#Ugh. The best pair for mischief

[annievrse]

that's not my name!

college!eren jaeger x fem!reader —ᡣ𐭩 blurb c/w: eren refers to reader as 'my girl', she/her pronouns, established relationship, reader is shorter than eren.

"call me that one more time and see what happens."

you roll your lips between your teeth, a smile threatening to break across your face. "eren, eren, eren."

"baby!" he pouts. "you always call me baby. stop that."

you giggle into your hand, eren’s fallen expression causing you to burst. his eyes shift under his dark eyebrows, mischief swimming in his green irises.

then, eren abandons his protein drink and reaches over the table, placing his hands on your shoulders. "don't make me shake you."

"baby," you whisper, peering up at him. at the sound of his name, he visibly melts. his shoulders relax, and his expression morphs into relief.

"thank you," eren nods, rubbing your skin. "now, was that so hard?"

"i dont know, eren, you tell me."

"ugh," he rolls his eyes, sitting back down and taking a swig of his drink.

"can i try some?"

"no, because i know you're not gonna like it," eren deadpans. "then you're going to ask me how the hell i like it, and i don't want to listen to that right now."

"you're so mean."

"says the one purposefully messing up my name before."

"are we gonna stop them soon?" armin whispers to mikasa, the pair governing the other half of the picnic bench—you next to mikasa & armin beside eren.

the girl rolls her eyes and sighs. “we have to meet up with the others soon. are you done?"

you face her with a wince and give your best friend a sheepish smile. "sorry."

"she's lying," eren quips, winking at you across the table. he finishes his drink and shoves the cup into the side of his backpack.

"am not!" you say, throwing him a glare. you don't miss the anxious expression on armin's face. "and look! you're even stressing armin out."

armin's cheeks glow red at your comment. "i just don't want to be late."

eren grins and raises an eyebrow, folding his arms over his chest. a few loose strands from his bun fall in his eyes as he tilts his head. "you two can go on. we'll catch up with you later."

mikasa rolls her eyes and stands, swinging her bag onto her shoulder. she yanks armin up by his shirt collar. "don't be too late."

"when are we ever?" eren smirks, eyes never straying from yours.

armin scoffs, pushing his glasses up his noise. "do you really want us to answer that?"

"damn," eren pouts. "fine, we'll come with you right now then." he stands from his spot and rounds the table before you can do the same. eren plucks your bag from your side and heaves it onto his shoulder, slipping his arm through his own backpack seconds later.

you giggle as he urges you to hurry up, running ahead of mikasa and armin. "we're never late!"

mikasa nudges your shoulder when you fall into step beside her. "better get going. you don't want to be late."

you roll your eyes and quicken your steps to catch up to your boyfriend, who almost tackles you when he notices you approaching. "my girl."

"my baby," you laugh and shove your face into his shoulder. his strides are much longer than yours, so you half jog to keep up with him. giggles fall from eren's lips as he kisses your head.

"you're going the wrong way!"

"shit," eren mumbles, steering you across the grass to the path where your best friends walk.

with your hand in the crook of his elbow, you walk behind them, whispering about nothing and everything and sharing kisses between laughs.

[skzdust]

Ateez Snapshots: Calling them Daddy

All suggestive. Minors DNI.

Anon request here! Daddy is usually not my fav but these were actually a lot of fun. My fav is Wooyoung's :) Enjoy!

Summary: Reader, who is friends with each member, calls them "daddy" out of the blue... they respond in a variety of ways.

Pairing: Ateez x reader

Includes: coffee dates, amusement park dates, study dates, video games, bar dates, dinner with a friend, writing a song, and touching yourself during a movie

Word count: 1.8k

Taglist (Comment on a post/send an ask if you'd like to be added): @weirdowithaphone, @caught-in-the-afterglow, @palindrome969, @skzstan12345, @katsukis1wife,

@hyunjinsjeans, @somethingkindazainy, @silverstarburst

Network:@mirohs-aurora-society

Reblogs, likes, comments all appreciated!!!

Masterlist

-----

Hongjoong:

You and Hongjoong are having coffee, and your mind starts to wander.

Hongjoong is sipping his usual iced butterscotch latte with almond milk, caramel cold foam, and cinnamon sprinkled on top, and you have your usual order. You’re staring into your drink.

Hongjoong is your best friend, but you can’t stop thinking of him naked, pushing into you with a groan.

“Hongjoong… Daddy…” You’d whisper at the feeling, at him bottoming out inside you.

“Huh?” You look up, and Hongjoong’s flushed red.

“What?” You’re confused.

“Did you just… um… call me….”

Your eyes go wide as you realize. “Did I say that aloud?”

“Um… yes, you did.” Hongjoong is looking at you, waiting for you to respond. He’s all red, his fingers tapping against his cup, slightly biting his lip.

You want him so bad.

“Hongjoong…” You murmur. “I was just…” You sigh, unsure of what to say.

“Do you want to call me that?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Then… ah, do you want to…” Hongjoong looks so nervous you laugh. “Don’t laugh at me!”

“I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing cause you look adorable…” You lean in. “Daddy.”

Hongjoong groans. “Don’t say that in public. It’s gonna make me… ugh.”

“Kim Hongjoong, does ‘daddy’ turn you on?” You raise your eyebrows.

“Maybe.” He smiles.

“Then maybe we should go back to my place.”

Hongjoong’s eyes light up. “Yes, we should.”

-----

Seonghwa:

You and Seonghwa are at the amusement park, and your mind starts to wander.

You’re on the biggest roller coaster in the park, climbing up the first hill. Seonghwa’s hand is warm around yours, holding it tightly. You should be nervous about the drop ahead, but you can’t stop thinking about those hands, about what they could do to you.

Seonghwa squeezes, and you smile at him. “Thanks for holding my hand, daddy.”

“Daddy?” Seonghwa looks shocked, but before you can say anything, the car is toppling over the slope of the roller coaster, and you’re screaming, squeezing his hand even tighter.

Your stomach is in knots from more than just the coaster as it slows to a stop at the end of the track, and as you pull into the unloading area, Seonghwa doesn’t let go of your hand.

“Did you call me daddy?”

“I… um, yeah…”

Seonghwa smiles, a glint of mischief in his eye. “You know, if you want to call me daddy and scream, we could do something other than another roller coaster.”

You smile. “Are you serious?”

Seonghwa’s eyes dart over you. “Yeah, I’m serious.”

-----

Yunho:

You and Yunho are studying together, and your mind starts to wander.

Both of you are in a chemistry class together, and you just can’t get the calculations quite down. As Yunho’s showing you one for the third time, you can’t stop thinking about him fucking you on that table. You’re in one of the most private study rooms in the library, so it’s unlikely anyone would find you…

“And then you carry the one… got it?”

“Got it… daddy.” You whisper the last word.

“Daddy?” Yunho repeats.

“Yeah.”

He tilts your chin up so you meet his eyes, and your stomach jumps. “Did you mean that?”

“I did.”

“Fuck.” He says softly, his eyes roaming over your face. “You’re so beautiful, I’ve always thought that, but I didn’t think you… wanted…”

“Wanted you to dominate me?” You say boldly.

“Yeah.” Yunho smiles. “But now that I know… we’re gonna have fun, aren’t we?”

-----

Yeosang:

You and Yeosang are playing video games, and your mind starts to wander.

Well, Yeosang is playing League, and you’re laying on his bed and watching him. Your best friend isn’t very good, but it’s fun to heckle him as he plays.

He finishes his game and tosses his controller on the table. “I swear, that was not reflective of my skills.”

“Sure.” You laugh. “Whatever you say.”

“Oh, come on.” He spins around in his chair to face you.

“What did you want me to say? Yes, daddy, lose that game harder!” You say, joking, but Yeosang goes deep red, quickly looking away.

“Don’t say that.” He mumbles.

“Kang Yeosang, do you have a daddy kink?” Your eyes widen, and you grin.

“No!” He protests.

“You totally do, daddy.”

He puts his face in his hands. “Shut up.” His words don’t have any bite.

“Fuck me, daddy!” You whine. “Harder.”

“Seriously, shut up.” He looks at you. “If you keep talking like that, I’ll start to think you’re serious.”

“Well, maybe I am.” You say, your stomach jumping. Would that make things weird?

He blinks. “Seriously?”

“Yes… daddy.” You smile, shy.

“Fuck.” He whispers. “I love it when you say that, y/n.”

-----

San:

You and San are at a bar, and your mind starts to wander.

He takes another drink of his beer. “You look distracted, what’s up? Weird day at work or something?”

You shake yourself out of it. “Yeah, exactly that.”

“What happened?”

I was thinking about you fucking me all day and I couldn’t focus on my project, but I did have some fun fantasies about calling you daddy, so that was good. You think. “I was just really spacey today, I don’t know. Couldn’t focus on anything.”

“Really?”

“Yes, daddy.” You say without thinking.

San laughs. “Daddy? Where’d that come from?”

Your face goes hot. “I— um—”

“Be honest, baby.” He lifts his eyebrows. “Where’d that come from?”

San calling you “baby” lights a fire in your stomach. “I’ve been thinking about it a little bit.”

“Thinking about… calling me daddy?”

“Yes.” You look down.

“Hey. Look at me.” San says gently.

You look at him. His expression is full of compassion and maybe something a bit darker. “You can call me daddy if you want. And if you want me to fuck you, just say so.”

“I want you to fuck me.” You whisper.

“Okay, then let me finish this beer and we’ll go back to my place.” San takes another long swig from the bottle, nodding at your glass. “Finish your drink, and we’ll go, baby.”

You smile. You drink your wine as quickly as you can.

-----

Mingi:

You and Mingi are having dinner, and your mind starts to wander.

It’s just hamburgers from your favorite local place. You’ve gotten takeout and you’re sitting at the dining table in Mingi’s apartment.

But it feels like more than that.

“Did anything exciting happen today?” He asks, taking a bite.

“Um… not really.” You say, smiling, images of Mingi’s hand around your throat filling your head. “Nothing too interesting.”

“Whatever you say, sunflower.” You blush at the nickname. It’s your favorite flower, and it’s his special nickname for you. “But your little grin says otherwise.”

“What do you mean?”

“What really happened today?” Mingi raises his eyebrows.

“I was just… thinking.”

“About a guy?” He pokes.

You take a breath. You’ve been in love with Mingi for so long now, you may as well go for it. “About you.”

“Me?” He looks surprised. “I don’t get it.”

“I tink about you all the time, Mingi.” It comes spilling out. “You bending me over my desk, you pinning me against the wall, kissing me… all that kind of thing… daddy.” You whisper the last word.

“Daddy?” He whispers back.

You squeeze your eyes shut. “Yeah…”

“Call me that again, sunflower.”

You open your eyes. He’s looking at you intensely, his eyes burning with a fire you’ve never seen. “Call me daddy.”

“Daddy… will you fuck me?” You whimper, putting it all on the line.

“Shit.” Mingi says softly. “I’ve been wanting you to ask for so long. Yeah, daddy’ll take care of you.”

-----

Wooyoung:

You and Wooyoung are working on a song, and your mind starts to wander.

You usually don’t write sexy music, but the melody Wooyoung has built with the guitar combined with the riff you’ve composed on your bass has an undeniable seductiveness to it. Heavy, like a heartbeat, but somewhat risky, too. Wooyoung’s got an effects pedal plugged into his guitar that’s making it even hotter.

And you’re thinking about his fingers deep inside you as you play the bass line you’ve got down practically by heart at this point.

“That sounds really good, y/n!” Wooyoung says loudly over your playing.

“Thanks, daddy!” You say back, and then stop playing as you realize what you’ve just said, staring at him for any reaction.

“Daddy?” Wooyoung laughs. “Damn, you’re really getting into the… mood of the song, aren’t you?”

“I am.” You laugh nervously, hoping he’ll dismiss it at that.

But he takes a step closer. “Didn’t know you had a thing for ‘daddy’. I’ll have to keep that in mind.” He taps the tip of your nose, winks, and turns around to pick up his guitar again.

You feel hot all over. “What do you mean keep that in mind?”

“I just mean it’s good to know what you’re into. You know, in case you want to fuck.” He slings the guitar strap over his head, facing away from you, but you can hear the smile in his voice.

“In case— what?” You sputter.

“Oh, c’mon, I’ve noticed.” He smirks. “You stare at my fingers a lot when I’m playing. You want them inside you.”

“I— I mean, maybe.” You exhale.

“I’m up for it if you are.” He starts playing the chorus to the song, looking down at his guitar, and you notice the blush on his cheeks.

You smile. Wooyoung’s just as down bad as you are.

-----

Jongho:

You and Jongho are watching a movie, and your mind starts to wander.

Jongho kissing you, pushing you down into the couch, making you his.

You sneak a glance at him. He’s watching the fight scene contentedly, sticking a piece of popcorn in his mouth. He doesn’t even notice you looking.

You carefully slip one hand under the blanket on your lap.

And then you slide it under your sweatpants.

You close your eyes for a second. It feels so good to touch yourself after how worked up you’ve made yourself thinking about him. You know it’s wrong to touch yourself thinking about your best friend, much less when said best friend is sitting next to you, but you can’t stop yourself now.

“Fuck, Jongho, daddy.” You whisper, the words bubbling up on your tongue before you can stop them.

“Did you just…” The movie pauses, and you open your eyes to see Jongho looking at you, blinking.

“Oh, I was just— um—” You search for words, but you can’t find any.

He grabs the blanket and pulls it off, revealing your hand down your pants. You snatch it out and he takes it, licking your fingers and making hard eye contact with you.

You shiver. You hadn’t been expecting that.

“Beautiful girl.” He whispers. “Were you touching yourself thinking about me?”

“Maybe.” You whisper back. “I… maybe.”

“You should’ve just asked me to do it for you.” He licks again. “I would’ve said yes.”

“Can you do it for me?” You breathe.

His eyes glint. “Sure thing, baby.”

[loverangels]

thinkin' of me?

pairings: percy jackson x fem!reader

synopsis: percy claims you were thinking of him when he sees your clay... masterpiece

The pottery wheel hummed softly beneath your hands, the wet clay spinning as you tried to follow the instructor’s directions. Percy sat next to you, his apron already smeared with streaks of gray, casting occasional glances your way.

“You’re taking this very seriously,” he teased, leaning over to peek at your work.

“Some of us actually want to make something decent,” you shot back, trying to focus.

His laugh was soft and warm. “Alright, Michelangelo, let’s see your masterpiece.”

You ignored him, your tongue poking out slightly in concentration as your hands guided the clay upward. You were just starting to feel proud of the tall shape forming under your hands when Percy’s low whistle broke your focus.

“Well, well,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement. “Thinking of me, huh?”

You blinked at him, confused. “What are you—” You followed his gaze to your clay creation and immediately froze.

It was… long. And rounded at the top. And very, very suggestive.

Heat rushed to your face. “Oh my gods, no! I didn’t—I wasn’t—” You flailed your hands, accidentally bumping the wheel and causing the shape to wobble. “Percy, shut up!”

But he wasn’t about to let it go. His grin was positively wicked as he leaned closer, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hey, no judgment here. If you want to sculpt me, I’m flattered."

“Percy!” you groaned, covering your face with your clay-covered hands. “It’s not—ugh!”

He laughed, his voice warm and teasing. “It’s okay, babe. Art is about expressing your true feelings. Clearly, you’re inspired.”

You reached out to swat him, but he dodged easily, still grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Don’t you dare make this a thing.”

“Oh, it’s already a thing,” he said, leaning back in his chair like he owned the place. “You’ve immortalized me in clay. Should we name it? How about—”

“Percy,” you cut in, your voice warning but still tinged with embarrassment. “Stop.”

He held his hands up in mock surrender, but the smirk never left his face. “Alright, alright. But you should probably, you know, fix it before the instructor comes by and starts asking questions.”

You huffed, quickly smushing the clay back down into a lump. Percy watched, still amused, his chin resting on his hand like this was the best entertainment he’d had all day.

When you finally started over, he leaned in again, his voice low and teasing. “For the record, I think it’s sweet. Didn’t know you thought about me like that.”

“I don’t!” you hissed, your face burning.

“Sure, sure,” he said, grinning. “Totally random, right?”

You refused to look at him, focusing hard on shaping something normal this time. Eventually, you managed to create a simple, if slightly lopsided, vase. Percy, meanwhile, was shaping what looked like an unholy mix between a bowl and a plate.

When the instructor came by to check on your progress, Percy had the audacity to gesture to your clay and say, “She’s a natural. You should’ve seen her first attempt—she’s really passionate about her work.”

You kicked him under the table, biting back a laugh when he yelped.

By the end of the class, your vase was safely drying on the shelf, and Percy was still grinning like a fool as you walked out together.

“You’re never letting this go, are you?” you asked, giving him a sidelong glance.

“Not a chance,” he said, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “But hey, at least now we know you’ve got great taste.”

You groaned, but you couldn’t help laughing as he pressed a quick kiss to your temple, still smirking.

[paperclip-skz]

Love 2 Walk

Chan x reader 

Warning: fingering, kissing, the mention of nicknames (babygirl), praising, teasing, squirting, fingering, overstimulation,cream pie (wrap it up), rough sex, over clothes stimulation, I’m sure I missed smt let me know in the comments!

WC: 6.5k.... I know..

Also note: This story is HEAVLY influenced by the Webtoon series Love 4 Walk. This is just "my" version of it, you could say. I am writing to write and I recommend you read the series. *** This is not an original idea, this IS INSPIRED BY AN ANIME**

Credits to: Nuria Sanguino for the ORIGINAL webtoon story!!

Synopsis: how does one fall hopelessly in love with their neighbor? Oh, no biggy, just by walking their dog 😉.

******

Beep beep beep. 

The sun streams through the cracks in my bedroom curtains, casting warm beams of light that punctuate the shadows of the room. I squint against the brightness, feeling the dull thrum of morning settling around me. “Ugh,” I groan, reluctantly peeling my eyelids apart to greet the day. But just as I begin to indulge in a few more moments of drowsy tranquility, a sudden, playful jab from a hard little foot strikes me squarely in the side. “Ow, Bruno! Just five more minutes,” I croak out, my voice thick with sleep.

Yet, my protest is short-lived. In mere moments, Bruno, my exuberant Doberman, has taken matters into his own paws. He’s showering my face with enthusiastic kisses, the warm, wet sensations breaking through my lingering sleepiness. “Ew,” I manage to squeak out, half-heartedly stretching my arms above my head and swiping at the slobber glistening on my cheek. 

As my senses awaken fully, I finally focus on the source of my morning disturbance. There’s Bruno, sitting next to my bed with his tail wagging vigorously; the unmistakable joy radiating from him is infectious. His glossy coat shines in the sunlight, and his big, brown eyes are practically pleading with me. Any lingering frustration I had evaporated, replaced by an overwhelming wave of affection. How could I possibly stay mad at that adorable, eager face?

“Awe, who’s my baby boy?” I coo in a sing-song voice, unable to resist the allure of his charm. “Are you just bursting with excitement to go for a walk?” 

With a playful bark and a little tap dance of his paws, Bruno seems to agree emphatically. 

Thirty minutes later, after a whirlwind of getting ready, I stand by the door of my apartment, dressed in my work clothes—an elegant blouse paired with tailored trousers and my favorite heels. I take a moment to adjust my outfit, making sure everything is in place, when Bruno bounces in anticipation, ready for our quick thirty-minute adventure before my workday begins. With a final glance in the mirror and a quick pat on Bruno’s head, I open the door, stepping out into the brisk morning air, ready for whatever the day may hold….

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 

Bruno is an exceptional dog and undeniably the best companion I could ever have. His floppy ears and wagging tail always bring a smile to my face, even when he defies my commands with his playful mischief. We have a special bond, one forged through countless adventures and quiet moments together—always Bruno and I against the world.

Yet, our daily walks have become increasingly challenging. The moment we step outside, his excitement takes over; he pulls on the leash with fervor, eager to explore every scent and sound. It feels like I’m trying to hold back a small locomotive, making it more and more difficult to keep him by my side. And then there are my shoes. Oh, my poor shoes! They’ve transformed into his favorite chew toys, often left in a state of disarray, bits of fabric hanging from his mischievous mouth. Despite his less-than-stellar listening skills, I remind myself daily of the joy he brings into my life.

Today is a special day. As I prepare to leave for work, I’m excitedly installing my brand new doggie cam—a small but powerful device that promises to give me a window into his world while I’m away. “Now, Bruno,” I tell him, crouching down so we’re eye to eye. “With this camera, I’ll be able to see everything you do, so I hope you behave yourself!” His ears perk up, flicking back and forth in what seems like focused attention, and for a moment, I almost believe he comprehends the weight of my words.

Standing at the threshold, I hesitate, reluctant to close the door fully. I peek through the small crack, watching him as he sniffs around the room, his tail wagging like a little flag of excitement. “Be good, buddy,” I say softly, my voice laced with affection and a hint of concern. With that, I finally muster the courage to shut the door, leaving him in the safety of our home—hoping he’ll have some fun but also checking in on him from afar.

**** at work

“Gooood morning” I announce. 

“Good morning Y/N” Annie greets me behind her little cubicle desk. “So when can I tell you about last night's new hottie” he exclaims, clapping her hands. 

“In one sec, just let me check my new cam.” I eagerly open my phone to check my camera…

“Oh good heavens.” my face drops in horror as I watch my Baby Bruno shred the cushions of my couch to pieces!

“What??” Annie looks at me worried, and I turn my phone to show the scary scene unfolding in my living room.

“Oh, honey.” Her face mimics mine, hurt with a mix of fright. " You need to get that dog a trainer,” she admits. 

I sigh in defeat….”I think it's time.” 

***** back at home

After the day is done and my head is pounding, I finally make it up the stairs to my apartment. I steady my hand on the door handle, unprepared to see the damage. The door creeks open and my jaw drops. 

“BRUNO WHAT DID YOU DO!” the pillows are torn, the cushions are ripped, somehow the paintings on the wall are tilled at an angle and the carpet is folded over!

