#and bc my shoulder down hurts I can’t go digging through boxes

[jackies-ear]

My elbow is bugging me but it’s actually cause my shoulder is bugging me and I was gonna kt tape my elbow but it’s the shoulder I need and I can’t tape that by myself

[mythiccheroacademia]

My bad, I’m just now seeing the rules😭 I’ll choose shiguraki, dabi, and Hawks for the time traveling kids reaction

A/N: You’re all good baby! I kept looking at this trying to come up with a fitting situation for them and then I dreamt about being in all three situations last night??? lmaooo it was both terrifying and lucky hehe~ Hopefully, it’s as good as I’m imagining it

Side Note: I’m writing this with a baby (thankfully, but unfortunately, not mine!) on my chest. Get on my level. Jk, but everyone say hi <3

Warnings: Cursing 

Shigaraki Tomura:

you and shigaraki came back from your daily walks 

aka, people watching

and you two planned to play on the PS4 later

whiles you’re setting up the TV in the living room, he goes to his room to get the console and remotes

he opens the door, sees a baby on his bed, then immediately shuts the door

goes to you and kurogiri

him: “any of you know why there’s a baby on my bed?”

kurogiri: a baby? 😐

you: a BABY!!!?? 😍💞💞

you rush in there and to your amazement, there is a baby no more than six or seven months, gurgling on the bed

kurogiri is giving tomura the most judgemental look and shigaraki kinda feels embarrassed even though he swears he didn’t do anything

“please don't tell me it’s yours”

“i can assure you, y/n and i use prot--”

“oh my gosh, shiggy, she looks just like you with my hair and nose!”

kurogiri is over it 

tomura is malfunctioning

you’re gushing over the baby girl, totally ignoring the fact that a literal child, who just so happened to look like a perfect mix between you and tomura, just appeared like a sick magic trick

was it a quirk?

was it time travel??

did tomura knock you up and everybody just somehow forgot???

so many questions, so little answers

in order to keep from getting a migraine, everybody followed your train of thought and just went along with it for now

shigaraki was less than pleased that his plans with you had been scrapped

he spent the day going shopping (stealing) for diapers, getting formula, buying clothes, and buying toys

feeding the baby was annoying

changing her was a nightmare

shigaraki threatened to disintegrate the child if she puked on him one more time

but everyone just adores her

she’s such a cutie

her toothless smile just warms up everybody’s hearts

even kurogiri is smitten

the day ends with you, the baby, and shigaraki in his room, getting ready for bed

he’s grumbling bc “can’t we just leave her on the couch or something”

you ignore him and he’s forced to get in bed bc no matter what, he’d never give up the chance to cuddle with you...even if it is with some stupid baby

after she falls asleep, you sigh and lean on his shoulder

“you really think she’s ours?” you ask

he wants to say i hope not, but the way you look at him with all the hope in the world makes his heart tingle 

instead of answering, he softly kisses your lips and tucks the both of you in

when you both wake up, the baby is gone--probably back to her timeline

you're a little sad and shigaraki only says what he says NOT BC HE THINKS IT’S TRUE OR SOMETHING but bc your misery makes him itch

“don’t worry. i’m sure we’ll see the brat again someday”

Dabi:

when you came back to your apartment, holding a load of groceries, you were quite surprised to see the situation at hand 

in the middle of your living room was dabi, at his big ass age, wrestling with a kid that couldn't be older than 12 

least to say, you were pissed 

“come on, fess up you little runt. did my old man have another kid”

“for the last time, NO! i’m yours!!”

“stop lying! my pull out game is too strong for that”

“EW! get off of me you staple-faced, burnt chicken nugget lookin’ fu--”

that’s when you intervened

“chicken nugget lookin’ what?” you questioned, looking at the boy with the look™️  

 the boy’s expression went from angry to scared in 0.2 seconds

dabi’s kind of impressed

“father. i-i was gonna say father”

“oh, that’s what i thought bc if you were gonna say what i thought your were gonna say, then i’d have to whoop your ass. but you weren’t, correct?”

“no ma’am”

“so we’re good?”

“yes ma’am”

“perfect. now what’s this about him being your father?”

dabi is taking out of his smugness and flinches under the heat of your glare

you ask him one time who he slept with and when he tells you you're crazy, you lunge at him

your kid lets you get a couple of good hits in before he decides to drop the news that he’s you two’s son of three from the future

you pause, his hand on your face and your fist in his hair

“deadass?” dabi says 

the boy nods his head and you two take the time to look at him

his features are undeniably yours and dabi’s; he was one of those kids that if you sat them next to one or the other, they could look like both parents

you two take it better than he thought you would 

“i always knew you wanted kids with me. simp”

dabi can’t even deny it. he just rolls his eyes and acts all tough 

then he asks, “you sure you’re not gonna get erased from the time continuum by telling us?”

the boy shrugs “i mean...i hope not”

it’s beyond y’all at this point

so you spend the day with the kid, who was named after Dabi (Touya Jr.), and it’s so obvious he’s a momma’s boy 

he helps you cook, set the table, and wash the dishes 

smiles at you like you’re the entire world

dabi is kind of jealous from all the attention you’re giving him 

fumes at the middle finger junior sneakily flips at him 

does it back 

claims to hate the kid but wipes the crumbs off his lip without hesitation

junior got the itis and is down for a nap

calls you two mom and dad before falling asleep 

you get all 🥺 and even dabi is a little nostalgic when junior disappears 

it’s quiet for a moment and then he says, 

“wanna do a practice round in baby-making. yknow? for the future”

you roll your eyes but you aint say no! 

Takami Keigo (Hawks):

hawks didn't expect to see a tiny kid on the edge of a building on his day off

there wasn't a lot that scared him, but he couldn't deny the fear hammering against his ribcage as he saw the child look around before jumping

thank goodness his speed wasn’t just talk

he caught the girl who didn't look a day past six 

he’s in the middle of giving her a huge lecture about safety and mental health, she just giggles and gives him the biggest kiss on the cheek 

“haha! i knew you’d catch me if i fall, papa~”

he’s too angry to even register what she called him

“that was totally dangerous, kid! what if i hadn't seen you? then what?”

“then i would fly” she said like it was the most obvious thing

he’s dumbstruck as two beautiful white wings sprout out of thin air and allow her to float next to the hero with ease 

hawks blinks bc yeah anyone could have wings, but he could tell that feather pattern from anywhere

it was his 

it was like his own fingerprint was staring at him 

did he accidentally knock someone up bc that would be a big uh-oh

y/n wouldn't like that at all

he asks the child who he is to her and she repeats, “papa~”

he then asks who the mother was and she goes, “mommy~”

she’s not the brightest crayon in the box, that’s for sure 

“what’s mommy’s name, kid,” he asks with the patience of a saint

“Takami Y/N~”

“you’re coming with me”

flys across the city with conviction

you’re lying on your bed, face mask on and reading a book in peace before your oh so wonderful boyfriend comes crashing through your open window

you don’t even flinch. so used to his surprise visits, you close the book and sigh

“to what do i owe the great pleasure of having you break into my house? again”

hawks holds the cute girl up, squishing her cheek as she laughs from the adventure they just went on

“mommy!”

“surprise!”

this time, you drop the book

eventually, with some cupcakes and chicken, the little girl tells you two about how she went to play with some kid and got zapped by a quirk and ended up here 

you also find out she’s the youngest of four

you look a little sick but keigo gives you a shit-eating grin

he’s so excited about having a family with you

you can’t deny the tingle in your heart

parades the girl around the house and they’re both laughing the same laugh, eyes bright with joy

it makes your heart hurt and now you have to join into the shenanigans 

you spend the day playing games, doing face masks, and reading books to fall asleep to

when you wake up, she’s gone but keigo’s arms are still firmly wrapped around your waist

“so now that you know i’m gonna trap you with four kids, when are you gonna pop the question?”  you joke 

but hawks isn’t laughing. instead, he’s smiling at you in a way that makes your eyes widen

he digs in his coat and pulls out the ring

“i was gonna try and make it a little more romantic. but why wait? so, what do ya say to taking my last name?”

[luffles424]

In Between

☼ Pairing: Jungkook x reader (x Jungkook ?)

☼ Genre: college au, twin au, smut, mostly pwp but there’s like, some plot at the end

☼ Count: 7.1K

☼ Warnings: unprotected sex (stay safe!), creampie, spit-roasting, double penetration, oral (m & f recieving), ass eating, hair pulling, some spanking (+ 1 (one) thigh slap), dom/sub undertones, threesome, tattooed JK (cause that’s a whole warning itself), thigh riding, marking, piercings 🤪, slight nipple play, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, squirting, fingering, praise kink, dirty talk, manhandling, both shy jungkook and bad boy jungkook bc i’m clearly a glutton for punishment 🤪🤪, the boys don’t fuck each other, they’re solely there for READER

☼ Summary: When you agreed to go to Jeongguk’s frat party, you certainly hadn’t expected it to end with you end his bed. And definitely not the involvement of his twin.

The bass thumps through the house. You press your back to one of the walls in the living room, cup clutched in front of you like it’ll protect you. You’re really not sure why you agreed to come to a frat party, a BTS frat party no less. Well, you kind of do, the sweet pleading look Jeongguk had given when he’d asked if you’d come had any resolve of yours very quickly and effectively crumbling. You definitely hadn’t expected him to be any part of a frat, let alone invite you to one of their parties. And you’re slightly unsure why he asked you here at all, but you have a few ideas. One you favor the most, backed by the way he stammered through asking you to come when you talked after class. You hoped he’d asked you here as a date, or at least to ask you on a proper date. 

The problem though, is now you are here at the party, abandoned by your friends as they slipped away to dance, and a certain boy missing. You’d looked for him when you’d arrived and made your way to get a drink, but you saw not a single glimpse of him. You figured you’d have better luck finding him if you remained in one spot, allowing the party to pass you, and hopefully Jeongguk as well.

You’re not alone for long when you feel a presence beside you. Turning, you see the man you’ve been looking for and you smile at him, before fully taking him in. He looks different than he did the day before in class. His glasses are gone and his hair seems longer and much more like he just rolled out of bed rather than being carefully styled. Or it could just be the way the hair is styled that makes it seem so much longer than before. His jeans are dark and ripped, and you’re not sure if there’s more skin or fabric. A dark T-shirt stretching tight over muscles draws your attention to his arm and the dark ink that covers the skin on display. 

Had he always had those? You rack your brain, trying to think if you’ve ever seen Jeongguk in short sleeves or if maybe you just weren’t very observant, though you think even if he had only worn long sleeves, you still would’ve noticed the letters inked across his knuckles. But did he really get all those tattoos in the day it’s been since you saw him last? He smirks at you as you look him over, obviously pleased to have already caught your interest. 

You reach out and poke a tattoo on his forearm. “How long have you had these?”

He shifts closer to you, leaning in as he speaks. “These? Had em for ages. Do you want to see the rest? They’re much more interesting, but we’ll have to go upstairs.” He winks. 

You frown, taking a small step back. He’s acting so different from how he acts in class and you don’t know how to handle him now. A call of your name has you turning, brows knitting together as you watch… Jeongguk(?) approach, clad in an oversized yellow shirt that seems much more typical of him. You turn back to the tattooed man for a moment as the other finally reaches you. 

He smiles, something that quickly drops once he sees who is with you and how close he is. “JK, leave her alone.” He huffs.

JK, apparently, chuckles, pressing closer to you and slinging an arm around you. “Chill, lil bro. She was pretty interested in my tattoos. I was just sharing.”

Jeongguk’s face twists as he turns to you. “I’m sorry about him. I think he was dropped on his head as a child.”

“You have a twin? How did I not know that?”

Jeongguk’s head tilts in confusion. “You didn’t? I was sure I’ve mentioned him. Well, probably complained about him.”

“You did, you complained about your brother. But you didn’t say he was your twin.” You stress. One Jeongguk was enough. But two? That was lethal.

“Y/n, huh?” JK pauses for a moment and you can hear the grin curling his lips when he starts speaking again. “Isn’t that the name of the girl you have your massive crush on? The one you asked me for advice on?” JK presses himself to your back, startling you slightly. “Oh, I can see why little Gukkie is interested.”

Jeongguk flushes red all the way up to the tips of his ears. He quickly shakes his head, holding his hands up. “That’s not true. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” He quickly babbles out. 

A flash of hurt goes through you, but it’s gone quickly when you really look at how Jeongguk is behaving. He looks nervous, eyes darting around, landing on anything but you and he was incredibly quick to deny it. You’re fairly positive that he’s lying. You want to go easy on him, but you can’t help maybe teasing him just a little bit. 

“Oh, no? That’s kinda disappointing. I was hoping you had asked me here to tell me that you felt the same way.” You pout.

You hear JK smothering a laugh behind you before his arm is snaking its way around your waist. He hooks his chin on your shoulder. “That’s a shame, little bro. But it’s alright. I can keep Y/n here plenty entertained tonight.” Something dark crosses Jeongguk’s face and JK steps forward, forcing you against Jeongguk and effectively trapping you between the twins. “Unless… You’d like to join us, hm? Because maybe you’re lying about having feelings for our cute little princess right here?”

Your entire body heats at the idea of having them both. While you like Jeongguk a lot, you can’t deny it would be incredibly hot to be fucked by them both. You look up at his face, his eyes are slightly glazed over and you think he might be thinking that same thing. Or maybe he’s just thinking about having you. He swallows and JK is reaching up to grab your chin, holding it as he pulls Jeongguk down and forces your lips together. 

There’s a gasp against your lips but JK doesn’t release either of you until Jeongguk finally gives in to the kiss, hands coming up to cup your cheeks. The kiss is far sweeter than how it started, JK’s fingers rough with each of you. But Jeongguk kisses you like you’ll shatter if he moves wrong and warmth floods you at the gentleness of him. You feel a rumble in JK’s chest where it presses to your back and then his lips are brushing against your ear.

“What do you say, princess? Wanna come upstairs with us? I’d say we don’t normally let a girl come between us, but I think we can make a special exception for you, given the circumstances. You look so pretty trapped in between us.”

You whimper, a sound that’s swallowed by Jeongguk as his tongue slips into your mouth, kiss growing heated with JK’s words. Your mind reels as two hands slip beneath your shirt, resting on the bare skin of your waist. Could you handle both of them? Would it fuck up whatever possibility there was between you and Jeongguk? Did you want to risk it?

JK chuckles in your ear. “Well, Gukkie? Think you can share for the night?”

Jeongguk finally pulls away from your mouth, eyes clouded with lust when he finally blinks them open to look at you. He searches your face for a moment before swallowing. “This isn’t how I wanted tonight to go.” He murmurs, dipping in for another kiss. 

You smile against his lips, hands sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulders. “You mean you didn’t have some grand plan to have a threesome with your crush and your twin?”

He makes a face, cheeks flushing. “No!” He pouts.

“If you really don’t want to, we don’t have to. I’m sure JK can go find something else to occupy himself with.” You hear a hum of confirmation from behind you. 

Jeongguk searches your face again and then glances behind you to look at JK. They share an unspoken conversation before JK is releasing you to take your hand, Jeongguk grabbing the other, and leads you up the stairs. 

The trek down the upstairs hallway is brief, JK pulling you both into a bedroom. There’s two beds on opposite walls and the way the room divides shows just how different the two occupants are from each other, although there are certainly some surprises, like the extensive camera equipment spread out on JK’s desk or the set of boxing gloves hanging on the back of Jeongguk’s desk chair. It makes you want to get to know them both more.

Your observation of their room is short lived as JK is quick to tug you over Jeongguk’s bed, at least you’re assuming it’s his bed since this side of the room uses more of the lighter colors that Jeongguk wears often and not jet black like the other bed. He pulls you close, hands cupping your jaw as he pulls you into a kiss. 

For all that the hands and lips on you are shaped the same, the kiss is wholly different from the one you shared with Jeongguk downstairs. JK kisses you hungrily, like he’s trying to absolutely devour you. There’s nothing tentative in his movements as his tongue swipes across your bottom lip to get you to open up to him. You whimper, hands coming up to fist in his shirt, desperate for something to help keep you a little more grounded. You get lost in the kiss, the rough press of his lips and the way his fingers dig into skin that you forget that Jeongguk is in the room too until he’s pressing himself to your back, lips trailing across your neck to your ear.

“You didn’t forget about me now, did you, princess?” 

You shudder between them, helpless to give any response as JK doesn’t relent in his pursuit to kiss you completely senseless. Teeth nip at your neck as Jeongguk chuckles and then hands are sliding beneath your shirt, skimming up along your ribs to rest just beneath your breasts. You squirm, or at least attempt to, because the second you try to shift to find any sort of relief, the hands under your shirt slide down to hold tightly to your hips as a foot nudges your stance wider and JK is settling his thigh between your legs. You moan as your clothed core is pressed to firm muscle and thoughts of cumming against the thick corded muscles fill your mind.

Jeongguk gives your hips a squeeze and then he’s guiding you in grinding against JK’s legs, damp panties adding to the drag and friction against your clit. Needy moans stick in your throat as JK finally pulls away from your lips, continuing your mindless, guided rutting against his thigh. His eyes are hazy and you watch with fascination as his tongue darts out to swipe across his kiss swollen lips. He winks when he catches your lingering stare. 

Jeongguk gives a firm grind of your hips and, now unmuffled by a kiss, you let out a loud moan that has JK’s gaze dropping to watch your jean clad center rubbing against his thigh. Your hips twitch, fighting to grind yourself against JK to completion, but Jeongguk is surprisingly strong and keeps your hips going at the pace he deems fit for you. 

Jeongguk chuckles in your ear. “I think someone is enjoying watching the show more than he is in participating. Maybe we should make him go sit on his bed and watch.”

JK’s eyes darken as he glares over your shoulder at his brother. He removes his thigh from between yours, leaving you whimpering at the loss. But he’s quick to move on, stripping your shirt from you and displacing Jeongguk from your back. His lips press to your cheek before trailing down your neck, leaving stinging nips as he reaches behind you to deftly undo your bra and slide it off of you. His hands are quick to replace the material, groping at the flesh. 

He looks over your shoulder with hooded eyes. “Give a guy a hand, Gukkie, and get her pants off?”

Jeongguk must make some sort of face at the request, or more likely the way it was phrased because JK smothers a laugh against your collarbone. Jeongguk complies though, hands brushing the bare skin of your waist before slowly sliding down until they are met with denim. He makes quick work of the button and zipper, fingers slipping beneath the fabric as he pushes it down your thighs as far as he can reach. You’re about to attempt to kick them off when Jeongguk’s finger skim lower as he drops to his knees behind you, breath ghosting across the back of your thighs, causing goosebumps to break out across your skin. He helps you out of your pants before his hands slide slowly back up your legs. They stop just below your ass, his fingers digging into the flesh and you gasp. 

JK laughs, nipping once at your neck before lifting his head to grin at you. He gives your breasts a squeeze as his eyes drop to stare at the flesh as it moves beneath his fingers. “You know, for all that we’re twins, we do certainly differ in some ways.” His following grin is lecherous as his eyes drift back up to yours. “Because while I’m more of a tits guy,” he punctuates this with a quick pinch to your nipples before continuing, “Gukkie is a huge ass guy.”

As if in response, Jeongguk’s hands slide just a little further up, groping your ass over the lace of your panties. One hand leaves before it’s quickly coming down in a slap, barely cushioned by the flimsy fabric still covering you. You hear a pleased rumble behind you, the hand back to rub over the stinging area before repeating the process just to watch the flesh of your ass jiggle. 

JK captures your lips in a kiss as one of Jeongguk’s hands slips between your thighs, fingers pressing against the soaking fabric coating your slit. You jump slightly when you feel his lips brushing your skin as he goes to speak, not realizing just how close he was.

“I don’t think she minds that we like different things, JK. In fact,” he presses his fingers to your clit and you gasp against JK’s mouth. “I think she rather enjoys it.”

JK pulls away to smirk at you before he’s dropping slightly to take a nipple into his mouth. His teeth tease at the bud before letting his tongue lav over it and sooth the slight sting and then he’s moving to give the other nipple the same treatment. He kneads your other breast, switching every few seconds from one nipple to the other. Never giving you time to get used to or fully enjoy his mouth on you. 

Jeongguk pulls his fingers away and you’d whine at the loss if not for the fact that he removes his hands to pull your panties down and off of you, leaving you completely bare between the two still fully dressed twins. There’s a groan, though you can’t tell exactly which twin it came from, as JK finally drops fully to his knees before you. His hands squeeze at your thighs before his thumbs pull your pussy lips apart to fully expose your glistening cunt to him.

He lets out a pleased hum. “My, Gukkie. You’re right, she seems to be enjoying it quite a lot.”

Jeongguk’s hands knead at your ass again. “Let’s see what else she enjoys.” He quips before his hands are pulling your cheeks apart and cool air is being blown across your asshole. 

You shudder and teeth nip at the flesh of your cheek. You’re fairly certain that if it wasn’t for the hands holding you up then you would’ve collapsed from the combined stimulation. JK presses a gentle kiss to your belly, drawing your attention down to him just as Jeongguk’s tongue presses hotly to your rim. A moan bubbles out and JK grins as he watches you struggle for words or coherent thought.

He holds eye contact as he adjusts his grip on your thigh and then your leg is being lifted and set on one strong shoulder. Jeongguk’s tongue circles your rim, face pressed closer thanks to the way the new position opens you up for them both. JK keeps one hand firmly pressed to the thigh on his shoulder to keep you stable as he leans forward to press his tongue to your clit and you’re helpless to do little more than moan. 

You slide your fingers into his hair, though you’re not sure if it’s to keep him close or to keep your balance and grounded as the two work in tandem to eat you out. The two work with a scary amount of synchronicity and you’re not sure if it’s because they do this often or if it’s just some twin thing. You can feel your orgasm steadily building the longer their mouths work and then someone’s fingers are circling your entrance before one slips inside. 

