#and I took some of it today. and holy chit

[bewitchedbodyandsol]

holy chit

[southerntigress]

Glitter

"I swear to God if you don't tell me where we are going and who we are meeting I'm gonna throat punch you" I said annoyed while sitting in the passenger side of my best friend's car going to a "surprise location" to do a special shoot with a unnamed (to me at the moment) photographer. I hated surprises cause it could mean 1 of 4 things. 1. I love it 2. Hate it 3. Give me anxiety

"Calm ya tits fido you will see very soon and believe me you will love it and thank me" Joanna said

I just rolled my eyes huffed and closed my eyes to try and get a little nap in before getting there, it's 7am and we have about 1 and half hour drive.

Joanna and I have been besties ever since we were little girls she moved away to California when she was a teen and we keep in touch over the years. When I turned 18 I moved there after my parents passed away for a new scenery and she had been begging me for years to come up there. I got into modeling and decided California would be the best place to get my foot in the door. I've been pretty successful made a decent living but I quit a couple years ago I was growing stale and needed a change. So I took some of my savings and opened up a clothing line with Joanna which brings me here today and why we are driving at a ungodly hour almost 2 hours away to do a photoshoot with this yet to be named cause it's a surprise photographer. I hate mornings and I hate surprises.

"Amy wake up we are here" Joanna says while shaking me

"Five more minutes mom" I mumble

Joanna giggles "no get your ass up and out of this car or I will drag you out"

I open my eyes and raise my eyebrows at her "don't threaten me with a good time"

She just shakes herhead and laughs "come on"

We get out of the car and head inside the building I look around and roll my eyes " oh look a studio some surprise this is" I say sarcastically

"Stop being a brat and bitching this is just the icing on the cake " she says

I once again roll my eyes and say " oh boy can't wait to see the cake" I say sassy like as we approach a lady behind a desk

"Good morning I'm Tiffany you must be Joanna and Amy" she says as she reaches out to shake our hands

"That we are" Joanna says with smile

I just nod did I mention I'm not a morning person? I haven't had my coffee and I'm hungry.

Tiffany looks at me and raises her eyebrows then laughs "oh Nikki is going to have his hands full with you I see"

" right? Give him a run for his money" Joanna giggles

"Um, hello I'm right here bitches don't talk about me like I'm not here. And stop with this talking in code shit I'm not in the mood." I say with way more attitude then I attended I was getting irritated with them not telling what is going on

" now that we got that out of the way-" Tiffany starts bit I cut her off

"We ain't got nothing out of the way. I still don't know who this Nikki guy is nor do I have coffee and I'm starving so if we could cut the chit chat and tell me what the hell is going on so I can get coffee and food that would be lovely" I roll my eyes

Joanna sighed " fine but after I tell you will you promise to be nicer"

"Depends on if I get coffee and food afterwards" I said as Joanna walked off in search of coffee

"The guy we are talking about is Nikki Sixx and he's gonna be the photographer today" Tiffany said with a smile

"Hold on pump the brakes" I said taking a deep breath in to calm myself I could not have heard right.

"As in Nikki walking sex on legs motley crue icon Sixx" I rambled on

Tiffany chuckled " yes ma'am"

Holy hell I done died and in heaven this can't  be real

I was breathing heavily when Joanna came back and handed me my coffee " I see you told her huh" she laughed looking at Tiffany who only nodded with a smile then answered the phone. While Joanna and I sat down drinking our coffee.

"Speak of the devil, that was Nikki he said he will be a little late his meeting is running later that planned" Tiffany informed us

"Ok we will just go eat and come back later or you can call us when he's on his way back and we will come back" I said

"Ok sounds good see ya in a bit" Tiffany said

We sat at a local diner talking and eating we decided to go shop around it had been almost 2 hours and we still haven't heard back from Tiffany so we decided to just go back home and call Tiffany to reschedule seeing as he was too busy to even care to call and let us know anything. At this point I was pissed and tired and just wanted to sleep.

We pulled up to my house Joanna looks over at me " I'm sorry Amy today was a waste of time I got your hopes up for nothing he didn't even show or have the balls to have his assistant to call or anything"

I look at her "it is what it is, it's not your fault he's an asshole for doing that. Good night love I'll call you tomorrow" I get out of the car and she drives off.

I go in my house toss my keys on my table go upstairs to get a shower after my shower I throw on a thong and a tshirt and lay down since it's late and I'm just trying to relax before I go to sleep

I was about to start a movie when I hear a knock on the door I get up not bothering to put pants on or robe thinking it's Joanna that maybe she changed her mind and wanted to sleep over tonight. I opened the door and my breath hitches in my throat Nikki Sixx is standing there glaring at me

"What are you doing here and how do you know where I live" I said glaring back I'm still pissed at the stunt he pulled today and if he was looking for a fight he picked the right bitch tonight

He didn't say anything he just walked right passed me in my home liked he lived here

"Oh pleae do come in it is your house after all" I say sarcastically with a eyeroll and shut the door

He turns to face me "it is my home so I can come and go as I please"

Who does this bitch think he is?

I scoff "really? Wanna tell that to my bank account?  Cause if memory serves me correctly I'm the one that bought and paid for this house and my name is on the deeds not yours"

"Yeah? Thanks for making my pockets fatter" he smirks

I just glare at him and he chuckles " this used to be my house before you bought it"

"That explains the hideous interior when I got it" I smirk at him

He raises his eyebrows at me and continues to glare "you got a smartmouth for someone that left me high and dry"

" excuse me but you are the one who left me high and dry I was there on time you were the one that never showed and didn't have the balls to call and let me know " I said

" you could've waited" he said

I scoffed " who do you think you are? I waited around for 2 hours and was ghosted so I came back home. I'm not gonna waste my time for someone who stands me up and then you wanna come to my house and act like you're the shit and the world revolves around you. Newsflash Nikki it doesn't and I'm not gonna sit around and wait for nobody" I snapped

" you're a bitch I don't know why I even bothered coming over here" he said

"Why did you come to my house this late after what you did? And then walk in here acting like you own this place and run shit u don't run shit and you damn sure don't own or run me" I said titling my head and squinting my eyes

Nikki swifty ran up to me grabbed my shoulders  and pinned me against the wall glaring at me " you're a fucking bitch watch your fucking mouth and how you speak to me " he raised his voice

I smirked at him " you don't fucking scare me I've dealt with bigger and badder dicks than you. I'll watch how I speak to you when you watch how you speak to me"

"I swear to God if you don't shut your fucking mouth right now I'm-"

"You're gonna what Nikki?" I said interrupting him

He glared at me and I could feel the heat radiating off of him and I ain't even gonna lie I was quite turn on. I know I'm crazy but seeing Nikki all fired up and having his body pinned against mine is hot as hell. Then suddenly he yelled a frustrated "fuuuuckk" and then crashed his lips onto mine I instantly kissed him back and within minutes things escalated and the next thing I know we are in heated make out section hands roaming and tongues exploring.

I suddenly came to my senses and pushed him off of me "no you don't get to come in to my home talk to me the way you did and expect me to give in to you and have sex with you especially after we just met and how you so rudely stood me up with the photoshoot and then have the balls to blame me. Take responsibility for your actions man up and actually use your other head to talk with for once in your life. Just cause you're a rock star doesn't mean I'm gonna drop my pants for you" I snapped at him

He looked me up and down "you don't have to drop your pants for me seeing you answered your door in a thong" he smirked

"Get out! Get out right now!" I yelled and pushed him towards the door

He opened the door and stopped looking back at me " to be continued" he said

I slammed the door shut behind him.

[thedanishsim]

Coffee Tuesdays ☕

“I’m here! I’m here! Sorry, I had to go around the block to get a parking spot,” Aaliyah stopped to catch her breath before giving Mia a hug. “No worries, we haven’t been here for long,” Mia smiled and hugged her friend back before shortly turning her attention to Ellie in the stroller. “Is she sleeping?” Aaliyah took a look at the stroller. A huge smile arrived at her face, “nooo, you are not sleeping, hey baby girl”. Ellie started laughing and reaching for Ali’s hand. Mia smiled. “Ok! So, if you are looking for a place to sit…” Ali looked through the windows to the coffee shop, then at Mia, and then back at the windows, “... then I’ll get some drinks, holy moly the place is packed today!” Mia lifted Ellie up from the stroller and went inside with her and Ali. “It looks like those over at the couch are about to leave,” Mia nodded in the direction. “Could look like it. What do you want?” Ali looked at Mia and started to walk towards the register. There was a small line in front of her, but nothing that would keep the two from getting their tuesday-coffee. Even though they would see each other a few times during the week, it was a tradition Mia and Ali had kept going since before they turned 20 - to meet up every Tuesday afternoon for a coffee or, in Mia’s case, a cold drink, unless they were away on vacation, with work or at a show. “Uhm… An iced cappuccino, one shot, that will be fine,” Mia answered and smiled. “Caramel?” “Always! How can you even ask a question like that?” Mia laughed and went for the couch by the windows when the couple sitting there left, “Come on Ellie, let’s grab the couch before someone else takes it”.

A few minutes later, Ali joined the two. “Thanks,” Mia took the glass and kept it in her hand for a few seconds before she placed it on the table. “Something wrong?” Ali raised an eyebrow and took a seat in the chair across from Mia. “Yeah.. I’m good,” Mia smiled. With Ellie playing around with a stuffed teddy bear on the floor and the two girls chit chatting, the time went fast. “Have you told him about California?” Ali suddenly asked, changing the topic of their conversation. “No?”, “Are you going to tell him?”. Mia looked at her friend, “no, I’m not. I don’t see a reason for it, when she is not coming with me”. Ali nodded, “fair point. Hey, will you go with me to The Book Nook before heading home? I need a gift for my mom, and she wants this new book” …

[ttcbabymccarty]

Yet another busy weekend! Saturday my mil and I did our monthly soap, this time we did shampoo bars! It’s really fun, we set up at her house, a friend or two comes over and we bring snacks and chit chat and make soap and it’s all around a lovely time built into my schedule that’s baby free while also productive. Then we did pizza in the pizza oven which is always a hit. Yesterday my fil and I went to swim with otters! It was like something straight out of tiger king holy shit. Just a “zoo” in the middle of some neighborhood. Truly a wild experience. All in all another great weekend and Brian took today off! I keep hoping to go into labor so he doesn’t have to go back 😅 still no baby but my god he’s painfully low. I have a feeling once labor does start it won’t last nearly as long…

[frogecstacy]

Hi! I really love your writing! My favorite is the one where the brothers don’t notice MC’s lipstick. Could I request you continue it with the newdateables (minus Luke) or just do Barb if that’s too much

OOf course lovely!!!

I’m so happy you liked it!

I’d be happy to do the new dateables (except Luke of course because I consider him my son)

For anyone who sees this first here are the brothers

https://frogecstacy.tumblr.com/post/645300851675709440/maam-may-i-please-request-mc-getting-a-new

Part 2 of the new dateables not noticing they are wearing MC’s new lipstick (except Luke)

Reader is gender neutral 

Hope you like it

Diavolo

Your relationship with Diavolo had to be very appropriate and mature when addressing the public and attending meetings

Never really getting to fool around (if you know what I mean)

However while still dating a royal Diavolo always made sure he had time for you and that your relationship was fun

He had read somewhere in a human world magazine that keeping you partner happy and living life to the fullest was how a relationship lasted

He vowed to live by that. I kid you not if not for Barbatos this man would have pledged his life to make sure your every need was acquired 

Diavolo had been very busy recently and you thought maybe this new lipstick you had bought would spark his attention

OH BOY WAS THIS MAN SMITTEN

He wanted you to paint a picture on his face

Your lips and the brush and the lipstick as the paint

Sadly you two were in a meeting regarding a new lunch menu, but the only thing this man had on his mine was eating your lips

His brain going BRRRRRR

You quickly picked up that his attention for this conversation was dropping quickly and was trying to end the conversation

As soon as the chef that runs the cafeteria left, Diavolo gave you no chance to say goodbye

His lips were on your quickly grabbing your cheeks so you could face him

“Now darling I must say this new lipstick of yours is quite tempting” Diavolo was smirking giving you a teasing tone

“Is it a crime to want my boyfriend’s attention” you loved giving him those innocent puppy dog eyes

“Why yes it is my dear, I’m afraid your punishment will be giving me more kisses” 

How you loved Diavolo’s “punishments”

This led to a quick make out session but it was cut short as Barbatos called reminding Diavolo he had a meeting with elderly demons regarding some RAD students getting out of hand

“We’ll continue this later my love, I hope you’ll be reapplying the lipstick. It tastes amazing.”

As you looked over at Diavolo you saw the lipstick marks on his face and was going to tell him but he was already gone

You were a bit worried but thought that Barbatos would remind before he entered the meeting

You were wrong Diavolo had quickly ran into the meeting and was met with wide eyes

“I’m sorry I am late I had... ugh, some important matter to attend to” he had thought maybe they were mad that he was late but Barbatos had quickly pulled him aside for a private chat

“My Lord I believe you have MC’s lipstick all over your face” Barbatos was smirking

He could have stopped this but I mean who doesn’t love a bit of excitement 

Diavolo looked at himself through his camera phone and turned bright red

He just walked in to a meeting with a bunch of elders lipstick smudged all over his face

I mean the man jinxed himself, he wanted you to paint a picture

He quickly than realised something, why be embarrassed, these geezers should know he’s in an active relationship and he doesn’t care for their opinion

He wiped off most of the marks but left one on his neck for them to know he enjoyed himself, reminding them they took him from his enjoying moment

He walked right back into that board room with his signature smile and laugh and continued with pure confidence

You later found out and was so embarrassed but that thought was quickly swept away and Diavolo said he wanted to wear your love all the time

Damn sorry I got carried away with Diavolo’s

Barbatos

They should seriously make a UR+ card of this man ASAP

Okay Barbatos is 24/7 butler so you don’t always get time with him

BUT... you had a plan to get his attention today

You had bought a new lipstick that you knew would be to Barbatos’s liking

You had went to the castle for tea but you just wanted to get Barbatos (Sorry Diavolo we kinda used you as pawn today)

You had come to the castle in a new outfit that made you look stunning 

You already are stunning lovely this outfit just made you God’s competition. Simeon have to step up his game

Okay so you enter the castle giving a small kiss to your boyfriend and saying Hi to Diavolo

Barbatos quickly saw your new lipstick and outfit and man had to hide the small blush on his cheeks

I mean he could’ve known you were going to do this but he still would be blushing 

Your chit chat with the two was small as you could Barbatos was watching the way your lips moved or the way you sipped on your cup of tea

He was not subtle in any way today

Wanting to feel your lips on his he reminded Diavolo of some work he had to complete

Barbatos insisted in guiding you to the door and for Diavolo to return to his studies

As Barbatos was leading you out he put his hand on your lower back and said “I see what you’re trying to do my dear. You want me to give you some attention” 

Now at the door and facing him you said shyly “Is it working?”

“Mhm��� as Barbatos hummed his answer he leaned into you and kissed your lips

But one kiss wouldn’t suffice, he need more

Now pining you against the wall he was holding you

Your kisses started to get more desperate and Barbatos was addicted to to your lips

You were kissing all over his face

His neck, his lips, his forehead, his cheeks, he was lost in the feeling

Being so lost in your loving lips he didn’t hear Diavolo walking down the hallway to ask a question 

You both froze when Diavolo stopped talking and was staring at you two

Barbatos quickly pushed you outside and closed door

Was calm and neutral Barbatos embarrassed

He didn’t hear the end of it from Diavolo

However the prince was now reminded he assistant was in a loving relationship and need to give him more time off

Barbatos was trying to explain himself but Diavolo cut him off laughing and saying “Barbatos you should wash your face first before you explain yourself”

He left to wash his face confused but knew why when he saw himself in the mirror

He was tempted to walk out and enter a new timeline

But how could he leave you, he loved you more than any teasing Diavolo could give

Simeon

I could not find a good gif for him so I’ll have to get one of my own for future posts

Okay I know everyone thinks this man is Holy as hell but I think NOT!!!

I mean look at him, look at his angel outfit you can not tell this man isn’t a tease 

If he asked I would give him all the kisses he wanted

Okay so you and Simeon were going to go on a nice date in the DevilDom and you decided to wear a new lipstick

I think sometimes this man just throws out all levels of holiness when it comes to your hotness 

I mean who would be able to resist your beauty. No one bam!

You and Simeon were going to Ristorante Six for a well deserved date

You two had agreed to meet there, but Simeon had the wind knocked out of him when he saw you

He seriously had to have conversation with Micheal asking why you weren’t an angel

I mean your his angel though soooo

Okay so not only is your outfit jaw dropping he can’t get his eyes of your lips

While you two are eating dinner you remind him that his eyes should be up here, looking at your eyes

While dinner was nice all Simeon wanted to do was kiss you lushes lips

He watched you reapply the lipstick before leaving

He burned the brand name into his head and made sure he would but it again

When finally reaching the house of Lamentation he couldn’t leave without a kiss

So when he received a kiss from you he couldn't get enough

Your small kisses quickly became long and needy

Simeon had you pushed up against the door and was kissing you like there was no tomorrow

You both making sure no spot on your faces were unkissed, the moment had to come to an end as you could someone approaching the door

One last kiss and whisper of a goodbye before Simeon left to go back to Purgatory Hall 

When he got home Luke screamed

Poor baby probably doesn’t even know how to make out with anyone

Soloman was smirking and suggested that Simeon go look in the mirror

When he saw himself and he blushed 

He had to admit though he looked good wearing your lipstick

Solomon 

Okay so this man loves getting handsy and intimate at random moments

Like you could be walking together at RAD and then he’ll just start kissing you and go into an empty classroom

He loves keeping the name of the sneaky and mysterious sorcerer 

But behind his little act he just loves kissing you

So when he sees you wearing a new lipstick at RAD he pulls another one of his stunts

However maybe it kinda backfired on him

So you two are talking about a new spell you were working on

I mean the two most powerful sorcerer’s dating makes the most powerful power couple

While you’re talking about one ingredient you can’t seem to prepare right you find yourself suddenly pinned against a classroom door

His hands are at your hips and his lips are mere inches away

He’s looking at your lips and asks “Is this a new lipstick”

“Ugh, yeah it is. Do you like it?” 

Solomon wasn’t usually this bold or so revealing in the halls 

He responds with the gears in this already wanting to kiss you “I love it”

He already has his lips on you and he’s hoisted your legs around his waist

Opening the classroom door and closing it behind him, he places you on the desk turning your light kisses into a hard make out session

Your lips trailing everywhere from his lips to his neck to his forehead

After almost trying to see who could go without air for the longest you two heard the bell rings and quickly separated going to your different classes 

Solomon had ran into Asmo and he got a handful of questions from him

Solomon was confused but than it him, he must be wearing MC’s lipstick all over his face

“Ahh, you and MC getting real bold at school Solomon” Asmo loved the tea on your relationship 

Solomon’s pride didn’t falter and just said “We did an experiment and that was it”

He walked away smirking

What a sneaky bastard

[gojology]

Job Benefits. (Part 4)

❝...𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑬 𝑶𝑵, 𝑺𝑷𝑰𝑻 𝑰𝑻 𝑶𝑼𝑻.❞

CONSPIRING. - Chapter Four

you can find part three here :

part three : routines

pairing : ceo! gojo x female reader warnings : cursing, no proof reading, no editing wordcount : 2494 a/n :  this is so bad, i... i am so sorry. in my defense i haven’t written in a while, but i hope u guys still like this regardless </3