“BRUNO HOW COULD YOU! BAD DOG! BAD BAD BAD!”

~~~~

“There she goes again,” Chan grobbles, lifting himself off of his bed. He slings his arm into one of his shirts and slips his socked feet into some nearby crocs. “Wait here girl, I’ll be right back”.

The familiar sound of his neighbor's high-pitched screams fills the air, a jarring reminder of her vibrant personality. She often yells about movies, her passionately animated rants echoing through the thin walls whenever she's on a call. He can almost picture her pacing back and forth, waving her arms in excitement or frustration over the latest plot twist. And then there’s her dog, a big, overly energetic creature who seems to be the target of her shouts on most days. Whether it’s scolding him for stealing a shoe, begging him to stop barking, or even adoring him for the smallest things, her voice carries down the hallway, a constant backdrop to his weary journey home.

He slams his fits against her front door, “hello!” he calls. 

The sound of her heels clicking rhythmically against the wooden floor echoed through the hallway, growing louder with each step until the door swung open. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, his irritation evident in the sharpness of his voice. “Can you keep it down? Your yelling woke me up.” 

She paused at the threshold, her wide eyes filled with a mixture of apology and concern. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice soft and sincere. “I pro-” But her attempt to explain was abruptly interrupted as Bruno seized the moment, darting past her and out the door in a sudden, frantic escape.

“BRUNO” 

“Sit!” Chan commands firmly, his voice cutting through the air and surprising Bruno, who hadn't been anticipating the order. The suddenness of it makes Bruno halt immediately, his posture shifting as he straightens up. He glances back over his shoulder, locking eyes with Chan, seeking reassurance or perhaps understanding. 

“Sit!” Chan repeats, his tone unyielding yet encouraging. Without a moment’s hesitation, Bruno plops down right in front of Chan, a look of bewilderment etched across his face. His large, expressive eyes convey a mixture of confusion and eagerness to please.

“Good boy, come,” Chan praises, his smile widening as he encourages Bruno to follow the next command. With an enthusiastic wag of his tail, Bruno leaps to his feet, ready to obey, his previous uncertainty dissolving as he tracks Chan's movements closely. He follows each instruction effortlessly.

“Go on,” Chan says, guiding Bruno back inside. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just keep it down, will ya?” Once he looks back at his neighbor, her jaw slacks, and her eyes are blown. 

“How…how did you do that?” 

“You just have to be stern. Now I’m going back to sleep.” Chan turns back to his door, but Y/N leaps in front of him. 

“Will you train my dog?!”

~~~~~~~

“I’ll pay you!” I exclaim. This has to be a sign. A gorgeous man that just happens to live right next door to me, AND Bruno listens to me, my prayers have been answered. 

“What” he furrows his brow. 

“Just watch him while I’m away at work, train him a little so he dosn’t ruin my apartment, and….don’t steal anything” I shrug. 

“Ruin your apartment?���.....

>>>> back in the apartment

“So this is ‘ruin your apartment’” he air quotes gesturing to the mess that is my living room.

“Is it not” I question, while Bruno makes himself comfortable on my torn couch. He wags his tail happily as he chew on one of his favorite toys. 

“Fair enough” Chan walks around the living room scanning all the little details of the room. He spins on the ball of his heel, “that’ll be…$20 an hour” he says bluntly.

WHAT! I scream in my head. “$20 an hour! I work a full 8-hour shift, thats too much!”

“Yup, take it or leave it” he shrugs. 

I took a deep breath, knowing full well that adopting Bruno wasn’t merely a casual commitment; it was a full-time job that came with a mountain of responsibilities. The thought of him sitting at home alone, wanting companionship and care, tugged at my heart. To me, Bruno wasn’t just a pet; he was family, and like any family, he deserved nothing but the best. 

After contemplating, I straightened my shoulders and decided, “Fine. I’ll do it.” My voice rang with determination, surprising Chan, who blinked at me in astonishment. It seemed my willingness to accept the terms had caught him off guard.

 I couldn’t help but add, “My Bruno deserves the best.” This was more than just a job offer; it was my promise to ensure he received the love and attention he warranted.

A moment passed and I could a hint of a smile on his lips…. His rosey plump lips that I am not just noticing how beautiful they are. And how his eyes shine in the light so perfectly, or how his hair falls just above his eyes, or how broad his chest is….Y/N snap out of it!

“Okay, well then you’ll need to pay me by the end of the week, and I’ll need a spare key to your apartment.”

“Right,” my voice wavers. It suddenly hits me at once: I just invited a complete stranger into my apartment, offered to pay him, and spend time with the most important person in my life. What the hell am I doing? 

My nerves are on edge, causing me to scrutinize each and every move he makes. I observe him intently, my gaze fixed like that of a hawk, as he gently strokes the soft fur of my beloved Baby Bruno. I can’t help but notice how his fingers delicately glide over Bruno’s back, and I feel a surge of protectiveness wash over me. Every interaction seems to unravel layers of my anxiety, making me hyper-aware of the atmosphere around us.

“I can hear your nerves from here, you know” Bruno spins a s circle around Chan; his little happy dance always eases my anxiety. “Look, I was kidding about the 20-an-hour thing. 20 a week is perfectly fine.” 

My jaw shuts like a cartoon. “But- why-” 

“Becuase I know how much you love your dog” 

“But we only just met” I counter. 

“I told you I can hear everything through the walls” 

I scratch my brain trying to think what he could possibly mean…until it hits me. 

<<<<<<<<<< the past

Four months ago, I was dating this guy. We thought that before moving on to the next steps—getting married, having kids, the whole shebang—it would be best to practice responsibility together by getting a dog.

But I guess we all show our true colors under pressure.

“LET'S JUST GET RID OF THE DAMN THING!” Noah shouted at the top of his lungs.

“NO, WE ADOPTED HIM! WE TOOK ON THE RESPONSIBILITY! WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THIS WERE OUR CHILD AND THEY WERE ACTING OUT?” I screamed back at him, tears streaking down my cheeks as I held on tightly to Bruno's body. The shattered lamp lay broken into pieces around us.

“BUT THIS ISN’T OUR KID, THIS IS JUST A DAMN DOG. THAT’S IT, Y/N, YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE, ME OR THE DAMN DOG”

After that night, I told myself I would never let anyone come between me and Bruno. If someone couldn’t understand our bond, then no one could understand me. 

>>>>>>>>>> the present 

“You heard the fight that night.” 

Chan just hums as he continues petting Bruno’s fur. “I was so pissed off that night, but once I heard you yell at him to leave, I knew you and I were the same is some ways” 

“Oh?” I question crossing my hands over my chest. 

“You and I share the same belief: people can hurt, lie, and abandon you, but dogs simply do not have it in their hearts to do the same.” He says, his eyes bleeding with truth. Even though I’ve been a dog owner for only a short time, I love Bruno more than I could ever imagine. I see his innocence, and I know he would never hurt me or anyone else without a valid reason. He’s not like everyone else in the world; he simply can’t hurt anyone.

“Wait…the same belief?” 

Chan chuckles to himself, “Yeah, I have a dog. Her name is Berry, she’s a King Charles” 

>>>>> time jump!

And so the morning training walks began. 

Chan would come over during the week and stay with Bruno until you returned home from work. He’d train Bruno to listen and obey while you worked the day away. 

Chan would also accompany you on your daily morning walk, thats when you met Berry. She was clearly Chan’s princess, feeding her only the best treats and dressing her up in tiny bows to compliment her wavy fur. 

The weeks rolled by and you and Chan became pretty good friends, quickly finding a perfect medium in your relationship….so why did your heart race every time he got a little too close? Or why did you immediately recognize his vanilla smell every time he left your apartment, and why did it make your head dizzy with need? 

>>> another time jump!

“Ahhh, Saturdays. How I adore Saturdays,” I exclaimed softly, sighing contentedly as I cradle a warm mug of coffee in my hands. The rich aroma envelops me, and I take a small, savoring sip, letting the smooth brew awaken my senses. “No work, late mornings,” I murmur, my gaze drifting out the window. The horizon glows with the gentle hues of dawn, while the sun begins to rise, casting golden rays through the leaves of the trees that sway gracefully in the soft breeze.

“Woof!” Bruno barks enthusiastically, abruptly pulling me from my serene reverie.

“Ah, Bruno,” I say, chuckling lightly. Can’t you wait just five more seconds? You just have to have your walk, don’t you?” I lean my body weight on the counter, my fingers tracing the surface as I look down at him. His head tilts to the side, a curious expression illuminating his face, and those big, expressive eyes radiate eagerness.

“I can’t lie…I’m excited too,” I admit with a grin, bouncing slightly on the balls of my feet. My excitement feels palpable as if it's sparking an electric current in the air around me. 

I can't wait to see those captivating coffee-stained eyes, filled with warmth and kindness, and that broad chest—strong and dependable—it makes my mind race with ideas of how strong his arms truly are. 

Moments later, I find myself stepping out of my apartment in my bright sunshine yellow sundress. The fabric dances lightly around my knees as I clip the leash onto Bruno’s collar, ready for our afternoon adventure. Just as I’m about to close the door behind me, I hear Chan’s voice call out from a short distance away.

“Oh hey, Y/N!” Chan exclaims, his friendly tone breaking the afternoon stillness.

I turn my head over my shoulder, securing my clutch with one hand as I turn the key in the lock. There, walking out of his apartment is Chan, accompanied by his delightful little dog, Berry. A smile spreads across my face as I catch sight of them. “Hey, Chan!” I reply, my excitement bubbling up as I get down on my knees to greet Berry. 

“Hey there, pretty princess!” I say, reaching out to pet Berry’s soft fur. The small brown dog wiggles with delight, her tiny tail wagging furiously as she happily responds to my touch.

Chan walks a bit closer, observing the playful antics of our dogs. “You guys going on a walk, too?” he asks, a knowing smile on his face. He watches Bruno and Berry bounce around each other like they’ve been friends for ages. Despite the stark contrast in their sizes—Bruno is a towering fluffy creature and Berry a petite little ball of energy—their friendship is evident. It’s as if Berry doesn’t even notice the size difference; her joy is contagious. 

“Yea,” I answer, lifting from my knees. 

“Can we tag along?”

>>> Saturday walk

“Why are you still at that job?!” Chan exclaims, his laughter bubbling from his chest. 

“Because it pays well,” I laugh with him. I just told him about my last boss, who got fired for accidentally showing some… sensitive material during a meeting a few months ago. “I really enjoy my job. Even though it can be a bit boring sometimes, I love being in a business that brings joy to people,” I explain.

Chan listens and nods, watching our dogs as they walk closely together. “You know, you’ve never really told me in detail what you do for work,” I say, nudging his shoulder.

“Well,” he scratches the back of his neck. I’m a producer, as you know.” I nod. " People send me voice tracks, and I make other tracks to make a song.” He shrugs, as if it were the easiest thing in the world. 

“Yes yes, you’ve told me all that before, but who have you worked for” I raise my brow intending to tease him. 

“Haha, I can’t tell you that” he mimics my earlier shrug. 

“Uugh” I groan. “Fine, if you can’t tell me who you work with, then can you at least tell me what kind of music you work on?” I ask, pleading with my eyes. 

He just smirks and thinks about it for a second, making a dramatic attempt to stall, “okay…I work on a lot of hip hop music and rap music. I also dabble in rock” he sighs out, his smile spreading across his cheeks. He so obviously proud of his work it's cute. 

“Can I hear it?” I ask biting my lip. I know I’m asking for too much, he’s already so careful around me, especially talking about his work. 

He brings us to a halt looking down at me. I can tell he’s thinking hard about this, he’s staring so intently at me, but his face softens, and he relaxes, like a weight has lifted off of his chest. 

~~~~~

This is his chance, he finally has an excuse to ask you over to his place. Its the perfect timing, the perfect reason, and the perfect way. So why can’t the words fall off his lips? 

Why can’t he take his eyes off of you and why can’t his body move?!

From the moment you entrusted him with the responsibility of looking after Bruno while you were busy at work, a subtle shift began to take place in the dynamic between you two. As days turned into weeks, he found himself increasingly drawn to you in ways he hadn’t anticipated. Initially, he brushed off his feelings, attributing them to mere loneliness - He thought he was just infatuated with the first beautiful girl who caught his attention.

However, everything changed the day he heard your laughter for the first time. It rang out like music, bright and infectious, enveloping him in a warmth that made his heart race. It was like fireworks shooting out of his chest, and his whole body felt like it was lifting off the ground. And your smile, god how he could never get used to that smile. He loved the way your eyes squeezed tight when your smile met your ears, he knew you couldn’t fake a smile, your real smile was just too genuine.

At that moment, he felt an undeniable spark, a realization that his feelings ran far deeper than he had ever imagined. He would catch himself stealing glances at you, captivated not just by your appearance but also by your kindness, your passion—everything that made you uniquely you. It dawned on him that what he thought was a passing fancy had transformed into something much more.

“Have dinner at my place” it tumbles out like a wall crashing down. 

“What?”

Oh shit. Make words make sense. “You can hear one of the songs I’m working on, if you come over, and since you’d be over why not just have dinner?” nice. 

Your face is the embodiment of shock, and confusion…but the second he sees that lovely smile appear he finally lets himself breath. “Okay!” you bounce. 

“Okay, so my place, lets say….6?” stay calm stay calm stay calm.

“Yea, 6 is great!”

>>>>>> that night

Okay, red dress or black? I rummage through my clothes in my closet deciding what's best to wear to a friend's dinner. Ugh, but I don’t want to be friends. What says “I don’t want to be friends I want to be more, but I also don’t want to make you uncomfortable with the wrong message”? 

Black��.just go with the black dress. 

I glide my hands over the soft fabric of the outfit, feeling how it clings comfortably to my skin. The cardigan, in a rich shade of blue, perfectly complements my favorite colors, adding a vibrant touch to my overall look. My cherry red lipstick stands out brilliantly, making my eyes sparkle when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. "Finally done," I say with a satisfied smile, admiring how everything comes together.

Turning away, I notice Bruno, my faithful companion, peacefully sleeping on my bed. His fur glimmers softly in the ambient light. I can’t resist walking over to him, and I lean down to plant a gentle air kiss on his forehead, whispering, "Goodnight, my good boy." With a fond glance back at him, I head toward the door.

Its only a few short steps before I’m knocking on Chan’s door. I can hear the shuffle of him and Berry behind the wood, before the door swings open. 

“Hey!” he says, his smile reaching his eyes. 

“Hey” I giggle back. He steps aside so I can gracefully walk in and I immediately lean down to pet Berry. “Hi princess” I sing. 

“Okay okay, the princess can go to bed” he says as he leans down to pick Berry up and take her away to some hidden room.

Once he comes back he sees the pout on my face, “she was fine” I say.

“I know, but now is the time for the adults.” my cheeks flush. “Wine?”

“Love some” 

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

“Wow, that was incredible!” I exclaim, setting down my knife, my plate completely bare.

“Thanks,” he replies, his cheeks tinged with a hint of shyness as he leans down to collect our empty plates.

“I really mean it! I had no idea you were such a talented cook,” I tease, my voice playful and inviting.

“Ha, yeah, well, I guess we both have our secrets,” he shrugs, his eyes sparkling as he heads to the kitchen sink.

His words linger in the air. I really don’t know much about him, maybe we could change this. “How about we spice things up and play a drinking game? It’ll be a fun way to get to know each other,” I smile, raising my nearly empty glass with a seductive glimmer in my eye.

He pauses for a moment, the intrigue clear in his gaze, then settles back onto the couch, nodding in agreement. “What exactly are the rules of this drinking game?” 

I smirk, pulling my glass closer to my chest, the heat of the wine pulsing through my veins. "Alright, we play my game. You guess something about me—if you’re right, I drink; if you’re wrong, you drink. And vice versa." I let a playful glimmer dance in my eyes, the alcohol enhancing the seductive atmosphere between us.

"Okay, I’ll bite, but I get to go first," he replies with a mischievous spark. I can’t help but let a soft laugh escape my lips.

“Fine,” I shrug, my anticipation growing as I lean in slightly, inviting his guess.

“You have a boyfriend. Or a significant other,” he states confidently, raising an eyebrow.

I giggle, the bluntness of his question only adding to the intrigue. “Nope, no boyfriend here.” I lift my glass, letting the rich wine flow over my lips as I take a slow sip.

With an amused nod, he watches me, his smile radiant. “My turn,” I announce, shifting into a more relaxed position, making the moment linger.

“Your tattoo has a special meaning.” I point to the subtle peek of ink just visible on his back.

He glances at where I'm pointing, pulling his shirt down slightly to reveal more of the hidden art. “Of course,” he replies, his confidence shining through. “All my tattoos have a story.”

“All?” I tease, my curiosity piqued.

He bites his lip, teasing me with the thought of dodging my question, but it’s too late for that. He lifts his shirt, revealing a breathtaking view—a chiseled chest adorned with art. 

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, my gaze fixating on the three delicate paw prints trailing down his shoulder, but it’s the intricate compass that captivates me most. “What’s the story behind it?” I challenge.

“That’s another question,” he replies, turning to hold my gaze.

“Had to try,” I smirk, reveling in the tension hanging thick in the air.

“It’s not just about the story,” he says, searching my eyes. “It’s about the people it represents—my seven friends. I owe them everything.”

“I’ve always wanted a tattoo,” I muse, my thoughts spilling out, fueled by the warmth of the wine swirling in me.

He turns fully to face me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. He slowly reaches out, his fingers brushing against my ankle. “It would look stunning here,” he whispers, tracing along my skin. A flush spreads across my cheeks, and I feel the closeness ignite something primal within me.

For a heartbeat, it feels like the world has paused—our breaths mingling, the air alive with unspoken desire. “The wine is sure affecting you, huh?” he chuckles softly, never breaking that deep eye contact.

“Lightweight,” I tease, biting my lip, the game intensifying. “Do you want to stop?”

“Now that it’s my turn? Not a chance, baby,” he replies, his voice low and teasing.

A desperate want ignites within me, a need that spreads like wildfire, consuming my thoughts. “You’d be bothered if I told you I dream about you,” he confesses, caught in the moment.

A gasp slips from my lips, but truthfully, I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t drink—because I dream about him too. So, I throw back the rest of my wine, not caring about the intoxicating aftermath, only focused on the tension lingering between us.

“My turn,” I start, I set my glass on the table in front of us, and move so I can crawl towards his trembling body, “If I kiss you right now,” I come close to his body, inches away from his lips, my breath coating his skin making goosebumps appear on his muscled arms. “You’ll kiss me back” I bore into his eyes, which are pooling with lust. 

A sheer moment of silence fills the room; you can feel the heat of the moment radiating off our skin, until finally, Chan grabs hold of the back of my neck, pulling me to crash against his lips in a hungry kiss. 

It's nothing soft, or tender, its starved and greedy. His hands make their way over the sides of my thighs, pulling me across his lap so I can straddle his bulky thighs. Its then that I feel the true effects of the alcohol, his growing bulge poking my dripping core, teasing my entrance for what awaits the evening. 

I can feel his bare fingertips trace circles along my skin; his touch is so gentle compared to his kiss. His tongue demands entrance, licking past my lips, making my head spin, and the way he moves his plump lips would make any sensible women drop their panties. 

My hands grab hold of his shirt, trying to pry it off, but when I try to disconnect our lips, he just chases my lips, trying to reconnect us. I push his body to the back of the couch and watch as his eyes grow even darker than before. I lick and bite my lower lip and that seems to be the end of the line for Chan; with his big hands, he grabs the underside of my thighs, lifting me up along with himself. He carries me to a secluded room with a massive bed. 

He throws me across the mattress, letting my back settle into the cushions, but not for long because within less than a minute, he flips me over like I weigh nothing, and his hands immediately palm my ass. His hands grab the rim of my dress, throwing it over my ass enough where he has access. I fist the sheets and press my thighs together, feeling how much arousal has already pooled in my panties. 

Suddenly, I felt Chan’s front press against my back. I don’t know when he did it, but I feel the warmth of his bare chest covering my back. Even through the sheer fabric of the dress, I can feel his warm, bare body. “I can be a gentleman, or I can be a madman. Which do you want?”

His words make me moan, and my mind races with what other man I could see tonight. I think about how Chan could be a gentleman, treating me kindly while he fucks me nice a slow, claiming me like I’m his prey. But then a part of me, a deeper, hornier part of me, the pit of my belly burns with the need to see the madness in Chan. The side of him that shows no bounds, that could fuck me into tomorrow without warning. 

“Show me your wild side,” I smirk, letting my body buzz with excitement.

I feel the growl in his chest and pull the fabric from his teeth. His fingers trail up to the zipper of the dress, pulling it all the way down until most of my back shows. I let my arms slip through the holes, and he pulls it down until it's bunched up at my hips. 

The next thing he does is tear my panties apart, shredding the garment and tossing it to the side. I squirm in the sheets making him groan as I wiggle my ass in the air.  

He palms my ass hard enough that I’m sure it will leave marks in the morning. I can feel his finger tracing along the slit of my glistening pussy, playing with my folds, before finally I feel the stretch of a single girthy finger enter pass my fold. I moan at the feeling of the slight stretch; it's not the burning stretch my body craved, but I’ll take anything at this point. 

“Fuck this pussy is so greedy, look at your cunt sucking my finger in” he continues to pump his finger slowly into, spreading my wetness all around my folds, making my body squirm more. He harshly grabs hold of my hip with his other hand, his finger still holding place inside me. “You’ll take what I fucking give you” 

His harsh words only send sparks throughout my body, doing nothing but heat up the desire bubbling inside me. “more,” I whine out, rocking my ass against his finger, trying to get more friction. 

“More?” he questions, leaning in to kiss my left asscheek. “Say please” he growls against my skin. 

“Please” 

“Good girl,” without warning, he adds another finger past my folds and starts pumping both with no mercy, making my whole body shake. 

I scream as I feel my insides tremble from the cheer power Chan holds in one hand. Its in mere seconds that my body is shaking with my first orgasm of the night, but he doesn’t stop until I’m squirting, making a mess against his skin. I can feel the small feather lgght kiss against my ass, just like before, when he removes his fingers, letting my body squirm as it pleases. 

“Your so goddamn beautiful,” he growls. My body flops right side up, letting my back spress against the mattress. But I’m only allowed two breaths before Chan seizes our lips together, his hard member poking in between my thighs.I could sense his growing impatience, the way his teasing touch ignited a fire within me. Yet, beneath that playful exterior, I knew he was battling his own inner turmoil, wrestling with desire and frustration. The tension hung thick in the air, a delicious mix of longing and urgency that only drew us closer.

I slide my hand down to feel the smooth skin of his length and start pumping the coat of precum around his angry tip. He pulls away, but not before biting my lip and sucking in a breath. “Fuck” he breathes. 

“Me” I whisper back. 

