#So it makes sense he was doing it so he'd be easier to find by Lestat and Lestat would be affected enough by it to come looking for him

[ctrl-alt-bucky]

Ghost & Bucky x Reader — Headcannons

I can't get these two out of my head, so here's even more crossover content lol. If you haven't read the first post, you can do so here! It's not required, but it might add some context.

♡ Headcannons below the cut ♡

Word count: 693 | Tags: gender neutral terms, mentions of kink (rope, dom/sub dynamics, etc.)

Though they're alike in battle, it's a different ballpark in the bedroom. While Ghost is sweet and teasing, Bucky is commanding and rough. Ghost often calls you "sweetheart" as he's pinning you down, sometimes with his hands, sometimes with rope if he has any on hand.

Ghost would coo and grin as you tremble, his sweet tone undercut by the sadistic way he'd restrain you and hold a vibrator to your most sensitive parts— and when you're crying, either from the need to cum or the need to stop cumming, he'd just grab your hair, expose your throat, and murmur, "You can handle it, baby. My good little slut."

Additionally, Ghost is often the one who stays beside you during aftercare while Bucky heads off to draw a nice bath. They both take turns carrying you from the bed to the bath and vise versa, their arms gentle but strong; the pinnacle of safety.

Both of them tend to fight with one another over whose clothes you wear, whose body wash you're smelling like, etc. And you play into too, purposefully throwing on Bucky's oversized tees and strutting around the apartment, knowing Ghost's intense gaze will be on you the entire time. And likewise, Bucky's subtly smug expression will cause Ghost to hug you from behind and take what's his.

That's why Ghost loves markings. You don't go a single day without some sort of hickey on your throat, thighs, chest, and anywhere else he can reach. One time you had an obvious lovebite right above your collarbone, and while the rest of Task Force 141 kept making playful remarks about it. Ghost was the one standing off to the side with his arms folded, wholly smug and his eyes displaying a sense of satisfaction behind the mask.

Both soldiers have a love/hate relationship with sharing you. But they find ways to make it easier, especially when they have you sandwiched between them, Ghost's steady hands on your waist as Bucky's tongue tangles with yours.

Bucky is rough, but he's cautious about it. It took him a long while to be comfortable with touching you, let alone with his metal hand. He often finds himself wrapping his right fingers around your throat; a reminder that he can be in control and keep you safe all at once.

Ghost won't go as far as choking you, but he does prefer to use various tools on you, so to speak.

Rope, vibrators, plugs— he changes between them depending on his mood. And it's not lost on Bucky either, who enjoys the surprise in seeing what Ghost made you wear this time around. Sometimes just a plug, other times cute lingerie he bought you as a gift.

More than once, Bucky has fucked you full and used the plug to keep it inside for later, when you inevitably run into Ghost.

It isn't always super kinky, however. There are days when the two soldiers are exhausted from their work and in need of relaxation.

They'll bundle on the couch with you between them, Bucky's metal arm on the top of the couch behind you, while Ghost's hand traces up and down your thigh; a movie playing on the tv, though none of you are really paying attention to it. His hand would sneak inside your boxers/panties, and you'd end up with Bucky's cock down your throat while Ghost's fingers lazily thrust inside of you, his other hand holding you face down, ass up.

"Our little plaything, hmm doll?" Bucky would purr as you choke around him.

Ghost likes to guide your head on Bucky's cock whenever you're forced to your knees. And when Bucky finally streaks your face, Ghost is the one who swipes his thumb through the mess to push it into your mouth.

At the end of the night, you'd find yourself surrounded by them, Bucky's heartbeat steadily beating as you lay on his chest and Ghost's warm, strong arms wrapped around your waist as he spoons you. They both struggle to sleep most nights, but with you passed out on top of them, both soldiers find it much easier to relax.

I couldn't help but make it a bit sweet, sue me. Hope y'all enjoy ♡ This has been in my drafts for *checks wrist* a year, holy moly. Absolutely send me prompts with these two so I have an excuse to write them!! >:) Also check out my ficlist for more!

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

(a romantic interaction with silver please!) i was nervous, to say the least. even if it had been years since we've graduated from nrc, that shy and awkward sixteen year old girl i once was had become an even more socially inept adult, much to my chagrin.

it had been years since we last saw each other, and lilia just so happened to tip silver off regarding my whereabouts in the forest. finding me wasn't very difficult, as i was singing a very familiar melody, one that had an assortment of woodland critters as an audience. i paused, being able to sense his presence nearby.

and i smiled. "it's been some time, hasn't it?" i say softly, motioning for a dismayed silver to join with an outstretched hand, hoping he wouldn't notice the sound of my pounding heart and that he'd accept the gesture.

(also hullo miss raven! i hope you've been doing well ^^)

xhsbsjskal I’m not sure if I understood why Silver is dismayed?? I wasn’t able to find a smooth way to incorporate that into this interaction since there wasn’t a ton of context given 💦 Apologies!!

What comes after Ever After?

Silver is a spitting image of the Dawn Knight, but with hair the color of his namesake rather than the spun gold of his biological father. The shining tresses are long, almost forming a cloak over his pitch black armor. The metal plates are sleek and spiked, weaving an outfit most menacing—but his uncovered face is the complete opposite.

The pert mouth of a prince, wispy lashes cast over multicolor irises, the bridge of his nose as straight as his morals. So gentle, so graceful. The face of the boy you had crushed on all those years back, the face of the man you had longed to reunite with.

Your pulse picks up in pace, your mouth drying. The song on your lips has long since gone out, and you don’t think you can start it again anytime soon.

He’s standing there. Oh, Sevens. He’s standing right there…!!

“It has,” Silvers says in a whisper—and in the quiet of the forest, it feels louder than it should be.

He peels away from the trunk he was leaning against and enters the clearing. The animals ringing you—deer, squirrels, birds, skunks, bunnies—shift, making space for Silver. His strides remind you of a noble gliding across a polished ballroom floor. The woodland critters, a crowd dispersing to make way for the guest of honor.

Then, magically, Silver bends the knee and kneels, meeting your gaze as he takes your hand in his. He offers that same small, subtle smile that had made your cheeks flush and your heart flutter. It still does, much to your dismay. You pray he doesn’t notice, and, thankfully, he doesn’t seem to.

Bless his obliviousness.

“I’m glad I got to see you again.”

Me too, you want to say, but the words bunch up like a wad of paper being crumpled. They refuse to come out, so instead you simply nod.

Your fingers find the back of a rabbit and sink into its plush fur. Stroking it manages to calm you for a few fleeting moments. The rabbit thumps a foot, either excited about the attention or in an attempt to encourage you.

“Father told me I would find you here.” Silver inclines his head slightly. “You never did like crowded places.”

“I like the company of the animals,” you mutter. It’s easier than dealing with people sometimes, you silently add. More comforting.

“I do too.” A plump bluebird has landed on Silver’s shoulder. It busies itself with prodding his chin with its beak. He chuckles, acting as if the touch tickles. “Even if we may not completely understand what they’re saying… they can communicate with us in their own ways. Words are not necessary to express yourself. I think you once sang a song about this. How did it go again…?”

“Ah, the one that goes…” You cleared your throat, then hummed a tune. It was floaty, whimsical—like two feet entangled in a jig. “Dancing is a language that is felt instead of heard. You can whisper and shout without so much as a word, like so 🎵”

“That’s the one.” His smile is a little wider now, more cocked to one side than the other. “You still sing just as much as you did before too. And you look so happy doing it.”

“D-Do I…?”

I think I’m happiest when I’m with you. The warmth unfurling in your chest and the tingling where your hands lock agree. But to say it out loud, to expose those raw feelings to him after so long…

“Yes.” He says it with such clarity, such certainty, like he’s swearing a vow. “I like listening to it. Maybe because it’s been so long since I’ve heard you. Would you mind if I asked to hear more? Only if you’d be willing to provide, of course. I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Y-You’re not!!” you insist. Shock has your eyes flayed wide open. “I-I’m surprised you’d want me to… I mean, I’m not anything special—”

“Please,” he pleads, pressing the back of your hand to his cheek. It is springy and soft, like the petal of a pale rose. “Sing for me. Let me hear your truest feelings. I've missed that."

You splayed a hesitant hand over your throat, fingers fanning out. Anxious as you gazed out at your waiting, expectant audience. The animals that had gathered, the knight at your level.

Silver.

The drop of sunshine in your chest becomes a fully bloomed flower. Buttery yellow and bursting with hope. Banishing the darkness, chasing doubt into a corner for another day. Making space for confidence.

You take a deep, shaky breath.

And you do.

You sing.

For the forest, for its residents, for him. And every note is golden and lined in silver.

[faithandfairies]

Louis spent some time there in the 70s eating and sleeping his way through the gay drug addicted population of San Francisco. And if that wasn't a huge neon "I am here. And I am single and ready to mingle." sign meant for Lestat I don't know what was.

[sunderwight]

Shen Yuan who glitches in his transmigration, but the original Shen Qingqiu still dies of a qi deviation.

So the System still needs someone with narrative relevance to throw Luo Binghe into the Abyss. In a fit of desperation, it contrives circumstances after Shen Qingqiu's death to move Luo Binghe to An Ding Peak (not that difficult), and then the System makes Shang Qinghua be Luo Binghe's new scum master who casts him down.

Airplane's thrilled, really. Cultivators aren't supposed to get ulcers but damned if he doesn't come close to one anyway. Between Shen Qingqiu and then just a while later Liu Qingge both dying from qi deviations, and Shang Qinghua looking like a stiff breeze could take him out any day now, poor Mu Qingfang is also just about at his wits' end.

But it's not all bad news! On An Ding Peak, Luo Binghe actually finds himself surrounded by the kinds of people who are accustomed to being bullied by the rest of the sect. So they're pretty sympathetic to him, and it's easier for someone with basic laboring skills to advance on that peak too. His chores don't decrease too much, but he actually gets rewarded for doing them well, and no one tries to kick him out of the dorms or anything. Shang Qinghua doesn't either go out of his way to bully or praise Luo Binghe, correctly reasoning that his best shot at not getting a gruesome death is to just be a more forgettable bad guy than an abusive dirtbag or a heart-wrenching betrayal. He doesn't sabotage Luo Binghe's cultivation (no point, and it would just farm resentment later) but he also doesn't go out of his way to help him improve (not gonna arm his inevitable maybe-probably-murderer with better weapons!), so Luo Binghe's situation sees an overall improvement but not the zero-to-hero treatment he'd have got with Shen Yuan either.

When Shang Qinghua shoves Luo Binghe into the Abyss (he just full on picks him up and tosses him like a sack of beans, better to rip it off quick like a bandage), LBH is upset, but he's not especially surprised or dismayed about Shang Qinghua's part in it. Later on he'll be kind of confused, because he just assumed that of course the righteous sect cultivator would abhor the demon, but it turns out Shang Qinghua has been working for a demon since before Luo Binghe even came to the sect? But then it still kind of makes sense because a Heavenly Demon would definitely pose a risk to Mobei Jun and to Mobei Jun's rule. Shang Qinghua, he supposes, is just really loyal to his specific demon.

Luo Binghe's subsequent revenge quest is also somewhat mitigated by the Abyss actually not being that bad.

The Abyss is not actually that bad thanks to the glitched out Shen Yuan having been camping there for several years now.

So when Shen Yuan's transmigration failed it failed because he "woke up" during the process, realized where the System intended to put him, was like no way in goddamn hell am I being that guy about it, and actually kind of won the ensuing tug-of-war. The System couldn't put him in Shen Qingqiu but Shen Yuan didn't want to go back to his dead body either, so he ended up stuck in the nearest available space for lost interdimensional beings. Which was the Endless Abyss.

Luckily Shen Yuan's quasi-transmigrated imparted an equivalent cultivation level as Shen Jiu's to him, and the glitch made him able to sense and manipulate certain extra-dimensional energies, so he manifested as this weird godlike being able to manipulate and control aspects of the Abyss. So he set about transforming Airplane's Torment Nexus into a viable ecosystem (the current version would not be anything approaching sustainable were it not for divine/narrative intervention, and is constantly on the verge of destabilizing into unlivable ruin that would only be fit for some particularly hardy microorganisms).

It's still like, a monster land full of demonic creatures and terrifying phenomenon, but with Shen Yuan's assistance it becomes something more like a demonic wildlife reserve than a dimensional horror plane. Though it is still a dimensional horror plane, and Shen Yuan is its chief dimensional horror. He treats it sort of like those dungeon building or wildlife park sims, figuring out how to keep everything in balance while still preserving all the interesting parts. A lot of the extreme survival issues of the Abyss are more of a result of it being environmentally unstable than a result of its actual denizens, and once he smooths out a lot of the messy dimensional edges and creates stable vents for the fluctuating energy run-off, the demonic inhabits start behaving less like horror movie monsters and more like animals. They're still wild and dangerous and prone to killing one another, but also more cautious, and able to access enough stable resources that they can even start to be picky about what they pursue.

Turns out that a lot of creatures in the Abyss actually don't like fighting and dying and being brutally injured on a regular basis, even if they can heal from it!

Shen Yuan has even discovered that some like chin scritches (he's not terribly worried about habituating them to people, given how rarely any people actually access the Abyss, but also because he's not really all that people-ish himself these days).

This means that one of Luo Binghe's first encounters with the horrible creatures of the Abyss, is in fact a pack of wolf-like monsters thoroughly avoiding an actual fight with him. In fact most of the denizens of the Abyss just avoid him. They can smell the Heavenly Demon energy rolling off of him, and given the current abundance of alternatives to dealing with that, virtually none of the monsters actually choose to challenge him. There are still a few that will go after anything that's bleeding, but that problem stops once Luo Binghe's physiology heals his wounds, which takes like... a couple hours, max.

Despite the stories he's heard, Luo Binghe is relieved to find that the Abyss is not quite so terrible as all that. Normal survival skills suffice for seeing him through much of it. He's able to hunt for food, scavenge for tools, and even finds potable water fairly easily. After a few weeks, he also comes across a ruin which seems to be inhabited.

The being inhabiting it is plainly a god, although he demurs and refutes such assertions whenever Binghe is too frank. He's a strange being, at turns looking like some queer approximation of a human, at other times blinking and winking in and out of existence, in patterns of strange lights and oddly geometrical fire. But he's surprisingly not hostile, letting Binghe rest in his residence, and even directing him towards points of interest. Accompanying him, too, though he seems to think that Binghe doesn't notice the odd almost spiderweb-like patterns that appear on things which he's influencing. The god calls himself The Peerless One, or at least that's what Luo Binghe infers from some writings on the ruin. The Peerless One offers instruction, seemingly without thinking about it, and gets flustered at being addressed by title, so Binghe also begins to refer to him as Shizun after a while.

[shiningstages]

Okay I lied to myself yesterday; got rid of Haruhi, Mokou, and Lilia as muses ( for now ). But that's all of the muse cleanup I have in me rn ghjfhgdhfgxhcf I'm gonna try and queue up stuff before I go to work.

[veggiesxxx]

POV: You spend time with a guy "behind their back." (Part 2/4)

(reader is NOT cheating!!)

ft. Jealousy, fluff,

Sylus

Your phone buzzed, interrupting your conversation with your friend.

"And then, it started charging up it's attack-"

"Ugh, sorry. Somebody's spamming me." you mumbled, rolling your eyes, reaching to turn your phone over on the table, screen face down so you wouldn't have to look at the relentless messages.

"As I was saying-"

You tried to continue, only to hear your notifications blow up even faster, the buzzing incessant. You were convinced that if you didn't reply, your phone would combust in the middle of the café.

