#Those are only some rough thoughts cause my next lecture starts and I need lunch

[ray935sworld]

Okay yap time, based on this post and the tags cause it spiked an idea I will never write as a fic but the dear @formulapookie asked so here I am.

Child of divorce AU

Snippet 1

So, David Alonso as the child of Marc's teenage pregnancy, 2013, (somehow he aged 18 years in 10 years or he's just 10 and the celebration are at local tracks, chose for yourself) but Vale left him in the divorce because he thinks he isn't his child.

David grew up with the Marquez family and was too young to really remember his father. But Marc always told him about his dad and made sure that he knew the human side if Vale and not just the hero/ racer image tbe media portrait of him. Marc was never spiteful or talked shit about Vale. Alex sometimes did. He never understood how calm Marc was about the whole thing. After all Vale had left his own child and the man he loved. Julia and Roser obviously despite Vale too, but they weren't vocal about that, especially not near David.

What happened? Easy. Uccio somehow used Vale's 2nd thoughts to get ride of Marc and David. He thought that a kid and a husband (Vale wanted to propose) would only slow Vale down and kill his championship hopes. Obviously he assumed that Marc was using a child and marriage to distract Vale. (cause who wouldn't. NORMAL THING TO DO????)

So Uccio used the jealously and insecurities Vale had to turn him against marc. He commented how David looked/ acted nothing like Vale and how Lorenzo had a good relationship to David who suspiciously looked like him. (David used to wander around in the yamaha garage and the paddock and since Pedrenzo is real in this version, he was used to Jorge and Dani, so he was comfortable around them) And didn't Marc and Lorenzo disappeared once after that particular race where they were particularly touchy on the podium. (they didn't btw but Vale is old and forgets stuff) - maybe with Dovi being the fake-real father, not sure yet. Thlse are just rough thoughts, I'm very open for input. But I thought it'd spike the 2015 divorce if it's with Jorge.

Uccio basically made Vale believe that Marc was only using him to raise an affair child.

For some reason he refused a paternity test and he kept Luca away from Alex/ Marc so they couldn't somehow convince him to get a relative check done. ("I'm not that stupid. I know he isn't mine!")

So Vale isn't in Davids life anymore. He doesn't pay child support either because Marc refuses to ask for something he doesn't need. He can provide for his child just fine and since his dad is at every race, he looks after him. Or he stays with his mother. And Alex is very active in child care too.

Luca regularly checks in with them. He knows that David is his nephew so he tries to be there for him. The first visit post Sepang 2015 was weird. It felt tense, but watching Luca apologize for his brothers behavior and be even more loving as usual put him back on the good side of the Marquez family.

As he grew up, David struggled with the resentment towards his father. On one side, his papa always told him not to hate him, that it wasn't his fault and that he was just hurt. And he wanted to believe him. But he wasn't stupid and he saw the media. He saw how caring and loving Vale was with the academy. He saw him hugging them and taking care of them. He saw him teaching them and have them at the ranch. He saw how fatherly he was with them. For him it was the profe that Vale COULD be a father. He just didn't want to be his father. And that broke him.

Still, he has his papa's hopefull tendencies and refuses to give up that easy. So he tries to get Vale's attention by his archivements (yes I know, validation through awards trope, sorry but RELATABLE). He wants to be noticed. And he wants to gain his sympathy by openly showing his adoration for him. So he imitates his celebration and speaks highly of him. He wants to be noticed. He wants his father to reach out for him and give them a try. Just once, so he can price himself worthy.

But he is still Marc's son first.

And Marc sees all this and it breaks his heart. He knows that David loves him. He knows that he will always be the one David loves the most and the one he trust the most. But seeing him trying so hard for the attention of someone who despises him for just existing, breaks his heart. He wants to be enough for him. He wants David to stop reaching for Vale so he doesn't end up getting hurt. But he knows he never will cause he has his traits.

David and Marc will always keep a door open in their life for Valentino Rossi, even if Vale doesn't sees it.

[tetralea]

Dirty words

Pairing: dom!Tom Holland x reader

Word Count: 1.9K+

Warning: dom-sub dynamics, dirty talking, cum in panties, cum play, oral male recieving, pussy job, face fucking (not too hardcore), pet names like cock slut, orgasm denial

Summary:  Tom is in a zoom call, and you tiptoe around him, never showing up or making any noises. Except when you get to the kitchen wanting to cook something you drop your ingredients and swear loudly.

A/N: So, I dropped stuff in the kitchen swearing loudly while my love was in a call, and I’m always horny, so there we go. 

It was almost lunch time, and you were waiting for your boyfriend to finish his video call before starting to eat. If you were honest, you were hoping it would be one of those lunch breaks, when he had a bit more time between the lectures and he would pay more attention to you. And what you needed.  

Tiptoeing around the room, always behind his desk, was an everyday thing and the both of you got used to it by now. Walking out to the kitchen a few minutes before the end of his call seemed like a nice idea, to prep the food for yourselves.  

Everything was almost ready when you grabbed the container for your pasta, the thin foil tearing in your hand, and the heavy package fell back to the counter. You tried to catch it, seeing everything that was happening in slow motion, but the pasta spilled on the ground, nonetheless. The noise was followed by long cursing from your side and an upset huff.  

It just hit you a second later that Tom was in the call, but it was already too late. He called out for you, muting himself in the process. Hoping he was just wondering if everything was alright, you poked your head in the room, seeing him sitting at his desk staring at you with raised brows, an unamused look on his face.  

‘Sorry.’ You mouthed with an anxious expression, fidgeting with your hands nervously.  

‘Pants off, darling.’ Tom bit his lips with a challenging smirk, trying to fight back a huge smile, his eyes giving your body a lustful once over.

He saw all of your hopes that you will get away with it disappearing as you stepped in the room, letting him watch you as you dropped your shorts to the ground.  

‘Good girl.’ The small purr and the proud smile on his lips gave you some hope for the later part of the day. When he returned his attention to the screen you walked out, back to the kitchen starting to gater the dry pasta from the ground.  

It didn’t take long, and you heard Tom saying goodbye to whoever he had a call with and standing up from his chair. At the same time, you were very aware of the wetness forming on your folds, eager anticipation bubbling in your chest and you pussy being covered only by the thin material of your panties.  

‘So, what happened?’ Tom crouched next to you, his fingers quickly picking up the small pieces from the ground.  

‘I dropped this sh-thing.’ Changing your wording looked like a smart idea.

‘Darling I feel like you have a very very dirty mouth today.’ Tom tutted cleaning up the last crumbs of the pasta with you.  

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t want to, it just fell. And it was supposed to be for lunch.’ The explanation was brief and honest, finished with a regretful sigh.  

‘I know. It’s ok, love.’ Tom reassured you and pulled you up from the ground. He pulled you to a hug and kissed your temple gently. ‘But I just can’t leave you running around with a dirty mouth like this.’ He whispered and gently pulled you when he leant against the counter.  

‘Yes, Sir.’  

‘Don’t worry, I won’t be too rough.’ He reassured you, looking you in the eye. ‘I’ll tell you what will happen.’ An eager nod from your end made him chuckle. ‘First, I'll fuck that dirty mouth of yours, it might help to clean it a bit. That will get you nice and wet for me, maybe soaking your panties a little too, so when I tell you to stop, you will get up and grind that pretty pussy on my cock, teasing yourself, but not coming of course.’

With a pleading look you let him gently push you down to kneel in front of him, your hands resting on your thighs, waiting. Tom undid his pants and pushed them down a little pulling his cock free, giving himself a few strokes.  

‘So eager.’ He commented when he saw you swallowing hard and licking your lips, waiting for his soft tip to touch your lips. ‘Open up.’ Tom’s voice was clear but gentle. His fingers were holding his cock by the base of his hard on. You did as he told, sticking your tongue out, earning a smug smile. He shifted a little to get closer and tapped his cock on your wet tongue, moving it around, coating his velvety tip with your spit. He took his time testing your limits seeing if you could hold still and not giving into the temptation to lick him without permission.  

The wet sounds filled the room when he gave small, gentle slaps on your tongue with his cock. ‘Now, close it, and start sucking.’ He guided you, still holding his own cock as a clear sign to keep your hands to yourself.  

The previous noises were switched to the wet sounds of you sucking his cock, lips stretching around his thick shaft, head bobbing up and down to your own rhythm. His groans and deep sighs were a clear sign that you were making him feel good. ‘Stay still.’ He warned when you started to squirm involuntarily, feeling your slit getting soaked, starting to soak into your panties.  

Sucking and swallowing around him got easier and easier when your brain got slowly clouded with lust and you were beyond aroused. Your breaths come out in big puffs though your nose as you prepared yourself to push further and let him slide into your throat. Tom cursed and you swallowed around him causing you to gag slightly. He hissed at the feeling and his hand let go of his cock, softly sliding forward to hold your head. ‘Now stay still, baby girl, and look at me, I’ll fuck that dirty mouth of yours.’  

Turning your eyes up to look at him was more difficult as you thought, he started to rock your head back and forward gently first, moving you until only his tip was between your lips then he pushed back not forcing you to deepthroat him yet. ‘So good for me, shit.’

He held your head and started to really fuck your mouth then, moving in and out, making you gag around him, your saliva coating him generously, the rest dripping down on your chin. His pace was still not too fast, you could keep your throat relaxed enough for him, even if the slight burn starting in your jaw made it more and more difficult.  

‘Look at you, fuck.’ Tom cursed, his muscles flexing as he pushed himself until he hit the back of your throat, keeping you there until the last second you could keep it together without starting to gag and gasp for air. ‘Letting me fuck that dirty little mouth of yours, being a good little cock slut for me.’ Seemingly he got lost in it more and more his words slurring and breaking with soft moans, his peace picking up. ‘Gotta fuck all the bad words out of it.’ Now your jaw was properly burning, whole body trembling from the pent-up need and anticipation for him to finally touch you. ‘So good, darling, so good for me.’  

You moaned and whimpered around him, closing your eyes, squeezing them, Tom testing your limits. It only lasted for a few seconds before he slowed down and eventually stopped. ‘Good girl, took it all so good.’ Tom praised you, his words causing a shiver going down on your spine and settling between your legs, making you throb and clench around nothing.  

‘Open your mouth baby girl.’ Tom pulled his cock between your spent lips, and let you take your time to find that movement. ‘Tongue out.’ You did as he asked, and he placed his cock back to your tongue. ‘I could cum just like this, spilling onto your tongue and pretty tits, but I know you’ll have a call soon, and I want you to sit in front of your camera, like a good girl, with my cum in your panties.’  

Your eyes went wide the sound of your shock escaped your open mouth without any barrier. By the time you were over the realisation of what was coming he already had you standing, your back against the counter, your panties pushed down on your thighs.  

Tom looked at you, his eyebrows high, a teasing but proud look in his eyes. ‘What is this darling?’ He asked, his fingers touching the wet spot on your panties breaking the glistering line of arousal which connected it with your pussy.  

‘I need you so bad.’ You whispered as a weak explanation, head turning a little to hide how flustered you got.  

‘So easy for me.’ Tom stepped closer, gliding his cock between your folds without a warning. Your body jumped to the sudden sensation a loud moan falling from your lips. ‘So easy.’ Tom repeated himself as he started to fuck your folds, your arousal covering his cock in a second, making the sensation almost unbearably intense. ‘Look at you, just standing here, letting me do whatever.’ He leant down placing a gentle kiss to your sore lips. ‘Use your hands, love, keep my cock pressed to your needy cunt.’  

With a weak whimper you did so, a shudder running through you, as the friction just got so much stronger, just as you needed it. He was grinding into your pussy, his tip eagerly pushing into your entrance, but never really inside of you, testing your limits, making your tremble and whimper continuously. ‘So easy of me as always. I could slid into that empty little cunt and fuck you and you’d thank me for it, huh?’ Tom’s voice was husky, seducing you even more, having you completely at his mercy.  

‘Yes, Sir.’ The weak cry coming from you let him know just how desperate he got you already.  

‘Good girl.’

Tom kept moving, his thrusts becoming sloppy and less and less controlled, giving you more and more, his hot tip leaking, mixing his wetness with yours when he bumped into your clit making you see stars. Just before you could have gotten close he grabbed your hand and moved it from the way, guiding his tip inside of you with heavy pants, and the feeling of relief almost washed over you, but he stopped. With only his blunt cock head stretching you out he was franticly jerking of, moaning and praising you before he come. His hot, heavy load was shooting into you, filling up your pulsing, empty cunt.  

‘Fuck.’ Tom’s body finally relaxed, his hand gently milking his own cock, to empty himself completely inside of you. He pulled your panties back and pulled out, drops of his white release already painting your panties. ‘Look at you, wearing my cum in these pretty panties.’ You felt like you wanted to scream or cry with frustration in the state he left you, but a satisfied sigh betrayed you when he pulled the ruined fabric up and you felt the warm liquid spreading around your fucked out pussy. ‘Now, close your legs like a good girl, and if you behave, I’ll reward you tonight.’ Tom whispered onto your lips as he kissed you lazily, pulling your close, drawing shooting circles onto your hips.  

‘Thank you, Sir.’

Tagging:

@terrifictomholland, @we--are---not--afraid, @itstaskeen, @spideybrie,  @thegirlintheswivelchair @greenorangevioletgrass @squirrelsarescaryman, @duskholland, @sinisterspidey, @tomsrebeleyebrow, @hazofmyheart @worldoftom, @augustholland , @dreamsarecloserwithyou @frenchfrostpudding

[jiminrings]

petition for stem koo to do all the things for oc he originally said no one does (make her lunchboxes, makes her cheerful...) bc i think that’s a beautiful redemption arc

cold senior!y/n x stem major!koo masterlist :D

jungkook's day one of his redemption agenda doesn't go that well in the end

"namjoon!!! my man. got any updates for me?"

seokjin strolls coolly on the way to his office, hair slicked back and his dress shirt definitely missing more than a few buttons

what's head admin gonna do??? dress-code him???

fire him???? PLS HE'D BE BETTER OFF!!!!

jin makes student affairs his bitch,,, not the other way around

"for the last time, i am nOt your secretary!!" namjoon stresses as he ceases his typing just to glare at him

he's the university registrar and everyone needs to go through him and at this point he's like a historical landmark from how he's made impact in less than two years

and he and seokjin graduated from the same batch!!!! they're the uncanny always pair for the subjects they shared together

it was definitely weird but functional lol cause one is uptight yet hardworking and the other's relaxed yet smart

sue them for working in the same place they swore they'd never go back to after graduation </3

"if you say-"

"some kid's been waiting for you even before i opened the office. made him sit inside but i just told him that he'd be expelled if he even tries to touch your coffee machine."

namjoon says even before jin could finish the sentence, clearly holding that in until the last minute

jin's obviously a lil annoyed because he's starting work as early as now but the way that joon laid all that out on him is a highlight for him

"thanks. knew you're a secretary for me first and a registrar second."

"no. i'm a national citizen before-"

alright alright he's not listening anymore

this bETTER be important because jin has to hold out his morning routine for whoever this kid is

"what can i possibly do for you today?" he rubs his eyes in preparation, intentionally dragging his steps because just looking at how near he is to his work computer gives him vertigo

"mr. kim!!!"

no

there is no way

there is no fATHOMABLE way that this has got to be happening to seokjin right now

"..... jungkook. what a pleasure."

he sits on his chair, voice gritted and monotone and he could just feel his eye twitching, his clenched fist under his deck now flipping off the kid in secret

it's a last-minute realization that he grasps that jungkook doesn't know you're his friend and it presents some really unique vantage points

like the time that seokjin recounted about a ridiculous student's filing for theft of his lunchboxes and he turned out to be your crush

or when he used his student affairs capabilities and pulled up resources left and right when jungkook broke your heart then seriously contemplated about messing up his academic record

or that time when he delivered a high and sleepy you to bed and then heard the entire conversation (if you could even call it that) between yoongi and this fucking nerd

"i need your help, mr. kim. you're the closest one to me i could ask!!" jungkook pleads desperately, the big doe eyes not really inducing an effect on him whatsoever lmao

"mhmm. i may not be the person for the job. counseling is right next door."

jin hums without even attempting to get jungkook to elaborate because for all he knows, his services aren't exactly open for people who hurt his friends >:(

(a guy once bumped shoulders with yoongi twice on the same day with aTTITUDE!!! and seokjin just dismissed the dude's concerns when a prof of his, who's a buddy of jin's, suddenly gave him an F)

seokjin IS student affairs

“no, no. you’re the only one who can help me!! you see, i-i just feel this brotherly connection with you and-“

“we talked once.”

god what did you used to see in this kid??

a crybaby aND an easily-attached personality to him? god it’s like jungkook’s just asking jin to pick on him

jungkook doesn’t seem to pick up how jin’s making it obvious he really doesn’t want to be of help if it has something to do with him

he likes interrupting and jin’s just the perfect match to interrupt him even earlier so now they just sound like one of those dubsmash snippets

“MR. KIM!!! how do you make lunchboxes? i don't know how.”

jeez where are his manners :O aren’t nerds like him supposed to worship the ground that admins walk on,,,

but what did pique his attention is the content of what jungkook just said

.... lunchboxes?

jin doesn’t want to give the kid benefit of the doubt because the last time he did that, you got hurt!!!!

if he has to hear hyeji’s name one more time, he’d really waste no time in stripping jungkook’s name from the honor roll

“remember that time i thought someone was stealing my lunchboxes?” he quizzes jin like it’s his job, clueless how he’s poking the bear even more with where he decides to go with this, “yeah. turns out no one was.”

was that not made clear the first time around!!!!!! he knows for a fact that a uni student would trade a classmate for a pack of gum but nO ONE would go for stealing a lunchbox

no one wakes up one day and decides that they’d steal a lunchbox. literally none

“but then this random girl claimed that it was hers a-and well i-...”

kook pauses to gauge jin’s reaction, clearly seeing now the one brow that’s raised at him

oh so if jungkook just asked him how to make a lunchbox, and he called h-word random,,,, then that would mean-

“i may have hurt the original giver of my lunchboxes at the process.”

.... that means he’s asking how to make a lunchbox for you

well that was a pleasant surprise

seokjin snorts briefly at that, dryly chuckling with his eyes widening to stress out his “non-threat” that’s pretty mUCH a threat

“wow. i might just give you a sanction for that.”

does he think jungkook’s a good person? lol he has to think about that for a month

was he wrong for hurting you that way? ultimately yes

but did he think at some point that jungkook’s completely heartless and wouldn’t try to redeem himself to his senior? no, not completely

but is he still on your team, regardless if the kid begs for mercy and you forgive him? yea a hundred percent :D yoongi and seokjin could never be brought out from your circle

"and you're doing this why?"

this is a no-brainer question for jungkook but the question still spooks him, feeling the chills at his neck that responding to seokjin is like a sTEPPING STONE when it comes to you

lmao if only he knew

"i uh, i just really wanna make this right. i messed up completely and it's pretty much unforgivable, but i atleast wanna try and give my best even if she doesn't forgive me, y'know?"

interesting

"mhmm. right, right."

???

he's still mad but he appreciates that jeon's doing the bare minimum of redeeming himself

speaking of, the poor kid looks like he's pissing himself because he may have just embarrassed himself with how long the silence stretches out

maybe,,, just maybe jin's gonna try and be a bridge this time

but like as soon as jungkook lacks for a fourth of a second, seokjin would BURN that bridge faster than a blink

"well first of all, you buy a lunchbox."

RIGHT RIGHT

:O

jungkook grabs a literal pocket notebook and jin pretends he didn't see that because WHO the hell does that!!!!

"of course... okay, proceed!! i'm taking notes," jungkook nods in understanding, jotting down the very important advice of not ordering from online because you can't smell the material through a screen

p.s. smelling containers before you buy them is a VITAL thing to do!! it already tells you about the quality at the first sniff

"are you buying one?"

"buying one for every day of the week. i'm thinking if i should get extras too-

"good idea. i recommend buying eight."

alright seokjin's mentioning some very specific colors and schemes and jungkook's not complaining!!!

MAYBE HE'S ONTO SOMETHING!!!

"what meals should i make? i don't even know what she likes!! and even if i knew what, how would i make it?"

why is his heart racing

yoongi may have taught you how to do your taxes but jin taught you how to cook food that's more than four steps!!!

he taught you how to not flinch at all when you're frying and that's the equivalent of raising you to be the woman that you are now <3

look at him and yoongi being your best friends!! teaching you about taxes and being unnerved at cooking oil and busting out a smoke ring or two <3

in fact, the lunches you've cooked for jungkook are all inspired and derived by seokjin!!!

the fact that jungkook's plan isn't bad and the way everything pieces together with his insight,,,, goosebumps luv

"....hypothetically? what i think she'd like?"

jungkook eagerly nods with stars in his eyes, fingers gripping onto his pen for dear life as he tries to channel all his listening techniques into this lecture

"get a bigger notepad."

