#Thank you everyone once again I can’t believe how many WONDERFUL PEOPLE THERE ARE ON HERE WOAH SO MANY ANGELS…

[kittysquire]

Is it hard single handedly feeding HiiAi nation 😭🩷

Bro i can’t claim that throne alone but HHHHHHH im so happy that someone likes my little cringey fluffy art!! 🥹💛🫶 thank you!! Enjoy a little late night Hiiai sketch as a little early christmas gift!! 💕

And THANK YOU EVERYONE who have started following me the past year, it’s been truely so wonderful being on tumblr, all of you have been absolutely lovely, and I am always happy to know your thoughts and responses to my art!!! 💖 I’ve not been drawing fanart like this since i was a wee teen, and all of this has definitely resurfaced my love for fanart! 🥹💛

I’ll be posting more art next year, and i swear I’ll try to draw something else than Hiiai and Airas, but for now y’all will be stuck with my current faves.. 👉👉 anywho, thank you once again, merry christmas, and happy new year to you all! ✨ take care!!

[moonstruckme]

Omg wait are you looking for prince!sirius requests? I love that series but I didn't want to be pushy about it lol

What about some kind of big event for r that she's feeling some anxiety about, and she goes to sirius for help? Like she's giving a speech so she practices it with him, or they do flashcards of important people she needs to know the names of?

Thanks for requesting angel!

cw: allusions to Black family dynamics

prince!Sirius x princess!reader ♡ 860 words

“You’ve got it,” Sirius encourages you. “I’ll give you a hint. It starts with a b, like buttmunch, which if you talk to him you’ll find is really very fitting.” 

Your lips curve, but your brow remains firmly set in concentration. 

“Okay, b. B…Beekman?” 

“Very close.” Sirius puts the flashcard down. “Becker.” 

“Damn it.” You sit back from where you’d leaned forward to peer at Becker’s face, hands clasping around your tented knees. 

“Time for a break?” he suggests. 

“Yeah, guess so.” You reach for the cup of tea sitting on your bedside table, rubbing beside your eyebrow. 

You’re wearing pajamas again. Or, they might not be pajamas to you, but they are to Sirius. Sweatpants and a loose top that drapes off your form and looks delightfully soft. Sirius had tried to follow suit, but the closest he could get was a plain, fitted shirt and his most comfortable trousers. Sirius’ family doesn’t really believe in loungewear. 

He likes that you’re not like that, though. It’s hard to know how normal the Blacks are even among royalty, but you seem less bound to any expectations besides your own than any royals he’s met. You were kind enough to lend him a pair of sweatpants when he arrived, and Sirius has never felt more spoiled. 

“Sorry this is taking so long,” you say. “I was never great with names.” 

“You’ll be alright,” Sirius reassures you. Though, names are sort of a big part of these dinners. Everyone wants you to know who they are, to validate their importance and make them feel like they have a close personal connection to power. Sirius is lucky; memorization comes easily to him, and he’s been kept abreast of who’s dying off and who’s getting married since he was old enough to speak. “Even if you can’t remember all of them, you can always get by with enthusiasm.” 

You cock your head interestedly. “Enthusiasm?” 

“You know. Goodness gracious,” he rolls his eyes, speaking with a deadpan delivery, “it is so wonderful to finally meet you. How are you, how is your family? That sort of shit.” 

Your smile blooms. It really is a lovely sight, and one Sirius wishes he’d been graced with more often since meeting you. He understands why you’ve not been in particularly high spirits; after meeting an entire new family, being forced to make nice with supercilious aristocrats, and learning your family plans to marry you off without really asking for your input, Sirius wouldn’t be feeling particularly smiley either. Still, he hopes to see more of it. 

“Does that really work?” you ask him. 

“Course. All any of them want is to feel like you know them. Whatever accomplishes that is fine. What did the Queen tell you?” 

Your smile fades, your mouth twisting instead with a dry humor. “She wasn’t around. One of her advisors just said to study the flashcards and try to talk as little as was inoffensive, whatever that means. Basically stay out of trouble, I guess.” 

Sirius huffs a laugh. He can’t count how many times people have told him to stay out of trouble. He’s fairly sure he never once listened. 

“Well, I think you’ll do lots better than they’re expecting.”

“Really?” Your eyes turn up to his, big and hopeful. Sirius feels his mouth curve of its own volition. 

“Yeah,” he says earnestly. “Just be yourself, gorgeous. They won’t be able to leave you alone.

It’s certainly been true for Sirius. And the fact is, you could make the biggest faux pas of the century and none of those snobs would call you on it. You’re a princess. 

He does genuinely believe that you could get by even without your status, though. You’re not an imposing presence, but there’s an air about you that puts people at ease. You emanate good intentions. It’s intriguing; Sirius hardly knows anything about those. 

You hide a smile behind your teacup. “I thought we said no flirting when no one was around.” 

“Sorry. Can’t help it. Fair warning, by the way,” he drops his voice into a more serious register, “you’ll probably have to be introduced to my parents. Now that they think you’ve agreed to their arrangement, they’ll want to meet you.” 

“Oh.” You blink, lowering your tea. “Okay. I’m excited to meet them.” 

So this is how you sound when you lie. 

“It won’t be fun,” Sirius warns. “They’re not nice, but they probably won’t really care about speaking to you after being introduced. It ought to be short, at least.” 

“Sirius,” you laugh, and it’s hard to tell whether the twitch in Sirius’ gut is from you saying his name or the sound of your laughter. Further studies will be needed. “They’re your parents. They can’t be that bad.” 

Sirius heaves a sigh, flopping sideways so he’s lying across your bed. “They are.” He gives your knee a pat. “But no need to worry about that now. Ready to get back to the cards?” 

“Sure.” Your posture straightens slightly, a cute, concentrated frown coming to your lips. Sirius holds up the first flashcard. “Alright. This one’s name starts with a w, like wanker.”

[stars-and-inkpots]

Reverence | Gale x Reader | (18+)

You take the opportunity to show Gale just how beautiful he is, and you have the perfect way to make sure he understands it.

Pairing: Gale/Reader

Tags: Mild sexual content, mostly implied sexual content, praise kink, touch-starved, body worship, fluff (at the begining), kissing (lots)

Notes: I am determined to help provide more Gale content because I don't think there is enough. This might get a part 2 if people are interested.

Part 2

Ao3 Link: Reverence

Word Count: 1,338

The city is a welcome respite from the harsh wilderness you’ve been travelling through for the past several weeks. Well, perhaps a welcome change for some of you; Halsin was far less excited to be within the city walls, but complained only once. While the city was stifling to him, he understood the appeal for the rest of you. Lae’zel, on the other hand, despised the crowds and made this more than clear on multiple occasions. 

But everyone was content with the decision to rent some real rooms at the Elfsong Tavern- the entire upper floor, in fact. Gale was particularly pleased with this; and while everyone had their own rooms, he was very content to remain in yours. 

Being in camp with everyone always there all the time did not give the two of you many opportunities to spend time together uninterrupted. Now, as you lay on the bed beside him while he reads through one of the many new books he picked up today, you can almost pretend that everything is normal and the world is safe. At least for the moment. 

Gale’s fingers card through your hair. Occasionally, he leans forward and presses a kiss to the top of your head. You wrap your arms a little tighter around him. Everything feels so domestic that your face flushes and your heart aches. Given the circumstances of… well, everything that's happened to you so far, you hadn’t devoted much time to thinking about the future. But as you feel Gale’s chest rise and fall with each breath, hear him chuckle to himself while he scans the book with rapt attention, you can’t think of any other way you would want to spend the rest of your life. The realisation is both daunting and a comfort. 

You find yourself staring at Gale. He’s too busy with the book to notice, so you have time to really take in the beauty of this man, and there really is so much of it. 

His hair, still slightly damp from his earlier bath, has grown slightly since you met him. You notice that the small braid you had put in his hair one night still remains, still miraculously perfect. When you reach out to hold it between your fingers, you can feel traces of magic within the strands and realise that Gale had enchanted it somehow, ensuring it would stay. It’s such a fond gesture: that he would go through the effort if only to maintain it- to keep a reminder of you with him all the time. 

The only indication that he’s noticed your discovery is the slight smile on his face and the pink that dusts his cheeks; he almost looks embarrassed. Gods, you love him. 

“You’re so beautiful,” you whisper. His blush deepens and his eyes finally part from the book to find yours. 

“Thank you,” Gale answers, but his voice is soft and you wonder if he really believes you. 

“I mean it, Gale. You are the most incredible person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting; and not only in looks. You are intelligent beyond words, your skill with magic is unbelievable.” He looks away from you, the book almost entirely forgotten in his hand. 

“Alright, now you’re only flattering me.” 

“Calling it flattery implies I mean none of it. Gale, and I mean every word.” You take his face between your palms, turning him to look at you again. There’s a sadness in his eyes, one that makes your chest tighten. You need him to understand how much he means to you. “And surely you are not one to call me a liar, are you?” 

“Of course not, my love. I would never dream of it,” he answers, and kisses you. 

“So, you believe me then,” you ask, like you’re testing him. 

Gale gives you a look, a strained, conflicted sort of look. This man is stubborn to a fault, but this is not something you are going to let up on just yet. 

“Your eyes are the prettiest I’ve ever seen, like the forest in autumn.” You pepper kisses across his face, moving to straddle his hips. You run your fingers through his hair, smiling fondly at the grey hairs that are present throughout. “Your jaw, your cheekbones, your nose, it’s like the gods sculpted them themselves.” With each new thing you list, you press several kisses to it. You can feel the warmth of his face when your lips brush over his cheeks. 

Your hands move to hold his hips while you move yourself further down, kissing his neck as you do so. You only barely hear him suck in a sharp breath, but he doesn’t stop you- Gods, he doesn’t want to stop you. When you leave a final kiss at the top of his chest, your hand moves to the edge of his shirt, giving it a small tug. “May I?” You ask, and Gale doesn’t trust himself to answer so he nods. You pull the fabric up, and he helps you take it off of him completely. Your hands find his hips again while your lips return to now exposed skin. 

“I will never get enough of your hips, love,” you say, tightening your grip on them ever slightly. “All of you, so soft, yet so strong.” His stomach is soft, but you can feel the muscles tense under your palm when you drag your hand across. You keep kissing him; his chest, his stomach, his hips. You can hear how his breaths are becoming shorter- can hear him sigh so softly. He’s always so responsive to you: a trait you absolutely love. 

Your fingers tease the waistline of his pants, and you finally hear him speak for the first time in minutes. His voice is unsteady, already wrecked from just this alone. 

“Please,” he begs breathlessly. You don’t hesitate. 

You leave his underwear for now; you still have a point to prove. 

You continue to kiss down his chest, and then across his thighs. You indulge him, leaving a collection of blossoming purples across his inner thighs. The last is rewarded with a whimper, and his fingers curl through your hair. He’s almost shaking, his pupils blown wide when he looks down at you.  

“Please,” he repeats. You smile, and if Gale knows you, which he does very well, he knows it means you’re going to drag this out and tease him for as long as you can. 

“Soon, my dear, I just need you to do something for me first.” You move yourself back up so you’re straddling his hips again. “Say you’re beautiful.” You’re back to kissing just below his jaw. Gale lets out a shaky breath, but hesitates. “All you have to do is admit it, then I’ll give you what you want.” 

“This is hardly fair.” Gale does his best to sound annoyed, but you can feel him beneath you. You know how much of a hold you have on this man. 

You kiss him; a deep and passionate kiss that promises more, but you pull away before he can deepen it. 

“Say it,” you ask again. “I’ll wait as long as it takes, love.” 

Your hands are all over him: his shoulders, his face, brushing his hair back, tracing the curve of his jaw. It’s overwhelming in the best way. Gale can barely focus enough to string a single thought together. All he can think about is you. You and your hands and lips all over him, kissing each and every part of him. He’s never really considered himself beautiful, though many might think him vain. But the way you’re touching him, holding him, telling him how perfect he is in hushed whispers against the side of his neck, it’s enough to convince him that maybe you’re right. 

“I’m beautiful,” he relents, voice soft but still needy. He feels you smile against him. 

“Good boy,” you answer, and he moans at the praise. “Now to make sure you don’t forget that anytime soon.”

[weeping-statue]

that Alva fic was so amazing ahh I loved it :(( could I request one of him comforting platonic reader from a panic/anxiety attack?

Ofc anon! And thank you so much<3

“Just breathe.”

Contains; Panic attacks; comfort;

It’s too loud. There’s to many eyes. There’s so many things to do, and so little time. Where do you start? And when does it end? Is there an end? Questions upon questions, and no answers. To many people are trying to talk to you, the room feels distorted, and the air feels heavy. Really heavy. You need to get out of there.

The annual Christmas week celebration had started!

Everyone was invited to have fun setting up Christmas decorations.

Except, you weren’t having fun.

It was way too loud, and crowed.

The one person you were somewhat familiar with was talking to others and having the time of his life.

You couldn’t ruin it for him.

It felt awkward standing by just watching people who in turn, looked at you, and then started laughing.

Now it was humiliating. You felt the anxiety welling up and it became harder to breathe.

Rushing out of the room and down the hall into an empty storage space, you collapsed on your knees.

Fingers digging into the tiles and the skin of your neck.

Panic settling in when your realized the struggle for air.

Coughing and sputtering when the tears decided to start as well.

Alva had been mid conversation, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t keeping an eye on you. He had seen how uncomfortable you looked and was planning to head over to you once his talk was over.

But you ran away before could, and Alva had understood why.

He quietly excused himself, walking out the door and looking for where you went.

It wasn’t too hard to find your location, seeing as the only door in the hall was cracked open and there were noises coming from it.

And he could tell by the sounds that his suspicions were confirmed.

Alva slipped into the room and immediately scooped you up in to his arms.

“Shh, it’s okay my dear. Just relax, you’re safe.”he whispered, while rubbing soothing circles on your back.

At this point the tears have subsided and all that was left was the hyperventilating. It always hurt, physically and mentally. It felt scary too.

“Deep breathes, ___. In and out slowly. If you don’t control it you’ll pass out.” The instructions flowed smoothly from Alva, seeing as he himself has probably gone through this too.

Trying to take those deep breaths was hard, somewhat hiccuping and reverting back to the quick breathing you were doing before.

“I can’t breathe, It- It hurts..” panicked and tired, tears coming back ever so slightly, gripped onto his shoulders trying to ground yourself.

“You are breathing. Just not properly. Come on, with me-” he places a firm hand on your chest to apply pressure, and starts doing the deep breathing with you. Letting you follow along.

In and out, just like you’ve done multiple times before, and just like you will again.

It’s embarrassing having to be reduced to this state. Having to let your best friend see you like this. But you were too tired to care, because once your breathing was regulated, you slumped against him. Eye lids heavy as apology’s slipped through your mouth.

“I’ve got you, don’t worry. Close your eyes now. I’ll take you back to your room.” He promises, lifting you up into his one arm while the other holds his staff that he dropped earlier.

Alva always makes good on his word, he’s never lied, and never will. That’s why most people trust him. So you believe him fully when he says that, and you lean into him, letting sleep find you.

Sorry it took decades for me to get this out! I'm not too happy with this one either, but Ily you all, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

[winterwandersland]

Scenario Short: Echoes of Mercy Word Count: 3.1k tw/cw: fluff and humor, mild language, playful banter, mutual pining, slow burn, age difference Simon Riley x Black!Fem!Reader The Lieutenant decides to take you on a hike to get away from your usual training. (For context, this would be part of a different story and reader's last name is Abara; also, this is barely proofread)

It was almost sunset, the sun in just the right place to lay under and wait until it met with the horizon, making the sky that beautiful orange-red, with a hint of pink, that you loved so much. A while ago, you mentioned to Simon that you’d never watched a sunset before. Sure, you’ve seen the sun go down, but you've never experienced the pleasure of sitting under the blue sky, watching it shift, the birds pass, and the sun starting to hide itself behind the tree line, making the sky change colors.

You trailed slowly behind the Lieutenant as he led you higher up the trail that was a little ways away from base. Surprisingly, not many people came up here as they claimed to never have the time to do so. “Let’s go, Abara,” you hear the Lieutenant yell from ahead of you.

You were definitely intentionally dragging your feet as the kept a steady pace up the trail. “And why are you, the lieutenant of a whole ‘nother unit, taking me, a SEAL in training, on a hike alone, again,” you questioned him, just one more time. He had explained it once, but you just needed to hear it one last time to understand. “Bonding,” he blandly replied. Sometimes, you wondered if actually liked you considering his dry responses to anything you said.

“And why do we need that? We can’t do that as a group,” you inquired. They were valid questions. You weren’t necessarily complaining, but you did find it…odd. However, you were enjoying the quality time spent with the man.