~~~~~

Fuck, you are so tight around him. Even when your dripping cunt soaks him, he still feels your tight grip. Tight enough to feel like a warm vise wrapped around his cock, and oh did it feel good.

He slides his hand to your hip, holding you in place and ensuring you won't squirm away. "Don't tense up, I won't be able to last." He grits out between his teeth.

"I won't," you hiss out as he sinks another inch past your wet folds. "fuck your so big"

Chan couldn't help but puff his chest at your words. "Too big?" Was it wrong that your words turned him on more?

"no. give me more," you moan out.......no, no, it was not.

He wanted to take things slow, inching further into you so you could easily take all of him, but you just haaad to say the magic words.

he ventures in another inch or two and sighs as he hears your moans of approval. then he slips out to the tip, coating himself in your slickness before shunting his hips forward, hitting a deeper part of you that sends you gasping for air.

Fuck, you were so tight. He shut his eyes as he felt you spasming around his length. "m-more," you grunted. Barely holding yourself up.

"you don't know what your asking for" 

"yes I do, I can feel you holding back" he knew it too. He wasn't one to brag, but he knew how big he was, and from the way he so badly wanted you, it was taking every bit of willpower in him not to pound into you like some uncaged beast.

"I need to take my time, or else I might hurt you," he breathed out.

"I don't care if it hurts. I need you. Now, please." Your wines were like music to his ears. A hidden melody that he didn't know he needed.

He slowly eased out of your pussy, relishing on how your walls clung to him and how the slickness felt like butter. "fuck I need this pussy" he voiced his thoughts.

"then fucking take it. Claim it. Take me"

That was it. That was the last straw. Chan shifted your angle, taking your arms in his and using it as leverage to fuck into you. Chan's hips snapped forward, meeting your shaking form at tenfold.

all thoughts of what could hurt you were clouded by lust as more wetness coated the space between your bodies. Your hips bucked against his, and meeting his thrust sent shockwaves of more pleasure through you.

It was rough. It was wild. It was precisely what you needed and wanted at the same time. You asked him to claim you, and by goddamn it, he was going to make sure he was imprinted so deep inside you that you couldn't take any cock but his for the rest of your life.

You didn't have to worry about laying any claim on Chan. He was yours even before you started your walks. He was yours when he saw who you are. You already owned him, mind, body, and soul. The cherry on top was that each thrust of his hips sent another moan echoing around the room that tightened your hold on him.

He leaned back just enough to see what he was doing to you. he could see the way his dick disappeared into your tight pussy. "tell me you on the pill," he practically whined.

"yes, don't pull out."

He could feel you tightening around him, and he wasn't far behind. The feeling of his balls fighting the urge to finally release the pent-up tightness became painful.

He let one of your arms go to balance yourself as he snuck in below the both of you and down to pinch your clit between his fingers. That in itself sent you screaming, sobbing, begging, your tight cunt gripping his length so hard he could barely keep thrusting in and out of you.

That was his official undoing. He let go. Unloading inside you and releasing a sigh that sounded like waves crashing on the beach.

He stayed there for a moment, letting both your orgasms settle in before either of you said another word.

Once the heat of the moment settled and he slipped out of you. 

 he watched his cum drip out, and he won't deny it made his cock twitch.

"Jesus Christ, you should see how beautiful you look right now" he says under his breath.

"I think I'll take your word for it," and just like that, he found your whole body flattened against the bed, basically passed out.

"you okay?" he says, half jokingly, half worried. you just hold up an easy thumbs up before closing your eyes and letting sleep take over.

Chan laughs to himself and carries you to lean against the pillows the right way, and maneuvers you under the covers. He'll clean you up in the morning.

He slips in beside you, giving you a small kiss and whispering goodnight to you. You hum. Content and warm, and drawn to that same warmth, you cuddle up into Chan's side.

"We are going to have so much fun together."

*******

AN: I'm making so many Chan fics lately that I almost feel bad. But if yall want to see a specific member please let me know I'm more than happy to fulfill comments/asks/ etc!! love yall.

p.s/ also I'm not sure if yall know this but I make all the banners on my page including the small ones on my ko-fi. I only say this because I had an ask earlier asking about where I get my banners or where I go to find these photos, the photos I take from google but all the color, wording, fonts, etc I make myself !! 

[cookiejarwrites]

Fake Date | Part One

pairing: tim drake / red robin x fem!reader

words: 1k

a/n: Hey this is my first official post on this account so it’s kinda short. Credit to the Tim Drake A.I bot created by Fairybaby for the story idea and inspo. Sorry if he’s a little out of character. This is my first time writing for him but I tried my best. There will eventually be smut in the later chapters so pre warning there. xoxo! 💋

(aka Tim asks you to be his fake date)

Tim nearly drops to his knees, begging you, “Just one more time. I know I said that last time, but I swear. Please be my date to Bruce’s charity event. I’ll never harass you about it again. Pinky Promise.”

He holds out his pinky thumb, the gesture almost comical. He looks at you with his best puppy dog eyes, eyes wide and shimmering. The look tugs at something deep inside you. You’d long since learned that those stupid puppy eyes were a weakness of yours. You two were long time friends, originally meeting in school and instantly hitting it off. He has since entrusted you with his secret as the Red Robin, so obviously he trusted you to be his fake girlfriend for Bruce’s parties.

“Ugh, fine, but you owe me, Drake,” you finally grumble, rolling your eyes. As soon as the words leave your lips his face lights up like a Christmas tree. Before you can even get another word in he’s pulling you into a tight embrace. You feel your feet leave the ground as he lifts you, his strong arms roping themselves around your waist.

“Thank you sooo much Y/N” he says, sounding overly affectionate. He gives you a few quick squeezes before setting you down again.

“That’s what friends are for, right?” You roll your eyes again, but a small smile tugs at your lips. He grins back, ruffling your hair.

“For sure. And I’m eternally grateful to have a friend as wonderful as you.” You swat his hand in annoyance, but the warmth growing in your chest is undeniable.

“Obviously, who else would put up with your annoying ass?” You shoot back. He laughs, shaking his head with a playful smirk.

“You love it,” he teases. “You’re so tiny compared to me. I could just scoop you up and keep you in my pocket,” he cooes at you.. You scowl back at him in response.

“Not as small as your dick,” I stick my tongue out playfully.

His smirk falls into mock offense “Why, how you wound me,” He says dramatically before grabbing you around the waist and tossing you over his shoulder.

“Hey! Put me down you asshole!” you holler, struggling for a bit before giving up and going limp in his arms. He shifts you to get a better hold, then finally sets you down. He grins at your annoyed expression, clearly enjoying the effect he has on you.

“You’re adorable when you’re mad,” he teases, patting your head.

“I’m not adorable,” you grumble, crossing your arms infront of your chest with a huff.

“Oh, but you are,” he grins, “Admit it, you secretly love it when I pick you up.”

“Enjoy it my ass,” you retort.

“Grumble all you want, I know you love me.” He shrugs with a boyish grin that makes it hard to stay annoyed.

Only in your dreams bird boy.” I reply. He lets out a hearty laugh, his smirk widening.

“My dreams, huh?” he says, his tired eyes gleaming with mischief. He takes a step closer to you again. “You’d be surprised how often you pop up in those.” His arms snake around your waist again, tugging you flush against him. A wave of heat washes over you, cheeks reddening in response.

“Keep it to yourself,” I mutter, turning to hide my flushed face. You clear your throat in an attempt to regain composure. “What time is the party?”

“Tonight. It starts at 7, and I’ll pick you up at six.”

“Got it,” I nod, “ now I gotta figure out what the hell I’m gonna wear.” He laughs and ruffles your hair again, clearly enjoying your grumpy demeanor.

“Good luck,” he teases lightly. “Need me to help you pick out a dress?”

“Knowing you, I’d probably end up looking like a clown.” I remark with a chuckle. He feigns offense, placing a hand over his heart as if he’d been stabbed.

“Ouch, Y/N. I’m hurt you’d say such a thing. Have I ever steered you wrong?

“No, but only ‘cause I’ve never listened to your sleep-deprived advice.” I counter with a self satisfied smirk. He shakes his head slightly at my comment on his sleep.

“You’re so stubborn,” he chides, pinching your cheek like a grandma excited to see her grandkid. “One of these days you’ll take my advice, and when that day comes, I’ll rub it in your face so much you’ll have to beg me to shut up.” you push his hands away, grabbing his cheeks and pinching them just as he had done to you.

“The day I take your advice is the day I’ve officially lost my mind.” He snickers, the sound muffled slightly by your grip on his cheeks.

“Okay, timeout. Seriously, my cheeks are gonna start bleeding if you keep squeezing them like that.” You release his face and pat him on the head. He rubs his cheeks, mock-pouting as he looks at you. “That was unnecessary.” he complains before he glances up at the clock on the wall, his expression seeming to turn a bit more serious. “I’d better get going. I’ve gotta finish Bruce out with a case. I’ll pick you up at six,” he gives you a sly smirk, “and I can’t wait to see what you’ll be wearing.”

“It’ll be better than whatever you would have picked out.” You say, turning to open the door of your apartment for him. He chuckles slightly as he exits the room, shaking his head in amusement. “See ya later, Y/N.”

“Bye birdie!” You call out just as the door clicks shut behind him. You head towards your bedroom, preparing to rummage your closet for something suitable to wear. The familiar sensation of giddiness forms in your stomach at the thought of the upcoming events. You never really did enjoy Bruce’s fancy banquets and events, too many rich folks who couldn’t give less of a shit what you had to say. However, a small part of you did slightly enjoy the concept of pretending to be Tim’s girlfriend, even if just for the night. This wouldn’t be the first time you two did it. Of course you’d never admit your growing liking to the act. Deny, deny, deny.

[queenshelby]

The Peaky Role (Part Eight)

Pairing: Cillian Murphy x Reader

Warning: Age Gap, Best Friend's Dad, Some Smu

CILLIAN'S POV

Later that day, at Cillian's house, during dinner, laughter and chatter filled the air as Nina, Cillian, and her siblings gathered around the table while Danielle had gone away for the weekend.

The aroma of roasted vegetables and herbs wafted through the kitchen, mingling with the sound of silverware clinking against plates after Cillian had prepared dinner. Making dinner was a ritual for him, a way to channel the noise of the world into something quiet and nourishing.

"What's for dessert?" Cillian's son, Max, asked, his eyes wide with hope as he pushed his plate away, his stomach still rumbling with anticipation.

“It's a surprise," Cillian grinned before diving into a serving of broccoli.

Nina raised an eyebrow, playfully skeptical. “Please let it be chocolate pudding. If it’s anything like the last time, I might cry.”

Cillian chuckled, a hint of mischief sparkling in his blue eyes. “Oh come on, my creme brûlée was a culinary masterpiece!"

Nina rolled her eyes dramatically. “Masterpiece? That was more like an abomination!" she teased Cillian feigned offense, dramatically clutching his chest.

"Now eat your vegtables guys, otherwise you won't be having dessert," he warned, adopting the classic 'dad voice' that made his children giggle.

"What is the dessert though, dad? I want to make sure me eating the broccoli is worth it," Max demanded, a playful grin on his face.

Cillian leaned back with amusement. "I just bought magnums," he announced, grinning as his kids cheered in unison, letting out whoops of joy that echoed off the walls, seeing how this was their favourite.

After dinner, Nina helped Cillian clear the table while her siblings rushed toward the living room, their excitement palpable as they imagined the sweet reward to come.

“Dad, can I ask you something?” Nina asked as she stacked some dishes into the dishwasher.

Cillian turned, wiping his hands on a towel. “Of course, what is it?” he asked, his brow furrowed slightly, concern flickering in his blue eyes.

Nina shifted, glancing toward the livingroom where her siblings had settled into the couch, their animated voices filling the room as they debated what movie to watch.

"I had breakfast with Y/N today, you know?” she said, biting her lip as she felt the weight of both her concern and her curiosity.

Cillian’s expression darkened slightly. “And?" he asked with a mixture of fatherly instinct and curiosity swirling within him.

“She is going through a little rough patch with her boyfriend,” Nina confessed, crossing her arms tighter, as if warding off any impending judgment. “And I was just wondering whether you could cut her some slack next week on set in case things take a turn for the worse.”

Cillian’s expression softened, understanding intersecting with concern. “Is James being... difficult again?” he asked as he shifted his weight, leaning against the counter, exuding an air of protective authority.

He had met him a few times before, at your house and it was no secret to him that the two of you were having problems.

“Ugh, you wouldn't believe it," Nina said, rolling her eyes. "He keeps hounding her about driving down to Cork to see him, like it’s the end of the world if she doesn’t drop everything. I mean, she is only here for the weekend and he expects her to drive down there to see him. She should just dump him, don't you think?" she continued, exasperation creeping into her voice.

Cillian frowned, his expression turning serious. "Well, she’s got a career to think about. This is an important time for her," he said, feeling a wave of protectiveness wash over him. "But in the end of the day, what she does with her life is her choice and it doesn't matter what either of us think about it.”

Nina huffed, pushing back a piece of hair that had escaped her ponytail. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re… well, old...," Nina shot back, trying to point out that he was at a different stage of life than her and you.

Cillian raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. “Old?” he repeated, pretending to be offended. “I prefer ‘seasoned’,” he quipped, arching an eyebrow. “But seriously, you’ve got to let her figure this one out for herself. She is a smart young woman and, if shit does hit the fan, then I am quite certain that she will still perform on set," Cillian added, his tone shifting from playful to earnest. “She’s got enough talent for that,” he continued, hands tucked into his pockets as he leaned against the doorframe.

Nina sighed deeply before nodding. "I just wanted you to be aware so that you can keep an eye on her. You know, in case she needs someone to talk to and she said that you are the only one she knows. She can be a bit stubborn about these things.”

“Stubborn, huh?” Cillian chuckled, his eyes glinting with humor. “I've noticed quite a bit of that lately and I can tell you that she doesn't really socialise much on set either," he admitted before pushing off the counter, leaning slightly closer. “But yeah, I will keep an eye on her at work, just in case."

Nina relaxed a little, her shoulders dropping. “Thanks, Dad," she then said, a small smile breaking through her earlier tension. “That means a lot. Just… don’t be too dad-like."

Cillian laughed and held his hands up in mock surrender. “Alright!" he said, his grin breaking through the tension before finishing up the dishes.

After Cillian and Nina cleaned up, they both settled down with Nina's siblings on the couch, where the kids had already searched through a selection of films, finally deciding on a light-hearted adventure flick.

After the movies everyone then went to their room, calling it a night and as they retreated to their bedrooms, the hallway filled with the soft sounds of yawning and shuffling.

Cillian, too, was tired after such a full day, but sleep eluded him. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, shadows shifting as the moonlight filtered through the curtains.

Just like the last two nights, thouughts of you crept into his mind, swirling around like leaves caught in a storm. Your laughter, the way your eyes lit up when you talked about music, and that moment on the plane when you clutched his hand as turbulence rattled through the cabin like a rogue wave. He replayed the feel of your small fingers wrapped around his, the warmth of your palm breaking through the chill of the flight.

“Damn,” he muttered quietly to himself, shifting beneath the covers as he tried to banish the thoughts. What was happening to him? The questions looped in Cillian's mind like an endless song, each note tinged with an unsettling mix of desire and confusion. He turned over, seeking comfort in the familiar folds of his sheets that, instead, felt like a prison, reminding him of all the boundaries he was treading on and, just as he almost managed to drift off, the memory of your sscene together interrupted the silence in his mind—an image he couldn't shake.

You, atop him, the softness of your skin brushed with the innocent thrill of pretending. The awkwardness of it all felt like a double-edged sword; on one hand, it was simply acting, something he had done countless times before, yet on the other, it struck a nerve deeper than any role had.

The sound of your moans floated through his mind, echoing against the walls of his memory like a haunting melody. He pictured the way your hair cascaded over your bare breasts, with each adjustment made by the crew, the intimacy of the moment growing more palpable. He could almost feel the heat radiating from your skin as you leaned closer, teasing him with a hint of vulnerability and just like that, Cillian felt the weight of it—an undeniable pull toward you that tethered him to his own desires and unease.

For the past few nights, he had managed to push away those thoughts, silencing them under the guise of exhaustion, but now, in the stillness of his room, this desire he had was all too raw, too real.

He imagined what it would be like to touch you, to taste your lips as he covered your body with his own. He imagined what  you would feel like beneath him, your body trembling and arching against his as he entered you, your moans and gasps matching his own. His pulse quickened as he pictured the look of pure ecstasy on your face, your eyes alight with desire and satisfaction.

The vision was almost too much for him to bear, his hand sliding down towards his boxers  as his body responded in kind.

He closed his eyes, imagining your fingers brushing against the bulge in his briefs, the fabric straining against him as you stroked him, drawing him in, fueling his need for you.

Cillian groaned, letting out a string of swear words as he felt himself getting harder, and he knew that he had to relieve himself  . With one swift motion, he pushed his boxers down, his throbbing erection springing free.

In the dark solitude of his room, he let his imagination take over, picturing you in front of him, wanting him as much as he wanted you.

"Fuck," he moaned, taking himself into his hand and stroking slowly, building up the tension that already coursed through his veins. He could almost smell your hair or feel its silky softness between his fingers.

His mind had become his worst enemy, but he couldn’t help it––he imagined you begging for it, your body exposed under the soft glow of his bedside lamp.

Slowly, he began to get lost in the fantasy, his breaths getting heavy as he stroked himself faster, imagining the shape of your hips and waist beneath his hands.

“God,” he murmured to himself, the thought of being inside you setting his body on fire. He couldn’t stop himself, his mouth spilling obscenities as he grew closer to release.

“This is fucking killing me!" he whispered,  the words thick with frustration. His grip on his cock tightened erratically, jerking and twisting in a desperate attempt to escape the agony.

Cillian moved his head from side to side, muttering curses, a cocktail of expletives and obscenities slipping from his lips as he let loose a tirade of anger and intense need. He felt like a caged animal, the tension building up inside him until he neared the point of explosion.

Nearing his own climax, Cillian bit his lip, groaning deeply as he moved his hand faster over his cock. His hips bucked, grinding up against his fist as he felt his cock pulsing with anticipation.

His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath, the anticipation overwhelming him as he finally let go, surrendering to the blinding orgasm that spilled forth. 

"Fuck !" he cried out, his voice echoing in the dark room as ropes of cum shot from his cock, painting a messy pattern on his stomach, leaving him spent and dizzy.

For a while, Cillian just lay there in the dark, his mind abuzz with what had just happened. His heart raced, his breaths still coming in hot, heavy pants, the sweat drying on his skin in the cold air.

As the initial rush subsided, a wave of guilt and shame crashed over him, more potent than the waves on the nearby beaches.

Cillian felt disgusted with himself, hating that he couldn't control his desires for you.

"Fuck," he muttered, squeezing his eyes shut.

"What the hell am I doing?" He couldn't believe he had just done that - allowed his mind to wander to a place it shouldn't, giving in to desires that could never be realized.

He got up and walked to the bathroom, turning on the light and gazing at his reflection in the mirror. His face was flushed, eyes glazed over, and he looked like a man possessed. He turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on his face, trying to snap out of it. "Get it together, man," he told himself sternly.

He wiped his face dry with a towel and looked back at the bed, his thoughts still swirling with images of you, his daughter's best friend and his best friend's daughter. "We can't do this," he whispered aloud, "we just can't,'" he murmured  to himself, thinking about the potential consequences.

The guilt lingered, but the desire that had awakened in him was not so easily tamed. He knew he should resist, that it was wrong. He was married and you were, most certainly, off limits. 

Tags:

@sunbeamseas @saint-ackerman @oatmealisweird @naxxsstuff @amanda08319 @r-m-cidnah @elysiannook @cillshot @infireddabdab @tastycakee @harrysbestiee @lilybabe22 @adalynlowell @henrywintersdearestgirl @ietss @thatgirlthatreadswattpad @ryiamarie @axionn

@nela-cutie @futurecorps3 @delishen @nosebleeds-247 @thirteenis-myluckynumber @gills-lounge @hjmalmed @lost-fantasy @tiredkitten @sidechrisporn @smallsoulunknown @charqing-qing @hopefulinlove @aporiasposts @shycrybaby @me-and-your-husband @hjmalmed @lacontroller1991 @galxydefender @aporiasposts

@galxydefender @hunnibearrr @saint-ackerman @lunyyx @gentlemonsterjennie1 @ihavealotoffandomssorry @nadloves @lost-fantasy @nolucesn@mcavoy-girl @hjmalmed @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @blushykiss @tatumrileyslover @teawithsatanx @orijanko @rhaenyra4ever @xcinnamonmalfoyx @budugu @nadloves @kmc1989 @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @smailaway @sophiaaguirred @blondie-22 @meadows5 @randomcreator-09

[livefromthedas]

That Time Flirting Accidentally Worked

(Also up on AAO3, here)

Summary:

Rook Ingellvar, famously a dumpster fire amongst Mourn Watchers, manages to fall face-first into dating one Emmrich Volkarin.

Nice.

Notes:

I swear to God I intended to start DATV fanfic writing for my Lucanis/Rook playthrough... but this came out instead. Strike while the hyper-focus iron is hot, I guess.

I tried to write this Rook (F, Mourn Watcher) as vaguely as possible while still making sure she was reflection of the character in my head, so hopefully that works for readers.

Please note that while I'm utilizing quite a bit of canon knowledge about Navarra and Navarran culture, here, there is also a ton about the place that we just do no know, so a lot of information here is extrapolated (aka, pulled directly out of my butt.) I had fun though, at least, exploring more of the place, and creating my own little pocket of extra romance content for Emmrich and Rook as well.

And yeah, this will probably get spicy. Just a heads up.

———————————

Chapter 1: Hot Date for a Hot Mess

The needling fire of over-exertion kept a purposeful momentum in Rook’s stride the entire journey home from their latest magic-riddled battle with the Venatori in Arlathan.

