#addition just to be clear: i have nothing against people in need asking for help on the internet

[julietcpulet]

Jinmao and Power Dynamics

I’ve seen this debated a lot and have put my thoughts on it here and there but wanted to do kind of a master post on it. I'm only really focusing on the anime because while I know future details from the LN it's a lot to include and I think most of this back and forth centers on the way people see them currently in the anime.

There’s this general consensus that because we know Jinshi has more overall status and power in the world of Apothecary Diaries, MaoMao is automatically at the disadvantage. I’d say that notion isn’t true at all. While our modern idea is wanting to view everything through a lens of “power = bad” and the person who has it must want to use it to hurt others, we need to consider that it’s the person who determines what having power means. And if they chose to use it for the betterment of others then it’s not always a bad thing to have it in that case. Power can be given by someone who’s in the position to give it too. Jinshi may hold the power but he willingly lets it go just as often. MaoMao may not have much actual status but her superior intellect usually puts her in the power position over others as she understands more than they do.

How this works out for their relationship is easy to see. While Jinshi is quickly seen to be the one who has the greater status, he never uses it to coerce or make MaoMao do what he wants. If anything she rarely does things in the way anyone imagined and he uses his position to protect her where her own behavior might’ve gotten her into trouble overstepping.

People have mentioned that MaoMao cannot go against Jinshi now because he owns her as a servant, having bought her from the Verdigirs House. I think we’re forgetting that MaoMao agreed Jinshi taking her from there was her best option. Remember that Jinshi actually thought he was honoring her wishes in letting her go from the palace. MaoMao is the one who stupidly got herself fired thinking she couldn’t be honest with Jinshi and needed to play mental gymnastics, only to regret it. It was only when she owned up that it wasn’t what she wanted and they had a miscommunication that he again tried to find a way to help her in the best way he could, by buying her back and bringing her in as his servant. He then proceeds to never actually treat her as a servant. Instead he lets her go back to functioning almost as if nothing has changed.

Although MaoMao talks about that official / servant relationship in her head, we see she goes against it all the time. She bickers with him, she challenges his assumptions and also, he allows it. In this way it’s clear that while on the surface Jinshi has all the power, he in essence hands it to MaoMao and she feels safe to engage in this mutual back and forth with him. If anything, MaoMao is often the more “powerful” one in their dynamic as she can be rude to Jinshi, ignore him and objectify him in ways we don't see him do with her. Jinshi on the other hand is careful towards her, if occasionally teasing and hesitant to go beyond what he perceives as a limit. 

For instance, he asks MaoMao before he touches her at the Verdigris House and doesn’t pester her for additional affection. When he holds her otherwise it’s almost out of necessity like when she’s injured after saving him and again when she falls after he startles her from the dance. The times when he's perceived to go beyond boundaries are usually moments when they're bantering, there's a vulnerability on either side or MaoMao is being dense and Jinshi is one of the few willing to challenge her. Examples can be like the scene where he holds onto her after she falls from the wall and him "checking" MaoMao with the head butt after she's somewhat unknowingly flirty trying to get the ox bezoar. She has sympathy on him when she sees he's upset in the first instance and in the second is only frustrated about her bezoar but doesn't think twice about Jinshi's actions, to her what they're doing is normal for them.

Jinshi is one of the few people MaoMao allows to push her on her lack of awareness related to others emotions. By persisting he's actually brought her closer to being able to relate to him and others, not just because she has to but because she might want to. And while it'll seem like a misuse of power to do these things at times, for someone like MaoMao who struggles to understand and express emotion, him using this "leverage" so to speak may be the best thing he can do for her.

This power imbalance question has come up a lot with the frog scene. I see it this way, Jinshi's the one initially uncomfortable but MaoMao persists and he doesn’t roll her off or dismiss her. He gently sets her down and tries to speak to her. It’s MaoMao who sets off their bickering. And even when Jinshi lays her down, he’s cautious and careful with her. If she felt like she were in danger in that cave there were ways to back out and she knew that. But that’s what says to me she knew there was no real threat in that moment. Were she and Jinshi overheated and pushed past their limit? Probably. Was Jinshi using his status to take things too far? Absolutely not. He was being a bit childish in the moment maybe but even MaoMao admits she provoked him and he was doing what he always does, reading MaoMao to see what is acceptable. And when she doesn’t move or object he doesn’t stop right away. He’s always listened to her when she’s been uncomfortable. I’ve done an analysis already on why I don’t think MaoMao fully objected to being in the position she was in in the cave but it certainly wasn’t due to power dynamics.

We’ve seen times before that when MaoMao truly felt cornered she could be frightening. During the whole Lakan plot when they ended up in the pleasure district and Jinshi asked her that displeasing question, he knew immediately she wasn’t happy with what he’d asked. He tries to diffuse the situation but she shakes him off and walks away. Then later when he approaches her about meeting "that weirdo" she turns on Jinshi with the look he said he would “never want to see again”. So it’s been made clear that MaoMao can make her feelings known if she wants to and Jinshi takes notice.

She and Jinshi goad each other and go back and forth all the time in a way that breaks the boundaries between their stations. If MaoMao truly cared about not angering him she’d always be submissive but she knows she can tease him because he won’t hurt her. Will they sometimes go to far? Probably, they are only 19 and 18 at this point and two people who’ve been raised with emotional issues they have to work through. But the point is that they’re working it out. 

We’re so used to taking power dynamics at face value, if one has the higher status then we assume they’re going to use it to harm or manipulate the other one. But with Jinmao that simply isn’t the case. Jinshi may have the upper hand on the outside but he submits to MaoMao easily every time. He gives her control because he wants to even though he doesn’t have to. That’s what it means to have real power, knowing you can take over the situation but not always doing it out of the best interest for the other person. He helps MaoMao and is good to her by using his better status often to her advantage.

In the end it’s been proven in a multitude of ways that MaoMao trusts Jinshi and while both push each other’s limits, they know the other’s core character. So no, I don’t think power dynamics are a problem in their growing relationship. The only reason it causes them trouble is because of outside forces who impose the societal norms both Jinshi and MaoMao have no problem breaking. All in all it’s just a fictional couple and analysis for fun but I think sometimes modern sentiments have got us too fixated on this idea of making everything too black vs white, men vs women when Apothecary Diaries has been shown to give its characters a lot of nuance, realistically so almost. Anywho, thank you for coming to my TED talk 😂

[evilmenenjoyer]

Gratitude

Pairing: The Salesman x fem!Reader

SEQUEL to City of Love. Probably not a good fic to read as a stand-alone; read City of Love first for context.

Word count: 5.5k

Warnings: smut (minors dni), dubious consent, rough sex after a fight, degradation, dom/sub dynamics, bruising, marking, pain play/sadomasochism, mirror sex, manhandling, hurt/comfort (but mostly hurt), lots of angst.

Tags: @apookalypse @thecutiepieishere / I do not have an official taglist yet, but I'd be willing to make one if people were interested. If you'd like to be tagged in my fics, or in any additions to this story, let me know somehow!

–––

It's three days later when you see him again, just when you were convinced he left Paris for good.

You knew it would take a lot longer for the reminders of him to leave your mind as well as your body. He's in the marks his hands left on your hips, in the scrapes and faint bruises along your back from when he tossed and squeezed you against the brick wall, in the ghost of his lips on your skin. You can still feel them every time you close your eyes, hear his voice whisper your name against your neck as he came.

It shouldn't surprise you, after everything, to have him knock on your door right as you’re getting ready to have a night out. It still nearly takes your breath away to see him, looking as impeccable as usual in his dark gray suit, smiling as if his mere presence doesn't rock your world upside down a third time.

“What part of ‘don’t ever contact me again’ did you not understand?” you ask, though right away you can tell you don't sound nearly as firm and assertive as you’d like. You wonder if he can tell you hoped, against every rational thought in your brain, that he would come back.

Judging by his smile, you’d bet he can.

“I couldn't help myself,” he responds, raising his hands slightly in mock surrender. “Can I come in?”

That part of you that still clings to rationality, that can tell a good idea apart from a horrible one, lights up like a loud siren in your brain. There's nothing good that could possibly come out of this. Hasn't he toyed with you enough already? With his weird twisted games, tracking you down all the way to a foreign country, sending you off to those horrific games?

Still, you find yourself stepping aside, leaving a gap for him to come through. You’ve never been good at controlling your impulses, after all.

The apartment you’ve been renting for the time being stands in the heart of Paris. It looks exactly what you pictured a typical, glamorous Parisian apartment to look like – high walls, hardwood floors, large arched windows with a stunning view of the city and the Eiffel Tower. It's furnished with all the essentials, and nothing more. You didn't see the need to bring in new furniture or decorations when you didn't even know for how long you’d be staying in the city. At this point, you’re already considering moving on to somewhere else.

“Make yourself at home,” you say. “But I’m going out soon.”

“I see that.” His eyes run over you as he sits at the arm of the couch, shamelessly lingering on the black dress that hugs all your curves at the right spots. “Where are you going?”

“Out.”

You turn your back to him, looking for the earrings you had put down somewhere when you heard the knock on the door. You feel his body heat approach you from behind, his fingertips brushing against a red spot on your shoulder blade that the spaghetti straps of the dress fail to cover.

“Did I do this to you?”

His voice doesn't sound remorseful or apologetic at all. If only, there's a hint of pride to his tone, a small smile at the corner of his lip that you can tell is there without even looking at him. It should upset you, thinking of how roughly he pushed you against that wall, but it has goosebumps blooming all over your skin around the spot he touches.

“Who else would it be?” Your voice shakes ever so slightly against your will, and you clear your throat to get rid of it.

You expect him to pull back, but instead he inches even closer. He has to lean down to mold his chest to your back, his lips brushing the delicate skin of your neck when he speaks. “I can make it up to you.”

“Oh, really?” You turn your head just enough to chase after his lips. Screw the night out. He lets you capture them, indulging you in only a quick kiss before pulling away.

“I’m serious. I have something for you.”

“Oh.” You frown at the loss of contact, turning to face him. “What is it?”

“Close your eyes.”

Your frown deepens, and he raises his eyebrows at you. “Don't you trust me yet?” he asks.

No. Absolutely not. Still, what's the worst that can happen? What would he do while you have your eyes closed that he can't do right now; that he couldn't have done three nights ago at that bar, when you gave yourself to him so willingly?

You close your eyes, with a small sigh as if letting him know it's a nuisance. There's no real heat to it, and you both know it.

The Salesman’s hands find their way to your arms, guiding you further into the apartment. You follow his lead slowly, careful not to bump into any furniture or clutter you left around the place while picking an outfit and getting ready.

“You didn't have to give me a gift,” you say, still confused about what this is about. He stops walking the two of you, leaving you in an unknown part of the apartment. Your heart beats slightly faster than normal; distrustful, but excited. No man has ever bought you a gift before. Gifts are for girlfriends, for women they're trying to impress. Somehow, in all your years on this Earth, you’d missed out on being that woman to anyone.

“I was feeling romantic,” he explains. You feel something cold land over the exposed skin of your neck and chest, and he fiddles with a clasp at the nape of your neck. “Blame it on Paris. You can open your eyes.”

You do so, finding yourself standing in your bedroom, right in front of the large mirror resting against the wall. The necklace stands out against your skin – thin white gold chain and gemstones shining so bright you can immediately tell they're real, a ruby and a sapphire encrusted by tiny crystals. The color choice is an odd one for a necklace, prompting you to take a closer look. That's when any hints of a smile vanish from your face.

The gemstones are placed beside each other, the shapes and markings in them identical to those of the ddakji tiles you and the Salesman had played together in the subway station.

“I had it custom-made for you,” he says. Standing behind you, his reflection on the mirror takes up almost the entire background, but you don't pay him any mind. Your eyes are all but glued to the red and deep blue stones hanging from your neck, hoping against hope that you had seen it all wrong, that this was just a figment of your imagination and the real necklace will reveal itself if you just look hard enough.

It never does.

Reality hits you then. This isn’t some fun new fling, or the beginning of a Paris romance. This is the man who lured you into a horribly traumatic experience when you were at your most vulnerable, who came all the way from Seoul just to rub in your face that you didn't deserve to make it out of there alive. And now here he is. Prying his way into your apartment, your body, your mind. And you just let him.

Horror floods you, nearly pushing you to your knees right here. You touch the pendant with shaky fingers, and it takes everything in you not to grab the chain and yank it off your neck. Finally, your eyes meet the Salesman’s in the mirror.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

He blinks innocently. “You don't like it?”

“Why would you do this?” you ask, unsure of whether you want to burst into tears or slap him in the face.

His fingers join yours where they rest on the necklace, only grazing your skin on their way to touching the pendant. “I thought you'd like a reminder.”

That makes you spring into action, pulling away from him and pushing his hand away with a ferocity you didn't know you still had, not since the Squid Games.

“A reminder? What makes you think I want to remember that shit?” You raise your voice; something to make up for how small you feel, by the way you need to tilt your head to look him in the eye. “If I could erase that night from my memory for the rest of my life, I would.”

“I find that hard to believe. Would you erase our night together at the bar as well?” His eyes leave yours only to look back to the mirror behind you. “Look at you. Wearing those bruises so proudly.”

For a moment all you can do is stare at him, unable to believe the sheer audacity he has to stand in your house and say these things. The worst of it all is you can’t fully deny it – you picked the dress deliberately knowing it left the upper part of your back exposed, happy to catch glimpses of the bruises he left you with if you happened to stumble upon a mirror or reflective surface throughout the night.

“I would,” you insist. “What the fuck makes you think I’d want to remember the night that ruined my life?”

A laugh comes out of him; a short, but cruel sound. “I ruined your life, is that what you're saying?”

You scoff. “Don't act like you don't know you did.”

He steps even closer to you. You refuse to step back, even when it feels like his chest is about to bump into your forehead. “Your life,” he says, “was already shit way before I came around. Debt, an awful job, an even worse home, no future prospects, no friends. What exactly was there about your life that was good enough to be ruined?”

Rage consumes you to hear him talk like that about your old life. Things were bad, yes, but there was a positivity about you that's been lost ever since you stepped foot in those games. You could barely make ends meet, and your shifts were long and exhausting, but you had hopes of going to school, of turning your life around. Your home was a tiny, shitty house in an even shittier neighborhood, but you still took the effort to decorate it and try to make it feel more like a home. Where did that go? Now, you have all the money you could ever wish for, and all you do is spend it on clothes and expensive trips you don't even have the motivation to enjoy, your only goal being getting far away from Seoul.

“At least I felt like a fucking person! Do you even know what that’s like? Feeling human?” you all but yell, grateful for the language barrier in case any neighbors happen to be listening. “I’d never killed anyone. I’d never wanted to kill anyone! I didn't have nightmares, and I didn't wake up every day wondering if I deserve to be alive after everything I did to survive!”

“You had nothing,” he reminds you, his voice cold as the winter outside. “Not even your dignity. Or did you forget how we met? How you asked me to play ddakji with you, willing to get hit in the face repeatedly not for money, but just to have my attention?”

You hold back a sob, shaking your head furiously, but it's of no use. The words sting hard enough to bring tears to your eyes; it stings even more to know they're true. 

“Get out of my apartment,” you demand. You wish you'd never let him in. You wish you'd never met him at all.

“Things are different now,” he says, ignoring your order completely. “You’re rich, and you’ve matured. You’ll never struggle again in your life, if you're smart.”

“I said GET THE FUCK OUT!”

Finally at your breaking point, you push him, shoving at his chest as hard as you have the strength to. He barely budges. It's only then that you notice how cornered he’s got you, your back about to bump into the mirror.

He brings his hand towards your face, cupping your chin and forcing you to look higher up at him. You thrash and claw at his wrist, trying to push it away from you, but he only tightens his grip until it's almost painful. There’s a darkness in his eyes that’s unlike any expression you’ve ever seen on him.

“I made you stronger. You're a millionaire now because of me,” he says. “How about a little gratitude?”

Even from your position, you still manage an incredulous scoff at him. “Gratitude?”

“Yes.” A grin stretches the corner of his lips, not a trace of warmth of friendliness behind it. “You should be thankful I pulled you out of your misery.”

He moves faster than you’re ready to, grabbing you by the waist and tossing you down. You brace yourself for the impact of your head hitting the floor, gasping in surprise when your back bounces over the soft mattress instead. He hovers above you, using his heavier body to pin yours down before you even have the chance to start struggling against his grip.

“Get off me!”

“Calm down.” He holds both your wrists together with one hand, while the other manages to somehow pull your panties off your body, using your kicking legs as leverage. Your eyes widen in shock. “I’m just giving you another reminder.”

“W-what?” Your voice wavers with fear. All that fury is slowly but surely being replaced with it, or with a mixture of both feelings that leaves you heaving for breath.

He doesn't have to pull your dress up – your own struggle does it by itself, leaving the fabric rumpled up at your hips and your bottom exposed. You stop kicking him in an attempt to cover yourself, and he takes advantage of that fraction of a second to stick his knee on the spot on the mattress between your legs, stopping you from shutting them. You gasp, the heavy pressure on your core cutting off all your thoughts for a moment. You can think of nothing to do other than to yell for help.

As if reading your thoughts, his free hand covers your mouth.

You voice your displeasure through a muffled grunt. You keep on struggling, trying to kick him off you, but each movement unintentionally rubs your bare clit over his thigh that pins you down. He applies even more pressure and you cry out, mortified to feel heat pooling between your legs.

“Christ, you're wet. I can feel it.”

You can feel it too, the fabric of his pants damp and hot where it connects with you. You're torn on whether to keep fighting and essentially humping his leg or giving up, if only to have a few instants of relief.

“If you scream, I’ll slit your throat,” he warns in a hoarse whisper. “Do you understand?”

Out of options, you nod.

He releases your mouth, then your wrists. It occurs to you to scream anyway, but you force yourself to remember who you're dealing with. He wouldn’t give you empty threats. Anyone involved in bringing people into those games has no qualms about slitting your throat open and leaving you to bleed out on your silk sheets.

The Salesman makes his way down your body, now holding onto your legs with his hands.

“What the fuck are you doing?” you manage to ask, the answer rather obvious but it had all happened so fast, leaving you dazed and confused.

“Giving you yet another reason to be thankful to me.”

The sudden, damp feel of his tongue on your entrance overcomes your senses, and you wouldn't be able to hold back a shout if you tried.

Fortunately, he forgives you for it. You squirm under the sensations, but he holds your hips down against the mattress in a firm grip, immobilizing them completely and prying you open all at once. You hoist yourself up over your elbows only to be met with your own reflection on the mirror across the room, your hair a mess already and your face contorted in fear and pleasure and indignation all at once. You can’t bear to watch yourself like this, mortification entrenched into every muscle of your body that reacts to his touch as he continues to penetrate you with his tongue. You fall back towards the mattress with a broken moan.

“God– Y-you can’t–” Whatever you were about to say dies out in your throat as his lips rise to your clit, enveloping you so expertly in the wet heat of his mouth. You clench your whole body, eyelids all the way down to your toes, and for a moment you’re grateful for the hands that hold your legs open just so you don’t have to face the shame of spreading them wider.

Your hands, perfectly capable of putting up a fight once they’d been released, twist into the sheets beneath you, holding on like your life depends on it. You curse yourself for not trying harder to push him off, for not really wanting to; for always being so unwilling to say no to him. Moans leave your lips like they’re being ripped out of you, growing in volume like you just can’t help it. It makes you wish one of the pillows were within reach so you could bury it against your face and muffle them, or simply to hide yourself from how incredibly good it feels to be at his mercy.

It doesn’t take long at all. Say whatever you want about the Salesman, but this is a man who knows what he’s doing with his tongue. In only a few minutes he reduces you to whimpers and pleading, your orgasm hitting you like a wave crashing full-force over the shore. Your back arches off the bed, mouth open in a long moan, and he continues to dine on you like a starving man until the moment you fall backwards, spent.

When you come back to yourself, you’re covering your face with your hands as he presses kisses to the line of your inner thigh. You feel him make his way up your body, feel his hands on your wrists, gently moving them out of the way and exposing your face, the deep flush that has colored your cheeks.

Looking into his eyes, you’re overcome with a rush of emotions you’re not sure how to name. How can a person make you feel so many things at once? How can you still want him – ardently, desperately, profoundly want him – after everything? How can he be so addictive, leaving you already hooked from the scraps of attention he’s given you? You tilt your head just a tiny bit towards him, a silent invitation, and he leans in the rest of the way to take your lips in his.

He kisses you deeply, hungrily, holding you through the shudders that run through your body from the aftershocks of your orgasm until they subside. Kisses you like you’re more than just a hookup, tempting you to believe there must be something about you that’s special. Kisses you for long enough to get you drunk in it, like he’s happy to do nothing but this for the rest of his life.

The next time he pulls back, he removes his suit jacket and tie. You somehow manage to help him unbutton his white shirt, motivated by the promise of feeling his bare skin on yours. You nearly forget his pants are still on, letting him work on that as you press kisses to down his neck. Of course his body is as perfect as his face. He makes an approving sound that you can feel on his throat, and you follow the vibrations of his vocal chords until his pulse point, pleased to find his heartbeats as fast as yours. You can’t resist taking the skin there between your teeth.

He growls, hands tightening on your hips and flipping you on the bed so you’re facing the other side, your back to him. You hold onto the bed frame to steady yourself, body half-bent forward.

You expect him to thrust into you without warning, just as he had the last time. Before that, he brings a hand underneath your chin, tilting your head upwards, your sight landing squarely on your joined reflection on the mirror.

“Keep your eyes right there.” Now he enters you, and you watch your eyes widen at the sudden intrusion. “Watch yourself get fucked on my cock.”

The sheer filth in his voice prompts you to obey, to look. Your knuckles turn white on the bedframe and your body rocks forward with each of his thrusts; slow at first, but steadily gaining power and speed. He reaches down to rub your clit in circles, and it makes your body jerk to feel it and see it at the same time, to watch your reactions in real time. The sight of the necklace still hanging from your neck prompts you to look away, a confirmation of what’s actually happening to you that you’re not prepared to stare in the face.

His hand leaves your clit to wrap itself into your hair, yanking it back. Your body arches to follow it, your reflection on the glass confronting you once again.