“Thought you liked hiking,” he replied. His dry responses were both pushing on a nerve and also made you want to annoy him even more.

“I do…when I don’t feel like there’s a possibility that I’m about to be murdered,” you quipped. It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. Isn’t this usually how the horror movies start?

“I’m not gonna murder you,” he assured. But it was in that same dry tone, so it wasn’t too convincing. “That’s what the murderer says…before they commit murder…,” you replied.

Simon understood your worry, but he just wanted to use this as an excuse to be alone with you and try to get to know you more. You’ve always caught his eye, but the only interactions he truly had with you were finding excuses to correct your form or tell you to stop chatting so you could stay ahead.

“Would you pick up the pace,” he demanded, yet his voice not sound like it would when he reprimanded the other recruits. “Nah, I’ll stay behind you. You go ahead and stay in front,” you replied, putting your safety first because this could be your last moments on Earth.

You see the rise and fall of the Lieutenant’s shoulders followed by a sigh that you could astonishingly hear from under his mask. He turns to you like a unimpressed parent and said, “You’re making this more complicated than it needs to be.”

“You’re making this scarier than it needs to be. It also doesn’t help that it rained recently and it’s becoming night time. You could easily push me, say I slipped and hit my head and everyone would believe you,” you told him. You were trying to keep everything lighthearted, but you were still being cautious.

You knew you shouldn’t be afraid of your Lieutenant, but you could never be too careful. Usually, if you were actually afraid, you’d feel that sinking in your chest and the twisted feeling in your stomach, but you didn’t feel that with him. At this point, you were just pulling his leg.

He scoffed, never inching any closer to you. “That’s a great idea. Thanks for that. I’ll think about that as we continue this hike,” he told you. He was clearly still trying to get you to continue as he turned around and began walking up the trail again.

When he heard your footsteps stop behind him, he halts and turns to you who has your hand in your hip. “So you are here to murder me,” you insisted.

“No,” he said seemingly unamused. He watched you tilt your head as if you didn’t believe him. You always reminded him of an animated character because of how expressive you were. He didn’t show it much, but it was quite entertaining for him, so he gave into your amusement.

“Maybe,” he said, changing his mind, giving more into your dramatics. Your jaw dropped, watching as he stood ahead of you, waiting until you were done with your scene.

“I’m not gonna bloody murder you,” he insisted. You crossed your arms and began walking, thought you still kept your distance because you were just so ‘scared’.

“Yea, yea. I’ll believe you when I make it back to base…in tact…no injuries…unscathed…and not out of breath from running away,” you told him.

Your insistence that he would actually murder you was quite amusing to him. He knew you didn’t believe it, but giving into the story seemed to keep you walking. He wanted to get to the top in time to get you to see the sunset, though he hadn’t told you that.

“You watch too many movies,” he told you. “And where do you think the directors get the ideas from? Real life,” you said like you just made the smartest remark of all time, a smirk going across your face.

Simon let out another sigh, continuing to walk in hopes of getting you to keep up. “We’re almost to the top, then we can break and go back to base,” he informed you.

“Mkay. I’ll stay behind you and enjoy the scenery as I go,” you told him. You loved looking over the edge, looking at all the flowers and greenery that stood beneath you. You always wished you could fly so you could see the green right in front of you instead of only from above.

“You do that,” he said, walking up the trail, though, stopping once he reaches a corner.

After admiring the surrounding nature, you caught up to the Lieutenant who was waiting just at the next peak of the trail. “Why don’t you keep walking,” you ask him.

“I need to keep you in my line of sight,” he informed you. He really just never wanted to take his eyes off of you and you looked so beautiful admiring the greenery.

“Why? So you can figure out the best time to catch me lacking?” you joked. Simon was at least ten years older than you, so sometimes there was a slight disconnect between the two of you. “Huh?”

You had to take a moment to figure out how to rephrase what you said into old people terms. “Are you trying to figure out when to kill me?”

“If that’s what you choose to believe, yes,” he said, still never changing his tone of voice, always as dry as can be.

“Hm. fun,” you said. What? Fun? That didn’t quite make sense to the Lieutenant. “Fun? Running away from a potential murderer?” he asked, becoming concerned with your mentality.

“Yea. Maybe they’ll make another Scary Movie out of it,” you replied. You definitely lost it.

“There are plenty of scary movies about running away from murderers,” he informed you. Clearly, the joke went over his head. But then, it came to your attention, he probably has no idea what you’re talking about as Scary Movie may not big popular in the U.K.

“I-uh-cultural difference,” you decided to say, not feeling like explaining anything, though now you wanted to go watch all of the Scary Movies. “What?”

“Just keep walking. I’ll be behind you,” you told him, still keeping up your murderer narrative. “Absolutely not,” you tell him.

“Then at least stay beside me and stop walking so close to the edge.” His protectiveness of you sent chills up your spine and goosebumps running all over, but you couldn’t let him know that.

You had the same mischievous look you always had whenever you decided to be a tease. “Am I scaring you, Lieutenant?”

He rolled his eyes, knowing the tricks you were trying to play. “You go dangerously close to the edge of the cliff every time you look at something,” he told you, making it clear he was very observant of your actions.

“Maybe I enjoy the thrill,” you told him.

“Enjoy the thrill on your own time. Come on,” he said, waving you on and trying to pick up the pace to get to the top of the trail. The sun was getting closer to the horizon. You were going to miss it if you kept messing around.

You rolled your eyes, crossing your arms again and started walking, this time on the right side of Simon, him being nearest to the edge of the trail. “You’re a very demanding murderer,” you tell him.

“If you say so,” he replies, now focusing on getting you to the top of the trail.

You both picked up your speed, the top of the cliff just in sight. If you wanted to, you could just make a run for it, but you were enjoying the silent quality time with the Lieutenant. He wasn’t much of a talker, but you didn’t mind. You could do the talking. You didn’t mind.

You were both so close to the top and then you came to another stop, looking at the large pile of mud that was, technically, in your way, though you could easily step over it. “What are you doing?” the Lieutenant asked, getting more anxious that the sunset would be missed.

“There’s mud,” you replied.

“Go ‘round it or step over it,” he insisted.

“I could…,” you told him, still eyeing the mud that was perfect to step in and make a mud footpath up the trail with its consistency. It wasn’t too dry or too wet. It was just right.

“Yes, and you should. Come on. It’s getting darker by the minute,” he said, his voice becoming more assertive. You still had no idea that the point of the hike was to show you the sunset. It wasn’t even an idea in your mind. “We’re nearly at the top,” you informed him.

“Exactly. We need to get there before the sun is down,” he told you, trying his best to rush you without being too demanding. You could have your fun after you saw the sunset.

“Why?” you asked him. He took a breath and hesitated to tell you why. “Because we do. Let’s go.”

You took a giant step and splashed in the mud, splattering mud over your pants and around you. “What the bloody hell are you doing? You’re getting yourself dirty,” he said, concerned with your cleanliness.

You were used to getting dirty. You liked getting dirty. Dirt was nothing to you. The shower afterwards was your favorite, as you would watch the dirt run down the stream of water and into the drain. It was refreshing and satisfying.

“And? What’s wrong with being a little dirty?” you quizzed.

You couldn’t tell if he was annoyed, but you were enjoying yourself. If he didn’t like it, he didn’t have to take you on a hike again.

“You’ve had your fun. Let’s go now,” he demanded, trying to get you to hurry up as time was ticking. Instead, you bent down, picking up a handful of mud. “What are you doing? Put that down,” he insisted. He had never seen anyone, especially your age, so willing to get themselves dirty, especially in mud.

You raised your arm and drew it back behind your head. “Abara, I’d think about your actions if I were you,” he scolded. You didn’t care. What could he do? Murder you? At least you’d die having some fun. “Oooorr what?” you teased, that devious smile going across your face. “Don’t-,” he started, but before he could finish you threw the mud, it splatting on his chest. He gave you a look and instead of being scared, you giggled.

If he was actually mad, you’d both be going back down the trail by now. It was hard to tell what his face was saying behind the mask, but if it were up to you to interpret, he was actually enjoying this. “What are you gonna do about it, Lieutenant Riley,” you teased, changing your voice as you said his name that so playfully rolled off your tongue.

“We’re moving now. Let’s go,” he insisted, turning around and walking again. As he walked, he felt another thud against his back. You weren’t actually throwing a lot of mud, Besides, it was laundry day.

Simom turned around and saw you giggling, not a fearful bone in your body, but he had to keep his serious demeanor. He couldn’t let you know he was enjoying this. “Abara,” he said.

“Riley,” you replied, mocking his tone. “This isn’t funny,” he told you. Judging by the lack of authority in his voice, much different than the tone he uses on the field, it was very funny.

“Would you stop trying to be the big ole’ mean Lieutenant and have some damn fun,” you said, throwing more mud at him. “You’re a-,” he started.

“Recruit. Yea, yea. And you’re the Lieutenant. Blah. Blah. Blah. Get that stick out your ass and smile for once. I know you have it in you. I know you have to smile sometimes behind that mask,” you say, slowly walking up to him with more mud on your hand. As you spoke, you slowly drew squiggles on his mask with the mud. If he was really upset about it, you’ll wash it for him.

He snatched the mud out of your hand, which slightly spooked you. You always had a problem with receiving the same energy as most people never reciprocated the energy you gave. “You know, they say mud,” he began as he started spreading mud on your face, “is good for your skin,” he finished.

Your eyes were closed as he spread the mud across all parts of your face, careful not to get it in your mouth, nose, eyes, or hair. Your jaw dropped, your eyes still closed. A smile drew across your face, your tongue going across your top teeth.

“Look at that. Your skin looks better already,” he commented. You stared at the ground, nodding your head and your hand on your hip. After a few moments, you looked up at him. “I’m gonna kill you,” you told him.

“Look who’s the murderer now. And you tried to say it was me,” he joked.

You quickly grabbed more muds, but he was quicker, already getting a throw in before you could grab a whole handful. The fun only lasted a few seconds before you slipped on some of the mud, almost falling off the edge. Your life flashed before your eyes, but you felt a hand on your back and before you knew it, you were against the Lieutenant’s chest, trying to catch your breath from the scare.

You looked up at him, catching his honey brown eyes behind the mask. You didn’t know if your heart was pumping from the scare or from the attraction. “How about we save the rest for when we reach the top, eye? Don’t want to make the trail too slippery for others,” he suggested.

It took some time for you to process that he was speaking to you. You were too invested in his eyes and the warmth of his touch to reply, but once you did, you just tried to play everything off like you didn’t nearly just fall in love. “Yea, sure…if I don’t kill you beforehand,” you said.

“In that case, go ahead and walk in the front. You can’t be trusted,” he replied, playfully pushing you in front of him and following your lead to the type. You started laughing and it brought joy to his ears as he watched your muddy footprints trail up the path.

You reached the top and were immediately amazed. You both were just in time. “Oh my gosh. Look at the sunset. It’s so beautiful,” you awed. Simon hadn’t looked at the sky, yet, before commenting, “Yea, it is,” he said, though his eyes were fixed on you.

“You’re not even looking,” you said, taking your hand and turning his head to face the sky. “Look at it. Isn’t it the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?” you asked him, not realizing he still wasn’t really paying attention to the sky. “Second most,” he said.

You turned towards him, surprised, because this sight was definitely number one on your list. “Oh, really? What’s the first?”

You, he thought. “I’ve seen a lot of beauty in my lifetime,” he told you.

“Okay…that doesn’t answer my question,” you said, wanting to know what could be more beautiful than this sunset:

“I’ll have to show you one day,” he said. So, he doesn’t hate you. Which also meant he would take you on another hike one day. “Show me what?” you asked.

“What number one on my list is,” he answered. Little did you know, all you needed to do was go to a mirror and stand in front of it.

“All your years in the service…you must’ve seen the aurora borealis or something. Is that what your number one is?” Not quite, but he’d love to take you to see that, too. “It is close, but could never be number one,” he answered. You were clueless and he didn’t know how you could be.

“Well, Lieutenant Riley, I hope to see whatever it is you saw that you believe could be more beautiful than this,” you say, averting your gaze back to the sunset.

“You will,” he mumbled.

After some time, the sunset was fading and it was becoming darker. “Hm. We should probably get going before someone really thinks you murdered me,” you joked.

“Or you murdered me,” he insisted. You giggled as you responded, “I’m not going to murder you.”

“That’s what the murderer always says,” he said, repeating what you said to him just an hour before. “Come here,” he said, whipping out a towel.

You inched towards him and his gently cupped your face with one hand and used to other to wipe the mud off your face, turning the once white towel brown.

His closeness made your heart flutter and you didn’t quite know what to do with yourself.

When he finished, you playfully shoved him, him stumbling, surprised at your strength. “Race you to base,” you said.

“I’m not-,” he started, but before he could finish, you were already on your way down the trail as he watched your footprints go down. As fast as you were going, he really hoped you didn’t actually slip and fall because he really wouldn’t know how to explain that he didn’t push you.

But most importantly, he hoped he’d be able to take you to see the aurora borealis one day so you can see how its beauty could never compare to you.

[elvissdollete]

Dear Elvis,

Happy Heavenly Birthday. I don’t even know where to start because there’s so much I want to say. My heart feels so full when I think of you, but it also aches because you’re not here. I love you, Elvis. I love you more than words could ever hold, more than the sky holds stars, more than anything I’ve ever felt before.

You don’t know me, and we’ll never meet, but somehow, you’ve become such a huge part of my life. You’ve given me hope on days when I had none, strength when I felt like I couldn’t go on. Even when I feel lost, you’re like this quiet light guiding me through. You make me want to be better, to fight harder, to believe in myself when it feels impossible.

Sometimes I laugh at the thought of it. Maybe it’s the 74 years between us. Maybe it’s the fact that you’ve been gone longer than I’ve been alive. But here I am, completely and utterly in love with you. It’s crazy, isn’t it? To love someone I’ve never met, someone who lived in a world so far from mine. And yet, here I am, writing to you like you’re right here, like you can somehow hear me.

I’ve seen how people talked about you. How they judged you when you gained weight, like your worth could ever be measured by something so shallow. They didn’t see the real you, Elvis. The man with the golden heart, the one who gave so much of himself to everyone else. To me, you were always perfect. Not because of how you looked, but because of who you were. You could have weighed a thousand pounds, and I’d still love you just as much. You’ll always be Elvis Aaron Presley to me—the man who makes my heart feel things I didn’t know it could feel.

I heard once that you were afraid people would forget you, that you thought you’d just fade away when you were gone. But Elvis, you couldn’t have been more wrong. No one has forgotten you, and no one ever will. You’re everywhere. In the music, in the stories, in the hearts of so many people, including mine. People don’t just remember you—they love you. You’re more than a legend; you’re a part of us.

And me? I miss you, Elvis. I miss you like I’ve known you my whole life. It’s this ache that doesn’t go away, this emptiness I can’t fill. I think about what it would’ve been like to see you, to hear your laugh, to feel the warmth of your presence. I wonder if you would’ve noticed me, if you would’ve smiled at me just once. I know it’s a silly thought, but it stays with me anyway hehe.

You’ll always be my everything, Elvis. My heart, my inspiration, my love. Even though you’re not here, you’ve left a mark on me that nothing could ever erase. Thank you for being you, for giving so much of yourself to this world.

And, oh God. Dear Jesse, happy birthday to you too ❤️ I don’t know much about you, and I never will. You were here for such a brief moment, and then you were gone, like a whisper in the wind. But even though you never had the chance to live a full life, your presence shaped the one who did.

You were Elvis’s first connection, his other half, and I believe a part of you always stayed with him. Maybe you were his quiet strength, the part of him that kept going when life got too hard.

Even though we don’t know you, Jesse, you’re not forgotten. You were loved from the moment you existed, and you’ll always be remembered as a part of him. Rest peacefully.

And again, Happy 90th birthday to both of you. I love you, Elvis. I always will.

Forever yours,

Shai ❤️

[0asisbliss]

Super slaughter

Warnings: Gore, murder, kidnapping, torture, etc. (Not to reader) This wasn’t present in this current chapter, but later on it will be included in the series. if you’re kinda sensitive to that kind of stuff I don’t request you read this.🤷🏽‍♀️

A/n: I had a lot of fun making this🙃

Parings: Yandere!Choso x Fem!Reader

It’s a massive massacre it’s super slaughter~

You had pretty much good life so far you got into college, and got a job. It’s good pay, and you have free time on the weekends. You didn’t have many friends though, and family lived out the country, so didn’t really talk to anyone much. Even though you had a couple of friends most of them were either busy, or just ignored you when you reached out to them.