That fight, deep in the autumn hewn forest - an apparent ambush - had been jarring and brutal. Had Davrin not been with them, with Assan to serve as their own surprise attack from the sky, Rook was quite certain that, for all of their combined competency, she and Emmrich Volkarin may very well have met a swift, very bloody end that day.

There had just been so many of them - Scarlet scythe’s crackling with arcane energy, and corrupted magic churning in the air like a turbulent storm. Then again, when it came to Venatori, there always seemed to be a limitless supply.

Rook breathed in deep as she strode through the Vi’revas - the eluvian unique to the Dreadwolf’s hideaway in the Fade - close on Emmrich’s heels. One moment they were in the Crossroads, wild and untethered to reality as it was. The next, they were striding into the cool, dark nethers of the Lighthouse.

“Ugh,” Davrin grumbled, reaching to pull something that looked suspiciously like viscera from his hair as he strode through the eluvian’s surface in the pair of necromancers' wakes, “I’m going to go wash up. See you two at dinner?”

Rook smirked bemusedly - of all of the blood the Gray Warden was soaked through with, Maker forbid a bit of viscera get in the handsome elf’s hair. She nearly went to nod, when Emmrich spun on his heels to face the pair of them.

“Actually,” the Professor poised, hands clasping before him as his bangles glimmered in the unnatural light of the corridor, “Would you be so kind as to let Lucanis know to be expecting two less settings at the table this evening? Rook and I will be dining in Navarra.”

Rook’s eyebrows rose curiously - this was news to her.

“Yeah, no problem,” Davrin grinned. He gestured a hand over one shoulder as he made for the door, “You kids have fun.”

Kids . The word lingered humorously in the air - Emmrich barely stifled a chuckle at it, even in the gray warden’s absence.

“A trip home is a nice surprise,” Rook mused, mischief and curiosity a glint in her eyes.

The senior necromancer, dashing as ever, offered her an arm, and she was quick to place a hand at his elbow as he guided them from the room, and up the stairs.

“Forgive me, darling, I had hoped to ask you properly once we were settled in,” Emmrich said, gloved hand resting warmly upon the slender hand she’d offered him, “Reservations at the Pnemoix are scarce at best this time of year, and I received word of an opening just prior to our departure to Arlathan.”

“Yeah, that got chaotic rather quickly,” Rook admitted, ever as tired, but relieved they were alive to tell the tale at all. For all of her raised hackles that needled up her spine over the ambush in the woods, a tickle of excitement wiggled its way into her belly, “And I’ve heard of the Pnemoix!” Her sudden excitement was palpable. Word amongst her peers back at the Necropolis had it that the Pnemoix was one of the most exclusive- and enchanting - dining experiences in all of Navarra City. It was not far from the city’s main entrance to the Grand Necropolis itself, in fact. Emmrich could scarcely stifle the humorous glimmer in his eyes as the bounce in her step hastened as they strode. He finally slipped a chuckle when her expression then screwed with uncertainty, “Aren’t they ridiculously expensive, though?”

“Hardly any concern of yours, my darling,” Emmrich laughed.

Cresting the top of the stairs that overlooked the Lighthouse’s eerie library, the Professor stopped before the long hall that led to his study. Rook watched curiously as something shifted in his demeanor - warm laughter settling into something warmer still, slender hands and their menagerie of golden rings gracing her arms with an almost reverential care.

“I had hoped, should the temptation arise,” Rook felt a wildfire blush ignite to the tips of her ears at his sudden unusually intimate word choice, before he’d so much as finished his sentence, “We may enjoy the privacy an overnight at home might afford us.”

Emmrich’s grin broadened at the blatant blush that flooded the young woman’s typically cocksure expression, a softness in his gaze despite the hint of mischief that lingered there, “You so scarcely find a moment alone in the Lighthouse, my love. You’ll forgive an old man his selfish desire for attention undivided.”

“I-I… of course,” Rook managed, despite her blush, a dizzying flutter in her chest and her tongue-tie of nerves.

“And the decision is entirely yours,” her breath caught in her throat as he pressed a kiss upon her forehead, one hand affectionately upon the back of her head, “But do consider it, darling, hmm?” He seemed absolutely tickled at Rook’s uncharacteristic shyness as she nodded, green eyes alight with racing thoughts. This was hardly a woman prone to speechlessness, after all. “I’m going to change, and request Neve look after Manfred until we return. Meet me at the Vi’Revas when you’re ready.”

Rook managed a nod before Emmrich swept off airily, stride as confident as ever.

——————-

“Okay… Oookay,” Rook finally managed to breathe again once the ancient chamber doors of her quarters sealed shut behind her. Gaze darting around the dancing light of the aquarium that dominated the far wall, she huffed a ragged sigh, palm to her forehead.

Embarrassment immediately flooded her veins.

“He finally brings it up and you… freeze? Seriously?” She groaned morosely.

At best, Rook was disappointed. It was hardly how she’d imagined reacting to such an opportunity, after all. The Rook of her imagination was unflappable in her confidence - *she* surely would have managed an air of alluring …. *Something* in response to such a proposition. A wicked flirt. A lingering kiss. A clever quip of any make or model at all.

But no. Only overwhelm. Rook had been flooded with a timidness utterly foreign to her usually fearless brogue.

Scythe-wielding Venatori, raging demons, blighted gods… Such larger than life dangers too surreal and too vast to seem anything shy of absurd? That she could handle with a finesse and fearlessness that defied logic. It was precisely why Varric had brought her into the fold in the fight against Fen’Harel to begin with.

“But actually have the fellow you’ve been pining over for the last decade make a pass at you, and your brain breaks ? Maferath’s balls.”

The sordid swear she’d picked up from Varric early in their journeys together at least managed a smile from the woman. She shoved off from the door, kicking off muddied boots and unbuckling the patina’d gloves of her Mourn Watcher gauntlets as she went.

Rook had had little choice but to be honest with the Professor once her shoot-for-the-moon flirtations had, to her own genuine surprise, actually succeeded in swaying his interest so many weeks prior.

This was all… very new to the junior Mourn Watcher. So much of her time growing up had been spent clawing desperately for a sense of self. For the sort of identity that a complete lack of kith, kin or clan denied her for the whole of recent memory. Certainly until one Varric Tethras had swaggered his way into her life and corralled her under his wing.

Something as complicated as dating just never found its foothold with her focus, amid so many years of simply trying to find herself.

She was an elf in a largely human community, a non magic user - despite her endless fascination with the craft - in a society that prized its mages above all. Both facts of which pushed many of her superiors throughout her collegiate studies to blow off and even mock her ambitions towards more magic-focused areas of study.

Rook was an academic at heart - A voracious learner and reader. But for all of her passion, she was still very much an outsider. She was the foundling discovered abandoned deep within the Necropolis - lucky to have been found alive at all - Taken in by a kind and doting pair of elderly Mortalitasi, Gunter and Eloise Ingellvar, who had even gone as far as bequeathing their inheritance to her upon the last of their dual deaths some years later.

But they had gone too soon - Rook had barely been 12 when the old woman had died - and she was once again left as a ward of the Necropolis and its Watchers, who seemed to see less value in an orphaned elf with no magical talents to speak of. Frequently outright denied access to her preferred areas of study due to their prized and limited availability (such courses should be reserved for mages who might make the most use of them after all, and the university’s donors were rife with promising young mages as heirs) she was relegated, instead, to training as a fighter. A protector. A watcher of the Watchers themselves.

Just one extra corpse between demons and the ones whose work actually matters, more like, she thought. She swung open her ornate wardrobe, eyes scanning her limited choice in clothing critically as her thoughts poured from one memory to the next.

Those days were rife with turmoil. Rook had volleyed equally between hours of grueling fight and defense training, classes in basic sciences, necromancy, anatomy, funerary preparations and the Fade, and time dedicated purely to stirring up shit in the streets of Navarra City.

Fights. Petty theft. Stirring up chaos in the market square with a prank or three - one of which had, to her own amusement and pride to that very day, saw a surprisingly large number of bees in a leading role.

Throughout her years of collegiate learning, Rook carried the rage of a clever mind stifled and of dreams dashed, and it had landed her under the threadbare patience and steely gaze of the headmaster more times than she could count. That the Mourn Watch had been tasked with her care as much as her training was likely the only reason she hadn’t been thrown out for good.

It also hadn’t hurt that Rook had proven incredibly adept at combat despite her general lack of interest in the task (outside of a good tavern fistfight, at least.) There was also the curiosity that was her study habits. Her grades in basic courses were passable at best from sheer lack of interest, yet when time and little pockets of determination allowed, she could be found holed up in the Necropolis’s expansive library for hours, even days on end, pouring over every tomb her low-level clearance would allow, creating many tombs further of dense, meticulously detailed notes.

She was at least trying, in her own way, her superiors knew. And where their interest in her full potential failed her, her own thirst for learning minded the gap. Even if she was denied the chance to pursue her major of choice… lectures in the Grand Necropolis’s halls of learning were as free and frequent as the availability and seating of its various expansive lecture halls would allow.

Those educational sermons were hardly for the faint of heart or feeble of mind. They required many dedicated hours, copious notes, and a level of existing understanding of necromancy, the occult and Navarran history as a whole that *should* have been enough to bar a student of Rook’s study tract access by sheer lack of access to advanced classes alone.

But Rook had done the work. Had soaked up every scrap and parcel of knowledge she could, entirely on her own. And in each and every lecture, perched dutifully in the shadows at the back of the room, she soared.

Which was precisely where the good Professor had graced her peripherals, time and time again.

Even nearly a decade prior, Professor Emmrich Volkarin was something of a legend on campus. Prodigiously intelligent and equally skilled in both oration and genuine fondness for the eager young minds he fostered, Rook was hardly immune from the childish swooning over the otherwise utterly unattainable genius that captivated his students with every speech and demonstration.

“Volkarin’s hangers-on.”

Johanna Hezenkoss’s recent jeer at Rook’s expense still made her cheeks run hot. Rook had never been that - certainly not as the insult Hezenkoss intended.

But Rook and Emmrich were both well aware of whom the half-Litch referred to.

Hair a little darker and warm eyes a little bit brighter then, The Professor was too clever and adept at reading people around him to have remained oblivious to the fact that not only were the large majority of doe-eyed students trailing him from office to lectern and back largely of the female variety, but they were also almost always a bit more coy than was comfortable to be sharing a room with for too long. It was always impressive, then, to Rook, just how coolly and kindly said attentions were quite unanimously blown off by Emmrich himself.

He was never once cruel or condescending, but ever the consummate professional. He paid his students’ motivations no mind outside of whatever question he was fielding, or what knowledge he wished to impart, either.

Rook later overheard whispers among a gaggle of gossiping young mages in the privy that, apparently, “half of the fun” of flirting with the man to begin with was trying to “find a crack” in their charming yet unflappably stoic Professor’s perfectly tailored facade.

Of which there was nary a one, as far as Rook knew at the time. The man simply did not budge.

Which was why, despite never having had the stones to so much as approach Professor Volkarin with a question before meeting with him in the catacombs with Bellara months prior, and with nearly ten years of confidence that only incredibly hard work and some life experience could provide, Rook was genuinely floored when her own good-humored and (mostly) unserious swings at flirting with the man *actually worked.*

Rook had only dared shoot her shot with the man with the full confidence that in all likelihood (and at absolute worst) he would simply glance past the attention with his usual jovial kindness. She took a swing at it for younger-Rook, who would have thought it the coolest thing ever, future-Rook finding the sort of confidence her younger self found so foreign.

And the man actually expressed interest. Just fully (warmly as ever but with a degree of coyness Rook had no idea actually existed prior) stated that if, in fact, her projected interest went beyond mere flattery… he was down.

“Hell of a bullseye on the first draw, there, Ingellvar,” she had mused to herself and inevitably shared with Emmrich multiple times since, much to the Professor’s amusement.

Rook pulled the only pretty, non-Mourn Watch related article of clothing she owned - a deep purple gown and its immaculately tailored overcoat - from the wardrobe, before clipping the doors shut with her heel.

Naive shock aside, it wasn’t as though Rook hadn’t been equally delighted by Emmrich’s unexpected response. She had become even more enamored with the fellow in the past many months, as he spoke with her not as a student but as a colleague. An equal.

He adored her thoughts and her intellectual curiosity, and had said as much - often. He was ever the academic, as enthusiastic about answering any question she had as she was to learn the answer. But he was also genuinely interested in all of the knowledge she had gathered in the past ten years - Her interests in Navarran archeology within the ever-ancient Necropolis halls. His in Necromancy and the Fade. It had become a frequent, deeply adored line of conversation between the two of them, in fact - just how often their individual fields of study crossed in application.

Emmrich Volkarin was every bit as charming as his passionate yet professional demeanor would imply. But what Rook came to learn very quickly upon reconnecting with the man was that, on a personal level, he was one of the most compassionate individuals Rook had ever met. He cared deeply, about everything - particularly, it seemed, about the ragtag troop of adventurers she and Neve had since managed to assemble. At 52 years of age, he also, as it turned out, had zero qualms about dating someone - regardless of gender persuasion - over 20 years his junior. He’d simply taken his work as an educator far too seriously when he was young enough to find any interest in university students, let alone misuse the power dynamic between teacher and pupil - and they had, decades later, well since lost their appeal.

So, now, here she was. Two months into the most absurdly romantic courtship she could imagine, given the sheer chaos that surrounded them otherwise.

Fancy dinners. Time spent exploring the Necropolis to feel more grounded - that little bit of home going a long way to keeping them both fixed on the battles that just kept on coming. A recent night stroll through the streets of Navarra City during the ancestral pageants, their darkly artful city glistening with lanterns and wisps.

Emmrich Volkarin was ever a man of his word, too. Early on, when a bashful Rook mentioned her lack of experience in any such relationship, he had promised they’d take things slow, and they absolutely had. Endeared and warm as they were, his kisses were chaste, and his presence around her respectful of her space and autonomy. It had only been since she had started pushing boundaries that he had reciprocated in kind.

Longer, deeper kisses. Tousled hair. Hands wandering with far more bravery - and far more urgency - from both parties, amidst long nights full of even longer conversations.

The cracks in Emmrich Volkarin’s perfectly tailored facade were showing. And, Rook grinned to herself despite the blush reaching her ears, they were admittedly * delicious.*

Rook fastened the copper skull-shaped buttons upon her overcoat before fishing for Varric’s shaving mirror and checking her hair.

She wasn’t entirely sure how she’d expected the acceleration of their relationship to go. Perhaps more spontaneously, and likely in the Lighthouse, despite neither of them having particularly comfortable quarters - his with little more than a cot to sleep on that was otherwise hidden away, and her own space often as chilly as being overlooked by an enormous deep water aquarium would imply.

She certainly didn’t expect it to turn into a Pnemoix-worthy event.

It was, frankly, the first time Emmrich had taken the lead on the direction of relations between them. He had planned every romantic gesture their messy schedules and frequent travels would allow, sure, but every acceleration where intimacy had been concerned had been entirely on Rook.

But, it felt right, the timing.

She wondered if this was his way of saying he felt the same.

Rook slipped on a pair of gold-rimmed glasses (her vision never had been the best, but she’d only just taken to wearing them more faithfully at Emmrich’s encouragement, and insistence that he thought them, “Positively charming.”)

With a flutter of excitement in her chest Rook spared a careless hope that she might make it all the way downstairs to the Vi’Revas without any of their friends asking enough questions to rattle her nerves anymore than they already squirmed.

——————-

The journey was quick and blessedly uninterrupted. Punctual as ever, Emmrich had already arrived. He turned to greet her as she strode his way, having been surveying the towering Eluvian with an air of curiosity just moments before.

Lean and immaculately dapper as ever, golden rings and bangles over luxurious shades of black and jade, a smile swept his features so genuine that it stole a smile from her own.

“Rook,” he mused warmly, “You look exquisite.”

“Could very well say the same to you, Professor,” Rook teased, hand once again gracing the elbow he lent her.

“Shall we?”

[anisespice]

“ the fuck-it list ” || hq! pt. 2

one || three || four

synopsis: there’s a list going around consisting of hot guys on campus that are deemed “fuckable” with theories as to what they’d be like in bed. it’s all fun and games until somehow your boyfriend ends up on this list. 

pairing: various x gn!reader [ hinata, bokuto, kuroo ]

warnings: cursing, suggestive language, hinata’s is SUPER long lol mild objectification, bo and kuroo’s are criminally the shortest ones i’ve written so far ugh (but they get the point across), and I think that’s it :D

notes: first of all, can i just say THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH ♡♡♡ i did not expect that headcanon to blow up, so i will do my very best to make the following ones just as juicy and entertaining for y'all :))) special thanks to @melanatedkink for helping out with this, she helps bring out my inner whore lol hope you guys enjoy !!

notes ii: didn't want the situations to get too repetitive, so these may take me a little longer for the other characters i do in the future, but i appreciate the love and patience for the series thus far !!! you guys are awesome

tagged: @daedaep69 , @ahahadumbo , @viktoryn , @mdsb , @ourgoddessathena , @ushygushybaby , @hyori2 , @lumpywolf , @fantasycantasy

HINATA knew all about the list. Being the social butterfly he was, it would be impossible for the topic not to come up in conversation, especially since a lot of his friends were on it. He found it interesting, to say the least, but never really took the whole thing too seriously. It was just for shits and giggles after all, right?

During a water break in the gym, Hinata aimed for his mouth while squeezing the bottle. Most made it inside, but the rest dripped down his chin. Thinking nothing of it, the spiker used the bottom of his jersey to wipe his face dry, be it water or sweat. And even though it was for a split second, it was more than enough time for the damage to be done to the hearts of those chilling up by the railing on the first level. Beneath the LEDs, in all their sinful glory, were Shoyo Hinata’s nipple piercings. 

The gates of heaven have opened, and the choir sings a hymn. But, along came Satan, as he rubbed his seedy hands together in mischief. The groupies were shellshocked and knew they must alert the masses, eyeing their prey all the way until the end of practice. This caught the attention of a certain blonde setter, who brought it to Hinata’s attention right off the bat as they cleaned up the court.

“Oi. Don’t wanna alarm ya or anythin’, but…those spectators up there been eye-ballin’ you for quite a while. Could be trouble.”

The tangerine gave a confused grin, looking over his shoulder in their direction. Sure enough, their eyes never wavered, not even after being caught. However, he merely shrugged it off. “It’s probably nothing.”

Atsumu hummed, skeptically. Though, he didn’t push it any further.

Once they were dismissed and sent to the showers, by the time Hinata was done he'd be the only one left in the locker room. He had to take his time and be extra careful not to bump his piercings, still kinda sensitive. Kageyama offered to stay behind so they could walk back together, "HINATA-BOKE, HURRY UP BEFORE I LEAVE YOUR SLOW ASS IN HERE."

But, Hinata politely declined. "SUCK A DICK, BAKAYAMA. I'm going over [_____]'s tonight, so go on ahead!"

With a nod, the stoic setter took his leave. "Cool. Tell 'em I said hey. See you tomorrow."

"See ya tomorrow!"

And then, all was quiet.

The only sounds filling the space were the running water, his humming, and the flickering overhead lights. When he stepped out with a towel wrapped snuggly around his waist, Hinata heard the sound of his phone ringing in his bag. His tired expression soon melted into joy at the cheesy love song he used as your ringtone.

Pressing the answer button, Hinata greeted you with his face all in the camera, and a bright, "Hi, [_____]!!~ You here already?"

Your eyes were on the road but you grinned, adoringly. "Hi, Sho. And, no, almost there though. I stopped by the canteen to grab some dinner. Know how hungry you get after practice."

"Mmm, starved. You're an angel, angel."

Staying on the call as he changed, the two of you conversed about each other's day as normal. However, when the topic of those groupies eventually came up, it instantly made you tense. Even though most of his fans were harmless, there were still a few rotten apples in the bunch that made you wary. "God, don’t tell me they asked you to spike their ass like a ball again."

Hinata snorted, throwing on a clean shirt, "That wasn't me, remember? That was Sakusa-san. Never seen him look so horrified." You laughed, having recalled. "But, according to 'tsumu-san, they hardly took their eyes off me tonight.”

“That’s old news, babe. Those vultures are always watching you.”

“Not always-”

"ALWAYS." You affirmed, pulling up to the building. Parking outside the doors, you teasingly said, "We can continue talking about how wrong you are in the car, I’m outside. And hurry, the food's gonna get cold."

"Yes, boss," he chuckled, gathering up his things. Throwing the duffle over his shoulder, Hinata made haste for the lobby, making sure to turn the lights off behind him. “See you in a minute, sunshine.~”

With that he hung up, walking with a spring in his step. He had a surprise for you, and couldn’t wait to finally show them off later. Now that the piercings had healed enough, Hinata couldn’t fight the obscene images clouding his mind of all the things you’d do once you saw them. It made him dizzy just thinking about it…

Unfortunately, someone would beat him to the punch. Or, more specifically, something.

‘Shoyo Hinata. 5’6ft sweetheart, and a ball of energy who’ll light up any room he walks into. He may look all innocent, but clearly, we’ve been underestimating him. Kinda has everyone wondering what other piercings he may be hiding…and where.~ What he may lack in height, he makes up for in girth. Expect to go for several rounds back to back, ‘cause he’s got STAMINA. This man will also be very vocal—Talk you through an orgasm, how good you make him feel, dirty-talk, begging, you name it—He is BIG on communication. He's also a cuddler, after-care will be disgustingly sweet, and pillow talk will be a must. 100/10.’

Wow. You suspected those parasites were up to no good, but never would’ve expected this. The picture attached to the thread was of your boyfriend, mid-air from blocking a ball, with his arms straight up. As he was coming down, his shirt was coming up, exposing his whole torso. It was a little blurry, but whoever took the photo zoomed in enough to where you could easily make out the silver on his nipples.

You pursed your lips, uncertain on how to feel. On one hand, you were kinda annoyed they, let alone the whole campus, got to see them before you even knew about them. But, on the horny hand…

“Hey, gorgeous!” Hinata exclaimed, startling you out of your thoughts. He had opened the back door, and threw his bag on the seat before eagerly joining you in the front. Leaning across the console to give you a kiss, he was taken aback when you stopped him, placing a finger on his lips. “Mmm?”

