#Plus she'd never wanna leave it

[cryo-lily]

28 & 56 for Issie : D

Thank you for the ask! ^-^ [ask prompt]

28. Have they done anything embarrassing?

Probably not the most juicy but when Taskar (her smuggler bestie) goaded her into jumping into a well... twice... on Dantooine. Two separate wells by the way. Issie's intelligence goes out the window whenever she hangs out with Task for more than 5 minutes. A broken leg and having to be fished out of the wells by a droid along with Taskar was... something alright. Or having to dress up and follow Taskar around on fleet while he gives stuff away on fleet during life day is also up there. I could fill a list of embarrassing stuff she's done with Taskar. But it's their friendship at it's finest.

56. Should Vette get them a giant droid for Life Day?

YES. Even if Lana won't let her keep it. Not after the first visit to Iokath, and Issie flying off in one gave her terrible anxiety. Even if Issie gets to play around with it for a day it'll be worth it. The Alliance military division can have it after for more official purposes.

[cherryswisherz]

wilshire

paige x azzi

warnings: kissing, cheating, heartbreak, cursing, semi happy ending, most of this is written as a flashback, long as shit for no reasonnnn

it's the 2024 wnba draft. azzi's my plus one. nika and aaliyah are getting drafted tonight and i'm trying to keep my cool. because tonight is about them, not about me, not about azzi, not about our summer of utter fucking confusion.

lights from cameras flash. i smile, i mog, i pose. reporters are shoving mics in my face asking stupid questions as i guide azzi off the red carpet with my hand in a respectful position on her back. we have to find the girls before the draft starts. azzi wants to meet them before so it's not awkward at the after party. i'm trying to tune everything out but 6 words take me back to june and i freeze in my tracks.

"what's going on between you two?"

-

met you on a saturday knew it was somethin' soon as you spoke it eye fucking across the table, don't think anybody noticed you asked me if I was coming to the city you from maybe we should kick it, i was interested that would be dumb, if i denied

"paige..." that was the only thing she'd said directly to me all night. the rest of the time she'd spoke to everyone, answering their questions about how she met ethan, what her major was, etc. 

i'd been staring at her as she did this. studying the way she spoke with her hands, the flutter of her lashes, the bounce of her curls. her voice was so sweet and she always smiled when she wasn't talking so i could see her perfect fucking teeth. 

"where you from?" someone, i couldn't remember who, asked and she threw a glance my way, looking me dead in my eyes for a split second. 

i knew where she was from. we played against each other every year in high school. i was a year ahead of her. we never really paid attention to each other off the court, but i knew she was a killer player and an acl injury during her junior year took her out of the game for good

"uh- i'm from virginia. arlington county." she smiled as she cut her chicken. "me and paige played each other before i had to quit." she looked at me again, longer this time, and i damn near melted into the chair before she put her attention back on the conversation. 

"yeah she gave me a run for my money." i laughed, and that made her look at me again. she seemed confused, probably because i hadn't spoken this entire time. 

"my schools giving you a run for your money." she giggled and it was the most perfect sound i'd ever heard. "they say you're gonna be back when you guys play us next month. any truth to that?"

the competitive side of me took over when i answered her. "yeah i'll be back to tap dance on yalls ass in your own arena." 

"i guess we're in trouble then, huh?" she asked, her big brown eyes boring into mine.

you and i make sense, you stayed back at my telly we was chattin' 'til morning, vibration was heavy i wasn't drowning or yawning that's when i told you my feelings you told me you felt the same but you got homie you dealin' with damn, i didn't know, that's a bit unexpected but i get it, it's whatever, least i can do is respect it

after that dinner, azzi and i hadn't stopped texting and facetiming. it felt wrong because she was my friends girl, but i couldn't leave her alone. i wanted to be near her even if i couldn't see her in person until my team played hers. 

as predicted, we beat their ass and i made sure to remind azzi of that the whole ride back to her apartment. and when we got there, i took off my hoodie and plopped onto the couch. 

"so what we doing tonight? you wanna go out or stay in?" i asked her, praying she said stay in because i was dead tired. 

"definitely stay in." she said, sitting beside me on the couch. "lets put on a movie or something." 

and we did. we put a movie on. now did we watch the movie? no. 

we started talking, just yapping about any and everything. i was totally wrapped up in what she had to say, whether it was about school, or music, or anything really. i wasn't even tired anymore, she had my full attention. 

but then the conversation shifted to basketball and azzi's mood shifted with it. 

"sometimes i try and run 1v1 with ethan and for a second, i forget that my leg is fucked. for those 45 minutes i feel like everything is how i planned it to be." she looks at her knee poking out of her ripped jeans, then she rubs her scar. "and then i stand on it the wrong way and i remember that i'm not a player anymore. just a fan." the crack her voice forces me to grab her and pull her into me, letting her sob into my chest.

"az, you'll always be a baller. that shit's in your spirit ma." i almost wanna cry with her. "and even though you can't play anymore, you're one of the most beautiful people on the planet. and you're smart and you could do anything you wanted to do, basketball be damned."

a few minutes passed and she sniffled, looking up at me, and i got lost her red eyes and wet lashes. our faces were so close together, i could feel her breath on my nose. 

"i really like you azzi." 

fuck.  i shouldn't have said that.  she has a boyfriend.  her boyfriend is my fucking friend she's probably stra-

"i really like you too p." 

oh?

"but i'm with ethan. and he's good for me."

oh.

anyway, convince him to bring you to me so we can kick it right in front of his lenses, since nothing here is malicious you sat by me in that movie we went outside for them doobies we walkin' off when we talk man, that nigga not fucking stupid

"you should bring azzi to storrs with you." i suggested to ethan. "does she like horror movies?"

"uhhh yeah i think so..." he trailed off then scard the hsit out of m. "AZ! YOU WANNA COME WATCH A MOVIE WITH US?" i guess she asked who all was coming. "JUST ME AND PAIGE!" and then i guess she said yes. "okay paige, we'll be there in like 30." 

at the movies, in the five minutes i was waiting for them, i checked my hair 4 times, rearranged my jewelry twice and made sure my breath didn't smell like lunch. and when they got there i choked on my spit because azzi was wearing a sundress that hugged her in every right way. 

i honestly dont think there could be a wrong way. 

when she hugged me she whispered "i missed you." in my ear and dropped a light kiss on my neck that left me flushed. 

in the theater, i sat between her and ethan but we didn't really pay him any attention

"you look really good paige." azzi whispered to me. 

i looked down at my basic ass outfit (wifebeater and sweats), that i spiced up with jewelry and some fire shoes. "girl, this is lightweight." i whispered back.

"yeah well you look good in anything." 

"you look good too az," 

"you think so?" she's fishing.

"if your boyfriend wasn't next to me we wouldn't just be talking right now." i laughed, taking her bait. 

i got a laugh out of her and then she moved to hit me on the leg, but i caught her hand and tangled out fingers together, looking forward at the screen. she didn't move her hand. just set both of ours in my lap. and we stayed that way for like 15 minutes until she leaned into me and whispered again. 

"i hate horror movies, and he's snoring." she laughed pointing over me at her boyfriend who was knocked the fuck out. "can we leave?"

"yeah i got you." i thumped ethan on the head, causing him to jerk out of his sleep.  "yo. wake up, you're loud as hell. ya'll go home."

when we left the theater we walked out in silence but when we stared to say goodbye, azzi cleared her throat.

"actually, i wanna get something to eat really quick so, e, you can go home." she placed her hand on my shoulder, squeezing a little. "paige can you take me home after?"

my heart sped a little at the thought of being alone with her but i kept it P because her literal boyfriend was right next to me. 

"uh yeah if that cool with you?" i asked, not because i needed his permission, but because he's my friend and i wanted it. 

"yeah of course." he nodded then dapped me up "goodnight p."

"night." as soon as he was gone, i rubbed my hands together and looked down at azzi, catching those brown eyes in a way that made me think i never wanted to lose them. "so... where we boutta eat because im hungry as hell." 

"im not actually hungry, i just wanted to spend time with you." she said, putting her hands behind her back. "but you live here, so you pick."

"oh word?" i raised my eyebrows and put an arm around her shoulder, turning so we were side by side as we started walking towards my car. "imma take you to my spot."

"take me anywhere you like." she said, opening the passenger door, leaving me looking over the roof of my car, trying to keep it together until i got in the driver seat and began to queue a few songs. 

then i got a text. 

ethan: tell az to bring me a to-go plate

ethan. FUCK.

said you can't fully be into me 'cause you with him then why the fuck when we link it's like he doesn't exist? they all know that we're friends but we both aware that it's more everything i got, if you say the word, then it's yours

the party was loud as shit. i was drunk as shit. azzi was drunk as shit. ethan was nowhere to be found. 

"paige i have to peeeee." azzi whined into my ear. 

"okay come on." i shouted, guiding her to the bathroom, which was empty. 

while she was in the stall, i drank some water from the faucet, because i was so fucked up and i think that's why i haven't been able to stop thinking about her.

about how fucking hot she looked in her outfit. about how long her natural lashes were. about how soft her lips looked. about the heat radiating from her body as she danced with me. 

shes so fucking pretty.

"oh my god i feel so much better!" she shouted into the universe as she came out of the stall and started washing her hands. 

i think i just wanted to be close to her again because i moved behind her and hugged her from behind. with my head in her neck, i kissed her softly moaning quietly, "you smell so good, az." 

she turned around in my arms, facing me and i kept kissing her neck, moving to her collarbones, then i pulled away and we just stared at each other for a second. 

it was like a silent conversation, asking each other "are we really gonna do this?"

and i guess the answer was yes, because azzi leaned in and place a single peck on my lips, then pulled away with the speed of light. 

but one wasn't enough. so i leaned back in and enveloped her lips with mine. our mouths moved in perfect harmony, giving me everything i'd wanted since that dinner so long ago. she moaned into my mouth, and i picked her up, placing her on the sink behind her. 

we just kept kissing, caressing each others tongues, rolling our bodies into each others, both of us enjoying the way the other person felt. 

....until she pulled away, pushing me back when i chased her lips. 

"paige we can't." she said, trying to catch her breath. 

"azzi..."

"i have a boyfriend, paige." she sounded kind of sad as she said it. 

"i know az." i said, walking back up to her. "but tell me there's nothing here." i grabbed her hands. "tell me, that these past 3 months, you haven't felt what i feel."

"you know i do paige. i wouldn't have kissed you if i didn't." she looked at me with tears in her eyes. 

you told me when you're with me it's like heroin told me that your confidence went up since we befriended

"when im with you, i feel like i'm floating. like it's just us and that's all i'll ever need. you're-" she sniffled. "you're the only person who gets how much not being able to play fucking sucks. and you made me feel better about it. you make me feel like so much more than a fan, or just a person in the stands. and no one's ever made me feel that way."

and told me that you didn't wanna hurt him

"but ethan, p. ethan is my boyfriend. hes your friend. and he's so good to me. he loves me. and i can't do that to him."

why we doing this?

"so why kiss me then azzi?" i asked. "why the fuck would you let me touch you, or say the things we say, or let me buy you shit? why did you fucking kiss me?!" 

it was harsh, i know but she fucking played me and i was pissed. 

told me this a awkward situation and you just wanna be through with it

"i don't know paige. and i'm sorry." she kept crying. i assume she felt guilty, and i couldn't give less of a fuck. "this isn't easy for either of us. but i think we should just be friends. i don't wanna lose ethan, but i don't wanna lose you as a friend either. 

i snatched my hands out of hers and back away from her so fast, you would have though she had the plague. 

"friend? azzi. you were never 'a friend' to me. i liked you as soon as i saw you in that fucking restaurant. and i tried to be respectful. i tried to respect your relationship but you were the one who made me think you wanted me. you were the one lying to your fucking boyfriend to spend time with me. sneaking into the bathroom to facetime me at 11 at night. you were the one who kissed me. you. it was all fucking you. and now... now youre asking me to be friends? fuck outta here bro." i said, then walked out of the stall and out of the bar.

i know you could be it and everyone around me that care about me can see it i could fuck a trillion bitches every country i done been in men or women, it don't matter if i seen 'em, then i had 'em but with you, it's a feeling

i was still plastered, so i had nothing but time to think about the situation. 

i knew azzi and i could be great, if she just gave it- gave us- a chance. i knew she wanted to. i knew she felt what i was feeling. i'd have known even if she didn't say it. i also knew she didn't feel for ethan, what she felt for me. but she felt an obligation to him. why? i have no idea. but i just wish she would have made up her fucking mind before sticking her tongue down my throat. 

and i know what you're thinking. 

she just wanted to smash.

and that's not true. me and azzi aren't a quick fuck. 

i mean i'm not opposed to a quick fuck. it wasn't a secret that i was bit of a slut. i mean can you blame me? 

d1 athlete, making bank off NIL money. and every girl in every city i went to, wanted a piece of me. who was i to deny them? 

so yeah i guess you can say i got around, but none of that mattered when it came to azzi. she wasn't just a groupie looking for a quick fuck, or to be a basketball wife. she was a baller. if anything she wanted to live vicariously through me and compete again. and i was willing to let her do just that. 

azzi was the object of my affection for three fucking months. i knew everything about her. i fucking craved her. i knew it was wrong. i knew she was my friends girlfriend. but i couldn't quit her. 

my teammates could tell that i had feelings for her too. anytime i was on the phone for more than 10 minutes, they knew it was hr. they picked on my for it, calling me a simp. kk nicknamed me 'sidepiece' which was a nice change from 'community strap' but it stung worse. 

whatever. 

fuck her. 

you said you told him the truth and you never lied now he lookin' at you with them eyes we never crossed the line but he got every right to be a little pissed off he you picked up, y'all got in argument he got his shit off

two weeks after the bar incident, i'd somewhat gotten myself together. figured out how to sleep without her goodnight text. found new favorite spot to eat. slept with someone without seeing azzis face. i'd found a new routine. 

and then it all went to shit. 

"azzi? its 9:30 at night, why are you calling me?" she answered my question with a sob. "azzi baby what's wrong?

"paige... he- he knows.." she cried into the phone. 

"who knows what, az?"

"ethan!" more crying. "he-he-he asked me out no where if you and i had something going on."

"shit." 

"and i couldn't lie to him paige. i told him we never had sex, but-but i told him how i felt about you, and that i kissed you and he just went off." she was crying so hard, i could narely understand her. "he said he should have known not to trust me around you when i told him i was bi, and that you couldn't let him have one thing, and that he couldn't look at me and- and- and-" she started hyperventilating. 

"azzi baby i need you to calm down for me. breathe babe." i mimicked the way she should breathe and got her to calm down enough to listen to me. "azzi. i'm gonna come get you. send me your location and just stay there and stay calm."

"okay..."

i never drove so fast in my fucking life.

i picked you up, your energy off your lips really dry, something is off you asked if i gotta, i asked if you gotta we tripping on our words nobody is lying, hakuna matata we sat in the car and cried for an hour

as soon as i got to the starbucks azzi was at, i looked at her through the window and my heart broke for her. she was in pajamas and a bonnet. those beautiful brown eyes i'd grown so fond d were red and swollen, lashes wet with tears. her soft lips weren't soft anymore. they looked dehydrated, that's how much she'd cried. 

when she got in the car, she didn't say anything. just played with the sleeves of ethans hoodie. 

"do you-" "i'm so-"

we spoke at the same time, then waited for the other to say what they were gonna say. 

"i'm really sorry paige." she whimpered. "i never meant for any of this to happen. i never meant to hurt you or him. and i shouldn't have called you after what happened." she broke down again. "god i'm so fucking sorry." she cried with her head in her hands. 

"hey..." i rubbed her shoulder, "it's fine. you made a mistake and it's okay. "

"i'm so sorry." she just kept sobbing. she was too upset to hear anything i was saying. "i love you too much to have done that to you paige. im so sorry."

and time stopped. 

she WHAT?!

she said she loved me. she said-  no. she's hysterical right now she doesn't realize what she's saying.

ignoring the pit in my chest, i bring her closer to me, making us both lean over the center console. her head fell perfectly into my chest and she let everything she had out. 

as i held her, and felt her whole body shake as she cried, my heart shattered with hers and shed a few tears with her.

on god, i love that girl i'm a sh-, i'm a bad person like, i'm in the wrong, i'm a bad person i had no ill intentions, though shit, everybody got hurt i got hurt

i never meant for any of this to happen. i pride myself on being a good friend, and being loyal to those who are loyal to me. 

and the one time it really mattered, i had to fall for my friends girlfriend. and he really like her too. i think if i hadn't fucked it up, they could have been great. but i did. and it's ruined. 

and all this for what?

for ethan to be hurt? for me to lose a friend? for azzi to feel like shit? for me to have to act like i'm not hopelessly in love with azzi?

and i'm mad private with this side of my life cause people are weirdos, and i just try to keep anyone i care about in the shadows safe from the commentary and spotlight and thoughts cause it's just a story for the people outside of it but i guess you're just another chapter in a book

and here we are, at the 2024 wnba draft in support of my teammates. 3 days ago, i would have been here alone. 

but azzi needed a pick me up and i would rather her be her friend than nothing at all. 

so instead of breaking down about what could have been on a red carpet, i smile, lean into th mic and say, 

"azzi is one of my closes friends. she was supposed to be one of the greats and if she hadn't gotten hurt, she would have been drafted next year. so i just wanted her to see it in real life because she's so much more than a fan. she deserves to be here with us."

i looked at her and smiled, pulling her to the back rooms of the building where nika and aaliyah were getting ready. 

but between the two of us....

i would shoot someone in the face if it meant azzi would light up like that again.

niyah speaks: here we areeeeee s/o my tyler fans CHROMOKOPIA 10-28 !!!! i'm finna do yall requests over the weekend because i have nothing else to do so... be prepared!

taglist: @patscorner @riyahtheballer @mattslolita @thaatdigitaldiary @1onescu

@mrsengstler @kmoneymartini @sageworld @darkskinchristiandiorpostergirl @justliketoreadsowhat @authentic-girl03

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Ace Trappola - Suitor Suit Vignette

"I love..."

