#and he's busy in the last two otherwise i'm sure he would have gotten in some threatening of the lits as well

[ghostlyarchaeologist]

Meeting Excalibur:

Flynn:

Eve:

And the LiTs:

The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004)/The Librarians S01E01 And the Crown of King Arthur.

[onepieceisreeeeaaalll]

I'm Yours - Sanji x Fem!Reader

Here's a blurb I wrote on a whim last night! Life's been so busy, and I have a small case of the blues right now, which is why I have so many drafts but haven't been posting. I barely proofread this, and it's not my proudest work, but I think I'm just overthinking it. I'll probably edit it a little like I always do. Hope you enjoy!

CW: NSFW! Dominant-ish Sanji, gendered terms for reader, "pretty girl, etc", implied jealousy, slightly dominant reader at end? just a little?

~1.3k words

----

Sanji pushes you back against the wall of the kitchen, his hands pawing helplessly at the buttons of your shirt that protect your skin from his eager assault. His lips connect with yours in a sloppy, heated mess, the taste of nicotine distinct and bitter on your tongue. Teeth gnash against one another until the cook finally withdraws from your lips, a line of saliva tethering you both as he moves to pepper hungry nips at your neck.

“Angel…” He murmurs, his tongue lapping where your jaw connects to your neck. “I can’t breathe without you.”

You’ve never seen Sanji like this - ravenous, desperate, bold. His erection presses and grinds against your leg with a force that has your back pressed firmly to the wall where he’s trapped you. You’re not sure what started this, why tonight he’s decided to pull you aside and ravage you, but you’re in no position to stop the hands that worked so hard to open up the path to your now exposed chest. Ordinarily, sex with Sanji is slow, romantic, perhaps cherished. It’s as much a joining of souls as it is bodies, a spiritual union that binds you together by love and desire. You’ve been reduced to a helpless puddle, brought to the shaky state of euphoria so many times by the way he caresses you so gently, whispering sweet nothings into your ear with every careful ministration of his body against yours. Tonight is different, though. Your boyfriend is, bluntly, a horny mess and you’re just as turned on by it as you would be otherwise.

“Sanji…baby, what’s gotten into you?” You breathe, your voice shaky. You can feel his hands work with expert precision to undo the buttons of your pants, not wasting a single moment to expose more of your skin to him.

“Just need to be inside you, my love.”

There’s no decorum this time. No bells, whistles, or languid motions meant to undo you slowly but surely until you’re sunk into a state of pure bliss. Sanji’s movements are laced with a sense of urgency, his words deep and throaty as he slips a hand down the front of your panties. The confusion you feel from this show of desire doesn’t last long. The moment his fingers begin to swirl on your clit, they rub smooth, fast circles against it. Your head falls back against the wall, a soft ‘thud’ being the only sound heard aside from the heavy breathing filling the room.

“Sanji…” You moan, your eyes fluttering shut as the pleasurable movements start to make you feel so vulnerable, your sex soaking through the material of your thin panties.

Sanji tuts, and you feel a hand on your jaw, firm but somehow still careful, pulling your face upright. Your eyes open in surprise, finding Sanji looking at you with a glazed-over, almost predatory glint.

“Come on, gorgeous. Watch me while I make you come on my fingers.”

Your face heats up in a way that’s unfamiliar to you. He can hear the way your breath hitches at his words, and a small smirk rises to his lips. His fingers slide further into your folds before two of them find their way into your aching, swollen entrance. There’s no warming up needed, and with little resistance, his fingers work to pump into you. Sanji grinds his palm against your clit, using the the limited space in your underwear to give him better leverage.

“Already so wet for me. My needy, pretty girl.” He praises, his smirk widening as his fingers curl and scissor inside of you. “Getting her nice and ready for my cock.”

Your eyes widen at his words, and before you can get a chance to question him, pleasured gasps begin to leave your lips. You can’t take your eyes off of him, not for a second, and you can feel your velvet walls clench around his fingers at the sight of his devilish smirk.

“S-Sanji…” You whimper, unable to control the way the pleasure is building up in you. With every brush of your g-spot, your pussy seems to clamp down on his fingers more, making it so much harder for him to move his fingers. Sanji doesn’t relent, though, instead continuing to guide his fingers and pump them into your throbbing cunt.

“Beautiful, mon ceur. Breathtaking.” Sanji says, his voice low and breathy. His chest is rising and falling rapidly, his arousal clear by the way he grinds his clothed cock against your thigh. “I love watching you fall apart for only me.”

You can’t take it. His palm grinding into your clit, his fingers deep in your pussy, his praise - it’s all too much, entirely too good, and the heat in your gut swirls inside you like an inferno. Your hands grip at his shoulders, digging into his shirt as you feel the rapidly approaching climax start to take control. Your hips buck against him like a woman possessed, desperately seeking the friction that’s threatening to overwhelm you.

“Please…Sanji, honey, I-”

“Come for me, angel. Ride my fingers and tell me that you're mine.” Sanji rasps, his eyes intensely locked on yours, as if wanting to see the exact moment you tip over.

"I'm-...Sanji, I'm yours, I'm-!" You chant, breathless and desperate as that pleasure builds so deep inside of your core with every brush of your g-spot.

Your face contorts slowly, your mouth dropping open as your orgasm hits you. A white-hot euphoria fills your veins as you buck helplessly against his hand, clutching and keening from the effort. Sanji doesn’t let up, his fingers coaxing as much pleasure out of you as possible as you whine for him. Slowly, once he feels your walls fluttering in that perfect way, he extracts his hand from your panties and pops his fingers into his mouth. He hums, closing his eyes to savor the taste before finally setting his hand back on your hip and meeting your gaze again.

You’re panting, sweaty, and nearly slack-jawed.

“What the hell was that?” You finally ask, a breathless laugh leaving you.

“Mosshead wouldn’t stop looking at you during dinner. And then he pulled you aside when the meal was done.” Sanji responds, giving you a shy smile. “I’m sorry, angel. I just couldn’t stand it.”

Your mind works hard to retread through the events of that night, and as the cogs turn in your head, a sudden realization makes your heart pound, and a small laugh slips from your lips.

You quirk an eyebrow at him, an almost devious smile rising to your lips. “Oh, so that’s what this was about? Baby, Zoro was just telling me I had some food in my hair. Apparently it was there after Luffy tore into dinner like the little monster he is.”

The only sound for a long moment that can be heard is the buzzing from the refrigerator. Finally, Sanji lets out a sigh, taking a small step back from you, the tips of his ears turning that familiar shade of pink.

“Well, then…” He mumbles, his eyes shifting to the ground. His foot gently traces the floorboard of the kitchen, one of his hands instinctually moving to his pocket in search of his pack of cigarettes.

You let out a soft laugh, hands moving to pull him by the lapels of his jacket closer to you.

“You don’t have to worry about that swordsman. Or anyone else for that matter.” You assure him, pulling him just a tad closer. “I’m yours, Sanji. Through and through.”

The way Sanji’s eyes light up makes your heart melt, and you swear in this moment that nothing else could ever be more perfect than the way he looks at you.

“I’ll never let you regret it, mon amour. I’m yours, too.” He responds softly, his voice unwavering and steady.

His lips gently press into yours, his hand moving to cup the back of your neck softly, tenderly. Your lips move together before parting, lingering.

“You know, I didn’t mind you being so dominant. It was really sexy.” You mumble against his lips.

You hear him gasp softly when your hand connects with his erection still present in his slacks. It’s not surprising to you that, even in his embarrassment, he hasn’t gone soft. He has an erection damn near every time you both speak, let alone kiss. Your hand gently rubs at his length, and he gasps again when you lean forward to nip at his lip.

“Let me show you just how much I’m yours.”

[starlightsreigns]

pray you catch me | a lemonade story

summary ⇢ mellie feels crazy. he’s not cheating on her, right? but a woman’s intuition is the most honest thing in the world, and she needs to start accepting his secrets. word count ⇢ 0.9k tags ⇢ minors, do not interact, implied cheating | one ; intuition "im praying to catch you whispering"

What are you doing, my love?

There was a vacancy in his eyes nowadays. Even now, as he pounded into me, his eyes were far away. My eyes rolled to the back of my head, feeling those familiar knots forming in my stomach, ready for release. I gripped the sheets tightly as he continued the assault in me until the ecstasy became too much. 

Silence followed us for a while. He didn’t even join me in the shower afterward. Roman stayed in the bedroom, stuck to his phone, like he had for the past couple of months. Something was off and it’s starting to concern me.

From the bathroom, as I lotioned my body, Roman’s faint voice seeped through the bottom of the door. He was whispering on the phone and my curiosity got the best of me, making me press my head against the door. Is this what it’s gotten to? I can’t ask him who he’s talking to, so I’m stooping down to the level of an insecure woman. 

“Nah, I can’t tonight, I’m… busy.” 

He gets the same call every Tuesday night. Before I can look at his phone when he’s asleep, it’s deleted from the call log, but I know what I'm feeling in my gut. He’s more secretive now and I’m not the girl who follows her man in disguises, so I have to find the trust in him. 

“Ro, you want a later dinner?” I clear my throat, entering the room again. “I can make us something.” 

Roman’s putting his clothes on when he turns to look at me, “I might go pick us somethin’ up.” 

My stomach turns. We’re not takeout people. Our diets matter too much to eat out, and he’s rarely the one to offer it. I clear my throat while tying my robe tightly. How do I question him when he’s standing right in front of me, eyes sparkling, and his beautiful smile on display?

“It’s two am, Ro, are you sure?” My question is more of a plea for him to stay. “You know I can make anything.” 

He kisses my forehead lightly, “It’s okay, Mel, I’ll be back.”   

My lonely ear pressed against the walls of your world

How is this the life I’m living now? worried that the man who I call my husband is cheating on me when we’re only two years into marriage. Roman’s different — he’s distant, quieter, and away more. he’s always been on the road, it’s his job, but nowadays, it feels like I see him even less; if that’s even possible. 

Initially, his smiling face would be the first thing I saw when he walked through the door. He’d be on his hands and knees gushing about how much he’d miss me. We’d spend every waking moment together, sharing everything. There were dinner dates, day trips, vacations, deep conversations, and just us. 

Yet, now, he doesn’t even invite me on the road with him. Now, I’m stuck at home. I wonder, and it makes me sick to think, that he’s inviting her — whoever she is. our life together is just starting and I'm accusing him of an affair, but my heart knows I'm not going crazy. I can’t be. 

It took him an hour. The food cartons sit on the kitchen table, unopened, eating is the last thing on my mind. I’m on the couch, frozen in my seat, trying to catch a single word he’s saying on the phone. He’s on the porch, telling me he had to speak to someone from work, but the conversation filled with laughs tells me otherwise. What could Paul say that makes him laugh like that? 

you can taste the dishonesty it’s all over your breath..

“Not ready for bed?” Roman asks. 

That’s the first thing he says to me after being on the phone for that long. He sits beside me on the couch and pulls me into his chest. This is the only thing I’ve wanted all day, to have him close to me and dispel any worries that I’ve had that maybe he’s cheating on me. Roman caresses my face, pressing a tender kiss on my lips, but there’s a taste on his lips that makes me draw back. 

“Did you eat… seafood tonight?” I question softly, running my finger over his lips. 

Roman chuckles, “No?” 

I nod slowly, leaning back against him. He’s telling the truth, right? 

Nothing else ever seems to hurt like the smile on your face When it's only in my memory, it don't hit me quite the same

His smile now isn’t like what it used to be. Something is missing in the way he talks to me or the way he looks at me. It’s like we’re back in the beginning but with less love. The questioning of if he really likes me, I wonder if he’ll call today or … just everything that was exciting. 

The day he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him, he made a promise that we’d always have each other, that our love would take us everywhere, and that nothing could separate us. Yet, there’s a wall that sits between us. 

She sits between us. And as easy as it is to blame whoever she is, the person destroying me is the man sitting beside me on his phone with the brightness turned down. 

Where do we go from here?

“In the tradition of men in my blood you come home at 3AM and lie to me. What are you hiding? The past, and the future merge to meet us here. What luck. What a fucking curse.”

not sure if i like this idea, but I'm here. what's everyone's thoughts? x

[kilojulietsierra]

When You Touch Me Like That (Jake "Hangman" Seresin x fem!massage therapist reader)

Self indulgent maybe, but who wouldn't want to get there hands on this man!?

Your boyfriend visits you at work and suddenly can't get his mind of one specific thing.

Warnings: 18+ only content, established relationship, jealousy, inappropriate massage therapist behavior, consensual kink, sexy massage, happy ending, unprotected pinv, dirty talk, very hands on...

~~~

He had brought you lunch that day. That's how this all had started. He'd hung out in the front office, the girl working the front desk said you were finishing up with an appointment and that you'd be right out. So he'd hung out in the office and waited.

Not long after he heard a door close softly and another door close a moment later. He could hear water running for a long while and then a few minutes later you appeared.

"Jake!" Your face lit up when you saw him and it did his ego good. "What are you doing here?"

Jake was in civilian clothes; boots, jeans and a size too small t-shirt with Wayfairers hooked in the collar, "Out early today, knew who had a busy day so…" He held up a to go bag from your favorite Deli

"God bless you." You walked straight up to him for a kiss and to retrieve your lunch.

"BLT with avocado and an egg, extra runny." He smiled as you took the bag from him to inspect, "Don't worry chips and salsa too."

By this point one of the other therapists had finished an appointment and was talking to the young lady she had been working on. The two of them and the front desk receptionist all seemed to be staring on in envy and Jake couldn't help but play it up a bit. Then he saw the man come down the hallway and walk up to you. He was an older man, definitly older than you, and Jake would guess older than himself as well.

"Thank's hon, amazing as always."

Jake watched him as he walked out the door, hackles raised.

"I'm sorry we're so busy, otherwise I'd say we could eat together." Your voice snapped him out of his murderous thoughts.

"I know darlin," He bent down to drop a kiss on your forehead, "Me and some of the guys are gonna meet up at O'hargens in a bit, I'll get some wings there."

"Day drinking on a weekday? Careful Lieuteant." You had given him a cheeky smile and one last kiss, "Thank you, I love you, have fun."

"Love you too, still want me to come over tonight?"

"Of course," You rolled your eyes a little but still smiled, "Don't get tou turnt up."

Jake smiled and slid his glasses on, "Please, Ferg is the one you gotta watch out for. I'm a boy scout."

Out in the parking lot Jake was still smiling. Until he saw the guy again.

Your appointment. He was sitting in his camaro with the top down and sweat already seeping through his shirt in the Pensacola sun.

Jake eyed the man as he walked to his truck and waited for him to pull out of the parking lot first. Jealousy wasn't something Jake dealt with often, only when it came to you. Mostly when someone was looking a little more than he cared for. Occasionally when Jake remembered that your job included touching people, specifically asshats like that guy.

The whole way to the bar Jake had been grinding his teeth, thinking about that guy and that he called you hon, apparently was a regular, and Jake was certain he wasn't getting regular massages for chronic back pain. Then somehow after a few beers with the boys from the squadron a wire had gotten crossed in his brain.

Which is how he ended up looking away from the game on tv and over to you where you were reading at the other end of the couch. "Darlin, would you give me a massage tonight?"

"Sure babe," You paused for a minute to finish a sentence in your book before looking up, "You sore or something?"

Your hands were amazing and you gave the best massages, Jake was lucky and he knew that. He had free access to you for every ache and pain a hard day of training or flying might cause.

Tonight though, that wasn't why he was asking. "No, not like that. Just... " Now that he'd started this he realized there was no good way to ask for what he wanted. "I mean, like, like a sexy massage."

You chuckled, you looked confused, but you gave him a smile. "Jake, what are you talking about?" As soon as the words left your mouth realization dawned on you, "Ohhh..." You looked him over carefully, "You mean like rub your back before we have sex?"

Jake dropped his head back against the couch, "Know what, don't worry about it, it was just a dumb idea anyway."

"What? No, babe" You scooted over to his side of the couch, "I think I'm just not understanding what you mean."

"Promise not to make fun of me?"

"I mean... no more than normal." You laughed but Jake accepted that answer with a sideways glance.

"So, I got a little jealous after leaving your work today, and then the more I thought about it..."

"Jake, you know when it comes to clients..."

"I know babe, that doesn't meen I don't...can't get Jealous." You both shared a knowing look, Jake was territorial to say the least. "Anyway I had a few drinks with the guys and I started thinking about something else..." When you didn't respond Jake took a deep breath and continued, "I mean like a happy ending kind of massage."

Now it was obvious you understood what he meant this time. You sat there, legs crossed on the couch next to him, and contemplated a few things. "Does that turn you on? Thinking about that."

"Apparently." Jake felt a little embarrassed and couldn't meet your eye.

"Since when?"

"I don't know, about 12:45 this afternoon."

That made her laugh a little, "Do you mean like role play? Or..."

Jake looked at her finally, "No, not like that. I just..." He looked at her hands and lost his train of thought.

"Jake," You brought his attention back and moved closer to him on the couch, now sitting on your knees with your elbow braced against the back of the seat. "You know how sometimes in bed... my brain kind of short circuts and I need something but can't get it out." When he continued to stare at the celining but nodded, you continued, "You make me slow down and take a minute, until I can tell you what I want." His eyes dart to yours and he nods again. "This is a time where you need to slow down and tell me what you want."

He sighed deeply and stared back at the football game, "It sounds stupid now that I'm trying to say it out loud."

You smiled, "I said the exact same thing the night I came back from my birthday party." You smirked when that brought his attention back, you could see him biting the inside of his cheek, "Remember how drunk and silly I sounded trying to explain to you what I wanted? Y'know the thing with the scarves and your..."

"Oh I remember." Jakes smirk doubled, relishing the tinge of pink in your cheeks.

"Well, that ended up not being stupid at all did it?" You asked as you moved to straddle his lap.

His hands grabbing your hips on reflex alone he grinned, "Definitly not stupid."

Your weight settled on his thighs you grinned back, "Now it's your turn, so spill."

~~~

Jake leaned against the door to your bedroom as he watched you change for bed. Nervous as he may be he still smirked to himself knowing full well if everything went well, you wouldn't need clothes to sleep in. "You're sure this isn't…" He momentarily trailed off as you shimmied out of your cut offs and did not replace them. "This isn't, like demeaning or objectifying or like, crossing some sort of boundary?"

You laughed and gave him a big bright smile as you crossed your bedroom to where he stood. "You know how I really," You ran your hands up his chest to wrap around his neck, "Really like when you come home in your uniform and let me… help you get undressed?"

He grinned and set his hands on your hips, "I do."

"Well, I think it's kinda like that." You scratched your nails over the back of his neck and smiled up at him.

Jake leaned down to kiss you, "You're amazing, y'know that right?"

"Mhmm," You grinned into the kiss and then pulled back the slightest bit, "Now, take your clothes off and get on the bed."

With a hint of a groan he pulled away, already turned on, "Yes ma'am."

When you came back from the bathroom with Jake's favorite lotion, which he denied to the bitter end, you found him face down in the middle of your bed, naked and tense. You couldn't help but giggle to yourself as you approached, "You look a little tense there lieutenant."

"Don't tease me darlin'." Jake grumbled into the pillow, arms folded beneath him.

As you climbed onto the bed and straddled his lower back, just as you normally did when you gave him a backrub, the thought occured to you that this was, actually, very different. Lotion in your hands you admired the expanse of muscle before you. "Thought that's what you wanted." You ignored his warning as you made the first firm stroke over his back, a palm on either side of his spine.

The muscles under your hands shivered and flexed and Hangman let out a groan, "Your hands are amazing."

Your cheeks flushed, you bit your lip as you worked over his lower back, up along his spine to his shoulders. You scooted back enough that you could dig your thumbs into the divots at the base of his spine.

Jake was always vocal in bed, but the way he groaned and ground his hips into the mattress emboldened you. You licked your lips and leaned down close, your chest pressed to his back as you whispered in his ear. "Feel good?"

"So fucking good." He groaned, face buried directly into the pillow, hips grinding more as you kissed and mouthed at his neck while your hands stroked over his bulging biceps.

How had you never done this before?

Bracing you hands against his shoulders you pushed yourself back up to a sitting position and began to work your way down his back. When you paused for more lotion you couldn't help but enjoy the way he fidgeted beneath you. LIke he was chasing after your hands, after your touch. You scooted back over his thighs and bit your lip, fighting back a grin as you swept your hands up his sides, strong fingers curling into his ribs and raking their way down over his waist and hips.

You continued down until you were at the backs of his thighs and then reversed direction and stroked over each of his glutes. His hips bucked into the mattress even as his muscles clenched under your touch, "Not that kind of massage darlin'."

You giggled as you drug your nails down over the small of his back and then over each ass cheek, "Maybe some other time."

Again, his hips rolled beneath you, but this time he chuckled. His voice muffled by the pillow he responded, "We'll see."

You continued to knead your way up his back so you could kiss and nip along his neck and shoulders, sucked his earlobe between your lips as moved one hand to stroke up and down the back of his neck before carding your fingers into his hair and massaging his scalp. While he continued to moan in to the pillow and writhe beneath you you smiled and whispered, "Roll over for me baby."

He moved so fast he nearly tipped you over.

You giggled as he steadied you by the hips only for you to swat his hands away, "No, touching."

Jake rolled his eyes, but let his hands settle plam down on the comforter. You purposefully moved to settle yourself over his lower abs, barely brushing his erection as you moved. He let out a long breath like it would help him keep his composure as your hands sarted back into his shoulders only from the front this time. Your thumbs tracing along his collar bone several times before you lifted one arm.

You moved it so his hand would rest on your shoulder as you massaged the muscles of his foream, his biceps and triceps and then back in long languid movements. You couldn't help but hum approvingly as the hand at you shoulder lazily moved to grip the back of you neck. Jakes thumb stroking over your pulse point in time with your massage.

You repeated the same with his other arm, your resolve to drag this out chipped slightly as he again took a gentle hold of your neck and caressed your skyrocketing pulse with the pad of a rough thumb.

"What happened to no touchin'?" Jake teased, his cocky tone a stark contrast to the half lidded eyes he gazed up at you with. Biting your lip you leaned forward, down, into the pressure of his thumb. His grip on your throat shiffting automatically as he held you.

After a brush of your lips over his, and the slight increase in pressure around your throat, you whispered, "Did I say that?"

He chuckled, squeezed your throat a little tighter as he kissed you, "You sure did."

"Oops." You winked at him as you easily broke his grip on your throat to pin his hand above his head.

Jake took the hint and brought his other up to join it, folding his hands behind his head and cursing under his breath when your hands began to work over his pecs. His hips jerked each time your thumbs would swipe over one of his erect nipples. "Fuck baby." His eyes were closed and the muscles under your hands flexed and tightened.

You couldn't help but lean down and lick over one and then suck, like he so often did to you. "Jesus, fuck..." A hand dug into your hair and clamped your mouth in place for a moment, urging you to continue licking and sucking at his nipple, biting it not so gently with your teeth before soothing the sting away with your tongue.

Then he was dragging you back up his body for a kiss. "No touching, remember?" You mumbled into his mouth.

He nearly growled at you in return, "I should have specified sweetheart, happy ending for me means I cum in your perfect, tight little pussy. Not all over my stomach." He kissed you again, his tongue sweeping through your mouth, his grip on your hair keeping your face smashed against his.

A giggle escaped, "This turning you on that much baby?" You pushed aside to kiss and lick your way down his neck, "I'm not even halfway done yet."