You gave him a blank look, making him a little nervous. He was just on the phone with you and things were totally fine, what could’ve possibly changed in the five minutes it took him to get to the car? Hinata didn’t have to ponder for long, though. Not when you used that very same finger to hook around his collar, yanking it downward. He yelped, pulling away in the last second, but his reflexes couldn’t save him this time.

You confirmed it with your own eyes now.

“I uh—…T-Those are…,” he spluttered, scratching his cheek. You happily watched him squirm, arms crossed with a knowing grin on your face. Hinata sweat-dropped. “I-I was gonna t-tell you, I swear, but I wanted them to heal a little before I did, so that you could…”

“Could what, Sho?”

His face was pure vermilion. With a huff, Hinata whined, “How’d you even find out? I had a whole thing planned and everything! Was it Bakayama? Did he tell you?? Dammit, I knew I should’ve asked someone else to come with me to the appointment!”

You chuckled, shaking your head. “No, it wasn’t Kageyama. I told you so, those vultures are always watching.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll tell you later. For now,” you reached over again, this time with both hands as lithe fingertips slid underneath the thin cotton of his shirt, trailing up the smooth skin until you brushed against the perked nubs. Hinata twitched, immediately biting back a moan as you began teasing them at once. If he got any redder, he’d surely pass out from all the blood rushing to his head. Luckily, it was also rushing elsewhere. “Let’s hurry and get you back to mine’s, hm?"

"...S-So I uhn," he keened when you lightly tugged on one, hand reflexively grabbing your wrist, but not to stop you. His eyes fluttered as he let you feel him up as much as you pleased, mouth hung open as he began panting like a dog. "...I take it y-you like them, then?"

"Oh, baby, I love 'em. Best investment ever, honestly. Can't wait to put them in my mouth," you sighed dreamily, gently pinching to elicit a moan from the ginger. Music to your ears. From the look on his face, he could probably cum from this feeling alone. You pulled away at the thought, smirking as he instantly began protesting.

"Aht, not so fast, we still gotta eat. But, don't worry. You'll get your dessert."

Homie nodded so quick, you were sure he gave himself whiplash. Adorable.

By the end of a very long night full of debauchery, you eventually told him about the list and how exactly you found out about the piercings. And you know what? He couldn’t even be mad. At least it wasn't Kageyama.

“Oh! He says ‘hey’ by the way.”

Now, BOKUTO thought he knew about the list. But after the whole…misunderstanding with Akaashi, it turned out he knew absolutely nothing. Granted, how he felt about it didn’t really change after his friends spent over an hour explaining it to him. If anything, it fueled his distaste for it even more. When he showed up on your doorstep looking absolutely distraught, fat tears rolling down his face as he proclaimed his unwavering devotion to you, you only needed one guess. 

‘Kotaro Bokuto. 6’2ft of GAWD DAMN. He's sweet, confident, and R E S P E C T F U L?? We love a triple threat. Not to mention how MASSIVE he is, and don’t even get me started on his ass. Would literally be unable to keep my hands to myself, just saying. Like how you see him dominate the volleyball court, the same could be said for the bedroom, without a doubt. Bokuto loves to give, but he’s also a taker. Definitely gives off Switch with service Dom tendencies. Plus he’s greedy. He doesn’t care if you already came four times, give him some more!!! ∞/10. He is beyond the standard. Argue with the wall.’ 

You remembered reading it while taking a break from studying, merely brushing it off. It was only a matter of time he’d end up on their radar, you had prepared for it since the list first started circulating around campus. Frankly, you had completely forgotten about it; up until now. 

“Ko, baby, please calm down-”

“I don’t care how many people wanna touch my ass! They can’t have it, it’s for you to touch and nobody else!” 

You quickly pulled him into your room before he screamed any more embarrassing stuff in the hallway, knowing your neighbors probably recognized his voice by now. The last thing you wanted was another noise complaint, your RA already despised his visits enough to consider banning him altogether–Whether or not they had the authority, you’d rather not find out today. 

Once behind the safety of a closed door, the behemoth of a man came crashing down to his knees, arms circling around your midriff as he buried himself in your stomach. You jumped slightly as your room shook from the sudden action, deeply exhaling in order to reconfigure your thinning patience. Taking a page from Akaashi’s book, you knew getting snippy with Bokuto while he was in this state would only worsen it, so you approached cautiously. 

“Ko,” you cooed, reaching down to caress his deflated hair. He sniffled, hugging you closer in response. Gently, you pushed him far enough to see his face, wiping away the tears as you offered him a soft smile. “Look at me, do I look upset to you?”

Bokuto took a moment to search your eyes, then shook his head.

“Exactly. Which means you don’t need to be, you’ve done nothing wrong. Now stand up, I’m sure that drop hurt your knees, didn’t it?” 

He sniffled once more, then nodded. Slightly embarrassed, Bokuto stumbled back up to his full height, and sure enough, his knees were red. You tsked, gesturing to your desk chair for him to sit on while you fetched an ice pack from your fridge. 

“Although I appreciate the reassurance, I already knew you were on the list, babe.” 

Bokuto’s head shot up from looking at the floor, mood instantly doing a one-eighty as he gaped at you in shock. “HUH? Why didn’t you say anything to me about it?”

“I didn’t think you cared,” you replied, chuckling. “It’s been up for weeks. I figured you saw it and just ignored it, or something. Besides, I’ve gotten used to people openly expressing their attraction to you, so it wasn’t anything new.” 

“You shouldn’t have to get used to it! People need to respect our relationship, no matter how fantastic I am!” 

You snorted, but couldn’t help the chuckle. Returning with an ice pack, you kneeled by his legs and placed the cooling relief upon the irritated skin. “Mm, you are pretty fantastic. But, I don’t mind the attention you get, Ko. Because I know I’m the lucky one who gets you all to myself.” 

Bokuto beamed down at you, lower lip quivering at the praise. 

Effortlessly, he swooped you up from the floor and held you in his lap, the ice pack long forgotten as it slipped out your hands. With a loving squeeze, Bokuto nuzzled into the side of your neck, forcing soft giggles out of you from the ticklish feeling as you hugged him back. You felt so warm in his embrace, and he smelled like home. Even if you’d never say such corny things out loud, the way you melted in his arms was enough for him to know exactly how you felt; it was mutual.

"Plus, you can get a bit intense. They wouldn't last the night."

"Hey, hey, hey, you got that right," Bokuto grinned, smugly. "No one could ever handle me as well as you do, baby owl..." he purred, warm breath fanning over the skin of your shoulder, signaling goosebumps up your arms. You hummed in thought, snuggling in closer, whilst also not-so-accidentally grinding back against the flag pole in his sweats. He grunted, hips jerking upward in surprise.

"Hm, I dunno. It's been a while, I may have forgotten how."

Bokuto chuckled at the tease, the vibrations deep within his chest as he squeezed you a little tighter. You bit your lip to hold in your giddiness as his large hands began to wander, feeling a different kind of warmth as he began to overwhelm your senses. Trailing wet kisses from your shoulder to the side of your face, he playfully nipped at your cheek, eliciting a tiny squeal from you as you wiggled in his hold. And doing so only made you grind back on him even more.

His breathing grew heavier with each passing second, letting out a guttural groan before he flipped you around, making you straddle him. To anyone else, experiencing his sudden mood changes would've given them whiplash. Just moments prior, he'd been on his knees, crying with his head buried in your stomach like it was the end of the world. Now, he looked about five seconds from being on his knees for a different reason. For you, it was just another Wednesday.

"That so? How 'bout I remind you then?"

KUROO thought the list was the most hilarious thing to ever occur on campus, hands down one of his go-to's for entertainment when he’s bored. 

Like right now. 

The lecture dragged on for what felt like forever, the professor mumbling about absolutely nothing of value as everyone in the class busied themselves with whatever would keep them awake. Some played games on their laptops pretending to take notes, while others blatantly chatted with their deskmates.

With an airpod in, Kuroo had you on facetime in the corner of his screen so that you could keep each other company while he scrolled through social media, and you put away dishes. You tried to convince him to leave the class early, "Clearly you aren't paying attention, so you might as well."

"Unfortunately, he only counts attendance if you sign your name on the exit sheet at the very end of the lecture. So leaving early's out of the question." He muttered. You hummed in understanding, then chortled.

"Oh. Sucks to be you, then."

Kuroo glared half-heartedly at you, but it completely softened at the sound of your laughter, despite it being at his expense. He kissed his teeth after checking the time, mildly annoyed that he still had less than ten minutes. “Why’d you even take the course if you couldn’t care less about it?”

“I needed another elective. And…Kenma was the one who recommended it. Said it’d be an easy pass.”

“And you believed him?” Cue another round of your laughter.

He grumbled, off-screen for you but clearly pouting as he chose to ignore your question. No matter, his silence was answer enough.

With a mere shake of your head, you continued putting away dishes on your end. Kuroo, on the other hand, found himself stumbling upon something that perked him up instantly. After refreshing the feed for more mindless content, the user-handle he knew all too well showed itself like a beacon of hope, beckoning him with the promise of filling the next ten minutes with something way more interesting than…whatever this class was about.

@/FckIt22.

After the last fiasco with Bokuto, then later on Kenma, the ravenette contemplated blocking them. As golden as those situations were, something told him that deep down he could be next. But, it was days like this he was glad he didn’t. His boredom was becoming unbearable…and it was so tempting. What harm could it do to look at this one little upda—“HAH?!”

‘Tetsurou Kuroo. 6’2ft gentleman that you’d proudly take home to mom, and even get your father’s approval. With his charm and roguish good looks, it's no wonder his reputation screams 'playboy'. But, he can’t fool me. I know what he is. A whole SUB, no sandwich. I’m sure being as tall as he is, and how he carries himself, people automatically assume he’s a Dom. False. If you’re looking to be dominated, keep looking. Kuroo wants to be babied, told he’s a good boy, and edged until he nearly passes out. Definitely a little brat, but his hair defies gravity for a reason, PULL ON IT. Boss him around, take control, and watch him literally melt in your hands. 8/10 because he's also a stubborn mofo. Literally would pay to see this man cry from overstimulation ugh.’ 

Kuroo shot out of his seat, practically piercing right through the air of humdrum. He not only startled you, but the entire lecture hall including the professor. Comically slapping a hand over his mouth, Kuroo’s face immediately began to burn from not only his outburst but also at the fact that his karma came way sooner than he was prepared for...

He wanted nothing more than for the ceiling to collapse on him and him only.

“Tetsu?? Are you okay, what happened?? Hello??”

"U-Uh, I'll call you back." He squeaked, double-tapping his airpod to end the call.

The professor crossed his arms, "Mr. Tetsurou. I understand that my lecture may not be the most enjoyable part of your day, but I would appreciate it if you endured it for just," the professor checks his watch, "six more minutes. Is that alright with you?"

Before he could even open his mouth to give an excuse, a chorus of vibrations, dings, and whistles from various phones instantly made the business major shrivel up. Next thing he knew, what used to be a room full of the undead was now livelier than ever before. Kuroo could feel every single one of their searing gazes; like being an insect under a microscope.

"Bro, this you?" A student sitting behind him leaned forward, phone in hand as he shoved it in Kuroo's face. The picture stared back at him, smugly grinning and shirtless as he ironically thirst-trapped the camera. Out of all the pictures…

He internally cringed. "U-Uhh..."

"Please, everyone settle down, so we can continue-" The professor attempted to redirect focus, but he had already lost it way before all this happened. A few more students jumped straight into bombarding him with questions, eager to push for more info now that this supposed new side of him had been revealed.

“Whoa, how much of this is true??”

“Kuroo-san, I’ll happily baby you!~”

“Aw man, thought for sure you’d be the type to take control, not give it up. What a bummer. No offense.”

He absolutely took offense to that.

With no help from the professor, as he tried and failed to recollect everyone's attention, Kuroo thought of the next best course of action to get him out of this sticky situation. Jumping out a two-story window didn't sound so bad, and the broken bones would be a great distraction from the suffocating feeling of public humiliation.

In the midst of all the theories and queries being thrown at him from every angle, his phone went off multiple times. Mostly from you, but the rest were no doubt the groupchat clowning him once they caught wind of the news. The guys weren't gonna let him live this one down, that's for certain. And to make matters worse...he still had four long minutes left in the class.

He exhaled, "Should've blocked 'em when I had the chance..."

Gathering up his stuff, Kuroo used his long legs to evade the ever-growing crowd of prodding students, all most likely not even caring about the post itself, but more so just wanting to kill class time; he refused to be a scapegoat.

Marching right up to the professor, who gave up trying to round up the class, the rooster-head mustered up the most pathetic look possible to evoke sympathy outta the wrinkly man. "Hey, so uh… may I please be excused a little early for this one time, sir? I'd really hate to be such a distraction from your insightful lecture-"

"Just go, Mr. Tetsurou." Didn't need to tell him twice.

As soon as he made it to your dorm, you could imagine his shock that his friends were already there, waiting as if they knew he'd come running straight to you. You offered him a teasing grin, shrugging as you said, “They came for…emotional support.”

He didn't know if he was mortified or mortified—Yaku, Yamamoto, Bokuto, Akaashi, hell, even Kenma rolled out of bed, wrapped in a blanket burrito and all, just to see the look on his best friend's face. He grinned, sardonically, then patted the empty spot on the couch right next to him. "Welcome to the club. We've been expecting you."

Oh, he was definitely blocking that godforsaken list now. And finding a new elective.

© 2023-2024 anisespice ッ all rights reserved. likes, comments & reblogs much appreciated!

[popchoc]

Just wanted to say that I love your prompts. If you're still taking requests, I think 48 could be fun for Marina, please. Thank you.

Thank you, I'm glad you like them! This was a nice one indeed. It's been a while since I wrote these two, but def fun. I somehow always enjoy putting them in these every day scenes, to experience those moments through their eyes. Guess they're just the perfect characters for it, and as a pair, even more entertaining. Anyway, I hope you agree and enjoy this uhm... little ride.

Yeah, No, I'm Not Getting In There Maya & Carina - Station 19

The theme park buzzes with excitement - kids darting between rides, the mixed scent of sweet cotton candy and fried food thick in the air, and the distant screams of thrill-seekers echoing through the summer sky. Amidst this total chaos, they leisurely walk hand in hand, their fingers still sticky from the shared funnel cake they just devoured.

Maya, ever the daredevil, practically vibrates with excitement. "Okay, we've done the roller coasters, the break dance, and the drop tower. But now…" She points ahead. "The grand finale!"

Carina follows her gaze and immediately takes a step back. They are standing in front of a massive water ride; one of those giant raft attractions where people sit in a circle, spinning uncontrollably as they are tossed through wild rapids and waterfalls. "Yeah, no, I'm not getting in there," she says flatly, crossing her arms.

Maya turns to her, feigning shock. "What? But you love water!"

"I love the ocean," Carina scoffs, "I love a nice, relaxing swim. I do not love being catapulted into a river against my will!"

Grinning, Maya nudges her playfully. "Oh, come on. Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Look at them!" Carina points at a group of drenched teenagers stepping off the ride, sopping in their shoes as they walk by. "Listen to them. They are suffering."

"They are refreshed!" Maya laughs.

"They are regretting their choices!" Carina counters.

With another giggle, Maya turns to her, giving her best puppy-dog eyes. "Please? For me?"

Carina groans dramatically, already feeling herself caving. "Ugh. Fine. But if I get soaked, you're buying me gelato. Twice!"

"Deal!" Maya grabs her hand and pulls her toward the line, disregarding Carina's argument that it's short for a reason and they should take the hint.

Fifteen minutes later, they emerge from the rapids ride. Carina completely soaked, her shirt plastered to her skin and her long, now tangled strands of hair sticking to her face. Maya, on the other hand, with barely a drop on her.

The moment they're back on the main path, Carina stops and turns to glare at her. "Explain."

Trying not to laugh, Maya bites her lip. "Uh… bad luck?"

"Bene, that's it," Carina cries out, "I'm picking the next ride."

Still amused, and rather fearless, Maya shrugs. "Go for it."

That's when Carina's lips curl into a smirk. When her eyes start to sparkle with mischief - and maybe a little vengeance.

"The haunted house."

Freezing mid-step, Maya's face pales. "Oh no. No, no, no—"

Her protest is drowned out by Carina's laughter.

"Come on, mia eroina," she grins widely, playfully wrapping her arms around Maya's waist. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

let's do some prompts!

[tickles-in-ficland]

BOREDOM

Summary: Y/N tries to avoid getting homework done by bugging two Demigods. It doesn’t go in her favor…or does it 😉

Word Count: 2,088

Pairings: Ler!Thor Ler!Loki Lee!Reader

You were bored. With everyone on missions or spending time with their families, you needed some entertainment. Being the youngest on the team along with Parker, Stark was making you stay home this weekend and finish homework. Even being an Avenger, school was still important. You argued and insisted that you attend the mission but Stark had the final word.

You’d been “working” on your homework for an hour and decided to take a break and wander the compound. You thought, minus maybe Pepper who was usually in her office you’d be alone. Much to your surprise you saw two demigods sitting in the lounge area. Your lips curled up into a smile. They hadn’t seen you enter the room and you figured you’d sneak up and spook the brothers.

Before you could take a step, without looking up from his book you heard Loki speak.

“There’s no use in trying to sneak up on us Y/N. I know you’re behind me.”

“Ugh! No fair Loki.” you pouted crossing your arms. “How’d you even know I was there?”

“Darling.” Loki scoffed as he closed his book and turned his head to look at you. “You’re talking to the God of Mischief. You can’t get anything past me.”

Your eyebrows furrowed as you looked over at Thor who wore an amused smirk on his face.

“He is unfortunately right young Y/N. Even as kids, I could never best him.” Thor chucked. “But it matters not because you shouldn’t even be down here. Didn’t Stark order you to finish your school work?”

“I uh, decided to take a break.” you said clearing your throat. “Needed to get some air and all that.”

“Ah.” Thor nodded, not entirely convinced by your answer. “Well my brother and I will be here should you need us. Back to it.”

Your eyes widened in realization. “Wait a minute! Stark kept you guys from the mission to be my BABYSITTERS?”

“I wouldn’t put it that way exactly…” Thor started but glancing over at Loki who was clearly amused by your reaction, spoke up.

"Oh I would." he said with a deep chuckle. “Yes. Stark asked us to make sure you did as you were told. Seeing as last time you were left unattended you did not finish your school work and failed an assignment.”

Your pout only furthered more at Loki’s words. “I’m not a baby. I don’t need to be watched.” you said with a stomp of your foot, digging your metaphorical hole deeper.

The brothers both raised an eyebrow in amusement. You huffed, knowing you’d proven their point.

“Okay fine. But I do need a break. I’m bored up there. Can I hang out with you guys for a little while. Pleeeeease?” you asked looking between the two with the biggest puppy dog eyes you could muster.

Going over to Thor, who you knew was the softie of the two, you wrapped your arms around his big torso and looked up at him. “Please Thor? We don’t hang out enough. We are always off doing missions or you guys go back to Asgard and I miss you.”

Thor looked down at you with a soft smile as he stroked your hair gently. The brothers had grown quite fond of you since you’d joined the team. Being the youngest of them, they felt protective of you like big brothers. The world was harsh and it didn’t hurt to have two demigods on your side. You knew Thor was a pushover, it would be Loki that would be the tough one to crack.

“Brother.” Thor said putting his arm around you affectionately. “Why don’t we let the young maiden take a break from her studies? Surely it won’t hurt to take some time to enjoy the company.”

Loki’s eyes narrowed you, his hands on his hips. He pinched the bridge of his nose before letting out a sigh of defeat. “Fine. But only for a short while. I don’t want to deal with Stark when he comes home and Y/N has yet to finish her school work.”

“YAY!” you cheered throwing your arms around Loki.

Not expecting the sudden impact, Loki stumbled a bit but gave you a small pat on the shoulder. He wasn’t much for affection like his brother, but you knew he cared for you nevertheless.

“I mean it Y/N.” he chastised. “Only a short break and then you are to return to your studies. Understood?”

“Yeah yeah sure.” you said with a dismissive wave of your hand.

Sure enough, you break went by entirely too quick. You were curled up on the couch, watching tv with your head on Thor’s shoulder when suddenly the tv clicked off.

“Hey!” you shouted looking over at Loki who shrugged. “What gives?”

“Breaks over. As agreed, it is time to go back upstairs. Should you need assistance with your work, you may call one of us and we will do what we can. We are fairly well versed in Midgardian studies. But until then, off you go.”

“No.” you said confidently crossing your arms.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Loki asked closing his book and looking at you incredulously.

“You heard me.” you snarked back, folding your arms once again in defiance. “I said no. N-O spells no.”

You heard Thor snort laugh behind you. He knew how this was going to end but you were digging your own grave and he was enjoying himself.

Loki scoffed a laugh before standing up and approaching the couch, where you and Thor sat.

“Y/N….” Loki said in a warning tone. “This isn’t going to end well for you darling. I’d stop while you’re ahead.”

“I don’t want to do my school work today. Maybe tomorrow.” you said reaching for the remote only to have it disappear in a green flash.

“Hey! Not fair. You can’t use magic to hide things.”

“Oh well.” he shrugged while a smile tugged at his lips. “Off you go.” he said reaching for your hand only for you to shake your head.

“I said no Loki.”

Loki sighed. “Then you leave me no choice.” he said with a fake pained expression on his face.

“For whAT?” you let out a squeak as Loki tackled you to the couch and with little effort had pinned your hands to your sides.

“Lohoki! What the hehell?!” you said nervous giggles building in your chest.

“I’m going to make you regret telling me no. Stark said to use whatever method we needed, to make sure you were not going to skip your schooling. This seems like a great way to do so.”

Opening your mouth to protest was cut short as you felt ten fingers find purchase on your sides. Sporadic giggles began to escape your lips as you tried to twist and turn away from the tickly feeling.

“Lohohoki!” you squealed as his nimble fingers worked their way up your sides.

Loki’s dark chuckle told you that he wasn’t stopping anytime soon.

“Brother, if you wouldn’t mind I could use some assistance.” Loki chided. “The young maiden is quite squirmy.”

“Certainly, dear brother.” you heard Thor chuckle behind you.