Your hands tighten in JK’s hair and before you can wonder for too long as to whose finger is in you, the other joins and slips a finger in as well. Your toes curl in the carpet as their fingers move in counterpoint, each adding another finger as they go and the stretch adds to the pleasure coming from their mouths, the coil in your belly tightening. 

You whine, muscles tensing as you feel the telltale signs of your impending orgasm. JK smiles against you as his lips wrap around your clit and sucks. You cry out, knees nearly buckling as pleasure crashes through you. Jeongguk is first to pull away, giving your ass a quick nip, as his and JK’s fingers continue to pump inside you as you ride out your orgasm. They eventually slip from you and he stands, pressing himself to your back as JK continues to stretch your pleasure out for as long as he can until you push him away when it begins to be too much. 

He pulls away panting, looking up at you with dark eyes and a slick chin. His tongue darts out to lick his lips. “You cum so prettily for us, princess.” He coos as Jeongguk guides you to lay out on the bed, much to the relief of your shaking legs. 

He crawls between your legs, pressing kisses to your belly and up to your breasts where for every nip of the skin is followed by a soothing kiss. 

You tug at his shirt. “Guk…. You too. Wanna see you.”

He gives you a shy smile as he sits back on his heels and tugs his shirt off, dropping it to the floor. You blink at him, he’s far more bulky than his baggy clothes let on. Firm muscles making you want to sink your teeth into them. You push yourself up to your knees, eyes still fixed on his chest and your plan to mark up the pretty unmarked flesh is interrupted by a laugh from beside you. 

You look over, a rush of embarrassment filling you when you realize that you’d forgotten about JK, who seems to have realized that. When he sees that he has your attention back on him, he slowly strips his own shirt off. He’s as toned as Jeongguk, although from JK you had expected it more than the other, but where Jeongguk’s skin is smooth and unmarked, JK’s is covered in ink in a myriad of colors and shapes. The tattoos that you’d seen covering his arm stretch up and across a shoulder and back down his chest and ribs. There’s clearly multiple pieces, made up of different hues and styles, but on him they all mesh together to form one cohesive piece of nothing short of art. 

He smirks at your wide eyed staring and he makes a show of undoing the button and zipper on his jeans and slowly pushing them down thick thighs. Your eyes widen at the immediate unobstructed view of his hard cock that greets you the second the denim is pushed down far enough, thanks to his apparent dislike of underwear. He’s thick, more average in length, but you know that it’ll feel amazing once it’s inside of you. And as your gaze drags to the tip you gasp at the glittering silver piercing at the head of his cock that shines with precum. 

He smirks, kicking his pants off completely and then reaching for himself to give his cock a slow almost lazy stroke, thumb brushing over the metal and you’re fully enraptured by the glinting piece of steel. He comes closer and the only way you can describe it is that he’s stalking towards you. Cupping your jaw, he tilts your head up and brushes his lips against yours. 

“Did you like what you saw, princess?” You give a dazed nod and JK chuckles, tongue darting out to swipe across his bottom lip, just barely grazing yours in the process. “Then I have quite the pleasant surprise for you.”

He climbs back up onto the bed, ignoring the questioning look you shoot him, and positions himself behind you. Hands gripping your hips, he pulls you flush against him, cock pressed firmly to the line of your ass and you can feel the warm ball of his piercing searing into your flesh. You’d rather it be your tongue that was touching it. He groans, indulging in a momentary pause to simply rut against you, relishing the friction against his aching cock. But as quick as he started, he stops, a monumental feat of self control and hooks his chin on your shoulder and directs your gaze forward towards Jeongguk, who’s staring at the both of you with a look that seems to be a mix of envy and lust. 

“Gukkie, why don’t you strip for her now.” It’s spoken like a request but it comes across as more of a command. 

Jeongguk looks shy for a moment, hands fidgeting before he’s standing from the bed and slowly shucking his jeans. But where JK pulled them down to tease and entice, Jeongguk is timid. He hesitates for a moment with his underwear before he takes a deep breath, squeezes his eyes shut and shoves them off. 

His thighs are just as thick as JK’s and they’d be so distracting if it weren’t for the glint of metal on the tip of his cock that catches your attention more. 

“Holy fuck…” You mutter, attention entirely taken by the sight. 

JK chuckles. “See, princess. Pleasant surprise, huh?”

You swallow and nod, words completely robbed from you as you watch Jeongguk start to fidget again as he stands there being devoured by your gaze. You finally gather enough brain cells to mutter a soft, ‘both?’ which leaves JK chuckling and Jeongguk looks mortified.

“I lost a bet! He thought it’d be hilarious if we got matching piercings. I didn’t know he meant this kind.” You can see his hands twitch like he wants to cover himself up as he explains and the flush resting high on his cheeks slowly stretches down his neck as he speaks. 

“Can I touch?” Your voice surprises both you and Jeongguk and he blinks at you for a moment before hesitantly stepping to the edge of the bed. 

You reach out, fingers trailing across his stomach before lightly brushing along his length until you reach the warm metal. You swallow, suddenly wanting nothing more than to lean forward and taste it, feel the tang of metal mixed with the saltiness of his precum. Instead, you wrap a hand around the base, giving him a full pump, thumb brushing against the piercing and you delight in the way that it leaves him shuddering. JK presses his lips to your neck as you slowly jerk Jeongguk off, making sure every upstroke has you brushing against the metal, an area that has clearly become more sensitive thanks to its new addition. 

JK’s hands trail down your stomach until he reaches your pussy, fingers lightly brushing against your still sensitive clit, causing your grip to tighten around Jeongguk. His smirk presses against your shoulder and his fingers travel further down to your entrance, slipping two inside. You moan, free hand reaching back to hold onto his thigh. 

He starts a slow pace with his fingers, lips trailing up to your ear. “What do you want, princess? You’ve got both of us to do whatever your little heart could desire.” He coos.

You whine, looking up at Jeongguk, whose eyes are squeezed shut as you work his cock. “Wanna suck Jeongguk’s cock,” you murmur. 

Jeongguk’s eyes pop open and he groans as he is met with the sinfully innocent way you blink up at him. JK’s hand tangles in your hair and he pushes you forward, stopping only when Jeongguk’s dick sits less that an inch in front of your parted mouth. Your breath ghosts over the tip and he shivers. 

“Go on, princess. Taste him.” JK instructs and your tongue darts out, swiping over the tip and you clench when your tongue bumps the piercing. 

Jeongguk gasps, hand joining JK’s in your hair and that’s all the encouragement you need to finally wrap your lips around the head of his cock. Your tongue circles the head once before finding its way to the ball of the piercing that sits at the tip and playing with it. Jeongguk hisses above you, hips stuttering like he wants to thrust deeper and pull away at the same time. Humming in delight, you sink further onto his cock, relishing the way the metal drags across your tongue. 

JK’s hand slides from your hair, trailing along your spine to rest on your hip as he drags your ass more firmly against his cock. His fingers continue to pump, eventually slipping a third into you. 

“What else does our princess want, hm?” He coos from behind. “Wanna get fucked while sucking Gukkie off? Be stuffed full by two cocks?” You whine, fingers digging into his thigh and he chuckles. “We need an answer sweetheart. Gotta tell us if you want it.”

You pull off Jeongguk with a gasp, taking a moment to breath as JK’s fingers refuse their relentless pace in your cunt. But it’s slowly becoming not enough for you. You need more. You push your hips back against him. “Fuck… Fuck me… Please, want it…”

“Good girl,” he murmurs, pulling his fingers free.

He lifts your hips, positioning himself at your entrance, just close enough that you can feel his piercing brushing against you with each slight movement. You can hear the smirk in his voice when you don’t move. “Don’t forget about Gukkie, princess. He needs your attention too.”

In response, Jeongguk’s hand tightens in your hair and he pulls your face close again, one hand wrapped around the base of his dick so he can press it to your lips. Your mouth opens and Jeongguk smiles at your obedience without evening being told first. Your tongue darts out to lap at the head.

He groans. “What a good girl you are. Didn’t even have to be told to open up for me.”

You preen under the praise, missing the smirk he shoots behind you. Hands manhandle your hips for a moment and then JK is thrusting fully into you, jolting you forward onto Jeongguk’s waiting cock, effectively stifling your moan as your walls stretch around his girth.

JK’s cock twitches where it’s buried balls deep in you, holding still while he lets you adjust to him. “Oh, dude. Fuck, she’s so wet. You like being between us, princess? Taking both of our cocks, hm?”

You gurgle an affirmative around Jeongguk’s cock, feeling helpless as two sets of hands start to direct your body, pushing and pulling, one cock always filling you. You squirm, trying your best to contribute something, but your movements only earn you a swift swat on the ass. 

JK’s hand soothes over the skin. “Just let us take care of you, princess. Just let yourself feel good.”

You whine, but comply, letting the pleasure from feeling so filled wash over you. One of JK’s hands leaves your hip and when it brushes over your stomach, you assume he’s going to play with your clit. A startled noise leaves you as his fingers completely bypass your clit, instead pressing at where your pussy stretches around his cock. You squirm at the sensation of his probing fingers and Jeongguk pulls you off of his cock, tilting your head up so he can watch the way your eyes squeeze shut and you moan as JK’s finger wiggles in alongside his cock. 

His mouth presses to your neck and you feel the hot air as he hisses when you clench. “You like being stuffed full, huh, princess?” At your frantic nod, he chuckles and continues as a second finger slowly gets worked in. “Do you wanna be stuffed completely? Think you could take us at the same time? Two thick cocks stretching your pretty pussy? Filling you to the brim?”

When you don’t respond, Jeongguk’s hand tightens in your hair and you blink blearily up at him. “You have to answer him, princess.” When all you do is nod, he tuts. “Use your words, princess.”

You swallow, words momentarily robbed form you as a third finger slips in. The stretch is so much, you mind blanks entirely. Until a hand comes down on your thigh and snaps you out of it.

“Answer, princess.” JK murmurs and it sounds like a threat.

“Yes, please… want it, want both of you… Please fuck me…” Once the words are past your lips, pleas flow quickly from you as you babble, overcome with the need of being stretched to a point you never imagined. 

Twin chuckles greet you and then JK’s fingers are slipping out of you, quickly followed by his dick. You whine at the sudden emptiness, wanting him back and filling you. Jeongguk cups your cheek, pressing a kiss to sooth you as JK moves away from you.

“It won’t be long, princess. Don’t worry, we just need to get you in a better position.”

JK moves towards the end of the bed, tugging you along with him and allowing room for Jeongguk to climb up and lay down. JK helps you straddle Jeongguk’s thighs, hovering over his cock. He shuffles close to your back so he can speak in your ear as you look down at Jeongguk spread out beneath you. He looks beautiful like this. Jeongguk’s hand comes to rest on your thigh as the other slips beneath you to grab hold of his dick, holding it steady as JK lowers you until you’re fully sat on it.

“He’s wanted this for so long. Waxed poetic about how pretty you are. I bet he thinks you’re stunning right now, sitting on his cock like this.”

Your hands come to rest on Jeongguk’s stomach, squirming with the urge to just fuck yourself on his cock. To ride him until you’re both boneless and sated. JK seems to read your mind, hands tightening where they rest and holding you firmly in place. 

You whine as the seconds continue to stretch and they both do little more than sit there. You dig your fingers into Jeongguk’s stomach. “You’re suppose to be fucking me.” You don’t mean for it to come out so whiny and petulant, but it’s hard not to when you're in your current position.

JK hums behind you. “I’m just letting Gukkie enjoy your tight little cunt before we make it even tighter.”

He lifts your hips until only the head of Jeongguk’s cock remains inside before forcing you back down, making both you and Jeongguk moan at the feeling. He keeps you going, keeping you at the pace he sets no matter how you try to make him speed up. His pace allows you to feel the drag of the piercing against your walls with every thrust, so similar but different from when JK was just inside you minutes ago.

When you begin to grow restless, he presses a kiss to your shoulder before pushing you forward until your chest is pressed to Jeongguk’s, who takes the opportunity to press his own kiss to your lips. Jeongguk’s eyes sparkle as he stares up at you, hand coming up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. JK shifts you around, pulling you most of the way off Jeongguk’s dick. 

His hand runs soothingly over your ass. “Princess, tell us if it’s too much, okay? We’ll go slow, we don’t want to hurt you.”

You nod and wiggle your hips. “I’m ready.”

There’s a snort and then you feel the blunt head of his cock pressing where you’re already stretched around Jeongguk. After a moment of prodding, the head pops in and you gasp at the extra stretch, burying your face in Jeongguk’s shoulder. A shudder wracks your frame and you take a deep breath to relax. JK doesn’t move an inch once he’s inside, giving you plenty of time to adjust and Jeongguk slips a hand between you to rub at your clit as a distraction. 

You pant, forcing your focus on the way Jeongguk’s fingers circle your clit and the pleasure that he’s slowly building up with the action. The stretch hurts just slightly, neither of them far enough in yet to truly be stretching you but it’s still more than you’ve ever had before. But beneath the slight ache, you feel so delightfully full and you know that once they’re both fully buried in you that you’ll feel even fuller. You almost wish that they would just push all the way in now, let you feel the full stretch already. You squirm, trying to get more of them inside of you and you’re met with twin groans. 

JK’s hands make a weak attempt at stopping you from sinking onto their cocks further. “Princess, go slow… Don’t hurt yourself…”

You shake your head quickly, lifting just slightly before sinking further onto their cocks. “Doesn’t hurt… feels so good…” You moan. And it’s true, Jeongguk’s fingers on your clit have effectively brought your pleasure to the forefront and all you want is for them to fuck you stupid. Neither seem inclined to do that just yet though, too focused on ensuring that you’re not hurt so you take it upon yourself to continue to fuck them deeper.

You glance over your shoulder at JK, drinking in the way he’s visibly tense to keep himself from moving. He alternates between squeezing his eyes shut and staring in wonder at the way your cunt stretches to take them. You wiggle your hips, sinking just a little further until they're both buried as far as they can get. You relish the clench of his jaw once he’s fully inside of you. It takes JK a moment, but when he notices your eyes on him, you smirk at him. 

“That all you got, tough guy?”

His tongue pokes at his cheek and his fingers dig into your skin. “Watch yourself, princess. Are you ready?”

“Fuck me already.” 

You turn back to Jeongguk, face contorted in pleasure much like JK’s. You’re about to speak when JK pulls almost completely out before slamming back in, robbing you of words as a moan is forced out of you. Jeongguk’s eyes trace over your face as JK starts a fast pace, drawing more moans and whines from you. One of his hands tangles in your hair and he pulls you down for a kiss, but you’re both far too lost in pleasure for the kiss to be good. It’s messy and uncoordinated, more of lips and tongues pressed together as you moan into each other's mouths. His other hand slips away from your clit to rest on the small of your back and you feel him shift slightly so he can thrust up into you, his pace much more subdued than JK’s, but the drag is wonderful all the same. 

Even with their different paces, they work well together, leaving you feeling full and pleasure making your toes curl. 

JK’s hand slips around your front, fingers quickly finding your clit and taking over where Jeongguk stopped. “Fuck, princess… you feel amazing… Can you cum for us again? Cum around our cocks and get us all nice and messy?”

You whimper as his fingers twist and if you weren’t pinned between their bodies, you would be writhing with how good they’re making you feel. A new orgasm quickly rising in you. Jeongguk tugs on your hair, pulling you away from his mouth once you can do little more than pant against his lips and tilts your head to the side so he can suck marks onto the skin of your neck. 

“Come on, cum for us, princess.” Jeongguk murmurs, tongue hot where it traces the marks his teeth left.

You whine at the overload of sensations, both cocks stretching you out and JK’s relentless thrusts, his fingers toying with your clit, Jeongguk’s teeth on your neck. You cum with a gasp, body shuddering at the sudden, overwhelming pleasure. Your mind goes delightfully hazy as your pussy gushes around them, clenching rhythmically as JK’s pace slows only marginally. You faintly hear someone swearing as you drop your forehead to rest on Jeongguk’s shoulder, strength nearly completely gone. You feel boneless and if it weren’t for the hands on you then you would just completely collapse atop Jeongguk. 

Jeongguk presses a kiss to the side of your head, seemingly amused. “Fuck, you did so well, princess. Think you can take just a little more for us?”

There’s a groan behind you and JK’s hips stutter, rhythm faltering for just a moment. “Fuck… You’re unbelievably hot. I’m actually a little jealous that Gukkie gets you all to himself after this.”

His pace picks back up and Jeongguk manhandles you so he can speed up his own thrusts, each man chasing his own high now. You whimper as overstimulation takes over, every drag of their cocks against your walls sending jolts of nearly painful pleasure shooting through you. 

You almost want to protest, but it still feels good, even with the slight too-much feeling that clings to every rock into your clenching core. The room is filled with your whines and the slick sounds of them fucking into you. JK’s thrusts pick up speed and you can feel another orgasm quickly rising within you again, nearly blindsiding you with the suddenness of it’s appearance. You didn’t know you could cum again so quickly.

You reach out blindly for Jeongguk’s hand, grasping it tightly once you find it. “Gonna…” you slur out, words abandoning you as they don’t slow their motions.

“Fuck, again? You already soaked us once. You gonna cum again for us, princess? Like our cocks that much?” 

You whine at JK’s words and Jeongguk gives your hand a squeeze. Jeongguk’s lips brush your ear. “Come on, baby. Let go for us and we’ll fill you up just like you want. All messy and dripping with our cum.” Your pussy clenches at his words and he groans beneath you. “You like that idea, baby? Be so full and dripping? Do you want that? To be our messy baby? You have to cum for us first.”

Your orgasm crashes over you, more intense than the previous two and you shudder almost violently as you squirt again, making a mess of the three of you. Jeongguk groans beneath you, hips slamming into you one last time as he cums, your name whispered into your hair. JK’s pace picks up, now unhindered by Jeongguk’s movements and a handful of thrusts later, just as Jeongguk begins to whine with sensitivity at the continued friction against his softening cock, cums. 

You all remain frozen like that for a while, breathing slowly evening back out. JK is the first to move, slipping out of you and climbing off the bed. You whine at the loss and the way the Jeongguk slips from you as well, leaving you feeling empty. You feel Jeongguk lift his head but you’re too tired to do anything else or see what he’s looking at, even as sweat is beginning to dry uncomfortably between the two of you and you can feel cum beginning to slowly drip from your abused cunt. Jeongguk’s hands rub comfortingly on your back as his head lays back down, seemingly content with whatever he was looking at. 

You startle when a moment later a damp cloth brushes gently against your folds, taking care to clean as much of the cum from your pussy and thighs with minimal touching to sensitive areas. You whimper slightly and both boys immediately shush you with comforting words.  

“JK’s just getting you cleaned up.” He chuckles slightly as he presses a kiss to your hair. “Did you know you could squirt?”

You shake your head shyly, letting the both of them shift you so you’re stretched out on the bed, JK’s hands rubbing along your legs to soothe any aches there may be, before his hands leave you. Jeongguk keeps you pulled close to him, hands seemingly reluctant to give up contact with you. JK drapes a blanket over you and Jeongguk, who fusses with it until he deems it to be covering you suitably. “I’ve never done it before.”

JK pipes up from somewhere behind Jeongguk. “Well you did it twice,” he groans at the memories. “It was hot as fuck.”

Silence settles then, broken only by the sound of fabric rustling and then a few moments later, JK is leaning over Jeongguk to press his own kiss to your head and then he’s playfully ruffling his brother's hair. “I approve very much of your prospective girlfriend.” You hear him move towards the door of the bedroom. “Don’t fuck it up, cause I will swoop in to steal her.” He pauses for a moment as he opens the door, the sounds of the frat party downstairs filtering back into the room. “Get some rest, princess. Good night.” He murmurs before slipping out and back to the party. 

[sagemusesoutloud]

Anti-Romantic, Part 1

(credit to the original owner of the image)

Character | Jaehyun x reader Genre | nonidol!au, Mutual Pining, Slowburn, Fluff WordCount | 3.6 K Author'sNote | lmaoooo the fact that I intended this to be a oneshot type of thing oops. Wellllll, I tried. Most likely to be a two part series, but we'll see.

This is part of a series I intend to call "If Songs were Fics" and this particular one was loosely inspired by TXT's Anti-Romantic bc I'm obsessed. I hope you enjoy reading as much I enjoyed writing it!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

I don't know who loves me

And I don't care, It's a waste anyways

A romantic feeling, Kinda scares me

“Any plans for you birthday next week?”

Jaehyun shakes his head at you, “no, not yet, don’t you have that date with that barista?”

“I’m not sure, he’s been acting weird over text lately. Might not be worth it,” you shrug your shoulders. “Besides, it’s your birthday! You only get one of those a year, we should plan something.”

You were on your way to the gym, a ritual you and Jaehyun had ever since you both found out you worked for the same company. You had been childhood friends, but ended up losing touch since you went to separate universities.

It was a nice surprise to see a friendly face on the first day of orientation and throughout the duration of your training for the next six weeks. Although you were both from different departments, you enjoyed taking your lunch breaks together and sharing small gossip about your old class-mates.

“ugh, don’t remind me,” he let’s out a long sigh, “every year, it seems like my family won’t stop pestering me about starting a family.”

“What’s so wrong about that?”

“Nothing, just not for me. Or at least not yet. I don’t think I’m the type to settle down,” he shrugs again as if it were no big deal.

You gasp, “how could you say that? I’ve seen your insta account. It’s got your cousin’s kids all over it!” You stop to take a good look at him as he holds the door of the gym open for you. “Back in school too, you used to tutor those elementary kids for volunteering hours. Even when you didn’t need them. You’ve always liked kids.”

