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moonshine-nightlight · 1 year ago

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Nothing's Wrong with Dale - Part Thirty

It’s been a week, but you’re fairly certain your fiancé accidentally got himself replaced by an eldritch being from the Depths. Deciding that he’s certainly not worse than your original fiancé, you endeavor to keep the engagement and his new non-human state to yourself.

However, this might prove harder than you originally thought.

Fantasy, arranged marriage, malemonsterxfemalereader, M/F

AO3: Nothing’s Wrong with Dale Chapter 30

[Part One][Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four] [Part Five] [Part Six] [Part Seven] [Part Seven.5][Part Eight] [Part Nine] [Part Ten] [Part Eleven] [Part Twelve] [Part Thirteen] [Part Fourteen] [Part Fifteen] [Part Sixteen] [Part Seventeen] [Part Eighteen] [Part Nineteen] [Part Twenty] [Part Twenty-One] [Part Twenty-Two][Part Twenty-Three] [Part Twenty-Four][Part Twenty-Five] [Part Twenty-Six] [Part Twenty-Seven] [Part Twenty-Eight] [Part Twenty-Nine] Part Thirty [Part Thirty-One] [Part Thirty-Two] [Part Thirty-Three] [Part Thirty-Four]

You blink at the woman for a few long seconds, trying to comprehend her words. “Excuse me? Did you just say Lord Dale has called off the wedding? Our wedding?”

“I…” The maid is at a loss for words in the face of your incredulity. She swallows. “Yes, my lady.”

There’s a rushing sound in your ears, like wind roaring. You stay perfectly still, your face blank as you try to think. That is not possible. It’s not. How could he do something like that? Why would he? You’d dealt with so many surprises, jumped over every obstacle, and handled every challenge. Why instead did you feel as though you had survived a trip at sea only to find your ship crashing into the pier while within sight of home? You feel numb.

Perhaps you are making some sort of expression because the woman grows paler. “I’m sure it is simply pre-wedding jitters, my lady,” she hurries to reassure you. “Lord Archibald will have him seeing sense before you can blink.”

“Best to continue getting you ready,” Ms Dearden says as she lays out your corded underskirts. You appreciate her practiced dismissal even if you fear there’s more at play here than she’s aware of. “Young men these days always get cold feet. He’ll be over it soon enough.”

“Yes, of course.” Your own voice seems distant to your ears, but your words are enough for Callalily’s maid to resume work on your hair. At some point she finishes and you’re helped into your underskirts. Your mind stays blank as you try to conceive of reasons for him to do such a thing beyond tiring of you and this whole facade. Distant imaginings of what your life would be like without the wedding crumble to fog.

You’ve been so committed and focused on today that the news feels nonsensical more than alarming. How could the wedding not be happening? Did you just speak with your sisters? Has every moment of the last few weeks been in service of it? Are you not now suddenly dressed in your lovely yellow wedding gown? The person in the hand mirror looks as though they are marrying today.

The door flings open and Steward Bilmont hurries in despite the reproach from the women in the room at both his presence and the dramatics of his entrance.

You only need to look at his face to understand that the situation with Dale has not improved since the first maid broke it to you. He opens his mouth to speak, but something about your countenance, or perhaps your lack of reaction, must inform him that you know something of the situation.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into him, my lady,” Bilmont says, wringing his hands. “He’s not been this unreasonable in weeks. Lord Archibald has refused to put a stop to anything, but Lord Dale refuses to see reason. He’s barred the door to his chambers after Lord Archibald wouldn’t accept his words.”

“I see.” With careful fingers you put down the small hand mirror and begin to stand, adjusting your skirts as you do so.

It’s Miss Adir who asks, her voice filled with trepidation, “My lady?”

“Excuse me,” you say, an undeniable calm spreading through your veins, as you cross the room towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Steward Bilmont asks as you brush by him.

You realize your decision as you reply, “To speak with my betrothed. Please continue preparations without me.”

The maid who brought the news is the one who speaks up, as your hand closes around the door knob. “My lady, I don’t think—”

“Continue without me,” you cut her off, eyes snapping, because finally some emotion has made itself known to you and it is anger. You’ve worked so hard and been through so much. Dale thinks he can just put an end to it all mere hours before you’re to be wed? No.

“My lady…” Bilmont tries, his hand settling gently on your arm. He’s almost wincing, the look in his eyes resigned. As though he thought everything had been going too well and this was the inevitable shoe that dropped.

You shake his hand off. “If Lord Dale wishes to call off our wedding,” some of that anger finally bleeds into your voice and you see the surprise in Bilmont’s eyes, “he shall tell me so to my face. Get out of my way.”

He obligingly steps back, hands hanging back at his sides. You don’t bother to observe the others' reactions, opening the door quickly, and letting it shut heavily behind you.

You walk briskly down the hall and towards the Northridge family bedrooms. No one else, servant or noble alike, crosses your path as you head that way. Not until you’re closer. You hear shouting and decide to peek around the corner, wanting to get the scope of the situation you’re walking into.

“—utter foolishness!” Grandfather is shouting at Dale’s closed door with two guards flanking him. He bangs his fist on the door for good measure. “Do you wish for me to find your Grandmother? I’ve kindly not informed her of your idiocy, but I shall have to if you persist!”

There’s no reply from the other side of the door, not even a sound. Grandfather rattles the door knob to no avail, but doesn’t try anything further with the solid wood door.

He groans in frustration and turns to the guards. “I want to know the instant he leaves this room and if he does not within the hour, I shall have to inform Lady Deidre as promised.”

“Yes, my lord,” the guards chorus looked properly cowed by the threat, even if it isn't aimed at them.

Grandfather turns dramatically enough you see more of the original Dale in him than you thought possible and storms off. The guards take up posts on either side of the door, not baring it, but still present enough that you stay where you are. You’ve no desire to speak to them or to shout at Dale with them nearby.

You frown, unsure why but something doesn’t sit right with you the longer you look down the silent corridor. It seems…empty, or perhaps still, in a manner that makes you feel as if you are not where you should be. Not that your presence is unwanted, but as if you are lost.

You study the scene more closely and find your eyes drifting towards the bright sunlight streaming through the windows and the faint light coming from under Dale’s bedroom door. After a second, you realize what is wrong with the light and shadow—both are completely still. Before, the maid had said both of them were shouting and you’ve never heard this Dale raise his voice except in a physical fight. If he were truly upset, or at least strongly emotional, there should be some evidence in the shadows, some unnatural movement.

You chance another glance down the corridor, but it looks utterly ordinary. As your gaze sweeps from further down where Grandfather disappears around a corner and then back closer to yourself they snag on the stairway down towards the studies and other meeting rooms. There’s no movement, but the shadows are deep and dark. There are no windows there, that stairway is more utilitarian than for show like the grand staircases in other places throughout the house, so that’s plenty of reason for the darkness, but…

You move as quietly and fluidly as you can towards that staircase, hoping not to attract the guards notice. You don’t want to talk to anyone except Dale. You don’t know what Grandfather would try to say to you given he is clearly trying to keep this news contained. He stopped attempting to prove anything with you since the attack, but you’re still not completely sure of what he thinks of you. Keeping your skirts just high enough off the floor and grateful your house slippers are soft and quiet, you make it to the stairs without the guards' notice.

Your footsteps are nearly silent as you hastily make your way down the flight of stairs. You’ve never given much thought to the amount of light that fills it, but surely it wasn’t this dark in previous mornings. Or is that simply your imagination? Is it just your hope that it means you can find Dale and talk some sense into him?

You peek out at the bottom, looking for anyone in this area of the house who might question one of the couple getting married wandering about alone. No one is present. An eerie silence permeates the corridor and like the staircase, it seems darker than it should be. You step out, eyes on the window that lets light in, but seems outnumbered by shadows.

Dale’s personal study is off a smaller side corridor from this hallway, in its own small tower. You think the upper floor might connect to his bedroom. Then there is the underground room, the real reason you believe the original Dale had requested his current quarters and this study.

There’s an oppressive aura that thickens the air as soon as you turn the corner and it builds the closer you get to his study’s door. You imagine that's partially responsible for the lack of others in this area, which in some ways you’re grateful for. You also manage to draw on its presence as fuel for your anger at such obvious overflow from his nature. The shadows under the door ripple, as if it were night and a lighted candle was guttering in the breeze, unremarkable except for the fact that it's closer to noon.

Cautiously, you reach out for the door knob. Grasping it firmly in your hand, you find that it's not locked as you had feared. The knob turns without effort and the door swings inside to reveal Dale’s study. The flickering shadows solidify as you step inside, eyes searching for Dale.

You find him quickly enough, a trunk half packed of books next to him. Somehow you don’t think they are being gathered for your wedding trip. He’s by the window, back to you, but you can see tension in every line of his body. All the breath desserts you at the sight of him. All the words you could say dry up in your mouth. The door shuts with an audible click behind you.

“WOULD—” Dale whirls, his frustrated voice cuts off the second his eyes land on you. Abruptly all the anger in his face leaves him. Instead he practically deflates, merely gaping at you. To your surprise, he spins away from you. “What are you doing here?” he asks, voice pitched higher than usual. “I thought we were not to see each other until—” He doesn’t finish his sentence, his shoulders slumping.

You take another few steps into the room and clear your throat. “Yes, well, I’m fairly certain that the betrotheds laying eyes on one the morning of the wedding is of no consequence if there isn’t to be a wedding, hm?” You’re grateful that you’ve rediscovered some of your anger and your frustration to draw on for the strength to weather this conversation.

“I…” Dale can’t seem to think of an adequate response even as he refuses to turn around.

Your heart constricts in your chest at this confirmation. “So it’s true?” You hadn’t realized how much you were hoping despite all the evidence to the contrary that once you found Dale he’d explain how it was all one big misunderstanding. “You’ve called off our wedding.”

He leans his head against the wall and says nothing.

“Dammit, Dale!” The words jump out of you, louder than you’ve ever spoken to Dale. “Look at me,” you say, your voice breaking. “If you’re going to do this, you’re going to look at me as you do so.”

Slowly, like a man condemned, he turns. Dale swallows, looking profoundly guilty. He murmurs your name, but you refuse to let his soft voice sway you and merely stare straight back at him. “Why? Why are you doing this?”

“My reasons are complex, but unchangeable.” His words are rote and his voice wooden. You imagine he said something like this to Grandfather. “I apologize.”

“I don’t understand,” you say as plainly as you can, tired of talking around topics and pretending to be sure when you aren’t. “Complex? How complex can they be that you won’t even enumerate them for me now. Please explain, justify, anything.” Dale just stands there and that anger surges through your blood. You take another step forward, your voice as stern as you can make it, “You owe it to me. Tell me why you are calling off our future.”

“I…” Dale starts before his blue eyes meet yours squarely for the first time since you arrived and he appears to shrink in on himself. He sighs a deep sigh, looking weary. “I could say any number of reasons, but you’re correct. They’re just excuses.” He pulls himself back up and braces himself. “In truth, I simply cannot bear to deceive you any longer.”

“Deceive me? About what? What can you not have told me that would cause our wedding to be canceled?” Panicked, wild scenarios begin to fly through your mind. “Did you marry someone else on your travels and they’ve arrived today? Have you been caught smuggling? Are you a wanted man? Did something happen this morning?”

Dale looks taken aback. He blinks at you. “Wha-? No, no—none of that.”

You feel some exasperation mixing with your frustration as he continues to talk around whatever he’s worried about. You’ve done this dance every day for weeks now and you are so, so tired of it. “Then what? I thought,” you swallow, hating how small your voice has gotten. You clear your throat and try again. “I thought you wanted this—wanted our marriage.”

“I do!” The words burst out of him, surprising you. How can he say so when he’s the one who is ruining it. He continues more quietly, as if the volume was what shocked you, “I do, but you don’t know…” He trails off again, looking away.

“Then tell me,” you plead, taking another step closer. Only another step or two and you could touch him. You could try in vain to keep him from leaving you.

“I,” he starts, looking at you and away again. “A few weeks ago, there was a… I mean to say that I,” he begins again, obviously having difficulty getting the words out. At least you can see he’s truly making the attempt this time. “Well, not me, but he…” Is this something the original Dale had done that was coming back to ruin everything? That was what you hoped for, in a strange way, because at least it would mean that this Dale still might want you. That whatever prompted this was out of his control. That maybe you could fix whatever it was. “I care about you,” he finally says, his eyes bright, bright blue as they meet yours squarely once more and your breath catches at the genuine sentiment in his voice, “more than I ever thought I would, but I’m not who you think I am.” He takes another deep breath and says bluntly, “Dale of Northridge died weeks ago and then I possessed his body.”

Everything seems to screech to a halt as he stares at you, his eyes pleading with you to understand. Aside from the relief at finally hearing him say it out loud, you don’t. Understand, that is. “Yes…” you say slowly, nodding. “And…?” You’re still waiting for him to complete the thought. To tell you what he’s been building to. Prompting him seemed to help before. “Did you eat someone a few weeks ago and have just now been discovered? Did something you forgot come back to cause problems now?”

“What?” Now Dale looks nearly as confused as you feel. It makes you want to scream in frustration because he’s the one doing this—he has to be the one that knows what is going on. “No, I don’t think you understand.” He talks more slowly, like you’re not hearing his words right. “I’m not human, I’m a demon.” He once again appears to brace himself for your reaction, but you still don’t get it.

Maybe you aren’t hearing him right, but that’s never happened before. Is this some new demonic power or collateral influence? “Yes, I know,” you reply just as deliberately. You enunciate as you ask, “But what did you do that means we can not be wed?”

“You must not be comprehending my words.” He seems to be aware of the issue, getting frustrated himself. He runs his fingers through his long dark hair before he takes on a consoling tone, “I know it is a great shock to find out your fiance is now a demon—”

“What?” You stare at him because is that what he thinks you are getting caught on? You put your hands on your hips and can’t say anything except, “Of course, I know you’re a demon.”

“What?” He leans back, eyes wide. “No.” Dale shakes his head. “How could you know that?”

“Did you think you’ve been doing an exemplary job of hiding it?” The response bursts out of you before you can help it. Because no, this cannot be the conversation you’re having. It can’t be. “How about we begin with how the human Dale was obviously interested in demonology and black market dealing. How excited he was the night before this,” you gesture to Dale’s entire body, “happened. How sick you were after and your memory issues. The fact that you occasionally have more eyes than is proper and your influence on shadows and the claws. You’ve had a tail at times, for stars’ sake!”

“Oh.” Dale’s voice is small and his eyes big as he stares down at you, clearly at a loss for words.

You’ve seemingly found a well of words with which to rebuke him. “Do you know how many times I’ve had to conceal your nature?” You take a step forward, unable to contain your ire and incredulity. He takes one back. “It is not as easy as you must believe to distract people from wriggling shadows and additional eyes and all the strange things you say. Did you really believe I didn’t know? That you were hiding it that well?”

“Well, I don’t know.” Dale sounds more flustered than you’ve ever heard him. “Humans are so oblivious most of the time!”

“Not that oblivious!”

Dale throws his hands up. “Well, no one’s instigated a purge, have they? And Grandfather and Grandmother don’t know, do they?”

Your heart rate is slowly returning to normal and you grudgingly admit, “No. Although Grandfather did think I’d cursed you for a couple weeks.”

“He thought you cursed me?”

“Yes!” you reply, exasperated that he didn’t even know. “After the hunt, where you did light knows what with the boar, he became convinced that I had cursed you or ensnared you with my ‘potions’. Perhaps while you were still recovering from your supposed illness. As a supposed practitioner of dark ritual or maybe even a summoner, he kept trying to exorcise me, which I had to make sure didn’t accidentally affect you.” When Dale just looks at you, obviously hearing this or putting the pieces together for the first time you can’t help, but feel as if you might be the one who has lost their mind. “You must remember when he practically threw a glass of holy water on us?”

Dale’s brow furrows. “…I did think that was a bit odd.”

You snort. “Yes, I would wager so.” Slowly, you realize you're laughing. You put a hand to your mouth but all it does is muffle the sound. Dale looks newly worried but you can’t stop. “I can’t believe you didn’t know that I knew.” Collapsing into a chair, you cover your face in your hands as you try to regain your composure.

How is this happening? How had you managed to get so far along without realizing he didn’t know that you knew? Who does that say more about him or you?

After a moment or two, you sense him near you and he asks, “Are you alright?” He sounds so concerned, like he’s still worried the knowledge of what he is, even if it isn’t new to you, might be capable of breaking your mind or whatever he feared would happen.

“Yes, yes,” you finally sit back up, blinking in the light as you attempt to reassure him. “I will be. I simply need a moment.” Dale hesitates from where he’s leaning over you before turning to fetch a cup of water. Haltingly, he holds out to you. “Thank you,” you say as you wipe away the tears that had gathered in the corners of your eyes while laughing.

