#Yes I wasted 2 chapters in Christmas

[lancermylove]

Chapter 11 (N.SFW)

➣ Pairing: Demon brothers, Royals, Solomon with fem!Reader. ➣ Warning: N.SFW ➣ Word Count: 2,721 ➣ Chapters [SFW]: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] ➣ Chapters [N.SFW]: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

➣ A/N: Merry Christmas Eve!

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Diavolo took a moment to reflect on what had transpired and sighed in resignation. The prince had hoped this day wouldn't come, but he knew he should have been more prepared as Lucifer was one of the sharpest demons he had met. As the gentle breeze danced over the crackled flames in the backyard firepit, he sighed heavily and steeled himself for Lucifer's verbal onslaught.

"As you are aware of what I wish to discuss with you, let us not waste any time with unnecessary pleasantries or trivialities," the Avatar of Pride began, folding his arms over his chest as he kept his piercing gaze firmly upon the prince. "For what reason did you not approach me directly? Furthermore, why have you brought (y/n) into this matter?"

"I did not intend to hurt you," Diavolo sighed heavily, not daring to meet his gaze. "I knew you would be devastated once you saw those letters."

"Would I have? I am aware of the difficulties my siblings present. However, their actions stem from their playful nature above all else - not the intention to bring suffering upon others," Lucifer spoke with a serious tone, his focus entirely on Diavolo even though the prince refused to meet his gaze. "You requested my obedience centuries prior in exchange for aiding Lilith and granting us a place in Devildom. I willingly accepted. Why did you not anticipate I would comply on this occasion?"

Diavolo's eyes widened as Lucifer posed the question, and he finally met the first brother's gaze. However, he remained silent, prompting Lucifer to continue. "What you have done behind my back can be seen as an act of betrayal; additionally, you have dragged (y/n) into it, aware that she would agree to assist you and, in turn, protect us. All said and done - I comprehend that your intention was not one of harm. For this reason, I cannot remain resentful."

"You are..." Diavolo's eyes widened, and a bright smile curled on his lips. "You are forgiving me?"

Diavolo suddenly threw his arms around Lucifer, who was taken aback but quickly collected himself. The Avatar of Pride cleared his throat in a manner that suggested he had had enough of the embrace. The prince chuckled and withdrew his arms, but seeing Lucifer's serious expression, Diavolo felt slightly uneasy.

"Henceforth, Diavolo, you are not to repeat this. Do not bring (y/n) into your plans behind my back," Lucifer sternly warned him. For a moment, the prince was surprised to hear his tone, as this was the first time the Avatar of Pride had used his manner of tone against him. Usually, the prince would not have taken kindly to this, but he gave a vigorous nod in this situation as it was his mistake.

"Then," Lucifer sighed in relief as he felt the weight of the suspense finally lift. If Diavolo or you had informed him sooner, he would not have spent the entirety of the vacation anxious about what you concealed from him. Now, he could focus his mind on other matters. "Shall we get inside? The weather is chiller than usual."

"Yes, let us return and rejoin the others," Diavolo smiled brightly. Upon entering the living room, Levi prodded the first brother's arm while Beel poked Lucifer's other arm to mimic the Avatar of Envy. Lucifer raised a brow in response, whereas their antics baffled the Prince of Devildom.

"Are you still possessed?" Levi asked with a chuckle.

"Hey, if you are, can I've your credit card?" Mammon beamed, stretching his hand out in anticipation.

"How about a pact with me?" Solomon said with an unusually charming smile.

"And I will take a hug!" Asmo giggled.

The Avatar of Pride cast a vacant stare at his brothers and scowled with intense disapproval towards them, causing a chilling sensation to penetrate deep into their very souls. The brothers swiftly backed away and put on a façade of innocence, gazing around as if they had not said a word to Lucifer. However, Mammon opted to change the conversation's topic.

"Haha...we're just jokin'. Hey, ya guys wanna see somethin' cool? (Y/n) and I found this cave. There's a place in worth seein'. It looks like a location straight outta a movie."

"That sounds quite exciting! Shall we also explore the woods? We have yet to uncover the hidden wonders within." The prince proposed, excited at the prospect of an adventurous expedition with the others.

Upon reaching a decision, the brothers, Diavolo, and Solomon began to depart. However, Asmo noticed Barbatos was still in the kitchen and asked, "You don't want to join us, Barbatos?"

"I still have to finish preparations for the approaching celebration," Barbatos smiled. "I do hope all of you have a safe excursion."

A while later, you came down from your bedroom and noticed Barbatos in the kitchen, but no one else was in sight. The tranquil and comforting aura was undoubtedly a soothing and welcome change from the previous chaotic and bustling atmosphere. "Good morning, Barbatos. Where is everyone?" You asked, walking to the kitchen.

"Good morning, (y/n). Mammon invited everyone to explore a cave with a wondrous sight. Then the younger master proposed a trek through the woods," the butler replied with a friendly inflection, serving you breakfast.

"Thank you. What about your sous chefs? Where are they?" You chuckled and settled on the high bar chair closest to him. As you took a bite of the fruit tart, your palate experienced explosive delights with each mouthful you took. The pastry base proved deliciously rich with subtle undertones of flavor layered together, while the decadent filling proved wonderfully sweet with various fruity hints that blended together perfectly.

"They absconded," he chuckled, but from the tone of his voice, you inferred that Barbatos had already anticipated this eventuality.

"Then allow me to be your sous chef today!" You giggled. "That's the least I can do in exchange for the delicious meals you make for us. Not to mention, you have been in the kitchen since the day you came here. All of us are enjoying our time while you are stuck in here."

"I gladly accept your proposition," he smiled.

After you finished your balanced breakfast with a side of sugary indulgence, Barbatos placed a freshly baked cake base in front of you. The cake had been cooled and was ready to be decorated. In front of you, he laid out a variety of fruits, decorative items, icings, and various utensils to assist you in decorating. "Would you be so kind as to decorate the cake? Decorate it to your liking."

"Gladly!" You beamed and began to lay down the icing on the cake.

The atmosphere was permeated with a pleasant peace and tranquility for some time. Only the muffled ticking of the clock on the wall, the simmering of Barbatos's cooking, and the subtle crackling of the fire on the burner could be heard. Despite the peace, the bulter preferred speaking to you as he usually didn't get the chance to spend time with you. "How did your conversation with Lucifer fare?" He asked curiously.

"Well, Luci was mad at first," you sighed but didn't stop decorating. "He even said what I did was seen as 'betrayal,' which I wasn't expecting to hear."

Barbatos shifted his gaze to you, his eyebrows raised. He, too, was taken aback by the Avatar of Pride's utilization of such a weighty term to describe your actions. Nonetheless, the butler could not fault Lucifer, considering honesty and trust were critical factors to him. Not noticing his expression or gaze, you continued to smooth the icing on the cake.

"A while ago, I saw Diav and Luci talking in the backyard from the second floor. Initially, Diav seemed sad, but he was smiling by the end. He even threw his arm around Lucifer," you laughed, recollecting the first brother's expression when the prince hugged him. "All's well, that ends well. Thankfully. I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if Lucifer had gotten angry."

Barbatos chuckled, "That is a sight no one desires to witness."

"I wouldn't want to upset you either," you giggled, but it was evident in your voice that you were speaking the truth.

"Why would that be?" Barbatos inquired curiously. However, his expression indicated that he was feigning innocence to entail a response from you.

"You always smile, but most of the time, your smile doesn't reach your eyes. Not to mention, you are a powerful demon with the ability to manipulate timelines, which is scary," you honestly said but didn't dare to meet his gaze.

"You are indeed correct. Our very timeline could perhaps be the result of my tactics and manipulations," he jested, yet the underlying undercurrent of his tone still sent an eerie chill down your spine.

"What do you mean?" You asked, gradually meeting his gaze. Was he actually speaking the truth? The prospect of him using timelines to manipulate the various occurrences to fulfill his or Diavolo's desires was profoundly unsettling to you.

"You interact with the others. You smile and laugh alongside them, yet I remain by myself on each occasion. It is possible that I may have utilized timelines to manipulate situations in order to grant myself time with you," he stated while maintaining his signature smile, which made it quite difficult for you to determine if he was speaking the truth or not. Regardless, his words still surprised you, and you felt guilty.

"I am sorry, Barbatos. I didn't mean to make you feel left out," you gave him a small, apologetic smile. "How about I cook lunch for you as a way to show you I am truly sorry?"

Barbatos was a bit surprised by your offer as no one had cooked for him before - Solomon not included as he dared not consume a meal cooked by the sorcerer. With a smile, he nodded, "I shall wait eagerly."

You spent some time online looking for an appealing yet traditional dish he may like. After a quick search, you discovered a savory recipe that you presumed would be well received by the butler. Without wasting any time, you swiftly began selecting the required ingredients. However, out of the corner of your eyes, you noticed Barbatos intently observing your actions without saying a word.

"Barbatos, please don't watch me," you gave a nervous laugh. "I am already worried about cooking for a world-class chef, and you watching me is making me even more nervous."

Barbatos chuckled and offered a few words of apology before averting his gaze to the half-decorated dessert in front of him. Since the theme of your artistic endeavor was in line with the celebratory holiday season, the butler decided to uphold the same motif and continue decorating.

Once you finished preparing the dish, you embellished and beautified it by making it appear more appealing. After you completed plating, you took a deep breath and placed the dish in front of him. The butler had quickly registered your unease, and he refrained from engaging in any actions or saying any statements that may exacerbate your anxiety even further.

His lips curled into a soft smile when he sampled your cooking. Your jaw nearly dropped as you saw the genuine smile that decorated his handsome visage for the first time. The smile reached his eyes and made them shimmer with vibrant sparkles. The sight was so overwhelming your heart lost its rhythm for a few seconds. Somehow, you felt like you had obtained an unobtainable achievement and were proud of yourself.

In a moment of assurance, you turned around and took a spoonful of your cooking. Just as the butler was about to halt your actions, you placed it in your mouth. Your body reacted in a startlingly negative manner, and every strand of hair stood on end while a shiver ran through your body. You barely managed to push down the food. In your nervousness, you had accidentally added sugar in place of salt and overcooked the dish.

"Barbatos, this is horrible!" You exclaimed and turned around to find him calmly eating your cooking. "W-Wait, how are you eating this without being bothered?"

The butler gave a light-hearted chuckle and made a straightforward remark. "This dish was prepared with love. That alone is sufficient to make it the most delicious meal I have ever savored."

His reply caught you off guard, and your cheeks glowed a vibrant red, which the butler found extraordinarily adorable. Wordlessly, he drew close to you, curling several strands of your hair around his index finger and gently placing his lips against them. Your gaze locked with his, and you were filled with a desire to kiss him, yet your uncertainty as to whether or not the butler would appreciate or tolerate your advances left you hesitant.

Due to his perceptive nature, Barbatos instantly noticed your desire and chose to take the initiative. He leaned in closely and remained locked in a prolonged, intimate gaze with you, deepening the shade of blush. In the next moment, your lips melted into a blissful union. The kiss felt like a culmination of his hidden desire, indicating that he may have been yearning to kiss you for quite a while.

Pulling away from the kiss, you smiled warmly at him. "Barb, you have been cooking nonstop for the past few days. You need to take a break."

The butler immediately accepted the invitation as he desired a small break, yet he had struggled to find the time and opportunity. While you meandered about in the kitchen and followed his directions regarding adding final touches to certain dishes or monitoring the temperature of a dish inside the oven, boredom began to creep in. Nonetheless, you attempted to conceal your boredom from him the best you could.

"(Y/n), would you like to play a game? I would like to make the most of our time together," Barbatos smiled, although you failed to notice the faint traces of mischievousness that adorned his eyes. "The others will not return until the evening, meaning we possess the cabin solely to ourselves." Without inquiring as to the particulars of the game or the rules involved, you readily accepted, ignorant to the fact that this game would be a source of 'torture' for you.

---

"Focus on your task, my dear," Barbatos whispered close to you, his breath lightly brushing your skin and causing shivers to traverse your body. 

You shut your eyes and inhaled deeply in an attempt to force your thoughts to focus solely on stirring the stew. Barbatos wrapped one of his arms tightly around your bare waist while the other hand continued to methodically massage between your folds. The torture did not end there as he slightly moved his hips. The rate at which he moved was excruciatingly slow and drawn out, causing you to crave him even more. Part of you wanted to drop everything and tell him to take you right then and there, but you knew he would refuse. Barbatos was more focused on the game than giving in to your passionate desires.

When you heard "game," you anticipated it would be something along the lines of him providing hints, and you would strive to guess what he was thinking. Contrary to your perception, once you said yes, he kissed you with ferocity and began to remove your clothes. Although he briefly stopped to give you a chance to protest or dissuade him, your curiosity got the better of you. In the following moment, he pressed your body against his, and you suddenly felt his fingers penetrate deeper into your body, his voice softly whispering the rules of the game in your ear. If you moaned or unintentionally shifted your hips, the game would be elongated, which meant prolonging your climax.

As you felt Barbatos bury his length deeper inside, you tightly clamped your mouth shut to quell any sounds that threatened to escape. You yearned for the conclusion of this game to result in Barbatos ravaging you. A salacious vision appeared in your mind that further increased your excitement: you gripping the edge of the kitchen counter while Barbatos firmly grasped your hips and relentlessly slammed inside you, over and over again, in an immensely pleasurable manner.

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➣  Please visit my website for the full masterlist!

[aneenasevla]

Red Velvet - Chapter 1 (part 2)

MasterList / Akane’s profile / Part 1 here Art by @aneenasevla

Chapter 1 - Hopeless (part 2)

“HELL FUCKING YEAH!”

"Cut that out, we're in the middle of the bakery, dumbass!," Himuro hisses between his teeth.

"Let 'em hear it, 'cause everyone here should know that I hit the jackpot!," Rihito raises his arms in the air, making Vs for Victory with his fingers, a gigantic smile making his face light up like a Christmas tree. "The tall trees will be brought down, the last will be the first, the early bird catches the worm, all that shit!"

"And you'll get all the cans of whoopass if you don't cut that shit out," Kanami says as she arrives to deliver an order to another table. "There are ladies here too."

Okubo makes a face at his friend. "Seriously, Rihito, she might kick you out if you don't pipe it down..."

"Oh shit... sorry, aunty!," He shrinks completely, his arms falling on either side of his torso, but the smile didn't disappear from his face even with the scolding he received. "But that won't happen, I'm one of the best paying customers at this establishment. I drop cash here all the time, man! And anyway, my seaweed-headed bro wouldn't let that happen. Right, Tokita? You won't let your girl kick me out like that, right?"

"Her name is Kanami, you idiot, not 'aunty'... and leave me out of this," Ohma says with his mouth full. "Everyone here pays for the service. Do we have to pay for your stupidity too?"

"Aunty is an affectionate term, you moron! And you could actually pay me something! A round of baked goods to congratulate me on my achievement!"

"I'm going to give you a round of kicks in the ass if you don't shut up," Himuro grumbles, placing a finger on his right ear and scratching it with a grimace, "Seriously, does the word "dignity" have any meaning to you, Rihito?"

"Besides, I wouldn't call it your achievement. It was Tomori who set this date up for you, wasn't it?," Kaneda asks, to which Tomori, sitting next to Okubo, shakes her head.

"Yes, but he still has an achievement, Kaneda. He achieved being the most annoying person on this table."

"Oh, come on! You were the one who should be the happiest for me, Tomori! Your friend will win a date with a good catch!," He points to himself with smugness. "Believe me, she will be thanking you on her knees very soon!"

"I only see this girl coming on her knees to Tomori if she’s going to beg to never have to put up with you again."

"Shut up, Himuro!"

"You're too noisy, Ichiro," Ohma says slowly. "You're bothering everyone."

"Dude, even Ohma is warning you, so you can see how fu...reaking annoying you're being, right?," Okubo held himself back from swearing.

"Dangit, man, I already told you to call me Rihito," He hisses irritably. "It's been almost five years, not even you can be such a blockhead. And okay, okay, I'll try to tone it down a tad. Anyway!," He smiles a lot at Tomori. "Do you have any pics of her to show me? You said she's seen some of mine, it's only fair that I check some of hers out too."

"Make an Instagram account and you'll be able to see as much as you want," Okubo says. "What do you have a phone for, idiot? She has an account there and everything."

"Have you become your chick’s spokesperson now, Buzz Lightyear? Let her speak for herself, dammit!"

"He actually saved me trouble, because I was going to say the same thing."

"Ugh, which part of "I don't want to waste time creating an account on a sissy social network where you only find pictures of food, kittens and motivational phrases for moody teens" didn't you understand?" He gestures, a little frustrated. "I'll make a stupid account only to never use it again!"

"Kanami made one for me," Ohma shows it on his phone screen, with the same unimpressed face as always. "It has Medeyami on it. And the cake that Koga and Ryuki made for her birthday…"

"Heh, are you going to call the seaweed head a fag now, Rihito?," Okubo gives a triumphant smile. "The Amazon hunter himself?"

"I won’t. It's known that men who enter into serious relationships with women become infected with the virus of faggotry by osmosis, so I'm not even surprised. The thing, Tokita, is that at the moment I'm interested in another type of cat, and also in another type of cake," He smiles cheekily while making gestures with his hands, as if he were squeezing some soft, invisible object, and this elicits annoyed grunts from the whole table.

"Damn, I won't give it fifteen minutes for this girl to slap the shit out of him," Himuro groans, to which Kaneda nods.

"I give it even less than that."

"Okay, Rihito, tone it waaay down," Tomori warns him, seriously. "Akane decided to give you a chance, but don't take it as a certain victory. You don't really know her..."

"I'll get to know her if you tell me more about her! Is she cute? Does she like big, good-looking guys? What did she say when she saw my pics? I work with details, woman!"

"Oh, someone liked Medey's photo," Ohma said softly, absorbed in his own world while checking his phone "A lot of people, actually... the cake deserves way more likes than that fuzzy thief..."

"Dude, if you post a pic of yourself it will be way more successful than that of the cat."

"For what?"

"Oh, uh… nevermind," Himuro laughs softly. "It’s not worth it, and it's not like you need it."

Ohma shrugs and continues looking at his phone. "Well, guess I'm gonna make another cake..."

Tomori was still arguing with Rihito.

"You can ask her all that stuff during the date. Or just do what we're suggesting and make an Instagram account..."

"I already said it’s not going to happen, so drop it," He snorts impatiently. "And I’m asking this now so I don’t fall into a trap! I trust you, Tomori, but I need to know if you set me up on a date with some sourpuss or-"

"Ugh, do you see what your problem is?!," Tomori finally seems to lose her temper, slamming her hands on the table, which makes Rihito jump, Okubo and Himuro widen their eyes and Kaneda choke on his juice. "I can see clearly why everyone always says you can't pick up women to save your life! You're acting like a giant dick, and for what?"

Rihito stares at her, perplexed. The table is silent, except for Kaneda's dry cough and the sound of Himuro's hand tapping on his back. Ohma looks at the commotion, one eyebrow raised, watching as he takes a sip of his favorite milkshake, seeming to expect something. Rihito then shrugs his shoulders a little.

"A giant dick? Shit, that was uncalled for..."

Some customers even started looking upset at their table, bothered by the noise. Kanami gives Hiro a meaningful look and the two nod with mutual understanding.

"Okay, that's enough. Give me that," Kanami had approached them and reached a hand in Rihito's direction, closing and opening her fingers.

He turns around with a start when he notices her, alarmed. "S-Sorry, aunty! I'll try to pipe it down, I swear!"

"Yeah... sorry, Kanny, I kind of lost my temper here..."

"Yeah, I know, Tomoh," she then looks at Rihito. "And you! Give me that phone, now," she speaks in a commanding voice, still repeating the gesture.

"What- no, hold on!," He grabs his phone and stands up, suddenly alarmed, as if he were facing a pickpocket pointing a knife at him. "My phone is a no-go area, Miss Kanami! You can ask these guys, you don't want to see the things I have here..."

"I'll have to agree with him, Miss Kanami. Rihito's phone is worse than a landfill...," Himuro snorts while Kaneda makes a face.

"Oh really? Let me see" Hiro was already walking away with his phone in his hand. Kanami smiles when he approaches her. "I love to pry on other people's dirty laundry."

"What the- Give me back my phone, you nosy twink!," He shrieks, already going after the cashier with his hands outstretched. "Seriously, Hiro, don't do that!"

Kanami stops him from approaching Hiro with a hand on his chest, raising an eyebrow, her acid eyes directly eating away at him, speaking quietly. "That was the final straw, Rihito. You're making an ass of yourself, and even Tomori, the most patient person I know, got mad. Now either you cooperate and stop acting like they are about to shove a stick up your ass or I'm going to break my iron rule and let everyone beat you up right here, right now. It's up to you."

Ohma smiles, even letting out a low snort of laughter. Okubo even found it strange when he lifted his phone to discreetly take a photo with a satisfied expression.

Himuro opens a devilish smile, cracking his knuckles. "Wonderful. I've been waiting for an excuse to beat the shit outta him for a month now."

"Screw you, Himuro!," Rihito growls, looking around, tense like a cornered animal. "Ugh... what do you want with my phone, anyway?!"

"Kinda obvious, don't you think, Rihito?," Kaneda arches an eyebrow "Miss Kanami will nip the evil in the bud."

"And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"That means you’re going to get a brand new Instagram account," Tomori smiles, very satisfied, and Rihito widens his eyes.

"Ugh, you gotta be kiding me! Seriously, why do y'all care so much? I'll only use this account to see some pics of this girl and then I'll forget about it!"

"Do you want to see it or not?," Okubo grunts. "Damn, dude, you even have an Tiktok account and you don't post anything, so what's one more social media!?"

"TikTok is full of hot chicks twerking, that’s the only reason I made an account!"

"There's girls twerking on Instagram too, you know? And even more so, since it's been around longer," Hiro skillfully twirls the phone in his hand, mischievous like the little devil everyone knew he was. "And on top of that there are more women there, maybe you can get another dates if you don't like this one…"

"It’s either that or you'll go home all bruised and limping," Kanami threatens. "Half of it will be my doing."

"Uugh...," He puts his hand over his face, grinding his teeth. Tomori snorts, looking at Okubo while mumbling, "Do you see what I've told you a bunch of times, Naoh? It's because of this attitude that he's still single."

"Leave me alone! And I still haven't forgotten what you told me just now! That "giant dick" was totally uncalled for," He glares at her, sounding truly offended. "I thought we had become friends!"

"And we are! That's precisely why I need to be honest with you, otherwise you'll never learn your lesson and do better," She points indignantly at him. "I've only known you for a short time, but it was enough for me to see that you have a good side and can be a genuinely nice guy. But it seems that this good side disappears when it comes to women! Do you really need my friend to be attractive by your specific standards to treat her with respect?"

"What- no, I didn't mean that...," He shrinks again.

Kanami looks at him with her scolding look. Hiro chews his gum, raising his eyebrow. Ohma sighs, going back to what he was doing on his phone. Okubo crosses his arms. Everyone else in the bakery frowns.

"Okay... you see how uncomfortable everyone is getting, right, man?," Himuro arches an eyebrow, to which Rihito scratches the back of his head, looking down.

"I would be blind if I hadn't seen it..."

"So why don't we talk calmly, while Miss Kanami and Mr. Hiro take care of everything for you?," Kaneda suggests, to which Rihito makes a face.

"... So you all agree with what she said?"

Everyone nods, even Ohma who wasn't even paying attention anymore.

"Stubborn idiot," he mutters, without looking up from his phone.

Rihito swallows hard. He rubs his right arm with his left hand. And then he looks up at Tomori, who feels her chest hurt when he sees his expression of genuine sadness, his green, expressive eyes showing a fragility that gave him the air of a very needy puppy.

Oh, she knew that expression. It was the same expression he had made when he showed up unexpectedly at her house, on a rainy Sunday, willing to humiliate himself to intercede for his friend. It was at times like these that she remembered that he wasn't a complete idiot, and that there was a reason why her boyfriend and everyone else continued to maintain a friendship with him.

"I'm sorry..."

Tomori sighs, closing her eyes, anger leaving her like air leaking from a punctured balloon.

"... Okay. You're forgiven. Are you going to let Kanny and Hiro create a profile for you now?"

"...Hnf. What choice do I have?," He mumbles with a shrug. "Just do it already. I'm just warning you that it will become a no man's zone after serving its purpose."

The people at the bakery seemed to silently celebrate the calm that would follow after that. Himuro and Kaneda sigh, relaxing in their chairs.

Himuro smiles at Okubo. "You’ve got yourself quite the girlfriend, huh, dude. To be able to make this idiot put his tail between his legs like that..."

"Screw you!"

Ohma smiles, still on the phone, thinking it was for him. "Thanks."

"Himuro was talking to me, man. And yeah, I know!," Okubo shrills, his voice rising a few octaves, and then he turns very red when the whole table starts laughing. He clears his throat, putting a fist in front of his mouth, getting all awkward when Tomori caresses his fist with a cute little laugh. Rihito just rolls his eyes.

"Fuckin' simp...," He mutters softly.

"Okay, Rihito, now that everything got solved...," Kanami sighs. "Come to the counter, I'll help you with this. No one else needs to comment on this, right?!," She looks at the others, and Hiro shrugs.

"Okay… wow, just when I was about to give him all the profiles of my muscle-eater friends…," he returns to the counter, handing the phone to the baker.

Rihito immediately turns his attention to him. "Wait, really? I'm in!"

"We'll talk about that after this first date," Hiro says seriously to him. "You bum."

"That's right, your focus should be on my friend for now! He's coming, Kanny, I just want to hear a few more things from his mouth to make sure it's safe for me to give the go-ahead," Tomori warns, to which Rihito gives her a tired look.

"What, you're an inspector for potential fuck-buddies now? Okubo, tell your girlfriend to go do something else…"

"Hell no. Kick his ass, babe!", he nods, as seriously as her. "Roll this fella up!"

"You asshole! Let me know when she decides to let you get your balls out of her purse, you fucking simp-"

"Shut up and sit back down, damn it! Everyone wants to eat in peace," Himuro grumbles, to which Rihito returns to his place at the table, crossing his arms, grumpily.

"Okay, fine. Come on, what do you want me to do? Pick her up at seven and bring her back at ten at her curfew? Bring her flowers, chocolate and all that romantic crap?"

"No, Akane is not the type to enjoy these things. She would think you're pathetic if you showed up with something like that," She shakes her head. "I just want to hear from you that you're going to try not to behave like an asshole."

"Hey Kaneda, help me. How do you do this…?” Ohma asks, pointing to something on the phone, in the background.

"Sure. Let me see, Ohma…," Kaneda goes to help him, and the rest ignore them.