:O

wow

"look at you!!" yoongi gushes the moment he sees you, waiting at you from the front door

you're going back to your classes again :D

you don't look as worse as you did four days ago!! you're not as sluggish and as animated too

"please don't," you snort as yoongi doesn't seem to stop looking at you like you've saved the world, giving no fight when he insists on carrying your backpack to your first class of the day

the past four days,, yeah they were undoubtedly rough

you slept as much as you could and for the moments you weren't dejected enough to be awake, you spent it surrounding yourself with seokjin and yoongi as much as possible

that's the beauty of hanging out them!!! you're not required to have a single thought lmao

except for the time when yoongi wondered aloud how eels even live and die (or if they even do???) in the first place and that sent everyone in a spiral and you didn't think of jungkook for a single seconds

you're not intimidated to go back to regular programming or with the fact that it's nOT unlikely you'd see a glimpse of jungkook in the hall and such

but that does mean that even if you're the bigger person, you're still gonna avoid him for as long as you could

speaking of!!!! you're looking for the person now that you're eager to find

"taehyung!!"

there he is :D you'd recognize that fluffy mop of permed hair anywhere

"y/n!!"

tae jumps over chairs in excitement to finally see you again after being so worried for you, engulfing you in a hug immediately

alright you see why yoongi thinks he's a golden retriever

you're clearly not a touchy-feely person but you'd let this one pass,, tae helped you (even indirectly) throughout your downtime anyways

"thank you so much for the cookies. i tried taking smaller bites just because i didn't wanna have them disappear that easy," you confess sheepishly, knowing how you had to pull the i just got my heart broken like two days ago multiple times so the two menaces would stop stealing from your stash

:D

jungkook's excited!!!! seokjin may have given him a tip that "he felt it in his gut" that you were gonna go to class today

he came a little late because he wanted to perfect the very loaded lunchbox that's in his backpack right now

oh weird

you're not in your usual chair

bUT jungkook sees a glimpse of your hair and he's certain that you're there and his heart may be beating out of his ribcage

a baby peach lunchbox with a sticker (of what seokjin said he thought you'd like) on the middle of the lid :D

pork katsudon with furikake rice aND coffee jelly pudding on the side!!! it was definitely pressure-racking to strictly adhere to jin's recipe but god does it look worth it

jungkook's only did miniature taste tests on it and he had to stop himself from devouring the lunch that he's made specifically for you

the lunchbox itself is tied neatly with a silk wrap, adding his touch of sewing your name visibly on it aND there's a scribble taped to the lid too

god jungkook really can't wait to make it up to you

sheesh that was one of THEE longest lectures you've ever felt you had

it was actually the same amount of time it's always been but maybe you've been out of practice from just staying at your dorm for days

tae's great company but he could be a little bit chatty!!! you just nod when you feel his voice go up and he apparently gets excited by that easily

.... he apparently also has a small bladder and he told you that within the whole hour of class

"hold on. i gotta pee before next period. go without me!!!' taehyung hurriedly slings his backpack to his arm, looking ridiculous in a rush

tae's sometimes unintentionally funny because you don't even share next period anyways

you're on your way to the exit when a shiny scarf catches the corner of your eye, having to squint at it because wow does it look pretty

is that-

is that your nAME???

you pick it up before you could even rationalize it, realizing then what it was wrapping when you feel the warmth on your hands

:")

"sorry i forgot my headband!!!"

taehyung stumbles back into the room, catching his breath to run back to his seat and fetch the headband he took from his hair to play with awhile ago

he looks shocked to see what's on your hands, flicking his gaze between you and the item but he doesn't think much of it

wOW that's a really shiny scarf!!!

"tae?"

"hmm yeah? what's up?"

he's about to jog back to the comfort room because he hasn't really relieved himself yet, not bearing to leave his headband in the room when anyone could snatch it up

you raise your lunchbox, a thankful gaze on your eyes that looks so close to crying which is why tae's mORE than lost now

"thanks for the lunch."

..

.....

jungkook could only helplessly watch.

[thiswasinevitableid]

for the meet ugly asks, 08 with the ot4 if that’s ok? (the note in the locker one, in case I have the wrong number). rating up to you! :)

Here you go! I went NSFW

Joseph is not missing his chance. Not again.

If he’s keeping count, which he’s certainly not, he’s missed fifty-two chances between fifth grade and now.

Barclay’s family moved next door in the summer of 1951, causing eleven year old Joseph to learn very quickly what it’s like to have someone whose side you never want to leave. Lucky for him, Barclay felt the same way; they were in the same boyscout troop, were each others first choice for sleep overs or outings where they were allowed to take one friend. When they hit high school, Barclay went out for football because Joseph did (and Joseph did because that’s what upstanding young men do). They played together all four years, Barclays growth spurt rendering him doubly dangerous on defense and the dominant source of Joseph’s late-night fantasies. Joseph did debate club alone, but Barclay joined him for chess club. And when Barclay bought his car, his first stop was to take Joseph cruising, just the two of them.

Unluckily, Joseph’s never worked up the nerve to tell Barclay how he feels. This may be why he hasn’t had a date since the spring hop two years ago, while Barclay’s had quite a few (cheerleaders and band boys alike can’t seem to resist his physique and general gentleness).

That all changes today. Joseph slipped a note into Barclays locker right before lunch that conveyed all relevant information.

Dear you,

Drive in on Friday? We can park in the back row.

Love,

Joseph.

He’s sitting in his normal spot on the bench near the cafeteria, doing his best impersonation of someone who’s heart isn’t in his throat.

As he’s scanning the crowd, none other than Duck Newton begins weaving his way over to him, leather jacket reflecting the sun and his black hair combed back as always. Joseph was wary of him for years--as any good square is of kids from the rough side of town--until they got paired together in biology their senior year. Duck, who seems not to give a shit about school the rest of the time, is incredibly good at science. And he’s funny, nearly got them both kept after class for cracking a joke that made Joseph lose his breath laughing.

The problem is, right now he’s waving a very familiar piece of paper.

“Gotta say, I’m pretty fuckin flattered, Joe. But, uh” he leans on the table, smiling playfully, “I gotta make sure ‘Drid is okay with me playin backseat bingo with someone who ain’t him.”

“Um.” Joseph shakes his head, trying not to focus on the idea of Duck holding his head in his lap in the dark corner of the drive in, “I, I’m so sorry. I must have been nervous enough to put the note in the wrong locker. Not, not that you’re not a catch.”

Duck raises his eyebrow, “1650 or 1652?”

“1652.”

“Huh. Well, I got shop class with Barclay. You want me to just give it to him?”

“No.” Joseph holds out his hand.

Duck places the letter in it with a shrug, “Suit yourself, slick. See you later.”

Joseph rips the letter to shreds, tosses it in the trash, and hopes that’s the end of this humiliating error.

It’s not.

“Hello, Joseph.” Indrid Cold rests a shoulder on the locker next to his. There’s no one in Kepler High quite like him; his family moved from California three years ago, which most people use as the explanation for Indrid’s red glasses, crystal necklace, and pale hair that is always a quarter-inch shy of the principal writing him up for it. He’s never struck Joseph as the kind to fight, but he did mistakenly proposition his boyfriend three hours ago.

“Indrid. How can I help you?”

The taller boy hands him a folded slip of notebook paper, “By taking me up on this invitation.”

Before Joseph can ask any questions, Indrid is disappearing down the hall. The paper contains a hand drawn map to an X, under which is the word “Bash” but nothing else. Joseph has never been invited to any kind of party that needed a secret map. He mostly just gets invited to get togethers because he’s the captain of the football team. No one talks to him once he’s there. Well, except Barclay.

He stares at the map; he doesn’t have to be home until ten. He’s never going to get a chance to make the scene like this again.

Joseph shuts his locker and hurries to his car.

------------------------------------------------------

Indrid’s remarkably accurate map leads him to a dirt parking lot beneath the sign for Amnesty Point. As he follows the signs for the “beach house,” a Coaster’s song drifts through the air, underscored by splashes from the lake to his right. He’s deep in the woods on the wrong side of the tracks, but even so he’s unprepared for how everyone lounging around the weathered picnic tables on a shaded patio stops talking and stares at him.

“Who the fuck invited the square?” Someone whispers, making him wish he hadn’t left the map in the car.

“Joseph?”

He turns so fast the gravel flies. Barclay, clad in a grease-stained apron, is smiling so bright it evaporates his nervousness.

“Hi, big guy.”

His friend hoists him in a hug, “I’m so glad you’re here, Indrid said he invited you but I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“He piqued my curiosity. Um, is this the new job you were so cagey about?”

“Yep. Mama--she runs this place--pays real well, but tries to keep Amnesty Point kinda secret. Cops just love busting places like this up for no reason.”

Joseph nods, still a little hurt Barclay didn’t trust him enough to share where he worked. His friend must notice the dip in his smile before he hides it, because he adds, “It’s gonna be even better working here now that you know where to find me. Listen, um, I gotta get back before Jake sets something on fire, but the burger stand closes at eight. I’ll come find you after that. Duck and Indrid are down by the dock, if you want company.”

He absolutely does, since the alternative is looking even more out of place by being the only person here alone.

When he hits the grey sand, Duck is just pulling himself back onto dry land. The half moon scars on his chest are the only reminders of the trip he took to San Francisco last summer.

“Glad you showed up, slick. Day like this, the water is the only nice place to be.”

“I wish I’d known, I would have brought my swim shorts.” Maybe if he rolls up his pant legs he can get some relief from the heat…

“Could just go in your boxers. I won’t tell.” Duck winks.

“Nothing is also allowed.” Indrid lilts, floating past on his back.

Joseph looks at him, then at the planks of the dock because Indrid is also demonstrating that second option without a care.

Duck snickers, “sugar, put somethin on, you’re scandalizin’ the poor guy.”

“Very well. But I demand help with the sunblock in payment for quashing my self-expression this way.”

“You’re soundin like your pops there, ‘Drid.”

“....ugh, you’re right.” A splash and the soft fwup of a towel, “alright, Joseph, I’m decent.” He is, but his swim shorts leave very little to the imagination. Joseph stares a moment too long, notices Duck smirking when he looks away.

The greaser holds out a bottle of sunblock and they get to work.

“Goddamn, this wouldn’t take so long if you weren’t so fuckin long everywhere.”

“You’ve never complained about that before.” Indrid grins, red sunglasses hiding his eyes. He doesn’t lift a finger to help them, but Duck seems to get a kick from it. Joseph wonders if he spoils Indrid like this in everything they do. If Indrid ever does it back.

(If either of them would do it for him).

They spend the evening talking, Duck skipping stones and Indrid sunning himself while Joseph dangles his legs in the water. When they get back to the beach house Joseph receives fewer stares, Duck and Indrid’s company substituting for cool. He and Duck get a real dinner, but Indrid opts to down three Cokes in place of a meal.

When Barclay closes up shop, he’s immediately at Joseph’s side. Joseph is about to suggest they all go for a walk when Indrid winks at Barclay and steers Duck towards the trees with a promise to see Joseph at school tomorrow.

“You get on okay while I was working?” Barclay starts them on a path towards the edge of the point.

“I did. It was actually really nice just to spend time talking with people who like me. Or at least don’t hate me enough to shove me in the water fully clothed.”

“Nah, they’re not those kind of guys. Hell, it was their idea to invite you here. I was, uh, I was too shy.”

He stops, turning to face Barclay, “what do mean?”

“Duck told me about the note.”

“Oh lord.”

“Not on purpose, he just mentioned he’d seen you and when I asked how you were doing, well, you know he can’t lie for shit. So Indrid suggested we invite you out here.”

“Out of pity?”

“No.” Barclay frowns, sets his hands on Joseph’s shoulders, “Joseph, why didn’t you just ask me out in person?”

“I was too nervous. I thought it might ruin everything.”

“Not a chance, blue eyes.” Barclay rumbles. Then he’s kissing him, gentle and slow, whimpering when Joseph kisses back and cups his face. When they part, he’s certain there’s nothing but air under his feet.

“Can we do that again?”

“Not tonight. Your curfew is still ten.”

“Shit, you’re right, if I don’t get on the road I’ll be late.”

“Lemme walk you to your car. I gotta hang around since I’m Indrid and Duck’s ride home tonight.”

“Do you want to go get them so we can all leave together?”

Barclay chuckles, tips his head towards the woods where a faint, rhythmic grunting cane be heard.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, not gonna ruin their fun.” He pulls Joseph into a much more heated kiss, then sighs, “get home safe, blue eyes.”

---------------------------------------------------------

Joseph suffered through both the personal hygiene class at school and his father’s lecture on what to expect now that he was truly a man. But nothing in either of those taught him what to do if he’s so hot under the collar he can’t focus but the guy who’s causing it won’t just fuck him.

He and Barclay have gone out every Friday for the last month, steaming up the car windows with their kissing sessions. They tried to work out who was supposed to give who their varsity jacket and settled on just trading, Joseph smiling whenever he spots Barclays name on his back. And Barclay tells everyone Joseph is his boyfriend with a level of pride he never gave their state football wins.

But he won’t go all the way with him. One Sunday afternoon they were listening to records in Barclays room when the larger boy rolled across the rug to straddle Joseph. His hands were hot and a little rough on his cock, Joseph moaning into his mouth as he came in under a minute. Before he could reciprocate, the front door banged open, announcing the return of Barclay’s parents. His boyfriend told him not to worry about it and kissed him on the cheek.

He’s worried Barclay loves him but doesn’t want him. He’s worried that if he ever does, Joseph will embarrass himself, be so inexperienced and inelegant he’ll turn him off forever. He wonders if he can entice Barclay to ask him to fuck so he doesn’t have to admit the embarssing intensity of his desire.

“Duck? Do you, um, do you think I’d look better if I dressed like you?”

The greaser looks up from his notes, “Maybe? I mean, I dress like this because I dig it. You wanna try it, go wild.”

Joseph nods, intending to drop it. Instead, he slows his stride by Duck during their laps in gym.

“It’s just, I’m worried I’m too square for anyone to be really into me.”

“Joe, what the fuck is this about?”

“Newton, I heard that! That’s an extra lap.”

“Son of uh, hold on, are you worried about Barclay? Because he’s so into your goody-goody thing I’m surprised he ain’t asked you to fuck him with your report card.”

“Stern, you’re done, get off the track!”

He jogs to the bleachers, Duck’s words rattling around long after he’s hit the locker room.

“You’re really worried about this, ain’t you? You’re smart, slick, but I swear sometimes you can’t see what’s right in front of you.” Duck is behind him, still in his gym clothes while Joseph is half changed out of them. They’re both dawdling, the locker room empty save for some other stragglers near the bathroom.

“Duck, if I were in high demand, I’d be getting more, um, attention than I-”

His sentence is cut short by Duck yanking him down into a kiss, lips salty with sweat and so demanding Joseph wants to get on his knees.

Duck pulls back, pats his cheek, “Like I said; right in front of you.”

With that he waves and leaves the room the back way. Joseph can’t even be mad for cutting school; right now, he’s almost ready to follow him.

-------------------------------------------------

“I really must thank you again.” Indrid clears the low table of his math notes, “my focus is such that I struggle with math much more than I’d like. Having someone sit and walk me through it in a calm setting helps a great deal.”

“I’m always happy. Barclay can too, if you ever can’t get a hold of me.”

“Oh, I know he can. He helped me last year.” Indrid stretches his legs; they’re on the floor of his VW Westfalia. His parents let him live in it on the property behind their one-story house as long as he continues to be a cooperative member of the household.

“I didn’t know that.”

“It was only a few times, though he often lingered when we were through.” Indrid’s emphasis makes Joseph blush.

“Duck and I weren’t going steady yet. And my cocksucking skills are not the stuff of legend for nothing.” Indrid smiles, dreamily.

“Oh. Um.” Joseph shifts his notebook into his lap.

Indrid sits up straighter, “I apologize. I, ah, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“I’m not sure that’s what this is.”

Indrid cocks his head, “No? Envy perhaps? After all, you’ve had years to dream about him, to hope you’d be the first, and here comes a skinny little freak from the coast to beat you to it.”

“You’re not a freak” Joseph says softly, “I, I can’t say I blame Barclay for taking you up on it.”

“He does have excellent taste” Indrid looks pointedly over his glasses at him. The heat under his skin doubles as Indrid crawls forward, “you know, Duck and I have an...understanding. But if you and Barclay do not, I can stop. I mean, I can stop regardless, if you don’t want this.” He lowers to his belly between Joseph’s legs, nuzzles his fly with a hum.

“I, I--ohlord” He moans when Indrid mouths at his slacks; he’s getting hard, if he had his way he’d lay down and let Indrid suck him off until he came on his glasses. But he knows he won’t enjoy it if he isn’t sure how Barclay feels.

“I, we should stop. Please.”

Indrid sits up, smiling, “Of course. Would you like to stay for dinner? My mother is making fish stew instead of tofu salad for once.”

“...I’d love to.”

---------------------------------------------

“I didn’t know Amnesty owned all this.” Joseph let’s Barclay guide him through the trees.

“Yeah, Mama’s family bought it years ago and she’s hung onto it through some seriously nasty shit. Hah, there they are.” Barclay waves to Duck and Indrid, resting against each other on a massive, checkered blanket. His boyfriend sets the picnic basket down and then, confusingly, turns off the lantern Duck brought.

“Okay, baby, there’s something I’ve got to ask” Barclay looks at him, “do you think I don’t wanna make it with you?”

“Truthfully? Yes. You, you’ve barely gone beyond some heavy petting, meanwhile Indrid was offering to blow me.” He slaps a hand over his mouth; there go all three of these relationships.

Barclay shrugs, “He told me about that.”

“Honesty is important. Most of the time.” Indrid grins.

“Blue eyes, I’m crazy about you. I’ve just been going slow because I was afraid I’d stress you out. I know how you get, Joseph. You put so much pressure on yourself to do everything right, I was worried you’d try so hard to be perfect for me that you wouldn’t enjoy it at all.”

Joseph stares into deep brown eyes, eyes he’s loved since he was a boy. Then he laughs softly, rests his head on Barclay’s shoulder, “You really do know me well, you know that.”

“Oh, oh baby” Barclay holds him closer, “you really think there was a way of touching me that’d disappoint me? Fuck, just getting to kiss you makes me the happiest guy in the state.”

“That being said” Duck drawls, “aint there somethin about practice makin perfect?”

“I, are, is this really what you three want?”

“Yes” Indrid nods, “but if you don’t, well, we shall never speak of it again.”

“I do. Sweet fucking christ I do.” He kisses Barclay ferociously as the other two scoot closer.

“Hmm, I believe we should let seniority decide. Barclay, what’s your preference?”

His boyfriend pulls back, kissing his jaw, “Do you wanna blow me, blue eyes?”

“So badly.”

“That settles that. Duck, what about--ah, I see you’re already taking off your pants, so I guess you’re fucking hm. He’s fucking you? Ah, semantics.” Indrid waves his hand dismissively.

“Wait, does, do we have a rubber?”

Duck pulls one from his wallet, “never leave to see this one without one. I know how he is.”

Indrid pecks his cheek, then grins, “I believe, Joseph, that leaves me to help you with your hand jobs.”

“Fuck, yes.”

“On your back, baby.” Barclays nudges him and he falls onto the blanket. For a moment only the trees and stars look down on him; then Barclays face fills his vision as his hands open his fly and guide his cock out.

“AHshit, shit that’s good.” He bucks as his boyfriend jerks him off steadily, his cock standing at attention in a matter of seconds.

“Okay big fella, you go get your dick sucked.” Duck straddles him. He’s down to only his undershirt, his muscular thighs, soft belly, and strong arms on full displays as he rolls the condom down.

“You’re so handsome” Joseph sighs.

Duck seems to blush, “Thanks, slick. Not bad yourself.”

“I mean it, really, you’re incredible” he paws his legs, grabs his shirt and pulls him down into the kiss. Duck giggles into his mouth, then sinks down onto his cock. Joseph decides he is never, never letting go of the man above him; his weight is so comforting, his body so perfect, the way his laughs morph into moans so charming.

“G-great thing about this position” Duck gasps, “is you don’t gotta do much besides let me ride you. That’s why it’s ‘Drid’s favorite.”

“Second favorite; you on my face is my first. Speaking of which” he kneels, gently lifts Joseph’s head into his hands while Barclay sits cross-legged on the other side of his head. His cock is thick and long, so mouthwatering Joseph opens his mouth without being told.

“Fuck, baby, wanted this so long.” Barclay guides his cock between his lips when Indrid turns his head. The skinnier man keeps supporting him as his tongue registers skin, sweat, Barclay and he whines for more.

“Easy, blue eyes, fuck, you’re doing great.”

“I’ll say. Fuck, can’t believe you been keepin this dick all to yourself, Joe.”

“I got my haAAnds on it once.”

“Clearly you should have done it more” Indrid purrs, hips moving slightly, “as soon as someone plays with it, he sucks cock very nicely.”

“No fuckin kiddin. Baby, baby, yeah, suck like that.”

Indrid shifts behind him, “Barclay, hold him a moment, there’s been a change of plans.” A zipper goes as Barclay cradles him. Then Indrid’s fingers are back, turning him to face a second, narrower cock.

“Handjobs can wait.” Indrid pulls him forward, moaning high when he sucks the head, “oooh, yes, that’s it.”

“Fuck, I’m gonna fuckin combust watchin you do that.” Duck bounces more deliberately and Joseph yelps joyfully around Indrid’s cock. He’s already close to cumming, the feeling of Duck around him and Indrid inside him flooding the rest of him with pleasure.

Indrid pulls his head back, starts to turn him towards Barclays, when it punches through him. He moans, pushes up into Duck as the shorter man laughs.

“I, I came first, I’m sorry, this is one of the things-”

“Shush” Barclay helps him up as Duck climbs of him, “that was fucking incredible, and you’re not done yet.”

“On your knees, facing us. Unless, sweetheart, do you-”

Duck’s hand is already between his legs, “I’m gonna enjoy the show.”

“Mmm, which means I get to enjoy you enjoying it. Barclay, turn slightly, like this.”

“Why, oh, oh I got it, fuck, you’re a fucking genius.”

Joseph agrees, though he’s going a bit cross-eyed. So he closes them, lets first Indrid and then Barclay press their cock into his mouth. It’s a stretch, his jaw aching instantly, but it’s the best he’s ever felt. They can’t push more than the heads in, so he concentrates on sucking and licking, pre-cum collecting on his tongue and spit seeping down his chin. Duck grunts behind him, offering running commentary on Indrid’s appearance and Joseph's voice. Barclay shoves both hands into his hair while Indrid keeps one on his cock.

“Fuck, fuck, Joseph, baby, this is fucking aces, gonna paint your whole fucking stomach white.”

“Ahnnn, agreed” Indrid pants, “your mouth was made for this, ohyes, that’s it, mmm, this is even better, feeling your cock against mine dearest, oh, oh” Indrid cums, bitterness hitting his tongue, and when he tries to swallow he gasps and gags instead.

“Fuck” Barclay grunts and then another burst of cum fills his mouth. He gasps for air as they pull out, sending some down his chin. He wipes ineffectively at it with the back of his hand.

“Here” Duck, underwear back on, cleans his lips with a napkin.

“Th-thank you.”

“Of course.” Duck kisses him as Indrid flops on his belly and Barclay curls his arms around Joseph.

“Gotta say, blue eyes, don’t think you got anything to worry about when it comes to making it good for me. Or, uh, us.”

“No, I don’t think I do.” Joseph rests against him, then jolts up, “shit, what time is it?”

“Ten.”

“Shit!”

“Don’t worry” Indrid nestles next to his knees, “we’ll say I had car trouble and you two came to my aid.”

Joseph relaxes back among his boyfriends, “Good call. Just, um, don’t let Duck talk?”

“Only if I get an extra kiss for keepin my mouth shut.”

“Deal.”

