#What do you get from this panel alone? What do you think it's happening?

[cartooncrazyart]

Bullymagnet Week Day 3: Fairy Tale AU (+ panel redraw)

In which I pop off

[image description: a three page comic of max and Johnny from Paranatural, in a fairy tale setting. Max walks through a forest, and from a tree, Johnny, who has horns, a tail and scales, says “What are you doing in my forest?” Max, looking up at him, answers “I’m here to slay a dragon that’s been terrorising a local village. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” And Johnny sits sup, whistling and looking away innocently.

He jumps down from the tree and puts his hand on max’s shoulder, saying “okay. So here’s the deal.” He begins circling max, as he says “if you can defeat me, I will leave the village alone. And come and work for you instead!” Max draws his sword and replies “no thanks. All I have to do is beat you, then?” and johnny leans forward, grinning.

It jumps to after the fight, with max utterly defeated and johnny sitting on his back, happily saying “well that cleared my sinuses!” He gets off, and as max sits up, johnny says “you seem pretty cool. I think I’ll come work for you anyway!” Max looks horrified as he says “you can’t be serious”. The narration says “He was.” And we see max walking through the forest with his head down, and johnny following behind him happily. The End.]

[demaparbat-hp]

Oh, Lala...

[sabertoothwalrus]

tips for getting people to like your ocs

*disclaimer: this is based on what’s worked for me, aka an artist that likes to make comics/storyboards. so this advice is directed at people who do that

you can do things like this:

Which is fun! Character sheets like this are great, especially for personal reference! But frankly, I don’t think most people engage with this (at least I personally don’t). You could have the coolest character in the world, but it will be harder for most people to feel invested when they’re presented so neutrally like this.

My main piece of advice is: get better at writing.

That might sound harsh when said like that, but let me explain what I mean! (Not trying to imply you’re bad at writing either!)

What I tend to do is just throw characters into situations with as little handholding as I can. Give enough context that readers can follow along, but don’t feel like they’re being explained to.

what can you learn about the characters through their designs alone? (age, personality, economic status, occupation, etc)

what can you learn about the characters’ relationship though their interactions alone? (are they close? familial? romantic? is there hostility? are they tense/relaxed?)

what are the characters currently doing? what were they doing previously (how long have they been talking)? what are they going to do next? can you convey this without dialogue?

how do they feel about what they are doing? are they content? focused? over/understimulated? would they rather be doing something else?

where are they? does it matter? would establishing a setting in at least one panel clarify the scene? is there anything in the enviroment that could tell some of the story?

what time of day is it? what time of year is it? what is the weather like?

Now, with all this in mind, I'm going to give you another example. I'm going to use completely brand new characters for the sake of the experiment, so you won't have any bias (aka I can’t use Protagonist from above, since you already know all about him).

Did this get more of an emotional response from you than the first example? Why do you think so? Who are these characters? How do they know each other? What else can you infer about them? What happened? Who is "she"?

Now, you don't have to actually answer all those questions. But think about them! You can tell people a whole lot about your characters without ever showing them a list of their likes and dislikes.

Obviously, comics aren't the only way to get people invested in your original characters! But regardless, easily digestible formats will grab people's attention faster than huge blocks of text, and comics are a lot less work than doing wholeass storyboards.

Now go and share your ocs with the world!!!

[rabotimagines]

jealous cons sounds really funny, especially if they can't do anything but mald

TOP DECEPTICON MALDERS LETS GOOOO!

"Hero" GN BOT Reader x Megatron, Starscream, Blitzwing, Skywarp

Summary: Your friends save you from the Decepticons. The cons get pissed they missed another chance at you! Then you even kiss your friend on the cheek in thanks! (Scandalous, I know.)

G1 characters: Megatron, Starscream, Blitzwing, Skywarp. (The Autobots that save Reader are Optimus, Bluestreak, Tracks, and Hound!)

Genre/Theme: Cross faction Jealousy

Warnings: Blitzwing is a menace and mentions thinking of ripping readers' modesty panel off. It doesn't happen, but y'know. The Decepticons being brats experiencing being told "No" for the first time (The Cons are malding real bad). The cons generally assuming they have a "right" to Reader.

Pronouns: You, Your, Yours

Notes: This is based on teasing/flirty Autobot Reader, whom the Decepticons get a bit too interested in. Reader knows what they're doing and they do it specifically to fuck with the Decepticons. Via kissing your Autobot friends on the cheek!

Megatron is mad- he's not just mad he is furious when Prime, the fool that he is, puts himself between you and Megatron. Now, if it was any of the other puny Autobots, Megatron would not have cared nearly as much. Because to Megatron, the average Autobot mech meant nothing. They were measly target practice to him! But Prime? Optimus Prime was not any mere mech! He was the slagging closest Megatron would come to finding an equal, let alone out on this rock.

But Prime saves you as he does- the withering sparkdamn fool. And Megatron finally nearly had you in his grasp, and Prime had to come and rip you away from him. Megatron has to pull himself back up to find Prime still holding you against his own frame. "My hero!" You say as you smile the blasted way you do when you look at the other Autobots and you- Megatron can not hide his scowl when you throw your arms around Primes frame and kiss him on the side of his battle mask. Primes optics brighten and widen, and his sparkdamned plating even fluffs under your affections.

Megatrons cannon starts humming loud in response to his own emotional receptors and his own blindly consuming urge to shoot then and there. But Megatron knows he's lost- and that just makes his cannon start smoking in barely restrained murderous indent. "This isn't over Prime!" Megatron snarls out with a digit pointed firm at him. Megatron growls and calls for the Decepticons to retreat. And in his still stewing rage, Megatron internally begins making new plans for the next opportunity he has to try and obtain a hold of you.

Megatron would not come so close to getting a hold of you again and fail twice. Prime wouldn't know what hit him!

-

Starscream is positively fuming! He'd gotten a hold of you again, and he'd made sure those fragging terror twins were busy when he did it. But the fragging praxian stopping him! Not even the battle computer- it was the sparkdamn annoying one! Starscream openly glares at where you two were standing next to one another. You just smile the infuriating way you do at the Autobots. "My hero!" You exclaim, and Starscream bafflingly watches you throw your arms around the praxian- and you even kiss him on the cheek!?

The praxians optics widen and brighten quickly. And his dumb little insignificant door sensors hike high and start twitching. He smiles like a fragging imbecile and even laughs. Laughs about it! Starscream's engines growl hot in righteous fury. How dare this little insignificant praxian Autobot pede solider get in between Starscream and his claim on you!? Starscream had every fragging right in taking you apart, plate by plate for everything you'd put him through! And he almost had you- no, he did have you! And you got ripped right out of his grasp.

And Starscream is positively fragging seething about it. Starscream clenches his servos so tight his joints creak. His wings raise high at an angle, promising violence of the highest intensity. And Starscream knows he needs to retreat because they'd lost. He'd lost. Starscream bares his denta and has to force himself to turn on a pede and retreat. Starscream is irate but he's decided to start scheming once more- if Starscream couldn't get you alone on the battlefield naturally he'd just have to figure out how to distract your fellow sparkdamn Autobots- then you'd be all his for the taking.

If there was one thing Starscream was, it was tenacious. And he wasn't about to stop before he had you in his grasp.

-

Blitzwing was having a fragging good day- a really good one! He'd smashed some buildings, made the puny humans run like the vermin they were. He even smashed up a few Autobots! Oh, and then- and then! He got into a fight with you, and he started winning. Actually winning. Blitzwing actually managed to pin you down, and he was going to rip your modesty panel right off of you- and then Blitzwing gets hit hard and knocked down. And he's lost his fragging grip on you-! It ends with Blitzwing on his aft and you having gotten away from him.

You're standing next to the Autobots discount triple changer! You're brushing the dirt off your frame all before you throw your arms around the blue mech "My hero!" Then you even kiss him on the cheek! The mech jerks and pulls away from your touch and wipes his own cheek- is he stupid? His plating fluffs, and he crosses his arms over his chassis to turn and glare at Blitzwing instead. But Blitzwing had wings, so he knows exactly what it means when the mechs wings rank up high and fan out. And all three of Blitzwing's engines rumble because he was not a happy mech.

Slagging sparkdamnit all! Blitzwing had you right there! You were even under him already- But No! The knock-off poser had to go and get involved and mess everything up for Blitzwing. Whatever! Blitzwing's broken Mr. broody blue over there's frame before! Blitzwing just had to do it again, and then he'd have you all to himself. Except now you're brandishing your own weapon, and now Blitzwings gonna have to pin you all over again! Gah!! Why the in the pit did this reject have to ruin everything for Blitzwing! Blitzwing rushes forward with a shout- and skids to a stop right before he picks up any real momentum because Megatrons calling for retreat! Blitzwing takes one long look at you two before vowing to rip the blue mechs wings off the next chance he got before taking off.

Blitzwing wasn't gonna stop till he had you back under him where you belonged!

-

Skywarp's laughing when you miss another shot on him when he warps. This was going great! He had you alone out here away from the other Autodorks, and he was actually wearing you down! Now he just needed to grab you- Skywarp warps close and latches onto your waist only he stops and cycles his optics because uh- there's another mech on his left- and another on his right- There's three of you suddenly right in front of him!? The two versions of you on his side push forward and get into Skywarp’s faceplate, making him let go of the you he was holding. huh!? Is this one of Skywarps reflux recharges?! Both versions of you grin and then just- disappear!?

Skywarp cycles his optics, and his gaze snaps to the you a ways away. Where you're now standing next to the green Autobot scout. Aw, frag it all! He used his sparkdamn illusions on Skywarp! "You little-!" Skywarp stops short when you turn towards the jeep and throw your arms around him.

"My hero!" You sing all before- kissing the grounder on the cheek!? Wha-?! The grounders' optics brighten, and his plating ruffles up. He even rubs the nape of his neck cables all shy and slag- What the frag!? That should be Skywarp! Not some dirty green hippie grounder who can't keep his olfactory in his own business! Skywarp's wings slant, and he's imagining exactly what cavern he's gonna drop this fragging jeep over-

And his HUDs flashing that Megatron ordered a retreat! "Slag it all!" Skywarp growls before turning back to the two of you and pointing at you. "Next time, gorgeous!" Then the jeep steps in front of you- and oh, Skywarp so wants to rip his fuel tank out for it. His HUD flashes again, and Skywarp flashes a rude gesture at the jeep all before warping away. He almost had you! Frag! Skywarp just needed to get you alone again- Skywarp could do that! Easy!

Skywarp just needed to do that, and he'd have you all to himself!

[soleauclub]

Hot Girl Biohacking 101: What I'm Actually Doing for Energy & Focus

by Soleau Club

If you’ve ever tried to “hack” your way into more energy, more focus, and more get-it-done vibes—you’ve probably ended up with a half-drunk matcha, six tabs open, and a mid-day crash that hits like your ex's follow request.

So let’s simplify it. Here’s what I’m really doing to feel mentally sharp, physically lit, and spiritually unbothered. This is Hot Girl Biohacking, Soleau Club-style.

My Morning Stack: Light, Hydration, and Dopamine

Before I touch my phone (okay, maybe one scroll), I:

Step outside and get sunlight on my face. Yes, even if I look like a raccoon in last night’s mascara (if I didnt take it off, because sometimes that's just what happens). 10–15 minutes of natural light = a natural circadian reset, better mood, and less brain fog.

Salt + lemon water instead of coffee. Think: adrenal support, mineral magic, and hydration before stimulation.

90s/2000s dance playlist + red light therapy. I use a red light panel while I stretch, do breathwork, or journal. Bonus: I pair it with dopamine-boosting music to wake my brain up without caffeine.

This stack alone makes me feel like I own a wellness yacht.

Nootropics, but Make It Cute

I’m not popping Adderall—I’m micro-optimizing. Here’s what I actually use:

L-Theanine + Caffeine: Smooth, jitter-free focus. Perfect for when I must be a girlboss with grace.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Neurogenesis, memory, mood. I take it in tincture form—gives chic apothecary vibes.

Magnesium L-Threonate (at night): For deep, healing sleep and next-level brain recovery.

Hot girls use herbs. Hot girls read ingredients. Hot girls know what their mitochondria need.

Intermittent Movement, Not Just Intermittent Fasting

I do hot girl walks, but I break them up. Biohackers call it “movement snacks,” I call it body maintenance with outfit changes.

Walk in the morning (sunlight hit + mindset reset)

Stretch mid-day (energy slump preventer)

Dance in my kitchen while cooking dinner (free serotonin)

It’s not about burning calories—it’s about staying lit.

Food That Feeds My Brain, Not Just My Aesthetic

Don’t get it twisted—I’m still eating like a model in the French Riviera. But I focus on:

Protein + fats early in the day (think smoked salmon, eggs, avocado)—so I don’t crash or crave junk

Slow carbs (quinoa, root veggies) around lunch for sustainable energy

Adaptogens in my lattes: ashwagandha, maca, or reishi depending on the vibe

And yes, I do take my collagen. Daily. Religiously.

Tech Hygiene = Mental Clarity

The girls that get it, get it: if your phone looks like a Vegas casino, your brain will too.

I keep my phone on grayscale M-F until 12pm. It’s wild how unsexy scrolling becomes when there’s no color.

Inbox zero energy—but for apps. I do weekly audits and delete anything that makes me feel chaotic.

My Focus Mode is called “Don’t Kill My Vibe.” And no, I’m not joking.

Nervous System Care Is My New Aesthetic

Listen—no biohack works if your nervous system is fried. Here’s what keeps me calm, grounded, and magnetic:

Cold showers (short, strategic, and brutal) for resilience + glow

Breathwork before calls or socializing (my go-to: box breathing 4-4-4-4)

Epsom salt baths with lavender and rose oil for divine feminine vibes

This isn’t self-care. It’s systems optimization. Soft girl era meets high performance.

Sleep Is My Most Expensive Product

I don’t care how pretty your planner is—if your sleep sucks, your brain will sabotage you by noon.

Mouth tape. Yes, we’re sealing our lips to keep that jawline snatched and oxygen flowing.

No blue light after 9PM (unless it’s coming from a candlelight filter or a hot text).

I treat sleep like skincare. Consistent, intentional, and luxurious.

Being “On” All the Time Isn’t the Flex

The real flex? Having energy that’s sustainable. Creativity that flows. Confidence that radiates from within because your body and brain are working with you—not against you.

At Soleau Club, we’re not biohacking to chase hustle culture—we’re doing it to become the most magnetic, centered, and electric versions of ourselves.

We don’t run on fumes. We run on frequency. ✨

Ready to level up your rituals? Follow @soleauclub for more tips, rituals, and behind-the-scenes of what we’re really doing to glow from the inside out.

[grimesbunny]

tonight i feel like more

summary: dry humping. sub daryl (but he doesn’t know it) lets goo. awkward sex. probably ooc. they do everything but kiss LMAOO.

inspired by that one s2/3 panel where norman says if someone tried to kiss daryl he’d start crying cause he isn’t ready for all that. hasnt left my head since i watched it. title from digital bath by deftones

dry humping farm era daryl :( coming out to his secluded tent one night under the guise of checking on his injuries and your playful flirting gets too real too fast somehow. you’re both pent up from what feels like months of tension that you can’t even bother to shed your clothes— or maybe daryl just isn’t ready to cross that threshold yet— it doesn’t even matter because the moment you sit yourself on his broad lap and feel the hard, thick outline of him pressed against you through your clothes, you forget to care.

he’s instantly whining at the friction, ducking his head and using your neck to shield you from seeing how red his face has grown, how embarrassed he is that simply talking to you has made him so hard. you do it on purpose, talking to him in that sweet, endearing tone that you know drives him crazy. constantly teasing him with your eyes and touches until he scoffs off your advances. in your defense, the effect you have on him is just too addicting not to play with a little.

“aw, dar, don’t be shy.” you giggle out quietly, your soft arms coming to rest on his shoulders and intertwine behind his back. “look at me.”

the defiant grunt he lets out doesn’t have the same effect when it cracks with desire. like yanking the leash on a dog, you pull the hair at the nape of his neck firmly enough to send him into action. his pupils are dilated, but his eyes remain squinted stubbornly even as he does as he’s told.

“what? we gonna make out all night like a coupla teenagers?” he attempts to be snarky, but the nervous tremor in his voice betrays him.

“why, is that the farthest you’ve ever gone?” it’s half joking, half a genuine question.

from what you’ve heard, daryl had spent most of his life following merle around like a lost puppy pre-apocalypse. you wonder if any significant others had filled some of the space in between, and a part of you is jealous just thinking about it.

he snorts. “i ain’t no virgin mary, that’s for sure.”

well, that’s too bad. you could’ve really gotten off on being his first.

“oh, okay. so you know what you’re doing then?”

he’s silent, an unreadable expression on his face.

as if to prove a point, you grind down on his bulge with one fluid motion. daryl’s jaw falls slack and a barely there whimper tumbles out, eyes widening up at you with submission, vulnerability. it makes your cunt throb, makes you want to give him everything and make him beg for it at the same time.

“feels good, hm?”

“cmon, stop… stop playin’ around.” he huffs— grits out more like. as if using his voice while he’s in such a compromising position is physically paining him. you watch his eyes drift to your chest, which is quickly rising and falling with your synchronized pants.

“oh, you can do better than that, dixon.” you chide lightly. “what happened to that smart mouth of yours?”

“i… can you…” daryl sucks in a deep breath, his gaze lowering to the spot your groins are connected. “just fuckin’ move.”

you lean back, giving him a better view of the expanse of your torso, the way the strap of your camisole has started to fall down your shoulder. daryl seems to bite the bait, tongue darting out to gather the pool of drool starting to gather around his lip. it rings a laugh out of you.