You felt slight weight in your shoulders and looked up to see the flowy blonde hair hair dangling above your face, Thor grinning at you through it.

“Thohohor! Hehelp!”

Thor smiled affectionately at you. “I would count myself a fool to challenge my brother. A lesson you dear Y/N have yet to learn.” He chuckled before fluttering his fingers along your neck, eliciting more squeals as you shook your head trying to evade his fingers.

Loki leaned forward toward your face. “Now darling. Are we going to behave now and do as Stark has requested or shall we continue this?” he asked halting his fingers for a few moments.

You took in deep breaths at the momentary reprieve. Truthfully you didn’t hate it. No one really knew but you had a feeling the Asgardian was catching on.

You smirked at the God of Mischief, playfulness dancing in your eyes. The twinkle in your eye caught Loki’s attention and a full grin spread across his face.

“You like this. Don’t you, young one? It’s why you’re being so defiant. You wanted this to happen.” he said starting to snake his fingers up your rib cage, bubbly giggles once again pouring from your lips.

“I do not understand.” You heard Thor question behind you.

As if you weren’t apart of the conversation, Loki continued his tickle attack. Your infectious laughter ringing through the room as you weakly batted at his hands.

“Have you not noticed, that our young friend here has not asked me to stop once? She has been given opportunity to yield and yet she responds with words she knows will get her in trouble?” Loki asked. “She LIKES this. She WANTED this. Isn’t that right little one?” Loki questioned you, his nimble fingers now reaching under your arms, arguably your worse spot.

“LOHOHOKIHIHI!” your hard belly laughter raising several octaves. Pushing on his hands did nothing. He was a God after all and his strength was no match for yours. “PLEHEHEASE! GAHAHAH!” your legs kicked wildly behind him.

Thor smirked as he too realized. “Ah. I see now. She’s yet to ask either of us to stop. Is that right Y/N? You enjoy the tickles, do you not?” Thor chuckled as his fingers made contact with your neck once again, a scream of laughter erupting from you.

Your cheeks a bright crimson color as you turned your head trying to avoid eye contact as the two Asgardians tickled you mercilessly.

“Come on darling. Just admit it. You like this.” Loki teased.

“NEHEVER!”

“Very well.” Thor sighed jokingly. “Brother, if you will.” he said gesturing for Loki to step aside. “Hold her please.”

“Nonono! Thohohor!” you squealed your eyes pleading.

In an instant, the two brothers had switched places with Loki now holding you down with little effort as Thor positioned himself at your waist.

“Now then.” Thor continued “Is my brother correct in his assumptions?”

You bit your lip to bite back a giggle. ���Mahahaybe.” you admitted closing your eyes in embarrassment.

“Hehey!” Thor’s deep laugh rang through the room. “Look at me Y/N.”

When your eyes remained shut, Thor dug his fingers deep in your hip, causing a boisterous laughter to come out. You peaked at him with one eye and saw him looking at you with a gentle smile.

“It is nothing to be embarrassed by. Actually, it is adorable. Don’t you agree brother?” he asked looking at Loki who remained sitting at your head, occasionally fluttering his fingers in your neck.

“Indeed it is brother. What I don’t understand is why she shields her enjoyment of it.”

You sighed but a small smile played on your lips. Thor and Loki had released their hold on you, allowing you to sit up.

“Because. It’s not something most people enjoy. I grew up an only child. My parents worked all the time. I wasn’t given affection much as a child. And then…” you continued. “The…thing happened to me and I became a part of this team, this…family and for the first time I felt like I had brothers and sisters and… friends.” you stopped for a moment wiping your eyes.

“Heyyy.” Thor said pulling you to his chest and rubbing your shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s okay to want affection. As a young child you were deprived of what you craved most. It is natural to want that.”

“I hate to agree with my brother.” Loki chimed in which made you let out a muffled laugh in the crook of Thor’s shoulder. “But he is right. And if you need us to step in and be your big brothers, then that is what we shall be.”

You sighed in relief this time, a smile, a real smile this time gracing your face. “Thank you both. I really was bored though.”

“Well then.” Loki chuckled as he patted your shoulder. “We have been distraction enough. As agreed it’s time to return to your studies.”

You looked at him with a slight pout, twiddling your thumbs. “Would um…could you…” you asked embarrassed still.

“She wants us to continue brother.”

Thor grinned at you. “And what kind of big brothers would we be if we said no?” he asked before tackling you on the couch again, your deep laughter once again echoing through the room, your honorary big brothers tickling you to pieces.

Your homework long forgotten.

[alianarepasa]

Meme Swap: Side Story Part 2 - Chase Ensue by the Red Italian

Summary: While Beeg and Eggdog are have their own mischief adventure, pretending as their owners, SMG3 and SMG4 have their own adventures in their pets' body as they try their best to find them to fix the bodyswap mess. This fanfic is a celebration for hitting 200+ reads on Meme Swap and will only have three parts.

Tags: Comedy, Body Swap, Family fluff

Note: It is recommended that you should read Meme Swap by @shygirl4991 first before reading this! Thanks to them for accepting and be the proof-reader for the fanfic!

1st Part/3rd Part

Three was looking down at four who had his face flat on the floor, Three let out a sigh seeing how depressed his meme guardian partner was at the expected answer.  He truly thought the plan to use simple body language would let the squid girl know it was them, sadly that wasn't the case and now they are back to square one. 

He looked away from his partner to notice people around them turning and staring at them strangely, it was making him feel a bit uncomfortable so he decided looking around would help distract him. That’s when his eyes locked on to Luigi’s shop and saw their meme children walking in, Three turns and headbutts Four to get the depressed guardian's attention. 

“Look there they are, come on!” Four responded with an annoyed expression not pleased with the headbutt he received, Three glared at him before he began to walk. Four then followed Three, over time Four got ahead of him on their way to the shop. 

As Three attempts to catch up to Four, he is blocked by a pair of strangers looking at him in amazement “Hey look! It’s an Eggdog!” one shouted before their friend chimed in “It seems like it ain’t with its owner.” Three rolled his eyes and tires to continue following Four, as he started going past them another stranger appeared right in front of him with a huge smile. 

“OMG! THEY’RE SO CUTE! IMA PET THEM!” Right as the third person finishes their remark they reach over to Three to pet him, he backs away from the contact becoming uncomfortable with the attention.  Three looked around trying to find a way out only for more people to show up completely surrounding him, blocking all exits. Three screams furiously as he starts to feel panic rise in him, as he keeps looking for the exit he starts to scream “UGH PLEASE! LET! ME! THROUGH!” he knew no one would hear anything but barks but at that moment it didn't matter he needed an out. 

Four stops walking and turns around hearing the commotion behind him, he sees Three attempting to escape as the crowd continue to block his escape. Four panic then charges at the crowd in hopes to squeeze through, as he goes through he looks around struggling to find his partner in the crowd. Meanwhile the other meme guardian kept backing up hitting a wall, he was now cornered, the realization hit him as he began to shake frantically while everyone kept watching him in amazement reaching out to pet him. Being crowded brought back memories of his horrible endless stream he did months ago, he couldn't do anything in his life without eyes and comments surrounding him. He wanted to hug himself for comfort, but with the current body he is in, he couldn’t. All he could feel now is an intense fear of what people are about to do with him.

As he closed his eyes, he then felt someone touch him. He was expecting rough head pats, instead he felt warm arms around him. He opened his eyes to see it was Four holding him close causing him to get flustered and blush.  Suddenly he was lifted in the air as Four carries Three and runs through an opening “OUT OF MY WAY! RUN AWAY MEME COMING THROUGH!” 

Once they were safe, Four did one more look around before gently placing Three on the floor. Four turns looking at Three concern “You okay 3?”  Three looked away to hide his blushing face, lucky for him Four didnt notice “Y-yea I’m fine! But… thanks for saving me I guess…”

As they catch their breath they don't realize a familiar figure approaching them “Oh? Why are SMG4 and SMG3’s kids here?” The pair jump in surprise hearing the familiar Italian voice. They looked up and noticed their avatar, Mario. 

“Oh great… its the fatass” SMG3 complained with a displeased expression, while SMG4 came up with an idea. He grabs three doggy faces and looks at him excitedly “THREE! WE HAVEN’T ASKED MARIO TO HELP US OUT!! IF HE CAN UNDERSTAND MEMES, MAYBE HE CAN UNDERSTAND US?” Three responded with a confused look, but didn’t say anything as Four started to try to speak to their Avatar.

Four speaks up hoping that his avatar could understand, as Mario listens to Four he tilts his head only being able to hear gibberish. It reminded the plumber of a web show back in 2013 about cats with squeaky robotic voices. Mario blinks confused, he always was able to understand memes especially his guardians children, strangely at this moment the plumber couldn't understand a single word. Mario's eyes go cross “wot?”

“Mario doesn't know if it's just his weird spaghetti he just ate, or you guys just speak differently last time I checked.” Four frowns feeling disappointed that even Mario didn't seem to understand them either. Three sighs as he turns to Four “Hey now, you at least tried to speak up to him, but like the others, they don’t understand. Now can we move along and at least find our kid?” with a sad nod SMG4 looks at Three  “Yea… I guess you're right… let’s press on.”

As the two meme guardians started to walk away, they heard a rumble making them turn around staring at Mario. The plumber looked down at his stomach, he was starting to feel hungry, slowly he looked up, staring at memes in front of him. His eyes locking onto ‘Eggdog’  he starts to envision the egg cracked with its egg white and yolk on the floor. Slowly he takes out a hammer not breaking eye contact with the meme guardian, his mustache grows to a comedic size as his eyes go cross again  “Egg.”

The pair exchange a look feeling fearful and confused as to what their avatar meant “Uhh… is Mario ok-” right before Three could finish his sentence Mario swung his hammer at Three. Thankfully SMG3 was able to dodge the attack, the guardians exchanged frightened looks startled by what just happened. Mario takes another swing missing Three again, the pair scream as four immediately goes to his partner and carries him running far from the plumber.  

“WHAT THE FUCK?! WHAT IS THAT IDIOT DOING???” SMG3 screams, feeling panicked over what happened.  “I DON’T KNOW??? BUT BASED ON HOW HE IS TRYING TO SWING THE HAMMER AT YOU, I THINK HE IS TARGETING YOU?” SMG3 blinks slowly looking down at Four glaring at him  “YEA! NO SHIT SHERLOCK!”

They begin to argue as Four keeps running with his partner in his arms, as they argue they both pause noticing movement, looking up they see Mario was getting ready to drop several heavy objects on them.  Four starts to panickedly dodge the objects while making sure not to drop Three. Mario growls as he drops the last object on the pair, in a panic Four throws Three out of the way before rolling dodge the object. Three screams as he falls, as Four stands up from his roll he dashes and catches Three as he continues running, Mario glares at them planning another attack. 

Mario gets ahead of the pair and looks around making sure he was far enough, he looks down noticing the man cover and starts to open it. Then he grabs a plank that has been cut almost in half, then he places it over the hole ready for the trap to be set. Only it didn't happen, as the pair made it across with no issue. Mario saw what happened and was baffled at the sight, he goes to his original position and looks at the hole confused on what happened. The plumber, now distracted, didn't notice SMG3 jumping off of SMG4 hold, headbutting Mario into the sewers. 

The pair enter a alleway hoping to keep hidden from the plumber, four attempts to catch his breath from all the running. Three now finally on his feet let out a shaky breath trying to calm his nerves, even if he did headbutt Mario into a hole it didn't bring him full comfort.  “I… I think we lost him…” Just as Four was done catching his own breath, the meme guardians both noticed that the part of the alleyway started to get darker.  As they stare into the darkness they notice a hooded cloak figure moving in it, then a bone chilling whistle could be heard, it was as if death himself had found the meme guardians. Then the hooded cloak figure revealed a hammer in his hand, then with his other hand pulled down the hood showing Mario’s face full of psychotic rage . The pair started screaming and attempted to run only to realize they hit a dead end. It was at that moment they both knew they were screwed. 

“AHHHHH! SMG4!! DO SOMETHING TO STOP THAT IDIOT FROM KILLING ME!!!” SMG3 holds on to Four in a panic. SMG4  looks around trying to find anything that could help them, Mario starts to close in increasing the pair’s panic. That’s when Four saw a lone display door on the floor, picking it up he then slams the door shut. Normally doing this action with the door would hit someone's face, unfortunately for Mario his lower region manages to get stuck. The fat Italian screams in pain giving the duo a chase to escape, they run past him hoping that their avatar would leave them alone. 

As they escaped from the red Italian, they stopped and panted as they tried to get some air. “That… that should hold him at least…” Four let out between breaths. Three turns to four finally catching his breath  “You… You think so?” Four nods “Hopefully… Look, we need to get our kids quickly and fast, or else Mario might get you and-” as SMG4 starts to explain things SMG3 smells something that causes him to lose control of himself. Four turns still explaining things then notices that his partner is gone. 

“HUH?! THREE?! WHERE DID YOU GO??!” Four looked around fearfully. He starts to run looking around for his partner, after a while of searching he finds Three and notices something off. He calls out to the guardian only to get ignored, he decides to follow Three and block the way to get his attention.  “THREE! WHY ARE YOU NOT RESPONDING TO ME-” Four paused as he noticed that Three’s eyes are bigger, and lost its red gradient pupil. His expression didn’t seem human anymore, his huge eyes made him seem like a lost dog drooling excitedly for food. Four blinks at the thought “Wait…food?” He turned around to see where his partner was going. 

Turns out the pair ended up near a couple of fruit stands, that's when Four noticed what has Three attention, a barrel filled with strawberries. The false berry seemed to have put SMG3 in a trance, concerned over his partner he turned to him “Uhh… Three…?” Three did not respond back, instead, jumped through Four and made a run for it. Four was shocked at the sudden action, acting fast he grabs a hold of Three holding him back. The guardian pup then started to bark at him aggressively wanting to be free from his arms. 

“Three! What has it gone to you?!” SMG3 only responded with a growl, as he tried to struggle his way out from Four’s hold.  The guardian only replied in barks and growls, Four kept holding him back “C’mon Three! Why are you just acting like this?! It is just a strawberry-” he stops mid sentence as he remembers what Three told him a few days ago. 

Fews days ago…

SMG4 was just editing his video, when suddenly SMG3 opened the door and asked a question. “Yooo SMG4, do you have strawberries anywhere in your kitchen?” Four then stopped and turned around, confused, he answered  “Uhh… no… why?”

“Ok good, because just letting you know that Eggdogs are very hyperactive with strawberries, that even a single slice of it makes them out of control, so I would suggest not having that anywhere in your castle when Eggdog is around, okay?”  Three grabs the doorknob waiting for the other man's reply.

“alright” Four went back to his video editing, while Three closed the door.

Few days later…

“...Ahhh fu-OOF”  Four falls to the ground as he loses his grip on Three, he looks up, frightened that Three would lose himself in the red fruit. 

As Three got closer to the barrel the fat plumber jumped in front of it grabbing him “GOTCHA BITCH!” The trance was interrupted making Three realize he was caught. Four panics seeing his partner grabbed, ignoring the man's scream in order to focus he looks around for something to save Three with. His eyes locked on to a pipe near him and ran to it.

Three starts to struggle as he attempts to escape the plumber's grasp, he then starts to panic when he notices Mario opens his mouth getting ready to eat him. Luckily Four was able to swing the pipe hitting Mario hard on the head making him drop his partner, he dashes and immediately catches Three and begins to run  “WE’RE GETTING OUT OF HERE!!”

“Awww, but I didn’t get the strawberry…” Three pouted after learning they weren't staying for the fruit.  “NOT NOW THREE! WE WILL BUY ONE LATER!” SMG4 responded frustratedly “NO! ME WANT STRAWBERRY!” SMG3 whined back to Four only to get an eye roll in return. 

Four kept running as he carried his grumpy partner trying to find a place to hide, that's when he noticed a spaghetti shop.  Knowing his Avatar loves spaghetti, he sprints inside with his partner and instantly hides under a table. The red italian was still hot on their trail. He looked around the area and noticed the shop, he sprinted inside excited to get his hand on his love.  He started to cause some mayhem in the shop the moment he steps in demanding all their pasta, while distracted the pair sneak their way out of the shop. 

The owner of the shop, not being pleased with the events happening in his shop, catches the red plumber and carries him away.  The pair make it out only to hear the door of the shop open and the red italian get booted out. They swiftly dodge the avatar as he lands on the spot they were at, looking at him and seeing he is unconscious they took their chance and spirit towards a place they can hide. 

“Now… can you explained to me on why THE FUCK, DID YOU LEAVE ME WHILE I WAS EXPLAINING?!?” Four glares at Three frustrated by the events that just happened  “OH, WELL EXCUSE ME BLUE BASKETBALL LOOKING ASS, IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT I WENT ACTING LIKE A DOG WHO IS BEGGING FOR A FOOD!” Three barked at Four’s question. Four stares at Three puzzled “YOU’RE LITERALLY IN YOUR PET’S BODY!!??” Three scoffs “WELL I’M SORRY FOR NOT HAVING A CONTROL OF THIS BODY! BECAUSE UNLIKE YOU, I DID NOT BECAME A GIANT ASS MOON TO MAJORA MASK STYLE EVERYONE AAAHHHH!!!” Their argument was cut short as Mario found their hiding spot and destroyed with a giant wooden hammer. Their avatar growls, extremely angry “MARIO IS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING VERY ILLEGAL, AND THAT STARTS WITH YOU TWO GETTING SQUASHED!!!” he starts swinging the hammer at the pair aggressively, the guardians start to scream and run from their avatar again.  

Three and four are sprinting away not noticing paint cans above them, as they run past one of the empty cans falls off landing on Four. The meme guardian panics when he sees sudden darkness as he gets stuck in the can  “AHHH HELP! MY HEAD STUCK!!” Three turns around and gets a bit scared as not only he saw Four with a paint can of his head, the Avatar is about to reach them. While Three is shaking, unsure what to do, Mario ends up tripping over SMG4 knocking them both to the floor. Seeing this Three jumps on top of the can Four is stuck in, once balance he starts rolling it moving as fast as he could on the can to get them out. 

Mario quickly gets up seeing them escape again, he runs trying to catch them only to end up hitting a sign. Three let out a sigh of relief seeing the plumber knock himself out, he stops the can and gets off running to Four and uses his mouth to pull four out.  “Hold on, l-let me just…” he pulls four while Four tries to hold the paint can still to help Three out. 

“Just hold still you idiot! That stupid paint keeps rolling!” barks out as he attempts to pull again  “I’m trying dammit!” as three tries to pull out four he hears a sound behind him. He turns around seeing Mario extremely furious, Three’s eyes go wide  “AHHH FUCK!”

“MARIO IS… SO DONE WITH THIS STUPID CHASE! AND YOU WHAT THAT MEANS, BITCH?! NO MORE MISTER NICE GUY.”  Three starts to shake in fear when he hears the growl coming from their avatar as he keeps attempting to free his partner. Mario gets closer to them causing more panic in Three, until a tall woman grabs him.  It was Saiko who wasn't happy that Mario is using her wooden hammer, as Saiko gives Mario a piece of her mind Four finally got free from his canned prison. The pair run together to find a place to hide from their avatar.

Both of them looked around making sure Mario didn’t follow them, once they felt safe they relaxed. That’s when they noticed their kids in their bodies were running to the candy shop. “THERE THEY ARE!” Three is about to run up to them, only for four to stop him which flustered and confused Three. “Three! Mario is still possibly going after you, what if he finds you and tries to eat you again?” Four explained in a furious yet concerned tone. While Three would have to complain, Four does have a point. It would be a horrifying sight if the kids see him get eaten by their avatar, Three lets out a sigh before responding for Four “Ok, you may have a point. But how in the hell are we gonna even stop that idiot from trying to crack me open?”

Four started to think of a plan, they needed something that could get the red plumber off them so they can get their bodies back from their kids. That's when the light bulb lit up as he turned to Three. Smirking at him, Three’s expression changed to one of confusion, noticing the smirk “What’s with that face?” Four gets close to Three “Oh trust me Three… I got an idea…”

Mario managed to escape Saiko’s grasp making him wish he left her a note, he just needed the hammer to catch the meme children. Knowing Saiko, she would more than likely have punched him for even thinking of her hammer. Mario sighs as he feels his stomach rumble, he was still hungry and needed that egg more than ever. Suddenly he saw the very egg meme he was looking for circling around in one spot. 

“Wow, look at me! I’m just an Eggdog, who is now lost. It would’ve been ashamed if I got eaten by a red fat Italian or something! Even though saying this is pretty useless since no one can understand us, unless for some reason the readers can read me and that idiot’s word in a meme body. So come and get me you fatass!!” Three speaks in a flat tone trying to get the Avatar's attention. Mario starts to dash at him, making Three start running.

He attempted to slow the red italian down by knocking objects over that was in his path, Mario dodges them easily until he threw a banana peel which surprised Three making him giggle. SMG3 then arrived at the spot where Four was placing the trap, the trap itself was a plate of spaghetti that Four took from the shop they were at. He then mixed it with a power up to help Mario fall asleep. 

“Now?” Four asked, Three looked to his side where Mario was chasing him. “Now!” Three immediately runs up to Four and hides under the box, with the hole in it to see if their plan works. Mario stopped looking around trying to figure where the egg meme went, that's when his eyes met the plate of spaghetti “ooooooooo~~” without a second thought he jumped on the plate eating it. 

“Mmmmm… Yummy!” As Mario finished eating it, he instantly fell asleep, meaning Four’s plan worked. Three and Four looked at each other and smiled, and as they escaped the box, they quietly sneaked away to make sure their Avatar did not wake up. With them now out of the view from Mario, the chase is finally over. Three and Four felt relief was over them knowing they are now safe. 

“Now we escaped that fatass, we should finally-” as he tries to finish his statement they hear a familiar loud scream.  “HOW DOES HE TURN IT OFF!” Four turns surprised “BEEG?!” SMG4  runs to the location of the scream, with SMG3 following behind him. As the two guardians reach the area, they pause for a moment and see that Eggdog saved Beeg from tripping himself into a weapon shop. 

