#Un'beta'd

[blackashbluephoenix]

Had this idea but it doesn't fit into either of my WIPs so I'm giving it to the community.

Harvey and Mike are driving. They're bantering lightly, Mike had a case file in his lap. There's light music on in the background. Mike feels safe in the front seat- he always does when Harvey's driving. Anyone else, he fidgits nervously, squirms. The longer the ride, the worse it gets. But Harvey has both hands on the wheel, hovers a mile or two under the speed limit. He focuses on the road. Mike knows he'd never let anything happen to him.

They drive up past an accident with all the stops- flashing lights, police sirens, an ambulance. The car is on fire, there are bodies being pulled from the wreck.

Before they can get close enough to see any details though, Harvey reaches over and turns Mike's face to him. They've slowed to a crawl now because of traffic passing the accident, there's no danger in taking one hand off the wheel.

"Look at me, sweetheart." He orders softly. "Just keep looking at me."

Harvey doesn't try to restart the banter. He doesn't try to smile or pretend it's not bad. But he can put on a poker face for Mike's sake. He can look stoic, in control. He can breathe normally. He can use the word sweetheart, a word he normally only whispers to him in moments when they are alone and at their most intimate.

"Just look at me, sweetheart."

Because one real glimpse of that accident and that image will be burned permanently into Mike's beautiful mind. Having a memory like his is both a blessing and a curse, as Harvey has come to find out. And right now, if he lets Mike look at that, if he allows that image into Mike's mind... It will torment him. It will creep into thoughts when they're at work, at home. It will etch itself into his nightmares, add itself to what Mike imagines his parents' last moments were like. He won't be able to comfortably get into a car for weeks, will worry when Harvey steps foot in one, even if they're both in the backseat and Ray is the one driving.

"Just keep looking at me. Don't think about anything else."

He pulls the car into a lane away from the accident as soon as he can, creating some distance and removing some of the morbid temptation to look as he does so. Mike's not the eager to please puppy he once was, but he obeys this particular order even after Harvey drops his hand. He nods, ducks his head slightly. He can't quite look at Harvey's eyes, but he can still focus on the rest of him. As long as he's looking at Harvey, his mind is protected from whatever else he might see right now.

They're both quiet when the traffic lets up. Harvey puts both hands back on the wheel. Drops his speed limit down to five miles below, moves to the slow lane. Tries to ignore the way Mike is white knuckling the armrest or the way he wants to take his hand. Touch would help right now, certainly, but not if it compromises his driving abilities.

They pull into a gas station about an hour from the city. Harvey wouldn't have stopped- he wants to take Mike straight home- but the gas light is on. When he puts the car in park, Mike takes a long deep breath as though he's been holding onto it for far too long.

"We'll be home soon." Harvey says softly. He reaches over, brushes his fingers over the back of Mike's neck. Relishes in the way Mike instantly leans into him, even if the angle is awkward because of the console between them.

"Thank you." Mike says quietly. He seems a little better now. Okay until Harvey can get him home at least. He can spoil him when they're there- Order a pizza with stuffed crust, crack open one of those cheap beers Mike likes for some reason. Maybe tuck him into one of Harvey's hoodies before he pulls Mike down onto to his chest and they settle in on the couch with a wide selection of movies. He'll hold him a little bit tighter and speak just a little softer. Maybe it will be enough to keep the nightmares away.

For now he just kisses Mike's hand, then his temple before he gets out to pump gas. Smiles in relief when Mike eventually gets out and wanders into the gas station, returning with a highly disproportionate amount of junk food to the time they have left on this trip.

He'll be okay. Harvey will make sure of it.

[littlemessyjessi]

"I Need A Favor": Naga Boyfriend Sef: Part Three

"I Need A Favor": Naga Sef: Part Three 

Warnings:  Some mature content.  Monster boyfriend… if that can be a warning.  Maybe language.  Also, my unedited, un'beta'd work.  Maybe my grammar because I'm a troll.  Idk?  

. 

Monster Boyfriend x Plus Size Reader 

Commissioned by the lovely @thickemadame  

Thank you so much, darling!  And I apologize that this took so long.  I was devastated when I lost everything on my old computer and I am permanently scatter brained but still… I am appalled that it took my so long.  I love you, darling! 