[Cafeteria – Wedding Ceremony]

Crowley: Dearie me… Today was indeed an ordeal.

Crowley: It seems the ghosts have all disappeared, leaving our cafeteria still decorated for a wedding ceremony.

Crowley: How dare they take no responsibility for what happened.

Crowley: We won't be able to open for meals tomorrow if it stays like this.

Crowley: So, young freshmen. I'll leave it to you to clear up this "wedding venue" before heading back to your dormitories, then.

Jack/Deuce/Sebek: Ehhhh～～～!?

Ace: When you say freshmen… That doesn't include me 'n Epel in all our tuxedo glory, right?

Crowley: No, I mean all freshmen. I pride myself as an educator who treats all my students the same!

Epel: Oh, come on…

Ace: Give us a break, already. I did so much today, I'm wiped out.

Crowley: I will admit that you played an integral part in today's procession… But that is that, and this is this.

Crowley: I do hope you lively youngsters will be quick about it!

Grim: Hey, Yuu. Stop spacing out! We're makin' a run for it before the Headmage notices us.

Crowley: Ah, of course, that includes [Yuu]-kun and Grim-kun, too.

Grim: Myaaaah!!

Epel: Urgh. I've thrown away so many of these ribbon off the walls, and there's still more to go.

Grim: Whenever I try pullin' the lace off, it keeps getting' caught on my claws!

Ace: This chair's real sturdy. Where'd they even find… Wait, it's a tombstone! [shudders]

1. We're not anywhere close to getting finished. 2. I wanna go home already.

Ortho: Hey everyone, I'm here to help too, so let's put our all into it!

Ace: …Arrrgh, come on! I did so much to help out, too!

Ace: How much trouble do ghosts gotta put us through before they're satisfied, anyway?

Ace: 500 years? Crazy they've been obsessing over something like "love" for that long.

Ace: I'm pretty pissed at those ghost soldiers, sure… But I don't understand what that princess was thinking at all.

Ace: I'd've had a lot less trouble if she'd just given up on the whole marriage thing and lived a happy afterlife instead…

Epel: …

Epel: Ace-kun… Has there ever been someone you liked?

Ace: Huh!? Why're you asking me that all of a sudden?

Epel: Just thought it was strange… You saying she was "obsessive" or that you "don't understand" her.

Epel: 'Cause you kinda give off this vibe that you'd know a bit more about relationships.

Ace: What, you saying I'm a playboy or something?

Epel: N-No, I'm not saying that.

Grim: You shouldn't tease Ace like that, askin' about his love life. No way he'd have any idea about that sorta stuff.

Grim: There's no way a jerk like him would ever have any luck.

Ace: Hey, can you try not being jealous of me for one sec?

Ace: Back in middle school, even I had a girlfriend I'd take to amusement parks or movie theaters or whatever.

Grim: Wh-What!? You're soundin' pretty cocky for someone like you, Ace!

Ortho: Amusement parks and movies, hm. My manual says that regardless of the generation, those are pretty popular date spots!

Epel: Nice… all this talkin' about datin' and such's makin' me feel like we're really at our peak high school guy talk stage!

Epel: So? What happened?

Ace: Well…

Ace: You know girls, they're so scared of roller coasters, so all we'd ride was the merry-go-round or the ferris wheel.

Ace: She'd say everything was "Cute!" and take a ton of Magicam pictures, but I didn't really see what was so exciting about those rides.

Ace: Plus, whenever we went to see a movie, she never wanted to watch action or horror movies, just romance and cute animal movies…

Ace: It was just borin' with her, so we just slowly stopped messaging each other.

Epel: Oh, I see. Doesn't that seem a little…disappointing?

Ace: Yeah, but the worst was still to come. After I started slowly distancing myself, whaddya think happened next?

Ace: …One day, this group of girls I'd never met in my life started shouting at me…

Ace: "Why didn't you ever call her?" "How could you!" "She's been crying non-stop!" "You brute!"

Ace: …And they went on and on scolding me! What's with that, some kind of solidarity between girls or whatever?

Ace: That's when I realized. Love is just a pain to deal with!

Ace: I have way more fun just hangin' with the guys.

Grim: Man, you're just a kid, after all.

Ace: Don't wanna hear that from you, of all people.

Ace: …But, anyway!

Ace: I think it's not me we gotta worry about, but those guys over there.

Jack/Deuce/Sebek: Hm?

[Cafeteria – Wedding Ceremony]

Ace: I think it's not me we gotta worry about, but those guys over there.

Jack/Deuce/Sebek: Hm?

Deuce: Hey, Ace. What have you guys been chatting away about over there?

Jack: Urgh… It's already past midnight and I don't think I can stay awake any longer. Let's hurry and finish cleaning up already.

Ace: You guys are tryin' to act all cool, but who was it that was just rolling around on the floor all day today?

Ace: Look at 'em, Grim. You should be saying that these dunderheads who couldn't even succeed in their mission are more like kids.

Grim: Hm, I guess…?

Grim: Deuce did look pretty lame when he froze up tryin' to talk to that bride.

Ace: Riiiight～?! I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe at all.

Deuce: Wha… I couldn't help it! I'm not used to talking to girls.

Deuce: I clam up when I start thinking that I might say something stupid and callous…

Ace: Your middle school was co-ed, wasn't it? Weren't you popular enough?

Ace: I always thought that guys with that "tough guy" image always had girls falling at their feet.

Deuce: Falling at my feet?

Deuce: …Nah, no one ever talked to me.

Deuce: Every girl other than my mom ―or rather, every guy, too― would run away the moment we made eye contact.

Ace: Ah, I see… So you were just so scary no one wanted to come close…

Ace: Jack got rejected pretty quick too, so I guess guys who just look scary from the get-go just can't get girls, huh.

Jack: That's all useless talk. I don't really care if people like me.

Ace: Oho? What, you a sore loser or something?

Jack: No. Wolf beastmen like myself are destined to find the one person to care about forever.

Jack: Both my parents and my grandparents are the same… From the moment they wake up to the moment they go to sleep, they're always together. Even when taking a walk or having meals.

Jack: When the time comes that I fall in love, I plan on being with them for the rest of my life.

Jack: That's why I don't care if a bunch of folks like me.

Ace: Th... That's waaaaay too deep!

Ace: Dude, you're still a student, and you're talking about "the rest of my life"… You're taking this "love" stuff way too seriously!

Deuce: Also, can you really think about marriage before you've even got a career plan set up?

Grim: What a pain! I definitely don't wanna ever date Jack.

Jack: Well, I'm not asking you to!

Ace: Then, I guess it's more guys like Epel that'd get the most attention.

Ace: Instead of being scary looking, he's a pretty boy with potential!

Epel: Eh, m-me!?

Ace: Well, you were askin' about others, so you should cough up a story too. Was there anyone back home you had a crush on?

Epel: Uh…

Ace: Come on～ Don't keep it a secret～ We're tux buddies, ain't we?

Deuce: That's a rude way to drag him in. Why're you so hung up on hearing about other people's love lives?

Jack: I bet he's hoping that other people'll do his share of the clean up while he keeps the conversation going.

Deuce: Makes sense. That's a pretty Ace-like move.

Ace: You guys are totally interested in hearing too!

Jack/Deuce: Well…

Ace: You ever get confessed to? Was there someone you liked? Or even dated someone!?

Epel: …

Jack/Deuce/Ace: …!

Epel: …Hate to break it to you guys when you're all looking at me so intently…

Epel: But there's not many people in my hometown. And even then, most of the people there either way older or way younger than me.

Epel: I never really got to spend time with people my age once I came here to Night Raven College…

Epel: All I did was help out on my family's farm… So I don't really have any exciting story…

Ace: Dang, so you don't have any fun stories too, huh.

Epel: Sorry I couldn't live up to your expectations.

Ortho: If I were to compare against prior data gathered of boys of similar age, it seems like everyone here is drastically lacking when it comes to living your youthful years.

Ace: Shut it!

Sebek: Hey! Humans! You've all stalled in your work.

Sebek: IF YOU'VE GOT TIME TO CHIT-CHAT, STACK THE CHAIRS!

Ace: Here he comes, the guy who's got the worst chance among us.

Jack: Yeah, I was pretty disappointed too.

Sebek: Hmph. All of you are just going back and forth about falling in love and whatnot.

Sebek: We are students. If you have time for that sort of ridiculous leisure, you should focus on your studies instead!

Grim: Don't be talkin' down to us! You were one of the first to get rejected!

Sebek: I was not rejected! I rejected her!

Sebek: I am busy training every single day to be a capable guard for Malleus-sama. I have no time for frivolities like "love."

Ace: You say that, but what if someone that was really your type shows up one day?

Ace: You plannin' on droning on and on about Malleus-senpai to that person, too?

Sebek: I fully know what to do. Lilia-sama has explained to me what I should do if I were to meet my soulmate.

Sebek: …FIRST I WOULD CRAFT FOR THEM A WELL-THOUGHT OUT CORRESPONDENCE!

Ace: Correspondence!!?? You mean, write a letter!?

Ace: That's like something our grandparents would do!

Deuce: It'd be better if you sent a message on Magicam or email instead.

Sebek: Why is that? Lilia-sama would say that "Fountain pens and stationary are a lover's weapon."

Sebek: One should lay out their thoughts in the missive, and every third letter, also include a picture with a smile. This should continue until the 25th full moon of the courtship.

Sebek: Once enough correspondence has been exchanged…

Sebek: We are to sit on a bench together in Briar Valley Central Park, leaving enough space for one between us!

Epel: Yeah, you're definitely being led on…

Sebek: WHAT!!?? HOW DARE A LOWLY HUMAN DOUBT LILIA-SAMA LIKE SO!!??

Ace: Yeah, yeah. Pipe down already. It'll go on and on if we don't nip it in the bud here, so let's call it quits here!

Ace: [sigh]… But maybe Sebek has a bit of a point.

Jack: What, you gonna write some letters too?

Ace: Oh yeah, yeah, I'd totally whip out the white stationary and write in cursive "I love"… Not!!

Ace: Even for this, me and Epel needed Riddle-ryōchō and Rook-senpai's help, right?

Epel: …Yeah. If we didn't have those two, I don't think we would've been able to get as far as we did.

Ace: You know, it came to me when I saw my Housewarden taking on all those ghosts.

Ace: "My Housewarden's pretty cool."

Ace: I wanna get better at using magic, man.

Ace: I can't even compare against my Housewarden or other upperclassmen right now, but...

Ace: But someday, I'll totally show off what all I can do, and be all, "Check me out now!"

Ace: I totally get a jolt through my body imagining the shock on their faces when I finally show my awesome skills, see?

Ace: And in order to get to that point… I guess I need to focus up a bit more in my studies before thinking anything about love.

Epel: …Yeah. You're right. I think so too!

Sebek: Hmph. See, you do get it.

Deuce: Yeah, we need to hunker down with our studies.

Jack: When Deuce with all his failing marks says that, it just feels even more important to think about.

Sebek/Epel/Ace: Yeah.

Deuce: Why are you all in step when it comes to things like this!?

Ace: …Putting that all aside, we just really got carried away in conversation, huh. We ain't nowhere near done putting the cafeteria back in order!

Ace: Not only did we have to deal with all those ghosts, but now we gotta be held after to do more work…

Ace: We're so lame. Nothing good came out of today at all.

Ortho: That's not true!

Ace: Eh?

[Cafeteria – Wedding Ceremony]

Ortho: I was watching the video with the Headmage when you barged into the wedding ceremony, and…

Ortho: It felt like I was watching a movie, seeing you burst in with your flower bouquet, shouting out "Wait a sec!"

Ortho: You were so passionately coming to my brother's rescue…

Ortho: It was suuuuuuuuuuuper cool!

Ace: Huh? I wasn't passionate anything.

Ace: That was because I had just finished running away from the ghosts… or more like I got caught up in the flow.

Ortho: Nah. I saw just how serious you looked when you rushed into the room.

Ortho: You totally meant every word you said to the bride and her retainers, didn't you?

Grim: There ain't no way Ace'd say anything that genuine.

Grim: All he did was just ramble on about stuff without putting in any thought, I bet.

Ace: Y-Yeah, yeah! You got it right on the money, Grim.

Ortho: Judging from what I gleaned from my infrared sensor, with his elevated body temperature, voice pitch and pupil dilation…

Ortho: All the preceding data brings us to the conclusion that Ace was being genuine.

Ortho: …There's no need for you to hide it. You're really shy, huh!

Deuce: Which means…

Sebek: All he said to the ghost bride about the "perfect marriage partner"…

Jack: Was Ace's actual genuine thoughts!?

Ortho: Yup. There's no doubt.

Ortho: It's wonderful that you have a real good image of your ideal partner.

Ace: Hah!? No way! Absolutely no way!

Ace: I just said whatever I thought the ghosts would swallow!

Jack/Deuce/Sebek: Ohooo～～??

Grim: Protesting too much, don'tcha think?

Ortho: Even the Headmage said, "I'm growing fonder of Trappola-kun by the second!"

Ortho: Based on prior literature, statistically speaking, if you were to confess to someone with the same passion as you did today…

Ortho: You're sure to have no trouble getting someone to fall in love with you!

Ace: There ain't no passion. That wasn't a confession!

Ace: …And all you stop your stupid grinning!

Epel: Wow, I didn't realize how much you put into it…

Epel: I wish I could've seen you looking so cool, Ace-kun.

Ortho: Leave it to me! I still have the recording. I'll send you the video later.

Ace: STOP WITH THE RECORDING!

Deuce: Oh, nice thinking. We should all watch it later once we're done clearing everything away. You guys good with doing it at Ramshackle?

Jack: Running a play-by-play could be fun. I'm feeling more awake now.

Sebek: I shall give my own evaluation of it as well!

Sebek: You said I was the guy today with the worst chance among all of us. I'll make sure to thoroughly lambast you as penance.

Ace: DON'T BE TRYING TO MAKE INTO A VIEWING PARTY!

1. No need to be shy. 2. We just want to pay tribute to your gallant speech.

Ortho: Yeah～!

Ortho: That's why you, Ace Trappola-san, who already has thought of what his ideal partner would be…

Ortho: Is the best suited suitor of all!

Ace: …Aaaaah, come on! I've already told you… I wasn't serious at all!

Grim: Woah. Ace's turned completely red even to the tips of his ears!

Deuce: Haha, you're right. This isn't something we get to ever see.

Jack: Hey, Ortho. Make sure you capture this moment too.

Grim: You too, [Yuu], snap a shot on the ghost camera!

Ace: Why's everyone gotta mess with me like this…?

Ace: Just drop it already, guys～～!

Requested by Anonymous.

[celestial-grls]

Party 4 You - Paige Bueckers x fem!reader

summary: you decide to go out with the women's basketball team and a certain member has always confused you - before now word count: 2.9k a/n: fav concept ever is #partypaige...title inspired by the best Charli XCX song ever. please leave comments / reblog if you liked this ok mwah <33

"It's my job that you come out with us tonight." A very out-of-breath KK Arnold informed you on the phone about her new job. 

"KK, did you just finish practice? Why are you out of breath?" You'd started an internship about two weeks ago, and when you agreed to take it, no one warned you that interning meant piling on a ton of work that no one else wanted to do. It'd felt awful to be holed up inside, spending nights hunched over a computer when everyone else was only getting their summer started. 

"Was just playing pick up with Paige and Ice," KK sighed, "So, did you make up your mind yet?" 

"Ugh, I don't know. There's a ton of stuff missing in some of these documents they want me to edit. I still haven't even thought about what I'd wear if I did go out tonight—" You rambled on, pacing around your desk before KK interrupted. 

"I already know you got something in that never-ending closet of yours. Does that mean you'll come out tonight?" An air of hope in KK's voice made you pause to consider it. 

You mindlessly wandered all the way to your closet while you were on the phone with KK. Maybe it was a sign that your brand-new skirt was hanging on the door handle, begging to be taken out for a spin. You told KK, "Okay, I'll be there. But please, promise we will keep it contained, nothing crazy?" 

KK let out a scream that made you rip the phone away from your ear before she started laughing and said, "Come by later to pregame! Bye, Pookie!" 

You laughed at her excitement, "Bye, KK!" 

The going-out section of your closet only served as a reminder of how crazy going out with some women's basketball team members can get. Between their boundless energy, how they seem to know everyone (including bartenders), and how they attract a crowd everywhere they go, there is no telling where the night can go once you join them. 

You met KK when you partnered up in your communications class and immediately found her hilarious. Plus, it didn't hurt that she always got you better seats than the student section during basketball games. You knew that going out tonight meant you were going to see Paige, so it was crucial to keep yourself in check. 

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Paige and Ice took a water break while KK finished her phone call with you. 

"So Y/N's coming tonight?" Paige asked in confirmation. 

KK teased, "Why? So you can stare at her from a corner all night?" 

Ice added, "No, for real. Poor girl probably thinks you hate her." 

Paige interjects, "Alright, alright. We've talked to each other before. Y'all just don't wanna remember it." 

KK scoffs, "Girl, boo. Asking what her major is doesn't count. Especially because I already told you what it was before." 

They all gathered their things while Paige advocated for herself, "Y'all really have no faith in me, huh? Trust, it'll be a different story when I come by later." 

KK and Ice mumbled a combination of 'Yeah, sure' and 'Uh huh' before heading toward their building while Paige walked alone to hers. The truth was that she was a nervous wreck around you and always has been ever since KK and you became friends. 

It was one of those things that no one but Paige understood. She was her confident, relaxed self around her friends, in a stadium full of fans, even at events she would've never believed she'd find herself in. She got it in her head that maybe you didn't like her very much. Not because you were standoffish, you were actually the opposite. Paige never felt that you liked her enough to be around her alone. They were always in groups with their respective friends.

At first, none of her friends caught on to her little crush; she tried to keep it discreet. It was going well until you came over to watch movies and see them fight over the Xbox controller in a pair of striped sleep shorts and a UConn hoodie, and she officially became a goner. Sitting four feet away from you while you looked like that and periodically pushing your glasses up made her sweat from her palms and make her think up an excuse for leaving movie night early. 

