#Navy st. gym

[bullet-prooflove]

Poolside: Michael "Robby" Robinavitch x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @dizzybee03 @cosmic-psychickitty @puredicks @queenslandlover-93

Companion piece to:

Lipstick (NSFW) - It's love at first blow job for Dr Robby.

Crisis - Robby has a bad day.

ASMR For The Soul - Robby doesn't sleep when you're not around.

Bunny - Robby discovers you've been keeping secrets.

Something To Complain About (NSFW) - You ignite the ire of Robby's neighbour with your bedroom noises.

Noise Cancelling - Robby discovers his neighbour keeps a spreadsheet of your antics.

Sometimes after shift Robby ends up at the pool. It’s never a conscious decision. It’s just when he’s had a shitty day he wants to be wherever you are and on Tuesdays and Thursdays that’s late nights at one of the city pools teaching adults or kids how to swim.

Tonight it’s the preschool class. Most the kids in the pool are age 4+, there’s another lifeguard Brandon in with them instructing them while you assess the lesson from a bench against the backwall, where the kids towels are all nearly bundled up in a row.

There’s a couple of parents scattered around waiting for the session to end on the bleachers. He finds a spot with his cold brew, a small distance away because he doesn’t have the bandwidth for small talk with soccer moms or preppy dads, not after the day he’s had.

It’s when your mentee begins helping the kids out the pool that the trouble starts. A six year old in lime green swimming trunks doesn’t want to leave the water and starts hauling ass towards the deep end. Brandon’s trying to coral the other kids to make sure they don’t follow in his tracks when you rise to your feet and bellow “Joel. Come away from there.”

The kid ignores you, paddling with his float, his little legs pumping as fast as he can.

Robby knows you see it coming, the same way that he does, the evitability of tiring after that burst of energy. You raise to your feet, slipping out of your flip flops, unzipping your fleece and shucking out of those gym shorts the dads have been ogling you in. You come to stand on the edge of the pool before you take a deep breath and dive.

It’s a quick, fluid motion that looks like something out of a mermaid movie, the water shimmering as the momentum carries you along the bottom of the pool. It’s just as Joel’s starting to panic that you break the surface. You bob up alongside him, wrapping his tiny arms around your neck before you start a slow swim back to the shallow end, the kid crying into your hair.

You hand him off to Brandon, who gets him out of the water, returning him to a mom who has barely looked up from her phone the entire time. 90 % of the rescues you undertake are due to lack of parental supervision, the other 10% are heart attacks.

He waits for the rest of the parents to filter out before he descends the steps slowly, stepping up to the edge as you swim towards him.  

“You getting in?” You ask as his bag slips off his shoulder and lands on the tiles beside him.

“Don’t have a swim suit.” He says toeing off his boots.

“Since when has that ever stopped you?” You tease as you lie back to float and his dick twitches at the sight of you in that swimsuit, the way it clings to your body. “I’ll even let you do a cannon ball.”

“You’re sure they’re  gone?” He asks as he unfastens his watch, setting it on the bench.

Your gaze shifts to the office on the other side of the glass, you watch it click off before the door beyond it closes. “Brandon’s just left so it’s just you and me now Robby.”

You watch him undress, the navy blue fleece followed by his white t-shirt revealing that firm chest you love to mark up and that silver St Luke’s pendent that Dr Adamson gifted to him after he completed his residency. His combat pants follow suit, landing in the same heap with the rest of his clothes.

“You sure about that cannon ball?” He asks.

“Oh absolutely.”

The moment he jumps it’s like everything else disappears. The stress of the day, it completely evaporates and there’s just the sensation of the water immersing him, drowning out all of the noise in his head. He tries to keep that feeling as long as he can, holding his breath until his lungs feel like they’re about to give out.

When he breaks the surface he comes after you, sweeping you into his arms, making you laugh. There is nothing in the world like that sound, it lights something up deep inside his soul, pushing away the darkness and drowning it out with sunshine.

“Better?” You ask as his forehead comes to rest against yours.

“Much.” He whispers as he looks into your eyes. “It always is when I’m with you.”

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[sillyfanatic]

Chao's Coffee 3

Hey hey! Here's the third installment of my coffeeshop sonadow AU :3 This chapter dives a little bit into the past, so we can all understand how Shadow came to work at Chaos' Coffee! I know it's been a while since the last updates, so feel free to re-read the previous chapters if needed (they are fairly short and take ~15 minutes to read)

Here is the link on ao3 for the fic

p.s; you might wanna stick around because the following chapters are already written and should be released soon soon :3

wc; 1520

-

Shadow had always considered the shade of blue obnoxious, but today it seemed to frustrate him even more, existing just to spite him.

He shut the navy-coloured locker door rather forcefully, not looking forward to meeting with it again once he was done exercising.

But that would be the least of his concern, as he’d soon come to find out.

The gym had been rather empty, as it usually was Thursday mornings. Shadow avoided the crowds like they were poisonous, because most of them tended to be just that. Besides, a recent... ‘opening’ in his schedule allowed him to navigate around others, passing through mostly unseen by the world around him.

Mostly.

“Well, well, well.” An all too familiar voice tutted behind him, making the hedgehog drop the equipment he was currently handling. He felt an odd sense of dread creeping up his back, his muscles tensing in unease.

Not here, not now, and certainly not her.

But the world hated him, and so it was very much here, and now, and with her that he found himself.

“So what? I don’t get a ‘hello’ anymore?” The words were pointed but the tone was light as always, that familiar airiness that he never knew he’d come to dread.

Slowly, he willed his body to turn around, forcing his features into a neutral scowl. Rouge was too talented at reading people, and it had always made him uneasy the way she could sense his emotions before he could even categorize them himself. In her presence, he tried his best to seem normal, bored, unsurprised, anything really – whatever would distract her from the mess he currently was.

“Hello, Rouge.” He granted her wishes. She smiled so sweetly at the greeting, undoubtedly content that her not-so subtle request hadn’t been ignored. She was wearing a two-piece yoga set, the colour a dark purple that went well with her white fur. Her hair was pushed into a messy updo, strands coming down to frame her big green eyes. She wore thin rectangular glasses, a different frame from the time they’d last spoken. He supposed trends had changed over the years, and with them, Rouge’s wardrobe had too. The hedgehog heavily doubted that years, or even decades, would be enough to erase the behaviours that were so ingrained into her personality at this point. Although it was a harsh judgement, it’s one he extended towards himself just as equally.

“Good morning Shadow, how are you faring on this lovely Thursday?” She dragged her vowels on, half-signing her words. At this lilt, Shadow felt the familiar feeling of an age long past creeping through his spine. It was a built in-reflex that had been dormant for a while; awakened once more, it took the form of a whisper in his head, it’s words doubtful and warning in nature.

She’s up to something.

“Fine.” He forced himself to answer her question, knowing well enough that it would be faster to play along with her little games than to even attempt ignoring her. That was a mistake he’d learnt not to make a long time ago.

“Glad to hear it, darling.” She smiled again, but like everything sweet about her, he knew better than to trust it.

Shifting his eyes away from her wanting eyes, he noticed how even though she wore her gym-going attire, her hands were barren. No water bottle, no yoga matt, no towel, no weights. It was unbecoming of someone to show up at the gym empty-handed. There was the possibility that she’d left them unattended at another station when she’d spotted her old friend. Then again, Rouge had never been the type to trust strangers, or to leave her possessions unattended – ever the materialistic one, she wouldn’t dare risk the loss of anything she owned, be it old or new, expensive or cheap (and her things tended to be new and expensive).

Narrowing his eyes, he categorized the information in his head. He’d be smart to be vigilant, and Shadow the Hedgehog was certainly not known for being stupid. Overly cautious, however? Definitely, and to a fault at that.

“What do you want Rouge?” He waved his hand in a tired motion, unable to keep up the small talk any longer. It was gruelling. He lamented this tendency of others to take up his time - just because he had time did not mean he wished to waste it like this. He had far better things to do with his life th an to stand and wait for an old friend to stop pestering him.

“What? Can’t a girl go to the gym?” She feigned innocence, still not budging. In fact, she was attempting to divert the conversation entirely! Shadow had half a mind to roll his eyes in front of her.

“Cut it out, you and I both know you don’t like public gyms. Nor do you like mornings.” An accusatory finger pointed her way as his tone dipped into something rougher, angrier. Their history gave him an advantage over her – knowledge. She couldn’t use the same excuses she used for the fools she swindled, not with him. “So why are you here?” The question was short, his arms crossing against his chest as he observed the woman before him.

“Fine,” she elongated the vowels in a dramatic show of annoyance “I suppose you caught me.” She threw her hands up in the air, in a defeat that was very obviously faked. The hedgehog felt himself holding in a sigh at her theatrics.

She did not speak again for a few moments, almost expecting Shadow to fill the silence (which was a ridiculous notion, even to those who barely knew him.

With no further pushback or questioning, she sighed. “I have somewhat of a… proposition for you.”

“Hmph. How could you have anything of value to offer me?”

“Ouch!” She hung a hand on her hip as she hissed. “And here I thought we were friends.”

“Were.” He emphasised in a warning.

“Suit yourself.” She shrugged. “I suppose there are plenty of others looking for a job around this city. In fact, I’m sure someone in this gym would be charmed to hear about a new opportunity. Not only that, but one that’s offering flexible hours and a competitive salary…” She moved to turn, pointing towards a corner of the gym where a swallow was currently training her upper body. “Like her! She seems like a good fit, dontcha think, Shadow?”

The hedgehog didn’t deign look to where she pointed, his scowl focused on the person before him. “You’re offering me a job? That’s your tantalizing offer?” He scoffed, ears twitching in irritation. Rouge should know by now that it was an indication of his patience thinning. If she knew, it did not stop her from continuing her little charade.

“I was, yes.” It was spoken dreamily. Her eyes flitted from the other gym goers to land back onto her old friend. A coy smile pulled at her lips as she tilted her head; “Oh, don’t act so shocked, darling!” Nothing of his body language or tone spoke of surprise. “You should know by now-” Her innocent air made his blood boil “-news travels fast”.

His veins turned to ice as he struggled to keep a neutral expression on his face.

By God - If there was anyone he didn’t want informed about his recent re-adjustments, it was her.

He had half a mind to bark back an insult, to escalate what was an innocent conversation into something much more volatile. His fingers tensed – he could not bite his tongue for much longer or it would certainly start to bleed. Before he could give into his urges, however, she made the decision for him. “Anywho, it was lovely catching up with you, handsome.” He hated the way she could deliver heavy news in such a casual manner. What he hated even more was the way she crossed the space between them, wrapping a velvet clad hand to squeeze at a tense ebony shoulder. “I’m giving you until Monday to decide.” She spoke lowly now that she was closer – why did it almost sound like a threat? “You have my number.” With a wink and a sultry smile, she was gone.

Shadow stared at her disappearing form, and then at the door she exited through (which, mind you, was labeled in big letters ‘NOT AN EXIT – ALARM WILL SOUND’). No alarm rang, but it didn’t matter, because as he seethed in his anger, his ears boiled with such intensity that they began to ring.

It was only after several minutes of quiet immobility that he was able to will himself to move again, huffing and mumbling insults under his breath.

Begrudgingly, he started his routine, shifting the overwhelming heaviness of his emotions into his workout as an ill-fated attempt to rid himself of them. As the first beads of sweat began rolling down his too-tense back, he couldn’t help but entertain the idea of a new career.

It would certainly be a new beginning – and he found himself in dire need of one.

-

<- previous part

following part ->

-

A/N

Would this really be a myr author's note if i didn't point out the fact that i haven't written any additions to this fic in TWO! YEARS! time flies, truly. I lowkey underestimated how exhausting it would be to work as a barista just to come home and write about beinf a barista lol,,

Anywho, super excited to dive back into this au! thank you to those who decide to join me along in the ride~

[theloniousbach]

RETIREMENT CHRONICLES 2.3

I’ll turn in grades tomorrow and declare that my summer has begun. I still measure time by the school year, so it remains useful to assess how I have used those chunks of time.

And I’m always looking for a WRITING prompt, particularly since my grand fiction writing project amounted to all of two days and 700ish words. Summer should change that. I did write dozens of music performance souvenirs and that won’t change over the summer. But my Going Dutch journal of my Spring Break class in The Netherlands was a unique opportunity. That class and trip took up lots of bandwidth and was completely worthwhile. The fiction writing is still there. So is travel/Europe and TEACHING, but I monitor both and am glad that I’m capable of both.

The Leiden class was a delight, a class full of teacher’s pets with the vast majority of whom are part of the honors college that is in my part time portfolio. They did remarkable work academically (a poem, a film, a magazine of drawings) and socially, caring for one another and the project. I increasingly see my job is to get out of the way and not limit student learning, asking them to demonstrate their learning in ways meaningful to them. I do get perfectly fine papers, but I am excited by what else I get. My good ol’ Science in the News class operates on the same principles and a good chunk of them drank the same Kool-Aid. I used that class to look critically at my experiences with functional medicine as well as complementary treatments and wellness generally.

Ironically, I had two separate colds that dragged out while I was teaching about WELLNESS. But working out three times a week when healthy and expediting recovery times is an advantage of not working full time. I wish I did yoga more frequently and I’m committed to fitting that back into the mix over the summer.

I can tell myself that I am working on my fiction writing with all the READING I do. Yeah, right. Still, I typically have my nose in a book. The main landmark is that I finished Patrick O’Brian’s majestic Aubrey/Maturin Royal Navy in the time of Napoleon saga, 20 books and even a little fragment more. They are both sprawling (and hence life-like with rich character development and plot intricacies) and well-crafted. I call them genre adjacent literary fiction. I have some unfolding mystery series going, though I’m not surprised to notice that I am drawn to historical settings—or at least the early 20th Century. Frank Tallis’ hero is a protege of Sigmund Freud while Kate Khavari places botanist Saffron Everleigh at University College London just after World War I. Finally, I find myself dipping into Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe yarns regularly if not systematically. Wolfe/Goodwin just are, so there’s no series arc, making them comfortable to visit again and again.

If writing about MUSIC was steady, playing it was up and down with travel and feeling poorly to blame. But my fretting and picking callouses are coming back and I’ve even played some piano recently.

So I head into a summer in St Louis until mid-July. Being here is a chance to enjoy our pollinator garden as I didn’t as much last year. Having our gym/spa and the piano at hand are some solace in the face of the heat ahead. It will also be easier to do the limited amount of school tasks that I will take on.