"Sorry. I've got to check this," you sighed, picking up your phone, lazily going to see who was the contact spamming you relentlessly.

"Sweetie who is that." "Is he bothering you?" "sweetie?" "Are you hurt? is he threatening you." "Y/N." "If u dont reply im coming over" "Why did you turn ur phone around." "Kitten who is he?"

Scrolling through the barrage of texts, your brows furrowed, immediately becoming suspicious. Sylus? How did...

You looked up, gazing intently at any pipes on the ceiling or dark corners a certain mechanical spy could be hiding. Knowing Sylus, and what to look for, it made finding the problematic Mephisto a lot easier. Your frown deepened, as the bird noticed you glaring at it. As if sensing your glare, the robot flapped its wings, cawing loudly. A customer walked into the café at that moment, and the bird cawed a final time, making it's presence known, returning your glare before taking the chance to fly out the open door before the owner chased it out. Poor man who walked in had to duck the diving 'bird' as it soared into whatever shadows outside.

After witnessing that 'spectacle', you turned your attention back to the phone in your hands, immediately tapping your thumbs on the screen, sending a reply to the spammer.

"Sylus? Why are you suddenly spying on me- in Linkon??" "I saw Mephisto. How long have you been watching me?" "No! Don't come!! I'm fine!"

You started to panic, heart sinking, frantically texting back so Sylus didn't appear and do something drastic-

"It's a bit too late for that, kitten. look up."

'What-?" You didn't get to snap out of the baffled daze before you felt a hand on your shoulder, and a rather threatening, unmistakable presence towering over you. You froze up, embarrassed that he was having this fit in front of your friend.

You glanced up at the Onychinus's big boss, your gaze following his— which was locked dangerously onto the man sitting opposite you.

"Sweetie, let's go." He snapped his eyes back onto you, his voice laced with not-so-subtle possessiveness and suppressed irritation, not leaving much room for argument. Sylus was obviously in one of his 'fits'.

Sighing, you shook your head in exasperation, getting up. You quickly apologised to your friend, shooting him a "sorry about him" glance. Sylus didn't wait for your pleasantries to be exchanged. In his eyes, getting you away from the other man was something to be done immediately.

Once outside the café, pulled by the hand, you confronted Sylus for his abrupt interruption of your peaceful lunch. "Seriously? You couldn't have waited for my answer? I replied in less than 5 minutes..."

"You turned the phone over." He asserted, like it was some important evidence. He crossed his arms over his chest, raising an eyebrow, not a hint of any teasing smirk on his face. This was serious, you noted mentally. In your head, it wasn't a big deal– he'd seen you flip the phone over multiple times when notifications became too annoying– but if he actually felt that this situation was significant...

"I did. Still, you know it's nothing- I do it all the time."

"Not to me. You always answer."

That.. was true. You never did ignore his messages.

"But you turned me away. For him." He continued, and you could swear you've never seen him so serious. Never.. not since your first meeting. "I thought something happened. Mephisto doesn't record audio." his voice was low, however, it couldn't hide the trace of vulnerability. Like he was trying to pretend he was this concerned because he thought you were unsafe with an unarmed man, rather than just afraid of losing you.

"Nothing happened, I'm fine, Sylus." you murmured, putting your hand over his, uncrossing his arms for him. You gently squeezed his hand, not really wanting to let him off the hook yet. "He's my friend. Just a friend,"

"Friend or not. He can't have what's mine.'

Your cheeks flushed, not expecting him to express or even acknowledge his own feelings so openly. You didn't look up at him, and he was glad for that- so he could hide his red ears.

"Overprotective, much?"

His solemn eyes raised, missing their usual glimmer of mirth, meeting yours, tilting his head, and a piece of his hair bobbed against his forehead.

“Call it what you want, sweetie. I'll always be here to watch over you.”

Despite yourself, you couldn’t help but smile. As infuriating as Sylus could be, his unwavering devotion had a way of making you feel safe—even when he went overboard.

“Fine, fine,” you gave in with a sigh. “But next time, just call me instead of sending your creepy bird, or yourself.”

Sylus’ smirk came back faintly, more like a relieved smile. “No promises.”

"I'm proud of you, though, kitten. You spotted Mephisto faster than I thought you would. How'd you learn that?"

"Yeah.. because all pipes have glowing red eyes.." you said, sarcasm slipping out.

"...Wait. Did you say next time?" His gaze grew more intense, eyeing you down.

"No next time. I'll snap his neck." He hissed, gripping your hand tighter in his.

"You keep those sharp eyes on me, sweetie. Where they belong."

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧༶

Hope you enjoyed!! Pls leave a note if u liked yay

Next :

╰┈➤ Zayne/Xavier (Part 3/4) -voted below-

Previously :

╰┈➤ Rafayel (Part 1/4)

A/N: I don't know if this is too long lmao

Tags: @cordidy @liz9898 @crystalfay

[georgeclarkesgf]

shush, it's a secret | george clarke

it's not unusual for you to be over at george's flat considering you and him met at university and both moved to london around the same time. but about four months ago, your relationship changed from close friends to just that, a relationship.

you'd both decided to not tell anyone, despite how difficult it was proving to be to not be all over each other 24/7. the fans knew of you, to an extent. you'd appear in the backgrounds of videos or tiktoks posted by the boys. your social media was public, however, none of your accounts included your name, making it less likely for fans to find you.

tonight, you're over at the flat again, legs strewn over george's lap and eating some of the dominoes he'd ordered. a movie chris had picked out plays on the tv, but was now long forgotten about since a debate has broken out amongst the boys. over what? you don't know. you're too focused on the way george's hand is subconsciously trailing up your thigh, dangerously high for a 'close friend'. he honestly hasn't noticed that he's doing it, too engaged in the ongoing debate. so, you pick your phone up from your chest and message him.

too high x

his phone dings and he leans forward, grabbing it off the table before noticing it was from you. you watch as his brows furrow in confusion, before sending him another message.

your hand x

realisation hits george and he squeezes your thigh gently as an apology, moving his hand back down to rest above your knees. he mouths 'sorry' at you, to which you can't help but giggle and shake your head. arthur (hill) looks between you two in slight confusion, going to say something but deciding to keep his mouth shut.

it wasn't that you didn't want to tell people, you'd both just agreed it would be easier figuring things out and adjusting to this shift in dynamic without other people prying their noses in. it didn't make the thrill of getting caught any less exciting though. even the simple things such as him wrapping his arms around your waist and kissing your shoulder made you get an adrenaline rush.

you can feel your eyes growing heavy, despite it still being relatively early, and decide to call it a night.

"sorry guys but i'm gonna head to bed," an echo of boos fill the room while you shrug, laughing, "i'm tired guys leave me alone. mind if i crash in your bed george?"

it feels weird having to ask your boyfriend if you can sleep in his bed, but it seems to be doing the trick of keeping the relationship a secret. there are only three bedrooms and you've known george the longest, so it makes sense you'd stay in his room.

"no go for it, i probably won't be long." you give him a smile and climb off the sofa, heading to his room.

george's eyes widen when he next checks the time, not realising it was so late.

"shit." he mumbles to himself, gaining a weird look from the boys.

"you alright george?" arthur (hill) questions.

"yea i'm fine. just didn't realise it was so late that's all, got stuff to do tomorrow. i'm gonna go to bed though, night guys." he was lying right through his teeth, he had nothing to do tomorrow.

what george had meant to be ten minutes or so had turned into an hour and a half. arthur (tv) ended up coming over and they'd gotten so caught up in conversation that time seemed to fly by. he knows that you hate falling asleep without him and feels guilt seep into his skin. especially since he knows you won't ask for him to come to bed, not wanting it to come off weird since to the others, you're 'just friends'.

you're staring at the ceiling when he shuts his bedroom door, having fallen asleep for all of twenty minutes before you woke up to an empty bed over an hour ago.

"i'm so sorry baby, i didn't realise it had been that long," you turn to look at him, enjoying the way he starts stroking your cheek with his thumb, "have you been waiting for me?"

"mhm, fell asleep for about twenty minutes and been awake since. it's okay though, kept myself busy," george's jaw drops slightly, clearly misunderstanding your words, "oh my god george, no! i meant by reading some more of my book you perv. get your mind out the gutter."

he laughs and goes in to kiss you but you push his forehead away before he can. you scrunch up your face in disgust.

"ow, what was that for?" he's rubbing his forehead like you just hit him with a bat, making it much more dramatic than necessary.

"brush your teeth, you have pizza breath." he tries to do it again and catch you off guard but fails, "i mean it george."

"yes ma'am."

he disappears into the bathroom and returns a few minutes later. his teeth are brushed and he's wearing a pair of grey joggers. your arms open wide, inviting him to lay on top of you so you can run your nails through his hair and up and down his back. a feeling both of you love.

"can i kiss you now?" he teases, grin widening when you nod your head.

several kisses are planted on your face and you know he's purposefully missing your lips. you frown, wanting him to kiss you properly, not having felt his lips on yours in what felt like years. realistically, it's been a few hours.

"george, kiss me properly." you whine.

and he does just that. one hand holding himself up to hover over you, the other stroking your cheek and bringing you in closer until your lips finally meet. the kiss starts off slow and loving, until he presses you further into the mattress, his hands beginning to roam your body. every ounce of sleep you were feeling disappears, suddenly becoming hyper aware of what's happening.

pulling away, you mumble, "we can't, everyone's here. they'll hear us."

"never stopped us before." george whispers against your mouth, connecting your lips once again.

well touché.

a/n don't ask where the inspiration for this came from at 2 in the morning cause i don't have an answer. not proofread either sorryyy. shall i make a part two? i feel like i'll end up doing it anyway but what do you guys think??

[navybrat817]

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

credit here

Look at him!

Handsome and Beautiful

Pairing: Husband!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Summary: Bucky wants to look good for you. He also wants dessert.

Word Count: Over 700

Warnings: Established relationship, slight insecurities, implied sexy times, Bucky Barnes and he's a simp for you (he's a warning, okay?).

A/N: In the same universe as Mr. and Mrs. Barnes. ❤️ Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

Bucky scowled at this reflection in the mirror as he studied himself. He couldn't seem to get his hair quite right no matter how much he tousled it. He also wasn't sure when he got wrinkles around the corners of his eyes, but age and general stress would do that. Since when did he care so much about his appearance? He hadn't since the 40's.

Until you came along.

“Hey there, handsome,” you smiled from the bathroom doorway. “Looking good.”

A touch of heat went through his cheeks from your compliment. “Why aren't you dressed yet, beautiful?”

“I need your help putting on my dress,” you said all too innocently as you strolled into the room in just your bra and underwear, the color matching the shade of his suit jacket.

Bucky cursed under his breath when he took in the sight of you. “That's what you need my help with?” He questioned. He knew exactly what you needed help with. You'd tell him you have a few minutes before you had to leave and urge him to take off his suit jacket, roll up his sleeves, move your underwear aside, and take what he wanted from you. He wouldn't just take from you. He'd give and give. "My naughty wife.”

“I'll always need your help, my equally naughty husband,” you smiled, kissing him on the cheek and moving a few strands of his hair. Now he looked perfect. All he needed was your touch. “And don't think I didn't notice you deflecting my compliment.”

“I didn't deflect,” he argued. He sure as hell did. Maybe he could consider himself handsome by some standards, but you were a goddess. Some higher being smiled upon you the day you were born and knew you'd be a gift to the world. His world.

“You did and I demand a photo as payment,” you said, crossing your arms when he scoffed. He wasn't one for taking selfies or whatever the hell people called them. “Please, Mr. Barnes? For me?” You added in a softer tone, looking into his blue eyes in the mirror.

He couldn't resist you if he tried.

“Fine, Mrs. Barnes. For you,” he said, sighing as he took out his phone. Putting a hand on his hip, he held up the phone to take the picture you so demanded. “And you were right. This looks better without the tie.”

“I know best,” you teased, cringing slightly when he snapped the picture. “Oh, Bucky…”

"What's wrong?" He asked immediately when he showed you the image. Did you not find him attractive? “You said this was a good color on me.”

“It is. You really do look handsome,” you assured him, making him breathe easier. “But, my god, when are you going to get a case for your phone?”

He laughed, his eyes crinkling. Oh, maybe that was why he had wrinkles around his eyes now. Because of how much you made him laugh and smile. “When I find one I like,” he replied, knowing how much it drove you crazy that he didn’t have a protective case on his phone.

“We have already had to replace your phone twice,” you reminded him as he snaked an arm around you and pulled you against him. “No, don’t you dare distract me. If we have to get you another phone, I-”

“But you said you needed help getting your dress on,” he pointed out, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of your mouth. Your fingers gripped the lapel of his jacket as his lips lingered, making him smile. “Don’t you want my help?”

“I do,” you whispered, whimpering when he kissed the other corner and gripped your hip. It was sounds like the ones you made that made him appreciate his super soldier senses. “But-”

“Or maybe we can focus on me fucking you in front of the mirror instead,” he smirked, wondering how wet your panties were now. “C'mon. We have a few minutes before dinner. Let's have dessert first,” he said, finally bringing his lips to yours and snapping a photo when you melted into the kiss.

Maybe he wasn’t a fan of selfies overall, but he’d take as many as you asked him to and would continue to create many happy memories with you.

We still need a breeding fic with these two. Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

[14dayswithyou]

As a humble admirer of Everything Yandere and of the inner workings of the sick and twisted minds of loving, lovesick maniacs and of their warped and muddled perceptions of love and intimacy, I pose you the question: What type, kind, flavor, species of Yandere is Ren/Redacted? I've gone through the asks on the blog answering what lovesick and yearning behaviors he goes through, why he does them, what they mean to him — but can we go deeper? What disturbing things does Ren do, be it for his own twisted satisfaction and perception of "love", be it to those he sees as threats to his Angel? What are his limits, where does he draw the line, how far is he willing to go to get what he wants, and who is he willing to hurt and how? Where does he draw the line when it comes to Angel? I know he would never physically hurt them, but what kind of mental warfare would he inflict on them to get them where he wants? Are we talking isolation, manipulation, gaslighting, brainwashing? And if so, how does that happen?

I'd be very very happy if you'd be okay with going into this analysis — and would it be possible to answer the Yandere Alphabet for Ren? Thank you for blessing me with this mess of a boy and sowwy for the ramble ♡ ♡ Tell Ren to clean up the bloodstains he left earlier ♡

⌞♥⌝ Because I get this question a lot, I personally feel like I've answered it to the fullest possible extent that I can gdkfgjdj ^^; So if you haven't already seen them, I reccomend going through these asks: one, two, three, four, and five!

As for your other questions:

I've highlighted them in pink to make it easier to reference/link it back to the questions above

The "disturbing" things Ren would do to his victims have been answered more or less in a few of the asks mentioned above.

Ren honestly doesn't have any major limits aside from physically harming or forcing himself onto Angel in any way. He doesn't find any pleasure in doing so, nor would he ever want to turn out like his father — much less subject the only person he genuinely cares about to the same things he had to endure as a child.

Ren also doesn't really draw the line anywhere — again, aside from upsetting Angel in any way — so anything is fair game when it comes to everyone else. But speaking as his creator for a moment, I will say that Ren is not the type to harm babies, animals, abandon his own/Angel's children, force himself onto anyone, or coerce anyone into sexual activities in order to get what he wants. That's icky af and I'm not rocking with it /gen /lh

On a slightly lighter topic, Ren is willing to go as far as necessary if it means having Angel rely on him and him only... So long as it keeps them happy at the same time. As much as he'd love to "remove" Angel's friends and family permanently, he won't entertain that thought if it'll make them upset. At most, he'd likely try non-lethal ways to get rid of them in hopes of keeping Angel happy (and oblivious).

