#agape-28

[my-castles-crumbling]

curfew - January 28 - jegulus - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 297

Regulus wanted to scream. It was the seventh time he had, while on his Prefect rounds, come across James Potter. And not only did the older boy seem completely unabashed at getting caught, he seemed happy about it!

“Potter,” he gritted out, walking up to the sixth-year, who was sitting on a bench and swinging his feet, “have you no concept of curfew?”

“I mean, I know what it means,” the older boy grinned, eyes shining. “I just chose to ignore it.”

“Damn the consequences, then?” Regulus griped, crossing his arms. He tried not to think about how insufferably good Potter looked sitting there, so at ease, his hair windswept and a smile on his face. “You must have had to sit through a million detentions by now.” He knew Potter had been given at least a few, seeing as he’d written the boy up himself.

“Eh, detentions can be enjoyable if you know how to make them so,” Potter smirked and Regulus’s heart skipped a beat. “Plus, I get caught less often than you think.”

The Slytherin snorted. “Potter, I’ve caught you every single time I go on rounds. You’re not exactly sneaky.” Because yes, Potter was good-looking, but he didn’t seem to be that sly.

But the older boy just chuckled. “Oh, Black. What makes you think I didn’t want to be caught?”

Still grinning, the Gryffindor then pulled out a silvery piece of fabric, slipping it over his head and completely disappearing. “What the bloody hell..” Regulus whispered, mouth agape.

Before he could properly process what had happened, though, a voice whispered close to his ear, “See you on Thursday, Reggie.”

And indeed, Thursday was the next time he had rounds. He couldn’t decide if he was dreading it or looking forward to it.

[serejae]

FOREVER YOUNG | C.SEUNGCHEOL

pairing : scoups x reader

WHAT ! - in which seungcheol will always be young to you (or, youve watched seungcheol grow as your relationship does)

warnings : corny ending paragraph (booooo) so self indulgent, i found a gray hair tdy (im 20.)

happiest birthday to my cherry :-(

28

seungcheol sat between your legs peacefully resting his head on your thigh as he scrolled through his phone. you subconsciously run your hands through his hair until you spotted something. taking a double take you gasp making seungcheol look up slightly with his brows furrowed

“whats wrong?” he asked softly clearly tired

“you have a gray hair” you replied laughing slightly still shocked

seungcheol then sat up with one hand ontop of this head with his mouth agape “youre lying” he almost whispered before pacing to the bathroom mirror, you followed him and stood by the door frame watching him move his hair around searching for the gray hair. smiling at the sight you found a pair of tweezers in the drawer and stood behind him pushing him to lower down to get a better look at his hair

“i dont think there was a gray hair baby” he mumbled still in denial

“it must have been the hair dye i have on, its gray right?” he asked looking at you through the mirror

not replying you plucked out the piece of hair that distinguished itself from the rest on his head, it was metallic, clearly a gray hair.

as seungcheol stood there he went back to the couch and face planted on it making you laugh, again you followed him and laid on his back as you ran your hands through his hair

“im so old” he mumbled against the couch letting his shoulders deflate, you rested your chin on it and laughed

“youre still handsome”

“am i?

my younger features are being lost”

“and i watched you lose them, thats the beautiful thing cheol”

he peeped his face out to slightly look at you on his back with his confused face

-

18

you were walking the streets just roaming around when there were a group of guys about to walk past you on a street, you looked at each boy but your eyes settled on one as his settled onto you

he was so cute, his features were so soft. he had a baby face almost (he also had that goofy tall mountain haircut everyone had back then)

that was the first thing you could think of and you couldnt really think of anything else because he stopped you

“hey, uhm…” he paused slightly leaving his hand out

you awkwardly shook his hand as you muttered a “hi”

a few more seconds of awkward silence he continued “i just came to this part of town, do you want to be friends…?”

he had a slight grin on his face which subconsciously traveled to you, it was like he put you under a spell. you nodded making his smile a bit wider

“im seungcheol”

“yn”

seungcheol was gonna continue talking but you both heard his friend group call out for him

“uhm lets exchange numbers really quick yeah?” he again, use that smile that you couldnt resist

-

19

its almost been a year since seungcheol and you have met and almost 5 months since you both had started dating. its crazy how a cute boy you met on the street was now laying on your lap after YOU asked him to be your boyfriend when you both were in a diner and the tension between the two of you in the booth but no words were spoken. you could tell seungcheol tried to utter the words out but the slowness made you eager and say it first. luckily, he immediately nodded needing no time to react

“yes, yes i want to be your boyfriend”

you remember those words he said on the 27th even 10 years later because seungcheol kisses you everyday 27 times in the morning and night to apologize for making you ask him

out

so as he laid on your lap your fingers softly traced the soft curve of his nose, lips, and face shape. taking in the beauty of the man on your lap you were a bit spaced out not noticing the smile placed on his lips

but its not like the both of you cared

-

23

slowly and quietly you made your way to seungcheols gaming room in the shared apartment with his lit birthday cake in hand as kkuma followed behind you with her paws hitting the floor softly. you stood out outside the room looking at your phone

11:58

11:59

you opened the door slightly and peaked in to see him fully focused on the game hes playing

12:00

just then you carefully walk in and tap his shoulder. seungcheol immediately took off his headphones and turned to look at you, when he realized what was going on he smiled and turned to the computer to check the date, turning back to you, you started to sing happy birthday as he looked up at you forgetting about everything around him

when you finished singing he took a moment to continue admire you before letting out a small

“thank you”

before blowing out his candles, but instead of going for the cake he wraps his arms around your waist still sitting in his seat

“can i stay like his for a bit?” he muttered resting one side of his face on your stomach

“yeah, of course” you smiled as you put the cake on his table letting you arms relax down his back as you looked down at him. your hands trace the side of his face that is visible to you, you notice the maturing his face has did over the 4 years.

his features are still soft but more prominent, his nose had shapened a bit, his lips were slightly plumper, and his face was slimmer.

smiling at the baby cheol that you met before youre met with semibaby cheol

but he doesnt have to know that

-

28

i guess he didnt have to know that because he found out himself, thats why youre laying ontop of a 28 year olds back running your hands through his hair as he listens to you talk about how his features have changed from when he was 18, 19, and 23

“i guess 23 when was i realized that your features had changed slightly, 19 was only a bit of difference from 18” you explained to him as he laid one side of his face on the couch

“and now?” he muttered

“youre features…”

you traced over them again causing his lips to lift slightly at the contact

“theyre more defined, your soft nose is more prominent, your plump lips are plumper and pinkish, and your face is more defined”

“but am i-“

“yes, youre still handsome cheol gray hairs and all”

he smiled at the words

“just wanted to hear you say it

you think im old though?”

you smiled continuing to stare down at the one side of his face visible moving a few hairs away from his face

“youre closer to 30 than you are 20 babe”

his lips pouted making you chuckle

“i want to be forever young” he sighed

“then what about me? id be old” you teased making him huff

“then i want to be forever old-

wait no i dont”

you laughed at his slip up making him laugh too

“if there was a chance for you to he forever young but you would lose me from your life-“

your question was cut off by seungcheols quick

“no”

“i wouldnt want to live any life without you in it. if im young, if im old, i want to do it with you

i want to be forever young with you

forever old too, forever mid age, i just want to be forever with you”

“i want to be forever with you too” you smiled caressing his cheek

“your birthdays soon” he nodded and leaned against your touch

your hand slowly made it back to his hair

“maybe youll get more gray hairs sooner then”

“you know, gray hairs dont seem too bad if theyre with you” seungcheol said

“yeah?”

“yeah, i guess youre right in a way, they remind me of the stages of our relationship and how youve been there with me for it all

and it also reminds me of how i cannot wait for you to get your gray hairs” he smiled cheekily

“hey” you scolded him slightly

“you said it shows us growing up with one another so-“

“but still!”

and as the evening continued with bickering it was as if time never changed anything, even when your features are being changed youre reminded that you still have the same seungcheol and you through moments like these

so no, you dont have baby cheol nor semibaby cheol looks wise but cheol will always be your baby

even if you both arent forever young

[livelaughlovesubs]

okay my dude, have you seen the recent hsr leaks about mr. reca??2?2?2?2?1!#+@( I am so down bad for that man you wouldn't understand........ anyways, I'd like to ask for prompt 28 (fitting them with a collar) with him :3333

- anon

I saw!!! But I don’t have a single clue what his personality is like! I’d guess a fun but sly character? Welp, let’s see how this goes (I have no ideas help)

Dom!Actor!reader x sub!Reca - reader is GN

Warning: collaring, teasing, fwb…?

Anniversary event

“Oh come y/n, for old time’s sake, do it for me, alright?” You clicked your tongue, not even looking at the individual who was talking to you, back facing to them with your arms crossed, “I won’t do it, I told you already.” A moment of silence, before they sighed and closed the distance between you two, “why won’t you take that role?”

“Mr. Reca, will you please respect my choices?” Suddenly you turned around and raised your voice, seeing him lean against the couch in the middle of the room, wearing a fading smile. “I need you for that role, there’s no one else who can take it.” He repeated once again, then continued with, “and I won’t leave until I’ve convinced you, or, if you gave me a reason for your decision.” You slammed one hand onto the makeup table in front of you, putting the other against your forehead. “If I gave you a reason, you’ll have hope, and keep trying.”

The male kept quite, he couldn’t argue with that one, “if it because of the writing? Or the personality of the character?” You shook your head, “no, none of that. Don’t bother me any further, Reca, don’t let our friendship go to waste because of some measly dispute.” He scoffed, grinning widely, throwing his head back in a defeated stance, “I’ve already got sponsors and began the preparations, I can’t go back now. Y/n, help me out, I don’t want to end up as minced meat.”

You chuckled, answering his plead with a sarcastic smile, “it’s your own fault. Don’t worry, I can introduce you to some actors.” Reca looked down to his feet, taking a deep breath, exhaling, before staring you in the eyes, “no, I still want you, and I won’t have it any other way.” After debating for so long, you thought he’d finally crave in, though it seems you underestimated his resolve. “Reca, i-” “yea yea, you don’t want to, got it. So, what can I do to convince you?”

Your eyes widened at that, it took you a while to compose yourself, “wow, your resolve is admirable, but I don’t think I’ll fold.” The brunette stepped away from the couch, getting closer to you, mumbling, “don’t be shy now~ you can request whatever you want. A deal, of some kind, what do you think?” It’d be a lie to say you weren’t intrigued, just how far could you push his buttons, you wondered. “Whatever?” You repeated his words in a questioning tone.

“Whatever.”

“Do your movies mean more to you than your life?” You joked, shaking your head in disbelieve. “Let’s see what I can make you do.” His eyes lit up, his usual cheerfulness returned, “so you agree? Haha! You have my gratitude, y/n! Aeons, lemme kiss you.” Out of nowhere he hugged you and kissed you on the cheeks, both sides, before taking a few steps back. You on the other hand froze, blinking a few times, remembering his eccentric tendencies, then gagging out a, “don’t thank me- it’s a mutual deal.”

“Right, that reminds me, got any idea what you want?” Reca smirked again, he was in a usually good mood now. “I’ll just have you as my pet.” You eventually said, then you specified your statement, “ah, and I’ll only cooperate as long as you are my pet.” When you looked over at him again, his mouth hung agape, red eyes shrunk a little while he stood there like a statue. “…you are joking.” He asked carefully. “I’m not.”

An awkward silence broke out once more, luckily he broke the ice after a few seconds, though it was done with a condescending comment, “Right, you were an eccentric like that.” A breathy laugh escape you, “hah, says who?” You two kept eye contact for a while, then he gave up and hide his face in his hand, groaning, “urghhhhhhh.” A faint blush covered his ears, and probably his cheeks as well.

“So?” You questioned, wondering if that was too much for him. “What? Of course i agree.” Reca frowned, an embarrassed scorn on his face, why were you so nonchalant about all of this? After getting his consent, you couldn’t help but sigh, “You really are a slave to your production.” He grinned again, winking at you, “Aren’t we all slaves to our desires?”

You thought about it, opening the drawer of the furniture behind you, taking something out before taking a few steps closer to the rather tall male in front of you. “Yea, you are right, it’s a part of being human I guess.” Then you wrapped the leather around his neck, pulling gently, tightening it. When you were done, you raised his chin, teasing him with a hint of irony, “don’t take it off, it’s a gift from me, your master.” His breathing hitched, but he didn’t back down, feeling the weight of the situation finally catching up to him.

“I’m sure the movie will turn out great, all thanks to you.” He then stated, rubbing the collar around his neck, feeling a weird sense of comfort inside him. You nodded, “of course it will, I don’t tolerate failures.” Reca laughed softly, then whispered meekly, “right. For that, I’ll be a good pet in return, master.”

[burningembers91]

The Secretary - Park Min-Su x Fem!Reader

Synopsis: Park Min-Su is the heir to a company he doesn't want. He's not made for the cutthroat world of business. His father hires you to be his secretary, nothing more than a bit of eye candy for the son he can't figure out. But you're so much more than that. And you know Min-Su is worth more than he thinks. If only you can teach him to be as confident as you are.

A/N - Picture the scene: a high stakes investment company, a heir who is terrified of his own shadow, and a sexy secretary with the patience of a Saint who'll teach Min-Su about business, power and sex. I am so excited for this storyline because I love a dominant female lead!

Park Min-Su’s life had been planned out for him before he’d even been born. His grandfather had set up an investment company in the 1970’s, one that had grown to almost dizzying heights of success. The company had then been passed to Min-Su’s father in the 1990’s, with the view to make everything his one day. But Min-Su didn’t want the company, he hated the pressure that came with being a CEO, detested the cutthroat manner his father and grandfather possessed. He didn’t have a keen eye for business, he couldn’t command a room full a people like his father could.