I spent my Friday mornings at the MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN’s Ethnobiology Journal Club which was stimulating and friendly. The new Librarian there is a long time friend from Webster. She is a skilled networker, but it will be fun to contribute to her settling in and beyond.

So, besides the MBG, my added assignments are FICTION WRITING, YOGA, and PIANO/GUITAR. Going to the GYM and MUSIC WRITING are long established habits that won’t go away.

[banarjeenikita]

Why Families Are Choosing 3 BHK Homes in Dombivli Over Mumbai Suburbs

In recent years, the preference for spacious living has seen a remarkable surge among homebuyers, especially families. With rising property prices in the heart of Mumbai, many are now looking toward the outskirts and satellite towns for better value. Among these, Dombivli has emerged as a leading residential hub, particularly popular for its 3 BHK flat options. Let’s explore why families are increasingly choosing a 3 BHK flat in Dombivli over homes in the traditional Mumbai suburbs.

1. Affordability Meets Space

Mumbai’s real estate market is notorious for high prices and limited space. Owning a 3 BHK flat in prime suburbs like Bandra, Andheri, or Goregaon often means shelling out ₹3–5 crores or more. In contrast, a 3 BHK flat in Dombivli typically ranges from ₹70 lakhs to ₹1.2 crores, depending on the builder and amenities. This cost advantage allows families to enjoy spacious living without financial strain.

2. Better Quality of Life

Dombivli offers a less congested, more serene environment compared to the hustle and bustle of Mumbai’s inner suburbs. Wider roads, greener spaces, and less noise pollution contribute to a better quality of life. Families with children or elderly members find this lifestyle far more appealing and sustainable.

3. Modern Infrastructure and Amenities

In recent years, Dombivli has seen rapid urban development. Renowned developers are launching projects equipped with premium amenities such as clubhouses, gyms, landscaped gardens, children’s play areas, and swimming pools. A modern 3 BHK flat in Dombivli often comes with all these features, giving residents a holistic lifestyle experience.

4. Educational and Healthcare Facilities

Another major reason families prefer Dombivli is the growing availability of good schools, colleges, and hospitals. Institutions like Guardian School, St. Mary’s, Model College, and healthcare facilities like AIMS Hospital ensure that essential services are well within reach. This infrastructure makes Dombivli an ideal place for raising children.

5. Excellent Connectivity

Dombivli is well-connected to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane via the Central Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. The upcoming Mumbai Metro Line 12 and Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway (Samruddhi Mahamarg) are further expected to reduce travel time significantly. For working professionals commuting to Mumbai daily, this is a critical advantage.

6. Future-Ready Smart City Tag

Part of the Smart Cities Mission, Dombivli is being transformed with integrated town planning, digital infrastructure, and sustainable urban mobility. This vision of a future-ready city has sparked a new wave of interest in 3 BHK flats in Dombivli, especially among tech-savvy, aspirational families.

7. Higher Return on Investment

From an investment perspective, the appreciation potential in Dombivli is far more attractive than already saturated Mumbai suburbs. With upcoming infrastructure projects and increasing demand, property values are expected to rise steadily. A 3 BHK flat in Dombivli today could turn into a high-return asset in just a few years.

8. Community Living & Safety

Gated communities in Dombivli offer 24x7 security, CCTV surveillance, and community engagement activities. This fosters a safer and more inclusive environment for families. Unlike many older buildings in Mumbai, these new-age residential complexes provide a much stronger sense of security and belonging.

Conclusion

The decision to buy a home is deeply personal and often driven by practical needs, aspirations, and long-term planning. For families seeking spacious, modern, and affordable homes with good connectivity and amenities, a 3 BHK flat in Dombivli is proving to be the ideal choice over crowded Mumbai suburbs. As Dombivli continues to evolve as a smart, sustainable city, this trend is only expected to grow stronger.

[premiumgaragedorepair]

Garage Door Trends: What's Popular in 2025

As we move through 2025, homeowners are placing more emphasis on style, sustainability, and smart technology — and garage doors are no exception. Once seen as purely functional, garage doors are now a key design element that can elevate a home's curb appeal and add long-term value. Whether you're planning a renovation or simply curious about the latest home improvement trends, this guide will walk you through what’s hot in garage door design and innovation this year. And if you’re ready to upgrade, partnering with a Premium Garage Door Repair service or a trusted garage door company can help you bring these trends to life.

1. Bold, Statement-Making Colors

2025 is all about making a statement, and garage doors are no longer limited to neutral tones. Homeowners are embracing bold colors like deep navy, forest green, and even matte black to create eye-catching contrasts against lighter home exteriors. These rich hues add character and personality, transforming the garage door into a standout design feature.

2. Glass and Aluminum Combos for a Modern Look

Minimalist, modern aesthetics continue to dominate, with glass-paneled doors framed in sleek aluminum leading the way. These doors let in natural light, making garages feel more open and inviting. Frosted or tinted glass options provide privacy while maintaining that contemporary edge.

3. Smart Garage Door Integration

Convenience and security are top priorities for homeowners in 2025. Smart garage doors, equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, remote access, and integration with voice assistants, are becoming standard. You can monitor and control your door from anywhere, adding both ease and an extra layer of security to your home. A Premium Garage Door Repair service can help you choose and install the best system for your needs.

4. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Materials

With sustainability in focus, many homeowners are opting for garage doors made from recycled materials or sustainably sourced wood. Insulated doors are also rising in popularity, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs. A reputable garage door company can guide you through the most energy-efficient and eco-conscious options available.

5. Textured Finishes and Natural Elements

Textured finishes like wood grain imprints or weathered steel are adding depth and warmth to garage doors. These finishes offer the look of natural materials without the high maintenance, giving homes a rustic or industrial vibe without sacrificing durability.

6. Customization and Personalization

Personalized garage doors are trending, with homeowners seeking unique panel designs, custom hardware, and even laser-cut patterns. Whether you want to add a touch of elegance with decorative hinges or create a completely bespoke design, a skilled garage door company can turn your vision into reality.

7. Larger and More Functional Designs

As garages become multi-functional spaces — serving as home gyms, workshops, or even social areas — larger, more versatile door designs are on the rise. Oversized doors, accordion-style openings, and fully retractable options allow for easier access and blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Expert Help

If you’re inspired by these trends, upgrading your garage door could be the perfect way to modernize your home. From sleek glass panels to smart technology, the possibilities are endless. And with the expertise of a Premium Garage Door Repair service or experienced garage door company, you can ensure your new door is as functional as it is stylish.

[talia-rumlow]

Friendly Fire Masterlist

You are the new medic at Navy Street, assigned to make sure the fighters are fit to fight, and to stitch them up if they get injured.

You've been in the game before. And you know Alvey, better than most people.

Shelby & Lisa hired you, without consulting with Alvey. And Alvey is not happy when he sees you.

You suddenly find yourself in the middle of a half broken up Kulina family, drug and alcohol abuse, and a Navy Street gym that is about to wreck itself from the inside out.

Will your strong will and smart mouth get them out of the ditch they dug for themselves? Or will you go down with them?

DISCLAMER: I'm not the biggest Lisa fan, so she's a side character in this one, she already left, and is not coming back. Remember this is Fiction, so don't hate me for changing parts of the story. I know a lot of you are BIG Kingdom fans (so am I). I just wanted to make this story my own. I Hope you'll like it.

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Drug and alcohol abuse Graphic Sexual Description Violence Strong Language Public Sex

Chapter One - Back Again

Chapter Two - Professional Opinion

Chapter Three - Here We Go Again!

[chiwhorei]

CONGRATULATIONS DYMPH DYMPH!!! I love you so fucking much and You absolutely know how much I love your writing. You deserve all the praise, recognition, and followers! Thank you for being a kind beautiful friend of mine!

This probably won’t come as a surprise uwu but the love of my life Kags 👉🏾👈🏾 with 18, 29, 62. Any of those or all of them idk it’s up to you babe! 💖💖💖

pairing: t. kageyama x fem!reader

genre: drabble, smut, 18+ minors dni

word count: ~1k

tags: hard dom!kageyama, dom/sub dynamics, teasing, degradation, crying, squirting, overstim, size

a/n: marquie! i love you so so much, words can’t even express my love and admiration for you. i hope this nasty kags is to your liking.💖 this word dump is brought to you all by the tobio brainrot i have been living in with @kyovtani for the last 48 hours. i’m also on a shit ton of cold medicine so it’ll be interesting to re-read this in the morning sksksksksksksksk. anyway, i hope you enjoy!

event prompts: 18.) “Are you wearing my shirt?” 29.) “Take it off. Slowly.” 62.) I bet all our neighbors can hear you, I bet they all know what a dirty little slut you are.”

✨St. Dymph’s Holy Milestone✨

It all starts with white and navy fabric hanging off of your shoulders, Tobio’s jersey drowns your form. It was an innocent venture, at least to an outside perspective, surprising your boyfriend at practice with a homemade lunch.

Usually, your impromptu visits to the Adler’s gym bloomed a giddy warmth in his chest. His sweet girl in the stands always made practicing a little more fun-- red flushing his cheeks every time you gave him a small cheer or called his name.

“Princess, are you wearing my shirt?” He turns to see you at the door, eying you from hairline to shoes, taking in the baggy jersey and pleated skirt that barely reaches your mid thigh. Every inch of skin on display shoots right to the aching in Tobio’s shorts. He’s lost in the supple flesh, teeth aching to tear into your bare thighs, fingers itching to pull at his jersey and explore what’s underneath.

He swallows around the lump in his throat, mouth dry as you walk towards him, each swing of your hips is disastrous. When you lift up on your toes, Tobio’s hand finds place on your lower back. He takes a moment to revel in your warm cheek against his neck, smiling at the sweet gesture. Before you pull away, he feels your fingers against his pocket. Your intent now clear, the reason for your visit is less than virtuous.

“I brought you a little good luck present, baby. Have a good practice.” Your whisper has Tobio gripping onto your hips tightly, when you pull away to walk towards the bleachers he reaches into his pocket to find a slick, lacy present.

You feel Tobio’s eyes on you as you take your seat, the blue color digging into your soul. His look says everything he can’t scream across the gym in front of all of his teammates. You are so, incredibly, fucked.

The loud, unceremonious crash of headboard to wall fills the room. With every feverous thrust into you, a trail of squeaks and thuds follow. Each pump into your tight cunt is enough to bring a fresh set of tears to the eyes. How long has it been since Tobio slammed the front door and pulled you to bed by the hair? How long ago was it when you fiddled nervously under his dominant stare, fingers tightly wound at the bottom of his jersey?

“I’m not going to repeat myself princess,” his form encloses in on you, keeping your knees pinned to where they press into the comforter with just a look, “Take it off. Slowly.”

Time is illusive at best now with your body being used like a toy by the man above you.

All you can do is tighten the grip you have on Tobio’s shoulders, looking for purchase on the sweat-sheened muscles. You clench down on him hard, a sign he knows well. Before you can even begin to beg for release, he pulls out of you completely, thick cock springing back against his abdomen with a wet pop. You feel empty without the stretch, you ache for the pain.

No matter how many times Tobio fucks you, his cock splits you open with new depths every time.

At your small cries, Tobio snickers. He leans back on the bed, legs tucked beneath him, and looks at you through a messy set of bangs. Your tugging against the fringe makes his hair stick up like bed head. The sight of you flushed, tear-stained cheeks and wobbly lip has sadism swimming through his veins. It’s not every day you can chip away at his demeanor to unveil the monster you want eating you alive, but a wayward pair of panties seem to do the trick.

Tobio only takes a moment to ogle the curve of your breasts heaving with every shaky intake of breath before lining himself up again, sparing you no time to acclimate before he’s hitting your cervix. You yelp as his hands grab onto the back of your thighs, pushing your legs up to your chest. With your folded in half, he can fuck you even deeper.

Every cry that leaves your lips is like gasoline, igniting in him and spreading into every vein.

“I bet all our neighbors can hear you,” he sneers, leaning over you with a smile that makes your stomach flip, “I bet they all know what a dirty little slut you are.”

You whimper, tears rolling down your cheeks in fat trails, the only words left in your vocabulary are “Oh god, Tobio,” and a sting of garbled, “Please, please, please!”

“Cut the whining, princess,” You feel him pull out again, slapping your puffy clit with his shaft before a strong set of fingers grip onto your spent body to flip you over, “You’ll fucking take what I have to give you.”

You nod into the mattress, sheets wet with spit and tears. Your head swims further into a submissive haze at every thrust. With this new angle, holding back your orgasm is impossible, especially with the addition of Tobio’s hand pushing your back to arch farther.

“Tobio, please! N-need to cum, ‘m gonna make a mess.” Your cheek is pressed firmly into the mattress, mouth hanging open slightly. You feel a sharp smack against your ass cheek.

“Cum for me baby, cum on this fat cock. Show me how good I make you feel.” His words send you tumbling with a final wail of his name. Every vein in your body lights like a match, and you can feel your release gushing around Tobio. The wet feeling seems to only make the setter more hell-bent on your destruction. Instead of slowing down his pace, Tobio doubles down.

You’re in for a long night, that much is obvious. He’ll bask in every drop of sweat and slick that you give him. He’ll ruin you, exactly how you like it.

all writing is dymphnasprose’s original content, please do not repost or modify. do no read my content as asmr.©️

[i-need-entertainment]

Not Scary To Me Pt.2

Character: Washio x single mom reader

*I would highly recommend reading Pt.1 if you want this to make any sense*

Pt.1-Pt.3

TW- mentions of toxic relationships and divorce, sad times for my mans Washio, mutual pining

 When you got there Komori and Suna were still tormenting Sakusa and Atsumu, Hinata had arrived and was talking with Meian and Tomas and Washio had started warming up with some of his other teammates. Bokuto had also arrived, something about his oven on fire? You spent the remainder of the hour getting paperwork and legal forms done, running back and forth between the main office and the gym. 

When the match started you were finally at a point where you could do your work in one place, so you chose the gym. You loved watching the team play, for starters they were really good! And it brought back memories of when you used to watch Washio play. And he just so happened to be playing on the court right in front of your eyes. It brought back a lot of memories watching him play. While you were watching the game, you zoned out and went back to when the two of you were in your second year. 