[tiredcowpoke]

TITLE: Of Waters PAIRING: Arthur Morgan/Reader REQUEST: I had a couple people wish for a follow up to my other college/university au, “Of Lines”, so here we are.  WARNINGS: Some angst, mentions of cheating (in reader’s past, not on each other.)  NOTE: I hope this holds up to expectations. lol Also, I’m sorry for the quiet, between a wedding and university starting this week, I wanted to get something out before things really pick up. Again, the reader can be seen as gender neutral as there isn’t a focus on it. 

It was starting to eat you up a bit.

It hadn’t been so present in the beginning, sharing the friendly, albeit awkward messages to figure out where you both wanted to eat for that first date. You both had settled on some sort of little diner in the city--homey and relaxed, decent food. There had been an inkling in the back of your mind during that whole meal, something that tried to scratch at the surface of your mind, but you had pushed it down.

It had been nice, relaxed. It was a little odd to see Arthur outside of the office and what little memories you still had of him in the classroom, but he seemed more at ease at that table in that lightly populated diner. You two had settled on some sort of breakfast for dinner thing, picking at a skillet as you both exchanged little tidbits of stories about your lives. No work, no past relationships.

You knew he could have easily broken into that, and you knew you would have to address the lingering anxieties about how your last one had ended. Yet, it had just been the first date, so you let those topics lay.

Arthur managed to surprise you with his humor and the odd story about the people he used to live with, something you wished you could have matched, but you had to argue that you hadn’t lived the most interesting life. Still, things were nice, and you knew you were at least pretty interested in seeing where this would end up.

Though, with the end of the break and classes picking back up, it left room for those drops of doubt to sink in.

With the semester picking back up at the university, it was easy just to let things lay where they were. Arthur was pretty good about leaving his home life out of the office hour you two shared, at least when it came to you. There was the odd lingering touch when you would pass by each other, or a look you’d share, but nothing that would seem unprofessional should anybody walk into the room.

Going out together had been getting a little more complicated, juggling the approaching end of the semester. Projects needed to be marked, lectures that needed to be wrapped up. Still, you managed to share lunches, sneak in a second date, a third. All the while, the unexplored thoughts and doubts seemed to get heavier the more you saw of him.

It wasn’t fair, the way you were starting to compare.

You hadn’t thought about your ex in years, that whole situation put in the past with time but you hadn’t really addressed the pain that lingered. You knew Arthur couldn’t possibly be beyond the effects of his divorce only a couple months out from it, and with those two things lingering, it made the whole situation a lot more complicated in your head.

It made your stomach twist in guilt over the idea of Arthur being a cheater, yet there was always that worry in the back of your mind. If his ex-wife started to miss him, if she changed her mind, you couldn’t help but worry that this whole thing was him just trying to fill a hole until he realized he didn’t need you anymore.

Christ, you hated thinking like that, but it was hard not to.

Yet, all of that seemed to just bubble just below the surface when you both had managed to find a day and time to have dinner at his home.

It was a first for you, the both of you tending to keep to rather public spaces and restaurants. It had your gut twisting somewhat with everything had been piling up, along with stress from work. Still, you tried to push that down for the moment as you approached the home, Arthur greeting you at the door after a couple knocks before letting you inside.

He had a decent house, much as you tried not to judge too much on that. The space did seem a little bare, but you could see bits of clutter and pieces of his own taste. Considering what had happened with him recently, you couldn’t really expect much more than that anyway. The thought had you somewhat tense, feeling those thoughts starting to push forward somewhat. You really should just let him into your head a bit at this point, tell him what’s going on and your concerns.

Still, it was hard to bring up, making you further distract yourself as you looked around his home somewhat while making some small talk.

However, you paused as you came across a small book open on the desk near the hall. You had been ready to dismiss it as some assignment he was looking at before you noticed it stuck in a whole book. It looked to be some sort of park landscape filling one page and spilling out onto the next.

Yet, you didn’t get to examine it all that closely when you heard a small chuckle from behind you.

“Ah, Christ, I forgot I left that out,” Arthur muttered, stepping by you to scoop it up from the table as he flipped it closed, “Don’t usually let people see my drawin’s, at least not unless I’m usin’ them as some piss poor example.”

“You use your own art as examples but call them ‘piss poor’?” you asked, turning to glance back toward him as Arthur shrugged lightly.

“Eh...usually just show the odd one to prove I’m not talkin’ out my ass,” he returned, tucking the sketchbook into a drawer.

“Well, sorry for looking,” you said, “It’s good, though.”

“Well...thanks,” he muttered, sounding much more like he was just saying so to move on from the moment instead of taking the genuine compliment. “Don’t worry ‘bout it, I left it out.”

“If it means anything, seeing that makes me believe you had more of a right to being rough on me when I was in your class,” you continued around a soft chuckle, earning another in return when he turned back around.

“...I gotta be honest, I don’t remember what you submitted to me.”

“Well, gee, thanks!” you returned around a small laugh, raising your voice in (somewhat) mock offence.

“No, no, c’mon, you can’t tell me you remember every essay you’ve ever graded,” he returned, at least picking up on the lighthearted tone behind your response as you let out a soft exhale.

“...Not unless there is something particularly special about it, I guess,” you relented, “I’ll have to see if I can find my final project again, might see if I can get a more recent opinion.”

“Well, I’d just be bias now.”

“You weren’t back then?”

“I don’t know where you got the impression that I hated you,” he said, the touch of a grin on his face but you could see a touch of genuine curiosity in his gaze as you let out a small huff.

“...Maybe I was looking into things a little too personally,” you returned, glancing down as you placed a hand against the dinner table, “Though, you did kick me in the teeth a couple times.”

“Back then, you probably weren’t the only one,” he said with a small shrug.

“You have mellowed out over the years,” you returned, causing him to glance up at you.

Really, it was hard to miss the warm feeling that settled in you, despite the teasing, something that had become all the more common the more you saw of him outside of work. You found a small grin touching your face, tilting your head somewhat.

“Though, you could make that up to me,” you continued, not too sure where the burst of courage came from, but it was on the mark enough that you saw the shift in his expression. Something softer, an expression that put a small flutter to your stomach, growing hunger aside.

Yet, as he seemed like he was about to say something, the moment was broken by a couple of quick knocks on the front door.

It wasn’t hard to miss the tightening of Arthur’s brow as he glanced toward it, confusion setting for a few moments before a look of realization crossed his expression. He shut his eyes tightly for a moment, pressing his lips into a thin line before letting out a whispered curse that wasn’t hard to miss from where you were standing.

“I, uh--I’m sorry, hang on.”

You lingered back as Arthur headed toward the door, letting out a small breath as you ran a hand through your hair and glanced around yourself somewhat awkwardly. You could see Arthur digging something out of a drawer near the front room, and you found yourself taking a couple of steps forward despite yourself as he removed what looked to be a folder--some papers.

Realization took a moment to dawn on you as he moved to open the front door, hearing a woman’s voice as Arthur greeted her and exchanged a few words. You let out a small sigh through your nose, almost wanting to laugh.

Of course this was happening right now.

“Well, now ain’t really the best time for--” you heard Arthur start to explain before he shifted back.

“--Oh, it will only take a moment, Arthur. Please.”

You stiffened as the woman at the door stepped into the house, glancing around herself a moment before stilling when her eyes landed on you. She was a pretty woman, dark hair piled up on her head, the folder Arthur previously had in her hands as she looked you over a moment before offering a small, somewhat stiff smile.

“...I didn’t know you had company,” she said, glancing back toward Arthur, the look lingering a moment. It caused you to let out a slow exhale, glancing down as you shifted somewhat on your feet.

“That’s why I was sayin’ this ain’t the best time,” Arthur returned, the tension in his voice and between the three of you really not all that hard to miss.

“I see,” she returned with a soft nod, glancing back toward you, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I guess I’ll come by tomorrow for all of that, then?”

She had glanced back toward Arthur near the end of that, causing him to nod and give her a quiet ‘sure’ before she glanced back toward you to give you another tight grin, almost apologetic before she turned to exit back out of the door. She and Arthur shared a quiet word before he closed the door behind her, Arthur not turning to face you for a few moments as he ran a hand across his mouth a moment.

“This is my fault,” he said, turning to glance back toward you, “Completely slipped my mind she was comin’ by today, wouldn’t have had you comin’ over so early if I had remembered.”

“It’s...it’s fine,” you returned, taking in a slow breath as he moved back toward you, gesturing toward the table.

“Dinner’ll still be a bit, but feel free to make yourself comfortable.”

You gave him a small nod. Really, the whole interaction had been short, but it was hard to not feel tense with how tense Arthur had become. Separating himself from you by heading into the kitchen, it had broken whatever warm bubble that you had been wrapped up in and it was a hard feeling to shake.

                                                            ***

Dinner really would have been nice, had it not been reduced down to small talk and awkward silence. You had been ready to just set aside the earlier hiccup and have a nice night with him, but Arthur had locked himself up and you could only feel yourself distancing from him in light of it. Really, it had you just eating what you could and trying not to keep an eye on the clock, your stomach tightening as the thoughts lingering in the back of your mind started to circle.

You really think dating a recently divorced man is a good idea? His ex shows up and now he can’t even look at you.

You’re just setting yourself up for failure again. If he can’t handle a quick conversation with his ex and continue this, you really shouldn’t even be in it.

“I’m sorry,” Arthur said, his voice pulling you momentarily from the spiral that was happening in your head, “Christ. I didn’t want tonight goin’ like this.”

“It’s…It’s fine--or, I don’t know. Maybe we can…” Just leave. “I don’t know. Shit.”

Finally, that small anxious part of you managed to get its claws into your head, causing you to stand abruptly from the table. All you really knew was how to avoid, you could think clearly if you were just left alone. You caught the somewhat surprised look at crossed Arthur’s face at the action, raising from his chair as you found your things. You heard Arthur saying your name, trying to get your attention, but it was hard to focus.

Though, you paused as the weight of his hand on your shoulder stopped you from just bolting for the door.

“C’mon, it doesn’t have to be this, alright?” he said, causing you to shake off his hand somewhat. Much as you could turn to leave, you knew you had to say something, yet…

“I don’t know if I can do this again,” you said, letting out a shaky breath.

“Do what?” he asked, his brows tightening in confusion as you waved your hand somewhat.

“This,” you said, looking over at him as you dropped your hand back down. You knew you should stop the words, but you could feel your thoughts starting to race and tumble out.

“I can’t keep doing this,” you continued with a bitter laugh, “Getting into relationships with people who eventually just...move on to greener pastures, should they even tell me. That or it’ll be through odd articles of clothing or unexplained hotel bills.”

“The hell’re you insinuatin’’?” Arthur snapped, pulling you into the moment to realize what you had just said. “You think I’m gonna cheat on you?”

“No. No, I…” you paused, that sinking feeling in your gut tightening as you could feel your heart start to hammer away in your chest. “This isn’t coming out right at all. I just...Christ, Arthur, you see your ex for a couple minutes and you can’t even look at me for the rest of the night.”

That got some silence from him, Arthur’s expression tightening with the anger from what you had said and a hurt that touched his gaze that told you more than you needed to know. You really didn’t want to hurt him, not like this, yet…

“I...I’m sorry to waste the dinner, but I’m going to go,” you said after a moment.

Arthur didn’t say anything outside of letting out a low sound from his throat, not stopping you as you turned back around and opened the door to make your way back out toward your car in the evening’s darkness.

You knew you would have to settle the tightness in your chest and shaking in your hands before you could make the drive back home.

                                                             ***

Really, it had completely slipped your mind that you would have to deal with this throughout the week. It wasn’t just some bad weekend date, no you had to sit with him in a room for the same hour for a couple days.

A workplace romance, another great idea.

As expected, there was tension as soon as the beginning of the week rolled around. Short greetings with minimal eye contact, trying to work in silence with his presence lingering at your back like he was sitting back-to-back with you. Really, you had turned the whole event over and over in your head, kicking yourself for your reaction, still seeing that damn expression on his face. There was a part of you that wanted to apologize, at least for not explaining your worries better or running off like you did. However, you couldn’t quite seem to find the words and if Arthur was having the same struggle, he was being pretty quiet about it.

Still, with how things were at the university, it was easy to throw yourself into your work. Really, you could at least pride yourself on how well you managed to keep it together, you didn’t want a repeat of a couple years ago when personal issues pushed into your work life. Still, it was always there during that hour when you didn’t have questions to field and the nights with no messages or phone calls.

However, you knew this whole thing would have to be addressed eventually.

Much as there was a part of you that wanted to just bottle everything, file it under another reason as to why you shouldn’t get into another relationship. Yet, you knew you wanted this. There was a part of you that couldn’t deny the hopefulness you felt upon pushing beyond the friendliness of colleagues, even of friends, and yet...well, you were scared.

You just needed to talk to him, it was just waiting for a good opportunity or making it yourself.

Still, a week of the distance seemed to pass despite your resolve to sort that out. A couple times you had thought about cornering him during quieter moments, but you couldn’t be sure someone wouldn’t walk in on however that would go. Plus, he had work to do as well, the both of you seeming to deal with the awkwardness in similar ways. However, eventually you managed to find your chance at the university’s car park one evening after you had lingered behind to work on some semester end papers.

You saw him making his way toward his truck as you did toward your own car, watching him for a moment with a small, anxious flutter in your chest before you paused.

“Arthur?”

He stopped at the sound of your voice, hand resting against the lip of his truck’s trunk as he turned to glance back toward you. The expression on his face was...impassive, you supposed. It was better than angry or irritated, much like you feared it might have been, or it would be quick to shift into.

“You need somethin’?” Well, perhaps he was a little more bitter than you had been thinking.

“Yeah…” you started, walking closer to him as you let out a small sigh, “We need to talk.”

“What about?”

“I think you know,” you stated, trying to keep some frustration from your tone. Perhaps not at him, but born out of the tightness in your chest.

Arthur watched you for a few moments before he glanced away to look around the rather empty car park, tapping his fingers against the metal of his truck.

“Was under the impression there wasn’t anythin’ to talk about,” he said, glancing back toward you with an indifferent expression, “You said you couldn’t do this, so I figured that was it.”

“...I know what I said,” you replied around a small sigh, crossing your arms as you glanced down toward your feet. “It was...childish how I handled that. I shouldn’t have ran off instead of saying what I really meant. I’m sorry I implied that you would be anything like my other partner, that wasn’t right.”

“...That whole dinner was a damn mess,” Arthur replied around a sigh, leaning back against the side of his truck. “Guess Mary showin’ up just...threw everythin’ back in my face. Everythin’ I was doin’.”

“What I…” you started, pausing a moment as you bit the side of your cheek a moment as you tried to find the right words, ignoring how what he was saying was speaking heavily into the doubt you had been carrying. “What I was trying to say was that...I guess I’m scared to be doing this whole thing again. Dating, letting someone in close again. There’s my whole trust issue with that, but...I guess I’m just worried I’m just something to fill a hole until everything with your divorce is settled.”

“I...I know I’m not handlin’ this whole thing very well, seems fast but...Christ, I was dreadin’ this semester but you made it worthwhile to come into work. Seein’ you outside it makes me happy, too.”

“See, that’s…” you started, leaning your shoulder against the back of his truck, “That’s what I’m worried about. Seeing you makes me happy, too, but...I can’t get invested again if this is going to end up where you’ve confused that for something romantic.”

There was a pause after your words, Arthur looking over your expression before he glanced down, crossing his arms as he leaned against the side of his own truck as well. Really, you knew you weren’t sure if you were just talking yourself out of something good, it felt like it at points, but you just had to get that out in the open. Get him to understand.

“...I thought Mary was the one,” Arthur stated, shaking his head lightly, “When we decided to get married, I thought that was it. I was set, but...well, somethin’ changed. If it was somethin’ in her or somethin’ in me, I don’t know, but...well, much as there’s a part of me that’s torn up about that, I know I’m not really lookin’ for somethin’...temporary. Fill a hole, as you said. If I didn’t want somethin’ beyond that, I wouldn’t have bent my own professionalism to date you if I didn’t think there was somethin’ there. So...no, no I’m not gonna use you. Not after all this and what you’ve been through.”

“I...fuck, I want to trust that.”

“Why not?” he asked, stepping closer to you as you looked into his face. Much as the question was tense, you could see the hopefulness in his gaze. After all he had say, you couldn’t blame him, but…

“I had someone for a while,” you said, shaking your head, “It was good. Really good. Almost too good, maybe. I don’t know what happened, maybe it was all a front or if I just...wasn’t good enough, but that relationship gutted me. We moved in together, there was talk of engagement, and then I discovered the sleeping around. The...odd pieces of clothing and unexplained motel bills, as I said. I was lied to over and over when I got confrontational enough, and then...I was just done. I moved out and after that I didn’t see anyone for a long while, not until you. So...knowing what was going on with Mary and how scared I am about this happening again…”

“...Christ,” he said once you had trailed off, causing you to glance up at him, “I’m sorry that happened. I guess...well, I remember you tellin’ me about bein’ cheated on, should have realized that’s goin’ on under everythin’.”

“It’s not your fault,” you replied, “The thing is, I really do want to be with you. I do. That’s why I’m probably so scared about all of this. I...wish this damn conversation didn’t have to happen in a damn car park, but I guess that dinner was just the boiling point for everything. I should have just told you this instead of insinuating you would use me or cheat on me.”

“I’ve never been like that. One night stands when I was younger, sure, but that was mutual. If I’m not happy in a relationship, I wouldn’t do that. You deserve better than somethin’ like that.”

“...Thank you,” you replied, giving him a soft smile, “I...I need to know this is serious, that I’m not some rebound.”

“You’re not,” he stated, placing his hands on your shoulders, “I know the timin’s terrible, but I want to be with you too.”

“...Okay,” you said with a small nod, “Okay, I’m going to trust you.”

At that point you stepped forward to wrap your arms around his middle, placing your head against his shoulder as Arthur returned the embrace. You took in the feeling of him solid against you, holding tight as you let your mind settle. Really, you knew you could have left it at that, but...you knew you had been wanting to do it for a while, long before the whole dinner. You had been too doubtful, and perhaps just waiting for the moment.

Still, you said you would trust him.

So, you found yourself leaning back in the hug, Arthur’s hold loosening somewhat. However, instead of stepping away, you slipped your arms out from around him to lift your hands toward his face. You cupped his jaw for a moment, taking in his expression as he seemed to take in your own before you leaned into him, pressing your lips against his own as Arthur pressed back into the gesture himself. He shifted to press you against the side of his truck somewhat, your hands moving up to press into his hair as you pressed back more into the kiss.

There was some relief in there in finally letting yourself do this, but also starting to work on putting aside your doubt and worries that you had been shoving down. You could feel that warm feeling settling in your chest, dropping your hands down to trail against his neck before resting on his shoulders as you parted somewhat for air. Much as you knew you wanted to stay in the moment, his hands on you and your mouths against each other, you also knew you were in the underground car park of the university.

“I need to drive home,” you said around a somewhat breathy chuckle, Arthur letting out a small one of his own as he pulled back somewhat to give you more space.

“Yeah, yeah so do I.”

“Call me,” you said, giving him a quick smile, “Hopefully we can keep the issues to a minimum until I’ve got my finals sorted out.”

“Sure…” Arthur remarked around a chuckle, “Just...you’re gonna have to let me redo dinner some time once the semester’s out. No Mary, nothin’ like last time.”

You gave him another smile along with a nod, letting out a small breath as the tension was leaving after a week of it. “I’d like that.”

[hopeinlv]

[Taehyung oneshot] Highschool love story.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

{PART 1}

Jungkook : Grandma grandma, it's too early we aren't able to sleep.

Namjoon : Yes grandma. Please tell us one story. We all promise we'll sleep after listening the story.

Grandma : Okay okay. Everyone sit down. I'll tell you one story. Listen properly.

Everyone : Yes.

•Flash back•

Author's pov :

Y/N was from busan. From a middle class family mom, dad, grandma and brother. As you'll know the bond of daughter and father , the same she has with her father. They always enjoy roasting her mother. A small family with lots of enjoyment. But one day her mother fell on the floor while cooking. Her father immediately shifted her mother to the hospital. Doctor said she has only 2 months left in her life. Her father (Mr. Park) returned back home with his disappointed face.

Y/N : What happen appa? Is everything alright?

Mr Park : Yes, my sweetheart.

Y/N : Don't lie appa. I heard everything.

Tears of Mr Park rolled down the cheeks. Y/N hugged him and made him calm.

Y/N : Appa, God is there. Everything will be alright.

Y/N was the elder daughter of her family. She know that her mother has only few months left. She decided to resign from school and apply for a job. The only aim she had from the day she heard the news was to keep her family happy and educate her brother.

After 2 months her mother left the world. Her father decided to do second marriage for his daughter and son. He oppose for the job to Y/N because she was only 14 years young girl. Y/N wasn't against her Dad because she respect his every word.

Next month her father did the second marriage. Within a month her grandma too left the world. Y/N's step mother was very rude to her and her brother till she had her own child.

Her step mother forced her to apply for a job so that she could get more money to live a luxurious life. Even during any festival her step mother use to buy new clothes for herself and her son and husband. Y/N and her brother never complaint about there step mother towards their Dad.

After 3 years, Y/N went to highschool for her higher studies. There she had a part time job to fulfill her and her brother's needs.

Y/N was very clever in studies. She always ranked 1st in her studies.

One day, she was in hurry to go for a job. She got late due to the extra classes. She forgot her I'd in the classroom.

The handsome boy entered in the class, he was no other than Taehyung, a chocolate boy of College and the son of great business man. He saw I'd card on the bench. She took that I'd card.

Taehyung's pov:

BEAUTIFUL!! I wanna meet her. Such a lovely girl I never meet in my life.

Some girls entered in the class namely Mina, Tzuyu, Momo and Dahyun.

Mina : Hey Taehyung, if you are free then can we hangout today?

Taehyung : Ahh..! Am not free today. I wanna do some work.

Tzuyu : Oh come on, don't make excuses. Please Taehyung for us.

Taehyung : Okay! I am ready.

Momo : So yes. Today on 7 pm at Suduko's cafe.

Everyone : Yaah fine.

Everyone went at their house.

Everyone reached at the cafe.

Momo : So, let's go!

Taehyung : Yes.

Everyone enters.

Mina : So today's bill will be paid by me.

Taehyung : Ohh. Okay!

Momo : Wohoo!