-

Never in my life had I been so nervous for someone to be in my garden. 

All this despite the fact that I had strangers in it all the time for photoshoots … and also the fact that Sef was my neighbor and literally saw it every day. 

Though somehow this felt different. 

While my nerves were turning my stomach into the equivalent of a washing machine with a brick inside… I was still quite proud of my the oasis that I had created in my time here. 

The lush foliage and blooming flowers. 

I'd put a lot of work into making sure that it was a garden that was beautiful year round and taking care to plant so meticulously so that when one thing was done another was coming to life. 

Strategically placed stone pieces reminiscent of a garden some ancient greek goddess might've had. 

Twinkling lights and no short amount of gorgeous focal points. 

It was my pride and joy. 

Despite the fact that I allowed strangers here for my side hustle all the time… it still seemed intimate to have a date here. 

I'd never done that before. 

I'd chose a simple outfit for the evening. 

Something comfortable and flowy to accent my figure in an ethereal way but also cozy enough as to not add discomfort to my growing anxiety. 

The scent of something cooking away caught my attention and l looked over the fence to see a trail of smoke spiraling into the air. 

I stood on my tiptoes and peeped over the fence to see Sef standing at the grill. 

I admired him for a moment before he began to chuckle. 

"You know, I've heard of Peeping Toms before but perhaps I should call you a Peeping Tammy." he said before those vivid eyes of his flicked up to meet mine. 

I was suddenly very grateful for the fence between us as I could feel the heat rise in my skin… and more importantly the weird face I pulled when I realized I'd been caught. 

"Sorry, I smelled the food." I said. 

"I'm glad to know you're hungry." he said.  "I may have overcooked a bit but it's alright.  Atleast, I know you'll be well fed with the leftovers this week."  

"If it's as good as it smells there may not be any left." I said.  "Would you like me to open the gate?" 

"That would be great." he said, turning the vegetables on the grill. "I'll meet you in the middle." 

I fiddled with the latch on my side and swung the gate door open at the same time he did his. 

At the risk of sounding terribly cliche, it was like a moment in the moment where the two romantic leads finally see each other in a certain light. 

And in a way… it was. 

Despite the rather comical last twenty four hours or so… I had never really taken notice of Sef in this way. 

Handsome? 

Definitely. 

Talented? 

Without a doubt. 

But I had never really, really looked at him as a pontential partner. 

And I had to say… he was looking very good. 

A slow smile spread across his lips, "You look absolutely breathtaking." 

"Thank you." I said softly.  "You look very handsome, yourself." 

And he most certainly did. 

He'd opted for a green button down that made his skin tone positively glow against it as well as matching his eyes incredibly well. 

I was also very pleased to see that he hadn't completely changed back into his human form.��

He was caught somewhere in between. 

The legs were gone, replaced by his long tail and little scales dotted his skin here and there. 

His eyes were the same beautiful color but if you looked closely you could see that the pupil of the eye was enlongated a bit. 

Apparently, I had been quite too long and mistook my admiration for gawking. 

"I, uh, I hope this is alright." he said gesturing towards his tail. 

"Oh!" I started, shocked and perhaps a little embarassed that I'd made him uncomfortable.  "Of- of course! Whatever you are most comfortable with.  I, um, well I was just admiring you was all.  I didn't mean to stare.  You just… you look very handsome tonight and I was a little taken." 

He smiled softly but only broke out into a laugh as I bumbled through my words again. 

"Not to say that you're aren't always handsome! You are! You always have been! I mean, you know that.  You see yourself in the mirror every day.  Oh god, someone please shoot me to put me out of my misery.  Excuse me while I go crawl under a rock and die now."  

He erupted into further laughter before he gently took my by the arms, "Relax, sweetheart.  It's quite the confidence boost to know that you're so taken." 

"Oh, great.  As if your ego needed anymore inflating." I said before I could stop myself. 

The smile turned into a fond little smirk, "Ah, there's that sassy mouth I love so much." 

"Excuse me?  You enjoy ridicule?" I asked. 

He laughed, "It's not ridicule. It's your duality.  I love that you are both sweet and salty. It's my favorite kind of snack actually." 