Jake spit out another, "Jesus Christ." As you licked over his opposite nipple and then began to trace the lines of his abs with your thumbs. You pushed back, over his cock, the feel of it hot and hard and oh so ready for you tempting, but you slid further, ignoring the way the his entire body rolled as you did so. His hand in your hair tightened quickly and then relaxed, like he caught himself.

You traded your thumbs for your tongue as you began to lick at the planes of his six pack, earning more cursing and another roll of his hips that had his cock pressing against your stomach. In response you moved to straddle one of his thighs and ground down against it, long and slow. Your wetness spreading over it as you finally, truly crossed over that line to make this way more than just a massage.

"Fuck, you're so damn wet darlin', I can feel it." His thigh flexed beneath you and his abs fluttered under your lips. He was not wrong, you were soaked, drenched, leaving a smear of arousal over his thigh. The coarse hair and thick muscle of it doing terrible things to your own self control.

"This the kind of massage you wanted Lieutenant?" Your own voice was breathy as you had made it to nip and kiss at his hip bone, your hips 'massaging' his thigh faster and harder.

"Yes, yeah baby, your hands," Which were currently occupied dragging your nails lighlty down his chest over and over, "Your mouth, fuck baby your pussy feels so good rubbin' on me like that." He thrust up against you again, chasing some sort of friction, some form of relief. His hands moved to the shoulders of your t-shirt. His t-shirt. "Take this shit off."

He drug the fabric off your body with no assistance from you and groaned when you shifted enough to let his cock brush against the soft, bare skin of your breast. WIth a long, wide lick you traced one side of the sharp cut v at his lower abdomen and he thrust against you again. When you moved, scrambled to settle on his other thigh and begin to give it the same treatment, you moved and licked another path up the opposite side of the v and Jake lifted his thigih slightly to add pressure.

"Need you to touch me darlin'." It almost sounded like there was a please at the end of that sentence that he couldn't quite bring himself to say outloud.

You smiled against his hp, "I am touching you babe." You registered the bolt of pleasure that shot through you before you really realized that it came from the harsh slap Hangman had laid across your ass.

You moaned and bucked forward, his thigh chasing you and causing you to hump aginst it even harder. "Smartass." He grumbled even as both hands settled on your ass to squeeze and caress the sting away. "Touch me."

The moan escaped without your permission and you realized you were going to cum. You were well and truly humping his thigh, riding it with your thighs spread wide and your clit rubbing over the muscle. "Oh shit, Jake, fuck..."

He realized too, one hand moving to grab yours and guiding you to his balls, "Go ahead sweetheart, cum for me, be a good girl and cum for me," His larger hand encouraged you to squeeze his balls, massage them the way he liked.

"You're supposed to...' A tremor cut your words off as the knot spun and spun low in your gut.

Jake chuckled, strangled as it was, "It's okay, you first then you can finish my massage, go ahead darlin', go ahead, that's right." He continued to encourage you as you chased your orgasm, riding his leg harder and faster, your grip on his balls tightening as the pleasure crashed into you.

Jakes free hand stroked over your back as you came down, soft and soothing even as his cock twitched with need in front of you.

"Jake..."

He smirked, "C'mere baby girl." He used the hand at your back to pull you up into a kiss while his other hand continued to hold yours around his balls. His fingers working with yours to roll and tug at them. Jake kissed you like he ate you out, his mouth wide and shoving his tongue deep, licking his way into every opening until you were even more of a moaning mess. "Need a minute?" He asked, voice a whisper when he finally pulled back.

You gave him a hallf giddy, hafl shy smile, "Why is this so hot?"

His smile grew, "I don't know, but I love that it got you off to baby." He kissed you again.

"Now it's your turn." You returned the kiss, "In this new fantasy of yours, how do I finish your little massage?" J

ake groaned, "Can I take back what I said earlier? About the roll play thing?" His smile was wide and happy but his green eyes were dark, pupils blown wide.

"Next time." You picked his lips.

He nodded, "Okay." He dropped his head back into the pillows and rolled his hips experimentlaly, smirking again when you shivered, "Want that wrecked little pussy to massage my cock baby. Grind on it like you did my leg, rub it real nice and firm. Want you to get off on it."

You bit your lip and hummed, slipped your hand away from his and his balls to drag a light finger up the length of him. "Thought you wanted to come inside me?"

"Oh, I'm gonna." He chuckled, deep and low in his chest, "You let me worry about that."

All you could do was whine in anticipation as you settled in place, your thighs wide over his hips as you lined up the hadrness of his cock between your lower lips and began to move. You were so sensitive and so wet that every inch of him was nearly too much. Forget that he wasn't even inside you.

All you were doing was rocking your hps, guiding your still trembling pussy from the base to the tip, pressing his cock between the two of you and biting your lip as the familiar sensation sitrred to life within you. You moved your hands to his torso, doing your best to move them like you had before. Slow, firm steady strokes meant to losen the muscle and drive him crazy at the same time.

Then Hangman began to match the motion of your hips with his own. An image flashed through your mind as his hips bucked up into yours, his abs contraciting under your touch with each snap of his hips. The idea of Jake on your table at work, the dim lights, the music, the incense and his skin warm and slick with oil. Your eyes fell closed. He would look so strained, like he was fighting to keep his composure, his control. He would have to keep quiet, you both would or someone would hear you.

It would be so unprofessional, but so hot. As a shiver skittered up your spine you leaned down, your hands sliding over his abs, brushing his nipples on the way up his hard chest. You placed your lips against his ear and tossed your earlier statement out the window. "I'm so embarrassed Lieutenant Seresin." You let out a shaky breath that was only slightly played up, "I don't..." You rocked your hips down hard, "I don't do this with clients, I don't know what came over me, you just... you just look so good, feel so good..."

"Holy fuck." Jakes hands dug into your hips and drug you down over his cock, hard. He swallowed audibly, "Oh sweetheart..." He stretched beneath you, fighting off a wave of pleasure, "Don't be embarrassed." He turned his head so he could mouth at your neck, "Can't help myself when you touch me, you make me so hard, so horny. You're such a good girl I know you don't do this for anyone but me do you?"

"Just you." Your hips stuttered and you wrapped your arms around his neck, "Nobdoy else, just you."

Jake growled, "You only get naked for me don't you?" He was thrusting up into in earnest now, sliding you back and forth over his cock, the head catching against your clit every so often causing you to whine. "You only touch me like this. You only get this needy for me."

"Fuck, yes just for you. I can't help it." "Neither can I sweeheart, can I have that pussy sweetheart? Your mouth feels so good, your hands feel so good, want to feel what that pussy can do."

You fought to keep up the act, "I shouldn't..."

His grip on you tightened, "Just for me darlin', it can be our little secret."

For whatever reason that gets you, so you push yourself up as much as you can and take him in your hand. Trying not to feel silly you stroke the length of him, "It's so big, and hard, it does look like it hurts."

You catch him grin and you know that even though he's nearly out of his mind with how bad he wants to fuck you, the line is cheesy and such a cheap porno thing to say but he loves it. "It hurts so bad baby, make it feel better for me, please sweetheart"

As soon as you nod he as you impaled on his cock and begins fucking up into you. The act was gone completely as he drags you down into an obscene kiss, "You're so fucking good to me baby." His hips are snapping into yours so hard and so fast, that he has to lock his arms around you to keep you in place, "You playing it up for me?"

You nod into his neck, words a mix of strgangled moans and syllables, "It, oh fuck Jake, I kind of like it."

"Damn baby," He grunts as he gives in and rolls you to your back, slamming into you, "Just for me? Just for me, right?"

Your eyes roll back in your head with the way his body and his words are overwhelming you, "Only you Jake, only you, only you..." Your mind shorts out, unable to say anything else as your nails dig into the muscles of his back, warm and smooth where you had stroked over them early, only now to claw deep red welts into him as you cum again with a straingled moan.

Jake has his face inches from yours, watching as you bounce and writhe beneath him and as your pussy clenches down on his cock and he feels the first wave of your orgasm hit he burries himelf deep and cries out your name. Over and over again between grunts and groans as he empties himself into you.

~

You can see the marks on his back from your spot in bed, your heart just now starting to slow, no longer pounding in your ears. You watch him at the sink where he rinises himself off quickly with the tap water as it warms. Not for the first time you wonder just how the fuck he is so good looking. Then when he catches you looking, his eyes dancing and his grin cocky but his overall expression goofy and satisfied you wonder how the fuck he is so in love with you. Jake gives you a wink as he tests the water and then dunks a rag under it.

When he comes back into the room to clean you up, it's a struggle to keep your eyes open as he works the rag over you. He takes longer than he needs, wiping down places where he never spilled a drop, just for the excuse to return a little bit of the favor. The hot towel and pressure of his hand soothing as it stroked over your hips and thighs before he dipped it between your legs.

With your eyes closed the kiss he drops against the dip of your hip makes you jump and he huffs out a warm laugh that slides over your skin.

"What?" You ask, voice barely a whisper.

"Just thinkin' how God damn lucky I am." He places another kiss an inch over. Not sexual in anyway, only adoring.

You chuckle, "I had just been thinking the same thing." You comb a hand through his already disheveled, golden hair and smile. "You're so lucky."

He laughs and nips at your hip bone before soothing it with a kiss. Then he's off the bed and back to the bathroom. Then the room is dark and the bed dips as he crawls in beside you. "Were you really…" His voice is just shy of steady, "Were you really thinkin' about it?"

You schoot back, smiling as he wraps his arms tighter, "Yeah…" You breath deep, "Just kind of, came over me."

Jake nodded behind you and placed a kiss to the side of your neck, "I wouldn't ever ask you to do this outside of the bedroom. You know that right?"

THe smile on your face widens, "I know Jake. I wouldn't mind doing it for your again, just so you know."

He hums, obviously pleased. "Next time you could call me Commander Seresin."

"Not until your promotion is official flyboy." You tease him, shifting your ass back against him as well.

He laughs again, deep and sincere and smooths a hand down your side to keep your hips close. "You didn't mind calling me Admiral when I put on my dress whites and tied you to the bed." He teased, nipping at the shell of your ear, "Sounded so pretty, all drunk and horny, calling me Sir and asking me to put a baby in you…"

You elbowed him hard in the ribs, "Well, the next time I call you Admiral OR ask you to… do that, there better be a Mrs. Seresin to go with it."

Jake turned you to face him and kissed you, slow and deep. "Don't tease me darlin'."

"I would never." You kiss him back, grinning into it until you pull back, "Never about that."

He kisses you again, "Admiral and Mrs. Seresin… is it bad i'm gettin' hard just thinkin' about it."

You shove him onto his back with a laugh, "You realize we'll be like.. what? In our fifties, at least."

His smile was wide and his dimples showed even in the dark of your bedroom. "If we hurry and get those babies on the way, they'd be out of the house by then…"

"We are not havin' babies until you are on permanent shore duty Hangman, you hear me."

"So, what you're sayin' is; I've got a few more years to get all the kinky shit out of my system?" He licked his lips and gave you a look.

"And to sort out that jealous boyfirend thing." You chided him.

"Darlin'," He pulled you down into a kiss, "You let me give you my last name, I won't have nothin' to be jealous of."

