#So I think I'd like an excuse to continue talking to him outside of the job context you know

[lam-ila]

Holiday Party Meeting || Quinn Hughes

Summary: You meet Quinn at a holiday party and get to know one another. 

Word Count: 1,833

Warnings: none, please let me know if you find any that i should add

NHL Masterlist

a/n: here’s my entry for the 2024 winter fic exchange hosted by the amazing @wyattjohnston! this was written for @romanhughesy. i hope you like it!

this is gender neutral. hope you enjoy this! feedback is appreciated

LIKES ARE GREAT, REBLOGS ARE BETTER ♡

Holiday parties were your favourite part of the winter time. You never cared who's holiday party it was, as long as you were there in a cute outfit and enjoying some seasonal snacks and drinks, you were having the time of your life. So when one of your coworkers, Aaron, invited you and your other coworkers to their holiday party, you were beyond thrilled.

You decided to arrive at your coworker's house about a half hour into the party. That way, you weren't the first person to show up, but you also weren't rudely late. You knocked on the door before taking a slight step back, smoothing down the fabric of your outfit once you were a bit further from the door. Aaron opened the door and greeted you with a smile, moved to the side of the doorway, and beckoned you in. You glanced around as you did, smiling at the tasteful holiday decorations located all around you. You commented about how nice Aaron's house was and he thanked you, then led you over to where some of your other coworkers who were gathered together.

As the night went on, you hung out with coworkers, laughing and smiling as you told each other stories and enjoyed the food Aaron spent who knows how long preparing. You were about to take a sip of your drink when you realized your cup was empty, so you excused yourself and made your way over to the kitchen.

Once you refilled your cup, you leaned against the counter, relaxing your shoulders and finding peace in the slightly quieter area. As much as you loved holiday parties, you also loved finding moments of peace to recharge your social battery. You stayed alone in the kitchen for about a minute before someone else came in, shoulders also relaxing as he moved further from the noise of the party.

"Oh, sorry," he started, "I didn't realize you were in here."

"No need to apologize," you felt a smile growing on your lips as you started your very first conversation with him. "Trying to get away from some of the noise?"

"Yeah, it's a bit too loud sometimes," he looked downwards towards his feet and softly chuckled to himself. "You'd think I'd be used to the noise though."

You scrunched your nose in confusion and slightly tilted your head before realization hit you.

"Oh my gosh," your mouth parted in shock, "you're Quinn Hughes!"

Quinn looked up and met your gaze, pressing his lips in a tight knit smile.

"Yep, that's me." He continued to look at you, slightly nervous as to what you were going to say next.

"I didn't know Aaron knew you," you said in bewilderment.

"Yeah, our dads are best friends. I scored my first ever goal with him in net when we were, like, four."

"He used to play hockey?" Quinn nodded as a non verbal answer. "How did I not know that? So you’re saying that I could've talked to him about hockey this entire time I’ve worked with him?”

Quinn smiled in amusement at your response, one he never expected anyone to give once figuring out that he was Quinn Hughes the NHL player. His smile slightly faltered as he pondered how he should reply, before taking a deep breath.

"I know it's a bit cold outside and there's snow on the ground," he hesitantly began, "but do you want to go for a walk," he motioned to the activity occurring in the neighbouring room, then continued, "to get away from the noise?"

Your eyes shifted to look at the group of your coworkers, then shifted back to look at Quinn as you pondered.

"Sure, why not." You set down your drink on the kitchen counter as you and Quinn made your way to the front door.

—————

“So,” Quinn started the conversation back up once you were bundled up in your jackets and your winter boots were laced up, “you and Aaron are coworkers?”

He opened the front door and you both quickly squeezed through the small gap he created, trying not to make anyone notice you leaving.

“Mhm,” you hummed, slipping on your gloves as you began your walk with Quinn. “He invited me and a few of our other coworkers tonight. We’ve sort of become a friend group from working together which definitely makes dealing with customer service a bit easier. Sometimes, customers are not the nicest, but it’s okay, it comes with the job, so it’s-” you cut yourself off, stopping in your tracks.

Once he noticed you were no longer walking next to him, Quinn turned on his heel to face you.

“What?” he curiously asked.

“I just realized that I never told you my name.”

“To be fair,” Quinn took a few steps closer to you, shortening the distance between the two of you, so that he was only a step away from you, “I never asked, so you can’t entirely place the blame on yourself.”

You let out an amused exhale, picking up your feet to continue your walk.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” you asked with a smile.

“It means we split the blame 50/50. You should’ve told me your name, but I also should’ve asked.”

“Alright, I’ll take 50 percent of the blame.”

“So,” Quinn dramatically stretched out the ‘o’, “what is your name?”

“Now that’s classified information.” You teased, gently bumping into his side. You then told him your name, watching as he studied your face after you told him. “What? Do I have something on my face?”

“Your name suits you.”

“Thanks!” You looked away for a bit, trying to hide the giddy smile plastered across your face. Accepting defeat, you looked back towards Quinn, letting him see your smile. “Your name suits you too.”

“It’s actually short for Quintin.”

You burst out laughing, your whole body shaking as a result, then quickly covered you mouth.

“I’m so sorry,” you said, still shaking from laughter, “you do not look like a Quintin.”

Quinn laughed alongside you, shaking his head in disbelief of your reaction.

“Good thing I go by Quinn.”

You continued to walk side by side as it started to lightly snow. The only sound being made was the sound of your boots against the sidewalk and the sound of you and Quinn quietly chuckling about your remarks around his name.

"Tell me about yourself," Quinn broke the comfortable silence.

"What do I tell you?" you questioned, unsure of where to start.

"Your likes, your dislikes, anything you want me to know."

"Okay," you pressed your lips together as you thought of something to tell him. "Well, I like to make art."

"What type of art?"

"Drawing, painting, sewing, knitting," you listed, "I do all of it. I actually have an art degree, but you know, finding jobs in the art field can be a bit difficult."

"Is that your end goal? Getting a job in the art field?"

"To be honest, I'm not really sure," you laughed as you put your hands in your jacket pockets, regretting not bringing your gloves with you to Aaron's party. Quinn unhesitatingly took his off and offered them to you, an action that gave you butterflies in your stomach. You thanked him as you took his gloves, smiling at both the warmth they provided and Quinn's kindness. "I really like my job and the people I work with. And I'm making a decent amount too, but I'd still love to get a job that has something to do with art. It's a constant debate that goes on in my head."

You noticed Quinn ball his hands into fists in an attempt to warm them. You stopped walking and began to take his gloves off, but before you could fully take them off, he stopped you.

"No, no," Quinn started, putting his hands over yours to physically prevent you from taking his gloves off. "Don't worry about me. I'm a hockey player, I'm used to the cold."

"That doesn't make you any less susceptible to frostbite," you argued.

"Yeah, but it's fine, really. I'd rather it be me who gets frostbite than you."

“You kinda need your hands to play in the NHL,” you slipped off the glove on your right hand, took Quinn’s right hand, and slid the glove on him. “There, at least you’ll have your right hand, mine will just be cold now.”

Quinn chuckled and nonchalantly took your right hand in his left as you started walking again.

“I’ll keep your hand warm, don’t worry.”

You were glad your cheeks were already flushed from the cold because you felt your cheeks flush even more from Quinn’s actions and words.

—————

After your walk, which you were pretty sure was about a half hour long, you and Quinn returned to Aaron’s home, trying to sneak back in unnoticed. You shed the layers necessary to go outside in the Vancouver winter night and made your way back to your coworkers and Quinn returned to the people he was with prior to meeting you.

“Took you that long to refill your cup?” one of your coworkers, Lucas, joked. “You’ve been gone for an hour.”

“An hour?” you were shocked. You genuinely thought you were only gone for thirty minutes. “Oh wow, I didn’t realize I was gone for that long.”

“Okay, spill,” another one of your coworkers, Ellie, demanded. “We saw you leave with that guy.”

“ ‘That guy’ is Quinn Hughes and he’s the captain of the Canucks.” You found yourself widely smiling as you recounted the last hour of your life. “We went out for a walk and he’s really sweet and it was so comfortable talking to him and-”

“And you’re in love,” Lucas cut you off, a teasing smile present on his face.

“We held hands!” You dramatically swooned, letting yourself play into the picture perfect Prince Charming image you were creating in yours, Lucas’, and Ellie’s minds as you thought you thought you’d never talk to Quinn after the night was over.

“Oh, he sounds so per…” Ellie lingered off, looking slightly behind you, “hi,” she stammered out.

You turned to look at who she was greeting.

“Hi Quinn!”

“Hey,” Quinn hesitantly replied, “can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Yeah, definitely!” You followed him, going back to the spot you first met: Aaron’s kitchen. Behind you, Lucas and Ellie quietly cheered you on.

“I know we just met tonight, but,” Quinn was unable to look at you and awkwardly flexed his left hand, the one that held your right hand not too long ago, “so you want to meet up later? Preferably somewhere indoors and maybe where coffee is served?”

“Are you asking me on a date?” you confidently asked, although you had no idea where you were getting this information from.

Quinn leaned into your confidence and slyly answered “Maybe.”

You smiled and looked down, trying to conceal your excitement, then looked back up and met Quinn’s eyes.

“I’d like that.”

——————————

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join my taglist here

[oldmanlusting]

Quickly how do you befriend an older man with as far as you know no common interests

[imnameimswrld]

. . . ⵌ ׄ ۪ 𝐒𝐍𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐋 ¹ ׄ ⑅ MV1 ‌˖ ֺ ᰮ

— DESCRIPTION ੭ in short, you're done standing back when mr verstappen thinks he can push around your boyfriend like he wants.

— PAIRING ੭ max verstappen x gf!reader.

— FILE ੭ imagine.

— DISCLAIMERS ੭ 🔞 mdni, suggestive content, language, light mention of verbal abuse, max's parents are still together and he's dad's a total ass, also (currently) unedited.

❪ main masterlist | f1 masterlist | max verstappen masterlist ❫

━━━━━━━━━━❪ 🖤 ❫━━━━━━━━━━

Dinner was going so perfectly; aside from the lovely food, you too indulged in all the hilarious and adorable stories Mrs Verstappen had been so vibrantly been dishing out for you. Max was red in the face with embarrassment, your hand comfortable in his as he caresses it in his lap.

His siblings would join in on the conversation whenever they saw the opportune moment to shut down whatever lie their brother concocted on the spot to try and get himself out of a playful scolding from his mom, and it all just warmed your heart to see how happy he seemed in the moment.

But then, someone just had to speak up from his quiet spot at the head of the table and piss all over his content mood.

"Max, meet me outside for a drink. I'd like to talk to you."

To the ears of a stranger Mr Verstappen's words would sound like a simple request, to which Max could easily decline and just continue sitting in the comfortability of his family. However, you've been around for long enough to recognize that tone; it's no request.

It's an order.

His father stands, wine glass in hand, and steps away without another word as he leaves towards the back door. Once he's gone, a shivering silence settles over the table. His siblings look everywhere but their brother, Mrs Verstappen all but sighs softly and starts to clean up the table, and Max stares done at your hand in his.

"Max," you start, tightening your grip. "Just, stay here," you try, and when he looks up with a small smile that does nothing but claw at your heart, you try another tactic. "Or let's just go home. We can have some ice-cream, watch that weird documentary you're you're obsessed with, I can even-"

"I'll be only a few minutes schatjie, then we can leave, okay ?" he rubs over your hand, probably hoping it would ease your racing your heart.

It doesn't.

"Max," you begin again, hesitant eyes watching as he rises from his chair beside you and gently places your hands in your own lap.

"Help mom clean up, will you please ? I'll be back in a minute love." you want to protest yet again, but nothing comes out of you parted lips when he places a kiss to the crown of your head, before walking away, softly shutting the sliding door to the backyard behind him.

Taking a breath, you try to calm yourself as you stand to help Mrs Verstappen with clearing the table. You try your best to focus on anything else, but knowing that all his father is doing right now is being mean and belittling his son is gnawing at your insides in a way that has molten hot anger simmering in your gut.

Everyone in Max's family are such lovely, kind people – and then you get his poor excuse of a father.

You don't even realise you have the ends of the table cloth balled up in your molded right fists until there's a sharp poke in your ribs. Turning, you gaze meets eyes that so closely resemble Max's, it almost always makes you smile.

"Go." Victoria nods her head towards the back door, and you momentarily look back, before meeting his eyes that match the worry you feel inside.

It's just one word, but it holds all the emotions she's feeling and with hos strong they are, it gives you the green light. With a short nod, you turn on your heel and take long, determined strides towards the glass door.

When you open it, it seems your disrupt the conversion at just the right moment.

"She's going to become a distraction, Max. All you've worked for and currently working towards, is going to be for nothing."

"I sorely disagree, sir."

The two men's heads whirl at the sudden entrance of your voice, and the confidence that colours your face has Max weak in his knees, feeling as if he's falling in love with you all over again.

His father's spine straightens at the sight of you as you join Max by his side, his arm instinctively coming up to rest his hand at the small of your back.

"This conversation does not concern you, Ms L/N."

You hum once with a bitter smile. "From what I heard, Mr Verstappen, it seems as it does."

He locks his jaw, hand tightening around his wine glass so harshly you think it's just seconds from shattering in his hand.