Min-Su was timid, and quiet, and preferred to fade quietly into the background where no one would notice him. He hated having to wear a suit every day, forced to sit in meetings about things that he didn’t fully understand. All the conversations about investments and portfolios went right over his head; he wasn’t the keen businessman his family wanted him to be. He’d thought about telling his father that he didn’t want the company, that perhaps it could be passed off to someone more deserving. But his father wasn’t in the habit of listening to Min-Su; he thought he knew best, and that his son needed to be guided by him in order to succeed.

He dreaded coming into the office, hated walking through the expansive marble hallways as people bowed to him, sucked up to him and pretended to like him. No one in that company liked Min-Su; they liked his father, and his father’s money. He’d often hide in the bathrooms at lunch, praying that no one would notice his absence. At 28 years old, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, but he knew he didn’t want to be a CEO.

His father could see Min-Su was struggling, but failure was not an option when it came to the business. He just needed a push, an incentive to get him to see that the path laid out for him was the right one. He knew nothing about his son and never had the inclination to attempt to bond with him. He’d given Min-Su luxury cars, villas in several countries and access to an unlimited amount of cash but couldn’t understand why his son still wasn’t happy. So, he hired you, a secretary who was easy on the eyes, someone to give Min-Su something to look at while he worked. You had a stellar CV, and excellent work ethic and his father hoped you’d bring his son out of his shell.

Min-Su had never been good with women, had never even so much as kissed a girl. He was constantly rendered speechless around you, his mouth agape whenever you walked into the room. you commanded attention in your heels and silk shirt, the lace of your bra visible through the thin fabric. He couldn’t even say his own name around you, let alone have a conversation with you, but you were so patient. You helped him get to grips with his diary, taking mundane admin tasks off his hands. You accompanied him to meetings, taking notes and then typing them up, making sure everything was in a language that Min-Su could understand. You knew he struggled with the fast-paced environment in the meetings, not entirely understanding the technical words used by the partners. You made sure his notes were clear, concise and simple, giving him the ability to get to grips with his role. You fetched his lunch, his dry cleaning, and his coffee. He never once asked you to do any of these things for him, but nothing was too much trouble for you.

His father had hired you to keep his son entertained, but Min-Su was so soft and gentle, far too kind for the cutthroat world of investments. You did your best to shield him, pretending you didn’t hear the things employees whispered about him behind his back. You did your best to encourage him to come out of his shell, telling him everything about yourself in the hopes he’d open up. But he wore the permanent look of a rabbit caught in the headlights, terrified of his own shadow. You noticed the way he stared at you; the way he stammered his words whenever he spoke to you. You so badly wanted to bolster his confidence, to show him he knew more than he thought.

You bided your time, chipping away at his terrified exterior little by little. You worked long into the night, never once giving up no matter how little he gave you. You knew there was a fire deep within Min-Su. He just needed a confident woman to help bring it out.

[schilders]

TEAR YOU APART | geto, sukuna

SYNOPSIS: things had been going well between you two. that is until suguru finds out you’re a virgin, and suddenly everything changes. will things ever go back to the way they were?

geto x reader (fem) x sukuna CURRENTLY: on-going / ao3 STORY CONTENT: romance, angst, alternate universe / modern world, emotional conflict, jealousy, character growth, humor, complex relationships, smut, tension, everyone is mid to late twenties except reader who I imagine to be about twenty-three, sukuna and geto are probably ooc but that's the fun thing about fanfic, characters can be whoever you want them to be!

MASTERLIST

CHAPTER THREE: 4.9k words NOTE: i feel like there's something important i wanted to say here for this chapter but i forgot lol. ig it's that don't expect reader to forgive suguru so easily? like she's mad (rightfully so) at him, so if it feels like he's a lil absent then it's for a reason. also thanks for reading here, but also I wouldn't mind if you choose to read over on ao3 instead! if you wanna be tagged lmk!

You turn over in your bed, lashes fluttering as sleep clings to your body. The warmth of the blanket envelops you, and you find yourself snuggling deeper into the soft, plush mattress. A ding to your right threatens your sleep, your eyes rolling under their lids. You manage to ignore it until it happens three more times in quick succession.

“What the fuck,” you mutter, leaning up on your elbow to grab the device causing harm to your precious sleep. The light is blinding as you unlock your phone, squinting as you stare at your notifications in disbelief.

“Is he serious?”

Sukuna: hey [3:23 am] Sukuna: are you up [3:24 am] Sukuna: don’t ignore me, babe [3:24 am] Sukuna: it’s rude [3:24 am]

You stare, mouth agape, at the sheer gall of this man. It’s three thirty in the fucking morning, and here he is texting you.

Sukuna: i’m outside btw [3:26 am]

“What the fuck? ” Your eyes widen, the blanket falling from your body as you sit up, your hand tight around your phone. There’s no way he knew where you lived, right? Who on earth did you give your number to?

Sukuna: just kidding [3:27 am]

“He’s so annoying. ” You whisper, dragging a hand down your face, fully sitting up, your fingers dancing across the screen as you reply.

➤ sukuna, what on earth ar yuo doing messaging me at thsi hour [3:28 am]

Sukuna: are* you* this* jeez, sweetheart, you really gotta utilize autocorrect [3:29 am]

➤ it’s 3:30 in the mroning do you rly think i give a shit about autocorrect [3:29 am]

Sukuna: morning* [3:29 am]

➤ Oh my god [3:30 am]

Sukuna: it’s endearing, really [3:30 am]

You rub at your face with one hand, trying desperately to wipe away the dregs of sleep that still weighed heavily on your body. You shiver, pulling the blanket back over you as you curl into a ball on your side, watching your phone screen for the next annoying text from him. When he doesn’t send anything, you type up your own message.

➤ why are you texting me [3:32 am]

Sukuna: I'm bored [3:33 am]

➤ then go to sleep [3:33 am]

Sukuna: that’s boring [3:34 am]

➤ do anything other than bother me then [3:34 am]

Your lids grow heavy as you start to drift and await his reply. After a few moments of no new notifications, you take this as a sign that he’s gotten the message. Tossing your phone back on your nightstand you turn over in bed, face snuggling deeper into the pillow as your eyes finally close.

Ding!

Your eyes snap open, sitting up in a huff, you throw the blankets off of you and angrily snatch up your phone, fingers working rather swiftly as you type up a lengthy response.

Sukuna: so [3:40 am]

Ignoring his text, you continue typing, eyes narrowed as you call him every name in the book, that is, until his next message has your fingers halting, hovering over your screen.

Sukuna: let’s go out tomorrow [3:40 am]

Quickly, and unfortunately, you delete your response, fingers darting over the screen once more to ask what the hell he's on about.

➤ so you messaged me at three in the morning to ask me to go out with you? [3:42 am]

Sukuna: yeah [3:42 am]

➤ no [3:43 am]

Sukuna: why not? [3:43 am]

God, he's infuriating.

Sukuna: there’s this diner, the food’s really good. we should go for breakfast [3:43 am]

Rubbing at the bridge of your nose, you frown, your face scrunching up as you consider his words. If you said yes, maybe he’d spare you for the rest of the night, and you could actually get some sleep. On the other hand, it might just urge him on even more, and then you’re stuck having to deal with all his incoming messages.

Or you could always block him if he doesn’t take the hint.

➤ if i say yes will you leave me alone [3:45 am]

Sukuna: for tonight? yes [3:45 am]

➤ fine. [3:45 am]

Sukuna: send me your address ill pick you up tomorrow [3:46 am]

➤ no we’ll meet there [3:46 am]

Sukuna: :( [3:47 am]

Sighing, you place your phone back on your nightstand, sure to put it on the charger if you were expected to wake up in the next few hours. You can’t believe he got you to cave so he could take you out. “He’s so irritating.” Settling back into bed, you curl in on yourself, cocooning yourself into your blanket. A few minutes go by, and when you’re sure he’s done bothering you, you begin to drift off.

Ding!

“I swear to God.” Blindly reaching over to your nightstand once more, you grab your phone, getting ready to cuss his ass out and tell him breakfast is off before you notice his text.

Sukuna: goodnight [3:50 am]

Sighing in annoyance, you dim the screen and return the phone to its place for the final time that night.

Looking down at your phone, you double-check to make sure you’re at the right place. Looking up at the sign on the building, the words ‘Po’s Diner’ stare back at you, the name simple and straight to the point.

Entering the diner, a bell dings above your head, and you find yourself glancing around for a head of pink hair. You notice him before he notices you, his tall frame standing out among the rest of the diners.

His arm is slung over the back of the booth, his face turned towards the window, watching as the cars go by.

Sighing, you reluctantly make your way over to him. The first thing you notice is that he’s discarded his jacket, having sat it in the seat beside him. The next thing is the tattoos adorning his arms. Bold, symmetrical patterns are inked into his skin, you’ve never seen anything like them before, and you wonder if he had any more.

“Sukuna.” You acknowledge him, hands stuffed in your pockets.

He turns to you, a grin already on his face as he stands to properly greet you, his towering height casting a shadow over you. “For a second there, I thought you weren’t going to show up.”

You roll your eyes. “I considered it.”

“I appreciate the honesty.”

“Yeah, well…” You shrug, looking around the small diner, taking in the retro decor.

Sukuna retakes his seat, raising an eyebrow at you. “You just gonna stand there all bundled up like a snowman or what?”

Your brow twitches, hand itching to smack him upside the head. “For your information, no, I am not. ��

“C’mere,” He turns in his seat, one large hand reaching out to grasp your hip pulling you to stand between his long legs. His fingers deftly undo the buttons on your coat before shrugging it off your shoulders. 

You say nothing, too startled by his sudden shift in demeanor, allowing him to slide the coat down your arms.

“There,” he says casually, placing your coat down beside his own. He gestures for you to take a seat across from him.

Silently, you obey, sliding into the booth. Your mind wanders, curious about the change in his behavior, unable to make sense of it. He's an odd individual you quickly learned.

“Here,” he slides the menu across the table. Your glance from the folded laminated paper up to his face where his eyebrow is raised curiously.

“What?”

“Nothing.” You shake your head, picking up the menu, not taking in any of the options as you think about your companion sitting opposite you.

“So, princess, you gonna tell me about the guy from the restaurant? What is his name..?” Sukuna tried to recall the caller ID that day at the coffee shop, but all he could remember was that it started with an S.

Your lips form a thin line as you place the menu down, glaring at him. “There was no guy at the restaurant; they were just friends.”

“Okay,” he nods, drumming his fingers on the table. “I mean, you can keep lying to me, or you could tell the truth.”

You didn’t understand what his intentions were. You didn’t know if he was interested in you or rather the drama surrounding your life. Gritting your teeth, your fist clenches underneath the table, an overly tight smile stretching across your lips.

“That is the truth,” you say, your voice strained and steady, though the forced smile on your face betrays you.

Sukuna leans back in his seat, one brow raised as a smirk plays on his lips, a hand coming up to adjust his glasses. “Sure, princess. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“Why does it matter to you so much?” You ask, smile wavering, nails digging into the palm of your hand.

He chuckles, a sound that fuels your irritation. “Is it so odd for a man to be curious about the relationship of the woman he wishes to court?” He asks mockingly, folding his hands over his stomach. 

You scoff, and for a moment all you could do was stare at him in disbelief. The audacity of this man. You shake your head, glancing away. “Court? Really? ” you mutter, finding your gaze drifting back to him, that annoying smirk still on his face.

“Yes, really— ” He begins, only to be cut short by the sound of your voice cutting through.

“Wait a minute! There is no relationship. I told you that,” you snap, pointing a frustrated finger at him. “There is nothing going on between Suguru and me, so drop it!”

You huff, leaning back in your seat, your arms crossed tightly over your chest. It’s quiet for a moment before Sukuna’s voice breaks through the silence, his tone laced with amusement.

“Suguru, huh?”

Your stomach drops.

Fuck.

“C’mon,” he teases, leaning forward with his arms folded on the table. “Use me as your diary.” He echoes the words from your first encounter, that infuriating smirk still on his face.

“I don’t want to,” you say, truthfully. You aren’t about to spill your guts to some guy you’ve just met. It isn’t his business that Suguru dumped you outside, all because you were a virgin.

Now that you think about it. What would happen, say, hypothetically, if you and Sukuna hit it off and pursued a relationship? Eventually, it’d lead to sex, and you’d have to come clean about being a virgin.

You stare at him, brows furrowing as you picture this imagined scenario. Would he also have a problem with it? Or does he not care? To be honest, he seems like the type to not care. But you hardly knew him, so what could you honestly say?

“What?”

You shake your head, choosing to change the topic at hand. “How long have you had those?” you ask, gesturing toward the piercings in his face. There were multiple ones in his ears, with the first lobe stretched much like Suguru’s. Both nostrils were pierced, his septum, too, and another one vertically through his bottom lip. You also noticed when he spoke that he had his tongue pierced as well. Originally you thought his glasses didn’t fit his face, but now that you look at them, the wire frames mesh well with his piercings.

“Since I was eighteen,” he replied casually, fiddling with one of the hoops in his ear. But as expected, he shifts the conversation back to the original topic. “So, what’s up with Suguru?”

Of course, he’d find a way to circle back. Shaking your head, you sigh, searching his face for any sign that he was lying about not telling anyone.

“We’d been hanging out for a few weeks,” you begin, your voice trailing off. “Somehow, things changed, and we ended up dating? I don’t know.” You briefly glance at him, gauging his reaction. “We fooled around a bit, but nothing more than that. I thought we were closer than that, but apparently, not to him.” You conveniently leave out the main issue, not wanting to share such sensitive info just yet.

“That’s it?” Sukuna leans back slightly, cocking an eyebrow. He’s not mean in his questioning; more so blunt. As though he’s trying to figure out why it even mattered. “Doesn’t sound like much of a loss, princess.”

