#They heat up something crazy in direct sunlight

[iamfuckingsorry]

ah here we go again

2 am, the hottest and brightest my room gets :))

[sinful-mind-joyful-thoughts]

I thought something about Marcus Acacius. He throws a party as a king where he calls some servants from the palace to dance for him, 4 girls, one of whom is the lucky one. The girl drives Marcus crazy with her movements and her gaze. And at the end of the dance when she collapses at his feet he gives her a handkerchief meaning she is called to have fun together in the bedroom. Before all that, for context, said servant is seen by Marcus in his room cleaning it, she being very shy and fragile in front of him. Since then, there has been an attraction between the two. pleaseeeeee😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

𝓟𝓞𝓦𝓔𝓡

⤷ Credits: Pinterest

Marcus Acacius x Maid!F!reader | WC : 4.8k | Proof read : NO | Navigation | Notifications | asks : OPEN

Summary: The moment Marcus saw you, he knew you had to be his.

Warnings: DUB-CON/NON-CON (Exploitation) SMUT, unprotected pinv (wrap it before you tap it), Implied age gap, Slight Voyeurism, Spitting, misogyny, cream pie, Oral

A/n: Okay, so I might make this a series. You'll see why ;)

The grand chamber of Marcus’s quarters stood in hushed elegance, the soft rustle of fabric and faint sounds of cleaning the only disturbances. You worked alongside Zera, the other maid, the sunlight filtering through ornate windows casting intricate patterns on the polished wooden floor. The scent of fresh linens mingled with the lingering hint of Marcus’s cologne, an omnipresent reminder of the man you served.

As you meticulously dusted the shelves, each deliberate movement betraying your nerves, you couldn't shake the unease. This was your first time in Marcus’s private quarters, and the stories you had heard about him made your hands tremble ever so slightly. Zera noticed your apprehension and gave you a reassuring smile, her experienced hands moving deftly over the surfaces, silently guiding you through the task.

Just as you smoothed the last crease on the bedspread, a sound behind you made your heart skip a beat—a throat clearing. You froze, breath caught in your throat. Slowly, you turned to face the source.

Marcus stood in the doorway, his presence commanding and intimidating. Tall, with a chiseled jawline and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through you, his dark hair impeccably styled, he exuded an air of authority that made your pulse quicken.

"Good afternoon, ladies," he said, his voice smooth and authoritative. Zera immediately curtsied, and you followed suit, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. "Good afternoon, sir," you both murmured in unison.

He stepped further into the room, his gaze sweeping over the immaculate space. "I see you've been thorough," he remarked, a hint of approval in his tone. You dared a glance up and saw him looking directly at you. "What's your name?" he asked, his eyes holding yours captive.

"I-I'm..." you stammered, feeling incredibly small under his intense scrutiny. You gave him your name.

He repeated it, as if savoring the sound. "And what do you do here?"

"I'm a maid, sir," you replied, your voice barely above a whisper. "I help with cleaning and maintaining the household."

He nodded, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Good," he said. "I appreciate diligence and dedication. Keep up the good work."

You nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment as he turned his attention to Zera, giving her a few more instructions. But then, unexpectedly, his gaze returned to you. "I have a feeling I'll be seeing more of you," he said, his voice low and enigmatic.

Marcus then looked back to Zera. "Zera, how long has she been with us?" he asked, nodding in your direction.

Zera straightened up, her expression respectful but relaxed. "She's been with us for a few months now, sir. She's a quick learner and very diligent."

"I see," Marcus replied, his eyes flicking back to you. There was something in his gaze that made your pulse quicken—a mixture of curiosity and something more that you couldn't quite place.

He turned his full attention to you again. "There’s a gathering this evening," he said. "A small party. I hope to see you there."

Your heart skipped a beat. "Me, sir?" you asked, hardly believing what you had just heard.

"Yes, you," he confirmed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'd like to get to know all the members of my household better."

Before you could muster a response, Marcus nodded once more, then turned and left the room, the door closing softly behind him. You stood there, still processing the encounter, the electricity of his presence lingering in the air. Zera nudged you gently, a knowing smile on her face. "Looks like you've made an impression," she said softly.

Zera led you out into the corridor where two other maids, Lara and Anya, were waiting. They exchanged curious glances, having overheard part of the conversation.

"Did he just invite you to the party tonight?" Lara asked, eyes wide with excitement.

You nodded, still in a daze. "Yes, he did."

Anya clapped her hands together. "That's wonderful! You should feel honored. These parties are very exclusive."

You looked at them, puzzled. "What exactly happens at these parties?"

Zera smiled warmly. "It's a small, private gathering. Usually, it's just Marcus and a few close friends. Only four maids are selected to attend, and it's considered a great honor."

Lara added, "You'll be there to serve, but also to... entertain. It's a chance to be close to him, to get special attention."

Lara chuckled softly. "Remember the time he invited me to one of these parties? I was so nervous, but he was incredibly kind and made sure I was comfortable. He even gifted me a beautiful necklace afterward."

Anya nodded, her eyes dreamy. "I've attended twice. The first time, I was too shy to speak much, but the second time, I felt more at ease. Marcus has a way of making you feel like you're the only one in the room. He listens, really listens, and his attention is... intoxicating."

Zera's smile widened as she added her own experience. "When I was chosen, I was scared out of my wits. But Marcus was patient, always checking if I was okay. He even taught me how to dance that night. It felt like a fairy tale. And the privileges afterward were amazing—new clothes, better quarters, and a sense of being valued."

You listened, a mix of nerves and anticipation swirling within you. The way they spoke of Marcus, with such admiration and fondness, made your heart beat faster. The night ahead seemed both daunting and exciting.

Anya squeezed your hand gently. "You'll do great. Just remember, it's not just about serving him—it's about being present, enjoying the moment, and letting him see who you are."

Lara's eyes twinkled with excitement. "And who knows? Maybe you'll receive a beautiful gift too. He has a knack for choosing the perfect ones."

Zera's expression softened. "Just be yourself, and remember, we're here for you. If you ever feel overwhelmed, you can always come to us."

The anticipation hung thick in the air as the evening settled over Marcus’s grand estate. You joined the other four maids in the lavish hall, your nerves simmering beneath a façade of calm. Each of them was strikingly beautiful, their confidence making your insecurities rise. You felt like a shadow amidst their brilliance, the thought of standing among them in Marcus’s eyes filling you with a sense of inadequacy.

But Zera’s words echoed in your mind—just be yourself. With a deep breath, you resolved to do just that, hoping it would be enough.

The party began, an intimate gathering with Marcus at the center, surrounded by a few of his close friends. The maids, including you, served drinks and delicacies, moving gracefully around the room. You kept to the side for most of the night, watching the lively conversation and laughter. Marcus’s presence was magnetic, drawing everyone in, his every word and gesture commanding attention.

You were busy refilling a guest's glass when Marcus’s gaze landed on you. Your heart skipped a beat as he smiled, a slow, deliberate smile that sent a thrill down your spine. He beckoned you over with a casual wave of his hand.

You approached him, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. "Yes, sir?" you asked, your voice steady despite your racing pulse.

"Enjoying the evening?" he inquired, his eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that made you feel as if the world had narrowed to just the two of you.

"It's... lovely, sir," you replied, struggling to maintain your composure under his piercing gaze.

"Good," he said, his tone teasing. "I noticed you've been hiding in the shadows. Afraid to join the festivities?"

A smile tugged at your lips. "I didn't want to intrude, sir."

"Nonsense," he murmured, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "A beauty like you should never be in the background."

Your breath hitched at his words, the compliment washing over you like a warm wave. "Thank you, sir."

Marcus's gaze held yours, his eyes darkening with an emotion you couldn't quite decipher. "Tell me," he continued, leaning in closer, "do you enjoy dancing?"

Your heart pounded in your chest. "Yes, sir."

A wicked smile curved his lips. "Good. I think it's time for some entertainment."

He turned to the room, his voice commanding as he addressed the guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it's time for a dance."

The other maids gathered, their faces lighting up with excitement. Marcus's eyes flicked back to you, a challenge in his gaze. "Join us, won’t you?" he asked, though it was more of a command than a question.

You stepped forward, joining the other maids. The music began, a sultry melody filling the air. You moved in sync with the others, your body swaying to the rhythm, feeling Marcus's eyes on you the entire time.

As you danced, you felt a heady mix of nerves and exhilaration. The other maids were graceful, their movements confident and fluid. But you, despite your initial hesitance, found yourself lost in the music, your body moving instinctively, your eyes occasionally meeting Marcus's intense gaze.

The dance ended with a flourish, and the room erupted in applause. You stood there, breathless, your heart racing. Marcus's eyes never left you, a slow smile spreading across his face as he approached.

"Well done," he said, his voice low and smooth. "You have a natural grace."

"Thank you, sir," you replied, feeling a blush creep up your neck.

Marcus's smile deepened, his eyes never leaving yours. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, an intricate design of fine fabric. With a slow, deliberate movement, he offered it to you.

"For you," he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. "A small token of my appreciation."

You took the handkerchief, your fingers brushing against his as you did. The touch sent a jolt through you, and you could feel the eyes of the other guests on you, but all you could focus on was Marcus. "Thank you, sir," you said again, your voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against your ear. "Keep it close. Tonight, after the guests have left, you will be summoned to my quarters. There are things we need to discuss."

Your heart raced at his words, the implication sending a thrill through you. "Yes, sir," you replied, your voice steady despite the tumult of emotions inside you.

He straightened, his eyes still holding yours for a moment longer before he turned his attention back to the party. "Enjoy the rest of the evening," he said, his tone returning to its earlier casualness.

You nodded, clutching the handkerchief tightly in your hand, the delicate fabric a reminder of what was to come. The rest of the evening passed in a blur, your thoughts consumed by the anticipation of your impending meeting with Marcus. The other maids occasionally glanced your way, their expressions a mix of curiosity and envy.

Later, in the dim light of the maids’ quarters, you sat with your heart pounding, the evening’s events replaying in your mind. Zera and the others had already retired for the night, leaving you alone with your thoughts. The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the occasional creak of the old building settling. Just as you began to wonder if you had misunderstood Marcus’s invitation, there was a knock on the door. You jumped, your heart leaping into your throat. You opened the door to find one of Marcus’s guards standing there, his expression unreadable.

"Marcus has requested your presence," he said simply.

You nodded, swallowing hard. "Thank you," you managed to say, your voice trembling slightly.

The guard led you through the winding corridors of the grand estate, the flickering torchlight casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. Your mind raced with possibilities, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling within you.

When you reached Marcus’s quarters, the guard stepped aside, allowing you to knock softly on the door.

"Enter," came Marcus's voice from within, smooth and commanding.

You pushed the door open and stepped inside. The warmth of the room and the familiar scent of Marcus’s cologne enveloped you. He stood by a table, a decanter and two glasses set upon it. His silhouette was framed by the moonlight streaming through the window, casting an ethereal glow around him.

"Close the door behind you," he instructed, his voice low and inviting.

You did as he asked, the soft click of the door closing sounding like a prelude to something monumental. Your heart raced as you stood there, feeling both vulnerable and empowered under his intense gaze.

"Come, sit," Marcus said, gesturing to a chair near the table.

You walked over, your steps measured and deliberate, and sat down. Marcus poured a rich, amber liquid into one of the glasses, then handed it to you.

"Drink," he said softly, his eyes never leaving yours.

You took the glass, the coolness of the glass contrasting with the warmth of your fingers. You brought it to your lips, the liquid smooth and heady as it slid down your throat. The warmth spread through you, calming your nerves.

Marcus poured himself a glass and took a sip, his eyes still locked on you. "I’ve noticed you," he said, his voice a low, seductive murmur. "You have a quiet grace about you, a determination."

"Thank you, sir," you replied, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks under his scrutiny.

"Tell me about yourself," he continued, leaning back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his gaze intense. "How did you come to work here?"

You took a deep breath, gathering your thoughts. "I came from a small village," you began, your voice steady despite the fluttering in your chest. "I wanted to find a better life, to serve in a household like yours."

Marcus nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened. "And what have you found here?"

"Opportunity," you replied honestly. "A chance to learn, to grow. The work is hard, but it’s rewarding."

He smiled, a slow, almost predatory smile that sent a shiver down your spine. "I admire your honesty," he said. "And your dedication."

He reached out, his fingers brushing against the back of your hand, the touch sending a jolt of electricity through you. "You’ve done well tonight," he said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper. "And I’d like to reward you."

Your breath hitched at his words, the promise in his tone making your heart race. "Thank you, sir," you managed to say, your voice trembling with anticipation.

Marcus's hand lingered on yours, his touch gentle yet commanding. "Do you enjoy serving me?" he asked, his eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that made you feel exposed.

"Yes, sir," you replied, your voice barely above a whisper. "I do."

He smiled, a slow, seductive smile that made your pulse quicken. "Good," he murmured. "Because I enjoy having you here."

He stood, his hand slipping from yours as he moved to stand behind you. You felt his presence, the heat of his body, the intoxicating scent of his cologne. He leaned down, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, "I want to see more of you, to know you better."

Your heart raced, a mixture of excitement and nerves swirling within you. The reality of the situation settled in—you were not just any maid; you were standing before Marcus, your employer, a man whose power and authority were absolute. The need to impress him, to prove your worth, weighed heavily on you.

Marcus's hands rested lightly on your shoulders, his touch sending shivers down your spine. He slowly slid your tunic down, exposing your shoulders to the cool night air. His fingers brushed against your skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

"You are beautiful," he murmured, his breath warm against your ear. "And so very intriguing."

You shivered at his words, your nerves mingling with a growing desire. "Thank you, sir," you replied, your voice barely above a whisper.

He turned you to face him, his eyes dark and intense as they roamed over you. "You seem nervous," he observed, his voice soft but commanding.

"I... I want to please you, sir," you admitted, your cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and honesty.

Marcus's smile was slow and predatory, his eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that made your knees weak. "And you will," he said, his voice a low, seductive murmur. "But there's no need to be nervous. I already see something special in you."

He moved closer, his hands trailing down your arms, sending a shiver through you. "Relax," he whispered, his lips brushing against your ear. "Tonight is about discovery."

You nodded, trying to steady your racing heart. His touch was both comforting and electrifying, his presence overwhelming yet thrilling. You felt his hands slide down your back, pulling you closer to him. The proximity made you acutely aware of every breath, every heartbeat.

Marcus's lips traced the curve of your neck, his touch gentle yet possessive. "Tell me," he murmured, his voice a tantalizing whisper, "what do you desire?"

The question caught you off guard, your mind racing with a thousand thoughts. "I... I want to be valued, sir," you confessed, your voice trembling with vulnerability. "I want to be seen."

He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching yours. "You are valued," he said, his voice firm but tender. "And you are seen."

He leaned in, his lips capturing yours in a kiss that was both gentle and demanding. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you in a whirlwind of desire and emotion. His kiss deepened, his hands roaming over your body, exploring, claiming.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were dark with desire. "You have a fire within you," he murmured, his voice a low growl. "A fire I intend to stoke."

His words sent a thrill through you, a promise of what was to come. You felt his hands slide to the hem of your tunic, lifting it slowly, his touch deliberate and tantalizing. The fabric slipped over your head, leaving you exposed to his hungry gaze.

"Beautiful," he whispered, his eyes roaming over you with a mix of admiration and desire. He stepped back, his own tunic falling to the floor, revealing the chiseled lines of his body. His gaze remained locked on you, filled with a raw, almost primal intensity that made your pulse quicken.

As he moved closer, you could feel the heat radiating from his body, the magnetism that drew you in. He reached out, his fingers trailing down your arm, leaving a path of fire in their wake. "Tell me," he murmured, his voice a seductive whisper, "are you experienced?"

The question hung in the air, laden with implications. Your heart raced as you met his gaze, the vulnerability in your answer making you feel exposed. "Yes, sir," you replied, your voice trembling slightly.

A flicker of something dark and possessive flashed in his eyes. He leaned in, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, "Who was he?"

The question, more of a demand, sent a shiver through you. You hesitated, the memory of your past lover surfacing. "A man from my village," you confessed, your voice barely above a whisper. "But he means nothing to me now."

Marcus's grip on your arm tightened slightly, his possessiveness palpable. "Good," he growled softly, his breath hot against your skin. "Because from now on, you belong to me."

The intensity of his words sent a thrill through you, a mixture of fear and exhilaration. His fingers tilted your chin up, forcing you to meet his gaze. "I want to see you touch yourself," he commanded, his voice low and commanding.

Your breath caught in your throat, the request both shocking and tantalizing. You hesitated, your eyes searching his for reassurance. His expression softened slightly, a hint of encouragement in his gaze. "Show me," he urged, his voice a seductive murmur. "I want to see how you pleasure yourself."

With trembling hands, you reached down, your fingers skimming over your own skin. Marcus stopped you mid-motion, pushing you onto a plush couch in the room. He loomed over you, an imposing force, as you began to trace delicate lines across your chest, down to your stomach, and even lower. You delicately traced the lips of your pussy, collecting the small amount of wetness beginning to grow. It wasn’t enough friction, so you brought your hand to your mouth and sucked on two fingers softly before bringing them down to circle your clit in sweet and deliberate circles.

Your mouth formed a soft "O" at the feeling, as your movements brought a soft look and feel of pleasure to your body.

“Have you ever been tasted?” The question caught you off guard, and your hand stopped.

“Tasted?” you echoed.

He chuckled. “Yes, tasted.”

He got onto his knees. “What’s that?” you questioned.

He smirked and spread your legs. “Allow me to show you.”

He peppered soft kisses on your thighs before spitting on your clit, making you moan. But even the moan was cut off as his warm mouth began attacking your body. You felt his tongue flick and suck everything he could. You’d never moaned so loudly in your life. He was devouring your pussy, kissing and biting it with an intensity that made you writhe.

You couldn’t sit still. You covered your mouth and whimpered. “Already this wet for me, huh?” he whispered, his breath hot against your sensitive skin. “Spread yourself for me, baby.”

Your chest was heaving as you moved your trembling hands to comply. You spread yourself open, the vulnerability making the moment even more intense. Marcus’s eyes darkened with desire as he watched you.

“Good girl,” he murmured, before diving back in. His tongue was relentless, swirling around your clit, teasing and torturing you with expert precision. You could feel every flick, every stroke, as he brought you closer and closer to the edge.

Your fingers tangled in his hair, your hips bucking against his mouth. The pleasure was overwhelming, building with a ferocity that left you gasping. You could feel yourself teetering on the brink, every nerve ending alight with sensation.

Marcus pulled back just enough to speak, his voice a low, seductive growl. “I want you to come for me, baby. Let me hear you.”

His words were your undoing. With a cry, you shattered, the orgasm crashing over you in waves. Your body trembled, your muscles contracting as the pleasure washed over you. Marcus continued to lap at you, drawing out every last bit of your climax until you were spent, lying limp and boneless on the couch.

He moved up your body, his lips finding yours in a deep, possessive kiss. You could taste yourself on him, the intimacy of the moment making your head spin. “You taste incredible,” he murmured against your lips. “I could do that all night.”

You shivered at his words, the promise of more to come making your pulse quicken. “Thank you, sir,” you managed to whisper, your voice shaky with the aftershocks of your orgasm.

He smiled, a slow, predatory smile that sent a thrill through you. “You’re welcome, my sweet. But we’re not done yet. I want to see everything you have to offer.”

He pulled your legs to be flush against his thighs, his strength and control undeniable. You finally dared to look at him in all his glory, and the sight took your breath away. His dick was huge and intimidating, with a slight tilt to the left. The mere sight of it made your heart race, a mix of fear and anticipation swirling within you.

With a deliberate slowness, he rubbed his dick up and down your slick entrance, coating it in your orgasm. The sensation was almost too much, making you gasp and writhe beneath him.

Then, he began to press into you, the thick head of his cock stretching you in a way that made your eyes roll to the back of your head. The pressure, the fullness, it was unlike anything you’d ever felt before.

“OH FUCK, MARCUS,” you cried out, the words slipping from your lips before you could stop them.

He chuckled at your sudden drop in formalities, his amusement mingling with the raw desire in his eyes. “That’s it, baby. Let it all out. No need for titles here.”

The stretch was deliciously painful, a burning sensation that morphed into pleasure as he filled you completely. He paused, allowing you to adjust to his size, his eyes never leaving your face. The intensity of his gaze made you feel exposed, vulnerable, and yet incredibly aroused.

“You feel so good,” he murmured, his voice rough with need. “So tight, so perfect.”

You whimpered in response, your body trembling as you struggled to accommodate him. He began to move, slow at first, each thrust sending jolts of pleasure through you. The friction, the heat, it was overwhelming. Your hands gripped his shoulders, your nails digging into his skin as you tried to ground yourself.

“Faster, please,” you begged, your voice breathless.

Marcus obliged, his pace quickening, his thrusts becoming harder and deeper. The sound of skin against skin filled the room, mingling with your moans and his grunts of pleasure. Each stroke pushed you closer to the edge, the coil of pleasure tightening in your belly.

“You like that?” he growled, his breath hot against your ear. “You like being fucked by me?”

“Yes, oh god, yes,” you cried out, your body arching beneath him.

He drove into you with a relentless rhythm, his hand finding your clit and rubbing it in circles that matched his thrusts. The dual sensations were too much, pushing you over the edge into a mind-shattering orgasm. You screamed his name, your body convulsing around him, your vision going white with the intensity of your release.

Marcus didn’t stop. He continued to pound into you, chasing his own release, his hand still working your sensitive clit. The overstimulation was almost painful, but you relished it, craving more of the pleasure-pain.

