looked out the window, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. It was as if the world out there was just a distraction, and he was destined to walk this path of blood and violence. Nothing seemed to matter as much as before.

After a brief silence, he turned to Winston. “If he comes after me, I’ll handle it.”

Winston nodded slowly, a mix of resignation and respect. “I know you will. But just remember, John, revenge isn’t the only thing that drives people. Be careful of what you might lose without even realizing it.”

John let out a short sigh, knowing that even though Winston was trying to warn him, he still faced everything with the same cold determination. The Continental offered refuge, but John knew that, in the end, he would have to face his own demons—once again.

“Thanks for the warning, Winston,” John said with a nod before turning to leave.

Winston watched him go, a hint of regret in his eyes. He knew John Wick wasn’t na ordinary man, but he also knew that even a legend had its limits. And maybe, this time, he was closer than ever to reaching them.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿

Weeks passed, and the rainy weather became a constant in the city, wrapping Mia’s bookstore in a cozy and comforting shelter. Raindrops trickled down the large windows, while the soft sound of water hitting the sidewalk blended with the whisper of pages being turned. Customer traffic began to grow, and many came not just to buy books, but to lose themselves in the unique atmosphere Mia had cultivated—a space where every corner told a story.

On gray days, Mia noticed that John had become a frequent visitor. He would usually arrive with a soaked coat, always seeming a little tired, but his presence brought a new dynamic to the bookstore. Mia watched as he settled on one of the sofas, immersed in a book, his expression softening as the words transported him away from his reality.

On one of those gray days, while carefully arranging the shelves, Mia decided it was time to establish a new ritual. With a determined smile, she prepared a special blend of coffee—a mix with notes of chocolate and caramel, perfect for warming the body and soul on such a cold day. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air, enveloping the bookstore in a comforting warmth.

When the bell above the door announced John’s arrival, Mia glanced at the special blend she had prepared, waiting for just the right moment. He entered, shaking off the raindrops clinging to his coat, and his usual tired expression softened in the bookstore’s warm light. The shelves, full of colorful books, created a safe refuge, and the golden lighting gave the room a magical touch.

Mia smiled to herself, picked up the cup of coffee she had set aside for him, and approached. With light steps, she handed it to the man who now seemed to be a part of that peaceful routine. “Something special to warm the day,” she said, breaking the silence without being intrusive.

Hesitant, he looked at the cup, a mix of surprise and discomfort spreading over him as he recognized the gesture of kindness. It was something so different from his reality, a simple offer that seemed loaded with meaning. Before he could formulate a response, Mia quietly stepped away, allowing him to ponder.

Meanwhile, Tom, Mia’s coworker, had been watching the scene from afar. He noticed the repeated gesture and decided to approach her. “Hey, are you making coffee for that guy again?” he asked, a playful grin on his lips. “Are you flirting with him or just trying to win his heart with caffeine?”

Mia turned to Tom, instantly blushing. “No, of course not! It’s just a welcoming gesture,” she replied, trying to hide her embarrassment. The idea that John might interpret this differently made her uneasy. “I just… want to brighten his day.”

Tom raised an eyebrow, amused. “Just that? Uh-huh. And what if he thinks you’re interested?” He chuckled, clearly finding the situation hilarious. “You know, he might be taken!”

Mia’s face flushed even more at the thought. “You think? What if he is? I just wanted to do something kind... now you’ve made me nervous,” she said, biting her lower lip. “I hope he doesn’t think I’m doing this for another reason.”

“Hey, relax! A coffee isn’t a declaration of love. But, hey, it’s nice to see you care like that. Who knows, he might appreciate it more than you think?” Tom winked before returning to his tasks.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿

In the days that followed, Mia’s gesture became almost a silent habit. Whenever the rain started to fall, she prepared a cup of coffee and discreetly left it by John’s side. He would notice the coffee, hesitate briefly, but never touch it, as if simply receiving it was enough.

One particularly quiet morning, the rain was pounding hard against the windows, filling the air with a constant and soothing sound. Mia was enjoying the rare silence of the empty bookstore, slowly and thoughtfully arranging the shelves, lost in the peace of the moment.

The doorbell softly chimed, breaking the bookstore’s silence, and John walked in. His black suit was slightly damp, with small raindrops dripping from the collar. He ran his hand through his hair, ruffling it slightly to shake off the excess water. As he stepped into the warm, welcoming space, his posture—usually rigid and alert—softened a little. His eyes scanned the room until they found Mia, who gave him a barely noticeable, welcoming smile, as if he had become na expected presence in that place.

He settled on one of the sofas, his gaze immediately turning to the book he had brought. Without disturbing the silence, Mia decided it was time to continue her ritual.

After preparing the coffee, Mia placed the cup next to John, watching him discreetly as he read. He noticed the gesture and hesitated for a moment, but before he could refuse, he slightly inclined his head toward her, as if silently thanking her. His expression changed when he finally took a sip, and a faint smile appeared as he noted the flavor.

Seeing the silent interaction between them, Mia couldn’t help but smile. The bookstore’s quietness enveloped them, and they were alone in that space, creating a deeper connection. The aroma of coffee filled the air, and she felt content to provide him with a small comfort.

After that moment, Mia, feeling the intensity of that connection, decided to step back a little. She returned to organizing the shelves behind the counter but couldn’t stop herself from casting furtive glances at John, who seemed completely absorbed in his book, the coffee cup resting beside him. The tranquility of the bookstore enveloped them both, but his presence made her heart race, sparking na anticipation and curiosity about what was going through his mind.

When the silence was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of John's phone, he stepped away slightly to answer the call. Mia, still organizing books, heard the murmur of the conversation but couldn't make out the words. The tension in the air was palpable, and she wondered if something important was happening.

As soon as the call ended, John stood up, walking with firm steps towards the counter where Mia was. His gaze, fixed on her, carried a weight that made her heart race. It was only then that Mia noticed the beauty of the man—his dark, smooth hair fell softly over his forehead, framing his angular, strong face. The fresh haircut accentuated his features, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the contours of his cheekbones. His eyes, deep and intense, seemed to hold a secret story, while an expression of seriousness and determination dominated his face, as if he was pondering something significant. Watching him had become a habit for her, and now, curiosity wrapped around her intensely, making her wonder what he was about to say.

With a hesitant motion, John reached into his pocket. Mia held her breath, intrigued. He pulled out a good amount of money, the bills crumpled and somewhat worn. His intention was clear: he wanted to pay for the coffee.

“I can’t accept this,” Mia said quickly, extending her hand in a gesture of refusal. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel the need to repay her.

He remained silent for a moment, his intense eyes locked on hers. “I insist,” he replied, his voice low and firm. The directness with which he spoke made it clear that this wasn’t up for discussion.

Mia felt the urgency in his voice, but she was determined not to let gratitude become an obligation. “Really, it’s not necessary. I enjoy doing this.”