"Max, I've told you to keep this one in check before she-"

"Do not speak of her as if she's not right in front of you, Jos," Max's gaze darkens to the blue of the bottom of the ocean, and it has your insides curling in pride.

He only ever truly gets upset when his father disrespect you, otherwise he just stands quietly to entertain the nonsense coming out of his mouth, knowing he'll soon leave and enjoy all the true love you shower him I'm everyday later.

"And quite frankly, I like my girlfriend exactly how she is," he smirks, fingers massaging the revealing skin of your back from the cropped shirt you were wearing. "Snippy tongue and all."

It's true, you smile; he especially loves it when you have that same tongue down his throat, or wrapped around his cock.

It seems Max has that same thought in mind, because despite his father's furious gaze staring down at him, he can't seem to rid the naughty smirk from hid face, his hand now sliding down to fall into your back pocket.

He squeezes once, and you bite down on your tongue to keep the moan back.

"Now, if you're done trying to convince me what a failed son I am, I'm going to head home with my snippy-tongued girlfriend." he pats your jean-clad ass one softly, before pulling his hand to wrap his arm around your waist.

"Dag Jos. Ik hoop dat ik je blijf irriteren, het is mijn favoriete spel ( Bye Jos. I hope I continue to piss you off, it's my favouritesport !) !" you wave your fingers in an obnoxious manner, smile so sweet you hope it rots every damned tooth in his shitty mouth.

Max's deep, honey-draped chuckle rings in your ear, his voice low in the most pussy-wetting manner. "You know what you speaking Dutch does to me, schatjie."

Batting your eyelashes, you smile. "Oh, ik weet het (Oh, I know)."

A gravely groan resonates from his throat, his bany blues trained down on your glossy lips. "Ik kan niet wachten om je te neuken (I can't wait to fuck you)."

━━━━━━━━━━❪ 🖤 ❫━━━━━━━━━━

✍: I might be writing a part 2, but that one will contain smut soooo if you're not into reading that, don't ! ♡ ... but if you arrreeeeee, hehe, stay tuned 🎀.

[aishangotome]

My Ideal Doting Life - Azel

Thank you @shatcey for uploading this video!

A while after I started living with the Tanzanite Living God in his solitary desert castle--

I noticed something strange about my lover.

Emma: Prince Azel-- no, Azel. Lunch is re--...

Emma: ...What are you doing?

Azel, who was enjoying his retirement after many twists and turns, was reading a book upside down at his desk for some reason.

Azel: Can't you tell by looking?

Emma: I can't tell. Is that the correct way to read that book?

Azel: Ah.

As if he had just noticed that the book was upside down, Azel casually turned it the right way around and cleared his throat.

(Suspicious. He was definitely doing something different before I came in, wasn't he?)

Azel: I wasn't.

Emma: What kind of excuse is that?

Azel: Anyway, I'm hungry. Thank you again today, my devoted Emma.

(...I'm worried.)

-

Another night...

(...Hmm... I'm awake.)

I woke up while it was still dark outside and noticed that Azel wasn't next to me. Sitting up and looking around, I saw the balcony window was slightly open.

Bathed in the light of the enormous moon worshipped by the Tanzanite people, Azel was by the window, diligently reading a book. He was wearing his usual clothes, having declared that familiar attire was best for nighttime. He seemed completely unaware that I had woken up.

(He has such a serious expression.)

Captivated by his beautiful profile illuminated by the moonlight, I got out of bed as quietly as possible. I crept closer, step by stealthy step, but just as I was almost within reach, Azel turned towards me.

Azel: Are you an assassin or something?

Emma: You noticed me?

Azel: Obviously.

Despite claiming he had noticed me, Azel hurriedly closed the book and hid it behind his back. He may have been unconscious of it, but it was enough to fuel my suspicion.

Emma: What were you reading?

Azel: ...It's a top-secret document relating to national security. I can't let an outsider like you see it.

Emma: A super important book like that, at this hour?

Azel: Do you have a problem with that?

Emma: Azel...has anyone ever told you you're a terrible liar?

Azel: No. If any disrespectful person dared to say such a thing, I'd trap them in a nightmare they'd never wake from.

Azel stood up, swiftly scooped me up in his arms, and tossed me onto the bed. I tried to protest that our conversation wasn't over, but he quickly wrapped me in the blankets, rendering me immobile.

Azel: Now go to sleep. Go to sleep right now. This instant.

Emma: But I'm awake now.

Emma: ... Maybe if you sang me a lullaby, I could fall asleep.

Azel: How old are you, a child?

Emma: Even adults like to listen to songs before they sleep, you know? Haven't you heard of that?

Azel: ...Gods are not acquainted with the common practices of mortals.

(If I say this, he'll probably get annoyed and give up on trying to get me to sleep.)

(More importantly, I need to press him a little more about that book--)

I was just planning my interrogation strategy when Azel started singing with a formidable expression. The words seemed to be from an ancient time, and I couldn't understand their meaning, but the song, spun in his deep, calming voice, was beautiful. It was so comforting, it was almost as if some mystical force was at work.

(I didn't actually think he would sing for me. And he's surprisingly good.)

(...He looks so embarrassed though... This is just...)

(Oh well. I'll let him off the hook today because of this song.)

-

But even after that, Azel's suspicious and strange behavior continued... to the point where I started to worry if he was carrying some heavy burden.

Emma: Today, I'm going to make you confess!

That day, Azel was again acting suspiciously, sneaking around in the hallway. Determined not to let him escape this time, I spread my arms wide, blocking his path.

Azel: What are you talking about?... Confess what? I haven't done anything.

Emma: That's a lie. You threw something out the window as soon as you saw me, didn't you?

Azel: It was garbage.

Emma: Then I'll go pick it up.

Azel: No need.

Emma: ...

Azel: ...

(This is going nowhere.)

Emma: Azel ---...

Just as I opened my mouth to put an end to this, Azel grabbed my hand and pressed me against the wall.

(!?)

With his hands on either side of me, I was trapped between the wall and him.

(...What's going on all of a sudden?)

His mystical eyes, like a starry night sky, gazed down at me, and his beautiful hair, which shimmered like a dream in the sunlight, brushed against my cheek.

(Being this close... I can almost hear my heart pounding.)

Azel: ...

Emma: ...Um...

Azel: ...............

Emma: Azel?

Azel: .........................

Emma: "Damn... I pushed her against the wall without thinking, and now I don't know how to explain myself."

Azel: Wrong. And stop that strangely irritating imitation of me.

Emma: Eek!

After pinching my cheek, Azel touched his forehead to mine and let out a deep sigh.

Azel: It's just-- ...

Azel: This is what-- you know.

Emma: ...I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you.

Azel: So...

Azel: --...it was written there.

(I can't believe I can't hear him even though we're so close.)

He was definitely whispering something, but it was proving incredibly difficult to catch his faint voice.

Azel: In other words, you don't need to worry about anything.

Emma: When you say it with your face all red like that, it makes me even more worried-- Mmmph!

In the end, he resorted to forceful measures and physically sealed my lips with his. He seemed to have no intention of backing down until I gave up my questioning, and every time I tried to form a word, I was met with a ravenous kiss.

(That's playing dirty...)

Our entwined tongues gradually drew pleasure from my body, and my strength drained away with the pounding of my heart. I almost collapsed to the floor, but he caught my waist just in time, helping me keep my balance.

Emma: ...That's too much.

Azel: You're the one to blame.

(He says it so boldly, without a shred of remorse.)

I glared at him lightly, conveying my embarrassment, and Azel turned away.

Azel: Alright, alright, it was my fault.

Azel: So...that's it.

Azel: ...Shall we go for a walk?

Emma: Eh...a walk?

-

Perhaps to appease me, Azel led me out of the temple and towards an oasis deep within the desert.

(I didn't know there was a place like this nearby.)

Since hardly anyone approached the temple, the primordial sanctuary, there were no signs of human intrusion in this oasis either. If this was a secret spot known only to Azel, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the God's garden.

Emma: What a beautiful lake... It feels so nice.

As I bent down and scooped up some water, Azel placed his hand on my head with a grumpy expression.

Azel: Not that way.

He gently grasped my head and turned it to face a different direction.

My eyes widened at the sight that unfolded further into the oasis, near the water's edge.

Emma: No way... Is that a flower field!?

Lush flowers bloomed around the lakeshore, moisturizing the dry desert.

I hurried over and looked down at the flowers from close range.

(These are... "Azel flowers".)

Named after Azel, the living god, these flowers were supposed to be a special variety bred to bloom even in the desert.

Emma: I can't believe they're growing wild here.

Azel: ...It's rare, so don't tell anyone.

Azel, who had caught up to me, was looking away for some reason.

Azel: If you tell anyone, it might get ruined.

Emma: I'll keep it a secret.

(...What's with this strange feeling?)

Despite my wonder, I couldn't resist the allure of the flower field. I bent down and gently touched a petal.

Azel: Do you like flowers that much?

Emma: I do. Just looking at them heals my soul.

Azel: ...I see.

Azel: I'm not interested, but if you like them that much, we can come see them again.

Emma: Please come with me next time.

Azel: ...

Emma: Thank you!

Azel: I didn't say anything.

Emma: Your face gave you away.

Emma: Eek... W-What are you doing!?

Even as he squeezed my cheeks, Azel didn't seem to mind it all that much.

Azel: I'll charge you a guide fee.

Emma: Not a date fee?

Azel: ...It's not a date.

Emma: It's a date to me.

Azel: No, it's not. There's no way I'd do something so frivolous.

Emma: Azel... There's such a thing as a flower field date in this world, you know.

Azel: ...

Emma: In other words, it's too late now!

I stood up and hugged Azel's arm, as he looked like he was about to run away.

Emma: Let's bring a tent and a picnic basket next time.

Azel: ...Do as you like.

Even as he let out a deep sigh, Azel's eyes were incredibly gentle.

-

That night...

(...He's reading that book again.)

I peeked at Azel from the bed, making sure he didn't notice me watching him by the window. This time, I hadn't actually woken up; I was pretending to be asleep, waiting for my chance.

(He managed to fool me during the day, but this time...)

Emma: Azel!

Azel: What!?

I deliberately raised my voice, and Azel jumped and turned to face me.

Emma: I just heard a noise outside...

Azel: ...Huh?

The kind-hearted god didn't doubt my words and walked straight towards the door.

(I feel so guilty... I'm sorry for deceiving you.)

I resolved to make an extravagant meal tomorrow as an apology. Getting out of bed, I reached for the "top-secret document relating to national security" that Azel had left on the floor.

Azel: It was just your imagination. There's nothing outsi--

Azel: ..............

Emma: ..............

Azel: ...You tricked me.

Emma: I'm sorry. But...

Emma: ...I love you.

The reason for Azel's strange behavior lately was all contained in one book...

My first words after learning the truth were simply what came to mind.

Emma: This is that romance novel popular in Acroite, isn't it?

Fun fact: Matias had talked about a famous love book that was popular enough to be considered the bible of love in Acroite, and had attempted to give a copy to both Kagari and Azel :)

Emma: It's famous for being a beginner's bible for love, with detailed descriptions of interactions between men and women in love...

I flipped open the cover and peeked inside, noticing dog-eared pages here and there.

The marked pages included scenes like a woman falling in love while being pressed against a wall and gazing into her lover's eyes, a couple visiting a beautiful flower field and expressing their innocent joy, and then--...

Azel: Oh, is that so? I had no idea. This is news to me.

He snatched the book away with a speed that would rival a gale.

Azel: I have no need for such a thing. I'll burn it immediately.

Emma: Don't burn it!

As he seriously tried to dash outside, I clung to Azel's waist and stopped him.

(No wonder he was trying so hard to hide it.)

Azel: Get off me! Don't stop me! Please don't stop me! I beg you!

Emma: You don't have to be so embarrassed.

Emma: ...By the way, was it you who planted those flowers blooming in the desert?

Azel: What flowers? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Do you think I have the free time to indulge in gardening?

Emma: It was you, wasn't it, Azel?

Azel: ...

The words that had been tumbling out of his mouth without a pause suddenly ceased, and the silence of the night returned.

I couldn't help but laugh at his transparency.

(...Azel has always avoided loving or being loved by anyone.)

(On top of that, he's a living god, detached from the world, so sometimes he's unfamiliar with worldly matters.)

(So, did he decide to study how to love someone?)

Azel: No.

Emma: I didn't say anything.

Azel: That irritatingly smug grin on your face says it all.

(Forgive me for grinning. It's impossible not to grin in this situation.)

Azel: ...You seem to be mistaken, but this book contains important codes that you wouldn't understand.

Emma: Alright. I'll pretend that's true.

Azel: ... >:(

Azel, his face completely red, carelessly tossed the book aside and grabbed my chin with one hand.

(Uh oh, that look in his eyes is bad news.)

By the time I sensed danger, it was already too late. Just like during the day, our lips overlapped.

Perhaps he had learned that this was how he could seize control, but he devoured me with a greed unbecoming of a holy god.

My legs weakened, and as I clung to him, he pushed me down onto the nearby bed.

Azel: ...

Emma: Don't try to hide your embarrassment--... Mm!

Stealing my words, Azel pulls down my negligee along with my underwear with it.

(He's trying to make me feel embarrassed because he's embarrassed himself...)

He lightly grasped my chest, exposed in the moonlight, and kneaded it with exquisite pressure.

Emma: Ah…Nn… I'm not… fooled that… easily-- Ah!