“Fuck, you’re incredible,” he groaned, his movements becoming erratic. “I’m going to come.”

You tightened around him, wanting to push him over the edge, wanting to feel him lose control. “Come for me, Marcus,” you whispered, your voice hoarse. “Fill me up.”

With a final, deep thrust, he buried himself inside you, his cock pulsing as he spilled his seed. His groan of release was primal, his body shuddering against yours. You felt the warmth of his cum filling you, the sensation pushing you into another smaller orgasm.

He stayed inside you for a moment, both of you catching your breath, the room filled with the scent of sex and sweat. Finally, he pulled out, his cum dripping from your swollen pussy. He looked at you, his eyes dark with satisfaction and something more—something possessive.

“You’re mine now,” he said, his voice a low growl. “No one else gets to touch you like this.”

The weight of his words settled over you, and you felt a mix of exhilaration and apprehension. You had never been claimed so fiercely, never felt so desired. But a question lingered in the back of your mind, one you couldn’t ignore.

“Will you be seeing any other maids?” you asked softly, your voice barely above a whisper. The thought of him with someone else, touching them the way he touched you, sent a pang of jealousy through you.

Marcus’s expression softened slightly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. He cupped your face in his hands, his thumb brushing gently over your cheek. “No,” he said, his voice firm. “I don’t taste the others. I’ve seen you around, watching you, waiting for this moment.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing against your ear as he continued, “I’ve been planning this, waiting for the right time. You’re different, special. I want you to be my mistress.”

His words sent a shiver down your spine, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through you. The idea of being his mistress, of belonging to him in such an intimate way, was intoxicating. You looked up at him, your eyes wide with wonder. “You’ve been waiting for me?”

“Yes,” he murmured, his lips trailing down your neck. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew I had to have you. No one else compares to you.”

His hands roamed over your body, caressing your skin with a possessive tenderness that made you tremble. He pulled you closer, his mouth capturing yours in a searing kiss. You melted into him, your body responding to his touch, craving more.

He broke the kiss, his eyes burning with desire. “I want you to understand something,” he said, his voice low and intense. “Being my mistress means you belong to me. Your body, your pleasure, it’s all mine.”

You nodded, unable to find the words to express the whirlwind of emotions inside you. He smiled, a slow, predatory smile that made your pulse quicken.

“Good,” he said, his hands sliding down your body. “Now, show me how much you want to be mine.”

[glittter-vamp]

One Size Fits…Most

Joe Burrow x Plus Size Latina OC.

Warnings: Angsty. Mention of characters size. Body image issues. Mention of alcohol. Mention of cheating. If this sucked, my bad it’s been a minute since I’ve written & I decided to do something different than my usual work. (Proof read…kinda)

Looking in the mirror one last time Marisol made her way out of the hotel room and to the elevator. Her heels clicking as she walked through the lobby, feeling the eyes of strangers on her. "There she is, woah you look great." Mandy her old college roommate smiled as she waited in the southern heat for the car taking them to the wedding venue. "Thank you, you look great too. Green has always been your color." Marisol smiles as she hugs her old roommate hello. "And silk has always been amazing on you!" She smiles looking at her silk colorful dress. "I almost wore black but this Louisiana sun is not for that." Marisol chuckled. "Hell no it's not." Mandy agrees.

The car taking them both to the venue arrives and they get into the cool vehicle, immediately relieved of the hot humid air from outside. Greeting the nice female driver, the two of them mostly sit in silence on the way over there until Mandy speaks up again. "You think we're going to be the only ones without dates?" Mandy asks looking out of the window making you chuckle. "Nah, Jade told me Natasha called off her engagement."

"What!? Her and Andrew were together since freshman year of college? What happened there?" Mandy asks in shock. "She caught him on Grindr..." Marisol mutters and Mandy gasps. "Oh poor Tasha..." She pouts.

Arriving at the venue a few minutes later, you two already see a few familiar faces. "This going to be like a LSU college reunion isn't it?" Mandy sighs as we pick up a glass of champagne. "Unfortunately." Marisol lets out a sigh of annoyance. "Is...you know who invited?" Mandy asks. "Don't have a clue, Jade didn't mention him at all so I don't think so." She responds as her eyes skim the crowd of people, feeling more and more at ease as the person she's looking for never comes into her view. The wedding is starting in about 5 minutes so, she was sure everyone that was coming to the wedding, was simply already there.

********************************************

Cheers erupted as the couple kissed and walked down the aisle hand in hand. Everyone around was sweating in this heat and were probably happy for the couple as much as they were happy to get out of the direct sunlight. While the happy couple made their way to family to take pictures we all walked over to the big white tents to cool off and grab some waters or fruity little drink. I'm going to run to the bathroom really quick, would you get me that dragon berry drink on the menu?" Mandy asks Marisol and she nods. Heading over to the open bar, Marisol asks the bartender for the drink Mandy wanted and ordered herself a spiked lemonade to help with the heat a little.

"Marisol?" She hears a familiar voice behind her, she turns to see none other than Ja'Marr Chase. "Oh, hey! Wow long time no see!" Marisol gives him a friendly hug. "How you doing? I see you traveling all over the world on instagram." Ja'Marr smiles. "I've been good and just working and traveling." Marisol nods. The bartender hands her over both drinks and she thanks him setting them in front of her. "I thought your days of crazy drinking would be over after LSU." Ja'Marr jokes seeing both drinks. Marisol chuckles shaking her head. "They are, one of them is for Mandy." She informs him. "Mandy's here? And to think Justin almost came." Ja'Marr mutters. "He didn't because of her, Jade told me." Marisol responds and Ja'Marr nods understanding.

"Well I gotta say, I'm surprised you're here then." Ja'Marr says and Marisol gives him confused look before she notices exactly who he was talking about. The man that broke her heart all those years ago, the big shot quarterback of LSU and the Bengals...Joe Burrow. "Ja'Marr!? Hey!" Mandy approaches us, greeting Ja'Marr as Marisol tries her best to remain calm. She practically chugged down the lemonade she ordered.

Marisol didn't think she would see Joe here. She thought he would be too busy with his lavish lifestyle or felt too important to be here at an old college friends wedding in New Orleans. But, there he was. In a expensive pastel blue tux that brought out his eyes in a breath taking way.

Ja'Marr excuses himself before going over to Joe. Marisol immediately turns around and orders another drink, something stronger. "I saw him leaving the bathroom, I tried getting to you before you saw him but then you were talking to Ja'Marr." Mandy grimaces as she sips her drink and looks at Marisol. "Do you know where we're siting?" She asks Mandy. "The table chart is over there, you think Jade would sit us all together?" Mandy asks. "I mean, it would make sense to sit people who know each other together." Marisol responds as she watches the bartender make her drink.

After getting her drink, she makes her way to the table chart written in script and in chalk. Looking at all the table numbers and names. Marisol finds her name under table eleven, she see's Mandy's name, a few familiar names, Ja'Marr and there it was...Joe's. "Damn it." Marisol mutters. The last thing she wanted to do was to be seated at the same table for the next 5 or 6 hours as Joe. "You're going to need a lot more liquor huh?" Mandy sighs looking at what Marisol was looking at. "Just don't let me get too drunk." Marisol looks over at her.

********************************************

The DJ they had at the reception made the announcement for everyone to take their seats for the grand entrance of the newlyweds. It just so happened that Marisol and Joe were seated directly in front of each other. As if this night couldn't get any worse for Marisol. "You think anyone would notice if I just...left?" Marisol asked Mandy, making her roll her eyes. "Yes! You'll be fine just focus on everyone else here. Plus...that guy over there keeps looking at you." Mandy looks over to a handsome guy in a tux, one of the groomsmen. "He looks very young."

"So? He's at least over 21 because he's drinking. Have some fun and don't worry about someone from your past." Mandy says to Marisol. Maybe she was right Marisol thought. Just as she grabbed her champagne glass, Joe sat in front of her again. Making stomach turn a bit. She hated the way he made her feel, almost sick.

Joe made eye contact with her, Marisol making sure she was giving him the stink eye. Joe clearly understanding the message and giving her a look full of sorrow. The DJ announce's the newlyweds and everyone's attention flips to them, clapping and smiling.

Dinner begins to get served, Marisol looking everywhere else but right in front of her. The first course of her dinner was good, they brought out the salad she had picked but the second plate wasn't correct. They brought our salmon but she was allergic to it. Before she speak up another voice does.

 

"Excuse me, but she can't eat that. She allergic." Joe says from across the table to the man serving the food. Mandy and Ja'Marr looking over at the both of them, Marisol sitting there in a sort of shock before she clears her throat and tells the server herself.

The server looks at them oddly with a bit of confusion but takes back the plate and apologizes. Marisol looks over at Joe but doesn't say anything. She was surprised he even remembered that about her. The time she ate salmon at some football banquet he invited her too and she broke out in hives right after. They spent the rest of the night in the E.R while she got treated for it.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the server came back with the chicken she had requested instead on the invitation. "My apologies Miss, it seems that I got confused with the seating. I can assure you there's no cross contamination with the food" The man says to her. Marisol just thanks him and begins to eat her food, which she barely finished because she didn't even have appetite to begin with. She still couldn't get over the fact she had to endure a night of Joe. 

The speeches start to begin from the parents of the newlyweds to their siblings to the maid of honor and best man. After the speeches, the first dance began and then the partying started to happen. Marisol quickly made her way over to get another drink. As she ordered herself an old fashion, from the corner of her eye she saw Joe stand next to her. Rolling her eyes and clenching her jaw she did her best to ignore him. 

"You shouldn't be mixing different types of liquor like that." Joe says to Marisol, the sound of his voice almost causing her to step on his foot with her stiletto heel. Instead, she just ignores him. "You're just going to ignore me all night?" He scoffs; Marisol still doesn't say a word back as she waits for her drink. "You need to let what happened go." Joe shakes his head in disbelief that she would still hold this grudge against him. "And you need to stop talking to me, guess we're both not getting what we want." Marisol rolls her eyes as her blood was starting to boil with anger. The audacity Joe had right now was mind boggling to her. The way he dared to even speak to her right now and then proceed to tell her that she needs to let things go. 

"Mare-" Joe starts. "No! Don't you dare call me that." Marisol snaps at him before the bartender comes back with the drink where she thanks him and walks away from Joe. Only for him to follow her. "Look, let's just talk this out." Joe says stopping her in her tracks as the lights dim and the music somehow grows louder. "I have nothing to talk to you about Joe. You made it very clear 4 years ago that a girl like me didn't fit your little superstar quarterback life." Marisol snapped at him, Joe rolled his eyes. "It was more complicated than that Marisol, you know that." He snapped back. "Joe, you brought up the idea to me to have a fake girlfriend that better fit your public lifestyle." Marisol said back to him, anger boiling in her. 

"It wasn't me, it was my publicist and some people from the team at the time." Joe tries to defend himself. "I don't care who it was Joe...you were the one all for it.” Marisol rolls her eyes. “It was a tough time okay, I was still figuring things out.”

“You seemed pretty damn happy after we ended things. Right off the bat you were with a Victoria secret model.” Marisol scoffs. “She was never a Victoria Secret model” Joe scoffs back which annoyed Marisol even more that he chose to focus on that part of things.

“Look, you need to grow up & get over what happened. We had a stupid fling in college and that was it. You seriously thought we were going to have a happy ending? We’re from two different worlds.” Joe said thinking that was going help, Marisol’s heart feeling like it was breaking once again. She loved Joe back then, she was there for him during the tough times at LSU. When the other players weren’t taking him seriously. When he was having a hard time balancing school work and football. When he ran out of money to eat, she would even share proper meals with him so he didn’t have to rely on ramen until his parents gave him his monthly allowance and he could go grocery shopping again.

“You don’t need to remind me that you just used me. I know that’s exactly what you did. Used me for your benefit, emotionally and physically…but I will never act like that was okay. You lead me on. I won’t apologize for not being this thin and perfect girl that the beloved quarterback gets.” Marisol tells Joe trying her very hardest not to get emotional over a guy she swore she left in the past.

“We wouldn’t have worked.” Joe responds, mostly seeming like he was trying to convince himself. “You can tell yourself that, it won’t change what happened and how I feel now. If having a woman that the world deems physically conventionally attractive is more important than what we had, that’s on you. But don’t act like you weren’t at my door almost every night trying to get a piece of me. Or begging me to come over to do that thing you liked. At the end of the day you will always be the coward that couldn’t handle the “fat girl” & the star quarterback who still can’t get a ring.” Marisol smirks leaving Joe standing there with his jaw clenched and nose flaring.

Marisol stands tall as she walked away from Joe. Hips swaying because she knows no matter her size she’s beautiful & deserves the best. She walks over to Mandy in the crowd of people dancing. “Where were you?!” She yells over the loud music. “Getting a drink, now where’s that cute guy that was staring at me earlier?” Marisol asks and Mandy gives her a smirk.

—————————————————————-

Part Two? 👀

[lamentationsofalonelypotato]

Chapter 3: But I Don't Want to Carry On Like Everything Is Fine

Pairing: Soldier Boy x f!Reader, Reader POV

Summary: With a birthday printed on your wrist that happened over a hundred years ago, you always thought that you were cursed to never meet your soulmate. But when you finally meet the man that's supposed to be the other half of your soul, you wonder if the stars were wrong, and wonder how this man was meant for you. Reader is Hughie's sister, is not a supe, and is a Literature Professor that gets dragged into the middle of things. This fic takes place in an AU set loosely after Season 3 and does deviate from the plot of The Boys

Tropes: Soulmate AU, Little bit of Grumpy and Sunshine, Age Difference (Reader is in her 20s), Protective Ben/ Soldier Boy, Jealous Ben/Soldier Boy

Warnings: I'm gonna label this one 18+ because it's Soldier Boy and we all know he's a warning. Homophobic comments towards Hughie (It's Soldier Boy y'all), Self deprecating thoughts, ANGST, SADNESS, HEART RIPPING OUT OF CHEST (figuratively because it's what it felt like to write this), Fear? Mentions of past graphic death, Mentions of torture (SB in Russia), Cursing, Mentions of past abuse (verbal abuse and it's SB doing it to someone because… we ALL know), Mentions of drinking, Mentions of Sex, Mentions of Death, Loneliness, Longing, Basically the reader just wants to be loved, Reader wears glasses?, Soldier Boy might be a little OOC.

Word Count: 6.9K

Song Inspiration For Chapter: Love In The Dark By Adele (Title for chapter taken from this song)

Playlist For Series!✨

Note: This is told from Reader's perspective. Any references to the reader is made using you or your. There is minimal use of y/n. I tried my best to proofread, but nobody's perfect. If you don’t like, don’t read, but if you do like, you’re my favorite!

A/N: I know this chapter is a long time coming, but thank you so much to everyone who has loved this series so far, and for encouraging me to come back to it. I hope y'all are strapped in for a ride, because this is when all the angst starts to unfold… But also… I might have changed up the Soulmate AU even more in a crazy more heartbreaking direction so, there's that too

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Guide:

Reader's thoughts are in italics and in first person.

Ben's thoughts in italics, bold, and blue!

Previously:

"I've been looking everywhere for you sweetheart." The man rumbles, the words vibrating against your fingertips where they rest against his muscular chest. He smiles at you and somewhere deep down you feel something break open that you thought was locked away long ago.

And as you stand there looking up at the man you thought you'd never see again, you feel a flicker of something that could grow into a blaze.

You stand there in the silence that follows the words of your soulmate, the rough vibration of his voice still trembling through your fingertips where they lay against his chest, as you stare up into his hypnotic green eyes. The sunlight that streams in from the windows at you back traces the hardened edges of his handsome face turning his dark hair a honeyed brown. A smile pulls at the end of his lips, crinkling his eyes, and bringing a softness to the rugged features that make your heart beat quicken.

He was the most beautiful man you’d ever seen and yet nothing what you’d expected. You briefly wonder if you were what he expected, but judging from the women you'd seen him with in his memories you weren't, given that you looked nothing like them.

The air around the both of you warms as electricity pops and crackles along your skin skittering against the flesh and bringing goosebumps in its wake. A wave of heat travels from where Ben's hand is gently cupping your chin in his calloused fingertips, that makes you feel like you're melting from the inside out.

Nothing else exists in the world except the two of you. There's no need to breathe, no need to see, and no need to speak, because all you know is your soulmate. You can feel the beating of his heart in your own chest, feel the thrum of electricity in his body along your nerve endings, and each breath he takes you can feel vibrate in your lungs.

You'd spent years feeling like a freak, lost, and out of place, but standing here with Ben so close that you can feel his breath on your face, makes you feel whole for the first time in your life.

He's still too far away.

A voice whispers in your ear and you long to close the distance between the two of you, to hold him tight and never let him go.

The date on your wrist sears hotter than it did the first day you met him burning through the foundation once again that you'd smeared across it to hide it  and the golden cord that wove through the air securing his heart to yours seconds ago grows so hot that it turns a blinding white. And just as you think you'll have to shut your eyes from the brilliant light, the cord squeezes your chest to tight it takes your breath away.

You inhale sharply as a flood of emotions comes washing over you that aren't your own, memories that you'd only seen in your dreams flash through your mind as if you lived them, and Ben's eyes widen as he feels the same thing. His heart beats in tandem with yours, the space between you growing to almost nothing as the cord yanks you so close that you can feel his breath on your lips and his hands fall to your hips to steady you against him, sending goosebumps prickling over your body with his touch.

You'd read about what it was like to meet your soulmate before and people had tried to tell you, but for everyone it was different and no one ever described as anything like this. Especially not happening a second time after they'd crossed paths.

This shouldn't be happening, we've already met.

But you know you're not imagining this, you know that your soul is singing to Ben's, calling out to his and both of them are twisting between the two of you, weaving you together, binding you as one.

The spark in the pit of your stomach you felt the moment Ben's eyes locked with yours has begun to flare again until it burns into a wild-fire, but it's not love you feel, not compassion, not relief, or love, it's fear.

It sobers you.

Its cold finger drags down your spine and seizes in your chest, wiping away whatever else you're feeling for the handsome man standing only millimeters from you.

The Ben's memories you re-lived in your dreams come roaring back like a lion over a kill, each one more horrific than the last.

You see your soulmate standing triumphantly over bodies burned beyond recognition, see him beating someone into submission his fists splattered with red, watch as he laughs at the torment of his younger teammates and then opens his mouth to say something so repulsive it makes your skin crawl, and you see the proud smirk when he knows he's won, when he knows that he can't be beaten and no one can stop him.

He had no remorse in any of those moments, no compassion, no regret, there was only the pride and arrogance that comes with his belief that he had bested whomever attempted to challenge him.

Nothing about him is gentle, caring, or kind and nothing about him is anything like you.

You who'd never been in a fight your entire life, you who tried your hardest to make sure that no one ever felt what it was like to be alone as you had for so many years, you who always put others first, and you who tried to always find something kind to say about someone else.

Everything about your soulmate and who he is terrifies you, chills you to your core and wipes away the sensations that skittered along your skin and buried themselves in your heart moments ago.

He can't be mine. Not someone like him. Please no, anyone but him.

Your soulmate's head tilts to the side and his eyebrows furrow with confusion, mouth twitching into a frown, and you realize that he can feel your fear, maybe even hear it in the quick pulse of your heart or maybe he could smell it.

You weren't sure how his powers worked, all you knew was that you'd seen what he'd done with them, you’d seen the kind of person he was, and you wanted no part of that even if it meant being alone.

You'd spent your entire life waiting for this moment and now you wish it never came.

The cord between you snaps, the sound like breaking glass, but the man's emotions still remain in your head. You feel his confusion, his apprehension, and underneath it all you feel something else, something vulnerable that flicks away in an instant.

You step back from him, allowing his hands fall from your waist, prepared to run, needing to put as much distance between the two of you, but his fingers closes hard on your wrist just over his birthdate, hard enough to bruise.

I have to get of here.

"Where are you going?" He asks, his voice gruff, the sound of water over rocks, smoothing the sharp edges, answering your thought with a question.

"Please let me go." You say, unable to catch your breath and tugging at where his hand tightens around your wrist.

The feeling of his skin pressed to yours is overwhelming, begging you to curve into him, to sink into the warmth of your soulmate and never resurface for air.

But you can't. The fear is there, rising in the back of your throat, clamping down hard and stopping the rush of oxygen to your brain.

You weren't like Butcher, you didn’t hate supes, but you also weren't unrealistic or clueless about them. You didn't believe that all of them were bad, because with the bad came the good.

Your brother's soulmate Annie was proof of that, a supe that wasn't evil or callous or on a power trip to make others submit to her will. She cared for other people, used her powers to help others, but not all supes were like her.

Your brother had told you to stay away from supes like your soulmate, warned you about Homelander before he vanished, and warned you that not all supes were as they appeared. Although, Hughie had tried hard to keep his life separate from yours, Butcher believed you had a right to know that the supes who promised safety and freedom would be the first to take it away from you.

The stories Butcher had told you about Homelander kept you awake at night fearing for your brother and Annie’s safety, and your own. You knew that the new leader of the Seven, Stormfront, was just as bad, if not worse.

As much as you believed in the strength of your brother's soulmate, there was another part of you that knew she might not be a match for Stormfront, at least not on her own.

You yank your hand again trying to break his grip, but it doesn't move from Ben's grasp.

Why is she trying to leave?

Ben's voice in your head makes you hesitate, eyes widening as you look up into his face. You knew that Ben didn't say that out loud and yet you'd heard it. 

Holy shit, how can I hear his thoughts? Can he hear mine?