Jennie : Oh lisa , something special?

Mina : Obviously!! Me and jin have patchup with eachother.

Taehyung : Oh that's great news!

"Phone rings"

Taehyung : Excuse me.

Waiter : Hello everyone. Thankyou for visiting to our restaurant. Here is the menu card.

Mina : Hey everyone , order whatever you want.

Tzuyu : So I want pizza.

Momo : I will have burger and some fries.

Dahyun : I want hotdog.

Mina : Okay I too want pizza and some fries and bring icecream at the last and bring a cup of coffee to everyone.

Tzuyu : I don't want coffee. I will have drink.

Dahyun : Yaah, me too!

Waiter : Okay mam!

After taking order she was going for baking those , suddenly she hit with a man. He was no other , Taehyung.

Taehyung was staring at her. He recognised her. She was Y/N , who is working at cafe as a waiter (part time job).

Y/N was knowing Taehyung very well because they both were in same highschool. She know he is a chocolate boy. Seeing all girls with him she thought he is a playboy. She misunderstood him.

Taehyung : I am sorry!

Y/N : It's okay!

She went to make the dishes.

Y/N bought all the dishes. But Taehyung still was staring at her. She was feeling awkward. She kept the dishes and went for her work. Taehyung thought she will come again to give the bill. But she send to some other girl.

•Next day•

Y/N was going towards her class. Suddenly Taehyung stood behind her.

Y/N : You? Wh-why you are following me?

Taehyung : Ahh am not following you.

Y/N : What? Yesterday at cafe you were staring at me. I was feeling awkward because of that act.

Taehyung : Oh-ohkay sorry. Am sorry.

Y/N : No it's okay. But please stop following me.

Taehyung : Ohkay wait. I just want to give you something.

Y/N : What?

Taehyung : Yesterday , You forgot your I'd card in the classroom.

Y/N : Oh thankyou!

Taehyung : Mention not.

Y/N gave a sweet smile. Taehyung was still staring at her. She went from there suddenly when she feel like he was flirting.

Taehyung's pov :

I don't know why, but she is so sweet. [Yaar fida ho gaye hum]

•Next day•

Author's pov :

Taehyung entered in the class. The time he entered in the class he started searching Y/N. But she was late due to the late night studies. She entered in the class but till that time sir had been started the class.

Sir : Is this time to join the class?

Y/N : Sorry sir. Yesterday I slept late due to late night studies.

Sir : I don't want any excuses. You'll get the punishment for sure.

Y/N : Sir am not giving excuses.

Sir : Shut up. Your punishment is to write the 1st chapter of biology 20 times in rough notebook and you have to show me tomorrow before the class.

Y/N : Okay!

It was the recess time after 3 hrs lecture.

•In canteen•

Y/N was in her own world. She took her lunch and while going she crashed with the table. She got hurt in her stomach and her dish fell down. Taehyung suddenly rush towards her as he saw this incident. He helped her to get up.

Taehyung : Are you fine?

Y/N : Yes a-am fine!

Taehyung : Okay.

Taehyung's pov :

I know she lied to me. Okay no problem maybe she don't feel secure sharing with me.

Taehyung : Wait, I'll bring you another dish.

Y/N : Wait. Here's rule that we get the dish once.

Taehyung : What?

Y/N : Yes...

Taehyung : I wasn't knowing cause my mom is giving me tiffin everyday. She is strict about my health, hehe!

Y/N : Hmm!

Taehyung : Oh sorry. You can have my lunch. I'll adjust somewhere else.

Y/N : No! Thankyou for asking, but you can your own. Don't stay hungry because of me.

Taehyung : Come on Y/N. We are friend right? Are we?

Y/N : Ahh-h...

Taehyung : Say?

Y/N : Yes!

Taehyung : Yaah then I can share my lunch with you. Okay so we both will divide the dish equally.

Y/N : Yaah.

Y/N's pov :

I was wrong about him. He's nice guy.

Taehyung : So it's done. Now we can have the lunch. Come on let's start.

Y/N : Yaah.

Taehyung : Is your stomach alright? Should we visit to a dr?

Y/N : No! It's fine. After reaching home I'll have pain killer.

Taehyung : Okay! But if you will need my help you call me anytime. Here is my no. 1568xxxxxxx

Y/N : Okay! I saved your number.

Taehyung : Give me the missed call.

Y/N : Ahh-h why?

Taehyung : Umm so I'll also save your no. hehe.

Y/N : Okay!

Taehyung : Yaah okay received.

Y/N : Hmm.

•Bell rings•

Y/N : It's my lecture bye!

Taehyung : Bye!

•At night•

Jisso : Y/Niee tomorrow we have chemistry test. And you have punishment too to write the 1st chapter 20 times too.

Y/N : I know! I am tired. (Start crying)

*Door sound (knock-knock)*

Jeenie : Who's now? And at this time?

Rose : It's 10pm. And it's not allowed to roam anywhere to anyone.

Jisso : Yeah right!

Y/N : Wait let's see who's that.

Y/N opens the door.

Y/N : You?? Why did you came here?

??? : For you.

Y/N : What seriously Taehyung?

Taehyung : Let me get inside first. Otherwise I will get caught by someone.

Y/N : Yaah yaah!

Jennie : Ohhh! Chocolate boy came to meet someone.

Lisa : Umm. Carry on you both. We'll not disturb you.

Taehyung : Ahh noo. I just came to help Y/N. You'll can take your place.

Y/N : Help?

Taehyung : You have test tomorrow of chemistry and you have to write first lesson of biology 20 times as it is punishment.

Y/N : I'll complete it in time. You don't take any risk Taehyung.

Taehyung : Nooo!!!

Author pov:

Y/N holds Taehyung's hand and take him towards the door. Suddenly Taehyung pull Y/N towards him and hold her waist and release his other hand from Y/N and keeps on Y/N's mouth.

Taehyung : Am here to help you. You go and sleep. It's my order.

Rose : Ummmm we are awake.

Taehyung : Ahh-h, we-eh, nothing. You'll can sleep. Hehe!! Y/N give me the rough notebook and biology textbook.

Y/N : Bu-utt..

Taehyung : I said it's my order. Give me fast.

Y/N : Yaah here it is.

Author's pov:

Whole night taehyung was writing the lesson. He was working so hard for Y/N. He was proving that he truly loves Y/N.

• Morning 6 am •

Y/N woke up and checked her book. Taehyung completed it. He slept on the desk. She was so happy. Suddenly she saw Taehyung's hand which was swelling. She hold his hand, tears were rolling down her cheeks. She realised that Taehyung loves her truly. Drop of tear fell on Taehyung's face and he woke up. He saw tears in Y/N eyes.

Taehyung : Heyy, why you are crying?

Y/N : No, am not. It's ju-ust. Because of me your hand is swelling. Am sorry.

Taehyung : I did everything for you. From today there will be 'no sorry' and 'no thankyou' between us.

Y/N : Hm!

Taehyung get up from the chair and make Y/N to sit on the chair. And hold her hand tightly and wiped her eyes.

Taehyung : Am there with you at any situation. I don't know why but I feel special whenever I am staying with you.

Y/N was staring at him. Taehyung hugged her and was going to kiss her but Y/N roommate woke up.

Taehyung : Hey girls. Bubyee.

Everyone : Bubyee Taehyung.

Y/N : Thankyou.

Taehyung : Did you forgot? What did I said few minutes before?

Y/N : Uh- umm, sorry.

Taehyung : Again?

Y/N : Okay leave (giving peaceful smile)

.

.

To be continued~

[lizzylunawizardessfanfics]

Not Related

Pairing: Cerim x Lizzy

Summary: It wasn’t uncommon for the young couple to often be mistaken for being siblings or related in someway on a daily basis, but there comes a time when enough is enough.

I was in the middle of doing a lecture when I noticed that it was going to be ending soon so I turned towards the students. “Does anyone have any questions,” I asked the students to see if anyone didn’t understand something I had covered during the lecture. It seemed that no one raised their hands which I smiled feeling proud that my lecture was easy to follow. And with that the bell rang signaling that class was dismissed and it was time for lunch. “Alright class please remember to have your homework done for next time we meet as we will be practicing what we went over today,” I told them while watching the students slowly start to filter out of the room.

“That was a good lecture,” I heard my familiar say as I looked over to Rufus and smiled happily while I started to pack my stuff up. “Thank you! I thought so as well,” I said in return, giving him a pet on the head. “Um excuse me prefect Lizzy,” I heard a voice say in which I looked over to see one of my students who had three others standing behind the female student. “Yes, how can I help you,” I asked curiously, closing my bag and setting it on the podium. “It isn’t class related, but we couldn’t help but realize that you look a lot like the boy Cerim Leiado and we were wondering if you were related to him,” the student asked her query thus causing me to be shocked for a moment before being unable to help but giggle.

“Oh no no we’re not related in any way, but he is my boyfriend,” I said, answering the question with a smile as I felt that familiar skipping beat of my heart when mentioning the word boyfriend. The students seemed shocked and quickly apologized though I ensured them it was perfectly fine. “You aren’t the first ones to ask, I hope you all have a good day,” I said, wishing my students a good rest of their day. Finally being able to head out I walked the halls with Rufus right by my side. In the short distance I saw the familiar hair of pale blue hair that belonged to my boyfriend. A smile growing on my face I started to make my way over to him as I called out his name to get his attention which oddly he didn’t seem to hear me. He was looking out the window as he didn’t seem to be in a good mood I noticed when I got closer.

“Hey Cerim are you alright,” I asked once by his side and placed a hand on his shoulder which seemed to snap him out of whatever thoughts he was lost in. “Oh hello, my apologies for not hearing you… It’s been a long morning so far,” he answered when turning to me giving a small tired smile before feeling him kiss my forehead. Smiling, I give his cheek a small kiss in return before taking his hand in mine. “I’m sorry to hear; how about we talk about your morning while we walk to our spot,” I suggested as it was rare to see him as such. “Sounds good, let us be on our way princess,” he replied with a nod and with that we started walking down the hallway to head outside.

Walking past the courtyard away from the countless amounts of students I heard Cerim let out a small sigh. “It happened again,” he started and I knew right away what he was talking about in which I gave his hand a light squeeze continuing to listen. “The most frustrating part is when guys just assume I’m your brother and start asking if you’re single or what kind of things you like. You’d think with the amount of times either of us have clarified that we’re not related we wouldn’t have to repeat ourselves,” he ranted letting out a huff at the end. “I know and it is a pain, but people stop asking at some point. We also have great friends who help us out and correct people,” I said as it did help out a lot and I was grateful for their backup. I smiled when I heard him let out a chuckle along with nodding his head in agreement. 

“You’re right, though maybe I should just shout loudly how much I love you for the world to hear me,” he suddenly said with a smirk, looking at me with his sky blue eyes causing my heart to beat against my chest while my face felt hotter. “Staaahp,” I whined with a small laugh, of course it made me over the moon happy to hear him say that, but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. Feeling his arms wrap around me pulling me closer he was chuckling more feeling him kiss my cheek. “You’re so cute; I love you princess,” he whispered lovingly, which of course I wrapped my arms around him to hug him. “And I love you too, my prince charming,” I replied in return enjoying the peaceful moment. 

“You flaming mutt get off of me,” I heard Ronny's distinct squeaky voice shouting in the short distance ahead of us shouting at Rufus.

“But I love you brother!”