“with that attitude, i should just go back inside. leave you all alone to take care of yourself.” you threaten. his response is immediate, as his large hands that were once gripping the blankets below him come to hold your waist in place with a bearish grip. waiting, you raise an eyebrow at him.

he looks off to the side. “p…please.”

it’s faint, reluctant. still, the rush of power he’s giving you makes your head spin. he’s realistically much stronger than you, could quickly take control of the situation without breaking a sweat with that advantage alone. but he’s choosing to let you lead, to do as you say. you can’t say it’s something you expected, but you’re not gonna complain.

your lips stretch into a grin, patting his cheek like one would a puppy. “attaboy. that’s what i thought.”

you can feel daryl’s cock kick at the praise, and it encourages you to buck down into it. you both moan at the same time, hands tightening around each other as you continue to slowly drag your cunt along his cock. the heat emanating from your clothes is blossoms in below your navel and traps you in.

“you like that, don’t you? doing what you’re told?” your hips slowly gain speed, hands traveling to perch on daryl’s shoulders. his muscles flex underneath your fingertips from exertion.

he does nothing but lowly whine in response, attempting to duck his head again.

“say it.” you push. “say it or i’ll stop.”

“fuck. yeah. i don’t know.” he grunts, his hips canting to chase your warmth. “i like hearin’ you say it.”

“that you’re being so good for me? letting me get off on your lap?” you tease meanly, lifting forward to talk in his ear. “that your cock feels like heaven right now and it’s not even out of your pants?”

the groan that emits out of him is followed by a frustrated sigh. daryl’s hands shakily run under your shirt, up to your waist. you can tell he’s unsure of his movements.

“you can touch me.” you allow graciously.

building up to it, his hands travel slowly. you almost start to believe he’s purposely teasing, but the clumsiness of it all makes you think otherwise. its like a dam breaks when daryl finally reaches your breasts, the fabric of your top bundling up on your chest. he squeezes hesitantly, then his calloused thumbs circle around your areola as your hips draw circles in his lap. daryl watches your nipples harden in unadulterated fascination, his breathing heavy. either he does know what he’s doing or he’s aimlessly exploring and just so happened to make the right move.

he looks up at you for permission and your nod is all he needs to lean forward, catching one of your supple titties on his tongue. it sends your back arching, nearly knocking him back onto the ground.

“fuck, yeah. just like that, baby.” you feel his spiky hair underneath your fingertips as you tug on the roots for stability, which earns a distinct noise from the man below you. the pleasure curling at your spine from his tongue spurs your movements on, beginning to hump into him with all your effort. his bulge keeps knocking against your clit in a way that has you on the verge of seeing stars. “feels so good, daryl.”

“oh, shit. y’gonna… i’m about to…” his voice splits on the last part and it makes your heart clench, disbelieving as you lift his head up to meet his eyes. sure enough, they’re glistening with unshed tears in the dim light.

“already?” your smile and voice are dripping with sympathy. “it’s okay, let it out. i want to feel it.”

you’re bound to have bruises from how hard daryl squeezes you when he releases. it’s a sight to be seen; his face twisting up, strong muscles bulging as he struggles to stifle the cry that’s ripped out of him. his hips drive up into yours, and you swear you can feel it paint his pants, his cum mingling with the damp spot you’ve left.

“you’re so sensitive. god, that’s hot.”

he’s too high on his orgasm to come up with a retort to that. to his surprise, you continue chasing your own pleasure, paying no mind to the fact that he’s rapidly softening. your hearts racing, body tingling with warmth as you reach the brink.

“wait,” his voice is watery. “s’too much.”

“don’t be selfish, dar. i’m not finished with you yet.” you’re breathless at this point, just barely expending the last of your mental energy to respond to his whines. “you can take it a little longer, can’t you?”

his head falls back, and you’re not sure if the noises come from his mouth are from pain or pleasure or both. he nods anyways, watery eyes flicking down to watch your supple tits bounce.

you squeeze onto his biceps. “you’re being so good. gonna make me cum so hard.”

daryl’s whining and squirming underneath you, fingertips piercing your thighs exposed by your shorts.

“you’re so pretty.” he sniffles, whispers in a way that seems subconscious. “how … how can i help?”

ironically that question, of all things, is what sends to the edge. your orgasm is wrung out of you, rippling through your body like a wave as you spasm on his lap. daryl’s noises rival your own in volume, the overstimulation becoming painful.

you both pant together as the last of the aftershocks fade.

“are you okay?”

“my dick is sore.” daryl says at the same time. his voice is raw, vulnerable.

“i’m sorry.” you giggle breathily, going to stand up. his hands hesitate in letting you go, but eventually he drops them to his sides again.

he scratches the back of his neck as you straighten all of your clothes out.

“where’d you learn to… talk like that?”

a smile makes its way back onto your face as you shrug. “you kinda just brought it out of me. seems like you liked it.” you pointedly glance at the large stain on the front of his pants.

“shit. gonna have to burn these in the walker pit. don’t want carol clutchin’ her pearls at me on laundry day.”

“nuh uh. save ‘em for next time.” you joke.

he squints at you again in true daryl fashion. his face is red and his hair is sticking to his forehead with sweat. the sight is almost enough to make you want round two right there and then. maybe with a little less clothes.

“ain’t gon’ be a next time.”

you snort, bending down to grab your forgotten flashlight. “right.”

he watches you unzip the tent, eyebrows pulled together pathetically. there’s definitely going to be a next time.

[traveler-at-heart]

Doctor's In - Chapter 18

Summary: You have fun at Carol's bridal shower.

Wanda Maximoff x F!R

A/N: This is short, but maybe next chapter will close out this "arch" of the story :)

Pietro is definitely enjoying his own space. Barnes has long shifts which means he has the apartment all for himself most of the times, and even when his roommate is around, he mostly keeps to himself.

Still, there are some stuff left at his sister’s house and he thinks nothing of it as he lets himself in, approaching what was once his room.

The sound of voices stops him dead in his tracks.

“To the left, yeah, there. That’s it” you say, out of breath.

“You sure? It feels kind of tight”

“Yeah, it’s supposed to, baby. Now harder. Exactly, just like that”

Pietro wants to throw up or erase his memory to forget he even heard you two. But before he can exit the house, you’re opening the door.

“Hey, man. You scared me. We didn’t hear you come in” you say, too casual for his liking.

“Yeah, I could tell”

“What do you mean by that?” Wanda comes out of the room, carrying some tools and a couple of wooden panels.

Well, that’s a relief.

“You fixing something?” he changes the subject, saving himself the trouble of explaining he thought you were busy having sex.

“Yeah, some stuff Wanda built and others she tried to repair. I’m done with the fence, gotta check the deck and then I’ll do the new shelves before I call it a day. I’m tired” you say, coming back with a glass of water for Wanda.

“The shelves are fine” she says and you snort. “Why are you laughing?”

Her sudden anger makes you pale and Pietro slowly walks to his former room to get his stuff and flee out of there. By the time he’s done you’re arguing.

“Babe, come on! Look at this. They’re lose, if you place anything there it will fall. Probably take a piece of the wall with it”

“They are perfectly fine” Wanda insists.

“Oh, so if I were to put this very valuable and fragile Tiffany lamp, it wouldn’t fall off? Is that what you’re saying?” you challenge her, grabbing the lamp and inching closer to the shelf. Wanda crosses her arms, glaring.

“If you break that lamp…”

“Well, it’s not gonna happen, because the shelves are fine. Right?” you say, finally placing it there. A second later the panel tilts and you catch the lamp before it reaches the floor. “Ha! Told you”

“You are such an ass! I’m going to take the kids with Clint and Laura and I hope that by the time I’m back you’re ready to apologize!”

“Right after you!” you say, grabbing the drill.

“I am…” Wanda begins to say, but you make noise with the drill to interrupt her. “I am not…” she huffs as you keep doing it. “I am NOT APOLOGIZING!”

“FINE” you shout over the noise.

Pietro regrets not recording this because it’s hilarious, but then Wanda turns her attention to him.

“Why are you still standing here? Don’t you have stuff to do? When are you getting a job?”

“Wow, slow down, mom” he tries to joke, but his sister tilts her head and he knows he’ll get cooked. “You’re right, I better go find a job. Bye”

Wanda leaves and you relax a little bit. She’s trying to help you repair the things inside the house and while you appreciate it, it’s a little overwhelming. You’re used to working alone, and you have to slow down as you explain some things to her.

Honestly, why would she even want to know how to do it? You’re always around to fix things. The timing of your fight sucks too, considering the twins are having a sleepover and Pietro’s on his own place now.

Looks like the only screaming you’ll have today will be from arguing. And to be fair, you could roll over on your back and apologize but you don’t feel like it. You were both too stubborn.

So, you keep working and by the time you’re done, you hop in the shower and then stay in bed, snoozing.

Wanda comes home to a quiet house and for a moment she thinks you might be out walking to clear your head. But then she goes upstairs and finds you fast asleep, wearing a tank top and briefs.

She regrets being so hot headed and ruining the night, but she also knows you well enough to guess you’ll be pouting unless Wanda takes extraordinary measures to make it up to you.

So, she goes to the bathroom and jumps in the shower. The sound of running water wakes you up and when Wanda’s done, she notices you’re finally up.

“Hey. Wanna order thai food?”

“Fine” you answer, grabbing your phone and paying attention to anything but her.

“Please don’t tell me you’re going to be moody, detka” she says, and you frown.

“I’m not the one who started it, Wanda. You were very dismissive, when I was just trying to help out”

“Well, I just felt like you were being condescending”

“Come on, you know I wasn’t. If you want my help at least don’t be mad when I do what you ask…”

The bathroom door opens and you turn as you talk, but your words get stuck as Wanda walks out, wearing a pink babydoll and nothing else.

“When I ask you…? You were saying” she says innocently, walking towards you.

“Yeah. When you ask me to do you. I mean to help you” you shake your head, eyes not leaving her figure.

“Mmm, you’re right” she admits, and you gasp as she climbs to your lap, holding on to your shoulders.

“I am?” you ask like an idiot.

“Yes, baby. You help me out so much, and I was a little bratty. I should be a good girl for you”

“Wanda” you sigh when she kisses the spot behind your ear, her hands going down to your arms.

“Yes?”

“I… forgot what I was going to say”

“Then stop talking” she says against your lips, kissing you a second later. You moan against her mouth, hands flying to cup her ass.

“Nu-uh. Sit back” she says, taking out a small piece of rope to tie you up.

“Babe, come on” you whine.

“I thought you liked to be tied up”

“I do but not now. I wanna touch you”

“Too bad. Hands over your head”

You scoff and whine but she’s not giving in, so with a final sigh, you do as she asks and lift your hands over your head. Wanda climbs over your lap to tie them to the headboard, her breasts right at eye level. She yelps when you sink your head in her cleavage, nibbling at the exposed skin.

“I said no touching”

“Not touching. Biting”

“Cheeky” she reprimands, but her expression softens a second later. “They’re not too tight?”

“I’m good” you shake your head, eager to see what she’ll do next.

Whatever it is, you know Wanda’s ready to tease you when she has that predatory smrik on her face.

She kneels in the bed, lowering her underwear until you can see her exposed cunt, a wet stain on the fabric. Wanda throws them your way, and your mouth waters when you see her sliding one finger inside, moaning.

“Are you tight?” you ask, breathing heavy when she moans, adding a second finger.

“And wet. I wish it was your cock, baby”

“Untie me, come on. I’ll fill you up real nice, Wanda” you push against the rope, but she just laughs, taking her fingers out and licking them clean, her tongue swirling slowly.

“What do you want to do to me?” she asks, straddling your leg so her center rubs off against it.

“So much. Spank you, mark you, fuck you until you can’t walk”

“Sounds good. But for now, this will have to do” she smiles, rubbing herself against your leg. You moan at the feeling of her arousal smearing against you, and struggle to break free so you can touch her. “You’re making me feel so good”

“Imagine if you’d untie me. I could…”

“Oh, shush” she rolls her eyes, picking up her underwear and stuffing it in your mouth. “You’re distracting me”

“Mmffp” you mumble against the fabric.

“Come on, be a good girl and let me use you, honey. Then you’ll get what you want” she promises, increasing the speed of her movements until she’s breathing heavily, her tits bouncing up and down with the strenght of her thrusts.

You can’t even get some friction between your legs, Wanda holding on to your hips to keep you in place. So, all you can do is admire the way Wanda mewls and moans as her orgasm approaches. After a second, she digs her nails in the inside of your thigh, making you squirm. The movement sends her over the edge, and Wanda comes with a strangled cry.

“So good for me” she says, leaning against your chest.

You push the underwear out of your mouth, eager to make her come again.

“Can I touch now?”

“In a minute” Wanda says after looking you up and down. “I think I want to ride your face first”

The night just got ten times better.

—

Maybe it’s because you got used to running around in Boston, but now that you’re back in Westview, the workload always seems managable. Even now with five people and a surgery, you’re dealing just fine with the stress.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you” Darcy says as you examine a kid, waiting for Kamala to come back with his X-rays.

“Did you try here? In the ER? Where I’m always working. Sorry, buddy” you add when the kid complains.

“You know I don’t come to enemy territory. Barnes…”

“First of all, he is not here today. Second, this feud is one-sided. I promise you he doesn’t have any issues with you” you say, greeting Kamala when she hands over the X-rays. “Fracture. We’re gonna have to put a cast on your ankle. Sorry, kiddo”

“That’s fine, I’ll get lots of ice cream and play videogames”

“Yeah, that’s the spirit. Kamala, can you get everything ready? We’re just waiting for his father to come back with the insurance info”

“Right away”

“Anyways, I was looking for you because I wanted to check if you made the reservation at the stri…”

You clear your throat, nodding towards the kid.

“At the movies” Darcy corrects herself in time. “And if you’re gonna have an issue with the missus”

“Why would I?” you cross your arms. Wanda knows about the plan.

“Well, she’s known to be the jealous type. And we’re all going to a place full of… candy” Darcy smirks, wiggling her eyebrows.

Kamala joins you, getting everything ready for the cast as the kid’s father has some questions.

“It’s going to be fine” you say, walking out of the ER, Darcy right behind you. “I think a lot has changed since we took a break. Plus I’m making it up to her with fancy dinner”

“Oh, are you finally proposing?” Darcy jokes but you hit your knee against a stretcher, groaning in pain. “What’s wrong?”

“Did you miss the part where I almost fell on my face?”

“No, I mean why did you get all freaked out when I mentioned the engagement. You have a ring, don’t you?”

“Yeah, but last time…” you sigh, looking away. You stop walking, leaning against the wall, and Darcy eyes you up and down. “I thought I had it all figured out, you know? Thought we were doing good and then everything blew up in my face. I don’t think I’m ready for that. And there’s the whole Sokovia thing… maybe I should tell her that part over dinner first”

“You haven’t told her? She’s gonna kick your ass if you don’t do it fast. It’s three months away”

“Yeah, yeah. Now, shush. She’s waiting by the front desk” you nod towards Wanda, who stopped by on her way back from school.

“Hey, detka. Hey, Darcy” Wanda greets, kissing your cheek. You pull her by the waist until she’s completely attached to your side. Wanda loves how needy and touch starved you are.

“We were just talking about Carol and Maria’s bachelorette party and how you don’t need to tell me to behave”

“Of course I don’t”

“Because you trust me”

“Because I’m coming with you” she says at the same time you speak.

“You… what?” you turn to look at her, confused, ignoring Darcy’s laughter.

“Carol invited me. We had fun that time at the club, didn’t we? I thought it might be good to leave the house, seeing as all we do lately is have sex…”

“That’s my cute to go” Darcy groans, walking away.

Wanda turns to look at her, laughing.

“If you don’t want me to go…”

“Wanda, I’d love for you to join us. It’s gonna be fun… but just to be clear, it’s not because you don’t trust me, right?”

“No, dear. I trust you” Wanda looks over your shoulder, as some of the nurses stare at you, clearly admiring your muscles. “I just don’t trust other women to keep it in their pants”

Before you know it, she’s pulling you in for a rough kiss. You gasp in surprise, but craddle her face in your hands a second later, smiling when she laughs against your lips.

“What are you doing? I need to get groceries” she says when you pull her to an empty on call room.

“Come on, it will only take five minutes”

“Five?” she says, unimpressed.

“Fine. How about fifteen?”

“That’s more like it”

—

There’s a certain excitement at getting ready for a party with your friends. You’re all so consumed by work that hanging out is a rarity.

Beyond that, Wanda joining you is ten times better, so by the time you’re ready and waiting for her at the living room, you’re buzzing with anticipation.

She finally goes downstairs, and you’re too busy admiring how good she looks in black pants, and a velvet corset top that pushes her breasts up.

“Stunning doesn’t begin to cover it” you say, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

“Thanks, detka. Come on, we should get going”

The plan is to get something to eat first and then go to the club. Easy, no complications.

“Drop her off at a decent hour” Ekaterina asks you as if you don’t live in the same house as Wanda.

“Yes, Miss Max… Mom” you say, rubbing the back of your neck.

Pietro is out with the twins and Ekaterina will stay with them until you come back, which of course won’t be too late as everyone has to work in the next 24 hours.

“You ok?” Wanda says as you drive to the bar, sitting quietly. You’re still thinking about what Darcy said, and you know you’re also avoiding the conversation with Wanda, fearing it will lead to an argument.

“Yeah. Just hoping everything goes well. By the way, would you maybe want to have dinner tomorrow? We could try that new place you found the other day”

“Of course, detka. Is that why you were so scared? You just wanted to ask me out?” she jokes, reaching to place her hand on the back of your head as you drive.

“Real funny” you comment, smiling at her.

By the time you walk in the pub, Darcy is all over your face.

“You’re late”

“It’s 8:06, pesky minion” you say, looking around the room. Carol and Maria are playing pool, while Kate and Kamala take some pictures.

“Yeah, we said 8 o’clock. We have a tight schedule, but don’t worry. I knew you’d both be late, probably being horny and…”

“Ok! Your point?” you interrupt her, Wanda laughing next to you.

“I took that into consideration, but here. Have a look” Darcy says, handing over her phone.

“Why is there a 15 minute break called bar fight?” you say.

“In case Wanda wants to smack the living lights out of anyone trying to make a move on you. I know you, Maximoff”

“I do appreciate the consideration” Wanda nods and you look at her, hoping it’s just a joke. You have to bring her back home in one piece or Ekaterina will probably kill you.