You sip it carefully as you pull the tattered remains of your composure around yourself once more. Dale watches you take the first couple of sips before he begins to pace in obvious agitation. He’s clearly waiting for you to finish the glass before saying whatever is so clearly on his mind. You’re content to take your time and make him wait after everything he’s put you through, seemingly without even realizing what you were doing.

After a minute, you set the glass down deliberately and Dale comes to a stop in front of you. “I don’t…” he starts to say before changing his mind. “If you know, then why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?” you ask. He’s the one constantly doing incomprehensible things.

“Marrying me!” he says, rather emphatically, as though it should be obvious. He runs his hands through his hair. “Going through with this wedding! I don’t understand.” He sounds desperate to understand.

You feel of heat gather high on your cheeks, not having expected to have a light shown on your own actions so directly. “What do you mean? We’re betrothed. Getting married is the expected course of action.”

He gives you a flat look that says you’re not fooling him. “Try once more. I admit there were certain times where I did think you…” He looks at you, a distant look in his eyes as he remembers whatever particular instance. “Where I did think that you knew. Half a dozen times, I was sure you knew,” he continues, eyes intent once more, “but you didn’t do anything about it! You never revealed me or tried to exorcise me or even demand any sort of recompense for keeping it secret. You merely continued on as we had. You were still there, at my side.” He sighs and he looks so tired again. “And so I thought I must be wrong, that you couldn’t know.”

You're not sure what to say in the face of his conviction that you knowing what he is and you continuing to associate with him were so unlikely he’d discounted it out of hand. He made it sound like tolerating or using him was the most he’d expected. “I…”

“And you’re afraid of demons!” The words burst out of him. “So why would—?”

“I’m not afraid of you,” you reply because that’s certainly true. If the manner in which the shadows behind Dale are writhing in distress are any indication, the reassurance can’t hurt. You’re worried about how his nature makes life more complicated and what other people might do, but you’re long past the point of fearing he’d physically injure you on purpose.

“I heard you and Grandfather talking about Two,” Dale replies, as if that proves something. “How you feared them because of what they were. That night, when I remembered what I’d heard, I changed my mind again about what you knew.”

You stare at him before saying slowly, “Dale, I was afraid of Two because they were trying to kidnap and murder us. Their being a demon made them more dangerous, so yes, that made me fear them more than the others. You were who knows where fighting them on your own and I was worried about you.” If you thought Dale looked confused before, he looks downright confounded now. You keep talking, relishing in the opportunity to finally speak honestly about the attack, “However, you being a demon makes you stronger, which reassured me. I couldn’t say anything else because of Grandfather’s attitude, but I did not grow up in Northridge. I may not have met a demon before, but I didn’t live anywhere with the rigorous, studied suspicion and fear that Northridge cultivates.”

“The rest of the world is not Northridge,” Dale acknowledges having composed himself, “but it is not charitable in its view either. And it is not wrong in that opinion. I’ve been on the Surface before. No one has ever treated me in the manner you have after learning what I am. It was impossible to reconcile the person I got to know with someone who would want what humans understand demons to be.”

It’s not as though you can’t follow where he’s coming from. You haven’t told anyone else about what he is for a reason beyond just what Grandfather and Grandmother. You’d never even seriously considered telling any of your siblings because you know they wouldn’t understand. You want to ask further about the personal experience he’s alluding to but that isn’t what matters at this moment. “I…” You take a breath and finally say the obvious truth that you’ve never been able to say directly, even if you alluded to the sentiment right after the attack. “I do want to marry you.” Dale looks thunder-stuck. “Far more than I ever wanted to marry Dale before you took his place.”

“You do?” You’ve never seen Dale look so completely bewildered. “Why?”

“Because he was a selfish, mean, entitled prick.” The plain, honest words slip out without thought and Dale’s eyes widen. “Because you’re not. I like you.” You swallow and continue, “I think we get along well. I would have tolerated marrying him. You make me look forward to marriage.”

It's a weight lifted to finally say those words, but they inevitably bring up your own confusion, your own lack of understanding of this Dale’s motivations and you can’t pass up the opportunity to ask. “But this is not just about why I have stuck to this facade. Why have you?” You still have no notion of what a demon might want. You’d only barely convinced yourself that Dale wanted this partnership since he was going along with it. He isn’t now. So perhaps you don’t know anything at all. “You could have stolen all you could from Dale and then disappeared to live your own life about a week after being here. You don’t have to be, to be,” you search for the words to define what’s he’s been doing, especially knowing he’s not been working toward the same end goal as you, “taking part in all these events, and playing dutiful grandson with Grandfather, Grandmother, or all the others.” You take a deep breath and add, with only a small shake to your voice, “Or being with me. Why are you still here?”

Dale opens his mouth, but no sound comes out as he stares at you.

Your shoulders slump in the face of his inability to give any reason, let alone a compelling one. “Although, I suppose there is no more wedding, is there? You’ve called it off, for all you haven’t left or told me why.” The prospect of the fall-out to come leaves you exhausted and hurt already. “I assume that leaving will be your next move.”

“No, no,” Dale starts to protest, “I…” Something changes in his expression as he searches for the words to say and this time, they come out steady, “Originally, I stayed because it was easy. I thought the best stroke of luck I’d had in my existence was when that imbecile broke himself opening an unguarded portal and I’d won the fight for his body.”

“Oh.” It had never even occurred to you that there might have been such an event. No matter what he does next, you’re grateful this demon is the one who won too.

“It’d been so long since I’d been up on the Surface,” Dale says wistfully. “I didn’t have a plan beyond getting here. I suppose, at first, I had considered taking what I could and leaving to make my own life. Except…” Your breath, your future hangs on that “except.” “I enjoy it here. Northridge, I mean, not just being out of the Depths. It’s somewhat impossible to know how much is experience and how much is borrowed memory, but I care for Grandfather and Grandmother. And for you. What is here in Northridge is more than I’d hoped for. A safe den, a loyal clan, a bountiful territory, an exemplary mate. Why would I go searching for better when it seemed I’d already found all I could want?”

“Truly?”

“Yes.”

Dale seems so sincere but that only brings your mind back to what prompted this conversation. “Then why are you trying to stop the wedding?”

“Because I thought you didn’t know!” he protests. “I told myself that since I’d never out-right lied to you, that was good enough.” He sighs. “But I realized if my only reason for not telling you who you were even marrying was because you might make a choice I didn’t want, that it was rather despicable.”

You can’t help, but ask the obvious. “Then why didn’t you simply tell me instead of calling the wedding off?”

“Because I’m selfish too,” Dale says, “and I couldn’t bear for you to know the truth and look at me like—.” He breaks off, shaking his head.

He’s returned to not meeting your eyes. Tension has crawled back up his spine to settle in his shoulders. His arms are crossed and he still seems one wrong word away from running. As if Dale’s still waiting for you to reject him. Perhaps you need to make up for all the times you didn’t speak up before. It seems like a fair concession if the hope blooming in your chest is proven true.

You stand up from your chair, crossing the remaining distance between you and Dale. You place gentle hands on his forearms and they loosen under your touch. Carefully you push those crossed arms down until they hang by his sides where you can entwine your fingers with his. You take advantage of the height he has on you to look up into his eyes, not even surprised to find more than just two. “Well, I do know.” Those glowing blue eyes stare back down at you with the same hope reflected in them. “And I still want to marry you. If you do.”

Dale’s answer is immediate and earnest, “I do. I want that. I want the life we spoke of building more than anything else I’ve ever thought to want.”

You nod, a smile breaking out across your face. “Good. Go-” He cuts you off with a kiss, which starts out light but grows in pressure when you kiss him back. He tries to lift a hand to your face, but instead the back of your own hand still held in his touches your cheek instead. You pull back to see the pout he makes as he stares at his hand, obviously unsure of whether to let yours go or to keep holding on.

The sound of a door opening above you followed by disgruntled voices pops the bubble of privacy you’d been enclosed in. You sigh. “While we still need to have a full conversation, I think it can wait for tonight at the least, yes?” Dale nods eagerly. “Then I must return to getting ready.”

“And I must assure Grandfather my ‘bout of childish insanity’ is indeed over. I’ve never seen him so furious.” At the look of surprise on your face, Dale smiles. “Regardless of what he thought before, Grandfather certainly thinks well of you now. He repeatedly told me that this would be the worst decision I ever made if I went through with it. He’s refused to even tell Grandmother, more out of fear for me than for her.”

High on emotion and relief, you giggle, too pleased that Grandfather spoke so strongly in your favor. “Did he?”

“Yes,” Dales says as he leads you to the study door. “And it's not as though I could provide a solid defense when I knew he was right.” He pulls you into a solid embrace before letting you go with a final kiss pressed to your forehead.

You pull the door open without looking away from him, not able to resist asking for one last reassurance, “Your word that you will be there at the other end of the aisle?”

Dale smiles. “Yes, sana, I give you my word that I will let nothing stand in the way of our wedding, not even myself.”

[Part Thirty-One]

#my writing #story: nothing's wrong with dale #story part #nothing's wrong with dale #monster romance #monster bf #exophilia #terato #osha compliant #slow burn #arranged marriage #reader #idk where today went #literally all i did was work on this and go to a bridal shower #and the day is gone #the anticipation just for myself for this chapter has been ridiculous #so i'm rly glad to hav finally gotten here and finished it!#hope you enjoyed the chapter!#let me know what you think!

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free-musketeers · 2 months ago

Text

One.

“That’ll be $2.99.”

The doors to the café opened with a cool tinkling sound, curtains swaying in the evening breeze. You paid for the beverage and got back to your table. After placing the drink down on its pink coaster, you got out your laptop and notebooks.

5:17 PM.

Stretching your arms and cracking your knuckles, you decided it was about time you got cracking on your project, too. Of course, you were missing half the requirements, the other half being—

“Hey, hope I’m not too late again.”

You looked up from your laptop to a dazzling smile. One that was indeed late but almost made you forgive it. Almost.

This was only your second meeting with your newly assigned project partner but two were two too many. If you could even call that first one a meeting.

You had reorganized your schedule to fit a little chat with Atsumu Miya at the University’s library two weeks ago, back when you’d been assigned partners in the first place. Why you had been paired up with the college volleyball team’s star player was something only a higher being could answer. Nevertheless, you were determined to submit your best project yet.

That was until you had a single conversation with Atsumu.

2:05 AM Hey sorry I couldn’t make it to the café today Practice ran late Can we do this some other time?

You had stared glumly at the text for several minutes. The café? Hadn’t you agreed to meet him at the library? And hadn’t he suggested the meeting in the first place? Sighing, you decided to reply the next morning and scheduled today’s meeting at one of the University’s cafés. The meeting he was late to, again. Oh well, at least he showed up.

“Glad you could make it this time,” you said, biting back any snark. “No practice on Saturdays?”

“Nope,” he said, dumping his sports bag on the table. “Is this for me?” he asked, taking a sip of your drink before you could even register his question.

He shook his head violently, slapping himself on the forehead. “Brain freeze, brain freeze, ahh!”

You watched as he choked down every last drop, finally smacking his lips. He slammed the glass down onto its coaster, nearly rattling your pens off.

So this is what THE Atsumu Miya is like.

“Alright, then. How about we just get started on this project, yeah?”

He nodded slowly. The two of you began brainstorming ideas while you tried not to die inside.

An hour and a half later, you got back to your empty dorm. Slipping off your shoes and backpack, and crashing onto your bed, you did your best to remind yourself that everyone makes fools of themselves. Besides, you had a whole night of research and chores to do. Better quit moping and start mopping.

#miya atsumu #atsumu miya #atsumu x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu x reader

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brighter-by-the-daly · 1 year ago

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Millie Bright x Reader

Part Three: Lover’s Auction

You were well aware that it was Millie’s game today and try as she might, she didn’t manage to get you to the stadium to watch her but she was slowly wearing you down. You wanted to spend every possible second with her but there was still that fact that she played football.. for a living. ‘Why I did I have to fall for a footballer, honestly?’ you’d say to yourself in the mirror while getting dressed. You wanted nothing more than to feel truly connected to her but football was something you’d stuffed away into a tiny box never to be opened again. Millie didn’t rush you into doing anything that would make you feel uncomfortable, she knows deep down that you will slowly come around to the idea of watching her play.. whether that be in a few weeks, months or years, she was willing to wait for you.

Y: Good luck today 😘

M: Thank you, see you later? 🥰

Y: If you win 😉

You were unsure why you had gotten ready so early seeing as Millie wouldn’t be picking you up for at least 5 hours, this made the prospect of having spare time on your hands even more daunting. Thumbing through the channels on the TV you saw the match was starting soon, hovering over the BBC One channel thoughts rushed through your mind.. ‘should I watch? I don’t have to watch, I could try to watch it, ughhh just press record!’ So you did. You promised to record the game, you never agreed to watch it! Watching the programme turn red to be recorded was like a breakthrough, you’d taken the first step.

Hearing dad rustling about in the kitchen you shuffled over to watch him make his lunch, “dad..” you interrupted his pondering of what to put in his sandwich today as he peered at you from behind the fridge door. “Do you maybe, wanna watch.. Millie’s game with me?” you asked shyly, looking down as you played with the ring on your pinky finger. Dad closed the door with a sudden slam making the contents of the fridge rattle around as he waited to hear a crash from inside and when that didn’t come, he breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at you standing nervously in the door frame, “are you sure, honey?” he asked in his soft and comforting tone, watching you nod unconvincingly. “Of course I will!” rushing over, stopping half way to gently put down the knife in his hand before embracing you, twirling you around the kitchen like he did when you were little making you giggle. He finished making his lunch then joined you on the sofa, “I bought snacks!” he said exuding enthusiasm, dropping an armful of crisps and popcorn onto the coffee table. It’s like he had been patiently awaiting this moment and had to make sure he was fully prepared for it. You briefed him that you may turn it off suddenly as you don’t know how it’s going to make you feel and he understood but all your fears disappeared when you saw Millie talking before the game. As a smile uncontrollably spread across your face dad couldn’t help but notice, “there’s your girlfriend!” he teased, causing your foot to slide across the sofa and land in his ribs. “She’s not my girlfriend!” whining as your cheeks turned red, “yet!” he taunted you under his breath earning him a cold hard stare. You watched the entire game.

Y: Good goal 😉

M: you watched?! 🙊

Y: I did, captain 🫡

M: I’ll be leaving in a minute, see you in half hour 😘

From that point forward you were texting constantly. Your dad had noticed a clear difference in your mood and your sudden willingness to say yes to anything he suggested. These past few months had turned you into a bit of a recluse but something about Millie put the spring back in your step. You watched all her games on TV and you’d see each other whenever she had time to.. which was most days. It made you realise that if someone wants to put effort into seeing you, they will! Towards the end of your last relationship your girlfriend started to make excuses as to why she couldn’t meet you as often as you’d like and you accepted her reasoning until it was weeks in between dates rather than days. Millie lead a much more demanding life between her job, other opportunities and commitments yet still made time to see or talk to you every single day. This is what a good partner is, this is someone who actually wants to be with you. Millie’s lazy days on the sofa now had you next to her and you were barely without each other except for when she was training or playing. Even then, she would facetime you as soon as she finished and arrange to meet up! You even started to work your shifts at dad’s company around when Millie was working too so you’d have more time to spend with each other.

Millie had a few weeks off for Christmas coming up and had planned to go up to Birmingham to visit her best friend before she met you and as that time drew closer she asked if you’d like to go with her. She laid out her plan to you one evening when you were on a sunset date. She’d packed the car up with snacks and a flask of tea and drove you to the edge of town where you could watch the sunset. As it was winter the air was getting nippy so you sat in the warm car drinking your tea and eating biscuits as you watched what could have been the last sunset of the year. Her best friend has her last game before Christmas break the day after Millie’s and she was keen to take you with her. “Babe, we could go to the game together, we can watch from a warm box in a little stadium and we can be together for your first game back. What do you think?” she said hurriedly between mouthfuls of chocolate digestives like she couldn’t wait to get her idea out in the open for you to ponder upon. You sat silent for a while as her big blue eyes willed you to agree, you knew this time would come eventually and would there ever come a better opportunity? To have the person who understands you more than a lot of people next to you was more comforting than sitting in the stands alone. So you said yes. But you made sure she completely understood that on the day of the game you couldn’t know for certain if you were going to go or not, Millie shook your hand in agreement, “one day at a time” she always says, bringing your hand to her crumb covered mouth to kiss it. It was in these moments that made you fall for her more, you’d been surrounded by glitz and glamour all your life but you would choose biscuit crumb kisses over that any day!

Millie came to pick you up after her game and drove you to Birmingham to meet Rachel, you’d heard so much about her that it was like you’d already met! You were under the impression that you would be staying in a hotel while you were away but Millie decided on the drive up there that now would be a good time to tell you that you’ll actually be staying at Rachel’s house! You’ve heard a lot about the Aston Villa player and the way Millie’s face lights up when she talks about her you knew you’d love her too but staying in her house?! That’s a bit quick isn’t it? Surely you would meet someone first before staying over! The announcement that you would be staying at Millie’s best friend’s house made you nervous, if you’d known this you would have packed differently – you’re not sure how exactly but you would have packed more carefully. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner so I could prepare?” you pouted in a way to make her feel sorry for you. “You don’t need to prepare (y/n/n), just be yourself!” squeezing your thigh for reassurance. That’s what you were worried about.. when you’re nervous you either get drunk, make a tit of yourself or both! Rachel means so much to Millie that you have to ensure you make a good impression otherwise your relationship wouldn’t last very long. Not that you’re in a relationship yet anyway.. this is where it could all go downhill.