“That’s different…”

“Right. Totally different things. Got it,” you roll your eyes. This wasn’t the first time he mentioned not wanting to settle down. At first, you had thought it was because he liked ‘keeping his options open’ like back in high-school. Or, not that you knew for sure, but if the rumors were true then it meant he slept his way around. Apparently, he never slept with someone twice and despite the cold shoulder the other party would get, all you had ever heard were praises. Not that you paid that much attention or anything.

You and Jaehyun had the same circle of friends, but despite that, he had never made any advances towards you. You’d be lying if that didn’t bother you at least once or twice. You just assumed that he didn’t want to make the friendship awkward or mess with the friend dynamics of your group. Which was why your crush on him in junior high ended as soon as you got to high-school.

You ended up going on dates with other people, but nothing that kept your interest. Nothing that compared to how you felt around him. Not that he seemed to think the same, so you tried your best to stay the good friend you always have been. You didn’t want to push something he clearly didn’t want; not that it didn’t hurt any less. Throughout the years it’s become bearable, at least. Almost like a painful habit.

You check in and head to the locker rooms to change. His nonchalance about the subject had always puzzled you. You’d seen first hand how all the female coworkers seemed to sway their hips as they walked by him, how some would pop a blouse button more than usual when around him, and you swore no one else was getting that much help throughout training more than him. He was handsome and a gentleman, that much was painfully obvious.

You meet him outside by the water fountain, “ready for warm-up?” he guides your way to the treadmills.

“When’s the last time you dated?”

You would have laughed if you weren’t so shocked to see him trip from the corner of your eye. “why the sudden curiosity?” He finally responds.

“Not sudden, I’d always wondered.” You defended. “You’re good looking and you’re very…I mean, you live on your own and have your own car. You have good relations with your family AND you’re good with kids. So, what is it?” You hadn’t realized how troubling you thought it all was. But now that you started digging you couldn’t stop.

“I just—” you pause, “it doesn’t make sense.”

You hear him chuckle, “you might wanna slow down before you pull something.” You look down and realize that your pace had gone from a relaxed jog to a borderline run during your rant. Maybe this wasn’t the best time to psychoanalyze your only friend in the city.

“Well, I just don’t know how to let people in. It’s just that.” He finally responds. “I love kids, but I don’t know or think I’d be a good partner.” He slows down before stopping, ending the conversation. He waves you off with an easy smile as you stay running.

Huh, maybe you pushed him too far. Your eyes can’t help but follow him around the gym.

Sweet and bitter chocolate, The taste at the end is always the same

Like the saddest movies, Only tears in my eyes

Your hands were sweaty the entire morning, anticipating your lunch time. It was his birthday today, and while you hadn’t made any concrete plans you ended up agreeing to go over to his place after work. Your gym bag was ready with snacks and comfy clothes to stay over. You remembered him saying he was excited to watch that new Marvel movie that had recently come out so you had bought it online to stream it at his place as a surprise. But what had you nervous was the small heart shaped box sitting in your purse. You didn’t know what possessed you to buy it but you had immediately thought of Jae when you passed by it at the mall. You remember vaguely mentioning that it was a special occasion to the sales lady (as in, his birthday), but she must have thought it was your significant other rather than friend because she changed the box to the red velvet shaped one while giving you a wink. In her defense, you could have protested but…why didn’t you?

You hear a knock on your door, “hey little miss sunshine.” Ah, Nakamoto, this couldn’t be good news. He was only sickly sweet to you when he needed a favor.

“What do you want?” you deadpan. He only laughs as he makes himself comfortable in your office. “Well, nothing in particular. Can’t stop by and see how you’re doing?” he feigns hurt.

“Right—the last time you ‘came by’ you left me working over-time through the weekend,” You sigh, “so what is it this time? Missed meeting? Late proposal?” To be fair, your supervisor WAS overworked sometimes. And since you were the only worker under him, it was normal for him to sometimes share some of the load with you.

He smiles at you, “nope. Just have a proposal for you. I know you’ve been working hard these past few months and I’ve been really impressed by your work ethic.” He stands and moves closer to your desk, “And I thought some sort of reward was in order, as well as celebration.” Ok, now you’re confused. You were ok with the reward part, it usually came in the form of a gift card to your favorite coffee shop, but celebration?

“Why would we celebrate? Did I miss something?”

“Not yet, but I did recommend you to the partner position with me. And I wanted to be the first to tell you that the boss approved it earlier today. So, what do ya say? Dinner on me?” he extends his hand out to you and wiggles his eyebrows playfully.

Oh.

Shit! You were hoping this would happen eventually, moving up from the entry-level position you had. But you had never thought it would be this fast. “Oh my gosh, are you serious?” You give him your hand and he shakes it in mock salute.

“Of course, some people will come by to move your computer to the office next to mine. You start Monday!” he winks, “So, wanna go to that new rooftop restaurant? This is a once in a life-time ticket, so you best say yes.”

But your dinner with Jae…He’ll understand, right? He has to. It’s not like he seemed that excited about it anyway. And you could always spend the day together tomorrow, too. It would be pretty rude to turn down Yuta after he pulled some strings for you…

You smile at him, “Thank you Mr. Nakamoto, I won’t let you down as a partner. Yeah, dinner sounds great. Wanna meet there?”

You sit down on the small table, now nervous for other reasons.

Jae sits opposite of you, a small smile on his face. “Hey you,” he greets.

“hey…” you start, “I hate to change plans so suddenly, but…” crap, you feel really shitty. But you really were between a rock and a hard place.

“everything ok?”

“yeah, no. I actually just got promoted,” you start.

“You did? That’s awesome! So fast, too. Wow—but shouldn’t you be more enthusiastic about it?” he chuckles.

“I am, just—my old supervisor wanted to go to dinner to celebrate. And I don’t think I could say no after helping me out like that.”

“I mean, did you want to skip it or?” Now he’s confused.

“Well, he wanted to go out tonight since I start Monday and today’s Friday…I don’t think I can come over tonight,” you explain.

Realization crosses his features before he gives a small smile. “Don’t worry about it, you’re fine. And he’s treating you! You don’t know when the next time he offers might be,” he continues, “we can celebrate another day anyway.”

“Are you sure?” now you feel like shit.

“Of course I’m sure.”

For the rest of the lunch, a thick silence settles before he excuses himself back to work.

Jaehyun knew this was coming. Nothing ever went his way; it’s why he kept everyone at a distance from his heart. But he was weak when it came to you. This game of push and pull was bound to keep happening, and it only brought him that all familiar foul taste in his mouth.

I know, that sweet love song, Those words of promise

When you turn around, It's just an unfamiliar someone

It was why he decided to go else-where for university, instead of joining you and some of your friends to the one closest to home. He chose to go across the globe—far, far away from the curse of you.

It had started on a windy day, back when you were 4 and new to the town he grew up in. Jaehyun didn’t want to leave his mother’s arms, he didn’t like the thought of being with strangers until later in the day even if his mom promised that she would be back. A little girl with jean overalls like his came up to him and his mom, “why are you crying?”

“I am not!” he sniffed. He didn’t need to make new friends like his mom was trying to tell him. All he needed was to go back home. You took out something from your pocket and showed it to him, “look, my mom said I could give one to my first friend. She said it was sharing. Want one?”

In her little palm, were two kiss chocolates. “You’re not my friend,” he grumbled, “I don’t know your name.” At that, you giggled, “I’m Y/N!” you took his hand and placed a chocolate there, “there, now we’re officially friends.”

“See, Jae? You can spend some time with Y/N and have fun. Before you know it, I’ll be back,” she promised.

“Yeah, Jae! Come play blocks with me, and then we can try the coloring.” You held his hand as you led him deeper into the classroom. Just like that, Jae began to feel a little warmth in his chest. He didn’t mind that his favorite thing to do was play tag outside or that he wasn’t really good at coloring inside lines yet. But that didn’t matter to him. As long as he had this one friend around, he was content.

Sorry I'm an anti-romantic, I want to run far away

My heart that already chases after you, Blazes up as a small flame

Looking back at it now, it was a little funny. All it took to let you in back then was a simple chocolate kiss and your little sticky hand in his leading the way. You were always larger than life to him, sometimes he forgot that you were just as human as him.

As you two continued to grow, nothing seemed to change your friendship. But he knew that the depth of his feelings wasn’t mutual. It was in the way that you brought a lot different people together and decided to call it your family. Another of your friends, Jungwoo, liked to joke that you collected introverts for fun. To Jaehyun, it was more likely that you just didn’t see the fun in leaving people out. You were charming and passionate. Traits he wished he had. Your empathetic nature and gentle disposition were all that Jaehyun needed, even if he wasn’t the only recipient.

Once you guys started to hit puberty, things started to feel rocky. Jaehyun couldn’t help but physically distance himself from you, his ears were always red-hot. You had always been pretty to Jaehyun, but you were starting to become really beautiful. And if the boy’s locker rooms’ talk were anything to go by, then other people were definitely starting to realize “what a great catch” you were.

It really pissed him off. Who were they to say things as if all you were was a piece of meat? It disgusted him. But what disgusted him more was the fact that sometimes, he couldn’t help but also feel the way your body felt in his when you hugged in greeting. He hated the way his body reacted to everything you did.

He first messed around with a senior girl back when he was a sophomore, Sooyoung. She was leaving and he couldn’t take it anymore. Your boyfriend was a piece of trash and he was tired of hearing the way he would share what Jae considered to be intimate moments that had no business being public. But you seemed so happy… that next game, Jae stole the ball from him and scored on his own. Even if it cost him a three hour lecture from the coach, he would do it again. Fuck being a team, that guy was an asshole.

What he hadn’t planned on was liking messing around. He would never admit it, but the reason he couldn’t commit was because he couldn’t get rid of that small grain of hope that glowed in his chest every time you stared at him longer than would be deemed normal. It wasn’t often, but he knew he wasn’t seeing things. So, he succumbed to the cycle of push-and-pull that you guys had going on.

Jaehyun wasn’t blind, he knew that your work definitely spoke of your professionalism, but he’s also seen the way Nakamoto stared after you. Of the way his hand would often touch your waist when walking together. Even now, as he hears you apologize through the phone again as you get ready for your “date” with him he can’t help this heart feel heavy with anger. Anger at himself, for letting you slip away once more. He usually hopes for nothing but the best for you, but this time, he wishes you had an awful dinner.

Sorry I'm an anti-romantic, I don't believe in romance

I'm afraid that after burning my whole heart, It will only leave behind ashes

Throughout the entire dinner, you can’t seem to get Jae out of your mind. It keeps you from enjoying the delicious food, keeps you from keeping your usual banter with Nakamoto.

You’re about to call it a night and thank Nakamoto for inviting you out when he beats you to it, “damn, I was hoping this might be a good break from the usual overtime we do, but something tells me your mind has been elsewhere,” he offers good naturedly, “I know it’s valentine’s, so maybe this is why we feel so awkward, right?”.

You grimace a bit at that, “ah—I’m sorry. I really am grateful for the way you look after me in the company and I’m also thankful for this lovely dinner,” you stop a bit, afraid you might offend him, “I agreed to come out tonight, so no need to feel awkward.” You offer a smile.

“Alright then. I guess you already have your sights on someone?” he prods. Should you be honest? There was no rule against dating outside your department, and you were pretty sure your new boss’s wife also worked within the company. “…I do. But I’m pretty sure they don’t feel the same way. It’s been so long since we’ve known each other. Surely if something were to have happened, it would have by now.” You were loosening up, definitely the wine’s fault.

Nakamoto sighs at that, “damn, and here I thought I could woo you after this,” he winks jokingly but you laugh him off. You knew he didn’t care for you that way. “I really hope you’re talking about the guy you always eat lunch with. I swear everyone thought you guys were married when you were released from training.”

“What?! No, I—we’ve been friends since we were children—”

“Aha! So it was him then,” he smirks. “Good.”

You groan, “Please, no.”

“What, it’s not him? You sure about that?”

“I will neither confirm nor deny that statement,” you groan. Why were you discussing your love life? You push the wine away and take a sip of your water.

“Hmm. That’s too bad. Could have sworn that guy was after you.” He stands up. “But fine, I’ll stop prodding.”

You sigh in relief—“for now.” You groan. “What do you even mean by that? You don’t even know him. Or me, or at least personally at least.”

“Mmm, I don’t have to. Some things you just know. Like how he wishes I was six feet under every time we run across him at work,” he sobers up at that. “He seemed like a cool dude, but his glare isn’t too friendly. I don’t know how you fell for that.”

You scoff, “just because someone has a resting bitch face doesn’t mean they’re a bad person.”

You both make your way to the underground parking. “You’re right, it just makes them unapproachable. Is that why you won’t confess?” His genuine tone rubs you the wrong way, you don’t need be given false hope.

“Stop it, you said you would drop it,” you frown, “Anyways, thank you for the food boss—”

“—not your boss anymore. Just call me Yuta, we’re partners now.”

“Aren’t you two years older than me?”

“And?”

You shrug at that, “well, thanks Yuta. For the food, not for the interrogation.” He chuckles at that, nodding while pulling out his car keys. “see you Monday!” he waves you off.

You sigh as you get home. It wasn’t as late as you thought it was, only a few minutes past nine. You really wanted to see him. Would he be busy?

You fish out your phone and dial his number before chickening out.

“Hello?”

“Jae! It’s me. Are you busy right now?” your heartbeat is pounding so loud, you’re scared he could hear it on the other end. “Right now?” you hear shuffling on the other end, “no, I was just reading that book Jungwoo sent me. Might have dozed off a bit into it but don’t tell him I said that,” he chuckles.

“Why, is everything ok? It’s still early, did you end dinner that fast?”

“Oh, Yuta and I called it a night pretty early. Too many couples were out and about and it got a bit awkward,” you explained.

“Yuta?”

“Ah, yes. Yuta Nakamoto, but now that we’re associates, he said it would be better to address him less formally.” You waive him off, “actually, I was wondering—if it’s not too late, can I still come over? If not, that’s cool. We can still hang out tomorrow, but your birthday is today and I thought—”

He laughs at your rambles, “of course you can come over, you know you don’t have to ask. How many times have I told you that?”

“Ok, ok. Just checking,” you still had your comfy change of clothes in your car, so you opt to save those for tomorrow and change into something causal for tonight.

“Do you want me to go get you? We can get ice cream on the way, hopefully they don’t close early.”

“Sounds like a plan then,” curse your heart for melting at everything he says.

“Alright, give me 15 and I’ll be there.” He hangs up.

You look at your bag, resting on your sofa and you sigh. The entire night, it’s almost as if you could feel the weight of his gift weighing it down. Yuta is known for being very observant, it’s why he was so good at his job. Closing deals and making contracts in advertisement. Would he be right about this? You know you desperately wish he was, but is it worth risking your best friend?

EndNote | Woooow, that was a longass ride. Let me know if you liked it or if there are other typos I missed! Or just to let me know what you thought, that would be much appreciated. I'm thinking of finishing it by Sunday 6/13, so hopefully the next part is up by then. Until then!

Here's Part 2!

[come-on-shitty-boys]

//fatherhood headcannons//

Characters: Kuroo Tetsurou / Bokuto Koutarou / Daishou Suguru

Warnings: none 

Word Count: 1.7K (~550 a piece)

Notes: don’t come for me and my self-indulgence. Also >:C if you’re of age and living in the United States, go fucking vote.  i am not asking. 

Kuroo Tetsurou

He goes into this whole fatherhood thing with complete and utter confidence.  Kuroo Tetsurou is convinced that he doesn’t need to have a single parenting book.  How hard can it be?

It’s all just making sure his kid doesn’t die, right? R I G H T?

He tries really hard to understand all of your discomforts during the pregnancy, but wowowow he’s bad at it.  You were complaining that your feet were sore and he just looked at you weird.  You had just gotten out of bed?  How did your feet already hurt?  Your back hurts? How? You’re laying down?

He recognizes that you’re in discomfort and he, of course, doesn’t look past that.  He’s going to do whatever he needs to do to ensure your comfort, but he just struggles to comprehend it.

I promise that Kuroo was so calm and cool and collected throughout the entire pregnancy and honestly, even during delivery, he was there to tell you how great you were doing, holding your hand, letting you crush his fingers in your tight grip.  He would pat your head and occasionally give you little kisses on your temple.

But when the nurse asks if he wants to hold his new little girl and places her in his arms, oh he’s crying.  He doesn’t even realize that he’s crying until he feels the tears stream down his cheeks.

It was in the following weeks that he realized just how hard this whole parenting thing would be.  Sleep?  Kuroo didn’t know her.  The baby religiously started crying every night at 2:27 a.m. and it would take nearly an hour to get her to fall back asleep.  By the time that hour passed, he was already back to being wide awake and would just lay in bed, unable to fall back asleep for hours.  

The first time he ever had to change a diaper, he had to pull up a YouTube video to figure it out, but he’s not about to tell you that.  

He has no idea how to dad, but Kuroo ends up being a really incredible father.  While he may be lacking in the basic skills like knowing the correct formula temperature or how to properly hold his daughter, he makes up for it with his constant companionship.  

You’ve walked in on him in the nursery so many times.  He’s really not even doing anything.  He’s just leaning against the crib, running his fingers across his little girl’s skin, still not believing that this is real and that that little baby is his, something that he helped create.  Oh, it just makes him so soft to think about.   He talks real quietly to her, telling her about his day, like she has any idea what he’s saying, but he still smiles so wide when she looks at him.

His little girl is his entire world and I just know that he’s an incredibly protective father.  He knows that the world is a scary place and he wants his daughter to be able to grow up having the best life possible, even if it is difficult.

Bokuto Koutarou

It was an accident.  It was 100% an accident.  But, the absolute joy that lit up his features when you told him your happy news, well, you don’t think you had ever seen him smile so wide.  He had picked you up to spin you around and covered your face in kisses.  Bokuto had set you down and immediately squatted down to place a kiss on your non-existent baby bump, telling his little baby how excited he was to be their papa.

Bokuto does prepare, well, at least a little. He owns one book, but he has read it cover to cover.  When he was reading through it, he would stop at something that he found particularly interesting and show it to you.

He didn’t really know how best to take care of you, but he tried his best!  He would rub your shoulders or feet when you asked.  He would make dinner after practice.  He is absolutely running to the store in the middle of the night because you had a sudden craving for Cheetos and vanilla ice cream.  Bokuto thought it was best not to ask what the hell you were doing when you proceeded to dip the Cheetos in the ice cream.

Bokuto forces you on walks.  He read in that one pregnancy book that walks can help induce labor, so in the time leading up to the due date, Bokuto was taking you on strolls around the block multiple times a day.  

But, he gets really busy with MSBY ;-; like. . . a lot.  He wants to be there every step of the way, but he just can’t.  Even after the baby was born, it seemed like there was rarely a day off for him to just spend with you and the baby.

Nothing hurt more than seeing the video of his little boy taking his first steps, knowing that he wasn’t even there to see it for himself because he was stuck on a bus in another city for a game.

This boy B R A G S about his kid all the time.  Sakusa might just beat his ass if he has to hear Bokuto coo about his son one more time.  

Games that happen at home are Bokuto’s favorites because he knows that whenever he looks up into the stands, you’ll be there, the baby in your arms, a tiny black knit hat with gold detailing pulled over his head.  It always made his heart so warm and he seemed to always be on top of his game just so he could secure a win quicker.  He just wanted to rush to you and cradle his little one in his arms.

He likes to toss his little bean up into the air, but he has absolutely bonked his son’s head on the ceiling and then proceeded to fail to catch him because he was so in shock that he just hit his son’s head on the ceiling.  Insert one (1) bokuto koutarou suddenly regretting every life decision that he has ever made.  

Surprisingly, he’s a really good parent?  He understands the balance between being caring and supportive, but also having a firm hand on discipline.  He isn’t much for punishments, because he’s going to feel bad, but he won’t hesitate to sit his son down and have a talk if he needs to.  

God Bokuto is such a good dad please i’m so soft i just know that he would sob his eyes out the minute the baby is on its way

Daishou Suguru

please i don’t even want children, but i would make an exception for daishou suguru

Suguru is so?? stupidly?? prepared?? 

Like the two of you decided that you wanted to have a baby and this man went to the bookstore and asked one of the workers which pregnancy books were the best.  The poor high school student had no idea

He took notes and was just constantly studying up on things.  You’d think he was back in university again with how much he poured himself over these books.  

While Daishou may have all of the technical stuff down like knowing the exact female reproductive anatomy and how it all works to produce the baby and he can definitely change a diaper with his eyes closed by now, but-

When the time came to put together a nursery- oh the boy was lost.  He had no idea what to do.  He’d never built a crib before.  He wasn’t really sure why he was expecting it to just unfold or magically form together when he took it out of the box, but now he was just sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by bits and pieces of a baby crib, pouring over the instructions, only to get more confused.

Please go sit with him in his time of need.  He’ll rest his head on your shoulder and rub tiny circles over your bump.  

Suguru probably jumped a foot in the air when he felt that itty bitty kick against his hand.  It took him by complete surprise and his eyes were as wide as saucers, but this really slow smile took over his face and you don’t think you had ever seen him so happy, a complete smiling and laughing mess.

He takes the best care of you b y e 

Morning sickness?  He’s right there to pull your hair away from your face and get you a glass of water.  

Too bad he spent all this time looking up information on the actual pregnancy and had no idea what to expect for actual childbirth.  Overnight bag?  He said, “How long does this take?”  He had no idea what to do during delivery.  His dumbass just stood there until you demanded that he give you his hand and definitely screamed when you nearly crushed his bones in an absolute death grip, nails digging painfully into the back of his hand, but who was he to object.  He wasn’t the one pushing a child out of his body.

Oh, did I say child?  Try children.  Suguru nearly fainted when the nurse said that there was “one more.”  He didn’t remember seeing a second little peanut on the ultrasound, but maybe he just forgot in the overwhelming panic of the moment?

