#almost 6k be prepared guys

[caramelkoo]

before we shatter — jjk [one]

genre : established relationship, idol!jungkook

word count : 6k

summary : dating an idol is fun, they said. having a family with one is fun, they said. Until you're falling face forward because of your reality. A reality where Jungkook dreams of a future and a reality where your own future is collapsed.

chapter warnings : nsfw, strong language, mature content, fluff, so much angst, smut, talks of infertility, clit sucking, fingering, Jungkook worships her, dirty talk, doggy style, reader is in so much pain i love her sm, fall vibes <33, gift giving as a love language, pussy slapping with his d, big dick energy, jungkook is desperate. that's about it please mention if i missed anything.

read part two here

a/n : based on this ask so thank you anon for coming forward and giving me a chance to write this. i also wanna mention that im no doctor so please forgive me if i didn't do the topic of infertility justice. the second part gives more clarity in their case so please be kind to wait. enjoy and im v v grateful for you. you're so loved.

When you were a child, barely five, an orange butterfly came flying outside your front door. Your mom told you about it since she saw it first causing your entire face to instantly light up like the fourth of july.

An inexplicable joy filled your whole body making your day ten times better, not that you were having a bad one. A five year old can’t have a bad day whatsoever.

After you were done chasing it around, secretly hoping that it would land on your nose just the way they show on television, you had to let it go and head back inside. 

Oddly enough the next morning you saw it again, this time it was not flapping its wings like it had last night, instead it was sitting on the window beside the door. Quiet and still. 

You, ever so curious, had to ask your mom about it. “It might find comfort there,” she said. 

Up until you met your boyfriend you had spent the majority of your time wondering where your comfort place is, what is that one place where you can just be yourself and not pretend to be some stoic woman. A place which lets you cry whenever you want but also replaces those tears with wide smiles and loud giggles. 

Turns out, it’s your boyfriend’s arms. 

It’s true. Jungkook with his kind, sparkly bambi eyes and bunny smile stole your damn heart a few years ago and is not willing to give it back. Although you can’t complain, in a world where people can’t seem to find the one for themselves, the angels up there granted you a guy every inch a gentleman. Safe to say it’s not one like one of those titular relationships you've come across. 

He’s your solace, a roof where you can safely just about exist. 

He heals you.

Dating an Idol comes with several perks, the biggest one of those being dealing with the huge amount of selective criticism. You feel hurt, of course, but when you’re with Jungkook, they are nothing but words behind a pixel. A pain that only lasts momentarily. 

This pain though, is not as mundane. This one is making your stomach twist in apprehension. You’ve lost the count of how many deep breaths you’ve taken.

“I’m afraid this is a case of infertility miss _____” the doctor says, earning your attention.

You’re not able to form a word, however that does nothing to stop your subconscious mind from screaming, I knew it.

Being stupid enough to think you were well prepared to hear her say this, you mustered up the courage to enter the four walled white space which, at that time, didn’t feel as narrow as it does now. It’s almost as if it’s closing up on you.

Only after you sat before the woman in white coat and bad news, did you realize how gut wrenching this actually feels.

You face her with a weak smile, one that doesn’t actually reach your eyes, “Are- are you sure you’re not mistaken?” 

Dr. Ana leans forward, resting her forearms on the table. The move itself tells you more than you need to. “Miss _____, I know it’ll be hard for you to come to terms with this but I suggest you try. I would also like to tell you, and I hope I’m not overstepping, but you can always go with adoption. The options are endless.” 

Your throat feels awfully dry and you gulp. “Thank you uh, can I ask you for a favor?” 

“Anything”

“If you happen to cross paths with Jungkook, please don’t mention anything about this to him.” 

Dr. Ana flashes you a kind smile, “Of course not ____. It’s your personal matter. I wouldn’t dare.” 

“Thanks a lot.” 

With one last nod you excuse yourself from her office. Your phone buzzes inside your pocket and you take it out, seeing Jungkook’s number stare up at you. 

“Hey” 

“Hey, my love. Are you busy?” His voice nearly brings tears to your eyes. It also brings up a question. Will he act the same towards you after you tell him where you are and what you just heard? Will his voice be filled with the same amount of excitement and affection for you? 

“No, honey. I’m actually at my sister’s place. She was craving some alone time with her husband and asked me to babysit Coco”

You can visualise him awing already. Jungkook has grown attached to your sister’s daughter a little too much. His bond with Coco is just so bright it makes you wonder if they happened to be an actual father and daughter duo in the past life. They’re both full of beans and it’s a delight to see them both together. 

He chimes, “Ah my little Coco bean. Is she near? Let me hear my angel.” 

Pinching the bridge of your nose, you try to come up with any transitory excuse that doesn’t make you run for the hills. “She’s sleeping right now. Made me work for it but I managed to settle her down” 

Jungkook moans from the other side of the line and you mentally curse yourself. Not only are you lying through your teeth but also using your innocent niece as a pawn. From the day you began dating Jungkook, you’ve not looked at any other man. For the first time now, you have this nagging feeling as though you’re cheating on him. 

“Well, alright next time then. When are you coming back home?” 

“As soon as they do. Do you miss me already?” I tease.

“Pfft me and miss you? Impossible” 

You gasp, the audacity of this boy. “How rude!!”

Your goofy boyfriend dares to chuckle, “I carry you with me everywhere I go, love. It’s hard to miss someone who’s this close to you every time of the day.” 

It doesn’t take you long to grasp what he is referring to. The heart shaped bracelet rests proudly on his wrists and the man had refused to take it off ever since you gifted it to him. A sense of longing already creeps up in your heart, twisting it until you run out of breath. 

Your chest expands as you fill it with much needed air, “Listen, honey I’ll give you a call soon yeah? I think Coco has woken up and I must go check if she needs something,” you fake a chuckle, “You know how she gets when she’s irritated” 

“Oh yes of course. Promise to give me a call soon?” 

This time the smile on your face is genuine, “I promise” 

“Give Coco a kiss for me. I love you.” 

“I love you.” 

There’s a heavy weight on your chest as soon as you hang up the call. Maybe it has always been there. So, for a couple of minutes you just stand there in the hallway of the hospital taking in the sterile smell and worrisome patients, praying that the highest power up there gives you one last chance so you could try and fix what’s been ruined.

The commotion around you does nothing to overtake the voices in your head and sadness fires through you as you feel like you’re burning your boats. Despite all of that, you pray for one last time, this time for again being strong enough to let go. 

Let go of your happiness.

Let go of your salvation.

Let go of your comfort.

Let go of Jungkook.

˚୨୧⋆｡˚

You click the door shut behind you, hanging the coat on the rack. You’re not even done turning around when a muscular arm wraps around your abdomen and you’re pulled back against a taut chest. 

“I missed you” his voice is muffled against your jumper.

You run your palms over Jungkook’s forearm, stopping to interlace your fingers with his.The way his hands fit with yours is adorable to you as if they were made to do so. The bracelet on his wrist is cool against your skin and you smile. “You know what’s funny? This guy I talked to earlier said it’s impossible for him to miss me” 

He rests his chin on top of your shoulders, cheeks warm against yours. He has grown out a stubble which makes him look manlier for some reason and you can’t stop caressing it with your fingers whenever you cup his face.

“You’re talking to other guys?” If you hadn’t known Jungkook better than himself, you would have missed the pout of his lips when he said that. 

You turn your face and place a sloppy kiss on his cheekbones, “Only my favourite guy in the whole world.” 

He breaks out in a toothy grin and holds your gaze. “You’re my favourite girl too but I think you already know that.” 

You nod but the pang of guilt is still lingering in your heart. “Still love hearing it.” 

Jungkook releases you from his embrace and walks back, rounding the kitchen counter until he’s holding up a large bowl. “Ready for our fall ritual?” 

Jungkook and you have been using your mum’s recipe to bake chocolate chip cookies every fall and while you enjoy baking with him, the thing that you take the most pleasure from is his face when he munches on the first cookie.

It’s one of your favorite sights ever. It takes quite a bit of effort to bake them but hell if you wouldn’t do it all over again just to see him close his eyes and moan like it is the best thing since sliced bread. 

You join him behind the counter and look around. From the way the batter has already been prepared you suppose he’s been at it for a while. There are some chocochips in a small bowl across from you with some cranberries next to them because he knows you like them in your cookies. 

“You don’t ever forget about the cranberries, do you?” 

“Nope. They’re your favourite plus if you eat well, I can eat you well– ouch,” he jumps, “What was that for?” 

You offer him a glare which does nothing to stop the smile threatening to break out of your lips, “Behave” 

His face inches closer to yours, “Now honey don’t be acting like I didn’t give you the best orgasm this morning” 

Oh well, how can you forget about that? Ninety nine percent of the time you love waking up in his arms while he’s the big spoon but there’s that one percent where he wakes you up with his head between your legs, sometimes with his face under your shirt sucking on your nipples. Indissoluble passion within him. His ability to satisfy you with his mouth alone needs to be studied because god if you don’t crave more and more. 

You blink, once twice thrice, “You’re incorrigible” 

He lets out a cackle at your flustered face as you wonder when you will stop blushing like a fool around him. It’s been years and he still makes you feel like you’re wrapped up in a ball of jitters. Jungkook leans back and straightens up. He plucks the apron from the counter before coming up behind you. “Hold your hair up for me” He demands. 

You grab a fistful of your hair and lift them up as he settles it on your neck before tying the knot at your back. With one last kiss on the back of your neck he joins you. 

“How long has it been since you began making this?” 

“Not long ago. Thought I’d wait for you to come back home and then continue”

You watch him add the chocochips into the dough. His tattoos are barely visible behind the cozy sweater he’s wearing. At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, Jungkook with his perfect physique and gorgeous face looks good in everything, more so naked, but nothing triggers your cuteness aggression more than him wearing a fluffy knitted sweater, believe it or not. One which you knitted at that.

He pulls your attention away pausing your little drooling session, “How’s Coco bean doing?” 

A sudden urge of getting close to him creeps up and you sneak between the counter and him, hugging him as you nuzzle your face in his chest. He smells like cinnamon. He places a gentle kiss on the crown of your head before resting his chin there. 

“You smell so good” 

“Thanks and she’s as chaotic as ever. Nailea bought the cutest pair of pyjamas for her,” you look up at him,  “She looked like a loaf of bread when they made her wear it.” 

“No way. Should we buy her another one of those?” he pulls back, barely able to hide the excitement on his face.

“You’re gonna spoil her” 

“Damn right I will and if you call this spoiling, wait till I get one of those made by me.” 

There it is. 

If Jungkook wasn’t so fond of children, would it have been easier for you to cope? You do realize that you’re a stone’s throw away from losing him for once and for all. In the old days you heard somewhere that it takes a strong man to save to save himself and a great man to save another.

You want to be that brave person who saves him from lifelong loathing and regret towards you.

This turning point in your life gives you two options, one where you can hang by a thread and bite your tongue while you continue your life with him, another where you set him free. The latter one wins and you, however, lose. 

“Hey you went silent there. You okay?” He cups your cheek with one hand, his thumb grazing your cheekbones so gently you try not to cry. 

You nod and flash him a smile. Or at least you try to smile and detach yourself from him. “Perfect. Let’s get those cookies baking shall we?” 

Jungkook keeps looking at you with an expression which tells you he’s trying to search for something, but you try not to give anything away. Yet.

He gives you a look, his eyes sparkling under the low light in the room,

“Wait here for a second i’ll be right back” 

“Where are you goi-”

“Just a second. Don’t move” His voice trails off as he goes further into the bedroom. A minute later when he comes back, there’s nothing different about him except the sneaky smile on his face. He walks towards you and grabs you by the waist as he sits you on the counter. Your hands instantly clutch his shoulders for support. 

“What is happening, baby?” You mumble, clearly in a fog. 

He says nothing as he gets down on his knees. Taking a hold of your right leg, he places it on his thigh. You swallow.

He looks up, clashing his eyes with yours, “You ask too many questions, do you know that?” 

Seconds later he’s taking something out of his jogger pocket and a cool sensation brushes your skin. You peek down, curiosity finally killing the cat as you see a silver anklet adorned by a pink stone in the middle of it embraced around your ankles. 

His name is a whisper on your lips, “Jungkook”  

He gets up, facing you as he stands. But not before pecking the anklet as well as your skin. His face which earlier was eerie, now entirely soft. 

“Mom sent this for you.” 

You don’t hold back tears this time, letting them run free. You glance at the jewellery again as it shines under the light of the kitchen lamp. The pink stone glares at you as if it knows you’re not worthy of such a valuable item. 

“It’s beautiful”

He gently wipes the tears away,

“It’s just the beginning, love. I’m not gonna stop until I see a band wrapped around your finger. I feel too lonely being the only one there.” 

You playfully smack him on the chest, a giggle slipping free. With a tired shake of your head you admit, “This is overwhelming” 

“What is?” he asks,

“All of this,” you keep your gaze on him, sniffing as you continue,“Your little acts of service, your love, your presence and now this gift. I feel like I’m taking too much not giving enough” 

Your throat feels too tight, as if someone is just cutting off your air supply when you should be feeling free in his arms. 

Jungkook’s eyebrows tense as he reaches for you. Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear he tries to reassure you, “Don’t say that. I hate when you question your worth,” he pecks the back of your hands, “These hands feed me, hold me when I need them to, give me warmth, gentle touches”,

His lips find both of your eyes next as you close them, feeling his soft lips on them,

“These eyes tear up with happiness every time you listen to me in the studio”,

Your ears follow next, “These ears tolerate my snoring”,

Then your lips, “And this mouth, my favourite, whispers ‘i love you’ to me every morning, leaves kisses on my skin, screams my name and most importantly, forms the loveliest smile when I make you happy.” His eyes are oh so gentle as he says this. 

You’re about to respond when his phone buzzes on the counter next to you. Your heart stops. Fuck is it Dr. Ana?

To your surprise, it’s Jimin’s number on the screen.

“Pick it up, honey. It might be important.” 

His thumb presses on the red button as he declines the call, “I’ll talk to him later. My girlfriend comes first.” 

Neither of you say a word as the room gets filled with a comfortable silence. The cookies are long forgotten, your eyes doing all the talking. Even if you try your hardest you’re not sure you can say anything which is remotely justifiable of what he just said to you.

Jungkook is so much more than meets the eye, he’s vulnerable, he’s empathetic, he’s loving. His eyes shine the brightest when he’s happy about something and you’re so full of contempt about the fact that eventually you will be the one to snatch away that shine. This hornet’s nest is going to ruin me, ruin him. 

“I wanna kiss you so bad” He whispers, leaning closer but you stop him with your palms on his chest.

“Wait, I-I want to talk about something” 

His voice is downright pleading when he says, “Later baby. I’m fucking gonna die if I don’t take that mouth right now. Please?” his breath touches your bare lips. 

Feeling a flutter in your chest you nod and he leans towards you, hand cupping your lower jaw as he touches his lips to yours. Softly at first, then his pace quickens. Your hands grab his sweater as you pull him even closer, deepening the kiss. His moan echoes followed by your own as you both lose yourselves in each other. You let go of every menacing thought and just focus on the taste of his lips. 

He pulls back slightly, taking a deep breath as he fills his chest with air. Those beautiful lips are pink and swollen from the heated kiss you just shared with him. Getting rid of the sweater, he tosses it aside as his eyes sparkle with amusement.

Without wasting any time he begins nibbling at your neck, slightly biting onto it as your hands run over his back. He’s so beautiful it takes your breath away. Not to toot your own horn but you have the most gorgeous boyfriend and you’re not ashamed to show him off. 

His lips ghost over your nipples from over your high neck top and you groan.

“Jungkook, please” 

He pulls back with a smug look on his face, “Please what ____?” 

“Please fuck me. I need your cock so bad.” 

“Yeah? Is that what my girl wants?” 

At this point your body is thrumming with anticipation and desire as you watch him move his hands closer to the waistband of your pants. His hands pause when they meet the lace material, his pupils dilate. 

He smiles, “It’s the one I gifted you. Were you hoping for this huh?” 

Your lips stretch into a smile. You hadn’t particularly hoped for this, no, because your relationship with him is not just based on physical pleasures. You guys have sex of course, but it’s not the prominent part of the bond you share. It’s more than that. The lace lingerie set was gifted to you by Jungkook on a random day. It was one of those quote unquote just because gifts. 

“What do you think?” you ask, giving him a quick kiss. 

He grabs you by the back of your neck and holds you there for a moment before leaning back and looking straight into your eyes. “I think you should lose it or else I’ll ruin it” 

You gasp, swatting him on the bicep. “Don’t you dare. It’s my favourite pair”  

Without preamble he picks you off the counter making you wrap your legs around his waist. You both are so close it takes your breath away. Chest to chest, groin to groin, face to face with lips inches away from each other’s as you share a breath. 

He walks into your shared bedroom as you clash your lips against his, pulling his lower one between yours, earning a groan out of him. You both are downright feral, letting your hands run over every area of each other’s body. Jungkook’s hands grabbing your ass, yours pulling on his hair lightly before trailing down his chest, pausing on his pecs. 

When you reach your bedroom, he sits himself down with you on top of his lap. Your hips move forward and you hiss as your still jean clad pussy brushes his cock. He’s so hard you wonder if he’s close to coming already. 

Rough hands scrape over your back, hips, down your thigh before they finally settle on either side of your waist, gipping them tightly but also with a hint of gentleness. One thing you admire about your man is that he doesn’t treat you like a fragile woman, he knows you’re strong and you’ll not break if he’s rough with you. 

Jungkook pulls back from your lips.“Fuck honey, you’re such a goddess. Look at this body. I still can’t believe I get to call you mine” 

You shake your head, totally under his spell. “I’m the lucky one here, baby. You have no idea how lucky I am.” 

His hand brushes over your ass before he dips it inside your pants, reaching your already soaked pussy as he pushes a finger inside you. This earns a whimper from you as you tip your head back. 

“That’s where you’re wrong, ____. Want me to show you how lucky I am?” He takes the finger out before pumping it back again. You moan as his other hand gips the nape of your neck and he brings his mouth to your neck, biting on it. 

“Oh my god” you cry, seeing him suck the finger clean and face forming an expression filled with the deepest level of satisfaction as he closes his eyes. 

Setting his eyes back on you, he sighs, “This isn’t my first time tasting you, honey. But it gets better every fucking time and I find myself craving you an unhealthy amount, you know that? Do you know how crazy I am for you? Could eat you out everyday and wouldn’t need anything else to feel full.” His words send a shiver down your spine. “You’re my favorite meal.” 

He pushes three fingers back inside with a slight force and you let out a scream, arching your back. He takes one nipple into his mouth and gives it a long suck, letting it go with a loud pop. 

“Oh yes, just like that. Suck it again, baby” You beg and he does exactly that as he takes the other sensitive bud into his mouth. 

You’re not sure if you have been this vocal about your needs with anyone before him. Not that you dated a lot, for a person who’s a hopeless romantic to the core you’ve always found yourself waiting for the right one. Additionally, you believed your body to be as sacred as a temple. Surely there had to be a guy somewhere who would treat it as such.

Then, enters Jungkook who not only was out of your league metaphorically but literally. He lived miles away from your place so there was not a chance you could have let anything take place between the both of you. But as they always say, the heart wants what it wants. To put it briefly, there was chemistry, a connection you didn’t want to lose.

Strong fingers pump into you. In and out, in and out. “You’re so wet. What do you say? Should I lick you clean?” 

“Yes, ah oh my goodness that’s sooo good” you toss your head back, slowly grinding against his hands. 

He wraps an arm around your waist, lifts you off his lap and tosses you back on the bed. Keeping his eyes still locked with yours he gets rid of his jogger, letting his cock spring free.

It bobs and you lick your lips, already wanting to take it into your mouth but you know for a fact that he wouldn’t let you do that, not because he doesn’t want you to but because he wants to give you the highest amount of pleasure first. As he always does. 

Jungkook lets out a shaky sigh as gives his cock a pull, his eyes running over your whole body. Up and down then back at your face again. You’re still not fully bare in front of him while he’s standing there, all in his glory. 

“Lose the pants” he commands. 

You immediately slide out of them and toss them on the floor somewhere. He grabs you by the hips, jerking you to the edge of the bed as he sinks down on his knees. Spreading your legs wider he releases a breath. Warmth touches your wet pussy and you prop yourself up by the elbows to look at him. 

You need to look at him if you want to stay sane, have to feel him with you here. Shivers run through you even by the thought of not being able to feel him and this ever again. This might as well be your last day on this god awful planet from the way the ache in your chest keeps on increasing. It makes a home there, not letting you entirely forget about the eventualities. 

“God you’re dripping, honey” 

“For you” you admit.

Hot and wet kisses are left to the inside of your thigh and your hands find the back of his head as you grip it lightly. 

His head lifts up, his eyes finding yours, “Don’t hold back,____. Grip it as tightly as you want to. I don’t want any hesitations because when I fuck you, I’m not going to be holding back. You hear me?” 

A desperate moan leaves you, and he rewards you by kissing your pussy. Keeping his eyes on you, he doesn’t give you a chance to whine out your needs before his tongue is licking a single line up your clit.

He moans and gently tugs on your clit. “Such a perfect cunt” 

You push his head against your pussy and rock forward, chasing your orgasm. 

“Feels so good, feels so perfect, baby” you murmur.

Just when you’re starting to feel the climax incoming, when Jungkook suddenly grabs you by the waist and flips you, so he’s lying down and you’re on top. Then, he grabs you by the back of your neck, pulling you for a heated kiss. 

He pulls back, “Sit on my face, my queen” 

Your eyes widen and you hesitate, but you don’t want to. You wanna let go, knowing you’re lucky enough to get something like this in this lifetime, so you give in. He hoists you up by the hips, positions you over his face and pulls you down. His warm breath feels like a soft whisper against your pussy. 

You cry out in pleasure as soon as his tongue dives deep inside you, squeezing your tits in your hands. Grinding against his face, you close your eyes and just… feel. Feel the heat, feel the emotions, feel the intimacy, feel the ache in your chest.

A thought crosses your head and you wonder if you’re doing something wrong, something selfish. Touching him like this and getting consumed by him feels like you’re doing nothing but ruining him. 

He sucks on your clit with sheer eagerness and desire, pulling you further down so you’re putting your weight on his face. Concern perks up and you look down, trying not to crush him but it seems like he couldn’t care less. 

“Let go, honey. Just focus on my mouth.” 

Let go. God, how bad you hate those words. They feel like acid in your ears. 

“Keep going, Jungkook. Don’t you dare stop” you cry out. 

Soon enough you’re aching your back, cunt pulsing against his lips as you come. He swallows every single drop as if he’d die if he doesn’t and leaves you in awe. You slump, letting your body relax.

Much to your amusement, he doesn’t give you enough time to relax before he’s turning you over until you’re on your knees. Hot passionate kisses are placed on your sweaty back, pulling a gasp from you. 

“What a fucking sight. I wish you could see how stunning you look right now and it’s all because of me, isn’t it? This glistening back, this wet cunt,” he strokes a finger down your pussy, “It’s all because of me and you dare to call yourself lucky?” 

You catch a sight of him stroking himself over your shoulders and your breath quickens. 

His abs are glistening with sweat and his chin still has your cum on it. 

He smirks, “Like what you see, honey” 

“You’re beautiful” 

His eyes soften, letting his hands drop from his angry and already leaking with precum cock, he grabs either side of your hips and lines himself against your needy pussy. You let your head drop on the mattress and clench your fist, preparing yourself for him. He gives your cunt a slight slap with his cock before filling you in, groaning as he goes deeper.

You moan, “Fuck baby. That’s so deep.” 

“You’re so warm, honey. You feel like home” he thrusts again. 

His hands grip yours, and he covers your body with his own, still thrusting inside with rough movements. His chest feels warm and safe against your back as it fills you with a deep sense of safety, protection and love.

You match every thrust of his with your own, moving your hips backwards. Your tits are getting equal attention from him as he pinches the two sensitive buds between his fingers. 

You both chase your high with you screaming out his name and him whispering yours like a prayer. He gives in one last thrust before he’s coming inside you, his teeth biting on your shoulder. You’re following him soon as you grip the bed sheet tighter in your fist, moaning as you come. 

Before you collapse, he pulls you upright and lets his cock slide out of you. His fingers push his cum inside your throbbing cunt, making your stomach twist in pain.

You murmur. “I love you” 

His lips stretch into one of those lazy smiles you love so much. “I love you too, my precious girl. Now, do you wanna sleep or go make those cookies?” a sloppy kiss is pressed on your forehead. 

Wrapping your arms around his shoulders you pull him on top of you, “Should we save those for later? I really wanna cuddle” 

He presses a soft kiss on the tip of your button nose, “Sure. Let me clean you up first. You don’t have to move an inch, just relax.” 

Minutes later he’s coming back with a bottle of water and a bowl of marshmallows. You bite back a chuckle when you look at his face. There’s such a deep crease between his eyebrows you’d think he’s trying to win a game of uno or something. 

But it’s short lived when he places the items on the nightstand and gazes at you, his eyes having the same funny look they had earlier in the kitchen.You try to summon your most unbothered and good natured grin but it doesn’t do shit to stop the electricity from running through your blood. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” you ask, biting your lip.

An uncertain laugh slips out of him, “I don’t know. I’m- God, I really don’t know but I have this weird feeling that something is not right.” He begins cleaning you up but you can’t shake the feeling of nervousness and anxiety away. 

You know for a fact that he’s right. Something is not right, in fact nothing is right. 

He peeks at you from between your legs, “Hey, what is it that you wanted to talk about?” 

The air whooshes out of your lungs. Should you come clean? Is it the right time? 

You huff a tight laugh. “It’s nothing actually. Can we talk about it later?” 

When he’s done cleaning you up he places a small kiss on both your knees and stands up. Offering you a nod, he says, “Whenever you feel like it. I’m not going anywhere” 

Yet. He’s not going anywhere yet. 

You grin, “I wouldn’t let you” 

He lets a laugh slip out as he walks inside the bathroom. Then, he comes back, settles himself beside you and brings you closer by wrapping his arm around your waist. His feet find yours as he touches the anklet with them. 

“Let’s sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up” he promises. 

Morning comes quickly as the sun casts its glow on your sleepy yet excited eyes. Holding out a hand, you try searching for your boyfriend next to you, but a slight sting arises in your heart when he’s not there. You open your eyes, adjusting to the sunlight. 

Although, you hoped you did not wake up, you hoped death consumed you in your sleep because the person across from you is a total stranger. A stranger whose eyes are misty and mouth is pulled down in deep frown, a sunflower bouquet in one hand and the other one holding a blue file so tightly you can see his knuckles turning white.

Jungkook holds out the file to you, “How long were you planning to hide this from me,____?” 

For the first time in your life, you hate your name. You hate how bitter it sounds coming from his mouth like this.It has always been “____, you’re my everything,” “I love you,____”, “_____, you mean the world to me”.

Acid bubbles in your stomach at his words, and you can’t help but sob. You wonder if the butterfly was preparing you for this day. If she could talk, what would she have said to you? 

The words that leave him next might as well be daggers in your chest, "Tell me, honey. Is it the important thing you wanted to talk about but held back just to get a good fuck out of me?"

@fluttershy-vanilla @theyysam37 love you pookies. enjoy <3

[ilovetoxicfictionalmen]

PICK THE LATTER

KINKTOBER DAY 22 - OVERSTIMULATION WITH TOM

Pairing.| Tom x fem!reader

Summary.| You're given an ultimatum after Tom accuses you of cheating, be fucked endlessly or be left on the edge. You should have picked the latter.

Warnings.| Dubcon, p in v, rough sex, overstimulation, drug use, infidelity.

Word count.| .6k

Notes.| I’ve realised this is quite similar to my Emmett one lmao

“Tommy- I… I can’t do this anymore” you gasped out, your sloppy walls were twitching around Tom’s size like a malfunctioning machine. 

“Shut up” Tom grunted, his Irish accent thick. 

Still somehow he was ramming into you at a high speed. This must be a nightmare, because the physicality to his movements seemed impossible. His cock moved around like clockwork inbetween your slippery, tight walls. Dark hair completely slicked back from the excessive sweat. Tom’s eyes were wide with desire, jealousy, anger and – well, cocaine. The look of fear and pain in your eyes made him soften momentarily. A congested sniff erupted as he egged his head in frustration, he needed to stay focused, if only could have another line. But allowing you and your dirty little cunt to have a break demanded otherwise. 

“Did Peter fuck you this good?” Tom taunted as he pushed his tip in as far as physically possible. 

You screamed out, your throat felt like a match was lit up inside by the harshful reaction. Legs trembled like a tree in the wind. After weakly attempting to shove him away with your palms, you quickly gave up and slumped back onto the couch. 

“Tom, I swear!” you protested through a long whine. 

“Shut up!” Tom repeated himself as he forcefully fucked you again. 

You did not fuck Peter. However, if Tom hadn’t stumbled upon your constant back and forth messages of poems to one another, he wouldn’t have been able to swipe you off of that pathway. Being around Peter just felt so romantic, almost fairytale like. Yes, Tom gave you everything you needed, but the thrill of his cocaine addiction had quickly soured into a burden. Dating an older guy was clearly highly romanticized. It was almost like being a mother half of the time, for men in finance are highly immature. 

Not to mention, Tom wasn’t as faithful as he had expressed himself to be. Because it wasn’t him, it was the drugs. It was only ever blowjobs anyways. This was most worse on your behalf however. Because this wasn’t lust, this was love. Tom was not prepared to lose you, ever. It shouldn’t be that difficult to show you who you belong to, who’s cock you crave to jump onto every single night. You needed him more than you could ever know. 

