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cozage · 1 year

Note

Hello! Could I request a one shot where you’re Luffy, Ace, and Sabos sister and you’re dating Law or Zoro and they see hickies on their neck and they get all protective of their sister? Thank you, please take your time!

A/N: I picked Zoro because :) He deserves some love rn

AU: kind of modern?/school/college

Characters: female reader x Zoro (plus familial ASL)

Cw: just brotherly gremlin acts hehe

Total word count: 1.7k

Love Marks

You shuffled in the door as quietly as you could, trying not to disturb your sleeping brothers. It was still the early hours of the morning, the only one who might be up to catch you coming in would be Sabo. But with a bit of luck, you could make it up the stairs and into your room before he woke up.

You softly shut the front door and clicked the lock back into place, flinching at the sounds that echoed through the foyer. You put your coat on the rack silently, and turned to sneak up the stairs to your room.

“Ahem,” The voice came from the sofa in the living room, and you froze. Your eyes darted to the source of the sound, and you found Sabo and Ace sitting on the sofa, staring at you disapprovingly. Luffy was asleep on the floor at their feet.

“Little lady,” Ace said, frowning. “We’ve been up all night worried sick.”

“I slept over at a friends,” you whispered, trying not to wake Luffy.

“Without permission?” Sabo hissed.

“I don’t have to ask your permission for shit,” you shot back in a low voice. You weren’t even mad at their charade, you were just mad you got caught. They never let you be sneaky or rebellious.

You bounded up the stairs before they had another chance to interrogate you. They got like this sometimes, your two older brothers. They always felt like they had to be the parents, even if it was more so mocking the parental role than actually fulfilling it. Luffy must’ve found out that a scolding would take place and tried to stay up to see what would happen.

You locked yourself in your room, but nobody tried to enter. You curled up in your bed to try and finally get some sleep, but your brain refused to listen. You tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. With your mind racing through all of the thoughts and feelings you experienced last night, you couldn’t really blame your brain for not wanting to sleep.

An hour later, a knock at your door came.

Ace’s voice came from the other side. “Breakfast,” he called, already walking back down the stairs.

You really didn’t want to get out of bed. You had just finally gotten comfortable. Zoro had kept you plenty busy the night before, and all you wanted to do was sleep now. But your stomach was rumbling, and you had to admit the smell of the bacon was enticing. With a groan, you rolled out of bed and descended the stairs.

“I’m surprised you’re awake,” Sabo said, flipping a pancake on the griddle.

“Hungry.” You took your usual seat at the barstool between Luffy and Ace, reaching for a piece of bacon on the plate in the center.

“Don’t eat yet!” Sabo said, smacking your hand away, but you grabbed a piece and shoved it in your mouth anyway.

“Hey, does your friend have bugs in her house?” Luffy asked curiously.

“No!” you scoff, shooting him a look. “She’s not like you with your crazy beetle obsession!”

“Then what are these marks on your neck?” He poked at a tender spot on your neck, and you could hear the deviousness in his voice. You cursed yourself for falling for such an obvious setup.

Luffy pulled your hair back, revealing your neck that was littered with bruises. You swatted his hand away quickly, but it was too late. Ace and Sabo had already seen the marks that Zoro had made the night before.

“Some friend,” Ace muttered under his breath, and Luffy laughed at his words. Your cheeks burned as you readjusted your hair to cover your neck again.

“Who is it?” Luffy asked, looking at you with wide eyes.

“We’ll need to have a chat with him,” Sabo said. He put a pancake on your plate and gave you a toothy grin.

“It’s nobody,” you said quickly. You pushed your plate to Luffy, hoping that food would distract him from the conversation. You had lost your appetite anyway.

“It’s obviously somebody,” Ace purred. “Or else you wouldn’t be hiding it. But this guy must be important.”

“And he’s not intimidated by the fact you live with three guys,” Sabo added.

“You’re my brothers,” you said, disgusted with the implications.

“Zoro!” Luffy shouted. Your head whipped around to glare at him, but he was looking out the window, deep in thought.

“How long have you known?” you gasped.

Luffy had to have noticed all the times you and Zoro spent together walking around campus, and how he always found you all sitting outside between classes. The two of you weren’t making out in front of him or anything obvious, but you and Zoro hadn’t exactly been subtle around Luffy either. Then again, Luffy wasn’t the most observant person in the world, so you were a little surprised that he got it so quickly.

“Huh?” Luffy said, his eyes returning to you. “What do you mean?” He pointed out the window. “Zoro’s here.”

There was a knock on the door, and your eyes widened in horror at the fact that you had just outed Zoro as being the culprit. Sabo and Ace glanced at each other, a silent understanding passing between the two.

Ace took off down the hall and you felt your heart drop. You chased after him, but Sabo quickly jumped in front of your path, blocking you.

“Sabo, move!” you tried to skirt around him, but he matched your movements perfectly to keep you boxed in.

“Luffy, hold her down.”

Luffy’s rubber arms shot around you, wrapping you tightly in his grasp. Sabo smirked at you, and took off down the hallway to join Ace.

“Zoro!” You screamed, but Luffy’s hand covered your mouth to muffle your warnings. You tried to bite down on his hand, but he just laughed at your attempts.

You heard the door open and you braced yourself. You could still see Ace and Sabo standing in the foyer, their cocky grins facing to where you knew Zoro was standing.

“Zoro!” Sabo greeted him. “How ya been, buddy?”

“Pretty good, I’d imagine,” Ace answered slyly for him.

“Wha..?” You could hear Zoro’s voice from the other side of the door, and you could only imagine what his face looked like. The poor man had no idea what he was about to get himself into.

“You look pretty sleepy, bud,” Ace smirked. “Late night?”

“Were you up training?” Sabo asked.

“I wouldn’t call it training,” Ace said, and you heard Luffy giggle behind you.

You could hear the confusion in Zoro’s voice. “What are you-”

Sabo stepped outside, out of your view. “Come on in for breakfast, buddy.”

Ace stepped out to join him. You could hear him murmur something to your boyfriend, but you couldn’t make out exactly what he had said.

The three of them stepped inside your home, Ace’s and Sabo’s arm wrapped around his shoulders, with Zoro squished in between the two. As he scanned the room, he saw you with Luffy’s arms wrapped around you and covering your mouth to keep you quiet. His good eye found yours, and you sent a silent apology his way for what was about to come.

The moment he saw the position you were in, he tensed up, as if he were trying to decide whether he should bolt out the door or keep it casual. You couldn’t blame him, you’d probably consider running as well. But Ace and Sabo both tightened their grip on him, keeping him from doing anything rash.

“Tell me, Zoro,” Ace muttered. “Who exactly did you come to see this morning?”

Zoro sputtered, his words failing him. He looked at you, dumbfounded by the situation you both were in. His cheeks were tinted pink from embarrassment, and you could only assume yours were the same.

“Luffy, you can let her go now,” Sabo said. “Let’s all have breakfast and a little chat.”

You all sat down, Zoro opting to sit next to Luffy instead of you, which you thanked him silently for.

Once a full spread of pancakes, eggs, and bacon were distributed throughout five plates, everyone sat down silently. You couldn’t bring yourself to meet anyone’s eyes, so you opted to stare intensely at your eggs instead.

“So!” Sabo said cheerily. “Anything anyone wants to tell the family?”

Silence filled the room except for the sound of Luffy shoveling his breakfast into his mouth. You could feel your older brothers staring at you, but you refused to meet their eyes.

“I can start,” Sabo offered, briskly moving the conversation along. “Luffy found some super weird marks on Y/N’s neck this morning after she snuck back into the house. Zoro, you wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

“Stop.” Your voice came out a hoarse whisper, and you cleared your throat before speaking again. “Sabo, cut it out.”

“I think it’s neat you guys are dating,” Luffy said, oblivious to the mood in the room. “I’ve always wanted Zoro to be a part of the family.”

“You’re not helping, Luffy!” Zoro snapped at him.

“Ground rules!” Sabo yelled out, trying to reign in the conversation before Zoro and Luffy’s fight got too intense. “We need ground rules.”

“One - No spicy business in this house,” Ace piped in. “I don’t want to hear it.”

You rolled your eyes. “You bring people home all the time, idiot.”

“I don’t want to hear my sister moaning out-”

“Stop!” you yelled, desperate to cut him off. “Fine! You win!” You weren’t planning on actually adhering to that stipulation, but you would agree to it for now if it got Ace to stop talking.

“Two - Tell us when you won't be home,” Sabo said, eyeing you. “We were actually worried about you last night, you know.”

You nod, feeling guilty about keeping them up. You knew that Ace and Sabo had probably stayed up all night waiting for you, and not as some silly ploy to embarrass you.

“I’m sorry about that,” you said, and you genuinely were.

“Three,” Luffy said. “You take me on your dates and pay for my dinner.”

“Like hell!” Both you and Zoro shouted. You glanced at each other and smiled, realizing your synchronicity before your eyes quickly darted away and a blush rose to your cheeks.

“Fine, fine,” Luffy said, pouting a little bit that his idea got shot down so fast. “Three - Zoro, you better not hurt her.”

“Or we’ll beat your ass,” Ace added.

“Even with three swords, I don’t think you can take us all.” Sabo said, him and the boys smirking at each other.

“Noted,” Zoro said. “Though I have no intention of hurting her. In fact, I’m not entirely sure how I was lucky enough to get her to look my way in the first place.”

You smiled at his words, a warm feeling rising in your chest. Suddenly, your breakfast looked a lot more appetizing.

#one piece #one piece imagine #one piece scenario #one piece x reader #one piece x you #portgas d. ace #portgas d ace #monkey d luffy #monkey d. luffy #sabo #op sabo #asl trio #zoro #roronoa zoro #zoro x reader #zoro x y/n #cozage #✧˚zoro✧˚

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todorokies · 4 months

Text

THE ONE WHERE YOU REFUSE TO KEEP QUIET. . !

𝝑𝑒 contents: john marston x female reader, nsfw, modern au (sawry im a sucker for 'em), cunnilingus, fingering, pet names (pretty & darling), pussy drunk john. . . 754 words

𝝑𝑒 a/n: dabbling in a diff fandom for my comeback to writing is crazy ik but i hope u all enjoy regardless :3 im rusty i alr know

“did i ever tell you about what happened at my work last week?”

you let out a shaky breath as you cautiously ran your fingers through the hair of the man who is currently situated between your legs, eagerly lapping at your dripping cunt collecting everything you could offer to him.

there’s a momentary lack of a response from your companion, your question hangs in the thin air as the crude sounds of squelching bounces off the walls alongside with your airy moans that seep out more than intended to.

you rack your fingers once more through his long hair and tug at his roots which aids as a warning.

with not enough force to seriously hurt him, but for a low guttural groan to escape from his chest causing small vibrations against your already sensitive pussy.

he apologetically sucks on your puffy clit before he comes up for air then replaces his hot mouth with two fingers to rub tight circles on your nub, “no, pretty, you haven’t. what happened at work?” he inquired with a strained expression on his face.

his pupils are blown out and unstable as he quickly shifts his focus between your glowy face and your pussy that’s aching to be stuffed by him. however, you were pretty adamant on him eating you out instead.

john ducks his head back in between the plush of your thighs continuing his ministrations, noticeably slowing his pace for you to get your words out.

you whine with a small buck of your hips, “apparently we’re having some budget cuts nggh in a f-few weeks. . . which —oh fuckk— also includes employees.”