One of Ren's major characteristics is that he's willing to change himself to suit Angel's needs, no matter how drastic it may be. If they find any sort of reliability or comfort in him by doing so, then he'll latch onto that notion and feed into it. By becoming someone Angel can trust and confide in, Ren would (potentially) be able to manipulate them and sway their thoughts... Almost like a metaphorical devil on their shoulder, in a sense lmao

I've said this a few times on this blog before, but Ren is the CEO of gaslighting and manipulation. He's down to try a bit of isolation if it's somehow possible to keep Angel happy while doing so, though I don't think Ren would be into mindwashing since he idolises, honours, and blindly trusts Angel's original thoughts more than his own. He wants them to genuinely develop feelings for him, not because he forced them to.

I've actually been asked to do the Yandere Alphabet by a few other people recently, so I'll get around to doing it sometime!! ^^

[pucksandpower]

The Art of Surrender

Day 19 → Spreader Bar 💋 Toto Wolff

Warnings: 18+ content

Kinktober Masterlist

Toto walks into the room, his footsteps heavy, as though the weight of the day still hangs on him. The door closes with a soft click, and for a moment, he doesn't say anything. He takes in the sight of you, sitting at the edge of the bed, back hunched, hands fidgeting in your lap.

Something’s off. He notices it immediately, but he doesn’t rush in. You’ve been together long enough that he knows — whatever it is, you’ll tell him.

He loosens his tie, eyes not leaving you. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” His voice is deep, steady, almost casual, but you can hear the faint undercurrent of concern. He moves closer, and his presence fills the room.

You swallow hard, fingers still twisting. How do you even start? The air feels thick with what you haven’t said yet, what you can barely admit to yourself. Your heart pounds in your chest, loud enough you think he might hear it.

“Toto …” your voice comes out softer than you expected, almost wavering. You hate the way it sounds. Weak. Uncertain. That’s not you, but right now, sitting there, it’s all you can muster.

He stops, eyes narrowing just slightly, sensing the shift in the air. “What is it?” He sits down beside you, close enough that your shoulders almost touch, but he doesn’t reach for you. Not yet.

You breathe in. And out. Trying to gather the words in your mind before they slip through your fingers. But no matter how many times you’ve rehearsed it, nothing comes out the way you planned.

“I’m not … I’m not re-signing.” Your words are a whisper at first, as if that might lessen the impact, make it easier. But it doesn’t. If anything, it hangs in the air between you both, heavy, unmovable. “After the season. I’m not staying.”

Silence. It’s suffocating.

Toto’s face doesn’t change immediately. He just stares at you, and you can’t tell what’s going through his mind. His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t even breathe for a second, as though he's waiting for you to say more, to explain yourself, to take it back.

But you don't.

“You’re leaving Mercedes,” he finally says, voice low, as if testing the weight of those words.

“Yes.” You glance at him, eyes searching his face, trying to find something, anything. Anger? Disappointment? Hurt? But he’s unreadable, his expression as calm as ever. That, more than anything, makes you anxious. He’s too calm. “I’m going to McLaren.”

Toto’s silence is unbearable. You watch him, every second stretching longer, his gaze sharp and unflinching. He doesn’t react, doesn’t move. The tension between you both is suffocating, and you can feel your palms sweating.

“Toto, say something,” you murmur, the plea almost involuntary. You hadn’t meant to sound so desperate, but you need him to speak, to give you something.

He stands abruptly, the motion fluid, decisive, the way he moves when he’s in control — because he always is. Even now, when everything feels like it’s spinning out of control, he manages to make it seem effortless. He turns his back to you, his broad frame casting a shadow across the room.

His voice, when it comes, is colder than you expected. “McLaren.” It’s not a question.

You nod, even though he can’t see you. “I’ve thought about it for a while.”

He laughs, but there’s no warmth in it. “Have you?” He paces to the other side of the room, hands coming to rest on his hips as he stares at the far wall. His back is still to you, and you hate it, hate that you can’t see his face, can’t read what he’s feeling.

“I know this is hard,” you say softly, your hands now gripping the edge of the bed, knuckles white. “But-”

He whirls around suddenly, cutting you off. His eyes, once calm, now blaze with something you’ve rarely seen directed at you. “You’ve thought about it for a while,” he repeats, voice dangerously quiet. “But you didn’t think to talk to me before deciding.”

Your heart sinks. You knew this would come. You knew he'd be upset. But the way his voice cuts through you, cold and controlled, is worse than you imagined.

“I didn’t-” You stop, collecting yourself. “I didn’t want to complicate things. I wanted to make the right decision for myself first, before … before talking to you.”

Toto stares at you, and for a moment, you swear you see a flicker of something — hurt, maybe — flash across his face. But it’s gone before you can grasp it, replaced by that familiar, impenetrable wall he puts up when things get too close.

“McLaren,” he says again, and this time his voice is laced with disdain. “You think you’ll have more success there?”

“I think I’ll have a fresh start,” you reply, forcing the words out, even though you know they’ll sting. “I need something different. It’s not about you.”

Toto steps forward, closing the distance between you in an instant. His presence looms over you as he stands in front of you, his expression fierce but restrained. “It’s not about me? You think I don’t know that?” His voice is low, barely above a whisper, but it carries the full weight of his emotions. “It’s about you and your career. I’ve always known that. I’ve always supported that.”

Your eyes drop to the floor. “I know you have.”

“Then why didn’t you trust me enough to tell me?”

His question slices through you, and you feel the weight of it. There’s no easy answer. You didn’t tell him because you knew this moment would be like this — tense, emotional, difficult. You didn’t want to see the look on his face, the one he’s wearing right now.

“I didn’t know how,” you admit, voice breaking slightly. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“You’ve already done that.” His words are sharp, but not cruel. They’re just true, and that truth hangs between you both, impossible to ignore.

There’s another silence, heavier than the last, and you feel the gravity of what you’ve just done sinking deeper. It’s not just about leaving Mercedes. It’s about leaving him, in a way. The life you’ve built together, the team you’ve been a part of for so long — it’s all intertwined with him. And now you’re walking away from it.

Toto’s eyes are fixed on you, unwavering, and it’s like he’s waiting for you to change your mind, to take it all back. But you don’t.

“McLaren,” he says one more time, almost like he’s tasting the word, testing how it feels in his mouth. Then, without another word, he turns on his heel and walks toward the closet, his stride purposeful, every step filled with determination.

You watch him go, your chest tight, heart pounding in your throat. You want to call out to him, to say something, anything, but you can’t find the words.

He disappears into the closet, and the sound of the door shutting behind him feels final.

The room is silent. The weight of everything hangs heavy in the air, and you sit there, frozen, your heart aching with the realization of what you’ve just done.

You’ve made your decision.

But the consequences … you didn’t anticipate them feeling like this.

***

You hear the sound of hangers clattering softly, shifting against the rail in the closet. It’s the only noise breaking the silence in the room, and it feels unnerving, foreign, like you’re waiting for something you don’t understand.

You shift on the bed, unable to sit still, your hands wringing in your lap. You bite the inside of your cheek, trying to figure out what to do, what to say next. You expect him to come out any second, to say something, to confront you again with the same unflinching gaze and words that cut deep. But he doesn’t.

The minutes drag on, and the sound from the closet doesn’t stop. You can’t shake the feeling that something’s happening in there, that he’s not just getting space to breathe.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the rustling quiets. The closet door creaks open, and Toto steps out.

But he’s not empty-handed.

Your breath catches in your throat when you see what he’s holding. A long, silver spreader bar, polished, gleaming in the dim light of the room. At either end, sleek leather anklets dangle, waiting. You blink, unsure if you’re seeing it right. This isn’t something you’ve ever seen before. You didn’t even know he owned anything like this.

Toto stands there, still and calm, his expression unreadable as he holds the bar in front of him. His eyes lock onto yours, and for a second, you’re speechless.

“What … what is that?” Your voice is shaky, unsure.

He tilts his head slightly, studying your reaction, not in any rush to answer. Finally, after a pause, he says, “A spreader bar.” His tone is measured, cool. “I think you know what it’s for.”

Your heart skips a beat. You do, of course. You’ve heard of them, but you’ve never actually been in a situation where one has made an appearance. Certainly not here, not with him. The weight of the moment suddenly shifts, turning from tense confrontation into something else entirely.

“What are you doing, Toto?” You ask, though you aren’t sure you want to know the answer.

He steps closer, slow, deliberate. His presence, as always, dominates the room, but now it feels different. The air crackles with an intensity you haven’t felt in a long time, maybe ever. His eyes never leave yours, dark, calculating, as though he’s waiting for you to react.

"You’re making decisions about your future,” he says, voice low, controlled. “I think it’s only fair I remind you who’s in control right now.”

The words send a shiver down your spine, but it’s not fear. No, it’s something else entirely. Something deeper, more visceral. You can’t look away from him, even though part of you wonders if you should. The other part — well, the other part is curious, intrigued by the shift in him.

He holds the spreader bar out slightly, as if testing its weight in his hand. “I don’t like being blindsided,” he continues, his voice firm, unwavering. “Especially not by you.”

“Toto,” you begin, but he cuts you off with a look, his eyes sharp, focused. You fall silent.

“I understand why you’ve made your choice,” he says, his tone still low, almost too calm. “But now, you’re going to listen to me.”

He steps even closer, close enough that you can feel the heat of his body as he towers over you. The spreader bar is still in his hand, its presence as dominant as his. “I’ve let you make decisions for yourself, always supported you. But right now, right here, I’m the one in control.”

You don’t respond. You can’t. Your throat is tight, your mind spinning as you try to wrap your head around the shift in the atmosphere. There’s a palpable tension between you, something electric and undeniable.

“Stand up,” he commands, voice smooth but firm. It’s not a request. It’s an order.

You hesitate for a moment, your eyes flicking between him and the spreader bar. But something in his gaze pulls you in, and before you know it, you’re rising to your feet, your legs a little shaky. Your pulse races, and the room feels suddenly smaller, like you’re being enveloped by his presence.

Toto watches you, his eyes narrowing slightly, approving of your obedience without needing to say a word. He steps behind you, his hand brushing against your back as he positions you in front of the bed. The contact sends a jolt through you, and you suppress a gasp.

“Sit,” he says quietly, and you do, lowering yourself back onto the edge of the bed.

Before you can fully comprehend what’s happening, he kneels in front of you, taking one of your ankles in his hand. The touch is gentle, but there’s a deliberate intensity to it that makes your breath hitch. You watch, transfixed, as he wraps the leather anklet around your ankle, buckling it with precise care.

“Toto,” you start again, your voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing?”

He looks up at you, his dark eyes steady and unreadable. “I’m reminding you that there are parts of your life where you don’t get to call the shots.”

The second anklet is secured with the same care, and you feel the cool metal of the bar press against your calves as he connects your ankles to it. You’re hyper-aware of every sensation, every breath, the way the leather hugs your skin and the weight of the spreader bar keeping your legs apart. The vulnerability of it hits you hard, but instead of fear, you feel something else — anticipation.

Toto stands, his hand grazing your leg briefly as he rises. He’s looking down at you now, his expression calm, calculated. The spreader bar forces your legs apart, your position laid bare for him, but he makes no move to touch you yet. Instead, he watches you, as though waiting for your reaction.

“You think leaving Mercedes is what you need,” he says quietly, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. “But right now, I’m going to show you what it means to surrender.”

Your pulse quickens. You don’t know if you can even respond, your throat dry, your mind spinning from the gravity of his words, the gravity of the situation. There’s something intoxicating about the way he speaks, the way he commands the space, the way he commands you. And in this moment, you realize just how much power he holds — not just over you, but over everything in this room.

He steps closer again, this time standing between your legs, looking down at you with an intensity that makes your skin prickle. “Do you understand?”

You nod slowly, your breath shaky, your heart pounding in your chest.

“Words,” he says, his tone softer but firm. “I need to hear you.”

“Yes,” you whisper, the word barely audible, but it’s enough.

He reaches down, his hand tracing a line up your leg, slow, deliberate, until it reaches your thigh. His touch is light but charged with intent. You can feel the tension building in the room, in your body, like a storm about to break.

“You’ve made your decision about your career,” he says, his fingers brushing against your skin in a way that makes your body ache with anticipation. “But when you’re with me, I make the decisions.”

His words send a shiver through you, and you feel your body responding in ways you can’t control, heat pooling low in your belly. The spreader bar keeps your legs apart, keeps you vulnerable, and yet there’s something in the way he’s looking at you that makes you feel safe, even as you surrender to the moment.

Toto’s hand moves higher, his touch still teasing, deliberate, until his fingers reach the waistband of your pants. He pauses, his eyes locking onto yours again, and for a moment, time seems to freeze.

“You trust me?” He asks, his voice low, commanding but with a note of something softer underneath.

You swallow hard, your heart hammering in your chest. There’s no question in your mind, despite the tension, despite the intensity of the moment.

“Yes,” you breathe, and the word feels like a release.

He doesn’t hesitate. In one smooth motion, he pulls your pants down, the cool air of the room hitting your skin, sending a fresh wave of sensation coursing through you. You’re exposed now, completely at his mercy, and the reality of your position sinks in fully. But instead of fear, you feel something else — something deeper, more profound.

Toto stands there for a moment, taking in the sight of you, his eyes dark with desire, but still, he’s in control. He’s always in control. The power in that moment shifts entirely to him, and you can feel it in every fiber of your being.

Then he moves with that same deliberate calm, never breaking eye contact with you. Every inch of the room feels like it’s bending around him, like he’s the axis everything revolves around. He’s in control, yes, but it’s more than that — it’s like he’s waiting, testing, gauging just how far you’ll let him push.

Without a word, he steps over to the nightstand. His fingers brush the drawer handle, and you hear the faint creak as it slides open. You don’t try to see what he’s reaching for; your eyes are fixed on him, the tension between you two coiled so tightly it feels like a single wrong move could snap it.

Toto’s hand disappears inside the drawer, and for a moment, you don’t breathe. The anticipation is maddening, the silence louder than any words could be. When he pulls his hand back out, it’s quick, fluid, and whatever he’s holding is concealed behind his back.

Your heart races. “Toto … what is that?”

His gaze flickers with something unreadable — a hint of amusement, maybe? Or maybe it’s something darker. He steps closer to you again, still holding the object out of sight. He doesn’t answer your question. Instead, he comes to stand in front of you, towering over you, the spreader bar still keeping your legs apart, your body open and vulnerable.

“You trust me,” he says, and it’s not a question this time. It’s a statement, one that feels heavier than before, laden with more meaning now that you’re here, like this, with him. You nod, but he doesn’t acknowledge it.

“I asked you a question earlier,” he says slowly, his voice soft but firm. “About whether you understand what control really looks like.”

Your breath catches in your throat. “I-I do.”

“Do you?” He raises an eyebrow, and there’s that faint smirk on his lips again, the one that makes you feel like he knows something you don’t. “Because I don’t think you fully understand yet.”

You blink, heart pounding in your chest, the anticipation stretching out. “Toto, what are you-”

He cuts you off with a look. “I told you before. You’ve made decisions for yourself, and I respect that.” His voice is even, but there’s an underlying intensity that sends a shiver down your spine. “But tonight, right now, I’m the one who makes the decisions.”

And then, with that same deliberate slowness, he brings his hand around from behind his back.

Your breath catches in your throat as you see what he’s holding.

A vibrator.

A small, sleek one, the kind that looks deceptively simple but holds a power that’s anything but. Your stomach twists, and suddenly, everything feels too much — the spreader bar, your body’s position, the intimacy of the moment, the look on his face. The realization hits you in waves: he’s not here to just talk. He’s going to push you further than he ever has before.