Pulling up on Rachel’s driveway, Millie collected the bags and squeezed your hand on the walk up the path. She hadn’t even rung the bell when the door flew open, the bags and your hand were quickly dropped to masses of squeals and chaos that ensued before your eyes. Before you knew it, you were wrapped in the stranger’s arms being forced to jump up and down with her. “It’s so nice to finally meet you! Come in!” Rachel rushed inside as Millie grabbed your hand again and looked at you, raising her eyebrows in a way that said ‘see, told you she’d love ya!’ You were a little shy at first, not really saying much.. not that you had the chance with these two chatterboxes anyway! You were glad Rachel had a dog that you could focus your nervous energy on, at least she wouldn’t judge you!

After a few hours of catching up, gossiping and small talk you slowly started to settle in when Rachel showed you to the spare bedroom. Millie insisted on carrying all the bags upstairs even though you have two working arms, she loves showing off and being the dominant one and who were you to complain about it? Unpacking your belongings in the tastefully decorated room you placed the only thing Millie allowed you to carry onto the shelf – a glass of wine. You took a few minutes to yourself before unpacking as Millie let you be – today had been a lot! You could hear the girls cackling loudly downstairs as you tried to hype yourself up, today hadn’t been as bad as you anticipated, you’re not even sure why you thought it was going to bad in the first place! Rachel seemed lovely and it was easy to see how they became and stayed best friends – both loud and know what they want, passionate about their sport and the friendship that came with it.

After a while you made your way back downstairs in your comfy clothes, “there’s my girlfriend!” Millie exclaimed, jumping up from her seat on the floor to envelop you into her arms, “we thought you got lost!” your face smushed into her chest as she held you closer and squeezed you one more time, lifting your feet off the floor and planting a kiss on the crown of your head when she put you back down. “What’s going on here?” you laughed seeing loads of board games spread out onto the floor, “we’re gonna have a games night! Oh, I’ll get you some more wine!” Rachel said, grabbing the glass from your hand and rushing out of the room. “Have you got snacks!?” Millie called following her out to rummage the cupboards. Not long after they left you heard a scream and a loud clatter of noise come from the kitchen making you jump and knock Rachel’s glass of red wine from the table and onto the floor. “Shit!” staring at the giant maroon blotch on the cream carpet for a split second before scrambling to your knees, “shit, shit, shit!” Your mind went blank, how the hell would you get this out?! Untying the shirt around your waist and scrubbing at the carpet knowing you had no way in hell of miraculously making this disappear before they came back. You had to own up! “Babe, are you okay?” Millie came running back in not expecting to spot you on your hands and knees desperately scrubbing the carpet with your favourite shirt. She didn’t help, just stood in the doorway laughing. “What’s happened?” Rachel quickly followed behind her, stopping in her tracks as she saw the mess on the floor – the mess being you… and the carpet! Much to your surprise, she started laughing too! “I’m so sorry, I’ll pay! I have my cheque book!” Clambering to your feet to rummage through your bag and pulling out your cheque book, “do you have a pen?” pleading with Rachel to forgive you. Through her laughter she said that she had just done exactly the same thing in the kitchen, her and Millie were wheezing at this point. “But that’s laminate, this is carpet! Cream carpet, you can’t clean this!” you panicked, “I’ll just transfer you, what’s your bank details?” scurrying over to the other side of the room to grab your phone. They had finally stopped laughing long enough for Millie to grab you by the shoulders, looking up at her your head tilted wondering what the hell could be so funny.. you’d be livid if it was your own house! “I’m ripping it up next week!” Rachel wheezed which set Millie off again too, you must have looked like a deer caught in headlights not knowing what the fuck was going on. Rachel took hold of your hands and assured you it was fine, she’d been talking to Millie while you were upstairs about how she’d finally picked out her new carpet and ordered it the other day, that’s why they found it so funny. Millie took the cheque book and phone out of your hand and placed them back in your bag, “now do you wanna play Uno or Monopoly?” she asked, flopping herself onto the floor and pulling you on top of her, spreading her legs so you could sit in between them wrapping you up in her arms and kissing you all over your face, “oh my god babe, stop” you squirmed with embarrassment, “but you’re just so cute! I can’t help myself!” You felt awkward with all this happening in front of Rachel but she didn’t seem to mind, just said we made her miss her girlfriend Sarah before adding, “who carries a cheque book around these days anyway?”

Part Four

#millie bright #millie bright x reader #rachel daly #lionesses #lionessss x reader #woso x reader #woso masterlist #woso fic #woso community #woso imagine #woso one shot #woso fanfics #wlw fanfic #fanfic series #fic series #wlw fiction #wlw series

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jessicaloons · 1 year ago

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Chapter 9:

And when we go crashing down we come back every time..

Masterlist - Previous - Next

TW: Eating disorder

Day 1:

Inhale. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Exhale. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

I felt the fresh morning air streaming in my lungs. Felt the first rays of sunshine warming my skin.

Silence. No traffic sounds. No humans chatting in the busy streets. No sound from construction sites. Silence. I straightened my back and sat up, spread my legs wide before I leaned forwards. Upper body touching the wooden planks of the porch. I could feel the stretch in my lower back, almost thought I would hear the creaking of the screws and iron plate. Then I got carefully up and leaned all to way to my left side, before I did the same on the right. Back up in my sitting position I closed my eyes again.

Inhale. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Exhale. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Starting over again.

Day 4:

"Come on, Liz! 5 more! 4, 3, 2, 1. And down." JK clapped when I slowly got up.

"I hate planks." I said and took the water bottle he offered me "What are we having today?" I took a sip and scrunched up my nose.

"Ginger, lime, mint. Good for the digestive system and also good for stress relief." he answered and I drank some more.

"Ugh, I hate ginger and mint is also not a favourite…" I mumbled and JK rolled his eyes.

"It’s good for you. Period. Get down, your 60 seconds break is over in 3, 2, 1 and plank…" god how I hated him at times, why was he always this freaking positive and cheerful.

Day 7:

"Liz, the race starts in 49 minutes, so if you want to watch it, hurry up." JK shouts from the pier and I try my best to finish the next 12 lengths in time for the race start. As I looked up after some time he waved me to him and I swam as fast as possible.

"Here, 22 minutes left!" he said as he helped me out of the lake and wrapped me in a big towel "Come on, hot tea and lunch are waiting." we make our way up to the cabin. What took me a week ago 9 minutes with crutches now only took me 5, still with crutches but the process was there.

Back in the cabin I made my way into the bathroom, but failed to open up the zipper from the wetsuit.

"JK, can you help me for a second?" I shouted and I heard his steps coming closer "Come in, can you open up the zipper please? My fingers are a little numb…" he pulled the zipper all the way down and turned to leave "My hero.” I chuckled.

"Everything for you, princess." he said obnoxiously sweet and we laughed.

"Get your ass ready, the race starts in a couple of minutes!" he chuckled and left the bathroom.

I watched as the camera panned onto Charles, congratulating Max, then Valtteri, then Lewis. He wasn’t happy, the moment he got out of the car, I could tell by the way he was walking that he wasn’t anywhere near satisfied.

"Hey Charlie, good race!" I said as his face appeared on my phone 4 hours later, he looks exhausted, unsatisfied, but also a little sad "What’s going on? Why that face? I know P4 is nothing we celebrate really. But come on! With that car?"

"I still want to win, no matter how shit the car is! Did you see Sainz? He was leading with a fucking McLaren!" Charles sighed and I wished for nothing more than to be able to hug him. "He’s my teammate next year and there are already so many articles out there! That he will be dominating me, he will give me a run for my money! What does that even mean?"

"It means they’re all idiots! Don’t listen to the media! Just do your races and don’t care what others have to say!" I tried to cheer him up.

"Yeah, you’re right! So tell me, how was the first week?" he changed the topic and I understood that he didn’t want to talk longer about the race. So I started to tell him about my recovery, what progress I made already in one week and soon after we were talking about random stuff none of us would know the next day anything about anymore. But just us talking felt better than anything else in the world.

Day 14:

"Hey Seb!" I exclaimed as he opened the back door for me.

"Lizzie! It’s so good to see you!" he said and pulled me carefully in his arms "How are you? How’s the recovery going?"

"It’s good to be back at the racetrack! And it’s going great. JK is literally my saviour! Oh here… Seb this is JK, my physio therapist." I introduced them and they shook hands "Does he know I’m coming?"

"Nope, all top secret. I hope there was no problem at the entrance?" Seb answered and I smiled "You’re a bit late. I hope he’s not in the car already! I told Sylvia to tell them to wait but with her you never know."

"We were sent to a different entrance because the one you told us was apparently only for staff." I said and he just scoffed.

"That’s why I told Syl-… never mind, come in now!" he ushered us through the garage as someone called him out.

"Seb! You need to get in the car! Now! You’re the last driver!"

"Shit! I’m sorry Lizzie! But I’ll tell him that you’re here before I get in my car!" Seb apologised and I just laughed.

"That’s ok! And now run!" I ushered him away as one of the Ferrari staff members brought us to our places and handed us both our headsets.

"It’s really cool to have you here, Lizzie!" the guy said and walked away smiling.

I watched how Seb jumped through the opening in the fence and ran straight to Charles' car, he leaned down and waved in my direction, Charles' head turned faster than the speed of light and I waved at him.

"Lizzie? Oh my god! What are you doing here?" Joris almost shouted and I turned in his direction.

"I wanted to surprise Charles, I was just a little late." I answered and Joris hugged me.

"If he wins today, it’s because of you for sure!" he laughed and I just grinned.

P3. Gino tapped on my shoulder and I looked up at him and he gently side hugged me.

"Ciao bella! Come on Lizzie, let’s go to the barriers! I’ll make sure that no one comes too close to you!" he said and I nodded, then I looked at JK.

"Go! But be careful!" he said and I chuckled.

"Yes, Dad!"

He jumped out of his car and as he was on his way to his team he stopped abruptly when he saw me, he pulled his helmet off and ran straight up to me before he scooped me up in his arms.

"Hey, ma belle!" he whispered and I giggled like a little kid.

"Put me down, Charles!" I laughed and he set me down "Congrats, Charlie bear!"

"Thanks. It seems like you’re my lucky charm, you should stick around!" he said and I blushed "What are you doing here?"

"You looked so sad last Sunday, I don’t know, something was off, I wanted to surprise you and asked Seb for help." I whispered and looked down, he tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear and embraced me again.

"I’m so happy that you’re here, ma belle!" he whispered and then he sighed happily.

"Charles, your team is waiting. And your interview. And your weighing! Come on!" I laughed and he let go of me, although reluctantly.

Day 15:

"It’s so peaceful!" Charles said and inhaled deeply as we sat on the porch, watching the sunrise, as we arrived just in time "I’m glad that I decided to join you for some days!"

"Me too, Charlie, me too." I whispered, suppressing a yawn and resting my head on his shoulder.

"Let’s get you to bed, ma belle!" he said but I shook my head, as the first sunbeams of the day were gently kissing my face.

"Just a couple more minutes, this is nice…" I pleaded and Charles sighed.

"Yeah, it really is!" he answered and gently leaned his head on mine.

I opened my eyes and realised I was laying in the bed of my bedroom. I slowly got up. Out of bed, walking out the room. On the sofa sitting were Charles, reading a book and JK sketching something in his mysterious book.

"Boys." I said and they flinched.

"You’re up." Charles patted the sofa next to him and I sat down.

"Barely." I yawned and closed my eyes again, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"Then why did you get up?"he asked and JK chuckled.

"You’re leaving on Wednesday, I don’t want to sleep through most of it!" I whispered and Charles put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his side.

"Ma belle, it’s not even 12… and I’ll leave on Wednesday in the evening. We have enough time." he answered and I nodded.

"I’d say let’s have a nice little walk? And later on, we’re having a little cheat day? You wanted to use the pizza oven outside, Liz?" JK clapped his hands together and got up "I prepared some dough and we’ve got a lot of that good marinara sauce you loved so much! On our way back we’ll pick up the groceries in the store and then it’s pizza night!"

"Sounds like a plan!" Charles nudged my shoulder and I sighed "Come on! Show me how beautiful it is here!"

"I’ll fire up the oven, you guys prepare the toppings!" JK commands and Charles and I nod.

"So, we have mushrooms, bell pepper, pepperoni, salami, ham and look at that cheese!" I said as Charles washed his hands and grabbed some bowls, cutting boards and knives. As I washed my hands Charles was already munching on the first slice of ham "Charles!"

"I have to check the quality of the product! And if it’s still good! I don’t want you to get a food poisoning!" he shrugged and I laughed.

"And you’re trying the ham then for what?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I’m getting to the veggies, don’t worry! But what about JK and myself? Our safety doesn’t mean anything to you?" he asked, acting shocked.

"I’m sorry! You’re absolutely right!" I laughed.

"Thank you, ma belle! I guess it’s safe to say that ham is all good!" he said and put the ham slices in one of the bowls "Next salami!"

I laughed and began cutting the veggies, throwing them in different bowls.

"How are we doing, guys?" JK walked back in the kitchen, checking the bowls "The fire is burning quite nicely, dough is ready. I’d say, another, maybe 30 minutes and we can throw some pizzas in there!"

"Alright, here, Charles, put all the bowls on the tray, I’ll grab the sauce and something to drink, JK, can you grab plates and glasses? Oh and a spoon or whatever for the sauce!" I said and walked over to the fridge, grabbing some of JKs homemade lemonade and the sauce.

Outside Charles and I set the table, lighting some candles and JK took care of the fire. I sat down and watched as the last rays of sunshine coloured the sky in all shades of orange, red and pink. I shivered a little and pulled my knees up to my chin and wrapped my arms around them, watching as the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountain tops.

"Here." Charles stood next to me with one of his hoodies and helped me into it "Better?"

"Better!" I smiled at him and as his scent engulfed me, I blushed a little.

"Alright guys! It’s pizza time!" JK exclaimed and Charles held out his hand and helped me up.

We each made a pizza with the toppings of our choices and JK professionally shoved them into the pizza oven with the shovel. After a minute the air was filled with the mouthwatering smell of our pizza’s. JK turned them to make sure they bake evenly.

"It smells delicious!" I said and Charles nodded in agreement.

"Now it only has to taste like it smells!" JK laughed and checked on the pizza "I’d say they’re done!"

"Pizza time!" I clapped as Charles held out the plates and JK put the pizzas on. He then sat the plate with my pizza in front of me and plopped down next to me on the bench.

"They look amazing!" Charles said and filled our glasses with lemonade, then he held his up and JK and I did the same and we toasted them together "Cheers!"

The first bite of the pizza was heavenly and I groaned.

"After weeks and weeks of Buddha bowls and wholewheat pasta and protein stuff, this pizza is the best thing I ever ate in my life!" I said and Charles and JK laughed "I’m serious!"

"It’s definitely far up, that’s for sure!" Charles laughed and JK nodded.

For the next few minutes we ate and talked about everything from racing to traveling. Indulging into our cheat meal, after a while the conversation died down and a content silence fell over us. I saw in the corner of my eyes how Charles and JK glanced over at my plate and I heard JK sighing when he realised I only ate 2 slices of my pizza, but he didn’t say anything.

"I’ll bring the stuff in and head to bed. I’ll have an early FaceTime session in the morning! Don’t stay up too late, kids!" JK got up and put the box with the dough and his plate on the tray, then gestured to my plate and me like he wanted me to eat more then he walked inside.

I sighed and played with another slice of my pizza.

"I thought it’s the best thing you ate in your life?" Charles asked and I looked at him confused "Doesn’t look like it."

"I’m just not that hungry…" I answered and shrugged my shoulders but Charles looked at me for a while.

"You’re okay, right?" he almost whispered it and I looked up "You would tell me if there’s something wrong?" I nodded.

"It’s just, all of these super foods and nutrient boasted stuff I’m eating right now because of JK is a lot! I know it’s healthy and it’s a good fullness but I feel bloated sometimes! I swear!" I laughed and tried to convince Charles and he eyed me questioningly for a moment but then nodded.

"But come on! Eat at least another slice of pizza! It’s seriously one of the best I’ve ever had!" he said and I smiled and bit into the slice.

"Damn! I wished we had some pineapple." I said and Charles' face scrunched up in disgust.

"Please, please, tell me you’re joking! Ma belle! Since when do you eat that!" he sounds disappointed.

"Oh relax, I was just kidding." I laughed.