“uh-huh?” john mumbles against you. your words enter one of his ear and exits the other, more focused on alternating from long vertical strides from your hole to your clit then skillfully circling around it with his tongue.

his calloused hand grips at your ass pulling you even closer to his face in attempt at get every last drop.

“y-yeah, and my manager had the damn nerve to—mghm keep doing that and i’ll cum~”

your chest heaves as john spreads open your folds to dip his tongue into your pussy, visibly enjoying the way you desperately clench around the wet muscle.

he deeply chuckles and you shiver due to his stubble scratching at your skin, “what did your manager do, darling?” he incoherently slurs his words but you were able to pick it up.

“she broke the news during rush hour. i-i mean what a bitch, right!”

“a bitch indeed,” he affirms as he slowly pushes two fingers in your wet hole, ogling at the way you take his digits with ease, fully coating them with your slick.

you throw your head backwards against the leather couch that’s supporting your back. you once again find residence in his black locks, roughly tugging this time around.

a broken whimper lively dances off your lips as your eyes roll back; you could feel the coil forming in the pit of your stomach.

“feels so good… don’t fuckin' stop..” you mindlessly ushered out. the sensation of his fingers pumping in and out, dragging against your tight walls as well as the added pleasure of his tongue swirling and suckling at your sensitive clit almost has you over the edge.

just when john finally thought he’d shut you up for good this time, your lewd moans and pants get broken down till you find the strength to add another comment about your dilemma.

“a-and there’s talk of my f-favourite coworker—”

“—ya know, how about you tell me the rest of ya little story after i make you cum.” john interrupts your soon-to-be babbling session, stopping all of his movements altogether.

he places a chaste kiss onto your clit and looks at you for permission to continue. you nod with a squeaky whine, already dizzy and eager for him to resume.

“oh darling, what am i ever gonna do with you?” he whispered against your cunt as he continued pumping his fingers at a steady albeit fast pace and quickly reattached his mouth back on your clit.

you soon cum hard on his fingers followed by a few more tugs at his hair to signal you were ready to tap out.

he licks his fingers, maintaining eye contact as he groans loudly at the taste of you. so sweet. . .just for him.

his voice is hoarse as he slips your panties back on and then gives you his undivided attention,

“so…what was that about your favourite coworker?”

reblogs & feedback is extremely appreciated !! <3

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thevillainswhore · 7 months

Text

Read Between The Lines

Pairing: Modern!Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

Word Count: 6.6k

Summary: There shouldn’t have been anything unusual about your routine visit to the local bookstore. Your life was simple and mundane, even if you were a daydreamer at heart. But you were pleasantly surprised when this time you met a handsome stranger between the shelves.

Warnings: Pure fluff, meet cute, meddling bookstore owners, lets also pretend that walking someone home after you’ve only just met is fine 😅🤣

Author’s Note: Unbeta’d, warning graphics and dividers by @rookthorne 💜 hope you enjoy your gift my love 🥰

It was an early morning in Brooklyn as you walked down the cobblestone path — a light dusting of wind had you wrapping your coat tighter around you while a chill tingled your cheeks.

Finally, a free day marked out in your calendar meant you had the opportunity to spend some time to yourself and of course, that had to include the cutesy, tucked away bookshop — fittingly named Hidden Treasures — found in an unplanned outing; a true secret gem you held dear to your heart.

Weekly stops to your new bookstore soon became routine in your life. A daydreamer at heart, you were always on the hunt for a new fairytale or fantasy to delve into; best friends to lovers, soulmates bound to fall in love, a bump in with a handsome stranger — a girl could dream.

Modern dating had proven disastrous for you when plenty of first dates arranged online had turned sour fast. That embarrassment was enough to have you swear off real romance for life.

So, you had always kept your head in your books. Yes, your days might have been a little stale. And yes, you could have used a little more excitement in your life. But, you were more than happy to stick to your safety net of fictional men — they would never disappoint you.

The chime from the store bell rang as soon as you opened the door and stepped inside. Shimmying your coat and scarf off, you hung them on the rack and sighed happily. By the counter as always was Teddy; the sweet, old man who had greeted you with a beaming smile and an enthusiastic wave since your first visit. “Morning, darlin’!”

“Good morning, Ted.” It was impossible to contain your wide grin as you stomped the dirt off your boots onto the mat, happy to see the bookstore owner and your now good friend. “I’ll catch you when I’m finished, okay?”

As usual, Teddy gave you the go ahead with a nudge of his head to get on with your weekly haul, already expecting you to jump into your adventure of fiction and find him after.

The feeling of being transported into another world each time never disappeared. The floor to ceiling oak bookshelves wrapped in green vines, towered over you like castles and the bumps and ridges of variously sized books you ran your hands over reminded you of their stone walls. Fairy lights were strung between the exposed wooden beams of the roof and streams of daylight casted in through the window that brightened the shop.

All your responsibilities vanished for the time being and a blissful peace clouded the stress and anxiety of the week. It was magical.

Endless coves and hideouts hid around the shop — the amount of times you had gotten lost, even in such a small space, never failed to amuse Teddy. You would always find your way back to the counter, a stack of books overflowing in your arms with a sheepish expression. You were still finding secrets to this very day.

After idly walking around the cozy bookshop for a while with no real goal, you eventually decided to stroll towards the romance section. You were on a mission to find the next installment of the series you were currently reading, browsing from A-Z and trailing the tip of your finger along the coffee stained, worned spines.

The rustic smell you could only find between the pages of written stories were deeply breathed in as you hummed along to the calm jazz song that played from the speakers. You scoured through the endless selection until you reached exactly what you were looking for. Finger coming to a stop, you were about to carefully pluck the book from the shelf.

Now, you believed you were a cautious person — a healthy amount of awareness of your surroundings never hurt to keep you safe. However, instinct seemed to fail you when a figure brushed your back. They were directly behind you, light on their feet and quiet.

The tiny hairs on your arms stood up, alert with the presence close by and before you could have spun around, a thick arm stretched over the top of your head and into your vision.

The feel of ringed fingers gently brushed against yours as they landed on the book you planned to take. You looked at both of your hands, transfixed at the difference in size between you. The staccato of your heart was sent into overdrive, thumping wildly against your chest.

You watched in real time as the cold silver against your warm skin thrummed all the way through your body, a bolt of electricity tingling your nerves — never had you felt more alive.

Following a path from the stranger's hands all the way up his arms, the pattern of colourful tattoos screamed out at you. Beautiful, intricate designs with immaculate detailing bursted over his olive skin and decorated his frame perfectly.

There was no doubt this stranger heard the small gasp you let loose. But you couldn’t have helped it. Those arms taunted you — the devil on your shoulder poked its sharp tail against you and whispered delightful sins into your ear.

Down girl. You didn't even know him yet.

“Oh!” The stranger exclaimed. “My apologies, Doll. Looks like we were reaching for the same book.” The deep voice that rumbled above caused a shiver to run down your spine — pure heaven in your ears.

You gained the courage to turn around and look up at his face, and you were utterly mesmerised at the ocean blues staring straight into your soul, reaching into the deep valleys of guarded secrets you kept close to your heart. Everything you wanted to keep hidden started to unravel in one look. You were unsure whether you loved it or hated it.

Your mouth fell agape as this tattooed stranger with a dreamy gaze smirked, watching you take his appearance in. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you racked your head for something to say as your eyes darted over his features — desperate to take in his beauty.

However, you failed to realise this man had also been basking in your beauty too, obsessing over every detail of your face. You watched him slowly lick his lips, flitting his eyes up and down your figure before he summarised, “Huh — I guess you do look the type for a good romance.”

As much as you tried to remain composed, your mind apparently had decided that was the time to throw your filter out the window. “I can’t say the same for you.”

Your mouth instantly fell open in shock, mortified at your audacity. The embarrassment of your own awkward nature forced you to slap your hand over your mouth.

Quick to want to rectify your mistake, you stuttered, falling over your own words as you attempted to say your apologies. “Oh my god. I didn’t— I didn’t mean it like that, I swear! Just— just with the tattoos and— and the— the um…” your words trailed off as you gawked at his nose ring in awe.

You were too busy lost in this man’s invisible spell to notice the laugh he tried to keep in. All you paid attention to was his teeth biting into his plump bottom lip.

However, it was the sudden realisation of the position the two of you hadn’t moved from that shook you out of your haze — now hyper aware of the proximity against each of your chests. The way this walking, tatted sin on legs, plucked straight from your dreams held eye contact astounded you. Your legs were almost forced to cross over each other, to stop the flutter between them as his breath tickled your neck and the scent of mint and leather permeated your senses.

Outwardly shaking your head to snap out of your brain fog, you stepped back to lean against the bookshelf, out of this unusual hold of a stranger so you could actually think properly.

You undoubtedly expected him to bid you farewell, for him to take offense to your quip (rightfully so) and never see him again — your chance flushed down the drain already due to your own inability to socialise like a human being.

The world would be that cruel to you, you figured. To dangle the most gorgeous man you had ever seen in front of you only to rip him away because of your lack of grace. Why not after your so called luck with dating?

So it was to your pleasant surprise that instead, this stranger wasn’t repelled by you and in fact took a step closer towards you, eyes homed onto yours intensely with a glint of mischief. “While my looks may be deceiving,” he rested his hand on the shelf beside you and leaned down to your height. “I sure don’t mind the element of surprise if it captures the attention of a pretty girl.”

The charm and the charisma that seeped from his pores had you releasing a giggle. And the delight of being the cause of that twinkle in his cerulean eyes was unlike anything else.

Testing the waters, you teased him, praying you didnt mess up the second chance you had been graciously gifted. “Do you normally pick up girls in bookstores?”

The bewitching stranger didn’t let up on his allure though. “This is actually my first time, is it obvious how bad I am at this?”

“You’re not doing so bad.” You shrugged, a smile edging its way into your face.

“Well, thank god for that.” He dramatically clasped his hand to his heart, blowing out a breath. “I was hoping that would work because I had no more pick up lines to win you over.”

Your laughter filled the aisle. His endearing nature — just the right balance of wit and appeal — attracted you even more.

A calm broke over the two of you as your joint amusement naturally settled. You both continued to gaze at the other before your companion introduced himself. “I’m Bucky.”

Bucky. You finally had the stranger’s name and it suited him, you figured. Hearing it gave you a warm feeling in your chest and an itch to test it on your tongue.