You kissed him again, nipped at his bottom lip as you pulled back and settled your head onto his chest. His arms coming around you again made you sigh in contentment.

~~~~~

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you thought!

[meanbossart]

Ask Compilation: Advice, influences and Misc.

Apologies for taking so long on some of these, admittedly I'm much more likely to entirely forget about asks that are about me and my interests 💃 Thank you for all the questions regardless! And thank you specially to everyone who just drops nice messages into my inbox out of kindness.

I'm brazillian and a native portuguese speaker!

I'll probably return to twitter eventually, but a) I hate that place and b) It didn't make much sense to me to turn it into a BG3 account out of the blue. I am considering making an Instagram or a new twitter just to have more places where people can follow in case they don't care for tumblr, but it's just been a very busy year so far and so that's kind of low on the list of priorities. If I ever do that I'll be sure to announce it here. Have a nice day yourself!

Sorry to hear that! I've gotten a few messages before about this issue, and the problem is that since I am myself not from the US, my options are also limited :( a lot of patreon alternatives don't work for me because they either don't go through paypal, take insane currency conversion fees, or just straight up block me from signing up.

Speak for yourself, I just assume everyone I speak to online has committed some sort of atrocious crime until proven otherwise. Except for me - of course. I have never done anything bad in my life.

I still have a lot to learn! But I will basically use whatever works for me at the moment, as well as make a sincere effort to learn about musculature and anatomy so I can understand those components and how they move, instead of only knowing what they look like when still - that's how you get better at drawing from memory. Volume mostly comes from coloring and understanding light, which is it's own beast but can very much be learned from similar reference materials and observing it IRL!

My favorite places to get reference are medical diagrams, weird pictures I take of myself, 3D software (often Virt-a-mate) and questionably phrased image google searches.

My favorite artists are Jason Shawn Alexander and Sean Murphy, but I'm not sure how much of it reflects in my art nowadays! I generally seek to pick up techniques from artists rather than to emulate style.

Honestly I love that you guys generally do the thing he would hate the most: take him very non-seriously LOL

I've been in a real Chelsea Wolfe and Amyl And The Sniffers kick lately! But usually you'll also find me listening to stuff like Boy Harsher, Swans, FWF, JK Flesh Lingua Ignota, Nick Cave, David Bowie, and so on. Music for the weird gays, basically.

I went insane and wrote a 23-chapter-long-and-still-ongoing fic in like four months. But also - I'm not that good, I'm just shamelessly pretentious LOL

Hm. That's a good question, but I'm not really sure. Sincerely not trying to be a edgier-than-thou here (in fact, this has made me a little self conscious at one time or another) but a lot of art that I don't mean to be horror-y in nature at all has been associated with the genre. So perhaps I don't know what I'm doing either, LOL.

I think just leaning on making things look slightly "wrong" or "ugly" on purpose is the way, but I also find that if you just seek to depict people as they are instead of idealized versions of themselves, you will arrive at that either way.

Thank you for reading! Honestly, I'm guilty of having not read much at all since I was in my late teens, and the style I'm employing for ANE is very different from the things I would call "influential" for me, or even that I used to enjoy reading at all before. I read a lot of Chuck Palahniuk as a youth (and, no slight to people who do like him still, but nowadays I'm not sure why I ever did. His stories don't speak to me at all anymore) as well a lot of weird experimental lit that I didn't even care to remember the name of. My last book stint from one or two years ago was composed solely of historical and medical literature, and last year I got really into Cormac Mcarthy thanks to the internet.

So, all in all, I'm absolutely all over the place LOL if you put a gun to my head and told me to list my favorite books, I'd say The Indifferent Stars Above and Blood Meridian.

(Consider the reading portion of the question to have been answered above) I really really liked Beau is Afraid and think it's a really great "horror" movie. Sue me.

[helloalycia]

𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐉𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒 [𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑] — 𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐂𝐈𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐍𝐀𝐌-𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐘

one / two / three / five / masterlist / wattpad

summary: as you try to avoid witnessing Clayton making moves on your girlfriend, you start to hang out with the help some more, only making Alycia jealous in return.

warning/s: none.

author's note: super delayed (my bad), but here’s the final part! hope you guys liked this one :)

Alycia's parents were treating her to lunch today, so I busied myself with icing the cupcakes Millie let me help her bake yesterday, and also the little 2-tier cake I'd baked for Alycia as a surprise.

It was fun, I wouldn't lie, even though I was terrible at baking and icing and anything creative in that aspect. But Millie was great company and it was a nice enough distraction from the utter boredom I otherwise would have felt with Alycia being gone. 

"So, how did you and Alycia meet?" Millie was asking as we dyed our icing.

"It was actually at a job, working over the summer at one of her parents' camps," I answered. "Though, back then, I definitely didn't know she was the daughter to millionaires."

"Would that have changed anything if you did?" she asked with an amused smile.

I shrugged, weighing it up as I'd never really thought about it. "I'm not entirely sure... I think if I knew before speaking to her, I may have avoided her. But that would have been based on a preconceived idea that she's stuck up and spoilt, y'know? Obviously, I spoke to her because she was my buddy at the time and we got along from there. And by the time she told me about her parents, well... she's lucky she's cute."

Millie laughed at my joke. "That's adorable. You guys make a lovely couple. And you're right about getting to know Alycia. I've worked here for a year or so, mostly for her parents, but the few times she's visited and we've interacted, she's been kind."

I smiled, knowing that sounded like Alycia. Nothing like her parents, thank God.

"So, how did you end up being a private chef?" I asked curiously.

We passed time as we decorated, talking about how she went to culinary school, what she did when she wasn't baking and her love for it all. It was refreshing, especially because I'd never met anyone who did this for a living. And after she helped me not make a fool of icing the cakes, but also assisted me in decorating Alycia's, a waiter entered the kitchen to let us know of Alycia's return.

"That's your cue," Millie encouraged, before nodding to the cake in the box on the counter. "Knock 'em dead."

A little excited, I smiled gratefully before grabbing the cake and heading to the front door with hopes of finding Alycia. They were still outside, I noticed, when I glanced out the window, and then I realised they weren't alone. Her parents, her and fucking Clayton of all people were getting out the car, chatting and smiling. Had he gone to lunch with them? What the fuck? I literally stayed behind so Alycia could have some bonding time with her parents, not him.

Frustrated, I stepped away from the window and realised my anger had gotten the better of me because I'd unintentionally squeezed the box in my hand and, consequently, the cake.

"Fuck," I mumbled, before backing away from the door and returning to the kitchen.

"How did she– wait, what happened?" Millie started, but stopped herself when I tossed the cake box on the counter.

"Fucking Clayton and his fucking lack of boundaries," I muttered with irritation, before leaning my head in my hands on the counter to contain myself.

"Oh, Y/N..."

I'd never discussed anything of my feelings towards Clayton to Millie, but it was pretty evident how I was feeling right now. I thought I was over it, especially after Alycia's reassurances last night, but clearly I wasn't.

"It doesn't matter," I said with a heavy sigh. "It was stupid anyway. Just throw it out. It's basically bird food now anyway."

No doubt giving me a disapproving look, Millie grabbed the box and said, "Don't be silly."

I glanced up when I heard her shuffling about, only to see her taking the cake out the box and cutting a decent enough slice that wasn't destroyed by my inability to contain my anger.

"Go," she ordered, pushing the plate towards me. "Give this to your girlfriend."

I narrowed my eyes at the cake. "She's too busy with Clayton."

Millie gave me a knowing look. "It's her dad, not her, now go." I just about rolled my eyes when she added, "Don't be a child, Y/N."

Grumbling to myself, I straightened up and grabbed the plate. But not before glancing at her and saying, "You're getting too comfortable with me."

She cracked a smile, resisting the urge to laugh, before wafting me away with her hand. I groaned inwardly before returning to the front of the house, where Alycia, her parents and Clayton were just entering the atrium. As soon as Alycia spotted me, her face lit up and she ran to me, almost making me drop the plate as she hugged me. Admittedly, it made me forget why I was annoyed in the first place and I immediately returned the hug.

"Ooh, what's that?" she asked distractedly, eyeing up the cake slice. "My surprise, perhaps?"

Unable to stop my smile, I was about to reply, but was instantly cut off by her father.

"Oh, that can't be Millie's handiwork, surely," he said with a loud laugh. "What on earth is that decoration?" Glancing at Clayton, he added, "This is why you have to be picky with the help."

Clayton laughed at his joke whilst I tried very hard not to throw the plate at his head.

"Dad!" Alycia scolded with a look. "That's not nice!"

Her dad played dumb, then looked to Clayton for approval, which only boiled my blood more.

"Y/N, what is it?" Alycia asked, expression softening when she looked back to me.

"Nothing," I managed to say without flipping out irrationally. "Just leftovers from a practice batch Millie made." Swallowing hard, I took a step back. "In fact, I should probably throw it out. It's not that nice anyway."

Alycia frowned, about to speak, but bloody Clayton of all people spoke up.

"Alycia, your dad and I are going to get a drink, would you like to join us?"

Seconds away from smashing this plate on his head, I rolled my eyes and turned to leave instead. Storming back to the kitchen a second time, I made a beeline for the bin.

"Seriously?" Millie asked with playful disbelief. "You still haven't–?"

"It was a stupid idea," I snapped, setting the empty plate before her, before leaving to get some fresh air.

—

Not even half an hour passed when Alycia found me returning to the house after a well-needed sulk around the property.

"Y/N!" she called once she spotted me by the outdoor dining area. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"

"I haven't been very far," I said nonchalantly.

She frowned guiltily, eyes flickering between mine. "I didn't know Clayton would be there. My parents took me out and he was already sat there at the table."

"He always seems to be present, don't you think?"

She sighed. "I know."

I lifted an eyebrow questioningly. "Seriously? Why not doing something about it, Alycia?"

She raised her eyebrows too. "Don't you think I'm trying?"

I tried not to scoff as I crossed my arms. "Well, not hard enough."

Definitely surprised by my attitude, she gave me a look. "Y/N."

I looked down at my shoes, knowing my anger would return if we discussed this any longer. "Forget it. See you at dinner."

"Y/N," she started as I began to walk away.

"Or maybe we'll see Clayton, who knows?" I said sarcastically, before rolling my eyes as I left, ignoring her calls.

It wasn't her fault, I knew that, but she wasn't exactly telling her father to back off, at least not well enough. I was uncomfortable and her parents were doing a pretty great job at making me want to leave. So, why couldn't we?

—

Dinner time that same evening was awkward as hell and I was counting down the seconds before I could leave to go up to our room. Her parents were chatting, talking about the business and Alycia, and I was staying quiet because I seriously couldn't be bothered. The only relieving thing was that they hadn't invited Clayton.

At one point, the dessert was brought out – the cupcakes that Millie let me help her make, though she did ninety-nine percent of it – and her dad felt the need to comment.

"Ah, see? This is Millie's handiwork," he said with a smile as the waiter placed some cupcakes before us all. "None of that rubbish from earlier."

I bit my tongue as I distracted myself with my cup of tea. Alycia glanced over at me, wanting to say something, but as usual, she didn't.

When the meal was over, Alycia and I headed straight upstairs for bed. I never usually went to sleep so soon after eating, but I didn't want to stay awake and have to talk things out with Alycia, not when I was still so upset at the situation. So, after getting ready for bed, I jumped right in and laid down, turning my back to Alycia who was still unchanged from her day clothes.

"Y/N?" she called gently. "Can we talk?"

I closed my eyes, frowning to myself. "I'm tired."

I heard her sigh from behind me, and though a small part of me felt bad for treating her like this, the rest knew that it wasn't fair how I was being treated this whole trip. The sooner we left, the better. But for now...

"Okay," she muttered. "Goodnight, I guess."

I didn't say anything, but the door closed and I assumed she'd gone into the ensuite to get ready for bed, too.

—

I'd hoped going to sleep would put me in a better mood, but when I woke up the next day, I was only reminded of how shitty everything had been and my mood still remained.

There were only two days left before Alycia and I could go home, but for now I had to suck it up. I still wasn't in the mood to talk to Alycia, so I avoided her the best I could, which I soon discovered was ideal because none other than fucking Clayton was back at the house again. Apparently it wasn't for Alycia, based on what the staff chatter had to say, but rather for a business meeting with her dad. Either way, it was an excuse for him to be around and I would have rather stayed away.

Deciding that Millie was the only other person here that I knew and felt comfortable enough to be around, I went to bother her as she worked in the kitchens. Plus, I owed her an apology after my outburst yesterday.

When I found her, she was preparing some ingredients for something and almost didn't notice my presence until I stopped by a stool at the counter.

"Hey," I said with a small smile.

When she saw me, she returned my smile with a relieved one. "Y/N, hey. How are you doing? You seemed really upset yesterday."

I leaned in the palm of my hand nervously. "Yeah, look, I'm sorry for snapping at you. It wasn't very nice, especially not after you tried to help me with the whole situation."

"It's okay," she assured. "I can see how annoying it must be to find out Clayton is always around. I'm guessing that's why you're here now."

I sighed, trying not to get worked up at the mere mention of him. "Yeah. I hope that's okay. I just can't stand being around him. And Alycia isn't helping the situation, so we're kind of not talking."

At this, Millie gave me a disapproving look. "You can't just not speak to her. You know this is an awkward spot for her. It's her parents, not her."

"I understand that, but how about me? I'm at my girlfriend's house to hang out with her family and instead of that, they're trying to show her off to another guy right in front of me. Why do I have to be okay with that?"

Millie sighed, shrugging as she worked. "You're right. It's shitty. But you need to communicate this to Alycia, not avoid her."

I put my head in my hands and groaned quietly. "Can I avoid her a little longer? I'm not in the mood."

Chuckling quietly, Millie nodded. "I suppose so. Maybe I can teach you how to make fresh pastry."

Glad she was letting me stay, I smiled for real and jumped off the stool. "Thanks, Millie."

It was probably a terrible sign that I enjoyed spending more time with a pastry chef than I did my girlfriend's family, but I didn't care. If they couldn't bother to make half the effort with me that I was making with them, then I couldn't change that. Besides, there were only two more days left. I could surely survive that.

After spending the morning with Millie, chatting away mindlessly and watching as she worked because it was better than watching TV for hours on end, it was soon lunchtime. We were supposed to be having an outdoor afternoon tea for lunch, with some baked goods that Millie and a few of the other chefs had prepared in advance. I was stood outside with Millie after she set the table, the two of us talking by the doors, when Alycia found me.

Millie and I's conversation ceased as soon as Alycia stopped by us, glancing at me with a tense jaw.

"Alycia," I greeted, still mildly irritated.

"Can I speak to you, please?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. Before glancing at Millie and adding, "In private?"

I looked at her with disbelief, but before I could say anything, Millie nodded awkwardly.

"I should get back to work," was all she said, before returning to the kitchen.

When she was gone, I looked back to Alycia. "That was a little rude, don't you think?"

Alycia's green eyes stared holes into mine. "What are you doing?"

I was confused. "What?"

She crossed her arms with annoyance as she asked, "Do you like her?"

Absolutely baffled now, I raised my eyebrows and stared at her. "What? Are you joking right now?"

She clenched her jaw, unimpressed. "All you keep doing is avoiding me and hanging out with her instead. What gives?"

The audacity of her to make such assumptions was laughable, to the point where I had to stop myself from doing so.

"Wow," I said with both irritation and impatience. "You're kidding me, right?" Judging from her know-it-all expression and the patronising glare she was giving me, I knew she wasn't. I continued, "Maybe if you stopped appeasing your dad's wishes this whole trip and hanging out with Clayton all the time, you'd see that I'm bored! Millie is the only bloody person I can hang out with here!"

Alycia scoffed frantically, shaking her head and looking away. "That's hardly fair."

I widened my eyes as I gave her a questioning look. "Isn't it?! What's not fair is that I'm here to bond with my girlfriend's parents and, instead of doing the same, they're trying to set you up with a new man whilst I'm literally right here!"

"That's not what's happening–!"

It was my turn to scoff as I cut her off. "Sure it's not. Because he just so happens to be around all the time, doesn't he?" Giving her an angry glare, I said, "He drools over you, Alycia. And do you think I like watching him check you out? Because I bloody don't!"

She opened her mouth to speak, but just on cue, someone approached us and interrupted, and it was damn Clayton.

"Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but Alycia–"

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" I shouted at him, before losing my patience and shoving past him to return indoors. I didn't have to deal with this – it wasn't fair!

Storming up to our room, I shut the door and tried very hard to contain my frustration, but it was too late, I was already fuming. It wasn't fair! I didn't deserve to be treated like this! And I wasn't going to stand for it anymore. Being here was only making me miserable, so I had to leave. Alycia could stay the rest of the trip with her parents, but they didn't want me here and I didn't want to be here.

Pulling out my suitcase, I grabbed as much as I could from the wardrobe and threw it in, deciding to pack everything up. Clayton and Alycia's parents could live happily together, but I didn't care to see it.

I was midway through packing when the door suddenly opened and Alycia appeared.

"Y/N, we need to talk," she said sternly. "Not argue."

"I'm not interested," I said dismissively, throwing another shirt in.

She must have realised what I was doing, finally paying attention, as she lost her irritation and looked to me sadly. "You're leaving?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "No, I just thought the suitcase was a looking a little empty. What do you think?"

"Y/N!"

I ignored her and continued to pack, moving to grab some toiletries from the dressing table.

"Please, let's just talk this through," she tried again. "I don't want to fight."

"Neither do I, but I can't be here anymore," I said, throwing my toiletries in my bag. "We can talk it through at home. You should stay the rest of the week."

"We're literally talking right now," she pointed out, making me roll my eyes. "C'mon, just sit. Please."

I met her eyes with a hardened stare. "Not in the mood."

She frowned and then her jaw clenched and I saw her impatience shining through. "Y/N."

I was stubborn, but so was she, and I refused to let her get her way this time.

Returning to my packing, I planned to ignore her presence until I finished, and even when she rounded the bed to approach me, I blanked her out. A little too much, in fact, as I didn't realise she'd pulled out some handcuffs from her back pocket and snapped them onto my wrist, connected to hers.

"Alycia!" I scolded. "Unlock it right now."

She pursed her lips, shaking her head. "Nope."

I bit back my irritation. "Maybe when you were a kid this sort of behaviour was cute, but it's not now, so let me go."

"Talk to me then," she insisted. "I don't like how things ended before and I don't like seeing you upset."

"Well, I'm not in the mood to speak to you right now and I just want to leave," I retorted. "So, respect that."

Her gaze softened. "Please."

I outstretched my free hand. "Key. Now."

Just when I thought I'd have to wrestle it from her, she sighed and gave in. "Fine."

As she patted down her pockets, I pushed my hair from my eyes and groaned inwardly. "Where the hell d'you even get handcuffs anyway?"

"Toy set from when I was a kid," she mumbled, before I watched her pat her pockets some more. Judging from the worried look she had, I couldn't imagine the news being good.

"Alycia, give me the key," I repeated, growing nervous, and she tensed her jaw with annoyance. "This isn't funny."

"D'you see me laughing?" she snapped, before checking her back pockets and coming up with nothing.

I tried to pull my wrist from the metal cuffs, but it pulled her wrist too, making her yelp, and that's when I realised she really wasn't joking.

"Alycia, are you insane?!" I shouted, already stressing because of what this meant.

"Just shush!" she ordered, though the guilt was seeping through. "Panicking doesn't help!"

I gasped sarcastically. "Sorry if we're bloody handcuffed together and I'm panicking! Because in case you didn't realise, darling, we're handcuffed together!"

"I know!" she shouted right back, before giving up with her futile searching. In a quieter voice, she said, "I've lost it. I must have missed my pocket when I put it in."

I groaned loudly, attempting to sit on the bed, but she of course came with me and I had to remain standing.

"Look, let's just go back downstairs and retrace my steps," she said hopefully. "It'll show. And if not, there's gotta be some tools somewhere."

I stayed quiet, not wanting to snap at her even more when I was already pissed off and she was the last person I wanted to be handcuffed to right now. Instead, I let her lead me downstairs and around the living room and old playroom, with hopes of finding the key on the floor somewhere. But we searched everywhere and there was nothing. Not wanting to give up, Alycia assured me we might be able to find some tools in the shed outside. But of course, it was just our luck when there was nothing there either.

"No offence, but you're terrible at this," I told her bitterly, before flagging down the pool boy who was nearby. "Hey, mate, are you alright to give us a hand? Alycia over here has handcuffed us together and we need something to unlock it with."

The pool boy, more of a man in all fairness, glanced at our handcuffed wrists. "Have you tried the key?"

I closed my eyes, containing my constant frustration that didn't seem to leave me today. Thankfully, Alycia responded so I wouldn't have to.

"We lost the key. We were thinking something like a screwdriver or a hammer. Anything else, really."

"Hmm...," he thought to himself. "I'm not sure about the wrist part, but I can definitely separate you by chopping the chain with a butcher's knife."

How hadn't I thought of that? It was genius!

"Yes!"

"No!"

I blinked, looking to Alycia. "I'm sorry?"

"Y/N, are you insane?" Alycia asked with disbelief. "That's so dangerous! What if he missed?!"

I opened my mouth, stunned. "Are you– are you kidding me right now, Alycia? Insane? You bloody handcuffed us together! The only insane one here is you!"

Taking that as his cue to leave, the pool boy turned on his heel and left Alycia and I to bicker.

"How dare you!" she exclaimed, not even attempting to disguise her annoyance anymore. "Sorry if I had to take extreme measures to talk to my girlfriend!"

"I said I would talk about it back home!" I reminded her, before yanking our wrists towards me. "Now c'mon! I don't want to be handcuffed to you any longer!"

"I said no!" she said, yanking me back as I attempted to walk away.

Frowning, I pulled her towards me. "We're using the knife, dammit!"

"I said no!" she repeated firmly, yanking me back towards her.

"Alycia!"

"No!"

"We're going to the–!"

"You're not listening–!"

"Alycia–!"

And before either of us knew it, she'd yanked me too hard, enough for me to go tumbling right into her and knocking us both into the pool. The cold water shocked the anger right out of me and I immediately tried to resurface, gasping for air. I made sure Alycia was okay beside me, momentarily stunned, and when she was pushing her wet hair from her eyes, the realisation settled in and my anger returned.

"I can't believe you just did that!" I shouted.

"Me? You're the one who fell into me!"

Swallowing hard, I began to swim to the stairs. Thankfully, she got the hint, and we both returned to our room dripping wet.

"We'll go to the garage in town first thing in the morning when it opens," she suddenly said when we were stood there making a mess on the carpet. "They'll have tools."

I resisted the urge to glare at her. This was probably the biggest fight we'd ever had and, right now, I hated her.

"I'm showering," I said without giving her much choice. "Come on."

Yanking her into the ensuite, I shut the door and grabbed a towel, mumbling to myself, "I'd have a bath but I can't because tweedledum is handcuffed to me..."

"I'm not stopping you," she said defensively. "Go for it."

I glanced at her, trying to see if she was joking, but when she wasn't, I thought what the heck? I deserved a nice, relaxing bubble bath. Though preferably one that didn't include her. Unfortunately, I couldn't manage that, but I could still have the bath, so I filled it up as I undressed and forced her to sit on the edge of the tub, look at the door and be quiet. Being Alycia, however, she couldn't manage that, and she was nonstop talking about how she didn't like Clayton or what her dad was up to or anything about this week so far. And I'd finally had enough.

"Alycia!" I snapped, opening my eyes. "The whole point of this is for me to relax. Be quiet, please."

She sighed, but thankfully listened, and I closed my eyes again, trying to forget that she was attached at the wrist and sat on the edge of my supposed-to-be relaxing bubble bath. Just when I thought I was doing better, she suddenly moved, making me open my eyes, and then I saw her jump into the bath with me, sitting opposite me and with her clothes still on.

Widening my eyes, I looked to her. "Alycia!"

"I'm sorry," she said with a pained voice, ignoring my shock and her current situation. "I know I need to do more. This week hasn't been fair on you. But my dad doesn't listen and I don't know what else to say. I don't mean to appear ignorant. I care about you, Y/N, so fucking much."

The sincerity in her voice was convincing enough, but I was still staring at the fact that she was soaking wet and fully clothed in the bath with me.

"Say something," she pleaded.

"You're wearing clothes?" I said with disbelief.

She rolled her eyes. "Forget that. Just talk to me. Please."

Despite the stupidity of everything, it was the distraction I needed to finally tell her how I was feeling. I hesitated, not planning to do it whilst sat naked before her in a bubble bath, but she clearly wasn't going to leave, so it was now or never.

"I've tried to be respectful, but your parents don't like me, Alycia," I started, meeting her eyes. "I can't stay here any longer whilst they do what they're doing. I just want to go home. This whole week has been a train wreck."

She sighed dragging her hand down her face. "I know."

I sighed too, looking down with embarrassment. "I know you don't like Clayton. But seeing him with you doesn't feel good. It's not that I don't trust you, but I can't help it if I feel jealous sometimes. Especially when I'm here because of you. I don't know. It just sucks."

She rested her cuffed hand on mine, rubbing her thumb gently. "I feel the same with you and Millie. And it wasn't fair of me to accuse you of anything. I was just pissed because you already hated me and she was making you smile and I got stupidly jealous."

I frowned, meeting her eyes. "I'm sorry to make you feel like that. I don't hate you, Alycia. I've just been upset. I'm not usually the jealous type and it got ugly."