That game had been a particularly hard one. The whole team was struggling. Bokuto was long since in his emo mode, poor first year Akaashi was struggling to get him back up to speed and Washio was having an exceptionally hard time going against this third year spiker from another school. The game ended, and Fukurodani ended up losing…luckily it wasn’t an important game, really just a practice match, but it was the first game with the new starting line up so mistakes were bound to happen. 

After the coaches gave their input/advice and the players were dismissed, Washio made his way into a secluded hallway and sat down at one of the benches. He was blaming himself, you knew he was as soon as the game ended. You quickly went up to Konoha, asking if he knew where he was. He didn’t know his friends exact location but he knew the general direction so you thanked him and went on your way. 

When you finally found him he was bent over with his elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. Without saying anything you had knelt down in front of him, asking him to look at you. When he did, and you saw tears in his charcoal gray eyes it took every nerve in your body to will yourself from crying. And you weren’t even the one that lost! You were quick to pull him into a hug, your resolve almost cracking when you felt his arms weakly surround you before gripping onto you tightly. 

That was the night you knew, you just knew you had fallen in love with him. But with everything going on with Ken, and school you pushed the thought aside. But now, years later watching him play again, you can feel those feelings resurface. Except now you have Emiko to think about…

”WATCH OUT!” 

Your head shot up and you let out a squeak as you ducked, narrowly missing a ball that was headed straight for your face. Washio hurriedly made his way over to you, much to the satisfaction of his teammates. “Are you okay?” You shot him a smile as you fixed your hair and what not. “I’m alright, I got plenty of practice in high school.” You gave him a cheeky smile as he dead panned, a tint of pink traveling across his face. “I only hit you with one once.” 

You laughed before you heard a ‘oops, my bad’ from who you remembered to be Suna, looking over you saw him and Komori were smirking at something. Shooting the two a glare Washio retrieved the ball and made his way over to the court, getting a nice slap on the back from Komori and a ‘nice’ from Suna. You couldn’t contain the dorky smile on your face, shaking your head as you got back to work. When it came time for a water break, the teams retreated to their respective sides of the gym. 

“So, ya got the hots for their middle blocker huh?” You looked up from handing the team their water bottles to give Atsumu a glare. “Shut up Atsumu. We were friends in high school, we hadn’t seen each other till today.” Atsumu nodded, his mouth forming an ‘oh’. “But, you do still like him, right?” You stilled at that as you quickly looked to Bokuto, Hinata slapping a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say it out loud!” You see, during one of your outings with the boys, they had asked you about your past, Bokuto telling the story of you and Washio. Or rather the ‘almost love story’ as he called it. 

Of course, none of them could be bothered to tell you he was on EJP. (They purposefully told Bokuto to come in late so he couldn’t spoil the secret. Hinata was in charge of him :0) Bokuto looked at you strangely before looking at Washio and back at you. “But if he feels the same way what’s the problem? Plus that jerk isn’t there anymore”. You crossed your arms over your chest and sighed, “It’s a little more complicated than that…” he continued to look confused until Sakusa smacked him upside the head. 

“Don’t be so simpleminded. There’s a lot of things they both need to consider. Especially with Emiko involved.” Bokuto got it then, even if the situation still made him scratch his head sometimes. The game ended with MSBY winning 3-2, but both teams played well. “Tatsuki!” The middle blocker turned to see you walking over to him. He took one last drink of his water bottle and dried his face with his towel before turning to face you. 

“Yeah?” she looked down before looking back to him, “Would you like to join Emiko and I for dinner? I just went to see her, and she was adamant ‘Mr. Washio’ came too. It’s okay if you can’t but..” He smiled and shook his head “I’d love to, just tell me when and where.” Your smile was almost blinding at this point, and to Washio it was a nice breath of fresh air. “Okay! I’ll text you the details~ I’ve gotta go, I’ll see you later?” Washio nodded his head. “See you, Y/n.” 

With one last wave she walked out of the gym and headed towards her home, after picking up little Emiko of course. Washio went back to the locker room, showered and got changed into some casual clothes (during all of which he was choosing to ignore the smirks his two younger teammates were giving him.). *bzz bzz* he looked at his phone to see a text from an unsaved number.

Y/n: Hey Tatsuki! This is Y/n. Our address is xxx xxxx St. Go ahead and come around 5:30! Can’t wait to see you

 He smiled at that last part, ‘can’t wait to see you either, Y/n.’

 Tatsuki: I’ll be there, I’m looking forward to it :)

 It was 5:13 so he exited the stadium (after telling off his nosey juniors) and made his way to the address you had sent him. You however, were not as calm. Currently you were running around the kitchen, mixing and chopping things left and right. You looked at the time ‘5:13, okay, it’s fine, this is all fine! I have time…’ You set the timer on the oven and rushed upstairs, checking in on Emiko to make sure she was fine, and taking a quick shower. Now for the hard part…what to wear. 

On one hand you were home and didn’t really want to, or need to but on the other hand the man you’ve been in love with for a good 8 years was coming to your house for dinner so…a nice sweater and overpriced leggings it is. ‘okay…it’s 5:24 so he’ll probably-‘ Your thoughts were cut short when you heard knocking at the front door. Quickly focusing your thoughts, you rushed downstairs before checking the peephole 

**ALWAYS CHECK THE PEEPHOLE/WINDOW BEFORE YOU EVER OPEN A DOOR IT IS WORTH IT. USE A DOOR CHAIN OR SOMETHING TOO IT IS WORTH THE EXTRA FEW SECONDS!!***

 and opening the door when you saw it was him. “Tatsuki! Come in!” he thanked you and walked in, removing his shoes as you led him inside. “Emiko! Mr. Washio’s here!” Looking up the stairs you heard little footsteps before you saw a small head pop out from her play room. She then made her way down the stairs and over to Washio, giving his leg a little hug before she sat down on the rug in the living room. “Dinners almost ready, you can have a seat in the living room if you want.” 

He nodded, “Do you need help with anything, don’t say no if you do I don’t mind.” You just smiled, you never could stop him from helping you. “Well, if you insist I could use some help.” The two of you moved into the kitchen, you pulling dinner out of the oven and him, with your direction of course, getting out the plates and such. “Hey Tatsuki?” he turned to look at you, “Yes?” “Could you help me get this bowl? I can’t reach it.” He just nodded before he reached up and grabbed it, unintentionally flexing his muscles which were nicely defined by the navy blue button down he was wearing. 

Averting your gaze and releasing a small ‘thank you’ you quickly resumed your previous task hoping he wouldn’t catch onto your embarrassment. “Emiko, dinner’s ready” The little girl happily made her way to the table, lifting her arms to be set in her booster seat. Setting the plates and dinner onto the table, you sat across from Emiko while Washio took the seat at the head of the table. ‘Just like a family…’

You quickly shook your head and tried to push the thought out of your head. But as the dinner went on, it kept feeling more and more normal, more and more domestic. And you were feeling…really really happy. Fulfilled. As soon as she finished her dinner, Emiko lifted her arms, her usual signal to be let out of her chair. But instead of turning to you like she usually would, she looked at Washio. “Up!” you looked at her, “Oops, up, please!” She gave him the cutest smile as her little arms reached above her head. Washio thought his soul was going to leave his body. 

Breaking himself free of his thoughts he nodded his head as he stood up, helped the little girl down from her chair and almost cried when she hugged his leg and said “Thanks Washio!” Before you could even scold her for being informal, you saw the look of pure joy on his face when he sat down. “Y’know…you must be really special if she asked you to do that, and if she hugged you.” Washio looked over to you with a confused expression, “What do you mean?” You sighed as you placed your elbow on the table and your face on your palm, eyes drifting to where your little Emiko was playing with Bunny. 

“She’s usually painfully shy, I’m lucky to get her to talk to anyone other than family, let alone kids her age.” You then turned your gaze to look at him instead, his dark eyes moving to meet yours. “It means a lot if you two just met and she’s already infatuated with you. It means a lot to me too…” The rest of the evening was spent by the two of you catching up on what’s been going on in your lives for the past 5 years. It was about eight now, Washio didn’t have a specific time he needed to go since they were allowed to head back to Hiroshima whenever since today was Thursday and he didn’t have to work tomorrow. 

(Suna and Komori convinced the coach to give them the next day off, they gotta help their mans Washio!!) And since the two of you were having so much fun, he figured he could stand to stay a bit longer. “I’m gonna put Emiko to bed, I should be down in about 15 minutes.” You told him as you picked up the sleepy toddler. “Say goodnight, Emiko.” The little girl sleepily smiled at him before lightly waving “Goodnight Washio” before she returned her head to her mother’s shoulder. 

You got her changed into her PJ’s, read her a story, and got her tucked in when “Mommy?” You paused from turning off her light, “Yes honey?” she seemed to squirm a bit. “Will I get to see Washio again? I heard you say he lived far a way…” You gave her a smile, “Yes baby, you’ll see him again.” Your daughter than put on a sleepy little smile and closed her eyes, “That’s good…night mommy.” You turned off her light and cracked the door shut, you left it open so your cat, Kitty, could get in if he so pleased and cuddle with her. “Goodnight Emiko, I love you.” You heard a drowsy, ‘love you too’ before you left to go back downstairs. 

When you came back down to the living room, you saw Washio hang up on a phone call. “Sorry I should have made sure before hand, but, do you have a ride home? It’s getting late..” he looked at you and you could have sworn he looked flustered but you let it go. He sighed before explaining the call was from his teammates, letting him know they were leaving him and to come home whenever since they had the weekend off. “Well, do you want to stay here? We have a spare bedroom and my brother left some clothes here…” He opened his mouth, probably to refuse but before he could you cut him off, “It’s no problem, really! I took the day tomorrow to spend with Emiko and I know she’d love it if you came along so, really it’s no problem.” 

You gave him ‘the look’, which just so happened to be the same ‘look’ you gave him in high school when you wanted something, knowing he couldn’t say no. “Thank you…tonight’s been really nice.” You couldn’t help the flutter his words put in your heart, choosing to channel them into a shy smile. “Me too…” Not wanting this to turn into an awkward silence you clapped your hands together. “Alright. Since you’re going to stay here, you can help me with the dishes.” Chuckling a bit he nodded his head, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt and rolling the dark blue sleeves up to his elbows. (Tell me I’m not the only one who just diEd) 

The two of you made your way to the kitchen sink. Being a middle blocker he was keen and observant, and having dealt with Bokuto’s mood swings, he was also keen and observant of people and their reactions. To be clear; he was very much aware of the way you couldn’t stop looking at his arms, it had been intentional after all. After knowing him for so long and seeing the mischievous glint in his eye and the small smile he had stuck to his face, you caught on that he was probably teasing you. ‘Two can play at that game.’ 

You inwardly smirked as you took off your sweater, revealing the tank top you had been wearing underneath (idk if you wear tank tops under your stuff bUT THIS AIN’T THAT TYPE OF STORY So you did). Turning around you lightly laughed when you saw how pink his face had gotten. “I didn’t know this was a competition” His face held a playful smirk as he joined you at the sink. Your expression matched his as you started washing and he dried. “It wasn’t until I won~” 

He shook his head but couldn’t shake the smile that had formed a permanent residence on his face since he had re-connected with you. After the dishes were done, with only a *little* splashing each other with the water, you two retired to the couch and continued your chat. It was about 10 when you decided it was a good idea to get to bed him, having played an intense game earlier in the day, agreed. You gave him some sweatpants and a shirt to wear, which were a bit snug since he was quite a bit bigger than your older brother, but he accepted them gratefully. 

After making sure everything was in order you shut off all the lights and showed him to the guest bedroom. “Goodnight Tatsuki and thank you for visiting…it’s been really nice. I hope we get to do it more often.” You said this as you gave him a hug, one he of course returned. “Thank you for having me…it means a lot…Goodnight Y/n” You nodded as you both separated, you giving him a small wave as you retreated into your bedroom shutting the door and turning off your light before getting into bed.

[gildedmuse]

Yes, please. More ZoLaw... How about AU ideas?

Oh, I have ton of AU ideas. Some of which I have like 11 pages of co-brainstorming, some of which I've written up summaries roughly the length of some of which are just two words: [blank] Zoro / [Blank] Law. Here's the best list I can put together while on my way to work.

Okay, Hear Me Out. A ZoLaw Fic Where....

Zoro Is Law's Marine Bodyguard....

After Corazon dies, the navy does some digging. Years later they learn about Law and insist he is in danger as Doflamingo has located him as well. A young marine, Zoro, is assigned to guard him

Law Is A Marine & Roronoa Zoro Is His Obsession...

Or Law follows in Corazon's footsteps and becomes a marine. He sort of takes Tashigi's place as Smoker's sidekick second in command. So he's there in Lougetown when the Strawhats breeze into town. and the two develope an... Intense rivalry in which Law is determined to hunt down the cocky young swordsman (mostly because he feels like a fool... Why in the world would be agree to a fight without using his devil's fruit? What kind of argument is "it's cheap" anyway? Why the hell had he been thinking?) while Zoro enjoys taunting the handsome, moody marine he kicked the ass off back in Lougetown (or totally would have if they hadn't been interrupted).

Just wait until Law follows him all the way to Dressrosa. He's been avoiding meeting The Heavenly Demon since he became a marine, so why they hell is he willing to follow this green haired pirate hunter into the devil's own home?

Zoro Hates All Doctors (Except Law) (And Also It's A College AU Because Why Not?)

Modern AU where Law is an overworked med student filling shifts at the student clinic and Zoro is a at University on a kendo scholarship, preparing for the olympics. He has a knack for getting injured (it doesn't help that his coach, Mihawk Dracula, doesn't believe in pulling punches... Or whatever the sword equivalent is). Still, he absolutely hates going to the clinic. One day Law is taking out some tension at the gym practicing with his own blade when Zoro gets badly hurt. Law rushes over to help, and since Zoro isn't really in a position to say no he has to let the young doctor help him.

After that whenever Zoro gets injured he still refuses to go to a doctor. What he does do is lurk outside the student clinic (typically with Luffy in toe to keep him company - even if your injured and tired, you can never get too bored with Luffy as your best friend) until Law gets tired of it and makes him come in so he can fix up whatever he's managed to injure this time.

The clinic receptionist - Perona - doesn't find this cute at all. Mostly because Zoro is typically sweaty and gross and the Monkey boy is just annoying. His fellow student interns Shachi and Penguin are just impressed Law has put up with him this long (they did ask if the Kendo scene attracted a lot of girls, but Law's blank stare pretty much answered that one) while Assistant Professor and Physician Marco thinks it's adorable but is kind enough to only tease Law about it occasionally (he doesn't ask about fangirls in the kendo scene since he's pretty much certain that's not Zoro's scene either way).