You weren't a supe and you didn't understand why you could hear his thoughts and feel his emotions, or why you hadn't been able to feel or hear them in the year since the two of you met.

What the fuck is going on? Ben's voice says louder in your head and you don't understand what the hell was going on. No one in history had ever been able to hear their soulmate's thoughts or their emotions, you knew that for a fact.

"Let me go!" You say louder.

All other sounds of whispered conversations and tinkling glasses have stopped as everyone in the room turns to stare at the two of you.

Your emotions were overwhelming, the part of you screaming to run away fighting with the urge to get closer to Ben.

His confusion floods into you as well as a slew of other emotions from him that you can’t put a name to. He doesn't understand why you're trying to get away from him and why he can feel your emotions either.

"But-" Ben begins to say.

You're my soulmate. His thought finishes in your head.

"Let her go." Hughie says appearing on your left.

The confused look in Ben's eyes shifts to annoyance, the green hardening within a second. "Fuck off. This isn't your problem." He snarls gaze flicking to your brother who looks closer to anger than you'd seen him in years.

Ben's anger and annoyance comes in a wave of heat, scorching up your arms and into your chest, clawing against your ribcage.

What the hell is happening?

"Oi let her go mate." Butcher's voice joins Hughie's and you can feel the presence of the other man hovering just over your shoulder.

Truthfully you liked Butcher. You thought he was funny and that he cared more about other people more than he was willing to let on. Not to mention after he lost his Soulmate, Becca, Butcher didn't have much to do, so you’d invite him over for movie nights with Annie and Hughie so you didn't feel like the awkward fourth wheel. Butcher was as much your friend as he was Hughie's.

I didn't fucking ask to butt in you British cunt. Ben's thought burns through your body with a wave of his anger and you can feel the heat of his skin raise.

Another shiver of fear courses down your spine at the thought of Ben losing control and burning you alive just as he had done to his teammates.

Ben's eyes drop back to yours when you whimper in pain, trying to free your wrist from his grasp, and this time Ben releases you.

The warmth you felt from touching his skin is gone, leaving only a dull throb in your wrist as you clutch it to your chest, eyes wide with fear and horror.

Ben's eyes drag down your body to your wrist and you can feel a flicker of something that might be guilt, but you're not sure if he can feel things like that. All you know is that you have to get away from him.

Why is she afraid of me?

Ben's thoughts are back, vibrating through your skull and bringing a wave of emotion with it that's not yours. You back away from him, but Ben takes a step forward to fill the space you left behind reaching for you again.

"Don't touch me." You whisper, throat thick. You couldn't tell what were his emotions and what were yours colliding in your head, all you knew was that you didn't want him anywhere near you.

Stay away from me! You think taking another step back. Ben tilts his head to the side in confusion.

He takes another step towards you still not comprehending what is happening, frustration and confusion burning through the air between the two of you.

You'd seen the short temper your soulmate had, saw what happened to people on the wrong side of it, and you cringe away from him in fear. You didn't want to be on the receiving end of his fist or whatever the hell he had locked away in his chest.

Please don’t hurt me.

The thought comes before you can stop it and you watch something flash in Ben’s eyes that looks surprisingly like hurt.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Ben says, eyebrows furrowing together. “I’m your soulmate, I’d never hurt you.”

It confirms what you already know, that Ben can hear your thoughts just as you can hear his.

You back up into Butcher's chest and he drops his hands down on your shoulders to make you feel better.

Get your fucking hands off of her. She's mine!

Ben's voice roars in your head. The wave of jealousy and rage that you feel rip through your body at the feeling of Butcher's touch scorches against your insides.

"You should go." Hughie says calmly, but you can hear an edge to his voice.

"I'm not going fucking anywhere you overgrown glory hole!" Ben snaps, eyes flashing in the light of the sun behind you, the soft green long gone, but falling on you once more.

Why is she acting like she's not my soulmate? Like she doesn't want me?

Ben's voice asks in your head, the words snagging in something deep down that you thought you locked away years ago, the empty place inside that you longed for someone to fill, the empty place you knew that this man was supposed to belong.

No. No. No. Why is this happening to me?

"Hey, you don’t get to fucking speak to him like that in our house!" Annie shouts back at Ben, her eyes narrowed at the man who was at least two heads taller than she was.

It was all too much. You couldn't be here, not with all these people watching you. You move out of Butcher's grip and around Ben as close as you dare, trying to get to the front door and away from him. You could feel everyone's eyes on you and hear their silent judgement.

It reminded you too much of your childhood, the one you spent wishing that the whispers and odd looks would stop, the one when people would cross to the other side of the road like you had something contagious, the one where you felt so alone that you couldn't standing it and when you wished that someone, anyone, would fill the hole you felt inside for far too long. The same hole that you couldn't feel when Ben was touching you.

"Wait-" Ben begins to say, voice gruff, while trying again to grab you, but you dodge his hand and run full speed at the front door of the apartment.

Come back.

There's something behind those words that grates against your heart, but you don't turn around.

Hughie and Annie shout your name, but you're already gone. You can’t be here, not now, not with him standing there, not when he's everything you'd thought you'd never have and yet, everything that you fear.

Your footsteps pound against the cracked pavement, the world around you a soundless blur with every pump of your arms. Rain swats against your skin as you run, each slap of your bare feet against cracked pavement mirroring the thunder that shakes the buildings around you.

You'd lost your shoes the minute you broke into a run outside Hughie and Annie's apartment, and you were too afraid to go back for them.

Water trickles down your spine, bringing the chill of the rain with it, but you can’t feel it, the only thing you feel is the flood of emotions you'd had since the moment you ran into your soulmate again, the one who left you on the street one year ago like you meant nothing to him. 

Funny, when that happened you thought that was the worst of it, but it wasn't.

What did I do to deserve this?

Flashes of your soulmate's memory echo the lightning above, the horrors you witnessed in the sweet abyss of sleep that haunted your mind. Bloody fists, blackened bodies, harsh laughter, and clips of dialogue play through your mind on a sickening loop.

You ran as if you thought you could leave it all behind, as if you could leave him behind, but he was everywhere. He was in the faces of the people in the crowds, in the sound of the thunder, in the thrum of your blood through your veins, in each beat of your heart, and in each breath you took.

The look he had on his face when you fled was there, bringing a wave of guilt for leaving him behind the way that he left you one year ago.

But he left me before he knew me. I know him. I've seen what he's done. I-

The thought brings the memory of the hurt that flashed through Ben's eyes at the apartment back into your head.

In all the memories you'd seen of him, you'd never seen him look hurt, but it was there somewhere, slipping through whatever warped telepathy the two of you had, the telepathy you didn't understand.

How could someone you waited for your whole life fill you with such dread? How could the man who was the other half of your soul, be anything like the man you met?

In the past you'd tried to imagine who it would be, what your soulmate would look like, how he'd treat you, and what kind of man he'd be. You'd seen a faceless man holding sunflowers out to you, a man holding you while you cried, a man sitting with you curled on the couch while you read through one of your favorite books with your head leaning on his shoulder, a man taking you to bed while your fingers clasped his above your head and the soft sound of his voice telling you how much he loved you, a man who touched you reverently, as if you were something to be worshipped, a man who made you feel safe and who would listen when you talked to him, a man who remembered the little things, a man who took care of you, and a man who sat with you while you graded papers and sighed to yourself at the end of a day that seemed endless.

Now it all seemed like a big lie, because your soulmate could never be that man. You'd seen exactly who and what he was.

The idea that you were cursed seemed to fit now, because there had to be something or someone above laughing at your expense, making you suffer all the years you were alone dreaming of a man who could be those things for you only to give you the one man who could be none of them.

Annie and Hughie were perfect in every way. All the little things that made each of them unique molded together to create something beautiful. They loved each other in a way that made your chest hurt to look at them.

You'd wanted that so badly for so long.

And now the stars laughed at you because they'd given you him.

You didn't think it would be possible for you to ever love someone like him. Someone who took from others and gave none in return, someone who found joy in the submission of others, and someone who hurt and killed with no remorse.

Monsters did that, men who thought the world owed them something or rather that the world should submit to them, men who took and took and never once cared what it did to the people around them, and men who never saw anyone else as an equal.

In the past you'd thought that your soulmate of all people would see you as something more than just a possession, but rather something that strengthened him, made him stronger with your love and care, made him a better man, and a man who saw you as someone, not something.

People clear out of your way, parting to watch what they must believe is a woman driven mad, running shoeless, down the streets of NYC in the middle of a torrential downpour.

And maybe you were crazy to run from someone who looked like your soulmate did.

There was no denying that he was gorgeous. He looked like he stepped right out of a book, the dashing dark-hared brooding hero with sharp features and green eyes you wished to lose yourself in. Your soulmate looked like every lead male character you'd imagined and fallen in love with in every book you ever read. The novels you read when everything in the real world was disappointing and bleak, the ones that opened their pages and welcomed you home, promised an escape from the mediocre and enveloped you in the extraordinary.

He looked like everything you ever wanted. Something taken from your unconscious and made real.

Why me?

The fear was back, the cold trickle that became a roar blocking out the little voice inside your head that scolded you and told you to turn around and go back to him, that you needed him, the little voice that told you he was yours, that he was made for you, just as you were made for him. The voice that promised after years of being alone and filled with a cold, empty feeling, all you had to do was turn around and run back to the sun.

But you can't go back, because you're not sure if your soulmate is even human anymore.

In the past your bathtub had been a place of solace where you could have a nice glass of wine and lose yourself in a good book, but today the warm water did little to sooth the anxiety prickling on the back of your neck.

There was a Rosemary Mint candle lit on the small counter next to the sink sending a flickering yellow light over the worn subway tiles in your bathroom. One of two candles Annie had gifted you for Christmas in a handmade basket full of things to pamper yourself and a candle that was supposedly good for "stress relief" but you were prepared to call bullshit on that given the state of your nerves.

The plush white bathrobe hanging on the back of your bathroom door, the jar of soothing lavender bath salts nestled into the elbow of your tub, and the face masks scattered on the bathroom counter also came from the same basket.

All of which served as another reminder of how perfect she was for your thoughtful and caring brother.

The thought brings a wave of sadness over you and you lean your head into your knees.

None of this was helping.

You couldn't remember coming home, didn't remember running up the creaky stairs to your floor, didn’t remember passing by Mrs. Charleson's apartment with the happily painted yellow door, didn't remember unlocking the five locks on your apartment door, and certainly didn't remember slipping into the warm bath you found yourself in.

The only thing you could remember was meeting your soulmate, feeling the warmth of his caress over your skin, hearing the smooth rumble of his voice like distant thunder, and seeing how the memories you'd seen did not do justice to the handsome and rugged features he had.

A shiver of fear follows and your tighten your arms around your knees.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be different.

You think to yourself as your eyes drift to the hand print on your wrist, the one that had already begun to turn an ugly blue and ironically was curved over the birthdate that glowed gold in the flickering light.

Why him?

A wave of guilt comes swiftly when you think of the way he looked at you when you thought that in front of him.

How could he hear my thoughts? How could I hear his thoughts and feel his emotions?

There were so many things about the soulmate bond the two of you had that made no sense. You knew for a fact that no one else could see their soulmates memories when they slept, but the ability to hear your soulmate's thoughts and feel his emotions? It was impossible. And unless someone had spiked your drink with compound V at the party, you still weren't a supe and had no idea what the hell was going on!

But you were thankful that you couldn't hear Ben's thoughts and emotions right now. You didn't know why that was and hoped it meant that it only happened when you were around him or hoped it meant that it would never happen again.

The memory of how you met Ben again sends a warm feeling from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Another mystery… why it was like that to meet Ben the second time.

None of your friends ever told you that it was like that to run into your soulmate a second time.

Then again what other soulmate leaves you standing in the street alone?

The golden cord glows behind your eyelids, the cord that bound Ben's heart to yours for a few precious seconds, a moment that lasted forever. You'd never heard anyone talk about a golden cord before either. Annie said that when she met Hughie it felt like fireworks, but she never talked about feeling like she was bound to your brother or told you that it was anything like what you’d experienced with Ben.

What the hell is going on?

When you'd told Mrs. Charleson that you were dreaming Ben's memories she'd said that she'd heard a myth about it, that it meant the two of you were "meant to share more than one lifetime together," (whatever that meant), but she'd never mentioned anything about a cord that wove soulmates together. You would have gone to talk to her after the train wreck that happened at the party, but you knew that she was still at work.

Despite the fact that she had more than enough money to retire, your neighbor argued that people "who slowed down got old." She'd been running a successful apartment and house cleaning business for years, but about a year ago a man had hired her to clean his apartment and cook for him full time. He'd offered her so much money that your neighbor no longer needed to clean anyone else's home and was employed as his housekeeper.

You didn't know anything about him, didn't even know his name, but your neighbor said he was a kind young man who often reminded her of her son and was richer than a piece of french silk pie. You supposed he was a wall-street guy or the founder of some tech company, but you couldn’t believe the descriptions of his apartment she told you or the pictures you'd shown you.

It sounded and looked like a palace so far in the air it might as well be a castle in the sky, but you wanted to see it in person.

You did like your apartment, but it was too small even just for you. The thought of having a place where you could have a real desk, sunlight, consistent water pressure, a breathtaking view, and no super who only responded to twenty dollar bills and asked you for pictures of your feet daily sounded heavenly.

Not to mention it would be nice not to live somewhere with walls so thin you could hear your neighbors having obnoxiously loud sex at all hours of the night like bats. You had no idea how they ever got anything done with so little sleep.

And yeah, maybe Mrs. Charleson and you had made fun of the guy's decorating choices, but you figured that maybe he just needed someone to help him pick out furniture that was a little more comfortable to make his apartment seem less like a museum and more like a home. Mrs. Charleson had said he was single anyway, which meant that guy probably hadn't met his soulmate and when he did, they would help him out.

The front door of your apartment opens and fear momentarily spikes at the thought of it being your soulmate, that he'd somehow figured out where you lived, and he'd find you naked and vulnerable in the bathtub.

But then you hear your brother shout your name from your living room and a wave of relief crashes over you.

"I'm in the tub." You yell back.

Honestly, you didn't feel like talking to anyone, not after the day you had. You wanted to forget it happened, to go to bed and go to work tomorrow as if everything were normal and not as if your life was falling apart. It always felt like it was falling apart, but today was exceptionally heart breaking.

"Can you come out?" Hughie asks. You can hear him lean his head against the door of your small bathroom and you imagine his frown.

"I don't feel like talking right now." You reply pushing your face further into your knees.

"I brought tacos."

You hesitate for a second. Your brother and you had always been close. Sure there were those awkward sibling moments and a little bit of sibling rivalry and times when Hughie annoyed you to no end, but he was your best friend. It was him who encouraged you to become an English teacher despite the constant disapproval from your parents, him who loaned you enough money to get out from under their roof and start your own life, and him who always knew just the way to cheer you up… hence the tacos.

"And a blind date from Inky's Inspirations." He continues.

Damnit.

Inky's Inspirations was your favorite used book store. You had spent many a weekend curled up in one of the holey reading chairs with a worn paperback in your hand, letting the rest of the world fall away while you were lost in a book that whisked you away on ink and paper with gentle prose. The store had started doing "blind dates," wrapping up books in brown paper with descriptors like "Will melt your panties" or "Made me realize I have a bondage kink" or "Supernatural creature hunter vibes" or "In case you're curious about what the inside of the Loch Ness monster looked like."

That last one had been a supernatural romance that you still weren't sure if you liked it or not. It had been interesting...

But you were under the impression that no one could have too many books. The books scattered all over your apartment and stacked up so high they hit the ceiling were proof of that.

You sigh to yourself cursing your thoughtful brother. "Give me a second."

When you come out of your bathroom wearing your favorite soft t-shirt and sweatpants, your brother envelops you in a warm hug, and unfortunately undoes the little relaxation you felt when you took a bath and makes you begin to cry.

Worse was that a little part of you wished that it wasn't your brother but your soulmate who was here holding you, or rather the version of the soulmate you'd invented in your head, not the man you’d seen earlier.

It made all of this worse, that you were still so alone and sometimes you couldn’t understand how you could feel so alone with so many people in your life who cared about you. But you wanted him, wanted the other half of your soul to hold you close against him, to feel the warmth of his body curving around yours as he told you that everything was going to be okay.

It hurt more than you knew it would, especially now that you knew he existed.

Sobs shake through your body as you cling to your brother and rub your nose into the front of his shirt as everything from today washes over you all over again. Meeting your soulmate again after a year, having all those feeling and emotions roll through you, seeing flashes of his memories again, and running away from him as fast as you could.

You felt lost and yet there was a voice whispering in your ear that told you that the only place that you could be found was back with the man who held the other half of your soul.

"Shh. It's alright." Hughie soothes, rubbing his hand up and down your back. "It's okay."

It was the same thing that he used to tell you when you were younger and nothing made sense, when it felt like you were a freak because of the date printed on your wrist.  The same days when you'd ask yourself the ultimate question: would it be okay?

But now you knew the truth… it wouldn't be.

Because you'd hoped and prayed to meet your soulmate every day of your life, and now that you had, you wished that it never happened, because the man who grabbed you so hard it bruised your skin couldn't be the man you imagined falling in love with when you were a little girl.

"Are you okay?" Hughie asks you.

"No." You murmur pulling back to clean your tear smudged glasses.

Hughie was still wearing the light blue button down shirt from the party, and you feel a wave of guilt crash over you thinking that you ruined his and Annie's housewarming party.

Your brother presses his lips together. "I'm sorry-" He begins to say, but you interrupt.

"I'm the one who should be saying that."

"What? Why?"

"Well I ruined your party and-"

"Are you kidding? No you didn't! That asshole did-" Hughie frowns. "I don't know what he was thinking grabbing you like that."

You swallow the lump in the back of your throat remembering the grip Ben had on your arm.

"Did he hurt you?" Hughie picks up your hand to examine your wrist, frowning at the handprint. "What a dick!"

Your brother didn’t usually get angry, he was more of a suffer in silence kind of person who kept all their emotions a little more close to their chest, but he looks livid. "I swear the next time I see him I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. He shouldn’t have fucking grabbed you like that-"

The thought of your gentle brother yelling at Ben makes a lump of worry catch in the back of your throat. You didn't want Ben to hurt your brother, he was only person in your entire family that made you feel like you belonged.

"Hughie calm down, it's okay."

It wasn't and you both knew it.

"No it's not. He could have broken your arm!" He snaps.

"He didn't." You murmur.

But he could have.

Those words are like taking a bullet to the chest. You’d seen exactly what your soulmate was capable of and exactly how he acted when he didn’t get his way.

What did I do to deserve this?

"That doesn't matter! He didn't have a right to treat you like that. Like you're-"

"His." The word comes out before you can stop it. "But I kind of am." You shudder at the confession.

Even if you didn't want Ben in your life, it didn't change anything. He was still your soulmate. Every part of him was molded and shaped for you just as every part of yourself was molded and shaped for him.

Ben was yours, but you didn't want to be his.

Hughie shakes his head. "He might be your soulmate but you don't belong to him. You're not his property-"

"I know that but-" Your voice breaks under the weight of everything crashing back down over you. "How can he be my soulmate?"

Hughie whispers your name, but you keep talking. It was coming out of you, everything that you had pushed down, all the emotions you'd had as a child, because you didn't want to keep going like everything was fine, it wasn't.

It never had been.

"Why is he my soulmate? How are we anything alike? He's-" A memory of Ben ripping someone in half comes across your mind and it makes you feel nauseous.

"I mean I-" The tears were coming fast again now, hot against your cheeks. "I waited all these years, thought that he'd never exist, thought that I was going fucking crazy staring at this damn date on my wrist and after years of feeling like a freak I find out that the man I've been waiting for is him? How is any of this fair?"

"It's going to be-"

"Stop saying that!" You shout, hands clenched at your sides. "It's not Hughie! It's not going to be okay and I'm so sick of hearing you say it. Not everyone can be happy all the time and have a perfect soulmate. Some of us are fucking stuck with a barbarian who doesn't give a shit about anyone else and kills people for sport!"

Hughie recoils with your words and you feel guilty.

You didn’t mean to hurt his feelings and you knew that your brother was here to help you, but you were just so frustrated and confused over everything that had happened today. You had no idea what was going on and what any of this meant. It all made you feel helpless and you hated feeling like that.

"He's-" You squeeze your eyes shut as if it'll make the thoughts stop, but it doesn't. "He's nothing like me! He's-" The image of a body laying at Ben's feet comes flashing through your head with him standing triumphantly over it. "He's a monster."

You hadn't said it out loud until right now only thought it. The word seems harsh, but you didn't know what else to call a person who killed and hurt other people with no remorse. In all the memories that you’d relived of your soulmate that was the ingredient missing.

Remorse.

Regret.

Guilt.

Shame.

All were things that would have made you reconsider going back to Ben if he'd felt those things after killing or hurting someone, but you didn't feel a shred of any when you watched him tear people apart with his bare hands.

You wonder if it had something to do with being tortured in the lab all those years, if being put through that changed him, but you’d seen memories of him acting just as terrible years before that happened.

"Someone like him isn't capable of feeling love! You can't do all the things he has with no remorse and still be capable of that." By now you were babbling, your voice barely recognizable from the sobs and shaky breaths you kept taking to stabilize yourself, but the truth was you were on the verge of a panic attack. Your eyes shift to your brother's concerned expression. "I'm sorry Hughie I-"

Hughie hugs you again, holding you so tight against him that it hurts. “You don’t have to be sorry. I know you’re frustrated. And I don't understand why he's your soulmate either. You have no idea what I’ve seen him do.“

“I don't know what to do.” You whisper into his shirt with a sniffle, still trying to calm the rapid breathing and beat of your heart, but nothing was working.