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Ice's apartment was filled with chatter, and Paige's pregame playlist came from the speakers. Everyone's shot glasses were haphazardly crowded on the table while some girls mixed drinks. 

You adjusted the bottle of Tito's in the crook of your arm before knocking on the door. When Ice answered the door, you could already tell you needed to catch up with everyone. She immediately wrapped you up in a hug and excitedly screamed, "We missed you, Pookie! And you came prepared." 

"I always do," You told her as she took the vodka from you so that you could adequately say hi to everyone. 

It was a natural relief to finally have a night out with friends, and any thoughts about work or deadlines didn't even cross my mind when I got to Ice's. 

KK must've been just as relieved to see you because she said, "Y/N, finally, someone who can make a mixed drink. I can't drink any of Paige's mid-ass drinks anymore." 

Paige looked offended and told her, "Call them mid, but they get it done." 

It's not like you received any formal mixologist training or bartending experience, but making drinks became your specialty whenever you went out. You got straight to work making KK her favorite drink and handing it to her. 

KK graciously sipped it and said it tasted "Perfect, as always." 

You turned around to see Paige standing empty-handed and decided to ask, "Want me to make you something?" 

Your pretenses were completely innocent, but how you softly smiled and batted your eyelashes made Paige's heart jump. Plus, she'd only heard five-star reviews about your drinks, so she couldn't refuse anyway. Once she gave you the okay, she was gearing up to ask you where you learned to make drinks like that until KK interjected, already half her drink downed. 

"Don't worry, Y/N. She's not picky."

You were done with the drink and ran to the fridge, your little heels clacking on the wooden floor, to grab the jar of maraschino cherries. When you topped off Paige's drink and handed it to her, you shrugged, "I have a feeling she'll like it." 

There it was again—your self-assuredness and complete ease in any situation made Paige feel weak and wobbly around you. The shiny red cherry on top, matching the shiny coat of lip gloss you were sporting, didn't make it any easier for her. 

She usually hates anything that tastes like alcohol, so whatever you made her was incredible. "This is fire. What is it?"

"A dirty Shirley. You like?" You stood looking up at her, hoping the drink could be a peace offering or a way to make Paige like you a little more. You never knew why she seemed more reserved or conscious around you, but you knew it always drove you crazy. 

"These are dangerous." Paige concluded with approval, and KK said, "Told you." 

After everyone was tipsy enough and you caught up with what some girls had been up to in the last couple of weeks, it was time to get into the Uber to start your night. Time collapsed into a whizz of final lip touch-ups, shuffling clumsy bodies into one car and waiting in anticipation to let loose. 

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

There was a corner of the bar with a karaoke machine that KK and Paige excitedly ran over to like it was a toy. Everyone downed the shots you bought and got ready to hear their performance. They did their best rendition of 'Kiss Me More' and sounded nothing like SZA or Doja Cat, but since everyone was tipsy, they danced anyway. Paige and KK looked right at home, singing with their arms wrapped around each other and sassily dancing whenever they caught Ice or Azzi filming them. 

When they finished, your little group applauded their effort, and Paige unexpectedly took her place next to you and Azzi. She looked a little smug, sipping the drink in her cup with her other hand resting in her pocket. 

Azzi piped up, "Tone deaf and singing Doja Cat is crazy." 

Paige scoffed, "Alright, Azzi, I don't remember asking." Azzi and Ice got up to sing next, and Paige shifted closer to you. 

Emboldened by the drinks, she nods at you and says, "I like this skirt on you." 

You feel it in your face first, flushing from having her eyes on you. You played it cool and told her, "Thank you, the skirt likes you, too." As you said it, you didn't exactly know what it meant, but it made sense in your drunk brain. 

She laughs and nervously twists the bracelet on her wrist. "So what'd you think of my singing?"

You pretend to think about it, "You ball better than you sing." 

Azzi and Ice are making an Usher song into a duo. You sip on your drink while taking a video of them that they'll definitely be humiliated by tomorrow. 

Paige looks at you and asks, "Oh, so you've noticed?" 

You don't know where this confidence came from. Usually, Paige avoids you whenever you're out. You figure it's because she's been drinking and having fun after an intense season. You're suspicious of it, but you like this version of her. "You know I come to games." 

"Haven't seen you in a minute, though. You been busy?" 

You repeat what she said right back to her, "Oh, so you've noticed?" 

Paige laughs, touching your arm and lingering near your elbow. "I'm being for real. What you been up to?" 

Her touch makes you feel dizzy, going straight to your distracted brain while you try to find an answer for her. "Got an internship, and they're already overworking me." Before Paige can respond, you shift closer to her to ask, "Can I ask you something, Paige?" 

She steadies her eyes on you and says, "Sure, what's on your mind?" 

You start, "I don't know…Normally, you don't talk to me much." You kept it lighthearted, teasingly asking, "Am I that scary?" 

Paige looks down at her sneakers, "Nah, not too scary." She added, "M'glad you came, though." 

You looked up at her as she wet her lips and said, "I'm glad I came, too." 

When Ice and Azzi finished singing, they were exhausted from exerting so much effort. You rounded everyone up and announced, "Everyone's gotta do a shot, I'm buying!" 

After another round of green tea shots, all hopes for a contained and calm night went out the window. Some girls broke off into different groups inside the bar as they ran into different acquaintances and friends. There was even more karaoke, only getting slightly sloppier and more tone-deaf with time. Sometime between you dancing behind the DJ table and your third drink, your exchange with Paige from earlier caught up to you. 

You couldn't even precisely identify what you were feeling at the moment. You thought Paige was indifferent toward you, or at least not keen on getting to know you beyond being KK's friend. But when you remembered the feeling of her fingers grazing your arm, you felt confused by it. Suddenly, an emotional wobbliness started to creep up on you, and your next instinct was telling you to duck outside for a minute. You handed your drink to Azzi and told her you needed some air and would be right back. 

It was cool enough outside to wrap your arms around yourself comfortably as you stood with your back against the wall. When you leaned your head back to close your eyes and take a breath, you tried to collect your thoughts. It was bouncing around a few things: deciding what to doordash later when you got home, mentally writing a small to-do list of internship work, and Paige. 

You thought about how her hands looked around the drink you made her at the pregame, her long legs in a pair of cargos you liked on her, how she sounded so sincere when she told you she was glad you came. It was a lot, and your brain would overheat if you didn't duck out when you did. You were so startled when all you heard was, "Hey," coming from somewhere on your left. 

It was just Paige, who currently had her hands on your shoulders after you almost jumped out of your skin at someone coming up to you. She apologized profusely before she said, "Wanted to see if you were good." 

Your eyes soften at this. You forget that you were concentrating so hard on your shoes that you were about to burn a hole in them. It was replaced by Paige's presence, comforted automatically by her taller frame blocking out the view of the street at night. 

You straightened up, adjusting the purse she was touching on your shoulder, and evening your voice enough to say, "I'm good; I just needed a second." 

Paige looked down and nodded, "Good, good. DJ booth looked empty without you dancing." 

You shook your head and laughed, "Been a minute since I could dance until my feet hurt." 

"You think you'll feel it tomorrow?" With how Paige looked at you, you thought she was much more sober than you probably were. 

You shrug, eyes feeling heavy as you lean into the wall, "Think we all will." 

Right as you say that, all the rest of your friends start shuffling out. They were clearly tired. You remember they all decided to play an entire pick-up game earlier and announced they were ready to call it a night. No one disagreed. All of you had fun, but it was time for the drunk food and pajamas part of the night. 

Paige urgently needed to spend more time with you. One of those game-time decisions seemed to come out of nowhere when she said, "Y/N and I should take a separate one since our buildings are close together and everything." 

Thankfully, all your friends were gone enough to not question it and felt safe in knowing it was best everyone went home in a group instead of alone this late. It sounded sensical to you, even though you hadn't remembered that you and Paige lived in neighboring apartment buildings. But then again, you haven't been anywhere but work or home, which felt like forever, so maybe you hadn't noticed. 

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

Something about being in this car in the backseat with Paige felt right. She spread out in the back while you crossed your leg, shifting your weight so the tip of your shoe would brush against her leg whenever the car stopped. 

It was a short ride from the last bar your friends hit to your apartment building. There were hardly any red lights, but you wished for at least one or two more. 

You turned to question Paige, "I didn't know you lived close to my building." 

She pressed her lips together, "KK didn't mention it?" 

You shook your head, more wide-eyed now that you sobered up.

Paige added, "I got a bigger place after the last semester ended." 

You nodded and teased, "Okay, big baller, I see you." 

Paige snickered and thanked the driver while you guys got out. She walked you into your building and even rode the elevator with you. When you asked what she had planned for the night, she mentioned some Advil and a big glass of water. When she asked you the same question, you told her about door-dashing some Taco Bell and taking your makeup off. 

She felt like you guys made it to your door too soon. You each stopped before it as you fished for your keys inside your purse. When you turned to tell her, "Thanks for walking with me. Text me when you get to your building."

Paige got that look again as if she was about to say something to you, the same one she made when you plopped the maraschino cherry into her pregame drink. She scratched the back of her neck, "S'no problem. And I will." 

You said, "Night, Paige." as you leaned against the door frame and kicked your heels off into a corner, shrinking in height and making Paige even taller than you for a moment. 

She paused to tell you, "Night, Y/N."

When you changed into your pajamas and got your cotton pads out to remove your makeup, your phone chimed with a text from Paige that read: Home. Remember to take that makeup off

You loved the message and wrote back: Doing it right now. Drink a glass of water for me!

You knew Paige had to go through group chats with all the girls in it to select your contact and text you personally since you guys had never texted each other before. It felt like too much to process in your state, and you thought it best to deal with it tomorrow. When you went to hang up your skirt, you ran your fingers over the fabric and silently thanked it for whatever magic it might've done for you tonight. 

[romanoffsbish]

Perfect Timing

Natasha Romanoff x F!R

Request | Prompts

Warnings: Jealousy | Meddling / Pushy Men |

Smut: Cuffs | Tribbing | Fingering | Oral | Choking

Word Count: 5,250 Words

Natasha hated Tony Stark, she decided this with finality as she left the medbay in a huff. Normally she'd flip the man off at the mention of another party, but apparently this one was a mission in disguise so she hadn't a choice.

——

Then she'd usually make her way up to her room, and after about five minutes she'd slip across the hallway and into yours. You guys weren't exactly hiding your infatuations.

Natasha didn't care if people knew, she just cared if they commented about what didn't concern them. Her love life at the top of that list. The concept was foreign to her anyways. These feelings she had were new, only ever roused by the likes of you. The pretty agent from Shield with the heart of gold who by some stroke of luck for her now lives as an Avenger.

All she wanted was a warm mug of tea, a good book, and you in her general vicinity. There didn't even have to be a discussion, just the occasional brush of hands, and tender glances.

There was still an unspoken tension, but it was bearable. Natasha wasn't ready, you could see that, and you'd never push her to be. You knew that when she was ready you'd be together, and that was enough for you. As it was for her.

This time as she entered your room she found you sat in front of your vanity. Getting ready for the stupid party that interrupted her plans. You'd continue your routine, not even sparing her a quick glance back, you knew who it was.

The musky whiff of sandalwood that blew your way as the door slammed shut proof enough.

Natasha huffed, "Life isn't fucking fair." She fell back on your mattress and kicked her feet. Mussing up your perfectly made bed like a child throwing a tantrum. You giggled as you looked over at her, nose scrunching in defiance when she glared at you. It was truly heatless.

"Welcome home Natty," you greeted, looking into her eyes as you leaned over the edge of your bed while sat in your rolling chair.

Natasha gazed up at you with a pout, it was deep and adorable. You wanted to peck it away. But you controlled your urges and instead offered her a comforting hand on her cheek.

A deep exhale left her as your finger drummed against her temple rhythmically. Her eyes slowly fluttered shut and she smiled. Your heart warmed at the perceivably unusual sight.

It was a new norm for you, but one you knew came with special privileges. Because no one else would ever see The Black Widow herself behaving like this. There was no doubt that she was tough, but what she loved most, was that with you she didn't have to be. She could be lazy, goofy, or sickeningly soft without fear of ridicule, or your perception of her changing.

"Wanna tell me what's got you upset honey?" Natasha bit her lower lip, anxiety inspiring her to nibble on it as she thought up a response.

"I wanted to watch a movie with you," she admitted softly. "But now we have to party."

"Oh Natty," you cooed, something she'd see as condescending from another, but never you.

"It'll be over in no time, then we'll clean up and watch Bond movies until you can't keep your pretty eyes open any longer." You kissed her forehead tenderly, soft lips lingering there until you heard her sigh, "Okay, I'm on board."

"Wait." Your brows furrowed, and you began to look over the redhead with determination. Nat grabbed your chin, raising your gaze as she looked up at you with a smile. "Just a couple scrapes and bruises, I'll be okay to attend."

There was no way in hell she'd send you to one of Tony's parties alone. You were too special. She wouldn't dare risk leaving you to his snobs.

Plus, this one came with increased dangers that indeed supersede the typical horny rich man.

"Are you sure?" You asked, panic evident. Her eyes glimmered as you rambled on like crazy, "Because you can just stay up here. It's a quick intel mission, Tony gave me that dress there to wear. Said that I'd be tonight's extractor."

Natasha followed the point of your finger to see a red dress, if you could even call it that. The dip of the neckline was steep and left no room for imagination as it ended over your abdomen. The same went for the slits running up the side that only came to a stop where your panty line would normally be, but she knew it wouldn't.

There was no way she'd trust you'd be safe.

"It's okay love," she replied, "Tony said I had no choice, so I'm going to change real quickly, then I'll be back to see you all dolled up."

"Since when do you listen to Tony?" Natasha chuckled from the doorway, "Never, but when it comes to being with you I'll never pass that up, so I don't have any rebuttal to offer him."

Natasha's shoulders slumped as soon as she left the safety of your room. Wanda snorted, "God, you're both incredibly transparent."

"Bite me, little witch!" Wanda giggled, "I'm okay, seems like a job more suited for Y/N."

Natasha flipped her off and then slipped into her dark room with an annoyed huff. It upset her greatly whenever the team would draw attention to her feelings for you. All she wanted was to cherish this easy label-free phase before it became something real and in turn serious.

Not that she isn't serious about you, she is head over heels for you, but for now, she's enjoying the lack of pressure she's under with you.

The woman moved swiftly through her closet, annoyedly looking for something to wear, but nothing really appealed to her though as her mind was distracted by thoughts of you.

"You should pick the red bralette and the grey slacks, they make your butt look perfect." You don't know why you said it, but you did, and now you felt overtly exposed as your unfiltered pervy thoughts had come flying right out.

Natasha hummed in amusement, "Oh yeah?"

Now you were left to stammer, "Mhm, I mean you look gorgeous in everything Natty, I didn't mean to offend you or anything." The redhead turned to you with a teasing smirk, equally as teasing words on the tip of her tongue, but they instantly wiped away as she saw you fully.

Her heart beat wildly in her chest at the sight of your exposed skin. You were positively gorgeous, and she was devilishly gazing.

Here you were apologizing to the woman you'd been flirting with for years, about your correct commentary, and here she was ogling you like you were a piece of cake. Fuck, you looked hot.

The silence you were met with only made you more nervous. "Oh God, I hope I didn't."

"Hey, don't overthink it," she teased while making her way over to you. Her strong hands naturally found their way onto your body, one of them fell to your waist as the other danced over the skin of your bare arm, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps in their tantalizing wake.

"I-I, um, stand by my words then," you stuttered, while your nervous hands picked at her shirt making the redhead smirk at your new shyness. Craving this eternal proximity.

"Why's that?" You grinned childishly. "Because then at least this way we can match Natty."

God, you were so adorable. Natasha was hardly able to keep herself from pouncing, she'd been fantasizing about taking you for so long now.

The way you looked at her as if she was the most important person to you didn't help. It was suffocating, really, but she didn't mind. Nobody had ever looked at her that way before, and she's thrilled that the first to was you. She also hoped you'd be the one, and only to do so.

The idea of matching with you was emotionally charged. Like you belonged together and you were publicly, but silently claiming it. Even if you had to chat up some pretentious guy as she only watched from a distance on standby.

"I'd like that," she admitted with flushed cheeks, the both of you now painfully aware of the need for space lest you miss the party.

"So you'll wear the grey slacks?" Natasha nearly burst into laughter at the eagerness you wore so proudly on your face. "Well, I'm not sure detka, because, I only need the red to match you, I can wear my black pair. They are more comfortable." She chose to mercilessly tease you instead of confirming the other.

"Uh, okay," you shrugged, then scurried on out of her tight grasp. "I'll be waiting for you at the end of the hallway Natty. Be quick please, I don't want to hear Tony's complaining."

You didn't want to seem like a total perv, even if for a brief second you were being one. You wanted to respect her choices, boundaries are important, so you left before anything could happen. Mistakenly so too, Natasha wanted you to force her into the grey slacks yourself after fucking her until she went dumb.

It was just an inappropriate fantasy. Just like all the others she's had. You were both pervs. Don't get her wrong, she knows you have it in you, but she'd never let you top the first time.

Natasha took a second to shake the budding disappointment away, and then a smile overtook her face as she thought about how cautious you always are with her. Most people have no problem telling her how they perceive her, whether that be in a gross, oversexualized manner, or a macho-esque, "I'm a man, therefore I'm better" way. Both usually ended the same, with the perpetrator on the ground coddling their bruised egos as well as groins.

But you were considerate, rarely ever bold, more so a shy flirty mess of a human being. Natasha adored it, especially knowing that it came from a genuine place, and was not purely driven by lust. Hardly actually. Though she did see the way you looked at her during training or missions, and it's one of the rare times that she actually craves such devious attention.

Which is why she made sure to slip into her red bralette, and her grey slacks for you. She then spun around, smirking as she checked out her behind, now understanding what you meant. Her ass looked phenomenal, as to be expected really since she never missed leg day, the thin fabric formed perfectly to her plump behind.