     Almost immediately after stepping foot into the room, you’re greeted with a minimalist, yet clean looking interior. Large window panes with Tokyo’s beautiful sunlight filtering into the already lively room.     There’s a few co-workers you can see sitting by the vending machines on plush arm-rest chairs, the cushions colored a beautiful tan alongside oak wood arm rests and chair legs. Others are on their phone, texting and furiously tapping and a feeling of anxiety immediately eats you up whole. You were seriously starting to regret coming down here, what was the point other then to make Gojo jealous? You could’ve very well eaten in your office- and what you were doing was childish anyways.      You stood in the entrance way of the room, nervously fidgeting, eyes scanning for Keto Sugaeru amongst the faces that were starting to blend in. You can only vaguely remember how he looks like from the few visits he had made to Gojo’s office, jet black hair, usually tied in a bun, always a kind, yet careless smirk on his face. He was handsome, which would be a definitive beacon amongst the rather disgruntled looking office workers.     “Hey, are you gonna move or what? Blocking the damn way.”     You hear a gruff impatient voice behind you, and you twist around, stumbling with the newfound height of your high heels as you did so. A man’s eyes bored into your own, glaring at you with a mix of hatred and annoyance. You gulp, finding yourself unable to respond, instead averting your gaze to the floor meekly.    “You gonna talk? We don’t have all day, sheesh, they’re hiring anyone into the workforce nowadays huh-”      “I’m sorry- I uh, I’m r-really new here so...” modestly giving the man a kind smile, but he seemed to have no patience for you.     As if a divine being heard his rude comment and immediately swept down with some karma, a firm, large hand is placed onto the man’s shoulder that you hadn’t seen prior. It gripped the flesh tightly, and the mysterious man glared directly down at the now squeaking rude one.      “Did I hear that right?” is all he says, a few co-workers are twisting their heads towards the altercation, now you’re sweating bullets. You grip onto your lunch so tightly you’re afraid it might burst, and those incredibly long fingers of his are inching towards the stout man’s collar.     Eventually, the perplexing man smiles kindly, retracting his hands to his sides, now lifeless and slack. “Please, Nishima, refrain from picking on people. We don’t tolerate this in the office, and don’t be dumb enough to do it in front of someone who has direct connections to the Gojo family. Run along now, I’ll leave you off at a warning. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood.”     The man grumbled a few times, kicking at the floor before heading out, you turn your head to thank the man, looking at him with an admirable gaze, but you realize something-      He has the jet black long hair you were searching for before any of this happened, it’s tied up in a bun, and it looked ridiculously smooth and soft. Something you’d pay to drag your hands through and play with. He has that carefree grin displayed on his handsome features, shamelessly showing off his good looks. Tall, and he definitely had a familiar voice that took you a while to put a finger on it.     This had to be him.      “You frozen girlie? I haven’t seen you around in the lunch room- here go sit there, that seat’s super comfy.” he gestures to one chair, and you snap out of your trance, nodding in response, yet still unable to fully register what just happened to you.      “Sugaeru?” you blurt out, your eyes wide while stumbling like a just born fawn towards the spotless table. How good was your luck today? He came to you.      “Suguru.” he corrects, looking back at you, a teasing curve to his lips. “Holy, you completely butchered my name, I think I know you from somewhere-” for a second, he looks like he’s seriously thinking before he beams. “You’re Gojo’s secretary, Y/N, aren’t you? What brings you down here? Gojo told me that you’re usually reserved in your own little world and you do everything in your office.”      You stammer, still unable to believe your luck, but your shoulders are relaxing and the tension has completely evaporated into thin air. “Uh, yeah I’m Satoru’s secretary. I- Um, I wanted to... Get some water?” that was a horrible lie, even for you.      “Rookie mistake.” Suguru pulls out the aforementioned chair for you before walking to the other side of the table to place his lunch on the tabletop carefully. “Water here is super overpriced. You should bring some from your own house if that’s the case! Colleague to colleague, just don’t tell anyone I said that, or else I’ll get in trouble.” winking at you, he twists the lid to his container presumably holding his food, instantaneously a cloud of steam emerges and a delicious scent wafts through the room.     After a moment of silence between the two of you as you both opened your lunches, you clear your throat, meaning to make conversation. “Thank you for saving me back there.” sheepishly, you smile at him. “It’s really appreciated, I just couldn’t believe how rude a person could be, especially since u-uh... You know, he could’ve, like, just walked around me?” stuttering, you grab your utensils in an effort to look relaxed and comfortable, even though you had no idea how to speak to him.     “Atta girl, no problem.” he responds warmly. You feel safe in his shadow. “Hey, if your Gojo’s friend, you’re my friend. Don’t worry about it. I heard you’re new to the office.” he pauses, looking around the now bustling room before covering the sides of his mouth and whispering towards you. “Secretary position was open for a while because no sane person in Tokyo wants to be Gojo’s secretary.” sitting back down while snickering, he takes a bite out of his lunch.      Giggling, you finally ease up. As opposed to Gojo, Suguru’s more sincere and straight to the point. He’s funny in his own way without being obnoxious.      You scoff. “Yeah, I can see how anyone could go insane from working with the guy. It was the only good secretary position open, though...” you muse aloud.      Suguru crosses his arm over his chest, your eyes carefully surveying his attractive figure as he does so, a thoughtful smile on his face. “Well, imagine being friends with him for more than 15 years. I’m sure I’ve gotten a few screws loose.” he says suggestively, wriggling his eyebrows.      You cover your mouth, trying not to laugh- but it just spills out of your lips, and you forget that you just met the guy, that’s just how friendly he was. “Don’t say that!”      “What? It’s true!”     You didn’t quite know it just that, but a seed was planted that day- you and Geto’s relationship, and it would only blossom from there.  ‧₊˚✩彡.     Gojo’s paranoid.     It seems like there’s a secret that he’s not in on, he realizes that Geto’s visits to his office are growing more and more frequent, yet he spends less time at his office, rather, spends all of his time at yours. Feeling left out was never a positive emotion. In response, Gojo would increase his visiting between the two of you, “accidentally” walking in on the both of you casually chatting, but it’s like he’s a ghost in the room. He’d get a few lukewarm stares and a few polite greetings, but that was that.     He’s not sure if it’s jealousy, or what.      He knows he should be supportive of his best friend potentially getting a girlfriend, and he tries to be- but something about Geto and you together really pissed him off, he just doesn’t know why. Maybe it’s the way the pairing between you two seemed so natural, it would be almost sure that a relationship would occur soon that angered him. Having dating co-workers was almost never a good thing.      Deep down he knows that’s not it.      As the weeks past by, the visiting grew almost unbearable, hearing your laughter- your giggles- from jokes that weren’t from him was infuriating. Listening to the repetitive clicking of your heels down the stairs into the break room was driving him insane, and eventually he can’t even open an email or do anything involved with work. You and Geto were constantly on his mind, and he’s morbidly curious as to when the friendship occurred- or if it was possibly more than that.    His first attempt at getting to the bottom of things was bringing it up between the two of them, him and Geto, just as casual chit-chat, but it didn’t go exactly as planned.      Geto would have a sympathetic, almost mocking grin on his lips, but those eyes of his were telling enough. It was a whole other book of lust and need, for you. Brushing the topic off with a wave of dismissal, he’d chuckle and put a mask of friendliness on, but Gojo’s known Geto enough to see where this was going.      He couldn’t have this, everything was brought to him on a silver platter, so it was only natural for him to feel like he needs you, even if he didn’t. Perhaps you were another trophy to his endless collection to him, he just didn’t know. He’d never felt so strongly of a woman, much less his secretary, something was brewing inside of him.    One thing he doesn’t understand is why Geto. He’s flawless in appearance, restless, impossibly good at sex, why weren’t you stroking his ego? Whatever, this was another topic of conversation, what he needed to do now was win you back.     He calculated in his office the average time in which Geto would visit, music drowning out the muffled talking, and finally he’s ready and absolutely certain that this would be a good time to chat you up. Having everything planned out, an aura of confidence radiated from him.      “Y/N!” you hear a chirp from the door, lifting your head up in excitement, you realize it’s not your beloved Suguru, rather, it’s Gojo. Gluing your eyes back on your computer screen, not even bothering to peel them away, you clear your throat in acknowledgement. “Sir?”      A smug grin flickers across his face for just a second before he pulls out one of the chairs across from your desk, scooching it a bit further away for some extra leg room before promptly sitting down. “Knew you’d remember to call me sir, I knew I hired well when you stepped into the interview room, so sharp.”     You don’t detect a shred of sarcasm in his compliment, and finally you turn your gaze upon his face. This was certainly out of the ordinary for you, as he hadn’t visited as often with Geto in the picture now. Gojo’s not wearing the iconic black shades that concealed his cerulean eyes, now, they’re out for you- his private audience.     His eyes are brimming with energy and mischief, almost like a child’s. They’re transfixing, like diamonds handpicked and placed into his eyes. You’re overwhelmed from your work once again- a direct consequence of Gojo neglecting his own, yet something about this greeting reminded you of one of the first few times he had visited you, when he stole your carrot pen. Thus, causing you to direct your undivided attention towards him, he seemed promising, after all, what was the worst that could happen?     “That’s besides the point, Mr. Satoru. Is there any reason why you came here? I’m actually finishing up a report right now and the deadline is in two days.” taking your coffee mug up from it’s usual spot on the tabletop, you sigh in relief as the warm liquid goes down your throat and set it back down, anticipating his answer.     In usual fashion, Gojo chuckles good-heartedly. “It’s your fourth month anniversary you’ve been working here, or third, or second, fuck like I remember. This is a cause for celebration and you’re worrying about finishing up a report?”    “You’d know better then to come to me with an offer of slacking off if you knew my fourth month anniversary of working here was coming up.” you respond coolly.     His eyes slightly widen, before he lets out a dry chuckle. “Ah, I missed my sassy secretary, say, why don’t we celebrate? We can go out for a staff dinner in celebration. I’ll pay, no need to worry. It’ll be confidential information between the two of us.” tugging at his collar, he quirks an eyebrow, you’re visibly thinking.      “Does this imply you want this dinner to only be between the two of us? Why’s that?” you pry, a tinge of hesitance in your pitch.     Ah, shit. This was going off the tracks.     Gojo taking a hand to his chest defensively, he loudly announced, “It’s important to build a positive connection between the two of us! We’ll be working together for years to come, of course. So skeptical of you, why do you look so down?” the retort was cheeky, and good at that, as it left you speechless.     “I’m not sad, or anything-” you pause, your mind had gone blank. “I- Um... I-” attempting to return to your work instead, you give him a dirty look, but he stares back with such intensity you don’t know how to feel. “I’m doing work, don’t screw up my train of thought, please?”    “You definitely weren’t saying that when I offered to take you out to eat, come on, spit it out.” he tsks. Utterly defeated, you sigh.     “I wanted to invite someone.” you spit out, obviously embarrassed.     Gojo pretends to act shocked, before excitedly inquiring, “And who might that be?”     “G-Geto.” there was no point in lying now.    He oohs, looking down at your shaking hands and back up at your face. “Ooooh, Y/N has a crush on my best bud? Who woulda thought!?”    Your cheeks going warm, you shake your head furiously. “No I don’t! I- Mr. S- Sir! This is so unprofessional of you!” stuttering, you drop your head on the desk, arms pillowing the sides of your head and groaning.     “How cute. Anyways, you accept that dinner date?”     You lift your head back up, sniffling. “It’s not a date!”    Giving you a shit-eating grin again, his eyes twinkle. “Oh, but it is.”    “I- Aghhhhh!” putting your head back down on the desk, this time without your arms, you don’t know how to respond, so instead you make a mockery of yourself.    Laughing, Gojo decides not to tease and you and instead says, “Meet me in Shibuya district, there’s a super nice restaurant, I’ll drive to your house, no need to worry about transportation. 9 PM, see you there!” his voice grew more distant down the hallway, you can still hear the clicking of his shoes and his deep humming.     So you had a date tonight,     Now how would that go?

[imaloserbbyxoxo]

“Good boy..”

Hello everyone! Just a few things before you keep reading....

💙🧡   THIS IS -100%- NSFW AND IS 18+ Please, don’t read on if you are a minor. <3  💙🧡 This is a one shot of Dabi x Hawks!!   In this, Dabi is a SOFT DOM. He praises Keigo and treats him to a good time instead of the other way around.  💙🧡WORD COUNT: 3,073 words!  💙🧡 TW: Praise kink, ass play, blowjob ( let me know if there is another kink/trigger I need to post! ) Please keep in mind that I am not that great at writing. I’m trying to get better though. This is the first ever NSFW story that I have ever written, so I’m sorry if it’s terrible. But, if you like it, yay!! <3 I’m glad you do.  Have a good day! <3

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☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

The light of the morning shown through the window of the bedroom, casting a bright light across Dabi’s eyes. He groaned in irritation and pulled the blanket over his head, rolling over to face where his boyfriend would sleep, only to find that the spot was empty. He pulled the blanket just below his eyes. Yep, empty. He groaned again, dreading to get up and find him. This bed was so fucking comfortable compared to the one that Dabi was used to sleeping on at the leagues’ base. His bed there wasn’t even really a bed. It was a flimsy, foldable cot that barely had any cushion to it, along with the pillow and blanket he used and he had been using it for so long, his body was sore almost all the time. The staples pushing into his scars didn’t help that. This bed, however? Holy shit. It was a California king pillow top. It felt like you were sleeping on a cloud and had so much room. For Dabi it was heaven. His scars didn’t ache, and the staples didn’t protrude into his skin irritating the scars even more. Also, it was so nice to have room to stretch and sprawl out to find ultimate comfort. The mattress was covered in a silky, candy red sheet, topped with the same as a lose sheet. On top of that was a thick, maroon reversible comforter. The top was silky just like the sheets with a faint design, but the underneath was a soft suede that made everything that much warmer. It was phenomenal. Dabi did not want to get up, but nature called. He had to pee. He lazily got up, throwing the blankets to the bottom of the bed as he rose. The bedroom was very roomy and attached was a bathroom that was almost too big for a one-person apartment. But however, it was the master bathroom. It included a whole shower with a bath option, a dual sink, and of course a toilet. Towering over the sink was a huge, incredibly detailed, gold mirror. It almost looked hand crafted it was so meticulous. The bath was one that had jets built in and sat very deep. Dabi and Keigo could both easily fit in it, with room to spare. Pure luxury according to Dabi. He had never been in a house so fancy, besides his family home. But that was so long ago, he couldn’t remember the details. Just that it was big. What else would you expect from the number two hero’s home? Number two at the time anyway. Dabi groggily walked his way to the bathroom. The closer he got, the more he could hear water running from one of the sinks. Opening the door, he was met with big red feathers, and a blonde brushing his teeth. Keigo Takami. Dabi’s new fling. Usually, Dabi would just sleep around with whoever, but for some reason unknown to him, Keigo had a hold on him that he could not shake off. There was just something about the bird fuck that hit Dabi as beautiful. Whatever it was, he loved it and didn’t want it to change. Ever. Keigo smiled around his toothbrush as the door opened, and he spit the toothpaste into the sink. “Morning~!” he chimed. “Sleep well?” The brunette made a small ‘mm’ in response and walked straight to the toilet. Keigo looked away to give him what little privacy he could and continued the last little bit of brushing he needed to do on his teeth. He spit out the paste again and grabbed a cup of water he had set up earlier. After he was done, Dabi flushed and walked behind Keigo, moving his wings out of the way. Since Dabi was a bit taller than Keigo, he could easily rest his chin on the man’s shoulders, right into the crease of his neck. He wrapped his arms around him and reached for the sink to wash his hands. As he washed, he was slightly pressing Keigo against the sink. The cold marble of the counter nipped against the blonde’s stomach. He made a small gasp as Dabi leaned against him. Not because of the cold countertop, but because of something else. Dabi had a morning erection, and he was not being shy about it. It was if he were intentionally rubbing it against Keigo’s cheeks. The winged man blushed. Even though they had been secretly going out, the size was always a shock to Keigo. He just could never get over the fact how big it was. He decided to break the flustering that was building inside of him. “Well, did you sleep well?” “Always. That bed is phenomenal, Pigeon.” Keigo blushed at the nickname. It was just so sweet to him and never failed to give him butterflies. “Well, I hope so. It wasn’t exactly cheap.” He put the toothbrush in its designated spot beside the rinse cup. He had a small little shelf to place it all on. Dabi had long since dried his hands by now and was now cuddling his boyfriend from behind. His arms were idly wrapped around his waist, thumb unconsciously tracing the elastic of Keigo’s boxers. Keigo returned the affection by placing his hands on top of Dabi’s and leaning his head against him, as it was still in the crook of his neck. However, the situation Dabi had was still around. Keigo blushed and looked at his lover through the mirror, slightly grinding his hips backwards to accentuate what he was talking about. “Feeling good this morning, are we?” Dabi smirked. He pushed his hips against Keigo, pushing his erection against his ass even more. “I guess so.” He moved his head so his lips were pressed against the blondes neck, peppering small, gentle kisses against his skin. Keigo lovingly sighed but tried to break the grip. “Dabi, please, we just woke up and-“ he was quickly interrupted by Dabi’s teeth slowly biting down. He let out a small gasp. As he bit down, Dabi tugged at the boxers he was teasing before, lowering them just enough to show the blondes v-line and hair trail. He dropped his hand to the buldge that was forming in the other’s boxers. “Fuck…” Dabi hissed. “You are just so easily aroused.” “S-Shut up.” Keigo ripped Dabi’s hands away and turned around to face him. He was met by ice blue eyes. They always stopped him dead in his tracks. How could a human have such beautiful eyes? It almost wasn’t fair. The look in Dabi’s eyes was full of desire and fascination, along with a small look of domination. Keigo gulped.   “You’re the one starting this.” Dabi took Keigo’s and pinned them against the counter by his wrists. He leaned closer to him; lips almost touching. “So? You seem to be enjoying it.” He released one of Keigo’s wrists and caressed the others dick with the palm of his hand, causing a lustful sigh to escape from Keigo’s lips, making his eyes close. “Damn, baby.” Dabi moved his hand up and down slowly and tediously causing Keigo to tilt his head back slightly from the stimulation. “So fucking hard already.” He smirked his signature smile. “H-How are you not worn out from last night?” Keigo asked, meeting his gold eyes with the blue ones. “I’m always ready to go. You know that.” Apparently, that was enough chit chat. Dabi kissed Keigo passionately. He parted his own lips and forced his tongue in the others mouth. Keigo returned the favor, instinctively draping his arms around Dabi’s neck, allowing him to kiss deeper. Dabi did just that. His hands were removed from their teasing and were now placed palms down on top of the counter, pressing Keigo yet again on to the countertop with his body. Small moans and pants were now filling the room. It was so invigorating for the two. Usually, Dabi being the dom that he was, didn’t really like the foreplay and teasing beforehand. He was usually way to horny and would just jump straight into the act, throwing Keigo down and taking him as he wanted.

Every once in a while though, he would show this soft dom side, and Keigo undeniably ate it up. He

loved

this side of Dabi. Maybe it was the fact that the man was still tired and groggy from sleep why he was acting like this today. Whatever it was, the blonde did not want it to end. This shit got him going more than anything.

Keigo’s moans were getting louder. He was getting so turned on, that he was almost whimpering at this point. Dabi took note of that and grabbed at some feathers, rubbing the ones in his grasp between his fingers.  

“A-ah! D-Don’t do that…” Keigo’s face was beat red from over stimulation. He was huffing and panting more than Dabi was. He was so hard now, that the elastic of his boxers was coming off from his body. Not a lot, but just enough to notice.

“Shut up.” Dabi kissed him just a bit more before returning to the teasing. He trailed his fingers down his partners torso, caressing him. As he reached his cock, he grabbed at it through the fabric, making the blonde suck in air through his teeth. Almost a hiss. Dabi deeply chuckled. “Did you like that?”

“D-Dabi please…I-“

Dabi ignored the other’s plea, and removed the dick from the boxers. A small little bit of precum was at the head of Keigo’s dick. Dabi teased, tracing the tip with the pad of his thumb, smearing the pre over the head. “How about I take care of this for you, hm?”

Keigo was blushing so hard at this point. He was trying to avoid eye contact with Dabi as he teased his cock. He was loving it so much though. “Y-You don’t have to, Dabs.”

“I want to.” Dabi started sucking Keigo’s skin, starting at his neck and moving down his chest. “I want to show you…” He left a trail of hickey’s as he moved, licking the sensitive spots before making another one just a bit lower. “…how much you mean to me.” The bruises weren’t to big though. Just enough to get the wings ruffled on the other.

And it did just that. Keigo was a breathless mess. His head had fallen back all the way. His hands were tangled in Dabi’s hair, slightly gripping and pulling at the black strands with each kiss and lick his partner left on him. His feathers were basically quivering.

“A-ah! Fuck…” Dabi had latched on to one of Keigo’s nipples. He licked and lightly sucked at it, feeling it raise and watching the winged man lose his mind.

After doing that for what seemed forever to Keigo, Dabi stopped jerking the erection, and dropped to his knees. Keigo moaned at the loss of touch. He was stimulated like crazy right now, but he wanted more.

Dabi took Keigo’s boxers off on his way down, exposing everything the blonde had to offer. He could tell his boyfriend was a bit nervous. This wasn’t exactly in Dabi’s nature, but he wanted to show his appreciation. He wanted to show Keigo how much he truly loved him. He wanted to take care of him, like he had always taken care of Dabi. It was his turn to be cared for.

He started kissing at his lovers inner thigh, causing him to melt to the touch. “

Well, that worked,”

thought Dabi to himself.

He didn’t want Keigo to be tense or nervous. “No need to be embarrassed, Pigeon. Just let me take care of you.” He looked up to Keigo who was looking down at him, face red and rapid breathing escaping from him. “O-Okay.”

Dabi chuckled and slowly took in his dick into his mouth. He twirled his tongue around the tip, pressing it against it ever so carefully all while taking in the full length. He was quite talented in this department. Keigo was shocked.

They hadn’t been dating for very long. It was a very short amount of time to be honest.  Only a few months. Keigo was already kind of nervous around Dabi anyways, with his charming demeanor and dominating attitude and he was usually the one taking care of Dabi in this way, so this was completely new. What was going on with him? Deep down, Keigo loved this.

Now, Dabi did usually have a soft side with Keigo. Even though he would be dominating, he would usually ask if Keigo was okay, or would help him afterwards, showing care that way. Helping him clean up, giving him small kisses on his cheek, whatever the case may be. But this? Whole new level.

A few minutes had past and Dabi was showing his skill. “F-Fuck! Aaah, fuck…” Keigo was starting to let out his voice. He was moaning deeply, but loud. This was feeling

way

to good. As he looked down, he was met with hooded, ice blue ones looking back up at him. This made him lose his mind yet again. He was spewing out all kinds of curse words and whines. “D-Dabi, please I-“

Dabi released the blondes cock from his mouth with a

pop!

and caught his breath. He spoke deep and lustfully. “What, Pigeon?” His voice was very breathy. He was getting turned on himself. “Speak up. Tell me what you want.”

Keigo didn’t say a word. Instead, he grabbed a fist full of Dabi’s hair and forced him back toward his dick. “K-Keep going, j-just like you were. Don’t change what you were doing.”

Dabi grinned. “Good boy. Let out your dom side.”

The brunette opened his mouth and let Keigo force him back on it. He took his whole length in his mouth, moaning and huffing around his dick. It was hard for him to get air at some points, but he never gagged.

Keigo slowly rocked his hips back and forth, keeping the brunettes head in place with his hand. “Right there, right there – mmm suck that cock – suck that cock~”

His dick twitched. He was getting close and Dabi knew it, so he used this to his advantage. He cupped his partners testicles and lightly played with them.

“Aaah yes! Yes fuck!”

A chuckled came from Dabi’s throat around Keigo’s cock. He started to moan louder and deeper, sending vibrations all over the erection. It was almost to much stimulation for Keigo, but that’s exactly what Dabi wanted. He had one more trick up his sleeve to make the winged finish hard.

He released the dick again, replacing his mouth with his other hand. Before he executed this idea he had, he wanted to ask permission first. It had to deal with the ass and he figured his partner wouldn’t mind, but he thought to make sure anyways.

“I’m gonna do something new. Okay?”

“Y-Yes oh my god please just make me cum, Dabi. I wanna come so fucking bad.” Keigo’s words were slurred. He was so overstimulated he couldn’t hardly speak.

“Okay. You’re being such a good boy, Keigo. Such a good boy.”

Removing the hand he had placed on the others testicles, Dabi moved further back. He teased Keigo’s hole with one finger all while still pumping his dick. It was so wet from spit and precum and Dabi’s hand glided over it with ease. He would bring his hand up to the head of it and rub his palm against it. The staples at the base of his palm teased with every movement.  All the wetness made it a whole new sensation for the blonde.

“A-Ah! Right there! Aaah fuck! Fuck!” Keigo’s legs were trembling. He could barely stand. It was all just so much for him to handle. He had propped himself against the marble countertop with his hands, still rocking his hips. He needed more friction. He craved it. “M-My ass…please…ahh~”

Dabi looked up at him and smirked lustfully. “You’re doing good, Dove. Keep going. Be good for me.”  His finger quit teasing and entered Keigo’s ass, relentless and quick. Keigo whined noisily. “Ah shit! Ah ah, ah!”

Dabi pumped his finger inside at the same pace of the pumping act he was giving the dick. He was so hard himself. Seeing Keigo like this was enough to make him feral. He was getting off to it so much. Small, deep groans were escaping his throat and he started moving his hips just to get some stimulation on his own cock. He wanted to pump his own, but he wanted to keep making his partner feel good. A small wet spot of precum had formed on his gray boxer briefs from this whole act he was performing. They were so tight from the growing of his erection, so the friction was intoxicating.

“Fuck, Keigo. Come for me, come on you can do it. Show me how good you feel. Come on. Come on~”

Those words. Those words set Keigo over the edge every damn time.  His cock and ass twitched. The rocking of his hips was starting to falter and his legs weakened.  “D-Dabi please I-I’m gonna cum – Ah! Gonna cum! Hah, ah fuck! Fuck!!”

“Such a good boy, oh my god.”

Dabi quickened his pace with each hand. He moaned louder and deeper, just to over stimulate Keigo. He knew the blonde got off on his moans. He spiced them up this time, praising and verbally teasing him, calling him Pigeon, baby bird, all of Keigo’s favorites. The blonde loved to be praised.

“Cuming, cuming! Aaaah, fuck!!!”

And with that, white liquid sprayed on Dabi’s chest. He pumped it a few more times along with Keigo fucking the others hand. Each pump made Keigo grunt. Once he was done, he collapsed on to the tile floor of the bathroom. Dabi removed his hands as he fell in front of him. He just smiled and leaned in to kiss the man deeply. Keigo was a panting and huffing mess, but he tried his best to kiss back, breathing through his nose and making small moans as Dabi’s tongue entered.

Dabi released from the kiss, still just a lips distance away. “Good boy.”

Keigo, still breathless, tilted his head back and rested it again the cabinets that were underneath the sink. “I-I love you, Dabs.”

“Love you too, Pigeon.”

[too-attached-to-fiction]

Love Illustrated | Steve Rogers

Masterlist here

Word count: 2447

Requested: no 

Prompt: I doodle on napkins between orders and i leave them for every regular that comes in and one day you leave a drawing for me 

a/n: not doing any sequels for this. I just wanted some fluffy Steve Rogers content.