“Toto …” Your voice is shaky, filled with a mixture of anticipation, uncertainty, and something you can’t quite name. “I-”

He doesn’t wait for you to finish. He steps even closer, his hand moving to gently tilt your chin up so you’re looking directly into his eyes. There’s something intense, almost possessive, in the way he’s watching you.

“You’re going to learn,” he says softly, “what it means to truly let go.”

His words send a ripple through you, your pulse quickening as he kneels in front of you again, his large frame making you feel even more exposed. The cool air of the room brushes against your bare skin, the sensation heightened by the tension thrumming between you both.

He doesn’t break eye contact as he presses the vibrator to your inner thigh, not turning it on yet, just letting the cool metal make contact with your heated skin. You tense, a soft gasp escaping your lips.

“Toto … this is too much,” you whisper, though part of you isn’t sure if you mean it. It’s overwhelming, the sensations, the anticipation, the way he’s looking at you with that unyielding gaze. But there’s another part of you that wants to see where this goes, that trusts him to take you wherever he’s planning to go.

“Too much?” He repeats, his tone light but edged with amusement. “Or exactly what you need?”

You don’t have an answer for that. Not really. All you can feel is the pressure of the spreader bar keeping your legs apart, the way his hands are gentle but unrelenting as they move along your thighs. You’re acutely aware of every inch of your skin, every nerve ending sparking with electricity.

Before you can say anything more, he presses the vibrator between your legs. The first touch of it is soft, barely a whisper of sensation, but it’s enough to make you tense, a sharp breath escaping your lips. He doesn’t turn it on yet. He just holds it there, watching your reaction, waiting.

“Toto, please …” You don’t even know what you’re asking for. For him to stop? For him to keep going? You can’t decide. It’s too much, but also not enough.

He tilts his head, considering you for a moment, his thumb hovering over the button. “You always try to control everything, don’t you?” His voice is low, steady. “But you don’t need to. Not here. Not with me.”

And then, without warning, he flicks the vibrator on.

The sudden vibration against your most sensitive spot makes you gasp, your back arching involuntarily. Your legs strain against the spreader bar, but there’s nowhere to go, no way to close them, no way to ease the intensity. You’re trapped in the sensation, every nerve alight, your mind spinning.

“Toto!” You cry out, your hands gripping the edge of the bed, trying to anchor yourself as the sensation overwhelms you.

But he doesn’t stop. He holds the vibrator against you, watching, his expression calm, composed, like he’s completely in control of everything happening to you. His free hand moves to your thigh, squeezing gently, grounding you in the moment even as your body fights to keep up with the onslaught of pleasure.

“You’re doing so well,” he murmurs, his voice like a low hum in the background of your own ragged breathing. “I know it’s a lot. But you can take it.”

Your mind is reeling, your body caught in a loop of sensation. You try to pull your hands away from the bed, to reach for him, to find something to hold on to, but he clicks his tongue and shakes his head.

“No,” he says, his voice firm. “You stay right where you are.”

You groan, half in frustration, half in surrender. The vibrator pulses against you, relentless, driving you closer to the edge. You want to close your legs, to escape the intensity, but the spreader bar keeps you open, exposed, vulnerable.

“Toto … I can’t …”

“Yes, you can,” he says softly, his hand squeezing your thigh again, reassuring. “You’re strong. You can take it.”

You shake your head, biting your lip, trying to focus, but it’s impossible. The pleasure is too much, too overwhelming, your body reacting in ways you can’t control. Every time the vibration shifts, it sends another jolt of electricity through you, and you feel like you’re teetering on the edge of something immense, something you’re not ready for.

Toto watches you closely, his eyes dark, focused, his thumb brushing idly against your skin as he holds the vibrator steady. He’s so calm, so collected, while you’re falling apart in front of him.

“I want you to let go,” he says quietly, his voice gentle but commanding. “Stop trying to fight it.”

You can’t even respond. You’re too lost in the sensation, your body trembling, your breath coming in short, desperate gasps. Your muscles tense, your back arching as you try to brace yourself for what’s coming, but there’s no way to prepare. You’re already too far gone.

And then, with a sudden shift, the vibrations change, intensifying. It’s enough to send you over the edge, your body convulsing with pleasure as you cry out, your hands gripping the bed so tightly your knuckles turn white. The world narrows to this one moment, this one sensation, everything else fading away.

Toto doesn’t stop. He holds the vibrator against you, drawing out every last bit of your climax, pushing you further, making sure you feel every second of it. You’re shaking, trembling, your body overwhelmed by the intensity of it all, but he doesn’t let up. Not until you’re completely spent.

When he finally pulls the vibrator away, your body sags in relief, your breath coming in ragged, uneven gasps. You feel like you’ve just run a marathon, your muscles weak, your mind still spinning from the force of it all.

Toto straightens, his eyes still on you, watching as you come down from the high. He’s quiet for a moment, letting you catch your breath, his expression softening just slightly.

“You see?” He says quietly, stepping closer to you again, his hand brushing your hair back from your face. “You don’t need to be in control all the time.”

You close your eyes, still trying to process everything that’s just happened. But you barely have time to catch your breath before his hand comes down on you.

Not gently, but not cruelly, either — just hard enough to make your body jolt, your mind snap back to the present moment. The sharp sound of skin meeting skin echoes in the room, cutting through the thick silence, and you gasp, your body still sensitive from everything he’s already put you through.

His hand lingers for a moment, warm, steady, grounding. But then it lifts again, and there’s no time to prepare before it comes down a second time. The impact isn’t painful, not really, but it’s enough to make you bite your lip, your legs straining against the spreader bar as your body reacts, twitching involuntarily under his touch.

“Still too much?” He asks, his voice calm, measured, as if this is just another conversation, nothing out of the ordinary.

You want to say yes, to tell him it’s too much, to beg him to stop. But you don’t. The words die in your throat, tangled up with the conflicting emotions swirling inside you. It’s overwhelming, yes, but it’s also something else — something deeper, more complicated, something that’s making you want to see just how far you can be pushed.

Instead of answering, you bite your lip and bury your face into the bed, trying to steady your breathing.

Toto’s hand comes down again, this time on the bundle of nerves between your legs, and the sharpness of the sensation sends a shockwave through your body. You let out a soft cry, the sound muffled by the bedspread. The slap wasn’t hard, but your sensitivity makes everything feel amplified, and it’s like you’re teetering on the edge again, your body primed and ready despite your exhaustion.

“Toto-” you gasp, the words half-formed, more a sound than a plea. But he doesn’t answer. His hand comes down again, another firm slap, and your legs twitch helplessly, the spreader bar keeping you in place, keeping you exposed.

You don’t know how long it lasts — seconds, minutes, maybe longer. His hand moves methodically, alternating between soft touches and sharp slaps, keeping you in a state of tension, always anticipating the next move but never quite knowing when it will come. Every strike, every caress, pulls you further under, your mind a haze of sensation, too overwhelmed to process anything beyond the immediate moment.

And then, just when you think you can’t take any more, he stops. The room goes silent again, save for your ragged breathing. You’re trembling, your muscles taut, your body flushed and aching, but there’s a strange calmness in the aftermath, a sense of weightlessness that settles over you.

You feel him shift, his hand moving away, and you think maybe it’s over. Maybe he’s done.

But then, you hear a faint click.

Your eyes snap open, and you look up just in time to see Toto holding something small and silver in his hand. It’s a butterfly clamp — delicate, intricate, the kind designed for maximum stimulation in the most intimate places. The sight of it makes your heart skip a beat, a wave of anticipation rolling through you.

“Toto, wait-”

But he’s already moving, his hands deft and practiced as he positions the clamp with precision. The cool metal of it brushes against you, and before you can protest, you feel the bite of it closing around that same sensitive bundle of nerves. The sensation is sharp, electric, and you let out a soft, involuntary moan, your legs straining against the spreader bar again.

“There,” Toto murmurs, his voice low, almost soothing. “That should keep you focused.”

You’re panting now, your body shaking with the intensity of the clamp’s grip. It’s not painful, exactly, but it’s tight, the pressure constant, unrelenting. Your hands clench into fists at your sides as you try to process the overwhelming sensation, your mind scrambling for some semblance of control.

But he’s not done.

Toto reaches for something on the nightstand again, and this time, when he pulls his hand back, he’s holding a small remote. You realize what it is just a second too late. The butterfly clamp is wired — it vibrates. And when Toto presses the button on the remote, the clamp comes to life with a low, insistent hum.

The first burst of vibration hits you like a shockwave, your body jerking against the bed, a sharp gasp tearing from your throat. The sensation is too much, too intense, and you can feel your mind slipping, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught. It’s like every nerve in your body is lit up, your muscles tensing, your legs shaking.

“Toto, please …” you manage to gasp, your voice barely audible over the sound of the vibrating clamp. “It’s too much …”

But he doesn’t turn it off. Instead, he watches you, his eyes dark, focused, as if he’s studying your every reaction. He tilts his head slightly, considering, and then without a word, he turns the intensity up higher.

The vibrations increase, the sensation growing stronger, more insistent, and you feel yourself falling apart, your body shaking uncontrollably as the pleasure crashes over you in waves. You try to close your legs, to ease the intensity, but the spreader bar keeps you open, keeps you exposed, and there’s no escape from the relentless stimulation.

“Toto!” You cry out, your voice breaking, your hands gripping the bed so tightly your knuckles turn white. “I can’t … I can’t …”

But he doesn’t answer. He just watches, calm, composed, in complete control.

The vibrations pulse through you, unrelenting, and your body responds with an intensity that scares you. You’re on the edge again, teetering, the sensation too much, too overwhelming, and you’re not sure how much longer you can hold on.

And then, just when you think you might break, just when the sensation becomes unbearable, Toto steps back.

Your heart races as you watch him move toward the door. He’s still holding the remote, his thumb hovering over the button, but he doesn’t turn the vibrations off. He leaves them on, the clamp still buzzing against you, the sensation still coursing through your body.

“Toto …” you gasp, your voice shaky, desperate. “Please …”

He stops at the doorway, turning to look at you one last time. His expression is unreadable, his dark eyes fixed on you, taking in the sight of you trembling, helpless, completely at his mercy.

“You’ll stay like this,” he says quietly, his voice calm, almost detached. “Until I decide to come back.”

Your heart drops, panic rising in your chest as the reality of his words sinks in. He’s leaving you like this. Bound, exposed, vibrating, with no way to stop it.

“Toto, no, please …” you beg, your voice trembling, but he doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even hesitate.

He turns and walks out of the room, leaving the door ajar behind him.

The moment he’s gone, the room feels ten times quieter, the buzzing clamp the only sound cutting through the oppressive silence. The vibrations haven’t stopped, and your body hasn’t had a moment to recover from everything that’s already happened. Your muscles are still trembling, your body still tense, and the clamp’s relentless pulsing is driving you toward the edge, again and again, without mercy.

You try to focus, to steady your breathing, but it’s impossible. Every second that passes, every pulse of the clamp, makes it harder to think, harder to hold on to any semblance of control. Your mind is slipping, consumed by the constant stimulation, and you don’t know how much longer you can take it.

Your hands grip the bed, your legs straining against the spreader bar, but there’s no escape. The pleasure is overwhelming, building, spiraling out of control, and you feel yourself teetering on the edge, again and again, but never quite falling.

“Toto …” you whisper, though you know he can’t hear you. “Please …”

But he’s gone.

***

Time has become a blur.

You have no idea how long it’s been — minutes, hours, an eternity — since Toto left the room, since the vibrations started, since the last coherent thought slipped from your mind. Your body is trembling, every muscle tensed and weak at the same time, caught in a relentless loop of overstimulation. Every pulse from the clamp is a fresh wave of sensation, building and breaking in rapid succession, leaving no room for breath, no time for your body to come down from the edge.

All you know is this: your legs, still spread open, still bound, the wetness pooling beneath you, soaking the sheets from the uncontrollable release that came over and over, without mercy. You’ve long since stopped trying to fight it. There’s nothing left to fight.

Toto is gone, but his presence lingers in every pulse of the vibrator, in every sharp intake of breath, in every broken sound that escapes your lips. You don’t remember why he left. You barely remember why you’re here, in this position, on this bed. Your body is the only thing that makes sense, the only thing you can focus on.

And it’s too much.

It’s all too much.

Your fingers dig into the sheets, clutching them with what little strength you have left. Your mind is fogged with pleasure, with exhaustion, with need. The clamp’s grip is unyielding, and the sensation has reached a point beyond control. You’re not even sure how many times you’ve come — whether it was once or a hundred times — whether the pleasure has blurred into pain or if it’s all the same now.

You bite down on your lip, trying to ground yourself, to find something solid in the overwhelming chaos. Your breath is ragged, coming in shallow gasps, and your legs are shaking uncontrollably. You feel like you’re drowning in it, like you’ve been caught in a storm of sensation with no way out.

You close your eyes, and in the darkness behind your eyelids, you try to focus on something — anything — to break through the haze. Your name. Your purpose. Your decision to leave Mercedes and sign with McLaren. But even that feels distant, insignificant, swallowed by the intensity of what’s happening to your body. The only thing that matters is the constant, endless rhythm of the clamp’s vibrations and the way it’s pushing you beyond your limits.

You don’t even hear the door open.

But suddenly, the vibrations stop.

Just like that, the clamp goes silent, and the absence of sensation is almost as jarring as its presence. Your body collapses in on itself, trembling and weak, every muscle in your legs and abdomen quivering from the relentless tension. For a moment, there’s nothing but silence, the quiet almost deafening after the endless hum of the vibrator.

Your eyes flutter open, and you see him standing in the doorway, tall and composed, his expression unreadable. Toto’s gaze sweeps over you, taking in the sight of your flushed skin, the way your body is still shaking in the aftermath, the dampness on the sheets beneath you.

He says nothing at first. He just watches, his eyes dark, intense, like he’s measuring every inch of your reaction, every subtle movement of your body.

“Toto …” your voice is hoarse, barely a whisper. You don’t know what you want to say. You don’t know what you can say.

But his name hangs in the air between you, heavy with meaning.

He steps forward, his presence commanding, and as he approaches, you feel a fresh wave of anticipation roll through you, despite the exhaustion that’s pulling at your limbs.

He reaches the bed, his hand moving to your ankle, fingers brushing over the cuff of the spreader bar. His touch is warm, familiar, and yet it sends a shiver down your spine.

“You’ve been through a lot,” he says quietly, his voice low and measured. “But you’ve handled it well.”

There’s a softness to his tone now, a contrast to the control he’s exercised over you all night. It’s almost comforting, though the intensity of the moment still lingers in the air, thick and suffocating.

You blink up at him, trying to gather your thoughts, but it’s like your brain is still catching up with your body, still trying to process everything that’s just happened.

“How long …” You ask, your voice shaky.

Toto’s eyes flicker with something — amusement, maybe — but he doesn’t answer your question directly. Instead, he kneels down in front of you, his hand moving up your leg, slowly, deliberately, as if he’s reacquainting himself with your body after watching it from a distance.

“You’ve lost track of time,” he says softly, almost teasing. “That’s good.”

You swallow hard, your throat dry, your body still buzzing with the remnants of overstimulation. “It … it was too much,” you manage to whisper, your voice barely audible.

His gaze meets yours, and for a moment, something softens in his expression. “I know,” he says simply, his voice a little quieter now. “That’s the point.”

He unclips the spreader bar from your ankles, letting your legs fall together. The relief is immediate, though your muscles are so weak and trembling that it takes you a moment to fully relax into the new position. The wetness between your legs feels like a constant reminder of what just happened, and your cheeks burn with the realization.