John hesitated, his intense expression softening slightly. He seemed to weigh his words carefully, his deep eyes focused on her. After a moment of reflection, he paused, and Mia realized how the air around them seemed heavy with expectation. With a serious look, he finally said, almost in a whisper, “John... my name is John Wick.”

The revelation was unexpected, and Mia couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle, which lit up her face. Her smile, a mixture of surprise and delight, made her eyes sparkle. “Mine is Mia Fletcher,” she responded, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. The warmth in Mia’s cheeks betrayed the shyness of the moment, as if the simple act of sharing their names was a bridge between worlds that had once seemed distant.

Mia extended her hand, the gesture hesitant but hopeful, as if she was offering not just a greeting, but an invitation to something more. The slight tremble in her fingers betrayed her anticipation. John watched her for a moment, his eyes searching hers, gauging the authenticity in her gesture. Then, slowly, he reached for her hand, his grip firm yet gentle, creating a tangible connection between the two.

As their hands met, the space around them seemed to shrink, the noise of the bookstore and the sound of rain outside fading into the background. The intensity of their exchanged glances made them both acutely aware that, despite the bustling world outside, that moment was theirs alone.

John remained silent for a moment, absorbing the depth of the connection just formed. His eyes met hers, and for an instant, the world around them seemed to disappear. But, like the sunlight hiding behind clouds, the intensity of the moment also faded.

With a slight nod, he stepped back, slowly retreating toward the door. The expression on his face was a mix of gratitude and the usual seriousness that followed him. Without words, John turned and began heading outside. The soft chime of the doorbell broke the gentle silence that enveloped them, but Mia, still immersed in the newfound discovery, didn’t notice.

As he walked out, Mia’s mind raced, reflecting on the revelation of his name and the connection she felt with him. With a smile on her lips and the memory of his touch still vivid, she allowed herself to drift into her thoughts, almost floating in the bookstore’s atmosphere.

What Mia didn’t notice, as her gaze wandered to the rain-fogged windows, was that John, in a quiet gesture, had left a generous amount of money on the counter before leaving. The crumpled bills rested there, like a whisper of gratitude lost in the air.

Mia finally snapped out of her daydreams, blinking slowly as she reconnected with the reality around her. The bookstore, now wrapped in an almost supernatural calm, seemed to resonate with the memories of that morning. She could still feel John’s presence lingering in the air, as though his silent, imposing energy had seeped into the shelves of old books.

Without him there, though, the place felt a bit emptier, and her heart tightened slightly with the unexpected absence. Curious, she looked toward the door, perhaps hoping he would return—or that it had all been a fleeting illusion. But as she lowered her gaze to the counter, her eyes landed on something that made her pause. There, among the books and the space he used to occupy, rested a small pile of bills.

Surprised, Mia laughed in disbelief, shaking her head softly. “He really did that...” she murmured to herself. The idea of John leaving payment for the coffee, even without her there to see it, was as unexpected as it was curious. “How did he do that?”

Next chapter!

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naomikozura · 6 months ago

Text

Playing With Fire: Chapter 6

Jason Todd (Red Hood) x Fem!Reader (Criminal)

Trope: Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Romance

Warnings: strong language, mentions of guns, drinking (all overage), tiny tiny tiny angst (if you squint), stealing/heist, illegal coding (meh barely a warning), not too many this chapter but lmk if I missed any!

WC: 10K

Summary: In the heart-pounding midst of a daring heist, you encounter him for the first time behind the mask. As partners in crime, the stakes are high—this job could reshape your future. But amidst the adrenaline and danger, a connection sparks, complicating everything. Will you emerge unscathed by consequences, or will you find yourself entangled in a precarious dance where risk and intimacy intertwine, forcing you to confront the true meaning of loyalty?

Series Masterlist

Chapter 5 || Chapter 7

The night was filled with people from all backgrounds, business owners, CFOs, CEOs, COOs, jewelry heiresses, stock brokers, even those who dabbled in international trade and shipments of luxury goods were in the room. Every person with any sense of power on the money side of Gotham was present tonight. You were wearing a gorgeous golden dress with fabric that hung around your chest and drooped over your shoulder, covering the gunshot wound that you’d received a week ago. The dress complimented your skin and hugged your figure perfectly. Every curve of your body hugged by the fabric, showing off your form in a delicate yet seductive and classy way. You had your necklace under the wrap around neckline, but wore the matching green earrings adorning and balancing the outfit. It was simple and perfect for the occasion. You had your hair up in a slick back ponytail, the length hanging perfectly, giving you a soft glowy look versus your dark seductive alter ego. You wanted to be seen as the charming, beautiful, supportive partner that worked with Calvi himself.

Your heart was beating in your chest, pounding like a wild animal trying to escape from its cage. After weeks of preparations, the night was finally here. Ambushing and infiltrating Sionis’s business to make him crumble from the inside out. You hadn’t spoken to Red in a few days, his plan perfectly laid and seemed fool proof. One of the calls was ceased communication. It was the only way to ensure the plan would work in the end. You couldn’t be in ties with him since he had his own role to play which he had started before asking for your help. Befriend and gain the trust of Calvi’s business partner, Marcos. A powerhouse in Gotham’s elite. Working in foreign exchange, luxury goods, and security, he was almost as devastating as Calvi himself. Only he was more egotistical and cocky than Calvi was. He didn’t have the same charm or the same sense of formality. He was new money rich, everything spiraling and taking off after he created his security platform, Python.

You finished applying your lipstick, fixing your hair and grabbing your designer clutch off the sink. You needed to play the part of being the daughter of a wealthy businessman, trying to cover your tracks so no one could wonder how easily you had access to Calvi and ended up on his arm this night of the Gala honoring him. Calvi already knew your background as you were able to create a false one that lined up perfectly with the daughter of a businessman who’d disappeared and gone off grid. The family kept it a secret so as to not be caught in a scandal, so you stepped in as the replacement and since you were a beautiful, young woman with interest in luxury goods, everything checked out. No loopholes, no openings.

~~~

It was all selfish. It was personal. It was for your freedom. That’s what you kept telling yourself when you paced in the outskirts of the city, waiting for Red at the secluded location he’d embedded into the file for future meetings.

Could you actually manage to pull something like this off? Was it all a ploy or did he truly believe this could work?

“Y/n”, you turned at the sound of his voice.

“Red”, you breathed, your shoulders tense.

“You came.”, his voice had a hint of humor in it, but serious quickly took over as his body stopped only a foot away from you, his proximity sending you over the edge. He had a deep musk to him, a woodsy scent that filled your nostrils and made your veins flood with a sensation you couldn’t quite place.

“How serious are you?” your voice was a whisper, but the intent was loud. You weren’t here to play games. You needed answers.

“I’m dead serious about this, sweetheart.”, he replied. “I take you overlooked everything.”

“What interest do you have in the Blue Moon of Josephine that you need to steal it from the museum that Black Mask has under his protection?”

“It’s a hefty hit and a hefty payout. I thought you’d be the first to jump all over this.”

“It’s a suicide mission!”, you raised your voice slightly, your eyes slightly widening as you held back your confused frustration.

“It’s your ticket out of here. It’s my ticket to a direct hit at that son of a bitch and getting closer to completing my work.”

Your eyebrows furrowed as you looked at him, your eyes glossy with emotion you couldn’t quite place. Was it anger, frustration, false hope, or a sense of trust that you knew you shouldn’t be placing in him in the first place?

“You always seem focused on escaping this shit city, and now I’m giving you the chance and you’re doubting it.”

“I don’t want false hope.”, you clenched your teeth.

“The evidence was all in that drive. You can see for yourself it isn’t false anything.”, he replied as stared at you intently, his focus on you as he waited for your answer. His silence made the air around the both of you fill with tension, there was more to it than he led on. You took a step back, not noticing how his close proximity had affected you. You needed to focus.

“If you’re serious, if you truly believe we can pull this off…” Red noticed how you were overthinking the situation, his voice ringing out again.

“I won’t force you to do something you’re not confident in doing.”

You let yourself sit in the silence, his body still radiating heat and his hand on your chin to meet his eyes. You basked in his presence for a moment, snapping yourself out of the trance and looking at him intently.

“No.”, you breathed. “I’m in.”