“For the last time I’m not your brother! Now get off so I can go find my acorns!” 

~~~~~

A few days have gone by as it’s been a little while since I’ve seen Lizzy due to her being busy with prefect duties and apparently a new case came up. Though I was going about my day in a good mood since when classes were all done I’d get to see her since she was going to have some free time; which like any good boyfriend would do I took it upon myself to make one of her favorites meals for her to eat. “Hopefully she’s been taking care of herself,” I wondered to myself as knowing her she’ll be running off of: a few hours of sleep, mozzarella sticks, and an absurd amount of coffee. “How come you never make me nice meals,” I heard Ronny ask from my shoulder as I walked through the halls making my way to the prefect’s office to find Lizzy.

“Because I already spoil you enough with more acorns than you should eat in a day,” I answered bluntly. Hearing his huff and mumbling it was clear that I seemed to prove my point. The more I got closer to reaching my destination the more voices I started to hear as I could only wonder what was going on. “Ohhh maybe a fight broke out,” Ronny said in an excited manner, rolling my eyes I highly doubted that was the case. “We love you,” I heard countless guys shouting as I saw a crowd gathered in the middle of the hallway, of course fanboys were blocking the way “I really do appreciate the flowers and stuff but I really can’t accept any of this, if you’d all please pardon me I really have someplace to be,” I heard Lizzy’s voice which I started to push my way through. “Is there a problem here,” I asked once I finally broke through and finally seeing the beautiful girl I get to call my girlfriend and when our eyes met I saw how her face lit up in joy for a moment; that was until a bunch of the other guys started complaining or groaning. “Alright listen up before any of y'all say anything else,” I heard her speak as she sounded tired but done with everything. 

“Oooh she's angry,” I heard Ronny whisper as I just silently nodded in agreement. “I am HAPPILY taken; Cerim, right here is my boyfriend: not my brother, not my cousin, nothing,” she assertively announced while linking her arm around mine and her other hand on the same arm making that all too familiar feeling of happiness swell up inside me. “The only way that my name would ever be Lizzy Lazuli Leiado is the day I marry him. Now if you’d all please excuse us I’m in need of a nap,” I heard her declare the first part as I felt my heart skip a beat at the mention of us getting married one day along now even feeling my own cheeks growing hot. 

Unable to help myself, I smirked a bit at the fanboys before following Lizzy as she softly pulled me along. “Sorry about all that, I really didn’t mean to get caught up in all of that,” she started to say before a tired sigh came out. Shaking my head softly I unlinked our arms and wrapped it around her shoulders to have her closer to me as we walked. “Don’t apologize, I’m just glad that now maybe they’ll get it through their heads; these past few days must have been rough huh,” I replied, giving her a small squeeze as she was just too cute like this. 

“Don’t tease me, I ran out of coffee yesterday.”

“How much coffee did you even drink??”

“I lost count after twenty…”

“Twenty cups?!”

“...No twenty pots,” she sheepishly said as I looked at her in shock as I’m more surprised she hasn’t fallen asleep yet but instead of lecturing her I shook my head and kissed her forehead. “Oh princess you really can be reckless haha, but I’ll always be here to save you,” I said as we both stopped walking for a moment. “Haha what can I say; I prefect’s job is never done,” she responded with a beautiful bright smile and her shoulders raised. While admiring her I couldn’t help but imagine our wedding day; leaning down a bit to rest my forehead against hers I watched as her face slowly grew pink. “I can’t wait til the day I get to marry you,” I softly said to her before I pressed my lips against her soft ones, I certainly missed her kisses. “Gahhh alright already enough with your kissy kissy faces blah,” I heard Ronny complain; for a moment I forgot he was with me. Pulling away from the kiss I softly rolled my eyes as of course leave it to him to ruin our moment. Starting to walk again to go relax at the north valley I remember I wanted to bring up her middle name.

“You didn’t tell me you had a middle name.”

“Haha well you never asked my prince.”

“Touche, touche- wait… Does that mean your name is short for something else?!”

“You’re so cute hehe.”

“What’s your full name?”

“I’ll tell you on our wedding day,” she said with a small smirk, for someone who was tired she seemed to still somehow had enough energy to be a tease, it just made me determined to find out one of these days. Though out of all of those other days, the most important will be the day I get to finally call her Mrs. Leiado.

[kensboytoy]

Pulled Back from the Ledge

Title: Pulled Back From The Ledge Fandom: Boku No Hero Academia Characters: Present Mic/Hizashi Yamada, Reader Ratings: Mature

Notes:

WARNING: This fic has a depiction of mental illness and a suicide attempt. It has a happy ending but this was an emotional piece I started one day when I was ready to take my own life. I wrote this as a piece for myself to heal so please keep that in mind! If you are in this state of mind, PLEASE remember that people are there for you. You are loved. 

[Read on AO3 or Keep Reading below!]

You had been living with this illness for so long that you couldn’t really remember who you were before it. It had to have been easier than this. People probably liked you more before you pushed everyone away. It was an unfortunate defense mechanism of your depression: get everyone out of your life and isolate yourself. Things would be easier when you were alone. You’d be in control of this and no one would come looking for you.

The wind softly stung your exposed arms with the coldness of the night air. Goosebumps ran along your body and you were surprised that you could feel anything with how numb you were inside. Only pinpricks for a moment before the emptiness of static filled your stomach and sunk your heart again. The moon was full as it hung above you, almost watching in anticipation of your next move.

Standing on the edge of the rooftop you came to have lunch on back when you could stand to be outside, you peered down at the empty parking lot four stories below. This height would be enough to kill you on impact. You hoped. Despite your intense need to die, you never really did plan too much ahead. You left the vagueness in the back of your mind as an array of different options left up to the day you would inevitably end your own life. There was no certain tie to this place that you needed to have your guts peeled off the pavement. No symbolic message it would hold when they found your body.

The pain was just too much. It had swallowed you whole and spit you back up a few times so that you could escape back to your mediocre life time and time again. Back to the daily grind where your emotions were ground down into ashes. You had no motivation. No spark for life. Every day was a challenge to even choose to get up instead of rolling back over to sleep. To avoid being awake was a luxury that the world wouldn’t let you have.

So, you wanted to sleep forever.

You’d like to think of it as sleep. You weren’t really sure what came after stepping off a tall building. Probably pain. That was something you desperately wanted to avoid at all costs. Easier that way to keep not feeling anything.

Except now there were tears rolling down your cheeks. Red hot as they burned your eyes trying to escape. You let them, making no move to wipe them away. It didn’t matter if they blurred your vision, your target was just a step away no matter what.

Couldn’t back down now. The voice in your head that usually kept you from the last stage of your plan was nowhere around. Not a peep from your conscience - had that given up on you too?

Frustrated, you grabbed the sides of your head to silence all the chatter, all the thousands of voices telling you that you were worthless. That you deserved everything - every ounce of pain, all the isolation. This was all you knew now. You already committed to this, no use in beating yourself up. Close your eyes and think of something nice. Maybe one vacation you always dreamt of taking but never did. Perhaps that old movie you once had on repeat when it was a comfort to you when you were younger. Anything pleasant to finish your life off with.

Your body began to step closer to the edge as you racked your brain for any semblance of comfort. The tears began to stop and yet you still could not see the world around you. Everything was a blur as you moved to take the final step, your arms falling loosely to your sides. You waited to feel the embrace of the wind taking you down to your grave like the only comforting hug you would get now.

However, your plan was shortly lived as a horribly loud shout pulled you out of your robotic movements.

“HEEEEEEEY LISTENER!” the voice shrieked, causing you to step back in shock.

You immediately covered your ears and cowered from the noise, the force of it knocking the wind from your lungs. Before you could even recover, you felt two hands grab you by the collar and pull you further away from your grave. You were placed in a firm headlock preventing you from moving, your eyes blinking back the tears to see what the hell had interrupted you.

“You sleepwalkin’ or what? Good thing you got the best alarm in the world to come wake you up!”

Confused, you looked up at the beaming figure. Holy shit. A Pro Hero?! What the hell were they doing here? You gawked as you stared at the gaudy leather outfit, enraptured by the heavy speakers he wore around his neck. His hair alone was enough to distract you from the current situation at hand, along with curious eyes now scanning your face from behind his stylish frames.

“Eh? C’mon, kid. I know I’m easy on the eyes, but you don’t gotta stare so much!” he joked with a toothy smile.

“Uhm,” you tried to speak but the movement felt like sandpaper on your lungs. Your head was still swirling as you tried your best to stop your brain from rattling around from that loud voice. Even his speaking volume was loud enough to pull you from the depths of your inner monologue.

“I know, not every day you’d get to see the face of the best DJ in the world!! It’s a very lucky thing, dear listener. You got your own private concert!”

As he continued to humbly brag about himself, he pulled you further and further away from danger. You felt his grip on you start to slack when he felt comfortable enough that you couldn’t book it off the edge anymore. Slowly, he pulled you up and dusted off your jacket, beaming down at you.

“Are you… Present Mic?” you asked dumbly, causing him to bring his hands up to pose dramatically at your realization.

“Of course, little listener! I knew my gaze would burn a fire into your soul so you’d know who I am! Kinda took a while though...”

The man pouted at the last bit, pursing his lips together so you couldn’t exactly hear what he was saying. Damn Heroes always muttering to themselves. You let out an exasperated sigh when you finally looked back up at him.

“Why… why are you here? Shouldn’t you be out there fighting villains?”

Mic looked at you carefully. You were in rough shape - hair disheveled, bags under your eyes from the sleepless nights, your lips were chapped and shriveled, and it was very clear that you were not mentally stable enough to be left alone. In short: you looked like hell twice over.

“Eh? Fighting villains, hm? I mean, it looks like you were out here doin’ just that.”

You looked puzzled at that. What on Earth was he saying? You opened your mouth to voice your confusion before he continued on.

“You were battlin’ something fierce tonight, huh? A whole gang of villains swarming around you, I bet.” He casually walked around you, kicking his legs around so that he spun every time you two made eye contact. Finally, he lowered his shades and grinned again. “So I thought you needed some back-up, kid! Can’t go fighting so many bad guys alone.”

Slowly, you began to understand. This man - no, this hero wasn’t belittling you. Wasn’t mocking you for trying to hurl yourself off the roof. The embarrassment of getting caught was starting to wash away the more he spoke to you like an equal. You weren’t a Pro Hero, nowhere close to one, but he was talking to you like you were important.

“I don’t think those bad guys were as tough as the ones you fight, Mic,” came your weak muttering.

At that, he placed a firm hand on your shoulder, giving you a reassuring squeeze. It had never hit you how badly you needed someone’s warmth until then. You felt your eyes sting with tears as the hero’s spiral eyes bore into you with such care.

“Listener, those are the worst kind of villains we face. They get up all in your frequency and jam it - sometimes it’s hard to listen to a different tune.” Gingerly, he lifted your chin so you could look at him. “It’s okay, alright? You luckily have the loudest voice in all of Japan right here ta help ya out!”

Your mask began to crack.

Whether it was just from the sheer kindness of his words or your adrenaline wearing away from your little stunt, you simply collapsed into the heaviest cry you had ever let out. The heaviness from your body felt like it had up-heaved and fallen at your feet. As your nerves shook your body while the tears overflowed, you fell to your knees and wept. You clutched the sides of your head, letting out pained cries as you let the sadness and relief run through you.

Mic had not flinched. He hadn’t been disgusted or judgmental as he watched you spill your metaphorical guts out with this cry - it was a far better option than what you had planned. The Pro Hero watched in a rare moment of silence, waiting patiently until he saw an opening. When you bent over and let the snot and tears fall onto the ground, you felt his hand firmly on your back, rubbing circles as you cried.

His warmth was nothing you could have imagined. Even with just his fingertips exposed and against you, your cold husk of a body felt the heat radiate to your core. Slowly, you stopped full on sobbing and instead made little whimpers as you tried to regain a steady breath.

That was when he enveloped you in his arms, pulling you to his chest so that you could focus on his steady heartbeat. Mic knew the importance of having any calm after the storm. You had just fought your own demons. The DJ was fully aware that you needed comfort above a lecture.

“It’s okay, kid. I gotcha now,” he managed to speak softly and yet his voice was everything. A light. Hope. “You’re safe. You’re stuck with me now, ya dig? So go ahead and let it all out.”

You took him up on that. It hit you in waves, coming just as soon as you greedily gulped for air since your nasal passages were blocked up. Your body would shake as you sobbed softly into the chest of the hero. Mic never faltered for a moment. He continued to rub at your back as he held you there. You were safe.

Eventually, after what seemed like a painful eternity, you couldn’t cry anymore. It felt like all the water from your body had escaped from your eyes. Everything was painful and rough physically, but emotionally? At least you were feeling something. Your conscience was back and berating you, filling you with a different kind of noise. The self-loathing kind of noise.

Mic must have seen the expression on your face as you winced because he had you gently get to your feet before he swung an arm over your shoulders. He gave you a toothy smile as if he were proud of you for all that embarrassing mess.

“You know what I do after a good cry, listener? Tons and tons of konbini food!” he cheered.

You looked at him skeptically for a moment. Had he just admitted that he cries too? Well, duh, he was human. Humans do have emotions, even when they graduate to being a Pro Hero.

“C’mon. Let’s pick out some stuff to binge ourselves on, yeah? I think you deserve it after that tough battle.”

You didn’t know what to say. Why was he still here? The danger of killing yourself was gone. Shouldn’t he have captured you and brought you to a hospital or something? Why was he wasting time and now wanting to get snacks?

As you pondered, he led you off the roof and down to the streets. He made sure to keep an arm on your shoulder or his hand on you at all cost. To make sure you couldn’t try anything else, you assumed. The warmth of another person had felt amazing and much needed after that. You had tried your best to regain any semblance of looking less like a wreck than you did before you entered the store. Mic saw your fussing and gently pulled an old bandana from one of his pockets.

“Here, listener. Old thing’s all beat up but it makes an okay hankie!”

Shyly, you thanked him and wiped your face to clear up all the dried tears and sweat. He waited patiently before you were ready, his grin back on his face as he shoved you inside the store. The harsh sting of the fluorescent lights hit you almost as hard as that shout had to save you. You recoiled and pressed yourself against his arm, face in his jacket as you groaned.

That was when he handed you something more special than just a beat up bandana. The triangle shades were now between his two fingers as he offered them to you gently. You were floored. That was a staple of his costume! Could you really take them-

Your stare eventually landed at his beautiful spiral eyes. Green - wait, red? - no, definitely green with a twinkling curiosity of you. He shot you a wink and gestured for you to take the sunglasses.

“U-um, are you-”

Mic tutted softly before he slipped them on you himself. He pulled away and looked at you proudly.

“Hey, hey! Not half bad, listener,” the hero complimented. “Though, I think they go with my style more, yeah? You can use ‘em in here so your eyes don’t fry.”

He squinted at the lights above you two, wrinkling his nose.

“I swear, they blast these things up to eleven when it’s as dark as night outside.” Mic laughed and shook his head, amused at the sight of you in his shades. “Anyways, listener! Snacktime! I’m quite hungry myself from my patrol earlier - I think I’m cravin’ somethin’ salty.”

You walked with him through the aisles, watching as he scooped a basket up from the front before knocking bags of chips and other salty snacks one by one into it. Amused at his penchant for salty things, you found yourself glancing at a few bags of chips yourself. You didn’t have time to look over the bags before a gloved hand reached out and added them to the basket.

“Th-that’s too many,” you whined. “You don’t-”

“Aw yeah! Drink time!” he managed to cut you off as you two approached the cooler of cute beverages.

Mic grabbed a coffee, two energy drinks, and a couple things of black tea. You wondered if that was just a daily amount of caffeine to power the overactive man or was it enough to kill a normal person? The thought made you chuckle to yourself. Present Mic watched from the corner of his eye at that small victory, his lips tugging into a grin.

You two made your selections and he swiped up a few sweets and some premade meals before he checked out with the heavy basket of junk. The cashier gawked at the sight of the hero and a seemingly average person now wearing his shades, Mic chatting him up and laying on his usual schtick of everyone being his fanclub. Eventually, everything was bagged up and you two were out the door.

“Ah, Mic,” you piped up, taking off the glasses now that you two were in the comfort of darkness. “Um, thank you. For all of this. I…”

Mic carefully took his glasses and slipped them on before he placed two bags into your hands. You looked at the contents, perplexed that it was a bunch of the premade meals he had bought.

“I know it’s gonna be hard tryin’ to get back to normal. I know I never wanted to cook for myself when I felt like crap. So those should last ya about a week. Maybe less if you wanna indulge a bit.”

You paused, staring up at him in disbelief. If you had any tears left, you knew they’d be welling up in your eyes.

“Why… why are you doing all this? You saved me from hurling myself off a building, dragged me to get snacks, let me borrow your glasses, and now this? Surely you have better things to do.”

That was when you saw Present Mic’s smile falter only for a moment before you felt the warm embrace of him again.

“Listener, I know you probably can’t hear reason over all those voices on your wavelength, but people care. I saw a person in distress tonight - someone so hurt by everything that they wanted to take their own life. You know how relieved I was that I saw you head up there tonight? I knew that buildin’ was closed. That you weren’t going up there for something fun. You looked like you were just goin’ through the motions…”

His words started to sink in. Present Mic could see it on your face that you weren’t in your right mind. If he hadn’t seen you when he did…

“You looked like you needed a friend,” he continued, his smile back on his face as he looked at you. “Sometimes, when we’re like that, we just want someone to come in and knock some sense into us. Luckily, it didn’t take much with ya! I think you really just needed some time to jam out those shitty feelings.”

You blushed, the embarrassment on your face again as you looked away. However, he caught your head gently with his fingers so he knew his words would register with you. You couldn’t toss this aside as fake sentiment if he poured his heart into them.

“Y-you’re a hero,” you blurted out. “You just wanna be friends to save me. Th-that’s all this is!”

Mic blinked in surprise. Then, a soft laugh.

“Listener, if I wanted to save you, I woulda taken you down to the hospital in that headlock earlier and dropped you off. While, yeah, I technically saved you, this ain’t what that’s solely about! I want you to save yourself. To make the biggest and hardest steps right now.”

You looked at him quizzically.

“C’mon. Let’s go to the park and eat so I can explain.”

The walk to the park was short enough distance-wise, a few minutes perhaps. What felt like it taking an eternity was the fact that your head was riddled with thoughts again. They bubbled up and consumed you. Making you think that at any moment Mic would turn against you and throw you into a psych ward so they would deal with you instead.

But that never happened. Instead, the Pro Hero hopped onto a park bench and sat on the thin edge of the backing of it. He let his thick boots rest against the actual seat before he hastily dug into the bag to fish out his chips. With one hand, he popped the bag open and watched all the chips fall into his lap.

Damnit, so much for looking cool. He laughed it off and gathered the chips into a pile so he could munch on them.

You slowly took a seat next to him and reached for a drink. All the crying had left your body parched and your body was begging for hydration. Once you popped the lid, you greedily gulped down the beverage in a matter of seconds. When you reached for another, Mic gently grabbed your hand and looked at you more sternly than you imagined the goofy hero to do.

“Hey, hey. Slower, listener. You’re gonna get wicked sick if you keep going at that pace. Actually enjoy the taste, yeah?”

You nodded and apologized around the lip of the bottle before taking a few sips instead of big gulps. Mic smiled at that and dug into his greasy guilty pleasure. Eventually, you found yourself reaching for a piece of roll cake and nibbling on it with the sweetness skyrocketing your tastebuds. Maybe it was from the lack of feeding yourself lately or maybe it was just a damn good piece of cake. Whichever it was, your eyes lit up immediately.

Eating the treat made you feel more relaxed. You let your emotions fade away to just enjoy something for once. To melt away in the layers of cake and frosting was finally a small bliss you could allow yourself. It may have sounded stupid to anyone else but to others who shared a pain similar to you, you knew anything could be a small victory against your illness.

Mic knew this too.

The man who had been claimed to be made of sunshine knew all too well what it was like to celebrate these victories. So, he urged you on with another slice while he casually consumed his coffee. You didn’t refuse it and soon enough found yourself digging into the second piece. The sweetness of the purple yam was even better than the last. A small, happy grunt left your lips as you chowed down. It felt nice to be content for once.

“Purple yam is the way to your heart, huh?” Mic laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling with his wide smile. “I’ll remember that for next time.”

“Next time?” you said, pausing your consumption to give him another perplexed look.

“Well duh! Next time we meet up so you can give me a status report.”

You lowered your cake and frowned at him, one eyebrow raised as you looked expectantly for an explanation. Mic tossed back the rest of his drink with a satisfied ‘ah!’ and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

“Y’know, we heroes don’t expect anything when we save people. Comes with the job and government pays us fair.” He shrugged, letting his head loll back so he could examine the stars above. “But that doesn’t mean that we just let people go scott-free. You caused quite a big stir, listener - most folks would toss you to the police or a hospital, y’know.”

Present Mic finally leaned forward so he could look at you properly.

“Friends check up on friends. This was your loud wake-up call, kid! That people care. I’m people!” He patted the front of his jacket with both hands. “My condition for letting you go back to your bed tonight and not immediately to a place with blinding bright lights an’ people jabbin’ you with all sorts of medical equipment is that you gotta make a promise. No more doin’ stupid shit!”

The bluntness surprised you. Coming from a man who had just comforted you profusely, the statement was a small slap in the face. You looked at the cake sitting idly in your lap while you processed the words.

“So. I check up on you every week, yeah? You tell me all the small steps you made - it can be anything from getting into therapy to just waking up and taking a shower when all you wanted to do was sleep for longer. Small laps are better than none, ya hear?” Mic gingerly placed a hand on your shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “This is a battle that will last your entire life, listener. I might not always be around to pull you from that ledge. So you gotta make those steps so you can be the Hero that pulls yourself away. The Hero that wakes up every morning, looks in the mirror, and yells ‘I got this!’ That’s all I want from this whole thing.”

Oh. Oh, so you could cry more at this. The last of your tears rolled down your cheeks at the pep talk this Pro Hero was giving you. He understood. He was giving you a chance. It would have been easier to just send you away somewhere instead of sitting in a park in the middle of the night, buying you meals, and just talking to you like a person. Mic was here. Someone was there for you and the monsters in your head suddenly felt a bit less terrifying.

Thin fingers brushed away the tears, kind eyes from behind the shades offering you safety. A smile, a genuine smile graced your face and, once again, you were wrapped in a tight hug. It lingered for awhile before you finally pulled away to finish your cake with the warmth and comfort resting in your soul.

“Hey, lemme see your phone real quick,” Mic interrupted as he held out his hand.

You fished in your pocket for the device and handed it over knowing that it was better not to ask questions at this point. Mic clearly was headstrong and capable of convincing you to follow along with his plan. He began to type in something and then pull away for a quick selfie. You blushed when he handed it back, the new contact put in. Lots of obnoxious emojis followed his name, of course. You rolled your eyes and laughed. Mic held up his phone and rocked it back and forth, signalling for you to text him. With a few clicks, you sent him an image of some meme of a cat with teary eyes and a bunch of hearts. You heard him snort as he saved your number to his phone.

“There. You got my number. I’ll send you some contacts I know to get started with gettin’ real help,” he beamed. “You text me when you feel like those voices are getting bad again, okay?”

A small nod.

“Thank you,” you murmured. “For all this.”

“Of course! Anything for my favorite listener!”

That made you blush again, the warmth feeling wonderful on your cheeks. You two shared a laugh and continued eating junk food to your heart’s content. Mic regaled you with a story of how he can’t eat spicy chips anymore otherwise he breathes fire. You told him about the time you believed for an entire year that onigiri were jelly donuts.

The two of you swapped stories and you felt the last of the monsters holding you back slip away into hibernation. You had a friend who was going to check up on you even if you tried to hide from the world. To pull you off that ledge when you really needed it. His loud voice was already chasing away the monsters and planting seeds of self-worth into your head. The love that radiated from the man was more powerful than any Quirk.