“Can I have the pleasure of knowing your name too?” he asked smoothly.

The subtle cock of his head and that damned sparkle in his eye, finished off with a tongue in cheek smile almost had you giving in. Bucky was patient as the tension brewed in the air and he looked at you as though all of his problems would have been answered if he knew what to call you.

However, a sudden defiant nature within you wanted to test him. Make him work for something so personal. “I think I’ll stick with keeping it to myself for now,” you granted him instead.

Bucky was visibly surprised with your comeback, eyes widening the slightest as he stood tall and slid his hands into his jean pockets, but the glint in his eyes told you he liked your sass — a mystery stood in front of him that he was desperate to unravel.

“Elusive, I like it.” He cocked his hip and grinned, giving you an appreciative once over before he declared, “Doll it is then, sweetheart.”

Your heart swooped. Like you were on a rollercoaster, about to drop from the highest point. The rush you experienced from one small interaction was addictive and you wanted more.

“So,” Bucky said. “What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” As soon as the words left his mouth, he squeezed his eyes shut and winced as a flush crept up his neck.

Discreetly, you covered your mouth with your hand to hide the laughter lodged in your throat. You actually thought his dorkiness was adorable, but you wanted to let him suffer for a little longer. “Is that really what you’re going with?” You sniggered. “I knew you said you were out of pick up lines, big guy, but you’re scraping the barrel with that one.”

Bucky squinted his eyes open and sighed. “I know — I know — that one was awful.” Surprisingly, he managed to pull you back in with his dreamy smile. “I swear I got better game than that.”

“Oh really?” You challenged, crossing your arms over each other. “I don’t believe it.”

But as quick as a whistle, he retorted. “Go out with me and you’ll soon know how I could win you over.”

It was your turn to stifle the heat rising to your cheeks. There was a hopefulness in his gaze, desperately pulling you in. The hopeless romantic in you could have fallen in love with him right there and then, but you knew that wasn’t at all reasonable or realistic.

“Okay, I’ll give you that one,” you laughed. Turning on your heels to pluck the very book that had been the cause of your bump in with your beautiful stranger, you waved the book over your shoulder, “But I think I better go pay for this.”

“Ah, you beat me to it, Doll.” He clicked his tongue, a bout of sadness to his tone. “Would you mind if I walked with you? I’ve already got everything I hoped for.” Bucky’s eyes never left yours as he reached over the top of your head, once again trapping you, and taking a book from the shelf.

Had your mind been any less fuzzy, you would have noticed he hadn’t even looked at which book he was reaching for, picking one at random to gently wave in the air between you, too.

You cleared your throat. “Y—yeah, of course! Not a problem whatsoever.”

After Bucky had stepped back, he gestured for you to go first and the two of you silently walked over to the counter. You tried to discreetly glance over your shoulder, unable to resist looking at him. But your cheeks heated up when he met your gaze and winked.

Once you reached the counter, you offered a bright smile to Teddy, who was already grinning back at you. Placing your chosen book on the wood between you for him to scan, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Just the one for you today, little one?”

“Just the one this time, Ted.” You confirmed.

“That’s unlike you.” Teddy hummed in thought. “Didn’t find anything else you like back there?”

You mumbled under your breath, quiet enough that Teddy struggled to hear, “You could say that.”

Aware that Bucky was literally right behind you, you swiftly changed the subject. “How’s that husband of yours getting on anyway?”

George, said husband of Teddy, had been away for a trip overseas to collect rare editions of books on his wish list (along with a few surprise items for Teddy that you knew of) and as much as Teddy loved to keep up his beloved, bubbly personality alive in the shop, you knew he missed him deep down. The pair of them were two peas in a pod — incomplete without the other.

So, you were shocked to see a grin crawl on his face as he scanned your book. “You can ask him yourself.”

You were confused until another figure popped their head around the doorway of the back room with a flourish. You gasped and ran towards him, throwing your arms around his neck for a hug. “George! I wasn’t expecting you back so soon!”

George rocked you side to side with a big squeeze before he held you at arms length with fondness to check you over. Your face scrunched up when he booped the tip of your nose. “Yeah well, you can’t keep me away for too long, sweetheart.” Playfully side eyeing Teddy, he brought you closer and whispered loud enough for his husband to hear him say, “Besides, someone has to keep this troublemaker in check, don’t they?”

“Haven't got the slightest idea what you could mean, Georgie.” Teddy overheard and put on his most innocent face. You giggled into George, amused by his husband’s antics. “I’m an angel.”

Their love encompassed everything you wanted from a life partner. You longed for their banter and their care and the passionate fire that was still raging all these years later between them.

Looking over to Bucky, you were caught off guard to find him gazing at you already, a smile on his face that slightly scrunched up his nose.

You stepped back to the counter, heated under the spotlight just as Teddy rang you up with a price. Though, you didn’t miss the seemingly casual glance he made behind you. “Mornin’, Buck. Got any nice plans for today?”

You frowned, surprised that they were familiar with each other. Bucky cleared his throat before he spoke from behind you, “Just a small visit here today I’m afraid, Ted.”

Teddy still continued to speak over your shoulder as he took a suspiciously long time to bag up your book. “Right,” he murmured. “No plans for the rest of the day then?”

“Nah.” Bucky's voice rumbled at your back, as if he had taken a step closer to you. “Nothing else, unfortunately. Can’t go anywhere without a pretty date now, can I, Teds?”

Almost immediately, Teddy looked at you, a glint in his eye of excitement before he innocently offered, “I may know someone.”

You choked, causing all three men to look at you; Teddy had a shit eating grin on his face, while George tried to hide his laughter in his hand — unsuccessfully. You could even feel Bucky’s stare locked in on you from behind.

“Don’t you dare,” you muttered under your breath to Teddy.

But you knew by his wicked smile your threat wouldn’t stop him from meddling. “Why don’t you walk little one home after this? Get to know each other,” he said to Bucky.

Amazed by the man’s audacity, you scolded him. “Teddy!”

“Nonsense, girl,” Teddy rounded the counter to you and slid his arm around your shoulders, turning you towards Bucky before he continued. “Besides, you heard the boy. He needs some company and I know for a fact you’ve got no plans apart from locking yourself at home.” Teddy looked proud of himself as he shrugged. “Problem solved.”

He wasn’t lying. Although you were a little embarrassed he would out you like that, you in fact did not have any other plans. Traitor.

“As lovely as Bucky seems, I don’t know him, Ted.” Quickly you glanced at Bucky and shyly uttered, “I mean no offense by that.”

“Don’t worry, dollface,” he said and you just knew by the grin on his face he was about to tease you. “I think I’m used to it by now.”

Bucky snorted at your mouth falling open in shock. Cheeky bastard.

“Oh, dating back in my day was so easy.” Teddy sighed. “You liked the look of someone? You speak to them. You want to get to know them? Great! Ask them out.”

You shook your head in exasperation. The complexities of modern dating weren't as simple as Teddy’s reasoning. Respectful, charming men didn’t just fall from the sky, unfortunately, and fairytales didn’t just happen.

Looking at Bucky, you gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry about him.” You threw a lighthearted glare at Teddy while you admonished him. “Someone doesn’t know how to keep their mouth shut.”

Bucky waited until you looked at him and shrugged with a lopsided smile. “Eh, I don’t mind the old man so much.” Scratching the back of his head, he admitted, “Especially when he sets me up with pretty girls in bookstores.”

Okay, maybe a few charming men fell from the sky.

You clasped your hands together tightly, repressing the urge to squeak from giddiness.

Bucky stepped forward and placed his single book onto the counter before he offered his arm to you. “What do you say, Doll? Fancy humoring me?”

While Bucky was still technically a stranger, Teddy knew him and one thing you were sure of was that he would never let any harm or danger come to you — you would be safe.

Sighing lightheartedly, you stepped out of Teddy’s hold and stood before Bucky. You observed the slight bob of his Adam’s apple, taking pleasure in the small victory of his nerves and decided to put him out of his misery. “I guess you wouldn’t be the worst company on my way home.”

Hooking your arm through Bucky’s, the glee that overtook his adorable face was worth your decision alone. He looked over to Teddy and gave him a single nod. “I'll take good care of her, Ted.”

“You better boy, because now I’m in trouble.”

You grabbed your book from Teddy, already bagged and paid for. “Me and you will talk next time,” you warned.

Teddy tightened his lips, hiding his laughter as he saluted you. “Yes, ma’am.”

Rolling your eyes, you looked to Bucky, “You’re sure you don’t mind? Please don’t feel as though you have to do this.”

But he just smiled earnestly, subtly pulling you closer towards him. “Believe me when I say I absolutely want to do this.”

Your cheeks warmed, flustered beyond belief. You were relieved as he started to usher you towards the coat rack, helping you pull your coat over your shoulders and wrapping your scarf around you.

With a departing wave, you said goodbye to both George and Teddy as you began to exit the store. Teddy’s shout of, “Have fun kids, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” was the last thing you both heard before the door closed.

George rounded the counter, having witnessed the whole exchange and curled up to his husbands side. He squinted his eyes in suspicion. “What are you up to, mister?”

Teddy continued to watch the two of you walk into the distance out the window, both jittery, arm in arm and a joint hidden excitement to be together. He just smiled as he shrugged. “Oh, nothing much, dear.”

“Little one, huh? Very cute.”

“Oh, god,” you groaned, ducking your head in embarrassment.

Bucky wasn’t deterred by your timidness, however as he gently nudged your shoulder and playfully whispered, “Almost suits you as much as Doll, sweetheart.”

Your huff of breath froze over in the cold air and you looked up at him with a shy smirk before shaking your head. “You’re good, you know. The women must love this — you stealing them from their daily life and whisking them away on dates.”

Bucky just laughed before he brought you closer to him, slinging an arm over your shoulder as he said, “Oh, so you're admitting this is a date, Doll?”

You couldn’t help gazing into his stormy blue eyes that lit up in the sunrise above you. He was carved by angels, you swore by it.

Walking forward, you detached yourself from Bucky’s hold, letting his arm drop, and spoke over your shoulder, “Play your cards right, handsome and we’ll see what this is by the end of the walk.”

You caught the redness creeping up Bucky’s face before you turned your head forward, though you did miss his goofy fist pump in the air.

The thud of his heavy footsteps neared as he caught up to you and you decided to play dumb when he sneakily snaked his arm through yours.

“So, Bucky,” you began. “Since we’re still practically strangers, let’s get to know each other.”

He quickly recovered and nodded in agreement, “Great idea, Doll. What do you wanna know?”

“Tell me what you do for work,” you said.

Bucky cheekily smiled before asking, “Any guesses before I tell you? No offense will be taken.”

“Wow,” you laughed. “You’re really making me work for forgiveness aren’t you?” You hummed in thought before saying aloud, “Okay, I have something.”