Because what the hell should you do?

You'd lived so long believing that you’d never meet your soulmate and even though the thought of being around him terrified you, there was another part of you that was begging you to go back to him.

The fantasy version of Ben manifests again, the one you'd imagined when you were a little girl dreaming of the day you'd get to meet the man who would complete you. Now those fantasies mocked you, every year you spent celebrating the birthday of your soulmate alone in the darkness of your apartment, every minute you spent trying to shrug off the taunts of the people in your hometown and your own parents when they saw the date on your wrist, and every second you spent hoping that it would happen to you while a little voice in your head told you it wasn't meant to be, that someone above cursed you to be alone forever.

All the hope you'd felt was a lie.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this and now that I’ve seen what he’s done I… I don't think I could ever love someone like him."

"No one is asking you to." Your brother says.

"I know that, but- He's still my soulmate."

I want to love him. A little voice deep inside said, it was the same one that was begging you to give Ben a chance, but you ignored it. You had seen the kind of man he was and you wanted no part of him in your life.

You take in a shaky breath and pull back from Hughie to examine the handprint shaped bruise on your wrist right over the golden birthdate that glows against your skin. "I'd rather be alone than be with him.”

The words hurt to admit to yourself, especially after all the years you’d spent wishing that you wouldn’t be alone and watching everyone else get the happy ending you so desperately wanted.

But none of that mattered now. Soulmate or not, everything about Ben scared you, and it didn't matter that the universe said he was yours, you knew in your heart that he couldn't be and that you'd never be able to love someone like him.

And miles away, on the other side of the bustling city that never sleeps, your soulmate sat on the end of his large bed in his empty apartment and looked down at his own wrist, tracing an ugly blue bruise that looked surprisingly like a handprint over your golden birthdate, and the first bruise he'd had in over eighty years.

A/N: Welp, I told y'all it was sad and oh my stars it broke my heart to do this to Ben. 😭 I'd like to say that the next chapter I have planned is less sad... but oh man I think it's worse 😅

As always thank you so much for reading! Reblogs, comments, and likes are not required, but are always welcome and appreciated! I really love hearing what y'all think. ❤️ If you'd liked to be added to the taglist for this series please let me know :)

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[joequiinn]

The Dos & Don'ts of Fake Dating | E.M. x reader | pt. 10

[chap nine] | [all chapters here] | [chap eleven]

Summary | You propose a crazy idea to the resident freak of Hawkins, Eddie Munson. But maybe he was even crazier for agreeing to it…

Warnings & Notes | fem reader, slooow burn, faking dating, opposites attract, bratty rich bitch reader, super minor revenge plot, not-quite-enemies-to-lovers

Author's Notes | I can't believe this fic is already at 10 chapters! I know these two idiots are taking their time to get together, but trust that things are getting more and more interesting! I hope everyone enjoys reading this just as much as I love writing it, and as always, the tag list is still open for new readers!

WC | 6.7k

Chapter Ten

As the fog of sleep began to lift from your head, you couldn’t help but moan smally,  rolling over and trying to resist consciousness. You realized you were beginning to feel particularly warm, which is most likely what prompted your body to awake so easily - you could sleep like a damn log, yet once you got hot enough, it was practically impossible to stay asleep. So, you tried to shove your blankets aside, kicking them away from your legs to avoid breaking out into a sweat. As you did so, you made contact with something solid, hearing a tired grunt just a split second later that caused you to pull a sleepy face of confusion.

That’s when you remembered that this bed didn’t feel like yours, that these pillows didn’t smell like yours, and the night before came back to you.

You were at Eddie’s. You opened your heavy eyes, realizing immediately that you were practically curled into Eddie’s back, which would explain why you felt so hot just a minute ago - evidently, you both ran a little hot in your sleep. With this small distance, you could feel his body heat radiating towards you, feel the tickle of his curls against your forehead, you could see his torso rise and fall with shallow breath. Sleepily, you shuffled away, yawning as you began to slowly look around his room, squinting at the bits of sunlight peeking through the sheets hanging over the windows.

Now that it was light out, this was exactly the kind of room you’d expect a teenage boy to have - the floor was littered with clothes and junk, the walls were covered with posters, and music equipment was in every direction you looked. You tiredly blinked your eyes a few times, attempting to find a clock as a yawn dared to escape your mouth; you finally spotted one after propping yourself up and looking over Eddie’s shoulder at the bedside table.

The two of you had been sleeping through first period; despite all your efforts to not care about shit like that anymore, you nonetheless felt a little jolt of panic because you were missing school again. Force of habit, you figured.

As you rubbed sleep from your eyes, you glanced down at Eddie, whose face was nearly obscured by his messy mane of hair - you found yourself briefly thinking that he’d probably benefit from pulling it back while he sleeps. Not that you were concerned with the cleanliness of his hair and skin - no, you just knew from experience that it would probably be helpful for him to keep hair off his face at night.

You slumped back against the pillow, closing your eyes as you debated whether or not you wanted to wake up or try falling asleep again. You already knew you’d be in deep shit with your parents, considering that you ran off last night without telling anyone where you were going, so what was the harm in resting a while longer? There couldn’t be anything wrong with missing second period, too, right?

Beside you, Eddie stirred a little, causing you to peek at him through your lashes. He settled back in easily enough, but that’s when you finally realized just how odd this whole situation was, how sharing a bed with him felt very nearly inappropriate. Evidently, you had no qualms with it last night, accepting his invitation with absolutely no debate, but it felt different now that you were waking up to a new day. Ideas one had in the late evening never seemed ridiculous or ill-advised until confronting them the following day. Despite yourself, you could feel your neck growing hot, and you rolled onto your side to face away from Eddie as if that would correct the situation. At the very least, it would help you think if you stopped watching him sleep.

Should you leave now that you’re awake? Or should you pretend to be asleep until Eddie also woke up? You couldn’t just linger around impatiently waiting for him, that would look ridiculous.

These are things you didn’t have to worry about before - sleepovers with girls were different, especially when you’d known those girls since you were five years old. And staying the night with Duncan or any other ex-boyfriend had little to no rules. But this? A sleepover with your fake boyfriend who you may or may not be friends with? This sort of thing didn’t have a rulebook for you to follow, so any option may well be the wrong one.

Deciding that you shouldn’t linger around as if you were some needy one night stand, you climbed out of the bed as carefully as possible, unsure just how light a sleeper Eddie was. The floor creaked under your feet despite your light steps, causing you to flinch and shoot a glance at Eddie; but he seemed undisturbed by it.

You stole a glance down at the t-shirt you’d borrowed from Eddie, tugging at the hem as if suddenly you were self-conscious - considering that you had no qualms with showing Eddie skin the night before, it felt nearly ridiculous to start worrying about it now. You rolled your eyes at how stupid you were being as you began to search for your discarded clothes amidst the piles of Eddie’s belongings.

Once you had your clothes in hand, you looked between Eddie and the bedroom door - you realized that his uncle had to still be sleeping, too, which caused you to nearly hiss at your luck. Now you had two people to worry about waking if you weren’t careful. You could sneak your way into the bathroom without waking them, but what if you stepped out of the bedroom and Eddie’s uncle happened to be awake? You didn’t need to be flashing skin to both Munsons.

So, sighing through your nose, you dropped your clothes atop Eddie’s cluttered desk and shook off your concerns - he probably wasn’t going to see anything, and if he did, who cared? You clearly didn’t last night.

Once you’d pulled off Eddie’s t-shirt, you paused as if intending to fold it, but laughed at yourself a second later - if his messy room was any evidence, he wasn’t all that concerned about the state of his clothes. You quickly started to pull your own clothes back on, briefly wishing you’d brought your gym bag inside since your outfit from yesterday was there. That was obviously more attractive than sweaty workout clothes, so you’d have to change into them later, once you were out of here.

As you tugged your shorts over the curve of your ass, you heard Eddie hiss out a small, surprised “shit,” causing you to startle and spin around to face him. Your skin felt hot as you met his tired expression with a surprised look of your own, realizing too late that you had yet to put your shirt on, although he didn’t appear to care or even notice given how heavy his eyes were. Despite suddenly feeling self-conscious, you couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, spinning back around to quickly grab your shirt; your skin still felt hot and your heart a little fast, but laughing made the awkward situation a little easier to bear.

“Fuck, you scared me.” Eddie grumbled in a gravelly voice as you quickly pulled your shirt over your head, turning to face him again. He lied back with his eyes closed, throwing an arm across his forehead as if he needed to compose himself - was his heart drumming as fast as yours? And was it because you actually startled him, or was it because he saw more than he needed to?

You took a deep breath to collect yourself, eyes darting across Eddie’s face and arms while you pushed your embarrassment down. God, you felt stupid being this nervous. So, you coolly rolled back your shoulders and straightened up, knowing that by faking confidence you’d inevitably feel confident in the next couple minutes.

“You tell every girl you sleep with that she scares you?” You teased foolishly, feeling your own nerves spike for a split second. Eddie’s mouth twisted in embarrassment, his cheeks growing red and a flustered sound leaving his lips as he removed his arm from over his eyes.

Now that your heart was slowing back to a reasonable pace, you realized that you must look gross right now - your hair had to be dirty, you could practically taste your morning breath, and you were certain your skin was shiny with oil. You couldn’t help the way your eyes widened in momentary panic, whipping around to face yourself in the mirror above the desk, thankful for the closed curtains in the room, as the darkness surely hid the worst of it. You leaned in close to your reflection, fussing with your hair so it didn’t look quite so awful, baring your teeth to see just how gross they probably were, rubbing your fingers across the bridge of your oily nose. God, being a teenager sucked sometimes.

In the reflection of the mirror, you paused your self assessment and flicked your gaze to watch Eddie for a few moments. He tiredly dragged his hands down his face then through his tangled hair, staring up at the ceiling with heavy eyes, as if he wasn’t fully awake yet. His cheeks were still pink from your little joke, although a very slight grin tugged at his lips, so perhaps he was coming around to it. You realized his chest was bare, although you couldn’t see anything below the neck thanks to the bedsheets; nonetheless, your eyes thoughtlessly trailed from his face to his collarbone to the rise and fall of his chest beneath the blanket.

When Eddie turned to look at you again, you quickly diverted your attention, hoping he didn’t realize you’d been studying him. It’s not as if you were doing anything wrong, but somehow it nonetheless felt like you shouldn’t have been watching him quite so closely, as if you were nearly caught doing something you weren’t supposed to.

“What, worried what I’ll think of your bed head?” Eddie’s tone was teasing yet still tired. You allowed yourself to glance at him in the reflection with slightly narrowed eyes, to which he smirked lazily. A large yawn escaped him, and he attempted to speak through it; you had to fight your smile at how silly he sounded, “You can shower, if you want.”

“I am not showering while your uncle’s here, that’s weird.”

“Why is it weird?” Eddie questioned while closing his eyes again. You shrugged despite knowing he couldn’t see it, trying to think of an explanation.

“It’s just… weird. I don’t know.” 

Eddie leaned back onto his arms, listless eyes looking you up and down for a few moments. Yet again, you felt self-conscious under his stare, so you glared back as if to challenge him. Rolling his eyes at your stubbornness, he flopped back down on the mattress with a heavy sigh.

“Whatever you say, princess.”

You both went quiet for a minute, as if the awkwardness was setting in all over again. You didn’t know each other nearly well enough to be around one another in the morning like this, you both knew that now. It felt far too intimate to be a part of someone else’s morning routine, and a small part of you was regretting the decision to stay here with Eddie last night - you wished you’d considered that before climbing into his bed as if it were your own.

This was a strange scenario for you to maneuver, but you couldn’t let Eddie know how weird it felt, couldn’t let on the nerves that kept jolting with each minute you were here. So, you put on your best game face and swallowed your discomfort, going back to fussing with your hair as if nothing in the world could break through your icy exterior.

“I should get going, Munson.” You said in your best cool, careless tone, “My parents are gonna kill me when I get home.”

Eddie huffed a slight laugh, brought down an octave or two thanks to his scratchy morning voice, “Well, at least we accomplished that, right?”

You gave him a puzzled look in the mirror before turning around to face him, leaning back against the edge of the desk. Eddie took in your expression for a moment before realizing that you were confused by what he said. Again, he yawned.

“Wasn’t that part of the plan - piss off your parents? I’d say we did an even better job killing your reputation than we expected to; I deserve a metal or something.”

“Oh,” you answered in a small voice. Eddie was right - you did already accomplish everything you’d set out to do when you asked him to pretend to be your boyfriend. Your reputation was in the mud, you obviously got under Duncan’s skin, and after last night you knew for a fact that your parents would be downright pissed. What else was there to do?

Despite yourself, you were… disappointed? No, you couldn’t be. Maybe the realization of it all was just jarring, maybe you needed time to comprehend that you were now officially an outcast. Or maybe what you felt was fear at the prospect that moving forward you were no longer the terrifying ice princess. Yeah, that must’ve been it.

You could feel Eddie’s stare as he inevitably tried to decipher the look on your face. You tried to relax the furrow of your brow as you continued to consider what was next for you as a newly appointed social pariah.

“So, I guess we’re… done?” Eddie questioned as if confused by the idea, as if he needed to hear the words leave your mouth, tilting his head while meeting your eyes. He was right, but that seemed strange to wrap your mind around.

“Technically.” You shrugged, looking down at your feet in thought. But after a quick moment, an idea crossed your mind and a faint smile spread across your lips; you looked back up at Eddie as if you were relieved, “Though… it’d be pretty lame to call it quits now - they’d all think we got scared because of the homecoming shit.”

Eddie’s brow went up curiously, surprised by your line of thought; you could see the cogs turning in his own head as he considered it, “You think so?”

“I know these people, Munson.” You crossed your arms and jutted your hip, suddenly finding amusement (and perhaps relief) in the knowledge that this scheme wasn’t over quite yet, “They’re gonna keep poking and prodding at me until they get what they want or they get bored - it’s the same shit I used to do. We can’t give them the satisfaction of thinking they broke us up after what they did; if anything, I think that should make us stronger.”

Eddie finally sat up, the sheets falling away from his chest as he met you with an eager, conspiratory smile; you tried to focus, ignoring the curious desire to study his newly exposed tattoos, “So, keep up the charade, make them hate how much of a happy couple we are?”

You nodded as your smile grew larger, “At least until all this shit blows over. Give them another month or two; they’ll get bored of us and set their sights on the next sorry loser that catches their attention.”

For a long beat, Eddie studied you keenly, his expression relaxing as he considered this new course of action. Again, you felt vaguely self-conscious at how closely he seemed to be looking at you, but you refrained from showing it. Eventually, Eddie shrugged.

“Well, no time like the present.” He swung his legs off the mattress and stretched his arms above his head, twisting his back to work out any kinks. You briefly glanced down at his bare legs, your eyes trailing up; but you quickly brought your attention back to his face, wondering why you were so damn interested in looking at Eddie all of a sudden, “You sure you don’t want to shower?”

You pressed your lips together at the question, “Somehow that feels like an insult.”

He teasingly rolled his eyes with a sleepy grin, “Despite your best efforts, I’m learning you, princess. You’re not the type to go to school without looking put together like a doll.”

Damn, he had you pegged. You sighed in defeat, causing his grin to grow into one of self satisfaction.

“Oh, don’t look so pleased with yourself.”

Eddie sighed, but the amusement on his face was still clear as day, “One of these days I’ll get you to admit I’m right about something, you know.”

You gave him a taunting smile while heading towards the door, yet again challenging him, “Well, today isn’t that day, Munson.”

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

By the time you and Eddie had gotten yourselves cleaned up and made it to Hawkins High, third period was nearly over, so instead of wasting your time by heading in, the two of you shared a cigarette in the van, waiting around for the bell to ring. Even then, you took your time walking into the school building and through the halls.

Now that you were amongst your peers again, you couldn’t help but feel a bit tense - after all, prior to today you’d spent the week feeling like shit, feeling the pressure of everyone’s judgment weighing down on you. The icy armor you wore so well was back on as you and Eddie made your way down the hall, feeling far more confident with a cold look on your face and a small glare in your eyes. No one’s criticism could touch you so long as you appeared stony and unapproachable.

In contrast to your frosty demeanor, Eddie fell naturally back into the playful, cheeky boyfriend role he had established for himself - his arm was lax over your shoulder, his smile was charming as ever, and his words were more forward and suggestive. It was funny to observe following the past sixteen or so hours you’d spent together - alone, Eddie always seemed to pull back a little, to give you space as he still wasn’t entirely sure what to make of you. Alone, you ironically became the more forward and brash one. But so long as there may be an audience watching, Eddie was willing to perform, putting up his own mask of total confidence in this false relationship between you two.

Just like a dutiful and caring boyfriend would, Eddie walked you to fourth period, very intentionally pulling you into a hug and shooting a wink at Duncan after catching him watching the two of you. The hug was a total shock, since neither of you had done that before, and you hoped that your shoulders didn’t seem stiff or your arms didn’t seem awkward as they snaked around Eddie’s middle. You felt him laugh against your ear before pulling away, knowing that you were inevitably trying not to act affronted by the new display of affection.

Once fourth period was over, Eddie quickly met you en route to the cafeteria, almost as if he had run just to meet you outside the classroom door; it seemed like maybe he was trying to make up for the past two days of avoiding and ignoring you.

Thanks to Eddie’s effortless presence, you were far less aware of whether or not people were looking at you, whether or not they were whispering about you. Any anxieties you had about your place at the bottom wouldn’t bother you so long as you had him as a distraction from all the bullshit going on around you.

When you two entered the cafeteria, you were certainly aware of the eyes that followed you, of the way your former friends were surely whispering about you. But with your confidence restored, you didn’t even spare them a thought or a glance, guiding Eddie past fellow students with the gentle tug of your hand.

As you two entered the lunch line, you pulled your hand from Eddie’s so you could pick up a tray, which he promptly took from you. You shot him a look, but before you could say anything, he smirked playfully.

“I’ve got it, just stack it up with enough food for both of us.” You rolled your eyes, but acquiesced to the instruction, leading Eddie down the row of unappetizing food, “You’re gonna sit with us today.”

You pulled a bit of a face at him while picking up two bowls of shitty school spaghetti. As you set them on the tray, you hummed as if it were an answer, turning away from Eddie quickly as you continued to eye the limited food options.

Unsatisfied by your lack of response, Eddie continued, his tone perhaps mildly peeved that you made so little effort to engage with his friends, “You know at this point it would look ridiculous if you didn’t.”

You glanced up at him while biting the inside of your cheek, picking up more food for you both, “Something tells me your friends wouldn’t want me around, Munson.”

Eddie sighed, seeing that you were prepared to argue rather than admit he was right. He leaned in over your shoulder as if to make a point, keeping his voice a little low, “Considering that you want to keep up this hoax, all of you are gonna have to learn to tolerate each other.”

You turned your head to meet his eyes, the position reminding you of how closely you’d stood together back at the arcade - foreheads practically touching, Eddie hovering in your space in a way no one ever did. You gave him a mocking pout, catching the small glimmer of amusement in his eyes that he tried desperately to fight, “Oh, so it’s only me that wants to keep up this hoax?”

His brows rose with easy insistence, knowing you had little room to argue. Behind you two, someone coughed impatiently, reminding you to keep moving and not hold up the lunch line. You sighed and continued forward, grabbing a couple boxed milks that you discarded on the tray before leading Eddie out towards the lunch tables.

“Fine.” Your tone is stubborn even as you agree, “I’ll sit with you - if they’ll let me.”

As he came up alongside you, Eddie rolled his eyes while gently nudging you with his shoulder - you were never going to make even the most simple tasks easy. You could already see Eddie’s customary lunch table occupied by Gareth and the freshmen you’d met earlier in the week; you briefly wondered at how they could’ve possibly met, but didn’t entertain the idea further. Coming from the opposite direction was Jeff, who showed mild surprise on his face when he saw you and Eddie together again; you caught yourself wondering what the group thought of the past few days, wondering what Eddie did or didn’t say to them about it.

But before you could reach the lunch table, however, you caught Amelia in your line of sight, her long strides purposeful as she came in your direction. You did nothing to mask the way your eyes rolled into the back of your head, immediately annoyed at the prospect of talking to her; god, you didn’t want to deal with whatever shit she was about to lay at your feet. The smug little look on her face was one you knew quite well, the kind of expression she wore when she was about to be antagonistic just for the hell of it, so you mentally prepared for whatever bullshit was coming for you.

As she blocked your path to the lunch table, Amelia crossed her arms with a self-satisfied expression on her face; you tried to appear as disinterested in her as possible, staring past her shoulder at the nerds watching you before sharing a glance with Eddie. A mean smirk spread across Amelia’s lips as she looked you up and down with blatant criticism. Even without looking, you were certain that the rest of her friends were watching, waiting for whatever silly insults Amelia had planned for you. You could also feel the eyes of Eddie’s friends watching, too, along with anyone else who cared enough about trivial high school drama.

“Hm, yesterday’s outfit? That’s interesting.” Amelia started, looking between you and Eddie with a suggestive purse of her lips.

You responded with a bitchy smile of your own, “Paying enough attention to me to know what I’m wearing? That’s interesting.”

You don’t even give yourself time to enjoy Amelia’s galled look, grabbing Eddie’s sleeve and attempting to breeze past her as if she wasn’t even there. But you knew Amelia well and could feel her following just a step behind you, so once you’d reached your table you spun back around to face her. She stumbled back just a step as you caught her off guard, so you started talking before she could have the chance.