Of the two tenured professors who officially oversee the clinic, Dr. Crocus has never said anything to Law about the whole situation except for letting him know when Zoro is waiting outside. He does, however, sometimes bring Zoro and Luffy by snacks or something to drink and has even kept them company an few times. No need for the two of them to wait out there with no one looking out for them (and, yes, they clearly need someone looking out for them). On the other hand Dr. Kureha has never believed in cuddling her students. The exact opposite actually. She started by telling Law he'd best take his pet home since he couldn't have it here all day ("Pet? What pet? Whoever it is, it's not mine, Dr. Kureha-ya." / "So that green haired stray and his little monkey friend don't belong to you?" / "Green hai- Urg."), Which eventually evolved to her telling him this was a clinic not a dating service ("He's not... *Sigh*") and finally came to the point where she just snips st Law for not being able to control even a simple minded athlete then how does he plan to deal with actual problem patients? She's also made a point of telling Zoro off - it pretty obvious that even when he does come by the clinic he only does so after either accumulating multiple injuries or continuing to push one until it gets far worse than needed. Is the boy an idiot? Why wait until things are so bad, and why is he wasting the time of one of her top students? If he wants to stalk one of the postgrads he could at least pick a less talented one. There are plenty to choose from.

Marco tried to make up for this lecture (after which Zoro stayed away for three months until he almost lost an eye) by offering to let Zoro and Luffy wait in the actual clinic to wait. (To which Luffy helpfully announces, "Zoro isn't waiting for the clinic, he's waiting for Toroa." Which kinda makes Zoro want to strangle his best friend but since he's currently holding a towel up to his eye and feels pretty sick at the thought of not making these games because he's an idiot, he only managed an apologetic smile and mentally promises himself to pinch Luffy later. Marco is totally unsurprised by this answer, for what it's worth.)

(Also, it turns out Kendo does attract at least a couple of girls, at least at the Olympics level. It's probably more accurate to say that Dracule Mihawk and Roronoa Zoro attract attention, which Law only learns because he was heading home after his shift and saw a bit if activity around the gymnasium and wandered over purely out of curiosity and somehow accidentally ended up watching Zoro's match. And that randomly happened a couple of times. Look, the best parking is by the gym he practically has to walk by to get to his car. He isn't going out of his way. And he has a valid reason to be interested in kendo. (Also, appro of nothing, Tashigi seems like an annoying know it all and Hiyori seems like a silly teenage girl and why is Perona even here?)

Shanks Uses His Yonko Status For It's Highest Purpose - Mischief

While sailing to Wano, they stop at an island to gather supplies when they are ambushed. It turns out to be one occupied by the Head Haired Pirates. Before anyone can attcak, Shanks steps into view, smiling. He greets Kin'emon and Kunjuro (they were with the Roger pirates for a while). Robin, Franky and Usopp he recognizes as friends of Luffy. Weirdly, he calls Zoro 'Mihawk'ss boy'. Law corrects him as Zoro is also in the Strawhats. Shanks laughs because while that may be true, he's met Zoro and he's Mihawk's boy to him. Law seems unhappy with this description, while Zoro just rolls his eyes, calling Shanks an old pervert and to stop messing around. Despite everyone else freaking out, Shanks laughs it off. He insists surely Mihawk would be the pervert in that situation. Law dislikes the whole conversation. It only gets worse when it turns out they have to stay on the island two weeks, and Mihawk is visiting as well. Under Shank's bad influence (and seeing how such comments got under the other Captain's skin even if he wouldn't admit to it) he convinced Mihawk to join him in creating some mischief (Shanks is a terrible influence).

Law Is Working For Doflamingo, Gathering Information On & Chain Off Rookie Pirates

Instead of Bellemy, the crew find Law right before Skypea. He is also (secretly) working for Doflamingo. Typically it's his job to narrow out the herd, and for the pirates that might make it to the second half of the Grand Line, his job is to gather information that may be useful in "convincing" them over to Doflamingo's side later or else can be useful in eliminating them if they become a threat.

Unlike Bellamy, it takes Law only one conversation in the bar to determine that the Strawhats aren't your average pirates. Their captain's open, naive nature makes gathering information on them rather straight forward. Which is how Law determines that his biggest advantage is his crews loyalty, and none seem more so than his handsome swordsman. Luffy seems to naturally open and unashamed to be able to gather blackmail material on, but Law's willing to bet if you own Zoro, you'd more or less own the captain. So he sets out to do just that.

Swords Are Cats

Zoro owns three infamous crazy cats. Law is a vet. Look, this is an AU in which Swords are cats. Zoro has two in particular that no vet is willing (or able) to get anywhere near. When Wado gets sick, though, he shows up to The Heart Veterinary Clinic (it sounds like such a cheesy name he already can't stand it) with all three in toe. Best to get everything done at once since it's unlikely they'll ever be allowed back again. Sure enough, Shisui just has to start the trip off by escaping when Zoro is checking in.

Law is in his office when he notices Kikoku is gone, which is strange. She usually likes to stick by his side. He goes looking for her and is surprised to find her hiding under the receptionist desk, curled up peacefully with another cat. He holds up the strange tomcat only to very nearly lose an eye. Zoro catches the poor thing midair when Law stumbles back from surprise, honestly just thankful to find him before he caused any damage.

Law takes one look at Zoro and the three cats and instantly knows two things:

A. Oh, so these are the demon cats he was warned about by Tashigi and Pica and Wanda and even Shanks who seems like he can put up with almost any animal

B. He's definitely going to get these cats to like him, if only to ensure that Zoro back.

Law Ends Up On Kuraigana Island

Incredibly simple What If premise. What if instead of fighying two pacsifistas alongside the Kid pirates, the Heart Pirates wind up on the battle field with the Strawhats. When the real Kuma shoes up, Law gets a little too close to the action and is sent along with Zoro to Kuraigana Island. This has everything you need in an AU. Zoro and Law going from complete strangers to friendly rivalry to sexual tension because they're stuck on an island for two years together. A possible love triangle with Mihawk. Perona being either an annoying bratty sister to Zoro (who in fairness beat up her crew) while openlh crushing on a disinterested Law or a Perona silently shipping the two of them long before they even take any real notice of each other (I'm guessing she'd talk about it with her hallows). Bonus points for scenes of The Heart Pirates trying desperately to find their beloved captain.

I'm kidding. Bonus points for adding Mihawk in the mix and making it a triangle filled with possessiveness, jealousy and a totally unaware he's in the middle of it all Zoro. That's my jam.

They Were Childhood Friends (Who Haven't Seen Each Other In Years)

Sometimes, all an AU needs to be is a romamtic comedy formula lifted wholesale and recontextualized to fit whatever fandom you're into. So, yeah. Law and Zoro grow up at the same dojo but haven't seen each other in years, then suddenly Law is sitting there in ten Sabaody auction house when the something crashes through the roof, and that something looks a lot like a boy he hasn't seen since he left the dojo at 18. Or, hey, maybe Law catches a wanted poster of "his little brother" while sailing on the Grand Line and decides to track him down just to see how he's doing. And probably he was totally unaware that at 13/14 years old, Zoro had just about the biggest crush in the world on him.

Although most the Strawhats definitely know. Or at least figure it out damn quickly. It's kind of hard to miss how their badass swordsman suddenly can't make eye contact or flushes at the slightest provocation. ("Do you think the Heart captain realizes?"/"Maybe it's just because Zoro looked up to him. I mean, I can't imagine him actually LIKING someone."/"Oh, come off it, you'd have to be blind not to see!"/"I think it's sweet that our swordsman-san still holds such a place for what must have been his first major crush."/"Yeah, who know Zoro-bro could be such a romantic!")

Strawhats antics ensue.

Law Uses His Shichibukai Connections For Something Other Than Revenge (So Sex. Sex and Revange.)

After becoming a Shichibukai, Law meets Mihawk at an official summon and picks up on the fact that Zoro is training there. Having promised Luffy he would look it to his nakama's safety should be discover them (something he had thought would never happen) he follows Mihawk back to the island to see how Zoro's training holds up.

Perona Is Zoro's Older Sister, Just To Create Drama

AU where Perona is Zoro's older sister. She hangs out with a much darker, edgier crowd than Zoro approves of. He find Law especially questionable and not just because they seem to have a 'thing' (in my mind Zoro is in high school while Perona and Law are not in college. He's heard about the way college boys often are and he doesn't really understand that all their relationship is entirely casual, and most the time when he catches Perona cuddling up to him, it's just her being cutesy (and because she knows that while it annoys Law a little, he won't do anything to stop him). He also doesn't understand why every time he tries to confront Law about it he ends up feeling so flustered. (Not that Law is about to openly hit on his friend's little brother, but some teasing never hurt)

There's Only One Bed. Because There Is ALWAYS A Story With Only One Bed

The Polar Tang and Sunny are stolen while the two crews are meeting up, talking over a plan to take down Blackbeard (okay fine, LAW is doing all the planning). Luckily, Shanks just happens to be passing by and offers them a lift, but as big as his ship is, three whole crews take up a lot of space. And despite Shanks (joking) offer to let Zoro share his bed, Law is the one who ends up stuffed into a single hammock with the Swordsman.

Law Tries To Sleep With His Uncle's Partner (Not As Terrible As If Sounds)

Law's uncle Corazon works in Law enforcement. He talks endlessly about his new rookie partner to the point of Law's annoyance. Until Corazon brings the young green haired detective home for dinner.

Law Is The Ship Doctor For The Strawhats Pirates

Corazon lives and runs off with Law, who grows up to be a doctor. One day, a pirate ships sails to their island. They have a sick crew member and desperate for help. Law doesn't help pirates, but then the corrupt ruler of their island has Corazon arrested and locked up, claiming he's found his true identity and plans to sell him out to his brother. They come for Law, but the Strawhats save him despite his refusal to help them (Luffy doesn't mind, he's sure Torao has his reasons and anyway Corazon is an amazing man who gave them a free lunch and he's sure Torao is just as good.) The Strawhats rescue Corazon, kick out the evil ruler and bring peace back to the island. Law finds himself compelled to accompany them.

Law Tutors Zoro (In The Ways Of Love Math)

Zoro's life is way too stressful. Between kendo competitions, a job that doesn't pay enough, a second job that's a bit questionable not too mention school. He doesn't even care about most that stuff, but if he wants to be the greatest at his sport, the rest is sort of necessary. Like training. One thing he definitely needs more training in is school work. Zoro has to keep a certain GPA to keep his Kendo scholarship. Luffy insists he knows the perfect tutor, and while Zoro isn't so sure about Luffy's judgement on intelligence, he trusts his friend. Enter Trafalgar Law, college senior who tutors on the side. Oh, and - as he casually mentions at the end of their first session that he's seen Zoro at his job. No, not as at the restaurant, but the online videos. And he has to say, he's quite the fan.

There are a few I didn't manage to get to tonight, despite being some of my favorites. Maybe later, when work has not drained the life out of me, you can hear about...

Drummer Zoro/Med Student Law

Marine Law/Revolutionary Zoro

Marine Law/Marine Zoro

Police Zoro/ME Law

Rock Star Law / Bodyguard Zoro

Biker Gang Zoro / Anarchist Group Law

Kendo Olympic Champion Zoro / Sports Doctor Law

Kendo Rivals Zoro / Law

Evil Doflamingo Pirate Law / Captive Zoro

Samurai Zoro / Ninja Law

Detective Zoro / Art Thief Law

[tabloidtoc]

In Touch, April 12

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Reese Witherspoon divorce shocker

Page 1: Contents

Page 2: Who Wore It Better? Heidi Klum vs. Maren Morris in Dundas, Scarlett Johansson vs. Ingrid Andress in Tom Ford, Kate Upton vs. Zoey Deutch in Old Navy

Page 4: Kylie Jenner bought all of this instead of helping a friend -- Kylie gave $5000 to a GoFundMe to help pay a portion of the medical bills for Samuel Rauda, a makeup artist friend-of-a-friend who'd been in a serious accident, but when Kylie urged her fans to donate as well, she was slammed for not covering all his expenses. Here are the investments that were worth her hard-earned bucks

Page 5: Man Candy of the Week -- Jason Derulo leaving an L.A. gym after a two-hour sweat session, Number of the Week -- 1 million viewers Ellen DeGeneres has lost from her talk show following allegations of a toxic workplace, Clapback of the Week -- Priyanka Chopra to a critic who suggested she wasn't qualified to announce the Oscar nominations, TMI of the Week -- Orlando Bloom who replied Not Enough when asked how often he and Katy Perry have sex adding we just had a baby though, Makeover of the Week -- Leah McSweeney goes from blonde to red

Page 6: Crib of the Week -- Rihanna's Beverly Hills stunner, Winner of the Week -- Prince Harry who on top of his Netflix and Spotify deals scored a new job as an executive at a San Francisco-based tech startup, Loser of the Week -- Dr. Oz as former Jeopardy! contestants and fans call for his removal accusing the celebrity doc of dispensing dubious health advice over the years

Page 8: Up Close -- Julianne Hough introducing her new Fresh Vine wine line with Nina Dobrev

Page 9: Nick Jonas holding a Blake Shelton bobblehead on The Voice, Heidi Klum's husband Tom Kaulitz gets cheeky at a backyard barbecue

Page 10: Britney Spears' boyfriend Sam Asghari shows off his pecs while heading to the gym in L.A., a new photo of Kristen Stewart as the late Princess Diana in the upcoming movie Spencer

Page 12: Bethenny Frankel wipes out in the waves in Miami, Neil Patrick Harris snorkeling, Paul McCartney soaks up the rays in St. Barts

Page 13: Rose McGowan at the beach in Tulum, Mexico

Page 14: Demi Moore with two puppies on #NationalPuppyDay, Selena Gomez shares a throwback photo of her and Taylor Swift and her cat Benjamin Button

Page 16: Duchess Kate Middleton and Prince William return to their wedding venue Westminster Abbey for an official engagement a few weeks before their 10th anniversary

Page 18: Madonna serving her signature look at age 62, Justin Bieber gets a neck tattoo referencing his latest single Peaches

Page 20: Sharon Stone has had a lot of health problems, she writes about in her new memoir

Page 21: Gwyneth Paltrow is desperate to get Meghan Markle to collaborate with her on future content for Gwyneth's wellness and lifestyle company Goop -- she know Meghan once had a similar site called The Tig, pre-Harry, and she'd bring so much exposure to Goop -- of course Gwyneth also thinks it'd be cool to say she's friends with Meghan as Gwyneth is very focused on status and loves the royal family and they're neighbors in Montecito, so she's been going out of her way to ingratiate herself into Meghan and Harry's life -- Gwyneth even sent Meghan a box of products from Goop's website

* Alex Rodriguez and Barbara Corcoran: Worst Landlords Ever? -- critics sure think so after a building in which the stars are part-owners threw out a COVID-19 victim's belongings while he was in the hospital -- Ryo Nagaoka was admitted to Bellevue in January and returned to his East Village home in late March to find it virtually empty and the locks changed but the building's managers who control the daily operations were just protecting the other residents as Nagaoka's condition had deteriorated some much, they felt his apartment was a health hazard -- Alex hasn't commented on the incident, but Barbara says the management company, with Mr. Nagaoka's permission, has fully renovated his apartment and everyone is the building is beyond thrilled to discover he had returned

* Star Sightings -- Nina Agdal, Brooklyn Decker, Chrishell Stause

Page 22: Cover Story -- Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth hanging by a thread -- tears, threats and a costly mistake: why Reese and Jim are at the breaking point -- in many ways, they're leading separate lives

Page 26: Bindi Irwin's baby joy -- introducing Grace Warrior Irwin Powell

Page 28: After eight year of hell, Bethenny Frankel is finally divorced from Jason Hoppy, and she's ready to wed again to Paul Bernon

Page 30: Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla's anniversary from hell -- Charles' marriage with Camilla is cracking under pressure -- the last few weeks have been an absolute nightmare for the couple

Page 34: The Big Interview -- Sherri Shepherd

Page 36: Beauty -- Spring's fragrance fix -- Kaia Gerber

Page 40: Animal Overload

Page 46: Horoscope -- Aries Mandy Moore turned 37 on April 10

Page 48: Last Laughs

[banarjeenikita]

Living in a 1 BHK in Bhandup West: What’s the Lifestyle Like?