The tip of my nipple was caught by his finger, and a heated breath melted into the night air.

Azel: Listen, everything you just saw was a dream.

Emma: I'm not... falling for that... anymore... H-Hey!

After pulling the rest of my negligee off, my legs were lifted into the air mercilessly.

I was hyperaware of his gaze fixed on that honeyed place, and a warmth spread through my entire body.

Emma: S-Stop... Ah...

He pressed his thumb against that sensitively swollen place, and my hips lifted involuntarily.

His fingers, as if searching for my weak points, found a certain spot and relentlessly tormented it. The sensation of nectar endlessly dripping from deep within me made me instinctively cover my face with both hands.

(I know I'm playing right into Azel's hands... but I'm so embarrassed I feel like I'm going to evaporate...)

Azel: You didn't see anything earlier, right?

Emma: ...You're... so stubborn... N-No, not there-- Ahh!

His fingers, thrust deep inside, churned my insides, and my body bounced on the bed.

Azel: Until you admit it, you'll be subjected to this humiliation.

Emma: ...That's...unfair...

Azel: Shut up.

He squeezed the nectar-coated swelling, and I gripped the sheets in intense pleasure.

Emma: Haa... But...

Before my consciousness faded, I somehow managed to raise my languid body and hug Azel.

Emma: That kind of... straightforwardness... I love it, too.

Azel: Would you please stop saying things like "I love you" so much?

Azel: --... It makes it impossible for me to keep up my pretense.

(He's thinking things that require him to keep up a pretense...)

(Azel's way of loving is so straightforward that it comes full circle.)

Emma: You don't need a romance bible, Azel.

I slightly pulled away and touched my forehead to his.

Emma: You'll never, ever admit it...

Emma: But even without that knowledge... you're always unconsciously doting on me.

Azel: ...I am not. >:(

Emma: You are.

I placed a kiss on his lips, which were determined not to acknowledge anything, and chuckled softly.

(Even now, in this moment...)

Emma: Your affection is overflowing.

Contrary to his blunt words, the arms that returned my embrace were gentle, and his mystical eyes were hazy with passion—

Azel: ...Is that so bad?

At his fading voice, my own chest overflowed with an irrepressible amount of love.

.

.

.

.

FIN

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[karasuno-planet]

Hii! I'm not sure what your requests rules are or what ur comfterable with, but I'd really like to see a tsukishima x reader where he confesses to the reader! I'd love to see your interpretation of it >-<

After Class- Tsukishima Kei

a/n: HIIII of course I'll give you some tsukki x reader, hope I did him justice <333 as for requests I'll write for any haikyuu boy as long as it's sfw! requests open xx

wc: 0.8k

(gif not mine)

You had loosely known Tsukishima all year now, as you shared the same class and often found yourselves sitting by each other and pairing up for assignments. It was no secret that he was intelligent, but you could hold your own despite how intimidating he could sometimes be.

Recently, you had been making quite the effort to see him outside of class, though you weren't quite sure he had gotten the hint. You had been coming to his games, talking to him more in class, and you even altered your route to school to intersect with his. He hadn't been receptive, though, and if anything could be considered your enemy, it might be those damn headphones.

You had one last idea, though. Sitting next to him in your last class of the day, you tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hm?"

"Hey, um, you mind staying after class for a few to help me out with this problem on my math homework? I'm so lost..."

"Oh, yeah. Sure. I have some time before practice."

"Thank you," You returned to your work, now unable to focus. You know you were the one who asked him to stay, but the idea of being alone with him after class made your stomach turn.

Soon enough, the bell had rung, and you had gotten absolutely nowhere on your work. The class cleared out until it was just you and Tsukishima. He pulled his chair closer to share your desk as you got out your math homework. You handed it to him and he skimmed it over, the silence between you almost deafening.

"Mm, wait, what is it that you don't get?" He asked, puzzled.

"Uh, the last one."

"But you did the whole sheet correctly. You just wrote out the equation and didn't solve it on the last one."

Oh God, I guess you didn't think this far. How could you be so dumb? A perfect sheet of homework didn't exactly scream that you needed help. You made up the best excuse you could, "Yeah, but I looked back at it after the lesson and I just don't even remember how to do it...can you show me?"

"Sure.." he picked up a pencil and took the problem step by step, mumbling an explanation under his breath. At one point, he looked up and saw your eyes fixed on him. You could've sworn there was a peak of blush, but he looked back down at the sheet before you could get a good look. "There, uh, does that make more sense?"

"Yes, it's perfect. Thank you..."

"No problem," He hesitated, as if he was about to say something else but was held back, "You've been coming to my games, right?"

"Oh, yes! I've kinda been getting into the sport..."

"Are you coming tomorrow, too?"

"Do you want me to?"

That caught him off guard, a flash of fear in his eyes, "Uh- well, sure." He looked at his phone quickly for the time and began to frantically pack up, "Shoot, I'm about to be late. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sorry to keep you!" You were upset with yourself for having kept him so long, "Good luck at practice!"

And at that moment your heart nearly skipped a beat when you saw him swallow before answering, "thanks."

He walked out the door and you were left practically with your jaw dropped. You packed up quickly and went to your locker to put your homework away.

You were once again filled with anxiety upon hearing familiar voices down the hall.

"She WHAT? And you don't think she really needed help-" Yamaguchi's voice squeaked through the hall, having not noticed you yet. You glance down the hallway and see Tsushima talking to him, Tsukki's back facing you. Was he really talking about you?

Yamaguchi continued, "Dude you need to go back before she-" he clasped his hands over his mouth, finally noticing your presence down the hall.

Tsukishima turned around to see you standing there, his face completely flushed. Yamaguchi pushed him towards you quickly before running off to avoid whatever Tsukishima might do to him when he catches him.

There you were, standing alone facing your nearly-190-centimeter crush. He turned around to watch Yamaguchi dart off. He sighed, and turned back to face you, walking towards you.

"Y/n?"

You turned to him, closing your locker. "Yes?"

"You're not dumb. Obviously. You didn't need my help back there. And so I won't pretend you didn't just hear that."

You were absolutely speechless.

"Do you like me, y/n?"

"I- uh..."

"Because I like you." He grew more anxious as you delayed to respond, "is that okay?"

"Yes!" The word burst out of you, "More than okay."

[masterlist]

[chrystal-ink]

Shadvent calendar Day 7

Shadow x GN Reader

Christmas cards

Content warning: this one is a little spicier than what I usually do

Merry Christmas from Shadow and Y/N

You wrote on the last card adding it to the now finished stack.

"Done!" You announced

"I still don't know why you insist on sending cards, it's not like we don't see these people on a daily basis." Shadow called from the couch, he had been entranced in a book but your announcement had distracted him, he turned to face you.

"because it's a nice gesture, and it gives us an excuse to take a cute picture, speaking of witch." You grinned pulling out two Santa hats with red and green scarfs.

"No"

"I didn't even ask anything yet!"

"Still no"

"Oh come on, it'll match your quills."

"No"

"I'm really cute."

"you think that'll make me say yes?"

"Maybe."

"Nice try, but no"

This was going to be a harder sell than you thought, it was time to take out the big guns. You took a deep breath preparing yourself for what you were about to do, it would take skill and precision to pull off but if you could do it then the rewards would be plentiful.

You sauntered over to shadow who had since continued his reading. Once behind him you loosely wrapped your arms around his chest pressing your cheek against his snuggling into it.

"I know what you're doing and it's not going to work."

"I don't know what you're talking about"

You slowly moved your hands up to his shoulders making sure to leave a featherlight touch across him as you dragged your hands across his chest, blowing a soft breeze into his neck you could sense his growing pleasure at your actions.

"You're distracting me from my book."

"Am I now?"

"Yes, you are"

"Well that's too bad."

You make your way to the top of his head and whispered in his ear.

"it looked like a real page turner." you nibbled on his ear feeling the heat radiating off of his cheeks.

The pieces were in place you had to act quickly now.

Dropping the Santa hat on his head you leaned down took out your phone taking a quick selfie before running to the bedroom.

"Hey!" Shadow called out as you fled the scene.

You giggled like a maniac as you locked the door. You looked at your phone admiring the picture. It was a good thing Shadow was so photogenic, otherwise you're efforts would be wasted.

Reaching the door and finding it locked Shadow called from the outside.

"Delete it, now."

"Never! you look too cute!"

It's true his surprised expression carried more than just disappointment, he actually looked more impressed that you had managed to pull one over on him.

Without any warning Shadow kicked in the door breaking the cheap lock with one small motion. You probably would have been afraid yet slightly aroused were you not laughing your ass off.

Still wearing the hat and scarf you put on him with the addition of a devious smile he made his way over to you. Kneeling down and grabbing you by the chin he forced you to look at him. Stopping your laughter in the process.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed, Nice try Y/N. But you can't have your cake and eat it too so there's one thing I need you to do for me."

He brought his face to yours so your lips were nearly touching. You could feel the heat of his breath against your lips. He wrapped his other arm around your waist a shine sparkled in his eyes that you knew could only mean one thing.

A small gasp escaped your lips as a bright red blush spread across your face making you match your hat perfectly.

"Smile"

Shadow took your phone flashing one of his rare smiles and took another picture of the two of you. This time you were the one caught off guard.

"WOW! REALLY?" you laughed

"Hey, don't dish it if you can't take it" he said joining you in laughter.

The two of you kissed and looked at the pictures together enjoying the look of surprise on the others face.

That year your Christmas cards came with both pictures, however the two of you kept the story behind both of them a secret. Over time it became the tradition that the picture you used for the Christmas cards was always taken when the other least suspected it.

Each year you two would get more and more creative with how you did it, and each year you both fell for the trap laughing together afterwards and complimenting each other's whit.

[arsonlookers]

Broken Marriage

childe x reader ANGST [modern au]

[ warning: A LOT OF SWEARING PLEASE BE REMINDED AND TALK OF INFIDELITY ]

You two have been in a healthy and romantic relationship for over 6 years, you're marriage looked perfect from an outsider's even your parent's perspective. Childe was blunt and sarcastic and cold sometimes but he was loving and sweet at times, and you can tell he truly cares.

Over time for one year and a half, you noticed that Childe had slowly been growing colder and driving away from you. He seemed extremely uncomfortable when he walked in the room and he'd always make excuses for staying out late. He didn't love you the same anymore for this past year.

He comes home late as he usually does and goes to his little office room where he always usually stays

"Childe?" You called out to your husband from the other room. "Are you okay?" You were met with silence and for a moment you thought he didn't hear you. He finally spoke over the sound of his computer.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He replied but his tone was obviously irritated.

look at his door room totally not convinced, you already know what is going on you just want confirmation on why the hell is he acting like this this time.

so You enter his little office room and look over at him. He was leaning back on his chair, looking at his screen and typing away. You couldn't read his expression but you had a feeling something was wrong. again

You walked over and gently touched his arm. "I know you're not okay. Please talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about, babe."

He didn't tear his eyes from his screen, his voice was quiet but you could hear the coldness in it. The last time he called you "babe" was a month ago.

SO full and irritated by this kind of behavior he has with you. You are so done now, you are done being PATIENT with him, and all his tantrums.

You coldly say to him "Did you really think" You glare at him

This time He finally looked away from his Screen and turned towards you. His face was cold and serious, the exact opposite of his old loving self. He seemed to be holding back a lot of words.

you continued "I'd just forgive and forget...no" This time you are ready to spill the secret he has been holding onto you

The look on his face remained unchanged. After a short pause he let out a sigh, like he was preparing for a speech.

"Look, I don't know how to be any clearer, but I've just been feeling different lately. I don't feel the same about you anymore."

" After all this course of a year, After catching you with her that day, Your blood should run cold" You continued

Childe's look went from cold to pure hatred as the words "her" left your lips. He gripped the sides of the chair, his knuckles slowly turning white.

"Her?" He repeated and you could see his lip twitch.

"Oh don't you dare pretend now Childe" You glared hard with range but still keeps your calm cold tone as you said that

"so cold" Looking down at him from where you are standing "You,…you two-timing, cheap lying, wannabe"

Childe's hands gripped even tighter and he slowly stood up from his seat. This wasn't the man you knew, this was a stranger.

*"You're nothing but a dirty whore who can't keep her legs closed." His voice was low but it was clear how much anger he had stored inside.

feeling offended and hurt by what he said you Slap him hard on his right cheek for what he said.

He flinched and his face immediately turned red to match his mood. His eyes narrowed and he glared up at you with hatred. He rubbed his cheek and stepped forward, he seemed like a different person now. You didn't know how far he'd go but you had a gut feeling he'd do something worse if you provoked him further.

'but I am not scared of him at all' You thought as you stood your stand and face him with your own coldness and glare "You're a fool if you thought that I'd just let this go"

Childe was clearly annoyed by your lack of fear. He let out a short scoff and grabbed your arms.

"You won't let this go? Is that a threat? Because I'm warning you right now, you don't want to see what I'm like when I'm angry."

"Oh Childe I think you already are " you glared at him "You have been like this…you have changed…" mocking him "You not the same person I married 6 years ago"

Childe's face scrunched up from your mocking. He leaned closer to you, so that his face was inches from yours.