“I said look,” he says into your ear. “Don’t you wanna see what a pretty mess you are for me?”

You shake your head, although his death grip on your hair makes it difficult to move. That’s precisely the issue: seeing the mess that he made you into, seeing yourself so overwhelmed and dirty and ashamed, the sounds leaving you suggesting nothing other than aching, raw need. It’s too much. It doesn’t stop you from pushing your hips back to meet his, trying to match his rhythm. 

He angles his thrusts to hit a spot inside of you that makes you see stars. “Oh God,” you croak, feeling the heaviness of tears behind your eyes and another orgasm fast approaching.

Just when you’re close, impossibly close to your release, he stops. You watch him on the mirror, panting just for a moment before he pulls out of you and releases your hair. You’re about to protest, or maybe plead for mercy, but he pushes you to lay on your back on the bed again, back inside of you before you can even think of a sentence.

“How about that thank you now?” He pounds into you, somehow even deeper from this position.  “Say it.”

“Shut up,” you say instead. The pause, brief as it was, only served to make you more desperate to come, and the last thing you need right now is to hear this. “Please just shut up.”

The necklace gleams over your chest, catching his attention. The Salesman runs a thumb over the sapphire, as if contemplating something, before he presses down on the pendant hard, digging it into your skin.

You gasp, throwing your head back. He’s moving fast enough that the bed rocks underneath you, the headboard slamming into the wall, his fingers still on the necklace like he wants to imprint it into your chest. It fucking hurts, the sharp metal edges unrelenting, digging in hard enough to leave a bruise. It makes your body sing, awakes the deeply-hidden, fucked up parts of you that crave this kind of pain.

“Every time you wake up,” the Salesman says, slightly out of breath himself, but much more composed than you, “and you look out of the window and see Paris, or anywhere that’s not the gutter in Seoul, you thank me for saving you.” He punctuates his words with a particularly hard thrust. “Say it.”

You don’t want to say it. Saying it makes you feel like it’s true, like you should give in and believe what he’s saying. That you are a piece of trash who got lucky, after all, and you should thank him for anything close to success that you achieve from now on. But your orgasm is so close you can feel the force of it numb your ears, your wrists; and in this moment, you would say anything, do anything, so long as he keeps you feeling this good.

“Thank you,” the words are just barely above a whisper, like you wish you could keep them to yourself as a shameful secret.

“For what?”

He gives you another hard thrust, almost painful if only the lines between pain and pleasure hadn’t been blurred a long time ago. You push your chest into an arch, the pendant digging even deeper into you until it breaks skin and the pain turns into agony.

“F-for saving me.”

“Good girl.”

You come then, thinking about the mark that the necklace will leave on you, thinking about how you’re going to feel it for days, how you’re going to remember it every time you feel it or see it. That there will be evidence on your body that he touched you this passionately. It feels like you’re floating, rising to the sky as you clench and unclench around him, as sound after humiliating sound leaves you.

You collapse back against the mattress when your orgasm finally lets you go, boneless and spent. You didn’t see or hear him come – in another situation, it might’ve upset you to miss it, if you weren’t still riding the aftershocks of that incredible high –, but he’s still against you, breathing hard into your neck. His release leaks from between your legs. He stays like that for a long time, slowly softening inside of you, before he finally pulls out and away from you.

You stay right where you are, unmoving. Somewhere far away, you think you can hear him searching for his clothes and dressing himself. You don’t want it to upset you, but it does; because of course he would come here, humiliate you, give you the best fuck of your life and then immediately leave, without so much as a word to you. Your head falls to the side, and even that small movement feels incredibly difficult, like your entire body is a limb that has fallen asleep. Your vision is blurry, far-away, until it finally focuses on the large window that overlooks the city. Tiny snowflakes flutter over the city lights and the dark night sky.

“It’s snowing.”

That pulls his attention to you. He’s got his pants and shirt on, the first few buttons undone, his once perfectly-styled hair a mess. He follows the line of your gaze to the window. “Were you looking forward to it?” he asks.

“Yeah.” It feels like forever ago since the last time you even thought about it. The Salesman was right; the city is beautiful at this time of the year.

You expect him to return to his clothes then head out the door. Instead, he reaches for the covers over the bed and wraps your naked body up in them like a baby. “Ow,” you hiss when he moves you, pain exploding on your chest where the necklace was pressed against you. A few drops of blood dry on your skin from when the skin had split. You feel the Salesman lift you bridal-style, much to your surprise, but you’re still too dazed to find it in you to question it.

He sits you both on the thick windowsill, him behind you and you leaning against his chest, framed by his legs. It’s gentle, somehow more intimate than you’ve ever been with him even after sleeping with him twice. You watch the snowfall outside, mesmerized, letting the steady rise-and-fall of his chest behind you soothe your aching muscles.

It’s the closest to safe you’ve felt in what feels like forever, and you’re crying before you even realize it.

Once it starts, it’s impossible to stop it. Your body trembles with the force of your sobs, tears flowing from your eyes like they haven’t since you were a little kid, at least not this openly. He wraps his arms around you from behind, pulling you flush against himself and pressing a kiss to the top of your head.

“It’s okay,” he whispers, keeping his lips right there against your scalp. He rocks you ever so slightly, shushing your cries, the sound as soothing as a soft lullaby. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not,” you sob. You think about the snow in Seoul, about how the first snowfall always made you excited, even when it happened every year. You can feel your tears rolling down your cheeks and into your neck, your collarbones. “I want to go home.”

“Then go home,” he says, like it’s simple.

“I can’t.” How can you walk the same streets you always did, as if your life wasn’t completely changed? As if the price you paid for this change wasn’t much, much greater than you could deal with? “You’re right. I have nothing. No one.”

“You had nothing. You can have anything you want now.” You want to tell him there are things money can’t buy, but you’re so tired, so exhausted. You can’t muster the willpower for much other than wallowing in your own misery, weeping in his arms like a child. “And you have me.”

That only makes you cry harder, shaking your head. “Don’t say shit you don’t mean.”

“Look at me.” He nudges you to turn to him, the angle awkward but it’s so worth it the second he cups your face in both hands, brushing your tears away with his thumbs. “I mean it. Come back to Seoul.” He kisses the corner of your mouth, then your heavy eyelids. “You just need to see things from a different perspective. I can help you.”

He coaxes you to lay back against him, and you do so without protest, burying your face into his chest. For a moment you actually consider it. Dropping the plans you had for a next trip and following him to Seoul, letting him finish corrupting you with whatever twisted worldview he has. Maybe it would be blissful, you think, to see all that violence and bloodshed as a blessing, as something that saved you rather than ruined you. It has to be a trap, or another one of his games. But it doesn’t hurt to dream about it, just a little bit.

Little by little your crying subsides, your breaths returning to normal. He holds you through it all, stroking your hair in a way that’s so tender, so soft, like you’re fragile. Like he cares about you, or even loves you.

You silently wonder if he can love anyone at all, much less someone as broken as you.

With his fingers drawing circles on your scalp, you drift off into a dreamless sleep.

–––

You wake up alone. You’re still naked but on the bed, tucked into your blankets. There’s no confusion over what happened last night, no delusions that your brain would come up with a dream like that. There’s only memories hitting you like a truck, one after the other, and it’s too fucking early for this.

You pull yourself into a sitting position, and you jump at the sight of yourself on the mirror. You barely notice the smudged makeup from last night, your eyes going straight to the star of the show: the angry red spot right on the center of your chest, already turning into a deep purple at the center. You flinch before you even touch it, your hand hanging in the air halfway through like you’ve changed your mind. The necklace finishes it off like the cherry on top of the cake, the pair of precious stones right next to each other like eyes watching you, mocking you.

You button your coat all the way up before you leave the house.

It’s still early enough that the sun has just begun rising, coloring the sky in a bright blue that bleeds into the buildings and streets. There’s probably nothing open right now, but you could really use some coffee. Or a drink. Probably a drink.

You find him at Pont Neuf, watching the river below. There’s no one else around, the city in a rare moment of quiet and peace. He hasn’t spotted you yet, seemingly lost in thought, and it occurs to you that you could sneak up behind him, push him over the edge and just keep on walking. Sever your ties to him forever, and simply keep going like nothing ever happened, bury it along with all the other memories you try so hard to forget.

You don’t do it, but knowing you could brings you a bit of comfort. You lower your head and keep walking in the opposite direction, not sparing him another glance.

[neiptune]

hi beloved v!! can i request a fruitcake made for cheesypuffkins87 with prompt #2 (s'mores) and oikawa? i don't need to be kept anonymous!

tooru oikawa x s’mores are perfect when the marshmallows are burnt

One thing about Oikawa Tooru is he’ll be home for christmas.

He’s adamant about spending it with those who are dear to him, a definition that includes his family and yours. The time he spends overseas is motivating, a reminder of his luck and carefully honed talent, but it often becomes a throbbing, sour ache that branches along the margins of days that feel lonely. He misses his mom, his sister, all the friends he left behind, the country that raised him. He misses you the most, the love of his life, 11231.28 miles too far.

No blizzards, delayed flights or unexpected schedules will stop Oikawa Tooru from being home for the holidays.

This year, you already spent a few days at the new house his mom currently lives in, a generous birthday gift one could deem excessive. Not for him.

The villa is more than capable of accomodating a large group of people and Tooru’s single parent is more than happy to have guests over: your family is always welcome, Oikawa never once lets you pay for their tickets. He’s just only ever genuinely happy if everyone can be together, trivial items such as money nothing but a secondary matter.

What's important is that Tooru can wake up next to you, witness the brightness of your smile as you eat breakfast sitting next to his older sister, chatting with your parents. He can press a gentle kiss to his mom’s forehead on christmas morning and balance Takeru on his knees by the fireplace, gently help him unwrap the million gifts he squeezed in his suitcase.

Most importantly, he can snatch you away from said house right after christmas, as soon as it becomes appropriate to invoke some alone time. Which apparently, this year, equals to renting an exclusive chalet in the snowy mountain paradise that is the Hirafu village.

While you’re just a few minutes’ walk from restaurants, bars and an incredible ski resort, all you did ever since arriving has been spending time cuddled up in bed, watching silly movies and just enjoying each other’s company.

“Almost ready”, he’s crouched by the fireplace, has been for a while now. You had asked whether he wanted to go for a walk but he said he wanted to cook you something first.

“A sweet treat for my sweet girl!”. But you knew him enough to notice the tension simmering underneath that million dollar smile. There are still two people he won’t ever be able to fool with that charm of his, one of them currently busy training the japanese national volleyball team.

“Wow”, you clear your throat when he proudly presents the tray.

“See? They’re great! Just my desired level of roasted!”.

“I mean…”.

“Listen, s’mores are perfect when the marshmallows are burnt, okay?”, Oikawa folds instantly, defensive as he always gets. You scoff.

“They are literally one step from being incinerated. You just can’t cook”.

“I’d say they’re warm. Gooey. Beautifully melted, united with delicious milk chocol-”

“Tooru”, you finally break into a smile, “how about I take the skewers?”.

“But”, he juts his bottom lip out, “I wanted to do this for you”.

With a hum, you gently take the tray from his hands and wrap your arms around his neck. His fingers are sticky with melted marshmallows but Tooru doesn’t really mind, not if you kiss him so sweetly.

“Let me do something for you, for once”, you whisper against his lips.

“Not sure. Think I need some additional convincing”, he brushes his nose against yours and steals a peck from your lips, then another, until you’re both chuckling.

“You can’t be good at everything, you know?”, you wink and Tooru reluctantly lets you go.

“Why, though? Why can’t I be?”, he dramatically flops down onto the armchair next to the fireplace where you’re already skewering new marshmallows to be roasted over the fire. You keep the actual reply tucked safe in your heart.

Because you’re already annoyingly perfect enough.

“You know, I sure wonder if Tobio would be able to-”

“Do not finish that sentence”.

thank you for your kindness and for trusting my writing this holiday season! hey @cheesypuffkins87, meet your secret santa!🎄

[sunnystaytiny2018]

hii could i request a dokyeomxreader smut with marking+overstimulation ? please thanks 💗💗

A Dokyeom x Reader?!

But of course 😏

∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆

——————————————————————————

Seventeen Fanfiction

——————————————————————————

Pairing: Fem Reader x Dokyeom (DK)

Genre: Smut

POV: 2nd Person (You, Your)

Additional Tags:

Marking, overstimulation, multiple orgasms, fingering, unprotected sex, cum inside, Dokyeom Seventeen, dirty talk

∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆×∆

You stood towards a wall of the big room full of people. How did you end up here again? Right. Someone thought you were a worker and had you walk in holding their bags for them. What did they even need bags for? This was nothing but a big party for the rich, which you are far from that category. You were wearing a decent outfit however for getting caught up in this mess. A simple white blouse and some ripped denim with sneakers, either way it was clear you weren't supposed to be here. You wanted to leave but you were afraid you would be questioned.

A male approached you and you couldn't help but roll your eyes since most of these males have approached you and looked at you with distaste or just talked about themselves. However, when this male gets closer, your breath hitches from how handsome he is.

“Hello, ma'am. I've never seen you here before. I'm Dokyeom, most people call me DK though.”

“Right, um (Y/N), and I've never been to one before.” You replied hesitantly. Now you kind of wished it was just some male that wanted to talk about himself. You shifted slightly. Man, how was it possible for someone to be so handsome? It should be illegal, actually in your full and honest opinion.

“Really? So you're new to fame?”

“Uh, yeah.” Sure, let's go with that, you thought.

“Well, you can't enjoy it too much from the wall. Come on.” He said pulling you from the wall and into the flurry of people. Soon you're in a pretty empty area of the building.

“This is my favorite part. Sneaking off to a spot where we aren't allowed and getting some peace and quiet.” He whispered softly as he leaned his head against the wall. You could help but stare. Your heart racing as you slowly traveled your eyes down his body and then back up to his face, startled to find his eyes staring into yours. He swallows and your eyes go to the movement. “Do you want me?” He asked as he sat up and reached towards you.

He slipped his arms around your waist and pulled you closer. He shamelessly looked you up and down. His eyes are hungry and honest. He wanted you. He slipped a hand to the waist of your jeans and paused for denial. You wanted to tell him to stop. But your mouth wouldn't let you, your brain becoming mush the second his hand was on you. So he unbuttoned your jeans with one hand and slipped his finger into your pants.

He seemed a bit disappointed when he found you weren't dripping wet but there was light evidence that you were turned on. You were a rather shy person though, so it would be weird for you to be wet the second you saw him.

“Don't worry,” he whispered in your ear “I can help fix that.” He slipped a finger in and you let out a gasp. “Ah, there's all your wetness.” He groaned as he slowly pushed his finger deeper. Your body jolted as he pressed the spot that makes you see stars. He smiled as he found it and started pushing his finger in and out of you, making you a moaning and whimpering mess in no time. Your pussy a wet mess as he spasmed and clenched around his finger, desperately ready for a release. “Come on, cum for me.” DK encouraged and your body shuttered and twitched before finally releasing an orgasm. You collapsed against the wall as you panted.

He shifts and kneels over you as he pulls your pants down before pushing his fingers into you once more. You let out a cry that causes him to cover your mouth. He puts his kisses to your neck before nipping and sucking it, leaving purple bruises. Your hand held onto him tightly as you tried to not let moans slip out from the pleasuring he was giving you. Your legs were trembling as one hand gripped your thigh tightly, possibly bruising.

“Please, it's too much.” You whined as tears welled in your eyes, his thumb moving to your clit.

“But you seem to be enjoying it…” DK breathed and he was right. It felt good but it also felt like too much. He slipped a second finger and your back arched as your breath intake increased. His fingers thrusting in you and rubbing your clit urgently. “You're close, I can feel it.” You just nodded in agreement as your body tensed up unbearably right before releasing another mind-blowing orgasm.

He reached between you and pulled his dick out of his pants. Your eyes widened as you saw how big his dick was. He stroked himself a few times to spread the precum on his dick before pulling his hand from your pussy and spreading your juices on his dick as well. Your mouth was slightly agape as you watched him do so with no ability to look away. Your pussy clenched.

“Can I?” He asked as he gestured between your legs. You nodded as if under a spell. He got between your legs and pressed to your entrance. He gave one solid thrust into your pussy causing a loud moan and he started sucking on your neck again hungrily. You could tell he was holding himself back from absolutely destroying your tight pussy. Your nails dig into his back, clawing at him desperately as the overstimulation and pleasure was too much. He adjusted his position and began to thrust his hips in powerful thrusts. You let out gaspy moans as you grabbed at his back , trying to hang on as his body caused yours to continue to jolt upwards. His finger came between you once again as he started to rub your clit.

Your eyes watered from the pain of the overstimulation, tears streaming down your face. But pleasuring burning even hotter in your body. You felt your thighs cramp as they tensed for another release.

“Fuck, you feel so good. I'm so close.” He groaned in your ear which made you shiver and nearly going over the edge. It wasn't until he spilt himself inside of you that you cummed for the third and last time.

[tewwor]

sea creature affairs starter call — well, the folks have spoken. cracking this waterlogged bad boy back open for anyone that wants a bit of nautical horror. everyone listed below resides ( or at least calls ) harborview their home. totally a small coastal town that's 10000% normal and not inhabited by strange things from the nearby sea. creatures of which that were made or in the very least influenced by some lone god found beneath sea foam and abyssal depths.

More sea creature lore here & additional details here!

like and specify who you'd like from habrorview's very own! if you previously liked for a starter ( and/or i already made you one ) and you want another with a different character — please comment and let me know!!! i'm more than happy to have multiple threads with these silly strange creatures.

adal — werewolf / sea creature hybrid . carpenter that's just trying his best, so soft and guilt ridden he'll help thieves clear out his own home, designated scout for any trouble brewing on the horizon as he sails most often.

altan — basilisk . angry hermit trying desperately to live in solitude, keeper of a barely functioning lighthouse, usually the first point of contact for oram when he waddles his sea monster ass back to land, immediately beams super mean things into orams head to help him remember how to speak the human language before kicking him out.

amant taylor boudreaux — human . just a guy that's been obsessed with harborview's happenings, he's dedicated his life to accurately detail not only it's citizens but also the mysterious people that return from the sea, would 1000% try to get nasty with someone just to lowkey research them, brainrot on god ( oram, even if he doesn't know that weird soggy man is the sea god responsible for all sea creatures ).

dane — ??? sea creature . marine biology professor & totally not the son of the alleged sea god, oram, is known to throw the occasional hissy fit if a traveler starts to get too nosy, ignorance is the only thing keeping his father immortal.

danny — shark sea creature . pirate smoted humbled by another god's wrath, runs a pub and very uncanny valley if you look close enough, thinks sitting by him while he soaks in the tub counts as a romantic date, probably eats people.

hugh — seal sea creature . unofficial babysitter of newly turned sea creatures, just wants to run his restaurant in peace but is usually in pieces instead, don’t ask questions if you see him throwing things off the pier.

joel — human ( for now ) . ooooo the sea creatures want him so bad, retired saturation diver, plagued with trauma / #1 harborview conspiracy theorist, main character syndrome & literally at his wits end.

lior — siren / eel sea creature hybrid . prior criminal ties, current fashionista, embodiment of 'i told you so', weirdly misses needing souls as sustenance.

oram — sea god . hunters want him, joel fears him, he barely knows wtf is going on at any time of his unfortunately long life, often found as a wet and soggy man wandering the beach, eldritch vibes all around and does little to hide it.

tatsuro watanabe — figurehead come alive . the newest of harborview’s bestiary, still trying to grasp how humans act and why, will try anything once, underestimates his strength often, lowkey something intimidating about him.

vincent — imugi . founder & #1 fan of the oram hate club, town-locked against his will, would love nothing more than to never talk to anyone but they love to bug the hell out of him, only cares about joel because he's.. struggling pathetic.

barbara davies — crocodile sea creature . calling all milf enjoyers, she's tall, she's hot, she's so goddamn strong! fabulous radio talk show host that's part of the few that tries to keep peace between sea creatures and human civilians ( off the record, of course ).

ha aera — human (?) . just your everyday humble waffle house employee, no she won't confirm nor deny questions about why or how the building seems to move from area to area, no she won't dive into the parking lot fights but she will call security, she's just tired and wants to get her shift over with.

ini shaw — sea witch . sea witch that primarily sells knots and charms for sailors. most of the time they're filled with good luck. be nasty to her and you'll get a nasty surprise back amidst your stupid voyage. maybe a fanatic over oram, but who’s to say?

jinae 'jenny' cho — human . there's a new hot wife in town and she's married to the mayor ( that hasn't been eaten by the sea creatures finally )! does she know her high school sweetheart turned husband is a sea creature? no! so pretty and so scrappy. definitely has traits of a survivalist for reasons she'd rather leave in the dark.

natori kato — seagull shapeshifter . what's that in the sky? it's a bird — correct! and said bird is torpedoing in to snatch food right out of your grubby hands. she's a certified yapper and bubble of joy. just ignore how she's got that scrappy aura about her.

spencer aka suspenders — human (?) . local kelpie wrangler & sanctuary keeper. it is much and it is really fucking honest work. you try getting your teeth almost kicked in every month by these slippery, man-eating sea horses. but he wouldn't have it any other way.

[pseudowho]

hi Haitch, its relationship anon again 🤡🫶🏻

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your kindness and advice! You’re helping me stay level headed here and not become delusional.

Okay now onto the tea-

Following last week’s little club moment, things went (briefly) downhill. I decided to be an adult and take a break from the female friend that I mentioned in the last update. She proceeded to go around our workplace and tell EVERYONE, including one of our managers, that I was mad at her. I was trying really hard to involve everyone else in my business and it really upset me that she did this. In addition to that, I had to take my sister to the ER on Monday and had an incredibly difficult cardiac test on Tuesday, so a bitch was going through it.

When I got out of my clinical on Wednesday, I was exhausted but I really wanted to see my male friend before he left. Was I exhausted both emotionally and physically? Yes. Had I been running around trying to help one patient with Afib and another who needed a midline placement ? Uh huh. A girl just needed some ice cream and to hang out with her favorite a loser.