"Good! I was thinking there’s something wrong with your brain!" he said but as soon as the words left his mouth he looked at me horrified "Oh god! Lizzie, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t thinking! I’m so, so sorry! Fuck! I am stupid! Ma belle, please believe me…" he began but I only shook my head laughing.

"Stop! Charles, it’s alright! I know you didn’t mean it!" I said but he still looked beyond shocked. I turned to him and grabbed his hand "Hey! Come on! It’s really okay! I know you didn’t mean it in any bad way!"

"I wasn’t thinking! But still, I shouldn’t have said that! I’m so sorry!" he looked down at our hands and sighed.

"Charlie, can you please look at me?" I say quietly but he didn’t move so I laid my hand on his cheek and turned his face towards me "Hi… please, listen to me when I say that it is okay! Really!" he leaned in closer, our foreheads resting against each other and he inhaled deeply.

"Still, I’m sorry ma belle!" he whispered and I only nod slightly, sitting back up "I didn’t think… it’s just a saying and…"

"Shhh… stop, please!" I put my finger on his lips to silence him "Stop apologising. It’s fine. I’m fine. Okay?" he nods slowly and I look up at him, right hand still on his cheek, left index finger on his lips. This close I could see all the tiny freckles on Charles nose, his thick, long lashes framing his eyes, eyes so beautiful I could get lost in them, over and over again. He looked deep in my eyes, one hand at my hip, the other covering mine on his cheek. Charles closed his eyes and swallowed hard, as he opened them he leaned in even closer.

"Good night guys." JK’s voice made us both flinch and pull away from each other.

Charles cleared his throat and ruffled his hair and my breathing was erratic. What just happened?

"It’s getting late? I think I’ll take a long shower and then go to bed!" I said and faked a yawn and Charles nodded.

"Yeah, you go showering, I’ll take care of the dishes!" Charles got up and grabbed our plates and glasses and then walked away, but then he turned around "I’ll put your pizza in the fridge!" then he left.

I took a deep breath and walked inside, straight into the bathroom. I looked into the mirror, shaking my head. Nothing happened. It was just a vulnerable moment because he was scared he hurt me. All good. Right?

Day 16:

After a good swim in the lake, we walked back up and I almost slipped, but JK thankfully caught me and we laughed. He held me close to him, just to annoy me but I laughed it off, shaking my head. Back at the house after taking my shoes off he pulled the zipper of my wetsuit down and I walked straight into my room. Getting out of the wetsuit I noticed a little bruise on my spine and called for JK, I put a towel on my front and waited for him.

"Is that from the black roll?" I asked as soon as he walked in and looked at me confused "That bruise above my ass!" he looked down and gently stroked over it.

"Does it hurt?" he asked and applied a little pressure but I shook my head "Now?" he rubbed a little stronger and I nodded "Alright. Seems like you’re making something wrong here… we’ll have a look tomorrow when we’re using it again." he said and I nodded "And now take a shower, you’re shivering!" and he left.

Day 17:

"I don’t want you to go!" I whispered as Charles hugged me tight.

"The season is almost over and then we’ll see each other way more! I promise!" he said and I smiled "I’ll text you as soon as I’m in Maranello!" he kissed my forehead, then he shook JKs hand and got in his car.

"I see you in a bit, ma belle!" Charles smiled.

"Bye, Charlie bear and please drive carefully!" I said and he nodded, then he drove off and JK pushed me back in as it slightly started to rain.

"Alright, Liz. Some light stretching and maybe a bit of cardio?" he suggested and I nodded.

"Let’s go!"

Day 21:

"Liz? Liz? Are you still sleeping? Liz?" the door opened slowly and JK poked through the crack "Liz? Are you awake? Come on. 4:00! We gotta get going if we want to see the sunrise!"

I didn’t move. I didn’t flinch. I only groaned and blinked rapidly. Trying to at least make something in my body move, but to no avail. JK realised that something was off and came to my side, kneeled down and switched on the lamp on the nightstand.

"Liz? Can you hear me?" he asked and I nodded slightly. Trying to even out my breathing "Lizzie? What is happening? What was that?"

"Give me a minute…" my voice was hoarse and my throat was dry. He got up and came a moment later back with a glass of water and helped me to gulp it down "Thanks."

He helped me sit up slowly and waited for me to start talking whenever I was ready.

"After I woke up from the coma, it was maybe a week later? I fell asleep, but then I woke up… and it felt like… I couldn’t move. Nothing reacted. Not even wiggling my toes. But I was awake. I looked around, but I couldn’t move. I panicked, I thought that the last week where I was awake was just a dream and I was still in the coma, like I never woke up from it and I could feel how breathing became harder and harder. I could hear these voices laughing that they would pull the plug on me. There were these shadows kind of lurking over me and I was so freaking scared. And it all felt just like it did when I really was in a coma, so yeah… I thought I’m still not awake. So I tried to thrash around the bed, but to no avail. I don’t know how long it went on like this but I woke up the next morning, feeling like shit. Muscles sore and tense, tired and exhausted. And with a headache I never had before… after that it happened more often… just like in Monaco whenever… whenever… yeah well I googled a little and I’m pretty sure it’s sleep…" I explained to JK.

"Sleep paralysis." he said it at the same time as me and looked up in horror "Please tell me you’ve told the doctors about it?" and as I shook my head slightly he pushed himself of the ground "Lizzie! For fucks sake!"

"I told Dr. Friese that I felt tense and had strong headaches. I didn’t told him the rest. How could I?" I said and JK sat down next to me.

"You said, you heard someone saying they would pull the plug on you… but you’re not supposed to know about that?" he looked at me with big eyes and I gulped.

"I was kind of awake. Sometimes I could hear the people talk, open my eyes a little crack…" I whispered and tears were streaming down my face. JK pulled me into him and rubbed my back soothingly "I didn’t tell anyone, because mum and dad already felt guilty enough that they decided to let them pull the plug on me. If they knew that I knew about it? That I heard it? That I was kinda awake the whole time? JK they would never forgive themselves!" I sobbed out and he just held me close.

"It’s going to be okay, you hear me Liz?" he said and I nodded "We might need to slow down a little. Focus more on your mental health at this point… don’t look at me like that. You’re doing great, physically! We’re far more ahead in your recovery than I thought we would be! So we can slow down a little. And I think it’s important to find you the right help… because what you went through, what you’re still going through is something I can’t help you with. So we will look for help." I sighed but nodded.

"I just don’t want anyone to find out. About everything! The coma, the sleep paralysis, the…" I stopped and JK only nodded.

"I know, Liz, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who noticed it." he said and I looked at him confused "You have an eating disorder. Don’t deny it. I’ve seen you. What you’re eating is not enough. And what you’re eating is pretty often exiting your body the way it entered. I’ve heard it."

"It’s just the stress. And I’m just not hungry anymore. Dr. Friese said it could be the trauma, the meds and stuff." I looked down at my hands.

"Yeah, that’s normal for the first 3-4 weeks. And not 3 months later. I’m sorry for being so blunt. But sometimes you need nothing more than someone being straight up with you! We will tackle that as well!" JK said it gently and I only nodded "For now, let’s get back to bed and sleep as long as you need."

I laid back down and he tucked me in, then he squeezed my hand and left. I fell asleep almost immediately

Day 25:

Another day without any message or call from Charles. Since he left a week ago I received barely any messages from him, one that he arrived safely in Maranello and had a lot going on the next day, but he said he would call in the evening, he didn’t, I asked why he didn’t call, no reply, one day later a message that he arrived in Monaco and yesterday that he’s now in Turkey. But that was it. No small talk, no jokes, no nothing. And when I tried to call him, he didn’t pick up. Maybe because of what happened, no what almost happened, he felt guilty? He had Camille after all. Maybe I should accept that she was right from the beginning, Charles’ full focus should be on her, as she was his girlfriend. Not me. Maybe I had to…

"Hello Lizzie, my name is Dr. Lindner, I’ve talked a lot about you with JK… so why don’t we start with you telling me everything that happened from let’s say the start of this year." Dr. Christian Lindner, therapist specialised in stress and trauma sequelae, was the one therapist that stood out for JK and would be the one I should confide in. He seemed to be a really nice guy, still I felt a little awkward sitting here and telling him about what happened.

"Even before the accident?" I asked and he nodded.

"Everything that changed from this year to last year. Family, friends, job. I want to know everything." he smiled encouragingly and I took a deep breath.

"Alright, good for you that we’re paying you hourly…" I joked and he laughed.

"Why do you think I chose this profession in the first place?" he countered and I laughed. Maybe this could work. He was funny.

"The year started, well not so good…" I began to tell him everything, Charles and Camille, Camille and her friends hating me, the cancellation of the WSeries for this year, me gaining some weight and Camille's comments, me trying to eat less to nothing to lose the weight again, overdoing it a little, the accident, being kind of awake, the video, me wishing I had died that day, the recovery, the sleep paralysis, Charles not talking to me anymore. As I looked up at him he smiled and handed me a box of tissues, somewhere along the way I had started to cry, I didn’t even feel it.

"Thank you Lizzie, for being this open and honest with me!" he said after he gave me a minute to gather myself.

"I swear I didn’t expect to let this all out! I’m so sorry!" I said a little embarrassed but he shook his head.

"No! Don’t apologise! This was exactly what I needed from you! It’s normal that once the floodgates are open everything comes out. That’s a good thing! This way I’ll be able to help you better. Because although your life… well I’m not one to sugarcoat things, there’s a lot of shit going on. And a lot of shit that you need help with to cope with. And that’s why I’m here. We will tackle every obstacle on its own. Step by step. I’m not setting a timeframe, we will be done when we will be done. But for now I think the most urgent matters are your anxiety, the eating disorder and your obvious feelings for Charles Leclerc." he said and I nodded but then I realised what he said at last "I’m not just a funny guy, Lizzie, this is my job. So… you and Charles and Camille? That’s also one of the main topics we’re starting with!" I nodded slowly.

Was this something I wanted to talk about every other day? No. Was this something I wanted to think about all the time? No. Will talking about it help me? Probably.

"Yay… I can’t wait…" I said sarcastically and Dr. Lindner just laughed.

"No one said that it’s going to be easy or that you would like it!" he chuckled and I just rolled my eyes "You built walls around you and I’m here to wreck them down… but don’t worry, I will stand with you on the rubble and sing “I’ve been looking for freedom”." And that made me laugh again "So, why do you think he ghosted you? Is it even ghosting when he texts you?"

"3 messages! Just to tell me that he arrived at his planned destinations! It’s just because we almost… we almost…" I sighed and shook my head "We almost kissed I think…"

"You think?" Dr. Lindner asked and I just nodded "And that’s a bad thing because? Let’s forget about Camille for a second. It’s just you and Charles."

"Just because I have these feelings, doesn’t mean he has them. And what about our friendship? I can’t live without him in my life. That’s just not possible! But what if I lose him because he doesn’t feel the same?" I said and leaned back on the sofa, hands covering my face.

"So it’s more the fear of losing him, that makes you feel like this? Not the fact that he has a girlfriend, that is not you?" he pressed and I sighed.

"Yeah, I don’t know. Both I guess?" I mumbled and he nodded.

"Alright, that’s something we can work with." he scribbled something down in his notebook and sat up a little straighter "And your anxiety and trouble with eating comes from, let me guess, Camille?" I only nodded "Yeah, that fits the pattern. It’s your own insecurities and feelings that are getting in your way. And with whatever she’s saying to you, she’s playing right into it."

"But can we fix that?" I asked quietly and Dr. Lindner nodded.

"Yes, we can. And we will. For today, I’d say it’s enough. I work out a therapy plan and I talked to JK already. He will help you with your eating. We’ll get there. Don’t worry." He got up and I did as well "I’ll see you on Monday! Goodbye!"

"Thank you, for the talk. Have a nice weekend!" I said and he smiled, before he left.

"How do you feel?" JK asked as he walked in and I sat down again.

"Better. Maybe this will work out." I answered and he nodded.

"It will." he said and I smiled a little.

"Yeah, I think so too."

Day 28:

P4. No call. No FaceTime. No message. Only pictures of him and Camille in the paddock. I texted him after the race that it was a good one and it almost was a podium. No response. JK sensed that something was off but didn’t push me to talk to him. I ate, went to bed and fought the tears. To no avail. I cried. A lot. Why did he ignore me? Was it really because of what happened? I called him, for the hundredth time and finally he picked up.

"Charles? Hi!" I began.

"Hi. This is Charles. Leave a message and I’ll call back." Voicemail.

I wanted to hang up. But all the frustration and sadness erupted and I let it all out.

"Charles… I-I don’t know what I’ve done that you’re so mad at me! I don’t know why you suddenly don’t call or text back anymore! I just… I’m sorry for what happened. Well almost happened! But it’s unfair to just cut me- I just miss you. Okay? Please just text me back! Tell me how to fix this! Tell me what I can do to fix us! Please, Charles! Please don’t leave me!" I sobbed into the phone desperately and as the announcement came, if I wanted to keep the message or delete it and re-record it, I deleted it and hung up. Then I cried myself to sleep.

Day 35:

One week of daily therapy sessions.

One week of daily meditation sessions.

One week of daily cooking classes.

One week of daily desperately checking my phone, with nothing from Charles.

One week of daily stupid jokes from JK to cheer me up.

Sleep. Eat. Therapy. Meditation. Repeat.

Day 36:

I sat buried under a ton of blankets on the sofa. Tear stained face. Headache.

"Hey princess. I thought we would go for a little walk?" JK asked as he walked in and looked around the room "Liz?" he was about to leave as he heard the rustling "Are you under there?"

"Yup." I mumbled and sat up.

"Okay. Not concerning at all. Come on. We’re going for a walk." he said and pulled me up.

"I don’t want to. I can walk just fine" I grumbled but he just grabbed my shoulders and turned me around, pushing me towards the door.

"Well, it could be better. You still need every couple of minutes a break and your legs are sore in the evening. So come on. Let’s go." he stood at the door and put his shoes on before he nudged me a little to do the same.

"Fine! Can’t be that bad." It wasn’t fine. And it was that bad. Not even halfway through I twisted my ankle a little and we had to head back home, where JK helped me on the sofa, left to get the first aid kit and then took my shoe off and checked my ankle. He was gentle and the pain wasn’t too bad, still I couldn’t help myself but tears were streaming down my face. JK looked up as I sobbed and gently pulled me into his arms. I don’t know how long we sat like this. But after a while, when no more tears were left to cry I sat up and looked up at JK. He smiled down at me and wiped the tears from my face with his thumbs. He was always so caring for me. Cheering me up. Supported me through this time. Always trying to make me feel better. I leaned in and kissed him, almost. JK pulled back and I blushed. I was shell shocked and scrambled off of the sofa, trying to walk away as fast as possible but my ankle gave in and I almost fell, JK catching me, like always.

"Lizzie, hey, look at me." he said and I shook my head.

"I’m fine, please let me go." I tried to pull away but JK didn’t budge.

"Lizzie, can we talk about this like adults?"

"No, JK. I’m sorry. I’m just- please let me go…" I whispered and the tears were back. JK gently pushed me down on the sofa and sat next to me.

"Look at me, please Lizzie." he said and I took a deep breath, before glancing up a little "It’s okay. Something like this happens quite often… it’s just normal. You’re vulnerable right now. You’ve been through a lot and usually Charles would be the one you feel attached to, because he is the one always by your side. But now it’s me. You see me as the one constant in your life right now. Like an anchor. So you’re transferring your feelings from the one you really love onto the one who gives you stability and safety at the moment. And that is me. But it’s not real feelings. Okay? It's okay. Nothing happened, it’s all good between us." he said it so gently that I swallowed hard and looked up.

"Charles and I almost kissed when he was here and now he’s ghosting me. What if… what if it’s the same with you?" I whispered and JK sighed.

"It’s not because of that, Liz." JK said and I was confused "I told him to lay a bit low for a while."

"What? Why would you do that?" I was furious and got up "You saw how hurt I was the past two and a half weeks because of that? And you didn’t say anything? Why?"

"Because first of all you had to start focusing on yourself! And not on Charles! Lizzie you were constantly checking in on him, whenever he was down, you were down and unmotivated. Your recovery was, is, more important right now and you should finally see that! And secondly, I needed you to finally face the truth that you are in love with Charles! You had to finally see that this denial is only making anything worse for you. You had to be honest to yourself and I had to trigger that. And look at that. You’re finally open up, finally be true to yourself and admit that you’re not fucking ok. So yes. Scream and shout and fight with me all you want. But you’re finally able to talk about your emotions instead of locking them inside, building walls that are higher than the fucking Sky Tower!" he was breathing heavily and I stood there contemplating what he just said. I closed my eyes and slowly sat down again. He hesitantly did the same and I looked at him for a second. Then I leaned back and laid my leg on his thighs.

"Is it sprained?" I asked and JK looked at me for a moment before he checked my ankle again "And what the fuck is the Sky Tower?" JK laughed.

"What?" he asked and took one of the bandages out.

"You said I build walls higher than the Sky Tower…" I answered and hissed a little when he secured the bandage and took a second one.