So after a calmful confrontation, he offered you two options. Be fucked senselessly or be left on the edge of your orgasm. You physically snorted at him, your expression full of pride and confidence. 

It was Tom… The guy who had passed out during sex before he was that fucking high. Most of the time, you fucked him. He clearly was off his head yet again. So you arrogantly picked the first option. 

“Please Tom! It hurts so badly!” You cried. 

“Good, maybe you can understand how badly you hurt me” Tom spat, his lips an inch away from yours. 

Desperately you wanted to kiss him, to prove to the both of you that you loved him, were devoted to him. But his impulsive mind was convinced that he needed to treat you as what you were, a hole for his pleasure. So he had not kissed you once, and it was driving you insane. 

You couldn’t have made a poorer decision in your life. Every scream of pleasure was coated in a paint of pain and discomfort. After you lost count of how many times he made you finish, your stimulation now felt like a series of pins and needles in your nerves, his dark eyes reading your every thought, feeling and emotion. 

Quickly after you made your choice, you realized that you should have picked the latter.

[legacygirlingreen]

Strumming Hearts // Modern! Sebastian Sallow x MC

Authors note: another collaboration with @darch7995 , if y’all aren’t listening to her audios idk what all are doing! This is a modern, rocker Sebastian AU with lots of flirting, tension and happy ending I swear! I def might follow this up with a part 2 at some point. Lots of that 2014 tumblr era vibe going on! Also song is “new perspective by P!ATD

Part 2 of fic is here

Link to audio version(s) here!

Part 1; Part 2;

Love you all 💚

Word count: 6k

Warnings: flirting, teasing, mild angst, suggestive language, groping, nothing too intense

“Stupid friends, on a weekday no less, to the stupid club to see a stupid-“ she muttered into her drink as she leaned against the bar to herself as she stirred her vodka cranberry that Natty had thrust into her hands before she wandered off with the rest of their roommates to try and find the band members before the show.

MC hadn’t wanted to come. Not only had she never listened to this new band, that seemingly everyone around her was obsessed with, but she had finals to study for. On top of that, her usually level headed friends like Natsi, Poppy and Imelda seemingly couldn’t keep it together when it came to just 3 random guys roughly their own age with some instruments.

“Bad night?” A voice behind her said almost directly into her ear and she almost dropped her drink from shock.

Whipping around to see whatever asshole had gotten so close that she could feel his breath on her ear - a strong invasion of space in her mind despite being a necessity in the loud and packed club - she prepared the scowl in advance. As she did so she was confronted with a sight that made her question her desire to scold the man for getting too close.

Dark eyes that cut through her like a knife, however upon further investigation were not cold as she expected. They were warm, honey colored flecks near the center and very inviting despite how deep they ran. As if those dark eyes were swallowing her whole in fields of barley at sunset.

Dark hair to go with the dark eyes, perfectfully tousled as if he constantly had a hand running through the unruly locks. It fell around his head in a slightly shorter style than most of the males in the crowded room, but still maintained the rock and roll vibe of the majority of their peers. Towering over her in height and playful smile upon his full lips.

The one thing that shocked her the most was the endless supply of freckles dotting his extremely handsome face. Attractive enough that the words die upon her tongue, reducing her into a sputtering mess.

He was absolutely stunning. And based on his smirk, he knew it.

What had he asked her again? Oh yeah, if she was having a bad night.

“I suppose. This is just not how I wanted to spend my evening” she said with an eye roll as he smiled down at her.

“Don’t like live music?” He asked her curiously.

“I never said that.” She retorted, taking a long sip of the drink in front of her, as his eyebrow raised.

“So you are here for the show-“ he started but she stopped him with fervent shakes of her head.

“I’m here because my friends promised they’d stop asking me to go out for at least a month if I agreed to come tonight. I have finals coming up and it seemed like the better trade off for a month of peace and quiet” she explained with a shrug as she dug in her jacket pocket, desperately searching for her packet of cigarettes.

“Interesting…” he said without elaborating as he watched her fish a cigarette out of her pocket before attempting to find the lighter.

She seemingly came up empty, frustrated as she went to shove it back in her pocket.

“Need a light?” He asked, holding up a lighter, giving it a small shake as she nodded her head. Just before she could grab it from his hand he smirked.

“Might I bum a cig?” He asked.

“I suppose that’s fair,” she said, fishing another out of her jacket pocket as the sleeves slipped down her arms, exposing her dress straps and shoulders. Handing the cigarette into his outstretched hands she looked to him expectantly for the lighter he promised. Upon receiving the cigarette he joyfully passed off his lighter as his dark eyes scanned the recently revealed skin and the exposed top of her dress, making no attempt to hide the way he lingered on her breasts.

She placed it between her lips, lifting the small device up and striking it as she lit the end of the cig before taking a drag. As she went to hand his lighter back she caught some words written on it, and even in the dim lighting of the club she could still make it out.

If you wanna fuck, smile when you give me back the lighter.

Her eyes immediately went wide as he chuckled at her panicked reaction as she handed the lighter back.

“I mostly keep it for the shock factor at this point” he explained as he lit his own cigarette and re-pocketed the lighter as she decided the warmth of the club was not worth keeping a jacket on if he was already attempting to stare. So MC slipped her jacket off her arms and tossed it on the bar's counter.

“You don’t seem like the type to complain if it gets you laid though” she retorted after taking another drag and he smiled.

“Would anyone?” He asked and she took another sip of her drink, realizing he didn’t have a drink in his hand. Nearing the end of her vodka cran, he flagged down the bartender, allowing the curiosity of the character beside her. Not many people would stick around to hang with a girl who seemed as annoyed as her right now.

“Considering most men I’ve picked up in bars aren’t exactly as skilled as they claim, I would say that lighter seems like a walking red flag” she explained with a small grin and instead of getting upset he laughed.

“Perhaps I keep it around as a warning so smart girls like you know to stay away…” he told her and she let out a small laugh at his antics, finally successful in flagging down the bartender.

“What can I get you?” The man asked her.

“Can I get a refill on my vodka cran and a shot of tequila … along with whatever the gentleman wants. And I’ll start a tab” she explained, handing him her card before turning to the man beside her, gesturing for him to order.

Sebastian had been very surprised at her buying him a drink, as usually the girls he met gave him pretty smiles until he got them whatever fruity drink they desired. Instead this very grumpy girl, who he determined didn’t have a clue he was in the band her friends came to see, offered to buy him a drink.

“Uh… Jack and Coke and I guess a shot of tequila if the lady is having one” he told the man who nodded before turning away to grab their drinks.

“Thanks for the drinks. I can’t tell you the last time a lady picked up the tab for me. Pops is probably rolling in his grave for breaking propriety but I know for a fact he wasn’t always a gentleman either” he said with a genuine and intrigued smile.

“I won’t tell him if you don’t… I tend to find myself liking to do the opposite of what everyone else does” she said with a shrug.

“Just to be different out of principle or just a naturally inclined rebel?” He asked as the man set down the drinks in front of them.

“Depends on the circumstances I suppose” she said, lifting the tequila shot, gesturing for him to do the same. “What do you want to toast to?” She asked him as she set her cigarette into the tray on the bar.

“How about a night of being rebels?” He asked her and she nodded well enough, lifting the shot glass and taking a large lick of the salt on the rim as he did the same, the both of them clinking the glasses before tossing their heads back before reaching for the like wedge to bite.

Sebastian enjoyed the way the shot went down his throat and she seemingly did too as she smiled, tossing the lime in the glass and pushing it back.

“Now back to this question… I’m interested in these different circumstances?”

“Like I said it’s unique each time… growing up I tended to be a bit eccentric without thinking on it, so that I would say is natural born rebellion… but sometimes I just like to do the opposite of what everyone else is for the shock factor, much like your lighter” she explained and he nodded, understanding it quite well as he too got in much trouble as a kid and enjoyed the over the top nature for the humor it provided.

“I get that. What kind of things do you differ from the norm just to be different then?” He asked while watching as she took a sip of her drink, and he strategically leaned in closer to her body to hear her better, but also feel the warmth of her skin through his jeans.

“Well I came tonight to see a band I have intentionally been avoiding, despite them probably being the type of music I’d enjoy simply because my flatmates never shut up about them, simply because it’s funnier at this point to double down” she explained with a small smirk playing along her matte painted lips before she reached into the ash tray to retrieve the cigarette, taking a drag. So she didn’t know who he was.

“That’s interesting… I understand the sentiment there quite well… can I tell you a secret” he asked with a mischievous grin and she nodded. He leaned in closer as if this secret was one that was well guarded.

“I have never seen Star Wars and at this point continue to avoid it simply so people freak out when I tell them” he said before leaning back, and just as he predicted she was mouth agape at his confession.

“But that’s, that’s different… I mean come on, it’s Star Wars…” She said, trying to put it together and he smiled gesturing to her reaction and she rolled her eyes as he reached up to her hand, carefully removing the lit cigarette from her grasp with a raised brow and she nodded that he could take a drag as he had long finished the one she had given him while waiting for drinks. He did so, following it up with a sip of his drink and passing the cigarette back to her hand as he noticed the lipstick around the rim.

“Because at this point it’s more fun to watch those reactions like your own than actually watching the movie, I guarantee” he explained and she shook her head.

“You’d be wrong. You don’t even know what you’re missing. It’s like an amazing world with fun characters and epic stories and laser swords. And a whole army of rebels” she explained and the more she spoke the more he watched her cool girl image disappear as a very wholesome, internal nerdy girl came forward and the reaction made his heart beat hard. Extremely unexpected but it was equally adorable.

“I didn’t realize we had such an adamant Star Wars defender in the audience tonight… perhaps I’d be willing to rethink my position on the space opera saga..” he proposed as she took a sip of a drink to cool her warming cheeks.

“Oh yeah, what would change your mind?” She asked, she gestured with her drink as she set it back down .

“You give the band tonight an open mind…” he said with a grin and while he had expected her to go along with it but instead her face fell.

“Not you too.” She said with a groan, reaching up to take another drag before finishing off the cigarette.

“What’s so wrong with the band you’ve never even listened to yourself?” He tried to reason.

“It’s all that they talk about. All day. Every day. Cooking dinner. Doing laundry. Taking a shower. Never can escape it. I don’t get much free time between my classes, work and studying. What little bit I do have has been invaded. I’m sick of it” she explained with another eye roll shifting away from him.

“I suppose I get your frustration… You can still go into it with an open mind-“ he levied and she shook her head.

“Nope. I’m committed to the stubborn act at this point.” She retorted, making him laugh. She has conviction he’d give her that.

“Well if you hate this band so much, what kind of music do you actually like Miss Rebel to society who loves Star Wars?” He asked.

“I don’t know…” she said looking back into her drink a smirk playing on her lips as she denied him the information, knowing he likely would do as most men and roast her taste in music.

“You don’t know what music you like?” Sebastian asked jokingly.

“No, I know that. I just assume you’ll do that thing most men at bars do, where they roast my taste in music and say they had an earth shattering experience listening to the dark side of the moon for the first time” she explained with an eye roll and he barked out a laugh.

“That’s a fair critique, but I don’t plan on shitting on your taste in music. It’s a personal preference. Try me” he told her, downing the rest of his drink.

“Fine. I like stuff like arctic monkeys, cigarettes after sex, panic at the disco… that sort of vibe” she explained while taking another sip before running a palm over her opposite shoulder trying to brush away the goosebumps. As she did so he noticed several tattoos littering her arms, one in particular catching his eye.

“Wow that’s a really cool tattoo? What is it?” He asked changing the subject as he raised a hand up to stroke the exposed skin. The artistry was phenomenal, showcasing vivid shading despite only being black and white. His thumb rubbed along her shoulder as he examined it with a small smile playing on his lips. She looked over her shoulder and saw the one he was referring to as she had a few lining her body.

“Oh that’s one I drew. I really love mythology. it is my take on the Mares of Diomedes” she explained and he was astounded by not only her artistry but also her love of mythology, one he related to.

Slipping off his jacket, he showed the girl the healed hyper realistic ink depicting the marble statue of Apollo that laid on the inside of his bicep on the arm closest to his heart. Famous twin of Artemis and a tattoo he carried for his own sister.

As he did so, she ran her hands over the exposed skin, not only noticing the ink but also seeing the trail of freckles lead down to his tanned arms. As she did so, she trailed her sharp dark nails along his skin, making him shiver before she let go.

“Apollo, very nice…” she said in a low voice with a smile.

“What were you saying, sorry I tend to get distracted kind of easily… oh yeah those are all wonderful bands. As for tonight… I still think you should keep an open mind especially if you like those bands…” he said cryptically as he looked around. He knew likely he’d have to slip backstage but the girl didn’t know that.

“Hmm” she thought for a moment as she finished her drink, setting it on the counter and grabbing her coat. “I’ll bear it in mind. I should probably find my flatmates. They abandoned me when we got here trying to see if they could meet the guys in the band before the show” she explained and the notion made him chuckle that her friends had failed and she had succeeded where they hadn’t.

“Of course” he said with a smile, knowing this was a perfect time to slip off.

“I would be… more inclined to have an open mind if you stuck around… it’s actually been pretty fun talking to you so far…” she said with a smirk falling off her lips and she slid in close and he absolutely adored her confidence in her movements and words. She looked up at him through her lashes, accentuated by the thick Smokey makeup around her eyes.

He was almost annoyed when she wrapped a hand around his arm once again at the bicep, not because he didn’t want her touch, but because he knew that she likely wouldn’t respond well to his necessary rejection of watching the show together.

Sliding close to put his lips near her ear he wrapped his other hand around her waist to pull her closer.

“As much as I would love that I unfortunately can’t…” he explained trying to muster some sort of an explanation that would lead to him being able to get her number after the show still.

“I just thought…” she said somewhat dejected but still seemingly trying to maintain a level head.

“I really am sorry… I’ve enjoyed the company Love, trust me, but-“ he tried to explain as she remained hooked around the waist by his hand. Shockingly she hadn’t pushed him off.

“Bash! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Anne. He dropped the girl as his twin jumped into his arms without warning, pressing a kiss to his cheek in the loving fashion he was accustomed to. He cringed realizing how this would look, but before he could explain the girl had already taken a step back looking mortified.

“You slipped away for water a while ago! What took so long?” Anne innocently asked and the girls face fell so fast.

“I’m sorry I held you up, excuse me.” She said, pushing past him, shoving him with her shoulder as she did so and Sebastian groaned, removing Anne.

“Fuck.” He said as his sister pulled him back towards backstage.

“Were you actually - Sebastian you never talk to fans” she said and he awkwardly chuckled.

“She actually seems to hate our band on principle so I don’t think she’s a fan” he said and his twin raised a brow and he shook his head.

“Long story but she piqued my interest. I suppose now she probably thinks I’m a cheating git who was taking drinks and flirting with her while having a girlfriend” he explained with an annoyed sigh and Anne looked at him apologetically.

“Seb, I’m sorry. I can try and find her and explain before the set if you’d like-“ she tried to reason.

“Don’t worry about it Annie. I’m sure I’d have found a way to screw it up anyways…” he said, as they flashed a badge to security before stepping into the room with the rest of his friends and bandmates.

“Dude where the fuck did you go?” Garreth asked with an annoyed sigh.

“Seb was talking to a girl,” Anne said.

“I was until someone ran along and screwed it up” he said trying to bite back the realization as he moved to dramatically flop on the couch next to Ominis.

“That’s not like you… must’ve been a real smoke show” Garreth responded with a laugh and he nodded to agree.

“I mean, yeah, she was hot, but-“ Sebastian explained when Ominis cut in.

“She must’ve been more than a pretty face to peak your interest” his blind friend levied and he nodded.

“She was really funny, and said she goes to Uni so smart too… I wish I could’ve gotten her number.” He said with an annoyed groan, reaching for his guitar which was propped up near the couch.

“Did you get her name? Could say something during the set” Ominis suggested.

“I didn’t get that either,” he explained.

“Damn. You can always point her out to Annie -“ Garreth reasoned and he shook his head.

“It’s not a huge deal. I doubt she even will stay for the full thing. She told me she’s only here because her friends forced her. She actually seemingly hates us on principle and at this point is committed to being stubborn just for the humor of it” he explained with a chuckle.

“Seems like you’re made for each other ‘Mr I refuse to watch Star Wars even when it’s my twins favorite movie” Anne said with a laugh and the others joined in.

“Oh well” he said trying to ignore the semi sad feeling lingering in his stomach at the thought.

“Well mate, if anything changes during the set go for it. You know I never mind, besides you’re the front man anyway. It’s always your call” Garreth said, standing to grab his bass.

“Actually…. Is it cool if I make a small change to the lineup…” he said, a brilliant idea in mind and a room full of his favorite people eager to hear his plan.

—————————————————-

“Where did you go?” Poppy asked cheerfully as she rejoined her friends. It wasn’t long after she separated from the mysterious man that she’d been chatting with that she ran into Imelda, who escorted her back to the rest of the group. Natty and Poppy had been saving a spot right at the front of the club waiting for the band to start and had sent Imelda to go find her.

“I stayed where you left me basically the whole time” she explained with an annoyed scowl still on her face.

“I know you’re not happy about being here but I thought once you got out maybe you’d have a good tim-“ Natty started and she let out the frustration of the situation prior slip out.

“I actually was having a great time talking to some guy. I bought him some drinks, we were having a good conversation, turns out he’s got a similar tattoo and understands my need to be stubborn. He’s never even seen Star Wars simply out of principle” she said with a dramatic sigh as her friends smiled at her.

“Well that’s great” Imelda said looking around. “Where is lover boy then?” She asked and MC shook her head.

“I think the girl that jumped into his arms and kissed his cheek would know better than I am where he is now” she explained as the others looked at her sadly.

“Oi what an arse. Point him out if you see him. I would love to have a few words…” Imelda said, and she knew it wasn’t that deep. The lighter should’ve been a red flag after all…

“It’s alright Melda. Don’t worry about it. He’s not worth the time. We are here for you guys to see your band and then I’m off to bed when we get home” she said as Poppy offered her a comforting smile.

“Was he at least cute?” Natty asked as the other two glared at her; prompting the girl to defend herself by asking “what? It’s just a question?”

“Unfortunately yes. Very sexy… tall, dark and handsome incarnate…” she said, plucking another cigarette out of her pocket as Poppy looked around the room.

“Why don’t we get you another drink if you hold our spots up here. Cheer you up some. Especially since you’ve attempted to be a decent sport tonight despite that asshole” the girl said and she would’ve rejected it, but a drink did sound nice right about now.

“That would actually be lovely Poppy, I’ve got a tab open if you want something-“

“Don’t worry it’s on us, come on Natty we will be quick” Poppy said grabbing their other flatmate, leaving her with Imelda to hold their spots right in the front of the stage.

“I stand by what I said, I’ll deck him if you need me to” Imelda said and she laughed, grabbing her friend into a droopy hug, pressing a kiss to the girls cheek.

“You’re the sweetest Melda” she said playfully as her friend intentionally dropped her arm and wiped her cheek with a sarcastic eye roll. Imelda was the tomboy of their group, coming out to the clubs in a simple tank top and jeans, minimal makeup and usually the protective one when it came to any of their flatmates and boys.

“Yeah, yeah” she said with a small smile before looking around the room, and MC couldn’t tell if it was protectively trying to keep an eye out for the mysterious man who had hurt her friend or to keep an eye on their other roommates, but she didn’t question Imelda’s surveying.

“You all manage to sneak backstage in my absence?” She asked Imelda who laughed it off.

“No but they sure tried and I had to talk them down. There’s always after I suppose. But I promise to wrangle them in a tad in case you’re desperate to avoid mystery man. You haven’t seen him since?” She asked once again looking around the room and MC shook her head as Poppy and Natty rejoined them.

“One drink for the most beautiful girl in the room” Poppy said with a smile, as she passed her a refill on her drink.

“Thanks Sweets, and no Imelda I haven’t. I promise to point him out if I do” she said just as someone came on stage, and her eardrums almost burst as the 3 girls next to her got excited when he asked if they were ready for the performance.

As the lights went dark she tried to just mentally disassociate, the sooner this was over the faster she could get into bed. And the little spark in her that had desired to give the band a chance died when the mystery man asked her to go in with an open mind.

A few more shouts of excitement from her friends and various people in the audience as she sipped her drink before the lights came on and she felt like a deer trapped in headlights.

Fuck.

“Aren’t they all just so dreamy?” Poppy said with a starstruck smile and her face immediately soured. Looking confused, Poppy went to ask what was wrong when she looked back up to the man from earlier, who happened to be standing in the center of the stage with a guitar.

Before she could lean into her friend to shout in her ear he looked at her, mostly given she was directly in front of the stage. MC rolled her eyes at him as he looked down at her from behind the mic stand.

“MC he’s looking at you!” Natty said with a cheerful exclamation.

Instead of backing down Sebastian walked slightly forward as he kept his gaze trained on her and her friends seemingly lost their minds over the action. Adding insult to injury he had the gall to wink at her, very obviously.

“Oh my stars” Poppy said lovestruck as she watched the front man of the band openly flirting with her friend in front of the crowded room.

In response MC only narrowed her eyes at the man and leaned towards Imelda so she could speak to her before saying “there’s the guy from earlier. Go get him Melda” she said mischievously before pointing to him and rolling her eyes and turning to leave.

“Wait, what?!” The girl said, surprised that not only had their uninterested flatmate met the lead singer but that he was the man from before as she grabbed MC’s shoulder preventing her from leaving. Before she could ask further questions she was cut off due to Sebastian’s announcement.

“Wow what a very good looking crowd we have here tonight… dare I say the best looking we’ve seen” he said while continuing to stare in her direction and she made a genuine snarl at the man who only seemed egged on by her reluctance. In the time it had occurred Imelda must’ve informed their other roommates he was the one who entertained MC earlier.

“MC…” Poppy said, tapping her shoulder and getting her attention before she fully left to go stand outside.

“What is it Sweets?” She asked, her mood officially and completely ruined.

Curse the stupid undercroft.

“You should stay, show him you can have a good time even with what happened -“ Natty tried to reason.

MC did realize she had promised them she would stay the whole time.

“I promised you guys I’d stay the whole time” she said, chugging the rest of her drink as they started the opening notes of a song and her friends gave her a comforting group hug. “You’re allowed to enjoy it you know” she said with a smile and they turned back, joyfully enjoying the first few songs.

When he finally started singing she grew increasingly more frustrated.

Of course the very attractive, very funny, and cheater of a guy she ran into had to be in the band. Even more annoyingly, he was incredibly talented.

She tried her best to tune them out, focusing on her friends and their silly dances and every now and again leaning over to press a kiss to one of their cheeks or twirl them under her arm. She was here for them. Not for some idiot in a band.

“Before we start the next song I want to dedicate this last minute addition to our setlist to the very beautiful girl at the bar earlier who borrowed my lighter, and just letting you know, it’s offer still stands” Sebastian said as he stepped on the board on the floor that changed the sound of his guitar slightly before starting the first few notes.

Her heart absolutely sunk when she realized not only had he dedicated a song to her, but she knew this song.

It was her favorite.

She fully anticipated he was gearing up to butcher her favorite song, effectively ruining it for eternity but when he started singing she could’ve died on the spot.

“I feel the salty waves come in…” he sang as Imelda turned to her with her mouth hanging open.

“He just dedicated that to you?! But that’s your- wait what did he offer earlier?” Imelda asked as the other two leaned in and she looked up at him over their heads.

“That if I wanted to fuck, I should smile when I have his lighter back” she said through gritted teeth and they all melted, having seemingly forgot he flirted when he had a girlfriend, or at the very least a very comfortable groupie he knew by name.

The band expertly continued to perform her favorite song and as Sebastian sang her favorite lines, he leaned over the stage directly over her with a grin almost antagonizing her with the line

“Can we fast forward to go down on me” he said and at the end of the line and the kick off of the chorus he winked at her, tossing a pick before grabbing a new one and continuing.

“MC!” Her friends shouted and Sebastian watched with a smile as her friends fawned over her. He could still see her angered expression but in her eyes showed something counter to her body language. She seemed impressed. He could work with impressed.

He continued to perform his heart out, knowing he wanted to end the set with a song for the girl as she continued to stare from the front.

She felt very frustrated that as the song went on, she seemingly forgot what had happened. A small part of her screamed to just accept the attention and then go home and put it to rest but she felt guilty soaking up the flirtations of a man who had a girlfriend - who was likely backstage no less.

Sebastian saw the war in her eyes every time he looked back and as he got to the bridge he crossed back until he was in front of her, kneeling with his guitar until he was more level with the girl and her friends.

Her eyes widened as he did so, and he moved in as close as possible with the guitar in his lap, making sure that he could stare directly into her eyes before he leaned forward, the rest of his bandmates continuing music despite the absence of lyrics being sung a part she new would’ve been the bridge. Instead she realized he was beckoning her closer, and her friends pushed her forward until he met her in the middle.

When she did so he used his other hand to cover the mic hooked to the side of his face and leaned into her face saying “sorry my sister interrupted us earlier, hope this makes up for that” he said before kissing her cheek as she could hear her friends losing their minds screaming and slapping at her back.

Her face burned with all the attention so much that she almost missed him pressing something into her hand before he stood and started to sing the bridge to her and her alone…

Stop there, and let me correct it

He sang and she realized he was trying to use the song to convey that he felt sorry for running off…

I wanna live a life from a new perspective

He also explained that everything had been a misunderstanding with his sister, not girlfriend…

You come along because I love your face

And the way his eyes roamed made her feel as if the song was coming to life and she was the girl in the song…

As Sebastian continued he couldn’t help but smile down at her, seeing in her expression how she slowly pieced together both his intention as well as the mix up, and he almost stopped singing when he saw her opening the note he’d passed her.

“So catch me up on getting out of here” he sang the final line with a smile as he looked down and saw her finally reading the note.

He went to thank the crowd and start their final song as she finally got to reading the note. Pulling it closer to see in the dim lights she unwrapped the crudely written note on a bar napkin that said:

Beautiful rebel,

Thanks for the drinks and I’d love to buy the next round sometime. I’m also open to finally watching the silly space movies, and what better way to do so than with someone who loves them so much, if you’re down…

Sebastian Sallow

013194960558

PS keep the lighter since I know you’ve lost yours, however feel free to return it whenever you’d like, hopefully with a smile ;)

When she finished reading the note she realized he had wrapped the napkin around the lighter from earlier. Taking out her phone she added his number into her contacts before carefully folding it up and pocketing both the note and the lighter.

Opening a new message she typed a quick text before enjoying their last song for the night with her friends, happily nodding her head along with the song and blushing madly when he winked at her one last time before he exited the stage.

When Sebastian finally got his phone out of the dressing room he saw a new message from an unknown number and he couldn’t help but smile as he read the text.

UNKNOWN : That was quite clever Mr. Brown eyes with the Apollo tattoo, or should I say Sebatian… I will say the choice of god makes a tad bit more sense now that I remember Apollo and Artemis were twins… I’d love to show you the wonderful world of Star Wars sometime if you’re providing drinks; which leaves the important question: When are rockstars free? ~ your rebel in crime MC

He quickly flipped up his calendar, checking his schedule before replying.

Her phone buzzed as her friends walked home from the bar, still chattering about her luck with the lead of their newest favorite band. Opening the text she saw the message.

Sebastian: How about tomorrow at 4? My place?

She smirked reading the text and quickly shooting a reply and continuing her walk home feeling much lighter and now excited for the following day with her mystery rockstar.

Sounds perfect. I have a lighter to return :)

[builtbybrokenbells]

Hate To Love You

Being around him was unbearable. You weren’t sure why he hated you as much as he did, but he ensured that you were aware of it any time he saw you. After one night of taking it too far, the full story finally comes out.

Read part two here

Pairing: Sam Kiszka x f!reader

Word Count: just under 6k

Warnings: SMUT 18+, unprotected sex (pls wrap it before you tap it), oral (m!receiving), oral (f!receiving), fingering (f!receiving) dirty talk, hair pulling, slight exhibitionism, sex in a public place (sort of), swearing, insulting, dickhead sam, drinking, bit of a love triangle more so at the end, sorry if i missed any!

smutty enemies to lovers, my weakness. Enjoy! sorry for any grammatical errors, please be kind :) also maybe a part two if anyone is interested?

~

The door to Danny’s apartment flung open, causing a collective whip of heads to turn and look towards it. Sam Kiszka stumbled in, clearly tipsy and looking a bit disheveled. You clenched your jaw at the sight of him, hoping by some power of the gods he wouldn’t show up tonight, although you knew your wish was not likely to come true. He was always around, looming and seeming to want to do whatever he could to ruin your mood.

Music was softly playing through the room, bodies were crowded in every corner, and your drink was quickly reaching the end. As if some higher power was willing you to have a terrible time tonight, Sam’s eyes immediately fell on you. A frown quickly twisted on his lips as he made his way towards you. If you weren’t so scared of looking weak, you would’ve cowered away from him, but you stood your ground. His hand rested on your arm as he leaned in to whisper something to you. “You know, when you’re here, they should really give me a warning before I show up,” he said. You casted your eyes to look at his face. He smelled like booze and cigarettes as if he’d just stumbled out of a dive bar.

“Why is that, Samuel?” You made sure to elongate your words with an annoying drawl, just to piss him off.

“So I can prepare myself for a terrible fucking night.” He let your arm go with a little push, causing you to lose your footing slightly. No more words were shared before he disappeared into the group of people behind you. His cologne lingered in the air for moment, making it harder to forget he had arrived. You brushed the interaction off, knowing that Sam was always going to be the way he was and you couldn’t let it bother you.