"You're right, I'm not the same person I was 6 years ago. You're not even the same person. This marriage has gone nowhere but downhill for the past year and I don't think it's going to go anywhere. We both deserve to find someone that's right for us and that person isn't each other."

feeling like something inside you boils from his statement "God you’re just so obvious, Is that why you Already CHEATED on me huh?" questioning him with a tone of mocking

Childe let out a low growl, his grip on your arms tightened.

"Why can't you just keep your whore mouth shut? It's not my fault you aren't good enough for me, it's not my damn fault for liking her more than you. If you just tried to be better instead of playing the victim all the time…"

something inside you was breaking but at the same time too cold and indifferent from what you are feeling currently just anger and disappointment coursing through your veins

"Do you really think I needed it? Your fcking opinion means nothing to me" with venom through your words

Childe's face was filled with pure anger, he was shaking now and you could see the veins in his neck starting to bulge. He was completely losing control.

"Then why the hell did you even marry me in the first place?! Why would you let me waste 6 years of my life on you if you don't even care about what I think?"

You look at him dumbfounded as if you are hearing to the most stupidest things you have heard of

"That is because I didn't marry a cheater before Childe!? Just why did you change?! what did you see in her that I don't have?? "

Childe looked down at you with a frown. The anger on his face seemed to fade a bit, like he was beginning to pity you now.

"I didn't change I just realized things about you. I realized that I married the wrong person. You're weak and insecure and it's honestly pathetic. And if you want to know what I saw in her, she's everything you're not."

This time you can feel the little love you have left for him is starting to fade and break away from what you are feeling changed by hatred, shock, sadness, anger, and all negative emotions you feel in the course of your life

"…..wow" in a sarcastic tone "Really wow" The look of disbelief was evident on your face

As he sees your reaction he didn't like it one bit so he said it again

"Do you want me to say it again for you? If your dumbass didn't get it the first time."

Childe's voice was dripping with sarcasm but he wasn't lying. He was beginning to think you were even more pathetic than he first thought.

"Did you happen to forget, all the little details Like texting her In the middle of the night?Beside me!? Did you really think I'm that DUmb HUh?! HAHAHAHAHA fck Childe I didn't know I also just married a person who literary would be so fcking idiot " You backfired him back

"The texting during the middle of the night wasn't even the worst of it. I really didn't think you were that blind, but if that's the case, how did you not realize I've been seeing her more often than you. Your dumbass didn't even realize I didn't come home some nights because I was with her."

You could feel his hatred coming back into his voice again and his anger was starting to get to him.

'wow the audacity to get angry at me' You thought but at the same time what he said sounded so ridiculous and so outright sound like a joke to your ears

"pffftttt haha" you tried to surpass the need to laugh at the moment

"I should have guessed you wouldn't be able to handle the truth. I mean are we surprised? You can't even handle the fact that you're not good enough for me anymore."

He leaned closer to you again, his face being mere inches away from yours. The look in his eyes was scary, it almost seemed like he was going to hurt you if you said one more thing.

"HHAHAHAHAHHAHA you think I'm that surprised anymore?! What are you an idiot? you would think that "I" didn't know that my fcking husband is fcking another girl behind my back DIDNT know?! oh, let me tell you Childe" Pointing at his chest

"I fcking knew from the start I fcking knew all your business trips are just trips In her house to just fck her, and pretend you're both married, Don't even get me started with your list and list of hotels receipts just to fck her there you horny little shit!?"

Childe was now completely losing it. His grip on your shoulders was now so hard that his nails were digging in your skin. His breath was shallow and you could feel the heat emitting from his rage. The look in his eyes has completely changed, he was pure anger now.

"You knew? You knew all along and you still stayed? You are a bigger idiot than I thought. Is that why you weren't able to satisfy me? Because she was doing it better than you?" he mocked looking down at you with range in his eyes

But all you can feel is the need to let him know about what you truly feel at this moment. feeling a little sting inside your heart for hearing him say that but also feels your whole being, being able to let it all out.

"maybe?! Maybe LOVING THE FCK OUT OF YOU IS MY IDIOTCY . That's my fault you little shit. MY FAULT FOR EVEN STANDING UP TO YOU FOR ALL THE DRAMA THE PAIN THE TORTURE YOU HAVE FCKING GIVEN ME ALL THIS TIME!? YOU ASK ME WHY I STAY? AND SAY I'M AN IDIOT FOR IT??? HAHAHAHAHA SORRY FOR BEING AN IDIOT WHO LOVES HER FCKING CHEATING HUSBAND BECAUSE SHE CANTS JUST LET GO TO HER BELOVED AJAX?! you fcking shit " pinches his arms so hard that you are sure to leave a nail mark on it to make him let go of your arm

Childe lets out a roar of rage, his grip on your shoulders is still strong but he's starting to lose his strength since he can't keep on holding you back. All of the years of being patient with you have lead up to this moment now and he was finally snapping. He yells the next words with anger and hatred.

"Beloved?! You call being cheated on for the past year "love"? Love? You've got to be kidding me! You're just as dumb as I thought you were. I am so glad I'm getting a divorce!"

hearing this made you blow up and just doesn't care anymore so you reply with "OH YEAH?! THEN FINE I'M DONE?! YOU FCKING WHORE OF A SHIT AND A HORNY FCKING PIECE OF GARBAGE GO TO YOUR TRASH CAN WILL YOU MAYBE "SHE" CAN HANDLE YOU YOU PIECE OF UNRECYCLABLE TRASH?!" slaps him again* "Get YOUR FCKING HANDS OFF ME!?"

Childe's face went from anger to shock and pain as the second slap landed. His grip on you tightened again, his fingers tightening around your shoulders, his nails piercing your skin. Your words seemed to sting him but the pain just made him angrier.

"Shut your whore mouth, you stupid c*nt."

Hearing it you just can't stop talking back at him "OH YEAH!? ARE YOU TALKING TO YOURSELF?! Congrats!! YOU KNOW YOURSELF THAT MUCH!?" you sarcastically replied

Childe's body clenched and he grunted as the insult hit him. He didn't say anything but the fact that it hurt him was clear. Without warning, his grip let go of your shoulders and he pushed you away with such force that you fell backwards onto the floor. His eyes looked at you with nothing but hatred now.

So you stand up by yourself from the cold floor "bastard till the end" Cold glare as you contact his eyes with yours.

Childe stood there for just a moment, looking down at you. He was about to leave the room but he paused, as if he had something more to say.

"You're right; I am a bastard all the way through. I don't like you. Hell, I never even loved you in the first place. The only reason I married you at all is because I felt sorry for you."

Something inside you is now...empty after hearing what he said to you. feeling stabbed inside… again and again inside your pitiful full of holes and broken heart

"is that so… then let me tell you Tartaglia I only married you because I did loved you and I meant the Ajax that I married not the cunt like you .. So let me remind you clear EVEN if you married me because of pity I dont fcking care"

"Oh really? You don't care if your husband married you out of pity because you're as pathetic as they come?"

Childe took a step forward, getting closer to you again.

"I knew you were stupid, but I didn't think you were that stupid. Who the hell would love you if I didn't? You're not loveable."

with range blinding your vision third slap came from your right hand in a flash of the eye harder this time "Leave already you FCKING CUNT?! "

Childe flinches again, this time showing more of his pain. He seemed to be more in his feelings than he was before. He looks away and scoffs, he could've just left but he stays, as if he can't seem to walk away.

"Fine, I'm leaving. But before I do, I'm going to give you one last piece of advice: Don't be so fcking annoying. Maybe then someone might love you."

You look at him leaving the door

"then some advice from me is. Don't be such a fcking horny cunt who can't be satisfied by one woman. then maybe the only possible woman to love you truly and won't leave you for the rest of your lifetime." Slammed the door hard in front of his face

Childe's face scrunched up in anger as your words hit him once again. He wanted to say more, he wanted to get the last word in but, at the same time, he was ready for this to be over. He slammed his fists against the door loudly before finally walking away.

THE END[?]

Well, looks like this marriage is definitely over. The two of you seem to be going your separate ways now and it looks like there's no hope of reconciliation. Although the two of you have made harsh remarks at each other, it's clear that there is still a bit of underlying feelings.

You would be stuck with these memories of being cheated on and emotionally abused for years to come. The pain from all the events leading up to the end won't be easily forgotten for you, but that also isn't something that will stay with you forever you convince yourself. That, you will find someone better and have a healthier relationship, just like you wanted from your relationship with Childe.

Overall, it's safe to say that there are a few lessons to be learned from this story: don't stay in a relationship out of pity, and don't cheat on your partner!

If you want a Happy ending it's in the Comment section

A/n: Hi Ars here! I just wanted to say that I don't really know if this is counted as angst??? I mean that was pretty intense I tell you. Well, I don't really know for now since exams are over I think I will slowly start to work on my other drafts as well but at the same time take a break from the stress life has gifted Given to me. I feel like being sucked by mosquitos after answering problems 😢

P.s : hidden easter egg : search for the references :>

Anyway, help me decide if I should continue or no? Thank you Have a great day ahead of you!!!

©2024arsonlookers: do not steal, translate, repost my fics and do not recommend my fics onto any other site.

[theroundbartable]

Arthur: hmm... Hey Gwen. If I died, who would miss me more. You or Merlin?

Gwen: *no hesitation* Merlin

Arthur: eh ... Wow, thank you?

Gwen: I had a life before you. He didn't. If you die, he'll probably lose his will to live.

Arthur: that's... Gwen, wtf.

Gwen: *puts books down* I love you, Arthur, and of course I would be devastated too, but Merlin is my best friend and I know him well. He'd do anything to be by your side. His job, his apprenticeship with Gaius, his life... Everything he has, he has thanks to you, and is risking to keep you safe. I'm your wife and I love you. But don't forget that I can go back to be blacksmith or a servant if I must. As Queen, I can continue like this even without you, which is kind of the purpose of you marrying me and the reason why people were so against us. I have a purpose outside of being your wife. Merlin is your best friend first, your servant second, your physician third. If he loses you, he'll lose everything he is. It will destroy him.

Arthur: I-

Gwen: what I'm saying is, don't die. If not for my sake, and let's be honest, if you die, you'll probably leave everything to me so you can rest in peace, and you will use that as an excuse not to fight on, then keep fighting for HIS sake.

Arthur: ...

...........

Merlin: yeah. That sounds about right.

Arthur: Gwen is my WIFE. Even if it's true, she shouldn't say that, right? I mean, she makes it sound like ... Like I should have married you!

Merlin: ... No, I don't think that's what she's saying. To be married means to be equal to one another. You and Gwen have more in common than your love for each other. You both have a vision for Camelot and that's something that ties you together. I'm your servant. I was never anything else. And quite frankly, despite everything the dragon said, I don't care for anything else.

Arthur: ... you love me.

Merlin: yeah, so?

Arthur: ... That doesn't sound very healthy

Merlin: *snorts* Stop trying to die for me, and then we'll talk.

Arthur: I still love Gwen

Merlin: I never said you don't and I'd never expect that to change. She's much better for the kingdom too. I'm happy to be where I am, especially since you know about my magic and accepted that. I like how things are and I wouldn't change a thing.

Arthur: don't you want... More?

Merlin: more? More what? More assassination attempts so a have to save you again? No thanks.

Arthur: no, I mean. Relationship wise

Merlin: I think our friendship is intense enough as it is.

Arthur: gosh, Merlin! I'm asking you if you want it to be romantic!!!!

Merlin: .... You're relationship with Gwen is romantic and that's not more than what we have. As I said, I don't need us to change. I don't need anything to change. Except, please do not think about my life without you in it, because if we start that, I might go feral and destroy half the kingdom.

Arthur: ... I think you might need therapy.

Merlin: can I pay that off of taxes?

Bonus:

Gaius: so, you're here for therapy

Merlin: yes

Gaius: with, eh... The king

Arthur: yes

Gaius: what about Gwen?

Arthur: Gwen told me to wish you luck.

Gaius: ... Oh boi.

Gaius: ... Alright then. So... Why do you both, er... King and servant, need couple therapy exactly?

Arthur/Merlin: he keeps trying to DIE for me!!!!

[violetarks]

track 30: i'd never do that

"fuck." y/n said, wiping her eyes as she turned from the crowd, walking off the stage as soon as the curtains closed. she just... couldn't stop crying. all because of some song...

"y/n..." armin said, standing at her side. he rubs her back and takes the bass from her. the crowd continues to cheer loudly, claps and chants emerging from behind the curtains. "it's okay. c'mon, let's get you—"

they were interrupted by jean standing up loudly from his seat, storming off the stage and towards their change rooms. everyone's eye fell on him, watching his forced steps as he walked passed them all and the stage crew. eren and mikasa follow after, armin and y/n walking off next.

it was only truly a week ago that they all found out about marco's death, and having to preform to avoid any more backlash. unhappy fans ruled their twitter pages due to the postponed shows, and though levi advised against returning, the five of them agreed to come back. it was work... and they couldn't stop.

although what porco said was true, it was also true that the fans had control over their jobs. they could only enjoy their work if they had those fans. and using their friend's death as an excuse was no option. they didn't want to use it, and the fans had no right to know.

it was a bump in the road, is all.

"we did well tonight." mikasa says, sitting beside y/n. she holds her hand tightly. "you two did very well."

"i fucked up the tempo in the first song, made it too fast." jean complains, laying on the other couch.

"and i forgot my part for the whole first verse and just didn't play." y/n added in, leaning her head back.