To embelish the otherwise simple outfit the redhead threw on a few silver rings, along with a silver chain with a rose emblem that fell just above the arrow she never took off. She smiled as her fingers ran over the small grooves of the red charm, you'd gotten this for her the past February, not on Valentine's Day, but the day after when you, her, and Wanda spent the day out as gal pals, indulging in half-price treats.

It was perfectly placed. A bit closer to her heart than the other, and she reasoned that was fair because she loved Clint wholeheartedly, but it's you afterall who truly held the claim to her.

After a swift tossing of her hair into a low bun, and a quick moisturizing of her face, and lips she made her way out into the hallway to find you faced away staring out over the banister. Nervously fiddling with the strings of the faux vines Tony had oddly placed for decor. As the redhead approached she began to catch on to the why, and she almost wanted to thank the annoying man for the sweet gesture.

In an attempt to bridge the gap in bold moves tonight the woman found herself pressing your body into the banister with her very own. Trapping you, but as she'd hoped, you relaxed just as soon as you could smell the earthy tones of her cologne. "What's troubling your mind?"

Her arms that had been loosely caging you in, with hands on either side of the banister now wrapped around your waist in a comforting hug. She slowly swayed you to the faint sounds of the music coming from the room holding the party while she waited for you to find a response. "I'm nervous Natty, I don't want to fail the mission. What if he doesn't like me?"

The unfavored question caught her off guard in a multitude of ways, as if his attention actually mattered for anything other than the mission.

But what really got to Natasha was that you'd genuinely sounded insecure. It was like you didn't actually see you were the most beautiful person here tonight. It was disheartening.

Natasha gently turned you to face her, with your back now pressed into the railing as she held your body protectively against hers to keep you safe. She wanted to quell your fears, but she needed you to really see her, so you could feel the honesty. "You're overthinking it again Y/N, nobody with a lick of sense would be able to find something wrong with you."

Natasha cradled the left side of your face in her hands, eyes abounding with adoration as she cherished this rare moment without the usual disturbance. "You're beautiful, that's a given, one smile is going to be enough to melt that entire room." The redhead paused, admiring the way that your frown slowly melted away, giving proof to her claim as her heart skipped.

"But what really sets you apart, and enhances that beauty is your heart that shines brighter than the physical. I promise you that he'll be enticed by you just as soon as we descend."

You were nearly on the verge of tears as you saw the truth never wavered in her eyes, it wasn't a fronted approach to make sure you were mission ready. Natasha meant every word, and though you knew of her feelings deep down, it was finally nice to hear it. Albeit in an indirect way, it was sort of reassuring.

"Shall we go then?" Natasha's heart melted as your smile exuded a bit more confidence, she cleared her throat and took a step back to offer you her bent arm. "We shall milady." You giggled and scrunched your nose as you slid your arm through hers, and laid your head on her shoulder. Her heart stuttered but she played it cool, the nerves weren't harrowing.

The party was booming when the two of you stopped outside of the doors, Natasha felt you tense momentarily so she pulled your front to hers and hugged you tight. "You've got this in the bag Y/L/N, get the intel, then we'll steal some booze, and hors d'oeuvres, then slip out." She placed a sweet kiss on your temple, then ushered you into the party before she made her grand entrance not even a minute later.

Her eyes instantly searched for you, the innate need to ensure you were safe had the you-induced fluttering of her heart ceasing. When her emerald eyes found you she saw you'd already met with the young man, as she turned her coms on she heard Tony mention his name was Dewayne. He was handsome enough she supposed, in a red suit that nearly mirrored your dress. The thought alone of you being paired with another made her mood sour.

Dewayne was clean-shaven and well-versed, he even offered you a warm smile, but she saw right through his act. She wasn't exactly sure of his ties, the mission wasn't discussed in detail, but she knew that whatever his intentions were with you, they were unwelcomed and devious.

"So, Dewayne, how are you finding your first Stark party?" The man sipped on his scotch before offering you a thoughtful hum and a near-terrifying grin. "With you at my side, I'd say well." He paused, looking you over before his gruff voice reemerged, "Dare I say perfect."

You nearly threw up on the man as he laid a hand on your shoulder, but you kept your true feelings at bay in favor of a successful mission, and giggled flirtatiously, "What a charmer."

His responding smile was smug in nature, and Natasha wanted to wipe it right off of his face, and as your conversation continued she felt the jealousy steadily building. It was manageable until the man got a bit too handsy with you.

Tony had just given you the all-clear, saying that the information they needed to collect from his neglected belongings was secured. Natasha ignored the fishy nature of Tony's tone as she saw Dewayne press you into the bar with absolutely no regard for the way your body froze, or for how a grimace overtook your face.

In that moment she undoubtedly saw red, and before she could reign her reactions in she was yanking his arm from your waist, and spinning him into the bar, with a hand wound in his hair she slammed his face into the bar, then again into the bowl of complementary lemon wedges.

Dewayne cried out at the sting now prominent in his eyes, the sound only intensified as the cracking of his fingers could be heard. He'd tried to get out of her hold, but it was of no use, he was a couch potato, with a fast metabolism from Jersey, and she was a deadly trained assassin with enhanced genetics from Russia.

He simply couldn't compete, where he'd never begin to compare. Leading Natasha to begin to piece together the fishiness of this mission. It made her livid to think that someone, Tony, felt she was so incapable of making the move eventually that he had to make it his priority.

Wanda sipped her drink, suppressing her giggle as she saw Tony's face fall in silent understanding, that was going to cost him a lot of money. "This is what you get for meddling Stark." She offered him no more than that as she walked away, he was a billionaire after all, the hospital bill and proper compensation wouldn't even put a dent in his accounts.

Had he not hired such a douche, he'd be fine.

Wanda's heart soared though as she knew that you and Natasha, her besties, would finally be passed this unbearably long mutual pining phase and hopefully into a relationship.

Meanwhile for you, everything had happened so fast you believed yourself to be experiencing whiplash, one second you're lazily flirting with a perp, then you're listening to the sickening crack of that very man's nose and fingers, and then the next you're being tossed haphazardly into the woman of your affections bedroom, to now end with your body pressed into her door.

"Natasha," you whimpered softly as her body kept you painfully pressed into the doorknob, your body ached, a dull throb in your back keeping you from enjoying the joy that stems from the incoming promise of pleasures.

No matter how many times you called for her she ignored you, she was lost in her anger, and after a moment of listening to her ramblings you got the gist of what took place. So you let her go on, but with every angry word she'd mutter, she would pull you in just to push you back harder into the knob. Abusing your poor body without any true malicious intentions.

"I don't see why people can't mind their fucking business," she sneered, her fingers curled even tighter around your hips and you yelped. "Who does that pretentious twat think he is? Paying someone to harass my girl."

"Natty please," you cried again, "That hurts."

Her eyes widened fearfully at the idea of hurting you, she tried to step away, but you held onto her forearms and shook your head to keep her there. Natasha's guilt instantly settled as she saw the needy look in your eyes, she shifted you, then pressed her body against yours, this time with your comfort in mind.

The tension was palpable now that her focus had shifted to you wholly, her eyes that were focused in on yours sparkled and she reveled in the feel of your subtle squirming against her. Your breathing was growing labored and hers had remained surprisingly calm. Natasha knew she had you right where she wanted you when your eyes closed and nails dug into her arm.

"You know you're mine right detka?" Her nose brushed against your cheek, and she smirked when you tried to take the chance to kiss her. "If you'll let me baby, I'll prove it to everyone."

The woman didn't wait for you to respond, her lips faintly pressed against yours, and your needy whimper told her that was the right call.

"Do I have your permission then detka?" You weaved your hand into her hair, and guided her face into the crook of your neck. "Prove it."

Natasha smirked against your skin, then she purred, "Gonna look even prettier with my marks." Then she let her overwhelming urge to claim you take over as she began to mark you.

The need had always been there, but she'd never felt threatened before. She needed to make sure that nobody else in the compound ever questioned your status as hers again. To make it clear, so anyone who looked in your direction could see her claim, the widow's bite.

While you leaned into the feeling of her lips finally being on your skin you became a bit of a whimpering mess. Each noise different as she purposefully switched up her method with each bruise she left. Her teeth adding a variety of edges to the marks where she'd nibble over skin she'd previously suctioned her lips to. 

Then all at once she became impatient, and spun your bodies around so she could get you undressed and beneath her. It was a blur of articles, between hers and yours, but the dress was removed with a care that told you just how much she appreciated seeing you in it tonight.

"You're so fucking perfect," she gawked at the sight of you bare, and spread out on her sheets. It was everything she expected, a picture of beauty, and somehow it was also more with the way your thighs glimmered with your essence and your collarbones were littered in bruises.

The moment needed to be vividly imprinted onto her mind, she had no doubt it would star in her dreams tonight, but she needed more. Something tangible, so without much thought she grabbed her polaroid camera, and to her delight you spread your legs and fondled your breasts, giving her a show worthy of capturing.

However, as she settled the copious amounts of film down onto her bedside table she found herself growing unfairly jealous. Seeing you play with your breasts, pulling moans from the depths of your soul as your thighs rubbed together made her feel inadequate. As if you were going to just get off on your own, when she was standing right there to assist you.

"Detka, I said you're mine," she purred, your eyes fluttered open as her body weight settled atop of yours. The feel of her slick on your stomach had you jonesing to get your hands on her, but before you could even try she had yours pinned above you. "So don't touch."

The feel of the cooled metal as she secured you to her bedpost was both a relief, and a curse. It was soothing to your overheated skin, sure, but it put up an unnecessary barrier between your bodies. All you wanted was to hold her close, and make her feel just as good as you knew she was about to make you feel. Natasha had plans though, and you wouldn't ever question them.

For a moment the redhead just stared into your eyes, a silent conversation being had as she was genuinely gauging your comfort. It was clear as your hips canted, pushing her up as your body rolled that this move wasn't concerning you but only leaving you desperate and at her mercy.

So, without any patience remaining she was moving down your body. Lips feverish as they found yours, and her hands equally as crass as they groped your abandoned breasts. Natasha ground her hips into yours on pure instinct, and caused the kiss to momentarily break as you both moaned into the other like whores.

Natasha rubbed her wet folds against yours again, testing the waters, and you shivered affectedly. Her tongue caressed yours, feeling the vibrations of your moans as she picked up a steady pace, smearing your wetness together until the both of you were screaming in bliss.

The prior kiss was already passionate, but now as you both continued to grind against one another in search of prolonged pleasure it had become expectantly sloppy. At this point it was really just tongues laying atop of one another as the two of you panted and came back down.

"You're so alluring," she whispered, her lips now trailing over your jaw. "I have never been so desperate before, jealousy is beneath me." Her rough hands contradicted her words as they possessively tightened around the skin of your hips. They'd been slowly moving down from their previous place on your breasts in an inconspicuous, but truthfully devious manner.

"But when I saw that man," Natasha paused, pulling back to look into your eyes, her tone mocking as she sneered his name, "Dewayne."

She looked pissed, you'd seen her this way before, but never towards you. This still wasn't aimed at you, but you couldn't help but shiver as she went on. "With his grubby hands on you, I could see it in his beady eyes that he thought you were his to take. As if he wasn't hired to lure me in to collect what was mine all along, and well, to effectively doom Tony's fate."

"Natty, I," you went to apologize for your delayed reaction to his advances but she shushed you with a kiss. "Don't apologize, it's not your fault that these men are clueless."

You giggled softly, the redhead smiled at you adoringly, but you saw the glint in her eyes, and felt the way her hand traveled much lower. She then chuckled when your lower body caught on, she could feel your legs trembling against her own that were straddling yours. 

"It's okay though detka, because you're going to give them a refresher," she teased, a nimble finger slid through your drenched slit, your collected juices covered her digit in seconds.

"Natty please," you begged, and she grinned. "Yeah, like that detka, just louder, yeah?"

Two fingers slowly entered you a second later and you felt like you were going to combust. " You feel so good detka, fuck, I've wanted to have you like this for so long," she grunted her truth into your shoulder as she slowly thrusted her fingers into you, fighting against the way your walls tried and failed to still her moves.

Natasha smirked down at you. "Tell me how it feels. It doesn't hurt does it?" You could only mumble a labored, "Full," as you shook your head while slowly becoming accustomed to the unfamiliar stretch from her fingers.

Natasha chuckled, "Do you feel good though?"

You nodded with a loopy smile. "So good."

Natasha hummed softly as she kept up the steady pace of her veiny fingers, you were melting even further into the mattress as she relaxed your body. It was clear how much you trusted her, and with every flutter of your wall, she could feel just how much you wanted this.

It was heartwarming to see the relaxed smile, but it was also arousing when small moans slipped through your lips, she was desperate to increase the tenacity of your reactions at all costs. "I'm gonna do the type of things that happen in your dreams." You gasped as her fingers suddenly wrapped around your throat, it was a featherlight touch but you could feel the scalding burn of arousal bubbling over.

"You're the star of them after all," you actually managed to whisper with a teasing grin that she wiped away with the curling of her fingers.

"Oh fuck," you mewled as your body writhed, missing the look of shock on the redhead's face as she peered down at the way your slick had just gushed around her fingers and onto her bed. Her fingers slid from you without struggle, and wetness followed, trying to escape into the fabric of her sheets but she was quicker as she replaced the digits with her eager tongue.

Natasha lapped up every last bit of your intoxicating arousal, and then some until she was reaching your depths causing you to scream out a series of expletives as pleasure coursed through your body all over again. It left you pathetically gasping for air, your vision spotted with flashes of black and white dots.

"I've never tasted something so," Natasha paused, voice labored from a need she satiated with another long lick up your slit. "Sweet..."

She noticed the way you had failed to reply, body only offering her a twitch of your hips so she peered up to find your eyes shut tightly. It filled her with a sense of pride to already have you so pliable, just totally brainless for her. So much so you didn't even register her moving.

When you opened your eyes you flinched at the sight of the woman hovering your face. There was little to no green left in her irises, she looked near crazy as she seductively licked her slicked-up lips clean before offering you a delighted grin. You instantly felt hot under her intense stare, in the prior moments you had overwhelming bliss to tamper your nerves, but now you were on full display beneath an actual goddess and felt like you needed to escape.

"You're so adorable. Aww, don't hide your face." Natasha pulled your attention back from beneath the side of the pillow where you'd tried to burrow. "Don't cover up."

"You are intimidatingly beautiful," you huffed and the redhead cackled before softening at the sight of your frown. She kissed you slowly, and you melted into the affection without a single rebuttal. "Tell me what you need sweetheart."

Natasha patiently waited for you to give thought to her words as she began to mark up the skin of your throat, an over-the-top attempt to continue claiming you. As if the entire compound didn't know that you were off the market the moment she took you from the faux mission, or before. It didn't hurt to gloat.

"I-I want to touch you too," you croaked, "Please remove the cuffs Natty..."

The redhead thought it over, you'd been so good for her thus far, letting her possessiveness run its course instead of being put off by it all.

With a tender touch designed for only you in mind she unlocked the metal, lifting your sore wrists up to her lips where she'd place a wet, soothing kiss just before taking the initiative to settle your hands over her breasts. "Touch all you want detka, I'm yours just the same."

[suzukiblu]

A/B/O Omega Kon Alpha Darcy Lewis

Darcy thinks maybe her new intern is a slut. Like–a big one. Big ol’ slut. 

Both metaphorically and literally, since he's 6’3” of Kansas beefcake and maybe the literal only human being alive who has a build remotely comparable to Thor's. 

So like, a billion steroids or secretly an alien, Darcy’s assuming. Or maybe somebody’s very sexy sexbot because if this omega was built to spec to look like this there is no way he is not a sexbot. Only the thirstiest motherfucker alive would design that face and those thighs and those pecs. 

Darcy has very nice tits. Like, upper-echelon level ones, frankly, which she is not too modest to pretend otherwise about. This omega, however, has pecs that cannot be contained by any T-shirt or farmboy flannel, much less any respectable button-up or lab coat, plus abs that can’t be contained by any of those either and an ass that somebody could bounce a quarter off. No matter how technically professionally he’s dressed, this omega looks like he’s starring in the first five minutes of a porno about a naughty lab assistant. Even his stupid glasses look like the cheapo fake ones that the naughty lab assistant only ever wears to get come spattered all over them. 

So like, that's been constantly haunting her and also making her feel like one of the creeps who only hires interns they wanna fuck. 

Darcy swears that she did not actually see Conner Kent in person before she hired him. She didn’t even see his face; they did a phone interview because the internet at his parents’ farm is apparently too spotty for Zoom. When he actually showed up she'd assumed he was a prank from the engineering department and actually a stripper or something. 

In her defense, literally any pair of pants that Conner Kent wears just looks like tearaway pants, alright? Just he wears every pair of pants like he could rip them straight off at a moment’s notice. It is frankly a problem. There are so, so many people finding thinly-veiled excuses to swing by her lab and ogle the dude while he’s just doing normal labwork while being too damn hot for any human being to actually be expected to be, especially in a lab environment, and he has definitely fucked his way through a good eighty percent of said oglers already, more than once during work hours. 

Whatever, it was always over his lunch break and he’s always polite enough to use the decon shower to get the sex pheromones off after, so Darcy’s not gonna judge. Be incredibly jealous of whoever’s pheromones he’s washing off, maybe, but not judge. 

And in fine “inherited from Jane Foster” tradition, the guy’s not even a science major and is only here for the college credits. He’s actually an art major, in fact, which is presumably why he keeps doodling weird designs in the margins of all her paperwork and leaving bafflingly perfect mini-sculptures around the lab. Darcy does not even know how he makes sculptures that good so quick. She has literally never even seen him with any sculpting tools or anything, but definitely she has seen all the tiny farm animals and superheroes and tropical flowers he keeps leaving all over the place. 

So like, her shiny new intern is a super-hot omega the size of an Asgardian warrior who cannot say a single sentence without it coming out flirty, but also likes to make cute little clay flowers and brings in something unfairly delicious that his blue-ribbon baker mom made to share at least twice a week, and also is just way too genuine and sincere and open as a person and even more ‘also’ will roll with literally any weird or insane thing that she says and then “yes, and?” her. 

