#Romance fiction

[pamperedollie]

XOXO. જ⁀➴

A GOSSIP

‎‎ ‎‎GIRL AU

. ۫ ꣑ৎ you've gone your whole life hating the spotlight, but soon find yourself enveloped in it

summary. a scandalous gossip girl-inspired au where you—an aspiring fashion designer is caught in the chaos high society, stumbling into a dangerously irreristible love triangle between the wealthy & powerful vanderbilt brothers, all under the eyes of gossip girl …

tropes. love triangle, fake dating, forced proximity, social media, poc reader

characters

☆ GGAU!READER

☆ drew vanderbilt

☆ harris vanderbilt

☆ ryan bennett

☆ lila vanderbilt

☆ alexa esparza

☆ evan ortiga

☆ damson sinclair

☆ taylor beaufort

chapters

one

two

layout ib by musegyra

[beauiestars]

Logan Howlett x Reader

(Part One/Part Two)

Logan Howlett/Wolverine x Fem!Reader

PROMPT: "You've been alive for over a century, but you still don't know how to ask someone out?"

SUMMARY: You're a new teacher at Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and the school's resident grumpy teacher has fallen head over heels for you. Unfortunately, has no idea how to show it.

WORD COUNT: 1.6K

The sound of Logan's heavy footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway, accompanied by the faint chatter from nearby classrooms. He had dismissed his class early under the guise of a bad hangover, which led him to take a stroll on the second floor. Coincidentally—though everyone knew the real reason, they allowed him to believe he was being slick—the second floor just happened to be where your classroom was.

As he neared the door, his steps slowed, anticipation stirring within him.

He peeked inside, and his chest tightened at the sight of you. You were in your element, perched cross-legged on your desk, your hands moving expressively as you spoke. Your words and body language held your class spellbound. They hung on your every word, soaking up everything you said like sponges.

Logan found himself equally entranced.

Before he knew it, he was leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes fixed on you. You were so absorbed in your lesson that you didn't even notice him standing there. But that allowed him more time to take you in, uninterrupted.

You were breathtaking.

Though you'd only been teaching at the school for a few months, you had already captured the hearts of students and staff alike. And Logan? He was a goner. There was something magnetic about you, something that drew him in and left him aching for more.

At first, it was your looks that caught his attention. The moment you'd stepped into view, he'd been stunned. Your face was a work of art—astoundingly beautiful. Your figure left him breathless, igniting thoughts he couldn't suppress, no matter how hard he tried.

But then you spoke, and you had him whipped. You were intelligent, witty, and undeniably funny—a combination that left him trembling.

Even when he'd been brusque and dismissive toward you at first—a bad habit—you had held your ground. You'd called him out without hesitation, putting him firmly in his place. You challenged him like very few others had, and Logan loved a challenge.

Now, watching you command the room with such ease, he couldn't help but marvel at you. You had him wrapped around your delicate, manicured finger—and Logan wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Alright, class," you said, drawing your rant to a close. You placed your palms on your thighs in a casual movement, but Logan's sharp eyes tracked them as they slid down to the fabric of your trousers. The way they clung to you had him swallowing hard, an intrusive thought flashing through his mind about cutting them off you entirely.

"That's all for today, I think," you continued, oblivious to his wandering gaze. "Just make sure you read those chapters I assigned, and I'll see you all in the morning."

Logan had never seen a group of students so reluctant to leave. They dawdled, taking their time packing up, and several made their way to your desk—peppering you with questions. Some were about the lesson, but others were shamelessly trivial: questions about your weekend plans or your favourite coffee.

You answered each one with genuine interest, your smile never faltering as you indulged their curiosity before gently ushering them out.

Logan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, amused at the scene unfolding in front of him. He soaked up the final moments of being able to admire you—some of your students giving him odd looks as they passed by. Finally, as the last student exited, he crossed the threshold into your classroom.

"Some talent with the kids you've got there, bub," he remarked with an amused scoff, his deep voice cutting through the quiet room.

You turned to him, startled at first, before a smile spread across your face, softening your features. "Maybe not being grumpy and unapproachable all the time does wonders for teacher-student relations," you teased, a playful lilt in your voice.

Your jab hit him square in the chest, knocking the wind out of his carefully crafted composure. If he weren't so determined to keep up his rugged act, he might have blushed. There was nothing like an attractive woman with a razor-sharp wit to get Logan on his knees.

"Haha, very funny," he said, rolling his eyes in mock annoyance, though the grin tugging at his lips was impossible to hide. "Seriously, though—you've got a real gift with them."

You gasped theatrically, placing a hand over your chest as if he'd just said something scandalous. Logan's gaze followed the movement shamelessly, the way your fingers brushed against your collarbone practically hypnotic.

"Was that a real compliment from Mister Howlett?" you asked, voice dripping with mock disbelief. "Raven, is that you?"

Your laughter bubbled out of you, light and infectious, like you couldn't contain it. Logan stood no chance; his grin broke free, and he let himself enjoy the moment. You had him, and he didn't even mind.

Logan chuckled, shaking his head. "You've got jokes, huh? Don't get used to the compliments, sweetheart. They're in short supply."

"That's a shame," you quipped, tilting your head at him with a sly smile. "I think I could get used to hearing them from you."

He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. The playful banter between the two of you was something he found he couldn't go without after having a taste of it. "Careful, darlin'. Keep talking like that, and people might think you've got a soft spot for me."

You scoffed, crossing your arms as you leaned against your desk. "A soft spot for you? Please. You've spent half the semester pretending I don't exist, and the other half grumbling at me in the teachers' lounge."

"Grumbling?" he repeated with mock offense, taking a step closer. "I don't grumble."

"Oh, you do," you teased, mimicking his low, gravelly tone. "'Mornin'. Coffee tastes like ass again.' 'Kids these days don't know respect.' 'Who the hell called this faculty meeting?' Classic Logan Howlett." You placed your hand over your mouth to suppress a fit of giggles escaping you.

His laugh rumbled deep in his chest, and he rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish despite himself. "Alright, fine. Maybe I'm a little grumbly. But you're not exactly innocent, you know. Always throwing those big words around like you're trying to confuse me."

You smirked. "I think you're confusing yourself, Mister Howlett. I'm just speaking plain English."

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to send a shiver down your spine. "Plain English, huh? Then why do I feel like every word outta your mouth is some kinda challenge?"

Your breath hitched, but you didn't let him see you falter. Instead, you raised an eyebrow, meeting his gaze head-on. "Maybe you just like a challenge."

Logan's lips curved into a slow, knowing grin, and for a moment, the tension hung thick in the air, electric and undeniable.

Logan cleared his throat, his eyes flicking to the floor before quickly snapping back to you. The easy smirk he usually wore faltered, replaced by a shift in posture that screamed unease.

"Anyway," he started, his voice a bit rougher than normal, "I, uh... I was thinkin'..."

You raised an eyebrow, stifling a grin. "Dangerous," you teased, watching him squirm.

He shot you a quick look, lips pressing into a thin line, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Right, well—" He fumbled with his words, clearly struggling to keep his usual tough demeanor. "So, you wanna... grab a beer sometime? Or... dinner. If you're into that."

You tilted your head, genuinely entertained by his discomfort. "Oh, I see." You smirked, crossing your arms, letting the silence stretch on a beat too long. You loved to keep a man—especially one so strong and self-assured as Logan—on his toes. "You're trying to ask me out, aren't you?"

Logan's eyes widened just slightly, the colour rising in his cheeks as he muttered, "No. I mean—yeah. I guess." He huffed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "It's not... well, I'm usually better at this."

You chuckled softly, leaning back against your desk as you watched him fumble. You found it quite adorable, really. "Logan," you began, your tone light and teasing, "you've been alive for over a century, but you still don't know how to ask someone out?"

His face twisted in annoyance, but the blush still lingered, making him look even more endearing in his discomfort. "Yeah, yeah. Real funny," he grumbled, voice low. "Look, it's not like I've had time to work on my dating skills, alright?"

"Oh, I'm sure," you replied, still holding back a smile. "The whole brooding, grumpy loner thing must've really worked in your favour, huh?"

"Shut up," he muttered, though there was no heat behind it. He tried to look away, but his gaze flickered back to you, as if he couldn't help himself. "So... what's it gonna be? You in for that beer or what?"

You tilted your head, letting the silence hang a little longer just to make him sweat. Then, finally, you leaned forward with a grin. "Alright, Logan," you said, voice almost too sweet. "I'll grab that beer with you."

His shoulders visibly relaxed, and the slight smirk returned to his lips. "Good. I wasn't gonna stop askin' till you said yes."

You shook your head, unable to suppress your amusement. "Persistent and charming. Who knew?"

He shot you a sideways glance, a playful glint in his eye. "You're lucky you're cute when you're mocking me, or I might've just left you hanging."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," you teased, crossing your arms. "You still don't know how to ask someone out."

Logan chuckled, shaking his head, and went about the rest of his day itching to take you on that date.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆

TAGS:

[seraphinitegames]

The Wayhaven Chronicles - Update 05/April/2024

A really successful week this week!

After some suggestions about multiple choices on the same screen from a few amazing patrons, I looked into how to do that and if it would work for the character creation.

And it really has! I could cry it feels like there’s finally a solution, lol! :D

It does mean I had to completely start over, but with how it looks now, I think I have found how I want it to be for all the future books. It means I should just be able to copy everything I’m doing to the next book’s character creation screen and then just add the last book’s stats. That’s going to save SO much time in the future!

Starting over also meant I could put in the new body part selection choice for those who want to specify, though there is also the option to pass it. It was a selection suggested by one of my sensitivity readers to help hopefully make intimate scenes much easier to write, as well as much clearer to read for everyone!

That selection will pop up in the actual narrative for those that import characters, so you’ll still have that choice if you want to specify it for your character, but it means for people creating characters they can go into the story already that choice in place for the intimate scenes (if you want the detailed scenes).

Here’s a glimpse at what the character creator screens are looking like now:

So much cleaner and neater, as well as a WHOLE lot quicker! I’m just not sure how it will pop up on phones yet—hoping not too much scrolling!

The character creation is the last thing I need to finish before the demo section can finally go to the editor and first readers. It’s been worth the time to get it finally sorted though, especially as it means it’s also already set for future books, and I don’t have to spend this much time on it again, or melt my brain with figuring out coding, lol! :D

I’m not keen on the ‘Select a’ bit, but that’s how it shows up automatically, so I’m doing my best to work around that.

So yeah, it was so nice to finally get somewhere on this character creator after so many different tries. I really hope it’ll be so, so much quicker and easier for not just you guys to go through but also me and my readers for testing, hehe!