"You're not," she agreed. "Neither am I. I guess this whole trip has just pulled us apart, huh?"

I hummed in agreement, leaning on the side of the tub with my elbow. I didn't know where to go with this. Her dad wasn't listening and that couldn't be changed. So, now what?

"I love you," she said, earning my attention. "I want to make things right. And that starts with you being comfortable. So, we'll leave tomorrow."

"It's your family, we can't just leave."

She lifted a brow. "Wanna bet?"

I gave her a knowing look. "Alycia. No. Look, I'll go. You stay. I'll see you back home in a few days."

"I'm not staying without you, and you don't want to stay, so we go together," she insisted, moving closer to me, unbothered by the fact that she was chest deep in water. "Besides, I don't really want to stay either. Not when my girlfriend is being shit on time and time again."

That was all I'd wanted to hear, selfishly enough.

"You're sure?" I asked. "I'll stay if you really want me to. And I won't sulk."

She cracked a smile. "I'm sure, love. We've been here long enough."

I nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Alycia."

"Thank you," she corrected. "For being so patient."

I gave her a small smile, before nodding to her clothes. "Take them off, idiot. You've already made a mess from jumping in here."

She laughed, pulling off her clothes whilst still in the water, only making a further mess of water on the floor. I rolled my eyes but gladly pulled her towards me, struggling at first but managing to keep her between my legs and hold her tight.

"Sorry, I was jealous," I mumbled into her shoulder.

She kissed my cheek and leaned back. "Me, too. And I'm sorry I couldn't try the cake you made me. It looked really nice."

I sighed. "No, it didn't."

She began to smile, her body moving slightly as she held in a laugh. "Yeah, no, it didn't."

I squeezed her playfully, making her laugh properly, and refused to let go.

[dreadsuitsamus]

Anytime | Kensei Muguruma x Reader |

author's note: this hurt a little bit to write lmao and i apologize in advance if it hurts you too

pairing: kensei muguruma x fem!reader

warnings: reader and kensei are divorced, a little bit of angst and jealousy

"I'm on my way."

It rings in your head, over and over, as you sit on the side of the road and wait for your ex-husband to come save you. Stomach a pit and each and every nerve wired and frayed, tears nearly brim in your eyes at the anticipation of his arrival. Being stuck on the side of a road you're sure hasn't seen a single driver on it in at least a week is one thing, and it's another when you've got three flats and an ex-husband with a hefty I told you so locked and loaded.

Your divorce with Kensei was finalized over two years ago, but the sad fact remains that he's the most important person in your life, and vice versa— which is why you informed him of this last-minute road trip, only to be warned against it.

"I don't think your car can handle that trip. Put it off until I can make sure everything is functioning properly."

And like a fool, you neglected to take it seriously and off you went to the festival. Perhaps it's why you had as great of a time as you did— karma was evidently waiting with a dish best served cold.

Your heart jumps at the sight of a black Silverado truck pulling up. He hates that damn truck, much preferring his fuel-efficient Elantra, but you've left him with no choice today. You're so distraught you can't even take much time to appreciate those long legs of his as he steps out of the truck; sometimes you wonder how you could be divorced from the most handsome man you've ever known.

Dressed in jeans with the platinum chain you'd gotten him many moons ago attached, boots and a black button down shirt, your gut tells you he was busy when you called. Looking so fine… He was on a date, wasn't he?

It burns.

With a resounding sigh, you meet him in the halfway distance between your cars. Kensei's never been particularly talkative and mouthy unless angry, and though there's certainly some simmering beneath the surface, he's calmer than you initially expected. He passes you a bottle of water and a protein bar before going to inspect the damage, subsequently sighing and rubbing his temples with his long fingers. "I'm amazed that your luck is so shit that you only got three flats so your goddamn insurance wouldn't cover it."

"I'm still trying to figure out how I only got three."

"Divine intervention." Kensei mutters bitterly and starts to roll up his sleeves past the delicious forearms that once would hold you up against the inferno that is the rest of his body at night. "When's the last time you even got these rotated, let alone changed?"

"I don't even know what having them rotated means."

Kensei sucks in a sharp, irritated breath and steels himself; it'll do no good to get upset this early into the project. He just… Wishes you fucking listened to him. About anything, at this point. "New rule. Get it done every time you get an oil change." And thank God your car is one that will bug the hell out of you about your service interval— he doesn't want to consider what your oil and other fluids would be like otherwise.

"Okay." You mumble and crack open the water, taking a long pull from the cold drink. It's refreshing and perfect, pulling your spirits up just a tad as you start to feel a little bit better physically.

"Eat that protein bar." Your ex-husband demands, heading for the bed of his truck and lowering the tailgate. He's got everything he needs for the swap— including time. "I know you, you little shit. You're running on a refresher from six hours ago and had a hearty helping of hopes and dreams to eat, didn't you?"

You scowl as you chew the protein bar. It's terrible, like every protein bar you've ever tried, but at least he got one that doesn't make you want to vomit. "I didn't call you here so you could lay into me about my eating habits."

Kensei's brown eyes cut to you as he lowers a tire to the ground. "You rather me go off about the rest of the shit you got yourself into now, then? 'Cause I was saving it for later."

Rolling your eyes, you look away from the man you married six years ago. He huffs and resumes himself, setting up a workstation and prepping your car to start swapping the new tires on. You find a spot nearby him, settling down onto the lawn chair you took to the festival as he begins cracking off lugnuts. Sparing a glance your way, Kensei feels a bit of a tug at his heart despite his rage. You may be his ex-wife, but you've never been bad to him a day in his life. "How long did you sit here before you called me?"

"About two hours." You sigh, finishing the water after forcing the protein bar down. "I tried to get my insurance to help me. They wanted to charge even more because it's a Sunday and I just don't have the money for all that. I considered just camping out for a night and having them come out tomorrow, but…"

Kensei shakes his head. He was waiting for your call or text announcing you were back home; that plan would never fly as long as he's in your life. "We gotta get you a new insurance policy, babe. You're done paying for one that would leave a woman stranded like that."

"Yes sir."

Silence settles in for a while as you watch Kensei work. A light bead of sweat trickles from his temple to his neck, and then he tosses his tools down to carefully slip the buttons open and take off his shirt. If it's somehow possible, his biceps are bigger than they used to be. Leaving himself in a white tank top, he tosses the shirt your way. "Keep that clean for me, yeah?"

"Mhm." You slip into the oversized shirt, his handsome smelling cologne flooding your senses. He's not slick at all; it's chilly out in this wasteland, and rather than simply ask if you're cold, he'd rather ensure you won't be.

His unstoppable air of authority wraps you up, even now.

"Were you busy?" Tumbles out of your mouth after the beat of silence lasts too long. He's finished one tire already and it's really hit you how much you relied on him during your marriage.

It's no wonder he didn't fight to salvage it.

"No." He lies through his teeth and it's easy. Just a little too easy.

It's no wonder you served him divorce papers.

Huffing softly, your brow draws together. "Yeah, right. You got dressed all nice just to come bail me out? Bullshit. I'm smarter than you give me credit for, Ken."

"And yet, you went on this trip without getting your car checked out." Kensei snaps right back, irritation creeping up and warming his neck and ears. "If you didn't wanna wait for me, fine! Why not take it to Abarai's place?" He's got a point— You've known Renji for years now, and he'd always make time for a friend, his business needs be damned. He'd have it done in a day, easy.

Still, the embarrassment of being scolded like this lights your temper. "I told you, Ken, this trip was not planned. I had a friend up north mention the festival and we decided to go to it and meet up."

"Even if I accept that answer, which I don't, there's no reason for you to let your car get this bad! I don't even wanna look under the hood! Why do I always have to take care of your shit for you?? Time and time again, you fuck up and then you call me to bail you out!"

Your eyes widen with a series of blinks. He doesn't sound pissed as much as he's simply… Tired. Upset. Kensei being angry or frustrated is not foreign to you— on his surface, it's the only emotion he knows. But as his wife, you saw the softer side of his feelings. He does get sad, he does cry and he does have bad days like anyone else. And as you take in his tirade… The realization hits that those glimpses of his belly showing were almost entirely gone by the time of your separation.

That marriage was already doomed by the time you attempted to save it. Serving the papers to him wasn't supposed to do anything but show his true colors— he'd fight for you, or he'd give up. And Kensei chose the latter.

"Ken." You murmur carefully. "What were you doing when I called you?"

Kensei throws the tools down, rubbing his hands over his face. "I was on a date."

You'd rather have been left on the road to die than hear him say those words to you. The sinking feeling in your stomach threatens to send that protein bar back up just at the thought of him sitting at a restaurant with another woman, treating her in the same ways he'd treated you way back when. Kensei dating isn't unusual, per se. He's a single man, attractive and still quite young…

But he's yours.

"And you came for me?"

Kensei's hands drop to his lap. "For better or worse, babe: that's the promise I made you."

"The wedding vows don't particularly mean shit after the divorce." Tears of shock and hurt fill your eyes, though you refuse to blink and let them fall. He will not make you cry again, ever, but… The turn of your head to look away from him sure does accidentally force them out.

Kensei drops his head— he hates it when you cry, and hates himself for being the reason. He should've just lied again, brushed it off and moved onto the next flat. It wouldn't have worked though; the guilt he shoulders when he lies to you eats him alive, and it triples due to the look on your face when he does lie. You know he's not telling the truth, every time he tries it.

"I don't know why you think I'm the type of man to leave any woman stranded, much less you. You're the exception to every rule I have, always have been."

Your lip wobbles. It's true, you've always been the one to break Kensei's rules. He said he didn't date coworkers. But he dated you. He said he wasn't after a serious relationship. He married you. He said you shouldn't see each other after the divorce. Yet, he was calling and asking how you were doing not even a week later.

He's always loved you.

It's quiet for a while, and eventually Kensei gets back to the entire reason he's here. Clouds are rolling in, and he'll be damned if he gets caught in the middle of a rainstorm right now. His chest cavity feels empty and he wants nothing more than to crawl into his bed and sleep these horrible feelings away.

"Why?" You ask after a while, your few tears mostly faded now.

Stop, stop, stop! Stop asking questions, stop crying over your ex-husband moving on!!

"Why what?" Kensei mutters as he torques the lugnuts on the second tire.

You sigh to yourself, a beat of silence taking over again. Kensei's amber eyes flick over to you, snuggled into his shirt and avoiding his gaze as you curl into your chair. You're at war with yourself, that mental battle clear as day on what he can see of your face. His heartstrings tug, and next thing he knows he's wiping his hands and kneeling in front of you, cupping your cheek in his hand so you'll look at him.

His thumb swipes away a small tear. "Babe. Talk to me. You're not gonna feel better otherwise."

Your chest heaves at his touch, at his sincere eyes and warmth that keeps you so in love with him even now as a shudder wracks your entire body. "You keep your promises to me. You're always there when I need you. But why didn't you fight for our marriage?"

Kensei's silver brows raise before knitting together. "You wanted to leave. I wouldn't force you to stay if you weren't happy."

"I wanted you to care! I wanted my husband to tell me he still loved me and that we could work it out, but you didn't! You let me leave without so much as asking why!"

Kensei withdraws his hand. "Of course I cared! Does this—" He gestures back to your car. "Look like I don't care?? You had my whole heart in your palm, and you broke it! But I still come for you! All I want is for you to be safe and happy, and if it's not with me, so be it! You matter more to me than I ever have!"

"I've never wanted anybody else." Your eyes burn with fresh tears. You've never so much as entertained another guy for a potential date, let alone go out with someone after the divorce. There's nothing but your love for Kensei stopping you, but foolishly you hoped he would do the same; how unrealistic and unfair of you.

How many dates has he been on with this woman? Has he kissed her yet? The entire idea makes you want to scream and cry and cuss an innocent woman out for banging your husband. Ex or not, he's still so much of your heart that to lose him would ruin you.

"Then why divorce me?" He murmurs, standing and stepping back. The clouds are darkening, and he feels a hefty drop on his shoulder. "Why put me through a divorce if you wanted to stay together?!"

Anger boils inside your stomach, blood churning at an incredible pace as you rocket out of the lawn chair and fill the space he's created between you. "Why not fight?! If you love me as much as you keep saying, why didn't you fucking try?!"

"I already told you!" Kensei yells right back. "You wanted to go! So I let you go, because it's what you fucking said you wanted! You ended our marriage over a goddamn test, like the six years we spent together were some kinda fucking joke to you. You can't accuse me of not caring when you ended a four year marriage over petty shit!"

"I gave you a choice, Ken! I served the papers, but you signed them." You poke his chest harshly as two raindrops bounce against your forehead.

"I'm not having this argument with you; the shit's been said and done with for almost three years." Kensei turns his back to you as the rain starts a steady fall to swap out the last tire and get the hell away from you.

"Is she pretty?" It's beyond petty, so stupid and childish but you've got to know. If he likes this woman, or God forbid loves her, you'll never call him again. You'll die cold and alone before even considering reaching out to him, as an ex-wife to an ex-husband should.

Kensei stops in his tracks. "Yeah."

"Do you love her?"

"Never."

"Why?"

Kensei looks up at the sky, the gray clouds swirling as the rain descends. He closes his eyes and breathes deeply, and it's the same as always every time he's left to gaze at the back of his eyelids— you and him on the night of your wedding, laying together in bed and giggling like teenagers at the prospect of your happy life together starting.

He turns, white tank top half soaked as he comes back to you and holds your face like porcelain. This beautiful face drives me crazy… "Nobody's ever gonna be able to be you."

You whimper and a fresh set of tears mixes in with the rain as Kensei leans down and kisses you, his passion so pent up that he's picking you up and pressing you to his truck before you can make heads or tails of anything. His shirt is swiftly bunched into your hand as the surprise subsides and the gratification fills you to the brim, your lips and tongue sliding with Kensei's in a messy reunification. Too long, it's been too long since you had this, since you felt his warmth on you and reveled in it.

His silver hair is silky between your fingers and he groans as you massage his scalp with your nails. He's always been a bit like a cat in that sense. Your legs around him and his arms around you tighten as you urge your bodies closer, leaving no room for even Jesus now. The rain pours around you, leaving you drenched by the time you've got no choice but to pull back, lest you die making out with your ex-husband.

All in all, not the worst way to go.

Kensei kisses your cheek gently, his lips lingering as he maneuvers to open the door to the passenger seat and shield you from the onslaught of rain. Peppering small kisses while he wipes the rain from your face, he turns the truck on and sets the heater up to keep you from getting sick.

He strips himself of his tank top once he's left you safely in the truck, tossing it in the truck bed before running to finish up the last tire change with this lucky break in the rain. Your fingers come to touch your tingling, smiling lips and you close your eyes as the space of Kensei's truck encompasses you.

By the time Kensei's back, his tools and your old tires all loaded up, you're beyond sleepy. Scooping you into his arms, your husband walks slowly and kisses your temple as he carries you to your car. "C'mon. Time to go home."

You steal a kiss off his lips, and by the time you're back in town, you weigh every option as you sit at a red light behind Kensei. Taking the next turn leads you home, but going straight will bring you right to Kensei's apartment building.

The light turns green.

[misc-obeyme]

THE THREADS THAT BIND

CHAPTER THREE

MASTERPOST for summary/info/chapter list

a/n: Solomon makes an appearance! This story takes place in the OG timeline so Barbatos doesn't hate him lol. However, I like to think that Barbatos is not generally inclined to ask Solomon for help, especially if it's something he believes he can handle himself.

GN!MC x Barbatos | word count: 1,829

Warnings: Solomon lol, but otherwise there is a time when MC is dealing with pain from the curse again, though briefly

That day at RAD, Barbatos stayed by your side as you went to each of your classes. Lucifer and Diavolo were the only people that knew what was going on. Everybody else seemed too nervous to ask either of you about it. You supposed this was because if anybody got too close, Barbatos would smile at them. It was the terrifying smile he sometimes used and it was more than enough to deter any probing questions.

There were some people who were less affected by that particular smile, though. You were sitting between Solomon and Barbatos in class when Solomon leaned over to you and said, "I see you've been cursed and gained yourself a butler attendant."

Of course Solomon could tell you were cursed. It would be weird if he didn't notice. You were about to tell him all about what had happened when Barbatos cut in.

"It is none of your concern," he said lightly.

Solomon sat back and laughed. "I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. This is my adorable apprentice. I hardly think them being cursed is none of my concern."

"It was an accident," you said, trying to intervene before things got problematic. "I was practicing a spell and got it wrong, that's all."

Solomon frowned. "You must have gotten it really wrong if you cursed yourself instead."

You felt Barbatos's hand on your leg, squeezing tightly. He was likely thinking of earlier when you said he should tell Solomon the truth. You patted his hand underneath the table, hoping to reassure him that you wouldn't give away his secret.

You smiled at Solomon. "I don't suppose you know the counter curse for something like this, do you?"

Solomon looked you over, as though he was calculating the full effects of the curse itself. "I'm not sure," he admitted at last. "Is it a binding curse?"

"It has these threads," you said.

You were about to describe it more, but Solomon interrupted you. "Ah, okay, it's a thread binding curse. It hurts you when Barbatos leaves your side, doesn't it?"

Solomon was the best sorcerer in the three realms, of course he knew about the curse. But you were still surprised. "Yeah, exactly," you said.

"I don't know how you managed to do that to yourself, MC," Solomon said with a playful smile. "But I can sense that there are those who believe that it's none of my business, so I'll just take your word for it. Let me look into this curse, okay? I might be able to find the counter curse for you."

"That would be great," you said. "Thanks."

The rest of the class passed without incident. Though you were sure it was only a matter of time before Solomon found out exactly what had really happened.

-

When you were done at RAD for the day, Barbatos escorted you back to the Demon Lord's Castle. You spent the evening following him around - sitting in the kitchen watching him make dinner, lingering around while he did laundry, following him to Diavolo's office to check on the prince and bring him tea while he worked. There was something easy and casual about it. You found yourself doing little things for him without even realizing it - handing him a spoon in the kitchen, helping him match socks, arranging the cookies on the plate he brought Diavolo with his tea.

The two of you also spent some time reading through books about curses, trying to find the counter curse for your current predicament. Barbatos didn't comment on the earlier conversation you'd had with Solomon at RAD. You wondered if Solomon would find the solution before you did. The likelihood of that happening seemed pretty high to you.

As you were reading through various books, your D.D.D. went off almost continually. The brothers were not happy about the fact that you weren't coming back to the House of Lamentation for the foreseeable future. You were sending them messages trying to console them, letting them know that you still cared about them, that you'd be home soon.

Even as you sent those messages, you felt a little guilty. You loved the brothers, of course you did, but you found you really enjoyed being in Barbatos's company, too. Dinner had been especially pleasant with Diavolo there, the three of you chatting about this and that.

Diavolo had been extremely concerned about the curse when Barbatos told him about it. He was not pleased, not just because of his butler being cursed, but because an exchange student like yourself had been cursed as well. Barbatos had managed to convince him that it would be all right, that you would find a way to break it in time. And Diavolo seemed to trust his word. And so did you.

Eventually, the day came to a close and you began to get tired, yawning now and again. You tried to hide it, keeping yourself focused on the books in front of you, but you should have known that wouldn't work.

"I think perhaps we should go to sleep now, MC," Barbatos said, closing the book he was reading and looking at you carefully. "We can continue this research tomorrow."

"All right," you said, knowing it would be pointless to argue with him. "But I feel like we're no closer than we were when we started. I hope Solomon is having some luck."

Barbatos stood up from the table, gathering the books in a neat stack. "I appreciate you not divulging the truth of our situation at RAD earlier today."

You sat back and crossed your arms. "I only did that because you were squeezing me so hard. I still think you should tell him."

Barbatos shook his head. "I must ask you not to interfere with this."

"I won't," you said, mostly because you didn't want to upset Barbatos. You supposed it was a matter of pride for him. He likely felt he should be able to handle a bothersome sorcerer on his own.

You stood up from the table and followed him as he led you out of the room. It wasn't long before you were at the door to your guest room. He opened it for you and then followed you inside.

You looked around the room. You had enough things for now, but if this went on for much longer, you'd have to go back to the House of Lamentation just to pick up more clothes.

You sighed a little and turned to Barbatos, who was standing just inside the room. "Aren't you going back to your room? You must be tired, too."

Barbatos chuckled. "I'm afraid my room is too far from this location to allow you to sleep comfortably if I do that."

The truth of this statement hit you like a ton of bricks. Of course he couldn't leave! Last night, it was clear that he had spent the whole night in the chair beside your bed. He wasn't thinking about doing that again, was he?

Then again, you weren't entirely sure just how far he could go before you started to feel ill. You frowned. "Are you sure?"

Barbatos blinked in confusion. "Fairly certain, yes."

"Let's test it," you said, moving past him and back out into the hall.

He followed directly on your heels. "MC, I must insist-"

"No, I need to know how much distance we can have between us," you said, starting off down the hallway.

Barbatos followed you. "MC, this is really unnecessary. You'll only-"

You stopped and turned around abruptly, putting a hand out. This caused Barbatos's chest to bump into your flat palm. He frowned.

"Just humor me, okay? Stop moving. Stay right here," you said.

Barbatos was clearly not pleased with this idea, but he took a single step back from you. The way he remained still indicated to you that he wouldn't follow you again.

You turned back around and started walking. You found you felt perfectly fine. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as you had previously thou-

It was like you had crossed an invisible threshold. You felt the same nausea as you had before when you had first woken up and Barbatos left your room. As you kept going, the headache sprang up. You forced yourself to continue. You were feeling sick, but it wasn't so bad that you couldn't walk. You weren't even slowing down, really. So you kept up your pace, continuing on down the hall.

And then it hit you. The sickness was one thing, but this was different. It was a pain that seared through your heart. It was an emptiness, a hollow that yawned in your spirit, miring you heavily in something you could only describe as despair. As though you had lost everything. The pain was overwhelming and you fell to your knees, hitting the ground hard before catching yourself on your palms. Tears were streaming down your face.

The pain eased almost immediately as Barbatos nearly ran to your side, his hands on your arms. You looked up at him and it felt like that hole had been patched, carefully and thoroughly. Like you were whole again. You stopped crying, but you were suddenly so tired. You sighed and let your head fall again.

"MC," Barbatos said.

"I'm sorry," you said. "You were right. I didn't believe it was that bad."

"This is the nature of the curse," Barbatos said. "As you see, it is better if I stay close to you. I will simply sleep in the guest room beside yours."

You almost groaned. Of course he would do that. You had forgotten there was a room right next to yours. That should be close enough for you to be okay.

You reached out, holding onto his arms. Barbatos understood immediately and helped you stand, though he didn't let you go. You couldn't stand without him at that moment anyway, so you leaned on him heavily.

"So you'll be here?" you asked, indicating the door next to yours as he helped you back down the hallway.

"Yes," Barbatos said. "You should be all right with that short distance."

You started to regain your strength, finding you could walk without his assistance by the time you got back to the bedroom door. You pulled away from him gently, carefully wiping the tears off your face.

You forced yourself to smile at him. "All right," you said. "Then… I'll see you in the morning."

"I look forward to that moment," Barbatos said with a smile. "Good night, MC."

"Good night, Barbatos," you said, watching as he actually bowed to you briefly before going through the other door.

You went back into your own room and sat on the bed, sighing. You had forgotten just how horrible that feeling had been the first time Barbatos left your side. You wouldn't be making that mistake again. You felt heavy as you stood up and began to get ready for bed.

masterpost | chapter one

chapter two | chapter four

masterlist | Thank you for reading!

[s4bbatical]

YOUR GIRL | Part 4. Patrick Zweig x Female!Reader

Pairing: Patrick Zweig x female!reader, Tashi Duncan x female!reader (platonic)

Summary: After your parents announce their divorce, you're sent to New York to pursue your passion for the arts at NYU. Your cousin, the infamous tennis player Tashi Duncan, introduces you to her insufferable colleagues at a house party in the upper east side. Already a sore thumb from rural Canada, Patrick can't help but find interest in an untouched territory.

Word Count: 5,5k

Warnings: Foul language, mention of cannabis.

MINORS DNI

Notes: The timeline is inaccurate in comparison to the film, this is an AU. All characters introduced are barely in their early 20s, unless stated otherwise. No use of y/n.

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.

CHAPTER FOUR: “Sutphin Boulevard”

"Believer - monologue exemplifies a lust. It's so true."

You didn't really like November.

The month between Halloween and Christmas was as useless as a trust fund kid hosting a charity event, which you did in fact have to attend with Tashi right after your exam week. Thankfully, you were not obligated to be present on campus besides exams and classes, giving you the excuse to not face your problems anywhere. You knew running away from it wouldn't last forever. However, it was the only thing you could do for now.