"nobody even noticed, we didn't." eren says, sitting on the armrest of jean's couch. that may have a been a tiny lie, he definitely noticed and the looks that armin and mikasa shared on stage showed so too. armin stands nearby, pouring water for everyone. eren ruffles jean's hair gently. "you two did great. don't question it."

the two become quiet, silently thinking to themselves of what to do now. they had two more shows, two more shows and they could go home. and rest, and think, and be better.

"y/n? your phone's been buzzing like crazy." armin says, looking down at your device.

"huh? it's probably twitter. pass it 'ere." you say, holding out your hand. armin passes you the phone as you stand up, grabbing tissues to wipe your face. armin takes your spot. lo and behold, you were right. "i'm gonna talk a walk, alright?"

"don't go too far, we're gonna' leave soon." eren says as you wave your hand and leave the room.

you walk through the backstage halls until you make it outside. it's a restricted area, so no fans were there. and since everyone else was packing up the stage, you were alone.

but you unlock your phone, seeing thousands of twitter notifications and a few texts from porco. you stop yourself when you feel relieved.

when did you start feeling relieved about porco? when did he start making you feel that way?

you couldn't deny that sense of happiness you felt when you saw his picture show up on screen, though. maybe you should answer him.

track 29 | track list | track 31

anime: attack on titan (band! au)

character: porco galliard

summary: y/n, the bassist of the band 'paradís', finds herself in middle of a 'publicity stunt' with none other than a rival band's drummer. porco, the mentioned member of 'marley', doesn't care about her at all. but they can only ignore each other for so long.

status: ongoing

warnings: afab! reader, she/her pronouns used

taglist: @makimakimi @hanmascult @ally22042000 @rozewayne2005 @keithandlevi-ontheroof @qaahnarin @queen-flower @id-rather-be-an-outsider @onlylowercase @tonysttank @a-little-pebbl @hannahalanib1 @moonshineandclearskies @aqueerincrisis @tati-the-fangirl @cheesechopchive-blog

[mastermindmiko]

My name

Pairing: Sirius Black + fem!reader

word count: 4417

Summary: You're James sister, and you like Sirius. He constantly flirts with you, but at the end of the night, he ends up with another girl. How much can either of you take before your feelings are out?

Warnings: kissing, pranks, poor Emma

Requests are open

Hey! If you think this didn't completely suck, feel free to check out my masterlist.

an: I've obsessed with the Sirius + James' sister thing

"I don't think this is a good idea."

"That's part of the fun." He says while we listen closely to anything that might be ongoing outside. I hear no footsteps, and I sigh deeply. I lean against the wall of the cramped broom closet in relief.

"I told you we'd get caught." I say, frustrated that I let him talk me into doing this. He grins and says, "I never said that we wouldn't be caught, I said that it would be fun and it was."

"For you maybe, I was terrified." I huffed, and Sirius continued to grin. He leans closer to my face and teases, "That's because you're a goody two shoes."

"Excuse me for caring about my education and not wanting to get detention." I retort, pushing his face away with my finger. Why did he always have to flirt like this?

Two sharp knocks echo on the door, but neither of us replies, fearing that it was a teacher. Seconds later, we hear a voice say, "You two better not be snogging in there."

I open the door, sighing, "No, James. We were just hiding from Filch."

Remus and Peter are standing beside James while Remus wiggles his eyebrows at me, but I shoot him down with a stern look. Sirius wraps his arm around my waist, and I smack it away. He says, "Would it be such a bad thing, love?"

"Yes." James replies before I could giving his best friend a look that could send him six feet under. Sirius panics, he had seemingly forgot that we weren't alone, so he couldn't pester me.

"How was it?" I ask, hoping to diffuse the situation, James looked like he was about to pounce. James laughs, and his mood uplifts in a moment. He exclaims, "It was brilliant, you should've seen it. The whole place was red!"

The prank, they had transformed the Slytherin common room red, and while I don't particularly support pranks, I was hoping for a night of fun after the torture that was last weeks quizzes.

"And their faces!" Peter said, which reminded James of the prank once more, and he burst our laughing. They continued to chat in loud voices as if they didn't know that we're well passed curfew.

I feel a hand slither around my waist midway to the way to the Gryffindor common room, and I look at Sirius pointedly while he had a smug look on his face. I push his hand away and go step beside Remus instead.

When we're there, I quickly head to the dorms to get a well-deserved good night's sleep.

A normal person would assume that Sirius Black was head over heels in love with me, but that couldn't be farther away from the truth for a multitude of reasons. He valued his friendship with James far too much than to mess it up by being with his sister. I wasn't his type, Sirius likes girls who are nothing like me.

The most important reason was that Sirius doesn't do relationships. He likes flirting, he likes the chase, he likes the sex, the relationship aspect of all that, not so much. He jumped from one girl to the next, typically in the span of the week, and I'd be damned if I was one of those girls.

***

"Go with me." Sirius suggests as soon as he plops down beside me for breakfast. I pause in the middle of lifting a spoon up to my mouth. I frown, "What?"

"The party, the Christmas party." He says, like it's obvious. Slughorns party for the members of the slugclub. I wasn't particularly brilliant when it came to potions, so I wasn't a part of the club, Sirius, however, was.

I don't reply straight away. It was odd. He always flirted, but he never asked me to with him anywhere, never actually asked me out on a date. I hesitantly ask, "As a date?"

James sits down in between both of us and asks intrusively, "Date? What date?"

"Not a date, date, but technically, she's the person I want to take to the Christmas party." Sirius stutters, and James purses his lips. James says, "No."

"James, you're not the boss of me. I make my own decisions." I say, sternly, but James rolls his eyes. Sirius perks up from behind him, and I turn him down, "That doesn't mean that I'll go with you."

He deflates while James perks up. They both start eating food together. They grab the same things at the same time and eat at exactly the same pace. It's freaky how in sync they are. They're the greatest best friends I've ever seen, doesn't Sirius know how this fake flirting thing could jeopardise it?

***

I stare back at my reflection at my mirror. I tilt my head to the side as I analyse which pair of heels would look best with my dress. Lily chimes in, "Black."

"Are you crazy? Red 100%" Alice and Lily bicker, and I chuckle, "You guys aren't making this decision any easier, really."

"You should come." I say, looking at them. They both opted to stay in the dorm studying rather than attending the party which both of them were invited to. Lily shakes her head, "It's too late now. We don't have dates."

"You could go with each other who cares about having dates, and besides, my brother would drop everything to be your date." I try to convince her, sick of hearing my brother talk about her for an entire summer again.

"I thought we agreed that your brother is an off-limits subject." Lily humms, and I lift my hands up in surrender. I look back at the mirror, then hold up the black heels. I say, "we have a winner."

Alice huffs, and I laugh at her reaction while Lily claps victoriously. I bid them goodbye and walked down the stairs to the common room where my brother and his friends were waiting for me.

"You look beautiful." Remus says as soon as he sees me, opting James and Sirius to turn to look at me. James smiles, "I don't know what you're talking about moony. That's the ugliest rat I've ever seen."

I poke my tongue out at him, annoyed, and Remus holds out his arm for me to take. He says, "Thanks again for agreeing to come with me."

"You don't need to thank me, Remus. We're friends." I reply with a smile. Remus wanted to attend the party, but didn't want to go through the hassle of finding a date, so he asked me.

"I know, I'm just sure that I wasn't your first choice when it comes to dates. You might've wanted to go with someone else." Remus says, and I finally look at the boy who was my first choice.

He had his hair looking perfect as always, and he had on an elegant that fitted him perfectly in every way, and he an odd look on his face than prompted me to say, "Are you okay, Sirius?"

He doesn't reply, but he gulps loudly. His eyes trail down my body slowly, and it makes me feel self-conscious. He snaps his eyes back to mine and he says, "Wow...you look stunning."

I blush a deep shade of red, and I look away from him. This was different from how he usually flirts. It felt like there were actually some emotions behind those words.

"Hey! Mate, stop drooling all over my sister, and let's go." James says, snapping his fingers in front of Sirius' face. Sirius replies, "But she's not here yet."

"Who?" Peter asks

"My date." Sirius says, and he rubs his face with both his hands. He mumbles, "I just can't remember her name..."

Just like that, all the positive feelings were gone because all I could think of was me someday bring that girl whose name he couldn't remember. I snap, "You shouldn't invite a girl out on a date if you can't remember her name."

"I-"

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you." A girl says as she walks down the dorm stairs and goes to Sirius. She goes to hug Sirius, pressing a kiss on her cheek, and when she can't see his face, he sends a panicked look to Remus.

Remus rolls his eyes, but when the girl backs away from the hug, he puts his hand in front of him and says, "Hello, I'm Remus."

"I'm Emma." She replies, shaking his hand with a smile. I offer my name and so do the rest of us. Sirius' shoulders drop from relief and he says, "Well, now that Emma's here, we should really get going."

I roll my eyes, and James snorts from beside Sirius. We start walking towards the party, and I mumble under my breath, "When is he going to grow up?"

"When are you going to admit your blatant feelings for him?" Remus whispers right next to my ear, and I flush. I snap my head towards him and snap, "Could you blame me for not wanting to? He couldn't remember the name of the girl he was taking on a date!"

Remus shrugs his shoulders and I know that he's convinced. I see the door to the party and feel Remus say something to me, "But the girl he's taking isn't the girl he likes."

"Bold of you to assume that he has the ability to have feelings for someone." I say, and as much as it hurts me to process the fact, I know that it's true. Remus counters, "Well, no someone has ever been you."

"I know that Sirius is your friend and everything, but you really need to screw your head on better." I snort, and give a fake smile that surely looks just like it is. The room is filled with music, and people are dancing all over the dance floor. I can hear Professor Slughorn's loud voice all the way from here.

Sirius already whisks Emma away to dance and her giggling echoes through the room. I realize that maybe coming to the party wasn't one of my best decisions. I feel a hand on my shoulder, and James says, "You okay?"

"I'm fine." I reply and James says, "It's really no use of lying to your brother."

"Come on, I know what'll cheer you up." James says, and he grabs my hand and drags me to a table, and I drag Remus along with me. James sits down and he pulls out a deck of Muggle cards and starts shuffling them. James smirks, "So, what are we betting on?"

Remus gives James a disapproving look, but sits down. I pick the seat that makes me unable to see Sirius. We start playing and mid-way through our third game, I pause and say, "Isn't this sort of...weird? We're at a party and we're playing cards."

"We're at a party a teacher hosted, we're not exactly the coolest right now either." James retorts and hands Remus all of his 3s, and Remus grins. James laughs and he looks at something behind me. He says, "Looks like our Padfoot has already scored."

I don't bother looking behind me, I already know what's happening. It's been happening every year since 3rd year. I sigh, and press my lips tightly together. Remus places a sympathetic hand on my thigh and I give him an appreciative smile.

"I think I'm gonna go..." I stand up and start to put my things back into my purse, leaving my cards on the table. I run a hand through my hair and say, "I forgot that I've got a Muggle studies quiz tomorrow."

"But we don't have-" James begins, but I've already turn and made my way to the door. The door slams unintentionally behind me, but I know that it doesn't matter, the noise of the chatter and music drowning it out.

I can't believe that I let this happen, and I can believe that I'm hurt and surprised every time it does happen. I feel straw tear fall from my eye, and I wipe it away. It doesn't help that I hear him jogging after me, and saying, "Hey! You left-"

He stands in front of me and places both his hands on my shoulders. He stops me from walking, and I barely have time to put my hand down before he notices my red eyes. He pauses before whispering, "Were you crying?"

"No, allergies." I say, before stepping away from him and trying to keep on going back to the dorms. He stops me again, and he says, "You can tell me."

"No, go back to the party, you're date's waiting." I snap, and try to walk away, but I get forced back into place. I try to move away with more force, but it shots me back harder. I almost fall, if it wasn't for Sirius who stabilized me.

I begrudgingly looked up, and dreaded what I found. A mistletoe, hanging from the archway that we were both under. I rub my hand frustrated over my face, and say, "I'll remember the spell that I'll get us out of this, wait..."

I huff as the spell completely escapes my mind. I try to think harder to one of the charms books I read with Remus a few years ago. Sirius squeezes my waist, and I didn't even realize that he had his hand there. He says, "We can just-"

"No! I'll remember." I say, sternly and push his hand off my waist. He waits patiently and I get more and more frustrated at my weak memory. I snap my fingers as I try to remember, "I read it at the table near the window, in the library...with Remus, in fourth year..."

"Fourth year! You can't remember that." Sirius says, incredulously. I have to admit, it was ridiculous that I believed that I'd be able to remember a spell I once read, three years ago, but I couldn't kiss Sirius. I huff, "I will."

"We'd sooner die, than you'd remember that spell."

"Just wait." I say, as my eyes scan everything around me, trying to remember that stupid spell. Sirius places his hand on my chin, and makes me look into his eyes, the most beautiful mix of grey and blue that I've ever seen. He whispers, "Is kissing me really that bad an option?"

No, it's not, it really isn't, but I can just imagine how it would go. I'd kiss him, I'd get all those fluttery feelings in my stomach, and I wouldn't be able to stop kissing him because finally it's happening. Sirius would keep kissing me until neither of us could anymore. I'd fall in love all over again.

Then, the next morning, he'd act like nothing happened. I'd go to breakfast and find him sitting next to some girl that he's going to be giving all his attention to for the next week with his arm around her shoulder. I would die inside and be miserable until he'd break up with this girl, and I would believe that it's finally my turn, but then he'd find another girl instead.