He was so good all throughout the pregnancy, but the minute the kids are born?  It’s like he completely forgot everything that he read over the past nine months, but the softness in his eyes and the gentle smile on his lips the very first time he got to hold his kid?  It made it all worth it.  He didn’t know that it was possible to love someone so quickly, but he looked at the faces of his newborn children and he couldn’t have been happier.

Daishou has fallen asleep in the nursery chair more than once when he was up with the babies.  You’d get up to see what was taking so long, only to find him leaned back, his head lolled to the side, two tiny bundles held securely to his chest.

In conclusion.  I love daishou suguru and he would be a really good dad once he figured it all out

{Taglist: @moncymonce​ @nicka-nell​ @celosiiaa​ @kuronekomama​ @lovinnoya​ and @nekxrizawa​ @boosyboo9206​ bc you both got me thinking about them as d a d s and now i can’t get it out of my head onyx please take this as a bribe to receive the daishou suguru hip dermal edit you made i need it}

[shattersstar]

bluebelle

and if the devil was to ever see you, he’d kiss your eyes and repent (part one)

pairing: alucard x reader

excerpt: it seemed as if each corner of the castle held something of you; a bouquet of flowers you had picked for one of the halls in the east wing, a book you half read discarded in a barely used study, the faint flour fingerprints on the railing from when you made banana bread and had gotten so excited it turned out well you dragged Adrian into the kitchen despite the mess on your hands. The brush of your lips even lingered on his skin, the softness revered and remembered. It was warming to find all the parts of you in the tomb that had become his home yet again. (title comes from bluebelle by frank carter and the rattle snakes)

warnings: alucard being loved and appreciated, fluff, minimal angst

a/n: well I couldn’t work on requests till i got this out of my system. kinda stressed abt posting for castlevania bc i dont think? ive talked about it on here before? buuut i can’t stop thinking abt alucard after rewatching season two so here we are. anyways feedback is appreciated.

—

You weren’t by his side in the morning, the sun slotting from the vaulted windows cascaded a stream of warmth that didn’t touch your skin. He startled, fingers curling into the cool sheets. You’d been gone for a while and he hadn’t heard you leave, he—

Adrian had slept. Through the night.

That thought was almost as jarring as your lack of presence. He let his palms dig into his eyes, sliding out from under the covers and dressing quickly. His steps were always light, even against the old floors of the castle. You once mentioned you didn’t think he walked around the castle, merely hovered when you first moved in. Mostly because it was easy to find you, your step not nearly as cautious as his, your scent always lingering through the air, like a trail of crumbs.

Although now, it had become harder to find you because of it, it seemed as if each corner of the castle held something of you; a bouquet of flowers you had picked for one of the halls in the east wing, a book you half read discarded in a barely used study, the faint flour fingerprints on the railing from when you made banana bread and had gotten so excited it turned out well you dragged Adrian into the kitchen despite the mess on your hands.

The brush of your lips even lingered on his skin, the softness revered and remembered. It was warming to find all the parts of you in the tomb that had become his home yet again–but still, it made finding you down a bit more difficult.

He’d begun to rely on sound more, listening from the dragging of ladders around one of the many libraries, the boiling of the kettle or even your voice muttering nonsense to yourself. Sometimes singing, but once you realized he could hear it at great distances, your face burned hot and you only hummed absentmindedly these days.

Your love also reached great distances, bounding higher then the gothic walls you two dwelled in, tendrils of your affection brushing over him like calming waves, as if you somehow purposely emitted your feelings. A secret empath perhaps, humming with love and nudging at his scarred chest until he let you in.

He knew all of that was facetious, nearly musings to keep his thoughts on you as he made his way calmly through the labyrinth castle. You had called it that, still getting lost in it to this day and shouting for him when you’d get frustrated enough. You’d pout when Adrian would casually walk over to where you found yourself, nonchalant and even a little amused. Though, the spike in adrenaline that flowed through his system each time that happened contradicted his calm demeanour each time he approached. He always moved in a flurry, zigzagging and hunting through the daunting walls till he could locate you. He didn’t want you to worry, to see his first thoughts went to danger, he knew you wouldn’t be happy with that. He knew you’d stop calling for him if it meant his fear would take over, that you’d likely stay lost for a lot longer all for him.

It was a dangerous thing, the way you loved him.

He sometimes wished you had been together before his mother died, so that his love wasn’t weaponized against him. There was always going to be a fear attached to his love, everyone waiting for the day he’d break like his father, that his love for you would drive him mad and the cycle of destruction would repeat. It was destined to happen in so many minds, cycles were tricky like that, promoted to be broken, but never as easily as suggested.

That was until you made it easy. You pulled him to your chest and toyed with his hair, skin drying from the bath and voice speaking all the truths he needed to hear into existence. It seemed as if the path he was supposedly destined to be on crumbled before him. He didn’t actively choose to be different, be good, be better, there simply was never the option to be bad once he realized he loved you.

Even now, unable to find you, fear trickling into his stilled heart, there was no anger bruising his soul. The thought of losing you hurt, more than any adjective could place, but it’s a wallowing kind of hurt, the cold grief stricken kind that doesn’t ignite hellfire, but tears. Adrian hadn’t even realized his eyes were brimming with them until your voice carried, a small shout followed by a laugh. His head all, but snapped up, focusing on it and soon he was in the doorway, a sense of calm replacing the creeping anxiety as he found you atop a desk, trying to place a box onto one of the many shelves in this study. The study you had claimed as your own, in love with the large circular window that overlooked the forest instead of the crumbling estate. You didn’t fear the Belmont’s as many had, but rather didn’t find the appeal in staring at a pile of wreckage.

A huff of amusement echoed in the back of his throat when you’d said that casually over dinner, coming to regret the statement when it was passed onto Trevor the next time he visited. Amusement almost laced his mind now as he watched you for a moment, you shoved the box a few times, its contents rattling as you were just a bit too short to rest it securely. He contemplated offering his help, but sure calling attention to himself would startle you, the box likely to fall.

Instead he moved swiftly, behind you in a half a breath and reaching over your shoulders to push the box the rest of the way. You still startled, jumping with a small gasp, your arms dropping back down. You both stood there for a moment, your back rising and falling against his lean chest, his arm slipped to his side, fingers brushing yours as he did. You glanced over your shoulder at him as he climbed down from atop the desks surface. You smiled as he extended a hand to help you, palm face up. He guided you to step onto the chair before settling on the floor, fingers shifting to interlace with his as you pulled him close, chests bumping. “Good morning beloved.” You hummed.

“I believe it’s past noon.” He commented, earning an eye roll.

“Well then good afternoon.”

“No beloved?”

“You’re being quite the tease for someone who’s slept in���leaving me to my own devices this morning.”

“I can see that didn’t go too well.”

You feigned offence, both hands now in Adrian’s as you stepped back, a mix of a gasp and scoff falling from your lips.

“Someone’s in a mood.” He contemplated the statement, drawing you back in with a light pull in his direction. It used to be alarming how easy it was to get you close, how you didn’t shy away, how you were ready to feel him as long as he’d let you. Your chests bumped again, your hands sliding up his arms and around his neck. “And don’t say its because you woke up alone.”

“Hm.”

“Ah, I know you too well. That means you owe me a kiss.”

“It does?”

“Of course, my intelligence deserves a reward, no?” A grin flickered over his face, fangs flashing as he let his slender arms wrap around your frame, one hand resting between your shoulders blades—urging you even closer, your head tilted and lips meeting his slowly.

“Everything you do deserves a kiss.” He sighed, breath fanning over your face.

“Maybe I’ll hold you to that.”

“I don’t object.”

“Good.” You kissed him again, this time a little harder, a bit more than a greeting. Your fingers curled minimally in his hair, tongue swiping against his bottom lip, a silent ask of permission. He granted it with ease, tasting the berries on your tongue and inhaling the warmth of cinnamon radiating from you. Maybe you had been baking again, he wondered momentarily, lips still moving against yours. You pulled away first, chest rising and falling visibly as you let another smile warm over your features. He was almost a little dazed looking at you, barely noting the strands of hair that fell over his face, your fingers quick to tuck them back behind his ear. “Your hairs messy.” You commented, holding his face in your hands as you leaned back, taking him in. Your smile shifted into something curious, brows pulled inward as your gaze flickered across his face. You studied him, the gears in your brain churning out questions you already had the answer too. “Did you think I’d gone? When you woke up?”

You did know him, far too well.

“For a moment, yes.” He had learned it was better not to lie to you, to hide things at times, yes, but to outright lie left a bitter taste in his mouth (and you’d always figure it out anyways).

“Well I’m sorry for worrying you my love, if I had left the grounds I would’ve written a note, or woken you up even, but I didn’t think about doing that if I wasn’t far.” You explained, eyes full of sincerity. It was so human, something he mimicked, but never obtained in the same way you did.

He nodded at your words, forehead resting on yours.

“But is that not it?”

“What?” He recoiled slightly, unable to hide the surprise that found its way onto his face.

You did know him far too well that this had to be magic, you had to have read his mind and understood something deeper. He still found himself alarmed at this moment, your ability to read him surpassed even that of his mother.

“There’s something else isn’t there? You’re upset about something else.”

“I’m not upset—“

“Adrian,” You warned, his mouth snapped shut, “Please don’t lie to me.” He relented, his shoulders tight with defence dropped as your thumb brushed over the porcelain of his cheek. “But we can talk about this later. Okay?” You knew when to push and when to pull and when to give in to him just as he needed. You smiled up at him, nose nudging his affectionately. Love dripped through your words and danced in the corners of your eyes

Yes, later is fine. Right now he needed to be held.

You let your fingers slip into his hair, toying with it, nails kindly swirling against his skull. You were good at soothing him, words, actions, everything. It all calmed the choppy waters that stirred beneath his rib cage and he melted into you. Adrian let his eyes fall closed as you pulled him into a hug, one hand still tangled in his hair while the other wrapped as best it could almost the expanse of his shoulders. He let his arms hang limp, nose pressing into the side of your neck as he breathed you in. Taking in your scent, not where it hung in the stale castle air, how it lingered on door knobs to forgotten rooms you likely tried to open or dwelled on the various pots and pans.

He took you in from the source, your perfume and rainwater from the previous night washed over his senses, along with that still confusing note of cinnamon. Maybe he’d bring it up later, but for now he wanted to love in the safety of your arms.

[theouterbankpogues]

after sarah doesn’t invite kiara to her birthday party (a jj x kiara fic)

author : theouterbankpogues aka vi

fandom : jj x kie, jiara | outer banks on netflix

tags : the angst, the fluff, the hurt, the comfort y’know!!

warnings : none

i love writing for this ship bc it has a chokehold on me and i just... i’m so helpless lmao. i read this hc set by @lemon-patches​ (which you should definitely go and read bc it’s amazing and all the feelings) and it talked about how jj and ki were each other’s first kiss and no one else knows. this is basically how i imagine it happened. enjoy!! as always the validation feeds me so yeah if you like it pls share it and stuff (i love reading tags on reblogs so lmao do with that what u will). i imagine they are 15/16, about 6-8 months before s1 idk if that adds up but lol thats what i went with. sorry for any errors u may find xx

a little preview so u know what you’re getting into hehe: “They stood like that for a while, long and quiet breaths synced, arms entangled in waist and shoulders, hearts rhythmically beating, just enjoying the warmth of the best friend they dearly missed.”

Tears streamed down Kiara’s face. She knew that calling the cops was petty, she knew it was the worst of her manifesting itself, but tonight Ki couldn’t bring herself to care. She found herself toppling some books off of her bookshelf. She had always known that she wasn’t good enough for Sarah. The Sarah Cameron. God, she felt so stupid.

Another wave of regret coursed through her. The pit of her stomach hollowed when she re-remembered that she’d actually listened to her parents and decided to give her kook year a genuine try. She had distanced herself from the cut and the pogues, her best friends, the people that she could always count on, the people who always cared. She gave it all up for the superficial bullshit she knew would eventually fall apart.

That entire evening, the anger and regret approached her in harsh and unforgiving turns. She couldn’t escape her own thoughts, she was so mad at herself. She had let herself become vulnerable, given herself up for someone to use and dispose. She felt so weak. All she really wanted to do was fit in, to have a normal year where she wasn’t disappointing her parents, where she wasn’t out at unreasonable hours getting her friends out of messes, watching their string of luck grow thinner and thinner with every prank and practical joke. She was tired of being the middle between the kooks and pogues, she loved the latter and she could’t escape the part of her that was the former. She just wanted to resign to one side, she just wanted things to get easier. Kiara had decided to leave everything for some peace of mind, and now she knew she’d made a mistake. She hadn’t even checked in with John B, his dad was missing and she hadn’t even checked in with him. God, she felt so stupid. Her sobs overtook her as she sat at her bed.

She was so exhausted from the crying she could scream, it had been a few long hours. And Ki, in a moment of clarity, convinced herself that she was too strong for that. Even though she felt horrible, she reminded herself that she was too careful to let this anger get the best of her. Instead, she resorted to taking a few deep breaths and cleaning up the various books and stationary strewn across her bedroom floor as a remnant of her anger. What had happened had happened, she was just going to have to figure out how to cope on her own.

Yeah, I just have to figure it out on my own. I’ll be fine.

That’s when she heard it.

Thud.

Thud. Thud.

Thud.

‘What the-’

She realised that the sound was coming from her window. Stepping toward the side of her room facing the balcony, she realised that pebbles were currently being thrown at her window by a silhouette below it. She couldn’t tell who it was because the backdoor lights had been switched off for the night. It was well past midnight and her parents were soundly sleeping in the next room, she swore she would never forgive the person currently trying to break her window if they woke up. She didn’t want anyone to see her as the mess she was right now. So as quickly and as safely as Kiara could, she opened the balcony window, “What the actual— JJ? JJ is that you?” Kiara couldn’t really understand what was going on, she had stopped talking to the pogues months ago.

“Yeah, hey Ki! Come down!”

“What?”

“You heard me bro, get dressed and come down!”

After a curt nod, she went back into her room, changed out of her PJ’s into some joggers and a hoodie and found herself sneaking out the back door out of genuine curiosity. When she was outside, she realised that neither Pope nor John B were with JJ. Along with that, she realised that he had two boxes of pizza and some beer cans set down on the grass next to him.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“I was scrolling through Instagram, realised you weren’t at the party, thought you might need a pick me up,” He seemed to register her tired face and puffy eyes under the dim starlight because he continued, “guess I was right!”

And that’s how, twenty minutes later, JJ and Ki found themselves in a clearing near her house. They sat down opposite each other, the pizza boxes separating them.

“Got your favourite, double cheese, double pepperoni and half the jalapeño.”

Except for the occasional direction here and there, Ki had been quite their entire walk. She couldn’t really even process what was happening. How was JJ here? Why was he talking to her after she’d treated them him like shit the past few months? None of it made sense to her, least of all why this was all from JJ. With all of it perplexing her, the only thing she managed to say was, “You remembered.”

‘Yeah of course I did Ki, just because you stopped talking to us doesn’t mean we stopped caring about you. Come on, dig in, it’s getting cold.”

She didn’t know how to respond to him so she just followed him in picking up a slice from the box. Warm pizza , cold beer and melted cheese heavily complemented the gentle breeze that surrounded them. They fell into a comfortable silence as they ate.

“I’m so sorry.”

“I know Ki-”

“No, everything I did these past few months, the way I cut you guys off, the way I left y’all when you needed me I-”

“Ki we know-”

“God, I’ve been so stupid, I left you guys, like y’all were nothing, y’all needed me and I-”

“Ki, Ki-” Ki just continued, she felt horrible, “KIARA!” JJ saying her full name was so foreign to her, especially since he hadn’t even call her by her nickname these past few months, it undoubtably got her to stop talking.

“I know the pressure your parents put on you to start at that kook academy. Look we all know how hard it is for you to manage these two parts of your life. I know Ki, you don’t have to keep apologising, I know. We know! Why do you think we didn’t try to talk to you when you told us last summer? We want you to do what’s best for you Ki, you are better than us.” At that, Kiara got up and paced back and forth a few steps, remorse hitting her unbearably. 

“I’m not better than any of you. A part of me wanted to leave you all behind.”

JJ’s response was almost instantaneous, “I don’t blame you for it!”

“Well you should! I left you and Pope. I left John B for god’s sake. His dad is most probably dead and I wasn’t theRE.... I-I’m not there.”

At this point the tears had returned to her and she broke on her last word. Her voice wasn’t steady anymore. “I left all of you... I left you.”

JJ couldn’t stand hearing Ki like this, there’s nothing he hated more than having to let down his guard and get real. But JJ, when she said that, realised that this wasn’t about him. 

“Yeah Ki you did, but fuck that. We know you love us, we know that it was a difficult call! You have to forgive yourself. The reason I came tonight was to let you know that you have the people that care about you Ki.”

He stepped toward her and looked her right in the eye, Ki had never seen someone so determined with compassion before, “Whatever you do Ki - if you wanna go to the kook academy, if you wanna be friends with Sarah Cameron, if you wanna cry about how horribly she treated you, if you wanna listen to your parents and not talk to us, if you wanna leave the cut- we’re never not going to have your back. You’re a pogue. You’re our pogue! And if Sarah Cameron can’t see how kickass you are, she doesn’t deserve you and she never did. You got us Ki, we’re always right here. No matter what.”

And throughout all of that, he hadn’t stopped looking directly at her. She was enamoured to say the least, she couldn’t remember the last time JJ talked about something that real, let alone carry an entire conversation himself. Knowing her words wouldn’t suffice, she hugged him. She smelt the sea salt in his hair and pizza grease on his shirt and it was the epitome of comfort to her. JJ hugged her right back, it meant the world to him that he could make her feel at least a bit better. They stood like that for a while, long and quiet breaths synced, arms entangled in waist and shoulders, hearts rhythmically beating, just enjoying the warmth of the best friend they dearly missed. 

Before they could completely untangle from the other, Ki looked back at JJ, god, how did she get so lucky to have someone like him in her life? The air lightened around them as she looked at him, his eyes regained the mischievous glint they always had. It might’ve been because she was slightly tipsy, or because he was staring so intently at her, but for some reason, it felt right. There was no waiting or thinking, she rested her hands on either side of JJ’s face and kissed him. His lips were chapped and they tasted like beer but she loved it. A rush of adrenaline ran through her, it was new and exciting. 

When JJ processed her soft lips on his, and her hands caressing his face, he pulled back. Along with confusion and surprise, there was something in his eyes that Ki couldn’t recognise. But before she decided on asking him what it was about, he was already kissing her again. 

And this time there seemed to be nothing holding him back. His hands were wrapped around her waist, she was grabbing fistfuls of his hair in reciprocation. They knew that they would never be able to do it again so they just gave in. His hands travelled to the small of her back and her neck and she swore that she had never felt something more intoxicating. 

Ki had forgotten where they even were when they broke for air. They were both just breathing, eyes closed and foreheads touching, it was the closest thing to perfect the either of them had ever felt.

When they opened their eyes and looked back at one and other, they were surprised at how comfortable it felt. How... un-awkward, it oddly felt right. But they knew what the rules were, they knew that when Ki got home, they would never talk about it again, and they were fine with that too.

As they approached her doorstep, JJ couldn’t help himself but ask, “Was that your first-” “Yeah.” “Yeah, mine too.” “What?” Kie thought he was joking, JJ had flirted with every other tourist at the boneyard since they were like ten, “Mine, too.” He repeated. There was an honesty to his response that stopped Ki from asking any further. 

She hugged him again. “Thank you for this. I missed you.” He hugged her right back.

“I missed you too. When you come back to us, more beer will be waiting for you no questions asked, don’t ever doubt it.” With that, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and left. 

Ki had a small smile playing on her lips; she had never felt lighter in her life. 

[ljandersen]

Heart to Heart

Pairing:  FemShep/Kaidan Alenko, ME-3 Word Count:  2300 Summary:  Kaidan shares how his father looped him into joining the Alliance.

____________________________

Shepard gazed up at Kaidan.  He stroked her hair idly, his eyes fixed on the observation window.  She was starting to feel sleepy again.  Her heart beat slow and hard to the rhythmic brush of his fingertips on her temple.  With her head on Kaidan’s lap and the stars glittering before them, it couldn’t get more peaceful on a military vessel.  But time was ticking down.  Each breath was one less separating Now from the End.  There was so much more she wanted to do with him.  To know.  She was wasting time dozing and not finding out.  Shepard sat up abruptly.

“You all right?” he asked.

“What did you want to be when you grew up?”

“What?”

“We ever end up on a couples’ game show, I need to know the basics.”  Shepard twisted to face him and folded her legs on the bench.   “Don’t hold out on me.  What did you want to be?”

“What did you want to be?”

“Make me go first, huh?”  Shepard pulled his hand into her lap.  “ Fine.  What did I want to be when I grew up?  Well, not a farmer.  Not a biologist or ecosystem engineer.”  Shepard ran her thumb nail along the side of Kaidan’s finger.  “I didn’t know what I wanted to be.  I only knew I wanted to be in charge.”

Kaidan’s smile stretched.  “Had your calling young.”

“Ha, yeah, I guess.”  Shepard considered the idea.  “When I think about it, I could have gone a lot of different ways.  Could have ended up commanding a ship of pirates or smugglers, being in charge of a team of Terminus System mercs.  Who knows?  But instead, fate put me on the straight and narrow.”

“Fate?  Or you realized the good you could do by joining the Alliance?”

“You know something,” Shepard said.  “When I saw the Alliance fight on Mindoir, I wanted to fight alongside them.  I knew right then.  I had this feeling, I should be a part of it.  I thought it was so I could make the bastards pay who did things like that.  But I was wrong.  It wasn’t about that.  It was so I could be the one who got there sooner than help came for me.  It was about helping the helpless, not killing the worthless.  I wanted my family back.  Wanted what happened to them to mean something bigger by my actions going forward.  But it wasn’t dealing death like I thought, it was saving life.  That gave meaning to it.  Gave me meaning.”