~~~

“Ready, my dear?”, Calvi stretched an arm towards you as you wrapped your hands around him and walked elegantly next to him. He was tall, around 6’5, even taller than Red. You were wearing heels so your height would be closer to meet his eye line, but you were still far shorter than the both of them.

“Are we meeting any of your partners tonight?”, you asked softly, your eyes examining his face, his demeanor very relaxed and laid back.��

“A few, but only one catches my attention tonight. He has a new development and I want to be the first to have it.”, he mentioned nonchalantly.

“You look stunning tonight. I don’t know how you get more beautiful every time I see you, Vivian”, his breath smelled like mint, his natural scent overwhelming with overpriced cologne. It was almost too much for your senses, giving you a slight headache.

“You clean up nice yourself, Cal. You sure you’re not holding back on me?”, you smiled as your words left in a flirty tone.

The two of you walked through the halls, taking in the cases full of jewelry spanning from rings, necklaces, crowns, bracelets, everything worth tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Everything here was priceless. But you weren’t here for scraps.

You moved around, looking at the well dressed statues that were clothed in beautiful custom gowns that were hand crafted by the best designers in the city. You admired them deeply and loved the complex colors and the reflection of the light making the diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, all the jewels illuminate beautifully.

Calvi followed behind but remained close at your side, allowing you to take your time as you moved through the entrance halls and into the main room, the music and the chatter of people filled the atmosphere. There wasn’t a single inch of the room that didn’t have a person standing in it. Servers, musicians, security, attendees, everyone was here.

It was almost as impressive as the Wayne Galas.

Almost.

It was a grand hall full of beautiful, timeless decorations, the curtains reaching the roof and the chandeliers hanging around the room as the music played in a lively tune that allowed people to have drinks and mingle with one another. The attendance list was full of the rich, powerful people of Gotham, all having their own born right to be here. Many of the names on Red’s drive were old money, generations of wealth passed down through each new member. Others were self-made businessmen and women, they had gone from middle class citizens to the highest ranking in the city, making them more respected by those who kept a watchful eye on them.

Calvi motioned towards the small bar area, walking over with you in hand as he ordered a glass of his favorite whiskey while you ordered your wine. You leaned into Calvi, reeling him in as he placed a hand on your waist, turning towards him as you smiled and lifted a hand to your face, brushing a small piece of hair back. How easy it was to have men wrapped around your finger and at your command.

“Is that Calvi Calbera?”, you turned to be met with the very man you were anticipating the whole night. Marcos Maroni. The unknown son of Sal Maroni. Except here, no one knew he was a Maroni. He did well hiding his background from everyone in this scene. Only you and Red knew who he was, who he really was.

“Marcos Morona”, Calvi walked up to him, shaking his hand and patting him on the back, laughing as they greeted each other.

“Excuse me, forgive my rudeness, but who is this lovely lady?”, Marcos turned to you, his charming smile hiding the intrigue in his eyes not missing the way they darkened as they skimmed your body quickly. You would’ve missed it if you weren’t so good at reading men and their mannerisms. You stood from your seat, stretching your hand out towards him as he took your delicate hand in his broad, rough one. “Vivian Lancaster”, you said softly, batting your eyelashes at him, letting him notice your obvious observation of his movements. It would inflate his ego, just like every other man in Gotham who took a liking to you. You knew you were beautiful, you knew men gravitated towards you. It made your line of work easy, especially when it came to getting intel you needed from these men. Just like Calvi.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”, he smirked at you before he kissed your hand and turned back to Calvi. “I heard you were looking for me. Wanting to take a look at my new software?”

Calvi let out a chuckle, taking a sip of his whiskey before setting it back on the bar. “I heard it’s better than Python. I want to see it and be the first to bid on getting the system for my trades.”

“You flatter me, Calvi. It is a good system, I worked with a programmer who is beyond my time and my years. I didn’t realize Bludhaven produced such intelligent people who worked in system informatics and security programming.”

“You can never underestimate people. Especially when you came from the same background”, Calvi mentioned calmly. The false life Marcos had made for himself was filled with the lie that he was completely self-made. A nobody that came from a small town in New Jersey and grew his skills and his company from the ground up. Yeah, right.

“That’s why we have to take risks when it comes to new minds.”, Marcos rambled for a few more moments, a part of you anxious of when your partner would show up. He hadn’t made his appearance yet, you wondered if he was actually planning on coming or if all of this was just to get you away from him for another night. He had been cutting communication off for the past week so it would make sense if that was his reasoning.

“There you are.”, you looked up from your glass, you had zoned out and didn’t realize until Marcos snapped you back to their conversation. “Calvi, Vivian. I want to introduce you to one of my partners. His intelligence and deduction skills are far beyond anything I could ever imagine trying to find outside of Gotham.”

You looked behind Marcos, your heart stopped in your chest. Out of everything you expected tonight, from the risk of getting caught to the possibility of leaving empty handed, you could have never expected this.

“Calvi, Vivian. This is Jason Todd. My partner in building my new security software and convincing me to take a risk on my programmer from Bludhaven. Not to mention the son of our beloved Bruce Wayne.”

Your lips parted from the shock. You were left speechless. He had dark hair that was slicked back neatly, exposing his face and making his jaw appear more sharp and defined than it already was. He was wearing a dark suit and a dark burgundy tie that made it obvious who he was to you. Only to you. His eyes were a deep, dark green that pulled you into a trance. His lips pulled into a charming smile, his eyes focused on your appearance as you noticed that same emotion in his eyes that you knew was in your own. Your face remained neutral, but you knew your eyes gave you away the second he looked at you. He was devastating, handsome, his eyes gentle and full of emotion as they took you in, your heart pounding in your chest while trying to remain calm.