"Goddanmit, I already told you I won't! I haven't been on a date in a while, what makes you think I'd do anything to ruin it?," He asks indignantly, to which she shakes her head impatiently.

"You wouldn't do it on purpose, but you would. You always end up making the women around you uncomfortable with your cluelessness. Hugging them too tightly, grabbing them, asking inconvenient questions and making gross invitations-"

"I don't do that!"

"Yes, you do. I can prove it," Himuro rolls his eyes. "I already introduced you to two of my friends at your insistence, and the result was neither of them wanting to go out with you again. Remember?"

He blushes.

"I-It's not my fault that I'm a physical guy who loves giving and receiving affection. They were too frigid..."

"You hug ME too damn hard…," Ohma comments. "Seriously, it’s ridiculous."

"You are the most frigid of all! You have a heart of stone…"

"He doesn't and I can prove it!," Kanami imitates Himuro. Ohma snorts at his friend.

"I'm serious, Rihito. Go easy with those wandering hands and the very tight, long hugs," Tomori says, and this time, she seemed to ask, instead of demanding. "Come on, if you can't do this to me, you'll be able to not do this to her too."

"It’s different with you! I'm no backstabber to go grabing my friend's girl."

"So don't be nasty with the others either," Ohma says. "It's a pain to be harassed, in any situation. You said it yourself, I'm proof of that."

"I don’t harass anyone!"

"You do, so much so that to this day we don't know how you weren't framed or something like that," Himuro snorts, to which Kaneda, still helping Ohma with whatever he was doing on his phone, comments,

"Miss Akiyama has already threatened to sue you for sexual misconduct about five times..."

"Meh, I've kind of given up on Kaede," Rihito pouts. "If she doesn't want me, there are others who do... like Tomori's friend," He sighs, scratching his scalp. "Okay, okay... I'll try to pay attention to these things. But you know what my intentions are with this date, right? I'll be as nice as I can, but I won't pretend I'm interested in anything else."

"No need to," Tomori takes a sip of her juice. "Akane wants the same."

He turns to her, green eyes wide and shining.

"Really?!"

"Really," Okubo nods. "IF you don’t ruin everything, asshole."

"Watch your mouths, we have ladies present in the room," Kaneda says, to which Tomori chuckles.

"Relax, Kaneda, I'm kind of used to it. I've watched you play horror games together, remember? My repertoire of swear words gained a couple more pages that day."

"Anyway!," Lihito raises his hands, drawing attention back to himself. "Damn, that makes everything better! I love a woman who knows what she wants...," He rubs his hands with a smile, and then shrinks when Tomori gives him a warning look. "Chill out, I haven't forgotten the things you said! I... I never wanted to harass anyone, really. It's just..."

"It's just that you live on the basis of the philosophy that, if you shoot everywhere, you will eventually hit a target."

"Shut up, Himuro. But... yeah," He sighs.

"Oh, so that's how it is," Ohma nods, looking happier. "Thanks, Kaneda. This will surpass that cat..."

"Isn’t the cat post yours too, Ohma?"

"I don’t admit that this backstabber does better than me."

"Seriously, Hon, stop being jealous of my cat!," Kanami sighs. "This is getting weird."

"He stole my steak-"

"That’s been almost six months! And that was your fault!"

"He lost my trust and that's it. I only tolerate him because he's cute."

"Dude, you really don’t know what context “backstabber” is used, do you?," Himuro arches an eyebrow at Ohma, while Lihito mumbles,

"This dude considers a fucking cat his rival, while I'm still here, waiting for a rematch... but whatever!," He shakes his head with a serious face. "If these attitudes of mine really cause discomfort... I will try to control it and keep my hands to myself... to a certain extent. You can't do the deed through telepathy, you know..."

"Just be polite and respect her boundaries until she shows that she is willing to get more physical," Tomori suggests. "Akane is not one to beat around the bush, she'll make it very clear when she's interested. Until then... just be the cool, fun guy I know you are when you're not chasing skirts. She will appreciate it."

Rihito blushes a little. And then he smiles. She would probably never get used to how cute he could be when he really let his feelings come out, without that stupid casanova facade getting in the way.

"Guys, it's almost closing time, do you want to go or can I join you at the table?," Kanami sighs, a little tired. "Tomori, before I go I'm going to need help, Paikon woke up from his coffin and is tidying up, but when it comes to kitchen stuff..."

"Leave it to me, Kanny! Then, after we're done, we can go back to the table and help him with his Instagram profile all together," Tomori suggests, smiling, to which Rihito blushes more, looking to the side.

"I'm kinda having a Dee-je-vou-"

"Déjà vu, dumb fuck."

"Shut up! But seriously, this reminds me of when the three of us got together to help Okubo prepare for his second date with Tomori," He smiles at his friend. "It's ridiculous and at the same time funny that you're trying to do the same to me..."

"We’re trying to be good friend. You did the same for me, didn't you?," Okubo snorts, blushing too. "We need to help the homies…"

"Come here, blondie, I already downloaded Instagram on your phone while I was out," Hiro sits down next to Rihito without ceremony. "You just have to choose the photos..."

"Aaah! Don't sit so suddenly next to me, you spawn of Satan!," Rihito jumps and shrinks a little. "And who gave you the password to my phone? Seriously, sometimes I think you're a Yakuza in disguise..."

"I have my little secrets, honey," he smiles devilishly. "And no, I'm no Yakuza, but I have some friends who had some experiences with 'em. Kanami is one."

"Experiences with beating them up, you mean," Kanami laughs, making a cruel expression, high-fiving with Ohma, who smiles in the same way.

"It’s not just you, no. I'd even call some of them pros. But come here, help me choose your profile pic," he opens the phone gallery and widens his eyes at the first photo he sees. "Oh my God...," he blushes, laughing coquettishly at Rihito. "You definitely weren't feeling cold that day, huhuhuhuhuh..."

"What the- you busybody!," He snatches the phone from Hiro's hand, very red. "You can let me choose the pic, thanks for the help! I just need to find one that won't get my profile banned five minutes after being created..."

"Do you see what we said?," Himuro sighs while Kaneda says, "Take the opportunity and give him your friend's profile, Tomori."

"Oh, I will, as soon as he gets his profile ready."

"My friend, it is Instagram guidelines that doesn't like that stuff, I loved what I saw," Hiro laughs maliciously at Rihito, but still walks away. "If you want, I can make an OnlyFans account for you too..."

"No, thanks. I already have one," He responds, without looking up from his phone, and this time everyone at the table chokes on their respective drinks.

"You- you have an OnlyFans account? Are you serious?!," Himuro widens his eyes, to which Rihito rolls his.

"Calm down, it’s just so I can follow those who really make content."

"Oh... now we know why you’re always broke at the end of the month," Kaneda comments.

"Then let's do a creator account, I want to help," Hiro laughs.

"No offense, bro, but I don't want to have a literal devil's advocate as a manager or anything like that," Rihito snorts. "Anyway, I've already chosen the pic. What do I do now?"

"Here, as soon as you post it… That’s it. Now press this button here...," Hiro teaches him. "Hey, Tomoh, it's Sekihyo, right?," When Tomori confirms, he laughs a little mischievously. "Oh, this is going to be great," he laughs softly. "I know her username, it's @akaneagata. That's it, all together. Aaand there you go! Enjoy," he gets up and pats Rihito on the back. "Now that I'm sure of who it is, I feel way more at easy, hahaha."

"Sekihyo? That Sekihyo?!," Kanami looked up, surprised; she was now sitting next to Ohma. "Ooooh... I know that one," she makes a face, returning to her boyfriend's side, mumbling, "Good luck, you'll need it."

"Yes, he will," Tomori nods, very solemnly, while Rihito frowns, checking the profile.

"Sekihyo? Is that a nom de guerre or something?"

"Yep! Look at the photos and tell me if it's not an extremely suitable name," She suggests, and he, even more interested, scrolls the bar with his finger to scroll down the photos.

And what photos. She looked like a model posing for a photo studio, always in the best angles. She was a little thin but not like Tomori, especially in the breasts department, which happened to be the roundest, and almost sticking out of her clothes, almost always accompanied by a coat that looked to be made of fake fur. Fur, leather, leopard prints… if she were older, she would definitely be the flashy type, but damn, how good that fashion style looked on her. And her skin was similar to Himuro's, but her blonde hair... she was clearly one of those Gyaru, who he saw walking down the streets of Tokyo in groups. And she had a tattoo of red leopard prints on her shoulder, living up to her name.

Himuro and Kaneda see how Rihito's eyes widen, his chin dropping a little as his face reddens. They knew that expression too well. The two exchange a quick glance with Okubo before leaning in to peek, very curious.

"Uh- wow!," Himuro’s eyes widen a little too. "Now that nom de guerre makes a lot of sense. A Gyaru with a capital G…"

"Indeed," Kaneda agrees with a nod. "And she's a close friend of yours?"

"I’ve known her since high school,” Tomori says, smiling a lot. "Naoh, do you remember when I told you that I got into a fight with a girl and almost got kicked out of school? A fight that involved a baseball bat and everything…"

"Wow, was that her?!," his eyes widened too. "She didn't end up with permanent brain damage, did she?"

"Two damaged brains, going on a date…," Kanami scoffs, making Ohma laugh softly.

"And if she hadn't, she must have it now, considering she agreed to go out with "Rihito, Himuro raises an eyebrow, to which Kaneda laughs softly.

"Fuck off, all of you!"

Hiro laughed out loud from the counter.

Tomori laughs too, shaking her head, "She always had brain damage, hahaha! And she returned the kindness later, she gave me a black eye and everything. We had a hell of a cat fight, were both suspended for a week, and the following month we were already going out shopping together as if we had always been the best of friends!"

"And we thought it was just us, professional fighters, who made friends like that," Kaneda jokes with a chuckle.

"With me and Ichiro it was the same thing...," Ohma shrugs. "Except the shopping."

"Yeah...," Rihito nods slowly, his eyes still fixed on the phone screen. The others watch him closely, already preparing themselves for the whistles, the extremely inappropriate comments, the howls. They don't come, however. Tomori then asks, a little hesitantly, "So? What do you think of my friend?"

Rihito looks up at her. And then he smiled a lot, his cheeks a little flushed.

"Wow, Tomori, she's beautiful!"

Uh... yeah, definitely none of them were expecting that kind of response.

"Oh… apparently our moral beatings got in…," Hiro comments, laughing. Kanami laughs louder.

"... Kaneda, check his pulse, quickly. See if he's not dying, in a feverish state or something," Himuro says, eyes wide, to which Kaneda exclaims, "We have to take Rihito to the hospital! There is something very wrong with him!"

"Shut up, you two, I’m fine!," Rihito grumbles impatiently. "You wanted me to behave, right? So I'm trying to do that from now on!"

"Uh... that's great!," Tomori opens a huge smile. "She’s really beautiful, isn’t she?"

"A lot! I had never dated a Gyaru before. I see that I'm going to start well. And yes, the tattoos are quite appropriate, considering her nom de guerre," He carefully observes the pattern of spots tattooed on one of the girl's shoulders. "A panther, huh? I like it," He opens an insinuating half smile. "That's what I call a coincidence…"

"Huh? Why?," Kanami asks, innocently.

"Well... let's say that panthers and leopards are also an inspiration to me, when I'm inside a ring," He arches an eyebrow, raising two of his fingers. "I have the claws and everything to prove it. That girl and I are going to get along really well. Big cats sometimes roam in packs, hehe."

"Oh, that's true. You even wear shorts with leopard prints and everything," Kaneda nods, crossing his arms.

"Isn't a panther a kind of lion or something?," Ohma asks, and Kanami shows him an image on her phone screen. "Ooh... so that's the animal," Ohma nods. "Yeah, it matches the Razor."

"I see… that’s clever," Kanami agrees. "So it’s just a matter of setting the date up, right?

"Oh yes…," Okubo nods, seriously. "And it will be the four of us. We're free this coming weekend, what about you?"

"Yes, I- wait, the four of us?," Rihito blinks, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Uh... so, Naoh had the idea of us ​​going on a double date. You know?," Tomori gestures a little. "Both of us, you two..."

Rihito blinks again. And then he grunts to Okubo, "Who told you that a moron like you could come up with ideas, even more so stupid ones like that?! A double date, that's just what I needed!"

"It's your fault, you jerk! Your fame fucking preceds you. We were worried at the thought that you were going to scare away the poor woman. Don't forget that it was only when you shut up that that catfish bite the bait!"

"Fuck you, you’re jealous because I was the one who caught it!,"

"Oh, but the idea is great! That way, you can keep an eye on him," Kaneda says, and Himuro nods.

"Yep. I would say it would be to ensure that the girl doesn't get uncomfortable to the point of wanting to run away, but after seeing her photos, it would be more to ensure that Rihito doesn't end the night needing to put ice on his balls because he got kicked."

"Fuck off! Ugh, is this really necessary? I already said I'm going to behave!," He assures, to which Tomori shakes her head.

"It's already decided. Not to mention that we will enjoy the night too. We're a little tired of only being able to sit quietly next to each other on a sofa, while my father sings enka at karaoke and my brother challenges Naoh to an arm wrestle."

"Ugh, I know how that is," Kanami grimaces. "Well, then good luck to you guys, especially to Rihito."

"Heheheheh… you can fall in love but don’t fool yourself, dear," Hiro jokes. "Fight well, soldier."

"Hnf. No need to worry, lil' fairy. I don't fall in love, simple as that," Rihito lifts his chin haughtily. Himuro and Kaneda look at each other and shake their heads, saying nothing. Tomori rolls her eyes, then turns around and says, "Oh, and before I forget! Two more of my friends asked for your DMs, Himuro. Can I give it on to them?"

"Sure. What are their names?"

"Karin and Mariko. They are former college classmates. Do you want to meet them here at the bakery?"

"That's where I met the other two, Yuzuhira and Makoto, so it's more than fair. You can tell them I'm free on Wednesday," Himuro combs his hair back with one hand, very naturally, his eyes closed. Rihito glares at him in anger.

"Two more numbers? Now you have, like, four of 'em! Greed is a sin, you know? You're going straight to Hell, you slut!"

"All this just because I didn’t want to give you the number of one of them? Envy is also a sin. See you there, asshole."

"I already know that I'm going to Hell anyway. I remember hearing a devil laughing when I died," Ohma comments, as naturally as Himuro. Kanami grimaces.

"Ohma, don't say that...," she gets goose bumps. Ohma hugs her shoulder, laughing softly.

"And you said he's frigid," Okubo points at the two, looking at Rihito. "He even looks kinda cute."

"Hmph. He is, when it comes to us," Rihito snorts, turning his attention back to his phone, still admiring Akane's profile. Tomori speaks softly to Okubo, "I'm honestly relieved that he didn't make a scene when he saw Akane's photos. I think what I said really got into his head."

"I just hope it stays that way, love… I really do."

"Me too. Anyway...," She gets up from the chair, hitting her hands on her skirts to unwrinkle them. "We need to close everything, don't we, Kanny? And go help Paikon too."

"Yes, yes… let go of me, Ohma…," she laughs a little when he doesn't let her go, and breaks free when she threatens to squeeze his ribs. And she quickly goes to the kitchen with Tomori. "Let's go, I have things to do at home."

"Okay! I'll be right back, love," Tomori leans in to kiss Okubo's cheek; He was so tall, she didn't need to bend down too much to reach him, even with him sitting down. "And I'll bring you the leftover cookies from today's batch."

"Ooh, thanks a lot, babe," he pulls her towards him a little, in a quick but strong hug, making her laugh. And then he watches her leave. The others look at him grimacing, and he looks right back. "What?"

"Ugh" the others make a collective groan, except, of course, the seaweed head, who was still absorbed in his phone.

"Hey girls, I have some important business," Hiro also enters the kitchen, with a note in his hand. "There's something that's not working…," and his voice dies with the distance.

This time, Rihito didn't seem to care much about the sweet couple. He was still very focused on his phone. He only looks up when he realizes that Ohma, Okubo, Himuro, Kaneda and him were alone.

"Are they gone?"

"Uh... yes?," Kaneda arches an eyebrow. And then they all startle when Rihito slams his hands on the table, his face red and a little sweaty, his eyes wide and an expression of absolute delight on his face. And when he speaks, it's low enough for only them to hear, but the excited tone is unmistakable.

"Holy crap! Did you guys see the size of those tits? Shit, that girl's hot as fuck!"

Himuro and Kaneda let out a huge grunt together, the first putting his hand over his face, the second throwing his head back.

"Damn, we spoke too soon!"

"For fuck's sake, man! You were only waiting for the girls to leave to let the dogs out, huh," Okubo growls.

"I knew that was gonna happen," Ohma comments, looking aside. "I even counted to three, couldn't be more accurate."

"Seriously, aren't you ashamed of yourself, Rihito? What about all the things Tomori said to you? Did they go in one ear and out the other?," Kaneda asks in a censorious tone, to which Rihito shakes his head vigorously.

"Of course not, I listened and absorbed everything! I'm going to be the most respectful and gentlemanly guy I can be and keep my hands to myself... until it's time for me to bury my face in those melons until I choke!," He again makes that gesture of squeezing the air again, as if pressing invisible horns. "It took a while, but the universe finally decided to throw me a fucking bone! I'm about to cure these blue balls for good, my guys!"

"Fuck, I give up," Himuro groans, "I thought that, after Okubo straightened himself out, there might still be hope for this idiot. But no, he's a hopeless case."

"If I, the frigid one, according to you, could do it..." Ohma says with a laugh. "Anything is possible."

"Yeah, you just needed a new heart for that, one that can beat and pump in the right place," Okubo mocks. "That's all. In his case, he needs a brain..."

"Brain? Only if it can help me with oxygenation, because I'm going to need a hell of a breather to give this chick some action! But it's okay, I'll make the sacrifice!," He rubs his hands; he was almost salivating. "The noblest sacrifice I have ever made, yes sir."

"Poor girl..."

"For what? I'm going to do her so good she'll beg for an encore after the other! Now whether I'll agree or not is another story," He combs his hair back, trying to imitate the gesture that Himuro had made earlier, but not with nearly the same charm. Ohma holds back his laughter.

"He looks like a dog, minus the tongue sticking outta his mouth," Okubo comments, and Ohma lets out a half scream and stops laughing again, sobbing as he holds on, hiding his face.

"No, man, that's mean…," he manages to recover quickly. "You're offending the dogs."

"Whatever, man, I'm the biggest dog on the kernel! And the big dog here will feast!," He throws his head back and opens his mouth, but chokes hard when Himuro hits him with a slap to the throat, shouting: "I swear to God, you idiot, if you howl in the middle of the bakery, I'll kick your mouth so hard that you'll have to start brushing your teeth through your ass!

"Aack! Fuck you, dude!," He coughs hard. "Are you trying to kill me?!"

"Leave it alone, Himuro," Kaneda sighs in defeat, shaking his head. "The only thing we can hope for now is that he really follows Tomori's advice and waits until the right time to start with this nonsense."

"I'll wait, I swear! It will be worth it, every second...," And he raises his fingers again in Vs for Victory.

"If he doesn't wait, record the whole thing and send it to me. My videos with Kanami scaring him went... how Koga called it...? Oh yes, viral!," Ohma smiles satisfied. "I finally beat that fuzzy backstabber!"

Next Chapter HERE

[libraryofhogwarts]

A Deal Made on Impulse

Ginny Weasley x Pansy Parkinson

Chapter 2: Ginny begins to regret making decisions based on impulse

Chapter 2: Tears and Potato Soup

Series masterlist

Ginny perched on the arm of the couch. George had taken back the space she had sat in earlier, but Ginny couldn’t find it in her to care. The only thing she was focused on was hiding that incriminating smirk.

It was useless, however, because the moment her butt met the sofa she was bombarded with questions from her best friend.

Hermione, still sitting in Draco’s lap, stared at her, jaw hanging open.

“Did I just witness what I think I did?” she asked in a rushed but quiet tone and she leaned forward. Draco put his hands on her hips to stop her from leaning too far forward and falling completely off his lap.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Ginny said in an impossibly posh tone.

“Don’t play dumb Ginny Weasley, it’s unbecoming.” Her friend stated plainly.

The rest of the group was still distracted, lost in their own conversations. Ginny was glad for this. She was about to be grilled enough by Hermione, she did not need the rest of the group joining in on the interrogation.

Ginny casts her gaze around the room before muttering, “Not here,” in a pleading tone.

She didn’t want her issues with Dean to be blasted out in front of their friend group, it was her problem to deal with and hers alone. She didn’t need to be bombarded with the opinions of her brothers and the other men on what she should do. And to talk about… the incident… yes, she decided, that is what she would call the kiss Hermione just witnessed between her and Pansy.

“Finish your drink, then we’re going, because I am not letting you get away with not discussing this,” Hermione ordered her with finality. Draco groaned at the prospect of having to leave early. Hermione smirked before whispering something in his ear that made him perk up, no longer upset at the idea of walking back to Hogwarts.

Ginny rolled her eyes at her friend’s flirting. She focused back on the drink in her hand, thinking back to moments ago.

What was she thinking? She just asked Pansy Parkinson to kiss her! That has got to be one of the more stupid things she’s done with her time on this Earth. Really, out of all people Pansy? The woman she now has to face every day, multiple times a day, for the next eight months. God this was dreadful.

At least the Christmas Holiday was coming soon, so she could have some sort of reprieve from her inevitable embarrassment that she was now doomed to face.

God everything was going to get messy, wasn’t it? Suddenly her drink was no longer appetizing, in fact, it made her a little sick even thinking about finishing it. She nudged George, “Want to finish this? I’m heading out,” she pushed the drink into his hands not even giving him a chance to respond before she stood.

“I’ll never turn down a drink,” he said with a laugh, Ginny’s mood going unnoticed.

She fast-walked to the exit of the pub, trying to get to the cool air before she threw up. Maybe the shock of the icy air could curb the sickness growing in her stomach.

She heard a shuffle from Draco and Hermione before Draco announced, “We’ll be leaving too.”

Hermione was already at her back as Ginny opened the door and burst into the cool winter air. Sucking in a deep breath she walked to the path that led to home. She covered her face with her hands, beyond embarrassed by what happened inside.

“Gins, do you want to talk about it?” Hermione’s voice was soft. She gave a soft comforting touch to her friend’s shoulder.

“I don’t know.” Ginny whimpered.

“Why don’t we go back to the dorms? I’ll make some hot chocolate and send Draco down to get us dinner so we don’t even have to leave the room, hm?” the woman suggests.

Hemione’s plan does sound enticing, not having to face anyone besides the two people now beside her. She nods in agreement, setting out on the snow-covered stone path, not wanting to waste any more time out in the cold than she has to.

The walk back is relatively quiet. At least Ginny does not mutter a single word. She can see her friends casting worried glances at each other every now and again, before whispering about something; probably the deep mess Ginny has gotten herself into if she had to take a guess.

Finally, after what felt like decades, they reach the girls’ dorm room. The warm rush of air that meets her face as she opens the door gives her a sense of comfort. This whole ordeal was not something that she could ignore. She couldn’t push it down and deal with it on her own. She really needed to talk to her best friend about it, right now, or she might explode.

Ginny immediately kicked off her shoes on the way to her bed before crawling under the thick plaid sheets and comforter. Nuzzling into her bed seeking some form of comfort to combat the ugly feeling swirling inside her at this moment.

Hermione followed her into the room, bending at the hips to grab Ginny’s discarded shoes and lining them up neatly next to her wardrobe, ever the mother of the group. Draco stayed in the doorway watching as Hermione walked to Ginny’s bed sitting on the end of the mattress.

“I’ll go grab dinner for you two. Everything will work itself out, Ginny.” He pushed off the door frame turning back down the hall, being swallowed up by the darkness.

The finality in his statement oddly brought Ginny a bit of comfort. Hermione watched his retreating with so much love in her eyes that Ginny thought she might light him on fire from the heat.

She turned back after a moment, crossing her legs under herself and setting her questioning eyes on her friend.

“What happened back there?” Hermione finally questioned.

Ginny cast a glance at the still-open door. Before she could say anything Hermione got up, softly closing the door, and grabbed her wand to cast a silencing charm.

Finally settled Ginny started, “I don’t know Mi. Dean was coming towards me so fast and I couldn’t get back to the group quickly enough,”

“Ugh, Dean.” Hermione groaned as if in pain just hearing the name leave her friend’s lips.

Ginny continues, unperturbed, “I decided to make a lap around the room back to you all and hope to lose him in the process.” She pauses, nervous to revisit the next part of the story, “That’s when I saw… When I saw Pansy. We have some classes together and she seems nice enough, if a bit intimidating, so the idea popped into my mind. I cut her off, asked her to kiss me and she agreed.”

Ginny sucks in a breath after her rant.

“That’s…” Hermione pauses, collecting her words. It’s not often that anyone leaves the woman speechless, her quick wit is too strong for that. So it’s a little startling that this whole situation has the power to do so.

“That’s not what I expected to hear.” She settles on.

“What did you expect?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe… I guess I thought you might be into her, is all.” Hermione shrugs.

“I’m not not into her it’s just… UGH!” Ginny falls back into her pillows covering her head with a blanket, not wanting to face her best friend.

Hermione grabs the blanket, attempting to pull it off Ginny’s head, intending to grill her no doubt. Ginny resisted, keeping her iron hold on the fabric. If there’s one thing Ginny has on the older girl, it’s physical strength.

“Come on Gins,” Hermione pleads.

Ginny pulls the blanket back, only because Hermione rarely pleads so if she is it’s important. Ginny only lowers the sheet to her chin, peaking at her friend over the cover.

“What do I do Mi?” tears welled in her eyes, not used to this onslaught of emotions being bared to someone. Especially not the feeling of embarrassment.

“You go about your life. You continue going to classes. You don’t let the incident dictate your life. You hold your head high. And most of all, you hope it worked. You hope Dean The Ass takes the hint this time.” She smiled at the last bit, loving to point out that Dean is an ass anytime she can.

“But I’m so embarrassed. How am I supposed to face Pansy ever again?” a groan of pain followed her question.

“Why are you embarrassed? She kissed you too. She didn’t have to but she did,” Hermione poses the question. Why did Ginny feel embarrassed? It’s true, Pansy did kiss her. In fact, she’s the one who leaned in first. She’s the one who gripped Ginny’s hair. And she was definitely the one who slipped her tongue into Ginny’s mouth first.

Just then, a knock came at the door. Hermione shot one last glance to Ginny before getting up to answer the door. It was Draco, they discovered, as the woman swung open the door. Two bowls of steaming hot potato soup floated in the air next to him.

Ginny sat up as Hermione grabbed the bowls and brought one to her. Draco moved to Hermione’s bed, sitting down and leaning against the headboard. Hermione followed, joining him on the bed with her dinner.