I'd be even more miserable until I got over him which is unlikely or when he realized that I should be his girlfriend not a fling a girlfriend, which is even more unlikely, and so yes, my answer is yes. I say just that, "Yes, it would, now stop pestering me, so I can think."

"Love, you're never going to remember it."

"Yes, I will." I snap back at him, and he seals his mouth shut. At last, a moment of peace. I try to think, but it wasn't coming to me at all. I tried to think of alternative spells, and I was grateful that Sirius decided to stay calm.

At least I thought so, until he places his fingers on my chin once more, and quickly tries to kiss me. Panicked, I yell, "Bombarda!"

I point my want to the ceiling and the archway, comes crashing down along with the mistletoe, the spell breaks and we escape before the archway falls over us. In hindsight, this wasn't one of my brightest ideas.

"Are you crazy?" Sirius shouts, and he's right, but no way I'm going to tell him that. I look away from the pile of rubble, and brush off the dirt from my dress, and say, "I got us out, didn't I?"

"You almost squished us." Sirius complains and I roll my eyes. He continues, "And you destroyed a piece of the castle."

"As if Dumbledore can't rebuild it, besides, you've done more damage to the school." I say, and Sirius runs a hand through his perfect hair, making it the slightest bit messy. He says, "That's not the point. You were willing to almost kill us both than have me kiss you. Do I have bad breath or something?"

"Did you forget that you were going to kiss someone other than your date tonight?" I say, trying to remain calm, while Sirius keeps on getting more heated up. Sirius replies, "It's not like I'm cheating or something, she's just a date!"

Exactly my point, she's just a date, he couldn't even remember her name, but he still kissed her, and who knows what they'll be doing tonight. I add, "Did you forget that you're going to be kissing your best friend's sister?"

"It's just because of the mistletoe- James would've killed me, I know, but you're not just his sister, you're more than that." Sirius says, and he looks down at the ground, and I feel my heart rate pick up, despite not wanting it to. He adds, "You're my friend too."

The feeling's gone. I scoff, and leave.

***

The next day was more chaotic than last night. I'm sitting at breakfast, trying to convince James that I'm alright because of the way I abruptly left the party last night, while also trying to apologize to Remus for also leaving him abruptly last night.

"I promise you it's fine." Remus

"Unlike you, last night." James

"I swear to Merlin, James. If you don't shut up, I will murder you, and Remus, are you sure there isn't any way I can't make it up to you." I say, turning to Remus, voice switching from stern to soft. Remus slips up, "I'm sure you've suffered enough for your mistakes."

"Suffered? What does he mean?" James interrupts, and I pause. I knew what Remus meant, I heard it, he heard it, the entirety of Gryffindor tower heard it, it being Sirius and Emma having fun this morning in some sort of hidden part of the tower.

Echoes of laughter are heard through the Great Hall, and we all turn to see, Sirius walking in with neon yellow hair. James bursts out laughing, and Peter joins him. I try to hide my snickers behind my hand, while Remus smiles. Sirius huffs and sits next to James, opposite to me.

"What happened, mate?" James asks, trying to contain his laughter. The great hall soon quiets down, and everyone goes back to their own lives. Sirius doesn't say anything as he begrudgingly stuffs his mouth with bread.

No one says, anything but James and Remus try to figure out spells to return Sirius' hair color back to normal. James says, "I'll just use a counter-jinx-"

"That wouldn't work because we need to know the jinx that caused it." Remus explains, and he turns to ask Sirius, "Did you hear the jinx?"

Sirius shakes his head, and I notice him avoiding looking at me. James suggests, "If you tell us who did this, we'll just force it out of them."

Sirius shakes his head again, and we notice Emma walking in shooting glares at Sirius. Remus whispers, "Did something happen with Emma?"

Sirius grumbles something under his breath, and proceeds to stuff his mouth full of food again. James exclaims, "What happened?"

"I-uh..." Sirius trials off, and James chuckles. He slaps Sirius' back and jokes, "What? Did you forget her name again?"

The boys laugh at the idea, but they stop when the notice that Sirius isn't laughing with them and instead turn bright pink. Peter gasps, "You didn't."

"I didn't." Sirius defends quickly, but then sinks back in his chair. He purses his lips, and Remus inquires, "What did you do?"

An angry Hufflepuff comes marching behind Sirius, and tugs on his hair. He yelps and turns around to look at the red-faced girl. She shouts at him, "If you're going to try to sleep with my best friend, then have the decency to say her name."

She shoots me a glare, and then walks away back to the Hufflepuff table where Emma has a sorrow look on her face. Sirius sinks further back into his chair, and Remus exclaims, "You called her the wrong name!"

"It was an accident okay?" Sirius defends himself, and I find myself confused why the girl would glare at me instead of Sirius, unless...no way! No way! He wouldn't...would he? Sirius avoiding looking at me, her glaring at me, it all adds up! I flush a deep shade of red at the thought.

"Who's name did you say?" James asks, and Sirius starts to stutter. He grabs a piece of bread and shoves it in his mouth, and motions to it, as if to say that he can't reply at the moment. He chews very slowly, and the bell rings, signifying that there's only five minutes left till class.

Remus stands up and hauls Peter and James with him. Sirius begrudgingly stands up, trying to ignore the pack of Hufflepuff girls shooting him glares. The great hall's nearly empty by the time, I grab Sirius' hand to stop him from leaving.

The action catches my brother's eye, and I say, "We'll meet you there."

James looks at us both skeptically, but Remus grabs him by the collar, and pulls him towards class, along with Peter. Remus has had years of experience and knows that this is the only way to get the boys to class. James shouts behind his back to us, "If you're late, I'll come find you."

"Ow, ow, ow, Moony." James exclaims, as Remus grabs his ear and tries to stop him from staying behind with us. Once they're an appropriate distance away, Sirius asks, "What is it?"

"First...let me." I say, before bringing out my want from my belt loop and waving it over his hair, turning it back to the perfect jet black color that it was. He grins, pulling some of the strands over his eyes, to see the familiar shade of black. He says, "Thank you-"

"Why did you do that?" I interrupt him, exasperated. Sirius turns red, taken aback, and he avoids looking at me again. He stutters, "What are you talking about?"

By now my assumptions have been confirmed, and I feel my heart rate pick up as I say, "You said my name, why did you say my name?"

"I thought, I've been obvious, I like you." Sirius says, seeing no use in denying it, and running a hand through his hair. I bite the insides of my cheek and sigh, "No, you don't."

"I do, a lot." Sirius says, and he takes a step closer to me, the same step that I take back, pushing me to the wall. I say, "You just want me because you can't have me, but once you do, you'll lose interest."

He shakes his head, and he purses his lips before saying, "It's not like that-"

"If you really like me, why were you with those girls?" I ask, and I'm afraid of the answer. I fiddle with my fingers anxiously, and he says, "Trying to get over you."

He takes my hand in his, and I sigh. For so long, this is what I've wanted, he's the one that I like. I look into his eyes for any signs of anything other than sincerity, but there weren't any.

He leans to try to kiss me, but I stop him with a finger on his lips. I take in a shaky breath and say, "If you do this...If you kiss me, I want you to mean it. I want you to kiss me because you like me, not because you're bored or because you want to sleep with me. I can't be just another notch on your belt, I-I'm in this if you are, but if you're not then stop now..."

I trail off, and look back into his eyes, to find him looking at me with an expression I can't place. Butterflies shoot up and down my stomach. I expect him to leave, to turn around and head to class, but he doesn't.

He presses his lips to mine, and I let out a soft gasp. He holds me tightly to his chest, and he grasps at my waist. He kisses me once, twice and a couple more times. He doesn't stop until, he can't breathe anymore. He rests his forehead to mine and I pant, "You kissed me."

"I did" Sirius replies, and he smiles. I can't help, but grin myself. He holds me tighter, and I find myself smiling even wider. I say, "James is gonna kill you."

"I know." He shudders and I see the panicked look behind those grey eyes. I worry that it's going to stop him from being with me. Maybe he didn't even mean to kiss me, maybe he tripped. I ask, "And that doesn't deter you at all?"

"It does" He replies, and I feel myself getting anxious. Sirius values his friendship with James above anything else, they were brothers. I know that he'd be terrified to put it in jeopardy. I add, "Does it scare you?"

"Yes" He says, and I purse my lips before tentatively asking, "Then why aren't you backing away?"

"Because I can't really think about James murdering me when I really want to kiss you." He says, and I smile, maybe he didn't trip. I ask, "Again?"

"Multiple times, yes" He teases, and I smile. It's me who leans forward this time to capture his lips onto mine. He's grinning against my lips, making a proper kiss impossible to achieve. He pushes me against the wall, and keeps kissing me till all the oxygen is out of my lungs.

"GET OFF OF MY SISTER, BLACK!"

[markantonys]

AITA for joining a "cult" that thinks my sister and mom are Darkfriends?

First, some backstory. I (30m) have always been an outsider in my family. It wasn't anything to do with my parents - dad (dead) always spent all his time with me instead of my younger siblings, and (step)mom (43f) always gave me extra attention compared to her bio kids because she didn't want me to feel neglected - or with my brother (21m), who's always looked up to me. It was all because of my sister (19f). She's hated and bullied me ever since she was a toddler, and I have no idea why. I guess maybe she doesn't think I'm her real brother, or blames me for telling on her whenever she did irresponsible things like climb trees and talk to strangers. All I've ever done is try to keep her safe, but she's never appreciated it.

Anyway, there's this organization (my sister claims it's a cult, though I don't think that's fair) that's dedicated to serving the Light. My mom always hated them and kept them banned from our country because she thinks they have an agenda against women who can channel, and she's one herself, as is my sister. I used to believe her, but after reading one book written by the organization's founder, I realized that my mom has a totally biased view of them and they're actually doing really important work founded on admirable principles. So when my sister went missing at the hands of women who can channel, I decided I'd had enough of those women lying to everyone all the time and I joined this organization.

I did have my view of them shaken when I found out my mom had been kidnapped, abused, and murdered by one of their leaders (turns out she's actually still alive though, don't worry about that), but I challenged that leader to an honorable duel and killed him to avenge my mom, and my friends and I rooted out a handful of other corrupt members of the organization, so now with that small minority gone, the rest of us can continue doing the Light's work and spreading awareness of the evils of the One Power.

To be clear, I OBVIOUSLY don't think my sister and mom are Darkfriends; it's only everyone else who uses the One Power who is. I've explained this to my sister multiple times but it only makes her angrier instead of grateful that I'm making an exception for her and choosing to believe the best of her. It feels like I can never do anything right in her eyes, but maybe I've somehow got the wrong understanding of the situation. So, AITA?

******

u/dainbornhald: NTA. Your sister's problem isn't actually that you joined this organization (which totally does sound 100% Light-serving). She doesn't think you're her real brother and is just looking for any excuse to continue the bullying, manipulation, and gaslighting she's been using on you since she was a toddler. [+5k votes] u/childbyar: Came here to say this. Sister sounds like a textbook abuser, and, honestly, almost definitely a Darkfriend. I'd go no contact with her, OP, and maybe get a restraining order if you have to - she's obviously unhinged. [+1.2k votes]

u/amyrlinseat: You joined a cult that thinks your sister is a Darkfriend based on an innate characteristic about her that she didn't choose and can't change (unlike you, who DID choose to join this cult), and you're whining that she's mad at you for it??? YTA [-749 votes]

u/luckyfox: YTA for the cult thing, but this whole family's got serious mommy AND daddy issues (take it from an expert). Sister resents you for getting all your parents' attention growing up, and you have a victim complex about being a stepchild/half-brother. I can only wonder what might be going on with the middle brother who wasn't mentioned much here. You guys need to go to therapy. [+2 votes] u/galaddamodred [OP]: My brother always seemed very well-adjusted, but a few hours after I made this post he actually died going on a suicide charge in battle because he thought he was unimportant enough to risk and no one would care much if he died in the attempt. Which sucks because now the only sibling I've got left is my sister who hates me. [+273 votes] u/luckyfox: oh my god [+312 votes]

[jazmyn-fayth]

Babygirl - Eita Semi x fem-reader

Semi smut since I been putting it off apparently everyone in my family has covid except for me so I gotta stay hidden in my room so be expecting lots of fics and hcs to be posted for the next few days

He's so fucking cute like what the hell where can I find a man like this irl

Warnings: smut, pinv, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it), kinda jealous sex if you squint, wall sex, oral (fem receiving), petnames (baby??, babygirl, pretty girl), fingering, a drop of wholesome shit at the end, orgasm denial??