Once you promise Darcy you’ll stick to her annoying itinerary, you find a table and order some food. Wanda walks up to talk to Kate and Kamala, and Darcy sits next to you at the booth, nudging your side.

“What now?“

“Did you tell her already?”

“No, I didn’t want to ruin the mood. I’ll take her out to dinner tomorrow”

“Ok, when I get super drunk make sure I’m not around Wanda or I’ll tell her everything”

“Who can forget you’re infamous word vomit?” you sigh, remembering that time Darcy was so wasted she asked two girls you were seeing at the same time if they had siblings since “you don’t have a problem sharing”.

“Better that than actual vomit”

Everyone’s having a great time, joking and talking about life. Sometimes the conversation drifts back to work but you make sure Wanda has context on everything so she doesn’t get lost.

“So, Ass Man…”

“Doctor Charles” you turn to Wanda when Darcy’s telling a story.

“And Booty Call”

“His mistress” you say, sighing. Darcy and her complicated nicknames.

“Wait, hold on. Do I have a nickname?” Wanda asks, smiling. Everyone looks away and then she turns to you.

“Not that I’m aware of” you admit, though no one would tell you either way.

“You’re all cowards” Darcy says when the group refuses to answer. “Everyone calls you Maximilf”

You choke on your beer, Wanda laughing as you try to breathe.

“Do you think it’s fitting?” she says when everyone else focuses back on Darcy’s story.

“I mean, I definitely want to fuck you”

“Alright, you have three five minute breaks to flirt or combine them to do something nasty” Darcy says when she catches what’s happening. “And right now, it’s time to go to the club”

The brunette leads the group outside, where a minivan is parked.

“Designated driver” she hands the keys over and you accept them with a roll of your eyes.

“I could be the designated driver, Doctor Y/L/N. I hardly drink” Kamala offers and you smile.

“How about when we’re out of the club, kid?”

Everyone gets in, Wanda in the passenger seat with you. Kate is in charge of the music, and you have to hand it to her, it’s a really good playlist.

“Don’t go breaking my heart” you sing to Wanda.

“I couldn’t if I tried” Wanda answers, singing Kiki Dee’s part.

“Out! Out of this madhouse, please!” Darcy shrieks from the last seat.

Luckily for her, you’re at the strip club in less than ten minutes.

Carol and Maria are wearing their matching “Bride to Be” t-shirts, Kamala and Kate close behind.

“Right on schedule?” you ask Darcy, and she nods, extending her hand. You think she wants a high five and you do that but she glares.

“No, you idiot. Give me the keys. I don’t trust you to keep them safe”

“Fine. Let’s go, babe” you put your arm around Wanda, going inside.

The music is loud, but right now there’s only people talking and drinking. A hostess leads you to a booth that’s right in front of the stage and you sit, looking around.

“This is really nice” Maria comments.

“Everyone say thank you, Darcy, for finding this awesome place and making the booth reservation” you say, raising your shot glass as the waitress places the tray on the table.

“Thank you, Darcy!” everyone says, downing their shots. Kamala is the only one that doesn’t drink, but Darcy is quick to take the shot she left.

You have a couple of rounds of shots, talking and laughing. Kamala asked for a mocktail, but she’s laughing so loud that you have to approach her.

“Hey, K. What did you get?”

“Long Island iced tea, Ma’am” she mock salutes you. “They’re so good! Here’s another one”

The waitress is already handing over a new one and Kamala drinks half of the glass before you can stop her.

“Kamala, that has like three different types of alcohol”

“Nooooo way, really?” she practically shouts, looking around. She waves at one of the show girls, and points to her ears. “Oh my god, your earrings are so cute”

You sigh, walking to the bar to get her a soda and some water, since it’s very clear she can’t hold her alcohol.

“Hi, there” a woman greets you. She’s wearing a robe over her gold lingerie set that leaves very little to the imagination.

“Oh, hello. How do you do?” you say, smiling as you get the water and the soda, leaving a tip for the bartender.

“You here with someone?”

“Yeah, the bridal shower over there” you nod your head towards your group.

“Congratulations”

“Not mine, no. My friends” you clarify, and as you turn to look back at your group you see Kamala drinking another cocktail. “Excuse me, I have to make sure the one that looks like a kid doesn’t get wasted”

“Well, I’m next… hope you like my act” she bites her lip and you nod dumbly, blushing. You’re so worried about Kamala that you don’t notice the way Wanda follows the interaction.

“Come on, kiddo, drink this” you say, asking Kate to keep an eye out for her. When you return to your seat, Wanda climbs on your lap. Maria whistles and you blush, smiling weakly.

“Hey, baby. Did you have a couple of drinks too?” you smile, hands resting on her hips.

“What’s her name?”

“Huh?”

“That girl at the bar. She seemed really interested in you” Wanda says with a knowing smile, making you gulp.

“I didn’t catch her name. Didn’t ask, I mean”

Just as she’s about to argue, the lights dim, and there’s a focus on the stage as the woman walks to the pole, dropping her black robe.

“Please welcome Sadie!”

There’s a chorus of applause and whistles as the woman dances around, but Wanda stays on your lap, giving you enough room to look back to the stage if you want to.

So she’s testing you.

“Cat got your tongue?” she whispers against your lips. You shake your head no, hands going to her lower back and you really want to touch her ass but all your friends are here and you’ll never hear the end of it.

A couple of screams make you turn briefly to the stage, and you notice the woman -Sadie- has taken her top off, throwing it close to where you are.

“Are her tits pretty?”

“I didn’t…”

“Didn’t look?” she asks and you nod, sighing when she sneaks her hand under your shirt, raking her nails across your abdomen. “Goog girl”

“Wanda” you stop her hand when it travels to undo the button of your pants. “Not here”

“Why not? Is Sadie gonna get jealous?”

“Come on, bunny, you are not playing fair” you try to hold back a moan when she dips her hand in your pants, and you feel how close she is to your center. Wanda bites down your neck, soothing the sting with her tongue a second later.

“I guess you’re right” she whispers and you almost don’t catch her words, until she goes back to sitting next to you, the lights going back on as the woman leaves the stage.

“Hey, perv, button up your pants” Darcy screams and everyone turns to look at you.

“Wanda!” you complain while your girlfriend laughs.

There’s not a lot of teasing as the next act comes on stage. It’s a fabulous drag queen that calls herself Fanny Longbottom. She's holding a mic, approaching your group.

“I hear we have a couple of brides to be this evening. What are your names, darling?”

“I’m Carol and this is Maria”

“Love that. How long have you been together for?”

“Six years now”

Fanny gasps dramatically, looking at the rest of the audience.

“That’s like 20 in lesbian years! Congrats on finally tying the knot, you two. Any more couples on your little entourage”

You’re shaking your head no, hating when the attention is drawn to you, but Carol is quick to point your way.

“My, oh my” the woman saunters your way, noticing how flushed your face is. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“No, we were just…”

“Honey, we don’t need the deets” she says and everyone laughs. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Y/N and this is my girlfriend Wanda” you say, hoping this can be over soon.

“How long have you been together?”

“Well, I mean, ten months and then we broke up for a bit but now we’re back together” you ramble.

“She’s lovely. And great with my kids” Wanda steps in, sensing how nervous you are.

“Kids! Ten months and they already have kids” the woman screams. “You should take a page out of these two. Look at them practically married after a few months. But, let’s see who has the best moves, what do you say?”

“Wait, what?” you shout. Two chairs are placed on the stage, and you shake your head hoping this isn’t what you think it is.

Wanda drags you to the stage, smiling.

“How bad can it be?”

You wish she hadn’t asked that question, because it turns out this is a lap dance-off and you’re forced to sit as everyone cheers.

“Relax, darling, pretend it’s just the two of us” Wanda says and you’re midly turned on and very curious about why she’s not shy or self conscious.

The music begins and you see Wanda sink to her knees between your parted legs. As she stands up, her hands slide up your thighs and then she’s sitting on your lap, her breasts right in your face.

“Don’t be shy” Wanda says against your lips, taking you by the wrists and placing your hands on her ass. There’s more whistles and you’re vaguely aware that Wanda’s grinding her ass against your front, her hands over her head as she dances to the music.

“Alright” Fanny says, applauding as the music fades. “They put on quite a show”

You practically take a shot from the waitress that’s walking by, trying to calm your racing heart while everyone claps for Maria and Wanda.

“That was so awesome” Kate says, but you’re only aware of Wanda close behind you.

Stopping suddenly, you turn to look at her and she’s pleased at noticing your blown pupils and heaving chest.

“Bathroom or car. Choose”

“Car. I’ll just go to the bathroom first”

“Fine” you nod, turning to Darcy. “Give me the car keys”

“No, it’s a rental and you’re gonna destroy one of the seats or some weird shit”

“Lewis, keys. Now!”

“Keep it in your pants, god damn it!” she curses, running around the bar.

“Why are you so fast when your legs are so short?” you complain. You’re about to catch her when your attention shifts to Wanda, who is trying to walk past a man.

“How much do you charge for a dance?”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, come on, it didn’t look like it was your first”

“Darcy, change of plans! Bar fight” you walk towards your girlfriend.

Wanda relaxes when she sees you approaching, thinking you’ll tell the man to fuck off and get her out of there.

Instead, you grab him by the shoulders and when he turns around, your fist flies to his nose.

Darcy pulls out a whistle from heaven knows where.

“Bridal shower girlies, out the door, now, now! You too, Wanda”

Everyone’s sneaking out before the fight can escalate, but the man catches you off guard, hitting your face and splitting your lip.

“You never hit a woman, you coward!” Fanny says, throwing a chair his way. “Get him out of here”

Taking advantage of the commotion, you escape, practically jumping on the minivan. Darcy starts the engine even before you close the door, everyone shrieking and panicking as she swirves on the road, clearly too drunk to drive.

“We’re going to die!” Kamala cries in the backseat. “I don’t wanna die!”

“Lewis, pull over! I’m driving!” you say, hitting your head against the window when she takes a sharp turn.

“How do you stop this thing?” Darcy says, forgetting how to use the brakes.

It takes a couple of tries, but then she’s parking by the sidewalk, knocking a trash can.

You sigh, going out to take her place while she crawls over the passenger seat. Kamala asks you to wait a second and the minute she’s out, you hear her throw up.

“Well, at least it didn’t happen inside the car” Darcy smiles, giving you a thumbs up.

—

The cool air clears your head.

“Sorry” Wanda says, holding your chin as she cleans your bloody lip. “That was very hot, though”

“Mhm. Right back at you with that little dance. Should I set up a pole in your studio?”

“Stop” she laughs, inspecting her work. “Ok, you’re good”

You turn to look at the rest of the group. The girls are showing Carol the videos they took while Maria and Darcy get some ice cream.

You figured the pier was the safest spot to unwind and sober up before heading back home.

“Here ya go” Darcy hands you an ice cream cone.

“Thanks, pal. It was a great party”

“Better than senior year spring break?”

“Ha! Not that good, Lewis”

“What happened in that party?” Wanda asks.

“Nothing” Darcy and you say at the same time.

“God damn it, is Kamala going in the water?” Darcy says, standing up to go check on them.

You both laugh, shaking your heads at the way the night ended.

“For our wedding maybe we should skip this whole bachelorette party thing” you say without thinking.

“If… that’s what you want” Wanda says, speechless at how casual you’re being.

To be fair, you just took painkillers even if you had a couple of drinks. That and the little fight have left you a bit distracted. You honestly don’t even notice you’re talking about a potential wedding.

Then, Kamala and Kate are both in the water, swearing they saw a mermaid and a coast guard is approaching, telling them it is forbidden to swim.

“Ah, jeez. Everyone, get in the car, now!”

For the second time that evening, you have to flee to avoid the consequences of your stupid actions, but everyone’s laughing as you start the minivan.

It’s not so bad after all.

—

The evening’s going great. Your lip isn’t hurting that much, Wanda seems to be enjoying her food and she also looks absolutely stunning.

Yet, you can’t help but feel nervous about what you have to tell her.

Wanda mistakes your anxiety with nerves, and for a bigger part of the night she expects you to get down in one knee and ask her to marry you.

But she knows that’s such a generic way to do it and you would absolutely do something different and unique.

“Are you feeling ok? Still a little hungover from yesterday?” she asks when you’re walking down the pier, her hand holding on to your arm as you look out the bay.

“No, it’s not that” you reassure her, stopping and turning to look at her. “I have to tell you something”

Wanda’s heart beats faster. Your demeanor isn’t making her feel very confident right now, as you avoid her eyes.

“Hey, look at me” Wanda reaches forward,squeezing your hand. “It’s ok”

“Right. Remember Val? From Boston”

“I’m not… maybe. Why? What’s the matter?”

Wanda’s mind is racing with a million possibilities. Were you and Val involved? Did you feel guilty for keeping it from Wanda?

“Well, she works for Doctors without borders. And though that requires leaving for a very long period of time, she was able to connect me with an NGO that is looking for doctors that want to work in several countries. One of them being Sokovia”

“Ok? So are you going?” Wanda tries to understand what you’re saying.

“I want to… I want us to go together” you reach for her waist, pulling her closer and leaning your forehead against hers. “They liked my experience so I can go only for the summer. I’d help one of their hospitals to develop an ER protocol, make things better”

“And the kids?”

“Like I said, I choose when to go. It could be during summer break. We’ll go together. I really want to know where you came from, your home… but I get it if you don’t want to go back”

“I just… I never thought you’d want to go” she says, trying to wrap her head around what you just said.

“Of course I do. Plus you told me about that book you want to write, it could be a good time to do research. Right?”

“Right” Wanda smiles, relieved that this is what you wanted to talk about. She can’t help but laugh when she realises you also didn’t propose.

“You ok? Was this too much?”

“No, it’s not that. I was just… worried it might be something bad. But it’s not, detka. You just took me by surprise and I want to think about this. It’s not easy going back after everything that happened”

“Of course, I know. I’m sorry”

“Don’t be” she leans to kiss you softly. “Now, let’s go home before mom gets mad at us”

“Yeah, we had enough with yesterday’s scolding. She’s so scary” you shudder, making Wanda laugh.

Ekaterina didn’t have a lot of nice things to say when you sneaked back into the house after the bachelorette party, giggling like a couple of teenagers.

She was also very much not impressed by your split lip and bruised knuckles.

When you go back home, the kids are already asleep but Ekaterina is still in the dining room table, playing a game on her phone.

“No trouble this time?” she says, looking at you sternly.

“No, Ma’am. We had dinner and a nice walk, didn’t we, love?” you say, turning to Wanda for backup. She nods, and you kiss her temple. “I’m going upstairs, gotta get ready for work tomorrow”

“Good night” Ekaterina says, Wanda promising to be right there.

“Want me to walk you out?” she asks her mother, and Ekaterina stays silent for a moment longer, looking at her daughter.

“You seem disappointed” she says instead of answering the question.

“Mama. I’m tired” Wanda sighs, walking to the kitchen to make some tea.

“Let me. And tell me what’s wrong” her mother takes over as she usually does.

Wanda sits at the kitchen counter, trying to gather her thoughts.

“A small part of me thought she was proposing tonight. And then we got to talking and it’s a whole different thing”

“Children?” Ekaterina asks and Wanda shakes her head no. “Then?”

“She wants to go to Sokovia for the summer. There’s a hospital looking for help and... well, she seems really excited fot all of us to go, like it’s a vacation”

“That’s nice of her. Wanting to help, I mean. Truthfully, I’ve been to the hospital in the city and it could use some work”

“Why have you been there? Are you sick?” Wanda snaps, suddenly scared that her mother is keeping something from her.

“No, malyshka. Relax. Now tell me. You don’t want to go?”

“I’m scared that the happy memories I have are just my mind romanticizing the past. Like I just remember things being good because it’s been so long and it’s easier to forget the bad stuff”

“I see. Well, I was there. I saw you grow up, laugh in the snow, learn how to ride a bike down the hills of our street… I promise you, all the happiness you felt will be there. It’s your home, Wanda. Sometimes embracing the past can heal us”

“So, you think I should go?” Wanda says, sipping from her cup of tea.

“I think you shouldn’t let fear decide what you want. Now, as for the other thing. The proposal” she clarifies when Wanda tilts her head, confused. “Does she have to be the one that proposes?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why don’t you do it? Seeing as you can’t wait to be engaged”

“No, I… if she hasn’t asked it means she’s not ready. I don’t want to pressure her”

“Or, she could be scared because last time she was ready and then you two broke up. Think about it”

Wanda stays silent for a moment. It was her who ended things between you, the one who refused to talk it out. Of course you’d want to be sure, or at the very least take some time before the next step.

It was always you who took a leap of faith. Maybe it was time Wanda did the same.

“I don’t even have a ring”

Ekaterina smiles, holding her daughter’s hands between her own.

“You know… your father and I always said that whoever found the right person first would get my engagament ring. And it seems like you beat your brother to it”

“You love that ring”

“I love that your father gave it to me. And that it’s part of our story. It will be part of yours now too”

Ekaterina takes Wanda’s palm and places the ring there.

“Love like that is hard to find”

"Thank you, Mama" Wanda says against her temple, hugging her mother.

"Don't take too long. I want more grandchildren"

[dc418writes]

•Lemons & Limes•

✨Pairing✨: Terrence Richmondxblack!reader

Summary🪄: Safe to say, maybe you shouldn’t be left alone…and you should probably listen to your husband

🚨: mention of a deceased relative, pretty much all fluff💕

A/N🎤: hi☺️! So this is my submission for Terry’s Birthday Bash created by @megamindsecretlair ! I think it’s such a great and sweet idea that’ll definitely add some much needed fun to the community🌸! Feel free to participate if you’d like, and don’t forget to support the other submissions!

*DISCLAIMER!: I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP of pictures used as they were all found via Pinterest*

You just had to mess with that electrical panel.

All you had to do was wait until Terry came home so he could try to figure out what happened, - like he told you to do - but no. That overly confident, hyper-independent part of you was so convinced you could fix it after recalling an episode of some home renovation show that you half watched as you occasionally dozed off.