Ginny took a spoonful of soup into her mouth, sighing at the warmth and comfort of the food. It reminded her of her mother’s dinners. She could really use her mother’s words right now. Molly Weasley could be a loud and sometimes cranky woman but when it comes to her children’s happiness, she would do anything. Ginny knows her mother would know all the right things to say at this moment.

She stared into the bowl, missing her mother, feeling anxious about the coming days, and overall just wanting to cry herself to sleep.

“But what if she just kissed me out of pity?” Ginny directs the question to Hermione, going back to the conversation they were having before Draco brought them food.

“Why would she kiss you out of pity? She has no reason to pity you.” Hermione supplies.

“Because she saw me running from Dean.” Ginny sighed.

Draco interjects at that moment, “I know Pansy, and if there’s one thing about her it’s that she doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to.”

“You know Pansy? How?”

“She’s friends with Blaise. She comes around sometimes when he’s there.” he shrugs

“Hm,” Ginny thinks on his comment. If the sentiment was true then… why would Pansy kiss her. Ginny didn’t know the woman that well but from what she witnessed of her it did seem plausible that she only did the things she wanted to.

She took another bite of the soup, stewing in her thoughts for a few moments.

“Alright, I’m going back to my dorm to study. Do you want to come?” Draco asks Hermione.

She pauses looking between Draco and Ginny, deciding if she should stay with her friend or go with her boyfriend.

“Go. I need a moment alone anyway.” Ginny makes the decision for her.

Hermione looked relieved not having to make the decision. Hermione loved the people closest to her and had a hard time telling them no.

She stood with Draco, gabbing a book off her desk and walking to Ginny’s bedside. She planted a chaste kiss on the crown of her friend’s head, “Everything will be okay, I promise.”

Ginny only gave her friend a sad smile as the pair left the room and shut the door. She made it all of thirty seconds after the door closed before the first tears sprang into her eyes. All of the day’s emotions, from the frustration of Dean and his actions to the embarrassment she felt from her own, spilled out.

She lay down, holding onto the hope that Pansy truly didn’t kiss her out of pity, before she drifted off to sleep, tears staining her pillow.

Thank you for reading! I hope you are excited to see what comes next in this story. I plan to update sometime next week but just fyi I tend to update my Ao3 first so if you want to follow this story there the link is in my introduction post!

[downtowncannibal]

It's Me Billy ch. 2 spoilers ahead

Cw: Sexual Assault mentioned, stay safe !!

Tldr: Buffy rants

It's Me Billy was, cinematography wise, such a beautiful film. I can name multiple instances where I was so SO impressed with the lighting, sound, angles, use of old set locations (I.e a shot of the original police station !!) Etc. However, when it came to the actual content of the heavily hyped sequel I feel horribly underwhelmed.

The film tries to do too much in such a short time span. The first chapter of It's Me Billy could have easily been a stand alone film! It doesn't need Black Christmas to hold it up, of course for context yes, but the film was enjoyable without it. Chapter 2 seems to rely very heavily on Black Christmas as it's predecessor, with it's on screen return of Jess and addition of actress Lynne Griffin it feels like 90% of the film just ended up being useless references rather than a actual plot.

Along with this, In it's attempts to keep Billy and Agnes as mysterious as possible, it just ends up leaving the viewer confused. Why is she there? Why was she even involved in the original film according to this plot? What's convinced her to stay since it's obvious the film is leading with the "Billy sexually assaulted Agnes" plotline?

Where Black Christmas had certain hints here and there about it's killer in Billy's phone calls, It's Me Billy seems to not even touch these questions the audience may have. It simply leaves them with nothing, nothing to think about, nothing to be scared about.

It's killers are simply that. Killers.

The ending is just as unsatisfactory, with Jess bludgeoning Billy in the back of the head, knocking out his eyeball with a fire poker. The cops pull up, the information is presumably released, and that's...it.

I do love the original Black Christmas and Chapter 1 of It's Me Billy. I think there is so much more potential here that was wasted, with just the right amount of time, and less sort of "fan service", Chapter 2 really had the right idea of what it wanted.

Regardless of this, I must give credit where credit is due. As I've said, I think visually it was beautiful. The acting was on point, the scene with Billy at the table was a absolutely amazing look into his mind, mental state, and a great reference back to his calls. It's Me Billy has the right idea, and a fairly well execution. It wasn't bad, it's certainly worth a watch! Just definitely wasn't what I was expecting.

[theherosvillain]

(Try Not To) Kill All Your Friends - Masterpost

Synopsis: Teen supervillain the Phantom Prince finds himself trapped in an apprenticeship with Axton Vale, a notorious crime lord who wants him to achieve his full potential as a villain.

Read if you like: supervillain-flavored organized crime; long-term captivity with forced mentorship; characters being forced to compromise their morals

Content warnings: violence, kidnapping, captivity, abuse, manipulation (individual posts tagged accordingly)

More chapters and bonus material under the cut! If you wanna join the tag list for updates, shoot me an ask!

Main story

1: You'll never take me

2: Goodbye or good morning

3: The truth catches up

4: Before it's too late

5: Something that you'll never kill

6: I'm not laughing, you're not joking

7: (Say goodbye) To the life you make

8: Welcome to the end of eras

Nobody cares if you're losing yourself

Just sleep

Christmas specials: God rest ye, merry gentlemen / All I Want for Christmas -> Sequel (Vale's POV)

Falling Asleep

The Angel Arc: Teach you a lesson / In the worst kind of way / Trade all my tomorrows

Bonus writings

The Bird and the Boy (Daemon AU)

Making a Deal (The Family AU)

Request: Phantom's first kill

****

Playlist - each chapter is named after song lyrics, so I compiled them into a Spotify playlist.

Pinterest board - for ✨the aesthetics✨

Further context for this story: (TNT)KAYF is an AU of The Hero's Villain, the main story where Phantom becomes a villain in order to get his mom out of jail. (TNT)KAYF is the timeline where his plans are stopped dead in their tracks by Vale, who has decided that turning Phantom into a weapon is more important than whatever waste of time Phantom had planned.

[aeoki]

Blackjack - Gifts Will Not Arrive: Chapter 5

Location: Underground Family Residence Characters: Mayoi & NEGI Season: Autumn

TL Note:

“Sensei” is the honorific for a teacher, instructor, mentor etc.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ< At that time, someplace underground. >

NEGI: “♪~♪~♪”

Mayoi: That’s it – 1, 2, 3 ♪ 1, 2, 3 ♪

NEGI: “~.......~”

Mayoi: Sorry, let’s stop here for a second.

NEGI: “What? Why?”

“Did I do something weird?”

Mayoi: Yes. You forgot to sing as you danced, NEGI-san. We're in the middle of a dance lesson right now.

NEGI: “I can’t sing and dance at the same time.”

Mayoi: You can do it – Any ES idol working their butt off at the frontlines can do it.

NEGI: “I’m not a freakin’ rotten idol from that freakin’ rotten ES.”

Mayoi: That’s a nasty tongue you’ve got there…!?

NEGI: “What? Are you trying to say that girls shouldn’t do such a disgraceful thing? You a caveman or something?”

“Anyway, Mayoi-sensei[⁎].”

Mayoi: I–I haven’t done anything for you to refer to me as your teacher, I don’t think!?

NEGI: “How else should I call you? You teach me how to sing and dance, so you’re my teacher, aren’t you?”

Mayoi: T–That’s just how things ended up – I didn’t have a choice…!

NEGI: “You could have just left me– no, us alone.”

Mayoi: I can’t do that… I’ve already crossed that dangerous bridge, so we’re in the same boat now.

NEGI: “Sorry. You’re doing all this for us.”

Mayoi: I–It’s alright! I’m glad that you two are safe and in good health! That’s all I need to feel rewarded!

NEGI: “You’re a kind person, Sensei. I like you a lot.”

Mayoi: Huh? I–I have Shinobu-kyun– I mean, I’ve already made a one-sided promise with the Chief that I’ll be spending my future with him, so–!?

NEGI: “I didn’t mean that sort of ‘like’. Ugh, what are you, a girl who fancies love stories?”

“Wait, it’d be biased of me to say that, huh. I’m contradicting myself.”

“Anyway, are you sure you want to waste your time here, Sensei? You’re a busy ES idol, so you’ve got school and work, right?”

Mayoi: I can’t leave you alone, NEGI-san… I’d like to move you guys someplace else but the security near the entrance and exit is pretty tight.

NEGI: “Then you should just leave us alone and go back to your daily life. Why are you staying with us?”

Mayoi: I was asked by Hitsugi-kyun to keep an eye on you since he won’t know what you might get up to if there isn’t anyone watching you.

NEGI: “Could you not refer to my brother with that nickname?”

Mayoi: I–I–I’m sorry! It must have sounded unpleasant, right?

NEGI: “It’s fine, though. I can’t sense any malice from you. Pour some love on my lil’ brother, alright?”

“He might not look it but he’s a poor little thing.”

“Anyway, let’s stop with the chit-chat and continue with the lesson.”

Mayoi: To be frank, your wounds haven’t fully healed yet, so I’d like you to take it easy, though.

NEGI: “No way. From what I’ve heard, Anzu’s organised this year’s Christmas so that anyone can take part in the fun performance event, right?”

“I’m definitely going to take part in that. No, it feels like Anzu’s calling for me.”

“So I’ve got to make sure I’m ready for that day.”

“~......♪”

Mayoi: (Oh, geez… Hitsugi-kyun was rather honest but this other personality? NEGI-san is quite stubborn.)

(Just as Hitsugi-kyun expected and told me, she got really focused on the lesson once I told her about “Star Fest”...)

(She has stopped wanting to leave this place, so that’s one thing I’m relieved about, though.)

(It looks like she’ll do whatever she can to get out of here to take part in “Star Fest” too… I’ve got to keep a close eye on her on that day.)

(Even so, I’ll observe her carefully through the pretence of teaching her.)

(These two siblings are involved in something bad… There are people outside moving in the shadows with their eyes set on them.)

(Until I can guarantee that the outside is safe, I’ll have to keep them here– I mean, protect them.)

(I also need to stick close to them so my movements are limited too.)

(For now, I should contact everyone in “ALKALOID” and tell them that I’m unable to move due to personal matters.)

(I don’t think my classmates will notice my absence… so I should be able to buy some time without anyone worrying about me in the meantime. Yes.)

(No one would be troubled if I was gone, anyway.)

NEGI: “Sensei, Sensei. I can’t get this step right no matter how I try.”

Mayoi: Oh, yes, for that step…

(Besides, it’s also very enjoyable to stay with NEGI-san and teach her since she’s a diamond in the rough…♪)

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂  Next Chapter →

[empressofthesunwriter]

To Belong

She was the weird foreign girl, he was the most useless Viking in the history of Berk. Together they were just Leandra and Hiccup. Two best friends who searched for their place in the world. Would their search for it unite or separate them?

Chapter 2

The good thing about having a pregnant stepmother?

The baby makes her tired, so she doesn’t yell at you that much because you nearly lost your life.

The bad thing is that she still wants to forbid you to see your best friend.

Thank the Lord, that her papi understands how important her bond with Hiccup is.

Without him, she would be all alone on the island. The other Viking teens, even if they are a year younger than her, don’t associate with her either.

Oh, they let her heal them, but like with the adults, she was the weird foreigner.

Nothing more.

It had hurt, but one day Leandra decide that if people didn’t like her for her then they weren’t worth her time.

It was wasted energy and with it, she could do more.

Like spending her time with Hiccup who always has liked her.

Anyways, she could still be friends with Hiccup but her parents grounded her. She should stay for the next few days in her room, only getting out for food and when she needed to do her healer job with Gothi.

Nonetheless, to say the second her room door was closed, Leandra strapped her dagger, last year’s Snoggletog/Christmas gift from Hiccup, on her brown belt and made her way over to her window.

With years of practice breaking out, she opened it without a sound and reached for the tree that grow beside it. She gripped the tree branch and hosted herself up to it. Then she put a piece of wood on the window frame so it was closed and wouldn’t make sounds, but she could open it without a problem getting back to her room.

Mindful of her blue dress with her black kirtle she climbed down the tree.

When she was on the ground she made haste to Raven Point.

Knowing Hiccup so good as she did, he was surely already out there searching for the fallen Night Fury.

She wouldn’t leave him alone on his quest. That’s why she took her dagger with her.

If…If they needed to end things.

Leandra hoped not, she didn’t think she had the stomach for it to actually kill something, but if it was Hiccup and her life against the dragon…then she would choose them.

Still, it didn’t make her feel good about herself. Probably because she wasn’t a Viking and doesn’t have killing dragons in her blood.

Her father was actually a merchant before they landed themselves on Berk.

Leandra hears his nasal voice before she sees him: “Ugh, the gods hate me. Some people lose their knife or their mug. No, not me. I manage to lose an entire dragon.”

“Then maybe you could try my god?”, she calls for him.

He turns around and blinks surprised at her.

“Lee, they let you out? No wait for a second, you broke out, right.”, he corrects himself.

“Of course.”, she replies nodding. “I wouldn’t leave you alone with the dragon. Brought my dagger with me too.”

She points at it, while Hiccup grins.

“You are the best friend someone can ask for.”

“Aww shush, best friend till our death even beyond, right partner?”

A crooked smile forms on his lips. “Could be difficult since we have two very different versions of the afterlife.”

“We will find a way, we always do!”

“Yeah if we only could find this dragon.”

Frustrated Hiccup whacks a low-hanging branch. It snaps back at him, hitting him in the face.

“Damn Hic!”, shouts Leandra worried, and checks his eye. “All good?”

“I can still see if you were worried about that.”, he answers her drily.

“Well, you didn’t poke your eye out so I count this as a win.”

That’s when both teenagers see a snapped tree trunk. Their eyes, one pair green, one brown, follow it to a long trench of upturned earth.

“Do you think…”

“…That the Night Fury is this way, yes I do, Lee.”

Together the two teenagers follow it. Hiccup has to help Leandra since in her dress it is difficult to walk on the upturnend earth. This are the moments in life where the young girl thinks it must be nice to be a Viking girl and be allowed to wear Tunics with pants under it or skirts with pants.

She and Hiccup nearly faceplanted a few times.

They see at the same time the downed dragon and formally fall down on the forest ground to hide from it.

“Do you think it is death?”, Leandra whispers to Hiccup.

This would make things easier for them.

The brunette boy checks at the dragon again.

“Lee, I will go near it, you stay here.”, he suggests to her.

“The moment something is happening, I’m coming.”

“Thanks for always having my back.”

The black-haired girl nods and pats his back.

“I got you, bro!”

Careful Hiccup walks over the downed, black dragon, its body and tail tangled in a bola. It really appears dead.

Hiccup approaches, beaming.

“Oh wow. I did it. I did it. This fixes everything. Yes!”, he celebrates. He strikes a victory pose, planting his foot on the fallen Night Fury. “I have brought down this mighty beast!”

Suddenly it shifts!

The boy springs back, terrified.

“Hic!”, hisses Leandra from her hiding place, ready to jump out.

“I-It’s o-okay! Stay!”, he stutters taking out a tiny dagger. The girl deadpans at the thing, the one he made for her is bigger than this little something. “Stay where you are.”

“I hope you know what you do!”

Yeah, Hiccup hopes it too.

He creeps along the length of the weak, wounded dragon, dagger poised to strike. As he reaches the head, Hiccup finds the Night Fury staring coldly at him. He tries to look away, but he's drawn back to its unnerving, unflinching stare.

With the dragon safety tangled in the ropes, Hiccup jabs with his dagger, puffing himself up with false bravado.

“I'm going to kill you, Dragon. I'm gonna cut out your heart and take it to my father. I'm a Viking. I am a VIKING!”, he yells the last part.

Meanwhile, Leandra got her own dagger out and is ready to jump on Hiccup’s side any moment.

This is so nerve-wracking!

The brunette raises the dagger, determined to prove his Viking-ness.

The dragon's labored breathing breaks Hiccup's clenched concentration.

He opens an eye, uncertainty leaking through.

The dragon holds the stare.

Something profound is exchanged.

Finally, the Night Fury closes its eye and lowers its head resigned to its fate.

Leandra swerves she is going to have a heart attack. What is going on? Why won’t Hiccup finish the dragon off?

She answers her own question, at the same time Hiccup lowers the dagger.

Her best friend is a lot of things.

Loyal.

Kind.

Brilliant.

Sarcastic.

But he is not a killer.

Even if it’s a dragon…in the end it’s a living creature and Hiccup hates to hurt other beings.

“Hiccup…”, she whispers quietly.

He stands up, ashamed of himself, and turns away from the dragon.

“I did this…”

His eyes find the eyes of his best friend. He only sees understanding in the warm brown orbs. Leandra will not think less of him, because he couldn’t do it.

Actually, she seems relieved that he didn’t do it. At least he will always have her on his side.

He turns to leave.

Pauses.

And glances back at the dragon, chest heaving.

“Lee.”, he calls out to her. “I’m about to do to something crazy, stay where you are, okay? I don’t want that you get hurt.”

“What are you about to do-HICCUP?!”, the last part she shrieks as she sees how Hiccup starts to cut the robes that hold the dragon.

Oh no, she will not leave him alone.

She leaves her hidey spot and joins him in cutting the robes with her own dagger.

“I told you to stay out of this!”, Hiccup reprimands her.

“Yeah, and I can’t let you do it alone. We both kinda did this to the dragon!”

As the last rope falls free, the Night Fury suddenly pounces!

In a blur, the dragon is upon them, pinning Hiccup and Leandra down, and grazing their necks.

It’s looking like it's about to kill them.

Hiccup is paralyzed. Leandra can’t even think.

The dragon's breath ruffles their hair.

The boy opens his eyes to find the Night Fury's wolf-like stare boring into him.

The exchange is intense and profound.

The dragon draws a deep breath, as though it's about to torch the two teenagers, then lets out an ear-piercing scream instead.

It turns and takes flight, flapping violently through the canopy of trees. It bashes against a nearby mountainside, recovers, and drops out of view some distance away.

“Dios mio!”, huffs Leandra shocked.

They are alive!

Both carefully stand-up and help each other. Holding each other hands tight the two teenagers want to leave, and that’s when Hiccup faints and nearly drags Leandra with him to the ground.

It is also when Leandra can’t hold her tears anymore and she cries beside her fainted friend.

“It’s loco….LOCO!”, the girl cries, still holding the hand of her best friend.

They should be dead, they aren’t dead.

What.

What.

WHAT?!

Leandra doesn’t know for sure how long Hiccup was out, but she checked him carefully after he finally woke up.

Not that he hit his head.

In silence, the two best friends return to their homes.

About what could they talk? How they freed a dragon and it showed mercy on them?

It was unheard of.

It was mindblowing!

Anybody for themselves needed time to work through it.

So they said goodbye to each other with a wave and enter their respective homes.

As she lies in her bed, her parents non then wiser about her little breakout, she can’t help herself putting her hand on her still beating heart.

It is the only proof that she really is alive.

She falls asleep, the green eyes of the Night Furry haunting her.

The next day Leandra is collecting herbs for Gothi, when she sees her best friend with an axe on his way to the Kill Ring.

That…is strange.

“Hiccup!”, she calls out to him. “Yo, Hic, you got a minute?”

He looks relieved to see her and stops by her side.

“Hey, Lee, getting herbs for Gothi like every morning.”

“Yeah, that’s normal for me. What isn’t normal on this morning is you with this axe.”, she remarks drily. “And on his way to the Kill Ring.”

Hiccup makes a face, while she crosses her arms.

“My dad put me into Dragon Training.”, he answers her.

Leandra’s chin meets the floor.

“He finally let you in? Didn’t you always say he was against it?”

“Change his mind, only the gods know why.”

Warily she looks around. None of their neighbors seem to give them any attention.

“Hic, you aren’t a dragon killer.”, she whispers to him. “We both actually prove this yesterday, how the heck do you want to survive Dragon Trainer?!”

The poor boy signs loudly.

“I tried to tell my dad that I didn’t want to join, but you know him. He never listens to me-“

“-And when he does, it's always with this disappointed scowl. Like someone skimped on the meat in his sandwich.”, adds Leandra, having heard this often enough from him. She gives him a sympathetic look. “I know better than to ask, sorry. Just…yesterday was crazy.”

“Who are you telling this.”

Both best friends smile wobbly at each other.

“I better go.”

“I better get these herbs to Gothi.”

“See you, Lee, probably.”

“Till later, Hic, surely.”

The rest of the morning is normal for Leandra. She gets these herbs to Gothi and both make ointments. Then the old wise Viking woman teaches her some new healing techniques, till it’s time for the ointment deliveries.

Practically Leandra wastes her time till lunch by running around the village to go from door to door to give her neighbors some new ointment or even tea which are good for the health.

She is like Berk’s own Red Redding Hood, just without the hood, the wolf, and the grandma.

When it’s finally time can go to the Great Hall for lunch, she sees how Hiccup sneaks into the forest.

For a second she really had to battle with herself since food made her happy and she was hungry like a wolf, but she couldn’t leave Hiccup alone.

Only god knows what crazy thing he is doing again, so she better follow him.

Leandra reaches him as he studies the remnants of the discarded bola. You know the one who hold the Night Furry the other day and they both cut through.

“So...why didn't you?”, mutters her best friend to himself.

“Who, so why didn’t you?”, she repeats.

Not expecting another person Hiccup shrieks like a little girl and turns to her.

“Lee! You scared me!”

“I can see that. So what has your pantys all in a twist?”

He motions for her to follow him. They take the path the Night Furry took when it flew off.

While walking he tells her about what happened at Dragon Training and Gobber’s words who didn’t leave him alone.

A dragon always goes for the kill.

But the Night Furry didn’t kill either of them.

So what was up with that?

That’s why Hiccup is searching for it. Maybe if he sees it again, he can understand it.

“That’s crazy.”, deadpans Leandra. “And I’m also crazy because I actually agree with you and follow you.”

“Maybe it’s an outcast thing.”, Hiccup tries to joke.

“That we lost our marbles, sure, Hic, why not?”

They drop into a rocky crevice and follow it to a cove complete with a pristine spring pool. Both scan the high stone walls then Hiccup notices a single black scale on the ground. He crouches and picks it up, studying it.

“Lee, look.”

The girl puts her hands on her knees and leans forward to look at the scale.

“Well, it was definitely here.”

“I don’t see it.”, responds Hiccup shaking his head. “Well, this was stupid.”

They can’t even look that fast as suddenly, the Night Fury blasts past them. Both teenager recoil and grip the arms of the other.

“Woah!”, can’t Leandra helps it to shout.

The Night Furry struggles to climb the walls. It flaps violently, then peels away to a rough landing. The dragon is clearly trapped.

Leandra and Hiccup let go of each other and watch fascinated by how the dragon tries to leave the cove.

It fails miserably each time.

That’s when Hiccup pulls a leather-bound book from his fur vest and flips past drawings of weapons to a blank page. He sketches the dragon quickly, desperate to record the image.

“Why don't you just...fly away?”, wonders Hiccup.

Leandra pinches her eyes. She asks herself the same. It is then that she notes the problem.

“His tailfin, Hiccup.”, she reveals to her best friend, gripping his shoulder and shaking him a bit. “He misses a part of it!”

Hiccup corrects fast his drawing.

“Is…is this our fault?”, the girl asks feeling bad.

Not only feeling bad, she feels guilty. She has seen how much the dragon is struggling and can’t even catch himself some fish to eat.

They freed it, but it seems doomed anyway.

Before Hiccup can answer her he accidentally drops the charcoal stick. It rolls off of the rock outcropping that hides him from view and bounces into the cove.

The Night Fury raises his head, spotting Hiccup and Leandra.

The dragon and the boy such exchange a profound, unflinching stare that Leandra feels like intruder.

Like she wasn’t meant to be part of this.

It a strange feeling.

Leandra sits at her windowsill looking out the storm which is brewing on Berk.

Rather would she be in the Great Hall with Hiccup eating, but this goes against her grounding. She is only allowed to lunch there since after it she still helps Gothi out.

Oh yeah, Gothi.

Whining she rubs the bump on the back of her head courtesy of Gothi’s Stick. She earned this because she came back to the old Viking woman way past lunchtime.

Finding and watching the Night Furry and getting back to the village had taken some time.

The black-haired girl is just glad that Gothi scolded her for being late, gave her the bump, and wouldn’t say anything to her parents.

The village elder wasn’t someone who snitched. She rather resolved problems alone.

Whatever, she was back home and wished rather be on the side of her best friend.

They had talked a bit before they left to do their daily chores.

Sadly it was nothing really enlightenment.

They knew nothing about Night Furries.

So there was not much to discuss.

Only Hiccup promised he would find a way to search for some more information.

What they would do with it?

No idea…maybe just understand the dragon better?

Leandra signed and stand up.

Nervous she walked around her room.

It didn’t leave her mind that the dragon was hurt because of them.

She may only have become a healer to not die of boredom on Berk, but after a good four years with Gothi she had healer instincts.

And that instincts told her to help to heal the clear wound the dragon had on his missing tailfin.

“I hope I won’t regret it.”. she mumbles to herself.

The girl sits down on her desk and grips her first book with healing plants in it.

If she wanted to heal the dragon, then she needed the right ointment, so better check all her healing books to find the right plants.

It was going to be a long night.

Hello to all my readers. ^^

I hope you are enjoying till now Leandra’s story.

Now I have a question for you since I need your help.

I can’t decide what dragon Leandra should get.

I narrowed it down to two awesome ones, but I can’t decide.

So you guys are going to vote.

I’m putting on fanfiction net and Quotev a voting poll with options.

So please go to one of the sites and vote.

I will give you a week.

Also 11.02.2023 is the last day you can vote, alright?

Thanks already for your help!

Have a nice day/night!

Next

[yuneu]

Ohhh I think it's ok cuz you still did it!!! Be proud of it, of you, no matter the result!!! <3333

I'm a cinema/theatre major so I've been studying poetics under the lens of scriptwriting strategies/tips, I had a class where we analyzed all Aristotle's Poetics (me being proud cuz I can flex that I don't know how to ball but at least I do, in fact, know Aristotle) and OMG it was challenging but also extremely interesting. I also have Aesthetics in my syllabus because of the whole "education to art" / "what is art? What is beautiful?" thing, and we did talk a lot about the art of poetry writing and just writing and rhetoric and stuff like that from a philosophical perspective. It was interesting both times.