You think over his words. Sure, without the full context, it just sounds like a situationship where you wanted more but he didn’t. But add to the fact that he ended things because you were a virgin, and suddenly you feel like everything’s different.

“But I’ve decided to move on. After the other night it seemed like he's over it all, so why not me too?”

Sukuna nods in understanding, throwing his arm over the back of the seat again. “Good. There’s no need to sulk over someone like that. It’s not worth it, princess.”

Your lips twist into a frown, arms folding over your chest. “Why do you keep calling me that?”

“Why not?” He teases, cocking an eyebrow at you as if daring you to say something.

He infuriated you. You had no idea why you agreed to go out with him. All you had to do was block his number; it’s not like he had other ways to contact you. So, why did you find yourself tolerating him?

As you’re lost in thoughts, the waitress finally makes her way over, a friendly smile on her face. “Sorry for the wait. As you can see, we’re kind of busy this morning.”

“It’s fine,” you reassure her.

“So, what can I get for you?”

You didn’t really have time to look over the menu, as you were dealing with Sukuna and his questions. So you picked up the menu and quickly skimmed it, pointing out a random dish that sounded good. Sukuna also gave his order, which the waitress jotted down before taking her leave.

“I can’t imagine you’re having fun,” you say after a moment, meeting his gaze. “I’m sure this isn’t how you imagined this to go.”

Sukuna chuckles, the sound low and rumbling. “I’m quite enjoying myself, truly.”

Your brows raise in surprise, lips parting, “After all I’ve put you through, you’re still happy with how this ‘date’ ,” you say, raising your hands and making air quotes. “Is going?”

“What can I say?” He leans forward, as close as he can get with the table between you. “I like my women… stubborn.”

Scoffing, you roll your eyes, something you find yourself doing a lot lately. “Is that how you see me?” You can’t fault him, you were acting rather defensive and confrontational. But you had every right to be. You’d just met him, and here he is prying into your personal life with that stupid, pretty face of his.

Sukuna smirks, leaning back in his seat. “You? Stubborn? Nah.” His voice drips with sarcasm, a deep chuckle leaving his lips, the sound aggravating you. “It’s fine, though,” he adds. “Keeps things interesting.”

You cross your arms and lean back in your seat, matching his posture. “So you like being constantly annoyed? Good to know,” your voice is dry, eyes rolling.

He laughs again, tilting his head, his sharp eyes watching you closely. “Annoyed?” he echoes. “No, I’d say it’s more like entertained.” His smirk turns into a lazy grin, canines on display.

His words send a jolt of irritation through you, yet there’s a heat in his gaze that keeps you rooted in your seat. You hated how he got under your skin, nestling there like a little bug, eating away at your flesh.

Sukuna couldn’t help but find all this amusing. His red eyes twinkled with mischief. 

“Well, I’m glad I could be a source of entertainment,” you snap, your irritation only making his grin widen. Sukuna's having fun. He almost wanted to tease you further, to see how far he could push, how long you’d let him play this game. But he doesn’t. Instead, he gets serious for a moment, gaze softening, something uncharacteristic of him.

“I am enjoying myself, genuinely.”

His sudden shift in demeanor again has you squirming in your seat, lips twisting. “Don’t do that. It’s weird.”

That mischievous glint returns to his eye, cocking his head to the side he grins again. “What?” he mocks. “Falling for me already?”

“Not even close.”

That pulls a deep, rumbling laugh from him. His shoulders shake from the force of it. His chuckles come to a slow stop, and his elbow comes to rest on the table. His chin settles into his hand, a genuine smile on his lips.

“Stop doing that,” you mutter, picking at the napkins where they reside inside the holder. He's starting to make you feel weird, and you don’t like it. The way he smiled at you didn’t fit his face, yet it made your stomach flutter. “I told you it’s weird.”

“Sorry, princess,” he apologizes, though he’s not sorry at all, far from it, actually.

He continues to stare at you like that, and you have to force yourself to look away, your gaze locking on the people in the booth behind him. You wondered where this would lead the two of you. If he’d ask you out again and if you’d agree. You have a feeling that you would, as much as you’d like to deny it.

Your footsteps echo throughout the empty hallway, today was another uneventful day. You were tired and just wanted to kick your shoes off and rest. It'd been a few days since your date with Sukuna.

Pulling your keys from your pocket, you unlock the door and step inside. What you’re greeted with is the last thing you expect.

Suguru stands in your apartment, hands in his pockets as he stares you down. He’s dressed casually; dark jeans, a simple black long-sleeved T-shirt. It’s nothing flashy, and it pisses you off how effortlessly attractive he is. His long hair cascades down his back, half of it pulled back into a ponytail like always. The dim lighting in your apartment highlighted his sharp features.

You had forgotten you gave him a key to your apartment, having let him come over while you were at work as he got off earlier than you, so he’d greet you at your place.

“Suguru,” you murmur, placing your keys down in the dish by the door. You toe your shoes off, never breaking eye contact with him, as if he’d disappear if you took your eye off him.

He says your name, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he waits for you to approach him.

You don’t, though, instead, you fold your arms over your chest, staring him down much like he did you. “What are you doing here?”

“Just thought I’d stop by to see how you’ve been,” he says casually. “We really haven’t talked in the past, what? Month or so, longer than that.”

Yeah, and whose fault is that? You think to yourself. His audacity had you clenching your teeth, anger bubbling inside of you as you think back to how he did you. You were getting over it, so why did he have to show up now of all times?

“I’ve been fine,” you reply curtly, leaning back against the wall. “Nothing’s really changed.” You shrug, shoulders tense. “Work is still the same. I don’t do much except work and come home. I’m too tired to do anything after that, to be honest.”

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Suguru says calmly, though you sense something else in his words. “For weeks now since before dinner.”

No shit, Sherlock.

He had some nerve. Saying you’re avoiding him as if it isn’t his fault. He quite literally kicked you to the curb. Sure, he tried reaching out, but why would you answer him? Now that you think about it, you wonder if it's really your feelings for Suguru that had you upset at him. Because truthfully, you could’ve still been friends if he hadn’t kicked you out the way he did. But could you have handled not being with him anymore? Did you genuinely develop feelings for him in the short amount of time you’d been with him?

“Is that why you’re here?” you say, voice harsher than you intended. “To make me feel guilty?”

He approaches you now, and you can’t read the expression on his face. He stops in front of you, impossibly close, his dark eyes locking onto yours. You press yourself closer against the wall, and he takes advantage of this, choosing to press a hand to the wall by your head, invading your personal space.

“Be honest,” he whispers, breath tickling your skin, a shiver running down your spine. “Are you fucking him?”

You freeze, blood boiling as his words echo in your head.

Are you fucking him?

“That’s what it is, right?” he continues, his free hand rising, gently brushing the back of his knuckles against your cheek. “You sought him out so he could take your virginity. Is this some attempt at getting back at me? Do you think I’d take you back after you’ve been fucked by another man?”

“Shut up,” you whisper through gritted teeth, fists clenching by your side. You could hear your heart beating rapidly in your ears. “You know nothing.”

“Are you sure about that?” His hand moves to cup the side of your face, fingers curling around the side of your head, thumb stroking over your cheek. His breath brushed your cheeks, lips parted as his gaze flickered from your eyes to your mouth.

A shuddering breath leaves you, lashes fluttering softly, eyes threatening to close. One of your hands comes up to grip at his shirt, fingers twisting into the fabric. You instinctively pull him closer, his body flush against yours.

Your attention shifts to his lips, remembering how soft they were. How they left marks on your skin, his teeth sinking into your flesh.

“I missed you,” he admits, leaning down, nose brushing yours, lips centimeters apart.

“But you don’t want me.” Your fingers grasp his shirt tighter, knuckles turning white. Anger floods your entire being, a tinge of desire breaking through, twisting your insides. You hated how much you wanted him. How much you missed him. “You have no idea what you’ve done to me.” It’d only been about a month since you’d been with him, yet it felt like an eternity.

You fell for him, and you fell hard. A month with him and he’s got you like this, it almost seemed pathetic, honestly.

“You don’t want me like I want you.” Your voice trembles, tears pricking at your eyes, drifting shut.

Suguru feels his chest tighten, your words bouncing around in his head. His heart wrenches, and he can’t explain the emotions clawing at him, guilt and longing. It makes it hard to breathe. He can’t explain it, instead, he closes the distance between you two, lips sliding over yours in a soft kiss.

Immediately your lips part for him, his tongue slides against yours, a groan erupting from deep in his chest as your intoxicating taste invades his senses.

The hand on the wall slides down to cradle the other side of your face, fingers curling around the back of your head, holding you firmly. He presses closer, his body pinning you against the wall, hips pressed flush to yours. He wants to be close, so close he wants to melt into your skin.

His teeth catch your bottom lip, tongue darting out to smooth over the indents left behind. Your breath hitches, your free hand coming up to curl around his neck. His hands tilt your head back, deepening the kiss, and you whimper.

You barely part for breath, the soft smacks and clicks of your lips separating fill the room.

As you kiss him, you can’t help but think back to that night and how he rejected you. You attempt to pull back from the kiss only for him to draw you back in, lips gliding over yours. A moan slips out, and Suguru presses harder against you, teeth clashing as it becomes more intense.

“Suguru…” You manage to get out, pulling away for just a moment, his lips trailing over your cheek and down your jawline, his hands sliding down your body to rest on your hips.

Your eyes flutter when he bites where your neck meets your jaw, lips wrapping around the patch of flesh and sucking a dark mark into your skin. He trails his lips down your neck, sucking and nipping at your flesh, teeth sinking.

“Yes,” you shudder, pulling him closer, the hand on his neck tangling in the hair on his nape. You know you have to stop this before it goes too far. Before there’s a repeat of last time.

“Suguru…” Your jaw falls slack, eyes heavy-lidded.

“Mm,” he hums against your neck, his lips parting as he sucks another mark into your skin. The emotions neither of you could express flow through your body.

He doesn’t miss the way your breath hitches, the way you melt into his touch, and a wave of possessiveness grips him. Does he touch you like this? He growls, the sound muffled by your neck, and he sinks his teeth deeper into your flesh, nearly hard enough to draw blood. The thought of another man, of Sukuna, having you like this makes his blood boil.

“Suguru,” Your eyes roll, fighting the urge to pull him closer or shove him away. “Suguru, stop.” You gain the strength to push him away, pulling him away from your neck, and his mouth detaches from your flesh with a wet pop. Your hands press against his chest, creating some distance between the two of you.

His eyes are hazy, admiring his work, the way the marks bloomed on your skin from his ministrations. Then his gaze shifts to yours, brow furrowing in confusion. Almost as if to say, ‘Why’d you do that?’

“We can’t do this.” Your voice is quiet, and your pupils shake as you attempt to make eye contact. His eyes are dark and heavy, and you want to reach out and pull him into you, to finish what he started. But you know that can’t happen.

“I—I’m not something to own.” It hurts you to say this, to push him away, but he did it first. You knew the only reason he was doing this was because of Sukuna. “If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be doing this,” you whisper, your body trembling from the anger and hurt you felt. “You think you can prevent me from seeing other people, but I’m not yours.”

Suguru nods slowly, frowning as he glances away for a moment, taking another step back. Then, a dry laugh escapes him, the sound bitter. “You really think that’s what this is all about?” He lies. He’d never admit it, but it's the truth, as much as he hated to say it. “You think I’m here because of him ?”

A shuddering breath leaves you, lips pressing into a thin line as you study his face, desperate for any sign of truth. It doesn’t matter though, because you already know.

“Suguru, I need you to leave.”

He sucks in a sharp breath, jaw clenching. Stuffing his hands in his pocket, he nods, eyes lingering on your face as if he were studying your features. “Okay.”

“Okay.” You echo, tears dotting your lash line.

He steps to his left, shoulder brushing yours as he opens the door, hands squeezing the knob as he pulls it. It slams behind him when he leaves, the sound loud in your ears. You take the moment to cry, sliding down the wall, head in your hands.

“What the hell is happening to me? We were together for a month. ” You pick your head up, quickly wiping away your tears before standing. You couldn’t believe you were letting a month-long situationship get you this worked up. You needed a break, not just from Suguru, but from everything.

“I need a break.” You decide, pulling out your phone to look at what days you could take off from work. You decide to treat yourself to a little vacation. You could lounge around and pamper yourself at home. “Or I could go to that spa Utahime told me about,” you murmur to yourself, searching the name and looking through the reviews.

A message notification pops up as you’re looking, the name catching your eye. Your thumb hovers over it, debating on whether or not to reply.

Sukuna: hey, got anything planned next friday? [6:46 pm]

Pursing your lips, you open it, thumbs swiping across the screen.

➤ no, I actually just took some days off, why? [6:48 pm]

Sukuna: good. let’s go out [6:48 pm]

end note: a mere moment of weakness from my girl reader. oh, they crazy asf for acting like this over a month of being romantically involved and they both need to stand tf up. also, if u don't like sukuna's piercings argue w ya mama

taglist: @inthedarkshadows000, @ashdiamashi, @firesgod, @sukunasrealgf, @lillycore

[satinekryzeweek]

DAY ONE: JAN 27 | agape - ἀγάπη The highest form of unconditional, sacrificial love. Satine’s relationship to Mandalore and her people. What it means to be Mand’alor and her duty to the system.

DAY TWO: JAN 28 | storge - στοργή Familial love. Satine’s relationship to her family. How she views her family, her sister, her nephew, and the entirety of House Kryze.

DAY THREE: JAN 29 | eros - ἔρως Physical love or sexual desire; involving passion, lust, or romance. Satine’s relationship to romance and sexual desire. Her lovers and partners over the years, both sensual and carnal.

DAY FOUR: JAN 30 | philia - φιλία Close bonds created through friendship. Satine’s relationship to friendship. People she has met on her travels that keep in touch, mentors, guides, and close friends she cares for deeply.