Kaidan touched her cheek.  “Shepard, your family would be amazed what you’ve done.  You’ve made them proud a hundred times over.”

Shepard’s lips tickled with the beginning of a smile.  She kissed her palm.  

“What about you?” she said.  “Your dad was military.  This is what you always wanted to do?”

“After what happened at Brain Camp?  No.”  Kaidan’s fingertips traced down her jaw.  He covered their hands with his palm again.  “I always liked tech.  I majored in engineering at the university in Vancouver.  I think I’ve told you that.”

“Engineer Alenko?”  Shepard cocked her head with a soft smile.  “You wanted to map power grids and design Omni-Tools?”

“Something a little more exotic maybe.  Off world.  There were companies that contracted all over space, colonies or urban worlds.  Variety of tech systems, challenging, a lot of movement and chance to see things.  Opportunities to be on the edge of the unknown connecting comm systems and terra forming energy platforms.”

“Not a bad gig.”

“I didn’t think so.  The right company, I could be working with interspecies engineers, learning with new technologies, applying outside ideas.  See the galaxy, the cultures, the worlds.”

“Then what happened?”

“Well …”  Kaidan drew his hands away and fidgeted with the boot propped on his knee.  “After Jump Zero and everything that happened, you can probably guess.  I didn’t know what to do with that part of myself.  I wanted to be normal.  I enrolled in the engineering program at VU.  As students failed and dropped out of the program, the ones of us who pulled through became close.  By the third year, we left the engineering dorms.  We roomed together in a large house on the edge of campus.  We studied together, went out together.  I even stayed with some of their families.”

Kaidan rolled the boot lace between his fingertips.  Shepard shifted on the bench and waited.

“And?” she prompted softly.

Kaidan hesitated but met her eyes.  “The summer after our third year, there was an applied internship program.  Prestigious, competitive.  Teams submitted grant applications and project binders.  GPA, extracurriculars, interviews.  Our team was one of the teams selected.  There were ten of us working on the project proposal.  We all moved to Boston for the summer and first part of the fourth semester.”

“Something went wrong with your project?”

“No.”  Kaidan chewed the corner of his lip then sighed.  “Four months into the internship in Boston, I was at the lab.  We all were.  We were starting to get into the software application, running tests, joking around.  I can’t even remember.  Men showed up for me.”

“Men?”

Kaidan leaned an elbow on the back of the bench and touched his forehead.  “I forgot to register.  Forgot to inform the Bureau I changed residences, left the BC area.  The Biotic Registration Bureau had tracked me down.  They showed up at the lab since they didn’t know where I was staying.”

“They made a scene?” Shepard ventured.

“They were polite enough, I guess.”  Kaidan eyed her for a moment, then sat up straight.  He cleared his throat.  “You see, I had never told anyone.  Told anyone I was a biotic.  Maybe they could have recognized it if they knew anything about biotics, but you know how it was, it was new.  I’d never met another biotic myself outside of Brain Camp.  It was rare, unknown, stigmatized.  I just wanted to be normal.  I felt like it shouldn’t matter.  I didn’t use my biotics.  I had good control, never flared.  It was like they didn’t exist, at least, from the outside.  Maybe I was in denial or caught up in being what I wanted to be instead of what I was, but either way, the result was the same.  The Biotics Registration Bureau showed up for me.  My friends, my best friends I’d done everything with for three years, they were shocked.”

Shepard reached over and gripped his forearm.  “They turned their back on you?  Because you were a biotic?” 

“They turned their backs on me, but not because I was a biotic.  What they might have thought of me being a biotic, I’ll never know.  I never gave them a chance to find out.  They rejected me, not because I was a biotic, but because for three years I never told them.”

“You weren’t lying.”

“Yeah, but I wasn’t telling the truth either.  We finished the project.  After the internship, I finished the fourth year by myself.  I saw them in class, but there wasn’t any going back.”

“You dropped out?”

“No,” Kaidan said sharply.  “Of course not.  I finished my degree.”

“But your plans to join a galactic tech company?”

“That last semester changed a lot of things.  My dad …” Kaidan grinned at the floor.  “My dad never quite gave up on the military angle.  More than his own experience, I think he knew what I couldn’t accept: that it was a place where my being different wasn’t a liability but an asset.  Where this part of myself I wanted to leave behind could actually be used for something good instead of just alienating me, scaring or hurting people.  I think he knew it was the best path for me to accept myself, even be proud of it.  I could belong somewhere, find meaning, help people, see the galaxy.  Really, in a lot of ways, the perfect fit.”

“Your dad brought it up to you again?”

“He’d never stopped, but that last semester he knew I was struggling.  I think he knew all his talk about the Alliance only made me dig my heels deeper.  I had said ‘no’ so long, it was almost on principal then.”  Kaidan laughed and rubbed his forehead.  “There was a chink in my armor now though.  I’d lost everything I thought I’d made since Jump Zero.  I felt lost again.

“My dad had a spur-of-the-moment errand with an Alliance chum one morning.  He’d picked me up from campus, a holiday or something.  I was already strapped in when he told me.  I swear he waited for the click of the seatbelt, then it was, ‘Oh, I just remembered.  Told Chisholm I’d drop by with his book while he’s in town training the incoming officers.’  We could both see through the story.  He knew I knew, but we just pretended.  I turned on my Omni-Tool and said, ‘Whatever.  Just roll a window down for me and don’t take forever.’”

Shepard chuckled and flicked his shoulder.  “Your stubborn streak is well worn, I see.”

“Went pretty deep.”  Kaidan laughed.  “But, uh, I think I come by it naturally.  My dad must have known what I’d say.  He said he had to return a book, but when we got to the academy, all of a sudden it was books.  Not two books or three books, boxes of books.  Five or six boxes stacked to the top.  I remember just standing there with the hatch up and muttering, ‘What the hell?’  I even started digging down and reading titles to make sure it wasn’t filler.  I expected to see my mom’s old harlequins or something else off the shelf from home, but it was all military-related.  He couldn’t haul in six boxes of books by himself, so I helped him.  Conveniently, we took a very winding and slow path to Chisholm’s classroom.  Dad kept pointing out different areas.  I kept saying, ‘Are we going in circles?  I’ve seen that plant before.’”

“And when you reached your dad’s friend?”

“What do you know, he’s in the middle of an applied skills class for sentinels.  Up to that moment, I didn’t even know sentinels existed, a fusion of tech and biotics.  I stood against the wall, sighed, and looked around a lot.  I shifted the boxes in my arms and checked the time.  But I didn’t forget what I saw.  Dad was ready with all sorts of scripted ‘off-the-cuff’ questions for Chisholm about his teaching, the officer’s academy, sentinels, biotics.  Dad introduced us.”

Shepard beamed at him.  “Got over your stubbornness?”

“Yeah, I mean, I took my time about it.  Couldn’t fold right away.  I looked into it, networked, met with some other biotic officers.  I swore Captain Chisholm to secrecy.  He agreed not to tell my dad, but let me audit a week of his classes.  Later, do you know what Chisholm told me?”

“What?”

“He said that morning, the morning I was picked up, my dad showed up to borrow Chisholm’s books.  He took the whole bookcase worth.  Even had a student haul it to the skycar with him.  That was 0900.  Then he picked me up at 0930.  We brought them straight back.  After I found that out, I didn’t feel nearly as bad taking my time.  When I had my paperwork in order, just needed to push the button, I went home for the weekend to tell him.”

“Your dad was probably thrilled.”

Kaidan grinned.  “I set down my bag, and Mom gave me a big hug.  When she stepped back, she asked if I’d heard back from the recruiter, then she slapped a hand over her mouth.  Turns out, Dad knew what I was doing the whole time.  I would have been mad, but I could see what it meant to him.  I was so fixated on avoiding an ‘I told you so’ and making clear it was my own decision, I never thought about it just making him proud.  He broke out the expensive whiskey from the top shelf.  Then we sat on the balcony, drank, and talked a long time.  

“A lot of things changed from that point out for me.  One of those things was with my dad.  Up to then, I was a kid.  An adult, but a kid in a lot of ways.  After I joined, things were different.  He was still my dad, of course.  I looked up to him, respected what he had to say, but we were friends too.  More equal footing.  I went from fighting him and trying to prove myself, to appreciating his advice.  I wanted his advice.  He could see what was better for me sometimes than I could see for myself.  Everything with the Alliance proved that.”

Air thickened in Shepard’s throat.  “I’m sorry he’s MIA, Kaidan.”

“I’m sorry about your family, too, Shepard.”

She fell forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.  He brushed the hair back from her face and kissed her lips.  She crawled over him.  He pulled back from the kiss with a tense laugh and looked over at the door.

“It’s almost morning, you know,” he said.

“Come upstairs with me.”  Shepard tugged him to his feet.  “You said you’re exactly where you want to be, right?”

“With you.” 

“I’m exactly where I want to be too.”  She grabbed his face with both hands.  “With you.  I don’t want your family ever reading those letters, but I’m glad you’re with me.  I need someone making me eggs.  You’re my best friend, Kaidan.  More than a best friend.  More than anyone’s ever been to me.”

Kaidan’s breath sharpened.  “You’re that for me too.  Always.”

“Always.”  Shepard pecked his lips.

They burst out of the lounge and shot to the elevator.

From “About Mars:”  AO3 and FFN

[peachyteabuck]

saints can’t help me now

summary:  I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. Kings give their power and authority to the beast, and those who are with him are the called and chosen and faithful. 

pairing: forest god!thor x reader

words: 4,642

trigger warnings: dub con, attempted sexual assault, vague biblical allusions that seem quite out of place in such a pagan context

notes/other: this was done for @darkficsyouneveraskedfor ‘s in the dark challenge + my prompt was “shh, it’s okay. it’ll only hurt a little.” this is also a part of @spacelabrathor‘s forest god anthology bc te amo forest god thor.

ask box / masterlist / commission info / ko-fi

There are drops of truth in every legend, however flimsy or warped. A lie doesn’t come from nowhere, lore isn’t rolled off tongues without pretext. Little children don’t lie in their sleep, in the middle of the night; they don’t lie without purpose (or the illusion of one). Behind every threat is certainty, behind every falseness a reality.

You’re smart enough to understand this, to trace the oaks back to their roots. When a villager begged for refuge from a storm and whispered to you to heed warning about some deity that had been cast away from his throne, you listened – and never traveled too deep into the deep woods. Gods are never meant to roam such an unholy place as this, which its ravenous terrain and its isolating nature and its punishing climate. Gods prefer the busy cities, the lovelier farms, perhaps even their own homes on a planet you don’t know of. An almighty being? In a space such as this? You merely laugh at the thought. Such an image is not one that inspires hope or wisdom or rebirth, rather one of a spirit thrown from its rightful place, rightful palace. Such a spirit would be vengeful, vindictive, deceitful, despiteful, unprincipled, unforgiving.

When a merchant took your money and told you of a divine man who hunted without care, you listened – and kept your cat in whenever the sun was not at her highest. Woodland creatures you rehabilitated and travelers looking for rest were sequestered within your walls until you felt it was safe. If you had to leave your home (as you often did) you refused to travel alone, preferring to starve than die at the hands of some ruthless beast. The light of day, the heat from a fire, the illumination from a torch – you trusted it all to keep you from a harm you felt was preventable.

When a fortune teller read your cards and spoke of a demiurge who threatened the peace of your home, you listened – and used every moment of every step as a way to prevent conflict. You gave what you could of whichever soul asked for it, you never disturbed the ground, you kept to yourself. Your voice remained undersized, your movements diminutive. A camp four miles away called you wee, the fortune teller called you cautious, you called it survival.

But none of that, nothing you had done or prepared or pushed to the forefront of your mind seemed to matter as you were being chased through the thickest set of trees you’d ever seen by a pack of wolves (werewolves, no less) who had spotted a way to broaden their gene pool and stalked you til dusk. Each press of your bare feet to the hardened ground forced bits of bark and bone into the callous flesh; normally you’d wail at such anguish, but the blood pumping in your ears drowns out any of your nerve’s attempts at reaching your bran. While you wince at each point of contact, the pain never seems to come.

From behind you their howls of laughter hit the trees and then your eardrums, a reminder that for them this is a game. Their idea of said game going poorly is if they do not catch you, if they cannot drag you back to their settlement as a token of their hard work.

It seems as quickly as your hunt for food had gone sour you’re plucked from the freezing ground and tossed into a barren field, slammed into the ground as your shoulders continue to rise and while your heart continues to beat at a rabbit’s pace, your eyes moving faster than the organ as they take in the scene in front of them.

Your thoughts are quick, like the blood in your veins.

Rolling hills. Crops. Yellow Crops. Deep yellow crops. Corn? Dead crops. Still cold. No snow. Yes ice. Stones, under you. Small stones. Broken stones. Bad dirt. Bad crops. Bad yield. No settlements. Sky dark. Feet hurt. Still cold. Feet really hurt.

The distinct sound of a boot digging into the ground makes you turn around, knife in your corset drawn with a shaking, aching hand.

In front of you, a man. A man in shoes meant for winter. A man dressed in dark clothes. A man with a large chest that rises slowly, slowling, slower. A man with golden skin, as deep as the flora around you. long, dirty beard. A man with long, dirty hair. A man with a set of horns that curl like a ram but peak like the blade in your palm. A man who towers over you. A man who looks less like a man as your eyes focus, but his form doesn’t become clearer.

The man is the first to speak, his lips thick and turned up into a sinister looking smile.

“What’s a little thing like you strolling alone in these woods?” His voice flows like honey with each step of gravel as he circles you. You’ve seen vultures spot prey with less purpose as his gruff laughs bring thick clouds of condensation, which fill the air between you and him. “Big, mean wolves prowl these very woods, looking for cute little things like you to prey on.”

You try to swallow what little spit remains in your dry mouth, but it seems the only thing in your throat is a thick knot of fear. Stuck in place from terror alone, each cell that makes up your body is more frozen than the ice hanging from the bare branches above you.

“I- “you’re momentarily distracted by a twig snapping in the distance. “I’m not that small!” The man (if he even is a man) laughs, loud enough to make you flinch (of course that’s all I can do, you curse yourself. Can’t run away, but can flinch at some fucking laughter.) “In these forests you are. You’re a pretty little toy for all the packs that try to stake their claim here. It’s useless, they’ll never succeed, but that sure doesn’t stop them from trying.”

Your heart beats faster than you’ve ever felt before, each painful expansion of your ribcage syncing with the blood pounding in your ears. “Wh-what happened to them?” He cocks an eyebrow. “What happened to who?”

You speak again, a little louder. “What happened to the packs, why haven’t they laid claim to this territory?”

His broad chest shakes as he chuckles at your insolence. “Because I already have.”

Your heart quickens again. “But you’re only one man,” another twig snap, another sound ignored as a different kind of fear rises in your abdomen. “How can you overpower those powerful packs, they’ve formed a coalition – the village hasn’t stopped talking about it – there’s at least a hundred of them altogether, I-”

An answer comes after a beat of heavy silence, though the tension of waiting seems better than the truth that comes all too quickly. “Because yappy puppies can’t usurp a god,” he hisses.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Fuck.

Thor, the god you’ve been petrified of since you were a child, has been the guard of this forest and everything in it for a millennium. In like fashion to other sprawling hills and tall trees, he beckons in the seasons and calms the bears into hibernation and tells the snow when to melt. Thor is the life of the forest, attuned to the air every living breathes day in and day out. Yet he’s incomparable to his benevolent siblings, hungrier and more desperate and willing to throw away his duties to sink his jowls into anything unpardonable. This god is jaded, exhausted of the mind-numbing monotonous work of running the home of so many creatures; like knife dropped in the dirt, he threatens even the ones who step careful as marksmen watch their targets.

For a few moments you think your mouth will release a quip, a sarcastic response that would get you killed, or worse. Somehow your lips stay still, warming as each pant releases hot, white puffs into the cold night air.

There’s fear in your eyes and it permeates the air around you. The god’s nostrils flare as the pheromones hit his nose.  In a far corner of your brain you wonder what it smells like – such a strong emotion. Is it thick and sweet? Does it coat his tongue the same of when you bake fresh bread? Or is it deep and revolting – the smell of one’s soul decomposing before the corresponding body’s gone cold.

He steps closer.

You wince. “Please- “

He laughs like he’s watched a child fall to the ground in a field. “What? Are you scared?”

The word leaves his lips much slower than the others, like thick syrup in his mouth. Guess your fear is a much sweeter scent than expected.

“Should I not be?” The defiance in your voice comes like the wolf that bursts through the thinning trees behind you.

With the air knocked out of your lungs and each muscle stunned into inertness, there’s not much you can do but watch the god as you’re dragged away while two wolves trail behind you.

The grey sunlight fades as the flora becomes thicker, and for a hundred or so yards you feel as if your life is crumbling around you. But soon with the shadows from the trees comes the realization of familiarity.

Their faces – their snouts, eyes, ears, fur – they’re one you’d seen before. They’re the same ones from the small fairy circle down the way from your cabin, where you’d been trying to find something to eat besides dry mint leaves and crunchy bread.

These aren’t the wolves from the coalition near the village, these aren’t those nasty wolves who steal and plunder and take without end, these aren’t the wolves who chased you into the arms of the god who previously stood before you.

This is something worse…so much worse.

You’ve housed some of them, their yellow eyes and pink snouts have been fixtures of your spare room – you’ve stitched their paws and rubbed salve into their poison ivy rashes and brushed matts from their thick fur.

As one of them jumps on top of you – one you recognize from the scar you’d helped heal after a hawk had attempted to take out his eye – you can feel another pry your arms flat above you and two others hold your legs apart.

His long, wet tongue traces from your shoulder to your temple, his snout breathing hot air onto your feverish skin.

“I’ve been waiting to do this,” his voice is muffled, as if you’re talking to a person resting at the bottom of the sea. “Oh, I’ve been waiting to do this since I saw you and your brow furrowed with worry at that wound the wicked bird left upon me.”

He nudges under your jaw, grazing his sharp teeth across the fragile skin above your jugular as he pants.

If your hands were free, if your lips could move, you’d push him away and call him some mutt in heat, spit in his face and kick him away and run until you could not see the wretched creatures and they could not see you and the distance would make you forget everything that had and would happen and you never would have to think of their paws clawing at your body again and…

And…

“Stay the fuck away from her,” the god from before snarls from behind his teeth. The wolves, now thrown more than a hundred yards away from you, are nearly frozen in fear and realization that their plan has taken a toll for the worst. Your hands dig into the earth in an attempt to gain footing, but you can barely hold yourself up on your elbow as your vision spins. “If I find you again I will rip your heart from your thoracic cavity and leave you all to be found by the rest of your pitiful kind, do you understand?”

The wolves do not nod, but they also do not stay. Within an instant, you find yourself blessedly alone and then cursedly close to the very thing you fear the most.

“Why don’t I take you back home?” Thor whispers, watchful as you finally pick yourself up from the mud and moss. Bits of twigs and leaves and crushed bugs litter the light fabric, but you make no effort to remove it from your person – none of that matters when he locks eyes with you, blown pupils glittering with something you can’t place.

Still, with chest heaving and hands shaking, you lead him back to your homestead.

It’s not a long trek through the woods, yet Thor’s breath is audible like a deer sprinting from a pack of canids. You question nothing, though, absolutely nothing as you lead him on the winding, invisible path that leads you less than a stone’s throw away from the entrance.

You don’t say anything as you pull away, not a promise nor gratitude nor acknowledgement of his actions. The silence from you is met with Thor tugging your back to his front and wrapping your arms around you.

“I think you should thank me,” he coos. In the window of your dwelling is your cat, eyes wide in fear as she paces. She knows something is wrong, something bad is happening. But she doesn’t know how to fix it. “For protecting you.”

Some parts of you – maybe a few ribs, the bottom of your spine, your dry mouth – know what he wants. Behind your eyes you see images of you, him, your large bed. Of your small, begotten frame under his large form as he takes what he desires.

Some part of your brain, the logical side, knows you should feel fearful at this massive beast laying you down onto your worn, soft sheets. The other part, though, feels a particular heat flood your center and between your legs.

“And what is it that comprises such appreciation?” you ask, still facing your home as the god lingers behind you. Your breath – already shaky and shallow – hitches as one of his clawed fingers pushes aside your thick hair to expose the smooth skin of your neck. He places such small, light kisses there that for a moment you believe it was simply whispers of wind from the night, but once sharpened teeth graze your heartbeat you’re aware of the affections being his.

“Oh, little pet,” at his words your eyes shut on their own accord, and your bottom lip finds itself between your top and bottom teeth in the same fashion. “We both know what I want.”

You gulp, trying to find verbal footing as he begins to kiss down the back of your neck to the top of your spine. For a moment you try to speak, but it seems with each attempted sentence his hands move closer and closer to undoing the ties that keep your shift from falling off of you.

The god leads you into your home with a large hand pressed into the small of your back, and into your bedroom as if he had been there before, as if he had memorized the hallways in your home from years of spending time there; as if he was some constant fixture of your household.

The yards and yards worth of fabric from blankets and pillows alike have only ever smelled like you; pockets of your pesky familiar here and there maybe, but nothing that cannot be overpowered by a good night’s rest. It’s a comfort after a long day, something familiar and comforting.

As Thor lowers himself onto the edge of your bed you fear the stench of him will never leave you. A candle of doubt in you wonders if this is a bad thing.

With no hardship he pulls you to him, like a suitor inviting a debutante to be a partner in a waltz – though, this feels less like a dance as each second passes, your heavy breathing akin to a kidnapping than some public displays unadulterated affection.

“It’s cold out here in these woods,” he whispers to you. His hot breath sends shivers down your spine as his hands pet over your shaking form. “I must admit, it would be nice to have a toasty little thing like you to help keep me warm in such a chill.”