MIRRORBALLS yes we are !!! I'm always saying I'm a social chameleon :)

Yes I'm jumping from one topic to the other here LMAOOO

OMG are you from France??? Anywayy I'm so happy for you that you got to experience that!!!! Oh wow it must've been so fucking awesome!!!! The classic heart hands is always so sweet and tender 😭🫶 and ofc I do believe that Shake It Off felt this way!!! It makes 100% sense. And the lady with the golden balloons I WOULDVE SOBBED 🥺😭

Unfortunately I couldn't attend :( but I was there through livestreams every night and it has a special place in my heart, what a tour, right? My fav tradition would be the 1 2 3 LGB and the double handclap of ybwm, they always bring my serotonin level up to the moon in the most relieving way I LOVE THAT

BUT if I have to confess, I am the weakest person alive when Taylor sings Marjorie and the crowds waste 50% of their phone batteries to light the stadium. It has me in tears every damn time. This, alongside with exile by Taylor ft. Crowd. Which I'm not sure is a tradition but whatever. It's magical.

AND I HAVE ONE MORE. This one isn't actually coming from swifties, as it is from Taylor's side LMAO but I'm always mesmerized by Kam!!! I love his solos and I LOVE the wanegbt "like, ever!!" moment, especially when they toured outside of the US!!!

This ask is so long OMG I'm sorryyyyy here's my next question for you. Kinda changing subject here. But what is/are your fav holiday(s)?

- Your Deer Santa 🦌🎅☃️

ooh interesting! we read aristotle at the beginning of the semester as well! in france (where i'm from, yes haha) we have to study philosophy in high school and since he's a philosophical institution i was already familiar with his work so it made it more enjoyable + easier to understand! though the main author we studied for the rest of the class was gérard genette and other structuralists. i guess poetics has a slightly different meaning in french than in english because it mostly means the "rules" that govern a certain literary medium (be it poetry, novels, theater, etc...), not so much purely studying the philosophy of art. (i did have an entire chapter on 'what is art' in high school philosophy though!)

i loooove 123 lgb! it was so much fun to scream at wembley!! so wild to think i was already on this website when a random tumblr swiftie started it during rep tour and now i got to scream it at taylor in 2024 lmaoooo

the phone light thing was SOOOO cute!! i used it to make the balloon look like a lantern while i cried my entire heart out during marjorie oof, it was really sweet and i felt really connected to taylor and everyone else in that moment <3

kam LMAO taylor and him are such a fun duo. it's giving tiffany doing the "cause SHE DEAD" part during rep tour

it's okay i love long asks!!!!!

i'm gonna be basic but my favorite holiday is probably christmas!! i love deciding what to give to my loved ones as presents and the general warm atmosphere even in the cold of winter (which i generally HATEEE). though it'd probably be halloween if it was more of a thing in france. i bet it must be so much fun to be american during october LOL

[casspurrjoybell-18]

Worthless - Chapter 26 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Kade

We got out of the shower and towel dried his hair before running it down his body. After drying us both off, we exited the bathroom. Asher was more comfortable sleeping naked and I didn't care either way so we just went straight to the bed. He instantly curled up to me, his head resting on my chest as our breathing synced. We laid there in silence and I wondered what the future would hold. Yes, I would be helping with Murphy's interrogation and search for Asher's fake father but what else? There was some serious drama concerning our relationship but now we both knew how the other felt.

I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Asher. I wanted to grow old together, to watch Riley and Fallon grow up to be amazing people and find their mates. I wanted to be in a home of our own with our grandchildren playing in the yard as we danced to something random on the radio. I wanted to see our rings glinting in the sunlight as we walked hand-in-hand through the woods. I wanted to fall go to bed every night for the rest of my life with my mate curled against me just like he was now.

"Hey, Asher," I started, not knowing exactly what I wanted to say.

'Yes?'

He sleepily looked up, a small smile on his face.

"Do you want to move in together?"

Confusion crossed his face. Panic flared but I quickly schooled my expression.

'Are we not already living together?'

He grinned.

'We sleep in the same bed and share a closet.'

A grin of my own stretched across my face as I realized the cause of his confusion, the panic fading away.

"I mean, do you want to move out of the pack-house with me? To have a house of our own?"

I waited patiently as he thought it over, his teeth biting cutely on his bottom lip.

'Can we still visit the pack-house and see everyone?'

"Of course," I chuckled.

"You can come as often as you want. I'm the Beta so I kinda have to return everyday, anyway."

'And what about Riley and Fallon?'

"They'll come with us of course, they're our pups. We'll fill the house with anything you guys want and hang pictures of us on the walls, even cheesy Christmas ones. You can have people visit and..." I added, smirking.

"We can make love on every surface we own, when Riley and Fallon are at school of course."

He turned red at that but nodded none the less.

'Then I'd love to move in with you, Kade.'

I grinned again, pulling him on top of me and kissing him. He gasped once I released his mouth to nibble on his ear lobe. I whispered how much he made me happy before flipping us over. Asher stared up at me, completely defenseless as my large frame hovered about him. I kissed him once then moved down to his left nipple. His back arched as I lightly bit it before sucking on it. He whimpered at the loss of sensation when I moved to give attention to his other nipple, the whimper turning into a moan as I took the bud between my teeth.

My hand trailed down to grasp his semi-hard member, drawing out a moan as I pumped once. Leaving a trail of kisses, I came face to face with Asher's cock. My lips brushed along its side before coming back up to the tip. I heard a sharp intake of breath as my tongue darted out. Wrapping my lips around him, my head began to move. He let loose a cry every time he hit the back of my throat. I loved the sound of him. It spurred me on and soon I had him panting as his hands clawed at the sheets. He came with a shout, his hot, sticky seed flowing down my throat. He looked up at me with hooded eyes, dazed from the pleasure.

I leaned down to kiss him before turning him over and positioning him on his knees. I spread his cheeks, his entrance twitching as the air hit it. I didn't waste any time and began to eat him out. He burrowed his face into the bed, moaning as my tongue pushed through. It was replaced with a finger which became two then finally three. Once I could fit four, I reached into the side table drawer, pulling out a condom. Asher looked over his shoulder as I put it on. I brushed my cock up and down his entrance. He whimpered as I stopped, my tip right at his twitching hole.

"Are you ready, baby?"

He nodded but I didn't move. My voice lowered as need hit me.

"Tell me, my love. What do you want?"

'Please make love to me, Kade.'

Asher cried out as I plunged into him, his hands tangling in the sheets.I pulled out completely before thrusting straight in. I did it three more times before he got frustrated and began moving his hips on his own accord. My arm wrapped around his waist as I met him with equal force, the slaps of our skin working us into a frenzy. His moans were like music to my ears. I flipped him around without pulling out, my hand moving south to pump his leaking cock. He reached up, pulling me down by my neck to give me a searing kiss, quieting his cries of pleasure as I repeated hit his prostate.

'More, Kade. Please, harder.'

I did as my mate commanded. I nibbled along his neck and collarbone, sucking the place where I'd marked him as my thrust became faster with more force behind them. Asher was screaming at this point, holding onto me as if for dear life.

'I'm... I'm going to cum.'

I bit down in the same place I did the first time we mated. He cried out in both pain and pleasure as his grip tightened around my cock, his seed flying up to coat his chest. I was cumming a moment after him, his tight tunnel milking me for all I was worth. I rained kisses all over his body, lapping at the new mark I've made. He just laid there, his face one of ecstasy. I whispered words of love before I got up to get a wet wash cloth out of the bathroom. Coming back, I began cleaning him off. He had drifted off to sleep by the time I finished. I leaned down, kissing his forehead.

"Goodnight, my love."

[myloveforhergoeson]

ash's january 2024 reading round up

find all the books and fics i read this month under the cut with a link to the synopsis and my reviews/ratings attached :)

this is just for fun! i'm not a professional, i just like to read <3

book list!

1. Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey (18+!)

• review: i am a massive, massive, massive tessa bailey fan so it's no surprise that this was my favorite from this month and my first book of 2024! i received this christmas-themed rom-com as a holiday gift and i absolutely loved every second of it. the plot centers around the main couple, beat and melody (i know, right?!), who are the children of two bitter ex-bandmates, attempting to reunite their mothers' band on a live, 24 hour reality tv show! definitely one of the most unique concepts for a contemporary romance book i've read in quite some time! i loved following beat and melody's dual perspectives on both their past and their present as well as unraveling how difficult their family relationships were despite their fortuitous upbringings. the position of being the child of a famous individual can be quite isolating and even though beat didn't mind the spotlight and melody hated it, they're still some of the only people in the world who understood the other's struggles. the 24-hour live stream format was also very interesting to read from their perspectives - they were so funny both on and off camera! their mothers, trina and octavia were such dynamic characters as well; learning about their bitter rivalry through the perspectives of their children was so neat! between the two main characters, melody was my favorite. she was such a well rounded and dynamic character! my favorite chapters were all from her perspective. i could have gone without beat's weird overprotectiveness of her though - personal preference. i'm not too fond of characters like that and sometimes he took his protectiveness way too far for my liking! highly recommend for fans of campy rom-coms and those looking for a fresh take on the genre :)

• rating: 4/5 epic guitar solos !

2. My Life With the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

• review: very conflicted feelings on this one. if i hadn't watched the netflix adaptation first, i think i would have liked the book more... idk. like other published wattpad novels before it, the main character jackie is displaced from her perfect new york city girl life after a tragic accident leaves her an orphan, so what must she do? move to rural colorado to live with her mother's best friend and her 12 children. of which 11 are boys. oh no! there were parts of the book that i really enjoyed, like getting to see jackie bond with her new housemates and get used to the small town lifestyle and making new friends around her high school. the show cut out a good majority of her friends but i really liked them in the book! however, aside from jackie and her love triange between walter boys alex and cole, all the other characters were super underdeveloped and two dimensional, which made me yearn for some of the original plotlines developed for the show. i feel like making the main conflict center around a family of 14 and not really developing 12 of them is just a waste of time. and also, i didn't really vibe with jackie or alex in this version of the story. i'm still a proud member of team cole in the book and the tv show. i also wasn't fond of the ending personally... tldr, if you're interested in the plot synopsis i have linked, just skip the book and watch the show. which feels backward to say, but trust me ok!

• rating: 2/5 characters i liked in the book but got cut out of the show :)

3. The Deal by Elle Kennedy (18+!)

• review: ah. yes. like in all things. men like hockey. women love music. haha. my favorite thing about this book was the concept - i'm a real sucker for these contemporary hockey romance novels set in fake college towns with fake hockey teams and a book for each player and their love life... generally, i very much appreciate what elle kennedy was going for with this one. that being said. the male main character, garrett, was just an ass for more than half of the entire novel and the female main character, hannah, just let him walk over her for a good part of the beginning. usually i like fmc's in books like these, but she was just a bit boring to me... yikes. i did really enjoy how gattett and hannah's stories intertwined throughout the book, and even though garret was a persistent dick he sure loves hannah. i can respect that. in addition to the main two, i though their respective friend groups were interesting as well! the jocks and the theater kids coming together to unionize is always funny to me :) hannah and garrett's two worlds blending together into one was nice. i'm planning to pick up the sequel to see how that progresses as the shift moves to other players on the hockey team! if it's got a hockey player in it, good chance i'm gonna read it.

• potential trigger warnings if interested in reading: mentions of a past sexual assault on the female main character; mentions of past physical abuse on the male main character; mentions of current physical abuse on a side character

• rating: 3/5 times i had to google a hockey term while reading !

4. Wildfire by Hannah Grace (18+!)

• review: if you run in booktok spaces, you may have heard of Hannah grace's other novel, icebreaker. in my humblest opinion, this book deserved the hype icebreaker got! main characters russ and aurora were sooo dynamic and i absolutely loved their second chance romance while they were both camp counselors at a fancy summer camp! both of them having their own separate storylines that ended up converging was so well written and the two of them supporting each other unconditionally was so refreshing. the atmosphere of the camp and surrounding town were so adorable - i wish i could go there! plus all the sneaking around they had to do because of the camp counselor's no-fraternizing rule... mm. russ was so freaking sweet too - not enough sweet, kind, shy gues in these types of books. i also enjoyed aurora's confident, outgoing personality! the side characters were adorable as well and the cameos from characters in icebreaker had me screaming! ugh i love them and this book so freaking much!! highly highly recommend for fans of second chance romance or good books in general :)

• potential trigger warnings if interested in reading: gambling addiction struggles in a parent; parental neglect and verbal abuse on the male/female main character

• rating: 4/5 marshmallows to make the perfect cup of cocoa

fic list!

Goddamned (51100 words) by skyline

• fandom: big time rush (tv)

• pairings: kendall knight/james diamond, brief kendall knight/jett stetson, carlos garcia/logan mitchell

• i can't sing this fic's praises enough, one of the best i've read in a quite some time. a pjo/btr crossover is just what i needed in my life and i enjoyed every moment, every word, every twist and turn... so so so obsessed! the world building was so incredible and after i finished it i couldn't think about anything else for hours. i can't recommend this one enough :)) we all know i love a long fic and this one was just perfect

[lancermylove]

Chapter 11 (SFW)

➣ Pairing: Demon brothers, Royals, Solomon with fem!Reader. ➣ Warning: None ➣ Word Count: 2,314 ➣ Chapters [SFW]: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] ➣ Chapters [N.SFW]: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

➣ A/N: Merry Christmas Eve!

———————————————

Diavolo took a moment to reflect on what had transpired and sighed in resignation. The prince had hoped this day wouldn't come, but he knew he should have been more prepared as Lucifer was one of the sharpest demons he had met. As the gentle breeze danced over the crackled flames in the backyard firepit, he sighed heavily and steeled himself for Lucifer's verbal onslaught.

"As you are aware of what I wish to discuss with you, let us not waste any time with unnecessary pleasantries or trivialities," the Avatar of Pride began, folding his arms over his chest as he kept his piercing gaze firmly upon the prince. "For what reason did you not approach me directly? Furthermore, why have you brought (y/n) into this matter?"

"I did not intend to hurt you," Diavolo sighed heavily, not daring to meet his gaze. "I knew you would be devastated once you saw those letters."

"Would I have? I am aware of the difficulties my siblings present. However, their actions stem from their playful nature above all else - not the intention to bring suffering upon others," Lucifer spoke with a serious tone, his focus entirely on Diavolo even though the prince refused to meet his gaze. "You requested my obedience centuries prior in exchange for aiding Lilith and granting us a place in Devildom. I willingly accepted. Why did you not anticipate I would comply on this occasion?"

Diavolo's eyes widened as Lucifer posed the question, and he finally met the first brother's gaze. However, he remained silent, prompting Lucifer to continue. "What you have done behind my back can be seen as an act of betrayal; additionally, you have dragged (y/n) into it, aware that she would agree to assist you and, in turn, protect us. All said and done - I comprehend that your intention was not one of harm. For this reason, I cannot remain resentful."

"You are..." Diavolo's eyes widened, and a bright smile curled on his lips. "You are forgiving me?"

Diavolo suddenly threw his arms around Lucifer, who was taken aback but quickly collected himself. The Avatar of Pride cleared his throat in a manner that suggested he had had enough of the embrace. The prince chuckled and withdrew his arms, but seeing Lucifer's serious expression, Diavolo felt slightly uneasy.

"Henceforth, Diavolo, you are not to repeat this. Do not bring (y/n) into your plans behind my back," Lucifer sternly warned him. For a moment, the prince was surprised to hear his tone, as this was the first time the Avatar of Pride had used his manner of tone against him. Usually, the prince would not have taken kindly to this, but he gave a vigorous nod in this situation as it was his mistake.

"Then," Lucifer sighed in relief as he felt the weight of the suspense finally lift. If Diavolo or you had informed him sooner, he would not have spent the entirety of the vacation anxious about what you concealed from him. Now, he could focus his mind on other matters. "Shall we get inside? The weather is chiller than usual."

"Yes, let us return and rejoin the others," Diavolo smiled brightly. Upon entering the living room, Levi prodded the first brother's arm while Beel poked Lucifer's other arm to mimic the Avatar of Envy. Lucifer raised a brow in response, whereas their antics baffled the Prince of Devildom.

"Are you still possessed?" Levi asked with a chuckle.

"Hey, if you are, can I've your credit card?" Mammon beamed, stretching his hand out in anticipation.

"How about a pact with me?" Solomon said with an unusually charming smile.

"And I will take a hug!" Asmo giggled.

The Avatar of Pride cast a vacant stare at his brothers and scowled with intense disapproval towards them, causing a chilling sensation to penetrate deep into their very souls. The brothers swiftly backed away and put on a façade of innocence, gazing around as if they had not said a word to Lucifer. However, Mammon opted to change the conversation's topic.

"Haha...we're just jokin'. Hey, ya guys wanna see somethin' cool? (Y/n) and I found this cave. There's a place in worth seein'. It looks like a location straight outta a movie."

"That sounds quite exciting! Shall we also explore the woods? We have yet to uncover the hidden wonders within." The prince proposed, excited at the prospect of an adventurous expedition with the others.

Upon reaching a decision, the brothers, Diavolo, and Solomon began to depart. However, Asmo noticed Barbatos was still in the kitchen and asked, "You don't want to join us, Barbatos?"

"I still have to finish preparations for the approaching celebration," Barbatos smiled. "I do hope all of you have a safe excursion."

A while later, you came down from your bedroom and noticed Barbatos in the kitchen, but no one else was in sight. The tranquil and comforting aura was undoubtedly a soothing and welcome change from the previous chaotic and bustling atmosphere. "Good morning, Barbatos. Where is everyone?" You asked, walking to the kitchen.

"Good morning, (y/n). Mammon invited everyone to explore a cave with a wondrous sight. Then the younger master proposed a trek through the woods," the butler replied with a friendly inflection, serving you breakfast.

"Thank you. What about your sous chefs? Where are they?" You chuckled and settled on the high bar chair closest to him. As you took a bite of the fruit tart, your palate experienced explosive delights with each mouthful you took. The pastry base proved deliciously rich with subtle undertones of flavor layered together, while the decadent filling proved wonderfully sweet with various fruity hints that blended together perfectly.

"They absconded," he chuckled, but from the tone of his voice, you inferred that Barbatos had already anticipated this eventuality.

"Then allow me to be your sous chef today!" You giggled. "That's the least I can do in exchange for the delicious meals you make for us. Not to mention, you have been in the kitchen since the day you came here. All of us are enjoying our time while you are stuck in here."

"I gladly accept your proposition," he smiled.

After you finished your balanced breakfast with a side of sugary indulgence, Barbatos placed a freshly baked cake base in front of you. The cake had been cooled and was ready to be decorated. In front of you, he laid out a variety of fruits, decorative items, icings, and various utensils to assist you in decorating. "Would you be so kind as to decorate the cake? Decorate it to your liking."

"Gladly!" You beamed and began to lay down the icing on the cake.

The atmosphere was permeated with a pleasant peace and tranquility for some time. Only the muffled ticking of the clock on the wall, the simmering of Barbatos's cooking, and the subtle crackling of the fire on the burner could be heard. Despite the peace, the bulter preferred speaking to you as he usually didn't get the chance to spend time with you. "How did your conversation with Lucifer fare?" He asked curiously.

"Well, Luci was mad at first," you sighed but didn't stop decorating. "He even said what I did was seen as 'betrayal,' which I wasn't expecting to hear."

Barbatos shifted his gaze to you, his eyebrows raised. He, too, was taken aback by the Avatar of Pride's utilization of such a weighty term to describe your actions. Nonetheless, the butler could not fault Lucifer, considering honesty and trust were critical factors to him. Not noticing his expression or gaze, you continued to smooth the icing on the cake.

"A while ago, I saw Diav and Luci talking in the backyard from the second floor. Initially, Diav seemed sad, but he was smiling by the end. He even threw his arm around Lucifer," you laughed, recollecting the first brother's expression when the prince hugged him. "All's well, that ends well. Thankfully. I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if Lucifer had gotten angry."

Barbatos chuckled, "That is a sight no one desires to witness."

"I wouldn't want to upset you either," you giggled, but it was evident in your voice that you were speaking the truth.

"Why would that be?" Barbatos inquired curiously. However, his expression indicated that he was feigning innocence to entail a response from you.

"You always smile, but most of the time, your smile doesn't reach your eyes. Not to mention, you are a powerful demon with the ability to manipulate timelines, which is scary," you honestly said but didn't dare to meet his gaze.

"You are indeed correct. Our very timeline could perhaps be the result of my tactics and manipulations," he jested, yet the underlying undercurrent of his tone still sent an eerie chill down your spine.

"What do you mean?" You asked, gradually meeting his gaze. Was he actually speaking the truth? The prospect of him using timelines to manipulate the various occurrences to fulfill his or Diavolo's desires was profoundly unsettling to you.

"You interact with the others. You smile and laugh alongside them, yet I remain by myself on each occasion. It is possible that I may have utilized timelines to manipulate situations in order to grant myself time with you," he stated while maintaining his signature smile, which made it quite difficult for you to determine if he was speaking the truth or not. Regardless, his words still surprised you, and you felt guilty.

"I am sorry, Barbatos. I didn't mean to make you feel left out," you gave him a small, apologetic smile. "How about I cook lunch for you as a way to show you I am truly sorry?"

Barbatos was a bit surprised by your offer as no one had cooked for him before - Solomon not included as he dared not consume a meal cooked by the sorcerer. With a smile, he nodded, "I shall wait eagerly."

You spent some time online looking for an appealing yet traditional dish he may like. After a quick search, you discovered a savory recipe that you presumed would be well received by the butler. Without wasting any time, you swiftly began selecting the required ingredients. However, out of the corner of your eyes, you noticed Barbatos intently observing your actions without saying a word.

"Barbatos, please don't watch me," you gave a nervous laugh. "I am already worried about cooking for a world-class chef, and you watching me is making me even more nervous."

Barbatos chuckled and offered a few words of apology before averting his gaze to the half-decorated dessert in front of him. Since the theme of your artistic endeavor was in line with the celebratory holiday season, the butler decided to uphold the same motif and continue decorating.

Once you finished preparing the dish, you embellished and beautified it by making it appear more appealing. After you completed plating, you took a deep breath and placed the dish in front of him. The butler had quickly registered your unease, and he refrained from engaging in any actions or saying any statements that may exacerbate your anxiety even further.

His lips curled into a soft smile when he sampled your cooking. Your jaw nearly dropped as you saw the genuine smile that decorated his handsome visage for the first time. The smile reached his eyes and made them shimmer with vibrant sparkles. The sight was so overwhelming your heart lost its rhythm for a few seconds. Somehow, you felt like you had obtained an unobtainable achievement and were proud of yourself.

In a moment of assurance, you turned around and took a spoonful of your cooking. Just as the butler was about to halt your actions, you placed it in your mouth. Your body reacted in a startlingly negative manner, and every strand of hair stood on end while a shiver ran through your body. You barely managed to push down the food. In your nervousness, you had accidentally added sugar in place of salt and overcooked the dish.

"Barbatos, this is horrible!" You exclaimed and turned around to find him calmly eating your cooking. "W-Wait, how are you eating this without being bothered?"

The butler gave a light-hearted chuckle and made a straightforward remark. "This dish was prepared with love. That alone is sufficient to make it the most delicious meal I have ever savored."

Platonic:

You were overcome with the sudden urge to throw an abundance of adorable replies to the demon's remarks; instead, you embraced the butler, encompassing him with the heat of your body. Barbatos was quite surprised by the sudden yet spontaneous gesture but nevertheless felt a rush of happiness.

"I didn't know you were such a softie, Barbatos!" You teased him.

He politely returned your hug as a deep chuckle resonated through his throat. "I sincerely appreciate the embrace and the meal, but we have yet to complete the remaining dishes for tomorrow. So, shall we get back our preparations?"

Romantic:

His reply caught you off guard, and your cheeks glowed a vibrant red, which the butler found extraordinarily adorable. Wordlessly, he drew close to you, curling several strands of your hair around his index finger and gently placing his lips against them. Your gaze locked with his, and you were filled with a desire to kiss him, yet your uncertainty as to whether or not the butler would appreciate or tolerate your advances left you hesitant.

Due to his perceptive nature, Barbatos instantly noticed your desire and chose to take the initiative. He leaned in closely and remained locked in a prolonged, intimate gaze with you, deepening the shade of blush. In the next moment, your lips melted into a blissful union. The kiss felt like a culmination of his hidden desire, indicating that he may have been yearning to kiss you for quite a while.

———————————————

➣  Please visit my website for the full masterlist!

[longeyelashedtragedy]

For the fanfic WIP: blood, smile, gold?

ooh ok! let's see...

Did he ask for me, at the end?

Yes.  Of course he did, Dejan.  Of course he asked for you.

Sometimes he imagines when he closes his eyes on the nights when he’s all alone--A mouthful of blood calling out his name. (mare liberum)

-

It takes a while.  Leo waits, licking the last taste of Kieran’s blood off his fangs.  He looks around the room, studying everyone. 

The doors at the far end of the room bang open and Granit comes in, clean-shaven, looking young and fresh.  He’s flanked by two guards and his hands are cuffed in front of him.  He’s the only prisoner Leo has ever seen handcuffed in the visiting room. (you know this!!!)

-

“Yeah?  Sure, I’d like to see them handle this.”  Granit’s blood goes cold, then angry-hot.  It’s Taulant.  What the fuck?  “I need to see my FUCKING brother and I know he’s fucking here doing this lowlife shit.” (dangerous AU flashback 2!)

-

The elevators are so slow in this building.  They give Granit plenty of time to hold Milot’s sweaty hand and get ready in his mind.  To feel the blood pumping through his body.  To imagine the scent of guns, the way they smell when they’ve just been fired.  Tonight is going to be fucking amazing. (dangerous AU flashback--right before granit gets shot for the first time and tries to pull the bullet out like a dumbass)

-

As he slices into the man’s body in the dense trees of the forgotten park he knows too well, he feels Granit’s house keys bump against his chest.  They are like a second heartbeat.  He often smiles when he does this, but his smile is bigger now, now that he has a second heartbeat.

He uncaps tonight’s little tube, collects some of the drops of blood—a few is enough.  It is dark, but still, he can see the stain of the man’s blood leaking onto the soil.  All that clean blood, wasted now.  It’s too bad. (dangerous AU of course)

-

As soon as Kieran lets Martin out of the cage he transforms back into human Martin at last.

“See, look, you survived the scary coffin shop,” Kieran says, rolling his eyes.

“Don’t you dare roll your eyes at me, Kieran Tierney,” Martin huffs.  “I don’t like thinking about coffins and death, alright?  That’s not weird.”

“But I’m dead,” Leo teases.

The blood seems to drain from Martin’s face, making him impossibly pale.  “I don’t like when you say that, Leo!” (omg now this fic makes me sad)

-

They don’t make it to Mikel’s bed. As soon as they take their clothes off Mikel hops onto Granit’s back and wrestles him to the floor. The power is in him now.  Granit is taller and stronger but something else takes over Mikel when he tastes blood in his mouth like this.