He raised his eyebrow. “Hit me with it, Doll.”

You hesitated a second before you muttered, “A drummer.”

“What?!” Bucky laughed in shock and stared at you, eyes wide. “A drummer?”

Giggling, you held your defense. “Oh, come on! You can’t blame me with the tattoos and the jewelry.” You gestured to his form before shrugging. “You just have this classic rockstar look to you — nothing wrong with that of course.”

Bucky held his free bare hand out, red from the cold and decorated with black ink. With a smirk, he leaned over to whisper in your ear, “The tattoos doin’ it for ya, Doll?”

His Brooklyn drawl caused a shiver to run down your spine and you lightly gasped. He chuckled, overly satisfied to have made you flustered while you attempted to keep your dignity in tact.

You bumped his hip with yours, ignoring his laughter. Brushing his flirtations off to try and keep your composure, you asked, “What is it you do then?”

A proud smile on his face, he answered, “I’m the owner of a vintage bike shop.”

You turned to look at him, taking in his appearance for the umpteenth time and cocked your head. “Hm… I can see that actually. You got the whole biker aesthetic going for you.”

You were pleased to see a small dust of red coat his cheeks. “Thanks, Dolly. Got anything else for me?” he asked, squeezing your hand.

“Do you have any family?” you asked tentatively, worried it may be a sensitive topic.

But Bucky’s face lit up at the mention and he turned to you, resembling an excited puppy. “I have the best family, Doll. My mom—Winnie, she raised me and my sister, Becca. They’re both amazing women and—“

As he went on, you stared at him and admired the way he spoke about the two most important women in his life — so full of love and awe for them that you felt like you knew them yourself. Your own mother had always taught you to take notice of a way a man speaks about other women in order for you to know how he would treat you. You were happy that Bucky did not disappoint.

Along your walk, you had learnt how Bucky had a secret passion for pottery, something that allowed him to create beauty and art from his calloused and worn hands that years of oil and mechanical work had damaged. You were also over the moon to hear he was an avid reader. Of course you knew he must have a knack for reading if you met him at a bookstore. But, his detailing of certain stories he enjoyed and quotes that had stuck with him from authors he loved had your heart melting even more.

The two of you continued to ask questions back and forth, learning more about the other as you walked together.

“So,” Bucky started. “Hypothetically speaking of course, since this isn’t our first date, what would your perfect one look like?”

You looked at him from the corner of your eye, watching as his eyes suspiciously darted around — whether he was digging for key information or not was a mystery to you. But you decided to answer the question anyway.

“I think,” you began. “I think I’d enjoy an active date — maybe like a trip to Coney Island? You know the one with the—“

“The cyclone!” Bucky said enthusiastically. “Oh man, I haven’t been there since me and Stevie were kids.”

“A good friend I take it?” You smiled, secretly enthralled by the way his eyes lit up.

“The best,” he nodded. “Sorry, Doll. I got a little carried away there.” Sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck with the hand that was free. “Carry on.”

“Don’t worry about it, it was cute.” you assured, before quickly clearing your throat once he started to smirk. “Anyway — after a couple of rides and games where my date wins me a stuffed bear, a romantic little trip on the ferris wheel would be next and he would pay to stop at the top so we can see the whole of Brooklyn.”

You feel Bucky’s stare on you as he said, “And then?”

“Then he would walk me home and kiss me goodnight.” You finished quietly.

“Interesting,” he mumbled. You didn’t miss the tone of his voice, one that made you skeptical of his antics. “So, kinda like I’m doing now?”

Smartass, you thought internally.

“Don’t be getting any ideas, Bucky,” you scolded lightheartedly. “This isn’t a first date, remember? You’re just walking me home.”

He thinned his lips, trying to contain his smirk. “Of course, of course.” A moment passed in peaceful silence before he muttered, “There’s still time though, right?”

Bucky ran away and out of your reach before you could land a playful whack to his arm.

“Come on, Doll — I’m a dateless man!” he shouted. “Are you really gonna leave a poor man high and dry?”

You scoffed, unable to contain the growing smile on your lips. “In your dreams, Bucky!”

In hindsight, you should have known his retort wasn’t going to be anything other than cheeky — especially, with his sinful grin that made butterflies flutter in your stomach. “That you will be, Doll.”

Beams of light from the sun, breaking through the clouds of the cold day, casted down over Bucky, creating the most heavenly glow over his features. Those ocean blue eyes that starstruck you from the very first look shone bright as ever and his piercings and rings that glistened had you entranced, wondering how they would feel against your body.

The walk home, while not long, had given you a fair insight to this man you had met not only an hour ago. Bucky was unlike anyone you had met before — sweet but mischievous and the biggest flirt you had ever known.

Not that you were complaining.

The two of you were shortening the distance to your apartment. Admittedly, you felt a small ache in your chest, disappointed that the walk had to end so soon. However, the steps to your apartment that you reached signified the end of your time with him.

Your hands twitched in anticipation. Was it inappropriate to want to see him again? Would you look desperate if you asked for a real date with him? An array of thoughts rushed through your mind until Bucky spoke over the scrambled mess in your head. “Okay. I have a confession to make.”

You looked up, frowning to witness him twirling the rings around his fingers, dare you say looking as nervous as you felt.

He had been making you stumble over yourself since your first bump in with his shameless flirtations and smooth moves. But now he was reduced to a man on edge.

Intrigued, you wished for him to keep talking, curious to know the cause of his unease. “Go on,” you urged, softly.

Bucky nodded and took a deep breath. “I may have seen you. In that same bookstore. A couple of weeks ago.” He ran a hand through his hair, wincing at his inability to formulate his sentences coherently. “I um—found it after wandering around one day. I was in the far corner when I saw you walk in for the first time.”

Your mouth fell agape, and your eyes widened while you listened intently. Though the shock of his confession rendered you speechless, you were rooted to the spot, hanging onto every word he said.

Then, he gazed straight into your eyes, stepping closer and you gulped. “I swear I had never seen someone so beautiful in my life. I couldn’t take my eyes off you, Doll.” He shook his head and laughed earnestly. “You’ve had me in a chokehold for the longest time.”

“But— But earlier?” You tried to get the words out to explain your confusion regarding the way he acted as though you met for the first time.

Bucky closed the distance between you, tentatively closing his hands over yours. “I’ve seen you every week, walking into that store with your bright eyes, taking in everything like it’s the first time all over again. And every week I found myself in that far corner, obsessing over you and falling for you a little more each time.” He sighed before finishing, “I’d been building up the courage to come up to you until I finally did — Today.”

You could only imagine how you must have looked — a deer in headlights most likely, about to run away. Honestly, you were floored and you weren’t quite sure your mind had caught up yet.

Attempting to settle your nerves, you cleared your throat. “You’re telling me,” you paused. “You’re telling me you planned on reaching for the same book as me? How did you even know which one I was going for?”

Bucky looked ultimately relieved that you hadn’t slapped him across the face just yet. His fingers twitched against yours while he laughed apprehensively. “Actually, I may have had a tiny bit of help with that one.”

The cogs turned in your head and after a while the realisation struck you from his suspicious antics this morning. “Teddy!” you gasped.

“Guilty as charged.” Bucky sheepishly smiled. “I asked him if he thought I had a chance with you the first time I saw you and he gave me some pointers.”

You couldn’t help the huff of laughter that spilled from your lips. The whole situation was incredulous, something that would never happen to you.

The tension slipped from Bucky’s shoulders, but his eyes still held on to some hope. Easing his worries, you grinned. “That was brave of you.”

Confidence visibly returned to him as he cockily shrugged, lips curving into his familiar smirk. “It was a risky move to take.”

Placing your hands on his chest, over his black leather jacket, you gave Bucky a run for his money as you caught his shudder with your eagle eye and decided to play him at his own game. “Some might even say creepy.”

“Oh yeah?” Bucky licked his lips and smoothed his hands over your hips. “Is that why you’re grinning like you’ve just found your future husband, Doll?”

This man, you thought to yourself. “You’re cheeky,” you replied aloud while you gripped his jacket.

“And you like it.” He squeezed your hips.

There was hardly any distance between you; eyes glued to the others like neither of you could bear to look away.

His eyes hooded as he joked playfully, “You gonna invite me up?”

You smacked his chest, watching the crows feet by his eyes crinkle with amusement in the sweetest way. “I don’t put out on the first date,” you batted back.

You weren’t prepared for the sudden shiver that rippled down your spine as he whispered, “Clever girl.”

The charged air heightened your senses, you could feel every minute movement his fingers made, the way his thumb rubbed back and forth over your waist.

“Can I have your name now?” Bucky disrupted the silence between you as his gaze flicked between your eyes.

The rebellious nature from earlier had only come back tenfold. Coming within a hair's breadth away from his lips, you daringly muttered, “I’ll give it to you on our next date.”

His eyes lit up, like a kid on Christmas. “Next date?”

Pushing him away with a smirk, you held your hand out while he dazed at you longingly. “Phone,” you said confidently.

You held in your laughter as Bucky quickly fumbled over himself, patting each of his pockets to find his mobile. Once located, he quickly slid it out of his leather jacket and into the palm of your hand.

The glow of his screen lit up your face while Bucky tried sneaking a peek. But you shoo’d him away and carried on typing into his phone.

Finally, you were finished and handed the phone back to him. With eagerness he grabbed it and instantly smiled with joy once he saw the screen. “Your number?”

“Use it wisely, handsome,” you purred. Leaving him staring at you in his own haze, you walked up the steps to your apartment, a sway to your hips. You couldn’t be completely sure whether you heard Bucky stifle a choke from behind you, but you ignored it for the sake of his ego.

Reaching the door to the lobby, you spun around on your feet and raised an eyebrow in question. “See you soon?”

Bucky grinned from ear to ear. “Absolutely, Doll.”

With that, you waved him goodbye and swung the door open, missing his besotted stare following you until you were out of sight.

You raced up the stairs, holding in your excitement while you entered your apartment. As soon as your apartment door was shut behind you, you released the squeal that had been trapped in your throat while you danced on the spot.

And at midnight, as you laid in bed thinking about Bucky, your phone chimed and you instantly grabbed with haste. The bright screen stung your eyes but once you saw who had texted you, they shot open — a thrill causing you to bite your lip and squeak.

Unknown Number: I was supposed to be asleep by 12 but you’re still on my mind.

A few weeks later…

Teddy and his husband, George were readying the shop to open again after closing because of maintenance. The early morning was quiet yet peaceful; the only thing to be heard were the birds singing their song as the sun rose and shone into the shop windows.

George leaned his elbow on the counter and sighed with nostalgia as he reminisced back to the beginning of their relationship. “Do you remember our first date, honey?”

Teddy spun around from his task of shelving the newly released books and smiled lovingly. “How could I forget?”

The two gazed over the space between them, lost in their own bubble of harmony when the chime of the bell above the door snapped them out of their reverie. They both knew it was the usual time you would visit the shop, precise to a fault.