Darcy really, really swears that she did not deliberately hire an intern she wants to fuck. She swears. 

Conner Kent, on the other hand, did not button his button-up all the way today on account of how his pecs are just shy of busting out of it as it is, and she is despairing over all the opinions that her knot has about the sight of both his cleavage and his bare and noticeably unbitten throat. 

Why couldn’t this stupid gorgeous farmboy wear a turtleneck just one day? It’s fall! Fall is perfect turtleneck weather! Or like he could wear one of those heavy cable-knit sweater dresses or something, maybe, and then look like the sexiest thing she’s ever wanted to cuddlefuck, which is not even a word, and oh god why is she like this. Why. Whyyyyy. 

Why. 

She is going to Hell, Darcy is very much certain. Like, whatever circle of it that creeps who wanna fuck their interns go to, that’s gonna be her eternal return address. 

“Shit, lost another stupid button,” Conner grumbles, making a face down at his shirt as he hooks a finger into the collar of it and tugs. “Oh, hey, boss, meant to ask, you want the huckleberry cheesecake or the orange creamsicle cake, or do you just wanna split ‘em?” 

. . . never mind, she’s already in Hell, Darcy notes. 

“Your mom is absolutely terrifying,” she says frankly. “How does any one beta bake this much?” 

“I mean, we kinda do it together, usually,” Conner replies with a shrug, leaning forward across his desk to pop open the same dessert tupperware he always brings and offer her one of the plastic forks inside. Darcy heroically does not check out his cleavage or actively salivate over his naked neck or go absolutely rabid over the knowledge that he apparently also bakes. “Actually I made the creamsicle cake solo, Ma had book club this week.” 

Darcy stares blankly at him, then takes the fork, stabs up a forkful of the orange creamsicle cake, and sticks it in her mouth. 

“Nrgaeggh,” she says. Conner blinks at her, looking puzzled. 

“Did I use too much sugar again?” he asks. 

“Nrgaeggh,” Darcy says, and anyway that’s how she follows another fine “inherited from Jane Foster” tradition and fucks the beefcake alien omega. In her defense, she didn’t really think Conner was an alien until he accidentally made all the lab equipment float when he sat down on her knot, and like what is she, a xenophobe or something? Priorities, dammit. Obviously. 

Though they do admittedly lose some of the glassware because of the weird alien telekinesis, but whatever. Again: priorities. 

Darcy also learns that yes, in fact, Conner Kent is in fact the biggest and most enthusiastic slut that she has ever met in her life, and she is so going to give that fact all the appreciation it so rightly deserves. And him. Also him. Definitely, definitely also him. 

“Damn, I shoulda made that cake weeks ago, boss,” Conner pants as he grins cockily down at her, his face all flushed and smug and his thighs very Thighs(tm) and his stupid button-up shirt even less buttoned-up than before. Darcy is starting to suspect that Conner might actually be buying his shirts a size small on purpose. Like, that is definitely a thing that she is starting to suspect about him. 

Well, then it’s probably really tight on him, isn’t it, and she should help him out of it. 

Like she said: priorities. 

[weeb-polls-with-pip]

Autistic Anime Girls Finale

SUBMISSION PROPAGANDA:

Asa -

"one of the first things that shows up when you search up 'asa mitaka' on google is 'autistic' which is a good start.

some notable traits is applying herself to rules when it's not needed, when she waited to walk the street at a red light even when there was absolutely no cars, she doesn't fit in well with her peers, notoriously awkward (and a bit of a klutz), she doesn't seem to have an acknowledgment of her own tone or volume when talking to people (she feels okay just yelling out loud to her devil hallucination in public..), and of course.. her idea of a date is setting up a timed-out plan, with her telling many sea creature facts without pause. she does NOT wanna deviate from this plan. She very much bores her date, but she thought it would win him over instantly.

all in all Asa is a very relatable character to a lot of autistic people, especially autistic girls and autistic teenagers. a lot of her character and arc is centered around social isolation and trying to connect with people, and how that also interacts with self worth. personally i think she should win."

Izutsumi -

"Izutsumi is a picky eater and she has sensory touch issues as well plus as a catgirl she automatically gets autism because all cats have autism by human standards."

Richeh -

"her life's purpose is to live her life according to her own rules, regardless of society's rules that don't make sense to her. and she does that by wholeheartedly embracing her special interests of making delicate magic of crystally stuff and shiny ribbons! she's also prone to making lil puns with her name and the names of the other witches in her atelier, and nobody really gets them aside from the people in her found family <3

also (CONTAINS SPOILERS) her brother once told her that he loved her magic just as it was and that he hoped she never stopped making it and being herself (paraphrased cuz i don't remember the actual quote!) and she took that literally to mean that she shouldn't make magic that wasn't the kind of magic that was hers- i.e. shiny, small, ornate, and detailed magic. Being forced to change how she made her magic in order to "do things the proper way" during her original apprenticeship caused her intense distress, and she'd often refuse to do so and would instead think up her own magic to solve problems instead of doing things by the book. Doing that subjected her to harassment and abuse from her original professor, leading to her eventually needing to leave her 'traditional' witch apprenticeship and get her apprenticeship done at Qifrey's atelier, a place far removed from the main witch cities that accommodates her and allows her to grow the way she wants to."

[chishiyae]

— HIS LOVE FOR YOU ! [𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜] e42! miles morales.

𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 ┊ a ten headcannon summary on what it’s like being the prowlers girlfriend. a man whose demeanor is cold but heart is warm.

a/n. — pretty sure it’s been…what? five months since i’ve last been on here? damn that was a long time ago, but i’m back and after restarting my layout and things, i’m writing 🤍

E42!MILES, will never tell you how he feels about emotional matters in your relationship. and by this, i mean that if you were to lay on his chest one day knowing he's had a rough day, instead of saying thank you or how much he loves you (or anything like that), he'll massage your back and close his eyes in contentment. he's been more reclusive to himself than ever since he lost his dad. and, as much as he loves and appreciates you, it's difficult for him to be so honest. so, he does that slowly…but even then, he holds a few things back. because he can never just show you all of his love.

when it comes to “i love you”, he takes that phrase very seriously. he believes it’s more than just a catchphrase and hence only says it when the situation really calls for it. that way you feel the meaning. like when he's leaving to do his duties as prowler, not knowing if he'll return. there have been a few occasions where he’s said it when the situation "didn't call for it" — by few, I mean less than five. although, as the relationship progresses, he says it more frequently than he normally would.

don't let him not saying it all the time mislead you for rejection. he fills that hole with a plethora of reassurances ranging from presents to nicknames. looking at "ma," "mamas," "baby," and "princesa," and you'll know he's serious when he uses your real name.

in arguments, he has a small tendency to forget that you have feelings. not to the point that you wanna end the relationship, but enough that you need to ignore him for a day because if you tried more than a day, he wouldn't be able to handle it anymore. you each have a day to chill out and that's all. he values communication. always has been — even before his father died — but now that he's allowing another person into his life, his priorities are shifting and you’re definitely in his list of people to cherish and protect. so he does everything he can to talk things out and apologize. arguments don’t happen often.

he’s not possessive, but rather protective. I mean, can you blame him with this fucked up city? every time you two go out, it’s either holding hands or him putting an arm over your shoulder so no one messes with you. if you’d ask him if a revealing outfit you're wearing is okay, he'd answer "doesn't matter, I can fight." for sure.

for your safety, he never includes you in prowler-related activities, talks, or general topics, but of course he told you about him being the prowler. he told you the instant he realized he loved you. and only tells you he loves you after you’ve accepted that reality. disregarding his uncle's advice not to tell you anything. communication is key right? and that’s a big part of his life.

just like physical touch. he loves kissing you. your forehead and neck especially. passionate kisses are his favorite, slow and sweet. his kisses always aimed at determining what you ate or placed to your lips prior so he could get a taste and guess. regardless of how horrible or delicious it tastes because it's a tiny game he made. did that have anything to do with wanting to kiss you longer? yeah. but what did the first headcannon have to say about his emotions? plus, he liked it after the first time he tried it, and now it’s his favorite portion of any day.

meeting his mom would almost certainly be by coincidence. he wouldn't have planned for you to meet her for at least three months, so he knows it's serious, but she’d meet you sooner. you'd walk by her house and she'd say something like, "i've seen you around miles before," knowing he doesn't let many people in. and is curious about you. she'll naturally ask you as many questions as she can before miles interferes, but even if she likes you, don't address her by her first name.

it doesn't matter when, but whenever your finger is in his way? he’s gonna bite it. there’s no hesitation. as well as engaging in play fights with you whenever possible.

and last but certainly not least, encourages you to do things he’s never done. no elaboration. just gonna let you think on that one.

© 2023, CHISHIYAE

[dontbesoweirdkira]

Hi! Are you still writing for Mortal Kombat? I have a little thought that won't let go of me: I started to wonder what kind of yandere family Blade and Cage are? What if the reader is an extremely radical rebel, who is not affected by threats or actions? (I remember how one of my family members almost killed me, but I didn't apologize and just went to school). If the reader has my stubbornness, who will be the first to give in (if that happens at all). Maybe they will go to other yandere to deal with the reader? All this is of course platonic.

A/N: First, let me say thank you for requesting again. It always, always warms my heart when I have reoccurring readers. It means the world that you like my stuff enough to request again. second, yesss! I literally have thought about being their adopted child again and just how dysfunctionally(?) perfect they'd be. I hope you'd enjoy thisss....

Warnings: trauma, dysfunctional family dynamics, toxicity, obession...ect

Characters: MK11 Johnny, Sonya, Jax, and no cassie because that complicates things lol.

Request: Always open for my babies..see masterlist

Dynamics and Motives

We all know that Johnny and Sonya have a rather rocky relationship themselves, I can definitely see them being a bit at odds with each other when it comes to parenting you. They are constantly pulling you in every direction of who they want you to be. There's so much pressure from them to be perfect that it's no wonder you started rebelling.

I think their parental dynamic is very much a good cop-bad cop situation. Johnny is the "good cop" while Sonya is the "Bad" one.

But Johnny is definitely more manipulative in his ways. Sonya is rather straightforward in her thoughts and feelings. Like if you were to ask her if she's trying to control your life, she'd answer you with absolutely no conviction. Johnny (obviously) loves pretending that he totally understands your rebellion and that he's on your side when in all actuality he's right there with Sonya.

Sonya has an authoritarian parenting style. She is speculated to have put work over family constantly while Johnny has to hold down the fort. (kind of refreshing tho because you'd expect that they'd make Johnny prioritize Hollywood and staying young over her.)

She loves you but she’s always absent. And when she is there, she's just so hard on you. She appears to mainly care about your academics, hobbies, and future careers but not really you…She has this idea in her mind about exactly who you need to be and you will be that. And that's just a mini version of her. You're forced to be an overachiever and to perfect any mistakes that she's made in her time...there's no room for error.

Johnny is a "smother mother" Johnny is a lot more involved and his drive as a yandere is to be your best friend. He so badly wants to be the cool dad. He wants his little girl to admire him and be an unstoppable daddy-daughter duo. He's also got this image in his head of who you are supposed to be. You're always supposed to stay his perfect little angel, never grow up, never date or do any wrong. WHo knows, maybe you'll become an actor just like him and follow in his footsteps. (without the womanizer claims and duis)

They both ultimately don't want their daughter to leave their supervision.. They have too much fear of letting go, you can't get hurt. They don't want you to go through what they did. Your parents don't wanna be forgotten while you go explore. Plus there's so much danger and evil lurking, why can't you just stay at home under their protection?? You'll never have to pay for anything or think for yourself. Stay their doll baby forever. Let them continue to feed you out of their silver spoon.

How it started

I think that to some degree Sonya and Johnny were always helicopter parents. You have a paranoid soldier and a celebrity with a crazed fanbase...it's not surprising that extreme precautions were taken.

But i will say things got worse as you got older and they started to realize that you no longer wanted to be suffocated in their home. You were originally an angel child, always doing what they wanted and never questioning anything....but then your eyes started opening to just how toxic and unhealthy they were.

So less and less did you spend time with them and stay away from home. I think Johnny would be the first to notice since he's home more often and closest to you. At first, he's playing it calmly. He knows all of your friends and doesn't really suspect too much. Johnny will of course pry about what you were doing and go through your things to confirm you're telling truths.

Then as you started bailing on tainings/classes they've forced you to take, switching up your style to something more edgy, and getting into trouble...some alarm bells started going off

Sonya was fairly pissed off when she found out you dropped a bunch of things and are off track of her plans for you. Johnny hates your new look and that you're getting into who knows what. Sonya wanted to readily go to some drastic measures to get you back in line but Johnny advised against it and decided to speak to you first since this all was new behavior. Maybe you just needed some gentle parenting?

Yeah..that didn't go as planned. Unexpectedly you couldn't give less of a care about anything that they said. You knew they wouldn't have taken your complaints about your upbringing seriously anyways,, so honestly, you ended up walking away when you had enough of their questioning and audibly trashed them to your friends for the rest of the night.

You just started a war

Antics

I think they would go light on you at first. Mainly because Johnny doesn't really want this to spiral so quickly. Sonya is like okay fine but only because she's slightly curious about your whole deal. How far are you willing to go and what are you trying to prove with all of this?

They're both overly critical and unsupportive of everything you do and relate it back to your rebelliousness.

They'd do small inconvenient things like removing your bedroom door, shutting off devices and wifi, taking away your car, and forcing you to drive with them.

They'd guilt trip you and threaten to take away more things if you don't behave but it'd all be tame in the grand scheme of things.

"Keep this up, Y/N and I will have I'll punish you like a real marine. You'll surely lean respect, then."

"..Come on...Just go back to how you were. This is causing such a strain on your mother and I's marriage."

yeah, they constantly blame you for their arguing and the decline of the family. Like no, ya'll been messed up.

but this grace period doesn't last long before they are crashing a hangout session with your friends, berating/embarrassing you, and then forcefully dragging you back home.

This is a common theme because it gets the most rise out of you. They'll find themselves at your school/campus embarrassing you and will monitor you and your friends. speaking of your friends/ They hate every single one of them. They're jealous of how much you prefer them over them, they're a threat. It doesn't matter that they're all on the dean's list/honor roll...those misfits have something to do with their poor little angel becoming corrupt (or maybe it's their parenting skills)

Isolation is a big thing. You wanna mess up your success by ditching the plans for your life? You wanna be away from them so badly? Fine. You aren't seeing anything. At. All

financial abuse and neglect are big things too. They are filthy rich but somehow there's never any food in the house anymore...and all your debit cards are declining. They want you to come begging for the things you need but only offer them in return for your obedience.

I don't think they'd get physical, but they'd keep going to more extremes with their abuse and threats to make you comply.

Would they get anyone else to step in?

Yes if nothing they seem to do is working. Plus they're anxious and impatient...this all is taking too long for you to break. Are they seriously going to lose their darling daughter? Definitely Jax. He's canon-ly a very close family friend to the couple and both Cassie and Jacqqui bond over their traumatic childhoods. It's implied that often they'd spent time at one another's house and that all parents were heavily involved with raising the girls. The same goes for you. You don't wanna listen to them? They're calling Uncle Jax and he's a freaking tank. okay.

Jax loves you like a daughter but he really doesn't have as much of a soft spot as they do for you. He's willing to do what they won't. Like this mf is Sonya's superior and you see how she turned out. You will be straightened out like you're a soldier, even if that means going to extremes. Jax doesn't want Jacqqui to see your rebellion and think that it's acceptable to behave like you. So he's more than happy to help his friends out. Having three parents ganging up on you and manipulating you is like hell. You're not escaping that damn house either, you are locked deownnnn.

With the help of Jax and military equipment, trackers, cameras, and government-grade security systems are emplaced. You will be knocked down, broken, and rebuilt into a whole new person.

Who would give in first?

You definitely would. I'm sorry but like you are NOT winning against them. No way a rebellious teen/young adult is conquering them. Your insults and tactics to get under their skin won't work. You will be stonewalled and denied of all civil liberties. It isn't worth it to keep fighting back, no matter how strong you are, you'd end up in asylum before you gain the upper hand.

"Okay, okay...you win. I'll go back to being who you want me to be just chill out.."

See..that wasn't so hard.

They are overjoyed to hear this and waste time destroying all your horribly edgy clothes and rearranging your classes. It's insanity because they act like none of this ever happened and Johnny instantly proposes a family movie night with takeout. You're back to being their perfect child and they're family is "healed". but just know some of their implements are staying and they will continue to keep a tight grip on you should you ever decide to pull a fast one again.

"See, you made this so difficult when all we really wanted was our happy family back..."

[floosies]

knuck if you buck

rafe cameron x poc!kook fem

summary: rafe tries to stop his gf from mollywhoppin her opp

a/n: for my girlies with ✨rage✨ issues 🤍

you would think rafe found the female version of himself with his girlfriend. she was spoiled, hard headed, and with a temper as short as a blade of grass.

she was younger than him by year, money driven, and couldnt stand when people talked about her behind her back. which didn't take long for rafe to learn.

they'd only been together for a couple of months when she got wind that one of rafe's friends called her a possible gold digger. needless to say she caught the guy off guard at one of the parties and caught him off guard with a bottle of casamigos to the head. she didnt wait to start swinging on him afterwards, her rings and bracelets started to become from her hits. it took rafe, kelce and topper all together to get her off him.

and as soon as she was off him, her anger landed at rafe, "let your fuckin frat bro friends know that if they wanna call me a gold digger again they better say that shit with their whole chest."