Present Mic was your number one hero.

[amaloaf]

Forget (Remember) ch. 4

Hey remember this? Apparently I did so here it is, only 6+ months late. Sorry for any inconsistencies, I kinda had to do an overhaul on some of the plot points, nothing major.

The new doctor in town, Doc, was kind enough. He picked out the glass in Sarge’s hand and bandaged it without saying more than three word to either of them. He made fast work of it and before either of them knew, one tetanus shot and and a wise sounding “be more careful next time” later, they were back on the street left to awkwardly walk home.

Sarge couldn't even pretend to look at Fillmore. He just clenched his fists until his bandaged hand stung to distract himself as he stormed back to his store. Fillmore spoke to his back.

“So we're not even gonna talk about this?” Sarge could hear the uneven sound of Fillmore’s wheelchair moving over the rugged terrain. If he were a better man he would go back and at least have the decency to push his partner back to his hut. However, he was just too angry to give a damn about anything regarding Fillmore so he made the show of loudly stomping his feet back to the surplus garage. At least Fillmore was kind enough not to call after him.

Doug “Mater” Keever was waiting inside the door when he went inside. He had some idea of why he was here, so Sarge brushed past him in favor of helping an old woman who was looking at some of the various scrap he kept in the back of the store. She soon left with a sturdy copper pipe, though, and Sarge was forced to acknowledge the other man's presence.

“Doug.” He nodded in his direction.

“Sarge.” Doug seemed to consider him for a moment before deciding to continue. “I hear y’alls havin’ relationship issues.” He stated bluntly. Sarge glared at him from over a display table, he had never had and issue with Mater or his family (in fact they were currently the only outed gay couple in the town who had yet to be stricken by misfortune, which Sarge took some comfort in), but that didn't mean there wasn't any reason to start. Especially if they wanted to start sticking their grimy noses were they didn't belong. Mater put his hands up in defense, though his cheeky smile certainly didn't go unnoticed, “Now, now I di’nt mean nuthin’ by it ya know me Sarge. But I can't safely say I hadn’t been in your shoes before and thought yous could use a helpin’ hand in all that drama.”

“I haven't a clue about what in God’s name your talking about.”, he lied. Maybe, if Sarge was lucky, he could maybe not have the entire town find out about what goes on his bedroom before the day ends. “In case you haven't noticed I'm just a simple man living a single, bachelor life in a up-and-coming pitstop town. I'm not exactly the settling down type.” Another lie. “Besides, even if I was having issues, which I'm not, why would you be any help, I mean it's not like we have anything… in common.” Even Sarge couldn't deny how full of shit he sounded. Mater just chuckled, a deep but warm sound that came from the chest, and looked at Sarge with a mix of amusement and pity.

“Y'know Sarge, denial’s a big ol’ parta the comin’ out process. I won't deny I spent years fightin’ myself at e’ry turn ‘cause I felt I hadda be sumn’ I wasn't.” Sarge stiffened at his words, his shoulders pulling back and his spine going rigid. “I'm jus’ tellin’ ya, it doesn't havta be that way for ya. Radiator Springs is safe, ain't nobody gon’ be able to touch ya here, you can jus’.. be yerself.” Mater said as he watched Sarge, hoping for some sort of recognition or even just a show that he was listening.

Sarge expertly kept his eyes trained on the wall. He kept his arms crossed, voice dangerously low and whispered, “Get the fuck out of my shop before you regret making assumptions that you know a damned thing about me.”

Mater sighed. “Aight, then. Have a good resta ya day, Sarge.” Mater began to walk out but paused in the doorway, “Woulda at leas’ think bout what I-” he was cut up by Sarge slamming the door behind him and removed the sign on the window that said “Open” to “Out to Lunch”. He watched Mater regard the sign before walking off his property, slight disappointment clear in his posture.

‘Good. Serves him right for trying to breach my privacy.’ Sarge thought. He finally felt like he had a second to breath, like he had been holding his breath since the tattoo parlor. He realized he hadn't even gotten dressed this morning and was still just in his sweatpants and jacket. His watch told him it was almost 12:30. Lunch break shower it is.

….

A shower really did do wonders on him. He finally looked halfway respectable, his hair combed and his oddly colored skin at least clean. Fresh clothes and he was practically a new man. No other residents came to the shop for the rest of the business day, so he could rest easy helping customers and negotiating prices. He even caught a shoplifter, a sniveling teen with greasy hair growing past his collar that had tried to shove some blank dog tags into his pocket. He felt a small sense of pride handing the boys apologetic parents a pamphlet for a correctional military camp and watching the kids face twist in horror.

A small part of his brain told him Fillmore would be disappointed, and that he should of been more forgiving. He pushed those thoughts away, after all he had a business to run.

It wasn't until he closed up for the night that he was suddenly aware of how hungry he was, and how empty his kitchen was of any nutritional substance. ‘Normally I eat at Fillmore’s’ he thought miserably as he closed another cabinet after no food had materialized between the last five minutes he had checked. ‘‘Flo’s can't be THAT busy. I'll just get something to go.’’

He was right in a sense; Flo’s cafe was having a fairly slow night, it was just housing everyone Sarge was trying to avoid. Ramone sat on a barstool, trying to start a conversation with the new doctor. The town sheriff was having a malt on the doctors other side, and Doc seemed to be warming up to him much better. Mater sat with his husband, Carlo, and their kid Toby, (who they just called “Tow” since the poor kids lisp made it hard to pronounce his own name and they just couldn't resist the pun to their profession) at an outside table. Tow was talking loudly about some sort of lizard he had seen and was spraying food whenever he talked. Scattered townsfolk and shopkeepers lounged around, relaxing after another busy workday. The worst of it though, was Fillmore sat in his and Sarge's normal table, forlornly picking through a salad. It was enough to make Sarge up and leave, but before he could try and slip away Flo called from the doorway, making everyone in the restaurant look his way.

“Hey there General! The usual?” She shouted, and by the coy grin on her face, Sarge just knew she and Ramone had planned something. He faked a half smile and shouted back, “Yes, if you don't mind!”, before stomping up to sit at the bar next to Ramone.

Doc took notice of the new patron and leaned over, “How's your hand doin’, Sargent?” Sheriff immediately noticed Sarge's hand, which had begun to show stains of blood through the bandaging.

“Woof, how'd you get that, Sarge?”, he asked, voice laced with trace amounts of concern through his malt.

“Grabbed a figurine too rough and it shattered in my hand. It's doing much better though Doctor, thanks.” Sarge replied. “I'll change the bandaging again tonight, I think.”, he added quickly before the doctor could lecture him on taking care of his wound.

“Good. Make sure to disinfect it as well.” He said before adding, “Oh, and you can just call me Doc, no need to be so formal.”

“Just Doc, huh?” Ramone said as Flo placed a hearty red stew with a glass of water in front of Sarge and sliding a ham sandwich to Doc. “Does that come with a story?” Ramone added with a grin, “or do we have to crack your cold facade first?”

“Maybe my origins will be revealed in due time.” Doc said evenly as he took a sandwich half in his hands. “But for now let’s enjoy the lovely food that's been placed before us.”

‘Amen’ Sarge thought. He could feel Fillmore's eye glancing over his back and he wanted to be gone as soon as physically possible. Just when he began to gulp down his last few spoonfuls he felt a large, warm, familiar hand on his back. He turned his head just enough to regard Fillmore but made no effort to make conversation. Ramone and Doc both glanced at them, smugly and curiously, respectively, before politely turning away. Sheriff, never one for social graces, made no such niceties, watching them over Doc’s shoulder.

“Ge- Sarge, do you think we could talk now?” Fillmore asked, his voice gentle.

Sarge thought about it for a moment before answering, “No. I don't think I'm ready yet.” It wasn't a complete lie, but just enough of one to make him feel bad all the same for not working through these relationship issues. “Just… give me time.” Fillmore removed his hand and began to turn the wheelchair around and leave the room.

Sarge couldn't stand watching him go. Even his hand being removed from Sarge's back made his heart ache.

[andromedahawking]

NaNoWriMo, Day 1

1,667 words, done! Take a looksie if you’d like. (Warning: this is unedited, first-draft quality writing. Don’t expect AO3-level stuff here.)

Today was Tuesday, and that meant one of three things was going to happen:

Maria was going to have a very bad time, because American History would be devoted purely to working on the group project due at the end of the term, and she would have to do all the work, again.

Maria was going to have a normal bad time, because History would be divided between lecture and the project.

Maria was going to have a good time, because History would be 100% lecture, and the group project would wait until Thursday.

Needless to say, she really really hoped that possibility #3 was going to come through for her today.

She walked onto campus at 9, still bleary-eyed from the night before. She sworn she was going to stop getting so drunk, what happened? It was amazing how quickly she'd ditched that resolution.

“Yo, Taylor, wait up!”

She looked back. There was Adrien. “How’s it going today?”

“Awful,” she groaned. “You remember how I said last night was going to be nice and quiet and I’d go to bed early?”

“Yeah. Didn’t go very well?”

“No, it didn’t…”

He smiled crookedly. “That’s always how it goes, isn’t it? You say it, but then when it’s time to do it, it all just sorta falls apart.”

“Pretty much,” she said. “I ended up getting absolutely smashed and fell asleep at the kitchen table.”

“Oof. That sounds rough.”

“It was fun up until about 2, then I tanked, hard.”

“Well, at least you had fun?”

“I guess.” She opened the door to the History building. “I at least got my stuff for today done before I started knocking back shots.”

“That’s good,” he said. “I know Monaca’s gonna be doing stuff that we won’t understand if we didn’t do it.”

“Does that mean there’s no group project stuff today?”

He made an uncertain noise in his throat. “Mayyybe. Maybe not. I dunno. It’s gonna be something, but I don’t know what exactly.”

“It’s gonna be ‘something’? That’s specific. Very specific.”

He smacked her arm playfully. “Don’t knock me for not knowing. It’s not like she’ll follow the syllabus to the letter.”

“If she does, today is gonna suck.”

“I hear you, sister.”

They entered the classroom. The seats were empty, but Monaca was there at her desk, feet up, book in one hand, bottle of Snapple in the other. “Mornin’,” she greeted, not looking up from the book. “How was your weekend?”

“Saturday was okay, Sunday and Monday… ick," Maria said, sitting down. “I’ve had better days than those.”

“I didn’t really have much going on this weekend, so it was pretty meh,” Adrien said.

“Anything worth going into detail about, Maria?” Monaka asked.

“Not really. Sibling rivalry, too much to drink, the usual.”

“That’s a shame. Hope today goes better.”

“Me too.”

—

The rest of the class trickled in, looking various levels of tired and/or hungover. Apparently there had been some sort of party in one of the dorms or something. Whatever it was, it made her feel a bit better knowing she wasn’t the only one who’s head felt ready to explode.

When 9:30 hit, Monaca put down her book. “Okay, is everyone here?”

“No, we’re missing Jackson and Hannah.”

She let out a sigh. “Okay, well, we’re gonna have to start without them, I’ve got a full class’ work for you today.” She stood up. “So, let’s start with a question: I say 2050s, what comes to your brains?”

“Mazer!”

“Mazer.”

“Energy grid.”

“Mazer.”

“Teller City.”

“Energy revolution.”

Monaca smiled. “That’s what I figured. We had two presidents in the 2050s and a bunch of history happened, but most of us really only remember a few of the big things: President Mazer, Teller City, or the energy grid. I know you guys all had US History in high school, but the first half of the 21st century is a bit, ah, fuzzier in terms of analysis than the rest of the timeline. Then, of course, anything past ’64 is just too fresh off the presses to touch quite yet, and I don’t think I need to tell you why. How many of you were born before or during 2064?”

About half the class raised their hand, Maria included.

“Yup. Thought so. In general, if the people being taught about it were alive then, it’s better to avoid teaching it.” Monaca turned on the smartboard behind her. “2050s, however, are fair game, which makes me a very happy person, because that’s what I focused on when I was in college. So, this unit will be devoted entirely to going through the 2050s, with special focus on the details of what made the big changes possible. If you guys want to know what got the energy grid started, or why Mazer was so popular, or when Teller City became a hub, this is a good time to pay extra attention in class.”

“2050s 101?” someone quipped.

“2050s 202, thank you very much,” she said, grinning. “And, don’t think I forgot, anyone—”

Oh, no. No, no no no no.

Oh, and there was the rest of the class, groaning with her.

“—the group project is due on December 1st, last day of the semester. I’m going to be very generous, and give you the second hour of all the Thursday classes to work on it.”

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away,” Maria said through her hands.

“You’ll be fine, guys, don’t be so dramatic,” Monaca said. “And besides, you got to pick your partners, so really, you should be thanking me.”

“Thank you?” Adrien said.

“You’re welcome. Now, 2050! Let’s get started with 2050.”

—

“So basically, 2050 was 2049, except somehow even more devoid of anything important,” Maria said to Adrien as they left.

“Yeah, pretty much,” he nodded. “But it sounds like things start getting interesting in 2051.”

“I really hope so, ‘cause I’ve been a good girl and not fallen asleep in this class yet, and I don’t wanna break my streak.”

“You’re a freakin’ nerd, Maria.”

“I’m a cool nerd, you jerk, and don’t forget it.”

“Mm-hm. Whatever you say.”

“See you in English tomorrow.”

“No, German, remember?”

“Same difference!”

She waved goodbye to him, and made her way back to the parking lot. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Thalia: hey loser before you come back you need to go grocery shopping

Oh, so that’s how it was gonna be today?

Maria: Hey loser, when you get out of bed, you need to get in the fucking shower like I told you before I left.

Thalia: I *did*. *Gawd*

Maria: Keep up the attitude and I will kick your ass into next Wednesday. Get in the shower, now.

Thalia: I already showered! jfc

Maria: Thalia, I will not hesitate. Get. In. The. Shower.

Thalia: I. ALREADY. DID.

Maria: If you’re lying I’m taking away your computer again.

Thalia: Im so fuckin scared

Thalia: it isnt like I *showered* or anything

Thalia: unlike what my sister thinks

Maria: Keep it up, Thalia. Keep it up.

Thalia: we need cheddar and we need ketchup and we need burger patties

Maria: I hate you.

Thalia: mwah

Maria growled, shoving her phone back into her pocket. Why did little sisters have to be the most infuriating creatures on Earth?

She got in her car. “Tesla, I need to go to the grocery store before heading home today, remind me.”

“When would you like to go?” the car asked.

“No later than 15:00.”

“I will remind you at 14:00.”

“Thanks. Take me into the city, I have to meet up with John today.”

“Where are you meeting?”

“Down at that ritzy place on Columbus.”

“Giove?”

“Yeah, Giove.”

“We’ll be there in 15 minutes, with traffic.”

“Sweet.”

—

Giove was a nice Italian restaurant in San Francisco’s Little Italy. Maria saved going there for important meetings or special occasions. Today, with John… it was sort of both.

Thinking about it, it hadn’t been all that long since she saw him last. It was November 1st today, and she’d seen him in July. So that was, what, a few months? Not that long, in the grand scheme of things. John lived in New York, anyway, so getting out to see him wasn’t something they’d planned on happening frequently. When he’d called last week to suggest meeting up, she had offered to let him stay the night, but he'd declined. “Church stuff,” he’d said. Whatever that meant.

The fog was starting to burn off when she arrived, the sun shining through a small hole in the blanket of gray. It was still plenty cold for her taste, so she hurried inside and got to their table.

John showed up a few minutes later. He looked a bit better than last time: he’d gotten a neater haircut, and his facial hair was less unruly. He was wearing a button-up shirt this time, which was an interesting change. She wondered what he would look like in a three-piece suit.

“Hey there, Maria,” he said, sliding into his chair. “How are you?”

“Hoping to get rid of the last of my hangover with this lunch,” she said. “How about you?”

“The Hyperloop gives me anxiety, but less so than other modes of transport,” he said. “Other than that, nothing incredible is happening in my life.”

“That so?”

“Well, besides the obvious.”

“Right…” she said. “…I’ll get it out of the way, you and I are both thinking about election day, right?”

“Yeah,” he admitted. “I’m not looking forward to it. It’s going to be one of the closest in recent history.”

“Closer than ’64, do you think?”

He frowned as he thought about it. “On an electoral level, probably not, but popularly, it’s going to be very tight. It could go either way.”

“I’ve been trying not to think about it, but… it’s hard,” she said. “I turned off my WiFi in October.”

“Same here,” he said, laughing weakly.

[crywonder]

We’re Good - Part 2

PART 2 OF 2 - PART 1 HERE

Ship: Champselyseeshipping (Serena/Misty)

Summary: So maybe things didn’t turn out the way you wanted. Just take it one day at a time, and you’ll see -- it’ll be okay in the end. Canon divergent. Two-shot.

FFnet || Ao3

She never liked how rough her mother’s Rhyhorn’s exterior was when she was a child, but her appreciation of it had grown in the years she’d lived by herself. Its coarse rock hide was once unpleasant to touch, and a major factor in being unwilling to race Rhyhorn, but now it felt like home.

She supposed her surroundings made her feel at home, too. Vaniville was supposed to be her hometown after all. But Grace’s job had meant that Serena had spent a substantial amount of her childhood travelling, so maybe it meant a little less. The musky smell of autumn was wonderful, as was the feeling of a brittle brown leaf between her fingers – but none of it was as familiar as Rhyhorn, who’d been with her everywhere.

“Fletchling, fletch!” chirped her mother’s other pokémon at her, and Serena chuckled. She couldn’t forget Fletchling, of course.

“You haven’t evolved yet?” Serena asked, holding out her hand and allowing the bird to perch on the side of her wrist. “When are you ever going to grow up? Ow!” she yelped, when he gave her knuckle an offended peck.

“Fletch!” he huffed, before fleeing off to his owner.

Serena pursed her lips. “Some welcome, huh?”

Rhyhorn grunted and shut her eyes, asking to be pet more, so Serena obliged.

“Serena!” her mother called out, “I didn’t know you’d be home this early!”

“Surprise!” Serena called back, giving her a little wave. Her mother ran out into the front yard and wrapped her arms tightly around her. Serena had always marvelled at Grace’s strength – she was well into her fifties now and had retired from racing, but she still looked and acted like she hadn’t aged a day past thirty.

“Well?” she asked. “Did you drop by Santalune? Did you get what I wanted?”

Serena rolled her eyes. “Is that all you care about?”

Grace chuckled. “Of course not, dear. Come on in!”

After a hearty lunch and an hour of playing around with Rhyhorn and Fletchling, Grace decided to let Serena share in another one of her new passions since her retirement: cross-country running.

Much to Serena’s dismay.

“This tracksuit is so comfortable,” Grace commented, “Very easy to run in.”

“Oh yeah?” Serena breathed, struggling to get air into her system. They’d only been running for ten minutes, but she wasn’t used to this kind of vigorous exercise. “I always … did pick out the best clothes …”

“Well, I’m not so sure about the colour.”  

Serena threw her mother a wry look, not just because of the comment but also because of how she seemed completely unaffected by their run up a hill. “Maybe next time,” she took a deep breath, “You should come along.”

Grace turned her head to glance at Serena, and then slowed down to keep pace with her daughter. “Breath in and out through your nose. It makes it easier that way.”

“Easy for you to say,” Serena croaked, finally coming to a stop. She closed her eyes and grasped at her knees, focusing on taking deep breaths and getting the oxygen into her system again. Now that she stopped however, she noticed the soreness of her feet and started to cramp slightly on her side. “Ow …”

“The stitches.” Serena looked up to see her mother give her a sympathetic smile, one that was all too familiar and infuriating. “Stopping probably wasn’t a good idea.”

Serena scowled. “I see that now.”

She focused back on looking straight ahead of her – lifting her head to look up at Grace was proving too much of an effort. From the corner of her eye she could see her mother rummage through her fanny pack and pull out a small palm-sized water bottle; another trinket that Serena had brought to her mother from the stores of Santalune City.

“Have a drink,” she said, waving the tiny bottle in front of Serena’s face. Serena finally pulled herself straight, and downed half the bottle in one go.

“Thanks.”

Grace nodded over to a large boulder on the side of the trail. “We can rest on that rock over there, if you want.”

“Yes please!”

Serena had to practically crawl her way over, but the relief she felt once she sat down was immediate. She reached up to wipe the small beads of sweat that were starting to make her way down her forehead and found that strands of hair had fallen lose in front of her face. She quickly got to work undoing her ponytail and brushing her hair back and behind her ears.

Grace chuckled, causing Serena to look up at her with her hair tie caught between her lips. “You don’t have to worry about your hair all the way out here. There’s no one around!”

“You’re around,” Serena mumbled, taking the tie out from her lips and stretching it over the bun she’d bunched up at the back of her head. She pulled out a few bobby pins she’d stuck onto her shirt and started pinning her bun into place, bit by bit. Grace rolled her eyes.

“I didn’t say we could sit here forever.”

“Mom!” Serena glared up at her mother playfully. “I’m always quick with this stuff. I travelled around for ages!”

But Serena had thick hair, and eight bobby pins was apparently as far as Grace’s patience could go. “Alright,” she sighed, taking a seat next to her. Despite the chilly autumn hair, her mother was still radiating warmth. “Since we’ll be here a while, why don’t we talk?”

“If you wanted to do that, you shouldn’t have taken me on a run.”

“Serena.”

Serena couldn’t stop herself from giggling. “Alright, alright! We still have a lot to catch up on anyway. And you still haven’t lectured me on how I don’t have a real job yet.”

“Oh, I don’t care about that as long as you’re able to pay the rent. I was more interested in how your friend got you a table at Siebold’s restaurant.” Grace grinned. “You think she could do the same for me?”

“Now I get it,” Serena smirked. “You made me run all the way up here so you could tire me out, and then get that reservation out of me.”

Her mother threw her hands into the air. “You got me! That really was my plan all along.”

Serena stifled a laugh. “I’m sure I could ask Misty to pull some strings. Was there anyone you wanted to go with? Your old racing buddies?”

“Actually,” Grace said, placing both hands in her lap, “I wouldn’t mind a nice night out with the two of you.”

“… The two of us?”

“You and Misty. You two seem close, and I’d like to meet her.” Grace smiled. “You’ve mostly been talking about her all day, so I need to see what all the fuss is about, don’t I?”

“Um.” Serena suddenly found herself unable to look her in the eye and fighting the heat rising to her face. She didn’t understand why the idea of Misty meeting her mother made her feel so nervous. It was only Misty after all – just another one of her friends, and all of her close friends had met Grace at some point. Heck, even Ash had met her, back during the height of Serena’s crush on him. So what was the deal?

“Serena?”

“Huh?” Serena jumped. “Oh! Um, I-I’ll give her a call and see what she can do.”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” Serena waved her hands. “Really!”

Grace frowned. “Do you not want us to meet?”

“Th-that’s not it at all! I’d love for you to meet her, she’s wonderful. You’d like her a lot.” Serena muttered under her breath, “I hope.”

Serena felt a warm hand squeeze her shoulder. “I know I will. You’ve always kept the loveliest people around you. Even Ash.”

Serena gave her mother a grateful smile. “I know.”

Grace tilted her head. “It’s nice to see you not getting upset over that boy anymore.”

“Hm? Upset?”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

Serena shifted in her seat, pursing her lips. “I guess I haven’t thought about him in a while.” She hesitated. “But uh … Misty’s helped a lot actually.”

“She has, has she?”

“Mhm.” Serena stared down at her thumbs, carefully tracing the contours of her hand with her thumbnail. “She was … well.” She shifted in her seat. “She loved him too.”

Grace raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is that why you spend so much time around her? I thought she was your new girlfriend.”

Serena nearly fell off her seat. “Wh-what?!”

“Well I did! You were gushing about her so much, you can’t blame me for jumping to conclusions.”

“Gushing about – mom!” Serena’s cheeks were searing uncontrollably now, as much as she was willing them to stop. “It’s not like that!”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure!” Serena stood abruptly, suddenly feeling the urge to move around and do something physical. “Are we going to run back home or are we just going to sit around here?”

“Wha –?”

“Let’s go!” Serena turned on her heel and started running back down the hill.

“Wait, we were supposed to go all the way up!” Grace’s voice grew closer, but Serena started to pick up the pace. “And just because you’re not dating Misty doesn’t mean I don’t want to meet her! I still do!”

“I’ll see what I can do! Now try to keep up!”

----------------

“Are you sure I look okay?” Misty asked, poking at the slight pouf in her hair. Serena laughed lightly swatting her hand away.

“You look fine!” She smoothed down the few strands that had gone stray thanks to the redhead’s fidgeting. “You really don’t have to worry.”

“I just want to make a good impression!”

“Oh, Misty, it’s not anyone you haven’t met before.”

“I know, but,” Misty sighed, exasperated, “All your friends are so beautiful, and I mean …”

Serena raised an eyebrow, but waited for her to continue. She’d never known Misty to be so self-conscious about these things. She’d met four of Serena’s closest friends from her showcases – Shauna, Nini, Miette and Aria – and she didn’t care then what she looked like.

Then again, Misty had worn dresses to those four meetings, and that wasn’t something that happened very often …

“If I’m going to be your … plus one,” Misty said carefully, and Serena’s lips tightened, “To this party, I want to look as good as you, you know?”

“Oh,” Serena laughed, waving her concern away, “It’s only Nini’s birthday party! She doesn’t care about being fancy. I won’t be dressing up too much, and I don’t think anyone else will either.”

“You don’t need to dress up. None of your friends do. That’s my point.”

“And you think you do?”

Misty remained silent, refusing to meet Serena’s eye in the mirror of her dressing table. Serena bit her lip and knelt down so she was eye level to the girl, forcing her to swivel around.

“Misty,” Serena started, “I thought this whole makeover was for fun. I didn’t realise it was because you thought you needed it.”

Misty opened her mouth to speak, but Serena squeezed her shoulder. “And you don’t. You’re beautiful. And I don’t just mean right now, I mean always.”

It took all of Serena’s strength not to look away or stutter over her words. She knew it wouldn’t mean anything if she did, so she held her ground. She didn’t want to give Misty any room to think she was lying.