DAY FIVE: JAN 31 | philautia - φιλαυτία Self love and personal happiness. Satine’s relationship to herself. How she sees herself, her past, her future- what she wants and what drives her.

For more information, check out our Rules and About, or send us an ask. Signal boost: @swfandomevents @thebigbangblogproject @starwarsfemslashblog @sapphicstarwars @fandomweeks

[inklings-challenge]

2025 Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge: Official Announcement

The Event

The Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge invites Christian writers and artists to retell or illustrate a fairy tale that features at least one of the four loves:

Storge: Familial love

Eros: Romantic love

Philia: Friendship

Agape: Self-giving love

All stories and artwork will be reblogged to the main Inklings Challenge blog during the month of February.

For Writers

Writers participating in the Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge are invited to retell a fairy tale from a Christian worldview in a way that features at least one of the four types of love. This could involve retelling a fairy tale that features on the chosen type of love or changing a fairy tale that traditionally focuses upon romance, family or friendship to focus on a different type of love. Retellings can be in any genre–fantasy, science fiction, historical, contemporary, etc.–and should retell the original tale, rather than any modern adaptations. There is no maximum or minimum word limit, but because of the short time frame, the challenge is best suited to short works.

For Artists

Artists participating in the Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge are invited to create artworks related to a fairy tale. Artworks can take any form–illustrations, moodboards, photographs, crafts, etc.–so long as they are related to a fairy tale. Artworks can feature a scene from the traditional tale or adapt the fairy tale to a different setting or genre. Artists who are also writers can also illustrate their own works if they desire.

Posting

Retellings and artwork can be posted to a tumblr blog anytime after February 1, 2025. Writers and artists are encouraged to post their works by February 14, 2025, but works can be finished and posted after that date. Works will be shared to the main Inklings Challenge blog until the final deadline of February 28, 2025.

All stories and art will be reblogged and archived on the main Inklings Challenge blog. To assist with organization, creators should tag their posts according to the following guidelines.

Mention the main Challenge blog @inklings-challenge somewhere within the body of the post (which will hopefully alert the Challenge blog).

Tag the story #inklingschallenge, to ensure it shows up in the Challenge tag, and make it more likely that the Challenge blog will find it.

Tag the type of love that is featured in the work: theme: storge, theme: eros, theme: philia, and/or theme: agape

Tag the fairy tale that is being retold or illustrated within the work.

For writers, tag the completion status of the story: #story: complete or #story: unfinished

And that’s the Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge! Any questions, comments or concerns can be sent to this blog, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

[thecapricunt1616]

Ginseng (c.b. one shot)

𝓢𝓷𝓲𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓽 (𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓑𝓣𝓒): The sound of the faucet drowned out the unlocking and shutting of the apartment door when Carmy had come home early today. He hoped to surprise you and have a romantic evening together. But to his surprise when he got in, he heard the bathtub faucet, silently wishing you hadn’t gotten in the bath yet - he quietly took off his backpack and sneakers, nudging the bedroom door open. “Angel?” He said softly, expecting you to be near the slightly open bathroom door, taking your hair down or washing off your makeup from the day. He shut the bedroom door out of habit from living with Steve in New York and headed towards the bathroom hearing your silent pleas as you tried your best to get an orgasm finally. That was something Carmy was your first for. You’d been well experienced sexually, but Carmy? He gave you your first-ever orgasm. For some sad reason you could never get there with your fingers, and your previous partners never got you there. 

♡ Chapter Inspo: Ginsengs magickal uses include; love, beauty, protection, healing & lust. Carry this herb to draw love, health, money, and sexual potency. Carve a wish into a whole root and throw it into water to make the wish come true. ♡ Summary: Carmy gets home to find you ... a little lascivious, and offers to help being the polite gentleman he is! ♡ W/C:��800+ ♡ Posted Date: 05/28/2024 ♡ A/N: Hello! Happy day 3/7 of the Capri 200 Follower Celebration Extravaganza!!! You can find said extravaganza ♡ Here ♡ this celebration will be going until next Sunday (06/02/24) so get your requests in! Here's another celebration ask on the books! This ask is from a sweet anon, ask can be found right ♡ here ♡ , I hope you enjoy anon! ♡ Warnings for BTC: Smutty smut smut, AFAB!Fem!Reader, Reader not described (pic's are purely for vibes only), swearing, and typical TB trigger warnings

♡ 𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 ♡

➵ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 ♡ ➵ 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 ♡ ➵ 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 / 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵 ♡ ➵ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 ♡

Carmy had been…absent. That’s how you’d been putting it to yourself. You wanted to call it neglectful - but, you knew that would be dramatic considering the fact you truly understood why he wasn’t home, wasn’t tending to your needs as you’d teased him about in the early mornings. 

He’d grumble, nuzzling his strong nose into your neck and kissing lightly along your sensitive skin beneath your ear, muttering ‘M’sorry babydoll’ into your soft skin. He’d get up out of bed in your Chicago apartment, before the sun had even kissed the edge of the horizon and go take a freezing cold shower to wake himself up. 

You found yourself tonight, a pathetic little Friday night it was. In your shared bath/shower, legs spread wide enough for the perfect pressured water to hit your clit. You were a mess, whining and moaning like a pornstar. You didn’t care how you sounded, because Carmy was never home before 9pm. You’d assumed it was no later then 9, you’d just gotten in the bath at 8:40. Little known to you, it had been over an hour. 

You’d had 4 glasses of red wine, not enough to get you drunk - but enough to get you hot and bothered. You always got like this when you had red wine. You’d joked it was your ‘slutty grape juice’ which always made Carmy giggle. 

“you own me- mmffuck” you whined, 3 fingers deep in your cunt as the water attacked your clit brutally, back arched against the baths porcelain floor and nipples hard and perky. Your mouth was agape, soft pants falling from your lips and eyes fluttered shut as your manicured toes curled. 

The sound of the faucet drowned out the unlocking and shutting of the apartment door when Carmy had come home early today. He hoped to surprise you and have a romantic evening together. But to his surprise when he got in, he heard the bathtub faucet, silently wishing you hadn’t gotten in the bath yet - he quietly took off his backpack and sneakers, nudging the bedroom door open. “Angel?” He said softly, expecting you to be near the slightly open bathroom door, taking your hair down or washing off your makeup from the day. 

He shut the bedroom door out of habit from living with Steve in New York and headed towards the bathroom hearing your silent pleas as you tried your best to get an orgasm finally. That was something Carmy was your first for. You’d been well experienced sexually, but Carmy? He gave you your first-ever orgasm. For some sad reason you could never get there with your fingers, and your previous partners never got you there. 

“yes daddy, fill me up- please-” you lamented, back arching in pleasure and sobbing out hot, wanton moans and cries. 

“Holy fuckin’ shit” he murmured to himself as he pushed the door open. The door creak was just loud enough for your attention to be grabbed, and your head snapped to the right to see him standing there. You snapped your legs closed, quickly sitting up, mouth shutting with a click of your teeth and the feeling of heat flooding your cheeks, your eyes wide as an owl. 

“I- oh - you’re- uh. Welcome home?” You said coyly, covering your perked breasts with your arms. Every intimate part of you felt flushed, pulsing with need. Your nipples were hard, clit was hard, pussy was throbbing and clenching - fuck. You needed him badly. But couldn’t help but feel nearly…perverted? 

“Can- uh…” he swallowed thickly. 1 year and 8 months of being together, being official as he called it - and he was still so shy as his eyes raked over your naked body. “Can I help?” he came over, kneeling next to the tub and gently caressing your warm cheek with the back of his hand. “You sound so pretty sweetheart you miss me this bad mm?” he trailed his hand down your neck, over your breast, squeezing the sensitive flesh gently.

“Gosh Bear” you sunk down in the shallow pool of water, spreading your thighs once more “Please- please help me” You begged and rested your head back gratefully. His hand found your core, rubbing against your swollen clit with his middle and forefingers, that exact rhythm he knew you loved. Your hips jerked, gasping unintentionally and pinching your nipple for added pleasure. 

“Yeah? Feel good huh? Gonna cum on my hand?” he curled his fingers against your G-spot and you gasped, grabbing his wrist and feeling the tendons flex beneath your fingers as he continued to fingerfuck you absolutely stupid.

“Missed you daddy” you manage to get between your lips, reaching your hand up to touch his face gently. He took your hand with his non-dominant one, kissing the palm.

“So patient, yeah? My patient, sweet kitten” he kissed your forehead and you whine out in pleasure, his hand holding open your thigh on one side, elbow working the other to assure you stayed spread wide for him as he worked you through it, gummy walls clenching tight making lewd wet noises, and hips twitching up in overstimulation. “Thats it, mmm? Waited like a good girl, my good girl” he cooed, kissing your nose gently, intimately, as he rubbed your clit to walk you through it.

“Glad I didn’t make a mess this time” you breathe, chest moving a bit rapidly as you finished your comedown. Carmy kissed up your calf, to your knee and thigh

“Y’think im done w’you t’night?”

[linopls]

kinktober day ten

praise kink changbin x gn!reader summary: changbin just loves you so much warnings: SMUT MINORS DNI, oral (male receiving) 0.3k words

“oh you’re so good to me,” changbin says while placing one of his soft hands against your cheek.

your knees are throbbing, your lungs are screaming for air, your throat is raw and abused. but all that pain goes away when changbin opens his mouth and goes on and on about how amazing you are.

“your mouth feels heavenly, baby,” changbin coos. “you take my cock so well.”

you moan around the head of his cock and changbin chuckles. 

“you like when i tell you how good you are at sucking my cock, hm?”

your eyes roll back in your head and you moan again. you suck in your cheeks and slowly engulf his thick cock back into your throat until your nose is pressed against his pelvis. you look up at changbin through your eyelashes and see that he is looking down at you with admiration in his eyes and his mouth agape. 

changbin places the one hand not occupied on your cheek to the back of your neck. you let your jaw go slack as changbin begins to thrust his hips up into your mouth. the tip of his cock repeatedly hitting the back of throat makes tears form in your eyes.

“don’t cry, my love,” changbin says between thrusts. “you’re doing so well for me.”

your toes curl and your eyes roll, you swear you could finish from his praises alone. 

“letting me use you like this? god, you’re amazing.”

you’re dizzy, unsure if it's from lack of oxygen or from the waterfall of praises pouring from changbin’s mouth.

“give me a second, baby. you feel so good, you’re gonna make me cum.”

you suck in your cheeks again, wanting nothing more than for changbin to finish down your throat. changbin moans loudly and throws his head back in pleasure.

“fuck, that’s it. you feel so fucking good, baby, i’m gonna cum.” you feel changbin’s hot release spill into your throat as he finishes with a loud groan. 

changbin slowly pulls his softening cock out of your mouth and cups both your cheeks in his hands. he rubs his thumb over your bottom lip, smearing his cum across it. 

“so, so, so good to me, baby,” changbin smiles. “i love you.”

changbin <;3

@rockstrhanji @hyunjinhoexxx @mixtape-racha @euphoric-univers @haruharu-egypt @shit-why-what @twiggoblin @kookiesbunny @virgohannie @nataliee10 @ihrtlix @aaasia111 @lolli4me @lilcutieana @changbinsrightboob @hanjisunglover @chansducky10 @elissasimp @boi-bi-ahaha @lilquokka04 @anglerfishiey @sirenscall1031 @might-be-a-rat @jihyun2monster @kpflyn @samsmitty @imwithurmother @meilix @summer3sworld @mysweethannie @kittykattime @linoots @yaorzu-blog @sofiaeli 

@alemi-i @cupidsmoons @yoongles2025 @vixensss @chlooooop @lemontried @idkluvutellme @superiorbrownskinn @ana-stasssiaaa @amayaaseees @ilikecatsanddoritos @alnex05 @esairevmp @greysweaters-blog @sanzusfavgf @jutannies @faraonatojishady @hanniemylovelyquokka @chloeskzboomboom @quinnluvsmoney @burningupp-replies @aisha-md @jo-dinner @jeannie-beannie @httpsimmy @hazneezs @cuffier 

@dvbkie099 @il0v3skz @chrishak@quokkaaah @bex90997 @sheeshhhhfelixsworld @leeknowyah @tumadreposts @hyunniebunni @cipher-ipher @alice630 @jinnies-princess @bangtancultsposts @evrythinghqppened @rebellescauses-blog @juicypebbless @fawnpeaks @the-life-of-stella @lakoya @compersian @seung-mine @mal-lunar-28

[jayjj7]

chapter 28. dinner

prev. | next | masterlist

even though you knew this was coming, walking into your boss’ office is nerve wracking. danielle is already in his office, sitting on a spare chair, turning her head upon seeing you walk in. you shoot her a small smile and stand behind danielle to give ryo and tae some space to walk into the office.

your hands are resting on danielle’s shoulders, gently rubbing against her doctors coat. she brings up a hand to hold yours, rubbing her thumb against each individual digit of your yours.

nervousness was an understatement, you were scared shit-less about losing your job. it wasn’t that you disliked your job, you loved it in fact, it was just the conditions that made you dread clocking in every day.

“it has been brought to my attention that i have been giving my employees…” your boss motions his hands forward to put an emphasis on everyone in the room.

“an unfair imbalance of pay and recognition” he looks down at his desk, fixing his name plate so it’s straighter than before.

ryo automatically furrows his eyebrows in frustration, expecting something huge in return. tae on the other hand, keeps a composed demeanor while staring at your boss.

“which is why i will make sure everyone is payed the same starting today, i will also be paying for your guys’ dinner” you could tell your boss had no intention on ever doing so. the light, subtle sweat on his forehead only puts you in a bad mood.

“thank you sir” ryo reaches his hand out to shake the boss’ while smiling and laughing hysterically.

danielle sighs before dropping her phone down on the table, clearly annoyed and angry. she stands up and takes a hold of minji’s arm to pull her behind where danielle was headed. they make their way to the bathroom without any discussion, minji’s facial expression declared indifference, it was like she knew this was coming.