So, I asked him if he wanted to get ice cream and he said yes :). I showered and put on the most causal outfit possible. My sister asked if I was goin to get more dress up to which I was like “no I just off a 12 hour shift, he should be happy I’m even leaving the house.”.

Anyways! We didn’t end up doing ice cream bc I was nervous, but we instead went out to get drinks with one of our other male friends. I didn’t have to be DD so I was able to actually get somewhat drunk (which was super needed after this week) and my loser was taking care of me. Our other friend kept making excuses to get up and walk away from our table so just the two of us could talk.

Some highlights:

•He was teasing me about falling at work. When I asked him how he knew, he said “I ask about you, duh”

•The way we were sitting, our legs were pressed up against each other. If he moved his legs, he’d still find away to make sure they were touching mine.

•I was showing him my Choso costume and he said “oh you’d look so good in that” and told me he’s going to try to come down for Halloween. I told him that if he came down, I’d dress up as Yuki so he can be Choso. He told me that I wasn’t allowed to show him my sexy Choso costume and then not wear it for him.

•Told me he wanted me to come visit him when I have time off from school, but he understood if I can’t.

•I was talking about cigarettes after sex and he said he knew maybe one song. I got all excited (drunk) and asked him which one. He looked at me and told me it was the one on his sex playlist and then said he was sad that I didn’t save his playlist. I told him I’d save his if he’d save mine.

•I showed our friend a shirt that said “don’t let my big tits scare you, I’m actually a nice person” and I said that I want it, but mine would have to do say moderately sized. My loser said “oh they’re more than moderately sized” (thank you for noticing 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️)

•He was taking really good care of me and was constantly asking me how I was feeling.

•We decided it was a good idea to look up nsfw anime figures and I was pretty much leaning on him as he showed me them and we kept reading each other about them.

•When we were leaving, we hugged for a hot minute and he told me to text him as soon as I got home. When I did, we talked for a bit, but he told me that I really needed to get some sleep.

Nothing too crazy happened, but I’m still calling this a somewhat success! I didn’t get my back blown out but I think I’ll survive 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Okay. It's clear. You don't need this tacky 'friend' in your life at all. They're a whole bucket of shit. You're undoubtedly younger than me, but I assure you, in just a few short years you, too, will be ruthless about cutting out shitty people like this from your life.

At this point, Relationship Anon, you and this guy are two dolls that I'm floating towards each other, and I'm about to make you kiss.

He has a more than moderately sized boner for you.

He want you.

*spinning like a fucking top here*

Love,

-- Haitch xxx

[allycat319]

Unlikely Affection Chapter 18: Class Is In Session

I spent a good amount of time that evening in the shower, letting the hot water cascade down my body and clear my mind. After about an hour, I realized it was probably hopeless and I desperately needed to go to bed and try to get at least a couple hours of sleep before classes tomorrow. 

When I finished drying my body and hair, I pulled on my nightgown and crawled into my four poster bed, pulling the curtains closed around me and snuggling down into the blankets. I thought about everything while I laid there, my grandfather, the Order of The Phoenix and of course Edwins crazy idea that Severus loves me. He couldn’t love me…Could he? I mean if we are being honest, he doesn't seem to be the type to love someone, especially someone he is in an illicit affair with. It just doesn’t fit his personality, and he couldn’t trust me enough to tell me that he was a spy. I drifted to sleep after being able to convince myself after what felt like an eternity that Severus indeed does not love me and Edwin had lost the few marbles he had left. 

***The Next Morning*** 

I decided to skip breakfast and sleep in due to my lack of ability to fall asleep at a reasonable hour, thanks mostly to my wandering mind and Edwin’s lack of control with his mouth. When my alarm clock finally sounded, I got up and threw on my robes, slinging my bag over my shoulder before I walked out of the dorms and down to the common room. 

My first class of the morning was charms with Professor Flitwick, who decided to begin the year by going over the bubble head charm. I took notes as normal and almost as quickly as it began, class was over and Flitwick was dismissing us to our second class of the day which was the one I was dreading almost as much as potions…Defense against the dark arts with the Toad herself. 

I arrived at class a few minutes early and sat down at an empty desk in the middle of the room beside Edwin, who gave me a smile as a greeting. 

“So…Double potions after lunch and then assistant duties during free period. You ready?” He asked and I rolled my eyes and fished for my notebook from my bag, sitting it on the table with my quill as people began to file into the classroom and take seats around us. 

“Would you shut it?” I hissed. 

Edwin threw his hands up in defeat, “Fine. I’m done.” He laughed quietly. 

After everyone was seated, Umbridge opened the door to her office and made her way down the spiral staircase. Smiling at everyone as she explained that we would be studying a ‘ministry approved’ N.E.W.T level DADA class. The whispers of shocked students filled the room as she handed out the textbooks the ministry course required us to use. Edwin and I flipped through them and looked at each other incredulously, both of us noticing almost immediately that there was nothing in the books about defensive magic or protecting ourselves from danger. 

Luckily for me, I avoided her cold eyes and weirdly unsettling giggle for the entirety of class, while she advised us on what amazing career opportunities were available at the ministry and how bright young faces like ours would be a welcome addition. Edwin and I scoffed quietly to ourselves and thankfully, the very strange first class was over not long after. 

“You alright?” He asked and I sighed. 

Lunch followed DADA and Edwin and I sat together as usual. He hurriedly scarfed down multiple ham and cheese sandwiches and I ate a handful of crisps and an apple, my stomach churning at the thought of having to see Severus soon and then help him with the class after mine. Edwin noticed my fleeting appetite and nudged me gently.

“Guess I'm just worried about how I plan to approach the fact that I know the things that went on this summer.” I explained as discreetly as possible to avoid the many ears that could potentially be listening in on our conversation. 

“You need to act like you don’t know. If you tell him that I told you about the ‘thing’ he is going to murder me.” Edwin looked slightly panicked. 

“Fine, I’ll let him tell me. He said he was going to explain everything to me anyway…maybe that was what he was referring to… Now come on, you have divination and I have to get to potions.” I grabbed my bag and Edwin walked with me out of the Great Hall before wishing me luck and scurrying up the enchanted staircase towards the divination classroom. 

I inhaled and began my slow descent to the dungeons. The halls grew colder as I got closer to the potions classroom and when I arrived at the opened classroom door there were already 4 Slytherins, 2 Ravenclaws and 1 Hufflepuff in the classroom. Severus wasn’t lying when he said he was very selective on who got to take this class. 

I was very thankful when, after a few moments another Hufflepuff walked into the room. Marigold Greenway, the girl that Edwin had a massive crush on and the only person it seemed that I knew in this class. Marigold or Mari as her friends called her was incredibly pretty in the face, with long blonde hair, big green eyes and the kindest heart I had witnessed someone have.  

I waved at her and she smiled, joining me at my table. “Hey Aurora! We haven’t spoken in so long, How are you?” She asked, continuing to smile brightly. 

“Not horrible, thankfully! I'm a bit nervous about N.E.W.T potions but I’m sure it will be fine.” I laughed and we continued to chat until Severus walked into the classroom, robes bellowing behind him. 

“Silence.” He demanded once he reached the blackboard, the entire class fell completely silent at his request and Marigold and I looked at each other both silently wondering what this class was going to consist of and just how difficult we chose to make our lives this year. 

“I have high expectations for those of you that have shown you are capable enough to be in this class. But be warned, I will not accept anything but outstanding from you all.” His voice sent shivers down my spine and the deep baritone was just a reminder that last night our reunion was interrupted and I was desperately horny. . 

I sat through the excruciating hour of his lecture, clenching my thighs together trying my best to get any form of relief and then it was time to actually brew the potion and hope that I was going to be able to concentrate on not screwing up the amortentia we were brewing. Ignoring the ache between my legs. But of course, always the bastard Severus decided to stalk silently around the classroom, leaning over each individual cauldron to critique the contents. 

When he arrived at Marigold and I, he lingered a little longer than he did with the rest of the class but thankfully he spared me and walked away to take a seat at his desk while we finished brewing. Around thirty minutes before class ended, Severus invited us to gather around the front table where a cauldron was bubbling away. Our amortentia needed a few days to brew so Severus informed us that we would be smelling a previously brewed potion and needed to write two rolls of parchment on the effects of the potion and what we smelled when we sniffed the potion. 

My heart leapt in my chest when it was my turn to smell the potion. I was beyond relieved at the beginning of this test that Severus said we need not tell the entire class what entices us. When I stepped up to the cauldron, I took a long wiff and caught the smell of old books, spices and a slight hit of something bitter. I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was smelling the looming figure that leaned against the desk behind us. I stepped back from the potion and scribbled down random smells into my notebook, there was absolutely no way Severus was going to know that according to the amortentia, I was falling in love with him. 

When class was over, my classmates scurried out of the classroom while I remained seated at my table. After the last student made their way out, Severus flicked his hand and the door closed silently. I stood from my seat and walked over to his desk, taking a seat across from him. My mind was running between the amortentia and the nonsense Edwin was spewing earlier…I could feel myself falling for him but could he feel the same way about me? 

“Little Star?” I was ripped away from my thoughts as Severus spoke, somehow standing directly in front of me now. “Are you alright?” 

I nodded quickly, standing and beginning to help him quickly prepare for the upcoming class of second years that were set to be arriving any minute. 

“You’re sure?” He asked, magically erasing the chalk from the board near his desk. 

“Positive. Just a little off…Didn’t sleep well.” I smiled and walked up to him, placing a quick kiss on his lips before. 

The next class went well and ended without any explosions. I helped Severus clean up and announced that I was heading to meet Edwin in the library, which wasn’t a lie… Flitwick had assigned an essay that he was probably going to receive a T on if I didn’t help him and it gave me the perfect excuse to avoid talking to Severus about the amortentia. 

I picked up my bag and blew him a kiss, turning to leave the classroom when... 

“Not so quick.” I stopped in my tracks and turned back around. 

“I’m sorry, I told Edwin I would meet him before dinner.” I spoke quickly, trying to avoid his gaze. I was somewhere between wanting him to take me right there on the desk and panicking because I had finally admitted to myself…by way of the amortentia that I loved him. I didn’t want to stick around and have this conversation, I wanted to put it off a little longer until after dinner, when I snuck down to the dungeons to spend the evening with him. 

“You will have plenty of time to meet Finley before dinner…We need to discuss last night.” he said plainly, sitting down at his desk. 

“Can we talk about it tonight…After dinner?” I asked, walking up to the desk. 

“I suppose…I should have the time this evening to make up for last night.” He smirked and I giggled, for a split second I forgot that I was having an internal crisis and actually did want to pull him into his chambers and ride him until next week…No. I need to meet Edwin. 

***The Library***

Edwin and I stayed in the library until well after dinner, he was truly struggling with charms already and I felt bad for him. Madam Pince offered to have a house elf bring us a few sandwiches while we studied and we were incredibly grateful. 

“I can’t believe I already have two rolls of parchment due next week and it's just the first day of class.” Edwin grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“The sooner you get it done, the sooner you don’t have to worry about it.” I responded, scribbling on my own parchment about the effects and uses of amortentia. 

“What are you writing about over there?” He peaked over to see what I was writing and smirked. “Amortentia? That's a love potion…right?” 

“Yes, and I know where you’re going with this so don’t even start.” I hissed and Edwin threw his hands up. 

“I’m not starting anything…” He trailed off. “Did you smell him?” He asked after a few moments. 

“Edwin…” My tone warned him that I was not in the mood. 

“Come on Rora, you can tell me anything.” I huffed as he prodded me for answers. 

“I am not doing this with you.” I stood and looked at my watch “Shit, I was supposed to meet him in the dungeons an hour ago. He is going to be livid.” 

I gathered my things quickly and walked out of the library. Edwin caught up to me, huffing and puffing because he was running to match my pace. 

I growled when he stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “Come on tell me…Did you smell him?” He asked and I stepped to the side, trying to maneuver a way around him but he blocked my path again. 

“I said stop it.” I cut my eyes at him and he placed both hands on my shoulders. 

“Just admit it…You love him.” He prodded again and I ripped my shoulders out of his grasp. 

“Fine…Fine fine fine. You win! Yes, I smelled him in the potion and yes I love him…Are you fucking satisfied?” My voice carried in the empty hallway and I turned around, set on escaping down the hallway I had just passed behind me. 

But as soon as I turned the corner, I ran face first into the chest of the dungeon bat himself.

Authors note: Oh how I love a good cliff hanger!

If you are enjoying the story, please don't forget to comment and like!

[corviddusk]

Further Thoughts on "AFAB Transfem(s)"

I know I shared this before but I feel it may be important to share again as more talk about the concept of "AFAB transfems" (a term I personally dislike as it reinforces assigned genders at birth as if they're something to be an identity and not an event that's traumatic for a lot of people) is debated about

This is something that explains my own experiences as an individual who was AFAB and is now currently transfeminine. I am also technically trans neutral as I am nonbinary. I have nothing but love and support for my sisters and general annoyance at the whole of this discourse going around again. I originally hadn't realized why I got the ask for this post here;

I originally was under the impression that I may have said something in the past that got noticed but it seems there was genuinely more discourse going around and I understand the frustration from all sides.

First and foremost I want to be clear that I by no means see my experiences as synonymous with all trans women especially those who had the horrific experience of being AMAB. Women who were AMAB in my country are currently dealing with horrific laws against them. I addressed this in the post I made earlier today and now I want to clearly state that the way transmisogyny often works relies on transfems having been AMAB. That means the most oppressed and hurt group by transmisogyny are those who were AMAB. This includes both perisex and intersex transfems who had this classification forced upon them. There is no doubt in my mind that their pain is worse than what I'm facing currently. I have a chance at having F on certificates, I may be able to change the M on mine, many of my friends will not and that is abhorrent and terrible. I hold privilege over them in that capacity.

I was raised primarily akin to a boy and though I used female washrooms and similar I was often attacked and physically pushed out. I literally have a phobia of all bathrooms now to the point I sometimes cry when there's ones that aren't just one stall. I was told I wasn't a real girl and mocked for being a sissy at times growing up. I was raised with the idea that crying was for the weak and violence solves everything. I was taught to use guns before I turned nine. I was thought to be an identical twin to my younger brother by most strangers. I'm transfeminine in the way I reclaim a lost girlhood that was stripped away from me. I'm transfeminine in the way I need and want surgeries to alleviate my gender dysphoria for my body being wrong. And all the whole I still have privilege over many of my sisters when it comes to accessibility to some of the surgeries I want.

Trust me being able to get my genitalia fixed to be more typical to vaginas and vulvas will be easier than most of my sisters, and if I find the right doctors beforehand insurance helping out is way more probable than it is for most others. My atypical wishes for bottom surgery is where I'll run into trouble but that's more in line with transmasculine procedures and in part due to me feeling insecure about the other half of my genitalia as it is now.

Any woman who was AFAB has privilege over any woman who was AMAB.

Any man who was AMAB has privilege over any man who was AFAB.

This is because of how the oppression against trans people works. Your gender marker on your birth certificate can and will change so much for the medical world. That isn't to say that you're privileged for being intersex, like some may say as a response to this idea.

Intersex transfems who were AMAB suffer both that additional level of harm from being AMAB and intersexism. They exist, they are important, they're people who should be considered as the intersex people who get hurt the most by transmisogyny.

Intersex transmascs who are AFAB suffer both the addition of being AFAB and intersexism. They have it worse than intersex AMAB transmascs due to that added layer of oppression.

It's okay to say you're not fully TMA if you're a transfem who was AFAB. I'm not fully TMA there are situations where I would be fully TME as transmisogyny works in various ways and some are directly about conformity to sex assignment rather than your chromosomal, hormonal, or phenotypical sex. It doesn't matter that I'm not actually a "biological female" (which is also a terf dog whistle y'all need to stop using it) or in better terms phenotypically and hormonally aligned with the common idea of woman. It matters that I was assigned F. In many cases.

Yes I can be transfem I'm transitioning medically and socially, but I also still ultimately do have privilege that cannot be ignored just because of the other ways I'm harmed by the systems that be.

[latinapoetbts]

My Beautiful Ball & Chain - KTH & Reader > Latina (Angelica) CH 3

Warnings: adult content 18 + , drinking, and sex scenes. Summary: Angelica (Latina) (can be read as Y/N, your choice) tells the history of her unrequited love until her desired fantasies come true. From High School through college and more. She tells of the great lengths she goes to get what she wants. But at what cost for her? Does she shatter without repair? Can the one she loves give her what she wants so desperately? She will have to determine if, in the end, it was worth it all.

Introduction | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

_______________________________________________________

Chapter 3: Broken Promises

I had made it through the entire first year of college. I had taken one summer course and spent two weeks back home. Nothing too eventful had happened. I had managed to keep my head low, steer clear of trouble, and maintain decent grades. I had made good friends then but missed my friends at home terribly. A few visited me for one week before I came home for two weeks. Tae and I had still kept decent contact. There were also occasional drunk texts from him that definitely did not help. Drunk texts, “I miss you more than you know…”, “I want you here with me so badly,” “I hate that you left me,” and the occasional, “I’m so horny right now, I need you.” He always apologized for the horny text messages but never ever acknowledged the other text messages as if he never said them. We never spoke of my drunk phone call nor of the three months of tender calls followed by a few months of cut-off. I tried to treat him just the same as always. He was no longer dating anyone and had continued to indulge himself with friends with benefits and quick fucks. I wondered how long he could keep this up. I still had never been kissed and never been taken on a date. I had been asked out by a few but always kindly declined. No one could ever compare to Tae Hyung. I just couldn’t do it. There was still a flicker of hope that I kept alive deep within me. Even though I knew deep down there indeed was no hope, I still continued to torture myself. 

“Look at all of you all. A little reunion and a few new people as well. !” My brother Jin teased. I scanned the room and noticed the few new additions to the group that had not been there in the previous weeks. 

“Yes, This is my friend Nam Joon. Nam Joon, this is Angelica,” I smiled at him and Hobi.

“This is my girlfriend, Iesha,” Introduced Jimin. I smiled at her, too. The rest were my lovable regulars. I glanced at Tae Hyung, whose legs took up the whole seat. I cleared my throat at him. He looked up, smirking.

“Oh, I’m too comfortable this way, but there is plenty of space on my lap if you like,” he dares, quirking his eyebrow. I mirror his expression and plop myself down on his lap harshly.

“Fuck, Ang. You're going to crush the family jewels,” he barked out, pushing me to the side and recoiling his body.  I laughed out loud as my friends joined in. He pounces at me, tickling me until tears brimming my eyes as I try to fight him off. 

“Please tae!!! Please stop, I’m going to pee!”, 

“That's what you get! I’ll only stop when you call me Taedaddy”.

“Fuck you Tae! Jin help!” I beg my brother for relief.

“Nope, not this time. You shouldn't have crushed his family jewels!” laughter spilling from his lips. I bucked against his now straddling position nearly bucking off his lean frame. 

“Fine. Fine. I’ll say it...please… let me catch my breath.” I squeal out. 

“Damn Ang, I forget how strong you are and ok, I’ll let you catch your breath, 3-2-1…”. Finally, I buck with all my strength to no avail. Long, lithe fingers scaling my sides once again as he buried his face in the crook of my neck. Bastard, he knew how ticklish I was on my neck. His warm breath made me tingle head to toe. This was becoming too much for me. 

“Say it, ang. Come on, say it and I’ll stop…” his warm mouth grazing over the skin beneath my earlobe. The push and pull of his touch, laughter spilling from my lips and warmth heating my core between my legs. I was becoming aroused and couldn’t control it. 

“Ok! Taedaddy!”

“Again!”

“No! You promised you'd stop. Please tae!” I withered underneath him.

“Again”

“That’s enough Tae Hyung…”. I knew that voice. It was yoongi. A true angel coming to my rescue, from my own self inflicted turture. I felt Tae Hyungs fingers come to a halt and felt his jaw clench against my neck. I pushed up against him.

“Finally I can breathe” I laughed as Tae Hyung shifted up off of me, forcing a smile. I knew it made him angry at what Yoongi had said, but I wasn’t sure why? I wondered if he was jealous that yoongi came to my aid, or just angry that yoongi dared to tell him what to do. The room felt slight tension and my brother broke it with the suggestion of playing a game. As the night continued we laughed and played games caught up on our lives. 

“So, what about you Angelica? Are you seeing anyone back in cali, or any hot guys that got the privilege of deflowering you in a night of passion?” Lori asked her eyebrows urging me to speak. 

“Lori who the fuck says that shit!? Come on!? I’m right here!”, Jin nearly spits out his coke and rum. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Don’t worry, dear brother, my flower is still perfectly intact,” I assure him, laughing. I took pride in saving myself and was not embarrassed about others knowing I was waiting. Not that I ever shamed any other females for having multiple sex partners; I just could not imagine another man touching me if it wasn’t Tae Hyung. I was willing to wait. He was worth the wait. 

“Lori, come on, Angelica will be a 40-year-old virgin waiting on the right guy”. Hobi teased.

“Or girl, you never know, I might decide I like women”, I teased back.

“Or the poster child for ‘never been kissed’, “ chimed in Jimin. 

“Nope! Don’t forget 10th grade 7 minutes in Heaven, she definitely has been kissed,” Cristine took the liberty to blurt out that distant memory. Now, I was nervous about the mentioned memory. My eyes unconsciously darted to Tae Hyung. He knew my secret or our secret. 

“Can we change the subject, big brother sitting here.”, Jin could only handle so much. I found it enduring.  Now, I was nervous about the mentioned memory. My eyes unconsciously darted to Tae Hyung. He knew my secret, or somewhat our secret. His eyes locked with mine, and there was a smirk on his beautiful lips and a playful wink of his eye.

“Jin, Angelica is a beautiful, grown-ass woman. You're going to have to adapt,” Yoongi chimes in. My eyes land on Yoongi, his gaze on me, a smile on his beautiful face.  I felt myself blush. I definitely found Yoongi attractive but never had feelings for him more than a friend. I was surprised and flattered to discover that he found me attractive.

“Ok, fine I’ve had enough of Angelica’s boring none existant sex life. Tae Hyung what about you?” Questioned Lori. I was thankful the conversation had moved on. I downed my drink and went for a refill, I was going to need another drink for this, this would be number four.