REQUESTS ARE OPEN, JUST SLOW!

~~~

Your best friend picked up another doodle you had left on the counter, observing it carefully. Above the hum of the espresso machine, he called out to you. 

“Have you ever considered doing this as a job?” He held up the drawing you had made of them earlier in the morning, just after you had opened up the cafe. “You’re better at this than talking to people.” 

You rolled your eyes, glaring at him. “That’s what I’m going to college for, dumbass.” You said.

Lucky Cafe was a small building, just a few blocks from Stark Tower and right next to a subway entrance. Taylor, your best friend, had opened up the shop the minute he was out of college. You, on the other hand, had been working in the shop since high school, and had started taking community classes a year ago. Due to your anxiety, you found it easier to hide behind the cash register and make whatever low-fat soy chai was ordered. 

“Well, Edith is starting to move toward the counter. Better start on that London Fog,” Taylor said, taking his rightful place at the cash register. 

“On it.” You mumbled, just as the old woman reached the counter. You quickly grabbed the milk to start steaming it and a teal mug from the shelf above you.

“Hi Edith, London Fog?” Taylor asked in his cheerful, my-smile-is-always-this-wide tone. 

“As always.” Edith said, making amicable chit-chat with Taylor. You smirked to yourself. Kiss up. 

As you waited for the milk and water to heat up, you grabbed a pen and started doodling on a spare post-it note. Today, Edith wore a purple sweater, something you’d seen her knitting for the past few weeks. 

You were finally satisfied with the doodle when the water and milk were ready, and once everything was assembled, you took the mug and the post-it to her. She beamed up at you when she saw the small drawing. 

“It’s beautiful, (Y/N).” You smiled back shyly before walking back to the other side of the counter. 

Just as you returned, Taylor’s eyes widened as he looked through the glass doors. “Holy shit.” He mumbled. “New customer, (Y/N)!” He tugged on your apron, and you looked up. Holy shit was right. There was a blonde man coming closer to the doors of your cafe, wearing a brown leather jacket and jeans. 

“He’s a fucking Adonis.” You mumbled, barely coherent. Still, you rolled your eyes. “We get them all the time. Stop ogling him and get ready to have a human conversation.” You sat on your stool, trying to figure out what to draw next. 

The bell over the front door rang, but you didn’t bother to look up. You could still feel Taylor’s nervous energy practically radiating from him. 

“Hi, welcome to Lucky Cafe! What can I get you today?” 

“Just a black coffee.” 

“For here, or to go?” 

“Here, please.”  The man said, and you glanced at the empty coffee pot. 

“We’ll bring that out for you in a few minutes.” Taylor said, knowing exactly what you were thinking. 

As soon as the man left the counter to find a seat, you leapt up, starting a new pot of coffee. While you waited for it to filter, your hands found the pen and post-it, and you sketched a basic outline of the man. 

“Looks more rough than usual.” Taylor observed, making you jump. You swatted his shoulder gently. 

“Shut up.” You shot back, too lazy to think of a proper insult. Taylor only laughed, and the front door rang again. 

The machine beeped, and you carefully poured the coffee into a mug, grabbed the light blue post-it and a small plate. You tucked the post-it underneath the mug and plate in hand before walking out and delivering the drink. 

“One black coffee.” You said, the two of you exchanging polite smiles. “If you need anything else, we’ll be at the counter.” You ducked your head as you walked off, palming the back of your neck. 

Anyone who wasn’t Taylor made you nervous. You were surprised you had been able to get those two sentences out to this new customer. Normally, you could barely utter one. 

Your shoulders instantly relaxed as you got behind the counter again, and carefully, you eyed the stranger as he found your drawing of him. He smiled at it, folding and tucking it in his pocket before he opened the sketchbook he had brought with him. 

Steve knew you were watching him. He’d seen the way you and Taylor had looked at him from across the street. Still, not wanting to embarrass you, he chose to brush that off. 

The drawing you had given him was nothing short of a normal sketch - and yet, it was undeniably him. You had gotten his features down perfectly within a few strokes of your ballpoint pen. 

This continued on for a week or so, with Steve coming into Lucky Cafe and receiving a sketch of himself every day. He kept all of them in his nightstand, safely tucked away from Tony and the rest of the team. 

By now, he had worked up the courage to say something. He knew you were painfully shy, because you never stood behind the register. You were always behind the espresso machine. 

So if he couldn’t talk to you at the counter, he’d have to figure out how to communicate with you. 

He started bringing his own post-it notes. He wondered how you made sketches so effortlessly in between customers, when he disliked everything he drew for you. 

It took another week for him to be happy with his own sketch of you. He had been sitting near the take out counter, where you normally sat on your stool while you doodled. Without thinking too much about it, he drew you - your hair tied up, the black apron over your (F/C) t-shirt. When he left, the post-it note stayed where he had been sitting. 

You made quick work to pick up the empty cup and the tip he’d left, but underneath it all was his drawing for you. You stared at it, wondering how he’d known all this time that you had been sketching him. 

Just below the drawing, he’d scribbled out his name and number. 

Steve Rogers, you thought, you’re going to be the death of me. 

~~~

For the next few days, you didn’t see him. Taylor and Lyra, the other part-timer, had both promised you that they’d tell you if he came in. By the time he came back, he had almost left your mind completely. 

Almost. 

When he entered the coffee shop for the first time in days, you gave him a small wave from behind the espresso machine. He grinned and waved back after ordering his usual. 

You were up in a flash, bouncing behind the counter as you waited for the new pot of coffee to finish. Lyra smirked at you. 

“Ready to talk?” She teased, and your face went hot. “Relax, I’m just teasing you.” 

Steve sat in his usual spot, in the corner of the cafe. You brought the steaming mug over with the post-it tucked into your apron. 

“Thank you, for the drawing. That was really nice.” You said quietly, bringing out today’s drawing. 

“I figured I should return the favor. What’s your name?” 

You pointed to your name badge with a raised eyebrow. “(Y/N).”

“When do you get a break?” 

Twenty minutes later, you were walking along Steve through the crowded streets of New York City. Summer was dying down, and the leaves had started to turn color everywhere. “So, Steve, what do you do?” 

“I work for the government.” Steve said carefully, trying not to act suspicious. “Is the coffee shop a full time gig?” 

“I’m a full time student at CCNY. The cafe just pays the bills.” You adjusted the bag on your shoulder. “I’m actually studying to be an animator. Well, trying to, anyways.” 

“How long have you been drawing?” 

“Longer than I can remember.” You replied, a soft smile gracing your features. 

Steve listened as you walked, your quiet voice flowing nervously. It had been a long time since you went out with anyone that wasn’t Tyler. 

Eventually, you made him talk about his past. He picked bits and pieces from his childhood carefully, which made you all the more curious. 

When you reached the community college, you looked at Steve. “Thank you for walking me. I’ll, um, I’ll text you. I-if that’s okay.” Your fingers unconsciously fiddled with the hem of your sweater. 

“Have a good class.” He said, raising a hand in greeting before going into the crowd of New Yorkers and students leaving CCNY. 

A month passed, with Steve walking you to class after your shift most days. Sometimes, he didn’t come into the shop for no more than a week. Taylor and Lyra did their best to distract you during those times, knowing that he brightened your day every time he walked in. 

“Are you free on Thursday night?” Steve asked one day as you served him his coffee. You stuck the post-it on the table, avoiding his eyes. 

“I think so. Even if I was scheduled for work, Taylor would probably make sure I’m free.” Your face warmed. “What do you have in mind?” 

“I wanted to take you out to dinner. A date, if you will.” 

Your eyes met his hopeful ones. You couldn’t help but nod, too speechless. In no universe did you ever think that you’d be going out with Steve Rogers. 

“Is that a yes?” 

You nodded again. “Um, I-I’ll t-text you my address.” 

He watched as you rushed off, amused as you practically raced behind the counter and whispered something into Taylor’s ear. His smile only grew as Taylor high-fived and hugged you tightly. 