Hope you all have the most amazing weekend! I’m going to be working this weekend to get this completely finished so the demo section can go to the editor next week, but will be offline as usual, so I'll update you all again next week! <3

[moss-covered-thoughts]

Valentine's Core Exchange Fic

Hi @agent-sushi-fbi !! I have your gift ready for the DP Valentine’s Core Exchange!!! Thanks SO so much for being patient with me while I wrapped this up! I had an absolute blast working on this and I really hope you enjoy reading it! I have also gifted it to you on AO3, where my user is Abitnervous

Dead on Main is my fav ship and I had a lot of fun making something new for ya~

Also, thank you to my helpers! I did some brainstorming with @stealingyourbones and @bonebrokebuddy was my beta reader! Yall were fantastic help!!

This was a super fun event, so thank you to the mods at @valentines-core-exchange for organizing this! Aaaaaaaa!!

Without further ado: Hella Good Brew

Link:

Fic snippet:

Finally, the figure came into view, and when he saw Jason he grinned, fangs visible. Jason’s heart nearly stopped.

“Hey, Red!”

“Phantom,” he greeted, keeping his voice low since he didn’t have the benefit of having the modulator to cover for him. Keeping the ‘mask’ on without the helmet was much harder.

The ghost floated over to the counter casually, resting his head on his hands thoughtfully. “What brings you all the way over here?” He batted his eyelashes at Jason, smirking. Goddamn him.

Phantom always bantered with him like this. Jason told himself it was not the reason he kept coming back.

“The usual. Making sure you’re not up to trouble.”

“But Red!” Phantom put a hand to his chest in mock offense, “I’m always up to trouble!”

[softboo]

love me, ever so gently - part IV

pairing: austin x reader

summary: you recently moved to a new apartment, making some new eccentric friends along the way. but what you didn't expect was falling in love with a stranger. a stranger you somehow couldn't stop thinking about

words: 4.8k

warnings: depictions of alcohol, certain scenes that pertain to dark themes of domestic abuse in relationships, *minors please don't interact*

author's note: hiii here is the next part of the story... i genuinely have no words to describe how grateful i am that there are people out there who have fallen in love with this story as much as i have. i'm still debating whether or not i'll write more just because i still want to live in this world lol. but thank you so much for all your support. it really means a lot to me and i am forever grateful :3 hope you enjoy <3

previous part

part IV

you groaned as you woke up, yet again, to a blaring headache and the door being pounded on. and you couldn't figure out which one was coming from where. you slowly eased yourself up out of bed, which made you feel even worse, shuffling yourself along for a million years before you answered the door.

"wow... you look like you got hit by a bus again."

george's voice rang in your ears. you could've sworn you had your eyes open, but it felt like they were closed. you tried to glare at him, but everything in your face felt numb. cassandra and evelyn caught up with him and both exchanged a look of concern.

"george, i think we need to talk to her alone."

he glanced over at cassandra and then back to you, the joy in his eyes disappearing for a brief moment. he just nodded in response, obliging without fighting them. you suddenly felt this wave of emptiness as you saw him walk away, whispering to cassandra before leaving.

and a part of you wished you never heard it, but you did.

"get our favorite girl back. i don't see her anymore."

~ ~

the silence hung low between the three of you, as you swirled your spoon meaninglessly in the mug. you glanced down at yourself, feeling as if you've sat here before in this exact situation just a few days ago. but then again, when have they not tried to get you out of your apartment.

"my love, i think it's time for you to move on." cassandra began, her soothing tone compensating for the bluntness of her statement. you just aimlessly nodded to her request, which was something she grew familiar with after the third or fourth day.

your empty promises were piling up and it was only a matter of time before it actually had to have meaning behind it.

"come with us tonight to the movies," evelyn suggested, offering her hand for you to take. "it'll be a great way for you to get your mind off of him."

your heart sunk even deeper when they mentioned him again, that night flooding your thoughts as you were reminded of what was going to happen tomorrow. it was inevitable.

she was inevitable.

"please love, you need to get out of this apartment. you can't just stay here and wait until they come back."

you scoffed at such a thought, thinking of what a sight that would be seeing them come back together from the airport, pretending you were preoccupied with anything else that wasn't him.

evelyn's hand still laid on the table, waiting patiently for you to reconsider the option of coming. of just going with them for once instead of drowning yourself in another day of being alone.

you hesitated for a moment, glancing at cassandra and then to evelyn. the thought of him being reunited with her made your heart sting, but you knew being physically here when they did arrive would ultimately make you feel even worse.

so you took everything in yourself to consider the possibility of actually being okay again.

and you slowly let your hand fall into hers and gave the smallest smile in the world.

"okay. i'll go."

~ ~

"are you ready sweetie?" cassandra called back to you, as the three of them waited outside of your apartment.

you checked your reflection once more, letting your hair flow freely and naturally down to frame your face. and a maroon dress that cassandra and evelyn insisted that you wear.

and for the first time in weeks, you felt beautiful, elegant, and untouchable. like all those days of being alone and rumminating on your feelings dissipated into nothingness behind you.

like heartbreak anniversaries were no longer written on your calendar.

you stepped into some heels before meeting them at the door, blushing immensely as they looked at you.

"there's our favorite girl."

george's voice broke a little as he dramatically wiped his eyes for tears that weren't there yet. cassandra walked towards you, her hands taking yours as she gently caressed your cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

"you look lovely sweetie," her voice giving you a familiar comfort to your heart.

"so do you," you smiled back as you all gazed at everyone's attire.

george insisted on wearing something formal, wanting to make your little outing a special occasion. according to him, it was a great excuse to wear his suit again. and according to cassandra, it was the only suit he owned, which was from their wedding day.

"alright you old folks, let's go!" george bellowed, letting out that same laugh from when you met him for the first time. cassandra smacked him in the arm before he responded with a sweet kiss on her cheek. evelyn offered her arm for you to hold as you all went downstairs.

and you didn't even look at his apartment.

~ ~

"you have everything right?" cassandra asked george, who was very insistant on being responsible for the tickets. the showing was for one of their favorite old hollywood movies, you weren't sure which, but you were as excited as them to see it.

when you all entered the old theater, the employees shot you a complete and utter face of confusion as you all roared into the empty area wearing the most elegant attire. not many people knew of the showing, which was why the entire theater was relatively empty.

as you all settled into your seats, a sudden wave of calmness came over you as it started to sink in that you weren't there to just forget about him. you were there to spend time with your friends as well. their voices echoed in such a big theatre, not even minding the few stares and looks they got from some of the people there.

"george you're stepping on me again."

"can you pass the popcorn please? no, i want the whole bucket."

"evelyn, i can't see anything. what are you pointing at?"

it wasn't long until the lights completely disappeared and you were swallowed by the darkness that surrounded you in the theater, all of you eager and excited for the film to begin.

that calmness and comfort slowly took over and you suddenly felt at ease with being there, with your friends, and the world you were going to enter inside that movie theater.

~ ~

"goodnight everyone!" you echoed from the top of the staircase. you vaguely heard a reply from evelyn who was on the second floor as the other two were already calling it early. you waved frantically at evelyn from the bottom, who mimicked that same overdramatic wave from the movie. you couldn't help but laugh.

"go to bed already! i want to sleep!" she screamed back at you, flashing a smile at your little figure from above.

you gave her one final goodbye wave for the night, feeling like an entirely new person after spending time with them. you couldn't even stop smiling as you replayed the little remarks all of you made after the movie ended. the way evelyn was so certain of her theory, while george laughed at how the romance didn't make any sense. and cassandra, she fell in love with the film as much as you did.

as you stopped at your floor, your heart dropped from your chest.

austin was there, sitting outside his door like he'd forgotten something. his hair looked disheveled, the blonde messiness matching his loose tie and unbuttoned dress shirt. it was the first time you'd seen him since that night, the memories drowning you in an endless sea.

"hey, are you okay?"

he looked up to find who spoke and you saw those oceans come alive once more, like a second home to your heart. his expression was as shocked and confused as yours, his eyebrows furrowed to try to make sense of you actually being there. after so many days of avoiding him, he had the right to contemplate if your existence was even real to him.

"yeah, i'm okay."

there was an emptiness there and something pulling at your heart. you didn't believe him.

"can i join you?"

"of course," and he moved over for you to sit next to him on the floor. his doormat being a cushion you were both sharing.

"you look nice... did you go somewhere?"

his low tone still sent ocean waves through your body, like he was inviting you all over again. something you convinced yourself for days that you never needed, but somehow he still had a hold on your heart. and you melted right into his hands.

"oh, thank you," your voice merely a whisper in the air, "i came back from the movie theater."

austin looked at you amused, a small smile forming.

"you wore a formal dress to the movies?"

you nodded, "yeah, because i wasn't feeling like myself for the past few days."

it was like you struck a chord in him because he turned to look at you, wanting to figure out what was making you feel that way. but he didn't know how to ask.

"and how do you feel now?"

"better."

something in the way you held yourself in that regard, knowing when to pick yourself back up. he admired that about you, wishing he could maybe do the same.

there was a shared silence between you both before he spoke again.

"do you remember that night... in your apartment?"

you felt everything inside you go numb as he mentioned it. because no matter how long you tried to forget that it happened, he remembered for you.

"yes..."

he let out a soft sigh, as you noticed the way he tensed up a bit. stiffening his stature and playing with the cloth of his dress shirt.

"did you really mean what you said? about my girlfriend..."

you closed your eyes at his statement, the way she still lingered between you two. you mustered up that same strength from before, a lie you repeated to yourself because he wasn't yours to begin with.

"yes, i meant it. she's lucky to have someone like you in her life."

something about you saying it again didn't seem to convince him at all.

"you say that but i don't feel lucky."

you turned to him, looking at his prominent expression of utter defeat. like he'd given up on something. you could see the oceans drying out in his eyes.

"what do you mean?"

and it was like he felt his bruises again, clutching his torso like he was protecting himself. he couldn't look at you.

"austin?"

you saw him soften a bit when he heard your voice, letting it sink in that he was here with you and not her.

you hesitated for a moment, knowing fully well you were going to overstep a boundary and meet him at the bottom of the ocean.

"does she hurt you?"

you felt your heart speed up in anticipation for his answer. he met your gaze for a split second before both of you turned to the elevator, hearing its normal ding.

and out came the last person you wanted to see.

his girlfriend walked out with her long dark red hair flowing effortlessly behind her. she was carrying her bags and screamed when she saw him.

"austin my love!! surprise!! i came back early!!"

a squeal that stung at your ears as she dropped her bags and flung herself into him, ultimately pushing you to the side. she eagerly covered him in messy kisses, like she was marking territory.

like she was marking property.

when she finally let go and austin gave her a weak smile, she eyed you with a suspicious look on her face. that somehow you offended her by merely your presence.