“Seems easy enough, I just flip the switch off and on, and things should work again,” you said to yourself as you opened the mounted panel. Sure enough, all the lights in the house switched off after pushing the large black switch to the left. When you pushed it to the right though, you were still surrounded by darkness. You tried again, and again, yet still nothing prompting your subdued panic to boil over.

Now here you sat in your husband’s Ford truck, nervously twirling your thumbs around themselves as you waited for him to get you both checked in at a nearby hotel. And of all days, on his birthday.

The chill of the night air briefly touching your skin has goosebumps raising along your arms as Terry slides into the drivers seat with a sigh.

“Everything okay?”

“They’re booked,” he answers pulling the seatbelt across his body until it locks with a click. “And so is every other hotel in town.” Gotta love college basketball playoff season.

“Oh…well one night without lights-,”

“We don’t know how long it’s gonna take to fix,” he counters carefully pulling out onto the busy road. “Might even have to re-wire everything, which could mean more than a night without lights.”

Well if you didn’t feel terrible before..

“It’s a motel about 30 minutes out. We can stay there tonight and figure out the rest tomorrow.”

“Okay,” you shyly mumble beginning to nervously twirl your thumbs again. Just as to the hotel, Terry doesn’t say a word during the ride to your next destination and you don’t either. The only sound coming from the truck’s rumble and the radio station playing a mix of old and new R&B.

You’re sure he’s just quiet because he’s trying to think of what to do next; how to handle your house’s faulty wiring and its impending cost. His silence only makes your guilt more suffocating though, convinced that it might be you and your hardheaded tendencies that’s finally snapped his last nerve.

“What do you wanna eat?,” he finally asks turning down the busy strip filled with bright, neon signs for clubs, bars, and restaurants. Admittedly most weren’t outwardly pleasing, but you could still find a good meal and an equally good time.

You shrug. “M’not really hungry.”

“…what all did you eat today?,” he asks taking turns looking at you and the cars ahead.

“Um…breakfast with you earlier…and some crackers...”

After turning into the drive thru for Wingz & Thingz, you can feel Terry’s sea-green eyes practically attached to the side of your face. That famous side eye already saying, “Girl please, we both know you starving so why you playin games?,” before he could.

“What?,” you ask daring to meet his eyes pretending like you didn’t know that he knew something was up. He simply kisses his teeth before answering the employee through the staticky speaker.

“Can I get a 10 piece hot honey, extra wet, with fries, and a 15 piece lemon pepper please?”

“I said-,”

“I heard you,” he retorts with a hint of a smirk to his full lips that has you bashfully biting at the corner of yours.

“Thank you.”

“Mhmm.”

-

The rusted, metal door of your room opens with a heavy thud as it knocks against the adjoining wall making it rattle. Ever the protector, Terry has you stand outside - but still close by - while he checks to make sure nothing is off. Both of your respective duffles slung over his broad shoulders as if they weighed nothing.

“It’s good,” he calls signaling it’s okay for you to enter. However once you cross the doorway, you can’t fully say you agree on ‘good’. The multicolored, geometric comforter was something straight out of the 70s, which matched the orangish-red carpet and overall aesthetic of the outdated room. Gingerly sitting in the light brown, swivel chair next to the window, you feel that pang of guilt again taking in your slightly depressing surroundings, and how all of this is ultimately your fault.

“I know it’s not the best, but-,”

“Are you mad at me?,” you finally ask just wanting everything out in the open rather than your mind constantly go back and forth.

“Why would I be mad?,” he asks with a quirked brow as he sets your bags to the side.

“Because I didn’t listen and messed up everything. Because we’re here in this room with questionable stains on the carpet, and I’m sure equally strange ones on the sheets, on your birthday when we should home and you stretched out in your favorite chair.” You could hear the brown leather crackle and pop now as he shifted to get more comfortable before eventually reaching out for you as you passed to join him. Hell, it was your favorite chair too.

“First off, I haven’t been excited about my birthday since I was…what..16? So I wasn’t expecting anything huge,” he replies stepping closer and closer until he can squat in front of you placing his large hands on your knees. “And I’m not mad at you. That’s what’s been bothering you?”

“Well, you barely talked in the car which is different than how you were this morning. Clearly it’s something and I figured it was me being hardheaded.”

“Respectfully baby, I knew you were hardheaded before we got married and know it’s not gonna change no time soon. I made my bed, I know how to lie in it.” Your feigned shock and playful smack to Terry’s shoulder has all his 32 showing in that adorable laugh of his.

“Hey, at least I admit it!” Unlike your own mother who swore she didn’t know where you got it from.

“You right.” Terry’s laughs settle into a low sigh as he lets his thumbs run along the insides of your knees. “Really though, I’m more frustrated and annoyed than mad. Again, not at you. My damn half-brained cousin should’ve been come to look at the wires, but it was always something. Guess I’m no better though still calling when I know he’s not gonna show.

“So if anything, all this is my fault. I know you were just trying to help.”

“It’s not your fault either,” you try to soothe resting your hands on either side of his neck. Your manicured nails lightly scratching his nape has a low hum of appreciation rumbling his chest. “Really, it’s whoever stayed there last because they knew and didn’t say nothing. I hope they always stump their pinky toe.”

“Damn, so violent.” You simply shrug making your husband deeply chuckle with a shake of his head. “Alright food first or shower?”

“Food! I’m starving and honestly scared of that bathroom...”

“Oh now you starvin?,” Terry smirks gently pulling you out of the chair. “Could’ve sworn-,”

“Yes I know, I know it’s in the past now,” you playfully roll your eyes shooing him towards your waiting containers. “Food please?”

With his back turned, you hope he doesn’t notice you sneakily digging into your bag to retrieve his gift wrapped neatly in shiny, silver paper. You should’ve known better though seeing that your husband was an ex marine trained to be hyperaware of his environment.

“I know that’s not what I think it is,” Terry announces as soon as you stand up again. His thick arms crossed in front of his chest when he turns around. “You didn’t have-,”

“I heard you,” you smirk stepping closer with his gift in hand. “It’s still your birthday though, and if you think I’m not getting you anything at all, you clearly don’t know me.”

You don’t miss the small smile that curls his lips when he takes the rectangular box making you giddily smile yourself. Once he’s ripped through the paper, his chest tightens at the familiar, gold, Casio watch waiting in its clear case. The underside purposely facing upward so Terry could see the inscription of his initials and a set of coordinates.

“It’s where your uncle was stationed. I talked with your grandma and she helped me find it.”

Terry adored his uncle Louie, practically idolizing him since he was a child. Wherever Louie went, little Terry wanted to go eagerly standing by his room door with shoes on the wrong foot waiting for him to walk out. Some of Terry’s best memories were riding around in the passenger seat of his black on black mustang - much to his grandmother’s displeasure - with the windows down as they sped down the highway going any and everywhere. Louie was ultimately the reason he signed up for the military, still wanting to be like his infamous uncle even in his young adult years.

Terry still had a hard time forgiving himself for missing the funeral. Was honestly still pissed at his higher ups for not approving his request.

“He’d understand baby. He knows how them people can be,” his grandmother tried to comfort over the phone. “He knows how much you love him.”

“She wasn’t quite sure if it was the same one-,”

“It’s perfect.” As many times as he got in trouble for putting it on, he’d be able to pick it out from any lineup. “Thank you.”

Free hand on your hip, he pulls your body closer so his lips can meet yours immediately taking the day’s earlier stresses away.

“Happy Birthday. It’s not exactly how I envisioned giving it to you, but-,”

“I don’t care about presentation and all that. I’m breathing. I’m with you. I promise that’s all I need baby.”

+ so I feel like this didn’t come out the way I wanted, but then again maybe it’s just me 🤷🏽‍♀️ lol. Either way I hope you enjoyed🌸 and Happy Birthday to my imaginary husband and baby fahtha Mr. Terry Richmond🥰✨!!

[starkeymeow]

❛ we make each other alive . .

does it matter if it hurts? ❜

I’M COMING, WAIT FOR ME.

PLOT you enter the hunger games a proud weapon of your district, only to find your sharpest blade is the boy beside you, and you’re not sure which one of you the capitol wants to break first.

CONTENT chapter four, best read in dark mode, rafe cameron x reader au, me vs needing an excuse to only have 5 careers so lowkey we’re killing off district 1s girl easily LOL, the private scores here too!!

main masterlist | tag list | previous next

the lunchroom isn’t far. you’re escorted by peacekeepers who don’t say a word and stand stiff like marble. the cafeteria itself is tucked behind a set of mechanical double doors that hiss open like something from a vault.

it’s still a cafeteria in a gym at the end of the day, with long rectangular tables, stark white floors, panel lighting humming overhead, but it’s the capitol. so of course, it tries to make it grand.

the ceilings stretch high, like unnecessarily high, with screens embedded above like skylights, showing false blue skies with fluffy, looping clouds. it's almost enough to forget you’re underground right now.

the tables are stainless steel, seamless and gleaming under the light. they reflect every movement, every expression, polished so well you could probably see your own face if you looked down hard enough.

instead of trays, there are black plates with rims that change color based on temperature. warm food glows faintly orange, cold dishes shimmer with blue edges.

you grab your plate and sit without much thought at the end of some table, away from the clamor starting to rise from the others. most tributes are scattered across the room, some alone, some already gravitating toward familiar district numbers. a few of the career tributes are doing what you expected, hovering near each other, sizing one another up over bites of imported fruit and spiced poultry.

rafe’s not far behind. you know his footsteps by now. they’re steady, deliberate, a little too confident for someone your age, but that’s district two for you. he slides onto the bench next to you without asking, like it’s just routine now.

“don’t think i’ll ever get used to eating something that looks like a painting,” he mutters, stabbing a weirdly shiny vegetable that probably doesn’t even have a name in your district. he tosses it into his mouth like it’s nothing, chews. “tastes like mint and . . . lemon? or soap. can’t tell.”

you snort quietly, then glance up and around.

this is usually the time where it happens. lunch is the unsaid checkpoint, the truce zone. the mentors tell you this is where alliances form, especially if you’re one of the stronger tributes.

the careers always start here, polite conversation, subtle testing, maybe someone cracks a joke about spears or volunteers information about their skills just loud enough to be overheard. it’s social combat in its own way.

so you eat quietly, slowly, eyes tracking the room. forks scrape glass plates, someone laughs too loud a few tables over, but when district four starts walking toward your table, the rest of the noise fades. instinct kicks in, and you sit up straighter.

they don’t hesitate, but they don’t exactly strut. it’s controlled, guarded. like they know how it looks, approaching a table with two tributes from district two.

you pause mid-chew, watching them close in. rafe doesn’t pause at all. he just keeps eating, jaw slower now, his eyes already fixed on the pair like they’re prey getting too close.

the blond boy eyes you the whole way there, barely even glances at rafe. he stops at the table and reaches out his hand across to you.

“jj. four.”

you raise a brow at the gesture, then take his hand without a word. his grip is solid. “y/n. two.”

jj offers his hand to rafe next, but it’s brief. rafe barely lifts his arm to meet it, still chewing like he’s got all the time in the world and none of it’s for them.

jj looks younger than you. maybe two years under rafe, a year under you. messy blond hair, sea glass eyes, and a smile that looks too good on someone about to kill or be killed. he’s pretty, you think, in a dangerous, doomed kind of way. are all district four residents like this?

the girl beside him hangs back a little, arms crossed, a tray balanced in one hand. olive-toned skin, a sharp jaw, long curls tumbling down her back. she’s quieter, but not shy. and definitely not a fan of rafe’s stare.

she shifts her gaze to you. maybe it’s a girl thing, or maybe she just knows not to push the guy who looks like he bites for fun.

“i’m kie,” she says, eyes flicking between you and rafe.

you shake her hand without hesitation, just a nod of acknowledgment, but rafe? he’s chewing slower now. glancing her over like he’s trying to place her.

“kie?” he repeats around a mouthful, dragging out the vowel. “what, like . . . key? that’s it?”

she stares at him, unimpressed. “short for kiara.”

“mm.” he licks sauce off his thumb, shrugs. “weird name for a lock.”

you nearly snort into your drink, but keep it down. kie doesn’t laugh, but the corner of her mouth twitches, barely.

jj drops into the seat across from you, like the tension didn’t exist. kie follows. and suddenly, your table isn’t just yours and rafe’s anymore.

jj leans forward slightly, elbows to the table, voice low and steady. “look, we saw you two training earlier. solid stuff.”

kie takes over before he can finish the pitch. “you’re strong, fast . . . if you’re not locked in yet, we could be the four careers this year. four and two. maybe one, if they’re not completely useless.”

you glance at rafe. he’s already looking at you. no words needed, just the shared instinct that something important’s shifting.

this lunch might’ve just turned into a deal.

“so?” you ask, leaning in a bit. “if we’re actually talking alliances, what do you two bring to the table?”

jj sits back a little, proud. “harpoon,” he says. “or a trident, depends on what they’ll give us in the arena. give me a long-range polearm and a water source, and i’m a nightmare. solid swimmer. decent at upper body stuff. i’ve been spearfishing since i was seven.”

“jj’s fast,” kie adds. “uses distance. he can hit hard from far away. but he’s not close-combat unless it’s a clean strike.”

“which is where i come in,” she continues, nodding once. “net traps, snares. blunt weapon work, like clubs, batons, anything i can use to slow someone down. i’ve got the muscle and the timing.”

you can tell by looking at her arms, somewhat strong but efficient. she’s built to wear someone down, not rush in, not go for the kill immediately. she’s someone who survives the middle of the fight and takes the win when everyone else is too tired to swing.

“brains?” rafe mutters, nodding toward them. “or just brawn and water?”

“basic field medicine,” kie says. “no one has to carry me. i keep track of injuries, plan ahead. i know how to ration and map terrain. we’ve trained for this our whole lives. just like you.”

rafe chews again, then shrugs. “i’m good with a mace, brute force, distractions.”

“and i’ve got daggers,” you add. “throwing, close range, accuracy, speed.”

kie looks at you like she’s already picturing what that would look like in the arena. you catch that same brief flicker of recognition in her eyes you saw earlier. like not fear, but respect.

“you know, people are gonna talk,” kie murmurs as she digs into her meal without actually taking a bite, like she refuses to. you’ve noticed that since she sat down. “especially one. haven’t seen them yet, but if they’re smart, they’ve been watching us.”

jj doesn’t lift his head, just casually tips it toward his plate like he’s still focused on the food. but then, under his breath, just loud enough for the three of you to hear, “ten o’clock.”

you glance up instinctively. rafe follows, and kie shifts just slightly in her seat to peek over.

there, a few tables away, a pair of tributes sit mostly isolated. the boy has that cold, perfectly kept look. his blond hair is slicked back, not a strand out of place, cheekbones carved sharp, and a jaw that’s trying way too hard to clench. he's all posture and ego, like the world should be impressed that he’s breathing.

the girl beside him is quieter, darker hair in a braid over one shoulder, expression unreadable. she’s picking at her food slowly, keeping her head down, scanning the room with her eyes while her body barely moves. she’s controlled, maybe calculating, or maybe just scared. hard to tell from a glance.

your gaze doesn’t linger. you’re already looking back at jj by the time rafe turns his head again.

but there’s something different behind your eyes now. jj’s already chewing on another bite of food like he didn’t just clock a pair of potential rivals in under a second. your head tilts slightly. interest, not in who he pointed out, but in how he did it. a flicker of thought, maybe he’s more perceptive than he lets on.

you don’t say anything, just log it away. it’s a mental note. and you just keep eating. whatever comes next, you’re clearly surrounded by people who know how to play the game.

after you’d all taken turns watching each other throw, swing, and hit their marks, the group naturally split off, exploring the next thing that made sense. jj had been pulled aside by rafe, both of them disappearing toward the strength-based stations.

you, on the other hand, follow kie.

she doesn’t say much when she leads you to one of the smaller side rooms tucked behind the main center. it’s quieter here. dimmer too. the light overhead is fake, filtered through panels meant to look like leaves and branches, like the sunlight’s breaking through trees. there’s even ambient sounds playing. like wind, maybe a bird or two if you listen hard enough.

“don’t let the ambiance fool you,” kie says, “still smells like sweat and metal in here.”

you smile faintly, eyes scanning the setup. the floor’s a soft terrain padding, like fake dirt. the walls curve slightly inward to give the illusion of depth. in the middle of the space, there’s a table with coiled wire, string, carved sticks, little knives, some starter fire kits. it looks like a prepper’s playground.

“this where you’ve been spending most your time today?” you ask, already curious.

“when i’m not swinging that thing,” she nods toward the club she left on its rack just moments ago, “yeah. i’m not the strongest, not like you or rafe. but i can think. and when i can’t beat someone head-on, i want them bleeding out from a snare before they ever hear me coming.”

she starts working while she talks, pulling a bit of twine and thin metal wiring from the table, setting up a base between two low logs. you crouch beside her, watching.

“here,” she mutters, handing you a stick with a jagged edge, “you split this and wedge it under the trip-line. if they trigger it right, it should whip the barbed end straight into their leg.”

“cute,” you murmur, and she huffs out a small laugh.

“you get bonus points if you can rig it to drag them somewhere. downside is, it only works once. after that, it’s a warning.”

you nod slowly, fingers brushing the cold metal of one of the fake traps. “a warning that someone smarter was here first.”

kie smirks at that, not bothering to hide it. you both reset the trap together, quietly moving through the motions. there’s something comfortable about it. not soft, but not cold, either.

she’s different from the girls back home. maybe not sharper, maybe not tougher. but careful, and prepared. there’s something to respect in that.

and whether she knows it or not, she’s just earned a little more of yours

“you two settin’ traps or plannin’ a picnic?”

rafe’s voice eventually cuts in from the edge of the room, and kie doesn’t even look up, already muttering, “get in line, i already made the picnic joke.”

you glance over your shoulder, meeting rafe’s lazy grin as he walks further in, hands in his pockets like he owns the place. eventually, he crouches next to you, his gaze dropping to the snare between your hands.