Bhandup West has emerged as one of Mumbai’s most promising residential hubs, especially for those seeking compact yet comfortable homes. With a growing number of young professionals, nuclear families, and first-time buyers showing interest, 1 BHK in Bhandup West has become a sought-after choice. But what is it really like to live in this vibrant suburb?

Strategic Location with Excellent Connectivity

One of the major advantages of living in a 1 BHK in Bhandup West is its excellent connectivity. The suburb is well-linked to key areas of Mumbai via the Central Railway Line, LBS Road, and the Eastern Express Highway. Bhandup railway station provides easy access to South Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai, making daily commutes hassle-free.

Additionally, metro connectivity is expanding rapidly, with the upcoming Metro Line 4 expected to further improve access. Whether you work in Powai, Mulund, or even BKC, Bhandup West makes for a convenient base.

Affordable Yet Well-Developed

In comparison to areas like Mulund or Powai, 1 BHK flats in Bhandup West are more affordable, yet the locality doesn’t compromise on infrastructure. You’ll find reputed schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and recreational options within easy reach. This balance between affordability and convenience makes it especially attractive for first-time homebuyers and young families.

Some popular residential projects offer well-planned 1 BHK apartments with modern amenities like gyms, gardens, clubhouses, and even co-working spaces. So, while you live in a compact home, you still enjoy access to a vibrant, well-rounded lifestyle.

A Growing Social and Cultural Scene

Bhandup West has quietly developed a lively social environment. With an increasing number of cafes, multiplexes like Cinepolis and Carnival Cinemas, and eateries popping up in the area, residents don’t have to travel far for entertainment. Shopping is also convenient with Neptune Magnet Mall and other retail outlets nearby.

Living in a 1 BHK in Bhandup West doesn’t mean missing out on social life—it means having everything you need within a comfortable radius. Plus, the suburb maintains a quieter, less chaotic vibe compared to other crowded parts of Mumbai.

Community Living in Compact Spaces

A 1 BHK might sound small, but with smart design and a little creativity, it can feel spacious and cozy. Many new 1 BHK units in Bhandup West are designed with modular kitchens, sliding doors, and cleverly built storage options that maximize every square foot. For singles, couples, or small families, this can be the perfect combination of privacy and community.

What enhances the living experience is the sense of community. Many housing societies organize festive events, fitness groups, and children's play zones, creating a warm, neighborly atmosphere.

Safe and Family-Friendly Environment

Safety is a top priority for any homeowner, and Bhandup West fares well in this regard. The presence of gated communities, active residential associations, and nearby police stations contributes to a secure living environment. Families with kids or elderly members can feel at ease here.

Additionally, reputed schools such as St. Xavier's and Pawar Public School, along with good hospitals like Fortis and Ankur Hospital, add to the sense of comfort and security.

Final Thoughts

Living in a 1 BHK in Bhandup West offers a harmonious blend of affordability, convenience, and modern living. Whether you're a young professional seeking your first home, a couple starting out, or someone looking to invest smartly in Mumbai real estate, Bhandup West checks all the boxes.

With continuous infrastructure development and a rising quality of life, it’s no surprise that this suburb is gaining popularity among homebuyers. Compact in size but rich in lifestyle—Bhandup West is redefining urban living, one 1 BHK at a time.

[talia-rumlow]

Friendly Fire (Alvey Kulina X Reader) Chapter One - Back Again!

I´m sorry. I just couldn´t help myself. I had to share this story. I absolutely LOVE the Kingdom TV show. So naturally I had to write a story about it. Now, I´m not the biggest Lisa fan, so she won´t be featured in this story, other than some mentionings.

Pairing: Alvey Kulina X Reader

Wordcount: 2274

Warnings: Strong language, Mentions of drugs, mention of suicide, fighting

Summary: You´re back in Navy St. After years away from the fighting business. How will Alvey react to you being back in the game?

HAPPY READING!

The sound of gunfire, not a surprise, given that you are at a shooting range. The sound of gunfire is kinda in the description. Fuck! What are you actually doing here? Why the FUCK did you decide to show your face to Alvey? To cushion the blow? Like that would fucking help. Alvey would be PISSED either way. But you didn't have the luxury of turning down jobs.

- Is it weird that I want to fuck this gun?

Alvey fucking Kulina, being himself. Fuck, Cunt and Motherfucker. His three favorite words. You remember that.

- Nah… You won't fit…

You say, when you walk up behind him.

- Up your ass maybe, but I kinda have a feeling that's not what you meant!

You continue. You know you should probably just say "Hi, Alvey!", but his statement about the gun was just too good to let slide.

Alvey turns around, still holding the gun. He looks at you for a split second.

- The fuck are you doing here?

He asks, his voice angry, condescending.

- Just saying "hi".

You say, shrugging. You should tell him about what's going to happen over the next couple of days. But you can't seem to find the right words.

- You came all the way out here, just to say fucking "hi"?

Alvey says, still in a condescending tone. It actually makes you a bit mad. Maybe you should just keep him in the dark.

- Oh, go fuck yourself, Alvey!

You say, before turning around and walking away. Stupid fucker. He fucking deserves the blow he's about to get.

__________________________________

ALVEY'S POV:

Fucking cunt! He thinks for himself, as he enters the Navy Street gym. Fucking cunt! What the FUCK is she doing here in Venice? Vacation? Why the fuck did she come here for? To see him?

- Alvey! You have a meeting at 4, and Ryan still has 2 pounds to go!

Shelby states, as Alvey makes his way over to his office. Fast firm footsteps. Stupid, fucking cunt. Ruining fucking everything. He raises his arm, to tell Shelby that this is not the time, before he enters his office, and closes the door behind him.

__________________________________

YOUR POV:

- YN!

You hear Jay shouting the second you enter the gym.

- The fierce medic is back, to join the Navy Street team once again. Come here!

Jay shouts, wrapping you in a hug.

- Good to see you again, Jay!

You say, looking around.

- Did you tell Alvey that I was coming?

You ask. It's not that you're scared of Alvey in any way. But it would make it easier if he got a heads up about your arrival.

- Now where's the fun in that?

Jay states. Letting his hand pat your back.

- Where's Nate? I want to say hello to him as well.

You say, looking at Jay. Jay's pointing towards the cage. Alvey is standing on the outside of it, shouting to Nate.

- GET YOUR SHOULDER DOWN. NO! FUCK, NATE. ROTATE!

Alvey yells. It would be a miracle to you if Nate even gets what he's yelling. You slowly make your way over to the cage. When you're almost there, Nate takes a hit, and goes down.

- WHAT THE FUCK?? SPARRING! SPARRING, WHEELER! FUCK! WE DON'T HAVE A FUCKING MEDIC HERE!

Alvey yells to the other person in the cage.

- Alvey! We actually have a medic. Err.. This is YN YLN. She's our new medic.

Shelby says, as Nate sits down outside the cage, and you kneel down in front of him. He got a pretty nasty cut over his right eye.

- The fuck, she's not!

Alvey says, when he sees you.

- Alvey! It's not easy to get anyone. After what Ryan did with the drug test, and how you pushed it under the rug. Good help is hard to find. And you NEED someone who can stitch up the fighters, and make sure they're fit to fight. She is one of the best there are. She's been in the business almost as long as you.

Shelby argues, as you move Nate over to some benches so you can get a better look at his cut.

- She's not fucking stichin' up no fighters!

Alvey almost yells at Shelby. Before he turns to you. Pointing his finger at you.

- You're not stitchin' up no fucking fighters!

He continues, before he again slams the door to his office.

You look up at Nate. Give him a little smile.

- Still the same old Alvey!

You state, as you clean his cut, before you get your supplies up from the first aid kit. Just as you are about to start stitching Nate up, Alvey comes back. Walks all the way over to you, standing over you, looking down. Is he trying to threaten you?

- You're not fucking stitchin' nobody up. I didn't fucking hire you, so get fucking lost!

Alvey yells. You take a breath before you get to your feet. Alvey isn't moving an inch. You're standing dangerously close to each other.

- Listen jerkoff!

You say, your voice is a bit louder than you intended it to. But fuck it!

- Nate here has a pretty nasty cut over his eye. So unless you want it to get infected, I suggest you let me do my job!

You say, kneeling back down, and starting to close the wound.

- Fucking cunt!

Alvey mutters to himself, before he once again walks into his office. He's not thrilled that you're here, that's for sure. But, that's a problem you can deal with later.

- Hey, YN! What actually happened with you and Alvey?

Nate asks, as you get your supplies back in the first aid kit.

- I just couldn't be part of the fucked up shit anymore. So I quit! We didn't exactly part on good terms.

You answer, shrugging a bit.

- And now you're back. So what's the deal?

Nate continues. Not moving. It's obvious that he wants some answers.

- You know what happened, Nate!

You say, shaking your head a bit.

- I know that he beat the living shit out of your ex. And that's about it.

Nate says, his eyes demanding an answer.

- Why do you want to know so bad, Nate? It's been years…

You ask. Nate gets up.

- Because you were the only one who cared about me, you were the only one who listened to me. And then you just left, overnight. No words, no explanations. You just left! So forgive me, if I want some answers!

Nate almost yells to you, before he walks away. You notice Jay, and that guy Wheeler, looking at you. You gesture with your arms, that you're already fed up. Then you follow Nate.

- Hey, Nate!

You yell. Following him into the locker room. Two other guys just got out of the shower when you come in.

- Hey, what the fuck, lady! This is the fucking boys locker room!

They yell at you. You look down on their bodies, before you look up at them. Laughing a bit.

- Don't worry guys. You've got nothing I wanna look at.

You say, before you continue to follow Nate!

- NATE!

You say, a bit higher. Still no answer.

- NATHANIEL!

You yell, slamming your fist into one of the lockers.

- Back here!

He finally answers. You walk over to the sauna, where Nate sits, his face in his hands. You sit down next to him. Put your hand on his shoulder.

- What do you want to know?

You say, trying to be calm. To calm him down.

- I wanna know why you left, YN. And why didn't you tell us!

Nate says, looking at you. You're unsure if it's anger or sadness you see in his eyes.

- Because of Alvey!

You answer. Tilting your head a bit.

- What happened? Didn't he save you from that fucked up ex you had?

Nate asks, his voice a bit harder now.

- He did!

You say, turning your head away from Nate, and look at the wall.

- And then he decided to get absolutely shit-faced, and wrecked my car. Ended up at the Police station, and left me to clean the mess up. I had enough. So I left. Didn't look back.

You say. It's about time Nate got to know this. And he's right. You should've told him. A simple text message at least.

- Listen, Nate!

You say, putting your hand on his shoulder again.

- I'm sorry. I…. I just… I needed to get out, allright. I couldn't do it anymore. All the fucked up shit he pulled. Looks like he's doing better now, though…

You say. Unsure if you actually believe that, but it might make it easier to talk to Nate.

- Why did you come back?

Nate asks. You look at the wall again. Why did you come back?

- Lisa called me! Said you needed a medic. Told me about what happened to you. Told me about her and Alvey breaking up. And I don't have the luxury of turning down jobs. Former Navy Street employees, from back then, aren't exactly first in line, for the big paying jobs..

You say, shrugging again.

- Lisa called you?

Nate asks. Narrowing his eyes.

- Yes! She called me. And I decided to help you guys. So, now I'm back.

You say. Hoping to calm him down some more.

- How long will you be staying this time?

Nate asks, angry. You can't blame him. You did leave in a hurry, and he has no good reason to trust that you'll stay this time.

- Ok.. I guess I deserve that one… I'll stay for as long as you need me…

You say, nod your head.

- Or, for as long as Alvey lets me.

You continue, shrugging.

- I'm going to trust you on this. But don't go pull any of that shit on me again!

Nate says, getting up. You get up as well.

- So… We're good?

You ask. Patting his back.

- Yeah.. We're good!

Nate says, before giving you a hug.

When you walk back out into the gym again, you hear angry voices.

- And now you're fucking medic is snooping around in our fucking locker room.

One of the guys from the locker room earlier is yelling at Alvey.

- Oh, shut the fuck up, tiny dick! If you had anything worth looking at, you would've swung it around out here, like the real men does!

You yell back, getting their attention.

- YN! My office! NOW!

Alvey yells at you. You look at Nate, roll your eyes, before you follow Alvey into his office.

- The fuck are you doing here, YN?

Alvey asks, as he sits down on his couch. You just look at him.

- The fuck are you doing here, YN?