The first two weeks of November, Tashi and Chloe take turns spending time with you, making sure you weren't alone with your thoughts for too long. You tried to focus on your studies, excelling in them due to the lack of outside obstacles. You no longer wanted to attend gatherings as it was another way to run into him, only leaving your house if it was necessary.

Tashi had told your grandmother about the reason why you had taken the life of a hermit, so she gave you a position at her flower shop, thinking it would be nice to distract yourself from the noise.

All you could do was think about it, really. What you would do if he apologized, what would he say, and what would you say if he really wanted you. Or wanted nothing to do with you. You couldn't help it. You even made a pro and cons list on your phone when you were on the subway earlier that day, swearing to yourself as you thought you saw him sitting in the next cart over. It was not him. You weren't even in his neighborhood, for god's sake. It was you who had chose to cut contact with him, and you knew it was up to you if you wished to reconcile.

You stood behind the counter at work, busying yourself with bouquet assembly as Chloe wandered around the shop aimlessly.

"How many orders can you possibly get in one day?" Your best friend says, grabbing a lily and sniffing it before putting it back in it's place.

"The people are very grateful for Thanksgiving, you know." You say, tying up your 10th order of the afternoon. "If you're bored then you can help me out." You suggest to Chloe, who pretends to think in deep thought for a moment.

"I'm okay, thanks though." She smiles, taking bite of her shawarma wrap that she bought across the street. She had gotten you one as well, which you already devoured about an hour ago. "So," She starts speaking, swallowing her food. "You feel like coming out of hiding for the Manhattan holiday market? We could go skating, too. Tis the season!" She says in a sing-song voice, shimmying her shoulders.

You laugh, starting another order. "Yeah, sure. I used to be a figure skater when I was younger, actually." You admit, putting away the last order of the day.

"Seriously? How am I hearing about this now?" Chloe asks, taking another bite of her wrap.

You shrug. "I haven't done it since I graduated high school. My parents..." You trail off, recalling the pain and anger of the divorce. It tore your house apart. "They didn't wanna pay for it anymore." You simply say, smiling slightly.

Chloe nods, finishing her last bite. "Well then it's settled. When's your shift over?" She asks.

"Well... technically I'm done the orders for today, but I have to stay around for another two hours." You say, glancing at the time on your phone.

"That's fine. I'll just do my homework here then." She says, grinning. "That okay?"

"Course, Chloe. You know I appreciate your company, I love ya." You say, deciding to pull out your new read from your bag.

"Awe, I love you too." She giggles. She takes a moment before speaking again. "Have you.. heard from him at all?" She asks timidly.

You frown slightly, your heart dropping. "No. Why?"

"Oh, okay." Chloe says, fiddling with her hands. "He asked me about you the other day." She looks up at you. "He's really sorry about what happened, you know."

"Good, he better be." You say curtly, tucking your hair behind your ear.

"I think you should talk to him." Chloe says abruptly. "I-I know you don't want to see him and you know I don't like the guy." She laughs before continuing. "But he looked devastated dude. Like, really upset that I wouldn't tell him anything about you." She says, pursing her lips with a sympathetic look. She stares at you, but you say nothing. "Just think about it, okay? It might be nice for you guys to resolve things. I know you're not happy about it either." She says.

"Yeah, I will." You say flatly, trying to focus on your novel. "I have more important things to do than think about that."

"Sorry but, were you there when you literally complained about it for half an hour over margaritas for movie night two days ago?" She recalls, raising a brow.

You shift your body from one foot to the other. "I was drunk, everyone complains about stupid shit when they're drunk." You argue, trying to read your book.

Chloe scoffs. "You're really stubborn, you know that?" She says, closing your book.

"Hey I was reading that!" You say, glaring at her.

"You can't keep avoiding him forever." Chloe says sternly. She sighs when she sees you frown. "I'm sorry, I just care about you a lot dude. I don't want you to keep feeling this way. You care about him, and he cares about you too. I can tell." She says softly, crossing her arms.

You hold your face in your hands, groaning like an overstimulated child. "If it'll make you happy," You throw your arms out in defeat. "I'll talk to him! Fine!" You exclaim.

"Thank you! Finally!" Chloe exasperates, mirroring your actions. "Jesus, Tashi owes me twenty dollars." She breathes out.

You gasp. "You guys betted on me?!"

Chloe stammers. "I-I uh, nooo..." You squint your eyes at her. "...Yes?" She squeaks. "Please don't be mad! We both wanted this to be over with!" She explains, holding your arms. "It's out of love."

A customer then walks in, causing the both of you to go quiet.

"We'll talk about this later." You mutter. "Hello! Welcome!" You greet the customer warmly. "Can I interest you in our Thanksgiving arrangements?"

-

"Do you think I should get this ornament for her? She likes cats." Chloe asks, holding up a felt ornament that resembled an orange tabby cat.

"You've literally been on one date." You point out.

"And? Have you ever heard of lesbianism?" Chloe retorts, putting the decoration back down.

"I thought you were all for breaking stereotypes, not becoming the definitive version of one." You jest, looking around.

Before hitting the rink, you and Chloe decided to see the Christmas market in downtown Manhattan. The various different stalls of gifts and treats galore were very alluring, but god was it expensive. You had decided to buy a hot coco the size of your hand made from pure chocolate, and that alone was creating a dent in your wallet.

"God Christ everything is so expensive." You say, although you knew your statement didn't make any difference. Most of the vendors were trying to make an income, it wasn't their fault. Well, for the most part at least.

"That's what makes it a New York Christmas, baby." Chloe states, doing some weird shake with her hands that resembled jazz hands.

"The closest thing we had to this back at home was my next door neighbor selling mulled wine for ten dollars." You explain flatly. "Capitalism is a beautiful thing." You hum, already finishing your hot chocolate. "I already finished my three ounce drink, what a pity." You say sarcastically, discarding it in a nearby bin.

"Let's just go skating then. I'm kind of over this too." Chloe says, rubbing her hands together. "Fuck my hands are cold." She complains, breathing on them heavy to warm them up.

"Didn't I remind you to pack gloves like four times this morning?" You recount, pulling out a spare pair from your messenger bag. "Take these."

"How would I survive with you?" Chloe says, kissing your cheek gingerly.

You grimace, wiping your cheek. "I'm surprised you haven't died yet, to be honest." You joke, the both of you laughing.

-

The two of you make it to the Wollman rink in Central Park, and to no surprise, had to buy admission.

"I can't believe it costed ten dollars to skate for an hour." You complain, tying up your rental skates.

Chloe doesn't respond right away, distracted by texting someone on her phone. You clear your throat.

"Huh?" She says looking up from her phone and putting it away in her pocket. "What were you saying?"

"Nevermind man." You say, dismissing your statement.

The two of you climb onto the ice, only taking a few strides before your skills came back to you. You held back a laugh as Chloe's legs wobbled, unable to let go of the railing.

"Chloe, it's not that hard I promise. Just push yourself forward." You say, reaching out to her. "You can hold onto me if you want!"

"Fuck no, I'm chill." She states firmly, putting a hand up. "Just give me some time to warm up. Go do some laps or something." She reassures, gesturing for you to go ahead.

"Alright then." You shrug, turning away. You glide gracefully across the ice, feeling the spirit of the holidays warm you up as Last Christmas By Wham! plays over the speakers. You're doing forward and backward spins, overjoyed by the reconnection of your old passion. You're grinning madly as you smoothly skate between people, nearby children very entertained by your moves.

You try to find Chloe, who seems to have disappeared. Confused, you slow down your pace, yet keep gliding in circles. You turn and face one of the entrances to the ice, seeing the last person you'd ever expect to.

Patrick is standing there, watching you from the edge of the rink.

You forget how to stop yourself, causing the loss of balance. Before you realize what's happening, you've landed on your back. You groan loudly as the ice makes contact with your body, knowing you were going to feel it tomorrow. "Shit." You whisper, wincing as you sit up and hold your head. That's what you get for being too cocky with your strides.

You hear the scuffling of shoes beside you, looking up to make eye contact with Patrick.

He looks at you with concern, a sheepish smile on his face. "If I was supposed to catch you, I did not get the memo." He jokes, offering a hand.

You glare at him, getting up by yourself and ignoring his offer to help. "Why are you here?" You ask passive aggressively, skating past him to step off the ice.

"To talk to you!" He exclaims, trying to keep pace with you. He nearly slips at least three times before stepping off the rink.

You're flustered, and very annoyed with his presence. "Well, you've spoken! You may leave now." You say bitterly, walking over to the worker in charge of shoe rentals in order to get your boots back.

"No, don't do this right now." Patrick pleas. He awkwardly waits for you as you ignore him, retrieving your shoes then sitting down on a bench to change out your skates. "Chloe said you wanted to talk, so I came here." He admits, crouching in front of you to meet your eyes. He places a hand on your knee.

You glare at him. "Chloe told you to come here? No wonder she was on her phone so much." You mutter, taking off your skates and also knocking off his touch from your knee.

"Can we please go somewhere else and talk?" He asks, nearly begging you on his knees. You continue to pretend you don't hear him, putting on your shoes then getting up to hand over your skates to the worker, thanking him.

"You can't ignore me forever." Patrick exasperates, getting up and following you as you start walking away from the rink.

"Where's Chloe?" You ask yourself, looking around for your friend.

"She's with Art," Patrick explains. You finally look at him, confused. "He came with me." He says.

You roll your eyes, readjusting your scarf as the two of you continue to walk through the park. You finally decide to sit down on a nearby bench, allowing space for Patrick to sit beside you. You didn't feel like walking away from him anymore.

He does so hesitantly, looking at you from the corner of his eye. "We've both been avoiding each other," He says calmly, sighing. "I don't understand why."

You stay quiet, looking forward.

"Are you choosing to become a mute right now?" He asks, still no response from you. "Fine, alright then." He says, leaning back against the bench. "I've missed this, you know. Your stubbornness." He says, now looking right at you, the side of your face at least. "And you." He adds quietly.

You then finally look at him, your heart skipping a beat as the two of you make eye contact. "Anything else?" You say flatly, as if it was obvious that he would miss someone as great as you.

Patrick scoffs, laughing as well. "Nope, that's it." He jokes, sitting up straight. "I um, I wanted to apologize." His tone switches, sounding very sincere. "What happened last month was very out of line, and I shouldn't have done what I did. I guess I didn't like the fact that your attention wasn't on me for some selfish reason, but that doesn't mean I should've kissed you." He admits, sighing. "That was very uncool, and I shouldn't have led you on like that." He finishes.

You look down at the ground for a moment, taking in his words. You wanted to tell him that you wish he'd kiss you like he meant it, not that he was being selfish and thinking with his groin. You knew what was best, and feeling a little hesitant about accepting his apology.

"Can you please say something?" He says quietly, frowning at you slightly.

You look back up at him. "I'm not sure what you want me to say." You mumble, tucking a loose piece of hair behind your ear. "I have been thinking this over a lot, you know." You look up at him. "I'm also sorry for how I reacted. You didn't deserve for me to just cut you off without explanation." You reason.

Patrick smiles weakly at you. "Don't apologize please. I deserved that. Made me more insightful if anything." He tries to joke, shrugging his shoulders.

"Yeah, you needed that more than most." You joke, nudging Patrick. He chuckles slightly. "I forgive you." You finally say, smiling at him. "I-"

"But-" He starts to say.

"Sorry, go ahead." You say.

"No, you first." He insists.

You nod, taking a moment. You're grateful for his apology, that is evident. However, you have to make a decision for the better. You're not just looking to fill the void of what you thought could've been, but rather to move forward in a healthy way. If he didn't feel the same, it wasn't worth confessing to anything.

"I want us to be friends, Patrick." You say adamantly, looking at Patrick for a response. You watch as his face falters, quickly covering it up with a meek smile.

"I think that's a good idea, yeah." He says, although not sounding very confident in his own words.

You search in his face whether or not he was lying. You couldn't read him, you were never good at it. "You don't sound so sure of yourself." You say, laughing awkwardly.

Patrick shakes his head, smiling even more. "Sorry, I am. I want us to be friends." He says affirmatively, although he wasn't sure if he was just saying out loud to convince himself.

"Good." You smile. "I missed you too, dumbass." You say, raising your hand for a high five.

Patrick stares at you for a moment, laughing before smacking your hand with his own. "You're so fucking weird."

You gasp. "What? I'm not a big hugger." You say in defense.

"That's fine." Patrick says, sticking his hands in his pockets and leaning back. "I didn't wanna hug you anyways." He shrugs.

You eye him closely for a few moments before going in, hugging him from the side hastily. His eyes widen, letting your warmth fill him up before he slowly hugs you back. He wouldn't say it out loud, but he really liked the sensation of getting a hug from you, even if it was against your own wishes.

-

A few days later, Patrick is spending the night at your place. You had both met up to do homework together earlier that day, you suggesting if he wanted to come over to watch some comedy movies together.

"How is a sheet of moist supposed to make my skin look better? I feel like a snail has ran across it." Patrick asks monotonously, trying not to move his face so much.

You both were wearing sheet masks that resemble cartoonish animals, managing to convince him to do some self care together to rewind on a Sunday evening.

"Wait, don't move." You pull your phone out and take a photo of him.

He simply stares up at you from the desk chair.

"Oh Jesus." You say, laughing manically as you look back at the photo. Your facemask starts coming off, deciding to discard it entirely.

"What? Do I not look beautiful like you promised?" Patrick asks, feigning being upset. He also takes off his mask, throwing it away.

"You look just fine, now hold on."You exit your room and grab a face towel from the bathroom, dabbing the excess moisturizer before returning to your room and handing it over to him. "I also have a gua sha I'm gonna use on your face, is that okay?" You ask.

He furrows his brows at you, dabbing his own face now. "A what now?" He says, utterly confused by the item he's never heard of before.

You retrieve your gua sha from your desk drawer. "It's to de-puff your face and make sure you have good circulation. I'll be gentle, I promise." You say in a taunting manner, grabbing ahold of his chin to tilt his face up towards you.

He stares at you as you glide the rose quartz stone across his face slowly, focusing on his bone structure. "It feels cold." He whispers, staring into your eyes a little too intensely.

"It's supposed to feel good, Patrick." You tell him.

"It does." He simply says, keeping eye contact with you. The both of you stare at each other for a moment as your movements cease.

You clear your throat, walking away to sit at your vanity and use the gua sha on yourself. "This is what a lot of women do every day, you know." you say matter-of-factly.

"Why? It makes no sense. These extra serums and shit, it's like witchcraft or something." He mumbles, his face flushed red. You assume you may have put too much pressure on his skin, not that he was flustered in any way. No, surely not. "All women are beautiful." He states, moving over to your bed.

"I know you think that, most of them can't escape your wrath." You say smugly, putting away your skincare.

"What? You jealous or something?" He says playfully, laying on his side with his arm holding up his head. "You had your chance."

"Oh how will I ever live?" You sigh dramatically. "Oh right, peacefully." You remark, getting up to join him on your bed.

Patrick sticks his tongue out at you in response.

"Very mature, Zweig." You say, leaning against the headboard as you grab the remote and turn on a streaming service.

"Have you seen the new Thor movie yet?" He asks, sitting up to lean his back against the wall.

"Nope, why you ask?" You say, putting on Glee.

He groans. "Glee? Seriously? You're just like my sister."

"It's fun! just watch a few episodes with me."

"I have no options, I know." He says in defeat. "But I was wondering if you wanted to see Thor on Friday." He asks.

You almost say yes, but realize very quickly that you were unavailable, because of a date. "I can't, sorry. I'm actually already going to the movies with someone else." You say, shrugging as you focus on the television.

The day after you and Patrick reconciled, a very attractive man you recognized from campus came into your work. He hung around for an hour, simply conversating with you before asking you out on a date later on in the week. His name was Seth.

"And who's more important than me?" He says, pointing to himself.

"If you must know, I have a date." You state, grabbing your diet coke off the coaster and taking a sip.

Patrick smirks, eyeing you closely. "Ooh, a date. With who?"

"Does it matter?" You quip. "It's just some guy."

"It can't be just some guy if you, the pickiest person of all time, said yes to him." Patrick states, poking your leg. "Just tell me! Maybe I know the guy."

You purse your lips before deciding to tell him. "His name is Aaron, he studies Art History at school."

"Hmm, doesn't ring a bell. Sounds like a total fucking nerd if you ask me." He mumbles, turning his head to face the television.

"Well good thing I didn't, Patrick." You say in annoyance.

"Why are you always so defensive? I'm just asking you a question." He whines, tilting his head back.

Sorry, I just didn't think you'd care so much." You say, repositioning yourself.

"I'm your friend, I think it's fair give a shit about you sometimes." He argues. "Especially if you're dating randos."

"He's not a rando, I met him at work. Not on the internet mom." You say sarcastically, causing Patrick to laugh in response.

"Still, he could be a weirdo and you just don't know it yet." He tries to explain, speaking mainly with his hands. "He could lead you to a vacant parking lot at midnight then kill you, or other evil things." He says.

"You're starting to sound like those podcasts you've been listening to. Fucking relax." You say firmly. "Nothing is gonna happen. He's taking me to see Gravity at the movies and that is all. Dinner too, I think. I don't know where because he's surprising me." You simply state.

"Gravity? I thought you had a fear of space." Patrick says quizzically, furrowing his brows.

"Well I tried suggesting that remake of Carrie, but he hates horror movies." You admit.

"But you love horror movies?" Patrick says rhetorically, scoffing. "He already sounds like a horrible match, maybe I'm just crazy though." He says, putting his hands up before clasping them together in his lap.

"If I didn't know you already, I'd say you're jealous." You mutter.

Patrick reaches over you, taking the remote and pausing the television. "I'm not." He says firmly. "I just don't want you to waste your time on someone not worthwhile and you're ignoring the fact."

"You're not gonna let this go, are you?" You snap, laughing out of annoyance. "It's just a fucking date, it's not like I'm gonna marry the guy. Christ Patrick." You exclaim, standing up from your bed.

Patrick sighs. "I know, I know." He says. "Calm down, you're taking my word too seriously!" He argues, staying on your bed.

"Just drop it, okay? I don't wanna talk about it anymore. Clearly it's a sensitive topic for some reason."

"It's not! God, no it's not." Patrick tries to reason. "I'm sorry, it's not that serious. I just care about you."

You glare at him, crossing your arms. "You mean it?"

"I mean it." He heavily accentuates. "I hope it goes well, for your sake." He says.

"Yeah, me too." You say, although now unsure of yourself. "Me too." You whisper to yourself.

-

It's Friday, November 29th. The cusp of the true holiday season, and the end of a drought for your romantic conquests.

The date was going great, incredible even. The two of you got along swell, and any worries you had about him has dissipated as the night went on. You and Aaron just had some Italian dinner at a restaurant a block away, and had just set foot into the movie theatre. It was small, but had its unique charm that has stood against time.

"You excited for the movie? It has great reviews so far." He grins, hand in hand with you.

"I'm not great with space stuff to be honest, but I'm stoked nonetheless." You admit, smiling shyly.

"Really?" Aaron's eyes widen. "You should've told me, we don't have to see it..." He says, halting the two of you in front of the snack counter.

"No, it's fine. It's not a bother." You say, smiling.

The two of you are now in the screening room, waiting patiently as advertisements cross over the screen. Aaron is already eating his popcorn, and you're scrolling aimlessly on your phone. You see a new Instagram post from Patrick, recognizing the photo had been taken by you.

pat_zweig 【┘】 4 hr

❤︎‬ 213 likes, 9 comments

pat_zweig: naughty or nice?

You laugh quietly to yourself, leaving a comment on his post.

loverg1rl: you're getting coal in your stocking. photo creds btw? hello

You put away your phone, turning it off as the movie begins. You can't help but redirect your thoughts over to Patrick, wondering if he was enjoying his evening. Maybe you'd be watching Thor: The Dark World with him, and enjoying it a lot more than the motion sickness you're about to endure due to the outer space set up.

You start thinking about how this date would go if it was with Patrick instead, finding yourself slowly imagining him instead of Aaron. You knew it was bad, horrible even. You couldn't help yourself, he's left such an impact on you since you moved to the big apple.

Patrick Zweig was something you could not have, no matter how much you wish you could. It was pointless, everything would end in flames if you tried. Why not? You'd ask yourself, but why? You also say.

You look over at Aaron, smiling when he makes eye contact with you. Without thinking, you lean in and kiss him. He kisses you back, and it feels wonderful. This is how it's supposed to be; no pain, just pleasure. You ignore the feeling that you're forcing yourself, you just aren't used to Aaron yet.

You'll learn to like someone else, even if they're not who you really want.

The movie ends. You find yourself outside with Aaron, the cold air engulfing the two of you.

"That was insane, maybe of my favorite movie of the year." Aaron says, smiling wildly.

"It was good, yeah." You say casually, checking your phone. Patrick texted you, his name saved as the one he put in your phone as.

Patrick the Almighty: how's the date? i'm at art's. chloe's here, we're watching glee. thinking of you

You smile fondly at your screen.

"How are you getting home tonight?" Aaron asks, taking your attention away from your phone.

"Oh, my cousin is picking me up." You say, putting your phone in your pocket.

"I see, the tennis star right?" He says, referring to your conversation from dinner.

"Yes, the tennis star." You laugh. "I'm sleeping over at her house, so." You add.

"That's very cute, I haven't had a sleepover with my cousins since I was a kid." Aaron says, looking off to the side for a moment before returning his gaze to you. "I can wait with you, if that's okay." He suggests.

"Sure, I'd like that a lot actually." You say, grinning madly.

"Do you mind if I smoke?" Aaron asks, pulling out a pack of what you presumed to be cigarettes.

"Go ahead, I smoke too." You say.

"Weed?" He asks, almost giddy to hear you say it.

"Oh, no... cigarettes." You say sheepishly.

"Oh!" He says, raising his brows. "These are joints, sorry." He says, referring to the pack in his hands. He takes one and sticks it in his mouth. "Is that alright still?"

"Yeah, course. I've had it a few times before, back in Canada." You say, zipping up your jacket as the cold breeze creeps under your blouse.

He nods, lighting up the joint. "Did you... Want some?" He asks, inhaling then exhaling the joint.

You stand in silence for a moment, debating. "Yeah, sure."

He hands the joint over, allowing you to take hold of it.

You bring it to your mouth and inhale, holding it like a cigarette. You exhale, coughing a few times but holding your composure. "Fuck. That shit bites." You wince, taking another hit before handing it back to him.

Aaron laughs, taking the joint back gingerly. A vehicle pulls up beside the two of you, Tashi revealed in the driver's seat as the window rolls down.

"Gotta go." You say, tilting your head towards the car. "I'll see you, yeah?" You grin, giving Aaron a wink as you open the passenger seat.

"Yeah, see you." He says, inhaling his joint and giving you a small wave before you close the door.

"Well well well," Tashi grins, driving away. "He's fucking hot." She says, tapping on the wheel in sync with the music.

"Oh, I know." You say, the joint taking over your senses. "I smoked weed with him." You say abruptly, giggling profusely.

"Are you high?" Tashi asks, gasping as a smirk grows on her face.

"Mmm, a little." You grin, pressing your cold hands to your warm cheeks.

"You must've had a good time then." She laughs, looking over at you quickly. "My mom has some news to tell us once we get to the house, so I hope you can keep it together."

"What?" You gasp, turning to face Tashi. "What is it? Tell me now!" Your urge, grabbing her arm.

"Hey, I'm driving!" She exclaims, swatting your arm away.

"Sorry, sorry!" You apologize, sitting back in your seat. "Is it to celebrate your exam results?" You ask, your stomach grumbling. "I'm hungry." You whisper.

Tashi laughs profusely, trying to hold it together for the rest of the ride. "Well, kind of. It's to celebrate us both." She says, her smile never leaving her face.

"Can we go to Mcdonalds? I want a happy meal." You say, rolling the window down.

"It's cold! Don't do that!" Tashi warns, rolling the window back up with her driver control.

"But I'm too hot!" You exasperate.

Tashi groans, turning off the heat in the car. "You're too high." She argues, turning into the closest Mcdonalds.

-

You enter the Duncan household with Tashi, managing to sober up a bit after your nugget meal and finishing off the bottle of water your cousin keeps in the car as always.

"Mom! We're here!" Tashi yells, leading you into the living room.

Diane and Mike were sitting on the couch, Diane with a book and Mike with amaretto on the rocks, his usual. The radio plays in the distance.

"Hello girls." Diane grins, putting her book down. "How was the date?" She asks you directly, catching you off guard.

"Oh, it was great, yeah." You say quietly, looking down at your hands.

"He's very nice to look at, and seems to be very nice mom. He's good friends with Emeline, from my ethics class." Tashi adds, sitting down in a nearby armchair. You quickly sit down as well.

"Has Tashi told you the big news yet?" Diane grins, clasping her hands together.

"Erm, no. No yet... What's going on?" You ask, giggling awkwardly.

"We are going... To Italy!" She exclaims, waiting for your reaction.

You gasp, covering your mouth with your hands. "No fucking way!" You exclaim, cheering with Tashi.

"We're going with Michelle and her family, we hadn't gone travelling together since we were in college so..." Diane adds, watching both of your faces falter slightly.

"Michelle? As in the Zweigs?" You ask, mouth slightly agape. You quickly pull out your phone to text back Patrick.

"Yes, that Michelle." Diane says, laughing. She notices the look on your faces. "That's fine, right? You're both good friends with Patrick I figured it was okay?" She says.

You: we're going to fucking italy????

He texts you back instantly.

Patrick the Almighty: my mom just called me about it. isn't this fucking awesome??

You forcibly smile towards Diane, still a bit too high to comprehend it. "No, it's great." You say through gritted teeth, exchanging worried glances with Tashi.

Great. Fucking awesome.

-

this took awhile sorry guys,,,,, ive been watching rivals and my mind is running with ideas. see you in the next one!

[loveandmurders]

Hi I love your daughter angst story so much. Could you make a angst to comfort daughter story where the Sinclair brothers finally give in and let their teen daughter kill tourists with them but a tourist seriously injured their kid and they’re scared she’s going to die, but she wakes up after a day or two and they have a loving family moment? Thank you! (Ik this one is dark and depressing but I love reading stories that make me cry)