You shiver, hoping this behemoth does not mean what you think he means. Alas, as he pushes your long, wild hair to the side to expose the tender skin of your neck – your wildest fears bubble to the surface of your flesh. It’s his hands, so calloused they feel like bark, that manhandle you in the gentlest way possible into a position that makes your face burn hotter than a bonfire.

You’re in his lap now, spine pressed to sternum with him towering over you. For a moment you feel safe in his embrace, his larger-than-life stature making you feel like some protected child. It isn’t until he’s tearing at your clothes with a loud rrrrrrrip that you understand how little this creature truly cares for you. Still, it’s hard not to feel like some fragile, blown-glass vase from the village beyond the mountains, where boys with similarly rough, burnt hands create the most beautiful little sculptures you wish you could afford; an object of which is revered and magnificent, but an object of which holds neither agency nor uniqueness to the rest of the pretty things surrounding it.

It doesn’t occur, in that very moment, that there is no way this god would be cold in the thick of winter – not with heat radiating from him akin to your cat’s fur after being warmed by a particularly warm beam of sunlight. But the deity doesn’t have much need for the truth, not when he’s got your soaked cunt free from its increasingly uncomfortable confines and is tracing the slick up and down the lips between your trembling thighs.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he coos like a mother lying to her child while pulling a rose thorn from a tiny, smooth foot. “It’ll only hurt a little"

Thor’s hands are huge already, but now they seem omnipresent as he pets over your form. Part of you – the sensible part, the part that guided you through being banished from your family and made you carve out a piece of this expansive, soul-crushing forest – that wants to, or at least wants to try to, push him away; tell him no, stop, please, I’ll do anything.

But nothing, nothing but desperate whimpers, ones you wish were from displeasure, leave your lips.

“You know, gods can still starve,” you gulp as the short, wiry hair that patterns his jaw rubs against the skin of your neck and shoulders. “The fish from rivers and boars from the deeper parts of my forest quiet the growling in my gut, but there is another hunger I need satiated.”

You remain silent as before, fearful a protest would make your periled situation that much worse for pitiful little you.

He grips between your legs, palm flat against the hottest part of you, his own hand rough against your own silky folds. As you squeak from the contact Thor laughs deep in his broad chest, leaning down to nibble at the edge of your hot ear. “This piece of fruit will do,” you gasp as a single, thick finger enters your dripping heat. “I love a good juicy peach. You’re absolutely dripping for me, aren’t you?”

Again, he is met with silence. Never one to be deterred, he slips another finger into you. “Humans are so cute,” he purrs. “You all think you’re so strong, always fighting wars that never end and death that always comes. It seems the things you can never resist are a good fight, a good fuck,” a pregnant pause fills your bedroom as he crooks his fingers just right, soliciting the desperate whimper he’s wanted since he spotted you in the woods all those hours ago. “And me.”

He fucks his digits in and out you with slow motions, ones that drive you to the brink of madness. You’ve never been one to coo and moan so unabashedly, to let yourself fall apart so easily for someone who holds so much pure power over you. If you weren’t already vulnerable, you would be now – for as assuredly that the sun rises in the East and you wake up soaked in blood every some thirty days, this man, this god will look down on you and understand how little you can do to fend him, his advances, his charm, from your trembling body.

Thor lays down on your sea of blankets, leaving you feeling empty without his touch. A smug look paints his face as he waits for you to climb up his chest, but you do not move, simply peering at him with a heaving chest and feverish cheeks. Your mind wavers, wondering if his horns will tear into the fabric that paints your bed – but you do not have much time for such frivolous thoughts before they are interrupted once again.

“I wasn’t asking,” he tells you pointedly. “Now, come provide me with the sustenance I so desire.”

Sans your dress, moving up the length of his body is relatively easy. As he grips your hips and lowers you down to his mouth you wish you had some sort of obstruction, some reason to resist the god below you.

No such luck. As before, you are unimaginably vulnerable to Thor and his ways.

He begins with light kisses on the inside of your thighs, still tense and desperate to run away. Thor seems to notice this but does nothing to soothe you and your resistance – he understands much better than you how much he holds above your foolish head.

It doesn’t take long for you to forget your plan of escape, the path of freedom dissipating in the pleasure pooling from your scalp to the nailbeds of your toes. This god is nothing if not skilled, wide strokes of his tongue and nips at your innermost thigh and kisses on your sensitive nub soon having you rutting against his face like a dog in heat, like the wolves from before. Your hands try to find purchase in his wild hair, but with the horns in the way it’s easier to wrap your own fingers around the keratin masses than dig your fingernails into the scalp of the man below you.

You wonder if you’d have considered them less such wild beasts if you knew this was the pleasure they were chasing. Would have not run so quickly if you, too, understood the magic building in your core as you balance yourself against the wall your bed leans against. When Thor leaves you, would the animals accept your contrition and give you the same pleasure this god is? Or would you be left to chase a high no mortal could gift you?

It’s trail of thought cut short by him bullying three of his fingers into you as his lips suck at you, your screams filling every empty bit of air in your homestead. As your own yelps of pleasure fill your ears you cannot sort what is babble and what is tongues, what are incoherent syllables and what are pleas to celestial beings to never leave you.

These, too, are soon muffled, Thor making quick work of your mute state to flip you onto your stomach and propping your ass up toward him. “You know,” he says mostly to himself, knowing his words will fall on ears deaf from ringing. “The Christians who pass through my forest often speak of how the original woman was tempted with an apple and I never believed their silly tales.”

He pauses a moment to trace his fingertips up the ridges of your spine before grabbing at the base of your hair. You yelp, but he ignores you.

“But now…” his unoccupied hand comes down to SMACK at your ass, eliciting another squeak. “Now I feel able to comprehend how such a person could be tempted by the prospect of such delicious sin.”

Too far gone to be ashamed now, you push back against him in hopes of reprieve from your suffering. Without much further wait Thor enters you slow and steady, the one hand still in your hair while the other grips your hip. Thor’s bigger, much bigger than your fingers or the occasional drifter, and your walls and scream the unfamiliar girth.

The man behind you does nothing to soothe you, merely hissing into the cold night air. “God, you little witch,” he grunts behind grit teeth. “Maybe it was worthwhile saving you from those wretched wolves.”

Your mouth hangs open and your lips remain mute, your hands grasping at the sheets until they become impossible to open up again. Nothing, not a single sound of yours, bounces form the walls – merely Thor’s loud grunts and the sound of his skin slapping against yours. It isn’t until his fingers release your hair and move to your neglected clit that you begin to sing for him, screams out of tune and sharp but still smooth music to his ears.

“Yes,” he moans, feeling you contract around him. “Yes you temptress, cum on my cock, fuck let me bring you to your peak.”

How could anyone refuse that? Certainly not you, the spell-caster who was saved by this magnificent, sympathetic creature with a heart of gold and pure intentions. The tight coil in your organs releases with a shout from you and a deep groan from Thor, who continues to fuck into you as you collapse and become limp under his touch. He reaches he peak quickly, stilling for a moment before flipping you over again.

You move easily under his touch, dead weight instead of some feisty, feral little lamb with too much fight in her. On your back, he spreads your legs once again, moving to revere your swollen cunt and his thick seed dripping out of you.

It reminds you of when the artists in the villages step back when they’re finished with their works, admiring their handiwork and talent. You recognize that same affection of progress and of a finished piece in Thor’s eyes, the focused, blown pupils trained on the white trailing down to your sheets and the corners of his mouth turning up into a small, satiated smile. He’s some paragon of silent pride, one hand moving up and down your folds before pushing his seed back into you.

“Beautiful,” Thor whispers, kissing where you are most sensitive once more before moving to lay beside you. The world spins around you as he pulls you into his broad chest, his heart thumping dull in the ear pressed to his heaving ribs.

You say nothing to the contrary, succumbing to sleep like a babe after a long feeding.

orThor disappears just as he entered, confidently and without much fuss. You wake up alone, more alone than you did that morning, surrounded by the very scent of him. Somehow, as the sun comes over the horizon, it’s enough.

Over the next few weeks, everything mostly returns to normal. You go through the ebb and flow of your routine; watching over your territory, eyeing the dark of the night each time the wind made the trees move like children listening to songs around a bonfire. Sometimes the swaying calms you as you clutch a cup of mint tea in your trembling hands, but others it mirrors the churning of your stomach.

Tonight, it feels like both. And tonight, you bury your face in the last of him left with you while hoping you never have to see the god again.

[ton-e]

Lol ok so I didn't wanna do aesthetics so I wanna brainstorm possible scenes instead

Ok so the premise is, basically, Viktor, an aspiring kid looking to enter this straining affair of the boxing world. He's young and impressionable and he's got something to say. Something that old underground New York pubs and junior gyms don't provide enough eco for.

Barnes, a big shot star in the 80s, is pretty much known as the best of the best there, holding the impressive score of 34-1. (Tho I don't know if it can count as a victory since he wasn't even there for the fight, anyway) but after a near fatal shooting which happened right before his big championship match with Rollins, a bullet piercing his right shoulder which leads to the amputation of his limb, he dissapears into the shadows. The world moves on.

I like the idea of Barnes being trained by Mary who was in his exact same spot years ago but had to give up her career to have Anthony which she doesn't regret! Between her heart problems and the growing annoyance of public attention, a baby is practically a blessing and if it puts Jarvis and Howie to rest then it's a bonus. (I also kind of like the idea of her having only losing once and it was against Maria lol)

And maybe Viktor goes to her first but, while she does seem fond, like she's looking at an old memory twice, she refuses. "Kid, I'm gonna tell you exactly what I told my old pain in the ass when he stood in your spot: I can't."

"Why?"

"Because us Carbonells train to kill, not fight. Alright, what you think boxing is, - this cookie-cutter bullshit version you kids have today? The civilized conversation, the heavy editing, the contracts promising defenses, - that doesn't mean shit. Apollo Creed had a contract.

Muhammed Ali had a contract. So did Jimmy Doyle, Frankie Cambell, and Brad Connels. A sheet of paper can't protect you from the ring, and I'm not having another kid on my conscience. Besides, these guys? They have purpose. Whether it's money, or sport, or just to chase the high - they have it. You just want the glory."

"Yeah? So what?" So what if he wants to be seen? So what if he's doing all of this hoping to impress? So what if he has to prove he's worth someone's time. "If I die I die. Big deal."

For some reason, he wants to both cry and retaliate at the look of pity that crosses her face. "Go home, kid. You're gonna break your momma's heart." Are his last words to him before she closes the door.

In a Viktor fashion, he does the exact opposite.

He likes the street fighting, - the vibrations under his fists, the crack of his bones, the violent taste of crimson metal blossoming in his mouth, it's liberating. He doesn't think about anything. It's just him and his adversary, not an enemy, just someone seeing him as Viktor sees them. That rush could ruin a man.

It doesn't hurt he's making pocket money on the side, either. Certainly better than watching some snotty kids or mowing laws, in his book.

No, what kind of hurts is seeing the sharp scrutiny in Aleksei's sharp eye and the soft disappointment uncovering Ryurik's Dad Stare when they come pick him up from the station.

He and his mother are alike a lot in that aspect, - really he's pretty sure the five, Sasha and him have had an agreement to collectively throw themselves off a cliff if they disappointed Ryurik in some way. A broken arm, bruised ribs, and black eye? Pale in comparison to what Ryurik's power really holds.

I refuse to believe Aleksei doesn't freely parent other people's kids sksk Aleksei only stops scolding him when a police officer says ''He's going to spend the first part of his life in the streets, and the other in the grave. I put my life on it." Well a certain fashion teacher is gonna design the outfit for your funeral BITCH-

"You're so damn lucky Talusha was busy digging her medicure through someone's intestines right now. Do you even know how bad you look right now? Of the mountain of trouble you're into? Are you? Viktor Iosef Novak, you look at me when I'm talking to you, -"

"Relax, relax, take it down to a two, " Viktor pushes back a laugh watching Ryurik placate his husband bc it's just cute, and ignores the shush river of Russian pet names bc they're not for him to hear. It makes him feel vulnerable tho, that Ryurik feels the need to somehow hold Aleksei back. He can take the heat just fine.

He can take it and give it just as good, because every battle he's been into before has been on his own name. But this is harder because it was never a fight, to begin with.

Fighting is easy. Stopping is harder.

It doesn't stop feeling bad when Sasha bandages his wounds and his back doesn't cool town from the target five pair of eyes fixate on. Yasha's burn the hardest thought. "The fuck you looking at?" He playfully glares, the good part of his shoulder bumping against the other boy's, who tries to small but it lifts with a strain.

"An idiot."

"Are you looking for a mirror?"

"Fuck you, Vitya."

"Hard pass."

"Okay, Viktor you're not getting away that easy, " Ronin says, arms still bound tightly around Antoska's slender shoulders and Sasha's frail middle. Despite his easy going tone, Viktor uncovers the touch of concern underneath. "Why can't you just ask your mom to teach you? Or Papa? I mean, you want to be on a knuckle sandwich diet be my guest, but it's not really good for digestion from what I hear."

"It's not the same. Your father knows another kind of style."

'He doesn't want to learn from mom and uncle Ryurik because she's a girl,' Sasha signes irritably, eyes making an impressive tumble. 'My brother, the 14 year old, making sexist comment. What a never heard of fact.'

"I didn't say that!" He exclaims, flushed. Hissing when Natalia kicks him in the tender bruise he sports on his hip. "I just said, that I want to learn boxing! And that's not the same thing as what Ma does, or you guys do. Boxing is special. But if I can't learn from Barnes specifically, then there's no point!"

The red head huffs in indignation. "Okay, so, boo hoo, some washed-up Rocky Balboa doesn't want to train you. You have options, V. People give up over worse."

He doesn't feel like being home anymore, so he flees, the call outs to his name going ignored. in the street or just outside, he doesn't know. He just knows red follows him, that concrete shakes under the stomp of his heel and that the wetness on his cheeks freezes on his face. No one gets it, no one gets HIM. It hurts, that a part of him, the part that tells him he's worthless and insignificant and forgetful , really does think Barnes has better things to do than train him.

A sleek car, long, vintage, a touch too expensive for the streets he's haunting right now, stops beside him. He continues. It follows him, engines unusually quiet.

"Mr. Novak?" A deep voice, subdued, but persuasive nonethelesss coerces him into stopping. The windows roll down, revealing a man with a smile too friendly to be true and eyes too kind to be nondeceiving. "My name is Alexander Pierce. And I happen to have an irresistible offer."

"It's in the process of extension, " Pierce expresses later, as he leads Viktor through the underground fighting bar. Its practically a huge stadium in a molehill and his mind struggles to compute how Pierce pulled it off. "I'm looking for capable young talents to craft into tomorrow's brightest stars. I'm assuming you've heard of Rumlow before?"

"Crossbones? 23-2? Yeah, I heard. He's currently heavyweight champ, right?" Barnes should have been, he wants to say, but reading the room better he thinks against it. "I don't... Actually think I've seen him around much. Maybe since '98, but that's his most recent match. What's ... Up with that?"

"He's kept that belt around him for closer than two decades. Id say its time for some adjuments in the records, don't you agree?" He doesn't like it when Pierce smiles. Bad things happen when he smiles, of that Viktor is certain. "That being said. I think you could be our following breakthrough. What do you say? I'd love to see a performance. "

"I'd be surprised if you guys had a Juniors league." He snorts, expecting a smart retort, but all he gets is a sinister grin. All of a sudden he's in the ring, without even noticing he was moved, and before him stands a beast of a man, two heads taller and promise of pain in his eyes. "... What juice do you give this kid?"

"You're charismatic. You'll need that in this world. He's your adversary for tonight. I'd suggest an old fashioned glove bump for the sake of sport, but, seeing as you're barehanded id advise against it. "

"You can't do that, " nervousness bubbles in his throat. "That's against the rules. I can't fight like that."

"Oh! Don't worry. You don't have to fight. You just have to die."

--

The last time Rumlow sees Barnes is on a stretcher, arm bathed in blood and with the press around an ambulance.

He doesn't know what they were. Fuck buddies to almost friends to friends with benefits? He doesn't know what he had, but he knows he lost it. All he has is a sheet of paper with scratched blue ink, digits that no longer call, and some gold on leather.

"You should treat that belt with more respect. " Rollins scolds him. Rumlow uses it as feet rest next, and doesn't flinch at the sharp slap he receives. Instead, he smiles mockingly, lower lip sticking out in a tempting pout.

"Hit a bit harder next time and maybe it'll be half close to how Barnes used to do it. Just because it felt good with him doesn't mean you'll receive the same response." The pout slips into a smile that drinks into the frustration sizzling around the air. "Besides, I don't listen to cowards, Jackie. Thought we established that."

"Oh, please. Are you ever going to let that go? I ain't gonna repeat it a thousand times till you get It through that hard head of yours, but I didn't shoot your boy toy."

'' I didn't say you shot him. Pussy like yourself, I'm thinking you hired someone. Why did you do it? Hm? Were you that scared to fight him that you wanted to kill him? Hell, I don't blame you. Man sprints like Ali and serves like Creed. "

It's Jack's turn to return that grin, that fucking blood-curling grin. " Used to, for sure. Remember when he fucked up your pretty face in '84. Now? He's a street rat barely getting by, sniffing after junk and scraps just to stay alive. Must be hard to think about, I guess, that he used to give it so good and now he can't even hold you, can't he? Not with his cripple self. "

The beer can in Rumlow's hand spills over. Neither comment. "I ain't afraid of no half-man, Brocky, " Honey-sweet words make him sick. He wants to kick Jack out, but they both know he won't stay away, and that Rumlow won't keep him away. He's too dependent on him at this point. "And not stupid enough to think he's coming back."

"... You're right. You're not afraid to fight him. You've got a lot of words worth to point the finger at, but chicken shit? Ain't one of them. You know what I think?" Rumlow sits back, smirk wide and nasty, contradicting the sadness on his tongue, the venom, the tired. " I think you were afraid to be him. That he just? Didn't give a shit. Just like I did. That he could fuck me whenever and wherever he damn well pleased without giving a shit about who had something to say about it.

You were afraid I'd say something about you, even if we both damn well know that never happened, that he found out. I think you were terrified he was gonna tell the world Jack Rollins was a faggot just like his daddy."

He can't snapshot the moment his body makes contact to the floor. He doesn't count the punches either, letting them numb over his face, no longer present for the beating. At around one point, his neck snaps to the TV screen, in sync with Jack ceasing his onslaught, and his eyeballs follow his stunned gaze.

Rumlow can recall the time Barnes lost his right hand.

And he'll brain engrave the image of him kncoking some goon out with his left.

[tartagilicious]

Yo dude, if requests are open, how about an Arthur fic(ikevamp). I heard a headcannon where he and Theo goes to a pugilist club to let off some steam and I was thinking of a fic where Arthur goes a bit overboard and Theo has to take him back to the manor almost passed out and mc is the only one who can take care of him, and finds out that Arthur is so beat up bc he had a lot of pent up jealousy,bc of how the other guys treat mc and he went the to release his anger. I'm sorry if this is confusing

I love writing Arthur because I get to dig up all of the early British slang I know. the way he speaks is so charming~ 

— 

Theo and Arthur had gone out to a pugilist club a few hours ago, the pair all talk was they walked out the door. You weren’t particularly worried about them then, since you hadn’t thought they would actually fight personally, but you would be lying if you said that your heart hadn’t almost beat out of your chest when Theo showed up at the manor again hours later with Arthur draped over his shoulder. 

Dried blood trickled from the man’s lips, and bruises bloomed on his chin as if he’d been elbowed there many times. You were sure there were also injuries you couldn’t see, too, and that did nothing but worry you more. 

Arthur was by no means acting the way he looked, though, still trying to project himself frivolously and speaking as he normally would. But, Theo still decided to leave him to you, to watch over of him at least until his injuries healed in a few hours with the excuse you were best studied to do so. 

“Arthur’s knacked, ___. Not just anybody can watch over him in a state like that.”

You wanted to do all you could, so you agreed, taking a medical kit that Sebastian, who was standing nearby, handed to you while battering off how to care for him in extreme detail.

Arthur had made a comment about you warming up to him as you walked him to his room, but you’d brushed it off. He was trying awfully hard to act normal, and for whatever reason, it hurt to see. 

And he acted that way until you let his body fall down onto his bed a few minutes later, a groan escaping him as his eyes began to flutter closed. 

“What a delightful bender,” Arthur mumbled, trying his best to keep his eyes open as you drew over his desk chair to sit next to the bed. “I’ll be sure to try that again sometime.”

“For the love of god, Arthur. Please don’t do that again.” You sighed out, your brows furrowing gently. “You’ll worry everyone even if you do heal like a monster.”

He just smiled bitterly as he put a hand over his forehead, pushing back his bangs. “Let them worry then, ___. I can’t be arsed to give a toss.”

“Arthur, what’s wrong with you?” You asked, your voice a hissed whisper. “Why are you acting so strange?”

He was quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say. Surely, you had no idea of his real intentions, and as of then, he wanted it to stay that way. Still, it was impossible acting in such a way that didn’t tell something was going on. 

He dropped his hand to his side as his bangs flopped down messily onto his forehead, turning his head so he was looking straight at you. 

“I’m glad you pay attention enough to notice something is off, love.”

Your expression didn’t change, and he was surprised when you didn’t retort. All you did was reach down to your feet, where the first-aid kid Sebastian had slipped you sat. 

“Yeah, well I also pay enough attention to know that you’re a total idiot. Why did you go out just to fight? Even if you are a vampire, you’re just a writer that’s fuelled on coffee - not very matched to a regular boxer.”

He stared at you, fascinated as you rooted obvliously through the box of first-aid supplies. He hadn’t expected you to react that way. 

“I’m sorry if I upset you.” He mumbled, looking away and staring up at ceiling. He felt his cheeks flush slightly as his mind replayed your words. 

“Yeah,” You poured disinfectant onto a cotton pad. “You’d better be.”