Nsfw under the cut MDNI

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You and Semi have been dating for a few months now he's such a big sweetheart under that intimidating look on his face

You guys were out one night on a date at a restaurant you were talking when you had to go to the bathroom so you politely excused yourself

After a few minutes you were about to come back to the table when a guy you've never met or seen came up to you

"Hey, pretty girl," the random dude said making you look at him weird and continued to walk away not think he was talk to you trying to back to you date with you boyfriend

But the guy had other plans and grabbed your arm pull you back to him

"Don't ignore me I just wanna talk maybe get your number I could take you home with me tonight" the random guy smirked as he spoke

"No I have a boyfriend" you spoke calmly and yanked your arm away from him continuing to try and walk away

"Come on he doesn't have to know plus I bet I could steal you from a pretty thing like you needs a real man" the guy spoke again making you look at him grossed out by his persistent attempts

You were about to speak but froze when you heard some clear there throat and immediately knew who it was

"I think she's doing just fine with me, thank you very much though for the offer" Semi spoke up the last part was sarcastic

I turned around looking at him "Hi baby" you said sweetly his looked at my his gaze softening

"Hi do you wanna me to take you home now I already paid for tell bill" he said softly

"Yeah I'd like that" you said calmly the guy stood there in stunned silence "what's he so shocked about" you questioned taking his hand as he walked me outside to his car shrugging dismissively to your questioned opening the passenger side door for me

You got in to his car sitting down as he got in as well in the driver's seat starting the car pulling out of the parking spot driving down the road it was only a ten minute drive to your house

You looked out the window when you felt his hand on your thigh you looked over at him smiling softly

"Do you wanna come to my place instead" he said softly a flicker of something possessive in his eyes

"Um yeah sure why not" you said softly

He smirked as his hand trailed higher up your thigh kneading the inside of your thigh as he change direction go to his house instead which was much closer and only took us about 4 minutes to get there as

He stopped the car turning the engine off getting out of the car as you did the same following him hold his arm as he unlocked the door the cold air from the night making you shiver

He opened the door ushering you inside as he got inside he looked at you before pushing your back against the door kissing you

"Seing that guy flirt with you pissed me off" he muttered against your lips pulling your body flushed against his "let me take care of you, babygirl"

His petname he called you made you heart flutter as you looked at him his eyes filled with lust and possessive desires

"Ok" you said simply that was all he need to hear as he pick you of making his way to the bedroom closing the door with his foot throwing you down onto the bed

You looked up at him your eyes full of love and desire for him

Semi's body pins you to the mattress, his weight distributed evenly as he looks down at you with a mix of desire and adoration in his grey eyes.

"You're so beautiful, baby," he murmurs, his fingers tracing the curves of your face. "I love the way you look up at me like that."

He captures your lips in another searing kiss, his tongue delving deeper, exploring every crevice.

His hands roam over your body, mapping every inch of your skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. He nips at your lower lip, then soothes the sting with his tongue before trailing kisses down your neck, his breath hot against your skin.

"I need you, baby," he whispers, his voice husky with lust.

"Me too I need you" you muttered your voice just as lustful as his

He smirked as he sat up taking off his shirt revealing his toned body you looked him up and down admiring him

"Like you you see, babygirl" he said teasingly then trailing his hand up to my shirt "wanna see you to, baby" his whispered huskly

You sat open pulling your shirt off as his hands shot around you unclipping your bra before you could lay back down pulling it off your chest

He was Looking down at your now exposed chest "so pretty" he muttered leaning down trailing kisses down my chest down my pants looking up at you for permission to take them off

You gave him soft nod lift your hips for him as he took your pants of you taking your underwear with it

then trail kisses up your inner thighs getting closer and closer to your core

You looked down at him watching him as he slowly licked a stripe up your core teasing your clit making you let out a soft moan

Semi's smirk widen at the sound pressing his face up into your heat his tongue doing circles around your clit

As he brought up his fingers rubbing your entrance teasing you only putting the pads of his fingers in then pulled away

You moaned softly bucking your hips against his face tangling your fingers in his hair trying to push him closer to your core

He looked up at you the shoved his fingers into you thrusting them in and out as he continued the menstruations of your clit with his tongue his fingers working you open for main event

You moaned loudly your cunt clenching around his fingers about to cum but he pulled away make you whine and look up at him

"I was so close why'd you stop" you whined as he smirk as he undid his pants pulling the down kicking them away as he spoke

"Because i want you to cum around my cock instead" he said as he pulled his boxers down climbing above you once more hovering over you lining himself out with your entrance

"Ready, babygirl" he questioned looking at your eyes checking if there was any hesitation

"Ready" you muttered after seeing now hesitation he slowly sheathed himself into you groaning as your tight heat eloped his cock tightly

We both moaned as he bottom out started a slow pace grabbing your legs making them wrap around his waist as he pick you up

Moving to the nearest wall pining your back against it picking up speed trust into you faster hitting deeper with the new position hold you close ass he thrust deep inside you locking his lips onto yours passionately kissing you

You moaned against his lips moving your hips to met his thrust we both pulled away for air panting as he started going faster his hand reaching down to your clit rubbing it in circles

You moaned loudly your walls clenching around him as you approach your climax

"You gonna cum, babygirl, I can feel you clenching, so tight" he gritted his thrust becoming sloppy as he also reached his peak

"Cum with me baby at the same time" he muttered out lost in his own pleasure rubbing you clit faster triggering your climax

You cummed around his cock triggering his own climax as he buried himself deep inside shooting his thick ropes of cum inside panting holding you to his chest tightly

"I love you" Semi muttered out still trying to catch his breath

"I love you to too Semi" you muttered

[reccyls]

Surprise Bag 2024 Story (Prologue)

The April Fool's story from 2024. This is only the prologue, as the continuations are sold as story sales that I will not be purchasing. I do still think it is very funny, though.

The premise is a bodyswap, Ellis <> Jude and Elbert <> Alfons

Ever since I became a Fairytale Keeper, I like to think that my tolerance for the extraordinary has increased.

However, this latest happening in Crown far surpassed anything I had ever experienced.

"Jude": Good morning, Miss Kate. I'll make you happy today too.

Kate: ...Jude, did you... hit your head on something?

"Jude": Hm? Nope, I'm perfectly fine. Haven't hit my head on anything.

Kate: What happened to your usual terrible attitude?! Did you catch a cold? Are you injured? We have to go to the hospital now--

"Ellis": Tch, the hell is this?

"Jude": Ah, Jude. "Jude": Huh? Jude, why are you me?

"Ellis": I should be the one asking. Why the hell are you me?

Kate: Wha? Huh??

"Elbert": Ahha! Something terribly amusing seems to have happened, hasn't it?

Kate: Alf- Eh, Lord Elbert? Kate: Wait, so then is that 'Alfons' standing behind you...?

"Alfons": ...When I looked in the mirror, I became Al.

"Elbert": Being able to look at oneself from the point of view of an outsider truly is fascinating. "Elbert": Oh yes, El. Do speak more energetically. It's unsettling to hear myeslf sound so glum.

"Alfons": ...More energetically? ...I'll, try... "Alfons": ........Ahha.

"Elbert": I suppose that's my mistake for asking you to be more energetic.

Kate: Wait, just hold on a second. So what's happened is... Kate: ...Jude and Ellis, and then Lord Elbert and Alfons have swapped bodies!? Kate: What kind of ridiculous situation is this...!?

"Ellis": It's that goddamn doctor bastard's fault. I'll kill him.

---

Gathering the remainder of Crown, we questioned Roger about the circumstances. He let out an unrestrained laugh.

Roger: My bad, my bad. Who'd ever think that the results would pay off this quickly? Aren't I a genius?

Victor: Now's not the time, Roger! What did you do to cause this adorable- excuse me, very troubling situation?

Liam: Victor, you're not hiding your true feelings very well. Your words and face don't match at all.

Roger: I had the thought of swapping a cursed person with a normal person. That could lead to the curse transferring, couldn't it? So I was doing some research.

William: Your unquenchable thirst for knowledge is admirable indeed. But if that were the case, shouldn't you be experimenting with a cursed person and a normal human?

Roger: It'd be pretty dangerous for us if something went wrong while I was experimenting on a normal person, wouldn't it? I thought I'd test things out on these guys first.

Harrison: Just what do you think we are? We die just as easy as normal people, you know.

"Elbert": Let's toss that musclehead four-eyes into the Thames.

"Ellis": Yeah. Fix some stone weights to him and it'll be over quick.

Kate: Stop, stop! Don't say things like that wearing Elbert and Ellis's faces!

"Jude": But that's pretty amazing, Roger. I never thought that medicine like this could exist.

Liam: ...Jude being all soft is- nope, that's just weird!

Roger: Don't worry so much. Once I've collected enough data from you lot, I'll whip up an antidote. Roger: ........Once I've got an antidote, I can start testing on the others.

Harrison: ...You just said something awful, didn't you?

Roger: Don't know what you're talking about.

"Elbert": You're acting like you're in any position to bargain about turning us back? Pardon my French, but go die.

Harrison: Yikes... Uh, Liam? Hey, Liam, hey. Did he fall asleep?

"Jude": Sorry, I touched his head. I was curious about whether I could use Jude's power or not.

Roger: Huh, so the ability stays with the body. I really am a genius after all, aren't I?

(This isn't helping anymore...!)

Kate: A-anyway! Please make that antidote as soon as possible, Roger! Kate: ...Geez. What are we going to do if Her Majesty hears about this?

Roger: Well, I might end up getting fired... Roger: ...So it's up to you to watch over the lot of them to make sure nobody else finds out about this, little lady.

Kate: Huh? ...Roger? Wait!

"Ellis": Tch... Fuck it. Let him get kicked out.

"Jude": Ah, Jude, my body isn't used to--

"Ellis": *cough, cough*... Ellis. First thing we're doing is to start training so you can at least handle one cigar.

"Elbert": Hmm... with a face like this, I could get away with doing pretty much anything, don't you think?

"Alfons": ...Kate, is this spoon beautiful?

Kate: M-my poor sanity...!

[mssr-crumpled-paper]

Gale and the Unperfect Victim

Here I am, back again with Gale posting cause I still have more thoughts on him as a character.

So, today, I read the phrase "the perfect victim" which is a myth often used to discredit the experience of female victims of SA, to dictate a way that victims of violence/assault are "supposed" to act. And when i tell you the concept of a perfect victim to anything immediately made me think of Gale, as well as the state of colonial resistance at large.

I'd like to preface with the idea that there is no "perfect victim" to any systemic crimes perpetuated. There is no one acceptable way of acting or responding to oppression or violence. With that out of the way let's get into the Gale analysis.

I often see people talk about Gale in this specific formula:

"I still don't like Gale as a character. His anger is understandable but [insert violent response to state sanctioned violence here].

There always seems to be such a conditional in the people's eyes of what is and isn't justifiable violence or resistance. To what means is a war just is one of the central themes of THG (or at least I believe so anyways).

Now this question raises a really interesting point about Gale's character. Obviously, Gale is meant to represent the other end of the extremist spectrum: kill all Capitol people indiscriminately, no matter their disposition and beliefs or levels of innocence; take down the Capitol at all cost.

This, coupled with the fact that Peeta represents the other end of the spectrum (do the right thing and hold onto conscience, choosing humanity for all ends) might present Gale as a heartless, cold killer.

Here we meet the instance of a "perfect victim." Subjected to seemingly relatively the same levels of oppression (some would even argue that Peeta suffered more), Peeta still continuously chooses to pacify. He represents conscience, which manifests in the way that he is soft spoken, generally kind/compassionate, white, blond, merchant's kid, unquestioningly devout, barely ever angry. Do you hear it? The sounds of a perfect victim, someone you're supposed to feel bad for because he didn't deserve any of this.

This view is revoked from Gale, someone who's fought, hunt, and kill all his life. Angry, harsh, not as well-spoken or charismatic, a possessive weirdo sometimes, and violent. His response to violence is almost always with anger, with the biting of the tongue until it bleeds, and then it explodes in everyone's face. "Gale is understandable, but..."

It makes me wonder how much compassion and understanding and help we can truly extend to a person who doesn't respond to violence the way he's supposed to. When they don't lay down and take it, or brood in angry silence, or extend a gracious forgiving hand. People would say he lacks humanity or compassion but I would wholeheartedly disagree. His dedication to his people, to his family, to his friends, to Katniss has manifested into anger and hatred for an imperial machine that has never cared if he died or lived.

I find it funny that somehow, this is always a trait demanded to be fixed by the oppressed. Even in post-war, post-apocalyptic movies where previous minority groups establish a closed community that's hostile to outsiders, that's a moral failing on their part. It fails completely to view the responsibility of the Capitol people, whose true extent of innocence can be argued against (how innocent are you really, when you're an exploitative force actively participating in the deaths and oppression of the lower colony-like districts).

Which then leads me to the posts I've been seeing about Palestine. So much focus on constant martyrdom, which is so important. SO important. But why are we turning our eyes away from their resistance? The truth of it is gratuitous violence is not their first choice, and resistance is always so ugly. We distance ourselves away from the violence to excuse ourselves of the need to have to justify the means to life of an entire people.

"By what standard of morality can the violence used by a slave to break his chains be considered the same as the violence of a slave master?” - Walter Rodney

Do I agree with everything Gale does? No. I won't attempt to justify his notions of violence, but I will beg you to situate them within the asymmetrical power context in which they’re committed.

[sangorous]

{#} 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐈?

word count: 0.9k

genre/warnings: smut/unprotected sex (don't be silly wrap your willy), ejaculation inside of reader, a bit of rough sex

Drew McIntyre x black!fem!reader

There he stood, angry. He had every right to be angry. He was close to being champion again, and it slipped through his hands. His anger always got the best of him, and you told him that, but he was too stubborn to admit to it.

"Hey..."

"I don't wanna talk right now," he walked past you.

To say you weren't caught off guard would be a lie, and honestly, you did not know what to do. You were not sure if you wanted to slap him or comfort him. A part of you wanted to slap him because who the hell was he to push past you like you were one of his homeboys, but a part of you wanted to comfort him because he was upset.