Toto reaches for the butterfly clamp, his fingers brushing against your sensitive skin as he removes it with the same care and precision as before. The absence of its pressure is almost startling, and you let out a small gasp of relief.

He stands up, towering over you again, and you look up at him, still trying to catch your breath, still trying to make sense of everything.

“Are you okay?” His voice is quieter now, more gentle, and it catches you off guard. There’s a tenderness in his tone that you haven’t heard all night, and it makes your chest tighten with something you can’t quite name.

You nod, though you’re not entirely sure if it’s true. “I … I think so.”

Toto’s eyes search yours for a long moment, and then he reaches down, gently brushing a strand of hair away from your face. “You’re incredible,” he murmurs, and the sincerity in his voice makes your breath hitch.

You don’t know how to respond. You don’t even know what you feel right now. Exhausted? Relieved? Overwhelmed? Grateful? It’s all tangled up together, too complicated to untangle in this moment.

“Toto,” you whisper, your voice shaky, “I … I don’t know what to say.”

He gives you a small, almost imperceptible smile, his thumb brushing softly against your cheek. “You don’t have to say anything,” he says, his voice low and comforting. “I already know.”

His words wash over you like a balm, soothing the chaos that’s still swirling in your mind. And for the first time since this all started, you feel a strange sense of calm settling over you, grounding you in the present moment.

Toto sits down on the edge of the bed beside you, his hand resting gently on your thigh. His touch is warm, reassuring, and you find yourself leaning into it, seeking the comfort and stability he’s offering.

“You’ve been through a lot tonight,” he says quietly, his voice softer now, more gentle. “But you did better than I expected.”

You blink at him, your mind still foggy from the intensity of everything, but his words start to cut through the haze.

“Better than you expected?” You repeat, your voice still shaky.

Toto’s lips curve into a small smile, and he nods. “Yes,” he says simply. “You trusted me. You let go. That’s not easy for someone like you.”

You feel a lump form in your throat at his words, the weight of what he’s saying hitting you all at once. He’s right. Letting go — relinquishing control — isn’t something that comes naturally to you. It’s something you’ve fought against for most of your life.

But tonight, with him, you did it.

You let go.

And somehow, in the midst of all the chaos and intensity, that feels like an accomplishment.

***

The bedroom air feels impossibly still as Toto watches you lying there, your body still trembling from the night’s events. Every breath feels like a chore, your legs heavy and unresponsive, a dull ache radiating through your muscles. It’s not pain — not exactly — but the overwhelming sensation of too much. Too much stimulation, too much strain, too much surrender.

Toto moves with a grace you envy. He doesn’t seem shaken by what just happened. If anything, he seems more in control than ever, and it’s a strange comfort as he leans down to whisper, “I’m going to run you a bath.”

You nod weakly, unsure if you could find your voice even if you tried. Your body feels like it doesn’t belong to you anymore. You close your eyes, listening to the faint sounds of him moving around the bathroom. The sound of water running, soft and rhythmic, is a welcome distraction from the buzzing in your mind.

Toto returns after a moment, his face softened in the dim light of the room. “Let’s get you in,” he murmurs, gently slipping an arm under your back and another under your knees. He lifts you as if you weigh nothing at all, effortlessly cradling you against his chest. You feel the warmth of his skin against yours, the steady beat of his heart, and for a moment, it’s the only thing anchoring you to reality.

You try to help, try to move your legs or shift your weight, but your limbs feel boneless, unwilling to cooperate. You can only manage a soft whimper, which Toto hushes with a quiet, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

He carries you into the bathroom, the air thick with steam from the waiting bath. The scent of lavender fills the space, calming, though your body still feels too raw, too sensitive to truly relax. Toto lowers you into the water with the same tenderness he’s shown all night, but the moment the warmth hits your skin, a sharp sting pulls a gasp from your throat.

“I know,” he murmurs, brushing a wet strand of hair away from your face. “It’ll pass.”

The water laps around you, soothing in some places, biting in others where your skin has been left tender and marked. You sink into it slowly, trying to let the warmth do its job, to soothe the ache that’s set deep into your muscles.

Toto kneels beside the tub, his hand slipping into the water to rub gentle circles over your arm, as though to remind you that he’s still here, still watching, still caring. His touch is light, absent of the dominance he held over you earlier, replaced now with something gentler, more intimate.

You open your eyes just a sliver, watching him through the haze of exhaustion. His face is softened by concern, a tenderness you aren’t sure you were expecting, even though you’ve seen this side of him before. It’s a look he reserves for moments like these, when the intensity fades and all that’s left is the two of you — Toto, no longer the boss, the leader, the man who demands so much. Just him, here, with you.

After a while, he pulls his phone from his pocket, still sitting on the floor next to the tub. His fingers move across the screen with the same efficiency he brings to every part of his life, and before you can even wonder what he’s doing, you hear the familiar voice of your performance coach answering the call.

“Hello?” Comes the voice on the other end, crackling slightly through the phone’s speaker.

Toto clears his throat, casting a glance in your direction, as if measuring whether or not you’re coherent enough to understand what’s about to happen. “Ja, it’s Toto,” he says, his voice steady, professional. “I’m calling about Y/N’s training schedule.”

You can’t help but crack one eye open, watching as he speaks, his tone cool and commanding, as though nothing out of the ordinary has happened. It’s jarring to witness after everything, the way he can shift so seamlessly between roles, so completely in control.

“She’s, uh …” Toto hesitates, and it catches your attention. Hesitation is rare for him. “She’s not feeling well. She’ll need to take a few days off from training.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and you feel your lips curve upward, just slightly, as you crack one eye open further to see his expression. His eyes flicker to you, catching your amused gaze, and a faint smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“Really?” Your performance coach’s voice sounds skeptical. “She was fine yesterday.”

Toto’s hand slides back into your hair, petting gently as his smirk fades, his tone back to business. “Yes. But today … she’s not well. It’s best she rests.”

You can’t stop yourself from rolling your eyes, the disbelief in the coach’s voice almost laughable given the circumstances. But you bite your tongue, too exhausted to interject.

“How bad is it?” Your coach presses. “Fever? Injury?”

“Something like that,” Toto says, his fingers weaving through your damp hair. His voice lowers, taking on that authoritative edge again, the one that says the conversation is over. “She’ll be back when she’s ready. No sooner.”

There’s a sigh on the other end, and you can almost picture your performance coach, frowning, realizing he won’t win this battle against Toto Wolff. “Alright, then. I’ll adjust her schedule.”

“Thank you,” Toto says curtly, and without another word, he ends the call, placing the phone on the tiled floor beside him.

You crack one eye open again, catching his gaze. “Sick, huh?”

Toto raises an eyebrow, his lips curving into that familiar smirk. “What would you prefer I say?”

You exhale a weak laugh, the sound soft and shaky in your throat. “I don’t know … ‘recovering from being tied up and overstimulated for hours’ doesn’t really flow off the tongue.”

His smirk widens, and he leans in, brushing a kiss against your forehead. “Some things are better left unsaid.”

You hum in agreement, your head falling back against the edge of the tub. The water has started to lose its initial sting, the heat now a welcome relief on your sore, overworked muscles. Toto’s hand continues to move through your hair, and with each gentle stroke, you feel yourself relaxing just a little bit more, the tension draining from your body as the exhaustion begins to take over.

For a few moments, there’s silence. Just the sound of the water sloshing softly around you, Toto’s fingers carding through your hair, and the steady rhythm of your breathing as you try to come back to yourself.

But the quiet doesn’t last.

“You know …” Toto starts, his voice soft, thoughtful. “I meant what I said earlier.”

You blink up at him, tired and still floating somewhere between the present and the haze of the night. “Which part?”

“About loving you,” he says, his eyes locked on yours. “No matter what.”

You swallow, the weight of his words sinking in. You remember the earlier conversation, the one that started all of this. The tension, the fear, the uncertainty when you told him you wouldn’t be re-signing with Mercedes. It feels like a lifetime ago now, but the truth of it still lingers in the air between you.

“I know you’ve made your decision,” he continues, his voice calm, though you can hear the undercurrent of emotion running beneath it. “And I respect that. I do.”

His hand moves from your hair to cup the side of your face, his thumb brushing softly across your cheek. His touch is tender, intimate, and you feel your heart constrict in your chest.

“But it doesn’t change how I feel about you,” he says, his voice steady, his eyes never leaving yours. “I’ll love you, no matter which team you drive for.”

You open your mouth to respond, but the words catch in your throat. There’s a part of you that wants to tell him you feel the same, that this — what the two of you have — transcends the politics of racing, of teams, of contracts.

But there’s another part of you that’s still scared. Scared of what it means to leave Mercedes, to leave the team that’s been your home for years. Scared of what it will mean for the two of you once you’re no longer bound by the same badge.

Toto seems to sense your hesitation, and he sighs, leaning forward to press a kiss to your temple. “Even if I wish it would always be Mercedes,” he murmurs against your skin, his voice barely a whisper.

Your chest tightens at the admission, the vulnerability in his words catching you off guard. You hadn’t expected him to say it, to admit that he still wants you to stay. But then again, you suppose you always knew. It’s not just about the team for him — it’s about keeping you close, about holding on to something that feels like it’s slipping away.

“I know,” you whisper, your voice soft, almost broken. You turn your head slightly, your lips brushing against his in a feather-light kiss. “I know.”

Toto rests his forehead against yours, his breath warm against your skin. For a moment, you just sit there in the quiet, your heartbeats syncing up, the water cooling around you, but neither of you moves.

Because for now, this moment is enough.

[mutable-manifestation]

Ghost Chirps AU Part 3

Part 1 & 2

Around half past midnight, Jason is losing his patience.

They've been searching for hours and finding a whole lot of nothing, and statistics about the odds of finding kidnapping victims and the first 72 hours.

It's been almost 48 since he saw the kid and he's cursing himself for not doing more sooner.

Cameras are finding nothing, Signal is finding nothing, everyone is finding a whole lot of nothing.

And Jason...

Jason chirps.

He doesn't know if it'll help, but it's the only idea he's got. Even if it's a shallow chance. It's all he's got; he has to try.

And if Bruce decides that Jason being meta is the line? Then he'll cope.

He won't refuse to do something just because he's scared when his- when the kid's well being is on the line.

He won't be like Bruce, who'd let his killer walk free rather than do something about it because his feelings were somehow more important when Jason died.

He won't.

The first chirp yields nothing.

He does it again pushing to try and make it as loud as possible.

Again, nothing.

Again, he chirps, something in him certain that if he just keeps going it'll work. Somehow. But he's learned to trust his gut - or weird meta instincts?

And it works.

Because after the third chirp the kid chirps back.

Except.

The kid is not in Gotham.

He is very, very not in Gotham.

He chalks it up to his weird meta-bird instincts that he somehow just knows it came from somewhere hundreds of miles that-a-way.

Kidnapping is looking more likely given just how far the kid got, but now?

Now Jason has a way to find him.

He ignores Oracle asking about mask static in favor of hopping down from the balcony he'd paused on and heading back to the batbike - Bruce's paranoia meant it would have more than enough gas to take him as far as he needed to go and then some.

'And more than enough weapons to level a block, if needed,' he thinks viciously.

"Hood!" Oracle’s sharp voice shakes him from his thoughts.

"Found the kid," he shoots back, hoping to avoid the inevitable questioning.

Mixed exclamations of relief and confusion echoed over the radio.

"How!?" Nightwing cries. "I was literally right next to you! What did I miss!?"

"What are you, deaf?" he grumbles back irritably, uncomfortable. It'd be easier if they were, he thinks. Then he wouldn't have to explain.

"Does this have something to do with the static noise your helmet was producing previously? I had worried it was damaged," Oracle asks.

"Static?" Jason echoes, not slowing a bit - nearly to the bike.

"Oh yeah!" Nightwing says, as though she's making perfect sense.

'Ah,' he thinks, 'A shred of mercy in this vastly cruel existence.'

Aloud, he just says, "Yup. He's not in Gotham anymore, though, and I don't know how far he'll end up going or how long I'll be gone. Anyone who wants to come with can catch up, because I'm leaving now."

15 seconds later he's leaping onto the batbike and peeling out.

***

Jason doesn’t chirp again until he’s nearly to Illinois. 

He wants to. He wants to chirp nonstop the moment he hears that first reply, wants to spend the whole hours-long drive listening to nothing but a litany of chirps that reassure him that his kid is alive alive alive.

He won’t risk it. 

He doesn’t know where, exactly, the kid is. Doesn’t know if his family didn’t hear him because the chirps are only audible to him and the kid or if it was really due to a helmet malfunction covering for him. 

But there is a chance that whoever has the kid can hear his chirps, so Jason won’t risk having him respond more than he absolutely has to in order to find him.

The next time, the kid answers back to the very first chirp, and Jason knows he’s heading in the right direction.

He gets turned around just once, overshooting and heaving to loop back, but he curses himself for it anyway - wasting precious time when the kid is going through who knows what.

Then he’s entering Amity Park: a nice place to live.

A nice place to die, for whoever it was that took his kid.

Several chirps later he’s in front of a school - of all things.

He doesn’t waste time doubting himself - kidnapping victims could be stashed anywhere - he storms in, batbike left idling at the base of the front steps.

Three chirps later he’s slamming through a door into a classroom. Full of kids. Taking a totally normal class - aside, of course, from Jason’s interruption.

One last exchange of chirps later and he finally lays eyes on his little shadow - who has the audacity to also look surprised, as if he wasn’t the one to lead him here in the first place.

Jason takes a moment to feel relieved, adrenaline beginning to crash before it revs back up with his indignation.

What happened to ‘goodbye!’ Who in their right mind would disappear from Gotham and not think that those left behind would assume they were kidnapped!? It’s Gotham!

Oh. Oh the child was in Gotham alone.

The child was in Gotham for a vacation.

Oh the child’s parents didn’t even realize he was gone? He’s worried about them putting him in an iron maiden!?

Jason’s eyes may be green, but oh, how his vision is red.

He barely hears the school’s alarm going off when he finally drives off-grounds, laser focused on following the road to the dot that’s popped up on his helmet just a few streets off, sending a curt thank-you to Oracle for saving him the effort of finding the kid’s address himself - she’s done him the courtesy of leaving everyone muted from his end, but he has little doubt they’ve all been listening to him. He’s only surprised she’s willing to condone the murder.

But then, of course she didn’t, he thinks as he pulls into a decently shadowed alley full of bats and birds. He’s torn between being touched that all of them came and being annoyed that he isn’t already in the process of murdering the kid’s parents. 

“New Brother?” Orphan asks the moment the bike is off, head tilting in question from her dumpster-top perch.

A second, smaller sense of outrage bubbles up next to the first, and it is a testament to his impeccable self-control that his hand only twitches over his gun at the question.

Bruce - Batman - tries to say something, but before he can finish even just the first syllable Jason’s head is snapping around to glare hell at him, and a low, animalistic growl practically rips itself from his throat.

He can see the way everyone tenses - subtle to anyone else, but a glaring neon sign in Jason’s vision. 

He curses himself for it; he asked them to be here. He specifically requested their help, and they gave it. The more of them there are involved, the faster they can help the kid into a safer environment.

But Jason came here to help the kid, not to offer him up as the next sacrifice in Batman’s long line of child soldiers.

“You wanna help? Great. Rule One: YOU,” he points at the bat for emphasis, “can’t adopt him.”

He chokes on whatever he was intending to say next at Orphan’s delighted clap and exclamation of “nephew!”

He wants to correct her, but… he doesn’t. 

Crime Alley is no place to raise a kid; Jason knows that.