-

rafe wasnt intimitated by her at all, if anything her anger made him feel some sort of way. but still, he knew that they couldnt both be wild cards. so he did what he could to keep her peaceful.

unfortunately most of the kook kids were too entitled for their own good. especially the other kook girls who had issues with her because she had her own money and was never afraid to flaunt it, plus she wasnt much into the whole kook v. pogue bullshit.

this led to her getting into it with some girl topper started seeing during the fall. come summer though, she'd warned rafe she shouldnt be left alone in the same room with the girl or else she wouldnt be held responsible for handling business.

he did his best to keep the two far away from each other but topper being topper wanted to talk to rafe privately at some kook event which led to her being left alone with topper's girlfriend who wasted no time talking her bullshit.

getting beside her and taunting, "i dont understand how rafe would wanna be with a girl who associates with pogues. its a bit weird." she rolled her eyes her words leaving her mouth seamlessly, "what's really weird is the way your eyebrows look like they're trying to take over your face. you should also invest in some mints or something halatosis is never cute but i guess topper is always too drunk to notice your bunk breath, whore."

she felt the drink hit her new blouse and as topper's girlfriend started laughing it was cutoff by bejewled fist connecting with her jaw. rafe only had a moment to react as he heard people begin to cheer on the fight, well the sad attempt at a fight. his girlfriend was smacking and punching topper's girlfriend with a force. he knew she'd waited for the day but he didnt need this right now.

all he could do was sigh and say a quick, "fuck" as he pulled her off topper's girl whose face looked a crime scene. now he wondered if this was how his friends had felt all those times in the past. once they were in his truck he cut the silence, "i know she had it coming but people are going to start seeing you like a pyschopath." she rolled her eyes, "i hope they do so they know not to fuck with me. you know how I am rafe, you dont have to be with me-" with a quickness he cut her off "hey! no! i didnt fucking say that either!"

he looked over at her, her hands and rings bloodied, her eyes somewhat sad but looking at him with that puppy gaze, "i love you and your crazy ass way, you know that. but sadly we gotta interact with these people. so try and be good please." she rolled her eyes, but with a sigh nodded, "okay i promise." then she gave him a little kiss as he kept driving, "now take me to your place so you can clean me up. thoroughly." rafe chuckled shaking his head, "yeah baby, i got it. daddy's gonna fix you up real good."

author tags: @xxbimbobunnyxx

[saccharinemeat]

ive never considered dipford thank you for showing me a beautiful new reality. do you have any fun thoughts on em?

cracks my knuckles

dipford is very interesting in many ways, I believe Dipper has sort of intense devotion towards Ford,following his every word at the start and attempting to impress him with his own knowledge.

Dipper is particularly easy to charm, Bill did and I feel like Ford would be aware of how easy that could snowball into further, so he takes the step in. I think that his morals have deeply loosened due to interdimensional travel plus Dipper lives in the shadow of Mabel,which is how Ford felt in regards to Stan,so he knows what to say,and I think that that awkward admiration blooms within Dipper into something more,a lingering touch,spending time,dreams,thoughts. Actions.

Ford offering to leave Mabel and travel with himself was a step too far only because he hadn't built properly to it but it's not important because Dipper wanted to say yes. If Weirdmaggedon didn't happen, or wasn't a threat, that closeness would've moved even further.

I think they'd bring each other's selfishness to the forefront,being deeply codependent. Dipper growing into what Ford molds him to be,and recognized as the most important one to someone,not having to share the spotlight. I don't think it would be healthy, and it would most likely be disturbing to Stan, and a shock to Mabel (I do think she'd understand, though, eventually)

also to think of dipford in the context of workinf through failed versions of pinecest (stancest and dipbel) is quite interesting too (hell, even if you wanna go there, mabill too,or perhaps stanbel. fuck it, pinecestbill polycule /hj)

[adventuringblind]

Flowers in your throat

Lando Norris x Reader x Oscar Piastri

Genre: Angst

Summary: the problems of unrequited love

Warnings: hanahaki disease, blood, coughing

Notes: idk what this is... Does anybody wanna spam my inbox with things to write over break? Logan is on the list, but I'm blanking on ideas for the boy T_T

Masterlist

Flowers. Beautiful things that each have their own meanings. One that even color plays into.

Beautiful amd deadly things, these Flowers. She can't even stomache the sight of them anymore. Not when they are the source of her current misery.

A misery she has yet to understand. Is one not enough for her? Will Lando hate her for loving more then just him? Is she really that greedy?

Her driving had suffered because of her lack of focus. She's coughing over the radio now and her engineer has started to notice. Her trainer even more so with how sick she looks.

She doesn't want Lando to find her like this. Maybe she doesn't even like Oscar and this is because of the loving looks and gentle touch he's been sharing with her boyfriend. Is she jealous? In a way yes, but she wants that from both of them. She coughs up another petal at the thought.

Hopefully Lando isn't awake. She'd been on the floor of the Hilton bathroom for at least an hour now. Her mind running through all her options. How she might be able to fix this.

Death is the easiest option in the long run. The surgery would hurt Lando as she would struggle with any kind of love afterwards. Oscar loving her back is another, but again, how would Lando react?

She'd yet to even open up to him about the idea of polyamoury. To scared from past encounters and getting hurt. Easier just to ignore anything else. The words of her last partner rings through her ears. 'It's either one or the other' but never both. How can she have such a love for two people to the point it's killing her?

The door creaks open. She panics and tries to hide from Lando's worried gaze. He still ends up on the floor with her.

"Please talk to me."

"I can't. You're going to leave me."

"Whatever this is, we'll figure it out, okay? But we can't even begin to work on it if I have no idea what's going on." And he's right. For as chaotic as he is, Lando has always wanted to work through things together.

"I'm not - well - before I start I should say I love you dearly with every fiber of my being."

"Is this a break up?"

"No!" She shouts a little to loudly and quickly. Lando looks a bit startled but calms we he sees just how panicked she is. "I don't want us to break up - I just know that you won't want me anymore."

The thoughts of Lando leaving her flood her mind. Having to watch him and Oscar be teammates while she watches from afar. Her body wracks with coughs again as another petal comes up, pretty but splatters in red.

"Is that-?"

"Hanahaki, unrequited love."

"But I do love you so then..." He takes a moments to process. "It's not me is it?"

"My parents always told me my heart was to big." She inhales shakily. "It's Oscar."

"Since when? How long do we have before-" He doesn't finish the sentence.

"A have a few months left maximum. I'm already two months in."

"Silverstone."

"I'd already been fond of him before that but watching the two of you smile together like that." Tears slip past her eyes as she tries to stop the burning in her chest. "I'm so sorry and I understand if you leave. It's not like you signed up for this."

"I'm not leaving you. I don't care who else you love as long as I'm here with you. Plus, it's Oscar, I'd be lying if I said I don't have any feelings for him." Lando Admits with a shrug.

"Really?"

"I know you love me, too much, probably. If this is what loving you means then I'll be here every damn step."

She throws herself into Lando's arms, curling into the warmth of his body. And for the first time on two months, she cries in relief.

~~~~~

On the other side of things, Oscar isn't fairing any better. The constant scratch of his throat has started in August. Over the summer break when he had to bare witness to Lando and his girlfriends pictures.

He couldn't tell who he was more jealous of, or if he was jealous at all. Both, he was jealous of both because he wants to be with both of them. It's illogical, he thinks, that he should want two partners so desperately. They are committed to each other, why would they want him as well?

Lando is once again on the podium his female counterpart part there to congratulate him. Eyes shining as they smile at each other. The itch in his throat is to much. It burns in his chest as his lungs try to fight for air.

He runs back to the garage after getting weighed. Just in time to collapse onto the floor of his driver's room. Petals fall from his lips. Beautiful and soaking in red fluid.

He's still struggling to breathe when his door flys open. Logan amd Liam swim in his vision and ears. They drag him off the floor and get him upright again.

They clean him op and sit with him until Kim comes to get him for debrief. The older male looks horribly concerned. Lando also looks at him with something he can't pinpoint while sitting through the meeting. It's enough to make his chest burn again just knowing Lando is even looking at him.

Logan and Liam come knocking at his door that night. They want answers and rightfully so. He tells them, coughing on the bathroom floor while doing so.

"Have you talked to them?"

"No, why would they want me Lo?"

Liam hands him more water and pratically forces him to drink it. "Have you seen the way they look at you?"

And no, he hasn't, only how people say he himself looks helplessly in love.

How would they look at him now? In disgust? Maybe pity?

Shame he may never find out.

~~~~~

Another hard race. Las Vegas had messed them all up in some way shape or form. She couldn't breathe knowing Lando had crashed to hard. She coughed an entire petal up during the yellow flags just thinking about how he must be feeling.

She's been coughing up whole flowers recently. Tonight was no exception. Lando, despite being on heavy painkillers, was desperately trying to help her through a few larger ones.

She was barely eating anymore. Couldn't breathe. Her teammate had even noticed the drastic change in her appearance. Max and Christian had both been on her case. Third seemed so far away now as Lando tries to get water down her throat.

"I don't want you to die."

"And I don't want to live without love."

Lando manages to pull himself off the floor to answer the door. Mumbling about how it's probably Jon making sure he's alright.

She can hear the familiar voices of Oscar and Logan through the thin walls.

Oscar sounds rough. She blames it on the long race he had. He'd looked so tired coming out of the car, hands running through his hair.

Her lungs burn again. It's more so this time. Her entire body is on fire. She can't even cough properly and wails as she has to pull out whatever is in her throat.

A stem. One with thorns.

Lando is frantically pleading with Oscar and Logan for something. Oscar is also coughing. Enough that is worsens her own.

She coughs again. Another stem feels like it's tearing her open from the inside. She wails at the stinging pain. Panic overcomes her as it seems to never end.

The door swings open. Lando and Logan drag in a coughing Oscar.

He's in the same boat as her. He's been suffering this whole time.

"Logan who is it?! Please, I need to know." Lando is begging now. The sight of what's happening can't be helping his nerves.

"It's you two, both of you I think. He didn't say exactly."

She tunes out anything else. It's them. He is feeling this because of them. She coughs up the rest of the stem and the burning starts to fade.

But then the exhaustion hits. She wants to tell Oscar everything. Enough so he doesn't have to cough up thorns like herself.