“Get where you fucking belong,” Granit says from his back on the floor as he grabs Mikel’s hips to try to push him off. (dangerous au christmas chapter)

-

I want to be yours.

And I want to be yours.

We can’t go back now.  This is it.

Yeah, this is it. You’re mine forever now. 

And you’re mine.  It feels like we should sign something in blood.

Yeah, well, we’re not going to do that… (ivan rakitić coming of age fic)

that was a good way to get lots of dangerous AU excerpts hahaha

smile:

The man turns, and Dejan is startled.  Last night in the pub--there’d been something odd about him, hadn’t there?  But here, in the light of day, cloudy though it is, his smile is bright and cheery, and his eyes seem to shine as Dejan sits down next to him. (mare liberum)

-

Luka bursts into weird, high laughter the way Šime had earlier.  “Oh, my God,” he says.  “You really are fucking funny, did you know that?”  Luka’s smile is so wide he almost looks crazy.  “And what about you, hmmm?  Wish I was Dejan instead of me?” (we light up the world)

-

It’s a picture of Christine in a blue dress sitting in a restaurant with a younger guy who’s got blonde curls and a smirky smile. ("bitter mutual cheating")

-

Granit arrives at his doorstep with his little suitcase, his big eyes open wide and his big smile glowing, and his mask tucked stupidly under his chin.  José is quite obviously a man of many words, and yet he can’t come up with a single one to say.

-

Erdin smiles big and pounds Granit on the back. “You’re really gonna be someone, I’m telling you. All of London is gonna know this pretty face.”

The happiness Granit feels right now…he has never felt anything like it. (dangerous au flashback--Xherdan's brother picks them up at the airport)

-

“I’m fucking great in bed,” is Dejan’s last, weak offer.

“I don’t doubt it,” Luka says.  “Not that I go around thinking about that, but I mean, it’s pretty obvious.”  He shoots Dejan a kind smile.  “Just get some sleep, Deki.  It was a good day today.  Don’t make it hard.” (sad world cup modren)

-

Granit unties the scarf and Martin isn’t exactly surprised by what he sees. They are in Mikel’s office and he is sitting there at his desk, staring at Martin.  The boss’s smile is bright and kind…and then suddenly, something changes about his face and it’s a little evil.  It makes Martin shiver.  He feels like he knows the coach so well, but then there’s always another side to him. (martin x xhakarteta threesome!)

gold:

“I’m glad it’s…I’m glad I’m with you right now,” Luka says. He smells so much like beer and the smell is going to always remind Šime of these times, now, these times when they were invincible, when they were heroes, when they were perfect, when silver was even more perfect than gold. (we light up the world--oh i'm glad this made it in, i love this last line)

somehow that's all i have for "gold" in my WIPs folder?

[drazzilder]

A Hellish Encounter

By Drazzilder

Chapter 14: Christmas

The week flew by as everyone was preparing for Christmas, the city full of shoppers and flooded with the sights and sounds of the holiday. Everyone was doing their part to make things happen. Sanji and Enji were busy looking at every website, every production facility, anywhere they could think to find that toy for you. They are putting in the hours to try to make it by Christmas. You have your suspicions when he is staying late at work but you want to keep the surprise.

You are having much better luck at getting his present ready in time. You help pack the kids’ things, making sure the they are ok with moving back. They even wrote some ground rules to make sure things don’t go back to the way they were. Even though Hina is just a live-in nanny, she has been with the kids long enough to grow attached to them and she is doing everything she can to help them as well. Every time you come over, she greets you as if your family and the kids are even getting used to your presence.

H: “It looks like that should be everything. Are you ready for tomorrow?”

(Y/N): “I think so. Enji always wakes up around 6 so if I get up at 5 that should give me enough time to get here and move everything to your rooms. Then I’ll teleport all of us to the kitchen where we can start cooking breakfast. He did say his favorite way to wake up is to the sounds and smells of me cooking.”

F: “Don’t you think he will be suspicious?”

(Y/N): “With the long hours he is been putting at work lately, he sleeps like a rock.”

N: “There he goes, overworking again…”

H: “Actually, I think it’s a little different this time. Think about it, that man isn’t the best with emotions, he is probably trying to find the perfect gift for everyone.”

S: “Dad is actually thinking about us?”

(Y/N): “I can tell you that he has been asking me for some ideas for you.”

F: “SPILL IT!!I want to know if he is getting us something good.” She says practically jumping up and down like a little kid.

N: “It’s probably just going to be money and some clothes like it always is.”

(Y/N): “You will have to wait till tomorrow to see.” You say with a smile.

S: “I can wait till tomorrow to be disappointed.”

Z: “Gosh, you boys need to lighten up, can’t you see the man is trying!”

Everyone laughs a little as you finish up the last of the packing. You hug everyone and you quickly head back home.

~

“DAMN IT!” Enji yells in anger at his computer. “Another fan made doll. Why does this have to be so hard to find!”

His phone rings. “What?!”

“Hello Enji.”

“Oh…sorry Sanji. I’m just a little worked up right now”

“I know, but I called you to give you some news.”

“Did you find it?” He says with a little excitement in his voice.

“Not quite, but I have a lead in working on. Apparently, some Yakuza have been seen with a few of them. They were selling them on the black market.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to go buy one from them?”

“Ok, I won’t. Bye.”

“SANJI WAIT, IT’S TOO DANGEROUS!” He pleads but she already hung up. “Damn it, if she gets hurt, I’ll….”

“You’ll what, Enji?” You say as you come into the home office.

“Oh….um…. it’s nothing.” He sometimes forgets you can teleport and you caught him off guard.

“Ok....So you want to watch a cheesy Christmas movie and cuddle?”

“That sounds awful….” He says rolling his eyes.

You two spend the rest of the evening together ‘watching’ a movie. You are in your new favorite sitting position on the couch: Enji sitting behind you with his arms around you and his chin on your head, you slouched in his lap with a blanket over the both of you. You’re sitting on the couch together shirtless, the more contact you get with that warm skin of his, the better. Enji can’t help himself during the movie and begins to kiss your head and nibble your ear. You push back against his chest to get more contact with him and he responds by tightening his grip and warming up some more. The movie becomes background noise as you both put your attention on each other. After the movie is over you both head off to bed. Even though it’s the middle of winter you both still strip down to your underwear, partly because it’s so comfortable being next to Enji but also, he radiates so much heat when you’re around you practically sweat each night.

~

Christmas morning you managed to wake up 5 minutes before your scheduled time, so you gently move off of Enji and get dressed in the dark. You quickly head downstairs as to not wake him up with the flash of light. You then appear at the apartment.

(Y/N): “Is everyone ready?”

H: “Just give Natsuo a minute to get up. Go ahead and start with the boxes.”

Z: “With pleasure.”

H: “You really like (Y/N) don’t you.”

Z: “He is the only human I don’t mind being put inside of.”

F: “You were inside other people before (Y/N)?”

Z: “12 before I meet (Y/N). Each one either couldn’t handle the testing or they took their own life.”

N: “How come he got to live.” He says as he enters rubbing his eyes.

Z: “Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. He was the youngest human I was put inside of but he had one of the strongest wills.”

(Y/N): “Thank you Zaheer but we got to get going if we are going to make it on time.”

Z “Sorry, let’s go.”

You then quickly start to go to each room and teleport the boxes back to the house, making sure when you move them not to make too much noise. This takes about 10 minutes or so when you finally are done and just the kids and Hina are left. You all create a circle of hands and you teleport them to the kitchen at the house. Through the door they see the Christmas tree with large presents under it. They are about to get excited but you quickly remind them of what you are doing. You sense Enji is still sleeping so you all get to work cooking. Shoto is on rice, Fuyumi is on salmon, Natsuo takes care of the eggs and Hina gets the tea ready. You’re just about finished when you hear movement from upstairs.

“(Y/N), did you get up early to surprise me?” You all hear from a distance.

“Why don’t you come down and see your surprise!”

He slowly makes his way down; he is probably still groggy from a week of less sleep. You now remember the new habit you two formed of walking around the house without shirts on. At first it was to help with your self-confidence with your scars but you both can’t keep your hands of each other. It just turned into a habit after a little bit. You probably should have warned him to get dressed but it’s too late when he rounds the corner with just the pajama bottoms he put on. Once he sees what’s happening in the kitchen, he just stares for a moment, completely silent.

F: “Merry Christmas Dad.”

S and N: “Merry Christmas.”

H: “Merry Christmas.”

(Y/N): “Merry Christmas, Enji.”

Even though you have gone up and hugged him he is still in disbelief and hasn’t moved. It is only when you look at his eyes do you see why. A few tears start to well up and you kiss him on the cheek to break his stare.

E: “What is going on?”

F: “We are here for Christmas, cooking breakfast dad. Are you ok?”

E: “I…I…. I didn’t think you guys would actually want to come here ever again. Why are you here.”

N: “That demon you are dating is very persuasive.”

Z: “He isn’t dating me, he is dating (Y/N).”

(Y/N): “Why don’t you follow me and see the rest of your gift.”

You take his hand and lead everyone down the hallway to Shoto’s old bedroom. You slide the door open and turn on the light. Enji sees a pile of plain boxes neatly arranged in the middle.

E: “What are all of these? Are all these for me?”

H: “(Y/N), you’re going to have to spell it out for him. He doesn’t do subtle very well.”

(Y/N): “Enji, these boxes are your kids’ belongings. They are moving back home, today.”

With those words Enji just slams down on his knees, he couldn’t take the emotions as he starts to cry uncontrollably. You go to comfort him and Hina and Fuyumi join you. They motion to the boys and they come reluctantly.

E: “You can’t be serious? Is this a dream? Are you really moving back in with me?”

F: “Yes dad, we are back but you have to know it’s because of (Y/N) that we are willing to try.”

E: “What?” He manages to get out through sobs.

N: “We have laid out some ground rules we can go over but I don’t think you will remember them if we tell you now.”

E: “I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll do whatever it takes to have you back in my life.”

You all stand in your embrace a little while more when Enji finally stopped crying and gets up.

(Y/N): “Ok, now that things have settled down, let’s go eat. And Enji, go get a shirt on.”

Enji looks down at himself and quickly goes red in embarrassment as he didn’t realize until now that he didn’t have on a shirt. He quickly bolts upstairs and comes down and everyone is sitting at the table with food in the center. After he sits everyone begins to eat. The food was really good, like always when you’re cooking. After some coffee and tea, you all moved into the living room to open presents. The kids only got you each a card but you both agreed you’re just happy they are home.

E: “Fuyumi why don’t we start with you.”

F: “Ok” she heads over to the pile of gifts and find she has the largest present out of all of them. She quickly moves it and starts to unwrap the package. “A bike?”

E: “I thought you could use a new bike for college. This one is the top-of-the-line model and is fully electric but can be pedaled manually as well. It has large baskets for your books and groceries. I hope you can use it.”

F: “I love it! Thank you!” She says as she hugs Enji.

E: “Natsuo, your next.” He says a little more relaxed knowing the last present went well.

N: “Well, if her gift was good then I hope mine is good too.”

As Natsuo opens his 2 boxes, the first one is a bunch of video games. He looks with confusion because they are for a console he doesn’t have. He then quickly rips the wrapping off the other box and finds it is the brand-new console that isn’t out for another 3 months.

N: “How did you get this? It’s not even out yet.”

E: “As the number 2 hero, you make some connections. (Y/N) told me you really wanted one of these so I pulled a few strings.

N: “Thank you so much! I can’t believe you did this.”

E: “Im glad you like it. Shoto, it’s your turn.”

S: “I’m on it.”

Shoto finds he has a large box that sounds like a bunch of smaller boxes in it. When he opens it is a bunch of hand and power tools. He looks at Enji with confusion.

E: “I was told you like to work with your hands and like working on DIY projects and building things. If you don’t like it, I can exchange this for something else.”

S: “I like it, I can use these for a few projects I want to work on.”

E: “Really? That’s good. I worked hard to try to get you all something that you would enjoy. Hina, I even got you something.”

He hands her a small box. When she opens it, she finds a gold tennis bracelet.

H: “Oh my gosh, Enji! You didn’t have to get my anything, this is so wonderful.”

E: “It’s a thank you for having to deal with me and raising my kids by yourself.”

H: “Um, I don’t know how to say this but there is nothing left under the tree, (Y/N) where is your gift?”

Enji sits up with horror in his eyes. He never managed to find the toy for you. He was so busy trying to get the best gift that he didn’t even think of a backup. His mind is racing and he starts to feel sick when you grab his hand.

(Y/N): “Its ok Enji. I wanted you to make you and your kids happy. I’m just happy that everyone is here.”

E: “But you didn’t get anythi….”

The doorbell interrupts his train of thought. He gets up to see who could possibly be at the door on Christmas Day. He opens the door and is surprised to see Sanji.

S: “Good morning, Enji.” As she hands him a package.

E: “What is this?”

S: “Give it to (Y/N).”

E: “You found it?”

S: “Yes, I did. Merry Christmas, Enji.”

E: “Did you want to stay?”

S: “No, I have my own family to get to but thank you.”

E: “Well you will be getting a large bonus this year.”

He closes the door and comes back to the living room. He sits down looking at the box.

F: “Who was that dad?”

E: “That was Sanji, she was dropping of my present to you.”

(Y/N): “Really? You didn’t have to get me anything, Enji.”

You slowly unwrap the box. It is just a plain brown box. You still are curious as you open the box. You take the object out and start to take the tissue paper off. When you finally see what was inside, your speechless.

(Y/N): “What? How did you? Where did you?”

E: “This is what I have been doing at the office. I have even looking for this.”

You hold up the stuffed doll of Endeavor, it is about a foot and a half tall with fake flames. It has a little zipper on the back to replace the batteries. You’re a little afraid to squeeze it but once you do, you hear ‘Prominence Burn!’ and you feel it start to warm up in your hands. You begin hugging it as you start to tear up just saying “Thank you.”

F: “Dad, I didn’t know there was a stuffed doll of toy that big.”

E: “There was a batch made as a test. They warm up when you squeeze them but it would catch fire too often so they didn’t make more. Apparently, (Y/N) got one as a kid to keep him warm in the test facility. I can’t believe there are any left.”

(Y/N): “It was the only warm thing I had as a kid. I thought I had the only one of these. Funny, when I first meet you, I saw the flames coming off of you and I wanted to go and hug you. I was so cold but looking at you was enough to give the energy to stop the bomb.”

E: “Merry Christmas (Y/N).”

(Y/N): “As much as I love this, I’m glad I don’t need to use it anymore.”

F: “Why’s that?”

“Because I have the real thing right here.” You say giving Enji a big squeeze. He responds by pulling you in for a kiss. The rest of the day flies by as the whole family is enjoying the time together. Everyone helps unpacking each other’s rooms and clean up a bit. You all have dinner, afterwards everyone goes to the living room to watch the Grinch. After the long day, everyone was exhausted from the excitement of the day. The kids fall asleep before you two.

“Thank you so much (Y/N). This is the best Christmas I ever had.”

“I think I can say the same thing. Thank you Enji.”

You two hug each other tightly in bed, causing the doll between you to sound and start to heat up. You both laugh a little and kiss one last time before going to sleep.

Next Chapter

[damonjuicyscock]

To The End (Chapter 6: Blue Jeans)

Pairing: 90's Damon Albarn x Reader

Warnings: Language, fluff, a bit smutty, drug and alcohol use, maybe spelling mistakes as always.

Summary: You are Damon Albarn's best friend, now everything is confused since the kiss you both shared. Is your relationship finally going to evolve ? You'll make a nice encounter as the chapter goes.

Words: 3269

A/N: Merry Christmas Y'all ! Sorry I'm a day late today, but I enjoyed Christmas with my family as well. This chapter is longer than usual, told you it would be longer through the story ! Enjoy !

“You know it could be with you And don't give up on me yet Don't think I'm walking out of this”

Reading Festival- August 28th 1993:

After the band’s gig, there was an after party, as always.

For the occasion, there was one of my favourite bands: New Order. Meeting Bernard Sumner was one of my dreams, and it finally happened. We started flirting, not going too far, I knew he was married, and he wasn’t the man I truly wanted. It was just for pure fun. But what I didn’t know, was that Damon’s gaze on me had been insistent.

That’s when he approached us that I knew something was wrong.

- Y/N, I need to talk to you.

- Talk, I’m all ears. I answered, quite tipsy

- No, like in somewhere… private.

- Where do you want to talk? There is no privacy here it’s a bloody festival !

- We’ll find, follow me. It’s urgent.

I apologized to Bernard, following Damon. He took my hand and adapted a quick walk.

- Hey slow down, I can’t walk as fast as you! And I’m really worried about you though !

He took us to a closet, and locked us in.

- What do you think you’re doing ?

- I don’t understand Dames.

- What’s in your mind ? he snapped at me

- Are you high ? Drunk ? Both ?

- Really ? Flirting with Bernard Sumner ? God Y/N he’s married !

- I know ! why do you mind ? Are you…Jealous ?

He was about to answer, but his speech got stuck in his throat.

- I… Oh fuck it ! He said before crashing his lips on mine.

I was surprised but responded to the kiss, melting into it, while his tongue was asking for entrance to caress mine. I let it happen, putting my arms around his neck, standing on my tiptoes, and my hand went massaging his hair. When he removed his lips from mine, needing air, I opened my eyes without letting go of him.

- It was our second kiss, what was that for ?

- I’m drunk, but I know what I’m doing. I remember exactly what I told you months ago in Germany, in fact I remember everything from that night, I just didn’t want to admit it. Yes Y/N, I was jealous. I love you and I couldn’t stand to see you flirting with Sumner.

- Geez Damon, do you know how long I have been waiting for this ? I wasn’t even sure you felt the same as me! I feel so relieved because I’ve been in love with you for years, but I was so scared you wouldn’t feel the same as me that I decided not to tell you.

- How long ?

- For about 10 years.

- So I was right when you left tour 2 years ago. You were jealous.

- I was sad to see you in someone else’s arms, it just made me lose my fucking mind and I really missed our place and I decided to go home. I’ve always been true to you my little devil.

- You should have told me. I would never have rejected you. It’s been also quite a long time that I have been in love with you too, but I’ve been seeing other girls because I thought I couldn’t have you.

- And you can have all the girls you want, why me ?

- I told you. I love you. And when I look at you ex-boyfriends, they weren’t looking like me at all, I thought I wasn’t your type.

He had a point here, but it was only to stifle the evidence. I was dating because Damon was dating. But none had my body. I wanted Damon to make love to me. No one else. I wasn’t in love with any of those guys, and I needed to really like someone to sleep with him.

- If only I had known earlier, we wouldn't have wasted so much time. He said

- It wasn’t your fault, Damon.

- And so now that we both confessed… what are we ?

- I’m whatever you want me to be Dames.

He kissed me once more, not keeping his hands off me.

- We could be in an open relationship you know ?

Oh fuck. Not this. But it was like… weird? He just said he was jealous to see me with someone else and he proposed to be in an open relationship? I couldn’t lose him. I couldn’t lose anything I had with him. Nothing. I only had one choice.

- Yeah. I’ve been dreaming to be yours for so long…

Oh Shit Y/N, you coward. The only choice I had was to wait for our relationship to work enough. To change this into an exclusive relationship. For him to be mine and only mine. From now, he could shag other girls and oh, I hated this. I wouldn’t do the same. I couldn’t. Question is, would it make us closer or tear us apart?

- Sleep with me tonight. He said

- Only if…

- I only mean sleep Y/N, we’re going to take our time. you should trust me since we've known each other for so long. And after all, you’re a grown-up lady, it’s not like you haven’t shagged anyone, so you already slept with boys.

- Yeah! I answered, almost stuttering

If only he knew the truth, he would be surprised. I was ready to lose my virginity for a long time now, but I wanted him to pop my cherry. I didn’t want to lose it to some guy. Yeah, I would have ended as a spinster. But now that Damon and I were together, it was only a matter of time.

*

The next morning, I woke up in Damon’s arms. We didn’t tell the boys we decided to date, but they would guess one day or another. What woke me up was something poking against my thigh. Yeah, it was his “morning glory”. I decided to act as I was still asleep to try something I wanted to do for such a long time. Tease him. So I started grinding against his erection. He let out a strangled moan.

It didn’t awake him. So, I did it again. This time, his moan was a bit louder, and I felt his hands grip my hips.

- Oh god… Y/N, are you awake?

I growled with my morning voice.

- Hm? Good morning little devil…

- I’m not the little devil here, you are.

- What? I said pretending to be confused

- You were awake, don’t you?

- Not until you asked me, tiring me from my sleep you knobhead. What’s the matter?

- Well…you were moving against me…

- And?

- You don’t know?

- What should I know?

He pressed himself against me, making me feel his boner.

- This. He muttered in my ear

- Oh.

- Yeah.

- So I did this?

- Probably. It’s like if I did this to you.

His hand disappeared under the covers and suddenly, I felt his index touch my clit through the fabric of my panties, making me whimper.

And he liked the sound of it. So, he kept doing it. I whimpered again and moaned.

- You like it, do you?

I moaned in response

- You’ll have to use your words love.

- Yes. Yes, I like it.

He kept going until I was a moaning mess, soaking my panties with my juices, and I felt a coil threatening me to snap, getting closer and closer each time his finger rubbed my sensitive nub.

- Fuck Damon…

- Yes, I know baby. But it won’t be for this time. He said, taking his hand away from me.

I whined at the loss

- Hey! why do you start something you won’t finish?

- I could ask you the same question, I know you were awake. I want us to take our time my love. You’re not some girl I sleep with for a single night.

Yeah, but some girls were having him for a night, he wasn’t entirely mine.

- What a gentleman.

*

September 03rd 1993-Glasgow:

And here we were, with Damon flirting with some Scottish girl in this bar after Radiohead’s and Blur’s show. And here I was at this table with them, alone, and drinking more than I should have, to forget about what I was feeling at this damn moment. From time to time, he put his arm around my shoulders, but it felt like I didn’t exist.

I emptied my fourth glass before going back to the bar to order a new drink.

- You are not one of his groupies are ya? A male voice asked me

- Actually, I’m his girlfriend. I answered without looking at him

- And that’s how he treats you? flirting with girls even when you’re here?

- Yeah, but I signed for it. I said, drinking my fifth glass

- What do you mean?

- We’re in a bloody open relationship.

- It sounds like you’re not happy with it.

I finally looked at the man. It was Thom Yorke himself

- Well it’s a bit complicated.

- I’ve got all my time to listen to you. your boyfriend seems hell-bent on taking this girl back to the hotel to shag her. I offer you my ears.

- Well that’s very kind of you but…

- Please, I insist. He answered, cutting me off

So I began to explain my story with Damon from the beginning without giving too much details, and without telling him I was a virgin.

- Wow. This guy really doesn’t deserve you.

- I wouldn’t say that, I…

- No I mean it. You’re here, ready to do anything for him, and he shags other girls.

- At least, he loves me.

- Oh darling, He may love you, I don’t know, but it’s clearly not correct.

- That’s why I’m here, confessing to the singer of another band I barely know. But anyway, thank you for listening to me when I’m drunk and talking about my shit.

- Nah, that’s okay. But before everything, do you want to go somewhere else?

- Yeah, I really want to get out of here and not having to look at this bit…

I looked at Damon who was now kissing the said girl, and I couldn’t stand it.

- Okay, you know what? Let’s go, I’m taking you somewhere you won’t have to look at them and stand this shit. You’re not a second choice Y/N, that’s his problem now.

- Let me leave him a message at first.

I asked for a piece of paper and a pen to the bartender. In my message, I stood quite kind. QUITE.

“Gone with Thom Yorke to visit the city, have fun with your lovely blonde chick.”

I handed the paper to the bartender and asked him to give it to Damon while I was leaving the bar with Thom.

- So, where do you wanna go? He asked me

- Somewhere quiet, If I could say, I would say home. I answered sighing

- Do you want to go to your hotel room?

- Certainly not, I share it with Damon, he’s probably going to fuck her in here.

- We could go to mine if you wish?

- Well yeah, nevermind, actually I don’t even care if you sleep with me as long as we don’t fuck.

- We won’t. And I’m not the right man to take your virginity.

- What? How do you know about that?

- I can see it in the way you talked to me that you haven’t done anything, that’s all. You have something innocent inside. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.

- Well… thanks I guess?

- You’re welcome, I guess?

He took a vodka bottle off his jacket.

- Where did you get this?

- I paid for it at the bar, want some? He asked me, handing me the bottle

- Gladly, thank you. I said, taking it and drinking the half of it, wincing.

- Oi slow down miss, you’re going to nee a part of your stomach left to do what we’re going to do.

- And what is that? I’m already so fucking wasted anyway.

- Smoking. He answered

I bursted out of laughter

- I don’t need my stomach to smoke cigarettes!

- I don’t mean this kind of smoke…

- You mean…

- Yeah, good joints. And with alcohol sometimes, it hurts.

- Wow, okay. The thing is I only smoke cigarettes, I’ve never smoked pot.

- There a first time to everything Y/N. He said winking at me

*

I had never been high thanks to pot before but being drunk and high was a wonderful show. Thom and I were lying on the ground of the balcony of his hotel room, looking at the stars. My vision was like blurry and it’s like the sky was moving because my head was turning and I was feeling fucking good.

- You’re not talking much. He said, smoking his second joint

- Well I’m drunkenly high mate.

- Believe me, I know this feeling more than anyone else.

- Yeah sure, you’re reputed to drink a lot.

- And it’s hella true. It’s not alcoholism, I just like the effects it brings.

- If you say so.

- What about you?

- I don’t usually drink that much, it’s just because I don’t want to feel anything bad when Damon flirts with someone else.

- It’s gonna get toxic you know ?

- Nobody knows, he may change one day.

- Maybe, but be careful.

- He was my best friend before being my boyfriend, I trust him.

- You said it yourself, he was your best friend before being your boyfriend, and that’s not the same thing. That’s why I’m telling you to be careful. I know we only met tonight and I’m a stranger, but I’m a man, and I know men, I know what they think and what they do.

- Thank you for that Thom. It’s very kind. You’re different you know? you’re not looking to sleep with me.

- It’s all about consent. You’re pretty, but you fixed your limits, and I respect that.

*

I woke up the next morning totally shitfaced. I didn’t even remember how I ended up in the bed I was sleeping in. Thom was asleep on a char in front of me.

-Huh… what happened? I asked my hand touching my forehead.

He woke up and yawned.

- Hello Y/N, you seem shitfaced.

- I am.

- You don’t remember anything?

- The last thing I know is we were laid on the balcony watching the stars and chatting.