He repeats. Gesturing with his hands that he wants an answer.

- I'm helping out, Alvey! I just stitched Nate back up! What more do you fucking want?

You yell back.

- I want to know what the FUCK you're doing here?

He says again. You roll your eyes at him.

- Lisa called, said you needed someone like me. Said that Navy Street was in some deep shit, and that you needed a friendly face.

You say, staring at him.

- I can handle my own fucking shit, allright! I don't need you!

Alvey says, pointing a finger at you.

- Ahh.. So Ryan didn't cheat on his positive drug test, you didn't push it under the rug? Nate didn't get knocked out and is unfit for fighting? Jay doesn't have a drug problem? Your ex wife didn't suddenly walk in here, stirring things up? You didn't visit a fucking brothel with your so called rich friend, and got pulled over by the Police, and that same friend didn't use your gun to kill himself? I mean, Alvey, do you want me to go on?

You say, looking at him, waiting for a reaction. Alvey clears his throat.

- So, what the fuck happened, YN!

He asks, placing his arm on the back of the couch.

- What happened, Alvey?

You ask, this whole situation pisses you off. Alvey looks at you, waiting for you to answer his question.

- I stitched you and your guys up after a few fights, and you fucked me in return. You fucking know this, Alvey!

You say, getting up. Alvey gets up as well. Points his finger at you again.

- Don't ever fucking mention my dick and your pussy in the same sentence. Don't even fucking mention your titties and my dick in the same sentence. Fucking cunt!

Alvey says, walking towards you. You just stare at him, not moving an inch.

- If I'm going to let you stay. If I'm going to let you do this. You keep your fucking hands to yourself. Don't go and fucking make a move on me!

Alvey says, his finger now all up in your face. You push him away from you, and go to open the door. Halfway out in the gym, you turn towards him.

- Don't fucking flatter yourself, Alvey!

You say, continuing to walk.

- And I have about a million reasons to mention your fucking dick!

You yell, as you walk past Ryan and Jay. Jay tries to stop you. You push him away.

- Don't fucking touch me, Jay! Get your fucking shit together, Alvey. Or I'm fucking out of here!

You yell, as you enter the reception area, and sit down on a chair.

- What the fuck are you looking at?

You hear Alvey yell out in the gym, before you can hear the door to his office close. You take a deep breath, and drag your hands through your hair. This whole thing turned out to be more difficult than you imagined.

@nekoannie-chan @bat-mar @late-to-the-party-81 @here4thefanfics @rip1009 @there-goes-thefighter @differenttyphoonwerewolf @saiyanprincessswanie @ladysif8

Check out the Friendly Fire Masterlist HERE!

Check out My Frank Grillo Masterlist HERE!

Next Chapter --------->

[imaconstantmess]

Until. Part 2/?

Part 2, criticism still needed and welcome, wanted to say thank you to everyone who reblogged/ noted because you gave me the confidence boost to write a part 2 ❤️

Is this too long? Please let me know 

part 1 here

Steve x gender neutral! Reader

Steve’s mind has been occupied for the past few weeks, and it’s got something to do with the recruit he’s been assigned to train.

Warnings: swearing

The ride home on the back of Steve’s bike was loud. You could feel the wind nipping at your skin and the engine roaring underneath you, and it was brilliant. You smiled wide as the blur of New York lights went past you, and almost felt like letting out a ridiculously loud laugh until you remembered who you were riding with. You thought it best not to embarrass yourself infront of your captain. As Steve got closer to his home, the sound of traffic grew quieter. The city never does really sleep.

He pulled up behind a large, fairly average looking apartment building and started to turn the keys to his bike. You let go of his waist and hopped off the bike before it got awkward, and started to fiddle with the strap of your- his- helmet. Steve looked at you with a slight smirk while he watched you struggle. He was about to do it for you when you found the little side clip preventing you from taking it off. You let out a little victory sound as Steve raised an eyebrow at you.

“What? It’s not like it was obvious” you smiled at him. The bike ride made you feel better than you should have felt, considering what had happened, however you found it hard to be upset in the prolonged presence of the dear old captain.

“Hey, I didn’t say anything.” He laughed with mock offence. You two made small talk while walking to the elavator, Steve letting you in first. He pressed the button and stood back, turning to you. “You can stay with me for as long as you need, you know. I wasn’t fond of Starks curfews either”

“Thank you, Steve. Really, you’ve got no idea how much I appreciate you doing this for me.” You sent him a warm, but tired smile which he returned. The lack of sleep was brought back to your attention with the yawn you had to stifle. You both got out of the elevator, and let Steve lead you to his apartment. You were both being quiet, considering your neighbours, as as you entered the apartment you took in how nice it was. It was modern, but still homey. Part of you expected it to be at least a little out-dated, but we’re pleasantly surprised.

“Nice place you got. Was almost expecting it to look like my grandmas living room” you joked. Steve cracked a smile and tried not to laugh. He loved it when you made backhanded compliments like that, it helped him find humour and a bit of normality in his strange situation. It also kept him sharp.

“If the pottery she keeps sending you is any indication, that woman’s got style” he hung his jacket up and motioned for you to do the same.

“She takes commissions you know. I’ll tell her to give you the friends and family discount” you sent him a mischievous smile as you both walked towards his kitchen. The warm neutral tones his lamps created made you feel sleepy, but for some reason you wanted to be awake.

“I’ll keep that in mind if I need a fruit bowl. Or a key bowl. Or a-“

“OK I get it, my grandma likes making me things.” You finished with a laugh. Steve smiled too, and you saw his eyes crinkle. But those crinkled eyes looked tired, which reminded you why you were here. You pulled out your phone from your back pocket to glance at the time. 3:47am. You hadn’t even realised.

Steve noticed something different when you pulled out your phone. He’d noticed the texts Tyler had sent you, and a few missed calls. He didn’t see what he wrote, he just saw the heart emoji still next to his name. He’d seen it pop up while you were training before. It also reminded him why you were here and not getting the rest you deserve. With that thought, he turned to go towards his room, leaving you a little bit confused on what to do.

“Wait here a sec, I’ll get you something to sleep in. There’s a washer- dryer- combo thing that stark gave me in the utility room “ he scrunched his eyebrows a little when trying to explain it “you can wash your clothes for in the morning” as he left, you took more time to admire the apartment. Warm tones and wooden furniture, with navy blue accents here and there. It was very... Steve. You couldn’t see any pictures on the walls, but the apartment felt lived in. There were a few books placed neatly here and there, and you smiled when you saw the record player in the corner. And then at the other side of the room, a stereo, which screamed ‘STARK’. Behind the stereo you saw lots of CDs, and wondered what kind of modern music Steve was into. You were friends enough to know that Bucky was Steve’s best friend, and friends enough to know that Steve trusted you with the embarrassing tales of his childhood and early 20s that you couldn’t find in the history books. He sometimes talked of his mother, Sarah when he was in a good mood, saying he wished she could see the world today. You told him about your current life, about what shows you were obsessed with, about times when you were not the witty shield agent he usually saw, but just a regular dumbass going about their day to day life. He’d scolded you for calling yourself that, but after tripping over your shoes and going nose first into your door that morning, you begged to differ. It’s not like you hid your past from him, but the subject never really came up. It was a pretty normal childhood in your opinion, although you rarely saw your dad as he worked abroad a lot. Your mother was a stressful person, but she could also be the most understanding mother in the world. You went to a normal school and had normal friends, and there wasn’t really much else too it. But for some reason, the idea of bringing justice to the world had stuck with you since you were a kid. Funnily enough, you’d wanted to be a superhero. You never thought you’d end up actually working with one.

“I don’t really have anything smaller, but I think these should fit?” He handed you a pair of grey gym shorts and a light grey t-shirt. They were too big for you, but with the mans super soldier size it was understandable.

“I’m just surprised you own a pair of shorts” Steve rolled his eyes “it’s like you live for joggers and jeans”

“I mean if you don’t want them-“

“No no, these are fine. Thank you.” Steve smiled, he knew he’d won. Your relationship with him was built on free flowing jokes, sarcasm rooted deeply within you both. Steve was usually just a bit more reserved, keeping his comments to himself. He felt comfortable enough not hold back infront of you.

“Good news though” Steve said with an easy grin.

“And what would that be?” You really hoped he wasn’t being sarcastic.

“I���m giving you- well us- the day off tomorrow. There’s no way in hell I’m training recruits when I’m this tired.” He ran a hand through his hair and rested his hand on his neck as he let out a small sigh.

“Does somebody get cranky?” You laughed at him while he rolled his eyes. “Because honestly, I’d be cranky too. Hope you don’t mind, but I’m not setting an alarm”

“Trust me, I’m not either. Been dying to get a decent nights rest for a while now. Your rooms just down the hall, want a cup of coffee or anything?” You couldn’t read the look on his face, putting it down to you just being tired after over 24 hours of being awake. Steve was hoping you’d stay up for a while longer. He knew it was selfish, but talking to you, with no distractions or interruptions was addictive. He’d been savouring every moment he could get with you, never crossing the platonic line you had created. He wouldn’t make a move on you, but by god did he wish he could. At first glance, he knew you were attractive. Not just in your looks, but the way you held yourself and the personality that seemed to shine through when you spoke. You were reserved, yet confident in whatever short sentences you had to say. And that was just the beginning. The reason Steve had been losing sleep was because of you. He’d be worried when you came to training irritated or angry, but not unloading your problems or talking to anyone- to him - about them. He kept himself up at night, debating whether or not his feelings had begun to border romantic or of it was just a crush that would go away. He never dared think of you in a sexual way, feeling as if it was a boundary, that if crossed would change his behaviour towards you. Change his behaviour enough to push you away, when all he wanted to do was hold you tight and tell you everything was going to be alright. But it wasn’t his place. Before, that was Tyler’s job. He was the one who was supposed to comfort you, because he was the one you chose to give your world to. And he took it and he threw it away, and he hurt you. And Steve was willing to bet he hurt you more than you’d let on and he was angry. You didn’t deserve heartache at all, and seeing you with tears in your eyes, in such a vulnerable place made his heart hurt too. Before he could think about it any longer, you spoke.

“Nah I’m alright. I think I’d better head to bed. Not everyone has super-soldier-stamina like you” you held the clothes Steve had given you a little closer to your chest. He gave you an understanding smile, and gestured you to go down the hall.

“There should be a couple of spare toothbrushes in the cabinet. Take your pick.” Steve stepped back a little as he gestured, not realising how close you were. You made your way to walk past him, peeking down the hall.

“Goodnight Steve” you placed your hand on his arm “and thank you. For- well for everything” Steve’s heart swelled at the contact.

“You’re welcome y/n. Go get a good nights rest. I’ll be here in the morning.” With one last smile you made your way to the room at the end of the hall, while Steve entered his own. The room had a standard double in the middle, a set of drawers and 2 night stands on either side of the bed. You found the lamp that was on the drawers, and as you turned it on you could see the room clearly. The walls were white, but the carpet was a nice, dark grey. The curtains that outlined the window looked more for decoration, a simple line pattern going across brought a little colour into the room with different shades of blue. There was a grey black out blind, which you were grateful for, and not much else. The furniture was wooden. Painted white. The lamps and the bedding were a simple blue, which matched the curtains well. You could tell it was a guest bedroom. It wasn’t lived in at all. To your left you saw a door, which you assumed would be the en suite. As you thought of a shower, you remembered how gross you must look and decided the first thing you were going to do was shower. The bathroom was nice, but small. It had a decent mirror, and as you looked at it you wondered if Steve noticed the bit of ketchup on your face from earlier. You found a toothbrush in the cabinet, and what looked to be toothpaste. You set them aside as you turned the water on. As you got in the hot shower, your muscles relaxed and you were left alone with your thoughts. Which, as you would find out, was a bad idea. You thought of Tyler, and the life you had made together just suddenly gone. You remembered how you’d both laughed and cried at the same movies, and how many times you’d had dinner with your mother. All of it just... gone. A flood of emotions went through you as your face felt hot and your eyed stung.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry...”you whispered as you felt the tears escape “...fuck” you were in the shower a few minutes longer than you would have been, having cried out all the pent up emotion. You got out and dried your hair with a towel, and changed into Steve’s clothes. You felt a strange sense of calm, when you put them on. The smell of Steve was usually clean, like fresh linen, and something just distinctly... him. You crawled into bed after turning the light off, and let sleep consume you.

——————————————————-

When you woke up, you felt a whole lot lighter. You checked your phone, which was on 17%, and the time read 10:30. You didn’t sleep for as long as you would have liked, but your stomach rumbled and compelled you to get up and have breakfast. You washed your face with cold water to wake you up a little and headed towards the kitchen.

——————————————————

It was 7 am when Sam and Bucky met up for their usual daily run. The sun was starting to come out and they were ready to go, except they were missing someone.

“You heard from Steve? He’s usually on my ass about being late” sam said as he was doing a little stretching before the run.

“Was about to ask you the same thing. He did leave late last night after your trainee decided to try play a power move. Could hear Fury giving the speech to the trainees about how you must ‘treat each mentor how you would treat your own’” Bucky replied, doing a half-assed impression of the Director. Sam let out a chuckle.

“Old mans probably catching up on his beauty sleep. I’ll go over after we’re done. Coming with?” Sam finished his stretching and limbered up a little.

“Sure thing.” Bucky was a little concerned about Steve. Usually he’d call or text if he couldn’t come on a run, but he had been tired lately.

They both settled in to a comfortable pace, Bucky going slower than usual to keep Sam company. It was around 9:45 when they’d finished. Sam was sweaty, but used a towel to dry off and after some deodorant, put on a new shirt.

“You always keep a change of clothes in your car?” Bucky asked, only half sarcastic.

“With the situations y’all put me in, it’s nice to be prepared” Sam’s tone was light, showing that he was joking. Bucky was getting used to the dry humour Sam had, and although he’d never admit it he usually found him quite funny.

They got in the car and after about 5 minutes of having a drink and catching their breath, they started making their way to Steves apartment.

———————————————-

Steve had woken up just before 10. He had a quick shower before exiting his room, now in some comfy jeans and a T-shirt he found in his wardrobe. He wasn’t really planning on going anywhere today, but he was going to ask what you wanted to do. He was about to look in the fridge before he heard a knocking at his door. He went to answer it, as it was getting louder and louder by the minute. He already knew who it was. He opened the door with a blank expression as Bucky and Sam strolled into the apartment.