“not bad, right?” you ask, nudging it with your knuckle so he can see how it resets.

he watches the way the twine pulls tight, follows the loop with his eyes, then his jaw shifts. he runs his hand along it, the faintest smile pulling at his mouth. it’s not big. not obvious. but it’s there, and you see it. that’s enough.

“want kie to show you how to set one?” you ask, tilting your head at him.

rafe shakes his head slowly, standing back up. “nah. me and jj are messing with something else right now.”

kie quirks a brow. “what? more axes and testosterone?”

“nah,” he shrugs. “something like a balance rig. coordination and accuracy. it’s like, there’s this rolling log thing and you gotta stay on it while throwing. or maybe not fall.”

you can already picture it. jj probably turned it into a game before the instructor even finished the sentence.

“he’s out there now?” you ask, pulling the wire loose and starting to undo the snare.

rafe nods toward the door. “talking to the district one guy. his name’s topper. not bad. like . . . put-together? but not fake like the others.”

kie glances up. “what about his partner?”

rafe’s lip twitches again. “not around. hasn’t talked to anyone from what i can tell.”

your eyes drift past him, out toward the main gym. through the open doorway, jj’s silhouette is easy to spot, animated hands moving as he talks to the other blond, the one you remember from lunch. so his name is topper.

he stands with that same calm confidence, posture loose, like nothing rattles him. there’s a practiced coolness in the way he nods, one hand lazily gripping a practice knife like he doesn’t even need it to prove anything.

you don’t bother looking for the girl. she’s not there. hasn’t been.

“maybe she’s watching,” kie says under her breath, brushing off her hands. “seeing what we’re all about before making her move.”

rafe hums, “scared.”

you stand, brushing dirt from your knees. kie follows, scooping up her club and giving the room one last glance. then the three of you walk out together, steps slow but steady, heading toward jj and topper.

topper’s taller up close, broad-shouldered, hands tucked into the waistband of his black training pants like he’s just waiting to be impressed, or already thinks he is. jj stands beside him, casual and grinning, like this isn’t weird at all.

he catches your stare and tilts his head toward topper. “alright, this is topper, district one. don’t let the luxury label fool you, he’s actually useful.” he smirks. “kind of upsetting, honestly.”

topper barely reacts. there’s a flicker of something like amusement in his eyes, but he doesn’t smile. not fully. “i’ve been training with throwing axes since i was nine,” he says instead, tone matter-of-fact, but not cocky. “they’re what i’m best at. accuracy’s kind of my thing.”

you blink. okay. but accuracy is kind of everybody’s thing at this point, isn’t it? he doesn’t elaborate much, but he doesn’t need to.

jj shrugs. “saw him hit a moving dummy in the throat from fifteen feet out.” then glances at you. “second time, but still.”

“first was to the shoulder,” topper says, dry. “not exactly a failure.”

you look at kie, who’s silent beside you, jaw slack in thought. she nods once, subtle. no objections yet. but she studies topper a little longer, skeptical as always, but thoughtful. she’s already calculating what this means. four people. maybe five if topper’s not lying or secretly planning to slit someone’s throat in their sleep.

“so you’re good with axes,” you say finally, watching topper’s face, the way he doesn’t flinch from your attention. “what else? what about your district partner?” you ask it offhandedly, not expecting the air to shift like it does.

and topper goes quiet. not like he’s embarrassed, more like he doesn’t know what the answer even is. he glances past you for a beat, eyes scanning the gym like maybe she’s watching from somewhere, before he looks back.

“don’t really know her,” he says finally. “she volunteered, but . . . she’s off.”

“off how?” rafe asks, more direct.

topper shakes his head once, like he doesn’t even want to say it out loud. “she won’t talk to me. not unless it’s about training or where we’re supposed to be. five words max, no matter what i say. and she always looks like she’s somewhere else. like she’s hearing something i’m not.”

that makes your brows furrow.

“you think she’s dangerous?” kie asks.

“i just don’t think she’s a team player,” topper answers, and there’s something final about it. like he’s already accepted she won’t be an asset, not in the way you need her to be. “i’m not even sure she wants to win.”

you exchange a glance with rafe. it’s a small red flag, but not one that sinks the ship. it’s not like career packs haven’t had weak links before. sometimes the smart move is knowing who to leave behind.

you nod slowly. “alright. just you then.”

topper meets your gaze, the same unreadable calm back in place. “just me,” he confirms.

you look at jj and kie. they’re watching too. and after a second, you give the tiniest nod.

“good luck,” you say. not warm, but not cold either. just real. because at the end of the day, nothing about this alliance is about trust. it’s about survival.

the next two days bleed together. you wake up, eat, train, sleep, and repeat.

honestly it’s not unfamiliar. if anything, it reminds you of academy routines back in district two. except now it’s not just drills and tests and hypothetical scenarios. now it’s the real thing.

you sharpen your edge because you have to. you spend time where you know you’re strongest, like daggers, close combat, spatial awareness, but you also learn.

kie’s still on you about snares, and you’re starting to appreciate the way her mind works. she’s practical, quiet, focused. she’s got a no-nonsense approach to survival that you admire, and even though she takes it all more seriously than jj, there’s something steadying about her.

now jj, on the other hand, has been goofing off. it’s not like he makes a show of twirling his harpoon like it’s a baton but he’ll still whisper stupid jokes when you walk by. but when he actually trains, he doesn’t miss. not once. it’s annoying in a way that almost makes you smile. he’s good and he knows it.

topper’s been around too. surprisingly. he gravitates toward rafe, though it feels less like friendship and more like orbiting. like he knows where the center of gravity is and he’s smart enough not to fight it.

and rafe? he’s good. like really fucking good.

not in a flashy way, not in the way the capitol kids try to be. but he doesn’t waste energy, doesn’t show off, doesn’t need to. people watch him when he moves. trainers glance over their shoulders when he walks past. the other tributes clear out when he picks up his mace.

enobaria even made a comment that morning about appointing him leader of the careers, if there was going to be one. brutus hadn’t disagreed. and rafe hadn’t said much either, just gave you a look like, you good with that?

you hadn’t answered, but you didn’t need to.

you don’t necessarily like the idea of having a leader. you’ve always been more with people than under them. but the truth is, the five of you need direction. and if someone has to lead, you’d rather it be him. because it’s not going to be you. too much pressure. too many eyes. too much risk of getting blamed if everything falls apart.

the third day ends like all the others, but this time, you don’t go back to the apartment. instead, peacekeepers escort you and the others to a separate room. it’s sleek and quiet, the kind of quiet that feels staged.

the private scoring sessions.

you sit down along with the rest of the tributes. no one’s talking. no one dares to. it’s like the air’s been sucked out of the room, and all that’s left is anticipation and the ticking sound of your own thoughts.

you remember what brutus and enobaria said earlier that morning, about putting on a show.

‘give them your best and only your best,’ brutus had grunted, like he was coaching you through a brawl.

‘they want to be impressed,’ enobaria had added with that crooked smile, eyes glittering. ‘so impress them. scare them, even. sponsors love that.’

a high score means better odds. better odds mean more sponsors. and more sponsors mean a better chance of staying alive.

your hands rest in your lap. you keep your face blank. you don’t fidget, don’t let your eyes dart. the gamemakers will see enough later.

“district two—y/n y/l/n.”

your name eventually rings out like the start of a countdown. you lift your head, no eye contact, though. not with the others. a few tributes look your way, the ones seated nearby, but it’s fleeting. those farther down the line barely move. they’re locked in their own minds, running through their own plans. you can’t blame them.

you glance once, briefly, to rafe.

his eyes are already on you, steady, unreadable to anyone else, but you know him a bit more now. just well enough. he leans in just slightly, his voice so low it barely makes it across the space between you.

“give ’em hell.”

your lips twitch, barely a smile, as you rise from your seat. you hold his gaze a second longer, nod once, and hope he understands that you mean it back. same to you.

then you’re standing, shoulders back, steps even. you walk toward the large metal panels that line the far wall, and when you reach them, they open in silence. then it’s the gymnasium, the training arena stripped of its crowd, its noise, its weight. quiet. too quiet. the doors close behind you as you enter.

everything’s been reset. the training stations are gone, replaced by one of each weapon rack along one wall. a wide spread of options. traps, blades, axes, a few bows. and in front of you are targets. dummies are scattered at different distances, some hidden behind barriers, some suspended higher than others. it’s meant to test precision, adaptability, instinct.

the gamemakers watch it all from above, seated in a long room that overlooks the floor like a stage. they sit behind a tall, open wall, not even of glass. some lean forward. some don’t bother.

you don’t waste time.

you approach the rack that holds your weapon, the daggers. your hands settle over the hilts with ease. it’s like comfort. you walk to the center of the gym, where they can see you clearly.

you tilt your head up just slightly. “y/n y/l/n, district two.”

then you move.

the first dagger sails through the air like it was pulled forward by something invisible, straight into the eye socket of the closest dummy. the second, spun in your fingers before it’s launched, finds the throat of another, crouched behind a low metal block. the third? heart shot. you’re not even breathing hard yet.

you dance between positions, using the environment around you. your throws are smooth, sharp, efficient. sometimes, you throw two at once, left and right, and they land like you’ve been doing this since birth.

the furthest target trips you up once, your first dagger veering slightly off to the shoulder, not the head. you fix it with the next one. direct hit.

you pause once, near the end, to glance up at the panel above.

they’re mostly unreadable, like a wall of stone. but you catch at least three of them watching you closely, faces betraying something like interest. it’s not much. but it’s something.

you wipe your hands on your pants and glance back at the row of bodies you’ve left behind. the dummies are pierced. you’ve made your mark. you turn without a word.

you’re escorted to the elevator as rafe is called down. you’re already back in your head, back in your routine. you barely hear the doors shut behind you. you don’t look back.

brutus is standing near the hallway, arms crossed, while enobaria nods at your return. they don’t say much. don’t need to. she gives you a look that says well done, and you return it with the same faint smile from before. one that isn’t quite proud, but close.

you head to your room.

you’re not starving, but you know you should eat. the later districts are barely even on the floor yet. twelve won’t be done for a while, and by the time they are, dinner might be over. that’s just the game. more than weapons, more than skill. survival starts with being lucky enough to eat when you can.

you think about it idly as you wash up, pulling the hair tie out from around your hair and wiping the sweat from your face. you don’t pity them, not really. but you understand.

you dress quickly, fingers moving without thought. dinner will be called soon. and the games don’t wait.

but after dinner, the apartment’s full, like really full. everyone’s back now. rafe’s changed out of his training clothes into a fitted black shirt and joggers, barefoot as he leans forward on the couch, elbows propped on his knees, hands clasped together like he’s waiting for news about war.

you’re next to him, practically curled up into the corner cushion with your legs tucked underneath you, feet still on the couch, knees bent and close to your chest. your arms cross loosely over your stomach and your head’s tilted toward him as you murmur back and forth, voices low. every now and then, he glances over his shoulder to catch your eye, brows flicking up with whatever response he’s got.

the room around you buzzes with noise.

brutus stands far off near the window, not even bothering with a seat. his arms are crossed, jaw’s tense, eyes fixed on the large tv mounted on the wall that’s still playing filler content, like panem event updates, highlights of the capital’s recent “green architecture project,” and flashy commercials that don’t even feel real.

cassaline’s right by his side, talking his ear off despite the fact he clearly isn’t listening. after a few minutes of being ignored, she gives up and migrates back to valis, who’s sitting with your prep team on the far side of the room. they’ve got their heads tilted together in some shared gossip that you’re too uninterested to decipher.

rafe’s team is off to the left, hovering around a bar cart they found earlier. his stylist draped in a velvet blue robe that’s definitely more for fashion than warmth, is swirling some sort of sparkling drink you’ve never seen before. something bubbly and bright pink, probably half alcohol, half glitter, fully capitol. they’re laughing in that rich, exaggerated way, barely glancing at the rest of you on the couch.

enobaria has been missing entirely. said earlier she needed the restroom before caesar came on.

you let your fingers tap against your arm gently, talking to rafe under your breath. “yeah, i was thinking that if i . . .”

the fanfare starts before you can finish. these trumpet-like notes blast from the speakers as the screen cuts to black, then fades into a wide shot of caesar flickerman, an animated background flickering behind him. the entire room quiets immediately.

right on cue, enobaria strolls back into the room, standing behind the couch and grabbing onto the back of it with both hands as she leans forward slightly, eyes on the screen. brutus shifts a little but doesn’t move closer.

caesar’s voice, always overly charming and smooth, fills the space.

“good evening, panem!” he beams, his white teeth practically sparkling. “tonight, we have a very special broadcast for you. as you know, the tributes are rated on a scale from one to twelve, after three days of careful evaluation. the gamemakers would like to remind everyone that these scores are not only a reflection of skill, but potential.”

he pauses with a smile like he's letting the weight of that settle before he continues, his voice lifting with excitement, “let’s begin.”

district one flashes on the screen. topper thornton’s face shows first. his jaw is set, confident, though not cocky, and then the number nine appears, encircling caesar’s figure on screen before fading away.

you nod once. decent.

his partner is next. her name is diamonte hart, finally you know it. her photo is less impressive, her stance in it looking a bit unsure, and her score flashes across the screen shortly after: five.

you side-eye rafe instantly, barely biting back a grimace as your feet drop from the couch and you sit up straighter. “yeesh,” you murmur. he huffs softly, not even hiding the smirk, like ‘yeah, that’s rough’. then the screen shifts again.

“from district two, rafe cameron.”

his photo is sharp. he’s serious, bold, eyes burning through the screen. the score appears in a crisp golden shimmer, “ten!”

a proud grin spreads across your face before you even realize it, and your head turns toward him.

cassaline claps immediately. brutus even gives a short nod. valis whistles. a couple of your prep team echo each other with a well-deserved ‘atta boy’ attitude.

“not bad,” you say, nudging him.

he lifts his brows, tilts his head, playing casual. “expected.”

you laugh lightly, but your stomach flutters. not from nerves. just, something else. and then it’s you.

“from district two, y/n y/l/n,” caesar announces. “with a score of . . .”

your image appears, taken just before your last throw during evaluation. you’re standing tall, one dagger in hand, the rest of the targets already taken out behind you. your jaw is set, expression unreadable.

you hold your breath.

eleven.

the number spins in, bold and glowing, and the room stills for half a beat before everyone reacts.

you blink, stunned.

a tight breath escapes your chest, and something like pride warms you all at once. you think of your parents back home, if they’re watching, if they’re proud, if they stood up and cheered or just nodded quietly like they always did. it feels like both.

you turn to rafe fast, wide-eyed. he’s already looking at you, but he doesn’t look shocked, not like you thought he might. he’s got this look instead, like of course you did. like he never doubted it for a second.

you laugh, shaking your head in disbelief as he grins back, and you both pull each other into a quick side hug, arms slung around shoulders and backs pressed together as you look up at the screen in amazement.

the room’s full of noise again. claps, congratulations, valis saying something about buying a bottle of something expensive to celebrate before your last day. your stylists are buzzing, and cassaline’s already talking about how this could shift sponsorship opportunities. brutus even cracks the ghost of a smile.

you stay close to rafe, eyes still on the screen even as the rest of the scores start rolling in. the world may be falling apart in a week, but right now?

right now, you’re winning.

@nicholaschavezslut69 @iissza @snowtargaryen @yootvi @ariiwritess @spideysimpossiblegirl @skyslowalking @adribarbie @obsessionsarenotfortheweak @0-tatiana-0 @beebeerockknot @rafestar @drewstarkeyzwhore @drewsephrry @annaconscience @writtenbyhollywood @yourtypicalteenagegirl @daisydark @v4mpscrms @issahruiz @ilovefictionallmenn @derpjungkook @vanessa-rafesgirl @sunny1616 @alphabetically-deranged @nrmlgirl @supercxnt @xoxosblogsblog @rafegetinmybed @siyahmoonlight @livie4lifestarkeyblyth @d-daxx @tsumudoll @ogcrashout @jjasmiineee @loverliner @ailimedae @belle101200 @hiimbrina @nomup @ayy1234567 ++

[mismatched-ideas]

Okay. So I don't think this is going to be groundbreaking for anyone, but I need to get the thoughts out of my head.

I, like everyone, loved this so much:

But, it has made me think too hard about Shin's need for attention and validation.

The "you're actually pretty useful" line is obviously a sign that for the first time, at least in a while, someone is praising Shin for his telepathy. I'd be willing to bet we'll get more of that in future chapters.

We know from earlier that at this point, he really dislikes his ability even though when he was younger, he insisted Asakura shouldn't be upset about Shin's powers.

(That said, I think there could be some retconing happening here since I don't think the ages would match up, but Suzuki didn't give a specific timeline for the scenes in the lab flashback, so I could be reading it wrong. It's been 11 years, though, so Asakura also could not have a perfect memory/be condensing things. Regardless....)

My read on him saying "aren't you even happy about it" and "your research isn't stupid" to Asakura is not just because he's always supported his research, but also because now his wanting to reverse it feels like there was something wrong with him. What it seems like he's really saying is "aren't you even happy to have me around" and "I'm not stupid."

He's also a kid who obviously wants attention. Growing up as the only kid in a lab of adult scientists probably had something to do with that. Then, on top of that, there's the alienation because of his telepathy.

I feel like younger Shin, to some extent, didn't really think that a blood relation was the only person who could accept him. More, I think he convinced himself of that after feeling rejected by the people in the lab.

Like, talk about attention seeking behavior. He tries to provoke a reaction from Sakamoto any way he can, even if he fully expects that reaction to be negative. I'm sure in his time away from the lab his alienation and loneliness has only grown given he now has nobody.

But he doesn't get any negative reactions from Sakamoto which, at first, frustrates him. But, that then leads to the greater satisfaction of the positive reaction he receives later.

Before that can happen, though, he finally finds his father. At first, he acts like he doesn't even know who Shin is.

If this panel didn't absolutely crush you, I don't know what to say.