As you made your way to the kitchen to pour another drink, you ran into the host of the nights event. “Pipsqueak!” Danny called over to you. You had to laugh at the nickname. He started using it within days of meeting you, just a gentle joke poking fun at your height. Of course he’d thought you were short, most of the time he failed to realize that almost everyone was short compared to him. He wrapped his arms around you, engulfing you in a hug. “What’s your drink of choice?” He asked, motioning to the bottles of liquor displayed on the counter.

“Whatever you’re making me.” You smiled, taking a seat on one of the chairs. Danny was always a ray of sunshine, sober or not. He made everyone’s day better just by existing. He was the first you’d met out of any of the members of Greta Van Fleet. You had been sitting by your lonesome at a bar one night after a final blowout with your shitty ex-boyfriend. You’d found solace in the cheap tequila shots at the nearest dingy bar. He stopped for a drink after a long day at the studio. It was like fate meeting him that night. He was a very attractive guy, but the friendship you’d blossomed with him that day was something you’d been craving since you made your start in the city. Under different circumstances, you may have let him take you home that night.

You were never the best at making friends. Not because you were mean or any other outstanding baggage, but mostly because you were awkward. You’d spent your entire high school career dating the same toxic guy, and moved in with him almost immediately after graduation. There was never much time to make any friends other than him, simply because he wouldn’t allow it. So, the social cues you should have grown into simply passed you by. Danny was like a breath of fresh air, never minding your stuttering or uncertainties with the whole bonding process. He took to you immediately, imploring you to hang out with him and his friends.

That night he listened to your story with no judgement and even offered you somewhere to stay until you’d found your own place. You brushed it off, thanking him, but you already had one lined up. The breakup was long overdue and you were nothing short of a planner, always having an exit strategy. Instead, he came with you as the entourage as you collected your things from your ex’s house. He helped you move in, wanting to get to know you, and ended up wine drunk with you by the end of the night. It was a perfect housewarming activity. Within the next weeks, he’d introduced you to his best friends, who all had the same welcoming personalities. You were finally at peace with a group of people who made you feel like you belonged.

In the beginning, Sam was just as kind and charismatic as Danny was. You had even found yourself falling for him a little bit. But something changed somewhere along the line and you never really knew what it was. One day he’d went over to Danny’s apartment to share a cool bit of music he’d thought up and found you lounging in his kitchen, clearly freshly woken up. You’d stayed over after a night of bar hopping with your new-found best friend. Danny was still asleep as you made breakfast, which wasn’t a rare occurrence. It looked a little domestic to anyone else, but there was no chance of anything more ever happening between the two of you. Simply just two friends who loved spending time together.

Sam was stunned seeing you in that state, stuttering as he greeted you. He didn’t even stay to show Danny what he’d written. He was out of there faster than he’d arrived. The dynamic shifted that day. It started off slow with him being more passive with you, less engaged, but as time went on it had turned into hatred. It was if he couldn’t even stand the thought of being in the same room as you. There was never a reason why, or an explanation of any sort. Things were just different.

“Whatcha thinking about, pip?” Danny asked, mixing a drink for you. Your eyes looked up to meet his, immediately growing a smile on your lips.

“Nothing too interesting,” you replied. He stuck a straw into the solo cup, bringing it up to your lips. You took a sip, swallowing down whatever concoction he’d made for you. You let out a hum of pleasure, nodding your head in appreciation. “That’s so good!” You exclaimed. He laughed at your reaction, setting the cup in front of you. “You know, if the music thing doesn’t work you, you’d make a great bartender.”

“Maybe in twenty years we can open a bar together, like a family restaurant but instead of good food, really strong drinks that will knock you on your ass. Then we can force our kids to take it over when we retire.” He laughed.

“Exactly!” You giggled, grabbing your cup to take another drink. At that moment, someone had bumped into the back of your chair, causing you to spill the liquid all over the front of your dress. “Shit!” You yelled, standing quickly.

“Sorry, didn’t see you there.” The voice sounded from behind you. You gritted your teeth, knowing exactly who it belonged to.

“Fuck you, Sam.” You said, not even having to look at him.

“You wish!” He said, carrying on to whatever he’d been intending to do. Danny gave you a sympathetic look, scrambling for some paper towels. You cleaned yourself off as best you could, anger radiating from you.

“Fucking asshole.” You mumbled, tossing the wet paper into a trash bin.

“Sorry about him,” Danny said, but you stopped him before it went any further.

“Dont,” you stated. “You’re not responsible for him, you don’t have to apologize on his behalf. I’m quite aware of what he’s like by now.” You let out a humourless chuckle.

“I don’t know why he’s like that, though. He loved you when I brought you to meet everyone.” Danny said, clearly not understanding his distaste for you any more than you did. You shrugged.

“Guess it doesn’t really matter why, cause it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna change any time soon.” Danny reached out and placed a large hand on your shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He pulled you into his side, wrapping his arm around your shoulder. He knew how much it bothered you.

Eventually you two had parted ways, him getting pulled away by another friend. You found yourself mingling with a small group of people you’d seen around a few times at previous gatherings. Your eyes wandered around the room. Danny had quite a spacious apartment, and somehow always managed to escape a noise complaint. Your gaze fell upon the one person you wanted to avoid all night. He was next to a girl who you’d never seen before, leaning into her and saying something that was causing a blush to rise to her cheeks.

A tinge of jealousy ran through you. You had to shake it off, completely shocked at the emotion. There was no world where you thought you’d find yourself envious of any of the girls Sam found himself wrapped around. You chalked it up to the copious amount of liquor in your system, maybe making your loneliness a bit more evident than it was when you were sober. In truth, you were. You’d never even had a date after your breakup the year prior. At first it was willing, not wanting to end up entangled with another asshole again. Recently, it was more of routine than anything else. You’d grown comfortable with your empty apartment, your own space how you liked it with nobody to disturb the peace. That didn’t mean you weren’t human, though. Everyone craves intimacy by times.

You made your way back over to the seat you’d been in earlier. You wished Danny would come back to mix you another one of the drinks he’d made you. You tried your best, but it was always too strong or way too sweet. You had to laugh at your own alcoholic incompetence. You didn’t start drinking until you were legal age to do so. Maybe it was because you were a bit of a goody-two shoes growing up, or perhaps that you really just didn’t like the taste of it. Either way, you were still trying to find the ropes of mixing your own beverages and always seemed to fail miserably.

You hummed along to the music playing through the speaker, minding your own business. You didn’t feel the need to be constantly conversing at events like this; sometimes, you’d rather sit back and take it all in. As you pulled out your phone to check the time, you felt a body present itself next to you. You looked up to see a guy you’d occasionally seen hanging around with the boys, but you couldn’t place his face to a name. You gave him a smile as he sat down beside you. “Hey, y/n, right?” He asked. You nodded, taking in his features. He was relatively attractive, but not someone you’d seek out intentionally.

“Yeah, that’s me.” You answered.

“I’ve heard lots of great things from Danny, I just thought I’d come over and keep you company. You looked a little lonesome over here by yourself.” He offered a smile, a quite cute one at that.

“I wouldn’t mind that at all.” You shifted to face him so you could get a better look at him. He was tall, but not as tall as Danny or Sam. You still had to look up to meet his eyes. “What’s your name?” You asked, suddenly embarrassed that he knew you but you didn’t know him.

“Oh, I’m Scott.” He said, suddenly reaching his hand out for you to shake it. You took it, letting the touch linger for a moment. “Sorry, I guess we’ve never really properly met each other.” He let out a nervous chuckle.

“We have lots of time, now.” You offered.

You lost yourself in conversation with him, finding out he had quite the sense of humour. You’d found yourself getting tipsier by the minute, losing your rigidness the more the time went on. He had said something particularly funny, causing you to lean into him while you laughed, resting a hand on his shoulder. He took the opportunity to snake an arm around you, and you didn’t mind it in the slightest. In the midst of him beginning to ask you about yourself, a hand presented itself on your shoulder, as well as one on his. You looked back to see Sam looming over you. You had to stop yourself from rolling your eyes.

“Hello, Samuel.” You said, dryly. He ignored you and turned to the boy beside you.

“I see you’ve met y/n!” He boomed. Scott nodded, not sensing the tension in the air.

“Yeah, we were just getting to know each other. She’s great!” Scott replied. Sam gave a laugh, nodding as if to agree.

“She sure is, but be careful, man, she’s quite the catch. I’d hate for her to cause anything between you and Danny boy.” He informed him, causing you to shoot him a look of confusion.

“What do you mean, man?” He asked back.

“Well, they’re quite involved, if you get what I’m saying.” Sam chuckled. He recoiled at the words, looking between you and Sam. “Oh, she didn’t tell you?” Scott shook his head, clearing his throat.

“Well, uh, it was nice talking to you, y/n.” He stood, excusing himself. Your stomach dropped. When Scott was out of earshot, you turned on Sam.

“What the fuck was that?” You seethed. Sam scoffed.

“You’re flirting with Danny’s friend, in his own house. That’s pretty low, even for you.” He announced. You stood, too, grabbing onto his arm and dragging him into the hallway for a little more privacy.

“I don’t know what idea you have in your head, but it’s wrong.” You informed him. “Unless you really wanted to go above and beyond to make me miserable tonight.” You let go of him, turning to face him now.

“The idea that you’ve been fucking Danny and flirting with everyone else behind his back? I’m pretty sure that I’ve got that pretty clear.” He shot back, arms crossed over his chest.

“Are you delusional?” You asked, incredulously. “I’m not sure what world you’re living in, but Danny and I are most definitely not fucking.” A look of uncertainty flashed in Sam’s eyes. “And not that it’s any of your business, but we never have.” His posture slipped a bit, relaxing slightly.

“He seems to like you an awful lot, and you’re always over here, or he’s at your place. I have a pretty hard time believing that.” He said, still on the defensive. If he didn’t hate you so much, you could almost believe he was jealous.

“Because we’re friends, Sam!” You shouted, shoving your hands into his chest. He faltered, running into the wall behind him. “If you could get past your own ego and talk to me for ten seconds, you would know that! Maybe you would also know that he’s the only friend I’ve ever really had, so yeah, we’re pretty close!” You we’re fuming.

“Oh, so I’m the bad guy because I don’t like you?” He snapped back now, catching the attention of a few stray people passing by. “If I remember correctly, you were the one who started flirting with me, and then I walk in one day to you making breakfast in Danny’s kitchen with just his shirt on!” You stepped back when he spoke, not expecting him to explode like that. As soon as he’d said the words, the months of passive-aggressiveness seemed to make so much more sense. “I thought that maybe you actually liked me, that it was going somewhere, and then I walk in on you in my best friends kitchen like that?” He was getting closer to you with every word he said. The tension was immeasurable. You were both furious.

“Maybe instead of running away, you could’ve just talked to me like a normal person! Then you went on your little fucking power trip, being an asshole to me whenever you got the chance. Do you get off to it, treating me like shit?” Your noses were practically touching by now.

“It kills me, actually.” He was speaking lowly, now, just for you to hear. “Because even if you’re a fucking slut, somehow I still feel the same way about you as I did back then.” He admitted. “But it’s always Danny this, Danny that, he’s the best guy in the whole world and Sam’s just a douchebag, right? I get to watch him love you and get chastised because you broke my fucking heart.” You could’ve strangled him on the spot.

“You’re an idiot, Sam.” You shook your head. “You are so fucking stupid.” You laughed. He didn’t know how to respond, watching you intensely as you formulated your next sentence. “I was falling for you too, Sam. You broke my heart, too.” You spat. “Everything is not always about you!” You saw something flash in his eyes. Remorse, maybe? You weren’t sure.

“Do you still feel that way?” His tone still patronizing, but laced with curiosity.

“No,” you hissed. “You may be attractive, but you’re still a dick. I liked you when you didn’t want to make my life a living hell.”

“So you think I’m hot?” He smirked.

“Fuck off, Sam.” You tried to push past him and rejoin the party. He grabbed your wrist as you passed him, pulling you back to face him.

“I asked you a question.”

“I’m not going to sit here and stroke your ego all night.” You pulled at your arm, trying to shake him off. He pulled you in closer, letting his free hand rest on your hip. Goosebumps prickled your skin as you looked up at him through your eyelashes.

“I was kind of hoping you’d stroke something else.” As cringey as the pass was, you couldn’t help but feel your breath catch in your throat. His grip on you tightened slightly, but you didn’t want to give him any satisfaction.

“In your dreams, Kiszka.” You breathed, unsure of why he was affecting you so much. You hated him.

“Oh, yeah. I’ve dreamt about it a lot.” He was leaning down, lips resting on your ear now. The feeling of his breath on your skin ignited something in you, suddenly not caring about the months of shit he’d given you.

“Then why don’t you do something about it, already?” His grip on your waist tightened just before he snaked his hand around to your lower back, moving to the side and pushing you in front of him. He guided you into the nearest open door, which happened to be the bathroom, and closed it behind him. You had no time to process what he was doing before you were lifted onto the counter, Sam between your legs and his lips on yours.

You wasted no time getting your hands on him, pulling him closer to you. The bulge in his jeans was growing more noticeable by the second and his hands were clawing at the bottom of your dress. His fingers slipped underneath, teasing you through the lace of your panties. You let a moan slip out into his mouth, suddenly becoming hyper aware of where you were and who could hear you. “Sam,” you said against his lips. He didn’t stop but he switched to kissing down your neck, sucking marks into the soft skin. “S-Sammy,” you whined. He hummed against you, pulling your underwear to the side and running his hands through the pool of wetness. “We can’t do this here!” You whispered, but your body was betraying you. You were grinding yourself against his hand, begging for friction.

“You want me to stop?” He mumbled, mouth now down to your collarbone. His unoccupied hand freed one of your tits from the top of your dress, wasting no time pulling it into his mouth. You let out a hiss of pleasure, trying to find the willpower to push him off of you. He let his fingers slip inside of you, making it even harder for you to tell him to stop. “That’s what I thought, princess.”

“Can you at least lock the door?” You pleaded, finally making him pull his head away, but his fingers remained steady. He looked at you, lust clouding his vision. He gave a smirk before he spoke.

“I’ll make you a deal,” he drawled, pulling your chin up so you would look him in the eyes. “I’m going to get you off, and if you can stay completely silent, I’ll lock the door before I fuck you.”

“Sam-“

“Ah,” he cut you off, letting his thumb trail over your bottom lip. “Or, I can just leave you here like this, dripping and aching for someone to take care of you.” Your eyes widened in shock, not willing to call his bluff. ‘Still an asshole even in the bedroom.’ You made a mental note. But, it was fucking hot. “Up to you,”

“I can be quiet.” You promised. He let his thumb that was tracing your lip push past them. You opened your mouth slightly, allowing easier access, then closing it around it. You suctioned your mouth for a moment, and then let him pull it away. It left your lips with a gentle pop. He let out a long exhale.

“I know you can, baby. Just be good for me for a little while, and I’ll lock the door for you.” You nodded, eager for him to keep touching you. His fingers moving inside you weren’t enough, you needed more. He pulled his hand from you, bent down slightly and hooked his arms under your thighs. He pulled your ass forward, bunching the bottom of your dress in his hands and got down on his knees. Your breath caught in your throat just watching him between your thighs. Not once did you think you’d end up here.

He ran his tongue through your folds, getting a taste of what he’d been doing to you for the last few minutes. His attention landed on your clit, which had been begging for him all night. Just with a swirl of his tongue, you were trying not to scream his name. He could tell just how much he was affecting you, and it was driving him crazy. He suctioned his lips around the bundle of nerves, causing you to reach your hand to his hair. It only drove him to work harder, now adding his fingers back to you. You were biting your lips and trying to steady your breathing, praying a noise wouldn’t slip from your mouth. He was secretly hoping you would, just to get the satisfaction. He curled his fingers, hitting a spot inside you that caused you to pull on the strands of hair you had in your grasp. He pulled away for a moment to catch his breath. “Fuck you taste good, baby.”

Your feeling of desperation was immeasurable. You wanted so badly to say his name, make some noise to show him how good he was making you feel, but the idea of someone hearing you made hold back. Sam was pumping his fingers at an agonizing pace, using his tongue to drive you over the edge. He wanted someone to hear you, to know that you were making noise just for him. Within minutes, you were at your end, the knot in your stomach growing by the second. You bit down on your tongue in a last ditch to silence yourself, but when his tongue ghosted over your clit one last time and you lost yourself to pleasure, his name tumbled from your lips along with a gasp. You gripped his hair hard enough that he had to fight to keep his mouth on you. When you came down from the high, your limbs felt like putty. “I-I’m s-sorry,” you stuttered as he came back up to his feet. Your orgasm was glistening on his chin as he pulled you in for a kiss.

“Don’t apologize to me, I could listen to you say my name like that all day.” He breathed. His hand reached to the doorknob, clicking the lock. “I don’t want anyone interrupting this.” He said, pulling at the buckle of his belt. You hit his hands out of the way, wanting to do it yourself. You slid off the counter, praying you could stay steady on your feet just for a moment. You undid the button of his jeans and pulled his zipper down. With one swift moment you pulled his cock free and dropped to your knees.

A gasp of surprise came from him as you took him in your mouth, swirling your tongue around the tip. He balled your hair in his fist, letting his head fall back with a groan. You relaxed your jaw and took him as far as you could into your mouth, bobbing up and down. “Fuck, y/n.” He muttered, looking down at you. “You look so pretty like this.” Your eyes fluttered up to meet his. The look on his face was enough to send you over the edge, but you kept going, wanting to make him feel the same way he’d made you feel. You bobbed your head down once more and he bucked his hips forward, causing a gag to overtake you. He pulled you off of him by your hair in an instant, feeling slightly bad for his earlier action. “I need you to stop before I cum. I still need to fuck you, remember?” His tone was breathy, trying to sound arrogant but failing slightly.

Just as you sprung back to your feet, he pulled you in for another kiss, filled with neediness. He pulled away, spinning you around and pushing you down so your chest was flush with the counter. He hiked your dress up again, this time far enough up that your ass was exposed. You felt his hands brush over it softly, giving a gentle squeeze while he admired the view. It was the most tame he’d acted with you all night. As if he’d realized it too, you felt a sharp smack, eliciting a gasp from you. He pulled your underwear to the side again, lining himself up with your cunt and showing no mercy thrusting into you. A yelp escaped from your lips, but you silenced yourself quickly. He grabbed your hair in his fist again, pulling your head back and leaning down so his lips were on your ear.

“Keep your fucking mouth shut,” he hissed, teeth grazing over your earlobe. “I’m going to keep going, now. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sammy.” You rushed out.

“That’s my good girl.” He said, pulling away from you. “I love those noises baby, but I want to keep them all to myself.” Fuck, he was hot. You didn’t have any time to ponder over the words, because he’d resumed his pace, fucking into you desperately. He had one hand on your hip and the other still knotted in your hair. You hoped the music in the main room was covering the noises of his skin slapping on yours, but you wanted him so badly you didn’t care. “Fuck you feel good.” He growled, loosening his grip on your hair so he could move his other hand to your waist.

“Harder, please, Sammy.” You pleaded.

“You asked for it,” he groaned, more to himself than you. He dug his fingers into your hips and pulled you back onto him as he thrusted into you. You couldn’t help but let a choked moan out, but he didn’t care enough to chastise you for it. He kept up his pace, hitting your cervix with every re-entry.

“I’m gonna…” you trailed off, voice wobbly from the pleasure and the pace he was fucking you at.

“You wanna cum, princess?” He asked. All you could do was hum a noise of affirmation. “Okay, baby,” he mumbled. “Cum for me.” He demanded, but you could tell that underneath the authority he was begging for you to do so. With a few more thrusts, you found yourself coming undone, your legs giving out from underneath you.

“Fuck, Sam!” You gasped. In an instant, his hand flung around you to cover your mouth, stifling any noises or profanities you couldn’t hold back. He wasn’t far behind you, twitching inside you and hips faltering. He pulled you onto him one more time, holding you in place. He lost his composure, leaning down on top of you as he reached his own orgasm. He managed to mutter your name while he turned your head to the side to connect your mouths again.

Heavy breathing filled the otherwise silent room. You were both covered in sweat, in no shape to go out and face the crowd of people outside. He pulled out of you, moving his hand under you to avoid any mess spilling out. You laid on the counter for a moment, not feeling strong enough to hold yourself up. He pulled you panties back in place, leaning down and leaving a small kiss on your asscheek, then sucking a mark into it. You let a giggle out as he pulled your dress back down. “That’s for me to see, later.” He assured you. He pulled his pants back up and buckled his belt.

“I have to get cleaned up.” You informed him, finally pushing yourself up off the counter. You made a move to push past him, but he stopped you.

“Fix your hair and your makeup and get back out there.” He said, no look of joking in his features.

“But Sam-“

“You heard me.” He said, placing another kiss to your lips. You felt yourself throb at his order. “You’re gonna go out there and hope you don’t make a mess anywhere, and in twenty minutes, you’re going to meet me outside and we’re going to leave.” He informed you. You couldn’t even protest, his tone turning you on again as soon as the words left his mouth.

“Where are we going?” You asked.

“To my place, and then you’re going to let me hear all of those pretty noises I missed out on.” He said, pulling you in for one more kiss. “And then maybe tomorrow I can take you on a real date, make up for… well, everything.” His voice was softer now, taking your cheek in his hand and running a delicate thumb over it.

“I’d like that.” You assured him. A small smile broke out on his face. Your heart fluttered. It had been a long time since he’d smiled at you.

“Me, too.” It was crazy how different he was acting in comparison to just a few moments before. “You should cover up those hickeys, too. If we haven’t been caught yet, we will be if you walk out with those on display.” He chuckled. You turned to look in the mirror, inspecting the damage. He was right, he had left a few marks that were darkening already. You wiped away the smudged mascara and lipstick, thankful you hadn’t worn too much makeup.

You straightened your hair out and ran a hand through it, brushing out any knots that had formed. Sam admired you, looking at your face in the mirror. He felt like shit that he’d been so mad at you for no real reason, and that he was so hurt he never bothered to ask you for the full story. But, the looming knowledge that he held made him feel even worse. Danny was most certainly in love with you, and he’d just fucked you in his bathroom. “I think this is as good as it’s gonna get.” You sighed.

“Beautiful,” Sam said, pulling you back into him. “I’m sorry for being a dick.” He mumbled, lips pressed into your hair.

“You’ll make up for it.” You smiled into his chest. He nodded, huffing out a sigh. Guilt had begun to eat him alive. “Y/n?”

“Yeah?”

“Does Danny know that you don’t have feelings for him?” You looked up to him, wondering why he’d bring this up right now.

“I mean, I never said it explicitly, but I’ve also never made any advances either. I don’t see why he would think I do. He’s never even brought anything up in regards to it, either.” You said. Sam nodded, taking a sharp intake of breath. “Why?”

“I think that maybe you should talk to him.”

“Why?” You asked again. He stayed silent, fingers dancing over your cheekbones. “Sam, why should I talk to him?” You pressed.

“If we’re gonna do whatever this is, he should be the first to know.” He eased into it. Your stomach dropped, knowing exactly what he was hinting at.

“You knew he had feelings for me?” You whispered. “And you had sex with me in his bathroom?”

“I know,” he ran a hand through his hair. “Probably not the smartest move on my part.”

“You think?”

“Fuck, y/n, I’m not trying to be the bad guy!” He exclaimed. “I’ve been in love with you for just as long! Maybe I could’ve went about it differently, but we don’t have to tell him this part exactly!” Your stomach churned with anxiety. “If you knew that before, would you still have done it?”

“Of course not!” Sam recoiled as if you’d shot him. Your eyes widened. “No, not like that, Sam!” He relaxed a bit. “I mean, yes I still would’ve gotten with you, but not here! I like you, Sammy, and I have from the beginning, but I don’t want to hurt him, ever. He’s my best friend!”

“He’s mine, too!” He snapped back. You took a deep breath.

“Listen, it’s okay. We’ll figure it out.” You said, taking his hand into yours and intertwining your fingers. “I want to be with you, I really do. I’ve always liked you, although you were quite the asshole for a while, I still do. I wouldn’t have had sex with you if I didn’t.” You reiterated your earlier point to soothe his worry. He leaned into you, nodding at your words.

“I want to be with you, too. We’ll make it work, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure he’s alright, too.” He said softly. “But the bathroom incident stays a secret for the rest of our lives.” You let out a giggle.

“Alright, then.” You stood on your tip-toes to place a kiss on his lips. “I’d still like you to take me home with you, tonight, if you’d have me.” You whispered. “We don’t have to do anything, I think I’d just like to be there with you.”

“Of course, princess. I couldn’t think of anything I’d want more.”

.

Part two, perhaps?

[imkazz]

happy birthday genya!!! have some angst, have some fluff! (be warned before you open this, the word count is over 6k)

link to ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/52265803/chapters/133764163

“What a peculiar Blood Demon Art,” Shinobu nonchalantly giggled, “there’s not much we can do until it wears off… you defeated the demon, right Genya-kun?”

“I did…” Genya wearily replied, shuffling around the smaller human resting unconsciously in his arms. “How long do you think until..?”

“Possibly the rest of the day,” hummed Shinobu, shuffling around some papers, “but this is interesting indeed. Aoi, please show Genya to a room, for a little while?”

Outside, Aoi walked over and opened the door, motioning for the slayer to follow her. With a quick bow, Genya matched paces with the girl, who shot a glance at Genya’s arms. “What happened with that?”

“A… Blood Demon Art,” Genya explained, “hit me. The demon said something about my past? And this is me… maybe eight or nine years old.”

Aoi didn't bother trying to hide her gaze at the little Genya dozing in teenager Genya’s hold. She shook it off and opened the door to a private room. “Feel free to use this room, breakfast in around an hour. We can also try to prepare some sort of clothing for him- you? Yeah.”

“Thank you, Aoi-san.” Genya quietly shut the door with his foot, turning to the bed pushed into the corner of the room. He went over and… placed his own, younger self onto the bed, pursing his lips for a second before rubbing some grime off his younger self’s face.

Genya breathed deeply and sank into a chair nearby, already changed into the Butterfly Mansion’s patient clothing since his own uniform got torn. His minimal injuries had already gotten treated by the Insect Hashira, since he hadn’t resorted to his cheap trick of eating demons.

His yukata was ripped, though… just near the seam, so it would be an easier fix than some other damages the purple fabric had seen. Genya ran a hand through his hair, looking back at his younger self, face shining in the dying moonlight.

The curved shadows on his face had almost no meat, a childish, smooth face with no hint of a scar and hair shorter than what it was, when he was a teenager, along with thick eyelashes that would later be defined by some mascara.

He looked young.

Then, his eyes opened.

Very thinly veiled panic filled the younger’s face, though the two engaged in a lengthy staring contest, challenging each other to see who would react first, like a deadly duel.

Teenager Genya was proud to say that Gyomei’s lessons on patience paid off.

“Who’re you?!” Tiny Genya scrambled up, scooting away. “Where’s ‘Nemi?! Kaa-chan!”

“Hey, hey,” older Genya reached forwards, pulling out his long-disused comforting voice, which used to be reserved for his younger siblings, “you’re alright, you’re safe. N- ‘Nemi’s not here right now, but can you just breathe with me?”

Genya tensed as his younger self threw a punch. It didn't hurt at all, even with it going right to his solar plexus, but it hurt more knowing just how weak he was. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Genya continued talking calmly with his tinier self, making no sudden movements and not changing anything he was saying.

Eventually, after what felt like hours but he realistically guessed was maybe ten minutes, Genya managed to get his smaller self to at least hear him out. “I know it’s confusing, but some bad guys brought you to the future.”

“What kind of bad guys?” Genya huffed, crossing his thin arms.

The older one sighed. “It’s… complicated, but they can do magic.”

“And I believe you why..?” Tiny Genya scoffed.

“I’m you,” Genya explained to himself, “but older.”

A second of silence passed over the room. “Where’d you- I get that scar?”

Oh, fuck. Genya didn't want to answer that. “The bad guys, some years ago. This uniform means I fight them. Anyone wearing this uniform fights them.”

The younger Genya squinted in suspicion, until his eyes landed on something on his older self’s body, next to the black uniform he was holding up. “What’s that, then?”

“A sword,” Genya boasted, “wanna hold it? I use it to kill bad guys.”

“Is it real?” Genya reached out his small hands to grab the saya from the teenager, then gaping as real, actually sharp metal got pulled out. “Oh my gods.”

“Don't hurt yourself,” chided Genya, watching the child wave the wakizashi carefully, “but all of us have a sword. Isn't that cool?”

“Wow…” the younger Genya peered at the sword, then lowering it. “Where’s ‘Nemi? Teiko, Hiroshi, Sumi? Shuuya and the baby in mom’s tummy?”

Genya paused for a moment, looking over his own, immature face. “I don't know, right now. Sanemi might be on a mission, though.”

“A mission?!” Genya jumped up, making the bed squeak as he hopped up and down. The older Genya took the wakizashi back and slid it into the saya. “Sanemi also fights bad guys?! Of course he does, but we get to do it together!”

Genya felt his heart pang, as his younger self continued giggling innocently, spinning around as he jumped. A knock at the door stopped him, as it opened quietly to reveal Kanao. “Am I interrupting? We only found a jinbei from when I was younger…”

“Hi!” Genya grinned, his older version freezing at the abrupt and loud voice. “Are we friends?”