You basically had no one if you had really thought about it. That’s until you met him anyway. He was kinda weird looking. Hair in to top ponytails and big black eyes staring back at you. No wonder he was talked about among the girls back at campus. Even though everyone thought he was handsome and good looking. Everyone had one thing in common when saying things about him. He. Was. Weird. Always having his head in a book, or just staring out in space. You might think it’s normal for people to do that. Maybe? But when he does it’s creepy. So when he approached you asking to hang out with him. You hesitate first, but you end up agreeing.

He then asks for your number to make a time and place for you two to go.

Choso’s cheeks flush a bright red thinking of you and him together. When his mind starts to wonder else where he shakes those thoughts out of his head. That’s when he wants to hear your sweet voice again.

You’re sitting on your bed doing absolutely nothing scrolling through instagram instead of doing your assignments that are due tomorrow. You can clearly see his caller id, but do really wanna talk to someone right now? You thought to yourself. Nonetheless you pick up the phone, and once you pick it up Choso’s eyes beam with glee, and happiness.

“Hi…” Choso say directly into the phone to make sure you hear him.

“Hello Choso how are you?”

“I’m doing fine. You smelled good today” Choso said this in a serious tone as if he really wants you to know. Everything seems fine until you realize you didn’t even see him today.

“Oh! Uh Choso I don’t remember seeing you today?”

“Don’t worry love I saw you.” You think about what to say for a moment before responding. You giggle a bit at his nickname for you.

“Well thank you Choso! You’re so sweet.”

She called me sweet I can’t believe she called me sweet!

Choso went quiet for a while not saying anything at all. You just wondered he went to go do something, and he’d be back.

The phone hung up. You thought nothing of it and went back to what you were doing even though the conversation was weird.

The next day once you get on campus you run by the campus cafe to get a quick coffee. Then you catch your friends. You two walk around to pass time before class starts. She goes with you to 1st period math.

Kacey and you have actually been friends since high school. You two eventually grew closer when you two talked about going to the same college together. If you could talk about anything to anyone it would be her. She had such a bright and funny personality when it came to life she was just in general a bubbly person.

When you two entered class you sat down in your seats. You two sat close to the teacher for better hearing since the class was fairly big. As you two got ready for lecture you two would always have small conversations.

“I hear that you’ve found someone!”

“Huh? What? No not really I’m actually not looking for anyone at the moment.” You said bluntly wondering why she would say something like that.

“Aren’t you in a relationship with the cute weirdo Choso?”

“No? Who said that?”

“Choso himself? That’s what he told me.” She shrugs getting her notes out.

“Oh no. We’re not dating, I’m just gonna assume he thought wrong and maybe talk to him about it.” You said in a positive tone.

After a couple hours pass and class is over you rush to find Choso. Hopefully to find him before he tell anyone else the false rumor of you two dating.Hopefully he won’t go crazy about it.

[melodygatesauthor]

The Best Kept Secrets - Steven's Story

dbf!Steven Grant X f!Reader

Not Beta Read - Masterlist - AO3 Link

Suggested reading order - Marc -> Steven -> Jake -

Marc's Story - Jake's Story

Summary:

You've just graduated college and you find yourself developing feelings for your dad's best friend after your graduation party. Three different versions of the same story all with different boys.

Tags/Warnings (for all three fics):

NSFW, age gap (reader is about 22 - boys are 40), reader is not race-coded, reader graduated college in America but isn't necessarily American, p in v creampie, unprotected sex, dbf trope, oral sex, coercion (sort of on both sides), Jake being Jake, Marc being Marc, Steven being Steven, forbidden relationship, forbidden sex, blowjob, mild bondage, dirty talk, alcohol consumption, car sex, bad puns

Word Count: 8.6k

You got out of the Uber when it stopped in front of your childhood home. Your dad was already waiting for you by the front door, smiling wide. He came over with his arms out, pulling you into a big hug. You grunted from the tight squeeze.

“Hi dad.” You choked out.

“I sweetie.” He let go of you and looked you over. “How was the ride from the airport?” He started taking two of your bags out of the trunk and walking back toward the house with you in tow.

“Long,” you said with a tired laugh.

“Well, hope you’re not too tired cause there’s a few people here to see you.”

He opened the front door and you were greeted by several relatives and family friends in the kitchen. They all shouted, congratulations! at once, holding up an assortment of beer bottles and glasses of wine. Knowing your dad, the drinking had been going on for a couple of hours before you arrived.

“Thanks everyone,” you said with a big smile, feeling a little shy having all those eyes on you.

You noticed the black and gold, congrats graduate, banner adorning the wall above the table in the dining area. With the initial excitement over, the crowd dissipated and you watched everyone start mingling once again. Your cousins came up to you and started exchanging quick updates on their lives while everyone else chattered around you throughout the house.

“What do you think, huh?” Your dad asked, coming up behind you while you admired the cake in the center of the dining table. He handed you a mixed drink.

“Dad, this is really great. There’s so many people! I really wasn’t expecting this when you said we were having a graduation barbecue. Thought maybe only a couple people would show up.” You looked to see your aunt talking with one of your dad’s friends in the living room.

“You know me better than that. Not everyday your kid graduates college,” he patted your back proudly, “shit, gotta go check the grill. I’ll be right back.”

While he was gone, you watched your aunt and your dad’s friend finish their conversation. You’d known Steven since you were a kid, but it had been a long time since you’d seen each other. He came over to you and held up his drink as if to say cheers. He still looked nervous as you remembered, and you wondered if that would ever change. Looking at him now though, you found it a little endearing, the way he stood awkwardly next to you. He gestured to the cake.

“Looks like someone’s a genius,” he sniffed out a laugh, “you. Can’t believe you’ve graduated, seems like only yesterday you were leavin’ to go on your big college adventure.”

You pulled your lips into a tight smile, “yeah, I guess I’m a pretty big deal,” you giggled at your attempt to sound conceited, “heard the job market sucks though. Not looking forward to that.”

“Well, as long as you’ve got a good resume, shouldn’t be a problem for someone smart as you, right?” He gulped some of his wine down and then looked at you with those brown eyes that seemed to sparkle sometimes when the light hit them just right.

You felt your cheeks get flush over Steven endlessly complimenting your intelligence. This was the first time you’d really looked at Steven. He’d always just been your dad’s best friend. He wasn’t a bad looking guy, but he always had a disheveled appearance, oversized clothes, and a nervous demeanor that didn’t exactly scream ‘lady's man’. The way he looked at you now though had your stomach fluttering with excitement. You noticed the way his eyes went half lidded as he looked you over too, as though you were the thing making him buzzed instead of the wine.

You cleared your throat, breaking the awkwardly silent trance you were both under.

“I actually don’t have a resume,” you said softly, realizing that he was probably going to think you were an idiot for not having the most basic thing you needed for a job in the first place.

“Oh we can’t have that can we? Tell you what,” his eyes seemed to light up, “I’m going to be gone two weeks on holiday after tomorrow, but when I get back, why don’t we go over that resume together? I’ve had to make one or two in my career.” Steven gave you his usual dopey smile, but this time you felt your stomach flutter.

You nodded, sipping your drink, “that would actually be amazing.” Someone called your name from outside, interrupting the casual conversation. “I gotta go, see you around, Steven.”

“Yeah…you too, love.”

After several hours and a few drinks later, you were sitting around the firepit with only your dad, one of your cousins and Steven. Steven was always telling fascinating mythological tales around the fire that had apparently bored everyone else in the audience. Your father was struggling to keep his eyes open while Steven rambled on about Khonshu, the moon god. Truth be told, you found it all extremely fascinating. You leaned on your hand, watching him and listening intently. He looked over at you and smiled. Steven’s smile was so fucking beautiful. Why hadn’t you noticed before tonight how good looking he was? This feeling you had was so wrong…but you wanted him so badly all of a sudden. It had to be the alcohol talking, that was the only logical explanation.

A little while later, you were tipsy and felt your eyelids closing involuntarily, no matter how hard you tried to keep them open.

They closed again, and when you opened them this time, it was only you and Steven left around the fire.

Closed again.

You weren’t sure how long you’d been out, but the sudden movement stirred you awake. You were being carried by a set of strong arms. Did your dad come back to get you? No. He would’ve woken you up so you could walk to bed. You wrapped your arms around the man’s shoulders and buried your face in his neck. Steven, you thought.

He smelled like fresh linen sheets that had been on a clothesline all day. Your lips brushed the soft skin there, and you felt a strong sense of comfort wash over you. Alcohol had a way of making you forget to filter your emotions, and right now you were hoping Steven would never let go. You didn’t know why you felt that way. None of it made sense. It’s not like he’d made any sort of pass at you during your growing up. He certainly had been respectful all night.

When you got to your room, you stirred and looked up at him. He put you down gently, one foot at a time, but never took his eyes off of you, nor did you take your eyes off of him. You grabbed either side of his baggy denim jacket. You weren’t sure if the attraction was one sided or not until Steven grabbed your hip in one hand, and cupped your cheek in the other.

You went for it, closing the gap between your lips, not wanting to give the nervous man a second to reconsider. He must’ve drank too much as well just based on the way his tongue tasted in your mouth. It was delicious, exciting, and forbidden. Steven pushed you back onto the bed, never letting his mouth disconnect from yours. He climbed over you, taking you completely by surprise. You thought for sure that the usual ‘by the book good boy’ Steven wouldn’t dream of doing something with his best friend’s daughter, but here he was on top of you with his tongue down your throat.

Steven kissed along your jaw and moved to your neck, peppering soft and wet kisses there. You grabbed his hand, guiding it to the waist of your jeans. You clasped your hand over your mouth when he dragged his thick finger over your folds, finding your clit with ease. He teethed your earlobe, inciting a high pitched and muffled squeak from you.

“This is so stupid of me, shit,” Steven said through gritted teeth.

“It’s okay, we can just…we’re drunk, it will be like nothing happened tomorrow okay?” You looked at him, desperate for him to stay.

He peered up at you with a hooded and drunken gaze. His lips were swollen and glossy. He went back in for more sloppy kisses, moaning deeply into you while his fingers kept working over your greedy clit. You brought your hands up and tangled them in his locks.

You felt him churning his hips against your knee. He was hard, and from what you could tell he wasn’t lacking in size either. He never stopped working on you with his incredibly dexterous fingers though, rolling his fingers over that little nub that made you do the most morally questionable acts. You bit Steven’s lip, letting it snap back on his bottom teeth. He whimpered and you felt him start thrusting his hips faster against you.

“Steven, you feel so good. Don’t stop touching me please. I’m so…ah–so–close–I’m–oh shit.”

You came, cunt contracting in waves as Steven stole every moan from your mouth into his. He was grinding faster and faster against your leg until finally he stopped. You felt a wet heat soak through your jeans and onto your thigh while Steven was open mouth panting on top of you. Neither of you moved for a while. You weren’t sure what had him frozen in place, but for you it was the fear of looking him in the eye and realizing what you both had just done.

You couldn’t. You wouldn’t.

You were the first to move, pushing him off of you and rushing to the bathroom to clean yourself up. When you saw yourself in the mirror you felt immediate disgust and regret. You shouldn’t have done that. That was your dad’s best friend, and you’d just let him get you off while he came in his pants on top of you.

What the fuck is wrong with you?

----

The next morning at breakfast, you and Steven kept stealing awkward glances at each other. He managed to make small talk with your father, not sounding much different than usual, but you and him both remembered what had happened the night before. You were struggling to figure out how things were going to go back to normal after that. How was he supposed to just keep coming over for get togethers and barbecues all summer now that you two had this weird thing between you?

“C-can you pass the orange juice?” You asked Steven, holding out your hand.

“You cold honey?” Your dad asked.

“Um, yeah a little, I’ll just put on a sweater when I go upstairs,” you damned your nervous stammering.

The moment your father went up to use the bathroom, you took the opportunity to talk to Steven who, at that moment, was clearly pretending to look at his phone. You were surprised to see someone like Steven using a smartphone. He always seemed like he was a little behind the times. You took a bite of your pancake and pointed at his phone with your fork.

“Whatchya lookin’ at?” You asked.

It seemed that actually talking to one another and pretending like nothing happened worked. Steven loosened up and showed you some pictures of the place he was going on his vacation. He was going to visit London, and talked excitedly about the museum they had there. He even joked that he’d like to bring you there some time. Except…it wasn’t a joke. Steven’s eyes were dead serious as he looked over at you.

“Steven I…we can’t…”

“I know…I’m sorry, sorry I shouldn’t have said anything, sorry.” He put his phone away quickly and sipped his orange juice.

When your dad came back downstairs, Steven seemed to have a hard time recollecting himself after his little comment. Breakfast ended abruptly with Steven looking at the clock and feigning surprise. He thanked your dad for letting him crash there for the night, made up some excuse as to why he needed to leave so suddenly and then waved goodbye to both of you before making a quick exit. You wondered if you were ever going to see him again.

----

For two weeks you fought off thoughts about your dad’s best friend. You tried so hard not to think about the way his arms felt carrying you up to bed the other night; so hard not to think about the way he smelled when you had your face buried in his neck; you tried so fucking hard not to think about the way his fingers felt brushing over your clit while he kissed you so passionately.

You were surprised when your father left for work and only a couple of hours later, Steven arrived. You hadn’t heard him come in, and nearly screamed when you heard papers shuffling downstairs while you were stepping out of the shower. You peered out the window and saw his car parked in the driveway. You let out a sigh of relief, realizing that there wasn’t a burglar in your home, but that initial fear was replaced with an anxiety that you couldn’t shake. Steven was there. He was actually there.

“He’s just here to help you with your resume,” you said to yourself in your vanity mirror, as though that was somehow supposed to stop the ache growing between your legs.

It wasn’t like it was easy to push away the thoughts that crept into your mind. You had to admit that there were a couple nights where you’d made a panting, wet mess of yourself while you imagined him buried deep inside of you, making you so cock dumb you could hardly breathe. Now you were alone together, and he was supposed to be helping you with your resume. You needed to pull yourself together. This was your dad’s best friend, and no good could come out of fulfilling your stupid fantasies.

When you finally came downstairs, dressed in something modest to help you both suppress your desires, you thought you were going to be able to stay strong. He was sitting on the couch, back to, fluffy dark curls in disarray as usual. Your mind, for a mere second, flashed to your fingers entangled in them, but you quickly shook he thought from your head.

You can do this, you said to yourself, it’s just Steven. It’s just good old–

The fucker turned around, bright eyes shining like it was the first time he’d ever seen you. You stopped in your tracks, pressing your hand to your chest like he’d just punched the air from your lungs. There were no words coming out of your mouth. You wanted to ask him how his trip was. You wanted to start discussing the pros and cons of putting certain extracurricular activities on your resume.

He stood up, wiping his hands on his pants. He was nervous. Why wasn’t he talking? You clearly weren’t going to be the one to say the first word, you couldn’t even if you wanted to. He didn’t talk, he just walked closer, each scuff of his shoe was deafening in the quiet air of your house.

“Stev–”

His lips were over yours before you could think, and you were falling into it hopelessly, grabbing the hem of his denim coat to pull yourself in closer. How was this happening? This was Steven, the guy who your dad trusted more than anyone, and he was grabbing both of your hips and pulling them tightly against his. You felt his prodding erection so strong and needy against your lower abdomen. If he couldn’t be the bigger person, you had to be. You pulled away from his arms while simultaneously pushing him back. He looked at you like a kicked puppy, lips pressed together tightly.

“Steven we can’t. We can’t,” you insisted, despite your wanting to let him bend you over the arm of the couch.

He nodded slowly, “I’m sorry I know. Sorry, I understand, truly love, it’s just…damn…sorry.”

He ran a hand through his hair and turned back to you. You walked up to him and put a hand on his back, looking over to meet his eye. He looked hurt by your rejection, but you knew he wasn’t stupid. You knew he understood why this, whatever this was, couldn’t continue for a moment longer. You both cared about your father so much, you couldn’t bear the thought of hurting him.

“S’not like I have girls throwing themselves at me y’know? I know I’m your dad’s best mate but…you’re so smart, you’re talented, not to mention incredibly beautiful I can’t–”

“Steven.”

“-and all they’ve ever done is laugh at me when I ramble on about the things I like, and you looked at me like—”

“Steven,” you repeated.

“-no one’s ever really cared about anything I’ve had to say. Not really and—”

“Steven!” Finally he stopped and looked at you. “I get it, and I’m sorry too. We just…can’t.”

You didn’t realize Steven had felt that way about you. It wasn’t like you didn’t feel the same, but you knew you couldn’t act on it. It wasn’t fair to your dad. After several more apologies, Steven determined he couldn’t bear to stay there and help you with your resume, so he grabbed his papers quickly and hurried out of your house.