"It’s a telecommunications tower in Auckland." he said as he finished bandaging my ankle.

"I’m still mad at you. And at Charles. He shouldn’t have listened to you! How could he read all my messages and not even once answer me! And what did you tell him why he shouldn’t talk to me anymore? Not because of my feelings?" I sighed and JK only nodded.

"It’s okay, I broke your trust on this one, I’m sorry. I promise you it won’t happen again, only if you let me no other choice… just kidding! Maybe not. But anyways. I told him that you couldn’t focus on yourself if you’re always worried about him. And he couldn’t focus on his season, if he’s always worried about you. So yeah. I promised him to update him every now and then, which I did. But that was it." JK wriggled my ankle a little and as I didn’t react he carefully lifted it off and stood up "I’m sorry, Lizzie. I tried everything with you, but you wouldn’t open up to me. So I had to make you more vulnerable in order for your shell to crack." he walked out of the room and I closed my eyes. Although I was still mad at him, I understood why he did it. Why was he always right?

Day 66:

The last weeks were filled with more therapy, more meditation, more work outs to strengthen my core and built back some muscles, but mostly to get the needed nutrition back into my body. I could almost eat normally, without thinking about Camilles words with every bite I took. The anxiety induced by her almost gone. Only once was the sleep paralysis back. The last time my brain was lagging when I spoke a lot was at one of the earlier therapy sessions. When we were talking about how Camilles presence affected me. Over all I thought I was on a really good way. Charles still didn’t text me. After I texted him that I knew about what JK said and he ignored the message, again, I was worried. Didn’t he know what to say, after we’ve almost kissed? I thought he would answer. Maybe even apologise. A lot. Nothing and it hurt to know that it was this easy for him, to cut me out. Unfortunately it was something I couldn’t change, but talking about it with Dr. Lindner helped a lot.

"How do you feel today?" he asked and I shrugged a little.

"I’m nervous… in 4 days I’ll see my family again. After months. I don’t know, it’s weird. I think it was a good decision to stay alone here, to tell them not to visit me, after my feelings where such a mess after Charles left… although that wasn’t the reason, I know." I said and scratched my chin.

"How do you feel about seeing Charles again?" Dr. Lindner asked and I swallowed audibly "Ahh. That good, huh?" he chuckled.

"No, it’s fine. I mean. I know how I feel about him. And I know that these feelings are okay to have. I won’t deny them anymore to myself. But that’s it. Charles and I are friends. Best friends. Losing him would be the worst that could happen. So I have to accept these feelings. But I also have to accept that he has a girlfriend…" I answered.

"Very mature. But we talked about the effects Camille has on you? And we talked about how you have to be honest with Charles how you feel about her? How she treats you? And that she is one of the reasons for your anxiety and eating issues?" he asked and I nodded "That’s good. Really, Lizzie. You’ve come a long way in the last month. I think in the new year, we will start with 3 sessions a week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday? As my office is in Stuttgart, that’s very convenient."

"I knew it! I knew you were Swabian, too! Although you tried really hard to not let it out!" I laughed and he just chuckled.

"I can hide it most definitely better than you!" I nodded at that and we both got up "Have a nice break! Relax. Talk to Charles. You’re family, tell them about the issues you’re still facing. From that on, it’s going to be easier!" he said and hugged me.

"Thank you, a lot! I feel so much better!" I said and as he released me he grinned.

"That’s why they pay me the big bucks!" and with that he left.

"Okay, Liz! I’d say the next few days we focus a bit more on cardio? And then I’ll get you back home on Sunday!" JK looked at me determined and I nodded.

Home. The first time after I left for Monaco I would be home again. The first time in months that I would see my family again. And the first time after our almost kiss, I would see Charles again, as him and Pascale, Arthur and Lorenzo were going to celebrate Christmas with us. I wasn’t scared. I was nervous. How do you tell your best friend, that you’re in love with, that his girlfriend, he’s in love with, is one of the main reasons for your anxiety and eating issues over the past months?

Merry fucking Christmas.

————————————————————————-

Little Note:

That's it, chapter 9 is out, sorry for the delay - I had a little trouble writing that one, but it’s done (finally!). Next chapter will be a little bit different. You’ll see^^

Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!

If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!

Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!

Taglist:

@silkenthusiasts @eugene-emt-roe @sunny44 @itsjustkhaos @glitterquadricorn @aundercover @kakorrhaphiphobia @alittlebitofbooksandmagic

All the images I’m using are from Google, Pinterest and Instagram.

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ericsprincess · 1 year ago

Text

take your time and turn off the lights

nc-17, Choi Chanhee/Reader, drunk sex, sexual exploration, fingering

~~~

Your best friend wants some education.

~~~

“Can you please get a move on finally? I’m gonna pee myself,” whines Chanhee, leaning on the wall outside of your apartment, while you’re bent over in front of the door. You’re squeezing the key between your fingers, if only the keyhole stopped dodging. Chanhee is being of no help, well, except the fact that he’s holding your bag and heels in one hand, his bedazzled Hello Kitty vape in the other and has a dumb remark on everything.

You’re both drunk, coming home from your monthly besties night out. It is a years long tradition for you and your best friend - on the first Friday of every month, you both doll up at your place, while sharing a bottle of wine, trying out outfits and putting on makeup. Then you hit up a club, both with no money on you - the objective is to just dance, have fun and let men pay for your drinks. But neither one of you intends to pick up a man to go home with - you can do that any other time, but this is an evening just for the two of you. So you stick together and leave the club together when you’re tired, crashing at either of your places for a sleepover.

Today, you picked a club that’s closer to your place, that’s why you’re currently fighting with the lock on your apartment door. You had a really good night, you danced your shoes off, both with Chanhee and various hot men that caught your attention. Chanhee did the same, and judging by how drunk you both are, you both got plenty of attention (and free drinks) tonight. Maybe even a bit too much - at some point, Chanhee suddenly stopped dancing and dragged you off the dance floor to one of the sofas scattered around it and pulled you to chill down on it. As you were catching your breath from the dancing, you looked up at Chanhee with a question in your eyes.

“There was a guy, I didn’t like how he was looking at you,” he explained. Ohhh. Makes sense. You haven’t noticed anyone, so you were glad Chanhee was looking out for you.

“Wanna make out to make him jealous?” asked Chanhee and you nodded, giggling, since you are always up for mischief like that. Chanhee smiled at you, you closed your eyes and seconds later you were tasting sweet cocktails on his tongue. You spent a lot of time just making out, enjoying the alcohol buzz, loud music and the warmth of another body.

Now you’ve finally managed to open the door to your apartment, almost falling over when the lock unexpectedly clicked. You throw your jacket on the hanger, while Chanhee yells “Dibs on the bathroom!” and immediately runs there. You snort and go to the kitchen to make both of you a cup of tea to sober up a bit.

You bring the cups to your room, while you hear the shower running. Chanhee has been to your place a million times, so he’s here like at home and doesnt need to be treated as a guest. You start taking off your clothes, preparing for your own shower, while sipping on the tea. You take off your makeup and just at the time you hear the shower being turned off.

“I left you some hot water, because I’m that nice,” Chanhee walks out of your bathroom in your fluffiest bathrobe (that’s actually yours, not for guests), drying his hair with a towel. “Also I used your shampoo and it’s really good, so if you are missing the bottle tomorrow, don’t ask me about it.”

He looks up at you and stops in his tracks. “Oh, you’re already undressed.” He looks you up and down. “Nice lingerie. Did you plan to pull? You should have told me,” he asks, but his tone is strange.

“No, I just felt like dressing up,” you reply and hand him his cup. “Here is your tea.”

“Thank you. Do you want to watch something or are we just going to sleep?” he asks.

You take a second to consider the options. You are ok with watching something, but you’re so tired from dancing and alcohol, you will probably drop 5 minutes into the movie. It’s been a long evening.

“Up to you. But I am probably falling asleep very soon,” you laugh.

You leave him in your room and go take a shower. The hot water falling over you is soothing and it makes you want to sleep even more. You quickly wash and dry yourself so you can run to bed.

When you enter your room, Chanhee is already laying in your bed under the covers, scrolling on his phone. You drop your towel, looking for some panties and pyjamas. You’re never shy around your best friend and it’s not the first time you’re naked around him, so you don’t pay it any attention. He’s focused on his phone anyways.

Finally, you find some clothes and get into the bed, poking Chanhee to budge so you can fit next to him, warm and cozy under the covers. You lie down and you feel so comfortable - alcohol buzz pleasantly ebbing off, you’re freshly showered and finally in your bed, even next to another warm body, which always makes you sleep better.

Chanhee puts down his phone on the nightstand, turns to your side, huddles close and hugs you from behind. A bit unusual since he’s not big on cuddling, but you’re not complaining - you would not refuse any additional comfort now.

“Hmmm..you still drunk?” you mumble into his arm.

“Not as much..you?” he asks.

“Less, too… But I’m really sleepy,” you reply, accompanied by a yawn. You fidget a bit to burrow deeper into his arms.

“We had a nice evening, didn’t we?” Chanhee asks, silently. His free hand, the one you’re not lying on with your head, is laid on your waist, petting you gently. He moves it to lightly rub over your belly.

“Hmm..yeah,” you’re not even thinking much over the reply. You really did, as always. It’s not even a question.

“You looked really pretty today,” he continues. “Actually, you always look really pretty. It made me realize a lot of things, lately..”

“Like what?” you mumble, already half-asleep.

Chanhee hesitates. He slowly moves his hand up under your pyjamas, over your naked breasts.

That wakes you up.

“Chanhee?” you ask, confused. You can feel his quickening breath.

“Can I?” he asks, without any explanation. And maybe that’s okay - maybe you don’t need one. Maybe the explanation would not change your answer anyways.

“Yeah,” you breathe out, almost shivering in anticipation. You’re not quite sure what you’re agreeing to, but it’s your best friend and you know you can trust him with anything. If he wants to explore your body, he’s welcome to do so.

Chanhee slowly rubs his hand over your tits, feeling up your hardening nipples with his fingers. He squeezes one of your breasts, then the other and goes back to playing with your nipples, until they are fully hard. He pinches one and it makes you wiggle, since you’re too sensitive, and you put a hand over his to let him know. He understands immediately and lets it go, circling his finger around it in apology.

Letting your breasts go, Chanhee moves his hand higher, running the tips of his fingers along your collarbones. He leans his head a bit forwards and kisses your neck. You sigh in content.

You’re starting to get aroused from the touching, feelings emphasized by the alcohol. Everything feels hot, Chanhee’s body behind you, his hand on your body, even his breath on your neck and you don’t have enough self-control to fight it.

And it seems you’re not alone in this. You shift a little and that makes you bump into his hard cock with your ass so you push against it a bit and he gets the hint and moves closer. He’s not humping you, but you still like feeling his hard cock press against you insistently.

And you also really like to know that he likes it, that just touching your body makes him this hard.

Chanhee, however, ignores his erection and focuses on kissing and sucking hickeys onto your neck, while moving his hand under your pyjamas, touching, groping where he can reach and you’re getting so wet from it, you’re slowly losing your mind. You’re breathing heavily and you’re holding onto his other hand that’s embracing you.

It’s almost torture, but you’re not going to ask him for anything. You want him to go at his own pace and if that means he might not want to do more than what he is doing right now, then you’re okay with that. Even though your panties are completely soaked.

Thankfully, you’re in luck tonight. Chanhee’s hand moves downwards, brushing past your belly. His fingers stop at the waistband of your pyjama pants.

“Can I?” he asks.

“Yeah,” you breathe out impatiently. “Please, touch me..”

“But,” he hesitates. “Y/N… I-I’ve never… I don’t know if it will be any good...”

“It doesn’t matter,” you put your hand over his and push it under your pants and panties. “I’ll help you, if you need it.” you reassure him.

Just the warmth and touch of his hand over your pussy is heavenly. He slowly feels around, pushing two fingers between the lips and finding out how wet you are. Maybe you are imagining it, but you would swear his breath hitches.

He slowly rubs up and down, spreading your slick all over your pussy, making his fingers glide over your skin easily. He quickly finds your clit and gently rubs it, and it feels so good you whine at him to not stop. You’re even moving your hips a little to make it easier for him.

He’s being gentle but firm, rubbing your clit in steady tempo, nothing quick and brutish like other men use to. Your orgasm is slowly building up and you know if he continues, you could come like this.

Inexperienced? Maybe, but definitely attentive.

But before you can actually get too close to coming, Chanhee has other plans. He shifts his hand further, touching around your hole, fingers right at the opening.

“Please,” he breathes out into your neck, where his face is still firmly put, no doubt all red and aroused himself.

You just hum in agreement, too out of it to speak, and he pushes two fingers in and whines. You realize that now his hips are really moving against yours, rubbing his cock on your ass as he’s trying to get at least some relief.

He pulls them out and pushes back in and repeats it few more times, trying to fuck you like that, but the angle is not great in this position and he seems to realize that too. He can’t go too deep nor too fast like that. He lets the idea go and pulls them out definitely to get back to rubbing your clit and you’re almost thanking him.

And now that he’s getting the hang of things, you can tell he’s not playing anymore. He’s rubbing your clit with perfect pressure and good tempo, clearly with the sole aim to get you off.

You’re moving with him, barely realizing it, just giving into the feeling. You’re starting to whimper and moan as you’re getting closer and he quickens the tempo, not wavering even though his hand must be starting to hurt at this point.

When you finally come it hits you like a truck, you’re almost spasming and he has to hold you firmly against himself as he keeps rubbing you. He slows down only when he sees your orgasm is finally ending, not wanting to overstimulate you.

You blink, suddenly getting hit by reality. You would have never expected tonight ending this way, getting fingered and gotten off by your best friend, you think while catching your breath.

But it’s not like you’re complaining, not in the least.

You put your hand behind yourself, on his hard cock leaking through the pyjamas, but he stops you.

“Not now,” he says.

“Tomorrow, if you still want to. When we’re sober.”

“Okay,” you nod and turn back so he can spoon you again. Now it’s a bit awkward, since neither knows what to say and you can feel his boner pressing against your ass. But at least, your tiredness is finally overcoming you, especially after having an orgasm. You yawn again.

“Let’s go to sleep?”

“Okay…Good night Y/N,” he burrows his nose into your hair and holds you tight.

“Good night, Chanhee,” you close your eyes.

A minute passes in silence.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

And then you sleep.

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scarisd3ad · 2 months ago

Text

Scarisd3ad’s Halloween writing challenge | day thirteen

Prompt - first Halloween as a family

Pairing - Joel miller x fem!reader

Masterlist

[warning] - fluff, reader is not Sarah’s bio mom

When I first met Joel Miller three years ago, I definitely did not imagine myself in this position. I was 19 years old, going into my second semester of freshman year, and Joel lived upstairs with his high school sweetheart, Diana. I had a crush on Joel, but I knew it’d never, ever happen. And then last year, when Diana announced her pregnancy, I really knew I’d never happen.

But now, an entire year later, I’m basically caring for Diana’s baby as if she were mine. Sarah was born three months ago, just two weeks before Diana left town for good.

Now Sarah was three months old, and I’ve been there every step of the way, from late-night feedings to mid-day blowouts. That’s why I’m here tonight at Sarah and Joel’s new place. It was a few blocks from my apartment complex, a 2-bedroom house. It was Sarah’s first Halloween, and I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. Joel didn’t have many plans, as Sarah was three months old, and her bedtime was 6 p.m. most days. So the plan was to hand out candy until Sarah got fussy and then watch a few movies after Sarah was in bed.

I parked my car on the side of the street and walked up to his house with my bag slung over my shoulder. It contained two bags of candy, a few movies, and a ladybug costume my mom had handmade for Sarah. On the front porch sat a small pumpkin with Sarah's handprints in bright pink paint, which we had done a few weekends back.

My fist pounds against the hardwood door a few times before Joel opens the door. Sarah's strapped to his torso with one of those baby slings. "hey," I smile as I walk into his house. "how's she been doon' today? I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. My sister needed me to babysit her kids for a half hour," he waved me off, muttering about how "it's fine" as we walked into the kitchen. "she's missed you. I can tell; been fussy all day. Haven't you?" He said as he undid the baby carrier and gently passed her into my arms.

"You have?" I Coo'd as I cradled her in my arms. I practically lived here; most nights, I crashed on the sofas and cared for Sarah during the night so Joel could sleep before waking up at 5 am. I'd then drop her off at daycare at 7 before heading off to my own job. My friends said I was stupid for doing all this for a man I wasn't even dating; I know if I was in Joel's position, I'd need all the help I could take.

It took about 45 minutes of handing out candy for Sarah to get tired, so we left the candy bowl outside and headed inside to get Sarah ready for bed. Joel gives Sarah a bath, and then we get her to bed, which she didn't even fuss about; she just knocked out as soon as her head hit that crib mattress.