Kanao paused, glancing up at the teenage counterpart, who was blushing with embarrassment. She nodded and smiled. “I think that we are, Genya-kun.”

The small Genya cheered. Kanao placed down the jinbei on the bed, heading back out the door. “Breakfast might be postponed slightly, Aoi went out to town for something.”

“It’s alright, Kanao…” Genya mumbled, as the girl shut the door. 

“She’s pretty!” The smaller one rolled around on the bed. “She was wearing that uniform, too, so that means she hunts bad guys!”

“Just hurry up and change…” Genya tossed the clothes into the smaller face. He wouldn't give the kid a sexuality crisis at the moment…

“Hey, hey, me…” Genya hummed in reply, whilst tying the final bow on the jinbei. “What day is it today?”

“July sixteenth.” He responded, making his younger self slump. “Why?”

“I mean… I was sleeping, and…” Genya’s voice dropped to a whisper so that only his teenage self could hear, “it’s my eighth birthday tomorrow. So this would be a real cool dream.”

Genya blinked, the knot half-finished. He recalled having some sort of nice dream, that birthday, that he couldn't quite remember… was that it? Was he helping himself have that nice dream? 

“Can I play with your sword more?” Genya returned to reality with the childish voice calling out to him.

“No.” He answered immediately.

“Can't believe I’m boring, in the future…” grumbled Genya. “I wanna look around more!”

Well, that couldn't harm anyone. “Sure,” Genya shrugged and opened the door, immediately regretting it as his younger self zoomed out. Damn, he was a hyperactive kid. 

Tanjiro stretched out his muscles as he started getting out of his training mindset, for breakfast. To keep up with a slayer’s nocturnal sleep schedule, Tanjiro would simply meditate whilst healing at the Butterfly Mansion, controlling his Breathing more and reflecting on himself.

The pitter-patter of tiny feet snapped Tanjiro out of his routine, as he looked around for the source whilst also sniffing. Something slightly demonic, but not strong… maybe the result of some sort of Blood Demon Art? Accompanying it came the scent of evergreens, maybe the hint of something earthy.

“Come back here, you little gremlin!” Tanjiro watched a young child dashing through the halls of the Butterfly Mansion, being quickly pursued by a much taller, gangly guy yelling at him. 

“What a weirdo, talking to yourself!” The child giggled ferociously while running, skidding through the halls with his bare feet thudding against the wooden floors.

Tanjiro blinked a couple times before resuming stretching. He groaned as his lower back crackled. 

“Gotcha!” Genya grabbed at his smaller self, encasing the little kid with his body in a huge bear hug before starting to tickle, not letting free even with the light hits small Genya gave whilst squirming and shrieking for freedom.

After some time, however, both of them became so overcome with laughter that they just lay on the hallway floor, heaving for air. A shadow fell over them, making two pairs of purple eyes open simultaneously. “If you two are done being a commotion to patients, then breakfast is ready.”

“Sorry, Kochou-san!” Genya sat up, grabbing his smaller self as well. “We'll get washed up!”

Genya let himself be dragged away by the teenager, only turning to spare one last glance. “She’s pretty! Like kaa-chan!”

Genya’s face burst aflame, his only saving grace being that his back was to the hashira. He hissed and dragged the eight-year-old along faster. Shinobu giggled into her hand.

“Did you go to town for watermelon?” Genya asked Aoi, when the girl presented it after everyone finished breakfast.

“I mean, might as well give him a treat.” Aoi gestured at the smaller Genya chomping away at the fruit. “What do you plan to do today?”

“Mmm, he said that he was brought here when he was sleeping, the night before his- my- our birthday,” Genya stammered, “so maybe just treat him still.”

“Huh.” Aoi hummed, before leaning in towards the boy’s ear. “By the way, Shinobu-sama sent Shinazugawa-san a crow about this.”

Genya jerked upright. “Sanemi knows about this?”

“If he even listens to her crow,” Aoi scoffed and crossed her arms, “you have no idea how he ignores other hashira’s crows.”

Genya wilted. He knew exactly how much Sanemi could ignore a crow. Aoi backtracked. “I mean, more like-”

“I get it,” Genya waved her off with a smile, continuing to pick out the seeds from the fruit, “thank you for going out of your way to get this watermelon.”

“Are you a picky eater? Or were you?” Aoi glanced down at Genya’s fingers. Genya thought back to chomping into demon flesh, eating mud because he was so hungry, and resorting to devouring rats on the street before he met Gyomei.

“No.” Genya grunted. “Watermelon seeds can grow in your stomach.”

Aoi started laughing at him. Genya flushed as he handed over the seedless watermelon slice to his younger self, who continued eating. “Who told you that?!”

“...Sanemi.” Genya mumbled under his breath, making Aoi only wheeze harder. They were starting to draw attention, the very serious girl who ran the Butterfly Estate in stitches with a tall, scary looking dude looking embarrassed with a smaller, carbon copy of himself gobbling down watermelon.

“How- how old were you?” Aoi gulped in air, clutching her stomach to try and stifle the laughter. 

“Four.” Genya grumbled, getting up just as the smaller Genya finished up with the watermelon. “Let’s go.”

“Hey, hey, me!” The smaller one squeezed the older’s hand for attention. “Where’re we going?”

“Another big house,” Genya replied, walking briskly, “with different people inside.”

“Can you slow down?” Genya whined, making his little feet go faster. “And you aren’t telling me anything-”

Genya stopped walking to kneel down, pulling his younger self onto his back. “There, now we can go faster.”

Genya squealed as his bigger self hoisted him up, walking much faster than they ever could have if Genya continued walking with his much tinier legs. Genya couldn’t help but chuckle as his younger self continued babbling along, bringing them back along a familiar road to the Stone Estate.

“Tadaima-!” Genya called out when he entered the estate, then lowering himself off his back, the two of them quickly taking off their shoes. The morning air brought some crisp into the rooms, where Genya led his smaller self around.

“Do you live here?” The smaller one asked, almost in awe.

“Yeah,” Genya shrugged, catching a glance at the younger’s face.

“That’s so cool!” The younger one jumped around. “It’s so big and expensive!”

“These guys get paid whatever they want,” Genya explained, “so it’s obvious they get big houses.”

“They do?!” Genya gasped at himself. “What kind of guys?!”

“Hashira, they’re the strongest of all of us in this job, to kill bad guys.” Genya peeked into a couple rooms to no avail, his huge mentor nowhere to be found.

“Are we hashira?” Genya tugged at his own pant sleeve. 

The older one shook his head slowly. “Anyone with gold buttons is, but silver just means people below.”

“Wow…” Genya fiddled with the silver button his future self wore, “we have to become a hashira! Right, me? To feed kaa-chan and the kids!”

“Course…” Genya mumbled, patting the younger’s head. “We have to become a hashira.”

“Sanemi!” Genya called out, clutching his new uniform tight. “W- wait!”

“Aah?” A chalky voice met Genya’s still childish one. “Who’re you?”

“Sa- ‘Nemi, it’s me,” he stammered, “your otouto. Genya.”

“I don’t have a brother.” Sanemi spat, eyes glaring viciously, “get lost.”

“W- wait!” Genya reached out to clutch the older’s white sleeve, where the back was decorated with the kanji for kill. “I-”

“Said to get lost, didn’t I?!” Sanemi growled, fist tightening as he yanked his arm back, “so do it. Hashira’s orders.”

“He might be out back,” Genya led his younger self through the hallways, “training or something.”

“Who’s he?!” He asked his older self, who was stepping outdoors, “is it Sanemi?”

“No,” Genya said as nonchalantly as possible, “my teacher. Himejima-san.”

“Is he a hashira?” The younger one stayed with the older one on the unfamiliar pathways. 

“Yeah,” Genya grinned, “the strongest of them all.”

“Seriously?!” Genya gasped and jumped, “that means we have a real good chance of becoming a hashira!”

“Himejima-san!” Genya called out, shushing himself to keep the younger from crushing the older’s dreams even more. “I’m back! I was hit by some sort of Blood Demon Art, and my younger self was brought to the present for now!”

“Namu-amida-butsu.” Genya jumped at the deep voice calling out from somewhere, then immediately looked at his older self, who didn’t seem fazed. He trailed after the bigger one, down the riverbank and towards a huge, gushing waterfall. “Hello, Genya. Hello, young Genya.”

“Wow!” Genya semi-whispered to his older self already hidden by the roar of water. “He’s real huge!”

“Have you had breakfast yet?” Genya watched the huge man rub together some praying beads in his palms, withstanding the onslaught of water with three logs on his shoulders, tied to huge rocks.

“Yes, back at the Butterfly Mansion.” Genya explained to his mentor, the younger one in awe of how mature and big he sounded in the future. “I would join in on waterfall training, but…” 

“It would not be wise for a young one to enter the waters,” Gyomei finished, “you could go and push the rock around, whilst taking care of your… yourself.”

“Thank you, Himejima-san.” Genya bowed in respect before leading himself away. “C’mon.”

“What’s the rock?” Genya wondered. “You just push it around? That’s called training?”

“Shush,” Genya smiled coyly, “you haven’t seen the rock.”

“A rock?!” His younger self gaped at the thing sitting in the middle of a clearing. “That's not a rock, that's a full on boulder! You’re gonna push that thing around?!”

“All the way around the estate grounds,” Genya rolled up his sleeves, taking a deep breath, “you know what? You wanna sit on top of the rock? I can push you around, too.”

“Can- can you really do that?” Genya trembled, looking between the rock and his own, tiny, frail body. In the future, he’d really be able to shove that thing around?

“Here, try pushing against the rock.” Genya guided the smaller’s body towards it, watching himself struggle to shove the rock. “I can help you up, just sit on the top and sort of grip the rock with your fingertips, so you don’t slide off.”

Genya put his hands underneath the younger’s shoulder, pushing himself upwards onto the rock. The younger one scrambled to the top and found a comfortable position, giving a thumbs up when called upon. He watched as his older self took off his uniform top, then sputtering in absolute shock with the muscles on himself. The bulkiness threw him off just as much as the scars covering his future self’s body, chiselled shape to his form without even tensing up. He was so strong in the future. Future him could compete with Sanemi!

Genya positioned himself against the rock, shoulder pressed up against the stone with both legs implanted into the ground. He took a deep breath. “…shaekoku-gijugikkodokuon-yodaibikushu…”

“Huh..?” The younger peered down the side of the rock, watching as his older, more defined face twisted into something akin to pain, whilst muttering something under his breath. When he was about to call out to the older version of himself, the rock started moving.

It was slow, at first. Just a couple centimetres. But that was better than anything Genya, at the moment frail and poor, could do. Then, he felt the boulder move even more. Genya looked back down to see that they’d moved a good two metres, and his older self didn’t look to be stopping. Actually, he looked to be in pain, but not like shoving the boulder was giving him the pain.

Should Genya interrupt his older self? Was that normal for pushing the boulder? It would have a lot of strain, and the huge man Gyomei had told his older self to get the boulder all around the estate.

“Least… you see scenery…” Genya looked back at his older self groaning out those words and with that, he started looking around from his heightened point of view, where a trail on the ground showed that the path he used to push the rock was a regularly-used one.

Genya huffed and continued repeating the amida-kyo under his breath, quieter than usual so that his younger self wouldn’t have to listen to a very sudden conversion to Buddhism. The faces of the younger Shinazugawa’s swam through his memory, much more formulated and real with his actual younger self being there at the moment.

He looked so innocent. Demons took that from him. Genya groaned and pushed harder, ears buzzing as his babyish face flashed past his memory, looking up at him in wonder. When would he tell himself that he was a failure? He failed to protect his family, he failed to be a good brother, he failed at being a slayer, he would never be a hashira and Sanemi never wanted to look at him again.

“You can do it, Genya!” He stumbled at the small voice cheering him on, a slight whisper. “Go, go, go!”

Genya clenched his jaw and pushed harder, dragging the boulder through the ground and back towards what he always remembered was his start point. He’d successfully made it around the entire estate with a whole child on top of the rock. Heaving, Genya made it back to where the boulder started.

“That was so cool!” Genya laughed as his older self helped him down, Genya running around in circles as his older self leaned on the rock for a breather. “I can’t believe that I can do that in the future! How many of our siblings can you hold up? Is nii-chan stronger than you? How long d’you think until you become a hashira?”

Genya just stumbled away, making the smaller follow right after, still spitting out questions. Gods above, Genya was just so tired. He didn’t get how his younger self could be so innocent. Just six months after said birthday, his eighth, they would all be dead. Sanemi would hold a butcher’s knife over their mother's body and he would call his beloved brother a murderer, Genya would be forced to bury five little, cold bodies on his own, and he would survive off stealing and eating rats.

He couldn’t handle seeing that spark in his own eyes.

“Hello, you two.” Gyomei greeted them as Genya shuffled inside, his child self also bouncing in. “I already started on lunch. Are you alright, Genya?”

“I’m gonna… go lay down.” Genya muttered. “Would you mind… taking care of him- for a little? Sorry, Himejima-san…”

“No matter. Rest well, Genya.” Gyomei rubbed the praying beads in his hands nervously. “Namu-amida-butsu.”

“What’cha making?” Genya peered around the man’s arm, trying to catch a glimpse at the food. “It smells good.”

“Miso,” Gyomei replied, “did you see anything interesting whilst going around?”

“I got to watch me push a huge boulder!” Genya used his own body to showcase, “it was like, thi–is big! No, bigger!”

“Ah. Of course.” Gyomei nodded. “I am blind, however, and cannot see what you are showing, but I understand how big the rocks are.”

“...oh.” Genya mumbled quietly. “Sorry.” 

“It’s quite alright, young Genya.” Gyomei stirred the soup. “I heard that it would be your birthday the next day, from when you were brought here?”

“Yeah!” Genya grinned. “I’m turning eight! Isn’t that huge? How old are you?”

“Twenty-seven.” Gyomei answered. “If you multiply the age you're turning by two, you get the age your future self is right now.”

“I can’t do math.” Genya replied with no hesitation. 

Gyomei paused. “Then, eight and eight put together.”

“I said I can’t do math.” Genya repeated. 

“Then how do you know what age you’re turning?” Gyomei wondered.

“Kaa-chan told me.” Genya replied. “Am I able to do math in the future?”

“...I do not know.” Gyomei hummed. He at least taught Genya to write, so why hadn’t he thought of math? Did he just assume that Genya could do basic math, or simply forgot to teach him? “Say, how do you usually celebrate your birthday?”

“Well, Sumi and Teiko usually sew up something,” Genya thought, rolling around on the ground, “and Hiroshi likes to find some sort of cool rock to give. Sanemi uses some spare change to get me some sort of sweet, kaa-chan even comes home a little early!”

Gyomei’s heart panged as the boy continued describing how the Shinazugawa family would usually spend a birthday. Genya, as a teenager, did nothing of the sort. Gyomei would sometimes spot the boy sending off a letter, then heading out to where Gyomei assumed was a visit to a family grave.

A knock on the front door. Gyomei stood, making the child go quiet. “Please stay here and watch the soup. I will go to the door. Namu-amida-butsu.”

Genya took his duty very seriously and went up to the pot, watching the soup bubble and steam. Gyomei headed down his familiar hallway, ending up at the genkan, where a person stood. The aura the person was giving off, though… that was a hashira.

“Namu-amida-butsu.” Gyomei rubbed the praying beads. “What brings you here, Shinazugawa?”

The man remained silent, moving only to Breathe. The rest of him remained still, almost so that if Gyomei wasn’t so strong, he might have had to do a second take to make sure someone was even there. “...I’m here to see.”

“If it is true?” Gyomei pressed. “That a younger Genya has been sent to the future by a Blood Demon Art?”

“Is it?” Sanemi growled. 

“Would you like to come meet him yourself?” Gyomei responded. 

Sanemi remained quiet. “No. I just want to see.”

“You wouldn’t be able to hide, if you wished to spy.” Gyomei warned. “You would have to make yourself known.”

Sanemi didn’t say anything more, so Gyomei persisted. “He doesn’t seem to have been told the reason he joined the Corps. He has been talking about you nonstop.”

Gyomei heard a skip in Sanemi’s heartbeat, a Breath stuttering in his chest. “Just go meet him. Genya, the current one, is resting.”

Another beat. Sanemi huffed. “Lead the way.”

“Young Genya,” Gyomei called out, making the younger’s head perk up. “Someone is here to see you.”

Genya furrowed his brow until someone else stepped into the room. “Sanemi!”

“O- oi, not so lou-” Sanemi started, only to be tackled in a hug by the child. 

“I missed you, ‘Nemi!” Genya’s joy was muffled by Sanemi’s haori. “I got to see so many cool things!”

“R- right…” Sanemi cautiously went to pat the boy’s back, shooting a look up at the Stone Hashira. The man seemed to understand despite his lack of sight, and disappeared out of the room holding the pot of miso soup, most likely to a dining area.

“How’re you, nii-chan?” Genya peered up at his older brother. “Where’d you get the scars? From the bad guys?”

Sanemi blinked back, before slowly ruffling Genya’s mohawk. “Yeah. Lotsa cool stories of battle.”

“Wow…” Genya murmured, until his eye caught on Sanemi’s uniform. “You’re a hashira too!”

Sanemi felt almost overwhelmed by the small child gripping onto him, chatting his ear off. Gods, he missed that. So, so much. If Genya just quit the Corps, Sanemi would be able to experience that kind of nostalgia all the time.

“H- hey, just- take a breather, yeah?” Sanemi gently pushed the child off. Genya stumbled backwards, hanging his head low. Yeah, okay, he was a lot more to handle then the big, mature guy he was gonna become. Of course Sanemi would get used to a more calm, older Genya, right?

“Shi- shoot, Genya…” Sanemi started to console, seeing the disappointed face of his very young brother. “I’m sorry about- I’m sorry, Genya.”

Genya continued hugging himself, making himself smaller. That was what Sanemi always told him to do when the old man returned home after drinking and gambling. Make himself small and unnoticeable. 

Sanemi’s eyes widened as he saw what his brother was doing, instantly feeling his heart drop. He just made Genya act like how he usually did when their old man was around. If it really was Genya from right before his eighth birthday, then that piece of shit would still be alive for the next month, before being stabbed out in the streets.

Sanemi lurched forwards on his knees to wrap his tiny brother up in a hug. He could almost feel the confusion radiating off the small child as Sanemi brought him closer, one hand digging into the familiar purple yukata and the other wrapped up in Genya’s hair. “I’m sorry.”

Genya heard the muffled apology coming from Sanemi’s face pressed into his shoulder. Despite his nii-chan’s being so big, with a broader back and deeper voice, Genya could still feel warmth and comfort radiating off Sanemi, because something like that would never cease. Kindness. 

“It’s okay!” To comfort his brother more, Genya started patting Sanemi’s back as well, making the man only hold Genya tighter. He smiled innocently and just returned the hug, grinning because Sanemi only ever held him close after their father finished beating them and that would be the first time in a long time that Sanemi had hugged in apology.

Fuck, Sanemi thought, his body was so small. How could a man beat someone as sweet as the kid he was hugging so close at the moment? Fuck, how could he push away someone so sweet as Genya for joining the Corps? Well, he supposed it was for Genya’s own safety. Safety that Sanemi knew the tiny Genya in his arms wouldn’t face just yet. 

Sanemi continued cradling Genya in his arms, because fuck, that was the first time they’d touched with such tenderness in years. 

Genya peeked through the shoji, watching the younger version of himself get coddled more by the current Sanemi than Genya had felt in years. His insides squirmed and chest tightened as Sanemi continued embracing the child, hugging tightly. He shouldn’t have said that. He shouldn't have called Sanemi a murderer. They could’ve been hugging like that, still, if Genya hadn’t just messed it all up.

Waves of tears started building in Genya’s eyes, though they still refused to tear away from the scene. Sanemi holding his younger self the same way he wanted to be held, his current verison, with all scars and growth and mistakes. He wanted Sanemi to act like that towards him in the current day.

He shut his mouth fast to prevent sobs escaping, lip trembling as tears started rolling down his cheek. His fists clenched and throat burned as the younger one started giggling, swaying around as Sanemi continued to hold him.

They met eyes. The child looked upwards to see his teenage self quivering near the door, spying in on the two. Genya stumbled back and away to prevent his younger self from ruining any hopes he had of the future.

“Hey, ‘Nemi?” Genya asked, trying to pull away to see his older nii-chan. “Why’s future me crying?”

Sanemi tightened his hold, making Genya sputter a little bit with the sheer strength his brother received from fighting bad guys. “Nii-chan, why’s he crying? Hey, nii-chan, are you crying as well? Is that why my back feels sorta wet?”

Sanemi dug his hands deeper, to just preserve himself. He wouldn't just let Genya see him crying, no matter what or when. Genya’s body was so small and thin and frail and beaten, Sanemi wouldn't know how to face the kid again if he pulled away from the hug.

“Nii-chan, let’s go comfort future me!” Genya decided. “C’mon, let’s go! You always comfort me when I’m down!”

Gods. Fuck. Sanemi couldn’t handle just how much joy Genya had. It was so hard to ignore, Corps uniform or not. The child resorted to tugging gently at Sanemi’s hair, fiddling with the white strands whilst also humming Sanemi’s name in an attempt to get them standing again, to find his future self.

Finally, Sanemi pulled away from Genya to quickly wipe his tears away. Genya giggled and waited for Sanemi to finish, then tugged at the man’s calloused fingers. “Let’s go! Himejima-san might know where older me might be!”

Sanemi couldn’t reply as Genya tugged him away, the two of them finding the Stone Hashira in a room just down the hall. Immediately, Gyomei pointed the two of them to look for Genya in his room, then adding instructions to aid them. Genya started humming a lullaby while leading Sanemi, tiny fingers gripping a couple of Sanemi’s using his entire hand.

“Heyyy, heyy, you in here?” Genya started knocking on doors, making Sanemi more and more nervous. “You looked sad! Did you want a hug? Hey, future me, hey!”

The door slid open a crack, Genya’s form barely visible through the gap. Seeing both Sanemi and his younger self, Genya slid it open even further. “That’s… alright. I don’t need a hug, I’m not sad.”

“But you were crying!” Genya protested at his teenage self. Was that how all teenagers acted?

“I- I’m alright, just feeling a little off.” Genya attempted to laugh nonchalantly. Sanemi couldn’t see Genya acting so weak! It would ruin whatever minimal steps Genya had taken to becoming stronger, showing his brother that he was just as capable a slayer as any others. “Besides, I used the time on my bonsai.”

“Bonsai?” Genya perked up, trying to peer into his future room. “You have bonsai?”

“Wanna see?” Genya used the opportunity to distract his younger self, leading the child into the room and towards the window, where all his trees were kept. “Himejima-san told me to do it, as a hobby. Neat, right?”

“Meh, a bit boring.” The younger one shrugged. “How’d you get the leaves to be all nice-shaped and stuff?”

“Trimming,” Genya gestured to the scissors, “pruning, as well. I make the tree look nice in my free time, and it helps my aim become more clear.”

“I guess that could be fun…” the kid mumbled, “like sewing, or something.”

“Exactly.” Genya hummed. “I also have a sewing kit over there.”

“What do you sew?” The younger one asked.

Usually, it was himself after battle. But should Genya really tell that kind of gorey thing to an eight-year-old? “The yukata, whenever it gets torn.”

“After fighting!” The kid’s eyes lit up. “You said that the bonsai also helps your aim? For fighting?”

“Sort of, yeah.” Genya laughed. Sanemi watched the two interact from the doorway, eyes still red. Usually, they would be like that because of dryness, but in that moment, it was because of tears. With a deep, shaky Breath, Sanemi silently stood. He shot one last look at Genya, his baby brother, no matter the age, before shutting the shoji quietly and shuffling backwards.

Genya looked back up at the door as his younger self observed the trees closer up. Sanemi was backing away. From him. The two brothers, matured to their correct ages in their time period, locked eyes. 

Suddenly, Sanemi couldn’t back away anymore.

“Hey, ‘Nemi-nii!” The child called out, making the two older ones freeze. “Come look at the bonsai with me!”

Cautiously, Sanemi stepped forwards towards the door again. If he entered, Sanemi knew he would have to drag himself away. 

Sanemi opened the door. 

The younger Genya was waving Sanemi closer, to look at the funny design the bonsai had when looking at it from a specific angle. The older Genya was staring with wide and surprised eyes, making Sanemi’s heart shatter. Sanemi stepped closer to the child, looking at the bonsai with him, while the older Genya sat back.

Sanemi only wanted a version of Genya that hadn’t called his brother a murderer. A version who wasn’t riddled with scars.

With a Breath, Sanemi pulled Genya closer to him. Genya gasped as his brother brought him closer, the first time they’d touched in years. Sanemi was holding him. As a teenager. Genya remained tense as Sanemi put a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder, still paying attention to the child rambling on about whatever it was.

After minutes of Sanemi holding teenage Genya up to his body, he started relaxing into his older brother’s arm. Almost leaning on him, the two sat on the floor in front of Genya’s bonsai that he took care of so gently, as if they were actual children.

“I still don’t get why you two were crying,” Genya crossed his tiny arms, “but you’re hugging right now, so that means everything’s okay!”

It very much did not mean that, but Genya didn’t want to argue with the child. He just had to use his very limited time that Sanemi would allow very carefully. 

“I’m tired, though.” The child stretched out on the tatami mats, like a starfish. “I like sleeping! The sun’s so warm, too…”

“I like sleeping, too.” Genya agreed, but he didn’t budge unless Sanemi would show any signs of not wanting to be around sixteen-year-old Genya anymore. When Sanemi made the first moves to get up, Genya immediately jumped off him, scooting away as Sanemi stretched out his limbs. 

“Can I have a nap, future me?” Genya requested. “And wake me up? I like being here, but I also like being with the younger ones! Can you bring them over, too?”

Two pairs of eyes stared at younger Genya, sadly. “Maybe when you wake up, ‘kay Gen?”

Teenage Genya looked up at Sanemi and blinked rapidly, while the younger one giggled and made himself comfortable in a patch of sunlight on the floor. “A’ight! Can you kiss me goodnight? Maybe?”

“Course.” Genya felt jealousy warping over his body as his older brother kneeled down to press his lips against the child’s forehead, then patting his head. The feeling then changed to confusion as Sanemi stood and walked over again, then leaning down to press a kiss to Genya’s forehead, as well, before patting his head as well.

“Sleep well,” Sanemi called as he exited the doorway. Eight-year-old Genya giggled in reply while teenage Genya sat there, absolutely floored.

“I can’t wait to start fighting bad guys with ‘Nemi,” Genya breathed, curling up in a ball with his back facing his future self, “lookin’ cool and stuff. Swords and bonsai and pushing rocks.”

Genya couldn’t bring himself to answer as his smaller self dozed off. His body felt so warm. Where Sanemi was pressed up against him felt so good, butterflies filled his stomach and his face felt all fuwafuwa. His heart beat erratically and Genya couldn’t help but shed a couple of joyous tears. 

Maybe… their relationship could be salvageable after what Genya said to Sanemi eight years ago?

________________

Genya mumbled under his breath as he stretched, foot accidentally slipping out of his futon and letting in some crisp, winter air. Bareilly opening his eyes, Genya felt little hands starting to shake him awake. “Gen-nii, Gen-nii, happy birthday!”

More choruses of those words sprouted out around the tiny shack, where seven bodies lived. Genya sat himself up as all the younger kids started presenting gifts and a breakfast much larger than what Genya would usually be able to eat. 

“Happy birthday, Gen,” Sanemi ruffled the mohawk, a smile covering his face. Genya rubbed his eyes again as everyone continued chattering and laughing. He felt so good, and that rest was so nice… he must’ve had a real good dream.

words: 6187

[xoxobuckybarnes]

April 2023 Stucky Fics

Completed

rough edges (Rated: M, Words: 33K) by sparkagrace / @sparkagrace & burning_brighter / @burning-brighter

Summary: Olympic ice dancers Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes have never gotten along. Closeted Steve is in a showmance with his partner Maria as America’s sweethearts, while Bucky and Natasha are the lethal Russian pair whose technical mastery on ice is unrivaled. Now they will all be traveling around America on the Stars on Ice tour for the next two months, which sets Steve on edge in ways he didn’t quite expect.— A collaboration for Stucky Bang 2022

Chase the Lightning From the Sky (Rated: E, Words: 39K) by SilverSlashes / @silverslashes & art by TrishArgh / @frau-argh

Summary: If Bucky has to be stuck doing this ridiculous summer work program before his senior year of college, on a ranch in the middle of nowhere, then at least he’s got a hot as hell cowboy for a boss and host. Steve Rogers, owner of the Truth & Justice Ranch, is what Bucky’s completely theoretical but very imaginative bisexual fantasies are made of. Steve’s a widower though, and a nice guy in need of help, and no doubt 100% straight… so Bucky’s gonna work his ass off and keep his head down. But neither Bucky nor Steve are prepared for the friendship that forms between them as they work side by side. And they certainly aren’t expecting the budding feelings, confessions, and passions that summer heat and the loneliness of the great open plains stirs in each of them. What rages to life between them will shake each man to his core and will linger long after the storms and the summer have passed.

Love Is the Most Important Thing in the World (But Baseball is Pretty Good, Too) (Rated: E, Words: 6K) by Kellyscams / @thebestpersonherelovesbucky

Summary: Once upon a time ago, Steve Rogers was inseparable from his best friend and teammate James "Bucky" Barnes. All of that changed one eventful night near the end of their high school career when Steve kissed Bucky. Tonight, Steve must face Bucky in what just might be the turning point in his minor league career. Bucky's no doubt going to get his call up to the Majors. But if Steve can't face this one batter that's haunted him since high school... he might never catch his break. Does Steve have what it takes to strike his rival out? Or will he only ever see Bucky Barnes, the boy he's loved since high school, sixty-feet away from him?