Then Sakamoto rescues him and even though his thoughts reveal he wasn't thinking that was (that said, we know Sakamoto, and seemingly other skilled assassins, can pretty easily hide his thoughts from Shin, so who knows if that was just him trying to remain detached) I think for Shin, it was still a meaningful connection, something he hadn't had in a while.

Now! My point to this is, for me, it really recontextualizes a lot of Shin's actions in the present.

He craves attention and validation. Not just from Sakamoto Taro, either.

When he feels he isn't useful enough, he apologizes.

There are definitely more recent examples of this, too, but I need to stop taking screenshots at some point.

All of this culminates into what I think is even sadder upon second reading, when Sakamoto tries to go to Thailand alone.

He is so hurt by this. But even after Aoi has to help Sakamoto realize he's just scared of losing the people he cares about (again), Shin still feels bad, like he did something wrong.

He's still such a kid, looking for validation from the father/older brother figure he's wanted his whole life.

I could go on about how I think there's something to the idea that being a telepath from such a young age could also mess up someone's ability to judge other people's feelings. After all, outside of people like Sakamoto and Nagumo, Shin has no trouble knowing what the person is feeling.

My final thought is, given all of this, my heart is breaking thinking about Shin first learning Sakamoto has retired and, it seems, disappeared. How much did he know? Did Sakamoto leave any note? He's not the most emotionally developed person (I mean, he had no parents and it seems like he was basically raised to be an assassin, so I don't blame him). Not to mention he would've been wary of creating connection and so, consciously or not, may have downplayed his and Shin's relationship.

Shin would've been 15 or 16 when Sakamoto retired. Can you imagine how that must have felt? I'll just remind you of this:

I'd be willing to bet Shin blamed himself when Sakamoto retired. After all, what did his dad say?

Why did he leave the lab?

And, in the end?

(if you want to see my additions from ch200)

[snowy-vee]

All Mine (2)

oblivious loser bsf! ellie williams x posesive popular bsf!fem reader

n/a: I've spent my whole day squishing my head to finishing it today, and here it is! Also I won't be uploading the pt.2 of Academic Rivals, because I prefer to leave it as a One-Shot but I have in mind another, much better, plot with the trope Enemies to Lovers with Ellie. Read the final note!!

Pt. 1 Here Pt.3 Here

Inform yourself about what's happening and how to help! FREE PALESTINE, FREE CONGO.

Ellie knocked on your door for the third time that morning. The first one was before her morning run, the second one was after that and the third was once she was done in the bathroom.

When she heard no answer, she went in and opened the curtains right away. “Get up, it’s the same every morning.”

You covered your face with the blankets to avoid the sun, saying, “Give me five more minutes,” but Ellie wouldn’t have it.

She got on the bed and shook you. “You have practice in an hour; I’m not letting you leave without breakfast, and then you’ll complain I didn’t wake you up,” she said. “Come on, get up.”

Sitting upright in bed, you let out a sigh, looked at the clock on the nightstand, and let out a moan. “Els, just give me five minutes.”

She shrugged and said, “Your call,” but before she could move, you grabbed her arm and drew her nearer to you.

“Lay down with me for those five minutes,” you requested, hugging her until you managed to lay her down beside you, even though she was fighting to break free. You didn’t want to let her go.

“Fine! Just five minutes, I’ll set the alarm, I have places to be,” she said, taking her phone out of her sweatpants pocket.

When she was done, you muttered, “Yeah, yeah, whatever, shut up,” and placed her phone on your bedside table. With a smile on your face, you raised the covers to allow Ellie to slide into them, encircling her waist with your arms and placing your head on her chest.

She was trying not to touch you with her free hand and you could hear how quickly her heart was beating, as if it was your first time sharing a bed. “You can give me a hug too,” you muttered.

With a clear throat, she said, “If that’s what you want.”

You appreciated that she was a little flustered, even if you couldn’t see her face. It was something you truly enjoyed doing to her.

She relaxed and soon fell asleep. Your plan was to sleep too, but you were thinking about where she had to go when her classes didn’t start until 2 p.m. You turned around slowly and grabbed her phone, unlocking it.

¡Ding!

The notification startled you for a moment, almost making you scream. You quickly checked if Ellie woke up because of the sound, but she was asleep.

“You have to be kidding me,” you whispered, reading the notification from the panel.

Dina (Campus) : I’ll see you in an hour then! I truly want to try those croissants you’ve been talking about, and I also wan…

Rolling your eyes was the least you could do. You shook your head, going to the alarm and deactivating it. Dina was a big girl; she could eat those croissants alone. You hoped she choked on them.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The sound of the TV, the microwave, and your humming was enough to wake her up. She yawned and stretched out, all calm until she saw how late it was.

“Fuck!” Ellie said getting up from the bed and grabbing her phone “No,no,no…”

You were scrolling on your phone, having breakfast, hearing how she was going side to side. From the bathroom to her bedroom and vice versa until she came to the kitchen.

“Why didn’t you woke me up? I told you I had places to be!” she walked past you to the entrance to put her white sneakers on.

“Good Morning to you too” you said sarcastically “I thought it was your classes where you had to go, it’s 1 p.m, you still have time”

Ellie shook her head “No, it was something else! What are you doing here, tho? Shouldn’t you be at practice?”

“I woke up like 30 minutes before you, so” you shrugged “You’re not going to drive me to campus today?”

“Uh…” She was roaming through her backpack making sure she had everything “I can’t today, sorry but here, call an Uber”

She left some money on the table beside your plate before stealing on of your toasts “Bye, see you later!”

“She is joking, right?” you thought picking up the money. “Seriously, Ellie?!”

You yelled from the balcony, seeing Ellie running to her car

“Sorry, no time!” She yelled back getting into her car with her mouth full of the toast.

The thing is, Ellie was in a hurry. She had arranged to meet up with Dina for breakfast before class at a café she had suggested herself, and on top of that, she had overslept.

She started the car and began to drive. When she reached a red traffic light, she took the opportunity to call Dina, who answered almost immediately as if she had been waiting for her. She sounded a bit annoyed; after all, she had been waiting for her for a long time. But she understood that Ellie had overslept. She suggested they meet at the entrance of the building where they had their only class together.

Obviously, Ellie agreed, but she couldn’t go empty-handed. So, as soon as she arrived on campus, she went to the cafeteria, ordered two coffees, and some cookies that Dina had mentioned she liked yesterday.

“Ellie, you didn’t need to buy breakfast,” the dark-haired girl said, trying to hide her big smile. She grabbed the bag and chuckled softly, looking at the cookies. “Wow, you sure know how to apologize.”

“Sorry, again, for standing you up. It wasn’t my intention.”

“It’s okay. Next time, I’ll come pick you up at your place.”

Next time? That meant Dina wanted to keep meeting up. Ellie nodded energetically. By the time class started, they had finished breakfast, talked about different things, sat together, and also had small conversations during class.

“That’s all for today. Remember, we start presentations in two weeks. Goodbye,” the professor said, collecting his briefcase and leaving the classroom.

“Well, on Tuesday, I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go to a café to finish it?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Ellie said, gathering her things. “See you tonight at the party?”

“Yes, but aren’t you going to the parking lot?” Dina asked, watching as Ellie walked in the opposite direction.

“No, I have one more class, and then I’m meeting a friend.”

Dina nodded, waving goodbye. Ellie didn’t have another class, but she usually waited for her outside hers to go eat together. She had no idea why she had said that.

Your building wasn’t far from hers, so in less than 20 minutes, she arrived. She went up to the second floor and could see people coming out of your class, and finally you, but behind you was Abby Anderson. Ellie saw how she grabbed your arm and pulled you away from the others. It seemed like you were arguing about something until you pushed her aside and quickly walked to the stairs.

“Ellie? I didn’t think you were going to come pick me up today. Never mind, let’s go!” you said, intertwining your arms, almost dragging her to get out of there quickly. “I think they’re serving carbonara pasta in the dining hall today. You love pasta, right? How great that it’s on the menu today.”

Ellie nodded, frowning as she glanced at Abby once more before leaving. She would ask you about it later…

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

“I don’t like it, I’ll just wear something else,” Ellie said, entering your room for the third time with a different outfit than before. You rolled your eyes at her. “Ellie, I’m going to hit you if you don’t decide,” you said, watching her with frustration as she seemed unable to choose her clothes for the party. “Who do you want to look so good for?”

“No one. Could you help me instead of judging?” she replied, tossing the shirt she was taking off towards you. You dodged it, laughing, before throwing it back at her.

“Cargo pants and a black top, good combo, simple and it looks great on you,” you suggested. A few minutes later, she came back into your room wearing the suggested outfit. “See? I never fail,” you said with a grin.

“Fine,” she said, sitting on your bed as she watched you apply makeup. You were wearing a brown top tied at the top with a bow and a denim mini skirt. Ellie couldn’t help but admire your body, especially your legs, and you could see her doing so in the mirror. With a smile, you turned to her, and her gaze shot up to your face.

“Let me do your makeup,” you said.

“Why?” she narrowed her eyes and shook her head as she watched you approach with a playful smile. “Okay, but only the eyeliner.”

“Kay. Close your eyes,” you requested, opening the black eyeliner as you positioned yourself between her legs. “I’m going to sit on you.”

“Is that necessary?” Ellie asked, opening her eyes slightly, to which you nodded.

“I’m not comfortable, and if I’m not comfortable, it won’t turn out well,” you said, sitting on her and starting to apply the makeup. The only sounds in the room were your breaths and the low music from the speaker. “So… where did you have to go early this morning?”

“I had something important,” Ellie said, almost stuttering. She didn’t expect you to ask anything, but why wasn’t she telling you the truth? Why did she feel weird mentioning that she had plans with Dina?

“Ah, really?” you responded vaguely, clicking your tongue.

“Yeah… And what were you talking about with Abby?”

“Something important,” you shrugged. “There, it’s done, open your eyes.”

Ellie opened them, blinking a bit, smiling sideways. “Does it look good on me?”

You nodded, still on top of her. You grabbed her cheeks and squeezed gently, making her lips press together, and asked, making eye contact with her, “Is it for Dina that you’re getting all dressed up?”

“Maybe”

“Are you planning to kiss her tonight?”

“Maybe?” Ellie was confused about where these questions were coming from and at the same time thinking about how well you knew her. Perhaps she shouldn’t have ‘hidden’ her meeting with Dina from you in the morning…

“When was your last kiss? Like four years ago, right? Wow, you’re rusty,” you teased.

“Well, let’s not exaggerate,” she replied, her cheeks turning pink, not only from your grip that was tightening more and more but also from the image that crossed her mind of kissing Dina.

“Do you want to practice?”

“I mean… I don’t want her to think that I don’t know how to kiss. I know how to; I’ve kissed a lot of girls.”

“You only kissed two girls: me, for your first kiss and your ex-girlfriend, Cat. The little kisses at some parties while playing ‘spin the bottle’ don’t count.”

“Well, they should because I kissed plenty of girls,” Ellie mumbled.

“Decide before I change my mind or suit yourself,” you said, finally releasing her.

Ellie bit her cheek from the inside before nodding. “Okay, let’s practice.”

You did not wait to join your lips to hers, starting a slow kiss with a slow peace. Your arms were resting on her shoulders, bringing her closer to you, and your hands were starting to play with her hair. You wanted to explore Ellie’s mouth; you needed to feel her.

The kiss became deeper, and you buried yourselves more into each other’s mouths eagerly, feeling your lips closer as if there was a need that must be fulfilled. Soon Ellie’s tongue found yours, and they intertwined, making you moan in the midst of the kiss.

That made Ellie press her hands that were on your thighs; she had liked that sound a bit too much. Slowly she began to slide her hands upward until she touched the hem of your skirt, which was hiked up due to the position you were in.

Your breaths became more ragged as the rythm of the kiss quickened, and you wanted to continue, but no. If you didn’t stop, Ellie wouldn’t learn, she wouldn’t learn that only you could kiss her like that, you had to keep her yearning for more of you.

So you had to cut it off and watch as Ellie tried to reconnect your lips; it was so satisfying, you had to stop her gently, “Wow, Els, calm down, this is practice,” you said in a joking tone, getting off her, patting her knee to get her attention. She was still lying on the bed with an embarrassed expression on her face. “There’s a party we have to attend, come on.”

You grabbed your minibag and left your room to the front door, and Ellie did nothing but get up and follow you, not without first processing what had just happened a few seconds ago.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Ellie opened the passenger door once you arrived so that you could get out of the car.

She had to park a bit far from the house, but from there, you could hear the music and there were already drunk people in the street as you walked towards the entrance. You walked with your arms intertwined as you told Ellie the most recent gossip you had heard in the locker room or that you had been told, and Ellie listened, reacting when she could put faces to the names.

“He said that it was Sarah’s underwear, and Sarah denied it, saying that she was not ghetto and that she would never wear that. Imagine who snapped? April!”

“The church girl with brown hair?”

“Yeah, that one! It was so messy because the previous day she was preaching about how she was going to see the pearly gates since she was one of the last ‘pure’ girls on the team.”

“No way!”

“Yes, way! She’s so dumb, I hate her and more with the fa-”

“Hi, Ellie.”

Oh, you were going to kill this bitch. Dina was sitting on the porch of the house with a glass in her hand; she had probably been there for a short time. She looked at Ellie with a wide smile that decreased when she looked at you.

“I’ll see you inside,” you said, letting go of Ellie and passing by Dina without saying anything. Once inside, you joined your group of friends who were already quite drunk; they all greeted you, some with mini hugs or two kisses before giving you a glass full of rum and cola, more rum than cola. “You all know me better than I know myself.”

“Of course we do, silly, we love you.” You let yourself fall into the couch, tasting the drink, when your eyes diverted to see Ellie and Dina finally entering the party, giggling and whispering in each other’s ears because of how loud the music was.

“I love you too, April!” You smiled in her direction, drank all the liquid in your cup in one go, and handed it to her. “Be a doll and refill this.”

April looked at the rest of the girls and then at you, grabbing it. “Slow down, we don’t want you to repeat the Anderson accident again.”

The ginger girl beside April pushed her slightly, looking at you with her eyes wide open and laughing awkwardly. “She doesn’t mean that.”

Your eye twitched looking at April go refill your drink; you were going to brush it off for now because you had better enemies to fight than her. You had a whole plan on how to snatch Ellie away from Dina, but it hadn’t been formulated clearly, and you didn’t like to act on impulse. Anyway, you were at a party, and you were going to enjoy it.

By the time it was 3 a.m., you were already dancing on the table and shouting the lyrics of the songs you knew, swaying your hips against whoever. You stepped aside for a moment, saying that you were going for another drink, jumping off the table almost falling to the floor, but you could only laugh; everything was funny to you at that moment, and you wasn’t even that drunk! You had high tolerance, only your tongue was kind of asleep and you were stumbling from time to time but you loved to play silly and pretend to be more gone then you really were.

You reached the kitchen, looking for a new glass in the cabinets because you had no idea where you had thrown yours, when you found one, you began to decide what liquor to drink with eeny, meeny, miny, moe, before someone took away the glass and took you somewhere no matter how much you protested. The other person had a strong grip, and no matter how vaguely you were saying to let you go, they didn’t.

“I can’t believe you have me added as Dina (Campus), how lame, I’m going to change it,” Dina said, changing her contact name, but Ellie, who had seen the situation, was not paying attention.

“As you wish,” Ellie murmured, watching you disappear to the second floor; that didn’t sit well with her.

“Done!” Dina smiled, returning the phone to its owner, but Ellie’s gaze seemed worried. “What’s wrong?”

“Wait for me here, yeah? I’ll be back,” Ellie said, grabbing her phone and following where she last saw you.

She went upstairs dodging some drunk people and the long wait line to enter the bathroom, trying to see if you were in any of them, walking in the hallway close to the door to see if she could hear your voice in any of them until one door abruptly opened and you came out of it with teary eyes but laughing. (What happened in the room?)

“Are you okay?” She asked. Hearing her voice surprised you.

“How long have you been there?” Depending on her answer, you had two reactions.

“I just got here, I was searching for you.”

There it was! The cherry on top of your plan. You hugged Ellie and started slowly sobbing, whispering in her ear, “I want to go home now, please…”

“Hey, what happened? what’s wrong?” Ellie asked, breaking the hug to look at you and wipe your tears with her thumbs. “Let’s go.”

She held your hand and walked to the stairs, turning her head for a moment to look at you once more, and her eyes saw the other person who was in the room with you. Abby Anderson.

Had she made you cry? She was lucky that Ellie was more concerned about getting you out of the party than beating her up.

“Wait, Ellie, my bag is in the living room with the team,” you said before she went outside.

“Oh, okay, wait here, I’ll get it for you then.” You nodded and waited until you couldn’t see her to fucking smile because of your victory.

“Hey,” a touch on your shoulder made you come out of your little mental dance, “Have you seen Ellie? She went somewhere around 15 minutes ago, and I can’t find her.”

Of course it was Dina…

“She doesn’t feel well, must be something she ate before.”

“You sure? Should I take her to the hospital?”

“No worries, we are going now, but here, money for an Uber,” you said, taking some money out of your pocket.

The same money Ellie gave you this morning. You were giving it to her, and for you, it felt so good as you patted her shoulder and sighed with a little smirk.

Dina thought you were calling her poor and mumbled a “fuck you” before dropping the money on the floor and leaving you there just in time for Ellie to come back with your bag.

“Sorry, there were a lot of people in the way,” she handed the bag to you, “Whose money is that?”

“Yours,” you grabbed the bag and started walking out. Ellie frowned, confused, but still picked up the money; it was free money, and everybody was too drunk to miss some dollars. She felt as if she was forgetting to do something before leaving. “Els!”

“Coming!” Whatever, maybe tomorrow she’ll remember; now she had to assist her best friend and be there for her as she always did… like a loyal puppy, a cute and precious one of your property.

Note: I will upload Pt.3 once this chapter and the first one reach 250 so I have time to write and to know that you all like it and want more ty♡♡

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

hey, could I request a fic for ena dream bbq? Ena x reader who's a slightly funky version of a mars rover.