We're now sitting on Joel's couch, with Friday the 13th playing on the TV. But we're not even paying attention; it's just background noise for our conversation. "I don't know how to say this…" he whispers as he chuckles. My head cocks to the side as he continues to talk. "With Di, we just kissed at a party, and boom, we were together. " My heart began to beat out of my chest. I've dreamed of something like this happening to me my entire life, but now that it's happening, I felt like I was going to pass out.

"I just really appreciate you doin' all this shit for Sarah and I., and I-I think I'm fuckin in love with you." my eyes widened as he said the word love. I didn't ever think anyone could love me; I always dreamt of it, but I never thought anyone could love me, of all people. I lunge forward, pressing my lips against his. I never thought I could fall in love so fast. Yeah, I knew Joel, and I thought he was cute. But I've gotten to know Joel over the past 3 months. I got to fall in love with every aspect about him. When I pull away, he chases my lips. I placed my hand on his chest to stop him as I giggled. "You're in love with me?"

"Girl, I've been in love with you since I met you."

#fanfics #x reader #fem!reader #joel miller x female reader #post outbreak joel #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller tlou #joel miller x reader #joel the last of us #joel miller #halloween 2024 #halloween

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cookies-over-yonder · 9 months ago

Text

did it hurt?

Taylor and Link get stuck in an elevator, and Link does not like small spaces.

Swiftli Week Day 5: Queerplatonic & Ride or Die

ao3

“I’m a little more used to these things now,” Taylor says, stepping inside the elevator with Link. “Makes my legs hurt less from stairs.”

“Yeah, makes sense.”

Another wave of thunder comes crashing from outside as the elevator doors shut, and Link flinches.

“You okay man?” Taylor asks, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve been jumpy all day.”

“I just don’t see why we needed to go to D.A.D.D.I.E.S. today of all days. What if we get struck by lightning?”

“We’re indoors,” Taylor says, clicking the button for their destination. “And besides, the longer we put off packing things up, the less likely we are to do it. That’s what my mom always says.”

A particularly loud crash of thunder makes them both flinch this time, and Taylor feels the elevator start to shake. It’s probably the wind?

They both scream when it comes to a sudden bumpy halt, knocking them off their feet as the lights go dark. Taylor’s fall is broken by Link’s arms wrapped around his back and a hand on the back of his head at the last second. His head still hurts a little from the impact.

“Are you okay!?” Link asks, not moving at all, and Taylor finds it hard to respond from the weight on top of him.

His struggle seems to give Link the hint, and he sits up, his hand still under Taylor’s head.

“I’m okay, I—ah—” he sits up, probably too fast considering the dizziness and nausea that hits him like a wave. “Is your hand okay? Lemme see.”

“I—I can’t see anything.”

Taylor carefully lifts Link’s hand off the floor. He can see it fairly fine. He can see everything okay. It’s just all in black and white.

“Can you bend your wrist?”

Link does.

“Each of your fingers?”

He bends his thumb, then his index finger, then he stops.

“Can you bend your middle finger?”

“No.”

Shit.

“Okay, what about the other ones?”

The others seem fine. Okay. Good. That’s good.

“Okay, okay, okay, I—I think I have some tape in my go-bag…” Taylor reaches for the straps of his bag and finds nothing. “Shit, I took it off, I don’t have anything on me, I never take it off! Why the fuck did I take it off?”

Taylor feels Link’s hand start shaking, and he hears the rapid breaths before getting a look at his face, wide-eyed and paralyzed with fear.

“Link, hey, it’s okay, a broken finger isn’t that bad. I’ve been there. You—you’re right-handed, right? ‘Cause then you’re like, fine, and at least it’s not your foot—”

“Are we stuck in here?” Link asks.

“Uh…” Taylor glances over at the elevator buttons. He’s not close enough to reach them from over here on the floor. “Keep your finger straight,” he says, gently letting go of Link’s hand and getting up to investigate.

The lights on the buttons are completely shut off. Taylor presses the open button. Nothing happens. Just to be sure, he presses every single button, including accelerate, which, in hindsight, would have probably made things worse had it worked. The emergency button isn’t doing anything either. Well, maybe it’s alerting someone, but he’d have no way of knowing.

He pulls a switchblade from his pocket and tries to pry the doors open, but that results in the blade snapping and getting stuck between the doors.

“Yep. We’re stuck.”

Taylor hears Link start hyperventilating at that, and he rushes back to kneel in front of him, with a hand on his shoulder and the other holding his uninjured one.

“Link, breathe. We’re gonna be fine.”

“We never should have trusted these stupid things!”

“This is the first time they’ve failed us,” Taylor says, pulling out his phone and texting the group chat for help. No one responds at first, but maybe after a minute. If the message ever goes through.

“Yeah and everyone only dies a first time, Taylor!”

“We’re not gonna die,” Taylor says softly, moving his hand from Link’s shoulder to his cheek. “Just breathe. You trust me right?”

Link nods, taking a deep breath.

“Then you need to trust that we are not about to die. Because I say so.”

“Okay,” he whispers, breathing deeply. “Okay. I just. I don’t like small spaces.”

“It’s okay. Just, uh, close your eyes. Imagine we’re just hanging out… in your room.”

Link shuts his eyes and nods.

“And… um… we’re sitting on your hardwood floor,” he continues, studying Link’s face. It’s contorted and scrunched up in anxiety, but even that can’t take away from its beauty. Even without any colour, Taylor can still see his freckles spotting his nose, his cheeks, his chin. His eyelashes are long. Taylor’s always loved Link’s eyelashes.

“We… um… just finished playing video games, so now we’re taking a break by sitting on the floor, and, um…”

This situation is dire. And yet the only word that comes to Taylor’s mind is kissing .

“Have you ever kissed anyone?”

“What?” Link asks.

“I—I dunno, just, just trying to think of things to say… uh…”

“I have. No. I haven’t.”

“What?”

“I mean… do you remember that life simulation we were forced into?”

“Oh, right. You got married, didn’t you?”

“Mhm. I don’t know if those kisses were, uh, real. I try not to think about it.”

“Ah, sorry, okay, new topic.”

Maybe Taylor could talk about himself. But what is there to share that Link doesn’t already know?

“You know how I’m like... the most charming, flirty, romanceable guy alive?”

“Sure.”

“Truthfully, romance isn’t really my thing.”

“Not your thing?”

“Yeah. I… Like I’m not into it. I mean I still find people hot and stuff but like…”

Okay. Coming out was not the plan, but it’s not like it’ll hurt. Link has gay dads, after all.

“Are you aromantic?” Link asks, opening his eyes. His face is more relaxed.

Taylor swallows down his nerves so loudly he’s sure Link can hear it. “Yeah. Heh, it’s, uh, it’s a little known fact about Taylor Swift.”

Little known would be an understatement.

“That’s cool.”

“Well, I am cool. Uh… you feeling better?” Taylor asks, wincing at the way his voice shakes.

“Yeah, thanks,” Link says, smiling at him, making him feel more flushed than he already was. “Are you okay?”

Taylor takes his hand off Link’s cheek and rubs his face.

“No, yeah, I’m good, I’m good. Just, uh, I kinda went into autopilot there trying to think of things to say to distract you. Wasn’t really planning on. Um. Well it’s not that I wouldn’t tell you that, I just—”

Taylor takes his hand out from Link’s grasp to flap both of them, shaking out the nerves.

“That’s okay. Would you feel better if I told you a secret too?” Link asks, cupping Taylor’s face in his hands, before wincing and leaving only one on his cheek.

“Keep your finger straight!”

“I forgot!”

“Just be careful. And tell me your secret.”

“I’m asexual.”

“That’s cool, Taylor says, putting both hands on Link’s cheeks. “You’re cool.”

“You’re cool too.”

“I’ve never kissed anyone. I mean. Like. Like okay. I’m not into romance, per se, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be into any kind of relationship. Like I… I still get… like… well… crushes. Like, um, I had a crush on Hero… and now—”

Taylor bites his lip.

“So you think you’d enjoy kissing?” Link asks.

“I don’t know? I mean—I’ve kissed my body pillows. But not. Like. Lips. It’d have to be somebody I like. And trust. But I don’t know.”

“I’d kiss you. We’re married after all. It only seems fitting.”

Taylor’s cheeks burn .

“I’d like that. But, uh, maybe we should wait until you can actually see me?”

“Sure.”

Taylor doesn’t know when they ended up with their foreheads pressed together, but they’re pressed together now.

“I texted for help. I don’t think I told you.”

“Okay.”

“I feel like I have to say it now, before you kiss me, I do have a huge crush on you,” Taylor blurts out, scrunching up his face to avoid seeing Link’s reaction.

“Oh, wow,” Link says.

“Is that a good ‘oh wow’ or a bad ‘oh wow’?”

“It’s a surprised one? I dunno, I never really expected it.”

“ Really? Literally everyone in our friend group but you has been teasing me relentlessly for ages. I think even your dads know!”

“Well, the more I know, I guess.”

Taylor opens his eyes and bites down the question of whether its reciprocated.

Link is smiling.

“I think I feel the same way. I mean—I know you’re aro, so probably not the exact same way, but like, I like you. Romantically. I think? It’s a little confusing—”

“That’s okay. I think life is meant to be a little confusing.”

“Yeah.”

“Um… I don’t know if a dark elevator is the best place to do this… but do you, uh, do you wanna go out with me? Wow. Suddenly I’ve lost all my rizz.”

Link leans forward, and plants a kiss on Taylor’s forehead. “Yeah, I do. You said you weren’t into dating, right? So this would be…”

“Do you know what a QPR is?”

“Queerplatonic relationship?” Link asks

“Yeah,” Taylor says, replaying the tingly feeling of Link’s lips on his skin.

“Yeah.”

“Yeah. That. Do you wanna… do that with me?” Taylor asks.

“I would like that.”

“Okay.”

Taylor draws his knees to his chest, wraps his arms around them, and buries his head in them, feeling nothing but his intense heartbeat.

“I’m keeping my finger straight,” Link says, just before wrapping both his arms around Taylor and resting his chin on the top of his head.

“Did it hurt?” Taylor asks, with a smirk Link can’t see.

“Not in the moment, but it does now.”

“No, did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

“What?”

“‘Cause you’re an angel!”

Taylor bursts out laughing, and Link chuckles a little, squeezing him tighter.

Right then, there's a whirring sound, and the lights flick back on, and the elevator is back in motion.

“We’re saved,” Link says.

“I don’t wanna move,” Taylor says. With all of the fear and excitement over, a wave of exhaustion hits him immediately.

“Get on my back.”

Taylor does, as he’s no stranger to piggyback rides with Link, and being in the dark for so long has definitely contributed to the sleepiness as well.

He shuts his eyes, burying his head in the crook of Link’s neck as he hears the elevator doors open and the voices of concerned friends and family.

“We’re okay,” Link says.

“He broke his finger,” Taylor mumbles, not letting Link get away with that.

And with that, the rest of the chatter fades away as Taylor drifts off to sleep on his partner’s shoulder.

#swiftli #dndads #taylor swift dndads #lincoln li wilson #dndads swiftli week 2024 #day 5 #cookies writes and cookies wrongs #fanfic

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hx4x4enthusiast · 1 year ago

Text

Lost in the rain

Words: 2505

Optimus x gender-neutral reader

Hurt/Comfort

Trigger Warnings: Description of a mental breakdown, mentioned of suicide, self hatred, Unhealthy self-image, self-harm, depression, anxiety

Optimus forgets to pick up the reader after school. Angst and fluff ensues, Optimus just being the adorable softie that he is.

There are a lot of things that go wrong every day like a car breaking down while you’re on your way to an important meeting or having a blackout while writing on a project that defines half of your grade and losing 5 hours’ worth of work. The problems I am confronted with on a daily base are a tad bit bigger, as in 5 to 10m gigantic transforming aliens from another planet, bigger.

It was a few months back, I was in a small, abandoned warehouse just outside of Jasper when the ground shook and shortly after that a gigantic purple robot crashed through the side of the warehouse, followed by a another one with a red-blue colour screen, who walked through the previously made hole. The purple one managed to stand up again and after locking eyes with the bigger red and blue one, ran through the other side of the building causing a second hole which caused the building to collapse and me to scream. My scream alerted the red and blue robot of my presence, and he ran into my direction. Long story short, the red and blue robot saved me from the collapsing building and introduced himself as Optimus Prime and took me to meet the rest of the team and to inform me that I know sport my own gigantic metal alien bodyguard.

The day started quite good, I managed to get out of bed on time, my bag was already done, so I just had to put my lunch into my backpack and be on my way to school. I arrived there on time got my things out of my locker and went to class to sit down and that’s how the rest of my school day went. In hindsight I really should have seen, what came next coming, spoiler alert, I did not.

Due to me being a volunteer librarian assistant I take care of the school’s library as in putting the books back from the return bin back to their places sweep and on occasion dust of the bookshelves. Which means most of the time I stay until the end of the school day plus roundabout half an hour to make sure everything is in its place. Just like today, I just finished up with my duties and checked a few books out for myself and Optimus. When I first mentioned my school activity, I offered to quit as to not inconvenience anyone. But Optimus told me that keeping my hobby was fine. After that was cleared, he came to me questioning if I could bring him some books as he is quite interested in the preservation of human knowledge and culture.

The school bell rang, and I left the school building to find nothing. Ratchet or Optimus tends to stand in front of the school if I am doing my late school activity. Though today neither of them was anywhere in sight. Well, they probably just have something else to do or someone needed their help. I really shouldn’t be so judgemental, one of them is probably already on his way and even if they are not, they will probably send one of the other bots.

Someone will come, probably.

6pm

No one came. I don’t even know why I waited so long I should have just gone home, I am such an idiot. Oh, there are the self-destructive thoughts, I was wondering when they were going to join this merry party, note the sarcasm. God, I have a fucked-up sense of humour, well all in the package that is depression. Man, it’s cold, where is dissociation when you need it.

A honk behind me ripped me out of my, not very healthy thoughts. As I turned around, a big semi comes to a stop right before me. A Peterbilt to be specific, toning a red and blue colour scheme with a certain insignia, I know all too well.

“Hey Optimus, did you come to pick up your books?”

The Prime stayed quiet and opened the door to his driver seat. Well, that was weird, normally everyone that is permitted to drive with him sits in the passenger seat. But I wave him off, at this point I just want to get home, get warm, get sleep and if I am lucky enough, the last one will last for eternity.

“I am just going to go home I don’t really feel all that good, but I wish all of you a lovely weekend.”

“Little Archivist.”

God damn it Optimus, that’s unfair. He gave me the nickname after I told him about my hobby slash after school activity and called me that, ever since whenever we were alone our just Ratchet was in hearing range. It made me happy that he came up with a nickname for me. Ratchet even build me a bookshelf for the books I bring to the base, after he heard Optimus use the nickname for me.

“Join me.”

Startled through the voice of Optimus I realized it had started raining and I looked more and more like a soaked through kicked puppy. I didn’t want to go into the cab but when Optimus “asks” something you can’t say no. He is Optimus Prime and currently I hate him so much for it.

“Your seats will get wet.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Well, I at least tried to escape. With slow footsteps I move to the open door and heave myself into the cabin. The moment I put my backpack away and adjusted myself on the seat I realize just how tiered I am. Not physically but mentally, I just want to crawl in a hole and cry, or die, at this point I am pretty fine with either situation happening. But I absolutely cannot breakdown, not here, not with Optimus present. As I lost myself in my thoughts, I felt a gentle pressure against my chest. Optimus seatbelt had tightened across it, tight enough to make feel protected but also lose enough to not make me feel trapped. The dim glow of the dashboard, with the now gentle drizzling of the rain against the windshield and the feeling of the comfy seat beneath my fingers, calmed me down and pulled me out of my less than healthy mindset. As my shivering went down, I noticed that Optimus must have turned on the heater. He didn’t initiate a conversation and just drove calmy towards the base, while I was thankful for the silence it did unsettle me slightly as well.

The base entrance opened, and we drove into the main room of the silo. Taking a deep breath, I took my bag from the Legroom of Optimus passenger seat, ready to open the door and put on my best smile. But the driver’s door didn’t open, and I started to slightly scratch my wrists. A habit I started whenever social situations became too much for me.

“Uhm, Optimus could you, or well would you open the door, please?”

“No.”

“Huh?”

Before I could shake out of my confusion, Optimus started his engine again and drove deeper into base. Taking turns until I didn’t know where we were, Optimus stopped in front of a big door that slid open and he proceeded to roll into the room. Only now did he open his door, allowing me to exit his vehicle mode. I carefully climbed out of his cabin, only when both of my feet had hit the ground and I was a few steps away from Optimus, did he transform back into his bipedal mode. Crouching down he silently offered me his servo. Looking up into his eyes I was met with a gentle, caring, apologizing expression. Still slightly hesitant I slowly stepped into his palm and sat down in the middle, as to not fall. Seeing as I was sitting safely in his servo Optimus mindful of his “passenger” moved across the room to what looked like a cybertronian sized desk, on which he carefully placed me, before moving to retrieve a small box from across the room.