With bright smiles, the pair looked towards the door, ready to greet you as was routine. But George gasped loudly when they found something a little extra glued to your side. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Teddy, however, kept quiet — no vocal response to be heard, only the visible large grin on his face once he caught you looking at him with a sheepish smile.

“Well, good mornin’, little one,” he said teasingly.

You hid behind the tall frame next to you, embarrassed from being the center of attention. “Hi, Teds. Hi George,” your mousy voice spoke up.

Easing the attention of you, Teddy glanced to your side and raised his eyebrow with a smirk. “Bucky.”

Your new boyfriend smiled and nodded his head in greeting to both men. “Good to see you, fellas.” Gently, Bucky grabbed your hand and pulled you with him as he began to lead you away. “Catch up with you shortly.”

Giggles and laughter echoed through the shop as you followed him down the closest aisle of books and away from prying eyes.

George rounded the counter and came to his husband’s side, looking at him with a sneaking suspicion. “You wouldn’t have had anything to do with that would you, honey?”

Teddy thinned his lips, hiding his smile as he glimpsed at the two of you disappearing from his sight before getting back to shelving the books in his hand. He spoke over his shoulder, with all the innocence he could muster. “Me? Not at all, George — That’s nothing but a little bit of magic from Cupid.”

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x reader fluff #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes #sebstanwhore

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sharkiethrts · 5 months

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short prompt: dancing and singing ('vulgar', as sunday would call it) songs with sunday

relations: sunday x reader, robin mentioned at the end!

Notes: modern au. Highschool prom au? You can interpret this however- even Sunday going to a club for the first time (how did you convince him, even?) Nevermind, maybe a house party is more fitting? Sunday doesn't have his wings here since it's supposed to be modern au. Did not reread this by the way, so grammatical errors wouldn't be surprising.

warnings: borderline suggestive??? to be honest, it's just the lyrics of 'california girls' that you should be worried about haha Reader is gender neutral by the way (but if there is any insinuated of gender in the story I may have missed, please correct me!)

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Walking into the crowded room, the blaring music and the rising temperature caused by the throng of students accumulating in one spot overtakes you. You try to stand on your tiptoes, eyes squinting to gauge how far you are from your goal- the dancefloor. You're far. Like, remarkably far.

You had planned to enter much earlier, discarding your coat at the coat-rack placed not-so-meticulously at an inconvenient spot behind the door, yet your diligent partner just couldn't let it be. Although Sunday has tried to seem more laidback while he was courting you (as he'd call it, you tried to call it 'chase' once, while abbreviating the blooms of your love story to your friends at a housewarming party, but he cut you off rather curtly- claiming that it made him sound predatory- he seemed offended when you laughed at that).

Nevertheless, he went on to smoothing out both your coats, folding them (in a way you've only seen store employees do) carefully and then stuffing them into a bag he had brought. The bag is then hung carefully at the middle of the rack, careful to not trip the other clumsily placed jackets of your mutual friends (some unknown to you, you realise now- Jess has always been popular).

You swear that he would have done the same to the rest of the coats if it weren't for the fact you pulled him incessantly by his arm, shooting him pouting looks and an annoyed cry.

You shoot your partner a brief glare, he returns a confused look right back at you but not bothering to ask for further details- you do have quite the idiosyncrasy only belonging to you, he reasons. Your interaction is cut short by the switch of the songs. Sunday seemed rather disappointed, it had been Robin's newest song after all. But it seems that you two came in too late (you'd pity him if it weren't for him suffering from the consequences of his own actions).

You, however, are absolutely beaming. California Girls.

You pulled him by his sleeve (you're not quite sure why he chose a stiff button-up for this occasion, but then again- you don't think he has any other attire that'd be suitable for this), "You sing right?" You say over the noise.

"What?" He doesn't seem to hear.

"You sing! You told me before- you were in a choir!" You scream this time, he seems to understand now- shaking his head to refuse.

"Sippin gin and juice!" You ignore him, taking the lead. He shakes his head, saying something like how it's too 'vulgar' and how the 'lyrics are disrespectful and have objectifying undertones'. You roll your eyes, "Tryna creep a little sneak peek- At us!"

You encourage him more, flashing your most earnest look (you do feel rather earnest, the only time you've ever heard him sing was when you had a nightmare, he had hummed you to sleep- but other than that? Nothing else. No lyrics, no nothing. Since then, you have been rather adamant on pushing more out of him.

He seems to have been convinced (weak, you'd tease- if it weren't for the fact that Sunday is petty enough to never sing again just for that) and you wait for him to join in, "But nothing comes close to the golden coast," Your eyes gleam at the gentle tune of his voice, with an expertly tuned technique. He makes this song sounds holy, even.

"Once you party with us," You lead on, leaning in with a teasing push on your knees, your hands moving to grasp at his shoulders. He reciprocates by holding onto your back, completing your line, "You'll be falling in love"

Exhilarated by his concession, you let out an off tune and off time plethoras of 'oh's, to which he had laughed at- eyes wrinkled and head slightly thrown back- messing up his neatly combed long hair.

You grin. This was going to be a night.

You grip at his hand with your other, feeling the clammy surface of it. You realise he's nervous, baring his feelings like no other. He must be unfamiliar with the closeness of it all, with the downright sexual lyrics spilling out of his mouth at this point.

You lean in by his ear, breath hitting where he shivers.

"Sex on the beach," His cheeks bloom red- alongside with his ears that now look bruised in purple and red. He tries to pull back, definitely to scold you for your 'indecency'. You don't let him, ". We don't mind sand in our stilettos."

By the end of the night, you forgot your coats at the rack, walking home singing your surfeit of Katy Perry songs.

You remember to film a clip of Sunday belting the lyrics of 'Last Friday Night'. To which you sent to Robin, where she responded with long series of questions.

Funny, to think that you had been to shy to ever talk to her before this. Where she had given you her phone number when Sunday had first introduced you in a cafe. You had thought that she was just exchanging polite platitudes, to which Sunday refuted that Robin had been genuinely lonely.

With her excited response, you finally start to believe him.

'Send me more! You have more, right?!' to 'Where were you? Invite me next time! We should go together!"

You grin, it's the next morning (scratch that, it's one) and your feet are sore from the dancing (Sunday had spun you around once, you think he told you- 'it's my rendition of the galopede of the 1820s').

You call her, to which she picks up immediately, "He vomited the moment we came home," Was the first thing you said.

She understood you immediately, "He drank?"

"Vodka. Even took his part in games- won his first note, I'd wager."

You spent the whole afternoon recounting the night to her, to which she swooned and battered you up for more.

"Ah." You paused for a second.

"What is it?!" By this point, Robin has forgotten about her upcoming rehearsal in fifteen, to which she always comes thirty minutes early. She missed that mark fifteen minutes ago.

"I think we may have left our coats at Jess' house."

Robin completely lost it at that. So worth it.

#sunday is happy at you and robins recent developments but #remains unaware of you completely tarnishing his cool princely older brother charm #honkai star rail x reader #hsr x reader #hsr headcanons #hsr modern au #robin hsr #sunday hsr #sunday x reader #honkai star rail #honkai star rail fluff #sharkie works ; all honkai

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mw1971b-blog · 8 months

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#how to build a modern coat rack #interior design #home decor #how to build a wood coat rack

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oval3000 · 10 months

Text

Chapter 3

Yandere Teacher Nanami x Student Reader

Warning: Abuse, Smut, Abduction, Violence, Rough play, toxic behavior, age gap, everything from all above. Mainly from his point of view...somewhat... modern au- idk. College teacher x student.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

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He could hear the voice of his fellow female colleague, trying to get his attention. He could hear her light heels speeding up against the floors, "Mr. Nanami? Could you help me with the new test sheets? I have to print a lot and my students are going to come in a few minutes." He rolled his eyes. Not the first time his colleague asked for help even though it was her responsibility to do so herself.

"You were supposed to have them ready the day before," he turned around to face, having his head tilted a bit. He had things to do, and he was a busy man so when someone came in and stopped him, it irritated him dearly.

"I know, but I got caught with the time." She placed her hand on his biceps, she looked at him with a sad expression on her face, "Please."

At that moment he saw another colleague, "Mr. Yamagachi, can you help Miss. Ito with her work?"

"I'm pretty sure Mr. Yamagachi is busy." She smiled letting out a bit of laughter.

"So am I. Next time plan more so you can actually do your job." Nanami turned back around and exited the building. He got into his nice car and drove off.

He pulled up to his new two-story house brick, victorian, home. He closed the dark brown wood door behind him, dropping his briefcase on the floor. He took off his tan blazer off, hanging on the coat rack at the corner of the front entrance. He opened the door to his office and placed his items on the desk. He pinched the bridge of his glasses, pulling them off his face. As he sat down on his chair, his head swung back making him stare at the ceiling. He side-eyed his computer, moving the mouse to turn it on. quickly logging in and going through his gallery. He saw the portfolio of pictures and images of you. Pictures that he took of you during his class. They weren't clear pictures, mostly blurry due to the fact that he had to zoom through the lens to take the pic of you and no one else. A perk of having a bunch of students that don't pay attention is that students won't notice Nanami, sneaking, pulling out his phone, and taking a few pics of you. He made it seem like he was just using his phone, scrolling through whatever. Sure, he has the photo of you that you took when you got your school ID, but it just wasn't enough.

He looked around his desk and imagined the empty space to be filled with pictures of you and him together. Pictures of you holding children. If he wanted to go through this, he needed a nice home. A home that resembles having a family with plenty of rooms and space. He got up and went towards the master bedroom. He walked over to the windows, opening the white curtain revealing a big wood board that covered the whole window, behind the board was another set of white curtains. He tugged on the board to test the strength and smiled to himself to see how secure it was. It wasn't a permanent thing, he'll eventually take it off once you are comfortable. He doesn't even how you'll react towards this, towards him. Are you going to scream? Are you going to try and escape? Or are you going to accept him a be the perfect wife for him? Questions that he wants clear answers to, but the only thing he can get is theories.

He went towards the bed, tugging on the rope that was tied to the headboard, again smiling to himself on how secure it was. He quickly swept the empty side of the closet so it was ready for all of your things. He dusted off half of the empty drawers, ready to be stuffed with your undergarments. The room is fairly large. A nice comfy armrest chair in the corners with a matching stool at the front. The bed, a king-size bed, perfectly centered, the headboard up against the while, and two nightstands on either side of the bed. On the other side, across from the bed, is a door that leads to the bathroom. He picked up the brown, paper, bag from the chair and opened the door to the bathroom. He grabbed all the items from the brown, paper, bag and placed them on the bathroom counter. He crumbled the paper bag and tossed it in the trash. He placed the extra toothbrushes and toothpaste in one of the drawers. He placed the box of pads under the bathroom sink. All hygiene products, he placed them in their designated spot; shampoo, body wash, conditioner, and body scrub. He went back to the room and placed all other products into the white vanity that he built and got for you; hair brush, moisturiser, sunscreen, all types of serums, spray facial mist, hair ties, hair oils, hair blow dryer, lip oils, lip balms, and some nail polishes. The cashier who scanned of of his items was calling him sweet for getting all of this for his significant other. Nanami smiled and thanked her. It was sweet, so you would be happy to be here, right?