"i didn't realize there was help working late at night."

you clenched your jaw at her sudden assumption of your position. a fire igniting once more inside your chest and you wanted her to walk right through it.

"she's not an employee." austin stated firmly, his face tightening at her insult.

your eyes widened at him and how he held his ground when defending you.

"she's my—"

"well love, whatever she is, she has no purpose in staying here with you. let alone, no reason to be in your life."

she flashed you that creepy little grin that stretched too far on her face, pulling austin closer to her, tightening her grip thinking if she ever gave him a chance to breathe, he'd escape.

"not sure where you belong sweetie, but it's definitely not here."

she purposely shoved you to the side, dragging austin along with her. soon enough, she slammed the door on your face like last time.

and all that was left were her forgotten bags in the hallway, the blinding rage boiling inside of your heart, and the fire that lingered near the ocean.

~ ~

you stared at your ceiling, thoughts racing in your head of what you could've done. what else could you have said. you glanced over at your clock, sighing in disappointment as the numbers barely changed. it was exactly eleven minutes since you last checked, now reading a dreadful 2:16am.

you hated this feeling, of wanting to do something but not being able to. of wanting to save him from something that you knew he had to save himself from. cassandra's words from before rang right in your ears again:

are you doing this because you care about him or because you like him?

did there really have to be a difference?

you felt so frustrated that somehow after two weeks, he still had a space in your heart. no matter how many times you let the alcohol numb you sometimes or how many times you stayed in your apartment watching reruns of your favorite movies and shows.

it all ended the same. your heart was screaming at you for it.

and yet, just when you finally had a chance to drift off into sleep, you heard a noise.

you sat up quickly, facing where the sound came from. you glanced down at the clock, which barely moved, now reading 2:20am. you slowly lowered yourself back to bed dismissing the sound until it repeated again, multiple times.

it was a knock, faint but you knew what you heard.

you slowly got up from your bed, walking slowly to the main door, hearing that faint noise again. there was an occasional loud sound, but the smaller ones were more consistent.

as you slowly approached the door, it was like the stranger on the other side heard your footsteps and for a moment, you heard the sudden weight of something leaning on the door. you froze, but soon enough you heard the faintest voice in the world.

"i don't know if you're awake... but if you are, it's austin."

your eyes widened when you heard his voice, quickly opening the door for him.

and you saw him, dressed entirely in black. his hoodie covering his face a bit and his sweats covered in something that you couldn't really see. his breath stopped for a moment as he saw you, his entire body suddenly relaxing into you. his head falling on your shoulder as if his body was about to give out, his face nuzzling right at your neck.

and you felt this overwhelming wave of warmness hit you, not being able to hide the blush that appeared on your cheeks.

"i... i didn't know where else to go..."

your breath hitched at the realization. at the worst possible scenario. because everything you were thinking about was true. because it happened. and he was all the proof you needed.

you quickly shut the door behind you as he leaned right up against you. you wanted to be so careful with him, being in such a fragile state. you thought about putting him in your bed, but he couldn't hold himself up much longer and soon enough, he collapsed onto the floor leaning up against the door.

"i'm so sorry for..."

"you don't have to be sorry for anything austin... really. i mean it."

he just nodded, wincing at the minimal movement he made with responding to you.

you sat with him, gently taking his hood off from his face and bracing yourself to see what he had to endure before seeing you.

and you felt the tears come as you saw what was left of him.

his eyes were swollen, bruised. he had cuts all over his face that somehow went down his neck. there were more bruises down his arms and a decent amount of blood coming from each and every little scar that decorated his body.

but what made you feel even worse was the lack of water in his eyes. there were no longer raging oceans swimming with life or the blueness that covered the endless body of water. it was empty. dry. like a desert.

and yet, when he saw you looking at him, truly looking at his scars and still trying to find the beauty in him, he couldn't help but give you the smallest smile in the world. he noticed your eyes water and gently grazed his thumb on your cheek to wipe it away.

"don't cry... i'm going to be okay, i promise."

you wanted to hate him, that somehow even when he's the one holding all these bruises and scars, he still had the strength to comfort you.

but you couldn't hate him. not one little sliver of anything inside of you could hate him.

~ ~

austin woke up slowly, his head pounding in his ears as he rubbed against his temple. he had to blink a few times to realize that he wasn't in his own apartment at all. and somehow he fell asleep on the floor. he tried to get up, but noticed a shadow of someone next to him. and it was you.

and the moment he saw you, everything from last night came rushing through him. the stumbling into your apartment, the way you complimented his cologne, you kicking him out from trying to help you change, and the last thing you said to him before he drifted off to sleep.

"your girlfriend is so unbelievably lucky to have you."

it was something that should've initially made him feel grateful because it was true... wasn't it? so then why did it feel like his chest was suffocating on air?

the memories and the alcohol were mixing together, he couldn't make sense of his emotions. what all of this meant to him.

but what he did know was how much you meant to him. he just couldn't decide where you stood in his life yet.

he found it quite amusing that you wanted him to leave, that you were very adament that he couldn't sleep here. and yet, you collapsed right beside him on the floor.

he checked his phone briefly, a bright 4:32am appeared on the screen. he knew he couldn't stay here, but he also knew it would be rude to leave you on the floor.

and so, he gently crouched down next to you and tucked his arms right under you, lifting you up. making sure your head was leaning on his chest, he slowly walked towards your bed and laid you there under the blankets.

he looked at you for a moment before leaving, letting it sink in that you might not even remember where you fell asleep.

and a part of him hurt when the thought crossed his mind.

~ ~

"george... can i ask you something?" austin began as they finished packing up evelyn's cooking supplies from her latest class. george beamed at him, leaning against the boxes on the counter, waiting patiently for him to continue.

"of course elvis my boy! you can ask me anything!"

he hesitated before speaking, thinking it was too invasive to ask, but he had to know if what he was feeling was normal.

or if he was genuinely crazy.

"how did you know... you wanted to marry cassandra?"

george stared at him, his eyebrows furrowing to a point. the question took him off guard, something he never quite expected from austin, but he couldn't help smiling at the thought of his wife and how they first met.

"well..." his voice drifted to piece together all the right words, "i knew i wanted to be with her for the rest of my life when she took me as i am."

george's loudness became merely a softness when he spoke about cassandra and austin could feel that sense of love radiating off of his friend. george began animating his life with her, the way she always seemed to be there whenever he spoke about his passions, and how cassandra fully accepted him as himself.

"usually, people say they drift apart during a marriage because their partner changed. but for me, i just wanted to be there through every changing moment."

george gave him a warm smile, as his words weighed heavy in austin. he lingered on the thought, the possibility of fully letting himself dive into those waters. letting his heart sink into something completely unfamiliar, knowing somehow, somewhere, you would be there sitting with him right at the bottom.

willingly. voluntarily.

along with something else he wasn't ready to face yet, nor was his heart ready to resurface among calm waters.

"thank you..." austin drifted, his voice shrinking smaller and smaller as it disappeared into the walls of the kitchen. it wasn't long until he pulled george into a warm hug, fully appreciating the story his friend shared.

"anything for my boy, you know that."

george's voice slightly broke, feeling as if austin wasn't being fully honest with him or to himself rather. like there was something else hidden under those waters.

it wasn't long until george broke the kind gesture, holding austin firm right on the shoulders, a reminder of his strength. that there was something in austin that he wasn't yet ready to face.

"you're still going to the movies with us right?"

austin blanked at his question, scrambling for the words to answer. he wasn't sure if he should, but he knew that this was his only chance to see you before she came back into his life tomorrow.

that there was a sliver of a possibility that you would be sitting next to him again.

he let out a soft sigh and smiled.

"of course i am."

~ ~

she pulled austin, hard, her face burning with a fire that dried out the oceans in his eyes.

"and you had the nerve to make plans on the day i was coming back."

"i didn't ask for you to come early."

her emotions were boiling over now as she pushed him against the door, her face contorting into a scowl.

"and what does she even have that i don't? what's wrong with me then?"

she paced around the kitchen now, grabbing whatever glass container they had and throwing it on the ground. each one breaking into tiny little pieces.

and all austin could do was stand near the door and take it.

"tell me what's wrong with me then austin. TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG."

her screams echoed across their apartment, drowning him in an endless noise. he clenched his jaw as he mustered enough energy to say something back. because anything would be better than nothing.

"you never fell in love with me. you fell in love with my name."

she paused, her red hair messily laid behind her. her hand gripping the last few glasses they had left as she aimed it right at austin.

"your name? bullshit, i've been there through everything. you're MY everything. she's NOTHING."

"but you don't know anything about me."

and he knew he struck a chord when her eyes began to water. she screamed at him again, a high pitched screech that killed his ears. she threw something else at him, but it didn't matter. he wasn't looking anymore.

she approached him now, holding whatever else she could find to use against him.

"and what makes you say that austin?"

she scrambled to find anything as leverage to use against him, to show she still had power over him.

but she didn't.

"because you never chose me. and i will always choose her."

~ ~

you gently pressed the wet towel against his forehead, soaking up whatever was left of his scars. he closed his eyes to your touch, letting you take control of everything. your legs tangled into each other as you sat together on your bed.

there was something so natural with the way you took care of him, bandaging his wounds, and icing the bruises on his skin.

like you'd been doing this for years.

and he would let you do it forever if he could.

"austin?"

"yes?" his eyes fluttered open to your voice.

"you're not going back there with her right...?" your voice merely just a whisper, feeling as if your words were passing a boundary.

a boundary that you didn't know no longer existed.

he shook his head no, smiling weakly, still trying to remain strong in front of you.

"then stay with me."

your heart speaking faster than your mind could catch up and you panicked at the words. you were so preoccupied by how embarrassed you felt that you didn't notice how red austin had gotten as well.

"i mean... you can sleep on the bed and i can take the couch," you quickly corrected yourself and austin let out a small laugh. something you haven't heard in weeks.

"it's okay, i can take the couch. this is your apartment after all."

there was a calm silence between you two, as you slowly finished placing the last bandage on, pressing the adhesive gently on his skin. and as you leaned back to fully look at him, you could still see the marks that she left behind on him, even when you tried to cover it.

she still lingered in the air between you.

and because of that, your eyes began to water again.

austin quickly reacted, seeing the way you moved away from him. like you were afraid to break him.

"what's wrong?" his voice wavering as you searched through everything to find the right things to say. to find anything to say.