----

After three weeks passed, you wondered if Steven would ever come back to your house. That is until your dad was on his way out the door for work and told you he’d received a text from Steven yesterday. Apparently he felt bad that you still didn’t have a job after being home all that time. Your cheeks grew hot immediately when you thought about the prospect of being alone with him again. Your dad left, and you just stood there wondering what you were going to do.

You could still remember what Steven’s lips tasted like, and what his hands felt like. You still thought about him when you were alone in your room gasping quietly with two fingers plunged deep inside your wet channel. You wanted him, but you were afraid. What if your dad found out? You couldn’t risk it…but maybe…maybe, Steven was worth the risk.

You thought for a moment about your alternatives; the men you were supposed to be interested in; the men who weren’t best friends with your father. In your experience, most of them treated you like you were an idiot and not worth their time. None of them acted like you were important to them. They certainly didn’t look at you as though you were the only woman in existence and tell you that you were smart, talented and beautiful.

They also didn’t know you like Steven did. Steven was there to talk to you on the late nights after a family barbecue when you couldn’t sleep and your dad was already in bed. He was there to help you with your impossibly difficult homework assignments, and he was there when you left for college, making sure you knew how to get around paying full price for your textbooks. – ‘Just buy them an edition or two under the one the professor asks you for, yeah? They’re pretty much the same thing and way cheaper.’ –

By the time he arrived a couple hours later, you realized that Steven was the obvious choice above all others, it was so clear. You walked down the stairs silently. Why were you still denying it? Was it because you knew there was no way it could really work out? Surely you’d be stuck perpetually lying and sneaking around to avoid getting caught. It would be an exciting endeavor at first, but it would stop being fun and eventually be downright exhausting. When you saw him this time, sitting there in your living room back to on the couch with his laptop and notebooks, you didn’t care anymore. All of that could get dealt with later. You wanted him in every way.

You wanted him now.

“Steven I–”

You froze in your tracks, seeing his laptop screen over the top of his head. He had a website open, a dating site. You could see the lewd messages between him and a pretty girl on the screen. Steven said a few curses while he tried to close the window, meanwhile you were trying to calm yourself down. You had no real reason to be upset. You’d turned him down, he was just doing what he should’ve been doing from the start, dating women that weren’t his best friend’s kid. That didn’t stop you from feeling the disappointment pool in your gut like a bad meal.

“Sorry, just…there.”

He finally got the window moved and now had a text document open. You took a deep breath, trying to stop yourself from collapsing on the floor. Why was this bothering you so much? It should’ve been a relief. He was moving on, and now you could too. It was simple. Life could go back to normal.

“Actually…” You gulped harshly, holding back the tears that threatened just behind the surface, “actually I wish dad had asked me before he texted you. I don’t need…” you gestured to him and the area surrounding, “this anymore.”

“What, you don’t need—oh, I see what’s happenin’ here,” Steven’s smile grew over his face, and for a moment you felt hopeful that he was going to scoop you up and kiss your sorrows away.

“Y-you do?”

“Yeah…I do…you missy got a job and you haven’t told your dad yet!” He walked over and grabbed your shoulders. Was this the part where he kissed you?

Nope.

“Congratulations! See, I knew you were brilliant. Didn’t even need me after all.”

It would seem that the universe was looking out for you anyway. Your dad walked through the door having forgotten his lunch in the fridge earlier that morning. He mumbled about how he was glad they let him leave to grab it, but damned himself still for forgetting it in the first place. If you and Steven had been standing there, tongues down each other’s throats…you wouldn't have been caught so easily. It would appear the rejection was a blessing in disguise.

Steven kept your ‘secret’ about the job you didn’t really have and proceeded to strike up a conversation with your dad while you just felt the world crumble around you. You’d never felt such a pit of dread in your stomach. You felt numb, and walked up to your room, deciding to stay there for the remainder of the day.

----

You weren’t thrilled at the prospect of Steven coming by to check on you while your dad was out of town for the week. Steven had seemed to have moved on easily from you. You even heard your dad talking about how he had a girl he’d taken on a date a couple of times. You wondered if it was the same girl he was messaging on the dating site. Two dates within the last two weeks. He must’ve really been smitten with her. Meanwhile, you were spending your evenings trying to stop thinking about that stupid night you’d spent together, and how much you regretted all of it.

But mostly you regretted pushing him away when he’d come back from his holiday.

When he finally showed up, it was after dinner. You were sitting on the couch watching some crappy movie about five guys taking down a Columbian drug lord. You paused the movie and turned around to see him standing there. He was so handsome. Your stomach fluttered wildly, making you feel nauseous. You turned back to the tv and pressed play again, not saying a word.

“Hi love. Just coming in to check on you, y’know? Your father asked me to so…here I am,” he sounded timid, like he was trying to calm down a wild animal. He knew you were upset…was it that obvious?

You didn’t respond. You didn’t need him there anyway, checking in on you. You were twenty-two, not seven. He had no reason to be there other than your father acting over protective in a way that was even more annoying than he could possibly understand. Steven walked around to the other side of the couch and sat down. Looking up at the screen, he pointed and chuckled.

“Never seen this film before, but don’t think that’s very smart, burnin’ their money like that yeah?” He shifted, wiping his hands on his pants.

He was nervous again.

You finally looked over at him, “you don’t have to stay here. You can tell my dad you checked on me and just go.”

“I’m guessing you heard about Jane…”

“Didn’t know her name,” you said coldly, “but yeah, I heard about her.”

“I just thought that…if you really didn’t want this, whatever this is, then I’d better find some way to move on. Maybe you should—”

“I’ll be right back,” you slammed the remote down and started for the stairs.

“I’ll pause it if you—”

“Nope! Enjoy the movie Stevie!”

You had no right.

You had no right to be as angry as you were about Steven finding someone that he could spend time with out in the open. He could kiss her in the street, he could take her on a date, he could bring her over and put his arm around her in front of your dad. She could give him all the things that you couldn’t.

Now it was too late. You were sitting in your room, trying desperately not to cry so loudly that Steven would hear you from downstairs. Either you failed in your attempt to be quiet, or he was going to come up to your room whether he heard you or not, because he pushed your door open with a low creak. You looked up at him, standing there with his hands balled up in fists in front of himself. He looked almost like a child who was afraid of getting in trouble.

“Love?” He asked.

You wiped your eyes quickly, turning away so he couldn’t see you.

“Please go away, Steven,” you said in a nasally tone.

“Yeah, I will…in a minute.”

You felt the bed shift next to you and you turned your back to him completely, crossing your legs on the bed. You felt uncomfortable knowing he was right behind you. Your feelings of discomfort were amplified when you felt his hand on your shoulder with a light tug. He was strong, and you weren’t in a position to fight back, so you fell into his chest.

“Are we gonna talk about this or are we going to keep pretending we don’t feel…something?” He asked, resting his chin on your shoulder. “Y’know I only went out with her because you made it exceptionally clear that you were finished with me...but I never stopped thinking about you.”

“We’re going to keep pretending,” you turned around and looked at him deeply, “because it’s wrong, Steven.”

“So then let’s just…” he leaned in close to you, “we can just let it go if…” you leaned closer, “if you want.”

“We really shouldn’t…” his nose brushed against yours, “if we get caught my dad…” your mouths were almost touching, “he’ll be so mad I–”

It was over. You pushed Steven back onto the bed and kissed him sloppily, desperate to feel him again. You straddled him and already felt the strength of his erection pressing against you through his pants. He grabbed your hips and held them in place, rubbing himself against you hungrily. While it did feel good, having him dry hump you and feeling the sweet friction of the clothes you wore against your needy clit, you wanted more.

“Get your pants off, please,” you practically begged, working on discarding your own bottoms.

Steven complied, and when he did you froze in awe at the size of him. He was bigger than you’d thought he would be which excited you as you climbed over him again. You felt his fat tip prodding at your entrance, becoming slick with your juices. He rested a large hand on either of your hips, squeezing hard. You thought he was going to let you set the pace but…

“Sorry love, sorry I–” he grunted and thrust upward into you while simultaneously pulling you down, gasping as he did, “-oh just had to feel you—oh shit. Been thinkin’ about it f’so long now.”

“Oh-Steven oh my–” you fell forward, leaning down to kiss him while he jackhammered into you at an unforgiving pace.

The sound of skin slapping skin was deafening and he never slowed the speed at which he fucked you from below. You tried to keep your lips over his but you couldn’t so you sat upright, looking down at him. He licked his bottom lip and then trapped it under his top teeth. Both of his large hands were gripping your thighs, holding you in place with a bruising strength.

“Lean back f’me, love. Grab my legs.”

You whined as you did what he asked, arching back and grabbing onto his shins.

“There you go darling, now slide back and forth.” You started rocking your hips as he’d instructed, dragging his cock along your walls in a delicious rhythm. “Yeah, there y’go, just like that.”

Your jaw fell open when Steven pressed the pad of his thumb on your clit. He started rolling his finger over the sensitive nub, circling gently. You whined at the touch, looking down at him. His strong jaw was still clenched while he bit his bottom lip. You kept sliding yourself back and forth, taking his cock as deep as you could and feeling the way it would twitch inside of you on every pass. He felt so good, any reservations you had were gone, he was all you wanted…all you needed.

“Does that feel good, love? You’re squeezing so tight–god–it’s so…” 

Steven was still using his free hand to hold onto your thigh and help your movements. You could feel him churning his hips what little bit he could in rhythm with your own. Thank goodness your father wasn’t home or there would be no denying what you were doing. You were practically screaming Steven’s name while he dragged his fat cock against that sweet spot deep inside of you. His thumb kept brushing over your clit, sending electric currents through your entire body.

“Feels so good Steven–yes ah!”

He shocked you when he sat up so suddenly, bringing his face close to yours. You kissed him deeply and started sliding up and down over him. He disconnected his lips from yours and looked at you, eyes so hooded with desire that you’d think he was drunk if you didn’t know any better.

“Love the way you work yourself on me darling. You look so pretty when you’re taking what you want from me. Don’t stop–mm yes–just–like–that.”

You’d never heard Steven’s voice sound so rough and wrecked before. He lifted your shirt and took one of your nipples into his mouth, humming into your breast as he did. When you looked down all you could see was his brown curls peeking out under your shirt. His hands worked to spread your ass cheeks and help you move while you continued grinding down on top of him. You felt a bead of spit trickling down your torso from Steven’s continued mawing at your chest.

“Steven, not gonna make it much longer!” You whined loudly.

“I know love, I can feel it,” he grunted. “Just let go f’me, I’m right there.”

If not for Steven’s strong arms continuing the pace, you would’ve stopped moving the moment your orgasm took over your body. It felt so good your legs went completely numb, struggling to hold you up. You felt your cunt squeezing around his girth, contracting and releasing while you gushed over him. His hips shot up, one harsh snap as his own climax peaked, hot white spend filling you so full that you felt it leak out around the sides of his cock.

You were both a breathless heap when you were done and coming back down from your high. You found yourself wrapped in his arms in your bed while sleep took you both over. You never thought in a million years that you and Steven would’ve done something so intimate, but now that you’d actually felt him, and been so close to him, you wouldn’t change it for the world.

----

Steven had awoken the following morning next to you and you wondered what would take place after that. Was he going to want to continue seeing you, or was he going to continue seeing that Jane girl?

He was going to continue seeing Jane…and then he didn’t see you again for another three weeks. When he’d left that morning after he ‘checked’ on you, he assured you that continuing to date her would be a way of throwing your father off your trail. The two of you would be able to keep seeing each other in secret, and your dad wouldn’t think anything of it. The only problem was, you weren’t seeing each other at all. Steven straight up blew you off, so when your dad told you he was coming over for dinner, you felt anxious almost immediately.

Dinner was almost ready when your phone buzzed on the counter. You picked it up. Joey, the guy you’d met last week at the local coffee shop was asking if you were still on for tomorrow night. You replied, ‘yes’, and then put your phone in your pocket. As hard as it was, going out with someone else was a necessary step in getting things back to normal. Steven clearly had no intention of pursuing things with you further, so why were you going to wait for him? It didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like hell to let him go though, after everything you’d been through together.

When he walked into the house sporting his usual nervous smile and disheveled dark locks, you felt your breath hitch in your throat. He was still so handsome. It’s not like you expected that to change, but you’d hoped that maybe you would’ve stopped mentally putting him on a pedestal by now so you could move on. But you didn’t, and you couldn’t.

“Hey, Steven.” You said coldly with a glare to match as he approached the dining table.

“Oh, hey!” He looked genuinely happy to see you. 

You tried so hard not to look like you wanted to turn him to stone with your gaze, but you couldn’t help it. After the night you’d shared together, and the things he said you would do under your dad’s nose, him standing you up had done nothing but piss you off. You didn’t even want to go on a date with the loser from the coffee shop, you’d just wanted something…anything to help clear your mind from Steven, and yet here he was, sitting right in front of you, acting like nothing fazed him at all.

You wasted no time telling him about the date.

“Steven, I wanted to tell you how excited I am about tomorrow night, I’m going on a date!”

You looked up from your plate to see Steven with a forkful of mashed potatoes sitting in front of his wide open mouth. He seemed to be frozen by your words, and a snide smirk rested over your face. He popped the mash into his mouth, getting a little on his chin and shirt while he just kept looking at you.

“Well…” he said, mouth full and using his napkin to dab his chin, “that’s…erm…that’s good innit?” He took a huge gulp of wine.

You shrugged, “I suppose. Sometimes you just have to take what you want when things don’t go your way.”

The conversation wasn’t about you and Joey anymore.

You swigged your own wine down in one gulp. Steven’s whole demeanor changed, like he was mentally disconnected from the conversation, even while he spoke.

“Oh, erm, you like this guy then? He’s nice?” He wasn’t looking at you, instead he was poking the food on his plate nervously.

“I don’t know,” you tried to sound indifferent, “if nothing else he’ll be a good distraction. Keep things interesting.”

Steven nodded, and looked back up at you. He was forcing himself to eat, you could tell by the way he popped his fork into his mouth again unenthusiastically. His eyes were glossing over. You knew he was seconds from the waterworks and you hoped that your dad didn’t notice. When you looked in your father’s direction, he was fixated on his own phone, likely something to do with work.

Steven finally responded, “good…it will be good for you to find someone you can spend time with then.”

“He’s right, you know.” Your dad chimed in, seemingly oblivious to the private conversation you and Steven were having right under his nose. “You’ve got a good job, now it’s time to find someone who makes you happy right?”

“Yeah, he is right isn’t he? I mean…he’s got someone to make him happy, Judy, right Steven? So he should know how nice it feels.” You kept your eyes on your dad who admittedly looked at you quizzically when you said something so clearly pointed at Steven.

You just made it uncomfortably awkward…even more so than it already was.

“Who wants more wine?” You asked, getting up and going to the kitchen, effectively ending the awkward exchange.

The glasses of wine were filled while you and Steven continued to avoid looking at each other. You both guzzled down three more glasses each while your father and he entertained more small talk. When dinner concluded, he got up and went outside to start putting together a fire, and your dad asked you to do the dishes and join them when you were finished.

You did the dishes, but you didn’t join them. You told your dad you weren’t feeling well and instead retreated to your room. The last thing you wanted to do was continue the awkwardness that transpired at the dinner table. You thought that would be the end of it, that Steven would have enough sense to just let you walk away and let the spark between you both die down.

You were wrong.

Your father had gone to bed almost a half hour before you heard Steven working his way upstairs. You thought for sure he would walk right by your room and go to the guest room, but he didn’t. Steven twisted your door handle and walked in, closing the door quickly while he stepped inside. You sat up and looked at him with confusion, rubbing the fatigue from your eyes.

“What are you doing in here?” You asked. He stumbled so you got up quickly and put your hands on his shoulders. “Hey! Careful. Here…sit down.”

You helped him onto your bed hurriedly before your dad woke up to his drunk friend being a little too noisy in your bedroom. Steven groaned and covered his face with his hands, slouching over.

“I’m so dumb, I’m sorry. Listen to me love, please, just listen and don’t kick me out.” Steven looked at you with those eyes that made your body melt into a puddle every time you saw them.

You crossed your arms over your chest, “What?” Maybe you sounded a little too harsh, but to say you were angry was an understatement.

He took a deep breath, “I made a huge mistake. I am so sorry I tried to gather the courage to reach out to you, but then I thought about your dad and I started to feel a bit guilty.”

“It’s a little late for that isn’t it?”

“A bit…yeah a bit…but I still felt it. And like, wakin’ up next to you was the best moment of my entire life. I can’t even begin to describe it, it was like–“

“I know Steven, I felt the same.”

Relief flooded over his body and that love-dumb smile spread across his lips. He grabbed both of your hands and pulled you to stand between his legs, resting his face between your breasts. You felt a vibration across your sternum from him mumbling to you. You stepped back and looked down at him.