- Yeah, well right after this, you fell asleep, and when I went to put you to bed you mumbled to me to take your shoes and pants off, and when I covered you, you asked me if Damon was okay.

- Sorry ‘bout that.

- I’ve seen worse, no worries. Aspirin? He asked me, handing me the medicine and a water bottle

- Oh, thank God.

- I’m only Thom, but you’re welcome. I’ll call a cab for you, is your hotel far away from here?

- I don’t have any idea. But I really don’t feel like walking.

- That’s why I said I’ll call a cab.

*

I got up in the cab and thanked Thom for everything. I arrived at the hotel and directly went to the room I shared with Damon. He was at the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast as said on the message he left me on a piece of paper.

I joined them with my sunglasses on, because daylight was killing me. The first one I saw was Alex.

- Ah Y/N, finally back? He said when he saw me

- Shh don’t talk so loudly for fuck’s sake.

- Seems like miss Y/L/N had a rough night. Dave answered

- Where the fuck were you? Damon asked me upset

- With Thom. We spent the night drinking and chatting, I’m totally shitfaced.

- No shag? He insisted

- Why? You’re scared I would have shagged someone that’s not you? I said smiling to provoke him

- Nah, just a question. He answered, throwing me a dark look

- You okay? I asked him

- Yeah, I just didn’t sleep that much.

- Eventful night huh? Was she a big shag? I said, drinking Graham’s orange juice

- That’s my…

- Let her drink, she spent the night outside. Alex told him

- Yeah, full of erotic sensations.

Okay, he decided to provoke me too. Let’s fight.

- I don’t doubt it. Was she worth it?

- Huh guys… Alex said

- What about you? Damon said pissed

- Oh, so worth it. I discovered a new part I had inside me.

Damon slammed his fist against the table

- What’s your fucking problem Y/N?

- Oh, I have none, unless the fact that someone slept in my bed! I answered

- Oh, come on, it’s not like I forced you to stay outside during the whole fucking night!

- Not, I’ve chosen that, because I didn’t want to spend the night alone in the bed until you were done fucking this whore!

- Okay guys, please go outside… Graham tried

- Oh fine! that’s how you see things? Damon yelled

- It’s exactly like it fucking is Damon! I answered the same

- STOP! Go to your fucking room to argue, and I don’t know, just fuck already! Dave yelled at us

Damon got up without even looking at me and started walking out of the restaurant.

- Where the fuck do you think you’re going Albarn?

He didn’t answer and kept walking, I got up as well and followed him. We found ourselves in the elevator.

- What’s fucking got into you Y/N? he yelled at me

- Oh, like you don’t know!

- What, you’re jealous?

- As if you were not! A few days ago, you told me you loved me and couldn’t stand to see me with another man and at this exact same moment you told me you wanted us to be in an open relationship, make up your fucking mind! Am I your girlfriend or just some distraction? Some second choice? What am I to you Damon? I said, tears running down my face

- But… you told me you were okay with it!

- I am not! I just didn’t want to disappoint you and lose you. I’ve been hoping for a “us” for such a long time! I didn’t want you to think I was possessive and change your habits, it’s the only reason why I accepted! Here now I fucked up.

Damon started crying as well, taking me in his arms.

- Love, you should have told me earlier! It’s okay, I perfectly understand. I know I really can be an asshole and I’m sorry, I didn’t know you felt like this.

- And now I’ve lost you…

- Lost me? Love, absolutely not. You really want it to be only you and me? Deal. No more girls, no more open relationship, just you and me.

- It doesn’t bother you then?

- No, these girls don’t mean anything to me. You’re the only one I want.

I totally broke down when he said this, And I felt him sob against me.

- I’m so sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you, it won’t happen ever again, I promise.

- I trust you Damon.

[wiypt-writes]

Consciousness Of Guilt

Chapter 2

Summary: On the anniversary of Jacob’s birthday, you lend Andy a friendly ear and some comfortable surroundings.

Warnings: Bad Language, allusions to past abuse (Non Con/Dub Con) but nothing explicitly described in this chapter.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar the reader and any other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

W/C: 7k

Consciousness Of Guilt Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 1

Early August

You were swamped. That was the best way to describe it. There were several projects needing to done by weeks’s end and you had already been in early for the day, a ragged reminder that it was only Monday. Not to mention you'd powered down the vanilla caramel latte that sat hot on your desk when you'd first arrived. But, now that to-go cup was bone dry. You needed sustenance and more coffee. With a grumble you tossed the empty paper cup into your waste basket under your desk and grabbed your "at work" mug, a gag gift from your sister one Christmas, and scooted back from your desk.

You hiked it out of your office and to the elevator, taking the lift a floor up to where the large break room awaited just down the hall from the elevator lobby.

Your nude high heeled pumps clicked in a familiar, pleasant rhythm as you downed the hallway and pushed open the door to the recreation area. You were surprised to see a familiar, white shirt clad broad back and perfectly trimmed hair facing you as you approached the coffee pots and espresso machine.

“You leave any for me?” You asked and Andy span to face you, an apologetic smile stretching across his face as he waved the empty pot.

“Sorry, here...” he held his mug out for you, “you can take this and I’ll brew some more.”

“Absolutely not.” You shook your head, your hands momentarily straying to the impeccable knot in his dark blue tie which was nestled perfectly central to the corners of his crisply folded collar. “First off, I know for a fact that mug gets washed like what, once a week, and second off I need the break, so I can wait whilst it brews.”

“It’s rinsed between each drink, and besides I wasn’t offering you the mug,” Andy rolled his eyes, one hand falling to his hip, black slacks sat on his waist, his shirt nearly tucked in, “you can tip it into that bright pink monstrosity in your hand.”

“Don’t you dare call Sparkles that.” You narrowed your eyes before you glanced at your own mug. “He’s a very sensitive Unicorn.”

Andy chuckled at your over dramatic flare for an absurd coffee mug. "The latte not enough today?" 

“Not quite.” You shook your head as you moved to pull the coffee out of the cupboard. “It’s been manic this morning. Eva wants a ton of work pushed out by Friday. There's a new media packet being put together since there's like five big trials coming up and that means lots of red pen hitting the pages all week."

Before Andy could reply, you caught in the corner of your eye the new, second year law student that was interning for the summer at the firm before his final year of term. 

Beside you, you heard Andy let out an ever so quiet snort and you glared at him. Only last week you’d been teasing him once more about being a prematurely middle aged old man when he hadn’t understood a reference you’d made about a television programme. His response has been to quip back that instead of breakfasting with him, you should do it with the kids as they were clearly more “hip”.

“Oh, hey Y/N!” Ollie smiled at you and you nodded back. “I was literally just talking about you.”

"Oh, you were?" You did you best to fake a smile. 

“Yeah, a couple of us are going bowling on Wednesday, just a couple of beers and burgers. Thought you might fancy it?”

“Oh, I’d love to but...” you arranged your face in what you hoped was a convincing, apologetic look. “But I can’t...”

“You no good at bowling?” The twenty-four year old teased and you shook your head.

“Actually I am, but no... I can’t on Wednesday.”

“Oh, you err already out or something?” 

“No I just... well, Mr Barber and I have a thing, you know, for work. It’s a deadline and...”

“No, no we don’t.” Andy frowned, and you turned, shooting him a look.

“I think we do,” you continued and he simply arched his brow, smirking. “Remember? The deadline for the press release on the Jones case?”

“No, are you sure that’s this week?” Andy asked, as he raised his mug to his mouth. As he took a sip of his coffee, the item obscured his mouth but you could tell from the cheeky glint in his eyes that he was smirking. You wanted to punch him. The asshole was deliberately not helping you out.

“Yeah, I’m absolutely sure.” You insisted before you turned to Ollie. “Sorry, maybe next time.”

“Okay no worries, catch you later.”

You watched him go and then spun to face Andy who looked at you, innocently.

"Way to help a girl out there," you glared wide eyed at him. He clearly found it highly amusing as he was now trying to hide a chuckle behind the rim of that mug of his. “I hate you.”

“Ouch, Angel that’s harsh.” He lowered his mug. “‘My mistake, I thought you’d like to get down with the kids.”

"You're lucky I have a meeting in..." you checked your watch, "shit, five minutes." You growled in frustrated, as Ollie the Kid had now completely ruined the coffee break you so desperately needed.

With a huff you snatched a banana from the basket on the counter and swung your mug on your finger, the ceramic unicorn empty of life giving contents. As you did so, Andy reached out and took the mug from you, tipping the contents of his own into it before holding it back out for you.

“Don’t worry, I don’t have cooties or whatever you young kids say...”

“And just like that you redeemed yourself.” You grinned, hastily adding creamer and a spoon of sugar. “I’ll catch you later.”

He shot you a wink before you turned and jetted out of the room, the rhythm of your heels much faster as you hurried to your meeting.

****

Andy sighed, the phone held to his ear as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “He says he has an alibi... but its paper thin. A five year old kid could punch a hole in it with a feather.”

“And let me guess,” Joanna Klein’s voice was amused and Andy could picture the exact expression on her face, “he’s insisting he won’t even consider a guilty plea to the lesser charge?”

“Got it in one, see, I knew I picked you as a mentor for something.” Andy chuckled as Joanna laughed. “But seriously...”

“Everyone is entitled to a defence, no matter what Andy, you know this. And unfortunately, you can’t reason with stupidity. You want my advice?”

At that there was a knock at his door, and he looked up to see Y/N poking her head in as she opened it a crack. 

“Always.” He spoke into the phone as he waved her in with a smile and gestured to the seat on the opposite side of the desk.

“Present him with the cold, hard facts and spell it out in simple language.” Joanna advised. “Tell him what he’s gonna face when, and use the term when, the prosecution completely disprove his alibi and then show him the alternative. If he still won’t listen then, prepare for your first defensive loss.”

“I don’t like losing.” Andy sighed, his eyes straying back to Y/N. He watched her as she strode from the doorway, closing the heavy wooden piece behind her quietly beforehand. His eyes casually roamed the look of her. Her hair was pulled away from her face, a pencil pinning it at the nape of her neck, the white poplin button down she wore seemingly cut to fit her frame. She sighed as she took her seat, smoothing her lipstick red pencil skirt out as she did so, adjusting it conservatively as she crossed her legs at the knee, setting a manilla file folder on her lap as her nude heeled foot bounced in wait.

Was that a tattoo he noticed, just at the bone of her ankle that seemed to extend down onto her foot, no doubt obscured by the leather of her shoe and the bounce of her leg? He wondered if she had more than just that and he thought hard to remember if he'd ever noticed anything before, but he either hadn't or didn't have the care to look. He had a few of his own, two chest pieces, an eagle and a phrase that had recently struck him as something he wished to be reminded of.

Trying not to appear as if he was staring, he studied the design on Y/N’s ankle and realised that was also a bird and a phrase, albeit much smaller and delicate than his. Her bird was almost like a pencil outline, mid-flight, hovering over the words ‘And Still I Rise.’

Simple, but meaningful. And knowing her as he did, he would lay odds on it being attributed to her recent past.

“Erm, sorry, Joannna, what was that?” Andy cleared his throat as his attention hastily switched back to his conversation and the woman chuckled.

“I said no one likes losing, Andy, but you can’t win 'em all.”

“Sure as hell can try.” He smiled. “Listen, I have to go but I appreciate the advice and next time you’re in the area let me know. Be nice to catch up face to face.”

"You got it, Andy. Take care of yourself."

Andy hung up and adjusted the tie around his neck, loosening the knot and popping that first button on his collar.

“Sounded serious.” Y/N smiled and he gave a frustrated groan.

“Yeah, just a very awkward client. Anyway, I assume as you’re not empty handed this isn’t a social call?”

"Unfortunately not." She sighed. "I need you to look this over as quick as you can. It's your PR file. Eva needs it back by Wednesday so I can update everything on our website and get a draft ready for the new media packets."

"Wednesday?" Andy extended his hand out for her to hand him the file.

“Piss off.” She shot back and he smirked as he took the file from her. He opened it and sighed as he looked at the profile photo of him which had been taken when he had first joined the firm. 

“This photo makes me look like a fucking politician.” He mumbled before he sighed, heavily. He hated this side of things, it made keeping his head down impossible. “Why do we suddenly need updated profiles on the website? I mean, let’s face it, it’s not like there ain’t enough info on me out there is it?”

"I know how you feel, trust me and I'm sorry. I wish I didn't have to do it." Y/N shrugged in defeat. "Orders from the top and the packets themselves haven't been updated since the handful of associates were hired in the last two years, yourself included.” She took a breath before she gave him a little smile. “The good news is it doesn't cover anything personally. It's literally your CV, which stops at your hiring in Boston as ADA and when you started here plus a brief and simple bio. I took the liberty of writing it up rather than you having to do it.” She paused again, breathing out through her nose gently. “What Eva gave me as a draft to work with was over the top and I didn't think you'd be comfortable with it, so I made my own, but, there is a copy of hers for you to see, just so you didn't assume I was speaking for you."

Andy looked at her and smiled, her thoughtfulness touched him. “Thanks. And sorry if it sounded like I was frustrated at you, I’m not.”

"It's okay, clearly it's been a Monday for us both," she lightly chuckled.

Andy glanced at the paper before he closed the file and handed it back to her. “It’s fine.”

“You haven’t even read it!” She scoffed.

“Does it mention anything about Jacob or the trial?”

“No, of course not.” Her tone was lightly affronted but Andy merely smiled.  

“Well then, there you go. I trust you.” He implored, his eyes locking into hers as he held the file out. She looked back at him, before she smiled softly and reached out to take it from him.

"You're absolutely sure?" She wanted to double check, hesitation noted in her tone.

“One hundred percent.”

“Well, don’t come crying to me when you read all about how you’re a past it dinosaur that still hand writes all his case notes in fountain pen.”

"Oh... Is that how it's going to be?" He flicked a smirk in her direction.

"No, but it made you smile," she too tossed a smirk but added a quick wink. “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your awkward client.”

“Thanks, I can’t wait.” He deadpanned as she laughed and stood up. “Listen, I have to work late tonight, and it sounds like we have plans for work on Wednesday, but maybe this weekend we can grab a drink?"

"Oh as great as that sounds, my parents are flying in on Friday for a long weekend." She paused for a second, biting the inside of her cheek. "Unless you want to join us Saturday for a barbeque?"

Andy hesitated for a moment, not quite sure how to politely decline without offending. That really wasn’t what he wanted, at all, especially not with it being the day it was going to be.

“I err....” he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and she smiled, shaking her head.

“No need to explain, Andy. It’s fine, honestly.”

He felt relief at her understanding but a part of him felt he'd disappointed her. He wasn't sure why.

"And hey, if you find yourself looking for something to do, you're always welcome over. Doesn't matter the occasion."

Andy took a deep breath before he looked at her, licking his lips. “It’s actually...well, would have been Jake’s 18th birthday.” He admitted and instantly he saw her face soften. “So I’m not sure I’d be the best company anyway in all honesty.”

He watched her face fall at his admission but she understood, for she walked back over to his desk and gently took his hand. "If you need anything, even if it's just a phone call, I'll be there." She gave his hand a squeeze and excused herself from his office.

Andy watched the door close behind her and leaned back in his chair, lost in his own thoughts for a moment. He couldn’t deny that things had certainly gotten a lot lighter for him since meeting Y/N. She was a good friend, in fact his only friend other than Joanna. Duffy and Laurie had been right with what they said about being a loner. He had never formed bonds with people, not easily, Laurie being the exception.

The psychologist they’d seen during the build-up to the trial has said that came from a place of him being unable to trust easy, and as annoying as he had found the intrusion into his psyche, she wasn’t wrong. Keeping people at arm’s length meant they couldn’t let you down, or at least when they did you didn’t take it so personally.

But for some reason unbeknownst to him, Andy found that knowing her was different. Maybe it was down to the fact there was a mutual understanding as they both had a past they wanted to escape. Or maybe it was his heart and mind starting to move on from the darkest period of his life where everything he had crashed down around him, quite literally.

He found himself trusting her, and with each passing minute they spent together, their bond seemed to form and grow. And, as he sat there, he couldn’t help but think of a conversation he’d had with Jacob who'd been chatting none stop about a girl in his class.

“You like her.” Andy teased and Jacob rolled his eyes as he moved his counter on the Othello board.

“She’s okay.” Jake shrugged, as Andy moved his own counter. “Oh, big mistake old man.”

“Less of the old.” Andy shot back as Jake smirked and made his own move. Andy groaned as he realised his son was right. “So what’s the hold up? You gonna ask her on a date?”

Jake shrugged, “I don’t know, maybe. But not this week, it’s a bad week. Exams and stuff.”

It’s a bad week... 

Andy let out a breath and ran his hands though his hair as his son’s words echoed in his mind.

“Sure is, bud,” his eyes flicked to the photo of him and Jake which sat on his desk and he sniffed a little, the familiar sting welling in the stop of his nose as he attempted to stave off the tears, “sure is.”

****

By weeks end, you were exhausted but there was an excitement to your step by lunch Friday afternoon because your parents were on their way in. They were landing in Denver and driving north to you and would be at your place near seven that night. Perfect timing for you to get a quick and light dinner prepared up for you all and allow them time to settle in. The same however, couldn't be said for Andy. 

He'd become a little withdrawn from everyone around the office, yourself included. He took no lunch breaks, was in early and out later than you, which in and of itself wasn't too alarming since he'd often had late nights and worked some weekends. But what concerned you was how little he'd even communicated with you. You found yourself a time or two giving a self-check reminder that this wasn't anything you'd done and he'd needed his space. 

You understood that above all else and since you'd not really had real plans with him or any work plans like Ollie believed on Wednesday, you still brought him a light dinner from Patti's just because that's what friends do. 

He appreciated it, you could tell by the warm smile he offered upon seeing you pop into his office, but you didn't stay and he didn't try to convince you otherwise. You just set everything out for him on a clear space at his desk, which he hadn't expected of you but you did it anyway knowing full well it'd sit and not be touched. Among the files and rolled up sleeves, loose tie and unbuttoned collar, Andy rose up and briefly thanked you then hugged you goodbye. 

By Friday, you were speeding out the door to go home but not before popping in to remind him your offer still stood about coming over if he wanted. However, you didn't even make it inside his office as through the door you could hear he was in a very heated discussion on a phone call and so you called him the next morning. 

He didn't ghost you but the call did go to his voice mail, but again your concern weighed on you. Yet, you knew it was that little voice of doubt, of disappointing someone like him, that peeked its ugly head out from time to time that was making you feel that way. Taking a deep breath, you shook away the little demon created by your past and text him. 

He didn't respond, however you knew he read it and that was enough for you. You just didn't want him to think he had to be alone or that he was. You couldn’t even begin to understand his grief, and you weren't about to try. But the pain he was going through, now two years after his wife and son's accident, those wounds don't heal overnight and for that much so, you understood and could relate. Deep wounds take the longest to heal and sometimes they never do. But it's the keep moving forward that mattered to you and to Andy too. 

With that, you headed out to Patti's with your parents, showing them your favorite local haunts along the way. You walked so you could spend the morning around the center of town and along historic Pearl Street, really showing them how well you'd become acquainted with your quaint little part of town. It didn't go unnoticed the look your parents gave one another when Patti had asked where Andy was, and you'd explained that the two of you had taken a rain check on your usual plans with your parents in town. 

After breakfast, you spent the rest of the morning until mid-day around town, exploring and just enjoying the time with your parents. Things felt care free, and just... well... free. It wasn't long ago that things were tense and worrisome as you navigated your previous life, moving through the motions with them by your side, you somewhat trying to make amends for what had happened to them because of Ransom. 

After a jaunt around the center square and farmer's market, the three of you were finally heading back home to get your Jeep to head to the grocery market for more items. 

You were prepping the condiments, toppings and seasoning the meat with your mother in the kitchen while your father shouted obscenities at his golf tournament on your television until your mother had scolded him off to start up the grill.

Mid playful spat between them, your phone began ringing, giving you the perfect excuse you lovingly tell them to quit squabbling. You looked down at your phone and saw Andy was calling. 

"Hey," you answered softly.

“Hi.” His voice was a little croaky and instantly you nodded to your mom who smiled as you headed out of the kitchen.

"Catch anything?"

“Actually, yeah. Quite a bit, actually. You can’t see what I’m doing now but I’m holding my hands about two feet apart, one was this big...”

She laughed, "I'm sure that's it and not some egotistical male over generalization."

“You wouldn’t be insinuating I'm over exaggerating about size now would you?”

"Nope, surely a man your age knows better."          

“And there you go again!” He chuckled lightly. “What happened to age is but a number?”

"Again, I made you laugh." She said through a smirk.

“Yeah, you do. Which is kinda why I’m calling...” there was a slight pause and he took a deep breath. “I erm, wondered if I could come over after all. If not I totally get it, I don’t wanna impose-“

“Of course.” You cut him off. “I meant it when I said you’re welcome any time, Andy.”

You heard him breathe out a breath of relief. "Would twenty minutes be okay?"

“Anytime, I literally just said it.” You smiled. “And you’re a lawyer?”

"See you soon."

You cut the call and headed back into your large kitchen. Your mom looked up.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, hold up, I wanna tell you and dad something so... give me a second.” You headed outside and asked your dad to come back in. After grumbling something about the BBQ coal being at a crucial stage in its burning, he followed you in and stood by your mom, the pair of them exchanging a glance as you took a deep breath.

“So, erm, my friend Andy, he’s coming to join us.”

"Oh, is he now?" Your mom grinned.

“It’s not like that, we’re just friends.” You rolled your eyes. “But there is something about him you should know.”

“Is he transsexual?” Your mom asked and you looked at her before you snorted.

“What the hell?” Your dad looked at her. “That’s the first place your mind goes?”

“What?” Your mom shrugged. “It’s quite common now, and nothing to be bothered by so-“

“Look, I’m very happy you’re so open minded but no, he’s definitely not.” You shook your head. “But you will know him. Or, at least I think you will. It’s Andy Barber.”

Your dad let out a soft breath as your mom continued to look puzzled. “Who?”

"His boy is the one who they accused of killing his classmate. He was the Assistant District Attorney who had to step down." Your dad explained and your moms face suddenly slid from puzzlement to understanding.

“He chose to step down after the case.” You corrected, wanting to leave them in no doubt as to the facts. “Jacob was proven innocent.”

“Yeah, they said that pedophile did it in the end, didn’t they?” Your mom said and you nodded.

“Leonard Patz. He left a confession before he killed himself. Jacob was cleared.”

“Yeah, then the poor bugger died as did his mom in a car crash.” Your dad shook his head. 

“And today would have been Jacob’s 18th birthday so when Andy gets here can you not mention any of this, please?”

“Of course.” Your mom nodded as did your dad before he hesitated and sighed, giving you a soft glance, "I take it that he knows who you are?"

“Yes, he does,” you answered, and it didn’t escape your mind he knew exactly what your parents did, not the entire truth, “but we have this understanding between us that we don't look back. We don't talk about it unless we have to." Then you softly smiled, remembering the words he said, "No reverse gear." You whispered them but your parents heard.

True to form, twenty minutes or so after he’d spoken to you, a knock at your door sounded and you felt your belly jump in a way you hadn't felt for some time. You excused yourself from your parents and smoothed out your shirt over your torso and dusted off your jeans for no other reason than nerves before you pulled open the door.

There he stood, tall, dark and handsome with his hair hidden beneath a Boston Red Sox cap, his blue eyes peering out from under the brim. You didn't miss the slight tinge of pink to his sad eyes, and you offered a hug straight away as he stepped inside.

He offered you a single armed hug in return, the brown grocery bag in his left hand hung low at his side. "Hi," you whispered to him. A peck to his cheek in a comforting way.

"Hey," his rough whisper tickled your ear. He lips seemed to brush your temple and you broke free.

"Let me," you offered to take the bag but he insisted he'd carry it and followed you towards the kitchen. Your mother was coincidentally making herself busy with fixing up a salad when you caught her attention.

"Mom, this is my friend Andy I was telling you about." You looked between them with a soft smile as Andy set the bag in the counter. "Andy, this is my mom, Y/M/N."

“Andy it’s lovely to meet you.” Your mom beamed, taking his hand between both her hers in greeting. 

"Pleasures all mine, Mrs. Y/L/N. I've heard a lot about you."

“Don’t believe a word she says, it’s all lies.”

At that moment, your dad awkwardly blustered in to complain about the coals again and startled himself with the new addition to the room. "Oh, so sorry, I’m Y/D/N. You must be Andy."

"Oh Jesus, Dad," you cringed and held a palm to your forehead.

Andy smiled and took your dad's outstretched hand and shook it.

Andy smiled and took your dads outstretched hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you, Sir."

"Please, first names, Andy. That old fashioned shit is for the old folks." You dad joked. And at that Andy side eyed you, as if waiting for your quip.

You held up your hands in defense. "I got nothing."

And at that he cracked a gentle smile. You popped the top of a beer for him and handed it over, but dropped the cap in doing so and when you bent over to grab it for the trash, you gasped.

"Oh my God, Andy Barber, who's grandpa did you steal those from? It's a heinous crime!"

“Steal what? My feet?” He asked sarcastically and your dad snorted as you straightened up and grinned. 

“Those shoes... Dad, I’m sure you have a pair like that.”

"Don't take that crap from her," you dad shook his head.

"That's enough, children," Your mom chimed in. "Be a dear and go grill," she shoved a plate of burgers off on your dad.

With a wink your dad left and Andy looked around. 

"Can I help with anything?" He asked politely, but you shook your head and emptied the grocery bag he came with.

“Not much to do. To be honest, it’s gonna be a help yourself affair. We don’t do formal.”

“She’s making us sound like heathens.” Your mom turned and shook her head. "Formal when necessary, free for all as directed."

"Heathens! Not true, well, Dad's questionable from time to time."

“I heard that.” Your dad called from outside and the three of you laughed. 

You turned to Andy. "Make yourself comfortable, the downstairs bathroom is just down the hall there next to the garage door and the fridge is free game."

The night moved on, Andy and your dad talking over the grill, you and you mom sitting in the patio chairs nearby. As they grilled, you all munched on chips, dips and some cut veggies to satisfy the hunger until the burgers were done. 

You couldn't help but think about how easy this felt, how...oddly natural. Your parents never truly accepted Ransom, not that you'd expected them to. Not with everything that happened and the half-truth they knew. But you kept thinking about the night you'd introduced them to your ex-husband compared to your friend now. They were overtly formal, like it was a business engagement with a new potential deal. But with Andy, it was as if you'd all been friends for ages. 