“Where were you man? Didn’t feel like leaving me in the dust today?” Sam asked as he looked in the fridge, frowning once he saw it was empty. “You got anything to eat? I’m starving.” And as if on cue his stomach rumbles.

“Please say you do, he’s been complaining all the way here” Bucky added with a smirk. Sam was about to retort when Steve spoke.

“Could you guys keep it down a little?” And from the looks on their faces he knew he just said the wrong thing.

Sam spoke up first, putting 2 + 2 together.

“Why? Who else is here?” He said much quieter, but Steve heard it. He knew he wasn’t going to hear the end of this.

“Wait, you actually brought someone over?” Bucky couldn’t believe it. Steve finally had the guts to pick up a date. The faint sound of water running confirmed their theories.

“Are they hot?” Sam asked with anticipation on his face.

“Are they nice?” Bucky asked, a bit more protective of his friend. Steve had little luck/ experience in the dating department and he didn’t want his friend hurt. Before Steve could answer, the door to the spare room opened. They heard footsteps coming down the hall and waited for who it could possibly be.

—————————————————

You stepped out of the hall into the kitchen, phone in your pocket as you were debating to go knock on Steve’s bedroom door. You jumped as you saw 3 men in the kitchen, but calming down when you recognised the familiar faces.

“Morning” you greeted them with a tired smile. Bucky and Sam just stared at you. “What’s up?” You asked with caution. They didn’t seem to blink.

“...is this what it looks like?” Sam asked, gesturing to your attire. Tired from just waking up, you didn’t get the meaning behind his words.

“Is what what it looks like?” You asked as you his a yawn.

“Did you two...?” Bucky made a more obvious gesture between you and Steve. You glanced down, momentarily forgetting what you were wearing. You supposed it did look a bit suspicious.

“Oh! Uh, no. We didn’t- we didn’t do anything like that.” You had blushed a little, the situation being a little more than embarrassing. Steve spoke up then, saving you from the questions that were bound to be fired at you.

“Y/n needed a place to stay last night. It was a little last minute, so I let y/n borrow some clothes” Steve didn’t want to tell them what happened, he didn’t feel as if it was his place. Bucky saw the worried look on Steves face and decided to speak.

“What happened?” He asked softly “how come you didn’t go home?” You and Bucky were friends. You weren’t as close to him as you were to Steve, but you two talked often enough around the compound to consider each other friends.

Steve looked at you then, worried about of you actually wanted to tell them. You caught his look and gave him a small smile that seemed to say ‘it’s ok’.

“Well, long story short, I did go home, but me and Tyler had a bad fight. I couldn’t stay there, and Steve found me and offered me a place to sleep.” Bucky looked a lot more understanding to the situation while Sam looked angry.

“What an asshole.” Sam muttered under his breath. You let out a little laugh at that and it lightened the mood.

“You and him still together?” Bucky asked, still speaking softly. He met Tyler once, you two passed him on the street and you stopped to say hi. Tyler didn’t look interested in what you were saying at all, and Bucky had caught him staring at a woman walking past. He didn’t say anything to you then, not wanting to cause an argument when you looked happy. He’d told Steve of course, and Steve nearly knocked another punching bag off it’s hook.

“No, we aren’t. And Im not planning on being with him again. Ever.” You said with a bit of anger in your voice. You figured it wouldn’t hurt to tell them what caused you to leave. “He tried to get physical. Threw something at my head. Not putting up with that bullshit... so I wandered around for a while and found Steve. That’s it.” You looked directly at Sam as you finished your little speech, feeling as if he would have something to add. He kept quiet at your look. Everyone seemed to almost look down, unsure what to say. You decided to lighten the mood. “Is there anything for breakfast? I’m starving.”

“No, there isn’t, because SOMEBODY doesn’t want to keep his fridge full.” Sam gave a pointed look at Steve, and Steve seemed a little offended.

“I’ve been busy! And you two eat most of the food I buy.” Bringing Bucky back into the conversation. Sam and Steve carried on with the friendly banter and you were laughing at them along with Bucky.

“You’re both like an old married couple” you said to them both, which made Steve shut up and Sam act mock offended.

“Old? You’re calling me OLD? I have never in my LIFE been more insulted. I thought we were friends y/n” you couldn’t keep a straight face as you both burst in to laughter. Steve was happy. You were here, you were laughing with his friends. He could get used to it.

“How about we go out for breakfast? It’s not even 11 yet” Bucky suggested , looking at his watch. Steve remembered your attire, and thought it’s probably best you didn’t go out like that- you’d be uncomfortable being in a busy place in your pjs. Before he could step in for you, you answered.

“As much as I’d love that, I don’t have any clothes. I forgot to wash mine yester- well, this morning “ Sam had a thoughtful look on his face.

“Do you have the key to your apartment?”

“Yeah, why?” You didn’t know where this was going.

“I can go pick up some stuff if you’d like.” Sam asked you, and Steve cursed himself for not offering to do that sooner.

“I’ll go too. Help carry some things” Bucky was being a gentleman, but he was really going to make sure none of your things had been broken. People do weird things when they’re angry. And also, to stop Sam from ‘throwing hands’ as the spider boy called it. It would give you and Steve some time to talk at least.

“Really? You two are life savers.” You looked at everyone.”I’ll go find my keys” you turned around and headed for your room. You came back, gave them the keys and they were off. You turned to Steve with a smile, he’d been quiet.

“You ok? If you’re still tired you should get some rest” your brows creased a little bit in concern. You didn’t know if he got much sleep.

“I’m fine n/n, I’m more worried about how YOU’RE doing” he mirrored your concerned stance. He’d never called you n/n before, it was nice. You told him that you were fine, that you were better than you thought you’d be. He listened to your every word, making you feel as if what you had to say was actually important. It was nice having someone listen to your problems for a change. Sam and Bucky called, they didn’t actually know where your apartment was. They FaceTimed using Steve’s phone, pointing out which things were yours. You and Steve were on the couch at this point, sat quite close so you both could be on camera. Neither of you mentioned it, but you weren’t complaining. After getting some things like your laptop, phone charger, a rucksack full of clothes and your safe box from under the bed (you kept your gun and money in it, easier to grab in difficult situations. Every trainee had one) they were on their way back. Bucky accidentally turned the camera around, and was walking around with it pointed to the floor. As he stepped around the broken pottery from last night, Steve saw how many broken pieces there were. He knew it was thrown hard.

“Bucky, we can’t see you” you said to him. Bucky pointed the phone at his face but the camera was still turned around. There was a hole in the wall, and it looked big. Steve almost went white, that could have been your skull. He kept quiet as Bucky turned the camera around.

“We’ve got most of your stuff, but I think you might have to come find the rest” he said as he gave a quick glance round.

“Yeah that’s fine. Don’t forget to lock up, see you two later”

“Later”

Bucky ended the call and left you and Steve alone on the couch. He looked at you and asked if you were alright. His arm was along the top of the sofa, behind your back. You leaned back into his arm and let out a sigh. This was the most intimate position you two had ever been in outside of training, but it felt natural. Nice, even. You told him how you would be a lot better after you had food, and laughed it off.

You’d never had support like this before. You’d never had friends who were willing to take you in without even being asked, to drop everything. That was until you met the avengers. Until you met him.

Until you met Steve Rogers.

———————————————————-

A/n: am I making these too long? Or rambling? Idk I’ve never written before so sorry if it’s not great 🥺

[perscinnamon]

BONSAI!

    1. Everett

Sometimes, it's a simple answer found in your own home.

1999; a year of restless anticipation and empty grocery stores, a considerable population of gym rats and game shows and the bitter smell of black coffee through the suburbs of Everett, Washington.

The world was coming to an end as we knew it according to David Eddy and McGraw-Hill which, to Mark, seemed fucking ridiculous. But, what did he know? He was too busy trying to keep his joint together, bits of weed falling between his shaking fingers. He had woken up at exactly six-thirty for the past month and a half so he could clamber his way to the upstairs bathroom, the only one in his house with a window, to smoke before school. He knew his parents slept in unless it was Sunday. He also knew that they didn't know the difference between the smell of incense and the smell of weed.

When he was finally able to assemble his joint, sticking his tongue out a bit to lick both sides and stick them together, he sighed in relief.

He grabbed his lighter off of the counter and put the toilet seat down, climbing up on top of it to unlock the window and push it open.

Mark leaned each elbow on either side of the windowsill, lighting his joint and taking a deep inhale. He watched the cloud of smoke as it left his mouth.

He liked this feeling; the cold fall breeze nipping at his skin as his heart fluttered in his chest and his head felt light, the high settling in quickly.

The sun was just starting to rise. Of course, Mark couldn't actually see this since he was facing the West, but he watched with sleep in his eyes as the sky slowly lit up, cascading the neighboring houses in a blurry coat of morning sun.

Yeah, he liked this. He liked this a lot.

That is, until the sharp sound of a car horn in his driveway jolted him from his weed-induced reverie.

"Ah— Ow, what the fuck..." Mark groaned in pain, holding his head where he had hit it on the top of the windowsill.

He leaned over as far as he could, looking past his roof to find exactly who he'd expected.

Johnathan Suh, a lanky 22-year-old sitting in a bright red 1987 Corvette Convertible was grinning smugly up at Mark, his long arm swung over the passenger-side headrest. Mark had known Johnathan for as long as he could remember, the Suh family were regulars at their church.

"What do you want?" Mark croaked from his bathroom window, joint still in his right hand.

"What do you think? I'm driving you to school!" Johnathan yelled back, not bothering to consider the fact that it was 6AM in a sleeping neighborhood.

"Why?" Mark said, taking a hit from his joint.

"Because your parents don't trust you after last weekend. They trust me, so hurry or I'm leaving." Johnny said with an impatient hand gesture.

Mark exhaled dramatically, flicking the stub of his joint off the roof and hopping down from the toilet seat. He glanced at his reflection in the bathroom mirror and ran a hand through his messy hair, his cross pendant flashing around his neck as it caught the dim bathroom lights.

He was clad in a pair of navy blue boxers that hung at his hip bones as he made his way to his room, pushing the door open and reaching for his dresser drawer. He managed to throw on a pair of black trousers and his wool uniform sweater, a pair of mismatched socks on both feet as he took two steps at a time down the carpeted stairs. He grabbed the pair of P.F. Flyer's he kept by the welcome mat and his black Jansport backpack, making sure not to slam the door behind him as he padded to Johnathan's car.

"Took you long enough." Johnathan said, wearing that same grin he always seemed to have plastered on his face. Mark shook his head with a soundless chuckle, hopping over the passenger door and throwing his bag in the backseat.

"Buckle up, kiddo. I don't want another ticket under my belt. I got pulled over last week because one of my taillights were out. One!" Johnathan exclaimed with frustration, still grinning, as he pulled out of Mark's driveway and cruised down the street.

"I mean... That's still illegal." Mark said, his voice still relatively hoarse with sleep as he pulled on his shoes.

Johnathan's car was definitely a hand-me-down, given to him by his uncle with a rearview mirror missing and three flat tires. He managed to clean it up decently enough but it never seemed to be the kind of car he could see Johnny in. Mark could see him in some 1970s Shaggin' Wagon. Or an Achieva.

"Yeah, but, like, the car is ol— Wait, you're one to talk about legality!" Johnny said as he slowed at a stop sign, throwing a quick peace sign up at the Nissan Quest passing us.

"It was one time, Johnny." Mark said with a frown. Here we go again...

Johnathan had been grilling Mark incessantly for his recent drunken fiasco the previous Saturday since their parents spoke about it at church Sunday morning.

"Dude, yeah, two days ago. How did you even manage to get ahold of a bottle of wine near a Jewish holiday? They buy that shit up every Shabbat." Johnny said with a chuckle, pulling on to 41st St. past the cemetery.

"I got it from Paul's. I managed to get out of there before he opened up a can on Jacob's brother. That's why I was driving so fast, I wasn't even that drunk!" Mark explained hastily, looking out at the passing headstones. Some were in the shapes of crosses or angels or hearts. It would suck to be buried in Everett, Mark thought as they drove by in a blur.

"If you pull some shit like that you're in for it, Markie-boy. Your dad doesn't play around. I'm actually surprised he didn't ground you." Johnny said calmly, turning right on to Rucker Ave, past the Safeway Fuel Station.

Mark shrugged, bored of the conversation topic as he rested his chin in his palm. He hated when Johnny ruined his high like this, especially when he talked about his dad.

He loved Johnny like a brother and for a Tacotime employee that carved wood into spoons and smoked Nutmeg in his free time, he was a pretty cool guy.

He could also be totally overbearing.

As they pulled into the roundabout at the front of Mark's school, he faced Johnny with ruffled hair and a pink nose.

"Could you pick up a gram or two for me later? I'm gonna be at Hyuck's."

Johnny hesitated for a moment, rubbing his forehead with a sigh.

"Fine, now get out of my car." Johnny said with a playful shove to Mark's shoulder.

Mark grinned winningly before getting out and grabbing his backpack, turning around to say one last thing.

"Pick me up at two."

"Three."

"Two-thirty?"

"Whatever, go to class."

Mark chuckled, walking towards the school with his untied P.F Flyer's, his laces swinging around his feet angrily as he shoved both hands in the pockets of his trousers.

He didn't mind this place. For a stuffy private catholic school covered in brick and vine, it wasn't too bad.

It was the kids that were the worst.

He liked a few of the student's at St. Pius School. He liked his friends and, although he didn't talk to the girls too much, he definitely liked looking at them.

As he made his way up the front steps, he caught sight of a Bully Piston bike racing by him. He watched it screech to a halt in front of the bike-racks.

"Hey, Hyuck!" Mark called from the top of the stairs.

Hyuck turned around as he was locking up his bike, a grin on his face as he flashed a peace sign, rushing up to Mark and shoulder-checking him.

Mark stumbled back with a laugh and shoved Hyuck with his elbow as they made their way through the double-doors.

"How've you been, bud? Heard you knocked over the Bailey's mailbox last weekend."

Mark grunted, rolling his eyes.

"Can people stop bringing that up? It's been, like, almost a week."

"I haven't been here to press you about it. Also it's Monday." Hyuck said nonchalantly, stretching his arms over his head as he nodded to a giggling group of girls to their right.

"Where've you been, anyways?"

"Out."

"Out where?" Mark asked again as they approached his locker. He rotated the lock carefully, silently mouthing his combination numbers.

"My dad's." Hyuck said, leaning his shoulder up against the locker next to Mark's.