You felt time stop, everything around you had disappeared and the two of you stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. His eyes bore into yours, holding an unwavering amount of attention, skimming down your frame and drinking in every inch of your body. He dressed in a suit that fit him perfectly, made him look muscular, toned, and perfect. You’d wondered what he’d look like under it all, what it would feel like against yours, the heat rising in your body as the darkness in his eyes swirled into something more. Something you couldn’t quite place. You noticed the way his hand flexed slightly but quickly relaxed. You held his gaze for what seemed like forever until his smooth, clear voice pulled you out of your trance.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jason Todd”, he stretched out his hand, letting him take yours and kissing the back of it. “What a lovely woman you have with you tonight Calvi.” Jason spoke, never taking his gaze off of you. You hadn’t broken eye contact since he waltzed in.

“Vivian Lancaster. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”, you said, taking your hand back after noticing how he rubbed the back of your hand with his thumb.

You felt your skin ignite on fire, his green eyes holding you gaze as a small smile tugged at his lips.

“She is beautiful. We’ve been working together for some time. Who knows what the future holds for us, right my dear?”, Calvi spoke as he looked at you, your eyes still under siege by Jason’s green ones. How did you go this long, never seeing his face, his eyes… he..

“Right.”, you snapped out of Jason’s stare when Calvi wrapped an arm around your waist, almost like staking his claim. You looked at his face, no emotion showing in his eyes and his jaw was relaxed. So why was he being weird?

“Calvi, let’s catch up in the meeting room before they start the auction. I’m sure Jason can keep Vivian company for a short while.”, Marcos said as he and Calvi said another snide joke under their breath and walked away.

You watched as they left before meeting Jason’s gaze again, your heart absolutely betraying you in your chest. He looked at the ground, his smile spreading across his face as he met your gaze again. He cocked his head, pointing towards the balcony that was on the other side of the room and you followed him outside, stepping into the fresh, cool air leaving your skin feeling relaxed as the soft breeze hit your warm skin.

“You clean up nice”, you said, trying to keep yourself from stuttering. You needed to focus on why you were here, not on how devastating the man in front of you looked.

“I’d say the same to you. This dress really suits you.”, his voice was deep, suave, flirtatious, and it drove you absolutely insane. This was the first time you were seeing him like this, the first time you were on mutual grounds and he had this hold over you that you couldn’t shake.

“So, Jason Todd.”, you said as you looked at him, that charming smirk playing at his lips again. “Son of Bruce Wayne, I thought this was supposed to keep a low profile.”,

“It’s my real name.”, your eyebrows raised slightly, your head turning to look at him as he looked down at the garden, one hand on the railing.

“Your real name? Seems believable enough.”

“It is. Jason Peter Todd.”, he looked at you, meeting your gaze again.

“Do you really want me to take that seriously? Do you really think I am that gullible?”

“I know you’re not.”, he spoke again. “And, I really am the son of Bruce Wayne.”

You stared at him. The silence growing and the tension slowly getting thicker. You couldn’t believe him. He was pulling a prank on you. There’s no way he’s…

“Why do I feel like you’re lying to me?” “When have I ever lied to you?”, he was right. Over the course of the past few months, he never lied about anything he was doing. He wouldn’t tell you complete thoughts, sometimes keep small tidbits of information from you, but lying? He never did that.

“You’re Bruce Wayne’s son?”, you asked again, almost as if asking for confirmation of the truth once again.

“Yes.”, at this point, he was full on facing you, his hands in his pockets as he stood tall over you. His eyes bore into your soul, almost like he was breaking apart every one of your walls and getting under your skin, making you burn in your dress.

“Does he know… that you..”

“No. He doesn’t even know I’m back in Gotham.”, he answered.

Back in Gotham? Does that mean he left at one point? Where did he go? How long was he gone? Why did he leave?

“I see.”, you were at a loss for words. You felt like there was something about his background that just… left you wrecked. Why did you feel betrayed? Because he was a rich kid with a father who had all to Gotham in the palm of his hand? Did you feel deceived, did you believe he was just another vigilante fighting to make ends meet and he had no other choice but to enter this life like you had? Or was he just rebelling against his father?

You felt an ember of anger growing in your chest. You couldn’t look at him, couldn’t stand next to him. You just felt like you received the worst confession in your life. Jason Todd, son of Bruce Wayne, was the one trying to take out Black Mask’s business to take a shot at his money and make him miserable. A rich pretty boy was trying to take out one of Gotham’s most ruthless mob bosses in the city. He could get away with killing all those people because Bruce Wayne would convince the world it wasn’t his son, there was no proof either. He wasn’t known as Jason Todd, no one knew it was him. He was just Red Hood. The annoyance grew in your chest as you remained silent and lost in thought.

Did you even have the right to get mad at him? He’d helped you so many times, could’ve killed you throughout the past few months. He hadn’t shown anyone else within the city any form of sympathy or second guessed killing them, so why you? More importantly, why were you so bothered by the truth of who he was?

He owed you nothing.

You forced yourself back to the reality of the situation: get the job done.

“We can head back to my apartment once we’re done, just to get out of sight from the guards around here.”, you murmured, your eyes scanning the room in practiced scrutiny. Your focus on examining each attendee before arriving was paying off, but there were still internal updates that could have happened in the span of the past three days leading up to the Gala. Your eyes turned back towards Jason, his eyes looked at you in a soft glance, his focus on your words and actions as you scanned the room. He hummed lightly before creating distance between the two of you, your slicked hair showing off your features in a delicate manner that left him soaking in the sight for a second longer before turning away.

“If the blueprints are accurate and they didn’t move any of the jewels around, they should be located by the main entrance where the guests came in and every one can see them.”, his response was practical, focusing perfectly on the very reason both of you were here tonight.

Your mind raced through all the details, recalling every base of your plan down to the nitty gritty. You had calculated everything, trying to remember the blueprints exactly. Your memory was borderline photographic when it came to jobs like these. “We can leave at different times before the speeches and auction. We hack into the security system and set the cameras on loop, reprogram the sensors on the cases but we’ll only have around 10 or 15 minutes to get what we need and get out before the sensors turn back on.”

“What if we move the cameras into a blind spot that's only a few inches to the left of the main hallway?"

Your surprise was evident. "How do you know there’s a blind spot?"

"Hacking into the camera system a week ago helped a lot. I took it upon myself to cover the bases for a plan B in case we needed it."

You couldn't deny his resourcefulness, but the revelation of his background left you on edge. His clear, confident voice contrasted with the dissonance you felt in your bones. Your perception of him shifted, your judgment clouded by this deal with him and the payout at the end of this suicide mission.

“Let’s finish what we came here for.”, his deep voice rang out. Deep, smooth, not hidden behind distortion. He was clear, articulate, and it irritated you knowing his background. It’s like your entire opinion of him just… shifted. You moved around him, slipping back into the main room and finding your way through the hallways, leaving him alone while you carried out your part of the plan.