In favor of my thundering heart, that I have no doubt he could hear judging by the deepening smirk on his face… I chose to ignore to the double meaning to those words. 

Instead, I chose to prissily turn my nose up, "It's very rude to call your date salty, you know." 

"Oh, would you prefer sweet and sour?  That's another flavor combination I'm partial to.  I just love devouring things that dance on my tongue." 

My heart felt as if it were going to burst from my chest and I narrowed my eyes into slits when he actually doubled over in laughter. 

"I am so not your friend anymore." I said, huffing and turning away from him. 

It was all playful, of course. 

He was riling me up and despite the fact that my body was betraying me, I couldn't deny that I loved his attention. 

"Oh, come now." he whispered into my ear and I almost choked. "Don't be cross with me. I was only teasing.  It's just my nature." 

In his nature, indeed. 

His arms wrapped around me as well as his tail, "But you are correct about one thing." 

Curiosity having gotten the better of me, I turned in his embrace to lock eyes with him, "What's that?" 

"I don't want to be your friend." he said. 

My brows furrowed in indignation. 

"I want to be much, much more than that." he said, a twinkle in his eye again. 

I slipped out of his embrace after deciding that I needed to give my nervous system a break from his infuriatingly intoxicating presence. 

"Go finish the food." I said sternly. 

"Yes, ma'am." he said, bowing dramatically and slithering back to the grill. 

I huffed again and I could hear him snort in the background….but I would sooner fling myself off a cliff than give him the satisfaction. 

I soon lost myself in fussing over the area I had prepared for us. 

Earlier I'd made quite the little paradise in the best spot in the garden. 

I'd set up the projector and brought every pillow I owned outside under what I called the fairy grove. 

Twisting vines and twinkling lights. 

It was magical. 

"Where should I put these?" 

I turned to see him standing there with trays of food in his arms and a small bar cart trailing behind him being pulled by his tail. 

It would seem that it was quite dextrous. 

Interesting. 

I shook the thought from my head before I could start drooling.  

"Just there." I said pointing to an open spot while I fretted over the set up. 

"Just relax." he whispered in my ear.  "There's no need to be so tense.  If you're trying to impress me, just know that I've been impressed since the moment I saw you.  I just want to spend time with you." 

And for some reason, my stress just slid off my shoulders. 

We ate- his skills as a chef were truly unmatched. 

We drank- he hadn't been lying about being a bartender. 

We laughed- he was incredibly funny with a sharp wit. 

Before I knew it, we were laid out, stomachs full and smiles on our faces as we watched the movie. 

We'd long since turned the volume down and decided to provide our own dialogue. 

He'd just finished making it seem as if the lead role was headed in for his routine colonoscopy causing me to fling myself backwards across the pillows in a fit of laughter. 

He laughed before laying back and joining me. 

We stared up at the night sky through the canopy of leaves and soft twinkling fairy lights. 

"You know, I've always thought this was the best spot in your garden." he said. 

"Thank you." I said before blinking, "Hold on.  You've never been in this spot of my garden.  You've never even been in my garden before." 

He gave a long that I could only describe as a child having been found out when they were being naughty. 

"Well, that's not exactly true…" he said. 

"Oh?" I asked. "Been trespassing have you?" 

I wasn't necessarily accusing him… though I was curious as to what might've provoked him to scale not only his gate but mine as well. 

"Kind of." he said.  "But you've actually seen me many, many times. You've even given me snacks and placed me in sunny places on particularly chilly days." 

"What are you talking about?" I asked. 

He sighed and before my eyes he transformed yet again into a tiny green garden snake. 

I gasped, "My little friend…" 

He slithered towards me and gently nudged my hand with his head until I ran my fingers over his scales. 

He changed back and looked at me sheepishly, "Honestly, I never meant to invade your privacy.   I've just always thought you had such a beautiful garden and, of course, you are possibly the most lovely creation in here.  I just… wanted to get closer to you. I didn't exactly have the confidence." 

I was shocked. 

"I've told you many, many secrets like that." I whispered. 

"And they're still just as safe with me as they were when you thought I was just a little snake." he pressed. 

"But why?" I asked.  "If you were so taken then why not just talk to me?" 