“minji what are you doing?” danielle crosses her arms across her chest, holding eye contact with minji after entering the bathroom.

“i’m not doing anything” minji holds her hands up as if she was surrendering.

“what is your problem with y/n? i already told you we solved everything!” danielle leans closer to minji out of frustration, trying to make a point.

“okay so what if that happens again dani? huh? she lashes out on you again over something you can’t control, then what?” minji speaks louder in hopes of knocking some sense into danielle.

“there was a reason why she was mad okay? she apologized and that was it! you don’t have to look out for me this much! you are crossing the line!” danielle swings her arms as she talks, out of breath by the time she’s finished speaking.

“dani, why do you keep giving her excuses? because if this was anyone else, you would not be this nice or forgiving!” minji shakes her head as she talks.

danielle always had a response for everything she was told, whether that was an answer to a question, a suggestion, or in this case: a witty remark. but this time was different, danielle was silent, unable to respond to minji. this caused for minji to continue asking questions.

“why are you taking care of her? because she looks fine to me!” she laughs. “is she even paying rent?” “ why do you always hide her from us?” minji talks faster.

“i mean you practically live with the girl and still i know nothing about her?” she rests her hands on her hips.

“because i like y/n!” danielle shouts, shutting minji up and causing her to leave her mouth agape.

“i like y/n! i’m giving her the benefit of the doubt for being immature not only because she’s sick, but because i like her!” danielle rubs her temple.

“she’s living with me because the doctors said i should look after her for a week or two and i like taking care of her! i called her my wife and i like the thought of it! okay minji? is that what you wanted?” danielle is stressed out, she looks drained after her speech.

after a moment of silence, minji speaks:

“you can’t date her”

taglist : [ @modanisgf @greenniee @milfcr @idkwhatim-doinghere101 @urwyf3 @flolio @imahallucination11 @pandafuriosa60 @kaypanaq @nnewjeansstuff @haerinkisser @brocoliisscared @starrynini05 @l-e-e-woso @kimminjiswife @herlv3r @linnnsworld @multiliker @jisooftme @beanwtf1 @trovao-penguins ] taglist is open !! comment to be added !

[allwaswell16]

A fic rec of One Direction fics where one of the characters presents as their secondary gender in the fic as requested in this ask. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers! You can find my other recs here. Happy reading!

- Louis/Harry -

❤️ Black Raspberries and Butterscotch by MushroomMushroom28*

(E, 114k, friends to lovers) What happens when two best friends, late to present as their secondary genders, finally spend a summer together after four years apart?

❤️ harry, you little shit (series) by @juliusschmidt *

(E, 89k, canon) Harry’s an omega and he’s learning to like it. A lot.

❤️ lost in the sirens by akatomlinson

(E, 53k, uni) alphas and omegas can’t cohabitate as friends and harry ‘supposed-to-be-a-beta’ styles presents a few weeks before he and louis ‘hot/spicy-omega-bestie’ tomlinson are set to move into their new uni flat.

❤️ Who Would've Thought by whoknows

(E, 44k, canon) The idea doesn’t come to Louis until they’ve been at the bungalow for a couple of days. Harry has no idea that he’s going to pop a knot. He’s been living his life with the expectation that he’s going to be a beta, and Louis isn’t going to tell him otherwise.

❤️ Follow Your Arrow by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

(T, 36k, canon) They said Louis playing alpha wouldn’t affect anything. It was the best thing for the band, so he doesn’t really regret it except deep in the dead of night, when he bites down on his knuckles to swap the echoing ache of depri for a sting of pain.

❤️ Too Young To Know by @2tiedships2

(M, 35k, exes) the one where Harry doesn’t present as an alpha… until he does.

❤️ you burn with the brightest flame by sarcasticfluentry

(E, 34k, canon) the X-Factor Era A/B/O fic.

❤️ you're an alpha, harry! by fondjumpedtheshark / @agape-28

(E, 32k, uni) Right before Harry goes to university, he presents as an alpha. Struggling with his newfound identity in a completely different environment, he seeks advice from the notorious Louis Tomlinson, an omega whose claim to fame is being the local campus sex expert. Sex Education AU.

❤️ Introduction to Dynamics by @juliusschmidt

(E, 29k, uni) Louis Tomlinson is the outspoken omega in the 'Introduction to Dynamics' course Harry wishes he didn't have to take. He's nearly certain to present as a beta, after all. Things will be simple for him.

❤️ Like a Timebomb Ticking in Your Head by decorationxx

(T, 26k, canon) the one where Louis makes a deal with management. He can tell the world he's actually an omega under two conditions. (1) Harry presents as an alpha (done!), and (2) Harry wants him as a mate (oops).

❤️ I'm Weaker Without You by The_Halcyonic_Lachesist / @chai-hat-tea *

(T, 20k, historical) Alpha Lord Louis Tomlinson is a rake who refuses to settle down. Will he settle down for the Society's most talked about Omega? What about the enticing scent that belongs to the Beta? How will he react to said Beta pursuing the Omega too?

❤️ wanna taste your heart, don't interfere by orphan_account *

(E, 16k, friends to lovers) harry presents as an omega, louis is his alpha best friend, and there are hidden feelings that just get harder to control

❤️ There Is No Fear Now, Let Go And Just Be Free by hilourry

(E, 11k, established relationship) Louis is an omega and dates Harry, who they think is a beta, but he turns out to be an alpha. They accidentally soul bond and Louis ends up pregnant.

❤️ Waiting by @allwaswell16

(E, 10k, friends to lovers) Louis Tomlinson was Harry’s omega, of this Harry had always been sure. Unfortunately for Harry, Louis seemed to think they were just best friends. The six weeks that Harry has to live with Louis were going to be rough.

❤️ And I Will Steady Your Hand by kiwikero / @icanhazzalou *

(E, 9k, uni) All first year university students who had not yet presented were strongly advised to join the Fire Away meetings, a support group for so-called 'late bloomers.'

❤️ Yours. Always. by savannah_blue

(T, 1k, canon) Harry and Louis have been inseparable since meeting on the X-Factor, waiting for Harry to present as an omega to take the next step in their relationship. Except Harry doesn’t present as an omega.

- Rare Pairs -

❤️ Rewrite the Stars (series) by bromanceorromance *

(E, 34k, ot5) "We can't just decide to be a pack when none of you have presented," Louis insists. "Why the hell not?" Niall demands. "What is presenting going to change?"

❤️ You Were Never On Your Own by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

(T, 12k, ot5) The band is basically a pack anyway, Louis reasons, they just need Liam to buck up and make it official. Because Harry won't present alpha, and Louis is definitely going to be a beta. Well, he's right about one thing.

[blckbarbiedoll]

Million Dollar Baby

Chapter 2-Hot In Here

July 28, 2019-New Rochelle, New York

It was late when you and Patrick made it to your hotel. He took the bags up to the room while you got drinks for the two of you.

"Can I get a bottle of Jack Daniel's and two glasses delivered to my room please? Room 308."

The bartender nodded and you handed him your card. He swiped it and handed it back to you with your receipt.

"Ayesha?"

You whipped your head around and looked for the source of the sound. Your eyes lingered on a certain strawberry blonde that was looking at you.

"Art? What're you doing here?"

"I'm competing. What're you doing here?"

"She's my coach." Patrick answered as he came up behind you and wrapped his arm around your waist. "And my fiancé." He held your hand up. "It'd be kinda fucked up if she wasn't with me while I played."

"You're playing?" He asked with a clenched jaw.

"Don't sound so surprised, man."

Besides the shorter hair, tighter shirt, and bags under his eyes, he looked the exact same as he did a decade ago.

"Come on." You said, grabbing Patrick's arm. "Let's go order room service."

🎾THIRTEEN YEARS EARLIER🎾

Tashi's hands found their way to your hips as you danced to the song. Your back was to her, but you could tell she was smiling. She grabbed your hand and spun you around until you faced her. Her long brown hair was swaying back and forth each time she moved. 

"I need to sit!" She yelled over the music.

"Go! I'll get drinks!"

You left the dance floor and walked over to the drink table. You grabbed two mocktails and walked towards the couches. On your way there, you saw two boys gawking at the poster of you and Tashi.

"I'd let them fuck me with rackets." The dark haired one said.

"Rackets?" You laughed.

They quickly spun around and their jaws dropped.

"Holy shit." The strawberry blonde spoke.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. I've never heard that one actually."

"I'm Patrick-"

"Zweig. I know. And Art Donaldson."

"You know us?"

"Of course. You played a good game today."

"You played better."

"You wanna sit down?"

They looked to each other and back to you and nodded quickly. You led them to where Tashi was sitting and handed her the drink.

"Look what I found." You smiled as you sat next to her.

"If it isn't fire and ice." She smirked and took a sip of her drink. "So, which one's which?"

"What do you think?" Patrick asked.

"You guys were incredible today." Art spoke before she could respond. "It wasn't even Tennis. It was a whole different game."

"So, when are you going pro?" Patrick asked you both.

"After college." Tashi answered.

"Where you going?"

"Stanford."

"Me too!" Art smiled. "That's crazy!"

"What about you?" Patrick turned the attention to you.

"As soon as possible. My mother would kill me if I did anything else."

"Your mother would kill you if what?" She questioned as she walked over to you.

"If I didn't dance with her tonight."

"Bet your ass I would."

"Oh my god." The boys said in unison.

"Mom, these are the boys who played today. Patrick and Art."

"Very nice to meet you both. You played good."

They stood there with their mouths agape unable to speak for a minute.

"You're Carmen Brown." Patrick whispered.

"So I've been told."

"You won gold at the Olympics three times."

"I remember."

"You've won 24 grand slams."

"You're a fucking legend."

"Okay, that's enough ego boosting for one night." You laughed. "Don't you have somewhere to be, mom?"

"Actually, you girls have to go take pictures with your trophies."

"I guess we'll see you later then." Tashi waved as you two walked off.

🎾

It was much darker when you and Tashi finally left the party. You were sitting on the beach, heels discarded in the sand, head on her shoulder as her arm was wrapped around you.

"I'm so proud of you." She softly spoke.

"My mom isn't. I won a fucking grand slam, and she's still not satisfied."

"That's because she's old and can't compete anymore." She joked. "She's just jealous."

"I just don't wanna let her down." You cried against her shoulder. She lifted your head up and wiped your tears away before kissing your forehead. "Sometimes I think she wishes you were her daughter instead."

"Don't say that."

"It's true. She fucking hates me. Who am I to her if I can't play tennis?"

She didn't know what to say to comfort you. Instead, she just kissed your cheek and held you. After a few minutes, you heard footsteps coming towards you.

"Funny finding you here." Art smiled.

"You stalking us?" Tashi asked.

"Maybe." Patrick said. "Want a cigarette?"

"No." Tashi said with disgust.

"Yes." You took one from the box and let him light it for you.

"Ayesha."

"It's just one." You took a long drag before blowing the smoke in the opposite direction from the group.

"You looked like you were crying." Art said to you.

You ignored his statement and turned to Patrick.

"You going to college?"

"Nah. I'm going pro as soon as I can."

"You don't wanna go to school? Get a job?"

"Hitting a ball with a racket it a great way to avoid having a job. What's wrong with just being a tennis player?"

You laughed and took another drag of the cigarette. 

"You're not a tennis player."

"I'm not?"

"No. You're a person who plays tennis. A tennis player eats, sleeps, breaths, and lives tennis."

"Is that what you two are?" Art asked.

"It's what Tashi is. It's what my mother wishes I was."

She looked over at you and back at the boys. She checked her watch before standing up and grabbing her heels.

"We should get back to the hotel. It's really late."

You nodded and picked up your shoes and followed her.

"Wait!" Patrick called out. "Are you guys on FaceBook?"

"What?"

"He's asking for your numbers." Art looked up with his puppy dog eyes. "And so am I."

"You both want both of our numbers?" Tashi asked.

"Very much so."

"That sounds like trouble." You told them.

"I like trouble." Patrick smirked. "Come hang out with us later. You're at the hotel in Flushing, right?"

"Yeah."

"We're in room 206."

"And do what?"

"Talk about tennis."

You rolled your eyes and smiled. "Goodnight guys." You grabbed Tashi's hand and walked off the beach.

🎾

It was past midnight when Tashi came out of the bathroom freshly showered. You were lying on your bed reading when she plopped down next to you. She moved your braids out of your face and rested her head on your chest.

"I have an idea."

"Uh oh." You set the book down.

"What if we went to their room?"

"Art and Patrick?" You looked down at her.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I don't know." She shrugged and looked up at you. "Just to see."

"You know they just wanna fuck us, right?"

"No shit."

"Do you wanna fuck them?"

"I don't know. Do you?"

"I don't know. How would that even work?"

"We're not gonna fuck. Let's just go talk to them." She sat up and pulled you off of the bed.

"What if they're secretly weirdos?"

"They are weirdos." She grabbed your hands and played with your fingers. "Just for a few minutes. If you get uncomfortable, we'll leave."

You thought about it for a minute and nodded.

"Okay."

She smiled and kissed your hand before putting her shoes on. You followed suit and headed out the door to their room. When you reached 206, you knocked and waited for them to answer. It took another knock for them to scurry to the door.

"Hi." You all said in unison.

They let you in and opened a beer to pass around between the four of you. You sat on the floor in a circle and got to know each other better.

"How'd you meet?" Art asked.

"Tennis camp." You took a sip of the beer and passed it to Art. "You guys?"

"Same. Tennis academy."

"So, are you two like together?"

"No. We're just friends." Tashi laughed.

You looked down and took a sip.

"I don't believe it." Patrick shook his head. "You've never fucked?"

"Well..." You said.

"What?"