The walk to his bus made you think that you would cuss him out first for making him walk to his bus, then comfort him on his loss. Who the hell was he to make you walk to his bus? He did have you fucked up.

You knocked on the door, but there was no answer. You'd figure that he was being a diva due to this loss. So you gave his door another knock.

"Go away!" he shouted.

"Excuse me? You better not be talkin' to me like that?" you shouted back. You could hear him shuffling around and then the door unlocking.

"Are you done throwin' a tantrum?" you climbed up the steps and stared at him.

"Baby, I know you wanted to win badly, but it's not the end of the world if you don't. You not wantin' to communicate your feelings and emotions is not okay... It is okay to feel how you feel; your feelings are valid, okay? I know you don't want to speak, so whenever you are ready to speak, I will be right here," you sat down next to him.

All you could hear was him sighing, grunting, and groaning. You knew that he was trying to find the right words to say.

"I almost had it... It slipped through my hands," he sighed.

"Then that idiot Damien Priest came and ruined everything!" Drew added, clenching his fist.

"I wanted to make you proud, my family proud, and I failed..."

"I'm proud of you every day. Do you think I'd leave you because you didn't win? That's a bit silly, don't you think?" another sigh left his lips while you placed a hand on his back.

You rubbed your hand up and down on his back as he placed a hand on your thigh, "you know what would help me decompress?" his hand trailed up your thigh.

"You being my good girl, laying down on your back, and me hearing your pretty little whimpers as I fuck you restless," he whispered in your ear before his lips made their way toward your neck.

His lips left little kisses on your neck, and his lips moved down to your shoulder while his hand went inside the brown bandeau that you were wearing. His hand gripping on your breast as you let a breath of air out. You could feel him smirking against your skin as he removed his lips

from your shoulder.

Before he could place his lips on your breast, he made sure to toss your bandeau to the floor where he thought it belonged. His mouth was on your right breast while his hand had a grip on your left breast. His tongue swirled around your nipples as he used his free hand and placed it back on your pussy.

"What a perfect day to wear a skirt..." his voice was low.

"And with a g-string at that? You wanted me to fuck you that bad, baby?" he began to rub the outside of your clit.

Slowly, he stuck one finger inside. Just the sound of your yelp turned him on. He stuck another finger inside of you and began to pump in and out of you aggressively. Your moans were inaudible as your eyes were closed.

"Drew..." you whimpered while he gave you a smirk.

"You like that, huh?" he continued at the same pace while he stared at you.

"I need you inside of me..." you whimpered, feeling yourself about to cum.

Drew made sure that you were on your back, aligning himself with you. He was such a tease, rubbing his dick against your clit with a chuckle.

"Drew..." you whined, looking at him.

"Are you sure? I'm letting out all of my frustrations tonight..." he looked at you.

"Yes baby, I'm sure," and without warning, he slammed

himself into you.

When he said he was letting out all of his frustrations, he meant it. He started at a rough pace, placing a hand on your throat. The sound of his pelvis smacking against yours could probably be heard from the bus, but he didn't care.

His rough and aggressive thrusts sent shivers and shocks down your spine. He quickly pulled out and flipped you on your stomach as he slammed himself into you again. This time, his thrusts were slow and hard.

His body against yours as he thrust slowly and harder into you. Kissing your back as he moaned dirty little things in your ear. "Can I come in you, baby?" he grunted in your ear, kissing all over your cheek.

"Yes baby..." you were breathless, cumming on his dick while you felt him release inside of you.

"Let's get you cleaned up," he pulled out and sat you down on his lap.

꒰𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬🥲.꒱

this is from my wattpad but yeah! sorry for the unannounced hiatus

[storiesofleftoverghosts]

I Remember Everything || Leon Kennedy

pairings: Leon Kennedy x GN!Reader

warnings: hurt/no comfort, breaking up, alcoholism, semi-toxic relationship, Leon hates himself, reader has alcoholic father, no y/n is used.

word count: 2182

requested: nope!

a/n: i'm a yapper so this is gonna be long LMFAO. honestly i didn't have any specific leon in mind when i wrote this so... anyway i recently gave y'all fluff but i think it's time for angst. this is very heavily inspired by "I Remember Everything" by Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves. even if you don't like country, i'd recommend listening to it while reading this.

Sitting in a dive bar on a Wednesday night had become Leon's sense of normal over the years. It didn’t matter the day actually. If he wasn't on some life threatening mission for the government who didn't care about his well-being, he was at the bar. It was pathetic. He knew that better than anybody. Men his age were married and drinking with their friends. Some had at least two kids by now. He couldn't help but think of how he could have had that with you.

If only he didn't ruin everything he fucking touched. Maybe you both would be happy right now if he hadn't crossed paths with you.

Nursing his whiskey glass, he sipped on the caramel colored liquid. Rot gut whiskey usually helped ease his mind on nights like this. He didn’t enjoy how awful it tasted, but it was his choice of poison. It’s what he deserved, right? The cheap liquor burnt going down, and the aftertaste made him want to gag. Reality had seemed to be the thing he had trouble swallowing the most in the moment.

Memories of you had begun to trickle back into his mind as he continued to drink. Was it too much to ask the universe to cut him some slack for one god damn night? He thought about you enough as it is when he was sober. 

He was specifically thinking about one of the first dates you both had gone on. Driving home in your old pick up truck from the beach with the windows down. Sitting in the passenger seat gave him the best view. The summer breeze danced with your hair as the sun seemed to highlight all of his favorite features on you. Your smile somehow was brighter than the sun as you sang along to some cheesy pop song on the radio. Beautiful wasn’t even a word that could cover how he thought of you in the moment. Emotions he thought he would never feel again overwhelmed him, and before he knew it, warm tears had begun to form in the corner of his eyes.

“Are you crying babe?” You had asked while turning down the radio. Concern was written all over your features. Sometimes you gave him a run for his money with how observant you were. His piercing blue eyes were glossed over before he turned his attention to whatever was passing outside the window. Quickly he cleared his throat as heat creeped up the back of his neck. 

“Yeah. You still got sand in your hair and it blew into my eyes.” Both of you knew it was an excuse, but you didn’t pry any deeper into the subject. You had learned your lesson about trying to make Leon communicate his emotions with you. Besides, he had the mentality that grown men don’t cry. How could he explain that he was crying out of joy and in awe of your beauty? Thinking of explaining that had made him cringe at the time. 

God he used to give you so much shit about that truck. It was on the older side, and he had offered multiple times to get you a new one. But you were too stubborn and would shoot the offer down. That truck was your pride and joy. Now he would give anything to drive around with you in that pick up truck one more time. 

Another memory seemed to taunt him and rub salt into his open wound. Late night talks sitting on your beatdown basement couch together, your head in his lap as he played with your hair. You’d tell him stories about your family, like when your mother had run off from your father and pawned her wedding ring. Something about how she couldn’t take your fathers drinking anymore. His soothing fingers running through your hair would comfort you, and he swore to you that he’d never turn out like that. 

It tore him up to think how he wouldn’t be the man that he always swore to you he would be.

Glass clinking snapped him out of his pity party. Another whiskey glass was in front of him. The bartender gave him a small nod before focusing his attention on another patron. Leon bit the inside of his lip once he realized the man hadn't even had to ask Leon if he wanted another one. He had grown used to Leon's company in that same damn barstool he sat in every time. Knowing that only made Leon sink deeper into his self hatred. His eyes flicked down to the drink before lifting it to his lips, and took another drink. 

The bitter taste of the alcohol paired with a cheesy pop song in the background, the same one you blasted all the time, brought one final bitter memory to him. When he broke up with you, or more like when you broke up with him. Funny enough, it happened right here at the same bar, at the same barstool. He might have been wasted when it happened, but he remembered everything about that night.

You had come into the bar looking for him one night. The bar was almost closed so when he heard the door open, it had caught his attention. The moment his eyes laid eyes on you, he knew he was in deep shit. You were constantly telling him how you refused to step foot in a bar. Going as far to say you’d rather eat glass than be around the smell of alcohol and alcoholics. Normally he’d remind you that not everyone who went to a bar was an alcoholic, but here he was, proving your point. There was practically a trailblaze of fire behind you as you stomped your way toward him. Steam was leaving your ears and he began to mentally prepare himself for what was about to happen.

“What the hell Leon?!” Glaring at him, you crossed your arms. Anger was practically dripping off your tone. Empty glasses were sitting around him. He couldn’t meet your gaze which only pissed you off more. You hadn’t heard from him in days. Three fucking days to be exact. You knew he hadn’t been sent off to do a mission. He would always give you a kiss goodbye and promise he’d make it back to you. Now you were questioning if his promises meant anything.

“Don’t do this here. Just let me finish this drink, and we can go do this.. somewhere else.” His disinterested voice slurred as he traced the rim of his glass. You felt your blood begin to boil. A teensy tiny part of you felt bad for him. Leon had seen horrific things, not that he would give you the full picture of things. It didn’t take a genius to know that Leon was a broken man. But you didn't care about that. 

For the past couple of months, he had been acting cold towards you. Less and less would he tell you how much he loved you. His fuse was shorter with you, and most of the time you guys were arguing about stupid things. It felt like you were constantly walking on eggshells around him. No matter how much you tried to talk to him about the issues in your relationship, he ignored you. Ignorance was bliss was his mindset about things like this. Not to mention, you had noticed he had been drinking more heavily. Stumbling to your place late at night, too drunk to even stand correctly had become something that happened at least three times a week. You couldn’t stand alcohol and he knew it. Not answering you for three days was the final straw for you.

“No, fuck that! We’re gonna do this here,” You slammed your hands down on the bar. For a moment that seemed to have gotten his attention before he returned back to his unbothered facade. Your hands were stinging from how hard you had slammed down.

“You’re drinking everything in sight to ease your mind, but just when the hell are you gonna help ease mine? Do you know how fucking worried I’ve been?!” You yelled at him, clenching your jaw.. Leon rolled his eyes and shook his head. Luckily there was only one person at the bar, the bartender. The bartender took it as a sign to go get more stock.

“Did ya think that maybe you’re the reason I’m drinkin’? All you do is bitch at me all the time. It’s…It’s like nails on a chalkboard every time I hear you talk.” He waved a finger at you. His pupils were dilated, and you could smell the alcohol coming off of him. His drunken words stung, and there was a flash of hurt written on your face. Even when you two were arguing, he never talked to you like this. Guess strange words come out of a grown man’s mouth when his mind’s broken.

“Are you being serious right now?” Your voice broke towards the end of your sentence. He didn’t respond, and only stared at you like you were an idiot. The audacity he had to say that astounded you. Drunk words were a sober man’s thoughts or however the saying went. You were reminded of the way your father would talk to your mom, and a feeling of disgust washed over you. The man you loved was starting to become like the man you hated. Your anger dissipated as tranquility took its place. You knew what you had to do.

“You know what? I’m done.” You had sounded so unbothered as you removed your hands from the bar. Like if you were talking about the state of the weather and not ending your relationship. Leon raised an eyebrow. Did he hear you right? Were you doing what he thought you were doing?

“I love you and I understand you have your issues. But I have enough self respect for myself to realize I deserve better than being treated like garbage.” Hearing your words seemed to sober him up. He quickly got off the barstool, stumbling a little as he did. You watched him with a strange look in your eyes. Looking back at it now, he realized that it was a look of pity.

“Baby. You don’t mean that.” He chuckled before searching your face for any signs that you were joking. Much to his dismay, your lips were pressed in a thin line. He reached out to try and grab your hands but you had pulled them away. Your eyes were devoid of that warmth you usually had whenever he looked into them. That’s when it hit him that he had fucked up for the last time.

“Do me a favor and call yourself a cab. Seems like the bars’ closing soon.” A disappointed sigh managed to escape from you as you turned away. Part of you wanted to personally drive him home but that would only hurt you in the long run. These were the consequences of his actions. That’s what you had to tell yourself as he began to plead you to stay.

“Please don’t do this. Can’t you just stay? Please love, don’t leave me.” He called out to you. He would have begged you to stay till the sun rose, you knew that. You’ve never heard someone sounding so desperate, let alone Leon sounding so desperate. Maybe it was how much alcohol he had consumed. Maybe it was the fact that he knew he was losing you. It made you hesitate for a moment but you continued to walk.

Deep down you knew if you stayed, you wouldn’t be able to leave. It would be a never ending restless cycle of Leon getting drunk and saying hurtful shit, you wanting to leave, him begging you not to, etc. You weren’t going to be like your mother. Desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as you finally stepped out of the bar, disappearing into the night and his life.

“Time to go home. Bar’s closed.” The bartender told him which snapped him out of his thoughts once last time. It didn’t feel like that much time had passed since he was given another drink, but the time on his watch proved him wrong. When it came to you he always lost track of time. Every time he sat down on this barstool he thought about you. Why he had kept coming back here, he didn’t know. Mostly it was a way of punishing himself. For letting you walk away and being too much of a coward to not change for you.

He paid his tab and left a tip for the bartender. Mumbling a good night, he made his way out the door. The cool night air felt nice against his flushed skin, yet it only made him miss you more. Cursing out his brain for the painful reminder, he called a cab before waiting for it to come. 

God he wished he didn’t but he did remember every moment (the good and the bad) on those summer nights with you.