“What?”

“I said, I’m sorry.” His eyes were glossy again. “I didn’t have the courage to reach out to you, and then it had been over a week and I thought surely I shouldn’t reach out to you now because you’d be angry no doubt. I wanted to, I really, really–”

You were a certified moron for kissing him right then. He didn’t prove to you in the slightest that he cared about you, not with his actions anyway, but you were still a little buzzed from the wine you’d had earlier, and you felt the arousal building between your legs. Not to mention the small part of you that actually believed the words coming out of his mouth. When you tried to pull away from the kiss, Steven wrapped his arms around your bottom and pulled you close. You conceded, cupping his cheeks and sucking his lower lip in between your teeth.

If kissing Steven was one thing, it was messy, sloppy, and wet. He tasted like wine and something entirely unique to Steven. You wanted to devour him in every sense of the word, to feel him around you and inside of you all at once. He was faster than you, quickly removing his pants and getting them down around his ankles, staying positioned still on the edge of the bed.

The cheap lace panties you’d worn must’ve had a small tear already started, that or Steven was deceptively strong, because he ripped them all too easily. He threw them aside like they’d personally wronged him and you moved to straddle him on the edge of the mattress. The thick head of his cock was already prodding so hungrily against your greedy hole. You finally took your mouth off Steven’s and looked at him. He was so pretty, lips glossy and swollen from your oral onslaught.

“Did you fuck her?” You asked, breathless.

Steven shook his head, “no, couldn’t bring m’self to do that to you love. Not a chance.”

He leaned up and kissed you again, even harder than before, which you didn’t think was possible. You took your frustration out on his lips, still mad at him for leaving you high and dry for so long. Oh but you weren’t dry now, you were anything but dry. Steven grabbed your hips in both of his big hands and pulled you down roughly over his length. You moaned deeper into his mouth, attempting to keep yourself from alerting your father who was, hopefully, sleeping down the hall.

Steven grabbed your asscheeks firmly and started bouncing you like you were weightless over his girth. He was hitting you so deep, filling you so full you could hardly stand it. You couldn’t bring yourself to take your lips from his though. The way they felt, the fixation you had on making the flesh there all raw and slick was maddening.

He was so noisy, not only in the way the bed creaked with his movements, but his hungry moans that you gladly swallowed whole would wake the neighborhood if you didn’t stifle them somehow. You broke it off and looked down at him. His puffy lips, so swollen from your relentless sucking, were spit soaked and shining.

“You need to quiet down Steven or my dad is going to hear us,” you whispered softly.

“I know love I know it just-oh my God–it just feels–it feels so good.” 

He grabbed the back of your neck for more sloppy kisses, as though they were his life support. Now one-handed, he relied on you to take over the motions, and you were happy to comply. You slid yourself up and down over his fat cock, feeding him your whines and whimpers while it split you open. He pulled your head back, breaking your faces apart once again.

“Don’t want you going on that date love, I don’t like it,” he looked at you so heartbroken you slowed your movements.

“I have to go Steven, we can’t let my dad know that we’re up to something, and if we’re both dating someone else then–” He interrupted you with his mouth again, “—then he’ll never suspect that–” another, “—we’re together.”

Steven shook his head, “don’t like the thought.”

He picked you up and laid you on your back without pulling out of you. Now you were both on the bed, him on top of you, thrusting slowly in what you assumed was an attempt to keep the noise to a minimum. You wished he could slam into you harder, despite knowing it would be a huge mistake.

“Don’t want you with someone else. Don’t want you makin’ these sounds for anyone else.” His face buried into the crook of your neck, leaving soft kisses there.

A sharp gasp escaped you when he nipped your neck. He started licking and sucking the skin there. You whined from the pain; he was drawing the flesh into his mouth harshly.

“Steven, you're going to leave a mark,” you warned, trying to pull yourself away from his mouth.

He hummed against you, fucking harder and sucking harder. You had to cover your mouth with your hand to keep yourself from alerting your father to what you and Steven were doing. That’s when you felt the arousal pooling like hot lava in your core. It came on so fast, hitting you like a wave until you were gushing and clenching around his wide girth. Steven choked out a low moan, finally releasing the hold he had on your neck. You felt him filling you, hot cum squelching out around him as he thrusted through his orgasm.

When you were both finished, he was breathing heavily with his face still resting on your neck. You knew why he was staying. You understood what he was feeling because you felt it too. You didn’t want to let go. An eternity could go by and it wouldn’t be enough time with him. He lifted himself up on his elbows and then leaned down to kiss you one more time.

“You’ve got to go on that date darling, I know you do but…I don’t want to ever hear about it alright? When we’re together, we don’t need to talk about any of it, I won’t talk about…her either. Please.” His eyes darted between yours rapidly.

You nodded, brushing your thumb over his cheek, “okay, not a word.”

---- 

You’d never felt so stupid.

There you were, standing in the rain outside of the restaurant where you’d been stood up. Your dad was gone for the weekend on business, and you didn’t know who else to call, that’s why you called him. He’d always be there for you, you knew that. No matter the situation, no matter the time, he would always come to your rescue.

Steven.

He pulled up to the sidewalk, stopping fast right in front of you, a little water splashing up and nearly getting all over your shoes. Steven was fast to run over, umbrella at the ready for the short walk to the car. You didn’t even need the thing, truth be told, but you weren’t going to tell him that. He looked so damn happy just to be your knight in shining armor.

“It’s pourin’ out, love! Why didn’t you wait inside?” He yelled over the rain.

You ignored his question, finding yourself only focused on the way his dampened curls framed his handsome face. Maybe you did need the umbrella after all; It kept you both dry while you grabbed his coat and pulled him close, slotting your lips over his in a deep, passion filled kiss. He used his free hand to tug you in even closer by the small of your back.

“Steven…” You looked up at him and found yourself lost in the beauty of his sparkling eyes.

“Darling, you’re gonna catch a cold out here if we don’t get inside the car,” he held out his arm, “how about I get you home to change and then take I’ll take you out on a real date, hm?”

Your stomach fluttered at the thought. A real date? With Steven? You took his arm and let him lead you to the car, but your mind was still racing. He got on the other side and started driving off.

“You want to take me on a date?” You looked over at him incredulously.

He started his usual stammering, “w-well I mean…if you’d like to, y-yeah. Not gonna make you do anythin’ you don’t want to, I was just thinkin–”

“No, it’s not that I don’t want to.”

You pulled down the mirror in the car. You looked like a drowned rat, and felt grateful that Steven had offered to bring you home prior to taking you out on a date. Your makeup was running down your cheeks and your tight red dress was soaked through. You chuckled and flipped the visor back up. You really did look like shit. You wouldn’t even want to take you out looking like that.

“I’d love to go on a date with you, it’s just, what about my dad? We can’t just go out together, what if someone sees us? And what about Jane? I’m sure if she catches you out with another woman she won’t be too happy.”

Steven pulled into the driveway. It was awkwardly quiet except for the rain pitter pattering on the windshield. You didn’t get out right away, you were feeling too overwhelmed to move. On one hand, you were seriously considering the future with Steven. It was clear that you were both too hung up on each other to keep this hidden. On the other hand, you couldn’t fathom telling your father about this. What would he say?

“Well for starters, I broke up with Jane,” you looked over at Steven, eyes wide and buzzing from his words. “I felt too guilty stringing her along while I knew my heart wasn’t in it and…” he took your hand in his, pressing his lips to your knuckles softly, “every time I was with her, I felt miserable that I wasn’t with you.”

“What do you think we should do then?” You asked, looking at him and hoping he had some magical solution that didn’t involve telling your dad…ever.

“We have to tell your father, love. I know it’s not what you want to hear but…I can’t keep doin’ this. I want to be with you. Not hidin’, not sneakin’ about. I want to take you out and spoil you and be a real couple, you know?”

Damn it.

“Alright,” you let out the breath you’d been holding for far too long. Despite the anxiety pooling in your chest, you smiled, “let’s go on that date then.”

----

Moon Knight DBF Masterlist

Moon Knight Masterlist

As a friendly reminder, I don't have a taglist anymore. You can follow @melodygatesupdates and turn on notifications for updates.

[my-little-random-world]

Fina: What’s going on? Where’s everyone going?

Isidro: Well, Julia is missing. She’s nowhere to be found.

Fina: What? What could have happened? Did someone take her?

Isidro: Well, we can’t rule out anything, but that doesn’t seem likely.

Fina: Oh my God, then what?

Isidro: Well, Jesús was going to take her to boarding school. Maybe this is her way of rebelling, but it’s just as dangerous. She could get lost, fall somewhere, get into trouble.

Fina: My God! Jesús must be having a terrible time. What can I do to help?

Isidro: No, there are already a lot of people helping. I don’t think we can do anything. If something happens to that girl, I swear...

Fina: Father, nothing will happen to her.

Isidro: The De La Reina family is having quite a day. It seems the saying is true, daughter: misfortunes never come alone.

Fina: And why do you say that? Did something else happen?

Isidro: Well, Jaime, Marta’s husband, is dying. He and Marta gathered the family to give them the news. It seems they’ve known for some time but didn’t want to make it public.

Fina: And they said it just like that—that he’s dying? Because I see him at the clinic, and honestly...

Isidro: Well, that’s all Damián told me. But we should be discreet for now.

Fina: My God, poor Marta. Poor Jaime.

Isidro: Didn’t she tell you anything?

Fina: Yes, but I don’t think I reacted the way she expected.

Gaspar: Isidro, Fina, I have to close up. I’m going to join the search.

Fina: Yes, eh, I also want to help. I’ll tell the girls to close the shop and...

Isidro: No, no, no, the shop should stay open, just in case the girl shows up there. Let’s go.

Gaspar: Let’s go.

—NEXT SCENE—

Marta: Until Julia shows up, I won’t be able to focus much on the shop. I hope you all can manage without me.

Claudia: Of course, Doña Marta. The last thing you should worry about is us.

Marta: Just be alert in case she shows up here. We don’t know where she’s gone or how far she’s wandered, but if she’s lost…

Claudia: Oh God, I hope not, Doña Marta.

Marta: She knows this place like the back of her hand. She might decide to come back here.

Claudia: My goodness, poor thing. With how small she is, isn’t there something we can do?

Fina: Doña Marta! My father just told me. Is there any news?

Marta: Nothing yet.

Claudia: It doesn’t sit right with me to just stay here with my arms crossed while she’s out there alone.

Marta: Everyone’s out searching for her. There’s not much more we can do.

Claudia: With your permission, Doña Marta, since Fina is here, I’ll head to the chapel to see if anyone there has seen her.

Marta: Thank you, Claudia.

—NEXT SCENE—

Marta: This is a nightmare, and once again, it's all Jesús's fault. If he hadn’t decided to send her to that boarding school, none of this would’ve happened.

Fina: I know. It’s no wonder she doesn’t want to go.

Marta: Why does he want to separate her from the family? He really has no heart. Too many things, Fina—I can’t take it anymore. Too much bad news.

Fina: My father told me about Jaime.

Marta: Yes, I already took care of that. But I had to endure your unfortunate reaction.

Fina: I didn’t realize it was so—

Marta: My husband is dying! I know your father is too, and I’m sorry. But you accused me of giving you a cowardly excuse!

Fina: Please stop, Marta! I know my reaction was childish and stupid, and I was only thinking about myself, but please forgive me.

Marta: Jaime is dying. He has an inoperable tumor and has been having attacks and other symptoms that he’s been hiding from me until recently. We can no longer hide it from the family.

Fina: Has something else happened?

Marta: Last night, I found him collapsed on the living room floor. For a moment, I thought he was… You don’t know what it’s like to see someone you love so vulnerable.

Fina: Oh, but I do, Marta, believe me.

Marta: Forgive me, you’re right.

Fina: No, forgive me for my reaction yesterday. If there’s anyone who’s honest and noble, it’s you.

Marta: You know I’d go to the ends of the earth with you, but I can’t abandon Jaime now.

Fina: I know. I understand completely, really.

Marta: And I’m so glad you understand. It’s been unbearable to keep this secret and not be able to vent.

Fina: I wish you could’ve told me earlier. I know Jaime asked you not to, but you didn’t have to go through all this suffering alone.

Marta: Jaime is scared. Hiding it has been his way of delaying the inevitable. But even if he kept you out of it, rest assured that as long as you’re nearby, you’re by my side no matter what happens.

Fina: Always. I suppose you’ve sought a second opinion, right?

Marta: There’s nothing to be done. The end is closer than ever.

Fina: I just can’t understand it—he’s so young. He has his whole life ahead of him, a job he loves—it just doesn’t make sense.

Marta: What are we going to do now?

Fina: I don’t know, Marta. I don’t know.

Marta: I want to be by his side until the end, but it breaks my heart to think I’ll have to be apart from you, especially now when I need you more than ever.

Fina: Oh my love. In that case, I think I have a solution.

Marta: What solution?

[mochinek0]

I Could be a Better Boyfriend (sing-fic)

This is for Maribat Pride June 2023. It was suppose to be posted yesterday. 

THEME: I have a thing for blondes

Marinette looked around the gala and sighed. It had been three year since she moved to Gotham and she still wasn't a fan of the galas in Gotham. Jagged Stone always gave her his tickets, anyways.

'Why turn them down when you live there, Cupcake? Show off you designs. Be proud!'

She knew he was just trying to help her out. Both him and Penny were trying to convince her to open up her deisgns and go public. After Paris, she didn’t want anyone trying to claim anything about her. She had been hurt too many times before. It didn't matter that everyone now knew the truth. She had been too damaged to go back. She preferred animosity; Jagged and Penny gave that to her.

Marinette sighed as she dropped onto her bed. She wasn't sure why she was so upset. She had seen Stephanie's boyfriend sneak out of the gala, several times over the last couple months. Sometimes, Stephanie would leave instead. Mari couldn’t help but wonder if their relationship wasn't as great as it appeared. Stephanie Brown would just smile when people asked where the CEO had gone and said he had to step out or something urgent came up.

It hurt to see her alone. She had spoken to her before about fashion and sweets. Marinette hoped one day she'd be able to call Steph a friend. They had spoken briefly a couple times before about fashion and sweets. She laughed when she learned she had a giant sweet tooth. She knew her parents would have loved her.

Marinette closed her eyes when an image of Luka came to her mind. It had been awhile since she thought of him, of Paris.

'Marinette, I know you don't want to say anything, but maybe you should at least write it down. You might not notice something right away, but you will be able to look back and see changes. Feelings change; it's normal. You might even notice something new or something you never even imagined possible.'

Marinette sipped her drink as she watched Stephanie and Tim Drake argue silently again. It seemed like the blonde was trying to get him to stop from leaving, but he broke free and left anyways. Marinette shook her head and turned at a compliment about her dress. She still wasn't ready for the world to know her identity. She would just smile and say her uncle's designer made it for her.

Once home, Marinette opened her notebook and began to write her feelings down. Many people had complimented her latest design. It was rewarding to hear so many compliments about her designs. What stuck out the most to her that night was Stephanie again. She hated feeling angry. I quick shower was the best way to wash away the anger.

Once she was out of the shower, she picked her notebook back up and read through it: I can't believe Stephanie is still dating Tim Drake. She doesn't seem like the kind to stay with someone for money. She should leave him! Stephanie deserves someone better than him. Who cares if he's a CEO?

Marinette frowned at her thoughts. She turned the pages back and began to read from the start. She had a year woth of notes. When Marinette had started this, she thought it would be a notebook full of abuse. She would show it to Steph and tell her how much better she was without Tim. That wasn't what she was reading.

Mari blushed as she read page after page, further cementing her thoughts. When she reached the page she had written that night, she turned the page and picked up a pen. Mari closed her eyes and quickly wrote down her feelings. She opened her eyes and saw it staring back at her.

'I haven't been upset. I've been jealous! Thanks, Luka.'

Marinette walked into the studio and looked around. She hoped to speak to Jagged about something.

"Hey, Cupcake." Jagged called out, "You usually don't show up in person, unless it's for a fitting. What's up?"

Marinette blushed and admitted, "I….I wrote a song."

"You did?" Jagged asked, standing up excited.

"It's probably not very good, but-" she began to say.

"Can I see it?" he questioned.

Marinette opened her bookbag and held out her notebook. Jagged looked over the lyrics, curiously and smiled.

"Think we can put a beat to it in the studio?" the rock star asked, "Would you be able to sing it?"

"Actually I wanted you to sing it." Marinette declared, blushing, "Not-It does not have to be released. I-I was thinking about giving it to someone."

"I have to hear you sing this." Jagged stated, "Please!"

I can't believe we're finally alone

I can't believe I almost went home

What are the chances? Everyone's dancing

And he's not with you

The universe must have divined this

What am I gonna do? Not grab your wrist?