Back in the main room, Jason felt a tug in his gut, watching you with his deep green eyes, never leaving your form as you walked through the crowded room. He swirled his drink before throwing back the amber liquid, the burn offering him a momentary distraction from the irritation growing in the pit of his stomach. He watched as a group of men swept their gazes towards you, his hand tightening around the glass as he buried the annoyance under focus. If there was one thing he despised more than Galas, it was the people. He hated the social scene more than anything, everyone in this room included with the exception of you.

He’d noticed how quickly your body language changed at the mention of who he was, it left him with a strange sensation wondering if you’d really gotten upset at his identity. Your sudden change in attitude made him question if his true self would change your perception of him, if it would change your alliance and the results of the job. His jaw clenched as he snapped back to focus. Regardless of how much he wanted to contemplate his actions or breakdown your reaction, he had a job to do.

He slowly moved through the room, his body tall in confidence as he noticed some of the women staring at him, blushing as they whispered between one another. He couldn’t help but feel strange, he’d always been hidden in his brother's shadow, women never particularly liked him but now that he’s older he can’t help but notice how the attention has changed. It was a complete contrast to his past, used to be overlooked and now everyone noticed him. He couldn't care less about it though, he didn’t care about anything here except for a particular woman who just walked out on him.

He exited into the hall, walking past several people and groups of businessmen, giving them a slight nod in greeting before continuing through the corridors. He had turned down a particular hall, one he remembered from his intel and the blueprints he’d downloaded for this very night. It was the main server room, he could get to any of the cameras and completely shut them down to make the night easier on both of you. He couldn’t plant the chips there yet, he needed to touch base with you first.

He turned into the main hall, scanning through different bodies of people until he saw you in front of a painting in all your glory. He hadn’t admitted it out loud but the pang in his chest at how you were dressed tonight left him on edge.

“Van Gogh.”, he spoke out as he walked up beside you.

“Yeah..”, you replied softly, your attention briefly on the painting before looking down in contemplation.

After you’d left the main room, you walked through the halls with other groups and couples, seemingly talking harmlessly but then you took in every piece of information and camera angle to the best of your ability. You stopped to admire one piece in particular, a kick to the gut but when Jason placed a hand on the small of your back, you looked at him. To anyone else the gesture would have been discreet and simple, but between the two of you it carried weight - a silent form of comfort. All you couldn’t place if it was due to his reveal, or just the stress of tonight, but you knew he’d intended the subtle gesture as a comforting touch.

He turned to look at you, his eyes softening before flicking down to your parted lips, your lipstick beautifully painted as he took into account every detail of your presence. His jaw clenched before he removed his hand, turning back to the wall and you turned your head, not letting the heat show on your face due to his touch.

“It’s a beautiful painting.”, you looked up at him, turning and continuing down the hall. Jason had lingered behind a moment longer, his chest filling with a rush of emotion before following behind you. Now wasn’t the time to dig up hidden meanings and make sense of them.

Not now.

There was only half an hour before the auction started off, even less time than that before speeches and dinner started. You and Jason needed to be quick, needed to plant the chips, hack into the security system, and return before anyone caught on to your antics. You nodded at him, silently giving him an unspoken confirmation to complete your individual tasks before rendezvousing back to the main hall.

You had carefully taken in every inch of the building, watching and taking note of everything that came into proximity. You had to get to the server room and set up the security system to a no detectable loop, ensuring the system couldn’t be traced back to anyone just long enough to get what you needed and leave. You navigated the halls in focus, quickly scanning through while keeping complete composure and even nodding at a few people who walked past you to lighten suspicion.

You quickly hurried through the hallways until you backtracked, heading down a hallway that was more dim than the rest and noticing the nameplate next to the door. You stood a few feet away to stay out of sight of the camera, trying to have as little mess to clean up as possible as you examined the door silently. You played through every possibility in your head within seconds, trying to find the best route of action to move forward with.

You were able to find an opening just a few inches from a camera, a minute blind spot but it was all you needed to succeed. You had been keeping tabs on the security system long enough to see the actual entrance to the security room was blocked off. It gave you the perfect in to pick the lock, place the chip, set pre recorded footage, and delete any footage that showed your and Jason's entrance into the event and anything that could put you as suspects. You needed 10 minutes to pull the whole thing off.

You knelt down to the handle, inserting the pin you can tucked into your hair, and began to work on the lock. It was a simple thing even for being placed in an event like this. After a few seconds, the subtle clicks gave away the opening of the lock, turning the handle and pushing the door open.

It was empty.

That eliminated one concern you had. If someone was in here you’d have to get your hands dirty.

You closed the door, walked over to the desk and pulled the chair back to sit in it. You overlooked everything quickly, taking in every angle of the event being monitored in high definition. You could see the main room, the hallways, the club rooms, the library, the fountain where the art and jewels were displayed, even see the entrance to the gala as well as the outside cameras. Everything was here all in 30 tiny screens. You smirked at yourself.

They really knew how to cover bases when they needed to. No doubt they did an in depth review of every inch of the location to ensure tighter security.

You quickly typed in a virus code, connecting your chip to the server and watching the file download. You glanced at the camera that pointed into the hall next to the room you were in. Still empty. A good sign but it also left you on edge. You needed to hurry.

You watched the file download, turning green in completion as you quickly added it to the server and set the programming to start with the looped footage in 15 minutes. You needed to hurry and program your chip to delete footage from the past hour, coding it into the system as fast as possible.

You froze at the sound of the handle of the door turning, your heart pounding in your chest as you quickly finished the code. At least if you were caught they wouldn’t be able to trace this back to you. You removed your chip and shoved it into the inside of your dress, replacing the pin into your hair as you moved away from the computers.

The turning of the handle made you freeze, not wanting to take out the gun you had strapped to your thigh. You pressed your back against the wall, holding your breath as the door opened with a soft creaking before watching someone walk inside. A tall muscular figure walked into the room, probably a guard, you quickly rushed him from behind, feeling the turn of his body as the both of you slammed on the ground.

“If you wanted to get on top of me, all you had to do was ask, sweetheart.”, your eyes snapped up to him, your body completely flush with his as his hands laid perfectly on your curves. You felt a heat rise into your face, the flexing of his fingers on your waist making you burn hotter.

You pushed yourself off of him, fixing your dress and glaring at him. “You’re insufferable.”, you muttered as he smirked at you.

“I planted my chips. We have 15 minutes.”, he rolled his eyes, ignoring your momentary frustration. “We need to move.”

He gestured for you to follow as both of you slipped into the hall and navigated through the ornate corridors of the building, blending seamlessly among the guests. You couldn't deny the rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins; working with Jason was like walking on a knife's edge—exciting, unpredictable, and dangerous.