"I told Tashi I had never been kissed, so she kissed me, and taught me how to make out."

"Hot." They said in unison.

"What about you guys? You've never done anything?"

"There was that one time-"

"Don't." Art cut his friend off.

"I taught him how to jerk off."

You and Tashi began to laugh and had to cover your mouths to muffle the sound.

"Sorry. I just wasn't expecting that." You laughed as you finished the can. "We're out of beer."

"What now?" 

"Truth or dare?" Tashi asked you.

"Truth."

"What's something you never told anyone?"

You sighed and looked around the room for a minute.

"Promise not to tell?"

They all nodded.

"I fucking hate tennis."

"What?" Art asked.

"I think being forced to play it squashed any love I had for it."

"Why don't you tell your mom?"

"You don't know her. She would literally kill me. Since I was 8, she's been grooming me into this untouchable tennis star."

"Like her?"

"Yeah. Like her."

"That's so sad." Patrick said.

You shrugged and continued on with the game. After a while, it was your turn again.

"Dare." You smirked.

"I dare you...to kiss anyone in the room." Patrick said.

You looked around nervously before placing your hand on Tashi's cheek and pressing your lips to hers. She kissed you back so naturally and pulled you closer by your waist. You looked over at the boys as they gawked at the two of you, mouths watering.

"Come here." Tashi spoke.

They both jumped at the opportunity and you all sat on the pushed together beds. Tashi roughly kissed Patrick as you softly kissed Art. He placed his hand on your thigh and rubbed it gently. Tashi ran her hands through Art's curls and pulled him away from you to kiss him herself. Your lips met Patrick's quickly. His kiss was more rushed and urgent than Art's or Tashi's. He kissed you like you were about to disappear. Tashi grabbed the boy's faces and brought their lips together. Their minds were so clouded, they hadn't even realized what had happened. It wasn't until your phone chimed that they pulled away from each other.

"It's my mom. She's looking for me."

"At this hour?"

"She probably wants to go over what I did wrong today." You groaned as you stood up.

"Don't go."

"We'll see you tomorrow." Tashi said. "We'll be watching your game."

"What about your numbers?" Patrick asked.

"If you win, I'll give you my number."

"What about me?" Art looked at you.

"If you win, I'll give you mine."

"Deal."

"Goodnight." You waved and walked out the door.

Tashi held your hand as you went back to your room.

"I'm gonna head to my mom's room. I'll catch you later."

"Don't let her get in your head. You were great out there."

"Thanks."

She placed her hands under your chin and pulled you closer before pressing a soft kiss on your lips.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

🎾

The game was neck and neck. Both boys playing as if their lives depended on it. For a minute, you thought Art might win. God you wanted him to. But Patrick was ahead all of a sudden, winning the game. He looked up at Tashi and gave a knowing grin. She shrugged and smirked back at him. When the stands had cleared out, you and Tashi went down onto the court to speak to them. Patrick smirked at Tashi and walked over to her and greeted her with a kiss.

"Hey." You said to Art.

"Hey."

"You were really good."

"Not good enough."

"I have something for you." You pulled a small piece of paper out of your pocket and handed it to him.

"What's this?"

"My number."

"But I didn't win."

You stepped closer and kissed him on the cheek.

"You did to me."

[glassmermaids]

kinktober day four: high sex/strip tease with pope heyward (28/11)

a/n: no one mention how we're already on our way to december...

A calm atmosphere fills the expanse of Pope's room as you bask in the heavenly feeling that settles over you. You're sat between his legs, back pressed to his solid chest as you follow the subtle movements of the rise and fall of his chest.

You let out a satisfied sigh as he stubs out the roach in a nearby ashtray, momentarily closing your eyes and allowing the feeling to wash over you before you're suddenly jumping up and making your way around his room. He stares at you intently, albeit a little absent-mindedly, brain too fuzzy to really register what you were trying to do.

"You alright?" he asked, voice a little gruff from minimal use. "I'm fine," you sigh, moving to open his window, welcoming the little bit of wind it allows inside, "I'm just hot." The little fan didn't feel like it was doing much in the sweltering heat and it felt like the weed had only intensified the warm feeling spreading through your body.

On a whim, your hand grabs at your shirt before it's pulling the material over your head. Pope watches, a little awestruck as you reveal your soft blue bra to him, nothing inherently sexy, but it's you wearing it after all and the little bow in the middle almost taunts him, and almost immediately he can feel himself hardening in his shorts.

"What're you doing?" he asked, voice a little unsure and suprised as she watches you slowly popping the buttons on your shorts. One after the other, agonizingly slowly, almost as if you knew he was watching your every move (which you knew he was) "I told you, I'm hot," you replied flatly, sparing him a smile when the last button finally popped open.

You turn around, back now facing him, and make a show of it, bending a little as you pull the shorts down your legs. He watches the way they get briefly stuck on the fat of your ass and further reveal the pale yellow underwear to him, decorated with little white flowers. Who knew mismatched underwear could be so hot.

You turn around once again to face him, a sly smile on your lips when you see the state you already had him in; mouth slightly agape with hands gripping his thighs almost impatiently, with a very noticeable tent in his shorts. You slowly make your way back to him, untill you're finally perching yourself on his lap. His hands immediately move to your hips, hands softly squeezing the fat there as he stared up at you with the prettiest dark eyes.

Any previous trace of shyness, the sort he usually displays whenever around you, seems to dissappear when he pulls you into a kiss. It starts out sweet, as it always does with him, but soon it's a messy ordeal with tongue and teeth as his hands bashfully yet eagerly grab at the doughy expanses of your newly exposed body. Everything feels so good, and the added floatiness from the weed only intensifies the whole feeling. You don't even notice you're doing it, but Pope's practically sputtering as you softly start moving back and forth over his already hard dick.

With your mouth still on his, your hands move to your back to unclip your bra, quickly throwing it somewhere in his room before you're taking one of his hands planted on your hips and bringing it up to one of your breasts. He squeezes the flesh softly, and your hand plants itself ontop of his, encouraging him to tighten his grip a little, which he does gladly, making you moan happily.

It all feels so good, you don't even notice the way your hips are speeding up on top of his untill he's grabbing at your hip with a sudden urgency and looking at you with big pleading eyes. "Baby, please," he all but sighs and that's when you realize that's he's already close just from the way you had been rubbing against each other. So you only nod understandingly, pressing a warm kiss to his lips before you lift your hips and start working at the zipper of his shorts. He snaps out of his little reverie when he sees you struggle a bit and quickly helps you get them off, there after his shirt is gone untill he's soon laid on the bed in only his briefs.

You pull him out, hand only pulling back to lick a stripe of saliva up your palm before you're returning to gently tug at his dick, beads of precum already decorating the tip and adding extra lubrication. You only get to do this a few times before he's grabbing your wrist, eyes once again pleading with you. He really was close.

You smile softly, hand retracting before you pull your underwear down your legs and positioning yourself right above him. He holds himself right at your entrance, eyes quickly lifting to watch your face before you're slowly lowering yourself on him.

His groan mixed with your sigh of relief fills the air, almost drowned out by the sound of the dingy fan, but you both hear it, and it only fuels the desire driven between you two. Once you reach the base, finally sat back on his lap, you sigh with relief and the full feeling, taking a few moments before you slowly lift yourself once again.

You slowly start bouncing on top of him, watching as his face clearly depicted the pleasure running through his body. He started at you with lidded eyes, eyes constantly moving between your softly bouncing tits to your face and then to the place where you both were connected. It wasn't long till you could see the way his stomach tensed and pulled taut, hands gripping you impossibly harder almost as of he was trying to get you to slow down.

It only took a few more bounces untill he was frantically tapping at your hips, prompting you to quickly get off of him and sit back down on his thighs as you watched him quickly jerk himself off, eyes focused on you untill he was spilling onto his hand and stomach. His head plopped back against the headboard with a sigh as the high of the moment washed over him. You placed a gentle hand to his cheek, watching as he lifted his head slowly, eyes meeting yours with a smile. "Just gimme a minute," was all he said, making you laugh before you were planting another kiss to his full lips.

[inklings-challenge]

2024 Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge: Official Announcement

The Event

The Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge invites Christian writers and artists to retell or illustrate a fairy tale that features at least one of the four loves:

Storge: Familial love

Eros: Romantic love

Philia: Friendship

Agape: Self-giving love

All stories and artwork will be reblogged to the main Inklings Challenge blog during the month of February.

For Writers

Writers participating in the Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge are invited to retell a fairy tale from a Christian worldview in a way that features at least one of the four types of love. This could involve retelling a fairy tale that features on the chosen type of love or changing a fairy tale that traditionally focuses upon romance, family or friendship to focus on a different type of love. Retellings can be in any genre–fantasy, science fiction, historical, contemporary, etc.–and should retell the original tale, rather than any modern adaptations. There is no maximum or minimum word limit, but because of the short time frame, the challenge is best suited to short works.

For Artists

Artists participating in the Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge are invited to create artworks related to a fairy tale. Artworks can take any form–illustrations, moodboards, photographs, crafts, etc.–so long as they are related to a fairy tale. Artworks can feature a scene from the traditional tale or adapt the fairy tale to a different setting or genre. Artists who are also writers can also illustrate their own works if they desire.

Posting

Retellings and artwork can be posted to a tumblr blog anytime after February 1, 2023. Writers and artists are encouraged to post their works by February 14, 2024, but works can be finished and posted after that date. Works will be shared to the main Inklings Challenge blog until the final deadline of February 28, 2024.

All stories and art will be reblogged and archived on the main Inklings Challenge blog. To assist with organization, creators should tag their posts according to the following guidelines.

Mention the main Challenge blog @inklings-challenge somewhere within the body of the post (which will hopefully alert the Challenge blog).

Tag the story #inklingschallenge, to ensure it shows up in the Challenge tag, and make it more likely that the Challenge blog will find it.

Tag the type of love that is featured in the work: theme: storge, theme: eros, theme: philia, and/or theme: agape

Tag the fairy tale that is being retold or illustrated within the work.

For writers, tag the completion status of the story: #story: complete or #story: unfinished

And that’s the Four Loves Fairy Tale Challenge! Any questions, comments or concerns can be sent to this blog, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

[morganski-19]

I Don't Know Which Way's Home

Chapter 20: Finale

ao3 link, Part 1, Part 19

January 28, 1970

The muscles of Rebecca’s abdomen constrict. Pushing against her organs and the air out of her lungs. Pulling her into a crunch as he knuckles cling white to the sides of the hospital bed. While the doctor waits between her legs. Encouraging her to keep going.

It doesn’t escape her that there is no one directly at her bedside. No hand to grasp as the next contraction steals away her time to breath. No partner to rub her back to ease the pain.

Rebecca Lawson is doing this entirely alone. As she has for the past nine months, and will continue to do in the next eighteen years. But as her vision burns blinding white, and the pain finally subsides, she hears a sound that pulls the strength deep in her heart.

The screams or her baby girl.

She falls back on the hospital pillows, panting the air back into her lungs. Wiping the sweat off her brow. Feeling the tired seep into her veins. The slow fade back into peace. Except for baby girl.

Baby girl just won’t quit. Screaming her way through getting washed off and measured. Little arms reaching into the air. Squirming her way into being. Eyes glued shut while her mouth stays agape with cries.

A nurse comes over and helps Rebecca loosen the fabric around her chest. While she outstretches her arms and brings baby girl close to her heart. A mix of emotions building behind her eyes, pouring down her cheeks. She’s finally here.

“Hey, baby,” Rebecca whispers. “You don’t have to cry, I’m right here. I’ll always be right here.”

Her hand cradles the back of baby’s head. Caressing it gently with small, circular strokes. Calming her down from the initial cries. Watching as she stretches her hands in front of her face, eyes blinking their way open.

For the first time, Rebecca looks into her daughter’s eyes. Sees the curious brown stare back at her. Already knowing the fundamental truth of Rebecca’s whole being.

Motherhood came to her at a time she would not have initially chosen. Life throwing this wrench in the way of her future plans. Reminding her of its unpredictable nature. There were mistakes, and there were successes. And then there was this. Something that most view as a gift but can be so challenging to accept.

But Rebecca was never one to be held down by life’s challenges. So she took the wrench and ran with it. Used it to build something she always wanted. It wasn’t perfect, and neither is she.

Looking here at her little girl, she knows that only one thing matters. To love this girl for all that she is, no matter what. To be the best mother she can be and try to do what’s right. Acknowledge the mistakes that will be made and learn from them. Create a space of safety, joy, and love, wherever that may be. Try to be worthy of every moment that this little girl will give her.

Because from now on, it’s just her and her little girl. Rebecca and Julie Lawson, against the world.

. . .

Present Day, July 1987

Julie lays in her bed, having not much else she can do after being diagnosed with a minor concussion. The impact of the steering wheel just enough to injure her for a week or so. Until the headache stops and she’s able to go back to life.

Alone in her dark bedroom, the only light is the sun that finds its way around her curtain. Lighting the room just enough where she can see but it doesn’t add to her headache.

All there is for her to do is think. About everything and nothing at all. Replaying the songs she knows by heart in her mind. Thinking about her story that reaches a hurdle she just can’t jump over. Wondering if it’s time to start a new one.

Writing was Julie’s escape. A way for her to leave her current plane of existence and create a new one. Stay there for a while where the issues were controlled by her mind, and her mind alone. Where everything turned out the way she wanted it to.

She hasn’t been able to write since moving into the new house. The last entry in her journal being the one she read to her mom on Christmas. Every idea in her mind fading as soon as the pen hit paper. Seeming stupid once she tried to form it into words.

In the whole of everything, life hasn’t been that terrible. The school year is over, so she doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. Her friends seem to have this rotation of who’s house they hang out at, and when. Her house slowly being added to the rotation.