He knows it more than anyone, having spent his early years there and his most recent years trying to make it better. He knows that.

But h- the kid is a meta. 

Looking at the facts: the kid is meta.

The kid is meta whose first concern with rule breaking is punishment via torture device.

The kid’s parents are neglectful enough that he spent over a week in Gotham and they never even noticed.

The kid went to Gotham to escape his home.

Whether his parents know that he is a meta or not, it is clear to Jason that the kid needs to be Out Of That House. Yesterday.

But he also knows just how metas are treated - even the MPA can only do so much against the tides of hatred and fear. 

And he’s seen the maps - he knows this state is one of the worse ones for metas to live in, let alone a meta child at the mercy of a foster family that has even odds of neglecting him, being just as bad as his original family, or possibly actually caring about him.

Crime Alley is no place to raise a kid, and Red Hood is far from the right person for such a job.

But Crime Alley isn’t all that Gotham is, and perhaps Jason Todd could very easily decide to get an apartment in a nicer area.

He won’t lie to himself, he knows he isn’t parent material, but he’ll at least be a step up from what the kid is used to while he works to vet a real family to transfer him to. 

He’s halfway through his mental checklist of the options for the safest place for an apartment and other such logistics when he’s reminded of where he is by Oracle’s voice in his ear.

“Hate to interrupt the group brooding you guys have going on over there, but I managed to dig up… a lot of information about the boy and his family situation.”

He notes how the others all perk up from where they’d been…staring at him. 

Ah, that was why it was so quiet. They were staring in disbelief when he didn’t deny the nephew thing. Well. A conversation for another time.

“Lay it on me,” he says to Oracle, ignoring them.

“His name is Daniel James Fenton, goes by Danny, high grades throughout elementary and middle school until they took a steep drop at the beginning of highschool - likely related to whatever happened when his metagene activated. 

Has one sibling, a sister named Jasmine Fenton - no middle name. She goes by Jazz. High grades across the board with no notable dips. No indication of possible metagene in any of  her records or in Danny’s, beyond the grade drop and your own first-hand experience.

Parents Jack and Madeline “Maddie” Fenton. They have their own personal website where they describe themselves as “ectobiologists” and as ghost hunters. The pictures in their gallery show a vast array of weapons - dubbed “ectoweapons” - in the same chrome-green style with the name “Fenton” stamped somewhere on them. Some of the weapons are for sale on their site, advertised for defending oneself against ghosts. There are some pictures of what must be their lab, all of which look to include at least 12 different types of OSHA violation, and the image in their site’s “about” section has the whole family standing in the lab in front of what looks like a vertical Lazarus Pit.”

“What,” Batman says more than asks, voice tense.

“And judging by the staircase seen reflecting off of one of the guns in the picture, it seems that this lab is in their basement - I can’t see why it wouldn’t be, given they were fine with putting an enormous monstrosity of a satellite on top of their building.

There are plenty of cameras in the house itself, but for some reason all I can get from them is static. Any video or audio in the house that they don’t put on their site appears to be unusable for some reason. 

All told, there is plenty of cause to get CPS involved. If their lab safety is even half as bad as it looks and it’s in their basement it’s pretty much a sure thing that the kids’ll be taken from them. 

Given the small-towny nature of the area it’ll be best to contact someone from outside of the community for the case. It’ll move things along significantly if we have somewhere to send them.

They have an aunt, Alicia Walker, but she’s already marked down as a “no” for taking them in in the event something should happen to the Fentons. 

This leaves their godfather: Vlad Masters. An incredibly reclusive billionaire, pursued the same Paranormal Science degree as the Fentons did when they were in college, but suffered an accident that put him in the hospital for two years with an unknown illness that Masters was allowed to name “ecto-acne.” Lost all contact with the Fentons until he invited them to a reunion party last fall and was named godfather three weeks later.

Masters got his wealth through a series of suspicious business deals. No one has been able to prove foul play yet, but just glancing over some of the early papers is already showing plenty of inconsistencies.

No other relatives - the Walker parents passed away some time ago, and while one of the Fentons remains, she’s in a nursing home. And also disowned Jack. And went out of her way to disown both Jazz and Danny as soon as she heard about them.”

“Great. Make Jason Todd a long lost cousin, set CPS on them. Red Hood is here because Danny ran away to Gotham and stuck his nose in crime alley so I tracked him down because I thought he was kidnapped in my territory, the Bats chased down Red Hood thinking he was gonna hurt the boy, CPS is there because your research turned up the potential unsafe living conditions and you overheard that the kid was gone for a week without anyone noticing - which scream neglect. Now we’re cooperating because we’re all annoyed at the parents that let their kid wander all the way to Gotham and convinced him that a torture device was a possible grounding option.”

He turns to Batman. 

“You can claim to have done a DNA search to find the connection, and I’m sure you can find a reason to dismiss Masters as an option. Make sure to have them call Jason as soon as possible. Oracle-”

“Already routing incoming calls through Gotham. Also, both of Masters’ residences have inaccessible cameras similar to what I’m experiencing with the Fentons. He can be dismissed under suspicion of having an OSHA nightmare in his home. I’ll see if he has his own vertical Lazarus Pit while you all work on exfiltrating the niece and nephew.”Jason doesn’t dignify that with a response, hopping back on his bike to follow the new route - this time actually to the Fenton household.

[janiehellion]

Crossfire

ONESHOT

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: You’ve been scavenging and trying to survive the war against Negan and the Saviors—but lately, it’s hard to tell if you and Daryl are left fighting for more than just your lives.

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: DARYL DIXON X FEM!READER

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: SMUT / ANGST / CAR SEX / BREEDING / HURT / COMFORT / POSSIBLE GRAMMATICAL ERROS / ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 5.631

ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ: MID S7 & EARLY S8

ʀᴇǫᴜᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ: @francisofthespook

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ's ɴᴏᴛᴇ: First off, thank you for trusting me with this request! I’ll admit, I don’t think I nailed it as much as you probably wanted. If it falls short, I’m sorry. But still: Thank you again for being so sweet and patient!

MASTERLIST & REQUEST GUIDELINES

You and Daryl had been together for quite a while now, though it didn't feel like it anymore. Not really.

Both of you had your walls built high at first, but over time, things changed. The feelings between you grew, as did the undeniable desire. It wasn't soft or tender; it was raw and real. When you weren't scavenging for supplies, you were stealing moments with him—rough, sloppy kisses and even harder fucks, the kind that left you both breathless and craving more.

But lately, it hadn't been that easy.

Daryl had grown distant.

The world had gone to hell, and somehow, the quiet had become the loudest thing about your relationship.

It had been days since the war against Negan and his Saviors started. Everyone seemed scared—no one knew when the next fight would happen or if it would even be a fight and not the end. But you had your role.

Scavenging.

You were good at it, or at least, that's what you'd tell yourself when you were on a run. You were good at finding what no one else could, but your choices? Well, Daryl didn't always appreciate them.

You'd found bullets, medical supplies, tools, and even weapons on occasion. But you had a thing for bringing back things he called 'useless bullshit.'

While Daryl's always been practical—focused on things that kept the group alive—your mind wandered to… other things. Things that didn't make sense during the war against Negan, like a book, a mirror you found at a broken-down store, or some postcards you scavenged last week.

It wasn't like you planned it. It was a distraction. The communities were falling apart, and if you could find something that made you feel a bit more human, even just for a minute, you grabbed it. But Daryl? He couldn't understand. You could see it in his eyes whenever he found out you came back with something that didn't make any sense, he'd growl and shake his head. And you hated how that felt. Especially since he'd escaped the Sanctuary only days ago and you were so happy to have him back by your side.

Sure, he'd fuck you when you asked, but it was always that quick, no feelings but routine kind of fuck. And even then, it didn't feel like it was enough.

Maybe it was the tension from the war with the Saviors; maybe it was the ever-present danger—but the way he looked at you lately… it was just so different. Frustrated. Annoyed.

But it didn't matter to you. You were bored with scavenging for the same shit over and over again. It was easier, and it felt like your own little rebellion against the monotony.

Daryl's silence and his glares were enough. But still, you kept doing it—finding things that served no purpose, hoping it would get under his skin. And it did.

The store you chose for the supply run was quiet except for Daryl's grumbling from a few aisles over. It wasn't much different from the last stores you'd scavenged. No walkers, empty shelves, old signs thrown everywhere, and the reminder of a world that used to make sense.

"Grab somethin' useful, would ya?" Daryl's voice came through the silence, and you could hear how annoyed he already was. He'd been in a mood since you set foot out of Alexandria, and he wasn't bothering to hide it.

"Yeah, yeah," you mumbled, not wanting to look up as you searched through a box on the counter. Daryl's idea of usefulness was a wrench, a roll of duct tape, or maybe a box of nails if you were lucky enough to find one. Your idea? Not so much.

You turned over a cassette tape, smirking as the name caught your eye—Cigarettes After Sex. The world had gone to hell, and here you were looking through its ashes, scavenging a tape that probably hadn't been played in a while. Useless as hell. Exactly the kind of thing that you wanted and needed.

And then there was the other find—a pink lace lingerie set shoved to the back of a dusty rack of mismatched clothes. It was ridiculous. Completely impractical. Which made it perfect.

You went into the tiny bathroom at the back of the store to try it on, biting your lip to keep from laughing at yourself as you adjusted the straps. The mirror was cracked, the lighting awful, but the sight of you standing there, wearing something so out of place in a world like this? It was too good. If Daryl saw it… well, that was the point, wasn't it?

Slipping back out of the bathroom, you walked over to another shelf, pretending to search for something useful during the supply run, and Daryl was still focused as you took a glance at him. He wasn't in the mood to talk, not that he ever was these days.

"Got everything we might need?" You asked, keeping your voice light and playful, knowing full well that he wasn't in the mood for any of it.

"Yeah, and yer jus' wastin' time, s'usual," he grumbled quietly, turning around to face you.

You rolled your eyes, moving to another aisle before you heard him exhale loudly, and it was clear that his patience was already going away. That was just how things were now. The world had changed, and so had your relationship.

But it wasn't long before Daryl caught you with something else. A hairbrush.

"Seriously?" He snapped, the tone in his voice rather harsh. "Ya can't help yerself, can ya? We're in the middle of a damn war, and yer scavengin' shit like it's a goddamn mall run!"

You shot him a look, biting back a scowl. "Life's gotta feel normal sometimes, Daryl," you said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. "It's not all about the damn war."

He gritted his teeth, slamming the tools he'd found into his bag with more force than necessary. "Ya don't get it," he growled. "Yer actin' as if everythin's still the same like we're not fightin' for our lives."

You couldn't help yourself, and you refused to back down. "You really think all we need to focus on is to fight? Do you think that's enough? We're still alive, Daryl. We're still here. We need to feel… something."

He shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "Don't know what ya want from me," he growled, almost to himself. "Ya need t'grow the hell up."

The words hurt more than you wanted to admit. But you wouldn't let him get away with it. "And you need to loosen up," you snapped back just a bit too loud.

Daryl was about to say something, but you didn't wait to hear it. You turned around, making your way toward the exit, feeling the fire of his stare burning into your back.

"Thought we were lookin' for actual supplies," he grumbled as you stepped into the sunlight outside and he walked past you. The bags over his shoulder looked ready to burst with everything you hadn't bothered to help him find. "Ya even find somethin' useful, or ya jus' wastin' time again?"

"I found stuff, Daryl," you shot back. "Might not be practical, but at least it's not boring."

"Yeah, s'great. Let's throw a damn party while we're at it."

"Maybe we should," you said. "Wouldn't kill us to relax for once."

He stopped walking, so suddenly you almost ran into him. "Ain't 'bout relaxin'," he said, his voice only a whisper. "Ain't been 'bout relaxin' in a long time."

You stared at him, your heart racing. "Maybe that's the problem," you said softly, but the words only seemed to push him further away.

By the time you reached the car, the silence between you felt suffocating. He threw his bags into the trunk, then leaned against the side of the car, lighting a cigarette.

"What'd ya even find?" He finally growled, throwing his bag into the backseat.

"Stuff," you said simply, throwing your own bag in after his. "Like I said."

"Stuff," he repeated, his tone sounding rather biting. "Right."

You crossed your arms, glaring at him. "Maybe not everything has to be about the war, Daryl. Ever think about that?"

"Yeah, maybe it don't. But that ain't the world we're livin' in."

"Oh, so this is about you giving a shit all of a sudden?" You shot back before you could stop it.

His jaw twitched, and for a second, you thought he might yell, but he didn't. Instead, he opened the driver's side door and climbed in, slamming it shut behind him. You stood there for a long moment, staring at him through the window, your heart pounding in your chest.

When you finally got in, he didn't even look your way, throwing out the cigarette before turning the engine on, his hands gripping the wheel tightly.

"What's your problem, Daryl?"

He didn't answer right away. Just stared straight ahead, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Maybe this," he said finally, "ain't workin' no more."

The words hit you harder than you expected. For a moment, all you could do was sit there, staring at him, trying to make sense of what he'd just said.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

He didn't answer, and the look on his face made it worse. It wasn't anger, but something else entirely.

"Say it," you pressed, leaning forward, your voice trembling despite yourself.

He shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead. "Ain't got nothin' to say to ya no more."

You wanted to slap him, shake him, kiss him—anything to break through that damn wall he kept building.

A while later, you slumped against the passenger door, staring out at the trees rushing past. Reaching into your bag, you pulled out the cassette tape you'd scavenged earlier, but you hesitated for a while, glancing at Daryl, but his focus was fully on the road.

"Fuck it," you whispered, more to yourself than to him, and slid the tape into the car's stereo.

The opening of 'Young & Dumb' filled the silence with the kind of sound that wrapped around you like smoke. You leaned back in your seat, closing your eyes as the music played. The lyrics came out of the speakers, which now felt bittersweet, and without thinking, you started to hum along. By the second verse, you were singing softly in a shaky attempt to drown out the pain in your heart.

...wearing black lipstick, bleaching your hair blonde…

...put on your socks...

...cut-offs or jean shorts, vampire fangs and your

'I Love New York' shirt…

Your voice cracked slightly, but you kept going. Anything to distract from the growing knot in your stomach, the one that had been there since Daryl's cold words outside the store. You could feel his eyes on you now, looking over at you like a blade pressed against your throat. But you didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it hurt; you wanted to hide it.

"Turn that shit off."

You ignored him, letting the song pull you further in with a melody that you just needed to listen to right now.

...well, I know full well...

...that you are the patron saint of sucking cock...

...señorita, you're a cheater...

...well, so am I…

"Jesus fuckin' Christ." Daryl's hand shot out, turning the volume down, though the music still played in the background. "What the hell is this shit?"

"Music," you shot back, but you didn't look at him, keeping your eyes on the passing trees. "Something you clearly forgot exists."

Daryl just snorted in response. "Yeah, 'cause what we need right now's a fuckin' sing-along. So damn useless."

You clenched your fists in your lap. "Sorry if I'm not looking through shit for duct tape," you snapped. "Didn't realize music was illegal now."

"It ain't 'bout music; s'bout survival!" His voice rose, the frustration boiling over as he slammed his hand on the steering wheel.

You didn't respond. Again. What was the point? Every word felt like throwing gasoline on a fire you couldn't control. Instead, you turned your attention back to the tape, singing the words of the next verse.

...you wanna go...

...where the girls are young and dumb...

...and hot as fuck...

You didn't stop. No. You turned toward him and leaned closer, moving slightly to the beat. Your fingers tapped against your thigh in time with the music, and you kept singing just a little louder.

God, he was so easy to rile up when you wanted to. Weeks of quick fucks and rushed moments between runs had left you frustrated and aching for more—more attention, more sex, more him.