We Kissed Back Then (Rated: T, Words: 5K) by vespertineflora

Summary: In recovering his past, Bucky stumbles upon certain memories he once thought he'd always leave buried: like the fact that Steve and he had kissed as children, as teens, as adults... They'd been in love far longer than he'd realized.  

Coming Out to the Ball Game (Rated: M, Words: 14K) by TheLostWeasley

Summary: Bucky is the new stat hitter on the Hydras. Steve is a seasoned pitcher on the Avengers. Naturally, they start having sex. The baseball au that literally nobody asked for.

On Thin Ice (Rated: E, Words: 36K) by wintersoldier1989

Summary: Steve Rogers is skilled on the ice but needs all the help he can get in the classroom. Bucky Barnes agrees to help his cousin’s friend get his grades up and in the end both guys get more than they bargained for.

Happy Accidents (Rated E, Words: 32K) by controlofwhatido / @controlofwhatido & art by auntiesuze 

Summary: Bucky sleeps with one superhero one time and now he’s pregnant. Fuck. Good going, James B. Barnes. One unmated omega father, coming right up. Top that off with his metal arm and he’s really going to be an outcast.

between everything, yourself, and home (Rated: E, words: 24K) by napricot

Summary: “This is your home?” asks Bucky at one point. “It’s where I’m living now, yeah.” Bucky comes home. Steve's a little slower on the uptake.

Knife Skills (Rated: 5, Words: 72K) by Hark_bananas / @harkbananas

Summary: The money he'd stolen from Hydra has almost run out when he finds a black piece of card stock with blocky capital letters stapled to a telephone pole: FUNNEL NO. 9 DO YOU HAVE KNIFE SKILLS? WE NEED YOU And then below, there's a phone number. Knife skills? I have knife skills, he thinks. That part is pretty self-explanatory, though he has no idea what Funnel No. 9 could mean. He doesn't really want to get back into the hitman business, but needs must, and Bucky Barnes is a practical man.

I’ll always find my way back (to you) (Rated: T, Words: 4K) by burning_brighter / @burning-brighter

Summary: When Steve reappears on the platform after returning the Stones, he can tell something went wrong. Not only is he alone in the woods, he's also back in his old body. He has many questions, but the only thing he really wants is to make his way back to Bucky.

just our hands clasped so tight (Rated: T, Words: 8K) by Stella959

Summary: The countdown has already begun, and there's less than thirty seconds before this year's Hunger Games begin. Steve has to decide quickly what, if anything, he’s going to grab before he makes a run for it. The tributes are spread out in a circle around the cornucopia, and he can just make out Bucky on the far side. They make eye contact briefly before his gaze returns to the arena. There. A circular metal shield, almost completely hidden in the tall grass maybe ten feet in, propped up on a backpack so that the curved edge just barely sticks up. Steve remembers picking up a similar shield in the Training Center on their first full day in the Capitol: lighter than he’d expected but with a sharpened edge, optimal for defense but not without offensive use. As the final seconds of the countdown pass, Steve thinks that if there can only be one victor, he'll do whatever he can to make sure it's Bucky. Across the field, Bucky's thinking the same thing. If there can only be one victor, he'll do whatever he can to make sure it's Steve.

5 times Bucky and Steve were Unnaturally Comfortable Around Each Other, and the 1 Time They Weren’t (Rated: M, Words: 5K) by  WhatTheBodyGraspsNot

Summary: "Steve gently tosses his book to the side and then places his hands on Bucky’s shoulders, kneading thoroughly against the impressively tense muscles. Bucky sighs, his eyes falling shut and mouth dropping open in a mixture of slight pain but mostly relief. “Oh fuck,” he groans, leaning into the touch. Clint snickers quietly, trying to busy himself with pouring milk into a bowl of cereal before one of his trademark sarcastic comments can escape him and make the situation more awkward than it’s already quickly becoming. "OR: Five times Steve and Bucky should have been uncomfortable but weren't, so Tony and Clint devise a plan to prove that they're sleeping together (even though they aren't, they're just really really oblivious).

A Higher Epsilon (Rated: E, Words: 91K) by  deadto27 / @deadto27

Summary: Bucky has always wanted a dog. Now finally he has one and it’s everything he wanted and more. It opens up his life in ways he never expected. He especially didn’t expect to meet Steve at the dog park. He didn’t expect they’d become friends. He really didn’t expect that they’d be dating. Unfortunately nobody’s clued Bucky in to that last part. ----- He feels frozen in panic. It’s their second day together and he’s lost her. He’s lost his dog. He’s spiraling until suddenly there’s a little yip noise and Bucky snaps his head up to see his dog in front of him, in the arms of someone else. “Ohmygod,” he hisses out in pure relief, breathing hard. He doesn’t think he’s ever been so relieved in all his life. “Is this your dog?” the owner of the arms asks.

WIP

a league of their own (Rated: E, Current Words: 18K) by burning_brighter / @burning-brighter

Summary: Steve’s sixteen-year-old son’s one and only dream is to play in the Major League. He thinks he has a shot when the team get a new coach, retired MLB legend and Steve’s high school crush, Bucky Barnes. Steve hasn’t thought of the man in many years, but seeing him brings back many memories that push Steve to reach out to an old friend and maybe make new ones on the way. What happens when Steve gets to know Bucky properly? What happens when they open up about their darkest secrets and deepest fears? There’s really only one thing that can happen.

Treading Water (Rated: M, Current Words: 114K) by sparkagrace / @sparkagrace & art by Dyslexic_Fetus / @reagy-jay

Summary: Olympic swimmer Bucky Barnes always believed that when the time came to retire, he would walk away with his medals and world records firmly in the history books and never look back. He never thought the water would leave him first.

***Part of the series Lane Lines: Lane Lines (Rated: M, Words: 132K), Lumière (Rated: M, Words: 5K), & New Traditions (Rated: M, Words: 6K)***

Rereads

Full Count (Rated: M, Words: 50K) by Ink_Dancer

Summary: Full Count: a baseball term referring to a situation during a player’s at bat where there are three balls and two strikes on him. As this is the maximum one can have without either walking (base on balls) or striking out, this is generally expected to be a very stressful situation for both the pitcher and the batter. The pitch that is then thrown on this count is expected to be the one that decides the batter’s fate, and carries with it a certain expectation of change. It’s known as the payoff pitch: it’s the payoff for a long wait. or: a stucky au that takes place in the world of Major League Baseball, in which Bucky is a catcher, Steve is a closing pitcher, and their lives are stuck in a perpetual full count—until life throws the payoff pitch and they end up on the same Dodgers team.

The Run and Go (Rated: E, Words: 14K) by  lupus (khaleeseas) / @biharley

Summary:  When Bucky Barnes first meets Steve Rogers, Bucky's standing half-naked in their apartment complex's laundry room. It's 2 a.m. on a Friday night (or is it considered a Saturday morning?) and for once Bucky is way too sober for all of this. The next thing Bucky knows, Steve is everywhere. Being hot and sarcastic and nice and overall perfect and Bucky is kind of totally and completely screwed.

[morgana-larkin]

Alright here’s ‘Cool Your Fire’ Part 6 it’s over 6k words and tons of shit happens in it. And prepare for the next part has smut in it! Not edited in the slightest and I hope like it!

Cool Your Fire - Part 6

Warnings: none

Words: 6.46k

You lay awake thinking about Marilyn and what she said to you. And while what she told you was upsetting, it also didn’t feel right, almost like she was hiding something. You want to find out what she’s hiding but you’re not great at finding things out. Then you remember that Wednesday is like a detective, she said she was looking into Marilyn and able to find things out just for fun. You’ll ask her to look into Marilyn tomorrow. And that’s just what you do when you’re alone with her in the dorm room.

“Hey Wednesday.” You say to her and she gives you a side glance before going back to whatever she was doing. “I need to ask a favour from you.” You tell her. “Well from the detective side of you.” You add and that catches her interest.

“What is it?”

“Marilyn is hiding something from me. And I need you to look into it.”

“Interesting, and what’s in it for me?” She asks you.

“Well I’ll stop mopping if I’m right.”

“I actually like your pain and suffering, it brings me comfort.” She says.

“Um, you’re welcome then?” You say and then think of something else to say. “Well you’ll get to question Marilyn and I won’t stop you.” You tell her and that seems to do the trick.

“Alright I’ll do it but I’ll need more information from you about what exactly I’m looking for.”

“Ok, well last night when you were taking a shower, I went over to her room to have a shower and we had a chat. It seems we were patching things up and me thinking that we might get back together but then she says ‘I’m new to the whole being around outcasts thing, and while I don’t want to kill any of you, I’m not sure how I feel about all of you, especially dating one.’” You tell Wednesday. “Something about that, the way she said it and the look I saw in her eyes tells me that she’s hiding something. And if it’s keeping her and I apart longer than I want to know what it is. Is that enough information?” You ask her and she nods.

“That is…odd. She has expressed many times how she feels about outcasts, and it’s always positive.” Wednesday deadpans.

“I know right. Well anyway, that’s what I wanted to ask you, to do some digging.” You tell her and she nods.

“I’ll let you know if I find anything.” She tells you and you nod and go do some homework. “I would have thought she would want you back since she was staring at you the entire night.”

“She was a chaperone, she’s supposed to be watching everyone.” You tell her from your bed, getting your homework out.

“Yes, and she didn’t, she only watched you. The eyes she had when watching you remind me of ones my dad gives my mom, it’s disgusting.” Wednesday tells you. “Is she still dating that guy she was with?” She suddenly asks and you have to admit you forgot all about him.

“As far as I know, why?”

“Wondering how I should phrase questions.”

“She can’t know that I got you to snoop.” You say sternly.

“Why don’t you want her to know?”

“Because, it’s embarrassing and she might not tell you anything if she knew.” You tell her and she sighs.

“Very well.” She tells you.

You end spending the day with Enid around Nevermore after you finish your homework. You guys are walking across the field, with you telling her about the conversation with Marilyn, leaving out the fact that you two dated of course.

“Wow, she really said she’d never date a normie?” Enid asks and you nod. “Well I guess it’s a good thing that you know now. You two only kissed a couple of times so it’s good it happened before you got too attached.” Enid says, trying to look at the positive. What she doesn’t know is that you already got too attached.

When you two got close to the lake, Ajax came and him and Enid went off to have a date, as they sorted things out at the dance. You sat down on the grass and were mindlessly looking out at the lake when Marilyn came and sat down next to you.

“Hey.” She tells you and you turn to look at her. “I know you wanted to go out again but I hope that we can at least still be friends.” She tells you and you think about it.

“We can still be friends but I do need some space. I can’t spend as much time with you as I used to. Like I won’t come help you after class and on weekends. I need to get over my feelings for you first.” You tell her and she nods.

“I understand. But don’t forget that I’ll be here if you ever need me, no matter what and no matter what time it is ok?” She tells you and you just look at her.

“Do you say this to all your students or just ones you’ve kissed?” You ask her and she smiles and shakes her head.

“Just you.”

“You know I have some time to help you with your plants right now.” You tell her and she looks at you confused.

“I thought you said you wanted to get over your feelings first?”

“I’ll start tomorrow, do you need help?” You tell her and she smiles at you.

“Sure.” She says and then you both get up and walk the short distance to the greenhouse.

She gets you to help trim some of them while she re-pots a couple and feeds them. A couple hours later and you’re sitting on her desk while watching her finish up the last plant.

“Alright I think that’s everything.” She says and takes her gloves off and goes to put them on her desk. “How long have you been sitting on my desk?” She asks.

“About 5 minutes.” You tell her with a smile.

“Well I have to say that you do look cute on it.” She tells you with a chuckle and she’s standing a couple feet apart from you.

“Are you positive about your feelings about outcasts? I thought you were happy when we went out for a couple of weeks.” You ask her, seeing if she’ll tell you the truth.

“I was happy with you, but there’s too many differences between us and it would just be easier to date another normie.” She tells you and you tilt your head.

“Someone like John?” You question and she nods.

“If it’s any consolation, you're a very beautiful, smart and brave young woman. Any woman would be lucky to be with you.” She tells you and takes a step forward, wanting to be as close to you as possible.

“I want you though.” You tell her, and you don’t know what changed but right after you say that, she kisses you. She puts both her hands behind your neck and you put your hands on her waist. You both stay making out for a few minutes while your hands start to roam on her upper body. You wrap your legs around her waist as you put your hands in her hair. She pulls back when a moan escapes you and looks at you shocked. She tries to back up but can’t with your legs around her.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.” She tells you and you don’t move your legs.

“Well why did you?”

“I - I don’t know.” She tells you and you can tell she's lying.

“That’s a lie, you know exactly why. I think you still want me, Marilyn.” You tell her and unwrap your legs from around her and she backs up a bit.

“Ok, I do still like you but I don’t know how to feel about dating an outcast.” She says and you get down from her desk and walk a bit around her.

“What is so bad about being with an outcast? Ok so I can create and control fire, but I’m still a person.” You tell her and she’s speechless. “Why stop yourself from having what you want?” You ask her and before any of you can say anything, Wednesday interrupts.

“I believe I have the answer to that.” Wednesday says and you both turn and face the door, not hearing her open it. “I did as you asked and found out why she's lying to you.” She tells you and Marilyn looks at you. “I found this in her room.” She adds on and holds up an envelope.

“You asked her to spy on me and go through my stuff?” Marilyn asks you.

“No, I asked her to find out why you were lying to me. Big difference.” You say.

“Wednesday please give me that envelope and forget you saw it.” Marilyn tells Wednesday. Instead Wednesday gives the envelope to you and you pull out the pictures that’s inside it before Marilyn grabs it.

“What were those pictures?” You ask her.

“They’re nothing.” She tells you.

“They’re pictures of Marilyn at Nevermore. Engaging with students, there’s some of you two talking.” Wednesday answers your question. “And with it, a note.” Wednesday says and hands you the note. You open it up and read it.

“We’re keeping watch on you and the outcasts. Don’t get too close to them or we’ll take action, starting with your favourite student, Y/N Y/L/N.” You read aloud and then turn to Marilyn. “Who sent this to you?” You ask her and when she doesn’t answer you snatch the envelope back and look at the pictures. “Why didn’t you tell any of us that you were being threatened?” You ask her.

“They’re a powerful group of people that hate outcasts. They were connected with my family and helped me change my identity after everyone thought I drowned.” She tells you both. “I don’t want you to get in the middle of it, especially since they know who you are.” She adds and you look at her.

“So you didn’t want us to be together cause you were trying to protect me?” You ask and she nods. “You could have told me about this or even Ms. Weems.”

“Y/N, I don’t want to mess with them. They’re basically a mafia but they hate outcasts and they won’t hesitate to kill you to remind me that I should be hating outcasts as well.” She tells you.

“They may be powerful but I got fire on my side.” You tell her and create a fireball in your hand.

“Y/N, it’s best to not get on their bad side, I don’t want you dead.” She tells you and takes your hands in hers after you make the fireball disappear. “Please promise me that you won’t try anything.” She tells you and you look at her.

“Ok, I won’t try anything.” You say and she takes a breath of relief. “But I do want to be with you.” You tell her and she looks at you with fear.

“Y/N-”

“Hear me out, there’s no pictures of us kissing or holding hands and they referred to me as your student so they have no idea that we like each other. We were discreet enough that they haven’t found out.” You tell her. “We still can be.”

“Ok, but we have to be even more careful.” She tells you and you smile at her.

“I’m curious about something.” Wednesday pipes up and looks at Marilyn, and you both forgot she was there.

“And what’s that Wednesday?” Marilyn asks her.

“Why is this outcast hating gang still interested in you?” She asks her.

“Because of my family, they keep trying to get me to hate and kill outcasts, saying it’s my destiny and duty but I don’t want to.” Marilyn explains and then looks at you. “And I’m glad I chose not too.” She adds and you smile at her.

“Ok, I’m gonna go before I stick needles in my eyes, I’ll probably do that anyway.” Wednesday says and then leaves. You turn to the pictures and hold up one in particular.

“You know, this one will look great in a frame.” You say and show it to her. It’s a picture of you and her on the day Wednesday came and you walked up to Marilyn who was gardening, both of you were smiling at each other.

“It is a cute picture.” She tells you as she looks at it. “So do you want to go to my room, I really want to kiss you.” She says and you nod with a smile.

Once you both get to her room, you lock the door while she closes the drapes. When she turns around, she sees you sitting down on her couch and she goes to join you.

“I really like your new couch btw, it’s quite comfortable and cosy.” You tell her and she smiles and puts a piece of your hair behind your ear. You both lean in at the same time and kiss each other. You put your hands on her waist and she puts hers in your hair.

Just as the kiss was getting more heated, a knock at the door startles both of you. “Marilyn are you there?” The voice of Ms. Weems comes from behind the door.

“Ya, just a second.” Marilyn tells her and looks around the room. She runs to her bag and pulls out a textbook and some paper and grabs a pen for you. “Here, pretend to be doing homework.” She says and you do exactly that when Marilyn opens the door. “Hi.”

“Hey Marilyn, hope I’m not interrupting something.” Larissa says and then she sees you.

“Nope, Y/n needed help with homework so I’m just helping her.” Marilyn says and Larissa smiles.

“Hi Ms. Weems.” You tell her and she waves at you.

“Are you? That’s so nice of you.” She says. “Can I speak with you alone for a minute?”

“O-of course, Y/n, do you mind going back to your dorm and I can come help you after if you still need it.” Marilyn tells you and you nod, then get your stuff and leave.

“Thank you Y/n.” Larissa says as you walk out the door then she looks at Marilyn who steps aside to let her in. After Marilyn closes the door is when Larissa starts. “So I’ve heard some things about you.” She says and Marilyn looks at her confused.

“What-what kind of things?”

“Marilyn, why didn’t you tell me that the teachers bully you?” She clarifies and Marilyn looks down at the ground embarrassed before looking back up.

“I didn’t want to get you involved. You’ve already done so much for me, allowing me to teach here as the first normie teacher.” Marilyn says and Larissa takes a deep breath.

“Marilyn, I want to make sure that all my students and teachers are happy and that they’re in a safe space.”

“But I am happy, I love teaching these students and they’re so kind to me.” Marilyn says quickly.

“I know you’re happy and I know the students adore you and allow you to sit with them. Which is why a bunch of them came to tell me about the incident in the quad.” Larissa explains and Marilyn sighs. “It’s not the first time is it?”

“No.” Is all Marilyn says and takes a seat on her couch and Larissa goes to join.

“I am happy to hear that the students are defending you and that Y/n is willing to set them on fire.” Larissa states and Marilyn snorts at the last one. “But why aren’t you wanting to defend yourself?”

“Because it isn’t my place, I’m new here and a normie. I’m walking on outcast territory so of course some people don’t like it.” Marilyn states like it’s obvious.

“You can defend yourself. You may not be an outcast but you are a human being. I still can’t believe the teachers that still discriminate against normies.” Larissa then places a hand on Marilyn’s shoulder. “The next time one of them bullies or harasses you, come tell me about it, ok?”

“Ok.” Marilyn says softly and Larissa nods her head then gets up.

“Well I do have a few things to do before the work week starts so I’ll leave you be.” Larissa says and Marilyn gets up and nods her head.

*20 minutes earlier*

“Thank you Y/n.” Larissa says as you walk out the door.

You walk to your dorm room and see Wednesday already there on her typewriter.

“Hey Wednesday, I wanted to thank you for what you found.” You tell her and she replies but doesn’t stop writing.

“Marilyn is full of surprises. I can’t say it didn’t intrigue me.”

“Well what if I were to say that we should do something that’ll catch your interest. Like let’s say, stop the group that’s threatening her?” You tell her and she stops writing and turns around to face you.

“I thought you promised her you wouldn’t do anything about it?”

“I did yes, never said I’d keep the promise though.” You say to her. “So are you up for it?” You ask her and you see the faintest hint of a smile on her.

“Of course, I’m always up for defeating people.”

“Great, where do we start?” You ask her and she takes a second to think.

“We have to know more about them to be able to know how to defeat them.” She says.

“Well Marilyn won’t tell us, she’s dead set on not telling us anything about them.”

“There might be something in her room about them though. If them and her family were close then there’d be a paper trail somewhere.”

“Wait, that’s it!” You suddenly say and she looks at you curiously. “The Gates house! It’s still exactly as it was, no one has touched it or bought it since it went on the market when the family died. There must be something still there.” You tell her and that intrigues Wednesday.

“We can go tonight.” She says. “In a couple hours.”

“Why do you want to go at night?”

“Cause less people will see us that way.” She tells you as if it was obvious.

“Alright.” You say and just then Enid comes in with a smile on her face.

“Hi guys! What are you up to?”

“Plotting.” Wednesday deadpans. “Want to come with us to check out the Gates house tonight?” Wednesday asks her and you looked at her with wide eyes.

“Sure, I got nothing going on.” Enid tells you both.

“I hope you understand that getting involved in what we’re doing is very dangerous.” You tell Enid.

“Well I figured that since you’re both involved.” Enid tells you and you smile.

“You know me so well.” You tell her and give her a hug. “Btw you can’t tell anyone, especially Marilyn.” You say and then you and Wednesday go on to tell her what’s going on and what you’re searching for, leaving out the fact that you and Marilyn are dating.

“Someone is threatening you and Marilyn? I can’t believe it.” Enid says.

“I know, I was shocked when I read the note, but that’s why she said what she said. She was trying to protect me by distancing herself.”

“That’s so cute.” Enid squeals.

“Yes it is, but now I want to get rid of these people so she’s safe and me as well.” You tell her and she nods. At that moment a knock is heard from the door and Enid goes and opens it.

“Hi Marilyn!” Enid says and you look and see Marilyn there with a smile.

“Hi Enid, mind if I steal Y/n for a few minutes from you guys?” She says and looks at you and you leave and follow her to her room.

“What did Larissa want?” You ask when she closes the door and she looks at you and sighs.

“Apparently word got to her that the teachers are bullying me. I think the fangs and Enid went to talk to her after the incident in the quad.” She tells you.

“They did, and I did as well.” You say and she looks at you and furrows her brows.

“Why?”

“Because you don’t deserve to be bullied and harassed. You should be treated like an equal, like an outcast.” You tell her.

“You’re sweet, do you know that.?” She asks as she takes your hands in hers.

“I’ve been told I can be, I’m more fiery though.” You tell her and she giggles.

“You are that as well.” She says and then gives you a kiss.

You two make out for a good minute, but when the kiss gets heated is when you pull back.

“I would love to stay and kiss you but I’m busy in a couple hours with my roommates.” You say and she quirks an eyebrow at you.

“Oh, what are you guys doing?”

“Well you know, painting each other’s nails, gossiping about boys, eating too much unhealthy food that we’ll regret later.” You tell her and she chuckles.

“Well that sounds fun, as much as I hate to watch you go, you should be having fun with your friends.” She tells you and you reluctantly get out of her embrace.

“Ya I hate leaving you as well, but I should probably go over there and help get set up.”

“Of course, can I get a kiss goodbye first?” She asks you and you smile at her before leaning in and giving her a kiss. You pull back and leave her room before you get too tempted to stay.

“Good night.” You tell her before closing her door.

“Good night honey.”

“Ok, what do we need to bring?” You ask Wednesday as soon as you get back to the dorm.

“Flashlights, a bag to put anything we find, and you both need to wear black.” Wednesday says and you and Enid both nod before going to your clothes and finding black clothes.

You both get dressed in black clothes while Wednesday packs 3 flashlights in a bag. Wednesday was already wearing all black so she didn’t have to change at all.

“If anyone wants to back out, do it now.” Wednesday says and you and Enid look at each other and shake your heads.

“I need to do this to save myself and Marilyn.” You say.

“I’m not going to stand by and do nothing.” Enid tells you both and Wednesday nods.

“Ok, let’s go.” Wednesday says and all 3 of you sneak out of the school and walk to the house.

When you get there, you all stare at it. Standing there, dark and mysterious and creepy looking.

“You know, I can see you living in a house this creepy looking.” You tell Wednesday and she cracks a slight smile.

All 3 of you walk up and enter the house and look around.

“It’s as creepy on the inside as it is on the outside.” Enid says.

“Yep.” You agree with her. “I’m gonna go check upstairs. It might be where important files are.” You say and then head upstairs. You get to the top of the stairs and start walking down the hall until you come across a room, looks like a little girls room. You see from the flashlight that all the dust is gone and the room is clean. You quickly realise that this was Marilyn’s room, but how is all the dust gone? You look around the room with a slight smile of a glimpse at her childhood before her whole family died. She must have been so happy until everything went downhill so fast. You walk over to where the bed is and you look at the nightstand and open the drawer. Inside was a small book and figure that it must be her diary that she kept when she was a child, you decide to take it and read it later and put it in your jacket pocket. You then leave the room and look around the rest of the upstairs. Down the hall you come across a room a little smaller than the bedrooms, and you see a big desk with file cabinets, must be the office. “Wednesday! Enid! Come here!” You yell and you hear them come running.

“What is it?” Enid says as soon as they find you.

“I found the office, there’s gotta be something in here.” You tell them and Wednesday looks interested in the room.

“I love searching offices, they always hold so many dark secrets.” Wednesday says as she begins searching through everything.

You guys search through the entire office and about 20 minutes later is when Enid speaks up.

“Ohh, I think I found something!” She says excitedly and you and Wednesday come over to her and look at the papers she’s holding.

“The Powerful Eight.” Wednesday reads and takes the paper. “They're an outcast hating group, this must be them.” She tells you both and then you all hear the front door open and close. Wednesday and Enid quickly put the papers in the bag while you go and quietly close the door to the office. You all shut off your flashlights and go close to the door. You hear footsteps walking around downstairs and you know your heart is beating so fast. It could be one of the Powerful Eight members, they found out you were snooping and now come to finish you off. You then hear Wednesday pull something out and you look over and faintly see that it’s a knife.

“Why do you have a knife?” You whisper at her.

“Your life is being threatened and we’re snooping around to find out more about a powerful outcast hating group. I think the question should be, why don’t you have one?” She tells you and you have to admit that she has a good point.

You hear the footsteps get closer and you feel Enid grab your hand and hear her get her claws out. You hear someone grab the door handle and twist it before opening the door. You quickly turn on your flashlight and point it at the person in an attempt to blind them before Enid and Wednesday can do anything.

“Ah!” You hear and you all immediately put your weapons down and you drop the flashlight a bit.

“Marilyn!” You say and she looks at all of you. “What are you doing here?” You ask her.

“This is my house, what are all of you doing here?” She asks, more so to you.

“Nothing.” You quickly say.

“Not a thing.” Enid says right after you.

“I’d rather be tortured than speak the truth.” Wednesday says with no emotion in her voice.

“Wait, what do you mean it’s your house?” You ask her.

“I mean I bought it as I have my family’s fortune.” She tells you and that surprised you. “So I guess technically you’re trespassing, but I’m not going to do anything because I care about you too much to do that.” She tells you and you smile at her.

“Aaawww.” You hear Enid say behind you and you turn around to look at her. You completely forgot that Enid has no idea about you and Marilyn dating.

“You know when you said you were hanging out with your roommates tonight, I didn’t expect it to be breaking into my house.” She says to you and you look a little embarrassed.

“To be fair, I didn’t know it was your current house.” You tell her and she furrows her eyebrows at you. “What?”

“What are you doing breaking in here?” She says and she crosses her arms.

“Would you believe me if I said a party?” You say and you honestly don’t believe it yourself.

“I was interested in the Gates family and convinced them to take me here.” Wednesday says, covering for you. Marilyn sighs and rubs her forehead in slight frustration.

“Alright, I’m taking you all back to school, let’s go.” She says and ushers you all out to her car. You go to get in the back seat when Enid pushes you to get in the front with Marilyn. “I want to ask all of you, especially you Enid, to keep my real identity a secret. I really like working at Nevermore and I’ve worked really hard to build a life apart from my family.” She tells you all and you all nod. She then turns to look at you. “I told you in confidence and you swore you wouldn’t tell anyone and you told 2 people.” She tells you and you look down at your hands in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry.” You say and she sighs softly.

“It’s alright.” She tells you and puts her hand on your thigh as she pulls up to the school.

“Ok woah, are you two a thing?” Enid cuts in and you both turn to look at her.

“I see you left something out of the conversation with them.” Marilyn tells you.

“Well Wednesday knows but I guess I forgot to tell you that Enid doesn’t.”

“Wednesday you knew and didn’t tell me?”

“I don’t gossip.” Wednesday simply says.

“Oh wait, so you are a thing?” She asks and you both nod. “You guys can get in serious trouble for this. Especially since you’re still 17 for like another 4 months.”

“We know, which is why it’s a secret.” You tell her sternly and she pouts.

“Huge gossip and I can’t tell anyone.” She mutters

“Especially since if you do then not only my job and reputation is on the line but Y/n’s life.” Marilyn says and Enid sighs.

“I’ll keep my mouth shut.” Enid promises. “Are you guys dating or in a relationship?” Enid suddenly asks and your face pales slightly. It was one of the things that came out when you yelled at her a few weeks ago and you still aren’t sure where you stand.

“I don’t know.” You say and you all look at Marilyn.

“Considering we just got back together today, I think let’s give it till next week to see if we’re in a relationship.” She says and you nod.

“So there’s a chance then.” You say slyly and she chuckles.