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus all my clothes would fit

"You sound wonderful, Cupcake!" the rock star announced.

"So, you'll sing it?" Marinette questioned, happily.

"No." he answered.

"What?" his designer asked.

"This is your song." Jagged declared, "You have to sing it."

"But I can't!" Mari replied, "I-"

Jagged pressed a button and let Marinette's voice flow over them.

"Cupcake, I can't give this song the emotions youre singing." he stated, calmly.

Marinette sat as she listened to her own voice.

"It could be a single?" Jagged spoke.

"But it's personal." she whispered.

"Most songs are. Musicians write about what inspires us. It's not always happy feelings, either. We write and sing so that people know they're not alone. Why else would there be so many break up songs?" the rock star spoke, "I'm sure there are other people who are feeling the way you are right now. No one has to know it's you. We can think of a rock and roll name. Anytime you think of songs and you decide to sing it, we can put it under that name."

Marinette tilted her head as she thought about her options. Jagged refused to sing it for her, but gave her the option to record it. Instead of personally handing her the song, it could be something they talked about in passing. She would never know it was her voice she was listening to. Animosity wasn't something new to her. No one knew she was Jagged Stone's personal designer. Besides, she usually only sang in the shower. No one hear her singing in passing.

"Okay." Mari sighed, "On two conditions. We create another alias; not my designer name."

"Not a problem." Jagged smiled, "What's the second?"

"No one but the recording studio knows who I am. Not even Luka or Juleka." she declared.

"What?" he asked, shocked, "But-"

"Not a word." Marinette pleaded, "I don't wanna be up on stage or end up doing duets. Nothing like that."

"Deal." he smiled.

It had been almost six months since the last gala when she walked back through those double doors. Almost instantly, she was able to spot Stephanie. She was alone again. Marinette took a deep breath and made her way over.

I could be a better boyfriend

I don't need to tell you twice

All the ways he can't suffice

If I could give you some advice

I would leave with me tonight

The universe must have divined this, mmm, mmm

Ladies first, baby, I insist

Marinette quickly noticed that Stephanie seemed shocked by her presence.

'Oh, God. Maybe she didn't want to talk to me. Maybe she was avoiding me. I look fine, right?'

She had worn a sweetheart, strapless lavender dress with a cape. Marinette had worked her hair into a bun and curled the loose hairs. Before Marinette could ask the blonde if she was okay, Tim appeared in front of them with a smile. The designer smiled back, but Tim and Steph quickly recognized it as the fake 'Brucie' smile.

Tim cleared his throat, "I don't think we've ever met before." and held out his hand.

Marinette kept her hand at her sides.

"No." she responded, "You usually run off, at some point in the middle of these things, over the last few years."

Tim paled. He never expected someone to notice him leaving to change into Red Robin.

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus all my clothes would fit

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could be a better boyfriend

"Ha-Have you met Steph before?" Tim questioned, nervously.

Stephanie smiles, "A few times, actually, but you know how these things are. We barely get to say hi or hear a speech before anyone can introduce themselves."

Tim nodded, "So, are you learning the ropes to take over the family business?"

"I left the family business a long time ago." Marinette stated, "I'm here for my own business."

"You're own business?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes." The designer answered.

Tim began to panic. He couldn't remember inviting someone influential around his age. Obviously, she was because she had been here multiple times.

'Who is she?'

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his blonde counterpart bobbing her head.

"Are you to that song again?" He asked.

"What song?" Mari questioned.

The blonde looked around and popped an earbud out from behind her ear. She handed it to the designer. Marinette placed it in her ear.

'It's my song!'

I never would have left you alone

Here on your own glued to your phone

Never would have left you alone

For someone else to take you home

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus you know my clothes would fit

Marinette blushed as she watched Stephanie smile.

"Steph is obsessed with the song." Tim commented.

"It's amazing!" Stephanie declared, "I probably would have broken up him sooner if any girl had walked up to me and told me this."

Tim rolled his eyes, "It was a mutual break up."

"You-You're not together?" Marinette questioned.

"Nope." the blonde answered, "We're exes."

"Who are weirdly….adopted siblings or I guess you could say we fit better as siblings?" Tim tried to explain better, "Bruce has weird adoption habits."

Steph smirked and asked jokingly, "You wouldn't happen to have a tragic past or were possibly orphaned, were you?"

"Oh!" Marinette replied, shocked, "Um, bullied and emancipated. My parents bought my bullies bullshit."

Tim and Stephanie froze, before the side-eyed each other.

'Blue eyes. Black hair. Tragic past. She fits the Wayne bill, alright.'

Marinette giggled, "Don't worry. I've already been unofficially adopted by someone else. I'd like to see Bruce Wayne fight him, though."

"Fight who?" Bruce questioned, emerging from nowhere.

"Bruce!" his kids called him, shocked.

'They seem on edge.'

Bruce looked to the girl across from them. He had seen her at a couple galas, but could never place her.

'What did she do?'

"There ya are, Cupcake!" a voice cried.

"Jagged Stone!" Stephanie and Tim shouted.

"Uncle Jagged!" the girl cried as she hugged the rock legend.

"Bruce, this is my designer and neice." Jagged stated, "I've been giving her my tickets for the last couple ears since she lives in the city. M is an amazing bundle of talent and full of surprises."

"Wait!" Tim spoke, "You're a designer?"

Mari nodded.

Steph gasped, "Are you MDC?"

Marinette blushed and nodded.

"Can you design for me?" Tim asked.

"No, me!" Stephanie exclaimed.

"I asked her first!" Tim growled.

"She knows me better!" Steph declared.

Off to the side, Bruce and Marinette hid their embarrassment, while Jagged just laughed.

"Sorry, Stephanie, but you need to learn how to treat a lady." Tim spoke, putting his arm around Marinette's waist.

Marinette quickly grabbed Tim's arm, rotated it and threw him to the ground.

"I find it's better to keep a man on his toes." the designer declared.

Tim wavered under her glare. Bruce looked between them.

'Okay. Something definetly happened between these two. Is she one of Tim's exes?'

Mari shifted her attention back to the blonde, "I'd love to create something for you."

Stephanie quickly hugged her. Marinette quickly pushed her away and backed up towards Jagged Stone.

"Oh, um-" arinette began to mumble.

Jagged placed his hands on her shoulders, "Why don't you both go to the dance floor? Inspire yourselves."

Marinette slowly held out her hand for the blonde female to take. Stephanie smiled and took her hand, leading them both to the dance floor.

"Jagged?" Bruce questioned.

"Sorry about that, Mate." the musician spoke, "She isn't use to physical contact anymore. Cupcake can take care of herself, as your son found out."

Tim dusted off his clothes, as he looked at the girls questionably. He still knew nothing about MDC. He still didn’t have a name. Jagged called her Cupcake or M. He knew she was emancipated so her name could be completely different from what it once was, for all he knew.

Stephanie cautiously grabbed Marinette's waist as the reached the dance floor. Marinette tensed slightly, but forced herself to relax. Marinette took a step forward and began the dance.

"You know, I thought you and Tim were still dating." Marinette admitted.

Stephanie smiled, "We broke up about a year ago."

"Oh." Mari spoke, "It was…mutual; I think he said?"

"Yeah." the blonde stated, "We sorta mutually decided we wanted to explore the same sex, with out each other."

"Huh?" the designer asked, not understanding.

Steph giggled, "I was checking out girls and he was checking out guys."

"Oh!" Marinette spoke.

"Tim's dating a red head, who thinks one of his older brothers is secretly Nightwing because of the whole 'The Butts Match' theory." Stephanie explained.

Marinette laughed, "Oh, no!"

"We can see Tim loves him." the blonde smiled.

"That's sweet." Mari smiled, softly.

"I hope that doesn't make this weird?" Steph suddenly questioned.

"Weird?" the designer asked, "What is weird?"

"Us dancing." Stephanie whispered.

"N-No!" Marinette blushed, "I-I'm actually in the same boat…..actually."

"Really?" Stephanie asked in shock.

"It was a recent discovery." Mari admitted, "I know I've had crushes on guys in the past and-"

"You realized you might not be into just guys?" Steph finished.

Marinette nodded in embarrassment, "It took me months to realize how I felt."

The two left the unspoken words hang in the air as they continued to sway to the music. Stephanie recognized the familiar tune to her new favorite song, as the tune began to play in the Raycons. Before she could hum along, she heard the song louder than ever. The blonde looked up to see her dance partner's lips repeat the lyrics.

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus all my clothes would fit

Stephanie moved on auto-pilot, but she could feel her cheeks were burning hot.

'The cute girl who kept talking to me- I can't believe it; she's the singer to my favorite song! I wonder if I can convince her to meet up and have lunch with me. She looks adorable tonight! She's even wearing my favorite color! She likes girls, too. I might have a chance…if only I knew her name!'

Marinette pulled away from Stephanie when someone cleared their throat loudly. She turned and glared, only to spot Jagged looking sheepish.

"Penny has an issue with Fang." he spoke.

Marinette sighed, "He got into the closet again, didn't he?"

"F-Fang?" Steph questioned, still reeling over Marinette's identity.

"Uncle Jagged's pet crocodile." Mari answered.

"Sorry, Cupcake." Jagged apologized.

"It was nice to see you again, Stephanie." Marinette declared and handed her back her Raycon, "I'm sure I'll see you at another gala. I…have to go wrangle a crocodile and save what is left of my deisgns."

Stephanie stood on the middle of the dance floor. She watched as people quickly stepped out of her way with Jagged Stone, apologizing. She didn't even notice Tim approach her.

"What's got you all twisted?" he asked, causing her to break contact.

"New crush on the designer." she whispered, looking back to where she had left.

"Already?" Tim questioned.

Stephanie nodded.

"Well, that should stop Bruce from adopting her." he chuckled.

"Sooooo?" Jagged teased, as Marinette looked over her design book, "You have a thing for blondes?"

Marinette could feel her cheeks heat up, but kept her eyes focused on her sketches.

"I don't know, yet." she replied.

"Does she have green eyes?" he questioned.

"Blue." Mari answered.

"The song was for her, wasn't it?" Jagged asked.

Marinette merely nodded.

"Think you have a chance with this one?" he prodded.

"Yes." Marinette answered with a smile, "She liked my song."

Jagged merely smiled as his designer continued to focus on her designs.

TAG LIST: @animeweebgirl @a-star-with-a-human-name @meme991001 @vixen-uchiha @abrx2002 @alysrose-starchild @fandom-trapped-03 @dood-space @moonlightstar64 @saltymiraculer @marveldcedits20 @09shell-sea09 @icerosecrystal @animegirlweeb @insane-fangirl-of-everything @blueblossombliss @nickristus-dreamer @megawhitleycalderonpaganus @missmadwoman @meira-3919  @princessdaisysolosyourfaves @blep-23 @fangirlingfanatic @darkhinauniverse @ravenr22 @im-a-satanic-ritual @ravennm84  @bianca-hooks123 @a-slytherinish-gryffindor @starling218 @maribat-calendar-events​

[toppersjeep]

Chapter 7-All For Love

Masterlist

(AN: isn’t he just gorgeous, also ty for all the love on this story!! I really appreciate it)

(Blue bold is narration from drive to survive! Which I will label for you)

Elena POV

Charles and I arrived at the paddock together this time. But we were ready to face everyone. For once I didn’t care about the drama it would cause. We were both happy.

“Good morning Netflix” I said waving to the camera. “Good morning Elena” the Netflix crew said. “It’s race day and I’m super excited” I said. “Maybe Elena will let me win” Charles said shutting the trunk of his car. “Hmmm never Leclerc” I said.

We both walked in together holding hands.

“So is this the newest it couple of formula one” the producer asked. “I guess we are” I said. “We definitely are the best couple” Charles said. “What not me and April” George said walking beside us. “It’s a straight tie I think” April said. “Lies” I said.

“Alright my love I’ll see you after the race” Charles said. “Yes I’ll see you” I said kissing him. “Woooo finally” Kika said I laughed. “Kika oh my god I missed you” I said hugging her. “I missed you too” she said smiling.

“We gotta catch up after qualifying” I said. “Absolutely good luck today El rooting for you” Kika said. I then walked into the Mercedes paddock. “Ah there she is” Toto said. “Hi everyone” I said. “So you and Charles” Lewis asked.

“Mmmh” I said. “Shame” he said. “Why’s that” I said. “Kinda had a little crush on you but” he said I laughed. “Sure lew” I said. “You’re gorgeous and talented Elena any guy would be lucky to have you” Lewis said. “But I guess I’m glad it’s Charles out of anyone” he said I smiled.

“Thank you Lewis” I said. “Always” he said smiling.

Later on after qualifying

It was interview time and I knew people would ask about my relationship with Charles. My team said to try to answer some. But avoid the bad questions about it.

“So we have with us Miss Elena Verstappen you got P2 today how are you feeling” the interviewer asked. “Uh it was a great qualifying im glad it didn’t rain today” I said smiling.

“How’d it feel to be beaten once again by Max your brother” he asked. “I think my brother has a great car you know but I do believe I’ll beat him again” I said. “So you feel as if your the better Verstappen” he said I smirked.

“Oh I know I am” I said.

I then went on to the next interviewer. And this is where things took a turn.

“Elena I do have to ask about your relationship with Charles LeClerc” the press guy asked. “He and I have been best friends for years.. and you know now we are dating” I said. “That’s great I guess what I’m asking is who’s next” he said.

“Sorry” I said as Charles looked over. “Well first Daniel Ricciardo and now Charles LeClerc” he said. “What are you suggesting” I said. “I’m just wondering which guy you’ll get with next” he added. “Seeing that you can’t really win many races but you can sleep with men in the paddock” he said.

Charles walked over.

“What’s your name mate” Charles said. “Ah of course she can’t defend herself” he said. “Listen asshole I hope you enjoyed your time in F1” I said. “Cause now you’ll never have another job here or anywhere” I said with a smile.

“Get him out of here” Charles said and security took the guy away. “God what a dickhead” I said. “All good guys” Max said. “Since when do you care” I said walking away. “Elena I do care” Max said following me. “No you don’t Max just let it go” I said.

“Elena look I’m sorry about your Mom you know I’m nothing like Joss right” Max said. “Then where were you all those years I wanted a brother” I said. “You were absent just like him Max” I said. “I mean I thought after I joined racing we’d be close” I said looking at him.

“But you didn’t want any of that you just wanted to prove you are better.. than everyone” I said. “Including me so I don’t know what you want from me” I said looking at Max. “Is that how you really feel” Max said. “Oh there’s more but I don’t wanna waste the champs time” I said walking away from him.

Producer: Do you think you’ll ever fix your relationship with Max?

Me: All Max cares about is winning on that track he’s a different person. And off the track he is too. Max doesn’t do nice things unless he wants something

Producer: Are you saying max is playing mind games with you??

Me: Max is always playing mind games with everyone in the paddock. But the difference between me and the next racer is that I can beat Max. I will be the next world champion

Producer: Well good luck to you he’s hard to beat.

___

“Elena may I borrow you for a second” Christian asked. “I guess so” I said. We then walked into the Red Bull building. I went upstairs and into his office. He shut the door. “I know your feelings on Max but I think they you could be very dominant here” he said.

“But you already have Addie here” I said. “That is true but Addie has decided to part her ways with us.. she’s going to be racing along Lando next year ” Christian said. “But with that being said I have a seat to fill and we want you here” Christian said.

“But I’ve been with Mercedes for a long time” I said. “We understand that and before you were with us at alpha tauri” Christian said. “What are you offering me” I said. “A two year contract with Red Bull racing” he said sliding a folder towards me.

I opened it and looked at everything. He’d be offering me more money than the Mercedes one. But would I really wanna be teammates with my brother. Knowing that he’s there number one.

“I know it’s a lot but you have a lot of talent Elena and it’s getting sidelined because of Russell” Christian said. “This is a wonderful opportunity I just don’t know” I said. “I do know Mercedes only offered you one year and Ferrari two” Christian said.

“Yeah I just need a minute to discuss this” I said. “With your boyfriend” Christian said. “Yeah.. I guess it’s just him now huh” I said. “I do want you to know that we’d be your family here too Elena” Christian said. “Yeah thank you I’ll uhh look this over” I said.

I then walked back downstairs and outside. Charles was waiting for me.

“Ah did they kidnap you” Charles said. “We need to talk about something” I said. “Yeah sure” Charles said. “Later at the hotel and off camera” I said. “Everything alright” Charles said.

“Yeah this is just a lot and I need someone to talk to” I said. “We can do that love always” Charles said.

We finally made it back to our hotel room after countless interviews. And filming. Now I had to bring up the Red Bull offer to him.