Steve won his case. Their custody court date is slowly incoming, and there’s no doubt in her mind that it will go well. She doesn’t hate herself for liking girls anymore. Her grief, while still prevalent, is slowly starting to fade into a distant memory.

Julie thought that if the pain of losing her mom stopped, so would the memories. The times eventful enough to imprint themselves in her mind fading with the grief. That wasn’t the case, for the most part. Those memories were still just that, memories. Coming and fading as every other one does. Bringing little sparks of joy with them. Joined by tug of pain.

There are still going to be times when Julie’s grief comes back and overwhelms her. Certain milestones where she looks out for her mom and realizes she isn’t there. Feels the crushing weight of loss and knowing that their time together had an early ending.

But. If Julie thinks hard enough, she can still feel her mom around her. Can still smell the scent of her cheap perfume in the jacket she wore every day. And not just because Julie had found the same bottle in the convenience store and brough it home. Sprays a bit every time she wants to remember.

She’d do it now if the smell wouldn’t add to her headache. Instead, she just turns her head to look at her desk. Sees the picture of her and her mom staring back at her. Smiles that familiar smile that’s formed every time she visits a memory. The one filled with happiness, tinged with sad at the corners.

Her life isn’t perfect by a long shot. It was never going to be. Perfection wasn’t something Julie or Rebecca ever strived for. Perfection in the way the rest of the world viewed it at least. Often unattainable.

Their perfect was a life worth living. Surrounded by people they loved. Julie and Rebecca against the world.

Even though it was only Julie who was taking the steps forward now. Only her to traverse this path once walked hand in hand. She isn’t alone. Her mom is still there, in the path beneath her feet. In the trees as they wave in the breeze. And the sun as it blinds her eyes.

Love never leaves. Not when it was meant to stay. When it was true, and beautiful. Rebecca loved Julie. In every way a daughter wishes her mother would. While life could put the blinders on and dampen that feeling. Deep down, Julie always knew it was fact. Knows that it’s fact, even now.

There’s a knock at her door. Each rapt echoing inside her ears. Making her wince. Steve opens it, holding the phone against his chest.

“It’s El, she was wondering if you wanted anyone to keep you company.”

Julie props herself up on some pillows. Gaging the severity of her headache. “Yeah, that would be nice.”

“Cool, I’ll let her know.”

A little while later, El gently knocks on Julie’s door before entering. Smiles as she sits at the foot of her bed. Resting her bag on the floor.

“How are you feeling?”

Julie shrugs. “My head hurts like a bitch and I’m bored out of my mind. But better.”

El smiles. The small braids of her hair dusting her shoulder as she moves her head. “That is good.”

“Yeah.” Julie can’t seem to break the gaze of El’s eyes. “I like your hair. Did Max do them?”

El nods, a hand coming up to play with the end of one of her braids. The faintest pink blush forming across her cheeks. Now that it’s been pointed out, Julie’s not sure how she didn’t notice it before.

“My hair is finally long enough to do things with again. I like it this way.”

Julie shifts over in her bed, making enough room for El to sit beside her. She pats the space next to her and waits for El to move. Heart speeding up as they press together. As El relaxes against her side.

“The group is talking about going to the movies this weekend,” El says. “You can come if you are feeling better.”

“Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll be up to it. The doctor said I should stay away from watching tv or movies for another week.”

El fidgets with her fingers. “That is ok. Maybe another time.”

Anticipation builds in Julie’s chest. A question forming itself on her tongue. Begging to be asked. The moment where she can see if things between them could change. Or if she’s about to break everything apart.

“We could see one, after I’m better, I mean.” She tries to say it normal, but the weight behind the question persists.

El looks at her confused. “I am sure we can. Just prepare yourself for a lot of fighting over which one to watch. They cannot decide on anything.”

Julie lets out a small laugh. “No. I mean, yeah, I’ll always go to a movie with you guys. But I meant we see a movie.” She motions between the two of them. “Just the two of us.”

The blush returns to El’s cheeks. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Julie dismisses. Feeling self-conscious. Turning away from El and picking at her thumbs. “If you wanted to, that’s all. We don’t have to. We can just sit through the very long argument over what movie and go with the rest of them. It doesn’t have to be,” Julie stutters to a stop when El reaches out at takes her hand.

“Just the two of us,” she finishes. Taking a chance and looking back at El.

There is this softness in El’s eyes that Julie’s never seen before. Something that makes Julie melt. Want to stay trapped in this gaze forever.

“I would like that,” El finally says. Mouth forming a small smile. “Going to a movie. Just the two of us.”

Julie’s smile matches El’s. “Ok. Good. Great. Um. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too.”

. . .

“How’s Julie doing,” Robin asks when she clocks into her shift.

“Bored out of her mind because she can’t do anything. But feeling better about everything.”

Robin nods, hopping up onto the counter. “That’s good.”

She moves on to talking about other things. Picking classes for her next semester at community college. Starting to look at schools that can take her beyond that. Finally narrowing down what she wants to do with her life. Pick a major that she’s not only good at, but also really enjoys.

Steve’s half listening. Stuck on the idea that she could actually be leaving town. That this time next year, he’ll be helping her pick out stuff for her dorm room. Start packing up her life into boxes and bringing them to a new place. Where she won’t be ten minutes across town anymore. But an hour, maybe a day.

There’s more to this than just wanting her to stay her forever. What happens when he gets a nightmare and needs to call her to make sure she’s alive. What happens when a call isn’t enough, and he needs to feel her presence. Just to get back to sleep again. For his mind to return to normal.

A year from now, things could be different. They could be better. But he doesn’t know that. And doesn’t think it will be. Two weeks ago, he couldn’t even distinguish between his boyfriend and a Russian soldier. What’s that say about his progress?

But instead of spiraling like before, knowing that he was stuck in the same place while everyone moved on, he was trying to live in the moment more. Trying to feel better about staying in one place for a while. To find rigidity in the town that seemed to constantly change. Watch it build back into the place it used to be.

“That community college you go to,” Steve interrupts Robin. “They offer classes for everything?”

Robin shrugs. “Yeah, pretty much. Not like everything everything, but most beginner level classes and gen eds and shit. Why?”

Steve’s been thinking about what to do with the money he won. If it would be better to pay off some of his loan, or put it towards something useful. He wasn’t quitting this job anytime soon. If he did, it would be to go work somewhere else. And now, he isn’t planning on moving for a few years.

What if he used it for himself. Actually did something for him first, before anyone else. Used it to find out what he was meant to do. What his real passion was.

“I was thinking of taking some classes in the fall,” he says like it doesn’t matter. “Put the feelers out, figure out what I’m good at.”

Robin freezes. “Are you serious?”

Steve shrugs. “Yeah.”

She hops down from the counter and pulls him into a hug. “Holy shit, we could be classmates again. But, like, actually like each other this time. I’m coming over and we’re looking through my course catalogue. This is going to be so great.”

The smile he makes it full of hope. “Yeah. So great.”

. . .

August 1987

“How old are you, Mr. Harrington?” the judge asks from where he is residing behind the stand.

“Twenty-one, your honor,” Steve responds.

The judge marks something on his note pad. “And you have a full-time job, a home under your own name?”

“That is correct. I am the manager at Family Video and recently bought a house.”

He knows that it’s the judge’s job to ask these questions. To prove that he’s fit to look after Julie. But each time the judge takes a second to look at him too long, or write something on his notepad, Steve gets a chill down his spine. Knowing that something could stop this from happening. Cause Julie to have to find somewhere else to live.

Steve didn’t want that. Julie didn’t want that. He can almost hear her picking at the skin around her thumbs behind him. Pulling at them until they start to bleed.

“And that is the same address you have listed here?”

Steve nods. “Yes.”

There are more questions about him. How the finances have been and his home life. Wondering if he’s going to be bringing people in and out of the house. Implying that Steve has some kind of a night life that he does not. He defends himself, lying that he’s taking a break from dating. That he would never bring anyone into the home that he doesn’t trust.

“As you know, Julie is a bright young girl. College bound. You will have the option to provide that for her, Mr. Harrington. There is not much time for you to do that.”

Steve can’t avoid the sting every time the judge calls him Mr. Harrington. It sounds so much like his father that it makes him sick. But he is still tied to that name, so it will follow him. He can’t focus on how that makes him feel right now.

“I am aware of that,” Steve starts. “I recently was just granted a sum of money, some of which I am going to use to further my own education, but the rest will be going into savings. Which I will start to grow in the case that Julie needs my help when she goes to college.”

“In the case of,” the Judge presses. “While not a requirement, it would be expected of you to help her pay for schooling.”

Steve glances to Sarah behind him. Silently asking her if it’s ok to disclose the information kept in Rebecca’s will. The trust made in Julie’s name, that she doesn’t know about. No one other than Sarah knows.

She nods, giving him permission.

He clears his throat. “That has, actually, already been taking care of by her mother. The savings that she made before her death have been transferred to a trust that Julie will have access to once she turns eighteen.”

“What,” Julie says behind him. Steve turns to see her shocked expression. “I didn’t know that.”

“You weren’t supposed to,” Sarah cuts in. “It was supposed to be kept a secret until you turned eighteen.”

The judge hits his gavel. “I understand the questions that arise with this information, but could we please get back to the matter at hand. Thank you.”

The courtroom goes quite once more.

“Miss Lawson, could you please come sit next to your brother.”

The door squeaks as it opens and swings back shut. The chair dragging along the floor as Julie takes the seat next to him.

“You are turning eighteen in about half a year, Miss Lawson. Why go through this process so close to when you become a legal adult.”

Julie clears her throat, looking down at her hands. “When my mom died, I thought my world had ended. It was always just me and her. I didn’t know who was going to look after me anymore. I didn’t know what family I had left. But then I met Steve.”

She looks up, giving Steve a small smile. “I didn’t know I had a brother until shortly before my mom died, and when I learned about it, I wanted nothing to do with my father’s family. Then life happened and I decided that Steve deserved to know. And it gave me a chance to have a family again. That’s why I wanted to do this.”

“What about you, Mr. Harrington?” The judge turns to Steve, a knowing look in his eye. Steve can tell that the decision has already been made. “Why are you here before me today?”

“The same reason,” he says simply. “My whole life I wanted a sibling, someone to share the empty house I was left in all the time. Julie gave me a chance to have that. She became part of the family I always wanted, and I am so thankful for that.”

The judge nods, asking them both to stand.

“I have reviewed the information given to me and have decided. There is no outstanding reason as to why I should object to this. Mr. Harrington has already proved that he is able to provide for Miss Lawson until she reaches eighteen. With the money that Miss Lawson’s mother left for her after her passing will help with expenses after that. I hereby grant Steve Harrington with permanent guardianship of Julie Lawson.”

The courtroom starts to dissipate after the judge’s ruling. Steve turning to Julie with a feeling of disbelief. He can’t believe that it was just that easy. There was this feeling in his gut that was telling him that something would go wrong. That he’s been winning too much lately. Something was about to come crashing down.

But instead, Julie smiles back. Pure joy filling her face as she starts to laugh. They did it.

. . .

Julie chucks her soda into the trash can as her and El leave the movie theater. The two talking and laughing as they walk back to the parking lot. Hands brushing as they walk, tempting Julie to reach out and take it. Wondering how big the risk really is.

The thing about dark theaters is that no one cares what’s going on when the lights go out. All that matters is eyes glued to the screen, not if two girls are holding hands. Even if Julie locked her fingers with El’s out in the open, it could just be seen as two friends walking down the street. As long as they kept it friendly. Any other affection and they could run the risk of being found out.

She’s still getting used to this whole idea. That one wrong move and people would figure out this intense secret of hers. Treat it like it’s the worst thing in the world, even though it’s definitely not. It felt that way at first, but it’s not.

Now, the intense rush of emotions makes Julie’s heart stutter as El’s nose scrunches just slightly as she laughs. As El grabs Julie’s hand and swings their arms as they walk to her dad’s car. It makes her question how anyone could think this feeling was wrong. Or that this relationship is any less than one between straight people.

If this is even a relationship.

Since a few weeks ago when Julie first asked El on a date, things have been different. Seats scooched slightly closer to one another, hands finding each other under blankets during movie nights. Private jokes whispered into each other’s ears and sharing secret smiles. The air between them shifted to something beyond friends. But it was still somewhat the same.

Julie wonders where this is going to go. If the night will end with her and El deciding that this was a terrible idea. Going back to being just friends and nothing more. Or if this shift in energy will only bloom into something more. Something so much deeper than Julie’s ever experienced.

“How was the movie,” El’s dad asks as he drives them back to her house. Breaking the almost awkward silence between the front and back seats.

“It was good,” El smiles. “Very funny.”

She looks at Julie, making a motion to imitate one of the parts of the film. Connecting it to one of her jokes back in the theater. Sending Julie into laughter.

“Yeah,” she agrees. “Very funny.”

Hopper whispers something under his breath. But there’s a small smile hiding itself on his face. Julie doesn’t know how much he knows. Something just tells her that he approves of this on some plane. Whether as friends or something more.

Julie says hello to Mrs. Byers on the way in, following El to her room. They sit on El’s bed, falling into conversation. Julie constantly overthinking the mood of the room. Overthinking every touch, every moment, every word. Wondering if this is the time to do something more. Or to pull away. Stopping this before it all crashes and burns. Preventing herself from taking this risk.

“As soon as it comes out on VHS, we have to show it to the rest of the group,” El comments. “They would find it so funny.”

Julie shrugs, “I guess so.”

“It is kind of like our group. Kids and their babysitter going on a big adventure. Getting into trouble. That is basically our life.”

The irony of picking this movie makes Julie laugh. Finally knowing some context of how they all met before Julie came into the mix.

“You know, Steve told me of some that happened,” Julie says before thinking. Stupidly slipping the moment into a much darker topic. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to bring that up.”