"What? Don't like my singing? Or are you mad that I'm not as sad and devastated as you want me to be? Want me to break down and cry painfully in the car?"

His eyes looked toward you again, and you saw the fire in them this time—the way they stayed on the curves of your body, watching every move you made.

But you licked with your tongue across your bottom lip and sang further along with the song. "Where they're dancing in the streets... With nothing on..."

"S'nough!" Daryl snapped out of nowhere, yanking the car to the side of the road so abruptly the tires kicked up a cloud of dust. The engine growled before going silent, leaving nothing but the music from the cassette tape and the pounding of your heart.

He turned to you, his face unreadable. "What the fuck is wrong with ya, huh?!"

You stared back at him, wide-eyed, your breath stopping in your throat. "Me? What the fuck is wrong with you!?" The words came out before you could stop them. "You're the one acting like—like I'm some kind of burden! Like you can't stand to be around me anymore!"

Daryl didn't answer.

"You might as well say it," you continued, your voice breaking. "If you don't want me around anymore, just fucking say it! Do it, Dary! Just fucking do it! Let this be over!"

"Don't," he said, his voice only a whisper.

"Don't what?" You demanded, your voice rising. "Care about you?! Love you!?"

You didn't mean to say it. The words just came out of you all desperately, and you saw the way they hit him. He still stared at you, his hand gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing keeping him from slapping you across the face.

For a moment, you thought he might actually do it. Then something changed. His gaze dropped, looking at the skin of your collarbone, where the neckline of your shirt had slipped just enough to reveal a bit of the lingerie.

"The hell's that?" He growled, trying not to blink even once.

You froze, your heart racing in your chest. "Nothing!" You said quickly, but the lie wasn't convincing enough, and Daryl's eyes narrowed.

Without warning, he leaned forward, his fingers grabbing the collar of your shirt to pull it down just enough to confirm what he already suspected. The sight of the lingerie seemed to shock him for a moment, his breath hitching as his eyes widened.

"Ya gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me," he grumbled, though his voice had lost some of its earlier anger. It was quieter now, almost trembling, like he was fighting something he didn't want to admit.

"Don't start," you warned, though your voice came out weaker than you intended.

But his reaction alone was worth every ounce of trouble you were about to get into.

"Yer outta yer damn mind," he said, his voice rougher now, like he was barely holding himself back. "Gonna fuckin' kill ya..."

And the way he leaned toward you, his hands now gripping his knees like he was about to break, told you he was feeling something else entirely. Was it anger? Lust? Both? "Puttin' on some shitty slow music, draggin' useless shit back as always like we ain't got a damn war t'fight?"

"Well, if you didn't spend so much time worrying about everything," you said in defiance, "you might actually see that sometimes, we need to calm down a little. Got any problem with that, Daryl?"

The muscles in his neck flexed as he turned towards you fully. "To calm down?"

You couldn't tell if you were mad or if you were just doing this to get a reaction out of him—but you could feel the rage between the two of you like a storm that was brewing.

"Ya think this—" He motioned to the car, to you, to everything around you. "—this s'a damn spa trip? That I can jus' keep watchin' ya act like everythin's fine? Like it's all gonna work out without ya dyin' in the end?"

"Shut up, Daryl, I get it! I've been getting it since day fucking one, weeks ago! But it feels like we've been stuck in this shit for months!"

There was no way to hide from the look in his eyes. He saw everything—everything you'd been trying to keep buried. The way you didn't try to give a shit about the war, the way you needed something to feel in a world that had stripped you again of every little thing you didn't want to lose. And this—this was your rebellion. The lingerie was just a part of it, a pitiful attempt in the face of everything going wrong.

He shook his head like he couldn't believe you were this reckless. "S'a damn waste. Yer a damn waste..."

You clenched your jaw, feeling the tears in your eyes and fighting them back, completely trying to focus on the music.

But despite the fight, despite the anger, you couldn't help but want it. Want him.

And Daryl didn't wait for an answer. His hands shot out again, this time grabbing you by the waist and yanking you over with force. He pulled you onto his lap, your knees awkwardly pressing into the car's seat, your thighs straddling his. The steering wheel pushed into your back as his hands dug into your hips, his grip bruising and possessive, and his eyes, dark and wild, held yours in place.

"Could really fuckin' kill ya…"

His fingers moved fast, pulling off your jacket and tearing at your shirt without hesitation before ripping it off. You barely had time to react before he was yanking at your pants. Soon, he got them down just enough, pushing them away like they offended him.

And then, there it was—the lingerie you'd scavenged, fully visible, old, and a little worn. It wasn't perfect, but it had been enough to make you feel human for just a moment. Now, under his gaze, it felt both ridiculous and utterly electric at the same time.

Daryl scoffed as his eyes looked you up and down. "This what ya wanted, huh?" His fingers slid over the lace, touching it in a way that betrayed his anger. "To piss me off so I'd fuck ya?"

You opened your mouth to respond, but nothing came out but a choked sob.

"Fuckin' dumb," he mumbled, but his hands didn't stop. They wandered, moving along your thigh where the lace garter was before pushing you down against the bulge in his pants.

The feeling made you whimper, and you couldn't stop the way your body arched toward him, desperate for more. His smirk was almost cruel as he watched your reaction, his hands moving over your thighs, squeezing, teasing, but never giving you exactly what you wanted.

Not yet.

You swallowed hard, the heat in his eyes making it impossible to look away. "I wanted to see if you still cared…" You admitted, your voice shaking slightly, but you didn't break eye contact, even as a tear rolled down your cheek.

"Ya think I don't care?"

You gasped, your fingers clutching his shoulders as his hands slid lower, gripping your ass, pulling you even closer against him until you could feel every inch of his cock pressing against you through his pants.

"Ya really think I don't care?" He asked again as his grip tightened, and he pulled you closer, his lips kissing your tears away as he spoke.

"I care," he whispered against your wet skin. "I care too much…"

And you believed him. Every word.

Meanwhile, the lingerie didn't stand a chance; it gave way under his fingers, leaving you half naked as quickly as he could get you out of it.

He worked his pants open right after and the sight of him made your heart race—his cock, thick and already leaking, sprang free, throbbing and unapologetically hard. Your mouth watered, but before you could even think about reaching for it, his hands were on you again.

"C'mon… I need ya so damn much…"

He pushed one hand under your thigh, guiding you up just enough to position himself. His other hand slid between your legs, his thumb brushing over your clit in a way that made you jerk, your nails digging into his shoulders.

You trembled as the head of his cock pressed against you, the feeling almost overwhelming. But he moved slowly, pushing you down inch by inch. The stretch was intense, almost too much, and your fingers clutched at him as a broken moan and another sob escaped you.

"Feel that? I want ya… Always."

You couldn't respond, couldn't think, your body trembling as he pushed deeper. The fullness was maddening, his cock stretching you to your limit. He didn't stop until your hips were against his, your thighs trembling against his own and making you feel every inch of him.

Your forehead dropped to his shoulder, your breathing uneven as you tried to adjust. He didn't move, didn't thrust, just held you there, his hands keeping you in place.

"Look at me," he whispered against your ear as soon as he moved. When you bit into his shoulder in desperation to hold your tears back, he grabbed your jaw, forcing your eyes to look into his. "Don't cry…"

Your mouth opened, but no words came out again, just a broken whimper as he changed his angle, hitting the right spot inside you which made you tighten around him.

Daryl's thrusts were deep and torturously slow like he wanted to see every second of watching you fall apart on top of him. He let out a quiet groan as you moved against him, your body desperate for more even as he made you work for it. One of his hands slid up your back, holding your neck before pulling your face forward, his teeth biting softly along the sensitive skin of it.

"Ya feel that, too?" He mumbled over the sound of your uneven moans. "That's me. M' still me…"

The car was rocking slightly with each movement as he buried himself inside you, over and over. His grip was controlling, and every deep grind of his hips made your vision blur. When your body trembled harder, your thighs beginning to shake with the effort, he slowed down just a bit.

"I care…" His hands guided you, forcing you to grind down onto him, his cock pushing against every sensitive spot until you were moaning his name in broken sobs and whimpers, and his lips kissed your cheek as he continued. "I want ya to feel me…"

When his hips pushed up on purpose, driving his cock impossibly deeper, you cried out, your body tightening around him hard. Daryl grunted in shock, but you didn't care. All you could focus on was the way his cock stretched you, filled you, and claimed you back with every movement.

"Mine," he growled, his teeth now sinking lightly into your bottom lip as he thrust into you. "All mine..."

He kept his hands on you, one still gripping your waist, to guide you down onto him. The other soon moved over your body again, squeezing one of your tits, his thumb brushing over your hardened nipple.

"That's it," he growled. "Jus' let yerself feel me. Don't stop."

His words spurred you on, your thighs trembling as you rode him, the feeling of his cock inside you just perfect. You threw your head back as it overtook you, moaning loudly, but Daryl wasn't having it. One hand was back on your jaw in an instant, forcing your eyes down to meet his.

"Eyes on me…"

You simply obeyed, looking into his eyes all helpless.

"Don't ya look away," he groaned, teasing your lips softly with his. His thrusts became faster, his other hand gripping you so tightly you knew you'd have bruises tomorrow. But you didn't care. You wanted it, loved the way he was making sure you're all his.

"Daryl, please," you suddenly whispered, your voice trembling as the need in you burned hotter. "I—fuck—I need more. Harder, faster… please!"

"God, look at ya," he groaned further. "Shakin' for me, beggin', lovin' me…"

"Yes," you choked out, your nails digging into his shoulders as another deep thrust pushed you closer to the edge. "Please, Daryl—Fuck, I'm so close…"

Before you could finish, he slammed into you, the force of it pushing out the breath from your lungs as he hit the right spot again, making you cry out with this hard, punishing thrust, and it was enough to send you over the edge.

Your pussy tightened around his cock, a strangled but loud moan escaping you as your orgasm finally overtook you, and every cry muffled when he crushed his lips against yours, swallowing your desperate sounds.

And even as your body shook with the force of your orgasm, he didn't stop. His thrusts remained deep and hard, drawing out every second of it until you were trembling in his arms. But Daryl's control was breaking with each thrust like he couldn't hold back anymore himself.

Each time he slammed you down onto him, he buried himself to the hilt, his cock filling you so completely it left you gasping and wanting him all over again. His eyes were now closed, his forehead pressing against yours as he growled. "That's all me—every inch. Takin' what's mine..."

With a final, brutal thrust, he buried himself deep inside you, his cock throbbing as his orgasm hit. His growl turned into a loud groan, his body tensing up beneath you as he filled you up and made sure you felt every drop.

As soon as he was done, he slumped back against the seat, holding you in his arms while you were both drenched in sweat and neither of you moving just yet.

"Ya should…" He started, his voice hoarse, while he moved his head to look at you. "Ya should never put that song and 'em clothes on again if ya don't want this to happen more than jus' once…"

Your laugh came out breathless and shaky as you let the moment sink in. "And what if I do?"

He snorted, but his arms tightened around you, pulling you closer as his lips pressed a kiss to your temple. "Jus' to let ya know… yer lucky I didn't already fuck ya in that store."

He moved slightly, his cock softening as he slipped out of you, and your legs felt weak as you slid off his lap, your thighs still sticky. You tried to move carefully, your fingers fumbling to quickly adjust your clothes, but there was no hiding the cum between your legs. Every little movement made you wince, reminding you of how deep he'd been inside of you—and how much he'd wanted you.

Daryl didn't say a word at first. His breathing was still heavy, his chest rising and falling like he'd just run a marathon. You saw his hands tremble as he zipped himself up, and for a man who always seemed so silent, it was rare to see him like this—wrecked, raw, and a little out of breath.

Reaching for the seatbelt to get a better grip as you made your way back into the passenger seat, you hesitated, glancing at him out of the corner of your eye. His expression wasn't angry anymore or frustrated. If anything, it looked softer now—like he was finally letting himself breathe after holding it in too long.

Before you could settle back, his hand shot out, grabbing you by the wrist. You froze, heart racing, as he pulled you back toward him. His free hand cupped your cheek, his thumb brushing over your bottom lip before he kissed you.

This wasn't like before. There was no anger to it, no frustration coming through. His lips were warm and gentle, moving against yours like he was trying to tell you everything he hadn't said.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against yours once more. "Ya gotta clean yerself up 'fore we head back. Can't have ya sittin' in this seat, drippin' everywhere."

Your cheeks burned, and you shoved him back lightly, but he didn't let go. If anything, his grip only tightened, his hand sliding down to your thigh as he looked at you.

"Hell, maybe I'll help. Or…" He let you go, nodding toward the glove box. "There's some clean rags in there."

You rolled your eyes but did as he said, grabbing a few and making a half-hearted attempt to clean yourself up. His cum was thick and sticky, and no matter how much you wiped, it felt like there was no getting rid of it, as if it just kept coming.

Daryl watched you the whole time, smiling a little like he was enjoying the show more than he should. "Missed a spot," he said, leaning over to slide his thumb against the inside of your thigh. He brought it to his mouth without hesitation, his eyes looking into yours as he sucked it clean.

"Oh my God! What the hell are you doing?" You asked in surprise, barely holding back a laugh.

He just smirked at you. "Ya can jus' call me Daryl, ya know? But 'God' 's fine s' well."

You just laughed again, but your cheeks turned red as you tried to focus on buttoning your pants, and he let you finish this time until you finally settled back into the passenger seat.

Soon, he turned the engine on, but before he pulled back onto the road, his hand was finding your thigh. He gave it a quick squeeze and left it there, which was saying more than words could.

You smiled despite yourself, leaning your head back against the seat as the car started moving. Whatever had been between you, it was gone now. For the first time in a while, it felt like you were both on the same page again.

Meanwhile, the song that you had listened to earlier on the cassette tape started all over where it had left off, and before you could stop yourself, you found yourself singing along again.

"We'll drive your car to the beach with the song on repeat…" You sang softly as you closed your eyes for a second, but this time without any feeling of sadness or hurt. "You showed me..."

Daryl didn't say anything for a few minutes, but his eyes were looking from the road to you ever so often, as if he couldn't bring himself to look away, fearing that you might be not there anymore, by his very side, even though he held so tightly onto you with his fingers.

"Ya know," he then finally said, breaking the silence between the two of you, "we might jus' do that." His words were quiet, but they were a promise, a suggestion of something simpler—something outside of the war, outside of everything.

That was what you needed. Something real, something between the two of you that wasn't starting to break by the constant threat of danger, something more than just scavenging or fighting for survival. A moment where it was just you and Daryl. Together.

As you began to put your jacket back on, Daryl's hand moved out to stop you. He tugged at it, pulling it off your shoulders gently.

"Hell of a thing to find," he said with a smirk before he reached over, turning the volume up of the stereo.

"Thought you hated all this 'useless' stuff," you teased, running your fingers over the lingerie, or rather, what was left of it.

"Stuff... Yeah, I guess I jus' never really understood why ya did all that," he confessed, his voice quiet, like it took everything in him to say the words. "But I get it now. I do."

It was some kind of understanding that maybe the war wouldn't ever truly go away, but there was still something worth holding onto.

Daryl moved in his seat, his hand never leaving your thigh. "We gonna drive to that beach," he murmured, his voice so tender it almost seemed out of place for a man like him. "And we'll figure the rest out as we go."

Sure, the beach wasn't an actual destination—you both knew that. The final war against Negan was still about to happen. And, of course, Daryl wasn't saying everything, but he didn't need to. He never had to. With him, it was the little things—moments like this, where everything felt just a bit more certain and safer.

In this moment, the world outside the car didn't matter. The war, the fear, the uncertainty of what lay ahead—it all went away, leaving only the two of you.