“Christian pulled me aside today” I said sitting on the bed. “Oh did he I mean everyone wants you in there car” Charles said. I handed him the folder. “Yeah they do” I said. He looked over the deal then looked back at me. “What char” I said.

“This is an amazing deal love but what about Mercedes” Charles said. “They haven’t offered me as much” I said. “But they are your family.. and el” Charles said. “What” I said. “Do you really wanna be in Maxs shadow” Charles said.

“No” I said. “You’d be there second choice not there first he is” Charles said. “I just..” I said. “I know love but you deserve to be chosen first” he said I smiled. “I love you” I said he kissed me. “Whatever you decide I will be there to help you” Charles said.

….

Days later at a press conference

“Elena who have you decided to sign with the upcoming year” the interviewer asked. “I have been given many amazing offers and I really appreciate that” I said.

“But I’ve narrowed this down to two one being Mercedes and the other is Red Bull” I said. Everyone in the room gasped. “Now you said Red Bull offered you a seat next to your brother” he added. “Yeah they did so now I will tell you all my decision” I said.

“This wasn’t the easiest choice I’ve ever had to make but..” I said. “I have decided to continue my time at Mercedes” I said everyone cheered. “I do appreciate the offer from Red Bull but Charles put it best I deserve to be chosen first” I said.

“And Mercedes has always put me first and well they are my second family” I said smiling. Char put a hand on my back. “That’s really great news to hear” the interviewer said. “We are glad she’s sticking around with us” Lewis said.

“I agree she can be a bit annoying but she’s definitely an amazing driver” George said. “Honestly Red Bull better watch out because this is my year” I said.

[raisin-shell]

Reminiscing on the old years of tumblr especially in this fandom. I’ll admit, the rose coloured glasses have definitely tinted my vision but for some reason all I can really remember were the fun times here. Especially now seeing your blog and it makes me so nostalgic, remembering both the good and bad but the community was amazing. I never thought it would die but life moves on and people come and go. Your blog feels like visiting an old familiar building, the years have grown and with that so have people. But I won’t forget the safety I had felt when I was going through a rough time all those years ago and there you were, holding me strong with yourself and the turtles and I could never repay you for that. When all I felt was judgement and pain from those around me irl and there you were, helping me forget in the world of tmnt where the bad things couldn’t reach us. And we were safe. I was safe

It feels like a lifetime between the time I was last on here and now, everything has changed but nothing really did.

But hey I do miss you, I don’t know if you’ll get this but I just want to thank you for being the most kindest and gentle friend I could have ever had. You were gracious and patient with me even when I probably didn’t deserve it. You were loving and kind and there were incidents but you never let it drag you under. I hope your dog salon is going well, I hope you find your place in this life. I hope everything is going well for you, I really do hope you find all that you want and more.

I can’t believe I found your blog again, makes my heart ache with so much love at the old memories 💞💞

Ohhh I wish this wasn’t anonymous! I would thank you a million times for this ask. Truly. This has warmed my heart this morning and such a wonderful message to wake up to. Alas… I fear the community has all but dissipated. There’s only a handful of Bayverse creators left. I think what possibly happened is the amount of drama and bullying that went on turned people away from Tumblr all together. I can’t tell you how many friends I have that have just deleted the entire app and their accounts. Slowly everyone just began to grow out of the Bayverse world. I also believe that there’s only so much creativity out there. We’ve exhausted every scenario the boys could possibly be in. It’s quite difficult to come up with fresh material these days. You know, the “it’s already been done” factor. I stay here because as long as there’s one of us, it never truly dies and I will never delete my account. I’ve done that twice before and it’s been nothing but a regret since. So I keep this one so if anything people can come back and read their favorite stories. Oh what fun we had! And remember RP’s?! Those are all but gone now but oh my gosh they were so fun and exciting. I definitely miss how the community used to be but that time has moved on. Thank you so much for your words of kindness my friend. This has touched my heart and I thank and love for this. Thank you so much once again!

[rendy-a]

Hello, hope you’re doing well <3 Once again, congratulations on reaching 500 followers! Keep up the good work =^6u6^=

For the event, may I ask for something lighthearted where the reader tries to push Rook to approach Neige at the dance, but ends up approaching him instead?

This might just be the longest fic I’ve written yet.  I first read the request and thought, ‘Oh, so reader accidentally asks out Neige.’  Then I thought no, they mean Rook.  But wait, what if it ended up being both…  So needless to say this fic gets to be a little bit of a crack fic but I think it is fun and wraps up nicely.  Enjoy!

“Trickster, I’ve been watching you for weeks now and I’d like to tell you more about it,” Rook says before flashing you a large grin.  You hold up your hand to his face as though to signal him to stop, “No, absolutely not.”  Rook’s brow creases and he shakes his head sadly, “Non?  I thought I had it that time for sure.”  You give him a small chuckle, “You can’t lead with that sort of thing Rook.  We are used to your…eccentricities…here but telling your idol you’ve watching him for years is only going to freak him out.”  Rook seems to consider your words closely.  “Perhaps this is too much to hope for, Prefect.  I thank you for your help, but I believe it is best if a hunter remains in the shadows.” 

You pat him on the back, “That’s just nerves talking.  The Rook I know has all the tenacity of the Beautiful Queen and won’t give up so easily.  So, lets revisit the rules and try again.”  You clap your hands like an instructor directing a class to resume an exercise and, in a way, that is what you were.  A few weeks ago, Crowley had announced another one of his mad schemes; a multi-campus goodwill dance.  You’d been taking photos of the Science Club for the school paper when a third year from Pomefiore had come in all aflutter with news.  “It’s everyone!” he exclaimed, walking in the door, and heading toward a table where his friends wait.  He’d certainly caught everyone’s attention with his unsolicited announcement, but it was the excitement at the table of friends that really piqued your curiosity. 

“Curious, Trickster?”  Rook asks mischievously.  You jump and pass him a guilty smile.  “Maybe a little.  What do you think is so exciting?”  Rook’s eyes narrow in delight as he passes you the news, “Le petit oiseau says that he has heard who our guests will be.”  You nod at Rook to continue.  “It will be everyone.”  You look at him a moment before gasping, “Everyone!?  That is so many people!”  Rook gives you a secretive smile, as though delighting in sharing this news with you. 

Speaking of sharing news, you lean over and poke Trey in the shoulder to get his attention, “Hey, Trey, I just heard it is going to be all of Royal Sword.  You’ll get to see Che’nya for sure now!”  Trey adjusts his goggles with a lopsided smile, “You don’t say?  That’s great news.  Riddle had wondered when the dance was announced how they’d decided the attendee list.”  You beamed back at him, happy to know you’d get to see your RSA friend again.  You didn’t have many people you knew outside of NRC, but there were a few.  Thinking of that thought, you turn to Rook.  “You realize this means you’ll have a chance to see Neige again too.”

Rook looks up with widened eyes and his mouth parts into an O.  “When you think about it,” you continue, “you could also even ask him to be your date to the dance!”  Your hand shoots forward to grab the flask Rook fumbles.  If you needed any indication of how shook he was at the thought, that was it.  You tilt your head and look at the hunter, “Not a fan of the idea?”  Rook looks at you, “Ah, mon amie, I am on fire over the idea but, moi?  I could never ask such a thing!”  Then, you saw something you had never expected to see.  Rook, who never seemed to be caught unaware, flushed slightly at the thought. 

You look at him and slowly remark, “You want to take Neige to the dance.  Yeah…you should do that.  Rook,” you place a hand on his shoulder, “I’m going to help you.”  The hunter gasps and raises his hands in surprise.  “That’s right.  I’ll practice with you until you are ready.”  Then you clap your hands under your chin, “Alright!  Let’s go get you a date!” 

You were not getting Rook a date.  It had been days since you’d started role-playing with Rook as ‘Neige’ and still, each attempt he made to converse with the idol was a disaster.  Rook had little sense of social boundaries; his conversation attempts varied from far too intimate to wildly disturbing.  You’d witnessed many attempts at starting a request to attend the dance and each one was a disaster.  You were starting to question this could be a success even to yourself.  “Maybe he needs an example,” came a voice from behind you.  You turn to see Epel watching you from the staircase above you.  You look up at him, “What do you mean?”  He sighs, “We’ve all heard ya practicing, and he jest ain’t gonna get it.  So show’em.”  Then Epel rolls his eyes at you and wanders off.  Show him, eh?  That is just crazy enough to work.

You give a subtle signal towards the bushes and are gratified to see Rook’s head emerge and give you a nod before retreating into cover.  Time to start the plan.  So, you were really going to do this now.  After Epel had mouthed off at you about giving Rook an example, you’d considered if that wasn’t actually a brilliant plan.  With the way your current practice had gone, you’d decided it was worth a shot.  You were going to ask RSA idol Neige La Blanche to the school dance.  Only, you’d make sure that he turned you down in the end.  After all, you weren’t trying to GO to the dance with him, just ASK him.  Then Rook could use your efforts as an example to base his own attempt on.

Right on time, Neige emerges from the gymnasium with his companions.  Ok, time to embarrass yourself.  You jog up to him, earning a scowl from Grum and a wave from Hop.  “Hi guys, remember me?” you ask in a friendly fashion.  “Unfortunately,” grumbles Grum under his breath.  You pointedly ignore him and address Dominic, “School dance is coming up fast.  How exciting.”  He returns your cheer, “Oh yes, we are all so happy to attend such an event.”  You try to sound as innocently as possible when you ask, “So, are you all going together then?”  A chorus of agreement emerges from the bunch, and you congratulate yourself on getting there before anyone else has a chance to ask Neige. 

Then, as though fate had taken pity on you, Neige smiles sweetly at you and remarks, “I’ve got a list I need to turn into your headmaster.  Can you show me the way, Prefect?”  You smile perhaps a bit too widely as you agree and elicit a gasp from Timmy.  It reminds you to control yourself and you quickly settle your face into a much less sinister expression.  “Follow me,” you tell the lovely boy, gesturing towards the main campus. 

You make sure you’ve turned down the path and out of sight of the other RSA students before tapping Neige on the arm.  He turns his innocent gaze on you, and you ask, “Can I talk to you privately for a moment?”  You gesture to a small garden with ample buses surrounding it, trusting Rook will be able to get himself concealed somewhere while you focused on your ‘confession.’  You sat down on a bench and Neige sat beside you sunnily smiling at your nervous self.  “So, the dance.  You do plan to go, don’t you?”  His eyes scrunched closed in happiness as he declared, “Yes, I’m ever so excited!”  You peer at him from out of your lashes as you ask, “Do you plan to go with anyone?  Anyone special, I mean.” 

His mouth rounds into a little O shape as he lifts his hand to his face.  Then he flushes and looks at you coyly, “No one has asked me yet.”  Then that perfect princess of a boy actually flutters his eyelashes at you and now you are taken aback.  What in the world.  “I..well, I guess someone probably will.  I mean, I’d love to go with you,” you finish lamely.  So much for setting a good example.  Only, Neige gasps in delight and leans forward, “Really?  You’re asking me to the dance?”  Now you know you’ve messed up.  You weren’t supposed to succeed and now you were on the edge of stealing Rook’s dream date to the dance.  Time to take drastic measures. 

“Yes, I..I’ve been watching you for weeks now and I’d like to tell you more about it,” you cringe at using Rook’s line but honestly, he was now the best person to imitate to get out of this situation.  You hear an intake of breath caused by your confession, “You…you’re a fan of mine?  Prefect, I never knew!  I’m so happy!  I’m sure we will have a lot to talk about at the dance now!”  Your mouth hangs open and all you can do is mutely nod at him before gesturing that you should continue to the headmaster’s office.  You turn as you leave the secluded garden, swiveling your head around to try to locate Rook and silently beg for forgiveness but he is nowhere to be seen. 

All the way back to Ramshackle, you rehearsed to yourself what you’d say when Rook finally caught up with you.  Hopefully, you’d have a chance to say it before he took out his disappointment on you.  You try to remind yourself that Rook wouldn’t do that but, after stealing his date, you weren’t so confident.  How much longer did you have?  Days?  Weeks?  Then, you heard the clicking of boots behind you on the path.  ‘Ah, so I guess my time is up,’ you think sadly.  Then you stand up straight, square your shoulders and turn to face him; ready to take whatever he deems you deserving of.

“Trickster,” Rook begins slowly.  You gulp down a lump, “Yes, Rook?” Then a large smile slowly spreads on his face, “That was très merveilleux!  My heart soared when you asked the fair Neige to the dance and, quelle surprise, when he accepted!”  Your composure breaks and you start apologizing, “Oh my gosh, I don’t know what happened.  I’m so sorry.  I never meant to take this from you!”  Finally, Rook does look surprised, “Why Trickster, I’m not upset.”  Then, as his expression turns into a sly smile, he elaborates, “In fact, I’m rather pleased by this outcome.  I had worried about asking my Idol to the dance and now I don’t have to.  In fact, I will have the distinct pleasure of observing two of my favorite people at the same time.  Très bien!”  You breathed a sigh of relief and gave the hunter an awkward chuckle.  You had a date to the dance and a fan club too.

Finally, the day of the dance arrived.  In the interval, your roles had swapped, and Rook had become a sort of mentor to you.  He helped you pick out a boutonniere to present to Neige, gave you several topics of conversation based on Neige’s known habits and offered you some much needed confidence boosters.  “Trickster, you look as radiant as the moon glimpsed on a still lake.  Would that I could be on the other side of the door when you knock to take in the full effect,” Rook waxes on poetically.  You casually wave him off with your hand, “Right, right.  I’m totally glamorous.”  Rook seems to hear the hesitation in your voice and sets a comforting hand on your shoulder, “Never fear, Trickster, for I shall be right there to guide you at the dance.”  That’s right, Rook was going to watch you at the dance and lend a hand.  Ok, you can do this.

You can’t do this, you think for the thousandth time as you lead Neige about the dance floor.  The pressure of escorting an idol was really taking a toll on you.  You felt the weight of people’s stares as you danced across the floor.  For his own part, Neige seemed blissfully unaware, smiling and chatting so merrily with you.  He seemed determined to spend the night like he was living in a dream, and you supposed, in a way, it also felt like that to you.  A simple commoner who somehow lands the lovely prince; it was a well-played out storyline and you had to admit you found the appeal in having the attention of such a charming boy. 

You’d never managed to hold it though, without the attention of another.  You could occasionally catch a glimpse of Rook as you swept across the floor.  He’d been true to his word, taking in the sight of you both for the entirety of the dance; forgoing his own dance experience to support you in yours.  He cheerfully and silently offered suggestions to you by gesture.  Like now, as you see him lift two glasses of punch and carry them suggestively to a table in front of a private balcony.  “Neige,” you ask dutifully, “Would you like to take a break?”  He bats his large eyes and tentatively replies, “I could go longer if you prefer.  It’s up to you!”  Ah, so he was tired.  You silently thank Rook for noticing.  “I’m ready for some rest.  Let’s have some punch and find a quiet place to chat.” 

You lead him to the table and pick up the glasses, offering him one.  “Mmm, this is so good,” Neige says after taking a small sip.  “Yeah, its my favorite flavor,” you reply, savoring the taste.  This seems to please your date as he exclaims, “We have so much in common!”  You give him a half-hearted smile, feeling slightly guilty that it is Rook that knows you both so well and not an achievement of your own efforts.  Maybe you ought to help Rook out by putting in a good word as a way of paying him back.

You continue leading Neige to the balcony and see a jacket hanging over the railing.  It was a little chilly, so you grab it and drape it over the boy’s shoulders.  He has a moment of surprise before offering you a cheery thanks.  “Neither of us was wearing a jacket though, so we’ll have to find its owner before we go and make sure they get it back!” he tells you.  You assure him, “Oh, don’t worry about that.  I’m pretty sure I know who this belongs to.  I’ll make sure I get it back to him later.  In fact,” you pause considering, “I think you know him.  Do you remember Rook Hunt from the VDC?”  Neige affirms, “Yes!  He is a great fan of mine.  I sometimes see him on campus.  He told me so much about you!” 

This takes you aback.  “He told you about…me?” you ask in a surprised tone.  “Oh sure, whenever we are together, he only seems to talk about you,” Neige remarks while gazing at the distant stars.  This was new information to you.  Whenever you happened to meet the hunter lately, he’d only spoken about Neige.  Rook was a curious individual both exuberant and open while keeping certain sides of himself sheltered and hidden.  You wondered what it was about yourself that he’d found interesting enough to share with his idol.  A nagging thought hooks into your brain; if Rook had the chance to speak to Neige but chose to talk about you instead, did that mean he found you to be equally as fascinating as his idol?