El’s demeanor changes. She curls into herself. Playing with the hem of her shorts. “Did Max tell you what I asked her to? About my life before my dad adopted me.”

Julie nods. “Yeah.”

“How much of it?”

“Just that you were in a really bad place before and had to escape. That it was the same lab that caused all of those other people to die in ’83 and ’84.”

El nods. So sad that it makes Julie want to wrap her in a hug and never let her go. Protect her from anything that makes her look like this. She slowly removes the bracelet from around her wrist, revealing a small tattoo. The number eleven.

“This is the real reason I am called El. I was number Eleven, it was my name when I escaped.”

Julie carefully reaches out and holds El’s wrist. Taking a closer look at the tattoo. Feeling the weight of knowing this in her hands.

“There were other children there too. We were all numbers. Until I was the only one left.”

“You don’t have to tell me this,” Julie assures when she sees a tear trail down El’s cheek. Fighting the urge to wipe it away. “I’m sorry I brought this up in the first place. I wanted tonight to be a good night.”

El’s smile returns to her face. Still painted with a tired sorrow. But the joy sparks at its edges. “It is ok. I wanted you to know. I feel safe when I’m with you. And tonight,” she looks down at her wrist, Julie’s hand still holding it gently. “It was a good night. A very good night.”

The slight blush returns to her cheeks. Almost embarrassed. A piece of her hair falling in front of her eyes. Julie wanting to reach out and tuck it away.

“Good,” Julie says awkwardly. “It was a good night for me too.”

“I have never been on a date with a girl before. Only with Mike and I was not allowed to go on any dates like the one we had today. It was nice, very nice.” El tucks the strand of hair behind her ear.

A date. Julie can’t help the flush that rises to her cheeks. She knew what this was, but still. Hearing El be the one to say it solidified what it was. Reassure that this wasn’t all one sided.

She huffs a laugh, trying to sound normal. “Well, that’s good.”

It sounds so repetitive when she says it. Like no other words can form in her mouth. Stuck on a loop. But El moves closer and all her brain can tell her is good. Good as the nerves make their way to her fingers, shaking as they lock with El’s. Good as the mood shifts away from the sad and into anticipation. Like something is going to happen but Julie can’t tell what it is.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” El springs up from the bed. Breaking the tension. She walks over to the dresser and rummages through the small basket sitting on top of it. Returning with something closed in her fist. “I want you to close your eyes and hold out your hand.”

Julie does so, tentatively. “Ok.”

She feels El slide something onto her wrist. Feather light touches as she positions it and pulls it taught. The touch leaves and the bed dips beside her again.

“Ok, you can open your eyes now.”

Julie looks to her wrist, seeing a braided bracelet tied around it. “It’s pretty, thank you.”

“You are welcome. I have been meaning to make you one for a while now because everyone else has one. It was meant to be a friendship bracelet, and it still can be. But we are not exactly just friends anymore.”

“Not if you don’t want us to be.” Julie turns to look at El, their faces closer than she was expecting them to be.

That tension picks up again. Along with the nervousness melded with excitement in her chest.

“I want us to,” El rushes out. “If you want us to.”

“Can I kiss you?” Julie whispers. The question already answered in her mind weeks ago, but never said allowed. Sometimes actions were better than words.

El nods. Leaning forward as Julie’s lips press into hers.

. . .

Steve sits on his couch watching the kids bicker over what movie to watch. Eddie pressed between him and the edge of the couch. The two already preparing to have to make space for some of the kids when they finally figure out a movie. Robin and Nancy doing the same, crammed together into one armchair.

It still surprises him how they all continue to cram into his house. Almost refusing to use any other space that might be more accommodating. Where they might actually have a seat that’s not some old pillows on the floor. Where, even then, they won’t have to sit closer than they want to in order to fit.

But time and time again, they continue to come over to Steve’s. Eat his food and use his tv. Bother him in ways that don’t really bother him, but they’ll never know that. Continue to show him that it was never the things that he owned that made his home special. It was him.

Time, after time, after time, they continue to flock to his house because he was the one who made it. It was him that made sure they were all fed and taken care of. Him that helped them through troubles and picked them up from school. Him who made sure that no matter what, this was a space free of judgement that they could just be themselves.

It’s shown with the way that Eddie’s able to sink into the arm Steve has thrown across the back of the couch. Seen in the way that Robin and Nancy whisper to each other while playing with each other’s fingers. Seen in the way that El holds Julie’s arm, pressing her cheek into her shoulder. Seen in the way that Mike continues to stare at Will and starts to inch closer, actually trying to do something about it all.

“Move in with me,” Steve whispers to Eddie sometime during the movie. Having wanted to ask that question for months now.

Eddie turns to look at him, confusion and shock mixing his emotions. “Yeah?”

Steve nods, smiling a stupid smile he doesn’t care about hiding anymore. “Court cases are done, school’s starting up again. It’s the perfect time. If you wanted to.”

“Of course I want to,” Eddie says with all the whispered dramatics in the world. The love he has in eyes ever present.

Taking a quick glance to make sure no one is looking, Steve closes the gap between them for what was supposed to be a quick kiss. That is until the kids starting gagging and booing. Making them prolong it to further their discomfort.

“You ask him?” Julie asks while helping him pick up discarded paper plates and cups. A knowing smile already on her face.

“Yeah, I asked him.”

“Took you long enough.” She punches him gently in the arm before heading off to bed.

What started as a stranger on his doorstep adding more uncertainty to his life, turned out to be the best thing that’s happened to him in a while. A sister, family, coming into his life and showing him that he had a chance to take it for himself. Change the way he was living to finally be happy with it. Completely and utterly happy with it.

This house was never meant to be Steve’s endgame. This town was never meant to be it either. But these people, this family, this home, he will travel with it until the ends of the Earth. Until the ground splits in two again and swallows them all whole. Until shit hits the fan and he has to pull his old nail bat out of retirement.

Steve doesn’t know what his future holds. What career he’s going to find himself in a year, in five. Where life will carry him after Hawkins. But if he’s sure of one thing and one thing only, he’s sure to never, ever let it go.

. . .

January 28, 1988

Julie heads into the house after school, ready to get changed out of her work clothes before heading out again. The group meeting at the local diner to celebrate her birthday. She slings her apron into the hamper when she notices something on her desk.

Sorry I couldn’t be here for your birthday, we’ll do something tomorrow. This came for you in the mail. Call me if you need anything. Have fun!

Steve

She rips off the post it and tosses it in the trash, looking at the envelope. She tears it open taking out the papers inside. On top is a letter from Sarah, the words causing her to sit down as she frantically reads the words.

It’s all the paperwork that she’ll need to fill out to transfer the money from her trust to her. All of the savings her mom set up for her for college. So she can finally make a decision about the growing stack of acceptance letters on her desk.

Looking at this amount, that decision won’t be hard. She can pretty much go to any of the schools she applied to with this money.

All this money, every payment, almost every cent must have gone into this account. This is money that could have changed their lives. Could have gotten them out of the trailer and into a house. Maybe stopped her mom from having to work two jobs just to keep afloat.

There was almost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in this account. Doing the math, around seven hundred and fifty dollars a month for the seventeen years her mom was paid. All of it saved for her future.

Underneath all the papers that she can’t even think about looking through right now, there’s one that doesn’t look like the rest. One that’s on lined sheets of paper ripped out of a notebook. Recognition hitting Julie almost instantly.

It’s a letter from her mom.

She slams the letter onto the desk, hiding it among the rest of the papers. Unsure if she wants to read it now. Knowing that she has to leave soon to get to dinner. Not knowing how it’s going to affect her.

Deciding to save it for after dinner, Julie forces herself out of the chair and heads to her closet. Pulls out some clothes and gets changed, grabbing her keys on her way out the door. Trying to push the letter to the back of her mind. It works for a while, but every time the conversation stutters, her thoughts are drawn back to the paper hiding on her desk.

She really wants to know what it says.

El grabs Julie’s hand under the table. Giving it a gentle squeeze to silently ask if she’s ok. Julie nods, promising to tell her about it later.

The dinner ends and Julie drives El back to the house. Grabs her hand and leads her to the bedroom. Pulls the letter from underneath the stack and sits with it on her bed. Staring at the first line, unable to read more.

“It’s a letter from my mom,” Julie finally says.

El wraps an arm around Julie’s. “What does it say?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t read it yet.”

“Do you want to?” El presses her cheek into Julie’s shoulder, grounding her.

Julie bites at her lip. “I do. I think a part of me is scared too though.”

“I’m here for you. Whenever you are ready.”

Julie takes a deep breath. Holding the letter closer, finally reading what her mom has to say. “Here goes nothing.”

My dear Julie,

I know what you’re probably thinking. I’m insane for putting all of this money away for you, not using even a little bit of it for myself. Or for you now. And I did every now and then. You kept growing so fast and I couldn’t keep up. Sometimes I needed to use a little just to make sure you had clothes that fit. Or for holidays.

But the point of it all was that this money was for you. I didn’t need anyone else to help raising you. I didn’t want to take the money in the first place. Until I realized that this money could help you get the life you always dreamed of. That I always dreamed for you.

You are so smart, Jules. And so creative. I loved every story you ever wrote to me. Cherished each one. Not just because I’m your mom, but also because they were just that good. You have a gift to write like that. Never lose it.

After today, this money is yours. You can do whatever you want with it. Go to school, travel the world, move out of this town, I don’t care. Just make sure to come visit me every so often. There will always be a place for you in my heart and my home.

Whatever you do, just promise me that you’ll enjoy it. Promise me that you’ll never lose that spark in your eyes that you get when a new idea comes in your head. Promise me that you never lose your laughter, or your sense of humor. Promise me that you’ll take life by the reigns and lead it straight into your sunset.

Your future is bright, Julie. Let this be my greatest gift to you, the first steppingstone in your independent life.

You’re going to do great things one day. I know because you are already doing them now.

I love you to the ends of the Earth. To the moon and all the stars. It was an honor to see you grow into the woman you are today.

Love,

Mom

P.S. I hope my tears didn’t stain this paper too much. You know me, forever a sap.

A wet laugh escapes Julie’s mouth. Tears adding to the small rings at the bottom of the page. Fingers grazing over the last line. Over and over. She eventually sets the paper down next to her. Careful not to crumble it as she collapses into El. As the sob she’s been holding in all day breaks free.

The next morning, Julie wakes up with her arms still tight around El. With the tear stains still imprinted onto her cheek. Mouth dry from all the crying.

She sits up, finds the letter placed gently on the nightstand. Clicks on her small lamp and rereads it. Over and over again.

These are the last words Julie will ever hear, or read, from her mom. Written however long ago, Julie doesn’t even know. But it was without the knowledge of what would come. How their ending would be.

Sometimes endings aren’t as conclusive as once thought to be. Sometimes, an epilogue is added that is heart wrenching and makes the reader question when the end really is. Pulls the heart string one last time as the book finally comes to a close.

Then, endings form new beginnings. Each chapter ends and starts another. New conflicts arise and fall into resolution. The plot keeps moving as the pages turn. As time moves on.

As far as final chapters go, Julie thinks this is a nice one. Filled with just enough loose ends to keep the reader interested in a sequel, but tying up the ones that really matter. A sense of closure forming in her chest. A readiness to step right into this new chapter. The letter fitting as perfect set up.

El stirs, scrunching her eyes closed with the light. Julie laughs a little, reaching across to turn the light off.

“Sorry.”

“It is fine,” she blinks. Pulling herself to sit next to Julie. “Reading it again?”

Julie nods. “It was a lot at first, but it’s really comforting to have this. To know that she loved me enough to plan this all out for me.”

“She loved you so much, I believe that.”

“I think she would have liked you,” Julie smiles. “I think she would have liked us.”

El smiles back, the sleep still pulling at the muscles in her face. “I wish I could meet her.”

Julie presses their heads together. “Yeah, I do too.”

A fist slams against the door. Startling them apart. “Breakfast is ready,” Eddie yells through the door.

Julie rolls her eyes. Him having done this every single time El has stayed over. “You can ease the wakeup call, you know. It’s getting old.”

“No, I think I’m going to keep doing this until you both graduate college.”

The both of them roll their eyes as they make their way out to the kitchen. Steve and Eddie bickering not so quietly while plating the eggs. Shutting up just for a second when they enter the room. Until it picks up again while they eat.

Julie can’t help but laugh, sharing small glances with El across the table. There’s this warmth in this house that she thought she’d never feel again. A space that is her own. A home to come back to. Where love radiates through the walls.

While the circumstances were those that she would not have picked willingly, this was still something she didn’t want to lose. This family she’s apart of, this life she has, it’s more than she could have asked for after the accident. It’s more than she ever expected to happen after tragedy.

But it did. And this life that she’s got left, this family, this home, she’s doesn’t want it to change. She doesn’t want it to leave. Hoping that it follows her to the ends of the Earth. Love her to the moon and all the stars. Because she knows that wherever her mom is looking down at her, it’s what she would want too.

Deep in her heart, she knows.

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[thetheatrebrassiere]

i’m having a really weird time lately. i think, though, that really, it all comes down to trying to be kind to each other and spread love. like agape or whatever. like i get that that’s not some massive realization, but it’s kind of big for me. it’s just love, really, at the end of the day, that keeps us hoping. love for anything. people without hope are desperate. people who take it away… i mean. i don’t know. i don’t study ethics, i have no answers, but i don’t… i don’t want anyone hurt. i think people are good at heart. i really do. i cry when i think of any child being held by their mother. having a father smile over them. just referring to genetic material here, you can swap whatever pronouns or words you’d like. anyone celebrating a new life really. anyone celebrating love, celebrating life. anyone who wants to nurture. i think… i’m just over blaming everyone. i think i’m really just over it. it shouldn’t take 28 years but i want to take ownership of my own life now. i’m done with acting like a scared child. it’s time to grow up. i want to see the world. and the sky. and the stars. :)