You kept glancing over at Andy as he carried conversation with your dad. He seemed to be enjoying himself, however there were smiles that didn't always quite reach his beautiful eyes like you were used to. Despite that, he still seemed relaxed and for that you were thankful. You didn't want to think about how he was feeling because quite honestly you had not experienced loss and grief like he had and you fully respected the strength in which he carried himself. At one point, Andy looked up from the grill and connected his eyes with yours. He shot you a gentle smile, one you were familiar with as his 'I'm okay' soft smile and you flicked small smirk back. Your mother caught your glance and steered your attention towards work and you were happy for a moment to just smile brightly as you peeled your eyes away.

Over at the grill, Andy felt okay, it wasn't good or great, but he felt okay. Better than when he'd woken up and just as fine if not better than when he'd left the lake after spending the entire day there. Again his mind was brought to the comfort being in the presence of a true friend had brought him.

He enjoyed conversation with Y/N's dad, he was a funny guy, a sense of humor much like hers and he liked that.

But as they sat around their burgers, Andy soon realized that it was her mother that Y/N had gotten her sarcasm from. The more she grew comfortable over her drinks and food, the more she opened up even making Andy crack up at her husband's expense when she slammed his cooking skills as shit but his grill skills akin to those of Gordon Ramsay.

He offered to clear the table to help but Y/N insisted he was the guest and could sit back and just relax and watch her dad nearly blow up the garden while he tried to figure out the fire ring she had around the smaller patio chairs and end tables.

He still took his own things in, clearing away the bottles of beer he and her dad had consumed, catching her in the kitchen while her parents were outside.

"Hey," he caught her attention as he leaned against the counter by the sink where she was rinsing dishes for the dishwasher.

"Hey, you get enough to eat?"

He took the plate from her hand and slotted it into its rightful place on the bottom rack. “Absolutely, I’m beginning to wish I’d worn my sweats.” He patted his stomach. 

“Sure my dad will have a pair that might be your style.”

"Y/N...." He said with playful warning.

"Hey, I'm totally kidding, you know that."

"Thanks for everything. I didn't realize how much I wanted company until it was too late."

“It wasn’t too late, at all. I told you, any time.”

He had a thought on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't articulate it and he didn't get a chance to for her dad popped his head in from the back door.

"Andy, you a Jack or Scotch guy? I picked up a nice stash of both for our visits. Care to help me break one open?"

Andy hesitated, he wasn’t sure it was a good idea in all honesty. Last year he’d spent this day drinking scotch on his own in his apartment. He’d ended up stinking drunk, and woke the next day with the worst hangover he could ever remember having. But, as Y/N’s dad smiled, he realised this was different. He felt different. And he wasn’t alone.

"I'm a scotch guy," Andy softly spoke.

“Straight or over ice?” "Straight tonight," Andy replied, her dad nodding as he headed to the cupboard. “Y/N?” Her dad looked at her and she nodded. “Yeah, I’ll take one.” At the fact Y/N was also switching to the hard stuff, Andy felt a warmth knowing she enjoyed things like that and that maybe they could enjoy them together. He watched as she took the glass from her dad, with a sudden pang in his heart as he realised  he’d never get to do that with Jacob. He excused himself, heading to the bathroom, trying to give himself a bit of head space. Once he’d managed to get a hand on his emotions, he headed back through to the kitchen. 

Y/N was back out on the patio but her dad was leaning against the counter. He looked up with a smile, and a flash of something on his face that was akin to understanding, almost, maybe sympathy. But no sooner had Andy noticed, it was gone and he simply held out a glass of the Amber liquor. Andy took it with a thanks. "I can see you two hit it off. Thanks for finding a friend in her, Andy." Andy blinked before he popped a shoulder, smiling softly, “to be honest, I should be thanking her. It’s nice to have someone to talk to, you know?” The look her father gave him was again, one of understanding and Andy cracked another soft smile toward the older man. He seemed to understand what they'd both been through as their own traumas and they were dealing with them on their own, and in a surprise twist of fate, together. "That's good to hear," Y/D/N sighed. "She gets it from her mother, I'm not a social, friendly shit if my life depended on it. I only like the guys in my golf club because we bet on our rounds. Old bastards." Andy took a sip of his scotch, nodding appreciatively as it was smooth yet carried a decent punch. “Yeah well, I feel ya.” He chuckled. “I’m kinda a loner too, but, no I enjoy her company. It’s nice.” "Well, we let's enjoy it some more, see how badly I can scratch the missus' nerve for a bit.” Andy chuckled as he followed Y/N’s dad outside. He took a seat next to Y/N while her parents sat across the fire ring from them. “You’ve been dying to crack that open since we got it.” Y/M/N rolled her eyes, gesturing to the scotch and Y/D/N shrugged.

“We’re on a weekend away, quit badgering me woman.” "He retires and this is the thanks I get for being a good wife," her mom joked. The atmosphere was easy, you listened to the well-worn dance that was your parents banter and you caught Andy’s eye. You smirked at him over your glass and he met you with a smirk of his own. The next few hours seemed to pass in a blink, and you didn’t realise how late it was until your mom gave a loud yawn. “Without wanting to be rude, I think I’ll turn in.” She stood up with a slight stretch of her arms and looked at your dad. “Are you coming, dear?” “Are you offering?” Your dad quipped and you let out a groan as Andy spluttered out a huge laugh. “That’s... fuck that’s disgusting.” You groaned, the mental image of your parents having sex burnt your retinas. Your dad gave a yelp as your mom slapped him round the head, clearly embarrassed as hell and you sank deeper into the chair as your dad stood up, a little unsteadily. “Shit,” he mumbled, “must have drunk more of that scotch than I thought.” "Bottles gone, ya drunk." Your mom scoffed. “Hey I ain’t the only one that drank it!” "Night Dad, night Mom." You said loudly, by way of an instruction for them to piss off before they could embarrass you anymore. You rose to give both of them a hug good night, Andy standing beside you. "Andy, it was a pleasure. I hope we'll see more of you.” Your mom turned to Andy as he gave her a polite hug before turning to shake your dads hand. “See you in the morning, Andy boy.”

“Dad!” You spluttered, the heat of embarrassment flooded your entire body as Andy raised his brows, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck. “Alright, in ya go, right up the stairs.” Your mom shoved your dad in his back, ushering him inside. “I'm right behind you.” “I’m so, so sorry.” You turned to Andy, shaking your head as you both took your seats again. “He thinks he’s funny.” "It's okay, he means well, it's all in good fun." Andy shrugged, picking at lint on his denim clad legs. "You and your dad seem close, all of you actually." "We are, probably closer now than ever, despite the distance. Still haven't seen my sister out here but, she lives to beat of her own drum." You chuckled, hoping to keep your conversation light. There was a stretch of silence, and you could see from the expression on his face Andy was grappling with something but you waited, patiently, watching the flames flicker on the fire ring until he finally spoke. “Do you, well, are you wanting to turn in as well, because if so, I can...” “No, I’m fine.” “So, it’s okay if I hang here a little longer?” “Of course.” You nodded before you spied his empty glass. “Top up?” He smiled and handed it to you. “Thanks.” You returned in moments with two more glasses for each of you, and two thick wool blankets. You handed Andy's glass back to him and then a blanket. "It's summer, but I have been finding it gets chilly out here at night." “Yeah, the evenings can have a bit of a bite.” He nodded. “I kinda like it though.” "So different from the humid nights back in Boston. Boulder has definitely grown on me," you sighed. Again, silence sat between you, and you started to feel anxious about what was going on through Andy's mind. He'd stopped carrying conversation a bit ago, taking everything in and adding his two cents where he wanted. But, there was something different now, something he seemed he wanted to say but couldn't or maybe he wouldn't. You just sat there biding your time until he did or until you thought of what to say next. “I’m sorry.” Andy sighed a minute or so later. “I’m not being a very companionable guest am I?” "You don't have to be. Sometimes the silence is better than the conversation. Just having someone present with you is sometimes all you need. Nothing ever having to be said." “It’s funny,” Andy mused as he swirled his scotch round his glass, “this is actually the first time since, well the accident that I haven’t actually wanted to be alone.” You looked him over as he sat forward on his thighs, his forearms bearing that weight while his hands held his glass, dangling between his knees. In the dark you could still see the sadness he was burdened with, even as the day came to a close, the glow of the fire giving you glimpses if a misty eyed man who sought comfort. You wanted to tell him that he'd never have to be alone again as long as you were friends but you felt he knew that. You reached out for him, your right hand floating down his forearm until he upturned his left palm and you took his hand, your fingers bending with his. "It's okay to not be okay, Andy." Andy cleared his throat and sat up, the hand that wasn’t in yours reaching to his face and you tactfully looked away.

He sniffled a bit and looked at you, his voice quiet and gravely, thick with emotion. "Will you watch the sunrise with me?" You didn't mean for it to catch your breath the way it had and you'd prayed your hitch wasn't audible or noticeable but you felt a warm tingling feeling course through you and a bubble in your belly at his request. "Yes." You felt your own eyes stinging a little as he looked at you, and you took a deep breath, nodding to the glass in your hand. “We’re gonna need more alcohol.” Offering you both a reprieve from the emotion, you headed into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle, bringing it back outside. You set it down on the table and Andy turned to you and you shrugged. “So,” he reached forward and unscrewed the top, “has Ollie stopped following you round like a little lost puppy?” And just like that, he’d changed the mood. Taking it for what it was, the moment of vulnerability behind him, you groaned and took the opener and the pair of you once more began to chat about anything and everything that came to mind.

By the time the first tendrils of daylight had started to break through the dark, the two of you had pulled your chairs together and shared both blankets, one over your legs and the other wrapped around your shoulders. Andy gave off a warmth that made the wool blankets nearly too hot and that smell you'd grown used filtered around you, drowning out the bon fire now dying away, mere embers and ash than raging warmth. As the shades of dawn moved across the sky in a symphony of colors from black like his day had begun to the crisp red-orange of the first glimpse of sun that looked like the embers that had burned, a warmth Andy felt in and around him comforted his heart. The silence between them was comfortable as Y/N stretched out besides him, the weight of her head laying on his shoulder was grounding as he watched the sky slowly changing shades, the birds beginning their morning chorus. “It's beautiful,” Andy whispered and he felt her nod as she let out a hum of agreement. “One of the things I liked about this place when I was house hunting was that the garden faces East. The colours aren’t as deep as when I'm in my room, the window looks over the horizon but I think it’s gorgeous.” She took a deep breath. “Kind of a reminder that no matter how dark a night, there’s always a day that follows.”

 Andy smiled as she continued. “Mind you, having said that, you should see it from Boulder Creek.” She sighed. “That’s something else.” “Okay, we will.” Andy nodded and she smiled. They grew quiet again, and he felt his eyes grow heavy and knew it was time to go, despite a part of him that wanted to stay. He swallowed and shifted a little, Y/N instantly sitting up as she looked at him, her own eyes tired as he reached into his pocket for his phone. “I should really be going.” “You’re welcome to the pull-out.” She offered but he shook his head. She didn’t try and change his mind, another thing he appreciated about her. He opened his Uber app, ordering his pick up. He had thirty minutes of this moment left. Reluctantly, the time came and she'd walked him to the front door. They were both tired, he looked at how heavy her eyes were and knew he looked the same. "Thank you," he spoke quietly not wanting to wake her parents. "Of course." "I'll see you Monday," he pulled her into a warm hug, holding her tight and running his hands over her back. Sheepishly, his lips brushed her temple as he pulled away. He reluctantly stepped back from the comfort of her embrace and headed down to the waiting car. As he opened the door, he glanced back over his shoulder and saw her stood on the doorstep, the blanket wrapped around her neck. He face her a small wave which she turned and when he climbed in and shut the door, he glanced out of the window to see her shutting her door. The Uber driver stated his address and Andy confirmed before he sat back, closing his eyes, his shoulders and soul feeling considerably lighter than when he’d arrived.

**** Chapter 3

[zacharybosch]

Tasseomancy - chapter 8

🍽dinner is served, eat up 🍽

chapter 1: tumblr / ao3

chapter 2: tumblr / ao3

chapter 3: tumblr / ao3

chapter 4: tumblr / ao3

chapter 5: tumblr / ao3

chapter 6: tumblr / ao3

chapter 7: tumblr / ao3

read chapter 8 below or on ao3!

Kind stranger. New friend. Close confidant. Lover. Edward.

Late on Saturday night, long after Ed had touched him and kissed him and then left with a beatific smile lighting up his lovely face, Stede lay in bed, staring wide-eyed at the dark ceiling and feeling like a perfect fool. It was all so obvious now that he allowed himself to think about it, now that it felt safe to think about it. How could he have been so completely blind?

Ed had— god, he’d held onto Stede’s wrist, in the department store changing room. He’d kept Stede’s hand there, cupping his cheek. Said he was happy. Weeks ago! Weeks and weeks! Ed must have the patience of a goddamn saint. Why hadn’t Stede apologised more earlier, when Ed was still here, for being so clueless? So much potential kissing they’d missed out on because of Stede’s inability to see what was right in front of his face.

Stede pulled his phone off the bedside table and curled onto his side, facing towards the windows. The curtains were parted a little, and a shaft of yellow light from the streetlamps outside cut across his face and chest, and painted golden rims over the dark pools of his cashmere blanket. It was the middle of the night, and the world was utterly silent, save for the soft whisper of the ocean in the distance and the gentle tap of Stede’s fingers against the glowing screen of his phone.

He pulled up his and Ed’s message thread and carefully typed out I’m sorry for being so silly. Their last texts had been goodnight messages from the night before, littered with moon and star and heart emojis. Staggeringly obvious in hindsight.

Ed’s reply came back very quickly.

don’t be, i like your silliness

I wish I hadn’t wasted so much of our time together :(

it wasn’t wasted it’s been the most fun i’ve had in ages years i’d do it all again

I still feel like an idiot though…

ok but at least you’re my idiot now

:) I didn’t think you’d text back this quickly, why are you up so late?

why are YOU up late clearly i’m not the only one at the devil’s sacrament

The familiar urge to deflect reared its ugly head, but Stede pushed it aside. He was allowed to be open with Ed. He wanted to be open.

I was thinking about you, couldn’t sleep.

same tbh you’re a really good kisser

Stede had never been complimented on his kissing skills before. He didn’t even know he had any, not until Ed’s lips had slotted against his and some new part of his brain had suddenly lit up like a christmas tree and his body just moved on instinct. Turned out that kissing was the easiest thing in the world when it was with someone you wanted to kiss, someone who wanted to kiss you.

The three little typing dots on Ed’s side of the screen had been appearing and disappearing and reappearing again for the past minute or so. Eventually, he added:

nice and soft and eager

Stede squirmed beneath his blankets, pressing his legs together and biting his lip. His body did that shivery, clenching thing again, just like it had when Ed had offered a helping hand over the phone.

Is this part of the seduction?

this is the preamble so you were thinking about me huh what were you thinking exactly

The changing room in the department store, when I held your face and you stopped me from pulling away.

you wanted to kiss me then didn’t you

I think so. Yes. I did. I don’t think I quite realised it, but I wanted to very much.

what do you think would’ve happened if you had kissed me

I think Lucius would’ve still come and interrupted us.

OK PRETEND LUCIUS WAS NOT THERE

Right. Of course. This was flirty texting. They better start making a habit of doing this, because Stede really needed to get some practice in.

Sorry :’) I think if I had kissed you, you would’ve kissed me back. I think you would’ve held my face like I held yours. I think it would’ve been a soft kiss, a slow one.

that sounds nice

Stede could see it in his mind’s eye, like he was looking through a peep-hole; a little blurry and distorted round the edges but clear and sharp in the centre where they were exchanging gentle, easy kisses, murmuring against each other’s lips, smiling at the sensation of wandering hands.

My hands would wander, I think. I was so curious about your tattoos that day. I’d want to see more of them. Maybe things wouldn’t remain so soft or slow.

gonna get me naked?

His tender, sensual mental image warped and shifted and then suddenly there was nothing gentle about it: he was pressing Ed up against the wall, dragging his overalls and his underwear off, grinding up against him, threading one hand tight into Ed’s hair as the other fumbled inelegantly with the button and zip fly of his own trousers. Legs squeezing around his waist, worn leather of Ed’s boots sticking to the bare skin of Stede’s backside, silky t-shirt slipping down over a shoulder. Sucking a bruising kiss against the revealed skin.

Not completely naked. Boots stay on. Crop top stays on.

oh it’s like THAT is it i know what you wanna do, you wanna take me up against the wall or smth manhandle me, kiss me hard, make a mess

Exactly. Clinging to me, your legs wrapped round my waist.

do you wanna know what i’m doing right now

Yes please yes

i’m saying goodnight ;) big kissies xxxxxxxxxxx

Stede stared blankly at his phone for several minutes, heart racing and head spinning and body distractingly, achingly roused. If this was only the preamble to being seduced, he wasn’t entirely sure that he’d survive the main event.

***

The seduction began, formally, on Monday morning.

Ed surprised Stede at the Cleanery with a large cup of tea and a fruity danish pastry from Jackie’s. He had the purple tote bag slung over one shoulder, and Stede’s silk scarf dangling out of the back pocket of his trousers.

“Edward, how lovely to see you,” Stede said, getting up from his sewing machine and trying very hard not to give away that his brain was stuck on an endless replay of Ed pulling that scarf from around Stede’s neck when they’d been desperately making out two days prior. “Dropping off some more stuff to be cleaned? I hope you’ve not had any more mishaps with your moisturiser!”

“Nah, nothing that needs cleaning today. I have got this extra tea and pastry though, and I was looking for someone to give ‘em too, maybe like a sexy blonde seamstress or someone… Know anyone like that around here?”

“Oh, I might.” Stede batted his eyelashes, which was something he had never done before in his life and wasn’t entirely sure he’d managed to do completely successfully now; but it seemed to have the desired effect, and Ed leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.

“For you,” he said, putting the tea and pastry down onto Stede’s work table with a little flourish. “What are you doing Friday night?”

“Well, I’ve not got anything planned…”

“You have now. You’re coming over to my place. I’m gonna cook for you.”

Stede’s eyes lit up in delight. “Really? Oh, how exciting. Should I bring anything, a dessert maybe?”

“Just bring yourself, I’ve got dessert all figured out already,” Ed said, snaking his hands over Stede’s hips and giving him a very firm squeeze on the rear. He nuzzled into Stede’s neck, and gave a gentle little tug on the silk scarf he had tied there. “Been wearing these a lot, haven’t you? I’m glad I bought you so many. Looks good.”

Stede flushed. He wore one of the silk scarves practically every day, always wanting to have some little token of Ed with him. “I like having a piece of you wrapped around me.”

“I can think of some other pieces of me that you can have wrapped around you if you want—”

“Get a room you two, Jesus,” John piped up from behind the counter. He had been sitting there the entire time.

“I’m planning on it mate, trust me,” Ed replied off-handedly, before grabbing at Stede’s hand and pulling him behind the counter and into the back of the shop. “Is there a private spot or something back here? Just wanna have a little chat real quick.”

The back room was just one big open space with no privacy to be had in any corner of it, but it did contain several supply cupboards of varying sizes and clutter levels. “Oh, um, well the broom cupboard on the left there is fairly empty, that door with the— oof!” Stede yelped as Ed pulled the door open and shoved him inside the cramped little space, then squeezed in after him. They were pressed close, chest to thigh, and Ed’s hands were already roaming. “I thought, wow, thought you were holding off? Oh, god. Doing things, um, slowly?”

“I am. But don’t forget that this is a seduction, Stede, and if I’m going to seduce you successfully,” Ed murmured, ghosting his lips at the corner of Stede’s jaw, “then I’m going to need to touch you a little bit as well.”

Stede already felt more seduced than he ever had in his entire fucking life. Ed was so warm and he smelled so good, and his voice was a deep rumbling purr that vibrated right through Stede’s skin.

“So,” Ed said, rubbing his hands slowly over the front of Stede’s shirt and innocently slipping a few buttons out of their holes, “do you have any allergies?”

“Wh— what…?”

“Allergies. Intolerances. Dietary requirements. For dinner on Friday.”

“Oh, I… I uh, I…” Ed was stroking feather-light circles over Stede’s nipples and looking very intently into his eyes. And that was okay, Stede could handle that. He could absolutely handle the fact that Ed was stroking his nipples and staring at him like he wanted to eat him and Stede was going to expire right there in the broom cupboard.

“Focus babe, this is an important discussion.”

“Um. Sensitive… sensitive to dairy, sometimes, I… Fuck, Ed—”

“Dairy, right, noted. And is there anything that you just don’t like? That goes for food and,” Ed rolled his hips just the barest amount, and brought his face a scant inch away from Stede’s, “anything else you might want me to know about.”

Stede had to very forcefully remind himself that he’d asked for this. He could’ve let Ed stay on his knees and give him what would’ve no doubt been an absolutely mind-melting blowjob, and then spent the rest of the weekend together kissing and rubbing and sucking and fucking, but no, he’d asked for this instead and now Ed was thoroughly and relentlessly giving it to him.

“I hate mushrooms. But I think… I think I’m open to trying anything else that you wanted to offer me.” The urge to close that final space between them and just sink into Ed, into his arms and the heat of his mouth, was overwhelming. “Food or otherwise.”

“That is,” Ed withdrew his hands from inside Stede’s shirt as he spoke, “very good,” carefully re-fastened the buttons that he’d opened, “to know,” he finished, straightening Stede’s collar and letting his hands linger for a moment at his neck. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Ed breezed out of the broom cupboard and out of the shop, light and carefree as anything. Stede remained in the cupboard, thrilled and embarrassed and desperately horny, urgently willing his erection to go the fuck away.

On Tuesday, they took an evening stroll along the beachfront after Stede got off work. There was a beautiful peach and purple sunset, and the sea was restless, golden and choppy. Seagulls called wildly as they were buffeted about by the brisk and chilly wind, and Stede and Ed walked arm-in-arm along the promenade, pressed together tightly against the cold. There was an old bandstand halfway along the promenade, worked in wrought iron filigree and painted cheerfully in chipping whites and greens, and it loomed ahead of them, silhouetted against the sun.

“You know, I wanted to kiss you that evening on the beach,” Ed said, as they came up to the bandstand and stopped to admire the view. “When we had the muffins, and you said you’d burn down the department store for me.”

The second time they met, Stede’s cautiously-proposed date-that-he-only-realised-now-was-a-date. It had been a perfect evening: the smell of the rain, and Ed’s leather jacket; eating soggy pastries in a shop doorway; the straggly, wet ends of Ed’s hair; the feeling of being at home. If Ed had kissed him then, Stede would’ve surrendered like a wave to the shore. “Why didn’t you?” Stede asked, and then, with a breath and a bite of his lip, “You could kiss me now.”

“You’re right, I could,” Ed replied, pulling Stede into the relative shelter of the bandstand and pressing him against one of the pillars. “Are you seduced already, then?” He hovered his mouth over Stede’s, hot breath mingling in the cold air, a smile playing about his lips. “Time to seal the deal with a kiss?”

“I…” Stede hesitated. A moment ago he had been so desperate for Ed to kiss him, but now that he was faced with the prospect of it actually happening, it felt wrong. Too soon. As maddening as it was to have Ed so closely within reach and not take that final step, he wasn’t ready for this part to be over yet. “I kind of like not kissing you. Am I mad for saying that? The anticipation—”

“Drives you fucking crazy, doesn’t it? But it feels good, too. Wanting, and not getting.”

“It makes it so potent, every time you touch me. You look at me and I can almost taste you.”

Ed was painted gold in the sunset light, warm and soft and so achingly beautiful as he cupped Stede’s face in his hands and smiled. “You can taste me on Friday,” he whispered, full of promise.

On Wednesday, Ed made another morning tea delivery to the Cleanery. This time it was a sencha green tea that had been blended with little fruit pieces and flower petals, which proved to be a light and refreshing antidote to the dreary morning’s work. He didn’t linger, just dropped the drink off with a smile and kiss on the cheek and a promise of more later, but as Stede sewed and ironed and folded he sipped the tea and felt as though Ed was there with him.

At lunchtime, Ed returned with two carefully-packed sandwich bags and a thermos, which contained an usual concoction of red tea and cocoa and peppermint and tasted like a warm and creamy hug. He’d brewed the tea and made the sandwiches himself at home, and laid them out proudly on the battered little coffee table in the backroom of the Cleanery. They ate cuddled together on the ancient, creaking sofa, heads together, knees pressed close, talking softly about small things.

Ed was back again with another cup of tea at the end of the day, waiting patiently at the door as the Cleanery was closed up for the evening. It was a classic Earl Grey that had been blended with lavender for a soothing, relaxing aroma, and Stede sipped it gratefully, feeling all the little stresses of the day melt away in the steam.

Ed walked Stede home, his warm hand in Stede’s cold one, and on the doorstep to Stede’s building Ed stopped and pulled him into a close embrace, and placed a soft, lingering kiss against his cheek. As he started to pull back, Stede clenched his fingers into the lapels of Ed’s jacket and held him close, nuzzling noses. He thought of what he’d said yesterday, in the bandstand, about anticipation and potency. Having steeped all day in the heady waters of Ed’s tender care and affection, his resolve was not as strong now as it had been the day before.

Stede licked his lips and opened his mouth and made a plaintive noise in the back of his throat. “I want…” he whispered, pulling tighter against Ed’s jacket.

“I know,” Ed whispered back, unfurling Stede’s fingers one by one, and placing a kiss against them when he was done. “Friday.”

On Thursday, a string of messages popped up on Stede’s phone throughout his work day. They were mostly selfies from Ed while he was running errands and doing chores at home, interspersed with some random nonsense thoughts and wildly chaotic strings of emojis. It was all very sweet and innocent at first, but as the day wore on and the chores got boring, the selfies and the thoughts and the emojis all started turning towards one very specific direction.

At the third photo of Ed looking up into the camera with his big doe eyes and a finger in his mouth, Stede had to remove himself to the staff toilet in order to try and calm down.

If he really wanted to calm down though, he wouldn’t have brought his phone with him. He was already nursing a semi, and as he sat down on the lowered toilet seat, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and began to scroll back and forth through some of the more tantalising photos.

A few shots of Ed in the mirror, posing in various outfits, hip cocked and arm stretched up above his head; some close-ups, hair tucked behind his ear, showing off a little dangly earring and also coincidentally the long line of his neck; and then some lying on a sofa, hair splayed in waves, Stede’s pink bird shirt unbuttoned and open around his shoulders, hand slung tantalisingly low in the waistband of some cashmere joggers.

Stede started to wonder what it might be like, if he was there in the photos as well. Standing behind Ed while he posed in front of the mirror, hands snaking around his waist, nuzzling into his hair. Running his fingers along the line of Ed’s neck as he showed off his earring, placing teasing little kisses in that soft space under the earlobe. Climbing onto the sofa and straddling Ed’s thighs, pulling his waistband down all the way, exposing him to Stede’s hungry touch.