“I’m so happy for you.” Taylor mumbled as he hugged you. “God, that took way too long.” 

~~~

That Thursday evening, Steve appeared at your apartment door, with a small bouquet in hand. You smiled, promising come back after you had placed the flowers in a vase. 

Three subway rides later, the two of you were sitting in a tiny Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. The waitstaff seemed to know Steve well, offering you warm smiles and earnestly telling you only good things. 

“Do you come here often?” You said after you’d ordered. 

“Enough.” Steve laughed. “My coworkers and I helped them out of a tough spot a year or two ago.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, we helped a lot of places rebuild after the whole alien thing.” You nodded. The invasion of 2012 was a huge deal in New York. You remembered ushering at least twenty people into Lucky’s basement, where you all crouched around the crank radio. Taylor was somewhat of a survivalist, and for once, you were glad that he was over-prepared. 

“That’s incredible.” 

Another two months passed, with Steve going away more and more often. Even though you missed him, you got caught up in work and school often, distracting yourself. You passed your winter finals with ease, and found refuge in Lucky Cafe. If Taylor and Lyra noticed Steve hadn’t been around, they didn’t say a word. 

Your phone buzzed as you were walking home from work. You stopped on the sidewalk only to find Steve’s name on your phone screen. 

Steve

3:45 PM

Can you come over? 

3:45 PM 

Yeah, of course. 

In your two months of dating, you’d only been to Steve’s apartment once or twice, and both visits had been extremely short. He was generally private about his work, and there was a part of you that always felt like he was holding his breath around you. 

Still, you navigated through the streets of New York with ease, as you had done for years, and appeared at Steve’s doorstep. 

He greeted you with a warm hug that made you practically melt. When he was away, there were usually a few texts back and forth, but no calls. Both of you avoided calls like it was the plague. 

“Is there something wrong?” You asked when he finally let go of you, ushering you inside. “Or am I just overthinking everything?” 

“I have something to tell you.” You raised an eyebrow as he sat across from you in the small living area. “We’ve been invited to Tony Stark’s annual Christmas gala.” 

“O...kay?” You looked at him in confusion. “And that’s a problem because…” 

“Promise me you won’t freak out or tell anybody what I’m about to tell you.” 

“I won’t!” 

Steve gave you a meaningful look. “I’m Captain America. I’m the leader of the Avengers.” 

You opened your mouth, at a loss for words. “Steve-” 

“I know it’s a lot to take in, but Stark’s my teammate and he’ll probably make some dumb jokes at the gala and I wanted to tell you before he beat me to the punch.” Steve rushed. “They know about you. Do you… do you want to come with me to the gala? As a date?” 

“Um… can I think about it?” You asked weakly, trying to wrap your head around the news. Looking back, it made sense. Steve was certainly built to be Captain America, and his “work trips” were probably missions for the Avengers. 

A grim look crossed his face. “Yeah, of course.” 

As soon as you stepped out into the cold, you bit your lip. You knew that you should have said yes. That’s what you wanted to say when he had first told you, but all of the new information made your head spin. What if he put himself in danger in the next mission and got himself killed? 

Even with this new information, he was still Steve. Steve, the guy who always ordered black coffee and left drawings as tips. Steve, who made you feel less invisible and didn’t care about your anxiety. 

When Steve walked in the next morning, you perked up as usual. But this time, instead of your usual post-it note, you brought over a larger piece of paper. You shyly presented it to him. 

“I, um, made this. For you.” He opened the folded paper to find a picture of himself, split down the middle. Half of him was him in his civilian wear; the other half was him in the suit, complete with the helmet. 

Down in the corner, in small writing, you had written the following: The world may know you as Captain America, but I know you as Steve Rogers.

“I love it.” 

“Is it too late to RSVP for that gala?” He grinned, leaning up to kiss you. 

“Not at all.” 

[kiwi-bitchez]

can i just say that your writing style is absolutely phenomenal and that i adore the work you’ve put out so far. i know whatever you write in the future is going to be incredible and i can’t wait to read it!! in terms of suggestions, i was wondering if you could write something with virgin peter being with a more experienced reader? maybe she finds his lack of experience cute and calms down his nerves by being straight forward? maybe a little praise kink discovery as well?? totally up to you!!

Holy shit yes! Honestly, I got a little carried away with this... sorry I took so long lol, hope this holds up to any expectations ;) 

Straight Forward, Straight Backwards (a college!Peter Parker AU)

Warnings: SMUT, college!AU, sexy times, praise kink, Peter Parker is a cutie, also everyone is legal ages here obvi

Word count: 6.5k

Summary: You move into a new dorm building and a cute boy down the hall catches your eye. Little did you know he's a smarty pants who takes directions very well ;)

You should have done a better job packing. Your personal items lay strewn about in your new dorm room, clothes and other items all jumbled together in unorganized boxes. You typically didn’t leave things until the last minute, but moving across campus didn’t seem like a big deal until it was actually time to do it.

You flop back on your unmade bed and scroll through your phone, finding any excuse not to deal with the chaos of unpacking. Hopping up to your feet, you decide to wander down the hall to see if anyone’s doors were open. You hadn’t had much luck making friends in the last building you lived in and wanted to take the opportunity to try and meet some new people.

You walk down the hall searching for someone to introduce yourself to, poking your head into a handful of rooms and saying hello. You tell them your name and that you just moved in, having a quick few interactions with the people in the rooms next to yours. You venture a little further down the hall to a door propped open with a doorstop, faint music coming from inside.

You knock lightly and then poke your head in, not wanting to intrude on anyone. You see a curly-haired boy sitting at a desk concentrating on something. For a second you wondered if you should just let him be, but something told you to knock again and see if he noticed.

You knock a little louder this time, saying a quiet “Hello?” as you do so. He turns around abruptly, startled by your presence. He lurches back in his chair a little bit, rolling across the room and away from his desk.

“Hey,” you say again, “sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“Nonono, it’s ok,” he says quickly and nervously.

“I just moved in down the hall,” you gesture towards your room, “I just wanted to introduce myself, I’m y/n.”

“Oh, hi,” he still seemed nervous, “I’m Peter.”

He got up out of his desk chair quickly and walked a few steps over to you. He jutted his hand out, offering it to you. You couldn’t help but smile a little as you shook it tentatively. Most of the people you had met didn’t even bother to leave their beds, let alone get up to shake your hand.

“It’s nice to meet you Peter,” you say as you continue to shake his hand.

“Shit, sorry,” he pulls his hand away, realizing he had been shaking yours for much longer than necessary, “do you wanna come in? I have snacks.”

You chuckle a little before entering his small single dorm and comfortably plopping yourself onto a beanbag chair.

“Purple Doritos,” you gesture to the hoard of junk food he has piled on a shelf in the corner, “respect.”

“Totally underrated right?” he says with enthusiasm.

The two of you exchange the typical chit chat of college students, asking each other what your major is and how long you’ve been in school.

“Biomechanical engineering and robotics, but also maybe chemistry if I have the time to do that too,” he runs his hand through his floppy curls.

“Damn,” you look at him wide-eyed, “guess I’m coming to you for science help from now on, freakin genius over here.”

He laughs nervously and turns away, “I just think its all so interesting, and I love to build things.”

You can’t help but smile at the way he talks with his hands, spinning around aimlessly in his desk chair. He tells you about your school’s robotics lab, something you would never have had a reason to know about otherwise. He starts to tell you about the kinds of things he’s built, and the projects he was currently working on. Most of what he said went right over your head, but you liked how excited he was to tell you about it.

After shooting the shit for a while, you get up, “I guess I’ll head back to my room, didn’t mean to distract you from your work or anything,” you gesture to his desk, “it was really nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, if you um ever need a study buddy or anything like that you can usually find me right here,” he was a little jittery, and his voice was nervous. You give him a smile and tell him you will take him up on that offer.

You feel a blush creep up into your cheeks as you hurry down the hall back to your messy dorm. He was cute. And nice. And funny and smart. He was nothing like the guys you usually went for. He seemed awkward and shy, and you knew you’d have to be the one to make the first move. You were used to just letting others do the work when flirting, so this would be different.

A few days later you found yourself bored and alone in your dorm. You had spent the morning finishing up some school assignments, so you hadn’t had the chance to get any food. Only now were you realizing how hungry you were. Jumping up from your desk and throwing some clean clothes on you decide to venture out onto campus.

Peter’s dorm door is propped open once again, and something inside you tells you to pop your head in. You had seen him in passing since meeting him, and he would always give you a friendly wave and a smile.

“Hey,” you say as you knock quietly, “hope I’m not bothering you.”

He’s sat in his bed, big headphones on and furiously scribbling in a notebook. He only notices you once you enter the room, startling him.

“Oh, hey y/n, what’s uhh, what’s up,” he stumbles on his words as he takes off the headphones and hops off the bed.

“Just wanted to say hey and see if you wanted to come to the dining hall with me,” you help him gather his papers that had fallen on the floor.

“Oh, yeah, um, sure,” he looks up at you, big brown eyes meeting yours, “that would be nice, I haven’t eaten yet today.”

“Me either,” you hand him the stack you had gathered. The two of you decide on which dining hall is best and make your way across campus. He’s a fast walker, which you like, and an even faster talker. You can tell that you make him a little nervous, but you kind of like that too. It made it easier to hide how nervous he made you.

The two of you grab some food and find a table off in a corner to sit at. Despite his awkward nature, you found Peter to be incredibly sweet and a nice person to be around. He always seemed interested in what you were saying and would never cut you off or talk over you.

You start asking him more about what he does in the labs at school, liking the way his eyes light up and hands get restless when he talks about the projects he’s working on. He knows you aren’t a science buff like him, but he appreciates that you are interested in hearing about his projects.

You realize that you had finished your food long ago and you had been sitting at the table for quite a while, just going back and forth with Peter, telling stories and jokes and facts about your lives. He was an easy person to talk to, which was rare to come by.

“Maybe sometime you could sneak me in and show me what you’ve been working on,” you rest your head onto your palm.

“Oh, no sneaking necessary, I could bring you anytime,” he says casually, “you wanna go?” He gestures towards the door.

“Now?” you were a little surprised at the suggestion, but nodded in agreement and moved to clear your plate.

The two of you start walking across campus once again, you following his lead. You were excited to be spending so much time with him, growing to like him more and more as you got to know him better.

Your first years of college had been spent doing the typical partying and experimenting, as custom. You had your fair share of one night stands, good and bad. Sort and long term relationships, both good and bad.

As much as you were attracted to Peter, you truly just enjoyed spending time with him. He is hard to read, and you couldn’t quite tell if you had a shot with him. If not you were content with just being his friend, although you did think about jumping his bones most of the time.

He swipes his student ID in the door of a large grey building, letting the two of you in. You follow him down a series of halls and stairwells, he tells you about all the different labs as you go. You finally reach a large set of double doors that lead to the robotics lab.

It was a vast space with mounds and piles of mechanical equipment. Goofy drawings and photos were hung up on the walls by people’s workstations. You couldn’t even begin to conceive what all these machines are and what they do.

You wander around the space while Peter walks over to a desk and piles of boxes, telling you about the project he had been working on. You jumped up onto a large table, figuring it was alright to sit there when Peter didn’t comment on your position. He was talking in circles about the machine, using acronyms and names of things you had no idea about.

Walking over to where you were sat, he shows you a small mechanical spider, roughly the size of his hand.

“I’m trying to program him to follow instructions that I can give from a mobile device,” he starts to tell you. You think it's cute that he called the robot a “he.”

“Do you wanna see?” he asks, you were too busy staring at his face to realize he had asked you a question.

“Oh yeah, of course,” you snap out of your trance and turn your attention to the little spider on the table next to you.

As Peter controlled the robot with his phone, giving it basic instructions like to move or stop, you tried to keep your attention on the spider rather than the cute boy next to you. You felt the overwhelming desire to make a move, going back and forth in your head as to whether that is a good idea or not.

He takes a few steps towards you, really reaching for his robot, but in the process positioning himself comfortably standing between your legs. He reaches past you to grab his project. You lean forward a little so your shoulders touch.

“Oh shit, sorry y/n,” he backs up quickly, realizing he had been standing so close to you, “I didn’t mean to get all up in your space just then.”

“It’s ok,” you brush your hair behind your ear and try to give him a flirty look, “come here.”

Peter gulps, and sets the spider down behind him on a different table, tentatively stepping towards you. “Can I show you something?” you lean your shoulders into him again, moving to the edge of the table to move your body closer to his.

Peter nods, clearly nervous at your forwardness. You take his hand, looking into his eyes to see how he responds to the action. He was now stood between your legs again, head only a few inches above yours. You tilt your chin up, and bring your hand to the side of his face.

“Is this okay?” you ask in a whisper, lips parted and hovering over his.

He nods, giving you permission to follow through with your plan of action. You gently place your lips on his, finding them to be soft and inviting. He kissed you back, shakily bringing his hand to the back of your neck.

You could tell he was incredibly nervous. You were used to guys kissing you hard and fast, with little buildup, all tongue and grabbing. Which was alright after a few tequila shots at a frat party, but not your favorite. This kiss was nice. Slow and gentile and in the moment. You liked initiating it, and you liked that he was kissing you back, but not trying to eat you alive.

He pulls away, eyes wide and making contact with yours, “was that… was I…?” he starts a few statements but can’t seem to find his words.

“I like you Peter,” you take his hand again, “I think you’re really cool.”

“Thanks, I…um,” he was blushing furiously and was looking down at the floor, “I like you a lot too.”

“Would you maybe want to come with me to a party on west campus this weekend?” you ask, “You know, like, as my date?”

He breaks out into a big goofy smile, nodding and giving you hand a squeeze. The two of you go on to talk more about his spider, you tell him how awesome it is and how you can’t believe how smart he must be to make something like that. He never lets go of your hand, squeezing it tightly the whole walk back to your dorm building.

Saturday rolls around and you stand in your dorm, not knowing what to wear to this party. You settle on an outfit that is the perfect blend of cute and sexy, and head down the hall to meet Peter. You give his door a quick few knocks before he opens, eyes wide looking at you.

“You look really, really good y/n,” he compliments you and you bashfully tuck your head into the crook of your shoulder, “I mean it.”

The two of you relax in his dorm room until you get the text from a friend that its time to head to the party. You can tell that Peter is a little anxious, he doesn’t seem like the partying type, but you wanted an excuse to spend some time with him. You grab his hand reassuringly and walk together out of your building, meeting up with a group of friends.

They tried to play it cool, but your girls kept indiscreetly mouthing things like “holy shit he’s so hot!” and “where did you find him?” as you walked towards the party. You rolled your eyes and brushed them off, clinging to Peter’s arm.

The party was nothing special, just a typical college party. People were drinking, dancing, grinding, smoking, mostly drinking. You whip up some quick cocktails for you and Peter and join him with some of your friends in a more secluded area of the frat house. You made sure to stand close to Peter, tucking yourself closely into his arm. You wanted everyone to know you weren’t there alone, and you wanted Peter to feel like you were his for the night.

You weren’t quite done with your first drink when you noticed an off energy from Peter. You wanted to bring him to this party as your date, but never really considered if parties were his thing or not. He was talking and joking with you and your friends, occasionally taking a  sip from his pink cocktail, but you could sense an underlying sense of discomfort.

“Hey,” you pulled him into a secluded corridor, “what’s up?” You kiss him quickly, wanting to show him that you were having a good time with him. He kisses you back and your heart flutters. You love the feeling of his tentative lips on yours, light and soft.

“Just at a party with the most beautiful girl here, that’s all,” he says jokingly, but kisses your cheek after to show that he means it.

“Do you wanna get out of here?” you ask, raising an eyebrow, “I feel like you aren’t having a lot of fun.”

“Are you kidding? I love spending time with you,” he says earnestly, realizing what you meant, ‘“but parties aren’t exactly my scene if you haven’t noticed.”

“I’m noticing,” you joke, “and I think the two of us alone in one of our rooms would be much better.”

You lean up to kiss the side of his neck, leaning your head into his shoulder. Your wide eyes meet his, observing that he definitely agrees with you but is still very nervous. He nods at your suggestion, and the two of you abandon your cocktails on a coffee table and leave the house.

“I didn’t mean to imply anything, “you say sweetly, “I really just like spending time with you, no matter where it is.”

“That means a lot,” you see a smile creeping onto his face.

“Your room?” you suggest, “mines kind of a mess right now.”

“Sure,” he responds, “not that I mind mess though.”

The two of you make your way up the stairs and down the hall to Peter’s room. You instinctively kick off your shoes and set down your bag.

“Sorry if I ruined the night,” he apologizes nervously, “I just don’t really fit in with big crowds like that.”

You can tell that he feels genuinely sorry. “Peter,” you start, “are you kidding? I meant it when I said I like spending time with you no matter where. We could go to a party or the dining hall or the robotics lab, I don’t care, I just like being around you.”

“You mean that?” he looks at you apologetically again.

“Of course I do, I’ve really liked you ever since we first met,” you admit. You walk over to him, snaking a hand around his neck and bringing his face closer to yours, “I really mean it.”

You lean in and kiss him, with more passion and want than the kisses you had shared before. You latch your lips around his lower one, sucking a little. He is warm and slightly apprehensive. You kiss him deeper, trying to prove that you wanted to be with him. You let your tongue roll over his bottom lip, opening up the kiss.

A slight moan from the back of his throat catches your ear, and you keep kissing him deeper, knowing that he likes it. His hands have made their way to your hips, although you are the one guiding the kiss.

Before he realizes it, his back is up against his bed and the two of you are falling backwards onto it.

You land slightly on top of him but refuse to break the kiss. You love the feeling of his soft tongue against yours, lips parted and meeting halfway. Your hands tangle themselves into his brown curls, another soft moan leaving his mouth when you tug a little at his roots. You continue to suck on his bottom lip as your fingertips begin to graze the stripe of exposed skin between his pants and his pushed-up t-shirt. You can feel the muscles in his stomach tense up underneath your touch.

His heavy breathing comes to a harsh stop with a sharp intake as you run your hands flatly across his toned stomach.

“Are you okay?” you ask, concerned, as he seemed to seize up the moment you started touching him.

“Yeah, yeah, sorry. I didn’t mean to- I just- Ugh I’m sorry if I’m bad at this. I just don’t really know what I’m doing.”

You bring a soft kiss to the underside of his jaw, wrapping your hand in his reassuringly. “It’s okay, you don’t have to try and impress me or anything. I’m really enjoying myself so far, you’re a really good kisser, I promise.” You bring your lips back to his, cupping his face in the process.

He scooches back onto the bed, sitting up. “I don’t think you understand,” he starts, you can tell he’s on edge, “I’ve never really done this before. I’m… a virgin. I guess I just feel stupid, cuz I want this to be good for you, but I’m sort of clueless.”

“Okay,” you look him dead in the eyes, holding tightly onto his hand.

“Okay?” he asks, still feeling all over the place from telling you.

“Yeah, okay,” you try to play this as cool as possible, you want him to feel nothing but comfortable with you, “Peter, it’s fine, it's okay if you’ve never slept with someone.”

His eyes are wide and he’s still trying to read your reaction, “I promise I don’t care, and we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I just like spending time with you, no expectations.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to…” you had moved up on the bed to sit next to him at this point, legs still tangled together, “I’m just an idiot, and I feel bad, like you probably don’t want to sleep with someone who’s bad and inexperienced, and I really just want to make you feel good but I don’t know how…” he was frantically rambling at this point, face still flushed red.

“Peter,” you say slowly, trying to get him to focus, “I’m gonna be straight with you right now: you’re the first guy I’ve met in a long time who isn’t an egotistical asshole. You’re really sweet, and that’s honestly so hard to come by, I feel lucky to have met you. I can tell you’re super nervous, and you shouldn’t be. I like you a lot, so if you want to spend the night with me that’s cool, and if you don’t then that’s cool too.”

“Really?” you answer his question with a soft kiss, resuming the contact that you had before, “You’ll tell me if I'm horrible though?” His anxieties were slipping through again.

“I could… ya know, show you,” you suggest, his face lights up, “and if you’re bad it will only be a reflection of my poor teaching skills. And if I’m going to be completely honest with you here, most guys who are super experienced are still trash at sex, so the fact that you’ve even expressed concern about making me feel good gives you a massive leg up on most, so don’t sweat it.”

“You’re so fucking cool,” he brings a hand back up to your cheek, “sorry if I’m acting like a neurotic mess, I just honestly didn’t ever imagine being in this position with someone as beautiful as you.”

You feel yourself blushing at his compliment, pressing your face into his large palm. He tentatively guides your face to his, meeting your lips with his. You were glad to have had this conversation with him, because he kissed you with much more confidence. He was now sure of himself.

You decide to take the lead and swing your opposite leg over his lap, straddling him. You let your hands run up and down his arms, exploring his strong biceps, his toned sides and flexed stomach. You feel his tongue peek into your mouth, and you invite him in with an open-mouthed kiss, rolling your wet tongue against his.

You let your hands settle back in his hair, remembering how he liked it before when you gave it a tug. You found your hips rolling slightly into his with each kiss, effectively pressing your center down onto his. You couldn’t help but notice how hard he was, straining against his pants.

“Peter,” you say breathily into his mouth, “can I touch you?”

“Fuck,” his hips buck up slightly into you at your question, “please y/n.”

You let your hand trail down his stomach, fiddling with the hem of his shirt for a second. You tug at it, signaling for him to take it off. Before you could even take in the sight of his beautifully sculpted body, you trailed your hands underneath the waist of his pants, palming him above his boxers.

You knew you should move slowly, take your time with him and let it build up, but your senses were going wild. You wanted nothing more than to feel his cock in your mouth, inside of you. It felt so perfect in your hand, and although you couldn’t see it, you knew it was nice.

“Peter,” you whisper again between breathy kisses, “your cock feels so good in my hand, so hard for me already.”

You feel him shudder underneath you as you move from his mouth down to the underside of his jaw, sucking on a spot while you continue to jerk him off.

You slowly take care of the button on his pants, sliding them down his legs. The moment of separation makes you realize his hands had been placed firmly on your hips. After his pants were kicked off his legs, you grind down onto him again, less fabric separating you this time.

“Do you want to touch me?” you ask seductively into his ear as you continue to roll yourself down onto his clothed, but incredibly hard member. He gives you an eager nod, eyes blown and glassy from all the stimulation he was receiving at once.

You guide his hand from its place on your hip down between your legs. Up your skirt and over the sopping center of your cotton panties, his hands find their way to your center. You slow your movements over him, allowing him to feel around and get a sense of your body. He groans at the immediate contact, noticing the unavoidable wet patch around your entrance.

“Do you feel that?” you ask before kissing down his neck again, “feel how wet I am?”

He continues to meet your movements by pressing his hips up into you. You notice how responsive he is when you talk dirty to him, especially little compliments and words of praise. You could have your fun with this, make him fall apart just by telling him how well he’s doing.

“You did that to me Peter, you make me so fucking wet.”

He lets out a groan into your neck at your words. You take the opportunity to slip your hands under the waistband of his boxers, looking into his eyes for a second for silent permission to continue. You nip at his earlobe and whisper words of praise to him as you fully grasp his cock for the first time. Jerking him off slowly, you grind yourself down onto his hand, letting his fingers press harder into your underwear.

You move your other hand down to meet his, showing him how to rub circles on your clit. Moaning into his skin, you pull aside your underwear, completely wrecked at this point. You grant him access to your slick folds, ready and waiting for him.

“Fuck, Peter,” you fuck yourself down onto his long fingers, letting him comfortably slip inside you, “you’re doing so good, making me feel so good.”

You arch your back a little, giving him a good view of your face as he twisted his fingers inside you. You sit straight up, perpendicular to him now. Your full weight pressed down onto his hand, his middle two fingers fluttering perfectly inside of you with little instruction. You expose your chest by removing your shirt before leaning your arms down onto his shoulders. You grind your clit against his palm as his fingers work inside of you.

“Oh my god, Peter,” you bite your lip, “fuck, you’re going to make me come.”

He gives you a look before stuttering, “I- um, can I…”

“What is it,” you try to ask him genuinely but cant help the moans that slip out, “what do you want?”

“I, uh, I wanna taste you.”

“Fuck.” Your head falls back at his request, hair falling slightly over your face, mouth gaping open.

“Is that okay? Is that a weird thing to ask?” his voice was tentative, which made you chuckle a little considering his fingers were still fucking deeply into you.

“Peter, that’s so fucking hot.” You rush down to capture his lips in yours, letting your tongues meet. You bite down slightly onto his lower lip, knowing you wouldn’t be able to last much longer. You move down flat on your back, slipping off your only remaining garment, your skirt.

He takes the cue and removes his boxers as well, now leaving you both completely naked. You try to steal a look at his hard cock, but he quickly moves down in between your legs. He looks at your dripping pussy with wide brown eyes, a mix between glowing and uncertainty.

You start to give him instructions, trying to fulfill your role as teacher, “You can just- mmmmhhh fuck,” he meets his warm tongue with your entrance, licking a wide stripe up the middle.

“Fuck, just like that,” he continues to lick and suck, “and you can add a- fuck, Peter.” He always seems to know what you’re going to tell him seconds before you say it. He dips his two, already wet, fingers back into you as he sucks on your clit.

You arch your back, grinding yourself into his tongue slightly. Through pants, you tell him how close you are, how well he’s doing. With a final flick of his tongue, you clench around his fingers tightly and scrunch your face up in pleasure. Your hips gyrate against him, thighs shaking, hands grasping at the sheets, at his hair, at anything.

You let out his name with a strangled moan, knowing he would love hearing his name come from your lips as you reached your high. “Peter, fuck, Peter,” over and over.

You pull away slightly, telling him he can stop. You flop back, panting, hand coming up to your forehead.

“Um, was that? Was I okay?”

You couldn’t believe that after you had been writhing and coming underneath him, he would still question himself like that. “Yes,” you were still a little out of breath, “that was really fucking good.”

You move down the bed to meet him, pulling him into a deep kiss. You relished in the feeling of his warm mouth, the taste of yourself on his lips. You wrap your legs around his torso, kissing him more fiercely.

You look up at him, hair a mess and face red, “I want to make you feel good now.”