They look like the spirit/opportunity rovers for the most part, with the whole robot head and solar panel wing thing going on. But, their wheels are floating just a little off the ends of their leg thingies, and they can separate into individual pieces making up hands/feet, and their body and legs are a bit more articulated, so the reader can stand up in a more humanoid shape if they so choose.

And on their head, they have a small screen near their cameras, which they use to show emotion using emoticons, because it's a low resolution screen that pretty much only displays a few characters of text. So they just kinda go :] <:D >:/ :P BJ X0 ;3 ':2 c: D8 ',:) :7 (individually not all at once) when they are talking to people. Sometimes they display a word or a few symbols instead tho, like "there's a 37 percent chance of that happening" and their screen says 37%, or they go ??? When confused or something.

They usually stay in regular rover form while traveling, driving on their wheels, and go humanoid when they need to carry something, talk to people, or generally are in a situation where hands are useful. They do have one arm that isn't one of their wheels, but it has somewhat delicate scientific equipment in it, so they don't use it as much for everyday stuff. They also turn off their screen when they aren't actively trying to convey emotions, so usually only when alone or around people they know well and trust.

theyre working together with ena, and on the side just casually taking soil samples and pictures of interesting things. Write whatever you feel like, one shot, hc, anything, whatever you feel inspired to write. Preferably platonic, but if you wanna write a romance I won't stop you. (If you wanna add any other characters like coral glasses or Kane or something that could also be fun, even someone from the series like classic ena or shepherd, but that makes things more complicated so you very much don't have to)

Have a nice day! :D

(sorry this ask is so long and probably goes into unnecessary detail, im a rambler and decided to give a whole character description for some reason ':∆. You don't need to write this if you don't wanna)

This is a cool concept! I don't mind the extra details! Hope hcs are alright

..........

While you don't recall when or where you were built, you do know your purpose: take pictures of intriguing subjects, steal soil and rock samples, etc. etc. Everything you've once done in space, you do here on this world.

But it felt less like a job and more like a hobby. Something that stimulated your circuitry and allowed you to experience "joy" (which you once thought was strictly reserved for living organisms) in everything you found.

Your creators have long since forgotten you...or maybe they all died and didn't think you'd outlive them. You had no orders to follow. No signals to relay. No real mission to accomplish.

So you took it upon yourself to join Ena and Froggy's group, wanting to have some sort of directive, even if it meant helping them accomplish whatever business called for them to do.

Some days, you'd be in the Hub, assisting Coral Glasses with her work regarding the Horse Door, faxing her blood samples and other interesting specimen you've picked up, or she might print a picture of something bizarre she found and ask for your input.

You weren't programmed with a voice (which she doesn't mind since she's not a fan of social interactions and lengthy chats). Instead, you communicate through a screen next to your cameras, which display a variety of emoticons, emojis, and symbols. It's not the greatest resolution, but it gets your point across.

Some icons are indicative of approval, some of disdain, and others...would be confusing for the average person to understand.

For Froggy? He tends to mistranslate what you're trying to say and has the nerve to ask why you made a >:( face.

For Kane? He gets it half the time.....but he's more worried about getting his coins stuck in your wheels again.

For Ena? It's no problem. She knows exactly what you mean every time, acting like she's been there since your construction, while also respecting your autonomy.

When your new and current directive became "eliminate the smoke", you thought the tasks leading to its completion would be simple.

But with Ena, it turns out to be anything but that.

In the Lonely Door, you noticed that the Uncanny Streets had a dry deserted terrain. You had a phobia of dust storms and your wheels getting stuck in sand traps, but thankfully the conditions here don't permit such occurrences. And your solar panels are always keeping your batteries charged, as it never gets dark, either--so in short, travelling around would be the least of your concerns.

While your screen initially displays nothing as you scan the environment, Ena somehow knows what you're thinking and pats the top of your head.

"This will be a great opportunity to gather vital intel and ask invasive questions!" Salesperson grins. "I can smell the opportunities from up here, my friend. Don't you?"

":U....<:)"

"That's the spirit! I couldn't have said it better myself! I vow to get to the bottom of this mysterious Gen--bAthR00M."

"🚽?"

"Ew! I didn't need to see THAT!!!" Meanie pretends to retch. "Go take 300 pictures of that cloud for me, you hunk of metal!!"

Funny enough, you don't take her demands as an insult. Your storage is like a bottomless pit, so you could hypothetically take 300 pics of one singular cloud if its shape and placement in the sky intrigued you enough.

But you'd rather stick with her and assist her with the different jobs she's been given.

You can shift between your primary vehicle mode and your more humanoid one for easy interactions with folks--although you being taller than Ena in that latter form leads to Meanie pouting and grumbling under her breath when she thinks you can't see her.

Too bad for her, as your camera/eyes can see 360.

While she talks to people (which is really them messing with her and claiming to be the boss, insulting her species, and eventually giving her something to do), you're just taking pictures of things like the giant melded into the building, the black tree without leaves that's wandering about the outskirts, or the alienlike Wanderers in the sky.

Rescuing Shoryo's pets/babies is easy, as you're able to maneuver around tight spaces and let them rest on your platform, driving them back to the horselike entity.

He felt flattered that you "delivered them to [him] on a silver platter"...which left you wondering if he intended to eat them.

Before you can question it, there's an explosion and you see Ena and the Shaman outside of the now-destroyed Seal House.

After she's given the humanboard, you discover fertile soil deposits around the streets, learning that the head can grow into a full body and help her reach higher places.

The ribcages buried within the dirt intrigued you, but oddly enough...she didn't want you to take any bone samples.

All you wanted to do was perform a light brush, a gentle abrasion on the surface. Just enough to get a microscopic calcium extract so you could determine how old it is.

You had no idea what overcame Ena when her clawed hand latches onto your delicate arm unexpectedly, threatening to damage your analyzers, drills bits, and other scientific equipment embedded into it.

It sets off internal alarms, red lights flashing across your vision, but you silence those in favor of staring at her. "🦴❌?"

"I just....don't want you to do that. It might hurt him.." Meanie's voice drops into a low whisper, something extremely uncharacteristic of her, as her mitten hand trembles and cradles the humanboard closer to her chest. Like some maternal instinct had overtaken her. "Please.."

Your screen goes dark, but you comply and leave the soil alone.

Perhaps not everything needs exploration.

[harryspurpleloofah]

Elevator

(Picture is from my policeman premiere from hshq.in)

Summary: Harry’s staying at a hotel and he meets a woman who’s there for a gala in the reception. They get stuck in an elevator together and things escalate

Warnings: swearing, fingering, p in v sex, no condom but the reader specifies she’s on birth control, smut

The sound of her friends’ laughter echoed faintly behind her as she stepped into the hotel elevator. The soft click of her heels against the polished floor was the only sound in the otherwise silent space. The party had been a whirlwind—champagne, music, and a lot of noise—and now, the quiet of the hotel felt like a welcome reprieve.

She hit the button for the eleventh floor and leaned back against the mirrored wall, adjusting the strap of her shimmering dress. The elevator doors began to close, but just before they could seal shut, a deep voice called out, “Hold it!”

She quickly presses the open button to let the man in. He was tall, lean but broad-shouldered, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, revealing just a hint of his collarbone. His messy hair fell over green eyes, and there was something effortless about the way he carried himself like he hadn’t been in a hurry at all.

“Thanks,” he said, stepping inside, his voice low and smooth. He flashed her a quick smile, one dimple deepening.

“No problem.” She replied, stepping back a bit from the panel so he could pick which floor he was heading to.

He reached over, letting her inhale his Tom Ford fragrance which she recognised from a colleague who worked with her. He pressed the button for the 7th floor and smiled at her again.

“Long night?” he asked, glancing at her reflection in the mirrored wall.

“You could say that,” she replied, catching his gaze in the reflection. “How about you?”

“Just got here,” he said, leaning casually against the side of the elevator. “Checking in for the weekend.”

“Are you on holiday here or..?”

“No more like a business trip kinda thing. I’m Harry by the way.”

“Y/n.”

Before either of them could say more, the elevator jolted throwing both of them off balance. Harry reached out steadying himself against the wall, while she grabbed the railing. The elevator came to an abrupt halt, the lights flickering once before switching to a dim emergency glow.

“For fucks sake you have to be joking.” She muttered under her breath. The floor indicator was stuck on five and none of the buttons responded to her touch.

Harry straightened, furrowing his brows. “That’s… not supposed to happen, is it?”

“No,” she replied, pressing the emergency button. A tiny voice crackled over the speaker. “Please remain calm. The elevator is experiencing technical difficulties. A technician has been dispatched.”

Harry glanced at her. “Well, that’s reassuring.”

She sighs loudly after ten minutes. “What is this?”.

Harry chuckles, “this is not ideal is it now?”

“Far from.”

“There’s worse people to be stuck in an elevator with aren’t there?”

She smiles slightly, “I have no problem with you. I’m just really tired. And my feet are killing me.”

Harry’s gaze flickered down to her heels and he made an empathetic face, “Jesus those look like they’d hurt in minutes let alone the entire night.”

“Exactly. But they look nice in the moment so it’s kinda worth it.”

They both went quiet for a second when Harry saw her head looking around the elevator, “looking for a way out?” He questioned.

“No I’m looking for a camera.”

“Why what are you planning on doing?” He teases. She chuckles.

“Nothing like what you’re thinking. I just wanted to know if we’d die in here alone or maybe they’d find us.”

“The lady on the button said they’ll be here in a bit don’t worry.”

“She said that twenty minutes ago.”

“So they should be coming any minute now.”

As if on cue the lights flickered and the elevator jolted again. “What the fuck?” She exclaimed. Harry sighed as he shrugged off his blazer.

“It’s getting awfully warm in here.”

“What if we suffocate?” She asks in panic.

Harry looks like he’s considering it for a second before shaking his head, “no elevators aren’t sealed. We won’t suffocate.”

She calms down a bit, “but we might starve.” He points out.

“You’re not helping!”

He raises his hands in surrender while laughing, “sorry sorry. I couldn’t resist. Don’t worry we’re gonna be fine.”

She sighs and sinks down in the corner, holding her knees to her chest. Harry looks over, “sweetheart if it makes you feel better I’d be trying to get us out right now but my engineering skills are non existent.” He says.

She smiles slightly at his attempt of a joke as he sits down next to her. “You ok?” He asks gently.

“I’m fine. I just got a bit panicked sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it love. It’s normal this isn’t a regular situation.”

They wait for another five minutes and nobody’s still there.

“I have to admit,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, “this is starting to feel like one of those scenes in your romance novels.”

Her breath catches, and she couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. “What makes you think I read romance novels?”

He gestured to the book peeking out of her bag, his smile teasing. “Just a hunch.”

She chuckles, “okay I enjoy one from time to time. They’re not as bad as some people say yknow.”

“Yeah. But there are some real gems..that are honestly painful to read”

She laughs and nods, completely agreeing. She looked back at him. He had the prettiest eyes she’d ever seen. Fuck it he was the prettiest guy she’d ever seen. His curls fell around his face like he was strategically painted to look that way. His lips were a shade of pink that she couldn’t believe was natural. She realised she was staring and looked back.

“I suppose this wasn’t how I was planning on ending my night but I don’t mind entirely,” he smiled, nudging her shoulder slightly.

“Me too. You’re right there are worse people I could be stuck with right now,” she continued.

“Much worse.”

Another ten minutes pass and they’re both just waiting it out now. “If we were to pry the door open..”

“Nah. Wouldn’t work. We’d just end up getting stuck because the elevator might start moving while you’re trying to get out.”

He sighs and jabs his ringed finger into the emergency button again to which they hear the same voice reassuring them it won’t be too long now. He sits back down.

“I like your rings.” She said quietly, what she meant was that she’d take all five fingers if she could. She didn’t know if it was the elevator air or if she was just going a bit crazy but her attraction to him was just growing. And the fact that there was no visible camera in the elevator wasn’t helping things.

As if Harry was thinking the same thing, he pointed out, “we sure there’s no camera?”

“I don’t know but I can’t see one.”

He shifted a bit, looking straight ahead instead of at her now. “You dating anyone?” He casually asked.

“Not at the moment no.”

“Oh.”

“Well there was a guy.”

“And?”

She sighs, “his name is Josh, I dated him for a bit but he was just always looking at other girls and..comparing me so it was bad for me..”

“God what a loser.”

“Yeah…” She laughs. “Completely unrelated but he wasn’t very good at sex,”

“Well…you could still have a good personality.”

“Yeah but he didn’t so he was lacking in everything.”

After a bit more gossiping about some of the ickiest men on earth who had somehow just all managed to squeeze into her love life, Harry laughed.

“Ok you’ve told me the worst, have you ever actually had good sex?”

“Honestly? I haven’t. All my time alone has been better than any time with someone else. It’s like men who are good at sex barely even exist anymore.”

The elevator jolts again. Harry sighs, “you ok?”

“I’m good don’t worry.”

Harry starts looking at her again. She’s so pretty and the bad experiences with sex are just turning him on even more. Just making him feel like he could give her so much more than anything she’s ever had. He tries to distract himself as much as he can but it’s just not working. His trousers start becoming tighter and tighter. It’s getting noticeable.

She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t drenched in her own thong as well. She was equally as turned on as him if not more, it just wasn’t as visible. She looked in the mirror and realised her lip gloss had come off again. She sighed and reached into her purse to get the tube.

As she put it on she could feel his warm green eyes on her. It made her want to absolutely melt but now she was trying to get a reaction out of him. Did she want it? A hookup? In an elevator, with the risk of being caught in the middle of it by a maintenance team? Fuck yes.

But she needed to make sure Harry was in too. As she spread the liquid over her lips her gaze flicked over to try to gauge his reaction. He was looking at her with interest, his blazer resting around his crotch area. Was he trying to hide an erection?

He wasn’t giving her any distinct signs and he seemed really nice, she didn’t want to ruin what she’d already made with him by being weird and asking him, a total stranger for a hookup in an elevator that was stuck on the fifth floor.

She froze when his ringed fingers brushed his arm, not closely enough to be sexual but not far enough to be platonic. “You’re gorgeous. You know that?” His voice gently says.

“Thanks..”

“Do you want this?” He asked

“I-I think I do yes.”

“I don’t want I think love, I want I know. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

He licks over his lips before moving over her to capture her newly coated lips in a kiss. It was soft, both their lips slowly falling in love with each other. His tongue came in later, nudging a gap in her mouth to enter and when it did it was like it would never leave, exploring her mouth with so much confidence like he owned it already she just didn’t know.

He lifted her up and pinned her against the mirror before turning her around, making her face herself, “look at how pretty you look for me baby. I’ve had to sit here and just watch you and not do anything about it for the last hour.”

He kisses her neck gently, savoring each bit of her skin like he has to ration it, sucking gently on bits then soothing them with his tongue just as quickly before she’s in any real pain. He starts sliding off his rings, throwing them on the floor to land on top of his discarded blazer, “don’t want these to hurt you pet.”

He unzips her dress and helps her get it off. He takes her thong, sliding it down her legs and checks if she’s wet enough, which she is, soaking. “You don’t need lube baby yeah?”

“Yeah-yeah I’m fine,” she replies breathlessly.

He inserts a finger, she lets out a moan. He adds another and begins to thrust them both in and out stretching her out for himself, “I’m quite big baby will you be able to take me?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Sure?”

“Sure.”

“Of course you will. Good girl.”

She moans again, gripping onto the hand railing with on hand and Harry’s arm with the other to balance herself because her legs are a lost cause now, completely turned to jelly. He unclips her hair and lets it fall down, “beautiful,” he mutters, putting it to once side and going back down on her neck as his fingers worked her.

“That’s it baby come on my fingers f’me.”

She doesn’t need to be told twice, letting go instantly with a sigh of relief as she feels like climax taking over her body. “Now tell me what you need honey?” He urges.

“You-your cock please.”

“Again?”

“Your cock Harry.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Hold still for me ok?”

She obliges and looks up at herself in the mirror while she waits, all her efforts to get dolled up tonight down the drain, her mascara is messy, her gloss smeared, her hair not in the updo anymore, one of her earrings missing, she looked completely ruined.

He teases her with just the tip, “love I’m asking you again,” his tone is gentle, like it was before when he was talking to her normally “are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Are you on birth control? I don’t have a condom.”

“Yes! Harry fuck please yes.”

He can’t do it anymore either, he pushes in completely earning a deep moan from her, she feels like she’s being split in half on his cock and he’s gently raising her chin everytime it falls for her to get eyefuls of the pleasure on her face as he pounded into her from behind.

“Oh god baby you’re so tight..”

She groans, her hand going back to pull him closer by the neck to which he obeys, finding her lips in a loving reassuring kiss, praising her for being able to take his cock so well.

His thrusting becomes faster but less deep as he also chases his high, he waits for her though, making sure she’s completely satisfied before worrying about himself.

“I’m so close Harry,” she reassured him, egging him on to go a bit deeper to carry her there. She comes hard with a plethora of guttural moans that push him over the edge too, shooting a hot load in her. She feels so..full. Even after he pulls out she’s just in that mania of orgasm.

He smiles at her while still breathing heavily, zipping himself back up, still supporting her around the waist making sure she won’t fall. He crouches over to get a pack of tissues from her bag which he uses to clean her up and then another to clear her gloss and mascara. Most of her makeup came off but he doesn’t mind. She’s just as gorgeous if not more.

He scans the elevator floor for her missing earring and wipes it down before giving it to her and watching as she slips it in the hole in her earlobe. Then he helps her put her dress back on and gives her some time to catch her breath.

When she’s conscious enough to know what’s happening, he’s crouched over her bag, writing something on her notepad, the maintenance team standing by the open door gesturing them to come out.

She gets outside and the warm light of the lobby hits her, a stark contrast to the cold one in the elevator. She’s about to look around for Harry but he’s standing right next to her. “Do you wanna come back to my hotel?” He gently asks.

She smiles, “thanks but my house isn’t far, I’d love to keep in touch though.”