“Why are you so concerned with me? You can’t possibly still be jealous - after all, you got my sloppy seconds, doesn’t that make you the top of the food chain now?” You crossed your arms with a lax expression, knowing your casualness would get to her; Amelia always hated when you’d put on this emotionless front in the middle of a fight between you two. As she scowled, you simply raised your brow expectantly, which seemed to irritate her even more.

“Jealous of what, your trashy new boyfriend? Give me a break.”

You took a small step towards Amelia that wouldn’t normally have appeared threatening, calm as ever while you gave her a taunting grin. You briefly looked past her at your former lunch table, everyone there watching attentively. As you caught Duncan’s smug face, your eyes darkened a little, your need for retaliation these past few days coming back up. But you didn’t want to make yourself look like a fool again, so you took a composed breath while considering your plan of attack. Your gaze was calculated as you let your eyes travel over the nearby lunch tables, seeing the audience that had formed for the show that you and Amelia were putting on. Maybe you’d give them just a little something to talk about.

You bit your lip before grinning, giving Amelia a faux sorry expression as you spoke, “Well, considering that you settled for a pathetic two-pump chump and I’m getting such mind blowing dick that I’m missing school for it… I’d say you probably have a lot to be jealous of.”

The sound of surprise that left the people around you was like music to your ears; Eddie choking in shock behind you was so amusing that in other circumstances you would have laughed. But you were far more focused on Amelia than anyone else, taking glee in her affronted look and the disgusted scoff that left her throat. You gave her another condescending smile before turning back around, meeting Eddie’s surprised eyes as you settled into the seat at the head of the table. He was momentarily fixed where he stood, so you gave his arm a small, insistent tug; pulling himself together quickly, Eddie set down the tray and dragged a chair up alongside you.

You could feel the burn of Amelia’s eyes as she stared you down, undoubtedly trying to come up with some scathing remark. But you happily ignored her, playfully meeting Eddie’s eyes as he put on his own show of disinterest in your former friend. That’s one thing you could appreciate about Eddie - you were both good at quickly putting up your fronts and pretending. The rest of the table, however, seemed frozen with fear - you’d have to tell these boys to grow a pair.

“You’re disgusting.” Amelia spat with a shake of her head. Her tone was sickly sweet, “I can’t imagine that’ll get you many votes for homecoming queen.”

Despite your annoyance, you met her eyes again with a condescendingly kind look of your own, “We have better things to do than go to homecoming. So, when I win, the crown is yours - my gift to you.”

She rolled her eyes and flicked her hair over one shoulder with a snobby expression, “As if.”

“Well, remember to think about me while you’re slow dancing to Kenny fucking Loggins.” You mocked her with your best dazzling smile, pulling your attention away from her as if she’d been dismissed from your court.

As Eddie and the rest of the boys looked between you two, awaiting the next blow, you grabbed a milk carton from your tray, completely ignoring Amelia’s presence now. You were certain she made some frustrated face at you, but you wouldn’t dare give her the satisfaction of meeting her eyes again. You were done with this confrontation, and you just knew she loathed that you got the final word. With a huff, she eventually marched away, prompting you to look around the table with a self-satisfied smirk.

Jeff and Grant had both stood back during your confrontation with Amelia, waiting for it to end before they dared approach the table. As the lunch room returned to normal order, the boys awkwardly joined the rest of you. For a few long moments, none of them dared to speak as you opened your milk carton and took a long sip - was it fear or discomfort that held their tongues?

“You gotta warn a guy before you say shit like that.” Eddie broke the silence with a slightly droll tone, drawing your attention as your brow furrowed. Despite his cheeks being a little flushed, he otherwise looked like the cool leader his friends had come to expect.

“Say what?” You asked while setting one of the plates of spaghetti in front of you. Your gaze briefly traveled around the table - all of the nerds had varying degrees of amusement and trepidation on their faces as they looked back, none of them quite sure what to make of you yet. A short laugh escaped Eddie as he leaned back in his chair.

“I believe your exact words were ‘mind blowing dick.’” Although he wore a cocky smile for his friends, Eddie’s eyes suggested that the statement had flustered him a little. Around you, you boys snorted and held back laughs, which drew Eddie’s attention; he suppressed his own humored expression, “Oh, so now you guys think she’s funny?”

The freshmen looked a little unsure, clearly still unfamiliar with Eddie’s nuances; meanwhile, the older boys had come to know his antics well enough. Jeff quickly countered, although he couldn’t seem to look at you as he spoke, “Personally, I’d be flattered by the compliment.”

Grant nudged him as they laughed together. You couldn’t help your own grin as you looked back towards Eddie - maybe winning his friends over wouldn’t be as hard as you thought. And maybe they also wouldn’t be as insufferable as you’d predicted.

“See? It was a compliment.” Your ears felt a little hot as you recalled the conviction in your voice as you addressed Amelia - talking about Eddie that way felt wrong now that you considered it, but in the moment your one focus was getting under the other girl’s skin.

Eddie fondly shook his head at you, speaking with a confidence intended to mask his embarrassment from his friends, maintaining his usual unphased attitude, “Well, half the school heard you’re getting mind blowing dick, so I hope you’re happy.”

The boys snickered again as you coyly looked down at the table - the more Eddie kept talking about it, the more your own embarrassment set in. Maybe he was doing it on purpose.

“So, what are we doing on homecoming?” The freshman wearing a hat asked, causing the whole table to look at him questioningly. He elaborated as if the question was obvious, “She said we have better things to do - what are we doing?”

As you rolled your eyes, one of the other boys nudged him in the side, “We’re not doing anything, stupid, she was just saying that.”

“Jesus, keep your bony elbows away from me, Lucas.” The kid rubbed his ribs as if for emphasis. On his other side, the Wheeler boy made a face at his friends’ shenanigans, “Why would she just say that? We could do something, right?”

“Let it go, Dustin.” Wheeler said as if already exhausted by him.

You watched the freshmen as they began to bicker amongst themselves, your expression one of confused intrigue. They were like a bad car crash - you simply couldn’t look away. They talked over each other, their voices melding together while debating the validity of Dustin’s questions, the scene nearly to the point of being comical. As you continued to gape, you looked around the table at the older boys, who were already locked in a separate conversation, before your gaze settled on Eddie. You raised your brows as he met your eyes.

“So, what, are they the fucking three stooges?” Eddie snorted gleefully at the question.

“You get used to it.” He responded while poking at his food. You returned your attention to the boys as they continued; Eddie just let them go on like this? Although somehow amusing, it had also become exasperating.

So, with an irritated sigh, you planted your hands on the table as you spoke over them firmly, “Will you three shut up? Fucking freshmen…”

The last bit was muttered, but the table still heard it nonetheless. Everyone looked at you in various states of surprise. The one freshman - Dustin - however, looked the least taken aback by you, as if unaware of just how maddening his high energy was.

“Are we doing something for homecoming or not?” He questioned while meeting your eyes seriously; you raised your brow at his insistent need for an answer.

“You can do whatever you want, I don’t care.” You responded perfunctory before focusing on your food again, thinking that would be the end of it.

“I mean, we could do something.” Eddie chimed in, so you shot him a warning look as if to tell him not to get the freshmen’s hopes up. He willfully ignored it while continuing, “I know a guy who has kickbacks practically every weekend - might be fun to crash.”

You looked between Eddie’s eyes with a furrowed brow, to which he gave you an expectant look back. Who would Eddie know that wasn’t at this table right now, you wondered. Couldn’t be a high school kid, obviously, and given Eddie’s extracurriculars, there were only a handful of ways he could know someone else.

As if he was aware of your own curiosity, Gareth chimed in, “Who - Rick?”

“Who else?” Eddie gave his friend a cheeky grin.

“Man, Rick’s kinda weird even for us.” Gareth shook his head a little, although you could see he was nonetheless considering the idea; you figured none of these guys went to parties often, if ever, so even a shitty prospect was better than nothing.

“He’s not that bad.” Grant added eagerly, his grin suggestive as he added, “Maybe we’ll meet some college girls.”

You couldn’t help but sneer as the boys began talking amongst themselves at the possibility of a party with this Rick guy. You looked back at Eddie, who watched the group fondly before turning his attention to you, a pleased expression on his face as his grin spread a little wider.

“I’m not chaperoning a bunch of fourteen year olds at some stranger’s party.” You pointed towards the freshmen who began to protest spiritedly, so you leveled them with a harsh look, “You’re all still babies, you have no business going to parties yet.”

“Oh, come on,” Dustin, fearless as ever, tried to argue, “Didn’t you go to parties your freshman year?”

“Yeah, high school parties. Try finding one of those first.” You and Eddie met eyes, “This Rick guy isn’t some freak, is he?”

“Princess, everyone at this table’s a freak.”

You rolled your eyes, “You know what I mean. If we go to this guy’s party, will I regret it?”

Eddie shook his head almost too quickly for your liking, but his voice sounded sincere, “You’ll be fine. If you get worried, just stick with me.”

You studied Eddie’s warm eyes in search of a lie, and he stared back earnestly as if to prove his point. So, you mulled over the idea for a short while, trying to consider its pros and cons - you hadn’t been to a party in a couple months, and even now with your disinterest in high school shit, you still loved a good party. On the other hand, even Gareth thinks Rick is a little weird - that could possibly spell trouble. But, Eddie seemed relatively mindful about this sort of thing, so if he said you’d be fine, you were inclined to believe him.

So, you accepted the idea, giving Eddie a quick nod as the corner of your mouth pulled up, “I do love parties.”

The table celebrated your agreement, as if all of this was riding on you. Again, they could do whatever they wanted without you around, you didn’t care - but maybe they were seeking your approval because they knew Eddie wanted it, too. You quickly turned your gaze back on the freshmen, who were a little too eager.

“No, you are not invited.” They moaned and groaned about it, and briefly you felt like some kind of babysitter, “I’m looking out for you guys, you’ll thank me later.”

Dustin muttered a “yeah right” as Lucas and Wheeler scoffed in disappointment. It was nearly comical, but you refrained from smiling at them - it may have sounded silly, but in your way you were looking out for them, knowing that they were still just inexperienced kids. They couldn’t just jump into a party like this, they needed to at least attend a high school dance or get invited to a pool party first.

When you looked back at Eddie, he had something of a sweet smile on his face, which caused a mild skip in your heart - you almost didn’t like the look, it felt far too personal. Maybe he knew, too, that you were just looking out for the younger boys despite your cold exterior, maybe he wondered what things you’d seen or experienced at parties to make you so mindful of bringing a bunch of kids along with you. To distract yourself, you tore your gaze from him and looked at Gareth, who seemed a little nervous once he realized you were staring at him.

“Tell me honestly, how weird is this guy?” Gareth glanced between you and Eddie, unsure how to answer. You insistently pointed at him with your plastic fork, a sad piece of spaghetti falling from it back into the bowl, “Come on, don’t make me regret agreeing to this idea.”

Eddie started, “He’s fine--”

Gareth shrugged, “Dude’s just… used too much of his own supply.”

Ah, so he was a drug dealer. Considering that that’s how Eddie made his money, you couldn’t be too critical of that, it would make you a damn hypocrite. But that didn’t ease your hesitation any, since you knew nothing else about Rick, so you made a face at Gareth that insisted he continued.

“I don’t know, he’s not all there half the time. But I don’t think he means any harm.” Gareth, again, met Eddie’s eyes as if seeking approval.

“See? Nothing to worry about.” Eddie said in an easy tone, nudging your toe with his while grinning at you. You narrowed your eyes a little, but accepted the information Gareth gave you, wanting to believe him. Eddie slouched in his seat beside you, resting his arm over the back of your chair, “It’ll be fun, princess, I promise.”

You sighed a little, nudging Eddie’s foot back as you continued poking at your food, “And way better than a stupid homecoming dance, right?”

Eddie smiled back with a nod, “Way better.”

You hummed in response, unconsciously relaxing back against Eddie’s arm, looking towards the freshmen again as they tried to argue their case with the rest of the table.

.

.

addt. Author's Note | idk if anyone else noticed, but one of Eddie's friends isn't actually credited with a name, so I've been using the actor's name to supplement :)

@3rd-conchord @a-queen-blr @avalon-wolf @cosmicdanielle @costellation-hunter

@daisy-munson @daisyridleyss @damon-loves-pie @damp4eddie @delilaaahhh

@eddiernunson @em0220 @frogtape @fromasgardandback @fckyeahlames

@graciehams @kthomps914 @lotrefcp @love-anonymous-writer @marrowfrog00

@maskofmirrors @mewchiili @miaajaade @mmmunson @moonisu

@munsonssweets @no-bueno-writer @nxrdamp @rach5ive @rcailleachcola

@sav12321 @sheneedsrocknroll92 @sokkasimp101 @steeldaisies @stormgrl19

[doberbutts]

We have a little free pantry in our front yard (toothbrushes, tampons, shelf-stable snacks bottled water, etc.), and I read a lot about people's experiences having one online before we put ours up re: expectations about potential interactions with people using it, but nothing prepared me for how weirdly aggro *other* people sometimes get about us having it as a form of "activism" as opposed to some other, more nebulous idea of broader social change. "Don't you think it'd be better to volunteer at or donate money to a homeless shelter, so those people can get the actual help they need?" "Shouldn't you focus more on trying to campaign for policy changes that will help more people than one street corner if you care about this problem?" "Isn't doing that a waste of time?" "Aren't you just encouraging people not to get help?" I do that other stuff when I can. This is something small I can do - in addition to raising awareness and fighting for bigger change, when I have the time and money and spoons - and at least, when I don't. It's crazy to me to approach social justice issues with such an all-or-nothing mindset as some people seem to. I've met enough of the individuals who utilize it to know it makes a difference in a very tangible way for the people directly around me.

No, I agree entirely.

Corny and dated as it is, there's a reason the saying is "be the change you want to see". If no one within the community puts in the work to fix the community's problems, even in little bits and pieces, then how will anything change? Raising awareness only goes so far. What happens when all anyone is, is aware? Aware, and still doing nothing, waiting for someone else to put in the work.

Sometimes, that someone is going to need to be you. You can't just wait around and wait for someone else to do it for you.

If I see someone digging through the trash for food, I wave them over and offer them food from my house or fresh food from a store or take them to a restaurant where they can order whatever they want. If I'm getting groceries and I see someone very obviously homeless struggling to pay for their food, I tell the cashier to add it to my bill. No one starves in front of me. Ever since I stopped needing to rely on food stamps, no one starves in front of me.

This past summer I saw someone splayed out on the sidewalk in 95F weather in direct sunlight. I couldn't tell if he was unconscious from drugs or passed out from the heat or just simply had fallen asleep in the shade and then the sun moved. I was getting groceries so I added a bunch of hot chicken to my order plus several bottles of refrigerated water. I went over to him and woke him and explained that I was worried he needed medical attention. He'd passed out because he was tired, he told me. I offered him the hot food and the water and he thanked me, telling me he'd run out of water the night before and food the day before that and didn't have any money to get any more.

Everyone else had been walking around him like he was just an obstacle on the sidewalk. No one had thought to offer any help. When I walked away, some folks who saw me told me that that was very nice of me. I don't think it was nice of me. I think that's just what you should do if you see someone obviously in distress. They agreed that he seemed like he needed the help. They didn't act. They agreed that the compassionate and right thing to do was to offer assistance and make sure he was okay. But they didn't do it. They waited for someone else to do it.

I've mentioned in passing that I volunteer for the local teen LGBT club, helping lost gay kids find their way and maybe not kill themselves about it. It's not much. I mostly just text back and forth with whatever kids get my number from the adults that run the thing. Sometimes I give them tips and advice. Sometimes I'm just the cool gay uncle they tell about their latest school drama. Once or twice I've served one of them lunch on my couch while my dogs smother them with affection and they cry about their latest heartbreak. I don't do speeches or history lessons or anything like that. I don't think I'm qualified for it, in honesty. But if even one of them doesn't commit suicide, if even one of them doesn't self-harm, if even one of them no longer feels all alone in the world because I'm there when they reach out to me, that's enough.

Today on my commute to work, the guy in front of me had a major wipeout on his motorcycle. I stopped my car in a position that none of the other cars could hit him, and asked if he was okay, and waited until his friend (also on a motorcycle) had circled back around to help him off the road and check him over. I left once his friend waved me away. I offered to call an ambulance but he refused.

A couple weeks ago, also on my commute, a woman was stopped on the side of the road, waving her arms at drivers, shouting for help. I stopped. The other drivers didn't. Her car had died, she was new to town, and she was somewhere that notoriously doesn't get cell service. I helped her call a tow truck. It wasn't a trap. She didn't want to hitchhike. She just was stuck and panicked about it.

I stop and help animals get off the road. I've lost count on how many turtles I've carried to the other side. I helped my neighbor search for a dog he saw get hit by a car so he could take it to the vet. I shoveled my elderly neighbor's driveway for her, and talked my boss into giving her a major discount for her little dog's dental in which pretty much every tooth needed extraction or he would die. When I still lived in that rental with my roommates, we were surrounded by kids. Every kid on the block knew we were a safe house to go to. If they needed food or water, if they needed entertainment, if they needed just somewhere to be, they could be at our place. When covid started, I did a "reverse halloween" since Halloween was canceled, and I put bags of candy on every doorstep that I knew had kids inside. I've done a "neighborhood santa" putting a small toy plus a small gift card for the parents on every doorstep that has kids, for as long as I've lived around kids.

When I say activism requires action, I don't mean that every single person is required to save a thousand lives. The honest answer is, unless you have a lot of disposable time and money, you probably won't. But you can still make a difference. To one. To ten. To twenty.

And you know what? I'm not saying black people specifically came up with this- but how can you be surprised to know this is how I live my life when I say over and over that I was raised by black activists who lived during MLK Jr and Malcolm X and knew community action would have the longest-lasting effects? Of course I do all this. That's what being part of a community *is*.

[ciciyup]

Summer.

cw: nsfw, masturbation, oral, fingering, voyeurism (?)

━━━━━━✧ 🦢 ✧━━━━━━

Summer seemed to have hit harder that year; it was a scorching heat in which you could barely go outside due to the strong rays and high temperatures. It was a relief that no guests arrived at the mansion that day, so there were fewer tasks; at least it seemed like you would finish faster. As soon as you could, after finishing your tasks, you took off your uniform to replace it with a dress and, although it was still quite long for the great heat, the fabric was light and cool. You wouldn't deny that you liked spending free time with Snake in your room, on autumn days, while his snakes slithered all over the place to roam, while you and he watched the leaves fall from the trees through the window, or in winter being wrapped in blankets while having deep conversations... Yes, all of that had been reduced to just complaining about the great heat and fanning yourself for more than half an hour. Emily seemed to be comfortable between you, although she soon slid down to the cooling floor of the room, which at that point was the only cool thing in the place. Even though you had opened the window, the heat continued to hit hard; being a small room, it seemed that the heat was more concentrated.

—Maybe my room will no longer be an option to come. It's very hot here; it's like a small oven —you say, seeing how some snakes seemed to hide under the bed as it was a dark and possibly cool place; others took refuge in any other similar corner.

—It's really hot, says Oscar —Snake seems to agree with his friends as he watches them, but he doesn't feel like leaving either, just because you were there.

You nod, equally agreeing with the statement, thinking of something else to cool off, you remove some of your crazy locks that fell over your face; the bun you had formed today so that it wouldn't give you so much heat had come apart a little when you were moving around in the morning. Unconsciously, looking for fresh air, you lift your dress so that when you lift it up, a little bit of your legs are revealed. Blushing slightly at the realization, you pull your dress back down and arrange it so it doesn't get in the way, but Snake's shy eyes didn't anticipate the moment he saw them. Quickly looking away so as not to make you feel uncomfortable and, at the same time, trying not to embarrass himself at what he had just seen, Snake forces himself to think of something, anything, so as not to see you.

—I think there's fresh water in the kitchen, I'll go get it —you declare as you get up from your bed, although you don't move when your thoughts invade you, and then you look back at Snake. —Would you like our relationship to go further... At some point?

Snake swallows hard, his throat dry and his heart hammering at the question. Your words are a little overwhelming but tempting. He just doesn't know how to feel. Deep down he wants more; he wants closeness, trust, intimacy, perhaps. So many things he wants to say, but the simple nod he gives you makes him feel ashamed of himself.

—I would like to… Oscar says —trying to improve it with some quick words, making his snakes look at him in confusion before going back to their business.

—So… —about to get a little closer to his face, your body steps back as you look at him in some embarrassment, and instead you decide not to say anything else on the subject. —I’ll go get some water. I’ll be right back.

Snake tries to hide his clear disappointment at the fact that you’ve walked away so suddenly. The moment between you two had been interrupted by not knowing how to continue, but Snake can’t help the heat in his body running through him as he watches you from behind, as you walk out the door, the fabric of your dress clinging and hugging your body, and the sunlight shines in your direction, illuminating things he could see. As you return, you hand him a glass of water while yours was already half-empty from already drinking. You watch Snake drink the water, looking away, though you don’t know if it’s out of embarrassment or actually distraction. You bite your inner lip at the thought of doing something a little more daring, something more risky, but you feel like this might be the time. Grabbing your dress, you pull it back up over your thighs, so that your bare legs are on display.

—Snake —you call out almost in a whisper, staring at him, waiting for him.

His eyes seem to widen as you’ve never seen them before, staring motionlessly at your skin. He can’t look away, perhaps because he’s never seen you like this, but he’s startled to hear your voice again. His eyes drift slowly, as if studying you, from your legs, then to your thighs, and finally, he looks at you.