“Ok everyone get out.” She says as she gets out of the car. You all head back inside the school and to Ophelia hall. “Have a good night you 3, and no more sneaking out.” She says as you all nod and then head back inside while she heads to her room.

“Ok, what have we got?” You ask Wednesday as she pulls the papers out from her bag.

“Looks like her family was very well connected with them.” Wednesday says.

“Well it makes sense, her family has been outcast killers for centuries.” You say and Enid agrees.

“It seems like this guy, Victor Royce, is the main guy behind it.” Enid says and hands Wednesday the paper.

“It seems this is a lot bigger than we thought.” You say with a sigh. “It might be too big for us to take down.” You say and walk to your bed. Wednesday looks to Enid and Enid goes over to you.

“Y/n I thought you wanted to do this.” Enid says and sits beside you.

“I did, but there’s many powerful families on that list, and we’re just 3 outcasts. And what do we have? Someone who controls fire, a werewolf who hasn’t transformed yet, and a fearless seer.” You say with a sigh.

“She does have a point Wednesday.” Enid says as she turns to face Wednesday. “We’ll need help with this. We need to bring all of this to Principal Weems.”

“No! If we do that then we’ll also have to say who Marilyn really is, and she doesn’t want anyone to know.”

“Y/n, if it came down to it, do you think she’d choose having you safe or keeping her identity a secret? I mean she instantly forgave you for telling us and when we broke into her house.” Enid says and you let out a sigh and fall back onto your bed.

“I know you’re right.”

“We can go to Marilyn with our idea and see what she thinks.” Enid suggests and you look at her.

“She’s gonna not like that I broke yet another promise.” You say and put your hands over your eyes. “Let’s get it over with.” You say and get up.

All 3 of you make your way over to Marilyn’s room quietly and knock on the door. Marilyn answers the door about 30 seconds later with pjs on and her hair in a ponytail.

“Hello girls, what can I help you with? At a time you should all be asleep.” She says.

“Can we come in? We wanted to talk to you about something.” You tell her and she steps aside and you all walk in. You and Enid sit on the couch while Wednesday chooses to stand. “Wednesday, do you want to tell her?”

Wednesday walks towards Marilyn and hands her the folders you found at the Gates mansion and she opens it and looks at it.

“What’s this?” She asks you all.

“The reason why we were really at your house. We want to take down the groups that are threatening you and Y/n.” Wednesday explains and Marilyn slams the folder shut.

“Absolutely not! Those families are too powerful.” Marilyn says sternly.

“We want to go to Principal Weems. If we tell her that a teacher and a student are both being threatened then she’ll surely help. But that would involve telling her who you really are.” You further explain.

“Ok first of all, Y/n are you just going to break every promise you make to me?”

“This is big, these people are threatening to kill me.” You tell her.

“Even if we went to Principal Weems with this, then what can she do? Call the police? They’re not going to do anything.”

“Marilyn, this is a school of outcasts, surely we can take down all these families. Especially if they’re in Jericho.” You say

“They’re not in Jericho, they live in New York. They probably sent someone to spy on me and a contract killer.” She tells you all. She then looks at you, at your eyes and sees your fear of all of this and she sighs. “If you really want to go to Principal Weems with this then we can. You do need protection.” She finally says and you let out a breath of relief.

“Great! Let’s go right now!” Enid pipes up.

“She might be asleep.” You say.

“She’s not.” Marilyn says and you all look at her. “I know she’s still up doing something.”

“Ok let’s go!” Enid says and pulls you up off the couch.

You all walk to Principal Weems' office and Enid knocks on the door.

“Come in.” You hear and you all walk in. “What a lovely surprise to see you all here. To what do I owe this pleasure?” She says and the 3 of you look at Wednesday who took the folder back from Marilyn.

“Y/n and Marilyn are in danger.” She starts and immediately gets Weems' attention. “The families in this folder are a group of outcast haters and they’re threatening Marilyn to not get too close to anyone here or else they’ll kill Y/n. They have sent Marilyn these pictures along with a note that says so.” Wednesday says and hands everything over to Weems.

“And why is this group threatening you, Marilyn?” Weems says after a minute.

“Because, because my real name is Laurel. Laurel Gates.” Marilyn says and Weems eyes widen at that. “My family has been connected with this group for a while. They also helped me change my identity when everyone thought I drowned. I don’t want to follow in my family’s footsteps but they’re very persistent.” Marilyn explains.

“This is a lot of information at 11 at night.” Weems says and gets up to pour herself a drink. She takes a few sips and clears her throat. “I’ll look all of this over and come up with what to do.” She says and Marilyn steps forward.

“Larissa, I know these people, they’re basically a mafia. You can’t just go to the police with this cause they won’t do anything. The only way to take them down is to kill all of them.” Marilyn says and Weems nods.

“Well thank you for that advice, Marilyn.” Weems says and bids you all a good night.

You can see Marilyn being quiet and lost in thought on the way back. When you get to your dorm, you tell Enid and Wednesday to go in and you’ll be there shortly. You go with Marilyn to her room and you both sit on the couch.

“What’s on your mind?” You ask her and hold her hand.

“What if whatever plan we do doesn’t work? If we fail then you can die. All of us can die.” Marilyn says and she looks at your hand in hers. “I don’t want you or anyone else to die because of me and my family.” She says and a tear slips down her cheek.

“Marilyn, I can’t say the thought never crossed my mind but whatever happens will happen. And hopefully whatever plan is made is one where we win and both you and I are free of the threat. You had no idea this was going to happen, you’re not at fault. Your family is for having these connections but you’re not.” You tell her and wrap her in a hug. She wraps her arms around you and returns the hug instantly. You pull back after a few seconds and you cup her cheek. “I love you, Marilyn.” You tell her and she looks at you with wide eyes.

“Really?” She asks and you nod. “I love you too, Y/n.” She tells you and you both surge forward and kiss each other. Marilyn pulls back after a few seconds and gets up. “You need to go, you got to go to sleep as you have classes tomorrow.” She tells you with a big smile and you giggle and get up.

“I’ll see you in class tomorrow, then.” You tell her and she nods. She walks you to her door and opens it for you. “Good night Marilyn.”

“Good night sweetheart.” She tells you with a smile.

[multiversxwhore]

Decode

Pairings: Edward Cullen x Black!oc

Warnings: mentions of violence

Word count: 6k

Mentions: Huge thank you to @insatiableorsmthn for mass beat reading/editing. This whole chapter was giving “bleh” before you helped, and literally became the other half of my brain.

a/n: here’s a snippet of Decode chapter 8, to view the full chapter it will be posted on my ao3 shortly after. My ao3 is linked to my pinned post. Reblogs are encouraged, and appreciated. Please leave comments :)

All was going according to plan, that is, until Alice got a vision and it began to cloud my focus. Alice, Edward, and I all froze simultaneously. “Stop!” Alice shouted a warning to everyone else who wasn't telepathically impaired. An uneasy feeling washed over me as I watched her vision play in my mind clear as day. Three strangers entered the clearing from behind the shrouded trees, opposite of where our vehicles were parked. When they emerged, their dark brown skin seemed to glow iridescent where the sun peeked through from the clouds momentarily. Their ruby red eyes, wildly assessing us. Despite the chill, they did not care for pretenses as they were barefoot and hardly clothed. One of them, the only woman in the triad, had wild animal fur wrapped around her shoulders like an obscene scarf.  

I sucked in a sharp breath, uneasy.  The rest of the Cullens rushed to where Esme, Jasper, and I stood in an instant. Edward made it to me in record speed, but his close proximity only made my head spin; his mind was loud and  racing, too fast for me to keep up with, unintentionally making me more anxious. “They’re not humans, they’re moving in fast.” Alice spoke quickly. 

Carlisle seemingly the only calm one, he turned to Edward, he placed a hand on his shoulder. I didn't like the idea forming in their heads. “There’s no way we’re leaving your family Edward, what if it's an ambush? You saw what Alice saw Edward; they're bad news,” I tried to reason, but of course he had an argument ready. 

“I’m starting to think your father brainwashed you, Eden.” Edward mumbled snarkily, he rolled his eyes, and began to tug me in the direction of the Jeep. I tugged away from him in the opposite direction, he stared down at me in disbelief, but I remained planted in my position to stay, and see this through.

We were at a stalemate, even if he wanted to scream at me right now, it was too late. Alice’s whisper was almost inaudible, even her thoughts are close to silence. “Someones coming…they’re here.” My body went rigid. Edward stiffly turned forward, his grip on me would have broken my hand easily if I was human, but it still stung the way his nails dug into my skin, rough but careful not to draw blood.  ‘Don't say anything, don't move, just stand behind me. If we're lucky they’ll leave us alone.’ On instinct,  I stopped breathing. The three mysterious strangers nearly floated over the deep green blades of grass before they came to a stop about a foot in front of us. With ease, Carlisle put on a charming, friendly smile. He was the least favorable in a fight, but he would if he had to. 

Alice was worried about Jasper, though he seemed to be in total control at the moment. Emmett, who’s arm rested protectively around Rosalie’s shoulders, was more than prepared to ‘rip a few heads off.’ 

“Hope we’re not interrupting, we heard you guys playing, and well…we were curious. These are my partners in crime, James, Laurent, and I’m Victoria.” The woman spoke up. She didn't seem like much of a threat to me, but one of them was exceptionally dangerous – I just couldn't pinpoint who, yet. Edward’s grip tightened in mine, a silent agreement passing between us.“Mind if we join you? It’s been a while since we played…a human sport.” Victoria said playfully. The fact that she thought hunting humans down, and killing them savagely was a sport ment for fun enraged me. ‘Eden.’ Edward pleaded with me, he too felt a sense of disgust by the way these nomads lived, our thoughts were nearly synchronized. If I jumped, so would he, but that’s the last thing he wanted. 

An airy chuckle came from Carlisle, and reluctantly, he agreed, seeing this as a means for Edward and I to escape. But, it was a little too late for that. The mischievous looking one, James, was locked in on a scent…my scent. “Sure why not, a few of our players were just leaving.” Carlisle offered kindly. They seemed pleased, exchanging friendly banter at first, the group dispersing to get into a new playing position devoid of Edward and I, but I knew this wasn’t the end all be all. 

My eyes lifted to meet gazes with James; he watched me curiously, ‘This girl is human, so why is she hanging out with them…even if they aren't meat eaters, it makes no sense. Wait, what’s that scent? It’s faint…this coven’s stench is all over the playing field. Been too long since my last meal’. His mind then flickers to the scene of a young woman he had chased, and hunted for miles, then killed. He toyed with her, threw her around, tortured her. He let her beg for her life, eventually he got bored, and finished her off.’ The potency of his malicious energy gave me a shock, the urge for me to kill a vampire has never been stronger; and to everyone's misfortune, a gust of wind blew through the clearing carrying my scent right into James’ nostrils. He inhaled deeply, his eyes rolling in the back of his head as he took my essence in, “Fresh blood.” He breathed out, Edward hissed at James showing his fangs, that was the only warning he was giving. James darkly, the excitement of a new game thrilled him. 

The Cullens whipped back around, moving into a defensive stance, no preamble about it. Jasper and Rosalie pulled their lips back, baring their teeth. Emmet's size alone was enough to make any opponent think twice before taking him on. Alice, Carlisle, and Esme watched the strangers with apt focus. I took a step forward, and Edward growled a warning to me. ‘You’re still just a human to them, keep it that way.’ My jaw clenched as I fought my urges, my instinct. 

“We didn’t come here for a fight, we’ll leave you now.” Laurent had already taken a step back, his hand reaching for Victoria, and she latched onto James. He didn’t want to let me go, he was delusional enough –  hungry enough –  to attempt to take the whole Cullen Clan on, even if it meant he only got to taste a drop of my blood.  “James. Leave it.” Victoria yanked on his shoulder, but his eyes lingered on me for a second longer than necessary before she tugged him again and he rescinded. Then they were gone. The field was dead silent, not even the sound of nature met our ears, and Edward was back to panicking.

[little-moonbeam-666]

Osferth *TEASER#2!*

Here’s the 2nd teaser/sneak peek at my Osferth fic. I’m absolutely loving how this is turning out and can’t wait to share the rest of it with you guys! Also, the fic is at 6k words.... and I’m nowhere near finished! So be prepared!

“You better come back to me, baby monk.” you mumbled against his neck, just below his ear.

“I swear it. I’ll be back before you know it, my little witch.” he said, gently rubbing your back in an attempt to soothe you. But in reality all it did was send a burning heat straight to your core. 

‘Little witch’. It  was your nickname amongst almost everyone, mostly Finan and Osferth. But this was different. MY little witch. That’s what he’d called you. It sounded downright filthy the way it rolled off his tongue and you fucking loved it. Oh what you’d give to hear him say it again.

“That’s right, Os. I am your little witch. Only yours.” you said, inhaling his scent one last time before pulling your head back to look at him. “Just come back to me.”

You watched as the men gathered the last of their supplies and made their way to their horses. You wanted to cry at the sight. Imagining life without them almost caused your physical pain. Especially thinking about the possibility of losing Osferth. If he didn’t come back you weren’t sure your heart could handle it.

It wasn’t a half hour later when the men had finished gathering everything they would need and were ready to mount their horses. You stood off to the side, watching silently, waiting for the right moment to say goodbye. Your gaze focused on Finan animatedly waving his hands around, whispering something to Osferth and pointing towards you. Osferth looked your way, blushing crimson when he saw you already looking. Finan just laughed and clapped him on the shoulder before giving him a shove in your direction.

Osferth kept his head down as he walked closer. You met him halfway, reaching a hand out to grab his as you approached him. His fingers squeezed yours as he let his eyes meet yours.

“So what was Finan telling you, Os? He seemed pretty adamant about whatever it was when he pushed you towards me.” you giggled. He chuckled a bit and you watched in amusement as he struggled to find the words.

“I just, uh, I want you to know that I care about you.” he stuttered out. You couldn’t keep the grin off your face.

“I care about you too, my sweet monk. I really do.” you replied, stepping closer to him. As you did, you couldn’t help but notice Finan, Sihtric, and Uhtred gathered by the horses and watching the two of you like hawks with amused smiles on their faces. You grinned, pulling Osferth with you in the direction of the others. You stopped by his horse and smirked as you noticed the others pretending to not pay attention to the two of you.

“I’ll do my best to stay safe, my little witch.” Osferth said, stepping close to you and pressing his lips against your cheek. It was an innocent gesture but it left you burning.

Finan, Sihtric, and Uhtred did nothing to even attempt to hide the grins on their faces, obviously proud of their baby monk for making a move. Well, if they wanted to stare at the two of you so badly, you’d give them something to gawk at.

Tags:  @sirenofavalon @aryacahill​ @letmeseeyoustripp3d @slytherincursebreaker​ @justxpaulina​ @linevondensternen​ @tessgiggles​ @stillinracooncity​ @nma-nekronauta​ @dothrckis​

[thearchmanofgreenfield]

SNEAK PEEK (HUH? AGAIN!): 'They Who Hide Under Top Hats' Part XII: The Ceremony

“Do you even know where the adults went? They could be in any one of these rooms!” said Charlotte walking beside Willow.

“Well, that’s a bit tricky. They could be anywhere. But I know they would be somewhere secretive” she said. She turned her head back to address Lucian, “Is there any place your father isn’t particularly fond of you being in? A private office? A study of sorts?”

“A study,” Lucian replied swiftly. “The second door in the hallway to the right. It’s my father’s private study”

“Then that’s where we’ll look first!”

Willow then quickened her pace as they made their way to the second floor. Charlotte followed suit, trying to keep up. Lucian also tried to walk faster but before he could take another step, he felt a hand grab him by the right shoulder. He turned around and saw Laura holding him back while the other two walked further and further away.

“You have some explaining to do,” she said in a quiet whisper.

“What do you mean?” asked Lucian with a shrug. Laura then walked in front of Lucian while still holding onto him in order to prevent him from walking away. “You’re hiding something! I’ve seen it. Your mind is burying something important”

Lucian tried his best not to panic at that moment. He had known that an eventual confrontation would come from either the Hatlys or the Morrows. But he wasn’t prepared for it. Lucian didn’t know whether he should talk. Would he be betraying Lira’s trust? Or was it inevitable? He took a deep breath and straightened himself while trying to keep his mind as blank as possible.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would I hide something from you?”

It was clear that his oblivious approach wasn’t working, Laura looked behind her for a moment and then grabbed Lucian by the collar once she realized no one was looking.

“I know you’re hiding something! You’ve been hiding something since yesterday. I can see glimpses of it in your mind. I know you lied to the Bernsteins, I know it!”

She then leaned closer to Lucian, her voice sounding cold and frustrated. Perhaps because she had been unable to get the information out of Lucian’s mind. “So what is it? Does it have something to do with our parents?” Lucian’s mind was racing, still conflicted...

NOTES: You know, i think I'm gonna have to divide Part XII into two, both for time and convenience. Because so far I've reached almost 6K and i have BARELY reached the important bits.

So the current plan is to divide this segment into two halves, the first will be titled THE LETTER and the second THE CEREMONY. Its not the best thing to do but I doubt you guys would wanna read a 12K behemoth. But what do you guys think?

HEY, YOU! Yeah, you. You like fantasy? You like fantasy with guns and fancy suits? Do you like free original stories RIGHT HERE ON TUMBLR? Well, if so why not try this one riiiight here! You won't regret it!

[astrachigo]

I'm actually so touched right now. When writing my previous post, I didn't expect to receive so much support and understanding. I literally woke up to comments with so many kind words, that almost made me cry. Seriously, I appreciate you all so much, thank you for your support, I genuinely didn't think that I needed it so much after weeks of bad sleep and exams. You guys are awesome, thank you all! 😭💕

As for the chapter, it's actually turning out way longer than initially planned. It was planned to be around 5 to 6k words, not more or less, but now it might be around 7 or even 8k words long. I'll post it today, that I can promise! :) When I'll be reaching the end of writing, I'll make a post about what time it'll be published, so that you guys will be prepared. ;)

I know I've said this so many times by now, but seriously, thank you so much. You guys are wonderful readers and I am thankful for every single piece of support I receive from you. <3 I love all of you, see you in todays chapter!

[littledreamling]

Golden Heart - Ch 3

*Laughs nervously* Hey guys, it's been a while! *checks the note cards in my hands* It's uh... been... good lord, it's been almost two weeks

I really didn't mean for this to be as delayed as it is, I just very busy with school, Fluffbruary, and life in general. I cannot make any promises that the next chapter will be any more prompt in its arrival. Sorry! I hope 6k words of smut and love confessions will make up for it!

It was nearly midday by the time he trudged back into camp. As predicted, he had had to retrace his steps, following the meandering path that he had woven between nearly every tree in the God-forsaken forest. The fires were already in full blaze, cooking whatever fresh meat the scouts had managed to bring down with their limited ammo allotted to the task, the rest heating rations to make them marginally more palatable. Hob could see the hounds running loose between the tents, bowling each other over in their exuberance, wrestling to grab what appeared to be the worn-out sole of a shoe, and it brought a smile to his face. 

“Mr. Gadling,” called one of the soldiers. “Captain Endelas has been looking for you.”

Hob felt the grin slip from his face as he nodded his thanks absentmindedly. He couldn’t begin to fathom what Morpheus would have to say to him, but it couldn’t possibly be good, especially after Hob’s own spectacular display of idiocy that morning. He mentally prepared himself to be given a proper dressing down, or worse, fired, as he approached his tent.

As soon as he drew back the flap, Morpheus rounded on him, all of the fire and brimstone of hell itself in his eyes. Distantly, Hob noticed that he had been pacing, his hands clasped tightly behind his back, but his focus was caught by the sound of Morpheus’ voice, awash in fury.

“Where the hell have you been?” He snarled, his face a landscape of rage. The force of it knocked Hob back a step as he physically recoiled and defensive stone walls rapidly fell into place. He’d need to fight fire with fire, he knew, but he couldn’t let Morpheus get under his skin in the meantime. Defence and offence were equally important when dealing with such vitriol. At least this was familiar territory. Long hours had been spent just like this, raging at each other in the quasi privacy of their tent, trading insults like gunfire. Hob could hold his own on this particular battlefield.

“I went for a walk, is that bloody illegal now?” He shot back, his lips turning numb from the venom dripping off of every word. “Do I need your permission for every step I take, Captain ?”

“Seven hours, Mr. Gadling!” Morpheus shouted. “Seven bloody hours, you were gone, without a word to anyone-“

“Why do you care?” Hob retorted hotly. “All you care about is your stupid birds! They’re the only living creatures who could possibly be given any space in the block of ice that you call a heart.”

“I would like to remind you,” Morpheus said coldly, “that we are currently surrounded on all sides by enemies, any of whom could have followed your trail directly back to camp. Additionally, you chose today of all days to actually adhere to the dress code. Your red coat makes you visible for miles around without a single weapon on you-“

“I had my revolver.”

“You could’ve died, Hob!”

Read the rest on ao3!!

[crystalelemental]

Unova's back, and that means so are F2P clears, because what fun is just stomping them into the dirt with the highest tier options?  I mean, come on, it's an older CS.  Hardly that threatening.  And we have, like, all the grids now.  I'm sure we can handle-

"Fairy-weak Marshal."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Vs. Grimsley I led against Grimsley for Wikstrom's sake.  He's pretty frail, can't take a hit that well, but the condition to boost secondary effects of moves means guaranteed flinch.  So, get dunked, idiot.  Skyla for gauge, Magneton for Screech.

Vs. Shauntal Lodge Morty is stupid good, he's so helpful for Naomi.  This would've gone smoother in condition 1, but alas, I didn't think of that.  Naomi's DPS is just fine, but she does need Sandstorm which means Acerola with flinch is the best option for her.  I think we missed both sync crits and still won.  Naomi Pog.

Vs. Marshal Okay.  Among the "old" CS stages, prior to Sinnoh walking in and throwing down Entry x2 skills and the like.  Fairy-weak Marshall has always been my pick for hardest CS stage in the game.  This guy is unreasonable.  High DPS moves like Mega Kick being thrown around with accuracy buff to almost always connect.  +2 evasion on entry so even on good terms you can still just whiff.  And most damning of all, Fairy-types, on an F2P budget, absolutely suck ass.  Mina?  Super slow to set up with bad gauge and really low attack stat to start with.  Lodge Lillie?  Even slower to set up, needs Wrap which will never connect, sync is routinely disappointing despite Super Preparation 9.  Valerie?  Yeah, no, her DPS is atrocious and her sync only got 50% bonus.  Maybe if she had EX.  Maybe.  But she doesn't, so...  Sycamore?  Sycamore's sync can't deal damage.  There's just not a good Fairy-type damage dealer that doesn't have to content with accuracy checks.

So, Lodge Elesa is here to improve accuracy, and allow Sycamore's new EX, combined with the condition to further boost sync bonuses, to just lay on the DPS with Moonblast/Draining Kiss.  To my shock, it actually worked.  Sycamore's EX is actually a deciding factor in this being possible on an F2P level or not.  So congrats to Chad Sycamore.  I don't use him very often, but it's cool to see him get one last Chad in.

Vs. Caitlin It's always really, really hard for me to beat Caitlin, because I want her to win all the time.  Anyway, Dark-weak Caitlin is a trip, because her final move is Hyper Beam, and the comedy of 2700 damage hitting Hop square in the face just before we finish the match is top notch.  That said, a little trouble, mostly on gauge?  Hop himself is just buff and hope the Potions refresh, while Karen's actually really nice DPS on Double Edge.  Nanu has to take sync, though.  So the goal is, Karen uses Feint Attack to chip the right, while Nanu boosts speed turn 1 for gauge and then Screeches left until sync.  Sync takes out left, then Screech Caitlin while the other two do whatever.  The next rotation, you want Nanu to Screech Caitlin again before Karen Double Edges right.  If you did enough chip damage, it will KO, it deals like 5-6k.  At this point, Nanu gets a final Screech on Caitlin for -6 (-5 if she used trainer move), and can attempt a Bite against Hyper Beam to stall her out.  If the Bite is successful, easy money.  If it fails, Nanu just pivots into sync while Hop explodes.  Even if he misses crit, sometimes Karen is strong enough to take it out.  But I will admit, it's bullshit that when Karen uses Double Edge to KO herself, it doesn't seem to delay Caitlin's action at all.  It's supposed to, isn't it?  A sure KO on yourself is supposed to cause the opponent not to act yet.  I dunno.  It's annoying.

Vs. Iris Fighting-weak Iris is a stage I remember legitimately struggling with once upon a time, because I didn't have Bea and Wally was like my only option but he had horrendous self-setup back in those days.  So imagine my shock when I can just walk in here with an F2P team and clean up pretty well.  Maylene gives a lot of good gauge control, as well as fixing Bruno's accuracy problems so he can invest purely in damage.  Brawly is both helpful defense debuffs, but also Potion support for Maylene to not die.  Bruno's capable of really impressive numbers on DPS and sync.  He easily clears left with sync, then two-shots right with Cross Chop.  But Maylene drops, and Bruno misses crit, and he manages to get Cross Chop in but it's not enough by what looks like a wide margin...and then Brawly Rock Smashes for like 2.3k saving the run.  I'm proud of you, Brawly.

Final Thoughts Unova's definitely less scary than Kalos, but I also kinda like the highlight reel of some of the toughest options in this region.  Fairy-weak Marshall is absurd, and Dark was really tough to shop for prior to Nanu's grid.  Even Fighting-weak Iris I remember giving me serious trouble.  So it's nice to return and be like hey, with all these common grids, this is actually manageable.

No wonder they're introducing "Champion Stadium but stronger" next month...

[yume-fanfare]

Sakuragaoka Highschool’s Newspaper Extra: Interview

this is a translation of one of the short stories published for LIPxLIP’s birthday in japanese here. you can read the other one, starting line, here. this was translated from this spanish translation by mieltrabajos

Yamamoto Koudai went to the staff room after class. He was now the president of the journalism club, as the one before him had graduated, and he’d been called in by the club’s advisor, Akechi Saku. Koudai thought the talk would be about the school’s newspaper report on the school festival as it was supposed to be ready by December, but it turned out not to be the case. 

Mr. Akechi had said it nonchalantly, without looking up from his computer with a lollipop in his mouth. Koudai, however, was very confused.

“An interview…?”

Mr. Akechi nodded and then turned towards Koudai.

“Every now and then we have a section named Sakuragaoka’s Stars, don’t we?”

“Yes… well, there is one.”

They did have a section like that, introducing active students as stars. It wasn’t a bad project, but the... old-fashioned title was a bit cringy and people didn’t read it much. Well, the school’s newspaper as a whole wasn’t read much, people weren’t interested in it. They published it monthly and handed it over in the school festival, but not many people took them. Maybe if they didn’t publish information on all the school activities, they’d be able to cut down expenses next year. 

(I am lucky to be managing the school’s newspaper, journalism is the only school activity I’m interested in).

“Have you decided who it’ll be about this month?”

“No, I’m… still in the process of selection.”

He was thinking about the light music club, or maybe the drama one as they both were active during the school festival. Or maybe interview the students from the festival executive committee themselves. It could also be one of the swimming club members, as they were doing synchronized swimming even in the cold, or someone from the tea ceremony club who were doing something called “creative dancing tea ceremony”. December’s issue was going to be the last one of the year, so he wanted to end on a high note. There were lots of students he’d like to see.

“Would you like to interview my students, Shibasaki Aizou and Someya Yuujirou?”

Koudai stayed silent for a few seconds thinking about Mr. Akechi’s words.

“Wouldn’t that be hard?” he answered.

With just a few comments on those two’s appearance at the sports festival, that month’s issue had skyrocketed in popularity as their fans scrambled to get a copy. If Koudai got to interview them, the newspaper would be read everywhere.

But Shibasaki Aizou and Someya Yuujirou were professional idols. Interviewing them without getting through their office first would be a problem. That was why Koudai was unsure about being able to handle the project.

“They’re students of our school, so there should be no problem, right?”

“I’ll ask but… I’m not sure if they’ll cooperate.”

“That’s fine, Yamamoto.” Akechi smiled and offered him a lollipop, like always. “Please do it properly.”

“Ah…”

(He’s even telling me to do it right…)

Koudai excused himself out of the staff room, and twirled the lollipop in his hands.

“It’s so easy to say that…” he sighed.

But, did that mean he trusted Koudai as the club president? Mr. Akechi may look a bit eccentric, but he never said anything without a reason. Koudai couldn’t answer his “Will you be able to do this?” question with a no. He was determined to do it.

He put the candy in his pocket and pushed his glasses up.

“I want to do something really good…”

(If I got to interview those two, I want to make it a special issue, use big pages and highlight it. It’d be great if I could take a photo too).

“Is that really possible...?” Koudai brought a hand to his chin, deep in thought as he walked down the hallway.

He still wasn’t sure, and even if he didn’t have much hope, it may be possible. It was a very rewarding job for him, even if Mr. Akechi had put him between a rock and a hard place. If he managed to get it right it would be a fantastic opportunity to get more people to learn about the club.

(Where do those two go after school?)

He hadn’t heard anything about them being in clubs. Maybe they headed straight to work after class.

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Hey, Koudai!”

Shibasaki Ken was walking down the stairs. They were in the same class and together with Enomoto Kotarou, had been good friends since middle school. They usually called him Shibaken.

He looked like he was about to head home. Since he wasn’t in any clubs, he always wandered around after class.

“What are you doing? Club activities?”

“Something like that. Are you going back home, Shibaken?”

“Yeah. Kotarou is also doing activities, so I have no other choice.”

“And Takamizawa-san?”