Hello love, thank you so much for this request! I'm always happy to write some angst for you all :)

Hope you'll enjoy this <3

I WANT TO KILL TOO

Warnings: no proof reading, angst/comfort, murders, reader is a killer, violence, fight, blood, a lot of pain.

Lately, you had trained even harder than usual with Bo and Vincent to show them that you were ready to kill people. None of them really enjoyed those training because they didn’t want to hurt you and because they were worried of what you were going to ask them next. It was true you had gotten very good. You could be even quicker than Bo in your movement sometimes and you were almost as good as Vincent with your knives. Bo also taught you how to aim and shoot and you had practised quite a lot lately as well, on your own.

Lester was always a little bit uneasy when he was spotting you fighting with one of his brothers, especially now you had become good at it. At first, it was all fun and cute. You were often falling in your parents arms and giggling. But now, you were deadly serious about this all and your parents were always the ones to tell you it was enough for the day. You would have been able to keep going forever otherwise.

The twins couldn’t deny that you almost kicked their asses this week. Almost. They were still a lot more experienced than you, and a lot stronger. But you learnt how to fight people bigger and stronger than you that way. You felt powerful and you felt ready. You wanted to help your parents with the family business, it was your duty as their heir and only daughter.

You helped dress the table as Bo was finishing to cook the food. You were in a good mood, softly humming to yourself. You had planned everything you were going to tell your parents and you were certain they were going to accept this time.

You finally all sat down at the kitchen table and started to eat in silence because everyone was a little bit tired today. The tourists had been very hard to kill the past few days.

“Wanna help ya” you started.

“With what?” Bo asked, even though he already knew the answer.

“With the tourists! I’ve trained well, haven't I? And I’m good at findin’ people when they’re hiddin'. I’m sure I could’ve been useful last night. And I was worried for ya…” you continued.

Your parents exchanged a look.

“Not sure ’s a good idea, baby” Lester started

“I’m a big girl now, I can do it” you replied with determination “And it’s unfair of y’all to keep me away from the family business! I’m a Sinclair, and I’m workin’ hard to be allowed on a hunt” you pouted.

The twins groaned at that. They could only agree with that kind of reasoning but they weren’t too sure about it still. Vincent was the one who wanted to allow you the most though, because he perfectly understood your will to kill and shed blood.

“The three of us’ll talk 'bout it, and we’ll tell ya tomorrow mornin'. Give us some time to think 'bout it” Bo finally said and you smiled and nodded. 

You let the subject go, like a good girl. It was the first time your parents talked that way, so you knew you had a chance to win this.

And you did.

At breakfast, the twins greeted you with a serious look on their expression. Lester wasn’t there. He was the one who voted against it. You were positively shivering in excitement when the twins told you they agreed to let you kill with them next time tourists would come by. But they needed you to obey some rules so they could be certain nothing bad would happen to you.

Rule 1: you had to obey whatever Bo and Vincent were going to tell you, even in the middle of a fight.

Rule 2: you needed to stay with Bo or Vincent pretty much all the time, so they could intervene if something bad was happening.

Rule 3: you were forbidden to play with the tourists. You killed them as quickly as possible and that was it.

You agreed with everything. You were so happy. You ate and rested well that day. The twins really hoped they didn’t make a mistake.

You were with Bo when the tourists arrived. You had been impatient all day, almost thinking no one would come today. And Lester almost didn’t show them the way to Ambrose. He really didn’t like that plan, but the family business needed to keep going and he knew you really wanted to be part of it. 

You were in the garage, chatting with your father when you heard voices. You stood up, so excited once again. You stretched to get ready for a fight. You could tell how tense Bo was, more than usual. He brought you closer before the newcomers could hear him, wrapping an arm around your shoulders.

“Ya’re careful, baby, 'kay? It’s a not a game and if someone has to get hurt it’s me, not ya.” he whispered to you and you hugged him.

“Don’t worry, father. I’ll do good” you promised but it didn’t really reassure him. 

He felt like it was a mistake.

It had been a mistake.

You respected all the rules they gave you, but they didn’t think about one thing: that you would do anything to protect your family.

Anything.

Maybe the twins should have thought about starting with a small and defenceless group of tourists. Those ones were angry and ready to do anything to survive.

Anything.

You managed to kill one girl by slicing her throat open next to the garage. You turned around to look for Bo, hoping he saw you being so good at killing. But Bo was struggling with a man who seemed a lot stronger than him. And another one came from behind and violently hurt his head, making him collapse on the ground. You were so afraid. Not for yourself, but for your father. When the man grabbed the gun and aimed at Bo, you didn’t even think. You put yourself in front of Bo and you stabbed the man as he shot you. You both fell. 

You fell on top of the big man and you sliced his throat open to finish him off as you clung at your chest. You wanted to make sure he died before you did. You had never been in so much pain in your life before, it felt like a fire was consuming your chest. You were pretty certain you were going to die, especially when you noticed how quickly you were losing blood. At least, you would die doing what you had wanted the most, you thought, before losing consciousness. 

The other man panicked and ran away from the garage. He didn’t want to kill a teen, and he thought you were dead so he forgot about Bo. He ran away. Vincent found him on his path and finished him off too, without a care in the world.

Bo woke up after a few instants. But you didn’t. Blood was all over your clothes, spreading even more with the time passing by. You had cough that red liquid too, tainting your lips in a worrisome way. Your heart beat was so slow when Bo grabbed you.

“No, no, no, don’t do this to me” he whispered to you as he carried you back home. 

He didn’t know if there were any tourists left, but he needed to take care of you before it was too late. He cut off your shirt and was terrified. The bullet was so close to your heart. He wasn’t sure how to remove it. Vincent. He needed Vincent’s hands. They were a lot more assured than his, especially for a job like this. Fuck, where was he?

Vincent arrived soon after. He had heard Bo running back home, so he was worried something happened. But he didn’t imagine it would have been that serious. The twins instantly went to work on you. Bo called Lester and asked him to check Ambrose to make sure there was no one else in town. It was rare for Lester to be directly involved in the murders but they had no other choice at the moment. Lester agreed without asking questions, he had heard in Bo’s voice anything he needed to know. He knew things went badly for you.

You were still alive when they finished removing the bullet and sewing the deep wound. You were still breathing when they washed you the best they could. Your heart was still beating when they brought you to your bed.

But they didn’t know for how long.

“It was a mistake. We shouldn’t’ve agreed with that plan” Bo was the first one to say it, because it happened under his watch.

The three men were in your bedroom, watching over you. They couldn’t think about anything else at the moment. They didn’t know what to do to help you. The situation was making them feel sick.

“What happened?” Lester asked

“Ain’t really know. A fucker hit my head and when I came back to reality, two tourists were dead and she'd been shot” he told his brothers

Vincent didn’t comment on the fact you had been able to kill more tourists than Bo. He knew it wasn’t the moment and that he shouldn’t be proud, especially when you were in between life and death. But he was certain that if you survived this, you would be the best killer of all of them.

One of them stayed always with you. They very often checked on the wound. They worried even more when you started to get a fever. If the wound was getting infected, they weren’t too sure what they could do. And they couldn't bring you to the hospital because of… everything. But Lester was eager to rot in prison or even to be sentenced to death by the justice if it meant saving you; the twins were still hoping your body would be strong enough. You had always been in good physical condition, and you were their little fighter. Lester convinced them though and they all agreed that on the third day, they would bring you to hospital. They would lose everything, but at least, there would be a chance to save you, and it was all that mattered.

They spend two awful days, filled with concerns, guilt and fear.

Until you opened your eyes.

Lester was holding your hand, softly stroking it. He was silently praying for you to wake up. This morning, your fever broke so the men had hoped you were doing better. You moved a little which instantly caught Lester’s attention and he came closer to you. You struggled to open your eyes, it felt like your lids were too heavy. At least, the darkness of the night didn’t upset you, like the sun would have. 

“Hey, darl” Lester whispered and you turned your head toward his voice.

Your eyes were still blurry so you moved one hand to rub them. You winced in pain, and suddenly you remembered what happened. You almost sat up, if Lester hadn’t prevented you from doing so. You looked up at him with wide open eyes now.

“Father’s ok?” you asked with fear and Lester shushed you and nodded.

“Let me get everyone” he added “Calm down” he softly ordered and you did so. 

You felt weak and covered in sweat. You couldn’t wait to get a shower. And to get a bunch of painkillers. And more than anything, to feel better so you could get back on killing people.

Bo and Vincent were cleaning up Ambrose when Lester screamed at them to come over, because you were awake. They ran to your bedroom and Bo was the first one to hug you. He was careful of your wound and quickly checked on you. Vincent hugged you as well and removed his mask to kiss your cheek. Bo and Lester’s eyes held relief and joy. Lester was glad you opened your eyes. Bo was so happy he didn’t fail you and that you were still alive. But you could read something different in Vincent’s eye. He was proud of you. He gently stroked your hair and you leaned into his touch.

They made you drink water and have a little bit of food, before asking you what happened. You told them and Vincent kissed the top of your head at the end of your little story.

“Told ya to not worry 'bout me” Bo told you, even if he was grateful you saved him, a thing he would never admit to anyone.

“I can’t do that” you shook your head as Lester smiled down at you. You had always been such a good daughter to them all. His smile flattered at your next words. “How long do ya think before I can get back on a hunt?” Vincent hid his smirk as Bo facepalmed.

“Ya almost died, wasn’t it enough for ya?” he asked you and Lester nodded at that.

“But I didn’t die. And I killed two tourists. I’m sure I can do better next time, right, dad?” you turned toward Vincent because you felt he was on your side and he nodded, to his brothers’ dismay.

You already did very well, daughter. He signed to you and your eyes lit up.

You had always known Vincent was the most dangerous of them all, and being praised by him meant a lot to you. You hugged him even more.

Because you refused to rest, the men agreed to help you go downstairs and watch a movie with the three of them. You picked a slasher horror film, obviously. Bo brought popcorn and you laid down on the couch, as it was the best position for your wound. As the killer was threatening his victims, you fell asleep like it was a lullaby to your ears. Vincent smiled down at your peaceful face. Lester put a blanket over you and kissed your forehead. Bo watched you with the feeling that maybe it hadn’t been such a mistake.

[my-castles-crumbling]

Hey Cas ,

So i need some advice about a recent situation and last time I sent to you an ask you gave me wonderful advice.

So my older sister and my parents have never had the best relationship with each other but it seems like they have only gotten worse over time and when I was younger I didn't really see it but as I get older I see how bad it really is,anyway my older sister recently graduated high school and we were going to have a graduation party for her on a Sunday evening. She has never been the most like bubbly person but on the day of her party she was extra mopey and while we were getting the party ready she just kinda wandered around the house and it didn't really bother me but apparently it really bothered my parents and I could tell that it was getting on their nerves.So me and my two younger sisters (6 & 10) are upstairs just chilling in our room when we hear our parents yelling at my older sister and I didn't hear all of it but the gist of it was that she needed to cheer up and show that she appreciates the work we are all putting in to help with the party but they like yelled cuss words at her and she started crying at some point and they told her to get out of their kitchen and get some composure and I'm.not sure when but during therm screaming they told her not to be herself and I think that is terrible and me and my little sisters just kind of listened to it and my 10 yr old sister had to comfort the 6 yr old one while she was crying because I was to shocked. I've heard my parents say some pretty ugly things before but this was worse.

Then three days later on the ride back from the doctors office my dad asked me if I was ever upset about the fact that I'm adopted and I said no because it never really bothers me and he told me that it was okay if I am but it doesn't seem like that's true because of the way they are with my sisters issues with being adopted ( I think it might be abandonment issues) and I'm not sure how to feel about that.

So I also found out that apparently my mom told her friend about it and that makes me upset because it's not her friends business.

Then not only do they do that a few days ago my mom had me help her go through my older sisters room to see how much money my relatives sent her for college and when I tried to sort of hint at the fact that I thought that what she did was wrong by saying that I would be really angry and feel very violated she lectured me about how my older sister doesn't pay the bills and she would never have found out otherwise and she's only doing it because she is interested in my sisters life.

Ok sorry that was longer than I thought it would be but my question is am a bad sister for helping my mom and then not telling her what happened just because I don't want anymore conflict in the house and I think it really scares my younger sisters and I don't want them to have to deal with this but I also don't want to betray my older sister. I'm just feeling very torn because I can't protect everyone.

Thank you so much for your time sorry this is so long

❤, caught in the middle anon

Hi hon!

You are NOT a bad sister. Your mom is being kind of shitty for putting you in this position- SHE is the adult, and she should know better. Like...she shouldn't be encouraging you to go through your sister's things.

Remember, it's not your job to protect everyone. yes, you can be a good sibling and look out for your sisters, but you're not a parent! It's okay to do what is best for you- and if that's keeping the peace then that's fine! You aren't the one causing the problem here, you know? So please don't feel guilty for coping with it the best you can <3

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1165: Hanging with the Mario Family (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

6:21 p.m. at the Marios' Residence's Living Room..........

Peach: (Clasps her Hands Together and Happily Squeals at Everything Shown to Her on The Marios' Family Photo Album) Mario!~ You never told me you were even more adorable growing up too!~

Mama Mario: (Happily Sighs on the Fondful Memories) Ah my two maschios were the most precious beings their father and I could asked for~ (Got Up From Her Seat and Hugs Mario) It times like these where I want to continue holding them close to my arms, never letting go for anything or anyone that says otherwise! (Starts Kissing on Her Son's Cheek)

Mario: ('Groans in Embarrassment') 'Maaaa please.....At least don't do it in front of the princess.....

Mama Mario: But how. ('Mwah') Else. ('Mwah') Am I. ('Mwah') Suppose to. ('Mwah') Show. ('Mwah') How much. ('Mwah') I miss you!~ ('Mwah') (Continues Kissing her Older Son)

Papa Mario: (Chuckles Lightly) Ah let your mother have this one, son. It's been a long while since we've last seen you boys that it's kinds hard for her keep her own excitement in check completely, you know?

Mario: ('Sigh') Yeah, I noticed. Sorry Lu and I took too long to call you guys up until now.

Papa Mario: Nah don't worry about that. We all know how super busy two are now that you're all-star heroes! (Let's Out a Proud Hardy Laugh) I should've realized from the getgo that my own boys would have this much potential. (Starts Wiping a Tear or Two Off From his Eyes) ('Sniff') As if I wasn't anymore prouder than I already was before without a worry in the world.....

Mama Mario: (Rolls her Eyes) Please. Your papa gotten worried for days on end the moment you two left the house on that day. (Starts Snickering) I can't tell you how many times this poor piagnucolone started sheding tears whenever your names get brought up in any conversations nowadays.

Papa Mario: (Quickly Glares at his Wife) Marísa! Hush.

Mama Mario: (Pouts at her Husband) Oh don't you start hushing me, signore! You cannot hide what's inside, not like you were ever good at it to begin with.

Mario: (Chuckles Fondly at his Parents Bickering at Each Other) Grazie, mama, papa. But really, you two have nothing to worry about. Lu and I will keep having each other's back like we always do.

Peach: (Happily Hugs her Plumber Right Beside Her) And we'll continue to make extra sure that they'll be taken care of in a huge family of ours. Your teddy bear of a son is in good hands, ma'am and sir.

Mario: (Turns to His Girlfriend with a Deadpinned Look on his Face) Really, Peach?

Peach: Oh hush. You know you love it~

Mama Mario: Awww~ You really see my son as a Teddy Bear, your highness?

Peach: (Happily Nodded) Indeed I do!~ (Starts Snuggling Up on her Embrace with Mario) He may keep denying it all he wants, but he's the most adorable sweetheart of a man I am oh so happy to fall in love with, c'mere~ (Starts Kissong on Mario's Other Cheek)

Papa Mario: (Let's Out Another Laugh) I always knew you have the Mario Men's Charm within you, my boy, but I didn't think your own cuteness would played a huge factor in all of this as well!

Mario: (Glares at his Father) Oh don't even start going there, old man! My cuteness hasn't played a part in any of this at all! (Crosses his Arms While Pouting) Besides, doesn't change the fact that I'm still the oldest of the two........

Papa Mario: ('Heh') Yeah, and the shortest. I bet the princess could pick you up in her arms with little to no problem.

Peach: Oh I've picked him up multiple times already, sir. It's like carrying a couple of grapes~ (Continues Kissing on Mario)

Mario: (Starts Blushing) Peach!

Mama Mario: Ohhh baby!~ (Starts Pulling on Mario's Other Cheek) You look so precious when you blush like that~

Mario: Mom!!

Papa Mario: (Starts Bursting Out Laughing) AHHHAHAHAHAHA! Ah my boy's a cute little grape now!? (Continues Laughing his Ass Off)

Mario: ('Groans in Embarrassment') (Can't say I'm surprised by how THIS is turning out.....I wonder how everyone else in doing.....)

Meanwhile in the Other Room

Niece: (Eyes Widened in Awe) Wooooooah......So you're able to do all those crazy Chaos powers without breaking a sweat?

Shadow: (Simply Nodded) More or less. I'm only able use some of my more destructive abilities once I take these Inhibitor Rings off which would severely over-exert my own body if I'm not too careful.

Niece: Awesome......(Turns to Hat Kid) And you not only own a space ship, but also beaten up planet filled with mafia guys, star in multiple movie films, survived through a dark, scary forest with some evil shadow guy offering people to sign his contracts, and beaten up a muscle girl with mystical powers, all in a couple of days?

Hat Kid: (Happily Nodded) Yep!~

Niece: (Smiles Brightly with Stars Spinning Around in her Eyes) That is so cool! (Extebds her Habds Out to Shadow abd Hat Kid) You guys! Are like....The Coolest guys ever!~

'Clears Throat'

The trio turns to see Sonic standing at the other side using his the front of his knuckles to rub his chest in a bit cocky manner.

Sonic: Aren't you uhh....Forgetting someone there, kiddo?

Niece: .....No. Not really. (Turns Back to Shadow and Hat Kid) So anyways, I-

Sonic: (Zooms in Right in Front of the Girl) Come on, you gotta at least be somewhat familiar with who.i am. (Casually Shrugs) Buuuuut if you're still not aware, allow me introduce myself: Sonic the Hedgehog the name and-

Niece: (Rolls her Eyes in a Deadpinned Expression) "Speeds Your Game". Yeah, I know who you are. Doubt you're the fastest, but still....

Sonic: (Eyes Begins to Widened) Not the fastest- Kid, did you NOT just see how fast I got over here just now!? Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty quick on my own two feet, ya know?

Niece: Yeah. So does the Roadrunner, Quick Silver, The Original Flash, the Current Flash, Kid Flash, Reverse Flash-

Sonic: How many Flashes are there?

Niece: A lot. And they have twice more speed, a lot of charisma, and more power than you could ever hope of having.

Sonic: ('Scoffs') Yeah, well, hate to be a rain on your parade there, squirt, but most of those guys you've mentioned, have their speed powers given to them one way or another. (Smugly Points at Himself) I was practically born to be fast from the start.

Niece: So does the Roadrunner and he's way more cooler.

Sonic: (Eyes Widened in Disbelief) Seriously!? All that guy does is say 'Meep' and keeps running away from that coyote guy on a daily basis!

Niece: And he never got caught ever since AND he outsmarted him numerous times without even trying. You could a learn a thing or two from him considering you keep letting that evil, fat scientist guy you keep butting heads with.

Sonic: (Bends his Upper Down While Glaring at the Girl in her Level) Okay, first off, the evil, fat scientist is named Eggman, and second, I find it real bold of you to think that I.....(Continues Arguing to Mario and Luigi's Nonchalant Niece Whilr the Others Watches)

Shadow: (Already Has hie Arms Crossed) I know this our first time being here....(Forms a Smirk onnhis Face) But I think I'm starting to like that cousin of ours already.

Hat Kid: (Giggles Softly) Yeah.

Meanwhile at the Dining Room

Aunt Marie: (Doing Dedede's Long Hair on One Side) My goodness!~ I have seen many good look hairstyles in my prime time, 'hon, but this.... HAIR of yours just looks so drop dead gorgeous on you!~

Tifa: (Doing Dedede's Hair on the Other Side) Tell me about it. We've live together for while now and I still can't believe how pretty it looks........

Dedede: (Let's Out a Relax Sigh) Yeah.... It's a blessing growing with up long, luxurious hair in my royalty days, it's so good that it could even make Rapunzel cry in shame. (Starts Laughing)

Grandpa Mario: (Points at Dedede In Front of Him While Talking to Cloud Next to Him) You telling Mr this fat pinguino's suppose to be a king or somethin'?

Cloud: Former king. He's been exiled and replaced from his own kingdom a long while ago.

Grandpa Mario: Exiled, huh? (Starts Snickering) What did he do? Steal a bunch of food or somethin'?

Cloud: (Forms Small Smirk.on his Face) Not the exact reason, but he HAS done that a few times beforehand. Oh and get this: This the guy who used to kick his ass on a daily basis too. (Shows Grandpa Mario a Picture of Kirby on his Phone)

Grandpa Mario: (Eyes Widened at The Picture in Question) Mama Mia, THAT'S the guy!? He looks like a pink little bouncy ball with feet.

Cloud: Exactly. He kept losing so bad he eventually became friends with him. Not surprising considering Kirby's an actual sweetheart, but you know? Street Cred looking bad or....whatever.

Grandpa Mario: Assuming he even had one to begin with it.

Cloud: (Chuckles Lightly) Yeah. I doubt it.

Dedede: (Glares at the Two Men in Front of Him) Heyeyey! (Points at Cloud.....) I heard that. (.....Then Pointa at Grandpa Mario) I heard that. Now quit gossiping over there so I can have my beauty salon session in peace.

Grandpa Mario: (Watches Dedede Close Back his Eyes Shut Before Turning Back to Cloud) Has he always been this full of himself?

Cloud: ('Sigh') Yeah, but we still love him regardless. For the most part.

At the Other Side of the Dining Room.......

Uncle Tony: (Standing Next to Uncle Arthur) So you tellin' us that you were born and raised in a desert like settin'?

Uncle Arthur: Which has like four separate kingdoms that you and your folks rule over?

Daisy: (Standing Next to Luigi on One Side) Yep! Which would sorta, possibly make me an Empress if something ever happens to my old man. Buuuuuut considering how stubborn he is and how insanely tough each of the kingdoms' guardians are, the chances of that happening is slim to none.

Tony/Arthur: (Starts Nodding in an Impressed Manner) Alright!/ That's super nice./Mmhmm.

Tony: (Turns to the Pink Haired Lady Standing Next to Luigi on the Other Side) And what about you, little lady? You said you're a model of some kind?

Lilith: (Happily Nodded) Yep-Yep!~ A runaway model to be completely exact. Though, whenever I'm not traveling across the glove with big sis, I'd usually spend the rest of my time lone watching over this huge mansion we've been living at for years now. (Places her Hands on Both her Cheeks While Bashfully Twisting Herself From Side to Side) Wasn't long until I've finally met the prince and princess of my dreams on that faithful day in the Mid Summertime~

Tony/Arthur: Ooooooh!~ (Puts on Teasing Smirks on Both Their Faces)

Arthur: Our little nephew's your prince you say?~

Luigi: (Smiles Sheepishly) I....wouldn't exactly go that far.....

Lilith: (Places her Finger on her Chin) Yeah, that sounds a tad bit plain now that I think about it.

Daisy: (Hugs Luigi's Arm on her Side) Besides, he lot more than that~ He's a sweetie~

Lilith: (Hugs Luigi's Other Arm) A Greenie~

Daisy/Lilith: And our one and only hero~ (Gives Luigi's Cheeks Their Respective Kisses)

Luigi: (Smiles a Bit Bashfully by his Girlfriend's Sweets Affections) Yeah.....What they said~ (My two heroes~)

Tony: (Let's Out a Wholehearted Laugh) Hahahaaa! I always knew our green bean has it in him!

Arthur: (Smiles Brightly) The Mario Men's Charm never fails!

The two uncles share a hi-five together before chuckling among themselves.

Lilith: (Raises an Eyebrow a Bit in Confusion) Mario Men's Charm?

Luigi: ('Sigh') It's this charm that has been past down to the family's name for generations to come. At least that's what our dad keeps telling us since we got into middle school. (Rolls his Eyes) A mess of three years that was......

Daisy: How messy are we talking exactly?

Luigi: A few bullied moments here and there, a couple awkward rejections and a start of puberty to boot. It was a miracle I was able to survived all of that.....

Peach: (Happily Walks into the Room Along with Mario and his Parents) Hello, my lovelies!~

Luigi: (Turns to the Gang) Oh hey guys, how it's- (Eyes Suddenly Begins to Widened at What Caught his Attention) Peach, is that a photo album you're holding right now?

Peach: (Happily Nodded) Yep-Yep!~ We looked through the the entire page.

Luigi: (Hears the Sound of Glass Breaking in his Head) The.....Entire.....page......

Mario: (Already Has a Deadpinned Look on his Face as He Makes his Way to the Front Door) Yep.

Mama Mario: The photos we've taken in that album has brought so many wonderful memories over the years that we couldn't but show the princess everything.

Papa Mario: (Smiles Brightly) And what kind of house host we would be if we don't share this experience with everyone else in here, am I right?

Tifa: Ooh! I wanna see 'em.

Dedede: Me too!

Lilith: Me three!~

Aunt Marie: Oh my gosh, you all are going to love every bit of it. ('Sigh') So many lovely memories combined into one book.

Cloud: (Shrugs) If it beats watching De's hair getting done all night, then I'm game.

Grandpa Mario: I've read through that book many times now. Never disappoints.

Tony: (Chuckles Lightly) Ah man! We can't wait show you all a few pictures Lu was involved in.

Arthur: Heheheh Yeah! If you thought he's shy now, wait until you see him he when he was a little munchkin.

Luigi: And that's my cue to get some fresh air.

Daisy: (Turns to her Boyfriend) You sure you don't wanna stick around for the whole thing, babe? I'll make extra sure no one makes fun of you for every photo they show us. And that a certain "someone" doesn't go blab them all out for shits and giggles. (Glares Directly Towards Dedede)

Dedede: (Notices Daisy Glaring at Him Before Sucking Through his Teeth) Man, why you glaring at me like that for?

Daisy: I dunno, De. Why did you felt the need to blurt out my full name for everyone in the mansion to hear, huh?

Dedede: Girl, that all happened last Christmas ago, I said I was sorry!

Daisy: I know. And I still got my eyes on you! (Points Two of her Fingers at Dedede With a Menacing Look on her Face) Like a hawk.

Dedede: ('Gulp')