They eavesdrop on some bits of the conversation and hear how Eggdog is willing to protect Beeg. SMG4 smiled at the kids “Aw they are such good friends!” Three frowns not being a fan of how the pair are making them seem so close, that's when he hears people talking and pointing towards the kids  “They seem much closer the last time I checked,” the other person nods “They seem like they’re dating or something.”  he wasn't a fan of that, to escape his thoughts he nudges four.

“Oi! Focus on our kids!” Four lets out an awkward giggle “Oh yea right.” They start to follow their kids only to bump into someone. “CAN YOU AT LEAST MOVE- Ooh…” Three went from infuriated to a frightened expression as he realized who he bumped into. Four looked at Three then turned to see they bump into Karen. 

Karen then turns and looks down to see that it was those two guardians’ kids. “Awww~~, it’s you two!” she smiled at them and then picked them both up to be carried. Three tried to get out by struggling, while Four started to panic.

“AHH! ARE WE BEING KIDNAPPED?!” Three still struggling until he gave up and looked at Four. “Yep”. Karen then started to walk away, causing the two guardians to panic. Four then calls out for help to the kids “BEEG! EGGDOG! HELP US!!!”

Eggdog paused. “Did you hear that? It sounded like your dad” Beeg turns around and sees his and Eggdog’s dad are being held by Karen. He then turns back to Eggdog. “Nah, it's probably in your head” Beeg replied in a deceitful tone then continued walking. SMG4 eyes go wide as it clicks he was ignored and Beeg had no plans of switching back.  Three glares at their kids “YOU NAUGHTY KIDS!! WHEN FOUR AND I GET YOU, YOU TWO ARE SO GROUNDED!!!”

[sanest-bsd-delegate]

Hello! I saw the event you posted and thought why not request?

R u mine? by Arctic Monkeys, ranpo x gn! reader, lyric prompt: All I wanna ever say is, "Are you mine?"

Basically the fic could possibly be about ranpo and the reader's questionable relationship, like they claim to be just friends and nothing more even though their close ones can see how too affectionate they are with their actions and joking words. Ranpo eventually notices and asks the reader their genuine feelings. (you can change the plot if you want!)

───ˋARE YOU MINEˊ- RANPO EDOGAWA

🗝Prompt Lyrics : "all I wanna ever say is, Are you mine?"

🗝Song: Are you mine by Arctic Monkey

🗝Pairing: Ranpo Edogawa x gn! reader

🗝A/N: <3 thanking everyone who sent the req, I have drafted most of them, they will be uploaded later I promise !!!!.

The Yokohama streets were painted with the golden hues of sunset as Ranpo and you strolled side by side, laughter and jokes exchanging freely between you two. It was a routine, a daily occurrence that neither of you deemed special.

Just friends, that's what you insisted, and that's what Ranpo always claimed. But anyone with eyes could see the lingering glances, the gentle touches, and the unspoken words that hung in the air.

One evening, as the two of you found yourselves perched on the rooftop of the Armed Detective Agency building, gazing at the city lights.

Ranpo, seemingly engrossed in the cityscape, broke the silence with a playful grin. "You know, we're quite the pair, aren't we? The unbeatable detective duo!"

You chuckled, sighing aftef, "Yeah, the best of friends."

One day, Ranpo stopped mid-sentence, fixing you with a searching gaze. "You know," he began slowly, "I've been wondering... are we really just friends?"

You met his gaze, a subtle challenge in your eyes. "Of course, Ranpo. Nothing more, nothing less."

He smiled, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice. "You really believe that, don't you?"

The question hung in the air, unspoken but demanding acknowledgment.

"Yeah I believe that, we are best friends right?"

Days turned into weeks, and the unspoken tension lingered. Your friends, including Dazai and Kunikida, couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in your pair. Kunikida couldn't help but sigh and give a look of disapproval while Dazai did nothing but poke you with questions once in a while.

One evening, as you and Ranpo found yourselves alone on the rooftop once again, he turned to you with a serious expression. "You know, I've been thinking…"

Ranpo continued, his tone more serious, "I can't ignore what's happening between us. The way we are, it's not just ordinary friendship, is it?"

You met his gaze, honesty reflected in your eyes. "No, Ranpo, it's not."

A wave of relief washed over him, and a tender smile played on his lips. "Then, what are we?" he asked, the question lingering in the cool evening breeze.

The answer hung between you, fragile yet significant. "More than friends," you admitted, "but maybe not less than lovers. Something undefined."

Ranpo grinned, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "I like that," he said, "Undefined, just like us."

You met his gaze, the weight of the question sinking in. There was a pause, a heartbeat that stretched into eternity, before a knowing smile tugged at the corners of Ranpo's lips.

"Maybe," You said, a slight hint of amusement in your tone. Despite the lightness of the topic you both talked on, you couldn't help but ask, "To say, if I accept this....ugh.....All I wanna ever say is, 'Are you mine?'"

"Maybe," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "we're both each other's mysteries to solve."

Ranpo reaches out to hold your hand, bringing your palm over his cheeks, before asking, "But tell me Y/N, do you truly wish to be more then friends?"

The city lights below mirrored the twinkle in your eyes before you whispered, "If you wish, we both can be more then just friends"

TAGLIST: @averagehisoilluenjoyer @high-on-dazai @ruru-kiss @kissesmellow21 @just2normalperson

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[charlotte3eee]

Something cute with Kylian where he’s at training and reader texts him to let him know she’s sick and can’t sleep so he gets out of training and comes back home to find her in bed all tired so he asks her if she wanted to have her back tickled so he tickles her back until she falls asleep🤍

pairing : kylian mbappe x female reader

Sick day

summary : y/n wakes up not feeling the best, when her boyfriend kylian mbappe comes to the rescue.

warning : vomiting?

a/n : so happy that i’m getting all new requests keep ‘em coming! i actually kinda proof read it and damn, it makes a difference. when i tell you i bawled over nothing 😭 half of this story got deleted and i couldn’t get it bcak do i had to re write it but it took me FOREVER because i couldn’t sit still or whatever and write anyways enjoy!!!!

I turn to my left to feel for Kylian who is usually snuggled in bed right next to me. I groan feeling nothing. I sit up to look around the room when all of a sudden I feel a pit coming up my throat.

I ripped the covers off of me and run to the bathroom. I knelt at the toilet where I started throwing up. With my left hand on the toilet, I used my right, to put my hair up in a mischief ponytail.

“Only if Kylian was here,” I say in between my continuous puking. He would always help me during these times, being there holding my hair, rubbing my back telling me it was all gonna be alright.

He would carry me back into bed bridal style, tuck me in with a heating pad on my belly, and get me anything I needed. Unfortunately he wasn’t here to do that. After I feel like im settled, I get up flush the toilet and walk over to the sink.

I pick up my toothbrush and add a fat glob of toothpaste and begin brushing. Once finished cleaning my teeth, I grab the empty cup next to my sink fill it up with water and rinse my mouth.

After being so focused on my stomach pain, I hadn’t realized my screaming headache. Back into our bedroom, I grab the doorknob to head to the kitchen. After what felt like a long walk down the hall I made it. I dug through the medicine cabinet to find some painkillers.

I eventually found some Advil, I opened the lid and grabbed two capsules. Walking over to the fridge I found some Gatorade. I threw the Advil in my mouth and took a tiny sip of the Gatorade to down it with. Being careful not to drink too much liquid to avoid throwing up again.

I grab the Gatorade and head back down to the bedroom. I set the bottle down and pick up my phone still on the charger. I rub my eyes reading the clock. “Only 8:14?” I say. “That means Kylian only left a few minutes ago.” Every other day Kylian had training from 8:00 - 10:30.

I sigh placing my phone back down on the nightstand. “I’m so tired,” I say to myself. I decide to take a nap knowing this most definitely will make me feel better. I move the covers away and grab a throw blanket.

All this running around made me hot. I turn to my left side and grab one of Kylian's pillows to prop my head up. I also grab my teddy bear Kylian brought me on our first date. Kylian told me this is what I can snuggle with if I miss him, or need something that just smells like him. I adjust myself one more time before shutting my eyes.

“Ugh, what the fuck!” It has felt like an eternity lying down in this bed. No matter what position I was in or how many times I moved the pillow, there was no way I was falling back asleep.

I honestly don’t know why I seriously could not fall back asleep but it was getting to me. Still facing Kylians side I turn over groaning picking my phone up. 9:31, I slap my hand over my forehead. “I’ve been laying here for 45 minutes exactly!” I say.

You know that feeling when you’re in bed tired, thinking you can fall asleep but can’t? Yea, that’s this feeling and it’s the worst. Having no other option you opened your phone and texted the only person who could help you.

Y/n: hi my baby I feel so terrible, I threw up a few times and can't fall back asleep. can u pls come home and snuggle me? :(

After sending the text, you slam your phone back down and slither under the blanket and covers. Hoping Kylian would show up and snuggle you back to sleep.

At Camp des Loges all the players were in the gym, Kylian was on the exercise bike chatting away with Marquinhos until he felt a buzz coming from his phone. He opened his phone and looked at the message. “Ugh my poor baby,” Kylian said to himself.

Kylian said goodbye to Marquinhos and grabbed his duffel bag. He changed back into his clothes and called his driver. He spoke to his coach letting him know he has to leave early and was on his way. In the car, Kylian sent a few messages back.

Kylian: my poor angel 🙁

Kylian: I’m on my way baby ❤️

Kylian: bébé are you ok 🥺?

You not replying back to his messages, scared him to death. Kylian felt like he had this responsibility to always take care of you.

Whenever you needed to cry into someone’s arms it would be his. If you needed someone’s advice or just to talk to someone, it would be him. Or if you are hurt or sick. But what made your relationship so much better wasn’t just him doing it. You were the total same back. After the World Cup, he was a total mess, but you would always be there for him or whatever he needed.

Opening the front door kylian kicked off his shoes, placed down his duffel bag and a bag full of crackers, Gatorade, Dayquil, Nightquil, etc. He slowly made his way down the hall. “Amour?” he said when opened your bedroom door.

You felt like you couldn’t move you were so tired, you moaned and groaned reaching your arms out for him. He immediately walked over to your side and felt your head. “Baby you're super hot!” he said in a worried tone. He ran to get a wet cloth to put on your head.

He went for his side of the bed and hopped in behind you. “Baby girl, do you want me to tickle your back?” “I know how much-.” He didn’t get to finish his sentence before you interrupted. “God yes please baby.” He lifted your oversized shirt and threw it somewhere on the ground. Now leaving you in your panties.

He slowly made gentle tickles on your back. You moaned in relief feeling a wave of stress, sickness leave your body. Kylian continued to tickle your smooth back, you finally were able to catch some 💤 . This made him a little worried at first when you didn’t respond.

“Does it feel good baby girl?” He whispered. hearing no answer he slowly looked over to your face seeing you were sound asleep. Kylians feeling prouder than ever kissed your shoulder and moved up closer to you sneaking an arm around your waist. Kylian and you now getting the nap you both deserved.

[loverangels]

could i please request percy x child of apollo!reader making bracelets or painting together. where percy is struggling and reader laughs at him? tysm!

pairings: percy jackson x apollo!reader

a/n: I hope you enjoy this nonnie this was such a cute request!! 🎀

The sun filtered through the windows of the arts and crafts cabin, but the serenity of the scene was completely misleading. The table was a disaster. Beads were everywhere—rolling off the table, scattered on the floor, and even tangled in Percy’s unruly hair.

“Okay, this is officially a disaster,” Percy groaned, glaring at the uneven knot he’d somehow created. His bracelet, if you could even call it that, looked more like a sad tangle of string than anything wearable. “How do people do this? Is it magic? You’re using magic, aren’t you?”

You snorted, unable to hold back your laugh as you leaned over to inspect his work. “I’m the child of Apollo, Seaweed Brain, not Hecate. This is just raw talent.” You wiggled your eyebrows and held up your perfectly balanced bracelet—a sunburst of golden and orange beads with intricate braiding.

Percy squinted at it, then back at his own. “Unfair. You’re cheating somehow.”

“Sure, let’s go with that,” you teased, biting your lip to hide another laugh as you watched him try to rethread a bead for the fifth time. “Maybe the problem is your giant fingers. You’re not exactly nimble, Jackson.”

“I’m plenty nimble!” Percy protested, only for the string to slip out of his grip and send beads flying everywhere. He froze mid-protest, looking at you with wide, guilty eyes as the tiny plastic pieces bounced off the table and rolled across the floor.

You clapped a hand over your mouth, but it was no use—the laughter burst out of you in uncontrollable waves. “Percy!” you wheezed, doubling over. “How are you this bad at bracelets? It’s literally tying knots and putting beads on string!”

“It’s harder than it looks!” Percy shot back, though the corners of his lips twitched into a sheepish smile. “I fight monsters, okay? Beads don’t come with instruction manuals!”

Still giggling, you scooted closer, brushing stray beads aside as you took his mess of a bracelet from his hands. “Here,” you said, your voice softening, “let me help.”

Your hands brushed his as you took the string, and Percy stilled for a moment, watching you with that lopsided smile you loved so much. “See?” you said, guiding his fingers to hold the string in place. “Loop it like this—no, not like that, Percy—ugh, seriously?”

“I’m trying!” he defended, but he was grinning now, more focused on the sound of your laughter than the bracelet itself. “You know, I think you’re enjoying this a little too much.”

“Maybe I am,” you admitted, grinning as you expertly finished the knot for him. “But hey, I think it’s cute that the great Percy Jackson is being defeated by arts and crafts.”

“Oh, you’re loving this,” he said, his tone mock-accusatory. “You wait, I’ll conquer this bracelet thing eventually. And when I do, you’re going to be begging me to make you one.”

You raised an eyebrow, smirking as you held up his completed bracelet. “Deal. But only if it doesn’t look like this.”

He laughed, leaning in closer, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. “Fine. But if I do make you a bracelet, you have to wear it every day.”

You rolled your eyes, but the warmth in your chest betrayed you. “Deal, Seaweed Brain. Now, can you help me pick up all these beads you sent flying, or is that too advanced for you too?”

Percy chuckled, bumping his shoulder against yours. “I’ll try my best, sunshine. No promises, though.”

You bit your lip to keep from laughing as Percy held up his “bracelet,” which looked more like a knotted clump of string and beads barely holding on for dear life. “You know, it’s almost impressive how bad this is,” you teased, earning a mock-offended gasp from him.

“It’s abstract,” Percy shot back with a smirk, leaning closer and giving you that playful look that made your heart flip. “Not everyone can handle my level of creativity. Bet you’re just jealous.” You snorted, nudging him with your shoulder.

“Jealous of what? Your ability to turn a bracelet into a crime scene?” Percy grinned, holding up the mess like it was a trophy.

“Exactly. You should feel honored—I’m one-of-a-kind.” You couldn’t help but laugh, shaking your head. “You’re something, alright.”

[bradshawssugarbaby]

Everything About You - One. (Bradley Bradshaw x OFC)

a/n: This is my first time writing an AU fic, but I was watching 13 Going on 30 and got inspired. This first part is set in the past when both characters are 13, but moving forward they'll be set during adulthood.

pairing: Bradley Bradshaw (AU) x Danielle Lucas (OFC)

content/warnings: teen bullying, Bradley being a cute, lanky teenage boy with braces, a bit of angst/hurt.

word count: 3.4k

September 19, 1997.

The buzzing energy of the middle school hallway faded into the background as Bradley Bradshaw, your steadfast friend since the age of three, bounded towards you with a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear. 

"Happy birthday, Dani!"

His tall, lean frame enveloped you in a warm hug, momentarily distracting you from the lockers that lined the hallway. Bradley's presence was a familiar comfort, a constant in your life since the days of sandbox adventures. As he let go of you, a mischievous sparkle danced in his amber eyes.

"Guess what? Your birthday surprise is at home, but I promise it's worth the wait. Tonight, it's all yours," Bradley declared, leaning casually against the lockers. His eyes held a secret, and the anticipation in the air made your birthday feel even more special.

There was an unspoken connection between you two, a friendship that spanned years, and it showed in the thoughtful glint in Bradley's eyes. He knew you like the back of his hand, and you couldn't help but wonder what surprise he had in store.

Just as Bradley finished speaking, the hallway buzzed as gaggles of teenagers made their way out of the building for the weekend, a ripple of chatter echoed around the lockers. The leader of the Elites, Alexis, sashayed into view with her entourage in tow. She looked at you with a raised eyebrow, as if your very existence puzzled her.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the dynamic duo," Alexis purred, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her designer bag. "What's this, Bradley? Another attempt to impress our little bookworm on her big day?" Her tone dripped with condescension as she spoke, her disdain for Bradley becoming more and more apparent.

Bradley shot you an apologetic look, his eyes momentarily clouded with embarrassment. You took a deep breath, squaring your shoulders. Alexis might be the queen of the social hierarchy, but she couldn't dampen the birthday glow.

"Save your commentary for someone who cares, Alexis," he retorted with a confident smile.

Alexis rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated scoff, directing her dismissive coolness toward Bradley. She quickly redirected her attention to you, her deep blue eyes adopting an almost saccharine warmth. A smirk played on her lips as she greeted you with a casual nod.

"Hey, Dani!" Alexis exclaimed, her tone transforming from disdain to faux friendliness. "I'd totally love to swing by your party tonight, but, ugh, major bummer—I'm stuck with this paper on the American Revolution. Like, Monday is legit gonna be the worst." She glanced down at her impeccably manicured nails, painted in the trendiest shade of blue, before returning her gaze to you. Her squad of fellow 13-year-old girls nodded in synchronized agreement, like a perfectly rehearsed girl band.

As a silence hung in the air, you shifted nervously on your feet, a bashful smile forming on your lips. "Um, Alexis, I... I could probably help you with that paper, you know?" you suggested, your voice soft and hesitant. The hallway momentarily fell into a hush as you made the offer, and you caught a disapproving look from Bradley, your best friend since forever. His eyes conveyed a silent plea, urging you not to get entangled in Alexis' schemes.

"Oh, Dani, that would be, like, totally amazing!" Alexis responded with a delighted grin, seemingly oblivious to the unspoken tension.

Bradley couldn't resist a sly retort, responding with a mocking tone that mimicked Alexis's faux enthusiasm. "Totally," he quipped, his eyes glinting with mischief as he gave his best impression of the popular girl's exaggerated mannerisms.

Alexis, unimpressed by Bradley's imitation, let out another scoff, narrowing her eyes at him before smoothly redirecting her attention back to you. "I forgot to tell you," she said, her lips curling upwards into a smirk, "I heard Mark wants to stop by."

At the mere mention of Mark Harrison, the atmosphere seemed to shift. Mark, the epitome of teenage allure, was the hottest guy in school. Destined to become the star quarterback for the high school football team next year, he possessed effortlessly perfect blonde hair that glinted like sunlit gold and piercing blue eyes that seemed to capture the essence of a cloudless sky. Every girl in school swooned at the thought of him. Falling for his charms and charismatic nature seemed almost inevitable, like a magnetic force drawing people in. Mark was the Leonardo DiCaprio of the school, his flawless exterior drawing everyone's attention.

In stark contrast, Bradley, often seen as the Ben Savage of the eighth grade, had a more down-to-earth appeal. His dark brown curls were a chaotic masterpiece atop his head, and his amber eyes held a warmth that resonated with genuine emotion. Faint faded scars on his cheek and neck told a story of past adventures and mishaps, giving him an endearing, perfectly flawed quality. While Mark radiated flawless perfection, Bradley's charm lay in his authenticity.

Bradley’s face fell when he heard that Mark was interested in coming to your party tonight. The realization hit him hard – he'd been aware that Mark had been the focal point of your attention for the past two years, with half the student body sharing a crush on him. A wave of inadequacy washed over Bradley, leaving him feeling unable to compete with someone like Mark Harrison for your attention.

"Mark... Mark wants to come to my party?" Your eyes sparkled with excitement at the mere mention of Mark's interest in celebrating your birthday at your house. This marked the first year your parents had entrusted you to plan your own party—a modest gathering in your home, with the downstairs rec room as the chosen venue. Your parents wisely made themselves scarce for the occasion. Previously, with Bradley as the sole representative of the opposite sex, you worried the party might lack excitement. You knew the Elites wouldn't be enticed by board games or watching "Clueless" over cans of soda and slices of pepperoni pizza. Adding Mark to the mix could make the party more interesting, at the very least. 

"Yeah, I heard he wants to bring his friends too. I told him it was totally fine. I mean, your parents don't even need to know they're there, right? Your back door leads to the basement, doesn't it?" Alexis smirked, raising an eyebrow as she attempted to recall the layout of your family home.

Years ago, you and Alexis had considered yourselves friends. She had attended the same dance studio as you when you were little, and your mothers had become good friends, bonding in the waiting area. However, when you chose softball over dance, your paths diverged. The mothers spent less time together, and as months passed, you witnessed Alexis ascending to popularity in sixth grade, leaving you behind and severing any remnants of the old Alexis you once knew.

"Yeah, it does. I'll, uh... I'll see you guys at 7?" you responded, attempting to contain the bubbling excitement within you.

"See you at 7, right, girls?" Alexis grinned, her posse nodding and echoing her sentiments.

As you and Bradley walked home, the straps of your backpack hanging nonchalantly from your shoulders, a contagious excitement had you practically skipping with joy. Bradley shot you an awkward glance, shaking his head in disbelief at your exuberant mood.

“I can’t believe you agreed to write her paper for her.”

“What? I wanted to help her.”

“Help her with what? Spare her from writing a three-page essay on the Boston Tea Party?!”

"Look, I want Alexis and me to be friends again, Bradley. She and I used to be really close."

“Yeah… back when she was human. Now she’s... evil? She’s like the devil, but with lip gloss and blonde hair.”

"Oh, ha ha, you’re hilarious, Bradley," you retorted, shaking your head at Bradley’s reluctant hesitation to include Alexis in your party plans.

“I try my best,” Bradley said with a shrug, following you into your house. A polite greeting to your parents later, he headed downstairs with you.

Entering the rec room, Bradley furrowed his brow in confusion, casting a glance at you. His amber eyes seemed almost insulted at your parents' willingness to let him be unchaperoned with you, an exception to the norm that didn't go unnoticed.

“How come your parents don’t care if I’m alone in a room with you?” he asked quizzically, biting his bottom lip as he awaited your response.