She passes out before she can.

~~~~~

Oscar wakes up in bed. One that definitely isn't his own. He tries to sit up, but his body is depleted still. Noticeably, his lungs feel lighter then they have in months. The ache in his chest has lessened, but his love for the two is still there. If this isn't the work of a surgery then-

He sits up frantically, searching for something. Someone, more like. A hand on his shoulder pushes him back down.

"Relax, we're still here." It's Lando and his partner is on the other side of Oscar. She's dead asleep and rightfully so after what he witnessed her cough up.

"Where's Logan?"

"Asleep on the couch. He didn't want to leave you."

"And you - do you and her - are we?" His words are broken. He can't think properly.

"Caught feeling a while ago, mate. Her before I realized myself. She loves hard, enough to cough up flowers, apparently." Lando crawls into the space between Oscar and the female. Oscar, in his sleepy haze, latches onto Lando. He feels better being apart of whatever cuddle pile this is.

He falls back to sleep so easily. Only to be woken up later by a few frantic coughs. Lando is immediately trying to get the female out of bed and to the sink. She claims she's fine and it's confirmed by the lack of petals.

"It's from what the thorns did." Her voice sounds wrecked. Oscar tries to get up to help only to be pushed back again by Logan. Curse his exhaustion.

The American gets everyone water. Oscar is grateful for it as it soothes his still sore throat.

"So does this mean you three are going to be together then?" Logan raises an eyebrow.

"If either of them say no after this, I'm throwing hands. After the hell they've put me through I will force them to cuddle if need be."

[helloalycia]

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐎 [𝐓𝐖𝐎] — 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐘 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐃

summary: as your relationship with Lucy Gray grows, it becomes a little harder to keep it a secret from your dad, especially when Mayfair has something to do with it.

warning/s: mentions of minor violence and the Hunger Games obvs.

author's note: okay so the song mentioned in this part and the next is called ‘forever & always’ by zeph, which i chose for the lyrics, not necessarily the rhythm as it’s not a folk song. But i did imagine it in a more lucy gray-style, so i thought it worked! plus it’s a really good song and i’ve tagged it below if you wanna have a listen :)

one / three / masterlist / wattpad

Being in a relationship with Lucy Gray was all I could have dreamed of and more. Of course, it was a complete and total secret from my father, who could never know I even befriended the girl let alone dated her. It meant sneaking around was a regular thing for us, to my dismay, but she didn't seem to hate it.

I was visiting her home one Saturday, hoping to spend some time with her since it was a lovely day. Even if it meant helping out the Covey with some chores or simply rotting away inside, I didn't mind as long as it was with her. But she seemed to have other plans when she answered the door and kissed me hello.

"I was just about to come get you," she said with an excited grin. "I have a date planned if you're up for it."

I quirked a brow curiously. "Oh, really?"

She curled her fingers between mine as she nodded, humming. "Best part is, your daddy won't find us neither."

i couldn't help but laugh at the prideful expression she wore. "That sounds perfect, Lucy Gray."

And just like that, she grabbed her guitar case and a basket before leading me into the meadow behind her house.

"You gonna tell me where we're headed?" I asked her, taking the heavy guitar case from her hand as we walked.

"This one has manners," she teased, making me nudge her in the arm as she continued, "To the lake. I got a whole day planned."

We chatted about everything and nothing as we strolled through the woods. Having grown up in town and having no need to visit the meadow or woods, I was a little unfamiliar with it all. But I knew that I felt at ease immediately, finding the scent of the earth and the view of the trees and ripples of sunlight peeking through the leaves to be refreshing. Lucy Gray reminded me of it all, I soon realised, of nature, and it only made sense why she put me at ease, too.

We soon reached the lake, which she'd told me about many times, but it looked even more beautiful than she was able to describe. She wasn't wrong about my dad not finding us here, that was for sure.

After setting down her guitar case in the cabin beside the lake, which she told me was nobody's in particular but the Covey used it when they were out here, I watched as she grabbed a cloth bag from the basket and led me outside.

"You ever been foraging before, darlin'?" she asked with an amused smile, already knowing the answer.

"I have not," I said, somewhat entertaining her teasing.

"Then we can start there," she said with a girlish grin, before tugging me by the hand into the trees.

Through vast experience and knowledge, she knew all the spots to take me to then showed me which plants were edible and which weren't. We collected a bunch of edible roots in our cloth bag, conversing in between, and I was growing accustomed to nature as we worked. Personally, I found it was an activity made even better because of Lucy Gray, who was as radiant as the sun was as it shimmered down on us. She looked so carefree, and I couldn't stop stealing glances at her.

"Oh, Y/N, come here!" she called to me as I was picking some berries from a bush she'd confirmed was safe.

"One sec," I said, tying off the bag, before heading to Lucy Gray not far behind me.

She was kneeling down into some taller grass, before glancing back at me with a delicate smile. Waving me over, she returned her attention to whatever was in front of her, and I had no choice but to kneel beside her. As soon as I saw the snake coiled around her right hand however, I fell back onto my butt reflexively, startled.

"You're okay, she won't bite," Lucy Gray said between a chuckle, resting a hand on my leg and meeting my eyes. "She won't harm you if you won't harm her."

I swallowed thickly, trusting her words but also still very much scared of the brightly coloured snake before me. This was normal to her, as evident by her nonchalance and intrigue when handling the snake, but the opposite for me.

"Lucy Gray, I don't think I–"

"You trust me?"

I blinked, eyes glued to the snake, as if it would come at me if I dared look away.

"Hey, sweetie, over here," Lucy Gray coaxed my attention away, and I relaxed slightly when I saw the way she smiled at me. "You trust me?"

"Of course I do."

She nodded. "Then come here, slowly. I promise she won't bite."

Knowing it was awfully embarrassing to look so terrified before something so small in front of someone I liked, I sucked up a breath and kneeled beside her again, though not letting go of her left hand which was still on my leg for assurance.

"They're harmless," she said softly, admiring the snake as it stretched up her hand. "I love 'em because of their bright colours."

"Naturally."

She chuckled, glancing at me sideways. "You're doin' good."

"Uh-huh..."

Again, she chuckled, before lowering her hand into the tall grass and watching as the snake uncoiled itself before shooting away. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding as Lucy Gray helped me stand up.

"Thanks for not runnin' away," she said appreciatively. "I know snakes aren't everyone's thing."

I shook my head. "It's okay. I'm scared, sure, but they're not that bad with you."

Her smile widened and I wasn't sure what I said to make her so happy, but she kissed my cheek and began to walk away. I followed after her, eyes acutely aware of any tall grass around us now, until we reached the lake yet again.

After grabbing some fishing rods from the cabin, we sat at the edge of the dock and cast our lines, hoping to catch something good for an afternoon picnic. I'd never been fishing before, so Lucy Gray was, expectedly, much better at it than I was, catching a few small fish that wouldn't be filling on its own. It wasn't until I felt a tug on my line that I grew hopeful, eyes widening.

"I think I've got something!" I exclaimed, before standing up to get a better grip on the rod.

"Pull back and gently wind the rod," she encouraged brightly, standing up too.

I did as she said, but whatever I had was a strong swimmer and pulling me forward slightly. So much, in fact, that I almost stumbled over the edge and into the water, making me drop the rod completely to catch myself.

"That was close," I said with a racing heart, but knowing I'd need to somehow collect the rod now.

"Can't you swim?" Lucy Gray asked with a mischievous smile, and that should have been my first hint. 

"I can, but I wasn't planning to get my clothes–" I didn't even get to finish because all she had to do was nudge me slightly and I lost my footing, falling straight over the edge and into the lukewarm water.

My first instinct was to swim upwards, head resurfacing as I spat out the water from my mouth and wiped my eyes. Lucy Gray's laughing caught my attention, and I raised my brows with disbelief.

"Seriously?!"

"You had to get the rod somehow," she joked, and I shook my head disapprovingly before grabbing the rod that was floating beside me.

After Lucy Gray accepted it, she surprised me by jumping in next to me, still fully clothed, and splashing me in the process. Again, I wiped my face and narrowed my eyes at her as she resurfaced, eliciting more laughter from her.

"Oh, c'mon, it was funny," she tried to defend, swimming up to me and wrapping her arms around my neck. "Plus, don't you feel nice and refreshed now?"

I sighed, unable to stay mad at her when she was grinning at me so carefree. "I suppose so."

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my lips. "Knew it. Now let's stay here for a little longer then I'll catch us a real fish and we can start on some dinner. Sound good?"

I nodded in agreement, and we did just that. It was fun to just be able to swim around and do nothing but enjoy each other's company. My heart was full as Lucy Gray filled the forest with her laughter. Between the terrible jokes I told and her contagious happiness, she was just so bubbly, and I couldn't blame her because I felt the same.

She ended up catching a big enough fish for the both of us and, using the roots and berries we picked earlier, we cooked up a lovely little bit of dinner to share by the water. I'd eaten some pretty good food, by District 12 standards anyway, thanks to my dad's job. But this was truly the best thing I'd ever eaten in my life, no doubt because of the company also.

Just as I finished rinsing our plates off in the lake, I heard Lucy Gray leaving the cabin with her guitar case in hand.

"Come here!" she called, waving me over.

I left the dishes to try on the basket before joining her where she was sat under a tree, pulling out her guitar.

"Am I about to get my own private concert?" I asked playfully, raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes, though a smile ghosted her lips. "I'm startin' to regret this."

I chuckled, crossing my legs and getting comfortable opposite her. "No, go on, I'm all ears."

The truth was, I'd never get tired of listening to Lucy Gray sing, and to have her sing just for me would be a downright honour.

"I actually wanted to show you a song I was workin' on," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I haven't finished it yet, but I was just too excited to show you and thought today would be perfect. I hope you like it."

It took me a second to realise that she'd written the song for me, and my playful nature subsided momentarily. "Wait, what? A song for me?"

"Well, duh," she said with a laugh, before strumming her guitar gently, tuning it. "Remember, it's not finished, so be nice."

Still surprised she'd written a song for me, I could only nod in response. She strummed for a few more seconds, trying to settle on a pitch, before clearing her throat.

"Love songs are fleeting,

but the melodies stick with you.

I have learned your heart,

and memorised the tune.

It's my favourite,

I'll sing it in any occasion.

It'll be my soundtrack,

beyond our youth..."

I was entranced by her voice, the softness of it and the way it carried towards me like a siren to a sailor. She was always beautiful, but when she was singing, it was something else entirely.

The tune played aloud as she strummed gently with her fingers, and her eyes found mine, a brief smile on her lips before she continued to sing.

"Every note you hum,

is a classic through and through.

I'll add them to a list called

'All Things I Look Forward To'.

It's my favourite,

even if no one will play it.

I only want a future

filled with you..."

She strummed a little longer, a delicate tune that was a little different to her jauntier tunes she performed at the Hob, and then she left her last note hanging and finished. My heart was suddenly racing, in a good way, and I was embarrassed by the tear that escaped my eye, rushing to wipe it.

"Well, gee, was it that bad?" she joked, but I still felt the need to shake my head quickly.

"No way," I told her, meeting her eyes. She was more nervous than she was letting on, so I grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. "Lucy Gray, that was beautiful. Is that really how... how you feel?"

Her cheeks turned pink and she avoided my eyes with a shy smile. "Of course. The song's not finished, but I wanted you to hear it. To know that you mean a lot to me."

I nodded slowly. "You mean a lot to me, too. Nobody has ever said such heartwarming things to me before, let alone written them into a song for me. I'm honoured."

Her smile relaxed as she met my eyes again. "I'm glad you liked it."

My heart wouldn't stop beating so fast, not when she was sitting right there, making me forget the world existed. I couldn't stop myself as I leaned forward, taking her bottom lip between mine.

Nobody had ever made me feel the way she had, and though I'd never truly experienced it before, I decided that this had to be what falling in love felt like.

There was no other word for it.

"... and I thought I liked the colour, but it just reminded me of that time she threw up on my favourite shirt."

I blinked, trying my hardest to care about what one of my classmates was telling me over a drink at the Hob. How I'd ended up in a conversation with him was beyond me, but it felt rude to just walk away.

"Hey, isn't that Billy Taupe with your girl?"

At this, I tuned back into the conversation, confused. Following my classmate's gaze, I saw Lucy Gray standing by the bar, drinking from a glass of water and trying her very hardest to ignore Billy Taupe, but he was adamant on speaking to her. I would have left her any other time, knowing she could handle herself, but she'd mentioned recently how he'd been annoying her and trying to make things right despite being in a relationship with Mayfair. And because of this, I approached them calmly.

Lucy Gray spotted me and relaxed a little, but if Billy Taupe noticed me, he didn't acknowledge me in the slightest.

"Lucy Gray, can we go somewhere private?" he asked her desperately.

"Why would she do that?" I answered him, quirking a brow.

He glanced at me sideways, irritated. "It's none of your business."

"Hey, don't talk to her like that," Lucy Gray scolded him. "This is over, Billy Taupe, now leave me alone."

"It's not," he retorted.

"I'm saying it is," I told him in a warning tone. "Now go."

Scoffing, he finally turned to look at me. "Don't you have some whorin' around to do?"

Before I could even register his words, Lucy Gray slapped him sharply across the face, surprising even me. I opened my mouth, taken aback, as he widened his eyes and touched his face. He looked from me to her, and as soon as his expression contorted into a scowl and he took a step forward, I didn't think, I just shoved him backwards so he couldn't hurt her. That was probably the second mistake from the two of us, as he immediately stumbled back into someone with a drink, making them drop it.

"Oh, shit," I mumbled, before grabbing Lucy Gray's hand and making a beeline for the exit.

In no time, a fight broke out and the once calm, lighthearted atmosphere of the Hob turned into a violent, rough boxing ring. After some shoving and avoiding the odd swing, Lucy Gray and I successfully managed to make it outside unscathed, away from the rowdiness.

I was bent over, catching my breath, as I witnessed several peacekeepers nearby rushing in to break up the fighting, and then I looked over at Lucy Gray questioningly.

"Did you really have to slap him?"

She straightened up, having caught her breath. "He doesn't just get to talk to you like that."

I sighed, a reluctant smile on my lips. It was nice of her to defend me, but starting a fist fight wasn't on my schedule for the evening. She began to smile too, the two of us amused with what just went down, but our happiness was short lived when Mayfair came out of nowhere, spotting us.

"There you are!" she shouted angrily.

I swallowed hard, losing my smile. "Mayfair, look–"

But before I could sweet talk my way out of it, she was already yelling for the nearby peacekeepers to get us, and there was no way for us to escape this time.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek as my dad paced back and forth, his anger threatening to burst out. Stupid Mayfair and her stupid big mouth. Because of her, Lucy Gray and I were sat before him in his office at the peacekeeper's base.

"Witnesses say they caught you both arguing with Billy Taupe," he finally spoke, stopping to look at me with a disappointed stare. "Then all hell broke loose."

"It wasn't her fault," I defended Lucy Gray, not wanting her to be punished because of my father's irritation with me.

"What the hell were you doing there, Y/N?!" he asked. "You're supposed to be at home! It's–" he checked his wristwatch, "–almost midnight!"

I avoided his eyes awkwardly, trying my best to sound believable. "I just wanted to hear the Covey perform and I knew you'd never let me go. It was only tonight. But then I saw Billy Taupe harassing Lucy Gray and I stepped in. Just tried to do what was right, like you taught me."

Okay, maybe a little on the nose, but it could work.

He sighed deeply, shaking his head. Deliberating momentarily, he finally said, "Go home, Y/N."

I raised my brows. "Lucy Gray too, right?" He narrowed his eyes warningly, but I continued, "Dad–"

"Now," he ordered in a voice that meant I wasn't to argue.

I glanced over at the quiet Covey girl beside me, and she nodded reassuringly.

"It's fine," she said in a low voice. "Thanks."

I frowned, feeling guilty, but was forced to obey my father and leave. As I closed his office door behind me, I lingered for a few seconds longer.

"You should stay out of trouble, Miss Baird," he told her authoritatively. "We don't tolerate–"

"Y/N, c'mon," my father's second in command found me listening, stopping me from hearing the rest of their conversation.

I nodded reluctantly, hoping Lucy Gray wouldn't be punished, and followed the peacekeeper outside.

My dad hadn't uttered another word about the Hob incident when he came that evening. I was waiting for him to yell at me or punish me or something, but he didn't. it wasn't until the next morning, after half my night was spent thinking of Lucy Gray, when my mum told me I was grounded for the next month, only to leave the house for chores. School was finished for the summer now, so I wouldn't even be able to see my friends and Lucy Gray that way.

It was annoying, especially because I just wanted to check on her, but I couldn't exactly fight my punishment when I was caught red handed.

That same morning, my mum forced me to accompany her to the markets to pick up some things. I was lucky enough to see Y/BF/N hanging around, also buying some things, and subtly slipped away to see her as my mum asked about some carrots.

She instantly pulled me in for a hug, mumbling, "I was sure I'd never see you again. I heard what happened last night."

"It wasn't intentional," I said with a sigh. "But I'm grounded for the next month, so you won't be seeing me much."

"Y/N, you've gotta be careful," she said in disapproving voice. "No more sneaking around. You're lucky it was just a fight and your dad didn't find out everything else."

"I know, I know," I mumbled, glancing over my shoulder to see my mum still talking to the vendor. "I should get back to my mum. She might kill me if she sees me doing something other than helping."

Y/BF/N tried not to laugh as she nodded. "Good luck, Y/N. I'll see you around. Please, try not to get an extended punishment."

"Yeah, yeah."

By the end of the first week of my punishment, I couldn't take not seeing Lucy Gray anymore. So, I concocted the perfect plan to visit her on the way back from nipping to the markets for my mum, sneaking a detour to her and the Covey's place in the Seam. I could always use the excuse that there was a queue at the meat stall if my mum asked why I took so long.

After buying everything I needed, I headed straight for Lucy Gray's, anticipating seeing her. I hoped she wouldn't be upset at me, though I wouldn't blame her if she was, considering my father was the one who had punished her. Or, at least I was assuming he had.

When I knocked on her front door, I held my breath until she opened up. As soon as she realised it was me, she exhaled deeply before pulling me in for a hug. I returned it instantly, closing my eyes and savouring her presence.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't see you sooner," I said quickly. "I've been grounded and I wasn't allowed out. How have you been?"

She shook her head. "It's okay, I've been okay. He didn't do anythin' when you left, just yelled at me a bit then sent me home with a warnin'. I think he was just annoyed at you."

I frowned, but was relieved she didn't get the brunt of it. "Good. I mean, not good obviously, but it could've been worse."

She cupped my cheek, thumb rubbing gently on my cheekbone. "I'm sorry you got caught. It was Mayfair. She's still pissed at me and now you by association."

"It's not your fault," I told her, taking her hand and kissing it gently. "Have they been annoying you still? Her and Billy Taupe?"

"Not since then, no."

"Good," I breathed out with relief, before hugging her again. "I can't stay for long. My mum will be expecting me back. I'll try to visit when I can, but I won't be able to sneak out for at least another month."

She chuckled quietly. "It's okay. Try not to get in trouble, darlin'."

I cracked a small smile. "I'll try."

My punishment ended quickly enough and everything returned to normal, kind of. My dad had bigger fish to fry with work, and seemed to forget about my mishap at the Hob, so his suspicions of me disappeared and I was able to sneak out again sometimes. My mum was satisfied after my punishment and didn't suspect a thing afterwards.

I enjoyed another few weeks of my relationship with Lucy Gray before the energy in District 12 grew rotten once Reaping Day arrived. It was the tenth annual Hunger Games which meant a boy and girl would be chosen to fight to the death with tributes from the other eleven districts. It wasn't a happy time, for obvious reasons, and it was the worst part of the summer break. It was a slim chance of being picked, but a chance nonetheless, and all I could think about was who would be chosen.

The morning of the reaping, my parents pulled me into a group hug at the breakfast table, and I couldn't help but hug them back.

"I'm praying for you," my dad mumbled as he kissed the top of my head.

I smiled a little, hoping to reassure him, but I knew it wasn't genuine. It was a hard time for everyone today, but I always pitied my parents the most, knowing if I was chosen, they'd have nobody left and, somehow, the thought of leaving them alone was scarier than facing the Hunger Games.

My dad left sooner than my mum and I, needing to make sure all the peacekeepers were doing their job in the square where I'd be lining up soon. And then after my mum and I finished eating, she walked me down to take my place. After exchanging a final hug with her, she went to join the other parents in the crowd and I was left to find my place with the other sixteen-year-old girls.

Before I could even attempt to, Lucy Gray found me. I was going to ask her how she was, even wish her luck, but I didn't get chance to as she approached me with a determined expression before kissing me hard. I accepted the kiss, though when she pulled away, her hard stare met mine.

"I'm in love with you," she said the words we'd never uttered to each other before.

I widened my eyes, surprised, but a peacekeeper broke us up before I could reply, and we were separated though in the same line. Of course, it soon made sense why she'd chosen now to tell me how she felt.

She was chosen as tribute.

It all happened so quickly after that. Lucy Gray's name being chosen, the snake she threw down Mayfair's back, the mayor slapping her onstage and in front of the cameras, her song of defiance, and then her getting ushered into the Justice Building never to be seen again.

She was really gone. She'd been chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, which clearly had something to do with Mayfair, and I would never see her again unless she won. I could barely believe it, still in shock, even when the reaping ended and everybody began to disperse or rejoin their families.

"Y/N, I'm so sorry," someone said, and I turned to see Y/BF/N approaching me with a frown, pulling me in for a hug.

I was admittedly still in disbelief – denial if you will. Because she couldn't just be gone, not when she'd told me how she felt only minutes ago.

"Y/N!"

It was my dad. Y/BF/N pulled away as he found me, soon taking her place. Again, I was too awestruck to return the gesture. Lucy Gray. My Lucy Gray. Gone.

"I'm so glad you didn't get chosen," my dad said with relief. "I'm sorry about your friend, but I'm glad it wasn't you."