You reached out and gently grabbed his chin, bringing his face closer again as you wiped away the blood away from his lips. He stared at you in the close proximity as you did so intently, focused on getting the stain off his skin. He watched you for a few moments, before laughing. 

“It’ll take a while if you go at that dried blood with nothing but disinfectant, ___.”

Your eyes flickered up to meet his sparkling ones, and you brought the pad down immediately, slightly embarrassed as you mumbled, “I always forget you’re one of the greatest crime novelists to ever live.”

“That’s wish wash, ___.” He grinned. “I’m just knowledgable, is all.”

You scoffed, dipping the pad again as you continued sarcastically. “How humble of you to say that, Arthur.” 

“I just know what I’m talking about, ___. I am a doctor, after a- ow!”

You cut him off unintentionally as you began dabbing the pad on the bruises and scrapes on his chin, smiling as he winced.

“Even if you are a vampire, like fists, infections are still just as dangerous.” 

You said this as you bit your tongue, trying your hardest not to laugh. He made no sounds, only squeezing his eyes shut tightly as you tended to his wounds. And slowly, the smile melted from your face as you watched him struggle to hide his pain from you. 

“Arthur,” His name escape from your lips softly, embodying the gallons of concern you held for the man laying in front of you. “Please tell me why you went to that club,”

He peeled open one of his eyes as you pulled away the cotton pad, his heart sinking at your expression. You looked utterly wrecked, your eyes filled with worry, and he hated that he was responsible for a look like that. 

He thought back to the reasons he’d agreed to accompany Theo, and while he’d seen them as rational then, he knew now that they weren’t really worth it. To put it plainly, he had been so jealous that he barely knew what to do with himself, the feeling so unbearable that the idea had seemed acceptable. But, the fights he’d joined had left him with even more wounds than he carried on the inside in the end. 

Jealously was like a disease, and while he was generally careful about not getting too attached to a fleeting woman, you were different. You pushed him away actively and talked to him with the power of a thousand suns in your voice, but also gave him sweet smiles and went along with his jokes. His attraction had grown because of those things, but, those very things had also caused his jealousy. 

You were kind to everyone, and you had your silly arguments with them just as you did with him. He couldn’t help but take something out of your conversations, while it was unclear if you did. 

“I was angry.” He answered simply, unblinking as he moved to stare at the ceiling. “I was angry at something that couldn’t be changed just because I wanted it to, like a child.”

“Everyone gets angry, Arthur, but this?-” You took his chin again lightly, turning his head so he was looking at you. “What could have possibly made you so angry that you had to go and get yourself so beat up?”

He stared into your eyes and found himself talking even if he wasn’t realising it. “Jealousy. The biggest motivator other than spite, which, to be fair, I was probably also feeling quite heavily.”

Your brows knitted together in confusion. “What could you possibly be jealous of? And - why would you be feeling spiteful? Did something happen?”

He just laughed, the sound almost pitiful. His eyes didn’t leave yours, and you couldn’t help but notice how uncharacteristically sad they looked. 

“Too many things, I’m afraid.”

You pulled your lips into a thin line, softly pushing, “Like what, Arthur?”

“Do you know how much it hurt when you spent an entire night in the kitchens with Napoleon and Leonardo? Or how you always dally around Issac and Theo?” He said this absentmindedly, avoiding your gaze as he continued softly, “It drives me mad.”

Your hand that was holding his chin faltered almost unnoticeably as you smiled. “Don’t tell me that’s the reason you were jealous, Arthur?”

He opened his mouth to say something, but felt his throat dry up as nothing more than a syllable came out. He had been so sure about his feelings, but yet he still hesitated to voice them. The way you changed him was remarkable. 

“By Jove, ___,” He mumbled, his eyes flickering back over to meet yours as he repeated, “I’m glad you pay attention enough to tell when something is off,”

“Don’t be jealous,” You patted his cheek lightly as your cheeks flushed. “There are plenty of reasons why… I like spending time with you.”

You trailed off, your words seeming to filter before they came out of your mouth as your skin flushed deeper. He caught onto it immediately, of course, quirking an eyebrow and momentarily forgetting about all the pain he was in.

“What was that, ___?”

You turned away to grab a bandage, grumbling, “Don’t push it, Arthur.”

“Okay, as you wish. But, how about we at least come to the agreement that you still love me to end it all and heal my inner wounds, hm?”

You looked back at him with an incredulous smile and laughed. “Fine, have it your way. I still love you, Arthur. Now sit back up so I can put this bandage on you.”

He grinned, doing as you instructed as his heart beat wildly in his chest. Maybe he could never have you completely, but, maybe, just maybe, this was enough.

[sierracolorstheworldofwords]

EGOTOBER- Day 18, Gold, Eric

An- I’m writing these all out of order bc day fifteen is taking way too long so yeah ANYWAY! Here’s day 18

Eric keeps a secret. It’s buried in a pile of clothes in the closet, tucked away underneath the loose floorboard and kept in a box that mama owned before… before everything happened.

He knows that box like the back of his hand, in the middle, there’s a big magnolia carved in the middle of the dark wood, and it’s surrounded by thick branches and leaves. He knows that it’s old, passed down generations— from mothers to daughters, but mama never got to have a daughter, so, she passed it on to him.

He keeps it hidden because after.. everything that happened, his dad burned everything. There aren’t any memories of his brothers left. He remembers the big fire dad built in the backyard, where he took everything he could find, every single trace of his brothers and his mother, and fed it to the flames.

Eric couldn’t stop him, he took his prosthetics and made him watch as he went back and forth, in and out of the house, drunk and yelling, throwing away boxes of old things— mama’s dresses, baseball bats and rock collections, scrapbooks and baby photos. Flowered vases and baby blankets, anything left of his brothers and his mother’s thrown into the flames, as Eric lay there helpless, crying, sobbing, begging and screaming like a part of his heart had been ripped out.

Except the box.

Except the box.

When he was left outside, a shivering mess, crying and alone as what was left of his family burned, he remembered the box— and the secret kept there, tucked away underneath the floorboards.

Now, as his dad sleeps, he remembers it. He remembers everything. Every hurt, every heartbreak and beating. Maybe he’s been staying with the egos too long, but standing in his old home.. he doesn’t feel afraid. Maybe it’s because Wilford, his papa, is next to him, or because Yan and Bing, his brothers, are next to him. He doesn’t know. He’s still shaking though. So maybe, okay— probably, he’s still afraid, but.. but he feels.. he doesn’t know, strong. Strong for once in his life. Sneaking into the old house with his family.. his new family, makes him feel strong in a way he couldn’t be if he did this alone.

Yan picks the lock and gestures for them to follow, they do. Eric’s heart pounds as the redhead asks, “Which way?”

“U-up..s-stairs.” He whispers, pointing towards the wooden stairway. The stairs his brothers used to roughhouse on still have the same wooden railing they used to slide down.

“Lead the way.” Yan whispers, “We’re right behind you.”

So, he does. Nervously pushing up his glasses, he takes a step, drawing in a deep breath before taking another one.

“T-the f-fifth st-step is cr-creaky.. s-so be care—careful.”

They all nod, and he leads the way, skipping over the fifth step as he gets to it, and after nine more stairs, he finally gets to the top.

“Come.. come o-on, this way.”

He turns right, not daring to linger in the broken down house. As he was growing up, his dad never fixed anything— in fact, more often than not, Eric had to find ways to patch things up, or face a punishment.

Eric passes each door with a memory, a sense of longing that fades and collapses in the dark moon lit hallway. Until finally, he reaches his door. Much to his surprise, his things are there.. his blankets and his teddy bears, his old books and the hand drawn posters.. everything. It’s almost as if it’s frozen in time. He steps in, the moon shining in through the window, lighting the path towards the closet. Walking towards it, he finds a pile of clothes, old baby shirts and things he simply out grew, still there, almost as if they waited for him.

Bending down, his hands shake as he pushes them aside, revealing the floorboard. Grabbing the edge as quietly as he can, he pulls it out, revealing the dark wooden box, covered in dust. Gently, he grasps it, eyes burning as he gets up, holding it to his chest.

“Are you alright, Er-Bear?” Wilford asks softly, eyes full of concern. Eric wipes his tears, nodding. He walks towards the door, not bothering to put anything back— let his dad know he was here, let him know. Let him know Eric kept mama’s necklace, passed down from her own mama, and to him.

“L-let’s go.” He whispers, walking towards the door.

Quietly, Eric leads the way, going down the stairs quietly until a loud creek is heard. His eyes widen as his heart pumps in his ears.

“C-crap!” He clings onto the box for dear life as a groan comes from his dad’s bedroom. The others stop, listening. A few creeks emerge from the bedroom, until they hear a light switch flicker on.

“Hello?” A voice calls out, “Who the hell is out there? Don’t think I didn’t here y’all upstairs!”

Eric freezes as footsteps approach, he hears Yan out his katana, Wilford click off the safety, and Bing start to whir, preparing his weapons.

“Reveal yourselves now, damn it! I may be an old son of a bitch, but I ain’t a dumb one!”

Suddenly, the room is filled with a bright yellow light. Derek stands in front of the kitchen, only seeing the backs of the mysterious men who have entered his house. He regrets leaving his musket in his room down the hall, but decides that his own muscle will have to do as he walks closer to the stairs and blocks the door.

That’s when he notices who it is.

“Eric?”

His eyes widen for a moment, but then he feels rage— how could his own son, his own flesh and blood, leave him for these.. these freaks?!

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?! After you left me? Left me for these fucking.. freaks?”

And for the first time, he sees his son get angry.

“Y-you have no right! N-no right to call them that!”

“Listen here, young man! I am your father and you treat me with respect!”

“F-father?! Fathers.. fathers protect you! Fathers keep you s-safe! F-fathers l-love you! And n-nature you! Y-you’ve done n-none of that!” Eric straightened out his shoulders, descending down the steps, holding onto mama’s box for dear life. “Fathers g-give you advice! Fathers show you h-how to bake cookies! Fathers s-show you h-how to be a good p-person! Fathers L-LOVE YOU! And you DID— you NEVER DID THAT!”

He shakes as he yells, coming closer and closer to his dad, who backs away, hands in the air, eyes wide, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

“A-ALL YOU D-DID WAS HURT ME, D-DAD! S-SO YOU HAVE N-NO RIGHT! NO RIGHT TO CALL MY FAMILY F-FREAKS! Y-YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO C-CALL YOURSELF MY FATHER!”

His chest rises and falls as he digs a finger into his dad’s chest, before finally saying, “Now.. GET out of my way.”

“Who the hell do you think you are, son?”

“I’m Eric. T-that’s who. Eric. And I-I’m not your son, not anymore. I’m taking mama’s box and leaving.”

Derek’s eyes fall on the box, “I thought I destroyed that.”

“N-no, y-you didn’t. Y-you destroyed.. everything else, but I wouldn’t.. wouldn’t let you destroy this.”

“Give that to me.”

“No.”

“I said—“

“And I s-said no. And I said g-get out of my way!”

Wilford steps in, raising pistol, “The boy said move.”

Derek looks into the barrel, swallowing, “F-fine,” he stutters, “that.. that damn box didn’t mean anything anyway.”

He slowly moves away from the door, letting Eric and the others out, the redhead sends him a glare, along with the orange glowing robot. He never learned their names, when he used to work for Wilford, and he never plans to.

Eric breathes in the cool night air, trying to calm himself down as he walks to papa’s pink Cadillac, heart pounding. Wilford unlocks the car, and Eric sits in the back with Yan, while Bing takes the front.

“What’s in there, anyway?” Asks Yan, as the car starts, engine purring.

Eric smiles, eyes full of tears, and opens the box, revealing a golden necklace, with a locket covered in small opals.

“I-it’s m-my.. m-my mama’s.. mama’s necklace..” he whispers, lips quivering as he opens the locket, revealing a small picture of his mother and brothers, beside a picture of his great grandma and grandmother. “S-she filled.. filled it w-with pictures.. and.. I-it was a-all I c-could save..”

Tears run down his cheeks as he looks at the worn photos, sobbing, “D-dad burned.. burned all the rest.. a-and this was all I-I could save..”

Whimpering, he holds the locket to his chest, thanking them all for helping him, for being so kind.. Wilford had to stop the car, and let himself cry, “Oh Eric, hunny, w-we love you so damn much, of course we’re gonna help you.”

He feels Yan hug him tight, and he can’t help but cry more as his brother comforts him, “I-I.. L-love you all too!”

Eric breathes heavily as he sobs, practically unable to see through the tears as he cries, overflowing with so many emotions— happiness, sadness, gratitude. He can’t help but cry, he’s always been such a sensitive boy, that’s what mama would say, and she’d never insult him about it, instead, she always said it was made him stronger than his brothers. He remembers her always saying, They’ll never be like you, my little magnolia, they’re all too tough. Love won’t be easy for them, but for you, my flower, it will— because you’ll love, love, love, love so much that sometimes you’ll want to explode, just like your mother, loving and loving things.

He sniffs, lifts up his glasses and wipes away his tears, he takes both ends of the necklace and puts it on, Yan helps him close the clasp, smiling.

Eric looks at the picture one more time, before closing the locket, feeling.. as his mama would say after a good happy cry, simply golden.

[darthkylorevan]

Clydeland 90: remember when we were little

“building bridges”-rated t, 1.7k, read on ao3 here!

(please note that this is a sort of sequel to sstensland’s clydeland ficlet here, please read that to get a sense of what’s going on; it isn’t a complete sequel bc i change some small things but otherwise it is)

“Remember when we were little?”

The words were accidental; Stensland hadn’t meant to let them out, still laying in Clyde’s bed (he tried not to think of how it had been their bed, before) not ready to leave just yet, even though he should, even though he should have a whole life ahead of him, one that didn’t include Clyde. Yet here he was.

“Hm?” Clyde shifted next to him, just slightly closer. Stens tried not to pay attention to the points of contact between them, to the heat from skin on skin.

“When we were little.” He turned on his side, against his better judgment, to look at the man next to him. He only just managed to not reach over, to run his hands along his jaw, his neck, his shoulders. He shouldn’t want that, couldn’t want that. This was...this wasn’t supposed to have happened in the first place, but it had, and he couldn’t take it back.

Clyde smiled at him softly, softer than he deserved. “We did a lot of things when we were little.”

A wry smile. Stensland couldn’t deny the truth, however. They’d known each other since elementary school, silent Clyde protecting him from the older kids that wanted to pick on him for his looks, his accent. They’d been inseparable since. The best of friends to high school sweethearts; no one would have ever guessed they would end up like this, just short of divorce.

And here he was, back in Clyde’s bed again, unable to resist him like he always had been.

“When we’d go to the bridge.”

Stensland felt a hand brush along his side, fingers tracing the line of his waist down to his hips. He tried--and failed--to hold in a shiver at the touch, at the gentle way Clyde looked at him, like he used to when they were in high school, in college, before this mess, before he ran. He’d believed he’d never see that look again and yet…

Clyde grinned at him, that large, lazy grin that always had his heart beating a little faster. “When I’d drag you out of school with me to go there, you mean.”

“Does it really count as dragging when I went willingly?”

Stensland tried to look put out when Clyde only laughed at him, but he knew the truth, which was that he wasn't entirely willing to leave the school on their nearly monthly trips to the New River Gorge Bridge. They didn’t always skip school to go, but it was often enough he’d always been sure the administration had noticed their simultaneous absence, sure their parents knew. Nobody had ever said anything, though; had just let them be.

He let Clyde pull him closer, cheek pressed against his shoulder, a hand still running along his side. Stens almost hated how much he missed this, missed him. He shouldn’t want to stay in the bed forever, comfortably nestled at Clyde’s side; he had a life out there, away from him, away from West Virginia. And Clyde...well, Clyde deserved better than him, better than the pathetic person he’d become even when he had left to become a better person. Instead, he’d quickly fallen right back into the comfort of Clyde’s arms, unable to resist him, even after all these years away.

“What made you think of the bridge?” Stens loved his low voice, the way he said each word carefully, his easy accent. He’d always envied him that southern accent, the soft lilt easy to the ears, perfectly encapsulating the southern ideal of hospitality and sweetened iced tea. His own accent was awkward and misplaced comparatively.

“Just...this. When we went there, it was just us. Us versus the world.” His words were soft as a finger trailed circular shapes into Clyde’s collarbone, not daring to look up at him, not knowing--or more accurately not wanting to face--what he would find there. “We were so far up from the river, it was like we were invincible. Nothing could ever touch us. It felt like it was just us, forever. That was what this felt like. It was...you were….everything.”

He wanted to bury himself into the bed and not come out. This wasn’t...none of this was how anything was supposed to go, and here he was, digging a deeper hole for himself the moment he’d started talking again.

“Stens…”

“But then we had to walk back home, Clyde, face the world again. It’s...we can’t do this. I...had, no, I have something beyond here.”

“Beyond us.” It wasn’t a question; Stensland nearly flinched at the implications.

“I...no...yes. But, Clyde, it...it was never about you. Not like that. I didn’t…” He turned then, not able to face him, not able to take in the comfort being freely offered. Instead he faced the walls, still that horrible yellow he’d always complained about. “I didn’t want you to feel like you had to leave here, leave your home, just to follow my stupid dreams, it would be unf--”

Stensland’s words were cut off with a squeak as Clyde was suddenly looming over him, knees bracketing his hips as he had, perhaps by a sort of instinct, moved so his back was on the mattress once more. There was now nowhere he could look without feeling like he was losing; his gaze anywhere would be obvious. Resigned to his fate, he looked up into Clyde’s eyes, feeling that pang of hurt and regret with the expression he found there, with how his gaze bored into him.

“Clyde,” he whispered, feeling like he couldn’t--he shouldn’t-- raise his voice above it in that moment, like if he did, he would ruin everything; it would fracture around him.

“Stens, you…,” Clyde sighed, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. When they opened again, Stensland was struck again by the emotions he saw there, coupled with the hurt evident by the draw of his brow, the downturn of his mouth. He felt the urge to kiss that look off his face, as he had so many times in the past. But he couldn’t--that wasn’t his job anymore, hadn’t been for a long time.

“You thought...you really thought I wouldn’t drop everything for you?”

“Clyde, I--”

“No, Stens, just let...let me talk.”

He only nodded, his heart now racing.

“After all this time, after everythin’ I’ve fucking done for you. I know we had to move to Boone to take care of Momma and it was backtracking from what we wanted, having to live in this trailer but I...it was going to get better, I swear. I told you, I had plans, and we were gonna get out of here, you could be wherever you wanted.”

Clyde was shuddering now, tears starting to form at the corners of his eyes. Stensland wanted to reach up, wipe them away, but really, he didn’t deserve that, did he?

“Dammit, Stens. Everything I’ve done is for you. This may have been my house, where I lived, but you, Stens, you were my home. I didn’t want to be anywhere but with you. Fuck, I’d live in a cardboard box in the city if it meant I was with you.”

Tears were falling now, rolling down his cheeks just slightly before falling off down onto Stensland. He could see the effort Clyde was making to keep himself up, his arm trembling with it. Reaching up, he wiped away a tear beginning to form before pushing at his left shoulder. He got the hint and carefully sunk back down on the bed next to Stens, curling against his side, his arm finding its way under his neck again so his hand could rest against Sten’s arm, thumb rubbing circles into it.

“I want to be selfish again, Stens. I want to demand you take me back, fuck your divorce, fuck whoever made you want it, want to keep you here with me again, or keep you wherever, it doesn’t have to be here, as long as I have you.”

“Clyde…” He rolled over so they were once again facing each other, not able to take this without looking at him, but also just that bit of scared to do so, still scared of what he’d see in Clyde’s expression, not wanting to face the hurt that had been there since he’d shown up in town three days ago.

“But I can’t. I still fucking can’t, not if it risks your happiness. Fuck, I just want you to be happy.”

“I want you to be happy, too,” Stensland rushed out, before Clyde could take over again. “That’s why...I thought you were happier here, would be happier here than in any city. You’re a country boy, Clyde, and I love that about you, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t think you’d like living in the city.”

“ You make me happy. I don’t fucking care where it is, Stens, I just...I just want to be with you. If I can’t..If I don’t make you happy anymore, though, I’ll just...I’ll just deal with it. But I couldn’t just let you go, Stens, not without...not without talking to you. I know we weren’t good at that before, and that’s probably my fault I just...I wanted everything to be okay and I was bullheaded and didn’t see that you weren’t happy and it’s my fault and I’m sorry.”

“No Clyde, I’m sorry. I should have...I should have said something, anything. I just...I got trapped and scared and I didn’t think anything through. Clyde, fuck, I’m sorry. I know it’s ten years too late, but I’m sorry.”

Stensland leaned forward then, pressing his lips to Clyde’s, trying not to get lost in them, knowing it was probably a lost cause. He whispered soft “I’m sorry”s between kisses, savoring the warmth he felt from it, from this.

Clyde finally pulled back, a crooked grin across his reddened lips. “Well, ain’t we two idiots?”

He barely contained his snort. “Just a bit, maybe.”

“We still...I know we still got a lotta talkin’ to do, but...do you want to go for a drive?”

“A drive?” Stensland looked up at him, confused, Clyde’s wide grin only fueling that confusion.

“Yes,” Clyde answered, pressing another kiss to Stensland’s lips, leaving him wanting more, again, wanting to follow him as he drew back. “A drive. I think a certain bridge would be nice to visit.”

[tired--nb]

"Haircut"

Finally gonna post this oof it's called haircut bc you dont own me and I cant title things for shit

Anyways its 2,839 words so buckle up for a kinda long one thats undercut.

Lynn sighed messing with her hair. Now that she's growing it out it looks awkward. It's annoying, she's never cared how others see her but damn, it looks bad. When she finally laid her head down in defeat she heard a knock.

“Hey hun, it's dad I have something for you.” her dad said opening the door.