Mark frowned. He knew about Hyuck's situation with his parent's recent divorce but didn't know it would resort to him being taken away for an entire weekend.

"That's dumb."

"I know." Hyuck said, ruffling his dark curls with his hand as he watched the students around them waste time before they had to head to morning mass.

"I'm coming to your place later, right?" Mark asked, glancing at Hyuck before putting a binder in his backpack and slamming his locker door shut.

"Yeah. I might have a few people over Friday if you wanna stop by to pregame." Hyuck said, yawning.

"Maybe. I'll see how my dad's feeling."

"Kate might be there."

"Oh- Okay." Mark said after a minute, not really knowing how to reply to this statement. Kate was a pretty blonde that sat on the other side of his Psych classroom in third period.

"Don't be weird about it, Mark. I'm trying to get you laid." Hyuck said with a low chuckle, playfully bumping Mark with his arm.

Mark rolled his eyes.

"Thats all you think about, Hyuck."

The bell rang.

Hyuck shrugged.

"I like to have fun, can't blame me."

**

Morning mass was always a slow process, all the students gathering into Ardolf Hall at an irritatingly slow pace. The stress of having to find his friends in the pews before looking like a loner was too nerve-racking for Mark. That's why he avoided it.

He had ditched Hyuck to go to the bathroom and separated himself from the usual crowd of people that we're headed towards the double doors of the school chapel five minutes ago, heading down the empty hallway with his head down, staring at the floor pattern and stepping from one green tile to the next.

The boy's bathroom was always pretty gross, in every sense of the word, but there wasn't anywhere else to get away.

Mark walked in, scrunching his nose at the smell as he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, eyes red, lips chapped, face pale. He sighed in frustration at his appearance before dragging his eyes down, towards the stall directly behind the mirror.

Mark shrieked and jumped back, scaring the girl sitting on the toilet behind him who let out an almost identical yell.

"What the hell?!"

"Damnit." The girl said as she stared at the coke on the floor that she had previously been forming into a neat white line on top of her Economics textbook.

They stayed like that for a bit, the girl sitting on the closed toilet seat with a textbook on her lap and her coke dusting the tiled floor, Mark leaning up against the sink with wide eyes.

"Wh— What are you—"

Heavy footsteps drew closer outside the bathroom door.

"Sh." The girl said, holding her hand to her mouth cautiously.

They came closer, a hand reaching for the bathroom door and swinging it open.

The girl peeked past the stall door and her shoulders relaxed, lunging towards the boy that had just entered the room and hitting his shoulder.

"Christ, Duffy! You almost gave me a heart-attack." The girl said with furrowed eyebrows.

"Not my fault you're so damn jumpy all the time."

Mark stood there awkwardly, his cheeks bright red.

"Since when are you buds with Mark." The guy, Duffy, said to her, gesturing his head towards Mark with a raised eyebrow.

Mark scratched the back of his neck, pushing off of the sink he had been leaning against.

"I'm not. He walked in and scared me shitless." She said, glancing back at him.

"I'm just gonna go. Sorry." Mark said, inching past the couple slowly.

"Hold on. What are you doing over here, anyways?" Duffy said, a look of suspicion on his face. The girl stood behind him, arms crossed.

Reid "Duffy" Durbin was a notorious presence at St. Pius. He was a self-proclaimed DJ and if he wasn't hosting a party he would show up anyways, always with a baggie full of pills nobody bothered identifying as they scarfed them down. He sported a bristly excuse for a go-tee and a patchy buzzcut. He and Mark didn't really run in the same crowd, although Duffy and Hyuck were pretty tight.

Mark didn't really have an excusable answer so he just shrugged.

"Just getting some air..."

"Not much air to get in here." The girl said with a chuckle.

Duffy groaned in annoyance, "Okay, I hate to be an ass, but... Mark, can you leave? I'm trying to run a business here." He said this as he held up a baggie of what Mark assumed was more coke.

The girl crossed her arms anxiously.

"Um, yeah... Okay. Sorry." Mark said with hesitation, reaching for the door handle and pulling it open.

**

His strange interaction that morning had killed his high and left him drowsy for the remainder of the day, forcing him to watch the clocks at the front of his classrooms as the hand spun clockwise in repetitive circles.

Mark thought about the run in with Duffy and coke-head girl all day, half humiliation and half curiosity. Since when does Duffy sell coke? He had always been just a friendly neighborhood weed plug.

It was weird, but Mark didn't think much of it as he waited by the bike-racks while Hyuck unlocked his bike.

"Isn't Johnathan picking you up?"

"Yeah, but not until two-thirty. I'll probably wait in the library until he gets here."

"You can just hitch a ride with me, you know." Hyuck said as he walked his bike down the sidewalk, Mark following beside him.

"Yeah, but he's bringing bud."

Hyuck made a face that indicated that he understood Mark's rationale.

"Fair enough," Hyuck mounted his bike, "see you at my place, then!"

Mark nodded and waved, watching Hyuck race off, dodging a mini van pulling into the roundabout. It honked at him and he gave it the finger.

Mark snorted at the exchange and turned back towards the school, kicking a half-eaten apple core lying on the sidewalk.

He kept his head down the entire way to the library, kicking acorn tops and stones, stepping over the cracks in the sidewalk instinctively.

Step on a crack, break your mother's back.

**

Mark made his way into the library, the smell of dust and paper overwhelming. There were a few people sitting at the wooden tables in the middle of the room, books or lined paper spread out in front of them. A few people sat at the computer desks at the back as the librarian piled books on a rolling medal cart.

He took a seat on the floor in a back aisle near the history books where nobody ever bothered going. He stretched his legs out and unzipped his backpack, pulling out the book he had been reading for his English class. The Crucible.

The only thing he could hear in the room was the occasional sound of the printer going off or someone coughing.

A kid stepped over him to reach for an obnoxiously heavy Civil War book, a thick History packet in his hand as he eyed Mark and walked off, scuffed Nike's shuffling against the dirty carpet.

Mark had been reading for almost fifteen minutes, his tailbone already aching, when he heard the doors to the library slam shut. He jumped and looked up and around, only seeing the aisles of books that surrounded him.

His eyes, wide as ever, scanned the area as he got up with a grunt, creeping away from the history books and towards the middle of the room, the hair on his arms standing up.

As he approached the middle of the library, he realized he was alone. Not one person reading a book at the wooden tables, nobody typing away at the clunky old computers in the back desks, not even the librarian with her dusty medal cart stacked with books.

"Hello?"

He stood there as his voice's muffled echo filled the room.

And suddenly, it was dark.

[lifewithjessi101]

Iowa Goodwill Thrift Haul

Thrifting has become a new hobby and obsession of mine. I have always been into fashion and had a love for clothes all my life. My three different closets can test for that. But it wasn’t till this past winter I found Haley’s Corner on Youtube. She inspired something deep within me. She is the literal queen of thrifting. After watching almost her whole channel of videos I knew this is something I could try out. Low and behold my first ever thrifting adventure and haul. 

Davenport and Bettendorf Iowa were my first two cities to test the waters of thrifting. What other places to have your first thrifting adventure than Goodwill! I was ecstatic to find that both places had pretty decent sized shopping carts upon arrival. I didn’t have a list going into either place other than don’t spend more than $60 at each place. I held pretty well to my limit too. The first place was Goodwill in Davenport on Villa Drive. The place was smaller than I originally anticipated but none the less I found many gems. This store had a steller denim section but sadly had no men’s t-shirt section. Their men section was not that stellar. The second stop was Goodwill Bettendorf. This store was a lot bigger than the first stop. They had a great ladies’ top section. It’s where I scored the Master’s Golf tank. This store also had a section dedicated solely to activewear. I score brands like Nike and Underarmour for dirt cheap. It’s safe to say both stops will be shopped at again in the near future. Now each brand of thrift stores is different from how they sort the merchandise. I choose Goodwill as my first store brand because they are known for their organization. You know how much I love organization! Goodwill sections the clothes by size and by color. Don’t let this fool you though sometimes there are those gems hidden amongst the other sizes just waiting to be found. You’ll definitely want to look through other sizes too, not just your own. There are so many treasures to find, you just have to look and be patient. With that being said let us get to the haul. 

Outfits:

The Master’s Championship Tank 

When I saw this tank and did a happy dance in Goodwill. I have been golfing since I was little so when I saw the Master’s logo I grabbed it. This tank would have cost so much as a souvenir but I got it for a whole $3. It’s so comfy and a perfect shirt for the summer golf match. Here I paired it with some simple dark denim for an everyday look. 

Stoosh Black Blazer 

Thrift stores are the perfect place to find business attire. I found this blazer for $3. It’s the perfect business women staple. I paired this blazer with a simple cheetah tank, black Old Navy business pants, and cheetah print heels to complete the look. I snagged this blazer because of the color, of course, black is the perfect color that goes with anything and the sleeve length. It’s not a full length which makes it wearable for all seasons. 

GAP Grey Sweater and Old Navy High Waisted RockStar Jeans 

I’m a sucker for sweaters, but thrifting a sweater can be tricky. Finding one that isn’t stretched out or not in the greatest condition. The color, neckline, and the length of the sweater. This one was a mega find. Along with these amazingly soft and high waisted jeans. I love the distressed on the knees and the cut at the bottom. The sweater was $4 and the jeans were $6. I styled both of them together with the signature white Vans at the bottom to complete the outfit. 

Boutique Brand Black and White Top with a Suede Pocket

 Who doesn’t love a good color combination? Black, white, and light brown go so well together on this shirt. It is the perfect length to wear with leggings to work or even some dark denim jeans. Here I styled it with some simple black leggings and white Vans to complete the color balance. I scored this top for only $3! 

Eye Candy Zip Up and So Brand Light Wash Jeggings 

Another fully thrifted outfit besides the shoes. The zip-up is THE comfiest top I have ever owned. It’s also thin enough to wear even on the hot summer days. The jeans are the softest ones in my collection of denim. The light wash is a perfect color to pair with anything this spring and summer. I got the zip-up for $3 and the jeans for $6. That’s a whole outfit for $9! I paired both with some suede grey Vans.  

St John’s Bay Navy Top, GAP Light Washed Denim Vest, and So Brand White Denim 

One of the many favorites that I have thrifted is this outfit right here. The whole outfit is from this Goodwill trip. Everyone needs a pair of staple white denim in their closet. These are so soft, comfy, and fit like a glove. The navy top and denim vest compliment each other so well too. It’s the perfect combination of light and dark together. I scored the top for $3, the vest for $7, and the jeans for $6. That’s another whole outfit for only $16. You normally have to pay that money for one shirt at a mall. 

A New Day Yellow Top and Maurices Dark Denim 

I really like styling the color that seems to be very on-trend lately, mustard yellow. I found the perfect comfy long sleeve for only $3. The material and color is the reason I fell in love with it. The jeans are that perfect fit everyone looks to find. I have multiple shades of denim and these just added to my collection. They were a total of $6. I styled them both together with some Burks to complete the look. 

Banana Republic Cheetah Top and Talbots Grey Denim Jacket 

This is another one of my favorite outfits and it’s all thrifted! The cheetah print top pairs so well with the grey denim jacket. The jacket is so comfy and the silver detailing that makes it pop. I finished the look off with the grey suede Vans. This look is perfect for a day out on the town with friends. I got the top for $3 and the jacket for $11. 

Express Dark Denim Vest 

The outfit is giving me all the fall vibes. Who here loves fall as much as me? This denim vest is perfect to go with all those flannels sitting in your closet. I scored this for $8! I styled it here with some non-thrifted items, a flannel, and simple black leggings with those suede beaded sandals. 

Ann Taylor Dark Denim Jacket 

Everyone needs that perfect dark denim jacket in their closet. This Ann Taylor jacket was a great find. I love denim. I will always snag a good denim jacket or jeans when I find them. I snagged this baby for $11. That’s a STEAL! Name brand and good quality! Here I styled it with some non-thrifted items: a simple tank top in mustard color, olive green Old Navy dress pants, and simple suede beaded sandals. This look is perfect for work or just a simple day on the town. 

Under Armour Bright Pink Active Top 

When you find name brands at a thrift store that are also good quality how can you not pass them up? I got a perfect condition Under Armour’s active top for $9. I style it with just about anything from leggings to jeans to sweatpants. This was definitely on the list of the top finds. 

Nike Black Active Tank 

Snagging all the name brands in the active section. I scored this Nike tank for $6. It’s the original dry-fit material to keep you cool during those hot and sweaty workouts on the track. I have it styled here as a gym to an everyday outfit with black athletic leggings and white Vans. 

Grey and Pink Iowa Dance T-Shirt 

This is my favorite t-shirt right now. It’s so soft, it’s unreal. I had to have it since it has my two favorite things! Dance and Iowa Hawkeyes! The best part it was only $3. Another find on the top of my list. 

Nike USA Olympic Team Active Tank 

Another name brand find. A Nike USA Olympic tank. This tank is the perfect combination of comfy and soft. Two qualities you want in a workout shirt. This tank was only $6 at Goodwill. You can even style it with some denim shorts or jeans for an everyday look. 

Under Armour Grey and Pink T-shirt 

Last on this thrift haul is another name brand top. This simple Underarmour t-shirt has the dry fit material also but adds a splash of color with the bright pink. This would be perfect for the gym or for an everyday outfit too with some jeans. This t-shirt was only $6 to top it all off. 

I hope this thrift haul has inspired you to start your own thrifting adventure! Like always be sure to follow along on all my social media platforms to see into my everyday life. From daily insta story vlogs, OOTDs, thrifting trips, travel adventures, and of course baby Pumkin. I can’t wait to get to know you all more through this fun blogging adventure. Laters babes!

[dahyun]

what color do you think each school subject is?

science/most science related subjects: a nice n fresh looking green color

english/language arts/etc: navy blue or st. kinda boring but serene color

art: hot pink. i like art so it should be bright n fun, unless u have an asshole teacher like i did 😔

social studies: theres so many things that fall under this category so i’ll give it... rainbow 🌈

music: dusty rose. my memories of music classes are mostly relaxing and enjoyable. the classrooms were always wooden n dusty lol

PE/gym class/whatever u wanna call it: shit brown because i hate sports and my memories of this class are all shit

cooking/home economics/etc: pastel pink or pastel blue. a nice n lovely class overall

math: puke green or whatever the most ugly and undesirable color is 🤢

i’m sure i missed some but it’s been quite a while since i was in school lol