He chuckled, "Love, for all my pompous ego of mine… I am really no different than any man. I see a beautiful person and I am just as scattered and flustered as the rest of them."  

"What's changed then?" I asked out of curiosity.  "Forty eight hours ago, we weren't exactly chummy." 

"I've known for a long time that I wanted you, darling." he said. "But in my time of need, when you didn't particularly like me… you helped and it was that that told me everything that I ever needed to know about you. I wasn't afraid of asking anymore.  I was more afraid of not asking… and letting the opportunity slip away." 

I was quite then. 

Pondering all he'd told me. 

Here I'd thought it was simply a neighbor version of 'and they were roommates' but it was so much more. 

"There is this thing with creatures of my breed, the Scalenes, The Cobraeans." he said.   "Our animal counterparts don't always hold true to it but those of us who live between the two worlds of human and animal.  We're born with two eyes, two ears, many things in twos.  But we're only born with one heart… because we're supposed to find the other.  I… I think I've found that with you." 

I simply stared at him for a moment. 

Perhaps a moment too long because he seemed to be panicking a little. 

"Uh… could you say something?" he said before looking down at his lap, eyes widening.  "I don't think you're freaked out.  You're hearts not racing but your eyes are dilated. Oh my goddess, I've gone and thrown you into shock! By Medusa's gaze! Nice going, Sef! You've gone and-" 

His sudden monologue was cut short by my laughter and he whirled around to look at me. 

"Sorry, sorry." I said. "I just - you're quite funny when it's you having the come apart." 

He narrowed his eyes at me slightly. 

"I reveal my feelings to you and you laugh at me." he chuckled.  "Wow." 

"Oh, come now." I said with a mischeivious smirk of my own. 

He gave me a deadpan look, "It's not nice to toy with a man's libido after scaring the life out of him." 

I smirked, "And I thought you liked my duality." 

"Well the sour I get but I've yet to see the sweetness." he pouted. 

"Aw, I'm sorry." I said, playfully rolling my eyes.  "Whatever, can I do to make it better? Would you like a hug?  Perhaps, a cuddle?" 

"Not enough." he pouted childishly, already long over it but definitely gonna milk it for what it was worth. 

That much I could tell already.  

"You made my blood run cold I was so scared." he accused. 

"You're Scalene.  Your blood is always cold." I teased. 

He huffed but I could tell he wasn't finished, "The only way this absolute injustice could possibly be righted is by a kiss." 

I pretended to ponder it just for the sake of toying with him. 

"I could…"I trailed off, bringing my lips dangerously close to his, ghosting them against each other. 

He chased after me as I pulled away. 

"Tease." he hissed at me. 

I giggled ridiculously, "Perhaps, I have Scalene in my bloodline somewhere.  Teasing seems to be in my nature as well." 

He narrowed his eyes but the smile playing about his lips gave him away. 

I dramatically clasped my hands together in consideration, "I could give you a kiss to mend this obvious discontent I've bestowed upon you.  But perhaps, I've been too cruel.  Perhaps, it's not enough." 

He softened thinking I was serious, "Darling, you don't have to.  I was only playing." 

I winked at him, "Oh but I do.  I have giving you saltiness and sourness.  So now I shall give you something very sweet." 

I pulled him into a kiss that seemed to suck the very life from him. 

He was easy to roll over as I straddled him. 

"And now perhaps, I'll let you have that snack after all." I said flicking the bottom of my dress at his face. 

The man looked like it was Christmas Day and Santa Clause himself had arrived to give him his presents. 

And that is how two quarreling neighbors ended up finding the other heart they'd always been searching for. 

Fifteen years later and we're still together. 

We tore down our fence and built out two homes together into one just as we did with our own lives. 

Tore down the walls we'd both had around our hearts and built a new one together. 

Entwined together forever. 

And it all started with a favor. 

—--- 

For my darling @thickemadame : I do hope I've done this justice and that you forgive me for taking so long.  I know it's not very smutty but I got caught up in the fluff of it all and I hope there was enough saucy bits to keep you happy.  All my love, darling. 

—-

Hey, loves! I hope you liked it! I'm trying out new content styles! If you liked, it please let me know!

Love, K

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