She laying picked up her head and leaned back in her chair, “Lit, thanks, dad. What is it?”

He fidgeted a little and pulled out a small, light gray and blue box. “Well, since your hair will take a long time to grow back I bought you a gift card to the hair salon down the street. So you can get a haircut or extensions. Whatever you wanna do.”

“Thanks, dad. I'll walk down there tomorrow after work.” she took the small box and placed it on her desk, then gave her dad a hug.

“It's no problem, I wish I could have gotten a gift card to a fancier place but money's tight right now, especially after that villain destroyed the shop,” he said hugging her back and sighing.

“I said it's it's fine dad.” she insisted, as they sat there in comfortable silence.

Soon though her dad pulled away, “Anyways I have to go get your brother. Be home in a few.”

“Ok, see you when you get back,” she replied stretching. Once she was done she moved to her bed and sighed. She had a lot to do today, but honestly, she was barely motivated to get up. Hell, she got up and went right back to bed. She laid there for god knows how long until she heard her dad and brother come in.

Joseph immediately barged into her room and belly flopped on her, “Lynn!! I'm home!!” he said excitedly. “Get up! Get up! Get up! We have to water our veggies!!” he was now standing in her, chest.

She looked at him and smiled, quickly grabbing him and flipping him onto the bed. “First off, calm down. You little rascal. Secondly, ok let's go.” she said still smiling.

Joseph sprung up and cheered, “Yay! Oh! Oh! Oh! Can I get a piggyback ride there?!” he jumped up and down on the bed, his red hair flying everywhere “Please, please, please, pleeease?!”

“If you stop yelling,” she replied, he shook his head up and down furiously. She laughed a little and moved to the edge of the bed.

Joey quickly latched on to her and yelled: “Go!!”

“What did I literally just say?” Lynn asked kinda turning her head towards him.

“Not to yell…” he mumbled, looking down.

“Exactly. Now, off we go!” she said happily as she carried her brother through the small house and to the smaller backyard.

Joseph practically jumped off Lynn's back and ran to get the watering can, “I’m gonna get the water!” he said running back inside.

Lynn gave a small nod in acknowledgment and crouched down to look at the plants. As she looked at the plants she didn’t notice any extremely chewed up leaves. She sighed, “Hey dad good news, whatever was chewing up our plants last week stopped.”

“Awesome! They didn’t eat of any other the actual vegetables right?” he asked from the kitchen of the house.

“Nope, just wanted leaves, I guess,” she said as Joseph came out the watering can floating around him.

“I did it, sis! Look! I can orbit the water container now!” he exclaimed running up to her.

She pats him on the back and smiled. “Nice! I’m so proud of you. Now could you hand it to me?”

“Sure! Catch!” he said as he flung the watering can out of his orbit and straight a Lynn.

The watering can slammed into her and knocked her over. By now the water was all over her. “Joseph you know that is not what I meant. You need to be more careful. You can't control how hard you fling things yet. You could have broken the watering can, or even hurt me.” she scolded him, as she stood up.

He looked down at the ground and kicked at the dirt. “I know… I'm sorry…”

Lynn sighed and stood up, grabbing the watering can. “It's fine now just be careful.” She slowly walked up to Joseph and poured the rest of the water on him when she was close enough. “And now we’re even.” she pats his back.

“Hey!! Don’t do that! These are my school clothes!” he said puffing out his cheeks.

“And? It's the weekend they'll be dry by Monday. Anyways I'm gonna get more water.” she said walking inside. She went into the kitchen and placed the watering can in the sink. “Man when Joey flings stuff outta orbit it hurts.” she placed a hand on the spot where it hit her.

Her dad looked up from what he was doing and looked at her, “You ok? I can heal it for you if you want me too?” he said with a little bit of concern in his voice.

She shook her head, “I'm fine, I can heal too you know?” she replied, turning on the sink.

He let out a nervous laugh, “Of course, but I still worry. I am your dad.”

“I know, I know.” she said, then started humming a song called ‘Home’. The pain in her stomach slowly started to fade.

“Oh for dinner I'm making beef bowls,” he said as he cut some vegetables.

Lynn stopped humming and replied, “Lit.” she turned the sink off and picked up the watering can. “Welp I'm off.”

“You say that like you're going to be gone for awhile.”

“I mean I probably will be.” she joked and walked back outside, back to humming. “I'm back Joey, you didn’t break anything did you?”

Joseph looked up at Lynn and smiled, he had a bunch of dandelions orbiting him. “No!” he stuck his tongue out at her.

“Good.” She stuck her tongue out back at him. Them she moved and started watering the garden. Starting with their two tomato plants and ending at their two pepper plants. Their garden wasn't big, at all. But it was enough for them and they were grateful for that.

As Joseph put more dandelions in his orbit and Lynn admired the garden, their dad called for them to come into the living room.

“Joey I know you haven't done your homework so start on that.” Joseph sluggishly got up and grabbed his bag, moving to the small table they had.

“Now Lynn,” their dad turned to Lynn. “have you done your homework or the school work from today? I know you came home early so you have extra work.”

Lynn let out a groan and sighed, “I'll do it now, I guess.” she walked to her room and sat down at her desk. She heard a muffled ‘thank you‘ from her dad and replied. “It's whatever dad.”

She pulled out her work and stared at it. She has no motivation to do it, honestly. She let out a small puff of air and pulled out an old mp3 player of hers, putting on her headphones and grabbed her pencil. Luckily they didn’t start anything new today so it should be easy. Slowly but surely she worked through all of her homework, but before she could finish she was called for dinner.

She quickly walked out and joined the other two at the table, “Thank you for the food dad.” she said before digging in.

“Yeah, thanks for the food dad!” Joseph said with his mouth full.

“No need to thank me. And don’t talk with your mouth full Joey, it's gross.” their dad replied before taking a bite.

The three of them ate in peace until they were all done. “I can do the dishes dad,” Lynn said already picking up everyone's plates and stuff. “Oh and I'm gonna be up a little late tonight I have to finish my homework.”

He dad nodded, “I'm gonna put Joseph to bed, don’t stay up too late.” he got up and shooed Joseph off to their room.

Lynn absentmindedly did the dishes as she thought about tomorrow. She was gonna be quite busy, first thing in the morning she has to make breakfast, then once her dad goes to work she has to take Joseph to the neighbors so they can babysit him, then she has to go to work, and finally she has to stop by the hair place on her way home. She sighed, tomorrow is gonna be rough.

Once done with the dishes she went back to her room and finished the last few questions on her homework and went to lay down. She laid there for a little before she realized she forgot to take her medication. She got up and quickly shuffled to the bathroom, took her medication, and laid back down, eventually falling asleep.

She woke up to her alarm clock beeping, oh boy 7 am. She got up and made her way to the kitchen and opened the fridge, wondering what to make. Eventually, she decided on ochazuke, a simple enough meal for breakfast. She made it fairly quickly, placed the three bowls on the table, and went to wake up the other two.

Quietly she made her way to her brother and dad's room, she opened the door and went up to her dad first. She shook her dad’s shoulders lightly, “Daaaad, dad, dad. Get up. Time to eat breakfast and get ready for worrrrk.” he stirred a little and opened his eyes.

“Morning.” he half mumbled, Lynn took her hands off of his shoulders.

“Morning.” she smiled, then walked up to Joseph. She her hands on his shoulders at shook him awake. “Rise and shine, Joey,” Joseph grumbled and rolled over. “Aww… Don’t be like that Joey.” she half laid on his side, “Get up bum.” he pushed her off and pulled his blanket over his head. She laughed a little and hummed ‘Stronger Than You’, which is one of her favorites. She pulled the blanket off of him and picked him up bridal style, “Let's go.”

She walked to the table and placed him down by it, “Time to eat.”

Joseph sighed and sat down at the table, starting to eat. Their dad looked a Lynn and smiled, “Thank you.”

“No problem. I'll be right back.” she walked to the bathroom to take her morning medication. Once done she went back to the table and started eating.

Her dad finished first and kiss both Joseph and Lynn on the head. “I'm off to work, be good. Love you two.”

“Love you, dad,” Joseph said, with his mouth full… again.

Lynn lightly smacked him on the arm, then replied. “Love you too, have a nice day.” he did a small wave and left. “Ok, Joey dad’s gonna be gone till at out 6 PM and I'm gonna be home late today. So, there's a possibility that dad may get you from Nana’s, ok?”

He nods, “Ok.”

“I just remembered you're five and I'm probably speaking another language to you…” she sighed. “Anyways, you done?”

“Yeah,” he replies as he pushes his bowl to her.

Lynn nods and takes their bowl to the sink. She quickly washes them and takes Joseph to his room. She picked out clothes for him and helped him put them on. “Stay here while I go get dressed real quick.” She goes to her room and puts on her work clothes and her face mask. Then walks back to Joseph's room.

“Time to go?” he asked, holding the same small bag of toys he takes to his babysitter’s every time he goes.

“Yup, let's go.” she picked him up along with her keys to the house and left, locking the door behind her.

“Off to Nana’s!!” Joseph said happily as the crossed the street.

Lynn walked up to the house and knocked on the door, “Yup, too Nana’s.” eventually an old lady came to the door a bright smile on her face.

“Ah, Jojo! No-- Lynn! Come in, come in!” she moved and gestured for them to come and sit.

Lynn set down Joseph and walked inside, sitting down on the old lady's couch. “I know I say this every time I bring him here, but thank you so much for watching him. I don't know what we'd do without you.”

She sat down next to Lynn, “It's no big. He not too much to handle anyway.”

Lynn nodded, “Well I would stay and chat but I'm later than usual. So bye. Thank you once again.” Lynn waved as she left.

Once out the door, she started to hum ‘Bastille’. Immediately feeling lighter on her feet she jogged her way to work.

Eventually, she got there and opened the front door to the small grocery store. “Ah, Noah there you are! I thought I told you to be here a 9:30? It's 9:45!”

Lynn flinches at her deadname and sighs, “Sorry sir I was taking my brother to his babysitters.” Lynn looked at her hands, debating if she should say something, eventually deciding to. “Also, sir… My name is Lynn. Like I've told you every other day this week.” she fidgets with the bottom of her shirt.

Her boss scoffs at her, “Whatever get your ass to work. I've tacked at a full hour to your shift because you were late. Then had the audacity to correct me.” he glares at her, “You got that Noah?”

She flinches again, nodding. “Of course sir. I'm sorry I'll get to work now.” She quickly shuffled to the back room looking at the charts of what needed to be restocked. She spent the next 3 hours in what she’d call hell. Constantly being deadnamed, having to deal with her boss, and literally just stocking for 3 hours straight.

Eventually, her shift ended and she was able to go home. She walked home slowly enjoying the spring air. Thinking of what's yet to come. She has her UA exam coming up after school ends in a month or so. Then she has Joseph's birthday around that time too. Damn. Once she got home she grabbed the gift card from her room and left again off to the salon.

As she walked up to the small shop she wondered what she wanted. Well, she had no idea what she wanted. She’s just gonna go with whatever the barber wants to do.

She walked in and sat down. She had never been here and it's a little surprising to see only one barber. Right now she has that weird Justin Bieber hair, for lack of a better way to describe it. And she hated it. While it was the longest she’s ever had her hair it just looked weird to her.

As she sat there and thought the barber finished with the other customer and ask Lynn to come sit in the chair. Lynn obliged and say down.

“So! What are we doin today? What's the sitch?” the barber asked, he was a young with shoulder length bleach blond hair that was up in a bun.

“Ah, I don’t really know… I guess I'll get that one haircut most boys get. You know the one where the sides and back are shaved and it's it's long on the top?” she replied.

“Sounds good. How long would you like the top?” he asked already snipping her hair.

She thought for a moment before deciding, “Just an inch shorter than it is now would be nice.”

“Okey-dokey,” he said then focused on cutting. After a little, he was done and showed it to Lynn.

Lynn studied it for a little then replied, “I really like it thank you. It looks a lot better.” better she thought for a moment then asked.

He nodded and went to a cabinet on the far wall of the building. “Wait are you ok with extensions?” he asked as he pulled out two darker purple extensions. He brought them over to Lynn.

“I mean I don't see why not?” she replied.

He sat there and thought about it a moment before clipping them above her ears, where the tops were covered by her hair. “There I feel like it looks better now.”

She looked at the mirror and smiled, “Yeah I'm glad you did that, I feel like it frames my face well.” she stood up and dusted off.

He smiled and walked over the register, “So how will you be paying?”

“Oh, I have a gift card.” she pulls out the gift card her dad gave her and hands it to him.

“Awesome!” he rang it up.

“Also you can keep the extra cash on it I don’t need it,” Lynn said as she went to leave. “Thank you once again.”

As she walked home she felt better about herself surprisingly. It was a nice change of pace.

[hrina]

So I’m thinking about if hatefuck Harry was having a really really bad day and he doesn’t know why but for some reason he wants to be with yn and he finds her but she is being rude to him like they normally do just the normal hatefucking discourse and Harry like ,,, doesn’t have the energy to be mean right now bc he’s sad and just wants her so he stops her and he’s like “Can I just... have you? Can we skip the ‘I hate you’ part for today?”

mY HEART IS HURTING I LVOE THIS S OMUCH

@permanentcross…..the saga continues….

Today has been…bad.

That’s the only word Harry can use to describe it. 

He’s just about ready to give up on songwriting altogether, his brain having betrayed him in the most treacherous of ways. Harry likes to think that he can string lyrics along, put two and two together to make them fit with his tune and to wrench the hearts of any listeners. But today…his abilities have yet to reveal themselves.

He’s moping on the couch of the recording studio, feeling sorry for himself as he glares unhappily at the notebook in front of him. The page had been clean when he first walked in this morning, but now it’s littered with pen marks and bits of eraser, nearly every word crossed out with harsh, dark lines of graphite. He chews on his bottom lip, staring up at the ceiling and closing his eyes to stop himself from crying. He thinks he might actually sob himself to sleep tonight.

He feels…incompetent. He feels like a failure.

“Okay, so I was thinking that maybe–oh.”

Harry’s eyes flash open, and he turns his head to the left. You’re standing in the doorway of the room, fresh-faced and clad in a baby pink knit sweater and a pair of light jeans. There’s a plain black headband pushing your hair out of your eyes. You look cute–not sexy, not hot, just cute.

Harry stares at you for far too long, until you finally clear your throat and say in a tight, clipped voice. “Where’s Jeff?”

“Went home fo’ the night,” Harry replies, his voice scratchy and dry. He feels like he’s just swallowed a bag of cotton balls. “‘M the only one left.”

“Shame,” you murmur, pursing your lips and muttering, “I was gonna discuss some ideas for your merchandise with him.”

You let out a soft sigh, taking a step back out of the room and turning around. Harry’s eyes widen, and he feels you slipping through his fingers, feels his opportunity sliding away from him at an exponential pace. “Wait!” he says suddenly, the word getting caught in his throat.

You peer at him from over your shoulder, your lips turned down into a faint scowl. “What is it?”

“I–,” Harry hesitates, because what the hell was he supposed to say to you? He didn’t think he’d get this far; his mouth just acted without checking with his brain first, and great, now he looks like a complete moron.

“I can’t write songs,” he blurts out, rubbing at his tired eyes and pouting. Your brow furrows, and the features of your face are contorted by a mixture of confusion and disgust. You shake your head, looking extremely inconvenienced by this interaction.

“You’ll figure it out,” is all you say. Harry’s frown only deepens.

“No,” he stresses, his hands coming up to tug at the roots of his hair. He lets out a frustrated groan, squeezing his eyes shut. “Like, I think I’m blocked or summat. Haven’t–haven’t been able to write anything today.”

You roll you eyes. “That’s great, Harry, but how am I supposed to help you with that? Go out and get laid, maybe you’ll find some inspiration.”

And with that, you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear and walk away.

Harry’s mind is reeling. He’s clutching his notebook so tightly that his knuckles are turning white. Your words echo through his head like a mantra, and before he knows what he’s doing, he’s practically tripping over himself as he chases after you.

“Wait!” he calls out again, stumbling along the hall, “Bloody hell, slow down!”

You’re about to round the corner when his words ring out, and you freeze, letting out an annoyed sigh when you turn to face him. You seem to be biting your tongue against a particularly snappy comment, and Harry admires your self-control. He knows that he could easily have you fired with a flick of his fingers, and he knows that you know it too. 

“What?” you ask, obviously aggravated by his constant pestering. He stops in front of you, stepping forward until your back is pressed against the wall. His hands reach out to splay firmly against the space beside your head, effectively boxing you in.

“Let me–,” he takes a deep breath, “–please, lemme…need t’feel useful, just lemme–”

He breaks off, ducking his head into the crook of your neck and nosing your hair out of the way. His lips begin to sponge soft kisses along the column of your throat, tongue licking tenderly at the skin. You’re stiff for the first few seconds before deciding that you’ll allow him to continue on.

“You’re such an idiot,” you groan, fingers digging into his shoulders harshly, “What is wrong with you?”

“Don’t,” Harry pants, pulling back. He stares at you sternly, his nostrils flaring and his eyes a dark, stormy green. “Don’t pretend like this isn’t what yeh want. ‘M no fool, love.”

“Aren’t you?” you bite back. Harry retaliates by pressing his lips against yours. You gasp at the action–your rude remarks usually grant you bruising, punishing kisses that tint your lips a faint purple afterwards. This…this is nothing like that.

Harry’s kissing you softly, tenderly. His hands come up to frame your face, cupping your cheeks as he glides his lips against yours. You whimper into his mouth when he nudges his thigh between both of yours, one hand falling down to your hip and pushing you down gently so that you can rub yourself against him.

“Just…,” he finally pulls back, his gaze meeting yours, and instead of the fiery determination that you usually find swimming in his eyes, you uncover a dismayed look of sorrow. Harry lets a small, sad noise fall from his lips, and he runs a hand through his hair, feeling humiliated.

“Can I just…just have you? Can we skip the whole ‘I hate you’ part for tonight?”

And you don’t know what prompts you to do it, but you find yourself nodding at his words.

He eats you out, taking his time and licking at every crevice of your cunt. You cum on his tongue twice before he finally decides to give you his cock, and the both of you groan in unison when he pushes inside of you at last. His pace is hard and steady, consisting of firm staccato pumps that have you seeing stars. He insists on pulling a third orgasm from your wrecked, clammy body before he even thinks about letting himself fill you. And once he does achieve his goal, his eyes slam shut, the veins in his neck bulging as he empties himself inside of you.

He slumps down on top of you afterwards, his ear pressed against where he can hear your heart thumping rapidly in your chest. Your hands snake up to his curls, mindlessly twirling strands of his hair around your fingers; he just sighs, satisfied, and presses a kiss to your nipple. 

The cool air of the studio eventually dries your damp bodies, and that’s why you nearly gasp when you feel something wet hit the skin of your chest. A moment later, Harry lets out a quiet, barely-there sniffle, which only confirms your suspicions. Under any other circumstance, you would have taunted him relentlessly, but this time…

This time, you keep quiet.

Neither of you realize that that’s the night which marks a pivotal point in your relationship.

That’s the night that everything changes. 

[pitiful-pitiful]

Squip x reader - Silence

 So I wrote this super quick bc my brain decided to be a piece of garbage and sensory overload is a bitch, god I want a squip

Wordcount: 608

Everything was so loud. It really shouldn’t have been. It’s not usually like this. The sound of the dry erase marker on the board, my professor droning on about this or that, people typing up notes, that guy three rows in front of me eating a granola bar, all of the sounds are so mundane. It had been so long since this last happened, at least four months. Every single noise put me further on edge, how long until I had a breakdown? Fortunately, this won’t be like last time.

My Squip appears and crouches to my level. He wordlessly tilts his head towards the door. I grab my backpack, the sound of rustling hurts, I curl into myself. I stand and I feel even worse as the chair creaks. A voice comes from my right, a whisper from a friend.

“What’s going on?” they ask. I fight the urge to scream.

“I can’t be here right now.” I turn to the door to see that my Squip has moved to be standing next to it, waiting for me to follow. I quickly shuffle out of the room. My Squip walks a few steps ahead of me, silently leading me down the hallway. He stops in front of the elevator and points up. I raise an eyebrow, having thought we would be going home. He gives me a look asking me to do as he says. I sigh and press the up button. Once in the elevator, he points to the button for the top floor. I oblige. We ride up in silence.

The floor seems to be abandoned, my footsteps on the linoleum being the only sound. My Squip leads me to a particular door. He points at a black box, indicating that I need to use my student ID to get in. I dig through my bag to pull out my ID. I press the card up against the box, the red light flashing green, a horrendous beep causes me to flinch. Opening the door, I find a beautiful rooftop garden, immaculately kept, but most importantly, silent. I walk in a circle around the garden, distracted by its beauty, before taking a seat next to my Squip on one of the benches.

We don’t speak. I let him put an arm around me and I lean into him. Who knows how long it’s been?

“Thanks.”

“I’m glad to see you’re doing better.” His voice is barely above a whisper, as not to agitate me. I smile. Another few minutes of silence pass.

“How’d you find out about this place?”

“I overheard some people talking about it in the halls at some point, I figured you’d like it.”

“I do.” I glance around, my eyes settling on a patch of my favorite flowers. I zone out for a little while. “How long have we been here?”

“Two hours.”

“What!” I begin to panic, but my Squip shushes me.

“Us staying here is what’s best for you right now.” He rubs my arm. “I’m very proud of you, (y/n). You’re getting better, even if you don’t see it.”

“Are you just proud that your advice is working, or are you actually proud of me?”

“I’d say a bit of both.” He stands. “You should text your friend and tell them you’re okay. They were worried when you left earlier.”

“Alright.” I pull out my phone and send a quick text before shoving it back in my bag. I stand and swing my backpack onto my back.

“Now, let’s get you home.” He reaches out to me, and wraps an arm around my shoulder as we leave the garden.