Luigi: (Chuckles Lightly) Thanks, dear, but I think I'm sure on this one. Have to make sure Mario isn't lonely out there, you know?

Daisy: True. Try not to be out there for too long, 'Kay? (Gives Luigi a Peck on the Lips) I'll miss you~

Luigi: I'll miss you more~ (Makes his Way to Outside) We'll see you in a bit.

Meanwhile Outside in the Front Porch of the House

Mario: (Looks Up at the Nightly Skies Letting Out a Relaxed Sigh)

'Door Opens'

?????: Enjoying the star watch tonight, bro?

Mario turns to see his younger brother standing by the door.

Mario: (Smiles a Bit) A little bit, yeah. I need a refreshment after a trip down the embarrassing memory lane.

Luigi: (Sighs as He Walk Towards an Empty Spot Where Mario Standing Next to) Embarrassing is right.....Couldn't bear to last a second in there without seeing some those photos again. Especially the ones from middle school.....

Mario: ('Sigh') I don't blame you one bit, bro. They were really rough to look through. But Peach seems to like them a lot, so....there's that at least. Maybe the others will too.

Luigi: Probably. (Looks Up at the Stars While Letting Out a Relaxed Sigh) Looks like another year's about come to close.

Mario: Tell me about it. felt like went by a little more quicker than usual.

Luigi: Yeah, but it was about to end eventually sooner than later, not that i mind it completely.

Mario: (Nodded in Agreement) True, true. We really came a long way, going from two plumbers to actual heroes.

Luigi: You can say that again. It's been a few years now and I still can't believe it.....

Mario: I couldn't either to tell you the truth, but despite all the challenges, the craziness we've faced together and separately, I'm glad we've managed to push through till the end. (Turns to Luigi with a Sincere Smile on his Face) And I have you to thank for it, Lu.

Luigi: Wait. (Eyes Widened in Genuine Surprise as He Points at Himself) Me?

Mario: (Chuckles Lightly) Yes, you. You're my one amd only bro, aren't you?

Luigi: Well-

Mario: Upup. I know what you're gonna say. "Mario, I don't deserve all the credit you're giving me! I'm just a sidekick, remember?"

Luigi: (Comically Glare at his Older Brother) Mario, I don't sound like that at all!

Mario: Really? Could've fooled me?

Luigi: ('Groans in Annoyance')

Mario: (Chuckles Lightly) Kidding, kidding. But seriously though, I can't imagine ever being where I am now, if it weren't for you being there, supporting and helping me all the way through. You're really amazing for that, you know?

Luigi: (Heart Begins to Melt in Genuine Happiness) Bro.....Thank you. If anything, I should be thanking you for always looking out for me after all these years, teaching me how to be brave, become my own man, and what not. I really appericate it a lot

Mario: (Smiles Back) I'm happy to help. I know I don't say it as much as I should, but I'm really glad and proud to have you as my brother, Luigi. So....from the bottom of my heart. I wanna say.....Thank you. For everything.

Luigi: Yeah. (Happily Hugs Mario with a Bit of Tears Falling Down From his Face) Ditto, bro.

A Few Days Later Back at in the Streets of Smash Town........

????: Curses....Damned all....All this time.......I have traveled across the lands of time for so long....To find myself place......A place, where I could call it my home.....and be at peace......

....ey.....

????: But.....I wonder.....How long will it takes for my body and soul to keep going?

.....ude.....

????: How long will my legs and feet will last before they weaken and bring me down to my absolute lowest?

.......upp.....

????: How long will my spirit of endurance to keep me company until the sickles of doubt and misery brings it's horrid face, viciously binding me around in my weakened state and restraint me until the day I perish, until the day I give out last breath to this cursed reality and it's miserable PILE OF-

WAKE UP!

'Smack'

????: (Jolted Up From the Ground He Was Sitting On) SECERTS!

The young man in blond, short hair, wearing a mage like attire starts panting all over the place as he sees three figures standing in front of him. Two maidens and an another young with a black wings attached to his back, as if he's an angel of darkness of some kind.

Cheerful Girl: ('Gasps') Miski, you did it! He lives!

Darken Angel: He wasn't dead to begin with, Kyoko. He just had himself a dirt nap.

Tough Girl: Must've been a real nice one if he slept for this long. (Squats Down to the Boy's Sitting Level, Poking him with a Stick) Hey. Sleepyhead. You hungry?

To Be Continued......

Thank you, Charles Martinet, for giving the Mario Bros and countless other characters their voice for us to love and enjoy for 29+Years.

And Thank YOU, the readers, for taking the time out of your regular schedules to read these wacky fanfics I keep making for 5-6 years now. Expect more to come real soon.

Happy New Years

@albion-93

@cyber-wildcat

@bestpony666

@ma-lemons

@caleb13frede

[lemoncrushh]

Out of Bounds - Chapter 16

STORY PAGE

Word Count: 2676

Despite getting up early, Harry and I were late arriving to History class. I'd made the mistake of mentioning a chai latte I was craving, so Harry insisted on stopping at Starbucks on the way. Unfortunately, the line was very long and very slow.

Professor Jacobson eyed us over the top of his spectacles when we walked in, sheepishly taking our seats. He continued his lecture without a word to us as we opened our laptops. After class Harry and I separated, but instead of making my usual trip to the snack bar since I'd just finished my chai latte, I made why way toward the library again.

"Hey, Tisa," I heard from a familiar voice. I turned to see Zack waving at me.

"Hi, Zack," I greeted warmly, giving him a quick hug.

"Everything alright?" he asked. I knew he was referring to the last time we'd seen each other.

"Great," I nodded.

"I'm glad," smiled Zack. "Listen, I know it's none of my business, but for what it's worth, I think you and Harry belong together. I've never seen him as happy as he is when he's with you or talking about you. I really hope things work out for you two."

"Thank you, Zack," I said, my hand over my heart. "That really means a lot to me."

"You're welcome. And hey, we need to get together sometime. Penny adores you; she told me."

I grinned. "I adore her too."

"We'll go see her band or just hang out or something, it'll be fun."

"Okay, yeah, sounds great!" I exclaimed.

"Alright then, talk to you later, Tisa."

I waved goodbye and walked up the steps to the library, feeling happy and excited. The feeling was short-lived however, when I unpacked my belongings and realized I had a voicemail from James.

"Hi, baby, it's me," he said. "I'm headed back a little earlier than I'd anticipated. I'm trying to get a flight back tonight, but everything seems booked up. But if I can get something, I'll be home tonight, otherwise first thing in the morning. I'll call you later and let you know."

Damn. Harry didn't have to work tonight, and I had been looking forward to spending the evening with him. I guess all I could do now was wait for James's next call to know for sure.

I opened my computer, but instead of working on the Sociology report like I'd originally planned, I began typing a letter to James. I had no idea if I would ever give it to him. In a way, it was a letter to myself. I expressed all of my feelings, wants, desires. I never once mentioned Harry, or even implied I was having an affair. Because although ultimately I wanted to be with Harry, it wasn't really about him.

I typed and typed, spilling my guts until tears were streaming down my face. I told him how I cared about him, but was no longer in love with him, if I ever was in love. I told him how I didn't like being treated like a child, and how I felt like one sometimes in our home. I told him how it bothered me that we slept in separate rooms and never had sex. I told him I wanted out, and that I planned to leave.

Looking at the clock in the corner of the screen, I realized I had ten minutes to get to English. I quickly closed my laptop and shoved it in my backpack. I jogged to the English building, arriving just in time. Wiping my eyes, I walked in and took my seat. I tried hard to pay attention to Professor Lloyd, but my mind inevitably wandered. I wanted to talk to Harry. And I knew I needed to talk to James. The hour ticked by slowly, but I also still had another hour to wait for Harry.

This time I did walk to the snack bar to grab a bottle of water. Then I sat in the corner pretending to read. I kept checking my phone for any new messages from James, but there came none. Instead, I decided to text Justine. I knew she'd be at work, but she had texted me on Monday and I'd never gotten back to her. I tried to sound chipper.

T: Hey! Sorry I didn't text or call. Been busy. Party was great. Tell me about your date!

I went back to reading my book, not expecting her to reply right away. But a few minutes later she did.

J: Hey girl! Glad the party went well. You'll have to tell me all about it when we can chat. At work now. Date was fantastic!!! Again, I'll tell you more later! ;)

I set my phone down, concluding that I would call her later, and picked up my book again. Deep into the story, the sudden vibration of a text alert startled me. I looked at my phone expecting a text from either Justine or James, but it was Harry.

H: Where are you?

T: Snack bar

H: ok

A few minutes later, he walked in. Just seeing his face never ceased to give me chills or make my heart flutter. I watched him as another guy greeted him and he stopped for a second to chat.

I heard a girl at the table in front of mine mutter, "Damn, hottie alert."

She poked her friend whose eyes followed him as he came towards me. I smiled and pushed out the chair next to mine so he could sit down.

"Hi, love," he said, leaning over to kiss me. I could feel the girls' glares and admittedly it made me proud.

"Did you get out of class early?" I asked.

"Yeah, teacher had to go to a meeting or something."

"Good, then we can go."

I grabbed my things and followed Harry out to the parking lot. Once in the car, I told him about James coming home.

"Then I should probably go on home too," he declared.

"Why? I haven't heard from him yet. He's supposed to let me know if he's gotten a flight for tonight or tomorrow."

"But what if he gets a flight at the last minute and doesn't call?"

Exasperated, I made a compromise. "I have an idea. Why don't I just come to your place? If he calls and says he's coming today, then I'll just go home."

"Yeah?"

"I'm determined to be with you, Harry."

He reached over and grabbed my hand, knowing I didn't just mean today.

Four hours later, I still hadn't heard from James. Harry and I sat on the couch watching Dazed and Confused, my legs sprawled out across his. Joey and Zack had been there earlier playing Xbox, shouting at the TV screen while Harry and I ate lunch at the table. Then Zack had to start getting ready for work, and Joey got the hint and left.

Harry absent-mindedly began picking at the hole in the knee of my jeans. I watched his face glued to the television, though I knew his mind was on something else other than Ben Affleck being a dickhead.

"I love you," I whispered.

He turned his head swiftly and grinned. "I love you, too."

Taking my face in his hands, he kissed me tenderly. I scooted my body closer to him, so that my rear was barely touching his hip, my legs still across his lap. I put my arms around his waist and kissed him some more until I heard a faint sound behind me.

"Have a good night, mate," Harry said above my head.

I turned slightly to see Zack with his keys in his hand.

"Take care, you two," he said with a wink before shutting the door behind him.

"Alone at last," I exhaled.

I sat up and straddled Harry, leaving a trail of kisses down the side of his face to his neck. He moved his hands down my back, cupping my butt cheeks. I had just finished unbuttoning his shirt and was about to kiss his chest when I heard my phone vibrate on the coffee table.

"Now?" I exclaimed. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

I reached behind me to retrieve my cell which indeed displayed James's name. It was a short text that said to call him.

"Sorry," I whispered to Harry. He just shrugged.

I climbed off of him and walked into the bedroom to call James.

"Hi, baby, sorry I didn't call, but I'm at the airport now. I got an earlier flight."

"What? You're here?" I felt like I would throw up.

"Yeah, Ginger couldn't get me a later flight so I took an earlier one. I should be home soon."

"Oh," I said, hoping he couldn't hear the cry in my voice. "Okay."

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too." I could taste the bile in my throat.

I hung up and slowly walked back into the living room. Harry looked up to see my distraught face. Without a word, he stood and took me into his arms. I cried into his chest, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt, my shoulders shaking.

"I don't want this anymore, Harry," I mumbled.

"Shhh," he soothed, rubbing my back. "It's gonna be okay."

"I have to go."

I grabbed my purse and keys and Harry walked me out to my car which I'd taken separately after we'd gotten home from school. He kissed me as I leaned against it.

"I wish we could have spent more time together," I said.

"We will," he assured me. "And it's alright. I love every moment I can get with you."

"You're so wonderful," I sighed.

He kissed me once more before I got in the car. I tried my best not to cry on the way home. I knew there were things I needed to tell James. Perhaps it wouldn't be tonight, perhaps it would. I was nervous, but I felt like I needed to play it by ear. I knew Harry and I would be together, no matter what.

"I'm home!" I heard James call from the kitchen.

Normally, I would greet him at the door with kisses and I love yous when he came home from business trips. This time it just wasn't in me. I'd come back from Harry's and thrown on some flannel pajamas, not the little shorts that Harry thought were sexy, and was on my computer, checking my emails.

"Hi," I said when I walked into the kitchen. James was sorting through the mail I had left on the counter.

"What's this?" he asked when he noticed my attire. "I thought maybe we could go out to dinner."

"Oh," I mouthed. "I'm not really up for going out."

"Are you sick?"

I shrugged. "Not really. Just tired. It's been a long day."

"It's not even six yet," he countered.

"I know...I..."

James rolled his eyes at me and leaned against the counter. "I just got home, baby. I got home early because I wanted to spend time with you before I have to get up and go to work again. Can't you just put on some clothes so we can go eat?"

Feeling guilty I nodded and walked back to my room to change. When we got in the car, I asked James where he wanted to go.

"How about Mikado's?" he suggested.

My eyes about popped out of my head. "What?"

"I go there sometimes for lunch with clients and colleagues, but I realized I never take you. You'd like it. They gave great nachos."

"Um...okay..." I swallowed hard and bit my lip.

I looked out the window for the entire ride, my stomach in knots. Of course I knew Harry wasn't working, but the idea of going to Mikado's with James was harrowing.

Because it was only a Wednesday, the restaurant wasn't crowded, and we got seated right away. My heart just about beat out of my chest when our waiter came to greet us.

"Hi!" Zack said a little too emphatically before he realized the situation.

Making it a little easier on him, I smiled. "Hi, Zack."

James looked from me to Zack and back to me. "You know each other from school?"

"Uh...yeah," muttered Zack.

"Actually," I explained, "he's Harry's roommate."

"Ah the infamous Harry," James mused. "Does he work here too? I'd like to meet him."

I clinched my teeth, eyeing Zack.

"Yeah, but he's off tonight."

"Oh, well, next time then."

Zack saved us from more distress by taking our drink orders. When he left the table, I could feel the heat rising to my face, but I didn't want James to suspect anything.

"So tell me about your trip," I said.

James put his elbows on the table and sighed. "Not much to tell, really. Meetings with clients. Meetings with the boss."

"Well, I guess it was successful," I noted.

"What do you mean?"

"You came back early. Doesn't that mean you got done what you went out there to do?"

Zack returned then with our drinks and took our food order.

"Tisa, this is an ongoing process," James continued when he left. "One trip doesn't set everything in stone."

"Oh."

"Besides, I wanted to come home and see my wife."

"Oh." I didn't really appreciate his condescending tone.

"But you act like you didn't miss me at all."

He furrowed his brows and looked very angry. Not necessarily hurt, more like pissed off.

"I'm sorry, James," I insisted. "I didn't mean —"

"I don't know what's going on with you lately, but I don't like it."

"Really," I said, taken aback.

"Yeah you hardly kiss me anymore, if I kiss you it's like you're doing me a favor. I called you and you didn't sound excited to hear from me..."

"I'm sorry," I lied. "I hadn't realized."

"Ugh, it's okay, Tisa," he waved me off. "I guess I was just disappointed that you were in your pajamas when I got home instead of at the door, ready to hug me."

"I'm sorry," I said for the third time.

We sat in silence except for James softly humming to the music playing overhead. I sipped my water, looking around the room at the art and decor. Finally, Zack brought us our meals, giving us a valid excuse not to talk. As he laid my plate down in front of me, I gave him a look, hoping he would interpret it as a combination of I'm so sorry and help.

James and I made it through dinner, and on the ride home he finally asked me about school. I told him it was going well and that so far, I was making all A's. He said that made him happy.

"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" he asked when we arrived home.

"No," I shook my head. "I have some homework and then I'm going to bed. I really am tired."

"Oh, okay," he sighed, defeated.

I went to my room and shut the door. I changed back into my pajamas and texted Harry.

T: I'm so sorry. James took me to Mikado's for dinner. Zack was our waiter. I was so embarrassed.

H: Why are you sorry?

T: Because it was humiliating. I felt bad for Zack.

H: Don't. Are you ok?

T: Not really. It's just becoming more and more apparent that I need out of this marriage.

H: Do you need to talk? Can you call me?

T: Not right now. I'll probably be going to bed soon, so I'll see you in the morning.

H: Ok. I love you.

T: I love you too.

I placed my phone on my nightstand and pulled down the covers on my bed. Then I opened my laptop and read over the letter I had typed for James earlier. I was considering giving it to him. But not tonight. It would only start a fight, and I was too tired. One more day wouldn't hurt.

MASTERLIST | KO-FI | FEEDBACK

[ijwrsmff]

Reunited-Luffy x Ibby (OC), A Commission

Here's a commission requested by @ibby-miyoshi-nerd ! It was a fun story to write, with Luffy being jealous :D I have one more commission to do, but I'm waiting on some more details from them before I can get to work on it. I do have work today, so I don't know if I'd be able to get another story done in time before then. Otherwise, I'm hoping to work a short shift tomorrow, and get a story out. It's still up in the air if I'll be able to work tomorrow, so if not you can expect another story from me!

Have a great day/night, everyone <3

Word Count: 5,239

Two years felt like an eternity for Ibby. There was so much to look forward to when it came to reuniting with her crew, but she couldn’t deny the benefits of training on an island that felt like a fairy tale. Princes, castles, training grounds, tea parties, the whole nine yards. It really helped her hone in her talents, giving her more than enough time to train as much as she’d like to. If anything, she wanted to show Luffy how strong she had gotten. She had met new friends, but she missed her friends amongst her crew more than she could have anticipated. 

Desiderium was…well magical. It had everything she wanted to have as a young girl, but it was startling at first. The last thing she expected was to wake up in an unknown land surrounded by people she didn’t know. She wasn’t ashamed to admit she thought her time had come, but was more than relieved to know she had been sent to an island far from any of the places she had been to before. The panic set in quickly, and as she saw the newspaper article of what Luffy had been through…it brought tear after tear down her face. 

She had met Ace only a few handfuls of times, but Luffy loved him dearly. Luffy was special to her…in many ways…so seeing his message filled her with determination. She would grow stronger, and hold her own in every fight. She knew Luffy didn’t need saving from fights, but his sorrows were another story. He could face battle after battle with a smile, but he had lost one of the most important people in the world to him. He would be destroyed, and Ibby knew she would go above and beyond to be sure he would never have to lose someone else ever again. 

Two years is all she had. It drew out at first, but upon meeting the people of the island, it eased her worries. She made friends, helped the country in ways she never thought she was capable of all on her own. There was one person who grew closer to her than any of the others…and that just so happened to be the prince. He admired her positivity and goals, offering to give her a place to stay until it was time to return to her crew. 

They stayed up late, talked for hours, shared meals together, and forged a strong bond. Aeneas was someone who she never expected to befriend. He eased her worries by giving her a shoulder to cry on when she needed it. He had learned quickly of Ibby’s romantic feelings for Luffy. She was adamant she didn’t want anyone else. Though once the prince had confessed his own feelings for her, she politely rejected him. It didn’t hurt his feelings, for he knew how much she cared for her captain. 

From then on, they did practically everything together. With the King traveling across the world with his wife, Aeneas was practically alone. The only son to the royal family, and acted as the ruler of the land. Despite being busy often, he always made a point to make time for Ibby. He was required to practice swordsmanship since he was young, making him the perfect sparring partner to Ibby. There would often be an audience, which only caused them both to smile as they chipped in with jokes and witty remarks as they practiced. 

The time soon came for Ibby to return to her crew. The prince gave her a small smile, and hugged her. They both knew he was upset, and she was too…but her love for her captain never wavered. She was beyond prepared to return to him, and looked forward to finding him at the designated meeting place. She had hoped she’d be the first one there, but knew how far she was from the island. Aeneas had escorted her to the docks, sending only his most trusted sailors to bring her to Sabaody. She was a bit sad to leave her closest friend she made in those two years, but gave him a smile and wave as the boat departed. 

Only a few hours before she reached the island, Ibby paced nervously. She was excited, but hesitant at the same time. The prince’s final words to her resounded in her mind. She knew he meant it, and that only fueled her anxieties. He cared for her, but she couldn’t get over Luffy that easily. She didn’t want to…if there was even the slightest chance he’d reciprocate her feelings, she would go through hell and back to be with him. They’d sailed together for years by now, and she knew how oblivious Luffy was. It was one of his most endearing traits in her mind, still…Aeneas spoke earnestly. 

“I know of your love for your captain, and I share that same love for you. If anything ever happened, or your feelings for him faded…you will always have a home here, with me. You’re happy here, and I want you to know, I won’t ever push you. If you’re happy, and he loves you back, I only wish you the best. Be safe, Ibby.” 

Ibby paced, and paced, thinking over the prince’s words before trying to form her own as she approached Sabaody. “Oh my God…oh my god, oh my god!” She mumbled, her face red as she tried to collect her thoughts. “I need to confess to him…I know I do…but what if it’s the wrong time?!” Her back hit the wall as she sunk to the ground, covering her reddened face. 

There was a knock on her door, announcing they had arrived. She groaned, standing up, but looking as if she had reached a conclusion. She shook her head, and sighed, walking out the door and to the island. Ibby knew a disguise was necessary, and tried to cover up her face with a mask that covered her nose and mouth. Surely, with how she’d changed and grew nobody would recognize her. Luffy probably wouldn’t even notice, with how unobservant he was. 

She walked around, looking for any familiar faces. Turning the corner, she was met with an unexpected sight…that she really should have expected in the first place. Covering up her giggles was impossible, as she spotted someone who was very clearly Luffy. His disguise was only a fake mustache. He didn’t bother with anything fancy, and it suited him. It looked so silly, she couldn’t help but giggle. Though that noise allerted him. 

She could see the wide smile on his face, and how his eyes lit up with joy when he saw her. Her giggles were replaced with a sharp squeak when his arms stretched across the street, yanking her into his embrace. “C-Captain!” She laughed, out, poking his face, “Everyone’s gonna know it’s you! We gotta get out of here!” She looked around, seeing marines heading in their direction. 

Luffy’s laugh was loud, and only served to make them stand out further. “Sorry!” He said, not the slightest bit sorry and they both knew it. “Hold on!” He laughed, running as quick as he could while carrying her in his arms. She wrapped her arms tight around his shoulders as he carried her like a princess. Luckily, he was running so quickly he didn’t see the blush on Ibby’s face at the action. Even so, she tried to hide her face in his neck as they both laughed. 

Before long, they had gone back to the ship. It was still relatively hidden, but with a leap, Luffy had jumped onto the deck. He bounced in place a couple times as they both laughed. “Luffy, relax!” Ibby jokes, “You may be made of rubber, but I’m not! I can’t be shaken like this!” Her tone showed it was entirely a joke, but Luffy still rested, his heels still bouncing as he set her down. 

As soon as Ibby was set down, she jumped towards him in a tight embrace. “I missed you so much, Luffy!” She didn’t even realize it, but tears of joy had started to fall down her cheeks. “I haven’t been away from you that long since we met!” She said, even though it was obvious. “I have so much to tell you!” She pulled back from the hug and gave him a smile that mirrored his. 

“Where did you go? Did you make friends? Was there good food? Did you train? Was there good food?” He said, speaking quickly as he practically vibrated in place from the excitement. He was just as excitable and animated as she remembered, and it only made her put her hands on his shoulders to prevent him from bouncing any more. 

“Slooooow it down, Luffy. I can only respond to so many questions!” She laughed, and led him to the side of the ship so she could sit on its ledge. “I went to a kingdom called Desiderium, and I made a ton of friends! I met the prince and he was so nice! He helped me train and gave me a place to stay! I trained a ton, and I feel like I’ve really gotten stronger! And yes Luffy…there was good food. You asked that twice.” She teased, and rested on the rim of the ship. She was just as excited as Luffy though, and her feet kicked as she sat. 

She stilled though, feeling as if she had to ask, “How are you holding up? I read about…what happened. I know it must be hard.” She reached over, and cupped his cheek in her hand as she watched for his reaction. As much as she wanted to ramble about all the things she did in the kingdom, she was far more worried about Luffy. He had already been through so much before this happened, but Ace meant the world to him. 

He shifted in place, but learned into her hand. “I met some people, they helped. There was a lady who’s really weird. I helped her and she said she’d give me a reward but she didn’t give me any meat…” He huffed, pouting. “When I went to her room she wasn’t even wearing clothes, maybe she didn’t want food to get on her clothes.” He sighed, and paused when he felt Ibby’s hand twitch on her cheeks. 

“She…WHAT?!” Ibby didn’t mean to yell, but was furious that someone tried to be with Luffy that way. “What did you do? Did she hurt you? Touch you?” Each word turned angrier than the one before, and Ibby glared above Luffy’s head. She took some deep breaths and tried to calm down, but the words faded before she could say anything too aggressive or rude. “It’s…it’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.” Ibby meant for it to sound passive, but it just sounded defeated. 

Luffy tilted his head and leaned down to be in Ibby’s line of sight when her head dropped to look at the ground. “Hm? She didn’t hurt me. I just asked where the food was. She fed me!” He smiled, but it didn’t do much to improve Ibby’s mood. His own smile dropped, and he pouted. “Did I make you mad?” He continued to kneel in front of Ibby, and his puppy eyes melted her heart, especially since she knew he wasn’t even aware he was doing it. 

She decided it was now or never, but the fears of his interactions with this woman was crumbling her resolve. It was important she told him this, because he may not even know what that vile woman was trying to do with the man she loved. “L-Look…Luffy, I really…it upsets me to know she tried to be romantic with you. Because I-” Her words were promptly cut off by an echoing voice. 

“LUFFY!” Franky yelled, jumping up onto the ship and running towards their captain. He was oblivious to the glare Ibby was sending his way. They laughed, and Franky patted Luffy’s shoulder as they smiled at each other. “Ibby! You’re here too! What’s up?” He laughed, and patted her shoulder too. But he looked so happy…while she was upset he ruined their moment, but Franky really meant no harm. 