Opening the box, Optimus pulled out what appeared to be a large beach towel, alongside an extra-large blanket, both items ironically coloured red and blue. He dropped the blanket in front of me and the towel on top of me. After fighting the towel off me I looked up to see the prime looking at me a guilty expression displaying on his faceplate.

“I apologise, little archivist. I forget you today, leaving you alone and without protection.”

“Ah, don’t sweat about it OP. Mistakes happen, that just makes you human for a change. Ans any way, I am old enough, I could have gone home earlier. It’s not like you’re my guardian or anything. But you know thanks for picking me up anyway, you really didn’t have to.”

I bullshit my way out of the uncomfortable silence. I have always been good at diverting attention away from me. And I was quite pleased to find out that it also worked on the advanced alien species. Well, it works pretty good on Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee and 50% of the time on Ratchet. He unfortunately is pretty good on seeing through my diversions. Though apparently, I have to add Optimus to the list of people where it doesn’t work, as he regards me with a sceptical look and a raised eyebrow.

Shit.

“Know, you are in a safe environment. Your emotions are valid, and you have the right to express them, even ones like disappointment or anger. You deserve to feel safe and protected. I failed to provide an environment where you are free to express your emotions without judgement. And with the action of today, I broke a part of your faith in me. For that I apologise, little archivist.”

Stunned I gaped up at the Prime, speechless unable to put my thoughts into words. As I felt tears filling my eyes I quickly looked up, fanning my eyes not willing to let the Prime see how much his action and words affected me.

“It is okay to cry, little archivist.”

“No, cause if I start to cry, I will have a breakdown, and I do not have the mental stability for that right now. There are times and places for that and right here and now is not one of ‘em.”

“I promise I will be here for you.”

“No, Optimus you don’t understand either I suppress the breakdown, or I will try to take myself out of existence, permanently. And I am pretty sure no one wants to see a mangled human body at the base of the mesa. Cause currently I am this close to jump from the highest cliff I can find and to my knowledge is the mesa high enough.”

I shout out, my voice haven risen in tone and taken up the sarcastic tone that slips into my voice whenever I feel threatened. Realizing what I just admitted and to whom, I immediately shut up horrified looking up into Optimus eyes, tears streaming down my face. Curse me for crying when I am angry.

I feel a comforting warmth surround me as I feel myself being lifted up, and now leaning against a big warm metal plate, faintly hearing a gentle humming. Surrounded by warmth my ears pick up a deep baritone rumbling like a foreign lullaby.

The dam just breaks, tears are streaming down my face, as sobs wretch out my throat. Trough it all the warmth doesn’t leave, neither does the calming melody. As the tears ebb away and the sobs quiet down, I curl myself against the warm humming metal. A big digit carefully lifts my head up making me look up to see Optimus looking at me from above. Carefully using the tip of his finger to swipe away a tear traveling down myself. Looking up at Optimus I realize he has been the source of the calming song. Tearing my gaze away from the Prime I look around and realize I am sitting in his palm, leaning against his chassis.

“Didn’t know that Primes sing.”

I manage to croak out, tiredly letting my sight drift around the room. A simple hum was all the answer I got as he continued to produce the calming song. A deep sigh left me, to exhausted to deal with the aftermath of my breakdown. Heh, Breakdown, funny.

“It is an old cybertronian lullaby used to calm down sparklings.

“Ah ok. Uhm, I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologise for, little archivist. I should have seen the signs that you were displaying.”

“Not your fault, I’m a broken freaking mess of a human being.”

“I think its’s brave that you get up

In the morning even if your soul is weary

And your bones ache for a rest.

I think it’s brave that you keep on

Living even if you don’t know how to

Anymore.

I think it’s brave that you push

Away the waves rolling in every day

And you decide to fight

I know there are days when you

Feel like giving up but I think it’s brave

That you never do.

It’s a poem I have come across that I think is quite fitting for you.”

“Thanks, Optimus.”

“There is no need for that, though the sentiment is appreciated nonetheless.”

That caused a small giggle to escape me. Optimus didn’t judge me for my thought train he didn’t scream at me nor made me feel guilty.

“I didn’t know you liked poetry.”

“In the war most data pads that held art in various forms, were either destroyed or deleted. When we arrived on earth, I did come across your planet’s poetry. It’s a nice distraction from the war.”

“Mhm. Was that the reason you wanted me to stay in my librarian assistant position.”

“Partly yes. I believe Mason Cooley explained it once. Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are.”

“A reader lives

a thousand lives

before he dies.

The man

Who never reads

Lives only once.

Hey Optimus?”

“Yes, my little archivist?”

“Would you, would you read your favourite poems to me?”

“It would be my pleasure little one.”

Optimus retrieved the fluffy blanket from his desk and carefully wrapped me in it. Though I was dry and warm again, I didn’t protest it, the blanket was really fluffy and wrapped comfortably around me. Seeing me content and happy in my cocoon, Optimus recited poems, some I knew others I have never heard before. But as his voice delivered the lines of poems old and new, my eyelids got heavier, until I drifted off into the world of sleep.

Having constantly monitored his young charge vitals, Optimus noticed the moment they slipped into recharge. He continued to recite poems and quieted down a little more with every line until he stopped altogether, smiling down at his charge.

“May you recharge well, my little archivist.”

#transformers #Transformers Prime #gender neutral reader #transformers angst #angst #hurt/comfort #hurt #fluff #maccadams #optimus x reader #optimus prime #optimus angst

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strawberrydracos · 6 months ago

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Playing Ace Combat 7

Started playing the game today! I'll go little by little and updating this post through reblogs sksksksks

@technoblade-apologist-and-proud this is for you buddy, since you asked :] Starting with Mission 1 and 2 today

(Putting stuff on read more bc I get a little self concious of long posts)

First impressions of the game upon opening it: Menu music is beautiful "Wow this is so. Graphic design. Wow." upon seeing the actual menus "Why do we have cowboy music on the cutscene?" Girl talking about loving the color of the sky instantly made me remember the damn "Don't you love the color of the sky? / Which one?" classic tumblr post. "That plane looks like a tesla" upon seeing the drone in the cutscene Started laughing for a whole minute when rave music started playing in the plane selection screen before the mission.

Right out of the bat we start Mission 1 with DEATH from controller. I didn't know what to press and the screen only told me about R2 to accelerate so I killed myself by crashing on the end of the take off thingie. This was a warning to what was about to come.

I need to publicly apologize to every Ace Combat fan that has ever lived because inverted controls make me feel insane so I had to "invert" them back to normal. I am very sorry. I have failed you all. Don't look at me.

Anyways, first mission went TERRIBLY. WHO have me a license. I was DRUNK driving in the skies. Absolutely dogshit piloting skills. I didn't know it did a neat little replay of the mission at the end + the replay with the tiny lowpoly planes. Humiliating. Everyone was flying to neatly and I looked like I was using my plane for a ribbon dance.

As someone that played Drakengard on the ps2 and Armored Core on the ps4: Piloting a plane is much more similar to riding a dragon than piloting a mech.

There's a lot going on in the cutscenes, the story seems cool and I have an idea of it already but by god they just feel so goofy sometimes, very silly, I am very lost.

Second mission started terribly as well, I still fly like I'm drunk, I died at least 5 times because I turned a little too much and crashed on the ground. At some point when I was managing to stay alive I thought I was gonna fail from the time running out because I just couldn't hit the targets.

Also. Did you know? In Armored Core you press X, Square and O for boosting and movement, and L1/L2 R1/R2 for your weapons. Ace Combat is the opposite. I've been playing Armored Core for a month already. My brain is having a hard time trying to grasp the controllers, somebody help me.

Second half of this mission went better than the first half bc I *am* learning but by god. I died once because I hit the ground again, I keep doing it, my pilot craves the safety of the ground. It was a nightmare trying to get to the targets to properly hit them but I did manage to do it.

All and all? Game is pretty fun! It will be a challenge to actually learn how to play, specially with expert controls, but that's the fun of every game, learning and mastering!

Had to stop for today but I'll reblog this once I play more :]

#Ghost plays Ace Combat #<- gonna use this as a tag for when I post about the series

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hairstevington · 2 years ago

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i wanna cut to the feeling (chapter 5)

Eddie Munson x Steve Harrington

Summary: Robin drags her best friend to a Corroded Coffin show. How were they to know sparks would fly between Steve and a member of the band? (aka, the fic where Steve fixes Eddie's hair before a show and falls in love immediately)

Word Count: 3K for this chapter!

Warnings: Language, Robin is happy and a good friend, drinking/smoking, Hairstylist!Steve freaking out over feelings, Rockstar!Eddie is smug af, alternating POV, GAY SCHEMING, they're both idiots

A/N: This is the last chapter I’m posting to Tumblr, so please head over on Ao3 to read the rest! Thank you to all who followed along so far!

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 and link to Ao3

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“Oh my god, she’s perfect!” Robin announced as she burst back into their too-small apartment. Steve jolted on the couch, not expecting her grand entrance. He waited for her to continue, as she always did. “You would have been so proud of me. I strung so many actually cute sentences together all by myself! And she’s really cool, and she thinks I’m funny, and also she’s so hot it’s absolutely bonkers that she’s into me.”

“Robin, we’ve been over this. You’re one of the most beautiful women I know, alright? Of course she’s into you.”

“Well, my personality usually is too much for people, as you know, but she didn’t seem to mind at all.”

Steve listened as she continued, recounting their coffee date as she told most stories - enthusiastically and out of order. When she was finished, she collapsed onto the couch next to him.

“So, are you thinking there’s gonna be a second date?” he asked, curious.

“We already have one set up,” she smiled. “The festival that’s in town.” Steve nodded in approval, knowing exactly what she was talking about - every year in November, there was a pre-winter celebration with cider and doughnuts and Christmas lights that went up way too early. It was a great place for a date. “Oh, and you’re coming.”

“Wait, what?” Steve was not at all interested in crashing Robin’s date. “Why? You said yourself that you managed to talk to her just fine without me today.”

“You have to come because if you don’t, Eddie will be third wheeling.” She said it with a grin, knowing this was the piece of information that would sway him.

“Eddie’s gonna be there?”

“Yes, Eddie’s gonna be there, dingus. Bri thinks it’s really cool that we’re friends, so I reached out to him and asked if he wanted to come with us.”

“But you’re not friends,” Steve pointed out.

“We’re close enough,” Robin shrugged. “Besides, he agreed to come, so the feeling must be mutual, right?”

“I guess,” Steve answered, although he really wasn’t sure why Eddie would agree to go to the festival, unless Robin left a bigger impression on him than Steve had realized. “Aren’t you worried Bri is using you to get to the band?”

“Oh my god, it’s so not like that. You’re thinking about this too hard. The fact of the matter is, I’m terrible at dating and I really want to impress this girl and I need my Emotional Support Steve or I just know the whole thing will implode, I know it. And besides, it gives you the chance to be around Eddie again, so I don’t see the problem here.”

Well, when you put it like that, Steve thought to himself. The idea of seeing Eddie again was obviously enticing, and it would give him another chance to impress him. Maybe he’d actually allow himself to flirt, this time.

But that’s when it hit him - Eddie thought that Steve and Robin were dating.

He sighed. He’d probably just have to come clean. It was a stupid lie in the first place, and one that never was sustainable. Although, in Steve’s defense, he didn’t think he’d ever be seeing Eddie again. But he would, and soon.

This was going to be a disaster.

Eddie had never been to the Winter Festival, even though he heard about it every year. It wasn’t really his scene, to be honest.

But pranking Steve Harrington? That was exactly the kind of thing Eddie was into, and if he had to do it at the Winter Festival, so be it.

Eddie showed up at the big oak tree Robin told him she’d be at, and sure enough - there they were. Steve looked out of place next to the two girls, his hands tucked deep in the pockets of his jacket, his nose bright red from the frigid air. All three of them were quiet when Eddie approached, and he figured if anybody could liven up this party, he could.

“You made it!” Robin said, excitedly.

She had asked him to show up and lean into them being old friends, so she could impress Bri. Eddie knew the game, and he had no trouble playing along for Robin, especially since he really had known her for ten years or so. Plus, he liked Robin, and he liked Bri.

“‘Course I made it, doll,” Eddie responded with a grin. He pulled Robin into a hug, holding it a few moments too long to really sell the bit. He turned to Bri. “Nice to see you again.”

“You too,” she replied sweetly. Eddie looked to Steve last, who stood next to Robin completely frozen.

“Hey,” Steve said with a wave.

“Hey, Harrington.” Eddie could see Steve already knew he had fucked up with the whole him and Robin thing. He looked so incredibly uncomfortable, Eddie almost thought he wouldn’t have to do anything at all to get the satisfaction from the night he desired.

Almost.

Phase one, play dumb. The four of them walked to the entrance of the festival, flashing their IDs and showing their tickets. Robin had been nice enough to cover Eddie, even though he told her it was unnecessary. While they walked as a group, they paired off as Robin/Steve and Bri/Eddie, which Eddie thought was weird on Robin’s end, considering she was supposed to be on a date with this girl.

“So, Robin told me that you and her go way back?” Bri asked.

“Hm? Oh, yeah,” Eddie answered. “She’s great. Always super smart, and quirky but in an endearing way.” This was not a lie by any means - that was and continued to be exactly what Eddie thought of Robin.

“Yeah, I like her,” Bri said. Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, as if he’d passed some test. It was also nice to know she seemed genuinely interested in Robin, and that she wasn’t just using her to get closer to Eddie as he’d worried would be the case.

“Hey Bri,” Robin said, spinning around on her heels to face them. “Let me show you my favorite display.” Bri nodded with a smile, leaving Eddie’s side to join her date.

“I’ll get everyone a drink,” Steve offered. The girls cheered, then ran off together.

“I guess I’ll come with you,” Eddie shrugged, his eyes fixed on Steve’s.

“Right. Yeah, okay.”

They walked together to the booth with the crazy long line that was selling alcoholic beverages for way too much money. But Eddie had to give it to the town - the setup was nice. Cozy, despite the temperature.

“So, what country is this collar from?” Eddie teased, pulling at the lapels of Steve’s coat. He noticed Steve twitch slightly from the contact, and smirked.

“This one’s just from China, I think,” Steve responded.

“So worldly, Harrington,” Eddie said through a smile. Steve was already squirming, which was exactly Eddie’s intention. He was being nice, yet so deliciously wicked at the same time. There was an awkward pause as Steve decided what to say next, followed by a deep sigh.

“So, listen, man. There’s something I should probably tell you.” He was visibly nervous, and barely making eye contact.

“Uh-oh,” Eddie mocked. No way, is Harrington about to come clean already? That wouldn’t do, considering their night had just begun and all.

“It’s not really a huge deal, and maybe it’s not even a deal at all, I just, um.” Eddie stared at him doe-eyed, wondering how long it would take for him to fully form his confession. “Well, remember when we were at the bar?” Eddie nodded.

��Sure. Did you end up listening to that playlist, by the way?” Steve blinked a few times as he adjusted to the switch in topics.

“Uh, yeah. I mean, not all of it,” Steve admitted. It was like twenty hours long, so Eddie never expected Steve to get through every song, but he was surprised to hear he had actually listened at all. He wondered if maybe Steve was lying. “But anyway what I was trying to say is -”

“Any favorites so far?” Steve seemed kind of irritated that he was being interrupted, which was exactly what Eddie was going for.

“Uhhh…” He thought about it for a moment, then, to Eddie’s surprise, named quite a few songs off the playlist. But he wasn’t going to let Steve go just yet. After one song in particular, Eddie tutted in fake disappointment.

“You would.” That comment finally threw Steve off his original point entirely.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’ve somehow picked the ones I always skip,” Eddie explained.

“If you always skip them, why are they on your Good Shit playlist?” Steve argued. Eddie raised his eyebrows, impressed.

“Touche, Harrington.”

After that, they got lost in conversation about music once again.

Why did Eddie have to be so damn hot? It wasn’t fair. Steve was desperately trying to do the right thing, and instead Eddie got him talking about anything except his relationship status with Robin.

But the thing was, he wasn’t questioning why Robin was off with another woman. He didn’t seem to care at all. Maybe he was completely oblivious to the whole thing, and maybe Steve was making a big deal over nothing.

Which meant that maybe, he could pull this off with little to no humiliation.

The four of them spent the evening mainly together, and Steve managed to distract Eddie away from Bri and Robin anytime they did anything coupley - which, as the night went on, happened more and more frequently.

They were actually incredibly cute together.

Eventually, they’d seen all the lights, they’d spent too much on food and drink, and they were ready to leave. Crisis entirely averted.

“You know what? You’re actually not too bad, Harrington,” Eddie said as they were having their goodbyes.

“Uh, thank you.” He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to respond to that. “Are you insinuating that up until now you thought I was bad?” Eddie smirked. “Wow, okay.”

“Relax, I just wasn’t sure you were good enough for our dear friend Robin, over there. Now, I know for sure.”