With satisfaction, and a bit of a thrill, Serena noted Misty’s ears were turning pink and was glad that she hadn’t caked her in pounds of makeup like the redhead had initially wanted.

“And besides,” Serena added, “I asked you to be my plus one because everyone likes you. That’s not because of how you look.”

She wasn’t close enough to feel Misty’s breath on her face – thank the stars, because there was no way Serena would’ve been able to deal with that – but she was close enough to hear her breathing quicken for just less than a second. Her lips formed a small ‘o’ before pressing shut.

“Do you really mean all of that?” Misty finally asked.

“Of course I do.”

Misty opened her mouth to speak again, but she never got the chance as the doorbell rang. Serena lost all her resolve in a snap, and leapt backwards onto her feet.

“Ah!” she yelped, scurrying backwards out of the room, “That’ll be the girls!”

The walk to her door wasn’t enough to think up an explanation for the flush on her face, but neither Miette or Shauna questioned in when she let them into the house. It made Serena nervous.

“Hi!” she chirped a little too brightly, “You two are early!”

“We wanted food,” Shauna explained.

“And we decided it was cheaper to eat at yours,” Miette finished for her, Shauna slapping her on the arm.

Serena giggled. “I have a few leftovers from dinner.”

“Is Misty here yet?” the brunette asked.  

“Uh …” Serena blinked, “Yeah, she’s been here a while. To get ready.”

Both her friends swapped a look that justified Serena’s anxiety, and her face burned as she stomped her foot. “Guys!” she hissed, “She’s in my room, so don’t be weird!”

Miette smirked, “Is she now?”

“N-not like … Miette!” She hid her face in her hands, “She just wanted some clothes and makeup, that’s all!”

“Hi Shauna, Miette,” she heard Misty announce, and Serena wanted to die. How much of that had she heard?

“Wow!”

“Oh Misty, your dress!”

“Nice.”

“I love your hair, did Serena do that for you?”

“You look hot.”

“You look really good!”

“Thanks,” Misty said shyly, and Serena rolled her eyes. If she’d just asked Aria for a ride, it wouldn’t be this embarrassing. Aria was her first choice, actually, but she was busy with a photoshoot right before the party, and Serena’s apartment wasn’t on the way. Then she’d called Shauna, and Shauna was fine on her own, but pair her with Miette …

Not to mention that she was a little put off by Miette’s blatant flirting. But that was only minor, of course.

“Hey,” Serena snapped, calling for everyone’s attention. “You guys are here for food, right?”

“You know that’s not all we’re here for,” Shauna sighed.

“Yeah, you give us food, and we give you a ride.” Miette hooked an arm around Misty’s. “And Misty gets to ride free of charge!”

“It’s my car, Miette, and I’m driving. By the way, I’m sorry if we’re intruding, Serena. We probably should’ve called first.”

“No, no, it’s fine!” Serena rummaged through her fridge for tonight’s dinner. “It’s not like I’m ever busy, you guys know that.”

“Hey, why is that?” From the corner of her eye, she saw Miette untangle from Misty and take a seat at the kitchen table. Her expression was sombre; she didn’t look like she was teasing at all. “I thought you were pursuing modelling. What happened to that?”

“Oh, I was never pursuing modelling. I only do it for Shauna.” She pulled out a few Tupperware boxes, and looked through her cupboards for some bowls. “Just helping a friend out. And it pays the rent.”

“Then what are you doing?”

Serena froze for a second that she hoped no one else in the room noticed. Gritting her teeth, she slowly started spooning the pasta from the Tupperware into a bowl. “Nothing … at the moment. I’m still trying to figure out what I want.”

“She’s Pancham’s manager,” Misty provided, and Serena flushed.

“Oh, that’s not really a big deal. Pancham’s interested in acting, so I’ve been training him up and sending him out for auditions.”

“And you were getting Sylveon into dancing too, weren’t you?” Shauna asked.

“That one’s not working out so well. People are more interested in groups of dancers than just one lone pokémon. Even if I was to join her, there wouldn’t be a huge audience.”

Miette frowned as she contemplated the conversation. “Why don’t you compete again? Showcases are back next month. You have time.”

“Um …” Serena bit her lip. Truth be told, as much as she loved performing, she wasn’t sure she could do it anymore – at least not competitively. She’d already achieved her goal, so all the fire that was driving her forward was gone. She loved watching it, and she’d still think up routines with her pokémon and dance around with them at home, but it felt like more of a hobby nowadays.

Which made her feel terrible, but she still couldn’t motivate herself to compete again.

“I don’t know,” she finally said. “Maybe.”

The room was uncharacteristically silent as Serena placed the pasta in the microwave and punched it in for two minutes. The microwave was loud enough to make up for it, but it didn’t make it any less awkward.

“Hey, you wanna know what my favourite showcase of yours was?”

“Wh-what?” Serena wasn’t sure she’d heard Miette right. Was she really going to compliment her? Even after all their years of friendship, it was rare for her to do that. It was more likely a joke – although Serena wasn’t sure what Miette had to gain from that.

“That one you organised right after the Team Flare attacks,” Miette continued, as if Serena hadn’t reacted at all.

“Oh, yeah!” Shauna exclaimed clapping her hands together, “Right before Clemont lit up the Lumiose Tower! That one was fun.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t even there but I wish I was.”

“That?” Serena gave the performers a funny look. “I didn’t even practice for that one! I-I mean, it was just Shauna and me and Jessilee playing around.”

“That’s probably why it was so great,” Miette persisted. “I mean, competition puts so much pressure on you, you can’t even have fun sometimes. Even if you’re enjoying yourself, if you don’t win it’s suddenly not as great. But when there are no stakes, you don’t really care.”

“And you did it for all those people, even though you didn’t have to,” Shauna added. She nudged Misty, “Hey, did you ever see it?”

“N-no,” Misty stuttered. Serena had forgotten about her being around, so she flushed immediately, thankful that serving the dinner onto plates involved facing away from the girls on the table. “You really did that?”

“Y-yeah … just a little thing, you know …”

Miette snorted. “Don’t sell yourself short. That’s only one of the times you’ve proved you’re a better person than all of us.”

Serena spun around immediately. “Miette, you’re so extreme!” But she suddenly met Misty’s gaze and found that she couldn’t pull away.

“Miette’s right,” she said quietly, almost to herself, “That sounds amazing.”

Internally, she was screaming. Misty’s eyes were sparkling, her hands were clasped tightly and her shoulders were bunched up like she was holding her breath. Serena didn’t think the performance was such a big deal, but she didn’t want Misty to stop looking at her the way she was so she didn’t say anything. She could’ve stood there staring like an idiot forever, but Shauna cleared her throat and ruined the moment.

“Sorry, food!” Serena remembered, and quickly turned around to get back to what she was doing. She didn’t need to be watching to know the looks Shauna and Miette were probably passing each other. They probably brought Misty into this on purpose.

But admittedly … they had given her something to think about.

----------------

“Politoed, toed!”

“Oh, I’m glad you like my poké puffs, Politoed!” Serena chuckled. “I made sure they’re super sweet, just the way you like them.”

“Toed!” The pokémon threw the puff into his mouth and started dancing around, sending Serena scrambling backwards on all fours.

“Politoed!” his trainer commanded, “Control yourself!”

Politoed, predictably, did not stop dancing, and from the corner of her eye Serena saw Misty crouch down next to her. “After all these years …”

Serena stifled a giggle. “I think it’s cute.”

“You would think it’s cute,” Misty groaned.

“He’d be great in a showcase.”

“Are you offering to take him off my hands?”

“Misty!” Serena finally turned to face the girl fully, and saw her with her chin in her hand and elbow resting on her knee. She had that funny kind of smile on her face that Serena was only just starting to get used to.

“What?” she smirked, “If I had to trust Politoed with anyone, it’d be you.”

Serena flushed. “With me?”

“Uh, because you’re good with pokémon, of course!” Misty recoiled, tucking a rogue strand of her fringe away behind her ear. “Look at you, running back and forth for Pancham just because he wanted an acting career – a-actually, forget it! You’re never getting Politoed because you’d spoil him rotten!”

“Are you going to make up your mind?” Serena deadpanned.

The doorbell rang before Misty could give an angry retort, and the redhead shot into the air and ran out to answer it. Serena didn’t realise she was expecting company at this time, and felt bad for coming over. It had been a surprise lunch on Misty’s day off – partly to test out her new poké puff recipe on Politoed, partly just to spend time with her. The trainer was getting busier and busier lately, and was getting a lot more attention from the higher-ups in the League. But she supposed she couldn’t be the only person Misty spent her time with; surely her other friends wanted to spend time with her too.

“Like, hiiiiiiiiiiiii!” a loud voice squealed, forcing Serena to give in to her curiosity and stride over to the living room. There she found Misty lost in a jungle of long, beautiful blonde hair. A man slightly older to Misty watched affectionately as he slumped under the weight of two large pink duffel bags, three more brightly coloured suitcases at his feet. Serena recognised him as Tracey, Ash’s friend who’d been working for Professor Oak back in Pallet Town. It’d been years since she’d seen him, but he looked exactly the same.

“Daisy!” Misty coughed out, “What are you doing here?”

Serena’s eyes widened as the blonde backed away, identifying her as one of Misty’s sisters. She’d only ever seen her in photographs, and she could never focus on the pictures as a whole because she’d always get caught up on the similarities between Misty and the rest of her family – Lily had Misty’s small, delicate nose; Daisy and Violet clearly had Misty’s thinner lips. Every single one of them had those same striking sea-green eyes.  

But seeing Daisy standing next to her sister in person made Serena realise they really were as different as night and day. Where Misty was strong and athletic, Daisy had an hourglass figure that a girl could die for. Misty had ever-thinning hair from all her time spent in the pool, while Daisy’s was still thick and lush and flowed all around her shoulders.

But as Daisy reached out to tuck a flower in Misty’s ear, just as she had one in her own, the similarities that she’d noticed earlier started to hold more weight.

“Here, I, like, picked this from Professor Oak’s garden.” Daisy toyed with Misty’s hair, twisting and tugging it into something a little more organised. “Tracey and I both had a week off, so we thought we’d, like, surprise you!”

“Can you stop messing with my hair?” Misty bit her lip. “Why didn’t you say anything? I could’ve been at work today!”

Tracey coughed quietly. “I did suggest calling first.”

“You totally did not!”

“It’s okay, Tracey,” Misty snickered, “I believe you.”

Tracey rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly before shifting his gaze to Serena. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Oh, I didn’t realise you had a guest over, little sister!” Daisy leaned forward, her lips twisted into a pout. “Wait a sec, haven’t I seen you before?”

Serena suddenly felt a little uncomfortable, like she was standing under a spotlight. Misty’s words from when she met her mother came to mind: I feel like she was judging me. What did you even say to her?

Serena understood now. She’d never met anyone this close to Misty. The trainer had her friends in Kalos, of course, like her co-workers and the staff at the café she frequented, but Serena was far more established in the region. All of Misty’s closest friends were back in Kanto, where she was from.

“This is Serena,” Misty sighed, striding over to place a small hand on her back that had Serena’s back stiffen and her heart race a little. “Ash’s friend from Kalos. I told you about her, remember?”

“We met when she came to Pallet Town a few years ago,” Tracey added. “I’ll never forget your poké puffs! I know they’re meant for pokémon, but I tried one myself and they’re excellent!”

Serena was ready to wave the comment away and insist they weren’t even her best work, but she was interrupted by Daisy. “Wait a minute … so you’re Serena?” She placed her hands on her hips, “Like Misty, you never told me you were dating a supermodel!”

Rarely did Serena’s mind ever go completely blank, but apparently this was a rare moment. Her brain wasn’t sure what to address first – the ‘dating’ or the ‘supermodel’? But her body reacted when her brain didn’t, and she was vaguely aware of her face burning.

“We’re not dating,” Misty hissed, and Serena turned to find her just as red as her hair. “Serena is not my girlfriend.”

“Really? Because you –”

“Not my girlfriend!” Misty roared, and she stomped over to Tracey, yanked the two large duffel bags away from him and marched off into her spare bedroom.

“What did I say?” Daisy whined, turning to her partner. Tracey winced.

“Well –”

“I’m not a supermodel,” Serena blurted out, apparently unable to control her mouth or any other part of her body. Her face burned hotter under the gaze of the couple. “I mean, a little bit but that’s not my main job … ah, are you guys hungry? I made extra lunch. It was going to be leftovers for Misty, but …”

“Are you sure?” Daisy gestured for Tracey to pick up their suitcases. “Not about, like, the lunch, because we’ll totally take you up on that. I always see you on those billboards advertising Shauna’s new clothing line, since it like just got to Kanto and all. What was it called …?”

“Oh, Shauna’s just my friend, I’m helping her out.” Serena moved out of the way and let them make their way further into the living room, noting the way Daisy took one of the heaver bags off her partner when she saw him struggling. It was strange that they had three big suitcases for a week’s holiday, but she supposed she shouldn’t be too surprised if Misty’s stories were true. “I’m actually in the business of organising showcases. But, um, for children in hospitals and remote areas. Well, I only just started, actually.”

“That sounds pretty awesome.” Tracey’s eyes scanning the room, probably to see where he could keep the luggage. She was about to offer to take it herself before Misty swooped in and grabbed hold of them herself.

“I suppose.” Serena carefully avoided Misty’s eyes as she came and went. “I’ve only just got the green light for my project. There’s still a lot more things I need to plan and details I need to work out. I don’t know how successful it’s going to be.”

“I’m sure it’ll turn out great!” Tracey reassured her, and she decided she liked him already.

“So you’re not going to work for Shauna anymore after you get that started?” Daisy asked.

“I think I will! Like I said, we’re friends.” Serena shifted on her feet. “Her brand’s doing really well, and we have similar styles anyway –”

“You’re wearing her now, aren’t you?” Daisy nodded to her feet. “Like, the boots.”

Serena glanced down at her feet and back up at the blonde. “How did you –”

“Misty might not be able to recognise a designer brand if it slapped her in the face, but she’s always been the runt of the litter.”

“I don’t care about brands!” Misty called from the bedroom, “I just buy what looks cute and has pockets!”

“Like I said, the runt.” Daisy winked. “We both know what’s really important though, don’t we?”

It struck Serena that this was Daisy’s way of trying to get along with her. Serena had never been deprived of a conversation about the things that she could never properly talk to Misty about, like fashion – it wasn’t that Misty didn’t like clothes too, but she didn’t have the same interest in runways and haute couture that Serena did. She supposed Daisy probably had plenty of outlets herself. They didn’t need each other for that, so this was clearly Daisy trying to make an effort to bond with her. It warmed her heart and her chest as she watched Tracey gently chastise Daisy for calling Misty a runt, and Daisy retort back that she was just joking and Misty knows it. The tired smile that Tracey gave her made her feel like she’d known them as family for years. She felt like she could belong with them.

Her gaze shifted a few degrees to the right and caught Misty’s eye, which she’d been trying so hard to avoid. She caught a split second of a maelstrom of emotions before she turned away – happiness, relief, a little bit of alarm and an expression that she couldn’t name, but was often on her face when Ash did well in his tournaments.

She supposed she’d stay for dinner as well.

----------------

Serena’s goodbye party was the previous night, but Misty had insisted on visiting in the morning before she took off. She’d be up early for training, and it was on the way.

Serena knew it wasn’t on the way, but she decided not to bring it up. Selfishly, she wanted Misty to come regardless. She wanted the opportunity to spend time with her alone, apart from everyone else, right before she left. Not that she didn’t value any of her other friends just as much, but she’d grown to value Misty in a different way.

And some tiny part of her mind was starting to think Misty might feel the same.

“You double checked everything, right?” the redhead asked as soon as she entered Serena’s apartment. “It’s always good to check right before leaving, in case you forgot something.”

“Triple-checked,” Serena nodded. “I made a list so I wouldn’t forget.”

“Your toothbrush? Face creams?”

“In my hand luggage.”

Misty nodded, though her brows didn’t relax. She held out a small brown paper bag. “I got you breakfast. I wasn’t sure if you had any.”

Serena winced. “Did … did you make that?”

“No! I bought it from a patisserie on the way here. I wouldn’t want you to get sick while travelling.” Misty frowned, “Speaking of which …”

“I have catering arranged for the whole crew and our pokémon, so it’s not likely we’re getting food poisoning. Besides, our first stop is Vaniville Town, so my mom’ll be around if anything happens. But I haven’t had time to eat breakfast,” Serena confessed, accepting the package, “So thanks.”

“But if you need anything, you can call me, okay?” Misty wrung her hands together. “Does anyone have your spare key?”

“Clemont. But I’ll tell him to give it to you if I need something and he’s too busy.”

“Clemont is responsible,” Misty murmured, running a hand through her hair.

“Vee!” her sylveon called, gesturing to the window with one of her ribbons. “Sylvee!”

“That must be the cab!” Serena rummaged in her pockets and pulled out three of her pokéballs. “We gotta go, guys! Return!”

“Did you really need to call a cab?” Misty huffed, running after Serena as she grabbed her phone and keys on the way out the house. “I could’ve just – oh, let me grab that!” Misty swatted at Serena’s hands when they grabbed for her big suitcase, and Serena relented. “I could’ve just driven you to the office myself, it’s not that far.”

“It’s on the other side of the city, Misty.” Serena waited for her to lug the bag outside, finally shutting the door and making sure it was locked – once, twice, and then a third time. You could never be too careful. “You didn’t even need to come this morning.”

“I wanted to make sure you were ready for today.”

Serena chuckled as she moved in front of Misty and walked down the stairs, pacing a little slower to keep in time with both Misty and the suitcase. “You seem more stressed about this than I do.”

“S-someone has to be!” Misty groaned, “Gosh, what’s in this bag?!”

“Everything you insisted I pack for my trip,” Serena smiled sweetly. “I really didn’t need ten different jackets, but since you insisted …”

“I get it.” With a final thud, Misty dumped the bag on the tiles of the ground floor and rolled it out towards the cab. Serena greeted the driver and let him pack all her luggage into the boot.

“You know,” Serena said softly, turning to Misty once the driver was out of earshot, “I’m glad you came. Even if you didn’t have to.”

Misty’s cheeks were still flushed as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She had a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll miss you.”

Serena bit her lip. “I’ll miss you too.”

“You’ll have to call me.”

“Of course. But I’m not leaving forever.”

“Eight months is a long time.”

Serena pursed her lips, and reached for Misty’s hand.

“Ready whenever you are,” the driver called before she had the chance to say anything, and disappeared into the cab.  

“I guess that’s my cue,” Serena breathed. Reluctantly, she let go of Misty’s hand and adjusted her ponytail.

“Hey, wait a second.” She looked up to see Misty with a funny look in her eyes, like she couldn’t focus on looking at any one thing. “First, I wanted to say that I’m proud of you.”

“Wha –?”

“You’ve come such a long way since I first met you, and the initial problem that brought us together … isn’t really a problem anymore. So I’m really proud of you.”

Serena coughed, a little embarrassed, “Well, thanks, you too–”

“I’m not done.” Misty closed her eyes. “I also think that … what you’re doing right now, with the hospitals and the children … that’s really amazing. And selfless. My goal is just to improve myself, but you want to spend your entire life making other people happy and I really, really admire you for that. And,” she took a deep breath and reached into her pocket, “Um, y-you’re going to need something to wipe off after you’re done with that breakfast, so …”

With both hands, she held out something blue and white and folded, with little starmie on it, and Serena bit her lip and breathed out sharply through her nose. It was funny how everything tended to fall into place all at once.

“Thank you,” she whispered, as she slipped the handkerchief out of Misty’s hands and into the front of her shirt. She was ready to turn around and head into the car – there was nothing more she really needed to do after all – but one look at Misty’s watery face made her stop for a moment.

So she kissed her without a second thought.

And it was liberating.

----------------

Serena hadn’t expected raised eyebrows when she strode into the bar. Sure, she had locked fingers with Misty Waterflower, but no one seated in Ash’s player box during the championship had said a thing. Most of those people were some of Misty’s closest friends, so she figured if she didn’t get anything from them, she wouldn’t get anything from anyone.

But apparently the water-type trainer was acquainted with half the people at this party, and their relationship wasn’t common knowledge the way it was back in Kalos.

“They’re only staring because they recognise you from the billboards,” Misty whispered in her ear.

“Oh.” Serena cleared her throat, a little embarrassed that she could be read so easily. “Thanks.”

“Let’s just ignore everyone that’s here from the League and find Brock. I bet some girl needs rescuing from him, and I don’t know if his croagunk is around –”

“Shouldn’t we try to find Ash? We’re already pretty late.”

She felt Misty’s fist clench around her hand, probably involuntarily. “He’s not going anywhere. We’ll check on him later.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Is something going on with you and Ash?”

“No!”

Serena narrowed her eyes. “Are you seriously still not over him?”

“What?” Misty let go of their hands, “Of course I am!”

“Then what’s the big idea?”

“What is your problem?” Misty barked, finally turning around on her, “Ash is going to be around for ages! He’s probably knee deep in League officials right now, and they’ll leave in an hour, so what’s the urgency? Maybe you’re the one who’s not over him.”

“Are you even listening to yourself?” Serena hissed, glancing around at the people who were starting to take more interest in their argument. “And you’re causing a scene!”

“You started it!”

“Aw, c’mon Misty, leave poor Serena alone!” They turned to find May with her hands on her hips, glaring playfully at Misty, “Not everyone’s ready to handle your temper.”

“I can take care of myself, thank you,” Serena snapped, and then finally realised who she was talking to. “Oh! May … sorry, I think I let my anger get the better of me.”

“It’s cool, we all have our moments.” May beamed, “So, I was off to find Ash, you two coming?”

Serena fixed Misty with a hard look, and she scowled. “Fine,” she relented, and Serena crossed her arms and looked away.

Surprisingly, it didn’t take long to find him. Ash wasn’t surrounded by League officials, as Misty had suggested, but he was sitting at the bar with Pikachu on his shoulder, as always. Iris, Dawn, Gary and a few others she didn’t recognise were taking shots as both trainer and pokémon watched on warily.  

“Ash!” May called, waving for his attention, and he brightened up as soon as he saw them.

“May! Misty! Serena!” He ran over to them and Serena was struck with how much he’d grown. She hadn’t seen him since she’d travelled to Pallet Town almost six years ago. He was taller than she remembered, his hair was a little shorter and he shaving scars on his chin.

“Pikachupi!” Pikachu cried, and jumped onto Misty’s shoulder, scampering across to each of the three girls for a nuzzle. He finally settled in Misty’s arms, much like he had when she met Misty for the first time.

“Congratulations, Ash!” May breathed, reaching over to give him a hug. “I never got to say it today!”

“Us too,” Serena agreed, gesturing to herself and Misty, “We barely even saw you after you left the field!”

“Oh, sorry,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “The crowd kinda drowned everything out. I tried to find you guys, I swear, but they kept taking me to this press meeting, and that press meeting –”

Misty laughed, and Serena saw her looking the happiest she had this entire party. “Gee, it’s so hard being the most famous person in the region, isn’t it?”

“Aw, Misty!”

“But congratulations,” she told him seriously, “I always knew you could do it.”

“Me too!” May squealed, before her phone suddenly started ringing. “Oh no, that’s probably Drew! I had to leave him in the hotel room because he got really sick. Would you give me a moment?”

“Yeah, sure.” Ash held his arm out for Pikachu to jump back on, and Serena watched May weave through the crowd and out of sight. “Hey, how come you guys were late, anyway?”

“We got caught in traffic on the way here,” Serena answered, and she saw Misty nod tensely from the corner of her eye.

Ash’s brow furrowed. “You came here together?”

Serena pursed her lips. She was fine with telling Ash about the two of them, but with the way Misty was acting –  

“Yeah,” Misty said, a firm hand latching around Serena’s arm. Serena gave Ash a weak smile and stepped a little closer to her. Misty looked a little tense, her lips forming a thin line and one foot slightly behind the other, like she was ready to kick someone. Serena wasn’t sure what her angle was, but she’d bring it up later.

“Oh.” Ash’s brow furrowed further, and his bottom lip poked out. “Huh. I didn’t realise you two were that close. When did this happen?”

“Not too long ago,” Serena confessed.

Ash’s face relaxed into an easy smile, and Serena let out a breath she didn’t know he was holding. “Well, good! I wasn’t sure if you guys would get along, so this is great. I’m happy for you!”

Misty’s hand slipped down from Serena’s upper arm and back into her hand, and Serena looked over to see her smiling much more freely. “It’s not about us, Ash, it’s about you! How does it feel being Champion of Kanto?”

Ash’s eyes sparkled as he looked up at Pikachu. While he gushed about his win and how surreal it was, Serena felt Misty’s hand squeeze hers.

They found themselves at the snack table a few hours later. They’d ended up there with Ash, May, Misty and Iris having an eating contest, but May left halfway because she needed to take care of Drew, and Cilan had dragged Ash and Iris away to do … Serena wasn’t sure what. Misty heaved her way over to the seat next to Serena and buried her face in her neck.

“I guess you won that one,” Serena teased. Misty grunted in response and it tickled her neck, and Serena had to push her off laughing.

“Leave me alone!” Misty groaned, “I regret everything. I shouldn’t have done this stupid contest anyway.”

“Then why did you?”

“… I got competitive.”

Serena snickered. “Then you have no one to blame but yourself.”

Misty buried her face back in Serena’s neck and grunted again. Serena figured that was the end of the conversation. She was still a little mad at Misty for today – she still had no idea where things stood between them. Her girlfriend hadn’t explained her weird behaviour at all, and it was bothering her.

“About Ash …”

Serena jumped. “Can you read minds?”