"i just... i don't understand people who hurt people, especially when it's someone like you."

the way you reacted swelled something in his heart and all he could think about was finding a way to comfort you. to take your pain away.

and so, he pulled you towards him, where you were tangled up into each other again. pain shot down through his body at the effort, but he didn't care. he just wanted to ease your pain.

his hand reached your cheek, gently placing a strand of hair behind your ear. and he leaned in to take away the distance between you two, as his lips met yours.

and he kissed you.

the kiss was so soft, so comforting. and you melted right into him like your heart had always wanted to for all those months, since the first time you met him.

he pulled you closer to him, as if there was even a sliver of something keeping you two from being together. he held your face in his hands, easing himself into you gently.

he was so afraid to hurt you, but there was something about the way you explored him, the fragility of your touch against his skin. it felt so unfamiliar yet comforting to his heart.

and yet, it broke yours.

he let himself get lost in you, the warmness surrounding him as you caught every little drop of water from falling into the abyss at the bottom.

the way your fingertips grazed each and every little scar, every bruise, like you were reassuring him. acknowledging its presence but knowing, it would never define him.

you slowly let go, fully gazing into his eyes and seeing those oceans coming alive again, just by the way he was looking back at you. and you saw something that you only wished to see months ago.

love.

his fingers wiped the remaining tears from your cheeks as yours just traced little circles around his, ending right at his lips again. your bodies tangled into each other once more, as you played with his hair.

he closed his eyes again to your touch and you saw him smile.

and it was one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen.

he gently caressed your cheek, gazing at you like he was afraid to lose you. like he was afraid to forget you.

"stay with me... please."

his voice wavered, as if he doubted that your heart would ever let you leave him.

"always."

[schweizercomics]

Swashtober 9 is Prudence Tremaine, from Georgette Heyer's absolutely wonderful 1928 romance novel THE MASQUERADERS. When Prudence and her brother have to hide out because of their father's involvement in the Jacobite Uprising, they drag up and go into London society, where Prudence keeps finding herself having to fight off folks with swords, while her brother spends his time flirting with everyone. The romantic lead is great, too - he's basically Mr. Darcy as played by Dave Bautista.

[matchstick-if]

Relationships 101

I've written a new IF! Complete version out now.

A short exploration of the relationship between the Player Character (customizable), and Harper (male or female pronouns). Strengthen your bonds with Harper and begin a romance, or grow deeper in friendship.  The game takes place in a university setting. It contains 4 chapters, and a myriad of choices for you to interact with Harper and the world around you. 

Play Relationships 101

[fiction-quotes]

The autumn drifted away through all its seasons; the golden corn-harvest, the walks through the stubble fields, and rambles into hazel-copses in search of nuts; the stripping of the apple-orchards of their ruddy fruit, amid the joyous cries and shouts of watching children; and the gorgeous tulip-like colouring of the later time had now come on with the shortening days. There was comparative silence in the land, excepting for the distant shots, and the whirr of the partridges as they rose up from the field.

  —  Wives and Daughters (Elizabeth Gaskell)

[xhoess]

Body parts - Hands

Logan howlett × fem bod reader

B - Body Part: Logan is particularly proud of his hands. They’re strong, capable, and he knows exactly how to use them to drive you wild. He also has a thing for your neck and shoulders, often kissing, biting, and nuzzling there during foreplay.

(This is a part of the Logan Howlett headcanons From A to Z series, for the full masterlist click here!! :)

Story under the cut

You had always been fascinated by Logan, the rugged and mysterious man with adamantium claws. But you never expected the kind of pleasure he could provide in bed.

It all started on a chilly winter evening in New York City. You were walking alone, lost in your thoughts, when you bumped into him outside a dimly lit bar. He flashed his familiar smirk and introduced himself. You were taken aback by his raw magnetism and found yourself unable to resist his charm.

Over the next few weeks, you and Logan grew closer. You would often meet at his apartment after a long day of work, where he would cook you dinner and regale you with tales of his adventures. His hands were always gentle as they brushed your hair away from your face or traced the curves of your body. You couldn't help but feel a deep connection with him, a connection that went beyond the physical.

One night, as you lay in his bed, he surprised you by not using his claws, but his hands instead. His touch was electric, sending shivers down your spine as he trailed his fingers up your thigh. You moaned softly as he cupped your pussy over your lacy underwear, his thumb rubbing slow circles over your clit.

"You like that?" he growled, his breath hot against your ear.

You nodded, your breath hitching as he slipped his hand inside your underwear, his fingers finding your wet and ready for him. He teased you, sliding his fingers in and out of your pussy, before focusing his attention on your clit. You cried out as he sucked it into his mouth, his fingers still working your pussy.

"Logan, please," you begged, your hips bucking against his hand.

He chuckled, his breath warm against your skin. "Please what?"

"I need more," you gasped, your nails digging into his shoulders.

He didn't need any more encouragement. He positioned himself between your legs, his cock hard and ready. But instead of plunging inside you, he surprised you again by licking your pussy, his tongue delving inside you before focusing on your clit, his hands hovering over your body and grabbing your hips so firm that you know its gonna leave a mark. You cried out, your hips bucking against his mouth as he brought you closer and closer to the edge."Logan, I'm gonna cum," you warned, your fingers threading through his hair.

He didn't stop, his tongue working you faster and harder until you cried out, your orgasm ripping through you. He didn't give you a chance to recover, his cock sliding inside you, filling you up completely. He started slow, his hips moving in a steady rhythm, but soon picked up the pace, his thrusts becoming harder and faster.

"You feel so good, baby," he growled, his hands gripping your hips once again.

You wrapped your legs around his waist, meeting him thrust for thrust. "Harder, Logan," you begged, your nails digging into his back.

He gave you what you wanted, his thrusts becoming more brutal, his cock hitting that sweet spot inside you. You cried out, your orgasm building up again.

"Cum for me, baby," he demanded, his thumb rubbing your clit.

And cum you did, your orgasm ripping through you, your pussy clenching around his cock. He followed soon after, his cock pulsing inside you as he filled you up with his cum.He collapsed beside you, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. "You're amazing," he murmured, his fingers tracing your collarbone.

You smiled, your fingers intertwining with his. "You're not so bad yourself," you teased, your hand trailing down his chest.

And that's how it always was with Logan. He knew how to please you in bed, and you loved every moment of it and couldn't wait for it to happen again.

[pamperedollie]

previous | next

XOXO. જ⁀➴ TWO

. ۫ ꣑ৎ "i’ll do it.”

summary. the gossip of last friday have followed you into your own life, and the only way you can get out is by embracing it

word count. 4.3k

warnings. language, some semi 18+ implications ...

The clang of the metal echoes through the hallway as you slam your locker shut, your head falls forward, resting against the cold surface. You let out a heavy sigh. What a morning.

A scattered ocean of gossip and murmurs surrounding you grows louder, and louder with each passing second.

“Is that her? Oh my god.”

“I feel so bad… can you imagine how embarrassing that is?”

“She’s not as smart as I thought if shes messing with a guy like him.” you hear a familiar voice causing you to slowly turn to the group with glares sharp enough to cut glass, and you recognize where the familiar voice came from. 

Taylor Beaufort, steps forward. Her innocent wide eyed look made you feel a small ounce of remorse, then you remembered those painful words she just spewed. You couldn’t help but recognize the irony, Taylor–the poor girl. She’s been dating Evan Ortiga for a month, blissfully unaware of his wandering eyes. Everyone but her knows.

“Taylor,” a bitter chuckle escapes your lips as you slowly cross your arms, “I know you’re not talking–”

Before you can finish, your attention is ripped away. A familiar figure emerges from the crowd, practically demanding your attention, his presence sucking the oxygen from the room. Drew, your fellow subject of these baseless rumors.

“We need to talk,” he mutters, his tone low and husky. You stand your ground, remaining silent. 

He drags a hand down his face, letting out a loud groan before he–without your response–grabs your arm.

Against everything you stand for, you don’t protest it. The warmth of his hand stills you. It’s strange, how easily the guy can quiet your instincts to fight back. He had a way about him, he felt so dangerously familiar, you knew not to get caught up with him.

He leads you into an empty classroom surrounded with windows, closing the door with a soft click. Drew exhales slowly, leaning against the door as if he’s holding it–and the world that surrounded us–shut.

For a moment, you just look at him, oddly enough you can’t keep your eyes off him. His black compression shirt clinged to his chest, soaked with sweat from gym class, his damp hair stuck to his forehead in messy clumps and his gym shorts sat low on his hips, stopping right before his thighs.

Realizing what your doing, you force yourself to blink, to not let your eyes linger for too long. Too not let him notice how your pulse skips every time you do so much as glance at him.

“You know this’ll just make things worse right?” you mutter, breaking the silence.

A slow, humorless chuckle escapes from his lips. He grabs the towel from around his neck and lightly dabs his forehead. “Whatever, let them talk. I’m more worried about you.” unexpectedly his tone softens, his gaze concerned.

Who is this guy, and what has he done with the Drew Vanderbilt you’ve grown to know and despise?

Your defenses falter ever so slightly, just for a second.

“I’m fine” you reply, but your voice betrays you, barely above a whisper. Attempting to regain the power, you step closer, closing the space between you two until you can the heat radiating off him. “But this shit? Is only going to make things worse for me. So why don’t you do me a favor and stay the hell away from me, Drew?” 

Your words hang in the air, you don’t look away from him, not for a second. Then, his eyes meet yours, stormy and unreadable. His breath, hot and heavy from running up the stairs to see you, fans across your face as you inhale sharply.

For a moment, the two of your are still. His jaw tightens as his gaze drops down to your lips before flicking back up to yours eyes. Your heart pounds painfully against your ribs, your pulse screaming at you to retreat, but you stand your ground. 

Then, shattering the tension, Drew steps back, his mouth struggling to curve into a small, dry smile. “Yeah, okay,” he says, his voice lower now, “Whatever you want.”

He lingers for a bit then turns and walks away, leaving the air in the room colder, emptier. 

You stand their frozen, you loathe him. Hating his stupid confidence, the way he doesn’t flinch no matter what you do, the way he looks at you like he’s daring you to crumble.

You hate that he’s he’s beginning to creep under your skin.

You push open the door and step into the hallway where a small crowd has gathered, their eyes snapping to you as if you’re the headline of the hour.

You sigh, taking no action as you know that whatever you do will only fan the flames of scandal.

It’s only noon and the weight of this day feels as if its harshly pressing down on your shoulders. One more class to endure, and of course this one has to be your personal hell.

AP Calc is filled with faces you’ve spent the entire day trying to avoid. Alexa, and her posse, the main trio, their presence impossible to ignore. Of course, Alexa and Evan lounge carelessly, their work untouched. Unsurprisingly Damson is the most on task out of the group, making sure they don’t fall behind.

The low buzz of whispering cuts through the air, and you don’t have to puzzle yourself trying to figure what exactly–or who exactly–it’s about.