—This is something more intimate —you murmur seeing his orbs shine. Pulling your dress back down as you sit next to him, your legs hiding again. —Would you like to do that thing that people do? —Your emphasis when referring to the act as 'that' was the simple embarrassment of saying it so directly that you prefer to name it that way, but you know you need to be more direct for him to understand. —the love.

Your frankness makes Snake's heart beat strongly not only from your words, but from the way his body seemed to burn and start to react. The very idea of being intimate sounds terrifying and very tempting at the same time. Trying to find the words to respond, his eyes fall back to your legs unconsciously, and then he looks up at your face again. He nods slowly and his 'yes' comes out more like a hum than an answer.

—I... I won't do anything until I'm sure you really want it; I don't mean to force you —your voice seems to get softer as you speak almost shyly. You wouldn't want to do it if he didn't want it or wasn't ready yet.

Snake swallows hard again. He needs to speak on his own for this. The idea of being intimate with you was something he was starting to crave, but there was also that feeling of dread, worry that he wouldn't be enough, that he would screw up and you wouldn't like it. He wanted to take the risk; Snake wanted to do it seriously. —I want... to be close to you...

—Do you really want this? —you ask trying to confirm.

—Yes.

—Do you know how to do it? —as you watch him blush and shake his head, you know you'll both need help, but you know how to keep it up. —come. I'll help you.

Laying him down on the bed, your hands move hesitantly over what you should start doing at the beginning. Caressing his hands, you then start to slide them up to his still-on work suit, and before taking it off, you look at him for approval. At this point Snake's snakes seemed to have already left for a cooler place, but both of them were so caught up in the moment that they barely noticed, only when Snake needed to speak.

—Is this okay? —Your curious eyes look into his, hearing his whispered “yes” which, if there had been even the slightest breeze, you couldn't have understood. Moving on, you pull off the top and finish with the bottom. His scaly skin was now more visible, and even in places you had never seen before. To be on par and not make him feel so self-conscious, you take off your dress, letting it fall to your feet and leave it aside as you climb back onto the bed.

Settling in front of him, you spread your legs, showing him your pussy. Your hands make their way from your hips to your belly and then between your legs, leisurely caressing your clit and vaginal lips. Your index finger is sucked into your channel, tightening around it as you sigh quietly, starting with small movements. Snake’s cheeks are a deep pink, but he keeps his eyes trained on your entrance and how it seemed to now absorb two of your fingers. As your breathing became more labored, Snake can’t help but catch his own breath as his cock begins to rise, making him ashamed. For a moment you pause in your own, scanning and studying the boy’s face, before giving him a comforting smile and continuing with your own, but this time, instead, you pull your fingers out of your still wet hole and crawl over to where Snake was laying, staying on your back, lying between his legs. Your chest feels the warm mattress as you settle in, and the warm skin of your hands wrap around the boy’s dripping cock, who seems to give you a look of help.

—Let me help you —you murmur, your eyes locked on his. Your lips kiss around the swollen tip, making Snake gasp. Starting to take half of his cock inside your mouth, your tongue plays with his head and your hands are busy giving light caresses, each one on each of his thighs to give him more security.

He tries to keep his eyes on you; he tries, but the way you look at him as you take his cock into your mouth is too much. His eyes stray from your eyes to the walls of the room, then to your eyes again, then to the floor and the sheets that were almost touching him and back to your eyes again. His hands clutch at the nearest blankets not knowing why, but needing to hold on to something as you start to suck harder and harder and his cock starts to throb in a certain way that makes him lose his mind. You can hear his low moan as you stop sucking him, though he doesn’t say anything; his puckered mouth quickly falls open as he watches you climb onto his lap, bringing your hands to his shoulders in order to push him back and lay him down. A padded pillow keeps his head comfortably up, allowing him to better watch as you lift your hips slightly and carefully grab his cock, guiding it straight to your entrance, the head of his cock carefully entering until it bottoms out quickly thanks to the lubrication from earlier.

Carefully sinking back into his lap, cock now inside, you begin to move unhurriedly, getting used to the feeling. The heat inside the room was scorching, but at the moment it didn’t feel even as hot as it had seemed before. Your hands stay on his chest, keeping pace and balance as you rise and fall, starting to get used to it. Snake couldn't help but have his eyes caught on your movements: your hips rocking in a soft and sensual rhythm, your hardened nipples, your face with a light layer of sweat covering from your forehead to your cheeks making some strands of your now loose hair stick to your face, your toes curled and curled. It was like watching a divine act exclusively for him. If he could see you in such a beautiful form like that, he would do it again and again until you were satisfied, until he saw you fall apart and one of your mischievous smiles appear on your lips as you looked at him like you sometimes used to do. You begin to bounce on his cock in such a way that he can't help but straighten up, running his hands down your back to bring you even closer to his own body. His hands trace different shapes on it instantly as he begins to suck on your breasts and areolas, to which you give a satisfied nod stroking his hair and pulling him closer. Both of you desperately merging together, as if the slightest bit of separated skin made them feel far away.

The pace was becoming less gentle and more brutal, not enough to bother, but intense enough to make you let out a moan that you quickly fear was too much while Snake seems to be ecstatic to hear you. Moving your hips quickly, your pussy swallows the whole cock smoothly with more bounces, and Snake's balls seem to start slapping your ass as he lifts his own hips and holds your waist, lifting you up, wanting to feel more and match your pace. You gasp almost without air as the orgasm comes so suddenly with your euphoria at the limit as you continue to bounce, hugging Snake as you feel his hot load shoot out inside you, clinging tightly to your waist to the point of unconsciously digging his nails in and giving his last thrusts before emptying himself completely.

Both of your bodies remain still, recovering as they process the high until it ends. Sweating, you press your damp forehead against Snake's, closing your eyes and calming your breathing, to which he copies your action by doing the same, gently caressing, almost with traces of apology, your hips, now with crescent moons due to his previous act. The silence is pleasant and the breeze coming through the window is received with gratitude by both of you. Lovingly caressing Snake's face, you brush the strands over his eyes, observing his dilated pupils, still clinging to you without being able to let you go.

—You've done very well —you flatter. Your lips are gentle as they touch his, patiently, which makes Snake's cheeks turn a stronger pink and you smile at him with understanding.

Their bodies fall side by side on the bed, the pearly skin of both of them shining due to the work of the act and the heat, with the light of day making it more noticeable. Too hot to cover themselves, they maintain that pleasant and intimate silence. You turn to his side to lean on one elbow and face him, observing his calm profile that is quickly accompanied by a small blush when he feels your eyes on him.

—I like it. —You say, brushing your hand near his on the side. —The outside world doesn’t matter, nor expectations, nor appearances. It’s just you and me. I like it.

The blush spread across Snake’s cheeks almost to the point of having a red face, although the heat of the room made it almost imperceptible.

—Oscar... would say you're too good for me —he confesses with a shy look.

—Oscar is very clever —you tease softly, leaning down to place a kiss on his scaly cheek. —But he wouldn’t be right this time. I think we’re perfect for each other.

Snake’s eyes seem to widen, though not in surprise; instead, they seem to sparkle at your last words, giving a nod laden with emotion and shyness. The silence that followed, the oblivious chirping of birds filling the place. Outside the closed doors of the mansion, the world continued on, but for both of you, time seemed to have stopped for just a few simple moments. In that small bubble of tranquility, removed from the demands and expectations of life, you were nothing more than two souls who had found mutual refuge.

━━━━━━✧ 🦢 ✧━━━━━━

[14thcommander]

seashore | hange zöe x reader

summary: a rainy day at the beach with hange. the shitty weather somehow leads to confessions of love. (idiots in love, friends to lovers, not beta read, a shit ton of symbolism, tooth rotting fluff)

i suggest listening to the song do you think I’m pretty by kingfisher

wc: 1.5k

The wind is gentle when it blows against your face — light, careful like a mother’s touch.

It brings the smell of cigarettes, the one Hange is currently smoking. They attempt to point it in the opposite direction, in order to avoid its terrible scent reaching you. It fails, but it’s the intention that counts something.

The beach is empty — well, mostly. There is a group of teenagers that are close enough to be seen, but too far to be heard. The sound of waves is the only thing you hear.

The ocean is a green, grayish color — the line that separates it from the sky, in the horizon, is blurred.

It is a chill day, one you consider the perfect atmosphere to go to the beach. Hange knows you like gray, moody days — the ones in which the sky looks like a warm, soapy bath. You were never a fan of sunlight anyway. Perhaps that’s why you admire Hange so much.

“Too bad Levi and Erwin are missing this sunny, hot day at the beach. Bet they’re sad just thinking about it.” Hange’s words are filled with irony, waiting for a reaction. The sarcasm that drips from their tone doesn’t go unnoticed by you.

The two of you are friends — well, sort of. You are part of the same friend group, consistently hanging out. Over time, you grew closer: what was supposed to be a collective hangout, turned into just you. It feels complicated these days.

“Oh, fuck off. You’re the one who agreed to come with me.” You offer them a middle finger, to which they throw their hands up in surrender.

The both of you are sitting on an old beach towel you brought, the fabric is wrinkled from being shoved on the bottom of your bag. None of you are dressed appropriately for the beach: Hange is wearing a thick flannel, protecting them from the chill breeze. You are wearing a beat down pair of converse, the ones you have since high school. Somehow, you match with each other. You try not to think too much of it.

“Call me crazy if you want, I wouldn’t let my friend go to this mopey beach all alone. I’m loyal like that.”

And that’s why you are at the beach, with Hange and no one else. Levi and Erwin were supposed to come along, however you are glad something came up for them. Nothing would be more awkward than ending up on a double date with your sort-of-friend.

The word friend tastes bitter on your throat, poisoning your lungs like Hange’s cigarette.

“You’re the only person I know that thinks this is appropriate beach weather.” They say, breaking the lack of dialogue between you for the past minute or so. Not that you’re counting or anything like that, of course. “Are you a vampire or something?”

It earns them a chuckle from you, almost a laugh — it drips like honey from your mouth, and Hange desperately wants to know how it tastes like. They want to hear it again.

“I doubt you like having fun in the sun either.” You reply, watching as the wind blows their hair — brunette locks dancing in the air, enhancing the messiness of their ponytail.

“Touché.”

Hange says, while burrying the remains of a cigarette in the sand, and you don’t point out how wrong it is — not with words, at least. Your eyes seem to translate your feelings either way.

“You’re so expressive.” It’s Hange’s turn to chuckle. “It’s adorable.”

Their words almost make your face heat in embarrassment. Almost.

“Oh, shut up.” Your tone is playful, not pointed at all. Avoiding their eye contact, you turn your face in order to pretend the ocean before you is a better sight than Hange.

“I mean it. I like it.”

Hange might tell you a joke, but they would never tell you a lie. Something about the honor of a scientist, you guess. It’s a beat of silence until you speak again.

“Yeah, well, you’re the opposite. I can’t read you at all.” This comment, though, this one is pointed — not like a knife, but similar to thorns on a rose. It comes with something beautiful, too: honesty.

The truth is palpable, swimming in between you. It’s all a funny, weightless banter, until it isn’t.

“My resting bitch face doesn’t help. Guess I’m better with words or something.”

This time you laugh, genuinely. It isn’t mean, you don’t mean to mock Hange at all — it’s just that the irony of it all is funny to you. Almost unbelievable.

“Oh, what a poet you are.” Your eyes are glued to the sea before you, admiring its chaotic beauty. The waves crash against the shore, becoming a conjugation of white bubbles.

It’s silent again, wordless tension building around you like a sand castle — ready to crumble at any sudden move.

“You’re really pretty.” They admit, which sounds like something in between a secret and a confession. It seems out of nowhere, but it truly isn’t. Lately, this is all Hange can think about. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

The waves crash again, destroying the metaphorical sand castle you built around yourself, trying to protect you from whatever it is you’re scared of.

“Hange.” The sound of their name leaving your mouth isn’t a threat, although it isn’t an invitation either.

“No, I mean it. Truly.” They reach for something inside their bag, something important in the mess of papers, headphones, and a cigarette pack.

They’ve found it: a small, worn out notebook.

“Here, take a look.” They offer it to you, opened on a certain page. “Then tell me you think I’m lying.”

There are doodles of you. Your face, distracted, frozen in the moment, probably when you were laughing at something crude Levi had said. There is your silhouette, too: you guess it’s the view of when you walk in front of them, hurriedly trying to arrive on time for a move you went to see.

Your smile, your eyes. Every detail of your face, something that cannot be translated by a photograph. The traces Hange has memorized over the years you have known each other. This is what they picture before going to bed, or early in the morning when they wake up.

“Hange.” This time, when you say their name, it is softer — it warms them up. “Hange…”

It’s like you’re hypnotized, unable to say anything but their name.

When you look up, they are closer, nose brushing against yours. Hange looks at you through thick glasses, with curiosity. This time, they can’t read your expression.

“Kiss me.”

And they do. It is gentle, soft — their lips move against yours like the waves move against the shore, as if it was nature’s reason for your own existence. Their warm palms find your face, holding you preciously. It is brief, however. The kiss ends as quickly as it came.

Neither of you speak, too afraid to break the moment. Hange brings their forehead against yours, and like that you stay. You taste like salt air, warm like whiskey. It is fiery, overtaking them as a whole. They wouldn’t mind being swallowed by it, drowning in the overwhelming hotness that is your touch.

This time, Hange says your name, warm brown eyes looking into yours and finding nothing but love. Admiration. Devotion.

It’s a humorless chuckle, what comes next. It leaves their lips nervously. For someone so careless like Hange, it sure is a new sight to see them like this — a pink tint covering their cheeks, a loopy smile on their lips. They have never looked so soft.

“I have wanted to do this for so long.”

“What, go to the beach on a rainy day?” You ask in attempted humor, beaming when it earns you a laugh from them.

“Kiss you. Couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

You smile, breaking eye contact and looking at the sand. It looks damp, cold. Unlike what you feel right now.

“Me too.”

Hange looks into your eyes again, scanning it from any signs of mischief. They find none.

“I get the appeal of this now. If anything, the shitty weather makes it feel more romantic.”

You give them an I know, right? look, and they fight the urge to kiss you again.

“Glad I could change your mind. We could do this again, if you want.”

The words that leave your lips are soft, but confident. Just like you.

“What, are you asking me on a date?”

“Depends on your answer.”

Hange offers you a toothy smile, feeling like a child. They feel on top of the world now. How could they not, after all?

“Yeah. Obviously, of course. I would love to go on a date with you. Multiple dates, even.”

You smile again, cheeks already hurting from so much happiness.

“Can’t wait to make you mine.” They say, bringing your palm to their lips, pressing a gentle kiss on your warm skin. “Cause I’m already yours.”

You believe them.

[multiversefanfics]

Colby brock x quiet reader?

Pairing: Colby x quiet F!reader Warning: cussing, slight bullying, Colby (yes he’s a warning) mention of serial killer

Summary: You've always been a quiet person and Colby is an outgoing, loud, crazy yet adorable human being who tries to pull you out of your shell every chance he gets.

A/N: This wasn’t hard to write considering i’m a quiet person as well, the only problem i had was figuring out a scenario for this, but i hope you like it!

You were sitting in your favorite spot in the library, reading the same book you've read a thousand times, it was a comfort book, and no matter how many times you read it, you never got bored of it. You were often teased by the number of books you read and how fast you read them, but they helped through life’s horrible way of living. You were so zoned into your book that you didn't realize that someone sat across from you until they cleared their throat. You looked up and saw a very attractive boy, you looked around then back at him “I’m sorry do you want this table?” you whispered just loud enough for him to hear you. He shook his head, tapping your book “That’s a good book” You cocked your eyebrow, he looks like he doesn’t read anything but comic books. “Yeah, it’s my favorite. I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude but do you need something?” He shook his head smiling once more “Just wanted to talk to a pretty girl” You looked around confused, searching for the pretty girl in question, he chuckled which made your head snap in his direction “I’m talking about you. What’s your name?” This doesn’t happen to you, you were always known as the “quiet bookworm” Guys didn’t look your way often and you were okay with that, your heart belongs to books, you realized you haven’t answered him by the way he was staring at you “Oh sorry, I’m Y/N” He held his hand out waiting for you to shake it, which you gladly did “I’m Colby, nice to meet you. I’ve seen you around and I gotta say you’re the only reason I come to this library.” Your cheeks started to heat up and you felt yourself smiling “That’s very sweet, but you don’t know me.” He leaned forward looking directly into your eyes “But I want to know you.” You blushed again, leaning back to regain the distance between you two “Why don’t we go somewhere, where we don’t have to whisper to have a conversation.” His smile was gorgeous and his blue eyes sparkled against the sunlight that was peeking in through the windows, guys like this only existed in books he wasn’t real there was no way. “As much as I’d love to do that, I have to go.” You closed your book, picking up your bag throwing it over your shoulder, he stood up as well stepping closer to you “Can I at least have your number?” You looked up at him, he wasn’t going to give up and you knew that. You figured he’d text you for a bit then find something or someone else more interesting and leave you in the dust, you shrugged and handed him your phone so he could put his phone number in. He smiled wide and handed your phone back to you “I’ll see you around” He winked and walked out the door, looking back at you before he disappeared.

It’s been over 2 months since you gave Colby your number and he’s been texting you nonstop, asking to hang out, what books you recommend, your favorite color, meal, tv show, movie. He wanted to know everything about you, you admit it was cute, but how long is it going to take until he gets bored? It’s been hours since you texted Colby back but you were caught up in your book and weren’t looking at your phone, just when you were getting into that paragraph you heard the chair move in front of you, you looked up and there he was, smiling and staring deep into your eyes. “Hey Y/N” You closed your book looking up at him “Are you stalking me?” You raised an eyebrow watching his expression change from happy to see you, to nervous as hell “I- Uh- No” You giggled softly placing your hand on his “I’m only kidding.” You felt it, that spark that you longed to feel from something that wasn’t a book, but you don’t know if he felt it, I mean come on there’s no way he felt it, you’re overthinking this, you two weren’t even friends honestly. You pulled your hand back when you saw a dark haired girl walk up to you guys “Hey Colby” She squeaked which caused both of you to flinch, she looked at you as if you were the most disgusting thing in the world “What are you doing talking to her? She’s a loser” He looked confused, you sighed and stood up pushing your chair in, quietly walking out the door. You knew if you stayed it would never end, she was one of the people that used to bully you for reading so much. You heard Colby calling your name from behind you, yet you kept walking you didn’t want to hear him apologize for something that wasn’t his fault. “Hey, Y/N wait up.” He finally caught up to you, not like you were moving very fast in a way you kind of wanted him to catch up, pull you into his arms and tell you, you were the one for him. But again that stuff only happens in books and movies. “I’m sorry for what happened back there.” You shook your head giving him a weak smile “It’s not your fault, happens all the time no big deal” Colby frowned, oh how cute he looked even when frowning and it hurt that you were somewhat the cause of him frowning “Listen, I was gonna get a bite to eat, do you wanna join me?” You held your book close to your chest looking up at him “Are you asking me out on a date?” He blushed hard looking down at his feet then back at you “Yeah, I am. So what do you say?” You thought for moment hoping to increase the suspense, finally you nodded “Yeah, I’ll go” He threw his arms up screaming “Yes” since you finally took him up on his offer to take you out to lunch. “Where are we going?” You asked snapping him back into reality, he held his hand out for you to grab it which you so gratefully did and followed him to his car. You were hesitant, you still barely knew him what if he was like Ted Bundy, luring you away and then killing you. He saw you were hesitant and rubbed the top of your hand “I promise I’m not a creep, I just like you and want to get to know you better” You calmed down and continued following him to his car, as you reached for the door handle he playfully smacked your hand “As long as you’re with me, you will never have to touch another door handle again.” He smiled and opened the door for you. You couldn’t help but get butterflies, no one has ever done this for you before you were on cloud 9. You got in, getting comfortable in your seat before he closed the door, you watched him walk around the front of the car to the driver side as you put your seatbelt on. Is this what it’s like to have someone actually care for you? Is this going to end terribly? Your thoughts never stopped, overflowing your mind that you almost forgot you were holding a conversation with him “You okay?” You glanced over seeing the worried look on his face “Oh yeah, just lost in thought” He smiled sneaking a look at you before turning his eyes back to the road “Wanna tell me about it?” You shook your head going back to the previous conversation. You two finally reached the restaurant and once more Colby opened the door and helped you.