Takamizawa Arisa, whom Ken was always running after, didn’t seem to be around either. She wasn’t in any clubs, like Ken, and Koudai had seen them going back home and spending breaks between classes together recently. However, that wasn’t the case today.

“Arisa-chan has intensive classes today,” Ken sighed, crossing his arms behind his head with a bored grimace. “Lately, everyone does.”

“You have a lot of free time. Why don’t you find a hobby or join a club?”

When they were in middle school Ken spent his time playing with girls, but he seemed to have lost interest in that. Now, he was really invested in Takamizawa Arisa. As a close friend of his, the fact that Ken was so focused on a single person alone was a bit surprising. Despite his appearance and carefree attitude, he seemed to be becoming a little bit more serious.

“There’s no club activity that stands out to me. I could consider your journalism club, though. You don’t have many members, right? It’d be a friendship club!” Shibaken joked.

“We don’t allow ghost members. What about the gardening club?”

Kotarou and his childhood friend Hina were in the gardening club, but there barely were any members, and it was at risk of closing. Though the journalism club was, too, they had only gotten one new member this year. The track and field was the most active one and the students were really good athletes, so most freshmen applied for that one.

“I’d only be a bother there.”

Kodai turned his head to the side.

“Really?”

He guessed it was because of Kotarou and Hina.

They were childhood friends, but everyone could clearly see Kotarou liked Hina, although she constantly made fun of him. Koudai, however, didn’t know how she felt about him and he wasn’t going to snoop.

Ken put his arm around Koudai’s shoulders.

“And where are you going, Koudai?”

“To an interview. For next month’s issue.”

“Oh, that sounds fun, I’ll go with you! Who are you interviewing?”

“A pair of freshmen idols,” Koudai answered.

Upon hearing that, Ken drew his arm back and stayed silent for a few seconds.

“Oh I just remembered I have a really important business to handle. Well then, Koudai, do your best with the interview!” Ken walked away towards the entrance.

Like always, Ken’s personality was a fickle thing. It seemed like he had some complicated and uncomfortable circumstances.

Koudai had wanted to ask Ken about ‘him’, because he probably knew him better. But as Ken’s friend, he prefered to not touch the topic much either.

After all, the interview was about ‘them’ as students, not some scoop.

Koudai took out his pen and notebook and whispered:

“All right, let’s go.”

Maybe they’d still be inside their classroom.

---

Koudai reached the first years’ hall and looked around with nostalgia. The first years who looked so nervous at the entrance ceremony now seemed completely used to high school life.

Time to start looking for those two.

Loud voices could be heard from one of the classrooms, so he stopped by there first. Most students seemed like they were about to go home or were getting ready for club activities. Only a few girls still crowded around their desks, excitedly talking about some magazines.

“Doesn’t Aizou-kun look like someone dangerous in this picture?”, Koudai overheard.

“Yes, and Yuujirou-kun looks so cute!”

“What kind of CD did you choose? I want a poster!”

“I preordered everything! If you get a Yuujirou-kun sticker we can trade~”

Seemed like those two were the center of attention.

(I hope I can talk to them…)

When Koudai walked into the classroom, someone seemed to have noticed him. A girl wearing the sports uniform looked at him with sparkly eyes.

“Could it be, Yamamoto-san from the journalism club!” She smiled brightly.

She was at the track and field club and had participated in the relay race. Suzumi Hiyori, Setoguchi Hina’s underclassman. Koudai had interviewed her a bit some time ago.

“Are you looking for someone?”

“Yes… for a small interview.”

“An interview!” The girl leaned forward with eyes full of curiosity.

“Yes, could you help me a bit?”

“O-oh, yes, if you’re fine with me!”

They moved away from the hall to not bother anyone and Koudai opened his laptop.

“Could we do it now?”

“Yes, of course!”

“I wanted to interview two of your classmates for next month’s issue, Shibasaki Aizou and Someya Yuujirou-”

“Shibasaki-kun and Someya-kun?!” Hiyori’s voice became surprisingly low and she took a step back.

(Uh…? … Why such an exaggerated reaction…?)

Maybe he shouldn’t have asked.

“Yes… I just want you to tell me a bit about them.”

“So it’s not an interview for me?” Hiyori’s face fell down and her shoulders dropped.

(Oh, so it was that…)

“Of course, I’ve heard about your feats at the sports festival. Setoguchi-san is also really happy about how you did and praised you for your hard work,” he tried to cheer her up, and it immediately worked as Hiyori lifted her head and smiled.

“For real?!”

“Yes, she always says she’ll do her best not to lose against Suzumi-san.”

“My goal is Setoguchi-senpai too! I’m so happy~” Hiyori laughed cheerfully, a bit embarrassed, touching her cheeks.

“Suzumi-san, you’re in the same class as them, right?”

“Yes… for now…” Hiyori rocked back and forth as she answered.

“Anything is fine, but if you know something, please tell me.”

“About what…?” “Anything is fine…”

“I don’t know anything, really!” Hiyori shook her head and stuck out her tongue, like she was annoyed.

“Why? You don’t talk with them?”

“I don’t! Whenever I try, their fans bite me…” Koudai slid his pen over the notebook as he mumbled:

“Even in the classroom…?” Then added. “Then, do those two usually stay alone in class? During lunch break, I mean.”

“Hmmm… they’re not always together. They usually eat by themselves… it’s kind of rare to see them talking to each other?” she answered.

Koudai leaned forward.

“That’s… surprising. Is their relationship bad?” He put his hand on his chin, thinking.

Hiyori grimaced and quickly added:

“That’s not it! There’s times where they have fun and cheer each other up when they’re feeling down!” After saying that, for some reason, Hiyori added in a whisper: “In front of the fans… I’m not sure…” she sighed. “It may look like they don’t get along… but they like the same things.”

“The same things?”

“Yes! Singing, dancing… and tuna mayo riceballs.”

“Tuna mayo…” Koudai mumbled. Without noticing, he doodled a riceball and wrote tuna mayo next to it.

“Oh, I prefer the dried plum ones. My grandma said that eating acids makes you live much longer and have 100 times as much energy!” Hiyori said and then crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks. “But those two don’t appreciate their greatness…”

“Eh?”

“Oh, it’s nothing! I was just monologuing…”

She got nervous, and Koudai softened his gaze behind the lens.

“I understand, Suzumi-san. But this is about them.”

“I know, I was just trying to explain!”

“What kind of bond do Shibasaki Aizou and Someya Yuujirou have in your eyes?”

“For me…?”

“Don’t think about it too much. How do you think they are like…?”

She took a while to think about it, but focused again.

“Hmmm… they’re incredible…” she closed her eyes as she answered. “They work very hard every day. When I look at them, they’re always doing their best, and they make me want to work hard too, so, to me… they’re cheerful partners?”

Then, she blushed and pressed her hands together in a plea.

“Don’t write that in the article, it’s too embarrassing!”

“Suzumi-san, you sound like you’re a fan of them too.” Koudai put the pen on his mouth, smiling.

“Yes… but even so, my number one idol is Setoguchi-senpai!!”

Koudai laughed and said: “I’ll let her know.” Then added: “Well, do you know where those two are? I was looking for them.”

“Today Shibasaki-kun has to record a song, and Someya-kun has a photoshoot at a fashion magazine, so they’ve probably left already.”

“Oh, I see...·

“Ah! Then, maybe I could…! I heard those two talking about that… something like...” Hiyori bowed. “I’m sorry, I have a club meeting!” she exclaimed and bolted out of the classroom in the blink of an eye. As it was to be expected, coming from a track and field pro.

“Such an interesting girl, Suzumi-san…” Koudai wanted to interview her, some other time. 

But now, he had to work on those two. Talking to them after class seemed complicated, since they left so quickly.

Koudai closed the notebook and pocketed the pen.

(I’ll look for them during lunch break tomorrow, maybe I’ll get lucky)

---

The next day, Koudai heard excited screaming as he was walking through the courtyard during lunch break.

The first years were playing soccer, and a lot of girls crowded around the fence, cheering and yelling. And not just first years, but also second and third year girls. Even the school’s nurse was looking towards the field from one of the school’s balconies.

(So popular…)

The reason for all of that was no other than Aizou. He had taken off his blazer, rolled up his sleeves and was running after the ball with his classmates. 

The soccer club members watched the first years with interest too. Koudai noticed Kotarou amongst them and walked up to him. A tournament was about to start, so they were practicing during lunch too.

“Hey, Koudai, what are you doing?” Kotarou called out to him. “An interview?”

“Something like that.”

Aizou reached the boy who had the ball, easily stole it and ran towards the goal. The defenders tried to stop him but he dodged them and scored a goal. The girls all stood up and screamed and his classmates high-fived each other and laughed, celebrating the victory. Koudai quickly snapped a picture. He didn’t know if he’d be able to use it but he didn’t want to lose the chance.

“He’s great. I wish he’d join the club.” Kotarou crossed his arms and sighed heavily, looking at Aizou.

He’d been pretty good during the relay race at the sports festival, and his motor skills would surely be great at any sports club. No matter what, he could adapt and excel at it for sure.

“Why don’t you try to recruit him?”

“He’s too busy with rehearsals, he’s a full-time idol…” Kotarou crossed his hands behind his head and eyed Koudai. “What’s the interview about?” “The first year idols. They’re hard to find.”

“Shouldn’t you hurry up and talk to him then? Before a girl bites you for getting too close.”

Kotarou clapped his hands together:

“Everyone, gather!” he ordered the first years in a serious club-president tone.

Koudai walked up to Aizou, who was still breathing heavily.

“Shibasaki Aizou,” he called out. “I’m from the journalism club, may I interview you a little bit?”

Aizou wiped his forehead with his sleeve and turned towards Koudai.

“Yamamoto-senpai.”

“Oh, you remember my name?”

“It’s because… I saw it during the sports festival. But I don’t know if I can accept the interview.” Aizou rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

Probably because of his agency.

“I think it’ll be okay, I don’t want to interview you as an idol, but as a first year student.” It was what Mr. Akechi had said: after all, he was a Sakuragaoka student.

Aizou changed his expression to a friendly grin.

“I don’t think that makes much of a difference but… what would you like to know?”

“About your school life. How’s this year going? Anything is fine, it’ll be interesting.”

(He seems like a normal student after all… not as carefree as Shibaken).

Both brothers were a bit shy but kind, with friendly personalities. Easy to talk to. Koudai had a lot of classmates like that. The other boys who were playing soccer called him by his first name, too. Koudai thought the fact that Aizou was an idol would make him less approachable in class, but it seemed like that wasn’t the case.

“Well, something interesting… do the cultural and sports festivals count?”

“During the last festival, your class did a haunted house, right? You were one of the best classes during the costume contest too. Yours was a very popular one, Shibasaki-kun.”

“The girls from our class were really excited about it and they were the ones to design the costumes. I hope everything looked good…”

Aizou seemed a bit embarrassed.

“I think it suited you…” Koudai remembered all the screaming fans running to the haunted house to see Aizou’s costume.

(It went quite well I think).

“Maybe the zombies could have been better,” said Aizou. “Even if it was a haunted house, I wasn’t very scared. I would have wanted it to be more realistic…”

“In my opinion it was pretty well made. Especially the sound. Though, in some areas the lights were too dark and we couldn’t really see the production work. Things like the chandelier, the mannequins or the hands on the walls. I would have liked to see them properly.”

Aizou crossed his arms and mumbled: 

“Yeah, it was a bit dark after all…”

Maybe it was so he and his partner stood out less. It was inevitable, though. If they were there, all eyes would be on them.

“The voice and the wind noise that played when you walked into the room was seriously frightening. It felt so real,” Koudai reminisced.

Aizou grinned widely.

“Oh, that was my voice! Maybe most people didn’t notice… The wind was Yuujirou’s hair dryer, though it wasn’t very strong.”

“It looks like you had a lot of fun at the cultural festival.”

Koudai thought he wasn’t very interested in school events, but it seemed like they both had participated with their classmates both in the sports and the cultural festivals.

“You really are a regular student too, like Mr. Akechi said.”

“Mr. Akechi?”

“Ah, um yes… It’s nothing. This is enough.”

“Are you sure?” Aizou asked rushedly.

“Yes, thank you. By the way, I’d like to interview Someya Yuujirou too, do you know where he is?”

“Yuujirou? Well… I don’t know if he’ll be okay with being interviewed. He can be a little problematic sometimes, but, if you want to… He must be at some secluded place, without many people. The backyard, maybe…”

“I’ll look for him. It’ll be a great article.”

“I haven’t answered much though… just things about the school festival.”

“Everyone wants to know about it. About you doing normal things.” Koudai closed his notebook. “See you,” he told Aizou before leaving.

The girls who had been looking at them from afar immediately ran towards Aizou.

Such a hard life, the school idol’s.

Koudai continued with his path: “The backyard huh…?”

---

When he got there, there were no other students around. Usually, it was the third years who met here, not the freshmen, but there weren’t any seniors around either. Probably because of the November cold. The cherry trees’ leaves had been taken by the wind a long time ago.

Koudai caught sight of a student, standing alone in front of the flower beds.

(Exactly where he said…)

It looked like there were no noisy fans around. That should be better, right? Koudai walked up to the flowerbeds, the ones the gardening club was taking care of. Yuujirou looked at them absentmindedly, like he wasn’t really there.

“Someya-kun,” Koudai said, raising his voice.

Yuujirou turned around, quickly changing his expression. 

“Senpai… Are you talking to me?”

Much like Aizou, Yuujirou also remembered him from the sports festival as a senior from the journalism club.

“I’d like to publish an interview of you and Shibasaki Aizou in the school’s newspaper next month.”

“I’m not supposed to agree to things like that though…”

Koudai sighed lightly at the negative answer, touching the rim of his glasses. He had gotten him to answer some questions at the sports festival, but maybe it was because there were a lot of students around… It wouldn’t be that easy this time.

“I only want to ask about your school life, is that still no good?”

“I am not very good at talking,” Yuujirou bowed his head. “Sorry.”

(I’ve already interviewed Aizou so that could be enough, but…)

He wanted an interview with both of them, but he didn’t want to force him.

Yuujirou turned his head back to the flowers and Koudai looked at them too. Swaying with the cold wind, they were yellow flowers.

“Rudbeckies… they’re still in full bloom…” he commented.

Kotarou and his childhood friend Hina had planted that one. They had joined the club as first years and had fought to preserve them. It was nostalgic. That flower was very important for those two friends.

Yuujirou lifted his gaze and looked back to Koudai, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

“They’re from the gardening club,” Koudai explained.

“There’s a gardening club…” Yuujirou said to himself, looking at the flowers again.

“Well, I’m not sure if there’ll still be one next year, there aren’t enough members and no one new has joined yet. If you’re interested…

“I can’t join, I’m not interested.”

Koudai exhaled, casually pushing his glasses up.

“Of course.”

Balancing idol work and school couldn’t be easy. He had no time for clubs. And even if he had, it’ll probably attract too many fans.

It was plain to see that Ayase Koyuki’s graduation had been the cause of the club’s demise. Kotarou and Hina were trying to revive it, worried for the club. They really wanted someone new to join.

“You’re staring at the flowerbed a lot… Are you worried about something?”

“It looks like they’re about to die. I was wondering if they’re well cared for.”

“Yeah, it’s because the season for flowers is over. They bloomed already, they’re fine.”

“... You know a lot about this.”

“One of my best friends is in the gardening club.”

He had stayed late reading a flower book with Kotarou at the library once. The season for these flowers was from summer til October. Maybe they had lasted this long because the warm days were expected to continue until mid-January this year. But their season was already over.

“Is the gardening club in charge of the flowerbeds at the rooftop too?”

“Indeed. Kotarou and Setoguchi-san said they had planted pansies. They plan on planting tulips there next spring.” Koudai pointed to a remote flowerbed. The grass had been removed from it and the soil had been smoothed out. “Since the third years are graduating…”

During spring, beautiful and colorful tulips would bloom. Just like the year before.

(Really, in the blink of an eye…)

“Have you had fun? This year…” Koudai asked casually.

Yuujirou furrowed his brow.

“I will not be interviewed.”

“It’s just small talk. I won’t write an article. I promise.”

Yuujirou looked ahead.

“Well,” he said. “It was…” His gaze softened and he smiled slightly.

He must have remembered something good. Koudai wanted to hear a bit more now but…

“I’m glad,” Koudai smiled and turned around.

“That was good?” Yuujirou said, confused.

“This was not an interview. Though, if you were to accept one, I’d gladly do it,” he answered, turning back to face him, and waved his hand.

“Oh, here you are!” Suzumi Hiyori rushed towards Yuujirou with a cheerful voice. “Someya…!!!” . When he noticed Koudai was there, she covered her mouth with her hands mid-yell.

Yuujirou furrowed his brow at her mistake:

“God…” he mumbled.

“Someya-kun… uh… eh… it looks like… Teacher Uchida is calling you,” she said to Someya in a terrified tone and then ran away.

(Is there a teacher named like that in school…?)

Passing by them, Koudai went back into the building.

---

Koudai went to talk to Mr. Akechi at the staff room after class before heading to the club room.

(Mr. Akechi told me to wait until tomorrow, but I don’t think I’ll be able to ask him again…)

He walked down the hall as he thought about it and opened the biology classroom they used for their club. The other members had other work that day, so there probably wasn’t anyone there yet.

However, when he opened the door, he stopped in his tracks. There was in fact a student there.

Yuujirou, standing next to the shelf by the window. He was looking with curiosity at the cameras and lenses Koudai used at the club.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” Koudai commented.

Yuujirou looked at him, chin in hand.

“You said you wanted to interview me, Yamamoto-senpai. But I want to interview you.”

Koudai laughed.

“I wanted to interview you, Mr. Akechi asked me to.”

Yuujirou clumsily turned around. He puffed out his cheeks in annoyance.

“I see,” he said, lowering his voice.

Koudai closed the door behind them.

“Then, let’s start.”

There were lots of things Yuujirou could ask about.

This was going to be a fun interview.

“I wanted you to tell me about the camera.”

“The journalism club is also looking for members. If you’re interested…”

“I can’t join.”

The answer was still simple, but his jaw softened a bit.

“Well… do you want to learn how to take pictures? Of whom?”

“For now… of my dog?”

Koudai walked closer to Yuujirou and handed him his single-lens reflex camera, his favorite one. Yuujirou held it very carefully and pointed the lens towards the window.

“...How do you focus?”

“Like this. It’s set on manual now, but if you set it to auto, it’ll focus on its own. When you change it to shooting mode, you can-”

“Ohhh...” Koudai noticed how bright Yuujirou’s expression was while he looked at the camera.

“... adjust the exposition,” Koudai finished.

Yuujirou nodded with a serious face.

“Can I take a picture?”

“Of course.”

Yuujirou took a step backwards and, much to Koudai’s surprise, turned the lens away from the window to focus on Koudai.

The shutter went off.

“Wait, I am supposed to be the one interviewing you.”

“A bit of change is always good,” Yuujirou joked, lowering the camera.

Koudai pushed his glasses up.

“I see…”

(With Shibasaki Aizou and him… this should be popular)

---

Mid-december brought Yuujirou and Aizou relaxing at the office’s break room.

Yuujirou was sleeping on the table while listening to music. In front of him, Aizou played mobile games to kill time. That day, they had had a meeting with their manager regarding their next mv.

In that moment, Suzumi Hiyori, manager in training, barged into the room yelling:

“Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!”

Yuujirou was startled by the scream, lifting his head with a sleepy face.

“Monster…” he mumbled. Maybe he was still asleep, actually.

“What the hell, you scared me!” Aizou put his phone down, frowning.

“I brought a surprise!”

Suzumi held the school’s newspaper in her shaky hands. The journalism club members had been handing it out in the school that morning.

“Our… our interview is here!”

Aizou quickly took the newspaper from her hands with sparkling eyes. That morning the girls at school had made a fuss over that issue and he’d been unable to catch a copy for himself; they all disappeared within seconds.

(Oh, last month’s interview… do I have it?)

Yamamoto-senpai had given Aizou a newspaper, but he’d been too busy to read it. He’d left it in his school desk’s drawer and had forgotten about it.

“Where’s the interview?” he asked, skimming through the pages.

Hiyori leaned over.

“Here!” she proudly pointed at the main article.

Comments from their classmate, S-san, a subheader said.

“‘Apparently, they like tuna mayo riceballs’...? What the hell is this?” Aizou complained. “Don’t accept interviews without permission.”

“Well… but I didn’t say anything out of place!” Hiyori shook her head.

“Don’t sound so happy about it. It’s a single line on a school’s paper.”

“Hey, it’s okay! Sometimes I like standing out too, alright? You two are always getting interviewed everywhere.”

“It’s only natural, who’d want to interview a manager in training?” Aizou got up, angry. He wanted to chop Hiyori’s head off.

“Wh… that’s the school newspaper? It’s out already?” Yuujirou mumbled in a sleepy I-just-woke-up voice while he ran his hands through his bangs.

“You got interviewed too. How did they buy you?” Aizou asked him with a  mocking smile.

With his interview, there was also Yuujirou’s. Aizou was surprised, he was sure Yuujirou would’ve refused.

“It was fine… I didn’t answer much…” Yuujirou looked at the article. “‘Preparing for the school festival was hard, but cooperating with everyone was very important’... Aren’t you a fraud? You didn’t do anything, just slept in a coffin.”

“Do you ever shut that irritating mouth of yours?” 

Yuujirou kicked Aizou under the table.

“That hurts! Don’t kick me!”

Right before the argument escalated, the break room’s door opened.

“Sorry for the wait!” It was their manager, Uchida, who seemed to be in a good mood. “The pictures in this newspaper are very good! I wonder if the boy from the journalism club took them, he’s got a good eye. He captured that natural side you two rarely let out.”

“Eh?! Why did Uchida-san read the newspaper?!” Aizou asked loudly, pointing at the school’s newspaper.

“Oh, the teacher in charge of the journalism club sent it to me. He asked me for permission to interview you two, he’s a good teacher. But, above that, he’s a good man~ ❤” Manager Uchida giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

“I don’t want to hear that!”

“I didn’t really cooperate anyway…” Yuujirou mumbled sleepily.

“I wonder if I can post the newspaper’s pictures on our website,” Manager Uchida wondered. “Like a precious photo of LIPxLIP’s school life!” she suggested.

“Oh, that’s right! If our interview appeared in a newspaper, I should contact my grandma and my mom!” Hiyori excitedly pulled out her phone and started to dial her house. “Oh, but I should contact my school counselor too and send them a picture!”

Manager Uchida happily strolled around the room, skipping steps, almost jumping.

“Stop that-!!”

“You’re so loud. You’re not a speaker, lower your volume.”

“Don’t cover your ears and stop Uchida-san! She’s out of control, what if she makes merch out of the pictures?!”

“It’s fine by me. Unlike Aizou, I don’t find it embarrassing.”

“What do you mean ‘unlike Aizou’?”

“Oh, mom! I got the newspaper! It’s our school’s but… I’ll fax it to you at a convenience store. So you can read it! Eh? Dried plum? Yes, I’d love to eat some! Oh, send me rice too. Yes… hm, canned.”

“Hey, potato girl, call your home outside of your work schedule!!”

“Don’t call me potato! … Oh, mom? It’s nothing. The pineapple from my part-time job is making fun of me… Yes, it’s fine. I totally defeated him!”

“Eh?! What are you telling your parents?!”

“Pfft… a pineapple!”

“Don’t laugh, Yuujirou…”

---

Koudai leaned over the rooftop’s railing after school, looking at the ground that was dyed by the sunset. The soccer, baseball and track and field club members trained with enthusiasm despite the cold.

Kotarou’s figure received a pass and ran after the ball. Hina’s running figure seemed small. And Suzumi Hiyori’s, who ran with her, did too.

Takamizawa Arisa and Shibasaki Ken were leaving the school building, walking next to each other. He saw Ken stop and laugh, waving at Kotarou.

In the school’s gate, the idol duo’s fans were waiting for the manager’s car to arrive, surely making a fuss. And it was not just Sakuragaoka’s uniforms, but from other schools too.

It was a familiar sight.

“It’s cold…” mumbled Mr. Akechi, his advisor, as he opened the door and walked into the rooftop.

When he got to Koudai’s side, he trembled and rubbed his arms. He put his hands in the pockets of his white labcoat.

“Mr. Akechi…”

“Thank you for your hard work. Today’s article was very well received,” Mr. Akechi smiled. “A success.”

“It was because those two answered properly…”

They had balanced what they should answer, what they wanted to answer, what Koudai was looking for and the proper wording for it. They were clever and talented. Going to school with those two…they really were pros.

“It worked because you’re you, Yamamoto, don’t you think?”

When he heard those words, Koudai turned to look at Mr. Akechi. His eyes were fixated on the ground, where the students could be heard yelling.

“Ah, the youth,” he whispered with a smile.

“I only wrote.”

It had been Mr. Akechi who gave him the article, and he had apparently called the office to ask for permission. Thanks to that, he’d been able to publish a special picture of those two in the newspaper. The interview wouldn’t have been possible without him.

“Did you ask me to do it because you trusted me? If not, I don’t think I would’ve done it. Those two…”

Koudai saw Akechi’s furrowed brow and laughed.

He must fight with them constantly too. They probably weren’t easy-to-handle students at all. 

“It’s hard, right? For teachers, too.”

“Well… they’re never boring, though. It’s like this every year.” He smiled, hands in pockets. His eyes were looking at the sunset sky, gazing at an airplane far away.

“I see,” Koudai commented.

“Those two’s manager praised your picture. It was a very good shot. She wants to put it on their website, is that okay?”

“Yes, I’ll send it to you later.”

Koudai waved him goodbye, and Mr. Akechi left the rooftop. Koudai stayed there some more time. The sun’s warmth hit his back, his shadow falling over the flowerbed.

He took out the lollipop Mr. Akechi had given him before. He unwrapped it and put it in his mouth. Koudai gazed at the ground, leaning over the railing.

An irreplaceable year for everyone.

Everything moves forward while the present turns into a memory.

Like the older graduated students, and the ones to follow too.

“Someya Yuujirou and Shibasaki Aizou, they both seem to have had a satisfactory year. The journalism club wishes to look over them to see what awaits them in high school.” -Yamamoto Koudai

[looooooooomis]

F I N A L  G I R L  |  N I N E

You were his final girl. And there was no chance in hell that anyone or anything was going to mess that up.

p a r t   n i n e  |  m u s c l e   m e m o r y

masterlist here

pairing: Billy Loomis x f!reader word count: 6k (im so sorry) warnings: S M U T (18+!!!!!) murder, alcohol, booty play - we getting it all babies. we also get our stabby bf in this chapter so enjoy!!

Three days.

It had three fucking days since you’d left town for your cousin’s bachelorette and Billy was going stir crazy.

He’d never been an overly affectionate man. Cuddling, handholding, none of that was ever his go-to response to any woman he’d ever been with. It never felt comfortable, never quite felt right.

Until you came along.

Because when it came to you, Billy was puddy. He not only cuddled you, pulled you into his chest and held you against him, revelling in the smell of your shampoo as your breathing fell into a quiet tandem, but he craved for it. Any second he wasn’t touching you, he needed to be.

He thought about it constantly. About you constantly.

Whenever the two of you were out with friends, it was your touch he so desperately needed. At the movies, at a party, at the fucking mall, wherever you guys went where he had to put up a show for Sid, it was you he needed to feel.

So when you weren’t around, he felt that need bone-deep.

Even tonight, as he laid limply beside Sid in her bed as the two of them watched a movie he couldn’t bring himself to give two shits about, it was you on his mind. The feeling of you on his fingertips, the taste of you on the tip of his tongue.

He let his mind wander to just how fucking cute you looked in the morning. Bleary eyed and soft with your cheeks a little puffy and your hair a mess. It wasn’t as often as he’d liked but when he was able to wake up next to you those mornings, he relished in the way you managed to look so innocent after a night spent in sin. You were bold and brazen and hungry for him, a woman lit aflame with lust and desire, but you’d wake up time and time again looking like a literal angel.

Naturally, you never thought as much. You’d duck your head in the crook of his neck and bury your face from view as though he hadn’t already committed it to memory. I’m fucking ugly in the morning, Loomis, you’d always say. An unabashed lie, but he’d only pull you a little closer and hold you a little tighter in an attempt to make those fleeting seconds last just a stretch longer.

Fuck, he missed you.

It had only been three fucking days and every fibre of him needed to see you, touch you, taste you. You were muscle memory for him, at this point. He wanted nothing more for it to be you beside him right now, not Sidney. He wanted to lean over and kiss you, pull you against him and hold you against his chest until you lulled to sleep.

He wanted you.

Wholly wanted you. All to himself. Without the need to hide it from the rest of the world.

Which meant, despite his every plan, he needed to break it off with Sid. He knew it jeopardized everything but he’d have to make do with his plans having a hitch in them rather than the possibility of going another fucking day without you next to him.

“Sid,” his voice was low, hesitant. He’d thought about his every word all fucking day long but now that it was here, he was riffing. Any iota of a plan he’d worked on, any prepared speech, was gone the second he’d opened his mouth.

Sid’s head rolled to face him from the comfort of her own pillow. The innocent smile he got out of her was almost enough to make him feel guilty.

Almost, but not quite.

“I, uh,” he swallowed and broke eye contact. The popcorn ceiling of her bedroom was all he could focus on as the shitty movie blathered on in the background. “We’ve been together for a while now, right?”

That was definitely not the stellar start he was hoping for. Especially when he saw, out of the corner of his eye, that her smile only grew. Fuck.