“Can’t believe Drew is hitting that, good work bro…” the sharp words cause you to turn in your seat, your glare landing on Alexa and Evan. “Excuse me?” you question, your tone sharp enough to draw blood.

Their heads snap up as they notice you, caught completely off guard like deer in headlights. Alexa rolls her eyes in that exaggerated sort of way that makes you wish they’d to get stuck like that. “Nothing that concerns you, Y/N” she says, her voice dripping with venom. Alexa hates being called out–it’s written all over her stiff shoulders and tight jaw.

“Great!” you reply, your voice laced with obvious sarcasm, “That’s what I thought.”

The tension in the room grows as you can see Alexa’s snap her pencil in anger, she grits her teeth, forcing a dry smile. 

Suddenly a low voice cuts through the hostility, “Could y’all stop being ashsoles and do you work?” Damson mutters, his words quier but firm.

You can’t but let out a soft chuckle. Damson and you had always been cool, despite your disdain for his group of idiot, dirtbag friends. He had obviously been extra nice to you throughout this situation because of you finding him and Ryan, but still, it was sweet. 

You smile faintly and refocus on your work, it all comes to you so much easier now that you haven’t been overthinking about everything. Ryan’s words really had the power to switch a flip, suddenly everyone was clicking, and your grades climbed almost effortlessly.

You leave your internship a little earlier than usual today, the clock barely ticking past three. Your work had been quite uneventful. The most noteworthy news of the day was word of a new intern joining the political correspondence team, but you barely gave it a second thought.

The whispers though, were impossible to ignore, the man who’d be joining the team was apparently pretty well-known amongst new yorkers, known as this smart, educated, “dreamboat”. Your work friends were just as swept up in the frenzy as everyone else, they’d vowed to take the long way to the fourth floor just to catch a glimpse when he starts next week.

But you? Honestly couldn’t care less, you couldn’t afford any distractions especially in a dire time like this.

A couple weeks back, you overhead a conversation between your mentor and another designer that shifted everything into sharper focus. A Junior Designer positions was opening up, and they were watching the interns closely. This opportunity wasn’t just a job, it was your dream wrapped in chic silk and sequins. This role meant access to everything you had worked for and more, including the upcoming Paris Fashion Week, to help however you could in that, was a dream.

The stakes simply couldn’t be any higher, so you spent every night perfecting your designs, every morning fetching coffee orders without a single spill–it was all for this. So no, word of a new, hot intern didn’t make your spirit falter in the least.

When you arrive home you’re in a rare bright mood, the day was confusing and now it was over–and it was still daytime. You waltz around the penthouse, savoring the solitude of being home alone with nothing to do. You prance to the  couch and flop down, ordering food as you put on your favorite show. It’s just you, the glow of the screen, and takeout on the way. What a perfect night in.

two hours later

BZZZ BZZZ

Another tag from Gossip Girl, the third one you’d been mentioned in. This time, you don’t panic at the sight of it, you calm yourself, clicking the notification you read aloud.

“Hookup classroom?!” your voice falters, the words cutting through your practiced composure like glass. Of course. That’s why everyone had been staring when you left. Your mind scrambles, looking through the comments and replies.

Before you can truly spiral your phone distracts you, Ryan was calling, without much thinking you knew what the subject of the call would be. You decline it, texting her instead:

i alrd know girl, i’ll call u l8r 

You sink deeper into the couch, letting the hum of your show drown out the scattered thoughts in your head. Then your phone vibrates again. Assuming its Ryan again, you thinks its urgent and answer without looking. 

“Ryan, I said I’d call–”

The words catch in your throat, freezing mid-sentence as the voice on the other sends a chill down your spine.

“We need to talk”

You know that voice, low, familiar, and maddeningly self-assured. Drew.

“How did you get my number?” you ask, forcing an edge in your tone to mask the spike of panic you felt at the sound of his voice.

He responds, but his connection falters, chopping his words into small unintelligible fragments.

“I need–your–”

“What? Repeat it?” you reply as your frustration climbs.

“Need–to–” 

“Dude, I can’t hear–”

Then–without a word–the line goes dead.

A new message pops up almost immediately.

Probably; Drew Vanderbilt: You’re staying at the Bellemont, right?

Yeah, why? :You

Read 6:30pm

You stare at the screen, not looking away once, your heart thumps as the silence stretches. He’s enjoying this isn’t he? Making you wait, after a call like that. You call him again. Once. Twice. Six times. Finally, he picks up, his connection a bit better making his words clearer.

“What’s your room number?”

Before you can think, you respond. “555.”

The regret fills you almost instantly, as you leap off the couch. You scramble to fix yourself up, brushing off the crumbs from your food and tugging on a hoodie. Why is he here? Why are you letting him in? 

The buzzer rings. You press the intercom, leaning on the wall you let out a shaky sigh.

Drew steps inside, his eyes sweep over the messy living room. His expression shifts to something you can’t quite explain–judgement? Amusement? Maybe, remorse?

He then turns to you, “Caught you at a bad time, didn’t I?” he says, his lips curving in a way that makes your skin itch, setting your nerves on edge.

“What? No, obviously not,” you blurt, throwing a blanket over the mess of a couch and sit down, crossing your legs as if that might restore some of your dignity.

He shifts to sit beside you, his movements more casual than usual. He sported baggy jeans, a fitted white tee, and sambas. He leaned back, manspreading just enough to claim space. He adjusts his glasses with a slow precision that felt almost deliberate. 

“Listen,” he says, his voice low and steady. “I’ve got something that’ll get us both out of this mess.” 

You fold your arms, refusing to look at him knowing it’ll mess up your entire demeanor. “Drew, I told you I don’t need–”

“Oh my God,” he groans loudly, cutting you off. His head falls back, his exasperation filling the air. “You just don’t get it, do you?

You glare at him, trying to fight your composure unraveling. “What do you mean?”

“I’m asking for your help,” he says, leaning forward now, his face so close that you catch the faint scent of his cedarwood cologne. “I’m catching just as much shit for this.”

His eyes lock onto yours and for a moment, the air between you shifts. You swallow hard, the tension thick enough to suffocate.

“I didn’t ask for any of this,” you finally let it out, your voice wavers, cracking slightly.

“Neither did I,” he shoots back, his voice soft but razor-sharp, “But here we are. So what do we have to lose?”

Against all better judgement, something in you is urging to you to hear him out. Everyone already believed the rumors, it was to late to fight it now, he was right. What did you have to lose?

He exhales sharply, almost like he’s trying to steady himself. “We have to…” He pauses, turning his head away from you, his voice drops to a low murmur. “Give them what they want.”

You help but chuckle at it, “I’m sorry?” you say a sly smirk curling at you. Drew–utterly embarrassed and at your mercy. His jaw clenches as his gaze darts to the floor as though he was avoiding the sight of your obvious amusement in his discomfort. 

“We just have to make them think the rumors true. Only for a little while,” he mutters, his voice getting lower and lower as if it physically pained him to admit this to plan to you. He turns back, head up, posture stiffened, he finally meets your gaze. “Then they’ll get bored and move on. They always do.”

He uncrosses his arms, shifting slightly closer to you, observing you as you think it over. You notice the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips when his gaze moves down landing onto your legs, the fabric of your spandex shorts rutching a bit at your hips. His expression shifts, you can see his confidence rekindling like a spark to a flame.

You don’t give him the satisfaction, straightening your shorts out, giving him a pointed look. His smile doesn’t fade, if anything, it grows. 

It almost felt like he was assessing you, taking in every bit of you, he leans back and tilts his head.

“So?” he breaks the silence, but at that moment you feel your own eyes betraying you, flicking over to his biceps where his tights sleeves strained against his arms. You catch yourself too late and snap your gaze back to his face, realizing what that knowing look of his meant. The silence stretches thickly between you.

“But why?” you finally ask, clearing your throat to mask your embarrassment. “Why do you care so much? Gossip Girl’s eyes have been on you since you were a freshman.”

His smirk fades, replaced by something more guarded. He leans forward towards the TV, licking his lips before he answers. “No, not like this. This time they’re really digging, and I’ve got shit I can’t let get out, shit they’re too close to finding.” his voice lowers, his gaze dropping again.

You tilt your head, curiosity buzzing in your chest. What could Drew Vanderbilt, of all people, possibly be hiding? “So what do you need from me?” you ask, fluttering your eyes a bit, you sit up straight.

He looks at you with a mixture of disbelief and relief, he hadn’t expected you to even consider this far. “Make em’ think you’re head over heels for me. I’ll do the same, so much so that they’ll grow to hate it–and leave us alone.”

A fake relationship, trouble. You couldn’t even bear to be in the same room as him, his entire demeanor just grew to be all too unbearable. You were afraid, afraid of what something like this might do to you, how it might change you. 

But for some reason, god knows why, when it’s Drew asking–Drew who’s looking at you now like you’re the only person who can save him–it doesn’t seem so bad. Still, you hesitate, every bone in your body screaming at you to stop. “It’d be hard for anyone to be head over heels for you, Drew,” the words going against everything you’ve felt in that moment, you add, “Fine, under one condition; tell me what your hiding. Relationships are built on trust, Vanderbilt.”

The corners of his mouth twitch, but the smirk doesn’t fully return. Instead, he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not that simple.”

You arch a brow. “Is it serious?”

“Not… really,” he mutters.

Your smirk returns. “Then I guess you’ll just have to live in fear of your not-so-serious secret coming out.”

He groans softly, running a hand down his face. “Fuck, Y/N…” he stands abruptly–and to your dismay–he walks towards the elevator door. Pausing with one hand hovering over the ground floor button, he glances back, his brows furrowed just enough to give his expression a slight flicker of vulnerability. “Could you at least think about it?”

But that slight frown wouldn’t work on you, were you attracted to the idea? Maybe… but you weren’t gonna do something this drastic for some guy you barely know if he couldn’t atleast be vulnerable with you. 

“Bye-bye, Drew” you say, your smile sharp as you throw him a wink.

It’s finally Friday, the last day of your internship before the new recruit arrives, you’ve poured everything into this week. Working tirelessly, staying after hours to assist your mentor designer with preparations for her upcoming fashion show. 

The studio was quiet, the sounds of sewing machines and rustling echoed through the room. Your hands were busy arranging swatches when the door beside you swung open, making both you and your mentor whip around in surprise.

Standing in the doorway was the one and only,

Nova Kaine.

Your idol and worst nightmare.

The very sight of her made your heart slam against your ribcage. She wasn’t just a designer–she was the designer, her presence was nothing short of terrifying. 

Her gaze swept over you with the precision of a blade, sharp, as if she were dissecting every inch of your being. She held something in her hand–a gold sequin sketchbook. Your sketchbook, the one you’d frantically been searching for over the past few weeks.