He quickly cleaned the rest of the house, settling everything in. Tidying up the kitchen and living room, leaving everything simple and clean. Of course, things can change once you're here. If you want to move things around or add things, Nanami made sure to keep it simple that way you can add your personal touch to the house. Nanami, resting on the couch, turning on the flat-screen TV, resting on top of the fireplace, pulled out his phone and went through your social media post. He never used social media, but he knew he was to get to know you a lot more, so he quickly downloaded them and made fake names. You kept things private so it was a hard time for him to get through, you had friends and relatives who weren't private and who posted things about you. He saw posts that your friends and relatives have put out like the day they took you to celebrate your birthday at a restaurant or when you went to the movies and they posted a 'best day ever' selfie with you in the background. He was lucky to remember the people you talked to when he saw you at the college campus or else he wouldn't know more about you.

He went through many scenarios in his head. Was this the right thing to do? Is this necessary? Would it be easier if he just talked to you and confessed his feelings towards you? After all, what's the worst that can happen? Him being rejected? No. He just can't accept that.

Not when he could feel your body heat as he leaned closer to you, hovering over you. "I'm having trouble with this one Mr. Nanami?"

He placed his hands in front of you almost caging you in. Your back was turned to him as you were sitting down, staring at the question with a wooden pencil in your hand. You were so oblivious about everything it made Nanami go feral. He leaned closer to you, his mouth near your neck, "What are you not understanding, sweetheart?"

"Which formula am I supposed to use when they didn't give the percent number on how much it's been missing?" You said, rereading the question in your head.

"Which one do you think would work the best when one variable is missing, love." His cock felt like it was going to explode with cum on how close and how cute you were to him. He loved this. He enjoyed this.

"This one?" You pointed to one of the formulas tilting your head a bit.

Nanami smiled, "Yes, correct. You're doing amazing." His lips parted, feeling his crotch area getting tight. He thought he was able to control himself by now but clearly, he wasn't. He was thankful that the chair was blocking his hard boner from your back or else his plan was going to come to an end and all of his hard work would've gone to the trash. he saw the way you quickly solved the question of how easily you cached on. His high hopes were showing. Maybe it wouldn't be hard?

Days would go by and eventually, you fully understood everything he had taught you that you miss. You asked Nanami if you were ready to retake the test and he was trying to insist that it's okay to take more time to study, but you told Nanami that you are ready. Nanami enjoyed these moments he had with you even though you had no idea what was going on, he didn't want it to end. He needed you.

He knew that his time was coming close, so when he saw you outside the campus building, sitting on one of the benches, he walked up to you. "Everything alright, (Y/n)?"

You looked up from your phone, "Yes, I'm just waiting for my cab"

"Well," he looked around to find no one. The time stamp during this moment is where there are fewer students, and less crowded. "If you want, I can take you? I'm heading out for my lunch break, I can take you home." You weren't really sure about it. Nanami could see that you were hesitant. "It'll be no problem. Besides you most likely have things to do. Don't want to waste time waiting, right?"

"Right. Okay." You got up, quickly canceling your ride." Thank you, Mr. Nanami." You followed him to his. He opened the passenger side for you. When you got inside his car you were quite surprised at how neat and clean his car was. "You have a nice car, sir."

"Really? I mean, it's just a car in average condition." He said, starting his car and pulling out of the parking lot.

"Well, I guess I've never seen a guy keeping his car in good shape." You said, trying not to keep things awkward between the both of you. You never head a teacher driving you home or anywhere. Yes, you went inside strangers' cars, mainly cab and Uber drivers that you contacted before, but never someone that you sort of knew and definitely never a teacher.

"Never seen a guy have a clean car?" He questioned, giving you glances.

"No. My ex-boyfriend was really messy. He always had a messy and smelly car." You clutched your bag close to you.

Nanami felt his throat a bit dry. His hands were gripping the steering wheel. "Ex-boyfriend?"

"Yeah, I used to date this one guy. He was my first boyfriend. We only lasted like three months so I wouldn't really call him a boyfriend. We hardly did anything together." You said. You looked out at the window and realized something. "Wait," Nanami pulled over to a curb in an area where it was isolated, and pulled out a white cloth while you stared out at the window, "I never even told you where I lived, I liv-" You couldn't finish the sentence because Nanami quickly covered your mouth.

The cloth had two pills in it, "That's it." Nanami felt his arm getting slapped repeatedly by you. He could hear your muffled screams, which made him pull you closer, lifting your head up so the pills could go down. You felt the small pills going down your throat. You felt like you were going to choke, so you had no choice, but to swallow them. It was painful and soon you felt weak. "Good girl." Eventually, you fell into your sleep. He got your phone and took out the memory card and battery before tossing it out. Nanami continued to drive off.

He pulled up to the house and parked in the garage that was connected to the house. He opened his door and quickly went towards yours. He opened the passenger door and carried you out bridal style. He entered the home and headed upstairs. He placed you on the bed and quickly tied your hands with the ropes that were tied to the headboard.

He finally took a deep breath, falling down on the bed next to you. He looked over his side and stared at you. He stared at the ceiling, feeling his heartbeat slowing down a bit. His palms began to feel less shaky and the sweat forming finally calmed down.

He sat up covering his face with his hands. "What the hell am I doing?" He got up and paced around the room staring at your unconscious body. He got on the bed and hovered over you. "You're driving me crazy," he whispered to you. He placed his hand on your waist, " You're doing this to me." He placed a light kiss on your lips.

He got up and headed down to the kitchen and decided to make a light sandwich. After he finished he went to the car and gathered the rest of your things. He went through your bag and found your wallet. He found your IDs and cards.

He heard light noises coming from upstairs. He got up from the chair and placed the cards on the kitchen table. The closer he got to the second floor the more he could hear more of the noises and groaning. He opened more of the bedroom door and saw you opening your eyes. You moved to your side buring your face into your hands. He saw the way you peeked at the entrance and saw him which made you quickly sit up. He saw the way tears were forming in your eyes. You curled yourself up, bringing your knees up to your chest. " Please don't hurt me."

He shut the door behind him.

"Please."

He walked closer to you. "I won't hurt you."

"Where am I?"

"You're at home. With me."

@black-swan-blog27

@srae123

@foggyturtleknightangel

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qthomedecor · 1 year

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Perfect Modern Accent Hook Racks for offices, newly renovated homes, apartments, cottages, holiday homes! Get your very own hook racks today at https://www.qthomedecor.com/collections/modern-coat-racks

#home decor #modern #homedecor #modern home #diy #home improvement #modern house #coat rack #coat hook #modern hook #hook rack

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mygoldtears · 2 months

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Hazbin Hotel x with a Gloria like reader from Modern family

——————————————————————————

Y/n: I need to send this email to lillith why I’m not working on the bake sale for Charlie’s school next week.

*using a computer for the first time with the help of Alastor and Husk, mostly husk*

Y/n: but I can’t say the real reason

Husk: *taking a sip of cheep booze* why not?

Y/n: because she drives me crazy when she is in charge of these things mostly Lucifer.

Husk: alright let me help you out here *goes to the computer and sits down* you tell me what you want to say to them and I’ll help you find a nice way to say it.

Y/n: I want to say ‘I can’t work on the bake sail because your a bossy control freak that looks down on my cupcakes, even though lucifers lemon squares where every dry’

*husk types it out alastor looks over his shop and grins every wide on what husk wrote*

Husk: done *get up and leaves to get more beer*

Alastor: how’s this?

:Y/n: *goes to get where husk was and looks at what he wrote* every funny both of you…

*Without realizing she Accidentally Sends it until she heard a whoosh sound*

Y/n: e-eh eh? why the ‘whoosh’ *looks at the computer frantically* where’s the email… it-it sended!

Y/n: *looks at alastor for help* make it come back

Alastor: *doesn’t know how and refused to learn how* I don’t know how to make it come back

Y/n: now they are gonna read it and they are both gonna think that it came from me!

Alastor: *amused my this* well my dear technically it was from you *leaves to grab his jacket off the coat rack* now come my dear we have a lunch date with Rosie.

Y/n: *upset and looks like about to cry* it sended…

Y/n: please come back….🥺

——————————————————————————

Part 1

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel x reader #incorrect quotes #hazbin hotel incorrect quotes #lucifer morningstar #lillith #hazbin hotel lucifer #hazbin hotel alastor #hazbin hotel charlie #alastor x reader #hazbin alastor #hazbin hotel husk

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seancekitsch · 19 days

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Can’t Stand Me Now; a modern Aegon x Stark! reader fic

PROLOGUE: Not if You Were the Last Junkie on Earth

series masterlist here

warnings for the series: smut, smoking, drinking, friends to strangers to lovers, angst, fluff, more to come as needed

It’s finally dark by the time you step out of the underground, a chill accompanying the loss of light. Your old Jeffrey Campbell kitten heels clack along the cobblestones, bare ankles wobbly as you pull your faux leopard coat tighter over your body. Fall is finally settling in after a long hot summer at your boutique without air conditioning, a needed respite. No longer will you be handing out fans to customers or keeping a cooler of ice water behind your register. If you were back home, you’d already be in your parka, too cold to even open a window for a smoke or stand around outside for a pint after work. It never gets quite that cold here, and you have to thank your frozen old gods for that. People bustle around you, nightlife of a Friday already in full swing. You can already see the pub below your flat has a crowd of people spilling out of it into the streets.

Neon lights the way, your choice of a flat in the Fleabottom area of Kings Landing a deliberate one; for no one wants to live where it’s loud, if they can help it. That means a spacious flat for less funds, more money to put into your boutique and barre classes in a posh neighborhood and expensive liquor to stock your cabinets. You however, thrive in chaos like moth to a flame, a flat above a pub is not an issue, as your last flat had been above a sex shop, the flat above that at Kings Landing University was above a club. Everything in Kings Landing was louder than Winterfell, and for that, you were thankful to blend into its shadows. Here, you were just another face on the train, another chic bitch taking an outfit of the day photo in the alley next to her building.

It wasn’t always that way, no. When you went to KLU, you were damn near a socialite. Eldest daughter of the richest family in the north, best friends with the eldest son of the richest family in the south. Your whereabouts and your antics had been the subject of more than a few gossip pages and twitter threads, invasive pictures dissecting what you wore posted with price tags and zoomed in inserts of parts of your body you rather strangers not examine.