“I don’t kiss and tell Lori”. I stood catching Tae Hyungs eyes on me as I walked to refill my drink.

“ Please , you might not, but your conquests sure do, ”, She smirked.

“Well then, you can ask them to fill you in with all the details,” he replies coly as I take an empty seat next to Jin’s friend Nam Joon. I could hear the music in the background and tried to focus my eyes anywhere, knowing Tae Hyung was still looking at me. 

“All you need to know is that our innocently looking, charming Tae Hyung has turned into quite the ladies' man,” Jokes Hobi.

“He’s a star fuck boy at the Universty. And they keep coming back for more. He learned from the best, that's me” Jimin added his girlfriend Isha smacking his arm.

The room breaks into laughter. I felt my heart skin, and the room started to shrink. I needed a distraction fast. The idea that he had been with countless women was soul-crushing. 

“Nam Joon, right?” I smiled at him.

“Yes, but you can Joon as well”. 

“Ok, Joonie?”

“I like that. It's cute”, he responds.

“I think it’s enduring, unique, and smart; you're waiting. I have mad respect for that. We live in such a fast society that often replaces real love with mere fast and easy pleasure. Then, the lines become blurred. At least in my opinion.” he smiles at me with his dimples on display. He was extremely attractive. I raised my solo cup in toast and agreement.

“I can drink that”. He toast with me. We spend the next hour talking and getting to know more about each other. I found that I liked this Nam Joon a lot. He was smart, kind and mature which was a good friend for Jin to have. I was most definitely starting to feel more than buzzed but felt like I needed another drink. 

“Let me get that for you.” I smiled as Nam Joon grabbed my solo cup and went to make me another mixed drink. Buzzed flirty words were attempting to slip past my lips at a rapid pace as I struggled to keep them at bay. 

“We are out of coke, is there anymore?” I hear Nam Joon’s voice. 

“Ya, in the fridge inside the house”. Hobi shouts above the music. Nam Joon turning to walk to the house.

“I think you’ve had enough. That’s going to be five.” I could hear his deep voice as he sat too close to me on the couch. 

“Seriously? Not even my brother is keeping count. Back off Tae Hyung.” I snide, anger and jealous boiling inside of me. 

“I’m serious, that’s enough Ang. I’m just trying to watch---”

“Na uh! Don’t you cock block mister…” I place my finger on his chest, feeling the rising and falling of his breaths, chocolate brown orbs locking with mine.

“I’m 19 and it’s time for me to get my first kiss and maybe I want Joonie to be the one…” I lean into him inches from his face. 

“and stop. You're really buzzed ok.”

“No, I want to kiss.” I say louder than I mean too, with that I feel his hand slip into mine and jerk me up to stand with him as he roughly walks me out of the garage and into the house straight into hobi’s room locking the door behind us. He sits me on the bed. 

“What the fuck Tae Hyung. Back off. I’m not that buzzed!” I was so angry and jealous images of Tae kissing other girls filled my imagination. I stood against his handsome, towering figure and scowled at him.

“So you get to be this sexy fuck boy meanwhile your cock blocking me from experience my first kiss! Are you shaming me?”

“No, Ang.  do you hear yourself right now. You're blowing this way out of proportion. You don't even know this guy and you're going to give away what is so precious to you. I’m just trying to be a good---”

“Oh shut the fuck up with that good friend bull shit. Fine if you want to be a good friend to me. Then kiss me. I trust you, you’d never hurt me. Kiss me tae hyung.” I had really lost all restraint. I stood on my tip toes and leaned into him wrapping my arm around his neck drawing him close to me. He did not resist as his eyes stayed locked with mine searching for something I wasn’t sure of. Both our lips moist and parted, he was so close I could feel and sweet breath against my lips. Finally, I thought to myself. 

“Angel….no. Not like this….” I held him tighter, as tears brimmed my eyes at his rejection.

“Why not? Because I had a few drinks? So now fuck boy wants to act all chriverly? I’m not drunk. I rather you kiss me than a stranger you're right about that…” I crash my lips against his, tears falling down my cheek as he breaks away from me immediately. His hand breaking my grasp on his neck and stepping away from me.

“I’m sorry Angel. I won't kiss you, not like this….I don’t want to hurt you…and I promise to never hurt you...”

“You already have.” With that, I wiped my tears and left the room, getting my pretend happy face ready.

[amiamihann]

[cytham/haino] fake it til you make it

9. Kiss in public

To make a lie believable, you need witnesses.

Based on this prompt list. AO3 link.

To make a lie believable, you need witnesses.

It's one of the things Cyno has learned being undercover multiple times. People love gossip and they love to talk about what they see. Even if they don't, people will pay attention subconsciously to things they find unusual.

So to make their lie work, they need to make a spectacle of it.

The stage has been set for weeks now. The rumor mill has been spinning non stop and poorly hidden whispers and murmurs lay on his wake wherever he walks. He takes it in stride, confident and unbothered. He's used to the whispers even if they're far from what they are now from before.

It's at the bottom of the hill, near the Adventurer's Guild, that he finds his target. He keeps his pace leisurely, taking in the broad back of his target.

It's been a month now since Alhaitham proposed the plan. At first, Cyno has thought him joking albeit in poor taste but once the Acting Grand Sage laid out his plan and its merits even Cyno can't refuse. It's easy enough to execute and no one will have to endanger themselves other than Cyno and possibly Alhaitham, in which Cyno has confidence he can keep the other safe and, despite protests, he knows Alhaitham is no pushover in protecting himself.

It's just strange that the course of action they have to undertake to weed out dissenters and traitors is to, apparently, date each other.

It makes sense when Alhaitham has presented it to him with his no nonsense logical reasoning but Cyno still can't help but be skeptical. It doesn't help that over the course of weeks where they pretend they're dating, Alhaitham and he are more or less the same with each other with the exception of some fleeting touches in between meetings.

(It's weird how that's all they've done and the rumor about them has spread so fast like a wildfire.)

He's skeptical of this plan's success rate but he already signed it off and he's going to see it through. That's why he asked to meet Alhaitham on the day of his departure for a mission. Nothing screams like dating to see a partner off for a dangerous (not really, its typical Matra work that Cyno can handle in two days time) mission.

(Or so his light novel says.)

He's a few steps away when Alhaitham turns around to meet him. They both nod at each other and Cyno can feel the eyes of Sumeru on them.

Cyno clears his throat. "Good morning, Acting Grand Sage."

Alhaitham rolls his eyes. "Good morning to you too, General. Though I do believe I told you to call me by my name when we're off hours."

"Pot calling the kettle," Cyno points out.

"It's different. You never told me to call you anything else off hours." Alhaitham says, and dare Cyno thinks, almost petulantly.

Cyno would continue to argue but he needs to leave early to not lose his mark's trail so he has to get this show on the road.

"I'm leaving today for a mission, some Amurta scholar dealing with forbidden test subjects. I might not be back for two days or so." Cyno segues, turning serious and crossing his arms.

Alhaitham frowns and for a moment, he looks concerned. But the expression is gone before Cyno can dissect it. "I've read the minute from yesterday's brief. Are you sure you'll not bring any of the Matra?"

Cyno shrugs. "I have Aarav as backup. He'll be following closely behind and the Matra has been briefed in what to do while we're gone. They're not as incompetent as you think they are."

"Of course not. They just pale in comparison to you and your competence." Alhaitham says, matter of factly.

Cyno rolls his eyes, ignoring the thump of his heart against his ribcage. In addition to the fleeting touches, Alhaitham has been, well, not sweet in the normal conventional way but he has definitely been nicer and sweet in his Alhaitham way. It makes sense that as a Harvatat scholar, Alhaitham would have his affections, no matter how fake, bleed into his words after all.

"Actually give them a chance before writing them off." Cyno huffs before shaking his head. It's almost time to leave and he should wrap this up when they still have an audience.

He steps closer to Alhaitham and Alhaitham, to his credit, remains rooted on where he stands despite a brief of surprise on his face. He puts a hand on the lapels of Alhaitham’s cape and tugs it lightly, a request. He almost marveled at how quick is Alhaitham to comply and lean down to be at the same level as him but he hasn't had enough time as his vision is quickly filled with intense turquoise eyes and a chiseled face hair's breadth away from him. He can feel his breath in this distance.

Now or never. With a soft sigh, he leans in slowly, giving the other the chance to move away but surprisingly Alhaitham meets him in the middle instead.

Alhaitham’s lips are soft against his chapped ones. It's supposed to be quick but he finds himself deepening the kiss, Alhaitham welcoming him.

He tastes like ginger, likely his morning ginger tea as it is early morning and Alhaitham is particular with his routines, and he kisses tenderly than what Cyno expected. Not that he has any expectations. He feels Alhaitham's hand reach up and cradles his cheek and in response, he lets his hands unclench from his cape to instead wrap his arms around his neck, pulling them closer.

He doesn't know for how long they stood there kissing but Cyno gets brought back to his senses when he hears a gasp from a corner, probably an unsuspecting passerby, and with that, he breaks away, huffing in amusement as Alhaitham tries to follow him.

"Enjoying yourself, Scribe?" He teases. They're still so close and he can see how dilated the other's eyes are. He can't help but feel satisfaction in actually having an effect on the usually stoic face.

Alhaitham huffs, pulling away. "Don't you have a mission to go to, General?"

It’s not a denial and Cyno has to tamp down a smile.

"That I do," Cyno says, letting it go for now and putting a bit of distance between them. "Don't let Sumeru burn down while I'm away."

"Will do, General," Alhaitham drawls, trying to seem unaffected if not for his red ears betraying him.

Feeling bold because Alhaitham is making it so easy right now and they’re supposed to be a lovestruck couple anyway, he rises from his tiptoes and steals another kiss. Before Alhaitham can react, he's already moving away. He doesn’t dare look back but he has a quick look enough for Alhaitham’s reaction.

Cyno has to commend Alhaitham for committing to their bit as he looks like any other forlorn lovestruck partner that would miss their love.

[stellanslashgeode]

This one little scene from Sundari Accelerando is one I really treasure. It's fun to write a Mandalorian/Jedi pairing. Because you end up with these two people who are constantly insecure about their relationship status, who deep down want to clarify everything. But they're too damn stubborn to do so in clear language even if they had the vocabulary. Which they don't. I imagine it's a nice trope for Obitine, Dinluke, Wolfwren, heck, Fett and Vader. This paring which is shipped by just me at this point I call Kastoffee.

Barriss hurried back to her tent as she was delayed and denied training time with her new Padawan. “I’m so sorry, Sirin. Just when my usual sentry duty shift the Duchess called and I… What’s going on here?”

Sirin was where she had left her this morning, sitting with perfect posture as Rook, also seated, bent near to put the final touches on the eyeliner she was applying. Sirin looked over at her Master and beamed. The yellow, orange, and red eyeliner and eyeshadow did indeed look very striking on her.

“That is a good look for you, Padawan.”

“Miss Rook thought it would be.”

Kast shrugged her shoulders before starting to put her makeup away.

“Thank you, Miss Rook for entertaining my Padawan while I was away. That’s really above and beyond.”

Her lover gave her a shrug. She had a bit of a self-satisfied look. “We both had some free time, so we did a bit of bonding.”

“That was really not necessary…” It was then that Barriss noticed Sirin’s boots and leggings were splattered with mud. The leggings would need someone to darn a few tears as well. “What else were the two of you up to today?”

“The camp larder was starting to look bare, so we did a little hunting. I asked the young Seven about her tattoo. And she said it was for skill in tracking. I wondered if that skill could be transferrable to a chore useful towards the camp.”

Sirin smiled triumphantly. “She taught me how to use a gun.”

“She is a fast learner. She provided a few meals for the camp today.”

Barriss raised her eyebrows. “Oh, did she?” She advanced on her Mandalorian roommate. “You have been ever so helpful today, Miss Rook. Maybe in the future you could let me know ahead of time so we can coordinate as to her training regimen.”

Kast stood, alert to stand her ground. “You are training her. I am not. We both had free time. I was just filling it.”

“Through extracurricular educational tasks, Miss Rook. Again, I thank you. But you shouldn’t feel any pressure to take on that role if you do not wish to.”

“Why, do you not wish me to?”

“Do you want to be an additional mentor, Kast?”

“I was just here and so was she. That is all.”

They were just centimeters apart now. “Yes. You were here. Why are you here, exactly?”

“This is my tent too. I have a cot and I sleep here.”

“Yes, why is that?”

Kast gave her a proud and a bit of a sultry look. “Because I am your co-pilot. We are partners.”

‘You seem pretty sure of that, Miss Rook.”

“My name is on the roster, same as yours. You put it there.”

“I did. Nothing in there about being co-mentor.”

“I did not want the youngling to be idle. I was trying to be helpful.”

“Is that what you like doing, Miss Kast? Do you like to be helpful?”

“Don’t you? I like to help you. I am your co-pilot after all. That’s what co-pilots do.”

“You seem pretty sure of that.”

She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against the side of Barriss’ head. “You put my name down. I assumed you wanted me here.”

Barriss whispered to her. “I do want you here, Rook. I think it’s sweet what you did. But please clear things with me first. I’m scared enough being a teacher for the first time, that responsibility.”

“She’s a good kid. She’ll be easy.”

“Maybe if I have a good co-pilot to help guide me.” She kissed her lightly. “She slipped out a minute ago, didn’t she?”

“Yes, saw her out of the corner of my eye. Her and her droid. I guess it got a little awkward in here.”

She hugged her stubborn lover and kissed her once more. “If I was Luminara I would go after her. But I think she’s earned a bit of leeway to roam after being trapped on a starship for nearly a month. At her age. Maybe we should give her a head start to play like a wild child for an hour or so.”

“You shall be a fine buir to the youth.” Kast caressed the Jetti’s cheek.

“I can only hope so and trust in the Force. You called her ‘Seven’ just now?”

“She asked me to call her that. It’s like her callsign.”

“Interesting.”

Outside the young Sister and her droid splashed through puddles, looked through junk piles for secret treasures, skirted the edge of the jungle seeking imaginary monsters, and generally wasted time waiting for the two women to come to some sort of an understanding. Her Force-blessed perception gave her the impression that it would go smoother if she was not there.

[sybbi]

People on tiktok are talking about having a general strike starting Sept. 1 and whenever anyone points out the lack of clear goals or organizers or mutual aid, the lack of funds to help cover people during a strike with rent and bills and food, they go "You do nothing but complain abt capitalism and then when people move to strike you complain, nut up or shut up" like no you absolute fucking zoomers. People are asking these questions and making these criticisms because THEY WANT TO JOIN IN. THEY WANT TO HAVE A GENERAL STRIKE. But not everybody can fall back to their parents' place if they lose their job and their home!! Not everybody is some young college-aged, fully abled person with no responsibilities to anyone but themselves, no meds or medical operations to worry about paying for, no additional mouths to worry about feeding!! And I know part of this attitude is just young people being young, not knowing what they don't know, but I'm also so SICK of the younger generation blatantly ignoring or SHOUTING OVER the concerns and advice of older people who are otherwise ON THEIR SIDE!! I'm sick of zoomers who took the "we're the most progressive generation ever 💅" thing to mean they can shit on anyone else and don't need to think critically about anything ever because they must always be in the right, thus allowing for half-assed strike attempts that will inevitably fail and cause nothing but harm to anyone who actually attempts it and probably lead to disillusionment with such tactics for some (which plays right into the interests of the people you're trying to go against)!! Or allows for rampant terf and gender bioessentialism to infiltrate their feminist spaces and anyone who says otherwise is a pick me or isnt a "girl's girl"!! Or allows for the discussion of CLASS EUGENICS because they ALSO think poor people are irresponsible and selfish for having children bc clearly wealth is a choice and everyone who has children wants them and has a choice in whether to continue a pregnancy or not and there's no nuance or critical thought to any discussion ever!!!! I'm TIRED!!!!!!

[s-creations]

Shine and Reflect - Fanfic for 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'

Mario was the older brother. It was his job to make sure he and Luigi were provided for. It was his job to keep Luigi safe.

It was his job to get Luigi back.

Fandom: Super Mario & Related Fandoms, The Super Mario Bros. Movie Rating: General Audience Audiences Relationships: Luigi & Mario (Nintendo) Warnings/Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Some fluff and mainly angst, Happy Ending, Happy Reunion, Spoilers for the 2023 Movie!, I need more warm brotherly moments, Mainly Mario's POV during the movie.

He wanted to state, for the record, to whatever higher powered being could possibly watching…

His father may have had a point.

Mario and Luigi were tight bonded brothers, twins, they did everything together. If Mario wanted to try something, Luigi would be close behind. 

Adults cooed about it when they were younger, saying how adorable it was that ‘Mario has a second shadow!’. In school, bullies called the younger brother ‘a leech’, claiming Mario wouldn’t get far because Luigi would drag him down. Now being adults themselves, people would worriedly ask if Luigi could do anything on his own. 

It really annoyed Mario.

Sure, he was the instigator for…a lot of things in their lives. But no one really understood how much Mario needed Luigi by his side. 

They were a team, they balanced each other out. Mario was head-strong, Luigi thought things through before acting. Mario was a man of few words but extremely social. Luigi was great with customers but didn’t like meeting new people for personal interactions. Mario was the Sun; warm, inviting, and bright. Luigi was the Moon; calm, comforting, and relaxed.

Where one went, the other followed.

It was just, more often than not, Mario was the one in the lead. 

Which, when he really thought about it, was why he and Luigi were in the situation they currently saw themselves in.

Mario was the one who knew, who was determined to show, they deserved better. He was the one who decided they needed to fix the problem to gain the spotlight they rightly deserved. He was the one who pulled his fearful brother along, pointedly ignoring Luigi’s comments of worry.

Mario was the one who let Luigi go.

He will never, ever, be able to forget that moment. How Luigi’s face had a hopeful smile, Mario doing his given duty as the older brother.

“As long as we’re together, nothing can hurt us!”

It was the last few seconds of comforting warmth he was able to provide. Because Mario was unprepared for a stronger force breaking them apart. His hold slipped, arms remained outstretched, unable to grab his brother again. Luigi’s face of fear and desperation the final thing Mario saw before his younger brother disappeared into a dark pipe. 

Mario turned his fear into action the moment he touched down in the Mushroom Kingdom. Going from Toad to Princess Peach in order to get help with his endeavor. 

Someone, anyone, he didn’t really care who it was!

Even with Peach saying she was going to face Bowser, the creature who could have taken his brother at this point, Mario jumped at this. 

“Well, take me with you!” He quickly requested.

Peach frowned softly at that. “Bowser’s a lunatic. A psycho. He will eat you for breakfast.”

Mario doubted enough time or words could be granted to tell her how much he didn’t care about the clear danger. “I don’t care. I’m going to get my brother back and you’re going to help me. …Please?”

The conversation didn’t really turn out as he had expected. Mario was able to come along, but…

“You have to reach the flagpole before the sun comes up tomorrow morning. Otherwise, I can’t let you come with me.” Peach bargained. 

“Wait, what? Beat this entire thing?” Mario felt his plateaued panic start to rise.

“You can’t make it to Bowser if something else gets to you first,” the princess argued, “This world is dangerous, you have to be able to defend yourself against it. I can’t keep an eye on you and face Bowser. If you can’t beat this, you can’t come. Bottom line.”

Mario felt his heart sink, turning back to the obstacle course. Dreaded Power-Up Mushroom weighing heavily in his hands.

He understood the reason. It was a good one to be honest. But this was for Luigi, to get his brother back. Mario had been set and determined to get him back in anyway. But he was not expecting this to be his first major obstacle…literally.

It didn’t matter.

Mario let out a huff, steeling his nerves, and swallowed the horrid mushroom down. The weird burst of adrenaline rushing through him.

He was doing this for Luigi.

Mario winced as a misjump caused him to bash his head into a brick block. The power disappearing.

He was doing this for Luigi.

The red foam balls, which were supposed to represent fireballs apparently, were a lot harder than Mario expected. Launched him back into a few glowing, unmoving yellow blocks. 

He was doing this for Luigi. 

The fake Bullet Bill, also made from the hardened foam, were to numerous to dodge and remain on the platform. As well as fast. Causing Mario to be knocked off the narrow pathway and flown back to the starting point. 

He was doing this for Luigi.

Cheep Cheeps were terrible little fish.

He was doing this for Luigi.

Peach had fallen asleep when the moon had passed the middle of the sky. Around Mario’s 64th attempt at the course. Now having to call the Mushrooms on his own. He could tell his body was heavily battered and bruised. He could tell he was exhausted. But he was not going to give up. He couldn’t give up. He was going to go out and find Luigi.

Mario was about to ingest another Mushroom when something caught his eye. The platform was suddenly a lot brighter than before. There was a new source of light.

The sun was starting to rise.

Morning was coming.

He was running out of time.

His stomach was churning, and it was not because of the Mushrooms this time.

This was officially his last shot to prove that he could handle what was thrown at him.

Mario faced the course again. Heart hammering in fear at thinking he would have to sit and wait.

Wait in worry and fear. Wonder if Peach was successful. Wonder if she had been able to find Luigi. To hope and pray that Luigi was…

He changed tactics. Mario realized what he’d been doing wrong this entire time. He was trying to copy what he’d seen Peach do. Same path, same action, everything. However, it clearly wasn’t working for him.

So, he rethought everything.

Mario was slower when dealing with the Piranha Plants. Waiting for the first to disappear into the pipe completely, jumping onto the second when it had just started to pop up, and soaring over the last one. He outright avoided the firewheels. Dropping down below, deciding that smashing the brick blocks would be easier.

Mario was now the furthest he’d even been. 

He picked up speed.

The long pathway rose up before reaching an end and Mario jumped off. Eyes narrowing as he closed in on the Bowser cut out. Getting great satisfaction in breaking it to pieces. 

Now it was a quick focus to change his position, remaining upright as the pathway started to fall away. Facing the true barrage of fake Bullet Bills. Clenching his jaws, Mario leapt onto the first one.

Second.

Third.

Added a flip before landing on the fourth.

Fifth.