You both moved through the corridor, trying to make your way back to the main room in time to make your rounds before moving into the final stages of your plan. You’d haven't thought about Marcos and Calvi, knowing they’d probably be preoccupied in the sitting room doing their usual sketchy business. You didn’t see them on the cameras during your search earlier, but yet again, the probability of a secret room with no surveillance wasn’t too far off from what would be considered a possibility. Besides, it was better if Calvi stayed out of the way, especially when it would make things far more exhausting having to manage him and this operation.

You tried to focus, your head swirling with a hundred different thoughts but if you lost even a minute detail, the whole operation would go to shit. Jason seemed a lot more focused, maybe the years of practice or just being gifted with that skill. Either way, it made him a good partner in all things criminal, even if you wouldn’t admit it out loud.

Slipping back to the main room, everyone seemed to be within the grand walls of the ballroom, either socializing or in the middle of the open floor. You and Jason both slipped through the crowd, trying to make it back where Calvi and Marcos had left you before the harmonizing of orchestra instruments caused you to come to a sudden halt.

Shit.

You could not get caught in this right now, it would set your entire plan back. You grit your teeth before turning to find confirmation in Jason to get out of this situation but your irritation grew when you looked over at him. You watched him extend a hand towards you, your eyes widened slightly in shock as you hesitated to touch his palm.

He could not be serious right now.

His eyes urged you forward, showing the seriousness in reminding you of the role you had to play tonight despite the reminders it gave you of your past. You couldn’t raise suspicion.

You slowly grabbed his hand, letting him lead you onto the dance floor as the orchestra played a simple waltz. You felt him get into perfect position, your body moving in sync with his. It felt like he was almost trained to attend events like these, he truly did commit to the part but then again he was the son of Bruce Wayne. You were sure he had more experience with Galas than you did.

You recalled the moments you spent living with The Family, forced into a position of learning how to waltz and dance in order to better fit into the mold of their image. You didn’t mind it too much but you found it redundant, tiresome, tedious.

Jason’s body moved in sync with the orchestra music, his movement smooth and in pace. You could barely keep up with him as he twirled you around before bringing you back in, your chests meeting each other as you sucked in a silent breath. You felt his breath slightly on your lips, your eyes meeting his as your faces hovered only inches from each other. You held his gaze as you saw an underlying burning in his eyes, they were dark and hazy almost like he was a man starved. You breathed, your lips parting as your eyes flickered down, focused on everything that had to do with him and nothing with the reason why you were here.

You felt paused in time, like only you and him existed in this moment. Everything faded into nothing as the orchestra continued to play the waltz as it blurred into the background. You watched as his head tilted a millimeter, barely but enough to notice at the proximity you were at. His eyes flicked to your lips for a split second only to meet your eyes again. His body heat burned your skin, your pulse skyrocketing into a pounding sensation and slightly praying he couldn’t feel or hear it. His face was too close, his lips just a breath away from touching yours, everything in him burning at the proximity.

The clapping from tonight's attendees broke you out of your trance, forcing you out of the moment you shared with Jason and snapping you into reality. You blinked, stepping back as he removed his body from yours only to give the traditional bow and walk away. You watched as he headed to the bar, your eyes looking around at everyone going back to their conversations and ignoring the people on the dance floor.

What was that?

You felt a pang of emotion in your chest, your irritation brewing as you walked over to the bar where you watched him order another drink and down it in one go. You stood next to him, your heels helping you meet his eyeline as you tugged his arm back and forcing the green eyed man to look at you.

“What was that?”, you whispered in a sharp tone, only loud enough for him to hear you.

His hooded eyes looked at yours, he looked exhausted or maybe just drunk but you couldn’t bring yourself to care at that moment. Whatever was going on with him internally he needed to figure out outside of this mission before he ruined everything. Your eyes narrowed at him as a half-assed smirk appeared on his lips.

“I’m keeping appearances, wasn’t that the plan?”, he said lazily, his demeanor completely changing. This wasn’t his usual act, so why was he putting it on?

“You’re going to blow our cover.”, your spit through clenched teeth. “You’re going to ruin everything.”

“I think we both know that’s not the reason you’re upset, sweetheart.��, he retaliated.

“That wasn’t keeping appearances, Red!”, you whisper yelled at him, the burning in your eyes growing stronger as he stood upright.

“Maybe not.”, he shrugged, his voice carrying a hint of something you couldn’t quite place. His eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion.

You took a step closer, your voice a low murmur laden with urgency and frustration. "We have a job to do. This isn't about personal feelings or playing games."

“Yes, Ma’am”, he did a mocking salute before looking over your shoulder. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Why did he become an asshole all of a sudden? You were about to spit something back at him before you felt a hand on your waist.

“Vivian, Jason. Apologies for being gone so long, I hope the two of you were able to keep each other company?”, Calvi looked at you with deep eyes, his smile forced but he didn’t need to know you could tell.

“Everything has been pretty calm here. I think they may start the dinner soon.”, you smiled at him as you felt the dark stare coming from Jason.

“Then, let’s get to our tables shall we? Jason, I believe you and Marcos are with us tonight.”

“Let’s find our seats then.”, he pulled out a fake charming smile as he followed behind the both of you. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken tension, the weight of your shared moment just a few minutes ago hung between the two of you. You couldn’t deny whatever pull Jason had on you, but you needed to shove the thoughts away. Outside of this job, he was still a name on your list of targets.

Calvi pulled out your seat once you’d reached the other room where the dinner would proceed. Several other guests were already sitting at their tables as they surrounded the main stage, waiting for the speaker to come up for the night and proceed into the auction. Your heart pounded in your chest as you looked at the clock on the wall. You had less than five minutes to find an opening or you would lose your only advantage.

“Calvi, I need to step out for a moment. I'm just going to head to the washroom”, you asked trying to sound as calm as possible.

“I'll accompany you, I have a call I need to make.”, Jason’s voice rang out, Calvi nodding slightly as he looked towards Jason. “I can walk with you."

“Thank you, Jason.”, you forced. “I’ll be back before they even start with the first round of appetizers and the opening speech.”, you placed a soft kiss on Calvi’s cheek, trying to keep up the appearance of his adorned partner.

You followed behind Jason closely, his shoulders tense as he parted in the opposite direction once you exited the dining hall, leaving as you went into the women's restroom. You pushed the door open, opening the final stall and locking it behind you. You quickly removed the hidden compartment behind the wall. To anyone else it looked like the normal wall in the restroom, but you had managed to sneak your undercover clothing into the empty space behind it. You quickly removed your dress, pulling it off gently as you changed into the simple kitchen staff clothing. Black pants, black button up, non slip shoes and tying your hair into a bun. You had opted for makeup that was easy to put on and take off, quickly taking off parts of the eye shadow before letting yourself look more natural. The same with your hair as it only remained in a slicked back ponytail, making it easy to twist into a bun. You quickly put on the tie and the hat you had that the kitchen staff wore in order to hide your face.

You quickly zipped your dress into a seal proof bag and shoved it into the wall along with your heels, fixing it before looking down at your watch. You had less than 2 minutes before you needed to look for the diamond, 8 minutes to find the case and retrieve it, all while keeping a low profile.