But one day that all ended, you gradually disappeared from all of them happily. No longer were you exciting now that you were trying to become a business woman, feeds of your storefront so much less enticing than pictures of you scantily clad in vintage designer dresses and slung across a Targaryen lap.

Luckily, now if someone recognizes you, it’s because you’re the woman from above the pub, you’re the woman with the clothing store with bold prints in every color but green. You wave to a regular you see nursing a pint near one of the stand up tables against the pub, he’s always here after work… for at least five additional hours. Hopefully his wife knows he’s here instead of doing anything less innocent.

You speed up as you pass more and more storefronts- a weird little skip walk in anticipation to your door, welcome and needed after a successful but busy day. The blue door shines like a beacon, nestled between a venue and a pub. Your key fits easily into the lock, and then the other lock, and the door gives way with only a slight push of your shoulder. How many times have you tried to leave the house and people had been smashed up against it, kissing or worse? You can’t recall, but you attribute it to the annoying stick of your door whether that’s fair or not.

Slamming the door shut behind you, you trudge up the stairs, shrugging your jacket off and pulling your phone from the inside pocket before throwing it onto the coat rack outside your second door. Your other key works like butter in this one, and no shoving is required. You slam this door as well, and head straight to your window where a vintage brass ash tray and a cigarette lay ready for you. You open the window, a welcome draft accompanied by the din of the crowds. A vibration on your phone distracts you from lighting the cigarette between your fingers.

You figure its Sara, your younger half-sister. She seems to be your only friend these days. A recent graduate of KLU, but still taking daddy’s money, she lives across the city. Every weekend you go out drinking or dancing, twice a week you go to barre class, thrice a week she picks up a shift at your shop. You won’t be surprised if she’s telling you she’s heading over to go out, or inviting you out to one of the more expensive dance clubs in her neighborhood. You’ll go, if that is what she’s asking. Even if you’re almost thirty, that doesn’t mean you’re a homebody yet. You actually like one of the clubs she frequents, so you’ll hope she actually suggests you come to her’s.

Only it’s not her name on the notification. It’s a message request to your personal, private instagram. You don’t get many of those, and curiosity gets the better of you. You immediately unlock your phone to swipe on the message.

Message Request:

@ eggtarg: yo. u still single ??

Five Years, Two Months, Ten Days ago

A kiss on your lips, a harsh slap on his cheek, another kiss now this time initiated by you. That’s how this started. Another drunken night now a new drunken tryst.

Aegon’s fist wraps around your hair, yanking your head back harshly as his other hand digs into your hip, a vice-like grip. He slams into you, thrusts harsh and hard. Your fingers curl into his flannel bedsheets, lips hanging open as you moan wantonly for him.

“Fuck, darling you don’t know how bad I’ve wanted this,” Aegon slurs, his lips finding your shoulder blade as he drapes himself over you, not at all slowing or stopping his pace within you.

“You’re so amazing,” he moans, praise hot and heavy in his breath against your ear.

“I never took you for a talker,” you joke with him, but the moan in your voice gives you away.

He pulls out, only to turn you over and immediately go back to fucking you, reinserting himself gently before immediately snapping his hips into you. Your hands find his hair, nails on his scalp as you bring him down in a kiss, not the first and certainly not the last of the night. He babbles against your skin, kissing you and cutting off his own words, his hands all over you. His hands were always all over you, but this time it was different.

“I love you,” he whispers, and you feel a hot tear fall and drip down the side of your throat.

“I love you, you whisper back, hooking your legs around his waist.

You both finish with tears in your eyes and smiles on your lips.

He falls asleep combing his fingers through your hair, not unlike a normal sleepover between the two of you, but this time he’s mumbling nonsense about how he’s gonna plan the best date for the next day and how he’s never going to let you go. Aegon makes big promises. He says he’s stop drinking if you asked, says he’d buy a space for the boutique you want to open, says you and he could adopt Sunfyre a younger sibling, says he cannot wait to bring you back to his family estate as his woman and not just a friend. He mentions his mother’s ring.

You fall asleep feeling like there’s a plan for the rest of your life.

When you woke up, he wasn’t there. When you called him, it went to voicemail. When you texted, they stayed on read.

He became a stranger after that.

Message Request:

@ eggtarg: yo. u still single ??

Your finger moves, maybe on its own accord, and clicks the message. You can see his profile clearer now. Clicking on it, you notice something immediately. Larissa Lannister, his supposed fiancee, is no where to be found on his feed. Seemingly endless pictures of his cat Sunfyre, pictures of his siblings on family retreats, a Mother’s day post for Alicent, blurry party pictures with a few of his guys from college. It’s as if Larissa Lannister never existed.

You immediately thumb the little back arrow in the corner when you see a picture of yourself, laughing wrapped in his arms.

But it seems the damage is already done.

Message:

@ eggtarg: yo. u still single ??

@ eggtarg: ive missed u so much . i cn see uve read darling

Fuck this. Fuck this so incredibly much. You swipe off of the app, immediately calling Sara and putting it on speakerphone before finally lighting the cigarette.

Sara, always prompt and attached to her phone, picks up after the first ring.

“You done work?” she chirps on the other side, music in the background telling you she’s already doing make up for the night. Perfect.

“Yeah, listen, do you wanna go all out tonight?” you ask, already knowing the answer. Sara never turns you down.

#aegon x reader #aegon targaryen x reader #modern aegon targaryen #modern aegon x reader #aegon smut

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andimlonely · 3 months

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Reach for Me

✧ Xiao x f!reader | modern au ✧ fluff, some angst but nothing heavy, some crying, hurt/comfort ✧ Xiao realizes maybe your offer to bring him food was instead a request to not be alone. ft. Kazuha a/n: I'm terrible with titles, this was the best I could think of :') sorta proofread so there may be mistakes

“I’m going to go pick up some things for dinner, do you want me to bring you anything?” Xiao’s eyes lift up from his monitor screen briefly, “No thanks. I’m leaving soon. Need to pick up some new parts.”

He keeps typing in the dim light of the living room while you stand in the kitchen, scanning the contents of your refrigerator, making a mental note of what to bring back.

Your eyes drift to the middle shelf and the tupperware of white rice that sits there nearly unaccompanied. You’ve grown accustomed to this sight, and to your roommate’s interesting eating habits. Although Xiao works from home, he rarely cooks anything more complicated than protein and rice, if he even cooks at all. You’re far from the healthiest eater or most skilled cook, but his diet still baffles you every time you think about it too long. He always declines your offers to make him something else to eat, but you’ve worked your way around sneaking better meals to him by “accidentally” making too much food. If you’re lucky, he’ll even join you while you’re eating and tune into whatever you switch on to watch, but usually you’ll just come back to find that the leftovers are gone, the dish you left them in sitting on the drying rack. Honestly, you really hoped that you could rope him into eating together tonight, even just for a little while.

You shut the refrigerator door and linger at the counter, casting your eyes to Xiao, the cool light of his screen highlighting his features, which stay trained on his screen. “Are you sure? I might bring some dessert back too.” Xiao hums in response, fingers still clacking periodically. “I’ll pick something up on the way back.” You want to tell him that you don’t mind, that he should just save his money and eat with you instead. But you don’t want to be overbearing. If he really wanted you to bring something or make something for him, he’d probably just tell you. Right? “‘Kay. Then, I’ll see you later when you get back,” you say lightly as you tug your coat on and slip on your shoes. He nods, saying nothing for a moment, then casts a brief glance at you. “Be careful.”

Smiling softly, you hum and he watches you slip through the doorway, the lock clicking behind you. Xiao’s eyes linger there for a moment before he resumes working.

Would it really have been so bad to ask you to bring something back? You did offer, so it wouldn’t have been too bothersome, right? No, you were probably just being polite. You’re already always offering to share some of your food with him, the last thing he wants is to make you feel obligated to make or bring him something to eat. After all, he’s only your roommate. He isn’t your…

Xiao continues working on his code, but in the automatic drone of typing lines, his mind starts to wander. As he plays your behavior from awhile ago back, he isn’t sure if he was imagining it or not, but it felt like you had something you wanted to say. At the time, he was too absorbed in his work to register it fully, but thinking back on it, he’s certain.

You’ve been living here for about 5 months now, and in that time, Xiao had gotten to know you well enough to know when you weren’t acting normally. It was unexpected, a scenario he hadn’t anticipated when you moved into the room left empty by his old roommate. It was his old roommate that brought you to this apartment, and at the time, Xiao was reluctant to share a space with someone new after how long it took just to get used to the first one. At first he dreaded the thought of encountering you when he left his room and inevitably ran into you in the kitchen, or the space between your rooms and the bathroom. But then he found himself leaving his room more often, even working more on the pc in the living room. If you happened to be sat on the couch watching something, you would always ask if you were being too distracting and offer to just watch in your room instead. He always said no, but really, he just didn't mind. You even started to invite him to join you after he finished if he had time.

It was.. weird. The way the things he thought would be bothersome or awkward, ended up not bothering him at all. The way you became a natural addition to every day, the way you unknowingly made even someone as set in his habits as he was not notice the changes in routine right away, not mind them.

The tone of the doorbell abruptly breaks his train of thought. He raises a brow, lifting out of his chair and making his way to the door. Xiao rarely has guests beyond the customers he builds computers for, and they never come by unannounced like this, so he isn’t sure who to expect. He peers through the peephole, not immediately recognizing the face of the person stood outside the door.

Reluctantly, he opens the door and realizes it’s your friend Kazuha, a bouquet of (f/c) flowers in hand. In the center of the bunch is a small decorative card with your name handwritten on it. “Xiao, hello. Is (y/n) home?,” Kazuha asks pleasantly.

“Oh, uh, hi. No, she left a while ago. To get groceries, I think,” he replies, his eyes drifting back to the flowers Kazuha is carrying.

Kazuha frowns and glances at his phone, “Ahh, she told me she wasn’t working tonight so I thought she would be here. I unfortunately can’t stay... Could you let her know I came by? And take these inside for her?”

“..Sure.”

Kazuha holds out the bouquet to Xiao, who takes it into his hands .

“Thank you. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay. I tried to request the day off but..,” he sighs, smiling solemnly, “I just feel awful knowing she’s alone on her birthday.”

--!

Birthday?

Oh…

“Well, not completely alone,” the soft-spoken man corrects lightly, looking Xiao in the eye, “But still. I’ll have to make it up to her soon. It’s never too late to celebrate important occasions, I suppose.”

It’s your birthday. You came home, greeted Xiao normally and went about your usual activities, without mentioning it. And.. you offered to bring him something to eat back from the store. On your birthday.

“I should be heading back now. Please let her know I said ‘happy birthday.’ I texted her, but I’m sure she would appreciate it more that way.” He nods, clutching the paper wrapping of the bouquet a little tighter. “Mm. I’ll let her know.”

Kazuha thanks Xiao warmly before departing.