“Hey Franky!” Ibby said, waving at him with a smile. “It’s good to see you! You look a lot different!” She laughed a bit, as her gaze slowly moved between Franky and Luffy. “A lot of new upgrades, huh? Seems like you’ve been pretty busy these last two years!” 

Both boys laughed, before Luffy gasped, getting excited all over again. “Let’s find the rest of the crew!” He bounced in place a couple times, pointing at the ship, “Will Sunny be fine all by itself?” He shifted rapidly in his place as he yearned to find his other friends. His reactions made both Franky and Ibby smile at each other, sharing a look that practically screamed, ‘That’s our captain.’ 

“I’ll stay here and make sure we’re all good to set sail, try not to stay too long. Your disguises are perfect, but marines will still be looking.” He stretched back and forth, already heading into the ship to make any last minute needed preparations. “Oh and don’t be like Zoro and get lost.” He cackled, as if he’d made a hilarious joke. It made Ibby and Luffy smile at him, and it didn’t need words for any of them to know they missed each other. 

Before Ibby could say another word, Luffy had grabbed her hand and leapt over the edge of the ship onto the soft ground below. Both of them dissolved into giggles, and rushed to make their way towards the center of the island. Ibby’s smile dropped slightly when Luffy let go of her hand, but it went unnoticed by the oblivious boy. It took everything in her not to tell him to slow down, but in all reality, they were both excited to see their crewmates again. It had been a long two years, and Ibby was sure everyone would have whimsical stories from what they’d been up to all this time. 

One by one, they found their crewmembers. Ironically, Zoro was the first to be spotted and anyone else they slowly encountered…had to keep dragging him in the right direction. He did offer to split up to find others…but who knew if they’d ever see Zoro again. How he managed to get to the right island after two years was an enormous feat on its own. That crazy swordsman could get lost going to the bathroom on his own ship. But in its own way, it was endearing. Each crew member was completely unique, and they were closer than families. Sure there were disagreements, but the Sunny was really the perfect home for their group of outcasts. 

Often, Ibby would look over at Luffy and contemplate when she’d get the opportunity to confess her feelings to him. It wasn’t the time yet, not when they were surrounded by stories and jokes once they had all returned to the ship. Everyone still looked like themselves, but an entire different version of who they were. It was fascinating to hear about everything they did to train in those two years. They were all stronger, faster, and wiser from their time apart from the crew. But even then, they continued to grow and respect each other for how far they’d come. 

It’s safe to say a party was in order, and nearly every member of the crew drooled when Sanji prepared a feast after gathering the materials from the island. They all knew they’d have to get off the island as soon as possible, but it wouldn’t stop them from reconnecting and talking about anything and everything. Setting sail was something none of them really realized they’d missed. But as soon as the flag was raised, and the Sunny set sail, the ship was filled with laughter and singing to the sound of Brook’s violin. 

After most of the crew had fallen asleep, the girls had returned to their room together. They sighed, and continued to talk for many hours. After they had gotten the most important pieces of information out of the way, it was peaceful. They had all made such good friends, but the bond the three girls of the ship had was something that could never be rivaled. The boys, aside from Usopp, were either laying on the deck or finally managed to get to their rooms. Since he was on watch for the night, the ship was mostly silent aside from the girls chattering away. 

“Have you told him yet?” Robin asked Ibby, and caught Nami’s attention as well as both girls looked at Ibby expectantly. Their smiles were kind, but beyond intrigued. Robin and Nami had known about Ibby’s feelings for Luffy since the beginning. While some of the boys were oblivious, those two were perspective and intuitive. There really was no use hiding things from them, even if you wanted to. 

Ibby sighed, looking down at her hands as she fumbled through her words. “I…I almost told him. Franky interrupted, and it’s never felt like the right time since then.” She huffed, and crossed her arms. “He said some girl on the island wanted to try to put the moves on him. He obviously had no idea what it meant, but I hate the fact he was with her for so long.” She groaned, and covered her face with her hands as she leaned back in her chair, completely exasperated. 

Robin let out a soft laugh, while Nami smirked. Nami spoke up next, “What? Seriously? It’s okay though, you’re cute when you’re jealous. Luffy’s just…slow. I think he likes you too, but he’s not good with the whole ‘romance’ thing. You can help him out though, try not to blow steam over some other girl.” She laughed, trying to keep it light-hearted while she smiled at Ibby kindly with a hand on her shoulder.

Robin smiled and nodded in agreement with Nami’s words, “She’s right, you know. I don’t think he’s dated anyone in the world before, but we see the way he looks at you. It’s different from how he looks at us. Even if he doesn’t fully understand his feelings, nor how to put them into words, he has feelings for you.” She let out another small laugh, “And you know Luffy, you have to take initiative with him for these things.” 

Ibby gave them a small smile back, “thanks you two…I’m going to try and tell him soon, but it’ll be tricky when we’re on the ship. I’d be terrified of one of the other boys ruining the moment!” She was already blushing at the thought, “And what if they laughed! I couldn’t stand that amount of embarrassment…” She groaned once more, and shook her head. “But I’ll remember what you said. I’ll try to tell him soon.”

With that, they all called it a night and rested until the next day. Though time after time, Ibby would get close to telling Luffy her feelings…only for the moment to get ruined by another crew member. Robin and Nami had both tried to help, but they could only do so much. Luckily, they were approaching their next island. The plan was perfect, the other girls would assign missions for all the boys to do that’s nowhere near where Ibby and Luffy’s task would be. It was lined up so that they would have more than enough alone time. They would try and get Luffy to stay on the ship, but it would be nearly impossible for Ibby to confess her feelings while trying to keep him from eating every last piece of food the ship had. 

So instead, they were going to look for weapon shops. Luffy didn’t use them, but Ibby insisted she needed a new one. The one she had gotten at the kingdom was more than enough, but it was the furthest location from where the rest of the crew would be. Ibby was sure she’d perish if her confession was interrupted…again. She didn’t know how many times it had failed, but it was far too many. This plan had to work, it was perfect timing and there shouldn’t be any interruptions. 

They didn’t walk too long, and arrived at the blacksmith. The plan was to find something cheap, and use it as a secondary weapon that Franky could work on and improve. She nor Luffy trusted anyone else more than him to improve a weapon in ways they couldn’t imagine. He’d made plenty, so they would only need to buy something simple. Since Ibby fell more into the fencing category than swordsmanship, they wouldn’t need to worry about wasting too much money on a weapon of thicker density or size. 

As soon as a basic weapon had been purchased, Ibby asked Luffy if he wanted to get something to eat. He’d never refuse food, and there was always an array of different tastes and flavors for each island they went to. Of course, he was excited at the offer and dragged her through the town to the nearest restaurant. It wasn’t too busy, which gave them the opportunity to have less potential interruptions and people. It wasn’t too quiet, nor too loud. The setting was romantic, but Ibby doubted that Luffy took notice or cared. All he wanted was the meat. 

“Luffy…” Ibby began, speaking softly with a small blush on her cheeks. It had his attention, so she continued as he ate at a rapid pace. “I have something to tell you. I just wanna say, I really like you.” She knew he wouldn’t understand the underlying meaning, so she tried to clarify, “W-What I mean to say…is that I lo-” 

“Ibby?” A familiar voice called, and had it been anyone else, Ibby would have been furious. But with him, she could never stay mad for long. “I had no idea I’d run into you here!” He laughed, and waltzed over to their table. Aeneas leaned down, and ruffled Ibby’s hair. 

“Ae? What are you doing here! I thought you were on ruling duty until your parents got back!” Excited to see him so unexpectedly, Ibby jumped up into his arms as he twirled her around. She held him close as they both laughed, until he set her down. “Luffy! This is-” She saw his expression and stopped. He had paused eating, which was really unusual for him. Though just as the thought crossed her mind, he picked up the pace, eating even faster than before. 

“Uh…this is Aeneas, he’s the prince I mentioned that let me stay in his castle once I got flung to his island!” She laughed, smiling at Luffy, even though he hardly could speak from how fast he was eating. “He helped me train! I’d say a lot of the strength I’ve gotten came from his training.” 

At that, Aeneas laughed, “Oh come on now, Parvulus, don’t sell yourself short. You trained harder than even many of my soldiers did, you’re the one who got stronger. I appreciate the credit, but you deserve it more.” He reached back over, pulling her into another hug. As her face pressed against his neck, she was unaware of the look exchanged between Aeneas and Luffy. “Sorry to interrupt you both, I’ll have to get back to it. I need to pick up a package for my parents. When they got back, they were so seasick they couldn’t bear to make the trip back over here!” 

Ibby pouted, but nodded. “I’m sorry we couldn’t spend more time together, be sure to have a safe trip back home!” She smiled and giggled, pulling him into another goodbye hug. As she waved when he left, she looked back to Luffy. He was still eating, but it seemed like he was thinking about something. He wasn’t looking her in the eyes and it only served to confuse her further. “Luffy…? Is something wrong?” She tilted her head slightly, and took a sip of her drink. 

He looked over to her when she asked the question, and rather than speaking, he shook his head ‘no’ rapidly. It was definitely suspicious, but she knew he’d talk about it if and when he wanted to. Once the bill had nearly passed an astonishing amount, Ibby had to pull Luffy away from the table. He groaned, but complied. She swore, he could eat an entire restaurant and would still be hungry. But if they spent all of the funds Nami had given them on food, she’d be furious. 

She felt something in her pocket, and checked to see a small bag of beri. It made her laugh and smile, “Ae! He’s paying for our meal, I’d say.” She giggled when she realized he must have slipped it into her pocket one of the times they’d hugged. She opened the bag, and put down the full price of the bill plus a generous tip for how much food they had to prepare for Luffy alone. But when she glanced at him, he was pouting. If she wasn’t so worried about him, she would have thought it was cute. 

“Luffy? Something is definitely wrong, are you okay?” She put her hand on his shoulder as they stood, and he hugged her out of nowhere. “Uh…Luffy?” She didn’t resist the hug, and instead pulled him closer. “If something’s wrong, you can tell me. You know that, right?” She pulled back from the hug slightly, only for him to pull her closer. 

“He shouldn’t pay for your food. And he shouldn’t be the only one that gets to hug you this much.” She could feel the pout in his voice, like a child who wants a toy someone else had. “I can pay for it, Nami gave us money for our stuff so we have to use that.” He spoke earnestly, but she could see by the look on his face that even he didn’t know why he was talking like he was. 

“Oh…yeah, right. We should. I can save Ae’s money for something else later?” She asked, confused as he continued to hold her and pout like a child. He hugged her for several minutes, and as she looked around she started to notice the few customers at the restaurant continued to give them odd looks. “Oooookay Luffy, that’s enough hugs for now. We can hug more once we get back to the ship.” 

He pulled back, but gave her the happy wide smile she loved to see on his face. “M’kay!” He said, and they began their trip back to the Sunny. It was mostly quiet, and it seemed like every time Ibby looked at him, he looked away and vice versa. It was awkward, and neither knew what to say. But as soon as they made it back to the ship, Luffy pulled her along with him as they sat on the head of the Sunny. 

He sat behind her, with her back to his chest as they looked at the docks and other ships in the area. It was quiet for a while, but since Usopp was nowhere to be found, Ibby decided now would be the perfect time to confess to him. “Hey…Luffy?” But first…there was something she needed to know. “Why were you acting so funny at the restaurant? You were acting normal until Ae showed up.” She wanted to look back at his face, but he only held her closer. 

“I don’t know. He seemed weird. He kept hugging you. It made me wanna hug you more than him.” He brushed it off, clearly not understanding what he was really feeling at the restaurant. “He got to spend a whole two years with you and I didn’t even get to see you.” He was pouting again, and as Ibby processed his words, her face began to heat up. 

“Luffy…I think I know why.” She patted his arms, and insisted he loosen his grip on her. He allowed her, and they now sat side to side. They were able to look at each other, and Luffy had his wide and curious eyes locked on her. “I think…you’re jealous.” It wasn’t teasing, or accusatory in the slightest. “Do you have feelings for me? Not in the friendly way, but…in the way that you want to date me.” She was hopeful, and desperately clinging onto the thought he may feel the same way about her. 

“Jealous?” His face turned a slightest bit more pink, but when she put his feelings into words, he smiled wide. “Yeah, probably. I haven’t felt jealous before. But it makes sense. You’re my pirate queen.” He laughed, and pulled him closer. “What do people do when they date each other?” He was curious and smiled at her like he’d just won an award. 

When he said those words so sincerely and casually, Ibby’s face turned a deep shade of red. “W-Well…when two people like or even love each other, they date. And they…you know…” Ibby tried to think carefully about her words before speaking. “They kiss, hold hands, and cuddle and spend a lot of quality time together. And if you’d want that too…I really really do like you, Luffy. Maybe even more than that. I have for a long time.” She glanced away from him, terrified of a rejection. 

“Okay!” He said, and hugged her again.

“...Okay? You’d want to?” Ibby’s gaze shot to him, almost searching for something in his expression. “Don’t tell me that if you don’t mean it.” She had a slight pout on her face, but it turned to a small smile when he replied. 

“Yeah! But I don’t wanna do any of that with anyone else. And you shouldn’t do it either! I don’t like that jealous feeling I felt earlier, it was weird.” He laughed, and wrapped his arms around her entirely, stretching in a way to feel even more of her as they hugged. 

Ibby squealed, but laughed and tried to press herself closer to him. “It’s a promise. I won’t be romantic with anyone else.” She looked at him directly, noting how close together their faces were. She took in a sharp breath, and before the courage would fade from her mind, she leaned forward to press a small kiss against his lips. He widened his eyes, and let her do it as he smiled wide against her lips. 

“One more.” He said when they pulled away, causing Ibby to laugh as she kissed him again. “One more.” He said again, and continued on like that for several minutes. Ibby continued to cradle his face, and gave him as many kisses as he wanted. In truth, she wanted just as many kisses as he did, if not more. 

“EW GROSS!” They heard, turning to see Usopp looking down from the crow’s nest. He covered his eyes, but snickered as he stuck his tongue out at them. He looked in any direction but theirs, and caused the two to dissolve into fits of laughter. 

There was no question in either of their minds they would ever be separated. Their bond was stronger now than ever before, and nothing could tear them apart. Until the very end, Luffy was the king, and she was more than satisfied to always be his queen. For now and forever. 

[palemoonsdv]

chapter 2

a/n im thinking of adding small illustrations later...

----

Quinn's consciousness returned to her in slow phases. First was her sense of touch, feeling her body resting heavily in between two boulders, the wall of the cavern digging into her back. Then was her hearing, alerting her to the drip of water in some distant corner. Finally was her sense of self. No longer driven by the animal need to hunt, she was instead left weary. She opened her eyes slowly, dragging herself into a kneeling position.

Her clothes from the night before had long since vanished, torn to shreds during her transformation, and she shivered. First order of business: find the chest with her spare clothes.

It was right where she had left it, thankfully untouched. Hurriedly she donned the flannel and old jeans. Her hair was a mess too- it had escaped her braids completely, running down her back in tangles. She did her best to finger comb it- she had forgotten to put any hair ties with the rest of the supplies.

The water was partially to drink and partially to wash off the slime remnants. She hadn't gotten particularly injured last night, thank goodness, otherwise it would be for cleansing wounds as well.

By the time she was mildly presentable and heading outside, the early dawn sun was peeking through the trees over the northern mountain lake. Birds sang in the pines, as if mocking her ragged appearance and trudging, weary footsteps.

She made it to the house in time to turn off her morning alarm, set her pack down, and fall asleep, exhausted.

—

By the time the Egg Festival rolled around, Quinn desperately needed a break. She had figured farming would be more physically taxing than her old desk job, but it didn't prepare her for how tired she would feel at the end of each day. Of course, her rush at the mines was probably to blame for most of it. Every spare moment, every rainy day when she didn't have to water her crops, was spent getting deeper in the mines so she could find that perfect spot to transform.

But today was a festival. She could rest for a single day, couldn't she?

It was lucky she had packed a few special occasion outfits when preparing her move to Stardew Valley. The majority of her clothes were farm appropriate, but a dress every now and then couldn't hurt. Today was a day for a pale dress and a thin cardigan - which she changed into after planting and watering today's crops.

Birds sang as Quinn hiked past the bus stop and into town. She was a little bit late, thanks to her chores this morning. Everyone was already here.

She had long since met everyone in town at this point, so it was much easier to go around and say hellos. No one stared at her now - in fact everyone was just too busy enjoying the festival to pay her much mind. Just the way she liked it.

Marlon waved her over to where he was standing in front of Pierre's. "Lass, I hear you've been exploring the mines like no one else," he said. "You're likely to hit the bottom before next season ends, at this rate."

She couldn't help but smile a little at the quiet compliment. "If I'm lucky, sure."

"But be careful down there, you know. I hear there's something no one's seen before recently. Something big."

A pit opened up in Quinn's stomach. Her vocabulary was reduced to parroting words. "Big?"

"From the report, it seems to be bigger than a living skeleton, that's for sure."

"Report..?" How did he know what was down there, anyway?

"Linus was scavenging in the upper levels and heard it roaring down below, and was kind enough to let me know. I went down the next day and all I found were dead slimes. Whatever it was must've been hungry."

Hungry. That was one word for it, she supposed. Bloodthirsty might be a better term. But Linus - he was lucky to only be in the upper levels that night, and so was she.

A bit of her vocabulary returned. "Is it still down there?"

"That's the odd part - we haven't heard anything since that night. But my gut says this isn't a one time thing. The mines have a way of breeding the worst sorts of creatures."

"Well, thank you for the warning," she said. "I'll be careful."

Marlon nodded, putting on a lighter expression. "Go enjoy the festival!"

Her day ruined, Quinn turned to the setup in the town square, trying not to lose her footing as the world tilted around her. Damn it, her plan had gone to pieces so quickly. Of course other people were using the mines in the upper levels. She needed to go deeper.

Well, what she really needed was a cure for lycanthropy, but according to Rasmodius that was a slim chance. Her only choice was to mitigate harm. The only way she could live with herself these days was to cling to the idea that she was only hurting other monsters. If she got found out - or worse, if she hurt an innocent person here….

Mayor Lewis snapped her out of her darkening thoughts. "Quinn? You okay? You look a little pale."

She plastered a fake smile on her face and adjusted her cardigan. "Oh, I'm fine. Just thinking about, uh, turnips."

"A farmer is always on the job, I see," he said. "But if you wanted a small diversion, I have something to ask you."

He gestured over to the baskets lined up in the town square, which Sam had told her was for the egg hunt.

"You want me to do the egg hunt?" she asked, leaving the 'I thought that was for kids' part silent.

"We need someone to beat Abigail," he confided. 'I would let anyone try, at this point."

Quinn thought for a moment, seeing the rest of the egg searchers move to the baskets. "You know what, sure. I could use a little fun today."

She could play the role of carefree farmer for the day. It was just running around for eggs. Staying in the good graces of her neighbors was her best chance if she was discovered.

So she took off the moment Lewis announced the start of the hunt, her long legs propelling her from bush to bush in search of the pastel eggs. It felt ridiculous for someone her age to compete with children, but if Abigail could do it, so could she.

It was a failure in the end, though. Abigail beat her fair and square, and all Quinn could do was laugh at the dirty patches on the hem of her own dress.

She was so caught up in her performance of normalcy that she almost didn't notice one pair of eyes lingering on her more than the others. She turned mid laugh, only to see Elliott staring. The moment their eyes met he quickly turned away, bending over to say something quietly to Leah, who was busy downing a cup of punch. Leah grinned, then looked over to wave at Quinn.

Immediately panic surged in Quinn, but she fought it down. She waved back, deciding the most nonchalant course of action was to head over.

He doesn't know, she said to herself. He can't know.

She had been so foolish to tell the wizard, even as desperate as she was.

Was she even going to last the spring here?

—

"Is it just me or is the farmer looking particularly lively today?" Leah asked, taking a sip of her punch.

"I wouldn't say so," Elliott said absentmindedly, his eyes still on the pale freckled shoulder that had escaped the cardigan. "In fact she looks like she could be ill."

Leah looked at him side eyed. "Oh?"

As if she could sense him, Quinn turned at that moment, and Elliott tore his gaze away. No, he wasn't staring. He was just… just checking she was all right. Something about her face had seemed distressed earlier, though on second thought he might have just imagined it.

"You didn't hear that," he said quietly, mortified at his own lack of discipline. What was he doing, talking about their new friend so presumptuously?

Leah was already waving at Quinn, beckoning her over.

Elliott shot a look at Leah in betrayal. "If you tell her what I just said, I will never speak to you again," he warned.

"Oh, calm down. I'm just saying hi, Elliott."

As Quinn walked over this time, Elliott was hit once again with the revelation that she was almost eye to eye with him. Since only a few people in town were even close to him in height, this was a rare but welcome occurrence.

The strange look on her face was back. He couldn't quite place what was so odd about it, but he could tell she wasn't having a great time at the festival. As Leah and Quinn made their small talk, topics of conversation fled from his mind.

All he wanted to ask was-

"Are you really alright?"

Quinn blinked at him, mid sentence. "Sorry?"

Had he said that out loud? His mouth opened a little wider to allow him to shove in more of his foot.

"I just mean - I thought you looked a little pale earlier."

"Oh, I just didn't have enough for breakfast," she said hastily. "But I've had some of the buffet now so I really am doing fine. Um, thank you."

"All right," he said, trying not to sound like he didn't believe her, which he didn't. But if she said she was fine, who was he to push? It wasn't as if he had any say in what she did.

He just wished he could get his act together around her.

—-

After a few more minutes of small talk, Quinn excused herself from the festival completely.

Her walk home was quiet and slow. The darkness of twilight was welcome, as was the solitude. She didn't have to force herself to be what she wasn't anymore today.

As she stood in the doorway to her house, she couldn't help but stare in the direction of the wizard's tower, hidden in the distance by the wide woods. Would she be able to stay here? Or would she have to run again?

Either way, there was no running from the wolf.

[sergeantsporks]

The post hoot - i actually read the post about it on your blog, i think, that the writers wanted to explore how darius achieved his abomination transformation by doing dark sacrifices.

I reay don't think the shortening is an excuse for darius' treatment- just a meaningful mention of him by hunter, or a 10 seconds moment of him helping civilians in the background in the DoU flashback would have worked without taking much time. Like, bump is also puppeted, but it is clear he is important to others, so i stay bitter.

and it's not like it is the case of the bat queen where her story was hinted before the shortening, almost all darius stuff is after, so if there was never any plans for the conclusion of his and hunters development they should have made raine connect to hunter instead, and actually show darius and ebers friendship, instead they used darius to move hunters plot forward and then completely dropped him, which is both a sloppy writing choice, and unfair to the character, imo.

Hmmmm I don't remember that. Oh, well, I reblog a lot of stuff. I mean, we know that Darius is chillish with making sacrifices, you don't get to be coven head by NOT stomping on a few people. So I don't think that's exactly contrary to his character. He was willing to sacrifice the world for Eber, even knowing that Eber would die anyway, which is to say, Darius does NOT always make the most nonselfish choices. Even though ultimately he wants a good thing, he can stumble or do wrong things along the way, or do self motivated things rather than what's necessarily right or best for the collective good.

Yeah, I mean. Like I said, I'm keeping the clown makeup ON and hoping for a dadrius reunion, but in general. Idk about helping civilians, he was pretty passed out last we saw him, and I'm not sure he would have BEEN puppetified in the first place if he had been awake (he has a warping ability, after all, and he's a powerful witch), so I can see why they might not have gone there. But yeah, I would have liked for more from him.

Idk, I don't think he was ever a main enough character to really BE sidelined. I get what you're saying, why would they introduce these character dynamics and use him to push Hunter's character along only to not go anywhere with it, but, well. He's a side character, much as I love him. You don't ask why Adrian isn't showing up more despite this dynamic that was created between him and Gus, now do you? Or Steve, Steve pushed King's character development (and Lilith's, too), but I don't think anyone expects King to talk specifically how he misses Steve and hopes he's okay, no, he's focused Eda and Luz, and that's expected. Eda and Lilith haven't mentioned their parents ONCE, despite the huge role the two of them played in shaping them and how much is still unresolved between Dell and Eda (I mean, there's a whole plot point with Dell and that seed!) Similarly, Hunter's been way more focused on Flapjack, and Luz, and Belos, people who ultimately played a MUCH larger role in his development than Darius did. Sometimes side characters are THERE to push development for a more main character and then slink off gracefully. We've extrapolated that maybe Darius and Hunter hung out more, but we don't technically have any canon confirmation that they did. Hunter expressed concern for him at the DoU, which is probably most of the conclusion we're getting from that. Yeah. They care about each other. Moving on.

Much as we would LIKE to have more Darius, he is, at the end of the day, a secondary antagonist turned extra rebellion member. He's gotten about as much screen time as characters like that get. Not every single character has to be fully fleshed out on screen. sometimes things have to be left to interpretation and implications, because otherwise, your story can get too crowded/busy, even with all the time in the world.