You pushed through the door of the restroom and walked confidently through the halls, your eyes taking in the different cases being showcased around you with all the different jewels. Some of them remained in cases, but according to your plan book, it would be on display tonight for the auction.

You paced through the halls, seeing dressed in all black Jason walk up next to you, his attire matching the security guards uniform as his words dropped into your ears. “We need to move quickly.”, he breathed as his eyes glanced over at the other servers moving through the halls carrying trays.

You hummed in agreement, your focus sharp as you fell into step with him before breaking apart once again. He went towards the east wing and you to the west, both wings holding different jewels but only one holding the one you needed.

45 seconds until the outage.

You moved through the halls quickly. Your eyes skimming every jewel showcased on the mannequins that were also dressed in beautiful gowns and wore other expensive jewels.

30 seconds.

Jason paced the east wing, his eyes taking in every case, keeping a close watch on the cameras and making himself look as normal as possible. Being dressed in security clothing and observing the rooms would cease suspicion. It was the perfect cover.

15 seconds.

You felt your heart pound as you looked at the last of the people head into the dining hall.

10 seconds.

Jason felt a tug in his gut as he heard the announcer start speaking in the other room, signaling his opening in a few seconds.

5 seconds.

You could hear the announcer in the other room, then complete silence before you heard the scream of one of the guests. The power had gone completely out and you watched the camera intently as the red light signaling its recording flickered off. You felt yourself go into overdrive, your body quickly searching through the mannequins as your watch gave you the alarm that you only had 8 minutes before the cameras and the security locks on the cases turned back on.

Adrenaline surged through you as the darkness acted as your cover, the loss of power would only give you so much time. You knew each second counted, quickly moving as you scanned each mannequin with precision, your senses heightened due to the lack of light. The echo of distant voices carried down the hall, the subtle sound of rushed footsteps heightening your awareness. Your heart pounded in your chest every time there was a noise down the hall, but you couldn’t let your anxiety get to you if you were going to pull this off. You needed to focus on this and only this. You only hoped that if you couldn’t find the diamond here, Jason had it already.

Time blurred as you felt the pressure slowly start to build as you felt the reality sink in. Where was it?!

You looked at your watch, only having 4 minutes to retrieve what you needed, get back to the restroom and change, find Jason, and return to the dining hall before security inevitably took everyone to evacuate the building. The adrenaline and pounding of your heart only increased as you watched the time go down, Jason still not having sent the signal to your receiver that he had found it on his end.

In the east wing, Jason felt himself struggling to keep his composure. He knew you only had mere minutes before the both of you would have to return empty handed or with the diamond in hand. He contemplated just taking a different diamond out of its place, but none of them would hold the same weight as Josephine would towards making a direct hit at Black Mask. Jason looked at his watch, not having received a signal from you yet. Would all of this have been for nothing?

His watch told him he only had 2 minutes left. His jaw clenched, the plan was to be back in the main room by the time 1 minute hit, he had to leave and get changed now if he was going to erase suspicion.

Dammit.

He turned, rushing back to the restroom and quickly changing, shoving the clothes back into the hidden compartment behind the wall as he fixed his suit and swept his hair back in his neat, yet messy style he had when he had arrived at the event for the night. He walked out of the restroom, fixing his cuffs and trying to wipe the sweat from his forehead as he navigated carefully back into the main room, the sound of chatter and mild chaos breaking out as the announcer called for everyone to follow the guards leading them to exit the building.

The hum of electricity signaled the return of power, followed by the faint buzz of security systems coming back online. Jason’s eyes moved through the crowd as he blended in, trying to find any sign of you within the sea of bodies. Everyone walked around him, the security yelling before Jason felt a hand grab him.

“Jason!”, Marcos’ voice rang out. “C’mon. We have to go.”

“What happened?”, his voice deep in confusion although he wasn’t naïve to the situation.

“Security breach. They’re evacuating everyone.”, Marcos said, annoyed as Jason followed next to him, his eyes still skimming through the crowd.

Where were you?

“They don’t want to be at risk for a possible hit. Apparently there have been too many raids around the city targeting the luxury businesses in Upper Gotham.”, Marcos continued.

Jason really couldn’t care at the moment, but he followed behind everyone as they made their way down the stairs and through the security checkpoint. The security were patting down each person, ensuring they didn’t carry anything from the inside out. It made Jason’s heart pump as he watched Marcos get patted down, him following closely behind as he continued to skim through the attendees getting checked by the line of guards.

The guard rushed him forward after being checked, fixing his cuffs Jason looked over at Marcos as he called for his car. “Do you need a ride?”, Marcos asked silently.

“No. I have my own car, thanks though.”, Why was he on edge? He was sure you’d gotten out, maybe you were already back at the rendezvous point. You both agreed to meet there in case anything fell through. His jaw tightened as he grew deeper in thought, waving mindlessly as Marcos left in his car and he walked through the streets until he reached his hidden motorcycle in the back alleys of the city.

He placed the black helmet over his head, kicking up the motorcycle stand as he revved the engine to life, the screeching of tires sounding out as he drove through the city pushing his top speed. His unease gnawed at him as his mind raced through each second he spent on the road. He forced himself to remember you were smart, resourceful, and were probably the best to get out of a tough situation. Yet, the weight of uncertainty hung around him like a 500 pound weight.

His anticipation made him tighten his grip on the handles as he sped through the city streets, weaving through traffic with his timely precision he’d honed throughout the years. The wind enveloped him in a blanket, doing little to ease the anxiety growing in his bones. Every turn, every stoplight, it all heightened his sense of urgency. He needed to be sure you made it back safe, that you were in your apartment and didn’t get caught.

As he pulled into the neighborhood, his focus intensified. He chose the familiar route he’d taken hundreds of times before, trying to find the fastest way to your apartment. He kicked down the stand on his bike as he left it in the alley, rushing up the stairs to your top floor apartment, his heart pumping faster no thanks to the stairs and the rush making him not even think about using the elevator. Each step, each floor, each second made his heart beat inside of him, he felt his anxiety creeping into his veins.

He jumped the last few steps, using his long legs to hurry up the stairs two steps at a time as he finally reached the floor you lived on. He knocked with a rush, the seconds elongating into excruciating seconds as he paced. He knocked again, the sound echoing through the night, his pulse pounding in his ears as he waited.

Did Calvi take her back to his estate?

Did she get caught looking for the diamond?

Did she get lost?

Just as he was about to turn and knock again, the door swung open, there you stood in your golden dress, your hair done as perfectly as it was when you arrived for the event tonight and your makeup still flawless. Your eyes were wide as you stared at him, the silence hanging in the air as he stared at you with shock in his eyes,

Relief flooded through him, overwhelming any lingering anxiety. "Y/n," he breathed, his voice rough with emotion.

“Jason.”, you breathed as you watched his eyes flicker into a calmness, almost like relief. “You didn’t use the window.” you said amused.