Mario was almost there. The end was finally within reach. One final jump and he was flying to the flagpole. A gasp of surprise called Mario’s attention to Peach, who had woken up at some point. Eyes wide with her own amazement at how close Mario was. He flashed a smile, feeling amazing, he couldn't believe that-

Piranha Plant teeth, even fake, hurt. A lot.

The situation felt worse as he was spat out onto the starting point. Mario resting at the foot of the flagpole. Peach letting out a small hiss of sympathetic understanding.

Well…crud.

Mario groaned as he got onto his hands and knees. Worry filled eyes going from the flagpole, to Peach, before lowering them again.

He failed.

This was his last chance to prove he could do this. To follow along to find his brother. But he couldn’t do it. Shining eyes peered up slightly when a gloved hand entered his vision. Weakly taking it, not fighting as he was pulled onto his feet. Unable to look at Peach again.

“Well…we have a long journey ahead of us. I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it.”

That caught Mario’s attention. Head snapping up to finally look at Peach in absolute surprise. “...But I didn’t make it.”

She smiled back softly. Taking hold of Mario’s hand once more, lifting it up to touch the bottom of the pole. A triumphant jingle sounding.

“Looks like to me, you did.”

Even as Peach pulled away, Mario’s hand remained. Still in a little shock. “...But I got hit.”

“I just requested that you get to the end. Power-Ups help. It’s not a deciding factor.”

Mario felt hope swell in his heart, eyes widening. “Does this mean that I can come with you?”

Yes.

Yes, he could.

Mario was already aware the place was different from Earth. But he just wasn’t aware of how vastly different it was. 

While Warp Pipes were able to get them to the outskirts of the city, the majority of the journey was spent walking. When asked, Peach did say this world did have vehicles (carts, not cars). But that the Mushroom Kingdom didn’t have access to the needed tools or power to create them. So traveling said way was a no-go.

They passed through green valleys with cannons just out in the open and walking, talking bombs that were happy to offer directions. Across a long bridge that had Cheep Cheeps jumping up and over them (sometimes). Over towering mountains that offered an amazing view of the world around them. The family phrase of amazement falling from Mario’s mouth.

“I’ll never let anything happen to this place.” Peach replied softly.

“Yeah…” While the view was amazing, something nagged in the back of his mind.

Luigi would have loved this…but he wasn’t here.

The amazement of it all, while still impressive, was dulled in remembering why this was happening.

“Are you thinking about your brother?”

Mario was broken from his thoughts hearing Peach's question. His cap was in hand, sitting on the smooth and rather comfortable rock as the fire was built before him.

He was still in a bit of a numb daze when he replied, “We’ve never been apart this long.”

It was the painful truth that seemed to sting worse saying it aloud. They had been at each other’s side since they’d been born. 

And now…

Mario was pulled from his thoughts again. This time by a bowl of mixed, cooked vegetables. Minus the mushrooms. Looking up further over to see it was Toad who was offering said food with a wide smile.

He took the offered bowl with a weak smile of his own. Perking up a little tasting the number of spices being used, the vegetables themselves packed full of flavor as well.

“This is really good.”

Toad beamed. “Nothing but the best for my best friend.”

Mario good naturedly shook his head before taking another bite. His mouth was happy with the flavors and his stomach rumbled in contentment for getting food.

.

.

.

Was Luigi getting fed?

His last meal would have been from the night before. And even then, Mario didn’t see Luigi actually eat something. Either blocked by one of their uncles or from Mario pulling him away.

If Bowser was as terrible as Peach warned, would he even care that someone needed to eat?

What was Luigi even going through right now?

Was he okay?

Had he been captured or was he now just lost in the Dark Lands?

Would Mario be able to find him?

Or will Luigi’s terrified face as he was pulled away be the last memory Mario would ever have of him?

“Mario.”

The bowl of food was gently pulled from his hand. Mario realized his vision was extremely blurry. His breathing harsh and heavy, his cheeks wet. He immediately pulled his hat over his eyes. His other hand, still holding onto the spoon, pressed against the side of his temple. Teeth clenched together in an attempt to keep himself quiet.

An arm was gently wrapped around his shoulders. While someone fully leaned into Mario, small arms wrapped around him in a tiny hug. 

“You’re okay,” Peach whispered gently, “You can let it out.”

“Don’t be quiet, it won’t help.” Toad’s voice, while still as gentle, sounded a little squished. 

Mario let out a harsh, shaky sob before admitting, “I-It’s my fault… I-It was m-my stupid i-idea to f-fix the s-system. I wanted to prove t-to my dad that I could d-do something right…”

“Mario…”

“And then I l-let him go!” Mario’s outburst caused him to get the sudden burst of energy to stand. Hat off so he could run a hand through his hair. “I had Luigi! I h-had him right there! I told him we were going to be fine, w-we just had to stick together…and I l-let him go… And n-now he’s either lost in the Dark Lands or trapped b-by Bowser…”

He froze when hands gripped his shoulders. Tightly, but not painfully. Just enough to ground him and make him better aware of his surroundings. 

Peach was staring down at him with a stern look. “This is not your fault.”

“...I…But-”

“You thought you knew what you were doing. That you were doing something good. You could have never predicted that any of this would happen. You did what you could and now is the time to move forward. We are going to find him, and he’s going to be fine.”

Mario couldn’t verbally reply, feeling as if his throat was closed up. Only nodding slowly.

Peach calmed her features, loosening her grip but didn’t let go. “Give yourself the chance to grieve. I won’t deny you that, I think you need it. But don’t let those thoughts win.”

Mario let out a slow breath, eyes squeezed shut as he nodded again. “Right…thank you.”

Meeting Cranky Kong was interesting.

Mario was super confused how anyone who had to look after so many people could seem so uninterested about the increasing danger. Even more so confused about denying the chance to put a stop to it all. If this was Mario’s best chance to get Luigi back, he was not going to lose it.

Puffing out his chest, Mario stepped forward and determinedly said, “We’re not leaving without your army.”

That…did not go as intended.

Cranky was only ‘impressed’ because he found Mario as a joke. Amused enough to claim Peach could have his army, if Mario could beat the crazy king’s son in some kind of battle. Peach attempted to quickly convey how terrible of an idea this was for Mario to partake in. But the human was not going to be deterred. 

“You, sir, have a deal! I’ll beat your son and win your army.”

Cranky Kong merely gave a condescending smirk. “I’m sure you will.”

Oh, this was not fun.

Spike had been the biggest pain in Mario’s side when he was on Earth.

Donkey Kong was, somehow, so much worse.

Mario could only describe the giant ape as the entitled child who either used dad’s name, money, or muscle to get what he wanted. Loud and annoyingly boisterous. DK was getting on Mario’s last nerve and he’d only just met the ape. 

The problem came when DK had the words and the muscle to get the job done. Mario was beaten for only 30 seconds and the human felt as if his entire form was vibrating. Feeling as if he was going to fall apart at any second. 

His first few attempts to get Power-Ups didn’t end well. Either grabbing a Blue Mushroom that made him smaller (seriously, who would want that!?) or with DK blowing out the Fire Flower, turning it to ash. Barely getting a moment to recover as each of DK’s hits landed hard. 

Pulled up by the front of his shirt, Mario winced as warm breath washed over him.

“Had enough yet?” DK smirked, knowing he’d done enough damage to make anyone weak in the knees.

Truthfully, Mario felt every fiber of his being screaming pain. He’d never hurt so severely before. He’d never been beaten so soundly before. It even hurt to breathe. 

That didn’t matter to him.

It wasn’t about him or the amount of pain he was in.

It was about winning so they could have the army.

It was making sure they could take Bowser down.

It was about Luigi.

It was about getting his brother back.

“Not…even…close.” Mario growled back.

Okay, that last punch knocked him a little silly…

Victory arrived when Mario claimed the Cat Suit Power-Up. A little embarrassed at first. Even more so when his heightened hearing caught Toad’s and Peach’s comment about how ‘adorable’ he looked.

Luigi would have definitely gotten a kick out of this.

Even with the amount of laughter thrown at him, Mario got a leg up easily. Realizing that he had all the natural abilities of a cat, times 10. It was weird at first, if he was being honest. His body wasn’t used to moving like this. But it only took a few seconds to get used to it.

This. Was. Amazing!

Mario had never thought he could ever move this fast. He hits hard. He threw a barrel like it was nothing! It was like he knew what was coming next and could dodge it easily. He zipped around like it was so natural and he had claws. This was weirdly addicting.

DK was down faster than Mario expected. The large ape tried to pull off Mario’s previously said words, but couldn’t back it up. Collapsing the next moment.

Mario had won.

They got the Kong Army.

They were going to get Luigi back.

It was all going so well. They had a plan and the numbers. Mario was starting to feel a bit of a connection being formed between him and Peach. His turtle comment had caused her to laugh softly, knowing his cheeks were starting to flush. Even DK’s teasing about him ‘flirting’ couldn’t bring him down.

What could bring him down was a blue-shelled Koopa. Who’s extreme trait of not giving up apparently meant exploding. The colorful road shattering below the cart DK and Mario were on. The human feeling his stomach disappeared as he freefalled into the dark void below them.

The void turned into a seemingly endless ocean that turned out to be the home of a giant eel. Which ate the ape and human up easily. 

Mario was officially the lowest he’d ever been. Trapped, about to be digested, with no way out, and with a being who clearly hated him.

He couldn’t get out.

He wouldn’t be able to get back to Luigi.

He’s never going to see his brother again.

The swallowed cart had been a blessing Mario wasn’t expecting. But he also wasn’t about to complain. The cart’s rocket made for a very short, if not shaky, trip to the Mushroom Kingdom. Where they were shot down by a Bullet Bill.

The landing was rough. But put them in a perfect position given that they were right where the underlings were collecting the Power Blocks.

Mario, looking over to DK, asked with a smirk, “You wanna do this?”

It took a few seconds for the ape to understand. A wide smile finally forming. “Yes I do.”

Honestly, they made a pretty good team. Not as good as Mario and Luigi. But a decent team nonetheless.

The latest Power-Up was another fuzzy suit. Not a Cat Power-Up, but a weird mix between the bear and raccoon. Mario had barely asked his question of “Hey, what does this-” before he was flying. The striped tail whirls like a helicopter, allowing for height and speed.

“Hey, cool raccoon suit!” DK called out as they climbed up one of the long chains.

“Really?”

“Not at all!”

Of course.

“Alright, listen up,” DK continued, “I’m making a guess that blue light is Peach with a Power-Up. She can handle herself. But if Bowser’s gonna be Bowser, he’s gonna have prisoners here.”

Prisoners. Luigi.

“So we focus on getting them free and safe?” Mario replied.

“You got it!”

When they reached the top, Mario felt his heart sink. There were prisoners, a lot of them. All currently being lowered into the large lake of lava. It was so bright, air warped from the heat, that Mario couldn’t see any specific details from the people inside said cages.

Or even specific colors. 

“You try and get the cages back up!” Mario called out. 

DK nodded, “And you stay below, just in case!”

The human was off without a second thought. Even with the closing distance, it was hard to still see who was who. Thankfully, from what Mario could see, DK got up to the gears faster than the human expected and started bringing the cages back up. It looked as if none of the cages had entered the lava yet…

The prisoners let out cries of joy. Except for a blue star creature, who let out a low ‘Boo’. Even then, Mario still couldn’t relax. Flitting from cage to cage. Looking everywhere for some flash of green. He just needed a-

Mario felt his heart stop. 

A good distance away, almost on the complete opposite side from where Mario was currently hovering, hanging from a mostly melted cage, was Luigi. The younger brother desperately kicked his legs as he tried to climb to the very top of the cage.

Mario was off. Eyes only narrowed on Luigi as he pushed forward. Fear rose as his brother suddenly slipped from the cage. He had no clue how he could pick up speed in this suit. He just desperately willed himself to go faster. 

He was so close, but Luigi seemed to be falling faster towards the lava. 

Mario stretched his arms out, whining softly as he just chanted please, please, please in his head.

Mario’s hands wrapped around Luigi’s left wrist the moment he made contact. The younger brother letting out a yelp of surprise at the sudden change of directions. His other hand quickly reached up to grab at Mario’s arm. Eyes still on the lava below them.

“Lu!” Mario called out.

That seemed to break Luigi free from whatever stupor he was stuck in. Head turning quickly, eyes widening further upon seeing it was his brother carrying him.

“Mario?” Luigi cried with shock.

Heart soaring with absolute joy, Mario couldn't help but let out a laugh. Rising up with Luigi in tow. Both landing a little bumpy, Luigi even throwing in a flip, before they stilled on the rock ground.

It was really only a few seconds that they remained frozen. But it felt like hours. Days. Mario taking in every inch of his brother. Luig was a little shaky. No doubt still trying to calm down from the near death experience. He was both, somehow, extremely pale and extremely flushed. Patches of red spots on his forehead and cheeks. Hair and clothing were ragged, his upper lip looking raw for some reason. His left sleeve torn and scratches clearly seen on his skin.

But he was alive.

Luigi was alive and Mario had found him.

The older brother felt so close to crying. Moving before he could fully break and crumble to the ground.

Mario immediately pulled his brother close. Wrapping his arms (and tail) as tightly as he could around Luigi. The younger brother, while his grip was lax, was still as desperate to get as close as he could to his brother. 

It was a dream.

A wonderful, amazing dream.

So unbelievable in fact that Mario pulled back slightly to make sure Luigi was in front of him. Cupping Luigi’s face, thumb running over his cheeks, before one hand slid down to grip his shoulder. The other gently grabbed the back of Luigi’s head. Their foreheads pressed together. Both still clearly taking in the fact they were together again.

Mario found him.

He finally found Luigi.

After worrying.

Panicking.

They were together again.

Mario found Luigi.

Mario caught Luigi.

Luigi was safe.

“See, I told you,” Mario choked out, “As long as we’re together, everything will be okay.”

Luigi merely nodded before burying himself back into the crook of Mario’s shoulder. Mario having no issues with holding his brother close again.

Too bad the moment ended far sooner than Mario would have liked.

Bowser (who Mario had not seen when landing) had broken free from his ice prison. In a last desperate attempt to win, the Koopa announced for the Mushroom Kingdom to be bombed.

Panicked with a slight bit of annoyance mixed in, Mario took off again.

Guess he wasn’t quite finished with this.

The plan to get rid of the Bomber Bill was really made on the fly. Mario was hopeful that the weird in between space could contain the expelled energy. Which he was right. 

Partially.

Because the next thing Mario knew, there was a heavy pulse of energy, followed by a strong suction that started pulling everything towards the Warp Pipe. And he meant everything. Large mushrooms, buildings, even Bowser’s ship. Mario fought against it for as long as he could. But he was soon flying through the air towards said pipe.

Swearing he could hear Luigi call out ‘Mario!’ even over the roar of the wind.

Being back in Brooklyn felt so strange. It seemed dull in comparison to the vivid colors the Mushroom Kingdom had. Mario was almost uncaring at the work truck that almost ran into him. Even more unconcerned when Spike climbed out.

The quiet early morning was interrupted when Bowser’s fortress suddenly burst out from the sewer system. Mario and the surrounding civilians running off while trying to avoid the falling debris. The older brother, thankfully, even with a rather nasty spill, wasn’t further hurt. 

Letting out a grunt as he sat up, Mario’s attention being directed to a heavy but low hum. Eyes widening upon seeing a large, glowing star hovering a few inches off the ground was only a few feet away from where Mario sat. 

“Is that…” Mario whispered to himself, leaning forward slightly.

The amazement of it all was quickly shattered when a deep, rage filled voice shouted out “MARIO!”

Climbing out from the rubble of the fortress was the hulking form of Bowser. His red eyes glowing brightly, standing out further from his shadowed form. 

Mario was up on his feet, heart hammering as he ran forward. Eyes on the glowing star. Knowing it was going to be his best bet to end this. 

Only for Bowser to block his way, eyes narrowing as Mario came to a short stop.

There was no warning before Mario’s wrist was grabbed and he was easily lifted off the ground. His mind going completely blank as Bowser stared him down with absolute fury. Telling himself to slowly that Bowser was about to hit him. Barely able to get his other arm up to even partially block said attack.

Mario’s stomach swooped sickeningly as he flew back. Only stopping when his back hit the closest car. The windshield shattered from impact.

“You ruined everything!” Bowser roared, lifting a boulder and throwing it easily towards Mario. Who quickly got out of the way. Another near miss. “I was finally going to be happy!”

Mario was grabbed again, by his ankle now, and flung into another car. Barely getting a second to breath before he was forced to roll off said car as Bowser grabbed the trunk. The human scrambled backwards, only to run into another vehicle.

“Now I’m going to make you suffer! Just. Like. Me.”

Mario rolled away and ran off, not looking back hearing the car crash into the ground. His mind screaming at him to get away. He wouldn’t be able to fight like this. DK just wanted to show off. Bowser wanted to kill him. He needed to find a Power-Up or something. Where was Peach, he’d even take DK’s help!

Where was Lui-

Something connected to his side, hard. He was sent flying once more. Through the window of the Punch Out Pizzeria restaurant and right into the brick wall. Mario unable to block his face from hitting the ground hard. Nose making impact first. He let out a small whine as he tried to sit up.

A low growl warned Mario that Bowser was right outside.

Letting out a panicked cry, Mario crawled his way over to the booths. Pressing his back into the padded seating as his heart hammered furiously.

“Was that it, that was the best that you could do! You are absolutely worthless,” Bowser growled out, “Come out and fight! …Or are you too much of a coward.”

He couldn’t do it.

Mario slumped back, closing his eyes tightly as the heavy throbbing seemed to take over his body.

He couldn’t move.

Mario winced hearing Bowser roar, the human shrinking away from the front door as best he could.

He knew the danger was still out there. But nothing seemed to want to work.

He couldn’t be the hero he briefly thought he was. His head strong nature was flickering out.

The fog of self-doubt was lifted slightly when the TV screen before him flickered to life. He received a jolt of comfort when the brother’s self-made commercial popped up. Laughing softly hearing his heavily accented voice. A gentle smile formed as he watched his recorded self and brother beaming at the camera. Acting out their lines happily. Joyous in knowing they were starting a new chapter in their life, together.

The screen flickered, the last image of him and Luigi standing side by side. Mario’s arm wrapped around his younger brother’s shoulder. 

Both smiling wide.

Mario remembered his cheeks hurting so much after that shot. 

But incredibly happy.

The screen flickers off. Leaving the area dark. Mario’s own weak smile fell away when the area next to him was empty. A negative reflection of what was just on screen.

Mario frowned in thought. 

This whole journey was about getting Luigi back. About making sure his brother was safe and right by his side. Back on the floating fortress, Mario thought he’d finally done it. But it was clear he wasn’t. Because he knew, as long as Bowser was still around, as well as his army still standing, Luigi wasn’t going to be safe. 

Mario wouldn’t be done until that Koopa finally went down.

Steeling his nerves once more, with his body screaming for sleep, Mario stood up onto shaky legs. Adjusting his cap as he stumbled his way towards the exit. Face set in a determined frown. 

“Alright… Let’s-a go.”

He winced as he stepped out into the sunlight. The neighborhood street looking absolutely destroyed by the current situation. Toad and Peach were currently being held back by members of Bowser’s army. The Koopa himself currently taking great pleasure in beating around an already senseless DK.

Ignoring his throbbing ankle, Mario stood confidently before shouting out, “Hey!”

That easily caught the Koopa’s attention. Lowering his arm that had been in mid-swing to glare at the human. 

“You just don’t know when to quit, do you.” Bowser growled out.

Mario merely smirked. Rubbing his sore shoulder before raising his fists up to fight. “Guess I don’t.”

“Mario!” Peach’s voice suddenly rang out. The human unable to look at her before something shimmering when soaring over him. “Get the Star!”

“No, that’s mine!” Bowser roared.

But Mario was already off. Running as fast as his legs could carry him. Trying to ignore how the ground shook underneath his feet as Bowser charged after. Even with the Koopa being in better health, Mario was by far faster. Said human unable to stop himself from leaning forward as he closed in on the Star.

Celebration was short-lived as Mario realized the temperature was rising. Too late to understand what was happening and avoid the stream of fire being sent his way. He instinctively raised his hands as the fire only drew closer. A foot unfortunately contacting with a broken part of the street and he fell.

This was it.

There was no way he was going to avoid this. 

This was their last chance to stop Bowser and it all was going to end with him being burnt to a crisp.

Mario closed his eyes and turned away. He didn’t want his last sight to be the approaching wall of fire.

…Except it never came. 

When he wasn’t immediately cooked alive, Mario dared to peek.

Silhouetted by a ring of fire created by the manhole cover blocking it, was Luigi. The younger brother clearly using every ounce of strength he had to keep the fire at bay.

“Lu…” Mario whispered in amazement. 

It was amazing to watch. The younger brother Mario had sworn to always protect. Who he defended and kept the bullies away from. Was now giving it his all to keep Mario safe.

Grunting against the strain, Luigi shifted into a better position. Eyes opening with a look of determination as he peered over to his brother. 

“Nothing can hurt us, as long as we’re together, right?”

Mario nodded slowly to Luigi’s statement.

That’s what he was missing. Mario knew he always needed Luigi. But he thought it was just to know where Luigi was and to keep him safe. If he knew his younger brother was out of harm's way, Mario could take on anyone. 

That was never the case though. He didn’t need Luigi just by his side. He needed Luigi fighting by his side. Mario was the driving force. But Luigi kept the momentum going. Mario would not be where he was if Luigi had not been at his side. Acting as his equal.

Mario couldn’t stop Bowser alone. 

But with Luigi, that Koopa wouldn’t stand a chance.

Holding out his hand, Mario gave his brother a sharp nod. Luigi responded in kind. Grabbing hold of the offered hand tightly. As Luigi was pulled forward, the manhole cover fell away, both brothers pushing off the ground fast and hard. Able to ignore the fire as they each wrapped a hand around the glowing star.

Peach sighed softly, eyes staring up at the dark ceiling above her. 

The day had ended with them winning. It had been a spectacular display of the Power Star’s ability by the brothers. While Peach had heard and read about how amazing it was, seeing it in person, in action, was so different. All of it cultivating in Bowser being defeated and his army fleeing.