“This yours, Ms. L/N?” she asked coolly, her tone laced with venom. She glanced down at the cover, your name curling off her tongue like it left a bitter taste.

You throat tightened as you rushed forward, of course, your first meeting with the women you’ve always aspired to be had to be like this. “Y-Yes, Ms. Kaine, thank you so much, I’ve been–”

She cut you off, lifting the sketchbook just out of reach, almost as if she was taunting you with it.

“These designs…” she began, flipping it open.

Your stomach dropped. She’d seen everything, that sketchbook was different, you rarely took it to work as it was home some of your most raw, personal–experimental designs. They reflected who you were, stripped naked, in a way you never intended anyone to see.

“...They’re incredible,” she finished, her tone shifting slightly. “Great work, Y/N.”

The words hit you like a bus. Incredible? From Nova Kaine?

Before you could stop it, your mouth fell open as the moment twisted in something surreal, something out of a dream. As you tried to form words your palms grew clammy, you struggle to manage a weak nod and a trembling smile.

“Are you aware there’s a Junior Designer position open?” she asked

Sweat gathered at your temples, as you shifted your weight from foot to foot, swaying back and forth, fighting the urge to fidget. Your thoughts raced faster than you could comprehend them.

“Yes, M-Miss,” you stammered, nodding uncontrollably. 

“Well I think we should meet about it soon,” she says, closing the sketchbook with a harsh snap. Her gaze softened ever so slightly, if you blinked you could’ve missed it. “I’d love to have someone like you in my corner during Fashion Week.”

“I’m looking forward to that,” you replied, the words barely escaping your lips.

With a small nod, she turned and left the room, the heavy door clicking shut behind her.

For a moment, you stood there, frozen, unable to process what had just happened. Then, you and your mentor locked eyes. The room erupted into quiet squeals of disbelief and excitement.

This was it—everything you’d ever wanted, right within reach. And for once, it didn’t feel like a far-off dream. It felt real.

A couple days later you find yourself sitting face to face with Nova Kaine at a sleek, upscale restaurant in the heart of Manhattan. This moment–this lunch–was everything you’d ever dreamed of and more.

The space buzzed with quiet luxury. Waiters floated by in crisp uniforms, carrying silver trays, while sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting soft shadows on the marble tables. Nova barely glanced at the menu before ordering a Diet Coke. Out of intimidation, you ordered nothing but a water and an appetizer of garlic bread.

“So, you’re not getting any food?” you ask, trying your hardest not to cross any lines–the question’s shaky as it leaves your lips.

“Oh this shouldn’t take long,” she replied curtly, adjusting her collar. “I’ve got dinner with someone in about an hour.”

The words hit you like a wake up call, while this meeting meant everything to you, it was a mere footnote in her bustling day. You adjust your blouse, letting out a nervous laugh. You begin cutting a small piece of garlic bread to keep your hands busy. 

“So,” she began, her tone sharp and direct, “I want you to know you’re probably our best intern. I’m sure you realize this position was practically waiting for you, right?”

You choke a bit on your saliva, all you can do is let out an awkward laugh, shaking your head in humility. 

Nova leans forward, crossing her legs with this effortless poise. “You’d be perfect for the position,” she said, her words deliberate, “but there are two very important things you need to know. First, it’s full-time, Second, you’re representing the new generation of vogue, so you need to maintain a squeaky-clean reputation.”

Her words swirled in your mind, stirring equal parts excitement and dread. A full time designing position at Vogue meant everything–but it came with costs. You had to switch to online classes in the afternoon, you didn’t desire to return to the struggle of juggling school and work you experienced the first months of your internship.

And then there was your reputation.

Wasn’t it good? you wonder. You’d never been involved in any scandal…wait. The events of last Friday. The hookup classroom. Gossip girl, and Drew Vanderbilt all come back to you.

Your chest tightens thinking of all the ways you’ve gone wrong, the weight of your silly mistakes settling in.

Nova’s voice cuts through your spiraling thoughts like a knife, silencing them completely. “That means no rumors, gossip, or scandals. So I have to ask…”

You stare down at your half cut bread, unable to meet her piercing gaze.

“This…situation with that Vanderbilt boy,” she said, her tone tiptoeing around dissapointment, “that’s not some fling, right? You understand how damaging that could be to your chances if it is–right?

You couldn’t get a single word out, your thoughts raced in your head too fast for you to speak. Every part of you wanted to deny, to tell her the truth, to undo this mess–but you couldn’t possibly do that. Not now.

“N-no” you stammered, your voice barely intelligible. You force yourself to look at her, eye-to-eye, flashing a stiff uncomfortable smile. “We’re serious. He’s…he’s my boyfriend, actually.”

The lie struggled to leave your lips, you felt as if you were holding in a bit of vomit in your mouth, but it was too late to take it back.

“Good!” Nova said, her tone suddenly chipper as if you’d passed some sort of test. “Well then, we’ll get things sorted out for your start date. Since you’re still in school, there’ll have to be some adjustments, but I’m sure we’ll make it work.”

The conversation was wrapped up quickly after that, the weight of your lie lingered. What have you done? Gossip Girl had wormed her way into your life and now stood between you and your dreams. You embraced her rumors to get by, but at what cost?

The walk home was slow and shameful, you knew what you had to do. And yet, before could even take out of your phone, Someone had beat you to it.

Your phone buzzed, his contact lighting up the screen. You paused for a bit before you answered, you knew what this would be. As much as you pushed back, you and Drew were practically tied together at this point, there was not stopping it. You finally answer, hesitating a bit.

“You win, I’ll tell you, but–”

“Stop,” you interrupt, your voice heavy with guilt. “I’m sorry for putting you in that position, you don’t have to tell me anything. I’ll do it.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke a word, then you heard a low chuckle on the other end

There was the Drew Vanderbilt you knew.

“Where are you?” he said, his tone teasing but kind.

[beauiestars]

Logan Howlett x Reader

(Part One/Part Two)

Logan Howlett/Wolverine x Fem!Reader

PROMPT: "Stay. Just for tonight."

SUMMARY: After Logan manages to score a date with the new teacher, their night ends up being one to certainly remember.

WORD COUNT: 2.3K

Logan ran a hand through his hair with an exasperated huff. The pink paper around the bouquet he held rustled in his grip as he jogged to the dive bar where you had arranged to meet. At some point between changing his shirt three times and deciding to buy you flowers, the time had slipped away from him. Logan was running late for your date, and he was stressing—his mind racing with a mixture of guilt and nerves. He couldn’t believe he was messing this up.

He could already imagine you sitting there at the bar, sipping away at your drink with those perfect lips, thinking that you’d been stood up by some bum. In this case, he was the bum—and hell, did he feel guilty about it. He shoved past groups of people on the crowded sidewalk. A couple of passerby yelled curses his way, but he barely heard them, too preoccupied with getting to you. One jerk even threw a half-hearted elbow into his side as Logan responded with a quick middle finger—his irritation more with himself than with anyone else.

He could see the glowing neon signs just down the street. He hurried his pace, silently hoping that you would still be there. Maybe after months of him being rude and distant, avoiding you because he didn’t have the guts to ask you out, you’d already given up. After all, he hadn’t exactly made it easy on you. He wouldn’t have blamed you if you had already left.

The bell rang as he yanked the door open, his eyes immediately scanning the bar. He sought you out like a bloodhound, but there was no sign of you. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, he thought he might have blown it—he had probably messed up a chance with the only woman he had been genuinely interested in for years. He nearly turned around, ready to bolt, when a tall man, who’d been standing directly in front of you, slid into the seat beside you, revealing that you’d been there the whole time.

Logan's eyes furrowed in irritation. The man was leaning into you, speaking animatedly with grand, theatrical gestures, which were clumsy and far from elegant. Logan could feel the edge of anger bubbling in his stomach.

But then he saw your face—your expression told him everything he needed to know. Not only had you stayed, but your face was an open book of disinterest. Your lips pressed tightly together, and you avoided direct eye contact, clearly not invested in the conversation at all. Your eyes, the ones Logan could get lost in for hours, flicked back to the glass in your hand. You swirled it in a slow, rhythmic motion, your gaze distant, indifferent to the guy sitting next to you.

Logan exhaled a sharp breath, trying to rein in his frustration. He snapped himself out of it, refusing to let anything ruin this moment. The guy didn’t need to be around any longer. He needed to go—now. Without hesitation, Logan placed his hand firmly on the man’s shoulder. The guy turned with a deep frown, his eyes narrowing in annoyance.

“Hey buddy, we’re in the middle of something here,” the guy grumbled.

“Oh yeah?” Logan’s voice dropped to a low growl. “Well, you better wrap it up now. The lady is with me, pal.” He squeezed the man’s shoulder tighter, feeling him stiffen under the pressure. You watched with an amused smile, your eyes twinkling with an unspoken thanks.

Logan winked as he pulled the guy to his feet, his hands firmly gripping the guy’s shirt. "Get lost, bub," Logan added, his voice thick with finality. The man shot Logan a nasty shove before stomping off toward the door.

“Fuck you, asshole!” he called back, but Logan already sat down beside you, his focus entirely on you now.

“Sorry I’m late,” Logan said, his tone genuine and apologetic, holding up the slightly wilted bouquet. The paper was crinkled, and several petals had fallen off, leaving the flowers looking a bit worse for wear.

“Thank you, Logan. They’re perfect,” you smiled, taking them from his hands and placing them gently on the bar.

“I didn’t want you to think I stood you up,” Logan said, scratching the back of his neck, his nerves betraying him. “I know I can be an ass, but I wouldn’t do that. Especially not to you, y’know? I’d be an idiot to stand up a girl like you. Hell, if I ever did that, you might as well shoot me—”

You pressed your fingers to his lips, giggling softly. “Hey, it’s okay. No need to explain yourself.” He shut his mouth with a snap, mentally scolding himself. He was rambling—something he never did. “I had a bit more faith in you than that.”

“I’m glad.” He let out a breath. Honestly, he couldn’t believe this was happening. Logan wasn’t exactly a man prone to insecurity. Hell, he used to get more women than he knew what to do with, but when it came to you, he was a mess of raging hormones, self-consciousness, and all the nervous energy he couldn’t quite control.

He leaned on the bar, watching you as he ordered his first drink. Every time he looked at you, it felt like his heart stuttered. The next few hours flew by like seconds. You two dove into engaging conversation, and at one point, your hand made its way to his forearm, your fingers tracing gentle shapes into his skin, sending a shiver of pleasure down his spine. He paid for the rest of your drinks, even covering your first one—anything to make you smile.

The evening felt effortless. As the hours passed, you both talked like you’d known each other forever. Your laughter was infectious.