You two sat there, laughing and talking about your childhood and how you became so fascinated with books. Unfortunately it was time for you to go home, so you both walked back to the car and started driving back to the library where you told him to drop you off since you didn’t live far from there but it was getting dark quickly. “Y/N I want to make sure you’re safe please let me take you the rest of the way home” You looked over and he was giving you puppy dog eyes. You sighed in defeat and nodded “Fine, take a left here” He followed your every direction until you two finally reached your apartment, in the movies the girl would always ask if the boy wanted to come in, as much as you wanted to do that you knew that your books were all over the place and you didn’t want him to see that. “Why don’t you come back tomorrow, we can have a picnic” You couldn’t believe the words coming out of your mouth, you’ve never been this bold before but it felt right. He smiled wide and kissed the top of your hand “Until tomorrow” You smiled back at him and walked up to your apartment giving him one more glance, returning the wave that he sent your way. You were falling for Colby although you didn’t want to because it’ll just end in a disaster you couldn’t help it, he was perfect. Everything you’ve dreamed about and then some. You sighed happily and did your nightly routine for bed, you couldn’t wait until tomorrow just to see his smiling face. You woke up to a text from Colby letting you know he was on his way and he’d be there in 20 minutes, you jumped out of bed cleaning on your entire living room so it would look presentable, took a quick shower and picked out your outfit for the day. As soon as you were done messing with your hair you heard your doorbell ring, you knew exactly who it was and couldn’t have been more excited to see him. You opened the door to see the smiling man holding a bouquet of flowers along with a blanket and a picnic basket, you smiled back at him, inviting him in until you were completely ready “This is cute and cozy” He beamed while looking around your living room “Thank you, sorry about my books I meant to move them there were 3 books on your coffee table sitting neatly, Colby didn’t mind one bit he even picked one up and read the cover. You picked up a light jacket and stood in front of Colby “Okay, Im ready” He looked up at you in awe “You look gorgeous” Colby couldn’t help but give you a toothy smile as he looked you up and down in the most respectful way, you began to blush as his eyes landed on your face “Thank you, love” In shock you couldn’t believe you actually said what you were thinking, Colby didn’t seem to mind he’s been wanting to call you a cute pet name since the day he built up enough courage to talk to you. He grabbed your hand leading you out the door, he waited for you to lock your front door before grabbing your hand once more. Colby was the perfect gentlemen he knew a girl like you loves romance based off the books you read and he knew he had to be that guy for you. He was completely enamored with you and wanted to shout it from the rooftops but it was too soon and he didn’t mind waiting at all for the perfect time to tell you he was in love with you. The entire ride to the park was a blur for you, you sat in the passenger seat just daydreaming of all the adventures you and Colby will have, could he be the one that breaks you out of your shell? Maybe, who knows really. Finally you reach your picnic area, be lays the blanket down and helps you sit down lowering the basket beside you, before sitting across from you “You know, I’ve seen you so much and your nose was always in a book, i’ve always known you were beautiful but to fully see your face.” He took a deep breath looking into your eyes “You are breathtaking, I cannot believe I get to have a picnic with the more gorgeous girl in the world.” He smiled wide rubbing your cheek with his thumb, you cheeks turned a bright red and you looked down trying to hide your face. Colby hooked his finger under your chin and lifted it up

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

A/N: I’m doing a second part, only because i want to😂. I hope i captured what you wanted. Feedback is appreciated!!

I hope you don’t mind I tagged you in this: @megamindsecretlair

Masterlist

[amybizarre]

🎄✨𝓐𝓭𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓝𝓻. 𝓣𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓿𝓮✨🎄

𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: Free Space (Chose "Sick Fic")

𝓐𝓵𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓮: Lovesick

𝓣𝔂𝓹𝓮: Short Story (No warnings)

𝓞𝓹𝓮𝓷 𝓽𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂'𝓼 𝓭𝓸𝓸𝓻!

Your eyes opened slowly. You were in your bed and felt a weight on your chest. Glancing down, still half asleep, you saw Lovesick.

He was cuddled up to you underneath the thick covers, arms loosely wrapped around you, head resting on your chest.

His deep and even breaths told you he was still sleeping. Soundly in your arms.

You ran your fingers through his hair, a tender guesture of affection. A soft smile spread on your lips as you remembered what got you into this situation, albeit a wobbly one.

Him and you were both sick. Caught a pretty bad cold. So you had decided to stick together and take care of each other. Speaking of being horribly sick, your nose was absolutely stuffed. Reaching for some tissues on the bedside table, you tried to quietly unblock your sinuses.

Ah, tough luck. No success for you. Damnit, you'd need nasal spray for that. And that required you to get up, because your lazy butt forgot it in the kitchen.

Double damnit!

Groaning quietly, you flicked the used tissue into the bin, which had strategically been placed right next to the bed. You gently placed your hand on Lovesick's forehead. His felt skin felt hot and sweaty under your palm. Just now you realized, how much heat the small puppet actually emitted...

His fever must have risen during the night.

Triple damnit!

Welp, at least you could bring the fever medication right along with you from the kitchen.

Carefully, you wiggled free from his subconscious death grip. Your feet, clad in cute fluffy socks with pink hearts on them, hit the hardwood floors.

As you trudged out the room, Lovesick noticed you were gone. Still asleep, he started shifting and feeling around for your body. When his searching hand was met with a warm, but empty mattress, he slowly opened his eyes.

You weren't there.

Where did you go...?

Lovesick pouted, already missing you like crazy. He sluggishly pushed himself to sit up, feeling hot and dizzy. He looked around the room.

The curtains were closed, blocking out most of the sunlight that was trying to get in. But you were nowhere in sight.

His pout turned into a sad frown.

He wasn't feeling well...

He needed you..!

"Neighbor...?", Lovesick called out, voice hoarse, "Where are you?"

Down in the kitchen, you straightened up when you heard him call out for you from the bedroom.

"I'm in the kitchen, sugar! I'll be right back!", you replied. You heard a meak 'okay' coming from him in return.

Now in a bit of a hurry, since you didn't want him to wait, you grabbed the medications you'd need plus two water bottles.

You returned to Lovesick, who outstretched hs little hands to you impatiently. He pouted, quietly demanding you to cuddle him again.

"Just one second," you said, "Let me ready your medicine first."

You set everything down on the bedside table and took the small bottle of fever medication out of its box. Since you've given it to Lovesick before, you knew how much he needed. Taking the weird plastic spoon out of the box as well, you opened the bottle and carefully poured the right amount onto the spoon.

Lovesick gave you the side eye while he watched you prepare. He didn't like the taste of that stuff... It helped him, sure. But he still didn't like it.

You sat down beside him and poked the spoon into his direction.

"Say ahhh..."

But he didn't say 'ahh'. He turned his head away from you slowly and theatrically.

A sigh escaped you. "Love... Please."

He only crossed his arms. "I don't wanna... It tastes so bad...!"

"But we've gotta do something against your fever..."

Lovesick glanced at you. A mischievous thought crossed his mind, causing his eyes to glint in amusement.

"There is a way you could make me take the medicine though...", he cooed softly, inching a little closer to you now.

"Really? How?", you asked playfully, deciding to play along.

He smiled and pointed at his lips. Ah, He wanted a smooch.

You chuckled. "You can have it as a reward. Medicine first."

His eyes lit up and he finally opened his mouth. You gave him the spoonful of medicine. He grimaced at the bitter taste and struggled to swallow it.

You quickly gave him a bottle of water, which he eagerly drank from.

"Now my reward!", Lowsick begged with a pout, handing you back the bottle.

You put everything aside and nodded, opening your arms for him. "C'mere."

You didn't need to tell him twice. Eagerly, the small puppet climbed onto your lap, wrapping his arms around your neck.

Softly hugging him back, you placed a short, gentle kiss on his lips. He wiggled with happiness and hid his face against your shoulder.

You smiled and held him close.

Being sick wasn't so bad, if it was together with him.

[the-east-art]

Ode to the Tree Lightning Struck - Wip part 3

Joey drives, Ness takes shotgun, and Sylvin sits in the backseat. It’s somehow more uncomfortable than the last time Sylvin recalls sitting here - sometime during the mad dash to resummon Arakiel to Sylvin before a demon could find her as an open vessel. Probably a year and a half ago now, give or take. The seats are made up of cheap faux-leather - which is to say plastic - that’s cracking and peeling in places. The car is an old Nissan that’s still kicking probably due to prayers - in fact, now that Sylvin is thinking about it, maybe due to prayers specifically to Arakiel. Joey and Ness don’t have a lot of money, and Sylvin is unsure if they have the knowledge required to keep the junker alive as long as it has been. It feels a little ironic that the hunters of supernatural phenomena drive around in a car that is basically a zombie, only living off of parts taken from different, newer models. 

Sylvin considers sharing the idea to the others, but the air of the car is still thick with tension and unwelcoming to Sylvin and any conversation she might bring. This discomfort is of her own creation. Some part of her wanted this outcome, but sitting in the silence of the car trying not to make the plastic squeak too loudly when she moves to adjust her position, that desire feels very far away. 

She alternates picking at the plastic of the seat and the loose threads from the holes in her jeans. They were a little big on her, and the bra a little small, and none of it was really her style, but clothes were clothes. Beggars couldn’t be choosers, and Sylvin certainly felt like a beggar right now. No phone on her - she had the vague impression that it hadn’t ‘traveled’ well with Arakiel over the last four years, or that Arakiel just hadn’t seen a reason to keep track of it. No wallet either - she hadn’t had her purse on her when Arakiel had taken her as her vessel, so it was who knows where by now. Just her luck she’d look into her bank when she got a chance and find out her identity had been stolen EVEN MORE than it had by Arakiel and now she was in debt or something. 

In the front seat, Joey adjusts the music on her phone and her places it back in the ‘speaker’ - a glass cup that sits in the cup holder as a makeshift way to amplify the sound. It makes each of the songs adopt a tinny quality to them. 

The progress east was a combination of both reasons Sylvin had hypothesized: a mixture short days driving and a meandering direction. It felt like they were on some kind of a victory lap after saving the world - checking up on different people the pair had crossed paths with over the last four years. It made a kind of sense - see who was still kicking, pay respect to those who had died, and make sure that everyone that had been involved in the shitstorm knew that it was over.

Didn’t make Sylvin like it though. 

It made her feel like a child, being toted around by her parents and forced to sit off awkwardly on the sidelines while she was introduced to strangers. The entire affair was a lot like family reunions or church - back when Sylvin and her siblings would all stand slightly behind her mom, waiting for her to be done chatting about keylime pie recipes or whatever it was the moms discussed in church parking lots while their kids baked in the sun, reflecting off the dark asphalt. Those were the only instances where Sylvin actually envied the crazy Sunday hats the grandma’s wore. Sylvin and her three siblings would usually end up standing like dominos or some bizarre version of matryoshka dolls - line up so they were standing in eachothers shadows for at least a small reprieve from the heat. Atlas the unfortunate tallest of the bunch, bore the sunlight on his own. Or alternatively ran around the parking lot as a moving target, preventing the rest of them from using his shade. 

Just today they’d met up with 3 different people and 3 gravesites. Only one of the cemeteries had been planned - someone, a civilian, who had died on a job three years ago. The other two had been new deaths. A fellow hunter, vampire got the best of them. The other someone they had saved from the jaws of death already, took care of a poltergeist that had been hounding them. Didn’t matter - dead now - car crash. Bad luck. 

[otakugurl-11037]

Who Let Vampires Run Rock n' Roll?! Part 2!

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Trying this again because there's a dumb 4096 word limit. There's gonna be blood and biting. Plenty of intimacy too.

Part One.

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A little under 1,000 words.

It's Mai, not Mia. No matter how many times I misspelled it. 😭

Happy reading!

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I ran out of the venue as soon as the concert was over, avoiding any enthusiastic yet envious crowd members who were oh-so-enthralled by the little performance I put on with the band’s lead. 

I hid behind a wall that’s part of the labyrinth they call a parking lot.

He BIT me!! In front of all those people! Why?!

The heat in my face escalated as I envisioned that scene. And those little glances and winks he would sneak at me afterward. And him holding me…

I shake my head and slap my cheeks twice. 

No, I gotta stay calm. Stay calm and find my car so that I can get outta here…

Following the faded-out signs that lead to the higher floors, I feel as though my legs might collapse before I even make it to the car. Exhaustion weighed on me as if it was a truck tire on my shoulders. 

My desire to go home and sleep was much stronger than my desire to lay down on a concrete ground to rest(and possibly get run over). I continued to walk until I finally found my car. I unlocked it and went inside, closing the door behind with a thud that echoed throughout the whole place.

I attach my Alistair keychain to my keys, turn on the car, and drive out of the parking lot. 

My bed and I shall be reunited like lost lovers.

•••

A melody plays from afar, waking me up. The sunlight hitting my face tells me that I should’ve been awake a long time ago. I get out of bed with a slouch as I rub my eyes, not fully alert just yet. 

I walk over to my dresser, correcting a fallen shirt strap before grabbing my phone. Mai’s photo lights up as the song plays.

She’s calling me now? She never calls me this early…

I answer the call.

“Hello,” I say in a groggy voice before being interrupted.

“AAAHH OH MY GOD, GIRLIE!! OH MY GOD,” she screamed, brutally murdering my sleepiness.

“Whoa, whoa, calm down, I just woke up,” I said. “What’s going on?”

“What’s going on? WHAT’S GOING ON??? How can you have that happen to you and NOT remember?!”

Oh.

“Well, about that,” I start.

“HE KISSED YOU,” Mai cut me off again, overly excited for me. “See, I TOLD he would! I’m so happy for you, girlie! Happy and jealous, like-AAH, you’re so lucky! I would kill to get that!”

“Wait, wait, wait,” I said again, curbing her enthusiasm. “How’d you know that? I didn’t send you that video last night.”

Also, he did NOT kiss me. Most kisses don’t involve a direct chomp to the throat.

“Somebody recorded it and posted it online,” Mai responded in a calmer tone. “When I woke up, it was in my recommended and I had to see it for myself.”

“Oh my God…”

I move the phone away, placing my face in the sanctuary of the palm of my hand. I bring it back, with an idea in mind.

“Could you please send it to me,” I ask. “There’s something I wanna see again.”

Mai giggled on the other line.

“Sure!”

‘“Mai(Bestie ❤ ️ ❤ ️) has sent ‘1’ attachment.”’

I clicked on the notification to see the video-- “Lucien Kissed a Girl and He Liked It!!”

Oh brother…

I look at the current view count- 100k views?! I thought Crimson Nocturne was a small band. 

“I’m going to watch the video, I’ll call you back, Mai.”

“Okay,” Mai said. “But you better tell me how the concert was later!”

“I will, see you later!”

“See you!”

She hung up, and with that, I tapped on the video to play it.

The video started with Lucien screaming while the band played. Of course, I’m there in his arms, looking a little shy. 

Soon, they went to the breakdown when Lucien whispered to me. 

I nodded like the fool I was and then…

Smooch?!

Instead of the bite, it showed him kissing me directly on the lips and the crowd going crazy. 

What?

I slow down the video to 0.25x to take another look at it. I refuse to believe that he committed such an act.

Even when it was slowed down, I couldn’t hide from the un-truth. His lips just slowly met mine. 

It’s too good-looking to have been edited in. It’s too natural to have been slapped on with artificial intelligence…but how?

How did they fake a kiss?!

I looked into the comment section to see if anybody else remembered it differently.

“omg i’m so jealous 😭it should’ve been meee”

“We got Lucien making out with a girl before a certain sixth installment of a popular game.”

“Ooh Lysander was gawking at them!!”

The rest of the comments were of similar caliber except for one, which has been severely disliked.

“There’s no way this was a kiss. This whole band is weird and we should take action by looking into them further.”

It’s different…but there’s no real proof that they saw the bite. 

Did I somehow hallucinate the bite? Was the piercing of his fangs as they entered my throat just a figment of my imagination? Maybe the sound of my blood, my life source, being swallowed by him was just the wind? 

It can’t be. Yet at the same time, it seems like the most plausible thing to believe in. 

I mean, people would call me crazy if I said otherwise. 

I will post part three RIGHT after this is posted! Gaah!

[twstlover15]

Vil Schoenheit x Yuu

Sunlight filtered in through the curtains delicately as Yuu woke to the world. Last night had been crazy, and they were certain their face was a mess of mascara and eyeshadow. They shut their eyes and burrowed deeper into the pillows. The sheets were soft and warm. Some fancy 1000 count cotton that Vil had brought with him to his hotel room. They sat up to see him more clearly. His blonde hair spread out in a halo around his face. His sleeping face was even more perfect than his waking one. Soft and bare faced, like the normal marble of his visage becoming suddenly human. Yuu dug themselves deeper into the covers to hide from him. Just looking at him made them feel all tangled inside. Wherever the red string of fate was meant to go, was now wrapped up in this…mess. Yuu breathed heavily into the pillows and felt a puff of warm breath on their ear.

“Gah!” Yuu gasped out and smacked their head against the metal bed frame. They groaned out while Vil just chuckled his perfect chuckle. That mother fucker. “You mother fucker” Yuu tried to say with vitriol, but it came out far more whiney than they meant for it to sound. They rubbed their head and felt warm hands and arms pull them from sitting up and down into an even warmer lap. Yuu closed their eyes, almost falling back asleep, but their forehead was flicked and they flickered narrowed eyes at the culprit.

“Don’t you fall back asleep on me, here. We’re meant to share the weekend together.” Vil said, a small playful smile on his face. He started rubbing Yuu’s cheek a little more vigorously, and they knew he was trying to wipe off the makeup that had definitely smeared. Vil gave a small click of his tongue. “You should’ve used my makeup removers- this will damage your skin in the long term if you keep it up.” He said before licking his thumb and going in to wipe off more of it. Yuu ducked out of the way of his spit-covered hands grimacing playfully and holding his hands away from their face.

“Groosss” They whined and Vil let out a snort. A snort! 

“Says the one who asked me to spit in their mou-”

“Ahhhhhh- no thank you! Please don’t finish that sentence!”  Yuu moved one hand from his hand to cover their eyes, beet red with embarrassment. It was one thing to say in the heat of the moment when the lights were low and that they weren’t thinking about what was being said- not fully-, and another thing to hear that kind of language in the bright light of the morning. Vil laughed at them anyway before kissing their forehead and getting up in the direction of the bathroom. 

When the door clicked shut, Yuu relaxed into the bed, almost falling back asleep as the sun crept over their form. It felt warm and they were warm, and the embarrassment of the situation made them turn their head into the sheets. God, how many times was this going to happen? They thought after the 2nd time, maybe it would either turn into something more, or fizzle out. And, yet. Yuu huffed out a breath into the sheets. They could hear the shower or sink turn on , the running water covering them in a blanket of time to get ready, but Yuu couldn’t make themselves move. It was so stupid how they couldn’t even count how many times they had fallen- Yuu laughed a little at that, as if this wasn’t somehow intentional on either of their parts- into bed together. Their was a part of them that thought they would’ve been married or in a relationship with someone in a more steady capacity instead of…whatever was going on here between them. 

They were definitely still friends. Yuu couldn’t imagine a day without Vil making them laugh or think deeply about the nature of art or how one keeps diligent in their routine in the face of a constantly changing public opinion, or how silly or stupid or incompetent a co-star was or… anything, really. They’d been in each others lives since their days at school, and he’d been there when there hadn’t been any way for Yuu to go home. But then… Their head trailed off into the abyss of feeling both used and like this was more than anything they deserved. How could they ever ask for more from their friend, their best friend. But how could this continue? Yuu couldn’t see Vil making space in his life for romance, not when he barely had time for their friendship as of late. He had 3 releases this year and had been on constant tours for promotion. Not to mention the fashion galas that he’s been invited to as one of the few male celebrities that actually went full out for themes, and took fashion as seriously as his acting. Yuu wanted to be supportive, but…they were feeling left behind. They tried not to take it so harshly, but then their work had started to pick up, too. They finally got the promotion they had been fighting so hard for, and it left them feeling too guilty to take any time off. They wanted to prove that the decision to promote them was worth it. Yuu might not have been too passionate about the administrative work they did, but it paid the bills and made them feel…needed. Like they were worth more than….

Yuu couldn’t finish the thought. The light mood they had been in was drained away, and the aches from the night before felt bone deep. They slowly got dressed and wiped the make-up residue from their face. The water stopped running. Vil came out, glistening like a damn model in the hotel towel and looked up and down at Yuu. His beautiful eyes caught theirs and he tilted his head.

“Care to tell me what’s running through your head?” he asked. Why did he have to be so gentle? It made it so hard to leave him. Yuu felt their heart catch at the back of their throat and swallowed it down before staring right back. 

“I gotta head back home.” They started. Yuu looked away for a second, but looked right back, feeling the bravery of a runaway fill them with restless energy. They were sure Vil had caught it, but they hoped he would be too polite to say anything. Vil opened his mouth to say something, but Yuu rushed out the rest. “The flight’s a little delayed, but you know me, always have to be early.” They continued with a wooden smile. They needed to go before they did something stupid. Vil looked a little put out.

“Surely you could stay for breakfast?” He said, a breath of a question. The walls Yuu built to leave again fell slightly. He was their friend, of course he would miss them, too. Yuu looked at him softly. 

“You know how bad the traffic gets, and I have work tomorrow.” Yuu said, trying for some kind of humor. They couldn’t have him sad. Vil looked down, his wet hair slowly drying in the warm air, and Yuu moved closer. “Don’t miss me too much” They said with a playful smile, and kissed him on the cheek. It lingered too long, and they closed their eyes to savor his skin and the smell of the shampoo he brought with him. Fuck they were going to miss him. Yuu moved away, and left the room, not looking back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It always surprised Vil how easily they slipped in and out of his life. Maybe next time he’ll find a way to make Yuu stay.

[lord-ofthe-frogs]

LOVING the idea of a sci-fi space travel story meets like ancient forest horror type trope.

Like. This is a routine scouting mission, you are flying closer into this planet because it was detected on scanners as being life supporting (obviously- you could have told that from a picture, the whole place is covered in green) but the foliage is so dense that from standard distance, the scanners couldn’t get a full read of the land (weird, that usually isn’t a problem, but some places flora do have weird ways of incorporating materials that really shouldn’t be in a plant, it isn’t entirely unprecedented). Could also be- like, lead in the atmosphere or something. Well- almost definitely not. Stuff doesn’t really grow that big in an environment that’s anything other than right in the golden zone, so it’s probably nothing like that. Still- this isn’t one you’d want to risk going no-suit for.