“Hmm?” you said, turning from the decorations to face him. “Oh, I don’t know. I guess they know nothing would happen with you, you know?”

“Right... like they trust me to be a nice guy or?”

“I think they know you and I would never try.”

“Right…”

For a moment, Bradley's face fell before he nodded, picking up a deflated balloon and silently putting it to his lips. He blew air into it until it transformed into a perfectly round, pink ball, helping you continue the task of inflating balloons. 

As the rec room filled with the soft sounds of balloons being inflated and a collection of pop music hits playing from the television, Bradley and you, each armed with a handful of pastel coloured  balloons, worked tirelessly to transform the space into a festive one, fit for a party of 13-year-olds. The rhythmic beats of music coming from the tv added to your buzzing excitement, making it more and more difficult for you to contain your feelings.  In between tying knots and arranging decorations, Bradley chuckled at you, breaking the silence.

"You really think writing that paper is gonna bring back the old Alexis?"

Pausing in your task, you met Bradley's gaze, a thoughtful expression on your face. "I don't know, Bradley. People change, but maybe there's a chance she'll remember who we used to be."

His amber eyes softened, understanding the significance of the gesture. "Just be careful, okay? She's not the same person she was."

Before you could respond, the doorbell echoed through the house, signaling the arrival of your guests. The anticipation heightened, and you shared a quick nod with Bradley before heading upstairs to welcome your friends.

The party unfolded with an energy that only thirteen-year-olds could bring. The rec room buzzed with laughter, chatter, and the occasional burst of pop music. Bradley, despite his initial reservations, found himself immersed in the party, dancing along with the others to the music filling the room. The once-deflated balloons now adorned the ceiling, a testament to the collaborative effort between you and Bradley.

In the now vibrantly buzzing room, laughter and chatter filled the air as Alexis proposed they liven up the party with a game of Spin the Bottle. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and a hint of nervous anticipation. You exchanged an uneasy glance with Bradley as the bottle began its erratic spins. He was the only one who knew you’d never had your first kiss yet, and the last thing you wanted was for it to take place in front of an audience as if you were in an episode of one of your teen dramas that you loved so much. 

The bottle slowed to a gradual stop, its neck pointing directly at Bradley. Shock flashed across your face, eyes widening in disbelief as you looked up at Bradley in mild horror and embarrassment. The room erupted in a chorus of playful teasing and laughter from the popular kids, with Alexis leading the charge.

"Well, well, looks like destiny has spoken," Alexis quipped, a sly grin on her face. 

Bradley, his cheeks now scarlet red with embarrassment, tried to play it cool, or at least, as cool as he could.

"Guess fate has a sense of humor, doesn’t she?" he chuckled nervously.

“Careful kissing Braceface Bradshaw, Dani, might cut your lip on his metal mouth,” Alexis said with a wicked grin.

Caught off guard, looked from Bradley to the others. Mark stifled a grin, shielding his mouth with his can of soda as he took a drink. Alexis smirked and made a mock kissing face at you and Bradley, the entourage of popular kids who filled your basement creating a chorus of mocking ooh’s and kissing noises. 

"Um, okay, let's just get this over with," you mumbled, trying to mask her discomfort from the others, and not wanting to offend Bradley. 

Your lips met with Bradley’s in a soft, tender kiss. You could taste the essence of the peppermint that he’d been eating after his slice of pizza earlier, the cool, refreshing mint flavour washing over you as your mouths connected, careful not to come into contact with his braces. You pulled away hesitantly, your cheeks turning a vibrant red, matching the colour of the soda can that sat in Mark’s hand. Bradley offered you a sheepish smile, running his hand through the back of his hair as an awkward chuckle escaped his parted lips. 

The teasing began almost immediately. Alexis and the others couldn't resist making fun of you and Bradley, casting judgment on what was supposed to be an innocent game. 

“Brad, could you make it anymore obvious? Someone’s getting a little excited.” Alexis taunted, gesturing to Bradley cruelly, pointing to his jeans.

Bradley blushed furiously, shaking his head in panic as he bit his lip. 

“I’m not, I swear,” He said, raising his hands in an effort to plead his innocence as you sat back from him, eyebrows raised. 

You’re sure the look on your face bordered on unintended disgust. It wasn’t that you were unhappy Bradley had kissed you, it wasn’t even that he was a bad kisser - you were mortified to have had all of this unfold in front of Mark, who you’ve longed for over the last two years, and Alexis, who you desperately wanted acceptance from. 

"Wow, Bradley, take a chill pill. It's just a game," Mark chimed in as he noticed Bradley’s reddening face,  his tone laced with condescension.

Alexis added fuel to the fire, her eyes narrowing as she observed Danielle's conflicted expression, "Looks like our little Bradley here takes things a bit too seriously, huh?"

Feeling the weight of judgment, Bradley stood up from the game, making it appear as though he was simply grabbing some more drinks from the fridge in the laundry room next door. He pulled you aside into the laundry room quietly, away from the prying eyes and hurtful words. As he quietly led you there, you hoped and prayed the others didn’t see and begin taunting Bradley once again.

In the relative privacy of the laundry room, Bradley sighed before looking at you, raising an eyebrow. His voice was almost apologetic as he spoke, resting his hand against the top of the dryer.

“Dani, you know, I’m sorry they’re giving you a hard time. I know kissing me wasn’t really want you wanted.”

“It’s fine, Bradley, it’s just a game.”

“Right.” 

Bradley nodded his head slowly, his eyes looking over to the wrapped box he had sitting on the washing machine from earlier. He smiled softly, flashing his silver brace covered teeth, with dark blue elastics around each metal bracket. He grabbed the box in his hands, smiling as he brought it closer to you. He thrusted his hands forward, smiling from ear to ear as his cheeks softened back to their usual rosy pink colour. 

“I got you something.”

As you opened unwrapped the box, you smiled, revealing the cd player you’d been wanting for the last few months. You gasped softly, nodding your head as you smiled up at Bradley, overwhelmed with emotion at the fact he’d gotten you the one thing you wanted most.

“You got me my cd player?!”

“Yeah,” he laughed awkwardly as he raked his fingers through his dark curls, “Thought you’d might need it to use the other part of my gift. I made you the first cd for it.” 

He handed you a burnt cd, the front of the disc written on in Bradley’s unmistakeable handwriting. Each song was listed in order with the artist beside it for you. A few of the tracks stood out to you as songs you and Bradley often listened to together over the years. Songs from your childhood, songs from this past year, songs that were happy, songs that were sad, it was a genuine mix of feelings, one that didn’t quite make sense to put together.

“I uh, I just went for songs that reminded me of you, you know? Some of them might not make sense…uh, wait, let me try this again,” He laughed awkwardly as he shook his curly mop of hair once again.

“I made a mixed cd for you. It’s all songs that make me think of you when I hear them. I…I really like you,” Bradley said slowly, making sure the last four words come out of his mouth with absolute clarity, so that no doubts can be raised about what he said.

You looked at Bradley for a moment, blinking your eyes in stunned silence as you stared at him, You went to open your mouth to say something, anything, but words refused to form on your lips. Overwhelmed by the pressure of popularity and unwilling to acknowledge your own feelings, you put Bradley's confession aside.

 "Bradley, let's just forget about this, okay? I need to get back to the party."

Bradley nodded his head sadly, your rejection stinging as he set the cd player and cd back down together on the washing machine for you. Taking a soda from the fridge, he followed behind you as you walked back into the rec room. 

You looked around the room, only to find that Mark, Alexis, and the others had left, leaving an atmosphere of abandonment and emptiness in their wake. You checked upstairs, where your parents were watching tv, oblivious to the goings on in the basement before heading back down. Bradley came out of the downstairs bathroom, frowning as he shook his head. The room, once alive with laughter, now felt cold and deserted.

“You just had to make it awkward, didn’t you? Now everyone went home because you got too excited and took that stupid kiss too far!” you exclaimed, casting the blame on Bradley for what you perceived as the reason for everyone leaving.

Bradley opened his mouth to protest, his eyes narrowing slightly as he raised a hand to gesture around the room. Before he could utter a single syllable, you cut him off, shaking your head angrily.

“You know what, Bradley? Just go. Take your stupid cd with you. You ruined my birthday, and now Alexis and Mark will probably never talk to me again.” 

You threw the cd at Bradley, who managed to catch it, saving it from clattering to the ground on you. Tears began to well up in Bradley’s eyes in response to your words. Hurt and dejected, he turned and began to walk away. He left behind the echoes of a lost friendship and an unspoken connection that had been severed. As he stepped out into the night, the distant sounds of the party fading away, Bradley couldn't shake the feeling of rejection from the one person who had known him better than anyone else.

You sat down on the floor, crying as you shook your head, feeling overwhelmed and upset with the rejection and abandonment of your peers. You hated yourself for how you’d just spoken to Bradley. You hated yourself for not being popular enough to fit in with Alexis and her friends. You hated yourself for not being the object of Mark Harrison’s affections. As you began to add to the list of negativity, you shook your head once again. Standing up right and beginning to toss uneaten, cold pizza slices into the trash bag your mother had sent down at the start of the party, you looked out the window. A shooting star shot past, its light illuminating the sky as you watched it. 

“I wish I was an adult so I wouldn’t have to deal with all of this. Being a teenager sucks,” you muttered to yourself as you watched the star fade out of view. 

That night, you went to bed quietly, avoiding any contact with your parents as you tried to push the night’s events out of your mind. You shut your eyes, trying to focus your thoughts on turning them into happy dreams, rather than the living nightmare you’d just endured downstairs an hour earlier.

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 251. brb x oc

a/n: UGH ihate this man so much (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

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/225/226/227/228/229/230/231/232/233/234/235/236/237/238

/239/240/241/242/243/244/245/246/247/248/249/250

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-

“I can’t believe you really are going.” 

Beatrice sighs, washing the dishes harder, “Shells…it’s just to get this done with,” she mutters, squeaking the already clean plate with her thumb, just so it was really clean, “We don’t like this any less than you do.”

“And yet,” Shells purses her lips, one hand up and eyebrows darting to her hairline, “You two are going. I’d just stay home and get paintball guns to hit their house.” the apple she bites onto makes a sharp crack noise and she chews almost as if she was angry.

Which she probably was.

Beatrice chuckled at Shells' suggestion,not being able to help herself. She set the squeaky-clean plate aside and turned to face Shells with a playful glint in her eye. "As tempting as the paintball idea is," she began, "I think we'll have to stick with the more traditional approach for now."

Shells let out a dramatic sigh,tossing her head back and rolling her eyes. "Oh, where's the fun in that, Bea?" she lamented. "But fine, fine, I suppose you two are taking the high road."

Beatrice leaned against the kitchen counter, her expression more serious now. "We just want to get this over with, Shells," she said softly. "It's not about taking the high road; it's about...making whatever this is stop? Like, what do they want with us, why, those things."

Shells pursed her lips, tapping the red apple in her hand. "I get it, Bea," she replied, her voice sincere. "I just hate seeing you and Roos go through this mess. You deserve better."

Beatrice appreciated Shells' concern, and she knew her friend had their best interests at heart...as chaotic as she wanted to share them. She walked away from the counter and reached out to gently squeeze Shells' arm. "We'll be okay, Shells," she reassured her. "Roos and I can handle whatever they throw at us.”

Shells offered a small smile, her eyes softening. "I know you will, Bea," she said. "Just please don’t do that for too long, okay? Like…I like you guys, you guys are pretty cool.” the two women stared at each other, the seriousness dissipating because neither of them could hold back their laughter.

Beatrice sputtered and Shells slammed her hand on the table as soon as the first bubble of a chuckle escaped their mouths. 

Their laughter filled the kitchen, a much-needed release of tension that had built up over the past few days. Beatrice couldn't help but appreciate Shells' ability to inject humor into even the most serious conversations. It was one of the many things she loved about her.

Once their laughter subsided, Beatrice leaned back against the counter, wiping her eyes with her fingers. "You know, Shells," she began, "I'm really grateful for you. You've been such an amazing friend through all of this."

Shells grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, I do try my best," she replied with a flick of her wrist. "But seriously, Bea, you're like family to me. I've got your back no matter what."

Beatrice smiled warmly at Shells, "Likewise, Shells," she said sincerely. "You're family to us too."

“Don’t you make me cry, you whore.” Shells warns, but her smile only widens, “Listen, I know,I get it, I do get it…but let me tell you those people are fucking weird. Whatever they do, just be safe.”

“I know.”

“However I will love to hear about their reactions once you guys go to Oda again,” Shells smirks, “Ooooh it’s going to be so great. I cannot,cannot wait!”

"I promise we'll fill you in on all the drama," Beatrice replied with a mischievous grin. "You'll be the first to know if anything interesting happens. Matter of fact, we’ll facetime you the second it’s done.”

Shells clapped her hands together in excitement. "That's what I like to hear, Bea," she said with a wink. "I'm ready for all the juicy details, and I'll have popcorn ready for the show."

“And of course you’ll share with Nikki since she’ll stay there.”

“Of course, what sort of aunt would i be if I didn’t?” Shells smirks, “But question though, should I just be careful about…something in my house? Like,what should I do more?”

Bea crossed her arms, the corner of her mouth lifting a bit as she arched her brows, “Well…I remember your house before you met Bob.” she then makes the sign of the cross and Shells flips the bird in retaliation, both of them still grinning, “Shells, Nikki is a super chill baby, there’s nothing much to worry.”

"Yeah, yeah," she replied, waving a dismissive hand. "I know, I know. Nikki's a breeze compared to what my house used to be."

Honestly Shells had made quite the transformation in her home environment, especially after meeting Bob. It was amazing how love could change a person's priorities and habits.

And of course Penny was there to add some…words as well.

"But seriously, Bea," Shells continued, her expression turning more thoughtful, "if anything weird happens, you guys just give me a call. Don't hesitate, okay? I'll be there in a heartbeat."

Beatrice nodded in agreement, touched by Shells' words. "Thank you, Shells," she said sincerely. "We really appreciate it. And we'll definitely keep you in the loop if anything strange goes down."

Shells leaned back in her chair, a satisfied grin on her face. "Good," she said. "Now, enough about this creepy stuff. Let's change the subject and talk about something more exciting. Have you guys thought about what you'll wear to Oda?"

Beatrice was more than happy to steer the conversation away from the unsettling events surrounding the Haltons, even though it did…involve the Haltons in a way. She leaned forward, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Oh, absolutely," she replied. "I've got a few dresses in mind that I think would be perfect. And Roos will look amazing in his suit."

Shells clapped her hands together in excitement. "Yes, yes," she said. "I can already picture you two looking fabulous. You should wear something from Marcus."

Beatrice's enthusiasm was contagious, and she played with her fingers a bit. "It's been a while since we've dressed up for a fancy dinner," she admitted. "I'm actually looking forward to it as…weird as the situation is. We love that place."

Shells grinned. "I know, Bea," she said. "You two deserve a fantastic night out, especially after dealing with all this craziness. And who knows, maybe dinner will be the start of something good. Or at least a break from the weirdness."

“You really think so?”

“...eh,maybe,what the fuck do I know,yknow?”

Beatrice couldn't help but hope that Shells was right. She longed for a sense of normalcy and a break from the strange occurrences that had been plaguing their lives.And as much as the dinner at Oda was because of the Haltons, maybe it could be much better…maybe.

“If there’s one thing you can say is,” she looks back at her phone as soon as it started buzzing, “How to make a girl feel, good, thank you Shells.’ her friend just gives her the ‘that’s what I do’ hands before resuming her eating. Beatrice excused herself so she could answer the phone, walking towards the garden doors to check the outside as she answered the phone.

But of course, the person talked first.

“Hello darling.”

Her smile was immediate, ‘Hello Marcus. How’s my favorite fashion designer going?”

Marcus chuckled warmly on the other end of the line. "Well aren’t you chipper today?I'm going quite well, my dear," he replied. "But enough about me. I heard through the grapevine that you and Rooster are in need of some fabulous attire for an upcoming dinner."

Beatrice's smile dropped because 1. he hadn’t said anything and 2….how the fuck did he know?  "You you…you do? Uh…okay um…Marcus how do you-"

“Darling I have my sources! And you guys are going to the Oda!” Marcus exclaimed. "It's been ages since I dined there. A perfect setting for a glamorous couple such as yourselves. Tell me more about this dinner. It sounds quite intriguing."

“Oh, ah, well…” she chews the inside of her cheek, “It’s…not like that…” and she proceeded to share with Marcus everything that’s been going on, the Haltons’ invitation and the way Miranda was so,so ready to assume neither of them were capable of dining in such a place.

“Oh.”

“Yeah…”

Marcus hummed on the other end, his designer's mind already racing with ideas. "Ah, darling, we all have those people in our lives. If I had to tell you how many arrogant people I met during dinners you’d be surprised. But, well, you need a dress do you not?”

“Well,I already had one planned but-”

His shocked gasp was her only answer, followed by a almost disgruntled “Darling!No!”

“...no?”

“No,no absolutely not. You need to have something ready and something you haven’t worn yet.” she opens her mouth but he cuts her before she could speak “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life, as Bill Cunningham would say. You need something…more. Something great.”

Beatrice blinked, thinking what was so wrong about an old dress "Well…okay, Marcus," she replied with a smile. "You…have something in mind already?”

Marcus couldn't contain his excitement "Darling, I always have something in mind," he exclaimed. "I'll make sure you look absolutely stunning. You deserve nothing but the best."

Beatrice chuckled at his enthusiasm. She looks back at Shells, who was having a hard time playing as if she wasn’t listening  "Thank you, Marcus," she said gratefully. "You know I trust your judgment completely."

"Of course, darling!" Marcus replied with a flourish. "I have just the right thing in mind.”

-

“You have to admit Rooster, it is kinda weird.”

Rooster looks up from his sandwich to where the squad sat, his eyes turning to Coyote “I know it is.” he replies, “But we-” and he had to be careful because they don’t know if Mark was close by or not, “We just want to deal with this.”

‘You don’t have to whisper,” Phoenix says, arching her brows, “The base is huge, it’s not like he’s right behind us…” cue to all of them looking around for a few seconds, calming down only when they saw there was no one there.

Rooster chuckled nervously, his shoulders relaxing as he realized that Mark wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation. The tension that had been building since their encounter with the Haltons had been difficult to shake, and he was grateful that he wasn’t around.

"Sorry," he said with a sheepish grin. "It's just been a bit...strange lately."

"Yeah, no kidding," Payback chimed in, his expression serious. "I mean, who invites their neighbors  to dinner and then acts all mysterious about it?"

Halo nodded in agreement. "And Miranda's attitude? Ugh, she's so condescending."

Rooster couldn't help but sigh, rubbing his temples. "Tell me about it. But we have to go, we have to figure out what they're up to and make sure it doesn't affect us in any way." he didn’t tell anyone about the possibility that he and Mav talked about.

Coyote leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I get that, Rooster," he said, his voice earnest. "But we also have to be careful. If Mark is involved in any way, he's not going to make things easy for us." he taps the table, “We also work with him and,I dunno man, you are our friends. That means if that guys fucks with you guys, he fucks with us too.”

"You're right, man," Rooster replied, his voice still quiet as he meddles with his sandwich. "We'll be cautious, and we won't let them push us around. But we also need to find out what their game is. If it's personal, like we suspect, then it could affect all of us."

Phoenix leaned back in her chair, her expression contemplative. "It just makes no sense, what’s this weird obsession with you guys?”

“Maybe,” and that was the first time Bob ever talked about that, ‘They are jealous of you.” he replies while pushing his glasses up his nose, “For…for some reason, heh.”

Rooster raised an eyebrow at Bob's unexpected comment. "Jealous?" he repeated, his curiosity piqued. "Why would they be jealous of us?"

Bob shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "Could be a lot of reasons," he replied. "Maybe they envy your family, or they're envious of your success in your career. People can get weirdly competitive about the strangest things."

Halo chimed in, her lips curling into a wry smile. "Or maybe they're just bored," she suggested. "Rich people often have too much time on their hands and start meddling in other people's lives for entertainment."

Coyote nodded in agreement. "That's true," he said. "They might see you guys as a distraction from their mundane lives and want to stir up drama."

Rooster considered their words, the possibilities swirling in his mind. "It's all speculation at this point," he said, waving his hand a bit. "But we won't know for sure until we attend that dinner and see what they're really up to." he sighs through his nose, “We’re just-” another one, deeper this time as he rubs his eyes, “There’s just so much, the twins will be able to come back home in a month, Nikki’s birthday and my birthday are coming up and…it’s a lot.”

Phoenix nodded in understanding, her expression softening. "It sounds like you guys have a lot on your plate," she said sympathetically, earning a dry yet quiet chuckle from Rooster, who just inhales deeply, messing with his sandwich while pursing his lips.

“I guess what grinds my gears, honestly…is the fact they act like I own Bea or something.” and that only made him glare at the poor bread even harder, “Can you guys believe that?”

Coyote crossed his arms, his expression growing serious. "That's fucked up, man," he said,. "You and Bea are partners, equals. No one has the right to act like she's some sort of possession."

"Exactly," he said. "We're a team, and we make decisions together. No one else should have a say in our relationship."

Halo chimed in with a knowing smile. "You two have always had a strong bond," she said. "That's something they can't take away from you."

Rooster couldn't help but smile at his friends' words. "Thanks, guys," he said sincerely. "It means a lot to us."

Bob took a sip from his coffee, his glasses slipping down his nose once more. "So, what's the plan for Friday?" he asked, steering the conversation back to their upcoming dinner with the Haltons.

Rooster leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing with thoughts about the dinner. "Well…they made the reservations," he said. "Then we…are just going to dress up and go."

Coyote grinned mischievously. "And if things get too weird," he suggested, "we can always have a secret signal to bail."

Rooster chuckled at the idea, arms crossing immediately. "That's not a bad idea," he replied. "But I’ll have to put a pin on that one, no need for you guys to show up like that. We’ll be fine.”

“Well,”Payback smiles, punching his friend’s shoulder gently, “You can always call us if you need to.”

“Yeah,yeah I know.” he punches him right back, “I know.” he checks the time and heaves out a sigh, ‘I better shove it down because time is almost up…and I need to talk to Bea once I get home, there’s a lot,” he bites into it, “A lot, to discuss.”