The dance continued but you knew yourself to be distanced from it.  You absentmindedly completed dances and smiled at your dance partner and friends, but your thoughts were elsewhere.  The number of times your eye’s sought out Rook in the crowd drastically increased and, from his sly looks, he’d also noticed your interest.  It was almost a relief when the last song ended, and you were able to walk Neige over to his RSA companions and bid him a goodnight.  Neige had given your hand one final squeeze and earnestly wished that you’d be able to speak again soon.  You replied honestly that you hoped for that as well.  It wasn’t the same burning appreciation that Rook had but you’d come to feel that you also understood the appeal of the gentle boy.

“He is quite charming,” Rook remarks, appearing suddenly at your side.  You look down as you reply, “Yeah he is.”  You gaze at your feet, feeling oddly shy.  “Rook,” you cautiously begin, “When you are interested in a new target, how do you start to get to know them?”  He tilts his head, carefully considering your question, “I think the first step is always to observe.  I like to watch them closely until I have the essence of their appeal firmly in my grasp.”  You paused to consider that.

The dance was officially over but some of the livelier students had put on their own music to continue with their own private party.  Though it was soft as it drifted across the dance floor, you found yourself smiling and swaying with the beat.  “Rook, I do believe I need some lessons on up close observation.”  Then you lean in and wrap your arms around his neck, urging him to join you in a dance.  He laughs in a joyful tone, “Why Trickster, I think you’ve no need for lessons.  Look at how you’ve already caught me in your trap.”  You smirk at him, “I had a good teacher.” 

The many songs drifting from different groups of students created a discordant sound but it hardly mattered.  Rook chose no particular melody for your dance.  Instead, he appeared to lead you at random to some beat only he could perceive.  It felt right though.  You had only just begun your detailed study of Rook Hunt but you’d long since known he moved to his own tune.  Now, you were simply joining him.  Finally looking his way and seeing him.  After all, observing someone closely was the first step to knowing them; someone you’d come to deeply admire had told you that.

[mxtantrights]

famous dc!au (dick's version)

TRACK THREE - MR.LOVERMAN

The music video would be out in two weeks. And you’re at home twiddling your thumbs. You don’t know what to do with yourself. How do you just go on with normal life knowing that in fourteen days and a couple of hours everyone would know your face. 

Well you can’t just sit at home and wonder aimlessly. You needed to get lunch anyways. You spring into action then.

You pull on your jacket and a pair of shoes and head outside. You were’ too picky when you were hungry anyways. So you walk into the nearest sandwich shop and get in line. As you peruse the menu you can’t help but to think of him, Dick.

It’s not like you fell in love while on set. Technically you liked him before that. But that was different; that was when he didn’t know you and didn’t laugh at your jokes and know your name. 

Well, you think, the feeling isn’t mutual. He didn’t ask for any of your information. You were kind of hoping he would, seeing as you two were hitting it off pretty easily. But maybe that’s just his charm and this really was just a one and done job.

Your eyes settle on the number nine. The Vigilante hoagie. You’ll take that, it sounds good. Peppers and onions with some salami. And a secret sauce.

“Next in line!” 

The person in front of you walks up to the counter. You take another step forward. Just as you’re about to pull out your phone you look around the store once more. For no reason other than to be nosy and as luck would have it, you are so thankful for it.

At the end of the counter, presumably waiting for a sandwich, is Dick Grayson. His head is down and his eyes on his phone. He’s wearing running clothes and his hair is sticking to his forehead. Yeah he looked good.

What do you do? You can’t be weird about this. But wouldn’t it be weird to not go up to him? He is the one who’s paying your bills for the next three months. But would going up to him be like a breech in contract? Technically to the outside world you two don’t know each other.

Great. This is just great.

“Hi, can I take your order?” The employee says.

And then Dick’s eyes land on you. Somehow he had picked his head up while you were distracted. Even better, you think. You look away a stuck as you can and step to the counter. There you give your order pretty quickly and get ringed up. And then you take the slow and embarrassing walk to the pick up counter. 

Dick watches as you do, even tucks his phone into his pocket. You really wish he hadn’t. You wished that he would be one of those famous people that ignore and deflect. But he’s not.

“Hey there.” he says. 

You wave at him, “Hi.” 

“So you like sandwiches?” he asks.

You laugh, “I was just hungry for something.”

“Me too. I love number nine by the way.” He answers.

“Really? I just ordered that.” you say.

“Oh you’re gonna love it. It’s the best thing in this place.” 

A bell dings and an employee comes over to the pick up counter with a bags in their hands. They hold out the order.

“I’ve got a number eleven without pickles and extra banana peppers.” they say.

The man who was in front of you comes up to the counter and takes his order. It lasts maybe a moment or two but it’s enough for you to feel awkward about talking again.

“So, what have you been up to?” Dick asks.

“Not much, looking for other opportunities, and getting into a new hobby.” You answer.

“Oh that’s cool. You said you liked the filming on set right? Anything to do with that?” 

You nod your head. And you also can’t believe it. He was paying attention to you when you talked? Okay the bay may be low—but honestly he probably has so many things going on in his life. Why would he remember that about you?

“Yeah actually, I’m getting into photography a bit. Not sure how good I am though.” you say honestly. 

“I mean I’m no photo critic, but you could send me what you’ve got so far.” And then Dick Grayson, live and in the flesh, is taking out his phone and handing it over to you. You stand there for a second, then three. You can’t believe it. You really can’t believe it.

You reach for his phone and put in your information. When you hand back his phone he has this look on his face. 

“What?” you ask him.

“I was just gonna ask if I could take your contact picture. Not that there re so many people in my phone—well there are but I mean having your picture—“ he rambles on.

“Yeah.” you agree.

Dick looks shocked that you said yes. But it doesn’t last long. He’s holding up his phone and taking your picture. He even shows you the picture in good measure which you’re fine with.

And just like that Dick Grayson has your number and your picture. And all you came outside for was a sandwich. 

-

As soon as Dick got into his car he shut his eyes in embarrassment. Yes he got your number but not without making himself look like a total fool. 

“So you like sandwiches?” He repeats the question to himself. Why was talking to you throwing him off like this? Sure you’re amazing and your sweet and you don’t seem to be intimidated by his status of fame. But it was like it was more than that, you are so much more than that. 

He’s losing it he thinks. So he puts his sandwich in the passenger seat and even puts a seat belt on it. Then he’s driving off to the only place he knows he can get some answers. The highway isn’t as packed as he thought it would be. And it makes the trip that much shorter.

When he pulls up to the gated community he gives his ID and shows his visitors pass. The security guard lets him through and Dick practically plows his way to the house.

He unbuckles himself, then his sandwich and is headed to the door in quick step. He knocks on the stained glass red frame and waits. It takes five seconds before he sees her blurred figure on the other side. “Boy wonder?” she asks.

Then she’s opening the door. Dick grimaces.

“I know I should have called first but I needed to talk to someone.” he says.

Donna lets him inside quickly. He hands her the sandwich because honestly he can’t even think clearly enough to eat right now. Donna takes the sandwich willingly and walks them over to the couch.

“Is everything okay?” she asks.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m just probably falling in love for fourth time in my life. No sweat.” Dick says and plops himself onto the couch with a sigh.

Donna laughs, “Grayson, falling in love isn’t a bad thing.”

“It is when everyone thinks you’re a heartbreaker!” 

“No, the tabloids think you’re a heartbreaker. And some willfully ignorant people believe that. Not everyone.” 

He turns to her now, his arms crossed over his chest and a pout on his lips.

“This feels different. It is different. I know it.” he says.

Donna nods her head and gives him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

“Okay then, tell me all about it.” 

[imagineitdearies]

Hi dear, I hope you're doing great x

I don't think I'll ever find the right words to express how i feel about PS. I left a comment on the last chapter trying to explain but it'd need 100 pages so I'll leave it like that for now. I just wanted to say that Tyrus x Astarion is my favorite Astarion x OC/Tav/Durge in the whole fandom. I tried to get into many different variations of Astarion x Tav by other artists and authors but none of them felt "right" like yours. Tyrus truly is Astarion's soulmate, be it personality - wise, phisically, spiritually, emotionally. I'm so in love with him it hurts. You really had the fundamentals of Astarion's psychology and needs up your sleeve. And I'm just like Astarion, I have a weakness for sweet turned cruel because love and circumstances and smart characters and my addiction to Tyrus is currently dire. I can't stop re - reading PS and devour any extra content you put out.

Also I especiallly wanted to thank you for portraying SA trauma with such immense respect and maturity since many people have no idea how to do it correctly or worse, they treat it like their personal kink fodder.

I know you're dedicating your time to other projects now and you're already writing Astarion's POV and the drabbles but I was wondering if we'll ever get glimpses of their post - Cazador life? I'd love to know how they'd deal with their past and what they'd do with their regained autonomy and freedom to be individuals again.

Ps: not sure whether this should get asked on ko - fi or tumblr so I did both ahahah. Part of me wishes you could write a sequel, I'm not going to lie

Either way thank you for everything, I'm hugging you

Hi anon 🥰

Thanks so much for this message and for leaving a comment! Thanks to everyone who commented on ch40 btw, I’ve struggled to start responding to them in part because I wanted to have a general edit of PS done first (alas, with moving a decent distance, my job getting busy, and a bit of burnout, I’ve only finished part I), but also because I don’t want it to end really either, even if I know trying to write a sequel wouldn’t be a successful venture for me. Which is why I plan to continue writing “a flawed eternity” one-shots for quite some time to come! My goal of my own accord is to post a drabble at least once a month, though we’ve surpassed that thanks to a couple wonderful ko-fi supporters 🩵 So yes, plenty of post-PS glimpses to come! If you haven’t read them yet check out my pinned post, two of them do feature post-PS times 🥰

I’m so glad my portrayal of trauma and SA resonated and felt respectful for you. As for everything you said about Tyrus…well, it probably comes as no surprise to you all that I love him to death too, and had created him with the express intent to give Astarion a perfect pairing counterpart I didn’t find in the game, personally. It’s so heartwarming that many of you love him just as much too, now—this precious drow lad lives on in our hearts (and the occasional drabble, haha) 🩵🩵

Seriously, I can’t believe it’s been less than two months since PS concluded, I’m definitely not over it still and love chatting with you all about it 🥰 so thanks again for this ask anon, a big hug to you back!!

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

Hello again!! Tomorrow is my birthday 🙈 so I just wanted one more self indulgent request!!

Could I please request phantom fam (plus snake) x maid reader, who is the newest addition but has been a great addition to both the staff and the weird little family so they are all secretly throwing a lil surprise party? Like the whole ‘avoiding said person and giving weird awkward short answers’ to keep the party a secret? Then of coarse the reveal and cute cake?!?

Many thanks to you 🥰

I'm sorry I didn't get this out for your birthday this year, but I hope you had a good one!!

also AAAAAAAAAAA <3

When SNAKE scurries away from you with little provocation, you don’t really think much of it.

After all, the poor man is still adjusting to life here in the manor. (Similarly to you. If you’re remembering correctly, he arrived just a few weeks before you did.) Not only that, he seems quite skittish in general, so it’s no big surprise that he’s shying away from social interaction. As welcoming as you try to be, there’s only so far that can go toward someone who’s naturally anxious.

However, when FINNY makes an excuse as to why he can’t spare a moment to chat today, you find it odd. After all, that man is as sunshine as they come! He always has a minute to talk to you, to make jokes, maybe even give you a little hug. He’s never beat feet from you no matter how busy things are.

And SEBASTIAN and BARD have been acting strangely too, seemingly in tandem; Bard all but shoos you away from the kitchen, telling you Sebastian will bring you something to eat and a glass of water. Certainly, you can understand that Bard says he’s trying to concentrate on a complicated dish and so can’t have anyone else in the kitchen… it’s just odd that he’s suddenly so focused.

Sebastian is a strange case. He’s not one who engages in too much idle chitchat, so you can believe that he doesn’t want you distracting Bard. Still, something about it strikes you as very strange.

Then there’s MEY RIN, who nearly falls down a flight of stairs in an attempt to run off in the opposite direction when she sees you coming. Even when you try to hurry over to make sure she’s alright, she yells that she’s fine and she needs you to go remake the master’s bed because she mussed it up.

Honestly, your young master might be the worst. CIEL is a bit cold to most people, but today it’s as if he barely has a word for you. He keeps giving you short, clipped orders, without so much as glancing at you.

You like to think of yourself as a resilient person. Today, though… it feels almost as if the entire household wants nothing to do with you. That stings, especially today.

You’re sitting on Ciel’s bed which you’ve just remade, intending to smooth the bedclothes out one last time once you stand up. You can’t help wondering if you’ve done something wrong, or if perhaps your presence simply isn’t a good fit for this household after all. It’s unfortunate, really ― you thought you were getting on so well with everyone.

Maybe not. They’ve all made up some reason to not be around you today, and not one of them has remembered…

Before you know what’s happening, Finny is in the room, so fast it’s as if he were a bullet shot from a gun. “(Name)! (Name)! Come with me, hurry! We need you!”

“Wha ― Finny!!” He’s so terribly strong, all you can really do is let him pull you down the hall. “What’s going on?!”

By the time he stops to answer, the two of you are at the top of the stairs. He takes your hands, gently, and looks in your eyes rather earnestly. “I hope you can forgive us all, but I think we’re about to make up for how confused we’ve made you today!”

You shake your head. “What on Earth do you mean, Finny?”

“Close your eyes and I’ll lead you downstairs! C’mon!”

The only option you have is to do as he says, right? Your curiosity won’t let you just turn around or go down yourself. So you close your eyes, letting him lead you down.

Even after the two of you get down the stairs, he keeps walking you. “Can I open my eyes now, dear?”

“Almost! I’ll tell you when.” A few more steps, and… “Alright, alright! Open them!”

You oblige as he lets go of your hand. What you see when you open your eyes is… the whole rest of the staff gathered in the parlor, along with your master. There are a few decorations strewn about, and a painstakingly detailed two-tier cake sitting on the table.

What’s more, before you’ve even processed everything, everyone chimes in borderline practiced harmony: “Happy birthday, (Name)!” (Well, with the exception of Snake adding in a quiet, “Says Webster.”)

You’re surprised you don’t fall back flat on the floor.

Is this what they were all avoiding you today for? So they could catch you off guard after pretending like none of them remembered your birthday?

Quickly, your eyes start filling with tears, and your hands fly up to cover your face. Oh, it would be so embarrassing to cry in front of Ciel and your coworkers, but… “I-I thought you’d all forgotten…”

“Of course not, my lady.” Sebastian steps forward, reaching to replace Finny’s hands with his. “Our sincerest apologies for making you think that. We had to keep you away until everything was just so.”

“We wanted you t’ ‘ave a special first birthday with us, we did!” Mey Rin pipes up, giving you a bright smile.

Bard clicks his tongue as he lights up the single candle on the cake. “Oi, sorry, it took me way too damn long with the cake, even with Mister Sebastian’s help. We didn’t mean t’ keep you waitin’ quite this long.”

You almost don’t notice Snake walking up beside you, until he gives you a pat on the shoulder. “We’re both new here… says Webster. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one struggling to adjust.”

Ciel silences everyone else by stepping forward. “(Name). I want to officially welcome you to the estate. Like it or not, you’re a Phantomhive servant now. If you don’t feel you can carry yourself with pride for any other reason, do so for that reason.” You swear you see his lips quirk up briefly, though it’s gone as soon as you notice it. “That isn’t a request; that’s an order.”

Sebastian moves his hands from yours to set his on your shoulders, gingerly guiding you forward. “Come, come. You must be looking forward to your cake. Do be sure to make a wish as you blow out the candle, won’t you?”

You look around the room before nodding. You feel so overwhelmed, you don’t even know what to say. “Th… thank you, everyone. Mister Sebastian… Bard… Mey Rin… Finny… Snake… a-and… and Lord Phantomhive. Thank you so much. I… I can’t tell you how much all of this means to me…”

Well, the best gratitude is to make sure your wish is a good one, isn’t it? You take a breath, then lean forward and blow out the candle. Knowing Bard, you’re shocked it isn’t some kind of sparkler.

There’s a scattering of applause among everyone else as you lean back, then Sebastian moves around you to start cutting the cake.

“What did you wish for? Asks Donne.” Snake tilts his head at you, briefly, before eyeing the cake with the gaze of a child in a sweets shop.

“Oh, Snake, you can’t ask her that!” Mey Rin chides. “She can’t say! If she says what it was, it won’t come true!”

“It won’t?! No, I suppose it won’t, Donne…”

Surrounded by people who truly care about you, for the first time in a long time… you feel like you belong somewhere. And you feel like even if you say something, your wish will probably come true. But you’re not taking the chance, because you’ve never wanted a wish to come true more in your life.

I wish… I get to celebrate my birthday here with my new friends next year, too. And the year after that. And every year until they tire of my company.

(Though, you get the sense they never will.)