“Yeah,” she rolled onto her side to face him. “Why?”

A slow sigh slipped out of his lips as he chewed on his lip. What fucking now? Now she was expecting good news. Happy news. News that definitely didn’t involve a fucking break up.

Biting the bullet, Billy rolled onto his side and faced her. “I just think—”

The sound of the house phone ringing cut him off. His mouth was quite literally opened with the next few words on the tip of his tongue as the loud landline continued to slice into the quietude of the house.

He blinked. “Is your dad going to get that or…?”

Sid glanced back at the door as the final ring was seemingly interrupted by Sidney’s father. Satisfied, she turned back around to face him and gently ran her fingers through his hair. “Looks like he got it,” she smiled. “Go on.”

Billy nodded and quietly cleared his throat. “Right, uh, listen Sid. I—”

“Sid!” Her father’s loud voice boomed from the bottom of the stairs. “It’s for you, it’s Tatum!”

It was taking everything inside of Billy not to lose it. With his nostrils flared in annoyance, he licked his lips and managed a tight smile at the brunette. “Go ahead.”

But Sidney, seemingly sensing the gravity of Billy’s words, hesitated. “You sure?”

With a quiet sigh, he rolled onto his back and nodded his head. “Yeah.”

Without missing a beat, Sid hopped out of bed and snatched up her phone. “Got it, dad!” She bellowed before quietly clearing her throat. “Tatum, what’s up?”

Irritation swelled in Billy’s chest as he continued to stare up at the ceiling as he mulled over his next few words. If he had any hope in continuing on with his plans of killing her, he had to make it a nice and clean friendly break-up. Something that wouldn’t break her trust. Something that would put the blame entirely on him and his own headspace so she wouldn’t freeze him out.

“What?” Sidney’s panicked voice sliced into his thoughts. Lulling his head in her direction, his brows puckered as he took in the expression riddling his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend’s face. Fear. Worry. Sheer panic. “Is she okay?”

Something in Billy’s gut twisted as Sid’s eyes found his from across the room. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it in his chest that something wasn’t right.

“What’s going on?” He mouthed, slowly sitting up.

She held a finger up as she listened to Tatum.

His anxiety only grew.

“Oh my god,” she whispered, gripping her stomach as she shook her head. “Is she awake?”

Billy’s panic was full blown now as he sat on the edge of Sidney’s bed. “What’s going on?” He tried again, his patience waning.

Let it be anyone else. Please let it be anyone fucking else other than…

“It’s Y/N,” Sid muttered, pulling her face away from the phone to answer his question. “She’s been in an accident.”

It was as though a bomb went off right there in Sidney’s room. A low hum reverberated around Billy’s skull as his worst fears came to life. His ears rang, a cold sweat broke out across his entire body and his skin felt prickly, as though he was going numb. Only he wasn’t. He could feel the very second his heart plummeted into his stomach as he pushed himself off of the bed.

“What?” He pushed out, voice thick. He blinked and the room spun. This couldn’t be fucking happening. “Is she okay? What happened?” When Sidney held up a finger in an attempt to hear Tatum better, something inside of him snapped. “Sidney, what the fuck happened?” His voice boomed, startling the girl in front of him.

But he didn’t care.

He couldn’t bring himself to care about anything else besides you.

“Tatum, we’ll meet you at the hospital, okay?” Sidney muttered, not bothering with a goodbye as she faced Billy head on. She ran a shaky hand through her bangs, and it was then that Billy saw the tears welling up in her brown eyes. “Tatum doesn’t know much,” she explained, her voice trembled with each word. “She was driving home from her cousin’s and a drunk driver swerved into her lane.”

Billy was frozen in place. He barely even felt Sid bury her head into his chest as she cried. She was worried, scared for you, but Billy felt as though he was going to throw up. Were you alive? Were you stable? If you were, how bad were your injuries? Were you even conscious?

So many questions, no answers.

Heat prickled along the back of his neck and spread to his ears as the room spun. “Where is she?” He whispered both scared to ask but desperate for an answer.

Sidney sniffed. “Woodsboro Memorial.”

He nodded and, in a daze, managed to grab Sidney’s hand to usher her out the door. “Okay, let’s go.”

It felt as though he was walking through molasses. He barely even heard Sidney explain to her dad about where they were headed, all he could do was focus on getting himself to that hospital. He needed to see you in person. Needed to see if you were okay.

Because, if you weren’t…

No. He couldn’t go there. Not just yet.

You had to be okay. He needed you to be okay.

So, he numbly hopped in the car with Sidney in the passenger’s seat and drove to the hospital. The streetlights all bled into one luminescent blur as he sped forward, not giving a shit about the speed limit or anything else besides getting to you.

Sidney, seemingly lost in her own thoughts, remained silent and he was well and truly thankful in those moments that her fear for your wellbeing overpowered the need to fill the silence of that car ride.

Within forty minutes, he was pulling into the Woodsboro Memorial parking lot. He parked close to the doors and he was almost sure he’d have a ticket waiting for him when and if he left the hospital, but he didn’t care. They could tow the fucking thing away if it meant he got to you sooner rather than later.

In silence, the pair made their way to the nursing station and when she told them what room you were in, the silence only continued as they made their way to the elevators. It wasn’t until Sid turned to face him with worry pinching her brow that the thick, tense silence was broken.

“Billy,” she swallowed and gripped his hand. “You think she’s okay?”

For the first time since that phone call, Billy’s eyes managed to focus in on Sidney’s face. He could see the fear in her eyes and hear the panic in her voice as the elevator continued its journey up to your floor.

“Yeah,” his voice was gravelly, raw. He hoped like hell he was right. “I do.”

She managed a small smile as the doors opened up to reveal your floor. Without wasting another second, they tore off in the direction of your room which was, thankfully, easy enough to find with Tatum, Stu and Randy standing just outside of it.

“Tatum!” Sid cried out, breaking off into a run. “How is she? Is she okay?”

“She’s okay,” Tatum nodded, seemingly releasing her own relieved sigh as she rolled her eyes. “I’m going to kill her myself, though, for scaring the shit out of us like that.”

“The doctor kicked us out,” Randy threw in, leaning against the wall. He wore the same look of relieved panic that Tatum had splayed across her face. “He had to talk to her mom about pain medication.”

“Hey, you okay man?” Stu’s voice was low as he reached around Tatum’s head to squeeze Billy’s shoulder.

“What the fuck happened?” Billy asked, finally finding his voice.

“A fucking drunk driver,” Tatum nearly growled. “You remember Andrew Garner? That rich douche that graduated a few years ago?” She shook her head furiously. “Apparently he had a few too many and drove home. I’m sure it’s not his first time, either but, you know, Daddy’s Money and all that shit. Fell asleep at the fucking wheel and swerved into oncoming traffic. Right into Y/N’s car.”

Andrew Garner. Billy could recall the name, but not the face.

He would, though. He’d go through every fucking yearbook in his house if it meant he’d find that fucker’s face.

“How bad is it?” Sid asked, almost scared of the answer.

“Broken wrist, a few cuts and bruises and a cute little goose egg on her head, but otherwise she’s fine.” Randy explained, slipping his hands into his pockets. “She said she swerved last minute so he didn’t hit her dead-on, but he t-boned her car and she rolled into the ditch.”

Billy’s head popped up as he eyed Randy and for the first time, something that felt a whole hell of a lot like hope blossomed in his gut. “Wait, she’s awake?”

As if on cue, the door opened up to reveal a greying doctor and your mother. The doctor frowned as he noticed Billy and Sid. “There’s already too many visitors,” he grumbled in disproval. “Three of you were bad enough, now there’s five?”

“She’s a popular girl,” Stu simply said, standing up a little taller as though to intimidate the older man.

The doctor sighed and glanced back at your mom. “Half hour,” he warned them. “Half hour and they have to go. Your daughter needs her rest and the hospital needs its space.”

Your mother nodded her head as she swiped at her eyes. “Yes, Doctor.”

The man left without another word, but your mother remained in the doorway with a small smile on her face. “You guys go in,” she fussed, “I’m sure Y/N has had enough of me hovering and I need to find some coffee.”

It took no convincing for the group to filter inside of your small room but Billy lingered behind and held his breath as his eyes swept over your injured frame. For a woman that had just rolled her car into a ditch, you looked incredible. Bruised, as Randy had said, and there was a cast on your wrist along with several tiny scratches marring your arms and neck, but you looked perfect.

And as your eyes slowly found his from across the room, his knees nearly buckled.

You were okay.

Sid was the first to rush to your side. “Oh my god, Y/N,” she whispered, taking in the extent of your injuries. “How you feeling?”

“Like shit,” came your playful reply. Your voice was raspy and hoarse. You squeezed your eyes shut as your head fell back against the pillow. “My head’s killing me.”

“Did Doctor Asshole tell you how long you had to be in here for?” Tatum asked, taking a seat on the edge of your bed.

“I can leave later tonight, at some point, thank god.” You managed a pitiful thumbs up. “They ran some tests before you guys got here and it’s not a concussion or anything, so that’s good. My wrist is fucked but better than the alternative, right?”

Billy’s feet remained planted in the sterile ground beneath him. He wanted nothing more than to kick every single person out of that room so he could wrap his arms around you, and it was killing him that he couldn’t. He loved you with everything he had, and you loved him right back so the fact that he couldn’t do a damned thing besides stand there with his hands bawled into fists inside the pockets of his jacket felt obscene.

“No internal bleeding or anything like that?” Randy asked.

Stu made a face and smacked his chest. “Dude, what the fuck?”

Randy held his hands up in mock surrender. “I’m just making sure our dear friend isn’t going to croak on us, is that so wrong?”

You managed a quiet laugh. “Your concern is touching, Randy.”

“See?” Randy beamed but his smile fell as he gently nudged your foot. “Seriously, though. I’m glad you’re alive, kid.”

The group fell into an easy rhythm after that. They caught you up on everything you’d missed while at your cousin’s bachelorette. Billy supposed he should have thrown in a few tidbits himself, but all he could do was stare at you. At the bruises and cuts marring your body, on the welt that bloomed along your hairline. On the fucking cast wrapped securely around your left wrist.

He was hyperaware of every wince you gave whenever you’d make a sudden move. He knew you too well, at his point, and while you were putting on a solid show for your friends, he could tell you were in pain.

He could tell, despite being safe and sound now, that you were still scared.

Andrew Garner. He’d fucking done this.

That familiar prickling inside of Billy’s chest began to sprout and burn as he thought about getting his hands on the bastard. He’d undeniably have a hefty fine, but he thoroughly doubted that it would turn into a jail sentence. As Tatum pointed out, he’d get off. His family was loaded, and they’d undoubtedly intervene if it meant clearing his name.

But a fine wasn’t going to do it for Billy.

He’d nearly killed you and Billy would be damned if he got away with that.

Eventually, the doctor stuck his head in again and your mother returned with a massive cup of coffee. It was time to say their goodbye’s. Tatum and Sid were first and then Randy and Stu and when it came time for Billy to finally get a moment with you, you were both all too aware of your friends standing only a few feet away.

“If you need anything,” Billy muttered, giving your shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Just say the word, you hear me?”

“I will.” You managed a small smile.

Returning the smile, Billy leaned in to give you a quick hug. A friendly hug from an outsider’s point of view, but anything but for the two of you. “Leave your window unlocked tonight, okay gorgeous?”

You nodded once and it took everything inside of him not to kiss you before pulling away from you. Shooting you a quick wink, he turned on his heel and joined the rest of your friends as they made their way out of the hospital.

“I’m going to take a quick piss before we head out,” Billy chimed in, giving Stu a quick look as he veered off towards the bathrooms.

“Same.” Stu merely said as he followed him into the bathroom. He wasn’t shocked to find Billy pacing the floor, but it was the venomous look in his eyes that made Stu’s own smile broaden in excitement. “What are you thinking, man?”

“Do you remember Andrew Garner?” Billy asked, racking his brain for a visual of the bastard. “Remember where he lived or what he looked like or…”

“Yeah, man,” Stu nodded, “my brother played lacrosse with him for a year. I know exactly who he is.”

Relief flooded through Billy as he nodded and clipped Stu’s back appreciatively. “What do you say we pay that fucker a visit tonight?”

Stu’s eyes lit up in excitement. “You know I’m in.” He laughed. “I even found these stupid discounted Halloween costumes a few weeks back at the gas station, man. They come with these freaky ass white masks. We can give those a shot, make the fucker shit his pants before we gut him like a fish.”

Billy was nodding along to Stu’s words. The more pain and shame he could bring Andrew Garner, the better. “I’ll pick you up at ten. Bring those masks.”

-----------

Billy had watched the blood swirl down the drain of his shower for an entire hour as he cleaned himself off. Just as he thought, Andrew didn’t get a lick of jail time for nearly killing you. He instead had his father pay his fine before settling into his lavish house to nurse what was bound to be one hell of a hangover.

The bastard was still piss drunk when he and Stu managed their way into his house. He’d barely even put up a fight, if he was honest. He was loaded and by the time he noticed their knives, it was too late.

They’d killed the piece of shit. Tore him open from stem to stern. Billy had contemplated on making it look self-inflicted, at first, but the second he’d laid eyes on him, on his smug little face, all he could picture was you.

On the pain he’d inflicted on you.

On the fact he’d nearly killed you. His love, his life.

No, he wanted him to suffer.

So, that’s exactly what they’d done. He’d made the fucker suffer.

It was almost too easy, if he was being honest but no less satisfying watching the light leave the man’s face as he took in one final raspy breath of air before succumbing to his wounds.

Not long after that did Stu and Billy slip out of the house, unnoticed. No police sirens followed them, they left no trace of anything behind – save for the bloodied corpse – and they’d made it back to their respective houses with enough time for Billy to shower thoroughly before seeing you.

His heart was beating wildly in his chest as he dressed himself and as he thought of all of that blood, he felt that familiar part of himself spark to life. He’d made the piece of shit pay for what he’d done to you and he felt fucking good about it.

Soon after getting dressed and composing himself, he found himself climbing the trellis leading up to your room. It was a familiar footpath, one he’d taken a thousand times before, but there was a desperation with each step that encompassed him so wholly that by the time he’d reached your window, it was almost hard to breathe.

And when he laid eyes on you, on each bruise and cut, on that cast on your wrist, an entirely new emotion rippled through his chest as he fell to his knees at the foot of your bed. “Baby,” he breathed out, wrapping his arms around your middle. He was being so gentle, so careful so as to not hurt you any further. “I was so fucking worried about you. Are you okay? I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I—”

“Billy,” your laugh was gentle as you ran your fingers through his brown locks with your good hand. “I’m okay. I promise.”

He buried his face in your stomach as he held you. “I thought I’d lost you.”

You were quiet for a few seconds before you shook your head. “I’m right here.”

You heard him sniff and when he pulled back to look up at you, his eyes were red and glossy. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

You shrugged and continued to idly run your fingers through his hair. “I’ve been in less pain in my life.”

Billy frowned and slowly got up to his feet to take a seat beside you on the bed. He kissed your shoulder as his eyes swept across your every bruise. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Lay with me?”

In no time at all, the pair of you were laying on your bed as the movie you’d been watching before he’d come in played on in the background. Neither of you were paying much attention to it but the background noise was a good distraction from the fear still stewing beneath the surface.

You were laying on your good side, pressed against Billy’s chest as his thumb circled your knuckles. He was holding you as close as humanly possible, committing the feeling of you here, right now, to memory.

“Is this okay?” He asked tentatively. “You’re not too sore?”

“This is perfect,” you admitted quietly. “I think I’m still running on adrenaline, to be honest. I’m sore but not as sore as I probably should be.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Billy hummed into your hair.

You shook your head. “No,” you muttered. “I don’t want to think about it at all.”

“Okay.” He kissed the back of your head. “Then we won’t talk about it.”

He could feel the steady rise and fall of your chest against his as he held you there. He was still shaking with adrenaline from killing the rich piece of shit that had done this to you, but he had no intention of letting you go.

If he was being honest, he wasn’t sure he could have even if he tried.

Slowly, however, he felt you shift so that you were no longer on your side but laying on your back with those pretty eyes of yours focused in on his. “This movie is garbage.” You complained with a defeated frown. “I put it on in an attempt to distract my own brain, but it’s shit, isn’t it?”

He hadn’t so much as glanced at the TV since he’d stepped foot in your room. “I’ll change it for you. What do you feel like watching?”

You shook your head and grabbed his t-shirt with your good hand as he moved to get up. “I don’t want to watch a movie.”

Billy cocked his head to the side and, while he could see that dark look flash across your face, the one that immediately made his cock twitch in anticipation, he chose to ignore it. He had to ignore it for his own sanity. “What do you want to do? You want to, I don’t know,” he glanced around your room, “you want to play a board game?”

You blinked as a lazy grin broke out across your face. “A board game?” You echoed. “No I don’t want to play a fucking board game, Loomis.”

His own small smile tugged at his lips. “Cards?”

You yanked him back down onto the bed so that you were laying practically nose to nose. “No, I don’t want to play cards.”

He cupped your cheek as gently as he could and slowly let his hand trace over the gash that ran along your hairline. His smile fell as he felt you wince beneath his palm. “I wish I’d have been there, baby.”

“Why?” You whispered. “So that you, too, could look this?”

“You look perfect.”

“I look like shit,” you laughed quietly. “This is probably your blood kink talking, sicko.”

He matched your smile and bumped your nose with his. “Sicko, eh?”

“You heard me.”

Sliding his hand down from your cheek to your neck, he scraped his thumb along your throat and collarbone. And when you gently guided his hand further down your chest towards your breasts, Billy swallowed hard. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

You shook your head and bit back a moan as he ran his knuckles across your nipples. “You won’t.”

He watched your nipples harden into buds beneath your thin shirt. “I might.”

“If anything hurts, I’ll tell you to stop.” You reasoned. “I need a distraction and you happen to be my favourite kind of distraction.”

His thumb grazed your nipple from overtop your shirt. He was being so gentle, too gentle, and his eyes were watching your every move as though waiting for you to stop him. But you never did. Instead, he felt you relax against him as he slowly slipped his hand beneath your shirt. Your skin was warm beneath his touch and despite the concern he had about hurting you, that look in your eyes was all he could focus on.

You were just as desperate for him as he was for you.

Flicking his thumb across one of your nipples, he rolled the bud between his fingers and pulled the hem of your shirt down far enough to reveal your tits. His mouth watered as he lowered his mouth onto your tit. His mouth was methodical as he sucked and bit down on your nipple. With every suck, his expert tongue swirled around your nipple, garnering a quiet, desperate moan out of those pretty lips of yours.

“Does that feel good?” He breathed out.

“You know it does.” You gave him another soft moan that made his cock twitch. “Don’t stop.”

As his mouth continued to devour your tits, he slid his hand further down your body before slipping it beneath the waistband of your sleep shorts. The familiar small smattering of hair along your mound made his pants tighten as he envisioned himself nose deep inside of your cunt.

God, he fucking loved you.

You’d always been a vocal lover, something he loved so fucking much, but tonight you were quiet. Your breathy moans were hushed as he finger-fucked you and each breath that slid through your parted lips sounded quieter than the last. “Billy” your voice was barely above a whisper, but he’d heard the desperation in it as clear as day. You gave his hair a gentle squeeze and thrust into his palm. “Fuck me, Billy. Please.”

There was something so fucking sexy about hearing you beg for it. Beg for a release only he could give you, but he was still so careful, terrified to make your already sore body worse because he couldn’t hold back.

Two fingers slipped inside of you as his thumb quickened its pace on your clit. You were soaked. Your slick coated his palm and he couldn’t help but slip his fingers out of you only long enough to lick his fingers. Fuck. He needed more of a taste. He needed to taste you on his tongue, feel your clit tremble in his mouth.

“Is it going to hurt to lay down on your stomach?” he asked, coating your tits with slick so that he could lick it off of you.

“Mmm, no I don’t think so.” You moaned. “But why?”

He bit down on your nipple. “Do you trust me?”

You nodded mutely and, with his help, did as you were told. You felt him snake your shorts down the length of your thighs as he kissed the curve of your ass, biting down on one cheek as he went before throwing your shorts across the room. You felt the bed shift as Billy crawled towards you but before you could question him on it, you felt his hands slide beneath your hips to pull you up so that your ass was raised in the air.

“What are you—”

Your words died in your throat as you felt his tongue glide along the folds of your pussy. He heard you gasp and fall back onto your pillow, stifling your moan as best to your ability as the flat of his tongue licked up your core.

“I want to fuck you so bad,” he rasped out, sucking on your clit. “But not tonight.”

“Billy,” you moaned. “Please.”

“I know,” he lapped at your clit, snaking his tongue in a circular motion that he knew drove you insane. “But I won’t risk hurting you. Not tonight.”

You were face down, buried in the comforter and pillows of your bed, but with your hips bent at the level Billy had positioned you in, he had full access to both your pussy and your ass. You could feel his fingers kneading into your ass as his lapped up your every fold until settling on your clit again.

Your entire body was red hot. Your nipples were painfully hard and you could hear how wet you were as his mouth imbibed every inch of your pussy. But before you could get used to the feeling of having him suckle and nip at your clit, he seemed to run his fingers down your pussy back up to your ass, spreading your slick all around before his thumb gently began to circle your ass hole.

You gasped at the contact but didn’t shy away from his touch for a single second. It was euphoric feeling him tongue fuck you all the while slowly, gently, fingering your ass. You were writhing beneath him and burying each moan and breath into your pillow. He knew this was killing you, he felt your need, tasted it all over his lips.

But he wasn’t done yet.

Tonight was all about you.

But if he didn’t grant himself a release soon, he was going to die.

So, with his free hand, he unzipped his jeans and began to pump his cock all the while fucking you with his tongue. Slowly, he began to kiss and lick and lap all the way down your pussy until his tongue was where his thumb had been teasing you. “You taste so fucking good.”

His voice was hoarse and breathy and as you chanced a look back up at him through a pair of hooded, drowsy eyes, he almost came in his hand right then and there. You looked so fucking perfect.

A slow, tender smile crept along his now glistening lips. “So fucking good.” He doted again, placing a kiss to your left ass cheek as he re-situated himself. Just before he lowered his mouth to your ass, he caught your eye one final time before he shot you a wink.  

Your breath hitched in your throat as his tongue began to coax your ass hole. Your entire body was on pins and needles as that expert tongue dipped in and out of you, massaging the insanely sensitive area as he slipped a few fingers back into your pussy. His name tore out of your throat and your knees buckled from the sensation of having his tongue fuck your ass all the while fingering you to bring you closer to a release.

Your knuckles whitened as you gripped the bedsheets and, as the veins in your neck swelled with every laboured breath you managed to draw, Billy felt your entire body tense before you began to buck into his mouth as an orgasm rippled through your body. You moaned and groaned and cursed into the bed, but Billy’s mouth was relentless. And as he pinched your clit all the while dropping his mouth from your ass back down to your pussy, you all but collapsed.

He loved watching you come. You always got this gorgeous, hazy look in your eyes when you came and he could watch your body tremble and rock and writhe all day long. He was painfully hard in his own hand watching you come undone like this.

Just when he was sure you couldn’t take another second of his mouth, he pulled away and gently eased you back down on the bed. Your cheeks were flushed, and your lips were parted as you attempted to catch your breath. With every heaving breath, he met your tits with a hungry suck as he continued to pump his cock with the image of you like this.

And then he kissed you, felt you lick yourself off of his lips, and he came undone all over your thigh.

He could kiss you all fucking day.

Easing himself back down on the pillow next to you, Billy’s thumb gently raked over the gash that ran along your hairline. His brown eyes soaked in every injury and with every single bruise and cut, he was brought back to the bloodied mess he left Andrew Garner in. One blink, he was there on that bed with you, the next, he was holding the bloody knife as he sliced it into the fucker’s chest.

“I love you,” he heard you say, reaching your good hand out to soothe his hair down. He caught a glimpse of the ring he’d given you and immediately felt his chest tighten as the reality of the day settled in his chest.

He’d almost lost you today.

He’d truly almost lost you and the weight of that reality made his next few words flow out of his mouth with ease.

Focusing in on your face, Billy gave you a small smile as his lips ghosted across your knuckles. “I love you, too.” He whispered with all the sincerity in the world. “And nothing is going to get in the way of that, you hear me?” He pulled you against his chest and breathed in the familiar scent of your hair. “Nothing.”

[wondernus]

- ̗̀ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 (𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰) ˎˊ-

✏︎ pairing: teacher!vernon x teacher!yn (gn)

✏︎ fic synopsis: falling for the young and flirty high school history teacher is inevitable especially when he pays for your groceries and calls himself your work husband

✏︎ fic & preview genre: fluff, romance, mutual pining

✏︎ preview warnings: food/drinks, language

✏︎ preview wc: 953 (unedited)

✏︎ a/n: hi bbs the preview for the vernon work husband fic I teased in my tags months ago is finally here <3 the current unedited completed fic is an estimated 5-6k wc. this is only a portion of chapter one. please lmk if you want to be tagged when I post the completed fic fic is out! the link is below (ㅅ´ ˘ `)🌷💗

full fic out: [read me here!]

chapter one: café; lunch break

“I need you to go on a double date with me.”

Your friend’s question appears out of nowhere. Some of the latte you’re drinking dribbles out of your mouth, runs down your chin, and drops onto your slacks. Your friend quickly leans over the table and takes your cup out of your hand and hands you some napkins. You wipe your chin and dab away your slacks, groaning at the thought of returning to class and standing in front of your class with prominently stained pants – cinnamon oat milk flavored if it matters at all.

“Absolutely not,” you put the soaked napkins on the table and grab a wet wipe from Jeonghan’s stretched hand. He’s prepared – it’s not very often he doesn’t see you with some sort of stain on your clothes; after all, you are an Environmental Science teacher.

“Come on, Yn,” he whines while you furiously rub at the stain with the wipe. “I didn’t even tell you when or where the date is going to take place. How could you reject me so quickly?”

“Jeonghan, I really don’t have time right now,” you sigh and drop the wipe next to the wet napkins. He stares at you with pleading eyes, his hands in prayer. “You know how busy I get whenever Spring Break is almost here. We have midterms this week, there’s the spirit rally, and not to mention my errands…” you trail.

“But what if the person I’m meeting is sketchy?” he sulks.

“Then they should be the one afraid because you’re the sketchiest person I know,” you exclaim. “Where did you even meet them in the first place?”

“Tinder,” he takes a sip of his Iced Americano and places the glass cup back down on the beige café table.

“You know what…” you let the thought marinate in your head for a brief moment. “You’re right. They actually might be sketchier than you are.”

He quickly nods his head in agreement. To him, this is a more than good enough reason for you to go on the double date with him.

“But I’m not going on a double date with you. People already get the wrong idea about us.”

In the middle of the same café, Seungkwan thanks the barista at the cash register and walks over to the side of the counter to wait for his coffee. Stuffing his wallet into his back pocket, Seungkwan’s eyes gloss over the several artisanal coffee bean bags and teas on display along the white café walls before they wander to the several people sitting in the café. His head gently bops to the music playing in the background while he people watches. There are a few college students hunched over their laptops and a couple people near the windows having lunch. Sitting in the corner of the room is a familiar face he’s seen on social media and sometimes in passing when he drops by Vernon’s classroom for lunch.

You seem to be bantering with the guy sitting across from you, but Seungkwan can’t hear anything from where he’s standing. From the looks of it, his friend’s earlier apprehensions about your lunch plans seem to be confirmed. His cellphone vibrates in his hand, and he flips it open to look at the text from the same friend who stayed up worrying last night:

[text from: nonie]

nonie: wyd? i'm bored rn bc yn isn't here

kwan: apparently looking at yn on a date

nonie: should I be concerned?

kwan: yeah you should be bc he's pretty handsome

kwan: should be you tho

nonie: see? I told you it was a date bc they styled their hair differently

kwan: but don’t people normally dress differently for dates?

nonie: but yn always dresses nicely bc they spend too much time deciding what they're going to wear for the day. like they even take into consideration the weather changes throughout the day.

nonie: so nice hair = extra effort

kwan: I’m begging you to go get a life

nonie: bro call me

kwan: i'm picking up my coffee now. byeee

“You see my wallet?” Jeonghan opens his black wallet in front of him like a picture book for you to see. He tips it forward and opens it slightly so you can see the bills stacked neatly against each other. “I will literally pay you to go on this double date with me. If anything, maybe the friend will be hot and Vernon will get jealous and actually ask you out.”

You roll your eyes at him and motion for him to put his wallet away. You can’t believe he actually came prepared with his monetary bribe. “But Vernon doesn’t seem like the type to get jealous.”

Your phone pings and three consecutive messages wake your screen:

[text from: work husband]

work husband: I miss you. my lunch sucks today :P

work husband: I’m eating in my classroom today bc I’m avoiding Carl

work husband: fucking Carl

Jeonghan’s eyebrow arches while you try your best to avoid replying back to Vernon. Not the type to get jealous my ass, Jeonghan thinks while reluctantly putting his wallet away. Telling you to do your hair differently was his idea. So, if he’s correct and his plan worked, Vernon probably sent you messages because he thinks you’re on a date with somebody.

“How about you ask Vernon out?” Jeonghan takes his fork to prod at his forgotten slice of cake in the middle of the table. He knocks off the strawberry at the top and plunges his fork into the tip of the cake. The fluffy spongey matcha cake sandwiching diced strawberries and fresh crème fraiche makes for a perfect mouthful.

taglist: @jiminismybabymochi, @anissanightyoung, @bat-shark-repellant, @woozarts, @jaycheoluwu