Jason ran a hand through his hair as he let out an airy laugh. “Figured this was more suitable for the occasion.”

You moved to the side, letting him enter the apartment as you closed the door behind you and locking it silently. You felt your heart calm from the anxiety you felt at not being able to find him during the final moments of the Gala. You had gotten lost and when Calvi found you, he rushed you out the exit and brought you home in his private car. When you arrived the only thing you worried about was if Jason was able to remember your plan to meet back at your apartment if anything had gone wrong, hoping he’d eventually show.

“I couldn’t find you after the power came back on.”, he muttered as he leaned on the kitchen table. “I didn’t find it.”

You met his gaze, letting the silence hover between the both of you as you let out a small laugh. Jason looked at you with confused eyes, his lips twitching as you laughed even harder. Were you laughing because the entire mission was a failure? Did you also fail in retrieving the diamond?

He watched you intently as you lifted the fabric to your dress, his hand twitching as it gripped the table. You showed off the part of your leg that held your gun, a small pouch attached to it. You carefully detached the small bag, your leg still on full display as Jason’s eyes lingered on your body, a flicker of lust burning inside of him as he forced himself to focus.

He watched as you opened the small velvet bag slowly, placing the 12 carat diamond ring on a silk cloth on the counter. The deep blue color radiating a kind of beauty you couldn’t recreate in a lab, it was definitely one of a kind. You walked over to the small cabinet you had against the wall, taking out a kit used by high end jewelers to decipher the worth and validity of diamonds like this one. He watched you intently, wondering why you could pull out a diamond loupe unless you suspected it was fake.

Though, he knew it was a good idea to do so.

He watched as you held the diamond carefully, examining it in the light and under the loupe to look at every detail and intricate curve within the jewel. You tried to work carefully, using your knowledge to properly decipher the validity of the diamond or if everything tonight had been for nothing. Your hands moved gently as you used the different tools in your kit to check every aspect of the diamond to leave no doubt that it was real.

The air between the two of you crackled with anticipation, the weight of your accomplishment hanging heavy in the room. Jason’s gaze flickered to you briefly, a smile hanging on his lips as he stood impressed by your resourcefulness and grace under pressure.

It was a 50/50 chance that the diamond was actually real, especially since it wasn’t uncommon for high profile events to use fakes in order to not take the risk of something getting stolen, the insurance would surely cost them a fortune.

$48.6 million was a lot of money.

You left him on edge, wondering why your silence had prolonged as he watched you.

It had been 15 minutes.

Was it a fake?

You pulled back, your shoulders slumping as you placed the diamond gently on the silk rag, a shuddered breath leaving your lips. He stood upright, his heart pounding at your body language. You slowly turned your head, meeting his gaze.

"Congratulations, Jason," you praised softly, your words carrying a mix of admiration and pride. "You're officially a millionaire.”. You pushed your baby hairs back, trying to let yourself calm down from the high as you turned towards him. “Oh my god, Jas-”

Jason's response was immediate and primal. In one swift motion, he closed the distance between you, pressing your back against the kitchen counter. His hand slid possessively around the back of your neck, fingers tangling in your hair as he slammed his lips on yours in a passionate kiss. His other arm wrapped firmly around your waist, pulling you flush against him, your body freezing at the sudden contact. Your heart pounded in your chest, your head spinning as he moved his lips against yours in a powerful and hungry way. His hold tightened as you moved your lips against his, breathing in his natural musk.

His hold on you became desperate, possessive, his muscular arms wrapping around you to make your frame push against his even more. His lips moved in a dominant manner, biting your bottom lip as he let himself lose all form of self control. Your hands found their way to Jason's shoulders, fingers tangling in his tuxedo jacket as you responded to his kiss with equal fervor. His toned body flexing under your fingers almost like it burned him but it left him wanting more of you.

The world outside faded away as you stood locked in a dance of desire and danger, your hearts beating in sync with the rush of adrenaline that still coursed through you. The kiss deepened, a testament to the electric connection that had sparked between the two of you amidst the chaos and danger of your mission. He couldn’t get enough of you, his mouth finally pulling away so the two of you could catch your breath. You opened your eyes slightly, looking at his hooded ones as his eyes flickered to your swollen lips.

Was it the adrenaline?

Was it the high?

Was it him?

Was it everything around you that led you to this moment?

“Jason…”, you whispered against his mouth as you tried to catch your breath.

You couldn’t even catch your breath before his mouth devoured yours again, pressing his body against yours and pushing you against the wall behind you. His body hunched over slightly due to the height difference but his dominance was overwhelming, pushing you into overdrive. Your hands tangled in his hair, his lips leaving your mouth and kissing down the side of your neck. Your body shook from the pleasure, your nails digging into his arm as his hand reached your lower back and pulled you against him again. His teeth bit the curve of your neck slightly, licking the sensitive area as a soft moan released from your lips.

In that stolen moment, as you kissed amidst the quiet of your apartment, everything else melted away—the heist, the risks, the uncertainty of your future. There was only the heat of the connection, the electricity that crackled between you, and the undeniable truth that you both had crossed a line you couldn't un-cross.

As you finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, You looked up at Jason with wide eyes, your heart racing in sync with his. Jason rested his forehead against yours, your eyes locked in a silent exchange that spoke volumes of unspoken promises and newfound intimacy.

“Jay…”, his name slipped from your lips in a desperate tone, your body betraying you by reacting to the final swipe he did on your skin, nipping on your neck before pulling back.

“Y/n….”

Jason rested his forehead against yours, his voice husky as he murmured, "We did it."

You smiled, your fingers tracing lightly along Jason's suit. "Yeah, we did," you whispered, your lips swollen and missing his as you spoke.

In that moment, as you stayed in his hold and met his gaze in silence, you felt in your bones the truth of your relationship with him. Despite the anger, the hatred, the stupid hits at one another, Jason wasn’t the threat you believed him to be. The tension that had grown between the two of you, the moments of uncertainty where doubt had threatened to cloud your judgment, the anger that had been placed inside of you by Sionis, it all disappeared when you met his gaze.

You felt a familiarity in him, despite your denial, you couldn’t push it away. Not when there had been so many times he had helped you, taken you out of harm's way, and refused to make any hits that would result in serious harm.

You’d believed for months that he was irritating, a nuisance, the bane of your existence and yet… here you were completely wrapped up in him.

The cold realization sank into your bones…

What have you done?

AN:

Hey guys!

I want to thank you guys for being so patient with me and the release of this chapter. Uni has been picking up and being between summer classes and fulltime at work, sometimes my posting has to get delayed! So i really appreciate the grace in this!

This series is hitting its mid way point, so there will be more picking up of everything pretty soon!

Also I have a few drafts of a JJK fanfic that I made, one with SukunaxReader and one with GetoxReader that I will be posting either while I write this series or after. I still haven’t decided yet!

Please continue to leave feedback and comments! I love reading them esp the personal messages i’ve received from many of you!

See you next week! xx.

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