He grins and hands her the slip of paper, with his number on it. “Whenever you want Angel. Just give me a ring.”

He leans in a bit closer, “honestly disappointed I didn’t even properly take off my shirt for you love. We’ll do that all next time kay?”

He winks at her and starts walking back up to the stairs, deliberately avoiding the elevator this time. What a man. She looked down at the number. She knew this was gonna be on speed dial from now on.

[uzurakis]

DEALING WITH A BROKEN HEART!

featuring: gojo satoru. itadori yuuji. megumi fushiguro. nanami kento.

how they would comfort you after you’re rejected by your crush! (requested)

n. didn’t proofread n i wrote this at midnight cz i still hafta catch up on my reqs. i’m only a hooman guys!! so pls sorry for any typos or mistakes ajhauns and i specifically chose this manga panel 4 OBVIOUS reasons . .

GOJO SATORU. “wanna know what i’m thinking?” he started, glancing at you from the corner of his eye, “it’s their loss! obviously, they don’t have great taste.”

you managed a weak smile, shaking your head. “thanks, satoru. but it still . . hurts.”

gojo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and giving you a serious look that was rare for him. “look, i get it. rejection sucks. but honestly, you’re way out of their league.”

then you raised an eyebrow, unable to hold back a small laugh. “really? you think so?”

he nodded emphatically, his usual smirk returning. “duh, absolutely. i mean, who wouldn’t want to be with someone as amazing as you? they’re probably just too intimidated by your awesomeness.”

you rolled your eyes, but the humor in his words did frankly lift your spirits a bit. “you’re just saying that.”

“nope, i’m dead serious.” gojo straightened up, putting a hand over his heart. “in fact, i’m starting to think i should be worried. you’re gonna have a line of people trying to win you over, and i’ll have to fend them all off.”

ITADORI YUUJI. “hey,” he said softly, nudging your shoulder with his. “c’mere, i feel you need a hug.”

you looked up at him, your eyes misty, and saw the genuine care in all over, very clear midst his expression. without a word, you leaned into him, and he wrapped his strong arms around you, holding you close. the warmth of his embrace began to melt the icy sadness in your heart.

“i’m really sorry,” he whispered, voice gentle. then he pulled back slightly, just enough to look into your eyes. “but you don’t have to go through this alone. let’s do something together to take your mind off things. how about a movie night?”

a small smile tugged at your lips despite the tears. “a movie night?”

“yeah!” he said, his pupils lighting up. “we can watch whatever you want. comedy, action, even those cheesy romance movies you love.”

you laughed a little at that, appreciating his attempt to lift your spirits. “hmm okay, that sounds good.”

“great!” he stood up, offering you his hand. “and don’t worry, i’ll bring all the snacks. we’ll have a proper movie marathon!”

FUSHIGURO MEGUMI. “um, do you want to talk about what happened?” megumi asked softly, his voice steady and inviting. “it might help to get it off your chest.”

you sighed as you felt the sting of tears threatening to fall. “i don’t even know where to start,” mumbling the words above a murmur.

“that’s okay. just take your time. i’m here to listen.”

for a moment, the two of you sat in silence. it wasn’t uncomfortable, though. it was the kind of silence that felt like a warm embrace, giving you space to collect your thoughts. you glanced up at the sky, searching for the right words.

“they just . . didn’t feel the same way,” you finally said, voice cracking. “i thought there was something there, but i guess i was wrong.”

his gaze softened. “rejection is hard,” he then said quietly. “but it doesn’t define you. it doesn’t change who you are or your worth.”

finding comfort in his steady presence, you looked at him. “i just feel so stupid for thinking there was a chance.”

“you’re not stupid,” the guy replied firmly. “you took a chance, and that takes courage. it’s okay to feel hurt, but don’t let this make you doubt yourself.”

NANAMI KENTO. after a moment, nanami broke the silence. “you deserve someone who sees how incredible you are. this just wasn’t the right person.”

you glanced up at him, but your eyes filled with tears. “but it felt like they were the right person,” you said, voice trembling. “how could i have been so wrong?”

in a moment, his face softened, nanami’s usual stoic demeanor giving way to concern. “it’s not about being wrong. sometimes, people just aren’t capable of seeing what’s right in front of them. you have so much to offer. one day, someone will see that and appreciate you for who you are.”

“it just hurts so much right now.”

he nodded, understanding. “it’s completely normal to feel this way. anyone would be upset. it’s a natural reaction to a difficult situation.”

you took a deep breath, trying to steady your emotions. “i just don’t know what to do next.”

nanami leaned forward, his eyes earnest. “then take your time to heal. focus on yourself and what makes you happy. you’re strong, and you’ll get through this.”

@uzurakis

[whateversawesome]

Spy x Family Ch. 108: Fear

Don't get me wrong, that panel with Twilight remembering his friends was beautiful. I think he feels nostalgic for that connection with other people. However, I think what really caught my attention in this chapter was Melinda.

Come on, look at this:

Look at this face of terror. And she was just remembering her husband's eyes!

A long time ago, when we just met Melinda, I wrote this theory about her being afraid of her husband. Today, it was finally confirmed.

I feel so sad for her. Melinda has probably been carrying this alone for a long time. I doubt she's shared her fears with any friends or family members because, who would believe the illustrious political leader could be an abusive man? This is especially true if there's no actual physical violence in the relationship. However, like I said before, violence is more than that.

Something tells me that the violence in their relationship is mostly psychological. Donovan Desmond uses his authority to tell Melinda what to do, to create fear, to keep her away from their children.

Melinda appears as such a composed woman who has her life together in front of others, and only someone as emotionally perceptive and caring as Yor would notice something is wrong. There's a shame component in abusive relationships: "How did this happen to me? I used to be so strong and brave," combined with disbelief: "Am I overreacting? Is he really that bad? Why am I afraid of him if he hasn't really done anything to me?"

Hopefully, in time, Melinda will realize that fear is not only her responsibility; even if her husband wasn't physically abusive, his behavior caused her fear.

Without a doubt is a complicated issue, which brings me to something that will probably complicate things even more:

Yup, Twilight.

I'll admit that this is the first time that I felt very uncomfortable with what Twilight is about to do, but that's exactly the point. Good fiction/literature is suppose to move something within us, even if at times, it makes us feel uncomfortable.

You probably imagine why: Melinda is a person in dire need of therapy. She deserves (and needs!) a true professional and instead, she getting someone who is only trying to gather information.

HOWEVER...

Time and again, Twilight has shown that despite his line of work, he'll always try to do the right thing and the least amount of harm. So, I'm hoping he will apply that in this specific situation. My guess is that it will start as a way to get information (his classic "for the mission") but then, as Melinda opens up, he will actually give her good advice and hopefully empower her, as a real therapist would do!

Something else to keep in mind is that Melinda story of domestic violence could trigger Twilight himself in some way, given his own family history. We will have to wait to see how that goes.

Bonus

A final note on Melinda's beliefs in occultism: it makes sense.

I won't comment too much on the specific meaning of the cards because my knowledge is limited and I'm skeptical about that. But I will say that it makes sense that someone with so much fear and uncertainty in her life would believe in something that would bring her reassurance that everything will be okay or try to know the future in order to protect herself. (I really want to give Melinda a hug.)

On the other hand, you know who doesn't believe in that?:

Yup, our dear Becky, who is one of the most authentic character in sxf, who is protected and loved by her parents and Martha. That makes sense too.

[asapeveryday]

SHOCK FACTOR★彡 PART 3

Previous. Next.

Pairing: Paige Bueckers x Rival!Reader

Warnings: swearing, suggestive jokes/language, tension

Summary: having Paige’s number means she can bother you whenever she wants, but maybe a night out with her isn’t a bother at all.

A/n: enjoy guys 😇lmk what you think of this one

YOU

is this paige?

???

Has anyone else given you their number since you got here?

YOU

no…

PAIGE

Aight, so who else would it be then? 🤘🏼

YOU

i should’ve thrown out that napkin tbh!🙂

PAIGE

Ignoring that. How’s the hangover?

YOU

it’s ok. getting coffee helped ig

PAIGE

Having another night out might help too…if u fw that

YOU

with you? id rather die then “fw that” 🙏

PAIGE

Ok rot in ya hotel room see if I care 🤷🏼‍♀️

Seen.

PAIGE

Actually nvm I feel bad for ur miserable ass. U shud fr go out and see what Connecticut has to offer. Ever been to Gianni’s?

YOU

no i haven’t, I’ve only been here for like two days. is it italian food?

PAIGE

Only the best in town 😉 u shud def go

YOU

ugh I would but i have to see if elaine can take me cus my teammates are busy

PAIGE

I could take u if u want?

YOU

typing…

YOU CAN FEEL yourself getting socially drained as you text her, at least that’s what you tell yourself. Paige is infuriating and arrogant, which comes with the deadly additions of charisma and the ability to keep you on edge with every word spoken, or even typed.

You’d always known of this, even before your game with her that day. A player like Paige can be hard to come across; perfectly capable, talented and independent yet somehow the best team player out there, sharing passes she can without a doubt make. Why? Because she doesn’t need to prove anything.

It often bothered you, especially since you constantly needed to prove yourself during the start of your college career. You took every shot you could get your hands on, and she gave shots away like candy whilst still having a huge reputation as a player. Obviously it went deeper than that, but the simple fact just stuck to your brain.

You can’t help but recall her face, inches from yours attempting to pry your ball from your grasp. Like she was deserving, like it was hers for the taking. She had made a similar face on the panel where she dissed you soon afterwards, and then again while watching you at the bar, and just before writing her number on the napkin. You wondered if she was making that face right now as she texts you.

PAIGE

I could take u if u want?

The text is simple but it summons some sort of unique feeling in you. Paige Bueckers is offering to pick you up in her car, on her night off, and take you to a restaurant. And you, for whatever reason, are considering saying yes.

Sighing to yourself, you weigh your options. Option one: you sit around your hotel alone till your teammates come back, most probably drunk from a bar since it’s a Saturday. Option two: you ask Elaine to take you out once again, even though you’re probably gonna see her the whole week you’re here. Option three: you let the girl who shit-talked you at a post game conference take you out for dinner.

YOU

i guess i should go out. DONT act like ur doing me a favour tho….n if I don’t have fun i’m blocking u.

PAIGE

Drop the addy. I’ll come by in an hour

Seen.

After hurriedly pulling yourself together, taking an Advil, checking out the restaurant’s Instagram and getting ready you can’t help but find your heart steadily hammering inside of you. Paige is coming to your hotel. You’re gonna be in her car. She’s taking you to her favourite restaurant. This has to be the most peculiar thing that has happened all year.

-

The car ride is significantly better then you expected it would be. Paige adamantly seems to prevent any room for awkward silence to seep through, commenting on your outfit and filling the vehicle with music that makes the interior buzz from the volume. She has a free look on her face, chair reclined more then you’d dare if you were in the drivers seat, hair blowing in her face from the windows being down.

“I’m surprised you’re driving me out.” You say, finally airing what was on your mind.

Paige shrugs. “Didn’t feel like drinking today. Plus, I’m in the mood to be generous and show you what Storrs has.”

“If someone told me I’d be hanging out with Paige Bueckers like a week ago, I think I’d be fucking appalled. Or disgusted. Or both.” You laugh.

She chuckles, glancing at you sneakily. “You swear a lot, don’t you?”

“Awe my bad.” You pout, giving her a fake-concerned look. “Forgot you can’t handle a little language.”

“I can handle it,” she grumbles. “I just think cursing is better for specific situations.”

“Like what?”

Paige wets her lips almost sheepishly, but she keeps her eyes straight on the road. “Like sex.”

A beat passes before you respond “Sorry I couldn’t savour a couple words for you and your little kink.”

She looks over at you now, and you meet her gaze as equally as you can. She just lets out a smile, shaking her head to herself as she pulls into the parking lot. You try to ignore the elevator-sinking feeling in your stomach from her words as you get out from the car.

The restaurant is beautiful. It’s cozy, ambient and well decorated. Not too fancy and not too full, just perfect. You’re seated in a more secluded area, per Paige’s request. She orders for you, insisting she knows exactly what to get for the best possible experience.

The food is good, and you don’t feel the need to hide it from Paige, who visibly grows at your praise for the place she picked out.

“So, are you jus in Connecticut for Elaine?” She says.

“Not really.” You reply. “Me and some of the others are just doing a little East Coast road-trip. I wasn’t really interested in coming to Storrs, but it made sense to come by and see her.”

“For a whole week?” She raises her eyebrow. “Seems like you’re close.”

“I was only gonna stay in Storrs for a couple days, then go to Hartford but the girls seem to like it here.” You shrug. “They think it’s cute, being a small town and all, but it’s pretty boring if you’re not a student.”

“It’s better if you’re with fun people.” She smiles.

“I hope you don’t think you’re fun.”

“Compared to Elaine I definitely am.” Paige scoffs.

You can’t help but feel a little more hostility than humour in her tone.

“Do you guys know each other?” You ask, as sly and innocent as you can muster. Paige seems hesitant.

“Nah.” She finally decides. “I mean, we’ve talked before. Ion know her personally.”

“It’s kinda funny, she said she doesn’t pay much attention to you but I think she might have a little crush.” You laugh.

Paige visibly stiffens at this, which catches you by surprise.

In a split second she regains her calm, unbothered composure. “What has she said?”

“Not much.” You shrug. “Just seems a little interested.”

Paige’s jaw clenches for a moment, and you’re not surprised when she changes the subject. “How many people have been on your case since I posted that picture of us from the bar on my story?”

“God, so many.” You laugh, shaking your head. “You?”

“You don’t even wanna know.” She scoffs. “Not sure why everyone was so crazy bout it though, s’not like we were beefing for real.”

“Right!” You say, happy she seems to be on the same page. “It was just some petty crap. I guess people just really were hoping there would be some rivalry.”

You think for a moment, before saying. “Maybe we should keep this drama thing up. Might be fun.”

“It’s a lil too late for that,” Paige shakes her head with a slight smile. “remember how KK and Ice were on live yesterday at the coffee shop? Yeah, we kinda were in the background at some point. People saw us talking.”

“You’re joking.”

“Dead serious. There are edits and everything.”

You rest your head in your hands, elbows on the table, lessening the proximity between you and her. “I only get into these weird ass situations when I interact with you, Paige.”

She sits up in her seat, blue eyes quickly looking you up and down. “Yet you’re still here.”

“Girl’s gotta have fun.” You shrug. Her foot hits yours under the table, her eyebrow raised as if challenging you. You have a sudden thought of going under the table and letting your hands unzip her cargo pants, but instead you just kick her back.

“Wanna go?” She asks. You don’t want to go back to the hotel, and she seems to pick up on it. “The area we’re in is nice. We can walk around a bit.”

You smile and nod. “Split the bill?”

“Fuck no.” She shoots you a look, pulling out her credit card from the back of her phone.

“You cursed!” You exclaim, to which she scoffs.

“I said it’s alright in specific situations.”

Now it’s your turn to scoff. “Well we’re not having sex, are we?”

The way her eyelashes flutter at your question gives you jitters. “Aight, stop talking.” She finally manages to respond. You just send her a look that you hope makes her nervous.

-

“You’re not funny.” She grumbles, attempting to grab your phone from you.

“Back off, Bueckers! I’m serious.” You laugh, sidestepping her with your phone above your head. The street was empty and the lights were on, putting the two of you in a yellow glow against the night. You’d been walking around the neighbourhood, observing houses and learning a bit about Storrs for the past hour.

“Give me your phone, I know you ain’t deleting those.” She huffs, grabbing for your phone. You try to escape her grasp but she’s got longer limbs, so eventually your phone is in her pocket and she’s wearing a proud look on her face.

It’s nice to walk in the quiet of evening, her beside you. You have no idea where you are but you can’t help but trust she can get you back to the car in no time. Not just yet though.

You turn to look at Paige almost shamelessly. There’s just so much to observe with her. Her confident posture, toothy smile, sleek straightened blonde hair, even the baggy cargo pants and sweater. She always looked good, it never failed to annoy you.

“Either your pants are too tight or crazy baggy.” You note. She just raises her eyebrow.

“Sounds like you just want me to take my pants off at this point.”

“Wouldn’t mind a little show.” You reply almost instantly, shocking yourself at the surge of confidence. She doesn’t seem taken aback, in fact she’s intrigued.

“Is that your usual routine? Have a meal out then have a meal at home?”

“Maybe it is.” You shrug. “I never object to a wine n dine.”

“And what exactly would you object to?”

“Cocky girls who think they’re the shit.” You say, turning your head to face her. You don’t mean to target her, but she simply smiles.

“Is it really being cocky if I can back it up though?” Paige asks quietly. You’re not walking anymore, stuck in place on an empty path between buildings. She’s closing in on you until your back hits a brick wall. The way Paige is staring down at you, hands in her pockets, lip between her teeth. It’s nothing you’d object to, ever.

“I won’t believe it till I see it.” You mutter, holding her eye. The air is tense in a new way that you haven’t felt with her since you first met in the bar. Her face is entrancing.

Paige’s hands lift your jaw upwards, and she leans into your ear. “You might not see it,” she mumbles, breath hot against your skin. “But you’ll definitely feel it.”

When she pulls back from your ear she stays hovering just above you, hands chastely holding your head up. You’re in the perfect position to kiss, and you can’t stop your eyes from darting between her electric stare to her lush, pink lips.

You can literally feel her breath on your mouth when a piercing ring cuts through the moment. It’s coming from her pocket, and she pulls out your phone. Paige’s face twists as she reads the screen. “It’s Elaine.”

“Just- just decline it.” You rush out, not caring how desperate you sound. You can feel how wet you are, and the lack of heat against you is blaring.

“She texted you too.” Paige scoffs. “She’s waiting for you at your hotel.”

You don’t even know what to say. Paige’s face is expressionless. You’re disappointed, but there’s no point in begging. Nothing really happened.

“Let’s get you home.” She says, starting to walk back from where you came. “Shouldn’t keep her waiting.” Her tone is dripping with toxicity. It makes you shiver.