It was enough to take Stede from semi-hard to completely, achingly hard. He absolutely could not jerk off at work, no way, but maybe he could just send Ed a little something back, something to show that his photos were very much appreciated?

Stede leaned back against the cistern, cupped his hand around the very obvious outline of his dick showing through his trousers, and snapped a photo. Was this good? Was this sexy? He was pretty sure that it was. Ed had seemed to be very taken with the outline of his dick last Saturday, after all.

He sent the picture off before he could second-guess himself, and although it was immediately marked as seen, it took a couple of minutes before Ed’s response came back.

Another photo. It was cropped close, just the top half of Ed’s torso and arms, the smooth column of his neck, the plush curve of his open mouth. One hand was draped over his chest, fingers resting in the slight dip of his sternum, and there was— he had—

Ed’s chest was wet. It wasn’t water. It was something thicker, stickier, white, and Stede was suddenly very light-headed. He sternly told himself again that jerking off at work was absolutely out of the question.

With sweaty, shaking fingers, he typed out, Thank you very much that’s very nice I am going to appreciate this properly later when I am not at work.

He slumped back and rubbed a hand over his face, as Ed sent a string of laughing emojis in reply. He’d never been so deliciously, painfully horny in his life. God, he wanted to fuck Ed so fucking bad.

Friday, Ed had said. Friday. One more day.

***

On Friday, nerves having bubbled up all day towards boiling point, Stede spent an inordinately long time picking his outfit. There was no question over whether he should wear a suit or not; a suit was his go-to and he was deathly allergic to wearing jeans, but should it be formal? Casual? Patterned? Plain? Classic cut, or something a little more jazzy? Deep down, he knew that Ed would like whatever he wore, but fussing over suit options gave Stede something to focus on that wasn’t his screaming nerves, and by the time he eventually arrived at a decision he was feeling considerably less frazzled.

He was going to wear his pistachio-coloured suit. It was a perfectly proportioned classic style, made up in a light and fluid wool fabric with an elegant shawl collar and a fun little triangular flap on the breast pocket for a little whimsy. The clean lines and exquisite fit made it timeless and refined, while the light, airy colour and tortoiseshell buttons kept it casual. He paired it with a pale lavender t-shirt in a fine linen jersey, and another of Ed’s silk scarves knotted loosely about his neck.

Yes, he was definitely onto a winner with this one. It wasn’t a suit that he got much wear out of in his old life, but on the few occasions he had taken it out for a spin he’d felt terribly chic — at least, until someone had given him an odd look and he’d started to doubt all his choices and put the suit at the back of his wardrobe until he worked up the courage to wear it again. Putting the suit on didn’t take any courage this time; it went on easy as anything, and Stede looked at himself in the mirror and felt good about what he saw. And to top it all off, it looked very striking against the bouquet of flowers he’d bought earlier, ready to present to Ed at his doorstep.

Ed lived in one of the early-to-mid-1800s terraces near the seafront, a very desirable location and one that Stede became increasingly more jealous of as he walked down the tree-lined street. The front of his house was elegantly curved, with tall sash windows and a little cast iron balcony on the first floor, and the door was painted a very fetching midnight blue.

Stede smoothed a calming hand over his hair and rolled his shoulders to dislodge any lingering tension, held the bouquet of flowers behind his back, and knocked.

Ed opened the door, and the greeting that Stede had been carefully practising in his head stuttered and died on the tip of his tongue. Ed was wearing black jeans, which was fine, and an apron, which was also fine; but he didn’t have a top on underneath the apron, and also his hair was all tied up in a high ponytail with Stede’s silk fucking scarf, which showed off the lovely shape of his neck and reminded Stede once again just why Ed had his scarf in the first place and oh dear, Stede really should stop gawking and get inside before he fainted.

“Welcome to Ed Teach’s Bar and Grill. There’s no bar, or grill, but you are allowed to grope the staff,” Ed said with a little giggle and a wink. “Come on in— oh, are those for me?”

Stede had regained enough of his senses to bring his hand out from behind his back and thrust the bunch of flowers at Ed. Yellow lilies, pink camellias, a few stems of blue salvia, and a little spray of edelweiss; it had wiped out most of the money in Stede’s bank account, but eating only tinned beans and old bread until payday was a small price to pay for the look on Ed’s face.

“No-one’s ever bought me flowers before,” he said, a little dumbfounded. “I— fuck, I don’t think I even own a vase.”

“I’m sure we can find something inside that’ll do just fine,” Stede said, still looking mostly at Ed’s chest where it disappeared beneath the apron. “Shall we?”

They headed inside, and Ed showed Stede through to the living room. His house was very bare; it looked like he’d only just moved in that morning. But it did mean that Stede could take in all the gorgeous original period features, which were bountiful: carved plaster ceiling roses, stepped skirting boards, a cast-iron fireplace, and the most beautiful little acanthus leaf corbels in the hallway.

Ed stood awkwardly in the doorway, fiddling with the ties of his apron. “The last owner was into that minimalism shit. Left all those nice details that you’re cooing over, but stripped everything else back to its bones and just chucked a bucket of white paint over everything.”

“It’s… very striking,” Stede said cautiously, as he removed his coat and laid it over the arm of the sofa. “Very bright.”

“Feels like a waiting room at the doctor's office. I want to decorate, y’know, make it nice and homey and stuff, but I’ve just got no idea how.”

“Well let’s find a cup or something to put these flowers in, flowers will make any home look inviting.”

They went into the kitchen, which was just as big and bare and clinical as the living room. The one spot of colour was a little tin, sitting on the counter next to a kettle: it was a lovely rich blue, and painted with tiny yellow flowers. Stede recognised it immediately as a tea caddy, same as the one Ed had bought for him.

After a bit of rummaging, Ed produced a tall tupperware tub, the kind normally used for storing pasta. He filled it with water, placed it on the white marble breakfast bar that dominated the room, and then plopped the flowers inside. He took a step back to appraise his handiwork, seemed to find it acceptable, and then turned to the stove to check on whatever it was that was simmering away in a large pot.

“That smells delicious,” Stede said, inhaling deeply. “What are we having?”

“Boil up, figured it’d be nice on a chilly night like tonight. My mum used to make it for me, sometimes. Can’t remember the last time I had it, to be honest. Never tried making it for myself, even though I love it.”

Stede looked at him, softly. “Treating yourself doesn’t always have to involve luxurious extravagances and heaps of money, does it? Sometimes it’s just rediscovering something that fell by the wayside.”

Ed sniffed and danced his eyes away, then began to dump out some flour into a mixing bowl. “Mum always did the rēwena bread too, but I’m not that handy. Doughboys are easy though, just flour and salt and water.”

“You know, it’s also what you do in a place that makes it feel homey, not just how you decorate it.” Stede glanced around at the cavernous kitchen with its cold tile and bare walls, and then at the sticky dough covering Ed’s hands, and the bright spray of flowers in the tupperware tub. “Feels better in here already,” he said with a smile.

Ed smiled back, as he shaped the dough into little dumplings and stray clouds of flour drifted to land on his arms. “It’s because you’re in here, wearing that sexy fuckin’ suit. I’ll just put these in the pot and then food’ll be ready in about ten, fifteen minutes. Do you wanna drink?”

“Oh, fab, yes please. What’s on offer?”

“I’ve got the usual suspects, tea, coffee, milk, water, some really old orange juice that will probably kill you. But there’s also a fancy little mocktail I can make, if you want to try?”

That caught Stede a little off guard. For some reason, he had assumed that Ed was the type of guy to have an expensive, extensively-stocked drinks cabinet full of all kinds of aged whiskeys and triple-distilled spirits. “...You don’t drink?”

“Yeah, I… sorry, I should’ve told you. Some people get weird about it,” Ed said, hesitantly. “You can drink if you want though, I don’t mind, I can run to the shop right now and get you whatever you want,” he added hastily, and then paused. The look on his face was familiar; Stede had seen a more wounded, raw version of it before on their trip to the department store, standing in the changing room in that silky t-shirt. “I used to drink, used to do a lot of stuff, but nothing good ever came of it. My, um, my dad was a drinker.”

And in that moment Stede knew, with unwavering certainty, that he would never touch alcohol around Ed. Not for all the money in the world. “I’d love to try the mocktail,” he said.

Stede didn’t realise just how much tension Ed was holding in his body until it all suddenly evaporated in a little cloud of relief and excitement. “Fuckin’ great, it’s a classic sidecar recipe but you’re not gonna believe this man, it’s got tea in it. Tea and marmalade! And honey! Instead of the brandy! Mental.” Ed went to the fridge and pulled out a chilled jug of tea, chattering away while he assembled the rest of his ingredients and began pouring measures into a dented old cocktail shaker. “It’s lapsang souchong tea, got it from Jackie’s. Gives it that smokiness, and then the honey sweetens it up. Marmalade instead of the triple sec, lemon juice and ice as normal, then just give it a good old shake around and voila! Fancy drink.”

He poured the golden liquid through a sieve and into two squat glass tumblers. They toasted to the wonders of tea and marmalade, and looked at each other over the rim of their glasses as they drank.

Unfortunately for Stede, when the drinks had been made and the dishes and cutlery set out in readiness on the breakfast bar, and all they had left to do was wait for dinner to finish cooking, Ed finally had space in his brain to realise that he was still topless, and went to make himself decent.

He put on a woollen sweater which was in a lovely shade of deep inky teal, and in a very happy turn of events it had been knitted in such a way as to have a fingertip-sized hole every inch or so, laid out in a neat grid over the entirety of the garment. It was almost more tantalising this way; while the full expanse of Ed’s tattooed chest and back being on display was very, very nice, having it revealed in flashing little glimpses was even nicer. Stede was suddenly very aware of the fact that they still hadn’t kissed, but he just sat with the feeling, letting it roll around inside his chest. He took another sip of his drink and admired the view, feeling warm and syrupy inside.

“Figured it was better that I take it off rather than get it covered in flour and bits of pig, since it was kind of expensive,” Ed said sheepishly. “No harm though, since you got a nice eyeful, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I did. But I’m enjoying all these little eyefuls too.”

Soon enough, dinner was ready, and Ed ladled the boil up into two large, shallow bowls. The aroma was divine, thick and comforting and deliciously savoury, and Stede breathed in deeply as Ed placed the bowl before him on the breakfast bar.

“There we are. Made with love,” Ed said, and then realised what he’d just said. “Not like… I don’t mean that I— not that I don’t, you know, but— you know what I mean, right?”

“I know,” Stede said kindly, and he did know what Ed meant. Maybe they hadn’t quite blossomed into love yet, but they were planting their garden and sending down roots and watering the tender young shoots; they were cultivating love, tending to the tight bud of it that was aching to unfurl. They were taking their pleasure in the happy anticipation of seeing it grow, the warm excitement of the bountiful harvest. It was a wonderful feeling. “Let’s eat.”

There was nothing like hot broth on a cold day, and Stede could feel it seeping into his bones. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a meal this nice, a meal made with love. In his old life, food was invariably ordered in, or impersonally prepared by chefs. It wasn’t a vehicle for giving love, and there had never been any love to give anyway.

They sat on stools at the corner of the breakfast bar, and were both quiet as they ate, enjoying good food and good drink and most importantly, enjoying making eyes at each other. Stede let his mind drift over the strange turn his life had taken these past several weeks, ever since Ed had spoken to him in the café. Funny how so small and innocent a thing could snowball so quickly into… whatever this was that they were doing.

And what was it exactly? Were they officially boyfriends now? Were they dating casually? There was absolutely nothing about the situation that felt casual, especially not when Stede thought about the eye-wateringly expensive silk scarves sitting in his flat, and the fact that they were skirting carefully around the word ‘love’. Perhaps Ed could shed a little light on what he thought it was that they were doing.

“You know, Lucius said something funny the other week, when he stopped by the Cleanery. He said that you were my sugar daddy. Not sure what he meant by that, to be honest,” Stede said mildly, and Ed spluttered into his drink.

“Um. You know what a sugar daddy is, right?”

“Well, I… Lucius didn’t bother to explain it to me, and I can’t say that googling it has been top of my list of priorities lately. Is it bad?”

“Not really, no, but people can be quite judgemental about it. It’s… well…” Ed stopped to take a huge bite of potato, and chewed thoughtfully for a while. “A sugar daddy is someone you enter into a relationship with so that they’ll buy you stuff, or like give you an allowance, pay your rent, shit like that. In return you do sex stuff. Not always, some sugar relationships are completely sexless. But a lot of them are a kind of tit-for-tat money and sex thing. That’s… not what we’re doing. We’re not doing that.”

As if they weren’t doing that. It sounded like exactly what they’d been doing. “Aren’t we? You’ve bought me lots of things. Very expensive things.” Stede waited a few seconds for dramatic effect, and then: “And now I very much want to have sex with you.”

Ed spluttered for a second time. “Fucking hell, man. Yeah, I have bought you a lot of very expensive stuff. But that’s not why you want to have sex, is it?”

“No.”

“And I’m not buying it so that you’ll have sex with me. So I’m not your sugar daddy.”

“Okay, well, I suppose that makes sense.” Stede paused for a moment. “Unless…?”

Ed’s eyes suddenly got very sharp and intense. “Unless?”

“Unless you are though. I mean, what we’re doing is close enough, right? And I know how it looks to other people. We kind of fell into it by accident, but now that we’re here… might as well lean into it. I like it. And I think you like it too.”

“I like it very much.”

“So why not call it what it is? And you can carry on taking care of me, providing for me, indulging me,” Stede murmured, leaning in close, looking at Ed’s mouth, “and I can carry on doing this.” He caught Ed’s lips in a soft, teasing kiss, their first in a week. Ed’s fork clattered as it hit the counter, and when Stede pulled back Ed chased after his retreating mouth.

“You were always so skittish,” Ed murmured, cupping a hand around the curve of Stede’s neck and rubbing a thumb over his cheek. His fingers trailed down, stroking over the silk at Stede’s throat. “I’m meant to be seducing you, but now you’re talking like this, driving me fucking crazy… What changed?”

Stede looked down at his mostly-empty bowl of food, thoughtful. Something had certainly changed; or rather, it wasn’t something, but everything, and it had been changing imperceptibly by small degrees, ever since their first meeting, and only now looking back could he see how different he had become. Old Stede never would’ve found it so easy to just be with Ed in this new way, playful and carefree. “I don’t know,” he said, slowly. “I think, maybe on some level I still expected it to be awful, you know? That was the entirety of my experience, just awful, awkward situations where I wasn’t enjoying myself and neither was the other person, and I suppose I just assumed that it would always be like that, and I just had to find someone who was worth suffering for.”

“Stede—”

“You remember when I said— on the phone, when we, you know. I said I had no idea it could feel like that. That wasn’t an exaggeration. It was the first enjoyable sexual experience I ever had. And, well, now that I know how good it can all be, how good you make it for me, I feel… safe, and happy, and like I’m free to just… do what comes naturally. Like you said.”

“So you’re a natural fuckin’ flirt then, are you? Saucy Stede, ready to bat your eyelashes and sit in my lap?”

“Maybe not quite like that,” Stede said, smiling, “but yes. I have a lifetime of hideous self-esteem issues to unpack, and I know that some things will always be a struggle. But when I’m with you, it’s easier. You make it easy.”

“I’m so gone for you,” Es said simply, and in those words Stede heard all the curiosity and attention and affection and desire that had built up over the weeks, and the promise of so much more to come.

They fell into another comfortable silence, finishing off the small remainders of their food and swirling the final sips of their drinks around in their glasses.

“Sugar baby,” Edward said, after he tipped the last drop of his drink into his mouth. “That’s what you’d be. My sugar baby. Kept and doted on, wanting for nothing.” He turned on his stool to face Stede more fully, and ran his fingertips over the back of Stede’s hand where he’d rested it on the marble countertop. “Maybe I should move you into my house, keep you like a little pet. Would you like that?” His voice was very low, and Stede shivered.

“Yes,” he said, a little breathless.

“My pretty little thing, all dressed up in finery, bought and paid for. Sweet and greedy and demanding.”

Their faces were very close, and their breath hot. Stede leaned in a fraction, just enough for the barest brush of lips. “Take me upstairs,” he whispered.

Ed stood up from his stool, and immediately fell to the floor with a loud, “FUCK!”

The atmosphere, so thick and heavy with desire a moment ago, was cut in two with all the shock of a bucket of cold water to the face.

“Oh god, Ed, are you okay? Are you hurt? Let me help you up…” Stede bent down and took Ed’s arms in his, holding him while he got his legs under himself again. Slowly they stood together, Ed leaning unsteadily against Stede’s body. “What happened?” Stede asked, voice shrill with worry.

“Stupid fucking piece of shit knee. Fuck! It just gives out sometimes, no warning. Fuckin’. Fuck.” He winced in pain, and leaned more heavily against Stede. “Hurts for ages afterwards. Can’t put any weight on it. Fucking hell.”

“Is there anything I can do to help? Do you need your brace? I’ll get it for you, where is it?” Stede lowered Ed gingerly back onto his stool, and started pacing the kitchen, opening cupboards and drawers and absurdly the fridge, even though it made absolutely no sense for Ed to keep his brace there.

Ed sighed in frustrated resignation. “Brace won’t do much good now. This is basically a death sentence for the rest of our evening, just so you know. Can’t fuckin’ do anything when it’s like this. At least it gave out after dinner…”

Stede gave up his search for the brace and came back to Ed, running his hands fretfully over his leg. “Is there a salve, ice, a heat pad or something, anything I can put on it for you? Do you need a massage?” He had absolutely no idea how to massage a dodgy knee, but if it was Ed needed, he would give it his best shot.

“Stede, you gotta stop clucking over me like a mother hen. I’ll be okay. Just… help me up to the bathroom, will you? A boiling hot soak is usually the only thing that helps ease it a bit.”

“Absolutely, yes, I can do that. Get your arm around me. Where is it, up the stairs, yes? Right. You ready? Let’s go.”

Slowly, awkwardly, with many hisses from Ed and worried yelps from Stede, between them they managed to manoeuvre Ed up the staircase and into the bathroom. It was similarly bare like the rest of the house, save for a messy little pile of lavender shampoo bars and— wow—

“What an incredible bathtub! Gosh, it’s just beautiful. Is it original? Absolutely outstanding. The colour! So vibrant! What a luxury…”

Ed eased himself down onto a little wooden stool, quite forgotten as Stede continued to gush over the big copper bathtub.

“Stede.”

“Hm?” he said distractedly, still admiring the tub and running a hand over the curved edge.

“I’m still damaged here.”

“Oh right, of course, sorry Edward. Shall I run the bath? I’ll run the bath. Oh, I love these taps…”

Stede fussed around, repeatedly checking the temperature of the water, and adding in a generous dollop of muscle soak bubble bath that he found in a cupboard. While the bath slowly filled with steaming water and a frankly ridiculous amount of foamy bubbles, Ed removed his sweater, and Stede politely averted his gaze.

“You’re allowed to look,” Ed said with a little laugh. “It’s not like you’ve not already seen it. Might need a bit of help getting the trousers off, actually. Bending the knee isn’t really an option right now.”

Right. Of course he was allowed to look. Ed wanted him to look. That was all part of flirting, wasn’t it? Looking, being looked at. Playing around with it. Enjoying it.

Stede crouched down next to Ed’s outstretched leg, and carefully began to work his trousers down. “Not quite how I pictured this going,” Stede said, a little coy.

“Been picturing it, have you?”

“Oh, a little bit here and there, yes. It’s just a fantasy, though. I’ve been told the real thing is far better. Do you, um… want a towel? For your modesty.” Stede gestured at Ed’s crotch, covered now only by the thin fabric of his underwear. “I know you said I’m allowed to look, but I don’t want to presume about what exactly that includes.”

“Such a gentleman. Towels are in the airing cupboard,” Edward said with a small smile.

Once appropriately covered, Ed stood on one wobbly leg and shimmied his underwear down beneath the towel. With a steadying hand and many worried noises from Stede, he managed to get into the bathtub, removing the towel and chucking it with a wet slap onto the floor once he was covered by the mountains of bubbles. As he sank further into the soothing water, his eyes drifted closed and he let out the deepest, throatiest moan Stede had ever heard.

After a couple of minutes spent adjusting to the heat and enjoying the weightlessness in his leg, Ed opened his eyes and said, “You don’t have to stay, if you don’t want to. This is definitely not how I was planning for the evening to go. Can’t believe I got cockblocked by my own fucking knee.”

Stede pulled the little wooden stool around to the side of the bath, and sat himself down on it. He combed gentle fingers through the hair at Ed’s temple, and Ed leaned into the touch with a sigh. “I want to stay. The evening’s not wasted.”

“No?”

“No, because now I get to look at you in the bath. You’re very beautiful.”

“More beautiful than the tub itself?”

“Well I’m not sure abou— hey! I was joking!” Stede yelped, as Ed splashed him with water. “The tub might as well be a pig trough, compared to you.”

“Weird compliment, but okay. Keep ‘em coming.”

“In a room full of exquisite cashmere shawls, the only thing I would want wrapped around me is you.”

“That’s a bit more like it. Carry on.”

“You have eyes like a baby cow.”

“Um.”

“What I mean is— you have beautiful eyes, very big and dark with very long lashes, and I get a bit gooey if I look at them for too long.”

“Just think. If tonight had gone how I’d planned, you could’ve been whispering all these sweet nothings to me in bed,” Ed said with a wry smile. “I’d have been putty in your hands, doing anything you wanted.”

“Now you’re just taking the piss,” Stede said, and splashed water back at Ed. “But… say your knee hadn’t given out, and this had all gone how you wanted it to… what would be happening right now? What would we be doing?” he asked, quiet. He kept his hand in the water, swirling it around his fingers, close to Ed’s body.

Ed shifted about a little, and water sloshed up over his chest, leaving a shiny, wet trail of bubbles in its wake. The room was thick with steam, making everything soft and hazy, and Ed’s voice was low when he said, “We’d be in my bedroom. I’d get on my knees for you. Touch you. Get you hard. Finish the job I started at your place last week, let you use my mouth however you wanted. Then I’d crawl onto the bed and arch my back and ask you to fuck me.”

Ever so gently, Stede moved his hand and brushed his wet fingers over Ed’s nipple. He stayed there, toying with the piercing, while Ed looked at him, heavy-lidded, open-mouthed. “And then what?”

“Then… then you’d kiss me, deep and slow, and push my legs open. Kiss down my body, maybe… maybe suck my dick a little. Then you’d, ah, fuck—”

Stede had started to pinch Ed’s nipple, not ever so hard, but hard enough. “Too much? I know how sensitive you can be.” He moved to rub and squeeze the muscle instead, palm sliding over wet skin.

“You’re a fucking menace, Stede. Fuck.” Ed arched into the touch, and his breath quickened.

“Seems that way, doesn’t it?” Stede had never felt like this before in his life. Almost— powerful. It was heady, the way Ed reacted so strongly to just his touch and a few whispered words. “Anyway, you were in the middle of telling me what I was going to do to you. Please continue.”

“God, where was I? Um. You’d— lick me. You know. Fuckin’, eat me out. Get me nice and wet and ready for you.”

Stede began to slide his hand down Ed’s chest and stomach, beneath the water level. He felt the first tickling little brush of hair when Ed grabbed his wrist and held him still.

“If— if you touch me there, Stede, I’m not gonna be able to control myself and I will bend over for you right here. I want to, god I fucking want to so fucking much, but my knee just can’t take it right now.” He moved Stede’s hand back up to his chest, and slid his fingers against his nipple again. “Stay here. I’ll do the rest.”

“Whatever you want, darling,” Stede murmured, and then leaned in for a slow, luxurious kiss. Ed’s mouth felt so fucking good against his, the hot, velvet slide of his lips and tongue, and Stede had no idea how he’d managed to survive the past week without having this every day.

Ed sank his hand back beneath the water. The muscles in his arm flexed as he worked himself, and soon enough he was breaking the kiss and whimpering into Stede’s mouth.

“You feel so good, Edward,” Stede whispered, as he carried on squeezing and tugging at his nipples. He hadn’t planned to touch himself as well, in the moment wanting only to take care of Ed and distract him from his pain, but having Ed wet and whimpering beneath him like that was more than Stede could handle. He flicked open the button on his trousers, carefully drew down the zipper, and slipped his free hand inside.

“Fuck. When you fucking said that— on the phone— drove me fucking wild, I couldn’t believe it—”

“It just came out. I was thinking about you, couldn’t help it.”

Ed’s breath was very fast, chest heaving, hand jerking rapidly beneath the water. His other hand came to Stede’s neck, fingers hooking over the silk scarf, pulling him closer. “What were you thinking?”

“How… how good it felt to have you inside me, how much I loved it. I know it was just a toy, but in the moment it was you, Edward. Fuck. It felt like you.” Stede was in three places at once: in his bed, on the phone, listening to Ed tell him that he could take it; in his fantasy, where instead of a dildo it was Ed pushing his way inside, hot and relentless; and here, in the bathroom, watching Ed become a writhing mess in the water. “Hearing your voice, those words, telling me that you were— oh god, fuck, saying you were fucking me deep just like I deserved, that’s what made me come.”

Hidden by the side of the tub, Ed couldn’t see Stede’s lap, but he could see the tension in his arm, the tight frantic movement, and the deep flush in Stede’s cheeks. “Are you—?”

“Yes—”

“Oh fuck, fuck, Stede—”

Ed yanked Stede in for another kiss, but only managed a brief wet slide of lips before he was moaning against Stede’s mouth and coming hard in the water. His body shook in ripples and waves, and Stede kissed him through it as he followed Ed over the edge and came in a messy splatter into his palm.

They took a moment, just to breathe and exist with each other, an echo of the last time they did this. But this time, instead of deflecting and minimising and talking of other things, Stede said, “I hope you’ll agree that your seduction has proved… quite successful.”

“Yeah? Does that mean I get to keep you?”

Stede smiled warmly, heart thudding in his chest, as he said, “I’m yours.”

Afterwards, Stede helped Edward to his bedroom and got him settled on the bed, leg propped up on some cushions and phone, laptop, emergency walking stick, and a big glass of water all within easy reach. It was a little early still to be ending a date, but it had already been a perfect evening and Stede felt there was nothing he’d missed out on. Besides, he knew that if he stayed and watched TV shows in bed with Edward, soon they would stop watching and start doing other things and that would not end well at all for Ed’s knee.

They kissed goodbye once, twice, seven times. When Stede left the house, he stood on the street and gazed up at Ed’s bedroom window, the warm light spilling out into the dark like a beacon.