You’re swooping in closer for some recon- because, Dagnabit, you still aren’t getting clear readings- and- with what this place seems to be so far, the chances of intelligent life (intelligent enough to interfere with your ship, at least) are incredibly low. Only- suddenly, your scanner is detecting things. But- it’s totally on and off, like these leaves are completely blocking your signal somehow. Heat maps show nothing too special- heat seems to get trapped under the foliage somewhat, magnetism mapping seem to show signs of metals nearby, but nothing too out of place- perhaps a ridge.

But there’s some movement, which doesn’t seem to match wind direction. You’re too focused on checking your side panels to catch what happens as suddenly you’re being dragged off course- the carriage of the ship scraping against the plant matter as you careen into the undergrowth below. Which each layer of leaves and vines you clear, less and less light penetrates through. By the time your ship hits the ground, you’ve pretty much lost all trace of sunlight, despite the sun having been pretty much directly above you. Instead- the grove you’ve dropped into is lit only by bioluminescent fungi and the like- which stretch outward from what you realize are impossibly thick plant roots.

As your engine sputters and stops, you go into damage control mode. Okay- you have the materials to last you, you shouldn’t have to forage around for food or water any time soon- but you’re now underneath the foliage that had been blocking your scanner and, frankly, unless you find some way to get your communication gear back up there- or get this ship back up and running- you’re pretty much just gonna be stranded here until you die. Not great- but, you probably have the tools to get into it. I mean. How tall could these plants even be?

So, you check all your systems- try fixing up the systems and engine- and.. well, even if you did get her back up into the sky- there’s no way she’d make it through the kind of hyperdrive it would take to get you back to the nearest settlement. And, well… you’d rather die here than in the empty void of space, really.

With that set- you secure the ship, double check with all your crew-mates to make sure nobody was harmed- status reports, full medical checks- suit checks- luckily, nobody seems all to worse for wear. All that foliage must have slowed you down somewhat, thankfully. At least- in the upper levels. There are no real branches or anything down here- just.. fungi, really. From- what you can see from the ship. Not that you expect to find anything else. Smaller life forms, at the most- you don’t know of much else that could subsist on the sort of materials available down here. But- still, always to err on the side of caution. Evolution is a wild thing, after all- people were always finding new crazy things about it.

After about a day of just making sure everything inside the ship is secure, and planning out your next steps- you and a few of the crew take a venture out, to test your surroundings. It seems like your ship ended up nestled between to giant roots- and as you step off from them, you find that most of the ground underfoot is really just a mix of root, mushroom, and dirt. Rich dirt, at least.

This place could be a real fantasy looking environment if the trees (well- they seem to be trees, at least. You’d been taught not to be too quick to categorize foreign planet organisms.. but if the shoe fits,) were more.. reasonably sized. You start setting up your plans for scaling these giants- an organized system, checkpointing along the way. It’s practically like rock climbing, with the size and hardiness of these things. Eventually you climb up to a chunk where the bark has been carved through, exposing softer, young material (ignoring the question of how it had been dug through like that- might have been hit by your ship on the way down- or maybe there’s some type of creature here that eats this stuff, and had been chowing on it for a while.

The idea that some single creature had left it there in passing is quickly barred from your mind- nothing is that big). When you dig your climbing pick into this softer ‘wood’- it sort of sticks. So much so that you nearly fall off attempting to pull it back out. Sliding your gloved hand along the surface of the tool, though, it doesn’t seem to have any sort of residue or stickiness- so you brush it off as maybe just the tool sinking a little too far into wood that was clearly softer than you expected it to be. You try once more, determined to make some good progress on this task tonight- only for it to get stuck again. This time, you actually can’t manage to yank it out. You try again- and again, but it’s totally sunk in there. One climbing tool shorter, pretty exhausted by now, and starting to get very hungry- you decide it’s time to call it a day for this task. You begin the grueling task of making it back down- and join back with those still at the ship. The other two you set out with originally are still back at the ‘tree’- but the two of them happen to be a species more hardy than you, and they had been working on a system to create an accessible way up- rather than just scouting to see how high they could climb as you had been. It would certainly take longer- much longer- but it may help in the long run.

Anyway. You touch back in at the ship and take some rest, assuring yourself you’ll continue working to figure things out in the morning. Not that ‘morning’ was really a relevant term right now, considering the constant dark. The ship lights were still functional, at least- as well as those built into your suit. Things seem to be going fine. Nothing immediately dire- the only prospective issue so far seems to be how to get up high enough to deliver a signal quickly enough that you might be retrieved before supplies run out. Not that that should be an issue- after all, all fleet ships keep highly stocked at all times, and, as long as nothing changes too much- you should be set to survive for a good long while yet. At least a few hundred cycles.

Waking in the ‘morning’ to the same darkness as you’d fallen asleep to makes you a bit jealous of those few crew members which were nocturnal by nature- they must feel right at home here.

—

About a week in- crewmates are complaining of feeling like they’re ‘being watched’. A front of fog had set in around the third day, making further exploration difficult. You honestly almost write it off as the effects of stress and being in the dark and stuck in the same place when a few people start complaining about noises- that is, until you get so spooked you have to turn your team around after you all swore you heard something like a voice coming from the fog beyond (nothing you could decipher. The wind through the foliage, maybe? Is that a reasonable explanation? You can’t really think about the science of it right now.. but .. that was probably it.)

Still, you forge on, and the next day you set out again. It’s all standard, really. You haven’t even run into any fauna yet, why would you let a little whistling of the winds disuade you? (Not that you would really see anything, if there was something to be seen. This fog is too thick, now, you’ve had to set up a line from the ship to your place on this tree just to prevent you getting lost.)

You’re a traveler of space. What could one little forest planet really have against you, who’s toured tens of barely documented other planets?

You decide to start keeping a journal.

—

About two months in, things start going wrong. You’re starting out another climb, when your pick slips and you’re suddenly falling. You get tangled up in your rope- and you end up getting your suit ripped one of your pick blades- breaking the seal on your air. Thankfully- it seems… breathable. In fact, when you run another check to make sure you aren’t secretly gonna get horrible sickness after a while of breathing this stuff- you find that it’s actually pretty similar to that of your desirable conditions. In fact, it seems to actually be more suitable for you than the ‘universally breathable’ air they usually have on multi-species ships.

People continue to complain of weird feelings- like eyes on them, or this deep instinct that they ‘shouldn’t be here’ or whatever- you keep brushing it off the best you can- these sort of conditions for so long can really impact someone, especially those who are adapted for more sunny conditions. Nothings gone so wrong that you worry about losing anyone, at least. So far, everyone has been hanging on.

One day when you come back from some recon, everyone is agreeing that they heard something in the distance.

You find a couple smaller creatures, bugs, you’ve been logging them as you go along. Not too much fauna to go off, just yet.

Then- the ship starts deteriorating. The fuels somehow been sapped- you swear that root didn’t wrap so closely around the ship when you first arrived- some branch debris fell down a couple days ago, and now half the chasis has been wrecked- the backup universal air got hit, which is seriously going to impact how long you’ll last if the air doesn’t prove breathable for the others- and the lights in the operational parts of the ship have begun flickering on occasion.

Along the next few weeks, around half of the crew stops replenishing their air tanks and just resorts to braving the air around them- just hoping that no airborne contaminants come around. For a planet so dominated by flora, there’s actually a pretty reasonable balance of C02 to 02. The fungus, you reason.

After about month more in these straits- heating becomes an issue to face. You’ve run out of fuel to keep going on as you were- and some energy needs to be saved in case- so, ensured by the oxygen ratio in the air that it won’t result in anything too catastrophic- you and the crew decide that testing for flammable materials is in order. You find that the bark of the ‘trees’ works alright enough- though, you don’t have enough smaller foliage to make any sort of easy burning. Still- it works somewhat. So, you set up for wood-chopping shifts, setting out to collect bark and flammables. You’re not sure how well it’ll do if that fog rolls back in.. but it works for now.

Then, one day.. the person set out doesn’t come back.

Weeks pass. The paranoia amongst the crew worsens. Someone swears they saw something moving in the distance- one claims they heard distant footsteps, loud and booming, when they were out scouting.

You’re climbing again, when you see the faint imprint of glowing fungi parallel with you in the distance. Passing. Something this tall, moving along-

You don’t mention it to the crew.

Eventually- people start encountering things.

You lose a few more crew-mates.

Slowly but surely, you’ve begun to realize that there are things in these woods that you just don’t understand.

These things are much older than you.

This place is much older than your science.

No planet should survive long enough for this sort of evolution to come to fruition- but, for whatever reason, this one did.

And you are here, now- disturbing things which predate you by millennia, realizing-

That all you consider to be the standards of probability- these standards you’ve been so sure of- simply don’t extend to a place like this.

All this time, you’ve been operating on averages- and this place… this place is different.

[translations-dark-matter]

Living as an Extra in an Omegaverse novel

Chapter 68

Why is he so upset that he can't give me a gift?

The first thing that came to mind was a question.

It's understandable if you chose a gift as a way to win someone's favour. It was in that context that I gave Yoo Jin-ha a gift.

But now I was a little confused.

Isn’t this a bit excessive?

"It's not like he's making up some lame excuse..."

He just went crazy because he wanted to give it to me. So, he said those things.

"What if I reject it?"

"You should think carefully about that."

Shin Tae-oh pointed to the coat with his eyes.

"If you reject this, there's no one else to wear it. I threw away the receipt."

"If you just give me the card, I can go and get a refund. I go there often and get along well with the staff. They'll probably do it for me."

"A refund... is that possible?"

"Yes."

"But what if they change all the staff there?"

"Even so, it's still possible."

Among the items Shin Tae-oh had purchased over the years, there were a few that were quite hefty for me to handle. Every time that happened, I would go to a familiar staff member and ask for a refund.

"It's definitely possible."

It was when Se-hyeon was about to take the coat.

"What about my feelings?"

"...."

Se-hyeon looked at Shin Tae-oh while holding the coat. Coincidentally, Shin Tae-oh also turned his gaze, and their eyes met.

"My feelings can't be refunded."

Se-hyeon raised his arm. Shin Tae-oh, who had spoken with a serious expression, felt a slight pang.

Seeing the faint sadness in Shin Tae-oh's eyes, which had sent shivers down his spine, Se-hyeon realized what he had done.

He knew it all along.

Every time Shin Tae-oh had casually brushed off the rejections of his gifts, Se-hyeon knew that it wasn't something insignificant. Yet, Se-hyeon had hurt him despite knowing that Tae-oh wanted to do something nice for him.

Se-hyeon avoided looking at the coat. It was ironic how he kept recalling the past, but his thoughts kept wandering. When Yoo Jin-ha rejected a gift, Se-hyeon took care of the situation. If Shin Tae-oh asked Se-hyeon to keep it and use it, he would use it, but if not, he would go through the refund process.

This time, since the gift had come to him, he didn't think he would handle it... but...

"Boss."

In the heavy atmosphere, Se-hyeon called out to Shin Tae-oh. He looked into Shin Tae-oh's eyes, which were now directed at him. If they were full of resentment before, now there was a sense of resignation.

"Thank you."

Se-hyeon accepted the coat and immediately put it on right there. He ignored the wind gently rustling his hair and the sunlight warming his entire body.

From the moment Se-hyeon saw it, he noticed that it was the same coat I had looked at last time. He had liked it quite a bit, but the price had prevented him from considering buying it. However, now that he put it on, it was indeed...

"It's lightweight and warm."

It was lighter and had a softer texture compared to the other coats I usually wore. The cashmere material was said to be good, but it looked even better in person.

It hadn't been long since he put it on, but it felt like his body was already heating up. It stood out with its bright grey colour, but it was also beautiful in that regard.

"It suits you well."

"Thank you."

He even carefully removed the brand label and put it in his pocket. Se-hyeon, thinking that he had shown his gratitude by accepting the gift, composed his expression.

Now it was his turn to receive what he wanted.

"I also want to give you a gift. That's the condition for me accepting this coat."

"A gift?"

Shin Tae-oh asked curiously and caressed his tie.

“I got this last time.”

He wears that tie every time he mentions it. When is a day when you don’t wear it?

"I know. And I also know that this coat is incredibly expensive."

"You shouldn't include the price in the gift. It becomes burdensome between the giver and receiver."

Se-hyeon smiled outwardly at Shin Tae-oh's instructive tone but internally felt a sense of disbelief.

So, the reason he casually bought expensive gifts and gave them was because of this.

"I know. I also know that if I try to keep up with you, my two legs will tear apart."

In my circumstances, I can't even keep up with Shin Tae-oh's footsteps.

"So, I'll give it to you after 12 months."

"Um... Well, even if it's a year, it feels strange for some reason."

"If you agree to receive it at that time, then I'll accept it as well."

Setting aside Shin Tae-oh's hesitant reaction, Se-hyeon brought out a blank piece of paper.

"I would appreciate it if you could write something here. I want to promise that my words to you, Boss, are not just empty words."

"You're more proactive than me?"

"If possible, I would like to use this as a written agreement for the repayment I mentioned earlier."

As Shin Tae-oh held a pen, ready to write anything, he paused.

“This is my repayment for the favour of moving my father to a better hospital room.”

“Isn’t that a separate issue?”

“Since you didn’t write them separately, I’m going to write them down all at once. “If the boss writes it down, I will document it.”

When I thought that it would be a good idea to end all financial relationships at this point, Shin Tae-oh nodded while wondering how he should accept it.

"How should I write it?"

"Please write that you won't give gifts worth more than a million won from now on."

"Am I writing a contract right now?"

Shin Tae-oh let go of the pen on the paper, expressing his dissatisfaction, and Se-hyeon had plenty to say as well.

"The VIP room and the coat are more than enough. I feel burdened too."

"It's natural to feel burdened when considering the price. Besides, I didn't just give you such things..."

"I appreciated the powdered grain. Anyway, please write that you won't give them anymore."

Se-hyeon tapped the paper as if he had no intention of compromising.

“You're not writing a contract to repay me, you're saying you're going to tighten my leash. Should I write it like that?”

[TL note: “tighten leash” coz now he can't spend a lot of money on Se-hyeon's gifts.]

"Yes, by writing this, you're doing a good deed for your future spouse."

"...Spouse?"

"Saving money frugally is a significant advantage."

As Se-hyeon gently persuaded, Shin Tae-oh obediently continued writing. Observing him writing almost everything, Se-hyeon revealed his inner thoughts.

"Gifts should not be a burden to the other person."

"..."

"Gifts should make both the giver and the receiver happy. Please think of it in that sense."

Se-hyeon took the paper and inserted it between empty files. With this, he prevented Shin Tae-oh from bringing up various things.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment inside, Se-hyeon bit his lip to hide it and turned away.

‘How can I persuade that fireball?’

I won't let it go. Taenyang.

Ignoring Shin Tae-oh's gaze fixed on his back, Se-hyeon left the office and placed the tablet on the desk. He had prepared the approval files to be delivered personally and went to find Lee Jin-ho. Inside the room, noticing that I was wearing a coat, Lee Jin-ho's gaze was fixed on the coat.

"I'll be out for a moment."

"What's the matter?"

Seeing Lee Jin-ho, who seemed to be checking if something serious had happened, I shook my head. It was nothing serious.

"I'm going to withdraw my 12-month fixed deposit."

And also to test the performance of the coat I received from Shin Tae-oh.

***

Ha Min-hyuk saw Ha Jin-seong, who was present during the handover process. Ever since he told him to hand over the project, Ha Jin-seong had not rushed or pressured him in any way, patiently waiting for Min-hyuk's decision.

It was an indifferent reaction as if it didn't matter even if Min-hyuk didn't hand over.

He was the stepbrother who always caused trouble outside and was disliked. Min-hyuk had been concerned and on edge, wondering if Ha Jin-seong would try to take over the company's shares and kick him out at the first opportunity, but now he seemed so docile...

"The world has become quiet."

For the first time in my life, peace has found its way to me.

People must live this kind of life, right? To live a comfortable life without constantly being on guard, to meet people without worry. Ha Min-hyuk, who has experienced such a life recently, felt a strange sense of greed.

I wanted to pursue this peaceful moment further. I wanted to spend ordinary days working during the day and going on dates with Jin-ha in the evening.

To do that...

"If you haven't made a decision yet, get up."

Ha Jin-seong spoke in a tired voice, checking if there were any lingering concerns about the project. He seemed somewhat drained, with his usually sensitive temperament noticeably softened.

"What if I don't hand it over?"

"Then it's your problem for being foolishly stubborn."

"What if I do?"

Upon Ha Min-hyuk's casual question, Ha Jin-seong fell silent. His expression twisted, and his mind seemed to be in turmoil.

"What do you hope to gain from this?"

"If you're going to talk nonsense, just leave."

Ha Jin-seong turned his chair, raising his hand, deliberately avoiding showing his face to Ha Min-hyuk.

"Whether this project succeeds or not doesn't matter. But what's the reason you insist on taking it?"

"Why should I tell you?"

Ha Jin-seong retorted with an irritated expression.

"Because I think you already know."

Ha Min-hyuk knew the impact it would have on Ha Jin-seong if he handed this over to him.

Both men cared about Ahn Se-hyeon. One person seemed to be expressing it openly without the need to hide their feelings, while the other person still seemed to be unaware of it completely...

Who should I support in this situation?

Shin Tae-oh? Ha Jin-seong?

Even if I excluded my own feelings, it was inevitable for me to lean more towards Shin Tae-oh. After all, Shin Tae-oh was a much better man than the devious Ha Jin-seong.

If that was the case, it would be beneficial for Shin Tae-oh if Ha Jin-seong didn't hover around Ahn Se-hyeon.

Ha Min-hyuk organized his thoughts and spoke up.

"I'll hand it over."

Giving Ha Jin-seong a chance to stay away from Ahn Se-hyeon's surroundings.

Ha Min-hyuk signed the document, putting his name on it. With this, the project was handed over to Ha Jin-seong.

The reason for giving Ha Jin-seong an opportunity, even though I considered Shin Tae-oh to be better, wasn't anything significant.

"It will lead to a quicker decision."

Perhaps Ahn Se-hyeon could completely change the situation.

Prev / Next

[stoptellinglieslois]

Principal of pleasure part 6

Clark & Dick are at the cabin and spending the weekend enjoying the morning after. 

Superman x Nightwing pairing

Dick

The smell of bacon and eggs slowly woke me up I didn’t move myself to much my ass hurt so much we did it all night long like we we’re in heat.

I turned slowly to see Clark watching me from the small stove frying breakfast he had a sexy smile on his face.

I have never seen him sport that kind of smile before in my life and it was directed towards me.

Sunlight illuminated him like a god of the sky he didn’t have any clothes on it is Saturday morning and the sun decided to show itself after all this crazy snow fall. I moved slowly and went for my bag on the floor not trying to do sudden movements because I’m so sore.

I went through it and found my cell I turned it back on and the messages and calls swarmed my inbox.

One message from Jason telling me how I was doing and that he will see me sometime this week.

The other messages are from Damian and they are all voice mail what did he want ? I put the phone to my ear.

I clicked on the first message. “Grayson where are you I called you seven times why are you not picking up the phone.” I was kinda put off guard he sounded so worried and anxious. 

I click on the next message. “Hey Grayson call me when you get this message.” And it ended like that and he sent me ten others like this.

I turned and Clark was still looking at me this time a curious expression on his face. “Morning I’m just gonna wash up.” I said to him he smiled and turned back to the stove.

I already had nothing on so I hopped in the tube I turned the water on and it was ice cold I yelled at the first spray of icy cold water to touch my skin. I heard a warm jovial laugh as the cream colour shower curtain shielded me from the source of the laughter. 

The water adjusted itself to a warmer temperature and I relaxed under its spray.

I thought about Damian’s voice mail I wanted to text him and tell him where I was but that would be dumb and I wasn’t gonna do that this was Bruce son. He had the same mind like Bruce the same instinct.

I remember Damian was watching us when were at Clark’s house last January, I could see his expression very intense and in thought watching us.

When he looked at me he reminded of Bruce when he saw something and wouldn’t put it down or let go for the life him. It was that made my stomach turn in knots.

Forget seeing too much for his young age Damian knows too much at his age to question me about this.

But I couldn’t possibly believe all that and assume he knows that’s crazy.

I washed up quickly and took a burgundy towel from my bag and dried myself off. Clark was still cooking putting bread in the toaster so that’s when I decided to text Damian.

{What’s up what do you want you left me a lot of message’s bro.} and as soon as I sent it my phone buzzed in my hand.  

{Where are you ?}

I answer him back he was acting suspicious and the knots came back in full swing.

{I’m at home)

(No your not I'm at your house)

What he’s crazy. 

{I don’t believe you take a picture.}

And he sent me a picture of the inside of my apartment and the knots tightened inside of me.  

{Just tell me how you're with please.}

I breathed hard and I turned away from Clark how’s back was turned, Busying himself with the food the sound of frying and the small coffee machine made the background noise more intensifying as I stood there in shock.

{Can I talked to you later.}

{No.}

{Damian why are on me like this just let me be ok I will call you later.} 

{What game are you playing Grayson.}

{I’m not playing any game I don’t play games ever.}

{Then what about Miss Gordon what about her then what will you tell.}

I needed to turn off the phone that will stop all the questions with Damian I couldn’t do this right now.

I sat on the bed and my cell fell on the floor cracked on impact by accident slipping out of my grasp.

A shift on the bed as it tipped to one side all I saw in front of me was a plate of bacon and eggs toast and coffee hovering in front of me I lost my appetite as soon as I saw the food I was to in shock of what Damian had just learned.

the end of part 6 next is part 7 

Thank you for reading