"Hey, I'm hungry," you said, breaking the rhythm of the conversation. "Wanna get out of here?"

Logan nodded enthusiastically, eager to make the night last. He pulled out your chair and even held the door open for you as you exited the dive bar. He wasn’t about to let the night go by without making you feel like you were the most important person in the room.

The sky had turned dark, the street lamps casting a soft glow on the deserted streets. The shop windows were dark, silent, as you and Logan walked along the path. The chill in the air caught on your bare arms, making you shiver slightly.

Logan, with his sharp senses, noticed instantly. Without a word, he shrugged off his jacket and held it out to you. “Here, put it on, doll.”

You glanced up at him through your lashes, the sweetest grin forming on your face. “What a gentleman,” you teased, though the cold was starting to make you wish you’d accepted it sooner. “Usually, I’d say no thank you to be polite, but I’m freezing.”

Logan grinned, handing over the jacket. You slid your arms through it, the fabric engulfing your frame. It was too big for you, much too big for anyone, really—Logan was huge, and his clothes seemed to swallow you whole.

The sight of you in his jacket, the way it hung loosely off you, sparked something deep within him. His thoughts veered down a much more dangerous path. He had to look away quickly, a flush creeping up his neck as the thought of taking you somewhere private and letting his hands roam made his heart race.

As Logan turned his head, he caught sight of a food truck on the other side of the street. He froze, recognising it immediately. This was the truck he always went to on his lunch breaks, though he didn’t know they stayed open this late. He stopped in his tracks and pulled you toward it, his hand settling on your waist.

“Huh?” You turned to see what he was pointing at, and your eyes lit up.

“You said you were hungry?” You nodded eagerly, and Logan grinned. “Food’s on me. Their stuff is fantastic.” He entwined his fingers with yours, and you squeezed his hand in appreciation.

You both picked out your meals, and Logan’s easy rapport with the man running the truck made you laugh. It was clear they were on a first-name basis.

You sat down on the sidewalk to eat. The street was quiet enough that you could stretch your legs out without worrying about getting run over. It was perfect.

“This is so good,” you said, between bites, trying your best to be ladylike, but failing just a little. “I see why you come here so often.”

If Logan were being honest, the fact that you looked so natural, so unguarded, was really starting to turn him on. “Yeah. It’s good stuff,” he said with a grin, his gaze lingering on you.

You ate in a comfortable silence, savouring the warmth of the food and the closeness of Logan’s presence. When you were finally finished, you stood first, offering your hands to help Logan up. He took your hands, but he did most of the work to pull himself up, knowing you didn’t stand a chance against his size.

“Next stop, the academy?” you asked, the question carrying a slight sadness. You had enjoyed every second of the evening, but it was getting late, and you had early classes in the morning. Logan didn’t seem eager for the night to end either.

“I suppose so,” Logan replied, but there was a hesitation in his voice that mirrored your own reluctance.

You squeezed his hand again and looked up at him. “We could always take the long way back.” A mischievous smirk pulled at the corner of your lips.

“Sounds perfect,” he replied, his grin wolfish and just as playful as yours.

You turned off the main path, taking the longer route back to the academy, both of you giggling like lovesick teenagers. What was supposed to be a twenty-minute walk turned into almost an hour, filled with laughter and flirtation.

As you neared the academy gates, you groaned loudly, the exhaustion from the evening’s fun starting to hit you. Your feet ached, especially in the new shoes you hadn’t had a chance to break in properly. Logan turned to you, sensing your discomfort.

“My feet hurt, these damn shoes,” you said, your voice tinged with a whine. “Could you please just hold on a second?”

You shot him an apologetic look before crouching down to remove the shoes. You struggled a bit, frustrated by how stiff they felt.

“Hey, hold on,” Logan said suddenly, stopping in his tracks. “I’m not about to make you walk back barefoot, am I?”

Your eyes flicked up in surprise as you straightened, just in time for Logan to scoop you up into his arms. The gasp that escaped your lips was quickly followed by a delighted squeal, but you settled into his arms immediately. Logan was strong—his grip secure—and you had no intention of complaining.

He grinned, amused by your stunned expression. “I told you, you’re light as hell,” he teased.

You didn’t mind. Hell, you’d been hoping for something like this to happen all night, and now, as he carried you across the school grounds, you felt like the luckiest girl alive.

When he finally set you down outside your door, the warm, comforting buzz of the evening seemed to pause, as if reality was creeping in. “Thank you for that,” you said softly, meeting his gaze.

“Picking you up? No big deal,” Logan chuckled, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. His muscles rippled with every move, and you tried to remind yourself that you weren’t here just to objectify him.

“No—well, that too,” you quickly clarified, warmth rising in your cheeks. “But the whole date. That was easily one of the best dates I’ve been on.”

Logan’s face flushed pink—something you never thought you’d see. Logan rarely blushed, but you had a way of drawing it out of him.

“I find that hard to believe,” Logan said, a sly smile creeping onto his face. “But if anything, I reckon I could do it better next time.”

You grinned, holding your palm over your lips to stifle a giggle that threatened to escape. “Is that you asking me on a second date?”

Logan’s smile widened, his eyes playful. “Depends what your answer is.”

You didn’t even hesitate, almost too eagerly. “Obviously,” you said, the excitement making your words a little too quick.

“Well, we can talk about the details later.” Logan’s voice dropped, and your heart skipped a beat as he looked at you, desire flickering in his eyes.

You toyed with the strap of your purse, a slow smile forming. “Maybe... Maybe we could discuss it in the morning?”

Logan raised an eyebrow, testing the waters. “You sure?”

Your voice dropped to a near-whisper. “Stay. Just for tonight.”

That was all Logan needed to hear. His hands slid to your waist, and before you knew it, his lips crashed into yours, his kiss deep and urgent. He pushed you back against the door as you fumbled blindly for the handle.

Once it clicked open, you guided him into your room, never breaking the kiss. The rest of the night was nothing but a blur of passion, clothes tossed aside, and the growing heat between you both. Logan was exactly what you had hoped for, and then some. As he pulled you onto the bed, you knew one thing for certain: the morning class? Yeah, you probably weren’t going to make it.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆

TAGS:

[hussyknee]

The book covers of Regency romance novels are an absolute crime, but in Cecilia Grant's case they're nothing short of absurd. You could maybe excuse some of these half dressed gym bros in breeches cradling heroines either swathed in satin sheets or off-the-rack prom dresses if the contents are some kind escapist erotica in a setting that could pass as the Regency era on a porn set, à la Bridgerton. But when it's something like Grant's Blackshear Family novels, the covers go from ordinary crime to war crime.

Grant's writing is beautiful, very introspective, slightly antiquarian and almost literary. The Blackshear novels are very touching mediations on love and desire and social injustice within the dictates of respectability and vulnerability of the landed gentry, not the aristocracy, travelling everywhere from the tenant homes and farms of country estates to the gambling hells of London to field hospitals crammed with the dead and dying of the Battle of Quatre Bras. The sex scenes are well done, but they're slower burn than a beeswax candle and definitely not the point of the stories at all. They're about how people in history lived and loved.

The covers for the books?

What, I say, the fucketh?

The treatment of this entire genre and its writers by the publishing industry is a study in misogynistic contempt. It doesn't matter whether they're queer or het, or fantasy or mystery or historical or all of them. Anything tarred with the brush of romance and a feminine readership is considered "chic lit" and therefore not worthy of proper editing or halfway respectful or even relevant covers, much less critical recognition.

[forzaflwrs]

suzuka blossoms

pairing: lando norris x fem!oc

summary: saki has had no luck when it comes to guys - until lando gets her heart racing after a brief encounter and gradual infatuation at a coffee shop.

format: saki’s (oc) point of view! multi-part!

PROLOGUE

When I saw Lando that day, he was flanked by his security and his hair was tufted messily at the crown of his head, but gradually smoothed over towards the edges of his head. He took a seat nearby to the register I was working at and, to my surprise, came up to order himself.

“One iced matcha latte please.”

Still amazed at the odds that a famous Formula 1 driver had waltzed into the café I work at, I shook my head.

“No?” He chuckled.

I snapped out of my daze rapidly. “Oh no, no, not like that-”

A moment of unbroken silence falls upon us and his eyes do not stray away from mine until I finally show him the baked goods, encased in glass.

“Any pastries perhaps?”

“What do you recommend?”

My cheeks flushed, I replied. “I recommend the Strawberry Cream Brioche.”

“I’ll take one, then, Suki.” He turned to face his entourage of men wearing black tuxedos. “Anything for you guys?”

They don’t respond and Lando takes notice of the smile I have on my face, but does not mention it. I don’t even care that he misread the name tag, pinned to my pocket.

“I’ll have your order taken straight to your table. The name for the order?”

Even though I knew full well who it was.

“Lando. Thank you!” His mouth curls into a smile and his eyes squint, the creases around them being exposed, raw.

Once Lando had finished his food and partially drank his coffee, he walked over to me, after having just served another customer.

“I don’t quite know how it works, but…” He turns back and faces me again. He kisses his teeth and interlocks both hands. “May you clean our table?”

I oblige, waving him away along with his security team as the bell chimes above the door and Lando is whisked away to wherever he was supposed to go to.

Once I had started stacking plates and tucking used napkins into the gaps in between, I noticed one, scrawled on with ink in block capitals and messy handwriting.

LANDO - *******

Swiftly taking it, stuffing it into my apron, then almost immediately taking it out again to affirm what I thought I had saw. Lando Norris? The McLaren driver?

Suzuka is a popular event here each year; people from Nagoya, Tokyo, even some other countries around Asia, flock here to see the tumultuous turns these drivers take to win the race. Ridiculous amount of money is spent, but it’s all in good fun, because families and friends alike come for the atmosphere of it all.

And I just met one of those drivers, giving it his all this weekend.

Incredulous, my mind comes up with remedies to cure the madness that I am experiencing. Surely, this can’t be right?

Despite this, my thoughts continue to stir and I finish my shift, every hour that had passed since I read the note rushed in a blur and a mixture of both pleasant and unpleasant thoughts scrambled until I had finally gotten home.

I argued with myself.

Do I call him? Do I not?

I choose to text, instead. I wish that I did not feel as if I had to contact him, but, either way, it couldn’t hurt — right?

[softboo]

love me, ever so gently - part III

pairing: austin x reader

summary: you recently moved to a new apartment, making some new eccentric friends along the way. but what you didn't expect was falling in love with a stranger. a stranger you somehow couldn't stop thinking about

words: 2.3k

warning: depictions of alcohol, dark themes of domestic abuse in relationships, *minors please don't interact*

author's note: hii here's part III of the story!! this one was a lot of fun to make omg and it wasn't even supposed to go this way at all... it kinda just happened lmfaoo. i'm already writing the next part heh. but yeah, it truly means the world to me that you guys read these stories. like it really warms my heart, so thank you. hope you enjoy <3

previous part // next part

part III

"he's being abused cassie," you wanted to be straightforward on the topic, especially with how delicate the issue was. you thought she would say something, but she paused. like the weight of your words were slowly sinking in. the realization and the possibility landing right in front of her.

you were just afraid she wouldn't see it.

and she didn't.