Hopefully back to their world. But with the Warp Pipe blocked by Bowser’s fortress, it’s not likely. They probably just scattered to anywhere that was not the battlefield the moment they could. Peach groaned softly, knowing it was yet another thing to add to her every growing list of duties.

When the celebration of victory had died down, the first issues were the brothers. Mario had been beaten black and blue. Luigi closed to passing out due to dehydration. Both pushed to the edge of exhaustion. The Power Star’s energy was not enough to sustain them any further. 

When they were taken away, parents following them close behind, Peach put on her best political face. Asking for the current highest ranking individual in the area. Which turned out to be someone carrying the title of ‘Head Chef’ for the ‘Brooklyn Police Department’. Too many words, in Peach’s opinion. Head Knight or Captain would have worked just fine.

She was only a few words in when the mayor arrived. With a fanfare of flashing lights and a lot of loud voices asking a lot of questions. 

Who are you?

Where are you from?

Do you think you’ll be able to, in any way, be able to explain what happened here?

Peach felt as if her throat was on fire by the end of the day. 

Relief came in the form of Mario’s mother, who slipped between the two officials with a warm but firm smile. 

“Mayor Pauline,” she said calmly, “While I respect your want to learn about everything that’s been happening, now may not be the best time. Maybe helping with the clear up and restoration to our neighborhood”

“Of…course. But I would like to advise that-”

“Ms. Peach and her guests are more than welcome to stay with me for the time being. And we’d best be off, dinner will need to be made soon.” 

Peach was in stunned silence as her hand was gently taken and she was pulled away. Toad and DK following close behind with the ape giving a grand wave goodbye to the flashing lights.

“Don’t fret dear,” she continued softly, “You’re more than welcome into our home.”

“...Thank you.” Peach said softly.

“Of course. I’m Giorgia, the mother of those two handfuls, it’s wonderful to meet you!”

Peach, DK, and Toad were quickly led into one of the few still standing buildings. There were a few items damaged. Mainly from those that had either been hanging from the wall or had been on the selves. But otherwise, it was more of a mess with everything behind upturned or severely out of place. 

Other family members were either trying to right all that had been toppled over or bustling around the kitchen. Materials in hand while words were tossed around by the family member in a language Peach didn’t understand.

Tucked away in the corner, dressed in something much more comfortable and blankets draped over their shoulders, were Mario and Luigi. They were as close as they could possibly get. Sitting on large squishy bags, Luigi’s legs were draped across Mario’s lap. Foreheads gently pressed together with Mario’s left arm wrapped around his brother. He was saying something, but only Luigi could hear it as he would occasionally nod to what was being said. Eyes fixated on Mario’s right hand that was resting in his lap. Luigi moved the fingers on occasion or was gently squeezing the heavily padded areas.

Both were lost in each other to notice that the others had arrived. 

“I don’t suppose you two would be kind enough to help out in the kitchen?” Giorgia asked DK and Toad, “Let the family know if there’s anything you can’t eat.”

As the other two made their way to the kitchen, Giorgia turned her attention back to Peach. “And how about we get you out of that stuffy dress. I’m sure I have something you can wear.”

“Oh, uh, shouldn’t you worry about…” Peach’s eyes darted over to the brothers. 

Giorgia offered a warm smile in understanding. “I don’t know what’s happened to them… But I know when they need each other and not an overbearing mother. Besides, you look very uncomfortable. Wedding dresses are pretty, but not functional.”

It was such a relief to be out of that dress. Sure, she was used to wearing dresses on a daily basis. But that one made her skin itch. Also, Peach was absolutely enamored with this baggy shirt and loose, soft pants called ‘sleepwear’.

Dinner was interesting. It took awhile for the new arrivals to settle well around the table. Then needing time to be convinced that the spaghetti noodles were, in fact, not cooked worms. The chorus of happy noises told the family this meal was a winner.

They were halfway through the meal when the brother’s walked in. Still looking absolutely exhausted, hand in hand as they stood before the group.

The brothers gave weak smiles and tired waves, barely getting out a soft, “Hey-o…”

They were led over to the two free chairs that were placed next to each other. Still gripping each other’s hand as they sat and started to eat. They were too focused on eating/not falling asleep to notice the sudden tense atmosphere. All clearly wanting to know how they were feeling, and what happened, and if they were really okay.

Except for DK. Who’d finished his plate and beamed, “This stuff is amazing! No wonder Mario’s as round as he is.”

Peach felt as if she swallowed an Ice Flower. Wide eyes going to the ape, filled with fear. Which DK completely ignored. 

Just as Peach was going to apologize, Giorgia let out a soft laugh. “Well, I do feel better if I know my family’s being well fed. Would you like some more?”

“Yes please!”

“If you like this, you’ll be absolutely amazed by what else we have,” one Uncle stated, “This is actually pretty simple all things considered.”

“But it makes a lot and that’s what’s important.” The Aunt said this time.

Her husband, the second Uncle, nodded and added, “To be honest, not the meal I would think to serve royalty”

“Oh, I’m fine with this.” DK responded.

The same Uncle whispered to his wife, “The ape is royalty?”

“It’s wonderful,” Peach smiled softly, “Really, this is great. If anything, this is a wonderful introduction to the cuisine offered on Earth.”

The conversation picked up again after that. A warm atmosphere returning in full.

“Lu…Luigi? …Weegie, put your fork down at least.”

Hearing Mario whisper, Peach turned to peer over at the brothers. Luigi was clearly fighting sleep while sitting up. Uncaring as Mario placed his fork down onto the table.

“Hey,” Mario whispered softly, “You still with me?”

“Mmm? ‘M awake…” Luigi responded weakly. 

“Do you want to go upstairs?” 

“...Don’t wanna leave you.”

“I’ll be with you still. Promise. We should head up.”

“But…you’re hungry…”

“I ate enough, okay? Let’s go up.”

“But-”

“Oh, wow, wide yawning noises.” DK dramatically stretched his arms above his head, pushing against the ceiling. Mouth dropped wide in an over the top ‘yawn’. “Don’t suppose there’s room for a great ape to hang his tie for the night? Hey, Mario, you got a room? Eh, you got a room. How about you show me where you lay your head?”

Mario recovered from his surprise quickly, giving a small nod before turning to Luigi. “Come on. Let’s go with DK.”

“‘M ‘kay…” Luigi mumbled softly, eyes barely open now.

“I know, you’re okay. Let’s go upstairs.” 

The three departed. The rest left at the table listening as DK carried on his own conversation. Toad waited a few more minutes before also departing from the table. Giorgia quickly called out which floor and door was Mario’s room in case the other didn’t catch up fast enough. 

Pausing for a few moments before turning to Peach and frantically asking, “Are they male or female? How much do we need to worry about privacy?”

The princess couldn’t help but giggle. “Yes, he’s male, they’ll all be fine.”

Peach herself was directed to rest on the rather cushioned couch. With a pile of blankets and pillows dropped nearby. Being offered to have her take what she needed in order to be comfortable. She gave thanks and set up her small ‘bed’. Listening as the family cleaned up and departed to their own rooms. 

The apartment soon fell dark and quiet. 

Everything was calm.

Yet here Peach laid. Staring up at the ceiling.

Feeling restless.

There was too much to do and yet now was not the time where anything could be done.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Peach stood. Hopeful she wouldn’t wake anyone at her shifting, but she needed to move. 

She explored the bottom floor first in hopes that one slow round trip would be enough to tire her. Peach unable to stop herself from cooing softly seeing a picture of baby Mario. Mentally making a note to tease Mario for, at one point, being shorter than what he currently was.

You know…when he was in a better emotional state.

Still feeling antsy, Peach slowly made her way up the grand stairway. She remembered the directions Giorgia had noted before as to where Mario’s room was. Carefully making her way towards there. 

Reaching the intended landing, Peach paused to make sure the world was still asleep before moving on. She paused once more, standing outside of the targeted door. It was open just a crack, only seeing darkness inside and hearing nothing but gentle breathing. Peach took a slow breath before slowly peering in. 

Toad was asleep in the corner of the room nearest the door, using his backpack as a pillow. No doubt used to sleeping in weird areas. Leaning further in, she found the single bed pushed to be flushed against the wall furthest from where she stood, underneath the window. Which was allowing the only form of light to pour in. 

DK was in the center of the room, laying on his stomach with his crossed arms being used as a pillow. The brothers were using DK as a pillow/bed to sleep on. 

Mario was sleeping on his back, his head leaning down to rest on top of Luigi’s. Arms tightly wrapped around his brother. Luigi was clinging to Mario, sleeping on his side with his head resting on Mario’s chest. Both had their lower halves covered by a blanket. Even with how soundly they appeared to be sleeping, Peach could tell they were tense. 

Moving carefully, Peach walked further into the room and claimed a spot near DK. Leaning against the wall. Still wide awake.

“Princess.” DK’s voice almost sounded like deep thunder with how loud it was in comparison to the still quiet.

Peach turned her eyes away from the window to find the ape awake as well. Eyes shining in the dark. 

“I didn’t mean to wake you.” She whispered. 

“Wasn’t asleep. Can’t sleep. I feel weird.”

“Yeah, same… How are they?”

“Heavy.” DK grumbled out.

“Other than that.” Peach rolled her eyes.

The ape paused for a moment. Eyes turned towards the direction of where the brothers were laying. “...It took forever to get Greenie to lay down. He also ‘woke up’ a few times, I think he kept having bad memories popping up, before officially falling asleep. Mario’s been hovering around him like some amazing and caring older brother or whatever.”

Peach laughed softly. “You really do care about Mario, don’t you.”

She could tell it took everything for DK to not snort loudly, give dramatic movements to show and tell how much Peach was wrong about this. But due to the two sleeping forms laying against him, DK held back. Which seemed to keep him calm enough for him just to say, “Maybe. But don’t tell him.”

“I won’t.”

“Good… I don’t think they’re doing well, princess.”

“I don’t think they are either.”

“What do we do?”

Peach frowned softly. “...We start to rebuild.”

“They’re not physically broken. Well, I mean, not as severely…”

“No, not literally with them. This place, the Mushroom Kingdom, those places will need to be physically rebuilt. But they…”

We’ve never been apart this long.

“They went through something big. In different ways. I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like. I think, for now, they’re going to be jumpy. A little panicked if out of sight from each other. It’ll get better. But for now, let them do what they feel is comfortable. Let them set boundaries.”

“...That’s fair. I really panicked when I saw dad being lowered to the lava. That’s going to haunt me for a while.”

“Same here.”

DK shifted slightly. Both pausing when Luigi let out a small whine. Even in his sleep, Mario was on guard. Letting out a small grunt as he lifted Luigi up until they could gently touch their foreheads together. 

Mario mumbling out, “‘M ‘ere… You’re ‘kay…”

They took a few seconds to make sure the brothers had settled back down, DK asked, “How broken are we?”

That really was the question, wasn’t it.

Bowser’s plan/invasion was something none of the other kingdoms had expected to happen. Everyone expected a quiet existence when the Koopa king was exiled. All believe it would be enough to keep the evil king at bay when the Rainbow Road sections had been destroyed.

Suppose they didn’t know of Bowser’s level of tenacity.

Bottom line was this whole thing left a lot of damage. 

“Very broken…but we’ll get better. If Mario and Luigi can go through a living nightmare and keep pushing forward, so can we. It’s going to take time and…and we definitely won’t be the same. But that’s fine, because being the same would mean we’re not learning. We’ll find a new normal and work with it.”

Peach paused to quickly cover a yawn. Finally feeling exhaustion pulling her down.

“You should head back down,” DK said softly, “Princesses shouldn't sleep on the floor.”

“But ape princes get a green light for it?”

“Just figured you’d be more comfortable anywhere else.”

Yawn interrupting her next statement, Peach merely shook her head and laid down. Hoping Toad wouldn’t mind being used as a pillow. “I’d rather not sleep alone tonight.”

“Yeah…fair… Night Peach.”

Peach hummed softly, “Goodnight DK.”

It wasn’t the grand ending she’d been hoping for. There was too much damage to bounce back so suddenly.

Tomorrow would be better. It would be shaky. But it would be better.

[unluckyhoneybee]

He stays (MI x DR)

Daniel is trying to get used to the new relationship, you and Michael help him feeling better. Smut.

Read first: He should stay.

Note: second and last part!! Friendly reminder that I don't know a shit about this people's sexuality and it's just fiction.

Warning: poly relationship. +18. DRxMI action. Penetrative sex (m receiving 🙂). Oral sex (for everyone). Butt stuff.

I opened Michael's door softly. He had been working for a long time on the office but I really needed to talk to him.

"Hey, beautiful."

"Hi, Mike"

"Come in. Is everything okay?"

"I need to talk to you about something"

He frowned and patted his thigh. I went and sant there.

"Tell me"

"Is Daniel okay? You know him better and..."

"Babe..."

"It's true, Michael. You've known each other for years."

He sighed.

"The season is not going well, but..."

But. I knew there would be a but. We both know this could happen, Daniel could have doubts about our relationship and may get overwhelmed. It was a possibility, it was something we talked about. We made sure that Daniel knew he owe us nothing. He could leave if it was too much. We were giving it a try, learning about this new dynamic. But it hurt. I loved Daniel and Michael did too, the last months have been insanely wonderful. That day on the farm, I couldn't even imagine how good it would be. The thought of him breaking up with us was so painful...

"He is off. Not only at work, right? I have seen him around. He is..."

"Yeah."

During the last days, Daniel had visited us less. There had been less sex and loving kisses, he was more serious and seemed to be in another world.

"We should talk to him" I whispered.

"Yeah"

"I don't want to lose him, Mike"

He sighed.

"We won't"

Two days later, Michael and I hadn't still found the right moment. Daniel would spend the night at home. We hadn't moved together yet, he needed time. But he usually come over or we would go to his.

"I will spend the weekend in Monaco" Daniel said while playing with his food.

I felt something sinking in my stomach.

"This weekend?" Michael asked while cleaning his mouth. He shot me a quick glance. He was worried.

"I don't want to intrude. I will give you space. I understand that your anniversary is important for you, so..."

"What?" I ran my hands through my hair. "What are you talking about, Daniel?"

I felt Mike's hand squeezing my thigh.

"YN, you were a thing before you let me in" He took a deep breath and leaned back on the chair. "I understand and respect that you want some of that time alone. Like the old times. Before you add me"

Did he really see himself like that? What had we done wrong?

"Daniel, fuck. You are not an addition to what we had"

"Okay, YN. Relax" I heard Michael.

I got up and left the kitchen. I felt bad. So awful. Daniel had felt left out. He thought he was a plus-one in Mike's and I relationship. During one of the talks I had with Michael at the beginning, we promised to not let this happen, to make him feel as special as he was.

"YN..." Michael called me.

I opened the balcony door and let myself fall against the railing.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Daniel looked at Michael.

"Did I fuck it up?" His voice sounded so broken. Michael got up and kissed his forehead.

"You did not. Just... wait a minute. I think I know what is going on with her"

"I'm sorry, Michael"

Michael cupped Danny's face and kissed his lips deeply.

"Don't be. It's fine. Wait here."

I felt Mike's hand on my waist and then his lips on my temple.

"We fucked up... We promise to not let it happen and now Daniel thinks we need time without him" I sobbed. Michael hugged me. I really felt like shit.

"Hey, YN. We will talk to him, okay? Maybe we didn't make it clear or he didn't understand what he was for us."

"We have been dating for months! How many? Three? Four?"

"Three and a half. But we are adults, we love each other and we will solve this." Mike cleaned my tears and kissed my lips. He was the one in the relationship who always knew what to do.

"I don't want to hurt him... Or make him leave or felt left out. I-I love him, Michael"

"I know, I know. I love him too. And he loves you. Both of us. That's why we will fix this."

I looked into his eyes.

"Will we?"

He nodded and kissed my nose.

When we went back inside, Daniel was on the sofa patiently waiting. He gave us a broken look.

"Oh Daniel"

I walked to him and sat on the sofa. He smiled weakly and let me hug him. He sighed.

"We need to talk." Michael said.

Daniel and I looked at him. Mike knelt in front of us and took out hands. I looked at Daniel and then at him.

"You can't go to Monaco this weekend." Michael told Daniel.

"Guys, really. I love you. But I don't want to intrude"

"Oh, fuck Daniel. You are not intruding" I said grabbing Daniel's hand hard.

"YN... Calm down. Please, baby." Michael kissed my knuckles. "Daniel, what she means is that you are one of us. It's not Michael and YN, and Daniel. It's Michael, YN and Daniel. The three of us, Dan. You are not an additional part of us. You are with us. You are our boyfriend. I'm your boyfriend, YN is your girlfriend. We are together. A thing of three."

A couple of tears had fallen on Daniel's cheeks. I was fast cleaning them and kissing his cheek. He hadn't shaved in a few days and he looked amazing.

"I hate myself for letting you feel like this, Daniel. It was never my intention. Our intention. W-when we started dating you, Michael and I made a promise. Whe promised to not let you feel left out. Like an outsider in our relationship. Because you are not. As Michael said, we love you. So much, Daniel."

He took a deep breath.

"Fuck, I love you too, guys." He said out of breath.

"Stay with us, Daniel." I whispered.

"But it's your anniversary. Not mine. We have another one"

"Listen Ricciardo. I celebrate other people's birthdays even if it's not mine." I said with a pointing finger. "So you better shut up with that bullshit"

He smiled and Michael chuckled.

"I thought by now you would have learnt ato not get her angry" Michael said patting Daniel's leg.

I laughed and let my head fall on Danny's shoulder. I hugged his body and he did the same, pressing his cheek on my head.

"Danny really. It's not only Mike's and I anniversary. If I hadn't met Michael and then started dating him I wouldn't be so close to you and I wouldn't have fallen in love with you." I looked up at him and felt Mike's big hand on my hair. "We are all stuck together now"

Daniel pressed his lips to mine and I felt the heavy weight of losing him fall.

When he pulled back, he grabbed Mike's neck and pulled him closer, his strong body hovering over us. When they kissed, I felt my heart beating faster. I knew I could never compete with the love they had for each other, but I was the happiest woman knowing I had a first row seat to experience it. I was so happy to be able to share that with them.

The anniversary came. I was putting my earrings on when I heard the door open.

"Your boyfriend is pacing up and down the kitchen. You better come down soon" Michael said half laughing.

"He is your boyfriend too. Keep him distracted." I said reaching for the perfume bottle.

"Yeah, I was thinking of suckling him of or something. But the kid is too nervous"

I rolled my eyes and turned around. They had chosen a dress for me. It was turquoise blue and matched perfectly with my favourite shoes.

Mike was wearing a white shirt that hug his body perfectly while Danny had gotten himself an special party shirt for the occasion.

"Are you... Fuck baby. You look perfect" Daniel appeared behind Michael and his face lit up when he saw me. "Michael, how did you do to get a woman like this?"

"Luck, I suppose. How the fuck did you to to get her to like you?"

"The charm, I suppose."

The three of us laughed hard. They were idiots, but they were my idiots. They were so different, but the way they completed each other was amazing. They were made for this. They were mede for being together. The way Danny's hand was pressed on Michael's waist, or how Michael's lips left a kiss on Danny's face... It was perfect.

"She is looking at us like that again" Daniel half whispered.

"I told you it's because she loves us." Michael said turning his face to him again.

"Okay, let's leave because you will make me blush and cry and I spent a lot of time doing my make up"

Being Daniel Ricciardo's girlfriend had its perks. Like a table a fast reserve on a particular fancy restaurant in London, in a private corner only for us.

The dinner was amazing and the wine tasted expensive. We were sitting close, talking about everything and anything, hands touching and groping here and there, an announcement of what was to come later.

If only they knew I had bought lingerie only for tonight...

"So... Your anniversary is my anniversary now?"

"Um... Probably not your anniversary in the relationship. But... Hum... I don't know. You are dating us so you celebrate with us now." I cupped his chin and pressed my lips to his. We weren't still used to showing affection in public, but once in a while in a close space wouldn't hurt anyone.

He kissed me back, sliding his hand up my thigh. I heard Mike's chuckle before feeling his lips on my shoulder.

"You guys are like horny teenagers"

He was the collected one. He took a step each time, he thought about things before getting anything done. Daniel was chaos, madness. He loved adventure. That's what made this so intense.

A noise made us broke apart. Soon the waitress was there with the dessert.

"Chocolate!" I exclaimed.

Both men laughed.

"Mike will make you do a thousand squats if you eat the whole thing"

"It will be worthy, Daniel"

"Nah, I won't. She will do enough cardio when we get home"

I felt a shiver. Yeah, I had forgotten about that. Mike had obviously planned the whole night. He notice my reaction and smiled. The guy wanted Daniel to feel a part of us.

"Will she?"

"Yeah. And so will you"

Daniel gasped.

"Eat that thing, baby. Hurry up" He took the spoon from me and then got it to my mouth.

I laughed as I eat the piece of cake. I moaned at the amazing taste and both of them laughed.

It didn't took us long to be back at home. With each of them pressed to me body, the minutes in the elevator were short. Then, while Daniel tried to open the door, I was playing with his belt as Michael kissed my neck.

It was when Danny tried to pull the strap of my dress down when I stopped them. With a han on Mike's cheek and another in Danny's neck, I made them look at me.

"I have a surprise for my favourite boys" I whispered.

Michael pulled me in from a kiss and devoured my lips. With jealousy, Daniel pulled me into him and kissed me right then too. When I pulled back, I was laughing. They were looking at me with hungry eyes and my belly was tinkling in excitement.

"Wait here, okay?" I winked at them and stole a couple of last kisses. "I'll call you. Don't have too much fun without me"

It wasn't a secret that we would have sex, tons of sex even if one of us was missing. I didn't blame it on them when Michael called me one day a bit worried. Things had gotten heated up between them and they ended up having a big heavy make out session. It was a big turn on, really. To know that my boys were having fun or Daniel was getting his frustration out with Mike... It was a funny thing to imagine. So when I got myself all fresh and perfumed, took my clothes and make up off, and called them, it wasn't a surprise to see Daniel pretty flustered and following Michael. The driver had his trousers opened and was breathing heavily, while Michael had a smug look on his face.