Steve’s heart sank. He really was hoping Eddie had forgotten about that whole thing, especially after the way they’d been interacting the last few hours. With them paired off, the night kind of felt like a double date, and Steve would be lying if he were to say he didn’t enjoy every moment of it.

Except for the moments he felt like he was being strangled by a web of lies he’s stupidly put up himself. Like this moment, for example.

“Oh, right.” Steve sighed, feeling frustrated as ever. “Eddie, listen -”

“Night, Steve.” Eddie’s crooked smile gave him butterflies. Goddammit.

“Good night.” Steve resigned to the fact that every time he said goodbye to Eddie, there was a possibility it would be the last time they interacted. Even though he’d made it through this mess without embarrassing himself too much, he couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened had he treated this night or the last one they’d had together a little differently.

Whatever. It was over, for now anyway. Although, Eddie and Robin seemed to get along extremely well, so maybe not all was lost.

That night, Steve and Robin sat on the couch, her legs draped over his lap. The two of them were always kind of touchy like that. He listened intently as she gushed about the moments of the date that Steve hadn’t been present for. He was happy for her, truly, but she clocked something on his face he didn’t realize he was showing.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, knowingly. When Steve didn’t answer, she went a different direction. “You and Eddie looked good together.”

“Shut up,” Steve said, shaking his head. “I’m pretty sure he just tolerates me.”

“Yeah, that’s not the vibe I’m getting,” Robin countered. “There’s nothing passive about the way he looks at you, trust me.”

“Fine, he doesn’t tolerate me, he hates me.” Steve crossed his arms, and Robin swung her legs off him, annoyed.

“You know what they say about hatred, right?” Steve shook his head. “You’re in his head, dingus. There’s a lot of overlap between love and hate.”

“Robin…” Steve whined with a roll of his eyes. “Did you not see him flirting with all those women at the show? I didn’t see him express interest in any men. We don’t even know if he swings that way.”

“First of all, I saw him express interest in one man,” she insisted. “Second of all, are you kidding me right now? Steve.” She shifted to sit on her knees, facing him. “Eddie is like, really fruity. I swear to god, your lack of gaydar is unmatched.”

“Nah, I don’t think so,” Steve shook his head in disbelief. “I mean, yeah, I’ve had a history of not knowing women were gay, but I’m usually pretty good when it comes to men.”

“Yeah, usually,” Robin rolled her eyes.

“Let’s see if we can figure out who’s right.” Steve took out his phone and pulled up Eddie’s Instagram, wondering if he could maybe find any proof either way on there. Robin peered over to look at his phone screen.

“Seriously? You don’t follow him, yet? What’s wrong with you?” Steve sighed, then clicked the follow button. He wouldn’t be able to see Eddie’s posts until he followed back. “You’re lucky I did this ages ago.”

Robin pulled out her own phone, then the two of them took a quick glance at Eddie’s most recent posts. After a few minutes, their search was inconclusive. Eddie didn’t post enough to really give them any information.

“I didn’t expect him to be so restrained on social media,” Steve said. He and Robin tended to post quite a bit.

And that’s when the realization hit him - He followed Eddie, and now Eddie could see Steve’s profile. And Steve’s profile would blow his cover entirely.

“Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?” Robin asked, always in tune with how Steve was feeling.

“Because Eddie’s about to find out I lied to him.”

“About what?”

“He thinks you and I are dating,” Steve admitted. He braced himself for Robin to smack him, or yell at him, or laugh, but she didn’t. Instead, she just gave him a weird look.

“Uh, no he doesn’t,” she said, shaking her head.

“Yeah, he does. That’s why I kept pulling him away tonight, so he wouldn’t find out.”

“Steve, Eddie knows I’m gay. And he for sure knows I was on a date tonight. What are you talking about?”

“What are you talking about?” None of this made any sense to Steve. Eddie had referenced their fake relationship on his way out of the date, so he couldn’t possibly know, unless -

Oh, shit. Eddie was in on this the whole time. What an absolute asshole.

Steve was in a pretty bad mood after that, so he ended up going to bed. He’d found it was best to be alone at times like these. The plan was to get some rest, but he couldn’t fall asleep, so he just laid there and watched Tiktoks until his brain turned numb.

But then, naturally, he got the dreaded notification that reminded him of why he was there in the first place.

Eddie accepted your follow request

Steve scoffed before deleting the notification, but curiosity got the better of him a few minutes later.

He opened up Eddie’s page, staring at the images he’d looked at earlier, except this time he was filled with a lot more disdain for the person in them. He scrolled until the beginning, where he found pictures of when Eddie must have been a teenager. It was crazy to Steve that he’d gone through all of high school without noticing this guy - as Eddie had said himself, he wasn’t a subtle presence. Steve tried to scroll back up to the top of the profile, and that’s when his bad night somehow became worse.

Oh no. Oh no no no oh shit oh god oh no.

Steve accidentally liked one of the posts. Like, he liked a post from a long time ago. Like, there was no way Eddie wouldn’t know that Steve had been stalking him at 2am.

Well, if Steve was too embarrassed to show his face to Eddie again before, he certainly could never face him now.

Robin was asleep, so he couldn’t bother her. But he did know of someone who was in a timezone where it was only 11pm, and that someone tended to stay up late anyway. He dialed the number without thinking twice about it.

“Steve! Long time no talk! Wait, why the hell are you calling me? Is everything okay?” Steve froze, feeling stupid. Nobody called anymore unless it was for emergencies, although this felt somewhat like an emergency.

“Dustin, hey. Sorry to bother you out of the blue, but I’m really freaking out over here.”

Ahahahahhahahahha. Oh, this is perfect.

Eddie stared at the notification like it was a prize. He knew it was everybody’s worst nightmare - We all stalk people from high school, and we all fear accidentally alerting those people that we’re stalking them. And at 2am?? Eddie almost felt bad for the poor guy. He was probably losing his shit right now, wondering whether he should unlike the post, or embrace the mistake.

Wait.

It’s two in the fucking morning.

Eddie thought back to all previous interactions he’d had so far with Steve. How awkward he’d occasionally get, how flustered he was every time Eddie touched him. Eddie had assumed Steve was being standoffish because Robin had dragged him out with her. Steve seemed so uncomfortable being at the bar, like he didn’t really want to be there in the first place. Eddie was giving him a hard time because he didn’t think it mattered. He didn’t realize that…that…

Jesus Christ. Steve has a crush on me.

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Taglist: @ofherscarlettwitchways @paintballkid711 @abraca-fxckyou @allbimyself26 @jellybabiesforall @allbymyselfexceptformycactus @justaloadofgarbage-blog @alliemunsonsstuff @thefruityfours @hobbitnarwhal @calivanus @wreckmyplans-thatsmyman @antheia @goodolefashionedlovergal @lillemilly @undreamingscatworld @missmagillicuddy @steviesbicrisis @gamerdano @menamesniall @eyeslikewildflowers111 @callmesirkay @stringischeese @eds-trashmouth @mnl-enuh @redfreckledwolf @itsanarrum @soulsofstarsliveinyourveins @gregre369 @stevesbipanic @momotonescreaming

#st fanfic #eddie munson #steve harrington #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things au #rockstar!eddie #robin buckley #writing #me #i wanna cut to the feeling #eddie munson x steve harrington #steddie #eddie and steve #platonic stobin

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slytherinshua · 2 years ago

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300 Followers Ask Game!! [closed]

so... i hit 300 followers 😭 given that I didn't do anything for 200, I thought I should do something for 300. and I think everyone likes ask games (including me) so here we are again :) thank you to all of my followers for reading and enjoying my writing, and especially to my moots who I love a lot <33

the rules:

choose 1-5 prompts from any of the lists! i have 5 lists which include: fluff, angst, injury/sickness, funny/misc, & aus/tropes (this one is only if you really really want the fic to be that au, but I may also decide to write the request as an au if I think it fits, cause I love aus!).

choose your preferred idol! i write for: txt, svt, skz, enhypen, bts, victon, astro (yes for rocky, no for bin), verivery, and I can also write for the following dramas: business proposal, alchemy of souls, true beauty, extraordinary you, live on, hometown cha-cha-cha, the uncanny counter, crash landing on you, & doom at your service!! please request any idol/male character you would like, i'm comfortable writing for all of them!!

please specify from what list each numbered prompt is, cause if you just say "prompt 5" i won't know what list you want it from :(

i never write nsfw, and i am a minor so please don't be weird.

if i don't get to your request right away, please be understanding! writing takes a long time, and i am a student, so i have to balance school as well as writing. but, i'll always try to complete every request that is sent it! example: "hi! could I please request #31, 6, and 24 from fluff, #9 from sickness, and #43 from angst for yeonjun?"

requests will close by June 10th so get them in before then.

lists below the cut!!

Prompts taken from lists by: @commander-krios,, @pompompts,, @rosewritingprompts,, @raiurune,, @make-me-imagine,, @scealaiscoite,, @writingraven,, @yourwonwoo

Fluff Prompts

"I missed you... a lot."

"I don't regret a single second I've spent with you."

"What are you do-" "Look, now we match!"

"You're cleaning this up, right? Since this was your idea."

"I don't think either of us are qualified for this, but sure, go for it."

"And why would I do this for you?" "Because you love me." "Not enough- fine."

"Who let you look so cute today?"

"Can we wait a second? I wanna take a picture of you right now."

"I think I'm gonna fail this test-" "It's okay, you pass in my heart." "That means nothing."

"Since we're dating, does that mean I can hold your hand whenever I want?"

"I've been looking for my hoodie-" "My hoodie, you mean."

"As must as I love food, I'm giving you the last piece just this once."

"Shut up and kiss me already."

"I've waited for so long just to say that to you."

"You seem like you want ice cream."

"You love me?" "I always have."

"Here comes the airplane!" "I can feed myself. " "Too bad."

"I know it's not the best but-" "I love it."

"I can hear your heartbeat- why is it going so fast all of a sudden?"

"You look beautiful."

"You got me flowers?"

"You're the worst; I love you so much."

"You're being extra cuddly this morning."

"You dyed your hair, didn't you?"

"You're crazy if you think I'm letting you sleep on the couch."

"You don't get to pick the movie if you're going to fall asleep."

"You have that on you all the time?"

"I'm in desperate need of some cuddles."

"You're hogging the blankets."

"May I have this dance?"

"You are way too cute."

"Can I hold your hand?"

"You're purring like a cat."

"Stop looking at me like that or I'm gonna kiss you."

"I'm pretty sure about my feelings."

"Shit, you- you are beautiful."

"But... I've never kissed anyone before." "...I can show you how it works."

"Ten times. You can kiss me ten times, no more, no less."

"...Did you just kiss me?" "Yep."

"Stop doing this to me." "Huh? I'm not doing anything." "Stop lying! You're making me all fuzzy inside."

"Oh. It's surprisingly nice to hug you."

"You owe me a kiss."

"Go with me?" "Only if you hold my hand."

"If I asked you to stay, would you?"

"They don't compare to you. No one does."

"I think I'm in love with you."

"You bought me flowers?" "Yeah, well I noticed you seemed kinda down, so I wanted to cheer you up."

"You said you wouldn't fall in love with me." "I lied."

"Don't go on that date." "Why?" "You know why." "I want to hear you say it."

"Can I kiss you?"

"I can hear your pout from here."

"You look really cute in glasses."

"Are you blushing?"

"You have stars in your eyes... I like looking at them."

"You come into my room and woke me up, to cuddle?"

Angst Prompts

"You're the only family I have left."

"Stay with me."

"I'm never going back."

"You're so frustrating."

"You need to forgive yourself."

"You are the reason I'm still here."

"You're out of your damn mind."

"This was a mistake."

"I didn't know where else to go."

"Hey, look at me. I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm sorry." "For what?" "For loving you."

"Stop running away from your feelings."

"All I've ever wanted is for you to love me."

"When did you stop loving me?"

"Just please open your eyes..."

"It hurts so much. Why does it hurt so much? I just want it to stop."

"Forget it. Just like you forget everything else."

"You almost died and you're making jokes?"

"I'm scared."

"I don't miss you. I miss us."

"I thought I'd never see you again."

"Don't look at me like that." "Like what?" "Like you still love me."

"You weren't there... Why weren't you there? I needed you! I needed you! And you weren't there!"

"If I never see you again, just know that I love you so, so much."

"Whatever you do, don't let go."

"You don't have to hide your tears from me."

"You left without saying goodbye."

"For once in your life, do what you want! Be selfish!

"Whatever you do, do not turn around."

"No matter what they made you think, you are worth saving. You are worth loving."

"Don't look at me like that, please."

"This is the third time you've broken a promise to me. I'm starting to think you're doing it on purpose."

"I'll come back for you. I promise."

"You would risk letting all those people die for one person? Why?" "Because it's not just one person... it's you."

"I always said I'd die for you." "I didn't think you meant literally."

"At least I kept my promise?"

"Of course I noticed. I notice everything about you."

"Take a deep breath?"

"Are you okay?"

"Did you miss me?"

"Look at me."

"Please don't cry."

"No one's looking."

"You're safe, I promise."

"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

"Don't look at them. Look at me."

"No one ever cared about me like you."

"It wasn't your fault."

"You're a terrible liar."

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

Injury/Sickness

"You said you would stay safe! Getting shot isn't staying safe!"

"Feeling better?" "It feels like I've been slapped but on the inside." "So... no?"

"You're an awful liar, and you're sick."

"You're bleeding." "No shit."

"Stop grumbling and just tell me where your medicine cabinet is."

"This is going to hurt."

"You're doing great."

"Squeeze my hand."

"Ever gotten stitches before?"

"Keep the ice on it."

"You're covered in blood- need to tell me something?"

"I'm going to be sick."

"It's just a headache, I'm fine."

"How long did you think you could hide that?"

"On the count of three, okay?"

"Feel better now?"

"Stop squirming."

"I know it hurts, baby, I promise it's just for a few more seconds."

"Oh God, what happened?!"

"I hate seeing you in pain."

"Don't be such a baby, it's just rubbing alcohol."

"How bad is it?"

"Can you walk?"

"You're bleeding."

"Don't you dare die on me."

"You tried to kill me three days ago, now you're helping?"

"Who did this to you?"

"Can you even see through all these get-well flowers?"

"I can't kiss you or you'll get sick too."

"Let me kiss it better."

Other/Funny

"The amount of drunk that I was has no correlation to the bad decisions I made."

"For the most part, I am, in fact, an idiot. But I fully admit to it, which should count for something."

"Shh- that's just what you think." "No, I'm pretty sure it's what I know."

"Oh please, who's gonna stop us?" "The police."

"Oh no, my head, it's falling conveniently onto your shoulder!"

"You're cold?" "No? It's super sunny right now-" "Take my jacket anyway."

"This is unfair." "I can't help the fact that you're terrible at Mario kart."

"Am I your favorite?" "I like your dog a bit more than you, I won't lie."

"What's that even supposed to be?" "It's a drawing of you, idiot."

"It's a 4000 piece puzzle and you've finished maybe 100 pieces max. And how long have you been doing this?"

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone screw something up that fast before."

"You come here often?" "Well, I work here, so I think I'd have to say yes."

"You couldn't handle me even if I came with instructions."

"Where have you been all my life?" "Hiding from you."

"Abort mission. I repeat, abort mission." "What? Abort what mission? All you were doing was introducing yourself to your neighbor?" "Yeah, and they're too attractive. I can never speak to them again."

"Are you alright?" "Yeah, why?" "You look mad." "That's just my face..."

"Can someone explain to me, in not so many words, why they are here?

"In case you haven't heard, there is a bounty on your head." "Is that why you're here? To kill me and take the bounty?" "Pretty much."

"We really need to stop meeting like this." "Then stop breaking into my house!"

"Why are you creeping outside my bedroom window?!" "I thought it would be romantic if I climbed up here." "You gave me a heart-attack!"

"I like being wanted." "You should NOT like being wanted by the police!"

"I am nothing if not consistent." "Yeah, a consistent pain in my ass."

"I can't stand you!" "Then sit down."

"Your hands are colder than the one time I lost a bet and had to stick my hand into the snow for five minutes."

"McDonald's is open, wanna go get some chicken nuggets?" It's 3 in the morning." "And?" "Let's go."

"If I survive this, I'm killing you."

"I've been thinking-" "Uh-oh."

"What happened?" "Do you want the long or the short version?" "Uh, short?" "I made a mistake." "Okay, long version." "I made a very very big mistake."

"Please shut up so I can kiss you."

"You're smarter than you look." "Is that a compliment for my intelligence or an insult for my looks?"

"Can you hold this for me?" "That's your hand."

"Can you just pretend to like me for one night?" "I don't have to pretend."

AUs/Tropes

Soulmates

Prince/Royalty

Masquerade Ball

Neighbours

Library

Secret Dating

Fake Dating

Enemies to Lovers

Rivals to Lovers

Highschool

College

Assassins

Secret Agents

Fantasy/Magic

Friends to Lovers

Coffeeshop

Diety

Superhero

Bodyguard

CEO

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