"sweetie, what makes you say that? he seems fine."

for the past few weeks, austin started attending more events. the cooking class being one of his favorites. you no longer sat with him anymore, feeling awkward every time you spoke to each other. the silence became so deafening that you soon changed partners. but a part of you always seemed to wonder how he was doing. if he had any new bruises. if he was still healing from past injuries. if his pain was still there.

and if he was genuinely okay.

from someone who knew nothing, like the rest of your friends, he seemed to be doing amazing. and he was pretty good at keeping that front up.

maybe he found a way to put his guard up even more after you.

you all were spending dinner in the kitchen; evelyn taking her proper position as cook, insisting on making everything by scratch. it took a long time to convince her that george was there to help and when she did accept, he never left her side. making sure she had every ingredient ready.

he genuinely looked like he was a cook working for the head chef, but you and cassandra both knew he was mainly doing it for the food.

"i promise you cassie, he's not okay."

"if he wasn't okay dear, then why is he coming here to spend dinner with us?"

your eyes widened at the news, which made cassandra smile.

"you invited him?" panic started to rise up to your throat, "but why?"

"george invited him because his girlfriend is out of town for two weeks. he's going to be alone and no one deserves to be alone at a time like this."

you gritted your teeth, the thought of seeing him again after so long and now he was spending dinner with your friends made you feel slightly uncomfortable by the idea. not because you didn't want to see him, but moreso because your heart was so desperate to talk to him again.

"cassie, his girlfriend is the problem. he's probably so excited that she's gone, which is why he's attending more events."

"my love, listen to me." she took your hands from across the table, eyeing you with such intent and comfort that she let out a sigh.

"you know why i don't believe you?"

your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, not knowing where she was going with this.

"because i know how you feel about him," she waited for your reaction, but all you did was blink at her. "let's say this is true, the girlfriend is an abuser, then what?"

"then we help him right?"

"sure dear, but you need to ask yourself if you're doing that because you care about him or because you like him."

you bit your lip. why did there have to be a difference? you can care about someone right?

"and if it's the latter, you need to wait and see if he'll reach out to you. because again, he is taken."

that last part stung because it was true. some little part of your heart thought that maybe, just maybe, if he left his girlfriend, you could come in and be everything he deserved.

but it wasn't that easy. and he wasn't single.

"elvis my boy!! elvis is in the building!!" george exclaimed as austin arrived, wearing a black suit blazer. his blonde hair was styled in a way that looked messy, but accentuated his curls. and his eyes had oceans again, overflowing with life.

but what got you was his smile. he looked genuinely happy, embracing george into a tight hug. something george wasn't used to since he was always the one initiating, but he was all for it.

and for the first time, you doubted yourself and your theory. maybe cassandra was right.

maybe he really was okay.

austin went around to evelyn, who soon grew fond of him as her little cooking mentee. austin learning dinner dishes to desserts from all the classes he attended.

"the food smells lovely evelyn," his lower tone enveloped your heart and you hated how much he really did affect you. evelyn thanked him for his kind compliment.

"austin come and sit, the table is already made." cassandra offered the chair next to you and you panicked once more.

"hi again," his voice was smooth as he maneuvered his way around you to sit at the chair on your left. something about his tone and the way he held himself now felt like he was a stranger to you. like the guy you met before wasn't him at all.

or maybe a part of you saw him as broken and thought that you could be the one to fix him.

but your heart still stuck to that possibility. that this was all a front somehow. but you had no real reason to follow that thought. all you had was that pull on your heart.

"i like your suit," you gave him a weak smile as he thanked you kindly, pressing against the little wrinkled areas and loosening his jacket and tie.

"i just came back from dropping my girlfriend off at the airport so... i'm all yours for two weeks." he exclaimed, leaning back in his chair. your heart fluttered when he said that, but you knew it wasn't what he really meant.

evelyn and george placed the food on the table, a beautiful dinner feast for all of you. cassandra followed suit with the rest of the desserts as george popped up from his chair, running to get something.

"we forgot the wine!" he screamed from the hallway, hobbling back with two bottles. he eagerly poured an outrageous amount of wine in everyone's glass, left standing to offer a toast.

"to our new friend elvis," his toothy grin wide and proud as everyone raised their glass too. austin getting flustered as he tried to turn down the compliment, but evelyn insisted.

"and to my first cooking mentee, who i am so proud of," evelyn added, squeezing austin's cheeks. he laughed and you weren't sure why that sound hurt you.

you were the last to raise your glass as everyone cheered.

something about him being a part of the group should be celebrated, but you didn't know why it felt so painful. why him being a part of your life was hurting you.

or why him being happy killed you.

maybe because you wanted to be a part of that in his life, but knowing you couldn't be.

by the time you were done flooding yourself with all your conflicting thoughts, the dinner ended and all that was left was the chocolate cake in the center of the table. and you, picking at the icing with your fork.

you didn't remember anyone saying goodbye though, which made you feel even worse. you weren't exactly sure how much wine you drank either, considering your glass was empty. but you could've sworn it was full just a few minutes ago.

and then you saw him, coming back to your table. his blazer long gone and just his white dress shirt underneath. he looked disheveled but in a good way. something that showed he had a good time with his friends, which he did. he just wasn't sure if he remembered all of it.

"you want to bring the cake upstairs?" his voice felt like a blanket around you.

you looked at him with such confusion because... why would a kitchen have an upstairs?

"upstairs? why am i going upstairs?"

"because you need to go to bed."

"but i don't want to go to your apartment."

and his cheeks flushed red at your firm decision, feeling suddenly embarrassed for what you assumed. he did offer his arms for you to hold onto though, but you were hesitant to take it.

"i'm taking you back to your bed."

you sat there quietly, like you were debating whether or not to trust him. but you couldn't feel your legs so you had no other choice. and he smiled at you as you sat there and contemplated.

it wasn't long until he made the first move, wrapping his arm around your waist to hold you up while the other hand made sure you draped your arm around his shoulder. it felt like you were floating off the ground, either you were so far gone now or he was a lot taller than you thought.

when you reached the elevator, he struggled with keeping you upright, multiple failed attempts along the way of you falling forward, which made him almost lose his balance. it was like trying to walk without knowing where to go and not feeling the ground beneath you.

austin finally made it to your door as he tried to fumble through your bag for your key, while you nodded off for a split second. he kept one hand on your head, placing you as close to his chest as possible so you wouldn't fall over again, which made you blush immensely. your arms limply fell around his neck and he didn't mind at all, not even reacting to the way you fit right into the crook of his neck. your face surrounded by the smell of his cologne and little wavy pieces of his hair. you wished you could stay here forever.

"you smell really nice austin..." your words slurring with wine in your breathe. "can i have your cologne?"

"of course you can."

he couldn't help but laugh, which felt like a sympathy in your ears.

he finally found your key, opening the door for you. he slowly let you move first as he followed suit, trying to hold on to the sliver of soberness he had left in him.

it wasn't until you saw your living room that you excitedly left the comfort of his arms and screamed at your furniture.

"oh my gosh... YOU HAVE THE SAME APARTMENT AS ME!!" you squealed, turning back around to pull him into a hug, almost knocking him back outside. he held you for a moment, convincing himself that this was the alcohol talking.

this was just the wine.

"we're in your apartment love," he remarked and you let go all of a sudden and he felt the emptiness with it.

"oh."

your voice sounded so heartbroken that he almost felt bad for smiling at you.

"then why are you in my apartment?"

"because i need to make sure you get to bed okay." the alcohol still wavering a bit in his balance as he tried to maneuver you towards what he assumed was your bedroom. and he assumed correctly.

"i can do it on my own." you protested, finding your bed covers. you felt the softness of your blanket before you collapsed onto the bed, letting out a long awaited sigh. your eyes closed as you tried to ignore him. him and your overly excited heart.

"do you want to change first?"

you perked your head up and suddenly felt the room spinning. you were adament in saying yes, but you couldn't move your legs again.

"go away. i can do it by myself." you whined, slowly getting up and then collapsing on the floor, giggling.

austin just looked at you, holding in a laugh. you tried to push him out of your room and it actually worked, but only because he fell over outside.

"and you stay outside until i'm done." you ordered, your voice stern but slurred.

getting dressed drunk was probably one of the most difficult tasks you had to do at this very moment. and you haven't drank like this since college so you were mixing which part of your shirt was meant for your arm and your head.

by the time you finally had yourself dressed, you opened the door to see austin lying on the ground. his eyes closed, sound asleep.

"austin..." you whispered, crouching over him. the alcohol making you see double for a moment before using the floor to ground you. "austin, you can't sleep here."

he fluttered his eyes open as he gazed back at you. oceans engulfing you in endless waves. his hair all messy now as he just looked at you with such intrigue. it was so inviting.

he was so inviting.

you could've done anything, but you couldn't. you knew you couldn't.

but he was just laying there, gazing up at you like he's never seen you before. like he was seeing you for the first time all over again.

you wanted to caress his cheek, play with his hair, tell him he could stay.

but you couldn't.

it broke your heart that you couldn't have him. that he was with someone else.

you mustered enough courage, enough strength for the both of you, and whispered ever so softly to him.

"thank you for taking care of me..." your words blending into each other, feeling as if you were so far away from him.

and without thinking, you let your hand fall on his cheek, moving the little strands of hair that fell onto his face. like it was something natural that you've done for years.

and he closed his eyes to your touch.

you started to tear up, pulling everything you had left in you just to smile at him. that somehow he needed reassurance for your heartbreak.

"your girlfriend is so unbelievably lucky to have you austin," your voice breaking at the end, wanting to so desperately do something. do anything.

but all you did was collapse on the floor next to him, your body feeling limp from all the alcohol. he hardly moved from where he was, your words sinking slowly into his chest.

the weight of everything settling into him.

and for the first time, you were the reason why his oceans went dry.

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Here it is, what we've all been waiting for 🥁 🥁

Alright, after all this time waiting, it's finally here!! Thank you for your patience while we figured some stuff out, loves ❤ you're the best!!

I am so excited here we goooooo hehehehee

Click HERE to find out which of my books will be published in Fall of this year!!!!

I'm so so happy and excited you guyss 🤗

Liking/reblogging these posts really helps me out and helps other honeybunches to see the updates thank u to those of u who do that🥰