I was leaning against the doorframe, the new lingerie set being the only piece of clothing on me. It didn't hid much, though. The lace allowed them to see my nipples and the thong barely covered me.

"You are so fucking pretty, love" Michael said walking closer.

I bit my lip and turned around, walking to the bed and being fully aware of the two aussies eyes on me.

"Fuck..." Daniel muttered.

I crawled over the bed and situated myself in the middle of it, kneeling and looking at them in the most innocent way.

"So pretty, baby. Did you got this for us?" Michael said going to his dominant self. Daniel was looking from behind him, peeking over our boyfriend's shoulder.

"Mhm. I wanted to have something special for you today"

Michael bit his lip and turned to Danny.

"See? This is why you had to stay here"

Daniel nodded without looking at him, his eyes on me.

"Imagine yourself, all alone in your apartment for the night" Michael leaned over Daniel's ear and bit his neck softly. Daniel closed his eyes and grabbed Michael's waist with one hand. I clenched my thighs together.

"I'm glad you made me stay" Daniel whispered.

"Yeah? Let's go and have some fun then"

Mike walked Daniel by the hand till they were in front of me, then he hugged him from behind and started taking the buttons of his shirt. Daniel was looking at me, his plump lips asking for a kiss, so I straightened my back and kissed him.

With slows strokes of my tongue on his and bites on my lips, we kissed each other while Michael got him out of his shirt.

"YN baby. You should put that mouth of yours to use, right?"

I pulled back and nodded.

"Yes, Mike."

I got in all fours in the bed, my hands on the edge. Then I showed them my tongue and they groaned. Daniel moved his thumb and stroked my lips.

"Can I be the first one, Mike?"

"If you ask so nicely... Go ahead"

I smile and took Daniel's finger into my mouth while I put his already opened trousers down. Seeing how hard and leaking he already was, it wasn't difficult to guess that Michael had already started with him.

My mouth watered at the sight of his long member. Daniel himself guide it to my mouth tapping my tongue twice before sliding in. I closed my lips around him and moaned at the taste of the precum. Daniel was an eager man, he lived fast and wanted things to be fast. He didn't like to wait.

"Oh Mike, baby. She has a wonderful mouth"

I smiled and sucked the tip, making a pop noise when I pulled away to jerk him off with my hand.

"She loves praises. Look at her."

I blushed. It was true.

I put my mouth back to work, bobbing my head up and down and using my tongue to add pleasure. Daniel was vocal. He was a moaner. He wasn't afraid and the sounds leaving him were the most erotic ever. His mouth open half way, was inviting Michael to kiss him. Which he did. Sharing the most deep kiss ever, Daniel freed Michael from his tight trousers.

"Fuck..." Daniel whimpered when his member hit the back of my throat.

"Is she good?"

"She is so good"

I wanted to touch myself, to grind down on the bed, but I knew that if I resisted that feeling, Michael and Daniel would reward me with good orgasms. Daniel probably under Michael's orders, but good anyways.

"Would you let me try? Would you sit and finger her while I fuck her mouth?"

I closed my eyes and moaned at his words.

"Oh fuck, yes. I will, yes"

"Pull back, YN"

With a strain of spit connecting my mouth and Daniel's member, I pulled back. I was probably already blushin and my eyes were glassy.

Michael leaned and kissed me, licking into my mouth and deepening the kiss as soon as it started. I moaned on his mouth again. He was such a great kissed. When he pulled back, I was breathless.

Daniel sat on the bed next to me and observed Michael's movements. The trainer grabbed his cock and tapped my lips until I opened them.

"You know the rules, baby" He said remind me that it didn't matter why, if I needed to stop I just had to let him know and he would.

Michael slide his member inside my mouth and I relaxed. They always talked about how good I was with this. So I simply tried to do the usual.

With slow thrust of his hips, Michael started moving in and out my mouth while I sucked with lips and tongue. He was a groaner. If he was close enough, he could make you feel his chest vibrating. And it was the hottest shit ever. Deep sounds reminded us who was in charge.

"What are you doing Daniel? I though you had a job to do."

"Yeah, sorry"

The driver ran his fingers over my cunt, gasping at the wetness on my underwear. Then pulled it to the side and rested them on my clit. I whimpered at the feeling and almost chocked with Michael.

"Wow, careful there, baby" Michael cleaned a tear that had fallen and pulled back so I could take a breath, sliding back in not longer before.

"She is so wet." Daniel announced.

"I bet she is" Michael grabbed my hair on his fist and pushed a bit further at the same time Daniel pushed his fingers through my entrance. My eyes were closed, but I was sure they were having some telepathy conversations right then.

Daniel moved his fingers slow, curling them exactly how he knew I liked it. I moan, being cut by Michael pounding on my mouth, the tip of his dick hitting the back of my throat.

"Oh fuck, baby. Feels so fucking good" Michael caressed my cheek and I looked at him. I loved the feeling of them on my mouth, how they reacted to it, different but the same.

Wet noises were coming from me as Daniel moved his fingers fast. He wanted me to come undone and he knew how to do it.

"Slow down, Danny. We don't want her all sensitive for later. I want her to last"

I groaned and closed my eyes again. Spit was dripping from my mouth as Michael slowly fucked it.

"She is just so pretty like this, Michael"

"Oh fuck, she is" Michael groaned at a particular deep thrust, keeping me so close my nose almost touched him.

Daniel switched to massage my clit and I moaned. Well, kind of. I almost choke. Michael pulled away, cupping my face with his hands and looking into my eyes.

"Oh YN, you did so well baby" He kissed me, messy and deep. I grabbed into his shoulders as Daniel moved his fingers faster. Sometimes it was overwhelming. I was breathing hard and my legs were shaking.

"Lay down baby. Lay down" Michael pushed me.

I nodded and laid on the middle of the bed, big enough to fit the three of us. They were looking at me as if I was the most beautiful thing in the world. Then they looked at each other and smiled.

Daniel pulled Michael in for a short kiss and then they turned to me.

"What a good girl, eh Dan? All ready for us."

I separated my legs, inviting them.

"I think she wants something" Daniel said caressing my leg.

"I want a taste. Do you?"

"Fuck yes. I do"

It was Michael who got closer, wrapping his fingers around my underwear and pulling it down my legs. He threw it away and I bit my lip, exposing myself to them. Michael leaned a kissed my inner thigh as Danny kissed my knee and then my stomach. They were a bundle of hands arms and lips and I was more than happy. At the same time, Mike's lips came to my clit and Daniel kissed my mouth. I moaned at the feeling. Both being experts with their mouths, made me slowly go into this stage of bliss. As Michael moved his tongue over my centre, Daniel kissed me deeply. My moans were shut by the driver's mouth and pulled by the trainer's. I could perfectly hear and feel Michael's hums as he ate me out like a starved man.

"He feels good right? Michael has such a talented mouth" Daniel said looking into my eyes.

I could only nod and whimper as Michael sucked my clit into his mouth. Daniel gave me a smile and one last kiss on my lips before travelling to my nipples. And oh fuck. The pleasure was intense. They knew exactly how to make me wee the stars. And they did soon. I came hard, grinding my centre onto Michael's mouth and keeping Daniel closer to my chest.

"Fuck, oh fuck" I closed my eyes and moaned loudly as any of them seemed to want to stop. "Fuck, boys. Don't stop."

They did stop, but only for a second as they switched places. Daniel went directly to it, attacking me with his mouth and fingers. Meanwhile, Michael sat next to me and stroked my hair.

"You are doing so good baby. I know you have another one on you. Just let Daniel get it, okay?"

I nodded and he kissed me, letting me get my own taste in his mouth.

Daniel had gone full-on attack mode, fingers deep in my core and mouth making wonders on my clit. I was sensitive. Michael had done it before. I had cum fast and hard.

"Mmm D-Danny..."

"Is he making you feel good?"

Michael ran his finger through Danny's dark locks.

"So good."

"He is good with that pretty mouth too. You are a lucky girl, aren't you"

"I am." I nodded fast. Daniel kept pushing his fingers over my g-spot and it was driving me crazy.

"You are going to cum soon, right baby?"

Daniel opened his eyes and looked at us through his lashes. His nose nudged my clit and I whimpered.

"Make me cum, Daniel. Please" I was once again desperate for a release, just wanting to come for once and see how Michael would make his intentions real.

We wanted Daniel to feel loved, to feel close to us.

And he made me cum again. My thigs curled around his head and kept him close as I ride my orgasm. I forgot about everything around me for a second, but when I opened my eyes again, Daniel was lovingly looking at me. His cheeks were pink and his mouth swollen as he licked his fingers cleaned.

"Oh Danny. Come here"

I pulled him in for a kiss, tongues playing together as we did. I let my fingers wander down his cheeks and neck, but a thud next to us made me pull back. There it was. Lube and condoms.

Daniel smiled. Oh boy.

We had tried some things before. We had played and toyed with it. But never got to the whole thing.

Daniel gasped when he felt Michael's lips on his back, probably realizing what it meant.

"It's..."

Toys, plugs, fingers,... All of us had got a taste of it.

"Would you let me?" Michael whispered in his ear. "Would you let me fuck you and show me how much we love you."

"W-what?"

Daniel sat back and so did Michael and I, expecting something different from him.

"Danny, I-"

"Shh. You two. Shh". I took their hands. "It's okay Daniel. We can wait, I know it's a big step. But you know we always would take care of you, right?"

He was nervous but nodded at me.

"We can stop if you want, baby" I stroked his cheek and he leaned into my touch.

"I'll be careful. Or she can do it" Because yes, we had a strap waiting on the wardrobe.

"Mate, you are big." Daniel said looking at Michael.

"I know, but I'll be careful."

"He is always careful. He has never hurt me"

Daniel moved his eyes between us for a while, thinking and breathing deeply.

"Okay. But she gets me ready. I love her mouth"

I chuckled and pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you"

Micheal kissed him next and suddenly Daniel became an excited bundle of energy.

"Get on your fours" I said patting his ass.

He did. He already knew the most comfortable posture for him.

Michael and I looked at each other and smiled.

I, still shaking for those two orgasms in a row, walked being him. He was so beautiful like this. He trusted us. He did from the beginning. Michael learned on the headboard so he was looking at both of us. He had his hand around his member and was slowly stroking it.

"Are you ready, Danny?" I said when I leaned and kissed between his shoulder blades. My hips were pressed to his ass and he slightly pushed back.

"Fuck, yes"

I smiled and kissed his back. He was breathing deeply and I was enjoying it so much. I travelled lower and lower before getting to his asscheeks. I bit softly and he whined.

"Eager?"

"So fucking eager" I heard him answer Mike.

I smiled and ran my finger down his cock. He let a breath out. I kissed his balls and licked right after, travelling up to his entrance and pulling a moan out of his mouth.

"Fuck, so wet" He whispered.

I started with slow movements and deep strokes of my tongue. At first, he was tense. But as pleasure got higher, he started to relax and even slightly grind back to my mouth.

"Oh fuck, Mike. Her mouth..."

I love to eat them out, I loved how they turned into a mess. Daniel had gripped Michael's hand and the trainer was running his fingers over his hair.

"Yeah, mate. Tomorrow we will switch"

I laughed a bit and kissed his cheek again. Taking the lube, I let a bit fall on his entrance, dragging my fingers over it. Daniel took a deep breath. I pressed softly and he moaned.

"It's okay, I'll be slow" But it didn't take me long. Soon he was whimpering as my finger moved in and out. "You are doing so good, Daniel"

At the same time, I was stroking his member up and down with my hand.

"Oh fuck, fuck"

I curved my finger and he gasped.

"Another one"

I smiled and obeyed, using another finger and slowly moving them against his sweet spot. Michael was observing with a smile and caressing Daniel's back.

Soon, Daniel whimpered an "I think I'm ready"

Micheal looked at me and I nodded. He felt tight over my fingers, but it was so easy to move them.

"Are you?"

"I am. Please Michael"

Michael cupped his chin and kissed him. I moved my fingers a bit faster and Daniel moaned.

"Please"

Michael and I switched places. Michael ran his hands through Daniel's sides and Daniel looked at me. I sat in front of them and cupped Daniel's cheeks. I gave him a slow kiss to keep him distracted as Michael got himself ready, and soon, Daniel was whimpering in my mouth.

"Oh fuck, Michael" Daniel closed his eyes.

Michael was looking down, lip between his lips and a concentrated look on his face. I actually stopped breathing. Daniel gasped as Michael pushed his hips.

"It's okay, take deep breaths, honey" I whispered and kissed Danny's cheeks.

"Oh fuck, Danny" Michael groaned.

My heart was beating hard.

Daniel looked at me and I kissed him.

Soon Michael was slowly moving his hips. If this wasn't the hottest thing in the world...

"Oh fuck, Daniel, you feel so good" Michael groaned.

Daniel whimpered and his hands failed to keep him. He fell on his elbows.

"Tell me... How do you feel, Daniel..."

"Fuck...So good. I feel so good"

Michael's face moved over thousands of emotions. I wanted to keep this in my mind forever, the sounds they made and the way they moved together. And then, at some point, it became too much for Daniel. He looked as if his mind was on another planet. He was so immersed in the pleasure that he almost didn't notice when Michael pushed a pillow under his hips and his body until he was lying almost on top of me.

I gasped at the feeling and Daniel hid his face on my neck, moaning at the sudden change. Michael groaned and ran his hand up Danny's back. Fuck.

The next thing he did was tap two fingers on my lips. As an instinct now, I sucked them.

"I want you to cum with us, princess"

I gasped. He easily slid two fingers in and I moaned his name. This was probably one of the deepest things we had done. The three of us share so little space. Daniel was moaning and whimpering almost curled on my side. Michael slowly fucking him and fingering me at the same time. Our sounds were all mixed... I had never felt like this with them.

"Fuck, Mike..." I gasped his name. I was still sensitive and he wasn't having any problems building the orgasm back.

"Tell me, tell me how good it feels"

"So good" I closed my eyes and pressed my cheek against Danny's forehead.

"I'm gonna cum, fuck" He mumbled. "Oh, fuck. Right there, Michel"

Our boyfriend nodded as if Danny could see him and pushed deeper.

Somehow, Daniel managed to add his fingers to Mike's, touching my clit and making me scream in pleasure. The orgasm ripped fast into me, hitting like lighting.

"Shit, shit"

Michael pulled his fingers away and made Danny sucked them. I was feeling deezy and cold, so I grabbed harder into Danny's body.

Soon, it was him who was moaning and gasping for air.

"Mike... Oh... Fuck, fuck... YN"

I kissed his temple. With the last whimper, his body tensed and he came. His body went almost numb at the instant.

Mike pulled away and stroked himself. He was keeping himself up with a hand on Danny's back and his head was hanging. I reached and replaced his hand with mine.

"Oh YN" He finished then too, painting Dannys back and looking into my eyes.

Daniel whimpered at the feeling but didn't move.

We had some seconds of just doing nothing. The three of us stayed still trying to breathe normally again and letting what had just happened sink.

"YN..."

I looked down.

"Mhm"

"Tell the big guy to move. He is crushing me"

I snorted a laugh and looked up at Michael, who was shaking his head and biting his lip.

"Sorry, mate."

"I forgive you..." Daniel sounded so sleepy and tired that Mike and I laughed.

Michael sat on the bed and reached for us, touching Danny's hair first and then my face.

"Danny... Don't fall asleep, baby" I whispered. We had something else for him.

"I can't..."

I chuckled.

"Baby..."

"It's okay. We will talk tomorrow." Michael kissed Danny's shoulder and then my lips before getting up.

"No, hey. Mike!"

Danny lifted his head.

"I'm coming back."

I cupped Daniel's chin and lazily kissed him.

"I love you" He said pulling back.

"I love you too, baby"

His curls had fallen on his forehead and he had this after-sex look. He was really pretty like this.

"I'm exhausted"

He nestled against me again, his arms around my waist, his head on my shoulder and his legs tangled with mine.

When Michael came back he smiled.

"You two look cute"

I smiled and Daniel did too.

Michael cleaned us carefully, earning a couple of whimpers here and there and soon came to sleep. Daniel had already passed and was snoring softly.

"Is he..."

"Like a baby"

Michael kissed my lips and then my forehead.

"We did good, right?"

"So good."

He had a satisfied look when he lay on the other side, leaving Daniel between our bodies.

Mike was a big spooner, so he curled into Danny's back. His arm was over both of our bodies, hand stroking my side.

"I love this" He whispered and kissed Danny's neck.

"Yeah... It's like the nicest thing in the world"

We fell asleep soon.

In the morning, Michael was the first who woke up, getting breakfast ready as always. Then it was me. I showered and went outside. We were casually chatting, a tiny box waiting on the table when Danny appeared. He was just wearing some sports shorts.

"Fuck, YN. I don't know how you take us fucking you almost every night"

"Well, good morning to you too" Michael answered.

I laughed at the too of them.

"You'll get used to it"

"I hope so. I'm like sore everywhere."

I chuckled. Danny kissed me and then went to Michael. They shared a deep kiss.

"Maybe not tonight because I can barely move, but wait till I recover because you are getting it too" He said pointing a finger at Mike.

He laughed.

"Danny."

He looked at me.

"Are you feeling good?"

He nodded, understanding that I wasn't asking about his ass or hips or whatever he was talking about before.

"I am. Thank you, guys. I love you so much"

I grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles. He leaned and kissed my forehead. Then sat next to me.

"We have something else for you"

"Oh no, Mike." Daniel said with fake fear.

"Idiot" The traiter hit the back of Danny's head.

I laughed and pushed the little box.

"Are you asking my hand in marriage?"

I lifted an eyebrow. The guy was truly an idiot.

"Ok. I'm nervous. Sorry"

He laughed a bit and took the box on his shaky hands.

I kissed his cheek.

"Open it, silly"

He opened the box with Mike's hand in his shoulder.

"A key?" He looked up.

"We want to live with you." Michael said.

Daniel let a shaky breath.

"Fuck guys... I have to go and get a bunch of keys for you then"

I chuckled.

"What does it even mean?"

"I have so many houses I want to live with you in."

I let a laugh.

"You idiot. That's how you say yes?"

"Of course. I'd love to live with you, I love you guys"

Mike cupped his cheeks and kissed him. Then he pulled me in and Daniel kissed me. Between kisses, the three of us spent the next minutes.

"Guys. I'm so happy, really. I love you both a lot. I love what we have. It's... It's... Better than anything I have experienced before" Daniel said with a hand on each of our faces.

Ooof. Here you have it besties. I hope you liked it💛

[talesofadragon]

𝐉𝐢𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬

Synopsis: Bucky thought he was fine. He was a free man, had established a strong friendship with Sam, and was finally done with his mediocre therapy sessions with Dr. Raynor. But after an unexpected talk with Pepper and a guilt trip down memory lane, he realizes that he’s nowhere near where he wants to be. Having no other alternative to clear his overcrowded mind, Bucky decides to take Pepper’s word for it and seek professional help once more. But instead of wrinkles, thick glasses, and an obnoxious notebook that matches the old woman’s personality, he finds someone that’s nothing like he expected. Someone that might just be the cure to his shattered mind and maimed heart.  

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Therapist!Reader

Warnings: Angst | Fluff 

Word Count: 3.2K

𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

···

GIF by falcvns

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 did I get myself into?

Bucky asked himself once more, having foolishly agreed to go through this. It had already been a good ten minutes or so since he sunk into one of Hudson Clinic’s surprisingly comfortable chairs as he impatiently waited for the secretary to call his name. 

The room was overcrowded, people coming in and coming out of the baby blue doors behind the secretary’s desk, but even though there was a lot of activity going on within the beige-colored room, Bucky had not moved an inch. He sat with his back against the chair and his hands clasped in front of him. An exhale left his lips as his mind tugged him back to the moment he found himself agreeing to this nonsense in the first place. 

TWO WEEKS AGO 

“I’m not sure about this,” Bucky whined again, stepping backward, just about ready to be anywhere but here. Sam rolled his eyes, albeit dramatically, adjusting his grip on the casserole in his hands. 

“Bucky,” he said, wincing at the distressed face Bucky pulled. “Look, I get why you’re so worried, but you need to man up and stop stressing out over nothing. It’s just a friendly dinner.”

“With the Starks.”

Sam scoffed. “Yeah, and Clint. And Bruce and Wanda. If Pepper didn’t want you here, she wouldn’t have bothered to extend you an invite. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. So, stop stalling and ring that damned bell already.”

Bucky let out a long exhale, his chest deflating and his eyes closing in the process. His blue eyes gazed at the bell and then at Sam, the man’s insistence reminding him of Steve back in the 1940s. Reluctantly, and after a good minute of planning his escape route, in case things go south, Bucky rang the bell, and the two men were quickly met with the friendly faces of Pepper and Morgan Stark. 

It came as a surprise when Bucky received a call from Pepper, who invited him over for dinner at the Starks’ lakehouse. At first, he declined without a second thought, but Pepper was adamant about not taking no for an answer. She quickly explained that she had also invited all the remaining Avengers, where this dinner would be a good opportunity to reconnect, especially after what happened recently.

After a stern talk from Sam and a chicken parmesan casserole from Sarah, the two men were ushered to the back of the lakehouse, where Wanda, Bruce, and Clint were all waiting for them. And as much as Bucky hated to admit it, it had actually been a lovely dinner and not as morbid or half as catastrophic as he thought. 

An hour or two later, after Pepper brought out the drinks, Bucky retreated to the edge of the lake. No one seemed to notice his absence. Everyone was busy chatting with Morgan or nursing their own drinks with clouded minds.

“Thank you for coming.” A gentle voice sounded behind Bucky, challenging his previous thoughts. His grip tightened around the glass, shoulders visibly tensing at the additional presence. “I know it’s harder on you than most, but I really appreciate it.”

Bucky nodded once, his gaze never leaving the lake. He opened his mouth, praying for his voice to come out as steady as possible. “I should be the one thanking you, Pepper. I’m sorry about everything.”

“I know.” 

Pepper smiled gently. Her feet moved, leading her to a wooden bench while her eyes roamed the area. She looked at Morgan, who happily chased Sam, then her eyess landed on the tent Tony had built and would often spend hours hiding away from the world with their daughter. 