“I mean, we don’t have to, like, you don’t have to…”

“Peter,” you wrap your legs around him a little tighter, “do you want to fuck me?”

He groans slightly and thrown his head back, hands coming down to grab your ass.

“Please,” he half moans as you attack his neck with your tongue, “I really want to.”

“You have condoms?”

“Mhm, just give me sec,” he doesn’t want to stop toughing you, but untangles your bodies to move over to the side table drawer. He stands next to the bed, fiddling with the unopened condom box.

You have a devious idea, and decide to position yourself at the edge of the bed, legs propped up behind you, ass in the air, hands and mouth perched and ready for him. He turns slightly, condom package in hand.

“Before you put that on,” you bat your eyelashes up at him, “I want to taste you.” You quote his words from earlier as you take the base of his cock in your hand, pumping it slowly.

“Can I?” he gives you permission before you slip the tip between your puffy lips. He is fully stood above you as you take him into your mouth, gagging a little on his length. You bob your head back and forth, giving him the perfect view of your ass.

You run your tongue firmly against the underside of his shaft, giving a harsh suck to the spot where the body met the head.

“Y/n,” your name was shaky in his mouth, “I need to fuck you right now.”

You like the directness in his tone and reach up mid-blow to take the condom from him. You flip around, so you are now simply seated on the edge of the bed, Peter still standing. You rip the foil with your teeth and take the rubber out.

Pumping his shaft a few times before rolling the condom on, you bite your lip and look up at him, “I’m so fucking excited to have you inside me, gonna make me feel so good.”

You were impatient, so you simply laid back on the bed where you were sat, letting your legs dangling off the side. You could tell he was too impatient to move either, as he ran his cock up and down the length of your entrance, waiting for your signal to push into you.

You motion for him to grab your legs by the thighs, allowing him to fuck into you deeply.

“Holy shit,” he grunts out as his length fills you for the first time. You arch your back and grind yourself against him, letting out little desperate moans mixed with his name.

“Fuck, Peter you can move now, you can fuck me.”

Although this was an unusual position for someone’s first time, both you and Peter were loving it. He got to see all of you as he pushed into you, your face, your tits bouncing with each thrust, the way your pussy opened up and took his cock so well. His grip on the back of your knees tightened as he fucked you harder, slightly shaking the bed.

“Oh my god, Peter,” you make eye contact as his hair flops against his forehead with each thrust, “touch me, please, fuck, I need you.”

His stamina was incredible, relentlessly fucking you as his hand seamlessly found your clit, rubbing the tight circles you had shown him how to do earlier. He loved having you splayed out before him, making you feel good, hearing you tell him how well he was fucking you, how you needed more, more, more.

He notices the familiar look on your face as he feels your walls tighten around his length. He moans out, loving the feeling of you squeezing around him. His thrusts become deeper and slower as he brings you to your second orgasm. He observed the way you squirmed when he would touch you one way, back fully arched when he would touch you another way.

“Fuck, I-” you try to communicate, “Peter, I want to come all over your cock, please don’t stop fucking me, oh my god.”

He can’t help but close his eyes as he feels you tighten around him for the last time, letting your wet orgasm drip all over his dick. You shook underneath him, legs vibrating under his grasp. Your mouth fell into a perfect Oh, and the sounds that were coming from your lips almost sent him over the edge.

He wanted to keep fucking you though, he never wanted to stop. He wanted to make you feel good over and over for the rest of forever. You were coming down from your orgasm, still letting moans and words of praise fall from your lips to him. You loved how you could feel his dick twitch a little when you told him how good he was doing.

Fully fucked out from your last orgasm, you wanted to move onto the bed for him. You move back, causing him to slip out of you. For a moment, he thought you were done, which would have been fine, he only wanted what you wanted. He would just have to go take care of himself somewhere else…

It wasn’t until you moved up onto the bed and propped yourself up on all fours, arching your back perfectly for him, leaning down onto your forearms.

“Peter,” you coo to him, “will you fuck me like this?”

He couldn’t find the words to answer, only to hop onto the bed over eagerly and position himself behind you.

“Just grab my hips and- fuck,” he filled you up perfectly, rucking your hips back onto him with his hands.

The feeling of his strong hands grasping your hips, and his dick perfectly hitting that spot inside you was almost enough to push you over the edge for the third time. You had no control over the noises that were leaving your mouth, and you suspected the same was true for him.

His hips were snapping directly into yours, and you could feel his cock swell a little inside of you. He didn’t have to tell you for you to know he was close, but regardless,

“Y/n,” you name barely made its way past the grunts and profanities, “I’m gonna, fuck, I’m-”

You felt him fuck deeper into you, hitting a new spot for a few thrusts that made you see stars. You couldn’t do anything but fuck yourself back onto him and scream his name. His orgasm washed over him, his sweaty chest quickly falling to meet your back. His hands grasped around you, something in between a hug and gripping for dear life.

He pulled out of you, and rolled over onto the pillow next to you.

“How was that?” you asked, less nervously than how he had asked you earlier, but curiously, “for your first time?”

“I-” he couldn’t even begin to come up with the words to tell you how fucking amazing it had been, he pulls you down for a long kiss, sweaty foreheads meeting. “We can do that again, right?”

You let out a laugh, “right now?” with raised eyebrows.

“Nonono, just like, in general?” he already knew your answer with the way you smiled at him.

“Peter, nobody has ever made me come like that, of fucking course we can do it again.”

You offer to take care of the condom, and head over to the bathroom to pee and clean up. Peter laid back with eyes closed, feeling unreal about what had just happened. He couldn’t help but let his mind wander to all the things he wanted to do with you. He wanted to use his spider strength to lift you up, fuck you against a wall, in the shower, on the floor, everywhere and in every position.

You returned with a hand towel for him, “Was I an okay teacher?”

“You tell me,” he joked.

You flop down on the bed next to him, letting your sticky body tangle with his in a new way.

“You’re fucking amazing,” he tells you, “but I think there are some new things I want to show you next time.”

You look at him with raised eyebrows, and let out a giggle as you bury your head into the crook of his neck. He kisses the top of your hair softly. You couldn’t help but feel a little flustered at the notion of fucking him again, of getting fucked by him again. But also, the notion of spending more time with him just in his bed, wearing one of his nerdy t-shirts and getting your hair stroked as you doze off to sleep.

[currywaifu]

𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: lavender 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: fushimi omi/reader 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: sfw 𝐰𝐜: 1.2k words 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: 🍒

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: reader taste tests chef omi’s new dish (yes he’s a chef in this one) 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: this work is a part of the flower shop event, a series of unconnected flower shop AU one-shots

There was something about the man who worked at the cafe across your flower shop, and you couldn’t figure out what it was.

Have you formally met Fushimi Omi? Sure, you had to have when you constantly drop by to deliver herbs and flowers in several mornings a week. Have you crossed paths with him? Sure, the close proximity of your workplaces certainly helped, with short waves of greeting exchanged upon making eye-contact with each other.

But did you know him? No, which was why you couldn’t figure out why he stood out so much in comparison to his other co-workers, or literally anyone else on the same block as you.

What did you know about him? Well, he was attractive, a good cook, and seemed to have a friendly or kind disposition despite his stature and build. You couldn’t really form a conclusion just out of those select things though, right?

However, there was no easy way for you to figure it out without either stalking him, which was a definite no, or talking to him outside of a business transaction— not that you had much opportunities for that.

Which was why it still surprised you that he was ushering you to enter the establishment on the day it was supposed to be closed, a bunch of freshly cut lavender that he ordered held to your chest.

You had expected just to be paid, the small chit chat about how your respective businesses are going already a routine while you waited for the opportune time to return to your own shop;

as seemed to be a theme tonight, Omi surprised you again.

“These would be lovely for a new dish I’m working on,” he began, and you were inclined to agree. Despite never having tasted any of his flower series dishes, the pastries and meals you had in the past were sublime.

Which was why it was a relatively easy choice to make when he asked, “would you like to be my taste tester? Since you’re the one who grew these, anyway.”

“I’d love to! I’m, sure it’d taste great,” you said, a little bit of eagerness slipping through your voice. The corners of his lips quirked upwards, before he turned around and started walking away from you. As though sensing your stillness, he looked back at you with the same smile present on his features.

“The kitchen is this way?” His head tilted slightly, “unless you’d rather wait here by yourself?”

You didn’t think he’d mean he’d cook for you now, but since you already committed to it…

“Nope, nope! I’m coming right now.”

You quickened your pace for a few seconds, just enough to lag behind him and keep up with his long strides.

Before attending to the counters with prepped ingredients already prepared, he ushered you to a chair and table that was most likely brought in temporarily, clearly not matching the kitchen’s interior. Had he planned having you taste test beforehand? Was that why he had you deliver the flowers at an unusual time and date?

The answers seemed glaringly obvious, but you’d rather keep quiet and watch him mix flour, cinnamon, sugar, lavender, and whatever other ingredients rather than awkwardly ask and risk being too assuming.

Even while passing the time scrolling through your phone, it was undeniable… sure it was impolite to stare, but was it really fair to have this man look so attractive? Like holy hell, he’s literally just pouring a mixture over something you weren’t even sure of in a skillet?

The silence wasn’t as awkward as you predicted it would be, but you wondered if you should take the initiative to… talk? Maybe ask him something? For months you had stayed as acquaintances, stayed curious, but now that you two were alone and in the same space you couldn’t figure out what to say.

You glanced at him again, his back turned to you as he piled used kitchenware on the sink, the both of you waiting for the dessert to finish baking. Since he didn’t seem to be busy, you wouldn’t be interrupting him, right?

You took a few seconds to rake your brain for the best way to phrase the second most generic question about careers ™ (the most generic being asking what his career was, but that was plenty obvious) before opening your mouth.

“You’ve b—“

“How long have you been working in this cafe?”

Your eyes widened at the realisation, Omi’s chuckles coming soon after both reassuring and further adding to your embarrassment.

“I was just going to ask the same question, actually,” he said thoughtfully, looking a little amused as he abandoned the pans and pots to simply lean against the counter as he conversed with you. “Two years, you?”

“I’ve been part-timing at flower shops for a while now, but I’ve only been managing this one for a year.”

It’s impossible to miss the change in his face muscles, and though you couldn’t detect what specifically rendered it, it was a pleasant enough expression that you quickly welcomed it.

“I don’t know that much about flowers or arrangements, but everything I’ve seen you sell has been beautiful. It’s clear that you have a talent for what you do,” the brunet commented, “plus, the herbs you deliver are always so fresh and emit a nice aroma. I always get excited to use them in dishes.

With the combination of being under his warm gaze and his words, you suddenly found yourself feeling bashful, regardless of the fact that he complimented your plants more than you. The only way you could respond was to thank him and return the compliment, telling him you were eagerly awaiting tonight’s dish.

And when the time finally came for you to taste it?

Golden brown peach crisps served family style with a scoop of ice cream on top, garnished with lavender. The seasonal fruit mixed with a pinch of cinnamon, a faint hint of lavender, and melted vanilla bean ice cream made the fruity dessert taste like the blue sky with honey oozing on top.

You always knew Omi was a good chef, but to think of combining peach and lavender… you nearly laughed, but the soft chuckling that came from the person beside you caught your attention instead.

As nice as the sound was, you couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious— what did you say or do this time? All you were doing was eating the dish quietly… hold on, was the food meant for just you to eat or…?

“Fushimi-san, do you… do you want some?” It felt a little silly, offering a man the very same food he prepared, but it seemed your concern was unwarranted as he shook his head.

“Don’t mind me, watching your face is enough for me,” he didn’t seem to notice the peach blush that began to blossom on your cheeks, continuing “your face looks so peaceful while eating, like you’re really savouring it.”

“Can I ask you to taste test again next time?”

There was something about the man who worked at the cafe across your flower shop, and maybe you’ll stick around a little longer to figure out what it was.

“ thank you for your hard work today at the flower shop! here, feel free to take home this lavender with you~ ”

【 lavender 】 silence, serenity, grace, calmness, purity

“ maybe you’d like some more flowers before heading home? ”

-ˋˏflower shop masterlistˎˊ- |  -ˋˏfic masterlistˎˊ-

[ketsuyuki-hibana-typed]

Rengoku Kyoujurou x Litte Sister Figure!Reader (Part 4)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 5

I wanted to say that marrying has deep meaning than it thought. It’s about commitment, because you’re going to spend the rest of your life with your loved one.

Bruh, I acted like I already married, can somebody find me a husband like Kyoujurou or Sanemi

And please, please read from the first part because if you haven’t, this really sounded like incest, holy shit

Because it’s too long, I put the Keep Reading!

When they said woman-side parents don’t go easy on male one, they’re probably true, probably wrong. It could be easier or the obstacle became tougher.

You sat with folded feet there, covered your mouth with your palm.

When Kyoujurou gave his father with kneeling bow in his room, Shinjurou poured his sake all over his son body, from head until the hair was wet. The liquid dripped to the floor. He gave displeased face towards Kyoujurou.

But Kyoujurou didn’t budge, not a single protest even said. He sticked his forehead on the floor. His palm held his figure to kneel still.

“Father, that’s too-”

“Quiet, (y/n).” His voice was fierce. You jolted and not going to interfere anymore. “I want to disillusion him, bring him back to this cruel world. To think that this half-assed and stupid boy about to marry my daughter. Hah.”

He threw the empty bottle to his side, turning around and sat with crossed leg on the engawa.

“Don’t ever show me your face if your only main reasons are your heart and that you’re eligible to marry her. You are even far from ‘eligible’ word, you shit. You don’t deserve her.”

“Then, I will come to you when I fulfilled the requirements.” He bowed once again towards his father and stood up. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“As if.” He mocked him again.

He went out first, you stood up and closed the door. You followed behind him, looking timidly at his wet hair.

“Kyouju- Aniki-”

“Don’t worry about it. Father have been always like that.” He turned around and smiled, tried to not make you worry.

“Fi- First, let’s change your clothes.” You pushed him into his room.

You make him sit down on the tatami. You put towel on his head and ruffled his hair.

“You should wash your hair. I will take your new kimono and put it in front of the bathroom.” You stood up.

“Sorry for making you busy.”

“No, it’s okay. Half of this is my fault too.”

“No-”

And the shouji door was closed. He sighed. On the other side, you pulled some new clothes and sighed too.

Well, Shinjurou being your father isn’t technically wrong. As soon as you stepped in this house, your family name maybe not automatically become “Rengoku”, but he’s still your step father after all.

You really pitied Kyoujurou at this point. First, he made efforts to melt your heart and now, in order to marry you, he had to melt his father too.

That wouldn’t be easy. He had to fulfill the requirements that both of you even didn’t know what are those, and what he should do to accomplished them.

You prayed towards Ruka’s Altar, even though you never met her in person, but you prayed that everything will be fine and that she will give blessings to both of you.

Everyday, Koujurou always tried to talk to his father. He also tried to make him proud on what he did as a Pillar and often told him about your development, about how he loved you.

But when he did, Shinjurou will either ejected him again or worst, pouring his sake all over him again.

And today, he got slapped because he’s such a stubborn son. It’s the final warning.

“Ow…”

After dried his hair, you helped him changed his bed kimono. He groaned at the redness on his cheek.

“Are you okay? Should I-”

“It’s fine.”

“But-”

“Don’t worry! Don’t worry! Father always like this after all!!”

You faced his chest, pulled his kimono collar and clasped your hand there.

You sticked your forehead on his chest.

Your shoulder trembled. You suddenly sobbed, still grabbing on his collar.

“W- why are you crying?! Are there something hurt you?!” He pulled you into his chest, patiently rubbed your head.

“It must be really hard.”

“No, it’s just-” You sniffled. “It’s not fair when you’re the only one who worked out on things, and I- I’ve just watched here, I’m so useless, I wanted to do something too ”

“Hey, that’s fine by me.” He wiped your tears, slowly kissed your eyelid. “That’s how it should be. You don’t have to worry.”

He actually wanted to crybtoo, but he held it. He is the only sunshine for you and he couldn’t let himself cry too.

You didn’t say anything again but bawling on his chest. You knew you couldn’t let Kyoujurou being humiliated more at this rate. You had to step up, you had to show Shinjurou that you love all of Kyoujurou, accepted his weakness and strengthness whatever the form it took.

You had to show it.

But how?

That night, you sleep again with him. He caressed your head non-stop, soothing until you became calmer. He even cheered up for you. The flame never lose his light towards you, the flame that never gave up on you.

You should help him. For the sake of your relationship.

One day, you have small chit chats with Mitsuri on dango booth. 

“Yeah.” You relaxed your shoulder. “I think we had to work on it, somehow.”

“As long as there are love between you two, everything will be fine!!” She cheered you up,

“I know. But apparently not for Shinjurou-san.” You bit the dango from the stick, threw it into bin.

“Hmm, what about- looking for information about how is his engagement with Ruka-san?”

“How am I supposed to know that.”

“I don’t know, maybe… Getting clues on your daily life.”

“I don’t know if it works, but let’s try that.”

Senjurou ever told you, Shinjurou only soft towards you. He often asked to Senjurou on how are you doing and where did you go if you were in mission. He cherished your cooking because it reminded him with his wife, secretly of course.

This is probably the only opportunity you had.

You must help Kyoujurou if you really wanted to be happy with him

And so, the saga on how to get Shinjurou’s blessing continues.

In the morning, instead of Senjurou, you will be the one who prepared breakfast and delivered it to him.

“Father, your breakfast is ready.” You bowed in front of closed shoji door. It’s Shinjurou’s room.

“Just leave it there.” He shouted from inside, not even bother to open the door.

“Understood.”

You sighed a little. Ok, morning didn’t work, then let’s try in the afternoon.

You became often brought him sake, talking a light topic with him while he sitting on the engawa and you sweeping the yard.

Sometimes, you sat beside him with some distance, drinking tea and snacking together.

You did this for almost 1 month.

But you still don’t have a single clue. The mixed feelings and the urge to know ‘his requirements’ were really bothering you to the core.

When Kyoujurou went on long term trip to collect some information with Uzui in the city, you became sadder and lonely. For a moment, you didn’t have his chest to cry, didn’t have body to hug on, and didn’t have ‘your walking heat’.

You often asked how is he doing, did he change his eye patch, did he eat regularly, you became more stressful than the usual because he rarely reply your messages. Not to mention you had to deal with Shinjurou’s blessings while he’s away.

You even didn’t really focus on your training and often daydreaming in the middle of it.

“(y/n)-san!”

“Huh?”

A light sword attack blow landed on you from your tsugako, you didn’t anticipate it. You received that attack and resulted with red bump on your forehead.

“(y/n)-sa !! I’m sorry!!”

“It’s okay! I’m not really focused on the training.” You touched your forehead and whimpered a little. “Could you train by yourself for now? I will clear my head.”

“Su- Sure.”

You were going back and dozing off at home. You rolled your body around on the engawa while grunting.

“Hrrgghh, hoooooow- whoa!”

You eventually rolled pass from the edge of engawa. Your body hit the ground with your face kissing the soil. The bump on your forehead became worsened.

“GAAAAH!!!” You stood up, stomping on the house, went to the kitchen where Senjurou cooking for dinner.

“Nee-chan?! Why are the dust all over your body?!”

“I will clean myself up. Senjurou! Let me cook for this once!”

“O- Okay.”

After you cleanse all the dirts, you cooked your favourite dishes, the special dishes that was from your family, special recipes that passed down from ancestor to ancestor.

“Ne- Nee-chan! Your skin, it’s burning. Also the cuts on your fingers too! Aren’t you too reckless?!”

“This is okay! See? I’m still alive!!”

“That’s not the case! Nee-chan!! At least treat your fingers!”

You didn’t hear him. Your only focus now is Shinjurou. You walked to his room while bringing the dishes you made. You forced open his room.

“Why are you suddenly barging like that?!” Shinjurou jolted and didn’t look displeased. Luckily, he still sat on the engawa not sleeping or anything.

“Excuse my rudeness. Father, as Kyoujurou’s future wife and future mother, I also have obligation to made you give us our blessings. However, I didn’t think I could fit on your family, but I tried. And this is my last attempt.” You kneeled bow him, presented him the dishes. “After eating, please reconsider your rejection towards us. Reject us if I didn’t fit to be his wife thorough this food.”

“Oi, oi.” He rubbed his forehead. “It should be Kyoujurou who did this, you aware of that, don’t you.”

“Yes! He also struggled and I just helped him, this is the only thing I could do for this family, after you took care of me and claimed me as your daughter! So, please, eat and tell me the taste. From there, I will know if I’m eligible to have Rengoku as my new family name.”

After that, Shinjurou didn’t say any single thing and ate your food. You gulped in anticipation. Only silence and some munching sound from his mouth was heard.

He finished the dishes, looked at you straight while crossed his arms.

“Oi.”

“Ye- yes, Father?”

“Come with me to the town.” He stood up, and get ready to went out.

“Eh?”

“Tch, I’m not going to repeat my words two times.”

“Ye-Yes!”

You just followed him from behind when both you walked to town in silence. You were wondering, what will he do?

He stopped in front of the tailor shop. He signed ‘stay here’ to you, so you waited in front of the shop.

When he stepped outside from the shop, he gave something to you.

“This is from Ruka, let’s say that this is her gift for you.”

“Shiromuku and… Hakama. Father, is this for wedding?” He nodded.

“Listen, (y/n).” He walked, went to your home direction. You ran a little to match his step and walked beside him. “The essence of marrying someone is making two family into one. When you married a woman you loved, it means you 'married’ to the whole family too. And I can’t just let that stupid son of mine easily said he wanted to marry you only with love. I need him to show me his sincerity. Is he going to make you happy for the rest of your life? Is he going to be a responsible father to your children? I need to him to assure me that he will not and never hurt you when you become married couple.”

His long explanation made you opened your eyes. You don’t know why but it sounded like Kyoujurou wasn’t his son but you, even though what he said is all necessary.

“Then…” You stopped and looked at him. “Tell me what should we do. He already did his best to show you that he deserved me. I wanted to do something too, for your blessings.”

He blinked twice, thrice.

And spurting out laugh.

You became embarrassed, thought that you probably spouting nonsense.

“You use 'we’ instead 'he’. Impressive daughter.” He wiped his tears. “I still don’t know how could you attracted to my foolish son.”

“I- ”

“No need.” He walked towards you, patting your head. “I already gave my blessings for you, from the very start. You brought joy to this house once again, Ruka must be so proud of you from up there.”

Your eyes glistened. “Then, it means-”

“But I still not give my blessing for Kyoujurou.” It’s his final words, before both of you headed home.

Your heart about to explode. You couldn’t stop smile on the way while hugging the Shiromuku.

After you do some gratitude expression and Shinjurou went inside his room, you ran to your room, trying on your Shiromuku.

You swirled around. The traditional kimono made waving motion on the lower part. The white fabric were really match your hair. You giggled all by yourself.

“(y/n), I’m home! Do you miss- (y/n)?”

He stunned all of the white clothes. He even lose words on describing how gorgeous you are.

“Kyoujurou- wah!” He hugged you, lifted you up and spinned you around.

“My bride!” He said cheerfully. “Where did you get this? Does this mean Father finally accepted us?”

“Not yet.” He put you down. “You need to try once more.”

“That’s what I’m planning.” You striped down your Shiromuku (you still wear your daily kimono inside). “But first let me-!”

He cupped your cheek and showering your face with kisses. In his embrace, you felt like you are plushies toy, he really squeezed you.

“I miss you!!”

“Haha! I miss you too, Kyoujurou!”

“You didn’t want to use Aniki again?”

“Actually, I’m more comfortable when I called your name.” He fluttered and covered his face.

“Change it to 'Honey’ or 'Sweetheart’. Can we marry faster?”

“Try then!” You pushed his body outside your room. He chuckled, and grabbed your hand.

“I always thought what I’m lacking at.” said Kyoujurou. “Now I know what I’m going to say to him.” Kyoujurou already consulted with Uzui, as person who already has three wives, on how to ensure his father. Uzui has given all of things he knew.

He told Kyoujurou, “Let’s positioned yourself as your father. What do you want for your little princess? The best, right? Then, say those things, you had to promise him you would protect her.”

Kyoujurou became firmer and steadier.

You intertwined your fingers with him.

You trust him, ever since from the start, you already give your life to him, and so he does.

You could do this.

“Father, I come here again.”

“You again? How many times do I have to told you that I don’t want to see your face?”

“I know.” Kyoujurou head was facing him. He became really serious.

“Then, why-”

“I know that I don’t deserve her, I know it from the very start I laid my heart on heart. However, I loved her from the depth of my heart. I’m not promising her with fake vow, I came here because I pledge to protect, to make her happy and being a responsible parents in the future. I want to grow old with her, I want her to be by my side after I opened and closed my eyes, I want her to cook my food, I want her to bear my children and take care of them. I don’t care how many times you repelled me, I won’t give up. I won’t give up if all of these are necessary for marrying her.”

The tense was really different. You looked at him with glistened eyes, almost dropped your tears. But you managed to hold it.

“Therefore, Father, please give me your blessings. Please let marry her.

“Not bad.” He rubbed his chin, smirking. You sensed a glimpse of bad feeling. “Very well. You said that you loved her?”

“Yes, Father.”

“If you really loved her that deep-”

He threw short sword- a Mamogatari- in front of Kyoujurou.

“A duel?” You asked.

“No. Commit seppuku for her sake.”

Note: Seppuku is belly cutting; consists of plunging a short blade into the belly and drawing the blade from left to right, slicing the belly open.

[ethelphantom]

white gold ring

Hey look it’s the second (and last) part of my Dickinette Valentine’s series as it’s day 14, White Day. It seems y’all are also getting more proposals. Have fun! 

Ao3 | First part

This is Maribat -- Don’t like; Don’t read

____________________________________

“Do you think she’s going to say yes? No, scratch that, do you think she’s gonna break up with me after this because I’m doing something she isn’t ready for yet?” Dick asked, fiddling with the small box in his hands. He didn’t really know what to do with his hands, so this had to do.

Kori groaned and shook her head, feeling the slightest disappointment in his friend. “Dick. Try to be real. She would literally never break up with you unless you deeply hurt her — which I'm sure won't happen — if she has any say in the matter, and if she’s not ready, then she’ll tell you and you’ll keep your relationship as ‘dating’ until she is ready,” she sighed and patted Dick’s head. “Now go out there and do it already — you don’t have all day if you want the rest of us to do what you asked us to.”

Dick smiled sheepishly and shrugged as she pushed him closer to where Marinette was animatedly talking with Kagami. Kagami had a soft smile on her face as she watched Marinette excitedly talk about something. It was rather adorable. Dick wiped his hands on his pants (Alfred would be so disappointed and took a deep breath. As he exhaled again, he lifted his gaze back from the floor to his girlfriend and walked towards her with determination in his demeanour. He did look back once but continued on when Kori glared at him and pointed sharply at Marinette.

God.

Why did this have to be so difficult?