Misty giggled and pulled away. “No. I can read you.” Serena didn’t answer, so Misty sighed, sitting up straight and rubbing her shoulder. “I was … nervous.”

“I figured that much.”

“But it’s not what you think.” Misty scowled at the ground, and Serena allowed her the time to think of what to say. “I was scared it’d be … awkward, meeting Ash like that. Together. Considering how we were.”

“… Oh.”

“I mean, it’s silly,” she continued, wringing her hands together, “But I thought, what if he doesn’t approve? Not that we need his approval, but he’s important to me. To us.”

“No, I don’t think it’s silly.” She reached over and placed her hand over Misty’s to stop her from fidgeting. “I was a little scared too.”

“You were?”

“Yeah. And I understand feeling awkward. I haven’t seen him at all since Pallet Town.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. We called and everything, but it’s different.”

“It is.”

Serena nodded. There was a silence again, but it didn’t feel as heavy now that they’d cleared things up. “It was probably pretty stupid of me to jump to conclusions, huh?”

Misty snorted. “Yeah. But I said some pretty stupid things myself.” After a pause, she added, “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too.”

Misty lips pressed against Serena’s temple, and she closed her eyes and focused on that sensation. It was a little sticky from lip balm – Misty was probably going to have to reapply again – and her nose dug a little into her hair.

“So are we good?” Misty murmured against her skin, and Serena felt herself smiling like a chansey.

“We’re good.”

[thethirstynoona]

Monster - Chapter 6

That damned tie.  An item reminiscent of your grandmother’s curtains – taupe with cascades of lavender and gold kaleidoscope patterns – was now wrapped around your neck as you struggled for breath while this shadow of a once-charming man rode you into submission.

Category: Angst/Smut/Breathplay/Voyeurism Word Count: 4,879 Group/Members: EXO/Baekhyun ft. Chanyeol

Chapter 5 | Chapter 7 

“Y/N?  Do you intend on joining the meeting?” a shrill voice said, causing your head to pop up in fright.  It was your boss, Kris, asking if you were ready for the presentation that was – well, that had started ten minutes ago.  You hastily wiped your keyboard clean of your midmorning drool before grabbing your laptop and joining him.

“I’m so sorry, sir.  I-I didn’t have a great night’s sleep.  I promise it’ll never happen again– “ you stammered whilst jogging down the hallway.  Kris seemed unfazed by your morning nap and grinned through his teeth as he pushed you into the conference room.

After landing the contract and leaving the meeting, you walked out of the area to find Kris waiting for you around the corner.  His former bright expression had been exchanged for one airing more taciturn than friendly.  You knew to be suspicious of his odd behavior after he caught you sleeping on the job, but at the time, nailing that presentation was everything.

“Y/N, I appreciate the fact that you are here thirty minutes early every day and stay at least an hour past your end time, but I cannot allow such disrespect for company policies.  You are a VP at this company and you need to act like it.  Imagine Siwon’s assistant had walked by your office while you were busy snoozing away on company time – you wouldn’t have a job anymore,” Kris reproached, lecturing you on the importance of setting a good example for the rest of the staff.  He was technically your boss, but you knew for a fact that he was only a Senior VP and was very intimidated by you.  If you hadn’t started dating Baekhyun, you probably would have been his superior by now.

“Kris, I’m sorry.  Like you said – in your own words – I am a diligent worker and here much more than I should be, despite the fact that I don’t get paid overtime to be here. I had one rough night that led to me dozing off for a few minutes; though, let’s not forget that I just landed us an account for $18 million.  So, yeah, I’m sorry that I’m setting such a poor example for the rest of the staff. I’m sure the CEO would love to hear about the terrible work I’m doing for the company,” you rebuked, livid at the fact that he felt the need to point out the one time you made a mistake.  The last weekend had shortened your temper quite a bit, and your nitpicky boss wasn’t someone with whom you wanted to deal after such an experience.

Kris stared at you incredulously – you knew it wasn’t the best reaction and that he would remember everything you had just said.  Prepared to walk on eggshells for the next few months, you turned towards the direction of your office and left the conversation. Upon returning to your office, you saw a potted orchid with a note attached to the stem.  You were hesitant to open the small envelope for fear of more confusion behind this illusive boyfriend of yours.  Knowing curiosity would get the better of you at some point, you brashly grabbed the note and read it.

“Roses are red, violets are blue. I can’t wait ‘til tonight; to go to Chanyeol’s with you. Hope you’ve had a great start to the week!  If not, hopefully this beautiful flower will brighten up your day (and your office).  Meet me at Chanyeol’s tonight for dinner – I’d like to put the past behind us and move forward. -BBH”

You sighed in relief to have a note from the lighter side of Baekhyun.  He always had a knack for matching flowers to your emotions, which was part of the reason you had started falling for him – his attunement to your aura was undeniably on point.  Smiling a grin goofy enough for the man himself, you decided to send a quick text to Baekhyun to thank him and confirm your date.

You: “Thank you so much for the orchid, I love it!  What time should I meet you at Chanyeol’s?”

BaeBae: “I only choose flowers worthy of your beauty and spirit, Jagi. What time are you off work?”

You: “I should be off sometime between 5:00 and 6:00.”

BaeBae: “7:00 it is, then.  Would you like me to send you a car?”

You: “You don’t need to do that J. I can call an Uber.”

BaeBae:

“Okay… ;) I’ll see you tonight!”

You: “Can’t wait!”

Remembering that you had set up happy hour with Kay after work, you decided to see if she was available for lunch instead.

You: “Hey sorry, Baek wants to have dinner tonight – are you free for lunch?”

Kay: “OMG I have so much to tell you. But yes, let’s do lunch. And how awesome for you and Baek! Can’t wait to hear all about it. Usual time/place?”

You: “The usual.  See you in 30.”

Kay was already seated by the time you got to the restaurant. It was a seedy rotisserie sushi place that the two of you frequented during your first job in Seoul, but at the time it was the only thing you could afford and since then it had become a safe haven for your friendship and your best-kept secret meeting place.  You both hugged and exchanged quick greetings before she vomited her problems onto your lap. 

“Seriously, Y/N, he says he doesn’t even want to get a ‘real’ job. He says he’s content working at the nightclub in Gangnam.  I don’t know what to do!” she cried, utterly exasperated that her recently graduated younger brother wouldn’t get serious with his life.  His name was Jongin, but she and everyone he knew called him Kai.

Her brother had just finished his degree in teaching, but was apparently more interested in working as a dancer at the most popular club in the city.  You did your best to console her about his lack of direction.

“It’s probably just a phase.  I mean, we all have them in our lives – at least he’s taking care of it now, while he’s young –“ you reasoned before Kay cut you off.

“Y/N, he’s two years younger than us,” she retorted crudely before continuing, “He took a year off to pursue dancing.  When my parents forced him to finally return to school, I thought he’d get over this phase.  Apparently, he didn’t.  I want him to follow his heart, I really do, but he keeps saying that he’s going to be picked up by one of those entertainment companies.  He’s completely delusional!” 

You weren’t sure how to calm her – being an only child made it hard for you to empathize with her plight.  It seemed like she was mainly venting, because from previous conversations you knew her parents gave ample amounts of pressure for their children to succeed – at least they did to Kay.

“Well, when do I get to meet this delusional brother of yours?” you asked, trying to break the tension.  She sighed and answered, “Well, he sleeps the majority of the day because he works all night.  I want you to meet him – you guys are actually really similar.  I’m just not sure when… Enough about my stuff though, tell me how it’s going between you and Baek!”

Once she changed the subject, it was clear she didn’t want to bring up Kai again.  You finished lunch talking about the refined and funny side of Baekhyun, only hinting that he was a little quirky in the bedroom.  Kay was sure to protest of you dating him if she knew of your last encounter, and deep down, despite his cruel behavior, Baekhyun was an oddity that intrigued your very being.  You weren’t about to let him go so easily.

It was 5:15 pm and you decided to catch a quick cab back home from work as opposed to walking – you wanted as much time to refresh as possible. The short ride made you think about your lunchtime chat with Kay and how her brother was persistent in following his heart.  It made you wonder what your heart was telling you.  Normally you were the type to forge ahead with what your instincts told you were right – but being that your instincts were comprised of your heart and your head, you didn’t know how to proceed, even though you had already given him a decision.  Was that it, then?  Had you followed your instincts when you told Baekhyun you were in?  Hearing yourself conceal the full truth from Kay had you rethinking your choice.  

You walked into your apartment to find two things: a small, rectangular box with a black bow, and the mess from the shattered vase gone. There was a note on your fridge from the cleaning lady indicating her disdain for the amount you paid her versus the things she had to clean.  You quickly jotted a note onto your calendar for the following cleaning visit to leave her a tip – in your hurry to get to work on time you had forgotten that she was coming to clean when there was glass all over the floor.  The more peculiar item was the gift, which also had its own note.  Trying to refrain from jumping to conclusions, you opened it.

“I’d really like it if you wore this tonight. -BBH”

You were relieved to find that of all the gifts you’d received in the past six months, this one came with a mention of the sender.  You quickly opened the decorated box only to be downright bewildered by the garment that peered back at you.  Baekhyun had given you what looked to be a small piece of lace – it was a barely-there teddy, black with floral designs and a multitude of cutouts.  Unsure whether to be embarrassed or aroused, you smirked and decided to go with the latter.

Looking in the mirror you had to stifle your laugh. After putting on the delicate item – which fit like it was custom tailored for you – it was clear that Baekhyun’s favorite part of your body were your breasts.  The teddy had a bra-like top, but where the cup should have been was missing, leaving your breasts on full display; however, they were given ample support by the underwire at the base of the top portion.  The midsection covered the most, leaving a sheer veil of skin peeping through the small eyelets that led down to a couple of small ties at your hipbones.  The bottom portion was crotchless and assless, the fabric covering only your outer lips and working its way around your butt to meet up to the mesh on your back, holding everything together. You decided to put on a pair of kitten heels to make it seem that much more amusing, as you pretended to be a Victoria’s Secret model and posed in front of your mirror.

Before you could look for something else to wear, your doorbell rang.  You ran to the door, grabbing your white trench coat to cover you.  It was Baekhyun’s personal driver, ready to take you straight to Chanyeol’s house.  You should have known that Baekhyun wouldn’t have let you take an Uber. 

“Just give me one minute, I need to –“ you began, making your way back into your apartment to find more clothing.  Baek’s driver grabbed your arm and pulled you into the hallway, refusing your polite decline.

“Mr. Byun gave me strict instructions to have you there at 7:00 pm sharp,” he commanded once by the car.  He opened your door and gestured you inside.  Looking at the clock, you wondered just how much time you were playing supermodel while in your new lingerie.  It was 6:45 pm.

It was 7:15 by the time you arrived at Chanyeol’s apartment building – the traffic felt almost worse than normal for a Monday evening. Distracted by your tardiness, you had completely forgotten that you weren’t wearing much clothing until you had entered Chanyeol’s pad and Baekhyun was attempting to take your coat.

“Jagi, that’s okay, I’ll keep it on.  I’m a little cold,” you lied in an octave higher than your normal voice.  Baekhyun cocked his head, squinted his eyes, and reached his hand under your coat, his mouth turning up in the corners when he realized what you were hiding beneath it. He coyly removed his hand from your hip and brought it up to your cheek.  His thumb brushed your face gently as he leaned in for a kiss.  It had felt like a lifetime had passed since Baekhyun’s soft lips caressed yours.  His kiss was playful and delicate, sliding in a nibble on your lips here and there.  You were falling in love with Byun Baekhyun.

“Dinner’s ready,” Chanyeol interrupted, guiding you into the dining area.  The table was set with three place settings; two large bowls with lids, and two bottles of wine.  Baekhyun helped you into your chair while Chanyeol removed the lid from the first bowl and began serving a bright arugula salad with a vinaigrette dressing.

Dinner was silent for the first course; the only verbal communication was to ask if you needed more wine.  The tension in the room was far too palpable for anyone to bear.  You were dating Baekhyun – falling in love even – and yet the man hosting this dinner had been the only person in the room with whom you’d had intercourse.  To make matters worse, everyone at the table knew about it.  You were trying to think of something to break the ice while Chanyeol was serving the second course – an eggplant triangoli pasta with mascarpone and pesto – until you felt a warm hand creep up your thigh.

Your breath hitched as Baekhyun’s fingers found the little bit of lace around your sex.  His hand prevented the closure of your thighs as he poured another glass of wine with his free hand.

“Say, Chan, isn’t your brother’s birthday approaching soon?” Baekhyun casually said as his fingers penetrated the rapidly dampening cloth. Chanyeol finished serving and sat down, looking to the ceiling as if deep in thought.

“Oh shit, you’re right.  Suho’s birthday is next weekend!  I’m such a nimrod, I totally forgot.  I’ll probably buy him a watch this week…” Chanyeol trailed off, going deeper into thought as to what he was going to get his brother as a gift.  Meanwhile, Baekhyun’s fingers had found your clit and began swiveling on it as your inner thighs became strangers and widened so they were parallel.  You could feel your essence dribbling out of your core, and the maneuvers of Baekhyun’s digits left you focused on keeping as straight of a face as possible.  Your body twitched involuntarily, which caught Chanyeol’s attention.  From what he could tell, you looked rather sick, white-knuckling your fork in one hand and attempting to break the wine glass in the other, your eyes glued to the food on your plate. 

“Y/N, are you okay?” Chanyeol asked politely.  It didn’t take long for him to realize what was going on, taking a quick glance under the table to check if his suspicions were right.  Baekhyun’s eyes darkened as he glared at Chanyeol, not stopping his ministrations as you began to approach your climax.

“So this is happening?” Chanyeol said to Baekhyun, staring him down.  Baekhyun plunged his fingers deep into your sex, stimulating a loud moan from you. Neither of them looked in your direction, still sizing up each other.

“Yes…it is.  Prepare for dessert, Chanyeol,” Baekhyun commanded, removing his touch from your body at the cusp of your release.  He stood up to help Chanyeol remove the dinnerware from the table.  Attempting to catch your breath and control your incited confusion, you closed your legs and avoided their gaze.  You saw from your peripheral vision that Chanyeol had gone upstairs, carrying something in each hand.

“Baekhyun, what’s going on?” you asked, voice shaking from the fury growing in your body.  All you could think was that they were both involved on what was about to happen, and this thought of being used not just by an arrogant fuckboy, but also by the man with whom you were falling in love sent you into overdrive.  You shut your eyes and attempted to control your breathing. Baekhyun grabbed your chin, causing your eyes to brazenly reopen.

“Go upstairs and I’ll tell you.  We need to have dessert,” he said, struggling between sweet and forceful. It was evident that Baekhyun was having an inner struggle as well; you just wish you knew with what.  Hoping that whatever he had planned would put the past where it belonged so the two of you could move forward, you walked upstairs to the lavish bedroom of your host.

The entire second floor was Chanyeol’s bedroom.  A glass barrier acted as the railing for you to look over into the kitchen from the edge of his room.  The area was broken into two parts – a quaint sitting area with a coffee table and bathroom, and an area housing Chanyeol’s bed.  There was a dividing wall between them, with an impressive fishtank built-in, providing light for both sides.  Upstairs still boasted the floor-to-ceiling windows, but the right side with Chanyeol’s bed housed window seating.  The color scheme was similar to downstairs, dark walls and floors, but the ceiling was white, making the room appear that much larger.

Chanyeol had just finished with something on the other side of the bed.  Baekhyun nudged you in his direction, and you walked to the edge.  Before sitting down, you noticed the floor-to-ceiling mirror on the wall opposite the foot of the king size bed.  You shook your head, thinking to yourself; of course Chanyeol would have a mirror right next to his bed. Baekhyun snaked his arms under yours and began undoing the buttons on your coat.  Unable to fight him, it wasn’t long before you were standing in the inch of fabric you’d received just a few hours earlier. You were quick to cover your breasts with your hands, sitting down on the bed to cover your bare bottom.

“You wanted to know what’s going on?” Baekhyun sneered, his sweet demeanor completely vacant from his tone.  You looked at him, aware of his ire, and nodded. 

“Somewhere along this relationship, you thought it would be a good idea to fuck my cousin.  I’ve already explained to you that I’m not like other guys – if I was, I wouldn’t have continued speaking to you.  I can’t fight my feelings for you, so I’ve had to think of an alternative.  Punishment seems fair to me.  I want to punish you to the point where you don’t even think of anyone else,” he coarsely explained before continuing, “I’ll give you one more chance.  You can leave now and I’ll never insert myself into your life again, or you can stay here and face your punishment.” 

What were your instincts telling you?  Your heart had already made its choice, but your head kept telling you to run.  You glanced at Chanyeol to see the same confliction on his face, realizing then that he wasn’t the bigger man between them – Baekhyun had always been the alpha male. I like to see you in physical pain – it gets me off.  His words were echoing in your head, but your heart kept telling you that your head was wrong.  You stood up from the bed and put your arms to your sides, informing Baekhyun of your choice.  Chanyeol shook his head and walked to your side.

“Restrain her,” Baekhyun directed.  The next thing you knew, you were laying in the center of Chanyeol’s bed, handcuffed to the modern ebony backboard and ankles tied to the sides of the bed, exposing your flexibility with an almost full split. You had no idea what was to come, but at the same time you were slightly aroused by the way you were being controlled – and your body was giving you away.  Baekhyun swiped his finger on your dripping essence and tasted it.  He looked at you and shook his head. 

“The first thing to know about this penance is that your orgasm belongs to me – I’ll decide when you can have it.  Once I feel that retribution is met, only then will you be allowed your release,” he disparaged, stepping away from your stretched body. He looked down at you with vacant eyes and then to Chanyeol, nodding at him.  You felt Chanyeol wrap a textured fabric around your neck and tie it snugly.

Baekhyun hiked up his trousers to begin his crawl onto your body, stopping when his knees were level with your hips.  An evil smirk possessed his boyish face, and he raised an eyebrow while reaching to the noose.  Tugging on it gently to pull your torso to him, you noticed the familiarity in the grotesque fabric – Grandpa Byun’s hideous hand-me-down.  That damned tie.

Baekhyun tightened the noose around your neck, restricting your air supply.  He planted a firm grasp on your chin, squeezing your lips into a pucker. Turning your face to the bedside table, Baekhyun brought your attention to an array of traditional dessert items – whipped cream, honey, strawberries, and champagne.

“Can you guess what we’re having for dessert, princess?” he leered, motioning to Chanyeol to open the champagne.  Baekhyun stood up on the bed, hovering over you and not letting go of your leash.  Chanyeol handed him a glass of the bubbly liquid, and he readjusted his grip on your neck tether, pulling your body higher and forcing your face to the ceiling. Chanyeol shook the can of whipped cream and smirked.

“We’re having you.  Cheers,” Baekhyun belittled, pouring the champagne onto your open mouth and face.  The fizzy liquid trickled down your neck to your perked nipples; a slick sheen agleam on your chest as it rose and fell with each of your fragmented breaths. Baekhyun released his hold on the necktie, allowing your body to fall back to the Egyptian cotton.  He hopped off the bed, poured himself a glass and downed it in one fell swoop.

The burden of the snare was manageable when out of Baekhyun’s hand.  Turning to him, you watched as he bit into the engorged fruit, wiping his lips with a delicate finger.  His sensuality was overpowering your senses, teasing you – before you knew it your bottom lip was trapped between your teeth and you were gyrating slow body rolls, imagining your sweet cunt was the object of his mastication.  He noticed your movements and reached a juicy digit to your lips; your tongue tickled the tip till your puckered lips closed around it and you worked them to the base.  Baekhyun merely smirked at your need, his wry grin transforming into a malicious smile as the feeling of Chanyeol’s cold tongue met your folds, interrupting your delusion.

“You want me to fuck you…don’t you, princess?” Baekhyun hissed, watching Chanyeol burrow his face into your sex, his head disappearing between your legs.

“I’ve wanted that for – fuck – for so long, Baek,” you replied, fighting the building knot in your core.  Chanyeol had never eaten you out like this before – he was aggressive with his teeth, sucking viciously on your lips and clit.  The titillations of his excitable licks were spurring your climax’s early arrival.  You weren’t sure what would happen if you came if Baekhyun hadn’t allowed it, but you were certain you didn’t want to find out – you closed your eyes and tried to focus on anything de-stimulating.  

“Y/N, look at me,” Baekhyun bellicosely commanded, the fire in his eyes burning through you.  “First – you need to make up for your transgressions.  If you want me to fuck you, I have three conditions.” 

He paused, watching your body twitch in silence.  Chanyeol’s tongue had worked magic on your body and Houdinied itself to the tenderest of areas, causing your body to surrender to your release.  Staring down Baekhyun, you refused to make a single sound.  Your tortured gaze instigated a shift in his energy – his wrath was subsiding.  Tears began to well in your eyes, the blind stubbornness of your quandary refusing to give in to the pleasure waves flowing through your body.  Baekhyun’s features softened before he spoke again. 

“First condition – until I state otherwise, you are to refer to me as ‘sir’ or ‘daddy’ from this moment on.  If I so much as hear you say my name or any version of it, I will continue this wretched game until you say mercy.  Second condition – which I had stated earlier – you are not permitted to orgasm without my consent.” 

He lingered on his last statement, turning his head to glower at himself in the mirror.  Baekhyun didn’t shift his position, even as Chanyeol walked past him to grab a glass of champagne.  The inner monologue was almost loud enough to hear – Baekhyun was conflicted.  Minutes passed and Baekhyun’s eyes were still glued to his reflection.  Chanyeol was getting impatient.

“Baek, what the fuck?  You said this was going to happen, so let’s get your fucked-up revenge going so I can shower and go to bed,” he bellowed, interrupting Baekhyun’s staring contest.  Baekhyun turned his head towards Chanyeol eerily slow; his eyes following only after his face had reached its destination.  His energy resembled a vacuum – sucking any and all emotion from the room as his death glare visually shook Chanyeol. 

“Then consider it over and done with.  I’m going to borrow your condo for the night – the keys to my place are on your counter.  Leave us,” he barked, leaving no room for argument.  Chanyeol, like a dog with his tail between his legs, sauntered downstairs. The only sounds you heard before he took his leave were those of jingling keys and the chime of the elevator. The thick silence deafened the room. Baekhyun walked to the foot of the bed and took in your exposed position.  He sighed deeply and began removing his shirt. 

“My third condition…” he started, pulling off his burgundy silk button-up one arm at a time, revealing his perfect abdomen. This was the first time you had actually seen him shirtless – he was a paragon of the male species.

“Even though you’ve already broken my first two conditions…” he continued, unbuckling his Tom Ford belt and haphazardly tossing it to the floor. His pants were next to be purged from his body; he slid them down to unveil the Calvin Klein boxer-briefs hugging his permeating bulge.  Your heartbeat quickened with each eradicated garment.

“Just meet my third condition, and I’ll fuck you until you’re numb,” he finished, palming his growing girth through the black fabric. Baekhyun looked desolate as his eyes met yours, his confliction defeated by his anguish.  In that moment, your guilt overcame your emotions.  Baekhyun may have had his fare share of problems, but he didn’t deserve the things you had done to him.  You were falling for this baffling man, and the only thing you wanted was for him to know it.

“I don’t want you to fuck me, Baekhyun,” you retorted, queuing the bewilderment in his expression before you continued, “I want you to make love to me.”

In an instant, Baekhyun was on top of you, his lips melded to yours in a deeply passionate kiss.  You didn’t know if the hot tears belonged to you or him, but it didn’t matter. His hands traced over your wanton body, memorizing every curve.  Somehow his last surviving clothing item had absolved itself from his body, since you felt the tip of his throbbing member trace your entrance.

His hands clasped themselves onto your nipped knockers, squeezing tightly as his firm length grazed your walls, letting you adjust to his size before he began his assertive thrusts into your sex.  Your heat was intoxicating Baekhyun’s carnal nature as his hands found the latent tie once more.  He pulled tight, bringing your torso close to his; adjusting the rein in one hand and securing the other firmly around your neck, he pumped his hips faster against your dripping core, slamming into you with each inward motion.

His fingers dug into the delicate skin of your neck, bordering the line of pain and pleasure auspiciously.  When your breathing slowed, his pressure loosened, mixing the light headed feeling with the vibrations of gratification through your body. Every time you thought you were going to lose consciousness, a jolt of pleasure reanimated your frame. Incoherent combinations of moans, mewls, and rattles emanated from your existence while Baekhyun’s tactical cock ruined any former experience of release.  You came not once, not twice, but three times under his control before he let his orgasm fill you.

Before collapsing onto your bosoms, Baekhyun freed your hands from the cuffs.  As you caught your breath, he rested his head on your bare chest, listening to your heartbeat.  You ran your fingers through his raven hair, ignoring the last call for sleep.

“Y/N, I love you,” he whispered before surrendering to the facets of sleep.  A weak smile brightened your expression as you held him tight and joined him in the dream world.