And right now, with his hand on your thigh and the music drowning out everything else, it felt like maybe, for just a little while longer, the world didn't have to exist beyond the both of you.

[geneviveleocardius]

simon ‘ghost’ riley romantic headcanons

While Ghost might feel interested in someone, his years of betrayal and loss make him very guarded. It would take him a long time to trust enough to show his interest.

Ghost isn't one to openly talk about his feelings, but he shows them in small gestures-making sure you get home safely, remembering details you've mentioned, or leaving you a brief but meaningful message after a tough day.

Ghost isn’t a conventional romantic, but he has his own style. He might not buy flowers, but he’ll leave a cup of tea or coffee ready exactly how you like it in the morning.

He's very careful with you, even in the smallest things. If you walk together, he'll always stay on the side closest to traffic. If he senses any danger, he becomes hyper-vigilant, even if he tries to downplay it so you won't worry.

Though he seems completely practical, he has a surprisingly thoughtful side. He might send you a small gift while he's away on a mission-something he saw that reminded him of you.

Ghost doesn’t talk about his emotions easily, but when he does, it’s usually in intimate moments, like after a long night or while you’re alone at home.

He’d be direct, a bit awkward, but sincere: “I don’t know how you make this easier for me, but you do. And that matters more than I thought it would.”

If he trusts you enough, he'll share bits of his past over time.

Not because he wants your comfort, but because he feels you deserve to know who he truly is.

Though he’s emotionally reserved, he finds a lot of peace in physical contact. He might not ask for it outright, but you’d notice him brushing his shoulder against yours or reaching for your hand when he’s stressed.

These small gestures are his way of saying he trusts you.

Ghost struggles with past trauma, and while he tries to hide it, you'd sometimes notice restless nights.

If you ever gently wake him after a nightmare, he'd feel embarrassed at first but eventually grow to appreciate your patience and calm.

In his chaotic life, he sees you as a safe haven. He’d be fiercely loyal and do everything possible to protect your connection, even if he doesn’t always know how to put it into words.

Ghost is drawn to someone with a quiet strength-someone who can handle their own independence yet understand his need for space. To him, that would be invaluable.

Ghost has a sarcastic sense of humor and would use it playfully with you. He might say things like: “That’s how you fold clothes? Interesting technique.” But always with a warm enough tone that you’d know he’s teasing.

If he notices you’re worried, he might say something like: “Don’t you have enough to worry about yourself? Let me worry about you too, since you insist.”

Ghost loves watching you during your everyday moments. Whether you’re reading or working on a project, he could quietly sit and watch, finding a strange sense of peace in it.

When you’re alone, he’s more relaxed, even playful. It wouldn’t be surprising if he sneaks up on you with a sudden back hug or messes up your hair just to tease you.

this is too soft, my heart melts!

genevieve out! xoxo

[rationaliity]

cockwarming | dr. ratio & gallagher

here you areeee !! your wish is my command ~ ratio and gallagher are a little mean but that's really it. also slightly ignoring on gallaghers part ? it makes sense when you read it idk i cant think of what that kink is called for the life of me

RATIO —

ratio was going to make you listen, even if he had to force it a little bit. it wasn't directly his fault that you weren't able to stay still, sat on his lap with your arms lazily slung over his shoulders, your legs straddling his with his cock firmly inside of you, stretching you out. he'd told you to do something simple : just keep his cock warm for him while he finished this bit of paperwork that he had to do, and then he would reward you for your time and efforts. if he could do something he didn't necessarily want to do, then so could you.

at first, you were all too eager to agree to these terms, even unzipping his pants for him and getting on your knees to get his cock wet enough for it to slide in easier. this was new to you, so of course you wanted to try it out to see if you liked it. besides, how often do you get to bother ratio while he's working on his papers ?

but now you were whining in his ear, begging for him to do something. you couldn't take this anymore, not with him filling you up all the way to the top and just staying there. you were completely stretched around his cock, milking him for all that he was worth. and with every annoyingly pitiful whine, you squeezed around him even more than you already were.

" you seem to have a problem following even the most simple of tasks, " he lowly hissed in your ear. his free hand that wasn't holding his ink pen grabbing your ass, his fingers digging into your flesh, making you squeal a little. " i ask you to do something as easy as sitting still, and yet you still find a way to mess it up. i wonder how. "

despite his cruel words, you could feel his cock throbbing inside of you, begging for more attention than what he was getting. the both of you were at your breaking point, needing more than just the warmth of your bodies colliding, but his ego wouldn't let him admit that he couldn't hold himself back either. and if you were to mention it, he would surely find a way to turn it back on you.

finally, he sat his pen down, both hands on your waist, picking you up and sitting you on his desk. you yelped almost immediately as you were separated from his body, the friction of him sliding out of you almost making you orgasm right there after thirty minutes of just sitting as still as possible, but before you could really react, his lips were on yours, tasting you feverishly. ratio's hands forced your legs apart, grabbing each of your thighs so he could nestle himself in between them, his cock more than a little ready to release everything inside of you.

" i've found your specialty lies more with taking my cock rather than warming it. "

GALLAGHER —

you figured that there was going to be absolutely no way that gallagher had better control over himself than you did. he was always needy whenever he could afford to be, always asking for your time, always wanting more of you than just a simple kiss here and there. so when the two of you made a bet that he could restrain himself from fucking you with his cock inside of you, you thought you just had a unique way of initiating sex as a game.

several minutes later, and gallagher had his cock nestled inside of you, and seemed perfectly content to continue doing what he was doing beforehand, much to your confusion. he had one hand lazily holding your waist as you sat on top of him while he laid in your shared bed, his other hand scrolling on his phone, probably looking at new drink mixes that he hadn't thought of before. that's really all he used social media for, which honestly didn't surprise you in the slightest.

and you were struggling, even though you didn't want to admit it. you really thought he would've cracked by now and started to fuck into you, but no, he hadn't. but you were dripping with need for him, needing more of him than what you were getting, and you were beginning to grow as desperate as you were impatient.

" gallagher- " you whimpered a little bit, your voice coming out as far more needy than you anticipated. " how are you holding up ? " you asked, hoping that this was all just a facade. but nope, he just glanced towards you, looking up from his phone with an almost unamused look on his face.

" i'm perfectly fine, doll. why ? didja think that just because i want to fuck you, it means i absolutely need to ? " if you were anyone else, maybe that would've stung a little bit. but you knew how he was at this point, that slight arrogance in his tone even when he didn't intend to sound egotistical was just how he sounded. but he was getting you back for thinking you had one over on him, that was for sure. you wanted to prove him wrong, but you were playing right into his hand.

" if you want it so bad, then do the work yourself. come on, doll, show me how worked up you can get. "

— ♡ rationaliity 2024

[marvelstan0905]

Kenji Sato Love Languages :

Hiii🥺These are really random! I didn't exactly have a oneshot/imagine for this. I'm thinking about opening up requests for Kenji Sato but I'm a little worried I might get overwhelmed! Please let me know if you guys do want me to open requests :)Those of you who do requests, how do you manage? 🥰

[Hi guys! I did complete writing the scenario but i dont know why it deleted Words Of Affirmation/Gift Giving. Im so sad😭Ill write a part 2]

©all rights reserved. the modification, translation, and plagiarism of my work is strictly prohibited.

5 Types Of Love Languages :

Quality Time :

I think Kenji values quality time the most considering his dad wasn't around alot and his mom went missing so for him time is everything. If that makes. Despite his baseball career, tirelessly taking care of his baby Emi and his own personal struggles, I think he'd always try to make tome for his partner. Whether that be a short little call or a text asking if his partner ate not. Or even just inviting them over to feel the presence whiles he takes care of Emi.

Texts from Kenji : "Did you eat?" "I ordered lunch from that restaurant, you like" "You should come over. I don't mind if you just sit there but I'd really to see you"

Acts of Service :

To me, Kenji gives chivalrous gentlemen despite his cock and brash persona. I definetly think he'll open doors, pull out chairs or even those simple things like peeling his partner's oranges. [I know random🤣😭] but he's the type to do those things or even make breakfast, despite his exhaustion he's always trying to do something to make things easier for his partner. At times it gives nagging dad but he cares alot.

1. "You should eat your vitamins. I put them on the table" Kenji perists sliding the tiny plate of vitamins over to you

2. "Let me walk on the side of the road. I don't want you to get trampled by some random car" Kenji scolded you whiles moving you away from the side of the road. "Kenji..cars shouldn't be near the Paths or walkways?" You'd raise a brow at his logic as he placed his hand on your lower back to lead you away from the side of the road. "There's random things out in this world. You don't know..pigs could start flying"

Physical Affection :

Kenji for me seems like an angry kitten for affection. Almost like, he'll push you away only to pull the his partner closer whiles grumbling about how he doesn't like the affection. I think deep down he's angry deprived kitten of love. I think he wants lot of physical touch. I mean remember that scene where man's cuddled Emi..like stop🥺 I really think Kenji would find any excuse to have some physical touch.

1."Honey? Why are you linking our pinkies together? I'm trying to work here?" You'd ask whiles typing up some document for work. Kenji would simply huff and link your pinkies tighter together. "I just wanted a reason to be near you..you promised we'd be together forever..so I'm solidifying the promise"Kenji would reason with pout. You'd hum and stop typing "That doesn't make sense, babe" "Shh..just keep typing. Let me be happy"

2. You'd open your arms for cuddles and jump onto the poor man, only for him to tense up and gently push you away. Since you're used to such reactions, you just tightened your grip on him "You're in my bubble. Babe, get off..maybe not" Kenji grumbled but wrapped his arms around you knowing this was his safe space. "You're such a softie" "Shut up"

To be continued...

[waldau-archived]

ruminations — jeon wonwoo | 1,289 words | fluff

gender neutral reader. warnings: alcohol.

you're about to get up from the sofa and go to the bathroom to carry out your nighttime routine when the doorbell rings. that's odd; you're not expecting anyone at the moment.

but when you open the door, you see your tall boyfriend standing in front of you, being held up by his best friend, mingyu. literally being held up in the sense that mingyu has an arm around his waist and his other hand on wonwoo's back. wonwoo looks like he's putting zero effort into standing. his eyes widen when he looks at you, but he says nothing.

right. your boyfriend had gone for a party with the rest of his bandmates, and you'd asked him if he wanted to spend the night at your place afterwards, but you didn't expect him to be here almost an hour before the party ended.

you open your mouth, a couple of questions on your tongue, but mingyu shakes his head. "don't make him cry."

you're bemused by what he's said. "why...would i do that?"

"not that you'd— he's very wound up today. he just looks like he's going to cry at any moment."

you look at wonwoo. he's looking at you very seriously, like his actions are going to depend on what you're going to say next.

"hi, baby," you say carefully. wonwoo moves out of mingyu's grasp and into yours.

you're hardly as strong as mingyu, and you admit it takes quite some effort to make sure wonwoo doesn't fall. "just how much did he have?" you ask mingyu. wonwoo's hand finds its way to yours, fingers intertwining.

"not much at first, but then he lost a bet to hoshi, and..."

you tut. wonwoo is never really into playing drinking games. "you didn't stop him?"

"i would have, if we had been on the same team. it was funny watching him tug joshua's hair again and again."

you chuckle. "you're evil, you know that?"

mingyu's about to say something when wonwoo mumbles. "what's that?" you ask him.

"tired."

"of course you are. mingyu, thank you so much for—"

"hey, no problem. i know he'd do the same for me."

"get a girl first," wonwoo says, looking at his friend. you let out a surprised laugh while mingyu stands there with his mouth open.

"that's how you show your thanks to me?"

you push wonwoo inside, bidding mingyu goodnight before he shuts the door. "i think you need to sleep before the alcohol really hits you," you say. wonwoo hasn't let go of your hand even now.

you decide to take him into the kitchen to make him sit for a while and see if he needs some water, but he stands resolutely when you try to tug him forward.

"what is it?" you ask gently.

he blinks at you. "you look really good."

your words catch in your throat. it's not very often that wonwoo's verbal with his affection. "aw. thank you, wonwoo," you say, standing on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

he shakes his head. "i mean it. did you know you look really pretty tonight?"

"now i do. thank you, baby. do you want some water?"

he shakes his head again, and doesn't budge when you try to get him into the kitchen.

"something on your mind?"

wonwoo simply takes his hand out of yours and holds your face with both his hands, tilting your head up so you face him. he looks tired, like he said, but his brown eyes are sparkling under his glasses. you can't tell if it's from the light, or—

"do you believe in reincarnation?"

"huh?"

"do you...believe in reincarnation?"

you rest your hands on wonwoo's, taking them off your face so you can talk easier, but you don't let go. "where did that come from?"

"i asked you first."

you sigh. "well...no."

wonwoo's lips part, and you realize those sparkles in his eyes are unshed tears which are now collecting along his waterline. "oh," he says in a small voice.

you're beyond confused. what the hell happened for mingyu to warn you not to make him cry? "wonwoo?" when he doesn't respond, you sink down to the ground and pull him, so he's sitting cross-legged in front of you. you're still holding onto his hands like they're a lifeline. "what made you ask me that?"

he shrugs and huffs. so you've hit some sore spot you didn't even know existed. "i'm taking off your glasses, okay?" he says nothing when you reach forward to slide them off his face and hook them to the collar of your shirt. then you push his hair back from his face.

"stop," he mumbles, but he doesn't make any effort to push you away.

"what? sorry, am i annoying you? do you want to go to bed?"

"no. this. being...cute."

"i'm just taking care of you? i haven't even done anything yet."

wonwoo sighs and takes one of your hands again, tracing it with his thumb.

you stand up, hoping he'll keep holding your hand so you can pull him to his feet. instead, he remains put in his place and that makes you fall into his lap.

"wonwoo?"

"minghao said something about...if he could become a mosquito, he'd trouble jun in every life. and i wondered if...you know."

you wait for him to gather his words, even though you think you know where this is headed.

"if you'd be with me in every life, too. but now..."

oh. "won—"

"it's okay. i'll...manage."

you can't help but giggle. he looks at you like you've offended him. "you're acting like i made my choice," you explain.

"didn't you?"

you trace the bridge of his nose. he closes his eyes. "wonwoo," you say slowly. you need to think it through, not hurt him. it's not like you've been dating very long; a year is just enough time for you to be serious about your relationship, but the fact that he's been thinking about being together in all your other lives too...

"hm."

"do you really see us together in every life?"

"you don't."

"i never said that."

"but you just said that you don't believe in—"

"i don't, but if i could always be with you...then i don't mind."

it's magical, seeing the hurt in his eyes vanish and be replaced by almost childlike wonder. "you'd...always be with me?"

"if i could trouble you forever, yes."

he laughs. he looks really good, you realize, sitting in your apartment, his hair hair all askew and his hands locked around your waist. the fact that he came back to you, to your place, and took up your offer instead of being hungover all by himself makes your heart warm.

"did i ever tell you?" you ask, running your hand through his hair.

"probably not?"

"i love you."

it's not often that you say this particular phrase to each other, because you're both better at actions than words, but you think this is a good time to say them.

wonwoo smiles dopily at you, and you can almost picture your future with him if you close your eyes. the thought makes you tingly inside, and even though he probably won't remember everything he's said tonight, you can't help but feel like your heart is beating loud enough for him to hear.

wonwoo pulls you closer, and you're filled with the sudden urge to press yourself as close to him as possible so this moment never passes. "i have another question."

"ask me after you change into something more comfortable than your jeans?"

"it won't take long." he tilts your chin down and you're so, so gone. "would you still love me if i was a worm?"

"...hoshi's so dead."