Why did Dick have to be so difficult?

Once he was out of hearing range and they were sure he wouldn’t look back anymore, Adrien and Roy appeared beside Kori. Roy laughed, clearly aware of the irony of the situation.

“It feels like I’ve done this exact thing before too, just with Marinette when she confessed. Seriously. How is neither of them able to just do the things when they’re both so confident otherwise? They know the other would never hate them or do anything to hurt them, this doesn’t need to be so difficult,” she said grumbling and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I love them both but this is just ridiculous.”

Adrien snorted. “I’m not really surprised about Marinette. She’s confident as long as it’s not about her relationships with other people. Considering what happened with Alya, it’s actually rather understandable.”

“You’re, unfortunately, right about that. If I ever get Alya or Lila in my hands…”

“Yeah, we get it, Kori. You want to get Mari justice.”

Kori just deadpanned. “Would you stop me?”

“Nope, never. I would help.”

“He had some kind of a brilliant plan and reason why today, though, right?” Roy asked, arching a brow.

“Yeah, he does. He refused to elaborate on it though.”

“Do you think he’s going to—”

“Yeah, he is. Would you please make sure he—”

“On it, Kori.”

Adrien snickered. “Consider it done.”

With a sigh and a smile, Kori watched Roy and Adrien going after Dick, Roy turning around for a second to give her a thumbs up and a wink while Adrien made a beeline for Kagami.

________________

“Hiya Teacup! And Miss Riposte, could I steal my girlfriend for a second?” Dick asked when he reached the two young women, giving them a quick salute. Marinette turned to look at him and gave him a bright smile as she fell into his opened arms for a hug. Dick squeezed her and pressed a kiss on her forehead. Her hair smelled like cherries and vanilla. The warmth of her body in the slightly cold breeze was a good reminder of just how lucky he was to have her, to have her have chosen him.

“It seems to me you already stole her away, Boy Wonder. For longer than a second, too,” Kagami said, only the faintest smile visible on her face anymore. Dick gulped, knowing she knew what he was planning, afraid that she thought it was a bad idea or anything like that. He wouldn’t back away though, he’d spent far too long trying to convince himself to do it.

Marinette detached herself from Dick and booped Kagami on the nose. “Hah, as though you mind, Yù Jiě,” she said with a laugh, making the corners of Kagami’s lips quirk upwards.

Dick was happy Marinette had such great friends but the chilling steel of Kagami’s eyes when she had looked at him was, well, it had him shiver — Clark was nothing compared to Kagami even if he was sometimes called the man of steel. Nope. It was enough to make him reconsider all of his plans for today and his life choices, consider just ignoring the burn of the small box in his pocket, knowing it would take him an irritatingly long while to muster the willpower to do this again.

Yeah, how about no, Kori and Roy would kill him after having spent so long trying to hype him up.

And then, thank all things holy and sacred, his saviour arrived at the spot, spitting off some bullshit about needing Kagami’s help with fencing techniques like, right now, and definitely not later because later would be too late. Adrien made a little chit chat with Marinette too and told her he wanted to test the new men’s wear line she’d designed a little earlier as soon as she was finished with them, which let Roy sneak up on them from behind and give Dick a light punch on the arm. While Marinette was distracted, he listed off some of the reasons Dick himself had mentioned when talking about why he should do this and then told him to ‘just get his shit together and do it already’, and ‘no, Kagami doesn't disapprove, she’s just worried for the both of you’.

It helped.

As soon as Marinette or Kagami looked like they were ready to turn their attention back to him, Roy slipped away and gave him one last thumbs up and a look that seemed to say “you’re gonna do fine if you just fucking do it.”

Typical.

Yeah, he was totally thankful for his friends, even if they were assholes sometimes.

Kagami agreed to leave with Adrien, walking to the opposite direction from Roy, and once Marinette’s back was turned to them, she made the ‘I’m watching you’ gesture at Dick. He was certain she was being serious about it, too.

“Mind if we take a short walk?” he asked Marinette, trying to ignore the burn of all the eyes on them that Marinette wasn’t even aware of. Marinette smiled and grabbed the arm he was offering for her. They walked for a while, talking about any and all things trivial. Slowly, they approached the place he’d decided was the perfect place, and his nerves were all suddenly telling him to just stop and run away as fast as he could. Suppressing that thought, he led Marinette to the centre of the square.

There, on the right, he could see a flow of long, bright red hair that faded to orange behind a corner and both Roy and Jason trying to be very subtle and nonchalant about following them. Both Kagami and Adrien were just leaning against a tree and having a conversation, though it was obvious to him that both were sneaking glances at them every now and then. A mob of blue and black hair walked past them, smiling. He was the only one of them with any actual idea of what subtle meant, it seemed, as he lifted the camera in his hands a little bit before simply walking away.

So while he was glad all of them were there and he’d literally told them to get their butts over to make sure he’d have pictures of this and his friends as support, it was still nerve-wracking.

What had he gotten himself in to?

When he stopped walking, Marinette let go of his arm and turned to look at him, a small smile playing on her lips even as it was clear she was trying to hide her own confusion and nervousness from him. It was appreciated, even if he could easily see it from her. Over the years, he’d grown fluent in speaking Marinette and her body language, and they both knew it. She knew how to read him (sometimes uncomfortably) well. It was nice to know that someone would understand him beyond his actions even if his words failed him sometimes and he ended up putting up a show.

“Uh. I.” Such an eloquent start, Dick. Congratulations. “So, you remember how two years back you confessed to me on Valentine’s Day in this place and gave me chocolate cereal? It was very sweet and thoughtful of you, by the way.”

Mari nodded slowly at him, clearly confused about what was going on. She gave him a small smile nonetheless, most likely as a response to the latter half of his words.

Once he got the confirmation, he continued speaking. “Well. So, I forgot White Day back then, didn’t even think about getting you a gift in return like I feel like I should have, but I’ve got you one now. A gift of higher value times eternity, or so I hope, because you deserve that much and even more,” he said, pulled out the box from his pocket and made a show of doing a flip that ended with him on one knee on the ground. He opened the box to show her what it contained, biting his lip.

He was almost sure he could hear Kori groan because of the flip he’d done.

Marinette gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. There were tears swelling in her eyes, but the crinkles around the eyes told him she was smiling. She breathed heavily as the tears started falling down before she threw herself in his arms. Dick caught her effortlessly, stood back up and twirled around with Marinette in his tight embrace. Then he settled her back on the ground and slipped the ring around her finger. He’d tried his best at choosing one she would love — there were two jewels on the white gold ring, a ruby and an aquamarine, both with double halos decorated with small diamonds. It wasn’t the best quality ring as he refused to let Bruce pay for it, but Bruce had managed to convince him to take a part of his birthday gift (a couple of hundreds of bucks) early as it was in 6 days anyway.

After that, he just held her in his arms, pressing his face in her hair and inhaling her smell. It was nice and comfortable. Both of them were ecstatic about things going so well, both of them enjoyed physical contact, especially when it came from one another. It was like they were the only two people in the world. It was perfect — the moment couldn’t have been better.

No, except their nosy friends were suddenly interrupting it right then and there, breaking the spell. The irritated hiss from Kori, most likely, directed at Roy who lying on the ground and wasn’t this situation a little too familiar? had them both sigh and they turned around to look at their friends, all of them there. Wally had come this time, nearly looking more excited than Dick felt. Even Barbara was there with a camera in her hands now, shaking her head, along with Tim who was… wait, was he seriously standing on the rooftop with no safety measures just to get pictures of them?

God. This was not what he asked them to do. His little brothers were totally going to be the reason he went grey early. As if it wasn’t enough that Jason went skydiving with Roy and Kori a little too often and Damian loved big and dangerous animals, as well as poisonous flowers. Like, the botanical garden he’d insisted on having at the manor consisted of only poisonous flowers. He also seemed to enjoy creating antivenoms against his snakes and then tested them on himself. Well, at least Tim was only photographing them right now instead of trying to do pyrotechnics and give them a whole fireworks show. That would not even have been too surprising, just plain worrying, because where did he get them this time?

Kagami had her head buried in Adrien’s shoulder, looking like she was simply done with all of them. Jason, well. They weren’t too sure what Jason was doing, and Dick wasn’t too sure he wanted to know what the Little Wing was on about. He was glad they were there though, all except for Luka. Why wasn't he present, though?

Yeah, that ‘why’ they would figure out later on.

“Well, good to see you managed to actually propose properly, and that you actually said yes instead of panicking and telling him the opposite. Nette-chan, Adrien, Luka and I booked you two a cruise of three nights, starting the day after tomorrow. Yes, we made sure to clear both your schedules. Have fun. I think the rest of us are going now,” she stated with a deadpan voice and looked at Kori before motioning at Roy. “I said, we’re going now. Do you have hearing problems?”

The last bit was clearly aimed at Roy who had, contrary to popular belief, better hearing than an average human. All of them knew it. Roy literally hurried and almost tripped over his own legs trying to get up, which was understandable because Kagami was on par with Marinette, Kori and Babs being scary when they wanted to and when they were determined or decided about something.

Marinette let out an amused laugh. “God, hasn’t like, nearly all of this happened already? On the day I confessed if I recall correctly. Either we’re too excellent at repeating history or you had all of this planned to a T to go the same way, and I’m not sure which option is more amusing.”

Dick laughed along with her, agreeing wholeheartedly. Indeed, they were far too excellent at repeating history.

Later, when Marinette and Dick entered the home they had shared for a while now, they noticed a small, white envelope with a blue rose seal taped on their door. Marinette took it in her hands and opened it as Dick let them inside and closed the door behind them. Her face heated up and went crimson which had Dick concerned. He took the envelope and what it contained out of her hands and understood immediately what that had been about. The envelope was full of polaroids, of the moment Dick proposed, the moment Marinette said yes, the moment he spun them around… And of course, there was one with the moment captured when they turned their attention to their friends with the winking and the grinning face of Luka in the lower right corner. Behind the picture, there was a short message from him.

Thanks for not noticing me when I was taking the pictures, it made them a lot more genuine. Have fun at the cruise with your fiancé(e). Don’t forget protection! Be glad he asked me to get the pictures because this way they’re probably going the closest reminder of what the moments felt like to you later on aside from your rings and your beloved.

Love, Luka

P.S. you both need to figure out how to notice me when I’m around, especially since you both are otherwise good at noticing all the small things happening near.

The polaroids, both these and the ones Luka had taken years ago, weere showed at their wedding reception half a year later along with those Tim and Barbara had taken, and then they decorated their walls for the next few decades.

_______________

@kris-pines04  @thethirdwheelfriend @daminett4life @abrx2002 @persephonebutkore @rebecarojas07 @corabeth11 @freshbark @maribat-march2020 @catsandfanfic @fertileleaf @eat0crow @cutechip @emo-elaine13

[starglossie]

bokuto/ushijima - g - 4.7k - it’s the simple things

Bokuto asks, “You know Ushiwaka, right?”

“... I do.” Kiyoomi folds his arms. “Why?”

“Is he single?” Bokuto blurts out.

There’s silence for a few minutes and then all Bokuto hears is Atsumu howling, “Holy fucking shit, what?”

can be read here on ao3 and below under the cut

Bokuto likes to consider himself a simple fellow. This isn’t meant to be taken in a bad way either. Simplicity is not bad. What he takes it as, of course, is that it doesn’t take much for him to determine what he enjoys and what he can really do without.

For example, he loves volleyball. That is his blood and sweat and tears. It’s his first inhale when he wakes up and his last exhale before he sleeps. He loves Yakiniku. Beef is quite literally the best.

He loves words but spelling them is another matter. Well, he doesn’t dislike spelling. He thinks it’s rather fun to figure out what letters go where. To double check with someone—usually Akaashi because Akaashi was so brilliant that Bokuto was happy he could always turn to his best friend with questions and receive the answers he was looking for—about whether or not receive was spelled r-e-c-i-e-v-e or r-e-c-e-i-v-e.

He doesn’t get taxes. Though he figures that’s not something people usually get, they just do. He’d rather not do them, if he had it his way. Then again, being a good citizen also has its perks. Like no jail time.

And he doesn’t think he’d do too well in jail. Well, maybe at first.

To circle to the point of this! Because there’s a point. Do not think there was nothing to gain from this ramble. No, no. You see, when it comes to relationships—do not question the connection between taxes and meat and volleyball and relationships, because it’s there even if one cannot see it because Bokuto knows it’s there—Bokuto is pretty simple.

Again, simple isn’t meant to be a bad thing.

Simple in the way that Bokuto likes people for who they are and whatever it is they wish to be. Simple in the way that Bokuto doesn’t quite get romance, he can figure it out along the way as he normally does, but he knows when he wants someone. When he wants something. And whenever he’s wanted something, he’s always gone for it. Again, simple. If he wants it, why stop himself from having it? If he wanted someone, why stop himself from having them?

Of course, when things get complicated. He understands that. He realizes just because he wants something badly enough doesn’t mean it’ll always find a spot nestled in-between the love-lines of his palms. Doesn’t mean they’ll create a nest and nestle themselves within his ribcage, right by his heart, the birdhome for their fluttering rings to take rest.

But really, when things are simple. It doesn’t take much for Bokuto to find a reason to pursue someone.

/

It’s the warm up before their big game against the Adlers.

Bokuto’s been looking forward to this game all month because it’s basically one giant reunion! He gets to play with his prodigy, Shouyou. And he gets to show off his wicked spikes set from TsumTsum. And he gets to witness Omi-kun’s nasty southpaw spin.

Not only that but the Adlers have Kageyama and Hoshiumi and Ushiwaka! It’s a whole party as far as Bokuto’s concerned.

“AH YEAH!” Bokuto feels the beautiful sing of his spike ring across the volleyball court. The ball connects with a thunder clap on the other side. His arm feels good. That swing had the right power. And that set? “TsumTsum!” Bokuto flashes Atsumu with two, big thumbs up. “That was an amazing set! You gotta do that like, every time today okay?”

“Hey, you’ll like whatever set I give ya!” Atsumu’s grinning, though. Which means Bokuto delivered exactly how he was supposed to for Atsumu’s standards, and then some.

“Bokuto-san, that was soooo good!” Hinata shouts from behind. He’s stretching with Kiyoomi, who’s currently in the longest split Bokuto’s ever seen.

“Thank you, Shou! I’m gonna do that all game, so watch out!”

“Big talk,” Kiyoomi responds as he extends his body all the way to his right foot to stretch. God he’s so bendy. Like a bendy straw. Bokuto wonders if he had any bones or if he was just jelly and muscle and bendy stuff. “Our bet’s still on, Bokuto-san.”

“Hell yeah. I didn’t forget at all. I want beef! Lots of beef, Omi-kun!”

“You haven’t won yet.”

“I mean, for when I do.”

“Oi, enough chit chat.” Atsumu takes up another ball which means another set was coming. “We’re not done warming up.”

“Right right!” Bokuto gets ready for the set. He’s ready for it when a giant thunk resounds throughout the court.

Everyone’s heads turn just in time to catch no one other than Ushijima Wakatoshi receive a volleyball straight to the head. It was the most beautiful thing Bokuto’s ever been able to witness in his twenty-three years of life. Ushijima didn’t even stutter. He barely quivered. He took the ball to the head with so much grace and power.

Bokuto clutched his chest. Felt a horribly loud, wonderful ache. The way his blood would pump and his heartbeat would pulse whenever he was about to serve. Or whenever he got close enough to a dog to pet.

It was an enjoyment. It was a like.

“That was so hot…” Bokuto murmurs as he watches the Adlers coach rush over to check on Ushijima who, for all intents and purposes, seems to be okay…

Bokuto grins. Then turns his attention back to Atsumu who’s doubled over with laughter and tears in his eyes. It takes about three minutes for him to calm down but when he does, they don’t miss a beat with their sets and spikes.

The synergy of setter and spiker carries them through the game, and it’s enough to give them the win once it’s all said and done.

“You lost the bet,” Kiyoomi says in the locker room after their coach finished congratulating them on a game well played.

Bokuto wipes his face off with his towel, “Mmm. Yeah, I did.” It’s not a bad outcome. All he has to do is ask the mascot to borrow his Jackal suit for a video. And… find a bikini big enough to fit over the suit. But that’s not really important right now. Gold eyes flicker up to meet Kiyoomi, eager and full of wonder. Kiyoomi raises an eyebrow and Bokuto asks, “You know Ushiwaka, right?”

“... I do.” Kiyoomi folds his arms. “Why?”

“Is he single?” Bokuto blurts out.

There’s silence for a few minutes and then all Bokuto hears is Atsumu howling, “Holy fucking shit, what?”

-

Ushijima Wakatoshi is incredibly single.

This puts Bokuto in a stellar good mood as he makes a beeline for the Adlers locker room.

He gets a few hellos, a couple of questioning looks as he all but storms through. But that’s fine! Because he’s on a mission. A not so secret mission because now half his team knows that he’s interested in Ushiwaka and wants to take him out.

“Because he took a volleyball straight to the head?” Atsumu was on the floor, near death, from laughing so hard his spleen nearly exploded.

“No no that was really cool,” Hinata said on the bench, fists clenched in solidarity for his mentor. “I for sure thought he was gonna die!”

“He brings a new definition to the word hard headed…” Kiyoomi said though Bokuto couldn’t tell if it was said in a derogatory way or in a awe-wow-that’s-so-cool kinda way. So he decided it was both.

His teammates cheered him on to propose, well no. Proposition? Hm, no. Not the right word either. He was going to propel himself (yeah, that felt right) into the Adlers locker room and into Ushijima’s face and ask a very simple question.

“Ushiwaka!” Bokuto hollers as he finds the man in question step from around the corner. Fresh out the shower with his hair dripping wet and a towel hanging low on his hips.

Ushijima locks eyes with Bokuto and wow, he really was handsome up close. There’s even a red spot from when the volleyball had hit him on the head! Still there! God, that was so cool…

“Bokuto Koutarou,” Ushijima replies. And wow, he even made Bokuto’s name sound important and serious.

Bokuto shivers and takes a step forward. “Do you wanna go out with me?”

Kageyama, who was sitting on the bench at the end, spits out his sports drink.

Hoshiumi shoots up like a rocket, “No way! No waaaaaaaaay!”

Ushijima blinks, “Out where?”

“On a date, of course.” Bokuto’s never been shy. He’s never been fearful. Not really. There was nothing wrong with putting yourself out there. The worst thing Ushijima can say is no. Before, when he was younger, Bokuto would be utterly devastated from the rejection. Now though, if Ushijima were to say no he’d take it in stride and at least try for a friendship, if anything.

What he doesn’t expect, though it’s not a bad thing, is Ushijima’s second blink followed by, “Why?”

Bokuto shrugs, “I liked seeing you take that volleyball to the face. That was really cool and kinda hot. So I figured I’d ask ya out on a date! Cause I received a ball with my chest before and I know how that feels!”

Ushijima nods as if that makes sense (it does, because Bokuto knows Ushijima gets what he meant by that. The power and hunger to keep the ball in play no matter what had to be done to do so). He doesn’t say anything after that and for a minute Bokuto wonders if the rejection is coming now. But then Ushijima sticks out his hand in front of Bokuto and goes:

“Alright.”

And Bokuto gets utter chills as he grabs his hands and shakes it for all its worth.

“It’s a date! I’ll text ya the details—wait, I need your phone number. Then I’ll text you the details.”

“I have to tell Sachiro about this…” Hoshiumi makes a beeline for his phone.

Kageyama has some gatorade on the side of his mouth as he says, “Is… is nearly getting a concussion attractive?”

Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to, Kageyama.

/

Thanks to Akaashi, Bokuto’s dressed decently for his date.

“No, those colors don’t match.”

“But this is my favorite shirt and pants!”

“Okay but they can be worn separately, not together. Wear that green shirt. The one you bought for Konoha’s party.”

“Oh yeah! The green shirt! That one with these black pants?”

“That works.”

“Kaashi you’re the best!”

So now, he’s standing at the planned meeting spot for Ushijima to arrive. He’s about fifteen minutes early but that’s okay because then he got the joy of seeing Ushijima from the crowd, spotting him, and getting to wave him over and everything. Bokuto hums to himself as he waits. Excitement barely being able to describe the giddiness through his system. It’s equal parts nerves but not bad nerves. And equal parts serotonin from the spontaneity of it all.

After they exchanged numbers two weeks ago they texted everyday. Ushijima is a really good texter! Bokuto likes how thoughtful Ushijima is with responses. Bokuto knows he has a lot to say and he can take over a conversation pretty easily, sometimes without even realizing it. But Ushijima doesn’t make him feel bad for taking up space. For talking and talking, even when a million things hit his brain at once. Ushijima notices all the million of things and responds to them in earnest.

It’s nice. It’s a warm feeling. A fuzzy sun in the solar plexus of Bokuto’s chest that stretches out it’s lazy sun rays all across Bokuto’s body.

When he spots Ushijima in the crowd, he doesn’t hold back his yell.

“USHIWAKA! HERE!”

Ushijima looks left and right before his gaze lands on Bokuto and Bokuto feels a zap.

The crowd looks as Ushijima strides over to him. Not wearing a cap or anything. A few people notice him and ask him to take a picture or try to say hi. He stops. Freezes. Makes eye contact with Bokuto and Bokuto makes a move.

“Hey everyone! Yes, it’s Ushijima but it’s also me, Bokuto! We’re about to hang out and we have lunch reservations. Can we quickly take pictures and maybe another time we can chat and talk?” He smiles, the one smile Akaashi said could charm a mass murderer to put down their weapon. Which was kind of a cool superpower now that Bokuto thought about it but he would rather take a mass murderer out with his fists than his smile…

That appeases the crowd. They take a few pictures. Sign a kid’s volleyball (which Ushijima was happy to do, Bokuto peeps from the side as Ushijima goes “You like volleyball?” and the kid responds, “Yeah! Watching you made me love it!” and it’s the tiniest smile Bokuto’s seen but gosh the warmth it creates in his chest. Atsumu would say he’s ‘down bad’ and perhaps he is! But it’s not so bad to be so… down? He’ll work that out later) and then, after both of them got lost on the way to their destination, finally reached their destination.

“So this cafe is cool cause it’s run by one of my buddies I met once when I was on a run.” Bokuto explains ripping apart his chopsticks so he can dig into his bowl of ramen. “Right ok so I was running and I was super hungry because I forgot to eat before my run and this guy goes ‘Oh you’re hungry? You like ramen?’ And I said ‘Literally ramen is one of my fifty favorite bowls of things to eat that comes in a bowl’ and he goes ‘Well you’re in for a good bowl then’ and bam,” Bokuto takes a long slurp of thick, soaked noodles. They’re just as warm and delicious and soothing as they were the first time he tried this place’s ramen, “I’m here like almost once a week now.”

Ushijima takes his chopsticks apart slowly. He is much more, hm, not delicate? More… controlled? Yeah! Controlled! With his movements. While Bokuto is all in, engines raring, full steam ahead with devouring, Ushijima takes his time. He savors his noodles. And Bokuto leans forward, eyes wide, blinking owlishly as he waits for his reaction.

Ushijima swallows his noodles and stares back at Bokuto for several seconds.

“Is it good?” Bokuto asks because he hates silences.

Ushijima nods, “It’s good.”

Bokuto fist pumps the air, “Yes! Ah, I’m so glad you like it! Cause if you didn’t, I’d be sad.”

“Why would you be sad?”

“Cause, ya know,” he takes another round of noodles and slurps it for good measure. “When you’re showing the person you like something you like, you want them to like it too. Or you hope that they like it. So they can experience the same joy you feel about that thing. And then it’s kinda like we’re connected now. Like this noodle connects us,” Bokuto holds up a lone noodle in between his chopsticks and then slooooooooops it into his mouth.

Ushijima looks like he’s taking apart all of Bokuto’s words. Carefully considering their meaning, their methods, and their madness. Finally, he goes. “You like me.”

It’s not a question.

Bokuto grins, “I do!”

“We’ve barely spoken.”

“Yeah that’s what Omi-kun said too when I asked if you were single.” He catches the way Ushijima’s eyes rise slightly at that. And he keeps going because Bokuto Koutarou has never had anything to lose before, and he certainly wouldn’t have it today. “But I mean, like I said. You received that ball with your forehead Ushiwaka.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I know!” Bokuto laughs and he says, “Wait. Sorry. I’m not laughing at you.”

Ushijima’s eyebrows grow this adorable wrinkle between them. “You didn’t have to clarify.”

“I know but like, I also just wanted to let you know my laugh isn’t making fun of you because I feel like giving the situation, it may come off that way! So I wanted to make sure you knew. Because I would like that.” Now he’s rambling, and he knows that. But he hopes Ushijima understands what he’s trying to say. It’s such a small thing, but Bokuto’s known the cruelty of seemingly innocent gestures that were more devilish than angelic.

After a while, Ushijima’s crinkle goes away. He nods, slowly, and he says. “I appreciate the consideration.”

Bokuto’s lips pull into a smile, bright and a little crooked.

“So yes, I like you.” Bokuto continues. “Even though we’ve barely spoken. And even though it all came from me seeing you receive that ball to your head. But I also decided we should go on a date, cause I’m interested in you. And I wanna get to know ya more.”

“I’m not interesting.”

“That’s not true!” Bokuto leans forward. “You were the number one ace in Miyagi Prefecture and ranked among the country's top three aces! That’s so epic!” Bokuto leans forward, folding his arms across his chest. “I used to be up there too with ya’ll but I was really inconsistent so I couldn’t stay there permanently.”

Ushijima nods, “I remember watching a few of your games. Your emotions get the better of you.”

“That they did! Or well, they still do.” Ushijima’s bluntness does not add salt to wounds. Rather, it’s refreshing. Bokuto enjoys the bluntness. Because it’s not wrong. Bokuto’s emotions had gotten the better of him when he was younger. He was better at managing them now. At learning how to let himself feel but not get overwhelmed. What was the word for it… coping! “But not so much anymore. Cause I realized I’m just an ace, ya know?”

“Just an ace,” Ushijima repeats. Bokuto waits to see if he’ll get that too. If he’ll understand what Bokuto means because not many people can understand it. “You’ll deliver no matter what.” It's a sweet sigh of relief, the feeling of a cold shower after a hot day, and Bokuto nods vigorously.

“Yeah! Yeah! Exactly!”

They eat some more and Bokuto asks about California a bit more. Ushijima mentions how California was surprising. He ran into Iwaizumi Hajime and he got to meet with his father. How California was a weird place, but not in a bad way.

“Did you get to play volleyball a lot?”

“Yes.”

“That’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to go to the states. Would you go back?”

“I would.”

“Oh, maybe we could go together! Ah, wait.” Bokuto raises a hand. “That’s forward. I’m sorry. This is literally just our first date.”

“We can go.”

Bokuto’s jaw drops, “What? Really? Wait,” Bokuto feels like he needs to connect some dots. “Ushiwaka, can I ask a question?”

Ushijima frowns, “You never stopped to ask a question before. Why ask now?”

“Cause I just wanna clarify! You know, when I say I like ya—it’s cause I wanna like, date ya. Or see if you’d be down for dating. Or like, you know. Potentially being boyfriends?”

“I see.”

“Oh thank God. Wait, you see what?”

“I was under the impression you wanted to hang out.”

“I mean, yes! But also, not just hang out. Like, we would be hanging out but maybe sometimes hold hands?”

“How are you sure that after this you would want to hang out with me more? Or at all. I’m not…” Ushijima pauses, as if to consider what to say next, “like you.”

“Duh,” Bokuto says. “I don’t want you to be. The dates are so we can get to know each other. Cause we don’t. And that’s why I ask ya a bunch of questions! Cause I’m interested in ya. I can also be more blunt if you’d like.”

“Blunt would be good.”

“Okay well I think you’re incredibly handsome. Like, when I saw you today my heart raced cause you looked really good. The red varsity jacket over the green v-neck?” Bokuto nods towards Ushijima’s outfit and grins, “it’s a really good look. You’re really cute.”

Bokuto waits for Ushijima’s reaction. To see if he’s said too much or just enough. He watches as Ushijima’s cheeks color red and his ears catch on fire. He coughs, and covers his mouth with his hand. Eyes darting to the side, before coming back to meet Bokuto. He coughs again. He lowers his hand.