Xiao carries your bouquet to the kitchen. He might not know much about flowers but he's at least sure you're meant to put them in water right away. Sometimes you bring home flowers yourself, or maybe you're gifted them then too. The thought's crossed Xiao’s mind before, and now that Kazuha brought these over for you, he can't help but wonder if every bouquet you bring home is from him.

He drops the stems carefully into your vase after filling it with water and sets the fluted glass on the table. Xiao’s stare is pensive as he studies the array of flowers, his fingers reaching out to touch the card nestled in the center, parts of your name catching the light.

Why didn't you tell him? Even if you aren't the closest, he thought you had become comfortable enough with each other to bring something like this up.

Maybe it’s only him that feels that way.

He's tried to make an effort to be more open, to not make you feel unwelcome in your shared space, but it's not something that comes easily to him. If you didn't even want to tell him it was your birthday today, then.. Maybe his attempt to soften his generally prickly disposition wasn’t enough, and after all he was too off-putting even for someone like you not to recoil from.

Alone on her birthday.

Xiao checks his phone for the time. You didn't leave too long ago, and since you don't drive, he figures there's time before you get back. He realizes there won't be enough time to pick up the parts he ordered. Whatever, the store will be open tomorrow.

In a rush, he pulls on the hoodie hanging off his chair and snatches his keys off the kitchen counter.

“Thank you,” you smile as you're handed your food. The woman working at the counter thanks you in turn and you exit the bustling restaurant, Thai food in hand.

As you make your way back home, which isn't far from here, you feel your phone buzz in your pocket.

A message from Kazuha. ‘let me know when you get home’

‘okay,’ you reply, with a raised brow. Wait. How would he know you aren't home unless he had stopped by?

You text him this, but he only sends a :) in response, to which you huff amusedly.

Still, you appreciate Kazuha making a big deal of today. You woke up to a silly birthday gif from him this morning, and a couple of messages about how much he hopes you enjoy your day, that he’ll make it up to you for not being able to spend your ‘special day’ with you.

You readjust your grip on the plastic bag, switching it over to your other hand, the aroma of your favorite dishes faint but enticing. Although he said he didn't want anything, you ordered extra curry and salad for Xiao, just in case. At worst, you would just have more leftovers for tomorrow, so even if he doesn't want any, it won't go to waste. He seemed to like the curry last time you brought some home though.

Xiao. He won't be home when you get back. It'll just be you there, sitting alone in your apartment.

You should have just asked him to eat with you. If you had, would he have stayed for a little while? And would it be because he wanted to, or because he felt obligated to?

No, you dismiss your selfish thoughts. You couldn’t ask Xiao to abandon his work just because it happened to be your birthday today. You did consider mentioning it to him before, but the thought of letting someone know was like explicitly asking to be cared about, asking for someone to give you attention, letting them know that you wanted it. Openly admitting the desire to feel special, even just for a little bit.

If no one knew it was your birthday, then it wouldn’t hurt as badly when you inevitably ended up spending it alone. You try to bypass the disappointment of someone forgetting, or not caring, by not giving them the chance to at all.

It’s just a day like any other. If you treat it that way..

..when it isn’t special, then it won’t hurt.

And it isn’t. And you.. aren’t. So you have no right to cry over being alone on your birthday.

It doesn’t matter. It’s silly and selfish, and

And it still hurts anyway. Your eyes are spilling over as you roam through the streets back home, the blurry faces of people passing you by barely registering as more than blurs of color in your sheer loneliness.

You sigh as you enter your apartment building, not looking forward to walking into an empty apartment. And you had spent so long just getting the Thai food that you didn't have the energy to pick up a dessert after all.

You wipe your eyes and open the door only part of the way before you’re startled by the sight of Xiao standing in the doorway.

“Xiao! You scared me,” you exhale, lowering the bag in your hands as you catch your breath.

He averts his eyes, mentally regretting waiting by the door. “Sorry. I heard you outside so I was about to open it for you.”

You sigh once more, wiping your eyes and praying you don’t look too disheveled from crying. “It's okay. I just thought you'd be gone by now.”

His hands are in his pockets as he steps back to allow you through the doorway, his eyes darting elsewhere. He doesn’t miss the way you sniffle softly. When he checked to see who he heard at the door, he thought it looked like you were wiping your eyes then too.

You slip your shoes off, silently wondering why he hasn't moved away. When you rise to your feet, ready to walk into the living room, he stops you.

“Wait, um..,” God this is so difficult, “Close your eyes.”

You blink at him, but oblige. “I'm scared,” you mutter, a nervous smile painting your lips.

“..Don't be,” he says, the usual edge still in his voice notably softer.

He takes you in as you stand there with your eyes closed, hand reaching out and stopping just before it reaches you. He considers retracting it altogether, but he doesn't, instead letting his fingers curl around your wrist and lift it gently but clumsily towards him. He casts a nervous glance at your face, hoping the soft giggle that leaves your lips isn't one of discomfort.

“Sorry, it tickled a little.”

The grip on your wrist tightens briefly, and he starts to pull you along, leading you into the living room. You don't realize it, but his heart is pounding just as much as yours. As Xiao brings you into the living room, he reluctantly lets go of your wrist. He gives a final, uncertain glance to your surroundings. He did what he could in the limited time he had, and it certainly showed. He hopes that in spite of how quickly he threw everything together, you won’t be too disappointed.

“Okay. You can.. open them now.”

When you open your eyes, you’re greeted by a slightly crooked ‘happy birthday’ banner strung up above the couch, two bunches of white and (f/c) balloons floating on either side. Streamers curl down from the ceiling around you, leading your eye down to the bouquet and small, but pretty cake sitting on the coffee table. A light strip hangs just above it all, a softly fading cool white light illuminating the decor in a way that feels almost dreamy.

He did all of this, for you? And you didn’t even ask him to.

Xiao stands a little behind you, tensely watching you take in his glaringly sloppy decoration. Since your back is to him, he can’t tell what you’re feeling. You bend slightly to look at the bouquet more closely and set down the food you had nearly forgotten you were holding until now.

“The flowers are from Kazuha.”

So that’s why he texted you asking when you would be home. That must be how Xiao found out.

“Xiao..,” you call softly as you finally turn around to face him.

Xiao’s hands are in his pockets, his head tilted away from you slightly.

“You,” you try to find the words, truly taken aback, “You did all this?”

He looks away. “If I had known sooner, I would have done a little more.”

Without warning, your lip starts to tremble and you’re covering your mouth with your hand. Xiao panics. He knows this was a pathetic attempt at doing something nice for you, but he didn’t think it was bad enough to upset you.

“Hey--,” he moves closer, reaching out to you weakly. He isn’t sure how to console you. “Is.. is it that bad?”

“It’s not bad,” you cry, shaking your head.

Xiao rakes a hand through his hair, “Then what’s wrong?”

You’ve never actually cried in front of Xiao before, and the feeling of him seeing you break down like this only has you spilling tears of embarrassment. You must look like such a baby, blubbering this way in front of him.

“You didn’t have to do anything for me. I feel bad. You were supposed to, pick up your parts,” you manage through sniffles and sharp inhales.

Even now, you’re more worried about inconveniencing him than anything else. It finally clicks to Xiao that as much as you might have wanted to celebrate your birthday, maybe you were afraid, because it seemed like asking too much. Maybe you feel as though you aren’t worth the effort, and the realization makes his chest ache.

“I.. I wanted to. I can get the parts tomorrow. So don’t worry about it.”

Xiao watches you helplessly wipe your eyes. He unconsciously clenches one of his hands, at a loss, overcome with the need to comfort you but afraid to cross a boundary. But the sight of your tear-stained face is too much to bear. He risks making you feel worse and pulls you into a tight embrace, his hand cradling the back of your head. The worry that he might make you uncomfortable disperses immediately as you cling to him, your face buried in the soft fabric of his black sweater.

“You should have told me. I-,” he mutters, fingers grasping at the back of your hair, “I would’ve planned something more special.”

You shake your head, still nestled against his chest, your fingers clutching at his sweater. “It wasn’t important.”

“It is to me.” He pauses. “and Kazuha too.”

If it weren’t for your pale-haired friend, he wouldn’t have found out in the first place, so it felt wrong not to acknowledge him.

“So.. you don’t have to spend it alone.”

“Thank you,” you say, your cheek still pressed against Xiao’s chest. He smells so nice. You’re rarely ever close enough to him to smell him for more than a moment. You sink into his warm embrace, letting him stroke your hair until your breathing slows to a steadier pace.

You stand together in silence for a while before Xiao speaks.

“What did you bring?”

“Thai food.”

Of course, he thinks. It’s close by, and one of your favorites.

He pulls back, just enough to look at you, “We could.. Watch your favorite show, or something, while you eat. If you want to.”

You smile up at him through wet lashes. “Only if you eat with me.”

The two of you sit on the couch with the tv on, plates of rice and curry and salad spread out on the coffee table with your vase of flowers.

Xiao is only partially paying attention to the show. To be fair, he was initially somewhat interested in following along, but his eyes kept drifting to you before long. Whether you were giggling at something a character said or intently immersed in the plot of the episode, he kept looking forward to your reactions. This time, when you laughed, you looked to him, reflexively seeking out his reaction. He’s caught off guard, disarmed by the way your smile spreads warmth through his chest, and the tint of his face shows it.

Over the course of the night you and Xiao had unconsciously moved closer together on the couch. You suddenly realize it and sneak a glance at him, wondering if he minds the lack of distance between you, if maybe you should move away. If he’s noticed, he doesn’t seem to be bothered by it.

Maybe it’s a consequence of him indulging you, suddenly allowing yourself to ask for what you want.

“...Xiao?”

He looks at you, brow raised. “Hm?”

His eyes are bright even in the dim blue tint of the room, and you feel your heart race, suddenly losing some of your nerve. Your fingers toy with the hem of your sleeve.

“Can I lay on your shoulder?”

--!

“S-sure.”

You let your head fall against his arm, finally letting go of the breath you didn’t know you were holding. The fear of someone catching your hand when you reach out.

Xiao’s tensed body relaxes after a moment, and you both settle into your position with ease, as if you’ve always watched tv like this. Now that you are, neither of you is sure you can go back to the way you did before.

Xiao grows so used to your weight against him that he doesn’t even realize when you’ve dozed off until he hears you faintly snore. He exhales through his nose, a small smile tugging at his lips. He looks down at you, curled up and leaning on him, the light of the tv flickering along your face.

To think you would have been sitting by yourself in your room had it not been for your friend stopping by, because you didn’t think it mattered enough to trouble anyone, maybe that you didn’t matter enough. He isn’t sure if he was able to convince you that you didn’t need to be afraid to reach out to him, but he would keep finding your hand for you until you didn’t.

Xiao lets his head rest atop yours, taking in the scent of your shampoo and exhaling softly. “Happy birthday.”

#xiao x reader #genshin x reader #genshin imagines #xiao x you #genshin x you #genshin

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