“How… how are you two?” Bucky asked as Morgan’s excited giggles echoed across the area. His lips involuntarily twitched the louder they got, but his eyes remained laced with the melancholy that he never seemed able to shake off. 

“We’re okay.” Pepper took a sip from her drink, tracing the rim with her finger. “It was hard at first… really hard. Between Morgan missing her dad and my struggle to go on after all that happened. But then, it got better.”

“With time?”

“Oh no,” Pepper snorted at Bucky’s reaction. It was obvious how fed up he was with the notion that “time heals all wounds.” Much as she was.

He furrowed his brows, moving to the side to get a better look at the woman. “Then, how?”

Pepper glanced back at her daughter, the ocean blue in her eyes intensifying as she saw her happy. “I decided to seek some professional help. At first, it was supposed to be some impartial third-party advice to help me find my footing, but then it became an anchor, you know?” The look Bucky gave her told her he didn’t know. “My therapist helped me rationalize all that happened and find the pieces of happiness I sometimes overlooked. She’s the one who suggested all this, actually. She said it was good for me, and Morgan, to connect with a piece of Tony’s legacy and remember that there’s a bigger family than just the two of us.”

“She sounds better than Raynor–my old therapist,” Bucky clarified when he saw the look of confusion that crossed Pepper’s face. 

She hummed, taking another sip from her drink. “I used to have a lot of nightmares; Morgan did too. But ever since I started those therapy sessions, there’s been a sense of calm in my life. A sense of… meaning. I don’t feel so lost anymore.”

“That’s really great, Pepper.” Bucky smiled before gulping the last of his drink. “I’m glad you’re both okay.”

He was ready to withdraw to his apartment and end the conversation there. Yet, as soon as he took his first step back, Pepper’s words planted him in place. “Are you okay, Bucky?”

“I am,” he replied almost mechanically. The smile on his face could’ve fooled anyone, but it didn’t seem to have any effect on Pepper. She shook her head, and he swore he felt like a toddler getting caught by his mother at this moment. 

“You’re not looking me in the eyes, and you haven’t attempted to go anywhere near Morgan since you got here.”

Bucky gulped, his hands suddenly becoming sweaty. “I… that’s not true.”

Pepper raised her eyes to Bucky’s level. Instantly, his cerulean orbs darted away from her own, failing to prove her wrong. “All this guilt you’re harboring will not do you any good.”

“I’m fine, Pepper,” Bucky stated aloud, unsure who he was trying to convince. 

He thought that he had succeeded–that his words were bold enough to get Pepper off his case. But as the night went on, he noticed her stares and concerned glances. Then, it was Sam’s. For a moment, he wondered if the two had talked, but then he brushed it off. He studied Clint as he sat Morgan on his lap and started telling her stories about her father. Bucky’s eyes immediately fled before Morgan’s chocolate brown hues–which reminded him too much of Tony, Howard, and Maria’s–could find his cold ones. 

A single night at the Starks proved as disastrous as he had thought it would be. Those a couple of hours led to a series of nightmares ranging from his days as the Winter Soldier to the fight between Steve and Tony, which resulted in him losing his initial prosthetic . He saw the image of Tony as he snapped his fingers and saved the world before he took his last breath. He relived the moment Steve confessed that he’d be going back to the past to live the life that was stolen from his hands. Bucky relived every scar, battle, and war he suffered through, waking up with a start each day and fighting sleep each night. 

Eventually, and after a week and a half of this slow torture, he reluctantly picked up his phone and called Pepper. 

Hudson Clinics. Y/N Y/L/N. 

That’s all she said before Bucky called the place and booked an appointment.

PRESENT TIME

“Mr. Barnes,” the secretary finally called, catching his attention. The woman, who looked like she was in her forties, adjusted her glasses and pointed to the first door on her right. “Dr. Y/L/N is ready to see you now.”

Bucky politely nodded and leisurely strolled to the door. Stares and whispers followed behind him, but he didn’t spare them a second thought. After a knock, followed by a quiet “come in,” Bucky pushed the door open, his eyes greeted by the natural sun rays that peeked through the large window walls. He took a tentative step inside, feeling himself enveloped by the scent of sweet lavender and delicate sage. 

Bucky’s blue hues traveled across the room, unconsciously comparing it to Raynor’s old office. Unlike the white walls and the fake greenery, Dr. Y/L/N’s office held a sense of tranquility with its cream color and a vividness perfectly accentuated by the light blue and yellow furniture. It was vast and inviting with a medium-sized couch in front of a series of abstract paintings that seemed to come to life each time the sun peeked through the windows. 

On his right, Dr. Y/L/N was already rising to her feet, a genuine and heartwarming smile painted across her features. “It’s lovely to meet you, James,” she greeted, waiting for the man to cross the threshold. 

Between his anxiety and shock, since she clearly didn’t look as old as Rayor, it took a good couple of seconds for Bucky to let go of the metal handle and step closer to the doctor. He waited for her to extend her hand, but she remained still as though she was waiting for him to initiate contact. “Hi,” he breathed, reluctantly extending his right hand. Without hesitation, the doctor shook it with care, her smile unwavering. 

“I hope the wait wasn’t too long. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Dr. Y/L/N gestured to the light blue couch while she grabbed herself a notebook and a pen. Bucky took a few steps forward, sinking into the soft surface. He exhaled loudly, leaning back–he made a mental note to ask about the couch’s brand and buy at least two for his apartment’s living room.  

Bucky opened his eyes and glanced at the doctor. Her smile was there, confident and honest. Her legs were folded on top of one another, her notebook now resting on the table. “Um.” Bucky cleared his throat, blinking. “I’m not sure how this is supposed to go.”

Dr. Y/L/N let out a small laugh, her Y/E/C filling with mirth. She raised her eyes to catch a glimpse of Bucky’s cerulean orbs, and immediately, a warmth filled Bucky’s chest. It hadn’t even been two minutes since he walked into her office, yet he had managed to find something akin to peace the moment he pushed the metal handle down to open the door. 

“It’s okay, James,” she assured him. “I know that this isn’t by any means easy, and you may not know where to begin or what to say. But this space right here is your safe space. Feel free to begin wherever you see fit, and I’ll help you make sense of your thoughts.”

Normally, Bucky would have scoffed. He would’ve raised an eyebrow and leaned back, giving her an unimpressed look. But there was something about her soothing tone and her unrestrained words that made the tension in his shoulders ease. 

“You probably already know who I am–”

“I don’t,” Dr. Y/L/N cut him immediately. Bucky was taken aback, a prominent scowl taking over his features. She saw him fiddle with his fingers, his mouth opening without any words coming out. “Unless you tell me your story, whatever I saw or heard does not matter much to me.”

Bucky audibly gasped, his tall and firm stance faltering for a second. He looked at the woman in front of him, his mind struggling to string along a sentence, let alone a word. With a quick shake of his head, and an unsteady inhale, he interlaced his hands and shifted slightly backward. “My name is James Buchanan Barnes,” he whispered shakily. Dr. Y/L/N offered him a reassuring nod, encouraging him to continue. “I was born in 1917 and am a former World War two veteran. During a mission, my unit and I were ambushed by a terrorist organization known as Hydra and were consequently abducted by them. During that period, and without our knowledge, they had injected us with the Super Soldier serum with the intent of increasing our physical strength and making us their personal assassins. After being freed by Steve, Captain America, in 1943, an unfortunate incident hindered our mission against Hydra. I found myself back in their clutches with a prosthetic arm and a mind that was anything but my own. They turned me into a ruthless, massacring, assassin by the name of the Winter Soldier.”

Throughout the entire monologue, Bucky kept his eyes focused on the glass table in front of him. His lashes met for the briefest moments before he dared to look at Dr. Y/L/N. Surprised etched itself on his features when he didn’t find her in her seat, her notebook open with fresh ink on one of the pages. 

He heard her hum, finding her pouring a glass of water. Her heels clicked against the parquet flooring before they fell silent when they met the furry carpet. She handed him the glass of water, her fingers high enough to not touch his. Bucky dipped his head in a silent thank you, sipping on the water just as she sat down. “James, you described the Winter Soldier as a ‘ruthless, massacring, assassin.' Are these your own words? Is that how you perceive this… side of yourself to be?”

“Yes,” James replied, his glass of water still wrapped around his fingers.

“Alright, and what about you, James? How would you describe yourself before this whole ordeal happened?”

Bucky thought the question over with the smallest hint of surprise. It had been decades ago since he was anything but the Winter Soldier. His brows knitted together, trying to go back to the days when he was Sargeant Barnes rather than the cold-blooded menace Hydra has created. When he finally got a peek at the past, he looked back at Dr. Y/L/N. “I was… outgoing, curious, brave, and spirited, I guess.”

“And now?”

“Damaged,” he looked away, trying to evade the doctor’s eyes. 

“Do you remember your time as the Winter Soldier?”

“Yes,” he said, his gloved fingers curling tighter around the glass in his hand. He took one large sip, Dr. Y/L/N writing another line in her notebook. “I frequently have nightmares where I relive everything. I see people’s begging eyes, hear their pained whimpers, and feel their dread as I creep closer to them before ending their life with my hands.”

“You used a first-person pronoun, James,” Dr. Y/L/N noted. Her voice didn’t sound accusatory in the slightest. It was more as if she had come to a conclusion and was sharing it. “Do you think you and the soldier are one?”

Bucky didn’t take a moment to reflect on her words. “Yes.”

She noted this down in her notebook. “What is the one word that best describes the Winter Soldier?”

“Monster.”

Bucky could hear the ticking of the clock and the scraping of Dr. Y/L/N’s pen. Once she wrote the word in her notebook, an action that was grounding rather than irritating, Bucky had deduced, she extended her hand to take the empty glass. With another candid smile, she stood up and walked to her desk, pouring Bucky another glass of water. 

“Oftentimes, James, monsters tend to be a subjective belief born out of a plethora of negative emotions, above them all, fear. This fear is as introspective as it is outrospective, leading us astray in our pursuit of finding our self-worth.”

“What are you insinuating, doc?” Bucky asked, his face a picture of confusion. Perhaps he had misjudged the woman, wasting his time in seeking help from someone that clearly didn't understand him as she should. 

“May I ask you a question?” She handed him the glass of water without sitting down. Bucky nodded with a raised brow. When he sipped his water, only then did she sink back into her chair. “You said that you relive everything through your nightmares, feeling people’s trepidation. But has the soldier ever felt anything at all during these occurrences?

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? No thrill? Guilt? Anything?

“Nothing,” Bucky confirmed once more. 

Dr. Y/L/N clicked her pen once before tucking it away with her notebook. She turned to Bucky with the same confidence and calm front she displayed when he first walked in, as if his story had not fazed her–impassive to the threat he considered himself to be. 

Bucky played with his zipper, looking between her and his left gloved hand. He could feel himself sweating, his left knee jerking in anticipation of whatever was about to come out of her mouth. With an awkward clear of his throat, Dr. Y/L/N reached out to the side table, pulling open the drawer to grab what 

appeared to be a small notebook.

“I’m going to give you an assignment.”

“What?” Bucky made a face. Was she for real? Does she think of herself as a school teacher? “I’m sorry, I think I misheard.”

Dr. Y/L/N chuckled, merriment lacing her voice. “You heard me correctly. I want you to talk to any of your friends and ask them about an event that made them see themselves in a different, more specifically, negative light.”

“Why would I do that?” he grunted, the shy amount of respect he had for the doctor hanging by a thread. 

“All in due time, James,” Dr. Y/L/N replied. She placed the notebook on the glass table separating her and Bucky before nudging it closer to him. “You can seek someone who has had a similar experience to you or someone who had a different one. During our next session, you and I will explore why this little exercise is a critical part of your therapy.”

Bucky’s tongue met the inside of his cheek. He reached forward, inspecting the leather-bound notebook in his hands. He flipped through the white, empty pages, eager to be filled. Bucky’s nose scrunched at the scent of the fresh paper, his gaze meeting the doctor’s. “And what’s this for?”

Dr. Y/L/N stood up, reaching for her own notebook. “Sometimes, our thoughts are more clear and less threatening when they are laid bare on paper.”

Bucky nodded his head, accepting the vague explanation. Since the notebook was small, he tucked it in his back pocket, standing up to take his leave. Once he reached the door, he hesitated. Turning his back, he spotted the doctor a few steps away from her desk. “What makes you think there’ll be another session?”

Dr. Y/L/N smirked, placing her hands on her desk and resting her weight against the wood. “Curiousness has no cure, James. Nothing in this world is strong enough to erase its trace.”

Bucky bit on his tongue, looking down at his shoes. He gave Dr. Y/L/N an imperceptible wave and then walked outside her office. He took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. Between his mind telling him it was useless and his consciousness edging him to give it a try, Bucky just knew that Dr. Y/N Y/L/N was bracing him for the ride of a lifetime. But was he ready for her to rock his entire world?

------

It's official! I'm absolutely obsessed with Bucky Barnes!!

I'm so excited about this piece. I know I have like 5 series with a WIP status, but I couldn't help myself! I was inspired to write this fic, and nothing was going to stand in my way.

What do you think, witchlings?

Don't forget to send in your Marvel/Harry Potter requests!

Until next week xx

[andvys]

Beautiful crime / part one

warnings: enemies to lovers, angst, mentions of death

pairing: Finnick Odair x reader (eventually)

author’s note: @twdimagining​ thank you so much for the fic idea! I enjoyed writing the first chapter so much! 🥲🥲

part two

-

Surprise wasn't what you felt when you were reaped for the third quarter quell. You knew out of all the female victors from your district, it would be you that had to go in there, once again. It wasn't coincidence, you’re pretty sure of that. According to Snow, your destiny was to die in the arena and now it seemed as though the old man would get what he wanted. 

You are probably one of Snow’s most hated victors along with the newest addition of Katniss Everdeen. This big “event” had something to do with her, she inspires the people to stand up and stand against this cruel world and Snow can’t have that. Naturally he chose the victors who pose the biggest threat to him and the capitol for the quarter quell. 

You just ask yourself how this all will go down, when someone like Katniss or you ends up winning, again.

He took everything and everyone from you after you refused to follow him and live by his rules. He ruined your life and your reputation, making you look like the villain even though he was the true evil one. He made your life a living hell and now wanted to see you dead, and seeing you die in the quarter quell, presumably in a cruel way would be more than satisfying to him. 

He wanted to see you crumble in fear but all you can do is smirk and wave into the camera, knowing that he’s watching you. 

You are not afraid, not anymore. After all, what more is there to lose? He has taken everything from you already but that doesn't mean that you won't fight to get out of there, your loved ones aren't here anymore but you still are and you have to make that mean something. 

-

Walking into the training room, you can already feel all their eyes on you. Judgmental stares is what you're used to, you learned to ignore them a long time ago. They don’t bother you anymore.

You turn to look at the woman from District 2, who's trying to intimidate you by showing off her weirdly sharpened teeth. She’s a beautiful woman but the way she hisses around like a wild animal makes you scoff to yourself as you suppress a laugh. Is that supposed to scare you? If any of these people think that they can scare you in any way, they're gonna be met with a lot of disappointment. Nothing scares you anymore. 

The moment you stepped into the arena, all those years back, your life changed forever. You changed.

You go to the last training station, wanting to be as far away as possible from all the others, you work better when no one is around. 

Looking at the choice of weapons, you pick up the one you're least experienced with, the trident. 

Testing the weight of the weapon, you’re about to twirl it around, the way you usually do with knifes or swords but just as you’re about to step on the mat, you hear someone clearing their throat before coming up behind you. A little too close for your liking. 

“Need help with that?” He speaks with a low, raspy voice. 

Turning around, you lock eyes with Finnick. Of course. Who else would dare to come up to you this close. A cocky grin is plastered on his face, one that you would love to wipe off his face. 

You can just feel all the arrogance radiating off him and you hate it. 

“No thanks.” You scoff, you don’t need anyone’s help, least of all his help.

He’s the darling of the capitol. The loved one.

You are basically the enemy of the capitol. The hated one.

“You don’t know how to fight with a trident.” He says as he stops grinning “I do.” He shrugs before offering you his help once again. 

You tilt your head as you look at him, ignoring the teasing look on his stupidly handsome face and instead you wonder why he is here, with you. 

No one wants to be seen with you in fear that it would ruin their perfect reputation. “You don’t wanna be seen with me.” You chuckle “it’s gonna ruin your reputation, Finnick.” 

He chuckles as he steps closer, barely leaving any space between the two of you “my name sounds so pretty coming from your lips.” He smirks, ignoring what you just said to him. 

Glaring at him, you point the trident at his chest, making him take a step back again. His flirting won't get him anywhere. 

He chuckles again as he puts his hands up in surrender while taking a step back “tough nut, you’re worse than Katniss.” He mumbles “come on just let me help.”

You roll your eyes as you look around the training room before looking back at him, finding him smirking at you already knowing that you'd cave in “fine.” You mumble before throwing the weapon towards him as you look at him with a blank expression on your face, thinking he won’t catch it but he does effortlessly as he manages to wink at you at the same time, causing you to huff in annoyance.

He just chuckles at your reactions before he steps on the mat, winking at you one more time before he starts wielding the weapon. Showing you different methods on how to use it. 

“Show off.” You mumble as you watch him twirl the heavy weapon around, without letting it drop. 

“Catch.” He throws the weapon towards you, the way you did to him earlier, probably expecting you to flinch or step aside to let it drop but you catch it midair and glare at him “nice try.” You mumble.

He smirks as he steps closer again to show you how to hold the weapon properly, this time being more careful with stepping closer to you, you nod at him, allowing him in closer.

For hours, you train together, learning how to wield his favorite weapon. You do wonder why he is helping you but then again, you couldn't care less, if learning something new from him will help you in the future, then it’s beneficial to you. 

Deciding to take a break, you both sit down on the mat, drinking from your water bottles.

“I didn't think there was anyone who could handle this beautiful thing better than me.” He mumbles as he looks down at the trident before turning to look at you, with a smirk on his face, as always. 

“An hour ago, I didn't even know how to hold it properly.” You scoff. You know he’s trying to charm you, for whatever reason.

“Well- you learned from the best.” He shrugs as he lays the trident down next to him and between the two of you. 

Rolling your eyes at him, you put your hands on the mat and lean back, as you look around the room, realizing that everyone else already left. 

All the people that were in this room will all be dead soon, including the man next to you. You just hope that you won’t have to be the one to kill him. You don’t want any of this, no one does, except for president snow and all the spoiled people in the capitol.

“How do you feel about all of.. this?” He asks, pulling you out of your thoughts. 

You think about his question before chuckling halfheartedly, how are you supposed to feel about this? 

“Oh- I’m so excited, totally have been waiting for this moment since I got out of the arena four years ago.” You shrug as you look at him with a blank expression on your face. 

He watches you closely, his brows furrowed as looks into your eyes. If anyone knows how to read people then it's him. He knows you don’t mean it, anyone could tell by the sound of your voice, that you don’t truly mean it.

He chuckles as he leans in closer “killing people is exciting to you?” He asks, smirking at the angry look on your face. He must know that this topic is sensitive to you. 

You stare into his eyes for the longest time before you pick up the trident, holding the sharp blade to his neck “yes, Finnick. It excites me more than anything, in fact, I can’t wait to use your own weapon to kill you.” You say, as you hold the weapon in your shaky hand.

Snow did his best to ruin your image. You were used to people assuming the worst of you, seeing you as this cold blooded killer when you were everything but that and it hurt every single time.

His eyes widen in surprise, his face cracked into a smirk though, he’s completely unfazed by the sharp blade that is pressed into his skin, leaving you feeling even more angry, does anything scare him?

“You don’t scare me, honey.” He rasps and before you know it, he rips the trident out of your hands and lets it fall down on the mat before pinning you down underneath him, causing you to gasp in surprise. 

One of his hands pins both your wrists down above your head while his other hand reaches for the switchblade that is tucked onto the waistband of your pants before pointing the sharp blade to your neck. 

You furrow your brows in surprise, how did he even know that you had a knife on you?

He grins as he looks at your dumbfound expression “or maybe I’ll kill you with your weapon.” 

You struggle against his tight grip on you, ignoring the blade that is cutting into your skin already. 

“For someone with that kind of a reputation, you sure are weak, (y/n).” He says as he smiles at you mockingly.

You fought men twice his size before but for some reason you weren't able to get him off you, he was certainly much stronger than you and that pissed you off, more than anything.

He lets you struggle for a while before letting you go, chuckling at the way you got up so quickly while glaring at him.

“Come on, someone had to put you in your place.” He teases as he steps closer again “too much confidence is never good, it’ll kill you one day.” 

‘Says the most arrogant guy ever.’ You think to yourself as you continue glaring at him.

“Then you should take your own advice.” You say before hooking your foot behind his, sweeping his feet from underneath him and throwing him down before straddling his waist. You reach for the trident, holding the blade against his neck once again. 

He chuckles as he stares up at you impressed, quite enjoying the view of you on top of him. 

Even now he’s still smiling and chuckling, does anything faze this guy? “Don’t play with me, Finnick.” You warn him, before throwing the trident to the side and getting off him. 

He sits up as he looks you up and down, smirking to himself before he gets up as well, “you could use an ally.” He says before he puts the trident back to where the rest of the weapons are in the rack “trust me.” he mumbles as he stops in front of you once again.

You tilt your head as you look at him, holding eye contact for a few seconds. You ignore the look in his eyes as he stares at you “so you can stab me in the back later on?” You scoff, you don’t need allies, you don’t need anyone. “Allies are unnecessary, only one of us gets out in the end, this isn't the right place to form allies or friendships besides I don’t trust you.” You shrug.

He chuckles as he nods “then I'll have to gain your trust.” 

“You don’t have enough time for that, I will never trust you, Finnick.” 

“So stubborn.” He mumbles. 

You stare at each other for a while, holding eye contact for a few seconds before you sigh in annoyance when he begins to smirk again “I’ll see you around.” You mutter before turning around to leave. 

Something tells you this isn't the last you’ll see of him and you can’t say that you're not a least a little bit intrigued. After all, he is the first person to dare coming this close to you after so many years.

But this is also why you can’t trust him. 

He didn't come on in his own terms. 

You just know it.