“Thank you,” he says. “I’m not sure how else to respond.” Another moment, “You’re bluntness is. Yes.”

“Thanks,” Bokuto feels incredibly pleased with himself. He happily finishes his bowl of ramen and then asks for the drink menu so they can figure out what they'd want. “Do you drink?” He asks as the waiter comes by with their menus.

“Occasionally.”

“Awesome. Show me what you like to drink! We can order that.”

“I’m not really particular.”

“That’s okay. You can choose whichever one speaks to you. I’ll enjoy anything you get us.”

Ushijima fixes Bokuto with a look, “Bokuto Koutarou.”

“That’s me.”

“You’re very strange.”

Bokuto’s smile ticks at the ends, “So I’ve been told.”

“I’m sorry. That’s. Not in a bad way. In a good way. Like your bluntness.”

“Thank you,” and the solar flare in his chest grows a little warmer as the waiter comes back and they put in their drink orders.

It’s a good night after that.

/

“You really went on a date with him?”

Bokuto finishes his last rep with an exhale. Sweat’s on his brow as he stares at Kiyoomi in front of him. They’re at the gym on their day off. Conditioning and working out so they could be ready for practice tomorrow.

Bokuto gets up so Kiyoomi can take his spot and says, “Yup. I know you’re dying to hear the details.”

“I’d rather be dead than hear the details.”

“Oh Omi-kun! That was a good way with my words!” Bokuto claps and Kiyoomi rolls his eyes so far back into his skull Bokuto’s afraid they’ll get stuck there. “I mean, I don’t have to share if you don’t wanna hear but…” Bokuto sighs, pretending to be forlorn. Looking off towards the distance as if he’s waiting for his lover to come back home. “I haven’t gotten the chance to tell Kaashi about it cause he’s been busy with work and I really would like to talk about it…”

Kiyoomi looks like he’d rather eat a rotten onigiri ball than hear about Bokuto’s love life but then, because underneath all his grouch Kiyoomi’s a really nice dude (or well, maybe nice is too strong a word… let’s say he’s capable of human decency on a good day) Kiyoomi goes, “You have until I finish my reps to talk about it.”

Bokuto takes the bone like a dog, “Okay so the date was great!” He starts and then he goes on about how Ushijima is really cool and thoughtful and their conversation was never boring or had an awkward tilt and that he feels like they had a really good first date.

“Do you wanna know if we kissed?” Bokuto waggles his eyebrow.

Kiyoomi grunts as he goes through a rep, “No.”

“Well that’s good ‘cause we didn’t! But,” Bokuto looks at the palm of his right hand as if it’s a rare jewel. “We did hold hands. I’m a shy guy you know, Omi-kun. I can’t just kiss on the first date… and I don’t think Ushiwaka woulda been comfy with that either!”

Kiyoomi grunts again, “Such a gentleman you are.”

Bokuto chuckles, “I know. I’m great. Anyways!” He knows he’s got only about less than a minute to finish his story before Kiyoomi tunes him out. “We’re going on a second date next week. The Adlers have a few away games and that’s gonna make him busy but we’re gonna text and call and stuff while he’s away! And then do a virtual movie night which is fun cause we both have the same taste in movies!”

“What a surprise.”

“I know! That’s what I said!”

Kiyoomi finishes his set and that signals Bokuto about his time running out. Which was fine and good because he said all he wanted to say. Kiyoomi pants, catching his breath and running a hand through his hair. He fixes Bokuto with a look that Bokuto assumes is to figure out whether or not he’ll say something grouchy or something moderately decent.

“You know. I didn’t think you two would get on so well. I’m glad it seems to be working better than anticipated.”

“... Omi-kun,” Bokuto sniffles, feeling tears in his eyes. Kiyoomi twists his face up in disgust and bolts upright from the machine.

“No. No tears.” He starts power walking through the gym and Bokuto is right on his heels with happy tears down his face and his arms out wide.

“Omi-kun, you’re the best!! Omi-kun!”

“GO AWAY BOKUTO-SAN!”

/

“... And then I told Kaashi he should ask out Osamu because I’ve seen Osamu checking out Kaashi when he thinks it’s not noticeable but jokes on him, I totally see it.”

“You have a good eye.”

“I do! And then Kaashi was like super worried. And when he worries he likes to overthink the craziest scenarios like: ‘What if I ask out Miya-san and a meteorite falls onto the shop’?”

“I don’t think meteorites eat rice balls.”

Bokuto throws his head back with laughter, rolling onto his back on the bed with his phone held high above so he could see Ushijima. He laughs so hard he’s sure his neighbors can hear. But he doesn’t care. Because Ushijima was so fucking funny.

He wipes the tears from his eyes, staring at Ushijima’s confused look at the screen. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at ya. I was laughing because you’re right, meteorites wouldn’t like rice balls a bit I think.”

“So he has nothing to worry about,” is Ushijima’s sound conclusion.

“Exactly! I’ll let Kaashi know you think so too and tell him to go for it.” Bokuto turns onto his side, so he can hold the phone a little closer. So he can feel like he’s tucked into bed with Ushijima by his side. “Hey, Ushiwaka,” he says with a yawn.

“Are you getting tired?” Ushijima asks, concern laced at the ends of his words. “It’s late. We can call again tomorrow.”

“Nuh uh. Not yet,” Bokuto shakes his head. “Just wanted to say it’s nice talking to you and stuff… getting to know ya… and stuff. Are you also enjoying this? What we’re doing?”

“Does it look like I’m not?” Ushijima’s brows wrinkle in the way Bokuto was learning meant Ushijima was worried something he said or did had come across negatively. He’s quick to reassure, because he gets that fear. He understands that worry. And he hates having to deal with it himself. He’d never want anyone else to have to feel that way because of him, especially Ushijima.

“No no, not at all. I just wanted to know how you were feeling as all! And I wanna hear if you’re liking this too.” For purely selfish reasons. Because while Bokuto is a simple creature, he also craves the satisfaction of reciprocation. Of knowing this is worth it, and that he is not alone in this feeling of a crater being scraped in his heart that’s shaped like Ushijima Wakatoshi.

Ushijima’s crinkle disappears. There’s some shuffling and Bokuto smiles as he sees Ushijima is also laying on his side, facing Bokuto. It feels like they’re both in the same bed, facing one another. So close their knees touch. So close their breaths could intermingle. Close enough to feel right.

“Yes,” comes Ushijima’s quiet confessions. “I’m enjoying this as well. Thank you for asking.”

“Thank you for answering, Ushiwaka,” and the solar flare grows. It’s such a simple answer. It’s such a simple response. But Bokuto’s a simple man. Pleased by the simplicity of Ushijima’s earnestness and the sincerity of his words. He yawns again, “Alright. I think with that, I can sleep soundly tonight! We’ll talk tomorrow, yeah?”

“Yes,” Ushijima says, and then he goes, “I’m looking forward to it.”

Bokuto’s near tears, “Yes! Same! Same!” He squeezes his phone so tight it might burst. If his heart doesn’t do so first. “Okay. Okay that was so cute. You are so cute. Good night, Ushiwaka! Talk to you tomorrow!”

“Goodnight, Bokuto Koutarou.”

The call ends and Bokuto’s in darkness. He brings his phone to his lips and he feels the heat on his cheeks. The rush under his skin.

He’s a simple man. But that’s not such a bad thing—not at all.

[fanficshiddles]

This wasn’t part of the plan, Chapter 9

Melody was so ecstatic on Saturday evening when she was all moved in to her new home. Tom had helped her move all her things into her new apartment. He surprised her when he revealed that he already had the keys for her, handing them over straight away.

He already pre organised it with the owner. Saying he knew that she would love it and took a gamble. Luckily one that worked out. Because if she hadn’t liked it, he would’ve been in trouble.

Tom had stayed till around nine ish that evening, helping her get unpacked and settled in. She still felt a bit odd, being with her English teacher. But she was trying to push that thought to the back of her mind and just enjoy her time with him.

When she went to bed on Saturday night, she had a great sleep. And much to her annoyance, Tom was right. She definitely did feel safer in that apartment than in her previous flat.

-

Melody was sound asleep when the doorbell kept ringing the following morning. Rolling over and groaning, she glanced at the time to see it was only eight o clock and she fell out of bed. She grabbed her dressing gown and shuffled through to the door, wondering who the heck it was at that time of the morning.

She certainly hoped it wasn’t some weirdo neighbour that would be ringing every morning. But when she opened the door, it wasn’t some weirdo, it was Tom.

‘Good morning, darling.’ He grinned, amused at seeing her still half asleep.

‘Morning.’ She humphed and turned back into the apartment. Tom chuckled and stepped in after her.

He followed her as she went back through to her bedroom and collapsed onto the bed with a groan, hugging her pillow tightly. Tom leaned against the wall next to her bed and folded his arms over his chest.

‘I was coming to ask if you wanted to come out with me for breakfast. But it seems you’d rather stay in bed?’

Tom just received another groan in response. He moved over and grabbed the blanket, hauling it off her. Then he grabbed her ankle and dragged her to the side of the bed where he could climb on and lean over her, gripping her chin as he chuckled. ‘Come on, lazy bones. Let’s go eat.’ He pressed a kiss to her lips, surprising her slightly with the sweet act.

It was enough to surprise her into being more awake. He hopped off the bed and went over to the window and opened the curtains, letting the sunlight in.

Melody sat up and looked at Tom when he turned around, smiling. ‘You are far too chirpy in the morning.’ She grumbled.

Tom left her to get showered and dressed, he waited in the living room for her. When she finally emerged, it was almost an hour later since he’d arrived.

‘Something I want to add to our… arrangement.’ Melody said when she grabbed her coat.

‘What may that be?’ Tom asked, helping her put it on.

‘I get a long lie. It’s one thing I’ve been looking forward to not having to work, and I haven’t had a nice long lie in SO long. Please let me have long lies at weekends.’ She whined.

Tom laughed and put his arm around her to guide her out. ‘Alright. I promise, next Saturday I will let you have a long lie.’

Melody surprisingly had a nice day with Tom on Sunday. They went for breakfast at a nice little quiet café. Then they took a walk down by the river, Tom surprised her again by being rather affectionate and holding her hand while they walked. Afterwards he took her to the cinema before taking her home again. She had really enjoyed her day with him and managed to totally forget that he was a teacher. He was just Tom.

She spent the evening doing some revision for college. Then she had another great sleep and woke up nice and refreshed for the week, for a change.

‘Hey, Mel!’ Rana called to her on the way into college.

‘Oh hey!’ Melody turned and gave her friend a hug.

‘What have you been up to at the weekend? I went round to yours yesterday but there was no answer on the buzzer. Were you at a certain someone’s place the whole time?’ She said suggestively, nudging her.

‘Not quite, no… Well, yeah… It’s a long story, I’ll fill you in at break.’ Melody promised.

They had a few classes first, then Melody was able to fill Rana in about her rather eventful weekend.  

‘Holy shit. You’ve really landed lucky finding him as a sugar Daddy. Those apartments are expensive as hell!’ Rana said in awe.

‘Tell me about it. I feel so bad, but he seems determined to have me live there. So, I guess I should just be grateful and enjoy it, right?’ Melody shrugged.

‘Hell yeah! Milk it for all you can, girl.’ Rana said, making Melody laugh.

‘I don’t want to take advantage too much though. He’s actually quite nice.’ Melody blushed.

‘Oooooh, you so have a big crush on him.’ Rana nudged her playfully.

‘Well, I should do considering what we are.’ Melody rolled her eyes.

They had a double period of English class next before lunch. Melody hadn’t really thought much about it until they entered the classroom, then the realisation that Tom was, well Mr Hiddleston, it hit her hard for some reason.

She walked into class and he was writing some work up on the board. She down at her desk and glanced over at Rana, who just had a big grin on her face. Melody shook her head as she took out her things.

‘Settle down, class.’ Mr Hiddleston said loudly and firmly when he turned around, making everyone stop talking instantly.

The first part of the class went smoothly, Melody kept her head down and did the work that was given. She was finding it much easier, because she actually had time to study now and was getting decent sleep.

Mr Hiddleston then started asking questions to the class about some work he’d given them over the weekend. Melody hated public speaking and never volunteered to answer questions. But she wasn’t getting off lightly this time.

When no one raised their hand to answer a question, he zoned in on Melody as he paced around the classroom and came to a stop on front of her desk.

‘Miss Brookes. Can you tell me the answer or did you not do the homework I gave out?’ He asked sternly, looking right down at her.

She felt her stomach churn, of course she did the homework. She was able to answer him perfectly.

‘Very good. In future if you know the answer, you raise your hand.’ He then continued to stalk around the room, picking on other students too.

Melody felt a bit irritated at what he said. She wasn’t the only one who didn’t raise her hand. Though he did continue to call out other students as well, just being a general asshole. But he was a good teacher, unfortunately. That made it more annoying.

During the last ten minutes, Tom was handing out some new books for the class to read.

Rana leaned over towards Melody. ‘Are you sure this is the same guy you spent the weekend with?’ She whispered.

‘I’m starting to wonder the same.’ Melody whispered back.

‘Miss Brookes and Miss Howard. Care to share what is obviously so important it can’t wait ten minutes till lunch?’ Mr Hiddleston barked, making Melody and Rana jump in their seats.

He was back at the front of the class. Melody and Rana had never noticed him going back to the front. But now he was glaring daggers at them both, his arms folded over his chest. Looking rather scary in Melody’s eyes.

‘Sorry, Sir. I was just asking if Melody wanted to do some studying together later.’ Rana lied quickly.

Mr Hiddleston raised an eyebrow at Rana, then looked at Melody expectantly.

‘Sorry, Sir.’ Melody muttered, averting her eyes down.

‘Don’t chit chat during my time. You can both write out a three-thousand-word essay about what you’ve learned today. I expect it by Thursday morning.’

The class gave a small ‘oooo’ noise. But stopped when Mr Hiddleston glared around everyone. ‘Make that the entire class.’

There then was a groan from everyone. Melody and Rana tried to shrink further down into their chairs, knowing they would get the blame from their fellow students for that one.

When class was over, Melody scurried out amongst the class with Rana right behind her. She didn’t dare look in his direction, just wanting to escape quickly in-case he asked her to stay behind.

That evening, she was startled when Tom tried calling her. But she just turned her phone on silent and ignored him. She was feeling really weird about it all again, after what happened during class.

He tried ringing a few times, then resorted to texting her but she made sure not to open them so they wouldn’t be showing as read.

She at least would use the excuse she had too much homework to do before going to bed. Which wasn’t exactly a lie, she aimed to get that damn essay finished sooner rather than later.

The following day she did her best to avoid him, ducking into class with the bulk of the students and keeping her head down. She didn’t once make eye contact with him and didn’t give him a chance to pick on her, because she didn’t even look over at Rana and her hand went up every time he asked a question that she knew the answer to, along with most of the class.

‘Miss Brookes, please see me in my office at lunch time.’ Mr Hiddleston said just before the bell rang, making her luck run out.

‘Shit.’ She said under her breath. Rana looked at her with wide eyes.

‘What did you do?’ She whispered.

‘Nothing… I uh, ignored his calls last night and haven’t even looked at his texts.’ She whispered back to her as she packed her bag in a panic and almost ran out of the classroom.

‘You’re in trouble.’ Rana laughed.

‘Not helping.’ Melody hissed at her.

But Melody was too scared to go along to his office, so decided to forget. After all, he had no official reason to be calling her to his office. So it wasn’t like he could give her into trouble for not turning up… right?

It was the last class before the end of the day, there was half an hour left and Melody was in History. There was a knock on the door and to Melody’s horror, Mr Hiddleston popped his head in with a smile at her History teacher.

‘So sorry to interrupt. I was wondering if I can borrow Miss Brookes?’ He asked sweetly.

Melody felt like she was going to be sick. Her teacher nodded, of course it was no problem. Melody internally cursed that her history teacher was so nice.

She grabbed her bag and flung it over her shoulder, then made her way to the door towards Mr Hiddleston. He smiled at her, but she could tell by the look in her eyes that this wasn’t going to be a friendly or productive meeting.

He held the door open for her with a ridiculously long arm. She slid past him and had forgotten how good he smelled. When she got into the corridor, she so desperately wanted to run away, but she managed to keep her feet rooted to the floor.

When Mr Hiddleston shut the door, he leaned down towards her and slid his hand to the back of her neck. ‘My office. Now.’ He growled low.

She swallowed hard.

Now she was in trouble.

[pauldron-pieces]

Perdita 'Aurelezra' Gentle's Backstory: From Elsewhere

Fandom: Dungeons And Dragons (5E)

Pairing: N/A, Perdita-Centric

Rating: Holy shit M.

AN: This is a hypothetical narrative scenario featuring original characters in a world created by my Dungeon Master. As usual, this is non-canon and I own nothing aside from intellectual properties specifically attached to Perdita Gentle. This installment is mechanically unsound in a multitude of ways and ignores certain important lore facets.

Applicable trigger warnings are listed inside. Enjoy!

Taglist: @sporadic-fics and @cookiethewriter!

Inspired By: The Little Mermaid Score: Bedtime and sleepmakeswaves: One Day You Will Teach Me To Let Go Of My Fears

[Perdita Gentle is a Warforged celestial warlock utilizing the Pact Of The Bastion homebrew, and her appearance can be found here!]

[!TRIGGER WARNING!: This installment contains multiple triggering scenes including vivid depictions of violence and brief mentions of character death. Stay safe!]

It came from elsewhere...

Amidst the hail of shooting stars peppering the landscape from the tail of the near-passing comet, something else arrived.

It was frail, fragile, spindly fingers clawing for purchase on the walls of the crater it emerged from. It did not make it much further than that, and it was discovered the following morning by two children surveying the damage in their family's garden.

Between the two of them, they propped it up, marveling at the chipped red gilding that coated its limbs. It stirred and they fled in a panic, running back towards the large house and calling for their parents.

×+×

Brand stared down at the crumpled mess of Warforged on his front terrace, an eyebrow raised. His two young children danced around his legs, alternating between pulling him forward and tugging him back. "This is the cause of all the fuss? This?" He asked incredulously.

"It moved by itself!"

"Aye, just as you move by yourself." The former captain commented dryly, ruffling his daughter's hair and utterly destroying the complex tangle of braids her mother had labored over. "You two lubbers have seen Warforged before, or have you forgotten?"

"Testin doesn't look like that!" His son protested. "Testin has a face!"

"You know how your hair is different from mine, pup? And how your sister's nose is less prodigious than this beak I sport? Warforged have such varied traits as well."

The head on the thing looked like an old Thanatonaut relic, just a smooth dome. It also bore archaic equipment for off-Flow navigation on the inside of its arms. Brand heaved out a sigh, smoothing a finger over his brown mustache in a meditative manner.

"Well, we can't just leave 'em out here. Ceere, have your mother ring Testin. And you, Kamer, are going to help me settle this poor rattler into one of our chairs out here." Brand rolled his eyes at how pale his son went, while Ceere stuck her tongue out at him. "Oi, chit, stop taunting your brother. Now shoo, and make sure your mother knows to tell Testin that it's important!"

×+×

Brand Gentle had made his fortune in his younger years as the eventual captain on a deep-space excavation platform. He had seen many odd things in his day, unearthed strange and unusual artifacts from times long gone by. Thanatonaut helms that predated mankind's fumbling into Flow travel, monoliths to terrible and forgotten powers; the refuse of man's advance into the stars.

Yet he had never seen anything quite like this. A Warforged birthed of a meteor, trimmed in battered red and gold like the veils of the Vespertine Order.

The former captain sat on his patio across from the mysterious Warforged, finally leaning forward in his chair after he collected his thoughts. "What is your name?" He asked quietly.

The thing ticked and whirred, and a hoarse voice answered, "I have no designation." A female voice.

Brand sighed heavily. He should have known it wouldn't be so straightforward. Beside him, Testin Awe cleared his throat. "Think back. Can you remember what happened before you woke in the Gentle's prize rose garden?" The hulking Warforged's tone was dry, blue eyes darting to Brand when he touched upon the sensitive subject. Brand was exceedingly protective of his roses.

More ticking. "Darkness." An odd shimmy of mechanics long unused as she tipped her head to the side. "I fell."

"I bet you did." Testin replied, then muttered under his breath, "Captain, she's battier than the Bakhroma Green."

Brand waved him off, giving the faceless Warforged across from him a tight smile. She cocked her head to the side again, and he got the unsettling feeling that he was being studied.

"I hurt your flowers. How can I fix them?" She queried.

Brand blinked. Testin, despite lacking an actual throat, seemed quite intent on clearing it today.

×+×

Calling her Perdita seemed to be a given. She was lost, constantly, wandering the grounds of the Gentle estate at all hours of the night and day. She had no physical needs, as was the custom of her race, so Brand saw no harm in her roving. She certainly didn't seem malicious, just curious in a blunt way.

Libertia, Brand's wife, took an odd shine to the spacey automaton. The former captain often found the woman chatting to her, trying to help her expand her ability for speech. Perdita was minimalist in her words, though she did eventually begin to speak more as the years passed.

Testin thought Perdita was a bit touched. "Still a little battle-rattle in that one." He had remarked privately to Brand, his craggy face oddly sympathetic for a Warforged. "Hard to shake sometimes."

Brand knew better than most folk that Warforged were more than adequate matches for their fleshy counterparts, and he took everything his old first mate told him as gospel. Testin was in agreement with Brand that the red and gold Warforged was decidedly not a threat.

"She just likes the flowers?" Testin asked suddenly one evening as he and Brand sat on the terrace. Brand nodded lazily, the smoke from his cheroot cigar twirling and arching through the air. "I don't get it, but...well, I guess you did have a penchant for gathering up the misfits." The gray-green Warforged allowed, his sidelong grin making Brand chuckle. "She's happy here, y'know. She mentioned it to me earlier. She thinks she's helping when you let her trim the bushes." His laughter was a rusty noise.

"She loves talking with Lib. Er, with may not be the right term. My wife could talk the legs off a table." Brand smiled fondly and Testin rolled those glowing blue eyes.

"Have you heard from Kamer at all?" The large Warforged changed the subject, frowning when the former captain sighed and shook his head.

"I'm not sure I should have sent him away for his schooling. What with the Empire gaining ground steadily, I'm uncertain how long the boarding schools will be safe."

"Hey, Kamer's smart. You know that. That kid won't get himself tangled up in anything. Besides, what the hell would the Empire want with a kid who's sole aspiration is to be an architect?" Testin tilted his head. "Now, Ceere-"

"Don't remind me, she's apprenticed to the Facturers now. Hopefully, by the grace of the gods, she'll put her tinkering tendencies to good use and stop destroying my beautiful skiffs." Brand groaned, putting his head in his hands.

"I mean, she's got great potential. Engine ripped itself apart in three different places."

"I'm well aware, you mechanical menace. It was my favorite Screamer class!"

×+×

Libertia was the one to suggest that Perdita consider taking up the habit of the Vespertine Order.

"You seem at peace whenever you come with me to chapel, Perdie." She commented one afternoon over tea. Brand raised an eyebrow at his wife, then glanced at the featureless automaton across the way. "Have you ever thought about joining the convent?" Libertia queried.

Perdita hummed thoughtfully. "I like the chapel. It's quiet. Makes me feel like I can stop moving." She offered a shrug. "I know I'm not...quiet." She was a much older model than Testin and her body tended to rattle or squeak at odd intervals.

"You don't feel like you can be still here?" Brand asked curiously.

"I am restless." The Warforged admitted quietly. "Some things help. The garden. The chapel."

Brand grunted, settling back in his chair and lapsing into thought. The Vespertine sisters were a formidable bunch, for all that they resided on this backwater planetoid. They seemed to have their proverbial fingers in a multitude of pies. He wasn't sure if he trusted them with his Perdie.

His mustache quirked up in a wry grin, realizing that he was thinking of the Warforged like she was one of his own children. "Do what you think is best, Perdie. Perhaps the quiet will help you sort yourself out. Gods know we tithe enough to the church, maybe in exchange for our continued generosity they'll accept someone a little less fleshy than their usual ranks."

He got the faintest impression that Perdita was beaming at him, her whole body haloed with a strange golden light. But Brand blinked and the light was gone. He shook his head at himself, vowing not to spike his afternoon tea so strongly next time.

×+×

When the Empire came to the planet years later, they struck without warning.

Evening prayer had just finished, the last fleeting rays of sunlight peering through the simple leaded glass windows of the chapel. Perdita sat docile in the pew, her head bowed beneath her veil.

"It makes me glad to know that you've found some sort of peace and purpose." Brand commented, the now-elderly man ambling up alongside her. "Never put much faith in this church business, myself. Give me the Flow and a nimble craft and I'm a content man."

"Captain." She inclined her head. She had heard his sentiment many times before.

"I'm surprised you haven't gone out to chart the world, my dear. Your cartographer's gear will get rusty!" The former captain teased, settling down into the pew and patting her arm. "Surely, the Vespertine sisters ought to be spread?"

"It is dangerous." Perdita sighed. "I am trying. The Ferrarium Empire-"

"Bah, belay that codswallop here." Brand groused. "Bunch of nobles in stuffed shirts with too many guns and not enough good sense. Stole my good boy away and turned him into a simpering buffoon." He bowed his head, touching his thumb to his left cheek and then his sternum. "Thank the gods his mother passed on before he made that terrible choice."

An odd whistling caught his attention, and Brand cocked his head. His hearing had been shot for years, maybe he was imagining the sound-

The windows abruptly exploded inwards as an impact rocked the ground. Sisters scurried this way and that in panic, their veils fluttering like butterfly wings as they ushered the last few stragglers out of the structure. Brand, his ears still ringing from the first bombardment, felt a second one strike outside. Perdita was stiff, unmoving in the pew, so he seized her hand and made haste for the doorway.

"Perdie, we cannot linger in this place!" He tried to snap her out of it, her deceptively-heavy form slowing their flight. "It's the Empire, Perdie, we have to--" Through the haze of dust rising, the former captain caught sight of a massive dreadnought's keel flying low overhead. Rage burned at his soul; why would they come here of all places? This was a planet of agriculture, not manufacturing!

Perdita tilted her head, and Brand knew that she must have noticed the ship. "What is that?" She asked, her voice ticking up slightly in query.

"That is something that should not have turned its eye upon us!" Brand snapped. "Why the devil would they-" There was shouting up ahead, and scattered pistol fire. "Martyr's malfeasance," the elderly man swore, "I ought to have known."

The Inquisitors had arrived, bearing overpowered arms and causing chaos as was their want. Brand managed to slip around the edge of the advancing line, searching the crowds for Testin's large form. His old first mate was nowhere to be seen and Brand's heart sank.

An Inquisitor loomed up out of the smoke in front of them, halting the former captain in his tracks. "Identify yourself, civilian." The armored man droned.

"Or what? You've already blown the chapel and convent to pieces!" Brand spat. "What could the Ferrarium Empire possibly want from a sleepy little colony planet?"

The Inquisitor's baton met the side of the elderly man's head with a dull thud, felling him with ease.

×+×

Brand started awake, hacking and wheezing as he inhaled ash. He sat up, ignoring the throbbing of his head. Where is-

"Perdita!" He yelled, struggling to his feet and cupping his hands around his mouth. "Perdie, where are you?"

The cobblestones underfoot had been broken and scattered by the mortaring, making the footing uncertain. The former captain stumbled forward over the rubble, continuing to call for the Warforged.

A shimmer of red and gold flickered through the hellish smoke up ahead, and he fancied it might be her habit. His suspicions proved correct as her frail form solidified out of the clouds of billowing dust and ash.

"Perdita!" Brand exclaimed gladly.

She turned slowly at the sound of his voice, that damned veil still flapping fitfully in the turbulent air. Beneath the gauzy shroud where her domed head was, the former captain saw something blaze to life. Eyes, hundreds of them, glowing through the fabric. Brand stopped in his tracks, uncertain of what he was seeing. That blow to the head must have rattled him, now he was hallucinating!

Her hand pressed to her chest over the long habit. "I am the bastion." Perdita said calmly, as though they weren't being bombarded by low-flying aircraft. "I am Vespertine, I am Alizarin, I am reborn. My name is Aurelezra, and I fell to defend."

A shell plummeted from the sky and with a single motion, she obliterated it. One moment it was there, the next, she simply pointed at it and a shimmering golden manifestation that resembled an enormous rose blossom appeared directly in its path. The shell struck it, the impact sending foiled shrapnel flitting listlessly to the ground.