His words only bounced off me. I was too numb to acknowledge much more after that, stuck in my own head as my mum appeared and began to lead me home. I was quiet the whole way, trying to replay the events that had just happened. Only when I reached home and went to my bedroom did I finally realise all I'd lost in a single moment. And that's when the tears finally arrived.

How could she be gone?

I was swinging on the swing gently, next to Y/BF/N in the park. I appreciated her company, feeling a little better having someone who understood the severity of what Lucy Gray being gone meant to me.

"She might have a chance," I muttered with a broken voice. "She could hide. Wait it out."

"Maybe," Y/BF/N said softly, but I knew she didn't agree. It didn't matter though. Hope was all I had left at this point.

Since yesterday at the reaping, I couldn't help but think about what Lucy Gray was doing. Was she scared? Was she strategising? Did she stand a chance against the other tributes?

Fucking Mayfair and her jealousy was the cause of this, it had to be. Why else would Lucy Gray throw a snake down her dress? It meant she must have known. It explained why she told me she loved me before going in. She'd discovered Mayfair's plan. Why didn't I tell her I loved her too? Now she'd never know.

"Do you wanna go to the Hob tonight?" Y/BF/N asked as I continued to sulk.

I shook my head. I wasn't sure I could ever go to the Hob again, not when it held so many bittersweet memories of Lucy Gray and I. It was where I'd made my first move on her, where I'd watched her perform many times, where we'd shared our first kiss. How could I step foot in there again without seeing her everywhere?

After spending some time lost in my thoughts with Y/BF/N to keep me company, I left to go home for dinner. But before I made it there, I found myself making a detour for the Seam, where the Covey lived. I hadn't spoken to them since before the reaping, and if I was taking Lucy Gray's fate hard, I could only imagine how her family were feeling.

Only after I knocked on did I realise I had no idea what to say. What if they didn't want to see me? Or if I said the wrong thing? What if I–?

"Y/N," Barb Azure said once she answered the door. "Hi."

I swallowed hard. "Hey, Barb Azure. I– I just wanted to stop by and see how you were all doing. I'm sorry for not showing up sooner... I'm so sorry about Lucy Gray. And I just want you to know that I'm here if you–"

She suddenly hugged me, and I was glad because it said more than words could. I relaxed into her embrace, feeling comforted in our shared grief. I wasn't alone, even though it felt like I was at first.

"I'm sorry too," she muttered apologetically. "I know she meant a lot to you. We're here for you too."

I nodded, squeezing her tight.

[hyacintheros]

Suspended In Gaffa

|| (Regulus Black x Fem!Reader)

Main Masterlist

Word Count: 1.9k

P.S: Had a little idea in mind, hope this will come to please c:

“There's an old muggle myth… every star in the sky, no matter how small or large, are people who've passed on in life. I don't think it would be so bad, being a star” The girl says, leaves rustling in the wind around them, the nightly autumn weather nipping at their cheeks.

Regulus turns his head, still laying down on the grass, looking at her with a glint of amusement, plucking a stray leaf that has fallen into her hair. “You're already a star, mon étoile”

Looking back at his life now, Regulus would have laughed in your face had you told him he'd be living in the Welsh countryside after graduation. The thought unfathomable to him, unreachable.

“Darling, can you grab the cherry tomatoes from the garden?” His girlfriend comes out of the kitchen, sporting an apron Hope Lupin had gifted. Regulus looks up from his book, marking the page then heading outside, giving her a quick peck on the cheek on the way to the door.

She fries up his egg, sunny-side up, and sprinkles a dash of asiago white pepper, her secret ingredient. To this day, Regulus has never found out what made his eggs taste so good.

The wavy haired boy returns back a small, hand-woven basket filled halfway with cherry tomatoes. “Could I make you a coffee, love?” he asks the girl, currently obsessed with his brand new Italian moka pot.

She laughs, allowing him a spot on the stove to start brewing his coffee. They rest in easy silence, accustomed to their routine for breakfast. She sets the table with her ceramic dining set, ones she got at the morning market a few months back, decorated with small little snakes.

Regulus sets the coffees at their respective seats, digging into their breakfast. An owl arrives as they dine, pecking at the window. “I'll get it!” The girl brightly says.

Offering the owl a treat, she grabs the letter attached to its leg. “Regulus, love, it's for you” she hands the boy the letter, he wipes his hands in his napkin, opening the letter. 

“I've been invited to a ball at Rosier Manor..” Regulus trails off, looking at the date of the ball. “S'for tomorrow!” He jumps up in a panic, briskly walking to his closet.

“What's got you in a hurry?” The girl says, worried he hadn't finished breakfast. He looks back at her, a very rare shyness taking over him. “Not sure if I've got my dress robes..” The girl smiles, going to the spare room.

She hands him one of his dress robes, all washed and pressed, kept in one of those muggle garment dust covers. Regulus thanks his girlfriend, gingerly taking the robes from her and inspecting them. 

Evan and Barty always had a tendency to leave things last minute, this invitation obviously one of them. He looks back at the letter, being told to bring a plus one if he wished. Going back to his girlfriend, he asks, “Will you accompany me to the ball?” 

She kisses his lips gently, knowing how hard it is going to be for him to see all the Pureblood families again. “Of course, mon ange” Being a Pureblood herself, she knows the pressure he's putting on himself, though her parents were much kinder and more accepting of their move to Wales.

“D’you wanna match? I can finally wear that emerald green dress I bought in Paris!” He looks at her excited state, lazily grinning. Regulus would do anything she'd ask of him, even if it meant his own demise.

“I'll get the green bow tie then.. Oh I should probably owl them back, just to confirm our attendance.” Regulus grabs a  quill and sits on the extra desk in the spare room. He hands the letter to the girl, asking if she could send it with their owl.

She pulls him with her back to the dining room, trying to get him to eat again. “Come on love, food's gone cold.. Would you like me to heat it up?” He shrugs it off, saying it's fine and continues to eat his eggs, not wanting to bother his darling girl.

Finishing up her coffee, she says to him, “We should get them a gift! It's rude if we show up with nothing.” Regulus ponders on this for a little while, thinking of the best thing to get Evan and Barty. Finally, he says, “We should make a trip to Diagon Alley.” 

After cleaning the kitchen up and fluffing the couch pillows, the two approach the fireplace, grabbing the lustering green floo powder. She goes first, giving Regulus a small peck, then disappearing into the fire. The steel-eyed boy follows her actions, dusting his suit off at his destination.

“So, where are we off to then?” She locks her arms with his, her Mary Jane's clicking as she walks, doll-like. “Well dolly, let's head to the Magical Menagerie. Got a feeling they would appreciate a little pet..”

“Don't they already have an owl? They don't like cats, nor rats, or even bats!” She rhymes on, giggling. Regulus smiles, finding her behaviour quite adorable. “No dovey, you'll see.” He brushes her chin with his rings.

Pulling the girl into the store, they browse around. Regulus already knows what he wants to get for their two friends, but he knows how fascinated his girlfriend gets by animals. “Reggie…look at the cat!” She points towards a tabby orange cat.

“Darling.. you have me! Why do you need another of me?” He pouts, referencing his animagus form, a black cat with steely grey eyes. She chuckles at his oddly jealous stare. “Come on, what are we getting them?” She's curious as to what he has in mind.

He pulls her to the snake pit, pointing at a beautiful black snake. “Behold, the Elaphe obsoleta.. Evan always wanted a snake” Regulus gently picks up the slithering snake, the black bodice wraps herself on his arm, coiling around him.

His girlfriend hums contently, agreeing on his choice. Walking to the counter, the lady packs the snake away safely, providing a small container of snake feed for them. They walk out with the gift, grabbing ice cream before flooing back. 

—♡—

“Reggie, darling? Can you tie the strap of my dress?” She calls out to him from the bedroom, voice strained as she struggles to do the bow at the back. Regulus pops into the room, fingers coiling his waves with his favourite curl cream. 

He washes his hands in the bathroom quickly, drying them so he doesn't get any cream on her dress. Brushing his nimble hands across her back, sending shivers down her spine. “Behave,” she turns her head into his neck, laying a gentle kiss. He quits his teasing, finally doing up her bow.

He turns her around, gazing at her like a piece of art hung up in a museum, stars painted with precision on the night sky adorned by him, the moon which watches the stars.

Tucking his matching emerald green pocket square, she fans it out elegantly, fixing collar. “Are you going to wear your jewellery? I like the silver chain you put on your trousers.” He chuckles, grabbing the chain from a bowl of his jewellery, clicking it into place.

“Should I wear silver or gold? You're wearing silver, I should wear silver too.. Barty would throw a fit if I wore gold again too!” She grazes her fingers over his beautiful silver rings, stopping at a special one, engraved with the Black family crest.

“Your parents will be there, are you sure you still want to go..? We can always retire for the night, feigning ill,” she holds his hands, wanting to comfort him. Regulus puts on a brave face, tightening his hold on her hands and smiling, “I'll be okay. Knowing Evan and Barty, they'll probably take us away into the forest halfway through.”

She pulls away, touching up her makeup while Regulus grabs the gift, the beautiful Elaphe obsoleta. His girlfriend fixes the little curl on his forehead, then grabs a silver clutch to match with her jewellery and shoes. “Ready?” She grabs onto him, responding, “Ready.”

He apperates them a small distance from the manor, wanting to calm his own emotions before arriving. Sensing this, his girlfriend interlocks their hands, swinging them as they walk. “D'you know what? I think Pandora invited Dorcas, we surely haven't seen Dorcas in a while.. Should invite everyone over soon before we leave for Italy!”

“Oh really? You'd want to house all the Slytherin Skittles and the Marauders in one small cottage in Wales? How'd you think that's going to end up, love?” He snickers, swinging his hand in hers.

They approach the Rosier Manor, knocking on the huge gothic doors, probably built during the Victorian era. They are greeted by a house elf, small and malnourished, terribly afraid by the sheer amount of Pureblood presence in attendance.

She welcomes them in, bringing them to the living room with all the other guests. The couple goes to greet the hosts, Pierre and Seraphina Rosier. “Darling! It is so good to see you, how has it been in Wales?” Seraphina greets the girl, kissing her cheeks and giving her a hug. 

“We have been wonderful, Lady Rosier.. Thank you for having us! Goodness the manor looks gorgeous, who decorated?” The girls go off, chit chatting about little pieces of art in the house, leaving Regulus to greet Lord Rosier.

“I assume Evan invited you? Do try to keep yourself straight tonight, I'd hate for your poor girlfriend to be embarrassed by you.” Lord Rosier snarks to the boy, clearly being influenced by Orion and Walburga. Though he seems to have no issue with his date, being that their families are extremely close.

Regulus thanks him for the ‘advice’, walking off to find Evan and Barty to deliver their gift. “Regulus! There you are, you sod! Beginning to think you weren't coming. Poor Barty was sulking! Come in- where's treasure?” Evan pulls him into his room, wondering where his girlfriend was.

“Well ‘treasure’ got locked with your mum looking at a lamp, and I got dunked on by your father!” Regulus sits on the bed next to Barty, holding his head in his hands. “Oh come on, you know how weird my father is with yours,” Evan remarks. 

“Hey! Awe- where's treasure??” Barty pouts, looking at the door, hoping Regulus’ girlfriend will walk through. “Your boyfriend's mum.” He says, very deadpanned and tired. 

“We brought you a gift.. thought you guys might enjoy it,” Regulus hands off the carrier to Barty, encouraging them to open it. Barty lets out a literal squeal while Evan slowly takes it out.

“Is that a.. are you really gifting us a snake..? That's the most romantic thing you've ever done for us!” Barty teases, faking tears in his eyes. Regulus rolls his eyes and clicks his tongue, secretly enjoying his friend's antics.

In the midst of all of this, someone raps on the door. “Treasure!” Barty jumps onto her like a flying squirrel, giving her a big hug. “Barty! Barty please! I can't breathe,” she tries to escape from his grasps. “Oi Junior! Get your hands off my girlfriend!”

Regulus has to pry him off of the poor girl, being reminded of their years at Hogwarts, looking back at all of the adventures and hardships, now finally feeling like he fit the last piece of a puzzle into his life.

[youunravelme]

congrats on 1k!! your writing is one of the best i’ve ever read, you deserve all the love you’re getting and more 🥹 could you please write something with jealous barzy? you can write it however way you want!

thank you so much anon!

i just love jealous barzy! so i'm SO glad you requested! (plus i've had an ask in my inbox asking for a jealous barzy and i never got around to writing it, so to that anon, i'm sorry! i hope this makes up for it!)

why was he so irritated? you were his, he posted you on his instagram for fuck's sake. there was no doubt about it. and even if there was any confusion on your relationship status, the giant rock on your hand said enough.

so why was he so bothered by you talking to hischier on your way back from the bathroom?

first of all, hischier shouldn't be on the hudson river. sure, the devils played at ubs that night, but he should've gone back to his side and found a bar in new jersey.

or literally any other bar.

second of all, hischier was a nice guy, mat could admit, he might've even been a little funny. but mat was positive that he wasn't funny enough to warrant the way you were throwing your head back and laughing.

it shouldn't have been that big of a deal, he had just gotten a hat trick that night, he scored the game winning goal. he should've been fine. but all he could think about was why you were laughing at hischier's joke instead of kissing him.

"you look like you're gonna kill the kid," bo horvat came up behind him and clapped mat on the shoulder.

mat rolled his eyes and shrugged the man off. "i'm fine."

"if you're so worried about it, which you shouldn't be, go get your girl. i'm sure she'd be happy to see you."

he almost didn't. he almost stayed in his spot up against the bar, watching you. but then you laughed so hard you snorted, a sound he could pick out of a crowd because he loved that part of you so much. it was a quirk he didn't realize he was incredibly possessive of until that moment. it was that moment that had him moving across the bar to get to you.

in an instant, his arm was wrapped around your waist, an action that shocked you out of your stupor for a moment until you smelled his cologne lingering on his clothes.

"hi baby," you smiled, and for a moment, mat forgot why he was even heated. "i was just talking to nico here about the game."

oh.

right.

hischier.

"really?" mat asked, hoping he sounded casual and not at all territorial. but the truth was his arm tightened around you at the captain's first name leaving your mouth.

"mhm," you hummed. "he played an impressive game, despite the outcome, don't you think?"

impressive isn't the word he'd use. irritating was more like it considering hischier had actually scored on mat earlier in the game.

thankfully, or maybe not, hischier jumped in before mat had to admit that the man played a good game. (he was usually such a good sport, just not when his fiancée was involved.)

"your boyfriend here played a good game, though," nico started. "got a hat trick--"

but mat interrupted before he could continue on. "fiancé," mat corrected. "we're getting married in the off season."

he didn't know why he said that. the date hadn't been set officially, but it was slipping out of his mouth before he could stop it.

hischier blinked and nodded. "right," he said. "sorry."

you cleared your throat and smiled. "it was nice talking to you, nico. see you around!"

not if mat could help it.

you were pulling mat away from the swiss man and towards a table full of his teammates, but you stopped halfway and crossed your arms over your chest.

"wanna tell me what that was about?"

he shrugged but wouldn't meet your eyes, until you took a hand on his chin and redirected his line of sight. "mathew."

he rolled his eyes and sighed. "i missed you."

"aht," you made a noise in the back of your throat. "try again." he scowled but didn't say anything. "were you jealous?"

he scowled even harder, if that was even possible. "i just didn't like that all your attention was on him," he said.

"mat, baby," you replied, hands cupping his face. it was the first moment of serenity he'd felt since driving you to the bar. the cold metal of your ring was soothing the heat that had been simmering under the surface the entire time you were talking to the devils' captain. "i was just being nice."

"i know," he groaned.

"so what's the problem? i'm going home with you at the end of the day."

mat smirked and snaked his arms around your waist. "yeah you are."

you rolled your eyes, but stood on your toes to kiss him anyway. "let's go home, i hear we have an offseason wedding to plan."

[leahblackk]

Down For You

summary: Spencer and Reader go to a party. Spencer quickly realised how much he loves her.

based on down for you by ruel

warnings: mentions of alcohol. a little bit of grumpy/mean spencer, but that’s all

couple: Spencer x fem!reader

taglist: @ssavanessa22, @all-tings-diego, @matthew-gray-gubler-lover, @nomajdetective, @cance1medaddy, @doctorspenceryeet, @hey-dw

You said we'd just drop by

But I wasn't invited

You'd already decided

That I was coming too

Y/n and Spencer had their fourth date that beautiful night. Spencer was driving, Y/n mentioned dropping something off before they headed to the doctors apartment, something about a friend of hers needing something.

Spencer didn't mind, only that he has never been invited to those kinds of parties, if it was something, Y/n was the extrovert of the relationship. She had tons of friends, which Spencer envied and was jealous about. He envied because he never had that, and was jealous because so many people knew her. He wanted to be the only one, as selfish as it sounds.

They went to a library for their fourth date, Spencer had the courage to invite her out, but hasn’t had the courage to confess his feelings to her, which makes the situation more complicated. He wants to be able to tell her how much he loves her, and how much she means to him, yet he can't.

“Are you sure I should come in too?” Spencer asked, as he parked in front of the house. Music blasting and people cheering was all he heard. It felt like one of those teenage movies he had seen.

“Completely sure. Plus we'll just drop by,” she said.

Spencer grabbed the beers from the back of the car, and Y/n a bag of something he didn't know what it was, but was 99% sure it was pads, otherwise what would've been so important for her friend?

Y/n got out of the car and walked inside, waiting for the still nervous Spencer. He looked down at his watch, it marked twelve am. He wondered why people made parties so late.

“Look, I don't wanna pressure you to go inside…”

He shook his head before she talked any further, “I don't wanna leave you alone.”

She smiled sweetly at him and walked inside. Her friend,- who Spencer supposed was the one she was talking to on the phone-, was the first one to approach her. Asking her if she had what she asked for. Y/n took a pack of condoms out of the bag and her friends took them and ran away.

Spencer tried not so hard to say something.

I can't stand all these people

All trying to please you

They don't even see you

The way I do

Spencer rolled his eyes once more when another of Y/ns friends tried to offer her all kinds of beers. Didn't they know she doesn't drink? And when she did, she didn't like the bitter kind of beer, she liked the fruit flavored one.

They tried so hard to please her yet they don't even know what she likes.

She promised they'd just drop the things and leave, but she couldn't when people were trying to talk to her all the time. Spencer stood by her side, knowing she wouldn't like it if he left.

As she talked, she looked his way from now and then, making sure he was still there.

He smiled sweetly at her, when her eyes were trying to apologize over and over again.

He sighed, he really really wanted to be in his apartment, with her.

“So Y/n would you want this beer…”

Two AM, haven't left

No one cares, just me, I guess

But I can't leave you

He looked at his watch, and sighed at the time. Two hours they've been there, two hours and he just wants to leave already. He looks at everyone, he's the only bitter one sitting on the couch while Y/n is standing talking to some more people.

He looks at the door, wanting to run away and leave, but he looks at her, and she smiles at him and he can't. He just can't.

Even though he knows he can just leave and he knows she'd get a ride from one of her friends and she wouldn't be upset cause she'd understand why he left in the first place, he knows he can just walk away but he can't, he really can't leave her.

He doesn't know what it is, it's like she has some kind of power over him. It's like he'd do things for her without her needing to ask.

He walks to her, seeing her tremble a little, and putting a his cardigan on her shoulders. She smiles back at him.

“I'm so sorry I promise I'm trying to get rid of these people but it's like they can't leave me,” she chuckles.

It's because she's that kind, it's because she isn't how he is, he'd just leave, but she can't.

“It's okay, there's no rush, Take your time, I'll wait for you,” he sincerely says.

She shakes her head, “You can leave if you want…”

“I'll wait for you.”

And I can't find the patience

For all the conversations

And all of these blank faces

I should leave, I haven't yet

But when you smile, I just forget

But I can stay a while, I guess

Spencer nods as someone is talking to him, to be honest, he doesn't even know what they're saying. He's not paying attention, and neither he wants to. He's tired of this. He knows these kinds of people, he knows they are the ones that tell you compliments and then judge you as soon as you turn your back, so why would he even take the time? He's not like her. He doesn't have patience.

“Are you even listening to me?” The guy asks.

Spencer shakes his head, “Nope.”

The guy scoffs and leaves, Spencer couldn't care less as he stares at the black painted fences in front of him.

They're not even painted well, some white in the corners showing. He doesn't know why he's so annoyed at that, or maybe he knows.

He 's jealous.

He's jealous of all these people taking her away from him, they had talked a few small words throughout the night and that annoys him.

He's jealous that everyone talks to her like they know her when they don't. They really really dont.

They don't know her like he does, and that annoys him.

The stupid loud music playing in the background annoys him and the fact that he can’t tell her that he loves her annoys him too.

I wasn't gonna say nothing

But I'm about to break something

How you gonna take all of my time

You know that I hate this place

But if you wanna stay, I do too.

Cause I'm so down for you.

Spencer sighed relieved as Y/n said her goodbyes to her friends. He awkwardly stands there, waiting for her. Y/n smiles and unconsciously holds his hand.

“Let's get out of here before they say something more,” she drags him to the car, in which they get in. Spencer starts driving, yet he doesn't speak. That little gesture made his brain suddenly stop working.

Y/n notices that, and she nervously bites her lip, debating on whether she did wrong or not. She knows Spencer isn't a big fan of physical contact, in fact, he's a germaphobe, she isn't sure if he's upset at her.

“Are you still going to my apartment?” He finally speaks.

She nods, “If you don't mind.”

And the rest of the ride is silent. Neither of them know what to say.

They go up the stairs, silence, silence and the sound of the footsteps it's all they can hear. When they reach Spencer's door, she sighs.

“Spencer, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to grab your hand. I should've asked first and maybe you're mad at me but I just…”

Spencer stops her, for the third time that night, and kisses her, cupping her face. She smiles sweetly against his lips which make him smile back, he's quickly pulling her in, as she wasn't close enough. His hands on her back and hers up in his hair, messing it up. That's all she ever wanted to do.

“I love you, and-and seeing you with all those people made me realize I want to be the only one who gets to really know you. I want to hold your hand and run away from your stupid friends, please, let me be that. I'm so down for you,” Spencer confessed, finally.

She smiles, and kisses him back.

That's her answer.