Brand was wholly bewildered. The only other time he had witnessed such power was when-

The thousands of eyes swiveled to stare at him, blinking rapidly. Brand swallowed hard. "What did those blasted nuns do to you, Perdie?" He asked, his voice so low he wasn't sure if she would hear it over the pandemonium.

Perdita tipped her head to the side, those eyes writhing and teeming nauseatingly over one another, flickering through the habit in a way that made Brand exceedingly glad she was wearing it. "I am the bastion." She repeated. She sounded hideously serene. "I am Alizarin."

Rifle reports barked through the air and Perdita turned towards the noise, setting off over the debris with sure steps. "Wait, Perdie!" Brand protested, fumbling after her as best as he could. "Perdie, are you mad? These are Inquisitors, you can't just..." He trailed off as he watched her simply walk through the line of gunfire. "Or perhaps you can." He muttered.

A strange golden haze shone around her body and every time a bullet struck the haze, a malevolent eye roiled to the surface to fix the attacker with a blazing stare. More shells rained down and each one was foiled or thrown off-target by shimmering, sunset-hued roses, blossoming riotously to life in midair like some grand fireworks display at a midsummer fair.

"Captain!" That was Testin's voice, thank gods. The elderly man turned this way and that, breathing a sigh of relief when he finally spotted the towering mass that was Testin.

"Testin my boy, you're a sight for sore eyes!" Brand said with a wry grin, taking in the small cluster of nuns that were teeming anxiously in the shadow of the massive automaton. Among them was the Mother Superior, her black veil a stark contrast to the usual red. "You've got some explaining to do, woman! What the hell have you done to my Perdie?" Brand thundered, itching to shake her until her teeth rattled.

"Sister Perdita has spent many, many hours reading the scriptures and studying our texts, Captain Gentle." The woman replied, almost infuriatingly calm. "She was brought to this planet for a specific reason."

"What are you on about? Look at her! It's like she's possessed!" The elderly man shouted.

"She has become more, Captain. A vessel for something that we mere mortals have only glimpsed. Alizarin, the Red Saint."

"There's a thousand blasted eyes all over her and she's sending out starbursts of roses that intercept cannon fire!" Brand roared. "I'll only ask once more, what have you done to her?"

"She willingly accepted this power, Captain. I suggest you calm yourself. I know you do not believe or trust in the power of the Red Saint, but Sister Perdita does." The matron retorted haughtily. "And when Libertia was alive-"

"Keep my wife's name out of your mouth." Brand snarled, his hand instinctively twitching down towards his hip for the piece he had carried in his younger years.

"Easy now, Cap." Testin intoned, raising a hand. "Easy."

"You planned this from the start." Brand accused the woman, a sick sense of realization blossoming in his gut. "You put the idea in Libertia's head, didn't you? Why Perdie?"

"Warforged make excellent vessels." The Mother Superior said simply.

Testin rumbled in threat overhead, one large hand settling heavily on the woman's shoulder. "I suggest you choose your next words very carefully." The Warforged paladin's tone was one of extreme irritation. "Unless you'd like to find out how bad of a vessel I can be."

"She has become a warlock of exceptional power." The woman hurriedly continued. "The Red Saint is pleased with our offering, and he will-"

"The Red Saint, aye? Unwilling martyr himself." Brand scoffed. "You've gone and turned my girl into a nightmare for the glory of that flayed demagogue."

"A nightmare that can go toe-to-toe with Inquisitor gunsmithing." The Mother Superior shot back smugly. "You knew as well as I did that it was only a matter of time before the Ferrarium Empire turned their gaze to the Fringes. Their grasping for resources is ceaseless."

"As interesting as your bickering is, we're wasting time." Testin growled, gesturing vaguely forwards. "She's gaining on their dreadnought. We following her?"

×+×

Everything was so loud.

"It is time, Aurelezra." His voice was like smoke, like whispers. He drew her attention upwards to the ship, He guided her hands as she wove the spell and He found her the suitable target. "They will not take this planet. They will never take again."

Perdita nodded shakily, power dripping and sparking from her fingers. "Never again."

"You have done well, Aurelezra. You easily outstrip the mortals." He praised as she raised her hands. "I shall do such wonders through you."

×+×

Without warning, a bolt of red light shot from Perdita's hands and arced up at the command ship. Testin swore loudly, the Warforged's face twisting into an approximation of a grimace. "Oh, that's not good." He said hoarsely, leaving the cluster of nuns behind as he moved forward.

"What, what's happened?" Brand asked frantically, trying to keep up.

"That was something that uh, I wouldn't have used. A little too spicy for me." The Warforged grunted, readying the hand cannon integrated in his left forearm. His heavy, elephantine feet easily crushed the rubble beneath him, clearing the way for the former captain. "If everyone on that ship isn't dead after that spell hits..."

"What?" Brand gasped.

Testin shook his head mournfully, not finishing that trail of thought. "We need to figure out where the ship will go down. Figure out whether we can break it apart ahead of time or whether your Perdie has a few more Red Saint tricks up that veil." Testin's sigh was heavy. "I'm sorry, Captain."

The command ship began rapidly losing altitude, listing slightly to the right. Perdita pursued it doggedly and Brand watched her raise her hands again. "Perdie!" He shouted, heartened when she paused. "Stop, Perdie!"

"Stay put!" Testin yelled, then said, "Cap, either get onboard or get left behind, we don't have time for your old bones."

Brand growled something uncharitable about his former first mate, then swung up onto the pro-offered arm.

Testin sprinted forward, easily catching up to the waifish Perdita and grabbing her around the waist with one massive hand. "I'd like to shake the marbles clean out of your chest right now, but we don't have time for me to be pissed off at you." Testin snarled at her, still at his full sprint. "You got anything else in that arsenal of yours, or are you gonna' let that ship crush someone's farm?"

"I can do it."

"What, exactly?"

Perdita pointed upwards at the ship and simply said, "shatter." A massive golden rose exploded into being on the keel, blowing a hole in the hull the size of the town square. Splinters and beams rained down, Testin barely managing to dodge a few of the larger chunks.

"Martyr's malfeasance, you're a menace!" The larger Warforged said in disbelief, the cannon in his left arm whirring to life as the ship sank within his range. "I mean, keep it up, but saint's blood you are an absolute terror." His cannon glowed, shoulder tight when he fired and sent the projectile rocketing upwards to erupt in a radiant blast. "Not fancy, but any port in a storm." He huffed, trying to chamber another round without releasing Perdita.

"There's so much." Perdita was shaking in Testin's grip. Molten gold trailed from her fingertips and every eye that shone through the veil was wide open.

Brand clambered across Testin's shoulders, the elderly man reaching out so he could grab one of her hands. "Listen to me, Perdie." He said loudly, trying to make sure she could hear him over the rapidly-approaching creak of timbers and warning system alarms. "You've got some kind of hellfiring power now, right?"

Perdita nodded slowly. "He's so loud." She breathed, and Brand knew with crushing certainty that she wasn't talking about himself or Testin.

"Aye, I'm sure he is. But if he wants to have you as his vessel, he needs to understand that you're the captain." Brand reasoned fiercely. "You bite back at that freeloader and you tell him you're the damned captain, you hear me girl?!"

×+×

I'm the captain.

Perdita clung to the thought, staggering through the red haze of her subconscious.

I'm the captain.

Alizarin nodded in acquiescence. "That you are, Aurelezra. For now. For this moment. What will you do?" He chuckled. "You are unfamiliar with such power. You have already overdrawn yourself. What will you do, Defender?"

It doesn't matter whether I'm tired. I'm the captain. Me. Not you, she thought stubbornly.

×+×

Perdita clawed her way up Testin's arm to his shoulder, the larger Warforged rumbling in confusion. "What the hell are you doing now?"

"I'm the captain." Perdita said sharply. Blast after golden blast was flung by her hand, the ship groaning under the assault. Timbers cracked and creaked like the ship was caught in a ferocious gale. "I'm the captain!" She yelled, "I'm the captain!"

The dreadnought rent itself apart at the scuppers with one final impact, briefly looking like the massive ribcage of some eldritch horror. The engines tore free of their mooring, the shriek of metal heralding doom for the trio as they plummeted downwards. Testin tried to backpedal, but he had built up such a head of steam and the engines were so enormous-

Brand fumbled to catch Perdita's hand once again, closing his eyes as he heard Testin grit out what he assumed was his final swear.

Looks like I'll be home soon, Lib.

"A Bastion for my faithful." That was not Perdita's voice. It was barely a whisper, smooth as silk and light as a favorable breeze. "Blessed are you, Brand Gentle, for you have seen my power once before. Blessed are you, Brand Gentle, for you have survived my power once before. Blessed shall you be, Brand Gentle, though you do not believe."

A golden dome sheathed the triumvirate of individuals, millions of eyes scattered across it opening and closing at random. Brand gripped Perdita's hand as tightly as he dared, uncertain if he was the only one seeing this...wonder.

"Fear not, Brand Gentle. She will not be harmed."

The dome vanished and Testin fairly seethed with curses, the gray-green Warforged reeling back a step from the flaming wreckage of the engine that surrounded them. A neat circle had been sheared out from the dome, the edges still molten and smoking.

"That's it. Whatever's gotten into you, I'm tearing it out of you!" the paladin announced, grappling Perdita around the waist again. "Send that cosmic bastard back to the Deep Reef where it belongs, I-" He paused when she went limp in his hold, lowering his glowing right hand after a moment. "Uh...Perdie?" He asked warily, shaking her until she rattled. "Perdie?"

"I'm the captain." She responded, her voice reedy with exhaustion. Perdita reached out to Brand, and he carefully laced his fingers through her own. "I-I'm the...captain..."

"Aye child," Brand murmured, "that you are."

×+×

The whole colony banded together to scuttle the dreadnought's bones. The Vespertine sisters made themselves marvellously useful when it came to putting the dead to rest.

Most of the ship's crew had been slaughtered by whatever Perdita had done with that spell, and the few left alive had perished on impact.

Testin had grunted in satisfaction as he surveyed the red veiled sisters scurrying to and fro in the wreckage. "I think your Perdie just fired the galaxy's largest warning shot."

"Aye." Brand had agreed wearily. "Now all that's left to see is whether the Empire will take notice."

"Their dreadnoughts aren't usually...destroyed, Captain. Once word gets back to them, all hell's going to break loose." The Warforged predicted grimly, his arms folded over his chest. "You'd better make sure she clears atmosphere before they come back around."

"I don't think I could make her stay!" The former captain chuckled. "She's always been on the move, Testin. High time she did something with all that energy."

×+×

"The Gotengo has been moored for years, Captain. You think it can still hold up?" Testin mused, poring over the old schematics.

Brand sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "It's the finest craft I have at my disposal, dusty or not. And she'll need something nimble if she's planning on trekking out there through the blockades." He meandered to the window of his study, staring down at his rose garden without actually seeing it. "I've already gotten in touch with Squire Deering, and he claims he's found a slew of candidates for her crew."

Testin snorted in disbelief. "And you trust that penny-pinching miser? Guy probably trawled through three different wharfside taverns and asked for able-bodied seamen."

"Deering may be a...bit tight fisted, but he's a good man. I have great faith that when Perdita arrives, she'll be shown nothing but courtesy." Brand assured the gray-green Warforged, stroking his mustache.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I distinctly remember that waistcoat-wearing ponce saddling you with a ship that had a rotted out mainmast." Testin deadpanned. "What did he blame it on? Moths?"

Brand coughed awkwardly, clearing his throat. "Regardless, he will treat her right. Warforged or not, she's the captain."

"A new Captain Gentle." Testin shook his head ruefully. "Never thought I'd see the day. Bodes pretty shit for the Empire, if you ask me."

"All I hope is that she and that blooded saint first mate of hers give them hell."

[wordlessbabbling]

The Anya-Margaret (Thomas Shelby)- Chapter 1

“I’m thinking of killing off a few characters just to jazz up my autobiography.”

Masterlist

“Can’t catch me!” The young girl fled around the halls of her stately home.

A young maid, who was on nanny duty today, had the misfortune of chasing after the relentless girl.

She ran through halls with ceilings that she would never touch, no matter how much she grew.

The carpet was lusciously red and rich- it tickled her toes which only made the young girl giggle more as she toddled around the home.

The walls had a green design that was bright enough to make the house not seem boring, but dull enough to drive one insane, should they spend too much time looking for a cosmic purpose.

But young girls like her had no time to contemplate philosophy and the cosmos, as girls like her were too busy running with time.

Time ticks fast, but she ticks faster- never letting it overtake her for fear of the unknown.

——

“Oi Tom!” Arthur trudged into the betting shop, “new business in town. Well-not that new-but either way- they ain’t paying for protection, so I propose we go n’ ruff ‘em up.”

Thomas placed his pencil down on the document he was working on. He’d heard about this business, and he actually had plans for them.

“Aye, Arthur.” Thomas nodded, better now than never- it’s not like he wanted to sit at his desk all day- “I’ve got a proposal for ‘em.”

Arthur’s face shifted slightly with minor satisfaction as the thought of letting out some pent up nerves while smashing a blokes face in just made him feel a bit better.

“Who am I bringing then? John-boy? Scudboat? You’re coming too, Tom, ain’t ya?” Arthur was now pacing as his hands itched with anticipation.

Thomas only lit a cigarette with a blank look on his face, “actually, Arthur- it’s just going to be you, John and I visiting. I have a business proposal first.”

——

The streets of Small Heath were grimy and unpleasant, but not nearly as unpleasant as how thick the air became when they stepped closer and closer to the establishment.

“What they done, Tom?” John had his game face on. He was ready to kick ass and fuck up some poor blokes marriage. It’s going to be great.

“Ah, ah. Not yet, boys. I have a business deal to make first, should they refuse, then maybe you can sling their hook. But for now, I just need intimidation.” Thomas almost felt uneasy lighting a cigarette when the air smelt as though he’d had thousands already- but then again, he had to keep up appearances.

The door to the establishment was open, which contradicted the notice on the wall next to the frame that read;

“NO WALK-INS ACCEPTED.

MUST CONTACT VIA LETTER OR TELEPHONE AND PAY UPFRONT BEFORE SERVICE IS PROVIDED.”

“What the hell...” John muttered as he tried not to cough and splutter when entering the hazy room.

The shiny razors sewn into their caps almost seemed dull as the thick smoke clouded the room and clouded their eyes.

From what they could see, the work space was actually rather done up. The walls were a lush shade of rich red and the skirting board was lined with gold paint.

There was little furniture though and the place wasn’t nearly comforting despite its warm colours.

“What is this place?” Arthur grumbled, suddenly feeling a chill as he was overcome with the sense that he was in a waiting room, tapping his feet mindlessly as he waited for an appointment for a cause that did not sit well with him.

“It’s a morgue and cemetery, Arthur.” Thomas quipped quietly. He raised a finger to his lips as he stalked through the corridors that contradicted the atmosphere.

The three rather scary looking men heard giggling sounds coming from behind a door at the end of a long corridor.

Arthur and John glanced at each other, very confused.

The laughter though, was not one of sweet nature that you’d hear from a lady who made sweets, but rather a giggle or cackle that sounded sick and mocking and condescending.

Before Thomas could break down the door, he heard a low voice coming from within that had a thick accent over it.

“I heard this funeral is going to be grave affair, Mr Daniels.”

Thomas noted that the voice sounded a lot like a Russian merchant he’d met before the war.

He knew this business was doing well, but he didn’t expect doing-business-with-the-Russians-well.

Arthur had enough of waiting around and barged through the door.

There was silence for a moment and the clattering of utensils on a metal surface. “What the fuck is this?” He bellowed.

The other two brothers made haste with scrambling into the seemingly smoking room.

The four walls in the rather large room were a steely grey and Thomas wondered if it was actually iron and they were in a cage- it certainly felt like one.

“What-“ John cried, confusion fat, “the holy fucking shit is that?”

Thomas darted his attention to two figures in the corner of the room, one laying down on a high wooden table and another hunched over it like a lion over a deer carcass with an open light bulb hanging over head.

But it was only when Thomas looked closer, did he see the purple fingers of the figure on the table and the top of its nose- so pale and blue.

His inspection of the body was interrupted by the sound of Arthur’s gun clicking as he raised it up pointing at the hunched figure.

“Oi!” He grumbled, “step back from the body! By order of the Peaky Blinders!”

The hunched figure sighed and put down the metal instruments they clutched haphazardly in their fingers.

Thomas stepped forward and put a hand on the top of Arthur’s gun, motioning for him to put it away.

“Miss Florence Kent, I presume?”

The woman in front of them was of average height and had this unruly red hair that looked like it hadn’t seen comb in weeks. Her shoulders were hunched forward and it appeared that she constantly just swayed from side to side on the spot.

She wore trousers that protruded out from her legs, but were tied back together at her ankles brown paper bag style. She also wore a dirty creme coloured top that had long flowing sleeves that, like the trousers, bunched around her wrists. She honestly just looked like she only got half dressed- not in a whorish way, but it clearly needed something.

“Yup. Youse are Shelby’s, correct?” She gestured up and down with her arm to three rather unimpressed men who didn’t like being addressed with such casualty. Arthur was all but ready to put the fear of God into her heart.

Thomas ignored her comment and stubbed out a cigarette; “I’ve been lookin’ through the books, Miss Kent. I’ve noticed that you, a rather successful business, does not pay the protection of the Peaky Blinders.”

The red-haired woman smiled although it seemed more like a grimace, “and why do I need protection? Eh? Is someone going to steal my precious bodies” she put her palms to her cheeks, “oh no! Gah!”

Thomas was nearly at his wits end and John had already grabbed the back of his cap, waiting for Thomas to make a move.

“It’s not just outside enemies you’ll need to watch out for, maybe ones in your own establishment.” He blinked slowly and stood stock still “speaking of other enemies, where is your friend who you were talking to before we walked in? Husband? Business associate?”

The woman’s eyes widened as she gasped at the three men, “you believed that!” She bent over forwards as she cackled into her hand, “oh that’s so perfect! I’m nailing that accent. Woo!” She threw her arms up in the air mockingly.

“Okay, Tom. I’ve had enough of this.” Arthur snarled, but Thomas once again put his arm up to silence him.

“That’s not nice, let you’re brother talk, Tom.” The lady pouted teasingly. Thomas wondered, for the briefest of moments if this woman was clinically insane, but despite that, he’d met worse. He clenched his jaw “Miss Kent I have a proposal for your business.”

The woman with hunched shoulders rolled her eyes at all the formalities, but she never passed down the opportunity for a few dramatics, “alright, and what if I reject your business proposal?”

“Well you might find yourself in a room much like this, except you’d be the one with your guts in a jar?” Thomas tilted his head to the side, matching her teasing tone. If it was a game to her, then he’d play the game just ten times harder.

The woman scoffed and shifted her weight so she was leaning against the table “orright. Go on then- I love a bit of chit chat.”

She lit another cigarette and waited for Thomas’ long dramatic pause to end.

“You know what we do. You probably read the papers-“

“Kindling.”

Thomas sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. In any other circumstance, he would have shot her where she stood, but he really needed this business deal to go through- God, he hated being dependant on people. Especially the insane ones.

“So you know bodies are being found, and are being traced back to us when they get picked up from the cut?”

The woman stood up straight again and took the bud of her cigarette and mashed it into the side of the dead mans face who was still on the table. Thomas internally cringed and could have sworn that he heard John gag.

“And you want me to ‘sort out’ all the bodies the coppers ‘find’?” She used air quotes as she strolled around the other side of the table. “Also, can you tell your brother, yeah, to put down that feeble gun. It’s not very polite, y’know? Besides, it would be like shooting a gravestone if went for me.”

“What the fuck’s she on about, Tom? What are you on about, lady? You pulling some smimey witchcraft on us? I don’t like her Tommy, we can’t trust her. We don’t need her, we can deal with them bodies ourselves.” John was getting violently panicked, “we’re the Peaky fucking Blinders— she can’t do shit.”

“You’re right, John. I can’t do shit, but there will be no satisfaction in killing me. Go on, Johnny-” She spread her arms wide and tilted her head back. She shook her hands like she was dancing to jazz music, expecting an encore for her performance, “-lay one on me!”

“Fucks sake!” Thomas, who was clearly antsy and agitated, slammed his fist down on the table “we want you to be our body burner, right. Can you do that?”

“Jesus Christ, Sir.” She pottered around the room, moving jars and opening up cabinets that lined the wall vertically and horizontally.

The silence hung in the room for a while until Florence shifted on her heels, “so uh... what do I get for all this hassle?”

Thomas lit another cigarette. Something about this room and it’s pungent smell just put him on edge and made him uneasy.

“You get protection by the Peaky Blinders.” He stated plainly.

The woman shot him an unimpressed look, “if I wanted protection, I would have paid for it. Besides, why the hell would I care for your protection? Eh? The monsters gonna come get me, Shelby? Are you the monster? Why are you a monster, Thomas?” She tilted her head and squinted.

“Definitely insane” Thomas decided.

“Sure. The monsters. That’s not the point though. With this deal, you’ll be affiliated with the Peaky Blinders, therefore making you a target.”

“I still don’t want your protection. I’ll take the deal, but I don’t want youse lot just fuckin’ breaking and entering. Anyway, you weren’t too good at it either. I heard you all the moment you stepped through that door.” She opened different mason jars and took all sorts of herbs out and laid them out on a cloth.

After examining the stalks of which, she put them in a cement bowl and started grinding them down, “you’re lucky that I was curious to see who would have the balls to come here so I didn’t waste ya as soon as you stepped through.”

John scoffed, “sure you did, love.”

Florence continued to smash and squish the herbs into a dry green powder that looked not at all appetising.

The three men just stood and watched—not for any reason probably, maybe just intimidation and curiosity.

Thomas watched as she strode around the table with a heavy sway which made him wonder if the woman was shit-faced drunk.

When she walked in front of him, instead of alcohol like he was suspecting, he smelled something acute to salt and flowers, a strange combination. She walked with her toes turned outwards, almost like she had a limp in both feet and it was clear she genuinely had no regard for appearances to the three dangerous men.

She dumped the heavy cement bowl onto the table next to the pale blue and white body that made everyone but her in the room feel queasy.

“Are you boys gonna stick around to watch me slice this man open or do ya want to get the fuck out of my working space?” She picked up an instrument, not too dissimilar from a knife you’d see on your kitchen table, just this one had a bent head.

Thomas stood stock still but the other two men looked at each other with confused and pleading expressions. They could take ripping people a part limb from limb, but this... this was insufferable.

With the others gone, all that was left was Thomas and Florence, and the body.

“If you’re gonna stay, you can at least help me?” She said with a snarky tone. Thomas didn’t do shit for anyone so instead he just lit another cigarette and watched.

The woman took her bent knife—that was probably genuine medical equipment, but if Thomas was bored enough, he could most likely fashion his own—and dragged the knife across the corpses abdomen, just under his diaphragm.

“Lucky for you, I’ve already bled this one, so hopefully you don’t feel like disembarking your dinner.” She took the bag of ground up powder and put it into the top of a funnel with a tube attached to the end.

If Thomas was being honest, he felt sick to his stomach, he’d rather quit drinking for the rest of his life rather than sit and watch this—hell, he didn’t think he’d be able to consume anything for a week after this—but he had to keep up an appearance.

To be fair to him, it worked alright- Florence was slightly impressed by his devout need to prove himself to everyone.

He did falter though slightly when she jammed the end of the tube of the funnel into the line of the mans abdomen. He inhaled sharply when she took a jug of water and poured it into the funnel so it mixed with the powder, creating a thick gooey clear substance.

She held the top of the funnel in front of her face and shifted her weight so the front of her hips were resting against the tall table.

Thomas wondered if this woman could stand up straight.

She cast her gaze to the side to Thomas who had his eyes locked onto the slice in the mans abdomen as the goo passed through achingly slowly.

He moved his head up so they met eyes now from across the room. Maybe if it was a different setting, the scene would have been romantic, had they not been in a morgue and she not pouring goo into a dead mans carcass.

The room was supposed to be tense, it usually is when Thomas decides to enter with his dramatic bitch face. But for some reason, this woman wouldn’t let him affect her. At first Thomas thought it was fear; next he thought it was insanity; then he considered that maybe this woman just didn’t give a flying fuck about who he was and what he was doing there.

He hated that, just as much as he admired it.

“I’ll return another time to discuss business agreements.”

As the rather threatening man walked out of the door, Florence wondered if he too, was only just pretending to be human like herself most of the time.

——

“I hear you’re in partnership with the Shelby’s.” The Irish accent that seemingly appeared out of nowhere startled the red haired girl.

Not because she didn’t hear him, just that you didn’t hear other dialects in this shit-hole of a city.

Florence didn’t look up from where she sat, examining the pages of a book. She took her index finger and held it up to the mans face as a silencing motion. “What’s you on about, Mister?” The woman answered finally.

She was curled up in a very uncomfortable looking dining room chair (even though there was no dining room) with a book in her knees and hunched shoulders.

“You we’re visited by the Peaky Blinders today, and you made an agreement with them, Miss Kent.” The man with the thick grey moustache snarled.

“Yes I did. You’re sounding a bit resentful there, Chester.” She didn’t move her head, but her large eyes shifted to where the man stood stiff with two officers behind him. Coward.

“I see they’ve told you about me.” He nodded smugly.

“No, actually. I just find these things out for myself.” She focused back on to the page and tuned out whatever the man who looked like he had a stick up his arse was saying.

“Why did they decide to initiate contact with you?” He asked plainly.

“Business.” She states in the same manor.

“Why didn’t they discuss business with your husband or superior?” He leaned in slightly.

“Because I don’t have either of those. This is my business and you clearly didn’t read the sign outside.” She yawned and sniffed quietly. She reached for her cigarette tin and lit one up.

“We are royal officials. Your sign does not bypass the need for law and order. Besides, your reports will not be acknowledged, so there’s no need- I have friends in high places.” He stated condescendingly.

“Yeah? Well I’ve got friends in low places.”

Campbell slammed his fist onto the wall next to him, which probably would have been more intimidating, had he not hissed in pain and the wall not had been made out of brick. “Why did you agree to business with those scum of the Earth rats!” He bellowed.

Florence didn’t flinch. She only sighed and put down her book, cigarette still resting in her mouth, “because I do business with people who offer money. Good money. Don’t take it personally, but take it all the same.” She folded her hands on her stomach and interlocked them with a dull look on her face.

“And what if I offered you your life for information on the Peaky Blinders?”

“Okay, lets get this straight. I don’t want shit from you. My death will not and does not burden me. I won’t give you information on the Peaky Blinders, because I can’t be arsed to listen to them. So go on, have at it!” She abruptly stood up and stalked to the door on the other side of the room, but not before turning round with a grin on her face, “oh, and by the way, Chester. Please do take this very personally... Man up soldier- oh wait.” She cackled and didn’t miss the inspectors fists clenching as his brow tensed.

Without another word, Inspector Campbell left the premise. He knew that he’d see to it that this arrogant, harlot woman would see consequences of her blind confidence.

——

Okay. A lot of things are really slowing down here and I have no idea when the next chapter will be up.

So sorry for the lack of continuity, but hopefully you can understand that everything’s a bit intense atm 😅

Thanks for the love.

Feedback and comments are wanted.

See ya next time!